Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

"And would my brother think so?" Perturabo asked.

"Perhaps, your brother will be the first to make this suggestion." said the Lord of Radiance.

"That's great." Perturabo smiled.

--------

"Perturabo has settled the matter internally. He has agreed to cooperation with the Blood Angels. But it would be best if Sanguinius proposed it." The Lord of Radiance contacted Balder.

"No problem, Sanguinius will take the initiative to propose it. Has Perturabo been doing well recently?" Balder asked.

"Well, it's becoming more and more normal. It's really not easy."

"That's good, keep working hard." Bader said.

"By the way, is there any news from Tarazim?" asked the Lord of Radiance.

"You asked him? Are you and him that close?" Balder asked curiously.

"It's not really, it's just that the horror of the Randan alien is beyond my imagination. So, if we can have some help from the remnants of these predecessor civilizations, we might be much better off. Moreover, according to my understanding, Taraxin has become the ruling great sage in a certain forging world and is doing very well. He should not mind providing some help." said the Lord of Glory.

"He will play a very important role in the future, so he won't be used for now. This is considered a trump card." Bader said after a moment of hesitation.

"Well, if the Emperor does not directly intervene in the Randan War, then I hope you can withstand it." said the Lord of Glory.

"No problem," Balder said.

"If we can win the war against Ran Dan under your command, then you will become the well-deserved commander of the empire." said the Lord of Glory.

"Haha, I have no interest in this so-called commander and reputation." Bader said.

"Why?" asked the Lord of Glory with some curiosity.

"You'll know when the time comes. Let me keep you in suspense for now." Balder said with a hint of emotion.

----------

Three days later, Sanguinius personally arrived aboard Perturabo's flagship and, before the officers of both armies, requested a joint campaign. Perturabo, the invited party, was delighted and expressed his willingness to fight alongside his brother across the galaxy. Thus, both sides were delighted.

"In the future, my legion will fight alongside the Blood Angels. What plans does your Excellency have?" Perturabo looked at Balder and asked.

"My Primarch is on the front lines of the battle against Randan. The war around the Forge World of Xana has been going on for a long time, and the Dark Angels and Space Wolves have paid a huge price. I need to send new troops to my Primarch and provide assistance when the time is right." Balder said.

The current situation of the Imperial Legions is as follows: the Iron Hands, Raven Guard, and Ultramarines are resting. The Dark Angels and a certain destined-to-be-lost First Order Space Wolves are holding the front lines. The White Scars, Blood Angels, and Iron Warriors are warming up before entering battle. Other Legions are advancing in other directions according to the Emperor's plan. According to the Space Wolves' rotational warfare principle, Baldur will indeed have to go to Russ to reinforce his forces after a while.

However, there was another, more important factor: the looming issue of lycanthropy within the Space Wolves Legion... It wasn't a major issue, but it wasn't a minor one either. Ultimately, Balder would have to deal with it. After all, as an ally, Balder couldn't stand by and watch Jonson deliver another blow to Russ. At the same time, Balder also needed to coordinate with Jonson. After all, in the final stages of the war, Balder would have to assume command of the entire front-line Imperial Legion. Ferrus and Russ weren't a problem. Jonson was a moderate problem, and something needed to be addressed.

"That's a shame. I look forward to fighting alongside you. I believe it will be an unforgettable experience." Perturabo said with a hint of regret.

"We will fight side by side in the final resolution of the Battle of Randan," Bader said.

"I look forward to that day," Perturabo said.

"Let's drink to humanity and the empire," Balder said, picking up the glass in his hand.

"Cheers." Four glasses clinked together. This also meant that Balder's plan for Perturabo had been completed, the tide had turned, and Perturabo's fate had taken a different turn. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of light years away, aboard the Emperor's flagship, a Primarch, the first to return, yet never seen before the outside world, was meeting with the Emperor. Their discussion was precisely this Primarch's assessment of his fellow brothers, as well as some of his own personal plans.

Chapter 231 Alpharius's Comments on the Primarchs (5K)

"Father, I have arrived." Alpharius bowed before the Emperor, seated on the throne. Before saluting, he subconsciously glanced at his father. That terrifying power and nearly limitless spirit also weighed heavily on him. Yet, he was willing to bear this pressure, for only in his presence did his father reveal his true self.

