Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 223 Suspicion and Separation
His brother's sharp question struck Solas like a heavy blow.

Without any preamble or the necessary reserve in conversation, Doom's words cut straight to the point, cutting through any pretense or rhetoric.

The Primarchs present were momentarily stunned by the question.

As Doom said, what is his identity?
Lord of the Stars, King of the Night Guard, Doom Slayer, Independent Recognized by the Emperor.

He was a brother by blood, a collaborator of the empire, and a powerful overlord who ruled over the stars.

In what capacity should we talk to him?
Solas's eyes flickered; he understood his blood brother's intention: to make him clarify their respective roles in the conversation.

If one answers "brother," it indicates a personal relationship, and the topic becomes informal. Whether the conversation is pleasant depends entirely on the relationship between the two people.

If the answer is "empire," then this small probe will immediately rise to a level that does not belong to it.

The person sitting in the seat was not the original gene, but the Emperor himself or his authorized negotiator.

Can I then represent the empire?

The problem is obvious: Solas cannot, the Primarchs cannot, and Chancellor Macado cannot.

Human empires are adorned with a constellation of stars, but apart from the ruler of humanity—the Emperor—no single individual can represent an empire.

The tentative reach provoked a fierce response. Solas hadn't expected his brother's response to be so simple and brutal, devoid of the traditional court politics maneuvering.

"Just some daydreams..." he replied helplessly, giving up the idea of ​​probing.

The strong response from his blood brother caught him off guard, forcing him to abandon any attempt to extend the conversation.

The status bestowed upon Doom by the Emperor stood like an insurmountable barrier in the middle of the conversation, rendering the words pale and powerless.

Before meeting his brother, Solas read the Star Protocol and carefully considered each clause.

The conclusion was that as long as the Nur Stars acknowledge themselves as part of humanity, the Empire has no right to interfere in anything that happens within their territory.

The Empire's two most sensitive issues: artificial intelligence and aliens.

Artificial intelligence is handled according to a separate agreement. Aliens, on the other hand, are targets for both sides to eliminate without any disagreement.

Perhaps the Lord of Man had foreseen the spying and threats that Doom and the Nur stars would face, so he granted them the greatest freedom and independence, cutting off all external troubles.

Soras lamented in his heart, grieving for his powerlessness, and also gave up the idea of ​​trying.

In truth, he knew that there was a rift between him and his brothers.

He was unwilling to explain the reasons, nor would he blame his brother for being wary; only he knew the bitterness he was going through.

What is your identity?
He was just a pathetic person...

Solas shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Nur Technology has many technologies that are strictly prohibited within the Empire. My sorrow lies in the restrictions imposed upon it."

"If we can use it with confidence, we will gain an unparalleled advantage in the war against the aliens."

Hearing his brother say this, Doom knew he had given up his plan, and then lowered his imposing manner and nodded with a sigh: "Indeed."

The clash between the Primarchs ended, instantly easing the atmosphere in the Inner Circle as if nothing had happened.

The Imperial Guard and the Space Marines breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the conflict had not continued.

Ruth also composed herself and chimed in, "But the price we paid in the past makes us hesitant to get involved again."

The three spoke cryptically, without mentioning the word "artificial intelligence," yet they understood each other implicitly.

“I really want to see the brilliance of the Nur Stars.” Soras picked up his glass, took a sip, and looked on with longing.

His emotions were genuine, his eyes shining with a light, without a trace of probing or searching, only the purest longing.

Doom picked up the conversation, smiling as he extended a sincere invitation: "You can come with us. Ruth and I need to go back to repair the ship."

He did not perceive any test or lie; his longing was genuine, and his yearning was undisguised.

“It would be perfect if the three of us went together and enjoyed drinks in Doom’s hometown,” Ruth also extended an invitation, his animalistic instincts failing to detect any falsehood.

The mysterious brother really wants to see it, to see it without any impurities, to see its beauty untainted.

"No, thank you." Hearing his brother's sincere invitation, Soras shook his head with a wry smile: "I don't have time, I must speed up the expedition."

