Chapter 349 - 346 — For a Reason

Chapter 349: Chapter 346 — For a Reason

Chapter 346 — For a Reason

Gaius looked toward the massive ritual circle.

"Reduce it to dust."

Tony nodded.

"Got it."

Tony raised both hands.

"JARVIS, you heard what he said."

"Everything?"

"Everything."

His armor opened.

Dozens of weapons formed across his body.

THOOM! THOOM! THOOM!

Repulsor blasts tore through the cavern.

Explosions ripped across the chamber.

The ritual structures shattered.

Tony fired again.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ritual circle cracked.

Tony continued firing.

THOOOOOM!

The entire center of the chamber exploded.

Stone collapsed.

The skulls shattered.

The blood-filled channels were obliterated.

The symbols covering the walls were blasted apart.

Tony fired one final barrage.

BOOOOOOM!

The remaining structures collapsed into rubble.

Silence returned.

Tony lowered his arms.

"Done."

Gaius looked toward the ruined ritual site.

"Good."

Diana looked around the destroyed chamber.

"Then we leave."

Gaius nodded.

"Yes."

They turned toward the tunnel and left the ritual site.

Gaius looked toward the sky.

"But it isn’t enough."

Diana stepped closer.

"There are more."

"Yes."

Tony looked toward him.

"Then we find the others."

Gaius shook his head.

"No."

Tony paused.

"No?"

"The remaining rituals will be handled by the Ultramarines."

Diana looked at him.

"Why?"

"They have experience dealing with Chaos."

Gaius looked toward the distant battlefield.

"They also have the forces to search the planet properly."

Tony nodded slowly.

"Fair."

Diana glanced toward the ruined cavern.

"And us?"

Gaius looked at them.

"You have already done enough."

Tony raised an eyebrow.

"We did just blow up a ritual site."

"Exactly."

Tony gave a small shrug.

"Can’t argue with that."

Gaius looked toward the sky.

"The Ultramarines will find the remaining sites."

Diana nodded.

"Then what do we do?"

Gaius turned toward the settlement.

"We return."

Tony looked at the sky one last time.

The massive scars were still visible.

But part of the distortion had already weakened.

"Hopefully they can close the rest."

Gaius said nothing.

He turned and began walking.

Diana followed.

Tony fell into step beside them.

Behind them, the ritual chamber had been reduced to rubble.

But the war was far from over.

They returned to the gunship.

Tony took the controls.

The engines roared to life.

VRRRRRRMMMM!

The gunship lifted from the ground and flew back toward the main Ultramarine forces.

The journey took only a few minutes.

Soon, the battlefield came into view.

The Ultramarines had begun securing the ruins.

PDF units were moving through the streets.

Smoke still rose from several areas of the hive city.

Tony brought the gunship down near the Ultramarines.

The engines powered down.

Gaius stepped out first.

Diana and Tony followed.

Titus immediately noticed them.

He approached and stopped before Gaius.

"Captain!"

He gave a formal salute.

Gaius nodded.

"Report."

Titus lowered his hand.

"The immediate area has been secured."

He looked across the devastated hive city.

"But the damage is extensive."

"Entire districts have been reduced to rubble. Hab-blocks have collapsed. Roads have been destroyed, defensive positions overrun, and several major facilities have been lost."

He paused.

"Power generators, communication networks, manufactorums, supply depots, transit systems, and military installations have suffered extensive damage."

Titus’s expression remained grim.

"The civilian casualties are catastrophic."

He looked across the ruined districts.

"Millions are confirmed dead. Many more are wounded or still missing."

Gaius remained silent.

"PDF casualties are also severe. Entire units have been destroyed during the fighting, while many of those who survived are wounded or exhausted."

Titus continued.

"The Ultramarines have suffered as well. Many brothers have been wounded, and several remain unable to return to combat."

He looked toward the ruined districts.

"Medical facilities are overwhelmed. Ammunition and supplies have been heavily depleted."

"Some districts have become completely inaccessible."

He paused.

"We are still searching for survivors."

Gaius looked toward the devastated hive.

"And the remaining forces?"

"The surviving PDF units are regrouping and securing the areas we have reclaimed."

