The Trash Returned from Warhammer

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of leather shoes striking the floor echoed down the deep corridor. Not a soul could be seen to the left or right; no one would be foolish enough to penetrate hundreds of meters underground to assassinate the Commander of NERV—except for Shinji, of course. If he so desired, it would be considered—

A blatant execution.

Having just completed an act of ”overthrowing his superior,” Shinji Ikari seemed entirely unaffected. He didn’t worry about subsequent threats, nor did he display the slightest bit of smugness.

It was merely a trivial matter, a small event. All issues were under control.

As a Librarian—especially one from the Blood Ravens Chapter—Shinji would not be as reckless as a fanatical Inquisitor, nor as simple and brutal as an ordinary Astartes.

Everything was premeditated. He had brought back from 40K much more than just psychic powers and combat experience; if it came down to a contest of schemes and guile, he was no inferior to Gendo Ikari.

Take, for instance, leaving this puppet behind.

Mark stared blankly ahead, moving like a marionette throughout the entire process. He had little self-awareness left and could only execute specific, concrete orders. Yet, because of his presence, Rei Ayanami felt like a volcano about to erupt, unable to ask a single question.

A spy for SEELE, the presence of the NERV Security Chief served as a deterrent. Gendo would certainly be unreconciled, and it was impossible for him to comprehend Shinji’s actual combat prowess.

He would imagine a vast, sprawling plot, perhaps even believing that SEELE had bribed Shinji. Only such a theory could explain why Mark was standing on his side.

However, such a theory was even harder to verify. Gendo would have to be more cautious and prudent. Just figuring out the relationship between SEELE and Shinji would take a massive amount of time; until then, he wouldn’t get in the way.

No matter how clever a person is, they cannot contemplate things that fall outside the scope of their understanding. And my very existence is outside the scope of his understanding.

”Go on. Execute the plan. Fool SEELE for now. Gendo Ikari will definitely cooperate.”

As they passed a corner, Shinji finally spoke.

”Yes.”

Mark offered a mechanical salute and turned to leave. Rei stared at him without blinking, feeling that this man looked more like a doll than she ever had.

’No, I have so many things I want to ask.’

Rei shook her head. Ever since leaving the Commander’s office—not to mention Gendo Ikari, who had been lying on the floor like a dead fish—she had been in a daze. She looked up and saw the boy half-turned, seemingly having waited for her for a long time.

Her small lips parted slightly, but she couldn’t utter a word. Her pale face was filled with confusion, making the ice-like girl look somewhat dazed.

”Too many questions, to the point you don’t know what to ask?”

Shinji spoke for her.

”Mhm. Shinji-kun, you suddenly became very unfamiliar.”

Rei had indeed received a massive shock. She had never even imagined that Shinji would settle scores with Gendo directly, let alone with such brutal threats.

As for the killing, or subduing the Security Chief, she surprisingly didn’t care as much about those.

Shinji took a breath and leaned against the wall, his previous tyranny gone. With a slight smile, he asked, ”Then in your eyes, what kind of image do I have?”

Rei had already pondered this question hundreds of times. She answered without a second thought, ”Very mature, very reliable, and... very gentle.”

’Hiss.’

The first two I’ll grant, but how did she arrive at that last one?

Shinji glanced at his blood-stained clothes, savoring the tactile memory of his blade slicing through flesh. He didn’t know how he could be associated with being ”gentle.” Had she not just seen him hoist his biological father up like a chick?

”Shinji-kun, will you really kill Commander Ikari?”

The girl suddenly asked. She finally realized what her primary concern was.

Her red eyes were pure; under their gaze, no one would be willing to lie. Shinji didn’t intend to lie, either.

”No.”

’Whew.’

Rei breathed a long sigh of relief. This was the point she found most bewildering. During the day, she had been thinking about how to build a bridge to mend the father-son relationship, then this mess happened. It seemed she had failed before even starting.

”Because killing him is inefficient. It has nothing to do with emotion.”

Shinji added a verbal strike, feeling no pity for Rei’s darkened expression.

”The primary enemies now are the Angels. I need NERV to remain stable. It would be very troublesome if Gendo Ikari died at my hands. Furthermore, he is quite capable. Killing him would just result in SEELE replacing him with someone else, which would be detrimental to the big picture.”

Gendo Ikari’s luck was truly quite good. As a Blood Raven, the Chapter’s culture—which emphasized intelligence and the broader strategic picture—influenced Shinji. Just as Third Company Captain Gabriel Angelos could cooperate with the Eldar to fight the Necrons.

If it were certain other Chapters, NERV would likely have been dismantled into components, and those components would have been recast and repurposed until not a trace remained.

”Is it only because of the big picture?”

Rei pursed her lips and asked again, ”Then what is ’the big picture’?”

”My oath is the big picture.”

Shinji spoke flatly, looking directly at the girl. ”To be the Emperor’s blade, to purge all xenos, and to protect humanity...”

Their worldviews were different. What did Gendo Ikari matter? He had heard that during that Great Rebellion in 30K, truly loyal Astartes would fire upon their own Primarchs.

”Under this premise, if Gendo Ikari being alive is beneficial, he lives. If he becomes an obstacle, he dies immediately.”

After learning that SEELE was the mastermind, Gendo Ikari wasn’t actually that important anymore—unless he could be used as a breakthrough to find those old men. But given that Gendo himself wasn’t trusted, that path was a dead end.

’Uh, does Commander Ikari need to thank you then?’

Rei didn’t know what to say. Seeing her like this, Shinji’s expression softened slightly, and he offered an additional explanation: ”As for the emotional aspect, he was the one who was indulgent first, attempting to hide behind the scenes and reap the rewards. My counterattack is only fair.”

Compared to cold logic, this extra explanation was easier to accept. Rei remained silent for a long time, then nodded solemnly.

There was no evidence for this ”crime,” but the girl was no fool. She knew all too well what kind of person Gendo Ikari was.

Gendo was the first to be unrighteous; Shinji was then unkind. It was indeed fair. As for endurance, reverence...

Beyond being reliable and mature, Shinji’s greatest trait was his strength. Why should the strong revere and endure the weak?

’Did I manage to stabilize her?’

Shinji didn’t know why he felt the need to offer an extra explanation. He continued forward, entering the elevator. He returned his thoughts to the plan itself as the numbers jumped, not paying much attention to the girl behind him.

Every starting point was for the fulfillment of his oath. Gendo had value and was smart enough; I need to use him as a medium to mobilize the world’s resources against the Angels. After all, I am only one person; I have no way to control the power of an entire planet.

