The desperate screams of the cultists and guards mixed with the firing of their various weapons in a desperate cacophony, as the enemy forces advanced rhythmically, gradually cracking the barrier with their guns.
The skeletal beings and their insectoid constructs showed no pain or fatigue as they crushed everything in their path, their bright green rays creating a light show along with the las guns red shots, boiling the air.
But that didn't matter, the barrier still stood, they just needed to delay the mechanical monstrosities until their leader died and the cultists completed their plans in the city above.
However, the sudden lack of communication with their superiors was worrying, even more so when they saw the floating spiders advance and the barrier ripple.
"Hey, how long will we hold these bastards off?!" A guardsman shouted to his brothers in despair, uselessly firing his lasgun until it ran out of energy and power packs, quickly exchanging it for a pistol.
"Until the guys up there take the city!" The guard beside him replied frustrated, sweating profusely due to the heat of his now glowing red weapon.
This doubt spread to those who had the slightest bit of rationality, the ammunition disappeared in droves, but all the enemies hit stood up with all the damage repaired, giving a feeling of helplessness to all the organic combatants as they stared into their lifeless eyes.
The enemy did not utter insults, war cries, or pain, but remained in total silence, severely affecting morale. The previously firm formations waved as the dark gods worshipers trembled in anticipation, imagining what cruel fate awaited them.
"I have a signal!" A guard bearing vox caster shouted happily to his companions, causing a wave of relief and confidence to wash over the small force, reinvigorating their fighting spirit.
Unfortunately, the doubt and hesitation returned when the vox guard visibly paled with wide eyes upon hearing the sounds coming from the caster's other side.
"What they said?!" Another guard asked, stopping his fire to stare at his companion whose gaze alternated between the seemingly lost battle and the hideout's entrance.
"What they said?!" The guard asked again, catching the attention of those nearby who glimpsed the conversation, but there was no response.
Suddenly, the guard threw the caster away and ran towards the hideout, abandoning his post and companions, and allowing them to hear the same terrifying sound he had heard, the death screams of those who had departed toward the cathedral.
The coward's form disappeared into the shadows as the remaining forces stared at each other in fear, surprise, and disbelief, their faces contorted to match the grim reality of the situation.
One by one, the guards abandoned their posts, capturing the attention of those ignorant who questioned their motives, only to receive partial answers. However, they soon joined those retreating, as the spiders reached the barrier that disappeared like breaking glass.
It was a massacre, flesh, and bone reduced to ashes with each lightning that hit its target as they fled, their hands raised towards the heavens in the vain hope of mercy from their enemies, who granted their request in the form of a quick death.
The cultists in the hideout burned documents, destroyed equipment, and erased information from their cogitators now that defeat was inevitable. They spotted the fugitives running and screaming through the tunnels, only to intensify their efforts upon seeing green beams deatomizing them in mid-run.
Eventually, the robotic skeletons appeared, entering room after room and eliminating their occupants. The few who reacted fired their weapons, hoping to delay the enemy until all information from the cogitators was erased.
Their efforts proved futile, as the bullets ricocheted off the skeletons' bodies, and what little damage they did instantly healed.
As if that wasn't enough, eight-legged metallic beings with long tails passed through the walls and stuck their limbs into the cogitators, covering them with luminous green lines, ending the procedure, and retrieving the stored data.
The traitor guard returned through the portal from whence they came, running in droves while carrying as much equipment as possible, or setting up explosives on the tunnels and around the portal to delay the enemy and avoid being followed.
Suddenly, the warp portal shook and sparked, releasing wild lightning before stabilizing and taking on a light blue color. Figures appeared in that portal, tall and slender beings wearing colorful clothes and smiling masks.
The guards raised their weapons only to find themselves in a bloodbath as the figures turned into blurs and moved at blinding speed, their screams serving as music and blood as ink for the macabre work of art's formation.
-XXXXXX-
It was a beautiful starry night, I walked towards the meeting room inside the cathedral, supervising my honor guard and battle sisters eliminating the remaining guards and cultists.
I admit I was a little worried, as I would meet with the sisters and the Ecclesiarchy's, officially the Adeptus Ministorum, high-ranking, now that the city's access was free.
Haratekius accompanied me in solemn silence while the sisters along the way looked at us with acceptance or distrust. Better than hatred, I guess. Surprisingly, we found Palatine Ania and her group resting against a wall in a hallway.
