The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Could it be that, like certain barbaric insectoid creatures exiled by the T'au, the Eldar also have massive individuals responsible for reproduction?

But their social structure doesn't seem to be a gestalt type.

And they clearly have genders, being sexually reproductive beings.

The key is that this one is covering his face with a mask, making him wonder what kind of bizarre face might be behind it.

While Shou'An was lost in thought due to witnessing Sorkh's heroic figure, even recalling scenes from his past when his teacher lectured him on basic biology in school, the other party had already come to a position less than five meters away from him.

"You are Shou'An? My understanding of T'au script relies entirely on translation devices, so perhaps my pronunciation isn't accurate."

Shou'An didn't react for a moment, remaining stunned in place, whereupon Dorar scolded him:

"His Highness is asking you a question! Answer quickly!"

Shou'An snapped to attention, then swallowed his dry throat and croaked:

"I am! I... I am."

Sorkh, looking down at the nervous Earth Caste scientist, waved to the side, and a servant appeared, carrying a silver tray with a crystal pitcher filled with clear spring water and exquisite cups.

"Give him a cup of water."

Although very disdainful of the T'au, the servant poured a cup of spring water, but Shou'An, looking at the cup filled with sparkling water on the tray, didn't dare to move.

Sorkh then smiled:

"Don't worry, if I really wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need such complicated means."

Hearing this, Shou'An indeed felt parched, so he steeled himself, took off his hat with his left hand, grabbed the cup with his right, and tilted his head back to gulp it down.

Two seconds later, he let out a long breath, feeling his entire body permeated by a cool sensation filled with the fragrance of plants, which relieved much of the fear, anger, and panic in his heart.

Holding the cup and hesitating for a long time, Shou'An lowered his head and said two words in a very low voice.

"Thank you."

Sorkh couldn't discern any expression from the T'au's face, but at least he could sense that this T'au scientist was a very interesting person.

At this moment, there was another roar in the sky, and Shou'An looked up, his eyes widening instantly.

Three huge but strangely shaped aircraft were slowly descending vertically, each with three massive battlesuits suspended below its fuselage. Shou'An didn't know that these were Vampire Raiders using gravity hooks to drag objects, and his attention was entirely on those three battlesuits, the things he valued and cherished most.

Subsequently, the Vampire Raiders lowered to a certain height, the gravity hooks were released, and the battlesuits gently landed on the ground, swaying twice but not falling over.

The next second, Shou'An immediately threw down his hat, shook off his feet and ran towards his treasures. The Eldar around him saw him move and took out their weapons, but Sorkh stopped them with a wave of his hand.

"Are you alright? Are you alright?"

Shou'An carefully inspected the three XV104 prototypes, and only after confirming that none of them were visibly damaged did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He didn't even notice that Sorkh had walked up to him.

"Can you tell me about this battlesuit?"

When the other party spoke, Shou'An was so frightened that he almost jumped up on the spot, but he quickly reacted and shook his head vigorously.

Sorkh turned his head and looked at the Earth Caste scientist, whose hands were clasped together in his sleeves, but whose arms were still trembling slightly, then quipped:

"We know, through extracting the memories of some T'au commanders, that there is an extremely important scientist like you. You are invaluable to the Ke'lshan Sept, especially in the field of battlesuit research, where you are a master. This large battlesuit must be your work, right?"

Shou'An kept his mouth shut, using his sleeves to conceal his tightly clenched hands and his nervous heart.

Seeing him like this, Sorkh suddenly chuckled, then said in a nonchalant tone:

"You've also seen that my army's technology is far above that of the T'au. You don't need to worry that I have any designs on your technology. In fact, I don't particularly appreciate the concept of humanoid mechs as a combat platform. I prefer tanks, aircraft, or more versatile weapons of war. Legs, as a complex and fragile means of locomotion, are not a good choice. Vehicles should pursue a balance of firepower, mobility, and defense, and I don't see that in this large battlesuit. On the contrary, I think your tank and aircraft designs have quite a few merits. Your focus should be on those."

Hearing this, Shou'An immediately became displeased and retorted:

"No, no, no! Your view is wrong!"

"Bold."

Dorar coldly reprimanded.

"Before you stands the Avatar of Asuryan, one of the two rulers of the Eternal Court, the great Phoenix King of our race. Consider every word you say, T'au."

Sorkh waved his hand, then said to Shou'An:

"Why is that?"

Shou'An pointed to the XV104 that was originally piloted by a C'tan, and said very seriously:

"Our tanks or aircraft, or any other vehicles, all use electronic technology combined with intelligent systems to assist operation. Regardless of the mode, they are certainly very flexible under the control of the Air Caste, but the same may not be true if they are operated by the Fire Caste. So, the best way is neural link. Once in neural operation mode, the pilot drives the vehicle as if driving his own body. At this time, adopting a design that conforms to their body structure will allow them to better adapt to the vehicle. After all, how can someone accustomed to walking on two legs know how to move according to an engine or anti-gravity plate? Therefore, battlesuits have their value. Due to the characteristics of neural links, they can perform a wider and more complex range of tasks--"

But Sorkh also shook his head.

"Shou'An, I roughly understand why battlesuits are needed. The fundamental reason is not tactical or anything else. Your large vehicles are basically piloted by the Air Caste, but the Fire Caste is the main force in conducting war. They also cannot be subordinate to the Air Caste, so they must be very eager and must have a large weapon that will not be interfered with by the Air Caste. This is not a technical issue, it is a political issue. I can understand."

"No, no, there will be no such problem. All castes are united under the Greater Good. The Ethereals will guide us. There is absolute unity between the castes."

Sorkh chuckled.

"Where there is a group, there are interests, and where there are interests, there are differences, no matter how small. If there really is no conflict at all as you say, then I would have to doubt what means the Ethereals you speak of are using."

Shou'An turned to look up at Sorkh, his eyes expressing his anger.

"You are making unfounded slanders!"

With a snap, Shou'An turned his head and saw the blade on Mahern's arm pop out, staring at him coldly.