Warhammer, Emperor's Chosen

After watching Abelard leave, Magos Explorator Nono stepped forward quickly:

"Captain, I have two matters to report.

"First, there was an illegal psyker on your ship. As she appeared in the corridor outside the plasma reactor chamber, I suspected her of being connected to the cultists. I have already executed her."

Her voice was as crisp as a nightingale, in stark contrast to the typical crackling, static-laden tones of the Mechanicus priests.

"No problem, you did the right thing. What's the other matter?"

Noah waved it off. He didn't care about the death of an illegal psyker.

Although that psyker could become his ally in the original story—and even had a romance path in a mod—she was also Theodora's close confidante. Troublesome to no end, prone to madness due to psychic influences, and attracting Warp demons. On top of that, she was a woman with unremarkable looks. So in the game, Noah always handed her over to the Inquisition for disposal.

Nono's swift execution of her was doing her a favor. Otherwise, she'd have faced far worse at the hands of the Inquisition.

"The second matter is that if you're planning to personally go to the star station to find a Navigator, I wish to accompany you."

Nono's request didn't surprise Noah.

It was already known that both Nono and Sister Argenta retained memories of their first playthrough. While Noah didn't know why Nono had this body he had crafted, or how she became the Magos Explorator, her foreknowledge allowed her to use the rebellion to kill Lady Theodora and her confidants, ensuring the ship truly belonged to Noah.

Sister Argenta was clearly working with Nono, which was why she was immediately dispatched to protect Noah. But unlike them, Abelard didn't retain memories of the first playthrough.

Noah had a theory about this: it likely depended on whether a character had been on a romance path.

Nono and Argenta both had romance paths because Noah wasn't picky about his wives. Whether it was a Sister of Battle, a Navigator, or even an Eldar or Necron, he accepted them all.

However, his sexual orientation was straightforward. He didn't pursue any male romance paths.

Judging by Nono and Argenta's situations, it seemed only characters on romance paths retained first-playthrough memories.

The Navigator they were heading to recruit, Cassia, had also been on a romance path. In theory, she should have first-playthrough memories as well. Nono likely wanted to confirm this as soon as possible, hence her request to accompany him.

"Alright."

Noah nodded slightly.

Whether out of trust or something else, neither Nono nor Argenta had tried to test whether he had memories of the first playthrough. Or perhaps they had tested him, and he hadn't noticed. Either way, it didn't matter. As long as they didn't ask, he wouldn't volunteer the information.

"Captain," Sister Argenta spoke up, "My request is the same as Nono's. My team and I also wish to accompany you."

"Of course. Also, Priestess Nono and Sister Argenta, if you'd like, you may address me by name."

At Noah's suggestion, Argenta gave a slight bow.

"Thank you for granting me such an honor, Noah. If you wish, I would also like you to call me by my name."

"Me too!" Nono smiled elegantly.

"Of course. It would be my honor, Argenta and Nono."

Hearing Noah call their names, Argenta's expression softened, and the tech-priestess smiled sweetly.

Noah felt a pang in his chest—how could this mech-loving zealot be so damn charming?

----------------------------

In the boundless expanse of space, even the Stellar, a ship over five kilometers long, appeared insignificantly small.

The ship moved slowly near Void Station Eurac V, limited to sublight speeds within the system. As the fleet decelerated, they attempted to establish communication with the station's vox-array system. Only the grinding of gears and the clicking of cogs came through the vox.

A slender Vox Adept bowed slightly.

"My apologies, Captain. Even though we sent the official greetings of the Rogue Trader and announced your intent to personally negotiate, there has been no response."

Noah didn't hesitate and issued his order immediately: "Order the crew to dock with the station at once."

In the original story, they hadn't received a response either because a rebellion was taking place inside the station.

If Cassia retained her first-playthrough memories, she wouldn't have allowed this to happen.

Just as Nono and Sister Argenta had proactively used Voigtvir's rebellion to launch a purge, Cassia would have struck down rebellious factions in her house with decisive force.

Though Cassia was somewhat naive, she wasn't a saint. She wouldn't let her enemies off out of mercy.

If she hadn't done so, it might mean she didn't retain first-playthrough memories.

Every second of delay put her in danger.

Even setting aside Cassia's beauty, she was an exceptional Navigator. Without her, Noah's next plan would be difficult to carry out.

------------------------

Boom!

Space itself was silent.

But the grinding of gears and clashing machinery echoed through the Stellar as the warship was locked into the docking beams.

When Noah regrouped with Nono and Argenta to head into the station, he found that they weren't alone. Standing with them was a squad of Kastelan battle robots and several silver-haired Battle Sisters in power armor.

"Sister Argenta—"

"Call me Argenta."

Noah's attempt to speak was cut off by Argenta.

He reorganized his words:"Argenta, are they coming with us?"

"Yes, Noah."

Argenta nodded slightly. "They are my battle-sisters. You can trust them as much as you trust me."

After a brief pause, she continued:

"While I'm confident we can ensure your safety, if you feel it's not enough, I can summon more sisters to accompany us."

Noah hesitated for a moment before asking, "How many of you are there? I mean, how many Battle Sisters are aboard my ship?"

"Twelve."

That number left Noah momentarily speechless. In the original story, even by the endgame, his ship only had Argenta as a Battle Sister. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to custom-create a Sister-wife. But where had these additional Sisters come from?

Argenta offered an explanation:

"My sisters and I come from the Orders Pronatus, tasked with a sacred mission to protect a great relic of the Imperium."

"So the relic you're protecting is on my ship?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

Noah accepted the explanation for now, assuming Argenta had somehow recruited them.

After all, he wasn't losing anything.

As for what relic they were guarding, Noah didn't care and didn't plan to ask.

As for Nono…

Noah looked at the Kastelan battle robots.

"These are my bodyguards," Nono explained helpfully.

As a high-ranking Mechanicus priestess, it made sense for her to have Kastelan robots as guards, right?

"How many of these do you have?" Noah asked cautiously.

"Only one battalion." Nono smiled faintly.

A battalion of Kastelans? Considering her background as a high-ranking priestess, it seemed reasonable… probably.

..........

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8. The Young Lady Excels at Getting into Trouble at Lightspeed.

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10. The Astral Claws.

11. The Gene-Stealers Unveiled.

12. A Bald Head Emerges from the Crowd!