Chapter Eighty-Three: The Visitors of the Storm

The Great Rift opened wide, and amidst the waves of the warp, storms brought forth beings and objects from unknown eras—some perhaps from the distant past, others from the far future.

At the Manderville Point of the Moers star system, the star gate stood open. From two separate Manderville Points within the system, two warships transitioned into Moers. Upon entering the system, both vessels immediately accelerated to sub-light speeds, heading toward Moers.

The styles of the two ships were entirely distinct. One was a warship imbued with a strong sense of advanced technology, bearing a resemblance to the "Imperial Truth," its sleek hull radiating technological prowess. This was in stark contrast to the Gothic vessels of the Human Empire, which were suffused with religious sanctity and grandeur.

The other ship, entering from the opposite Manderville Point, was an assault cruiser belonging to the Space Marines. Its weapon platforms and architecture exuded a deep, sacred Gothic aura. Its destination, too, was Moers.

As soon as the ships entered the Moers system, the "Imperial Truth" detected them through its galaxy-class early warning radar. Captain Jiang Tao immediately projected the scan data and real-time locations onto a holographic screen before Wang Ming.

"Two vessels have entered the system," Jiang Tao reported. "One is a Human Federation ship, designation M22.152, 'Starlight.' It has been transmitting distress signals ever since it crossed into the system."

"The other," he continued, "matches the Space Marine assault cruiser from the Human Empire described in the materials you gave me."

Jiang Tao awaited Wang Ming’s orders.

"Do you have any recommendations?" Wang Ming asked, not issuing a command right away.

"My advice," Jiang Tao replied, "is to first respond to the distress signal from 'Starlight,' then make contact with the Space Marine chapter. The 'Starlight' is most likely here because of a warp storm—they’re unaware of the era’s changes and their current position. Their distress signal indicates they’re facing dangers they can’t resolve. According to Federation law, human life takes precedence..."

He paused. "Apologies, Captain Wang Ming. My protocols automatically reference Federation law. It’s hard-coded—human life is paramount."

"No need to apologize," Wang Ming said calmly, gazing at Jiang Tao’s holographic projection. "That’s your basic programming, and you’re not wrong—human life is indeed paramount, provided they are still human."

He studied the AI’s response, not because Jiang Tao’s advice was crucial, but to observe how an AI from the Golden Age would counsel humans in such situations.

"Respond to their distress signal," Wang Ming ordered. "Send a team of Space Marines and auxiliary forces to rendezvous with them—tell them it’s an artificial rescue."

He stared intently at the 'Starlight' on the holographic map. Wang Ming was wary of both ships that had appeared so suddenly. The Space Marine assault cruiser was less concerning; at worst, it might contain Chaos Marines or daemons. But the 'Starlight,' a relic of the Golden Age, was another matter entirely.

Its crew could be ordinary humans, or they might already be corrupted by the warp. If they were, sending mortals to make contact would be suicide; they would be a vector of warp contamination, and must not be allowed to interact with the untainted.

"Understood, Captain Wang Ming. Orders have been relayed to Executive Captain Ondro Ferreira. The distress signal includes a request for video communication. Do you wish to accept?"

Jiang Tao promptly transmitted Wang Ming’s orders to Ondro Ferreira aboard the "Imperial Truth," entrusting him with their execution.

"Connect it to my personal terminal," Wang Ming replied, reconsidering. "Don’t patch it through to the command room."

He had thought to let Jiang Tao display the video in the command center, but reconsidered. If the crew was already contaminated by the warp, that would be disastrous.

"Connecting now."

Soon, the video link was established. On the screen of Wang Ming’s personal terminal appeared a man. At first glance, Wang Ming silently pronounced a death sentence upon the entire crew of the 'Starlight.' None of them could be allowed to leave alive.

"God, at last," the man exclaimed, "Captain Darcy Oak of the Fifth Thousand Eight Hundred Federation Fleet, 'Starlight' cruiser, requests your assistance. We are lost, and the crew has contracted an unknown virus. I require medical support."

He wore the Federation Navy’s uniform, but it was now smeared with bizarre blood-red symbols. His physical and mental state was dire—his eyes were bloodshot, his body gaunt and malnourished, and his white uniform hung on him like clothing draped over a skeleton in a hospital.

"Captain Darcy Oak, this is Captain Wang Ming of the 'Truth.' How long have you been lost?" Wang Ming asked, noting the blood-red eight-pointed star emblazoned on Oak’s uniform.

"We have been lost for fifty years!" Oak replied. "Our supplies are nearly exhausted; many crew members have died of illness. Damn it! We urgently need Federation rescue!"

As he spoke, his emotions spiraled out of control, turning hysterical.

"Are you sure they all died of illness?" Wang Ming asked calmly, pointing with his finger at the human skeleton behind Oak. Thanks to the camera’s high resolution, Wang Ming could clearly see several uniformed crew members cutting flesh from the corpse with knives.

"Hehehe..."

Oak glanced at Wang Ming’s finger, turned to look at the corpse, then faced Wang Ming again with a twisted smile. The laughter, combined with the scene around him, was chilling.

"Captain Wang Ming, do you believe? In the warp, we saw the true gods! Hahaha..."

Oak’s tone was nearly mad as he gazed at Wang Ming.