Celestine's decision was tactically sound, and her deployment arrangements demonstrated strategic competence. Although her approach contained elements of ruthlessness, did it not effectively stimulate maximum combat efficiency?
When abruptly confronting invading Hrud warriors and Kroot mercenaries, the contingent, which had exhibited tactical uncertainty, now faced no opportunity to entertain apprehension.
Certain categories of suffering genuinely exceed mortality in their terrifying aspect.
---
(Immaterium Dimensional Trial: You have been designated to participate in Custom Configuration Demon God Trials. During standard trials, mortality is permanent. Only through achieving ultimate victory may one secure survival privileges.)
(In Custom Configuration, you and your tactical unit must eliminate all hostile elements to achieve definitive victory.)
(Tactical withdrawal will result in penalization protocols including [Crushing Debt], [Overtime Karen]. Pre-engagement hesitation will activate [Sea King's Trident of Flirtation], [June 1st Children's Calamity]. Combat uncertainty will trigger [Pregnancy], [Fourfold Break in One Second], [Virginity Mark]...)
(Initialization countdown commences: ten... nine... eight... seven...)
---
The sequential mechanized notifications resonated within Captain Sicarius and his compatriots' auditory perception.
Their already compromised tactical composure deteriorated further upon registering that withdrawal or hesitation would trigger penalization protocols, collectively they exhibited respiratory distress! The engagement parameters established immediate lethal stakes. Either they would succumb to adversarial forces, or completely eliminate hostile elements.
Any manifestation of tactical uncertainty... Would activate penalization... Which represented effective termination of functional existence!
"Throne of Terra! This exceeds reasonable parameters! I..."
Celestine's protestation remained incomplete when intense spatial distortion enveloped her physical form.
The Steel Legion contingent disappeared simultaneously with her from Jain Zar and Kyganil's observational field.
Desert terrain, isolated landmass, arctic environment, sylvan configuration!
Four distinct trial environments initiated concurrent operation.
Excepting Tech-priest Datius and Sister Miriya, who materialized within sylvan conditions confronting a single Warp Hunter-class vessel and one Vyper escort... All other participants faced engagement against one Warp Hunter and two Vyper escorts.
Though committed to supporting Celestine's tactical objectives, Kei maintained no intention of functioning as the Steel Legion's guardian. All weapons, equipment, and even voidcraft of the Hrud and Kroot contingents were designated as his personal tactical assets and transferred into trial environments.
Within this Authentic Configuration, eliminating construct-generation requirements, even four concurrent trials consumed less dimensional energy than a single construct-mode engagement.
Examining the weaponry and power armor equipped by Celestine, Captain Sicarius, Commissar Yarrick, and their compatriots,
Kei considered momentarily before replicating these items.
While the Black Library contained specifications for more advanced armaments, direct replication presented superior efficiency compared to manufacturing protocols!
Jain Zar redirected her gaze from the atmospheric observation.
The vanguard elements of the Hrud Collective and Kroot Mercenaries had similarly vanished instantaneously.
That exceptionally powerful and irresistible spatial manipulation manifested characteristics exceeding standard webway distortion, it demonstrated warp-manipulation signatures!
Additionally, the Living Saint's immediate reaction...
"You implemented those penalization protocols? You've evidently unsettled that young warrior who demonstrated admiration toward you."
Jain Zar inquired with evident curiosity.
"Just some fun little things."
With minimal gesture, Kei granted Jain Zar and Kyganil observational access to the trials, simultaneously transmitting the complete penalization registry to them.
Upon comprehensive review, Kyganil's expression reflected pronounced bewilderment.
Financial destitution presented tolerable consequences, Eldar maintain minimal material requirements naturally. However, experiencing hemorrhagic cycles exceeding twenty iterations monthly... mere conceptualization rendered existence fundamentally hopeless!
Then considering [June 1st Children's Calamity]... his chronological development remained relatively early. By Eldar developmental standards, this affliction would likely persist until terminal combat engagement. Yet most distressing was Pregnancy.
Regardless of relationship status, despite any attempted resistance, after ten days, you'd be pregnant...
Craftworld Eldar revered life extensively.
Should such circumstance manifest, continuation would become obligatory, they couldn't simply "terminate the process." But maternal status without relationship precedent?
This represented exceptional cruelty...
"Your psychological deviancy exceeds preliminary estimation." Jain Zar had maintained self-perception as comparatively mischievous among her kindred, enjoying subtle manipulation and mild provocation.
Yet compared with Kei, she suddenly experienced... relative purity! Without addressing the various metaphysical capabilities underlying these penalizations.
Merely the consequences themselves... No sentient entity would readily accept such impositions!
"I'm already being restrained, okay? I didn't even use the harsher punishments."
"Such as?"
"Well, without causing physical or spiritual harm, I could make someone pregnant with nine at once, or plunge them into overwhelming negative emotions. Make them fall in love with food, switch their preferences, change their interests..."
"Your classification as non-malevolent entity appears increasingly questionable." Jain Zar observed him with expressions combining suspicion and subtle horror.
