Chapter 368: Departure
Confirming that Sigismund had obtained the Emperor's revelation through that unconventional method, Ryo no longer hesitated. The course of action was clear; though the path to Holy Terra still harbored hidden dangers, the direction was set.
He immediately issued orders, commanding the Tech-Priests and servitor squads to securely transfer the two specially made containment cases—carrying the warp engine core and the Genesis factor biosphere respectively—onto the transport vehicle waiting on the landing pad. The entire process was conducted under the strict guard of the Skitarii, striving for absolute precision in every step to avoid any unnecessary vibrations or accidents.
"The defense of the base is in your hands," Ryo gave his final instructions to Ignis and the Skitarii commander staying behind. "Maintain maximum alert. Unless you receive direct orders from me, forbid any external factions from approaching the core area. Maintain coordination with the Nexum reinforcements."
"As you command, Magos," Ignis bowed to receive the order. "May the Omnissiah guide your voyage."
Ryo nodded slightly, his massive dark-red mechanical body turning to Sigismund. "Let us depart, Lord Sigismund. Every minute of delay might give those watching us more time to prepare."
Sigismund completely snapped out of his brief meditative state, his eyes recovering their usual sharpness and resolve. He responded briefly: "Follow me."
The transport vehicle drove smoothly toward the waiting Thunderhawk gunship, then lifted off, piercing through the atmosphere still filled with some smoke and radioactive dust, heading toward that behemoth in orbit.
As the distance closed, the magnificent hull of the Eternal Crusader gradually dominated their entire field of vision. Just as Ryo had evaluated, this Gloriana-class battleship was like a steel city suspended in the sea of stars; its length of over twenty kilometers brought an unparalleled sense of visual oppression. The hull was densely covered with macro-cannon arrays, laser batteries, and torpedo launch tubes. The armor plating, baptized by the flames of war, bore countless mottled scars, yet this only made it appear more indestructible. Compared to the one-point-five-kilometer-long frigate Ryo had boarded previously, the latter was simply a child's toy.
The gunship passed through the massive void shield turbulence and flew into the Eternal Crusader's expansive hangar deck. The hatch opened, and Ryo stepped out, his mechanical footsteps echoing in the vast space. Inside the hangar, ground crews and techno-mats bustled like an ant colony, maintaining various carrier-based aircraft and armored vehicles, brimming with orderly vitality. The scale and complexity here were far beyond what small ships could compare to.
"This ship is indeed the best choice," Ryo's synthesized voice sounded beside Sigismund, carrying a hint of approval. "If even the Eternal Crusader cannot guarantee our arrival at Terra, then I am afraid there isn't a more suitable ship to be found within the Imperium."
Sigismund looked at Ryo and said, "That is natural. Follow me, Magos, a dedicated area has been prepared for you and your... cargo."
Under Sigismund's personal guidance, the two specially made containment cases were escorted deep into the ship, into a specially reinforced cabin.
This cabin was located in the core area of the Eternal Crusader, equipped with completely independent life-support systems, power supply, and defense mechanisms. It even mounted a localized void shield generator, forming a highly self-consistent security unit.
Ryo personally supervised the securing operations of the containment cases, ensuring every latch and dampener was in an ideal state.
Subsequently, he accessed the cabin's control system and deployed multiple layers of security protocols: including mechanical cipher locks, energy fingerprint recognition, and dynamic monitoring alarms.
The system was set to respond immediately to any unauthorized access—even the slightest energy fluctuation or physical contact would trigger the highest level security alarm.
However, the most reassuring line of defense on the entire ship was not these precision machines.
Sigismund had specifically dispatched a highly capable squad of Black Templars to handle the guarding of this location. Five warriors clad in Terminator power armor stood on both sides of the cabin like steel colossi. Their solemn black paint job seemed to devour light, and the Maltese Cross etched on their pauldrons gave off a stern glimmer in the dim lighting.
They held storm bolters and power fists, their helmet sensors continuously scanning the entire space, their sights constantly locked onto the containment cases.
There were another ten Templar Brethren equipped with power swords and storm shields, who, along with another squad of twenty Black Templar warriors in standard power armor, collaboratively watched over the cargo.
This squad executed a strict rotation system, ensuring that at any given moment, there was at least one Terminator and several standard power-armored warriors on duty.
Their motionless postures and unrelaxing gazes silently declared that these two containment cases were holy relics worth defending with their lives.
Under this tight guard, the entire cabin was shrouded in an almost solidified, solemn atmosphere.
After completing all this, Ryo and Sigismund proceeded to the bridge together.
The bridge of the Eternal Crusader was equally magnificent, resembling the nave of a grand cathedral. The tall observation windows displayed the scene of the stars outside, and below were tiered operational decks where countless officers and Tech-Priests performed their duties.
The air was filled with the deep hum of cogitator engines, the faint static of vox-waves, and a serious atmosphere.
Sigismund walked towards the command throne and nodded to the Shipmaster standing at attention on standby.
"High Marshal, all systems are ready, the fleet has completed assembly, and we are ready to set sail at any time," the Shipmaster reported in a loud voice.
Sigismund's gaze swept across the bridge, finally landing on Ryo, and he nodded slightly.
Ryo responded with the same gesture.
"Activate main engines," Sigismund's voice spread across the entire bridge, clear and powerful. "Set course, target Holy Terra. All ships, maintain maximum alert level. We are going home."
The orders were quickly executed.
The massive Eternal Crusader began to slowly adjust its attitude. Its giant plasma thrusters spewed out blinding blue wakes, pushing this steel city towards the Mandeville Point.
The escorting Black Templar ships followed closely behind like loyal guards.
The course was set; the journey had begun anew.
Ryo's mechanical body stood quietly to one side of the bridge, his optical lenses following those shifting bands of light, while his internal processor calmly evaluated various potential variables.
Sigismund stood beside the command throne. No ripples of emotion could be seen on his resolute face, but the tight line of his lips and the hand constantly resting on the hilt of his sword revealed a similar caution.
They both understood that even though the Emperor's revelation had pointed the direction, what lay between the Death World and Holy Terra was not merely a vast physical distance.
The Warp itself had never been a smooth path, and those forces unwilling to see this technology reach Terra would absolutely not give up just like that.
The voyage had commenced, but the road ahead remained shrouded in the fog of the unknown. Any laxity could invite unpredictable consequences.