Warhammer: Beginning with Planetary Governors

Chapter 729 Roger Dorn: If this gets caught, my brothers will laugh at me for hundreds of years, right?

"What about people?"

The short veteran scratched his head, looking somewhat puzzled.

The big guy was just here a moment ago, how come he's disappeared in the blink of an eye?

He was somewhat worried, so he called to the other pilgrims in the same cabin to go together to find that big guy, Dorn.

If we can't find the person, we'll probably have to report it.

After all, that big, simple-minded guy came from a remote border region.

If the other party gets separated from the pilgrimage group and wanders around, they are likely to be taken away by the Terra Guard for questioning and may miss the pilgrimage process.

That could be a lifelong regret.

The kind-hearted, short veteran searched anxiously but found nothing, and then reported the matter to the pastor in charge.

Roger Dorn has disappeared.

He broke away from the pilgrimage group and mingled with the crowd, trying to get to Terra Palace faster.

As for whether it will be discovered?

This Lord of the Mountain Array was well aware of the Empire's situation and knew that hundreds of millions of humans came to Terra for pilgrimage.

Some people disappear without even being noticed.

The empire neither cares nor has the capacity to care.

That's inevitable.

As one of the builders of Lionsgate Airport, and with the added benefit of the forbidden artifacts, Dorn is confident that he can travel directly to the underground network of Terra through the secret passages within the airport.

The dense, black, honeycomb-like network of underground passages, left over from many eras, leads to the basement of the palace.

He knew of an underground passage that led to an ancient tomb guarded by the Royal Guard, which led directly to the Golden Throne.

While the surface of Terra has changed dramatically, the secret passages hidden deep underground will remain largely unchanged.

"In this way, I can secretly contact the Imperial Guard without revealing my whereabouts."

This would not only prevent the new empire from noticing, but also allow for better confirmation of the truth about the savior to my father.

Dorn thought to himself.

Now, he trusts no one except the emperor.

As long as he arrives at the Golden Throne without anyone noticing.

This would give us an advantage in the potential conflict and allow us more time to react.

Even if the savior or emperor of the empire truly harbored rebellious intentions, it would be difficult to respond in time.

“That’s a crucial step, I can’t afford to make any mistakes…” Dorn’s resolute face turned serious.

He used forbidden relics to block the machine's monitoring and detection, and then blended into the crowd to evade the airport's patrol guards.

Every step Dorn took was like walking a tightrope, extremely dangerous.

His enormous size greatly increased the difficulty of stealth, and he could be exposed at any time.

Fortunately, the Primarch's keen senses and millennia of wandering experience allowed him to successfully leave the port hall and evade several patrols.

If the surveillance equipment could mark and monitor Dorn, they would see a big guy acting suspiciously, sometimes crouching down, sometimes rolling over.

Or perhaps they are pupae on the ground.

The master of the mountain formation used various high-difficulty maneuvers to evade the sight of the patrolling guards, preventing those intuitive warriors from noticing anything amiss.

Soon, following the route he remembered, he entered an internal passageway for soldiers and arrived at a large gate.

"found it!"

Dorn gazed at the small alloy portal not far away, quite excited.

Behind this large door lies the secret passage left behind!

It was really difficult for me to find this place on my own; I couldn't even get help from the simplest communication network.

Dorn tried to use the data board to infiltrate the network and obtain information about Terra, but he was counter-tracked the moment he connected.

We almost got exposed.

After that, he dared not try again, lest he be located by the Empire's tight psionic network.

However, even if he could use the data panel, he didn't have much access to know about Holy Terra's internal defenses, especially the true situation of Lionsgate Airport.

Fortunately, the Primarch's mind and memory were extremely powerful, making him a living map of the humanoid, and he still managed to find the right path within the complex internal structure.

"Next, all I need to do is open this door and follow the pipes in the corridor behind it into the secret passage."

Dorn silently reminisced.

Although forcibly opening this door through data intrusion or physical destruction carries extremely high risks and would trigger airport alarms.

But by the time the patrol team arrived, he had already entered the airport's secret passage and reached Terra's underground network, making it difficult for any number of pursuers to track him down.

hum~
A metal device covered in runes hovered in mid-air; he was preparing to hack into the data using psionic magic.

However, just as Dorn reached the alloy door, the door slowly opened.

"What's going on? Access to this door has been granted?"

Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar corridor behind the door, the master of the mountain formation immediately had a bad feeling.

Something's not right.

He searched along the corridor but couldn't find the large pipe he remembered. Then, around a corner, a cacophony of voices rushed towards him.

Before me was another bustling airport terminal.

Everyone else is numb.

The once familiar Lionsgate Airport now feels so unfamiliar.

Didn't that Imperial warrior I met in the warp two hundred years ago say that Lionsgate Airport hadn't changed much?

This is what you call no change?!
At this moment, Dorn finally realized the extent of the transformation that Lionsgate Airport had undergone.

Through the dome of the hall, he saw a dense array of shipyards, their mechanical structures stretching to the horizon.

