(TL: I feel like there's a missing text here.)
White Scars' homeworld.
"Stop!" Kor'sarro roared, his voice echoing through the temple. His movements were as fast as lightning, leaping up. His Primaris armored body stood between Datch, Ogholei, and the other White Scars.
Kor'sarro's gaze swept over the White Scar warriors.
They tensed their muscles in anger, fingers gripping their weapons.
Especially Ogholei with red eyes— the Apothecary's loyalty to the Khan was unparalleled.
"Stop, put down your weapons."
Kor'sarro's tone was pleading.
"He is the Nameless One, the Emperor's incarnation walking the world. If you harm him, it's declaring war on the entire Imperium and the Golden Throne!"
"The Custodes will see us as traitors, and the Emperor's wrath will descend on Chogoris. Do you want to wipe out the Legion's banner and burden our Primarch father with sin?"
Ogholei's chest heaved violently, his mechanical eye embedded in the orbit glowing red with emotional ups and downs. "But he... he insulted the battle commander, insulted us all!"
'This NPC is really fierce. I need to complain to the manufacturer; I actually got a murderous friendly NPC. '
Datch looked at Ogholei and the other White Scars and muttered. "Not wrong, this guy is already broken~~"
Hearing this, Kor'sarro's pupils dilated, he turned to Datch with an expression of disbelief. People don't speak secretly. If you want me dead, just do it directly. No need for such euphemisms.
Ogholei and the other White Scars were so angry their eyes nearly popped out, rushing forward to tear the Nameless One apart. Suddenly, a hoarse but strangely cheerful and heroic laugh echoed, causing Ogholei and the other White Scars to stiffen, all staring at the life-support capsule. "Ha! Haha! Hahaha—!"
Jubal Khan lay in the life-support device. His sole remaining eye stared at Datch, with no trace of anger. There was only tranquility that saw through life and suffering, and long-lost resilience. "That's... everyone, you're right!"
Every time Jubal Khan laughed, his damaged respirator made a fierce hissing sound, and unspeakable pain tormented him, but he didn't care. "I, Juba, am now this... human not human, ghost not ghost— that's an undeniable fact."
"You're angry at the facts, thinking I... can't afford it?!" Jubal Khan's gaze swept over Ogholei and the others, containing reproach and relief. In retaliation for the Red Corsairs' invasion of Chogoris, he led the White Scars to attack the space station occupied by the Red Corsairs, Blackheart Huron.
The operation destroyed the station's atomic reactor, causing Huron Blackheart heavy losses. But he was trapped in a collapsing passage, became a prisoner of the Red Corsairs, and suffered desperate retaliation and inhuman torture. Even after rescue, his body was already shattered. The severity of the injuries exceeded the Imperium's healing capabilities.
Even Primaris technology couldn't save him. Hearing Jubal Khan's rebuke, Ogholei and the others lowered their heads in shame and worry, fearing the battle commander's emotions would affect his fatal wounds. Jubal Khan struggled to turn his face, his remaining eye fixing on Datch. "Guests from afar... welcome to Chogoris. Sorry to show... such an embarrassing sight."
"Come on, let's have a passionate drag race." Datch said. This imaginative and utterly nonsensical answer made Jubal Khan's eyes shine even brighter, as if uncovering dusty memories. "Ha, good suggestion, good suggestion. I... I was the fastest rider on Chogoris; the wind couldn't catch up, thunder only roared behind me!"
"Unfortunately... this body can no longer control the storm." Jubal Khan's tone was lonely but resolute. "Maybe... wait for the future, and you'll get what you want."
"Wait for the eagles of Chogoris to choose a new leader, defeat the abominable enemies... they will hold the greatest racing feast again."
"Children of Chagatai... never bow to fate or pain... they are merely targets for hunting and conquest." Hearing these words, the White Scars in the corridor all showed expressions of sorrow. For a man who rode storms, lying in a hospital bed waiting for death was the cruelest punishment. Datch felt nothing but chuckled instead, causing Ogholei and the others to look at him increasingly coldly. With a thought, a golden hammer appeared in Datch's hand. He stepped forward and struck Jubal Khan's mutilated body before him.
Ding!
A clear chime echoed through the silent sanctuary. Immediately after, a miracle occurred before many White Scars. Jubal Khan's broken body changed as golden glow spread. Naked, necrotic tissue was replaced at visible speed with healthy pink new flesh. Broken and twisted bones made fine cracking sounds, collapsed ribs self-contracted and re-engaged, standing up again.
