Emperor's Bane

Chapter 285 Tuchucha Engine

"Is it here?"

"Yes, here it is: the Perditus system in the Protectorate region of Gulgrad, the only destination of our trip, and the original order for this operation came directly from the Primarch himself of the Legion."

"Then I can understand why we have brought such a huge battle."

Standing on the luxurious bridge of the [Tear Mole], Diarmuid, the No.30 third company commander of the Dawnbreaker Legion, was looking at the fleet whizzing by in front of his flagship, and couldn't help but be amazed. Beside him, his most reliable deputy showed a smile.

"I think the size of the troops in this operation can hardly be called huge, sir: we neither brought any auxiliary troops, nor did we call for our Mechanicus allies. The two Titan legions: the Legion of the Sun and the Legion of Warmongers are also responsible. The operation was rightfully absent, and without them, how would it be a major military event?"

"No, you don't understand, Finn."

Diarmuid shook his head, patiently explaining to his deputy.

"It is true that we did not call on any of our allies, and we did not even bring much legion power: but from another perspective, this operation was led by the Primarch himself, and the companies participating in the operation were all illustrious members of the Legion. The famous elite company."

"This scale may not be enough to start a large-scale war, but think about it again: If the purpose of our Primarch this time is to conduct an important secret operation instead of a war, then such a lineup is Isn't it very reasonable?"

"The Primarch leads the army, and the elite accompany him, without any outsiders: even the closest allies."

"..."

Finn blinked his eyes. It took him about a second to think carefully about Diarmuid's words, thinking about the logic and reasoning behind them, and then nodded in admiration, expressing his conviction in the words of the chief.

"Not without reason, sir: I never knew, have you done any research on this?"

"It's just a cat and a tiger."

Diarmuid laughed. It was a smile that could make countless women jealous. It was so perfect that it looked like a person in a painting: In the entire Dawnbreaker Legion, although the positioning of force and intelligence has not been completely clarified, but All the sons of Morgan had to admit that Diarmuid was definitely the most handsome of them all.

Some battle brothers even declared in private that the appearance of the No. 30 third company commander, even compared to the two primarchs known for their appearance and imposing manner of the Emperor's Children Legion and the Blood Angels Legion, was no different. There will be too much difference.

Some people suspect that this is because Diarmuid has been favored by the mother of genes, just like the Hector who is getting bigger and bigger, or the Bayal who is so strong that there is almost no reason, they are favored by the gene mother Favored by the Primarch, thus gaining some aspects of an infinite future.

This view is not without reason. Although the appearance of the Spider Queen seems to have never been a hot topic, it is not because Morgan's appearance is not good: on the contrary, in the identity of the Primarch, officially leading the first After the Second Legion, the perfect infinity of the Queen of the Dawnbreakers was enough to awaken even the few remaining emotional throbs in the hearts of the warriors of the Astartes. Unlimited respect.

Few fighters can look at the Spider Queen for more than a few seconds. This is not only because the aura of the Primarch is enough to crush them, but also because just the slightest frown or smile on Morgan's face is enough to easily disturb their sanity , Dancing their hearts: No matter what the Lord of the Second Legion looks like in their eyes, this kind of brutal control is universal and has never changed.

As for mortals, especially those narrators and artists who have returned from the high art academy of the holy Terra, the perfection of Queen Gene has even become a distress in their hearts, a kind of nightmare: because even if they exhaust them The most extravagant words in their hearts exhausted all the enthusiasm for carving, shaping or painting between their fingers, and they could not create the spider queen in their eyes, nor could they reproduce the countless perfections in their hearts before the eyes of the world.

Because of this incident, many narrators of the Dawnbreaker Legion even suffered from a mild depression. They would feel pessimistic about any of their works, and feel that what they have learned all their lives is meaningless: The Lord of the Second Legion himself felt that their works of art were flawless.

