In the past, he might have pressed for an answer about the source of the information.
But after everything that's happened, Dominic has given up on asking.
If we ask them, they'll just give us excuses like "local records" or "information obtained from scouts." We might as well save our energy and use this intelligence directly in the war.
"Understood." Dominic nodded, his gaze returning to the tactical map.
"General Griffith, your fleet is temporarily assigned to the left-wing strike group, deployed along planetary orbit, and will continuously suppress the enemy's left flank with incendiary bombs."
"I will have the central fleet adjust its firepower, concentrating all light lances and available incendiary weapons, prioritizing fire on the enemy flagship."
His finger hovered over the largest heavy cruiser at the far end of the screen.
"It's that flagship. Once we destroy the command center, that damned traitor will truly cause chaos."
"Understood!" Gus stood at attention and saluted. " The Brevis Fleet will resolutely carry out the order!"
Communication was cut off, and the image on the screen disappeared.
Dominic immediately turned to his adjutant:
" Karen, pass the order down to all ships to immediately inventory their incendiary ammunition stockpiles."
"All Melta torpedoes Promethium incendiary bombs have been moved to the forward launch silos, and also..."
He made the following decision almost without hesitation:
"In addition, have the accompanying chaplaincy corps prepare to collect all the sacred objects, holy oil, and ashes of high-ranking clergy members enshrined on the ship."
"Tell the Tech-Priest to modify a batch of incendiary bombs as quickly as possible and fill them with these."
Adjutant Karen paused for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening:
"Yes, sir, I'll take care of it right away!"
The orders were relayed down through the ranks, and the entire fleet immediately sprang into action.
But in the ship's chapel on the lower deck of the Gemstone, the atmosphere takes a sudden turn.
Bishop Venka stood before the altar, holding a gilded prayer book in his hands, leading a dozen priests and believers in softly chanting purification prayers.
Candlelight flickered before the holy image, and the scent of incense filled the solemn hall. The golden Emperor statue lowered its eyelids, looking down at the believers below.
Bishop Venka has been stationed here ever since the Nurgle Fleet appeared.
He knew that the space battlefield was dangerous, and that the power of the plague was all-pervasive. Only through continuous prayer and with the protection of the God-Emperor could the entire warship be protected from corruption.
As he reached the crucial part of the prayer and was about to raise his staff, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
A strange sense of anxiety and anger surged up like a tide, as if something precious was being brutally desecrated.
"Not good..."
Bishop Venka abruptly raised his head, a flash of shock and anger crossing his cloudy eyes.
His ancestors!
The remains of those saints and bishops who lie buried in the Wraithbone beneath the church, along with the sacred relics left behind over the years of the Ecclesiarchy's military presence...
It seems like we're being watched by someone!
"Bang!"
The church's heavy oak doors were violently slammed open from the outside.
Hundreds of naval military police clad in black Power Armour strode in, their boots making a crisp, heavy sound as they stepped onto the polished marble floor.
The captain in the lead had a cold expression. His gaze swept over the astonished priests and believers in the church, finally settling on Bishop Venka in front of the altar.
"Bishop Venka, I'm very sorry to disturb your prayers." The captain gave a military salute, his tone righteous and indignant, without a trace of apology.
" The Nurgle Fleet is pressing in; the entire fleet is in imminent danger."
"With Major General Dominic's approval, we need to requisition all the holy oil and relics in the church, as well as the remains of the saints in the Wraithbone, to make purifying incendiary bombs to defend against the Chaos Fleet."
"Presumptuous!"
Bishop Venka was so angry that he trembled all over, and almost dropped the prayer book in his hand.
He pointed at the captain, his voice trembling with anger:
Do you know what you're doing?!
"These are sacred objects! They are the remains of our ancestors! They are the spiritual anchors for believers to venerate and worship!"
"Do you intend to use them as cannonballs to attack the great enemy of Chaos?"
"This is absurd! This is blasphemy! It is a grave disrespect to the God-Emperor!"
"Your Excellency, the situation is urgent." The captain remained calm and unyielding.
" The God-Emperor taught us that it is our duty to protect our humankind."
"Now that Chaos reigns and countless soldiers and civilians are dying from the plague, if these sacred relics can be transformed into purifying fire to slay the lackeys of Chaos, then we will not fail the legacy of our forefathers."
"If we adhere to the rules and regulations, allowing the Plague Fleet to break through our defenses, killing all the soldiers on board, or even causing billions of lives in Brevis to fall into the clutches of the corrupt god."
He glanced at Bishop Venka, and seeing that the other did not object, he uttered the last sentence.
"That would be the greatest betrayal of faith."
With a wave of his hand, the military police behind him immediately split into two lines and headed toward the reliquary on either side of the altar and the Wraithbone behind it.
"Halt! I'd like to see who dares!" Bishop Venka held his holy staff across his face, his beard bristling.
"No one is allowed to touch a single sacred relic in the church without my permission!"
The captain frowned slightly, but dared not actually lay a hand on the bishop.
As the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Lieutenant Karen's communicator rang, its voice clearly transmitted into the church through the captain's communicator:
"What's going on? Hurry up! The fighting at the front is intense, and the ammunition modification is absolutely urgent!"
"Tell Bishop Venka that the cannonballs made from the sacred relics are indeed remarkably effective against the Plague Fleet; the Brevis Fleet has already tested them for us."
"Furthermore, Major Dominic personally apologized to him afterwards, and the Major General took full responsibility for all the consequences."
"Execute the order immediately!"
The captain put away his communicator and bowed slightly to the bishop. "Your Excellency, please forgive me."
Without further hesitation, the military police stepped forward, politely but firmly asked the obstructing priest to move aside, and opened the door of the sacristy.
Bottles of beautifully packaged holy oil, silver artifacts engraved with holy symbols, and urns and reliquary boxes containing ashes placed in the Wraithbone.
They were all roughly moved out and placed on transport carts waiting outside the door.
Bishop Venka stood before the altar, watching as the sacred objects were carried away one by one, his chest heaving with rage.
It's that damn Brevis again!
Does the other party still have any reverence for the God-Emperor's authority?
Although he didn't say anything to stop him, he had made up his mind to thoroughly investigate whether the Ecclesiarchy of Brevis had fulfilled its responsibilities afterward!
He gazed at the flickering candlelight before the icon, his lips trembling, and finally managed only a heavy sigh.
By the God-Emperor, may this act truly protect the people of the Imperium.