Two months steadily passed in the roaring of the steel battleship. For Second Squad, this period of rest, though accompanied by Dorian's wails and Lina and Eilaas's busyness, finally brought a significant outcome.
Inside the central repair bay, with the extinguishing of the last calibration beam, Dorian's Ironclad Terminator armor, which had almost been reduced to scrap, was finally declared fully repaired!
Lina and Eilaas, along with several assisting Tech-Priests, looked at the masterpiece before them, tired but filled with a sense of accomplishment. The armor had not only been completely repaired but also undergone deep refurbishment and repainting. The original mottled deep blue was replaced with the Ultramarines' iconic, rich and profound blue, outlined with golden trim, making it appear mighty and solemn. Some non-critical but commemorative battle scars were intentionally preserved, such as the deep claw mark on the chest plate and several dents on the shoulder plate—these silent wounds now served as proof of Dorian's bravery, recounting his heroic deeds on the "Mona Lisa" planet.
"Finally… it's done…" Eilaas let out a long sigh, almost collapsing to the floor. "I feel like I never want to see hydraulic pliers and laser welders again in my life…"
Lina also wiped her sweat, a relieved smile on her face: "Yes, but seeing it restored to new, even more beautiful than before, makes it all worth it."
Just then, Dorian, leaning on a mechanical brace, clanked and shuffled into the repair bay. When he saw the Terminator armor, gleaming under the lights as if reborn, his eyes instantly widened, and his mouth opened wide enough to fit a Bolter.
"My… my old friend!" he exclaimed excitedly, almost dropping his brace to rush forward. "Is this… is this really mine? It's too cool! Cooler than new!"
He circled the armor, touching here, looking there, unable to tear himself away, constantly uttering sounds of admiration, as if he had forgotten the pain in his body.
After admiring it for a long time, his restless mind began to stir again. He stroked his chin, looking at his mighty Ironclad pattern, and suddenly muttered: "Hmm… the Ironclad is good, thick enough protection, and plenty of power… it's just that the firepower is still a bit lacking… if only I could get a suit of more heavily armed Indomitus pattern Terminator armor…"
No sooner had he spoken than Sergeant Golden's exasperated voice came from beside him: "Dorian! Are you out of your mind? There's a limit to daydreaming!"
Golden stood leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, looking at him with disdain: "You should be happy you even have Ironclad armor to wear! Indomitus pattern? Do you know how precious a resource Indomitus pattern armor is? Those are prioritized for the battle-hardened veterans of the First Company! Dream about it when you're qualified and have enough battle honors to be transferred to the First Company! You're grasping at what's in the pot while still wanting what's in the bowl; I've never seen anyone as greedy as you!"
Dorian shrank his neck, smiled sheepishly, but the longing in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
On a nearby bench, Luna had uncharacteristically removed her Tech-Sergeant power armor, which she almost never took off, and was sitting quietly in a form-fitting black training suit. Eilaas, like a lazy kitten, was nestled in her arms, nibbling on nutrient paste, frowning in disgust as she ate: "Ugh… it tastes worse and worse… did the logistics department cut corners again…?"
Hearing this, Luna gently stroked Eilaas's head, her gaze carrying a hint of a smile as she looked at Dorian, who was being scolded by Golden. Her clear voice spoke up, uncharacteristically joining the discussion about equipment:
"If we are purely talking about defensive capabilities and firepower configuration, among the currently known Terminator armor patterns, the 'Saturnine pattern' Terminator armor, independently developed and improved by the brothers of the Salamanders Chapter under the guidance of their Primarch, Lord Vulkan, is perhaps the most advanced. Its frontal armor thickness and energy core output power far exceed standard models, and it is usually equipped with twin-linked Heavy Bolters and an integrated Meltagun."
She paused, watching Dorian's eyes instantly light up, and continued: "If you are truly interested, perhaps… the next time we have a chance to meet the Salamanders brothers, I can try to find Captain Cassius and ask him to help apply to the Salamanders Chapter to see if we can secure a suit for you. After all, you fought alongside them on the 'Mona Lisa' planet. If successful…"
Luna's lips curved into a tiny, almost imperceptible arc: "…then on the battlefield, at least the person blocking bullets head-on will be more robust."
Dorian was overjoyed, as if he could already see himself in the heavy Saturnine pattern Terminator armor, charging through a hail of gunfire, cutting down enemies left and right.
But Luna's words weren't finished; she added another sentence, her tone still flat, but throwing out an even more "dangerous" option: "Or… you could also try 'exchanging' with the Blood Ravens brothers again. After all, the Blood Ravens Chapter… hmm… has quite a 'collection,' earning them the moniker 'light-fingered' Chapter. It is said that they have 'backups' of almost all standard and special equipment from nearly every Chapter in the Imperium. They should also have stock of Saturnine pattern Terminator armor."
At this, Sergeant Golden's face instantly darkened; he almost jumped up: "Luna! My good brother! I beg you! Please stop giving him such terrible ideas! He's already troublesome enough! If he actually gets his hands on a suit of Saturnine pattern Terminator armor, what then? He'll probably poke a hole in the sky! And then it won't be something that can be solved by just being confined!"
Just imagining Dorian parading around, or even causing trouble, with even thicker armor and more ferocious firepower, Golden felt his blood pressure skyrocket.
Just as Dorian was grinning foolishly, Golden was fuming, Luna was expressionless but seemed to carry a hint of mischievous success, and Eilaas was enjoying the drama—
Buzz… everyone's personal communicators suddenly chimed simultaneously, and Gaius's voice came through. His tone carried a hint of doubt and caution:
"Sergeant Golden, Luna, are you in the lounge? Come to Hangar Bay 3. We… have some 'guests' here."
"Guests?" Golden frowned.
"It's an Aeldari vessel, just cleared for docking," Gaius's voice lowered slightly. "The hull design is very peculiar, like Aeldari, but also somewhat… different. Several Aeldari disembarked, and their attire is also very strange. The lead Aeldari woman is talking to Captain Cassius about something… the atmosphere is a bit subtle. You'd best come and see."
When Golden, Luna, and the limping Dorian, leaning on his brace, arrived at Hangar Bay 3, they saw only a sleek Aeldari spacecraft, whose design was distinctly different from human creations and emanated a faint psychic glow, quietly moored there, with several curious and wary ground crew nearby. The so-called "guests," however, were already gone.
"Where are they?" Golden looked at Gaius, who had arrived earlier and was leaning against the bulkhead, observing.
"Just left," Gaius gestured with his chin towards the hangar exit. "The First Captain personally brought them. It seems their status is unusual; they went straight towards the Chapter Master's conference room."
"Do you know who they are? Dark Eldar? Or Craftworld Aeldari?" Golden pressed, his knowledge of Aeldari factions limited to knowing that they also fought fiercely among themselves.
Gaius shook his head, his brow slightly furrowed: "Definitely not those perverts from Commorragh. But looking at their attire… it's very peculiar, mainly deep purple, dark red, and black, adorned with many… symbols resembling skulls and curved blades. Their demeanor is also very somber, unlike the Aeldari (referring mainly to Craftworld Aeldari) I've seen in the data."
Dorian muttered from the side: "I think all Aeldari look the same, all skinny like bean sprouts, blown over by a gust of wind. How do you tell them apart?"
At this moment, Luna's bionic eye flickered slightly, accessing the Chapter's xenos database. After a quick comparison, she said in her flat tone: "Based on Brother Gaius's description and database comparison, there is an 87.3% probability that they are the Ynnari."
"Ynnari?" Golden and Gaius both looked at her, unfamiliar with the term.
"Hmm," Luna continued to explain, "a relatively new Aeldari faction, said to serve the Aeldari's new god—ynnead, the God of the Dead. They had limited cooperation with the Imperium during Abaddon's Thirteenth Black Crusade and the awakening of Lord Primarch Guilliman, even providing crucial assistance. As of now, their relationship with the Imperium is not explicitly hostile. Their leader… is believed to be a former Craftworld Farseer and Emissary of ynnead named Yvraine."
As they discussed, the peculiar Aeldari visitors, accompanied by First Captain Cassius, walked through the majestic and cold steel corridors of the Macragge's Honour.
