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

Semi-exiled, they came to Mars, a nation that had always been friendly with the Iron Hands, and tried to gain Mars' aid by offering their assistance to the Mechanicus during the Green Tide and the relics they brought with them.

But Mars was ambiguous, neither agreeing nor rejecting their request. It wasn't until the conflict with the Final Wall that the Casting General remembered the Iron Hands, which he had previously used to threaten Leon, but had actually been keeping for a long time.

Realizing that Mars was there to negotiate terms, Captain Steel warmly invited the sage to take a seat, but the priest refused.

"Captain Cooper, Mars has only one condition."

The originally enthusiastic Cooper widened his eyes. Opposite him, the senior sage Calx, who came to convey the order of the Forging General, was pointing at the Phalanx in the orbit of Mars.

The muzzle of that giant star-destroying cannon aimed at Mars was clearly visible even from the ground.

"I'm playing the Mountain Array? Is that true?"

Chapter 173: Hands of Steel.

"It's not the Mountain Phalanx."

Calcus corrected Cooper, saying, "It was just a brief standoff with the final wall."

"I don't believe we won't have to fight the final wall."

"It's true that the possibility of a brief exchange of fire cannot be ruled out, but you will also get assistance from Mars to the greatest extent possible."

Cooper still didn't want to do this. He took out the holy relic called "Iron Stone" and asked:

"Couldn't this holy relic that can repair the Machine Soul and our assistance to Mars be exchanged for Mars' support?"

The Iron Stone is Cooper's last remaining possession. This Iron Hand relic has the power to mend machine spirits, allowing the armor to function and repair itself even when it is inevitably destroyed.

Cooper thought Mars would offer a good price for this, but he didn't expect the other party to just refuse.

"Captain Cooper, your desire to establish a new chapter is not favored within the Martian community. Supporting you will inevitably lead to a deterioration in relations between Mars and the Iron Hands. One relic alone is insufficient for Mars to pay such a price. You must contribute more value to Mars."

The sage pulled up the reconnaissance footage from Mars, which showed the Final High Wall troops digging fortifications near Lava City according to Leon's instructions. "The number of people landing on Mars is roughly the same as yours. They are your only enemies."

Cooper fell into thought.

As someone who had come from a staunch ally of the Mechanicum, Cooper was certainly aware that these oil men were known for their cold logic and meticulous planning. The more tempting the current price, the more reason he had to suspect that Mars had other intentions.

But their situation... is indeed very embarrassing.

"I need to discuss this with my brother."

He asked Karkes to leave.

"Of course, it's your freedom."

Cooper's eyes swept over the other Iron Hands warriors as they entered his command room. His brother's battered power armor still bore the Iron Hands emblem, but that symbol had long since been disowned by the other Iron Hands.

——Aside from the renunciation ceremony, Cooper and his brothers still retain most of their intact limbs.

"Flesh and blood are weak..."

Cooper muttered softly, his mind racing with images of the Iron Hands that still remained in Medusa.

They have long since viewed flesh and blood as a burden, pursuing the ultimate mechanical ascension. Their bodies have been replaced by cold metal, their minds dominated by logic and algorithms, and their emotions completely stripped away.

Cooper once witnessed a former comrade who, in pursuit of greater strength, replaced his brain with a wetware processor even though his entire body had been replaced by machinery.

At that moment, what Cooper felt was not envy, but deep fear.

He and his brothers still retain their flesh and blood, constantly reminding themselves that they are still human. They believe that steel is an enhancement to themselves, but refuse to completely replace those "weak" flesh with steel.

In the Iron X Legion, which was regarded as a loser by Fenudu, their beliefs were regarded as heresy and even a shame by the Iron Council.

So they were exiled, and the Iron Council used their deaths as a cold reminder to all who joined the Iron Hands of their true purpose.

The ruthlessness of the Iron Council stimulated Cooper. Looking at these brothers who were scarred but still followed him, he made up his mind.

"We will not be exiled to the edge of Mars, waiting for complete extinction. No matter what the purpose of Mars is, we must survive and pass on our beliefs!"

He accepted the Martian offer, and having anticipated this, the Martians quickly delivered weapons and equipment. The 300 Iron Hands received brand new power armor, bolters, and an excess of ion and melta weapons.

They even received dozens of Rhino transports and Land Raiders, vehicles painted in their signature yellow that had been ordered by the Imperial Fists before the Beast Wars, but now they were delivered to the Iron Hands and were about to be deployed on the front lines against the Final Wall.