We exchanged smiles, laughter, and congratulations for our successful missions, my grumpy techmarine even nodded in recognition, despite their insistence on interacting with him.
I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
We said goodbye to the group and continued, passing through a large pair of ornate doors opened by servitors, and entering a hall with a circular table and chairs around it.
The judgmental glares we received from those present were not pleasant, battle sisters looking like walking cathedrals, and priests wearing enough gold and shiny things to eradicate poverty from entire cities looked at us as if we were heretics.
Which we probably were, since space marines generally do not believe in the divinity of the Emperor or follow his religion. At least Canoness Karamora and Cardinal Meroch showed sympathy in their gaze and dressed more humbly, in line with imperial fashion, of course.
Well, I guess it's time to make reading the holy book worthwhile.
"We are honored to be in the presence of dear brothers and sisters, beloved and courageous sons and daughters of the God-Emperor God of Mankind, in one of his most sacred buildings dedicated to one of his purest and most glorious saints who now walks among us. Allow us to introduce ourselves, my name is Akatosius Uthacello, Phantom Knights Chapter Master, and this is my techmarine, Haratekius, we thank you for the hospitality granted." I made the imperial Aquila as I bowed.
Haratekius shook slightly as he repeated my gesture, but the nods of approval from those present lessened my concerns.
"Your consideration for our sacred planet and Emperor pleases us, Chapter Master, and your assistance has been greatly appreciated. Now approach, we have much to discuss." Cardinal Meroch replied.
We did as he ordered and began a long and tiring discussion. Especially with me having to make excuses for the various inquisitive questions thrown due to my sudden and suspicious presence on the planet.
From which founding chapter do you descend?
Unfortunately, we do not have records of this information, as they are extremely old and incomplete, probably altered by previous chapter masters and librarians.
Which of the nine sacred primarchs are you the children of?
A similar answer to the previous one, but we have a certain kinship with the number XI.
Do you believe in the divinity of the God-Emperor?
Of course, why would we doubt the divinity of the supreme ruler of humanity, the true and only God? The one who granted us the power to fight in his name? The one who transformed us into his angels to protect humanity?
Where are the rest of your forces? Why not send tanks and aircraft?
I believe that deploying the full force of a chapter against an apparent uprising would be an exaggerated response. My battle brothers are currently carrying out missions in different regions of the subsector.
What are you doing on this planet? Your appearance is convenient, almost planned, is there a reason for this?
If you ask other sisters, you will receive the answer that we just passed by the planet, detected the commotion, and decided to help, but that is only a half truth. We suspect that the archenemy's dark taint has infiltrated the system, as events similar to those that occurred today almost repeated themselves on Hidrus Quintus, but we contained them before they become out of control. We are now conducting an investigation, traveling from planet to planet and eliminating the heretics found. I recommend that you recover your strength and repair the damage done before setting out on a crusade of revenge.
The meeting then continued for hours until dawn, it was decided that the recent events were nothing more than an attempt by heretics who had denied the Emperor to seize power and succeed the Imperium.
The alleged perpetrators would be burned in the public square and no crusade or war of faith would be initiated rashly. With that done, I focused on processing the information recovered by my forces in the depths of the city.
-XXXXXX-
I left my honor guard guarding the door to a secluded room in the cathedral while wraiths and death marks stood nearby, ensuring that no one heard us. What I read was shocking, to say the least.
If the data and documents are reliable, then someone financed the chaos cult on this planet, which explains their presence in a place with so much faith in the Emperor. The people here should be almost immune to corruption.
Strange deaths, unexpected dismissals, bribes, blackmail, and much more have occurred over the centuries with powerful people, be it militarily, politically, or financially, but with enough time difference that normal people did not notice a pattern.
This ensured that the people who occupied the vacant positions were loyal to the cult, either directly, as disguised cultists, or indirectly, as corrupt officials and nobles who had no idea of the plan's scale.
Now we know how the cultists achieved such a high level of equipment and organization. There was someone bigger here holding their leash so they wouldn't reveal themselves too soon due to their uncontrolled fanaticism.
This raises the question of who is behind all this. I assume it's a group of chaos worshipers who staied coherent and loyal to the plan for centuries or some chaos space marine who worships Slaanesh and has corrupted the system for centuries.