Leading the way was Yvraine herself.
Her long, moon-white hair was tied high in a neat ponytail at the back of her head, revealing a face that was exquisitely perfect, yet bore a hint of inhuman coldness.
She wore a magnificent attire that combined the flowing style of Aeldari tradition with practical warrior gear, predominantly deep purple and black, adorned with dark red patterns and teardrop-shaped gems, with the curved blade emblem of ynnead decorating her shoulder pads and bracers.
Her presence, starkly out of place amidst the utilitarian, steel aesthetics of the human battleship, strangely captivated everyone's gaze.
Her deep eyes, as if capable of seeing through souls, curiously surveyed this magnificent creation of the Imperium of Man, and the blue giants of the Ultramarines who stood by command or watched with curiosity along the corridor.
There was no fear in her gaze, nor contempt, but rather a calm assessment and… a subtle hint of pity.
Under the silent guidance of the First Company Captain, they finally arrived before the heavy adamantium door of the Chapter Master's conference room.
Captain Cassius exchanged a few hushed words with the Honour Guard at the entrance.
The Honour Guard warriors' sharp gazes swept over the other Ynnari warriors behind Yvraine, then they shook their heads.
Ultimately, only Yvraine was permitted to enter the conference room; her retinue was asked to wait outside, 'accompanied' by the Honour Guard.
The conference room door slowly closed behind Yvraine.
The interior was spacious and simple, with a large solid wood table, and Ultramarines battle standards and the Imperial Aquila emblem hanging on the walls.
Chapter Master Marius Calgar stood at the other end of the long table, his posture as straight as a pine, like an unshakeable mountain.
His gaze fell upon Yvraine with a palpable intensity, full of scrutiny and undisguised authority.
Without any pleasantries, Chapter Master Calgar spoke directly, his voice deep and oppressive, like a warhammer striking steel:
"Yvraine."
He spoke her name accurately, as if he had known it for a long time.
"What is your business, your Ynnari, appearing on my ship at this time?" His words were blunt, even carrying a hint of provocation, "Are you here to declare war on the Imperium of Man on behalf of your so-called new god? Or have you specifically come to issue a challenge to the Ultramarines?"
He leaned forward slightly, and the powerful aura of a seasoned commander, leading thousands of troops, surged towards Yvraine like a tide:
"If it is the latter, then I, Marius Calgar, Defender of the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines Chapter, tell you now—I will personally send you gloriously to meet your god!"
This rude and extremely hostile opening was a deliberate display of dominance by Calgar.
Towards xenos, especially those with unknown intentions, he never hesitated to display the Imperium's resolve and his own strength.
However, facing this oppressive aura and almost warlike questioning, which would terrify an ordinary person, Yvraine's exquisitely beautiful face showed no ripple of emotion.
She was as calm as an abyss, her eyes, seemingly containing the extinction and rebirth of stars, met Calgar's gaze without flinching.
She subtly raised her chin and responded in a ethereal, calm gothic with a unique Aeldari accent; her voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed in the conference room:
"Chapter Master.
Your 'welcome' is, as rumored… direct and powerful.
But you are mistaken.
We have traveled across the stars not to sow war and death—that is the old shadow we are desperately trying to escape."
She paused slightly, as if organizing her thoughts, or perhaps observing Calgar's reaction, then continued, her tone growing more solemn:
"We have come to seek… aid."
"Aid?" Calgar frowned, as if he had heard an utterly absurd joke, "Aeldari, seeking aid from the Imperium of Man?
Yvraine, do you think I look easily fooled, or have your Aeldari fallen so low that you need to beg for scraps from your ancient enemies?"
His sarcasm was evident.
The blood feud between humanity and the Aeldari has spanned millennia, with constant warfare, slaughter, and mutual distrust.
Seeking aid?
This was utterly preposterous.
Yvraine was not angered by his mockery; her expression remained calm, but a genuine, heavy worry flickered in the depths of her eyes.
"Not to fool, nor to beg, Chapter Master.
But out of an imminent, grave threat concerning your survival, mine, and indeed all life in the galaxy."
Her voice lowered slightly, as if afraid to disturb something, "We need the Imperium's strength to jointly resist the increasingly rampant, Arch-enemy Slaanesh, who seeks to drag all senses and souls into eternal ecstasy and torment!"
Upon hearing the name "Slaanesh," Calgar's gaze instantly sharpened.
One of the four Chaos Gods, the god of destruction intimately tied to the birth of the Aeldari.
"Slaanesh?" Calgar said coldly, "That is a monstrous god of your own making, an eternal curse hanging around your race's neck.
While its conflict with humanity exists, why do you specifically need to 'seek' aid?
The Imperium fights all Chaos forces at all times."
"No, you underestimate the gravity of the situation, Chapter Master."
Yvraine shook her head, her tone imbued with an unprecedented urgency, "Slaanesh's power is expanding at an unprecedented rate.
It has sensed some… opportunity, some 'feast' that can utterly satisfy its eternal hunger.
Its gaze is no longer confined solely to the Aeldari; the entire galaxy, all races with emotions and souls, have become its prey.
Its tendrils are reaching into every corner of the real universe, attempting to establish more 'Gardens of Delight' and corrupt more worlds."
She took a small step forward, and though her posture remained elegant, it betrayed her inner anxiety: "And you humans, with your vast population and fervent emotions, are in Slaanesh's eyes, nothing short of an unprecedented, incredibly abundant feast!
Once it succeeds, countless human worlds will be transformed into eternal hells, and all souls will become its playthings and sustenance!
At that time, the Imperium will face a soul catastrophe from the depths of the Warp, far exceeding any xenos invasion!"
Calgar listened in silence, his expression grim.
He did not fully trust Yvraine's words; xenos speech was always full of deception and misdirection.
But the part about Slaanesh's threat subtly aligned with some fragmented reports he knew and unusual movements of Chaos activity.
Moreover, he noticed the deep-seated, almost undisguisable fear and abhorrence in Yvraine when she mentioned Slaanesh, which did not seem feigned.
"Even so," Calgar slowly began, still maintaining his vigilance, "this is still the Imperium's war against Chaos.
We have our own ways of dealing with it.
What can your Aeldari, especially your Ynnari, offer?
Or rather, what specifically does your so-called 'aid' entail?
And what do you hope to gain from the Imperium?"
He did not believe the Aeldari would be so kind as to help humanity for free.
Yvraine seemed to have anticipated his question; she stated frankly: "We possess unique knowledge and power to combat Slaanesh.
ynnead's power has a certain restraint over Slaanesh.
We can provide intelligence on Slaanesh's daemonic movements, share methods to resist its whispered temptations, and even, at critical moments, fight alongside you."
"And what we need the Imperium to do," she looked directly into Calgar's eyes, "is to open passage rights in a portion of your border star systems, allowing our ships safe passage to those areas severely threatened by Slaanesh.
At the same time, in specific battlefields mutually agreed upon by both sides, we require the Imperial Army's fire support and frontal engagement.
We are not demanding that Imperial forces obey our command, but rather hope for a… limited strategic cooperation based on a common threat."
She paused, then added, her tone meaningful: "Sometimes, the most dangerous enemy does not come from the xenos before us, but from the corruption deep within.
Cleansing internal decay is as important as resisting external threats.
Perhaps, on the path to confronting a common enemy, we can discover some… 'unexpected gains' valuable to both of us."
Calgar fell into contemplation.
Yvraine's words contained a vast amount of information, proposing a seemingly absurd yet undeniably serious alliance suggestion, and also subtly hinting at something (which reminded him of the ongoing internal investigation).
Cooperating with xenos was an absolute grave sin under Imperial law and Ecclesiarchy doctrine.
But on the other hand, if Slaanesh's threat was truly as imminent as she claimed, rejecting any potential assistance might be foolish.
The atmosphere in the conference room became extremely delicate; two leaders representing vastly different races and civilizations were engaged in a difficult dialogue about the future, driven by a common, terrifying threat from the Warp.
The foundation of trust had not yet been established, but the weighing of interests and the reality of the crisis forced both sides to consider this unprecedented possibility.