This was the fundamental reason. As for the subsequent plans, they had long been prepared.

There are two ways for Telepathic psychic powers to control biological organisms.

The first is the kind used on Mark—brutal and simple, but incapable of executing complex instructions. In the past, such individuals were used as cannon fodder.

However, the AT Fields of the people in this world are very thick. Gendo Ikari’s AT Field is exceptionally thick. To achieve the same effect on him, he would have to be locked up for several days, using cruel torture to break his spirit—and there is a certain mortality rate.

If Gendo died, it would cause serious subsequent repercussions. As the founder of NERV, the organization was filled with his confidants; his death would instead help SEELE. If a fool were sent to replace him, Shinji would have to help clean up that mess as well.

So, he would use the second method: quietly planting psychic suggestions, slowly tearing open the AT Field. Eventually, it would result in an effect of total obedience that appeared to be the subject’s own will.

This method takes some time, but it is very covert. it preserves a person’s complete thinking and personality. On the surface, they seem like an enemy, but the subconscious will influence them to make judgments beneficial to the ”enemy.”

It is precisely because there is no Inquisition in this world that I dare to do this.

Shinji took a light breath. This method had another name: Chaos Corruption. This kind of infiltration is impossible to guard against. Often, a person who seems unimaginably loyal has actually already become a pawn of Chaos; when activated, they cause immense damage to the Imperium.

However, in this world of heavy AT Fields, certain prerequisite conditions are required.

For instance, Rei Ayanami.

Her absolute trust would makes it easy to plant psychic seeds and turn her into a toy.

Shinji glanced at the girl behind him, then saw the elevator doors suddenly open. A woman with long blue hair lunged in, tears in her eyes, and pulled the boy into a tight embrace.

”Shinji, are you alright? Are you hurt? Those bastards in the Security Department can’t even handle a small thing like this!”

The embrace was intense. Shinji’s face was buried in a warm chest. He was confused for a split second—a scene like today’s didn’t even qualify as conversation material—but he said nothing, placing his hand on the woman’s back.

”I’m sorry for making you worry.”

.

..

.

’Who am I? What is going on? What just happened?’

At the same moment Shinji was being hugged by the weeping Misato Katsuragi, Gendo Ikari was lying on the floor, staring blankly at the Tree of Sephiroth pattern on the ceiling.

He had looked at this mysterious pattern thousands of times, yet it had never felt so alien.

Gendo was dazed, yet he had no choice but to be. His glasses lay nearby, revealing his weathered face. The pain in his neck served as a constant reminder that what had just happened was not a nightmare.

’Right. Shinji Ikari saw through my plotting and gave me an explicit warning.’

The confusion in his eyes diminished, replaced by a type of rage. As an absolute patriarchal figure, he had just been slapped hard across the face. The force of it was enough to make him question his life.

’That boy dared to!!’

He sat up abruptly. That thick scent of blood, those sharp words that left no room for rebuttal, and that power that exceeded his understanding... and finally, that phrase: ”Don’t underestimate me, mortal.” It had stung his self-esteem deeply.

He had to strike back, use every means to deal with him, and let him know who controlled NERV.

In an instant, many counter-attack methods appeared in his mind. But soon, his subconscious forced him to calm down, replacing rage with doubt.

’How could the Security Department be on his side? Did SEELE bribe him? But then why did he say we are one entity?’

He couldn’t understand these questions at all. He even suspected that the Intelligence Department’s surveillance reports were faked. Something must have happened during those three years—but what could cause such a world-shaking change in a teenager?

’A scent similar to mine? A fourteen-year-old conspirator? No, he also possesses power that absolutely exceeds that of ordinary humans. Is this really my son?’

His former contempt had turned into awe, but the question returned to the starting point: if it wasn’t Shinji Ikari, why would Unit-01 choose him?

He couldn’t figure it out. He truly couldn’t. It was as unexplainable as Mark standing by like a bystander while his subordinates were slaughtered—and he had never heard of those two having a private friendship.

But if Shinji had joined SEELE, then he would be dead already. Shinji hadn’t killed him because he felt Gendo was useful—capable of unifying NERV to avoid a civil war and resisting SEELE’s encroachment?

Gendo clutched his head. These unexplainable questions gave him a feeling of oxygen deprivation, and he quickly shifted his attention.

”What should I do?”

Give up everything and go down with the kid?

Sorry. Setting aside whether he could make up his mind, through the events just now, Gendo had understood: should he dare to act rashly, that boy would kill him without blinking.

Shinji Ikari was the ”Only One” in the plan. It wasn’t even a question of control anymore. The plan had to move forward—I don’t even dare to provoke him!

A sense of suffocation surrounded Gendo. Doubt turned into deep helplessness.

Now, the only lead he could find was knowing what Shinji Ikari wanted to do. Yet, aside from cooperating with him, he didn’t have the slightest alternative.

No, perhaps there was one, but why did it feel as if it were being blocked? No matter what, he couldn’t remember it.

Beep, beep, beep.

The phone on the desk rang. Gendo looked up; it was the top-secret line. SEELE had come to interrogate him, as expected.

The man didn’t reach out to answer. He just sat there helplessly, allowing the phone’s ringing to echo through the deathly silent office. After a long time, he slowly picked up the glasses nearby.

’Yui, what kind of monster did you actually give birth to?’

The world had long ceased to be a simple struggle for survival between humans and Angels.

Gendo Ikari was plotting something, and that SEELE was also weaving conspiracies, as if the Angels were merely a step or a prerequisite. These people controlled the vast majority of the world’s resources—behemoths that no individual could contend with.

But none of that mattered. A mastermind who can be physically liquidated is not truly troublesome; therefore, the plans they manipulate are meaningless.

The Astartes way of thinking is concise and efficient. Their curiosity regarding a ”plan” is limited to its use as evidence for punishment; they care far more about the ability to resolve the problem.

”So, I don’t care what the plan is. As for Gendo Ikari, I’ll torture him slowly, let his AT Field collapse, and silently turn him into a puppet. That is the most efficient way to integrate human resources.”

Shinji had changed into fresh clothes. Standing before the stove preparing a meal, the scent of blood had long been washed away. He looked as if nothing had ever happened.

Slaughter was as simple as breathing; he didn’t even bother to reminisce about it.

”Shinji, do you really not want some psychological counseling?”

Misato Katsuragi was sprawled on the table, dangling a beer in her hand.

”Regarding what?”

”Hey, you were kidnapped! Can you show a little tension?”

