I stared at the projection before me, depicting a system of fifteen planets, orbiting a yellow sun. Three were habitable, the rest were either gas giants or solid, lifeless balls of rock and stone. Many of the uninhabited planets were labeled simply as 'Industrial Centers', which I understood meant they were mining worlds. Of the three habitable planets, two were controlled by humans. One was overrun and controlled completely by Greenskins, the Orks.

"That's the world that used to be Garekk," Lord-Commander Garahm said, pointing at the planetary projection that was tinted green. The other Custodians were here as well, namely: Khars, Whamuu, and Eshidisi. Alongside them was a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the naval captain of the Navis Imperialis and the commanding officer of a contingent of Lucifer Blacks, a guardsman regiment from Terra that I didn't even know existed. Briefly, Lord-Commander Garahm stated that there were only five thousand Lucifer Blacks in the entire ship and about one hundred Custodians. At my side was just Duncan.

"It was invaded and conquered by Orks around fifty standard years ago. These other two worlds, Remus and Romulus, have been keeping the Orks at bay for the last five decades and, at times, they've even launched offensive campaigns to try and reconquer the planet. They have failed, each and every single time. Among the locals, the world that used to be Garekk is known as Sylvia." Lord-Commander Garahm continued.

I nodded as Lord-Commander Garahm continued. "Sylvia used to be an industrial world, where they produced weapons and other material goods, which is why the Orks invaded it first. Remus and Romulus continue to survive only because they maintained small, but stable industrial bases of their own. They also rely on shipments from neighboring Imperial Systems. However, the Orks are reaching something of a critical mass and will soon launch a total invasion of their own. Their most likely target is the world of Remus as it is closer and comprised mostly of dry land as opposed to Romulus, which is 95% water – not something the Greenskins are known to easily traverse."

A member of the holy order of the Mechanicus stepped forward, Magos Dominus Akarat. And the projection zoomed into the green-tinted planet, showing the decrepit form of a ruined building of some sort, surrounded by... what I'd hesitate to refer to as settlements, ramshackle buildings and so many spikes, and effigies and scrap metal. "The Golden Orb is located at the heart an abandoned Manufactorum. By the will of the Omnissiah, it has managed to remain unspoiled, despite the ravages of the filthy Greenskins. I predict it is likely because they are unaware of its value – the idiotic xenos."

"Unfortunately, simply teleporting onto the planet is not an option as the Orks have erected a spatial jammer of some kind," The Magos Dominus added.

I was also unaware of its value, in fact. Still, I nodded along, before I had to raise my hand. Lord-Commander Garahm, Magos Dominus Akarat, Ship-Captain Thormo, and Sergeant Rathmus of the Lucifer Blacks all turned to me. But it was Lord-Commander Garahm who spoke first, "You have a question for us, Perry Anatinus?"

"What exactly is this Golden Orb artifact that I'm supposed to fetch, my lords?" I asked. "I'd like to know more about it – if at all possible."

"Ah, Lord Anatinus is a seeker of knowledge," Magos Dominus Akarat said, nodding slightly. Making eye contact within him was difficult as I had no idea where his actual eyes were, on account of all the cybernetic implants, but I nodded back, regardless. "Allow me to explain. A Golden Orb, first and foremost, is neither made of gold or orb in shape; it is, in fact, mostly, in the shape of a cube and is made of a mixture of differing materials. It serves as a repository of knowledge that dates back to the days of the Golden Age of Science and Technology, when the Holy Mechanicus was in its infancy. The knowledge held within is often theoretical in nature, unlike holy STCs, but what makes them special is that this knowledge was recorded and stored by one of the Golden Men."

"At times, however, these Golden Orbs may hold more than mere theoretical knowledge, but also blueprints for powerful devices and artifacts," Magos Dominus Akarat finished. "That is why they must all be retrieved."

"I see," I said, nodding. "How do we proceed?"

At that, all eyes, once more, turned to me. Silence reigned for a moment, until Lord-Commander Garahm spoke. "That is a part of your challenge, Perry Anatinus. Those of us gathered here were given the task of protecting you – if absolutely necessary – and aiding you when possible. But this challenge is yours and how you choose to deal with it is entirely up to you. We will provide counsel, of course, should you ask, but I encourage you to think for yourself."

