The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Chapter 3091: Entering the Array from the Abyss

Hearing Bakhram mention the rebel legion, Jacob was first stunned, then lowered his voice and asked:

"What rebel legion... It wouldn't be the Sons of Horus, would it?"

"It's the Thousand Sons. Zhao-Akad was once a supply world for the Thousand Sons Legion, with deep connections to the legion. It also deployed a portion of the Lamenters on the Thousand Sons' former homeworld. Later, the Horus Heresy broke out, and the Imperium sent a legion to suppress them, said to be the Space Wolves? I haven't read much of that history, but it should be the Space Wolves, right? Primarch Leman Russ led the troops to eliminate the Thousand Sons. During this process, the Lamenters stood on the side of the Thousand Sons to resist the Imperium. Although Zhao-Akad did not stand on the side of the traitors, a stain was left nonetheless. Oh right, the Chapter Master also said that the Lamenters performed well in that battle, defeating the Mechanicus's top-tier Death Skull Legion. It was because of this incident that Mars erased most records of the Lamenters. These are all Zhao-Akad's own records."

Jacob's eyes widened, somewhat in disbelief.

"Huh? Death Skulls, wait! Aren't they traitors? Something's not right. Let me think. At the time, the Thousand Sons were traitors, the Lamenters helped the Thousand Sons, and the Death Skulls helped the Space Wolves, but the Death Skulls were also traitors... Doesn't that sound strange? And why would Mars cover up for traitors?"

"Ha, it's of course that ridiculous pride. Mars's most powerful legion was defeated by a small legion from a remote area. Even if the most powerful legion betrayed them, Mars wouldn't admit such a disgrace, because it would mean Mars's Titan technology is inferior to what they see as a backwater."

"I thought those cyborgs didn't have emotions like honor and shame."

"Be careful what you say. If the Tech-Priests hear you, you might end up on the forge world's blacklist. Anyway, although they weren't purged, Zhao-Akad still hid the remaining Titan legions. If it weren't for the Chapter Master's influence, they would never have brought them out. But it's not entirely because of the Chapter Master. The Grand Diocese is very close to the forge world. If this place falls, then the Tyranids might attack the forge world itself next. The wise understand the principle of 'lips gone, teeth cold.' Even if they don't, the Chapter Master will explain the stakes to them clearly. It's better to contribute now than to contribute on their own territory."

"I see... How many Titans did Zhao-Akad send this time?"

"Seems like there are 16, two detachments. A Lamenters Legion detachment contains 2 Warlords and 6 Reavers. They supported this area and will soon transfer to support other areas."

Just as Bakhram was speaking, the Titan detachment ceased fire and changed direction, moving with heavy steps to another battlefield that needed their support. This was the main purpose of the Lamenters in this battle, as a mobile support force. Don't let the lumbering appearance of the God-Machines fool you, due to their size, their speed is actually quite fast. Moreover, they don't have to worry about ambushes from small Tyranid creatures during their journey, unless something of the level of a Norn Emissary or Hierophant appears, no Tyranid creature can threaten them. Therefore, they also bear the task of ensuring smooth road traffic between various strongholds.

"Hmm? Wait, I just noticed..."

Jacob picked up his binoculars and took a look, then asked suspiciously:

"There are no Warhound-class Titans? Why are there only Reavers and Warlords? This composition isn't normal, is it? Were they not sent, or..."

"Ah, I had the same question. The Chapter Master's explanation is that since the Lamenters mostly stay in the guard zone around the forge world and rarely participate in expeditions, the crew's familiarity with the terrain makes the deployment of reconnaissance Titans unnecessary. Therefore, building Warhounds is considered a waste of precious resources. The legion has very, very few Warhound-class Titans."

"I see... But seeing how agile they are and how accurate their attacks are, Zhao-Akad's Titan manufacturing technology must be very advanced. They should build more big ones, like War Master-class, Emperor-class, that would be so powerful."

"Everyone understands the logic, but where's the resources?"

Bakhram rolled his eyes, then turned and picked up his helmet.

"It seems like some Knights have fallen. I need to go take a look. You keep an eye on this place and report any situation immediately."

"Yes!"

However, just as Bakhram walked down the steps, an ear-piercing roar suddenly came from the sky. He immediately lay on the rotating metal handrail, turned his head and looked up, only to see a huge wreck falling. It had thick chitinous armor and long tentacles, but they were all burning.

"Is the fleet coming to support us again?"

But soon, a second one appeared, then a third.

Bakhram felt that something was wrong. Although the fleet would come to support them regularly, it rarely had such efficiency...

Until the wreckage of a huge Hive Ship slowly fell, he was sure something must have happened in space.

"What exactly is happening?"

"This is an Abyssal-class... Worthy of being a warship built with gold, it lives up to its cost."

On the wide bridge of the Abyssal-class warship Randall, Talos smacked his lips while staring at the Hive Ship that had been "bisected," slowly being dragged toward the ground by the planet's gravity. Casati was also by his side, with a look of surprise on his face. Around the Abyssal-class, many ships of the Human Imperium gathered like small creatures clinging to a large fish, fiercely firing at the Tyranid creatures in all directions.

Not long ago, when this ship suddenly arrived near the Vestro system under the escort of the Hearthguard warships, all the Imperial captains were taken aback. None of them recognized this type of ship, and the ship's system could not identify the information of this ship type. Some even thought it was an Eldar or other alien ship.

Of course, this did not include the several Chapter Masters of the Suffering Alliance, because Sorskyan had already informed them in advance that the Astral Knights had such a ship—acquired from the Hearthguard.

That's right, Sorskyan's stated reason was that it was bought, bought from the Hearthguard. As for how the Hearthguard got it, he didn't know.

Anyway, the Imperium didn't stipulate that it couldn't buy the ships of the dwarfs. After all, the Imperium merchant fleet itself would occasionally buy the transport ships of the dwarfs, and the Rogue Traders would also trade second-hand dwarf products to various worlds of the Imperium, including Terra.

At most, the behavior might be questioned, but Sorskyan didn't care so much about rumors anymore, anyway, there were already enough.

Subsequently, Lucore communicated with the fleet commander, Malakin, and simply informed him that he was ordered to drive the newly completed Randall to assist in the battle. Getting such an invincible giant ship, Malakin immediately felt confident and immediately organized a counterattack.

The effect of the Abyssal-class did not disappoint. In fact, many people were curious about the power of this giant ship.

When a volley of black light cannons from the ship's ridge directly killed a Hive Ship, the channel was filled with exclamations and praises. Even Malakin was shocked.

Talos ran directly from the Unbound Soul to the Abyssal-class, and Casati followed him, visiting the bridge of this completed giant ship with great interest, although they had already seen it once.