Upon returning to the cabin where Titus and the others were with the servo-skull, Marcus found that Magos Galio's comprehensive examination of Titus had already been completed. Titus was slowly waking up from the anesthetic.
Meanwhile, Chairon and Gadriel, who were nearby, had also finished changing their equipment. Chairon had switched to a plasma incinerator, while Gadriel had swapped for a heavy bolter rifle. In terms of firepower, they were significantly stronger than the regular bolter rifles they had used before.
Although Marcus was wearing a sealed helmet at the time, people with such a physique and height were uncommon on the Severian. Chairon and Gadriel recognized Marcus at a glance. When they saw Marcus, whose equipment was completely new, they immediately stepped forward.
"Lieutenant Marcus Aurelius, your equipment?"
Marcus took off his helmet, revealing his face: "Magos Galio generously sponsored it for me, so I can better complete the mission."
Marcus did not mention that he had made a deal with Galio using a plasma cutter. Firstly, he found it difficult to explain the origin of the plasma cutter to them. However, Magos Galio didn't care about that; he was only concerned with the technology of the plasma cutter itself.
Secondly, Magos Galio himself didn't want others to know about the existence of the plasma cutter, especially Adeptus Mechanicus personnel. Within the Adeptus Mechanicus, it could be said that every Magos and Archmagos was merely gathered together because of the same faith—the Omnissiah. In the Adeptus Mechanicus, there was no such thing as someone selflessly dedicating their valuable knowledge. Most techpriests would rather die with their valuable knowledge than hand it over to others for free. If others knew that Marcus possessed something like a plasma cutter, it was not guaranteed that other Adeptus Mechanicus priests wouldn't set their sights on Marcus.
Therefore, during the transaction, Marcus and Galio had already reached an agreement not to disclose the existence of the plasma cutter to others.
Chairon and Gadriel didn't say much after hearing Marcus's explanation. Earlier on the bridge, they had already learned from Captain Acheran that Marcus had passed the Chaos detection and gene detection. Since they knew that the other party was not a hidden Chaos traitor or xenos infiltrator, they were naturally happy for their teammate's strength to be enhanced.
Just then, Titus had fully awakened from the effects of the anesthetic. After getting up from the operating table, Titus was putting on his power armor again with the help of a Battle Group servitor nearby.
Galio, while reviewing the various complex data and reports that had just been examined, said: "Titus, your biological readings are below peak, but completely within combat tolerance. The reason for your symptoms is still unknown. The examination data has been uploaded to the Battle Group's database. You can find an Apothecary to look at it later."
After completing the power armor donning ritual, Titus stretched his body: "Thank you, Magos Galio, now I should go do what needs to be done."
"May the Omnissiah protect you."
Just as he was about to turn and leave, Titus suddenly thought of something and asked Magos Galio: "I have a question, do you know anything about Archmagos Nozick's research?"
Galio seemed surprised by Titus's question and, after a moment of silence, gave his answer. "Such knowledge can only be obtained at the peak of Mount Olympus. I naturally cannot know the subject of his research activities. I can only pray that his discoveries and results are still preserved, otherwise, another valuable piece of knowledge and technology will be lost to history."
After hearing Galio's reply, Titus nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave the room with Marcus, Chairon, and Gadriel.
The group was about to head to a thunderhawk gunship, but they hadn't walked far from the door when they encountered a Battle Group Chaplain in black armor and black robes.
"Titus, I heard you fainted when you encountered that Chaos-tainted wreckage. I am very concerned."
Though he said so, there was no hint of concern in Leandros's words; instead, they carried an interrogative tone.
Looking at the Battle Group Chaplain in front of him, Titus, who still didn't know the other party's true identity, calmly said: "It was just a side effect of the surgery. Magos Galio has already given me a comprehensive examination, and I have fully recovered."
After hearing Titus's explanation, Leandros looked at Gadriel nearby and said in a deep voice: "Sergeant Gadriel, I trust that if your Battle Group brother has another relapse, you will be close at hand."
"Yes, Battle Group Chaplain."
"If the Chaos Gods come, any weakness can evolve into a cancer of the soul. Remember the teachings of the Codex Astartes; it will shield you from the erosion of heresy."
Saying this, Leandros scanned everyone present, his gaze lingering on Marcus for a moment.
Then, Leandros moved aside, clearing the path.
Watching the departing group, Leandros's face behind the skull mask showed no expression. Marcus felt the gaze from behind him but didn't look back, continuing to follow Titus towards the thunderhawk gunship in the distance.
He knew that although Leandros hadn't detected any signs of Chaos on him, he still harbored suspicion, just like Acheran. It was just that Avarax was indeed lacking in combat power at the moment, and the gene-seed primarch's procedural justice was unquestionable. So Leandros couldn't say anything about his going to Avarax.
A few minutes later, the group arrived in front of a thunderhawk gunship.
Just then, the hull of the Severian suddenly emitted a slight tremor. Many mortal servitors were thrown to the ground by this sudden jolt.
Then, Acheran's voice came through the broadcast system: "Second Company, we have reached Avarax orbit, deploy immediately!"
As the voice sounded, behind Marcus and the others, several Ultramarines were also rapidly heading towards the thunderhawk gunship, preparing to board.
Looking around, Marcus noticed. In other parts of the Severian's hangar, a greater number of thunderhawk gunships and Stormclaw gunships were already exiting the hangar, heading towards Hive World Avarax below the orbit.
Seeing this scene, Marcus knew. On the sixth day of the Tyranid invasion, the most brutal battle in the Recidious System—the Hive City Defense—was finally about to begin.
Marcus followed Titus, the others, and several other Ultramarines onto the thunderhawk, and after taking their seats, the thunderhawk gunship engines started, emitting dazzling blue flames, and then slowly exited the hangar.
Once in space, having separated from the massive Imperial fleet behind them, the thunderhawk gunship accelerated sharply, heading towards the Hive City below.