Cooper felt ashamed of the Oil Man's "reputation," but the sheer volume of weapons made him marvel at the generosity of the Forge World. With a weapons stockpile comparable to the reserves of an entire fleet-based regiment at his fingertips, he felt comfortable cooperating with these Martians with ulterior motives.

Having never been so wealthy before, they were happily pushed to the front line and began to confront the reorganized Soul Drinkers.

"The equipment is quite good."

Leon, gazing at the Iron Hands from the trench, commented, "No wonder Mars felt so confident in threatening me."

Amidel, standing by, didn't take it seriously: "You'd better dare to challenge us."

"Don't worry, someone will come and create this opportunity for us."

More than a day had passed since the Soul Drinkers arrived on the surface via the airdrop chamber, and Amidel quickly found Leon through a dedicated communication channel.

He originally wanted to take Leon away directly, but Mars reacted and blocked the route to and from the surface by adjusting its orbital defense position, and used electromagnetic interference to block any external communications from Mars.

Mars did not open fire, but its intention not to let them go easily was clearly exposed.

Leon, incidentally, had no plans to leave. He directed the Soul Drinkers to dig fortifications on the spot, intending to stall the Martians here while waiting for the Martian traitors, led by Augustus, to create an opportunity for him.

Mars had already understood from their negotiations with the Phalanx where the ridiculous error had occurred. However, they were only just beginning to thoroughly investigate the internal hidden dangers, so they wouldn't be able to get to the bottom of the matter for a while.

But in the end, the attitude of the high wall became more and more aggressive.

"Brother Kurland, why do you have to force me? Leon is a sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus. His fate should be decided by the Adeptus Mechanicus itself. We should fight the green-skinned orcs together. Why should we destroy our alliance for a sage who is no longer useful?"

Kubik tried to get Kurland to give up Leon: "We can dispatch more reinforcements to attack the battle moon, even including the intelligent control corps from Mars."

"The honor of the Imperial Fists does not allow us to abandon anyone who has fought alongside us in times of danger. If you insist on harming him, then Mars will become our enemy."

"Master, your 'loyalty' is pushing the final wall into the abyss of hostility towards the entire Mechanicus. Think about it, the 500,000 Skitarii in orbit are still under my control. As long as I activate their killing protocol, you will definitely pay a heavy price for it..."

"Then start it."

Kurland remained unmoved, he just stared at Kubik, as if he wanted to pierce the Casting General's heart through the image.

"Loyalty is not measured by weight, and honor is not exchanged for benefits. This is the bottom line of the Imperial Fists. Every drop of oil shed by that insignificant sage you speak of is more precious than your Martian 'aid'!"

Fearless, who was standing behind Kurland, nodded approvingly, and Kubik hung up the communication in annoyance.

"Stubborn stone!"

Even if he didn't intend to become an enemy, the Forge General realized that he had to teach these stubborn sons of Dorne a lesson, so that the High Wall would finally understand that Leon's life was still in Mars' hands.

So, three days into the standoff, the Iron Hands received instructions to launch an attack.

-

Cooper's concerns were focused on Mars's purpose; he wasn't worried about the current threat. From his professional perspective, the weapons Mars had provided were more than enough to crush Soul Drinkers in their ordinary power armor.

Of course, he did not underestimate this battle - after all, he had to consider how to fight in order to intimidate the opponent enough without causing too many casualties.

This is a difficult problem for the Iron Hands, who are known for their ruthlessness.

"All units, launch the attack according to the predetermined plan!"

Cooper gave the order.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Iron Hands troops began to move. Six Land Raiders were the first to charge out of their positions, their heavy tracks crushing the Martian sand as they pushed forward with unstoppable momentum.

Behind Rand were the Rhino transports, each loaded with heavily armed Iron Hands warriors. However, Cooper believed that his brother would not be needed at all. The multi-laser cannons and heavy bolters on the heavy vehicles alone were enough to destroy the Soul Drinkers' resistance.

"Trust in our steel, we will not give the enemy any chance!"

-

In the Soul Drinker's position, Leon stood at the edge of the trench and observed the movements of the Iron Hands.

There was no panic on his face, but instead a playful smile.

"It seems that Mars is the first one to get restless."

Leon said to Amidel beside him, "They sent these iron lumps to give us a warning."

Armidale waved the sword in his hand and said, "They will understand how powerful we are."

"Of course, but remember to hold back. We don't need to become enemies with these Iron Hands."

