Chapter 357: Infiltrating Scintilla
Even some of the Tech-priests whom Cawl had judged in his own evaluation system as "ordinary" or "mediocre" had suddenly become geniuses. This was highly unreasonable. This was because Lucan's criteria for judging the value of these Tech-priests was not so narrow. He was not solely reliant on the technology of the Warhammer universe; after loading Stellaris, technology could also be unlocked through the System. Therefore, as long as their abilities were fundamentally competent, and as long as they were sufficiently loyal, they all had a chance to receive the modification.
And as this wave of modifications was carried out, not only did the research point income begin to rise, but the acquisition of Unity also began to strengthen again. If a Tech-priest's faith level in the Holy Machine (that is, Lucan) was originally "devout," then after receiving the modification, their faith level was now "fanatic." Even for the Emperor and the Four Gods, the number of true fanatics was not that large; every one was precious. Just as Pavian had exclaimed that the genetic ascension was an act of a Creator, the same was true for the other Tech-priests who had undergone the modification.
After arranging for Pavian to carry out the modifications, Lucan received the message from Rebecca that they could depart. Guilliman, taking his Honour Guard and two companies of Ultramarines, boarded Lucan's warship to travel with him to Scintilla. A portion of the Ghosts and the Blood Ravens had already been sent ahead. Damon and some of the Night Sentinels had also taken the opportunity to have Pavian perform the "Very Strong" genome modification on them. The majority of the Ultramarines' Astartes and warships remained on Agathos, undergoing their own retrofits.
As Lucan's fleet was about to arrive at Scintilla, the patriarchs of the three great houses were already waiting in their respective palaces on the planet. Even Pacini, the traitor who had already thrown in his lot with Chaos, felt extremely nervous about the arrival of Lucan and Guilliman.
He looked at Ovid and Clyde. "Gentlemen, we have reached a point of no return." Pacini reminded the two not to drop the ball.
"Pacini! Remember!" Clyde warned. "We are only to kill Lucan Mongorte! Do not, under any circumstances, make a move against the Imperial Regent! Otherwise, there will be no way out for any of us." He was aggressive, but he had his limits.
The more conservative Ovid said, "Let's not act directly. Let us first hear the purpose of Lord Lucan's and Lord Guilliman's visit. What if they are truly here to seek a reconciliation with us?"
However, Ovid's words seemed a bit naive, even to Clyde.
Everything was ready. They waited patiently in their palaces for the arrival of Lucan and Guilliman... and, most importantly, for the Tyrant Star, Komus.
At that moment, in the orbit of Scintilla, an ordinary merchant ship was docked.
Fletcher looked through the viewport at the fleet of warships docked at the starport and in orbit, his eyes filled with disdain. Are these things really warships? They built a cathedral on a ship?! What kind of weirdo...?
"Has human technology truly been lost and degraded to this point? These warships would be shattered with a single blow."
Combining this with the ship he was currently on, Fletcher already had a rough understanding of the current technological level of the human Imperium's warships. The seemingly massive vessels did not have the combat power that their size should have entailed.
The inspection of these merchant ships on Scintilla was not that strict. As the capital of the Calixis Sector, even after Lucan had taken control, this planet was still an important trade hub for the entire region. A large amount of cargo was transported here from the Koronus Expanse and then sent on to various other sectors.
"Identification code correct... Abnormal psionic index?!"
The official in charge of the initial screening manipulated the Cogitator before him and looked at the group disembarking from the merchant ship. The man at the head of the group had an arrogant air about him, but the ship they were on was completely ordinary. With the Dynasty's current status, even the nobles or governors of a normal planet would not show such an expression to their soldiers. This Dynasty officer just thought he was some backwater noble who had never seen the world. They encountered people like that all the time. However, the other party's appearance was a bit too perfect.
But the abnormal psionic index still aroused the soldiers' vigilance. The officer immediately notified a squad of soldiers in powersuits to surround them.
"Everyone, hands on your heads! Submit to an inspection! What's with the psychic energy on you?!"
Faced with the soldier's questioning, Fletcher was on the verge of exploding. Hands on my head? Are you kidding me?! And the powersuits they're wearing... aren't they identical to those of the invaders on Komus?
However, Collins at his side immediately stepped forward. "We are Navigators! We are here to attend the meeting convened by Lord Lucan!"
Hearing his words, the officer relaxed a little. Collins did not want to expose themselves now and disrupt the plans of the Lord of Change. After re-confirming that their identification code was indeed on the registration list for this meeting, the officer had his soldiers lower their weapons. However, he still didn't give them a pleasant look. These soldiers were also aware of the secret disputes between the Dynasty and these Navigators. On any other day, they would have definitely given these people who had dared to defy the will of Lord Lucan a hard time. But with the convening of this meeting, they had all received orders to let the Navigators pass.
"Hmph! Remember, the soldiers of the Dynasty will be watching you closely," the officer warned. "Anyone who dares to cause trouble on Scintilla will be met with the most severe sanctions from the Dynasty!" With that, the soldiers opened a path for them.
"Lord Fletcher, please be patient for now," Collins's voice whispered in his ear. "Komus is not yet fully prepared."
When had Fletcher ever been treated like this? But he knew Collins was right. Before he could retake everything that belonged to them, he had to have a certain understanding of the current world. After all, this was the world that that man had created.
"Hmph," Fletcher controlled his emotions. He had also noticed the powersuits the soldiers were wearing. "Collins, are those the 'powersuits' you spoke of?"
"Yes, my lord. They were brought by the one named Lucan. It is also an important pillar that maintains his rule. His soldiers, relying on these things, have killed many of your servants."
"Hmph. Trash," Fletcher said, expressing his disdain without reservation. "After more than 30,000 years, you are still helpless against these things?"
If power armor was a rare tool that could enhance a soldier's combat effectiveness for the humans of this era, then for the humans of the Golden Age, it was not much to look at. In the Golden Age, they had equipped the workers who toiled in harsh environments with similar armor. It could even be said that the Terminator Armour that the Astartes now regarded as a sacred relic was just an improved version based on the archeotech of these things. It was just that the current Tech-priests had made more combat-oriented modifications to it. Even the Imperial Knights, which were called "Holy Machines," were nothing more than the logging and pioneering tools used during the colonization period of the Golden Age, and were just conventional weapons used to deal with the native dangerous creatures of a planet.
"You are right, my lord. It is all due to our incompetence. That is why we need your great self to lead us once again!"
Collins bowed his head very low, his tone filled with humility. But in his heart, he was mocking Fletcher. So what if you are noble and powerful? You are nothing but a tool in the hands of the great Changer of Ways.