Life on Hive City

Dante swiftly returned to the Hall of Armament and parked his Jet Bike in the designated area. The Tech Priest immediately swarmed around the Jet Bike and began performing rituals.

"Thank you for today," Dante said to the Jet Bike before heading towards the Tower of Hegemont.

Upon arriving at the Tower of Hegemont, Dante noticed that the data regarding the Governor he had interrogated during the mission was marked.

"What's happening with the Governor?" Dante inquired.

"Ah, perfect timing. It seems your task is complete," Trajann Valoris said. "The Governor is scheduled for a secret execution tomorrow, and his deputy will take his place," Trajann Valoris continued.

"Captain General, is his deputy..." Dante began, sounding worried.

"Don't worry, everything has been checked," Trajann Valoris reassured him. "Because you completed your task swiftly, tomorrow I'll grant a day off for some, and you can explore the Hive City," Trajann Valoris added.

"In that case, I'll return to the Sanctum of Thousand Eyes," Dante said, nodding.

Upon arriving at the Sanctum of Thousand Eyes, Dante saw Kesh practicing. Dante decided to approach him.

"Seems like yesterday's Blood Game was enjoyable," Dante commented.

"Yeah... at least the scenario showed how if a Captain from the Imperial Navy fell to Chaos influence, they might carry out an Exterminatus on Holy Terra," Kesh replied.

"How was your first mission?" Kesh inquired.

"Enjoyable, especially seeing the Sisters," Dante replied.

"Tomorrow, I have a day off, and I plan to explore Hive City Surba," Dante said.

"Sounds good. Make sure to bring your Vaultsword, just in case," Kesh advised.

"We'll meet at dawn in the Hall of Armory," Dante said, slowly making his way back to his room.

Upon reaching his room, Dante promptly placed his Guardian in its designated spot and removed his armor. He handed the armor to a Serf to be cleaned and maintained, as it was stained with blood. Dante then lay down slowly and rested in his room.

Dante woke up slowly, the atmosphere still pre-dawn. With the assistance of a Serf and a Tech Priest, Dante donned his Power Armor once again. Fully prepared and armed with his Vaultsword, Dante made his way to the Hall of Armory. There, he saw that his previously used Jet Bike was ready for him. Shortly after, Kesh arrived, armed with a Praesidium Shield and a Vaultsword of his own.

So... are you ready?" Kesh asked.

"Always," Dante replied.

"I ask for your assistance as someone more senior than me; I'm curious about how ordinary citizens spend their days," Dante explained.

"Sure thing, but don't be too surprised," Kesh said.

Dante mounted his Jet Bike, and Kesh did the same. Together, they set off for the Hive City of Surba.

The journey was swift, much like before, taking only an hour from the Imperial Palace to the lowest part of the Upper Hive City. Dante and Kesh quickly located the nearest Imperial Cult church and parked their Jet Bikes. Several members of the Imperial Cult present there immediately called for the priest of the church. A priest who noticed this approached Dante and Kesh.

"Custodian of honor, tell us what we need to do," said the priest, who was preparing for the morning mass.

"We want to leave these Jet Bikes here for a few days; there's some research I need to conduct," Kesh explained.

"With pleasure, we will prepare a place to keep the Jet Bikes of... Custodes?" the priest said, a bit surprised.

"My name is Custodian Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh, but you can just call me Kesh, and this is Custodian..." Kesh looked at Dante.

"Dante Uchiha... just call me Dante," Dante said casually.

"In that case, Custodian Kesh and Custodian Dante, I will take care of your Jet Bikes immediately," said the priest. Kesh and Dante then headed down to the Lower Hive.

At the towering wall that separated the Upper Hive from the Lower Hive, guarded by local forces, there were only two gates dividing the Lower and Upper Hive City. Seeing the two Custodes arrive at the gate, the guards immediately knelt in reverence.

"Your Excellency, it's an honor for us to see friends and guardians of the Emperor arrive," one of the guards said.

"We wish to proceed to the Lower Hive; there is research we need to conduct in the coming days," Dante stated.

"Very well, Your Excellency... OPEN THE GATE!!" the guard commanded. Instantly, the gate opened.

Dante and Kesh quickly passed through the gate, the guards from the Lower Hive side unaffected by the toxic smoke emanating from the manufactorum in the Lower Hive section. As Dante and Kesh ventured into the Lower Hive area, it was already morning, and the inhabitants of the Lower Hive were beginning their daily activities.