Armidale nodded, turned, and shouted to the Soul Drinkers behind him: "Brothers, prepare your weapons! Today, we are here to restore the reputation of our army... our chapter!"

"Today's sacrifice is tomorrow's triumph!"

The veterans of the Second Legion raised their strange weapons, but the new Soul Drinkers remained silent.

Sergeant Birmingham nudged Logosh beside him. This warrior, who was also from the original Soul Drinker, asked in a low voice: "Should we join them?"

"That's not our battle cry."

Logash denied him.

"What about our original one?"

"Forget it. I don't think we have the right to mention 'for Dorne' anymore."

The rebellion aboard the Phalanx, led by former Soul Drinker Chapter Master Danyatus, brought shame upon all Soul Drinkers.

They retained the name of the chapter out of necessity and longed to wash away these shames with battle. However, their rough ideas and unclear guidance made them feel confused.

How can they wash away the shame? How can they face the future?

Looking at the Land Raider rumbling towards their position, Lo'gosh even felt a little relieved.

He didn't know why those veterans who only had melee weapons and grenade launchers were still so confident when facing the tanks. He believed that he was no match for the tanks and was ready to die under the tank tracks.

At least this way they wouldn't be tormented by their lost glory and the guilt of betrayal. Lo'Gosh touched the melta bomb in his arms, hoping that after his death he would be claimed by the Emperor and taken back to the Golden Throne.

The Iron Hands were closing in on the Soul Drinkers' positions. Cooper gave his final orders over the comms: "All units, prepare to engage! Land Raiders, initiate suppressive fire!"

In an instant, the Land Raiders' artillery roared, and their multi-laser cannons and heavy bolters opened fire at the same time, pouring down blazing energy beams and explosive bullets on the Soul Drinkers' positions like a rain of fire.

Such a blow was devastating to the defenses that had been erected in just a few days. The Soul Drinkers tried to fight back from their broken trenches, but their explosives were like jelly beans to Rand and his rhino.

The tanks continued to advance and soon approached the line where Logash was.

it's time.

Logosh took a deep breath and jumped out of his shelter, and Birmingham beside him grabbed him.

"Are you crazy? That's a tank!"

"Let me go! Can't you see? This is the only way we can stop the tanks!"

The two Soul Drinkers grappled, drawing the Tank's attention. A barrage of heavy bolters descended upon them, and Lo'gosh thought he was doomed. But an old soldier, sword and shield in hand, reached them just in time and blocked the attack with his shield.

Logosh looked at the undamaged shield in amazement. Veneto, holding the shield axe, smiled and patted his junior on the shoulder.

"Look, this is how we should fight!"

Rhino and Rand used up a basic amount of ammunition, and Cooper ordered the Iron Hands to temporarily cease fire. The dust stirred up by the shells gradually settled, allowing him to see the Soul Drinker's situation clearly.

The Soul Drinkers suffered no casualties, but many were wounded. Their defenses had been torn to pieces, and only a single charge was needed to break through them.

This has nothing to do with whether their fighting spirit is strong or not, it is just a pure objective fact.

"If our tanks keep moving forward..."

Cooper pondered. He wasn't sure if he had completely intimidated the Soul Drinker, or even the final wall. As he pondered, he spotted the Soul Drinker looming in the swirling sand.

They approached the Iron Hands armored formations in a straight line, which surprised Cooper.

What do they want to do? Surrender?

But these warriors who were obviously in combat and holding shields made Cooper deny this conjecture.

His company adjutant warned, "Soul Drinkers are approaching us from both sides... Strange, what weapons are they holding?"

Even the Soul Drinker, who had seen countless taboos in the Gorgon Forge, could not recognize what it was.

Cooper's mechanical eyes quickly scanned the weapons, trying to analyze their construction and power. But just like the Soul Drinker's intentions, the capabilities of these weapons made of unknown biological materials remained a mystery.

Are they planning to use these melee weapons against their tanks?

Cooper almost laughed at his own thoughts. But for safety reasons, he still ordered: "Warning shots, don't let them get close."

The reloaded storm bolters opened fire, but the approaching Soul Drinkers were not overwhelmed as the Iron Hands had expected. Some raised their shields, which surprisingly blocked the direct hits. Others dodged with a swiftness that amazed even the Astartes.

"What the hell?"

Cooper frowned, realizing that he seemed to be deceived by appearances. He felt a sense of crisis in his heart: "Increase firepower and suppress them!"

But his previous misjudgment was fatal enough.