Vol I | Chapter XV

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Silence occupied the conversation between the Director and the Watchmaster. Especially after the deliverance of such a determined and moving speech.

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"That maybe so, but perhaps consider the reasons as to why the people here do so."

Alex attempted to reason, perhaps hoping to garner sympathy from the cold unmoved Watchmaster – but it proved difficult when the null and uncaring gas mask was the receiving end to have any good expectations.

"There are threats – dangers that are beyond our control; outside of our capacity to inflict anything against."

Alex changed the pace as her emotions began to take over her action and words.

'I am at least certain the Watchmaster doesn't understand the overwhelming feeling of being completely helpless in times.'

"So, tell me how would the Imperium would handle such a world-threatening crisis?"

Adamant in her mind, Alex fired her shot as she never budge from under the icy and soulless gaze. Thinking that the Watchmaster had no more to say, Alex nearly concluded-

"The Imperium will continue fighting – until it emerges victorious – regardless of the countless casualties, or the deteriorating state of the planet. Everyone and everything – Imperial; will fight for the Emperor!"

At that moment, all Alex thought was the changes that would occur if Earth's fate was connected to the Imperium's Rule.

'For certain, if Earth ever becomes an Imperial planet – we could have access to their blueprints, their advanced technologies, and many more to improve our standing.'

However, despite the good that could come in being a part of the Imperium. There was a side of the Imperium that would be against the alien laws that have been implemented by Earth's government to protect all alien races. Most especially at how extremely xenophobic enough and hostile the korpsmen were during the tape when Martian Manhunter was revealed an alien and a psyker.

Immediately at such thought, Alex was directed to her sister; Kara, who would protect Earth and its people – as all of the Justice League would – then she would rather Earth remain dependent on its heroes than those that would destroy Earth in the process to achieve a victory.

"Okay – you're excused, Masha"

Pardoned, the Watchmaster produced a crisp salute at once before she began to march away to resume its task.

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Hours later…

Back at the D.E.O Headquarters…

As the androids that have been salvaged were dismantled and processed – news and details surface about clues to Indigo's wicked plans.

The soldiers' time in being dismissed, and that have been used to rest have then been deliberately cut short as the lieutenants and the korpsmen's presence were immediately requested.

It had not been long when the soldiers entered the room, prepped and ready; as the four soldiers stood at attention. "Director!" In unison, the soldiers greeted as they offered a salute.

"Ladies, Gentlemen" Alex replied before she rose from her seat and approached the board with stickered photos, and the crosses of many depicting lines. "Now let's start the briefing"

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"We have gathered intel that Indigo has something big, and we already have a clue on what it is – since we've just faced it." At the obvious hint, Sandra spoke up about what she had in mind. "Wait – no you don't mean there's more of those things?!"

"That is correct" Alex responded as she held the lieutenant's gaze.

Resuming the debriefing,

"It is further evaluated that the androids are being mass-produced in an old abandoned major industrial factory. Somehow, it seems she got it working – estimated creating hundreds in a day – which leads to your mission; infiltrate, and render that factory out of commission."

"But that would just be your primary objective. Your secondary objective, if not as important as the primary – Is to retrieve an artifact – which had been stolen recently and has been the cause of powering the androids."

Lieutenant Sandra questions again, "Then based on the intel, the androids are powered by this 'artifact' and the kryptonite shards in them is another?"

"That would be correct, Lieutenant Sandra – it has seemed that would be so."

However, as the mentions of the artifact piqued the curiosity of the Watchmaster, she spoke up as she was wary of its presence. "What is this – Artifact?"

Though the Director showed hesitance to respond, and although she could have dismissed it as classified, Alex took a moment to prep before she revealed a crucial detail that was just about to be unraveled.

"The artifact was reportedly located at the Ruined Citadel; in the mountains. It seemed it was found by someone, but we are still unsure who. It was then sold to Lena Luthor to project an experiment on until it became stolen…"

Alex closes her speech when she felt the odd sudden urge just to, as well as remain quiet when she met those eyes, those gas masks lenses. For the times she has, and in each and every moment did; locked eyes with it – shivers would alert all her senses to overdrive. But she won't show it, both as the Director of the D.E.O, and as her own person.

"Any more questions?" There was none when she waited for any, "Good, move out in five minutes top!"

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Despite just merely standing, the Watchmaster fumed enrage at the foul actions.

Despite just standing, the Korpsmen felt burning wrath in every part of their fiber.

Despite just standing, the Watchmaster and Grenadier felt they were just outdone by traitors.

'Withholding information that concerns us – I am disgusted; I am impure – to not expect such actions from humans that rejoice at a Psyker's presence, and the Xenos that exclaims are on their side. I spit on them all!'

Although a subtle act, the Watchmaster clenched her hands into fists. 'The Imperium purge this world of heretics!'

'But by the Golden Throne – I will wrap my hands around that Chaos Psyker!' Masha swore as she examined and prob her recollection whence the Psyker had unintentionally pulled them along with him when he cast the warp portal without the rituals.

'I remember, and I saw it – that Psyker pulled out an artifact to produce that warp. There is no mistake, with that artifact not handled by the Inquisition – it will spread its influence due time until the planet is corrupted to the Ruinous Chaos.'

In an aspect, the unfolded situation reminded the Watchmaster of a time before in the past. A time she was recognized by an Inquisitor.

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The ground shook as it felt the loud and thunderous shock from the lines of the Death Korps siege artillery, while ultimately the smokes produced have covered the proximity, though their bombardment at the enemy lines continued regardless.

It has been three consecutive grueling campaigns Guardsman-057299-3287 have participated in and survived until the current predicament; at the fourth campaign, the war against a Necron Tomb World has been unprogressive.

However, the presented case has been devised that it only required a massive push to break the stalemate – the Death Korps of Krieg – have been the regiment chosen to take the mettle on removing the troublesome obstacle with definite certainty, and with their life.

But some had doubts, especially the Inquisitor.

"Although I have heard grand tales on infamous Death Korps achievements and their brutal, and effective methods that win Imperial victory – I must be certain that the frontal assault will penetrate through the defenses. Therefore, I am confused why the mechanized armored regiment; of the Steel Legion, is being planned on taking part in the second assault that follows, instead of joining the Death Korps in their first and frontal assault?"

"There is nothing else they can do there but die" he added.

In an absolute display of respect and discipline, a Death Korps Kommisar takes charge to convince, as he took a step forward and he made his presence known.

"Lord Inquisitor, that is what the Death Korps of Krieg does best."

There was the briefest of pauses before the Kommisar said, tonelessly; "Each shell that a Korpsman intercepts is a shell that doesn't hit the tanks – which in turn means the tank can keep on firing. I have many hundreds of men and they are easily replaceable. The Steel Legion only has a handful of tanks and we can not afford to lose them."

The Lord Inquisitor couldn't argue with that logic.

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