Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

Then, the ones at the next level up are about the size of an adult. They are the information and combat nodes of the entire attack network. The grenade launchers, missiles or other weapons installed on them can very efficiently clear out various infantry and light vehicles. At the same time, they are also the gathering points of information, controlling the most basic soldier bees and transmitting orders from above.

A little more advanced are the queen bees that are the size of vehicles. They are the commanders of the battlefield, sophisticated killing machines, the tentacles and nodes of the hive. They are well-armed and can deal with all kinds of enemies. Their combat effectiveness is even stronger than the dreadnoughts of ordinary legions.

Towering above it all was the massive carrier aircraft, the master of all bee swarms, a modified Dragon gunship. This aircraft boasted a strengthened command and information processing network, enhanced interoperability, and formed a complex logic and information network with the queen bees. While possessing its own thinking and information processing capabilities, it was also integrated into the swarm, imbuing them with a kind of "collective intelligence" through distributed computing and information processing. Even if a hive was attacked, or even targeted, the queen bees remaining unattacked could still assume command of the battlefield.

Once these swarms were deployed, aided by a vast number of drones, the Iron Hands' offensive speed increased once again. In this speed race, the Iron Hands' technology once again gave them the advantage.

The two Legions engaged in a colossal race to annihilate the Orks, striving for glory and proof of their own strength. Meanwhile, far away on Macragge, Ferrus had arrived, and Guilliman met his brother once again. True to his oath, he would wage a war of revenge against the Randan for both humanity and his Legion.

Meanwhile, the two Primarchs, already meeting, were using some form of technology to observe the battlefield dozens of light-years away. The advanced technology of the Iron Hands and the vast and disciplined military of the Ultramarines caught the eye of both Primarchs. For the two Legion Masters, competition was meaningful. But even more significant was the opportunity for each to learn from the other.

Chapter 264 Ferrus: Tell you a little secret (5K)

"Ferus, you always give me some surprises. Your continuous breakthroughs in technology and tactics really shock me. Some of your actions have not even been touched by the Mechanicus." Guilliman said in a complicated tone as he looked at the mechanical swarm hovering over the battlefield like the god of death.

Initially, when he saw the heavily armored Iron Hands unable to advance due to the muddy conditions, and saw Auguston charging forward with hordes of Ultramarines and a vast army of mortals, Guilliman had believed victory was certain. The swift and fierce assault caught the Orks off guard. But in the end, Ducain's swarms of drones allowed the Iron Hands to reclaim the lost victory. These drones, numbering in the thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands, coordinated with the Iron Warriors through a complex data network, shattered the Ork defenses.

Of course, the Tenth Legion's strength wasn't solely reflected in this swarm. Relying on its overstaffed heavy air units and excellent coordination, once Dukain opened a landing zone on the front lines, swarms of heavy transport units immediately moved Legion vehicles, which had been held back due to terrain restrictions, directly to the front lines. This frog-leaping maneuver allowed hundreds of Legion heavy equipment to be deployed once again on the battlefield. With the roar of engines and swarms of tanks resuming their operations, the Iron Hands armored forces launched another attack.

Guilliman was clearly aware that this so-called Hive employed certain forbidden technologies, such as AI. However, by this point, he had become somewhat open-minded. After all, they lived in a very dangerous galaxy. Just recently, Guilliman had learned of the tragic loss of one of his brothers and his Legion, and the price paid by three other brothers and the Emperor's Guards to eliminate this cancer.

A large number of non-AI technology equipment is vulnerable to Randan interference and control technology. Only those AIs with independent thinking ability have a strong resistance to these Randan dark technology creations. So-called "wetware" cannot guarantee absolute loyalty. Therefore, Guilliman gradually released the use rights of some AI creations, but unexpectedly, Ferrus went further.

"What do you think of the God of All Machines?" Ferrus did not answer Guilliman directly, but asked instead.

