The wheels of vengeance for the Macragge's Honour did not stop.
While internal purges and intelligence analysis were in full swing, the elimination of identified threats within the Imperium also commenced simultaneously.
Second Squad received a new mission—to travel to a planet named "Synthila Hive World" and clear out a growing cult organization in its lower Hive City that the Planetary Defense Forces could no longer control.
According to intelligence, the cult worshipped an unknown Chaos entity, and its members had begun to show varying degrees of mutation, frequently attacking transport convoys and official personnel in the upper regions, causing considerable panic.
The Thunderhawk Gunship passed through the sky of Synthila Hive World, shrouded in thick industrial smog, and slowly descended into the designated area—an abandoned cargo transfer platform located at the junction of the middle and lower levels of the Hive City.
As the hatch opened, an indescribable stench, a mix of machine oil, putrefaction, chemical waste, and strong body odor, instantly flooded in.
Even with the helmet's air filtration system, one could almost feel the sticky foulness.
The eight members of Second Squad stepped out of the gunship and looked around.
The light here was dim, with only a few flickering, broken lights providing weak illumination, and visible dust and pollutant particles floated in the air.
Underfoot were metal grates stained with oil and unknown viscous fluids, and from the depths below came a humming mechanical roar and a muffled clamor.
"By the Emperor..." Medic Sore couldn't help but murmur, his sensors showing the air filled with various harmful substances and pathogens, "This place truly isn't fit for humans.
It would be a miracle if one didn't mutate living here long-term."
"That's why so many wretches fall into the embrace of Chaos, for a bit of pathetic power or liberation," Sergeant Golden said coldly, checking his Bolter, "Stay alert; the enemies here are as filthy and unpredictable as the environment."
Following the intelligence, they advanced towards the entrance of a spiral passage leading to the lower levels.
The further down they went, the worse the environment became.
The walls were covered in thick black sludge of unknown composition, pipes leaked steam and foul-smelling liquids, and mountains of industrial and domestic waste were visible everywhere.
Suddenly, a frantic howl and a cacophony of footsteps came from the shadows ahead!
Dozens of figures rushed out from around the corner!
They wore tattered clothes and displayed obvious signs of mutation—some had arms twisted into tentacles, some had extra, constantly blinking eyes growing on their heads, some had skin covered in hard chitinous scales, and some exuded a decaying stench.
They held crude weapons—rusted blades, crude clubs, and even rough firearms pieced together from scrap.
"For the Grandfather Nurgle!"
"The Lord of Pleasure watches over us!"
"Blood for the blood god!"
They issued chaotic and fervent war cries, clearly worshipping different Chaos Gods, but at this moment, all were driven by the same madness, rushing towards Second Squad!
"Fire!" Gorden ordered without hesitation.
The Bolters roared instantly!
The first few mutated cultists in the lead were instantly blown to pieces by the Bolter rounds, green blood and shattered limbs splattering everywhere!
However, these cultists seemed to know no fear, continuing to charge forward relentlessly!
Their numbers were considerable, and some mutants even seemed to have a certain resistance to Bolter rounds!
Just then, Dorian roared, "Get out of the way! I'll take them!"
He took a sudden step forward, positioning himself at the very front of the squad!
Surprisingly, this time he didn't wield his beloved Thunder Hammer, but instead raised his left arm—an arm that, at some point, had been equipped with a Storm Shield, shimmering with a faint energy field and adorned with the Imperial Aquila and Ultramarines symbols!
This shield looked quite ancient, even showing signs of battle damage, clearly not standard issue, and was likely a treasure he had "borrowed" from some spoils of war locker or a friendly veteran.
Bang bang bang!
The crude bullets fired by the cultists and the thrown weapons struck the Storm Shield's energy field, bouncing off or deflecting without even causing a ripple!
"Haha! Awesome!" Dorian laughed triumphantly, advancing with the shield like a moving fortress, "Come on! You scum! Tickle me!"
His massive body, combined with the protection of the Storm Shield, perfectly blocked all frontal ranged attacks, creating an ideal firing environment for his teammates behind him.
Lex's Heavy Bolter let out a dull roar, mowing down enemies in swathes.
Gaius and Cliff precisely targeted and eliminated those attempting to flank or carrying ranged weapons.
Gorden and Sore also used their Bolter pistols to clear out any stragglers.
Luna vigilantly observed the surroundings to prevent ambushes, while Lina followed closely behind her, her small face pale with fear, but still diligently carrying spare magazines.
The first wave of frenzied cultists was quickly dealt with, leaving behind a pile of twisted bodies and green blood on the ground.
"Keep moving," Gorden ordered, and the squad maintained formation, continuing to push deeper into the lower levels.
The deeper they ventured into the Hive City's lower levels, the more the sights before them surpassed their imagination.
This place had completely deviated from the realm of normal human society, resembling more a bizarre, wildly distorted ecosystem.
They saw more "ordinary" underhive inhabitants—if those emaciated, hollow-eyed people, covered in tumors and rashes, scrounging through garbage for anything that could be called "food," could still be called people.
These poor souls, seeing the fully armed Astartes, shrieked like startled rats and scattered, fleeing into deeper shadows.
But they also saw more undefinable "things":
"Pipe Crab-Men": Some people who had lived long-term in massive sewage pipes, their limbs seemingly undergoing adaptive mutation, with fingers and toes becoming long and slender with suckers, allowing them to scuttle rapidly up smooth metal walls like spiders, their skin a sickly grayish-white.
They watched the Astartes with wary, numb eyes before quickly disappearing into the depths of the pipes.
"Radiation Mutants": Near some leaking reactors or energy cores, some bloated mutants with bright green or purple skin, emitting a faint radioactive glow, roamed.
They seemed to feed on radiation, moved slowly, but their bodies might contain extremely unstable energy.
"Chemical Maniacs": Some people who had clearly long ingested or injected some inferior chemical agents, their nervous systems seemed completely deranged, their limbs twisted at bizarre angles, emitting meaningless screams and wild laughter, and even attacking everything around them, including their own kind, without warning.
"Genestealer Remnants?": In a secluded corner, they even found several gnawed corpses, displaying characteristics of Genestealer infection (extra limbs, chitinous carapaces), but also appearing somewhat different, more like clumsy imitations or older variants.
This suggested that Tyranid Genestealers might have once been active, or that a cult worshipping Tyranids existed in the lower levels.
The hygiene here could no longer be described as "poor"; it was a nightmare.
The ground was covered in thick, sticky, foul-smelling sludge, a mixture of oil, chemical waste, and organic refuse, squelching underfoot.
Giant, mutated rats, larger than dogs, scurried through the piles of garbage, their eyes glowing red, their teeth unusually sharp.
Even the battle-hardened Astartes, whose psychological fortitude far surpassed ordinary humans, felt a double discomfort, both physiological and psychological, facing such a sight.
This wasn't the tension of facing a powerful enemy, but rather a revulsion and rejection of a purely desperate and decadent environment.
"Damn it... this cursed place..." Dorian, holding his shield, carefully avoided a puddle of bubbling purple slime, "I'd rather wrestle with Orks than stay here another second!"
"Agreed," even the usually silent Lex couldn't help but mutter, his Heavy Bolter's muzzle slightly lowered, as if afraid of touching the filth on the ground.
"Locate the cult's main gathering point as quickly as possible, eliminate the target, then withdraw," Gorden's voice came through his mask, carrying an undeniable hint of irritation, "Gaius, Cliff, keep an eye out for abnormal energy readings or psychic fluctuations."