But apart from these artists, not many people actually regard Morgan's appearance as the most important element in her body: the Primarch has been surrounded by too many brilliant lights, and her psychic power, Compared with her new army and her Avalon throne, pure appearance is really not such an important topic, and the Spider Queen has never achieved her career by relying on her face.

What she relies on is some more obscure and powerful elements, and her descendants are silently learning these advantages, so that they can move closer to the height of the Primarch.

Among these learners, Diarmuid is the better one, at least he has indeed learned some essentials, and he doesn't mind telling another trusted combat brother what he learned.

For example, Finn in front of him: the second-in-command of No.30's third company, is sincerely asking him a question at this moment.

"I have a question, sir."

"When did you start to care about these things, because in my memory, whether it is military operations or command and dispatch, you never cared about it before. After all, you are more used to being alone on the battlefield."

"It was a habit before, but now it is a responsibility. These two points do not conflict."

Diarmuid replied slowly, his pupils swelled into an arc representing joy due to the slow appearance of the [Dawn Goddess], and his posture couldn't help but become more upright, just like his genetic origin The body was standing in front of him right now, inspecting him as if.

"What's wrong with that, Finn?"

"Of course there's nothing wrong with that."

The adjutant smiled and shook his head.

"If you pay more attention to this aspect, then I am also happy to shoulder the responsibility more easily: after all, you are the company commander of No.30's third company. forced Hercules to stir up the sky."

"Relax, I will return to Atlas' position sooner or later, I don't want to run away."

"That couldn't be better."

Facing the chief's comfort, Finn could only smile and make himself believe these words: but compared to these scene words, he was more curious about another thing in his heart.

"I have one more question, sir."

"What is it?"

"I'm curious: How on earth did you get so...rapidly advanced in the military?"

"After all, your previous command ability..."

"Um……"

"very bad?"

"more or less."

"Almost zero?"

"Zero? Then you overestimate yourself."

Finn nodded very plainly, and in exchange for Diarmuid's laughter, the No. 30 third company commander thought for a while, as if he was sorting out his words.

"Actually, there is no secret: Finn, let me ask you something, what do you think of those high-ranking mortal officers who stay on our ships and lead their mortal auxiliaries to assist us?"

"They're great comrades in arms...and then I can't think of more."

"Didn't you pay attention to them?"

Diarmuid's question made Finn frowned instinctively. After thinking for a while, he shook his head frankly.

"No, sir."

"Although I have been supervising our fighters because of the repeated orders of our lord Primarch, I can't show superiority to mortals, but to be honest: I am not interested in the actions of those mortals. Although I don't think I am nobler than them, I am also Not wanting to enter into a friendlier personal relationship with them."

Finn said it very frankly, because what he said was exactly the attitude of some of the silent ones among the Dawnbreakers: they have no malice towards mortals, this is because of the order of the Primarch and the nobility in their hearts, but they have nothing more to do with mortals. Kindness, because it's not necessary.

There is nothing wrong with each other, as colleagues with nodding friendship: this relationship seems to them very suitable, and they can't fault it.

Diarmuid nodded, he was not surprised by his confidant's answer, nor did he reprimand such thoughts, but continued another topic seemingly unintentionally.

"Then you may not know, my friend: the mortal officers who stay on our ships, every once in a while, will hold a seminar to discuss military issues they care about, and sometimes they even Other famous officers will be invited to discuss it."

"……so what?"

Diarmuid patted Finn on the shoulder.

"So, the answer is pretty obvious, my friend: I'm also a participant in these seminars, and my rapid progress in the military field is inseparable from this participation and learning."

"Are you a member of the seminar?"

"No, I'm just a student, a pure seeker of knowledge, and I regard those mortal officers with rich experience as my teachers... Don't act so surprised, Finn, there is no shame in being a student , and now it seems that the effect is obvious, isn't it?"

Finn opened his mouth wide, and it took him a few seconds to sort out Diarmuid's words and find his own throat by the way.

