It was nice to see experienced soldiers in action, their experience shining through in every move and action they took, they picked up equipment and ammunition, some seemed to give their prayers giving some honor to what was left of some poor bodies.
The smell of scorched flesh was next, making sure that some of them would not rise again to spread their plague further. Not even half an hour had passed since the confrontation and we were on the move again.
I still didn't know where we were headed, but neither did they seem to know, talking from time to time about the outside and the danger they faced. A lost war some seemed to think and as far as I knew they were right, demonic invasions on this scale were almost impossible to defeat. The Warhammer histories spoke only of defeats of similar events.
My plans were constantly formulating in my head, trying to retrieve all the useful information I had about this universe.
As I continued to process all my possibilities in this world, I saw how Emil seemed to approach me, he had a determined look that said he wanted to settle the matter once and for all.
-You saved our lives, I am sorry for the treatment you have received so far my lady.
-I said, "Calm down Sir Emil, as I said I understand the situation you are in at the moment and I understand that my presence is not the most peaceful for everyone.
He seemed grateful that she was not upset, but his face returned to doubt as he decided whether to ask the question or not- If I may be so bold my lady, what are you?
-A complex question Sir Emil, but an accurate one and I don't know myself at this point, I was probably human but - My mind tried to process and calculate the time I had spent in that place but even with the enhancements I couldn't calculate it accurately. -My appearance at this moment is but one of many but if I may be allowed the arrogance, I would say it is my favorite.
-You are the creature that this temple worships.
-I would not call it a temple, it was but one of many places that were my home, it was entertaining to elaborate Roman architecture in those times. -My hands moved along the pillar while I remembered how I had thought about the details and my excitement for each advance I made. -I don't know how you got here Sir Emil, nor how I got here, but I assure you that my intentions towards your Empire are not hostile, far from it. I would not wish to confront the emperor.
I could see how he seemed to doubt the honesty of my words, as he pondered them. No doubt he was an intelligent man, he knew that they had no chance against me and that is why he had avoided the conflict as much as possible, this conversation was only to decide if they would activate the explosive charges that some soldiers had in their hands since we left for the first time. Sacrificing themselves to save their people, something I could respect about them.
-Our mission is to secure the power to hold back the invasion that looms over this world my lady, I'll be honest and that is that we are losing, dozens of cities have already fallen and what we saw back there is a drop of all our enemies to the detection of technological equipment.
It was obvious what he meant by his words, they seemed to be in a desperate situation to resort to asking for help from anyone possible, even if it was a creature of dubious alignment.
-You want me to help you in your war.
Emil nods at my affirmation.
-I'll be honest Sir Emil, but you look like a nobody, a simple soldier in a vast field of chips, and although your team is impressive, I know the empire has much more potent stuff. My point is, what would I gain from all this? What assures me that your empire will not consider me a danger and decide that I will be the next enemy?
Although I would not like billions of human lives would die, I did not have the power to save them if mankind decided that I was an enemy of the emperor, to face the chaos was something that could be impossible, if humanity itself would turn against me it would only be worse.
-I will do it, my Lady, I apologize for the poor presentation but I am too busy to be here in person. - A voice echoed from my side, something that had really taken me by surprise, until a quick glance showed a Vox-dron that projected the image of a middle-aged man dressed in imperial clothes, although the signal was weak since his figure used to fade every now and then.
A communication device used only by the high command of the empire, which allowed short-range communication or so I understood, one capable of transmitting in a place like this must be something not everyone could afford,
-Who are you? -My tone of voice could be more aggressive than usual, but the surprise that there was someone else listening bothered me, which only evidenced my clear weakness.
-Caerian, Planetary Governor of Venkrous at your service. -His gestures were as meticulous as expected, and the imperial etiquette was clear, but not for a planetary governor, they were the kings of their planets or even an entire star system in most cases on behalf of the Emperor of Mankind.
Naturally, since the vastness and dispersion of imperial space would make a fully centralized interstellar government system unfeasible, the planetary governor is given discretionary political control over the administration including governance, defense, and economic development of the planet in question.
In other words, they could make whatever they wanted of their world, as long as they met certain minimum and standardized requirements. The planet's imperial taxes are paid, its mutant and psychic populations are kept under control, the necessary tithes from the psychics and Astra Militarum regiments are turned over to the Empire, and the planet is competently governed, the governor is free to run the planet as he chooses.
Many in all their lives were used to never seeing a superior and being absolute masters, So their manners here were only to show the lack of hostility and the great respect I was meant to be given.
-I did not expect a planetary governor to be the one to endorse a mission that many consider heretical in the empire.
I would not turn down the deal, if one had power in this world it was best to make it clear, any show of weakness would only leave me to be just another slave of the empire or at worst one of the sacrifices to keep the emperor alive.
-Venkrous is the world responsible for feeding billions of mouths in the sector, if this world falls, dozens of other worlds will soon follow. My responsibility is to prevent it at all costs.
So we were on an agricultural world, that could make things easier or worse depending on how you look at it. After a few seconds of consideration, if certain requirements were met, the invasion of chaos could be stopped and hopefully, I could win certain things in this.
-All right, I will support humanity in this invasion, but there will be several conditions. The first will be detailed information about what is happening and the critical points of the planet.
The hologram figure smiled, then turned to Emil.
-The corporal's platoon will make sure to take you to a base near your position, there you will be given everything you need for your support and you will meet with the other high command of the city for an official negotiation.
- At your command my lord.
-Well Sir Emil, it seems that everything can go well, but first, we must solve something that has been bothering me since the moment I woke up and that is because you have a heretic among you.