Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

"I will prove that rock-hard will and discipline are the key to victory. We are fearless and indestructible!" Dorn snorted coldly.

"Very good, see you then." Ruth picked up the glass and drank another one.

"Let's decide the winner on the training ground then," said Dorn.

With both sides exchanging harsh words, their first meeting was definitely not a pleasant one. However, what the two Primarchs could not have anticipated was that their every move was being watched by the two great men. The Traveler and the Emperor, using Ramon as an anchor, observed the entire banquet.

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"Don, this kid is pretty good except for his stubbornness and inability to be tactful. But this time, he is destined to be pinned to the ground and rubbed." The traveler said with a smile after reading it.

"I thought you'd be furious," the Emperor said, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. Even gods can be willful sometimes. They have likes and dislikes.

"What's the point of arguing with this straightforward fellow?" the Traveler said nonchalantly. Honestly, if Horus hadn't been so difficult to save, the Traveler wouldn't have resorted to such tactics. "But you, Emperor, after this exercise, you must enlighten Dorn."

"Are you so confident?" The Emperor looked at the traveler.

"Do you think I've only learned to run away in these tens of thousands of years?" The Traveler snorted. "Of course, I admit that my greatest skill is running away. However, the Sixth Legion, trained by me, using psionics is absolutely no match for the current Imperial Fists. The Imperial Fists fight with reason, but psionics, at times, are not. You should understand that, aren't you humanity's greatest psyker?" The Traveler said with a smile.

"Same here." said the Emperor.

Are Dorn and the Seventh Legion formidable? Of course they are. On paper, they possess the largest expeditionary fleet, the mountain formation, a treasured treasure, and the renown earned during the defense of Terra. However, the Seventh Legion also has its share of challenges. For one thing, it's too small. At its peak, the Seventh Legion numbered fewer than 10 men, making it roughly the same strength as the Fifth Legion, making it one of the smaller legions.

There are two reasons for this. First, the Imperial Fists also did much of the dirty and tiring work, suffering heavy casualties. Second, they were disadvantaged in the field of psychic powers. This wasn't because the Imperial Fists lacked the ability, but rather because they were unwilling to pursue it, unlike the "true sons" who later split off. The Black Templars were particularly hostile to psychics. If sailing weren't essential for navigators and astropaths, I'm afraid BT's Black Orcs wouldn't even want them. Furthermore, the entire Legion lacked a Librarian. Sometimes, suffering losses on the battlefield is inevitable.

"By the way, there is one more thing." The emperor said suddenly.

"What's the matter?" asked the traveler.

"You and I once talked about how the Primarch least fit for battle was Guilliman? Was that a joke, or was it true?" said the Emperor.

"Hmmmm." The Traveler fell into deep thought. "Let's put it this way. If there really is someone else available, it's best not to send Guilliman. He's far more useful in the rear than on the battlefield, and he's prone to getting carried away..."

"Okay, I understand. How about you go there when Guilliman comes back?" said the Emperor.

"What am I going to do? Like Russ, teach Guilliman's legions a lesson?"

"No, go give Guilliman a buff. At least if something happens, run faster."

"This... I suspect you're insulting me, but I have no proof." The Traveler's expression changed. "Alright, I'll go. I'm also somewhat interested in Guilliman." After all, Guilliman's 500 Worlds accounted for a small portion of the Empire's GDP.

Chapter 173 No martial ethics

"Anaxus, are you ready?" Sitting in the command room, Dorn said to his subordinates.

"We are ready. We will conduct a city attack and defense training. The number of participants on both sides will be around 1000 people, divided into several teams for search and combat. We are already familiar with the venue, and the tactics are formulated according to your instructions. The people below are all veterans who have been on the battlefield for a long time, and their quality is no problem." Anaxus said.

"Very well, this is our first official duel. I hope you won't disappoint me," Dorn nodded. The two sides didn't engage in a true swordfight between the Legions due to a misunderstanding of the rules. Dorn's descendants believed that since it was a one-on-one duel, both sides could use swords or fists. The Space Wolves' idea was somewhat unacceptable to their opponents. The Space Wolves believed in unrestrained combat! That's right, as long as no one died or suffered irreparable injuries, it was fine.

