Emperor's Bane

Chapter 816: Death
"Okay, let me first sort out what's going on."

The dull pain in his shoulder made Togarton frown unconsciously: after being hit hard by a shell, even the most optimistic pharmacist hoped that he would not participate in any battle within three months after his wound was completely healed.

According to them, this could lead to the worst possible outcome.

This was a very tactful piece of advice, and Torgathon knew the meaning behind it: Primarch, although he was not one of those Terran veterans who had lived so long that they were no different from monsters, he was at least a man who had survived hundreds of battles on the battlefield.

He had witnessed it no less than ten times: how a fighting brother who had been invincible on the battlefield for hundreds of years had his head chopped off by the powerful enemy just because of a slight physical discomfort, resulting in a moment of delay or lag, and fell in a battle that should have been a sure win.

Compared to them, arms that would cause stinging pain if the movement was even slightly larger were simply a death-seeking configuration.

He should not have taken part in this battle: Torgaddon knew that clearly.

However: some things should not be decided by theory or historical experience.

He was Tarik Torgaddon, Second Captain of the XVIth Legion, an unshakable member of the Council of Four Kings: his every move represented the glory of his primarch, and the courage and devotion that the Luna Wolves had once lost.

He is the Luna Wolf and the Son of Horus: he cannot and should not run away.

Torgaddon flicked his cloak and began to observe the few remaining people in the staff room with his gradually calming eyes: a company captain of the Emperor's Children, whose name he could not remember, but who looked as arrogant as his legion. The few mortal officers standing next to him seemed okay.

"According to your words."

Luna Wolf glanced at the holographic projection emitting red light. Emperor, he had been in the army for a hundred years, and this was still the worst holographic projection he had ever seen: the surface of the entire planet was shrouded in a thick storm, and it was impossible to see what was on the ground.

Torgadon felt the anger rising in his chest.

"The first to arrive here was the 140th Expeditionary Fleet led by Captain Fromi of the Blood Angels, along with three companies of the Ninth Legion. So they threw all their forces into this death trap without doing any preliminary investigation or preparation?"

"Please...please forgive me, sir."

The admiral of the 140th Expeditionary Fleet bent his waist deeply, and the nine captains behind him also showed sad expressions.

"It's like this: we just arrived here and we received a message from another civilization. Although the message has been protected by at least twelve layers of protection and its content cannot be deciphered in a short period of time, we can still confirm from the recognizable text that it definitely came from another ancient human civilization."

"Considering the friendly attitude expressed in this message, Captain Fromi has decided to send a friendly delegation to the world beneath our feet, where this message was sent."

"Didn't he observe it first?"

"As you can see, my lord: the surface of this world is covered by a thick storm shield, making it almost impossible to spy on or reach the surface. Only the irregular eye of the storm can be entered and exited. We really didn't have the prerequisites at the time."

This action made Togarton's eyelids jump for no reason.

"And then what? They were attacked?"

"should be……"

The admiral was in a dilemma.

"The delegation did not send back any useful information in the next two hours. They only sent back an urgent letter without saying anything. Because the surface of the planet was surrounded by a thick storm shield, Captain Fromi was unable to find out the details. He could only send another squadron an hour later to observe the specific surface conditions."

"Why didn't you go earlier?"

"For...diplomatic reasons."

"That squadron hasn't come back either?"

"Yes, it also disappeared without a trace: After waiting for another hour, Captain Fromi discovered that the eye of the storm was about to close. In order to save the troops that had set out first, he ordered his three companies to prepare for battle and conduct a large-scale airdrop operation before the eye of the storm closed. At the same time, he also asked our naval fleet to send a distress signal to the surrounding star fields."

"Didn't he consider leaving some people behind?"

"According to the captain, there are no hostile forces in the space of this system, and it is useless to leave the Astartes behind. On the contrary, the more battle brothers we send down, the more likely we are to rescue our comrades in the next battle and hold out until the subsequent reinforcements arrive."

"That's true."

