The ventilation ducts hummed, constantly expelling and drawing in air. Pus lay still on the ground, slowly congealing.
Mortarion's cold and raspy voice came through the channel, causing Hades to break out in cold sweat.
"It is... it is as you saw—"
(Their conversation is in Barbarus dialect)
Hades, realizing he misspoke, quickly tried to change the subject, first calming the mood before explaining further.
One cannot reason with an angry person, and reasoning with a Primarch like Mortarion was even more challenging.
"I know you've been busy with the Think Tank because of Calas. I was worried they might cause you trouble, so I kept an eye on the Think Tank's activities."
"Then Fernando approached me."
Hades quickly recounted the events, "During a previous mission, Think Tank member Jose was attacked by psychic forces. After being brought back to the *Endurance*, his condition didn't improve. Chief Think Tank Fernando, after unsuccessful attempts to help him, had no choice but to imprison him on the spot."
Fernando indeed had his reasons, but now everything had to be laid out. Any concealment, and they, including Balasin, would be doomed.
Never try to hide anything from a suspicious Primarch.
"After learning of my anti-psychic nature, Fernando reached out, hoping I could help. He wanted me to deal with a comrade who had been possessed by what I can only describe as a demon, and at the same time—"
Mortarion raised an eyebrow, interrupting Hades, "Demon?"
"Hades, have you lost your mind?"
"I can understand shamans chanting about such things. Their feeble minds can't comprehend science."
"But you, Hades, what's your excuse?"
Mortarion's tone was clearly threatening.
Hades swallowed hard, "I refer to these entities as demons because they resemble the demons of Barbarus legends. But we can discuss what to call them later."
He didn't want to challenge Mortarion's perspective. If Mortarion insisted on calling them angels, Hades would agree.
"But I thought it would be a waste of your time. Managing a legion is hard enough, and now you have to deal with my issues. So, I just referred to them as demons for now."
Mortarion grunted, letting the minor detail slide.
Hades subtly blinked, relieved. There were still concepts of gods to discuss, and surely one of them would challenge Mortarion's worldview.
"Knowing we were dealing with a psychic entity, I took my Scythe of Fate and joined Fernando to eliminate this being."
After briefly explaining the background, Hades tried to defend his actions, "I knew you were busy with legion affairs, so I didn't want to disturb you."
"And, to be honest, I didn't want to bother you. I felt you were already burdened with the legion's affairs, so I made the decision on my own."
"But remembering your advice on Barbarus to be cautious, I contacted Balasin, informing him that the Chief Think Tank and I had discovered a psychic entity in the Think Tank library area and had sealed it off."
Mortarion grunted, "So that's your reason for writing off an entire section?"
Damn, how was Hades supposed to respond to that?
In reality, there were plenty of unused sections on the *Endurance*, a Glorious Queen-class ship.
Though his power armor was thermally regulated, Hades felt like he was sweating profusely. The unique scent of a Space Marine's sweat, tinged with a cleaning agent, wafted inside his helmet.
"I didn't expect it to explode. If I had known, I would've informed you regardless of the inconvenience."
"After realizing the gravity of the situation, we sought you out immediately."
There was silence on the other end, likely meaning Mortarion accepted this explanation.
Hades quickly continued, "The most urgent matter now is to deal with the bio-contamination in this area. We might not be able to cover everything, so we'll need your help."
He wanted to prepare Mortarion for what was to come, showing their remorse. They couldn't discuss the subspace issue over the communication channel due to the risk of information leaks or distortions. They'd discuss it face-to-face with Mortarion later.
Silence persisted.
Just as Hades began to wonder if the communication had failed, Mortarion's raspy voice returned, "Once this area is cleaned up, come out. We're not done with this."
Even though Hades expected this, hearing it from Mortarion made him anxious.
Hades knew that Mortarion was more upset about his concealment than the Think Tank's secrets.
By the usual standards Mortarion set, Fernando would likely face severe consequences.
But for now, Hades had drawn Mortarion's ire.
It was okay. At least Mortarion wouldn't sentence Hades to death. But for Fernando, it was uncertain.
Hades would have to plead for the Think Tank, save them, and also vouch for the Terran veterans. He'd have to clear his name and then explain the concept of subspace to Mortarion.
Hades felt this was more challenging than taking down a Plague Marine on his own.
Would it be easier if he just died now?
Why did everyone else's Warhammer stories involve battles, while his felt like a drama simulator?
There was no choice. When under someone's roof, one had to bow their head.
But wouldn't it have been better with a different Primarch, like Sanguinius or Guilliman?
Flames roared, consuming everything. The fire danced in the oxygen-rich air, wild and jubilant.
Hades, wielding a flamethrower, stood before the door of a chamber drenched in promethium fuel. He held his breath and fired. The flames eagerly consumed the fuel, turning the chamber into a blazing inferno.
The stench of burning mixed with the foul odor, filling the Think Tank library.
Everything inside the chamber, especially the weapons tainted with the pus, had to be destroyed. Although Hades felt a pang of loss, he supported Fernando's decision.
On the other side of the library, Fernando was reviewing important books. These books, tainted with the foul smell and with pages starting to rot, would soon be burned. Fernando was recording their essential contents using his helmet's camera.
"Hades, at eight o'clock, under that shield," Mortarion's voice came through the channel.
Without changing his expression, Hades simply redirected his flamethrower and fired.
Mortarion insisted on maintaining a video feed. After Hades showed him every detail inside the chamber, Mortarion allowed him to continue with the incineration.
Being in such a foul environment and having to capture every detail made Hades feel nauseous.
Of course, it was possible Mortarion was just messing with him.
Mortarion initially wanted to collect some of the liquid, but realizing the potential for contamination, he relented.
Now, Mortarion was reviewing legion data, inspecting Think Tank reports and surveillance from the past decade, and directing Hades, all simultaneously.
Balasin, following Mortarion's orders, continued with the cleanup operation.
As the flames consumed the last pockets of air
in the chamber, Hades poured a bucket of promethium fuel into the inferno, intensifying the blaze.
Emerging from the flames, Hades's power armor silhouette was outlined by the bright fire.
Fernando waited silently at the exit of the Think Tank library.
Hades approached, picking up his Scythe of Fate leaning against the wall. Fernando nodded, as if signaling something.
Then, Fernando raised his hand, and with a burst of flame, ignited the books inside the Think Tank library. Pages burned and floated in the air, turning to ash before they hit the ground.
Hades stood by, not firing his weapon, giving Fernando his space.
The Death Guard, no, the Dusk Raiders' years of accumulation vanished into nothingness. The Chief Think Tank watched coldly, contemplating the future of the Think Tank.
The flames would burn for at least a year, with more promethium fuel being poured in through other ducts.
The first phase of the cleanup operation for this area was officially complete.
Mortarion's calm breathing came through the channel, "Now, both of you, come out for decontamination."
Hades turned, taking a deep breath. Now, he had to face Mortarion.
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