Zander
patreon
Chapter 32 – The Mission Appears
🕑 Added 2025-09-09 01:49:00 +0000 UTCChapter 32 – The Mission Appears
The days inside the Warp stretched on like months. In truth, months really had passed since the Oath of Rectitude first left the forge world. Time in that strange place did not move as it did in the real galaxy. Hours bled into weeks, weeks into months, and the only constant was the steady beat of the ship’s engines and the long watch of those aboard.
Captain Gaius lived as he always did, in duty, in silence, in readiness. Yet even he was not untouched by the passing of time.
Inside his private chamber, he sat at a plain metal table. His helm rested nearby, and for once, he was not eating the tasteless nutrient paste that had carried him through countless campaigns. Instead, before him sat a warm meal: roasted chicken, fresh bread, and vegetables seasoned in a way he had nearly forgotten.
The food was from Earth. Not his Earth, but Tony Stark’s. The multiversal chat, It was the reward he got from saving Tony Stark. A “postal system”, allowing members to send each other items. Nothing was forced; a package stayed in holding until the receiver accepted it.
When Stark had first asked what Astartes ate, Gaius had explained without shame: nutrient paste, ration bricks, or whatever organic matter they could consume and filter through their engineered bodies. Stark had been horrified. Since then, he had sent packages, some with tools, but most with food.
Gaius had learned to pace himself. He did not need such meals; his body was built to endure on far less. But still, he accepted one now and again.
He took a bite of the chicken. It was soft, tender, and rich with flavor. He chewed slowly, letting himself remember. For a moment, the war seemed far away.
When the plate was cleared, he leaned back in the chair. His thoughts were quiet, steady. It is a strange gift, to taste such food again. Stark may be reckless, but he shows care in his own way.
He stood, his armored plates hissing softly as they shifted with his movement. He had not fully removed his armor in months. In the Warp, danger could appear without warning. Even here, in private, he carried the weight of ceramite. He knew his armor would soon need proper maintenance, but that would wait until they reached real space again.
When he stepped into the corridor, a Chapter serf was already waiting. The young man bowed quickly, eyes low.
“Lord-Captain,” the serf reported, voice respectful, “the Navigator says the Warp has calmed. If the currents remain as they are, we will reach Terra within one to three weeks.”
Gaius gave a short nod. “Understood. Return to your post.”
The serf bowed again and hurried off, leaving Gaius to continue down the long steel passage.
But halfway through his walk, the shimmer appeared.
The air before his eyes bent faintly, and the familiar symbols of the multiversal chat flickered into view. Lines of text hovered in the space only he could see.
This time, it was not one of the members typing. It was the system itself.
[System Message]:
Mission: Help Saeko Busujima.
Objective 1: Escort and safeguard Saeko as the apocalypse begins. Ensure her survival.
Objective 2: Establish a safe base for humans.
Optional: Cleanse the dangers of the world. Additional reward.
Reward: Changes will be granted to the one who accepts.
Gaius paused, reading each line. The system had given missions before, but never like this. He turned on his heel and walked quickly back to his chamber.
When he entered, the chat was already alive with voices.
Saeko: “Apocalypse…? I don’t see anything like that.”
Tony: “If the system says it, then it’s already starting. You just can’t see it yet.”
Naruto: “I want to accept, but I can’t. I’m needed. Gaara’s been taken. I have to save him.”
Mindy: “I’m just normal. I can’t do this one.”
Gaius placed his gauntleted hands on the table and typed his reply.
“I will accept the mission. Unless one of you wishes to.”
The answers came quickly.
Naruto: “I want to, but can’t. :( ”
Mindy: “No.”
Tony: “Looks like you, big guy. I’ll back you with supplies. Just say what you need.”
Gaius: “Thank you.”
Before any more could be said, a new message from Saeko appeared, this one hurried.
Saeko: “Someone attacked at the gate. He’s crazed.”
A picture followed. The figure in it was bloodied, slack-jawed, and wrong.
Tony reacted first. “That’s a zombie.”
Saeko: “Zombie? What is that?” (she’s never heard the term, in her world, the concept doesn’t exist).
Gaius read as Stark explained in simple words: the dead rising again, spreading infection through bites, whole cities falling in days.
Saeko’s reply was short. “Then we are in danger.”
Naruto’s message followed fast. “Be careful, Saeko!”
Mindy typed next. “Do you want me to send you guns, Sister Saeko?”
There had been months of talk between them, months of sharing lives across impossible distances. They were close now, more like sisters than strangers.
Saeko refused at first. “I am a swordswoman. Guns are not my way.”
But Mindy did not give up. “Then I’ll send you a blade. Steel. Sharp. Better than wood.”
A pause, then Saeko’s answer: “Thank you, Mindy.”
The chat slowed after that, each member taking in the weight of what had begun. Gaius sat in silence, reading, his thoughts steady. He had faced horrors across the stars, but each world carried its own burdens. Now it was Saeko’s.
Comments
Zander
Hahaha don't worry, I'm currently writing one,
Noctis123
Noooooo don't do this to us we need more brother please don't leave us hanging