Misato curled her lip. She had been scared out of her wits, yet the victim was as steady as an old dog.

”You’re such a boring man. Is there nothing that can scare you? By the way, what’s the deal with the Security Department? I heard they took heavy losses.”

She didn’t know the truth of the matter, and Gendo Ikari wouldn’t breathe a word of it. This was an open scheme; no matter how angry, suspicious, or helpless he felt, he had to play along with the script unless he wanted to go down together in a mutual destruction.

As for such emotional impulses, they had ceased to exist the moment the psychic seed was planted.

The Fake Mastermind: Strikes a cool pose while hiding in the back to reap benefits, only to have to endure in silence after being outplayed.

The Real Mastermind: Punishes the enemy, sheds the blood-stained clothes, and ”innocently” fries an egg.

”I have nothing to fear. And the combat strength of those Security Department guys isn’t even worth mentioning.”

”Hey, hey, hey, overdoing the acting isn’t good. Remember to go and thank them later.”

Misato didn’t even question the report. Dozens of fully armed cultists—who else could they rely on if not a Security Department assault?

No matter how powerful this kid was in an EVA, what could he do without the ”robot”?

”But after going through this, you need to be careful from now on. No wandering off as you please.”

Misato turned serious. The boy was carrying the hopes of humanity; nothing could be allowed to happen to him.

”Don’t worry. The Security Department will tighten security.”

Shinji slid the fried egg onto a plate and squeezed a layer of ketchup over it. He appeared very relaxed.

Through this incident, he had conveniently dealt with the ”eyes” watching him. From now on, no matter what he did, the surveillance reports would end with Mark.

”Oh, right. That JA project I mentioned last time—remember to help me submit the application.”

”Forget about it. I told you, the JA people and NERV don’t get along. They’re rivals to the EVAs. Unless someone at Commander Ikari’s level steps in...”

”That was before. Now, you just submit the application. Gendo Ikari will agree.”

Misato looked suspicious.

’Didn’t you say the talk went poorly? Could it be that because they rescued him this time, the father-son relationship mended out of gratitude?’

As she was thinking, Shinji had already laid out the dishes on the table. The fragrant aroma immediately caused the hungry Misato to toss her doubts aside as she reached out to grab some fried fish.

Smack.

Shinji tapped the back of her hand, giving her a stern look indicating what she should be doing first.

’Tch, you really are just like my dad.’

Misato grumbled as she went to scoop the rice. Shinji sat in the dining room, nodding slightly as he looked around the tidy apartment. This place made him feel comfortable; the faint sense of warmth made him feel like a different person.

No schemes, no slaughter. Perhaps this was the supreme reward bestowed by the Holy Emperor upon the loyal.

He casually tossed a piece of fried fish to the penguin. Seeing Pen-Pen stand tall and salute with a short wing, he lowered his head to eat.

’Mhm, the training is quite effective.’

Nodding in satisfaction again, Shinji looked around. ”Where’s Rei?”

”You finally remembered her.”

Misato, rice paddle in hand, rolled her eyes and gave a sly smile. ”Hehe, she’s preparing a surprise for you.”

”A surprise? Did her synchronization rate improve significantly?”

”Pah! I really don’t know how your brain is wired.”

Misato felt like one of them must be an idiot. She shouted toward the inner room, ”Rei, come out already! If you keep playing hard to get, he’s going to throw you into a simulator for special training!”

Slide—

Following the sound of the door being pushed open, a puzzled Shinji turned his head and raised an eyebrow slightly.

The girl was standing at the door. She had taken off the school uniform she wore at all times, replaced by a white gauze dress.

The dress didn’t have much ornamentation, yet paired with her snow-like skin, it appeared flawlessly perfect. The hem was quite short, leaving a palm-wide gap above her knee-high white silk stockings; those pale thighs were like an Absolute Territory.

Shinji’s gaze moved upward, taking in the delicate collarbones, the slender neck, and that flawless face. Her ice-blue hair was tied with a long red cord—this simple touch was just right.

The girl didn’t show much expression. Her red eyes remained pure, yet they darted away slightly under his scrutinizing gaze, like a mountain where the snow has begun to melt but hasn’t quite dissolved.

There was a hint of realization within that purity; that look of half-understanding was endearing.

This expression, this appearance—she truly was an exquisite and perfect doll.

”How... how is it?”

”Very beautiful. It meets every human definition of ’beauty’.”

Shinji nodded solemnly. He didn’t show the slightest embarrassment, nor did he look entranced like a child. He looked her over several times, and even with the most critical eye, he couldn’t find a single flaw.

”Rei, what made you think of dressing up?”

This girl wore nothing but her plugsuit or school uniform; one could say she was unchanging for ten thousand years. Was this evolution speed a bit too fast?

”Miss Misato said you were kidnapped and finally escaped, so you needed psychological counseling. I agreed.”

”Hey, what kind of psychological counseling is this?”

Shinji turned his head toward the kitchen.

’Isn’t this just bullying an honest person?’

”Oh, come on. A beautiful girl is the best placebo. No matter how terrifying something is, you’ll forget it in a heartbeat. That’s what Ritsuko told me.”

Misato shifted the blame with total confidence, hopping over with a devious look.

”Just say if you’re happy or not. Didn’t you forget all those scary things instantly?”

’When did I encounter anything scary? But then again...’

He turned back, this time looking even more seriously, causing Rei Ayanami to lower her head.

”Beautiful things indeed make one feel pleasant. But you shouldn’t have involved Rei. She doesn’t understand anything.”

”You... you don’t mean you wanted me to do it? I’m 14 years older than you! But sure, do you want a miniskirt with black silk? Or maybe purple stockings? If you want to become an adult that badly, I can help.”

Misato looked stunned, her face then flushing red as she said things that were hard to decipher.

No one knew if she was being serious, but Misato crowded closer. Shinji saw a trace of shyness in her eyes, mixed with a bit of mischievous teasing. As her arm touched something soft, he leaned back slightly.

”Misato Katsuragi, stop teaching Rei these strange things.”

”Hahaha, feeling protective already?”

Misato laughed, but seeing Shinji’s cold gaze, she swallowed the second half of her sentence.

’Dammit, he can’t even take a joke. This personality is really annoying to girls.’

She turned her head and saw Rei Ayanami staring at the two of them with rapt attention, as if trying to memorize every word.

’Well, annoying to ordinary girls. An oddball like Rei is an exception.’

”Eat, eat! I’ve been worried all day and I’m starving!”

