From Terra to Terra, the Star Emperor's Holiday

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Chapter 315: Man-eating Shark Regiment

Neat, but heretical.

This was the Astartes Captain's first impression of this huge star base.

The smooth alloy structure lacks the traditional Gothic spires of the human empire. The cabins made up of a large number of blunt edges and corners perfectly form this giant base with an irregular shape. It has docks and artillery positions, but there is no church that represents the Emperor's guidance.

Walking in the corridors of the star base, there is not a trace of the Imperial style decorations familiar to Space Marines. Even the eagle flag hanging on the wall is a single-headed eagle style with a black and red background.

All kinds of abnormalities in the star base were constantly irritating the sensitive nerves of the Space Marines. They kept raising their arms buried in the Mark V Heretic Power Armor, trying to grab the weapons hanging on their waists, but they gave up with difficulty after hearing the communication from the company commander in front of them and lowered their arms again.

“…What the hell…”

The reason why the captain ordered his Astartes to stop instead of carrying out the sacred mission given by the Great Emperor to eliminate all heretics was largely because the owner of this base was temporarily using the name of a Rogue Trader.

As a profession specially authorized by the Emperor, Rogue Traders holding a Trader's Certificate have a certain degree of autonomy and discretion. This power includes, but is not limited to: hiring aliens that will not harm the interests of the human empire, using alien technology, and even conducting transactions with aliens that do not harm the interests of the empire...

While using alien technology to build a massive star base was certainly excessive, it was still not enough to judge a Rogue Trader for such a thing.

not to mention…

Compared to the oil man beside him who was dazzled and wanted to take the base into his own hands, the Astartes Captain looked carefully at the black and red armored guards who were leading them.

These mortal soldiers, wearing power armor of a completely different style from theirs, were even thinner, and the weapons in their hands were also models they had never seen before. However, they made the Astartes captain, who was still energetic after serving for hundreds of years, feel uneasy.

The Astartes are biochemically modified humans created by the Emperor using Dark Age technology combined with the genes of the Primarchs. Although they were treated like expendable soldiers during the Great Crusade, at this point in time, they are undoubtedly a top elite force and the backbone of the Human Empire against any race. When ordinary soldiers encounter the Astartes, they will often be killed like wheat being cut.

But now, the Space Marines, who were called the Emperor's Angels and Demigods by the people of the Human Empire, actually felt suffocating pressure from mortal soldiers. The Astartes Captain even had a feeling that even if he took the initiative to attack the soldiers leading the way, he still could not guarantee victory.

What the hell is this!

Forced by his identity as a Rogue Trader and the ridiculously strange oppression from the other side's men, the Astartes Captain suppressed his men's sensitive reactions to the surrounding environment and pondered how to respond.

If the other party is disloyal or joins the heresy, then he will carry out the mission given by His Majesty even at the cost of his life and eliminate the enemies of mankind.

But if the other party is normal, then as an Astartes with a sensitive identity, the best option is to find an excuse to leave and not get involved in the conflict between the other party and the Mechanicus.

"Good stuff, all good stuff!"

Compared to the Astartes who were full of worries, the mechanical priest from the border forging world did not have so many thoughts. He just looked at the various equipment beside the corridor of the star base, and his semi-mechanically transformed face kept spewing oil.

Initially, the Mechanical Priest merely wanted to use the name of the Forge World to retrieve the "full" amount owed from the Lagtomo Hive World, but now, blinded by the oil, he has been thinking about how to use the power and authority in his hands to deceive the Rogue Traders into handing over this giant base that is obviously the result of ancient or mysterious technology.

After all, the Rogue Trader only needs to think about how to hand over the base, but as a Mechanical Priest, a servant of the Great Ohm Messiah, the Mechanical Priest has a lot more to think about.

Led by the Imperial Guards, the Astartes and the Mechanical Priest were brought into a very spacious conference room. Flags representing the Star Empire, the Pan-Human Community and the Human Federation were hung high in front of the conference room. Si Ye was flipping through the star map in his hand under the flags.

"heresy!"

Before Si Ye could speak, Astarte looked at the seat that suited his physique and had not yet sat down. As if to gain the upper hand, the Mechanical Priest made a sharp sound like a poorly connected sound array.

"Former Planetary Governor Griffin reported the existence of ruins on Lagtomo, but the Forge World was busy at the time, so the excavation work was put on hold. You actually activated this ancient relic without authorization, causing irreversible damage to it. Even if you are a Rogue Trader, you should repent to Om Messiah!"

Hard, the Astartes Captain’s fist hardened.

Although he had known for a long time that these Mechanicus priests were more or less mentally ill, the fact that the opposing base used such a poor excuse to accuse them still made the Space Marines' superior nerves a little nervous.

The Astartes Captain even wondered if the border worlds were too far away from the political center of the human empire, causing these Mechanicus's oily heads to not know how to find the right excuses.

"... "

Si Ye looked at the barking Mechanical Priest with a look of a fool, ignored him, and instead looked at Astarte who was sitting a little restlessly beside him.

