Static-like arcs of electricity danced in the air, sketching the outline of a man's figure.
"Honored visitors, I am a member of Von Valancius, the Planetary Governor of Astroma Prime."
"Astroma Prime is in a rebellion. Cultists worshipping the Dark Gods have deceived the ignorant populace, plunging the entire planet into war."
"The traitors advance relentlessly, and the Planetary Defense Forces have suffered heavy casualties. The situation is at its most critical."
"Regardless of which part of the Imperium you belong to, House Von Valancius sincerely hopes you can lend your aid and help us quell this rebellion."
"House Von Valancius has a long history and deep resources. We hold a Rogue Trader Warrant of Trade signed by the God-Emperor Himself, and we firmly believe in repaying all debts."
"We never forget a favor owed. If this crisis is resolved, we will provide generous rewards."
At this point, the message finished playing.
The holographic projection also shut down.
"House Von Valancius? Rogue Traders!" Qin Yun fell into thought.
The players also whispered among themselves, discussing in low voices.
"Is this a clue for a new map?"
"Astroma Prime... I wonder if it's an industrial world or a forge world. I hope it's a Forge World so we can pilot mechs."
"Forge worlds are the domain of the Mechanicus, managed by Mars. Even if Rogue Traders have immense power, they absolutely cannot control a forge world."
"The House of Von Valancius isn't an ordinary Rogue Trader family; they have a Warrant of Trade signed by the Emperor Himself. You need to know, those are relics from the Great Crusade era."
"Even if the Houe Von Valancius dragged the Emperor off the Golden Throne right now, the tech-priests wouldn't give them a forge world."
"Nonsense, the entire Imperium belongs to the Emperor."
"Mars and Terra are in an alliance. Do you even understand what an alliance means?"
The players argued, their faces red, neither side yielding.
Qin Yun ignored them.
He pondered the House Von Valancius Rogue Trader status alone.
Rogue Traders have existed since the Great Crusade era as an unofficial form of external trade for the Imperium.
During the Great Crusade, the Emperor and the Primarchs realized the galaxy was too vast.
Many regions were beyond their immediate reach, thus giving rise to Rogue Traders who were keen on exploration and adventure.
They are conquerors, privateers, and explorers of the interstellar age.
Rogue Traders holding Warrants authorized by the Emperor or a Primarch operate actively in the unexplored frontier sectors of the Imperium.
They amass vast wealth through colonizing new worlds, exploring ancient ruins, trading in xenos tech, black market dealings, and other means.
Warrants of Trade also have grades.
Ranked by their origin of issuance, they are: issued by the Administratum, issued by the High Lords of Terra, issued by a Primarch, issued by Guilliman, and issued by the Emperor.
A Warrant issued by the Administratum can be obtained simply by paying a tribute or for a specific mission.
Not only are their authority limited, but the ships they can use are also strictly controlled.
Warrants issued by the High Lords of Terra are often used to reward those who have made great contributions.
Such as discovering lost human colonies or recovering STC templates from the Dark Age of Technology.
The most precious are those Warrants issued by the Emperor and Guilliman.
After the Horus Heresy, Guilliman served as the Imperial Regent, wrote the Codex Astartes, organized the Second Founding, and rebuilt the Imperial administrative system.
Because of this, the Rogue Trader Warrants he signed are more valuable than those signed by other Primarchs.
They can be hereditary, and their authority is almost on par with those signed by the Emperor.
Rogue Traders holding such Warrants can, as long as they have sufficient financial resources, maintain fleets, work with Astartes, Freeblades, and Mechanicus support.
They are not restricted by the High Lords of Terra.
As long as such Rogue Trader dynasties do not openly rebel, pledge allegiance to Chaos, or commit other major crimes, they are virtually immune to being disbanded.
The sound of footsteps approached.
The two squads responsible for reclaiming the data processing hub and the main communication control room arrived at the command hall.