The lavish meal was soon laid out. Shinji ate just as he always did—focused, efficient, and without wasting a morsel. He didn’t look at all like a boy who had just suffered a great ordeal.

Misato initially watched him closely, as if fearing the boy was putting on a brave face and harboring some psychological trauma.

Later, realizing the guy truly didn’t care, she simply started feasting as well. After a few cans of beer, she draped an arm around Rei’s neck, swaying back and forth while saying unintelligible things like, ”Rei, someone as excellent as Shinji... you should take the initiative, or else I’ll make my move.”

It was the same boisterousness as any other day, but Shinji no longer bothered to lecture her. This woman was unreliable, but her saying ”Home is a place to relax” wasn’t wrong.

He half-closed his eyes, lifting a spoonful of omurice to his mouth, savoring the sweet and sour taste as he chewed. Looking at Rei’s red hair ribbon across from him, he relaxed completely.

He didn’t think about his subsequent plans. The thick scent of blood had been washed away. After a brief period of tension came a long period of relaxation; this rhythm of life was pleasant. After being back for dozens of days, the sense of strangeness had faded.

He put his hands behind his head, tilting his chair back slightly. His gaze met Rei’s. Her eyes weren’t as steady as his; they held a bit of hesitation. Shinji understood instantly.

The one who had truly suffered a massive upheaval was her. She had made a decision to sever her bond with Gendo Ikari.

Rei didn’t understand the full truth of the situation at all. She was simply disappointed in Gendo and, following her intuition, had chosen Shinji’s side.

Shinji didn’t take the opportunity to earn points, nor did he offer words of comfort. After thinking it over, he spoke with the authority of the head of the house.

”I’ll have the Security Department clear out the unit next door. You’ll move in from now on.”

”Huh? Have Rei move in? Will the Security Department and Commander Ikari agree to that?”

Misato turned her head. She knew Rei’s status was special; there was no way they’d agree.

Shinji didn’t bother explaining. He interlaced his fingers. ”If I say it’s possible, then it’s definitely possible.”

”Wow, the overbearing CEO style. Why not just have Rei sleep in your room?”

Rei ignored Misato’s teasing. Her red pupils trembled slightly, reflecting the black-haired boy sitting across from her.

He was expressionless, as if issuing a military order, carrying a tone that brooked no question. Yet, she placed a hand over her heart and offered a faint, cool smile.

”Shinji-kun, you really are very gentle.”

Splash—

Water rinsed the plates. Rei Ayanami wore an apron, her expression focused. During this time, her life skills had improved significantly; at the very least, she could get the bowls clean. However, her expressionless demeanor made her look much like an automated dishwasher.

Shinji put the dead-drunk Misato Katsuragi back to bed. Just as he walked into the kitchen, he saw Rei washing dishes. Her short skirt swayed, creating an Absolute Territory with the white silk stockings that traced a faint indent in her flesh. Her cool profile didn’t show much expression, yet one could see she was taking this small task very seriously.

He didn’t disturb the girl, leaning against the wall and watching quietly. Seeing her stack the clean bowls one by one and سپس wring out a cloth to wipe the stove, he looked at the way she

wrung the cloth a few times more. It felt somewhat familiar. Finally, he couldn’t help but speak.

”Rei, I didn’t realize you had the temperament of a virtuous wife and mother.”

The girl turned her head, smoothing a stray lock of hair, and said flatly: ”Shinji-kun and Miss Misato are very kind to me. I want to help.”

”That’s fine. Aren’t you learning to cook? I’ll let you make dinner another day.”

”It’s not time yet. I’m very bad at it.”

”As long as you’re willing to work hard, you’ll definitely improve. Don’t worry, I will judge with the most rigorous standards.”

’Uh, this isn’t what the Class Rep said.’

Rei tilted her head in confusion. Hikari Horaki had told her that even if she made ”dark cuisine,” the boy she liked would still praise her. Sure enough, Shinji-kun didn’t follow the script.

She took off the apron, carefully tidied her skirt, and looked at the boy before her. She opened her mouth but no sound came out.

”Still worried? Feeling that the more you cherish these beautiful times, the more painful it will be when they shatter?”

Shinji’s gaze pierced through to her heart; he had long since discovered her hidden wandering.

”Mhm. I believe in you, but...”

”But there’s something wrong with your origins, and you don’t know how to describe it?”

Shinji walked over, passing her as she watched him nervously. He took out a cup, poured a coffee, and pressed it into her hand.

”I know you aren’t an ordinary human, but as long as the premise remains unchanged, our relationship will not change.”

Rei held the coffee cup, smelling the rich aroma, and understood what those words meant.

As an independent personality, she didn’t actually know many secrets, yet she knew she wasn’t a normal human but some kind of tool. This was a knot in her heart that was difficult to untie.

But Shinji-kun didn’t care, so why should she think so much? As for that premise—

’I will not block his path. If that day ever comes, I would rather die.’

Her gaze became firm again. She took a sip of the coffee, feeling the bitterness and the silkiness of the milk. She mustered the courage to look up: ”What is our relationship?”

”Naturally, we are sacred and loyal Battle Brothers. The kind that is as strong as steel.”

Shinji gave her shoulder a heavy pat and walked off to the living room on his own. He didn’t know why he was comforting Rei, but it was much like how Misato was always carefully observing him—unnecessary, but comfortable.

The girl watched him with a complex gaze. She rubbed her slightly numb shoulder, looked at the splash of coffee that had landed on her pure white skirt, and silently followed him.

The two sat on opposite ends of the sofa, watching the flickering TV screen together—both with hands on their laps, both with backs straight.

A variety show was playing on the TV. A group of masters were interpreting dreams—premonitory dreams, ominous dreams. Seeing them speak with such conviction, Shinji couldn’t help but curl his lip.

He hadn’t dreamed in over a hundred years. After returning, he could finally sleep peacefully, but dreams had never returned. He didn’t care about this remnant of the subconscious, and he understood all too well that dreams were easily turned into vessels for Chaos corruption.

Boring.

He picked up the remote, preparing to change the channel, but turned his head to see Rei watching without blinking, looking very focused. This girl had an interest in the metaphysical that exceeded the norm.

”Rei, what do you think a dream is?”

Shinji put down the remote and asked casually.

The girl turned her head and said without hesitation: ”A dream is a continuation of reality.”

’A continuation of reality?’

Shinji repeated the phrase mentally a few times, suddenly realizing he didn’t understand Rei Ayanami very well.

Not only could she act the part of a virtuous wife, but her words were also quite philosophical. Of course, if Misato Katsuragi woke up, she’d likely hit a wall in frustration.

