Chapter 67: Behind the Scenes

*Endurance*, 7th Company Training Hall.

Now.

"Kid, time to head back!"

"Alright, alright, I'm on it!"

Beside the dueling cage, Hades sat on a makeshift chair, extending an arm and rolling up his sleeve, waiting for Apothecary Leo to finish collecting the day's medical data.

The duel today took longer than expected. It was nearing the evening rest period, and the training hall was nearly empty. Blanca stood impatiently in the distance, arms crossed, watching Hades.

"Thank you."

Finally, Apothecary Leo retracted the blood extraction device, which was the size of a grenade launcher. Hades nodded in gratitude.

Apothecary Leo nodded back, engrossed in the data from Hades' blood sample. It was, without a doubt, the most potent regenerative blood he'd ever seen.

"That should do it. I'll speak to Blanca in the next few days, suggest reducing your training intensity."

"Thank you so much!"

Apothecary Leo chuckled, looking at the relieved expression on Hades' face. The young warrior had previously endured even the most grueling training without a word of complaint.

The current intensity was reduced on Leo's recommendation, to allow for bodily recovery.

"Rest up. If you feel anything off, let me know immediately."

"Will do. I'll come to you first thing!"

Hades nodded vigorously. Apothecary Leo released the bindings on Hades' arm, glancing towards Blanca, signaling that Hades was free to go.

"Thanks, Leo!"

Blanca, seeing Hades approach, gave him a pat on the back, "Let's move!"

With that, Blanca shot a smile back at Leo.

Leo, used to the routine, ignored Blanca's antics and continued packing his medical kit and the portable equipment.

Blanca and Hades left.

In the corridor, the footsteps of Blanca and Hades echoed. Due to the late hour, other Deathwatch members had already retired. Only the two of them remained.

The two chatted intermittently.

Hades, looking down the long corridor, recalled an event, "Blanca, do the Tech-Priests ever move alone on a Space Marine ship?"

"Hmm? What are you on about, kid? Since when do those priests like wandering alone?"

Tech-Priests aboard Space Marine vessels are typically accompanied by a Master of the Forge. This is both a courtesy and a form of surveillance.

Speaking of the Master of the Forge, Blanca felt a twinge of annoyance. After learning that Enric had summoned Hades to the Forge Hall, Galor had given Blanca a cold stare.

It was just Hades' personal time that was wasted, and it didn't interfere with his training, right?

But recently...

"Still, I've seen a Tech-Priest walking alone in the hall."

Hades' words interrupted Blanca's thoughts.

"You must've seen wrong."

Damn it, Enric has been pestering Blanca for Hades again. Wasn't he busy entertaining the Tech-Priests? The last time Blanca fell for it, but not this time. He reported the situation to Galor.

The result was that Enric sent Tech-Sergeant Atobel to bother him daily.

Complaints about the 7th Company's weapon wear rate, discrepancies in the number of power armors requested, and warnings about the combat servitors – one more malfunction and there'd be hell to pay.

All Hades' fault!

Thinking this, Blanca shot a glare at Hades.

Hades, however, didn't notice. He was deep in thought about the mysterious Tech-Priest.

A lone, inexplicable Tech-Priest wandering the corridors? Chances were Blanca wouldn't know about this. It seemed another trip to the Forge Hall was in order.

As Hades and Blanca approached the rest area, a figure silently stood in their path.

It was the veteran of the 1st Company, Lai Yin.

Lai Yin looked at Hades, then silently shifted his gaze to Blanca.

Blanca, sensing something, immediately stood at attention.

Both saluted.

Blanca then patted Hades on the back, "Go on, kid. Someone wants to see you."

Lai Yin nodded at Hades, signaling him to follow.

Hades raised an eyebrow but showed no surprise. He knew the person he'd been waiting for had finally come.

Blanca naturally departed.

Hades turned his attention back to Lai Yin.

If it was a veteran from the 1st Company, then it was likely the Company Captain, Barasin.

Unexpected. Hades had always thought those who once held the reins of an entire legion wouldn't like to relinquish their power.

But what if that was the Captain's intention?

Lai Yin remained expressionless, not offering any explanations.

Hades didn't press for answers either.

Lai Yin, familiar with the path, led Hades through the hidden corridors of the *Endurance*. They encountered no one.

After what felt like an eternity, they stood before a concealed conference room door.

The door seemed forgotten, its paint not yet changed to green. The colors of the Twilight Raiders, a deep red, still adorned it.

Hades raised an eyebrow.

Lai Yin opened the door for him, signaling him to enter.

Without hesitation, Hades stepped in.

Seven Company Captains sat inside, with one empty seat.

They all looked at him.

Forge Hall.

Now.

*"Master of the Forge of the Deathwatch, Enric, do you intend to request a new batch of Tech-Sergeants for training this Terran standard year?"*

The scent of machine oil wafted from the censer beneath the Tech-Priest's red robes.

*"Thank you for the proposal, but our Primarch, Mortarion, has just returned. Most of the new recruits don't want to miss training with Lord Mortarion."*

*"Master of the Forge of the Deathwatch, Enric, are you implying that the Deathwatch won't be requesting Tech-Sergeant training this Terran year?"*

Enric looked across the table. This time, the Tech-Priest from Mars wasn't the usual Xi-3965uf. It seemed that after finding their Primarch, Mars' interest in their legion had increased.

*"By my calculations, I wouldn't advise the Deathwatch to skip Tech-Sergeant training. Our current number of Tech-Sergeants can't meet the legion's demands."*

True, but the new recruits from Barbarus really didn't want to miss this training opportunity. Even though Enric had urged the companies to report promptly, the number of reports was minimal, and the quality was lacking.

Except for Hades, but he wasn't reported by Galor.

Enric had hoped to sneak Hades onto the Mars transport ship. Once on a Martian vessel, it would be out of their hands.

But clearly, exceptional individuals are coveted by all.

Hades had caught the eye of someone higher up.

Enric's brow furrowed subtly.

*"Thank you for the suggestion. The Forge Department will issue another notice regarding Tech-Sergeants within the Deathwatch. We'll notify you before the Martian transport departs."*

The Tech-Priest across the table clicked a few times.

*"May the Great Crusade be victorious."*

*"May the Great Crusade be victorious."*

***Only one update tonight. Ahem. Ahem.

I'll be free tomorrow, returning to regular updates.

Praise the Emperor!***