Chapter 29: The "Vegetables" of Catachan
The situation was excellent. While others were preparing to kill each other over a single starch bar, the district under the command of "Warmaster Omega" was already enjoying two meat-filled meals a day.
All of this was thanks to the great and mighty Grox.
The Grox is a large, fast, and highly aggressive reptilian creature originating from the Solomon system. After this system was absorbed by the Imperium of Man, it was discovered that the animal possessed many desirable traits, such as the ability to survive in almost any environment and to thrive on even the most indigestible food. The Grox's digestive system is so efficient that it can subsist on common minerals and can survive for weeks on a diet of only rocks and soil.
Adult Grox can reach a length of about five meters. Their meat is delicious and nutritious, and every part of their body can be consumed. Due to their immense value as livestock, they were subsequently introduced to other planets throughout the galaxy, and the Grox is now the most common livestock animal in the entire Imperium.
However, wild Grox that have not undergone lobotomization are extremely territorial, solitary, and will attack any creature that comes into their sight—including other Grox.
"So, the Grox down here are the descendants of some that were thrown down by a cog-head who wanted to make a quick buck from ranching?" Omega asked Louis, a piece of steak dangling from his mouth.
Louis slapped his forehead in exasperation. He had noticed that ever since Omega started calling himself "Warmaster," his speech and mannerisms had begun to resemble those of a brutish Astra Militarum officer. "It's also possible they were for studying the Grox's digestive system, which can turn minerals into meat."
"As expected, anyone who can make it in this galaxy has a few dirty tricks up their sleeve," Omega said with a swagger.
"Omega, mind your decorum. You are a priest of the Omnissiah!" Louis reminded him.
"Oh."
Seeing Omega's indifferent attitude, Louis felt a wave of exhaustion. He was about to say more, but Omega had already taken his plate and walked away. Louis could only shake his head and get back to his own work.
Omega took his plate to the dishwashing area and handed it to the female workers who were using sand to dry-scrub the pots and pans.
"Priest Omega, have you eaten your fill?" one of the women asked, taking the plate and cutlery from him.
"Yep. Are you all able to keep up with so many people eating here?"
"This is nothing. Back in the factory, it was much..." The woman realized she had said something she shouldn't have and looked nervously at the small priest before her.
Omega didn't mind at all. He had always detested the practice of treating people like machines. "It's fine, don't worry. They can do it, but we can't talk about it? Just don't say things like that in front of the other priests."
"Of course. We only dare to speak like this in front of you."
"Good. I'm heading out. If you have any opinions or ideas, tell your foreman. He'll report to me."
"Understood, Priest Omega."
The discharge well building and its surroundings were now completely different from a few days ago. While leaving the existing network of pipes intact, the walls of the building had been demolished. The space had been re-purposed into a "meat processing plant," with designated areas for butchering, sorting, processing, cleaning, and storage. One of the warehouses in the district had been converted by Omega into a communal mess hall. Workers and priests had to present their personal identification chits to receive their daily rations.
Just as Omega arrived at the entrance to the mess hall, he saw Magos Laust leading several "mechanical monstrosities" who were clearly Magi towards the building.
"Greetings, Magos Laust," Omega said, proactively greeting him. He was always respectful to the Magos in front of outsiders.
Laust didn't respond to Omega. Instead, he said to the Magi beside him, "This is the Priest Omega I was telling you about. He is in charge of all of this."
One of the Magi sized up Omega and praised him. "Praise the Omnissiah. To achieve such a feat in these circumstances is truly remarkable."
Hmm? This Magos is quite the smooth-talker. Quick, tell me what your conspiracy is! Omega's mind was screaming "conspiracy," but on the surface, he put on the bashful expression of a child being praised. "Haha, is that so? Am I really that amazing? Magos Laust taught me everything!"
Omega's thought: If you have any schemes, direct them at Magos Laust. He's the Magos, he's the mastermind!
"Hmph. I told you this little brat was a sly one. A little devil with a belly full of tricks," Laust said, unceremoniously exposing Omega's act.
Omega's thought: Magos, how could you sell out your comrade? You traitor! (ꐦÒ‸Ó)
"Stop your scheming. These are all good friends of mine. They're here to cooperate with us."
