The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Standard Terra Calendar 41

Storm Nebula, Nayson IV Orbital Space, 'Telescope' Astronomical Observatory

As part of the entire planetary orbital facility, the astronomical observatory is not a very conspicuous part. Although humanity has tried its best to explore the mysteries of space, it is still difficult to completely predict the trajectory of planetary movements and certain changes that may occur in star systems. Therefore, even after tens of thousands of years into the space age, humans still need to continuously observe space and celestial bodies.

And the ones who undertake this responsibility are the astronomers.

In a sense, they belong to a very special part of the Imperial knowledge system, because the Adeptus Mechanicus also studies celestial bodies, and these academic giants will instinctively try to monopolize knowledge in a certain field. However, the Treaty of Olympus clearly stipulates that astronomy does not fall within the scope of the Adeptus Mechanicus's knowledge monopoly. Therefore, the relationship between the Astronomical Research Association and the Adeptus Mechanicus has always been in a very ambiguous and strange state.

Most worlds with certain capabilities and financial resources will cultivate their own astronomers. They are not only scholars but also the first line of early warning for this world. Changes in the stars often indicate changes in the entire star system or even the entire star zone, and direct observation is much easier than waiting for ambiguous star language messages.

Correspondingly, although the astronomical observatory is not large and does not have many people, the treatment is still decent. Everyone has their own separate room, as well as many recreational areas, libraries, etc., and there are dedicated servitors for service. Many people are even willing to stay in the observatory for the rest of their lives.

But today, this observatory has fallen into a strange silence.

At first, there was only the continuous buzzing static interference from the communicator. Almost all devices that could contact the outside world were interfered with. It was a headache-inducing, ethereal hissing sound, and if you listened carefully, it seemed to be mixed with pleas, pain, and screams.

Then, all external channels were blocked. The neighboring orbital station did not notice what was happening in the observatory next door at all. Everyone was busy with their own affairs, and no one cared about those astronomers who were well-fed and did nothing all day long.

The entire observatory was sealed off, enveloped in despair.

For most intelligent beings, this kind of desperate waiting is a screaming eternity. This is not simple suffering, not the suffering brought about by the entire world falling into darkness. What is about to happen is not an invasion, but a heart-wrenching terror and threat, a fear that can be fully felt—

"Ah!"

When Natasha, curled up in a hidden small storage cabinet, woke up, she almost screamed. Fortunately, she covered her mouth in time, and even before the terrible dream faded, she made the instinctive action to protect herself.

Then she realized that there was no threat; she had been frightened by her dream.

She trembled and released her hand, suddenly feeling a rusty taste in her dry throat. Then she looked at her hand, and the dried bloodstains on it were so glaring.

She blinked, until she distinguished reality from fantasy.

This is Tarin's blood, her fiancé.

They were born on a refugee ship and came to this world protected by the Astartes after years of wandering. Natasha and Tarin's father were friends. They were originally astronomers from another world, but that world fell into war, and they were forced to flee. With their excellent technology and honest attitude, they obtained new astronomer positions from the orbital administrator, allowing Natasha and Tarin, childhood sweethearts, to grow up in a relatively favorable environment. Naturally, they also learned the knowledge of their fathers and became astronomical apprentices, preparing to take over in the future.

But all of this was destroyed by those huge, clawed monsters—

The scene from not long ago reappeared in her mind like a ghost.

"Natasha, run!"

Tarin struggled hard, but he was picked up in mid-air, and then a huge claw slashed across his throat with a puffing sound.

She hid in the ventilation duct, holding her mouth tightly, because only in this way would she not scream. Tarin's neck had a deep cut, and the claws cut open his carotid artery and trachea.

As a stream of hot blood spurted out, the liquid representing life left a pattern on the walls and ceiling.

After that, she didn't even remember how she escaped.

Perhaps she was able to survive simply because she was petite and light, and from childhood, she especially liked to go in and out of the twisted spaces of the observatory, and even crawled into the walls, wriggling and climbing in the intersecting gaps in the walls, and traveling up and down in the pipes, which caused her parents a lot of trouble in her childhood.

But now no one will talk about these childhood pleasures.

Family, lover, even friends, they were all killed and dismembered so mercilessly. Natasha didn't even know how she survived and maintained her sanity. Now she was completely supported by the desire to survive. Her only thought was to run away quickly, leave this death space, and warn others—

To warn those angels she had never seen!

Monsters have come to this world!

Pressing her ear against the iron door of the storage cabinet, after confirming that there was no movement outside, she quietly pushed open a small crack.

This is a washroom. Although the lights are off, at least there is no one, let alone monsters.

So she carefully pushed open the door, fearing that it would make any noise. She knew that those monsters were extremely sensitive to sound. Then she supported herself with her hands and crawled out little by little.

She maintained this kneeling posture, crawling little by little to the chosen position, and suddenly accelerated when she was about to reach it, crouching back behind the wall.

Outside is the corridor. She could even hear the dripping water from the old condenser pipes and the crackling of the light that continued to short-circuit.

Taking a deep breath, Natasha was sure she didn't smell that horrible smell. All the killers were surrounded by that smell, and she would remember it forever.

Then, she picked up the pendant on her neck, the only relic left by her deceased mother.

"Merciful Emperor, please bless me."

A few seconds later, she carefully poked her head out, looking at both ends of the corridor. There was no movement, only the occasional flickering lighting orbs.

According to the map in her mind, she needed to go from the right, then turn to the public cafeteria, and then come out from the cafeteria staff通道, from there directly to the observatory's spare escape area, where there was a shuttle that could send her to the ground.

As for whether those monsters would be guarding there, she could only fight for it, otherwise, she would just wait for death.

Encouraged by great courage, she bent over like a cat, tiptoed out of the washroom, and quickly ran through the corridor with almost no sound.

There were still two servitors in the corridor continuing their never-ending cleaning work, with no reaction to the quickly passing woman.