harleyscars Page 78
Page 78
"Lord Lynch has arrived."
Eric's voice silenced the argument, and then all four of them faced Lynch and bowed respectfully.
"Master Lynch."
"I've come to see how your work is going. I heard you had Eric help extract the Xenomorph's memories, hoping to find a starting point from there?"
The four looked at each other, and finally Evelyn stepped forward, gesturing for Lynch to go aside for a private conversation.
"We can't do it."
Evelyn's tone carried a hint of shame as she shook her head slightly at Lin Qi.
"If it's just about replicating a combat suit, then we can do that by remaking each part. But if we want to thoroughly understand the technology behind the combat suit, then we're somewhat powerless. More importantly..."
Evelyn pointed to the combat suit beside her. Lynch looked over; this suit alone was far more advanced than a regular Astartes, with its all-blue armor and numerous weapon ports. Just looking at it, one could imagine the terrifying destructive power it would unleash when activated.
"The aliens call it 'Cold Star,' and it's considered one of the most powerful combat suits. It's our biggest find among all the alien equipment we've captured. We believe that if we can thoroughly study it, then we'll naturally be able to acquire other combat suit equipment."
"The biggest problem right now is its driving system, Lord Lynch. It's an AI. Although my colleagues and I have eliminated it, that AI has definitely exceeded the limits of normal behavior and cannot be tolerated by the Empire."
Evelyn looked at Lynch and said in a deep voice.
"Lord Lynch, this is no longer a simple matter of violating the holy code. Using AI could very well lead to a grave mistake."
Lin Qi frowned, clearly deep in thought. AI technology was indeed a major taboo in the Empire, and this wasn't simply a matter of stagnation; there was genuine reason behind it.
"And the thinker?"
"We can't simply replace them; at least, we can't do it with our current level. Among our prisoners are researchers studying the aliens, and we've extracted their memories, but even so, AI remains an insurmountable hurdle in our research."
Well, that makes sense. If combat suits were so easy to research, the Empire wouldn't be fighting so fiercely with it on the frontier.
Lin Qi thought this to himself, and then felt relieved. After all, they had only been researching for a few days; expecting the other party to produce results so quickly was just being too hasty.
"You continue your research. If you need anything, just let me know. There's no need to rush. After all, you are all assistant priests of the Star Claw now, and there's a long road ahead."
"Um...and also, Lord Lynch..."
"what happened?"
"No, it's okay."
Evelyn shook her head slightly, then looked at Lynch's back and pondered silently.
After a while, she sighed and then she and her colleagues threw themselves back into their research.
Chapter 103 The Emperor's Decree! (5K)
The starry sea tore apart, and a long, narrow rift appeared in the boundless void. With violent lightning bolts constantly bursting forth from the world beyond the rift, countless warships gradually broke free of their restraints and once again entered the real universe.
The eagles atop the ships indicated the faction to which this powerful fleet belonged. The several battle barges, each bearing unique and distinct insignia, further illustrated the fleet's complex composition. The Inquisition's black ship silently followed at the rear of the fleet, giving an impression of elusive detachment.
Having left the warp, the fleet did not immediately activate its physical engines. Instead, it remained quietly anchored in the void. The engine rooms of the giant warships—the battle barges, the Inquisition black ships, and an Emperor-class battleship—all opened at the same moment, and one or more transport vehicles flew out and headed toward a golden cruiser.
The golden cruiser opened its hatches to receive the small boats that had flown in. Then, the cruiser's hatches closed, and the small boats' hatches opened after they came to a stop. The towering giants, dressed in power armor painted in different colors, stepped off the transport ship and onto the deck of the cruiser belonging to the Imperial Guard, under the watchful eyes of the mortals in the hangar.
However, although there were indeed many giants, it did not mean that every one of the transport ships that disembarked was a giant.
The transport ship that disembarked from the Tribunal's black ship was positioned at the very edge of the fleet, just like its mother ship. As the hatch opened, an unassuming old man, with only two attendants, appeared before the crowd, his steady steps carrying him.
