After much deliberation, the Cadia contingent decided to proceed to the lower nest of Talon I. The captain of the merchant vessel chose to leave his ship in the shadows of the planet's dark side, opting instead to accompany them in a transport craft to seek out items of value for trade.
Everyone, much like Kreed the day before, flew through the breach in the wall created by the previous transport craft, only to be halted by soldiers who secured their transport protective devices before escorting them to the lower nest of New Carto.
Kreed had anticipated being greeted by the young leader from the previous day, but instead, an unfamiliar figure approached. The newcomer promptly introduced himself: "Gray. There's no need for you to state your names; I am already aware of them, as the Legion Commander just briefed me."
"Follow me," Gray instructed, leading them toward the residential district at the city's center.
To Kreed's surprise, the city within the lower nest appeared remarkably clean and orderly, its affairs underscored by the prevailing sense of organization, despite the natural environment being a far cry from that of the upper nest.
As they walked a short distance, a drone swooped down, targeting them with its heavy explosive arrows. Instinctively, Kreed and the others prepared for combat, but the drone merely scanned them before retracting its weaponry to inspect the local populace instead.
In Kreed's view, such surveillance was entirely necessary; he was acutely aware of the dangers lurking in the lower nest, where a variety of mutated creatures roamed freely. However, it remained unclear whether the drone was remotely controlled or operated by a malevolent intelligence embedded within.
Kreed's superior exchanged a knowing glance with him, signaling him to focus on their primary objective rather than these trivialities.
"The Legion Commander has assigned you quarters; fresh water is readily available, and provisions will be delivered by the logistical machinery," Gray explained as they continued walking.
"No matter where you are, if you encounter a logistics machine that detects an empty stomach, it will provide you with food," he added.
Just then, a logistics machine descended from the sky, obstructing their path.
"By the Emperor, what in the name of the stars is that?" Kreed exclaimed, scrutinizing the machine.
It resembled a sleek black sphere, adorned with menacing, cable-like appendages that gave it the appearance of a monstrous insect he once encountered on some imperial world.
This bizarre contraption filled Kreed and his comrades with unease and skepticism; however, their discomfort quickly dissipated upon noticing the Imperial double-headed eagle emblem affixed to the logistics machine.
Only Gray knew that the double-headed eagle was a recent addition, having been affixed after the fact.
"Database entry complete," the logistics machine emitted in a cold, mechanical voice, its anti-gravity engine propelling it toward its next destination.
Kreed followed Gray as they arrived at a prominent building in the city center, where they took an elevator to the top floor.
His comrades, comprising both men and women, cohabited naturally without any insistence on separation by gender.
Gray's task concluded here. As he turned to leave, Kreed unexpectedly inquired, "Warrior, what distinguishes your power armor from the others, apart from the additional shoulder-mounted cannon? Is it superior to theirs?"
"This power armor was handcrafted by the Legion Commander; it cannot be compared to mass-produced equipment," Gray replied.
"Is he a craftsman? What makes his handmade armor so exceptional?" Kreed pressed further.
Gray offered no response, silently turning away to depart.
Kreed found everything in this place peculiar, though he kept his thoughts to himself, quietly retrieving his quill to begin drafting a plan for the reorganization of the local military.
"Do not take it too seriously; do you genuinely intend to mold them into the Star Realm Army?" his superior approached and remarked.
"I must take it seriously," Kreed lifted his gaze, "for the disarray among these troops unsettles me."
…
Over the subsequent days, Kreed devised his plan, occasionally inspecting the barracks in the lower nest and seeking opportunities to familiarize himself with the officers.
He even received a standard issue of power armor.
Most officers at the regiment level were reluctant to engage with Kreed; while they were aware of the Cadia's renowned reputation, they did not believe his training would benefit their soldiers, as their combat styles differed significantly.
It was not until Kreed visited the 47th Regiment that he encountered his first regimental officer in days, Klein.
"Forgive my candor, but your unit is exceedingly undisciplined," Kreed stated bluntly as he strolled through the barracks clad in his power armor.
"The 47th Regiment is currently not engaged in combat. I have also taken on the role of advisor, so I must concede that they have indeed become a bit unruly. Both the soldiers and I bear some blame. At present, the 47th Regiment is tasked with guarding the fortress where the Legion Commander resides; I believe a stringent discipline is not urgently required," Klein responded.
"By the Emperor, how can such a force adequately protect him? How can he trust you to remain on watch?" Kreed could scarcely believe it.
Klein raised an eyebrow in contemplation before answering, "In truth, he does not require protection; he is stronger than all of us combined."
Kreed was about to refute this notion, but his attention was suddenly captured by a soldier who was avoiding eye contact. Kreed approached the soldier directly, compelling him to meet his gaze.
"Good morning, officers," the soldier saluted.
"Didn't you just say that a cheap paper-wrapped fool like me had no right to speak to you?" Kreed inquired with a smile.
The soldier before him was none other than the one who had spoken so disdainfully the day before.
"Apologies, sir," the soldier shook his head, then looked at Kreed's power armor and smiled, "But now that you've shed the paper shell, you are qualified to converse with me."
Kreed maintained his gaze on the soldier, who returned the stare. Klein considered intervening but ultimately decided against it; if Kreed could not manage this soldier, he would be unfit to train the entire unit.
"Attack me," Kreed ordered the soldier.
"Sir…" the soldier protested.
"Attack me, coward," Kreed reiterated.
The term "coward" ignited a spark of indignation within the soldier; everyone here, apart from Kreed, had withstood the onslaught of multiple enemies in the lower nest, and none could rightfully call themselves a coward.
In an instant, the soldier swung a punch at Kreed's head.
Just as his fist was about to connect, Kreed effortlessly seized his arm and executed a shoulder throw.
The soldier was left dazed, lying on the ground with wide eyes, momentarily stunned.
As he stared blankly at the sky, Klein reached down to help him up, brushing off the dust and advising him to steer clear of that Cadia man in the training yard.
At this moment, Kreed realized that the soldiers shared a close bond with their officers, yet he suspected this camaraderie contributed to their lack of discipline.
Following the inspection, Kreed promptly revised his drafted plan, tailoring specific strategies for each regiment based on his observations over the past few days.
However, before these plans could be enacted, they were abruptly put on hold.
War had returned once more.