In the Trench Crusade universe, technologies such as "cloned flesh" and "bone inscriptions" have already crossed into the realm of the supernatural.
However, while the elite researchers from the Empire's Biological Division are highly skilled, they may not be as knowledgeable in this field as the personnel from the Heretical Inquisition.
Yet, due to personnel shortages within the Inquisition and the ability to postpone such research until the consolidation of the 「13」 universe from Trench Crusade, specialized studies have been temporarily shelved.
Alexia, having learned about the Four Rituals of the Trench Crusade through the Intelligence Division, was eager to oversee the matter personally.
Unfortunately, as she was preoccupied with concluding the Imperial Guard project, she could not immediately take charge.
Thus, Alexia submitted a request to her direct superior, Samuel Young, for permission to deploy her core team members, along with the intelligent AI Celine, to provide "reinforcements" in the 「13」 universe.
Samuel, seeing no reason to deny the request, readily approved the reinforcements.
Among all the intelligent AIs, Celine, created from Alexia's cloned brain, was particularly skilled in biology and chemistry, surpassing counterparts such as Ap and Melissa.
Cortana, derived from Dr. Catherine Halsey's cloned brain, was comparable to Celine in these fields but currently stationed in the Halo universe's Ark. Neither Halsey nor Cortana was available for tasks outside their current responsibilities.
With Celine relatively free, she followed instructions and accompanied Alexia's core team members to the 「13」 universe.
---
At present.
Celine, along with a dozen core technicians, was aboard a large maglev lift descending to the surface a hundred meters below.
Standing at the edge of the lift, Celine crossed her arms and gazed expressionlessly at the scenery outside the windows.
The once hellish landscape had been completely transformed by the rapid proliferation and expansion of Purity Flowers. The air was clean, and the stench of rot and blood was gone.
Now, even ordinary individuals could move freely without protective suits or respirators.
The sky, however, remained shrouded in thick clouds.
Observing the scene and estimating the spread rate of Purity Flowers, Celine calculated that, barring interference from demonic forces, it would take less than six months to fully purify the environment of the 「13」 Earth.
---
Ding!
Accompanied by a sharp chime, the large lift reached the surface and opened its doors.
Celine and her team disembarked, joining elite elves and soldiers as they boarded ground-based maglev trains heading to their respective destination buildings.
Celine and her group traveled directly to the Biological Research Center near the command building.
Upon arrival, they descended to the second underground floor, handing their personal belongings to T-800 security units before being greeted by a middle-aged man with a receding hairline who introduced himself as the 「13」 Biological Division Director.
While leading them toward an isolation lab, the director briefly explained:
"We've conducted a thorough analysis of the blood and tissue samples from the 「13」 universe's knights and church nuns.
According to the data, they are strikingly similar to the 'genetic mutants' of the 「03」 universe (Doom), possessing a 24th chromosome.
This indicates that the knights and nuns underwent indirect genetic modifications by consuming cloned flesh from so-called 'saints' or 'holy knights.'
Given their unique characteristics, we could explore cloning the Emperor's or the Primarchs' flesh to develop alternative super-soldiers for the Heretical Inquisition. But..."
The director paused, and Celine interjected, "But conventional cloning technology cannot replicate the unique effects observed in the 「13」 universe, correct?"
Despite having reviewed the analysis reports before arriving, Celine allowed the director to elaborate out of courtesy.
"Exactly."
The director nodded, opening the door to a decontamination corridor.
After undergoing comprehensive spray disinfection and static elimination, the group entered a heavily fortified underground laboratory.
The lab housed numerous isolation cells.
The walls of these cells were lined with high-energy hardlight barriers, virtually impenetrable to even Astartes without their power armor.
Inside the cells, dozens of knights and nuns clad in orange prison uniforms awaited their fates.
Although Atlas's policies had evolved with the founding of the Human Empire, those labeled as Class-D personnel were still denied privacy or human rights. Nonetheless, the treatment of knights and nuns was relatively humane.
Each cell was equipped with independent hygiene and sanitation facilities, and T-800 units provided nutritious, calorie-dense meals at regular intervals.
As the director led the group past one cell housing a nun, he continued:
"Furthermore, knights who have undergone the Four Rituals and nuns who have consumed saintly flesh display unwavering loyalty and faith toward the church and their God.
Even with the cooperation of a nun named Isabella de Keruet, who provided critical intelligence, it is clear that if these individuals were to pledge allegiance to the Empire, they would die instantly. Their vows to God and the church would curse them to death."
Pausing to emphasize his point, the director added, "These are warriors who fight for humanity, but their devotion to their so-called God prevents them from serving the Empire. It's a troubling dilemma."
Hearing this, Celine scanned the laboratory, her expression calm as she suggested:
"In that case, why not notify Colonel MacTavish and Athena from the Heretical Inquisition to eliminate their God?"
"Eliminate... God?"
The director was momentarily taken aback.
"Precisely," Celine said, turning to him. "If their vows bind and enslave them, wouldn't eradicating their God resolve the issue once and for all?"
"Well... That would indeed be a solution."
The director hesitated before nodding reluctantly.
As the director continued guiding Celine and the team through the facilities, explaining the environment of the 「13」 Biological Division, another group led by elite investigators—Leon, Ada, and Maggie Shaw (Queen Maeve)—was simultaneously deployed to the 「14」 universe of Starship Troopers.
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