The officer continued recounting his family's history, and as Chen Ye listened attentively, he gradually understood the full truth behind what lay before him.
The old, obstinate man indeed had been a marshal—the former Marshal of the Planetary Defense Force, dismissed long ago after discovering the governor's collusion with gene-thieves. Yet, stubbornly refusing to leave his post, his family had remained in their ancestral castle within the Spire, unlike the other noble houses that had migrated to the Upper Hive seven years prior. Convinced that he alone was the rightful marshal and that all others were traitors, he rallied his family's sons, servants, and guards, reorganizing them as a "Planetary Defense Force" devoted to retaking the Hive and purging the traitors.
His family's illustrious history granted him some degree of immunity. He had served as a guard for the former governor since he was thirteen and had continued in the marshal's role for one hundred and twenty years, earning the former governor's respect. Hence, the current governor dared not exterminate this family outright, instead isolating them by establishing a blockade around the castle.
Shortly before the Emperor's Angel and guests from the Talon Sector arrived, the noble guards within the blockade had launched an assault on the castle, quickly breaching its main gate. However, after fierce fighting, the "Planetary Defense Force," under the marshal's command, managed to repel the attackers. Thus, Chen Ye had seen two slaves earlier, disposing of the bodies.
"What an absurd spectacle!" Chen Ye was deeply shaken. "Are there any normal people left in the Spire?"
"Everyone in my family, except my father, is normal," the officer replied, shaking his head in exasperation. "There are two other families that have similarly remained at their ancestral lands, but my father insists on labeling them as units of the Planetary Defense Force and appointing their heads as generals…"
Chen Ye found himself speechless. Recalling his previous experiences working alongside the Salamander Regiment in a war zone, he gradually accepted the absurdity of the situation. Just as the Salamanders had both warm-hearted idealists and the cold-blooded Third Company, humanity was indeed a "rich and varied tapestry."
The officer seemed about to ask Chen Ye something about the Space Marines when his communicator buzzed. He answered, then hurried to his father to report.
"Father, both of your generals have mobilized their troops and will join us on Toth Street!"
"Hmm?"
"Marshal, Marshal…"
"Excellent. Full advance!"
With the marshal's command, the infantry and Centaur carriers immediately set out, heading toward the governor's last known location. The marshal, though aged, insisted on personally leading the charge, refusing his son's pleas to stay behind. In the end, his son had no choice but to place him in one of the Centaur carriers, ensuring that the old man would not be at the front lines.
Before boarding his own vehicle, the marshal's son sought out An Ruida to ask a question. "Noble guardian, is my younger brother still alive?"
"Who is your brother?" An Ruida was confused, having never met the former marshal's youngest son.
"Upon hearing of the sector guardian's arrival, two hundred representatives from Upper Hive families were sent to find you and inform you of the situation here. My brother was their guide…you haven't seen him?"
An Ruida shook his head once more.
"I see."
The marshal's son nodded resolutely and climbed into the Centaur.
…
Elsewhere in the Spire, guards and armed servants from two other steadfast families gathered on Toth Street, joining forces with the marshal's troops as they made their way to the governor's hiding place. Together, they finally reached Shelter 88 at the Spire.
"The governor's inside. Prepare for the assault!" The marshal climbed out of the Centaur, calling out with fervor.
"Are you certain?" Grey gestured to the shelter's open entrance. "There are more than a hundred such shelters. How can you be sure he's in this one?"
"Trust me," the marshal declared with absolute conviction. "The man and his father share the same superstition. They always retreat to Shelter 88, believing it to be a lucky number in troubled times!"
Grey had little choice but to follow his lead; they would likely have to search multiple shelters anyway. But their scans showed nearly twenty thousand people below ground—perhaps the marshal's guess was accurate.
They entered the shelter's vast, descending corridor. The passage was wide and inclined downward, and, as the red markers on the scanner grew nearer, Grey warned everyone to prepare for an encounter. The marshal pounded on the carrier's armor, commanding the driver to lead them forward.
The defenders lay in ambush behind the corner of the corridor. As the Centaur carrier emerged into their line of sight, four twin-mounted heavy bolters opened fire.
"For the Emperor!" the marshal roared, brandishing his chainsword. While the servants who played the role of "Planetary Defense Force" lacked the courage to advance, the young family members, inspired by the marshal, surged forward.
But Grey's group hardly needed their support.
As Yao En was preparing to activate bullet-time to cut down the gunners, Chen Ye darted ahead, deflecting bullets with his shoulder armor as he fired four shots. Explosive rounds obliterated the four bolter-wielding gunners, but over two hundred more defenders continued to press forward.
"Charge through! Clear the way!"
The Centaur surged ahead, bearing the roaring marshal. His cries filled the air until an enemy soldier recognized him and, raising an automatic rifle, fired a single shot that struck the marshal squarely in the forehead, ending his fervor in an instant.
The driver of the Centaur, hearing nothing more from the marshal, hastily reversed the vehicle.
"Enough distractions!" Yao En, taking position before the Centaur with his grav-shield raised, ordered the others, "Secure the entrance!"
The family's servants and guards, who had been waiting for an excuse to retreat, quickly hauled their master's body from the vehicle and sought cover. The remainder of the fight was left to Grey, Chen Ye, and their comrades.
The four advanced in rotation, trading volleys of explosive rounds, laser blasts, and shoulder cannon fire. Though the enemy was not entirely eradicated, the group's true objective was the governor himself. No army within the Hive could halt the advance of three elite guardians and a Space Marine. Soon, they reached the deepest level of the shelter.
There, the governor of North Haven I awaited, seated on a throne, surrounded by his loyalists and family. Few soldiers remained by his side, only his most trusted kin.