Alpharius had heard many of his brothers' descriptions of their father. Some described the Emperor as a wise and intelligent being, others as a burly general, and still others as a simple and approachable man. Hearing these rumors, a hint of sarcasm would always curl up on Alpharius's lips, for he knew his brothers were all wrong! The root of their error lay in their belief that their father was a mere human! As the first and longest-serving Primarch to follow his father, Alpharius could not describe the Emperor before him. But he knew that the Emperor was no longer human. His power and might were beyond human comprehension!

And now, for reasons unknown to him, Alpharius felt his father was even more powerful. This strength even reached the Warp. When the Emperor himself led the fleet through the Warp, the undercurrents within it would bypass it, and the raging Warp storms would calm with the Emperor's presence. The demons and monsters hidden within were reduced to ash at a distance he could barely perceive, and all this seemed to be an unconscious act of the Emperor. If Alpharius had to describe the Emperor at this moment, then the word "deity" would be the most appropriate. The Emperor was a walking god in the real world!

Alpharius's feeling was correct. The Emperor was indeed growing stronger. This was partly due to the continued growth of the Imperium of Man as the Great Crusade progressed, and partly because the Emperor had finally begun to accept the power of faith. Unlike "ordinary" apotheosis masters like the Traveler, the circumstances of the Emperor's birth were unknown. He was born powerful and possessed all the potential for godhood. For the Traveler, there was much to prepare. For the Emperor, however, there were only two constraints to his apotheosis: timing, and his own willingness!

"You have arrived, Alpharius." The Emperor, emerging from his reverie and gathering his outward power, stepped down from his throne and gazed upon his progeny like a father. His eyes held a look of approval. After all, Alpharius was the first of his progeny to be recovered, and his Legion had recently performed remarkably well, acquiring numerous star systems at minimal cost. He himself had faithfully fulfilled his duties as an Imperial spy, roaming among the various Legions, gathering information and insights on their progress.

"Yes, father, I just came back from Fenris. There was a little accident in the middle." Alpharius said a little nervously.

"An accident?" The Emperor frowned, searching for any trace of it, but found none in the long river of fate. In an instant, the Emperor knew exactly what Alpharius had meant by the accident! Within the Imperium of Man, the only beings the Emperor could not perceive were the Traveler and his clone. Clearly, what Alpharius had done was related to the Traveler.

"I warned you, my child," the Emperor sighed. When Alpharius went out, his father would naturally tell him which people or things he shouldn't mess with. It would be very troublesome... Was Alpharius strong? He was quite strong. He was a bit weak in single combat, but whether it was command, intelligence gathering, tampering, or dealing with xenos, the Alpha Legion was quite capable. However, when facing certain individuals in the galaxy, Alpharius was truly no match. Travelers aside, if Alpharius didn't have an Emperor as his father, the Lord of Radiance would have had a chance of defeating him at some cost.

"What did you do?" asked the Emperor.

"I originally wanted to get closer to the Endless Journey. This battleship is full of secrets, and it's so powerful that I can't even begin to comprehend it..."

"And then?" asked the Emperor.

"When I disguised myself as a Mechanicus and was about to step onto this battleship, a powerful pressure descended upon me. It was like a giant beast hidden in the deep sea, staring at me. Then I retreated. This pressure did not dissipate until I left this planet." Alpharius said with lingering fear.

"Do not delve into the secrets of the Space Wolves, and do not seek their attention. You can deal with the Custodes in the name of infiltration exercises, but you must never attack the Space Wolves. Otherwise, the consequences will be very serious," said the Emperor.

"Are they more formidable than the Custodes?" Alpharius asked.

"You are still too young, Alpharius. In the tens of thousands of years of human civilization, there have been too many brilliant people whose abilities, insights and methods are far beyond your imagination. The Space Wolves are no more powerful than the Guards. It's just that if you provoke the Guards, I can let it go, but if you provoke certain people, he is not your father. Many times, some beings are just too lazy to bother with you. And when they decide to bother with you, it is difficult for me to do so." The Emperor reminded earnestly.

"Yes, father," Alpharius said, looking down.

