Throughout the arduous journey home on the *Resolute Advance*, Klein remained steadfast in his role as liaison, only returning to his merchant vessel during warp-space transitions. No matter where the *Resolute Advance* exited the warp, Klein's ship would locate it with remarkable speed.
Though merchants typically had limited interaction with Imperial warships, Klein managed to secure power armor sufficient to outfit an entire private guard for *Resolute Advance*'s commander, Rhys. In return, Rhys awarded him the rare privilege of a certified merchant's license.
Over the passing years, Creed had little to report back to the Tyran System. Instead, he gathered news from Klein: every month, the Tyran forces swelled, their fleet expanding as they dispatched warships to aid the Imperial Navy against marauding pirates. These reports punctuated the monotony of the journey, providing moments of intrigue.
More and more soldiers began to gather in the ship's bar, captivated by Klein's vivid recounting of the Tyran fleet's battles in the void against pirate vessels. Eventually, even Rhys would join the audience, sipping his drink and listening—until the moment Klein would begin to pitch the dimension engine. Then, Rhys would abruptly rise and depart.
Time flowed on until, at last, both the *Resolute Advance* and Klein's vessel completed their arduous voyage and arrived in the orbit of the fortress world, Cadia. The troops began assembling to board transports down to the surface.
…
Due to Rhys employing Klein for transport, Creed found himself aboard the merchant's shuttle. Inside, Creed and the officers of the Eighth Regiment occupied the left side, while Klein and his merchant guards, including a few heavily armored Ogryns, sat to the right. Encased in their power armor, even the Ogryns did not exude their usual, overwhelming scent.
As the shuttle swept past the transport ship and accelerated toward the planet, Creed gazed at the surface of his homeworld with mixed emotions. Many Cadians never returned to their home once they had left, and Creed suspected he would have been one of them if not for the recall order.
"Feels good to be going home, doesn't it?" Klein broke the silence. "It's been years since I've seen Tyran; I've missed it so much it keeps me up at night."
Creed's answer took Klein by surprise. He shook his head, his tone flat. "My memories here aren't exactly pleasant."
As he stared down at the familiar plains, memories stirred unbidden. In his mind's eye, he saw the fortress city of Garinburg, the lush Uthaca family estate, his beloved parents, and a quiet, kind-hearted neighbor girl—a rarity on Cadia, with her gentle spirit.
All of these precious memories were shattered by a single assault. Creed could recall the faces of every family member and friend who perished that day. He himself would have died had a mysterious figure not saved him. That man, imposing and broad, clad in black power armor with a white cloak, armed with twin pistols and a sword strapped to his back, had emerged as if from nowhere.
"What's your homeworld like?" Kahl's voice pulled Creed back to the present.
"A hive world. Since the last governor moved or sold all the factories, it's one of the few hives where people can breathe unfiltered air," Klein replied.
"Sounds pretty decent."
"Decent? Compared to the current Tyran Hives, it's a wasteland."
…
The shuttle pierced the atmosphere, and Creed caught sight of the Toyoko Plains below. Three colossal Warlord Titans crawled across the landscape, sounding their horns as they passed by assembled Army units stationed on the plains. In the midst of the mobilized forces, a Leviathan Command Vehicle loomed, massive as the Titans. Armored units drove one tank after another into the Leviathan's open hangars, the vehicle's vast dimensions rivaling the Titans themselves.
"Have the Worskani Iron Cavalry arrived?" Creed asked Kahl.
"They weren't on our transport, sir. They should be here within the next few days," Kahl replied.
Creed nodded quietly, recalling the prophecy he had received from Qin Mo—that the Worskani Iron Cavalry would launch an uprising, slaughtering the Cadia High Command at the Toyoko Plains landing point.
All along the journey back to Cadia, Creed had agonized over what to do, finally resolving to prepare for the worst, ensuring he could organize an immediate counteroffensive if betrayal struck. But telling anyone of the prophecy? No one would believe him, and he would only invite trouble for the Eighth Regiment.
Resolute, Creed turned his gaze to the hatch.
The shuttle landed, the doors lowering with a slow hiss.
Creed and his officers disembarked, demarcating a campsite and rest area for the Eighth Regiment's soldiers, who would soon be joining them. Klein and his merchant guards stood nearby, observing in silence.
Moments later, a small transport touched down near their landing site. At first, no one paid it any heed. But as the doors opened, two eminent figures and their escorts stepped out.
Though he had been away from Cadia for many years, Creed recognized them instantly—the First and Second Castellans, Malus and Carvien, figures well-publicized in the military.
Creed and Klein both saluted the Castellans in the Aquila's honor.
"Usaka Creed," Malus remarked approvingly, his gaze appraising Creed from head to toe. "I hear there are three Creeds in the Cadia Assault Corps."
"Yes," Creed nodded, well aware of his namesakes. "I am Usaka E. Creed."
Malus chuckled, glancing at Carvien. "He's undoubtedly the finest of the three."
Carvien nodded and said, "We noticed troops on the Eighth's landing zone and decided to fly over from the Leviathan for a look."
The Castellans proceeded to praise Creed's promise as a young leader—high praise, with no irony. After all, it was no small feat to achieve the rank of general in forty years. They also alluded to the many who resented his rapid rise.
Creed hardly listened, preoccupied with thoughts of the prophecy. If there was a chance to save the Castellans, it would be to convince them to leave the Toyoko Plains now.
"Cadia's only true safe haven lies in its fortresses," Creed ventured after a long pause.
"There's little to worry about," Malus answered with quiet confidence. "Our own people have reached Cadia faster than any enemy."
Carvien nodded in agreement. "It's good to stay vigilant, but you're on your homeworld now, not the front. Here, you're surrounded only by your kin."
Creed understood that this was his one chance to dissuade them. He pressed, "But if there are traitors—"
"Don't overthink it," Malus replied, giving Creed's shoulder a reassuring pat. "Every soldier on Cadia now has been tried and proven in battle. They are loyal servants of the God-Emperor."
Creed started to speak but swallowed his words. After a moment of inner conflict, he managed a faint nod. "Perhaps I overthought it."
With a gentle pat on his shoulder, Malus returned to the transport.
Carvien glanced back at Creed, then followed Malus on board.