The transport shuttle sliced through Dracomyndas's thin upper atmosphere, descending like a falling blue meteor towards the planet's surface, which was meticulously organized yet subtly rigid. After five standard hours of travel, a dull tremor from contact with the ground vibrated through the hull, and the roar of the engines gradually subsided.
As the hatch slid open, what first met Gaius's eyes was not the anticipated clamor and dust of an industrial world, but a vast square, solemn, dignified, and even imbued with an inviolable aura. The ground was paved with massive, polished white stone bricks, with dark gold metal filling the gaps. At the end of the square stood a magnificent complex of buildings—the Sisters of Battle's grand convent, the Sacred Rose Convent—that blended Gothic spires with the cogwheel aesthetics of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
White high walls, like an impregnable bulwark of faith, were engraved with intricate Imperial scriptures and the emblem of a rose entwined around a sword. Stained-glass windows, under artificially simulated sunlight, cast colorful and sacred patterns of light and shadow. The air was filled with the faint scent of incense, machine oil, and a nearly solidified aura of fervent faith.
Three Sisters of Battle, like three white statues, stood silently not far in front of the transport shuttle, awaiting their arrival. They wore their distinctive, immaculate power armor, whose lines were elegant yet powerful, with shoulder and chest plates adorned with vivid red and brilliant gold patterns, outlining roses and the Imperial Aquila. They wore no helmets, revealing three young and devout faces.
Gaius led Luna and Dorian down the gangway, their heavy power boots striking the white stone bricks with clear, rhythmic sounds that were strikingly out of place in the silent square.
As the distance closed, Gaius, drawing on his extensive battlefield experience, quickly made an assessment. These three Sisters were very young; they likely hadn't been Sisters of Battle for long. Their faces were smooth and vibrant, showing no scars or weathering from countless battles; their power armor was also brand new and gleaming, with no scratches, dents, or energy scorch marks from combat. This contrasted sharply with the seasoned Sisters who had climbed out of mountains of corpses, every scar on their armor an epic tale.
"May the Emperor protect you, Lord Angels," the leading Sister stepped forward, performing a standard aquila salute. Her voice was clear, imbued with the vitality typical of youth, yet also holding the unique resolve of a Sister of Battle. Her gaze primarily rested on the leading Gaius, with a natural reverence for an Astartes Brother, but also a hint of subtle scrutiny.
Gaius raised his armored arm, returning a standard Astartes salute, his voice steady and powerful through the helmet's vox-caster: "The Emperor protects you too, Sister."
The leading Sister nodded slightly and introduced herself: "My name is Furenna, and these are my Sisters, Nyss and Renaya." She gestured to the two equally young, serious-faced Sisters behind her. "We received notification and are here to greet the esteemed Angels. May we inquire about the purpose of your visit?"
Her tone was respectful, but her question went straight to the core. A squad of elite Astartes Brothers, fully armed, descending upon a seemingly peaceful world with no reported rebellions or wars, was inherently unusual. They needed to know why these "Emperor's Angels" had come and whether their mission would affect the Sacred Rose Convent they protected and the tranquility of this shrine world.
Gaius did not evade the question; honesty was the foundation for building initial trust, especially when dealing with local forces. He stated clearly:
"I am Gaius, Sergeant of the Ultramarines Chapter, First Company, Tenth Tactical Squad 'Sanks'." He gestured to his side, "These are my squad members, Astartes Brother Dorian, and Astartes Brother Luna Aisa."
After stating his identity, he directly explained their purpose:
"We are tasked with investigating why the industrial sector of this planet failed to pay its Imperial tithe on time, and the specific reason for the Planetary Governor's disappearance in that region. Concurrently, as Astartes Brothers, we also bear the responsibility of vigilance, and will investigate for any potential threats of Chaos corruption or Xenos infiltration."
Upon hearing the words "Chaos corruption" and "Xenos infiltration," a fleeting, almost imperceptible hint of dismissiveness crossed Furenna's young and devout face. She subtly straightened her posture, her tone imbued with a nearly naive confidence based on pure faith: "You worry too much, Lord Angel. Dracomyndas is bathed in the wise light of the omnissiah and protected by the glory of our Sacred Rose Convent. The filth of Chaos has no hiding place here, and any Xenos daring to show themselves will be swiftly eliminated and purified by us."
Her words were filled with the fearlessness unique to Sisters of Battle, born from absolute loyalty to the Emperor and their faith, but they also exposed the limitations of their potential lack of experience in dealing with truly insidious and cunning enemies.
