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

Although most of the VII Legion's warriors and their Primarch Rogal Dorn opposed the Codex Astartes when Guilliman promulgated it, some within the VII Legion still supported it. They viewed the Codex as a new order.

Dorn, who finally accepted Guilliman's proposal to split the Legion, gathered together those warriors who supported the Codex Astartes and formed a new Chapter, the Fists of the Paragon. The Paragon in the Chapter's name actually refers to the Codex Astartes.

Leon understood: "You are worried that the Fist of Exemplar arrived here not to gather under the final wall?"

"They might even question the legality of the final wall, as it would violate the very book that is called the Holy Scripture."

Kurland's words were full of sarcasm, which made Hayes a little embarrassed.

However, Hayes, who already knew that the power of the orcs could not be stopped by just a few regiments, would not stubbornly say here, "The Fist of Exemplar is the role model of our empire!" So he also stepped forward and expressed his determination.

"I will speak to them as High Lord."

"I guess that doesn't work."

Kurland flatly refused.

It wasn't resistance, but he really felt it was useless.

The sons of Dorne were known for their outspokenness, but Hayes's attitude still softened Kurland's tone. "I only hope those warriors still remember the oath they swore before my father Dorne."

Leon didn't care about this. He even started planning for the future: "Once the Fist of Exemplar joins us, we can invite their Chapter Master to discuss future defense deployments."

Kurland looked at Leon in surprise, as if he didn't understand why Leon could assert that the Fist of the Exemplar would definitely join.

Leon didn't explain. He just patted Kurland on the shoulder and said, "How to unite them into a legion again is the biggest challenge you will face."

……

Kurland's worries were not unreasonable. At least Zeberian had been in a bad mood all the way.

He couldn't refuse the Chapter Master's order, no matter how reluctant he was. He still had to follow Thorn to the Farr system. Once in Farr, they were directed to Maxim, the closest forge world to Farr.

They took the remaining 400 or so men of the chapter and descended to the surface of Maxim from the chapter's last strike cruiser, Excelsior.

There, the long-awaited Sage Lifar led them to the sub-hive. And just like Hayes when he first met Lifar, they also discovered something was wrong with Lifar from his words and actions.

"This casting director looks like he's being controlled by something."

Zeberion said on the internal communication channel. He looked at Thorne and asked for his opinion. "And the Imperial Fists' Chapter Master didn't come to greet us in person. Could this be a trap?"

Thorne did not answer, his eyes wandering around. Zebrian followed Thorne's gaze and found that he was observing the slogans painted on the broken walls around him.

"Either we hand over our output or our bodies!"

"We work day and night to race against time and ensure progress!"

“Roll up the gears and work hard, work hard and work hard!”

The priests around were all in a hurry. Although this forge world seemed to have suffered heavy damage, these priests all had a strong vitality. This vitality turned into enthusiasm for work, and they devoted their efforts to the utmost under the call of the slogans.

Thorne watched carefully, but Zebrian was a little annoyed, thinking Thorne was focusing his attention on something unnecessary.

"Captain Thorne, I must remind you that the Codex requires us to maintain a keen insight at all times..."

"Put your discernment where it belongs, Brother Zeberion. The discernment required by the Codex is not for you to use on your brothers."

Thorne countered Zeberian's question, his eyes still fixed on the production signs: "Compared to that casting director, don't you realize that there's something wrong with this casting world as a whole?"

Zeberian was a little confused, and Thorne then sighed:

"I love this feeling. It's like being back in the Great Crusade."

Zeberian suddenly felt a little sick.

Of course, he knew that he should respect warriors like Thorne who had survived the Great Crusade until now, but he still felt disgusted by the fact that the other party always recalled the glory of the Great Crusade and never took the Holy Scripture seriously.

Who can say that these old warriors are not now an obstacle to the development of the Astartes Codex?

But he would not say these words out loud. After all, the Holy Scriptures required a qualified warrior to express his doubts reasonably, but not to vent his dissatisfaction emotionally.

He could only follow Thorne in silence. They passed through the main nest and finally saw a warrior wearing Imperial Fists power armor at the entrance of the secondary nest.

