"Boarding action?"
Ten minutes ago, aboard the Morning Wood.
Upon hearing Adam's plan, everyone on the bridge wore expressions of doubt. Was this... really necessary? Given their current massive fire superiority, they could practically win just by "A-clicking" through the enemy. Engaging in boarding tactics now felt like an unnecessary extra step. Why couldn't they simply use their batteries to erase these alien warships from existence?
"Of course we can't," Adam said, shaking his head and offering a blunt assessment. "That doesn't align with my plan. Currently, I strongly suspect there is a T'au Ethereal aboard that carrier."
"An... Ethereal? What is that?" some asked, puzzled.
However, Sibyl, in her capacity as an Inquisitor, already looked pensive. She seemed to have connected the dots and guessed Adam's intention.
"The Ethereals are a caste within T'au society. But unlike humans, they are physiologically distinct from other T'au," Adam explained. With a wave of his hand, his reality-warping powers twisted the light in the air, manifesting a classic diagram of the T'au caste system.
He pointed to the Ethereal in the center holding a staff. "Simply put, they not only possess lifespans far exceeding other T'au, but they can also control other members of their species through a mysterious, unknown method. The rest of the T'au find this behavior completely natural and see nothing wrong with it."
"I see. That leaves a lot of room for maneuver," Leonardo nodded.
Knowing Adam's own reality-warping abilities, his goal was now crystal clear.
"Exactly. As long as I use my power to control an Ethereal, I can conquer this Sept world of Ks'shan with minimal cost—perhaps even without encountering a shred of resistance," Adam said with a confident smile. "Furthermore, that ship is clearly a high-level command flagship, and T'au military forces usually have an Ethereal present as an overseer."
"In this current timeline, Commander Farsight—the T'au version of Warmaster Horus—has long since fled the control of the Ethereals to establish the Farsight Enclaves. Consequently, the Ethereals should have tightened their grip on military commanders. Finding one on that ship is a high-probability event."
Adam continued, "And don't forget why we are here: to collect enough souls for my upcoming ascension. Regarding the T'au, my main interest is recovering their technology. The real battle is the impending Tyranid invasion—Hive Fleet Gorgon."
This was Adam's primary objective. Currently, Hive Fleet Gorgon was likely the easiest hive fleet to locate in this galaxy. Other fleets had either perished in the Ultramarines' Five Hundred Worlds a century ago or were still on the galactic rim, struggling through a century-long journey to reach the Milky Way.
In terms of soul harvesting, a Hive Fleet perfectly met Adam's requirements: synaptic creatures were not only numerous but also highly conspicuous. To command such vast swarms, each possessed immense psychic power—making them perfect targets.
In the coming campaign, Adam hoped not only to close the gap for his own ascension but also to harvest enough reality-anchoring strength to facilitate the creation of more Grade 2 Reality Warpers. On Mars in the distant Solar System, many Tech-Priests—hungry for advancement—were eager to become the next "Emissaries" wielding the power of the Omnissiah, much like Belisarius Cawl. Adam also planned to build a team of researchers who could use reality-warping powers to rapidly develop and deploy new technologies. It was a perfect match of interests.
"Is the ship not enough to deal with that Tyranid Hive Fleet?" Leonardo asked, somewhat confused. "The Adeptus Custodes have fought countless defensive wars; we have the confidence to turn this planet into a purgatory for any xenos."
"It's best not to underestimate the bugs," Adam replied noncommittally. "No matter how advanced its weapons are, the Morning Wood is just one ship. We didn't bring a fleet with us, so against a massive Hive Fleet, we are somewhat isolated."
He raised his hand again, and the light warped to show images of towering Tyranid Bio-ships—living organisms covered in chitinous shells, drifting through space like monsters. The bridge crew's expressions grew solemn.
"Tyranid Hive Fleets excel at carrier-based tactics. Overwhelming Gargoyle swarms would be disadvantageous for us. Combined with the bio-acid batteries of their fleet, caution is the best course of action."
"Once we take this world, I will use T'au lives to set up a killing field to lure the Hive Fleet down, forcing them to commit massive ground forces. Then, we'll have our ship spring an ambush in space to catch them off guard. That is the most favorable scenario for us."
Everyone nodded, signifying their understanding of Adam's plan.
"Then, I hereby declare the start of the 'Absolute Confidence Plan,'" Adam announced clearly. "I will be watching your boarding livestream from the rear. I expect you to arrest that 'President'—no, that Ethereal—and bring him aboard within three Terran hours."
"Now, begin the operation!"
At this moment, thinking back to Adam's performance and instructions before departure, Yarrick—who was currently advancing rapidly through the carrier's corridors—was somewhat speechless.
Three Terran hours? Was that not a bit too generous?
He swung his massive power claw, ripping through a bulkhead. A T'au soldier in a combat suit stumbled out from cover only to be shredded by the concentrated volley fire from the soldiers behind the Commissar.
Such a high-quality boarding party, concentrated together, was breaking through the layers of T'au defenses in an almost insulting fashion—slaughtering and destroying everything in their path toward the bridge.
"Based on this rate of progress..."
As a Commissar trained at the Schola Progenium, Yarrick used his knowledge to quickly estimate the length of the Custodian-class carrier and their current position. He reached a natural conclusion.
Forget three Terran hours; these aliens would last another hour and twenty-two minutes at most. Not a single minute more!