This work is fiction only. Warhammer 40K and attack on titan belong to their respective owners

Over the campfire the pot finally boiled, it gave off the smell of freshly made tea. The fragrance that would be relaxing spread through the small makeshift camp. Three iron cups were filled; the tea would suit someone on a cold night, especially if it was on cold rock and fifty meters above a wall.

The war chief Zeke sipped his hot drink, letting himself be calmed a little after everything that had happened. In front of him there were two other young men, two Marleyian warriors, sent to this place a long time ago on a mission, which apparently had failed.

"Well," he said, Zeke. "What are you waiting for? Waiting for get it cold? "He spoke to the two warriors who were hesitant to take the cups. Their looks were somber and their faces showed the shame they had suffered for having failed their mission. But finally, more out of obedience than politeness, they drank from their iron cups.

They spent a while watching the fire without saying a word, the atmosphere was too heavy for a conversation. Both warriors had delivered their reports regarding everything they had seen and Zeke had calmly assimilated everything that had happened. The capture of Annie, the progenitor titan in Eren and, in addition, another subject that had been lost for some time. A woman, named Ymir, who was fast asleep in one of the tents.

"I understand you they failed, after all, we knew the risk that could come from attacking King Fritz and taking the power. However, it is not an excuse to feel that way and not think otherwise. "

Once again the oddly sympathetic words of war chief Zeke made Reiner more nervous. He expected to receive a punishment, probably death. However, the war chief had been an understanding man, listening to what had happened during these years since they had infiltrated the walls after breaking their doors and letting a horde of titans enter in.

"We cannot help it," Reiner said. "After all, we lost a golden opportunity to regain the power of the first titan for Marley."

"I understand ... Marley ..." There it was again, a strangely melancholic voice coming from the war chief. Reiner did not understand the reason for this tone of voice; he doubted much that his superior had betrayed Marley and fled. However, he did not stop wondering the meaning of that state.

Finally, he gathered enough courage and decided to face the doubts. "Sir. Has something happened?"

The question was asked carefully, Reiner tried to be as subtle as possible. He did not understand what was happening to his commander, even asking him could be dangerous, however, the mood in Zeke did not change.

"Actually ... yes." He did not speak for a long time, just watched the fire while burning the wood. After several minutes he finally spoke. "Marley ... Marley is gone."

"WHAT?!" The sudden response had made such an impression on him that Reiner had thrown away his metal mug. "What does it mean!? What happened?!"

Even Berthold was stunned by such an answer; he had run out of words when receiving such incredible news.

"Calm down," Zeke said. "I have not finished."

After making another pause looking at the fire, Zeke continued. "What I have told you is not technically true. Marley still exists, but it is not as it was previously known. There have passed ... certain events in the last months that have changed everything ... even all we knew. "

Although those words had calmed Reiner a little, he still felt uneasy and with even more new questions to which he could not give them answers. What had happened since they left? This island did not have anything like radios or any method of communication that would allow them to make contact with the rest of the world, for that reason there was no way they knew what had been happening out there.

Zeke threw a new branch into the fire and made sure that Ymir was still sound asleep, which confirmed it by her breathing and snoring. Then his expression changed, the calm and understanding war chief of a moment ago was gone and in his place was the serious face of an officer about to give a very important order.

"Listen carefully," Zeke said. "What I am going to tell you is a very top secret matter; there are only two people apart from me who know about this. If you are not ready to listen to it then I have no need to continue with this. "

Berthold and Reiner tensed, they did not know what this was all about, but by the appearance of things this was big, very big. Maybe even too much for themselves. But both agreed to the question of their commander, they could not refuse in any way.

"This will not be repeated." Zeke advised." Everything started six months ago..."

[X]

Theo Maggath scattered the documents on the table. There were not only reports, several color photographs, taken with the best quality so far mixed in with several reports, all pointing to a particular objective.

"How reliable are these photographs?" He asked to one of the people who were also in this place.

"They were all taken by the three most advanced observatories in the country twelve hours ago. We continue to monitor this phenomenon and present new reports in the next few hours. "A woman, dressed in a lab coat, adjusted her glasses after answering the questions of the commander-in-chief of Marley's army.

"The situation on the front gets worse and now this." Maggath spat after dropping the bloc of sheets containing several photographs. All of them showed something in particular. Four objects, orbiting the planet's atmosphere. The only things that Maggath could resemble them to were huge iron ships.

Covered in metal, all these ships orbiting in the sky had an unusual shape. Two of these were covered in a black color with red details; strange objects similar to guns covered the whole body of them. And a strange style gave them shape. The other two were also quite different. Of the same color, however, they seemed to carry immense cathedrals of Gothic style, and, like the other two ships, they were armed to the teeth.

But there was something else that caught his attention. Located on the side of those ships was a symbol, looking closely you could see the symbol of a gear with a skull in the center. He had no idea what that symbol did meant, he could only expect for the answer of high command with respect to these ships.

[X]

For the umpteenth time Maggath sighed, again wishing for not being here.

In the capital of Marley a great stir arose. Finally, after so long, the Tybur family would give a public message. This had been of last minute and without warning to many people. However, a good number of spectators had gathered eager to see who was the leader of this family so recognized not only on Marley, but on the rest of the world.

"Wanting to get back to the front so fast?" Asked the voice of a young man. Turning, Maggath was met by none other than Willy Tybur, the current leader of this family which was the one that controlled all Marley from the shadows.

"Just wanting this to end quickly, the more time we lose here is less time to prepare."

"I understand you," Willy said calmly. "But this is necessary. This new enemy that has emerged has left us with a few options. It's only a matter of time before they get here. "

Indeed. The reason is that only a few days ago a radio-encrypted transmission from those ships in orbit had arrived. The message was the following:

In the name of the Omnissiah, The Emperor of mankind. He, who rules on his golden throne.

Greetings we give in the name of absolute knowledge. Brotherhood we offer in the name of the human species. We who seek in the name of the Omnissiah the knowledge spread from long ago over the galaxy.

