In the Name of the Great Valshius Merchant Dynasty
The Losel Hive world is located in the northern Segmentum Obscurus, on the edge of the Nachmund Gauntlet, with a population of 300 billion and a tax level of the second-highest tier.
In the vast depths of the universe, space itself seems to be distorted.
Immediately afterwards, a massive warship, several kilometers in diameter and shaped like an ancient and mysterious cathedral, sailed out of Mandeville Point.
In the vast cabin located at the front of the bridge, stands a statue of an Emperor tens of meters tall.
The entire cabin was enormous, resembling a magnificent temple or cathedral, filled with luxurious and precious decorations.
The passageway leading to the statue of the Emperor is covered with a thick, soft red carpet, and dozens of flags hanging inside the domed sanctuary depict the family's magnificent history!
The walls on both sides of the church are painted with colorful oil paintings depicting the ancient history of the past!
Directly below the statue of the Emperor, there is a tall and robust old man with white hair, dressed in extremely gorgeous noble attire.
The cloak alone was trimmed with gold thread, and its material was selected from the fur of creatures from dozens of star sectors, woven by a master craftsman. The golden Aquila epaulettes further highlighted his extraordinary status.
"Navigation log report."
A emotionless voice came through the communications array. "The Conqueror-class Cruiser 'Sword of Redemption' has successfully departed Mandeville Point and arrived in the Northern Segmentum Obscurus. However, due to the influence of the Warp, it has deviated from its planned course."
Listening to the emotionless, mechanical voice reporting, the old man standing beneath the statue of the Emperor slowly opened his eyes.
When he turned around, his face, covered with wrinkles like mountains and ravines, seemed to have been polished by the years and the wind and frost, and his resolute face was like an unchanging rock!
He was wearing dozens of medals on his chest.
Each one was awarded by the Imperium, symbolizing its high status and numerous contributions to the Imperium!
After a brief silence, a hint of impatience flickered between his brows, but his tone remained calm and composed, maintaining the dignity and demeanor of a nobleman. "How much longer until we reach Losel?"
"According to the forecast... at least 37 days."
An emotionless voice continued to emanate from the communications array.
"It's been too long..."
Horn gazed out the porthole at the vast starry sky, a weariness creeping onto his face, tinged with a barely perceptible worry. "Check the hull for damage, resupply in a nearby Hive City as soon as possible. Then... contact 'Aruman Vera' for me; I need more accurate intelligence."
"Astropathic Message has been delivered."
Silence fell once again within the grand temple, which resembled a cathedral.
Gazing at the dimming communication array, Horn fell into anxious waiting, pacing back and forth beneath the statue of the Emperor.
"Astropathic Message from the Losel Hive world, are you ready?" The communication array emitted a voice, reactivating and projecting a virtual image.
Finally, the communication request arrived, Horn eagerly said, "Connect to Astropathic Message."
"Dear Mr. Horn, have you arrived on the Losel Planet?"
Aruman asked in a somewhat urgent voice.
"I'm very sorry, I think... we'll probably have to wait about a month to arrive in Losel."
Horn took a deep breath, his face full of guilt. "But please rest assured, I will get to Losel as soon as possible. How is the situation there?"
"This is very bad... Mr. Horn."
Aruman said in a somber tone, "Just seventeen days ago, Planetary Governor Garken Khalid... was assassinated by a cult on the Ascension of the Emperor Festival, and his death has been confirmed."
"The Planetary Governor was assassinated? What were the Guardians doing?" Horn frowned, never expecting that the situation on Losel would deteriorate so drastically in just a month and a half.
He could already foresee how chaotic Losel Hive would become without the Planetary Governor's control.
"The situation may be worse than you think..."
Aruman's voice came through, tinged with anxiety. "After losing the Planetary Governor, the cult immediately took advantage of the chaos and launched a direct attack on the Hive City. The Planetary Defense Force and riot squads were mobilized, barely managing to hold them off in Middle Hive."
"Hiss..."
Even Horn couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this news, his brows furrowing deeply. "Where is the heir of the Planetary Governor's family? Don't they know to gather an army to resist?"
"The heirs... have all been assassinated."
Aruman said helplessly, "The entire Hadley Family was wiped out when the Planetary Governor was assassinated; not a single person survived."
"... What about the other nobles?"
Horn was practically grinding his teeth in anger when he exclaimed, "Even if the Planetary Governor's family was assassinated, shouldn't there be other families? Is there no one else left?"
"Mr. Horn, you overestimate them."
At this point, Aruman couldn't help but grit his teeth and angrily said, "The nobles of Upper-hive, upon learning of the cult's rebellion, immediately sealed off the passages leading to Upper-hive."
"Useless! Useless! Useless!"
Horn was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged and his blood surged. He took several deep breaths to avoid being literally angered to death by those damned parasites of the Imperium.
"Now... what's the situation now?" He gripped the control panel, forcibly suppressing his anger and calming himself down as he asked.
"The Department of Justice and the Planetary Defense Force have temporarily held off the cult, but... they may not be able to hold them off for long." Aruman said urgently, "We need your help, Mr. Horn!"
I will get to Los Angeles as soon as possible.
After catching his breath, Horn asked anxiously before Aruman could continue, "Excuse me... is he safe?"
This time, it was Aruman's turn to remain silent.
The eerie silence made Horn's expression stiffen, and a deep sense of foreboding washed over him. "What on earth happened, Aruman!"
"I'm sorry... he's missing."
Aruman said bitterly and regretfully, "More than half a month ago, he and an Inquisitor... disappeared at the same time."
"What did you say?!"
Horn's pupils constricted, and he froze, then, like a raging lion, fury erupted from his eyes as if he wanted to tear Aruman apart. "Say that again?!"
After a brief silence, Aruman steeled himself and continued, "He... disappeared during the investigation of the Underhive Cult with the Inquisitor, and his fate is currently unknown."
"Who sent him?"
Horn's tone was icy, like a sharp sword, brimming with killing intent. At that moment, the air in the entire cabin seemed to drop several degrees.
"I."
Aruman said bitterly.
"Very well, Aruman Vera... Pray to your Omnissiah, pray that he is still alive, otherwise..."
Horn's furious voice, like an endless mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, surged and churned, sending chills down Aruman's spine even through the interstellar Astropathic Message!
"I, Horn Valshius, in the name of the great Valshius Merchant Dynasty, swear an oath to His Emperor!"
Horn's furious voice sent chills down everyone's spine. "I will stop at nothing, even if the consequences mean the Imperium will hold me accountable, I will use all the resources of my family to make you and Losel pay a heavy price!!!"
After hanging up the communication.
Horn's face was grim, as if he had made up his mind. He said in a deep voice, "Immediately, in the name of the Valshius Merchant Dynasty, send a request for aid to the Astra Militarum, Space Marine Chapter, Inquisitor... and all those who can serve as combat forces stationed in the surrounding star Astropathic Message, regardless of... the cost!"
Thank you so much to "Corona Borealis 3301" for the generous donation! And thank you to all the other generous contributors for the monthly tickets, thank you so much!
P. S.: I pray that next month's royalties will be enough for me to have hemorrhoid surgery.