Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 653 Vacation Arrangements
Inside the governor's office on Rostov Main Star, the air circulation system hummed softly, like a tireless mechanical servant, evenly spreading the filtered, cool air throughout the space.

The room was filled with a unique atmosphere—the faint ozone released from the operation of precision instruments, the dusty smell of ancient parchment scrolls, and the mellow aftertaste of the long-forgotten, deep-colored "Loyalty" red wine beside Chen Xi.

Chen Xi tossed the last data board lightly onto the top of the mountain of documents, then leaned back deeply into the wide chair made of precious Katara wood and tanned Glocks hide.

He closed his eyes, his fingertips pressing hard against his slightly burning brow, and a long, weary sigh escaped into the silence of the room.

The continuous overload operation took a heavy toll on his body, which had undergone psionic tempering and biochemical enhancement.

Deep within my soul, it seemed as if countless tiny gears were hissing in protest due to excessive wear and tear.

Outside the window, the capital of Rostov-on-Trent was bathed in the afterglow of dusk.

The magnificent space elevator and orbital ring, like a lance of judgment wielded by an emperor, pierce through the heavens and earth, casting a massive shadow spanning hundreds of kilometers under the setting sun.

Countless transport ships, like a swarm of worker bees following some deep-seated pattern, weave an endless trail of light between the orbital airport and the ground.

The glorious victory in the Medusa region is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, and its ripples are spreading to all parts of the Empire at an unprecedented speed.

Praise and doubt, awe and calculation, surged toward Rostov like an invisible tide.

The return of Feralus Manus and the complete annihilation of Fugen not only reshaped the power structure of the galaxy, but also pushed Chen Xi and his sub-sector into the eye of the storm.

A massive amount of government affairs, fleet reorganization plans, resource allocation requests, and communications from all sides—Terra, Mars, other Primarch homeworlds, and even distant frontier worlds—whether probing, forming alliances, or exerting pressure, all transformed into the "steel mountain" on his desk, made of data tablets and parchment, that almost engulfed him.

"You need to pause, Your Excellency."

A calm, unwavering female voice broke the silence.

Hathor, his administrative secretary and the war commander of Shadowmoon Wolves, stood silently before the large desk, as if formed from shadows and efficiency.

She was not in military uniform today, but in a well-tailored dark gray business suit that accentuated her sharp and efficient lines.

However, deep within those molten gold eyes still burned the cold flames of the conquerors of Ulanno, as if they could easily pierce through all hypocrisy and redundancy.

"Even with your physical condition and willpower, the cognitive marginal effect of 72 consecutive standard hours of high-intensity decision-making work has begun to decline significantly."

Fatigue is the nemesis of precise judgment, and at this level, even the slightest deviation could come at the cost of billions of souls and the stability of the entire star sector.

Chen Xi raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her meticulous expression, and a faint smile, a mixture of helplessness and approval, appeared on his lips.

"As sharp and accurate as ever, Hathor."

I feel like an overloaded heavy-duty reactor, with the core temperature nearing criticality. If this continues, even the pre-burning chamber might melt through.

He paused, his gaze shifting to the window, to the magnificent city that gradually lit up in the twilight, like a reflection of a starry sea. A thought quietly took root and quickly became clear.

"Perhaps... we should leave the center of this vortex of steel, smoke, and endless responsibility for a moment."

What are your specific ideas?

Hathor tilted his head slightly, revealing an expression of deep thought.

"A real vacation."

Chen Xi sat up straight, a long-lost, almost unfamiliar sense of ease seemingly trying to dispel the weariness that clung to his brow.

"It was neither a political tour like Terra nor an armed inspection of the border defense zone."

Instead, it was a pure respite, away from government screens and frontline reports.

I remember that the Internal Affairs Department's shared database recorded a garden world with the number GX-7 - 'Azure Dawn'.

Ninety-four percent of its surface is covered by liquid water, and it is famous for its countless coral islands that resemble imperial tears and its extreme tranquility.

It is said to be a secluded retreat favored by high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and certain... extremely wealthy merchant ronin dynasties. Hathor's face remained calm, with only pure logical analysis: "From Rostov Main Star, via the nearest navigable Mandeville point, to 'Azure Dawn,' the optimal one-way route is estimated to take eleven standard days."

Taking into account necessary post-jump calibration, channel clearing, and acclimatization rest upon arrival, your minimum leave period should be planned for 25 to 30 standard days.

During this period, routine government procedures and internal affairs of the sub-sector can be adjudicated by me in accordance with my existing authority and the Rostov Governance Code.

However, in the event of an emergency military situation, a major diplomatic incident, or receiving a mandatory order of the highest priority directly from Holy Terra and the High Lords Council…

“You have full decision-making power, second only to me, Hathor.”

Chen Xi interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument; it was a decision befitting a judge and a governor.

"I trust your judgment as the Emperor trusts His Primal."

Unless Lord Guilliman issues a decree in person, or the silent fleet of space necromancers tolls the death knell once more, all matters are to be decided by you.

In the event of an extremely urgent situation, you may try to contact me via an encrypted psionic link, but I hope... the theme of this vacation is to minimize disruption.

Unless, of course, the fire of heaven is truly about to be extinguished.

"So, what about the guard arrangements?"

Hathor immediately moved on to the next topic, “While Garden World generally has an excellent safety rating, your identity is special and of immeasurable value.”

The potential threat does not stem solely from obvious violence.

Chen Xi's gaze fell on the huge star map hanging on one side of the office wall, and his eyes became deep.

"Bring Sergeant Major Titus and his 'Iron Redemption' kill squad with you."

They have just experienced the purgatory of the Perfect Madame; their blades need to be polished, and their souls need to be calmed.

For them, serving as guards is both their duty and a kind of... unique rest.

After all, compared to fighting hand-to-hand with Ork or Chaos mutants in a shattered world, maintaining vigilance on a sunny beach felt like being in a sacred paradise promised by the Emperor.

"As for the companions," Chen paused briefly before adding, "It'll be Olivia, Guterres, MaiMai, Twilight, and Sea Hare and a few others."

Everyone's been on edge lately.

"Meticulous planning."

Hathor nodded slightly. "I will coordinate immediately to allocate you a disguised Inquisition fast raider, the 'Grey Fox,' which is more discreet and faster than the conspicuous black ship formation, thus minimizing unnecessary attention."

At the same time, I will communicate with the authorities of the planet 'Blue Dawn' in advance using the highest level of encryption to ensure that your journey is under absolute control.

"very good."

Chen Xi stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window again.

Outside the window, the Milky Way glitters, countless points of light representing the territories and conflicts of human empires, as well as hiding places of brief tranquility.

"Just do it this way."

Inform them all that we will depart in 72 standard hours.

It's time... to temporarily relinquish the roars of war and the whispers of politics to the void.

He gazed at the boundless starry sky, and the longing for a brief moment of tranquility gradually overcame the weariness left by the heavy burden.

Perhaps amidst the azure sea and pristine white sand, he could rediscover a semblance of peace that belonged to "Chen Xi" rather than "Judge" or "Governor."

(End of this chapter)