The air in the Chapter Master's conference room seemed to solidify. Marius Calgar stood like a stone statue, his sharp gaze seemingly trying to penetrate Yvraine's deep eyes to discern the true intent behind her words.
Cooperating with xenos, especially with a race like the Aeldari known for their cunning and manipulation, carried obvious risks. This was not merely a matter of violating the Imperium's iron laws, but potentially a meticulously designed trap aimed at dragging the Ultramarines, and even all of Ultramar, into an abyss of eternal damnation.
However, the threat of Slaanesh that Yvraine described was like a cold dagger pressed against his throat.
As Chapter Master, he understood the dangers of Chaos better than anyone, especially the movements of the four Chaos Gods themselves. If Slaanesh truly turned its primary focus to the Imperium of Man, the destruction it would cause would far exceed any conventional war.
That was a direct corruption of souls and wills, a catastrophe capable of dismantling an entire sector from within.
He recalled recent reports from border worlds: scattered information from remote agricultural and mining planets about residents behaving abnormally and the emergence of strange pleasure cults, which had previously been attributed to ordinary Chaos cult activities.
But now, combined with Yvraine's warning, these scattered clues seemed far less simple.
"Limited strategic cooperation... rights of passage..." Calgar slowly repeated these words, his voice deep and full of scrutiny. "Yvraine, do you know what your demands mean? This means the Imperium, or at least Ultramar, would tacitly allow a powerful, unknown xenos armed force to operate freely within its territory.
No loyal Imperial commander would easily agree to such terms."
"I understand your concerns, Chapter Master," Yvraine responded calmly, her posture still elegant, yet with an undeniable seriousness. "That is precisely why I came in person, rather than merely sending an envoy; this represents the Ynnari's sincerity.
We can accept strict restrictions and oversight. Our routes of action can be reported in advance, and we even allow your vessels to monitor us and your warriors to accompany our fleet.
What we need is efficiency, the possibility of preventing disaster, not inciting new conflicts."
She leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming even graver: "Time is not on our side. Slaanesh's whispers are like an invisible tide, silently eroding the barriers of the real universe.
Every moment of delay could mean another world slipping into the abyss without a sound. Once its power fully manifests, even more armies and warships will likely be unable to salvage the situation."
Just then, there was a soft knock on the conference room door. Calgar frowned and said in a deep voice, "Enter."
The door slid open, and Captain Cassius entered. His expression was somewhat grave. He first glanced at Yvraine, then quickly walked to Calgar's side and whispered a few words.
Calgar's brows furrowed even tighter. Captain Cassius's report was an urgent encrypted message just received from a border monitoring station: in the Taranis Sector, adjacent to the edge of Ultramar, abnormally strong Warp fluctuations with typical Slaanesh characteristics had been detected.
Their intensity far exceeded previous records and was continuously increasing. A small local patrol fleet had already gone missing.
This message seemed to be an immediate confirmation of Yvraine's warning.
Calgar waved his hand, telling Captain Cassius to step aside for now. He looked at Yvraine again, his gaze becoming even more complex. Coincidence? Or had she already foreseen it?
Yvraine seemed to read something from the change in his expression. She softly said, "It seems the urgency of reality has already provided part of the explanation for me. Taranis... that is just the beginning."
Calgar was silent for a moment, immense pressure weighing on him. On one side were deeply ingrained laws and distrust of xenos; on the other, a pressing Chaos threat that could affect the entire sector.
As the guardian of Ultramar, he had to make the most advantageous judgment.
"Yvraine," he finally spoke again, his voice still steady, but the previous hostility had lessened, replaced by extreme caution. "Your proposal... is extremely dangerous and extremely sensitive.
I cannot give you an immediate answer. This requires time for evaluation and consultation with the Ultramar Council and other Chapter Masters."
He then changed the subject, saying, "However, given the... warning you provided, and the abnormal situation that has now arisen, I can temporarily grant you limited trust.
You and your squad can temporarily remain on the ship, but your range of activity will be strictly limited to designated areas. At the same time, I need detailed intelligence about the Taranis Sector and all Slaanesh movements you are aware of, the more detailed the better."
This was not an agreement, but a delaying tactic, a necessary means to obtain more information and buy time for decision-making.
Yvraine seemed unsurprised by this outcome. She nodded slightly: "Understood. I will share the intelligence we possess with you. I hope you can make a decision as soon as possible.
ynnead's guidance tells us that the crisis is already approaching."
The discussion temporarily concluded. Captain Cassius was ordered to lead Yvraine away, to arrange temporary quarters for her and her retinue and to define their scope of activity.
Shortly after Yvraine left, the Chapter Master's office encrypted communicator rang again. This time, it was a direct communication request from Captain Moreno of the Grey Knights.
Calgar immediately connected.
"Chapter Master," Moreno's cold, rigid voice came through, devoid of emotion. "We have sensed an extremely powerful, non-Imperial psychic force on board the ship.
Its nature... is complex, a mix of death and rebirth, prophecy and despair, but distinctly different from Chaos corruption. Is it related to the recently arrived xenos visitor?"
The Grey Knights' psychic senses were indeed keen. Calgar briefly replied, "Yes. It is Yvraine, leader of the Aeldari Ynnari.
She has come to propose a... cooperation offer... regarding jointly confronting the Slaanesh threat."
Silence on the other end of the communication lasted a few seconds; it seemed even the Grey Knights were processing this information.
"Cooperating with xenos violates the Codex Astartes and Inquisition decrees, and carries extremely high risk," Moreno finally said, his tone still flat. "However, her warning regarding Slaanesh must be treated with caution.
We recommend the highest level of surveillance and assessment before any decision is made. At the same time, vigilance is required against her potentially using this opportunity to carry out other conspiracies."
"I know," Calgar said in a deep voice. "Their activities will be strictly limited. Your current focus remains your previous mission."
He was referring to the surveillance of Talos.
"Understood." Moreno paused, then added a sentence, which was quite rare for the laconic Grey Knights. "Furthermore, recent Warp background fluctuations within the ship have shown subtle anomalies.
Although no direct Chaos corruption has been detected, it is... too 'calm,' like the calm before a storm. We recommend raising the overall alert level."
Even the Grey Knights were uneasy? A shadow fell over Calgar's heart again. "I understand. Continue monitoring."
Ending the call with the Grey Knights, Calgar felt a wave of fatigue. External threats from Chaos and xenos, internal clouds of suspicion in the intelligence system, and potential Tzeentchian conspiracies, and now the variable of the Aeldari.
Everything seemed to be intertwined, becoming increasingly complex and difficult to resolve.
He sat back in his massive office chair and rubbed his temples. Captain Cassius's earlier report about the intelligence system being interfered with by an external force resurfaced in his mind.
If Tzeentch was truly manipulating things from behind the scenes, what was its objective? Was it merely for Talos? Or was there a larger conspiracy targeting Ultramar or even the Imperium?
Was Yvraine's arrival also part of its calculations?
He felt as if he had fallen into an invisible net, every step requiring extreme caution.
"My Primarch..." he unconsciously murmured to himself, "If you were here, what would you decide...?"
However, his only response was the cold silence of the office and the eternally flowing stellar river outside the window. The heavy responsibility still rested entirely on his shoulders.
He had to rely on his own wisdom and will to find a path to survival for Ultramar in this intricate maze.
He took a deep breath, once again turning his gaze to the mountain of documents and star charts on his desk, and began a new round of work. An invisible storm was slowly gathering.
Soon after, the Chapter Master issued a secret order. Quickly, the ten Captains of the Ultramarines First to Tenth Companies all arrived at the Chapter Master's conference room.
The heavy adamantium doors closed again, isolating the interior from the outside world.
The ten Captains represented the Ultramarines Chapter's core command layer and most powerful military force. The emblems and honor ribbons on their armor spoke of their respective achievements and duties.
Gathered together now, the atmosphere was solemn and grave. They all knew that this emergency summons must be related to the recently arrived xenos delegation.
Chapter Master Calgar wasted no time on pleasantries, cutting straight to the chase. He relayed Yvraine's arrival, her identity, and her warnings about the threat of Slaanesh, along with her request for "limited strategic cooperation," to all the captains present.
The news was like a boulder thrown into calm waters, instantly stirring up huge waves.
