"Second battery, high-velocity standard shell, loaded and ready," Horatio calmly ordered the Warrant Officers commanding the two Macro cannons through the communication device on the command console.
"Yes, Sir!" The gunners seemed very excited, their voices invigorated, as they could already sense the imminent battle.
They waved their arms, shouting Horatio's orders, and the signalmen below, responsible for communications, repeated them into trumpet-shaped speaking tubes, the brass pipes carrying the gunners' orders directly to the lowest level of the gun deck.
"Pull! Pull faster!" the overseers below shouted, and the Sailors immediately moved into position and began to busy themselves.
As the indentured laborers strained with all their might, a massive, conical, cylindrical shell emerged from the shadows of the ready ammunition rack, amidst the smoky air.
It was meticulously crafted, its Adamantium alloy body inscribed with a giant Skyhawk and scriptures of punishment.
Horatio didn't know if this would grant it the power to repel demons, but there was no doubt that nothing could survive at the epicenter of the shell's explosion, not even a Chaos Daemon.
"God Emperor, it's so big..." Farida's eyes lit up with shock as she saw the enormous shell through the surrounding armored observation window, and she swallowed.
It was her first time seeing such a magnificent shell; it was practically a towering skyscraper.
Farida couldn't imagine how terrifying the destructive power would be if it hit a ship's hull.
The giant shell was positioned onto the loading machine, pulled by countless chains.
Behind it, the massive loading ram had already lowered its coiled form, the holy machinery blessed by the machine god ready to push the shell into the breech at any moment.
Two large firing capacitors were neatly stacked below the gun breech, connected to the Macro cannon's power circuit.
On Horatio's console, the loading indicator lights for both Macro cannons illuminated, signifying that they were ready to be filled with destructive power.
"Port side Heavy Macro cannon Number 3, loaded and ready, high-velocity standard shell! Sir!"
"Port side Heavy Macro cannon Number 4, loaded and ready, high-velocity standard shell! Sir!" The two gunners reported to Horatio one after another, and there seemed to be a silent competition between the two gun crews.
Horatio quietly gazed into the dark void, lost in thought.
[Would Khorne really just run away like this? If their goal is the Blood Angels, then after failing on the ground, going berserk and crashing into them for a boarding action seems more like something a follower of K would do.]
Just in case, Horatio decided to activate a Precognition Shard once.
As the ability activated, he saw a destroyer taking heavy damage in the blurred shadows of the void, about to be boarded.
This heightened Horatio's vigilance.
He considered trying to deal with this hidden danger.
"Captain," he reported to Commodore Peru.
Officers have the right to make suggestions, so Horatio could, according to regulations, propose a motion, which quickly received approval from the Lieutenant of the Operations Department and Lieutenant Stirling, connecting him to the Captain.
"Speak, Subaltern Kirk, what is it?" Commodore Peru's tone was gentle.
"Our destroyer is likely to encounter danger during the pursuit. If a distress signal is received, I suggest launching a round of torpedoes to drive the enemy away before approaching their ship, covering our destroyer's withdrawal."
"There is such a possibility, Midshipman Horatio. Your idea is very sound. I thought young people often wouldn't make contingency plans," the Commodore praised, a smile playing on his lips.
"Furthermore, we should always keep a large number of armed forces on standby on the warship. I am concerned that after the Blood Angels initiate boarding, their warship will be vulnerable, and at that time, we will be the only warship capable of helping them."
"Hmm, we naturally have a backup plan, Subaltern Kirk. You should have more confidence in the abilities of senior officers. Is there anything else?"
"The enemy's actions are more like an ambush, Captain. The crimson warship's actions don't quite conform to the tenets of the Evil God they serve."
The Khorne warship's unusual movements were completely different from their frenzy in fighting the Blood Angels at the Church of the Celestial Woman.
Plus, there was the previous experience of being ambushed by a void slave ship.
"I suggest that the frigate squadron, after distracting the enemy ship until our ship arrives, disengage from combat as soon as possible and disperse to guard the surroundings, preventing any potential enemies in the void."
Rear Admiral Edward frowned, resting his hand on his chin.
"Lieutenant Stirling, have all ships scout and reconfirm the number and type of enemy ships."