"Though I'm not well-versed in technology, I believe the so-called God of Machines is merely an illusion, an unreal entity. It stems from humanity's worship of technology and its forced interpretation of incomprehensible phenomena. It's a distorted and erroneous concept. There are many things we know the answers to, yet ultimately attribute them to some imaginary entity." With only two Primarchs in the room, Guilliman could speak freely without holding back. His final words expressed dissatisfaction with the belief that the Dragon gunships were the Machine God's angels on earth.

I have to say, these Dragon gunships are truly useful. A common saying among the Ultramarines is, "Instead of giving me a dozen Warlord Titans, I'd rather give me a Dragon gunship." The latter's powerful maneuverability, firepower, and excellent versatility have made it a popular choice for the entire Legion.

"But according to the agreement between our father and Mars, the Emperor recognized the existence of Pandora's Box. You should know why. You are the best at management and planning among our brothers. Even Lord Balder admires your talents very much. Because the Empire needs Mars' technology and production capacity." Ferrus said.

"It is the art of compromise," said Guilliman.

"So, if you really want the rationality and science you pursue to become mainstream, if you really want mankind to return to its own glorious era, then you must solve the problems of technology and production. Now the Empire mainly relies on the Mechanicus, and I, or some brothers like me, need to establish a research and development system of our own. Do you understand? The Empire needs to complete the diversification of technology, so we must try everything. We must do what the Mechanicus does, and we must also limit ourselves to researching what the Mechanicus doesn't do within a certain range. You don't think that the Mechanicus doesn't do AI, do you?" said Ferrus.

"You have a point," Guilliman said after a moment's contemplation. "When you succeed, perhaps the truth about the so-called God of All Machines will be revealed to everyone. Humanity will no longer be deceived by a false concept, and we will no longer be troubled by certain things."

"The God of All Things?" Ferrus fell into deep thought. "Perhaps, in a sense, the God of All Things really exists?" Ferrus looked at Guilliman, and his words made Guilliman stunned!

"What a joke, gods and such are nothing but human fantasies. There are indeed some existences in this galaxy that we cannot understand, and there are also some very powerful existences. Maybe it's just that someone regards some powerful guys as omnipotent gods." As Guilliman spoke, he looked at Ferrus's serious face like steel, and felt a little surprised.

"What did you find?" Guilliman asked tentatively.

"I discovered a true soul in the data stream of a Splendid-class battleship, a soul hidden in the computing matrices and grand programs of the Dark Age of Technology." Ferrus said and looked at Guilliman.

"So-called machine spirit or AI?" Guilliman asked tentatively.

"It's a real soul, the soul of an intelligent creature. I can even feel its projection. Don't ask me how to define the soul. I know how to define it. On Medusa, I once destroyed a silver mechanical dragon. The metal shells on my hands are thanks to it, but I know that it has no soul. It is completely different from what I saw on the Splendid-class battleship. If you have to make an analogy, it is a bit like the Endless Journey. It's just that in comparison, this soul is a little weak. It is completely different from the so-called machine soul." Ferrus said.

"The Endless Journey?" Guilliman rubbed his chin, suddenly realizing he'd never been aboard Balder's flagship. He was at a loss for words. After all, he didn't understand anything about technology or the so-called soul. He didn't know how to respond, but Ferrus didn't seem to mind Guilliman's reaction and continued.

“I asked our father,” said Ferrus.

"What did father say?" Guilliman asked hurriedly. In his opinion, the Emperor's power was his greatest reliance, and what He said must be right.

"Father said that the existence on the Glorious-class battleship is a fragment of Lord Balder's power, or some kind of echo. Father said that as they grow, they will bless the crew on it and our descendants." Ferrus said calmly.

In reality, the traveler underestimated Ferrus's capabilities, or rather, the impact of Medusa's homeworld on Ferrus. If Fenris boasts a rich and diverse population, where you can even witness what appears to be a Tyranid Hive Fleet, then Medusa is no less impressive. Human clans live side by side with ribs and unspeakable artifacts from the Dark Age of Technology. There's no telling when something major might happen.