I already knew exactly what I wanted to do, however, back when Lord-Commander Garahm explained the horrible situation that'd befallen my fellow humans on Remus and Romulus. "I will not allow my brothers and sisters to be pushed back by xenos scum – never. But, seeing as I hold no real authority over them, is it possible to ask that you, my lords, communicate with them and explain that I will be establishing a proper assault point on Sylvia. There has to be a vulnerability there that can be exploited."

Quest Received!
Establish a Beachhead on Sylvia for a Proper Invasion!
Optional 1: Do so using only the Lucifer Blacks for Reinforcements
Optional 2: Do so using Custodian reinforcements
Optional 3: Do so with no reinforcements whatsoever

Reward/s:
Gacha Token
Optional 1: Rare Gacha Skill Card
Optional 2: Gacha Token x5
Optional 3: Divine Gacha Skill Card

Interesting. The System, it seemed, wanted me, more than anything, to go down there by myself and somehow establish an effective landing zone for an invading army. I've never faced an Ork before, but I can't imagine them being any more dangerous than Traitor Astartes or Daemons – both of which I've faced and defeated. It'll be extremely dangerous, but it did provide me with a lot of advantages that I otherwise wouldn't have. For instance, going in alone meant I'd have a lot of flexibility in terms of how and what I wanted to do. And, more than that, I'd be in a planet, by myself, surrounded by hostile forces in every conceivable direction. That was the best thing I've ever head. It meant I was free to unleash all of my powers, without worrying about collateral damage of any kind.

Of course, the single greatest disadvantage, first and foremost, was that I'd be operating solely by the merit of personal power. I didn't like it, but the Divine Gacha Skill Card was too tempting a reward to pass up. I still hadn't made use of the [Random Mythic Gacha Token] in my Inventory, but I was planning on activating it when I finally had some alone time. I'd check out the [Lightsaber] too, since it seemed like an awesome weapon.

Whatever the case, it wasn't as though I'd be taking on an entire planet's worth of xenos on my own. I'd simply be establishing an initial invasion zone, a beachhead. From there, the planets Remus and Romulus should be able to send in the brunt of all their forces to retake the world of Sylvia from the Greenskins. In the chaos of it all, I suspect that sneaking around the enemy lines – as I'd done before – and infiltrating that ruined Manufactorum from right under their noses should be relatively easy.

"I will arrange that." Lord-Commander Garahm said, nodding. "But, you'll need to be able to send a signal to the ship and your only option is to disable the Ork jamming device, wherever it may be on the planet."

I nodded. "I understand."

"Who will accompany you, my lord?" Duncan asked.

"I'll be going alone, Duncan," I answered. "It's easier and more efficient that way. Don't worry about me. Once the beachhead has been established, you and I will recover the Golden Orb together. But, for now, I need you to put your faith in me; I will succeed. I will not let these xenos abominations stand in the way of mankind. In the name of the God-Emperor, we shall purge them from Sylvia. But, for now, you will have to wait."

Duncan obviously wanted to protest for a moment, before he sighed and nodded, lowering his head. "I understand, my lord."

I then turned to the others in attendance. Lord-Commander Garahm nodded my way, though the others remained unmoved – or uncaring. After all, to them, it hardly mattered if my plan failed or not; this single ship with one hundred Custodians was more than enough to take the whole planet. But this was a test by the God Emperor. And so, in his most holy name, I shall prove myself worthy. But, of course, the chance to receive a Divine Skill was also a most pleasant incentive.

"Very well, Perry Anatinus," Lord-Commander Garahm said. "You shall be sent alone. You will disable their signal and communications jammer alone. And you will establish a beachhead alone. Are you certain of this?"

"I am, Lord-Commander," I replied. "A true servant of the God-Emperor knows neither doubt nor fear. And I will not fail. I will not fall against a race of xenos."

