Emperor's Bane

Chapter 772: The Stab and Mars

Even for the already remote Far Eastern frontier, the star region where the ocean world of Larlan is located can be described as a wild corner that no one cares about.

This place is so remote, the most inconspicuous part of the long, tortuous, and deliberately fragmented population border between the Far East and the Five Hundred Worlds: in the first few border marches, the Dawnbreakers did not even discover this not-so-hidden world.

To reach here, one must first cross the Damocles Gulf: this is impossible for any imperial force except the Dawnbreaker Legion.

The Dawnbreakers will stop them.

According to Morgan's orders, anyone outside the Far Eastern Frontier who wants to spy on the situation inside the Damocles Gulf will be politely asked to leave by the Second Legion: even the Ultramarines next door will not be an exception.

Because, behind the natural barrier of Damocles is the paradise called Arcadia by the Dawnbreakers: this land, which occupies almost one-fifth of the entire Far Eastern frontier, is completely hidden from the outside world, and even few Primarchs know of its existence.

The vast, desolate Damocles Gulf, impossible to cross except by long and dangerous warp travel, is seen by most Imperial officials and mortals as the eastern border of the Emperor's light in the galaxy.

But no one knows that behind this iron wall, there actually exists a vast fertile land that is capable of nurturing an interstellar hegemonic civilization.

Long before the Spider Queen took over her Dawnbreakers, a small exploration fleet of the Second Legion had accidentally crossed the Damocles Gulf and entered here: the human fleet eventually dropped anchor and landed on a world named Titanium.

Here, they encountered a blue-skinned, noseless, intelligent but uncivilized alien race: this race was gradually domesticated and successfully raised over the next century, and canned Titanium made from their meat became popular in the Far East.

With Titanium as the center, thousands of colonizable worlds were quietly taken into the hands of the Dawnbreaker Legion, turning it into the Crown Territory of Arcadia with a huge population and abundant output. Its importance is comparable to that of the Salamas star field.

More importantly, this piece of fertile land, even if it was pulled out separately, could be given to other Primarchs as a fiefdom. It was the private property of the legion that was completely unknown to outsiders: Terra and other legions therefore had a fatal underestimate of the strength of Greater Avalon.

They didn't know that Morgan had a second large rear base besides Salamas.

Not even Guilliman knew.

For a long time, the main communication channel between the Ultramarines and the Dawnbreakers did not involve the Damocles Gulf: although the Macragge people vaguely realized that his sister seemed to have some power on the other side of the harbor, Guilliman knew nothing about the actual situation in the Arcadia space.

Conrad did know something: but he had no reason to tell it.

Therefore, Morgan was able to keep this little secret tightly and without any leaks for seventy years.

What's more, compared to Salamas and the northern star regions close to the Ghoul Stars, Arcadia, as a paradise, can undoubtedly provide more stable taxation, and without outside interference, the Dawnbreaker Legion's control over this area of ​​the universe is also quite satisfactory.

If nothing unexpected happens, even in the war that is bound to break out in the future, the Arcadia Universe will be enough to be the deciding factor for the Dawnbreakers when facing many powerful enemies: just like the Five Hundred Worlds to the Empire.

Because of this, any hidden dangers lurking here are even more unbearable.

Whether it's colleagues in the human empire or a low-key alien world.

That's what happened with Larlan.

A typical alien civilization, possessing technology similar to that of the Human Empire, and more advanced in some areas. Its small but powerful fleet can easily defeat patrol teams managed by mortals in the void, and harass other imperial civilizations.

What's more, it happens to be located in the back garden of the Far Eastern frontier.

Every word could be a reason why this alien race should be crushed to ashes.

Therefore, when Morgan chose to mobilize the army for the existence of Larlan, the legion's senior leaders and company commanders were not surprised at all: the only issue they needed to discuss was which companies needed to be dispatched this time?

"We are considering the principle of proximity. We will draw troops from several surrounding star regions to gather the combat brothers who are stationed and patrolling there. We will also have the main force of the legion draw out a medium-sized rapid reaction force to gather enough forces to annihilate the Larlan aliens."

