The Bizarre Adventures of the Oil Man, but Starting with Warhammer 32K

"Then I can only question your lack of action. General Forge, has the ancient alliance between Terra and Mars been devoured by cold machinery?"

Leon had thought that Kurland's aggressiveness would make the atmosphere tense. Unexpectedly, the Casting General didn't say anything. He simply explained calmly:

"This isn't a lack of mobility; it's an objective fact. Our forces are only strong when they rely on a Forge World and have sufficient supplies. The size and armament of our fleet are also limited by the agreement. Blind action will only lead to the loss of precious military forces that could be used for greater value."

"Where are your weapon arrays and war engines?"

Leon interrupted.

Kubik turned his gaze to Leon. He knew what Leon was hinting at: "Of course we have the means to destroy the Battle Moon directly from Mars, but this is not feasible in itself. Tell me, Brother Kurland, would you let the Phalanx perish along with the Battle Moon in order to destroy it?"

"If this is the last..."

"There's no need to assume the situation; the answer is no."

Kubik waved his hand and projected in front of the two people the simulation result of the direct destruction of the battle moon: the shattered battle moon turned into a huge meteorite and fell directly towards Terra. The entire Terra would fall into a state of semi-destruction because of this "meteor shower".

Just like Covenant Harbor.

"Using any weapon more powerful than conventional force would bring immeasurable risks to Terra. Sage Leon, do you want us to save the Throne World by destroying it?"

He changed the subject.

"However, Mars will still honor the covenant it signed with the Emperor, so I will help you. Although you have only slander and accusations against us, Mars will still contribute its strength in this war that has caught everyone off guard."

A list of combat units expected to be dispatched was sent to Leon and Kurland's server terminals. Leon looked through the list and found that it listed the support that Mars planned to send to the Final Wall.

Five corps composed of hunters and heavy-armored servitors, and seven small knight families attached to Mars, with a total of nearly three hundred knight mechas.

Kurland looked at Leon in surprise—this level of support was beyond his imagination. Leon didn't respond to Kurland's gaze, but he realized something.

I'm afraid every word Urquidex said is true.

PS: In the original world line, there were also five legions and seven knight families. With this amount of power plus the final high wall of about 4,000 Astartes, the battle moon car was overturned. The combat effectiveness of the orcs seemed very poor here (and then they turned around and forced Uncle Black to die together)

This profoundly illustrates that in the eyes of GW writers, combat effectiveness is just a floating value that serves the atmosphere.

Chapter 168 The Threat from Mars.

“When will these troops be ready?”

Kurland wanted confirmation.

"A few weeks ago, I issued a call to the Om Messiah Guards and received a response from the Knight Families. Now they have gathered on the 12th Staircase on Mars, waiting for my order to set off."

Although only a projection, the figure of the Forge General suddenly zoomed closer. "You have insulted me and the oath of alliance between Mars and Holy Terra. We have been preparing to aid Terra from the beginning, but we cannot act alone, and we will not support those foolish High Lords."

The foolish High Lord's words resonated deeply with Kurland. He bowed and said, "I apologize, General Casting."

"I won't let your offense interfere with my logic, so I accept your apology. Now you can go to God's Hand Airport. I will have the Sage Commanding these Skitarii and the High King of the Knight Family contact you."

"The Mechanicus' fleet will be responsible for transporting these troops and providing the necessary orbital fire support. However, I have one condition: my priests must collect the supplies and technology on the battle moon and send them to Mars."

Kurland looked at Leon anxiously, but Leon remained motionless. He could only ask himself, "What's the purpose?"

"To our shared purpose, Chapter Master. Its research is vital to defeating the Beastmen."

Although he didn't understand Mars's purpose as well as Leon, who had contact with Urkidex, Kurland still smelled a conspiracy. Fortunately, Leon's voice finally rang through the encrypted channel in his helmet.

"Promise him, but at the same time demand leadership of these armies."

Kurland quickly changed his tone: "I can agree, but I must ensure control of these troops. Your priest cannot disrupt our strategic deployment for these materials."

Kubik seemed to have anticipated this situation. "In the name of Om Messiah, I cannot hand over the servants of Mecha-God to outsiders. However, the direct leadership of those Knight Houses is negotiable. If you agree to my proposal, I can place them under your direct command."

Leon nodded slightly, and Kurland agreed to the proposal.

"Thank you for your aid, Forgemaster. Your generosity will save the lives of many sons of Dorne."

"Of course, Mars will not allow the empire to fall. We will stand united as always."

Kubik's logic could easily discern the doubt in Kurland's face about this statement, but he didn't care. He stood up and declared the conversation over.

