The eastern canyon had transformed into a veritable meat grinder. The steel defensive line formed by the Dreadnoughts was like a divine judgment from the Emperor, crushing the surging Ork heavy assault again and again at the scorching entrance. The air was thick with a nauseating stench—ozone, burning metal, charred flesh, and the unique mix of fungi and excrement peculiar to greenskins, enough to instantly knock out an unmodified mortal.
Squad Seven, relying on the absolute firepower advantage provided by the Dreadnoughts, efficiently cleared Ork stragglers attempting to infiltrate from the flanks or lucky enough to break through the fire net. Gaius' Bolter fired almost incessantly, with bursts, sprays, and magazine changes, his movements as fluid as a machine. The fatigue from the nanomachines, in the continuous high-intensity combat, was forcibly suppressed by adrenaline and willpower. They seemed to be adapting to this consumption as well, no longer transmitting a weary hum, but a deeper, more muscle-memory-aligned sense of synergy. Every aim, every dodge, carried a fluidity that was almost prescient.
However, the Orks' WAAAGH!!! energy did not diminish due to heavy casualties; instead, it grew even more frenzied. More greenskins surged from the depths of the canyon, trampling over the remains of their comrades and machinery, letting out even more insane howls. Some exceptionally large and well-equipped Ork Warbosses began to appear, driving their boyz with crude roars and brutal floggings into almost suicidal charges.
"This will never end!" Dorian roared, blasting a squad of Orks attempting to approach the Macragge's Fist with his heavy Bolter, "They're more numerous than cockroaches!"
"Hold the line! Air support is clearing their staging areas behind them!" Talos' voice remained calm, but his plasma gun's charging frequency noticeably increased, and the steam from its overheating barrel formed a faint white mist around his armor.
Just then, an anomaly occurred!
Several extremely thick, highly unstable green energy beams suddenly rose from behind the Ork lines, shooting into the sky like twisted lightning! They did not attack Imperial forces but exploded like fireworks in mid-air, transforming into countless tiny, crackling green energy tendrils that rapidly spread and intertwined, forming a huge, flickering energy network covering a good portion of the battlefield!
"WAAAGH field interference! Extremely high intensity!" Elisa warned urgently, "Communications blocked! Sensors malfunctioning! Navigation signals lost!"
Almost simultaneously, all Ultramarines' communication channels erupted with piercing static noise. Friendly and enemy markers on the tactical map began to flicker violently, distort, and finally turn into static. Even the low growl of the Dreadnoughts' public address system became intermittent, interspersed with incomprehensible noise.
What was worse, the green energy network seemed to have a powerful interfering and destructive effect on precision electronic equipment. Elisa's data slate screen instantly went black, emitting tiny electrical sparks. The Astartes' power armor servo systems made ominous creaking sounds, their movements became slightly sluggish, and the readings on their helmet displays jumped erratically. Even the Dreadnoughts' movements experienced a momentary stutter—in the rapidly changing battlefield, this was fatal!
"This is a Tech-Priest's trick!" Talos instantly assessed the situation, "They want to cripple our technological advantage! Prepare for boarding action!"
Before he finished speaking, the Orks seized this brief opportunity! Taking advantage of the Imperial forces' disrupted command and coordination, and the tiny gaps in the fire net, large numbers of Ork infantry, including those Warbosses and more Deff Dreads, let out earth-shattering roars and launched a full-scale charge! They no longer sought long-range firefights but, like a bursting dam, rushed directly towards the Dreadnoughts' steel defensive line, attempting to overwhelm everything with sheer numbers and close-quarters melee!
"For the Emperor! For Macragge! Prepare for close combat!" Talos roared, drawing his power sword first, its blue disintegration field humming to life.
All Ultramarines immediately switched to close combat mode. The roar of chainswords, the hum of power fists, and the whistle of power swords instantly replaced the thunder of Bolters, becoming the main theme of the battlefield.
The real test began now!
The Corax's Fury Dreadnought let out an excited battle roar though intermittently due to interference, its massive power fist slamming out like a pile driver. Each strike could smash several Orks, along with their armor, into pulp, while its storm Bolter fired at close range, shredding any grots and boyz attempting to climb onto it. But more greenskins swarmed like ants, savagely hacking at its armor with crude axes, great hammers, and even teeth.
The Emperor's Shield was forced to abandon precise long-range sniping, using its heavy chassis to directly ram and crush approaching enemies, its laser cannon firing at extremely close range. Each shot could vaporize a line of Orks, but the cool-down time also left it dangerously surrounded.
The Macragge's Fist's twin assault cannons had to raise their firing arc to avoid friendly fire, and its flamers spewed wildly, creating a wall of fire around itself. Yet, countless Orks roared and charged through the flames, throwing themselves forward, covered in fire!
Squad Seven was also embroiled in a bitter struggle. They formed a small defensive circle around the Dreadnoughts, fending off enemies pouring through the gaps in the steel giants.
Gaius' chainsword roared, splitting an incoming Ork boy from shoulder to hip, green blood and viscera splattering onto his armor. Another Ork swung a huge choppa, and Gaius sidestepped, his power fist crushing the opponent's knee, then finishing him with a sword thrust as he fell. His combat style was more efficient and precise; the nanomachines' enhancement kept his reactions and strength at their peak, even allowing him to catch the most subtle signs of danger on the battlefield and preemptively evade or parry. But the enemy numbers were simply too great, as if they would never run out.
Dorian's heavy Bolter became useless in close combat, so he drew a massive power axe, wielding it like a berserker. Each swing carried a tearing whistle through the air, cleaving Orks along with their weapons. His roar even drowned out the noise of the chainswords: "Come on! Green-skinned scum! Let your Grandpa Dorian teach you a lesson!"
Elisa, on the other hand, struggled more. She was not specialized in close combat, and the failure of her data slate and sensors deprived her of her greatest advantage. She used a relatively lightweight power sword and an arm-mounted Bolter, relying more on agile movement and precise thrusts to protect herself and the squad's flank, a precarious situation.
Sergeant Talos was the linchpin of the defense. His power swordmanship was exquisitely superb; every swing seemed calculated with the utmost precision, always achieving the greatest results with the least cost. He parried, dodged, and delivered fatal blows, dancing on the edge of death, firmly guarding the team's most critical position.
The battle became extremely brutal and chaotic. The clash of power weapons against crude metal, the dull thud of chainswords tearing flesh, the howls of Orks, the battle cries of Astartes, the roar of explosions, and the heavy thud of Dreadnoughts' footsteps intertwined, forming a bloody symphony. Green blood and black oil merged into streams, flowing freely over the scorched earth, with dismembered limbs and shattered weapons scattered everywhere.
Gaius felt his stamina rapidly depleting. Nanomachines could enhance performance but could not generate energy out of thin air. Every swing of his sword, every parry, was draining his muscles and willpower. The armor on his left side was already covered in dents and claw marks, and the servo system protested with signs of overload.
Just as he parried a huge Ork choppa and, with the momentum, thrust his chainsword into the opponent's chest, he caught a glimpse of an unusually tall figure out of the corner of his eye—an Ork Warboss, wearing power armor pieced together from thick steel plates and crude bolts, wielding a massive power klaw (though crude, it indeed shimmered with an energy field), had broken through the Corax's Fury's interception and was roaring as it charged towards Sergeant Talos' right flank! Talos was currently entangled with three Deff Dreads and could not spare any attention!
"Sergeant! Watch your right!" Gaius roared, unhesitatingly slamming into two blocking Orks and charging towards the Warboss!