The heart's nagging beat near its limit was infused with infinite vitality, beating steadily and powerfully. Life-support lines, metal stents, and respirators embedded in the body detached. Organs, muscles, and skin originally replaced or bandaged by these machines regenerated and filled immediately. In an instant, a body mixed with blood and flesh transformed into a complete, strong, dignified form full of vitality. The lost eye regrew in the socket. Damaged vocal cords were repaired, producing sounds different from the previous broken bellows. Atrophied limbs became plump again, carrying explosive power like sculpted body lines. In just a few breaths, the severely injured figure who needed massive machinery to sustain life disappeared. In its place appeared the former leader of the White Scars warband, Jubal Khan. Many White Scar warriors were amazed at this sight. Especially Ogholei, who had been roaring earlier that he must kill Datch. Even if the Emperor came, he couldn't save the opponent. But now, he wanted to apologize. He had been loud and lacking judgment earlier. Jubal Khan looked down at his body, which was the same as before—or even better—with an expression of surprise. He gently clenched his fist, feeling the long-lost power surging through his blood.
"This... you..." Jubal Khan stuttered a bit. Mainly because it was too shocking!! His injuries were already deemed fatal, impossible to treat or repair even with the Imperium's most advanced technology, leaving him only to wait for death. But now, a miracle had happened. He recovered as before, even better than before.
"With a body like this, you can ride a bike." Datch looked at Jubal Khan's form and put away the golden hammer.
"Come on, let's have a passionate drag race competition."
"Honored guest... Jubal Khan wishes to express gratitude."
"Skip, skip, no plot lines." Datch shouted. "Come on, let's have a passionate drag race competition!" Jubal Khan was rudely interrupted; Datch didn't want to talk, just compete for the achievement and then continue the mission. Don't waste time on useless plot lines. Real men must be fast.
"How about fulfilling the Nameless One's will first?" Kor'sarro suggested to Jubal Khan. On the way to Macragge's Honour, he had heard rumors about the Nameless One. The other really disliked chit-chat; even with the Primarch, he often skipped it. Jubal Khan looked at Datch, showed a helpless expression, and chose compromise.
"Then, let's have a drag race competition first."
"If you want to see how fast the eagles of Chogoris fly, give it a try."
"I just hope you won't give up on yourself because of this."
...
Three hours later, The mountaintop winds roared, blowing through the massive platform outside the monastery, scraping the metal ground and sobbing like ghostly cries. On the platform stood Jubal Khan, Kor'sarro, Apothecary Ogholei, and many White Scars, disheveled by the wind, as if doubting themselves. In the recent match, they lost— a miserable defeat. In the second half of the race, over a hundred White Scar riders couldn't even see the Nameless One's taillights. The drag race favored by White Scars is not a simple straight-line sprint. The course is like a death dance around the steepest snow peaks. Riders must pass multiple sensors set on glacier crevasse edges or nearly vertical rock walls to complete the race. This is the ultimate test of speed, guts, skill, and bike performance. It is a sacrament the White Scars have prided themselves on for millennia, and a favorite pastime of all White Scar warriors. Before the competition started, the platform was lively and noisy. Many hovering bikes with personal patterns roared like thunderstorms. White Scar riders beat their chest plates and raised war cries. Many battle squad attendants watched their lords and cheered. Jubal Khan sat on his floating bike in the wind, with a confident expression. He intended to show the Nameless One the speed of White Scar men. They are men who ride thunder and storms, eagles that grasp speed. Challenging the White Scar warband in a drag race field is just boring for anyone. However, after that gunshot, all confidence, blood, and tradition vanished. Datch's bike charged at high speed, leaving afterimages in the air. With absolute skill, he overcame levels that would despair humans. He cleared all races in over an hour and returned to the starting platform. At that point, many White Scar riders hadn't even completed two-thirds of the schedule. After victory, Datch did not participate in the banquet opened by the White Scars to thank him for treating Jubal Khan. His purpose in this trip was to obtain the title of "Human Drag Race King," and after seizing the title, he used Rick's teleportation gun to leave and return to Macragge's Honour. However, before leaving, Datch left a message to the White Scar soldiers that broke their defenses.
"I was looking forward to this match, but that's it. You guys are really too slow." This sentence was murderous, leaving the White Scars disheveled in the wind, doubting life. Losing in a drag race and suffering such humiliation truly breaks the heart.
"Maybe it's a bike problem." A White Scar techmarine said, "Not a technical issue."
This sentence made Jubal Khan and the others feel like they saw a lifesaver.
"What do you think?" The techmarine took out a data board and raised a projected light curtain with match recording footage.
"I've seen Nobody's race; he doesn't have much technique, but the bike does a good job."
"Not only faster than ours, but it can automatically correct the body."
"Even if the Nameless One makes a mistake, the bike self-corrects to ensure smooth driving."
"If we get a bike stronger and faster than the Nameless One's, winning shouldn't be a problem." After exchanging words, Jubal Khan and the White Scars felt a bit better. Their skills aren't inferior; it's just that the bikes themselves aren't as good.
"We must build the fastest and fiercest bikes to reclaim our glory." Jubal Khan raised his arms and shouted. Many White Scars responded, their cries echoing to the sky. So from this day on, in addition to hunting the Emperor's enemies, the White Scars had another mission. To gather technology from across the galaxy to build the fastest and most powerful motorcycles.