If Perturabo's research was genuine technology, then Ferrus's was somewhat mystical. Things like the Key to Hell were completely illogical. There were too many mysteries involved. Ferrus, having grown up on Medusa and possessing a natural technical acumen, had discovered some of the Splendid-class battleship's secrets. Later, during Ferrus's conversation with the Emperor, the latter selectively revealed certain details.

(During the Horus Heresy, an Iron Hands force raided the Forge World of Xana and directly overwhelmed the Traitorous Mechanicus, which possessed a large number of Cybernetic Legions. Those "Necron Warriors" communicated with each other in a way that the Mechanicus had never seen before. The Traitorous Mechanicus was unable to detect any mechanical or electronic signals from their opponents. Even with half of their bodies destroyed and beaten to a pulp, these warriors could still fight.)

"In other words, these warships are still reliable? I also think that the machine spirits and software of these warships sometimes perform beyond imagination. They are even more advanced than those on our Glorious Queen." After listening to Ferrus' words, Guilliman also remembered something.

"I later spoke with Russ about some matters," Ferrus continued. "Russ told me that Lord Balder would be carrying out a very difficult mission, a mission that even the Primarch could not carry out."

"We have witnessed the power of Lord Baldur and the Endless Journey. It was truly..." Guilliman couldn't help but sigh as he recalled his past experiences.

"So, Guilliman, my brother, are all these things I'm working on truly nothing compared to certain beings we can't even begin to comprehend?" Ferrus clearly didn't want to discuss certain matters with Guilliman. This was partly because he himself only had a limited understanding of certain things, and partly because Guilliman wasn't a good discussant. Furthermore, the Emperor had reminded him that some things were best left to private knowledge, and what Ferrus told Guilliman had been approved by the Emperor.

"Yes, what you did is really nothing. So do we need to tell the other brothers?" Guilliman asked.

"There is no need. I told you these things because Macragge is one of the important production bases for building Glorious-class battleships. Some things are better not to be spread. We just need to know them ourselves." Ferrus said.

"Okay, I won't tell anyone else about this." Guilliman nodded.

"Let's talk about our Legion, Guilliman. In my opinion, what is the biggest shining point of your Legion in this exercise?" asked Ferrus.

"I am all ears," Guilliman said with a smile.

"You have unearthed the potential of mortals and given the best among them the glory they deserve. You have made them aware of their own self-respect and ability," Ferrus said sincerely, a statement that surprised Guilliman somewhat. In his opinion, Ferrus despised the weak, and his brother would focus on the best in the Legion. As far as he knew, in the Tenth Legion, a warrior who received Ferrus's personal praise would even be envied by his fellow comrades. And now, Ferrus actually affirmed his approach to the mortal Legion.

"I truly didn't expect you to be so open-minded. In fact, many of our brothers are indeed proud of their status, and their descendants are often equally proud and conceited," Guilliman said with some surprise. "But I have always believed that a civilization cannot be supported by just a few, or even hundreds of thousands, of outstanding individuals. Our foundation and source of strength remain those so-called mortals. They are the foundation and deepest foundation of a civilization. Moreover, among these undervalued individuals can emerge outstanding engineers, brave warriors, and outstanding political officials. They play a role in other fields that cannot be replaced by the Legionaries."

"You are correct, Guilliman," Ferrus nodded. "Within my Legion, there are mortal auxiliaries serving humanity a hundred times more than the number of Legionaries, yet their contributions are often overlooked. Even more so, many of my descendants are unwilling to fight alongside mortals, believing their weakness slows down the army's attack. This idea is both wrong and biased. I despise cowardice, but I respect those who strive for self-improvement. We should rely on our own strength and our own minds. The foundation of human civilization is human beings, not machines created by us and used by us."

"Machines were clearly created by our ancestors, yet we, the younger generation, worship them instead of them. We've mostly just copied them, and oftentimes copied them incorrectly!" Ferrus shook his head helplessly. "Some warriors in my Legion are obsessed with the power of machines, obsessed with technology, but they forget that this technology, these machines, are actually human creations. Before us, there were no Space Marines, yet we still created a brilliant civilization. So, many people's ideas are wrong."