"Do not underestimate the Orks," Khars suddenly said. "I have witnessed many of my brothers dying to their barbarism, Perry Anatinus. I have trained you well-enough; see to it that you are not humiliated by the Greenskins."

I nodded. "Of course, Lord Khars."

Turning to the projection of the green planet, I then reached out and zoomed out and brought the focus of the projection to a group of high mountains in the northernmost portion of the planet, which itself was supposedly crawling with millions of these Orks. I figured that, as the highest point on the planet, the jammer had to be there – somewhere. I just had to find it. Over all, the location was a safe bet. "I'd like to be sent here, my lord. I believe the jammer is in here, somewhere."

Magos Dominus Akarat nodded and released a series of mechanical noises that I did not recognize. "I concur. The highest point of the entire planet; I raise a 95.643% chance that the jammer is, indeed, located there. But, I must voice my concern with this plan; is it not better to simply bombard them from orbit? Our targeting systems are too advanced to be hampered by such primitive jamming technology, unlike the local fleet."

Before I could answer, Lord Khars stepped forward and spoke. "Perry Anatinus' abilities feed off of conflict and battle. If nothing else, this plan will allow him to grow even more powerful. The Emperor commanded him to grow stronger for the sake of mankind; this is simply a means to achieving that."

"Well then, I hope to see something interesting out of all this." The Magos Dominus Akarat chuckled, before turning. "Since I see that my presence is no longer necessary. I will take my leave now."

With him, Ship-Captain and the Lucifer Black Commander also excused themselves. I hoped that I didn't come off as offensive. I knew that they were formidable in their own right and that the Magos Dominus did have a point in suggesting the most efficient course of action. But Lord Khars also had a point. One of the God-Emperor's commands was that I grow strong. All of this was for the benefit of mankind and nothing else.

"Prepare yourself, then, Perry Anatinus," Lord-Commander Garahm said, turning to me. "The armory is open to you, should you wish to procure a proper weapon for yourself. If not, then I suggest you visit the chapel to pray; you will find no shrine or chapel down there. Do not worry, no one will disturb you."

I lowered my head and bowed. "Of course, Lord-Commander."

And with that, the Custodians walked out. Duncan and I followed shortly afterwards. Outside the command room, I turned to him. "Duncan, I will visit the chapel on my own. Prepare yourself as best as you can. Lord Khars offered to teach you basic martial arts; make use of his wisdom. The true battle begins when I send the signal for the invading force."

Duncan bowed. "As you say, my lord."

The chapel itself wasn't far – a mere five minute walk and I found myself there, in the most holy place aboard the vessel. In the silence, I knelt and offered a simple prayer to the God-Emperor. I asked for nothing – not guidance or favors. No, to ask more of the God-Emperor was not my place. So, instead, as I looked up the altar, whereupon the God-Emperor's image rested upon the Golden Throne, I simply said, "My lord, thank you for allowing me to destroy the enemies of humanity. It is my greatest pleasure and duty to be of service. May thousands fall to me, my lord."

Breathing in, I smiled and sat up and glanced around. I was alone, as Lord-Commander Garahm said. So, I reached into my [Inventory] and took out the [Random Mythic Gacha Token], which was quite possibly the most powerful Gacha Token I've ever received, thus far.

And so, I crushed the token in my right hand.

Please be something good!

And then, a wave of nausea filled me. And I fell to my knees.

Mythic Curse-Shift Received!

Antediluvian (Curse-Shift) – Your biomass reserves will be drained of 200 kg/s every two hours. If you drop below 50% of your total biomass reserves, then the drain increases to 500 kg/s every hour. Grants access to Vampiric Disciplines. Having 0 biomass reserves prevents you from making use of Vampiric Disciplines. Prolonged biomass depletion will send you into a feeding frenzy, which can only be stopped when you reach 50% of your total Biomass Reserves or death.

Randomizing clan...
Malkavian!

New Skill Tree Unlocked!
[Dementation] - Warp the minds and senses of your enemies (and allies) with demented visions and sensations. However, you are now more prone to experiencing visons and out-of-body sensations yourself.

AN: Chapter 46 is now on (Pat)reon!