After some time, reports arrived from various ships, which the officers quickly organized, and Lieutenant Stirling summarized them.
"The augur array has not detected any other enemy ships. According to intelligence from the destroyer squadron closest to them, only one Murder-class Cruiser has been confirmed."
Commodore Peru re-evaluated Horatio's last suggestion.
Leaving one frigate to guard the outer perimeter of the operation was his original plan.
As an old general, he had, upon setting sail, discussed with Lieutenant Stirling the possibility of a Khorne void ambush.
But to dispatch all frigates for guard duty based on a slim possibility, would that excessively weaken the forces for hunting the Chaos cruiser?
"I will have the lookout officers closely monitor that cruiser and the movements in the void near it. If the enemy makes any unusual moves, then I will adopt your suggestion."
Captain Peru incorporated Horatio's suggestion into the contingency plan, but as a senior Captain and Commander of the hunting squadron, he had to choose the right moment to make the most appropriate decision.
"Understood, Captain. My report is complete." Horatio saluted and hung up the communication.
Captain Edward looked at Lieutenant Stirling: "I think he is indeed very cautious, perhaps even overly cautious. But for a young officer, this is a good thing; the more cautious, the fewer mistakes he will make."
"Young officers are like that. If they are just Midshipmen and junior Lieutenants, they only need to think about doing their job well. But Captains and fleet Commanders have a lot more to consider."
The Lieutenant smiled and shrugged, the gold-threaded tassels on his shoulders swaying slightly: "That's why I decided to let him command the warship and get a feel for it early on."
"Have the torpedo launch bay start preheating torpedoes, and tell the officers on the lookout bridge to keep their eyes peeled. My intuition tells me this battle won't be that simple.
To be safe, have the Astropath send a message to the nearby cruiser hunting squadron, asking them to gather at the interception coordinates for support. If there really is a trap, hitting a concentrated fleet will grind them to dust."
"Understood, Captain."
Inside the Port Side Second Battery Command Platform.
Horatio had arranged everything that needed to be done under a secondary combat alert.
As that mysterious power faded, a wave of drowsiness and fatigue made Horatio's eyelids feel like they were weighted with lead, growing heavier and heavier.
"Do you want to sleep for a bit now? You can relieve me later," he said.
Farida turned her eyes, looking at him with his hazy drowsiness, and her lips curled slightly.
"You go to sleep. I'm wide awake," Farida said, looking at the colorful void:
"I once stayed awake for days in the Lower Hive just to complete a Adeptus Arbites undercover reconnaissance mission. Don't underestimate me."
Horatio wearily rubbed his temples and said to Farida, "Alright, then I'll go rest for a bit. If anything happens, just call me, okay?"
Farida puffed out her impressive chest and smiled gracefully, "Go to sleep quickly. Is there anything you need me to do? It seems to be a secondary combat alert state right now?"
"Not for now, I've arranged everything."
Horatio then explained to Farida what a'secondary combat alert' was.
This alert mode is issued when a threat clearly exists but is not urgent.
It is commonly used for blockade, pursuit, or escort missions.
Under a secondary combat alert, all ship weapons remain operational, ready ammunition is ensured to be loaded and ready, and all equipment undergoes only urgent maintenance.
The crew still works in three shifts, but unlike the 'one shift on duty, one shift working, one shift resting' mode under a tertiary combat alert.
Under a secondary combat alert, each shift consists of one main shift, one standby shift, and one resting shift.
At least one officer is required at each combat station.
This meant Horatio now had every right to rest for a while, to conserve his energy for the upcoming battle.
He walked into the bedroom, only took off his top, and lay directly on the bed, closing his eyes.
He didn't know if it was easier to sleep in the void, or if he was just too tired.
Horatio lay on the clean, soft officer's bunk and soon entered a state of alternating light and deep sleep, his muscles completely relaxed.
Farida knew Horatio was very tired, and she hoped to do more for him so he could sleep longer before the battle.
"Prepare a refreshing tea, and a sandwich. The meat must be fresh and freshly cut, the vegetables picked from the nursery, add a fried egg inside, and use Grox large-hole string cheese.
Cook it and keep it warm, then bring it out when he comes out," she ordered the attendant.
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