The squad moved with difficulty through the labyrinthine passages of the lower levels, relying on limited instructions and Gaius' vague sensory perceptions to navigate.
They occasionally encountered small cultist attacks, but easily dealt with them.
Finally, in the depths of a vast, abandoned space that was once an ancient sewage treatment plant, they found their target—the cultists had erected a crude altar there using garbage, bones, and twisted metal.
On the altar stood a blurred idol, seemingly with multiple tentacles, emitting faint Chaos psychic fluctuations.
Hundreds of more deeply mutated cultists were gathered there, performing some insane ritual.
No words, only purification.
"For the Emperor! For Ultramar!" Gorden issued the attack command.
Dorian, holding the Storm Shield, stood at the very front like a blue wall, blocking the sporadic attacks fired by the panicked cultists.
Lex's Heavy Bolter roared again, its barrage sweeping through the gathered cultist crowd like a scythe.
Gaius and Cliff's precise shots focused on those who appeared to be leaders or attempted to cast dark spells.
The battle was swift and efficient.
Although these cultists were insane and somewhat mutated, they were no match for the Astartes' absolute firepower and discipline.
Soon, the area around the altar was piled with bodies, and the frantic howls turned into dead silence.
Gorden stepped forward and shattered the blasphemous idol with his power sword, then threw the pieces into a pile of waste.
"Mission accomplished.
Evacuate this hellhole," he ordered.
The squad members turned without hesitation, quickly retreating the way they came, not wanting to spend another moment in the abyssal cesspit of this Hive City.
They just wanted to return as quickly as possible to the relatively "clean" Thunderhawk Gunship, back to the Macragge's Honour, to thoroughly rinse their armor with disinfectant, and temporarily banish the nightmarish sights they had just witnessed from their minds.
The darkness and filth of the Hive City's lower levels once again taught them a harsh lesson, reminding them of the countless cruel realities hidden beneath the Imperium's glory.
The roar of the Thunderhawk Gunship's engines gradually stabilized, pulling away from the suffocating gravity well and polluted atmosphere of the Synthila Hive City world, leaving that steel abyss filled with despair and perversion far behind.
Inside the cabin, a strange, lingering odor, a mix of the Hive City's stench and Bolter gunpowder, persisted, which even the powerful circulation system couldn't immediately purify.
The team members removed their helmets, most looking unwell.
This wasn't because the battle was difficult—clearing those disorganized cultists wasn't even a warm-up for them—but rather the strong psychological and physiological discomfort brought by the environment, clinging to them like a persistent illness.
"The Emperor above…" Dorian grumbled, his voice muffled, as he wiped solidified green goo and unidentified tissue fragments from his Storm Shield with an oily rag.
"That hellhole was even more disgusting than Nurgle's home! It even dirtied my new, precious shield!"
His words broke the cabin's silence.
Gaius looked at the Storm Shield in his hand, ancient yet still radiating a reliable force field glow, and couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, Dorian, where did you get that Storm Shield? I remember it's not standard issue; usually, only senior veterans from the First Company or a Captain's aide are eligible to request one."
Storm Shields, as precious defensive equipment, were strictly controlled within the Chapter, and not something a heavy weapons specialist like Dorian, known for his 'recklessness,' could easily obtain.
Dorian, hearing this, showed a triumphant yet slightly mysterious expression.
He chuckled, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret: "Heh, you've got good eyes, kid! This is indeed a good piece of gear! I got it with 'sincerity' before!"
"Sincerity?" Gaius raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
The other team members' attention was also piqued.
"Remember last time, those… um… 'hospitable' Blood Ravens brothers, a company of them came to our ship for temporary rest and resupply," Dorian mused, smacking his lips as if savoring a good deal.
"I saw a Sergeant in their company who seemed to really like my gem-encrusted ceremonial sword, which I captured from a Dark Eldar woman, and also my spare 'Rager' pattern sub-assault cannon…"
He gestured: "That sword was too flashy, not for a practical guy like me, and I don't need the assault cannon since I have my Thunder Hammer.
So I discussed… um… had a friendly exchange with him, trading those two for this old, sturdy-looking shield of his.
He was quite happy, even praised us Ultramarines for being generous! Said it was a win-win!"
Dorian spoke excitedly, as if he had made an incredibly good deal.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Lex, who had been silently checking his heavy Bolter nearby, suddenly looked up, his eyes widening instantly, staring fixedly at Dorian:
"Wait! What did you say?! What did you trade?! A gem-encrusted Eldar sword? And a 'Rager' assault cannon?!"
His voice abruptly rose, filled with incredulous anger and shock.
"Yeah!" Dorian, still unaware of the problem, nodded proudly, "How about that? Not a bad deal, right? That shield is a genuine Storm Shield!"
"Not bad my ass!" Lex almost jumped up, his face red with anger, "I knew two treasures were missing from my armory's display cabinet! Those were collectibles I was planning to have modified by an artisan when I returned to Macragge!
I thought the Tech-Priest made a mistake during inventory! Turns out you swiped them!"
The cabin fell silent instantly, everyone looking at Lex and Dorian.
Dorian was stunned for a moment, then retorted, neck stiff: "Nonsense! What do you mean 'swiped'? Those two items were clearly sitting on the public weapon rack gathering dust! I thought they were unwanted spoils of war!"
"Public weapon rack my foot!" Lex roared, "I temporarily put them there for maintenance! There was even my name tag next to them! Did you seriously not even look?!"
"Uh…" Dorian's bravado instantly deflated, his gaze drifting as he mumbled, "I think… I think there was a paper… I didn't notice… Anyway… anyway, it's already traded… The Blood Ravens left long ago…"
"You!" Lex's forehead veins bulged with anger, wishing he could pounce on Dorian and fight him immediately, "Those were my personal collectibles! You actually traded them with those… those 'hoarding' Blood Ravens for a broken shield?! Do you know the value of those two items? The gems on that sword might contain psychic energy! And that assault cannon is a limited edition!"
"Oh, well, out with the old, in with the new, right?" Dorian tried to joke, "Look how practical this shield is! If I hadn't been at the front just now, would you all have had it so easy?"
"I'll top your big head!" Lex almost swore, "I'd rather you didn't top! Give me back my treasures!"
Just as the two were about to start bickering in the Thunderhawk cabin, Sergeant Golden couldn't help but rub his temples and admonish: "Both of you, shut up! Dorian, write a detailed report explaining the equipment's origin.
Lex, report the loss to the Quartermaster and see if it can be recovered or compensated through Chapter channels.
Now is not the time for infighting!"
The two grudgingly fell silent, but still glared at each other, engaging in a silent confrontation with their eyes.
Dorian regretted the "good things" he had traded away, while Lex grieved for his mysteriously missing treasures.
This small farce somewhat dispelled the oppressive feeling from the Hive City, but soon, another, more worrying situation caught everyone's attention.
Luna had been sitting quietly in the corner, but she suddenly spoke, her voice still flat, yet with a hint of imperceptible urgency: "Sergeant Golden, please come look at Lina.
Her condition is very poor."
Hearing this, everyone immediately turned to look.
They saw that Lina had, at some point, removed the gas mask that was still too large for her.
Her small face rested against Luna's leg armor, terrifyingly pale, her breathing faint and rapid, her forehead covered in cold sweat, and she was curled up, trembling slightly.
The extremely harsh environment of the Hive City's underbelly—the toxic chemicals, high-concentration pollutants, potentially low-dose radiation, and unnameable pathogens in the air—was a burden even for Astartes, who had undergone gene-modifications and possessed superior immune and filtration systems.