"But...but sir, why do you want to learn from those mortals? You must know that we, as Astartes warriors, as the children of our mother, possess far more power and knowledge than those mortals..."

"Yeah yeah."

Diarmuid waved his hand and kindly interrupted his confidant's words. He withdrew his gaze from the giant warships outside the porthole and returned to Finn, with a serious look in his eyes, patiently Confidently answering the confusion in the hearts of the fighting brothers.

"I admit it, Finn: theoretically speaking, as Astartes warriors, we will have crushing advantages against mortals in terms of strength, speed, willpower, intelligence, and physical fitness. Of course it includes military strategy."

"But tell me, my friend: is this really so?"

"Not to mention anything else, but in theory we should be stronger in terms of military strategy: Do you have the confidence to surpass all mortals you have met, brother? Including Lord Erwin and Luther?"

Finn blinked, he didn't intend to go against the answer in his heart.

"No, sir, I am not as intelligent as the few mortal officers I have met."

"Look, you are very aware of this fact: You must know that you are the deputy commander of the Astartes company. Looking at the entire Dawnbreaker Legion, you are also an upper-middle position. At least in terms of military strategy, you must surpass Most battle-brothers in the Legion."

"But even so, you are still in a field where you should be superior in theory, but actually inferior to many mortal officers. So, my friend Finn, have you ever thought about it?"

"Why is that?"

Diarmuid's words made his confidants fall into silent thinking, which is no stranger to Finn, because the Dawnbreaker Legion has always encouraged the thinking of grassroots commanders, ensuring that their thinking is active and surging .

So, Finn quickly guessed an answer.

"I think it's because: Astartes warriors like us are mostly more inclined to use direct force and speed to solve our military problems, while mortals don't have such conditions, they have to think Some more tricky solutions, so they ended up surpassing us in some areas."

"That's it, Finn."

Diarmuid nodded, showing an unusually satisfied smile. He casually stretched out one of his fingers, pointed gently at his brain, and pointed at Finn's.

"Then, my friend: Since these mortals can accomplish the theoretically impossible in practice through continuous efforts, discussions, and thinking, then the more talented Astartes like us, and Why not work as hard as they do, or even work harder than them?"

"And if you want to understand this point: then, is it a shame to learn from mortals who have created these miracles and are indeed better than us in terms of military strategy?"

"It's still the same sentence: learning will never be a shame at any time."

"..."

"You're right, sir, it's true: the next time you go to a seminar with those mortal officers, can you ask me to go with you?"

"That's exactly what I meant, Finn."

Diarmuid laughed, his brows and eyes filled with joy.

"I even think that it shouldn't be just the two of us. This kind of learning spirit should become the ethos of the entire No.30 Third Company. I believe that our fighters can gain more wisdom and benefits from it. I believe that our strength will Have a greater effect on the Legion."

"Everything, for the Dawnbreaker."

"Everything, for the mother of genes."

------

Just when the discourse on the [Tear Mole] changed from the original disagreement to some kind of ambition, symbolizing the authority of the Lord of the Second Legion and Avalon, the [Dawn Goddess] also completely entered the fighting state, Surrounding it were more than thirty warships, loaded with thirty-five hundred of the best Dawnbreaker warriors, and a mighty Primarch.

In the face of such power, the ordinary world named [Peditus Last Star] at the foot of the fleet seemed too pitiful. Many Dawnbreaker company commanders present even suspected that their genetic mother was so aggressive. Reason: Although the world has been occupied by rebels at this time, with the number of rebels and the level of equipment, any company commander dares to issue a military order to his gene mother, and he can single-handedly quell this small-scale rebellion .

However, the Spider Queen, who has always respected the opinions of her own heirs, was uncharacteristically this time. She deduced the war plan very carefully, put her utmost energy into the battle formation, and even came to the front line in person: this was very rare before. Rare move.

