Chapter 280: The Inquisition's Purification Plan
The Inquisitor's gaze swept across the tightly closed factory gate as if it were tangible, seemingly able to pierce through the heavy metal and see the souls trembling in fear within.
"To ensure the cancer of heretical thought is thoroughly eradicated and to prevent further spread of contamination, I demand the immediate and full assistance of the Hive Adeptus Arbites to suppress this riot, which has already been coerced by heresy." His words carried absolute authority, brooking no doubt. "All participants in the riot, as well as immediate family members verified to be connected to them, must be arrested immediately and escorted to designated locations for strict isolation and interrogation. If necessary, purification protocols will be executed to eliminate future trouble."
Just as Inquisitor Karras Walker made his declaration, Maine's gaze was involuntarily drawn firmly to the towering figure to the Inquisitor's side and rear—a giant warrior clad in bright yellow Ceramite Power Armor.
He stood beside the Inquisitor like an iron tower, silent as an ancient mountain. Under the dim light, the black iron fist insignia on his pauldron emitted a cold, hard luster.
Although he made no movement, the invisible oppression emanating from his massive body and the power armor itself seemed to make the surrounding air viscous and heavy. His presence even surpassed all the soldiers and heavy weapons present.
Inquisitor Karras's gaze subsequently fell on Maine's squad, especially those two Iron Guard prototypes.
His gaze lingered briefly on the unique gears and binary runes on the Iron Guard pauldrons. A trace of understanding flashed in his eyes, and he then looked at Maine.
"Your equipment bears the markings of the Adeptus Mechanicus." His voice was steady, his tone carrying a trace of prudent moderation compared to when he spoke to the Adeptus Arbites earlier. "Encountering servants of the Omnissiah here is an unexpected situation. It seems the production order here has indeed drawn the concern of the Forge World."
He paused slightly, scanning Maine and the others, then continued, "The Holy Inquisition is dealing with a confirmed incident of heretical contamination. Given the alignment of our goals, the Inquisition formally invites you all to utilize the power of the Mechanicus and assist us in eradicating the hidden danger."
This invitation brought the scene to a brief standstill.
The Adeptus Arbites officials looked at Maine in unison, their eyes filled with obvious anxiety.
Count Gresham's right hand unconsciously tightened around the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Although the muzzles of the Inquisitorial Stormtroopers were still pointed towards the factory, their stances had quietly adjusted, deliberately avoiding the firing lines of the two Iron Guards.
At this delicate moment, Count Gresham took a step forward, his voice steady and powerful. "Lord Inquisitor, please allow me to explain the situation. The affairs of this factory have currently been formally taken over by the Mechanicus action squad."
He turned sideways, clearly presenting Maine and the others. "According to Imperial law and tradition, this matter falls under Mechanicus jurisdiction."
The Adeptus Arbites commander standing beside the Count immediately nodded vigorously in agreement, while shooting a quick look at Maine.
He immediately added, his tone very affirmative, "Yes, Lord Inquisitor. The Adeptus Arbites' current duty here is to cooperate with the actions of our Mechanicus colleagues and provide necessary assistance."
Although Maine did not fully understand the complex division of power and responsibility between Imperial institutions, the Count's declaration and the commander's almost cramping eye signals were enough to explain the problem.
He took a deep breath, recalling Ignis's usual cold, emotionless tone, deliberately imitating that unique Mechanicus way of expression. He responded steadily and without inflection, "Confirmed. We are acting on the Sage's orders to handle order here and conduct equipment testing."
He didn't know what else to say; at times like this, saying less meant fewer mistakes.
With his words, Valerie and Jackie tacitly maneuvered the Iron Guard prototypes, making the clearly etched Cog Mechanicum and binary runes on their shoulders more prominent under the lighting, their cold metallic luster carrying unquestionable authority.
Inquisitor Karras's gaze lingered on the Mechanicus insignia for a moment.
He tilted his head slightly, seemingly exchanging an imperceptible glance with the Imperial Fists warrior behind him.
The special status and autonomy of the Mechanicus within the Imperium constituted an invisible obstruction at this moment.
Without concrete evidence indicating the Mechanicus itself was involved in heresy, forcibly intervening in a matter already taken over by a Sage clearly exceeded the authorization of his operation and would trigger unnecessary, massive trouble.
The scene fell into a stalemate.
The Inquisitorial Stormtroopers remained ready for battle, but their eyes and emotions when looking at Maine and the others had become noticeably tense.
The Adeptus Arbites officials observed the Inquisitor's reaction nervously, while Count Gresham maintained superficial calm, with only his slightly tense face betraying his inner nervousness.
During this moment of stalemate, Proctor Atkins' deliberately lowered voice, carrying rapid breaths, sounded in Maine's squad's encrypted tactical channel. He had evidently accessed it via the temporary link established during their previous joint operation.
"Captain Maine, listen! You absolutely cannot let the Inquisition take over!" His voice was full of urgency. "Their standard procedure... once the incident is classified as heretical contamination, the 3,027 workers inside the factory, along with their more than 10,000 family members registered in the archives, will all be classified as 'potential contaminatees'!
"Do you know what that means? Arrest, and then massive... 'Purification'! No one will walk out alive!"
Maine felt his blood seem to freeze in this instant.
More than three thousand workers, more than ten thousand family members... just because they participated in a protest, or just because they were blood-related to participants, they were all to be executed?
The cruelty represented behind these cold numbers far exceeded any corporate atrocity he had seen in Night City.
Arasaka or Militech would also suppress strikes and eliminate trouble, but at least they would go through the motions and not systematically wipe out thousands of lives based on association.
For the first time, he truly realized to what extent the lives of the lower class could be despised in this world.
They were not treated as people, but as faulty parts that could be processed in batches.
A mixture of shock, anger, and powerlessness churned in his chest. His implant-enhanced muscles tightened involuntarily, almost taking a step forward to refute this absurd and cruel plan on the spot.
Valerie's calm voice rang out in the internal channel, interrupting Maine's impulsive thought. Her tone was steady and pragmatic, carrying a former corporate agent's keen awareness of power structures.
"Maine, look at the situation clearly," she reminded, her voice sounding particularly distinct through the internal channel. "The other side can mobilize regular troops, and even nobles and the Adeptus Arbites are so fearful. This is definitely not an ordinary law enforcement agency.
"We learned the most important lesson in Night City—don't easily challenge powers you can't afford to offend."
She paused slightly, letting the weight of these words sink in. "We represent the Mechanicus now, the face of the Lord Sage. Rashly conflicting with a power institution of this level will have consequences we cannot bear.
"Remember our current identity—we are no longer street mercenaries who can act on impulse."
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Maine's impending anger, but also plunging him into deeper struggle.
(End of Chapter)