The sons of Dorn saw this as a sign of cowardice on the part of the Wild Wolves, while the Wild Wolves accused the Seventh Legion of mere showmanship, arguing that their own approach was more practical. After all, in a real fight, the only solution would be to defeat the enemy in any way possible. Then, as the two sides reached a stalemate, Ramon once again stepped forward to deflect the conflict. From then on, the situation became simple: whether it was martial arts or psychic abilities, everyone was welcome to join in... As a result, the Emperor's aide-de-camp won 208 consecutive battles in just a few days! No one in either Legion ever again talked about a one-on-one duel.

"Ramon." Dorn looked at his father's guard standing nearby. This was someone the Emperor had appointed specifically for him. Dorn was very pleased with this man. Perhaps it could be argued that Ramon and the Imperial Guard behind him were one of the few Imperial departments with which Dorn felt comfortable. They were unlike the arrogant Custodians, who looked upon everyone as if they were a thief. They were also unlike the Imperial bureaucrats, whose every word was filled with calculation.

But the men of the Imperial Guard were different. While all of the Emperor's departments were dedicated to accomplishing their missions, you could say the men of the Guard were more tactful and diplomatic. Yet, their demeanor and approach to others simply made Dorn feel comfortable. When you didn't need them, they were as quiet as a shadow. But when you did, they were at your side, completing everything you had been assigned with incredible efficiency. Although Ramon was an extremely powerful psyker, when Dorn interacted with him, he felt none of the nervousness or peculiar emotions common to psykers. They had almost perfectly tamed the power of the Warp.

"What do you think of this exercise?" Dorn asked. This time, it was a plan made by him and the top brass of the Seventh Legion. Ramon did not participate because he wanted to see how good he was.

"Lord Russ claims to be the instructor, and your father had a purpose in having him and the Space Wolves conduct this exercise with you," Ramon said tactfully, implying that he was not optimistic about the Imperial Fists this time.

"I think my plan is perfect," Dawn said.

"War is a game full of surprises. Any small mishap, such as failing to capture a stronghold that should have been captured, will lead to a series of reactions, and there's no such thing as perfection. My Primarch."

"Tell me about your impression of the Space Wolves. Do they have an advantage over my Legion because of their psychic powers?" Dorn asked.

"Your answer is not accurate. Psionics is indeed one of their advantages, but the Space Wolves also have their own characteristics. That is, they are always exploring tactics that suit themselves, or even suit individuals. They have many unconventional tactics and equipment, and have great advantages in asymmetric warfare. For example, their Lone Wolf Special Forces Team is a special forces team equipped with various stealth devices and complete weapons and equipment. Their mission is to freely hunt down targets they consider valuable." Ramon said.

"We also have such a team," said Dorn.

"Look at their squad," Ramon said, handing Dorn a data tablet. A small Wolfpack anti-gravity motorcycle squad was speeding along the ground. On either side of the ordinary anti-gravity motorcycles were two trailers filled with various equipment, including proximity mines, small automatic turrets, a drone, and a large number of auxiliary tools.

"They're carrying a really comprehensive array of equipment. How did they do that?" Dorn frowned, finally spotting the problem. It wasn't that Dorn's legion couldn't allow soldiers to carry this kind of equipment; it was perfectly fine to have the anti-gravity motorcycle squads responsible for rapid assaults carry a plethora of weapons. Even training some well-rounded soldiers from these troops wouldn't be a problem. But giving you the equipment and then having you take good care of it and use it effectively was another matter entirely.

As the video continues, the three soldiers of this squad directly deployed a small ambush position in a suitable place with the equipment and weapons they carried, used drones for reconnaissance and lure, and then various remote controls and preset programs, the three soldiers completely annihilated an orc armored squad through the deployed weapons.

"It feels like these guys are tactically skilled technical sergeants," Dorn said.

"That's about right. The Wolf Regiment troops following the Supreme Lord Commander are required to independently maintain the various weapons they use. If they want to be promoted, they must also pass a special technical level test." Ramon said.

"I don't quite agree with that," Dorn said. "Some people are more suited to command. They are born military commanders, not technical officers."

