Colonel Hans still wore the same corpse-like, indifferent expression, showing no emotional panic at the archbishop's fury.
He silently accepted the report handed over by the vox operator and began reporting to the bishop and the Inquisition's communications officer the price they had paid to hold back that strange thing.
"Present here are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Companies of my Krieg 141st Regiment, the 1st Tank Company of the Krieg 991st Armoured Regiment, the Krieg 810th Company, and the 1919th Siege Artillery Company."
"A total of over 12,500 soldiers, sixteen tanks, one super-heavy tank, six Earthshaker Cannons, and three Medusa siege guns."
"We expended our entire ammunition reserve in two hours—enough to sustain two days of medium-intensity positional warfare or an offensive advance of five hundred kilometres. Hit rate on the target: 95%."
"Zero deaths. 6,800 lightly wounded. 6,000 bayonets, 3,000 firearms, and three Leman Russ tanks destroyed."
Colonel Hans silently finished his report, placed the sheet in his hand on the table, and quietly watched the Ecclesiarchy archbishop and the communications officer's indescribably spectacular expressions.
"...So he was not banished? He was not sent to hell by holy artillery and the Emperor's wrath?"
"He was completely unharmed."
The archbishop's face on the screen grew even uglier. His eyes beneath that gaunt visage stared fixedly at Colonel Hans's mask.
"I will send people over."
The communication cut off, and Colonel Hans turned to look at the Inquisition's communications officer.
The officer silently severed the connection with Colonel Hans. Only after a long while did he reconnect, but the one speaking to Colonel Hans this time was no longer the officer. It was an Inquisitor whose face was entirely hidden beneath a hood.
"You suffered no casualties?"
"No."
"And that thing?"
"Right behind me. It is sleeping."
"I understand."