Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 584 Trial
"Gene sequence matching complete... Match rate: 100%... Identity finally confirmed: Felus Manus, Primarch of the Steel Hand. Highest authority... Restored." The cold, mechanical synthesized voice, like the final pronouncement of a divine oracle, resounded in every corner, striking heavily into the logical core and the depths of the soul of every Steel Hand warrior.

The golden light of identity verification seemed to still flow across the cold metal floor of the temporary courtroom in the Wandu Hall, leaving an invisible, scorching imprint of majesty.

Feralus sat in the main seat, like a mountain revealed after a storm has subsided, silent and unshakeable, with a cold metallic luster flowing over her.

Chen Xi sat slightly lower to her right. His judge's robe embroidered with scarlet roses and the insignia of the lord of the Exile Order on his chest, in the grim atmosphere, were like a personification of imperial law, exuding a cold authority.

Below, Ulric Ironfather, Vilidian Ironfather, and other clan representatives stood solemnly like statues. The Ash Knights and loyal warriors around the hall stood like silent boundary markers. The server system was in a minimum standby state, with only the electronic eyes under the helmets flashing faintly.

Gastaff Moore was firmly secured to the dock by several heavy adamantium chains.

His power armor was damaged in several places, and his right wrist, pierced by Feralus, hung limply, with the exposed cables occasionally emitting faint sparks.

The light in his electronic eyes went out completely, leaving only a deathly, stubborn gray, like the wreckage of a machine whose core processor had been removed.

Several trusted warriors of the Skree clan have been disarmed and are being held by warriors from other clans. Their metallic faces are hidden under their helmets, their postures are stiff, and their internal communication channels must be filled with chaos and suspicion.

After a brief, suffocating silence, Chen Xi slowly stood up.

His movements were steady and without any unnecessary actions.

He did not look at Gastaff immediately, but calmly swept his gaze over the standing clan representatives, finally settling on Feralus, as if conducting some kind of silent confirmation and transfer of power.

Ferrus nodded slightly, and his right hand, covered in liquid metal, moved extremely slightly, signaling him to continue.

Chen Xi then turned his gaze to Gastaf Mor in front of the judge's bench. His voice was not loud, but clear and cold, as if reading a long-archived, unquestionable imperial legal document: "Based on the supreme authority granted by the Imperial Court to supervise and enforce the Imperial Law, and on the irrefutable evidence at the scene and the final ruling of Primarch Ferrus Manus, the verdict is hereby read to the criminal Gastaf Mor, former member of the Steel Council, and representative of the Skree Clan."

His voice echoed in the deathly silent hall, devoid of emotion, only cold and heavy with a transactional tone: "Criminal One: Attempted to murder the Primarch and the Inquisition's representative. At the heart of the Karada Fortress, attempted to murder His Excellency Felus Manus, the Imperial Primarch, and the representative of the Imperial Inquisition."

This act constitutes a direct attack on the imperial bloodline and the highest law enforcement authority of the empire, and is an act of treason.

Evidence: On-site attack records, command logs indicating intent to initiate the 'Ultimate Purification' protocol, and behavioral verification.

"Criminal Second: Illegally Activating the 'Ultimate Purification' Protocol. Illegally Activated the Legion-Level 'Ultimate Purification' Protocol, targeting the Database Verification Room area."

This act, intended to destroy vital military assets of the Empire and the lives of all loyal Imperial personnel therein, endangers Imperial defense forces and judicial procedures, and constitutes serious treason and a crime against Imperial security.

Evidence: Energy monitoring records, source tracing logs of the purification protocol activation command, and on-site interception verification. "Criminal Three: Malfeasance and Betrayal of Humanity. During the Orpheus Sector campaign, abused the authority of the Astartes Chapter commander, illegally ordering the abandonment of 31,422 loyal soldiers of the 114th Cadian Regiment of the Imperial Guard under the guise of 'efficiency above all else,' resulting in their complete annihilation."

This act seriously violates the core spirit of the Astartes Codex regarding cooperative combat and the protection of humanity, betrays the sacred oaths bestowed upon the Astartes by the Emperor, and constitutes malfeasance and betrayal of humanity.

Evidence: Tactical records, original withdrawal orders, battlefield servo skull images, and the surviving regimental flag of the 114th Cadian Regiment (evidence number: INQ-EV-114-01).

Chen Xi's gaze, like a cold probe, pierced through Gastaf's power armor and landed on his remaining consciousness: "The aforementioned crimes are supported by conclusive evidence and have a complete logical chain. The nature of his actions has completely deviated from the duties and honor of Astartes, and fallen into the abyss of betrayal and murder."

Their so-called 'logic' is merely a fig leaf to cover up betrayal; their 'efficiency' is the most utter desecration of upholding oaths.

He paused for a moment, letting the weight of the crime settle in the silence, before clearly announcing: "Therefore, the Imperial Court, based on the relevant provisions of the Imperial Code concerning treason, dereliction of duty, and endangering the security of the Empire, as well as the supplementary details of the Disciplinary Regulations of the Astartes Code, and with reference to the final ruling recommendation of Primarch Ferrus Manus, hereby sentences the criminal Gastaf Mor to permanent service in a combat-type Atonement Mech."

"Interpretation of the verdict: The criminal's consciousness will be forcibly stripped away and permanently imprisoned within the core processor of a specially designed combat-type redemption mech."

Its sensory system will be forcibly linked to external sensors of the mech.

Every time it initiates a battle, every time it receives information from the outside world, it will be accompanied by the visual imprint of the 114th Cadian Regiment's flag (evidence number: INQ-EV-114-01) and the forced injection of data streams related to the event.

Its sole purpose is to use this steel body to personally experience, reflect upon, and ultimately inscribe the true meaning of Astartes' 'guardianship' in the endless, mandatory battles of atonement.

This sentence will continue until its core consciousness is completely worn away and annihilated in eternal forced combat and data torture. Sentence number: INQ-114-Malleus.

After the verdict was read, Chen Xi turned slightly to Felus Manus, who was seated in the main seat, his posture respectful and clear: "The verdict has been read. Please confirm it, Primarch."

All eyes in the hall instantly focused on Felus.

Her right hand, covered in liquid metal, slowly rose, not pointing at Gastaff, but pressing lightly in the air, as if dropping the last weight on an invisible scale.

Her voice was not loud, but it contained the unquestionable final authority of the Primarch, like a declaration of completion after tempering in a forge: "Execution is permitted."

These two words, like a seal of fine gold stamped on the judgment, endowed it with unshakeable final effect.

"The judgment is in effect. Execute it immediately." Chen Xi's voice followed closely, calmly issuing the final order.

(End of this chapter)