They soon learned about Astroma Prime and the House Valancius from Little Chubby and the others.
Ten-times stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"It seems our next map is the rebellion-stricken Astroma Prime."
The other players also looked excited.
"Do you think they'll unlock advancements for careers like Astartes, Knight pilots, and Tech-Priests then?"
"Not sure about new careers, but there will definitely be more weapons and gameplay."
"I can't wait to land on Astroma Prime and go on a rampage."
"You're thinking too optimistically. We need to reclaim the Imperial Glory first before we can figure out how to get to Astroma Prime."
The appearance of a new map greatly boosted the players' enthusiasm.
They were eager to unlock more gameplay.
"I feel so motivated, I can keep grinding."
"Guide, our squad doesn't need rest. Please assign us more tasks."
"There's one important area left on the bridge, the Prayer Chapel, that hasn't been reclaimed. Guide, let's finish it before resting."
"Only useless trash rests when the Emperor has need. We must grind. We won't rest until the galaxy explodes."
"For the Emperor, even if the galaxy explodes, I won't rest."
"Skulls for the Golden Throne! Blood for the God-Emperor! Let's keep killing, slashing!"
Qin Yun had originally intended to let the players rest before continuing the fight.
Who would have thought that the moment the clue for the new map, Astroma Prime, appeared, the players collectively couldn't sit still.
Each one seemed injected with combat stimulants.
"I really wanted to refuse, but they are too enthusiastic."
"They kept asking me to push them, to work them hard. I simply couldn't decline their fervent requests."
Qin Yun sighed silently in his heart.
It wasn't that he wanted to be a ruthless taskmaster.
He just couldn't disappoint these players' enthusiasm.
Qin Yun walked to the control console and opened the tactical projection.
He displayed the layout of the Prayer Chapel area.
"Since none of you want to rest, let's maintain the momentum and take the Prayer Chapel, reclaiming control of the bridge."
Old Bird stepped forward, wanting to tackle the hardest part.
"Our squad has heavy firepower and a psyker. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility. We'll take the front line."
"As compensation, taking an extra twenty percent of Contribution Points, you don't mind, right?"
Brother Ballsy was the first to jump out in opposition.
"Your squad has two wounded!! Our squad is daring and willing to fight, we have a plasma gun and a Blank, and no wounded. We should definitely be the assault team."
Old Bird glared at Brother Ballsy. "Remember when I used Melta bombs on the Chaos Ogryn without blinking? Do you have that level of loyalty to the Emperor?"
"What, you think we're cowards? Look at this!" Brother Ballsy lifted his shirt, revealing a row of Melta bombs.
"Our entire squad is ready to sacrifice ourselves for the Emperor at any moment."
Little Chubby watched their argument with a look of disdain.
He waited until they finished glaring at each other before stepping forward.
"In terms of combat prowess, the strongest here is undoubtedly the Guide."
"Tearing apart Chaos Ogryns with his hands, cutting down the corrupted Captain with his sword, plowing through everything in his path. Who dares to stand in his way? Only the Guide!"
"The assault on the Prayer Chapel should definitely be led by the Guide, with our squad providing support."
Old Bird: "..."
Brother Ballsy: "..."
'You, Little Chubby, with your honest-looking face!!'
'Sucking up to the NPC like that, so eager to progress, huh.'
Little Chubby turned a blind eye to their expressions.
'How can sucking up to an NPC be called sucking up?!
'It's called building favor.'
'Don't you have any gaming common sense!!'
Qin Yun thought for a moment, then nodded.
"This battle does need to be resolved quickly. Me taking action personally is the most reliable approach."
"It's decided then. Check your weapons and equipment, then let's move out."
Under the resentful gazes of Old Bird and Brother Ballsy, Little Chubby and his squad, heads held high and chests out, followed Qin Yun as they set off.
"That damned bootlicker."
Old Bird and Brother Ballsy tacitly spat in their hearts.
Then, they waved for their own squad members to follow.