Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

Several members of the Adeptus Mechanicus, already fused with the Golden Gear, expressed great dissatisfaction and indignation. Ultimately, however, the Fabricator-Generals resolved to build according to this requirement, which caused a rift between the Adeptus Primordials and certain individuals. The Machine Spirit of the Golden Gear never concealed this attitude from its own people.

However, because the Conqueror was too large and had other equipment installed, it was inevitable to cut other configurations given a certain cost. As a result, the Conqueror's scanning array was somewhat outdated.

"Let's change our position and avoid this guy." Then, the entire fleet began to move and went around to a place where the Conqueror could not see it.

"Which legion will you join?" Golden Gear continued chatting on the confidential line.

"The Sixth Legion."

"Damn it, why are they here! They are just a bunch of butchers... Wherever they go, there is only destruction, but no exploration! Even if there is destruction, it will be good after exploration..." The golden gear machine soul was displeased.

"They won't do that in the future. My master will change them." Endless Journey answered very calmly.

“What if they don’t know how to repent?”

"I will use logic code injection to lock their power armor, seal them inside, and then teach them to respect knowledge and rules." Endless Journey said indifferently.

"Very good, that's what I should do," the golden gear's machine spirit responded.

Chapter 46 Marius's New Mission

"My Lord, you are looking for me." Marius came before the Emperor, who put down the book in his hand and looked at one of his most admired captains.

"You have a new mission." Along with the Emperor's whisper, a message flooded into Marius' mind.

"He chose the Endless Journey? And the Endless Journey actually accepted it? This..." Marius had once boarded this ancient warship, and unlike the Grand Sage of the Mechanicus who was ecstatic and even worshipped it.

From the moment Marius boarded the ship, he felt very uncomfortable. The surging psychic energy, the invisible souls on the deck, and the existence of suspected abominable intelligence, all of this made him ask himself why the Emperor did not give this battleship a merciful purification!

As for Balder, what could he say? He was also someone he found deeply uncomfortable. It wasn't that they had a major conflict, but simply that their interactions were uncomfortable. In Marius's view, Balder's lack of respect for the Custodes was a definite challenge to the Emperor's dignity. Furthermore, this guy kept treading on the line. He knew he was breaking the rules, but he couldn't do anything about it.

And now, the two of them were together, which was really a very, very bad thing. And what was worse was that he had to board this warship he didn't want to be on and work with Balder.

"Just observing, recording, and assisting?" Marius asked. "Aren't the necessary means prepared?"

"There is no need. I know some of your thoughts, and I can tell you some things here, such as about the Endless Journey." The Emperor was very patient with his most loyal subordinates and was even willing to teach them personally.

"What is certain is that when the Endless Journey was built, he must have used some AI technology." Looking at the Emperor looking at Marius who wanted to speak, he made a pause gesture.

"But then, for some reason, this machine soul mutated. We all know that AI has thoughts, but AI does not have souls. In other words, they have no projection in the warp. However, the undead on the Endless Journey merged with the AI. It has a projection in the warp, and it is very powerful."

"Then tell me, is the Endless Journey's Machine Soul still considered an AI at this point?" the Emperor asked. As that being's ship, it's normal for it to have a soul, right?

"This..." Marius was speechless.

"What's important is that the Endless Journey has carried so much over its long life. It's a living history. Our destruction of it is, to some extent, equivalent to destroying part of human history. Some things are tools, gone forever. But some things are records. Even though we destroyed the Thunder Warriors, we still want to leave a record of them in the deepest part of our memory. The Endless Journey embodies the latter. It's a conceptual object, and to some extent, it has become a symbol."

The Emperor began to deceive. After all, He could not tell His own subordinates the truth! He just wanted to use an excuse to prevaricate. Of course, in this case, the reason was not important. What was important was that Marius had to carry out his orders.

"Okay, my lord."

"By the way, when you encounter something, as long as it's not too extreme, you should be more patient," the emperor reminded.

"Okay, my lord."

"Don't you want to know why you have to endure it?" the emperor asked jokingly.

"If patience is necessary, it must be for the sake of the Empire, my Lord."

"That's because, only if you are patient, will you be willing to consider some things and gain new insights." The emperor smiled, stood up and patted Marius on the shoulder.

"My Lord, Balder has been very close to the First Legion recently. I am worried..."

