Chapter 57: The Powerful Legion
"It is sufficient to redeploy the Alpha Legion to alternative battlefields," Company Commander Skol replied calmly after a measured silence.
Marshal Perron's expression shifted to shock. He suddenly comprehended why the Alpha Legion was so eager to abandon the theater and asked with measured solemnity.
"What precisely transpired within the northern star systems of the Imperium? Can you disclose this information?"
"Do not inquire into matters beyond your need to know. My gratitude for your counsel," Skol responded, realizing he had spoken excessively. He sternly terminated the old marshal's curious probing.
A man who had risen to the rank of marshal possessed no ordinary intellect.
Though Marshal Perron had deduced from Skol's few words that the Alpha Legion had encountered circumstances in the northern Misty Starfield so severe that even Space Marines found them insurmountable, he refrained from reporting this to the Imperium.
Company Commander Skol warned the soon-to-retire marshal against speaking carelessly before taking his departure.
Marshal Perron could only manage a wry smile upon witnessing this exchange. He understood then that true power knew when to be silent.
Company Commander Skol departed the bustling Astronautical Army headquarters with ease.
Observing the incredible volume of supply and personnel transport behind him, he also noted that though these mortal auxiliary troops possessed inherent weakness, each dedicated themselves to their responsibilities with profound commitment.
Having been dispatched to the rear by Omega for several months, Skol had attempted numerous methodologies, yet none had permitted him confidence in altering the Emperor's decision.
Having spent considerable time in Omega's presence, Skol had developed a skill in seeking counsel.
The Marshal of the Imperial Army, currently engaged in stellar warfare, represented an ideal candidate. Yet locating an individual commanding thousands of Astronautical fleets proved akin to finding a needle within a haystack.
Upon learning through intelligence channels of such an experienced retired marshal stationed at Terra's Star Guard headquarters, Skol immediately returned to Holy Terra to locate the aging commander.
The plan to have the Imperium reassign the Alpha Legion to alternative theaters received approval. Though the destination was the Ork Empire, a ferocious foe, Skol remained willing to lead the fleet into the vanguard.
With this realization, Skol experienced profound relief. He would return to see the Primarch once more.
As Skol stood upon the street, gazing skyward in relief beneath the dim city lights, a long-absent, familiar voice emerged from beside him.
"Skol, what brings you to this place?"
Skol turned slightly and beheld Alpharius, clad in blue-green power armor, who had materialized beside him without warning. Beneath the dim city illumination, Skol froze in shock and immediately offered a respectful greeting.
"Sir...sir!"
Alpharius raised his hand in cursory acknowledgment, his expression unreadable. He turned and departed. Skol followed him directly back to the Alpha Legion's fortress.
Within the fortress's private office, facing Alpharius's interrogation, Skol dared not withhold information and revealed the complete account.
Upon hearing that Skol had fallen into a daemon trap and nearly harmed Omega, Alpharius's aura turned decidedly chilling, radiating suppressed killing intent so profound that the very air seemed to crystallize.
The entire chamber trembled, steeped in a suffocating killing presence. Yet Skol faced potential death with composed steadiness, never flinching.
Alpharius genuinely wished to punish the figure before him, yet he mastered his lethal impulse and restrained his aura.
He issued a stern warning instead, each word carrying weight. "Never again let me discover such an incident. He is my brother, and I will not tolerate anyone bringing harm to him."
"Yes, sir!" Company Commander Skol replied with solemn formality.
For any Legion Primarch, harm inflicted upon a fellow Primarch by one's own sons constitutes the gravest transgression, utterly unforgivable. Skol would willingly accept any punishment demanded.
For Alpharius, Omega possessed exceptionally profound significance. Both men harbored secrets, yet they cherished their rare fraternal bond with profound appreciation, described as "one soul in two bodies."
Alpharius had devoted himself to covert espionage and infiltration, while Omega had trained in direct combat leadership.
Logically, the two should have maintained a serious, focused demeanor when together, engaging in only essential discourse. Yet remarkably, they managed genuine smiles and mutual understanding in each other's presence, the luxury of understanding without words.
One might say Omega filled a profound gap in Alpharius's fraternal connections, a bond extraordinarily rare among the many Primarchs, and therefore precious beyond measure.
Robert Guilliman had incurred the envy of numerous Primarchs because of his family connections.
Alpharius himself, who had dwelt perpetually in shadows, recognized that Guilliman's past radiated exceptional brilliance.
Even with Guilliman's adoptive father deceased, the Primarchs continued to envy Guilliman for possessing genuine family bonds. Alpharius would not lose his.