Torgathon pinched his brows. Although he still felt that there were many things wrong with the Blood Angel Captain's actions, he could not judge that his actions were wrong: at least in the moral values ​​of the Astartes warriors, saving battle brothers at all costs was always a commendable act.

but……

"As the admiral of the navy, you are the only person who has the right to advise Captain Fromi. But you just watched him throw three companies of troops into this death trap one by one: such a poor tactic of adding fuel to the fire?"

"Sir...sir..."

Perhaps it was because he heard the anger hidden in Togarton's words that the admiral took a step back with a pale face. He lowered his head and did not dare to argue any more.

"Please... I just..."

"You just want to take advantage of the peaceful recovery of human civilization."

Torgadon sneered.

"Because you know: Terra has recently attached great importance to [diplomatic achievements] like this."

"I……"

"okay."

The Moon Wolf waved his hand.

"I'm not going to blame you."

He smiled.

"You should be thankful. If it was Ezekiel standing here, he would have suggested that I shoot you. If it was my Primarch Horus standing here, he would have forgiven you. Considering the importance of the two above mentioned people in my heart, I will certainly forgive you."

After saying this, without waiting for these mortals in front of him to express their gratitude, Torgaddon shifted his gaze to the Emperor's Children next to him. Although these reinforcements that arrived earlier seemed to have made the same mistakes as the Blood Angels, the only difference was that the representatives of the Emperor's Children did not feel that they had done anything wrong.

He was as arrogant as if it was Thorgarton who came to beg them.

"What's going on with you guys?"

The Luna Wolf swallowed his sympathy.

"Where's Eidolon? Shouldn't he be on the deck directing the battle?"

"Commander Eidolon has led his forces down to search for his lost battle-brother."

Hearing that smug tone, Togarton summoned all the discipline in his heart to not immediately draw his gun and blow the golden head off.

"You mean to say that he knew the Blood Angels were trapped down there, but he still rushed down with all his men like a Grox beast in a fit of rage? Couldn't he have waited for us to arrive?"

"That's three entire companies of the Ninth Legion whose fate is in jeopardy down there!"

"Therefore."

Torgadon raised his voice.

"Would it make any difference if he took five more companies of the Emperor's Children with him?"

"What about Tarvitz and Lucius? Didn't they try to dissuade him?"

"Please pay attention, my lord."

The Emperor's Child glanced at him haughtily.

"Master Eidolon is the Chief Lord Commander of the Legion appointed by the Primarch Fulgrim. In Master Fulgrim's absence, he is the first person in charge of the Third Legion."

"Of course I know."

Torgadon sneered.

"After all, Fulgrim doesn't do many stupid things."

"you!"

The Emperor's Child gritted his teeth.

"You have insulted the honor of Lord Commander Eidolon. He will not forget it."

"Then I didn't say it in vain."

Torgathon turned his head and glanced at the world below him that had swallowed up several Astartes companies. The artificial satellite that caused the Blood Angels to misjudge was still hanging alone in low-Earth orbit. Below it was the only entrance and exit to the eye of the storm. God knew when it would suddenly disappear.

"Didn't your Commander Eidolon send any information back after he rushed down?"

"One."

The Emperor's Child took a deep breath.

"Three hours after landing, Lord Eidolon found the battlefield and remains of the previous Blood Angels company, as well as a large number of powerful spider-shaped beasts. He has led his team to destroy them all, avenging his brothers in the Ninth Legion, and is currently hunting down the remaining enemies on the world."

"Well, is there anything else?"

Togarton tilted his head. He didn't completely believe what he said.

"You mean he's already won?"

"Not entirely, but the Third Legion has taken the initiative on the battlefield: there are no remains of human civilization in this world. The only creatures are those giant spiders. Their individual combat power is very strong, enough to threaten the Astartes warriors and they are full of hostility, but they are not to be feared in terms of numbers or civilization level. They are not a strong enemy."

"In that case, what about the three Blood Angels companies earlier?"

