Chapter 58: Aeldari
Though the Aeldari had once ruled the galaxy, when confronted by countless fleets, they dared not execute direct Warp jumps to assault as the Necrons might. Instead, they maintained a cautious distance at the system's edge.
Not long thereafter, a communication reached the Alpha Legion's flagship. The Aeldari requested parley with the Alpha Legion's leader.
Primarch Omega gestured for Company Commander Norton to step forward and engage them. However, after only a few exchanges, the Aeldari stated with directness,
"I am Seer Slinhal of Craftworld Alaitoc. As a visiting dignitary, I demand discourse with your Alpha Legion's supreme leader."
"We Aeldari approach with sincere intent. You humans should observe basic courtesy and not insult our sincerity with deception."
Company Commander Norton glanced toward Primarch Omega, who smiled slightly and motioned for him to continue. Norton chuckled.
"Company Commander Skol is not present. I currently serve as the Alpha Legion's highest authority. You may speak with me, guest."
The Aeldari Seer's response carried an evident air of irritation.
"I am an Aeldari Seer. None can deceive my perception. Company Commander Skol is not your legion's true leader. It is your Gene-Seed Primarch, Alpharius, is it not?"
"I am Alpharius. Please speak your purpose," Norton replied, exchanging amusing glances with the assembled company commanders.
The Aeldari Seer appeared frustrated and spoke slowly, as though addressing children.
"Very well. You, Twentieth Legion of humanity, steeped in deception and lies. If you insist upon this subterfuge, my next revelation will confirm your Primarch's return."
"Months past, on a distant world, your Primarch encountered a scheme orchestrated by a Chaos God. I foresaw this occurrence, yet I am astonished by his escape."
"In confronting Chaos entities, Aeldari and human interests align. We possess the opportunity for exchange and cooperation."
"Really?" Norton expressed genuine shock. The other company commanders exchanged disbelieving glances with Primarch Omega, uncertainty flickering across their faces; the Seer had forced his hand.
Primarch Omega remained speechless, shocked by the Aeldari Seer's revelation.
These company commanders paid excessive attention to him; whenever matters concerning the Primarch arose, they displayed heightened emotional volatility. This indirectly demonstrated Omega's profound importance to the Alpha Adeptus Astartes.
The Aeldari had cut through layers of deception to reach this truth.
The Aeldari Seer chuckled triumphantly. Omega looked upward, gesturing for Norton to continue. He possessed no intention of speaking himself, despite the Seer's original request for direct audience.
Company Commander Norton suppressed his shock and questions, restoring composure and measured expression.
"I was merely surprised by your prophetic ability. Speak plainly about your purpose, cunning Aeldari."
The Aeldari Seer smiled with calm assurance.
"Quibbling company commander, you humans comprehend nothing of an Aeldari Seer's capabilities. I have come to warn you: cease advancing toward the northern star sector. An abyss awaits there, one that will consume all of you."
"The daemons and Chaos cults within the Calicus Sector should sufficiently remind you of the danger."
Company Commander Norton countered without conceding ground.
"You refer to the Eye of Terror, that daemon lair? What abyss do you speak of? Do you truly believe our Legion has not conducted a thorough investigation? Do not underestimate the Alpha Legion."
The Aeldari Seer abandoned pretense and spoke with stern gravity.
"Then you should comprehend the Eye of Terror's depravity. Depart this star sector. This is not territory for your kind. This is the Aeldari's warning."
"We are already preparing for withdrawal. Your warning proves unnecessary," Norton replied with solemn finality.
The Aeldari Seer expressed surprise with a brief vocalization before severing communication.
Norton required time to organize his thoughts. He and the other company commanders could not help but regard Omega with concern regarding the prophecy the Seer had mentioned.
Had the Primarch been in genuine danger? Had the Aeldari saved him?
Just as Primarch Omega faced this difficult situation, aboard the flagship of the dozen Aeldari vessels opposing them, an ancient psyker holding a staff of power and clad in sacred armor gazed out toward distant space.
His perception fell upon the twenty-kilometer flagship displayed in the tactical data, and he could not suppress a smile that mingled triumph and thoughtful contemplation.
The Aeldari Captain beside him spoke with evident anger regarding the human contingent's rudeness.
"Seer, we extended this human kind warning, and they displayed such discourtesy!"
The Aeldari Seer cared little for such details. In excellent spirits, he walked several paces and examined the flagship on the data display, his laughter a mix of amusement and satisfaction.
"This expedition has yielded an unexpected discovery. The Gene-Seed Primarch Alpharius of the Alpha Legion has indeed returned. He dwells within that enormous human vessel. I believe I now comprehend his escape from the Chaos God's scheme."
"My foresight revealed his suffering under the Chaos God's machinations, yet I did not perceive his escape."
"During our exchange, I became certain the other party possessed exceptional intellect. Few entities within this starfield possess the capacity to evade the Chaos conspiracy. It is regrettable I could not speak with him directly. A mind like that would be... illuminating to converse with."
The Aeldari Captain's expression carried subtle disdain.
