[The young boy, Sponge, excitedly devoured the fragrant and unfamiliar beast meat.]
[You instinctively reminded him not to overeat, fearing his fragile stomach might not handle it.]
["Gary... Gary told me... told me humans' stomachs... have no limits! It's so delicious..." Sponge mumbled through a mouthful of food, his thin, pale face glistening with grease.]
[You quickly finished your unappetizing bowl of nutrient porridge.]
[Curious, you asked Sponge about Gary's identity.]
[Stammering, the boy explained that Gary was his father—a mortal who had once been a power armor repair technician.]
[Just a few hundred ship-days ago, his father had died of starvation and exhaustion.]
["Kid, go back and keep my room safe... When the battle's over, I'll treat you to more meat!" you said, cracking a rare smile, your sharp teeth glinting ominously.]
[Standing up in your power armor, you left the 'Crab Hall.']
[After asking a few passersby for directions, you found the armory.]
[You reported the action codes of the auxiliary mortal troops to the quartermaster.]
[You were issued an ancient Raven-class chainsaw axe and a Mark III Godwyn-pattern boltgun.]
[Securing the weapons to your armor, you turned to leave but then stopped.]
[You glanced at the quartermaster with a questioning look.]
["And the ammo? Grenades?" you asked, blocking his path with a raised hand.]
["Huh? According to the unwritten rules of the chapter, aren't you only allowed a single clip of ammo for a standard mission? Grenades? I haven't seen one in over a thousand ship-days," the quartermaster said, bewildered, his wide eyes fixed on you.]
[Taking a deep breath, you bared your sharp teeth in a grimace.]
[No additional ammo was provided.]
[You resorted to intimidation, forcing the quartermaster to hand over two Mark XIX thermite grenades.]
[These were revered relics, preserved by the chapter for thousands of ship-days.]
[Navigating the labyrinthine corridors, you eventually arrived at the assembly point for the mortal auxiliary troops.]
[The small 500-strong unit was preparing for a resource recovery mission, targeting several derelict merchant vessels in an asteroid belt.]
[Lieutenant She Eugene, the unit's commander, warmly welcomed your presence and commended your noble actions.]
[Squinting your dark eyes, you scanned the mortal soldiers armed with little more than laser rifles and rudimentary breathing apparatuses.]
["Lieutenant Eugene, you and your men are the true heroes..." you said solemnly.]
["Thank you for your recognition… For the sake of our chapter's home, we are willing to face any danger!" Lieutenant Eugene responded passionately, saluting you.]
[Once the unit was ready, you and dozens of auxiliary troops boarded a Gauntlet-class assault craft.]
[Leading the formation of nine other assault craft, your vessel slid into the cold, dark expanse of space.]
[Through the small porthole, you watched the massive fleet fade into the distance.]
[Among the various spacecraft, the colossal White Maw Tyrant-class cruiser and Kraken combat barge stood out as towering metal giants.]
[Turning away from the view, you absently ran your armored fingers over the thermite grenades hanging from your waist.]
[Time passed, and the ten assault craft quickly traversed the freezing void.]
[As you approached the asteroid belt, the sound of countless tiny particles colliding with the hull echoed loudly, unnerving the mortal troops.]
[Soon, the massive wreckage of broken merchant ships came into view ahead of the formation.]
[Donning the metal helmet of your power armor, you turned to Lieutenant Eugene to inquire about the mission specifics.]
[But before you could speak, a terrifying sight unfolded amidst the clamor of colliding asteroids.]
[A tentacle covered in circular suction cups suddenly wrapped around one of the assault craft at the edge of the formation.]
[Dozens of mortal troops were instantly squeezed out of the fragile cabin like canned goods, spilling lifelessly into the freezing void.]
[The sudden change in pressure and bone-chilling cold claimed their lives in an instant.]
[Their simple breathing apparatuses, designed for damaged ship interiors, were no match for the vacuum of space.]
["It's a Kraken! A Void Kraken! We're doomed!" Lieutenant Eugene shouted, panic flooding the craft.]
[Stepping forward, you knocked him unconscious with a swift armored blow.]
[Without hesitation, you assumed command of the remaining nine assault craft.]
[You ordered the formation to change course and retreat.]
[But a juvenile Void Kraken, five times the size of a single assault craft, emerged from the asteroid field, scattering debris and blocking your escape route.]
[Forced to circle back, the formation returned to the wreckage.]
[Fixing your gaze on the monstrous Kraken, you inquired about the assault craft's weaponry.]
[Upon learning that the craft was armed only with forward-firing heavy melta cannons, a reckless plan began to form in your mind.]
["Relay my orders to the other craft… Activate the melta cannons and charge at the Kraken!" you commanded with unyielding authority.]
[At the same time, you instructed the auxiliary troops to secure their breathing apparatuses and hold onto their comrades or the walls.]
[Moments later, as the nine assault craft regrouped and prepared to strike, searing beams of melta energy ignited like invisible lances, aimed directly at the juvenile Void Kraken.]
[Standing atop one of the speeding assault craft, your magnetic boots locked in place, you braced yourself.]
[The relentless bombardment of cosmic dust scored deep marks into your power armor, leaving stark reminders of the void's hostility.]
[Drawing the two thermite grenades from your waist, you set their timers to a dangerously short fuse.]
[One hand gripped your humming Raven-class chainsaw axe, while the other twirled the grenades.]
[Facing the oncoming Kraken, its roars reverberating through the vacuum and into your helmet, you let out a fierce battle cry:]
["Come on, you octopus bastard! Let's settle this once and for all!"]
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