Departure

At Sien's command, the Black Templars standing in the hall headed down the passages to reinforce the other areas where fighting was still underway.

The tide turned in an instant for the Astra Militarum, who had just been so effortlessly overrun by the Iron Warriors.

Often, while they were still exchanging fire with mortal rebels, bolts hurtling in from behind the enemy would blast the rebels and their weapons into fragments.

The Black Templars' insignia appearing on their Auspex displays instantly sent the embattled Astra Militarum into cheers.

When the Astartes in pitch-black armor appeared in the passages, the Astra Militarum soldiers hurriedly raised both hands in an Aquila Salute, then picked up their weapons and headed off to reinforce other junctions where fighting continued.

The Black Templars followed them into battle.

The enemies who had been holding the narrow passages could do nothing against Astartes clad in ceramite armor. Their Lasguns and assorted, crudely assembled projectile weapons posed no threat to the Black Templars.

In just twenty minutes, every invader had been reduced to mangled flesh strewn across the floor.

Throughout it all, Sien remained in the hall with Iax.

"Sir, are we still returning to frontline combat duty next?"

After receiving the battle reports, the Captain left the bridge. As he passed through the hall, he saw Sien accompanying Iax and immediately approached to request orders.

Sien did not answer the Captain immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Iax.

"Iax, thank you for your help in the fighting. We need to leave this Planet. If you need to return to the surface, I can arrange for someone to take you down, or deploy you to the ground in a drop pod."

Sien understood perfectly well that keeping Iax aboard and taking him to the front might prove helpful, but Iax himself might also be an extremely unstable threat.

From a rational standpoint, he did not want to bring this ancient construct, with all his secrets, along with the Imperial Fleet.

Handing him over to the Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars might be a better choice.

But this was Imperium Nihilus. Contacting the Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars would not be easy, and besides, the Adeptus Mechanicus was not entirely obedient to the Imperium.

Suddenly, another idea occurred to Sien.

As the Indomitus Crusade progressed, Sien had yet to see the Imperial Regent, Roboute Guilliman, Gene-Father of the Ultramarines, in person.

But he knew that this son of the Emperor was currently in Imperium Nihilus, marshaling an immense Imperial force to sweep away every source of instability.

And supposedly, Belisarius Cawl, an Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, was at his side.

Sien was deeply envious that the Ultramarines had welcomed back their Gene-Father. His own Gene-Father, Rogal Dorn, however, was perhaps unlikely to return to life.

Realizing that his thoughts had begun to wander, Sien shook his head and turned his gaze back to Iax.

"If you leave with us, perhaps I can find a way to give you a chance to investigate the history you're searching for."

Iax gave Sien a peculiar look.

"It seems you've had a new idea. Let's hear it."

"As far as I know, the Imperial Ruler, Lord Roboute Guilliman, one of the great Primarchs, is in a nearby sector. Another great Sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus accompanies him. Perhaps you could come with us to the front. There might be an opportunity to meet them."

"If you can earn Lord Guilliman's appreciation, perhaps you'll truly be able to travel to Terra."

Iax's electronic eyes continually contracted, multiple scanning beams sweeping back and forth over Sien.

Iax registered every minute change in Sien's body.

"I seem to detect a hint of manipulation and conspiracy in your words."

At Iax's words, every muscle in Sien's body tensed, as though Iax might launch a sudden attack at any moment and instantly cleave him in two, just as he had those Iron Warriors.

"Don't be nervous. I meant nothing else by it. But I accept your suggestion. I hope it proves worthwhile in the end."

Iax glanced around the hall, which was covered in blood and severed limbs.

"The universe is as full of chaos and slaughter as ever. Civilization has begun to regress once again."

"I'll leave with you, but there's one small matter I need to take care of before we go."

In the Hive City on the Planet's surface, Vashul had been seated on the Throne Mechanicum in the center of the hall for quite some time.

He had no idea where Iax had gone after his body suddenly flickered and vanished.

But he did not dare act recklessly, either.

The Black Templars' Astartes had just departed aboard a Thunderhawk Gunship, and the ancient construct Iax had vanished as well.

For safety's sake, Vashul had to pick up the pace and finish his work.

This place was no longer safe. Plague Marines had appeared in the Planet's orbit, and so had Iron Warriors.

Even the Necrons had appeared. No one knew whether the next xenos to arrive would be Aeldari or the even more troublesome Orks.

As for the Tyranids, perhaps they would not come here just yet, but no one could say for certain.

He had to transfer the records and data immediately, then leave this Planet.

As for that enormous ancient turret, he would contact the Conclave and have them send an army before doing anything else.

As its first discoverer, perhaps he would still have a chance to return and study this ancient technology then.

Whoosh.

A black mechanical bird suddenly swooped down from high above into the Hive City's topmost level.

Vashul immediately disconnected himself from the Throne Mechanicum, warily watching the dark shape standing on the floor by the terrace doorway.

A somewhat familiar Holographic Projection appeared, displaying Iax's face before Vashul.

The source of the projection was none other than that dark shape.

"Vashul, I'm going with these 'people' to seek answers. Earlier, I said I would grant you one small wish. You can tell me now. Also, if you can look after the Shatterer Cannon I'm leaving behind for the time being, I can temporarily authorize you to use the weapon. That might help you repel incursions by these strange creatures and better protect the things I've left behind."

Vashul was positively ecstatic at Iax's words.

"You mean you're going to give me permission to use ancient equipment?!"

Iax did not understand why Vashul was so excited. This technology had originally been designed and built jointly by the ancient Adeptus Mechanicus and Men of Gold engineers. It was merely authorization to use it. Why such an exaggerated reaction?

"Uh, are you all right?" Iax sounded a little concerned.

Vashul struggled to contain his euphoria, then nodded.

"Of course. Praise the Omnissiah."

"Good. I've already recorded your information in the Raven. Just find the time to take this Raven to the Control Room inside the turret's base. Your identity will be verified a second time there. Once confirmation is complete, your Raven will guide you through operating the Turret System."