The Emperor’s Angel of Death

#2670 - Rumors

Describing it as an advanced outpost is generous; it's essentially a small station cobbled together from simple metal sheets and locally sourced rocks, mainly sustained by a small generator. It covers a few hundred square meters and houses a dozen or so people, the rest being servitors doing manual labor and maintaining vigilance.

Thousands of such outposts dot the slag mountains, forming a crucial part of the Adeptus Mechanicus' "web of iron" strategy.

Of course, the Magi make decisions easily, but these lower-level priests bear the brunt of the hardship. The Mechanicum's augmentation capabilities are often directly tied to rank. Priests like them are little different from ordinary people, needing to eat, drink, and sleep, and they loathe the terrible environment. Given their position, they must take turns resting for safety.

Naturally, they are priests, and the truly dirty and exhausting work can be delegated to the acolytes, but even so, the two of them grumble daily.

More importantly, this work is not only tiring but also extremely dangerous. After all, a group of lurking aliens might be hiding in the rock layers beneath their feet. The slag mountains are riddled with a dense network of interconnected tunnels. The outposts on the front lines constantly face enemy attacks. In fact, every day, outposts are taken or destroyed by the enemy in various ways, and the people inside don't fare any better.

"What's not normal?"

Topping, holding a steaming cup of beverage, walked to his seat, ready to continue his seemingly endless data statistics and verification work, as well as sorting communications from all directions, including visual images submitted by the Skitarii.

Hugo turned his head, looking at the pink cup. His mechanical eye, which replaced his left eye, rotated once before he spoke:

"What's that?"

"Eyrie Coffee."

"Why didn't you get me a cup?"

"That was the last spoonful."

"So you drank our last spoonful of coffee?"

"I'm exhausted. Without caffeine, I'd go into shock, believe it or not."

"As if I'm not tired. When does the next resupply arrive?"

"A week."

"Another week?"

"I said a week ago."

"What's going on here..."

Somewhat annoyed, Hugo simply abandoned his work, poured himself a glass of water, and sat down in his chair.

"I still think those few Sicarian squads disappearing is abnormal."

Topping sat in his swivel chair, propping his head with one hand while rapidly typing lines of code on the simulated keyboard, replying weakly:

"Hundreds of Skitarii disappear in the tunnels every day."

"But they should at least transmit combat footage. In fact, their last coordinates are abnormal."

"Then go find them."

"I just want to finish this damn war quickly. I've only done half of that damned old metal can's research assignment."

"No wonder you're always secretly tinkering with something. I thought you were writing a diary. It's war; shouldn't it be postponed?"

"Postponed my cog! That old geezer only says things like, 'There are no impossible tasks, only incomplete people.' If I don't finish this, my next promotion assessment will be delayed by another three years! Three years after three years, I can't drag it out until I'm almost dead without reaching the rank of Second-Class Priest, can I?"

Topping then stopped his work, about to pick up his cup, but it was snatched away by the other.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Half for each of us."

"No, even this little bit—"

In the end, half of the coffee was taken away, and Topping could only sigh and lament while holding his cup.

"I'm about to rot away in that information relay station. If I can't see the end of this rebellion, I'll go to the temple every day. The Omnissiah hasn't given me any enlightenment. I even considered becoming a military chaplain. Didn't they recruit chaplains to serve in the Astra Militarum before?"

"You really want to hang out with those illiterate barbarians?"

"What else can I do? There's no way out. I've always wanted to replace my logic enhancer, but it's too expensive. I can't afford it now..."

As he spoke, Topping touched the back of his neck, where there was a glowing protrusion.

"Might as well find a female tech-priest to marry and have children."

"Even if I wanted to, I'd need to find a suitable one. Besides, I'm still renting an apartment. But after this rebellion in Cinder Furnace City, there might be a chance to buy my own independent residence at a low price. I have to check how much I have in my account when I get back."

At this moment, Hugo walked to Topping's side and glanced at the temporary prefab entrance. After confirming that no one was there, he whispered:

"Have you heard? An Astartes Chapter has arrived."

"Ah, I heard, the White Templars."

Topping took a sip of coffee and also looked outside, lowering his voice.

"Any special news?"

"I heard the Forge Overseer has left Precursor City to temporarily work in orbit. All the troops are now commanded by that Chapter Master. Also, do you know who this Chapter Master is?"

"Who is it?"

"Soshian Alexsey."

"Soshian Alexsey... sounds familiar."

"The one who fought a campaign in the Maelstrom not long ago! I think you should prioritize upgrading your memory storage!"

Topping then slapped his forehead and nodded in sudden realization.

"Oh, oh, I remember, that's the guy. Hmm? He... is he the Chapter Master of the White Templars?"

"No, he's the Chapter Master of the Star Knights."

"Ah, can Astartes command each other like that? I don't really understand this. Do you know?"

"I haven't studied it, but normally it shouldn't happen. However, the White Templars were also a Chapter in the Maelstrom Crusade. I guess... this Chapter Master Soshian might have high prestige, and other Chapters are willing to accept his leadership."

"Is that so? Why did you suddenly bring this up? Speaking of which, I've never understood why a Chapter would come here. Did someone ask for help from above?"

Hugo walked to the door and closed it. Then, he grabbed a chair from the side, sat down, leaned towards Topping, and said mysteriously:

"This is the main point. I also heard it from a good friend of mine in Precursor City. The higher-ups initially asked for help from another Forge World, but that Forge World seems to... listen to this Chapter Master."

Topping blinked.

"A Forge World listens to an Astartes—"

"It shows that this guy isn't just a simple Astartes. I'm thinking, if there's really no way out, we might consider—"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Hugo walked over to open it and found an acolyte looking at him nervously.

So he put on a stern expression and said in a deep voice:

"What is it?"

"Father Hugo, a strange Skitarii... has returned?"

"Why the questioning tone?"

"You'd better see for yourself."

Topping then walked over.

"What's wrong?"

"He says a strange Skitarii has arrived."