Tech-Priest

It was very rare, but Yarrick fell silent.

Even he couldn't understand what the other man had said at first. His mind went blank.

After a long pause, Yarrick finally spoke.

"If I haven't misunderstood... you mean you can meet my requirements?"

Rowan wasn't surprised by Yarrick's incredulous reaction.

"I think I made myself perfectly clear. I can meet all the requirements you listed."

"Even those Super-heavy Tanks?"

"Even those Super-heavy Tanks."

A similar conversation had taken place before, but this time, the positions of the two sides had been completely reversed.

"Could you be more specific about what kind of Super-heavy Tanks you need?"

Rowan asked.

Could the Space Marine Strike Cruiser have similar equipment supplies aboard?

At last, Yarrick gave up trying to figure out why.

"Fine, I'll be direct. First, our regiment is outnumbered, so we need armored units that can quickly clear out masses of light infantry. For that reason, we need at least one Storm Lord."

"To break through the Xenos defenses completely and destroy enemy positions in urban street fighting, a Storm Sword is also essential. We need at least two."

"Also, because of the Hive City's complex terrain, we need some Hellhounds as well—at least five."

Rowan noted them down one by one on a piece of paper.

"Anything else?"

"...No."

Yarrick already felt that he was asking for far too much.

This equipment was exceptionally rare.

As far as the Departmento Munitorum was concerned, sending in a few infantry regiments to grind the Orks down in a meat grinder would be more cost-effective than handing over such prized equipment.

But Yarrick was a Commissar. He was unwilling to let his soldiers' lives be wasted inside the Hive City, especially when the effort might well come to nothing.

["The Emperor's currency is the lives of His subjects. Spend it well."]

Rowan looked up at him, his expression a little strange.

"You only need that much equipment?"

"Huh?"

Yarrick couldn't help staring at him in bewilderment.

What was this...? Some kind of Terran noble's sarcasm that he couldn't understand?

In any case, he didn't take the words at face value.

Every Super-heavy Tank was a vast machine, and the technology needed to build one had grown increasingly scarce in the Imperium, now mired in stagnation and decay. They were exceedingly rare, and the Astra Militarum's armored regiments treasured them like holy relics.

How could Rowan just offer them up like that?

"Don't worry. If that's all you need, it should be easy to provide, barring any unforeseen problems."

Rowan put away the paper and pen in his pocket. "But before we get to that, I'd like to ask whether your armored regiment has a Tech-Priest assigned to it. I want to discuss this matter with him."

"Of course."

Yarrick answered at once. "Without a Tech-Priest to maintain them, our tanks wouldn't even run."

"The Tech-Priest assigned to the 252nd Regiment is called Damian. He should still be at the rear logistics base, performing routine maintenance. I can have someone guide you there."

"Much obliged."

Rowan nodded.

Then he seemed to think of something and gestured to the Adeptus Custodes.

"Leonardo, stay here and protect Commissar Yarrick. I have enough protection with me for now."

Leonardo nodded and went to stand beside Yarrick.

Soon, at the Commissar's instruction, a soldier from the Armageddon Steel Legion led Rowan and the others toward the rear base.

On the way, Sibyl turned to Rowan and asked, "Lord Rowan, is your plan to use the Tech-Priest's memories and knowledge as a blueprint to create usable equipment?"

"Of course."

Rowan wasn't surprised by her insight. After all, he had already done this once before. "If we arm this Astra Militarum regiment and increase the threat they pose, they'll put a lot of pressure on the Ork Warboss when they enter the Hive City. Amid the chaos of battle, not only will the Warboss's position be exposed, but our chances of taking his head will also increase considerably."

"But there's a problem."

Lucia, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. "That Tech-Priest won't agree to your request. They value the secrecy of their information and knowledge more than their own lives."

"Or are you planning to restrain him and forcibly probe his memories? That might work, too."

"That won't be necessary."

Rowan shook his head. "I guarantee that, if we follow my plan, the Tech-Priest will willingly share his knowledge."

His eyes shone with confidence, and he looked utterly certain. Sibyl and Lucia exchanged uneasy glances.

It seemed the Emperor's Contractor had come up with another new idea.

The guide walked quickly, leading them into the Astra Militarum's rear logistics base.

After passing through the checkpoint with remarkable efficiency, Rowan and the others began making their way through the base.

The farther they went, the more clearly they could hear the machinery turning and the electrical hum of construction work.

After walking a little farther, the place where the Tech-Priest was stationed finally came into view.

In an open area, a Venomblade tank sat still, undergoing repairs. It was presumably the second tank in Yarrick's armored regiment. It had evidently not taken part in the battle and had instead been left at the logistics base for repairs and maintenance.

Beside it stood a Tech-Priest in red robes, with unmistakable signs of mechanical modification.

He held an Omnissiah's Axe. Light flickered across his body as he directed several servitors to repair the tank in a manner that was incomprehensible to outsiders.

His sensors detected the newcomers, and the Tech-Priest slowly turned around.

"Basic translation module activated. Greetings. Commissar Yarrick has sent me a communication explaining your identities. Now, please explain the reason for your visit."

The moment he spoke, Sibyl's sixth sense as a Psyker warned her that something unpleasant was about to happen.

Unfortunately, it was already too late.

Rowan strode forward with complete confidence and said without hesitation,

"You may call me Rowan. I am the Omnissiah's emissary. In the name of the Omnissiah, I require you to provide me with blueprints related to Super-heavy Tanks."

The moment those words left his mouth, the area fell silent.

Even though most of the Tech-Priest's face was covered by mechanical components, the other two could tell from the white vapor beginning to billow around him that the Tech-Priest was not in a good mood.

In short, he was seeing red.