"Lord Eidolon said that there is extreme atmospheric turbulence in the sky of this world, and all the airdrop pods will be blown away. The Blood Angels company that landed earlier was unable to concentrate its forces for this reason, and was eliminated one by one by the spider beasts. His company concentrated all its forces in time, and gradually took the initiative on the battlefield."

"Then let him withdraw."

Torgarton waved his hand.

"Send fighters down to bring back their remains and those of the Blood Angels, and then conduct orbital bombardment on this world. Since the reason for peaceful exchange is gone, there is no need for us to shed blood on this land." "We have considered this possibility as well."

The Emperor's son felt helpless.

"But as you can see, this world is protected by a thick storm shield, which has an effect very similar to a defensive force field. If it is not broken, orbital bombardment cannot be carried out: Lord Eidolon has discovered a large number of pale giant trees in the high latitudes of this world. They are the generators of the storm shield. As long as they are destroyed, everything will be fine."

"Therefore, he hopes that you can lead your Luna Wolves into battle using the coordinates he sent as a guide: Lord Eidolon said that the storm turbulence in the area is very weak and there is no risk of being blown away, and he will establish sufficient defensive positions and drop sites in the area before your arrival."

"Really?"

Torgathon still didn't quite believe it. He took the letter from Eidolon, and the confident words on it were impressive: Phoenix's favorite lord commander not only strongly belittled the power of the beasts on the ground in his battle report, but also invited the sons of Horus to come to the battlefield to share this honor with an extremely arrogant attitude.

"What do you think?"

Torgadon looked at his adjutant and they were talking in low voices.

"I think……"

Luna Wolf hesitated.

"After all, Lord Eidolon is the chief lord commander personally selected by the Primarch. His ability is unquestionable. This battle report may indeed be exaggerated, but most of it should be credible."

"So, three companies of the Ninth Legion were defeated by a small group of beasts, and these beasts without civilization can still live on a world protected by a force field shield generator?"

“That’s a real problem.”

The adjutant thought for a moment.

"Perhaps, we should mobilize all transport planes and retreat immediately if the situation on the ground is not right: According to Lord Eidolon's intelligence, he did not mention what air defense these beasts have. If they did, he would definitely write it down. There is no reason to conceal such important military information."

"That's true."

Torgarton was still a little hesitant.

"Then what do you say? Can't we wait here for the follow-up reinforcements? The fleets of several primarchs are already on the way."

"It's okay, that's fine."

The adjutant bent further.

"But, sir: don't forget Lord Horus's instructions before this."

"Of course I haven't forgotten."

Togaton Riko replied.

As a member of the Order of the Dead and one of Horus' most trusted admirals, Torgathon remembered clearly that ever since the Primarch accepted the crown of Warmaster on the red land of Ullanor, he had emphasized to them more than once: one of the most important tasks of the Luna Wolves Legion in the future is to reverse their previous image.

In the Great Crusade that preceded it, due to various accidents and rumors (at least in the eyes of the Sons of Horus), the Legion of the Wolf God was smeared with a filthy color. The malicious rumors that they deliberately betrayed friendly forces and reserved their own strength to reap the benefits spread throughout the public opinion field of the Great Crusade.

The Luna Wolves certainly did not think that such facts could be true, but they had no reason to oppose the Primarch's orders: if they really did not help their friendly forces on the ground and just waited for reinforcements to arrive, then their Wolf Shepherd God would definitely be very disappointed.

And don't forget, the one trapped on the ground is that bastard Eidolon, whose broken mouth is enough to ruin the reputation of the 16th Legion to a new level.

Torgarton gritted his teeth: This was the ultimate reason that prompted his original decision.

"Okay, let's follow this plan."

Moon Wolf nodded.

"Let's go down and support them: remember to bring enough transport planes."

"I don't think that bastard Eidolon would dare to write such an outrageous report in his battle report."

------

"Eidolon! What did you write?!"

The slender blade pierced the hungry head of the Megarachnid spider: these terrifying monsters were three meters tall, had eight legs, and moved at lightning speed. Their upper limbs had metal shell blades about one meter long, which were enough to rival the blades of Astartes warriors. The gray fiber metal armor covering their bodies could block the firepower of grenade launchers.