Time to clean up this planet. I just need Haratek's help to find the information.
-XXXXXX-
Now, all people indirectly related to the cult received a message, whether on their devices, data slates, or letters, making their hearts stop with fear and despair.
"Relinquish your position of power and leave the planet with your family and valuabes, or have all your crimes, big and small, revealed to every possible imperial authority in the galaxy, from the Arbites to the Inquisition, to the point that your power and influence are rendered useless."
A list of all the specific crimes committed accompanied the message: murder, dealings with xenos, bribery, theft, embezzlement and money laundering, blackmail, nepotism, littering, jaywalking, parking in prohibited areas, and more. Enough to be executed, sentenced to a penal legion or servitorized.
A massive exodus of the planet's top brass occurred in the following days, with various excuses justifying such action.
Coincidentally, there were several qualified individuals with respectable profiles ready to fill the vacant positions, all recommended by nobles and ministers from other planets, bringing an era of prosperity to Hidrus Quartus.
-XXXXXX-
As for the disguised cultists, they awoke in various locations as if in a trance, the bright green light in their eyes fading as tiny scarabs left their ears and flew away.
Strangely, they could not remember the events between trying to leave the planet after the cult's fall and their current situation. Some had vague memories of being interrogated by a giant metallic skeleton, but these soon disappeared, giving way to emptiness.
Perhaps it was a dream due to their worries, but as long as they did not act rashly, they could harness all the power they had gained and eventually rebuild the cult. Unfortunately, these were nothing more than foolish aspirations.
A cultist leaned on his luxury apartment's balcony, savoring the wine he had bought with embezzled money thanks to his Administratum's position, but the long metallic tail leaving the ground, pushing him towards a deadly fall, quickly ended his leisure moment.
Another cultist lay on a large float in his hedonistic mansion's pool, noticing something shiny in the corner of his eyes through his sunglasses, then, he found himself struggling when a metallic tail pulled him underwater, sending him to a slow death by drowning.
A third cultist found himself driving at two hundred kilometers per hour on a busy highway, screaming at the top of his lungs as he honked and stomped on the brakes, but no matter how hard he tried, the car would not slow down.
Suddenly, the handbrake moved on its own and the vehicle stopped suddenly, turning into a crushed metal ball that would appear in the newspapers the following day.
Little by little, the chaos cult ceased to exist.
-XXXXXX-
We all gathered in the cathedral's courtyard, watching the great bonfires with people tied up and flamer carrying sisters. It was time for the execution of those responsible and revenge of the people who watched in anticipation.
Cardinal Meroch spoke on a podium, but I didn't pay attention to his words, it was your typical imperial speech, glorifying the Emperor and condemning the heretics.
With a command from the Canoness, the sisters lit the bonfires and the cultists shouted amid the population's cheering, for justice had been served. Those who harmed them suffered as they should.
The hostages I rescued were also there with their bombs removed and memories altered by scarabs, creating a more believable story of how I saved them.
Is it strange that I thought this wouldn't end with someone being burned alive?
Well, at least I received a small reward for my service, a purity seal that I placed on my left shoulder pad. I am one step closer to becoming a walking cathedral.
Leaving such trivial matters aside, the Cardinal announced his retirement and introduced his replacement, his now-legitimized bastard son, Osmon Meroch, to the surprise of almost everyone.
I clutched the parchment in my hand as I listened to the new cardinal's speech. I found a damaged Cherub protecting the paper piece in the cathedral, and I felt confused when I saw it trying to protect the name written so vehemently.
Let's just say that the cardinal was not so holy during his centuries of rule and fell in love with a low-ranking woman of the Ecclesiarchy, having a secret relationship and fathering a son.
This controversial subject was left under wraps, due to his breaking of celibacy, conceiving a child out of wedlock, and having a relationship with a woman who did not hold the same status as him.
Fortunately, the woman and the boy received financial help from the cardinal, living without hardship, and Osmon received the best possible education that the planet could provide, learning how to be a good cardinal and ruler, which also makes him the perfect governor to have by my side when I take control of this planet.
However, Osmon's lenient policies, for being younger and extremely well-educated, conflicted with the old hard-heads of the Ecclesiarchy, who wish to further tighten their religious control over the planet.
