I summoned the Fourth Scourge in Warhammer

Chapter 138 They actually dared to resist taxes! This is no ordinary rebel!
General Wendell's holographic image hovered steadily in the air. His rock-carved face showed no obvious emotional fluctuations, except for his sharp eyes, which were slightly narrowed, as if he were assessing an ancient weapon of unknown nature that had just been unearthed.

“Alright,” he finally spoke, his voice steady as a mountain, echoing slightly in the bridge. “Since you are so confident, the logistics department will prepare for you according to the information on the form.”

Wendell did not react on the spot. As the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force, there was no need to get angry over such a trivial matter. If this strange "legion of the dead" could really win a brilliant victory with such unorthodox equipment, he would not hesitate to praise them; but if they suffered a crushing defeat, or even caused greater trouble, it would not be too late to conduct a military trial and punishment then.

Needless to say, for an Astronomical Legion, if they really lose, they probably won't need to bother with punishment.

"Then I'll stay here and thank you in advance for your hard work in providing logistical support for our fallen soldiers." Ghost Face bowed slightly. He had a peculiar talent: even a compliment, when uttered by him, always carried a subtle hint of sarcasm, making people feel extremely uncomfortable.

“It’s just my job,” Wendell replied expressionlessly, clearly unmoved by the gesture. “If you really want to express your gratitude, then focus on dealing with those aliens on the battlefield. Now, follow the navigation beacon’s instructions and dock at the designated spaceport berth.”

After saying that, General Wendell's holographic image flashed cleanly and decisively, turning into countless points of light and dissipating into the air without uttering a single unnecessary word.

"I think we've successfully joined?" Ghost Face turned around and shrugged at the captain beside him, who had been standing at attention the whole time.

“I think… probably so, sir,” the captain replied cautiously, without looking to the side.

“Uh… this is too hasty,” Ghost Face couldn’t help but complain. “The simplicity of this process is even less responsible than when my parents sent me to that private sanatorium.”

The captain wisely chose to remain silent in response to this statement, keeping his eyes down and seemingly focused entirely on the vast expanse of space ahead.

No one responded, and Ghostface felt a wave of boredom wash over him. He paced back and forth on the bridge a couple of times, his tactical boots tapping lightly on the deck. After all, he wasn't so insane as to be able to talk to himself and get excited all the time.

Unfortunately, he is currently the supreme commander, and according to the game rules, he cannot log off at will. He must always keep his character online and maintain the health of his body.

Fortunately, the wait wasn't long. Ghostface and his team seemed to have arrived at the perfect time; after only three days of docking in the orbital spaceport in the real world, they received their next order: weigh anchor and set sail for the Jersey Sector!
Ghostface immediately informed all players on board. In an instant, many players, who had expected to witness an epic spectacle of "huge battleships and massive cannons clashing in the starry sky," became excited and surged from all parts of the ship's cabins to the bridge, vying for the best "viewing spots." The solemn and dignified bridge became as crowded and noisy as a marketplace, causing the dutiful NPC crew members to frown and complain bitterly. But Ghostface didn't care, and naturally, they dared not say anything.

However, this situation didn't last long. Soon, players with a better understanding of the backstory pointed out that this was the "Damocles Expedition" targeting the Tau people, and the Jersey Sector was merely an outpost, not even considered core territory of the Tau Empire. Therefore, there was unlikely to be any significant naval battles there. This news was like a bucket of cold water; the players' enthusiasm quickly faded, and they soon dispersed, the bridge finally returning to its usual calm. As it turned out, those players' predictions were correct.

When the massive Imperial fleet tore through reality, emerging menacingly from the crimson warp rift and landing on the outskirts of the Jersey Sector, the anticipated fierce resistance did not materialize. The entire sector, almost entirely enveloped in the overwhelming shadow of the Imperial fleet, instantly returned to the Emperor's rule.

There are two reasons why things went so smoothly.

First, the Empire is truly enraged this time. A border sector, under the influence of the Xenomorphs, has openly resisted taxes, an act that has crossed a real red line for the Terran leadership. Therefore, at the urging of the state religion, the Empire has assembled a terrifying expeditionary fleet.

The ground assault forces alone included six renowned Astartes Chapters: the Ultramarines, Imperial Scythe, Iron Hand, Black Templar, White Scars, and Ravenguard! Behind them were twenty Astral Army Legions, including those from Cadiana, Krieg, and even an elite Storm Loyalists force. Faced with such devastating power, not only would a marginal sector be crippled, but even a weaker Xenomorph civilization would be utterly destroyed.

Secondly, the Jersey Sector is hardly considered the Tau Empire's homeland. It's primarily inhabited by Tau diplomatic missions and commercial establishments; there are no organized military forces there. The Imperial fleet's swift strike did not actually involve direct combat with the Tau Empire's armed forces.

However, despite capturing the sector without bloodshed, the Imperial fleet temporarily halted its advance. The reason was simple: logistics.

To advance into the deeper territories of the Tau Empire, the Jersey Sector must be thoroughly transformed into a stable and reliable logistical base and forward springboard. Therefore, from a military perspective, a complete purge of the "destabilizing factors" here is necessary.

From a political perspective, daring to side with the aliens and openly resist taxes is no ordinary act of rebellion. The Empire must take decisive action! It must use blood and fire to teach the people here, and all those who dare to covet the Empire's territory, an unforgettable and profound lesson.

Thus, the war council convened aboard the flagship quickly made a decision. A massive Astral Army legion would be deployed to various planets in the Jersey Sector to carry out a purge of all resistance forces, alien sympathizers, and potential threats.

This naturally included Ghost Face and the legion of those who went to their deaths under his command.

With a heavy metallic clang, the landing module docked smoothly in the spaceport's berthing area. The heavy hatch slowly opened amidst a hiss of steam, revealing a vast, brightly lit hangar bustling with activity. Soldiers of the Death Legion—or rather, players—began to file out, curiously surveying their new surroundings.

(End of this chapter)