"Cooperate with the Aeldari? This is absurd!" Captain Cato Sicarius of the Second Company was the first to object. He was hot-headed and his animosity towards xenos was deeply ingrained. "Not a single word from those long-eared deceivers can be trusted! This is absolutely a trap! They definitely want to use us to deal with Slaanesh, then stab us in the back, or plot something in our border star systems!"
"While Captain Sicarius's words are direct, they are not without reason," Captain Orestes of the Fourth Company said gravely, being more cautious. "Imperial law explicitly forbids alliances with xenos. Once we set this precedent, the consequences will be unimaginable. How will we explain this to the Inquisition? How will other Chapters view us?"
"But the Slaanesh threat Yvraine mentioned cannot be ignored," Hector of the Sixth Company interjected. He had personally experienced the horrors of Chaos on the planet "Mona Lisa." "If Slaanesh's power is truly expanding rapidly as she claims, and its primary target turns to humanity, that would be a far more pressing disaster than the Aeldari. We cannot let ingrained prejudice blind us to the real danger."
"I agree with Hector's view," Captain Harvis Bell of the Fifth Company added. He excelled at strategic analysis. "The Ynnari have, in certain past events, indeed shown an intention for limited cooperation with the Imperium, even providing assistance. Rather than pushing them completely to the opposing side, perhaps we can utilize their strength to deal with a common enemy. The key is how to control the risks."
"Utilize? Easy to say!" Captain Sybils of the Eighth Company snorted. He was responsible for fleet security and extremely sensitive to any factor that could threaten the internal stability of warships. "Allowing a xenos squad with unclear motives to operate freely within our star systems? And granting them passage? What if they spread plague or carry out sabotage on our critical worlds? Who will be responsible? We cannot afford this risk!"
"Perhaps extremely strict restrictive measures can be adopted," Captain Heck Hansen of the Third Company proposed a compromise. "Designate clear routes, and have the fleet 'escort'—or rather, monitor—them throughout. All their actions must be carried out under our watchful eyes. Should any illicit activity be detected, we move to eliminate them immediately."
"Monitoring an Aeldari force? Especially the Ynnari, known for their cunning?" Captain Talos of the Ninth Company shook his head. He was responsible for reconnaissance and recruit training, and extremely sensitive to infiltration and counter-infiltration. "This would require a significant investment of manpower and energy, and we might not even be able to keep them under watch. We don't fully understand their methods."
"The most important thing is intelligence," Captain Cassius of the First Company, who had been silent, finally spoke. His gaze swept over everyone. "Yvraine claims to possess detailed intelligence regarding Slaanesh's movements. Regardless of whether we ultimately cooperate with them, this intelligence itself is of extremely high value. We should obtain the intelligence first, evaluate it, and then make a decision. At the same time, this is also a way to verify their sincerity."
Captain Alpha of the Tenth Company, primarily responsible for logistics and readiness, was more concerned with practical matters: "If we really take action, what resources do we need to mobilize? Which companies are suitable for carrying out such a task... one that requires both combat power and high vigilance? And, we also need to consider the attitude of the Grey Knights; their stance on Chaos and xenos..."
The debate in the conference room was fierce, with each captain expressing their strong opinions. Supporters focused on the immense threat and potential benefits, while opponents emphasized the significant risks and matters of principle.
Chapter Master Calgar listened silently throughout, not interrupting anyone's speech. He needed to hear all sides before making the most prudent decision.
The debate lasted for nearly a standard hour. Finally, when everyone's views had been fully expressed, the voices gradually subsided, and all eyes once again focused on the Chapter Master, awaiting his final decision.
Calgar slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the resolute faces of each captain.
"I have heard all your opinions, brothers," his voice was steady and powerful, quelling the last bit of noise in the conference room. "The dissenting voices, based on adherence to Imperial law and a deep-seated distrust of xenos, are fundamental principles as Imperial warriors, and are beyond reproach. The supporting opinions, based on a clear understanding of the real threat and pragmatic considerations, are also the flexibility necessary to protect Ultramar."
He paused, allowing everyone to digest his words.
"As Cassius said, intelligence is key. Regardless of cooperation, we must obtain and verify the information Yvraine possesses. And Captain Heck Hansen's proposal also offers a possibility—strict restrictions and supervision."
His eyes sharpened: "However, principles cannot be abandoned, and risks must be minimized."
He made his decision:
"First, in principle, Yvraine's request is approved. Ultramar will temporarily provide limited transit facilities for the Ynnari, allowing them to travel to the Taranis Sector and other areas confirmed to be under severe threat from Slaanesh. But all of this is predicated on them immediately handing over all detailed intelligence regarding Slaanesh's movements, which must then be verified by our Tech-Priests and Librarians."
"Second, supervision and restrictions. Ynnari vessels are not permitted to enter the orbits of core worlds like Macragge, and their operational routes must be reported in detail in advance and approved. All their activities within Ultramar will be under our strict surveillance."
At this point, his tone became incredibly serious, laced with cold killing intent:
"This surveillance and 'accompaniment' mission will be carried out jointly by the 7th Company and the Eighth Company!"
Captain Cassius of the 7th Company and Captain Sybils of the Eighth Company immediately straightened their postures.
"Cassius, your company is responsible for ground and close-range contact surveillance. Sybils, your company is responsible for fleet tracking and macroscopic situation control. Both your companies must coordinate closely, keeping them under a hawk-like watch! Should the Ynnari exhibit any actions outside the agreed scope, any signs of ill intent, even the slightest anomaly—"
Calgar's voice was firm and unequivocal: "Do not wait for further orders from me, no warnings are needed! Open fire immediately and carry out a thorough purge! No xenos shall be allowed to plot schemes on the soil of Ultramar! Understand?"
"Understood, Chapter Master!" Cassius and Sybils roared in unison, their eyes gleaming with determination. This mission carried great responsibility, but they were confident they could complete it.
"Finally," Calgar looked at Captain Cassius of the First Company, "notify Captain Moreno. The Grey Knights squad will also join this operation. Their mission is twofold: one, to assist in evaluating the veracity of the Slaanesh threat; two, to closely monitor the Ynnari, especially Yvraine herself, for any possible Chaos connections or signs of deception. They are experts in dealing with xenos and Chaos."
Including the specialized forces of the Grey Knights was both to add an extra layer of security and to better utilize their expertise.
"Everyone," Calgar finally surveyed the room, his tone heavy and resolute, "this is a difficult decision, choosing the lesser of two evils. We are dancing on a knife's edge, playing with fire. But I believe that to confront the greater threat of Slaanesh, and to protect the countless people of Ultramar, we must take this risk. But at the same time, we must maintain the highest degree of vigilance at all times, and never be deceived by the sweet talk of xenos!"
"For Macragge! For the Emperor!" The ten captains shouted in unison, their voices echoing in the conference room, expressing their shared resolve.
The meeting concluded, and the captains swiftly departed to begin deploying their tasks. Calgar remained alone in the conference room, gazing out at the deep starry sky. He knew this decision would inevitably draw controversy, and might even be questioned by the Inquisition. But as Chapter Master, he had to be responsible for the fate of all Ultramar.
The limited cooperation with the Ynnari was like a high-stakes gamble. The bet was on Yvraine's sincerity and the reality of the Slaanesh threat. And the stakes were the safety of Ultramar.
He could only hope his judgment was correct. And that the 7th Company, the Eighth Company, and the Grey Knights would keep a firm watch on those xenos visitors, ensuring this dangerous game remained under the Imperium's control.
With the order given, the 7th Company and the 8th Company, two elite forces of the Ultramarines, immediately sprang into efficient action. The 7th Company's Strike Cruiser, the Unyielding Will, and the 8th Company's Fist of Contrition, quickly completed their final preparations for departure. Engines warmed, weapon systems came online, and commands echoed one after another on the bridge.
In the Unyielding Will's armory, members of the Second Squad were conducting final equipment checks. Bolters were loaded, chainswords were fueled with high-energy plasma, and the power armor's servo systems hummed softly. However, a discordant figure appeared in the team—Dorian.
He was already clad in his newly repaired, gleaming azure-painted Terminator armor, his massive frame almost blocking half the passageway as he tried to prove his mobility was unimpaired.
