Gamma Utopia.
From above, it looked like a gigantic Forge World.
Even Vulkan had to admit it.
The planet's construction was nothing short of perfect, an art that combined engineering and aesthetics.
"Planetary Governor, and you as well, sir, please board our space station for the return trip."
Vulkan followed behind Cisrain.
He could sense that this world was different from the rest.
Even the best-governed planets in the Imperium were still rife with crime and violence, oppression and despair. Death and taxes were cold, inescapable facts of life under Imperial rule. Under such crushing pressures, rebellions were bound to spring up everywhere, forcing the Imperium to respond with brutal, bloody suppression. Afterward, it would return to its oppressive rule, until the next uprising, the next rebellion, and the next round of suppression.
It had become a vicious cycle.
This was why the Imperium's vastness drove both its enemies and its own people to despair.
Cisrain had brought Vulkan along to plan their next phase of expansion and obtain the Salamanders' gene-modification technology.
"Planetary Governor, some residents heard you were coming back and traveled all the way from more than fifty kilometers away to welcome you. Many others wanted to come too, but it was too far."
"Tell them to be careful," Cisrain said with a nod.
"Lord Cyrus is expected to arrive after we do."
"Understood."
"Planetary Governor, here's the bill passed by the council. Please take a look."
"Planetary Governor, these are the approved research funds. Miss Mina's department didn't approve them, so Lord Brown specifically asked us to bring them to you."
"Planetary Governor—"
"Planetary Governor—"
On the surface of Gamma Utopia.
A metal road known as Victor's Avenue stretched for several miles, leading straight to the enormous Golden Triumphal Arch. On either side of the avenue stood crowds of subjects, gathered to welcome their ruler. From above, roads in the distance could be seen filling with throngs of people still making their way over.
Amid the roaring celebrations, the returning warriors set foot on Victor's Avenue. The cheering crowds raised flags symbolizing the Planetary Governor's honor, offering their most heartfelt blessings to the ruler of Gamma World.
The fervent public mood was charged with a longing for victory.
The Planetary Governor's return was the answer to the people's fervent hopes.
Their zeal and faith made the subjects' proud cheers echo along the entire length of Victor's Avenue.
"Long live the Planetary Governor! Humanity first!"
"Long live the Planetary Governor! Humanity first!"
Wave after wave of cheers drowned out the steel-clad procession and drowned out the darkness of space. The people's fervor inscribed the Planetary Governor's answer to them across the land and sky.
Cisrain was nowhere to be seen, but the roar of the crowd alone was enough to tell that he was drawing near.
"The Planetary Governor is here!"
"Waaah!"
"Waaaaah!!!"
"Waaah!"
Meanwhile, the Rogue Traders who hadn't been invited stayed aboard their fleet, venting their displeasure.
The Rogue Traders were a special group within the Imperium, operating outside its jurisdiction. Some of them held positions bestowed upon them by The Emperor himself, putting them on par with the Lord Inquisitor of a sector. They could even give orders to certain Astartes company captains.
Aside from the High Lords, the Rogue Traders were the largest noble class in the Imperium. They generally didn't operate in its core sectors, but in more remote regions beyond the Imperium's reach.
In the Imperium's eyes, as long as the Rogue Traders didn't rebel, they were free to do whatever they liked. Any territory they seized belonged to them, and they could rule it as they pleased or expand their borders at will.
"Lord Burn, this planet's governor has no idea how to show respect. The people below are cheering, yet he treats us with such disdain. I say they're heretics, too. Once the Astropathic communication is back up, I'll have the Astropath send a message to the Adeptus Astra Telepathica. They can inform the Inquisition's local representative and have them investigate these people properly."
"..."
Old Lord Burn said nothing, but his expression showed that he agreed.
The Imperium had granted them unparalleled authority. Ordinary planetary governors fawned over them in every way, but this one looked down on them and had ordered their civilian vessels to dock in orbit around a neighboring moon. If they hadn't encountered Chaos along the way, suffering heavy losses among their navy and privately recruited troops, he would have found a way to seize the entire planet for himself.
"Lord Burn, those rabble in the lower decks have rioted again. We've already put it down. The rest were killed, and we caught two ringleaders and handed them over to the Death Cult."
These Rogue Traders who ventured out to conquer new territories carried hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions, of people with them, including vast numbers of lower-deck subjects. To them, these people were 'slaves,' workers who built and refitted their next world. The lower-deck subjects lived their entire lives below deck, raising families and serving the Rogue Traders. When the fleet reached the next undeveloped planet, they would settle there, have children, and keep working. Those people spent their whole lives without ever knowing which noble they served.
So, under such harsh working conditions, uprisings were a frequent occurrence.
And such unrest had to be dealt with harshly.
That was why some Rogue Trader fleets had Death Cults aboard, and even took in members of the Corpse-worshipping Cult.
"Lord Burn, three Astartes are asking to come aboard."
Astartes want to come to my ship?
"Lord Burn, we have a Rogue Trader commission issued by a High Lord. Ordinary Astartes are supposed to follow our orders. A few Astartes showing up is just what we need."
"Mm. Let them in."
Outside the fleet.
Talon and two Shield Guards boarded the civilian ship, stepping down from a shuttle.
Talon had received word that his captain was already on his way back.
"Captain?"
"That's right."
"The Planetary Governor asked me to investigate. I've already boarded the Rogue Trader fleet."
"You're coming over right away?"
"Understood. I know what to do."
After finishing his call with Cyrus, Talon activated the red-cased Prototype.
The two Salamander Shield Guards beside him furrowed their brows.
The moment Talon opened that red device,
it started beeping.
Just like it had back in Ozrax.
Beep, beep.
"Looks like we've got some cleaning up to do."
"You three, sirs."
Talon didn't hesitate. He drew his gun and shot the Rogue Trader's retainer who was approaching him in the head.
The others saw Talon attack and hurriedly reached for their guns.
But Talon simply crouched down in front of them and pulled open the man's clothes.
Beneath them lay signs of mutation.
"You've got quite a few heretics hiding here."
Before you continue