From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 594 "Intrigue"

This completely transformed military command center now perfectly meets the most stringent standards of the Human Empire, or the Imperial Fists.

The walls were covered with layers of armor plates made of refined gold in a honeycomb structure, emitting a faint blue metallic luster under the cold lighting. The tactical holographic star map that occupied the entire east wall constantly refreshed the current situation.

Thousands of azure dots of light twinkled like stars, outlining every ship of the human empire, a magnificent array in the "One-Seven" universe (Star Wars).

Various strategic projection interfaces were suspended in the air, and the quantum computing hum they emitted was suppressed by the sophisticated system, leaving only faint vibrations.

Dozens of Imperial Fists commanders wearing Titanium Power Armor stood like sculptures around the circular tactical platform, the tactical ribbons on their shoulder armor glowing dark gold under the illumination of the holographic screen.

The servo system of the power armor operated with a low hum, and the hydraulic devices at the joints occasionally made a light sound of metal grinding, just like a soldier slowly stretching his muscles before a battle.

These veterans who had experienced many battles were communicating in low voices, and data from tactical deductions were also surging. They were ready to execute all kinds of orders and decisions of the Primarch at any time.

The center of the control room.

Dorn stood like a mountain, his armored fingers sliding across the air. The holographic projection changed accordingly, and the new interface spread out in the air like an unfolding scroll. The light and shadow of the data stream cast ripples on the ground.

Behind the Primarch, an elegant and sharp figure stood still.

Aoi Lothrian, the elf from Terrala, had long light golden hair neatly tied up, and the faint light of the spirit bone ornaments could be seen between her hair.

Her silver-white body armor exudes the luster of liquid metal, and the protective layers at the joints are stacked like wings. A crystal rapier hangs at her waist, emitting a deep blue glow.

Although this member of the elven royal family was not an Astartes, the Imperial Fist emblem ring on her left ring finger and her experience in assisting Dorn in managing the legion made her temperament more like a "queen" and added an indescribable majesty to the atmosphere in the central control room.

"Communication link established."

At this time, a low mechanical prompt sound echoed in the command center.

The next second, the hard light holographic projection array on the central console suddenly activated, and dazzling blue and white light particles intertwined in the air, outlining four tall figures.

Their images were solidified by the data stream and gradually became clearer, like gods stepping out of nothingness.

Lorgar, the "prophet" of the Word Bearers, wears a robe with Chinese scripture embroidered on the hem, and golden runes flow on the cloth, as if alive.

Magnus, the red-haired Thousand Sons, with a psychic glow in his eyes, his presence caused the air around the hologram to distort slightly, as if reality itself "trembled" under the pressure of his psychic power.

Curze, the Shadow King of the Night Lords, had a pale face half-hidden by a dark hood. The shadows on his facial features made him look alive. There was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, but one could not feel any warmth from it. Instead, it was like the calmness of a predator examining its prey.

Perturabo, the warsmith of the Iron Warriors, had his expression covered by a cold metal visor. Only his mechanical eyes flashed with a cold and rational light. His posture was like a statue cast in steel, silent and unshakable.

"Brothers."

Magnus' voice sounded first, full of magnetism, and the psychic vibrations made his words resonate subtly in the air.

As the temporary warlord appointed by his father, his tone was filled with unquestionable authority.

"The war has entered a new phase." Magnus raised his hand, and the holographic projection changed, and a three-dimensional model of the Death Star unfolded in front of everyone.

The surface of this huge battle fortress was covered with charred scars, and the readings of the energy core flickered, obviously it had not yet fully recovered from the previous battle.

"My legion has initially taken control of the Death Star, but its energy matrix is ​​still unstable." Magnus' fingertips slid across the projection, and the internal structure diagram of the Death Star unfolded, with dangerous red light flashing in the complex energy pipes.

"It is too risky to rashly send it to the front line. I plan to transfer it to the Jedda system and use the space gate there to allow the engineering department to conduct in-depth maintenance."

The image switched again, and the strategic map of the Jedha galaxy emerged, with the coordinates of the space gate flashing with a faint blue light.

"In addition -" Magnus' voice rose slightly, "we captured forty-seven Star Destroyers in the Battle of Scarif, thirty of which are still fully combat-capable."

In the holographic projection, pitch-black star destroyer models were arranged in formation, their gun barrels were like a forest, and the battle scars left on the hulls told of the fierce battles that had taken place.