"Golden, look! Aren't I perfectly fine? Not a single problem!" Dorian's voice, muffled through his helmet's faceplate, came through. He deliberately took steps, trying to appear agile, but the inherent weight of the Terminator armor still made his movements seem somewhat stiff.
Sergeant Golden looked at him with displeasure: "Dorian, stop fooling around! Your injuries haven't fully healed. I've seen the medical report; multiple bones and internal organs have only just completed regeneration and reinforcement, and you need rest! This mission is for surveillance and vigilance, not for you to charge into battle! Stay on the Macragge's Honour and await orders!"
"Rest? I'm perfectly fine!" Dorian retorted defiantly, even swinging his arm, causing his Thunder Hammer to whistle through the air. "Wearing this beauty, I feel like I could punch through a starship's armor! Let me go, Sergeant! I promise I won't cause trouble, I'll just follow you. If those long-ears try anything, I can be on the front lines!"
Just as the two were arguing, the 7th Company's adjutant walked over. He looked at Dorian, then at Golden, pondered for a moment, and said, "Sergeant Golden, since Brother Dorian is so insistent, let him come along."
Golden was about to say something, but the adjutant raised his hand to stop him and continued, "The Ynnari's ships are said to have their unique medical technology. Letting Brother Dorian come along, on one hand, allows us to continue observing his recovery, and on the other hand..." The adjutant's tone carried a hint of deeper meaning, "...we can also see just how much 'sincerity' these Ynnari truly possess. We'll see if they are willing and able to 'take care of' our injured brother."
This clearly carried a dual meaning of probing and monitoring. Golden understood the adjutant's intention. He looked at Dorian's eager expression, knowing it was useless to stop him further, and could only sigh helplessly: "...Alright. But Dorian, listen carefully! Once on board, all actions are to follow orders! Absolutely no unauthorized actions! Otherwise, when we return, I'll confine you for a year!"
"Don't worry, Sergeant! I will absolutely obey orders!" Dorian immediately promised, a triumphant smile spreading across his face beneath his helmet.
Though everyone knew his promise wouldn't last long.
Soon, the two Imperial Strike Cruisers—the Unyielding Will and the Fist of Contrition—separated from the main fleet formation and followed the strangely shaped Aeldari Ynnari vessel ahead, sailing into an unknown sector.
On the elegant and psychically charged bridge of the Ynnari ship, a cold and resolute warrior, always by Yvraine's side and wearing a red helmet—her personal guard known as the Visarch—reported to her in a low voice: "My Lady Yvraine, the two Ultramarines warships are following closely, maintaining a very short distance. Their scanning beams are constantly locked onto us, and their hostility... remains evident."
Yvraine stood by the viewport, gazing at the deep starry sky outside and the two human warships, like blue behemoths. Her delicate face showed no ripple of emotion. She responded calmly: "Let them follow, Visarch. Necessary vigilance is the foundation of any cooperation. The chasm between humans and us is like an abyss, not to be bridged overnight."
Her gaze seemed to pierce the void, seeing a more distant future: "Moreover, the true storm... has yet to descend. When Slaanesh's tide truly sweeps in, only then will they understand who is the most reliable ally in this war for the survival of souls."
After seven hours of travel, the fleet reached its destination. In a relatively empty sector, a small Aeldari fleet appeared. Primarily composed of several Aeldari vessels of similar style but varying sizes, they hung silently in the void, their hulls glowing with a faint psychic light, a stark contrast to the rugged and robust style of the human warships. The two Imperial Strike Cruisers appeared exceptionally large and... out of place in front of this Aeldari fleet.
According to the pre-arranged plan, the Unyielding Will, commanded by Captain Cassius, was responsible for overall strategic command, while the Fist of Contrition, commanded by the Eighth Company Captain, was responsible for monitoring all Ynnari warships. The Grey Knights squad of three, led by Moreno, along with the 7th Company's First, Second, and Third Squads, boarded Thunderhawk Gunships, preparing to land on the Ynnari flagship—the "Soul Song Blade."
To demonstrate strength and resolve, all combat personnel from the three landing squads, except for the necessary Tech-Sergeants, were equipped with Terminator armor! When nearly twenty blue giants, with heavy strides, stepped onto the mirror-smooth deck of the Aeldari flagship, adorned with strange carvings, the entire scene was filled with intense visual impact and an invisible pressure. Their objective was clear: to monitor everything here and deter any potential unrest.
Led by an Aeldari guide with an impassive face, this powerful Terminator squad arrived at the command hall near the bridge. Yvraine and her core members (including the Visarch) were already waiting there.
Sergeant Golden stepped forward as a representative, the hum of his Terminator armor echoing in the Aeldari-styled hall. Without any pleasantries, he directly stated his purpose, his voice, processed through his helmet, cold and firm:
"Lady Yvraine. By Chapter Master's command, we are ordered to board your vessel to perform surveillance and cooperation duties. During our joint efforts against the threat of Slaanesh, we will be present at all times. We hope for your full cooperation, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."
He paused, emphasizing his words with an undisguised warning: "You should be aware of Commorragh's fate. Treachery and deceit will surely come at a price. If your side makes any move, or any action that harms Imperial interests, this place... will become a second Commorragh."
This blatant threat caused several Aeldari warriors behind Yvraine to show anger, especially the Visarch, who instinctively stepped forward, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Aeldari pride made it difficult for them to endure such insulting remarks.
However, Yvraine gently raised her hand, stopping the Visarch. Her expression remained calm, as if she hadn't heard the hostile warning, and she simply said, "I understand the duties of your warriors. Please, make yourselves at home; all areas of the ship will be open to you. We will fully cooperate, hoping to repel our common enemy as soon as possible."
Her composure and magnanimity, in contrast, made the Ultramarines' vigilance seem overly tense.
Subsequently, Sergeant Golden explained Dorian's situation to Yvraine, stating that his injuries had not yet healed and required necessary medical support. Yvraine naturally understood the probing intent behind this; she did not refuse and immediately assigned the ship's best Aeldari medic to escort Dorian to the medical bay for examination and treatment. Watching Dorian's massive Terminator body follow the light-footed, almost silent Aeldari medic, his heavy footsteps forming a strange contrast with the elegant Aeldari environment, Golden secretly hoped this fellow wouldn't cause any more trouble.
Additionally, Captain Moreno of the Grey Knights made a special request: he needed an absolutely secluded, quiet cabin that could block external psychic interference, for their meditation and monitoring. Yvraine readily agreed, personally arranging a suitable cabin, seemingly unsurprised by their special needs.
Yvraine almost granted every request made by the Imperial side, her cooperative attitude leaving no room for complaint. But this excessive smoothness, paradoxically, raised the vigilance of Golden, Moreno, and others to its highest level.
At the same time, in the distant heart of Ultramar, aboard the Macragge's Honour, Chapter Master Marius Calgar officially signed and issued an order, notifying all Imperial defense forces and navigation management departments within Ultramar to grant the Ynnari fleet limited transit permissions, under strict restrictions and monitoring.
An impromptu collaboration, built on fragile trust, mutual vigilance, and immense threat, thus began. An invisible tension permeated every corner of the Aeldari flagship, as everyone awaited the true storm that Yvraine had prophesied.
Inside the Aeldari flagship, the "Soul Song Blade," it felt like a dream woven from moonlight, shadows, and mournful melodies. Smooth, curved structures replaced cold right angles, and the walls shimmered with psychically-attuned runes that pulsed like breathing, while the air was filled with a faint, ethereal scent, a mix of ancient books and exotic flowers. This was a stark contrast to the utilitarian environment of Imperial warships, filled with steel, oil, and sacred incense, causing the newly arrived Ultramarines to feel a sense of jarring alienation, and doubling their vigilance.
Three squads of Terminator warriors fanned out in standard tactical formation, occupying several key entrances and strategic points in the command hall. Their massive bodies and heavy footsteps formed a stark contrast to the Aeldari's light and quiet atmosphere, like several blue steel giants intruding into an exquisite art gallery. The faceplate of each warrior slowly rotated, sensors fully engaged, not missing any suspicious movement. Though their Bolters were not raised, their fingers rested on the trigger guards, ready to respond to any sudden situation.
