"But as long as I say hello, there will be at least ten specially modified sniper rifles shooting at you. They are all equipped with anti-psychic bullets."
Claudes took another step towards him, his face covered with straps showing no expression.
"Do you really think those mortals can hurt me?"
"I just believe that nothing is unkillable."
The other party stopped and suddenly laughed.
"Forget it, since he chose you, it makes sense."
"who?"
"Soshyan Alexey."
Marcus' expression suddenly became serious.
"I do not belong to any party, I only serve the Emperor."
"But he needs your help, and you also need his help. There will be many secret disturbances in this expedition."
"I do not quite understand you."
"This expedition to the High Lords Council was actually full of differences, but in the end it was carried out under the impetus of certain forces, and I represent those forces."
As he spoke, Claudes walked towards the broken angel sculpture on the side, then stretched out his hand and gently squeezed a piece of plaster from the sculpture. At the same time, the plaster quickly turned into the shape of a small white porcelain cup with curls.
.
Then he turned around and handed the thing to Marcus.
"At the critical moment, give this thing to Soshyan, and he will trust you unconditionally."
Marcus hesitated for a moment and took the thing.
"I still don't understand."
"Although the expedition resolution was passed, a considerable number of high lords are extremely opposed to it. Torquemada is just their first step. You probably don't know that he also brought the red hunter this time."
"Red Hunter!?"
The Red Hunters Chapter is one of the few Space Marine Chapters to worship the Emperor of Mankind as a god. The chapter's relationship with the three Inquisitions is so close that it is rumored that they were brought to the Inquisition on Terra.
Created at the behest of representatives of the Inquisition, and with a secret pact of mutual support between the Inquisition and the Chapter, they are often ordered to face the minions of the Ruinous Powers and other enemies of Mankind.
In addition, due to the support of the Inquisition, the Chapter's equipment is better than most Chapters, especially the company equipped with a large number of Indomitable Terminators.
When Marcus heard the news, he was surprised at first, and then looked angry, because Torquemada brought this battle group but kept it secret. It was obvious that he had an ulterior goal, and this goal was probably the expeditionary force.
, or Soshyan.
"Don't they understand the consequences of a failed expedition?"
"One thing history tells us is that people never remember history."
Marcus lowered his head and thought for a moment. When he looked at Claudes again, his eyes were even more confused.
"I don't understand, who are you serving? I have recalled all the Grand Inquisitors of Terra, but none of them have such a motive. Judging from your tone, this expedition seems to be a fierce game. Such a game
What are its core interests?”
"It will do you no good to know so much now. All you need to know is that on the surface I am serving Eramus Krall."
"It turns out to be Lord Eramus Krall. No wonder Torquemada is so afraid of you."
Eramus Krall is the senior Grand Inquisitor of the Order of the Rebellion, and is known for trying the heretics of the Radical leader Adamara Rasillo and the Navigator Lord Leopos Frank, both of whom were also Grand Inquisitors.
Known for his crimes, he is also the current representative of the Inquisition on the High Lords' Council.
"Why is he pushing for this expedition? Is there a lot of opposition from the Terran Tribunal headquarters? I don't think the High Lord can summon Torquemada. There must be other Grand Inquisitors who are adding fuel to the fire, Eramus
·How did Mr. Krall push this matter forward despite internal disagreements?"
"You don't need to know that much."
Marcus stared into Claudes' eyes that were so profound that they could take away a person's soul, and then nodded slowly.
"It seems that I have to be involved, but I still have to know who the person I am collaborating with is. Claudes is a pseudonym, right."
Claudes shook his head.
"Do names matter?"
"We are all psykers, you should understand whether names are important, otherwise we have no basis for trust."
The other person held out a finger.
"Think clearly, once you know, you will never be able to escape."
"It sounds like I can get away without knowing. I have already seen it. You have chosen me as your representative to go to Soshyan to assist him. I am also willing to accept this task, but there is only one condition."
"It seems that I have to regain your trust. Well, you can call me, Li Tu."
After that, he took steps and walked towards the dilapidated gate of the courtyard.
"But now I need to remind you - be careful. If you are killed by others, you will not be able to help me at all. This fight will be very cruel and many people will die."
Marcus sighed softly and shook his head.
"The enemy is right in front of us. Do the Emperor's loyal servants still have to fight in the shadows?"
At this time, the other party had disappeared into the shadow of the gate.
After Marcus left here, he quickly went to Sagan Prime to meet with Soshyan and basically informed Soshyan of the meeting. Of course, he did not say anything about Cleudes and his spies.
Soshyan was not surprised that the Tribunal targeted him, but the other party also intended to target the Tianshi Chapter, which made him very surprised and had to be vigilant.
Fortunately, Marcus told Soshyan that everything is still in its infancy. No matter what conspiracy the other party has, it will not be launched so quickly. There is still time to make preparations for the response. As for the Red Hunters Chapter, it is still there.
Not sure if they have reached the maelstrom area, but Marcus estimates that it won't be that early.
He then roughly revealed to Soshyan the game of the expedition in the Council of High Lords, and hinted that Soshyan would have many small moves from Terra in the future, and he needed to pay attention to them all the time.
After realizing that Marcus had indeed decided to stand on his side, Soshyan was not stingy and appointed him as the chief intelligence officer of the expeditionary force with a stroke of his pen, giving him a seat in the war headquarters.
When Torquemada slowly arrived at Sagan Prime, he was immediately poured cold water on him. The position he originally expected was actually occupied by Marcus. Soshyan only had a brief meeting with him.
After discussing the current situation of the expedition, he left him alone.
On Marcus' side, with the title of Chief Intelligence Officer of the Expeditionary Force, he began to contact the inquisitors who were dissatisfied with Torquemada in an attempt to establish an intelligence alliance.
In this unpredictable atmosphere, the empire's expedition against the Maelstrom slowly kicked off a cruel and fierce prelude——