801.M30 Segmentum Solar, Sol System, Luna
The first treatment this time is the Haemastamen. The mechanical arms open the chest cavity once more, connecting the aortic arches to an organ which the cultists sets into the cavity. The incision done by the servitors perform cleaner cuts than the cultists do.
The cultist the aligns the shunt to be welded into the cavity, providing the blood more iron to increase its oxygen caring capacity. This is a relatively safe, most of the Initiates have already developed bodies that can tolerate a lot of punishment.
The next organ is done without allowing the Initiate any time to rest. The Larraman's Organ is connected to the lymphatic system via the thoracic duct in the center of the chest cavity.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Once again a reminder of the danger of the conversion rears itself again. Some Initiates although strong begin to experience an overload. The Larraman's Organ is there to increase clotting factors and increase the healing abilities of Astartes.
Some Initiates experience and over acceleration of clotting factors causing interference with previous procedures. The double hearts clot at the initial incision point creating a block in blood flow. The selenar cultists this time are ready for this situation.
Some of the Initiates still die but this time there is a far greater ability to save them.
"Primary biological integration has failed, but the motor-functions remain viable. Reclassify as Exertus fodder or heavy labor thralls."
"Consign the rejects to the Out-Clan syndicate… their genetic scrap is worth more as currency than as soldiers."
"Agreed. How many are experiencing rejection now?"
"Not many this time lest than 3% have any form of rejection."
While the cultists had their conversation was happening, the last of the 2 organs of this session were inserted into the Initiates.
The first is the Catalepsean Node, a micro-beam scalpel is used to cut a hole in the base of the skull exposing the brain. There a node is inserted between the brain hemispheres to manage them. This organ allows the Astartes to sleep using only half the brain.
The last procedure requires the assess to the stomach. With a cut of the esophagus, the Preommor is attached to it from the entry point. While the exit is attached to the stomach. This allows the Astartes to digest harmful substances without risk to themselves.
"Cycle Alpha is concluded, log a 20% optimization in graft-retention. The Emperor's pattern is stabilizing." A cultist stated as the Initiates are wheeled to their recovery tanks for further induction and tactical engrams.
"Agreed, what timeline are we using for live testing?"
"Schedule this group for 5 months later."
802.M30 Segmentum Solar, Sol System, Luna
Dravion along with other initiates were sent into the death trap sub-levels of Luna to eliminate Gene-Blighted failures. They have been fighting for 3 months now. Dravion tired with aches all over his body is now sitting with other initiates resting before they continue their mission.
The quadrant they are to clear out has almost been entirely cleaned of these mutants.
"Form up… these shadows are teeth, if we linger here, the Blighted will have us by the throat before we hear them scream." Dravion said. He has become the de-facto leader of this group.
As they moved sounds came from behind them. The initiates hearing this moved quickly to a better defensible position in front of them. Dravion however, slowed his steps. He did not rush like the others.
He caught the site of 5 mutants advancing towards them. Turning around he drew his combat knife, while stepping back towards the others.
One mutant caught up with him. He did not evade, he took a step forward pushing into the mutant with his hand faster that it had expected. Before the mutant could adjust he drove his knife into its neck, cutting its arteries and driving the knife outward.
With that kill he felt it again. Something that he has noticed since he came here. With every life he extinguished, the vibration in his soul grew louder.
It wasn't just adrenaline, it was as if he were absorbing the kinetic energy of the violence itself.
Another mutant came from his left going for a stab to the chest, while another attacked fired a round anticipating a duck from him. He ducked the stab, but was caught by the bullet that came at his face.
Using everything in him, he twisted his head to the side hoping to avoid as much damage as possible. The bullet missed his head with a graze, but caught his stomach, tearing through his augmented fibers to exits by his side.
Argh
He leaned into the wound, which gave the mutant that was already close to him a chance. Driving its knife towards his head this time, Dravion felt a heat spread across his body. Throughout this exercise this is the first time he has come this close to death.
Instead of trying to dodge he fell into his already unstable position, allowing the knife to miss his head embedding itself into his left shoulder. With greeted teeth, he drove his knife upward skewering the mutant from the mouth to the top of its head.
Tatatata
Pulling the mutant towards himself, he used it as a shield from the bullets fired by the other mutants. He also heard sounds of battle coming from his back, he knows they are trapped hear.
Dravion took out the knife from the mutant's head as one of the mutants with a gun came in too close. He threw the knife towards one of the further mutants, nailing it in is head. With his protection gone, he rushed toward the close mutant.
With a heavy punch into its stomach, he took its gun as it doubled over in pain, taking a knee and firing on the other armed mutant. He quickly stood up, sending the mutant he just punched flying with a knee to the face.
The using the gun in his hands as a stick and shoved it into its mouth and forced it through its throat with his feet. His body began to heat up even more, he turned around to see an Initiate die to a mutant.
Moving at a speed now close to a full Astartes, he arrived at the mutant that just killed and initiate, taking out the knife in his left shoulder, he drives it into its eye socket all the way to its brain.
In what can only be described as a furry of actions Dravion tore through the Gene-Blighted with unprecedented savagery, like a wild beast let loose for the first time.
By the time the battle was over, the initiates have lost 3 of their own. Dravion stood in the center of 12 mutants, covered in blood and steam coming off his body.
Dravion didn't just kill the mutants, he dismantled them. The heat radiating from his chest was so intense that the blood splashing onto his armor hissed and turned to red vapor.
The wounds he had suffered already healed, but he felt empty and for the first time in some years he felt the hunger that had left him long ago. Struggling toward the side of the rest of the initiates, he sat on the floor and passed out.