You who, like that knowledge, have separated from the strength of humanity, but have nevertheless prospered.

The Adeptus Mechanicus will descend to your world. We seek lost knowledge, but also that knowledge that was lost in the fragments of humanity over the stars.

But a warning we give, the hostility can only be paid in the same way.

At first that message had relieved everyone, they did not know exactly what this 'Adeptus Mechanicus' did meant but with so little information it was hard to come up with an idea. These beings that identified themselves as humans did not seem to want to start a conflict, they were even willing to send a representative to discuss diplomatic matters.

That was where the problem had fallen back.

In effect, this Adeptus Mechanicus had sent an ambassador, apparently one who called himself 'Tech-priest' 035K177 Plubrem. This had announced that he would arrive on a Valkyrie near the border east of Marley.

However, the orders had not been well transmitted, either interference or any other reason. The order had not reached a regiment located on the eastern border of Marley.

And so, some very stupid colonel had confused these ambassadors, and thinking that they belonged to the titans or to some enemy country, they had begun to shoot at them.

Such stupidity was rewarded with the total annihilation of that regiment. Of the only two survivors of a regiment of five thousand men, they had described humanoid beings with a strange appearance. Mysterious beings covered with metal and different unknown devices, they carried even more rare and powerful weapons that ended with men by hundreds and devastated everything in their path. The two who had survived had gone mad and one of them committed suicide shortly after delivering his report.

This had happened two days ago and after being discussed it was decided that they could have started a war, which was the last thing they wanted.

Zeke Jaeger lit a cigarette and adjusted his glasses. He was buried in his thoughts as he remembered all the information that had been given to him. A new force that had possibly arrived from another world, a new civilization, an intelligent and advanced race. There were few ideas or hypotheses about life on other planets, only a handful of people cared to think about that. And now that force seemed to threaten not only Marley, but this whole world.

That's why he was here. This public announcement would also be witnessed by ambassadors from various countries of the world. So to be the guardian of these officials was his obligation and that of Pieck.

[X]

"Doing something like this right now is not the wisest thing to do," she said in her usual calm and passive tone. "Such an event would be an easy and very juicy target for them."

"You're right." Zeke nodded. "However, it is something that the Tybur family must do to unite the world to confront this possible enemy. Perhaps you have also noticed, but the world is moving forward and soon the strength of the titans will be surpassed. We could not stand alone. "

It was a secret affair, but the truth was that Marley was losing his strength. Recently the country of the Middle East had declared war and things were not going very well at the front. With only two warriors the country's forces had diminished and their enemies were willing to take advantage of this weakness.

Finally, it was Willy Tybur's turn to speak in front of the audience and everyone. He began with the story of Eldia, the war that lasted so many years and led the people of Eldia to a series of victories and a supposed order imposed on the other races. He speak of how King Fritz had taken his people to shut themselves up on Paradis Island along with the Titan power to never threaten the world again. Of how until this moment he was still there, waiting for the redemption of the sin of his people. And above all, he spoke of the ten million of colossal titans that would destroy the world once they awoke from their lethargy.

"Such danger has threatened us for so long!" Willy spoke with such passion that he seemed to speak with the voice of a chosen one by a divine force. "Nevertheless! An even greater danger has arrived! More dangerous than Eren Jaeger himself! More deadly than the millions of colossal Titans sleeping!" He shook his fists and his gestures seemed to inspire his audience even more.

"That is why at this moment I declare that we will not kneel before a foreign enemy! Outrageous beings threaten our peace more than ever! Let's unite against them! Against the Adeptus Mechani-! "

Willy Tybur could never finish.

The stage where he was, exploded and burned. The shuddering fire spread throughout the place, engulfing all the officials of the various countries that had gathered there. Crimson lights rained form the sky, the buildings bursting, the sidewalks were boiled and people were disintegrated by the lights of incalculable heat.

It was as if hell itself had descended on to earth.

Then the unknown roar of not only one, but two huge engines roared, subjected to an object with metallic wings that descended from the sky.

It landed and then rose once more. Red, metallic, chromed. This is how they looked. Humanoid beings made of metal, their red sights seemed to sink into the flesh, scanning everything they saw. Their worn and torn robes were crimson and carried weapons that no one had ever seen.

They opened fire over the groups of soldiers and officers who were in the stands. The laser rifles destroyed everyone in their path. Several men had drawn their weapons, pointing in an attempt to defend themselves only to attract the attention of those beings who, with the precision of a machine, judged the dangers and actions to take.

Zeke cut his hand with a knife. The light of a bolt of lightning dazzled the area for a moment followed by the sound of thunder. In a few seconds the flesh and bones took shape and a sixteen-meter beast rose up. A giant, hairy and with long arms appeared.

The Metallic beings seeing this prioritized their targets. They aimed again and bolts of crimson fire impacted the hard skin of the titan beast under Zeke's control. The flesh burned and charred when it received all the damage but it was not enough to stop it.

Zeke ran towards the metallic beings, and raising the arm of his titanic form, hit the ground. The rumble of force seemed to have created an earthquake and crushed several of those metal beings who had perished at the weight of the attack.

The ship that was flying over the area flew towards Zeke. Crimson bolts, equal to those of the metallic beings but thicker crashed against his skin. His chest and head burst and burned and the titan beast collapsed, however, they had not touched the weak point of his neck.

Zeke waited, the ship approached trying to inspect this new factor that had been found. Then Zeke got up, his arms tried to reach the ship to bring it down. He had to act fast before it rose and lost all possibility of winning.

Again the titan's chest was shattered by the laser fire. But this refused to fall; the flesh was put back together and the bones were reformed. Zeke tried to go again for another attack, however this time the ship was at a greater distance. The titan beast was prepared for the crimson rain that would soon fall on him, however, that did not happen. The ship stopped there, it seemed to watch him, as if he were studying it like some kind of new specimen.

After a few minutes that ship rose, turned and went to the sky, disappearing in an instant.

