Chapter 159 Storm of Destruction: A Painful Evacuation
Generally speaking, star ports are open-air. Most star ports are built in open areas, because the main tasks of star ports are to transport materials, load and unload cargo, and launch and land. Moreover, the open terrain is also convenient for docking large ships. Therefore, most star ports are open-air or semi-open-air.
But Cadia's is different. Like most of the buildings, it is strictly protected. Movable armor covers and granite structural layers cover the docks and runways, strictly protecting the place.
The target of its protection is the large starship controlled by countless heavy-duty supports, gantry cranes and mechanical arms in the dock.
The entrance gates of the star port quickly opened to both sides, and Celestine flew into the dock. She landed on the ground and her huge wings opened and closed slightly behind her. Behind her, a large number of Cadian civilians and Guardsmen came from several entrances. pouring in everywhere.
It has to be said that Cadia is a militarized planet, and its people have crushed the entire empire in terms of discipline and organizational skills. The men, women, and children of Cadia calmly combined on the deck, and they used militarized dogma They gathered with the organization in batches and loaded their luggage onto the transport vehicle under the command of professional Cadillac soldiers.
In a very short period of time, luggage and key supplies began to be packed. No one sat on the deck crying or running around in a hurry. Soon all the Cadians who might soon become refugees began to act together. Under the command of the commander, he began to participate in transportation, organization and loading and unloading work.
At first, many people were regretful and depressed about the home planet they were about to abandon. Many people wanted to stay and live and die together with Cadia, but after Lord Creed gave a high-spirited speech, these Cadi The Sons of Yah accepted the order. They would abandon Cadia and flee to the Star Sea.
Cadia may fall, but as long as they, the sons of Cadia, are still alive, and they are still alive somewhere in the empire, then Cadia will never fall, because they are Cadia.
Celestine looked at the crowded deck. Thousands of refugees preparing to evacuate were gathered here. Other evacuation teams were also gathered in the remaining star ports. Hundreds of millions of Cadian people would take the starship to fly away. Away from home.
"Sergeant Major, the Blackstone Fortress is about to hit the planet! We have less than two hours. Can the evacuation be completed in time?" Celestine asked. The Sergeant Major with the gun on his back nodded affirmatively, and stars appeared behind him. Several huge landing decks of the ship were still open, and transport vehicles and refugees also began to board the ship.
Under the unique and efficient organizational power of the Cadian people, Cadia's retreat appeared extremely efficient. Thousands of refugees began to board the ship in an orderly manner, without panic or competition for escape opportunities.
Perhaps until now, for many people, even if they die in Cadia, dying on their home planet is not a big deal.
"Yes, sir, we will complete all boarding work within two hours. According to the order, we have abandoned all heavy weapons and armored vehicles and only transported people. This reduces a lot of workload."
Celestine nodded with satisfaction, and then signaled the sergeant major to leave. The latter saluted and immediately began to organize the work. In front of Celestine's eyes, the restraint structures around the starship as tall as a building began to open one by one. The huge mechanical arms and support frames retracted to both sides, and white cooling gas spurted out.
The starship roared and its engines began to warm up.
"With the blessing of the Emperor, everything is going well." Captain Delantius Shield Captain came from a distance. He walked from a group of space warriors carrying a halberd. Warriors in various armors gathered together, and stuffed Lustin could tell at a glance that the soldiers of the Black Templar had also returned to the team.
The bald Marshal Amalric is wearing a black sword and directing his subordinates to prepare for evacuation. The Space Marines of the other chapters are also starting preparations under the orders of their respective commanders.
The soldiers of the Great Crusade era obeyed the orders of the Shield Captain, and they were also the fastest organized. The Shadow Master had already begun to lead the team and board the ship from behind the refugee team.
Everything on the deck was in order, which made the Shield Captain very satisfied. He walked up to Celestine and looked at the starship in preparation with her.
"I asked Marshal Amalric if he regrets that he ignored orders and caused the bastion to almost fall before we arrived." The Shield Captain said, Celestine looked at the unplugged fuel pump and energy conveyor belt They are being disconnected one by one, which also means that the fuel tank is full.
"What did he say?" Celestine asked. The Shield Captain snorted and shouldered his halberd. "He said he was very remorseful and ashamed. He would swear to the Emperor to use his life to atone for his sins. But he doesn’t regret his decision to stick to the final door.”
