Editing Story:ROAD TRIP! (Warhammer High)/Part Five (section)

===To Terra===


The shuttle lifted and slid out into the inky blackness of space.  The ambient sound of the engines died down considerably as they left the atmospheric shields of the bay.  Freya sank down into a seat on the little ship and stretched out, staring out into the open chamber.  Alex sat down beside her, but she didn’t stir.  Remilia pulled her slate out to check messages one last time before they were out of range, while Jake and Venus simply buckled in for naps.

Freya pulled her knees up to her chest and lay down sideways on the bench, eyes unfocussed.  Alex looked down at her.  “Are you all right, Freya?” he asked.

“I will be.”  She didn’t move as she answered.  “I just never feel good leaving the pack like this.  Just give it a few hours and I’ll be all right.”  Alex made to raise her head to rest in his lap, but she waved his hand away.  “You’re a sweetheart, but I just need to handle this,” she said.  She reached over her head and squeezed his hand again, though.  “Thanks.”

Remilia groaned under her breath, drawing their attention.  “Fucking great,” she said aloud.

“What’s up?” Jake asked, stirring in his seat.

Remilia held up her slate.  “The Tide was lightly damaged in the fight for Seadelant.  It’s spaceworthy, but Captain Roemer wants us to bear in mind that we may not be all that warmly welcomed while the ship’s hangar is undergoing repairs.”

“The fuck?  What happened?” Venus asked.

“Dinged up by Orks during the landing sequence of the Army shuttles, but check this out,” she said.  “They took on a damaged Stormbird during the landing and part of the hangar got trashed.  And aboard the shuttle was Nathaniel Garro of all people.”

“Are you serious?” Venus asked.

“Apparently Uncle Mortarion wanted the big guns at the front rank for this one,” Remilia said.  “Can’t blame him.  Long story short: the hangar’s damaged, so we’ll be docking in the cargo shuttle bay instead,” she reported.

“Hmm.”  Venus thought that over.  “Well, we’ll have to see how that goes.  I’ll talk to Roemer when we get aboard.”

No sooner had she said that than the ship’s engine noise died down even more.  The ship had emerged from the gravity well of Fenris and its deep-space drives kicked on, propelling them towards the outer system and the Iron Tide.

As the ship docked in the cargo bay some ten hours later, Venus rose and nudged the others awake.  “All right, you guys, grab your stuff,” she said.

As the others roused themselves, Venus poked her head into the cabin, just to confirm their arrival.  The dank and worn metal bulkheads and decking of a ship’s cargo bay greeted her through the viewport.  “All right, thanks for the lift,” she said to the Space Wolf skjald crew.

“Our honor, Lady Venus,” the copilot said, already beginning the post-flight checklist.

The rear ramp swung open, revealing a small group of uniformed technicians and Officer Haarlan, already waiting at the base.  “Lady Venus, Ladies Russ and Dorn, Lords Carlin and Seager, welcome back to the Iron Tide one last time,” he said.  “We’ve brought a few cargo pallet movers to expedite your offloading; I hope you got our message about the damage your previous bay has taken?” he asked.

“We did, thank you for the heads-up,” Venus said, bowing slightly to acknowledge him.  “Need I be informed of any casualties from the attack?” she asked.

Haarlan’s face darkened.  “Not precisely, but the ship did take on some passengers: Lord Nathaniel Garro and some of his Death Guards.”

Venus’ red eyes blinked.  “So I have been informed.  What happened?”

“Their ship was damaged by an Ork gunship, and they had to make an emergency dock,” Haarlan explained, leading them into the ship.

Venus let out a sigh.  “Very well.  Then let’s get underway as soon as we’re offloaded,” she said.

“Naturally.  Captain Roemer awaits you all at your leisure in the Captain’s Hall,” Haarlan said.