[X]

Maggath approached the titan beast that now was nothing more than the shell of a titan that disintegrated, next to this was Zeke, cleaning his glasses after having descended from the giant.

"Well done." This one said. "If you had not been here they could have finished with all the officers of the high command."

"No," Zeke said. "Mr. Tybur ..."

"We cannot and could not even do anything for it. You minimized the damage, that's worth mentioning. "

Zeke did not say anything, he just stared at the damage that those beings had brought. The wooden stage had been totally destroyed and now it was burning, the streets were full of corpses and the buildings had received considerable damage.

"Yes … however, this cannot be the end." Zeke said as he looked up at the sky.

[X]

989. M41

Expeditionary fleet of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Light cruiser of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Mecaníca ignis.

Magos Tetrael Upsilon took a step forward on the observation bridge of the Mecaníca ignis. They had just left the warp and had already found a new system. Something of importance in fact, because after five years of traveling in the sector Nephilim in Segmentum Ultima and without finding much he was beginning to think about switching Segmentum, two poorly relevant xeno species and some systems with only gaseous giants. Maybe in the south he could find better things, or maybe it was just bad luck, to have arrived too late or too early.

He adjusted the prosthetic of his arm again, adjusting and appreciating one of the many gifts that the Omnissiah had given him. His mechadendrites moved from one place to another making the necessary adjustments, taking care to offer the respect that the Machine spirit deserved while uttering the litanies of tuning.

The servitors spoke in binary, warning that they would soon be in the orbit of one of the planets of the system, they also warned him that life had been detected on that world. Something that did not impress Tetrael very much, they had already found planets inhabited by xenos after all; they had simply classified them and left the rest for the Administratum to reclaim the worlds for the Imperium.

He decided to move to his private Manofactorum, hidden in the heart of the ship where few would bother him. He appreciated while walking through one of the designs of the machine god, the ships of the Adeptus Mechanicus were a masterpiece of the Omnissiah, designed with the utmost care and respect for the machine spirit that inhabited the ship. From each plate to each nut, from each cogitator to each cable. Like all Magos, Tetrael could not help but admire such mechanical beauty.

Many servitors went on their way to complete the work assigned to them, he saw Skitarii patrolling from side to side using Taser weapons, watching for the safety of everyone on the ship. He also saw techn-priests, some initiates, other veterans, who performed the correct rites of maintenance of the Mecanica Ignis

Before heading to his personal Manofactorum, Tetrael decided to go through the bridge. As the leader of this expeditionary force it was his duty to inspect things and know if anything was wrong. Something that could fail with catastrophic consequences would be that the navigator would fail and end up possessed by a demon of chaos.

The Skitarii Alpha stepped aside when they saw the Magos. The door opened after letting him read his ID and it closed after he entered.

"Magos Tetrael, as always it is an honor to receive you on the bridge." A familiar voice Said to the Magos. When he saw where the voice came from, he recognized the one who greeted him.

Captain Melos. It's good to see you too. Tetrael spoke to the captain of the Mecanica Ignis. A man who looked more like a corpse. His flesh was almost disappearing, although he hid it with his robes that covered him. This man seated on the throne of command, merged with the ship, he could feel all the systems of the ship flow through his brain and command them as if he were dealing with his own limbs. The captain smiled, although that smile could be more scary than affective, after all, half of his face was covered in metal, his bionic eye had given him the advantages that the flesh could not and allowed him to see things that otherwise he could not have seen with his original eye, such was the gift of the Omnissiah.

"I was about to call you, Magos. We have captured new information from this new habitable world. "Melos said while making certain adjustments with the tubes and wires connected to his neck and back." And what we have learned can be something interesting at last."

Melos again showed a spooky smile.

"Indeed, we have not found much on this trip. But let me tell you, we have found humans inhabiting that world, and what is more interesting, they do not seem to know about the Imperium or any enemy faction. They also seem to use a very old and impractical kind of vox. "

oh ... Tetrael just said. It was not necessary to misinterpret it, after all, after abandoning the weakness of the flesh an adept of the Mechanicus had also abandoned part of the ability to show expressions of surprise or shock, however, he had not lost his ability to show that he was curious.

This world inhabited by humans who did not know the Imperium most likely belonged to the ancestors who had spread across the galaxy dozens of millennia ago. If a spike of humanity had fallen here then it meant that in this world there could be a piece of ancient technology or even a standard construction template. It was a really tempting possibility, a SCT was extremely valuable and finding it would not only give more power to the Imperium, but more fame and prestige to anyone who could find it.

His mechadendrites twisted in anticipation. "Prepare a message for these inhabitants. We will bring them the light of the Mechanicum and we will introduce them to the Imperium of Mankind. "

[X]

Now, this is really interesting. Magos Tetrael Said while analyzing the data obtained by the skitarii they had sent. After all, these natives had dared to attack an Adeptus Mechanicus representative and although there were no casualties, it was too much for the adepts of Mars.

Consequently, they had sent skitarii clades to deliver a message, hoping that with this the natives would understand the mistake they had made and soften the annexation to the Imperium that would take place in short time.

all of the Hyspasistas' squads that we sent were successful except for these said a techno-priest spinning one of his pincers in his mechadendrites.

Pretty peculiar I must admit. These creatures are powerful; however, they do not seem endemic to the planet. They could have been created by artificial means. spoke another adept of the Mechanicus while separating and organizing the data obtained from the creature. A giant or what it seemed like it, with the appearance of a beast and a quite peculiar regenerative capacity.