"So, the Wolf Group uses a dual-track system. The other group of people you mentioned can be promoted in Lord Rus's legion. And Lord Balder's legion focuses on cultivating various technical talents, including those in psychic abilities." Ramon said.

"Well, it's an interesting system." Dorn said nothing more, and at this time, the exercise began.

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"Right here, they are coming! I smell their scent. Mokai Buddha is guiding us. We should deploy defenses here. They will soon fall into our pocket." A rune priest of the wolf group said to the wolf captain who led the team.

"Then let's prepare. However, prophecies can sometimes be inaccurate, so we need to be extra cautious." The team leader thought for a moment and said.

However, this time, the Rune Priest's prediction was very accurate. After the Wolf Regiment was deployed, a team of officers and soldiers of the Seventh Legion sneaked into the ambush circle. When the latter was completely caught off guard, the volley of lasers and explosive bombs killed them in a very short time.

One squad was like this, then two, and in a short time, five Imperial Fists squads were annihilated or severely damaged. The Space Wolves squads, equipped with Rune Priests, clearly enjoyed a significant intelligence advantage during the engagement, compared to the VII Legion's soldiers, who relied entirely on their own perception and technical equipment. The Rune Priests of the Space Wolves squads could fully utilize the metaphysical power of psychic energy, either sensing the presence of the enemy's soul or, more powerfully, using divination.

Since its founding, the Seventh Legion has never encountered a group of psychic masters specializing in prophecy. The intelligence capabilities and communication methods of both sides are on a completely different level. The Seventh Legion needs radio to communicate, while the Sixth Legion, in addition to radio, can also make psychic calls...

"Damn it! You cheated! We left no signs of us being here. We've eliminated all traces and maintained radio silence. How did you know we were hiding here?" a captured Imperial Fists soldier angrily exclaimed. Originally, he and his squad had hidden in a building, preparing to ambush the enemy. Then, two kilometers away, the enemy deployed lasers and anti-tank missiles. Forced to retreat by intense fire, they were caught by the ambushing Wolves.

"The venue is yours, and the surveillance equipment in the entire training ground is also yours. Except for us, everything else is arranged by you. How can we cheat?" A rune priest snorted.

"Damn it, you used the power of blasphemy. Isn't that fair?"

"Fairness? You still expect the aliens to be fair to you on the battlefield?" The priest looked shocked. "How old are you? Still so naive? Even the children of Fenris wouldn't say that."

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"Sigismund, take your men and hold this area." Anaxus' voice came over Sigismund's communicator. With the conclusion of the first round of squad-level engagements between the two sides, the Imperial Fists were generally at a disadvantage, with squads either routed or severely damaged. Therefore, as commander, Anaxus naturally ordered all units to immediately retract their defenses.

It has to be said that the Imperial Fists' training level and tactical qualities are quite good. Coupled with the inexplicable BUFF in the city defense battle, the Imperial Fists quickly stabilized their formation and relied on fortifications, artillery batteries and elite teams to stabilize the front line again.

"I understand, Commander. We are fighting in the holding area. Just now, the barrier to the north was broken. We have re-sealed the gap, but something has come in. I am leading my team to drive out the guys who came in." Sigismund said.

"Very well, continue your mission," said Anaxus.

Then when Sigismund began to use video and surveillance equipment to try to find the intruder, he found that the target he was looking for did not seem to be found in the surveillance facilities that were still functioning.

"Damn, where is this guy hiding?" According to the intelligence collected before, three enemy soldiers entered here, but now, there is not one left.

"Order all teams and units inside the fortress to report their situation and status every 10 minutes. Then we will start looking for and searching for the enemy's traces from the breakthrough area." Sigismund said.

At this moment, just as Sigismund was searching for the infiltrators, in a corridor inside the fortress, a small group of Imperial Fist warriors were suddenly attacked by their companions wearing the same power armor. Two technical sergeants who were repairing equipment attracted the attention of the three Imperial Fist warriors, because one of the warriors suddenly found that the two technical sergeants did not match the relevant personnel he knew!