’I deliberately got drunk to give you guys a chance to be alone, and you use it for ”Philosophy Play,” is that it?’

Naturally, Shinji didn’t care what she thought. His expression turned a bit more serious: ”Then what is reality?”

”Reality is the end of a dream.”

The girl gave the answer in a gentle voice.

’A dream is a continuation of reality; reality is the end of a dream?’

At first glance, it sounded profound. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Shinji immediately became alert; one of the Blood Ravens’ primary adversaries was that group of blue-skinned liars.

”You haven’t been reading things you shouldn’t again, have you? How many times have I told you: an excessive thirst for knowledge is the beginning of a fall.”

”No. I thought of this myself.”

Rei shook her head gently. Even she didn’t know why she said it. She asked first: ”Shinji-kun, what are your dreams like?”

’My dreams?’

Shinji was silent for a moment. He had forgotten what it was to dream. After all, the Astartes of the Blood Ravens Chapter could not sleep due to their gene-seed; even if forced into hypnosis, they would not dream.

He looked around. The ceiling gave off a faint yellow light. A penguin that had just finished its bath waddled past him. The air was filled with the scent of shampoo. These things were no longer strange, and they no longer made him feel the discomfort he had felt when he first returned.

’Reality is the end of a dream. So, which side is reality?’

”I don’t dream. Perhaps right now is a dream—it is so brief yet so real.”

Compared to a century of service, these two and a half months since returning were indeed brief. The combat experiences on Cyrene, the faith in the Emperor—those blood-colored memories were more deeply rooted.

”But I am here. Perhaps that long, bloody past is more like a dream. But without that dream, I would just be a brat that anyone could push around.”

Rei was an excellent listener and someone who could be absolutely trusted. Shinji spoke of the secrets deep within his heart; his greatest distress right now was this sense of fragmentation.

’Why did I lose my most important memories?’

A rare trace of vacancy appeared in the boy’s eyes. He clearly remembered every battle, remembered the despair when he first arrived in 40K. But the closer he got to his return, the blurrier those memories became. As for what brought him back, he knew nothing at all.

Two of the most important memories had been erased. The first was how he got to 40K; tracing it back to the deepest point, there was only the horror of his initiate missions. If the gene-surgery hadn’t been completed—granting him a powerful body and excising emotions like fear—he absolutely would not have survived.

The second was the return. It seemed like he was constantly fighting, and then he just... came back. There was no concrete impression.

The coming and going were both so bizarre.

’Holy Emperor, what mission have You entrusted to me?’

Rei listened quietly, offering no analysis and no interruptions. When the vacancy in the boy’s eyes vanished, she finally spoke.

”Not thinking about it anymore?”

”Mhm. There’s no point in obsessing over the past. If I keep moving forward, I’ll eventually find the answer. I’m just suddenly a bit anxious.”

Shinji rubbed his temples and looked at the warm, peaceful room, his tone wavering:

”If this continues, perhaps I’ll fully merge into reality, and those precious memories will become blurred, let alone finding answers.”

”Are those memories very important?”

Rei’s gaze suddenly became serious.

”Of course. Those experiences were full of hardship, but without them, I might be a brat who trembles at the sight of Gendo Ikari.”

Shinji found it hard to imagine what he would be like if he hadn’t served in the Chapter. He would likely be weak and powerless, constantly avoiding responsibility, and would probably become a tool the moment Gendo Ikari gave him a shred of praise.

It was because he had seen hell that he could feel composed. That was the greatest gift the Emperor had bestowed; even without psychic powers, he could still change everything.

Yes, the most precious gift was this heart of iron.

Rei didn’t quite understand, but she wouldn’t try to fill in the blanks with ”self-suggestion” like Ritsuko Akagi. She looked at the TV, then at the boy beside her, and suddenly patted her thighs.

”Shinji-kun, take a sleep. Perhaps after you fall asleep, you will dream. If reality continues in your dreams, you won’t be troubled anymore.”

’What are you talking about?’

Shinji turned his head in astonishment, unable to keep up with the girl’s logic.

It was impossible for him to dream. Much like his psychic powers, that was the evidence confirming he had lived a century-long life. If he truly dreamed of something strange, it would be even more troublesome.

He looked at the pure white girl, looked at her slender thighs encased in white silk, and prepared to refuse.

”Shinji-kun, you changed me. You let me experience the texture of life. Let this be my return gift.”

Rei hung her head, her ice-blue hair obscuring her face.

She wasn’t lying. The Class Rep had said a lap-pillow was the ultimate gift of gratitude.

It would be impolite to refuse again. Shinji thought for a moment and lay down on his back. The back of his head felt a delicate, silky texture and the elasticity of the girl’s thighs.

Lying there with his head back, his gaze passed over her modest ”peaks” to see a pure and exquisite face.

Rei looked down at him, still lacking expression, yet she radiated a certain maternal glow. She hesitated, then raised a hand to gently brush through Shinji’s hair.

’So warm.’

Shinji had only one thought. Looking into those red eyes, they were still pure, but after going through so much, his relationship with Rei Ayanami had become extremely close.

The sole support, the most important bond—it was as if two hearts were pressed together.

Shinji narrowed his eyes, feeling as if his psychic power was resonating. An intense feeling of fatigue washed over him.

He closed his eyes. He should have fallen into a deep sleep, but within the endless darkness, a few flickers of light began to sparkle. His brain, left only with subconsciousness, shifted slightly.

This is...

A dream?

The year is M41.997, aboard the Strike Cruiser Omnis Arcanum.

A towering warrior stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling viewing port. The mirror-like surface reflected his height of over two meters; exaggerated muscles filled his red-trimmed linen robe to the point of bursting. His face, sporting a black buzz cut, remained expressionless as he gazed out at the pitch-black universe.

”One hundred and twenty years...”

He opened his mouth, speaking a line of strained Japanese. It had been far too long; even words like ”Neo Tokyo” had become blurred. This was his greatest secret; in the past, he often feared that the darkness outside the window would swallow him at any moment.

”Fortunately, the Emperor protects, allowing me to fight until this day.”

He picked up his Rosarius and softly intoned the Emperor’s name. During prayer, all those anxieties vanished without a trace.

During the lulls between battles, Shinji would always recall his past. However, as the years flowed by, the memories of that world had grown hazy. Had the Astartes of the Blood Ravens not been incapable of dreaming, he might have thought he had experienced a strange dream.