Ferrus then looked at his hands. "In a difficult decisive battle, I won these iron hands. They grant me extraordinary strength, and my descendants are proud of them. However, they are not a part of me. I use them simply because they are useful, nothing more. Sooner or later, I will remove these iron hands and return to my original form, because that is the real me," Ferrus said firmly.

"Ferus, I have even greater respect for you. You are truly a role model for all our brothers, and you will be a pillar of support in the future." Guilliman expressed his respect for Ferrus without reservation. If before, Guilliman was impressed by Ferrus's strength and meticulousness, now, the two of them had a deeper spiritual resonance.

"Me? No. Whether it's personal ability or legion combat effectiveness, there are still very outstanding ones among our brothers. Horus is not to be mentioned. Zhuangsen's ability and his legion are also worthy of respect. To be honest, he and Russ can withstand the attack of three war moons in Shana Forge World. They are really excellent." Ferrus said.

Ferrus was proud and conceited, but he also had an objective assessment of himself and his competitors. Not to mention Horus; the last battle with Horus was simply due to their superior equipment and technology. Ferrus was still very confident in Horus's tactics and the quality of his troops, and even now, he still had two other brothers by his side.

Ferrus had never met Jonson, but his record earned his approval. After all, had Ferrus been in his place, he wouldn't have been able to stand alongside Jonson against three War Moons and one of the Supreme Elder Brains. Later, with two other Legions and the Custodians, Jonson successfully defeated his traitorous brother and his Legion. Such a feat was truly impressive. Ferrus felt he still needed to work harder.

"Ferus, I will help you. Although Ultramar will open its doors to all brothers, you will always be my guest of honor." said Guilliman.

"I believe that with my skills and tactics combined with your talents, we will usher in a new era." Ferrus also responded to Guilliman's kindness.

"Very good then. Now let's talk about some other things, such as the future, the war between us and Randan. From now on, you, Clarks and my legion will take on the task of a front, and we need to work together sincerely. And I will also go to the battlefield in person with my own fleet." Guilliman said.

“......” Ferrus felt mixed emotions after hearing Guilliman’s words.

"Don't worry, Ferrus. I am no longer the same as before. My fleet is now a fully capable fleet, and the size of my legions is far greater than before." Guilliman tried to explain. He knew very well that his performance in the last boarding battle was not particularly outstanding.

"I am very different from before. Even if close combat is required, I will not be bad. Ferrus." Facing Ferrus's scrutinizing and suspicious eyes, Guilliman said sincerely.

"Brother, I believe everything you said, except the last sentence..." Looking at Guilliman's decorated cobalt blue armor and the dagger in his hand, Ferrus said in his heart.

"In fact, your presence at the rear is the greatest support for us," Ferrus said. "Of course, as a brother, I will firmly support the just act of revenge against Randan, but I hope we can act together, you and me, or you and Clarks."

"Alright." Guilliman was somewhat dissatisfied, but considering his past performance, he agreed. Afterward, the two sides discussed other matters. After a few days of talks, the battle in the distance was about to come to an end. Although the final result was still a narrow victory for Ducain, relying on his own experience and the technology of the Iron Hands, this result did not satisfy him. Ferrus also needed to make some changes to his Legion. He vaguely realized that his Legion had reached a certain limit, and he wanted to continue to grow stronger!

Chapter 265: Ferrus's Transformation of the Legion (6K)

Aboard his flagship, Ducain and his men stood in the hangar, awaiting the arrival of their Gene-Father. In the past, the Primarch's presence aboard a commander's flagship was a matter of great honor. Skilled Iron Fathers would commemorate the event with a magnificent mural, and the officers and men aboard the warship would be enough to make their colleagues jealous for a long time. Ducain, as the finest commander in the entire Legion, had always been Ferrus's favorite, even though he wasn't a Medusan.