"Does the Seer overestimate humanity? The vast majority of the Imperium remains entirely ignorant of the Warp's depravity."
The Aeldari Seer shook his head with measured deliberation. The Aeldari possessed just cause for their superiority and arrogance, yet this represented a critical flaw, blindness to threats emerging from unexpected quarters.
Gazing toward the Eye of Terror, he harbored profound concern regarding the Aeldari's future and sighed.
"Do not underestimate intelligent life, particularly the Emperor of Mankind. His wisdom far transcends imagination. And now, it seems, he has placed pieces on the board we did not anticipate."
The Aeldari Seer issued decisive commands for the fleet to execute Warp translation away from the Imperium's massive armada. Trust between Aeldari and humanity remained nonexistent. He could not be certain the Alpha Legion would not move to eliminate them.
Omega observed the Aeldari fleet's departure and utilized this to redirect the company commanders' attention, stating directly that the matter had concluded and should not be pursued further.
The Aeldari had shown genuine warning, not deceit. That was enough.
All Adeptus Astartes within the Legion possessed expertise in intelligence work. The company commanders readily gathered information, confirming the incident had occurred on Lota Bone.
They harbored considerable anger that a Chaos God would conspire against the Primarch in such a manner. The Aeldari's revelation had made it real.
As warriors occasionally proposed advancing to eliminate the daemons, Company Commander Skol's warship translated from Warp space, and five Sages arrived in synchronized descent, a shocking development.
Upon the flagship's bridge, Primarch Omega watched in speechless amazement as the five Sages politely expressed their joy at reunion, while Sage Albert the Wise froze entirely in place.
Albert the Wise stared blankly at Primarch Omega. The Alpha Legion's Gene-Seed Primarch stood undeniably before him.
After his mechanical eye rotated through countless calculations, confirming no errors existed, he regarded Julius and the other four with evident anger.
"YOU...*Hooh*, you four concealed this from me for thirty years! I considered you my companions. This proves deeply hateful."
"I demand a duel!"
Sage Russell, clad in crimson robes, spoke with a calm voice. "Who instructed you to harbor such investigative obsession?"
"We maintained strict secrecy regarding the Primarch's existence. Had you possessed knowledge, you might have disclosed it to Mars Mechanicum Headquarters."
Albert the Wise raised his staff, his mechanical voice emitting cold derision. "Do not diminish my regard. As long as no schism occurs, all remains acceptable. Do not assume I remain ignorant of your secret research."
"You possessed such knowledge? We exercised such caution!" Julius the Wise expressed surprise yet remained unconcerned.
Over the decades, they had thoroughly absorbed Rangdan alien technology and achieved tremendous advancement. The knowledge they possessed could not be taken from them by any force. They had become more than Mechanicum servants. They had become something else entirely.
Albert the Wise, annoyed by his companions' attitudes, sought confrontation. The Magos accepted the challenge without displaying weakness.
"Cease this conflict. Should you wish to compete, do so elsewhere," Omega commanded. His voice carried no anger, merely the weight of absolute authority.
He observed the mounting combat tension, recognizing Julius and the others had achieved substantial strength increases and desired to demonstrate their advancement. The bitterness in Albert's reaction spoke of something deeper, the pain of exclusion, even from those he trusted.
Upon understanding the reason for their arrival, he felt genuine gratitude toward Alpharius. His brother had not forgotten them.
Albert had rendered tremendous service over the past thirty years, and Primarch Omega treated him with sincerity, revealing his true name.
Upon learning the Alpha Legion's Gene-Seed Primarch had returned and hearing his proper designation, Albert experienced profound delight. He recognized he had been genuinely accepted into the legion's core.
The betrayal became benediction.
Julius and the others harbored secret amusement. Primarch Omega had not disclosed Alpharius's existence to Albert.
The Wise One remained unaware of the full extent of the secret; there were mysteries within mysteries.
The Alpha Legion's secretive operational methodology, whether infectious or inherent, had been thoroughly implemented by Julius and his companions in regard to Omega's initial concealment.
They had conducted extensive secret research while Forge World Sophis remained relatively open to investigation.
While the Sages resolved conflicts and communicated, Company Commander Skol engaged in exchange and dialogue with the other company commanders.
Observing the internal tensions and communication concerns among various factions, Omega deliberately allocated one month within this star system's space to permit these individuals to achieve proper rapport.
Benefiting from the detailed Ork intelligence he possessed, Omega prepared for the forthcoming Ork Empire campaign by having all parties discuss feasible strategic approaches.
The Adeptus Astartes and Mechanicum legions, possessing formidable strength, raised no objections.
Yet the Imperial Army officers grew increasingly alarmed as they studied Ork Empire characteristics, comprehending that engagement would incur substantial casualties.
To minimize excessive casualties, the Imperial Army officers petitioned for comprehensive equipment upgrades, transforming their forces into heavy assault formations.
Primarch Omega approved the Imperial Army's material requirements, integrating them with strategic and tactical considerations, and presented his combat readiness specifications to the Sages for implementation.
[End of Chapter]
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