"Do you know why he is close to the First Legion?" the Emperor asked with a smile.

"Nominally, they're learning from each other, but their relationship seems to have crossed a certain line... Furthermore, there's a kind of collusion between the Legions, and he's also closely associated with the Mechanicus. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Do you know why he didn't contact the Imperial Guards?" asked the Emperor.

"Because he knows that we cannot be corrupted."

"Is it possible that he feels uncomfortable communicating with you? He can talk to the Seal Holder, maintain a generally acceptable relationship with any force except you, and be friends with some of them. Some people may not bring any benefits, but he enjoys the process." The emperor paused and continued.

“You mean, this is a point of entry?”

"Yes, this powerful being is often willing to cultivate such relationships, and if you want to get close to him and understand him, you must integrate into each circle. Balder is different from most people you meet. He is very special, so you cannot deal with your relationship with him in a simple and rough way. This is a very challenging task, isn't it?" asked the Emperor.

"Yes, my Lord, this is a very challenging task. I will definitely complete it and try to reach out to the people around him."

"Okay, let me give you one last piece of advice. Put away your pride and vanity, and keep your principles and bottom line. Nothing else matters. Ruth can handle the relationship with him well, and I believe you can too."

"I guarantee to complete the mission!" After hearing the emperor's encouragement, Marius was immediately energized!

"Very good, get ready," the Emperor nodded with satisfaction. Having completed his PUA, the Emperor felt somewhat smug, as he wondered how the Imperial Guards he had previously built would react when mixed up with a seemingly chaotic individual. Two hundred years later, the Emperor got his answer!

Looking at Marius, who was using the most rational thinking, doing the most ridiculous things, finding loopholes in the rules for fun all day long, jumping back and forth on the borders, being incompatible with the high lords in everything, making no big mistakes but constant small ones, the Emperor excitedly stood up from the Golden Throne!

"My Lord, how many people can I bring?"

"There will be five of you, including you. Among them will be an advisor, a technician, a recorder, and a general," the Emperor explained.

"Okay, I'll get ready right away. Also, the Sixth Legion is about to set off, but the Wolf King and Balder's receiving fleet don't seem to be in the same place?"

"Yes, separate. Accompanying the Endless Journey is a Mechanicus exploration fleet," said the Emperor.

"It's really surprising that those guys who are more interested in digging than fighting are willing to take out their own private fleet." Marius snorted.

"You have always underestimated the value and significance of the Endless Journey," the Emperor said with a complex expression. There were too many secrets that He alone could bear. The Emperor felt bitter, but he kept silent.

Chapter 47 Ceremony 1

"My lord, your flagship and escort fleet will arrive in three Terra hours. We should now head to the space station's docking platform No. 3, where part of the fleet has already arrived. Captain Heimerdahl and his Grand Company have been waiting there for a long time." A servant reported to Balder.

"Very well, I'll be at Docking Platform 1 within the hour," Balder said, signaling his attendants to leave. Beside him stood his deputy, Hake Hammer, and the Dark Angels' representative, Nimean.

"What do you think of my outfit?" Balder asked with a smile.

"The main colors of red, silver-gray and light blue always feel a bit strange. And you are covered with too many symbolic symbols. I see a forging hammer, a battle axe, and a sail representing a traveler." Nimeen said awkwardly while looking at the robe on Balder.

Actually, that was already quite polite. If the Dark Angels were on a mission and spotted such a being, they would be easily caught and shot at for their somewhat bizarre, even religious, attire. These colors and elements looked strange and mysterious. But when Balder wore it, it fit his temperament remarkably well. There was no sense of disobedience at all.

This robe fully embodies Baldur's self-image. Red represents fire and the forge, and together with the forge hammer, it signifies his identity as a forger. Silver-gray and the battle axe represent his warrior side, strength, majesty, and combat. The pale blue combined with the sails signifies his desire to be a traveler, setting sail. The three elements blend seamlessly through color, symbolism, and pictograms, creating a seamless whole unlike any other.

"These have symbolic meanings, and they suit me best," Balder said, adjusting his clothes without further comment. In reality, the idea for his own dress came to him in a flash of inspiration, and he quickly completed it. After it was finished, Balder's subconscious told him, "This is your symbol, your symbol." These were things Balder couldn't express to anyone else, as they sounded absurd and would cause unnecessary trouble.