The Warboss noticed Gaius' interception and let out a contemptuous roar, its massive power klaw, with a force that seemed to tear everything apart, clawed down at him! Its speed and strength far surpassed that of ordinary Orks!
Gaius' pupils constricted, and he raised his chainsword with all his might to parry!
Clang—!!!!
A deafening crash! Gaius felt as if he had been hit by a speeding Rhino, and he slid backward uncontrollably. The chainsword's teeth and the power klaw's energy field violently rubbed against each other, erupting in blinding sparks and energy turbulence! His arm was numb with pain, and the chainsword almost flew from his grasp!
"Little shrimp! You seek death!" the Ork Warboss roared, aiming its massive Ork Big Shoota at Gaius with its other hand!
In this critical moment, the nanomachines in Gaius' left half buzzed with unprecedented intensity! They were no longer merely enhancing; they seemed to instantly take over partial control of his body, driving him to perform an emergency evasion maneuver far beyond his usual limits, almost impossible! Simultaneously, a stream of close-quarters combat data from a Primarch's memory flooded his mind!
His body deflected the Ork Big Shoota's firing line by mere millimeters, the scorching solid slug grazing his shoulder plate. At the same time, he used the momentum of his retreat to duck low, no longer rigidly parrying with the chainsword, but skillfully deflecting and redirecting the immense force of the power klaw to one side, exposing an extremely brief opening in the Ork Warboss' defense!
Now!
Gaius' power fist, like a cannonball, slammed hard into the Ork Warboss' unprotected abdomen!
Thud!
A heavy thud! Even with the power armor's cushioning, the Ork Warboss was staggered backward by this punch, which contained terrifying power, letting out a pained grunt!
Gaius pressed his advantage, his chainsword roaring again as it slashed towards the opponent's neck!
But the Warboss was incredibly fierce; it forcibly blocked the chainsword with its power klaw, and its other hand raised the Ork Big Shoota again!
Just then, a searing plasma bolt grazed Gaius' helmet, accurately hitting the Ork Warboss' Ork Big Shoota, melting it and half of its arm into molten metal!
It was Talos! He had finally dealt with the trouble around him at the crucial moment and provided support!
The Ork Warboss let out an enraged roar, but having lost its ranged weapon, it wildly swung its power klaw, charging at Gaius even more frantically.
"Together! Finish it!" Talos shouted, forming a pincer attack with Gaius.
Under their coordinated efforts, the powerful Ork Warboss finally succumbed. Talos' power sword found an opening, piercing the joint of its leg, forcing it to its knees. Gaius' chainsword then seized the opportunity, roaring as it cut into the seam of its neck armor!
Green blood gushed like a fountain! The Ork Warboss' massive body swayed, then finally crashed to the ground, the red glow in its eyes extinguished.
Gaius gasped for breath, the brief but intense engagement having almost completely drained his remaining stamina. He looked at the massive fallen corpse, then at his slightly trembling left arm, covered in nanomachines, a complex emotion flashing through his mind. They had saved him at the critical moment, but they also brought him closer to the possibility he did not want to face.
"Well done, brother," Talos said with a hint of approval. "Can you still fight?"
"Anytime, Sergeant," Gaius forced himself to stand straight, re-gripping his Chainsword.
The surrounding battle continued, but the Ork assault seemed to falter slightly after the death of their leader. Just then, the green energy network in the sky began to flicker violently, becoming unstable—evidently, Imperial forces or air support in the rear had found and struck the interference source.
The static in the comms channel diminished, and the markers on the tactical map gradually reappeared.
"Interference is weakening! Re-form ranks! Purge all xenos!" Talos seized the opportunity and commanded loudly.
The Dreadnoughts, with restored comms and sensor functions, once again unleashed their full power, their twin assault cannons and laser cannons roaring back to become the main theme of the battlefield. The Ultramarines' morale soared, and they launched a counterattack.
This brutal canyon defense battle finally seemed to see the dawn of victory. But Gaius knew this was just a microcosm of countless battlefields on Haros IV, and the war with the Orks was far from over. And within him, another, more secret, more dangerous war had just begun. The whispers from the Lord of Change still seemed to faintly echo in the smoke-filled air.
The green energy network in the sky twitched and flickered violently like a dying behemoth, finally disintegrating in a reluctant shriek of energy, turning into rapidly dissipating green light particles falling from the sky. The powerful interference of the WAAAGH! field suddenly vanished, like cotton being pulled from one's ears, and the sounds of the battlefield instantly became clear and sharp—the whistling of Bolters, the clash of weapons, the roars of warriors, and most importantly, the clear and urgent command voices that once again filled the comms channels!
"—Interference cleared! All units report status!" "—Air support in position! Falcon Squadron, clear enemy concentrations on the east side of the canyon!" "—Dreadnought Company, report damage! Hold fast, brothers!"
The static on the tactical map disappeared, and the blue markers of friendly forces and red markers of enemy forces reappeared steadily, injecting order and visibility back into the chaotic battlefield.
Almost at the same time as communications were restored, a completely different engine roar, representing the absolute air superiority of the Imperium, descended from above the clouds like a sacred judgment Gaius! Four Imperial Navy Lightning fighter jets, like steel falcons, tore through the spore-clouded sky, diving at an almost vertical angle!
Their nose-mounted laser cannons and wing-mounted missiles locked onto the Ork Cluster below, which was in momentary disarray due to the disappearance of interference, especially those heavy units still attempting to breach the defensive line!
"For the Emperor! Purge the xenos!" The pilot's cold and efficient voice came through the public channel.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—!
Precision-guided missiles, trailing white contrails like the kiss of death, accurately slammed into the densest Ork areas and among the lumbering Killa Kans and Deff Dreads!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of earth-shattering explosions erupted one after another! Flames shot into the sky, and shrapnel flew everywhere! Ork heavy vehicles were turned into burning scrap metal under the precise strikes, and the surrounding greenskin infantry fell in swathes like mown wheat, with severed limbs and broken weapons thrown into the air by the violent shockwaves!
Immediately after, the Lightning fighter jets pulled up again, their laser cannons screaming, and scorching beams, like the scourges of a god, precisely swept across the battlefield, vaporizing and igniting exposed Ork squads! Their attacks were efficient and ruthless, forming a stark contrast to the brutal and bloody close combat of the ground forces, demonstrating the destructive power of Imperial technology.
The air strike came timely and fiercely, instantly breaking and crushing the offensive momentum that the Orks had painstakingly organized! Although the surviving greenskins still howled, having lost the support of heavy units and unified command , they became chaotic and blind, no longer able to form organized waves of assault.
"Counterattack! For Macragge!" Sergeant Talos seized this fleeting opportunity, raising his Power Sword and issuing the command to charge!
The Ultramarines, who had been holding back, surged forward like uncaged tigers, following the Dreadnoughts that had re-stabilized their lines and were advancing steadily, launching a counter-charge against the disorganized Orks!
Bolters roared again, Chainswords spun wildly again, and Power Fists crushed bones again! This time, the offensive was completely one-sided. Although individual Orks were still ferocious, without organization and heavy firepower, they were systematically annihilated under the overwhelming force of the organized Astartes squads and Dreadnoughts.
Gaius advanced with the squad, his Bolter precisely eliminating any Ork leaders attempting to resist or flee. The nanomachines within him also seemed to sense the turn of the tide, transmitting a feeling of stable operation, assisting him in efficiently carrying out the cleansing mission. But deep down, he vividly remembered the preternatural evasion and attack from earlier—it wasn't just enhancement, it was almost a temporary "hosting." This made him feel a hint of unease.
The battle quickly turned from an intense offensive and defensive struggle into a one-sided cleanup. The remaining Orks were either eliminated or screamed and fled back into the depths of the canyon, leaving behind a field of corpses and burning wreckage.