But this time, the situation was different. Ferrus certainly hadn't come here to praise him. In the previous battle, even Dukain was deeply dissatisfied with the outcome, as he and his men had wasted too much time and resources. While their speed was still faster than the Ultramarines, it was slower than their earlier plans. Dukain and some of the technical experts were also aware that the swarm technology that played a crucial role in this battle was actually independently developed by Ferrus. They relied on the power of their Gene Father to win the war.

Faced with this situation, Dukain decided to take the blame. However, to his surprise, he and his brothers did not have the opportunity to set foot on Ferrus's flagship this time. For unknown reasons, Ferrus decided to personally come to the fleet to handle the matter. This made Dukain and his men feel extremely apprehensive.

--------

"Father, the Ultramarines have made great progress." On the way to the battleship, Ferrus sat on the throne of his personally modified Dragon gunship, next to him stood his deputy, Gabriel Santo. After a moment's hesitation, Santo decided to plead for the veteran of the Legion.

"Yes, they are making rapid progress." Ferrus nodded.

"This time, there were no issues with Lord Dukain's command; it was simply some unexpected circumstances on the battlefield that hampered our armored forces' advance. Although he failed to complete the mission as planned, it was certainly for a reason," Santo said. He had learned of the Primarch's plan for Dukain. For the time being, Dukain would be separated from the main Iron Hands force, leading a detachment to carry out certain missions alongside other legions. Dukain would enjoy ample freedom to decide how to organize and structure his own forces. He would have independent recruitment rights, access to sufficient supplies, and the ability to freely dispose of spoils of war on the battlefield. He could also, within a certain scope, handle certain matters on behalf of the Iron Hands.

How can I describe this result? If it were in other legions, such as the White Scars, it would be the Primarch's trust and reward to his subordinates. After all, in the eyes of the White Scars, leading independently and carrying out missions independently is an honor, which means that they have finally become an eagle with spread wings.

But within the Iron Hands Legion, a high-ranking commander who had always been at the Primarch's side was suddenly removed, leaving him to lead his troops into battle on his own. This meant the commander was exiled by the Primarch. While exile might be a bit of an exaggeration, it was certainly a severe punishment. If the Iron Hands were given the choice of separating from the main Legion and fighting alone, or atonement by undertaking the most arduous and dangerous missions in the ensuing wars, almost all would choose the latter. But this time, Ferrus wasn't offering a choice.

"I know," said Ferrus.

"I'm certain that no other clan in the Iron Hands would have done better than Lord Dukain had they faced such a situation. You should give Lord Dukain a chance," Santo said. (In the background, Santo also gave Ferrus frank advice. Ferrus promoted him to captain so that he could restrain himself when necessary, but in the end, at the landing site, he was powerless to save the situation.)

"So this is the problem. In fact, the problem Du Kain encountered is not serious. The opponent is far inferior to the Randan alien. We should complete this task smoothly, but because of some terrain and troop matching problems, we failed to complete the expected plan. Even other people in the legion cannot solve it. This is not a problem for one person, this is a problem for the entire legion. We have reached a certain limit. Do you understand what I mean?" Ferrus said.

"Sir, we didn't have this problem before when we cooperated with the Raven Guard." Santo said.

"Haha." Ferrus sneered. "Don't you think this is limiting the growth of our Legion? Well, even Guilliman, a brother who isn't particularly skilled in combat, is working hard to improve himself and his Legion, so that the Ultramarines can adapt to various situations. But we can't just stick to one set of tactics. And it's impossible for Clarks to follow me all the way. That wouldn't be fair to my brothers. After we eliminate the Randan xenos, the Great Crusade will have to accelerate, the Legion will expand, and then we'll inevitably be operating alone most of the time. After all, there won't be enough enemies to require several Legions to gather together. We need to adapt to the future."

"So, you plan to let Lord Dukain do a pilot project?" Santo asked.

"That's right. Du Kain has experience in commanding large legions. I feel at ease letting him do it. Moreover, he has maintained a good relationship with other legions, and it will be better if we learn from each other. Another point is that it is imperative to establish a mortal legion to cooperate with the legion. We have millions of mortal troops, but these people have not played the role they should have. We have not provided them with enough support, nor have we given them opportunities." Ferrus said.