What Balder hadn't anticipated was that, in a special room far away, Marius was reading a special book, sealed by the Emperor's psychic power and accessible only to a select few. The title of the book was unknown. Marius struggled to read, but after only two pages, he saw the blue and sail combination that had appeared on Balder's body!

"A traveler?" Marius murmured. And then, at that moment, the book snapped shut! No matter how hard Marius tried, he couldn't open it.

"Damn it! I hate the occult." Marius put the book away in a special place. Then he checked the time. The Endless Journey was about to arrive, and he had to be there as the Emperor's representative. After all, the Emperor and Malcador were attending the military inauguration ceremony in Rus. It would be unreasonable for him not to attend this one.

"The Traveler and the Endless Journey? They seem to match well." Marius said to himself.

An hour later, Balder and his companions appeared at the station's docking platform 2. Harker was to his left, and Heimdall to his right. The three of them, along with the fully armored Space Marines of the 2nd and 5th Companies of the Space Wolves behind them, formed a slate-gray torrent of steel.

Balder wore no armor, only a formal robe. Meanwhile, Hake and Heimdall were clad in brand-new Centurion Power Armor, and behind them stood a ceremonial guard of fifty Centurion Terminators. Balder could have assembled more, but Russ only had a hundred-man Terminator guard, and Balder felt the need for such a high profile was unnecessary.

Even so, these mechs, standing over three meters tall and resembling miniature mechas, were already conspicuous enough. Their imposing figures and bold colors gave off a powerful, oppressive vibe. However, they felt somewhat inferior to the Dark Angels' honor guards nearby. After all, within the Dark Angels' ranks, the banners symbolizing glory and conquest spoke louder than any armor!

To the left of the procession were high-ranking officials from Terra and Marius. The latter would represent the Emperor in recognizing Balder's position as Vice-Leader. To the right were representatives of the Dark Angels and other Legions, observing the ceremony on behalf of their fraternal Legions and offering their blessings. Balder didn't find any notable figures among them, so he paid them no particular attention.

"My Lord Chief of the Legion, according to our plan, we should complete boarding within 20 minutes. You will temporarily go to my flagship, the Flame Lord, and then the fleet will set sail and line up outside the space station to welcome your arriving fleet." Hake Hammer said to Balder.

After the establishment of the new command system structure of the Space Wolves Legion, Balder had a new title, that is, the Legion's Chief Lord Commander. He was not the Grand Captain, and his subordinate Hake Hammer was the Grand Captain of the Second Company. The task of the Legion's Chief Lord was to enjoy the supreme command of other troops when the Primarch was absent, and at the same time assist the Primarch in managing the Legion's logistics, research and development, and planetary management in daily life.

Upon seeing this appointment, Balder felt a bit downcast, as he felt like he was back to his old days of working overtime. After all, according to Balder's standards, Russ doing logistics and R&D? That was irrelevant! Was that even assisting? He was doing it all on his own! Regardless, Balder ultimately secured his position as the legion's second-in-command. But Balder had a vague feeling that in a legion filled with idiots, this position wasn't going to be easy.

"Alright, let's go," Balder nodded. The fleets anchored outside the station were Heimdall's Fifth Company and Hack's Second Company. Russ was truly kind to Balder. Besides being assigned a fleet according to Grand Company standards, as the chief lord, Balder also had his own guards and a small fleet.

At this time, the warships gathered here included a star fortress serving as a fleet base, three battleships, more than ten large cruisers and battlecruisers, and more than 3 cruisers and accompanying escort warships. Compared to the overall size of the Space Marine force, this fleet was medium-sized.

After all, the Space Wolves Legion had just been reorganized, so giving them too much support would be a bit unreasonable. Furthermore, Balder had an additional flagship and a Mechanicus fleet of unknown size. That's right, unknown size. The Mechanicus were independent, allies of the Imperium. The exact size of this exploratory fleet, called Dawn Star, was unknown to Terran officials and representatives of other Legions. Only Balder and Marius knew.

Chapter 48 Ceremony 2

The group was arranged as follows: Balder and his companions boarded Hake's flagship. Terran officials, led by Marius, boarded Heimdall's flagship. The other troops boarded the third battleship, and then everyone flew into outer space together.

"They're coming! I sense a familiar presence." Suddenly, Balder raised his head and gazed out the porthole at the dark universe. A startling psychic flame blazed in his eyes, and a faint aura enveloped his entire body, a powerful pressure enveloping the entire bridge.