How much more so for a mortal little girl like Lina, whose body was not yet fully developed!
Even with the gas mask from Sore, she had inevitably inhaled some harmful substances, or rather, the desperate and filthy environment itself had a huge impact on her mind and small body.
Medic Sore immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and scanned Lina's vital signs with a portable medical device.
"Weak vital signs… rapid heart rate… signs of mild poisoning and radiation burns… indications of lung infection… severe mental distress…" Sore's voice grew grave, "She needs immediate professional medical care!
Her body cannot fight off this level of contamination on its own!"
Gorden's face instantly darkened.
He immediately contacted the bridge via internal comms: "This is Sergeant Golden, Second Squad mission complete, returning.
Requesting emergency medical assistance! Repeat, requesting emergency medical assistance! A mortal auxiliary has severe poisoning and stress reaction, requires immediate treatment!"
"Received, Sergeant Golden.
Medical Bay is ready," the bridge responded swiftly.
The Thunderhawk Gunship's speed seemed to increase further.
Everyone's attention shifted from the Storm Shield and the lost weapons, looking worriedly at the frail Lina.
Dorian and Lex also stopped glaring at each other, their faces showing guilt and concern.
They had been negligent, focused only on fighting and adapting to the environment, neglecting the care of the most vulnerable member of the squad.
Luna gently held Lina more steadily, trying to give the girl some support with her relatively cold metal arm.
Lina seemed to feel some security, unconsciously snuggling further into Luna's embrace, letting out tiny, pained moans.
Finally, the Thunderhawk Gunship landed smoothly in the hangar of the Macragge's Honour.
As soon as the hatch opened, medical servitors and two Apothecaries, who had been waiting, immediately rushed forward with a grav-stretcher.
Sore quickly and briefly explained the situation to the Apothecaries.
The Apothecaries nodded, swiftly and gently taking Lina from Luna's arms and placing her on the stretcher, immediately fitting an oxygen mask and connecting her to a life monitor.
"Leave her to us," one Apothecary told Gorden, then pushed the stretcher, quickly leaving the hangar and heading towards the Medical Bay.
Luna silently stood up, her bionic eyes following the departing stretcher.
Gorden looked at his team members, saying in a deep voice: "I will personally report the mission brief to Captain Cassius.
Sore, you go to the Medical Bay and assist the Apothecaries; report any developments to me immediately.
The rest of you, proceed with standard purification procedures immediately, especially your armor and weapons.
I do not wish to bring any 'gifts' from that Hive City onto the ship."
"Yes, Sergeant!" everyone responded.
The team was temporarily dismissed.
Gorden strode towards Captain Cassius of the 7th Company's office to report.
Sore immediately rushed to the Medical Bay.
Luna, uncharacteristically, did not immediately return to the armory, but followed in Sore's direction, seemingly wanting to know Lina's condition as soon as possible.
Dorian, Gaius, Lex, and Cliff walked towards the purification chamber.
Along the way, Dorian no longer had the mood to show off his new shield, and Lex no longer mentioned his lost treasures; the atmosphere was somewhat subdued.
They all understood that although the mission was successfully completed, Lina's incident had sounded an alarm for all of them.
In the vast universe of the Imperium, even relatively "safe" rear-area missions were fraught with deadly dangers for mortals.
They needed to be more vigilant, not only to confront the enemies before them but also to protect their fragile yet precious comrades beside them.
Late at night (ship time), most areas of the Macragge's Honour had fallen silent, with only the eternal hum of the engines and the rhythmic footsteps of patrol teams echoing in the empty corridors.
In the 7th Company's resting area, the lights were dimmed, and most of the Marines had returned to their individual compartments for meditation or rest.
Gaius sat alone in a corner of the common resting area, meticulously maintaining his 'Hawkeye' sniper rifle under the dim light of a wall-mounted lamp.
The cold metal parts were disassembled one by one in his hands, coated with specialized maintenance oil, and then carefully reassembled.
This process was a form of relaxation for him, a way to settle his chaotic thoughts.
The day's missions, the sights of the Hive City's underbelly, the speculations about the Fateweaver, and the dormant power within him—all required temporary emptying through absolute concentration.
The only sounds in the air were the faint scent of machine oil and the soft clicking of metal parts gently colliding.
Everything seemed so peaceful, perhaps even... too peaceful.
Just as Gaius placed the last component back and let out a soft sigh, the corner of his eye seemed to catch a glimpse of something unusual.
He sharply turned his head, looking towards the shadowy corner on the other side of the resting area.
There, above an alloy tabletop, the air seemed to twist slightly, and then, a raven materialized.
A raven covered entirely in blue-black feathers, like the deepest night.
Its body was slightly larger than a normal raven, and what was most unsettling was that where its eyes should have been, there were three pairs, a total of six, eyes glowing with an eerie blue light!
That light was not reflected; it originated from within, like six miniature stars burning with treacherous flames.
It stood there quietly, tilting its head, its six eyes unblinkingly fixed on Gaius, with an unnatural, chilling 'curiosity' and 'appreciation'.
Gaius' heart suddenly constricted, and his entire body tensed instantly!
He instinctively reached for the Bolter pistol beside him, and at the same time, opened his mouth to shout a warning—
But he couldn't.
His body was frozen as if by invisible amber, maintaining a half-turned posture, unable to move even a single finger.
His vocal cords were like rusted iron; no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't squeeze out even a whisper.
His eyes could still move, his mind was still racing, but his physical existence was absolutely and completely confined to the spot!
Not just his body, but the entire resting area—no, perhaps a larger expanse of time—seemed to have entered a state of suspended animation.
Tiny dust motes floating in the air froze, the sound of liquid dripping in a distant pipe abruptly ceased, and even the lights seemed to become solidified entities.
A terrifying sense of absolute stillness, of being the only one present, gripped him.
"Clever child..." A voice echoed directly in his mind.
The voice was neither male nor female, sometimes like countless whispered overlaps, sometimes transforming into a clear, smooth single tone, full of unsettling variability and seductive power.
"...Truly unexpectedly perceptive.
To be able to discern, from mere threads, the connection between the Fateweaver and my Lord's great plan... tsk tsk tsk..."
The six-eyed raven, or rather, the entity using the raven's form, let out an approving 'laugh', a sound that reverberated directly in Gaius' consciousness, causing him a wave of nausea and dizziness.
"No need to be surprised, nor to struggle in vain," the raven's voice continued, its six eyes simultaneously narrowing, revealing a playful mockery, "This is a small gift, allowing you and I to have an opportunity... to speak frankly, undisturbed by those tedious gazes."
It elegantly flapped its wings, flying from the table and hovering in the air before Gaius, its six eerie blue eyes almost touching Gaius' faceplate.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself.
I am the Demon of a Thousand Faces, the Lord of Treachery, the Weaver of Fates—you may call me the Lord of Change, a servant under the esteemed Lord of Change, sent by the will of the Supreme God to... converse with you."
A Great Daemon of Tzeentch!
Gaius' heart was in turmoil; although he had long suspected a connection to Chaos, a Great Daemon of Tzeentch appearing directly in such a manner within the core area of an Imperial warship still exceeded his worst imaginings!
"Why such resistance, Chosen One...?"
The Lord of Change's voice became softer, filled with deadly allure, "Look around you, look at all that you serve.
Cold steel, rigid dogma, endless war, and... never-ending suspicion and betrayal."
