Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 674 Unveiling the Secret
After a long while, he raised his head, his gaze becoming firm and serious again, as if he had made up his mind.

"Your Excellency, everything you have said today... about attacks, warp fluctuations, and even... about Primarchs, is far beyond my personal authority and responsibility."

"These are top secrets that only the chapter leader, or even... the inner circle of the chapter, can decide."

He mentioned the "inner ring," a term of great significance to the Dark Angels, representing core secrets and the decision-making body.

He took a deep breath and continued.

"I cannot make any promises to you here, nor can I reveal any more information that you might want to know."

“But…” He paused, as if having a final internal struggle.

"I agree to upload your 'discoveries,' 'analyses,' and 'concerns,' along with a detailed report on the 'Azure Dawn' campaign, using the highest level of encryption within the chapter, to the Great Stone Keep via secure channels, directly to Grand Master Azrael."

This was the biggest concession that Company Commander Daryl could make.

He stared intently at Chen Xi and offered crucial advice.

“However, Inquisitor, if you are truly so concerned about this matter, believing it concerns the security of the Empire and… those ancient secrets, then encrypted communications alone are far from sufficient.”

"This information is too sensitive and requires face-to-face presentation, discussion, and... verification."

Chen Xi's heart skipped a beat; he knew the most crucial moment had arrived.

He asked calmly, "What does the company commander mean?"

Company Commander Daryl said, each word distinct and solemn.

"If Your Excellency the Inquisitor is willing and obtains the appropriate authorization from the Inquisition, you may be able to travel to the Great Stone Fortress in person to speak with the High Grandmaster Azrael, and perhaps other Grandmasters from the Inner Circle."

"Only there, under the premise of ensuring absolute security and confidentiality, and after proving your sincerity and necessity, will you be able to get the answer you want... or participate in a more in-depth investigation."

"Of course, this requires the approval of the battle leader himself."

This was exactly the opportunity Chen Xi had been waiting for.

Without any hesitation, his face revealed just the right amount of solemnity and decisiveness.

"For the sake of the Emperor, and to uncover potential threats, it is my duty."

"After I have processed the initial report on the 'Azure Dawn' incident and completed the necessary reporting to Terra, I will arrange a trip to visit the Great Stone Fortress as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your suggestion, Company Commander, and... for the efforts you've made."

Company Commander Daryl nodded slightly, his expression complex.

The information obtained from this meeting far exceeded his expectations, but it also brought enormous uncertainty and potential risks.

He stood up, his power armor creaking heavily, and saluted again.

"Then, Your Honor, I will report your wishes along with a summary of this meeting."

"Looking forward to meeting you again at the Great Rock. For the Emperor."

"For the Emperor." Chen Xi returned the greeting, watching Company Commander Daryl's somber figure disappear through the conference room door.

The heavy alloy door slid shut silently, isolating the inside from the outside.

When he was the only one left in the conference room, Chen Xi slowly exhaled a long breath, as if releasing all the pressure that had accumulated.

The cold starlight from outside the window streamed into the room, illuminating his slightly pale face.

He knew he had just performed an extremely dangerous dance on a tightrope between two abysses. Using his identity as an inquisitor, a carefully crafted tangle of half-truths and half-lies, and his insight into human nature, he had successfully steered the Dark Angels, a colossal ship shrouded in millennia-old secrets, opening a narrow and perilous crack for himself to approach that ancient secret—a secret that might also concern the future of humanity.

Heading to the Stonehold means stepping into a labyrinth more dangerous than the consuming tides of the Tyranid swarm, woven from millennia-old secrets, ancient oaths, iron discipline, and fanatical loyalty.

One wrong step could lead to utter ruin.

But he had no choice.

The emperor's heavy and vague "blessing" and the responsibilities that came with it, as well as his own understanding of the future direction of the world, were like invisible whips, driving him to move forward, to unveil the fog, and to face the abyss.

He whispered through the built-in communicator: "Aurejana".

"I'm here, Chen Xi." The synthesized voice responded almost immediately, with its usual efficiency, but it also seemed to have lost some of its usual rigidity and gained a sense of waiting for the result.

"Set flight path and head to the nearest stable Mandeville point."

“We need to make a subspace jump back to Rostov Main, where I need to complete a preliminary report and obtain some… necessary permissions.”

He paused for a moment, then added, his tone tinged with weariness and determination.

"In addition, begin compiling all information about the Dark Angels Chapter, the history of Caliban, the structure of the Stone Fortress, and... all available public and private records about Leon the Lion, even legends and fragments."

"We need to be fully prepared; this visit will not be a casual tea party."

"Instructions confirmed. Flight path being set; expected arrival at Mandeville point in three hours."

"Information retrieval and cross-database comparison tasks have been given the highest priority."

Aurejana paused slightly, then asked, "Did the outcome of the talks meet expectations?"

Chen Xi walked to the observation window and looked once again at the lifeless planet "Azure Dawn".

Its destruction marks the end of an era, while its future may be linked to the beginning of another.

"The initial goal has been achieved," he replied simply, without further explanation.

"A storm is coming, Allegana."

“We need to make sure we are strong enough, and also... flexible enough.”

“Understood. I will continue to optimize the ship systems and intelligence analysis algorithms,” Olegana replied, perhaps as her way of expressing support.

Chen Xi took one last look at the scorched earth of death, then resolutely turned and walked toward the bridge.

The brief respite is long gone, like dust scattered by the wind.

New and deeper darkness, secrets, and challenges await him in the distant star systems.

His journey is far from over.

The next stop will be the legendary mobile fortress of the Dark Angels—the Stone Fortress.

What awaits him there—a secret accumulated over millennia, or a trap of utter destruction?

The answer can only be found by moving forward.

Even though you already know the answer, sometimes you can't reason with dark angels. These Caliban knights, like their genetic father, are just civilized knights in appearance, but are still a bunch of barbarians in essence.

So they're looking for someone whose speech they can understand to endorse them?
(End of this chapter)