Marching on the Underhive

After everyone had finished reading the information on the screen, Art Student said, "The Underhive has already fallen into chaos. It is no longer possible to recruit people discreetly as we did before. I am preparing to deploy forces and completely occupy the entire Underhive. What are your thoughts?"

Art Student calmly laid out his plan. By now, no one qualified to sit among the base's upper ranks still held an unwavering faith in the Imperium.

Before anyone else could state their position, Gray the vanguard was the first to speak. "My lord, we Space Marines are your sharpest blade. Your will is our objective. Whoever you tell us to fight, we will fight."

After speaking, Gray gave Mendeleev, the Navy's sole captain, a provocative look. Mendeleev rolled his eyes, having no desire to pay Gray any attention.

Mendeleev also knew why Gray targeted him. He had once been a noble of Hive World Two in the Teda Galaxy, and his family had previously oppressed Gray's family. Later, after losing a power struggle, he had fled to the Underhive and eventually joined Art Student's ranks.

"Gray, don't make it sound like you're the only loyal subject here. Who among those of us sitting here is not a follower of my lord?"

Hogood, the Minister of Administration, said with some displeasure.

"Enough. There is no need to argue over such a trivial matter. I know of your loyalty. What are your thoughts on deploying forces into the Underhive?"

Art Student cut off Gray and Hogood, then asked again.

"None. We will prepare to receive the survivors and will not disappoint you."

Hogood replied.

"We have no objections either," the others answered.

"If we completely occupy the Underhive, will it draw the attention of the hive world's nobles?"

Mo Tuo asked doubtfully.

"No. The hive world's nobles will not concern themselves with anything that happens in the Underhive. As long as we are not yet prepared to completely occupy the entire hive world, we will not attract their attention."

Mendeleev answered calmly.

As a former noble himself, Mendeleev understood the temperament and ways of the nobles in the upper districts perfectly. The Imperium did not care how a planetary governor managed a world, so long as the imperial tithe was paid on time.

Likewise, planetary governors did not care how the nobles beneath them conducted themselves. As long as the yearly tribute continued, they could remain nobles.

Hearing Mendeleev's answer, Mo Tuo's doubts were resolved. "Then I have no further questions. My lord, how do we fight?"

Once Art Student saw that no one had any further doubts, he said:

"Then, Gray, lead the Space Marines through the Underhive and eliminate any threatening enemies—Genestealers, fanatics of the Ruinous Powers, and the like."

Gray and Mo Tuo rose to their feet and said solemnly, "Yes. We guarantee completion of the mission."

"Mendeleev, your Navy combat personnel will be responsible for clearing out dangerous individuals missed by the Space Marines—gang members, raiders, and the like."

"Yes, our Navy will execute the mission perfectly," Mendeleev replied loudly.

"Anrida, your Defense Force personnel will take over the territory secured by the Army and Navy, maintain public order, and identify any fanatics hidden among the common people. Do not allow those fanatics to slip in."

"Yes, my lord." Anrida also stood and answered solemnly.

"Hogood and Anglie, you two will mainly be responsible for providing logistical support to the three branches and managing the ordinary civilians."

"Yes."

Hogood and Anglie stood and answered as well.

"Go do your work."

Art Student gave his final instruction.

The administrators filed out of the conference room one after another, leaving Art Student alone inside.

Art Student brought up a projection of the entire Teda Galaxy and silently watched it revolve around its red giant star. The Teda Galaxy had three worlds suitable for human habitation, a rarity even within the Milky Way.

The Teda Galaxy also possessed several undeveloped barren worlds. Like Mars in the Terra System, they could be made habitable for humanity through environmental transformation.

The Teda Galaxy was not far from nearby star systems either. The closest lay just over a dozen light-years away. Its location was quite favorable, and it was only around ten thousand light-years from the Ultima Segmentum.

"I hope we can carve out a territory in this chaotic age."

Art Student murmured.

Time.

931, M41.

Gray and Mo Tuo returned to the Space Marine training hall. Watching the warriors continue their grueling training, Gray felt gratified. These were the soldiers who served the Lord of the Stars.

"Emergency assembly!"

Gray stood atop the platform in the hall and shouted.

After a burst of marching footsteps, all the Space Marines assembled before Gray. Their resolute gazes fixed upon him, and not one spoke.

"The Lord of the Stars summoned Mo Tuo and me to a meeting just now. I have received an important mission: we are to capture the entire Underhive, and we will serve as the vanguard.

A thousand days to raise an army, one moment to use it. We must execute this mission perfectly and offer the entire Underhive to the Lord of the Stars.

Cheer!"

Gray looked at the people below the platform and roared.

"For the Lord of the Stars!"

The Space Marines below loudly echoed Gray's words, fervor blazing across their faces.

"Take your weapons, equipment, and food. Prepare to depart."

Gray gave the order loudly.

The Space Marines who had been assembled swiftly dispersed, running to the weapons storage area in the training hall. They picked up their weapons and strapped them onto their power armor.

The massive Ripper Rifle was standard equipment for Space Marines. It used 30-millimeter rounds and could easily penetrate heavy armor.

Even the 15-millimeter rounds used by the Defense Force could easily tear through Ceramite armor. However, their recoil was equally astounding, requiring an exoskeleton-assisted power armor system. Otherwise, the recoil alone could smash the arm of a warrior at the peak of human ability to pieces.

The Ripper Rifle was also known as an anti-armor rifle.

Although the Ripper Rifles equipped by the Defense Force could kill Space Marines, an ordinary Defense Force soldier found it difficult to hit one. With their superhuman reflexes, Space Marines could easily evade danger.

A Space Marine-pattern Power Sword, with Power Axes and Power Hammers available as alternatives.

A Plasma Pistol, with a firing rate of three shots per minute, capable of easily piercing a Dreadnought's defensive armor and many massive war beasts at close range.

A massive hover bike that could fly above the ground or travel across it, with excellent off-road capability. The bike allowed Space Marines to reach the battlefield quickly, sparing them the hardship of travel.

The bike carried countless rounds of ammunition. It could automatically retrieve magazines discarded by Space Marines and refill empty magazines, providing powerful logistical support and ensuring prolonged Space Marine combat without leaving them endangered by a lack of ammunition.