Yo ho, gray shark.

After Roboute Guilliman created the toilet paper of the Codex Astartes, the Legiones Astartes were split into countless chapters of about 1000 people. This led to the emergence of a variety of chapters. Even with the memories of his previous life, Si Ye could not guarantee that he could recognize all the chapters.

However, some of the more famous regiments can still be recognized, such as the Space Sharks in front of us, or the Carcharodon Regiment.

As the 32th Legion of the Raven Guard, descendants of the Primarch Corvus Corax, they have been entrusted with some unknown sacred missions since M. As a fleet-based regiment, they have been roaming outside the borders of the Human Empire, searching for and destroying the enemies of humanity.

Having been away from the empire for many years, the wealth of the Carcharodon Regiment cannot be said to be extremely wealthy, but it can only be said to be extremely impressive.

Therefore, the Carcharodon often needs to trade people with the renegade chapter, the Ash Claws, which is also located outside the borders of the Empire, and then use the ancient debris and old technology excavated outside the borders to exchange equipment with the Mechanicus in order to maintain the operation of the chapter.

The Carcharodon also holds two warrants granted by the Terran government, allowing them to regularly collect "red taxes" and "gray taxes" from the worlds within the empire's borders.

The 'Gray Tax' refers to the qualification to exchange ancient debris and old technology for equipment, while the 'Red Tax' allows the Carcharhinus to abduct people in hive cities, feudal or prison worlds and turn them into slaves and recruits for the war group.

The Mechanicum had cheated the Carcharodon Chapter many times over the 'Grey Tax', and it was clear that their friendship wasn't worth the Carcharodon sending Space Marines to represent the Forge World, so their intentions were clear.

"Carcharodon? I remember your Chapter Master was a big guy, so you're not Tiberius."

Si Ye made a gesture, indicating that the captain of the Carcharodon Regiment should take a seat.

For the Star Empire's plans in the 40k world, the Space Marines, the large sums of money in the hands of the Emperor, still have some value. At least their influence is unique in the human empire, and they are suitable to serve as a buffer to appease the people in the work of faith grafting.

"If you're here for the Red Tax, I apologize. The Hive World of Lagtomo was attacked by Orks, and its population has been halved. Adding to this taxation, I'm afraid it will be severely damaged. However, I have other deals to offer the Carcharodon. Please wait a moment while I discuss this half-witted Mechanic Priest."

Looking at the three completely unknown flags above Si Ye's head, the Shark Captain thought for a moment as if a box had been opened, and sat down on a chair beside him.

"I am Bel-Shar, Captain of the Third Company of the Carcharodon Regiment, a Rogue Trader... Please hurry."

"Oh, don't worry it will be quick."

...

Chapter 316 A Small Declaration

The conversation between Si Ye and Captain Bel-Shar of the Carcharodon Regiment, which was carried out without paying any attention to the others, made the ignored Mechanical Priest somewhat annoyed. His body under the red robe seemed to swell a lot, and his nerve cords and mechanical limbs seemed to riot along with the thoughts of the Mechanical Priest.

"Heretic, give up this ancient relic immediately and repent to Om Messiah, otherwise..."

"What else? Are you going to hit me with your oil-corroded head?"

Si Ye looked the mechanical priest up and down with a playful expression on his face.

In the Human Empire, mechanical priests of this level are numerous, but it is rare to find one with such a stupid brain. If he wants technology, then so be it. Why does he have to find a legitimate reason? Does this priest still think that the Human Empire is a place where reason can prevail?

"The Elfendor Dynasty, I've never heard of such a Rogue Trader Dynasty. Whether you are a Rogue Trader or not is debatable, but it is true that you used the Mechanicus's property without authorization and caused its loss."

The Mechanical Priest seemed not to hear the sarcasm in Si Ye's tone. He was eager to assign the star base to the name of the Mechanicus, trying to put a bigger accusation on Si Ye.

"Captain Bel-Shar, a heretic who has used the technology of the ruins without authorization and even disguised himself as a Rogue Trader is standing right here. Shouldn't you be fulfilling the mission bestowed upon you by the God-Emperor as Space Marines? Or do you want to become traitors colluding with this heretic?"

traitor.

After the Heresy, these two words were deeply engraved in the hearts of all Astartes. For these genetically modified extraordinary humans, only glory and mission are their lifelong pursuits. Being defined as a traitor will undoubtedly lead to the destruction of the glory they have snatched throughout their lives, and may even implicate the battle brothers of the entire regiment.

So after the Primarchs disappeared one after another, the High Lords Council, who controlled the power, was afraid of the power of the Astartes, but also wanted to control this powerful force. They took advantage of the Astartes' fear of becoming traitors and disguisedly pua many of the successor groups to do their dirty work.

If the Mechanical Priests had come from another small Chapter, even if they did not stand up and state their position, they would have argued to prove their loyalty to the Emperor and the Imperium of Man based on the accusation of colluding with heretics.