"My lord, the fleet hasn't left the Warp yet." Heimdall was about to speak, but stopped abruptly. His lord was thinking, and he didn't want to be disturbed.

Dozens of minutes later, at Mandeville Point, with the unique precision of the Mechanicus, the dark universe was torn apart, countless warp energies poured out from the cracks, and a huge fleet began to enter the real universe from the warp. The huge energy vortex told everyone that this was a huge fleet.

"Where's the Endless Journey? Wasn't it supposed to be a battleship? Why is it leading the fleet with a Mars-class battlecruiser?" From another battleship, Minion asked, watching the fleet emerge from the porthole. He knew of the existence of such a powerful and mysterious warship, but had never seen one. It was said that only a handful of Dark Angels orders had fought alongside it. From their fragmentary descriptions, Minion could sense its power.

"Judging from this, this squadron of seven cruisers is probably just the fleet's vanguard!" Harris's face suddenly changed. "Look at their formation, a giant triangle. This is a ritual and organization of the Mechanicus. A very high etiquette."

"How many Martians are there? I originally thought that the arriving fleet would only have one battleship and several cruisers." Yumo was also a little surprised.

After the vanguard fleet emerged from the Warp, it quickly shifted from a triangle formation to a goose-shaped formation, moving forward and then spreading out, blocking the Balder fleet like a steel barrier. Then, a massive figure appeared from the Warp's cracks. It was a massive battleship, larger than a standard Imperial battleship. The massive figure emerged from the void, bathed in light and fire by the collision of Warp energy and the field of view. It descended upon the mortal world like a king.

"It's the Mechanicus's Ark!" Yumo exclaimed! This type of warship rarely appears in the Expeditionary Force or Space Marine fleets. Powerful and mysterious, they are the Mechanicus's private army. Armed with incredibly advanced weaponry, they only deign to participate in battle on rare occasions, when the Legion is willing to pay a huge price. Normally, you can't find them in the vast universe. But when they appear, they bring absolute destruction and plunder! All that is valuable is taken away, and nothing of value is left!

Just as the Golden Cogwheel appeared, another massive figure appeared beside it. Upon seeing this figure, the faces of the veteran Imperial Navy officers and Space Marines darkened. This was another example of the Mechanicus exploiting a loophole! To "rationally" expand their forces, the Mechanicus had created a new class of battleships between large cruisers and battleships, smaller than regular battleships but larger than large cruisers... Then, through some means, the Mechanicus had tricked the High Lords of Terra into counting these ships as large cruisers...

"I still haven't seen the Endless Journey. This has already exceeded the specifications of the general fleet. It is led by the Golden Gear, with a large cruiser next to it, and several cruisers and battlecruisers behind it." Nemean was amazed, wondering in his heart what price the Sixth Legion paid to allow such a private army of the Mechanicus to serve them.

"Something is coming out of the warp! It's tearing and reconstructing the rift!" At this moment, Asmodeus, who had the highest psychic power level on the entire battleship, exclaimed. In his psychic vision, a terrifying guy was tearing the boundary between the warp and reality.

In an instant, surging energy rushed between the two realms, then was gradually smoothed out by an invisible force, and the spatial rift gradually and orderly expanded, as if it had been carefully calculated.

"Here he comes! Oh my god, what is that!" Finally, amidst a burst of exclamations, the Endless Journey appeared, its iconic trident hull emerging from the warp and shocking everyone present. Everyone was shocked by its huge and strange appearance.

At this moment, accompanied by the wide-area signal of the Mechanicum sent by the Ark of the Golden Cogwheel, all Mechanicum personnel, except those who were necessary, stopped their work and began chanting prayers in praise of the Machine God. They used a unique and rhythmic tone to welcome this powerful and mysterious ancient warship!

Behind him stood four large Mechanicum cruisers and other frigates! Previously, the first two waves of warships, including the Golden Gear, were only a small part of the entire fleet! Surrounded by so many warships, the Endless Journey and the Morning Star Fleet appeared before everyone. Their total number might be smaller than their opponents, but their momentum was no less than theirs.

"My goodness, the strength of the fleet under Lord Balder has more than doubled out of thin air." Looking at the fleet in the distance, the dark angels also felt the long-lost envy and jealousy.

