Swoosh!
Several Whirlwind torpedoes streaked toward the encroaching Tyranid fleet, their explosions carving sparks of fire into the ink-black void of space. Yet, compared to the sheer scale of the Tyranid swarm, these were nothing more than futile gestures of resistance.
Hopper's expression was grim. Since she had led the remnants of her forces back from the surface, she had kept her face set in a hard, unyielding line. No one dared to provoke her, not even the high-ranking Seraphim.
"Hopper, that Inquisitor is preparing to leave with the warships."
"I see."
Borlais was preparing to attempt a breakthrough. To succeed, he needed the assistance of as many people as possible. Although the Convent of the Dying Rose possessed formidable firepower, it lacked Warp-travel capabilities; its destruction was inevitable.
Most of the Battle Sisters chose to depart with the Inquisitor, seeking a new location to establish their Order. Hopper and a fraction of the others chose to stay, intent on delaying the Tyranid fleet for as long as possible.
"Perhaps you should say goodbye to the sisters? They all hope to see you one last time."
"There is no need. I know that if I show my face, they will use every means at their disposal to force me onto those ships."
The Zephyrim who had come to inform her looked helpless; their plan had been seen through. "You are the most promising among us. You cannot be buried here."
"No. This is my home. My friends and kin are buried here; I have no reason to leave."
Hopper ultimately declined the request to flee. She went to the small prayer hall, looked up at the icon of the God-Emperor, and asked in a low voice, "God-Emperor, are You truly watching us?"
A lifetime of wandering, pain, and despair—all of it wrought by evil. Even the omnipotent God-Emperor could not completely suppress it. Hopper knew what she had to do: dress in her full regalia and meet death with dignity.
"Daughter of the Emperor, hope still remains."
A deep voice resonated behind her. Hopper instinctively raised her weapon toward the figure, but lowered it once she recognized the armor. Dozens of Dark Angels, their ceramite slightly scorched and damaged, stood before her.
"We sent a message to our Chapter many years ago. After more than a decade, reinforcements could arrive at any moment. This Convent is exceptionally sturdy and well-stocked with ammunition. If we hold firm, there is a way."
The Chaplain spoke, reaching out a hand toward Hopper. "We each have our own missions and duties, but in this moment, we must work as one."
"It is my honor, milord."
Hopper had grown accustomed to a cold calm. The Astartes were powerful, but even they could not hope to hold out against such numbers of Tyranids indefinitely. However, as the Chaplain said, the presence of the Astartes represented one thing: hope still remained.
...
The battle on the ground held little suspense.
The Planetary Defense Forces, the Astra Militarum, and the Adeptus Arbites had already been heavily depleted in battles against the Genestealers and gangs. Furthermore, many units were trapped in the Underhive, unaware that the Tyranid invasion had truly begun. When the Hive Fleet descended and launched its top-down assault, the Imperial forces failed to establish any effective line of defense.
Months after his departure, Yuki returned for the last time to his familiar headquarters in the processing plant. Having stayed here for nearly twenty years, he felt a flicker of sentiment for the place. Years of modification had turned it into a massive fortress; the surface section aside, the underground portion was vast.
Yuki walked through streets already occupied by the Swarm, with several Lictors shadowing him. Rippers had already entered the planet. By usual standards, this stage had begun several weeks early. These tiny organisms, used for planetary biomass reclamation, had already started planting specialized flora on the surface. These plants would suck the nutrients from the soil before being harvested by the Tyranids, completely stripping the planet of all organic matter.
Capillary Towers were rising, and digestion pools appeared across the landscape. The people of the hive were cast into them, and the impatient Genestealers leapt in of their own accord.
"My love."
He turned his head. Yuno approached with a smile, her footsteps light.
"The Genestealers have started heading to the digestion pools on their own, haven't they?"
"Yes."
Yuki knew what would happen. A significant portion of Genestealers usually regained their senses just as they were about to be consumed, realizing the horrific mistake they had made.
"However, for some reason, the Genestealers here haven't woken up. They truly see me as the Emperor," Yuno said, her tone carrying a hint of something else.
"Actually, acquiring human emotions is a bit of a burden in a way. Before, I only had to think about where to eat; I was happy if there was food and angry if there wasn't. But now... these people trust me so much, yet I'm letting them suffer this fate."
As she spoke, Yuno watched Yuki's expression. Noticing it remained unchanged, she suddenly changed her tone. "But then again, at the thought of how much I can eat, that sympathy vanishes instantly."
Yuki finally smiled. He took Yuno's hand and told her, "There is no need to worry, Yuno. You are not human. I once was, but neither of us should be troubled by such things now."
"Don't you still feel sympathy for a few people?"
"That has nothing to do with their species. Friends are meant to be taken seriously. Every race has good and bad people; you cannot generalize based on their kind." Yuki looked into Yuno's eyes. "And no matter who they are, they cannot stop you from eating—or me from loving you."
Yuno laughed again. She lowered her head shyly, rubbing Yuki's hand with her fingers. "Then, let's go deal with that final fortress."
...
Ilia sat on the ground, surrounded by the chosen Genestealers. Eleven walked over. She was no longer the young girl she once was; her hair was cut short, giving her a mature aura.
"Ilia, are you really going to stay here?"
"Yes, Eleven. I know my own capabilities. If I continue to follow the Boss, I'll only be a burden." Ilia made room for Eleven on the large rock she was sitting on. "Besides, my brother died here. His soul still wanders this planet. If I leave, what happens to him?"
Eleven remained silent. "Ilia... how will you survive on this planet?"
"The Boss will leave behind plenty of supplies and manufacturing equipment. We'll hide deep underground for decades. Once life on the planet begins to recover, we'll build a new home here."
Eleven didn't say anything more. She let out a long breath. "I'm going to space with the Boss in a couple of days. I don't know if I'll ever come back. If I don't, then this is goodbye."
"Alright. Goodbye, Eleven."
"Goodbye."