Warhammer: Hail to the Void Lords!

Chapter 279 04.0278: ‘Song of Promotion’

“Dad!”

“Farida, here!” Horatio called to Farida.

It was a room with a stasis field, and Farida eagerly lay outside the door and looked inside.

Lieutenant General Alexander Hood was lying on the instrument in the middle of the force field.

“Your father is still alive, but he is in a coma. To be on the safe side, the Holy Rose Sisters and the Mechanicus have provided a stasis life support device. Later they will try to treat and wake him up. Because his tissue function has not been severely damaged, the chance of waking up is very high.”

Farida finally couldn’t restrain herself. After great joy and sorrow, she finally burst into tears of joy.

Horatio saw that she was finally released, and he also smiled and stroked her back.

Farida buried her head in his chest, in that reliable shelter.

"Thank you, Horatio." She raised her clear eyes, and her pupils were shining like stars and moons.

After such a long time, Farida's beautiful smile appeared on her face again, although it was accompanied by tears.

"Ahem! Although I don't want to disturb you, there is one thing." Lieutenant General Samuel Hood had to remind the two young men to pay attention to the presence of other people. He was bringing a group of strangers to Horatio at this time. After the two hurriedly separated, he politely introduced them to these people: "This is Acting Lieutenant Horatio Cochran."

Several school officers saluted Horatio, and Horatio quickly let go of Farida in his arms, straightened his clothes, and returned the military salute.

Judging from the insignia and high-level military uniforms on these gentlemen, they should be naval officers from the Star Domain Navy Headquarters.

"Mr. Horatio Cochrane, according to the determination of the Admiralty Department of the Hazy Star Region and the personal inspection and witness of our special inspection team after arriving at the Abyss Port, your ability has been unanimously recognized. We hereby grant you the sacred and noble Imperial Navy Lieutenant Commission."

Two servants of the Ministry of the Interior carried a heavy box and walked to Horatio.

They opened the box and took out a three-meter-long Imperial Navy Lieutenant Commission from it.

The fonts on it were all written by professional psychics of the Astronomican Hall with the help of the Emperor's divine power, and were pure gold.

Everyone took off their hats to salute.

"The Imperial Navy Headquarters of the Hazy Star Region, in the name of the Emperor, appoints Horatio Cochrane as a lieutenant of the Holy Navy. He is officially granted the Imperial official rank, and his powers will take effect immediately after Officer Horatio Cochrane receives this letter of appointment.

Based on your outstanding performance in the Loyalty Academy and in accordance with the Hazy Star Region Navy Talent Promotion Outline, your promotion to the rank of lieutenant will be determined by the Gothic Fleet based on your level, without the need to follow the age limit." The Commander-in-Chief saluted Horatio, who was a commissioned lieutenant.

Horatio knew that because the Navy's main job was to command a super war creature to fight, it had its own particularity.

Therefore, the promotion between the Navy lieutenants who worked together to operate the entire warship was calculated based on time.

This was the case in Ancient Terra, and it has not changed in the 41K era.

After the candidate became a junior lieutenant (ensign), the promotion of the Imperial Navy lieutenant was to serve on the ship for 24 Terra months before being promoted to a senior junior lieutenant (lieutenant).

After becoming a lieutenant, you can become a formal captain after 30 Terra months of training on the ship and independently manage an entire ship department, or command a non-classified ship, which is used by the Imperial Navy to refer to warships that cannot navigate the subspace.

As the name suggests, naval lieutenants are essentially "Lieutenants".

Their salary is only one level of "Navy Commissioned Lieutenants", and the patrol bonus distribution of the Navy Department is exactly the same.

The so-called naval captain, naval lieutenant, and naval ensign are just a command sequence based on seniority, and the lieutenants with higher seniority have an additional seniority bonus issued by the Navy Department.

On the ships of the Imperial Navy, the leadership of an ordinary department is usually a captain, a lieutenant, and two ensigns.