Manipulating emotional states represented one categorical transgression, but reconfiguring preferential frameworks, relational attractions, and even nutritional preferences?
"Hahaha~ See that?"
Kei couldn't suppress amusement.
Witnessing Jain Zar, who typically maintained absolute composure and emotional restraint, exhibit such expression... His only assessment: The system fundamentally disregards sentient dignity!
---
Within the desert environment, Celestine and Lieutenant Voss elevated their gaze, immediately identifying a Hrud vessel and escorts positioned atmospherically.
The psychological pressure emanating from the massive voidcraft pressed upon their consciousness.
Voss experienced his first direct observation of such phenomena, instantaneously developing acute megalophobia. His lower extremities exhibited circular instability patterns. Then his attention redirected toward the penalization registry still visible within peripheral awareness.
Suddenly, mortality appeared significantly less concerning. If combat engagement resulted in termination... At minimum, dignity would remain intact!
"Emperor's blood! Emperor's blood! Lady Celestine! Initiating frontal assault! AAAAAAHHH!"
With a loud roar, the gene-enhancement within Lieutenant Voss suddenly activated. With absolute resignation toward mortality, he propelled himself toward the atmospherically positioned Hrud vessel!
"Remarkable~ Lieutenant Voss demonstrates unexpected velocity parameters!" Celestine observed as he advanced directly toward the voidcraft. Reviewing the penalization registry, she inhaled deeply, tactical hesitation remained untenable.
She activated her genetic regulation interface and engaged the Hrud vessel. Although she calculated that the dimensional entity might moderate consequences due to her earlier gesture... That possibility remained unconfirmed.
Within the isolated landmass environment, Captain Sicarius experienced complete immobility upon witnessing two Kroot vessels, one primary and one auxiliary, materializing atmospherically.
These represented interstellar vessels capable of traversing galactic distances and engaging in void warfare! Could unaugmented humans realistically engage such entities?
---
(Tactical resolve demonstrates marginal deterioration. If not rectified within 10 seconds, penalization protocol will activate.)
(Randomly selected protocol: "Archived Transgression Broadcast" — will be transmitted to all Imperial Astropathic channels. Memory selected for dissemination: "What explanation exists for this entire hygienic paper roll's depletion during nocturnal activities?")
(Countdown initiates: Ten... nine...)
---
"BY THE GOLDEN THRONE! NEGATIVE! Lord! Master! Imperator! I shall comply immediately! I accept engagement parameters! Kroot mercenaries constitute legitimate targets?! By the Emperor! PERISH!"
Registering the notification within visual awareness, Captain Sicarius's manual extremities ceased trembling, his ambulatory components stabilized, and whatever apprehension previously manifested completely dissipated!
Should that data receive dissemination... Disregarding romantic prospects, no female would acknowledge his existence subsequently!
His manifestation of wings generated atmospheric disturbance as he accelerated meteorically, advancing directly toward the Kroot vessel.
Boom—
"Emperor preserve us... Has his cognitive function failed?" Inquisitor Greyfax observed with evident confusion as Captain Sicarius impacted the energy field surrounding the Kroot vessel.
Didn't this Astartes typically demonstrate tactical restraint? Why sudden demonstration of battlefield recklessness? She initiated internal dialogue briefly, then established communications through her power armor's vox-unit to coordinate tactical approach.
Given the enemy's active defensive field, penetrating internal sections presented significant challenge.
"TERMINATE! TERMINATE! TERMINATE! Your destruction ensures my continued social viability throughout Imperial space! Insufferable protective barrier! YIELD TO MY ASSAULT!"
Captain Sicarius remained completely unresponsive to Greyfax's communication attempts.
He had entered berserk combat protocols, executing relentless weapon strikes. The Galactic Force surged uncontrollably within his enhanced physiology. He forcibly activated Anti-Warp Energy, successfully compromising the integrity of the enemy's defensive field!
Within the arctic environment, Commissar Yarrick moistened his desiccated lips, firmly gripping his power fist, and directed his attention toward the unnamed Inquisitor.
"Inquisitor, my historical conduct contains regrettable elements, and your disdain remains justified... But currently, having this opportunity to stand in defense, to genuinely protect Imperial territory, such circumstances exceeded my aspirational parameters.
Our tactical unit contains merely two elements, you represent ranged capabilities, I close-quarters engagement. My capacity to maintain defensive positioning remains uncertain. However, should termination become inevitable, I vow my expiration shall precede yours!"
Having completed his declaration, Commissar Yarrick redirected attention toward the primary enemy vessel, from which continuous deployment of Hrud warriors occurred.
With ferocious vocalization, his facial structure contorted into aggressive configuration, he engaged directly against the Hrud vessel!
"Xenos filth! Today's engagement concludes with either your termination or Commissar Yarrick's, singular survival path exists!"
"...This singular instance warrants provisional trust."
The Inquisitor compressed artificial dental augmentations, and maintained close tactical positioning with Yarrick. Under his suppressive fire coverage, he initiated continuous weapons discharge.
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Story completed at Chapter 298!