"At least that's what my master, Gregor Eisenhorn, wrote in his personal journal. I suggest you get your local Pharmaceutical Guild moving as soon as possible; I have the formula."
"Before this investigation is settled, I do not recommend that the Pharmaceutical Guild produce such drugs, lest more trouble arises. I happen to have a trustworthy pharmaceutical factory at hand.
But the problem is, where do we get so much Psyker ash?"
"My Black Ship happens to have a large number of live Psykers. The Calixis Sector just experienced a 'Tyrant's Moon,' and that chaotic energy activated the hidden nature of many illegal Psykers.
They were originally meant to be sent to Terra, but now, it seems, they need to offer themselves to the Imperium in advance," the Inquisitor said with a smile.
Consuming human lives, in his words, was as natural as discussing a price or, rather, expendable materials.
"'Life is the Emperor's currency; cherish it.' And now, as the Emperor's agent, I have decided it is time to 'allocate funds' for the stability of this planet."
"No problem, Inquisitor Ravenor. Once I get the formula, I will immediately arrange for production," Horatio replied.
"I think for some of the procedures, you might need the help of the Tech-Priests from the Adeptus Mechanicus."
"The technology for harmless deactivation and pulverization of carbon-based organic matter using high-voltage alternating current is already very mature; it's not a difficult problem. I sincerely invite you, a Psyker, to be the first user to experience this production line, a certain nameless Inquisitor, sir."
Father Lati's face was expressionless, with eyes that seemed to be looking at some kind of waste that needed immediate destruction, yet the female voice from her vox-caster was pleasant and full of enthusiasm, just like the high-end saleswomen at luxury boutiques Horatio had encountered while shopping with Farida.
When she spoke the final pronoun, her voice was especially warm and cheerful.
"Hahahaha," the Inquisitor burst out laughing, putting his arm around Horatio's shoulder:
"It seems you'll have to curry favor with this lady. I'm only responsible for providing you with the formula and the Psykers; you'll have to handle the rest, Mr. Horatio."
"..."
Hearing the Inquisitor hand the negotiation over to Horatio, a warm smile instantly reappeared on her cold face.
"Father Lati, this technological cooperation... uh..."
Horatio sighed with a wry smile.
"Oh, Mr. Horatio, if it's you, then it's easy.
How about this, let's put it on hold for now, and later ~ when I have time, we can discuss the service fee for technological interaction ~"
For reasons Horatio couldn't yet fully grasp, Father Lati seemed to be in a good mood as she expressed her intention to see them out, then returned to her workbench to continue the work that had been interrupted.
Her crimson robe had been deliberately tailored to perfectly accentuate her beautiful figure, a blend of artificial and natural, outlining graceful lines as she moved.
Compared to Thei, Lati had a rich, complete charm unique to a mature woman in her thirties.
After his experience of 'returning a favor' with Farida, he instinctively and subconsciously connected it to certain indescribable matters.
This made Horatio feel a bit awkward when he came to his senses, but fortunately, the Inquisitor was calling him to leave together at that moment.
Of course, this was just a subconscious reaction.
Because the other party was no ordinary person.
That was a Tech-Priest, a servant of the machine god.
The conditions and prices she would offer would be extraordinary and must be handled with care.
"Please forgive me for the trouble you'll have to go through," he sighed, giving a wry smile as he bid farewell to the Goddess Priest.
The matter of making medicine from living human ashes was so easily settled with the Tech-Priest, and he should have been grateful that the Imperial Navy had a countermeasure, but Horatio couldn't feel happy at all.
He walked expressionlessly, seemingly deep in thought, but no one could guess what he was thinking.
The Inquisitor put his arm around Horatio's back and walked out of the laboratory with him.
"Don't let unnecessary emotions torment your heart, young man."
The Inquisitor's polite smile towards Father Lati vanished as soon as he stepped out of the restricted area, replaced by a look of mature composure, a wise and sincere expression that made one feel like confiding in him:
"When I was your age, I used to be very melancholic. But when the tragic truth of the entire universe came crashing down without warning, various cruel dilemmas forced me, forced me to remain resilient and calm just to survive."
