After dealing with the fear monsters on the road, the team continued to move towards the command deck.
Strategic data showed that they were located above the belly of the ship, approximately on the second deck, very close to the bridge.
Along the way they saw the remains of some servitors, skinny and wrapped in rags, their whip-scarred bodies telling of their past experiences.
But now they are just cold shells.
As they advanced towards the bow of the ship, they did not encounter any opponents and walked straight to the central passage that ran through most of the ships.
At the same time, Soshyan noticed a lot of movement on the upper level of the main corridor.
Something flooded into the corridor and mezzanine, which alerted him. Those footsteps sounded like the patter of children's bare feet on the ground, and disappeared toward the stern of the ship with a thud. Away from the command bridge - Soshyan guessed that they might be moving away from something.
"Maximize the auspicious scanning intensity. If anything comes close, kill it, whether it is the target or not."
They continued to advance, the searchlights on the armor shooting out bright beams of light, piercing the darkness in the gloomy belly of the ship.
Thanks to Thor's years of experience in hulk life, they did not deviate from the route, but in the process, the Space Marines carefully inspected some adjacent cabins-mostly utility rooms, warehouses and dormitories, and found a large amount of rot. Scraps and graffiti.
Cables connecting several foyers and corridors are exposed, lighting equipment is damaged, decks are rusted and aged, and the paint on bulkheads in many places has peeled off to the point where only exposed metal and plastic steel are left.
This also represents some kind of signal. This ship is not stuck in time all the time. It may appear in the physical space more than once.
Soshyan checked the high-precision timer.
It has been 28 minutes since they boarded the ship.
"According to the scan results, if we want to go to the bridge as quickly as possible, there is an elevator about a hundred meters ahead."
Thor's voice sounded on the communication channel.
"No."
Soshyan replied:
"I can't trust lifts, or anything else in this state."
"Then let's take the stairs."
The stairwell was made of strong reinforced concrete, reinforced with steel mesh, and was strong enough to bear the weight of the Terminator. From this detail, Soshyan vaguely guessed that this might be an Astartes warship.
Soon they were ascending two flights of stairs leading to the deck above.
"No gathering of people or force, just minimal readings."
"Minimum reading? What do you mean?"
"There is only the background energy signal of the ship itself. It can even be said that the bridge is not operating. There should be some kind of target signal on such a scale - there is no communication operation, energy network, or servitor's vital signs. Just the background noise of the ship’s systems.”
"Everyone concentrates, there is a possibility of encountering the enemy."
Soshyan sensed a hint of danger in the silence of the oriole.
"Thor, you continue to monitor the auspicious beacon. If there is any sudden increase in the value, anything that looks like a reactor surge, any decrease in the quality of the beacon, report directly to the direction."
"receive."
The stairwell was dark, the steps were caked with stains, and a brief olfactory analysis confirmed the presence of dried blood.
"Look here."
Veteran Mark said, pointing to a row of deep bullet holes on the surface of the plaster wall.
"It's the impact of the bomb."
"They were also attacked."
Suddenly, the helmet sensor flashed brightly to detect the new energy, and a moment later Soshyan heard the sound of boots on the stairs.
For a breath, the wall echoed with the beating sound of metal rings. Their source was several grenades jumping into the stairs from the platform above.
"Fragmentation bomb impact!!"
Soshyan recognized the pattern of the grenade, and he quickly took two steps back along the steps. At the same time, two Soul Drinker veterans behind him rushed forward with jump shields.
Then the grenades exploded one after another with three loud noises, and the narrow space suddenly amplified the noise.
Flames and shrapnel engulfed the steps, and the explosion scratched and burned the black paint and gold plating on the jump shield, but did no actual damage to the thick layer of ceramite.
"Kovani, get up!"
Soshyan stepped as far as he could to the side and turned so that the soldier armed with the heavy flamer could pass on the steps.
Kovani reached the turn of the stairs, raised his weapon and unleashed a burst of explosive promethium around the corner, filling the space beyond with a wave of fire.
Then Soshyan stepped into the still burning remains, his armor protecting him from the heat.
Through the smoke he saw two Soul Drinkers, one slapping a layer of burning promethium on the other's backpack.
He burst out of the fire at full speed, the bolter in his left hand already roaring.
The soul drinker closest to him only had time to turn around, and the bomb hit the side of his helmet and penetrated the eyepiece.
The ceramic steel and skull were shattered in the flickering firelight, and scattered in all directions under the powerful destructive effect of the explosive bomb.
Then Soshyan slashed with his sword.
The second traitor dodged the next blow, raised his bolter and aimed it at Soshyan's chest, but the man slammed directly into his body.
Soshyan stumbled as the traitor fell, his arms twisting under his weight.
He quickly got up, took a second step and landed on the traitor's arm, crushing his elbow on the edge of the hardened concrete, and amputating the forelimb in a messy manner.
Soshyan turned around and crushed the rest of the Soul Drinker's arm until it was ground into sharp shavings of ceramite and rotten flesh, eliciting a series of prolonged howls of pain.
"This is the price of betrayal!"
He knelt down on one knee and pierced the traitor's lens with the Holy Flame Sword.
When the tip of the sword pierced the back of the Soul Drinker's head and drove into the steps, sparks scattered like embers in the breeze.
The team regrouped on the next landing, just one level below the bridge entrance.
But there were no new readings of note in the command room.
"No matter what target you see, kill it on the spot!"
Soshyan said to the Soul Drinker warriors as they stepped onto the last flight of stairs.
"It's all for Gorgli."
He was worried that these people were concerned about their former comrades-in-arms.
The stairs took them into an approach passage about ten meters wide, about thirty meters away from the bridge entrance.
The bridge door is closed, and a huge piece of armor has been removed and lies on the porch.
"This might take a while."
Soshyan stepped forward and raised his Holy Sword meaningfully.
He was a few steps from the door, followed closely by the others, when a hydraulic hiss sounded down the corridor.
The transmission device rumbled deep in the wall, and the door slowly opened upwards. A blurry red light like hell leaked out from the inner belly of the main bridge.
Thick crimson fog billowed around the warriors, and the contact on their sensors showed only biting coldness.
They stood looking at the open door, weapons at the ready.
But no enemies appeared, and the sensors didn't detect any movement on the bridge.
"Should we just go in?"
Soshyan moved forward, determined not to show a trace of fear.
"Let's get this over with."