Gaius gently shook his head, his gaze sharp beneath his helmet. He had learned too many lessons from worlds that appeared pious on the surface but were long since corrupted within. He responded in a deep, serious, and unequivocal tone:
"Sister, the whispers of Chaos and the infiltration of Xenos often hide beneath the most pristine facades; they are not foolish enough to expose themselves directly before the Emperor's glory. A shrine world may receive extra protection due to its sanctity, but the outer industrial areas, with their complex populations and bustling environments, are breeding grounds for darkness. We must never relax our vigilance due to superficial calm."
He did not wish to engage in a futile argument here and directly issued an order:
"Now, please lead us to the administrative center of the industrial world; we need to establish contact with the Planetary Governor as soon as possible."
Furenna still seemed somewhat dismissive of Gaius's "overly cautious" attitude. In her view, this Astartes Sergeant must have been constantly campaigning, leading to overly strained nerves, seeing enemies lurking everywhere. But she knew the transcendent status of Astartes Brothers within the Imperium and dared not show the slightest defiance. She respectfully lowered her head: "As you wish, Lord Angel. Please follow us."
She and the other two Sisters turned, marching with neat and resolute steps, leading Sanks Squad across the square in front of the convent towards the grand gate connecting the shrine world with the outer industrial area.
Passing through the massive gate, inscribed with countless prayers and cogwheel patterns, which required special authorization to open, the scene abruptly changed.
If the shrine world was a meticulously sculpted, orderly sanctuary, then the outer industrial world was a vast, crude, steel heart that provided blood for the entire Imperial war machine.
First to appear were four colossal Hive Cities, rising like metal mountains and piercing the gray clouds. They stood like four silent giants, encircling the shrine world, their immense size proclaiming industrial might. Countless thick pipes snaked across the Hive Cities' surfaces like veins, spewing white steam and occasional sparks mixed with dense smoke. Towering chimneys, like a forest, continuously discharged industrial waste into the already murky sky. In the air, numerous transport aircraft, like busy worker bees, shuttled ceaselessly between the Hive Cities and between the Hive Cities and orbital space stations.
The air was filled with smells starkly different from the shrine world—heavy machine oil, the acrid scent of metal welding, pungent chemical fumes, and… the indescribable body odor and sour decay of waste products generated by countless mortals living together. The roar of various machines, the clang of metal, and the distant, dull thud of what might be large forge hammers, intertwined into a ceaseless, noisy symphony of industry.
Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii forces, wearing unified dark red uniforms and armed with standard laser guns, conducted orderly patrols at key intersections and around facilities, their movements precise and rigid, like wound-up machines. Some Tech-Priests gathered in specific areas, their bionic eyes flashing red, communicating rapidly in binary, discussing technical challenges or new discoveries. The entire area remained under the efficient, precise, but impersonal order of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
As Furenna led the way, she introduced with a hint of superiority in her tone: "Lord Angel, you see, guided by the glory of the omnissiah, Dracomyndas's industrial world is orderly and highly productive. The populace here basks in the blessings of the shrine, living stable lives, far from the chaos and exploitation of the outside world."
Gaius silently observed his surroundings. Indeed, compared to many hellish Hive Worlds in the Imperium, oppressed by nobles and guilds, the streets here were relatively clean, with no mountains of garbage or overflowing sewage. While the pedestrians' clothing was simple, mostly durable gray-blue workwear, it at least appeared intact and covered them. Though their faces showed the fatigue of long labor and their eyes were dull, they did not display signs of extreme malnutrition or despair.
However, Gaius keenly picked up on some details. The windows of the residential units lining the streets were small and densely packed like a beehive, clearly indicating very limited living space per person. Pedestrians hurried along, with almost no one stopping to chat or showing any signs of joy; the entire social atmosphere exuded a stifling, mechanically driven sense of dullness for survival. Shop windows displayed a scarce variety of goods, mostly basic necessities and tools, with nothing for entertainment or improving quality of life.
"Merely being able to fill one's stomach and avoid freezing, beyond that, there's nothing commendable," Gaius silently judged. There was no blatant, cruel exploitation here, but also no hope or vitality beyond basic survival needs. This was a warm-and-fed existence under strict order and efficient management, like cogs in a precise instrument, functioning normally but devoid of life's inherent color.
The three young Sisters of Battle seemed accustomed to this, even believing it to be the orderly and beautiful life that should exist under the Emperor's radiance. They led Sanks Squad onto a large, high-speed orbital elevator, maintained by the Adeptus Mechanicus, which ascended to the top of the tallest Hive City—Hydra.
The elevator's interior had cold metal walls, with only a few simple rows of seats. With a slight tremor and acceleration, the elevator began to climb at an astonishing speed. Through the narrow observation window, the outside scenery rapidly swept downwards, with layers of residential areas, factory platforms, and pipe networks like a flowing scroll.
Furenna stood beside Gaius and said: "Lord Angel, we anticipate it will take three standard hours to reach the spires where the Governor's Mansion is located. You may rest for a while."