Basically, the young cardinal wants a more accepting policy, without torturing or burning people for having different opinions or being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and making a genuine effort to improve the living conditions of the planet.
The old men, on the other hand, are your typical fanatical priests from the forty-first millennium, who will condemn you to the stake for hearing someone sneeze and not saying Emperor Bless You, which makes you a heretic.
Well, I've already uncovered enough dirt on Osmon's political enemies to make his rise to power go smoothly.
As the speech ended, I supervised the excavation of the sleeping tomb. The wraiths detected faint energy patterns emanating from deep within the city, and we used the cultist hideout as a base.
It doesn't surprise me that we didn't find the tomb sooner, as it was miles underground, through thick layers of rock and other minerals that interfered with our scanners, preventing the precise opening of an eternity gate.
Currently, a tomb sentinel usedits exile cannon to dig a tunnel to its destination. I could have used phase technology to enter the tomb, but its defense systems would react to the unidentified invader.
At the end of the speech, I returned to my initial objective on this planet.
-XXXXXX-
What remained of the traitor guard was the first thing I saw when I stepped into the hideout, their fate reported to me by Tholikan, Kamamitet, and Ananotek. Their bodies were positioned in a sadistic imitation of a ball, with couples holding hands in the middle of a dance.
Blood painted the floor and walls, forming paintings and other art works unknown to me, but the guard kneeling in front of me with one hand raised, as if confessing his love, was what caught my attention the most, because whoever placed him there knew exactly where the gate would open.
His pale, dead face had an inviting expression, with a playing card in his hand. I picked it and all the bodies fell in perfect synchrony, like a broken spell. I spun the card in my hand and would have frowned if I could because it was a joker revealing a tall, thin figure with pointy ears and colorful clothes.
Great, the space clowns are watching me!
I sent the card away with a green flash and entered the tomb's tunnel, climbing into my barge while my lychguards and royal wardens escorted me, with Haratek floating beside me, giving reports.
Eventually, we reached the tomb's entrance, a black, green, and gold wall, where an artificial voice, probably the mind of the place, spoke.
"Greetings visitors from the distant stars, your journey has been long, but I request you to identify yourselves if you wish an audience with Lord Maktlias, The Messenger of the Ancient Beacon."
Hm… Interesting title, I will have to ask its meaning later, if the Lord is still sane.
"Greetings, and I thank you for your hospitality. I am Akatosahk Ulthagakh, the Denied, Wretched Herald of Impenetrable Eclipse, the Spiteful Guardian Prognosticator of the Cursed Distortion, the Collector of the Cryptic Labyrinth, Slayer of Orks and Scourge of Demons! I wish to awaken this ancient tomb and its ruler, for eons have passed since our great slumber. Our dynasty lies dormant and besieged on all sides, I wish to raise it and bring an age of prosperity never before seen!"
A small opening appeared in the wall and a green light scanned me. A few seconds passed before the voice returned and the wall in front of us opened aside, revealing the dark interiors of the complex.
"Access granted, all hail Akatosahk Ulthagakh, Lord Maktlies welcomes you."
We walked through the labyrinthine corridors of the tomb, watching the various constructs, such as spiders and scarabs, repair the damage caused due to the passage of time.
It didn't take long for us to reach our destination with the tomb mind guiding us, the central computer where it lived and controlled the entire complex.
Haratek worked his magic and initiated the awakening, but unlike Hidrus Quintus, the process was planned and occurred gradually, with no uncontrolled energy or pyramids rising to the surface.
The soft green light returned to the system, warriors, and war engines pulsed with energy, and a sarcophagus rose from the floor of the main chamber where we moved.
The lid opened with a jet of pressurized green gas, revealing the metallic form of the lord inside, a tall and thin figure, but smaller than me, wearing armor that was part of his body along with his long cape.
He wore the colors of the dynasty, black and gold, and held a staff in his hands crossed over his chest. The green light shone on his body and his skull rose, however, the words he uttered were unexpected.
"Is this some pathetic assassination attempt?" He spoke with what seemed to be sarcasm and disappointment at the sight of my armed escort.
"No, just an awakening after millennia of slumber. The information should be implanted into your systems soon."
"I see, I would be disappointed if my end was so straightforward. My brothers' elaborate schemes were funnier to dismantle."