He could tell no one of these memories. To leak even a single word would invite the Inquisition. Even Shinji himself wondered if this was some evil seed planted by the ”blue-skinned liars” (Tzeentch).

”It matters not. Blood has long since buried the past; scars have long since covered the hesitation.”

Time eventually washes everything away, just as his most vivid memories now were of the recent Kaurava conflict.

Drop pods falling like rain, mountains of corpses, a burning world, a super-massive free-for-all involving every major power in the galaxy, and... grievous losses.

Five companies were nearly wiped out in that campaign. Humans, Eldar, Necrons, Chaos traitors, and even Orks joined the fray. Shinji fought through a sea of blood and eventually broke through the encirclement to return under the orders of Captain Indrick Boreale of the Fifth Company.

Precisely because that campaign was so chaotic, involved so many factions, and because his breakthrough was so implausibly lucky, Shinji was subjected to a Chapter audit.

Thump, thump, thump.

Heavy footsteps approached. Shinji turned his head to see an Astartes Brother walking slowly toward him. He also wore a linen robe, but his face was covered by a skull mask—a Chaplain of the Chapter.

”Brother Cyrenius, your audit is concluded.”

So fast?

Shinji was somewhat surprised. The Kaurava campaign was no simple matter; it was a total war that not only drew out the Necrons but also saw infighting break out among the human factions.

”Do you not need me to provide an explanation regarding the Adepta Sororitas and the Planetary Defense Forces? Or my anomalous luck during the breakthrough?”

”You have already provided your explanation. The relevant data has been recorded into the Omnis Arcanum’s Librarium. As for your luck in the breakthrough—that was the Emperor’s protection.”

The newcomer offered a brief explanation, then spoke in a chilling tone:

”Now, new orders have been transmitted. Prepare for battle, Brother Cyrenius.”

Shinji didn’t think too much of it. Since the Chapter had confirmed his loyalty, he would obey. As for going into battle immediately after an audit, it was a common occurrence.

To fight until death is the destiny of the Astartes.

”By your command. But the Fifth Company has been decimated. To which company shall I be assigned?”

The loss of five companies was a heavy blow to the Blood Ravens, accounting for nearly half of their total strength. Replacing them would take an eternity.

”Lord Kyras has organized the survivors of the Kaurava campaign into a new tactical squad. You are to command it.”

Me?

Shinji was stunned. His seniority was sufficient; as a Librarian and Company Champion of the former Fifth Company, he was already a senior non-commissioned officer.

The Chapter Master’s orders were not to be questioned. He offered another salute.

”By your command.”

.

.

.

Soon, he left the Omnis Arcanum for a Battle Barge on the edge of the sector. The Blood Ravens made their homes among the stars and were long accustomed to protracted voyages. Within the Battle Barge, Shinji met his subordinates.

The Astartes are organized by Chapters. Strictly following the Codex, a Chapter consists of 1,000 Space Marines divided into ten companies, each company divided into various squads of five to ten warriors.

Of course, the Blood Ravens did not particularly respect the Codex. For instance, their proportion of psykers exceeded 30%, Librarians could hold various offices, and the Chapter Master even concurrently served as the Chief Librarian.

”However, this squad is a bit large.”

Shinji looked at the twenty Astartes sitting or standing around him. Chapter serfs were maintaining their gear, and every warrior possessed a strong Blood Raven style.

Painted in red, besides the standard MK.VII Power Armor, there were various hybrid models: the beak of an MK.VI ”Corvus” helmet, the rivets of an MK.V ”Heresy” pattern, and a few individuals who, seeking historical weight, wore MK.II arm guards from the Great Crusade era.

This was all quite normal. ”Acquiring items,” or rather, ”securing for safekeeping,” was a traditional Blood Raven specialty. The reliquaries were filled with all sorts of bizarre equipment; one could even find gear from the forces of Chaos.

The Astartes all looked over. These were veterans, yet they showed no sign of disdain.

Shinji was clad in an MK.VIII ”Errant” pattern Power Armor—secured from some forgotten battlefield—the Imperial Aquila on his chest gleaming. A black-hilted Power Sword hung on the left of his waist, while a short-barreled Bolter hung on the right. He held his azure-painted helmet in one hand and a Librarian’s staff forged of adamantium in the other. He was truly armed to the teeth.

Of course, in their eyes, his armament was secondary. The laurel wreath on his helmet, the dense kill-marks etched onto his leg and arm plates, and the Iron Skull icon on his right shoulder guard all proved that he was a powerful psyker and a Champion of great renown.

”Brother Cyrenius, is your audit finished?”

A bald warrior walked over, asking with a hint of doubt.

”Yes. The Inquisition has confirmed my loyalty. Is there a problem, Brother Aranks?”

”Nothing, it just feels a bit fast. It wasn’t easy for you to lead us out of that battlefield. I’ve forgotten how we finally fought our way through the encirclement.”

The bald warrior looked confused, and the other Astartes looked at one another. They simply felt that as they fought on, the enemies suddenly stopped being an obstacle. Rationally speaking, the Inquisition isn’t that easy to satisfy; if you can’t explain it, you’re disloyal.

”Perhaps the Chapter’s losses were so heavy and manpower so short that Lord Kyras vouched for us personally.”

Shinji found a logical explanation. The Blood Ravens had suffered terribly in that battle; he heard that initiates were already being integrated into the companies ahead of schedule.

”That’s even stranger.”

Another warrior walked up, running a hand through his short blonde hair. ”We are all veterans, having served forty years at the minimum. Shouldn’t we be dispersed among the companies to lead the initiates?”

This man was handsome; formerly a Sergeant of the Sixth Company and also a psyker. Hearing his words, Shinji’s brow furrowed slightly.

”Valer, do you think there is a problem with this arrangement?”

”It’s not a ’problem,’ just a bit illogical. We Blood Ravens need to restore our strength as quickly as possible. We can get equipment from the Adeptus Mechanicus, but personnel are a different story.”

The blonde warrior named Valer shook his head.

Because they often ”exchanged gifts,” the Blood Ravens maintained a very good relationship with the ”Cogs” (Mechanicus).

Shinji felt a trace of doubt, but it was far from questioning. The Chapter command had its own thoughts; his job was to execute orders.

”An elite squad can serve as a rapid-response force. At the very least, we know each other’s capabilities, and the number is neither too many nor too few.”

The group nodded. Not only were they Battle Brothers, but they shared a greater synergy from breaking out of the encirclement together. No one would question Cyrenius’s authority.

”So, here is the first mission.”

