Warhammer: I am the Hammer of the Empire.

Chapter 334: Thousands of years of darkness, sin comes to its nest

Citizens of the empire born in a stable world, such as a garden world or an agricultural world, can't help but demonize the empire's densely populated world, that is, the hive world. People always think that their world is black and white, plus the following The Nest plays a pivotal role in the history of the Empire for its various historical, value, and more notorious murders, assassinations, it-kills, and suicides.

But it is different from the cruelty that most people imagine. Low Nest, Lower Nest, those notorious places actually do not account for a large proportion of the hive city. On the contrary, the most populous Middle Nest is just a place where countless ordinary people's long lives are consumed. There is no murder or all kinds of chaos here, but only day after day, suffocatingly boring work and unchanging routine. Without all kinds of invasion and destruction, the mortals in it will probably never see evil in their lives.

But even if there are very few Xia nests, they still occupy a considerable place among all living beings in the empire, just because it is cruel, vicious, narrow-minded, and terrifying.

Because the lower nest is the last refuge and burial ground for the desperate people in the imperial hive, and it is also the place of exile for countless marginalized people.

This area is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Empire or any functional department on the planet, both in name and in fact. Only the Ministry of Justice and the Inquisition will be fully armed to investigate cases, resist genestealer infiltration, or capture wild psykers. Enter this area.

Due to being out of the control of the empire, the Lower Nest has almost no official infrastructure support. All the oxygen, fuel, pure water, food and various supplies needed to survive in a giant man-made city like the nest cannot be provided by the official.

Compared to the sub-nest, which has high electricity bills but at least has circulating water or electrolyzed water or electricity, everything here is maintained by various unofficial forces.

The residents here are almost blindly regarded as lawbreakers by normal people, and the reality is roughly the same. In order to escape the laws of the empire, the lawless land of Xiachao is the favorite place for those who serve the weak and the strong. So far, it has also It can be said that the people who are most afraid of leaving the hive are the residents of the hive city.

When the Imperial Guard's chariot passed through the roads of the hive city, such concerns were vaguely visible among the officers. They did not believe that there were normal roads and social order in that kind of place. Many people even believed that the hive was full of poisonous insects and beasts. In the Colosseum where barbarians are fighting each other, many officers feel that it is obviously stupid to go directly to the main nest through the lower nest, which is useless except for wasting ammunition and fuel.

It was only the appearance of the wild snake and the information he brought about the hive that made the top brass of the Imperial Guard change their minds. He pointed out that as long as they paid a small amount of supplies, a local organization could provide a wide and comfortable road directly to the bottom of the main hive.

Of course, the hive city is connected in all directions with many roads, but there are also various roads. The places where large crawler transport vehicles can pass are controlled by the main local gangs. There are also many guilds and various organizations, but the wild snake has always He didn't tell them the real name of the organization or its situation. He just asked them to prepare some spices.

Those were used by the Imperial Guard to help them deal with the food spoilage caused by the long-term war. In other words, they are full of flavor. You can eat them if you can. They can also be used as rewards when things go well. After all, the Decapitation Corps is composed of the most elite troops in the sector. The supplies are also the most complete and miscellaneous, with everything you need.

But compared to those things, the second lieutenant was not worried about evil or gloom. Instead, he was more concerned about who the wild snake was and where he wanted to take them. Although he took out a series of certificates and badges to show that he was on the side of the empire, although He knew everything about Skadi, the Imperial Guard, and even him, the ensign himself, but the ensign still couldn't rest assured.

Behind him are the elites of the empire, but the Master Chief, who has always been opposed to many things, is uncharacteristically. His spiritual energy can sense that this person has no ill intentions. Although it is very vague, this mortal has opened his heart. If he is not lying, then he can Trust, it can be said that if it were not for the approval of the chief, the second lieutenant would have fired.

Just to prevent him from escaping, this person, who could not tell whether he was an uninvited guest or an ally descended from heaven, boarded the special Chimera that commanders only had, a mobile command center designed for temporary command, and its largest It is characterized by a powerful Astartes, the strongest veteran among Catachan soldiers, as well as several elite stormtroopers and hundreds of baggage or transport vehicles, stuck in the middle of the crew.

