GATE: Thus The Imperium of Man Fought There

The Grand Conspiracy pt 3

-M29. 671. Falmart. At the Edge of the Continent-

Around a dozen Thunderbird Mk IV soared at high speed towards the anomaly area, now the destination of their investigation. Upon reaching the intended area, Raias walked to the cockpit and witnessed an emptiness stretching as far as the eye could see. As they approached, Raias could feel the turbulence intensify in the Warp.

What he felt was the reality sinking deeper into the Empyrean Sea. Remembering the information he had received earlier, all of this was caused by the disturbance in the Webway connection by the false gods who now tyrannized Falmart.

"We will be landing in T-minus three minutes," the pilot announced.

Upon the announcement, Raias could see an Imperial research outpost standing just a few kilometers from the gaping void. As the Thunderbird landed, everyone inside immediately exited as instructed.

Beside him, Raias found Rory on the Thunderbird. However, contrary to what he knew of the Apostle, where her cheerful and playful demeanor had once been, now appeared to be completely gone, replaced by a seriousness resembling an incarnation of the perfection of mankind's vigilance itself.

Raias suspected the reason behind Rory's demeanor shift. Ever since the Apostle had her meeting with His Majesty, something changed drastically, and the difference became more apparent each day.

"Captain Raias, long time no see," Rory greeted the transhuman captain, a smile on her face.

"Quite an unusual remark, Rory. We just met a few months ago," the captain replied with a sigh.

"We did. But, I guess what His Majesty gave me changed my perception entirely, time included," she replied, smiling faintly.

"Also, I didn't expect you to be here, Rory. I heard only Lelei is the one who will accompany me," Raias said, genuinely surprised.

"It was an urgent matter for me. Besides, they requested my presence here to test something," she shrugged.

Raias only nodded before turning towards the outpost. With instructions in hand, he proceeded to enter, Rory walking right behind him.

The interior of the structure was made up of Warp-sensitive materials. Raias could feel the energy coursing over his skin, causing him to shiver slightly. It had been nearly a century since the War of Retribution, but the scars of the Warp would haunt him for eternity.

The sensation of burning still seared deep within his soul, causing him to flinch involuntarily. Fortunately, his helmet shielded his expression from the Apostle's scrutiny.

As they delved deeper, the Warp energy thickened, inducing a pounding headache in the Solar Guardian. He had grown accustomed to the Emperor's Anathematic power, which usually shielded him from such discomfort when exposed directly to raw Warp energy.

"I've heard about your past, Captain," Rory remarked, her words deliberate.

Raias halted, casting a glance over his shoulder. "Many tales from that war can be accessed in the Noosphere network. There is nothing particularly remarkable about it."

"I'm not referring to that. But according to the story and research paper, you are deemed worthy of becoming a Magistratus," she dropped the bombshell, a smirk playing on her lips.

Raias attempted to mask his emotions, subtly clenching his hand to steady himself. "I do not deem myself worthy becoming a Magistratus, Rory."

"The Emperor chose you to be one of his champions, a bearer of Anathematic power. I find your refusal unjustified, Captain," the Apostle countered, her eyes narrowing.