Sergeant Golden arranged for Luna to make initial contact with the Aeldari technical personnel, primarily to establish basic data links and communication protocols to receive the intelligence Yvraine promised regarding Slaanesh's movements. This process went unusually smoothly; the Aeldari technicians were very professional and cooperative, but Luna's electronic eyes always gleamed with calm light, and every byte of data was rigorously filtered and scrutinized.
Dorian was led by the Aeldari medic to a medical room filled with soft light, where the walls pulsed faintly like living crystal. The medic used strange, non-contact instruments that emitted a soft hum to scan him, then prepared a glowing elixir with a fresh scent, gesturing for Dorian to drink it.
"What is this stuff?" Dorian asked gruffly through his faceplate, full of distrust.
The Aeldari medic seemed to understand his language and replied in an ethereal but slightly stiff gothic: "It promotes the circulation of life energy and accelerates tissue regeneration. It will benefit your injuries."
Dorian hesitated, remembering Golden's instructions and the purpose of this mission. Steeling himself, he opened his faceplate, removed his helmet, took the cup of liquid that didn't look like proper medicine, and gulped it down. The taste was unexpectedly pleasant, a sweet freshness like mint mixed with some unknown fruit. A warm current then surged through his limbs, and the previously aching wounds genuinely seemed to be relieved quite a bit.
"Tsk, that's actually quite interesting," Dorian mumbled, re-securing his faceplate. But he still didn't dare relax, his Power Fist clenched, vigilantly observing everything around him.
Grey Knights Moreno, Valerius, and Kaldor entered the special chamber Yvraine had prepared for them. The interior of the chamber was exceptionally simple; its walls and floor seemed to be made of a special wraithbone capable of absorbing energy and sound, creating an almost perfect space of silence and psychic insulation. This was crucial for the Grey Knights, who required intense focus for psychic sensing and combating Chaos.
Upon entering the chamber, Moreno gestured to Valerius and Kaldor to begin setting up simple warding runes. He himself stood in the center of the room, closing his eyes, his powerful psychic senses spreading outwards like mercury, but quickly confined to a certain range by the chamber's insulating properties. He carefully sensed the psychic currents within the ship, attempting to detect any trace of abnormality or deception.
"The psychic environment is complex, but... pure," Moreno slowly opened his eyes, his voice echoing in the silent chamber, "It is permeated with the sorrow of death and prophecy, but distinctly different from the taint of Chaos. No signs of betrayal have been detected so far."
Valerius nodded: "But we must maintain the highest vigilance. Tzeentch's schemes often hide in the most unlikely places."
Kaldor added: "That female Aeldari leader... her soul-light is powerful and peculiar, as if woven with countless threads of fate. I cannot see through her."
The three Grey Knights, like the most patient hunters, began their vigil in the silence.
In the command hall, Yvraine seemed completely oblivious to the blue giants standing like statues. She conversed in low tones with her advisors, using a melodious yet abstruse Aeldari language. At times, she would stand before a massive star map, not an Imperial mechanical construct, but one formed of pure light and psychic energy, marking many star systems unknown to humans and Aeldari runes.
Occasionally, she would actively approach Sergeant Golden, informing him in fluent gothic of the progress of intelligence analysis, or pointing out an area on the star map where an anomalous psychic fluctuation had just appeared. Her demeanor remained calm and candid, and she even offered to share some basic Aeldari techniques for identifying and resisting Slaanesh's whispers.
"Slaanesh's power stems from the craving and indulgence in extreme sensory experiences," she once explained to Golden, her tone like a patient mentor, "Its whispers often target the deepest desires and voids within the heart. A firm will is important, but understanding the nature of its temptation is more effective for defense."
Golden carefully recorded this information, preparing to transmit it back to Macragge for analysis. He had to admit that the information Yvraine provided was indeed highly valuable for combating Slaanesh. But this only made him more curious: what exactly did these Aeldari hope to gain from this collaboration? Was it truly just to collectively oppose a powerful enemy?
Time slowly passed in a subtle and tense atmosphere. The Imperial warriors held their positions, not daring to relax in the slightest. The Aeldari, meanwhile, seemed completely immersed in their own rhythm, oblivious to the "observers" around them.
Aboard the Unyielding Will, Captain Cassius of the 7th Company maintained constant contact with Golden via encrypted communication channels, receiving reports and coordinating the Fist of Contrition's surveillance operations on the fleet's outer perimeter.
"What is the situation, Sergeant Golden?" Captain Cassius's voice came through.
"Reporting, Captain, all is normal. The Ynnari are highly cooperative, no abnormal actions detected. The Grey Knights have also reported no detection of Chaos corruption. Dorian has received Aeldari medical treatment, with no adverse reactions so far," Golden reported concisely.
"Continue to maintain vigilance. Do not be deceived by appearances. The Aeldari are masters of disguise and misdirection."
"Understood!"
After a few more hours, Yvraine again approached Golden. This time, her expression was more solemn than before.
"Sergeant Golden," she said, "we have just received an urgent transmission from deep within the 'Path of Woe.' A vanguard force of Slaanesh, far exceeding expectations in scale, has breached an ancient Aeldari seal in the Webway and is now approaching real space. Its target... is very likely a vulnerable node near the Taranis Sector."
She pointed to the psychic star map, where an area of light was violently flickering and turning red, spreading like ink dropped into clear water.
"We must intercept them immediately. Otherwise, if they pour into reality in large numbers, the consequences will be unimaginable." Yvraine's gaze met Golden's, "You need to immediately notify your fleet to prepare for a jump."
The real battle, it seemed, was about to begin. Golden looked at the rapidly expanding red area on the star map, then at the calm Aeldari leader before him, the taut string in his heart stretched to its limit.
Was it a trap? Or a genuine crisis?
He did not dare to delay and immediately reported the situation to Captain Cassius.
After a brief silence, Captain Cassius's voice came through: "...Agree to follow. Order all units to Battle Readiness Level One! Let's see how much truth there is in their 'sincerity'!"
The "Soul Song Blade" adjusted its course first, its engines emitting a humming sound unlike human warships, like a song, and its psychic glow intensified. The two Imperial strike cruisers followed closely behind, like loyal but vigilant hounds, sailing together into the unknown space that portended storm and blood. Surveillance and cooperation were about to face their first true test.
Inside the command hall of the "Soul Song Blade," the atmosphere remained in a delicate balance, like a taut bowstring. Twenty Ultramarines Terminators stood silently and solemnly like a blue steel forest in the Eldar-style hall, their very presence a silent, heavy pressure.
Gaius adjusted his shoulder guard. The weight and bulk of the Ironclad Terminator armor, far exceeding standard Power Armor, made him, a sniper accustomed to stealth and precision, feel a bit uncomfortable. He scanned the surrounding Eldar crew through his optical sensors, noting their elegant demeanor but also their cold or subtly hostile glances towards their group of "uninvited guests." He couldn't help but complain in a low voice to Sergeant Golden beside him through the squad's internal channel:
"Sergeant, I still don't understand. We snipers value stealth and mobility. Wearing these clunky Terminators, forget about sneaking; we clank when we walk, and it's hard to even rapidly redeploy. Are we here to monitor, or to act as stationary gun platforms?"
Sergeant Golden's gaze continued to sweep vigilantly around, replying without turning his head, his voice coming through the channel with a steady tone: "Gaius, remember the primary objective of this mission. We are here not primarily for combat—at least, not entirely."
He tilted his head slightly, his helmet's red optical sensor sweeping over Gaius: "The most important function of wearing Terminator armor is deterrence. To clearly show these Eldar the power and resolve of the Imperium. This armor is explicitly telling them: 'We are here, we are incredibly powerful, and we are constantly vigilant. Any rash move will be met with devastating retaliation.' This carries more weight than any verbal warning. As for your sniping skills... put them aside for now; what we need is presence, not concealment."
Gaius fell silent for a moment, understanding the Sergeant's intention. They were now more like a symbol, a display of force, used to maintain the Imperium's initiative in this fragile cooperation.
Just then, the psychic star map in the center of the command hall flared brightly, indicating that the fleet had reached the edge of the target star system. Ahead lay a twisted asteroid belt, within which unstable Warp fluctuations were vaguely visible, as if something was trying to tear open the veil of the real universe.
