It is said to be a forward stronghold, but it is actually just a small outpost made of simple metal plates and locally sourced rocks. It is mainly maintained by a small generator and covers an area of several hundred square meters. Except for a dozen or so people, the others are all working. Coolies and vigilant servitors.
There are thousands of such strongholds in the Slag Mountains, and they are a key part of the "drag and earth net" strategy of the ruling sages.
Of course, the sages make decisions easily, but low-level priests like them will suffer. Moreover, the transformation ability of the Mechanicus is often directly linked to the level. Low-level priests like them are actually no different from ordinary people. They also need to eat, drink, and sleep. I hate a bad environment, and in this position, for the sake of safety, I have to take turns to rest.
Of course, they are priests, and the real dirty work can be left to the apprentices, but even so, the two still complain every day.
What's more important is that these tasks are not only tiring, but also very dangerous. After all, there is probably a group of aliens hiding in the rock formations under their feet. The pits in the Slag Mountains are densely packed and extend in all directions, and the forward strongholds are facing enemy siege at any time. , in fact, strongholds will be contributed or destroyed by the enemy in various ways every day, and the people inside will naturally not be much better.
"There's something abnormal."
Holding a cup of steaming drink, Toppin walked to his seat, ready to continue his seemingly endless work of statistics and verification, as well as sorting out communication information from all directions, including visual images submitted by the Skitarii.
Hu Ge turned his head and looked at the pink cup. The mechanical eye that replaced his left eye rotated in a circle, and then he said:
"What's that?"
"Eagle's Nest Coffee."
"Why don't you get me a drink?"
"This is the last spoonful."
"So you drank the last spoonful of our coffee?"
"I'm so tired right now. Without caffeine, I'd go into shock. Believe it or not."
"It sounds like I'm not tired. When will the next supply arrive?"
"A week."
"You still have to wait a week?"
"I said a week ago."
"What are you doing? This is..."
Hu Ge, who was a little angry, simply left his work, poured himself a glass of water, and then sat on a chair.
"I still think it's unusual for those teams of Sikarians to disappear."
Toppin sat on the swivel chair, supporting his head with one hand, and quickly typing out a line of instructions on the analog keyboard with the other hand, and replied feebly:
"Hundreds of Skitarii disappear into the tunnels every day."
"But they should at least send back the battle footage. In fact, their last coordinates are not normal."
"Then go find them."
"Now I just want to finish this mess as quickly as possible. I've only done half of the task that damn old metal can gave me."
"No wonder you still sneak around and type things by yourself every day. I thought you were writing in a diary. It's a war now, so it should be postponed, right?"
"You can be a piston! That old guy will only say nonsense like 'there is nothing impossible only for those who can't do it'. If you can't complete this, the next promotion assessment will be delayed for another three years! Three years and three more Years, you can’t wait until you are about to die without climbing to the position of a second-level priest, right?”
Toppin immediately stopped what he was doing and was about to pick up the cup, but was snatched away by the other party.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"half each."
"No, just this little bit you don't-"
In the end, half of the coffee was taken away, and Toppin could only hold the cup and sigh.
"I almost got moldy at that information station. If it weren't for this riot with no end in sight, and I went to the temple every day, the God of All Machines didn't give me any enlightenment. I even considered whether to join the army. Forget it, priest, didn’t we recruit military priests to serve in the Astra Militarum before?”
"Are you really going to hang out with those illiterate people and barbarians?"
"What else should I do? There is no way out. I have always wanted to replace my logic enhancer, but it is too expensive and I simply can't afford it now."
As he spoke, Toppin touched the back of his neck with his hand, where there was a glowing bump.
"Just find a female technician to get married and have children."
"Oh, even if I want to, I have to find a suitable one. Besides, I am still renting an apartment. But after the riots in Scorch Oven City, I may have the opportunity to buy an independent residence of my own at a low price. I have to look at it when I go back Look at how much is in the account.”
At this time, Hu Ge walked up to Toping, then glanced at the entrance of the temporary house, and after confirming that no one was there, he whispered:
"Did you hear that an Astartes battle group came this time?"
"Ah, I heard about it, the White Temple."
Toppin took a sip of coffee, then looked outside the door and lowered his voice.
"Any special news?"
"I heard that the Foundry Director has left the Forerunner City to work in orbit temporarily. Now all the armies are commanded by the Chapter Commander. Also, do you know who this Chapter Commander is?"
"Who?"
"Soshyan Alexei."
"Soshyan Alexey. I have some impression."
"The one who fought an expedition in the Maelstrom not long ago! I think you should prioritize your memory storage!"
Toppin immediately slapped his head and nodded in realization.
"Oh oh oh, I remember, it's this person, huh? Is he... the Chapter Leader of the White Templar?"
"No, he is the chapter leader of the Astral Knights."
"Ah, is it possible for Astartes to chain command like this? I don't know much about this, you know?"
"I haven't learned it either, but normally I shouldn't. However, the White Templars are also a war group in the Maelstrom Expedition. I guess that the leader of the Soshiyan Chapter may have a high prestige, and other war groups are also willing to Accept his leadership.”
"That's it. Then why did you suddenly talk about this? I still don't understand why a battle group came over. Is it from above asking for help?"
Hu Ge walked to the door and closed it, then took a chair from the side, sat down and leaned towards Toppin, and then said mysteriously:
"That's the point. I also heard from a good friend in the Forerunner City. They initially asked for help from another forging world, but that forging world seemed to listen to the chapter leader."
Toppin blinked.
"A Forge World listens to an Astartes"
"It shows that this is not a simple Astartes. I think there is really no way out, so I might as well consider it."
At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door. Hu Ge walked over and opened it, only to find an apprentice looking at him nervously.
So he assumed a majestic attitude and said in a deep voice:
"What's up."
"Father Hugo, a strange skitarii army has returned?"
"Why the questioning tone."
"You'd better see for yourself."
Toppin also came over at this time.
"What's wrong?"
"He said a strange skitarii had arrived."
"Are there any Skitarii unfamiliar around here?"
"Go and have a look."
(End of chapter)