Three standard hours… Gaius calculated the time. He looked through the observation window, overlooking the internal structure of the Hive City, which was like a steel labyrinth. Countless passages, bridges, and pipes intertwined, forming bottomless shadowed areas. The lighting in some areas seemed unstable, flickering with dim light. Although the overall order was well-maintained, its sheer size and complex structure were enough to hide too many secrets.
Whispers of Chaos? Infiltration by Genestealers? Or simply dereliction of duty by the Planetary Governor or some unexpected incident?
The answer, perhaps, was hidden in a corner of this silent, colossal steel mountain, waiting for them to uncover it.
Luna Aisa stood quietly in a corner of the elevator, her helmet's bionic eye slowly scanning the surroundings, recording structural data and energy flow. Dorian, somewhat impatiently, shifted his massive body encased in Saturnine Terminator armor, causing the elevator to sway slightly, drawing nervous glances from the three young Sisters of Battle.
Gaius did not rest; his gaze remained sharp, sweeping like a hawk over the fleeting scenery outside the window. His intuition told him that this seemingly simple reconnaissance mission would likely not be as peaceful as it appeared on the surface.
The long three standard hours passed in the continuous and monotonous hum of the elevator. When the heavy metal door slid open again, the scene that greeted them caused even the well-traveled Astartes Brother to experience a fleeting moment of surprise.
In stark contrast to the lower levels, which were filled with the roar of machinery, foul air, and numbly busy crowds, the upper levels of the Hive City were an entirely different world.
It was as if this was a paradise suspended above industrial clouds. The sky was simulated, a clear and bright azure, and soft artificial sunlight spilled onto wide, clean streets. The sides of the streets were no longer cold metal pipes and dense residential units, but rather ornately decorated shops with bright display windows. Clothing stores showcased luxurious garments woven from silk, velvet, and rare fibers; jewelry stores shimmered with the gleam of gold, gemstones, and pearls; the air was filled with the rich scents of flower perfumes, baked pastries, and real coffee beans, replacing the oil and sweat smells of the lower levels.
Well-dressed men and women, in tailored suits or casual wear, strolled leisurely along the streets with relaxed and contented smiles, entering and exiting various establishments that clearly catered to expensive tastes. In the distance, large amusement facilities adorned with colorful lights and banners could even be seen, from which emanated cheerful music and the laughter of people. Everything here was full of prosperity, extravagance, and… a 'vitality' utterly different from the lower levels.
"By the Emperor…" Dorian couldn't help but grumble in his gruff voice over the squad's private encrypted channel, "These guys live better than we do on Macragge! Look at the clothes they're wearing; that's enough for those workers downstairs to toil for a lifetime, isn't it? Each one of them is fat and greasy, and they still don't pay taxes? It's truly outrageous!"
His voice was filled with undisguised contempt and indignation. Although Astartes Brothers enjoyed the best equipment and supplies, their lives were essentially ones of asceticism and warfare, completely at odds with such pure extravagance and enjoyment.
Luna Aisa's calm voice, with a hint of electronic synthesis, echoed in the channel. She was analyzing environmental data through her helmet's built-in scanner: "No, Dorian, your understanding is flawed. The heavy burden of the Imperial tithe largely falls upon the workers you saw on the lower levels. Their labor output, beyond maintaining their minimum subsistence, is mostly used to offset the planet's tithe quota. As for these nobles, guild leaders, and wealthy merchants in the upper levels, they typically possess various privileges, allowing them to circumvent most of their due tax burden through 'private agreements' with the Planetary Governor, legal loopholes, or direct bribery. Ultimately, the share they evade is passed on to the lower-class populace through longer working hours, lower wages, or higher living costs."
Her analysis was cold and objective, exposing the stark reality of class exploitation prevalent in the Imperium's Hive Worlds.
"Damn it!" Dorian cursed again, this time with a deeper sense of powerlessness. He might not fully comprehend the complex tax system, but such blatant injustice touched his simple sense of justice as a warrior.
Luna Aisa seemed to let out a soft sigh and continued in the channel: "This is the truest and most helpless portrayal of most Imperial Hive Worlds. Extreme wealth disparity, with the endless pleasure of the upper class built upon the endless suffering of the lower class. Therefore, the whispers of Chaos and the temptations of heresy often find the most fertile ground to sprout and spread among those deprived of all hope, who can only struggle in despair in the lower levels. This is the most fertile soil for heresy and rebellion."
Their communication took place rapidly within the encrypted channel, unknown to outsiders. The three Sisters of Battle walking ahead of them seemed to be accustomed to the prosperity of the upper levels, even bearing a faint expression of pride as guardians of a Shrine World.
Pedestrians on the street also noticed the peculiar group—three Sisters of Battle in pristine white power armor leading three massive, heavily armored Astartes Brothers radiating cold killing intent. The previously relaxed and pleasant atmosphere became slightly stagnant.
