To the Imperium, Mutants are a rather unwelcome existence.
After all, genetic mutation was something the Emperor, who still walked among men in the ancient era, found very difficult to accept.
This was a stubborn ailment left over from the Old Night era, when Warp Storms shrouded the galaxy and human civilization was fragmented and isolated.
In those dark ages, countless human colonies were isolated and helpless, their gene pools inevitably sliding towards mutation under the influence of isolation and Warp whispers.
To give a simple example, the Sol System alone had multiple pocket empires or forces such as the various warlords of Terra, the Lunar Gene Cult, the Mars Mechanicus, and the Saturn Tech-Cabal.
The Emperor first launched the Unification Wars to integrate the resources of the entire Terra, and only then did he conquer the Moon, persuade Mars, and sign a treaty with Saturn, assembling twenty Legions of Astartes, military equipment sufficient to launch the Great Crusade, and the legendary Solar Auxilia, which could achieve favorable exchange ratios against the Astartes.
(According to the latest Saturn lore, after the Saturn Tech-Cabal joined the Imperium, their army was reorganized into the Solar Auxilia.)
It is conceivable what the human civilization, once spread throughout the galaxy, would mutate into after its fragmentation due to the influence of the Warp Storms.
A well-known rumor in the 3k era, which could not be considered a mere rumor, stated that the Imperium determined whether something was human by examining its skull; if the skull was humanoid, it was human, and human genes had been altered to be less than those of a banana.
The first half of this statement is correct, but the second half is pure nonsense.
The Imperium examines skulls to determine the degree of mutation, not to determine if the genes still belong to humanity.
Because when humans are affected by the Warp and mutate, their skulls are often already severely mutated, which usually represents the degradation of the soul.
It is precisely because of this that horns on the head and non-humanoid skulls are regarded by the Imperium as signs of severe degradation and truly warrant purification.
However, general limb and flesh mutations are within the Imperium's tolerable range.
It is precisely because of this that Genestealers, who look not much different from humans, can often conceal their identities, even infiltrating the noble courts of Imperial Worlds and corrupting entire planets.
——
Inside the Port Authority Building, Alex was questioning the Great Sister about the Mutants.
"Who is currently in charge of New Earth Island Airport? Where is the former Airport Governor?" Alex looked around, not seeing the Governor responsible for the airport's daily management, his tone carrying an inquiry.
Great Sister Katarina stood ramrod straight, the servo mechanisms of her Power Armor humming faintly. Her voice was as hard as metal: "The former Airport Governor was infected by Genestealers, Inquisitor.
He and his core adherents have been purified. Currently, the main daily affairs of New Earth Island Airport are temporarily managed by myself and my Adepta Sororitas."
She paused, forcibly suppressing the impatience in her voice, but her aversion to administrative work was still clearly discernible: "Inquisitor, please send someone to take over this management position as soon as possible! I am truly not skilled at management.
Compared to these documents and scheduling, I yearn more to purify those Mutants and heretics for His Majesty the Saint! That is the duty of a Battle Sisters!"
"Great Sister Katarina, I understand, I understand…" Alex sighed, a hint of helplessness on his face: "Frankly, I also dislike these management tasks. But it is our duty to maintain the airport's operation.
Rostov Sub-Sector is currently extremely short on manpower, not just basic laborers, but qualified managers are equally hard to find."
His eyes, filled with earnestness, looked at the Great Sister: "Until a new Airport Governor arrives, I appoint you as acting Governor. You may manage this place according to your own ideas and wishes—of course, within the framework of Imperial law and Ecclesiarchy doctrine.
If you have any needs, you can also tell me, and I will try my best to fulfill them."
Great Sister Katarina's expression instantly became extremely complex.
Obeying orders is the Battle Sisters's sacred duty, but to make her manage those Imperial citizens whom she considered "flawed," especially to tolerate less pious behavior, was simply an ordeal to her faith.
"Inquisitor, I obey your command." Her voice held a struggle: "But you know, my sisters are the sword for purifying heretics, not the shepherd's crook for comforting ignorant souls!
We know how to command combat squads to purify heretic strongholds, but we don't know how to… how to 'manage' those subjects who have weak faith in His Majesty the Saint, or even harbor idleness! This makes us feel… pained."
She finally couldn't help but bring up the core contradiction.
"As for the Mutants…" Her words stopped abruptly, but the burning, zero-tolerance attitude towards any form of "alien" and "corruption" in her eyes had already said it all.
Alex completely understood this conflict stemming from the depths of faith.
He took a step closer, his voice low and serious: "I understand your zero-tolerance attitude towards heretics, that is beyond doubt.
But Katarina, please remember, those less pious citizens, and those subjects who bear mutations due to misfortune, they are still Imperial citizens, members of humanity.
Irresponsibly sending all of them to the pyre is a great waste, and an affront to the Emperor's grace.
'Life is the Emperor's currency; we should use it wisely, not waste it.'
Guiding them, letting them serve the Imperium in useful positions, this is also a difficult dedication, perhaps more testing of patience than purifying a battlefield."
"I… understand, Inquisitor." Great Sister Katarina took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing her inner conflict. Ultimately, obedience and rational consideration prevailed: "I will do my best to fulfill the duties of acting Governor until a successor arrives.
But I must again request that you quickly dispatch personnel skilled in management and preaching to assist, especially in handling those issues of faith."
She quickly turned the topic to a more practical issue that better suited her current duties: "Additionally, regarding those Mutant settlements in the airport's underground pipe areas, how do you plan to deal with them?
Under the former Governor's policy of 'limited restraint and management,' they have formed stable settlements, even with families and communities, and their numbers are considerable."
The former Airport Governor's policy was: as long as the Mutants did not damage the underground structures and pipes, their existence would be tolerated.
Security forces would regularly clear out those severely mutated individuals deemed dangerous.
The advantage of this was that Mutants handled a large amount of the airport's waste and could supplement sailors for incoming and outgoing ships, enhancing the airport's appeal.
But the drawbacks were equally obvious: mutation worsened through inheritance, Mutants could not receive treatment, and deepening despair and mutation made them more susceptible to Warp contamination, becoming a potential breeding ground for Chaos cults.
They were part of the Imperium, yet excluded, dangerous "outcasts."
Alex's gaze became focused and pragmatic; this was one of his key considerations for this trip.
"The old management method was 'out of sight, out of mind,' which does not solve the fundamental problem but instead buries hidden dangers," he explained his plan: "My idea is to bring them under effective management.
By regularly distributing basic medical drugs, we can control the extent of their mutation, preventing it from deteriorating to an unmanageable state.
At the same time, we will utilize them as labor—those with mild mutations can be assigned simple jobs such as porters.
The airport, having been purified, is also lacking in basic labor.
This will not only alleviate our manpower shortage but, more importantly, placing them under management will allow for effective monitoring, reducing their risk of being deceived by Chaos cults and improving public order."
Great Sister Katarina listened carefully. Although allowing Mutants to exist "legally" and providing them with medical support still made her instinctively uncomfortable, Alex's logic was clear and aligned with the practical needs of Rostov Sub-Sector—manpower shortage and stability above all else.
Especially the two points of using them to fill labor gaps and curb the proliferation of Chaos were extremely valuable for the current Sub-Sector.
She weighed her options carefully and finally nodded: "Inquisitor, I understand your considerations! This… indeed aligns with the current practical needs of Rostov Sub-Sector.
I will attempt to bring those underground settlements under management, provide limited medical support and drugs as you instructed, and identify usable laborers to assign them work."
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