"Rather than leaving these warships idle, it would be better to incorporate them into the 'local defense fleet' of Universe 17."

Magnus's eyes swept over each Primarch. "The fleet will be commanded by auxiliary officers from each legion, and its members will be composed of screened prisoners of war, local rebels, and newly recruited soldiers. This will not only consolidate our control, but also maximize the use of existing resources."

He paused for a moment to let the information sink in among the crowd, "What do you think?"

There was a brief silence in the air, with only the subtle hum of the holographic projection echoing in the command room.

Holographic images of the four Primarchs flickered in the data stream, and an invisible scent of "intrigue" began to permeate the air.

Magnus' eyes scanned each of his brothers, trying to pick up intent from their silences.

Dorn spoke first, his voice as cold and hard as adamantium: "I don't have too many opinions, but the allocation of fleets requires additional supervision."

His fingertips slid across the holographic projection. "Each warship must be equipped with a supervisor to ensure that the chain of command is not disrupted. After all, the size of this local defense fleet needs to be expanded. We should jointly supervise and command it. And when necessary, they need to have the ability to think independently to deal with emergencies."

Hearing this, Luo Jia's robe fluttered without wind, scriptures flowed, and he added in a gentle voice:

"The stability of faith is equally important. The Word Bearers can send a group of priests to accompany them, spread the "Human Truth" and the Empire's state religion, guide the hearts of local soldiers and civilians, and prevent them from being seduced by heresy."

Luo Jia's tone was full of piety towards his father, but it also contained deep meaning.

For every priest is his eyes and ears, and every sermon is an expansion of the Word Bearers' influence.

And Curze's shadow twisted in the projection, and he also spoke: "We, the Midnight Lords, can also 'assist' in management. We are very good at ensuring obedience."

His eyes swept over Luo Jia, and the two looked at each other briefly, and a kind of tacit understanding was reached silently.

The Night Lords will rule the fleet with fear, while Lorgar's priests will be responsible for mental control. The two brothers, one openly and one secretly, are trying to "eat away" the actual control of this newly formed fleet.

In response, Magnus was too lazy to pay attention to the "little calculations" of his two younger brothers. His projection floated slightly in the data stream, and his pupils reflected the faces of his brothers.

If it were any other day, he might have sneered at the tacit calculations of Lorgar and Curze - after all, the open and secret struggles between legions were nothing but human nature.

Even though they are the original genes and are worshipped as gods by ordinary people, they cannot escape the shackles of the seven emotions and six desires.

Emperors can burn all their selfish desires for the sake of the human race, but they are not fathers after all.

Besides, even their father had family affection. The crystal-clear holographic light screen was flowing, reflecting the blue ripples on the red armor. Magnus recalled the historical legends and myths that his adoptive mother Alexia had told him and Horus.

The ancient Greek gods quarreled over the golden apple, and the Norse gods fought each other for power.

How ironic! These beings, who are called "demigods", can maintain superficial harmony with each other because of their father. Without their father's restraint, they would end up being exactly the same farce as in the myth.

But the duties of a Warmaster are like shackles.

Although he is not as good at "power politics" as his brother Guilliman, the subtext of Curze and Lorgar is too obvious.

"The proposals made by you brothers are quite insightful."

Magnus' voice carried the unique resonance of psychic energy, causing subtle quantum vibrations in the command room.

He deliberately made every syllable sound gilded with solemnity: "This homeland defense fleet will be supervised by officers sent by the Imperial Fists and the Iron Warriors."

Dozens of dark blue lights suddenly burst out on the holographic projection, just like veins extending between the veins of the Milky Way, connecting to the star fields controlled by Dorn and Perturabo, and also making the armor of the two primarchs flash in the blue light.

The two primarchs, known for their iron wills, had no intention of participating in the so-called power struggle, but they became the weights to check and balance each other.

"As for discipline," Magnus tapped his fingertips, and the holographic image suddenly showed the scriptural symbols of the Word Bearers and the blue fang emblem of the Night Lords. "It will be the joint responsibility of Lorgar's priests and Curze's designated officers."

"in addition."

At this time, the temporary warlord suddenly raised the frequency of his psychic vibrations, and the lighting system of the entire command room flickered. "Father has ordered the War Dogs Legion to join the battle. Wait for Angron and his legion to complete the cross-space gate assembly."