As they left the dock, allowing the servitors to move their things, Venus let her eyes wander over the corridors, looking for any sign of damage.  Sure enough, the ship seemed undamaged, and the crew seemed jubilant on the few occasions they encountered another person.  Then, they had boarded at the very beginning of the day shift.

The lift ferried them to the Captain’s quarters, where a small honor guard awaited them as usual.  The Captain rose to his feet, looking rather weary, but nevertheless happy to see them.  “My Lords and Ladies, welcome back,” he said, bowing as they entered.  “I trust your stay on Fenris was enjoyable?”

“It was.  My Father even stopped by,” Freya said.

“Lord Primarch Russ is in the Fang right now?” Roemer asked, surprised.

“He is,” Freya confirmed.

“I see.  Had I known, I would have extended an invitation to join us,” Roemer said.

Freya shook her head.  “He would have declined.  He’s quite busy right now.  First time he’s been home in a while.”

Roemer sat as soon as Venus had done so herself.  “I understand.  I am assured you have been informed of the combat which has taken place involving my ship since last you saw it?” he asked.

“We have indeed,” Venus said, smiling to acknowledge Isaac’s grin.  “I’m glad the Ork incursion could be expelled before anything catastrophic occurred.”

Roemer smiled ruefully.  “As were we all.  And it was an honor to meet Captain Garro, as well,” he said.

“I’ve met him at a formal ceremony or two,” Remilia piped up.  To Freya’s senses, she looked somewhat nervous about something, though she seemed relaxed at a glance.  “He’s a pretty straight-laced officer.  Did you have a chance to join the battle for the planet in person?”

“We did, in fact, we engaged a small Ork ship directly,” Roemer said.  “I’m proud to report we made a fine accounting of ourselves; the Orks had their lightest-armed flank to us, so we were able to bring them within full broadside under only minimal fire.”

“Good on you, Captain,” Venus said approvingly.  “Congratulations.  Is that the ship’s first blooding?”

“It is against greenskins, though we have fought pirates before,” Roemer said.  “You’ll be pleased to know the tank acquitted itself well against the greenskins.”

“Excellent.  Dad would approve,” Venus said.  “Did you bring it back?”

“No, a few ships were going to stay behind to transport the Hulk chunks to a Forge World for salvage,” Isaac explained.  “We simply left the tank behind; no sense in transporting it with a damaged hangar.  Safer that way too, if there’s Orks left behind.”

“I see.”  Venus waved off the proffered wine.  “Captain, it occurs to me that carrying us to Terra on the heels of such a battle is an inconvenience for you.  On behalf of myself and my friends, thank you for transporting us,” she said.

“Think nothing-” Roemer started to say.

Venus held up a hand to gently interrupt.  “Roemer, please.  You took your vessel into battle in behalf of the Imperium and saved not only one of the Adeptus Astartes’ founding heroes, but also a personal friend of ours.  I mean it.  Thank you, very much,” she said, smiling broadly.

Roemer returned it, relaxing into his chair a little.  Clearly, he was proud of his vessel and crew’s accomplishments.  “You are most welcome, your Highness,” he said.

Isaac rose from his seat.  “With your leave, Captain, I would ensure the Space Wolf ship got off safely and that we are cleared to depart,” he said.

“Certainly, Isaac,” Roemer said.  He rose as well.  “As much as I would enjoy giving you all a proper welcome, I imagine you wish to unpack and rest.  If I may, however,” he said as his guests moved to stand, “I would ask that you be careful outside of designated safe areas.  We were boarded during the battle, and took some internal damage.  We’ll be putting in at Mars for repairs as soon as you depart, in fact,” he added.

“I see, thank you for your warning,” Venus said.  “How will we know the safe areas?”

“Military police postings at the corresponding intersections,” Roemer said.  “And, incidentally, given your flight time, I would be honored if you joined me for a dinner tomorrow night.  Just to commemorate the journey’s end.”

“Very well.”  Venus bowed slightly as she led the others out.  “Thanks, Captain.”