Chapter 667 07.666: “Black Deal (ask for monthly pass!)”

Horatio’s words and the emblem hanging around his neck surprised Black Hammer.

[This kid is actually an attendant of the Inquisition?]
“What? Do you want to stop me from investigating your Imperial Navy?” The grooves carved by knives and axes on Black Hammer’s face twisted indifferently, revealing a dangerous smile.

“No, Inquisitor Black Hammer, in fact, I also think there may be scum within the Imperial Navy.” Horatio stepped forward and whispered, “Why don’t we reach a cooperation?”

“……” Black Hammer didn’t speak.

Looking at him like this, Horatio knew that he was already interested in listening.

“I know that whether it’s you, me, or Inquisitor Thei, we are all loyal people who care about the Empire and fight for the interests of the Empire and the future of mankind. It’s just that we have different methods and paths. But I don’t think we need to form a faction just because we have different methods to achieve a common goal – especially now that the external enemy is still in the dark.”

Although I know that’s what the Inquisition likes to do.

“……” Black Hammer’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t say anything and just listened.

Horatio continued, “You do us some favors, and we will do you some favors.

I have some connections in the Navy system. If the conditions are right, it is not impossible for me to give you a chance to investigate the ‘egg’.

If you could really pick out the rotten eggs from our basket, to be honest, as a member of the Imperial Navy, I would be very happy.”

[Let Black Hammer go to Chadron, drive away the wolf and swallow the tiger, kill two birds with one stone, and the fisherman will benefit!] Horatio plotted in his mind.

Black Hammer looked into Horatio’s eyes, as if trying to see into the boy’s heart.

After a long time, he spoke slowly.

“Judge Perru, you may exercise your right to investigate.

But I must tell you in advance that in my previous research, Carpathia was completely rotten.

In order to prevent the further expansion of the harm caused by heretics and alien creations, if you cannot make a substantial breakthrough investigation within three Terra months, that is, one Terra season, I will still resolutely execute the extermination order. At that time, even if you take the case to the Grand Master of the Inquisition of this star region, I will have nothing to say. “

Black Hammer looked at Thei and narrowed his eyes coldly. The atmosphere between the two was tense, like a confrontation between a dragon and a tiger, ready to break out at any moment.

“Hmph, no problem.”

After a brief, promethium-filled standoff, the Black Hammer Inquisitor turned and strode away from the ship.

“Don’t forget what you said, navy boy. You don’t want to know what happened to those guys who tried to fool and use me in the past. Even your bloodline and your achievements can’t stop it.”

After saying this to Horatio, Black Hammer’s figure quickly disappeared behind the cabin door, leaving only dead silence in the cabin.

“…”

After a moment of collective silence, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and the atmosphere eased a lot.

“Thei, why are you here?” Horatio relaxed slightly, then with a hint of surprise in his tone, he turned and looked at the female Inquisitor in the cabin.

Thei looked solemn and shook his head gently, “I saw a black ship of the Inquisition docked in the harbor, so I followed it.

I just didn’t expect that it was Black Hammer who came.”

Horatio turned around and looked at Colonel Benson beside him with a stern expression, “Colonel Benson, when did the Black Hammer Inquisitor arrive here?”

Colonel Benson stood up straight, “Half a year ago, sir.

The black ship has been anchored in the port, but I don’t know the whereabouts of the Inquisitor himself. During this time, he may have investigated the planet and discovered something.”

“I see. Thank you, Colonel. Could you give Inquisitor Thei and I some privacy?”

“Of course, Your Excellency.” Colonel Benson saluted again, then hurriedly retreated with the guards, and the hatch slowly closed behind them.

After everyone left, the cabin fell into silence again. Horatio looked at Thei who was lost in thought, with a concerned look on his face, and asked softly, “Do you have any ideas?”

Thei crossed his arms and frowned. After thinking for a moment, he said, “For now, we can only buy time. I will try my best to help you delay until the Kriegs finish their assessment of you. I am confident of this.”

“I want more than just to delay time, I have to keep this planet.” Horatio looked firmly into Thei’s eyes.

Thei raised an eyebrow with a hint of surprise on his face. “Captain, that’s a bit high. Black Hammer said there are alien creatures here and an extermination order must be issued. Most likely they have really discovered a problem.”

“There are indeed alien creations beneath the planet, but they are dormant ancient relics.” Horatio stared at Thei with a serious look, “If you go underground and see a group of inscriptions made of black stone, they are a vital part of this planet.”

“How do you know all this?” Thei looked puzzled and stared at Horatio.

Horatio was prepared, and his tone was steady, “The Navy has documents on the surveys of Rogue Traders that prove this. These Rogue Traders are the pioneers in expanding the Empire’s territory and exploring its assets.

Returning to the Blackstone Obelisk, a cutting-edge theory of the Adeptus Mechanicus holds that these dormant monuments, under certain circumstances, exhibit a repulsive effect upon the Warp.

I do not recommend any major changes to the planet’s biogeography at this time. This study also indicates that Abaddon intentionally destroyed several of the same types of targets during previous Black Crusades. I think it would be best not to make it easier for our great enemy.”

After hearing this, Thei fell silent for a long time. After a while, he said, “I didn’t expect you to have such a ‘conservative’ idea, Captain. It’s really rare. As you wish, I will try to sneak underground to see what it is.

However, I don’t know how to study these obelisks.”

“I can help you with this.” Latti walked out from another door. The decrypted prosthetic limb on her back was flashing with a faint light, circling around her body like a nimble silver snake.