"Your strength, before the true might of the Gods, is so laughably minuscule.
Even if you are battle-hardened, you will eventually turn to dust.
Even if your loyalty is unwavering, you cannot escape suspicion and purification.
Death is your only and destined end."
"But... embracing my Lord is different," the Lord of Change's voice was like sweet poison, seeping into Gaius' mind, "My Lord is the Master of Change, the Source of Knowledge, the Weaver of Fates.
Cast yourself into his embrace, and you will break free from these mortal shackles, gaining true... freedom and power."
"You will be able to perceive past and future, and all the mysteries of the world will no longer be hidden from your eyes.
You will be able to change at will, in countless forms, and even the laws of the universe can be twisted by you.
Even..." the Lord of Change's voice was filled with infinite possibilities, "...Roboute Guilliman, who sits enthroned, claiming to be the hope of the Imperium, will no longer be able to look down upon you.
You will be an equal to the Primarch... no, perhaps even... surpass him!"
Enticing images surged into Gaius' mind like a tide: he, clad in magnificent blue-gold armor shimmering with endless knowledge, waving his hand as stars shifted, countless wise men prostrating themselves to hear his teachings, Guilliman looking at him with an equal, even slightly reverent gaze...
Power, knowledge, freedom, respect... everything he seemed to desire or had never desired, was magnified to the extreme and presented before him.
Gaius roared, rejected, and spat in his heart!
He would never betray the Emperor, betray the Chapter, betray the brothers who trusted him!
He tried to gather his will, to dispel these illusions, but the temptation clung to his mind like a persistent disease.
He seemed to feel the power deep within his left arm stirring, as if resonating with the Lord of Change's words!
Seeing the intense struggle in Gaius' eyes, yet his inability to express it, the Lord of Change let out a delighted chuckle.
"It seems you need a more direct... revelation."
The blue raven form hovering in the air began to violently twist, expand, and change!
The eerie blue feathers transformed into rolling flames and flowing metal, the six eyes merged and split, finally forming two massive heads, each facing a different direction!
The left head had an aged, withered face, its eyes filled with endless memories and accumulated wisdom; its gaze seemed to pierce through time, tracing back all the dust of the past.
This was the head that knew the past.
The right head, however, constantly twisted and deformed, sometimes clear, sometimes blurry, its eyes flickering with countless fragmented visions and possibilities of the future.
This was the head that glimpsed the future.
And its present, no one could clearly see, as if it was forever in a state of undefined change.
The head representing the future suddenly turned towards Gaius, its eyes emitting a dazzling blue beam of light, projecting a clear and despair-inducing image into the air before Gaius—
It was a gigantic figure clad in incredibly ornate blue-gold armor, inlaid with countless symbols of the Eye of Wisdom.
He hovered amidst the storms of the Warp, surrounded by terrifying psychic lightning and swirling magical scrolls, an overwhelming sense of infinite wisdom and power radiating from him.
And that face... although distorted with arrogant and mad light, covered with strange runes, Gaius would never mistake it... it was himself!
Himself, after falling to Chaos, becoming a Daemon Prince of Tzeentch, and gaining supreme divine power!
The impact of that image was immense, almost tearing Gaius' sanity apart!
At the same time, the head representing the past also turned, and from its eyes flowed fragments of time like grains of sand, revealing another scene—
It was not long ago, Captain Moreno of the Grey Knights, Valerius, and Kaldor, surrounded him in the corridor, their Storm Bolters and psychic weapons pointed directly at him, Captain Moreno's cold voice seemingly echoing again: "...a potential threat... must be monitored... purified if necessary..."
Immediately after, the scene shifted, becoming representatives of the Inquisition pressuring Chapter Master Marius Calgar, the black-robed Inquisitors speaking sternly: "...the Ultramarines must provide an explanation... such mutation is utterly intolerable... if necessary, we will take coercive measures..."
Accusations of "traitor," "heretic," "purification" pierced Gaius' heart like cold, poisonous barbs!
The ruthless encirclement and suspicion of the past, the dark corruption and power of the future—two utterly contrasting images, yet seemingly containing a strange causality, were simultaneously presented before Gaius, violently assaulting his beliefs and will.
"Behold..." both heads spoke simultaneously, their voices overlapping, like a pronouncement of fate, "While you are desperately trying to prove your loyalty, they already consider you a traitor!
The Inquisition's noose is tightening, and the Grey Knights' weapons are forever aimed at your head!
Everything you fight for will ultimately repay you only with cold Bolter rounds and an eternal curse!"
"But when you embrace this destined fate, and commit to my Lord's great work..." the image of the Daemon Prince Gaius projected by the future-seeing head grew even more resplendent and powerful, "You will gain understanding and power beyond mortal ken!
Those who once questioned you, persecuted you, will tremble and prostrate themselves before your wisdom and divine might!"
"Chosen One... why do you remain so stubbornly deluded?"
The Lord of Change's voice was filled with 'regret' and 'incomprehension', "Perhaps... you need more time to consider this obvious choice.
It's alright, I and my Lord possess infinite time and patience.
We will wait... wait for you to make a wise decision."
The power that had confined Gaius slowly began to recede, but he still couldn't move, only able to watch as the terrifying two-headed Lord of Change's projection began to blur and become transparent.
Just before completely vanishing, the head representing the future seemed to remember something, letting out one last whisper with a mischievous laugh:
"Ah, yes... I forgot to tell you.
To give you a more direct experience of the Grey Knights' ruthlessness and cruelty... I quietly left a little... insignificant 'scent' around you.
Presumably, those Grey Knights, most sensitive to my Lord's power, will soon flock here like sharks smelling blood..."
"Go and witness it, Chosen One.
Witness their undeniable 'purification'.
Then... reconsider who your true destiny lies with..."
As the words faded, the Lord of Change's projection completely dissipated, leaving no trace.
The sensation of time's stasis vanished instantly!
Gaius suddenly regained control of his body; he gasped for breath, cold sweat instantly soaking his under-armor, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would shatter his ribs!
Everything that had just happened was like the most terrifying nightmare, yet it was indelibly etched in his mind.
The seductive whispers, the images of the future, the accusations of the past... especially that last sentence...
He sharply looked up, his superhuman senses fully extended!
It was too late!
From the distant corridor entrance of the resting area came heavy, hurried footsteps filled with cold killing intent!
He would never mistake those footsteps—it was the Grey Knights!
And not just one!
Almost simultaneously, the alarm in the resting area was forcibly triggered, and piercing red lights flashed wildly!
It was the highest level internal threat alert!
In the name of the Grey Knights Chapter! Everyone, do not move! Remain in place and submit to scrutiny!
A bone-chchilling voice, imbued with furious psychic power, boomed through the loudspeaker, echoing across the entire area.
Five tall, silver-armored figures appeared as if tearing through reality at various entrances to the lounge area, completely blocking all exits.
Leading them was Captain Keirano! His Force Halberd was already activated, crackling with dangerous silver arcs!
Beside him, Gabriel Storm's dual Demon Hammers clashed, emitting a soul-shaking roar!
Uriel Ventris' purifying flames blazed fiercely!
Ezekiel Watch and Raphael Whisper, like cold reapers, blocked all possible escape routes!
Their gazes, those rotating, emotionless visors, like five icy daggers, instantly focused on Gaius—who had just recovered from time stasis, his face pale, his breath still uneven, and inescapably, a faint but to the Grey Knights, a beacon-like stench of Tzeentch lingering around him.