"It is better to wait for some time, mobilize the main force of the elite, and summon allies to crush the country of the thorns with absolute force: this will certainly increase the success rate, but it will also give those aliens time to prepare for defense."

"Based on the current intelligence, if we fully mobilize these aliens, the casualties of the Legion may not be too bad. Although these aliens only have one world, they are enough to cause us triple-digit losses: we may lose more than two hundred battle brothers."

"So much?"

After listening to the Chief of the Guards Rana's narration about the alien world, Dawu, the commander of the 11th Company, habitually touched his bald head: Those who are familiar with his character know that this is how the people of Avalon express their inner doubts.

"We lost only seventeen men in the tragedy at Nikaea."

"It's a different situation, Captain Davout."

Diarmait, the captain of the 18th Company, tapped the table with his fingers.

"The attack on Nikaea was a surprise, and although it was large-scale, it was a one-off one. More than a hundred Dawnbreaker brothers were affected by the explosion on Nikaea, but most of them were rescued and operated on in time, and are now able to actively fight on the battlefield."

"But if it's a war, they may not be able to get timely rescue."

"Yes."

Lana nodded as well.

"According to the existing intelligence, the Assassins are a purely aquatic race. The world they live in does not have any land to speak of. These aliens use anti-gravity technology that far exceeds that of the Empire to build island reef platforms with coral crystals, creating residential areas that extend from the sky all the way to the bottom of the sea. They also have an extremely complex and efficient road network that is almost impossible to completely cut off."

"Plus the orbital space station they have built in low-Earth orbit around Larran."

"That is to say, our army must launch attacks simultaneously in the void, in mid-air, on the sea surface, and under the sea to ensure the defeat of these highly disciplined opponents. This is just the most optimistic estimate."

"In fact, through observation, the body modification of the Assassins is very crazy and successful: their scouts can run faster than Land Raiders, their gunners can accurately snipe the enemy from more than ten kilometers away, and they can control their warships through their brains. Moreover, these damn guys have four hands. They can wield two power swords at the same time and use two plasma guns to break your knees."

"And don't forget, these thorns were originally an aquatic race. We will have to conduct amphibious operations in the water with these guys with snake-like lower bodies. Also, intelligence shows that their electromagnetic interference technology is enough to disrupt the communication between the fleet and the front-line troops."

"So..."

Diarmait shook his head.

"Some mortal officials have suggested that we should not go to war with the Assassin civilization, but instead use diplomatic means to make them a vassal state, and then slowly take action after the Great Crusade. This seems to be true."

“It is indeed quite difficult to take it down.”

Davout suddenly changed the subject.

"But as Mother said, the Dawnbreakers will not compromise with the aliens."

"Yes."

The Chief of the Imperial Guards gave his approval.

"So, you two, there is a reason why I summoned you here today."

"Diarmait."

He first looked at the battle-brother who was recognized as the most handsome in the entire Dawnbreaker Legion.

"You are responsible for taking out some special goods from [Warehouse No. 1]. Be careful."

"I'll give you the detailed list later."

"Warehouse No. 1?"

Diarmait’s brow twitched.

"As for that, Lana: Didn't you say that we will colonize Larland after the war?"

"That's another question."

Rana waved, then turned to look at Captain Dawu
"As for you, Captain Davout."

"You are responsible for going to the Tri-Forge System and gathering Mother's personal Mechanicus Legion."

"Aren't we going to Riza?" Dawu was a little confused.

"According to past practice, when we encounter such a difficult enemy, don't we always call for help from the Forge World Reza? It just so happens that the people of Reza have some technology that exceeds the average level of the Empire. There is no reason for Reza to refuse."

“They really won’t say no.”

Rana did not deny this.

"But this time, my mother doesn't plan to share the technology."

"Advanced anti-gravity technology: wouldn't it be better to keep it as a private collection of the Legion?"

"Moreover……"

The Lord Chancellor ran his fingers over the star map.

"I don't deny that the friendship between the Forge World Reza and us is long-standing, and they have never violated the covenant of the Little Double-Headed Eagle in the past hundred years. But even out of caution, we should not put all our eggs in one basket and count on Reza for everything."