Dante and Kesh descended into the central area of the Lower Hive, where the air was relatively cleaner compared to the upper regions. They observed a woman stepping out of what seemed to be an apartment, leaving her toddler son behind as she headed towards the manufactorum. From a distance, Dante and Kesh followed the woman, keenly observing the conditions of the Lower Hive inhabitants.

"Differences are stark indeed... The Upper Hive, even its lowest parts, appear relatively clean and appealing, while here in the Lower Hive... well, it's hard to say. I see only hope, which seems like a mere dream," Dante remarked.

"That's the reality of Hive City. Those with position, influence, or wealth can live comfortably," Kesh added as they observed the woman working in the manufactorum handling canned goods.

"In that case... I shall return... Keep watch over him, and when he returns, contact me via Vox Radio," said Dante. "Certainly," replied Kesh. Dante promptly left the location and headed towards a shop he had passed earlier. Entering the shop, Dante purchased several food items and other necessities, exchanging a wristwatch. The shop owner accepted it wholeheartedly and proudly, feeling as though they had acquired something immensely valuable.

Dante exited the shop, and Kesh contacted him, "Dante, the woman has returned home. It seems her shift has indeed ended." Dante replied, "Meet me outside the woman's residence." He walked towards the apartment where the woman he had been observing lived.

Upon arriving at the front of the woman's apartment, Dante met with Kesh. Kesh noticed Dante carrying groceries containing food items and became curious about Dante's errand.

"Why are you carrying groceries?" asked Kesh. "A small donation for the woman," replied Dante as he began to walk into the apartment, followed by Kesh. As Dante and Kesh entered, the inhabitants of the apartment were startled and immediately dropped to their knees, shocked to see two Custodians entering their home. Dante and Kesh looked at the kneeling residents and saw the woman kneeling with her toddler.

"Rise," said Dante. "Can we talk inside?" he asked. "My lord... my place is just..." the woman said, clutching her child. "It's okay... I've been to worse places," Dante replied, stepping into the small apartment followed by Kesh.

"My name is Erishe Varentel, and this is my son named Mateo," said Erishe. "Where is his father?" Kesh asked. "His father is on duty with the 147th Cadia Infantry Regiment, but there has been no news from him," Erishe replied. Kesh was immediately startled. "What is it, Kesh?" Dante inquired. "Isn't the 147th Cadia Regiment currently engaged in the Crosix Sector, fighting against heretic forces led by a Chaos Sorcerer? The possibility of his return..." Kesh trailed off. "Didn't I hear that they also received assistance from the Red Wing Space Marine Chapter there?" Dante interjected. "Yes, so far the reports I've received indicate fierce fighting there," Kesh confirmed. "Hmm, interesting..." Dante mused. "Because this child dreams of becoming a Space Marine, I am forced to work in the Manufactorum," Erishe lamented, "for no one knows, we who are not Demi-Gods are mere sacrifices on every battlefield," Erishe concluded.

"Life in the Lower Hive is mostly like ours; if not joining the Imperial Guard to descend into the battlefield, we'd surely end up as workers in the Manufactorum," Erishe remarked. "When the time comes, I will entrust my son to the Space Marine Chapter that is recruiting new members. Whether he succeeds or not, I leave it entirely to the God Emperor," Erishe continued, tears beginning to well up. "Well then, if that's the case, I already have an idea of what's going on. Just accept what I bring, consider it a small donation from me," Dante said as he exited the apartment. "Thank you so much, Lord Custodes, thank you so much," Erishe cried. "It's nothing... don't dwell on it," Dante replied, glancing back before swiftly returning to the church where their Jet Bike was entrusted.

"Why did you do something like that?" Kesh asked as they journeyed back to the lowest reaches of the Upper Hive. "The reason is actually simple... joining the Adeptus Custodes has a simple reason..." Dante began. "I fight for the Imperium of Mankind..." he continued. "Isn't that our duty?" Kesh inquired. "Custodes Chamber Companions fight as the Emperor's bodyguards, but I mean something broader," Dante replied. "The Imperium of Mankind is not just the Emperor, but also its people... Space Marines and Imperial Guard militarily do the same, but ultimately, the safety of everyone within the Imperium of Mankind is the key," Dante stated.

"In truth, it's also just a personal reminder..." Dante interjected suddenly. "I am still human... no religion, not even those four accursed gods, can deny that... nothing can overcome our humanity," Dante said with a smile towards Kesh. Dante and Kesh promptly returned to the church where their Jet Bike was entrusted and swiftly made their way back to the Tower of Hegemon.