The soldier was dressed as a company commander, but standing beside him were a Mechanicus Magus and an Astra Militarum commander.

The group simply stood there, waiting for the Fist of Exemplary to arrive.

"No Chapter Master, no Honor Guard to perform the ceremony?"

Zeberian was a little surprised.

The Honor Guard was not only a sign of respect for other Chapters, but also a display of the Chapter's own glory. He hadn't expected that the Imperial Fists, as the parent Chapter, would not organize such a ceremony after issuing the final call to the Wall.

But he was not the only one who was surprised. Kurland, who recognized the identity of the leader of the Fist of Exemplary, was also surprised.

"Maximus Thorne, I never thought he would become the Chapter Master of the Fists of the Exemplar."

"You know him well?"

Li Ang asked, "Is there anything special about this person?"

"I'm not familiar with him, but few Imperial Fists would be unfamiliar with an ancient warrior who lived for over a thousand years. During the Heresy, he was Captain of the 22nd Company of the Imperial Fists. Because he supported the splitting of the Legion, he joined the Fists of the Paragon, and has served as Second Captain of the Paragon Fists ever since."

Kurland looked worried: "If such an ancient warrior opposes the final wall..."

Li Ang seemed to be lost in thought.

He knew that in the original world line, Thorne would become a loyal supporter of Kurland and take over as the commander of the Imperial Fists after Kurland's death. However, he did not know as much about the past of this ancient warrior as Kurland did.

Avoiding the problem would not solve it. Although he was worried, Kurland still took the initiative to face it.

"Welcome, brothers of the Fists of Exemplar. Congratulations to you, Brother Thorn. I never thought you would take over as Chapter Master of the Fists of Exemplar."

"Entrusted by others."

Thorne replied, "I had no idea you would seize a Forge World... Where is Chapter Master Morhaime?"

"He died in battle. I am the former Second Captain, Kurland. I now take over the Imperial Fists."

Thorne was stunned for a moment, then he looked Kurland over again. The only mark on his battered power armor was that of a company commander.

Apparently, they didn't even have the resources to hold a Chapter Master succession ceremony.

"You were the one who initiated the final wall?"

Thorne confirmed.

"it's me."

Kurland nodded, his eyes passing Thorne to the Fists of Exemplary Power behind him.

“That’s what I want to confirm now.”

"Brothers of the Fists of the Exemplar, are you willing to heed the call of the Final Wall, return to the leadership of the Imperial Fists, and once again shoulder the sacred mission of defending Terra?"

Chapter 85: Dedication and Different Ideas.

The Imperial Fists captured the Forge World?

When did Thorne see that?

Zebrian was surprised. He was still brooding over the casting director who looked a little off, but he didn't expect Thorne to see something deeper.

But the deeper level is to seize a forging world?

Even as an Astartes, Zeberion felt a deep unease.

Aren't the Imperial Fists afraid of falling out with Mars?

Zeberion's mind raced as he connected the Final Wall's call to arms with the fact that the Imperial Fists didn't even have an Honor Guard, and began to ponder the issue.

Behind him and Thorne, the warriors of the Fist of Exemplar also began to whisper.

Whether or not to obey the Final Wall would clearly determine the fate of their Chapter. Although the Chapter's leadership had already explained the Final Wall to every soldier on the way here, everyone was divided on whether to return to the leadership of the Imperial Fists.

After all, they are no longer the Imperial Fists.

Since the formation of the Fists of the Exemplar, they are no longer the Terran Guard. They have been given a new emblem, a new home planet, and a new mission - to protect the safety of the Solar Segmentum's lanes.

They had long ceased to be united under a single banner, their only remaining connection to the Imperial Fists being that they were all sons of Dorn.

And now, the Imperial Fists summoned them again, using a mission that had been gradually forgotten by their own chapter, and demanded that they obey the orders of the Imperial Fists?

As the captain of the First Company of the Fists of the Exemplary, Zeberion considers more than the average warrior.

The Imperial Fists had clearly suffered a heavy blow, and more importantly, they had captured a Forge World belonging to the Adeptus Mechanicus.