Then he fell silent as all the knowledge entered his systems, giving him detailed data on everything that had happened since his slumber, the state of the galaxy, and our empire.
"Oh, we have much to discuss." He muttered, leaving his sarcophagus.
"Rejoice, you at least have the privilege of knowing what is happening, unlike me." I joked, offering a handshake.
If he found my comment amusing then he didn't show it, but he accepted the shake, grabbing my wrist, and I did the same with him, exchanging a firm grip.
"I am honored to have you as a visitor, Overlord Ulthagakh. I would have prepared a proper reception if I had known of your arrival in advance."
"I must also apologize, as I have not brought a gift worthy of your greatness, I have been busy recently."
"I see, how about we discuss the galaxy while I verify my tomb's condition? I would like the opinion of the one awake the longest."
"I would enjoyit."
We walked through the tomb, talking about the various factions of the galaxy, important events, and my current plans while Maktlias' crypteks delivered reports and sought their master's opinion on important matters.
-XXXXXX-
"So you wish me to work directly with these humans?" Maktlias asked as we stood on a long, elevated walkway overlooking hundreds of necron warriors marching in perfect unison.
"Not directly, they are not ready for that, their minds and hearts are still wrapped in hatred and distrust for the Xenos and praise for the Emperor. But this planet's human ruler is promising, with a more open mind and progressive policies. You would work in the shadows, ensuring that his ideals align with my plans and that this planet operates with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, beginning with its administration and laws."
We left the walkway and passed bridges filled with scarabs, heading toward the throne room.
"Hm… I see your point, and I'm not against a little subterfuge and manipulation. I could create disguises as you suggested and place capable immortals and crypteks in the right positions, perhaps take direct action or use the tomb mind to unravel the tangled web of this planet's workings. But why should I do that? Your goals are admirable, but I have no reason to follow them."
"I would love to say that my higherrank obligates you to obey me, but we both know that's not the case, and I can also see that you don't care all that much about the long-term future and don't want something to do for eternity if we conquer the galaxy. So I ask you, what do you wish in return?"
The the throne room's great doors opened, revealing a staircase leading up to the throne in question, but the three necrons within the room made me flinch internally.
"If you would be so kind as to temporarily lend some of your crypteks to repair the Ancient Beacon, then you will have my loyalty and I will follow whatever plans you desire." Maktlias replied, sitting down on the throne.
I paid only half an ear to what he said, as my eyes remained on the necrons on both sides and above his throne.
"Oh, I see you've noticed my brothers, this is R'drek, my eldest brother, he tried to overwrite my consciousness during the war in heaven and rule over everything that belongs to me, but the body he invaded was just a copy purposely infected with the flayer virus, now he is perfectly conscious and trapped in this body, unable to act as he screams for all eternity..."
The Lord pointed to the flayed one trapped in a barred pit to the left of his throne.
"...This is Oruvusar, my younger brother, he led a rebellion against me in hopes of placing himself on the throne. Unfortunately, for him, there was an informant of mine in his group, allowing me to crush his little tantrum in advance. Now he is nothing more than a deformed servant..."
He pointed to a necron to the right of his throne this time, though necron would be the wrong word to describe him, for he looked like an imperial servo skull.
"Finally, we have the second eldest and the one who almost overthrew me, Harrok, who challenged me to anhonor duel over the right to rule. I won the duel, of course, but now he receives a special place for being the most honorable of all the brothers."
Maktlies pointed upward toward the necron hanging by a chain above his throne.
"But leaving such trivial matters aside, what is your answer to my proposal?"
I remained silent for a few seconds, processing the type of person I dealt with, someone who had no tolerance for betrayal.
"Before I answer, could you tell me the Ancient Beacon'sfunction?"
"Unfortunately, I do not possess such information. My father ordered the beacon's construction and left no instructions on how to power it, much less operate it. My crypteks have clues, but I would like the cooperation of those of higher quality belonging to someone of equal stature, in this case, you."
I sent a quick message to Haratek, Tholikan, and Koratitan, discussing their opinions on the deal, as I would not leave them in the service of someone so dangerous without consulting them first.
I received the typical response that they would do it as long as they were ordered, but they would like to bring their forces along if possible. This entire conversation lasted less than ten seconds.
"I am willing to accept your proposal, but I would like to discuss the terms and details first in the form of a formal contract if possible."