“Inquisitor Moraine,” Virant Ortiz, Chapter Master of the Red Scorpion Chapter, said calmly, looking at the old man. “You seem to be in good condition.”
"This is the last collective meeting before landing in Badab." The senior judge, whose full name was Morlene Frankfurt, looked at Ortiz, who was almost twice his height, his aged face showing no sign of tension. "My spirits are naturally high, after all, we will soon be able to see the chosen one of the God-Emperor."
"Nothing has been decided yet."
Another person spoke up. This was a towering giant, whose stature stood out even among the surrounding Astartes. He wore a specially modified Hades-type Terminator armor, its brass-colored paintwork adorned with numerous decorations, making it appear exceptionally ornate.
“Zayadian has not yet proclaimed the Emperor’s decree,” said Astrid Morlock, Chapter Master of the Tauren Chapter. “We still do not know whether we are to bring destruction or coronation.”
“It seems the High Lords have other opinions.” Ortiz did not shift his gaze, still looking at the aged Inquisitor. “However, with the Emperor’s decree, our opinions are insignificant.”
A silence fell over the air. Although there were two other Astartes chapters present—Starry Night and Firehawk—the chapter commanders of both chapters remained silent and retreated in unison, seemingly indifferent to the situation.
Moraine sighed. He had never been interested in the feuds between the Astartes Chapters or the political games on Terra, but as it turned out, his team, the review team decided by the Highlord Council, had a lot of political maneuvering involved in its composition.
The Minotaur Chapter is a well-known high lord's lackey throughout the Imperium. There's also the Red Scorpion Chapter, a model among the Astartes Chapters, whose chapter masters are also known as Lord Commanders.
Yes, there's also Firehawk and Star Phantom. Firehawk is probably meant to warn Star Claw, while Star Phantom is likely there to ensure the team has enough power to suppress Star Claw if it is indeed a trap as his colleagues have suggested.
but........
Moraine felt that this action was completely unnecessary. With the Imperial Guard as a guarantor, unless even the God Emperor himself had been deceived, how could this be a trap?
However, the High Lords clearly did not think that way. Even though, according to Morlein, they had been forced to make concessions at the High Lords' meeting at the request of the Guards and the Chancellor, they still cunningly used their own methods to do some disgusting things.
However, in the following days, these people all unfortunately died suddenly in their homes due to excessive political pressure. The golden giants also left the palace for the first time and began to carry out limited activities on Terra.
This should be a good thing.
As Moraine thought this, at that moment, a mortal servant stepped forward and spoke respectfully to the group.
"The messenger requests your presence." The mortal servant bowed. "Please follow me."
The Honor Guard and their retinue were left behind, while the four chapter commanders and an inquisitor headed toward the cruiser's reception room. They walked through a long corridor, lined with exquisite paintings and artworks—all the work of the Imperial Guard—that, even though it wasn't the first time Moraine had seen them, still amazed him, making him understand why his teacher had once told him that these palace guards were truly perfect humans.
A magnificent gate appeared, its golden doors engraved with myths and legends recorded in the ancient tomes of the empire—a mounted knight, lance in hand, fearlessly charging towards a ferocious dragon—with a "crack," the gate swung open, and like a bolt of lightning, it cleaved the dragon's head and body in two.
The door was opened not by ordinary people, but by two giants clad in golden armor. They gazed at the five visitors, and finally, the one on the left spoke, his voice authoritative.
"come in."
Moraine and the four chapter commanders entered the reception room and took their assigned seats. The two guards who opened the door closed it after they were seated, then stood guard on either side of the main seat, holding halberds like statues, protecting the empty seat.
"Next, we will read out the Emperor's decree to you."
It was the imperial guard on the left who spoke again, his voice as authoritative as before, but this time it seemed to carry a hint of warning.
“We know that some of you have impure motives, so my colleagues and I, after consulting with the commander, have decided to read out the Emperor’s decree ahead of time. If anyone disobeys this decree later, we will consider them a traitor.”
betray.