"Haha." The Emperor smiled faintly. Regarding Alpharius's response, the Emperor believed that his son might not dare to do it in the short term, but if it lasted longer, it would be hard to say. Essentially, in the Emperor's eyes, his children were nothing but naughty children. And naughty children are bound to cause trouble. But when the time comes, the Traveler will teach him a lesson. Just because he can't do something doesn't mean others can't.

"Tell me, you have traveled through the various Legions for so long. What do you think of your brothers?" The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Let's start with Horus."

"Horus? The nominal first Primarch to return." Alpharius let out a hint of sarcasm. "As a commander, he's quite capable. His strategies and tactics are exceptional, and he's incredibly resourceful, uniting a diverse group of people around him. To outsiders, he's the Emperor's eldest son, the most perfect incarnation. But in my opinion, he's nothing more than a poor imitation of you. Horus is ambitious. He wants to be the leader of all the Sons, the first under you. On the surface, he's certainly capable, but in reality, he lacks much. He can't break the Mechanicum's monopoly on Imperial science, nor can he unite those who are truly upright. His ambition and vanity even lead him to resort to petty tactics that are unsavory. But, regardless, if we must choose a representative among the Sons, he should be considered a candidate."

"Fulgrim is a proud and vain man. He and his Legion perfectly align with the Imperium's image as the Emperor's face and envoy. Fulgrim's abilities are equally impressive, but he's too fragile, unable to accept even the slightest criticism or opposition. He's always in a pathological pursuit of so-called perfection, a trait I dislike. He's like a peacock, always displaying his beautiful feathers, yet oblivious to the meaninglessness of such behavior for a Primarch."

"And what about the Khan?" asked the Emperor.

"Khan is a wise man. When I first met him, I was a little surprised, because I couldn't imagine why my brother had such a thorough vision and keen perception on the barbaric planet of Chogoris. This is simply contrary to common sense. The appearance of him and Russ made me change my attitude towards the barbarians. He has a very thorough understanding of many issues, and he is also an excellent commander and father. Of course, his tactics are too simple. His mobile operations are excellent, but the others are very poor. Of course, his ability to manage the legion is even worse. This is Khan's biggest demerit. His legion looks like a mess." Alpharius smiled.

"He seems to understand the nature of the Imperium and the fundamental relationship between you and the Primarch. He doesn't seem entirely satisfied with you, but he knows how to make trade-offs and what's best for himself and the Legion. He has his own ideas, but he also knows how to be patient. His thoughts are as free as the wind. Often, I have no idea what he's thinking. Overall, he's a very interesting brother."

"Now that we've discussed the Khan, let's move on to Rus. To outsiders, Rus is a barbarian, a violent, completely unreasonable fellow. This is actually an illusion. Rus has his own ideas and code of conduct, but it's just that this code is somewhat incompatible with what Terra agrees on. Rus also happens to have the ability to uphold this code, and thus, this has created the fundamental reason why the Space Wolves and Terra are at odds."

"From the perspective of mortals and most legions, Russ and his legion are very good partners. Russ himself has some abilities in all aspects, but they are not so outstanding. He can complete the tasks assigned to him by your father, and is willing to undertake some dishonorable killings. But on a deeper level, I feel that his role is not as good as that of some of his better brothers." Alpharius said.

"A better brother?" said the Emperor.

"Yes, Jonson, Ferrus, and Guilliman. They are the pride of all your descendants. Although some still have not returned, I believe that among all the brothers who have returned, or have not yet returned, there is no one more important and outstanding than them."

"Jonson is reliable and efficient. He can fight the most brutal and terrifying enemies under your command and win. He acts efficiently and fiercely, not constrained by so-called morality. His loyalty and ability make him a natural military leader, invincible. He can lead the First Legion to faithfully fulfill their mission."

"Ferus is powerful and a man of respectable character. Of course, these aren't the most important things. The most important thing is that he's a crucial tool in breaking the Mechanicum's monopoly on technology. Of course, the same is true for Vulkan. But I personally feel that Ferrus has done a better job. He's also a brave general and a charismatic commander, and he's already amassed a group of people willing to follow his lead. Ferrus is sensible and courageous, and possesses some management skills. But from a purely military perspective, I personally feel he's still a bit behind Jonson."