"Of course, allow me to make the arrangements." Maktlias snapped his fingers, a smaller throne rose from the ground behind me, and Orusuvar stood between us, a green holographic screen emerging from his eyes with the template of the contract ready.
I sat down and we discussed our terms, trying to come up with a fair and mutually beneficial arrangement. I don't know how much time has passed, but minor details aside, some of the main terms would be as follows:
1 – The loan and stay of Overlord Ulthagakh's crypteks will occur soon and will last for six months, where they will work in conjunction with Lord Maktlias ones to operate the Ancient Beacon.
2 – Lord Maktlias will provide the crypteks with the necessary accommodations and resources to work and will fulfill their work-related requests.
3 – Both groups of crypteks will be allowed to carry weapons and personal escorts and will have full permission to defend themselves if necessary.
4 – Both rulers will take responsibility and pay appropriate compensation should their respective crypteks act dishonorably.
5 – Should the Ancient Beacon become operational, Lord Maktlias will swear his eternal loyalty to Lord Ulthagakh, but should the Beacon prove to be non-functional, Lord Maktlias will be free to pursue whatever goals he desires with the humans of the planet.
With that done, we both received signed and stamped copies of the contract, all in accordance with Necron law.
"I would like to thank you again for your hospitality before I leave, Lord Maktlias." I replied, leaving my seat.
"I wish you a safe journey, Overlord Ulthagakh, may the stars guide you to glory on the battlefield. Until then, I will learn more about these humans, this will make it easier to aid them, or eliminate them, depending on the results of our agreement."
I nodded in agreement, sending a discreet message to my crypteks and Sire to research everything they could about the Ancient Beacon. So I left the throne room, meeting with my escort and boarding my barge, where we returned to the surface, and from there to my ship.
I would have loved to stay to celebrate with the cardinal and the sisters, but I needed to move on to the next planet, so I sent a farewell message to their cogitators.
-XXXXXX-
"My Lord, what are these things, if I may ask?" Haratek spoke hesitantly, watching the spiders and scarabs carrying various human objects such as paintings, furniture, books, toys, clothes, and more through an eternity gate.
"Well, I just used the money I borrowed from the nobles to buy some souvenirs from this planet." I replied, sticking a chibi Saint Alexia fridge magnet on my right shoulder and placing a cap with 100% Faith in the Emperor written on it on my head.
The people of this planet wasted no time in profiting from the saint's return.
"I see, what about the decorations, plants, and books?"
"I'm tired of seeing the empty corridors of my ship, I wish to give this place more life. As for the plants, they are for my garden, there is a type of rare tree that can survive in the desolate rocky terrains of Hidrus Quartus, the humans call it Lady of the Horizon, but I will need the botany books to care for it properly." I spoke, magnetizing a painting of battle sisters praying on the wall.
"Yes, but…" Haratek didn't finish and stepped aside as a large, four-door, four-and-a-half-meter-long luxury car left the eternity gate and stopped next to him.
"Before you ask, this is my Ceseen-Avrostar, also known as the C-A. It is fueled with promethium, equipped with automatic directors with localization capabilities, has a top speed of three hundred and twenty kilometers per hour, and contains a cogitator that can drive the Ceseen on its own if necessary. I plan to enhance it with phase technology and dimensional repulsor engines that ensure that gravity and friction have little effect on its structure. And by me, I mean you."
I smoothed the car's hood, sighting my reflection in the shiny black bodywork with edges, bumpers, and fenders adorned in pure gold. I would cry if I could at the technological marvel in front of me.
"My Lord, wouldn't it be better to forego this primitive technology in favor of our more advanced one?"
"It's not a question of advancement, Haratek, but of style. You simply don't understand the appeal of the Imperial drip."
"Sometimes I wonder if your systems are working properly, My Lord."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"I said you'd be late for the meeting, My Lord!" Haratek replied quickly, shifting uncomfortably as he stared at his wrist.
"Oh, that's right! Better not keep the nobles waiting, they might revolt because I'm breaking some honor code or something."
"Well, throwing them into the void is always an option."
"Look at you, Haratek, learning how to make jokes!" Patted his shoulder friendly.
"It wasn't a joke, My Lord." Haratek sighed, and together we headed toward the meeting room consisting of a large circular table with several seats and a holographic device in its center.