People stopped, casting curious, surprised, scrutinizing, and even… somewhat judging glances. They whispered to each other:
"Look! It's the Astartes! Angels of the Emperor!"
"Why are they here? We don't have any wars here…"
"Has something happened to the Shrine World?"
"Their armor… it looks really scary…"
Among these whispers, Gaius keenly detected a lack of the genuine awe and gratitude that should be felt for superhuman soldiers who protect humanity. There was more of a sense of confusion, curiosity, and even a subtle… detachment and arrogance arising from their lives being disturbed.
This was within his expectations. These pampered nobles, living in ivory towers built with high walls and privileges, had long taken peace and prosperity for granted. They might sing praises to the Emperor in churches, but they might not truly understand that it was countless warriors like Gaius, bleeding and sacrificing on endless front lines, who bought them this moment of tranquility. They enjoyed the peace that the Astartes defended with their lives, yet they believed this peace was a deserved gift of their noble bloodline and status.
"Turn around! Lower your lowly heads!" Sister Furina clearly also noticed the disrespect in those gazes. She abruptly stopped, turned to the surrounding crowd, and sternly shouted, her clear voice carrying the authority of a Sister of Battle, "Do not desecrate the noble Angels of the Emperor with your gazes!"
Her reprimand had some effect; some people nearby instinctively averted their eyes or slightly lowered their heads. But many in the distance still secretly observed the group, their eyes complex.
Gaius paid no attention to the gazes of these mortals. His duty was to complete the mission, not to be admired or to curry favor with nobles. His gaze, like a scanner, calmly swept over the surroundings—the street layout, building structures, expressions of pedestrians, potential sniper points… every detail that might hide a threat.
Luna Aisa's multifunctional bionic eye on her helmet flickered with a faint red light, scanning the surroundings more meticulously. Energy readings, life signals, building structural integrity, anomalous psychic fluctuations… data streamed rapidly before her eyes. Initial scan results showed that, aside from some harmless decorative items worn by the nobles that might have faint psychic reactions, everything was normal; no obvious Chaos corruption or xenos energy signatures were detected.
Dorian's attention, however, was drawn to a particularly luxurious-looking tavern by the side of the street, with impeccably uniformed waiters standing at its entrance. Through the large glass window, he could see well-dressed people raising glasses and conversing inside, and the display window showcased various alluringly colored bottles with ornate labels. He smacked his lips, muttering in the squad channel: "After we deal with that Governor, I absolutely have to come here for a drink! Let's see if what these guys drink is better than our nutrient paste!"
Just then, as Gaius's gaze swept over a relatively secluded alley entrance connected to the main street, his peripheral vision caught sight of a few unusual figures.
They were several abnormally tall, slender figures, whose physiques were clearly far beyond ordinary humans even from a distance. They were clad in thick, dark cloaks, and wide hoods completely obscured their faces. They moved almost silently. The moment Gaius's gaze inadvertently swept over them, the figures seemed to possess some keen perception; their movements stiffened in unison, and then, like startled rabbits, they turned without hesitation, quickly merging into the bustling crowd deeper in the alley with an agility and speed far exceeding that of ordinary people, disappearing in the blink of an eye as if they had never been there.
The entire process was as quick as a flash of lightning.
However, in that instant, within Gaius, the pure psychic energy originating from Kolesa, which had subtly merged with his own life energy, seemed to be touched by a resonance of similar or extremely opposing aura. It spontaneously, and incredibly faintly, flowed for a moment, like a tiny pebble dropped into a calm lake, creating a ripple that was almost imperceptible.
The sensation was fleeting, so faint that Gaius would have almost overlooked it had his mind not been highly concentrated.
He suddenly focused, looking again at the alleyway, where only normal pedestrians were coming and going, as if the ghostly figures he had just seen were merely an illusion brought on by his heightened tension.
Did he see wrong? Or…?
A trace of doubt arose in Gaius's mind. The tall physique, the agile movements, and the keen perception that could instantly detect his gaze… and the faint reaction of Kolesa's psychic energy within him… all of it seemed to point to a certain possibility.
But for now, their primary mission was to find the Planetary Governor and investigate the tithe issue. They could not deviate from the main objective because of an uncertain, fleeting doubt. Perhaps they were just a few eccentric xenos enthusiasts, or mortals with certain mutated genes.
He forcibly suppressed that hint of doubt, and in the communication channel, he said to Luna Aisa and Dorian: "Stay alert, keep moving, target the Governor's Palace."
He needed to focus on the task at hand. As for the tall figures that vanished into the shadows… perhaps they were just one insignificant secret among the many unknown ones beneath this prosperous spire.
But the threads of fate often intertwine subtly in these seemingly insignificant moments.