That was a view he couldn't see from the cabin and another hall.

Due to the long-term decay and stagnation of the old empire, Lionsgate Airport has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years, or even until a hundred years ago.

It retains its original layout, with only minor adjustments to the personnel and facilities used for defense.

The biggest change is that the machinery and facilities have become outdated, some areas are difficult to maintain, and they have gradually been closed off.

This situation continued until a century ago, when the Savior seized supreme power in Holy Terra and gradually began to transform the heart of the Empire.

Lionsgate Airport was also a key focus of the renovation, because it was too small and ugly, which did not fit the new imperial environment and was also incompatible with the new environment of Holy Terra.

Therefore, the relevant departments carried out a major renovation of this ancient airport to adapt to the new era.

It can't be called a renovation; rather, it was a reconstruction of the original Lionsgate Airport, with a larger scale of airport buildings built on the foundation of the original airport.

This resulted in Lionsgate Airport being considered only a small part of the new airport, and was habitually referred to by internal staff as the "old area".

The new Lionsgate Airport has undergone several expansions and is now many times larger than before, capable of accommodating thousands of large ships as well as many more small ships at the same time.

It is one of the most magnificent spaceports in the galaxy, and also a terrifying orbital fortress.

Such a magnificent and imposing mechanical defensive structure even made Dorn, the master of the mountain formation, momentarily lose his composure.

If the Empire had possessed an airport of such scale back then, perhaps he could have defended Terra and prevented that tragedy.

After he came to his senses, he realized a problem.

Such a large-scale renovation means that the secret passages he left behind have been completely destroyed.

"Perhaps following the pilgrims to the ground is a better option, even if it takes longer."

Dorn thought to himself.

ding dong~
Suddenly, the loudspeaker in the hall blared, interrupting my thoughts.

He looked up and was shocked to find that the projection device in the center of the hall was projecting his virtual image into the air.

The virtual half-body image, four or five meters tall, was enormous and enough to attract everyone's attention.

"I've been exposed?!"

This unexpected scene was a huge shock to Dorn, who was in the middle of a stealth operation; for a moment, his cerebellum almost shrunk.

Like an assassin who has infiltrated a dark room and is suddenly illuminated by a dozen spotlights, his mentality completely collapses!
Immediately afterwards, a gentle, standard female voice rang out, speaking in low Gothic, very down-to-earth:
"Dear pilgrims, we are now broadcasting a missing person notice."

We are looking for a pilgrim named "Dorn," a tall, kind-looking subhuman from the frontier, nicknamed "Big Guy."

If you find Mr. Dorn, please patiently guide him to the service platform in Area A of Hall SG-013, or contact the nearby patrol guards; his friends are waiting anxiously.

Thank you for your cooperation and help. May the Savior protect you!

With the expansion of the psionic network, the port has been divided into tens of thousands of zones, which has enabled better management of people coming and going.

Furthermore, a very user-friendly service platform has been set up to provide services for those who are lost or need assistance.

The female clerk's tone was like that of someone broadcasting a missing child announcement.

Indeed, that was the case; his friend, the honorary veteran, specifically pointed out that Dorn was a big, simpleton and might not be that bright.

Some sub-human races are like this, such as the Euglins.

Although the Oglins are no longer considered symbols of stupidity by the Imperial authorities, but rather a race with potential for intelligence, and are encouraged to challenge the Giant Warriors if they disagree.

"Big guy, he's over there!"

Before the female clerk finished her report, some pilgrims spotted Dorn and pointed in their direction, alerting the patrol.

Because too many people have seen Dorn disguised as a virtual avatar.

Even forbidden relics cannot conceal his existence.

Dorn, facing the gazes of everyone, wished he could disappear into a hole; it was too humiliating!
But he had already realized what situation he was in, so he could only stand there dumbfounded, ashamed to be playing the role of a big, dumb oaf.

Soon, patrol soldiers arrived.

The other person led him softly to the port hall next door, the place where Dorn had disembarked.

"Haha, I've finally found you! Big guy, you got lost just now, didn't you?"
Fortunately, I contacted the service platform in time.

The short veteran breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Dorn return.

He patted his chest, showing great concern: "This place is a bit big and complicated, but don't be nervous. You won't get lost if you follow me."

Dorn's face darkened slightly as he blankly dealt with the enthusiastic old soldier, completely numb.

This was probably one of the few shameful moments in his life that he would never want to recall. The only saving grace was that he wasn't exposed and restrained on the spot.

If something like that really happened, wouldn't he be laughed at by his brothers for hundreds of years?
The management of personnel at Lionsgate Airport or the New Empire has exceeded the understanding of the Mountain Array Master.

Humans cannot imagine things beyond their own comprehension.

For millennia, the empire has prohibited the use of smart facilities and networks, and its vast, fragmented population has resulted in administrative inefficiencies even worse than those of the feudal era.

Especially Old Terra.

