Chapter 4: The First Problem

Cole stood before the holographic projector, his blue eyes staring at the points forming on the holographic screen, his expression thoughtful. Bel, the towering son of Ultramar, stood beside him, pondering the same problem.

The issue was the beacon flashing incessantly on the holographic projection, and soon, new thinkers joined them.

Vito, accompanied by the remaining three Astartes warriors, emerged from the archway of the bridge and came straight to the holographic projection. The towering giants nodded to each other, standing around like a high wall.

Inquisitor Vito stood opposite Cole, also looking at a small red dot on the vast star map, a tiny dot that flickered with an unsettling light.

"Speak, what's the situation?" Vito asked. Cole cleared his throat, seemingly to make sure everyone present could hear him clearly.

"We've been traveling in subspace for over a month. According to the Navigator and the divination instruments of the Adeptus Mechanicus, we're nearing the edge of the Victoria star system and approaching the local Mandeville point. And, Emperor bless, our time has not been distorted compared to the real universe."

"Isn't that all good news?" Ragnar asked, pointing at the display with his armored finger. "If the Omnissiah wills it, we'll soon be able to leave this cursed place."

"Unfortunately, Ragnar, it's not, or at least not all good news," Cole said. A space station floating in the star sea appeared before everyone. It was a deep-space detection station, a common sight in the Imperium, usually tasked with the edge warning and observation mission of a star system or sector.

Olaf looked at the space station, nodding thoughtfully. "You mean, this space station has encountered trouble?" "Yes, Old Wolf, you're as wise as ever."

Cole looked at the space station, raising a hand. "The Astropath received a message. As you all know, the communications of Astropaths are usually full of riddles, metaphors, and the like, as annoying as the damn Eldar."

"That's true. Every time I hear them speak, I want to axe these riddle people," Ragnar laughed. "Why don't they just speak plainly? Always speaking in riddles."

"That's an ancient custom, Ragnar. I thought you Fenrisians also valued customs," Lancelot said, still holding his winged helmet under his arm. Ragnar snorted in response. "Our customs are simple and practical. Unfortunately, I don't understand such complex and profound ceremonial meanings like the noble knights do."

Lancelot silently laughed. Vito was relieved; the Knight of Caliban didn't plan to quarrel with the Wolf pup right now. Clearly, they had more important things to do.

Vito nodded slightly to Cole, who then looked at the two towering warriors. "What you need to know is that even our Astropath lady didn't understand what the other side said. Not a word."

The playful atmosphere suddenly turned cold. The four towering giants all looked at Cole, who gave a confirming nod.

"This is not good news. Lady Oria is an excellent Astropath. She once told me she was trained on Terra. If she can't understand the Astropathic message, it means the situation is not simple," Olaf said, then looked at the star map. "Have you ruled out the interference of subspace?"

"We have. The forces of subspace did not affect the Astropathic message. On the contrary, the Astropathic message was greatly enhanced. Lady Oria believes that the Astropath on the other side sent it at

the cost of burning all their psychic energy."

Vito stroked his chin, pondering for a while before speaking, "What is the general content of the Astropathic message?" Cole shook his head, "It's full of obfuscation and confusion, but one thing is clear: fear, pure fear, and chaos."

Vito took a long breath. He swiped away the detection station, switching the star map back to the sector level, repeatedly sliding through the coordinates and report information.

Bel stood behind him, looking at the star map with him, then furrowed his brow. "There's no detection of Chaos activity nearby, Inquisitor. I don't think this was caused by Chaos traitors."

"We also can't rule out the possibility that our star map is outdated. After all, the last time we updated the situation in the extreme star region was a year ago, near the Ultramar sector," Cole concluded, his hands behind his back. He looked at the points of light, having already memorized all the information displayed here.

"It's certain that the space station was attacked, but it could have been a small-scale Chaos raider, pirates, or even other xenos pirates, or even human pirates. This is not uncommon."

"But usually, there would be one or two destroyers near the space station. The station's firepower is also designed to resist small-scale attacks. If the space station was destroyed, I think it's definitely not just a few stray shots."

Vito nodded slightly, stopped checking, and switched the coordinates back to the Victoria star system. He opened the main star of Victoria, a hive world. The data next to it showed its information, but most of it was mundane. Most hive worlds in the Imperium are not much different.

"Any news from the main star of Victoria?" "No, our ship hasn't received any messages from the main star. Do you think they might already know?" "Very likely, after all, we've received it, even in subspace, the main star should know too."

Cole also nodded affirmatively, turned and walked to the edge of the bridge to look down. "Navigator, how far are we from the Mandeville point of Victoria?"

"Six seconds away, sir. We're about to enter the Mandeville point range," the Navigator responded. His eyes, covered by mechanical equipment, stared at the instrument panel in front of him, gazing at the parameters on it with his invisible psychic eye.

Cole opened the communication interface and quickly chose the receiving point. "Astropath, send a message to the main star of Victoria, notifying them to avoid the star sector fleet treating us as enemies."

"No, Lady Oria, wait." Vito suddenly came over and stopped Cole from closing the communicator. Cole looked at Vito with a slight frown, and looking into the Inquisitor's eyes, he seemed to understand something. "Lady Oria, do not send the message." "Understood, Captain."

Cole closed the communicator and looked at Vito, who had returned to the holographic device. "You suspect there are traitors on the main star?"

"It's possible. We've been to many hive worlds like this, and everyone knows what's most abundant there," Vito said. Lancelot laughed mockingly. "Greedy governors, rebels dissatisfied with the Imperium, and who knows how many mutants, Chaos cultists, and the like."

"Ah, occasionally there are Genestealers too," Ragnar added. The two laughed as if it was an insignificant joke.

"That's right, both of you. If this is the result of collusion between traitors in the

hive and the great enemies of the Imperium in the void, then we need to figure out who is the enemy and who is the friend."

"Ah! I hate this part the most, can't we just fight first?" Ragnar complained, crossing his arms in annoyance. Old Wolf Olaf put a hand on his brother's shoulder, "Patience, brother, you'll get your chance."

"That's right, Old Wolf is correct. In the meantime, please bear with it and don't cut people down before I finish asking questions," Vito said, standing sideways with one hand behind his back, looking at Cole. "Jump into the star system, then head to the space station. We'll take a look first. Before that, stay silent and don't let the locals discover us."

Cole nodded slightly, turned around, and immediately began to issue orders. Amid the overlapping conversations of the naval crew, Vito raised his arm and activated the communicator on his wrist.

"Octopus, is our bus ready?" "The Thunderhawk is ready to depart, Inquisitor."

Vito looked at the four Astartes. They all raised their weapons in unison, cocking their guns. Vito also drew his bolt pistol and disengaged the safety.

"Let's go, for a ride."