The holographic image revealed a ball of white and red light, and the roaring emblem of the dog of war appeared in the flames.

It seemed that Magnus deliberately made the projection have the bloody atmosphere of a gladiatorial arena, and continued: "They will dominate the command of the fleet's ground forces."

After he finished speaking, Dorn's brows frowned slightly, which was obviously unexpected.

The joints of Perturabo's armor made the same low clicking sound as always, as if he was recalculating something.

Lorgar and Curze also did not have too many emotional fluctuations. In the end, all objections were eliminated under the authority of the Warmaster's crown.

Magnus watched his silent brothers, his psychic vision piercing through the starfield, capturing every wave of emotion.

Dorn's integrity is as clear as his golden armor; Perturabo's subtle jealousy is precisely encapsulated deep in his heart.
Of course, Magnus also vaguely knew that Perturabo's jealousy was normal. After all, every brother had a "person" or "thing" that others envied.

For example, Dorne has an elven fiancée who is considered a son-in-law by the elves of Tyrilla, and Perturabo’s “jealousy” must mostly come from this upright brother.

And the little thoughts of Luojia, Koze and others are still like the shadows under the stained windows of the imperial palace.

The balance of power shook slightly, but had not yet tilted.

Seeing this, Magnus continued: "So, who has any other suggestions?"

Hearing this, Lorgar spoke first, saying, "Although Coruscant has been destroyed, the corruption of Chaos still entangles the surrounding star regions like poison ivy."

The holographic star map changed in response. The wreckage of Coruscant was marked as an ominous deep purple. The three surrounding sectors suddenly lit up with glaring scarlet warning lights and were marked as "high-risk areas."

"The Word Bearers will continue to cleanse these areas until the last traces of the Warp miasma are burned away by the Holy Flame."

"As for the remnants of the Galactic Empire who defected to Chaos..."

Curze took over the topic, and his pale fingers swiped across the hologram. Several star systems were instantly dyed a faint blue. "They are good at hiding, but the Midnight Lords are better at hunting. I will lead the team myself and make sure they don't even have a chance to beg for mercy."

Dorn's eyes swept over the two brothers. "Remember, brothers, our goal is unity, not indiscriminate slaughter. Those people who have not been contaminated and corrupted by Chaos should continue to play a useful role and contribute to the development of the Empire. They are the cornerstone of the Empire."

Koz's smile widened, but he did not give a clear response, "Don't worry, brother, I know what to do."

"Flar is just the beginning." Then, Perturabo's voice was like steel tempered in a forge:

"The Iron Warriors will continue to cooperate with the Imperial Fists to build a defense chain in key star systems to ensure that Chaos cannot launch an effective counterattack or continue to erode external forces."

The hologram changed again, showing several galaxy defense lines connected by iron fortresses.

"Jeda, Tatooine, etc., these nodes must be impregnable." Perturabo's visor flashed with a cold light, "Once the defense line is completed, Chaos will no longer be able to infiltrate."

Dorn nodded slightly and agreed, "If necessary, the Imperial Fists will provide all kinds of support to the Iron Warriors."

"very good."

Magnus also nodded and said, "In that case, brothers, follow the current plan and continue to carry out the unification war against Universe 17 until it is completely incorporated into the rule of the Empire.

In the name of the Emperor, let the flame of unity burn throughout this universe."

As the words fell and the ripples spread, the holographic projections began to go out layer by layer, and finally only the cold and dim light of the dome of the command room remained.

The images of the Primarchs faded in the data stream, and only the "light particles" remaining on the tactical table proved the reality of this meeting.

This "meeting" has come to an end.

"."

Dorn let out an imperceptible sigh after all the images of his brothers faded away.

It seems that the "intrigues" between his brothers have made this Primarch look exhausted.

Seeing this, Aoi immediately stepped forward, raised his hand and gently stroked the back of Dorn's right hand, whispering with concern:
"Are you ok?"

"fine."

Dorn responded by kneading his temple with the thumb and middle finger of his left hand, and then said:
"They are just some minor problems. There is no need to worry. Also, be prepared. After Sigismund's fleet is repaired, I will go to Tatooine in person. At that time, the defense of Yavin 4 and the surrounding star fields will be temporarily handed over to you."

"Okay, don't worry."

(End of this chapter)