"It is on the other side of the whirlpool after all."

"If Avalon really has something urgent, Riza will probably not be able to make it in time."

"What do you mean?"

Davout and Diarmait looked at each other.

"Don't you know?"

Rana smiled, then pointed to an oval-shaped territory in the star map: This country with Olympia as its core was just west of the Far East border, lying between Avalon and the Maelstrom, blocking the Dawnbreaker's closest road to the core area of ​​the empire.

It was like Morgan and the Far East Frontier had erected a shield for themselves in the west, blocking prying eyes from within the empire, allowing them to develop in other directions with peace of mind.

But on the other hand, it is like a shield of Holy Terra standing in the Far East, firmly blocking the development path of Mobai's Great Avalon towards the Heart of the Galaxy, just like a nail nailing down the so-called Three Kings of the Far East.

"And will this enclave called Olympia play the former role? Or will it play the latter role? It all depends on what our Lord of Steel thinks in his heart. But then again, how many people can understand Perturabo's thoughts?"

“There’s no need to be so pessimistic, right?”

Davout managed a smile, connecting Olympia and Avalon with his fingers.

"Lord Perturabo has always had a good relationship with his mother, not to mention that his sister has always been a frequent visitor to the Aurora. Compared to Holy Terra, the Lord of Olympia must be more inclined towards us in his heart, and he has no reason to be our enemy."

"indeed so."

Lana pursed her lips.

"But you overlooked another point."

"Just because Perturabo is leaning toward us doesn't mean he has the same reason to lean toward Riza."

"What do you mean?"

Diarmait blinked, his face looked stunned and innocent.

"You guys..."

Lana shook his head helplessly.

These two young boys!
"Listen to me: If you want to become a real leader of the Legion in the future and be able to share the worries of Mother and the Legion, then you should not only care about military topics and news like you do now: you must have a broader vision."

Lana tapped his temple.

"A simple example."

"If you had paid a little attention to the news in the past few months, you would have known about the new actions on Mars: the current Forge General Kalberhar and Lord Perturabo have been on good terms on Ullanor, and their cooperation terms have been fulfilled."

"A delegation from Mars has opened a base and embassy on Olympia."

"Now, digest this news: where are Reza and Olympia?"

Davout and Diarmait looked in the direction of the sound.

"This……"

On the star map, all the conspiracies and layouts are clearly revealed: Olympia is located at the core of the Far East star field, and if you draw a line between Riza and Avalon, it is exactly at the midpoint of this line.

And now, the nail from Mars is firmly nailed to the soil of Olympia.

Not only did the Forge-General develop a powerful ally, he also dealt a heavy uppercut to Riza's ambition, which had been to drive the power of Mars back to the Solar Sector for more than a century and develop the entire eastern galaxy into his own private territory.

Mars is back: The internal conflict within the Adeptus Mechanicus is about to escalate.

"But Riza has no reason or power to change what Perturabo has decided."

"General Casting really played a good hand."

"No wonder I heard that he was able to come out on top in the reshuffle of local Martian forces caused by the crisis in Nicaea. It is said that even the Sigillite cannot curb Kalbohar's influence on the entire Mars."

Lana shook his head, looking emotional.

"These imperial guys have such dirty hearts."

"You two too: if you go to the western border for patrol in the future, remember to keep your eyes open. Our neighbors are not easy to mess with now. Everyone knows that General Zhutou has some opinions about our mother."

"Who knows what tricks these Martian oil guys will do to us in the future?"

"Open your eyes a little."

"understood."

Dawu muttered something, and it was obvious that he still didn't care much about these things. But Diarmuid next to him thought about it again and again, then quietly came to the side of the chief guard, whispered in his ear, and gritted his teeth.

"In that case, Lord Lana."

"Then the secret construction of the first ship of the Mountain Killer..."

"No need to stop."

Lana lowered his voice, a dangerous light flashing in his pupils.

"They can't touch the triple Farr."

"Even if they did, they wouldn't believe that such a thing really existed in the galaxy."

"after all……"

"Everyone knows that the [Predator Furnace] is just an illusory legend, right?"

"How can a planet move?"

(End of this chapter)