Warhammer, Emperor's Chosen

Badab Primaris, Fortress Monastery, Tactical Center

Lufgt Huron and Noah stood on opposite sides of the central holosphere in the tactical center, closely monitoring the movements of Andar's squad.

The sphere depicted a virtual structure of the entire hive city, but the intricate layout of the underhive was so convoluted that even Huron and the Astral Claws Chapter, who ruled this planet, couldn't fully map it out.

In truth, most people didn't care about the underhive or what lay within it, let alone venture down there.

------------------------

"The Genestealers have distinct, inhuman features," Noah explained. "They are covered in thick, protective chitin, resembling insects in appearance. They possess four arms, and their speed and strength rival that of an Astartes. Their claws are razor-sharp, capable of tearing through the defenses of Astartes power armor."

"They typically hide in the sewers and ventilation systems of the underhive. Such confined spaces are ideal for their ambush tactics. Therefore, I recommend prioritizing safety—do not aim to capture them alive. If encountered, shoot to kill."

Noah offered these warnings out of courtesy, ready with an explanation for his extensive knowledge. After all, he had previously served as the planetary governor of a hive world, so his understanding of these xenos could easily be justified.

Huron's tone was severe:

"You heard him, Brother Andar. Leave no survivors. Bring back a sample!"

"Understood," came Andar's response over the comms channel.

Huron then asked:"What are the signs of infected humans?"

"Most infected individuals show obvious mutations, but some appear nearly identical to humans. The most distinguishing features are slightly purple skin, plate-like protrusions on their foreheads, and a natural baldness. However, they are not unintelligent and often disguise themselves with headscarves or hats."

---------------------------

"We've reached the underhive," Andar's voice came through as Noah explained the characteristics.

The holosphere's display shifted, tracking their descent from the midhive down to the underhive via an elevator. The five-man Astartes squad moved in a tactical formation, carefully exploring the deeper levels of the hive.

Noah watched silently, suppressing the urge to tell Huron, This approach won't catch Genestealers!

Genestealers weren't mindless mutants. They wouldn't brazenly reveal themselves in broad daylight—especially not in front of Astartes—unless the entire underhive had already fallen, and every inhabitant had been infected.

Even then, they wouldn't be foolish enough to confront Space Marines head-on.

Hive elevators connecting the middle and lower levels were rarely activated, sometimes going unused for decades. When one started up, the noise alone would alert everyone nearby. And if the passengers were hulking warriors clad in power armor, any sane person would avoid them.

This applied to ordinary humans, so why would Genestealers act any differently?

Despite his misgivings, Noah refrained from advising Huron on his command strategy. After all, he had no authority over the Astral Claws. Offering unsolicited suggestions might come across as meddling, potentially souring their cooperation—something Noah wanted to avoid.

As it turned out, Noah's caution was well-founded.

Space Marines weren't mere muscle-bound brutes.

Fully aware of their intimidating presence, they didn't waste time searching for Genestealers or their corrupted hosts among the populace. Instead, they stormed the headquarters of the underhive's most prominent gang.

People might flee, but gang hideouts couldn't run away.

Wanderers and vagrants might go wherever they pleased, but gang leaders with significant assets wouldn't easily abandon their bases.

With these local overlords' cooperation, the Astartes' mission would undoubtedly proceed much more efficiently.

----------------------

"Name."

Andar gripped the gang leader by the neck, violently yanking off the ridiculous bowler hat perched on his head. Tugging hard at the man's brown hair, Andar ensured it wasn't a wig, even drawing blood from his scalp in the process.

"Aagh! N-Nigel! My name's Nigel, my lord!" the gang leader stammered in terror, crying out in pain.

"Summon your men and help us search," Andar commanded flatly, releasing the man's neck.

"Y-Yes, my lord! Of course!" Nigel clutched his bleeding scalp, nodding frantically. "What are we looking for?"

"Bald heads."

"Huh?"

Nigel froze for a moment, only snapping out of it when Andar's crimson electronic eyes locked onto him. Trembling, he hastily replied:"Y-Yes! Right away, my lord! I'll gather all the bald ones!"

Within ten minutes, every member of the gang had been assembled in the courtyard.

Nigel, his head hastily wrapped in bandages, shouted angrily at the gathered crowd:"Take off your hats! Are you all deaf, you children of the sand?! Hats off! Shirts off too! Bald ones, step to the right!"

Under the threat of the Astartes' guns, the gang members quickly obeyed, splitting into two groups.

Everyone removed their shirts, and those wearing hats hastily discarded them. Most of the crowd, even those with thinning hair, scrambled to the left—grateful to still have some hair. Only a few bald individuals nervously stood on the right, utterly confused about the situation.

The Space Marines scanned everyone carefully, not sparing even those with thinning hair.

Finally, their attention zeroed in on one bald individual.

--------------------

Thwack!

Andar descended from the high platform, grabbed the bald man by the neck, and hoisted him off the ground. He brought the man's head close to his helmet for a detailed scan and recording.

At the same time, the tactical center received the transmitted footage.

Huron glared at the bald man with a plate-like protrusion on his forehead. His expression was grim.

"Interrogate him, Brother Andar. Find out where their nest is!" Huron's voice was heavy with restrained fury. "I'll dispatch First Company to support you!"

Even though they had yet to see a full-fledged Genestealer, this bald man's appearance was proof enough that Noah's warning was credible.

Andar hadn't even searched diligently—merely targeting a gang in the underhive—and he'd already found an infected individual. Who could say how many more infected lurked below?

If not for Noah's timely arrival, they would have remained in the dark.

Had these xenos been allowed to proliferate unchecked for decades, the midhive and even the upper hive might have fallen as well!

For such a catastrophe to unfold under the Astral Claws' very noses would have been an unforgivable stain on the Chapter's history.

And for Lufgt Huron, such disgrace was unthinkable.

The Astral Claws might endure shame—but not under his leadership.

.......

📢30 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢

For advance chapters: [email protected]/Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)

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.

17. Three Chapters Serving Me Alone—What Greater Fortune Could There Be?