Captain Keirano's voice, like a chilling wind from the deepest hell, carried the weight of an undeniable final judgment:
Gaius! Immediately cease resistance, kneel and accept purification! You have been corrupted by Chaos! The evidence is irrefutable!
Captain Keirano's bone-chilling command to 'kneel and accept purification' was like a final verdict, carrying an undeniable psychic pressure that slammed into Gaius.
That voice was not only an order to Gaius but also a warning to all Ultramarines present.
However, what answered him was not submission, but the crisp click of Bolters being disengaged and the low hum of power armor servo systems!
The very next second after the Grey Knights appeared, the nearest patrol—four Terminator warriors from the Chapter Master's Honor Guard—rushed into the lounge area with astonishing speed, like moving steel fortresses!
Their massive bodies unhesitatingly positioned themselves between Gaius and the Grey Knights, the black muzzles of their heavy assault cannons and Storm Bolters pointing defiantly at the five Grey Knights!
Step back, Grey Knights! The Honor Guard squad leader's voice came through his vox-caster, filled with inviolable authority and anger, Before the matter is investigated, no one is to touch Horn Brother Gaius!
They saw clearly! Although Gaius' condition was abnormal, he showed no signs of aggression or overt corruption!
And these Grey Knights, again! Without any communication, disregarding the Chapter Master's clear orders, they were attempting to forcibly take away or even execute an Ultramarine in the name of 'purification'!
This completely crossed the Honor Guard's line!
Foolish! Gabriel Storm roared, silver arcs crackling on his twin hammers, How can your mortal eyes perceive the lurking corruption?! The stench of the Lord of Change permeates this one! The evidence is irrefutable! Step aside immediately, or be treated as accomplices!
Bullshit! The Honor Guard squad leader retorted, refusing to back down, We only see you once again trying to lynch our brother! Provide concrete evidence! Otherwise, don't even think about getting past us!
Stubborn fools! Uriel Ventris' purifying flames intensified, To shield a potential heretic, you dare to defy the Emperor's sword?!
The Emperor's sword must also follow the laws of the Imperium! The Honor Guard warrior roared back, This is Ultramar! This is the Macragge's Honour!
Both sides raised their weapons simultaneously, psychic energy and Bolter power violently clashing in the air, emitting dangerous hissing sounds.
The atmosphere instantly tensed to the extreme; any spark could ignite this destructive conflict!
Just then, a more authoritative voice, laden with immense fury, like the night before a volcanic eruption, boomed like thunder from the passageway:
Everyone, stop!
Captain Cassius' tall figure strode into the lounge area, followed by an entire squad of First Company veterans!
Their armor gleamed with cold blue light under the red alarm, and their weapons were equally poised for action!
Captain Cassius' gaze, sharp as lightning, quickly swept over the scene—Gaius, protected by the Honor Guard, pale but with clear eyes; the five murderous, full-power Grey Knights; and the tense, on-the-verge-of-explosion standoff.
He instantly understood what had happened! These damned Grey Knights! They truly wouldn't give up!
His face was so grim it looked like it could drip water.
Without hesitation, he immediately issued an undeniable command through the company's internal channel: First Company! Second Company! All Honor Guard members! Assemble at the 7th Company lounge area immediately! Fully armed! Repeat! Fully armed! Maximum alert!
The order was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand ripples! The entire warship seemed to tremble!
Urgent and heavy footsteps surged from all directions like a tide!
More First Company Terminators, Second Company tactical squads, and Honor Guard warriors from all over the warship, like a blue steel torrent, quickly poured into the lounge area and surrounding corridors, completely surrounding the entire area!
Bolters, Plasma Guns, Heavy Bolters, Assault Cannons… countless weapon muzzles were layered, pointing at the five Grey Knights in the center of the room!
The numerical comparison instantly formed an overwhelming advantage!
The Ultramarines' eyes burned with anger; their stance was unequivocally clear—they would never allow the Grey Knights to act recklessly again!
Captain Keirano surveyed his surroundings, his visor scanning the hostile blue visors and countless deadly muzzles.
He knew that if a conflict broke out, the five of them had no chance of survival.
They couldn't even complete the purification of Gaius at such close range and with such a numerical disadvantage.
But the mission of the Grey Knights Chapter was above all else! Purifying Chaos was a law etched into their souls!
He stepped forward, his Force Halberd still pointed at Gaius, his voice, though muffled by his visor, remained cold and stubborn, imbued with the Grey Knights' characteristic archaic language:
Son of Chapter Master Marius Calgar.
We perceive a clear and potent emanation of Tzeentchian corruption erupting here!
The source points directly to Gaius!
This is the residual presence of a Great Daemon of the Lord of Change!
The evidence is irrefutable, beyond doubt!
To ensure the safety of the Imperium, to ensure the integrity of this vessel, this individual must immediately submit to our control and purification!
This is the duty of the Grey Knights Chapter!
We ask you to step aside at once and not obstruct us from fulfilling our sacred mission!
Bullshit! Captain Cassius swore, pushing aside the Honor Guard in front of him and stepping to the very front, almost face-to-face with Keirano, his fury almost tangible, Potent emanation? Great Daemon residual? Who the hell felt it besides you mumbling psykers?! We only see you once again pouncing on our brother like rabid dogs! Provide concrete evidence! Otherwise, get the hell out of here!
Psychic proof is concrete proof! Gabriel Storm roared, How can the senses of mortals comprehend the treachery of the Warp?!
To hell with your psychic proof! A veteran from the Second Company roared, Who knows if you're not just pulling a stunt to find an excuse to act!
Blasphemy! Uriel Ventris sharply retorted, You dare to question the judgment of the Grey Knights Chapter?!
Question? I'd like to blast you all! Dorian's roar came from behind the crowd.
He had just arrived after hearing the commotion, pushing through the people.
Seeing Gaius surrounded in the middle and the tense Grey Knights, his eyes instantly turned red, and his Thunder Hammer slammed to the ground, Damn it! Grey Knights! Still dare to come?! I'd like to see who touches Gaius today!
Lex, Cliff, Thor, Gorden, and others also arrived, immediately standing by Gaius' side, their weapons aimed at the Grey Knights, their eyes unwavering.
Luna silently appeared at a vantage point, her sniper rifle already aimed at the gap in Captain Keirano's helmet.
The situation was no longer just tense, but had reached a breaking point!
The Ultramarines were enraged, while the Grey Knights refused to yield an inch, psychic and Bolter energy fluctuations violently colliding in the air!
Just at this critical moment, a majestic voice, like the suppressed fury before a volcanic eruption, boomed like an Imperial heavy cannon, instantly overriding all the noise and confrontation:
Kei—ra—no—!
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they all looked towards the entrance.
Chapter Master Marius Calgar, clad in his magnificent Gorden Terminator armor, symbolizing the highest authority of Ultramar, strode into the lounge area, surrounded by more Honor Guard, like an angry Gorden god of war!
There was no expression on his face, but the burning fury in his eyes was enough to make even the bravest warrior tremble!
Wherever he passed, the Ultramarines automatically parted like waves, but their weapons remained firmly pointed at the Grey Knights.
Chapter Master Calgar walked directly to the center of the standoff, ignoring the psychic weapons pointed at him, his cold gaze like two forged steel hammers, slamming hard onto Captain Keirano's visor:
Captain Keirano! His voice was low and slow, every word seemingly imbued with enough power to tear steel, I want an explanation.
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, echoing like thunder throughout the entire lounge area:
Immediately! Right now! Give me a reasonable explanation, one that can convince me! Explain why you once again disregarded my orders, without any communication or verification, and drew weapons against my son on my warship!
