Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde

"You all can get to know each other. From now on, Balt will serve as the chief scientist of our team, as well as the master of biotechnology modifications," Rhodes said.

"For the Empire! Lord Balt! Welcome to the New Era," Titus said.

If the Machine Cult were to discover this relic from the Golden Age, they would surely take him back and thoroughly excavate the Golden Age technology hidden within him.

"You all… you all seem a little strange!"

Balt narrowed his eyes as he observed the group of Space Marines. He stepped closer, carefully examining them, and gradually furrowed his brows.

"Have your bodies undergone some kind of biological modification surgery?"

As an expert in bio-modification science, he could immediately tell that these Space Marines had undergone biological enhancements. However, these modifications were extremely crude and primitive.

"That's right, Lord Balt! We are Space Marines developed by the Empire. We have received the gene-seed of our Primarchs and undergone 19 modification surgeries. We are the Empire's most powerful warriors," Titus said.

He recalled some rumors—during the Golden Age, human scientific technology far surpassed that of the current Empire. It was said that the gene modification surgeries of the Custodes were inherited from the Golden Age of humanity.

The surgical modifications of ordinary Space Marines might not even be worthy of this great biological scientist from the Golden Age.

But as a Space Marine, he still took great pride in his role. In the present Empire, they were the true protectors of humanity.

"Your modification surgeries! This… this is utterly crude and disgusting modification technology!

Artificial organs are forcibly stitched into your bodies, making you look like patchwork creations. And the sheer number of rejection reactions—how do you even endure such low-grade modification surgeries?" Balt looked at the Deathwatch Space Marines with sheer disdain.

From his perspective, the modifications performed on these Space Marines were nothing short of garbage.

Rhodes nodded in agreement. To ordinary people, Space Marine modifications might seem incredible and advanced, creating superhuman warriors with enhanced organs.

But in front of Balt, who were masters of cosmic-level biotechnology—who specialized in creating and modifying Zettons—these Space Marine modifications were nothing more than trash.

To them, these warriors weren't even qualified to be cannon fodder.

As soon as those words were spoken, the Deathwatch Space Marines erupted in outrage! This scientist from the Golden Age truly had no filter!

It was well known that the creation of Space Marines had always been an imperfect imitation of the Primarchs. But even so, they had been the backbone of the Empire's defense for ten thousand years.

They were the strongest demigod warriors of the human Empire.

"Please do not insult us. Even though you are a scientist from the Golden Age, you may not understand the history of humanity now.

But we Space Marines were created by the great Emperor himself ten thousand years ago. We are the genetic heirs of the Emperor's divine sons," one Deathwatch Space Marine said defiantly.

"Every single modification we have undergone was personally designed by the Emperor ten thousand years ago. For ten thousand years, we have defended the entire galaxy-spanning human Empire," another Deathwatch Marine said angrily.

If Titus weren't present… if the Emperor's chosen weren't here… if this person weren't a human biotechnologist from the Golden Age… they would have already pulled out their bolters and blown his head off.

"Do not take offense, warriors of Deathwatch. Balt is, after all, a scientist from the Golden Age.

During that time, human scientific achievements were immensely glorious. While Space Marine modification surgeries may seem highly advanced in this era, they were indeed primitive by Golden Age standards," Rhodes interjected to smooth things over.

Balt looked down on Space Marine modifications, but his words were deeply insulting to their pride.

"I understand, Lord Rhodes. After all, Lord Balt hails from the Golden Age. Many of the technologies from that era have been lost.

We Space Marines may be powerful in this era, but compared to the Golden Age, we indeed fall far behind," Titus admitted.

"Your modification surgeries… have remained unchanged for ten thousand years without any updates or improvements?"

Are you kidding me? How could anyone have designed such a grotesque patchwork of enhancements?

Growing strange, artificially strengthened organs and forcibly implanting them into a body—piecing a person together like some crude assembly project.

The combat effectiveness of such modifications was pitifully weak, and their genetics were highly unstable and prone to severe complications.

These warriors were unfit to be proper bio-weapons.

"Our human Empire's scientific technology has stagnated for ten thousand years.

Some ancient technologies can only be rediscovered through archaeological efforts. Compared to the Great Crusade era, we have even regressed," said a Deathwatch Marine.