If the Imperial Fists were now outnumbered by the Paragon Fists, yet the Paragon Fists were still required to obey the Imperial Fists' orders, their chapter would most likely be pushed to the forefront, bearing the wrath of the High Lords and Mars!

"We can cooperate on the basis of equal exchange."

Zebrian spoke. He spoke to Kurland, expressing the sentiments of the vast majority of Fist of the Paragon warriors.

"After all, we are all Chapters now. The Codex Astartes emphasizes that all Chapters are equal. We can negotiate and launch joint operations..."

Of course they must fight, but not under the Imperial Fists' organization.

Such an act of recreating the Legion would not only be a serious violation of the Codex Astartes, but would also cause the Imperial Fists and its daughter Legions to be declared traitors!

He couldn't let the Fists of the Paragon go to such a dead end. The best way was to draw a clear line between themselves and the Imperial Fists!

As part of a joint discussion to determine the Chapter's orders, Zeberion's opinion seemed to be gaining recognition. Kurland looked silently at the warriors of the Fist of Exemplary, his worries becoming reality at this moment.

In the end, the rallying order for the high wall was hindered by the first regiment that arrived.

Gaining recognition from his brothers gave Zeberion a boost of confidence. He wanted to say something, but Thorne beside him reached out to stop him.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Thorne.

Thorne drew out the power sword, a holy relic that symbolized his Chapter Mastership. He placed the tip of the sword against the ground, his hands resting on the hilt. He knelt on one knee, bowing his head slightly.

"I have never forgotten my duty as a Son of Dorn, Chapter Master Kurland. I will always be a warrior of the Imperial Fists."

This was undoubtedly a pledge of allegiance.

Kurland's eyes widened. He was surprised that a veteran who had supported the splitting of the legion would now make such a choice.

"Is this your decision as Chapter Master, or is it simply your personal choice, Brother Thorne?"

Kurland asked.

"In my own name. But I believe that every warrior of the Fist of the Exemplar should know what flows in their blood."

Thorne stood up and looked back at the remaining four hundred or so Fist of the Exemplar warriors.

"We failed to fulfill the mission of the Fist of Exemplar, and we could not defend our home planet. Tell me, warriors of the Fist of Exemplar, what do we have left now?"

The whole place was silent, but one after another the warriors of the Fist of the Exemplary followed Thorne's example and knelt down, swearing allegiance to Kurland.

Zeberion didn't kneel, feeling a lump in his throat. Kurland's gaze fell on him; he was the only warrior on the field who hadn't kneeled.

"he is?"

Kurland inquired.

"Brother Zeberion, Captain of the First Company of the Fists of the Paragon. Following the guidance of the Codex, he is a reliable warrior."

Thorne wasn't surprised by Zeberian's behavior: "But I think it will take him a little time to accept this fact."

Kurland nodded. "Then please join us in the tactical meeting, Captain Thorn. We will brief you on our upcoming plans and deployments."

He, Leon, and Hayes turned around and led the way, while Lifar was ordered to take the rest of the Fist of Exemplar warriors to a place for them to rest. Thorne wanted to follow Kurland, but was grabbed by Zebrian's arm.

"You're crazy."

Zebrian growled, "They've captured a Forge World!"

"That's why I believe they can save Terra."

"Your choice will lead the entire chapter into the abyss of destruction!"

"Then I will make sure every warrior dies a worthy death."

Thorne shook off Zeberian.

"Brother Zeberion, I have reason to believe that you are arrogant, lacking in humility, and overly ambitious—much like Guilliman."

"But your ability is unquestionable. I hope you can accept the current situation as soon as possible. We are warriors, and our wisdom should be used to fight against orcs, not in other aspects."

After saying these words, he quickly followed Kurland and left, leaving Zeberion standing there.

Unlike other sons of Dorne who spoke their minds, Zeberion was accustomed to harboring unspoken discontent, but this time, his patience was strained.

He knew Thorn, or rather, every warrior in the Fist of Exemplar knew this legendary story.

As an Ancient Warrior who served as Captain of the 22nd Company of the Imperial Fists at the end of the Horus Heresy, Thorne did initially support the decision to split the Legion.