"As for Guilliman? Haha." Alpharius smiled and continued, "His quill pen is more terrifying than his sword and power fist. He is a natural politician, able to handle all kinds of complex relationships efficiently and gain respect from all sides. To some extent, he and Horus are very similar in many aspects, but what makes him better than Horus is that he can truly govern a region well. He said that he can turn the pocket empire he rules into a paradise for mankind, and he really has this ability. But Horus, he can't. Of course, Horus is also better than Guilliman in one aspect, that is, Horus's moral standards are not as high as Guilliman's. I absolutely do not mean to belittle my brother, I am just stating a fact."

"As for military prowess? I think all he needs is a steady supply of men and equipment. Although I dislike Dorn immensely, I must say that his assessment of Guilliman is quite accurate. He and his Legion are mediocre."

"As for the other brothers, I have already evaluated them before. And some brothers have just returned, and it remains to be seen." Alpharius said.

"The relationship between you and Dorne is still very bad, and there have even been conflicts," said the Emperor.

"Dorn is a rigid man, one who values ​​rules above all else. My Legion and I are the exact opposite. Father, you created me and my Legion, wasn't it because you needed some means outside the rules that you needed to deal with us?" Alpharius said.

In the background, Alpharius also has his own likes and dislikes. He and Russ have a difficult relationship, as Russ constantly disparages the Alpha Legion's fighting style, claiming they don't enjoy the glory of battle. Naturally, Alpharius is dissatisfied with this accusation, and after the rebellion, he severely assaults the Space Wolves. In this dimension, Russ, having experienced much, is much more pragmatic, and has little contact with the Alpha Legion, resulting in a mediocre relationship between the two.

Alpharius respected the lion, believing their roles and functions were similar and capable of communication. He was even willing to support the lion as Warmaster, but the lion's pride surprised him. Faced with the Randan alien, the lion preferred to use its own strength to complete the final strangulation rather than hand it over to Alpharius and compete for the position of Warmaster.

As for Dorne, it's safe to say that the most frequent clashes occurred between Dorne and the Alpha Legion. Even before the Heresy, the two sides clashed. (The Alpha Legion must have done quite a few taboos in the background, not to mention infiltrating various Legions. When the Alpha Legion deployed their fleet, many warships and ships were already missing.)

"It's better to do less of some things," said the emperor.

"I am only honing my Legion, Father. You should know that my Legion's training and development methods are different. They need to deal with various problems, learn to hide themselves, and achieve their goals in the shadows. For the sake of humanity and the Empire, some necessary evils must exist, and my Legion and I are one of them."

"Including secretly taking things from other people on the battlefield?" the Emperor said. "Some things you can actually ask for."

"Father, if some of the things we want can only be obtained through formal channels, will you be disappointed in my ability?" Alpharius asked back.

"It's important to develop your abilities, but don't hide just for the sake of hiding; that's unnecessary," the Emperor said. "By the way, do you know anything about the Secret Cult?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you..." Alpharius began to speak, but suddenly stopped. In that moment, he felt as if his heart was known by the Emperor. Nothing was hidden, no secrets.

"You, on the one hand, always create secrets, and on the other hand, you are interested in secrets. Often, you don't know whether what you do is right or wrong, and you always like to get involved in things that you can't control." The Emperor stood up from the throne. He knew that Alpharius had begun to contact the secret religion and began to fall into certain mysterious prophecies.

"Alpharius, my child, you are still too immature in the face of this dark galaxy. There are many secrets I cannot tell you because they are beyond your current tolerance. However, I don't want you to indulge in rumors. You know about the terrifying existence in the warp, they are so powerful that you cannot describe it. Don't you think it would be ridiculous if someone said such an opportunity to easily destroy the evil god? The history of the evil god's existence far exceeds that of humans, and before humans, there were multiple civilizations that ruled the galaxy. Humans are just an ordinary one among them. You know what I mean."

"This time, I don't intend to punish you, but there are some issues you must pay attention to. Don't be mysterious for the sake of mystery. You must know your goal. Your own concealment is only a means and a way of working, not the fundamental mission. Your mission is to protect mankind. Remember, it is to protect mankind! This is fundamental! If there are aliens or other beings who say that they will sacrifice the interests of mankind for the sake of the entire galaxy, then you must kill them, grind their bones to ashes, and annihilate their souls. Do you understand? If you are deceived, not only will they not be moved by your so-called sacrifice, these guys will step on your head and say, look, this is a fool! He doesn't even know his own position!" The emperor said this with a stern voice.