But four commissioned officers are obviously not enough to support a department, so four commissioned officers often command a large number of naval warrant officers to ensure the operation of a department.

The relationship between the four officers is more like the division of labor and cooperation among government officials in the same office. The captain is the chief officer of the department, the lieutenant is the deputy chief officer, and the two second lieutenants are similar to regular clerks.

The veterans lead the new birds, and the junior captains learn and exercise while dividing the work and accumulating experience.

"I, Horatio Cochrane, will not fail the will of the Emperor."

Looking at the coveted and genuine Imperial Navy commission, Horatio took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and saluted again.

"Lieutenant Horatio Cochrane, obey." Horatio thought that this was over, but when he heard that Lieutenant General Samuel Hood next to him also asked the servant of the Ministry of the Interior to deliver a document to him.

"Horatio Cochrane has performed outstandingly in the Special Warfare Division of the Navy Department, worked diligently, and defeated the threats of the Emperor's enemies many times.

According to the promotion authority granted by the Navy Headquarters in the Hazy Star Region, the Gothic Fleet Navy Department promoted Horatio Cochrane to the rank of Senior Junior Captain (Navy Lieutenant) of the Imperial Navy.

Your qualification assessment for the naval captain will be reviewed by Commodore Peru based on your performance during the voyage with the Gothic 25th Squadron, and then reported to the Sector Navy Department."

A colonel stepped forward and personally untied the white cloth strip on Horatio's collar that symbolized the alternate officer, and put a tasseled epaulette with gold thread on his right shoulder.

Horatio blinked.

The subtext of Vice Admiral Hood's words was equivalent to the Gothic Fleet indirectly promoting him to captain in order to commend him.

But this is indeed legal and compliant, and there is no problem.

Through his excellent grades and performance in Zhongsi College, he obtained the preferential policy in the star field document that is not subject to fixed seniority years.

Since lieutenants are promoted according to seniority, then there is no time limit for himself. Isn't it based on performance and professional level on the job?

However, Horatio also understood that the decision was made so quickly, presumably because the Hood family was grateful for his promise. With the help of Vice Admiral Samuel Hood, the Navy Department directly delegated power.

"When will the 25th Squadron set sail?"

"Soon, but before that, the Admiralty has ordered that you take a good vacation during this period.

All of your father's frozen assets have now been officially unfrozen by the Inquisition, and all of them will be inherited by you."

Vice Admiral Samuel Hood gestured a 10-digit number.

Ten digits? God Emperor, the old man I have never met has not been a captain for a long time, and his ship is still a light cruiser.

How much hunting bounty dividends did he win?

Or, how many ships did he sink or capture?

This achievement is just a thought, Horatio doesn't have the confidence to surpass his captain father.

"Thank you, Vice Admiral."

"Farida." Samuel Hood looked at his niece: "Have you made a choice?"

"Yes, uncle." Farida straightened her chest and put her hands behind her back: "I decided..."

"I hope to continue to serve the God Emperor as a member of the Navy Military Supervisory Committee."

Samuel Hood took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Since it is your decision, I respect your choice. Old Willy has decided to transfer you back to the Fleet Security Committee. You have been promoted to acting military supervisor. As a member of the Discipline Squadron, you will sail with the Gothic 25th Squadron."

Farida looked very excited: "Yes, I will definitely fulfill my duties."

Then she looked at Horatio and said affectionately: "I'm back."

"Well, welcome back." Horatio gave her a hug.

The young man and woman finally embraced each other after twists and turns, and the knot in Farida's heart was quietly untied.

The prophecy is not unchangeable.

——

Abridar Loyalty College, the tomb of Captain Abridar.

Since the second half of last year, more than 50 new officers of the Gothic Fleet who have obtained the qualification of commissioned lieutenants have stood in a circle around the sarcophagus of Captain Abridar.