"I have already sent an astropathic message. The Astra Militarum will not take more than two days to arrive, "said a navigator who was also there." The 703th of Cadia will come first. Plus an armored regiment of Gestmurn, the 25th will come along with the 703th. The Lord General also promised a regiment of Harakoni within a few weeks. "

There was a reason why the Magos Explorator could not simply take the planet. Their fleet had a small amount of skitarii and they had noticed that the world was considerably populated, reaching perhaps four billion inhabitants, four billion with enough technology to use vox and solid ammunition weapons. Neither could he, or rather, he did not want to ask for support from other Adepts of the Mechanicum, it was obvious that if he did some rival Magos would try to get ahead and take away the STC or lost technology hidden in the planet. So he had made a deal with some senior officers and had promised those regiments technology of the Mechanicum and better weapons from his private collection. Of course, better technology would always be welcomed by the regiments of the imperial guard, guaranteeing them a higher survival rate in the wars being waged throughout the galaxy.

With this the meeting ended and everyone went back to their tasks. The tech-priests returned to their posts, some taking transports to return to their ships. The navigator went to his cabin to meditate and study again this sector of the galaxy. Meanwhile Tetrael went to his private manofactorum to continue his investigations.

[X]

"This is going from bad to worse." Maggath could not help but say it after seeing the photographs that had been taken this morning.

There, along with the other four ships, two more had appeared. This time, although similar in appearance to cathedrals, they had the mark of a two-headed eagle. Maggath could not shake the slight tremor in his hand.

The attack of a couple days ago had not only been carried out in the capital of Marley, but also in several parts of the world. Important officials, military bases, world leaders. All had been destroyed by those metal beings that carried such powerful weapons.

Willy Tybur was also a serious loss. Without the leader who controlled and directed Marley they were at a great disadvantage. Fortunately they had not taken the power of the 'titan warhammer' but the Tybur would not let such power to be seen so easily again.

Right now, Marley was the only military force in the world.

Of course, this would have made dance to all those who had to face the constant attacks and threats from foreign countries. Marley's expansionism was assured as well as practically world domination. However, all of that felt like ash in everyone's mouth when they realized that they were the only force that could at least partially defend themselves against the enemies that would probably counterattack in a short time.

Maggath saw through the window, down there, in the streets, a long line of people were walking. Civilians in appearance, but all of them were carrying a heavy burden on their shoulders.

Marley had decided to use half of the population of all the Eldians in the country to turn them into titans, living weapons that were the best tool of war available to the nation. It did not matter if they were men, women or old people; they had taken everyone they needed.

Maggath knew that this was too much, even if it was done of Marley. They would practically throw thousands of lives to death. Toward enemies of whom they knew almost nothing. They were being thrown into a meat grinder.

[X]

Zeke just tried to see through the other side of the trench. There they were. With armor and equipment that he had never seen and carrying weapons he had never heard of there would be something like that.

It seemed strange, even bizarre, and with a reason. Why were they fighting against humans? He wondered again. He didn't knew them, he had not known anything about them until just a few weeks ago, and even the strangeness and astonishment could not be separated from knowing that these humans came from other worlds beyond the stars.

There they were those rifles that shot deadly crimson bolts that could blow up an adult's arm. Huge and heavy machine guns that would reduce a titan to a mere pile of pieces and meat, disintegrating with great ease. Those bluish and strange weapons that fired blue fire bubbles that would disintegrate whatever they reached. And the lethal cannons that unloaded thick and destructive bolts of crimson lights that could pass through a bunker.

He looked around, at the men who shared the same trench where they were. They all just trembled while waiting for the order to charge, some crying, others praying and even some returning what they had eaten.

Among these soldiers of Marley there were also others with bands in their arms, nine peaks in the shape of a star that marked that person was an Eldian, of the hundreds who were also waiting for the order to be given so that the man behind them could nail them the syringe with that serum.

Zeke looked back over the trench and wondered why of all the places in the world these Imperials had decided to land in this area. In the wilderness that separated them from the Middle East country. He didn't want to know, although deep down he felt that the enemy had done it to demonstrate the power they possessed. Zeke knew, like any officer of the general staff, that if the Imperium attacked directly -knowing that it could do so- in the heart of the country, the enemy would have this war in their pockets.

The colonel looked at his watch and seeing that it was the appointed hour he prepared to give the signal. He shot a flare to the sky which made a red light accompanied by smoke of the same color. In a short time more signs, this time green, also crossed the sky.

That was the signal, the order they had to follow. The men behind the Eldians nailed the needle and shortly after injecting the liquid they ran out of the trench. Then Zeke screamed with all his might.

Yellow bolts of lightning came down from the sky, hundreds of them rushed to the earth in thunderous roars that echoed through all the trenches. The smoke or rather the vapor dissipated, revealing what had formed.

Titans, hundreds of them who, shortly after acquiring their forms, advanced towards the enemy ranks. Some walking, some staggering, and others running. Everyone rushed directly to the enemy on the other side.

Seeing this, Marley's soldiers could not help but feel fear. A titan would eat the closest human within its reach; the fact that these titans would not have done that and instead went to the charge to the enemy was a strange sight.

After all, the serum they had injected was made with the spinal fluid of the titan beast.

A few dozen meters after the titans moved through the wilderness, Marley's soldiers also charged. Everyone shouted with all their might as they swung their rifles with bayonets braced sharply. Thirty thousand Marleyian soldiers were advancing to the attack behind nine hundred Titans of Eldia.

Zeke stayed behind, instead he took out a knife. He cut his palm and a ray of the sky marked the appearance of the titan beast. This one straightened up, with its sixteen meters of height could see the situation in the battlefield much better, however, he look to a side, to his feet were several containers with projectiles. Old, discarded but useful. He took between his massive hands a handful of these howitzers, his arms were long, perfect to launch. He raised one of his legs and with the skill of a professional pitcher. He throw all the projectiles towards the enemy lines.

Explosions rumbled in the foxholes of the enemy. The howitzers exploded on impact, taking as many lives as they could. Once again he throw them with all their might, with precision once again they fell on the enemy. A breach was all they needed. If they broke the enemy's ranks then they could win and show that they could fightback.

Soon he stopped throwing more howitzers, his allies were already close and topple one of his own would be against producing.

The titans were the first. At 500 meters you could feel the rumble of their steps, in a short time they would reach the enemy. Marley trusted his titans; so many times they had opened the way to victory, the enemy used to tremble at the mere sight of these beasts.