“You cracked the military-grade access key so quickly?” Although Horatio was not surprised, he still couldn’t help asking.

The corners of Lati’s mouth slightly raised, revealing a confident smile, “The Empire’s military keys have only a few permutations and combinations. No matter how you change them, they can’t deviate from those sequences.”

“You know a lot, Lettie,” Horatio said with emotion.

He had limited knowledge of the Mechanicus, and could only secretly marvel at Lati’s abilities. Perhaps… this was genius.

“Since you are here, you must have heard our conversation just now. Leti, do you have a way to save this planet?” Horatio looked at Leti, his eyes full of expectation.

The corners of Lati’s mouth curled up into a charming smile, and the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye added a bit of mystery. “According to the relevant agreement between the Human Empire and the Mechanicus, once a planet is listed as a research and archaeological base of the Mechanicus, the Inquisitor has no right to issue an extermination order without the authorization of the Mechanical Sage.”

“Great, can we announce this now?” Horatio’s eyes flashed with hope.

“Unfortunately, not yet.” Lati shook her head helplessly, “I have to go to the site first to collect samples, conduct research, and then send the video to at least one Mechanicus sage. After obtaining formal authorization, I can classify it as a research and archaeological base of the Mechanicus.”

Horatio fell into deep thought, as if he was back in time when he was playing the game “Starfighter 2” on the blue planet called “Earth”.

He remembered that there was a planet in the game that was ravaged by the Thousand Sons of Chaos and even the Great Demon of Tzeentch descended upon it. Even so, the extermination order was not executed on that planet.

The 2nd Company of the Ultramarines launched a desperate charge, and even the Chapter Master Calgar personally took to the battlefield to destroy the demons.

Because underneath the planet is the research base of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and what they are studying is the Necrons’ black stone obelisk array.

In this context, the role of the Adeptus Mechanicus is crucial.

“I understand the plan, but the situation on the ground is unclear right now.

I will find a way to cover your entry into the underground structure. Do you need me to send you a guard?” Horatio looked at Thei and Lati.

“No need.” The two shook their heads and refused almost at the same time.

“I think this is a good opportunity to test the Black Shield Team.” Tei pinched his pointed chin, a hint of excitement in his eyes about discovering secrets.

“I just happened to test the actual effectiveness of the Castellan mechas and unmanned combat suits improved with the Tau ion cannon on the battlefield.” Lati added with a smile, “In fact, I have already scanned the surface of the planet and found some clues in the uninhabited area on the surface.”

Whether it is the Black Shield Squad, or the Castellan Fighter Soldiers and Unmanned Combat Suit, any one of them is stronger than the Mortal Guard and is a better choice.

Horatio nodded, “I will go to see the leader of the Krieg people now to see what the current situation on the ground is.”
–
Anya Fasha drove the Skyhawk shuttle, like a black lightning, forcibly breaking through the planet’s atmosphere. The shuttle passed through the sky filled with dust and smoke, leaving a dazzling trail, like a falling meteor.

On board were Captain Horatio, Military Supervisor Farida, and Captain Louise.

“Hold on tight, fellow passengers. This journey is not going to be pleasant. The atmosphere of this planet is too turbid, full of war smoke and chemical gases. I think this will significantly reduce the life of the aircraft engine.” Fasha gripped the joystick tightly, staring straight ahead, and shouted in the tone of an announcer.

As soon as he finished speaking, an alarm sounded on the dashboard.

“Alert! Enemy missiles incoming!”

“Damn it!” Fasha cursed, his hands quickly dancing on the joystick, and began an emergency evasive maneuver. Flares and decoy bombs were sprayed out from both sides of the shuttle like raindrops, forming a cloud of interference in the air.

Swoosh! Four missiles, trailing long flames, whizzed past the Skyhawk shuttle and exploded in the air not far away. Shrapnel flew from behind, hitting the shuttle’s solid armored shell with a crackling sound, as if a group of angry demons were banging on the hatch.

“Hold on tight! Little Captain!” Fasha shouted, and pushed the joystick forward. The Skyhawk shuttle fell towards the ground at high speed like a swooping falcon. The atmosphere and the outer shell of the shuttle rubbed violently, igniting a blazing flame. The shuttle fell straight down from the sky like a burning meteor.

At this time, the ground was covered by a thick haze. In the dark sky, dust and poisonous gas intertwined into a gray cloud. Acidic raindrops fell like beads with broken strings, accompanied by rolling thunder.

The shuttle shook violently and broke through the thick clouds. Horatio looked at the outside world through the circular observation deck of the Skyhawk shuttle.

“God Emperor…” He couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice.

Crossing the planet’s twilight line, on the night side, Horatio saw Carpathia in the night. On both sides’ positions, Hydra tracer bullets were like green fluorescent marks on a black canvas, scribbling randomly.

According to intelligence, the two sides have been fighting fiercely so far that most of the heavy weapons have been damaged or scrapped. The few remaining reconnaissance aircraft are flying in the night sky, performing the task of reconnaissance of enemy positions. The Skyhawk shuttle that Horatio was riding suddenly broke into this war-torn airspace and was caught in the crossfire of the night reconnaissance fleets of both sides.

In the sky, the anti-aircraft firepower of both sides intertwined into a web of death. The wreckage of aircraft that were hit and caught fire continued to fall from the sky like burning fireballs.

“Be careful!” Horatio slapped Fasha’s driver’s seat. A large aircraft shot down by the Kriegs was on fire, spraying flaming fuel all the way, and was rushing towards the Skyhawk shuttle.

(End of this chapter)