Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 368 Departure (Third Update)
Having confirmed that Sigismund had received the Emperor's revelation through that unconventional method, Chen Yu no longer hesitated. The course of action was clear; although the path to Holy Terra still harbored dangers, the direction was set.

He immediately issued orders, commanding the technical priests and the servant squad to safely transfer the two specially made sealed containers—one containing the warp drive core and the other the Genesis Factor ecosphere—to the transport vehicle waiting on the landing pad. The entire process was carried out under the strict guard of the Guardians, with every step meticulously executed to avoid any unnecessary vibrations or accidents.

"The defense of the base is now in your hands," Chen Yu gave his final instructions to Ignis and the commander of the Guardians of the Faith who remained behind. "Maintain the highest level of alert. Unless you receive my direct orders, prohibit any external forces from approaching the core area. Maintain coordination with the reinforcements from Neksam."

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Ignis bowed and accepted the order. “May Omnesia guide your voyage.”

Chen Yu nodded slightly, his massive, dark red mechanical body turning towards Sigismund. "Let's set off, Lord Sigismund. Every minute of delay could give the spy more time to prepare."

Sigismund snapped out of his brief meditative state, his eyes regaining their usual sharpness and determination. He replied simply, "Come with me."

The transport vehicle smoothly drove toward the waiting Thunderhawk gunship, then took off, passing through the atmosphere still filled with some smoke and radioactive dust, and headed toward the behemoth on orbit.

As the distance closed, the magnificent hull of the "Eternal Expedition" gradually filled the entire field of vision. Just as Chen Yu had assessed, this Queen Glorious-class battleship resembled a steel city floating in the sea of ​​stars, its length exceeding twenty kilometers bringing an unparalleled visual oppressiveness. The hull was densely covered with arrays of macro guns, laser gun turrets, and torpedo tubes, and the armor plating, weathered by countless battles, bore countless mottled marks, yet only made it appear more indestructible. Compared to the 1.5-kilometer-long frigate that Chen Yu had previously traveled on, the latter was practically a child's toy.

The gunboat pierced through the massive void shield's turbulence and flew into the spacious hangar deck of the "Eternal Expedition." The hatch opened, and Chen Yu stepped out, his mechanical footsteps echoing through the vast space. Inside the hangar, ground crew and skilled laborers bustled about like ants, maintaining various carrier-based aircraft and armored vehicles, their activity brimming with orderly vitality. The scale and complexity here far surpassed that of smaller ships.

“This ship is indeed the best choice,” Chen Yu’s synthesized voice sounded beside Sigismund, with a hint of approval. “If even the ‘Eternal Expedition’ cannot guarantee our arrival in Terra, then I’m afraid we can’t find a more suitable ship within the Empire.”

Sigismund looked at Chen Yu and said, “Of course. Come with me, sage, a special area has been prepared for you and your… goods.”

Under Sigismund's personal guidance, the two specially sealed boxes were escorted into a specially reinforced compartment deep inside the ship.

This compartment is located in the core area of ​​the "Eternal Expedition" and is equipped with a completely independent life support system, energy supply and defense system. It is even equipped with a local void shield generator, forming a highly self-consistent security unit.

Chen Yu personally supervised the securing of the packaging box to ensure that every latch and buffer device was in ideal condition.

He then accessed the cabin control system and deployed a multi-layered security protocol, including mechanical combination locks, energy fingerprint recognition, and dynamic monitoring alarms.

The system is configured to respond immediately to any unauthorized access—even the slightest energy fluctuation or physical contact will trigger the highest level of security alert.

However, the most reassuring line of defense on the entire ship is not these sophisticated machines.

Sigismund specifically dispatched a highly skilled Black Templar squad to guard this location. Five warriors clad in Terminator power armor stood like steel colossi on either side of the compartment, their solemn black paint seemingly capable of swallowing light, and the Maltese cross etched on their shoulder armor gleaming coldly in the dim light.

They were armed with storm bomb guns and powered gauntlets, their helmet sensors constantly scanning the entire space, their eyes always locked on the packaging box.

Ten Templar Knights, equipped with power swords and storm shields, were also guarding the cargo alongside another squad of twenty Black Templar Warriors in standard power armor.

This squad operates on a strict rotation system to ensure that at any given time there is at least one Terminator and several conventionally powered armored warriors on duty.

Their unwavering stance and relentless gaze silently proclaimed that these two sealed crates were sacred relics worthy of being defended with their lives. Under this tight security, the entire compartment was enveloped in an atmosphere of almost frozen solemnity.

After completing all this, Chen Yu and Sigismund went to the bridge together.

The bridge of the "Eternal Expedition" is equally magnificent, like the nave of a cathedral, with tall observation windows displaying views of the external stars, and below are layers of sunken operating decks where countless officers and technical priests perform their duties.

The air was filled with the deep hum of the Thinker's engine, the slight static of communication waves, and a solemn atmosphere.

Sigismund walked toward the captain's seat and nodded to the captain who stood at attention.

"Supreme Marshal, all systems are ready, the fleet has assembled, and we are ready to set sail at any time," the captain reported in a loud voice.

Sigismund's gaze swept across the bridge, finally landing on Chen Yu, and he nodded slightly.

Chen Yu responded with the same gesture.

"Start the main engines," Sigismund's voice echoed throughout the bridge, clear and powerful. "Set course, target: Holy Terra. All ships, maintain the highest alert level. We're heading home."

The command was executed swiftly.

The massive "Eternal Expedition" began to slowly adjust its attitude, its huge plasma thrusters spewing out dazzling blue contrails, propelling the steel city toward Mandeville Point.

The escorting Black Templar ships followed closely behind like loyal guards.

With the course set, the journey begins anew.

Chen Yu's mechanical body stood still on one side of the bridge, the optical lens following the changing light bands, while the internal processor calmly assessed various potential variables.

Sigismund stood beside the captain's seat, his resolute face revealing no emotion, but his tightly pursed lips and the hand that remained on the hilt of his sword conveyed the same caution.

They all understood that, although the Emperor's revelation pointed the way, what lay between the world of the dead and the sacred Terra was not just a vast physical distance.

The warp itself has never been an easy path, and those forces unwilling to see this technology reach Terra will not give up so easily.

The voyage has begun, but the road ahead remains shrouded in an unknown fog, and any slackening could lead to unpredictable consequences.

(End of this chapter)