"Secure the battlefield! Collect trophies! Recover the gene-seed of the wounded and fallen brothers!" The commander's order came.
Squad Seven and other units began carefully checking each Ork corpse to ensure they were truly dead and searching for the remains of their own warriors. The atmosphere was heavy and solemn. The joy of victory was diluted by the sorrow of fallen comrades, an eternal fate for the Astartes.
Tech-Priests and medical officers moved across the battlefield, urgently repairing severely damaged Dreadnoughts and Power Armor, and rescuing critically wounded warriors.
Gaius helped drag a brother, whose leg had been severely hacked by an Ork choppa and was almost severed, to a relatively safe area and handed him over to a medical officer. He watched the medical officer skillfully use hemostatic foam and temporary splints, gaining a deeper understanding of the brutality of war.
After approximately one standard hour of battlefield cleanup and initial repairs, the order to withdraw was finally given. Thunderhawk Gunships and transport aircraft formations descended again, picking up the ground forces to return to the fleet in orbit.
Gaius boarded the Thunderhawk Gunship with his squad. The atmosphere inside the cabin was silent, the armor of the team members covered in scars and grime, many of them wounded. Dorian sat quietly in a corner, uncharacteristically not shouting, just meticulously wiping his Power Axe, which was stained with green blood. Elisa, meanwhile, was rapidly checking a data-slate, recording combat data and equipment damage.
Sergeant Talos counted the numbers, and only after confirming all surviving team members had boarded, did he sit next to Gaius. He glanced at the deep dent on Gaius' left arm, caused by an Ork Power Klaw, and the exposed, slightly wriggling silver-gray nano-repair tissue, remaining silent for a moment.
"Thank you… for earlier," Talos' voice was low but clear.
"Just doing my duty, Sergeant," Gaius responded.
"Not just intercepting that leader," Talos' gaze was sharp. "During the strongest interference, I noticed your movements… unusually fluid, even anticipating some attacks that couldn't be detected by sensors. Was that the effect of those 'things'?"
Gaius hesitated, then nodded: "Yes. They… seemed to provide assistance beyond the usual at critical moments. But I'm not sure if this is good or bad."
Talos mused: "Weapons are neither good nor bad, it's about the one who wields them. The Emperor grants us Chainswords; they can purge xenos and harm comrades. Remember your choices in battle—you used it to protect comrades and destroy enemies. That is enough. As for its origin… once we return to Macragge's Honour, we will need a thorough evaluation with the Chief Apothecary, Tech-Priests, and even the Chapter Master. But until then, remain vigilant, and remain confident."
"Understood, Sergeant."
The Thunderhawk Gunship broke through the atmosphere of Haros IV, leaving the still war-torn planet behind, and headed towards the massive battleship Macragge's Honour.
After the docking procedure, the Thunderhawk landed smoothly inside the battleship's vast hangar. The hatch opened, and the familiar scent of the battleship's internal air circulation system wafted in; although still mixed with oil and ozone, it was much purer than the smoke and blood-filled, polluted air on the planet's surface.
Exhausted warriors disembarked from the gunship one by one. Ground crew and Tech-Priests immediately surrounded them, conducting initial inspections and guidance. The bodies of the fallen were solemnly carried to the reliquary, awaiting subsequent rituals. The wounded were swiftly sent to the medical deck.
Gaius followed his squad to the designated equipment maintenance and debriefing area. He noticed that the atmosphere inside the battleship seemed even more somber than when they left. The number of patrolling warriors had increased, and they were all unfamiliar, veteran faces belonging to the Chapter Master's Honor Guard or the First Company; their gazes sharply swept over everyone who passed, including Gaius himself. The internal purge was clearly still ongoing, and even more tense.
In the equipment maintenance room, Tech-Priests began to remove the damaged Power Armor from the warriors for detailed inspection and repair. When a Tech-Priest attempted to examine the damage to Gaius' left arm and the nanomachines, Talos stepped forward, spoke a few words quietly to the Tech-Priest, and showed some kind of authorization code. The Tech-Priest paused, then respectfully saluted and stepped back, only performing routine external cleaning and energy replenishment, without deeply probing the nanomachine area.
It seemed Talos had made arrangements in advance.
After completing the initial maintenance, Talos said to Gaius: "Gaius, you go to the rest area and await orders. Gaius and I need to brief the Chapter Master first. Without my presence, do not discuss the details of this mission with anyone else, especially the unusual condition of your body. Understood?"
"Understood, Sergeant."
Gaius was led by an Honor Guard warrior to a secluded rest cabin. The door closed behind him, temporarily isolating him from the outside world. He removed his combat under-suit and sat wearily on the cold metal bunk.
On his left arm, the wound repaired by nanomachines felt a slight itching. He looked down at the area, where the silver-gray, minute tissue was faintly visible beneath the skin, as if it had a life of its own.
Outside the window, the silent and brilliant starry sky, Haros IV, had become a distant, war-scarred sphere.
However, Gaius' heart could not be as peaceful as the starry sky. The clamor of the Ork war gradually receded, but another invisible war, originating from his bloodline, concerning his existence, and with a Warp Chaos God lurking, had just begun. He touched the amulet on his chest and his mother's insignia, feeling the cold touch, and slowly clenched his fist.
The silence of the rest chamber did not last long.
The heavy metal door slid open with barely a sound, but Gaius instantly awoke from his light sleep, his combat instincts tensing his muscles as his hand instinctively reached for the weapon that wasn't there.
Two Astartes stood at the doorway.
They were not members of his familiar Squad Seven, nor were they ordinary patrolmen.
Their deep blue Power Armor was polished to a mirror sheen, adorned with golden honor markings along the edges, and their shoulder pads prominently bore the Ultramarines Chapter insignia and the unique Roman numeral 'I' mark, symbolizing the First Company.
Their posture was as rigid as a pine tree, and their gaze, through their helmet visors, fell calmly upon Gaius, carrying a scrutinizing, almost inhuman quality, honed by countless battles.
Chapter Master's Honor Guard.
"Brother Hohn Gaius," one of the Guards spoke, his voice, processed by the helmet's vox-caster, was steady and devoid of inflection, "Chapter Master Calgar requests your presence.
Please follow us immediately to the Audience Chamber."
What was destined to happen had finally arrived.
Gaius took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and rose from the bunk.
He was only wearing a simple undersuit, and the subtle anomaly of the nanite-repaired area on his left arm was not obvious under the light, but he could feel the gaze of the two Guards briefly lingering on that area.
"I am ready," Gaius responded in a deep voice, showing no hesitation or nervousness.
Without further words, the two Honor Guards, one on each side, led Gaius out of the rest chamber in a manner that was neither an escort nor mere guidance.
The corridor was unusually quiet; the usual traffic seemed to have been deliberately cleared.
Only the footsteps of the three of them echoed between the metal walls, sounding exceptionally clear and solitary.
Wall lamps cast cold light, elongating and shortening their shadows.
Gaius could feel that more eyes were watching him from the shadows, and sensors and monitoring equipment were undoubtedly tracking his every subtle movement and physiological indicator.
They passed through the heavily guarded upper sections of the battleship, finally arriving before a massive bronze door, carved with the glorious deeds of the Ultramarines and the holy words of the Imperium.
More Honor Guard members stood on either side of the door, like blue steel statues, silently exuding a suffocating pressure.
The door slid open silently, revealing the magnificent Chapter Master's Audience Chamber.
The hall was vast and solemn.
The towering dome was adorned with holy images of the Emperor and the Primarch Guilliman, while the side walls displayed precious relics and trophies from the Chapter's history.
