Chapter 31: Warhammer: What Do You Mean You Infiltrated the Bug Race
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Protagonist:
Lin En
Lena
Lin En likewise did not hesitate.
The arrow had left the bow; there was no turning back, and the plan had to be carried through resolutely.
For he knew well Cassius's near-rigid "keeping of promises" in his character.
Or rather, his absolute adherence to "agreements" and "logical conclusions."
Since Cassius had made the agreement to "not clear it before the mission ends,".
Then, before the Tyranid infiltration issue was officially declared resolved, he would definitely not actively tear up the agreement.
This was Lin En's reliance for daring to continue walking on the blade's edge.
And also a kind of affirmation of Cassius's character.
Thus, after symbolically throwing out two more insignificant small Insect Nest coordinates, maintaining the pretense of "continuously providing intelligence."
Lin En conveyed the information about that "Insect Race Arsenal" to Cassius.
He did not give precise coordinates, only describing the general area.
And "worriedly" mentioned that, according to α's previous vague perception, the biological signal scale there was abnormally huge, with extremely high energy levels.
And there existed a "heavy oppression" that even α felt threatened by and dared not get too close to.
He even "hinted" that α's recent disappearance was very likely due to injury while scouting that area, needing time to conceal and recover.
After the report, Lin En carefully observed the possible reaction of Cassius under his white helmet at the other end of the communication.
Cassius did not hesitate at all; he spoke, his voice revealing no emotion:
"Information recorded; we will verify it."
He actually did not quite believe Lin En's words, but they indeed could no longer find any trace of α.
This situation was consistent on the surface with the logic of "injury and concealment."
Just as Lin En expected, Cassius said nothing more, immediately ordering the Mechanical Priest and reconnaissance units.
To conduct a full-scale search and verification of the intelligence on that "high-threat area" at the bottom of the Eighth District.
And Lin En continued to perfectly play his other role.
That "Diligent Patrol Officer" busy dealing with the Chaos Cult in the Seventh District Lower Levels, short-handed.
He even "found time" to organize another assault on a suspected cult hideout.
Making quite a show, confiscating some unimportant Blasphemy Items, and widely publicizing "good news."
Intelligence gathering was more difficult than expected.
The environment at the bottom of the Eighth District near the Ninth Layer Forbidden Zone was extremely harsh.
Filled with high-concentration industrial toxins, unstable radiation sources, and complex geological structures and energy turbulence left by crustal movements and ancient wars.
Even the advanced detectors of the Son of Medusa suffered severe interference there.
But after several days of cautious reconnaissance and the deployment of several reconnaissance Servo Skulls.
And even Cassius personally leading a team on a short border infiltration, they finally obtained solid evidence.
The data and images presented before Cassius were shocking.
It was not a simple nest, but a staggering "Weapon Processing Factory."
Preliminary scans showed its coverage might exceed tens of square kilometers, extending deep into geological structure layers.
Inside were filled with high-concentration biomass aggregation signals, with abnormally high energy readings.
More importantly, the reconnaissance units captured clear multiple "Tyranid Beast signals."
There was even an extremely brief but impossible-to-ignore energy fluctuation belonging to a much larger existence.
Suspected early hatching stage of a "Tyranid Titan"!
Without a doubt, this was one of the "Core Pioneer Outposts" operated by the Gene Thief Sect on Necromunda for decades, or even longer.
Prepared for the main force of the Hive Fleet's descent.
Its scale and threat level far exceeded any previous target cleared, including the old nest of that Chicken Thief Bishop.
Cassius looked at the suffocating red warning area and jumping danger parameters on the holographic projection.
His deep blue eyes had no ripples, only a stretch of ice-cold understanding.
He roughly understood Lin En's "plan."
The previous Bishop outpost was a "probe."
Probing the upper limit of this Squad's strength, firepower configuration, and ability to handle sudden situations.
And this Insect Race Arsenal was the true "killing move."
Lin En wanted to use these extremely powerful Xenos to kill with a borrowed knife.
Within "reasonable" battle losses, to eliminate him, the greatest threat who knew the secret.
Even possibly intending to bury the entire Medusa's Sons Squad along with him, to permanently eliminate future trouble.
Very cold, very efficient, fitting the style of that Mortal who showed ruthless means to achieve his ends.
But Cassius felt things might not be so simple.
That Mortal entangled by Strange Power had deep thoughts and cunning schemes that could not be judged by common sense.
Behind this Arsenal, were there other traps?
Will α take the opportunity to appear?
Would Lin En himself truly be content merely with "using another's knife to kill"?
However, whether ahead lies conspiracy or open scheme, a swarm of insects or a Titan, one thing is certain.
This Nest Capital must be purified.
Its existence is itself an imminent existential threat to the world of Necromunda.
As the Emperor's Angel of Death, eradicating such threats is his inescapable sacred duty.
Without hesitation, Cassius issued the command.
Gather all strength and conduct pre-war highest-level maintenance and resupply.
Formulate assault tactical contingency plans targeting super-large creature nests and heavy units.
The attack time is set for twelve Standard Hours from now.
He wants to personally tear this nest apart.
Then, go and give Lin En and α the judgment they deserve.
Just as five Standard Hours remained before the attack, when the entire squad outpost was permeated by a steel-like silent pre-war atmosphere.
The Mechanical Priest accompanying the army, Sage Seles Guhate, requested private communication with Cassius.
Cassius saw him in the priest's temporary workshop.
The air was filled with the smells of engine oil, ozone, solder, and the low hum of the Contemplator Array.
Sage Seles did not stand before the data screen as usual, but sat on a simple metal chair.
His primary multifunctional mechanical arm was now trembling slightly, to a degree barely perceptible to the naked eye, and occasionally sparking.
Cassius keenly caught a trace of extremely faint blood aura mixed in the thick smell of engine oil.
Very faint, but it did exist.
"Sage Seles," Cassius's voice remained steady as ever.
"Have you sought a 'prophecy' from the God of All Machines again?"
The so-called "prophecy" is when certain high-ranking mechanical priests deeply connect their own consciousness with the vast Contemplator Array.
Conducting extraordinarily complex calculations within the data flood.
At the same time performing devout prayer and resonance with Omnissiah, hoping to glimpse fragments or probabilities of the future.
This is an extremely mentally draining high-level technique that may even damage the brain and implants.
Accuracy varies by person, but Cassius knew Sage Seles's attainments and piety in this regard.
"That's right, Sergeant."
End of Chapter
