20: Chapter 20 Forked Out

Large quantities of highly toxic ester-based chemicals were manufactured, canned, and installed on the front and flanks of the strange ships.

Cheng Yu named these chemical storage tanks filled with insecticide "Stinking Water."

He did not even know the specific composition himself; it was entirely based on vague memories of factory production processes from his past life, so there was no antidote.

Even if The Great Devourer ate all his clones, it could never know what this was, because the creator himself did not know.

"Your Excellency Cheng Yu, will this really work?"

Drake had been temporarily released and appointed as the commander of this interception operation, which was named the "Liyu Star Reclamation Battle."

Curbing the ravages of The Great Devourer's minions in the Tempestus Sector did not contradict his status as an officer of the Imperial Administratum, so he was willing to cooperate, similar to "surrendering to the Han but not to Cao."

Drake was a decent man; despite his doubts, he worked diligently.

Based on his own experience dealing with The Great Devourer and some limited intelligence.

Drake calculated the current coordinate range of The Great Devourer's vanguard.

Their own forces could utilize Warp to travel and deplete the enemy's effective strength through a war of movement.

Because the Tyranids required biomass to produce soldiers, and the biomass of each unit was not inexhaustible.

Intercepting them in space would force The Great Devourer to prioritize consuming biomass to create Tyranids / Tyranid units capable of fighting in space.

Even if the space battle did not go well, when the Tyranids arrived at Liyu Star, they would have to switch modes to produce units capable of planetary landing operations.

And those pure space units would very likely be digested by the Tyranids / Tyranid fleet itself, because the Tyranids never kept idle individuals.

The Tyranids were powerful, so they had to concentrate superior forces to constantly deplete the enemy's effective strength.

However, there was a prerequisite for completing this plan: Cheng Yu's troops had to take Liyu Star first.

Otherwise, when the Tyranids descended upon the planet, it would be the day the two sides colluded and Cheng Yu's forces were surrounded.

"Will the Tyranids bypass Liyu Star and attack other planets in this system?"

Cheng Yu did not know much about the Tyranids, so he asked this question.

He did not care about anything else, but he was afraid of others coming to steal his STC.

"The Great Devourer does not possess true intelligence; they are life forms controlled only by pheromones. Without a Genestealer or some other strong signal to guide them, they will not waste biomass attacking a planet they do not understand."

Drake's analysis was logical and sound, and Main Body was deeply impressed.

"Having you, Mr. Drake, is like Warmaster Horus having Erebus, or Nurgle having the Aeldari Goddess Isha."

Considering that the people here did not understand the Three Kingdoms references he had used before, Main Body was now adapting to local customs by using Warhammer references.

"Who?"

Drake was merely a mid-level military noble; apart from Horus, he had never even heard of the other three names—his level was not high enough.

The hypocritical Corpse Emperor and his minions had imposed information blockades on the citizens of the Empire.

Especially regarding the history of the galaxy and the history of the Empire; it was strictly guarded, with secrets within secrets and circles within circles—unless you reached a certain level, they wouldn't tell you anything at all.

Most ordinary people didn't even know what Space Marines were, let alone other secrets.

"Your Majesty, Minister Ivankov and Necron Counselor Zachary request an audience." A clone entered the hall to report.

"How presumptuous! Can't you see I am discussing military affairs with Mr. Drake? Make them wait!"

"Your Majesty, they seem to be here to report that the Lord of the Necron Dynasty has awakened and wishes to meet with you." The clone continued to put on an act.

"Make them wait!!"

"Understood."

Drake was startled by Cheng Yu's sudden roar. "Your Excellency Governor, the Necrons possess advanced technology; you should not easily make an enemy of them."

"Hmm..." Cheng Yu stroked his chin with a show of deliberation. "Since Mr. Drake has said so, let them come in."

...

Necron Counselor Zachary walked into the hall with an arrogant stride, holding a data slate.

Without waiting for Cheng Yu to ask, he began to read the state letter, his eerie green mouth flickering.

"My King, Szarekh the Hurt, addresses Cheng Yu, lord of the neighboring country: Your country is small and weak, with a dwindling population and barbaric citizens, and struggles to survive. How can you trade as equals with our Dynasty? We now order you to disarm and serve as slaves to enjoy peace. As for your King, Cheng Yu, you shall retain your wealth and status—would that not be wonderful!"

Cheng Yu was so angry he laughed. "That old skeleton Szarekh bullies me too much! Guards, boil the envoy!"

"Your Majesty, when two countries are at war, one does not execute the envoy!"

Zachary panicked, his eerie green pupils flickering. Before entering, he had surrendered all his weapons.

Several clones immediately pinned Zachary with forks, the tips of which were embedded with the pink high-energy crystals that the Necrons feared greatly.

A huge iron pot was pushed up, with pink liquid boiling inside.

"Boil! Boil! Boil!"

The clone warriors in front of the hall struck the ground rhythmically with their weapons.

"These damn Xenos fear power but do not cherish virtue. Ivankov, go tell that old scoundrel Szarekh that he is a ruler, and I am a ruler too."

"I do not covet their skeleton frames, and he shall not enslave a single human!"

"Cheng Yu, you kill the envoy without authorization; you will face retribution! You will die a horrible death!"

Zachary struggled frantically. Although Necron skeletons were strong, he was no match for the strength of hundreds of clones, and he was on the verge of being pushed into the boiling crystal liquid.

"I do not fear retribution, I do not!" Cheng Yu drew the blade of a palace guard, looking as if he were prepared to slash Zachary.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger. The Necrons have always spoken with such arrogance; they may not necessarily mean it that way."

Drake finally spoke.

He could tell that Cheng Yu and his group were acting—mostly because the acting was too clumsy—but the fact that Cheng Yu could convince a Necron to play along with his performance impressed Drake.

He was tired; he might as well surrender. If he didn't surrender today, he didn't know what other shows were waiting for him.

"Hmph, today, since my loyal subject Drake has pleaded for you, I will spare your head for now. Fork him out!"

"Fork him out!!"

The warriors in the hall struck their weapons in unison.

In fact, the awakening of Szarekh, the ruler of the Necron Dynasty, was true; he had even met with Main Body in person.

The two had chatted quite well, much like the "boiling green plums to discuss heroes" of old.

However, Szarekh did not think much of Cheng Yu's grand ambition to conquer the galaxy, or even to conquer Warp.

"Young man, do not be too arrogant. I do not know about the matters of Warp, but the galaxy hides great terrors. No power can dominate the galaxy alone, no matter how powerful it may be."

These were Szarekh's exact words.