His gaze swept over the five Grey Knights, finally returning to Keirano, the threat in his tone as thick as a physical presence:
Otherwise! I don't mind contacting Terra myself! And having the high command of the Grey Knights Chapter send another batch of Grey Knights who understand the rules to replace you!
Chapter Master Calgar took another step forward, his Gorden armor almost touching Keirano's silver armor, and he spoke, word by word, the ultimate ultimatum:
If… by then, you are still alive!
Terrifying pressure, like a collapsing mountain, enveloped Captain Keirano.
The wrath of a Chapter Master most trusted by a Primarch, the absolute commander of an Imperial flagship, was certainly not to be trifled with!
Captain Keirano's visor flickered rapidly a few times; he seemed to be engaged in intense internal deliberation.
Finally, his archaic and cold voice spoke again, but this time, it seemed to lack some of the absolute rigidity, replaced by a hint of… hesitation in the face of real pressure:
Chapter Master Calgar.
Our actions are by no means groundless.
Moments ago, a powerful and intensely malignant Tzeentchian psychic fluctuation erupted here, not ordinary corruption, but a clear sign of a Great Daemon-level entity's manifestation!
We followed the trail, and the residual signs here all point to Gaius!
This is a plot of the Lord of Change!
Its purpose may be seduction, or marking, but in any case, the danger of this individual has sharply increased!
It is our duty to immediately subject him to the highest level of control and scrutiny!
This is not personal animosity, but for the Imperium! For the safety of everyone on this vessel!
He placed 'control and scrutiny' before 'purification,' which was already a concession in wording under immense pressure, but his core stance remained unchanged.
Chapter Master Calgar stared at him intently, seemingly judging the truthfulness of his words.
The entire lounge area, hundreds of Ultramarines, all their weapons still locked on the five Grey Knights, awaited the Chapter Master's final decision.
The air seemed to solidify, leaving only the tireless shriek of the alarm.
Chapter Master Calgar felt his temples throb, an indescribable irritation and fury surging to his head.
He forcefully suppressed the urge to order the immediate throwing of these paranoid Grey Knights into the reactor, his voice becoming even colder and more terrifying due to extreme suppression:
"Traces of a Greater Daemon? A descent?" Calgar practically gritted out these words, "Captain Keirano, if your Grey Knights truly have the ability to pinpoint a Greater Daemon so precisely by mere 'perception,' and even determine that it's a 'descent' rather than a remote projection or some other trick, then I suggest you don't waste your energy on my ship, on a warrior who bleeds for the Imperium!"
His voice suddenly rose, sweeping through the entire common area like a storm: "Why don't you just pilot your Grey Knights' ship directly into the Eye of Terror?! Go and execute those Chaos Gods on the spot?! That's the real, permanent solution to the threat of Chaos! Not like this, like a pack of hounds losing their minds at a whiff of blood, barking at your own kind and even baring your fangs!"
This merciless scolding, like a whip, lashed the five Grey Knights, and also brought a sense of relief to the surrounding Ultramarines.
Yes, if they were so capable, they should go after the real culprits!
Captain Keirano's optical sensors flickered violently, seemingly provoked by Calgar's almost "blasphemous" suggestion and sharp accusations, but he still maintained that infuriatingly rigid tone: "Chapter Master, please mind your words.
The purification of the Warp is a sacred and great undertaking of the Emperor, not something to be achieved overnight.
Our duty is to eliminate manifest corruption and prevent future harm.
Here…"
His words were cut short by another, rougher, more violent roar, filled with undisguised fury!
"Well said! Brother Calgar!"
From another passageway, a group of hairy Astartes, whose armor was adorned with wolf fangs and pelts, exuding a strong wild aura, rushed in like a whirlwind!
Leading them was an exceptionally burly Wolf Lord with a long, fiery red beard and three hideous scars on his face.
The massive Thunder Hammer in his hand, wreathed in lightning, was already activated, emitting a chilling hum!
It was the Space Wolves!
A company temporarily resting and resupplying on the Macragge's Honour!
They had clearly heard the commotion, and it was about the Grey Knights causing trouble for the Ultramarines again!
"We heard everything!" the red-bearded Wolf Lord's voice boomed like thunder.
He glared at the Grey Knights in the center of the room, his eyes as if he wanted to devour them alive, "It's you silver-plated bastards again!
Up to your 'perception of guilt' tricks again!
Is it true that as long as you think someone is acting suspiciously, you can just 'purify' them without question?! Did the Emperor give you that authority?!"
The Space Wolves were agitated, letting out wolf-like battle cries, their bolter axes and chainswords humming.
Their animosity towards the Grey Knights was even greater than that of the Ultramarines!
All of this stemmed from the heartbreaking "Month of Shame" incident—where the Grey Knights, for the sake of so-called "purification," had mercilessly turned their blades on the Space Wolves and the civilians they protected who knew of daemon existence!
That blood debt was etched in the heart of every Space Wolf!
The red-bearded Wolf Lord pointed his Thunder Hammer directly at Captain Keirano, spittle almost spraying onto the other's silver armor: "Brother Calgar is right!
If you're so tough, go challenge Khorne to a duel!
What kind of ability is it to bully your own brothers?! I'm telling you!
Today, with us Space Wolves here, you won't lay a hand on this kid!
Otherwise, the hammer in my hand doesn't care about your Grey Knights Chapter!"
"Awooo—!" The wolf pups behind him let out earth-shattering howls in support.
They quickly spread out, subtly forming a encirclement with the Ultramarines, completely trapping the five Grey Knights in the middle.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the common area became even more heated.
On one side was a disciplined, furious blue torrent, on the other were the wild and unrestrained Space Wolves, settling old and new grudges, and targeted by both were the five silver-gray figures, deeply surrounded yet still stubborn.
Captain Keirano, facing the combined wrath of two powerful Chapters, must have felt immense pressure even behind his cold optical sensors.
He could feel that their anger was real and dangerous, and if mishandled, the consequences would be dire.
He was silent for a moment, then his rigid voice spoke again, still adhering to principles, but with a hint of extremely subtle softening in his tone:
"Ultramarines Chapter Master, Space Wolves Wolf Lord.
We understand your anger and… misunderstanding.
However, the mission of the Grey Knights Chapter is unquestionable, and the threat of Chaos cannot be ignored.
We do not wish to provoke internal strife, but it is our duty, and we must act."
He looked at Gaius, who was protected behind everyone and still pale: "The variables this individual carries far exceed your imagination.
Today's anomaly is by no means accidental.
We insist on the necessity of isolating and examining him.
This is not punishment, but protection, and for the safety of this ship."
"Protection?" The red-bearded Wolf Lord sneered, "With bolters and force halberds?! Your Grey Knights' method of protection is truly unique!"
Chapter Master Calgar raised a hand, stopping the Wolf Lord's further taunts.
He looked coldly at Keirano, knowing that a real fight today was impossible, otherwise, he couldn't explain it to Terra, but he would absolutely not let the other party do as they pleased.
"Captain Keirano," Calgar's voice regained its absolute authority and coldness, "I, Marius Calgar, in the name of the Macragge's Honour's Captain and the Ultramarines Chapter Master, officially inform you: all matters concerning Gaius will be handled and reviewed by me and within the Ultramarines Chapter.
Until there is concrete, irrefutable, and by me approved physical evidence, no one, including the Grey Knights Chapter, shall interfere with, threaten, or 'purify' him in any form."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over all the Grey Knights: "As for you… given that you have once again seriously violated ship regulations, disregarded my orders, and nearly caused an irreversible conflict, I demand that you immediately return to your designated quarters.