Shinji opened the information terminal. Everyone immediately focused. Astartes do not waste time; forgetting their doubts, they watched the characters flickering on the screen.

[COMMENCING ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION]

[AUTHORIZATION: CHAPTER MASTER AZARIAH KYRAS]

[COORDINATES: ASTEROID M377, EXPLORATION AND PURGE MISSION]

[THREAT LEVEL: MEDIUM. XENOS PRESENCE DETECTED WITHIN ASTEROID; POSSIBLE CHAOS CORRUPTION]

Everything was concise and efficient. The star map immediately expanded, bringing up the asteroid’s coordinates. More detailed intelligence surfaced on the terminal. The room was deathly silent as every man read carefully. The light of psychic energy already flickered in Shinji’s eyes; he had already begun formulating a battle plan based on the intel.

The asteroid was a mining station, staffed by an armed force of a thousand with heavy weaponry. Communication had been completely lost—they had either been annihilated or corrupted.

The aftermath of the Kaurava campaign affected the entire sub-sector, leaving disorganized xenos everywhere. Such an asteroid was perfect for use as a base.

”Sergeant Valer, select five volunteers and follow me. Have the Vengeance prepare a boarding craft and assign three Thunderhawk gunships for escort.”

”By your command.”

”Sergeant Aranks, lead the remaining brothers and stand by, ready for deployment.”

”By your command.”

There was no superfluous chatter. With the clatter of ceramite, the war machine began to turn. The fully armed six-man squad quickly assembled, and data was fed into the boarding craft.

Click.

Shinji donned his helmet. Air pressure equalized, leaving not a single gap in his Power Armor. Then, the crimson electronic lights flared to life, and the holographic screen projected a dense array of data.

”Move out.”

With a slight wave of his hand, the seven ”tin cans” marched in a column through the steel corridor. Passing Chapter serfs bowed in respect. No one spoke, and there was no idle talk. When the armored hatch bearing the Imperial insignia opened, they filed in behind Shinji, sitting calmly on either side of the boarding craft.

Hiss—

Inside the helmets, there was only the sound of breathing. Before them were their Battle Brothers in crimson Power Armor. When the countdown on the holographic screen ended, Shinji felt a slight vibration.

The boarding craft was launched. Exterior footage was transmitted into the helmets; dense asteroid debris floated before them, and in the distance was an asteroid dozens of kilometers in diameter, its surface marked by massive steel structures.

Several Thunderhawks flew nimbly through the debris belt. After a moment, a dense barrage of fire erupted from the asteroid.

”Resistance detected. Suppressing fire. Boarding craft accelerating. Void shields at full power.”

There was no fear. This unit surged forward at maximum velocity. Fireballs flickered and explosions were continuous, yet the Astartes encased in heavy armor did not so much as twitch a finger.

A new countdown flashed. The landing zone and subsequent battle plan were transmitted to every Space Marine. Shinji tapped his index finger, feeling the powerful thrust against his back.

Vwooom—

The boarding craft accelerated, surging against the barrage. The melta-cutters activated, looking like a gargantuan blade.

Boarding Action number 9,837.

Shinji gripped his hilt. The entire cabin bucked violently as this ”blade” pierced through rock and steel, plunging directly into the asteroid’s interior. He squinted his eyes comfortably.

A beautiful day begins with a boarding action.

The steel structures lay in disarray, with a massive circular hole gaping in the wall, revealing the pitch-black deep space outside.

Clatter.

Under the influence of the gravity core, rubble rolled and tumbled, only to be promptly crushed into powder by a sudden, massive steel boot.

Within the darkened interior, seven steel behemoths filed out in sequence, their crimson electronic eyes scanning the environment as their bolters swept the surroundings.

”Successful insertion, 7% deviation. Thunderhawks are cleared for withdrawal.”

”Heat signatures: zero. Dimark, establish comms relay.”

Shinji saw no sign of the living. He waved a hand, and one warrior jammed a communicator into the deck. Then, Shinji glanced at the Purity Seals on his armor and unleashed his psychic power.

”Moderate Chaos corruption. The inhabitants here have fallen. Follow me. Clearance level—”

”Kill on sight.”

Click.

The response was a rhythmic chorus of bolters chambering rounds. Shinji held his Librarian’s staff in his left hand and drew a Power Sword with his right. This blade had been ”borrowed” thirty years ago during a joint operation with the Black Templars; now, it bloomed with loyalty in his hands—surely its original owner would feel honored.

Of course, ”borrowing” it at the time had been a close call; he’d almost been caught.

”Formation 3. Follow me.”

Glancing behind him, he took the lead, his eyes tracking the electronic map while his mind processed a detailed battle plan.

For this insertion, he had chosen the topmost coordinates, intending to descend through the facility while projecting psychic pulses to detect things invisible to the naked eye.

After walking down the steel corridor for several minutes, they reached a large hall filled with ore. He suddenly raised his hand.

Halt.

Every warrior froze instantly, guarding the perimeter. Soon, they felt the ground vibrate—as if the mess hall doors had just opened, numerous heat signatures were approaching.

”According to plan. The heretics caught the scent. The terrain is prepared; use the corridor to neutralize their numbers. Watch the overhead ventilation ducts.”

Within Shinji’s helmet, surging red dots appeared, moving through the halls. The killing ground had been chosen long ago; the narrow corridor would strip the enemy of their numerical advantage.

”Test for command structure. Open fire.”

Rat-tat-tat-tat...

Bolters roared. Hundreds of meters away, clouds of blood mist instantly erupted. A dense hail of return fire struck the Power Armor, blossoming into countless sparks, yet the ”tin cans” remained unmoved.

It was a slaughter. Ordinary weapons simply couldn’t penetrate ceramite, while the Astartes’ fire was heavy and precise, reaping the enemy in rows. The heretics and their cover were equally laughable.

”Foolish tactics.”

The Power Sword traced an elegant arc in Shinji’s hand, a whish cutting through the air. With a fountain of blood, a bifurcated corpse collapsed, a melta-bomb rolling from its lifeless grip.

Optical camouflage.

The Power Sword’s glow never flickered; not a single swing missed. He accurately severed heads one after another. These men had been hiding in the ore piles, using their comrades’ suicidal charges as a distraction to attempt a melta-ambush. But such clumsy skills could hardly fool even an ordinary Astartes.

Those nineteen gene-seed implantations weren’t for show; even if the eyes couldn’t see, the ears could track footsteps for accurate fire—not to mention Shinji had psychic powers, and optical camo offers no protection against the Warp.