The moment that word appeared, the expressions of everyone present changed. Regardless of their status—exemplary figures of Astartes, lackeys of the Highlords, maverick inquisitors, enemies of the Starclaws, or conscripted chapters—they all became serious, or rather, for the first time, truly took everything before them seriously.
Because regardless of their status, they are all loyal members of the empire at this moment, and for the loyal, the most intolerable thing is betrayal.
The Imperial Guards nodded in satisfaction at their reaction.
Another series of footsteps sounded. Although he was somewhat prepared, Moraine was still taken aback—a tall figure emerged from the shadows. He had remained silent throughout, a silence that had provided excellent cover for his concealment. His hands were clenched tightly in front of him, as if resting on the hilt of an invisible sword. Although he carried no weapon, he still exuded a strong aura of power.
This was a member of the Imperial Guard, but he was different from the others. He wore red shoulder armor and a greyish-white robe. He wore a helmet, obscuring his face from everyone present, yet without exception, they all stood up and saluted him.
"messenger."
The crowd spoke up, revealing the identity of the Imperial Guard.
A royal messenger, an imperial edict. He carries the will of the man on the throne, and at this moment, speaks on his behalf to others.
Moraine remained silent, as did the other four Astartes Chapter Commanders. However, they all removed their helmets, revealing faces that were either resolute or fierce.
The Imperial Envoy—who could also be called by his name, Zayadien—did not speak immediately after taking his seat, but remained seated quietly.
Moraine looked at the messenger and immediately understood why the imperial envoy was doing this: he was still waiting for someone.
Soon, footsteps sounded, and the door was forcefully pushed open. Morlein looked at the newcomer, and his body immediately stiffened.
The other four people reacted in the same way as him.
"Good day, Your Excellency."
The visitor said this, his tone seemingly carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Ah, I was summoned while I was praying for the machine. To be honest, I was a little unhappy. After all, it is a great disrespect to the machine spirit to suddenly stop the prayer halfway through."
“I’m sorry, Sage Couldo.”
Zayadien spoke earnestly.
“But I think it would be a good thing for you to be present at this meeting as a witness.”
Belisarius Caul – the Archsage of Mechanics, an unexpected visitor to everyone present except the Custodians.
The great sage stroked his steel chin, looked at the crowd, and announced their identities one by one.
“Hmm… let me see, the Minotaur, the Red Scorpion, the Starry Sky Phantom, the Firehawk, and an Inquisitor.”
Kaul walked to his seat. He didn't have a seat because his enormous body simply couldn't find a suitable place to sit; even standing, he took up a large area.
"Then, we can begin."
Zayadien said this, first slowly scanning the crowd before him, and then slowly opening his mouth.
“I received the revelation from the throne, and I also carry with me the results of the discussions at the High Lords Council.”
Zayadien raised his hand, and a pair of mortals bowed their heads and respectfully handed over a long piece of parchment.
"It contains encrypted language records, which no one but me can decipher."
The parchment was picked up; it contained an encrypted code, along with red marks of purity and pure prayers.
The imperial envoy picked up the parchment and then began the solemn reading.
"This is the Emperor's will. It will be discussed at the Terra High Lords' Council and will determine the fate of Badab, the Star Claw, and the newly chosen Lynch."
Five people held their breath, while one person remained completely relaxed, as if it were none of their business.
"Then I will now tell you His will."
-------
Three days have passed since I inquired about the progress of the combat suit research.
A lot can happen in three days. Not only have the several warbands on Badab successfully established a relationship through a series of exchanges in three days, but a fleet has also been able to cross the star system and arrive in the void near the planet.
Lin Qi stood on the track, surrounded by a group of high-ranking members of Star Claw. At this moment, they all wore solemn expressions, awaiting the arrival of the delegation.
Lynch used his psionic powers to enhance his vision, looking at the massive fleet in the distance and the numerous transport ships that were constantly approaching them.
Although I know their arrival is not meant to bring destruction, I still feel a strong sense of oppression.
The visitor is evil?
No.
Lin Qi thought to himself, while Horus stood beside him, looking up at the golden warships in the distant fleet.