The floor was polished like a mirror, reflecting the cold light from the ceiling.
The air was heavy, permeated with incense, ozone, and an invisible pressure of absolute authority.
At the far end of the hall, seated on a command throne elevated by several steps, sat the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, the commander of the Macragge's Honour — Calgar.
He was no ordinary Astartes.
Even seated, one could feel the grandeur of his physique.
He wore meticulously crafted Terminator Armor; the deep blue plates were covered in the marks of age and badges of honor.
His face was resolute, its lines seemingly carved from granite, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, as if capable of piercing through all falsehoods.
Although parts of his body relied on the armor's built-in life support system due to old wounds from the war with the Orks, this did not diminish his majesty in the slightest, but rather added a sense of gravitas, resilience, and having endured many trials.
In his hand, he held a massive Power Staff, its tip embedded with a blue gem that subtly emanated energy fluctuations.
Below the throne, arrayed on either side, were important figures within the Chapter.
Gaius saw Sergeant Thayne; his injuries seemed to have been treated, but his face was still pale, and his gaze towards Gaius was complex and unreadable.
There was also Apothecary Vorlak, the Chapter's Chief Apothecary, a Tech-Priest with a serious expression and eyes that held boundless knowledge and scrutiny.
And several veteran Captains from the First Company and the Librarian, all of whom had their gaze fixed on Gaius, with scrutiny, curiosity, and a hint of imperceptible wariness.
Sergeant Talos and Elisa Cole also stood to one side; they had clearly completed their initial reports.
The two Honor Guards stopped at the door, and Gaius stepped forward alone, his heavy footsteps echoing in the silent hall.
He walked to an appropriate distance before the throne, and according to Astartes protocol, knelt on one knee, lowering his head.
"Chapter Master.
Squad Seven Astartes Gaius, reporting as ordered."
Calgar on the throne did not immediately respond.
That heavy gaze, as if containing physical weight, lingered on Gaius for a long time, seemingly intending to see through him completely, from the outside in.
The hall was so quiet one could hear a pin drop, with only the faint hiss of the life support system.
"Rise, Brother Hohn Gaius," Calgar's voice finally sounded.
It was loud and steady, carrying an unquestionable authority, yet not entirely devoid of warmth.
Gaius rose as instructed, straightening his spine, and looked straight ahead, maintaining the posture befitting an Astartes.
"Sergeant Talos and Tech-Sergeant Cole have reported on the combat situation on Haros IV, as well as earlier incidents at House Horn's fortress and within this vessel," Calgar said slowly, every word echoing clearly in the hall, "Your performance during this period, whether in courage, loyalty, or combat skill, meets the standards of an Ultramarine, and in some aspects… exceeded expectations."
He paused briefly, the end of his Power Staff gently tapping the ground.
"However," he continued, "what you have brought is not just merit.
There is also an extremely complex, potentially even Chapter- and Imperium-threatening… 'legacy.'
Calgar's gaze became incredibly sharp, "The blasphemous technology of House Horn, its abnormal fusion with your genes, and… according to Talos' report, your claimed… encounter with a Warp entity's interference."
When the term "Warp entity" was spoken by the Chapter Master himself, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became even more solemn.
The brows of several high-ranking individuals furrowed tightly.
"Now, Gaius," Calgar's voice deepened, carrying an even stronger sense of oppression, "I need you, swearing by your loyalty to the Emperor and the Primarch, to personally and completely recount all relevant details.
From when you first perceived your own anomaly, to the discovery of Gaius Fortress, the internal cleansing battle, and… that so-called 'audience.'
Do not omit anything, no matter how incredible it may sound."
"Yes, Chapter Master," Gaius responded in a deep voice.
He took a deep breath and began his narration.
From being chosen on Kronus IV, to his far-beyond-normal adaptation and growth during training, and then to his unique reactions during the gene-seed modification process and the occasional flashes of memories that were not his own.
He described in detail the discovery of Gaius Fortress, the desecrated Astartes remains, the battle with the clones, and the flood of Gregory Horn's memories that surged in at the last moment when inputting the self-destruct code.
He mentioned the fusion and changes of the nanites within him upon his return, and the enhancements these nanites provided during the internal cleansing battle, along with that almost precognitive combat intuition.
He also mentioned every detail of his encounter with the 'Tzeentch' illusion in the meditation chamber—the figure disguised as the Chapter Master, the whispers full of temptation and revelation, the assertion that he was a 'tool' and a 'prototype,' and the interruption by the battle alert.
Throughout the narration, Gaius maintained objectivity and calmness as much as possible, adding no personal emotions or conjectures, merely stating facts.
But he could feel that as he spoke, the expressions of the high-ranking officials in the hall grew increasingly serious.
Apothecary Vorlak and the Tech-Priest were rapidly recording and analyzing every piece of information.
Sergeant Thayne's eyes were filled with shock and lingering fear.
The Librarian's eyes, however, flickered with psychic light, seemingly sensing and discerning any potential Warp contamination in Gaius' words.
When Gaius finally finished, the hall fell into a long silence.
There was only the faint sound of a recording stylus moving across a data-slate and the hum of the Tech-Priest's internal machinery.
Finally, Calgar broke the silence.
"Your statement, along with the reports from Sergeant Talos and Tech-Sergeant Cole, and the fragmented information we have recovered from the clone remains and the fortress' residual data, are largely consistent," his voice betrayed no emotion, "This confirms our worst fears—the conspiracy of House Horn extends far beyond imagination, and indeed, Warp powers are manipulating and exploiting all of this from behind the scenes."
He stared at Gaius with burning eyes: "And you, Gaius, are both the target of this conspiracy and potentially… the key."
"Chapter Master, I…" Gaius wanted to express his stance.
Calgar raised his hand, stopping him.
"Your loyalty has already been proven in your previous actions.
Otherwise, you would not be standing here now, but in an interrogation room or a cell."
His words were direct and cold, "But loyalty does not mean absolute safety.
The nanites within you, your deep binding to the Gaius genetic legacy, and the fact of being marked by a Warp entity, all make you an extremely unstable and dangerous factor."
"Apothecary Vorlak," Calgar turned to the Tech-Priest, "Assessment results."
Vorlak stepped forward, his mechanical appendages operating a complex instrument, whose screen displayed Gaius' body scan data, the silvery-gray nanite clusters clearly visible in the image.
"Chapter Master, fellow colleagues," Vorlak's voice was like metal grinding, "According to the scans and Brother Hohn's statement, it can be confirmed that these nanites have formed a deep symbiotic fusion with his Black Carapace, nervous system, and even at the genetic level.
They are not simple parasites or control mechanisms, but rather a kind of… forced, irreversible evolutionary catalyst."
"They have greatly enhanced Brother Hohn's reaction speed, strength control, wound recovery, and information processing capabilities, and even, to a certain extent, provided combat premonition.
From a purely efficacy standpoint, this is an astonishing improvement."
"However," he changed his tone, his voice becoming extremely serious, "the risks are extremely high.
Firstly, we cannot determine whether these nanites retain backdoors or higher-level control commands.
Secondly, their method of combining with the Gaius genes is profoundly blasphemous, and their long-term stability and impact on the host's consciousness are completely unknown.
Finally, and most dangerously—their existence, and Brother Hohn's unique genetic makeup, make him like a bright beacon, extremely susceptible to the gaze and corruption of the Warp.
This contact with the Lord of Change was certainly not accidental, and it will certainly not be the last."
"Recommendation?" Calgar asked concisely.
"Complete eradication currently seems impossible; forced removal would be equivalent to killing the host," Vorlak replied calmly, "The only feasible solution at present is: strict monitoring, limited utilization, and in-depth research.