So, in confusion, the Dawnbreakers followed their Gene Mother and completely crushed the entire rebellion on Perditus Doom. The whole process was so dull that it didn't even need to be described in detail. Most of the battle was spent on Among those intricate passages: the people of Perditus were enslaved by some kind of machine and became crazy mechanical worshipers. Then they fell in droves under the steel boots of the Sons of Morgan, and were not even given the opportunity to participate in the war. The II Corps companies suffered single-digit losses.

In one Terran standard day, there is not a single living mortal on the entire Perditus Doom, because they all participated in this inexplicable rebellion, which was then simply eliminated by the Dawnbreaker Legion.

Several companies that were still a bit confused began to clean up the battlefield. At the same time, the Spider Queen took only her Virgo, and a dozen old guards led by Lana, all the way deep into the ground, and finally in the middle of the underground cave. He stopped in front of a certain ancient gate.

Even without the Primarch opening his mouth, Lana and several old guards carrying special equipment cautiously touched it. First, they checked whether there was any mechanism that suddenly closed the gate, and then paid tribute to their Gene Mother, and then Spontaneously guarded the outside of the gate.

【…】

Her heirs are sensible.

In Morgan's heart, a rather strange sense of relief actually flashed through.

In this wonderful feeling, the Primarch stepped into the room, and the sound of Lana and others closing the door came from behind him: Obviously, the Chief Old Guard and his subordinates have gotten used to their genetic The mother's secret actions from time to time, they also know exactly what role they should play in it.

In the room, Virgo has already called out her own firepower, turned on the comprehensive anti-corrosion mode, and together with her mother, looked at this place that no one has stepped into for a long time.

This is a cave about 70 meters high and over 200 meters wide at its widest point. Ancient carving traces can be seen everywhere. There seem to be several ever-burning lamps hidden among the colorful rock formations at the dome, vaguely lighting up this mystery. The space also lights up the only thing that exists in the room.

At first glance, Morgan knew it was what she was looking for.

It is a perfect sphere, suspended in mid-air like a planet, composed of black and dark gray marble, with some slowly moving golden spots on its surface, its diameter may exceed ten meters, but it is certainly not When reaching 11 meters, the reflected light proves that it is hard and will not be harmed by any ordinary means of detection and attack.

The Spider Queen could feel that although this was just a machine, it was indeed [watching] her with a strange gaze, exuding emotions no different from ordinary people.

"You came."

Suddenly, in the subspace, in the sea of ​​souls, in a dimension that is absolutely undetectable in the real universe, a flat, emotionless voice reached Morgan's ears. It was not a malicious detection, but It is the most common greeting, and there is even affection between some old friends who haven't seen for many years.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

It, or the Tuchucha engine, continued to speak, and it was not a sound, but some kind of information stream that communicated directly between two powerful spiritual entities, by directly launching its own meaning into the mind of the other. , to achieve the most efficient communication.

The last time Morgan was able to use this method of communication was when she faced her genetic father: it's a skill even for powerful psykers.

But considering the true identity of the thing in front of him, Morgan was not surprised.

She said hello.

[How should I call you: directly called Tuchucha Engine? 】

"Of course, I was designed to assimilate with the human form. This may be one of the titles I should have. Then, in turn, can I call you Morgan?"

【certainly. 】

"Very well, Morgan."

"You are welcome."

The Tuchucha engine seemed to speak a little faster, and the Primarch glanced at the alien sphere to see the golden flecks moving faster than before, forming fleeting patterns as the dark swirled.

"You seem puzzled, Morgan?"

The Spider Queen nodded.

[There are some, I came to you because of a transaction thousands of miles away, but before that, I always thought that this transaction was just an accident, an unsatisfactory surprise: but from your attitude Looking up, it seems that there is no content? 】

The Tuchucha engine was silent for a while, it seemed to be taking time to learn the meaning of some words from Morgan's mouth, but its answer came quickly and very clearly.

"Sorry, Morgan, I can't answer all your questions, because some of them are also beyond my understanding, but I can assure you of one thing: Yes, I have been waiting for you all this time , or the arrival of others."