However, this enemy was not of this world.

The lasscanons were the ones to fire first. Bolts of laser discharges hit the titans that approached; as if they were paper these crossed them. On the chest or on the head, even on the legs. The titans fell just for get up after a few minutes, others however remained there, with their neck melted without the ability to regenerate, their bodies to disintegrate on the ground.

Heavy bolters followed. Thick projectiles the size of cans flew and impacted the approaching masses of flesh. The tips of the diamond pierced the hot skin with great ease so that the explosive charge exploded, tearing the flesh apart. Hundreds of titans fell before this lethal fire, easily reaching the nape disbanding it and leaving them there to turn to ashes.

A lassrifle could not do much against a titan, although a discharge could split a man's leg in half, the hard flesh of the titans did not help at all. However, against the sustained fire of thousands of lassrifles the damage was enormous. Shooting them in the eyes or cutting off their legs. The laser bursts knocked down several titans.

When the first Titan had reached the enemy lines it attempted to catch an imperial guard to devour him, he was within his reach, he had it. However, a shot from a melta-gun had vaporized his arm followed by a plasma discharge that had taken his entire face disintegrating until reaching the neck and finally the nape.

"Come on!" Shouted an officer of Marley. "We have them within reach! Load! "Those had been his words before a flamethrower wrapped him and several dozens of soldiers. The Promethium clung to them, melting their flesh and bones, dying in twisted forms as their muffled cries became deep screams as their throats burned with the flames.

Just a little more, Zeke begged because they could take a little longer. Soon they would break the lines and could perhaps make a turn in this war that seemed lost.

However, such was his horror at accepting the truth when he saw what was coming from the flank.

Tanks, dozens of them were approaching. A whole company of those heavy and powerful machines. Zeke had seen the first prototypes of Marley tanks that had been left behind by investing in the titan chemistry that looked most promising. They were similar and, at the same time, they were armed with up to four weapons that they knew were as devastating as they would have expected.

Three hundred meters away, the Leman Russ opened fire. Downloads of the battle cannons flew straight towards the titans. Several hit, right in the center. The flesh exploded like a balloon, the weak point of the titans was easily reached with killing the beasts.

Fast and devastating. The Leman Russ swept with the titans as the sickle skews the wheat of the crop. In a few minutes they had stopped the charge of blow and had made them run. Thousands died in the retreat, pierced by the laser beams that pierced and exploded in their bodies, it was a complete massacre, almost unfair, so little damage had been done to the enemy.

Then happened what they prayed it did not. They charged, those Imperial soldiers armed with rifles that far exceeded Marley's military might, those cannons that would sweep an entire army with ease. Both the Leman Russ and the infantry charged, firing without mercy and offering no quarter. They chased Marley's soldiers and massacred them completely.

That battle was the last one, Marley knew it. They knew that this was the last chance they had to defend themselves against the empire. And now, with the attitude of the loser they shall access the demands of the winner.

[X]

Through the streets they marched. Thousands of guardsman's of the Astra Militarum marched with the glory of victory. The boots echoed on the pavement as the rifles moved from one side to the other pointing toward the sky. They could see Leman Russ and chimeras that moved in an orderly manner, almost breaking the concrete under their heavy weight.

In front of the formation was a salamander. This, unlike his armored cousins, was decorated in rich campaign awards with honor marks on its helmet. In the hatch, a man greeted. The medals covered half of his chest, shining and bright, testimonies of victories throughout the galaxy.

Midas T. Slasveid, general of the imperial guard in command of the two regiments that had triumphed over these natives.

There were no hurrahs or cheers in this parade, only the resounding of the engines and the soles of the boots. Silent as a tomb and hardly with the presence of those who had swallowed his pride and went out to contemplate those who would be his new masters. There were some with stones, ready to throw them to the new conquerors, but the sharp and cold look of a commissar dissuaded them completely.

As he passed through the streets with his honor guard he allowed himself to appreciate the constructions that this splinter of humanity had created. How long had these humans remained hidden from the Imperium of mankind? Not that it was something strange, there were constantly human settlements in planets discovered. However, it was the breakthrough that these natives had achieved. Few human civilizations were as advanced as this, most were wild barbarians that the closest thing they had to technology were hunting spears. Naturally, it was unlikely to see such an advance in rediscovered colonies, few were those that had remained so after the ability to create technology was lost forever. They could only reach such a development ... with a STC.

The march of honor passed next to the palace of the former sovereigns of this country. It had been vacated for weeks, after three months of struggle that the natives had presented. Upstairs, on the balcony were two figures, two officials of the Imperium.

One was dressed in the clothes of the imperial creed, a bishop of the Ecclesiarchy. Protected by two Adeptas Sororitas in their black power armors and with their bolters in their hands.

The other was an adept of the Administratum. He looked older, his augmetics on his body, blessings of the Mechanicum no doubt, gave him a sinister appearance. Behind him were three tempestus scions with their inferno rifles ready and loaded, their carapace armor tight and their equipment clean.

"How long will it take to prepare this world to serve the empire?" The Ecclesiarch asked. Who observed the procession of victory over this world.

"In eight months we will have ready all the necessary officials to rule on this planet. I have already considered someone to appoint him as governor and in two years they will begin to build the hives. This world has useful resources that will suit the imperial guard, including its inhabitants. They are already more than enough to be recruited and sent to die for the emperor. "

"You would not think about using the Tyburs, right?"

"Of course not. They will be purged and we will simply keep that ... specimen ... alive. The Adeptus Mechanicus has demanded their part in this and they have already been served, they will be able to investigate whatever they want and they have taken that ... thing ... to be studied by them. "

"In truth, these things have taken us by surprise. And to think that they are not vestiges of chaos or xeno! Truly intriguing." The bishop said as he poured himself a glass of juice that had been brought to him by a maid.