"Yes... yes, father." Alpharius prostrated himself before the Emperor, his whole body trembling.

"Well, it's time for you to take your men to the Randan front and see the darkness in this galaxy and the cunning and cruelty of the aliens." said the Emperor.

Chapter 232: Relic Hunter and Trazyn Watching the Show (6K)

The Imperial Fists had recently conquered the planet of Salwen. Having completed their mission, the majority of the Imperial Fists accompanied their Primarch on to the next battlefield, leaving only a small detachment to maintain local security while awaiting Terra's takeover. The flames of war had ceased, but beneath the surface lay a turbulent undercurrent. The warlords who had once entrenched themselves there were ripped to shreds by the Sons of Dorn. The wreckage left behind by the behemoths was enough to satiate those lurking in the shadows! And the spoils left behind by the Sons of Dorn on the battlefield were undoubtedly their favorites.

"Is that all?" Sigismund said, looking at the fragments on the ground.

"Yes, the Bear gunship No. 12, Fist of Fury, was damaged and half of its wing was destroyed. We searched the entire battlefield after the battle, but only found these wreckages." An officer reported.

"Well, you guys go down." After everyone left, Sigismund glanced at Pollax next to him. The latter understood and immediately began to examine the components on the ground, comparing them with the information on the data board. Half an hour later, Pollax stood up with a worried look on his face.

"Something is not right. Some key components are missing. Among the parts of the Fist of Fury that fell off were the wing data collection and processing system, and the volcanic cannon's pressure stabilization system. These are all gone, and you should know that these key components are all placed in armored boxes, and they are not small in size. Even if the outer skin and armor are completely destroyed, it is impossible for these things to be left without any trace. This is a premeditated theft plan." said Pollax.

"Huh... Our father knew this would happen a long time ago, so he left us behind. Damn thieves! I will crush them!" Sigismund said with a distorted expression.

War always involves losses. Any weapon, from chainswords to spaceships, will be lost in battle. This is unavoidable. After battle, the Legion always salvages any salvageable materials. This is perfectly normal, but over time, Dorne's Legion discovered that there were always some irregularities in the recycling process. For example, some parts that should have been salvageable would disappear.

If it were just something of low value, Dorn wouldn't bother, or perhaps simply wouldn't have the time to bother. However, the leakage of some items or technologies couldn't be taken lightly. For example, the parts dropped from the Bear gunships must be recovered. Of course, if it were just a minor matter, it wouldn't bother someone of Sigismund's caliber. However, during the recently concluded battle on Salwen, something happened that infuriated Dorn.

During the battle, an Imperial Fist company was trapped, and the Bear gunship No. 12, the Fist of Fury, was tasked with rescuing it. Surprisingly, upon arriving at the battlefield, the Bear gunship and its escort were ambushed by ground fire. This was undoubtedly a premeditated ambush; after all, damaging a Bear gunship would require at least Titan-level firepower. Thanks to Polaxus's skilled operation and excellent damage control, the Fist of Fury successfully destroyed the ambushed enemy and withdrew from the battle.

But then, when the Imperial Fists cleared the battlefield and brought the company back, Dorn was surprised to discover that the company commander hadn't sent a distress signal! By then, the signalman who could have directly contacted Dorn had been separated from the troops. His body and destroyed communication equipment were found. Judging by the time of death, it seemed like the signal had been sent before... In other words, someone had used the signalman's equipment to send a signal, luring reinforcements to arrive!

Dorn immediately ordered an investigation into the matter and analyzed the reasons behind the other party's actions. Sigismund and Pollux took on this task, and now, they seem to have discovered the clues of a conspiracy!

"Someone's got their eyes on the Bear gunship. They want to get some of its technology," said Pollux.

"Who do you think it will be?" asked Sigismund.

"It could be the Mechanicus, or it could be other legions. Those guys in the Mechanicus can be described as unscrupulous in order to obtain the technology they desire. And those who are familiar with the operation and command of our legion are most likely targets of other legions. After all, our Primarch returned not long ago, and the basic command and combat rules are still the same as before. Someone who knows us planned this ambush and wants to profit from it." said Pollax.