Before accepting the rule of the Savior, Terratin was so corrupt that it didn't even know how many officials it had, let alone basic population statistics. It was one of the most filthy planets in the galaxy, and you could find almost every alien heretic in the galaxy.

Under these circumstances, Dorn naturally could not imagine that the Empire would have such a sophisticated management system.

He made an empiricist mistake.

This is not uncommon in the new empire; many people have made fools of themselves in the process, which only shows that times have changed.

"Perhaps there are other security vulnerabilities here..."

Dorn pondered how to get past the airport defenses, but the next moment he became alert.

At that moment, an alarm sounded outside the hall: alien invaders had broken in, coming from the hall itself, several kilometers away!
He looked up and saw it clearly with the Primarch's vision—

A hidden, powerful Chaos Demon was exposed, triggering a defense alarm. Several defensive force fields immediately rose in the hall to protect the personnel.

Then a massive horde of heavily armored Space Marines surged out, and several Dreadnoughts drove in.

Immediately afterwards, a dozen or so grey knights, radiating holy light, arrived, their psionic arcs sparking and flashing all the way.

Then came the crackling of various sparks and electric arcs.

The scene was extremely brutal. The Chaos Demon was like a mouse that had wandered into a group of cats, getting slapped dozens of times in a row. Then it trembled and shrank into a corner with its hands raised.

It seems like she's protesting her innocence?!

At the same time, the entire hall was separated from the dock, all passages were sealed off, and several naval cannons and more automatic turrets were aimed at the nearby airspace, creating a tight net.

Moreover, more Thunderhawk gunboats are on their way.

Dorn was shocked, and his breathing became heavy.

This defense master had never seen such an awe-inspiring defense system and method.

A single Chaos Demon attracted nearly half the forces of the warband; it's hard to imagine just how many armed forces were deployed in this airport.

Is this how the savior's armed forces are used?!
There was no other way; the emperor's safety was of paramount importance, so the savior arranged for an extra number of troops to be stationed there.

More importantly, there has been no chaos invasion for far too long.

Those soldiers responsible for guarding the area finally managed to catch one, so wouldn't they have to fight tooth and nail to get some performance bonuses?
"With such a dense defensive force, I was a bit careless in my initial assessment..."

Dorn swallowed hard. Even if he could withstand heavy artillery, he would have a hard time withstanding naval guns and molten steel emplacements.

One or two doors are fine, but with this dense array of doors, no one can make a difference!
He was somewhat relieved that he hadn't acted rashly.

Through this unexpected incident, Dorn gained a general understanding of the defenses at Lionsgate Airport.

The main focus is on abundance, piling on materials, and a simple, straightforward approach.

Normal deployment of defenses does not involve calculating troop strength, deciding which areas should be abandoned and which areas should be defended, and then setting up defensive lines in key areas.

How can you defend like that?!
The Savior constructed a series of defensive networks at Lions Gate Airport with dense and excessive artillery facilities and armed forces.

It was also modularized, so that it would be isolated no matter which area the enemy invaded.

Even if the enemy gets the defense map, it's useless in this situation. The map is already filled up, so where are the weak points?

“Damn it!

If I had been given such a large army back then, I could have easily blown Horus and Perturab's heads off!

Dorn sighed inwardly, feeling a touch of envy. When had he ever guarded such a wealthy city wall and fortress?

During the siege of Terra, the Imperial Fist and other legions dispersed their forces to various locations.

The forces he could actually mobilize were in a state of extreme strain and were in grave danger.

"It seems the Savior still cares about Terra's safety; he doesn't want his father to be attacked."

After learning about the severe overload at Lionsgate Airport, Dorn's prejudice against the Savior lessened somewhat.

Although that guy was power-hungry, he still cared about the empire; at least he was loyal.

Instead of becoming a servant of chaos like Horus.

Dorn could sense the Savior's aversion to Chaos, otherwise he wouldn't have set up such a defense.

Of course this is just speculation.

Everything could only be truly confirmed after he secretly met with the Emperor, that father.

Now the leader of the mountain formation has behaved himself and no longer has the idea of ​​breaking through the airport defense line.

To avoid getting caught and embarrassing yourself.

Let's wait until we get to the surface of Terra. With the Primarch's strength, wouldn't he be able to move around on the ground with ease?
Dorne used his status as a pilgrim to travel to the ground via the space elevator, and then seized the opportunity to break away from the pilgrimage group.
The entrance to the ancient tomb passage leading to the Golden Throne has been found.

He stood before the ancient stone gate, a sense of relief washing over him: "By the Emperor, all of this is finally coming to an end."

……

A few days later.

In a primeval jungle somewhere on the eastern continent of Holy Terra.

Dorne's rugged face was covered in grime and his clothes were tattered; anyone who didn't know him would think he had just fled from the bottom hive.

The master of the mountain formation gazed at the Himalayas not far away, trembling and gritting his teeth:
"I'm so angry! This savior is truly heartless and depraved, a complete bastard!"

(End of this chapter)