"What are your orders?" Grey stared at the enemy lines ahead, asking Qin Mo for the next command through the communicator.
Qin Mo, still within the fortress to swiftly analyze the data from the first large-scale teleportation, did not immediately reveal himself. Through Grey's helmet, he observed the situation outside.
"Order them to retreat one kilometer and hand over the outpost before the passage. We will take control," Qin Mo commanded, then returned to his analysis, disregarding the outside world.
Receiving the command, Grey immediately sensed that a battle was inevitable. The opposing forces, stationed outside the sealed passage, were clearly prepared to block anyone who attempted to break through. Demanding control of the outpost would undoubtedly meet with resistance.
Undeterred, Grey took a step forward, raised his arm, and declared to the general at the outpost, "Retreat one kilometer. This outpost is now ours."
"But… but this outpost is for defense," the general predictably resisted.
"The passage is sealed. Who are you defending against?" Grey took another step, his shoulder cannon beginning to charge. "Do as I say, or face the consequences."
The general was at a loss.
In truth, this outpost was no longer serving its purpose. The passage had been blown up, and it was assumed no one would emerge from within—at least, that's what they had believed at the time. Most of the defensive forces had already withdrawn, leaving only this small part of the original defensive line. But now, with these survivors suddenly reappearing, the outpost seemed essential once more.
"Could we… negotiate?" The general, named Barret, took a step forward, trying to deescalate the situation. "I'm stationed here because I received word of the failed offensive. The passage was destroyed after the defenses were set."
"I understand your anger. You feel betrayed," Barret continued, "I don't know what you went through in the Underhive, but we are all part of the planetary defense force. We are comrades, partners."
"If you want to talk, I, Barret, am here."
As Barret approached, trying to ease tensions, Grey stood silently, awaiting Qin Mo's order. His shoulder cannon and shotgun lasers were ready to fire at a moment's notice. Should the command come, Grey would not hesitate.
"He doesn't seem to be lying, but he could be bluffing. Target the tanks stationed on the right flank of the outpost," Qin Mo instructed.
Grey immediately aimed his shoulder cannon at the right flank. A glowing orb shot out, drawing a perfect arc in the sky before landing on its mark. The orb burst, raining down beams of light upon the parked tanks, like a storm of radiant energy.
The tanks' armor began to melt under the onslaught, and the metal surface below them bubbled into pits.
Barret and his men were struck with terror. Though the tanks were gradually being eroded, it was clear what would happen if that same power was unleashed on the soldiers instead.
"You didn't target us. You aimed at the tanks," Barret raised his hands. "You're here to negotiate, aren't you?"
"No negotiation." Grey's shoulder cannon swung towards Barret. "Retreat one kilometer."
Barret hesitated.
Grey's cannon began to hum with energy. Though it had yet to unleash its beams, Barret could already feel the heat radiating from it.
He glanced back at his soldiers.
Fear and uncertainty marked their faces. They didn't want to fight this newly arrived army, nor did they see it as just. News had spread that the First Legion had perished in the Underhive, with no distress signal sent. Even if a rescue mission had been considered, it would have been too late. Among the defenders, some had family in the First Legion—how could they open fire on those they thought long dead?
"Alright," Barret finally nodded, signaling his second-in-command.
The forces retreated, and Grey's troops advanced.
In the Hive City, conditions were starkly different from the lower hive. Though both saw no sunlight, and one could only see endless pipes and dark voids above, the population of the lower hive was vast.
Already, civilians were emerging to observe the confrontation.
Barret didn't feel ashamed. Rather, he felt fortunate—these survivors had not yet let anger cloud their judgment.
Once Barret's forces had retreated a kilometer, Grey's troops halted.
"We've entered the standoff phase. Have the others prepare the defenses and await negotiations. I'll be there in person when the time comes," Qin Mo gave his final command and returned to his work.
Grey relayed the orders, and commanders like Duncan and Klein immediately set about reinforcing the defenses, aided by support machinery.
…
Meanwhile, in the governor's mansion at the spire of the Hive City, high-level officials had already learned of the situation and were holding a meeting. The spire, far from the polluted surface of the planet, was a haven of purity and luxury. Each building gleamed with gold, and the gardens were filled with flora and fauna unseen in the lower depths.
Nobles lounged in the gardens, discussing matters while admiring the metal sculptures that adorned their surroundings.
"Where is the governor?"
"He's eccentric, as you all know."
"What are we to do about this mess he's left behind? He orchestrated the Marshal's 'heroic' death and eliminated his family. Can't he do something about this army that's suddenly appeared?"
"What else can be done? They're deserters. We'll deal with them as we've done before—execute them all."
"Are you joking?"
As the nobles argued, they turned their attention to the Ecclesiarch seated at the center.
"Say something, David. Don't sit there in silence as if we're excluding you," a female noble prompted.
David, the Ecclesiarch responsible for spreading the Imperial Faith throughout the Hive City, wielded immense influence. A single declaration from him labeling the First Legion heretics would mobilize millions of believers into armed action.
But David remained silent, stroking the cat in his lap.
Seeing that he had nothing to add, the nobles resumed their debate.
"War, then."
"I second that."
"We not only go to war, but we must execute Barret. He must pay for his betrayal."
"…"
"No. We cannot wage war," David finally spoke, his voice resolute as he rose to his feet. "The First Legion of the planetary defense force are not traitors. They are devout servants of the God-Emperor. If they weren't, they could not have survived in the Underhive. The true enemy lies with the xenos down there."
Amused smiles flickered across the faces of the nobles as David concluded, turning to leave with a final word:
"Let me be the one to negotiate with them."