Without my direct command, you are not to leave!
Your 'monitoring' duties will temporarily be taken over by my men."
This was a disguised house arrest.
Captain Keirano's optical sensors were fixed on Calgar, seemingly making a final deliberation.
Behind him, Gabriel Storm and Uriel Ventris' psychic fluctuations surged violently, clearly extremely unwilling.
Ezekiel Watch and Raphael Whisper, on the other hand, were relatively silent.
Finally, Keirano seemed to have made a difficult decision.
He knew that in the face of the Chapter Master's will and absolute military superiority, insisting on his own opinion would only lead to destruction, which would completely prevent him from fulfilling his monitoring duties.
"…As you wish, Chapter Master." Keirano's voice was still cold, but he accepted reality, "But we must solemnly remind you again, the Lord of Change's schemes are unpredictable, and this individual is a critical nexus.
We hope you… handle this with caution, lest you cause a great disaster."
"That is no longer your concern, Captain." Calgar retorted coldly, "Cassius!"
"Present! Chapter Master!" The Captain of the First Company immediately stepped forward.
"Take your men and 'escort' the Grey Knights back to their quarters.
Double the guards, and rotate shifts!
Without my order, they are not allowed to step out of their doors!
If they make any unusual moves…" Calgar's gaze was as sharp as a knife, "…the guards can open fire directly without asking for permission!"
"Yes! Chapter Master!" Captain Cassius' eyes flashed with a cold light, and he responded without hesitation.
He immediately waved his hand, and a squad of First Company Terminator warriors stepped forward; although it was called "escort," their posture clearly indicated an arrest.
"Please, gentlemen." Cassius' voice carried undisguised coldness.
The five Grey Knights, under the gaze of countless hostile and wary eyes, silently turned around and, "escorted" by the First Company warriors, left the common area.
Gabriel and Uriel seemed to want to say something, but Keirano stopped them with a look; he knew that any extra movement at this moment could become an excuse to open fire.
After sending away these five biggest sources of trouble, the tense atmosphere in the common area finally eased a little, but it remained heavy.
The red-bearded Wolf Lord walked over and heavily patted Calgar's Gorden shoulder plate, making a clang: "Well done, Brother Calgar!
It was high time to deal with these arrogant silver-skinned bastards!
Damn it, just looking at them makes me angry!"
"Thank you for speaking up, Ragnar Blackmane." Calgar nodded to the hot-tempered but upright Wolf Lord, "You've seen a spectacle."
"Bah! We're brothers, no need for formalities!" Wolf Lord Ragnar waved his big hand, "If these bastards dare to cause trouble again, just give us a shout anytime!
We Space Wolves are always ready to help!
Let's go, pups, back to drink our mead!"
The Wolf Lord and his subordinates left noisily, leaving the Ultramarines to deal with the aftermath.
Calgar then turned around, his gaze falling on Gaius, who was surrounded by members of the Second Squad.
He walked in front of Gaius, looking at the young man's still pale face and slightly trembling body, his brows furrowed deeply.
"Gaius," his voice softened a little, but still carried authority, "Tell me, what exactly happened just now?
What's this 'Greater Daemon descent' the Grey Knights were talking about?"
Everyone's eyes were focused on Gaius.
Gaius looked up, meeting the Chapter Master's concerned yet sharp gaze, and then looked at the worried eyes of his brothers around him, especially Dorian, Gorden, and Cliff.
His heart was still pounding, his mind replaying the Lord of Change's seductive whispers, the terrifying images of future and past, and that last insidious reminder…
He opened his mouth, almost ready to reveal the terrible experience.
But… could he say it?
If he said it, would the Chapter Master believe it?
Believe that a Tzeentch Greater Daemon could silently breach the ship's multiple defenses and appear directly in the core area, just to "corrupt" him, an ordinary warrior?
This itself sounded like the ravings of a madman, or… more like proof of Chaos corruption!
Moreover, the Daemon Prince's final words echoed in his ears like a malicious curse—"Witness their ruthlessness and brutality."
The Grey Knights' reaction just now perfectly confirmed this!
If they knew he had had direct contact with a Tzeentch Greater Daemon, even if it was passive, what would await him?
It probably wouldn't be as simple as house arrest!
The Chapter Master wouldn't be able to protect him either!
More importantly… the images of future corruption and past accusations, like two cold venomous thorns, were deeply embedded in his heart, making him feel a bone-chilling coldness and… fear.
He was afraid that once he spoke out, some terrible "fate" would truly become unavoidable.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in a split second, and finally, Gaius swallowed with difficulty, avoiding the Chapter Master's gaze that seemed to pierce through hearts, and whispered in a somewhat hoarse voice:
"Reporting, Chapter Master… I… I'm not sure what exactly happened.
I was maintaining my weapon at the time, and suddenly… suddenly I felt an extremely strong palpitation and coldness, as if I was being watched by something extremely terrifying, and then… then I couldn't move, couldn't speak… and then, the Grey Knights rushed in…"
He chose to conceal the most crucial part, only describing the feeling of his body being restrained, which was also true, just omitting the source and content of the information.
Dorian, his massive body clad in Terminator armor, was still yelling in the direction the Grey Knights had left: "Damn it! Good thing they ran fast! Otherwise, I'd rip off their silver hides!" He turned his head, saw Gaius' expression, and clapped Gaius on the shoulder with a boisterous slap, nearly making the weak Gaius stumble. "Hey! Brother, it's over! Don't be afraid of those bastards! We're here! Next time they dare to come, I'll be the first to greet them with my hammer!"
Gorden and Cliff supported Gaius, one on each side. Gorden said in a deep voice: "Your face looks terrible, and it's not just shock. Medic Sore, check him again."
Medic Sore immediately stepped forward, took out his instruments, and scanned him again: "Vital signs are still unstable, adrenaline levels are extremely high, and nervous tension is immense... He needs rest and further observation."
Chapter Master Calgar's deep gaze lingered on Gaius' face for a long time. He seemed to sense Gaius' concealment and struggle, but ultimately chose not to press him. He merely nodded and said in a steady tone: "Alright, it's over. The Grey Knights have been contained. Your task now is to rest and recover. Gorden, take him back to rest and observe him closely."
"Yes, Chapter Master!" Gorden responded, standing at attention.
"No one is to speak of today's events," Chapter Master Calgar then ordered all the Ultramarines present. "Return to your posts, and remain vigilant."
"Yes!" the warriors responded in unison, beginning to disperse in an orderly fashion.
Supported by Gorden and Cliff, Gaius slowly walked towards the Second Squad's resting area. His steps were somewhat unsteady, and his body still trembled slightly from the extreme fear and mental shock he had just experienced. He knew he carried a heavy and dangerous secret. The whispers of the Lord of Change echoed in his mind like maggots clinging to bone; the cold killing intent of the Grey Knights was like a sword hanging over his head; and the unreserved trust and protection of his comrades filled him with immense warmth and... guilt.
This path seemed to be growing increasingly difficult, increasingly dark.
And in a high, dark ventilation grille, unnoticed by everyone, a faint blue light flickered silently.
The raven, entirely blue-black with six eerie blue eyes, stood there silently, looking down through the gaps in the grille at the gradually dispersing crowd below.
Its six eyes simultaneously revealed an extremely anthropomorphic, strange smile, a mix of mockery, pleasure, and successful scheming.