We need to establish a specialized, top-secret research team, personally overseen by me, to conduct continuous physiological and psychological monitoring of Brother Hohn, while simultaneously attempting to analyze the operating principles and control mechanisms of these nanites, seeking possible countermeasures or shielding methods.
During this period, Brother Hohn can continue to perform missions, but his scope of activity and information access must be strictly controlled, and all mission reports must be submitted directly to you or your designated personnel."
Calgar pondered for a moment, his gaze once again falling on Gaius: "Gaius, you have heard.
This is not distrust; this is necessary caution.
You are a powerful weapon, but you could also be a double-edged sword that harms yourself.
The Chapter will give you the opportunity to prove and control yourself, but you must also accept the corresponding restrictions and supervision.
Do you accept?"
Gaius did not hesitate; he again knelt on one knee, raising his head and saying, "I accept, Chapter Master.
All of me belongs to the Emperor and the Chapter.
I am willing to accept all monitoring and research, only asking to continue serving the Imperium and to prove my unquestionable loyalty through my actions!"
"Very well." Calgar nodded, a hint of imperceptible approval flashing in his eyes, "Rise."
He continued to issue orders: "Effective immediately, the 'Amber Protocol' team is established, with Apothecary Vorlak in full charge, assisted by Sergeant Thayne and Sergeant Talos, to conduct comprehensive monitoring of Gaius. Any mission assignments require my approval. Everything said here today is top secret, and no one is to disclose it."
"Understood!" all present personnel responded in unison.
"Brother Hohn," Calgar finally said to Gaius, "Return to your post. Remember, the true test does not come from the foreign element within, but from your own heart. Control it, master it, and do not be consumed by it. The will of the Ultramarines must transcend all matter and schemes."
"I will remember your teachings, Chapter Master!" Gaius replied solemnly.
The audience concluded. Gaius left the hall accompanied by the Honor Guard. He knew his life would be different from then on. He was no longer just an ordinary Ultramarine; he had become a living experiment, a walking secret, a man dancing on a knife's edge.
But his conviction grew stronger. No matter how much monitoring and restraint the future held, no matter what risks lurked within him, no matter what schemes the Chaos God in the shadows harbored, he would fight to the end in the name of the Emperor and the glory of the Ultramarines.
He touched the amulet and insignia on his chest and walked towards the unknown but destined-to-be-turbulent future. Behind him, the doors of the audience hall slowly closed, temporarily sealing all secrets and plans within.
Leaving the suffocating pressure and weighty decisions of the audience hall, Gaius returned to the designated resting area under the "escort" of the Honor Guard. This time, he was assigned to a more spacious and better-equipped cabin, with an Honor Guard even stationed at the door—ostensibly for protection, but in reality, for surveillance. This was the beginning of the "Amber Protocol."
He sat quietly on the metal seat, processing everything that had just happened. The Chapter Master's attitude was clear: utilization and surveillance coexisted. He was a sharp blade whose hilt needed to be held firmly. Apothecary Vorlak's assessment was cold and objective, treating him as a phenomenon to be studied. He understood this was a necessary procedure, but deep down, he still felt an indescribable sense of isolation.
Just as his thoughts were racing, the communication light on the cabin door chimed softly.
"Brother Gaius? It's us, Dorian and Elisa." Dorian's deliberately lowered, gruff voice came from outside the door.
Gaius got up and opened the door. Dorian and Elisa stood outside. Dorian's face wore his usual, slightly rough smile, but his eyes held a few more hints of concern. Elisa remained her calm and professional self, though her gaze lingered on Gaius' face for a few extra seconds, seemingly quickly assessing his mental state. The Honor Guard at the door glanced at them but did not stop them; clearly, they had been added to the list of allowed visitors.
"Hey, brother! Looks like you weren't thrown into the brig, I knew those old guys weren't that muddled!" Dorian walked in boisterously, patting Gaius' shoulder with his usual heavy hand, "How was it? The Chapter Master didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
"The Chapter Master is fair and wise," Gaius replied cautiously, stepping aside to let Elisa in. "It's just... some extra scrutiny and monitoring are required."
"We heard some whispers, 'Amber Protocol'?" Elisa spoke, her voice calm. "Apothecary Vorlak's team has already retrieved all records from our mission, especially data related to your... unusual performance. The security clearance is very high."
The cabin door closed behind them. This small space temporarily became a relatively private area, although Gaius knew it was certainly filled with listening devices.
Dorian leaned in closer, lowering his voice even further: "Seriously, brother, back in that cursed fortress, and when we were fighting the greenskins, you were sometimes as fast as a ghost... and that thing on your arm... what exactly is going on? Is it related to those clone bastards?"
Gaius looked at his two comrades—one straightforward but loyal, the other calm and rational yet trustworthy. They were the backbone of Squad Seven, the few people he could feel a trace of peace with in this suddenly complicated and dangerous world. He needed to confide, needed someone to share this burden, even if he could only reveal the tip of the iceberg.
He was silent for a few seconds, seemingly organizing his thoughts, his gaze sweeping over the possible hidden surveillance points in the cabin. Finally, he spoke in a very subtle way, mixing in some real mission experiences:
"Some things... are more complex than we imagined. The madness of House Horn... may not all stem from themselves." He pointed to his head. "Some whispers... in the most chaotic times, try to worm their way in. They disguise themselves as... voices of authority, promising power, revealing so-called 'truths,' trying to make you doubt everything you believe."
Dorian's brows furrowed into a knot: "Whispers? Like those Chaos bastards' tricks?"
Elisa's eyes instantly sharpened. She clearly understood the deeper meaning in Gaius' words. Warp interference, disguised authority, tempting whispers—these characteristics were too obvious.
Gaius didn't answer directly, only continued to speak subtly: "On Haros IV, facing that Warboss, I felt a... calm that wasn't mine, an almost instinctive calculation for killing. It helped me, but it also scared me." He glanced at his left arm. "These things... they respond to that chaos. It's like... some signal amplifies them."
He raised his eyes, looking heavily at his two comrades: "What we face may not just be internal traitors and xenos threats. There are some... older, more cunning things that may be using all of this, weaving a larger web. We must... be more vigilant than ever, not just externally, but also... internally."
He couldn't directly name Tzeentch; the attention and risk that would bring might be unimaginable. But he trusted Elisa's wisdom to understand and hoped Dorian would grasp the seriousness of the situation.
Although Dorian didn't have a deep understanding of the Warp's deceit, he could feel the weight and fear in Gaius' words. He nodded heavily: "Damn it! I knew those clone monsters weren't normal! Brother, don't worry, no matter what demons or ghosts dare to show their faces, I, Dorian, will reason with them with my Bolter and axe!" His loyalty was simple and direct.
Elisa fell into a brief silence, her fingers unconsciously tapping on her data-slate, a habit she had when thinking deeply. Finally, she looked up, her gaze clear and firm: "Information recorded. Your warning will be incorporated into Squad Seven's risk assessment model. We will raise the monitoring level for all anomalous signals, especially psychic and information-level interference." She didn't press for details, but her attitude indicated she fully understood the seriousness of the matter and would provide support in her own way.
Just then, Elisa's data-slate emitted an extremely faint, almost inaudible alert sound. Her gaze instantly swept across the screen, where a very discreet monitoring sub-program fed back a message—it detected an unauthorized listening device at the far end of the corridor outside the cabin, which had been abnormally active for the past few tens of seconds and had just terminated its operation, quickly moving away.
Someone had been eavesdropping! And they used very high-end equipment that could, to some extent, circumvent regular detection.