Death by the claws or jaws of such a monster was not unimaginable, even for the Emperor's Children: Tarvitz himself had come face to face with death for the fourth or fortieth time that day, falling like the rest of his comrades in the thick grass that was taller than the others.

Thanks to his own luck, and the sacrifice and help of his comrades, he had been able to serve the Emperor for a longer time: especially Captain Lucius, who followed closely behind him and saved his life for the sixth time that day.

Without his help, Tarvitz would not have been able to see Eidolon alive: although this was not a good thing for him.

"How can we possibly reach those giant trees in such a short time? We have no idea how to get out of this thicket!"

Tarvitz's face was soaked with the blood of beasts and comrades, and he roared at his lord commander with unprecedented anger, completely disregarding the order of the Third Legion: and Eidolon was no less angry than him.

The difference was that Tarvitz's rage was because he had lost five of his brothers in a three-minute battle earlier, and had watched their bodies become lunch for some damn spiders.

Eidolon's resentment had nothing to do with his battle-brothers, but rather with the fact that this war, which was in fact already a failure, would bring a stain to his impeccable resume.

"I know!"

Eidolon shouted sharply.

"But when I sent the communication, victory was indeed waving to us."

"Who knew there would be so many giant spiders crawling out of those bushes or cracks in the ground?"

"Then maybe you should be a little more patient next time you send back a victory message."

"Are you questioning your commander? Do you have more authority than me?"

"No, sir."

"Then shut up!"

Eidolon scratched his forehead angrily.

"The plan should not be changed. My estimation is absolutely correct. Those stone trees are the damn shield generators. As long as we blow them up, everything will be fine. With the help of the Luna Wolves, we can complete this plan."

"Then you should have written the information in more detail before stating your goals."

Behind Tarvitz, his battle-brother Lucius spoke for him and glanced at the sparse crowd present.

"At least, we certainly haven't gathered all our forces now."

"How many people are there? Fifty or a hundred?"

Eidolon glared at him angrily: the Lord Commander never had a good face towards those brothers who were not close to him.

"A hundred Emperor's Children are enough to accomplish anything: at my command."

Tarvitz did not respond: just as he was about to say something, the communications officer next to him interrupted him.

"Sir... two signal sources!"

"Say!"

A hint of joy appeared on Eidolon's face.

"The first is the Luna Wolves: they've brought a massive reinforcement force! I've spotted transports in the triple digits!"

"very good."

The Lord Commander nodded with satisfaction.

"Then the second one."

"The second one is Captain Antaeus, he..."

The communicator was stunned for a moment, and then an incredible expression appeared on his face.

"He is rushing towards us at the same speed as the fighter plane..."

"what!"

Before the words of astonishment had faded, everyone heard the sound: it was as if a group of rumbling propellers were passing through the edge of the sky, but the noisy sound was mixed with the very obvious chirping of insects.

The Emperor's Children crouched down immediately, using the giant grass for cover, and soon they saw with their own eyes the source of the sound.

Giant spiders, swarms, thousands of Megarachnids: unlike their ground-walking cousins, these new monsters had long wings and swarmed across the sky like a black cloud.

"Oh my god...what is that?"

Tarvitz was a little dazed.

"Obviously: a new species."

Eidolon's face turned pale: he was the first to understand what was going on.

"These damned beasts send out new variants based on the strength of their enemies. They clearly sensed the coming of the Luna Wolves: just like when we killed the armorless giant spiders that ate the Blood Angels, the metal-armored ones crawled out of the bushes."

"..."

Tarvitz did not reply, he just stared at these flying behemoths and their shiny black claws with a serious face: during the previous crazy battle, he knew very well that these claws could easily pierce their power armor, and the direction and speed of these monsters clearly showed that they were heading for their reinforcements.

He could only hope that the Luna Wolves' transports could withstand this... murder.

(End of this chapter)