...
Macragge's Honour. Datch, having obtained the title of "Human Drag Race King," was in a good mood, walking out of the green teleport light hole while humming a little tune. Rick's teleportation gun is convenient. Can go anywhere. Datch originally planned to go to the first-floor cabin to play cards with his card buddies.
I haven't played for a long time.
Just a few steps away, Datch accidentally found a hint message on the minimap. Clicking it, Guilliman's icon displayed a golden question mark.
"Is there another plot mission?" Datch muttered and set out to find the Primarch. Cards can be postponed; tasks take priority. Where the Primarch was, there were always many people around, heads of various departments or dignitaries. They saluted Datch respectfully and pledged loyalty when they saw him. Datch ignored them and followed the minimap's guidance, jumping straight into the study where the Primarch was. Sicarius guarded the study door with 20 champion escorts. They blocked bureaucrats wanting to meet the Primarch, asking them to wait patiently until their turn. Datch ignored Sicarius, passed in front of the glorious champions as if no one was there, and entered the study. No one objected, and the champion escorts shrugged, showing helplessness. When Datch entered, he saw Guilliman talking to someone else.
"Lord Regent, can I help with something?" Datch approached and pushed aside the conversation partner. Guilliman was a bit speechless, apologized to the obviously angry official, asked him to wait nearby, then looked at Datch.
"I hope you learn to wait, don't always...."
"Skip..."
Guilliman was even more speechless and gave up. Talking nonsense to the Nameless One is meaningless; just give him the task and let him do it.
"I received a message from the astropaths, from the Primaris strike cruiser Sword, under Lieutenant Cassian's command."
"The message says they deviated from the set course due to a warp storm and got lost on a planet called Kalides."
"There, they encountered the Cadia 44th Heavy Infantry Regiment, and the brave Cadians were fighting the Chaos Lord Gurloch. The Chaos Lord Gurloch had far more forces than Lieutenant Cassian and was spreading plague locally."
"The Chaos Lord Gurloch is highly likely to summon the daemon Nurgle on Kalides. I want someone to stop him. Can you help?"
A task panel appeared before Datch.
[Mission: Assist the Primaris Sword strike cruiser Ultramarines, defeat the Chaos Lord Gurloch, and save the world of Kalides.]
The Indomitus Expedition is in full swing, but the Primordial Sword strike cruiser was lost in a warp storm and encountered Chaos Space Marines several times its size. Lieutenant Cassian sent a message through the Kalides astropaths seeking help and requesting support. Roboute Guilliman wants you to go help them. Mission Reward: 1200 EXP, 1200 Points, Sheep Magic Wand *5]
Datch glanced at the gadget reward. The Sheep Magic Wand is a one-time gadget that can turn targets into sheep—a very excellent gadget.
"Didn't I get the Magic Bubble Bath gadget before?"
"What if it's used to wash daemon Nurgle?"
Datch thought of something very interesting. Previously, he thought the Magic Bubble Bath machine was a useless gadget. Now it seems the right use hasn't been found. Washing ordinary people is naturally not very useful. But if he catches a couple of Nurgle daemons and helps clean them... Datch grinned and looked at the Primarch.
"I'll complete this mission." With that, Datch took out Rick's teleportation gun and opened a portal on the ground. Frequent use of the teleportation gun visibly reduced the teleportation fluid consumption, and it would surely need replenishing soon. Datch jumped into the light hole and teleported away instantly.
Guilliman watched the teleport hole disappear, then turned back to the waiting official.
"Alright, let's continue talking about the current issue."
...
The star of the Kalides system is a yellow dwarf, burning in the void like a large fireball. This system is not rich; the outermost has an asteroid belt, gas giants, and two terrestrial planets. One terrestrial planet is a death world due to extreme temperature differences. The other is the system's capital, Kalides' main star, a habitable planet with tithe level 2.
The 44th Cadia Heavy Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Tiansku, was stationed here.
After the Great Rift's expansion, rebellions frequently broke out on Kalides' main star. Through strong suppression by the Cadia 44th Heavy Infantry Regiment and local planetary forces, the local government barely maintained control. Until the Death Guard of the corrupted god of life Nurgle appeared. These Chaos Space Marines were led by the Chaos Lord Gurloch. They summoned plagues, infecting local residents into walking corpses. Since then, the Imperium has been defeated and forced to shrink its defenses. During this period, a strike cruiser commanded by Ultramarines deviated from course due to a warp storm and entered the Kalides system. Knowing the main star of Kalides was fighting, they unhesitatingly supported Colonel Jansku, helping the other side defend the last fortress. However, as the enemy's offensive grew fiercer, the defense became increasingly powerless.
And the plague continued to torment soldiers and humans loyal to the Emperor, profiting from their suffering.