Alpharius and Omega had together constructed the increasingly enviable Alpha Sector, watching the Legion grow stronger and achieve brilliant victories. Yet Alpharius could not tolerate anyone harming Omega.
He remained equally alarmed that the Warp's evil god had apparently fixed its attention upon Omega, seemingly intending to secretly corrupt or directly contaminate him, dragging him into the daemon god's own realm.
Alpharius deliberated momentarily before speaking.
"You performed admirably this instance, yet the Ork Empire surpasses even the former Randan civilization in power. You must prepare thoroughly for this campaign."
"I am providing you with comprehensive intelligence regarding the Ork Empire. Let Omega study it carefully and prepare mentally, so he does not transform this engagement into a suicide mission."
"Thank you, sir!" Company Commander Skol replied with genuine gratitude. Alpharius could not suppress an inward chuckle.
This warrior's loyalty toward Omega proved surprisingly authentic. No wonder his brother had exerted such considerable effort to liberate him from daemonic corruption. That spoke volumes about Omega's character, what he valued, and what he would risk.
Alpharius nodded, then his expression became serious.
"Additionally, those sages who have been conducting research for decades are nearly prepared to return to the legion. When they depart, inform Russell and the others at the Sophis Forge World that their rest period has concluded. They require reassignment to active duties."
"I am not as accommodating as Omega. Do not force me to retrieve them personally."
Only then did Skol recall Russell and the four other sages. He reflected that while other legions maintained sages in active service, these individuals had been conducting research in the rear.
Indeed, it was time to redirect them toward productive engagement.
Skol's operation proceeded remarkably smoothly.
He had notified Omega of the redeployment to the Ork Empire through Star Speaker channels, and Omega welcomed his return with enthusiastic approval.
Within a subsector of the Calicus Sector, nearly three thousand Alpha Legion warships hung suspended in stellar space, having conquered the entire sector. Such a vast armada stirred profound emotion through both Astronautical and Adeptus Astartes ranks.
Legion strength and cohesion are constructed mainly through repeated victory, and the Alpha Legion had proven this principle repeatedly.
After decades of relentless warfare, they had conquered three entire star sectors, vast territories of space. Within the Milky Way galaxy, each such region equaled the dominion of an empire.
War had tested this legion's capabilities, proving its current power through countless victories. The survivors bore scars. The dead bore memory.
Whether Astronautical troops, Mechanicum forces, or Alpha Space Marines, all possessed strong identification with the Legion. This sentiment ran particularly deep among the Astronautical forces, whose majority hailed from the Alpha Sector.
The consistency and high degree of alignment among this star sector's political systems fostered strong identification with the Alpha Legion, comparable to how warriors throughout the Limitless Starfield identified with the Ultramarines Legion.
Such unity and solidarity flowing from top to bottom manifested the legion's greatest strength.
Such legions prove most likely to generate invincible forces. Tens of millions of soldiers experienced immense pride merely from witnessing the countless warships suspended in space.
Among nearly three thousand warships, only a single battleship measuring 20 kilometers in length dominated the Astronautical forces' attention and curiosity.
Rumors had long circulated that if a true leader existed within the Alpha Sector, he surely dwelt within that enormous vessel.
Yet this could never be confirmed, and the Alpha Legion revealed nothing. The mystery protected him.
The mystique surrounding Omega subtly reinforced the legion's own mystique, greatly amplifying their authority.
This reflected the long-established practice of emperors, always presenting themselves as gods while simultaneously denying divinity, all calculated to maintain an aura of mystery, consolidate authority, and facilitate governance. Omega had become his own myth without intending to.
Omega remained entirely unaware of such political considerations. Upon the bridge, he scrolled through data displays and star maps, eagerly anticipating the Ork Empire battlefield.
At this moment, an alien space fleet translated from the system's edge, drawing immediate attention. The sleek, exquisitely designed warships resembled pendants adorning a fine necklace. Omega looked at the alien vessels marked upon his tactical display with evident surprise.
"An Aeldari fleet. What brings them here?"
A nearby company commander recounted his prior experience.
"The Aeldari fleet has observed our forces on several occasions during engagements. Their intentions remain unclear, though the Imperium harbors poor regard for the Aeldari."
In space, the Alpha Legion's thousands of warships harbored no fear of a dozen Aeldari vessels. The Aeldari, more technologically advanced than the Imperium, were often simply left alone during the Great Crusade so long as they did not threaten Human interests.
Should Omega issue the command, they would surge forth and obliterate the xenos craft without hesitation.
Yet Omega remained still, watching, considering.
[End of Chapter]
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