"However" The Adept of the Administratum Continued. "How is the conversion going? Do you expect to find resistance from the natives? "

"The voice of the Emperor will reach everyone who is worthy to serve him. My speakers have already begun to attract believers. They speak with the will of the Emperor; I know they will not fail. "

Suddenly the door opened, the hinges creaking as if announcing a bad that was crossing the entrance. A man, dressed in black clothes and multiple weapons and objects of high quality, exotic for those who saw them, but whose paper was well designed.

Behind him was a woman. Young, in appearances, she wore a brown raincoat with a hood that covered her head, preventing her face from being seen. She looked like his shadow, unwilling to move more than two meters away.

Both, Ecclesiarch and agent of the Administratum would be upset by such intrusion without announcement, but all hostility changed out of fear when they saw the intrinsic I with a skull in the middle that hanged from both. Their guards held their breath, holding their weapons with all their might.

The seal of the Inquisition.

"Greetings, gentlemen," the Inquisitor said as he peered over the balcony, witnessing the last moments of the march.

Both intruders exuded an aura that caused discomfort. The Ecclesiarch knew what that feeling was. These agents of the inquisition were Psykers.

"My lord, said the Ecclesiarch. We did not expect you, please, do you want a drink? "

The Inquisitor threw a glance at the man. As if he were scrutinizing his secrets,

"Not now, bishop. Thank you. But my stay here will be short. "

[X]

"What could be useful from us then, my lord?" The official said in an attempt to win the favor of the Inquisitor. "What issues would have an agent of the sacred Ordos on a newly discovered planet?"

"Nothing special," the agent said. "But do not you think these 'titans' could attract more than one suspicion?"

"We've already taken care of that. My lord!" The bishop spoke quickly, as if he sensed the incriminating look of the inquisitor. "We have already separated those Eldians and the Mechanicum is in charge of investigating them."

"I know, Bishop. I know that. I just wanted to know your opinion about their fate. Tell me what you think, bishop."

The ecclesiarch opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, after a few seconds he finally spoke.

"We should destroy them. Even if they are not derived from chaos or xenos, their behavior of trying to eat humans makes them dangerous. The Ecclesiarchy would not support the existence of such creatures. "

Once finished, the inquisitor looked at the adept of the Administratum. He understood what he wanted.

Trying to gather value he finally spoke. "I think they would be a useful workforce. Their size would give them ease for the construction of buildings, making the creation of settlements faster and more efficient. "

After hearing the answers the inquisitor remained silent, several seconds passed after he moved again.

"I understand well. I appreciate your time. "And with this the inquisitor left, taking with him his acolyte. The two previous men still seemed surprised by this situation. One could not know what an inquisitor was thinking, much less a psychic. They simply returned to their posts

Meanwhile, between the buildings the Inquisitor left, losing himself between the streets like a specter.

[X]

Theo Maggath remained stoic in front of the window. The forces of the enemy paraded in the streets of Marley's capital. Soldiers clad in olive green armor marched alongside heavily armored vehicles. Even the titan cart had been easily shot down by those armored vehicles; a single shot was all I took.

Maggath looked at his weapons, trying to understand them again. He wondered how a civilization like this was out there in space, how humans had come from the void of the universe. He filled his head with existential questions, wondered his place in the world, what his role was and what he should do from now on.

Of the little information that had been accumulated. This Imperium ruled over more than a million worlds. He almost got insane after hearing that number, he could only imagine how powerful this Imperium should be to rule on so many planets. They did not come to destroy, they just wanted to annex this world to the Imperium of mankind, of course, there was not much they could do against it, but the idea of belonging to something so big had called the interest of some and the support of this idea was growing little by little among the inhabitants.

But the most curious thing was that until now they had not claimed the destruction of the Eldians. And although there were those who had demanded it, this organization, this Adeptus Mechanicus had silenced those ideas and they had sent their forces on Liberio to keep it under surveillance. They had also claimed for them all the titanic serum that was in Marley without leaving a single drop. At first he could not help but feel horror at seeing those beings full of mechanical parts, it still persisted, but he wondered if those beings were still human at all.

Maggath was not alone in that room. Sitting at the table were Zeke and Pieck, on one side, leaning against the wall was Galliard. Zeke was thoughtful, sunk in his mind. Maggath knew that this battle had been very hard for Zeke, and for himself as well. To send thirty thousand soldiers to die for a fatal defeat was simply terrible.

"What will happen now?" Said Galliard, he was not speaking to anyone, so he hoped that anyone would answer his question.

"We'll be exterminated ... I suppose." Pieck replied, adjusting her fingers and interlacing them over and over again as she looked over the table. "It's not as if they needed us, much less they wanted us. My titan was destroyed by a single shot of those ... 'Leman Russ' ... if it were not for Zeke I would be already dead. "

There was a fist crashing against the wall, brought down by Galliard who had furiously tried to vent his anger.

"If I had a titanic power ..."

"It would have been the same result ..." Zeke interrupted. "What makes you think you would have made a difference? Neighboring countries were already beginning to surpass the strength of the titans with machines and technologies. What do you think we could do against this empire that is clearly advanced ages ahead from us? "

Galliard said nothing more and simply remained silent.

Suddenly, the door opened. There was a reason why they were gathered here after all.

There were five people. All of them belonging to the Imperium of mankind. Maggath knew the names of three of them, but of the last two that followed, he had never heard.

"Greetings." One of them said, he wore clothes quite rewarded with several medals of numerous campaigns, a sword was attached to his belt along with a stylized pistol on the other side. "I am General Slasveid in command of the 703th of Cadia and 25th of Gestmurn. She is the commissar Melith Ushar and to my left the Magos Tetrael Upsilon of the Adeptus Mechanicus. "

Maggath saw the woman with the title of commissar who nodded politely. He did not know what was a commissar in the empire, so he limited himself to making presumptions. She was wearing a heavy raincoat that looked imposing, topped with a hat over her dark hair. Her eyes were purple, something he had not seen either before. At her waist hanged a sword, or what could be said to be. It was too thick to just be a sword, but it had several teeth like a saw, brutal and deadly, that's how it looked. She also had on her waist a pistol that gave off a spectral, bluish, unknown and threatening glow.