Three Imperial Fist warriors immediately stepped forward to question them, but at that moment, the lights in the entire area went out instantly. Before their vision could adjust to all this, a jammer grenade in the distance paralyzed their power armor. Next, two Space Wolves warriors, who had taken off their helmets and plastic masks, came over and took away some of the equipment on the latter.

"You disguised yourself as us?" An Imperial Fists warrior said in surprise, looking at the face under the plastic mask.

"You're still a little unskilled. You were discovered so early."

"I didn't know that the Space Wolves would do such a thing. You are very good at doing sneaky things. But no matter what, you have been exposed." Another Imperial Fist warrior didn't know whether to mock or simply exclaim in amazement.

"I know we've been exposed," a Wolf Warrior nodded, and then he and another Wolf Warrior set a trap. The Imperial Fist's fortress was indeed well-defended, and the Space Wolves' infiltration was nearly complete. Shortly after entering, two Space Wolves were exposed, and what awaited them was Sigismund's pursuit.

The rest of the journey was nothing short of spectacular. Using resources acquired along the way and weapons in hand, they modified traps and used logic viruses to control internal sentry guns. Along the way, the Space Wolves demonstrated an asymmetric combat method to the soldiers of the 7th Legion. Although the Space Wolves weren't particularly skilled, they still managed to cause chaos in half of the fortress.

"Is that all you guys are?" Sigismund finally let out a sigh of relief as he pinned the two men to the ground. "Tell me, where's your last colleague? He's out of tricks. We've got a net set up in the power room, the control room, and even the key strongholds. He can't escape. It's only a matter of time before he's caught."

"Haha, our real target has never been people like you," a Space Wolf said with a smile. At this moment, in some areas of the fortress, an alarm suddenly sounded that the ventilation system had detected toxic gas. The area with the problem happened to be where the Legion's servants were concentrated!

"You attacked the mortal army? And you used the ventilation system, you are so despicable." Next to him, an Imperial Fist warrior named Prax suddenly pressed a Space Wolves warrior to the ground.

"Please, we are the enemy, and naturally the enemy will do whatever it takes. The ventilation and water circulation systems are what mortals rely on the most, and they are also the most difficult to protect. So isn't it normal to attack these facilities? Of course, your defenses are also tight, with legionnaires on the periphery and the mortal area inside. We have to buy time for our brothers."

The Space Wolves' infiltration and special operations capabilities weren't particularly impressive, but they exploited the Imperial Fists' weaknesses. Within this fortress, there were hundreds of Imperial Fists warriors and over fifteen times that number of Imperial auxiliary personnel. The Space Wolves, believing their capabilities were insufficient, chose the latter as their primary target. Though the Imperial Fists moved swiftly, the "virus and toxic gas" they spread still rendered over 500 mortal soldiers hors de combat. Without sufficient manpower, the once-sturdy defenses began to show numerous vulnerabilities. However, the Space Wolves' actions went beyond this!

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"Holy crap! It's a teleportation beacon!" After a short overload on one of the fort's shields, a team of Centurion Terminators and Iron Wolves instantly teleported into the fortress! Then, a storm of explosives and lasers swept across the surroundings. With the start of this deep strike, the general assault on the fortress finally began!

"How could this happen? Pollux! Didn't I ask you to deal with all the items left behind by the Space Wolves? How could you have left behind such an important teleportation beacon?" Sigismund said angrily.

"I swear by the Emperor and the Primarch that I've taken care of everything, even the shell casings they dropped!" Polux panicked. He couldn't understand how a teleportation beacon, so large, could go undetected. It didn't make sense.

"In fact, invisible psychic energy can also be used as a transmission beacon. It's just that you can't sense it." The Space Wolves warrior who had been judged to be captured reminded with a smile.

"Damn, these tin cans are really hard to deal with." Then, a fierce battle broke out between the legion soldiers of both sides. After the battle started, in just 5 minutes, the soldiers of the Imperial Fists obviously found that they could not beat the opponent!

Three Wolf-style combat mechas practically blocked the entire main passage. Each Iron Wolf held an oversized energy shield in one hand, while the other was equipped with an automatic cannon, heavy laser, or other heavy weapon. Their backs were also equipped with missile and drone control systems. In front, a large number of drones worked with servoskulls to gather intelligence and direct fire attacks. Behind them, Centurion Terminators provided flank protection and shielded the technical sergeants from invading the Thinker system within the fortress.

