Chapter 283: The Inquisitor's Decision
Just as the squad members were discussing the bizarre symbol, Valerie's voice rang out in the communication channel: "This symbol is the key. But guessing here is pointless."
Her voice was very calm, yet it quieted everyone down. "The Arbites might recognize this mark, but the one who understands this kind of thing best is definitely the Inquisitor."
She paused, letting this judgment settle in everyone's mind, and then continued, "Ask him directly. Although it's very risky, it's the fastest way to uncover the truth. If this symbol truly represents some threat we don't understand, acting blindly will only make the situation worse."
Maine fell silent. He stared at the bizarre symbol on his tactical eye-piece, rapidly weighing the pros and cons.
Asking the Inquisitor directly was undoubtedly a risk, but Valerie was right—under the circumstances of unclear intelligence, this was the most effective choice.
He took a deep breath and made his decision.
Maine walked alone towards Inquisitor Karras, who was surrounded by Stormtroopers.
The surrounding soldiers immediately became alert; several gazes and gun muzzles locked onto him simultaneously.
Maine ignored this, stopping at an appropriate distance from the Inquisitor.
"Lord Inquisitor," his voice was steady, cutting straight to the point. "My people just returned from reconnoitering inside the factory. Besides the workers' situation, we also found this in a hidden corner."
He raised his hand to operate his tactical dataslate, transmitting the image of the symbol—a circle ringed by eight arrows—to the Inquisitor's data terminal.
"We hope you can help identify the meaning of this symbol." Maine maintained a perfectly formal tone. "Understanding its meaning will help us more accurately assess the internal threat and take appropriate action."
Inquisitor Karras's initial expression was his usual cold scrutiny, but when his gaze fell upon the symbol on the dataslate, that icy mask instantly shattered.
His pupils shrank violently, his facial muscles tightened, and a killing intent and disgust that almost materialized into physical form erupted from him.
"Enough!" the Inquisitor growled, his voice somewhat distorted by extreme anger. He jerked his head up, ignoring Maine, and issued an order directly to the Stormtrooper Captain behind him. "Move! Now! Purge all contamination with maximum priority! Lockdown the entire area; no one is allowed to leave!"
This sudden, violent reaction made Maine's heart tighten.
Although he anticipated the Inquisitor would take it seriously, he didn't expect such a fierce, almost reflex-like command for destruction.
"Lord Inquisitor!" Maine took a half-step forward, not meaning to stop him, but raising his voice slightly, carrying clear incomprehension and pressing for an answer. "What exactly does this symbol represent? We need to know what we are facing!"
Inquisitor Karras's pupils contracted sharply. He grabbed Maine and pulled him to a corner away from the crowd, hissing at him in a lowered voice, "Where did you see this?" His gaze was as sharp as a falcon's, staring intently at Maine. "Forget this symbol, and never inquire about it! Within the Imperium, merely knowing of this symbol's existence is enough to condemn you."
He looked around, ensuring no one overheard their conversation, before continuing at an almost whisper-like volume. "Its appearance means profanity and depravity have already infiltrated here. This is not an ordinary labor dispute, but a deeper corruption; everyone in the factory is potentially tainted."
The Inquisitor's tone was unquestionable. "Now do you understand why it must be purged immediately? Every second of delay could allow the depravity and corruption to spread further."
His words were like the biting winds of winter, not only chilling Maine but also causing Count Gresham, who had been watching the commotion from a short distance away, to turn pale instantly.
What surprised Maine and the others even more was that the Inquisitor's icy gaze immediately turned to Count Gresham.
"And you, Count Gresham." The Inquisitor's voice was indisputable. "For such severe heretical contamination to appear within your factory, your management has been grossly negligent, and you are under heavy suspicion. In the name of the Inquisition, I temporarily strip you of all authority and place you under arrest! You will be interrogated once this matter is resolved!"
Several Stormtroopers stepped forward immediately, unceremoniously stripping the sword from the Count's waist and placing restrictive magnetic cuffs on him.
Yet, in the face of all this, Count Gresham made no resistance or defense. He just stared fixedly at the image of the symbol on the Inquisitor's dataslate, his face a mix of immense shock, the humiliation of being defiled, and... some deep-seated resentment.
He clenched his teeth tightly, as if tacitly accepting the Inquisitor's statement. This formed a sharp and bizarre contrast with his previous posture of strenuously defending the factory and the workers.
The Count's attitude of giving up the struggle, even displaying self-doubt, left Maine and the squad members more confused and alarmed than the Inquisitor's fierce reaction.
Things seemed to have gone far beyond the scope of a "worker protest," sliding toward a dark and dangerous direction they completely failed to comprehend.
Just as Maine was still digesting the Inquisitor's horrifying whispers, Inquisitor Karras had already restored his icy, majestic posture. He turned to the Adeptus Arbites commander, who was still standing by, looking confused and uneasy.
"Adeptus Arbites," the Inquisitor's voice was no longer lowered, returning to his usual commanding tone, but carrying a finality that ended all discussion. "Your mission here is over. This matter has exceeded your jurisdiction and handling capacity. Now, the Inquisition takes full control. Lead your men and immediately withdraw beyond the perimeter of the blockade. You are not to interfere with any subsequent actions."
The Arbites commander froze. He subconsciously took a half-step forward, trying to argue: "Lord Inquisitor, we can fully assist..."
"This is an order, not a negotiation." Karras cut him off directly, his eyes leaving no room for accommodation. "The matters here have exceeded the scope of what you are permitted to know. Withdraw immediately; do not make me repeat this order!"
The commander's words were choked in his throat. He looked at the Inquisitor's unquestionable expression, then glanced at Count Gresham beside him, who was ashen-faced and already under arrest. Finally, he could only forcefully suppress all his questions and dissatisfaction.
He let out a heavy breath and raised his hand to give his subordinates a concise retreat signal.
Although the Enforcers were equally full of doubts, their strict discipline made them quickly begin to gather their formation. Covering each other in turns, they retreated backward, entirely yielding the factory gate and surrounding area they had originally controlled to the Inquisitorial Stormtroopers and the Planetary Defense Force.
Before leaving, Proctor Atkins cast a complex look at Maine—a look mixing helplessness, warning, and a trace of inability to assist.
In the blink of an eye, only the Inquisition's armed forces remained on the scene, along with Maine's squad, who had been invisibly pushed to the forefront of the storm.
The sudden departure of the Adeptus Arbites caused Maine and the others to lose a potential buffer, forcing them to face the hardline and clearly targeted Inquisition alone.
The pressure now fell entirely on Maine's shoulders.
(End of Chapter)