Warhammer : The last hope of the 30th millennium

Chapter 4: Subspace Yaw

After destroying two Iron Warriors warships cleanly, the Red Alert arrived at Mandeville Point and directly activated the subspace engine to jump into the Supreme Heaven.

The world before his eyes became unreal and distorted. Even Bucky had to block out the shifting and warped scenes.

The real universe and subspace were two different worlds. Entering the gap between them meant being subjected to two conflicting sets of rules.

In this incredible sea of souls, there was no strict concept of time and space. Even the physical laws that governed reality could be twisted at will.

All kinds of bizarre and fantastic sights could manifest in subspace, defying common sense.

"Is this the subspace of this era? It's so distorted and polluted. The cost of normal navigation must be much higher," Bucky murmured as he analyzed the data filtered by the ship's intelligence system.

The Chief's predictions had been correct—subspace had fallen into irreversible chaos.

Back in the 21st millennium, the Warp had been much calmer. Safe Warp travel was usually possible with a functional Geller Field.

But now, as the Red Alert entered subspace, Bucky immediately sensed something was wrong.

A faint murmuring reached his ears.

For a brief moment, he even experienced hallucinations, as if he had stepped into a godly domain and heard the calls of an ancient entity.

He reminded himself that it was all an illusion.

The ship's intelligence system increased the energy intensity of the Geller Field, and the strange visions disappeared.

"Subspace navigation has become dangerous. When humans scattered across the galaxy lose communication, the Dark Age naturally follows."

The greatest horror of the galaxy was its sheer scale. The Milky Way was 100,000 light-years in diameter—a number that could crush the hopes of even the most intelligent species.

Even at the speed of light, crossing that distance would take 100,000 years. For humanity, it would mean thousands of generations before reaching the other end.

Subspace navigation allowed ships to cheat time by diving into the Warp and exploiting its chaotic properties for faster-than-light travel.

"Maybe these warriors will have some useful information. After tens of thousands of years, everything has changed," Bucky thought as he unlocked the sealed hatch through the ship's intelligence system.

Soon, Nycona Sharrowkyn and the others followed the corridor's indicators and arrived at the captain's chamber.

Leading the group, Vinland stepped forward, bowed slightly, and performed the Iron Hands' formal salute.

"The Emperor's warriors thank you for your service, sir."

Bucky smiled inwardly. These cyborg warriors, always so cold and stoic, were still capable of expressing gratitude. He had almost assumed that the one they called the Emperor had stripped them of all emotions except the instinct to fight.

"Please rest assured, we will follow your orders on this ship. There will be no further reckless actions," Vinland declared, pounding his chest. His mechanical prosthetic clashed against the power armor made of an advanced material, giving off a solemn and authoritative aura.

Hearing this, Bucky gave a warm smile. As long as they cooperated, everything could be negotiated.

Besides, he was in need of guides who understood this era.

"We just want to return to Terra and make those damned traitors pay in blood!"

Hatred burned in the hearts of every Space Marine. The flames of betrayal had never died out, and the fallen brothers of Isstvan V would be avenged by the living.

Bucky couldn't fully comprehend the depth of their hatred. After all, he had come from ten thousand years in the past and had only known these warriors for a few hours. Their common goal was simply to return to humanity's homeworld. He wanted to see what had become of it.

"Wait—you don't have a Navigator? Then how are you planning to cross the Warp and reach Terra?"

The captain's chamber was plain, containing nothing but a command desk and display screens along the walls.

After glancing around, Vinland suddenly asked, "Without a Navigator, how do you intend to glimpse the Astronomican's light? Warp travel is dangerous. Without guidance, we'll be lost for sure."

"Navigator?"

Through conversation, Bucky learned from Vinland about a special group of people who could see through the Warp's turbulent seas using a third eye on their foreheads.

Navigators were psychic mutants who had emerged between M22 and M25. This meant that in Bucky's original time period, they had not yet existed as a stable group.

"As you can see, the era I come from did not require Navigators. Back then, the Warp was as calm as a spring lake, not as violent as it is now."

"But don't worry, we have an intelligent computer that can provide navigation services."

As Bucky spoke, the ship's AI, which had remained hidden, finally revealed itself.

A small, 30-centimeter-tall electric creature with yellow fur and a jagged lightning-shaped tail appeared on Bucky's shoulder. Its red cheek pouches emitted faint sparks of electricity.

"Xenos!"

At the sight of the creature, the Iron Hands' deeply ingrained instincts were triggered. The Emperor had hardcoded extreme hostility toward aliens into every Primarch and every Astartes.

If not for Bucky's earlier show of power, Vinland and the others would have raised their bolters and obliterated the "abominable xenos" on sight.

"This is just the physical form of the ship's AI. Calm down, warriors," Bucky said, slightly surprised by their reaction.

In his long life, the first thousand years had left the deepest impressions on him.

Back in the distant past, a cartoon character called Pikachu had fascinated him. That was why he had chosen this form for the ship's AI.

"Abominable intelligence..."

Bucky didn't notice that after his explanation, the Astartes' tension did not ease but instead intensified.

Vinland glared at the small AI, which was now licking its fur, with a conflicted expression. But he forced himself to remain silent.

The Emperor's Angels of Death were now aboard a heretical ship piloted by an AI in an alien's shape, commanded by a man not loyal to the Emperor, drifting somewhere in the Warp.

The warriors of the Broken Legion felt their future had never been more uncertain.

"The abominable intelligence once brought mankind endless suffering," Vinland muttered. "It was the AI rebellion that ended the Golden Age, plunging humanity into darkness."

He whispered prayers for the Emperor's forgiveness but had no choice but to endure.

Ignoring the Space Marines' pained expressions, Bucky stroked the AI's soft fur, pondering his plans for when they reached Terra.

He was the sole executor of the Reinforce the Future initiative. The Red Alert held vast STC archives and the scientific knowledge of his era.

From the Astartes, he had learned that technological regression had lasted for millennia.

The sleek warships of his time had vanished, replaced by bizarre constructs with cathedrals built atop their engines, firing crude macrocannons at one another.

The Stone Men and Iron Men were gone. The so-called Iron Rebellion had shattered the Golden Age, leaving humanity with nothing but fear and suspicion toward their former assistants and perfect creations.

Humanity's spirit of progress and scientific curiosity had been lost.

A sect called the Mechanicus monopolized all knowledge, rejecting innovation and instead scavenging ancient ruins for old technology.

This terrified him.

Had history truly been nothing more than an illusion? Had the peace and prosperity of the past been a fleeting mirage?

No matter what, his mission had to succeed. If humanity was doomed to an age of ignorance and darkness, he had to grasp the last glimmer of hope.

(End of Chapter 4)