"Oh, understood, Magos," Omega, the honest child, replied. Why didn't you say so earlier? (ಠ︵ಠ凸
Laust led the Magi into the mess hall. Omega brazenly followed behind. He, the great "Warmaster," was fully qualified to participate in such a high-level meeting. He wanted to get first-hand information about the war outside. The entire Forge World was currently "offline." Besides Laust, who could still contact the outside world through his private network, everyone else was in the dark.
But no one knew what Laust was doing in the temple all day. Everyone else was running around frantically, while he stayed in the temple like a retired old man. He didn't help, and he didn't share any information. Omega was so frustrated that he had suggested several times in his "war council" meetings that Laust should lend him the robots from his treasury to "play with." Unfortunately, the other cowardly priests neither supported nor opposed the idea. Otherwise, Omega would have long since pried open Laust's treasury under the banner of "the greater good."
"It seems you weren't lying, Laust. You really did find a food source underground."
"Hah. Is it my fault you didn't believe me?"
"Theoretically, it's almost impossible. It seems there's something going on down there that we don't know about."
"Based on my many years of... archeological experience, I smell the blessing of the Omnissiah!"
Omega's eyes widened. (⊙∀⊙)! Treasure!
"Haha, praise the Omnissiah. It seems this is a blessing in disguise."
"Laust, don't tell me you haven't noticed anything unusual. Since you've called us all here, tell us what you've found."
"I have indeed noticed something unusual, but I haven't found anything concrete. The situation underground is more complex than you think. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a 'little Catachan'."
"Oh! Now you've really piqued my interest," a cog-head who was likely a Biologis Magos said excitedly.
"There might also be Orks."
"Mother of Electro-Priests!" the Biologis cog-head swore. "How did Greenskins get in there?"
"You should ask yourself."
"..." The Biologis cog-head was speechless.
Omega interjected, "Magos Laust, the Magi have traveled a long way and probably haven't eaten. Why don't we let them sample our local specialty?"
"A fine idea. It's my only hobby, and I've been drinking nutrient paste for weeks."
"Indulging in the pleasures of the palate, how can you..."
"You haven't replaced your mouth and tongue with mechanical parts either. You can watch me eat in a bit."
"..."
Omega, now playing the role of the gracious host, didn't have time to listen to the Magi's bickering. He scurried to the back of the kitchen, looking for a figure who stood out among the cooks. "Priest Anthony, we have important guests! Bring out your signature dish!"
Priest Anthony was the resident gourmand among the priests. His hobbies were tasting and cooking fine food and collecting recipes. Since the workers had only ever eaten starch bars and nutrient paste, none of them knew how to cook. Anthony was now in charge of training the chefs. At the same time, with the wide variety of creatures underground, he was also responsible for developing new recipes and cooking methods to expand their food sources, turning the poisonous into the non-poisonous, the inedible into the palatable, and the indigestible into the absorbable.
Anthony had thrown himself into his new job with immense passion. He spent his days either on the front lines, supervising the collection of "ingredients," or in the kitchen, researching them. He had even cobbled together a bed for himself in the mess hall.
"Oh? Do we have visitors at a time like this?" Anthony asked, his gaze shifting from the dissected, eyeless snake before him to Omega.
"Friends of Magos Laust are here."
"Then we can't be neglectful. Leave it to me!"
About half an hour after Omega returned to the Magi's side, Anthony himself pushed a food cart out from the kitchen. He placed a series of beautifully plated, aromatic dishes before the Magi.
"Please, Magi, enjoy!"
"This looks wonderful. For a moment, I almost forgot we were at war."
"Oh-ho, and fresh vegetables! They look like they were just picked. I haven't had anything this fresh even when we weren't at war."
"I can't miss this. Let me try some... hmm, sweet, with a delicate fragrance. The juices... there's a strange aftertaste that gives my brain a peculiar sensation. Strange! Very strange!"
"Oh, let me try... hmm, indeed. There seems to be a slight hallucinogenic component in the juices. The creativity of this dish is very bold, very innovative. Laust, you have a wealth of talent under you. Could the priest introduce how this salad was made?"
Hearing the praise from the Magi, Anthony couldn't contain his excitement. "Of course, Magos. It is my honor to receive your praise."
"It is not praise, it is a statement of fact."
"Thank you, Magos. The secret to this salad's success is primarily the ingredients themselves."
"The ingredients? What ingredients could be so magical?"
"Brain lobes," Anthony replied.