Elisa's expression instantly turned cold. She didn't make a sound, but quickly typed a few lines of code on her data-slate, then gave Gaius and Dorian an extremely subtle glance, seemingly casually tapping her ear, then pointing outside the door.
Gaius and Dorian immediately understood! Dorian's facial muscles tightened, and his hand instinctively went to his waist though his weapon wasn't with him. Gaius' heart sank; his worst fear had come true. Inside the battleship, there were indeed deeper-hidden rats, and they were clearly extremely interested in his situation.
Elisa quickly stood up, her tone returning to normal: "Alright, Brother Hohn, you need to rest. We won't disturb you any further. Remember the doctor's orders, and undergo your check-ups on time." Her words were normal, but her eyes conveyed a warning.
Dorian also reacted, saying loudly: "Right, right! You get some good rest! I'll come see you again when I have time! I still need to teach you how to make that stew!" He tried to make his tone sound lighthearted.
"Thank you for visiting me." Gaius nodded knowingly, responding in a normal volume as well.
The two turned and left, the cabin door closing once more.
Gaius remained alone in the cabin, his mood, which had been slightly eased by his comrades' arrival, sinking back to rock bottom. Shadows were everywhere. Tzeentch's whispers might have temporarily receded, but the seeds of suspicion and betrayal it had personally sown had already taken root in reality, quietly spreading.
He walked to the cabin's only observation window, looking out at the endless night and stars. The Macragge's Honour was like a giant steel hive, most of its members fighting for the glory of the Imperium, but beneath this splendor, how many twisted maggots lurked?
His left hand unconsciously tightened around the amulet and insignia on his chest. His mother's insignia remained cold, and the Emperor's amulet emitted a faint, constant warmth.
The battle never stopped; only the battlefield had become more intricate. He took a deep breath, a cold resolve flashing in his eyes.
No matter who was listening, no matter what their intentions, he would never let them succeed.
He would be a bait, and also a hunting knife. Under the surveillance of the "Amber Protocol," and with the cover of his comrades, he would actively step into this shadow-woven game of chess, find those lurking enemies, and one by one, uproot them.
In the silence, he could almost hear it—the new hunt had begun.
The subtle sound of the cabin door closing was like a period, temporarily ending the brief exchange but opening a deeper silence and suspense. Gaius still stood by the observation window, but his gaze no longer looked at the distant stars, but at his blurred reflection on the glass, and the cabin behind the reflection, filled with invisible eyes and ears.
Elisa's warning glance and gesture, like a cold needle, pierced through the slight warmth he had just felt from his comrades' concern. An eavesdropper. Just outside the door. While they were discussing the most sensitive topics. How much did the other party hear? Did they understand his subtle allusions?
A cold rage quietly ignited in his heart, replacing his previous unease and apprehension. This feeling of being constantly spied upon, of being calculated like prey, was more suffocating than facing the WAAAGH!!! tide of the Orks. Tzeentch's shadow was indeed pervasive; it didn't need to act directly, only to sow seeds of suspicion, and naturally, corrupted or exploited puppets would do its bidding.
He slowly turned around, his gaze calmly sweeping over every corner of the cabin, every place where monitoring equipment might be hidden. He no longer tried to find or destroy them—that would be pointless and would tip off the enemy. Since the "Amber Protocol" required surveillance, he would act under that surveillance.
He needed to think. Who was most likely to be eavesdropping? Remnants of House Horn? Traitors corrupted by Chaos? Or other factions interested in the "prototype"? And what was their purpose? To gather intelligence? To assess the threat? To find a way to control him?
His left arm, the dwelling place of the nanomachines, emitted an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible tremor. It wasn't pain or discomfort, but more like a... sensation. As if some similar technology nearby, or a presence carrying a similar technological signal source, had been activated and then hidden at that moment. Was it the listening device itself? Or the person operating the device?
After Elisa and Dorian left, the silence in Gaius' cabin grew heavier, like the oppressive calm before a storm. He forced himself to remain calm, continuing to play the role of someone needing rest and monitoring, but his every sense was stretched taut, alert to any unusual fluctuations within the battleship.
Time passed in silence. The battleship continued its steady voyage through the void, the constant low hum of the engines the only unchanging background sound. However, an invisible tension began to spread like a virus throughout the massive hull of the Macragge's Honour.
The first change came from the Honor Guards at the door. Their shift changes noticeably increased, and the new Guards had sharper eyes, scrutinizing passersby more strictly, even conducting temporary identity re-verifications for some officers not from the First Company. The patrol teams in the corridor were no longer ordinary Chapter warriors, but entirely composed of Chapter Master Calgar's Honor Guard members, their silent steps carrying a chilling aura of impending storm.
Immediately following, a ship-wide announcement resonated, its tone unprecedentedly serious:
"Attention all personnel, effective immediately, the battleship is entering a Level One Internal Alert status. All non-essential personnel are to remain in their current areas, awaiting further instructions. Repeat, Level One Internal Alert status."
Level One Internal Alert! This meant a potentially extremely high-level threat within the battleship, even exceeding the standard for dealing with an Ork boarding action. Gaius' heart sank. Had Elisa and Dorian's actions been discovered? Or had the previous eavesdropper transmitted information, triggering some action from the other side?
He tried to contact Sergeant Talos or Squad Seven's common room via the cabin's internal communication channel, but found that non-emergency communications had been temporarily restricted. He was invisibly isolated.
In this suffocating wait, several hours passed.
Suddenly, a distinctly different, heavier, and more authoritative engine roar approached from afar, piercing the battleship's hull and even temporarily overpowering the Macragge's Honour's own engine sound. That sound was not from a Thunderhawk or Stormraven, but from something larger, older, and imbued with powerful energy and inviolable authority.
A ship was docking! And it had directly gained access to the battleship's core areas!
Gaius abruptly stood up and walked to the observation window. He saw a shuttle, ancient in design, with sharp lines, covered in dull matte armor, and much larger than a Thunderhawk Gunship, gliding into view like a silent giant shark, accompanied by several Ultramarines escort craft, finally disappearing in the direction of the docking bay below. That shuttle bore no Ultramarines insignia, nor the unsettling symbols of the Inquisition, only a pure, cold, highly functional appearance, exuding an aura of 'do not approach'.
Who could it be? Who could Chapter Master Calgar allow to dock their shuttle directly into the core area and dispatch the Honor Guard as escort?
The answer was soon revealed in a shocking manner.
Shortly after docking was complete, a clear, heavy, uniformly rhythmic sound of footsteps began to echo in the corridor. That sound was different from the clang of Astartes power armor, and different from the disordered steps of mortal soldiers; it was heavier, more integrated, as if each step had been precisely calculated, carrying a metallic coldness and absolute certainty.
The footsteps proceeded along the upper corridor, eventually seeming to stop in an area not too far from Gaius' cabin—most likely the main passage leading to the Chapter Master's audience chamber.
Immediately following, a cold, emotionless command, issued through the ship-wide broadcast system, resonated in every corner, its source not the Chapter Master or any Ultramarines officer:
"In the name of Holy Terra and the God-Emperor of Mankind. Inquisitor Darwin Vors, representative of the Inquisition, has now boarded the ship. All non-essential personnel, immediately clear the main passage and surrounding areas. Strictly forbidden to observe, approach, or attempt any form of contact with the Inquisitor and his retinue. This order is effective immediately."
The Inquisition!
The word was like cold water poured into hot oil, instantly triggering silent, turbulent waves throughout the battleship. Why had they come? The answer was almost self-evident—for Gaius, for the blasphemous heritage from House Horn on him, and for the most damning accusation of being connected to the Warp's Chaos Gods.