"Other legions? Damn it, how could this happen? Where is their glory? Where is their military discipline? I have never seen such despicable people!" Sigismund felt a little overwhelmed. Obviously, this situation was a little beyond his expectations.

"Tell the Primarch about this. Also, start technical tracking. I will ask the remaining fleet to block the entire planet's external channels. Find these guys for me! I want to twist their heads off myself!" Sigismund said angrily.

"No problem. In fact, these sealed components are equipped with timed messaging devices. Technical tracking has already begun, and I will be responsible for this." said Pollax.

--------

"Did you get the stuff?" In a cave, a legionnaire wearing a camouflage robe and with all markings erased from his internal power armor said to his men who had just entered.

"Viper, we got half of it. The data box is in our hands, and the voltage stabilizer is in the hands of those oil guys." said the subordinate.

"Why did such a mistake happen? You are the closest and should be the first to enter the scene." The commander known as Viper expressed deep dissatisfaction in his words.

"Those oil guys used teleportation to get in. Damn it..." the subordinate said gritting his teeth.

"Haha, interesting, this is a lesson. We always underestimate some guys," Viper said. "But it doesn't matter. Viper has discovered their location. These parts and themselves will become the Legion's spoils of war." Viper said without any concern.

"The Seventh Legion may have smelled something." said the subordinate.

"It doesn't matter. The more people join, the more effective this trial will be. We are different from them. We are the most hidden and dangerous people in the empire. We disregard rules and morals, simply to protect the empire and humanity by all means. And to better hone ourselves, we don't hesitate to fight against so-called allies."

"Of course, we can also take the opportunity to remind some arrogant allies to be careful of the prying eyes and daggers in the dark." Viper said indifferently.

(Alpharius once conducted a mock assassination under the pretext of testing the Custodes' combat effectiveness. During this exercise, he personally killed the Custodes and took the Custodes' weapon for himself. The Alpha Legion also engaged in numerous secret battles with the Imperial Fists in the background, and relations between the two sides were strained. The specific reason for this is unknown, but perhaps, just like Alpharius's attack on the Custodes, they also wanted to "enhance" the Imperial Fists' combat effectiveness.)

At the same time, on the other side, a few hours ago, the oil men who had planned this incident with Hydra, but were now regarded as prey by Hydra, were also planning something in a cave.

"Sage Mogin, our partners have taken some of the items," a mechanical priest reported. "Their level is higher than we expected."

The plan against Unit-12 was a joint effort between Hydra and Morkin. Hydra, familiar with the Legion's combat principles, developed the overall plan, while Morkin's sages oversaw the technical implementation. They lured an Imperial Fist squadron to the area and, by informing the enemy, instructed them to surround and attack the reinforcements. The initial plan had been to capture a Bear gunship, but only fragments were recovered. The enemy's combat effectiveness exceeded their expectations. In the ensuing scramble, each team took half. Now, the former partners have become enemies, and neither side wants to let the other go! They both want everything!

"It doesn't matter. The precious data box is only temporarily in their hands. We will get it back in a few hours." The sage codenamed Mokin said nonchalantly.

"Do you know their location?" asked the Mechanical Priest.

"No, I just let them know our location. Those who have strayed from the glory of the God of All Machines have two things in common with us. One is that we are all daring and will do anything to achieve our goals. The other is that we are all confident and will not accept a partial victory. In that case, let's see who will be the final victor under the watchful eyes of the God of All Machines. We only have two paths. One is to return to the Forge World with the sacred data box and voltage stabilizer and become heroes that everyone admires. The other is to sacrifice our lives here for the God of All Machines!"

Sage Mo Jin looked at the emblem of the God of All Machines hanging above the cave and let out a high-pitched war cry. He longed for a battle to decide the final ownership of these precious things.

"Pass the order and prepare to welcome the arrival of our friends. Use the most ferocious firepower, the most precise calculations and the most fierce offensive to crush them! Whether they are former partners or the Imperial Fist Legion that may come, we will not be afraid!" Sage Mo Jin ordered.

"As you wish, my esteemed Sage," the Mechanical Priest bowed. The two men then left with their attendants. Unnoticed, a glowing golden beetle crawled out from a corner and simultaneously transmitted the previous conversation and recorded video to its master thousands of miles away.