Chapter 266: Judicator - "Mere" Major God in Casual Attire "Traveling"

In the teleportation hall:

Although this space wasn't as vast as the one on Prosperous Star or the Core Base, it could still accommodate around a hundred people simultaneously. 

The purpose of this base wasn't to prepare for large-scale military conflicts but to provide supplies, equipment, and various forms of support for the investigators.

As the silver flashes from the teleportation process dimmed and the announcement echoed through the hall, the first batch of Grey Judicators was instantly deployed from Prosperous Star to the Investigation Department base on Reach.

The light faded.

Looking toward the teleportation zone, you could see twenty-four "men and women" emerging.

They were dressed in black, form-fitting combat suits, but their external armor resembled heavy armor from ancient Greece.

In addition, the height of these "men and women" ranged around 2.2 meters, and they each carried equipment boxes filled with specialized weapons.

In reality, these individuals were the demigods of ancient Greece, imprisoned on Mars by Zeus.

Their physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary humans. Their skin could withstand .50 caliber armor-piercing rounds, their strength exceeded several tons, and they were resistant to space radiation, among other things.

In mythological terms, they were the servants and warriors of the major gods, typically existing as background figures.

However, the elite soldiers of Atlas, armed with 8mm Gauss needle rounds or BFG plasma rounds, could easily kill them.

During last year's Mars raid, the most frequent words uttered by those fallen demigods were, "Humans can actually slay gods?!"

Times had indeed changed.

In terms of combat data alone, these demigods couldn't compare to the two tyrants.

However, the reason Samuel assigned them to the Grey Judicators wasn't because of their combat abilities, but because they had faced chaos for thousands of years, endured unimaginable torment and torture, and still hadn't succumbed to corruption or been forced to fall.

When combating warp creatures and chaotic demons, the firmness of one's will was far more critical than physical prowess.

At this moment:

The demigods, having completed the teleportation, briefly scanned their surroundings. Each one carried their equipment boxes and, following the announcements and instructions from the staff, exited the teleportation area, heading toward the main base.

Remaining in the teleportation area was a figure towering over 2.4 meters—the sole surviving Greek major god—

Pallas Athena.

Her attire and armor were noticeably different from the demigods.

This major god wore a light, translucent gown, with pale blue undergarments and golden armor covering her private areas.

She had long golden hair, her facial features exquisitely delicate, with sapphire-blue eyes and fair skin—fitting the appearance expected of a major god.

Her aura was "imposing," and her expression cold, as if indifferent to everything around her.

However...

"Athena, Lieutenant!"

A staff member holding a tablet, visibly impatient, called out to Athena:

"Please vacate the teleportation area immediately! Don't obstruct the deployment of other personnel!"

"Oh, right."

Seeing the staff member frown, Athena's expression shifted. She smiled apologetically at the staff member and quickly left the teleportation area.

Major god or demigod, in Atlas, you're just an ordinary colleague.

Athena was indeed beautiful, and it was true she possessed "divine power (psychic abilities)" as a major god, but that staff member couldn't care less.

Setting aside the fact that the staff member was female with normal sexual orientation, Athena's lingering presence was impacting her performance review, and why should anyone tolerate a "mere" major god?

The fallen Greek gods had already been wiped out by the company's fleet and the gene-primarchs.

Moreover, the staff didn't even regard Athena as a god—just as a "humanoid anomaly."

If there were a true god, it would be their boss.

As for Athena, after leaving the teleportation zone, she couldn't help but sigh to herself.

Thousands of years ago, they were revered by humans, but now, thousands of years later, they had become "employees" of a giant corporation?

The most frustrating part for Pallas Athena was that, despite being a Greek major god, with tactical value surpassing biological weapons, her direct superior, Aya Brea, had given her the rank of a mere lieutenant and had even said:

"Getting a lieutenant rank right after joining the company is pretty good. Keep up the good work."

Upon hearing this and not receiving the treatment befitting a god, Athena had considered "going on strike" or simply leaving Atlas altogether.

But facing Horus and Sanguinius—who stood four meters tall and could kill her father—Athena had no choice but to accept reality and settle for working steadily at Atlas.