"Because the attacking Iron Warriors humiliated Rogal Dorn, he had to defend the honor of the original body, so he swore to stand his ground and repel the traitors. The traitors did retreat, so his oath was fulfilled, so he That’s why I came here.”
"So, if Abaddon hadn't ordered the ground forces to retreat, he planned to lead the soldiers and the Iron Warriors to die together and be smashed into pieces by the Blackstone Fortress?" "Yes." "Ha, he is indeed the descendant of Dorne."
"That's wrong. Although Lord Rogge Dorn is stubborn, he also knows right from wrong. He knows what decision is right no matter how appropriate it is."
A mechanical sound interrupted Celestine's communication with the Shield Guard Captain. She turned her head to look at the Mechanicus Grand Sage who was approaching. She looked at Belisarius Cawl, who was almost as tall as the Guard Captain of the Imperial Guard.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Cawl." Celestine said. Cawl's mechanical eyes turned twice, and he looked down at Celestine in front of him. "Indeed, I came here unexpectedly because of an important task."
"What task?" The Shield Guard Captain asked in surprise. Belisarius Cawl watched the captain turn his mechanical arm, and his fingers tapped lightly on the scepter.
"An important task, and it was successful." "What task? Tell me, Sage."
Belisarius Cawl quickly, skillfully and in the style of the Mechanicus told them the story of how he found the Black Stone Obelisk and knew how to use it.
A boring, meaningless explanation from the Mechanicus, you know, full of data, procedures and principles, more like listening to a paper report, but it is indeed understandable.
Celestine frowned, she looked at Cawl in front of her, "So you have found a way to possibly close the Eye of Terror, and you are trying it, but you are here, ready to board the ship and leave."
"Please don't misunderstand me, living saint, I don't need to escape because of fear, I have other important tasks to perform." "What important tasks?" The shield captain asked again.
"I'm sorry." Cawl responded coldly. He was not afraid of the angry look of the imperial guards at all. He just answered quietly, like a classic member of the Mechanicus.
"I left the servitors to operate the automated program. I have authorized them to activate the black market obelisk and start testing. If the experiment fails, their losses are acceptable."
"I must leave and go to Macragge to execute an ancient agreement I signed with the Ultramarines. It cannot be blocked or questioned."
Cawl gave a series of cold and serious replies, while Celestine looked at him, a little confused, "I hope your test will start after we leave Cadia. The feeling of the subspace power being sucked away makes me feel a little uncomfortable."
It was actually painful, as if her soul was being sucked away. There were lightning and thunder in her head, and she was weak and in great pain. She could even feel the feeling of the Emperor sitting on the Golden Throne at that time.
It is hard to imagine how he persisted for 10,000 years under such torture.
Celestine rubbed her head, looking embarrassed, while Caul watched him turn his mechanical eyes, "Ah, sorry, according to my program, the start time is probably." "When?" Celestine asked, "Now."
Suddenly, that feeling came again, and Celestine collapsed to the ground. If the shield captain hadn't supported her in time, she would have fallen to the ground.
Celestine's limbs were limp with a painful face, and the light on her body began to be sucked away little by little, and her wings began to become dim and shadowy.
Around, the earthquake-like shaking of the sky and the earth spread to the star port. The panicked people looked around, and then regained their composure in the shouting of the sergeant. He loudly ordered to speed up the boarding, and the whole team started to operate efficiently again.
Obviously, for them, they thought that the Blackstone Fortress was about to hit them, so the speed of evacuation began to increase sharply.
"We must evacuate as soon as possible. Abaddon will definitely try his best to stop us and make a last stand." Cawl said, motioning the shield captain to leave. Derantius picked up Celestine and held her in his arms in a typical princess hug.
Celestine's head rested on the captain's chest. The tall golden giant walked to the evacuation deck of the starship. Cawl also followed with his huge body.
Celestine's hand rested on the captain's chest, and she smiled bitterly, "Only one person has hugged me like this."
"Who is that lucky guy?" The captain asked, obviously without any inappropriate emotions and feelings towards Celestine. This is a point that must be understood as a guard.
Celestine smiled bitterly and leaned in the captain's arms, "An old immortal."