The Custodes naturally couldn't miss the Astartes' actions.
Who was he? He was the Omnissiah's Custodes. He could tell what these Astartes were thinking with just a glance.
And precisely because he could tell with just a glance, the Custodes couldn't help but twitch his mouth.
Alright, alright, alright. So my attitude was too good, and it caused you all to misunderstand, is that it?
Do I really have to beat you all up before you'll behave yourselves?
As Zeke's Custodes, they had already dealt with many factions within the Imperium of Man.
And this was his first time leading a team out on a mission, and he didn't expect to encounter such a group of fanatical individuals.
Although many Custodes who had already been on missions had returned and warned them about this issue.
Many senior Custodes had told them that the people of the Imperium of Man were not normal; each of them was quite fanatical.
But since he hadn't seen it himself, before this Custodes set out on this mission, he had prepared himself mentally.
Yet, he never expected the other party to be so absurd.
What could be done now? Naturally, he had to stop these Space Marines first.
As the three Deathwatch Space Marines began to reach for the bolters on their backs, the Custodes acted. Powerful psychic energy directly seized all three of them, throwing their bolters far away.
Immediately after, a massive psychic giant hand grabbed them, and psychic slaps landed one after another on their behinds.
It was utterly ridiculous to behold.
After spanking their behinds dozens of times, the Custodes finally released the four Space Marines, including Titus.
Even if Titus had the augmentation of psychic power and the Omnissiah's blessing, what did it matter if he was a Chosen of the Emperor?
The Custodes' powerful psychic energy could still suppress him.
"Astartes, I hope you understand the gravity of attacking the Custodes. Since you haven't fired yet, I can pretend nothing happened."
"In consideration of your fight for the Imperium of Man and for the human race, I do not wish to send you directly to the Astra Militarum for resolution."
"However, I warn you, this is the last time."
"Upon returning to your respective Chapters, you must undertake the most dangerous mission to atone for your sins."
Since the other party was truly as fanatical as his companions had described, this Custodes had no choice but to deal with the problem in the manner his companions had taught him.
However, it was clear that the Custodes' handling of the situation was still a bit too lenient.
How could the Custodes give Space Marines a chance to atone? Normally, it would be logical to just chop the Space Marines to bits.
And why would he spank them? Such an act of spanking was utterly humiliating for Astartes monks, but it was also not the Custodes' style.
So, with the exception of Titus, the other three Astartes monks who had been grabbed and spanked by the Custodes' powerful psychic energy continued to curse loudly.
Some even tried to pull out their secondary weapons, their heavy bolter pistols.
Of course, all their actions were futile.
The Custodes' powerful psychic energy firmly restrained them, while also disarming them.
After dealing with these three, the Custodes finally turned his gaze to Titus.
He bore the psychic blessing of his own Omnissiah and the psychic blessing of that Emperor from the Imperium of Man.
"Brother Titus, I think the farce has gone on long enough. My mission is for you to board the shuttle and return to the fleet, while I will guard this planet in your stead."
"I have no interest in engaging you in battle. Don't force me..."
The Custodes spoke thus.
Yet, the Deathwatch warriors, restrained by the Custodes' psychic power, continued to curse loudly from above.
"Heretic, do not think to deceive us! You can never be a Custodes! A Custodes would never be like you, you evil heretic!"
Faced with the incessant nagging of these three Astartes monks, the Custodes was truly getting annoyed.
Therefore, a wave of psychic energy swept out again, and three green apples, brought by him when he descended, were shoved into the mouths of these three Space Marines.
Sweet juice burst in the Astartes' mouths, and the sweet sensation made these Astartes suddenly close their mouths.
This was food; this was food without any contamination.
Moreover, these foods were the absolute best, carefully selected and enhanced by Dominion technology.
How could their taste compare to ordinary Imperial food?
Even the Astartes were entranced by these genetically modified foods.
Compared to his three companions who foolishly charged forward and were immediately subdued by the Custodes.
Being spanked felt somewhat shameful, but Titus at this moment appeared calmer.
He didn't directly launch an attack; instead, he calmly questioned the Custodes.
"I have not received any orders, so I cannot leave with you unless you can produce a directive from the Astra Militarum or something else."
"Of course," the Custodes agreed to what Titus said, then pulled out an order from the Astra Militarum from his armor.
Were orders from the Astra Militarum difficult to obtain?
Naturally, that was impossible. In the Segmentum Obscurus, which House controlled the Astra Militarum? Didn't they have a clue?
It was naturally House Yaeger.
Although they hadn't received the Astra Militarum' directive or Zeke's order before departure.
However, this did not prevent them from obtaining this order from the Astra Militarum via quantum transmission technology after receiving Zeke's directive.
Orders were never the most important thing; as long as the Astra Militarum completed the procedures.
Then the order could be printed directly within the warship.
The order from the Astra Militarum was placed before Titus. After confirming it was a document from the Astra Militarum, Titus compromised.
"I will leave with you. Please release my monk brothers. Whatever the Omnissiah's command, I will remain loyal."
"Very good." Although there had been so much contention in trying to take Titus away, the Custodes was in a very good mood now.
This was a Chosen of the Emperor personally designated by the Omnissiah, an existence he personally wanted to join the Custodes ranks. Therefore, this fellow would inevitably join their Custodes.
For their future companion, the Custodes naturally couldn't have any other unfriendly behavior.
Powerful psychic energy slowly began to release the three Deathwatch Space Marines, who had been restrained by psychic power, and they were returned to the ground.
"Then welcome. Once you complete the Custodes' modifications and Gene Modification, you will become a true Custodes. We are very pleased to have another comrade."
"If possible, I think you might join my company, as my company is not yet at full strength."
As he spoke, the Custodes extended his hand to Titus.
At the same time, he pulled out a few more apples and distributed them to the Space Marines who had been captured.
"Although you acted unfriendly towards me, I had heard my comrades recount your issues before I came out. I choose to forgive you."
"Consider these green apples my gift to you."
"I hope we meet again in the future. Don't die on the battlefield.
Gentlemen, the God-Emperor needs you. The Omnissiah needs you alive."
It must be said that, while the Space Marines were somewhat fanatical and found this Custodes somewhat abnormal and unreasonable.
They still chose to accept the apples, and Titus extended his hand and shook the other's.
It was fine if the other party's attitude was better, even if he didn't look like a Custodes at all.
But they couldn't just fall out over this, could they?