Everyone followed Alexei to the Lower Hive, their faces etched with shock. They couldn't fathom the sight: every single soldier they encountered was clad in master-crafted power armor.
Since when did a Hive World in a remote sector become this wealthy? It was no wonder these people could suppress a Warp demonic invasion.
Then there were the massive engineering machines. They wove through the ruins of the Upper Hive with staggering efficiency, refurbishing everything within sight at an incredible pace.
The naval officers, the Administratum tax collectors, and the Tech-Priests were all marveling at what they saw. Edward even found himself wanting to collect one of those power armors for his personal hoard.
Meanwhile, Inquisitor Diana remained vigilant throughout the journey. She scanned the unknown power armor and machinery with a gaze full of hostility and scrutiny. After all, these things were not produced by the Adeptus Mechanicus; none of them bore the Imperial Purity Seals.
If this is xenos technology, she thought, it means this man has dealt with aliens. Such a thing must be suppressed.
What? An STC template from the Dark Age of Technology? Diana sneered internally. There weren't that many STC templates in existence. She would uncover the truth. She planned to find an excuse to leave the group soon and investigate the Underhive for herself.
The Underhive was the most fertile ground for Chaos corruption. There would surely be clues there.
"What is that machine?" Suddenly, the Tech-Priest pointed a mechadendrite at a patrolling Goliath robot.
Alexei blinked, paused for a moment, and explained, "A combat walker operated by a single pilot. It can engage both air and ground units simultaneously."
"Mr. Alexei, where did you obtain this equipment? I don't recall this planet producing such things," Admiral Edward asked from behind.
Alexei smiled and looked back. "Patience. We shall have a long, detailed talk shortly."
He observed every reaction of the group. Along the way, he had been calculating how to deal with them.
He knew that the Underhive of the primary Hive City was now almost entirely covered in Zerg Creep. If the Inquisitor saw that, she would likely order the fleet to virus-bomb the planet immediately.
Furthermore, the Tyranid fleet was about to arrive. He had no time to play charades with these officers. He needed the Imperial fleet's space support. Moreover, he hadn't finished integrating the planet yet and couldn't offer them any resources.
There was only one path left. Alexei sighed inwardly. I'm sorry, but this is for the sake of humanity.
He immediately contacted Zagara via the psionic network, ordering her to hide several Infestors in the hall of the PDF headquarters in the Underhive while he led these strangers on a few extra detours.
Once he received word from Zagara that everything was ready, he led the group into the hall, where he had prepared a "grand welcoming banquet" for them.
"My apologies, everyone. This planet has just suffered a catastrophic war. Please forgive me for not having much to offer for your entertainment. I hope this will suffice." Inside the hall, Alexei raised a glass to the guests seated at the long table.
Of course, everything at this banquet—the fresh fruit, the fine wine, the hams of unknown origin, and various chilled meats—had been taken from the late Governor's private collection.
Looking at the food, Alexei felt a brief nostalgia for the 2k era, though the two rows of servitors brought by the delegation reminded him that he was still in this grim universe.
Just as he finished his speech and prepared to sit, Diana stood up. She raised her glass toward Alexei from a distance, then abruptly poured the wine onto the floor.
The people around her were stunned by her actions. She calmly placed the glass on the table and spoke. "My Lord, we know nothing of your past or origins. As for your peculiar weapons and equipment, we are quite curious."
Her gaze locked onto Alexei, who was still smiling. "Can you tell us everything? Otherwise, we wouldn't dare eat this food in peace."
Alexei shook his head with a smile, drained his wine, and began to spin his tale.
He claimed to be a former scavenger from the Underhive who, by a stroke of luck, found an STC template from the Dark Age of Technology amidst the endless piles of refuse. Through constant battle, he unified the Underhive, discovered the Hordem family's betrayal of the Emperor, and survived their attacks, forcing him to rise in rebellion against the Warp conspiracy.
"And that is the story, beautiful lady," Alexei signaled a servitor to refill half his glass.
Diana said nothing, her cold gaze never wavering.
At the critical moment, Admiral Edward played the mediator. He laughed twice and said, "A fascinating tale, isn't it? Of course, our primary purpose here is to collect the Tithe, not to investigate your uprising or seize your STC. As long as you are willing to continue serving the Empire and pay the Tithe, we are unconcerned with the rest for now."
He signaled the tax collector to open a large black chest, filled to the brim with parchment. "These are the resources we require after our audit. Please have someone verify them."
Alexei sighed. "As you know, we've been through a major war, and I haven't fully integrated all the Hives yet. So, I'm afraid..."
The room went still. The tax collector stood up and glared at Alexei. "Are you attempting to refuse the Tithe?"
Alexei looked up at the ceiling. Instead of answering, he continued, "I have received word that a terrifying xenos threat will soon arrive. When it does, all life on this planet will face disaster."
"Xenos?" Diana narrowed her eyes, suddenly remembering the Navigator who had gone mad on the ship. "Where did you get this information?"
Alexei remained silent, looking at the group with a complex expression that made everyone's skin crawl.
Just as the atmosphere turned deadly, a tremor shook the floor. Inquisitor Diana's expression shifted violently; she whipped out her bolt pistol and aimed it at Alexei.
She was one step too late. A hideous beast burst from the ground, shielding Alexei. The bolt shell exploded against its hide, leaving a crater, but with a roar, the wound began to heal at a visible rate.
Simultaneously, the guards standing outside with the tax collector were also attacked.
Inside the hall, amidst the violent shaking, several Infestors appeared. Alexei, hiding behind a Roach, watched as the others drew sidearms and fired. He sighed softly. "That is how I know, gentlemen."