"What? You must be joking!

In an entire span of ten thousand years, your scientific technology has made no progress at all?"

Balt's face was immediately filled with disbelief.

Such crude surgical techniques had remained unchanged for ten millennia. That was beyond comprehension.

An entire species—an empire spanning the entire galaxy!

And in ten thousand years, there had been no development, no scientific progress?

Were their scientists just sitting around doing nothing?

Even if they were just freeloaders, they should have at least made some advancements!

These so-called scientists were utterly incompetent!

Trash! Garbage! Morons! Idiots! None of these words were enough to describe them!

Any derogatory term could be applied to these so-called scientists.

No! They didn't even deserve to be called scientists—they were an insult to the very word!

"…" Titus.

There was nothing they could say in rebuttal.

Because, at this stage, humanity truly had no cutting-edge technology. Their technological advancements had completely stagnated.

Some weapons from the Great Crusade era were even considered sacred relics by different Space Marine Chapters.

The older the weapon, the more revered it became.

For example, Terminator armor from the Great Crusade era was considered the most prized inheritance in some Chapters.

These suits of armor had been passed down for thousands—even ten thousand—years!

"Alright! Those of you who still have scars should head over to the medical pods. Get your scars treated and removed."

Rhodes was afraid that if Balt continued speaking, these Space Marines might suffer a total mental breakdown.

"It's fine, Lord Rhodes. This master from the Golden Age does have the right to say such things," Titus responded.

"After surgical modification, there are still scars left? That's simply disgraceful! Can't they even get scar-removal technology right?" Balt continued his complaints.

Are these guys just cannon fodder for the Great Master? How can such pathetic beings even be considered cannon fodder? They're so weak that even being used as expendable troops seems like a challenge for them—any random monster could wipe them out completely.

Such weak and disgusting modified beings—how are they even qualified to serve as the Great Master's cannon fodder? No, this won't do! As the Chief Bio-Scientist under the Master, I must correct this mistake.

As a Baltan, I absolutely cannot tolerate such low-quality products flaunting themselves before me. Every minute they appear in front of me is an insult to my existence.

"If you're willing, I can make some biological enhancements for you. To be honest, the modifications you've undergone so far are simply too poor! I can barely resist the urge to destroy you right now." Balt looked at the Space Marines with a face full of disdain.

Although he couldn't create a Zetton at this stage, with the parts he had just acquired, he could barely set up a laboratory and make some improvements to these useless beings.

"Our sacred modification procedures were established by the Emperor himself, and no one is allowed to change them! Altering them would violate the teachings of the Codex Astartes," a Deathwatch Space Marine spoke up.

"The Codex Astartes must also keep up with the times. Some of its teachings are no longer suitable for the current era," Titus responded.

Wasn't that the case? Back during the battle on Graia, he hadn't followed the Codex Astartes at all—he was even criticized for it by a rookie under his command.

Indeed, the Codex Astartes was somewhat outdated. Even Lord Calgar and some of the high-ranking members within the Chapter were concerned about its future.

Within the Ultramarines, small modifications had already been made to the Codex Astartes, such as the inclusion of Tyranid war veterans.

Moreover, rumors suggested that the higher-ups in the Imperium were researching new Space Marine modification techniques. If this scientist from the Golden Age was willing to assist, it would be a great benefit to the entire Space Marine community. Surely, once the great Primarchs returned, they would support such a plan. The Space Marines had remained unchanged for 10,000 years—it was about time for an upgrade.

"That's right, Lieutenant Titus! The Codex Astartes has many flaws, and we Space Wolves have never liked it."

The Space Wolves Chapter had never even followed the Codex Astartes when it came to splitting their forces. Though they couldn't compare to the old Legion era, they still maintained a small Legion-like structure. Each company had at least several hundred warriors, along with reserve companies.

"When the Primarch who wrote the Codex Astartes awakens, I will personally discuss this matter with him. And trust me, whether it's the Emperor or Roboute Guilliman, they both want to improve the Space Marine augmentation process," said Rhodes.

Originally, Guilliman had intended for the Codex Astartes to be used for only a few hundred years before returning to the Legion structure. However, unexpectedly, the Imperium had adhered to it for a full 10,000 years.