Horatio glanced at the Inquisitor, still expressionless.
"Some people call me ruthless, cold-blooded, or even cruel, but I am not.
Although I am a Psyker, my emotions are still as rich as any normal person's.
The only difference is that I can control my emotions—the Inquisitors' mentors believe this to be a supreme quality, the source of willpower.
In my career, facing unspeakable horrors both within and beyond the veil, it was this 'quality' that kept me resilient and resolute, allowing me to calmly face everything and fulfill my duties.
Indulging myself in any pain, fear, or sadness is a luxury I cannot afford.
Because I must weigh the lives and deaths of hundreds of billions of people.
So, for the sake of this planet where hundreds of billions of people live, I can let tens of thousands of Psykers die for their inherent value."
Horatio listened quietly, then curved his lips into a mirthless smile.
This calm acceptance surprised the Inquisitor somewhat.
"Inquisitor, sir, I deeply understand what you are saying.
Because I know.
One day, I too will command a fleet to unleash the wrath of Exterminatus upon one planet after another.
But I know that the people I kill are for a better tomorrow for humanity."
Horatio's maturity, beyond his age, surprised the middle-aged man whose hands were stained with countless blood, followed by joy and approval.
"It seems we will get along very well.
I was worried, because there are many idealists in the Imperial Navy.
But you, Mr. Horatio Cochrane, you are truly extraordinary.
Not only are you exceptionally talented, but your thinking and rationality surpass most humans I have ever met."
"It's only because I understand that we all have people and things we must protect at all costs, and the future of humanity.
Before I can crush the enemy, I have no time for melancholy, and even less time to die."
The man took a deep breath and exhaled with relief.
"Then let us work together to dig out those bugs hiding in the dark corners with a knife, no matter how deep they hide."
"Death to heretic." Horatio strode forward, his eyes filled with ruthlessness.
—
In the dark and cold Lower Hive, a slender, small figure wearing a black cloak and Hood moved through the chaotic gray and black metal jungle.
Using the few dim lights illuminating a small corner, the Half-cat person pulled out a secret letter her boss had sent her from her Arms.
It contained several sets of coordinates, marking several suspicious locations she needed to investigate in person, as well as the physical characteristics of several key observation targets she needed to pay attention to.
Creak—
When a slight sound came from beside her, the Half-cat person girl's ears on top of her head twitched alertly, then she quickly put away the parchment and disappeared into the darkness, leaving no trace.
—
"I have already drawn up a plan for investigative breakthroughs, based on the information in the suspect records compiled by Vice Admiral Hood, linked sequentially according to logical order and relevance."
Horatio spread an unfinished handwritten draft on the desk, then poked his finger at the first node.
"Our first entry point starts with this cannibalistic Howling Teeth Gang. They are a key intelligence point that has emerged so far. Choosing them is not only because they caused yesterday's attack, but also because they belong to the type that has just been exposed from hiding.
If we don't act in time to extract information before they are silenced by some force behind them, we will lose an opportunity to dig for deeper clues.
I have reason to suspect that they may be involved with the Corpse Guild. And according to my informant, that bald Chief Priest is closely connected with these Cultist."
"What you said makes a lot of sense. We need to act before other forces clean them up.
The Corpse Guild has immense power on this Hive City planet, behaves bizarrely, and its internal organization is cohesive and closed, making it difficult to penetrate. All the informants I sent have lost contact. It would be easy for them to destroy evidence; they just need to turn it into 'corpse starch.'
If we miss this opportunity, we might not get it again."
"Two parts will unfold simultaneously: on one hand, we will delve into the Lower Hive, and at the same time, my agents will also begin collecting intelligence on their own, unfolding on multiple fronts. Wherever there's a breakthrough, we'll go there immediately."
"Excellent. I've already checked the Church of the Celestial Woman; there aren't many clues there. Once we locate the target, let's go to the Lower Hive."