"Alright kids, what have we learned today?" I joked, sitting in my chair.
"That this is all just a waste of time and resources and we should exterminate the humans immediately?" Ananoteka spoke, slamming his fist on the table with a crack that reverberated through the walls.
"I see you didn't had a pleasant experience." I sighed tiredly, resting my head on my fist.
"Of course not! They opened fire while I speech and dictated the victory and defeat conditions! I've never suffered such an offense! We should destroy the planet immediately!"
"Don't you think you should blame yourself for expecting honor from every enemy you face? Perhaps the Space Marines or Imperial Guard will be to your liking. Besides, the Living Saint seems to like Hidrus Quartus, I don't want to get on bad terms with her any time soon."
"Ah, yes! The immaterium anomaly! We should exterminate it immediately like the abomination it is!"
"You are free to pursue it if you wish, but you will have to suffer all the consequences and take full responsibility for what happens. And stop hitting the table, if you break it then you will have to fix it."
Ananotek growled, grumbling as he crossed his arms, but fell silent, allowing the meeting to continue.
"Although I do not share Ananotek's hasty attitude, I must partially agree with his words. I do not see why you give so much importance to humans, my Lord." Kamamitet spoke next, raising a polite finger.
"That is the problem, Kamamitet, this is not something I can explain. You must see for yourselves the value of humanity and form your own opinions. But I believe we are straying from the main topic."
So the meeting began, with the first point of discussion being the cult's attack and the trap set for me, which meant they expected our arrival and must be preparing on the system's remaining planets.
We formed several theories as to who was responsible for planting the cult on Hidrus Quartus and attempting to do the same on Hidrus Quintus, with the Alpha Legion, Word Bearers, Black Legion, and Dark Mechanicus being the most likely.
The subject of our Space Marine disguises came into focus, and Haratek gave an extensive report on what could be improved.
First, we would increase the number of immortals to coordinate the warriors and speak on their behalf, as their constant silence and turtle-like speed raised too many questions.
We would also add real armor beneath the hard light, increasing their residence and decreasing the chance of the disguises breaking.
Finally, there was the matter of equipment. We could disguise the hyperphase weapons as power weapons, but that still left the rest of the chapter with unfamiliar and overly advanced weaponry, not to mention the lack of vehicles.
However, I had already thought of a solution to this problem.
-Hidrus Quartus-
The convent of the battle sisters on Hidrus Quartus was a city-sized architectural marvel, occupying one of the great rock pillars of the planet. It included a personal port for the order's ships to land and take off.
A fortress with colossal walls and towers, impregnable defenses, cathedral-like complexes, and countless sisters training and praying, ready to perform their service in the name of the God-Emperor.
However, eight-legged beings with long tails slipped past the defenses, invading the armories, hangars, and garages, and interfering with the surveillance system.
More of these beings followed, enveloping the various pieces of equipment with their bodies and disappearing along with them, taking bolter weapons, flamers, plasma weapons, chain swords, grenades, meltas, reserve drop pods, rhinos, thunderhawks, and more, all disappearing into a green portal far from the convent.
A specific battle sister entered the armory to take the daily inventory as ordered by her canoness, only to be left open-mouthed and wide-eyed in despair upon finding empty rooms.
She left the premises, passing by her surprised sisters who asked what was wrong, only to receive one answer.
"I RESIGN!"
The missing items ended up on a ship near the planet, where they were disassembled and analyzed by hundreds of robotic spiders and scarabs, who built larger and improved versions of the equipment, adding the paint and symbolism of a certain chapter.
That same ship set off towards the neighboring planet with a fleet accompanying it, its purpose known only to its crew, and discussed by those who wished to destroy them.
-XXXXXX-
A Dauntless-class light cruiser floated alone in space, its glorious adornments removed in favor of the iconography of the Prince of Pleasure, taking on a pink and purple coloration with the symbol of the God in question on both sides.
There, a battle-sister and gray knight argued with an individual through a servo skull as the corrupted crew prepared to depart with their surviving forces.
"So, the assassination attempt was a failure." An artificially masked voice spoke as a thin line rippled across a holographic screen.
"Yes, but I will succeed next time." Sabathiel replied, her body covered in bandages and barely healed wounds, while the space marine stood silently beside her.
