《Aegis》Chapter 98: Belly of the Beast

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You decide that getting a good night's sleep is of higher importance. The note, and boxes, can wait until the Malignus Maximus is dealt with. So you tuck the parchment note away, turn off your lights, and turn in for the night.

The next day you can tell something big is going down as you and your team approach the briefing area. Force Commander Tarian Ddu has twenty of his Marines with him near the briefing table, along with Mabis and his squad of armsmen, and Inquisitor Olaf. You make the proper quiet greetings and eye the hologram of the Malignus Maximus, looking for changes or new data that would explain the high number of Marines.

Jace spots it first, no doubt because of his experience looking at similar holograms while designing or constructing ships. He starts to speak, but you nod as you spot it too.

"That's one big power signature in the core."

Jace nods again. "Fusion reactor, plasma re-circulation design. Too big to mount in any starship, just about right for a large defense platform. No starfort, but not too much smaller."

You let out a low whistle. "And it’s still active."

You tune into what the Force Commander is saying. "... plant isn't just providing power, it’s also providing the life-giving heat to whatever creatures are dwelling aboard the Malignus Maximus. The Hullgasts and Gilliam can tolerate a good deal more cold than almost anything else we could reasonably expect, but the missing firearms and claw-footed foes would indicate that at least one other threat is present.

"And thanks to the work of our scouting parties, we have confirmation of that threat. Genestealers, including hybrid cultists. Fortunately, no one from the expedition has been infested so far, though we do plan on conducting comprehensive genetic screening before we allow anyone, including Deathwatch Marines, off of the Malignus Maximus.

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"Which brings us to Operation Danio. The Adeptus Mechanicus would dearly like to study that reactor, as well as salvage as much archeotech and ships as they can from this hulk. They can only do that if the hulk is purged of all hostiles, the bulk of which live near that power core. The Deathwatch will be taking point once again, followed up by the House Von Sebastion Armsmen. Mechanicus and Ordo Xenos teams will comprise the third wave, securing the areas behind the spearhead. Questions?"

You leave Mabis to ask any questions he deems needed, as you know he is far more proficient than you will ever be in large-scale military operations. Instead, you are left wondering at a pair of loose ends, and you have the time to investigate one of them.

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