The destroyer "Red Reaver"

 

Harkon stepped onto the bridge of the cobra class destroyer "Red Reaver".  Grimm had given him command of this new small edition to his flotilla.  The ship of mutineers turned pirates had made an indelible mark on the vessel and it suited Harkon.  He smiled at the oversize wheel Rast the late captain had used.  Rast could not of operated it effectively and had instead used his ogryn enforcer steer the wheel to Rast's commands.  Harkon and his squad of marines could each handle the wheel with ease.  It was sized perfectly for the post human astartes.  The crew bowed in deference to him as he moved to the wheel.  All aboard knew he was the new master and feared him.

     The Red Reaver was small, agile, and well armed for a ship of her class.  Harkon was determined to make her fast and stealthy.  He would have to see Grimm about capturing and harnessing a few choice daemons into the ship for that.  That or capture xenos tech and retrofit it.  That option was out.  As far as Grimm and the rest knew he had no expertise in such an endeavor.  Revealing that expertise could lead to questions.  Questions he didn't want and so that option was out.  He could get Dark Mechanicus aid if they encountered them here in this section of the rift.  That was unlikely and so that left Grimm.  Grimm would demand a price, unless Harkon could convince Grimm that it was actually Grimm's idea to do the bindings.  Harkon would just have to appeal to the Lord of possession's mania and desire for experimentation in the dark arts.

Harkon put the thought aside as his hands wrapped around the wheel.  He would enjoy this moment.  This first day of command.  Tomorrow he would further bend the crew and the cults aboard to his will.  Then he would sharpen them into his instruments and his weapons.  The Red Reaver could then begin to be truly infamous with Harkon plotting her course.