Santo remained silent in the face of Ferrus's words. These matters were truly beyond the control of a company commander like him. Honestly, he was a very capable commander and a brave warrior, but that was all. Ask him to build a legion's structure, manage everything from recruitment and training to logistics and operations—sorry, Santo is still a bit behind Dukain. Regarding matters he was unfamiliar with, Santo wisely chose to remain silent. He also vaguely realized that the treatment of Dukain was also an opportunity for him—a chance to change the legion. Half an hour later, Ferrus and his entourage arrived on Dukain's flagship.

--------

"Before I arrived, someone advised me that you had done your best in the battle that just ended and shouldn't be criticized. Because, if someone else had done it, they wouldn't have done any better." Ferrus stood on the podium, scanning his descendants. "Dukain, do you think one of your colleagues is right?"

"My Lord, I could find countless excuses. I could say the Legion lacked fast-moving units, sufficient infantry, or sufficient auxiliary forces. But these are all justifications. Our attack was slower than expected. Even if we achieved victory over the Ultramarines, we still lost, and there is no reason for this defeat." Du Kain bowed, his words revealing a resoluteness and self-blame. He wouldn't be complacent just because he had defeated the Ultramarines. In the current, extremely inward-looking legion system, the Ultramarines' reputation wasn't high...

Well, there's a certain hierarchy of disdain among the Legions, established through repeated "communications" and battle records. For example, initially, the Dark Angels were undoubtedly at the top of the hierarchy. After all, even Horus wouldn't dare claim his Legion was superior to the First Legion. Then came the Luna Wolves and the Iron Hands, Legions that boasted superior numbers and impressive military achievements even in the early days of the Great Crusade. Then came the Space Wolves, renowned for their systematic use of psykers and their technology. Their combat record was actually quite impressive. Internally, they crushed the newly returned Imperial Fists in a military exercise. Externally, several brutal battles also cemented the Space Wolves' formidable reputation. Even without considering Baldur's influence, the Space Wolves were considered inferior in quality, perhaps slightly inferior to the Luna Wolves and the Iron Hands.

Next up are the Imperial Fists and the Iron Warriors. These are among the older Legions with lesser reputations, but equally formidable in size, and their performance since the Primarch's return has been remarkable. And then there's Guilliman's Legion. Unfortunately, they were crushed by the VII Legion in internal exercises, and then, in external battles, had the unfortunate luck of starting at a high-level position. Even Guilliman nearly collapsed, thanks to Klax's help. While the Ultramarines' strength has been underestimated due to their woeful matchmaking system, their current reputation is truly mediocre...

But no matter what, this third-rate legion, which was only mediocre in Du Kain's eyes, actually made him feel tremendous pressure in this competition, which was something Du Kain could not accept.

"So, Dukain, my left hand, what do you think is the reason for our failure in this exercise?" asked Ferrus.

"Our system is not perfect. Without the cooperation of friendly forces, we lack sufficient assault force and highly mobile forces. We rely too much on armored assault and heavy equipment. And we also lack psychics." Du Kain said.

"So how do you want to solve it?" Ferrus continued.

"We will continue to expand the legion and establish corresponding assault troops, mobile troops and psychic troops." Du Kain said.

"Haha." Ferrus chuckled. He then looked at the scions around him. Most of them were from Terra and Medusa, officers and soldiers of the Tenth Legion. Only a small number came from other regions. Although Ferrus recruited from other planets besides Medusa, due to the strict selection criteria and other reasons, the number of new recruits from other regions was still not large. After all, the veterans of Medusa still wanted their own men.

"Dukain, Santo, come with me." Ferrus said after a moment's thought. Half an hour later, in the conference room of Dukain's flagship, Ferrus and his two subordinates decided to have a frank talk.

--------

"Ducain, as the most senior commander in the Legion, I think you should be aware of one thing, that is, the Iron Hands Legion is gradually approaching its limit." Ferrus said.

