"What is the meaning of this?"
Seeing the Cryptek walking quietly behind Adam, everyone was instantly stunned.
This—was this right?
Collaborating with xenos is a severe taboo within the Imperium of Man, sometimes even viewed as a betrayal of the God-Emperor. Those who cross this red line can draw the ultimate sanction of the Inquisition.
The Ordo Xenos exists for this very purpose; members of the Ordo Mallus are responsible for handling all matters related to aliens, and they are keen on hunting down and eliminating humans who kneel before the xenos.
Of course, these are merely the regulations in principle.
But sometimes, principles can be redefined.
In many cases, high-ranking Imperial commanders will collaborate with xenos when forced by necessity—either for the Greater Good or to combat a more powerful and terrifying enemy. Even without such urgency, Rogue Traders sometimes use xenos weaponry or even enter into alliances with alien races. Radical Inquisitors go even further; it is not unheard of for Daemonhosts to act as advisors at their side.
Let heroes investigate heroes, let legends investigate legends.
However, just moments ago, they were at war, fighting to the death. To suddenly shift to cooperation and allow a xeno to join the squad was difficult for many members who held traditional Imperial values to accept.
But considering the identity of the individual before them, everyone begrudgingly accepted the outcome.
Looking at the tall, silver skeletal frame so utterly different from a human, Inquisitor Sibylla frowned slightly and spoke.
"Very well, Lord Adam. We will support your decision, but I personally wish to remind you: ten thousand years of experience and the teachings of the Emperor tell us that the xeno cannot be trusted."
Hearing the words of this human female, Sutton was filled with a sense of helplessness.
Thinking about it now, he must be mad. Why did he agree to the request of this unknown entity named Adam to join this group of humans? Was it solely because of his dream to reverse bio-transference?
If it succeeded, it would be fine. But given the current situation, this later civilization's xenophobia was quite severe (though in Sutton's eyes, this was normal in this dark galaxy). Being guarded with such caution, was there really any hope of receiving their help?
He hoped he wouldn't end up like the Silent King—selling out his entire race after being deceived by the Deceiver.
Just as Sutton's mood was sinking, a voice drifted over. Adam turned around and walked step by step to Sutton's side.
"Indeed, the xeno cannot be trusted. But sometimes, we can redefine what a 'xeno' is."
He looked at the Cryptek. "Come, repeat after me: What do I look like to you?"
What kind of game was this?
"—What do I look like to you?" Sutton hesitated for a moment but repeated the words.
"I think you look like an ordinary Terran human."
As if he had prepared the answer long ago, Adam replied immediately.
Huh?
Before Sutton could react, a blinding white light swallowed his entire form. A strange sense of distortion washed over his body, then vanished.
What happened?
As the brilliance in his vision faded, Sutton dazedledly looked down at his palms. They were no longer silver metal, but palms made of flesh and blood—a pair of human hands.
The crowd watched in horror at the former xeno. He had completely changed; he now appeared to be a tall young man with sharp facial features, slightly tanned skin, and amber eyes.
What made Archmagos Cawl even more speechless was that Adam had conveniently manifested a set of Adeptus Mechanicus red robes on the man, complete with various unique cogwheel motifs, identifying him as a Tech-Priest Dominus.
This wasn't right, was it?
Everyone thought they had grown used to Adam's whims, but reality proved they had underestimated him.
As the protagonist of this transformation, Sutton pinched his palm hard—so hard it broke the skin, and blood flowed down. This genuine sense of pain, this vibrant feeling of life, was something he could never experience in a mechanical body no matter how hard he tried. Data simulations and reactions simply couldn't compare.
So, this is the reverse bio-transference I've dreamed of? I succeeded?
A wave of fanatical joy crashed into his brain, leaving him in a temporary daze. He almost wanted to burst into song to express his intense emotions.
Necrons? What are they?
Silent King Szarekh? Trazyn the Infinite? Never heard of them.
I've been a human all along!
"Why is he so happy? He isn't acting for our benefit, is he?" The group watched the former xeno, now human, cheering on the spot and fell into deep thought.
"Never mind. If Lord Adam did this, he must have his reasons."
Half an hour later.
Using his command authority over communications, Sutton ordered all Necron forces to stand down, effectively ending the hostilities. Afterward, everyone gathered in a circle. With Adam leading and the former Cryptek supplementing, everyone learned the specific intelligence regarding the C'tan shards.
"I see. So you need to collect the power of other exceptionally evil gods known as C'tan to continue increasing your strength?" Leonardo summarized after the briefing.
"Yes. And I basically have some ideas already." Adam waved his hand. "However, the next task requires killing a sufficient number of souls to bolster my reality-warping intensity."
"That is simple." Drawing from her experience as an Inquisitor, Sibylla offered her opinion on the spot. "There are three Hive Cities on this planet. The population is more than enough. We likely only need to sacrifice the entire population of one Hive to you, and the numbers should be sufficient."
"—That isn't necessary to be so extreme. They are loyal citizens" Adam was somewhat speechless and interrupted her. "There are so many battles in the galaxy. We just need to find a high-intensity warzone to make up the numbers."
"An ancient Terran proverb spoke wisely: Great deeds demand well-forged tools.In the future, I cannot be confined to a single planet. I need to travel rapidly across the galaxy, so I need a sophisticated vessel."
"Therefore, I need to modify that Strike Cruiser."
"What modifications?" everyone asked in confusion.
"Upgrades in all aspects. Most importantly, integrating Necron faster-than-light technology so I can quickly traverse every corner of the Milky Way."
Everyone simultaneously looked at Sutton, who smiled helplessly.
"To be honest, that is very difficult. You are talking about the Inertia-less Drive? That engine is indeed more stable and efficient than human Warp travel, and much faster, but the problem is... it is incompatible with flesh and blood."
"Only the mechanical bodies of the Necrons can withstand the backlash of such an engine. A fragile body of flesh would essentially turn into a pile of mush in an instant."
"I've considered that, of course." Adam nodded and pointed to the other side.
Commissar Yarrick blinked, pointing at himself in confusion. "Me?"
"Yes, of course," Adam said cheerfully. "What if we add the Ork's Waaagh! field technology into the mix?"
"What?" Sutton was dazed, looking at the human man in the Commissar uniform.
"—Then it's hard to say. It's worth a try."
As for the Orks' field technology, their ultimate vehicles—the Attack Moons—were the best proof of its existence. Even if the surface of an Attack Moon was covered in haphazardly welded armor plates and full of leaks, that unique field technology could still firmly hold an atmosphere without fear of accidents.
Not to mention the various wonders of the Old Ones' technology and the all-powerful power of "I fink so." The feasibility of solving the recoil issues of the Inertia-less Drive was actually quite high.
The only problem was... as a Cryptek who had participated in the War in Heaven, Sutton couldn't for the life of him understand how this human knew how to use Ork technology. It wasn't logical!
Next, Adam turned his gaze to Archmagos Cawl.
"You can help too. Human technology from the Dark Age of Technology also has many unique features; you must have mastered quite a few, right? Regarding technology, the three of you can exchange ideas. If there are any insurmountable problems, come to me. Reality-warping can solve many things."
"It is my honor." Belisarius Cawl performed the cogwheel salute. "This ship will surely become a masterpiece of the entire galaxy. Perhaps only the Imperator Somnium from ten thousand years ago can compare to it."
"However—" Cawl asked, "Lord Adam, have you decided on a name for this ship?"
Hearing this, everyone was surprised to see Adam freeze on the spot. Only after a long silence did he slowly speak.
"I want to call it—"
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The author gave the ship a name but it's lame so it's up to you folks.