The holographic projections of Captain Cassius of the Seventh Company and Captain Sybils of the Eighth Company, along with Yvraine and her core advisory group, once again converged before the star map. The two human Captains' holographic images were tall and imposing, forming a stark contrast with Yvraine's slender yet powerful figure.
"Lady Yvraine," Captain Cassius began first, his voice coming through the communicator, steady and direct, "the fleet has arrived at the designated position. According to your intelligence, Slaanesh's vanguard forces are about to manifest here. What is your operational plan? Do you require assistance from our Ultramarines for the eradication?"
His question went straight to the core. Since they were cooperating, their respective roles and tasks needed to be clear. At the same time, this was also a test to see if the Ynnari truly intended to involve Imperial forces in the battle, or if they had other motives.
Yvraine turned to face the holographic projections of the two Captains. Her delicate features appeared even more mysterious under the shifting light of the star map. She nodded slightly and replied in her ethereal and clear gothic:
"Thank you, Captains, for your arrival. Regarding the operational plan, the Ynnari already have a contingency. We will establish an interception line here, relying on the psychic matrix of the 'Soul Song Blade' and its escort vessels. When Slaanesh's daemons attempt to breach the veil of reality, we will strike and purify them with focused psychic shockwaves and the power of ynnead."
Her tone was calm and confident, as if stating an established fact.
"As for your warriors," she looked at Cassius and Sybils, her gaze frank, "according to our previous agreement, the Imperial forces' mission this time is to provide passage and necessary surveillance over us. For combat, there is no need to trouble your warriors for now. The power of the Ynnari is sufficient to handle this vanguard force."
This answer was both unexpected and reasonable. Unexpected, in that she truly seemed to not intend to rely on the Imperium's powerful firepower; reasonable, in that it aligned with the Eldar's usual pride and self-confidence in their own strength, and also avoided allowing human forces to delve too deeply into Eldar combat methods and Webway secrets too early.
Captain Sybils of the Eighth Company snorted, his projection seemingly fluctuating with displeasure: "Hmph, easy for you to say. If your so-called 'power of ynnead' can't stop those monsters, and they burst into the real universe, affecting nearby Imperial worlds, who will bear that responsibility? Are we just supposed to watch?"
Yvraine faced Sybils's questioning, maintaining her composure: "Captain Sybils, please rest assured. We have faith in the power of ynnead. The goal of this interception is to nip the threat in the bud, preventing it from truly entering the real universe. In the unlikely event... I mean, in the unlikely event of an unforeseen situation where daemons breach our defenses, then, of course, your powerful firepower will be needed for their eradication. This is also one of the reasons we requested your forces to hold the line here."
She cleverly transformed the Imperium's "surveillance" role, in part, into a "strategic reserve," both appeasing the other party and adhering to the initial agreement framework.
Captain Cassius was silent for a moment, his sharp gaze seemingly piercing the holographic projection to look directly into Yvraine's soul. He slowly said: "Lady Yvraine, I hope you understand the bottom line of this 'cooperation.' Ultramar has given you trust, but it is only a very limited trust, built upon a common threat."
His tone gradually grew heavier, carrying an undeniable gravitas: "We will honor the agreement, remain on standby for now, and observe your battle. But please, you and all your people, remember one thing—"
He paused, letting each word clearly imprint itself in the air:
"Do not try to exploit this situation. Do not make any unnecessary moves beyond the scope of the agreement. Do not forget, at this moment, on your ship, there are not just twenty Ultramarines Terminators..."
Cassius's voice became cold and threatening, as if imbued with the power of thunder:
"...There are also three Grey Knights."
The words "Grey Knights" struck the silent command hall like a heavy hammer. Even those Eldar advisors who had maintained indifferent expressions, upon hearing that name, involuntarily had their eyes flicker, revealing deep apprehension. They might not fear ordinary Astartes, but the Grey Knights... those were monsters specifically created to purge Chaos, a nightmare that no entity dealing with Warp power could ignore.
Cassius continued, every syllable filled with power: "Their purpose is to perceive and destroy all traces and conspiracies of Chaos. Any deception, any betrayal, any collusion with dark powers... will absolutely not escape their eyes. Once they discover any misconduct..."
He did not finish his sentence, but the implied threat, like a cold blade, was held to the neck of every Ynnari. This was an undisguised, most severe warning.
Yvraine listened quietly, her seemingly eternally calm expression showing a flicker of an extremely subtle change for the first time, but it quickly returned to normal. She met Cassius's gaze and slowly, solemnly nodded.
"Captain Cassius, your warning, I have received it." Her voice was still ethereal, but with an added gravity, "Please rest assured, the Ynnari seek survival and salvation, not self-destruction. We know the dangers of Chaos better than anyone, and we understand the consequences of deceiving the Grey Knights even more. All our actions will strictly adhere to the agreement, aimed at eliminating the common enemy."
Her statement seemed sincere, but in this tense atmosphere, it appeared more like a forced promise under duress.
The conversation temporarily ended. The holographic projections of the two Captains dissipated. The command hall once again returned to that oppressive silence, broken only by the faint hum of the psychic star map and the low whirring of the Terminators' servo systems.
The Ultramarines still stood like statues, but the gaze beneath their helmets grew sharper. Golden glanced at Gaius, who nodded slightly, indicating understanding. The presence of the Grey Knights was their greatest trump card and deterrent.
Yvraine turned and walked to her command chair, beginning to issue a series of battle preparation orders in low Eldar. The entire "Soul Song Blade" seemed to awaken from slumber; psychic light flowed through various parts of the ship, and a mournful yet powerful song faintly echoed within the vessel.
The true test was about to begin. This fragile and suspicious alliance between the Imperium and the Eldar would also face its first real combat examination. Everyone waited for the madness and blasphemy that was about to pour forth from the other side of the Warp rift.
Deep within the twisted asteroid belt, space rippled with ominous waves, like silk kneaded by an unseen hand. The barrier of the real universe was exceptionally thin here, like a paper window about to be pierced. Howls and gibbering from the Warp, filled with extreme sensory temptation and twisted pain, were already faintly audible, assaulting the minds of all living beings like a tide.
The "Soul Song Blade" hovered like an elegant dancer at the heart of this chaotic zone. The ancient spirit-bone runes on its hull lit up one by one, flowing with light like moonlight and teardrops, connecting with several smaller Eldar escort ships to form a vast, complex psychic matrix. A deep, mournful song echoed between the fleet, not propagating through the air, but acting directly on the soul, carrying a power of solace and purification, striving to resist the erosion of Slaanesh's whispers.
Inside the command hall, the twenty Ultramarines Terminators still stood solemnly like a steel bulwark. Their sensors clearly relayed everything from outside to their helmet displays—the twisted space, the restless psychic energy, and the increasingly clear daemon howls. Each warrior's power fist was subtly clenched, their Bolters ready to fire at any moment, but they remembered their orders, holding their ground like dormant tigers, observing with cold eyes.
Sergeant Golden again emphasized in a low voice through the squad channel: "Everyone stay alert, but no one is allowed to open fire without my command. Our mission is to monitor; unless the daemons break through the Aeldari defenses and directly threaten us, let them handle it themselves."
Gaius meticulously observed the distorted void through the reinforced sensors of his Terminator helmet. As a sniper, he was accustomed to calmly observing and analyzing from a distance. He could see the energy readings of the Aeldari vessels rapidly escalating; the fluctuations emanating from the psychic matrix were both powerful and... fragile, as if striving to maintain a delicate balance.
Yvraine stood before the command console, her figure appearing even more sacred and inviolable in the glow of the psychic energy. She closed her eyes, her hands slightly raised, as if guiding unseen forces. She chanted ancient and obscure Aeldari incantations, her voice merging with the lament of the ship, guiding vast energy flows towards the weakest point in space.
Suddenly, the center of the twisted ripple violently collapsed inward, like a ruptured abscess! A Warp rift, filled with pink-purple evil light, swirling with countless twisted limbs and psychedelic colors, was forcibly torn open!
"Roar ahhh!"
"Come... embrace ecstasy..."