"There will be no next time for you. I will take control of this operation and you will follow my orders, unless you want to stay without supplies and soldiers, of course."
"Okay, what's the plan now?" She spoke through clenched teeth.
"We can't beat them technologically, so we'll need more numbers, but until then, I'll give you the resources needed to delay and hopefully reduce the enemy forces. They plan to travel from planet to planet, awakening others of their kind, which makes their resting places perfect for traps."
"You seem to know a lot about them." Sabathiel spoke, raising a curious eyebrow.
"I studied them closely, but that's a conversation for another time. What you need will arrive soon, in the meantime, I'll call in a few favors." The voice trailed off and the screen disappeared, ending the conversation.
The battle-sister snapped her tongue in frustration, leaving her office and walking through her ship's hallways with the knight following her.
People in her path bowed and declared praises on her behalf, but she paid them no heed and returned to her chambers, ordering the space marine to guard the door.
The interior consisted of something belonging to a museum, with majestic paintings made of blood, statues carved from the flesh and bones of mortals, and purple carpets and curtains adorning the floor and walls.
There was also a shelf of drinks made from rare ingredients such as widows' tears and the sighs of the dying, and a vanity table with a mirror whose reflection constantly changed shape.
A trophy case stood in a corner, consisting mostly of helmets and weapons of Eldar aspect warriors, next to a wardrobe filled with dresses of silk and skin of the finest quality.
A disturbing supernatural air took over the place, as if there was someone else there besides the sister, while the scented candles present flickered even without the presence of wind.
Sabathiel threw herself on her extremely comfortable bed, sinking into the mattress as she opened a jewelry box on her nightstand, revealing dozens of soul stones with hosts.
She then placed a handful of stones in her mouth, chewing them like gum, delighting in how they screamed in pain and agony. A small moment of joy after a stressful day while she watched her soap opera.
Outside, the silver knight showed a rare reaction, constantly slapping his helmet's side after hearing a voice.
"Is this what you really wish?"
"Is this how you wish to live? In the hands of the arch-enemy?"
"Where is your honor? Where is your courage?"
"Don't you want your brothers' forgiveness?"
"You should be my last gift to the galaxy."
Question after question, his behavior became more erratic, making it a torturous journey to his next destination.
-Cadia-
"Report!" Lord General Ursarkar E. Creed shouted, slamming his hands on his desk in the command center, sending up an ash cloud from dozens of smoked cigars.
"A Chaos fleet is leaving the Eye of Terror, Lord General! The largest ever! The Cadia battle fleet is in position and awaiting orders!" One of the several Cadian operators in the command center reported, typing on a cogitator and causing a holographic map to appear in the center of the room, revealing the fleet in question.
The remaining operators remained at their posts, shouting orders, sending reports, and analyzing data with the aid of dozens of servitors, coordinating the defense forces.
Creed frowned, chewing on the end of his cigar at the strangeness of the situation. If the visual data was correct, there were a total of one thousand Chaos ships leaving the Eye of Terror, however, the scanners detected the signature of one hundred and five.
They bore no heraldry or symbols of their factions or gods, just smooth, unpainted hulls.
"Fire a warning shot." Creed commanded, and the order was transmitted to the Lord Admiral of the battle fleet.
Torpedoes appeared on the holographic map, tracing their path toward the enemy fleet that advanced at full speed without firing back.
Suddenly, the torpedoes passed through some of the ships as if they were not there, but exploded as they approached others after colliding with their void shields.
"It's an illusion! Tell the fleet to trust their equipment readings instead of visuals! We're dealing with a dark crusade here!" Creed exclaimed, blowing a smoke cloud through his teeth.
"Yes sir!"
Then the battle began, Cadia's defenders filling the void of space with missiles, torpedoes, and projectiles while the Chaos Fleet returned fire, the illusory ships' fire blending in with the real ones, confusing their enemies who had to adapt to information provided only by their equipment.
As if that were not enough, the Chaos Fleet demonstrated a high level of coordination, executing complex maneuvers and blending in with the illusions, never stopping moving like a swarm of metal towards the Cadian Gate.
Unknown to both forces, a sophisticated-looking silver ship stalked the battlefield, cloaked by refined psychic energies that slowly intensified as its crew watched the conflict unfold.
END OF CHAPTER