Gaius felt a chill rise from his spine. The involvement of the Inquisition meant that the matter had completely transcended the scope of internal Chapter handling, escalating to a level concerning Imperial security and the purity of faith. Their methods… were notoriously merciless.
However, the matter was not over.
After that cold broadcast command, Chapter Master Calgar's voice immediately followed, still steady, but with an undeniable will of steel:
"This is Chapter Master Calgar. The Inquisitor has legally boarded the ship. In accordance with the Codex Astartes and Imperial conventions, the Macragge's Honour remains under the Ultramarines Chapter's jurisdiction. Except for the Honor Guard and specifically authorized personnel, all warriors are to remain at their posts and not move without orders. Repeat, do not move without orders, maintain vigilance."
The Chapter Master's command cleverly countered and partially restricted the Inquisition's almost absolute demand for clearance. He emphasized the battleship's jurisdiction, protecting his warriors from unnecessary interference and the Inquisition's insulting 'strictly forbidden to observe' clause. This was a strong and clear stance.
Outside the corridor, the heavy, unified footsteps resumed, continuing forward, eventually disappearing in the direction of what was likely the audience chamber. The Honor Guard was clearly executing the Chapter Master's orders; they did not completely clear the area, but guarded key points, blocking all sightlines, ensuring no one could glimpse the true faces of the Inquisitor and his retinue.
But Gaius' nanite-enhanced hearing still caught some fragmented information. From the extremely brief, almost silent exchange between the two Honor Guards at the door, he heard two words emphasized in whispers:
"…Grey Knights…!"
And another, more Vague one:
"…Silver…of the Emperor…"
Grey Knights! The Emperor's Daemonhunters! Those legendary beings, superhuman warriors specifically dealing with the deepest threats of the Warp! They usually never easily reveal themselves to mortals or even ordinary Astartes; their very existence is a secret!
And "silver"—this description perfectly matched the matte armor of that ancient shuttle, and the legends of Grey Knights wearing silver armor!
Gaius understood instantly. Not only a representative of the Inquisition had come, but quite possibly an entire squad of Grey Knights! An Inquisitor personally present, plus Grey Knights as an escort, this was no longer a simple investigation, but the highest level of heresy trial and daemon purge contingency! They had come for him, for the potential daemon corruption within him!
The pressure was palpable on Gaius' shoulders. All his previous resolve and courage seemed to shrink before this presence representing the highest purifying power of the Imperium.
Within the audience chamber, an invisible confrontation was clearly raging.
Time passed minute by minute, each second feeling like a century. The tension within the battleship had reached its peak. Everyone remained silent, holding their posts, but invisible waves of speculation and conjecture wildly propagated in the stillness.
Approximately one standard hour later, the heavy, cold footsteps again sounded from the direction of the audience chamber, beginning to return towards the docking bay. The Inquisition's party seemed to be leaving? Had the negotiations concluded? What was the outcome?
As the footsteps passed the corridor outside Gaius' cabin, there seemed to be an extremely brief, almost imperceptible pause. Gaius felt an extremely faint, fleeting sting from the nanites in his left arm, as if scanned by some incredibly powerful and pure psychic field. Simultaneously, a cold, emotionless voice resonated directly in the depths of his mind, like the most precise mechanical synthesis:
"Target marked. 'Amber Protocol' monitoring. Awaiting purge command."
The voice abruptly ceased, and the footsteps continued to recede, finally disappearing in the direction of the docking bay.
Gaius recoiled, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat. That was not a warning, nor a threat, but a simple, cold statement. As if he had been put on a list, a to-do item. The Grey Knights… they had indeed sensed something!
Soon after, the roar of the shuttle's engines starting up was heard again; the ancient craft, carrying the Inquisition's representative and the mysterious Grey Knights, departed the Macragge's Honour.
The ship-wide broadcast sounded again, Chapter Master Calgar's voice, with a hint of imperceptible weariness, but more so, an undeniable firmness:
"Alert status lifted. Inquisition representative has disembarked. All units resume normal duties. Today's events are classified under the highest secrecy protocols; no discussion or recording is permitted in any context."
After the order was given, the tension within the battleship slightly eased, but a deeper unease and apprehension remained in everyone's hearts. The visit of the Inquisition and the Grey Knights could not possibly end so simply.
A moment later, Gaius' cabin door slid open. Sergeant Talos stood at the entrance, his face grave. He glanced at the Honor Guards at the door, who nodded slightly, clearing the way.
Talos stepped in, closed the cabin door, and looked at Gaius with complex emotions.
"They've left," Talos' voice was somewhat hoarse. "Inquisitor Vors insisted on taking you immediately for 'thorough purification'—meaning dissection and study, or worse. The Grey Knights' Librarian also confirmed that you have a 'strong, unnatural Warp echo' on you."
Gaius' heart leaped into his throat.
"But the Chapter Master refused," Talos continued, his voice carrying a trace of pride and lingering fear. "He invoked the autonomy granted to a Chapter Master by the Codex, emphasizing that you are first and foremost an Ultramarine, and your fate should first be reviewed and decided within the Chapter. He promised that the 'Amber Protocol' would be strictly enforced, and all findings would be shared with the Inquisition 'at the appropriate time,' but he would never hand over a loyal warrior before a clear conclusion was reached."
"This is a gamble, Gaius," Talos' gaze was fixed on Gaius. "The Chapter Master has staked his authority and the Chapter's reputation on you, betting that you can control what's inside you, betting that your loyalty can withstand all trials. He has bought you time, but that time won't be long. The Inquisition won't give up; they are just waiting, waiting for us to make a mistake, or… waiting for you to lose control."
He clapped Gaius' shoulder heavily: "So, Brother, prove it to them. Prove it to everyone. You are not a threat, you are a loyal servant of the Emperor, the pride of the Ultramarines.
Otherwise…" Sergeant Talos didn't finish, but the meaning in his eyes was crystal clear.
Otherwise, what awaited him would no longer be the protection of the Chapter, but the forced purification of the Grey Knights, and the never-ending flames of the Inquisition.
Talos left, leaving Gaius alone to digest the earth-shattering news.
He stood rooted to the spot for a long time. The Chapter Master's protection was like heavy armor, pressing down on him, but also giving him a moment to breathe. Yet the cold mark of the Grey Knights and the lingering shadow of the Inquisition hung over him like the Sword of Damocles.
He walked to the observation window, outside of which the ancient Inquisition shuttle had long vanished into the cold star sea.
But he knew they hadn't gone far. They were like hunters lurking in the shadows, waiting for their prey to show a weakness.
And he himself, in this limited time, bought with the Chapter Master's authority, had to learn to completely control the power originating from his bloodline and the conspiracy, find the enemies hidden in the dark, and prove that his value far exceeded the risk.
This was an even narrower, more dangerous path on a razor's edge.
He slowly clenched his fists, the nanomachines in his left arm quietly dormant, as if sensing the immense external pressure.
The battle had never stopped. It was just that the battlefield had become more complex, and the enemies more bizarre and powerful.
And he had no choice but to move forward.
After Talos left, the silence in Gaius' cabin didn't last long. This time, the identity of the visitor surprised him slightly.
The hatch slid open, revealing Captain Cassius of Squad Seven, his direct superior. He was an officer known for his tactical rigor and taciturn nature. At this moment, his face bore the dust of a long journey and a trace of barely concealed fatigue, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's. He had clearly just returned from the ground battle on Haros IV, his armor still stained with the uncleaned gunpowder and dust.
"Brother Hohn," Captain Cassius' voice was steady, betraying little emotion. He nodded slightly to the Honor Guard at the door, who evidently recognized him and did not block his way.