Titus straightened.

"We are also continuing the search for the remaining ritual sites."

Gaius nodded.

"Good."

Titus gave another salute.

"We will handle them, Captain."

Gaius nodded.

"See that you do."

"Yes, Captain."

Titus stepped back.

Silence followed.

The ruined hive stretched around them.

Collapsed hab-blocks.

Burning districts.

Damaged defensive lines.

Even now, rescue operations were underway.

PDF personnel moved through the streets.

Medicae teams carried the wounded.

Several servo-skulls drifted overhead, scanning the ruins as they searched for survivors.

Tony watched one pass by.

His helmet tracked it for several seconds.

"Huh."

Diana glanced at him.

"What?"

Tony pointed toward the floating skull.

"You know, I’ve been meaning to ask."

Titus looked at him.

"Ask what?"

Tony gestured around the hive.

"The technology."

Another servo-skull floated past.

Tony pointed at it.

"The armor."

He pointed toward several Ultramarines.

"The weapons."

Another point.

"The ships."

Another.

"The flying skulls."

The servo-skull continued drifting through the air.

Tony shook his head.

"I still can’t believe those are real."

Diana smiled faintly.

"They are a little unusual."

"A little?"

Tony looked at her.

"That’s a floating human skull."

"Fair."

Tony turned back toward Gaius.

"I’d like access."

Gaius looked at him.

"To what?"

Tony gestured around the hive.

"The technology."

"The armor."

"The weapons."

"The manufactorums."

"The ships."

He paused.

"Especially the ships."

Diana immediately shook her head.

"Of course."

Tony pointed at her.

"You understand me."

"I wish I didn’t."

Tony ignored her and looked back at Gaius.

"So?"

Gaius answered immediately.

"Granted."

Tony blinked.

"That fast?"

"You are my ally."

Gaius paused.

"My friend."

Tony grinned.

"Good answer."

Gaius turned toward Titus.

"You will assist Stark."

Titus immediately straightened.

"Yes, Captain."

"Provide him access to whatever he requires."

"Understood."

Tony looked between them.

"Wait. That’s it?"

Gaius looked at him.

"Yes."

Tony looked around at the Ultramarines.

"No arguments?"

Gaius shook his head.

"No."

Tony raised an eyebrow.

"I was expecting someone to tell me I wasn’t allowed to touch anything."

Gaius looked at him.

"You have my permission."

Tony smiled.

"See? That’s why we’re friends."

Gaius simply nodded.

"If any Techmarine objects, they answer to me."

Titus nodded.

"It will be done."

Tony laughed.

"Good."

He looked toward the nearby servo-skulls.

"Because I have a lot of questions."

Diana looked at him.

"I’m sure you do."

Tony pointed toward the floating skull.

"Starting with those."

The servo-skull continued drifting through the air.

Tony watched it disappear into the ruins.

"I really want to know how those work."

Gaius turned toward Titus.

"Arrange it."

"Yes, Captain."

Tony looked at Gaius.

"Thanks."

Gaius nodded.

"You are welcome."

The conversation ended there.

As far as Gaius was concerned, Tony was his friend.

That was enough.

Tony looked toward the devastated districts again.

"So."

He pointed toward the ruins.

"Where do you need us?"

Titus looked toward Gaius.

Gaius was silent for a moment.

He looked across the ruined hive.

There were still countless areas that had yet to be searched.

Collapsed hab-blocks.

Blocked streets.

Damaged structures.

People could still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Tony and Diana had already proven their value in battle.

But sending them after the remaining ritual sites was unnecessary.

The Ultramarines had the experience and the manpower to handle that.

Tony’s technology, however, could be put to better use here.

Gaius looked toward him.

"Survivors."

Tony nodded.

"Figured."

Diana stepped forward.

"Then we should begin."

Titus immediately called over several PDF officers.

"Take them to the eastern sector."

The officers saluted.

"Yes, Lieutenant."

Tony looked toward Titus.

"Any areas you haven’t been able to reach?"

"Several."

Titus pointed toward the distant ruins.

"That district suffered multiple structural collapses. The main access routes are blocked."

Tony looked at the ruins.

"Perfect."

