Warhammer, Emperor's Chosen

In the upper levels of the hive city, three Thunderhawk gunships roared through the spires, weaving between the dense forest of towering structures.

Finally, breaking free from the labyrinth of spires, a grandiose fortress-monastery came into view. Though it too was located in the upper levels of the hive, its scale dwarfed any of the surrounding towers. Its name was the Palace of Thorns.

The emblem of the *Astral Claws* chapter fluttered above the monastery, depicting a yellow-and-black lion roaring defiantly on a blue battle standard.

Amid the deafening roar of engines, the three Thunderhawks descended onto the landing pads outside the monastery.

Under the guidance of Andar, Noah and his companions were escorted into the heavily fortified stronghold.

The wide, circular walls were bristling with defensive laser batteries and massive cannons. Towers dotted the ramparts like a constellation, connected by layers of fortified battlements and gun galleries. The sheer overwhelming firepower was enough to send shivers down the spine of any potential attacker.

Even as Noah crossed the armored bridges inside the monastery, he could see workers laboring to reinforce the walls, expand the fortress, and further enhance its defenses.

The meeting chamber was a massive circular hall with an enormous round table crafted from pure white marble at its center. The decor of the chamber was lavish, with the chapter's insignias embedded in the ceiling, surrounded by gleaming minerals and precious metals that naturally drew one's gaze upward.

Noah expected to wait a long time in this chamber. However, to his surprise, a tall Space Marine clad in Terminator armor was already waiting for him when he arrived.

The Space Marine's silver Terminator armor was notably larger than that of most others, with many sections painted blue. His chest bore the Imperial Aquila, and a roaring golden lion was emblazoned on his right shoulder pauldron.

He wore no helmet, revealing a rugged face and dark complexion.

"I am Lufgt Huron," the Space Marine introduced himself. "Please, take a seat, Lord von Valancius."

Huron smiled warmly, gesturing for Noah to sit.

By Imperial law, rogue traders and Space Marine Chapter Masters shared equal status.

Of course, not all rogue traders were equal. The lowest among them held warrants of trade issued by planetary governors. Meanwhile, ancient rogue trader dynasties often possessed warrants granted directly by the High Lords of Terra. A select few even carried documents signed by the Primarchs of old or the Emperor Himself, relics of a vanished era.

Huron couldn't confirm the origins of Noah's warrant of trade. However, any rogue trader capable of commanding a cruiser and an entire escort fleet likely possessed at least a High Lord-issued warrant.

Moreover, Noah was accompanied by Battle Sisters, signaling a close relationship with the Ecclesiarchy.

Either of these credentials alone warranted Huron's cautious and respectful approach. Having them both in a single individual demanded even greater attention.

Noah pulled out the chair, clearly prepared for him, and sat down without ceremony. He spoke directly:

"Chapter Master Huron, I don't have time to waste. Andar should've already briefed you on some of my intelligence. So let's dispense with pleasantries. I'll get straight to the point."

Huron's expression grew serious.

"Speak," he said.

Despite Noah's bluntness, Huron did not take offense.

On the contrary, he admired Noah's efficient and decisive demeanor. Facing a Space Marine without fear and even attempting to seize control of the conversation—this was a man with the bearing of a Space Marine himself.

"My dynasty's vault contains a star map dating back ten thousand years. It charts a route from the Halo Stars directly to the Maelstrom and, through the Maelstrom, to Macragge, via the warp."

Noah wasted no time revealing a bombshell. Though the information was compelling, Huron remained calm and expressionless.

"My fleet took only three days to traverse the warp. In real time, merely 123 millennia-fractions have passed. If my calculations are correct, the journey from here to Macragge should take a similar amount of time."

Noah's tone grew grave.

"And my purpose in traveling to Macragge is to deliver a warning to the Ultramarines Chapter."

"A warning?" Huron finally reacted, frowning slightly.

"Yes. A species I've named the Tyranids is invading Macragge. If my estimation is correct, they will arrive in no more than a year. If the Ultramarines fail to prepare in time, they will suffer... catastrophic losses."

Noah carefully chose his words. Yet Huron discerned the true implication behind them:

If the Ultramarines didn't prepare, they might be erased from the annals of Imperial history.

Huron observed Noah's expression, unmoved. He didn't entirely trust Noah's judgment, but he wasn't dismissive either. Instead, he responded decisively:

"I haven't received any distress signals from the Ultramarines. How did you discover this species you call the Tyranids?"

If the Ultramarines themselves hadn't identified this threat, how had Noah detected an invasion originating on the far side of the galaxy?

"I have evidence."

"Where is it?"

"Here," Noah replied.

"Here?" Huron was visibly surprised. He'd expected Noah to say the evidence was aboard his ship.

But Noah continued, surprising him further.

"More specifically, in the underhive of this city."

Pausing briefly, Noah elaborated: "The Tyranids include a species called Gene-Stealers. These xenos can reproduce and spread by infecting or hybridizing with other species. Given enough time, a single Gene-Stealer could covertly infiltrate and take over an entire planet!"

The shocking revelation made even the seasoned Chapter Master Huron leap to his feet, his Terminator armor clanking with the sudden movement.

He caught the underlying message in Noah's words and asked in a low voice: "How do you know my hive has been infiltrated by these xenos"

Noah regretfully shook his head.

"Chapter Master Huron, I cannot be certain whether your hive contains Gene-Stealers—just as I cannot be certain which hive-worlds remain free of them."

Huron's face darkened as he fully grasped the implications of Noah's intelligence. If it were true, these Gene-Stealers might already have infiltrated every world of the Imperium.

The question wasn't which planets harbored Gene-Stealers—it was which planets didn't.

"Andar!"

Huron turned to the Space Marine who had escorted Noah to the meeting hall and ordered in a deep voice:

"Lead your squad to the underhive. Immediately!"

....

📢30 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢

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12. A Bald Head Emerges from the Crowd!

13. The Great Maternal Love.

14. You Can't Just Issue an Exterminatus on Your Own Planet, Can You?

15. A Win-Win Situation = I Win Twice.

16. Guardians of the Maelstrom.