"I believe you have accomplished your purpose for coming to Mars, Brother Kurland."

With sufficient logistics, the 500,000 Skitarii and seven Knight Houses are equivalent to five times the number of Astra Militarum. This force will be the most valuable aid when airdropping from orbit to fight on the moon.

The talks were generally smooth and quick, but they did not meet the trial court's request for delay.

Knowing he had no reason to remain on Mars, Kurland considered whether to abandon his cooperation with the Inquisition agents. He and Leon left together, but Kubik stopped Leon.

"Sage Leon, I hope you can stay alone."

Kurland stepped forward subconsciously: "Leon is the current technical advisor of the Imperial Fists. He must be with me."

"But he is first and foremost a Magus, and Mars has some... doctrines within the Adeptus Mechanicus to discuss with him."

The originally smooth conversation was cast into a shadow.

Kurland looked at Leon worriedly. He had already made up his mind to lead the Honor Company to firmly reject the Casting General.

Li Ang shook his head and comforted him.

"I also have some academic matters to discuss with my colleagues on Mars. There's nothing to worry about. You go to Ladder 12 and organize the troops first. I'll naturally head to the Phalanx after I'm done with the academic discussions."

Kurland left the place, looking back every few steps, leaving only Leon and Kubik in the conference room.

General Casting was the first to speak: "Your skill is astonishing, Sage Leon. These warriors of the Seventh Legion are willing to go through fire and water for you. I even suspect that you are the true master of the Seventh Legion."

"Don't tease me, Master Forge-General. They are still Astartes."

Leon replied calmly.

"That's right, Astartes. Eunuch gene-warriors who prioritize the survival of the Imperium above all else, obsessed with honor. Sage Leon, no matter what you seek to achieve through these Astartes, you must remember that it was the God of All Machines who bestowed your current identity. You naturally carry the undertones of the Adeptus Mechanicus. No matter what you decide to do, you will ultimately have to return to the Forge World system to resolve the issue."

Kubik's reminder was obvious. Leon pulled out a chair and sat down casually, looking at the other party from a distance.

"You want to talk to me about Maxim?"

"Maxim? No—"

Kubik drawled, his subprocessor allowing him to infuse his vocal output with a mix of superiority, sarcasm, and calm: "It's just a lowly Forge World. There's nothing much to say about that world."

"If I were Maxim's former casting director, I would be furious at Mars's indifference."

"But you are not. In fact, it was you who conspired to capture Maxim."

Kubik stood up. For him, this meeting was truly on track at this moment.

"We spent a long time investigating your connections and discovered that your connection to Huangquan Eight is quite tenuous. You've even offended quite a few sages on Huangquan Eight. To the Adeptus Mechanicus, your identity is quite clean. Not just Huangquan Eight, I believe many Forge Worlds would be happy to accept the status assessment of a sage like you."

Li Ang understood what he meant: "Mars wants to recruit me?"

"why not?"

The assessment of status within the Mechanicus is a complicated matter. Priests who wish to be promoted must propose a valuable and practical topic and submit it to the Forge World.

The Foundry Council assesses the value of the subject, and only with the approval of at least three higher-level priests can the priest successfully obtain a status recognized by the corresponding Foundry World.

This identity is generally applicable to all forging worlds, but it also depends on the level and relationship of different forging worlds.

A sage from a third-level forging world was clearly not as noble as one from a second-level forging world. Similarly, a great sage certified by Huangquan No. 8, even if he was a great sage, would not be welcomed by a forging world of the Martian faction.

Compared to Huangquan No. 8, the identity of Martian Sage is obviously much more popular.

"We don't care about the gains and losses of a low-level forge world, because such forge worlds are not important to Mars. They are as numerous as the stars in space. If a worthy sage like you wants a low-level forge world, I have no objection to it."

"As for Maxim—although your methods were a bit brutal, I can still consider it a reward. As long as you are willing to join us, Sage Leon, Mars's reckoning with you will be easily resolved. You will blend in here and contribute your value to Om Messiah in the birthplace of the God of All Machines, as if nothing had happened."

The conditions offered by the Casting General were very tempting. Even though he knew that Mars should have partially understood his tactics from Maxim and the Port of Saint Covenant, Leon would not take such a bargaining chip for granted.

"What does Mars need?"

He asked bluntly.

"Your electromagnetic technology, especially the piercing shockwave cannon, is a valuable asset despite its high energy consumption. In the name of the God of All Machines, Mars must properly preserve it. And you, Sage Leon, will use this technology to pass Mars' assessment and become a recognized senior sage."