"The Emperor participated in the expedition, and he urged and warned me to speed up the conquest."

"You are probably aware of the current situation of the Second Legion. I can no longer delay the Great Expedition."

“You all have legitimate reasons. You’ve just been through a major battle, your ships need repairs, and your legions need to be reorganized.” His eyes gleamed with silver light, and he spoke with a hint of composure as he stated his reasons for being unable to do what he was told.

Doom raised his glass to him, but keenly noticed that Solas did not refer to the Emperor as "father."

This simple name actually reveals a lot of details.

Ruth and his brothers all called the emperor their father and regarded it as an honor.

For his own reasons, Doom would not call any other man his father except for King Norwick.

Following this line of thought, Doom wondered what Solas's reasons were.
“Brother,” Doom asked Soras with a somber expression and a sincere tone, “what is your reason for not sharing it with your blood brother?”

He had a hunch that the key factor was likely the root cause of his brother's strange behavior.

Solas shook his head repeatedly, drank his wine, and refused to answer Doom's question.

He said to Doom and Ruth, "Brothers, I..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped himself. Soras hesitated.

His expression changed rapidly, shifting from struggle and hesitation to determination.

Doom and Ruth exchanged a glance, unable to understand what was causing their brother such distress and pain.

Finally, with a resolute look on his serious face, Solas said to them firmly, "Everything I've done is supported by ample personal reasons, and I had to do it."

Having said that, the point was to tell Doom not to ask any more questions.

Doom's dark eyes held pity as he looked at his brother and shook his head in heartache and helplessness.

He could sense the pain in her words, and he could also perceive her unwavering resolve.

“It’s time to leave.” Solas slowly stood up, his power armor creaking as he did so, a faint smile on his face.

Their purpose for coming here was discovered, and the two brothers, being very vigilant, realized they were being tested.

To save face for everyone, he chose to leave, and without explicitly stating it, it could be considered a "good parting."

My abrupt intrusion into the banquet has put my two brothers and three fleets on high alert, which certainly makes me a bad guest.

A bitter feeling welled up inside Solas, like spilled lemonade slowly flowing through his heart.

He didn't know how to describe his complicated feelings.

He lamented the lack of intelligence, yet was also pleased by the matter, a contradictory and complex situation.

“We’ll see you off.” Doom and Ruth stood up, as warmly as they had been at the beginning.

Knowing that Solas was determined to leave, they did not try to persuade him to stay, but simply offered to see their brother off.

Solas nodded silently, and led by Doom and accompanied by Russ, the three of them left the banquet together.

Upon seeing the Primarch rise, the Primarch Guard immediately bid farewell to their cousins ​​from the other Legions and followed in the footsteps of the Father of Genesis.

They came and went in a hurry. Doom and Ruth stood on the tarmac, watching the shuttle carrying Solas depart.

"He carries a heavy, unspeakable burden." Ruth's eyes reflected the starry sky as he watched the shuttle disappear into the distance, letting out a low sigh.
"Perhaps one day, he will be able to put down his burdens and have a heart-to-heart talk with us."

"Back then, there was no such scheming or vigilance; we could have a good talk with each other."

Doom remained expressionless, but inwardly worried about his brother's ultimate goal: "We don't know his specific purpose, but we sincerely hope to be able to truly embrace our brother."

Not long after Soras left the Royal Majesty, the Morse system lit up with an eerie glow.

The Second Legion fleet sailed into the warp, leaving the Randan battlefield and heading towards the Great Expedition route.

They must get involved in the war as soon as possible, or even conquer faster, to make up for the lost progress and avoid being held accountable by the emperor.

With the departure of the Second Legion Commander, the banquet atmosphere became even more lively.

The Legion warriors spoke freely, discussing their performance in the Randan War and recounting their achievements to their Gene Brothers.

Some Space Marines were secretly saddened by the loss of their close comrades in battle against the Xenomorphs.

The banquet lasted for a full two hundred and forty Terras, with countless people coming and going, and every soldier participating in the banquet during their turn.

Doom and Ruth would always offer their blessings from the high platform each time a group of people left.

(End of this chapter)