Diana glanced at him.

"Perfect?"

"Not for them."

Tony pointed toward the rubble.

"For me."

His helmet activated.

The HUD filled with information.

Structural data.

Heat signatures.

Movement.

Tony looked around.

"JARVIS."

"Yes, sir?"

"Start scanning the eastern sector."

"Scanning."

Tony’s helmet displayed the first results.

"Any life signs?"

"Multiple possible survivors detected."

Tony’s expression immediately became serious.

"Coordinates."

Several points appeared across his display.

He looked toward the PDF officers.

"Three locations."

He pointed toward the first.

"That one’s easy."

Then the second.

"That one’s going to be a problem."

Finally, the third.

"That one’s buried."

Diana stepped forward.

"I’ll take the first."

Tony nodded.

"I’ll handle the second."

He looked toward the third.

"And we both handle the last one."

Diana nodded.

Titus looked at the officers.

"Follow them."

The PDF units moved immediately.

Tony’s armor opened its repulsors.

He lifted into the air.

Diana followed on foot.

Within seconds, they disappeared into the ruined streets.

Gaius watched them leave.

Titus stood beside him.

"Captain."

Gaius looked toward him.

"Yes?"

"Their methods are unusual."

Gaius continued watching the distant figures.

"They are effective."

Titus nodded.

"Yes."

He paused.

"And Stark?"

Gaius looked at him.

"Yes?"

"He truly intends to study our technology."

"He does."

Titus looked toward the servo-skulls.

"I will contact the Techmarines."

"Do so."

Titus hesitated.

"They may object."

Gaius turned toward him.

"They may."

Titus understood.

That was the end of the matter.

Tony landed beside a collapsed hab-block.

His sensors immediately began scanning the rubble.

"JARVIS."

"Yes, sir?"

"Anything?"

"Seven possible life signs."

Tony looked at the collapsed structure.

"Seven?"

"Confirmed."

Tony’s helmet analyzed the debris.

"Okay."

He looked toward the PDF soldiers.

"Don’t move anything yet."

They stopped.

Tony pointed toward the upper section.

"There’s a support beam holding most of that."

He moved closer.

"If you pull it out, the entire section comes down."

The PDF soldiers nodded.

Tony raised both hands.

Repulsors activated.

He carefully lifted the damaged section.

Metal groaned.

Stone shifted.

Tony increased the power gradually.

"Easy..."

The rubble rose.

"Now."

The PDF rushed underneath.

They began pulling survivors from the opening.

A wounded man.

Then another.

Then a woman.

A child.

Tony lowered the debris again.

"That’s everyone?"

One of the PDF soldiers checked.

"Four so far."

Tony’s helmet scanned again.

"Three more."

He pointed toward another section.

"There."

The soldiers moved.

Tony continued holding the structure.

A few moments later, the remaining survivors were pulled free.

One of the PDF soldiers looked toward Tony.

"Thank you."

Tony nodded.

"Don’t thank me yet."

He looked toward the next collapsed building.

"We’ve got a city to search."

Several streets away, Diana reached another ruined structure.

A group of PDF soldiers was already trying to clear an entrance.

Diana walked toward the rubble.

"How many?"

"Unknown."

She looked at the collapsed building.

"Move back."

The soldiers obeyed.

Diana placed both hands against a massive slab.

She pushed.

The stone shifted.

Then lifted.

The soldiers stared.

Diana threw the slab aside.

"Search."

They immediately entered.

A voice came from beneath the rubble.

"Help!"

Diana turned.

"There."

She moved toward the sound.

A family was trapped beneath a collapsed section.

Diana removed the debris piece by piece.

The PDF soldiers pulled them free.

The mother was injured.

Her child was conscious.

Diana knelt beside them.

"You are safe now."

The woman looked at her.

"Who are you?"

Diana stood.

"Someone helping."

She turned toward the PDF.

"Get them to a hospital."

The soldiers hearing this

The soldiers carried the wounded away.

Diana looked across the ruined street.

There were more buildings.

More survivors.

More people waiting.

She began walking.

Back with Gaius, Titus received a transmission.

"Captain."

Gaius turned.

"Report."