Despite this, Polux and his colleagues exploited the terrain and traps to delay the enemy's advance until their armored vehicles and Dreadnoughts arrived. Just as they were about to strike back with weapons of the same level in hand, a psionic mist spread, severely obstructing the Imperial Fists' vision. Then, a group of Wolf Jumpers launched a close-range assault!

This also became the biggest failure of the Space Wolves in this fortress attack and defense!

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"Blood Howl! What is he doing? A new recruit of the Imperial Fist killed ten of our men in close combat? And another one killed five?" Russ felt unwell when he saw the battle report.

A fellow named Sigismund was incredibly powerful, single-handedly chopping down 10 Wolf Regiment soldiers, including three Terminators. His swordsmanship was truly spectacular. At one point, he outnumbered three, successfully defeating them within five minutes, leaving the surrounding Wolves stunned. Then, two unconvinced individuals went up again, only to be eliminated again!

Nearby, the fellow named Pluxus also performed remarkably well. Protected by his comrades, he eliminated five men in quick succession, nearly decimating the incoming Space Wolves melee force in this close combat! Fortunately, the Space Wolves finally had a sudden realization before they were crushed. The Iron Wolves and Terminators who arrived shortly thereafter took up their autocannons and missile launchers...

"Primarch, if it weren't for the 6 Centurion Terminators and 2 Iron Wolves that used intensive firepower to kill the enemy, the Blood Howl Captain himself would probably have died." said the attendant on the side.

"Is it true, as my ally claimed, that the Space Wolves aren't good at close combat? They seem fine in battles all the time." Russ fell into deep self-doubt. Although the Space Wolves ultimately succeeded in capturing the fortress, their performance in the final close-quarters engagement was somewhat lackluster, resulting in a less than impressive casualty ratio. But no matter what, a win is a win.

Fortunately, though several small-scale melee battles still broke out during the ensuing battle, nothing as outrageous as this one occurred again. On the contrary, the Space Wolves' unethical melee tactics gave them a certain advantage, including, but not limited to, pre-fight stun grenades, gunfire during knife fights, and helmet-mounted close-range poison needle launchers. This somewhat improved Russ's appearance.

Besides these skirmishes, a considerable amount of armored and Dreadnought clashes also broke out between the two sides. In this clash of steel against steel, the Space Wolves felt the resilience of the VII Legion. Attacks and retreats were methodical, and even with the advantage, the battles were still somewhat strained. The Space Wolves impressed the VII Legion with the impression that the enemy was truly well-equipped! Their tactics were truly novel. A large number of drones provided reconnaissance and auxiliary attacks, while tanks on the ground and aircraft coordinated seamlessly in the air. A small number of elite lone wolf squads, using a variety of weapons and equipment from the perimeter, could cause significant trouble for the specialized Imperial Fist squads. The enemy's internal network communications were extremely fast. Furthermore, the enemy had a strong support capability; damaged tanks could be quickly repaired and returned to the battlefield after being pulled back.

Finally, after repeated clashes, with the fall of the last fortress becoming a foregone conclusion, Dorne personally announced that his side had failed in this battle.

Next, a major battle would ensue between the two sides, a massive exercise involving tens of thousands of men, and this time, both Dorn and Russ would be on the field. If the previous battles had tested the tactical prowess of the lower-ranking officers on both sides, then with both Primarchs on the field, it would be a test of their own prowess.

Chapter 174 Bait for Each Other

"Isn't the Seventh Legion good at defense? How come they're so good at offense too?" On a chosen planet, the Space Wolves and the Imperial Fists conducted a massive offensive and defensive exercise across complex terrain. Each side deployed tens of thousands of legionnaires and numerous mortal auxiliaries. The Primarchs personally commanded the battles. The Space Wolves had a number of Bear gunships, while the Imperial Fists had a number of Titans.

However, in this large-scale engagement, Russ felt immense pressure during the current offensive phase. The VII Legion was not only adept at defense, but also remarkable at offense. Their machine-like precision and tactics, coupled with the long-range firepower support of the Titan Legion, pushed the Space Wolves back step by step.

