Xana II's surface.
Tech-Priest Samuel-40 opened the tactical Thought Space and sent an announcement to the Skitarii of the same Macro-Clade.
"Source power has taken Karetsas's life. Before the Fabricator-General intervenes, we must immediately select a new Magos Dominus."
"Samuel-40, you merely want to raise the staff of dominion yourself." Tech-Priest Gadu-22, who commanded the Vanguard, accused him.
"Your brain is as small as your eyelids. You cannot even see the holy light of the Omnissiah."
Samuel-40 had been classified as a Ranger before his birth. The instant he was born, his eyelids had been completely cut away.
To ensure that Rangers remained vigilant forever, the Adeptus Mechanicus cut away their eyelids.
Samuel-40 had never been content with his lot from the moment of his birth.
He seized the limited opportunities for general instruction, absorbing the knowledge taught by the Tech-Priests like a sponge. In the selection examination, he became the only one among ten thousand children to pass, becoming the acolyte of Karetsas, who had still been a Tech-Priest at the time.
"Gadu-22, you think you are mocking my inborn defect."
"But you fail to see the Radium Censers at the waists of the Rangers and me. We are the eyes of the Magos. The data we collect far exceeds your imagination. Magos Karedes's wisdom came precisely from this."
Samuel-40's voice spread through Thought Space, touching the minds of every Ranger. They tightened their grips on their Galvanic Rifles, and beneath their goggles, their eyes began to burn.
"And you, Gadu-22—only the fire of greed burns within those bionic eyes of yours."
"Attack!"
Samuel-40 knew that if he wanted to advance to Magos Dominus and continue his Magos mentor's ideals, he had to kill every opponent.
He had to prove to the other Tech-Priests that he was the one