But this move has very limited effect on the Carcharodon Regiment.

On the one hand, the Man-Eating Shark left the empire's territory early because of its special mission and was not affected by this trend.

On the other hand, the Carcharodon Legion is more rational. The long-term battles outside the empire's territory require them to focus more on practicality rather than flashy things. This, to a certain extent, makes them pay more attention to results rather than the process of honor.

"Father, although the Carcharodon Chapter has cooperated with the Border Forge World, it does not mean that you can order the Emperor's warriors around. I did not see it..."

Looking at the eagle flag of the Human Union on the conference table, Belsaire paused for a moment, but continued to emphasize.

"...You are a heretic. I only heard your one-sided accusation and didn't provide any valid evidence. So, watch your words!"

The remote location and lengthy battles forced the Carcharodon Chapter to use gene-seed from non-Raven Guard sources to fill gaps in the Chapter.

So by the time of M41, although the Carcharodon was still considered a descendant of the Raven Guard, it had actually become a mixed group of Raven Guard, World Eaters Blackshield, and Night Lords Blackshield. Bel-Shar and Chapter Master Tiberius of the Carcharodon were clearly Space Marines transformed from World Eaters gene-seed.

Although Bel-Shar controlled his temper well, he would not sit idly by and watch his brothers in the regiment being slandered by a greaseman. The murderous warning made the temperature in the conference room seem to drop by several degrees.

"..."

The Mechanical Priest choked, and the mechanical components on his body made a series of beeping sounds.

The reason why he dared to put a label on Si Ye so openly was partly because he saw the new technology in the star base, but more importantly, he belonged to the legitimate Martian mechanical sect and didn't care whether Si Ye was really a traveling trader or not.

After all, there are only a few Imperial Blood Merchants who hold certificates of authorization granted by the Emperor himself, and the Emperor's descendants, the Primarchs, have not appeared in nearly ten thousand years.

So when the Mechanical Priest heard that Si Ye's last name was Elfendor, and not the familiar Valancius or Cavendish, he mistook Si Ye for an ordinary Rogue Trader who had obtained a Trader Certificate from a High Lord or Planetary Governor.

How could an ordinary traveling trader be qualified to control such an advanced creation originating from an ancient civilization?

The Mechanical Priest felt that he was merely fulfilling the great mission entrusted to him by the Ohm Messiah, to reclaim the once-glorious technology of human civilization and preserve it properly, rather than allowing ordinary people who did not understand the true meaning of these technologies to use them roughly.

“…Okay, okay…it seems I’m a little excited…”

Under Bel-Shar's indifferent comment and Si Ye's playful gaze, the Mechanical Priest leaned on his heavily modified face, which could no longer produce blood, and said calmly:

"Sir Rogue Trader, I was presumptuous earlier. Let's both compromise. Since you've taken over the Lagtomo System, you should naturally accept the debt. In the name of Om Messiah, we can dispense with the late payment fees and complicated clauses. How about using this star base to pay off the debt?"

The Mechanical Priest spoke in a tone as if cutting flesh, as if he had made a great concession because everyone belonged to the Human Empire.

"puff…"

Si Ye couldn't help it.

Although the original intention was to condone the Mechanical Priest's stirring up trouble in order to gain a claim to the Forge World, Si Ye still had to maintain his identity as a Rogue Trader and could not completely go against the rules of the Human Empire, but the Mechanical Priest's clumsy performance still succeeded in making him laugh.

"I remember Griffin Germann simply asking Forge World to purchase over 70 Chimera armored vehicles on an installment plan. Now he's asking me to use my starbase to pay off the debt. What's going on? Is the Mechanicus also using the same compound interest scheme as the Underhive gangs?"

"Rogue Trader! Are you insulting the Mechanicus?"

Si Ye's words comparing the Bottom Nest Gang to the Mechanicus seemed to startle the Mechanic Priest slightly, as if he had found an omission and a breakthrough in Si Ye's words.

"Apologize immediately! And offer Om Messiah an offering sufficient to cleanse your heresy, or you will feel the wrath of Mars."

The mechanical priest's robe was lifted up, and a small-caliber melta cannon unfolded at the front end of his mechanical limbs like petals, pointing directly at Si Ye.

The Mechanical Priest had intended to use a tough stance to force Si Ye to back down, but he noticed Si Ye had a look of relief on his face. He spoke to the silent attendant standing beside him:

"I've recorded it."

“It’s completely documented.”

"That's good. The Frontier Forge World openly rebelled, harvesting the resources of the Imperial World through forced trade and other means. They also openly attacked Rogue Traders for these resources. After being captured, they fought to the death and were ultimately destroyed in space. This was witnessed by Si Ye de Elfendor and Astartes Captain Bel-Shar."

Bel-Shar's eyes grew wider under his helmet. He had no problem with the Mechanical Priest putting a hat on him and the Rogue Trader using his own methods to retaliate, but why did he have to be dragged into this?