The Roman-style stands behind them were filled with students and naval cadets from the Loyalty College.

These newcomers, who still looked a little green on their faces, looked at these new naval commissioned lieutenants with longing, and their eyes were filled with infinite yearning.

Farida, Louise, Archie, Harvey, and David Betty were also present.

Horatio was the first student in their class to receive a commission, and also the youngest student.

The average age of the lieutenants in the queue was 24 years old, and the oldest was 37 years old. Almost everyone had to take several naval lieutenant exams before passing.

And among all the naval lieutenants, only his right shoulder was wearing a single golden tassel shoulder plate symbolizing a naval lieutenant.

"Everyone, draw your sword!"

At the command, there was a swish.

Horatio pulled out a single-edged power saber from his waist.

This was a custom-made power weapon made by the Gothic Fleet for the naval loyal heirs who were promoted to officers. It was made by the craftsman priest from the Gothic Forge World. It was reliable, durable, and beautiful.

The hilt guard was an elegant small upturned D-shaped. The hilt guard was forged in one piece of refined gold, and the outer layer of the grip was wrapped in soft leather, which was very comfortable to pinch.

Even the scabbards were hand-carved with beautiful and sacred holy war patterns by the Mechanicus acolytes, recalling the greatness of the Gothic Fleet's past glorious achievements.

Led by a lord captain, the newly commissioned lieutenants began to sing the "Song of Promotion" in unison, with a low and melodious tune, solemn and solemn, like a hymn sung by a choir.

Your life originated from the sacred universe of the Empire, and you spent your childhood relying on the calm love of the God-Emperor.

After training in the Sergeant Preparatory School, you will be allowed to enter the Officer Preparatory School.

From pursuing personal ideals to the desire to serve the God-Emperor.

Colonel Abridar, our patron, bless our promotion.

Thanks to him, a new vision was unveiled.

Brave captain, you chose His Holy Navy and finally fulfilled your heroic dream.

Colonel Abridar, please give us your flame, brave, passionate, and loyal.

Tonight, the Sky Eagle sings your glory.

Guide our steps on the road of honor and dedicate our holy calling.

Young lieutenant, leave your skirmishes, for the Imperium calls to you.

You land on lands that ennoble your soul, from Ultima to Pacific, across the enchanted worlds of the Imperium.

The galaxy is on fire, and here you are, Captain.

Aboard a voidship, your courage shines, resolute in pursuit of the Chaos foe.

You fight bravely to preserve the glory of the Imperium in the East.

You wear the solemn crown of the Five Hundred Worlds.

The Tau fleet charges futilely against your line of battle.

The alien pirates in the turbulent void were overwhelmed by the fierce firepower of the sailors.

When the evacuation bell on the ship sounded, you did not retreat, but stopped the enemy and prevented them from advancing.

The glorious victory will eventually resonate, and you will be honored as a victorious leader.

Promoted, you set sail and sailed to the vast territory of the Empire.

Throwing your commandos into the furnace of boarding battles, you pursued the enemy on the dim frontier of the Imperial Star Torch and fought the rebels until dawn and dusk.

In sorrow and fire, the battle finally ended, and then you will see the majestic mountains and vast seas of the Empire.

In order to forge the most outstanding naval elite, thank you for the blazing hell that will never be forgotten.

Captain Abridar, please give us your fire, courage, passion, and loyalty.

Tonight, the Sky Eagle sings your glory and guides our steps on the road of honor.

Dedicate our vocation and support our promotion.

When the promotion song is finished, everyone raises their swords and salutes to pay tribute to the legendary captain who died heroically.

Gazing at the tomb of the legendary captain, the newly promoted officers felt a heavy sense of mission, which brought the second lieutenants who were still immersed in the joy of promotion back to their senses.

Everyone knew that the war would never end and death would follow them everywhere, but in order to protect the vast territory of the empire and the glory of the God-Emperor, they had to fight the enemies of the empire to the end.