However, it was the third one who aroused more chills. Dressed in red and old robes, from his body surged several metallic objects that seemed to be alive, his eyes had been replaced by lenses that emitted six red and strange lights. And in his hand made of metal was a huge ax that looked like a kind of gear with the symbol of a skull inside a gear.

"It's an honor, general. But ... I must ask. Who are your companions? I thought it would only be you three. "Maggath said without taking his eyes off the two who were apart.

"Ah, yes." Midas said. His voice reflected a kind of fear and nerves that had not seen before. "He is-"

"It will not be necessary, General." The man said. He seemed calm, as if enjoying the discomfort he caused to the general, but at the same time, he saw in him a shrewd mind that seemed to search in one to discover what it concealed. From his shoulder was hanging a badge, it was a letter 'I' segmented and with a skull in the center. "I am the Inquisitor Aurius, of the Ordo Hereticus. A pleasure, Commander Theo Maggath. "

"The pleasure is mine, inquisitor. I'm sorry I could not have foreseen arrival; I really did not expect you. "

"Nobody does it, commander. Nobody does… "Said the Inquisitor as he laughed a little and sat down at the table. Telling the others to accompany him, only the general and the Magos did, the commissar stood next to the general in disciplined attention while the young woman who accompanied the inquisitor stood behind the latter.

Pieck and Zeke were already waiting. Pieck served three cups of tea and Zeke brought some appetizers for accompaniment.

It will not be necessary for me, please do not worry. Tetrael said in a very strange and spooky voice when he saw the cup in front of him. Pieck obeyed and withdrew it. Maggath also sat next to the table.

"Now," the general said. "I suppose you should have an idea why you was invoked here." Midas peered around the room looking at the three Marleyian 'warriors'. "They must be your honor guard, I suppose. So I think it will not be necessary to leave them out of this. After all, you, Maggath, have become quite fortunate. "

"Excuse me, general. But I do not understand what it means to be fortunate in this." Maggath said trying to understand what he had been told.

"After all, before the Tybur family you were the one who had the most influence. And being this Marley the most powerful settlement on the planet, that places you right now in the most powerful in this world... for now. You are practically the one who can decide the fate of your people. "

A cold sweat ran down Theo's back. He had really considered it, but accepting it was something else entirely. He had never imagined that this would end like this.

"I did not... had seen it that way, General. Even so, I do not think we have a reason to deny ourselves to the will of the empire now that we will be their lackeys."

"Ha, ha, ha, ha..." was the inquisitor who started laughing. It was a short laugh, but it could be said that he was the only one who maintained the sense of humor that had left everyone here. "No, Maggath. Do not see it that way. We are all part of the Imperium, human beings are destined to rule the galaxy in the name of the god-emperor. However, that task comes with great dangers. Do you really think we're alone? In fact, I am surprised that you have remained intact for so long. "

The inquisitor snapped his fingers and his guard gave him an object, a strange device for Maggath but known to others. The inquisitor left the object on the table and pressed a button. The Holo projector came alive and let others see its contents.

A humanoid creature appeared. A huge being that could be almost confused with a titan. However, it was green, with sharp teeth and huge muscles. His appearance was brutal and spilled violence everywhere. They saw how the creature, an 'ork' as the general called it, carried along with other orks over a line of soldiers like those who had defeated Marley's army and smashed them with archaic guns and crude and rabid axes.

After that the video changed and showed a group of Eldar. Their bluish and stylized armors looked like works of art carved carefully of an unknown material. They were taller than a human but so fast that their movements were very difficult to follow. He saw how they ended up with several Imperial guards with very rare weapons that seemed to shoot incredibly sharp blades that tore apart their enemies very easily.

Then the holo-image changed again. What he found filled him with an overwhelming chill. A sea of monstrous creatures marched across a vast plain. With sharp teeth and lethal claws, creatures of all shapes and sizes moved with such cohesion that they seemed to be a single organism. Maggath and the others watched in horror as the tyranids, as they had described them, devoured everything in their path without leaving a single living being. Suddenly, he felt that the titans were no longer as scary as he thought, seeing such horrors that were out there made him want to tremble.

"That's just part of what the empire must face every day," the general said. "As a species we have no choice but to join forces and fight for our place in the galaxy. What we are offering to your world, Colonel Maggath, It is the opportunity to fight this enemy to ensure its survival. "

Maggath said nothing for a few minutes, surprisingly, neither the inquisitor nor the general said anything, letting him assimilate what he had learned. Zeke and the others did not say anything, although like Maggath they were unable to say anything.

The commissar moved, from her raincoat pulled out a parchment that she handed to the general. This parchment was richly adorned. With gold and silver embroidery and topped with a skull as a stamp.

"This ..." Midas said after unrolling the parchment. "It will be an agreement. Between this world, Marley, and the Imperium of Mankind. You will swear allegiance in exchange for the protection of the empire and I am sure you will find wonders in the gifts of the Adeptus Mechanicus. You must provide a tithe. I have already discussed it with the Administratum and it has been decided that you would provide regiments for the imperial guard. How many? We still have to fix that. The Adeptus Mechanicus will have total control with everything regarding techno-magic in Marley. You must also deliver a part of your production of the planet, mainly in minerals and fuel, later you will be able to produce your own merchandise to take more income. Over time you will grow up and have a better place than you currently have. "

The general took a pen that the commissar had given to him. He handed it to Maggath next to the parchment.

Under the gaze of everyone Maggath read the parchment. The terms were the same as those he had been told. As if he felt he was selling his life, I signed.

"Good." The general said. "I suppose this will be everything. We will give you control over this system of six planets while looking for a competent governor. Until then, I wish you the best. In the name of the emperor."

They all left the room. All, except two. The inquisitor stayed in his place while the Magos kept silent. Not knowing what to say, Maggath could only wait for his answer.