"The first rescue teams have begun recovering survivors."

Gaius nodded.

"Good."

Titus looked at another display.

"Stark and Diana have already cleared several structures."

"Continue supporting them."

"Yes, Captain."

Titus hesitated.

"There is another matter."

Gaius looked at him.

"The Techmarines have been informed of Stark’s request."

"And?"

Titus’s expression remained neutral.

"They are... interested."

Gaius nodded.

"Good."

"They also have concerns regarding access to certain technologies."

Gaius looked at him.

"Then give Stark access to what I authorized."

Titus nodded.

"Understood."

No further discussion was necessary.

Hours passed.

The sun had begun to move across the sky.

The fighting had stopped.

But the work had not.

Rescue teams continued moving through the ruins.

PDF units secured streets.

Medicae teams treated the wounded.

Servo-skulls searched the collapsed structures.

Tony returned to the main command area.

His armor was covered in dust.

Diana arrived shortly afterward.

Tony looked at her.

"How many?"

"Thirty-two."

Tony nodded.

"I found forty-seven."

Diana looked toward him.

"That’s more than I expected."

"Same."

Tony looked across the ruined city.

"And that’s just what we found."

Gaius approached.

Tony turned toward him.

"Any updates?"

"The remaining rituals are still being searched for."

Gaius looked toward the sky.

"The Warp tear has weakened further."

Tony looked upward.

The enormous scars remained visible above the hive.

But they were less violent than before.

Less energy twisted through them.

The crimson glow had faded.

Tony nodded.

"That’s good."

Gaius looked toward the ruined city.

"It is."

Tony’s helmet opened.

He looked at Titus.

"So."

Titus turned toward him.

"You still remember my request?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Tony pointed toward one of the Ultramarines.

"I want to start with the armor."

Titus nodded.

"I will arrange an examination."

Tony looked toward Gaius.

"No taking it apart."

Gaius said.

"Correct."

Tony laughed.

"Wasn’t planning to."

Diana raised an eyebrow.

"You were thinking about it."

Tony looked at her.

"I was considering the possibility."

"Tony."

"Fine."

He raised his hands.

"No disassembly."

Gaius continued walking.

Tony followed.

"I do want to see how the power systems work, though."

Titus answered.

"The Techmarines can explain what they are permitted to explain."

Tony nodded.

"That’s all I need."

He looked toward the Ultramarines.

"At least for now."

Titus gave him a look.

Tony smiled.

"Relax."

Gaius remained alone in the chamber.

The room had been prepared for him near the ruined districts.

Gaius removed his power fists.

The enormous weapons were placed beside him.

Only the golden auramite gauntlets remained over his hands.

He lowered himself onto one knee.

His right hand rested against his chest.

His head bowed.

"The Emperor."

Silence filled the room.

Gaius remained still.

He could feel it.

That presence.

The Emperor was watching him.

He had always felt it.

There was a fragment of the Emperor within him.

And yet the Emperor had watched what happened.

Khorne had reached him.

The Blood God had forced power into his body.

Gaius had resisted.

But he had not been able to stop it.

His brow tightened.

"Why?"

No answer came.

Gaius remained kneeling.

"Why did You allow it?"

Silence.

Then the presence changed.

Not stronger.

Not louder.

Simply closer.

A voice reached him.

"It will be for a reason."

Gaius raised his head.

The voice continued.

"It will not do anything to you."

Gaius stared ahead.

The meaning was clear.

Whatever Khorne had given him would not corrupt him.

It would not control him.

It would not change his loyalty.

The Emperor knew.

And He had not spoken until now.

Gaius lowered his gaze again.

"So You knew."

There was no immediate answer.

But Gaius already understood enough.

The power had been given to him.

Not to tempt him.

Not used to control him.

It was simply another weapon.

Another strength.

And what he did with it remained his choice.

Gaius placed his hand firmly against his chest.

"I understand."

The presence remained for another moment.

Then it faded back into silence.

Gaius rose.

He looked toward the power fists resting beside him.

Then toward the ruined city beyond the chamber.

There was still work to do.

He reached for his weapons.

The Emperor had given him no explanation.

Only an assurance.

For now, that was enough.

~~~

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