"Eternal ecstasy..."
Accompanied by insane roars and seductive whispers capable of instantly shattering mortal minds, the first wave of Slaanesh daemons surged out of the rift like a breaching flood!
Leading the charge were hordes of screaming, laughing Daemonettes of Slaanesh. They possessed twisted feminine forms, sharp claws and teeth, danced with dizzying steps, and emitted shrill cackles. Close behind them were larger, degraded Lesser Daemons of Slaanesh wielding sonic weapons and constantly emitting psychedelic auras.
As soon as these blasphemous creations appeared, they madly lunged at the nearest Aeldari vessels, attempting to corrupt and tear apart these creations, which exuded an aura of death they abhorred, with their claws and dark sorcery.
However, the Ynnari were already poised for battle.
The moment the daemons poured out, the psychic matrix formed by the "Soul Song Blade" and its escorting vessels erupted in a blinding white light! A pure energy shockwave, imbued with ynnead's deathly power, swept across the daemon vanguard like a crescent blade!
Sizzle—!!!
Like a red-hot iron searing into grease, the Slaanesh daemons struck by this death energy let out even more agonizing screams. Their bodies rapidly turned ashen, cracked, and finally disintegrated into dust like weathered plaster, with even the remnants of their souls thoroughly purified!
This first strike was remarkably effective, instantly clearing out a large number of lesser daemons.
But Slaanesh's offensive did not stop. More and more powerful daemons poured out of the rift; they seemed endless. Some powerful Lesser Daemons of Slaanesh began to condense dark energy, attempting to counter the purifying power of the psychic matrix; some cunning Daemonettes tried to bypass the front and attack the ships from the flanks.
At this moment, the hatches of the "Soul Song Blade" opened, and squads of Ynnari warriors swarmed out like specters!
Leading them were the Death Jesters, wearing ornate masks and wielding deadly Kiss Blades. They moved like artists of death, leaping and spinning in the void, each swing of a Kiss Blade inevitably taking away a daemon's "ecstasy," precise and efficient. Their movements were like a bizarre ballet, elevating slaughter to art.
Following closely were the silent Wraithlords and more agile Wraithguards, bearing massive Death Scythes. The souls of these ancient Aeldari warriors were imprisoned within spirit-bone constructs, and they harbored a deep hatred for Slaanesh. With each swing of their massive scythes, daemons were mown down in swathes like wheat.
There were also the Aeldari warriors in dark armor, moving like the wind, using various psychic weapons and shuriken rifles. They formed small squads, cooperating with each other, using dense firepower and agile maneuvers to cut down and eliminate isolated daemons.
The battle unfolded fiercely in the void and the asteroid belt. Beams of psychic energy and Slaanesh's dark energy rays crisscrossed, the cold gleam of Kiss Blades and the sharp claws of daemons clashed, emitting ear-splitting sparks, and the Aeldari warriors' elegantly lethal dance contrasted gruesomely with the daemons' mad, twisting charges.
The Ynnari demonstrated extremely high combat proficiency and a deep understanding of Slaanesh daemons. Their attacks often precisely targeted the daemons' weaknesses, and their formations were flexible and varied, always effectively curbing the daemons' onslaught. Especially the attacks imbued with ynnead's power had a significant counteractive effect on Slaanesh daemons.
Inside the command hall of the "Soul Song Blade," the Ultramarines silently watched this battle, which far exceeded their previous experiences. They had witnessed the brute force of Orks, the coldness of Necrons, and the ferocity of Chaos Space Marines, but such a... "elegant" and efficient way of fighting daemons was something they were seeing for the first time.
"These long-ears... they really have a knack for it," Dorian muttered in the squad channel. "They cut down those flamboyant daemons like chopping vegetables."
"Focus on vigilance, Dorian," Golden reprimanded in a low voice, but his gaze was also fixed on the battlefield status display. Frankly, the Ynnari's combat power and tactical execution capabilities were impressive; they were indeed fighting Slaanesh with all their might.
Gaius, however, paid more attention to the details. He noticed that despite the Ynnari's valiant and efficient fighting, the sheer number of daemons was overwhelming, and the daemons pouring out of the rift seemed to be growing stronger. Although the psychic matrix's light was still dazzling, it seemed less stable than initially, clearly requiring immense energy to sustain. Some Aeldari warriors also began to suffer casualties under the daemons' frenzied attacks; occasionally, a Wraithlord's spirit-bone body was shattered by a powerful Lesser Daemon of Slaanesh, or an Aeldari warrior was dragged into an encirclement by Daemonettes and brutally dismembered.
The battle became a stalemate. The Ynnari successfully held back the daemon horde, but seemed to lack the decisive power to completely close the rift or utterly defeat all the daemons.
Just then, the Warp rift fluctuated violently again, and an even vaster, more terrifying will seemed about to descend. The rift suddenly expanded, and an enormous, terrifying claw, covered in smooth chitinous armor, topped with countless writhing tentacles and a gaping maw filled with sharp teeth, suddenly reached out from the rift, savagely grasping at the psychic shield of the "Soul Song Blade"!
Boom!!!
The entire Aeldari flagship shook violently! Intense ripples spread across the shield, and even a tiny crack appeared! The lights in the command hall flickered!
Yvraine's face instantly turned several shades paler, but her chanting of incantations grew even more fervent, striving to maintain the stability of the front line.
The hearts of all the Space Marines were in their throats. They could feel that an extremely powerful Greater Daemon of Slaanesh was attempting to forcefully squeeze into real space!
"Sergeant!" Gaius whispered. His sniper instincts instinctively made him calculate firing solutions, even though he knew he couldn't perform precise sniping in Terminator armor.
Sergeant Golden's hand also rested on his Bolter, but he still gritted his teeth, refusing to give the order to attack. The Chapter Master's instructions were clear: hold position unless the defense line was breached.
He stared intently at Yvraine, wanting to see how this leader of the Ynnari would respond to this sudden crisis.
Yvraine suddenly opened her eyes; gray flames seemed to burn within them. She raised her hands, and the ornate staff adorned with the Ynnari symbol, which had been by her side, automatically flew into her grasp. She slammed the staff heavily onto the deck, and a surge of deathly power, far grander and colder than before, erupted from her!
"In the name of ynnead! Here I draw the line between life and death!" she chanted loudly in Aeldari, her voice piercing through the roar of the warship and the clamor of battle!
The powerful death energy surged like a tide towards the rift, colliding fiercely with the terrifying claw attempting to force its way through!
Sizzle—!!!
Like ice water poured into boiling oil, the death energy and Slaanesh's dark energy clashed violently, emitting a teeth-grating corrosive sound! The massive claw recoiled sharply as if burned, and the rift's expansion also momentarily halted!
But clearly, Yvraine also paid a price; a trace of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and her body swayed slightly.
"My Lady!" Visarch immediately stepped forward to support her, his eyes filled with worry.
"It's nothing..." Yvraine steadied herself, wiped away the blood, her gaze still firm. "Continue to maintain the matrix! Guide the ship's cannons, concentrate fire on the edges of the rift to weaken its stability!"
The Aeldari fleet's artillery immediately became more concentrated, fiercely bombarding the area around the rift, attempting to close it again.
The battlefield once again fell into a stalemate. The Ynnari, pouring all their strength, temporarily held back the descent of the terrifying Greater Daemon, but the situation remained critical.
In the command hall, Sergeant Golden quickly reported the urgent situation to Captain Cassius via an encrypted channel.
"...That's the situation, Captain. The Ynnari seem to be in a tough fight; a powerful Greater Daemon of Slaanesh is trying to descend, and Yvraine appears to be wounded. Should we...?"
A few seconds of silence passed on the other end of the channel, then Captain Cassius's calm but grave order came through: "...Continue to observe. Unless Yvraine explicitly requests assistance, or the defense line has truly collapsed, then... proceed as planned."
The order remained. The test of trust reached its peak.
All the Ultramarines held their breath, watching the fate-deciding battle outside. The blue steel giants, like silent arbiters, observed the situation, standing by the Aeldari and daemon's dance of death. Their Bolters were silent, but their will, like a sword about to be drawn, was ready to strike down any threat to the Imperium's existence at any moment.