"Yes, we're gradually approaching a limit," Dukain said after a moment's contemplation. As one of the finest Space Marine commanders, Dukain's talents lie not only in tactics and command, but also in his considerable knowledge of legion construction. Just now, Dukain merely pointed out an obvious phenomenon, but the underlying issue was that the Iron Hands' numbers and strength had reached a certain threshold.

"Due to factors like manpower, gene-seed, and wartime costs, most legions have a limit to their size. This limit is probably just over 100,000, and we're approaching it," Ferrus said. "At this legion size, our combat effectiveness is essentially set, and that's not what I want. It's not enough."

For various reasons, Ferrus was more powerful than his background suggested. This improvement was not only in tactics, command, and technique, but also in vision. Invisibly, he saw the ultimate limit of the Primarch and the Legion.

How many people can a Space Marine Legion have? Basically, it is just over 15. Among all the legions, those with just over troops are the most numerous. There are very few legions that can exceed troops, and there are reasons for this.

Before the Heresy, how many legions were confirmed to have strengths exceeding 15? The Dark Angels, Ultramarines, Word Bearers, and Iron Warriors (15-18). The Luna Wolves were estimated to have strengths of 13-17, the World Eaters 15, and the Alpha Legion's strength is yet to be determined. These were essentially the largest legions at the time.

Of these legions, the Dark Angels are the first, the oldest and most respected from the beginning. Their large numbers are justified; Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, is considered the foremost master of farming, while Lorgar of the Word Bearers is arguably the second-best. The high populations of these two legions can be interpreted as a reflection of their Primarchs' natural talents.

One is a master of logistics and government affairs, while the other is a zealous missionary. The Iron Warriors' large numbers are due to their highly compatible gene-seed, and Pixar himself is a skilled technician and a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention the Luna Wolves, Horus was the first Primarch to publicly return, and the Legion naturally benefited greatly. The World Eaters, in addition to recruiting extensively, also employed some simplified technology, essentially recruiting a simplified version of Space Marines. The Alpha Legion's exact number is a secret.

What about the Iron Hands? How many men did Ferrus command? Just over 11 before the Heresy. Ferrus was well aware of his own abilities. He was a technical prodigy, but certainly not a political mastermind like Guilliman. Ferrus had a limit to his ability to build a force. Within the Iron Hands, their fastidious approach to technology and personnel, coupled with their preference for the Medusans, hindered the legion's rapid expansion. After all, the Tenth Legion couldn't operate like the Ultramarines, where they could paint their Power Armor blue and add a gold toilet seat, regardless of their origins, and they were considered one of their own.

The Iron Hands' entire Legion despises the weak. While this drives them to strive for excellence, it also forces them to exclude many individuals who are temporarily less capable but possess great potential. The Iron Hands also struggle to recruit those with whom they have a negative affinity. For example, the Raven King would readily accept someone skilled in guerrilla warfare, but the Iron Hands wouldn't. As Primarch, Ferrus couldn't personally recruit, and his subordinates stubbornly adhered to their own standards and preferences, leaving him helpless. Even as Ferrus constantly urged against over-reliance on steel and technology, his Iron Fathers continued to err on the path of "flesh and blood are weak, and machinery ascends..." Could Ferrus offer a solution? All they could do was to continue to struggle.

Now, Ferrus suddenly felt that the Terran warriors were actually quite good. Before he returned, the Legion had not been particularly extreme in certain aspects. So, after thinking about it, Ferrus believed that sending Ducain with a group of Terran descendants and establishing a new system according to the original system would be a good choice.

"Ducain, you were a leader in the early days of the Legion. Even my brothers praised you highly. If I give you sufficient power and supplies, and get rid of some of the Medusan people's inappropriate arrogance and prejudice, can you do better? Guilliman's conscription system and the large-scale use of elite mortal auxiliary troops are both very good ideas. I think you should be able to do this well." Ferrus said.

