Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

Kayvaan crossed his arms, weighing his options. Staying to defend the fortress seemed absurd. Even with his team's support and heavy air cover, they would likely be overwhelmed when the warp rift stabilized. Chaos Serapheas would flood the area, and Fort Gallan would become a slaughterhouse. And even if they somehow succeeded, what would be gained? A broken fortress on an insignificant border world? No, it wasn't worth it.

On the other hand, cooperating with the Eldar was equally unappealing. Could Syladria's claims about Rosina's corruption be trusted? The Alaitoc Craftworld had clashed with Imperial forces across multiple systems. They were enemies, not allies. Trusting the Eldar would be the height of naivety. Evacuation seemed the most logical course. Pulling back and allowing the rift to collapse on its own would minimize losses. The fortress could always be reclaimed later. The 101st Regiment would fight to the death, but as Marlborough had said, that was their duty.

Kayvaan was about to speak when a voice cut through the room. "No. None of us have a choice."

The room turned toward the speaker—Gustav, the Manufacturing Director from Ferrum 3, who had been silent until now. His tone was calm but carried a weight that silenced the room. "We cannot retreat. This planet holds treasures you cannot imagine, and Serapheas know it. I know what they're after."

Kayvaan and Elizabeth exchanged glances before turning back to Gustav. Elizabeth's expression hardened. "Gustav, what are you hiding? If you've been withholding critical information, now's the time to speak."

"When I said there was a research station here, I wasn't being entirely accurate," Gustav began, his tone measured. "It's not even a proper research facility—just an observation station monitoring the planet's ecological environment." He paused, seemingly lost in thought, before continuing. "About six months ago, the station stumbled upon the ruins of an ancient underground city. Discoveries like this aren't unusual, and there's a well-established protocol for handling them. The report reached the manufacturing directors on the planet, and soon after, it landed on my desk. I came to Aion immediately to assess the site and quickly realized the significance of the find. The ruins weren't just a colony—they were a hidden storage facility. Based on the ancient texts we deciphered, we confirmed that something of immense value was hidden deep within the city's core."

Gustav adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice steady as he recounted the events. "Given the potential importance of the site, the excavation was conducted with extreme caution. Early on, we uncovered fragments of an STC. Although the fragments and their templates were mostly destroyed, the discovery electrified the excavation team. Then we found it—a complete and intact template."

At those words, the room fell silent. Even Deputy Commander Marlborough, who had been slouched in his chair, sat up straight, his attention riveted. Gustav allowed a moment of suspense before he spoke again, his voice carrying both pride and embarrassment. "This was a complete template. It could revolutionize production—once returned to a forge world, it would begin manufacturing whatever was encoded within. Unfortunately…" He hesitated, pushing his glasses up his nose as if to shield himself. "The template isn't for military equipment."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Then what does it produce?"

Gustav exhaled, almost reluctantly, and uttered a single word: "Coca-Cola."

Kayvaan blinked. "…"

Elizabeth muttered, "What's that? I've never heard of it."

"The name has a certain charm," Marlborough offered cautiously. "Easy to say."

"But entirely useless." Gustav's tone was somber. "May the Machine God forgive me, but the template is only capable of producing a black, fizzy beverage. I've analyzed its properties extensively—it can't be used as fuel, lubricant, or a substitute for engine oil. It appears to be purely consumable. But why would ancient humans add so much carbonic acid? What purpose does it serve? I've racked my brain trying to understand. The Machine God's designs are profound, far beyond the grasp of mortal comprehension."

Kayvaan pinched the bridge of his nose. "…"

"Black, and fizzy?" Elizabeth grimaced. "That sounds disgusting."

"It might seem unremarkable," Gustav admitted, "but let me remind you—excavations like these are a gamble. Out of hundreds of digs, most yield nothing but dirt and broken relics. Sometimes, if we're fortunate, we uncover funerary artifacts or antiques that fetch high prices from collectors. Discovering even fragments of an STC is rare. Finding a complete template, no matter how trivial its use, is nothing short of miraculous. The Machine God has blessed us, even if the blessing comes with a test."

Elizabeth's disdain was evident. "A test? Of what? How much fizz we can tolerate? Honestly, what were the ancients thinking? The idea of drinking something like that makes me sick."

Gustav's tone grew more resolute. "You're focusing on the wrong thing, Inquisitor. This template was found in the living quarters on the city's outskirts. The fact that it survived intact speaks volumes about the storage conditions in the deeper sections. We've only excavated the city's first layer, and work on the second has barely begun. These outermost areas hold promise, but think of what lies deeper—data archives, industrial sectors, possibly military vaults. The possibilities are staggering. The STC we've found is just the beginning."

Elizabeth folded her arms. "You're saying there might be something useful. That's still just speculation."

"This is the drawing I made of the ancient city," Gustav began, spreading the schematic across the table. "Take a look here—you must have noticed this yourself. The city's design is peculiar. It's a honeycomb-shaped colony, but it differs significantly from other ancient settlements. While much of its architecture follows the standard colonial style, some of the core buildings exhibit unusual features—streamlined, angular designs that feel almost weightless. They lack the imposing heaviness typical of Imperial architecture. If anything, they resemble Eldar constructions. Beyond that, the entire city feels… light, almost as if it's meant to take flight. It's a magical place, a treasure trove of possibilities. With more time, I'm certain we'd uncover something invaluable."

Kayvaan glanced at the schematic and shrugged. "In a few months, you've only managed to excavate the first layer. Now all we can do is sit here dreaming about treasures that might be there. If you'd worked faster, we could have packed up the loot and evacuated by now."

"This isn't a simple matter of digging holes and pulling things out," Gustav shot back, exasperated. "We're conducting a meticulous excavation. Every detail matters. Every corner must be examined. It's a far cry from soldiers shoveling trenches. We use fine brushes and wooden tools. Excavating ancient ruins requires patience and care!"

Kayvaan rolled his eyes. "Fine. Anyway, do you think Serapheas are here for your 'treasure trove'?"

"There's no other plausible explanation. Serapheas don't come to realspace without a purpose. Even if they were looking for a place to relax, they'd pick somewhere better than this backwater. The only thing of value on this planet is in that ancient city. Otherwise, this rock is worthless."

Elizabeth frowned. "When did Serapheas start caring about STCs? That doesn't add up. I've never heard of them pursuing technological relics."

"Perhaps this particular group understands the value of an STC," Gustav speculated. "Or perhaps their goal isn't the STC itself. The city is unusual. There could be something far more significant hidden within. But regardless of their motives, we can't let them roam freely. The ancient city must be protected."