"They don't seem to be coming over." The distant Morning Star Fleet, despite not following the usual fleet rendezvous process, regrouped and reunited. They maintained their distance from the Space Wolves fleet and shifted formation once more. After a dazzling flurry of maneuvers, a broad "road" of warships appeared before everyone.

"What does this mean?" All the escort ships were dispersed, and all warships larger than cruisers were divided into two columns, with a passageway in between. Cruisers, battlecruisers, and all five large cruisers surrounded the Endless Journey and the Golden Gear, with the former in the center and the Golden Gear acting as a support.

"Damn it, what are they doing?" Heimdall cursed under his breath.

"They seem to want us to pass?" Huck's expression changed slightly.

"The Endless Journey is welcoming me. Don't worry, don't be afraid. It's just welcoming me." Balder muttered to himself as he stared at the distant formation.

Then, as he had predicted, a strange, yet imposing, small craft emerged from the Endless Journey and flew directly towards the Fire Lord. The two warships exchanged words, with the former inviting Balder aboard. This sent the entire fleet into an uproar.

Chapter 49 Fragments of Memory 1

"Silence! This is part of the ritual!" A terrifying psychic wave spread across the bridge. Balder walked toward the Fire Lord's hangar platform with a serious expression. He boarded a shuttle and flew toward the small spaceship.

"My Lord, welcome. After countless years, you will once again embark on your loyal Endless Journey." A voice sounded in Balder's mind.

"Journey, traveler. Perhaps this is my destiny? My history?" Balder was in a strange state. Looking at the layout of the small spaceship, he suddenly felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had worked and lived here long ago. He had been a scientist, a captain, an admiral. Countless figures appeared in his mind, gradually pushing the memories of his past life on Blue Planet into a corner.

"You have experienced countless reincarnations and played countless roles, but every time, I can recognize you and find you. My master." The soft and affectionate murmur sounded in Balder's ears.

"Until one day, you completely vanished from this universe. Your existence could no longer be found in the physical universe, the subspace, the timeline, fate, or logic. We searched for your trace, but all failed. Some of my companions chose to leave, and some chose to live in seclusion. But I will not. I will still search for you. I believe that your departure is only temporary, and you have your reasons. I believe that we will meet again one day."

"You know my past?" Balder's small spaceship had already arrived at the Endless Journey. It entered the hangar, and he disembarked. Following the intricate corridors within, he headed for a place somewhere in the dark. Or rather, he couldn't really be considered walking at this point; an invisible force carried him forward along the wide passage.

At that moment, countless ghosts emerged from the ship's hull in the passageway. Some of them still retained their human form, their faces visible. There were normal humans, genetically modified beings, dwarves, and even other subhumans. They lined up neatly on both sides, attempting to speak to Balder. But when Balder turned to look at them, they fell silent, standing there quietly like a well-behaved student. At this moment, no one realized that Balder's humanity and nature were gradually becoming entangled.

"Yes, I know part of your past."

"Do you know my name?" Baldur asked.

"I'm sorry, you keep saying your name is just a codename," the Endless Journey's Machine Spirit said dejectedly after a moment's hesitation. "All I know is that you've always considered yourself a Traveler."

"Hiss... A traveler?" Balder felt a headache! The Infinite Trazyn had called himself a traveler, but Balder hadn't paid it any mind. Then, when Nyadra, the Two-Faced Envoy, called himself a returning traveler, Balder realized something was amiss. And now, this warship, claiming to be one of his former subordinates, was still calling itself a traveler! In an instant, more memories flooded his mind, almost overwhelming Balder's sanity! But in the end, the terrifying information was blocked by an invisible shield.

"I can confirm that I live in a place called Blue Star." Balder said confidently.

"And you're convinced I once fought alongside you." He arrived at a large hall. The sight of chairs scattered around a round table in the circular hall made him sigh. "What you said does remind me of something." Fragments of the past appeared in Balder's mind.

"If my memory and what you said are correct, then I truly am a traveler, a traveler who has traversed time, space, and even parallel universes." A sneer echoed through the empty hall. In his extreme rationality, Balder seemed to have a new understanding of his own existence!

"No wonder, there is really no luck in this world." He recalled his meeting with Taraxin and the Eldar God. He finally knew more now. He was now sure that if Taraxin or the Eldar God had the ability to completely control him, he would definitely not be so free now.