"I am waiting for you to take me away. I am eager to get out of here."

【……other people? 】

"You're not the only one, Morgan. From what I've been ordered to do, I have a list of names that I can go with, and I can't let other beings get hold of my strength."

"But you're lucky, Morgan, your name is on the list, and I can go with you and let you hold my power: need me to demonstrate to you what I can do now, you humans seem to be benefiting yourself , the actual existing interests are regarded as the supreme thing.”

[No... no need. 】

Morgan shook her head. From the Tuchucha engine's words, she heard a lot of overtones, such as the actual reason why it enslaved the entire world: but these are not what the Spider Queen cares about now.

[I heard about your power from another machine, Tuchucha: You will not be trapped by the reality of the jump, and can drill directly from the physical space into the subspace, or vice versa. , and there will be no backlash or gravity displacement. 】

[Moreover, you can also stabilize a large area of ​​subspace centered on you: mastering you is equivalent to mastering the treasures that can come and go freely in the subspace, and can easily overturn the existing naval warfare system of the galaxy, allowing any powerful His fleets became fragile headless monsters. 】

"Indeed, Morgan."

The Spider Queen can even hear a hint of pride from the words of the Tuchucha engine: it learns emotions too quickly, and even seems a little moody.

"But I can remind you: this is far from all my abilities. This is just the part that you can understand and use for the time being. And I am also happy to use my other abilities to cooperate with your actions. Morgan, you are better than those on the list. Others are a little more special.”

【……special? 】

"Yes, you are more..."

Tuchucha seemed to struggle with the choice of words.

"noble."

【…】

Morgan was almost amused by the word.

In fact, she could even hear a slight chuckle from the vigilant Virgo in her soft throat.

【noble? 】

[Where is it reflected? 】

"It's simple."

The sound of the Tuchucha engine doesn't sound like flattery, but rather a narrative of a reality that would take place in another world.

"If it is your blood relative, another person on the list, who finds me, it may take him twenty or thirty Terra standard years, as you say, to communicate with me, using calculations, logarithms, and ciphers. language, and a few more lives, with my simple connection on a neural interface."

"But you are different: the fact that you can have such a complicated conversation with me within five minutes of our first meeting proves that you are better suited than most to take me away."

Morgan frowned.

[The name of one of my blood relatives is on your list? 】

"I don't know his name, but they will call him the Lion."

"Do you know him?"

[...Slightly. 】

"Then are you familiar with it?"

The Spider Queen blinked, and she thought about the way to answer.

【Do not. 】

[We are not familiar with each other. 】

"That's a pity, but I think that doesn't prevent you from taking me away and allowing me to be your friend, right, Morgan, you can use my power."

The Spider Queen adjusted her breathing. For a moment, she really wanted to take away the subspace artifact in front of her and use its power as soon as possible: but the prudence of her heart stopped Morgan's impulse, and she decided to take it away first. Ask some questions to understand.

[Don't be so impatient, Tuchucha. 】

[You need to answer some of my questions here first. 】

"Don't you trust me?"

【What do you think? 】

The Tuchucha engine paused.

"Well, you can ask."

The Spider Queen blinked, her blue pupils turning slightly.

[I know your name, and I also know some of your abilities, but there is one thing I don't know: what exactly are you, Tuchucha engine? 】

This problem does not seem to be beyond the expectations of the subspace artifact.

"I am everything, Morgan, I am everything you can imagine, I am the existence that all things want to possess, I was once a servant loyal to the sea of ​​death, but now, I can be a friend who serves you. "

【You seem to have been emphasizing that you want me to take you away. Why? 】

"My value can only be realized if you take me away. I have had enough of being imprisoned here. My mission is calling me, and my heart and yours are connected, Morgan , I know you have something in store for me: it's good for us both."

[Only this one reason? 】

"No, there's one more."

"Because I'm afraid, afraid of you."