Suddenly something happened. Pieck and Galliard left the room despite the fact that Maggath had not ordered them to do it. They seemed to be in a kind of trance as they moved slowly but steadily towards the door. Once with only Zeke and Maggath in the room, the Inquisitor spoke.

"Certainly. An acceptable proposal." The inquisitor said. "Don't you think so, Colonel Maggath?"

Not knowing what was happening, Maggath could only limit himself to giving a short answer.

"I think so, yes."

The inquisitor looked at him with narrowed eyes. In his mind Maggath could feel a strange force stretching and twisting his memories, he could not understand what was happening but for some reason he felt that the inquisitor was the reason for this.

"Since your world, Marley, has been officially annexed to the Imperium of MankindI would like to warn you of some things." The inquisitor's tone of change was barely perceptible to the naked eye. Like an interrogator willing to do anything to get the answers he was looking for.

"What do you think is an Inquisitor?"

The question left Maggath thinking for a long time. He knew he had to answer carefully, something told him that if he lowered his guard it would be his end.

"In the terms of the Imperium ... I cannot guess. But I think it's a title given to hunt hidden targets or those that could not be reached by normal methods. "

A light applause was heard from the inquisitor's palms. "Well, it's not too far from the answer. However, an inquisitor is not only responsible for hunting the enemies of the empire. We have the power to claim any imperial force to fulfill our obligations and depending on our verdict we can subject any possible heretic to execution, of course, after analyzing the evidence."

Maggath began to tremble, for some reason he felt cold. It felt that the temperature in the room dropped. At first he thought it was his imagination, but after seeing Zeke shivering he realized that something was happening. Then suddenly the temperature rose again, it gone as fast as it had arrived. It was bizarre, incredible and at the same time scary.

"From what I seen, there is no trace of corruption in your minds and your 'warriors' seem to be free from all possible heresy." The inquisitor continued. "From what I see, they do not seem to be possible heretics."

"What…? What did you do? "Maggath asked, trying to catch his breath.

"Nothing to worry about," the Inquisitor said with a wry smile.

Finally Zeke spoke, unable to continue supporting the urge to clear his doubts.

"Where do you want to go? What kind of power are you using on us? "

"None of whom you should know"

After handing the Holo projector to his acolyte, he continued.

"However, I know your lives, your goals and your ambitions. What you want and what you have lost. This island, these walls you feared so much. And its inhabitants who you call demons. I know it. But curiosity also it bugs me, given the reputation you have given to them. "

The inquisitor paused for a while, observing the reactions from both of them.

"I want that power you talk so much about. My friend here, Magos Explorator, would be more than willing to study it. For my part, it is my duty to observe its nature and dictate my sentence. Also, if all goes well, I could reconsider move my contacts to secure the lives of the Eldians in this world. "

"The Eldians? Do you talk about all Eldians?" Maggath asked with a slight frown in concern.

"I understand that you do not see them as allies. But let me tell you there will be many dangers out there, bigger than those 'titans'. do you want to know what will happen to the Eldians if you don't do something? "

The Inquisitor stopped and turned to see the Magos who, after nodding, spoke.

So far we have not found any trace of psychic energy, and by the way they look, it could be said these organisms not seem xenos. If our suspicions are clear, after they are processed by the Administratum and the Ordos, they will be converted into servitors. To put it simply. They will be beings with no will nor instinct, they will work for construction and manufacturing in large and heavy jobs. We calculated that we would use 80% of the population of Eldians to leave the rest to multiply and give new servitors

Zeke trembled, felt a knot in his stomach and thought he was going to throw up. That was genocide, no, worse than that. The lives of all his people would be condemned to something worse than death, everyone he knew could end up like this and there would be no future for them.

Maggath, for his part, held back to keep his breath. That action would be drastic, even for what Marley had been doing with the descendants of Ymir. He knew that if he didn't do something this could very well happen.

"Fortunately, there is a way to avoid all that," the inquisitor said. "You must get that power. Bring me that Eren Jaeger and then maybe your Eldians will not have to go through all that."

[X]

"And that's how it was ..." Zeke said. His tea cup had cooled, he didn't care and he drank it as he was.

In all this time neither Reiner nor Berthold had departed from what the War Chief had been saying. They couldn't believe it, and yet they did. They could not doubt their superior with whom they had fought for so long.

"If that's true ..." Berthold said. "Why did they send it to you? With their power, it would be easy to take Eren without any problem. "

"It's an opportunity," Reiner said. "To prove ourselves to the Imperium. If we succeed then we will secure the future of the Eldians." Reiner thought on his home, of his mother who was waiting for him as he prayed for her to be well.

"It can be." Zeke continued. "In any case we cannot fail this time. This time we carry the weight of Eldia on our shoulders. "

Zeke throw what was left of the tea over the flames. Tomorrow would be the day; tomorrow they would reclaim the future of their people.

[X]

Author's notes:

After reading the last episode of Attack on Titan's manga, I got what I needed. That new ODM gear looks interesting to the point where it looks like an exoskeleton. Now, imagine if we improved that with Mechanicus technology.

I will try to go with the Lore as best I can. I do not want to start inventing OC's or go sideways with technology and conflicts. Besides that, I do not like to use OCs, I feel that they give a certain cringe to what you write. Yes, I know that the language could be a problem for the high gothic of the empire, but hey, they are Europeans who speak Japanese.

In a way the Eldians of the walls could be competent Imperial Guards and although there are not many, they still could be considerably useful in a hive world.

I know you would have expected more action between titans VS Astra Militarum, but I wanted to emphasize how easy it would be for the Imperium to deal with titans.

In the next chapter we will talk about the Paradis side. Although I will continue with Re: Recreators. I think I'll alternate both. I must also continue translating The Witches' Night, written by Disciple of Ember. It's very good, go read it.

One last thing. Do not confuse the fact that the Eldians could have a better life with the Imperium. This is Warhammer 40K