The train glided smoothly to a stop, and with a gentle chime, the doors opened to a spacious, brightly lit platform. Ambrosius and Callex disembarked first, weapons at the ready as they swept the area, instinctively assessing every shadow and corner. But the space was clear, with clean lines and wide corridors that stretched toward a set of tall, ornately designed doors.

Once they were satisfied that there was no immediate threat, Callex turned to the group still seated on the train, signaling them to disembark. The civilians filed out slowly, eyes wide with wonder at the pristine environment surrounding them.

“Guide,” Ambrosius called, his tone measured. “Show us the way forward.”

The construct’s blue light pulsed, and it floated ahead, gesturing with one of its spindly arms. “This way, There is a checkpoint before you may enter the Civilian Center proper.”

As they followed the Guide down a wide hallway, the space opened into what appeared to be a checkpoint area, where a secondary construct waited. It looked much like the Guide, though its core light was a soft red-pink, and it hovered with an air of gentleness. When it spoke, its voice was softer, with a faintly feminine tone.

“Welcome,” it said, its tone warm and inviting. “I am Nurse, the medical assistance protocol for all of A.R.K. Before anyone enters, a medical screening must be conducted to ensure that no harmful agents are introduced into the population. It is merely a precaution, and with your cooperation, this will be swift.”

Ambrosius and Callex exchanged a look, wariness in their eyes. They had seen countless strange technologies and odd protocols on different worlds, but a “medical screening” from an unknown machine was unusual, even by Astartes standards.

One by one, the civilians were brought to a scanning bay, where Nurse efficiently examined each of them, her pinkish-red light pulsing gently with each patient. Most of the civilians were found to be in acceptable health, though a few displayed ailments Nurse recommended be treated at the local clinic. “There is no immediate cause for alarm,” she assured them, “but treatment would be beneficial to maintain your long-term health.”

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When the civilians had passed, Nurse turned her attention to Ambrosius and Callex. Her sensor brightened, scanning up and down the lengths of their towering, power-armored forms.

“You, however… require additional analysis,” Nurse said, the gentle voice slightly unsettled. “My scanners indicate extensive physical modifications and… injuries.”

Callex nodded briefly, his tone even. “We are Astartes. Space Marines. Such alterations are necessary for our role as the Emperor’s defenders.”

The red light flickered, and Nurse tilted slightly as though processing the information. “Could you explain these modifications? They… appear extreme, even compared to the typical augmentation protocols in my databases.”

Ambrosius gave a slight nod. “Our transformations are far beyond civilian enhancements. We undergo intensive surgical procedures, including organ implantation, reinforced musculature, and neural alterations. The process is painful and often fatal to those who cannot withstand it.”

Nurse’s light dimmed, her hovering motion pausing briefly in what appeared to be shock. “You… voluntarily underwent procedures that would risk your life? For what purpose?”

“To defend humanity,” Callex replied solemnly. “Each of us is a weapon, bound to the Imperium’s will. It is a price we pay gladly.”

Nurse’s red light pulsed rapidly, almost as though she were recalibrating. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, and then a faint voice could be heard as if she were communicating with an unseen figure. The murmur continued, the Astartes catching only brief fragments, words like “acceptable risk” and “revised protocols.”

After a brief, silent debate, Nurse seemed to reach a resolution. She hovered before them, her tone soft yet composed. “Very well, Astartes. Your modifications and injuries are… unique, and in this instance, I have received clearance to allow you entry.” Her gaze turned to the civilians. “Your charges, too, have been cleared. I will guide you to the residential district within Civilian Center Alpha.”

The heavy doors before them slid open, and Nurse moved forward, gesturing for them to follow.

With a final nod to each other, Ambrosius and Callex shepherded the civilians forward.