Such an honor makes it difficult for Wild Snake to say that it is easy. At least a few hell guns and bolt shotguns are pressed against his head, as well as things like precision explosive guns. It is probably difficult for even a traitor space warrior to receive such honorary treatment.

The second lieutenant paid more attention to the bird fortune teller. He did not trust wild snakes, but he supported crossing the nest. At this moment, it was rare for the Imperial Guard to reach a consensus because of this man.

However, he still looked at the divination instrument and the situation displayed on it to avoid being attacked. However, as expected, the Engili people chose to be defensive and passive, waiting for their savior. The road was empty, except for the shabby appearance in the distance. Inside the houses, civilians looked at them with fear.

The roads in the hive capital are not as narrow as most people imagine. On the contrary, they are quite wide, beautiful, and clean. Because they bear the heavy responsibility of transporting supplies and scheduling PDF, it can even be said to be smooth. Its Gothic-style viaducts, dark The sky and dim lights form the inalienable blood, channels, and components of the entire huge world.

The rather depressing streets revived the second lieutenant's thoughts. When he was a PDF soldier, he was once dragged away on this road like cargo, but his thoughts quickly broke because the road ahead was like hell. That way.

Chaotic symbols and the breath of death bring a completely broken road. This is a nightmare place that connects to the bottom. At this point, the empire and the lawless land are like a shield composed of illusory hallucinations, separated in a bad and even cruel way. .

The lack of roads and infrastructure makes the entire intersection look like a place leading to a dark place of death. Gothic-style buildings are replaced by ruins and skeletons, and the towering artificial sky turns into low and narrow tunnels. In the huge hive city, The middle and lower levels are very different.

The lights of the Imperial Guard transport truck shone in. With the fierce light, several small strange creatures flashed through the narrow gap. The dark green bodies had strange properties, but Master Chief Catachan said. "Catachan Brain Lobe, I didn't expect to see the real thing here. I thought I would never have the chance to see the plants on Catachan. Although I am a fake, I have never forgotten the training of the old lieutenant colonel."

Wild Snake said like a know-it-all at this moment. "Those are plants native to Catachan that can stick to their leaves, parasitize on the bodies of organisms and then control them to become servants and nutrients. They appear to be just small and medium-sized rodents, native to the notorious Monloda, It is called a giant rat, and it is also the main meat of the people at the bottom."

the ensign scolded. "I don't care! Bastard, I need your information and destination. If you are of no use, I will shoot you!" He was dissatisfied with the distrust this man brought to him, the hero of Destruction Eagle But he said.

"I think it's very interesting, Mr. Wild Snake. You can write a catalog of creatures in the nest, including common monsters and twisted nightmares, things that soldiers may encounter. Then we can have the deputy command vehicle provide the soldiers with Radio, you are funny and have extraordinary grace. I think those things can also be one of the few joys in war."

The second lieutenant was still dissatisfied, but this was indeed useful. He was not a troublesome person, but he just looked at this strange man warily, and he still asked reluctantly. "We are going to hand over to that organization. I can't put the fate of soldiers on your disloyal lies." Sergeant Destruction Eagle retorted. "I said, Mr. Wild Snake means no harm, my psychic energy is telling me so."

the ensign asked. "What if he lied to you? What if he was also a wizard? You trust your evil magic even more than your mortal comrades. I respect you, Astartes, but I wish we were more vigilant."

The sergeant shook his head. "We have no choice. Mr. Wild Snake helped Lord Alan Bair. We are originally on the same rope."

"One-sided words!" The second lieutenant is still dissatisfied. He only believes in his brothers and comrades, but does not cherish others. This is also because he is surrounded by comrades selected by his superiors, and the wild snake looks like a cynical clown. .

The wild snake spoke now. "Sir, it's natural that you don't trust me, but I need to let you understand that our interests are the same." He took out the document in his pocket, which marked the rosette of the Inquisition, announcing the death date of the man in front of him. Because as the core of the traitorous judge's lackey, his life is not long.

After the second lieutenant read the verdict, he licked his lips and then said. "You want the boss to protect you? Grand Inquisitor's dog, do you think I will let you go for what you did to Skadi?" He pointed out this matter. If he had not participated in the Inquisitor's attack on Skadi, then this would The verdict will not fall. Although the tribunal has unlimited power and is frightening, flies cannot bite seamless eggs.