"Sir, we should deploy a sufficient number of Bear gunships to at least suppress the Titan battle group behind the enemy, otherwise our defense line will be further compressed." Homil Longgang said anxiously.

"Now is not a good time to invest. Although the Bear gunships are powerful, their main advantages over the Titans are speed and maneuverability. If we were to fight against the Warlord-class Titans in equal numbers, we would be at a disadvantage. And it is obvious that the Imperial Fists have already made preparations to deal with it. They are equipped with a large number of Stormbirds, but they have not used them so far. They are obviously preparing to smash our sharpest sword together with their Titans when our Bear gunships launch an attack." said Rune Priest Horton.

"Then can we use a large psychic array to counter it?" Rus asked.

"Yes, but the effect is limited. We don't have many rune priests here this time, and some of them are not convenient to use. Our current psychic spells can only reduce the opponent's aiming ability to a limited extent in a battle of this scale. And the Seventh Legion has also responded by sending professional strike teams equipped with special equipment to hunt down our psychics." Horton said.

"Rufen! Use all your Terminators and cooperate with Homir Longgang and Heimdall to defend the Mokai line for me. The terrain here is complex and there are relatively complete fortifications. Cooperate with the psychic power of the Rune Priest Corps to hold back the enemy for me." Rus ordered.

"I need more troops, my Primarch." Rufen said after looking at the situation on both sides.

"I can only give you this much. The remaining troops are either preparing to participate in mobile operations or preparing to counterattack. Hold on to it, Rufen! I will allocate an extra 12 Bear gunships to the next wave as rewards for the companies that hold this line of defense. No matter how many companies there are, there will be a total of 12 gunships. You can do whatever you want." Russ said.

"Okay, boss, let's do it right away." Lu Fen immediately expressed his opinion.

"No problem, our three Dalians are enough." Homil Longgang also nodded in agreement.

"Damn! What the hell! Where's your moral integrity?" Ruth cursed inwardly as he looked at the three company commanders who immediately became excited.

"Keep in touch, I'm ready." Rus nodded and said, according to the plan, the legion on the front was responsible for delaying and consuming the opponent, while the air assault corps led by Rus was the key to determining victory or defeat.

Under the powerful advance of the Imperial Fists, the main force of the Imperial Fists quickly arrived at the Mokai Line, which was also the core defense line of the Space Wolves. If this line of defense was breached, then the Imperial Fists could declare victory. Unsurprisingly, the Seventh Legion encountered very stubborn resistance here.

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"My lord, the Holy Crusaders Company and the Punishers Company were completely wiped out. These two companies were the first to enter the defense line, but they failed to break the situation." Anaxus reported to Dorn.

"What about the Shining Company? How are they doing?" Dorn asked.

"We had our last contact half an hour ago. We've lost more than half of our troops and are trapped. It's probably only a matter of time before we're wiped out," Anaxus said after a moment of hesitation.

Siege warfare is incredibly difficult, especially when the enemy's defenses are tight. Dorn's tactics and command are exceptional. In the large-scale Legion battle just now, Dorn had demonstrated to Russ that, given comparable equipment, Russ's ability to engage armored vehicles head-on was inferior to Dorn's. Whether it was the Centurion Terminator or the Iron Wolf mech, they were no match for the Legion's heavy tanks and vehicles... And without the equipment advantage, Russ's mastery of the armored torrent was still inferior to Dorn's.

Dorn did deploy a number of Titans, but he knew the Space Wolves' Bear Gunships were incredibly powerful, so he only deployed a small number of Titans and his air force for frontline support, leaving the bulk of his heavy equipment and gunships in reserve. This tactic had previously worked well, but now, facing the Space Wolves, who had entered their fortifications and were waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out, this limited manpower and firepower was insufficient.

Dorn also knew how to adapt, concentrating his firepower to open a gap, then sending his spearhead troops in to expand the breach and shatter the enemy's defenses. However, when the battlefield situation shifted from large-scale armored assaults to small- and medium-scale engagements, the Space Wolves, utilizing their equipment, psychic powers, and home turf advantage, inflicted heavy damage on the incoming Imperial Fists. Thus, the battle became a stalemate.