The ambush failed, but the enemy did not retreat. Large numbers of figures leaped from the dense piping at the top of the hall. These men, seemingly eager for death, clutched melta-bombs and jumped down; if they could just press those devices against the Power Armor, a mortal could indeed cripple an Astartes.

But it was all in vain.

”Dimark, fire overhead. The rest of you, advance with me.”

Without looking up, Shinji marched forward. A rain of blood, mixed with shredded meat, dripped continuously onto his armor. Occasionally he paused, seeing a figure land before him, only to pulverize them into red paste with a single punch.

The reaction speeds of the two sides were on entirely different levels. The frontal barrage suddenly thinned as survivors fled. He reached out into the air, and a soldier charging from the shadows seemed to deliver himself directly into Shinji’s palm.

He hoisted the soldier up with one hand as bullets clattered against his gauntlet. Shinji studied the man for a moment, noting the horns and ulcerated skin caused by corruption, then squelched his head into a pulp.

”Command confirmed. Everyone, Formation 1.”

The warriors drew closer together. They had purged heretics more times than they could count; when heretics retreat immediately upon a failed gambit, it clearly indicates they are under command.

This was significant. it suggested a powerful psyker or a Chaos Daemon was behind them. Fortunately, Shinji provided sufficient ”Warp resistance,” but it didn’t really matter.

When executing an Exploration and Purge mission, Astartes would press on even if the Four Chaos Gods themselves were hiding inside.

”But why didn’t the Chapter’s psychic precognition flag this? The mission brief mentioned nothing of the sort,” Shinji muttered, continuing the search.

There were no fancy tricks; the seven Astartes rolled over everything like steel tanks. No enemy could remain hidden.

He sidestepped a blinding melta beam while a warrior behind him blew a concealed turret into the sky with a few shots. Shinji سپس ran a soldier through with his blade, snatched the

bomb from the man’s hands, and tossed it into an adjacent room.

Boom—

Blood mist scattered, only to be shredded further by bolter fire. Any resistance was futile. Once a coordinate was cleared, they moved immediately to the next.

”Central Monitoring Hub, 300 meters. This should be the heart.”

Passing through a cramped corridor, they reached a massive hollow space. Shinji stopped instantly, raising his staff. Roaring psychic energy formed a light screen; a large-caliber shell froze in the center of it. Looking up, he saw numerous positions in the center of the hollow, white smoke billowing from the barrel of a tank.

No words were needed. A warrior behind him produced a plasma gun. After a flash of blinding light, the vehicle was reduced to a glowing fireball.

Shrapnel sprayed everywhere, sweeping through the heretics in the trenches. Before they could react, the psychic screen vanished, and a steel giant wielding a sword sprinted toward them.

He was so fast—a hundred meters in the blink of an eye. The gore clinging to his armor and the laurel on his helmet were a terrifying sight.

”Covering fire.”

Bolts streaked past Shinji, obliterating any heretic brave enough to return fire. As he sprinted forward, an APC charged to block the gap; Shinji simply leaped.

Slash—

The Power Sword left a brilliant trail of light. Steel melted as the APC was sliced clean in half. Dismembered bodies floated in the air, only to be crushed into meat by his landing.

The slaughter continued. Shinji’s speed at close range was so great that these mortals had no time to aim; they saw only a blur pass them before their bodies disintegrated.

One bunker after another was cleared. Numerical superiority meant nothing; heavy weapons couldn’t lock on, small arms couldn’t break the armor, and even suicide attempts were cut short by the supporting Astartes’ precision fire.

Mortals are that helpless before the Emperor’s Blade. Even with heavy weapons, it takes a hundred lives to trade for one Astartes—and against a psyker like Shinji, there wasn’t even a chance for a trade.

The psychic screen expanded, shells freezing in mid-air. Shinji walked slowly toward an anti-tank gun, tore the snarling soldier to pieces, and then turned back to see his brothers following at a steady pace.

The entire hollow was drenched in blood and scarred by craters. The Astartes simply fired mechanically, reloaded, and fired again, purging every enemy in sight.

The meticulously constructed defenses were utterly pulverized. Several vehicles lay scattered like broken toys.

’Is that it?’

Shinji looked back. Few living things remained as the Astartes coolly delivered coup de grâce shots. He looked ahead; through a deep tunnel lay the Central Control Room. Once the monitoring system was activated, no enemy could hide.

A routine hunt.

He had experienced such battles countless times. He prepared to move forward but suddenly stiffened, his psychic senses screaming a warning. He scanned the area frantically.

’Fatal threat? Where?’

”All units, alert!”

At his command, every Astartes snapped into a defensive posture, eyes searching—

”Energy reading! Underground!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosives detonated. Fireballs rose from various points as the deck disintegrated, sending debris and bodies plunging into a massive pit. Yet, in those brief two seconds, the Astartes—warned in advance—had already reacted.

”Ambush! Clear the blast zone!”

Jump packs flared with exhaust. They actually ran upward along the falling debris, targeting the steel catwalk leading to the Control Room, maintaining combat formation even in mid-air.

Shinji ran at the head of the group, his eyes scanning the surroundings as his expression darkened.

Expertly placed explosives. Step-by-step luring. Rapid command. This wasn’t the work of a daemon.

Ordinary daemons from the Warp couldn’t coordinate such a precise trap. If it were a Greater Daemon, his Purity Seals would be burning white-hot. The enemy was obvious.

Whish—

Lightning lashed out like a whip. It was deflected by his psychic shield onto the rock wall, which shattered with a roar. Shinji landed and looked up. He saw a figure before him also wearing Power Armor, though te azure plates were covered in horns and mutated growths.

Traitor.

A fallen Space Marine, a traitor who had become a pawn of the Dark Gods. For a moment, he couldn’t tell which warband this patched-together armor belonged to.

”Request backup. Immediately.”

”Comms are jammed. The Vengeance reports a Strike Cruiser has been detected.”

Valer delivered the grim news.

Shinji remained silent, standing at the edge of the pit, his mind racing.

This was clearly a long-premeditated ambush. The question was: how did they know the Blood Ravens were coming? And who planned it?

He looked up. A dozen towering ”tin cans” emerged from the shadows, occupying the high ground. Some of the traitors wore mismatched armor, clearly from minor warbands like the one in front of him, but a few were starkly different.

They wore pitch-black Power Armor with the Eight-Pointed Star of Chaos on their shoulder guards and long red plumes on their helmets. Their eyes were cold, lacking the usual mindless rage or frenzy.

’Hah. It’s the Black Legion.’

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