What else could she do?

As for her kin—Hera and the remaining six hundred Greek demigods—they also had no choice but to accept this fate.

At this moment.

After Athena and the demigods left the teleportation zone and entered the elevator, they heard another group of Grey Judicator combat personnel arriving through the teleportation process.

Once the elevator doors closed, it began ascending.

When the doors opened again, they found themselves in the maintenance area at the top.

Exiting the elevator, they took a look around.

They could see over a dozen main battle tanks, a large number of armored vehicles, and Cyclops mechs parked in the area.

The ground crew was busy performing daily inspections and maintenance on the vehicles and mechs.

Meanwhile, members of the Investigation Department's special operations team and the elite Quick Reaction Force (ARS) were conducting their daily live-fire drills at the shooting range on the edge of the maintenance area.

As for the Diana-class stealth ships used to covertly transport personnel and soldiers to Reach, they were parked in the large hangar of the investigation base.

Although the base on Reach wasn't large, with a total personnel count of around 10,000, its location "in enemy territory" prompted Prosperous Star to send a substantial amount of weapons and ammunition for contingency purposes.

At this moment:

As Athena and her group stepped out of the elevator, a civilian employee from the Investigation Department approached them, smiling:

"Lieutenant, the Investigation Department has prepared a dedicated rest area for you."

The civilian turned and walked toward the exit of the maintenance area, continuing:

"However, please follow me to the armory first and temporarily hand over your weapons and equipment to the logistics personnel for safekeeping.

There are no missions for the Judicators at the moment, so you're free to enjoy your time on Reach. If you have any issues, feel free to contact me, and I'll assist you as much as I can."

"Thank you very much," Athena replied.

The group followed the civilian out of the maintenance area, heading toward the living quarters built into the rock wall.

——

At the same time.

In the Director's Office, located in the command center, also built into the rock wall:

Ada, habitually dressed in red, sat on the couch, her arms crossed over her chest.

Behind her was a panoramic holographic window displaying a desert landscape, and in front of her stood Cortana, dressed in uniform.

Ada looked up and down at the AI's blue-skinned form, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes—perhaps puzzled by Cortana's unique aesthetic.

After all, smart AIs could request physical bodies to be custom-made to their preferences by the company.

For example, Selene, App, and Melissa had all chosen bodies that conformed to popular aesthetics, but Cortana…

She truly stood out, leaving Ada somewhat confused.

At this point, Cortana raised her right hand in salute and, in a serious tone, reported:

"Employee number A-AI·β-002 reporting in."

"At ease."

"Yes, Director," Cortana replied, lowering her right hand before continuing her report to Ada:

"The technicians have completely calibrated the bioweapons codenamed 'Soldier Boy' and 'Homelander,' and their reprogrammed brains allow them to communicate with humans at a basic level, sufficient for routine infiltration tasks for the Investigation Department.

Additionally, I began working on the company's official website before being deployed to the investigation base.

The website is now complete and can be launched at any time for the humans of Universe 08."

At this, Cortana paused, using the office's holographic devices to display several holographic screens for Ada. She continued:

"Director Wang, here are the videos and images I've edited, showcasing what kind of company Atlas is, as well as the threats posed by the Covenant and the Flood."

As Cortana reported, the holographic screens began displaying the images and videos she had mentioned.

These included footage from battles in Terra's Antarctic, first-person perspectives of Homelander and the zombie virus, footage of battles against the Forerunner's homeworld, and close combat encounters with the Elites and Brutes in the 0459 sector.

After a brief review, Ada nodded and commented:

"You did well, Cortana, but now is not the best time to launch the website."

Ada stood and walked over to her desk, asking:

"How's the progress on the forged identities? Can we ensure our personnel and bioweapons can enter and exit Earth, under UEG jurisdiction, without issues?"

Cortana turned her head to follow Ada's movement and replied:

"With assistance from App and Melissa, I've successfully forged secure and valid identity information for all operatives and the two bioweapons.

In theory, they should be able to enter the solar system and Earth of that universe through conventional means."