"That requires providing the mortal auxiliaries with tangible honor and protection," Dukain said. "They are different from the Legion's soldiers. When we become your descendants, everything we have is bound to the Legion, and we'll fight to the bitter end. We naturally have long lifespans. But mortals are different. They may leave the Legion for various reasons, or at some point, choose a more relaxed lifestyle. This is a right and protection they deserve. Our Legion needs to address these issues. Considering that Imperial bureaucrats can sometimes be unreliable, I believe we should seize control of this planet."

Dukain then laid out his plan. If anyone in the Iron Hands Legion had the strongest faith in the combat capabilities of the Mortal Legions, it was Dukain. In the war against the Orks that made him famous, it was the Mortal Legions that first withstood the enemy's overwhelming attacks, giving his Space Marines a fighting chance. Dukain, however, held these warriors in high esteem. He understood the needs and aspirations of these mortals.

While they yearn for glory and military exploits, the Legion must also provide them with a way out. After all, everyone occupies a different position and pursues different goals. The Space Marines enjoy greater honor, treatment, and technology. Some of them carry the genes of the Primarchs, so they will naturally fight for the Legion until death. But mortals are different. They will age and gradually become unfit for the battlefield. Ducain needs to provide them with a stable retirement life. This system Ducain referenced some of the practices of the Ultramarines. After experiencing this war, Ducain is also considering ways to break the deadlock. However, this method seems a bit unorthodox to some of the Iron Hands. After all, their overall focus is on how to eliminate the enemy, so why would they consider such things?

"So my task is to learn the strengths of other legions, make up for the shortcomings of the legion, expand the number of legions, establish a mortal auxiliary army belonging to the legion, and choose a suitable planet as a recruitment planet?" Du Kain concluded after a conversation.

"Yes, that's generally speaking. I used to think that the legion should fight as a whole, but now I find that it is not appropriate when the entire legion has only one fixed style. As the Tenth Legion, I require my legion to be versatile and should not have any shortcomings. Another point is that we need to have our own psychic troops." said Ferrus.

"Our own psychic troops? Psykers are a big controversy within the empire. Most legions don't like psykers, and although some legions have think tanks, our legions are not good at this." Du Cain said.

"Psychic power is indeed very dangerous, so we must use it with caution. The Legion's gene seed may not be friendly to psychics, so when necessary, we must have a reliable mortal psychic force. Maybe we won't use it for many years to come, but I hope that when I decide to use it, such a force can play a role. I will always pay attention to these things. Safety and stability are the first priority. To ensure safety, technical constraints and control are one aspect, and on the other hand, I hope you can regard these mortal psychics as real comrades." Ferrus said.

Ferrus once discussed the issue of psykers with Balder, and Balder explained the so-called internal and external factors. A psyker's state is influenced by their emotions. Technology and various restrictions are external factors that prevent a psyker from losing control, while the psyker's own mindset and emotions are internal factors. Therefore, blindly suppressing a psyker is wrong. Providing the necessary respect and care can greatly reduce the risk of psykers going out of control. For example, why are Space Wolves priests so stable? The reason is simple: in their free time, they relax by drinking and eating meat, and their minds become so distracted that they have no energy to think about anything else... Of course, this is Balder's own nonsense, but to be honest, there is some truth to it.

"Okay, Father," Dukain said, remembering it. "But what if the governor or bureaucrats on the planet we've chosen refuse to cooperate?"

"First use courtesy, then force. If you really can't reason with them, tell me. And if something happens to them, I can only express my regret." Ferrus said in a cold tone.

"As you command, Father," Dukain nodded. Ever since Ferrus began his "Universal Enterprise," he'd been plagued by the various issues stemming from local tyrants. It could even be said that the greed of some had reshaped Ferrus's understanding, and there was no need for Ferrus to indulge them. The Emperor had made it clear last time: as long as it didn't affect the Great Crusade, it wouldn't be a problem, and Ferrus had remembered that.

"Go, Dukain. I hope that when you appear before me again with your men, you can bring me the legion I expect." Ferrus said finally.