Internal strife... suspicion... division... a perfect script.
Using the hands of the loyalists to restrain or even eliminate those annoying silver hounds... what an efficient and deadly conspiracy.
Silently, the raven's figure vanished like smoke, as if it had never existed.
Only the eternal hum of the battleship's metal corridors remained, along with the un-soothed ripples and shadows in everyone's hearts. Gaius' burden was far from over.
The turmoil caused by the Grey Knights had temporarily subsided, but the tense atmosphere within the Macragge's Honour had not completely dissipated. After dealing with the core conflict, Chapter Master Calgar did not forget another small "trophy."
A few days later, after a series of disinfection, quarantine, and the most basic "loyalty" assessment (primarily to confirm she had no threatening psychic or special abilities), the captured Dark Eldar girl—Eiras—was brought out of confinement.
Two First Company warriors—not Terminators, but veterans in standard Mark X Power Armor—"escorted" her, one on each side, through the brightly lit but somber corridors. Eiras' tattered servant's clothing had been replaced with a rough, dusty, noticeably oversized low-grade ship technician's jumpsuit. The fabric was coarse and chafed her skin, but at least it was clean. Her slender body was swathed within it, appearing empty, further highlighting her smallness and helplessness.
She kept her head down, her green eyes not daring to look around, her hands nervously clasped together. Every step she took was cautious, like a frightened bird. She could feel the gazes of curiosity, disgust, and vigilance from the Astartes, Tech-Priests, and even ordinary crew members who passed by. Here, she was an alien, a captive, an existence that could be erased at any moment.
Finally, they arrived at a secluded corner on the edge of the 7th Company's quarters. A warrior entered a code on an unremarkable alloy door, and it slid open.
Inside was an extremely small space, which seemed to have been a discarded storage room, just cleared out. There was only a metal folding bed fixed to the floor, covered with a thin mattress, a small, similarly fixed metal table and a chair. In the corner, there was a simple washbasin and a small waste recycling chute. Overhead, only a single light emitted a faint white glow, almost imperceptible in its warmth, making the room appear even more desolate and simple.
But for Eiras, who had struggled to survive in the lower echelons of the Eldar and had experienced the fear of capture and interrogation, this small, enclosed, personal space was like paradise. At least, there were no whips that could fall at any moment, no deadly conspiracies, no nobles who delighted in torture...
"Get in," a warrior said gruffly.
Eiras quickly lowered her head and walked in, standing awkwardly in the center of the room.
Just then, another figure appeared at the doorway. This figure was taller and exuded a more composed aura. His appearance made the two First Company warriors immediately straighten their bodies and perform the Aquila salute.
The newcomer wore a well-maintained Mark X Power Armor, but his helmet was not the traditional blue; instead, it was painted a striking white and had a peculiar shape—a long, bird-beak-like mask, similar to those worn by ancient plague doctors. This was the mark of a First Company veteran sniper, symbolizing an unblemished service record and absolute reliability. It was Lance, one of the First Company's best snipers, and the veteran who had previously mentored Gaius. The Chapter Master seemed to have entrusted the task of supervising this xenos captive to his squad.
Lance nodded to the two warriors, indicating they could leave. Then, he stepped into the small room. His tall body nearly filled most of the space, and the oppressive feeling he brought almost suffocated Eiras.
The white bird-beak helmet slowly lowered, its expressionless, bird-like beak almost touching Eiras' bowed head. A muffled, flat voice, processed by the helmet's amplifier, spoke directly into Eiras' ears:
"Xenos. Listen carefully, you only have one chance."
Eiras trembled with fright, almost collapsing, and quickly nodded vigorously.
"Chapter Master Calgar has shown extraordinary mercy, allowing you to live, to demonstrate the Emperor's supreme benevolence," Lance's voice was cold and direct. "From today, you are under the supervision of the 7th Company. Your job is to clean the floors of the 7th Company's common resting area and the surrounding corridors daily. We will provide you with tools. After completing your work, you can choose to return to this room, or... if the 7th Company warriors do not mind, you may stay in a corner of the common resting area, but no noise, and no disturbing anyone."
He paused, and the bird-beak helmet seemed to draw a little closer, the cold metal almost touching Eiras' skin: "...If any Astartes lord is willing to 'condescend' to speak with you in their leisure, you may answer. Remember, it is 'their' willingness, not 'your' ability. Answer what is asked, no superfluous words, and certainly no prying for information. Understand?"
"Un... understand... lord..." Eiras stammered in gothic, her voice trembling.
"Good." Lance straightened up, but the invisible pressure did not lessen. "Do not play any tricks. Do not harbor any unrealistic fantasies. Every one of your actions is under surveillance. Remember your identity, remember why you are alive. Any transgression will immediately make you experience the Emperor's 'benevolence' in another form."
A naked warning, undisguised surveillance and control. Eiras had no doubt about his words.
Then, Lance seemed to remember something and added: "Oh. Your name."
"...E... Eiras... lord..."
"Eiras." Lance repeated, as if merely recording a code. "Here, you have no surname, no past, only this name and the identity of '7th Company's xenos servant.'"
Having conveyed all this, Lance seemed ready to leave, but before turning, he suddenly seemed to remember something important, turned back again, the white bird-beak pointing at Eiras, his tone carrying a hint of... perhaps helplessness, perhaps a reminder:
"One more thing. Be careful of that big guy in the 7th Company, the one in Terminator armor, carrying a big hammer, who looks a bit slow-witted. His name is Dorian."
Eiras looked up blankly, somewhat confused.
Lance's voice remained flat, but the content sent a chill down Eiras' spine: "That guy... his way of thinking is not quite like normal people. He's short-tempered, heavy-handed, and especially hates xenos. And he seems to be holding a grudge about the previous Dark Eldar attack. So, stay far away from him, absolutely do not provoke him, and even try not to attract his attention. Otherwise... even if you just take an extra breath in front of him, he might think you're plotting something, and then smash you into a meat paste with one swing of his hammer. At that point, the Chapter Master's 'benevolence' won't save you. Understand?"
Eiras' face turned pale with fright, and she quickly nodded vigorously, firmly memorizing "Dorian" and keywords like "Terminator," "big hammer," "short-tempered," and "smashed into meat paste," and decided that from now on, whenever she felt the ground vibrate (the sound of a Terminator's footsteps), she would immediately hide far away.
Lance seemed to have finally finished all instructions and said no more, turning and leaving the small room. The alloy door slid shut silently behind him, leaving Eiras alone in this cold, simple, but relatively "safe" small space.
It wasn't until the heavy footsteps outside had completely faded away that Eiras, as if all her strength had been drained, collapsed onto the cold metal floor with a thud.
She did not cry, but pressed her forehead tightly against the back of her hand, and in a voice almost like a whispered prayer, in her not-so-fluent gothic, she repeatedly and devoutly murmured:
"Thank you... thank you for the great Emperor's benevolence... thank you for the Chapter Master's benevolence... thank you for not killing me... thank you for giving me a chance... Eiras will work hard... will be obedient... will never cause trouble..."
She repeated it over and over, as if to engrave these words deep into her soul. This was the only lifeline she could grasp at the moment—absolute obedience and humble gratitude. She did not know what the future held, but at least for now, she was alive, in a relatively "merciful" camp of giants, having gained a moment of respite. And for a servant from the lowest echelons of the Eldar, this was an unimaginable grace. She carefully stood up, surveying this place that would become her new "home," her eyes filled with the relief of surviving a catastrophe and a deep-seated awe.