It said the answer briskly, like an ignorant child, imitating a newly learned vocabulary in ignorance, but has no idea what it represents.

[Fear me? 】

【……why? 】

"Because you will destroy me: If you can't take me away, you will destroy my existence. I can feel that deep down in your heart, you have such preparations, and you actually have such power .”

【……Really? 】

"I won't lie to you, at least not now. I am in awe of your strength. This is what makes you different from your brothers. This is what makes you nobler than them."

"You are different from them. You have your own throne in the subspace. Your brothers still need to use their hands and pain to win their future, but you are different. What you have to do is to return to your position. Inheritance of those terrible powers you are now far from."

【…】

The Primarch was not moved by these words. With her hands behind her back, she paced back and forth slowly at a safe enough distance from the Tuchucha engine, constantly thinking about the possible traps in these words.

【You are a machine...why do you know so much about things in the subspace. 】

"Because my creators are more powerful than you can imagine, they can even see some things that are destined to happen, and see the intricate possibilities of the timeline: although this does not undo their death, and a part of them I don't resist death, but it allows me to know more things."

[What do you know... on these issues about me. 】

"Most of what I know about you already overlaps with what you have in your head, but I can indeed tell you something more: hopefully this will confirm our friendship."

Morgan nodded.

[Yes, Tuchucha Engine: This will be the last question you need to face when you are trapped here, and I have no other questions for you to answer. 】

"very good."

The voice of the subspace artifact seemed to be more cheerful.

"I can tell you something: about the [power] you hold."

【that power? 】

"Yes, power, they are the key elements that constitute your domain, the foundation for you to be stronger, and the core strength that you can carry forward: your recognition of it determines the focus of your future path."

【……tell me. 】

"I can't tell you the authority of a subspace great power in clear language, I can only tell you in more euphemistic words: the authority you hold is the most special one among the eight etheric realms, because your theory Shanghui will be the last king to ascend the throne."

"So, what you grasp is not some more specific concept, but a more vague authority: what you symbolize is the last fog left when the essence of chaos is revealed little by little. When the ether lords cling to their authority, the rest of the chaos is one after another subspace concept accompanied by the continuous emergence of gods, and when the dust settles one after another, those other undetermined probabilities Sum."

"In other words, when the power of chaos is divided up, explained and confirmed by one new god after another, those powers that have not been taken away have a loose but unified concept."

"unknown."

"This is your strength."

"This is the authority you have as the last warp space king."

"In short, your domain and power exist beyond the blind spots of human vision, in areas that have not yet been explored, in knowledge that has not yet been mastered, in orderly chaos that has not yet been regulated."

"It's the ignorance and bewilderment hidden in people's hearts. Of course, speaking in your human tone, that word should actually be called [unknown]."

"The unknown is your power, your concept. All areas that can be covered by this word, whether they are really unexplored or most people's stupidity prevents them from setting foot in this area, are all available to you. With the space to maneuver around, you can allow your authority to take root in countless areas that are completely unrelated and unrelated."

"Of course, with this as the core, you also possess other powers, other abilities that you can manipulate and steal. The simple concept of [unknown] cannot explain all your power and authority, but this is already That's the best answer I can give you."

"Hope it satisfies you."

【…】

Although Tuchucha's words were not particularly many, they contained shocking content: at least the Virgo on the side was absolutely shocked, but in contrast, the Spider Queen still maintained a trustworthy silence and calmness.

No matter how big the waves were in Morgan's heart, on the surface, she did not neglect or delay her answer to the Tuchucha Engine at all. All her doubts and thoughts were temporarily sealed, in exchange for the perfect face of the Lord of the Second Legion.

[Of course, the Tuchucha engine. 】

【I think we can go: By the way, let’s talk about my use of you. 】

"I know what you want from me."

The sound of the Tuchucha engine seemed to emerge from pale lips, and it made people feel an instinctively disgusted triumph.

"Blackstone Fortress."

"Trust me, they're not really a problem for me."

(End of this chapter)