"Good."

Ada sat back down at her desk, pulling up a holographic screen with a hard-light keyboard and touchpad. She issued brief commands to Chris, Ryan

, and Maggie:

"Proceed immediately to New Alexandria and then to Earth-08 to carry out the physical elimination of corrupt generals and high-ranking officials.

Remember, the top priority of this mission is to ensure your own survival.

The company's new smart AI, Cortana, will provide remote assistance."

After reviewing the message, Ada added some additional details before hitting send.

"Director Wang," Cortana reported again.

"Major Brea has successfully deployed the Grey Judicators to the investigation base. The Judicator members have been temporarily assigned to the living quarters, and Major Brea has entered the command center to discuss the next steps with you."

As Cortana finished speaking—

Beep-beep.

Ada heard the alert from the door's sensors.

She unlocked the door, allowing the person outside—Aya Brea—to enter the office.

Wearing light gray combat fatigues and a black beret, Brea's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise upon seeing Cortana in the office.

It seemed the major was also puzzled by Cortana's unique aesthetic.

However, Brea quickly returned to her usual composure. She approached the desk, extended her right hand, and said:

"Director Wang, it's an honor to work with you."

"The honor is mine, Major Brea," Ada replied, standing up to shake her hand.

After they released each other's hands, Ada sat back down at her desk, while Brea took a seat on the couch.

Ada initiated the conversation:

"Major Brea, the company has granted me limited authority, and I'm not fully aware of your Supernatural Phenomena Control Department's specific responsibilities. So, could you tell me the company's objective in sending you to Reach?"

"Of course, it's to eliminate so-called supernatural phenomena… Thank you."

As Brea spoke, she noticed Cortana handing her a glass of water, to which Brea offered her thanks.

She then turned to Ada and continued:

"The restrictions on company authority prevent me from fully answering your questions.

However, what I can tell you, Director Wang, and your investigators, is that the threats we Judicators deal with primarily involve the corrupt vermin within the UNSC and UEG."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Ada raised her left eyebrow slightly.

Brea's words reminded her of the time Ryan and Mike investigated the case of vampires and werewolves worshipping the 'Goddess of Death.'

After a brief pause, Ada nodded and said:

"Alright, I understand. If you need anything, please inform me as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your understanding."

While Ada and Brea continued their discussion, Ryan, Chris, Mike, Maggie, and dozens of other investigators and special operations personnel had already arrived at the base's hangar.

These elite members were dressed in casual attire, with their backpacks and duffel bags containing only personal belongings unrelated to combat.

In addition to them, Soldier Boy and Homelander were similarly equipped.

Once everyone boarded the six Black Hawk assault shuttles that had been prepared, the hangar doors above the base opened, allowing the flight formation to exit the hangar and position themselves under the optical camouflage canopy.

At this point, the pilots activated the Black Hawks' stealth mode, blending the craft with the surrounding environment. The shuttles then left the canopy and flew out into the scorching desert under the blazing sun.

Inside the Black Hawk's cabin:

Ryan, still sporting his signature middle-parted hairstyle, sat near the cockpit, gazing down at the arid desert through the window.

His friend and comrade, Mike, was reclining in his seat, casually resting his left arm on Ryan's shoulder. He sighed dramatically:

"Another mission, huh? I heard a batch of Greek gods arrived at the base, and one of them was supposedly Athena? Tsk, tsk. Too bad I didn't get a chance to see the Goddess of War and Wisdom."

"What's there to miss?" Ryan shot Mike a glance. "Don't you already have a celebrity girlfriend? Be content."

"Hahaha! True, true!" Mike chuckled and then looked out the window as well, saying:

"Soon, we'll be back on Earth… well, the Earth of this universe, that is."

________________________

Easter Discount on Patreon

From Thursday to Sunday, I'm offering a 33% discount on all Patreon tiers.

Just use this code when you sign up: 7DC41

If you'd like to support the project and get early access to chapters, now's a great time to join or upgrade.

The offer is only available for those four days.

Thank you for your support.www.p@treon.com/Mutter]

[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]