The wild snake just raised its hands in a gesture of surrender. "Yes, my lord, I have committed many sins. Although it can be said that some of them were forced, I still did it subjectively. But you and this war need me, and the Skadi people also need me. Without me, Bombings and false extermination orders will fall, but with me, you can safely cross the nest now."

He is always like this, calm and calm. From this point of view, he may really be more suitable to inherit his position as master than Nova. His words are true and false, and his goals are vague. He is like a buffoon, jumping around in the palace without knowing it. When will a blade strong enough to kill any noble or important person emerge?

The second lieutenant's expression froze. He looked at the road he was leading. It was wide and wide. Although it looked clumsy, it was enough to accommodate the troops' luggage. It seemed that he was serious.

Then he mentally prepared himself for the expectation that he would see gangsters, aliens, and even more terrifying things next, and put down his weapons against this weirdo named Wild Snake.

The entire space inside the vehicle became silent. Wild Snake just picked up the brown paper given to him by Master Chief of the Destruction Eagle. The only sound of Shasha's writing became the only sound. After about 30 minutes of standard Terra time, the vehicle crew stopped and the communicator transmitted Hearing the sound, the second lieutenant stuck his head out and looked outside. The crooked metal structure covered the road like a sentry tower. At first glance, it looked no different from the one made by the beasts, but it was a little less colorful.

said the hoarse and vague voice on the communicator. "Wild Snake Boy, you have become rich. Imperial Guard. Have you brought the 30 kilograms of spices you promised?"

The wild snake stopped writing and answered. "Yes, long time no see, Nest Master. I didn't expect that meeting again now would be so dramatic."

"Shut up, take the thing down and give it to me." His mood seemed uncertain.

The second lieutenant asked the soldiers to drive the truck loaded with things, and at the same time opened the door on the opposite side. After the sound of metal, those twisted and grotesque creations slowly opened the door. Some enemy soldiers, those lower-class residents in very "punk" clothes, After picking off the goods with crude projectiles and ugly arms, the monsters on top waved their arms.

The second lieutenant had not seen the situation clearly until the crew moved forward, and then the second lieutenant passed by the monster on the sentry tower. He saw that thing, with a bald head, twisted "head lines", and frightening white skin. , and three or even four damn arms.

The second lieutenant resisted the urge to draw his weapon, and then watched the crew slowly pass the monster barrier. He cursed at this moment. "Wild Snake, what the hell are you doing? The Church of Genestealers? Those villains who disobey the Emperor?"

The wild snake answered at this moment. "Yes, but this excellent road is controlled by them. Those monsters, look, the house outside the window, they are all soldiers, those crooked metal lairs each have more than 300, fully armed twisted monsters, they Not as perfect as my fourth-generation relatives who can enter human society, they can only hide here."

"But as long as the tentacles of the Great Devourer can't come over, these people are no different from gangsters. At the same time, those who believe in the Four-Armed Emperor make them think that the Imperial Guard can be trusted. They are also the only people I can think of who can be traded and will not be afraid. Your firepower does not serve the lord, you only worship your own beliefs and desires."

But the second lieutenant cursed. "They are fucking monsters bred with human flesh and blood!"

replied the wild snake. "But they won't go back on their word, they won't cheat, they won't exploit ordinary people, and they won't suppress good people for no reason. They just want to live, and this place is not the world, and the Great Devourer will not come. On the contrary, this world's I don’t know how many gene stealers there are in Zhonghe Shangchao. They are just like humans, almost the same, so you can do business with them. What’s the difference here?”

The lieutenant's breathing became rapid. He raised his weapon, preparing to execute the heretic, and then start a battle with the monsters here to help the nest clean up the hidden dangers here.

But his arm was captured by the Astartes, and he seemed weak at the moment. The sergeant just looked at him and said. "This is also part of the empire. It's not that it doesn't exist. It's just that you can't see it. If you clean it up, it will come again. It's better to turn a blind eye..." His words were helpless, more numb, yes, The sector has been saved, but the danger is still there. This is what this empire is like. Festering everywhere, defeating the Red Corsairs, the Orcs, the Great Devourer, and many more...

At this point, the second lieutenant put down his weapon. This Chaodu man who had never cried in his life buried his head in his position and sobbed silently, because he realized for the first time that this young life discovered for the first time that human beings In the end, there is probably no hope.

(End of this chapter)