Chapter 3: Thunderhawk Gunship

Imperial Navy warships are massive, each one a microcosm of its own. You can find everything you need here: shops, hospitals, schools, churches, entertainment venues, even black markets. They are literally flying cities.

No one can claim to know every corner of these gargantuan vessels. Without a map, anyone venturing into the complex corridors and compartments of the warship could get lost for days, even weeks, until they stumble upon a group of Imperial crew members.

Vito doesn't understand every part of this colossal ship, and he's not sure if Cole does either. But everyone on board has their own familiar places. For Vito and the Astartes warriors of the Deathwatch squad, it's definitely here.

The vast hangar stretches across both sides, filled with numerous fighters, transport vehicles, and various parts piled up on the hangar floor. Thankfully, they don't store ammunition and fuel here, or someone would surely be whipped.

Vito leans on the topmost platform of the hangar, overlooking the divine machinery, especially the big ones.

Thunderhawk gunships, Shark fighters, and ground landing craft are all quietly docked, these Imperial weapons waiting silently, waiting for the next time they are awakened by the fires of war.

"Everything is in order here, Inquisitor," Lancelot says, standing behind Vito with his sword at his side, his armpit holding the winged helmet that is the signature of the Dark Angels.

"But our jump torpedoes might... need replenishing." "Indeed, we fired them all off as bait in one go, which infuriated Cole. He was cursing me all night, calling me a spendthrift and such."

Vito shrugs helplessly, "I'll get him a new batch at the next starport, won't I?" After Vito speaks, Lancelot also laughs. He points with his armored finger to a spot below, where a Thunderhawk is parked, "We'll have to tell the person in charge, you know, those electro-neurotics."

Vito laughs silently, then waves his hand for Lancelot to follow him. Normally, Astartes hate being commanded by mortals, it's usually the other way around, but here it's different. Lancelot immediately follows, without any hesitation, dragging his feet or complaining.

The towering giant, with his power sword at his side, follows Vito with heavy steps. The airport staff where they pass all bow to them. Vito smiles and nods at each one, looking so amiable that he doesn't seem like an Inquisitor. Well, he's not the kind of Inquisitor that the people of the Imperium imagine.

No, I'm not saying there aren't Inquisitors who like to execute people and act like lunatics, but honestly, they're a rare breed within the Inquisition. Why? Because those people usually don't live long, for various reasons. You know, they're not particularly likable.

The two of them cross the vast hangar, passing between the machines blessed by the Cult Mechanicus. Sparks from welding and repairing gaps fall from above, like a peculiar snowfall.

By the blue Thunderhawk, painted with a shark's head, the Mechanicus priest busy with his several auxiliary mechanical arms turns his head. He looks at them with his mechanical eyes under his crimson robe, several different-functioning eyes rotating like emeralds.

"Hello, Octopus," Vito chuckles. The Mechanicus priest turns around, his numerous mechanical arms retracting to his sides, and responds with his soul-stirring electronic voice.

"Please call me Omega, Inquisitor. I

am a sage of the Mechanicus, not an octopus, a creature of flesh and blood." The priest says, Lancelot then laughs, "Then you should ask Old Wolf Olaf, he can tell you about the giant squids on their freezing, broken world."

"That's clearly not me, Lancelot. Now, tell me, why have you come to disturb my work?" The Mechanicus priest says, turning back to his work. Sparks and scanning lights continue to burst around him.

Vito and Lancelot look at each other, both shrug, and Vito walks over to the Thunderhawk, looking up at the blue bird, "How is she?"

"I've repaired the damaged parts, but the machine spirit is still restless. Next time, please don't charge directly into an Ork fleet, Inquisitor. This is a gunship, not a cruiser." "I'll try my best."

Vito jokes and laughs, then sees something on the tool table nearby. He walks over and casually picks up a huge gun, so big that he needs both hands to hold it.

"Have you figured out how the greenskins make these junk?" Vito asks, then hands the big gun to Lancelot, who catches it effortlessly, weighing it in his hand, "I still don't understand why this Ork junk hasn't exploded."

Omega doesn't turn around, instead, he grabs a piece of armor with his mechanical arm, quickly cuts and fuses the edges, then replaces a damaged external armor piece on the Thunderhawk.

"I don't know either, Omnissiah above, I can't analyze these weapons that defy basic physics, nor can I analyze the so-called 'wagggggge' energy of the Orks."

He steps back two steps, examining the Thunderhawk in front of him, "I've tried dissecting Orks, but I can't understand the mysteries within. I've updated my database in hopes of archiving more results."

"Don't push yourself too hard, my friend. Many things can't be understood in a short time." Vito says, reaching out to touch the surface of the Thunderhawk. He stares at the eyes of the shark, then laughs.

Omega looks at Vito, then continues welding, "Tell me, Vito, what do you need? You're not here to reminisce if you're not in your private library reading books."

"No, indeed part of it is to reminisce. We've known each other for many years, Omega, but you're right, I do have something to ask of you."

Vito continues, stroking the surface of the fighter, "I need you to get her ready, and this warship. We'll have new troubles soon."

"As I suspected, I suggest finding a starport as soon as possible, preferably one serviced by the Mechanicus. We can make final preparations there."

Vito laughs again, looking up slightly, "Of course, I heard that there's a huge shipyard in the satellite belt around the main star of Victoria. You can solve specific problems there with your peers."

The communicator rings, Vito looks at the data terminal on his wrist. After raising his wrist, Cole's Bel appears on it, the Apothecary looks at Vito, "Vito, you and Lancelot need to return to the bridge. I've already notified the two wolves."

"What happened, brother?" Lancelot steps forward to ask, "We don't know yet, but come quickly, we need to make a decision."

Bel's image disappears, Vito and Lancelot look at each other, both shrug. Just as Vito is about to speak, he's interrupted.

"I'll get the Thunderhawk

ready for action, go on." Omega says, grabbing another part. Vito laughs, then turns and walks away with the Dark Angel, leaving only Omega and the brilliant sparks from his cutting.