"Captain," Gaius immediately stood up and saluted.
Cassius entered the cabin, his gaze quickly sweeping the surroundings before settling on Gaius. "Sergeant Talos should have already informed you of the Inquisition's departure." He got straight to the point.
"Yes, Captain. Chapter Master has taken a great risk for me," Gaius replied in a deep voice.
Cassius nodded slightly, walked to the observation window, and stood with his back to Gaius, seemingly organizing his thoughts. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying the heavy weight of a firsthand account:
"I was on alert outside the audience chamber at the time." His single sentence made Gaius hold his breath. "Inquisitor Vorlak… he was not alone. Besides that squad of silent 'silver guards' he carefully avoided the term 'Grey Knights', he also brought two Battle Sisters and an entire squad of red-robed, fanatical Inquisition Stormtroopers. Their posture was not like they came to investigate, but more like… a prelude to an extermination order."
Gaius could imagine the scene: the Inquisition's team, with absolute authority and cold killing intent, stepping into the sacred heart of the Ultramarines.
"The Chapter Master sat on his throne, the Honor Guard stood like an iron wall on either side. The atmosphere… was as frozen as ice," Cassius continued, speaking slowly, as if recalling every detail, "Inquisitor Vorlak offered no pleasantries, immediately presenting the Inquisition's authorization. His voice… was cold, like it came from a machine. He accused you, 'Gaius,' of being 'a known, extremely dangerous carrier of Warp contamination,' 'a living proof of blasphemous technology,' and demanded that the Chapter Master immediately and unconditionally surrender you for the Inquisition to 'carry out final disposal.' "
Every word was like an ice pick, stabbing at the hearts of all the warriors loyal to the Chapter, whom Cassius represented at that moment. Final disposal… everyone understood what that meant.
"The Chapter Master did not respond immediately." Cassius' tone carried a hint of imperceptible respect. "He just listened calmly, his fingers gently tapping his power staff. It wasn't until Inquisitor Vorlak finished speaking and implicitly threatened him with 'suspicions that the Chapter leadership had been infiltrated or influenced'…"
Cassius paused, as if reliving the tension of that moment. "The Chapter Master then looked up. His gaze… I had never seen him so sharp, as if it could penetrate armor and look directly into the soul. He did not raise his voice, but every one of his words struck like a hammer on steel, heavy and unyielding."
" 'Inquisitor,' the Chapter Master said, 'you stand on the Macragge's Honour, the flagship of the Emperor of Mankind's sacred Astartes Chapter, the Ultramarines Chapter. Here, the laws of the Imperium and the Codex Astartes together constitute the supreme code.' "
" 'Brother Gaius, first and foremost, is an Ultramarine. His loyalty and courage have been proven by his actions on Kronus IV, at Gaius Fortress, and on the battlefields of Haros IV. The… abnormality he carries is a curse forced upon him by the enemy, not a degradation he actively sought. The Ultramarines never abandon any loyal brother, nor will they ever hand anyone over to external forces for disposal before a thorough investigation and judgment.' "
Gaius listened to the Captain recount the Chapter Master's words, as if he could personally witness how the magnificent Chapter Master withstood the immense pressure from the Inquisition to defend him. A warm current surged in his chest.
"Inquisitor Vorlak's face became very grim," Cassius continued, "He emphasized the 'extreme danger and uncontrollability of Warp contamination,' and hinted… that the 'silver guards' had already sensed clear 'demonic echoes.' " The Captain's voice was extremely low when he mentioned this term.
"At this point, the leading 'silver guard' stepped forward." Cassius' tone became even more solemn. "He didn't speak, but the psychic pressure radiating from him… made the air in the entire hall seem to solidify. He merely… 'looked' at the Chapter Master."
"The Chapter Master met his gaze without fear." Cassius' voice carried a hint of pride. "The Chapter Master said: 'The Ultramarines thank the Grey Knights Brotherhood for their selfless dedication to the security of the Imperium. However, this incident primarily involves a member of our Chapter and a possible internal conspiracy, and should rightly be led by the Chapter for initial investigation. We have already activated 'Amber Protocol,' spearheaded by Chief Apothecary Vorlak and Techmarine Korl, to conduct the strictest monitoring and research. All findings and data will be shared with the Inquisition according to procedure after preliminary conclusions are reached. But before then, this individual must remain on the Macragge's Honour, subject to the Chapter's supervision and investigation. This is the bottom line of the Ultramarines, and the power and duty granted to me by the Codex Astartes.' "
The atmosphere of confrontation in the audience chamber clearly reached its peak. On one side was the absolute authority of the Inquisition and the inhuman psychic pressure of the Grey Knights; on the other, the Chapter Master's unyielding stance based on the Codex Astartes and tradition.
"Both sides were at a stalemate for a long time," Cassius said, "Inquisitor Vorlak even at one point placed his hand on his bolt pistol. The brothers of the Honor Guard also almost simultaneously gripped their weapons… At that moment, I thought conflict was inevitable."
Ultimately, the one who broke the deadlock was the leading Grey Knight. He slightly raised a hand, stopping Inquisitor Vorlak. He again "looked" at the Chapter Master, and then… nodded ever so slightly.
"He agreed?" Gaius asked incredulously.
"Not entirely 'agreed,' " Cassius shook his head, "More like a… 'temporary suspension of execution.' That Grey Knight seemed to… acknowledge the Chapter Master's position of upholding tradition and jurisdiction, or, based on some judgment we cannot understand, he believed that temporarily keeping you under Chapter monitoring was more in line with… 'a greater strategy'? I'm not sure. In any case, he motioned for Inquisitor Vorlak to back down."
"Inquisitor Vorlak was extremely displeased, but he seemed unable to defy the will of that Grey Knight. He ultimately left with a warning: the Inquisition would closely monitor every development of the 'Amber Protocol.' If any signs of loss of control were found, or if the Chapter tried to conceal the truth… the consequences would be far beyond our imagination. Then, they left."
Captain Cassius turned around, his gaze once again falling on Gaius, intensely serious: "Gaius, do you understand? What Chapter Master gained for you is not a pardon, but a stay of execution. A stay of execution monitored jointly by the most demanding jailers he pointed to the ceiling, implying ubiquitous surveillance and the most dangerous hunters. The 'Amber Protocol' must yield results, and you must prove that you are controllable and valuable. Otherwise, the next time they come, it won't be a negotiating team."
He stepped forward and pressed down heavily on Gaius' shoulder, with great strength: "All of us are tied to your war chariot. Don't disappoint us, and especially don't disappoint the Chapter Master. What he gambled for you today is his lifelong honor and the future of the Chapter."
With that, Captain Cassius said no more, turned, and left the cabin.
Gaius stood alone, the Captain's words like a heavy hammer, striking his mind repeatedly. The Chapter Master's firm and undeniable defense, the immense pressure during the confrontation with the Inquisition and the Grey Knights, and the precious yet perilous "reprieve" finally gained…
He felt the burden on his shoulders was heavier than ever. This no longer concerned merely his personal survival, but also the honor of the Chapter and the Chapter Master's weighty trust.
He slowly raised his left hand, looking at the arm that appeared normal but in fact concealed a profound secret.
Control it. Master it. Prove it.
This was no longer an option, but his only way to survive and repay the Chapter.
Outside the window, the stars still twinkled indifferently.
But the light in Gaius' eyes became even firmer and sharper.
The hunt had to accelerate. Before the Inquisition lost patience, before the thing inside him completely spiraled out of control, he had to find those enemies hidden in the shadows, to carve out a path to survival for himself and for the Chapter.