"Can this technology be exchanged for the status of a high-level sage? I'm afraid it's not that simple, right?"

"Of course, your current status is more valuable."

Kubik admitted.

A sage who is deeply trusted by the Final Wall, if this sage changes his appearance and becomes Mars's assistant, then Mars can infiltrate his influence into the Final Wall and ensure that their goals are achieved.

But what is the price of infernal affairs?

Kubik's previous intention to emphasize Leon's affiliation with the Adeptus Mechanicus was revealed. However, this was not enough to convince Leon. Faced with the Forge-General's invitation, he decisively shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't do it."

Kubik didn't want to miss this opportunity: "You can also name your price. As long as it is logical, Mars will take these conditions into consideration."

"Give up on this idea, General Casting. My goal has never been to become a cog in a giant machine. No matter how tempting the price offered by Mars is, it cannot provide the ultimate goal I seek."

Leon stood up, wanting to end the conversation. But the conference room door was suddenly locked. Leon turned back to look at the projection of the Casting General and saw that his eyes were already flashing a dangerous red light.

"Sage Leon, what do you want? Power? Technology? Resources? As long as you are willing to synchronize your logic with the teachings of Mars, everything can be achieved."

"What if I say no?"

"Mars' patience is limited. Your choices may cause your logic circuits to be... reformatted."

Kubik waved his hand and displayed the data under his throne to Leon. This information about his data throne made Leon understand the essence of the Forged General Throne.

It was a huge integrated thinking system. Any priest who dared to disobey the will of the Casting General would be connected to this system as wetware and become part of this gridded brain.

These dehumanized wetwares formed the most powerful Contemplator array in the galaxy, integrating their computing power into the Data Throne beneath Kubik's seat. Kubik accessed this computing power through the Data Throne, achieving a unified operation and thought.

In the hundred years since he became the Fabricator-General, there has never been any disagreement within the Martian Mechanicum.

"That's why I became the Forge General, Sage Leon."

He proudly displayed his power. With the help of these devices, Kubik was a well-deserved god in the realm of certain logic and probability.

"No one on Mars can defy my will. Just like Maximus the Sage who defied me upon his arrival. Whether they wish it or not, these dissenters will ultimately serve divine logic and order."

In other words, if I insist, I will be turned into wetware like these Maxim's sages.

Li Ang controlled his attitude so that it wouldn't seem too deliberate: "I won't make the choice to betray the ultimate wall."

"Do you think the Walls are your ultimate support? They are not even the only Astartes force now. Three companies of the Iron Hands are stationed on Mars."

“But they are a legion.”

"So what? The Warp Storm is raging outside the Throne World. It is difficult to conduct reliable Warp navigation at a distance of more than two nodes from Terra. How long will it take for their successor group to complete its assembly?"

"You are merely befriending an entity that has only the name of a legion, but no real legion. Recognize your own worth, Sage Leon. Mars's willingness to give you this opportunity does not mean you have the right to disobey Mars."

"What if I insist?"

"Mars won't return empty-handed."

Following Kubik's final warning, three hundred Rust Seekers, who had been lying in wait, appeared around the living room. Their crimson mechanical eyes scanned Leon, waiting for him to refuse again before rushing over and chopping him into pieces.

Li Ang knew it was time to give in. "But I'm willing to provide the production line for the piercing shockwave cannon."

The rust seeker indeed stopped.

This is a common practice - when a sage fails in the "academic exchange" within the Mechanicus but does not want to directly provide his unique technology, he can choose to hand over the production line.

This approach provides direct value to the other party while also hoping that they won't be able to infer the technical principles from the production line alone. It's a compromise made out of necessity.

“Where is the production line?”

"In my head, you can't expect me to carry around a production line anymore, right? Just give me the materials and I'll make it."

With the blessing of the data throne, Kubik easily judged Leon's logic.

Building a production line takes time; even just putting up the framework takes months. In his opinion, Leon was choosing between the Seventh Legion and the threat from Mars, ultimately making a choice that would keep him out of it.

He is still a decent man.

Does he think there is still room for fence-sitters in the current situation?

The Casting General was not satisfied with this, but after eliminating the experts within the final high wall, the probability of Mars achieving its goal has risen to an acceptable level.

In addition, Leon's unique technology was indeed what Mars needed, so he finally nodded and agreed to the deal.

"Leave the production line, and Mars will forgive you for your actions."

Leon didn't believe him, but he should be safe until the production line was completed.

"When do I begin my work? After the attack on Battle Moon?"

he asked.

"No, for now, Mars will assign you a forge."