Warhammer 40,000: Mortal Gods

…

The edge of the left spiral arm of the Milky Way.

Codename 44 Galaxy.

Wasteland World No. 1, settlement.

Little Lanter's nose was blocked by the visor of his protective helmet and he couldn't see the road clearly, but fortunately his right hand was tightly held in his mother's hand.

Lant walked dully, holding the amulet chain in his left hand, and the amulet in his hand was a man holding a chain sword and a scepter.

Lant still had a runny nose.

The environment in the wasteland world is too harsh. He has been infected with this disease since he was a child. This world, this galaxy, and this sector have all been abandoned. The blockade of the Invincible Fleet has prevented even a single medicine from being transported in. His disease Keep dragging.

After being pulled by his mother for a few meters, Lant almost hit a rock because it was difficult to distinguish the obstacles under his feet because the eyepieces were covered with mucus.

The mother was startled, and then she noticed that the child's privacy helmet eyeglasses were covered in mucus, and she quickly picked up Lant.

Lant's mother would not normally be so careless.

But today is different.

Many adults were as panicked as his mother, running around the settlement and shouting. What they said was unintelligible to Lant, but he could still feel that something urgent had happened.

Mother carried Lant to the square of the settlement, where many people gathered.

People were noisy for a while, until everyone arrived, the holographic device surrounded by people began to operate normally under the fiddling of an old man.

The image of a man appeared in everyone's sight.

"Good evening, my fellow humans, and every citizen of the Galactic Federation. I am Qiao Wei, Director of the Galactic Federation Council, and I would like to offer you my most sincere evening greetings."

the man said.

"999.M59."

"Today is the last night of the fifty-ninth millennium of mankind. As usual, I should tell you about the many, many good things that have happened in this millennium, as well as the good news for the development of other river systems in the real universe."

"But not today."

"Because a month ago, a disaster befell Arogan 7."

"You probably have never heard of the name of this world. Yes, yes, it is ordinary, just like every planet in the galaxy. It is nothing special, but the people on it are my compatriots and yours, or Brothers of other races of the Galactic Federation.”

"Alogan 7 was blown to pieces with a star destroyer by a small ship that used its speed to break through the galaxy's defenses. Although the ship was quickly destroyed, the people on board Yalogan 7 could not be saved. ”

"Ninety-two billion humans, 400,000 Ada people died."

After saying that, the director of the Galactic Federation Council named Qiao Wei lowered his head and observed a moment of silence.

Behind Qiaowei, the members of the Federation Council of other races also lowered their heads and observed a moment of silence for Yalogan 7.

Three minutes later, Qiao Wei raised his head, his expression became determined, and his eyes were filled with hatred.

"I'm going to mention another name that you may have heard of."

"Galaxy 44."

When the person in the image mentioned Galaxy 44, Rant raised his head and looked at his mother. He thought this was something to be proud of, after all, it was mentioned by the Federation Chief.

But the mother's face allowed Lant to see the pale color through the snot.

"Galaxy 44, the pig's nest of the damn Separatists."

"When the Federation continued to make concessions in accordance with humanistic concepts in its diplomacy with them, in order to obtain greater benefits, they chose to take risks and conduct a deterrent operation to force the Federation to completely retreat in diplomacy."

"We've endured it many times, for a long time, haven't we?"

"Even if their consciousness and way of survival are different from ours..."

"Even if they named their damn pig's nest 'Tyrone', they would have shamelessly tarnished the name of the birthplace of the Federation without any restraint."

"Even if their chief offender dares to claim that he is a guard of Lord Tyron...I...I am as angry as you are when I hear these insults to the human race and the former leader of the Federation...and... "

At this point, Qiao Wei seemed to be unable to speak any more.

He took a deep breath to calm his anger.

There was still a slight tremor of anger in his voice.

"I'm sorry, it was the concession of the Federation led by me to the Separatists that caused them to push their limits and led to the tragedy of Arogan 7."

"I will not become the next Commander-in-Chief of the Galactic Federation, but I must make the Separatists pay a heavy price before I step down from my responsibilities and kneel before the colossus of the Navigator in the Tyron system to repent."

Qiao Wei raised his head.

"They want war?"

"Then give them war."

"We're all going to get what we want in this next war."

"We will have vengeance, and the Separatists... they will have destruction."

As Qiao Wei's last words were spoken and broadcast, overwhelming voices from the people at the scene rang out outside the Galactic Federation Parliament on Tyrone Galaxy One.

"Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"

Lant still didn't understand, and he looked at his mother blankly.

His mother hugged him, her tears blurring the other side of the eyepiece.

Everyone present was shocked and panicked, and people were talking loudly.

Some people cry out in anger, and some spread negative wails.

On the projection, the Galactic Federation Navy Marshal Arandio replaced Commander Qiao Wei and announced the military operations that would be carried out against the Separatists.

Marshal Alandio was silent for a few seconds when she took the microphone, and her pointed ears twitched twice.

Then cold words came from the mouth of the marshal of the only non-human race in the history of the Galactic Federation, with the unique accent of the Ada people.

"General Qiao Wei has authorized me to take full charge of military operations."

"In a recent vote, based on the results, I will be given access to the Celestial Engine."

"The first fleet of the Federation Navy's Invincible Fleet will completely blockade the 44th galaxy under the command of Commander Maitrey, and the second fleet will disintegrate the void defense facilities in the galaxy under the command of Commander Chen Ye."

"Ultimately, all avenues for the Separatists to escape from Galaxy 44 will be completely cut off."

"And I will command the celestial engine to launch an attack on Galaxy 44 that is enough to erase this galaxy from the Federation's standard star map."

"For the Lord Tyrone who once led mankind out of trouble, for the humanistic concept that has been implemented, and for all the intelligent life races in the galaxy! I will never let down the trust that the Federation has placed in me!"

Alandio took a deep breath.

go on.

"The naming of this military operation will be the same as the naming of military operations carried out by the Galactic Federation in the past when it was challenged by different consciousnesses and ways of survival."

"Humanity Strikes Back!"

"..."

"Go to hell bitch!"

A roar suddenly sounded.

The loud chatter came to an end.

Everyone focused their attention on the man who suddenly came to the square.

"I promise you that our end will never be extermination!"

"I will do everything in my power to stop them from destroying our homes as deportees!"

"I swear to Lord Tyrone!"

Lant looked at the man.

He recalled that not long ago, when he and his mother were staying in the iron room on the ship, he heard the guards outside talking about him.

His name is Zhao Chen.

Not all people with this naming culture were from the North, but Zhao Chen once was, Lant remembered Zhao Chen telling him and his mother when they were brought out of the iron room.

Lant also recalled that when the uncle saw the only thing he was carrying, which was a book about a certain epic from an unknown number of years ago, the uncle said that he was the only remaining guard.

Maybe people outside Galaxy 44 would regard Zhao Chen's words as nonsense, but Lant has always believed it to be true.

Because in that epic, the praetorian guard appears at the side of the tortured person.

And Zhao Chen appeared next to Lant and killed all the guards who often took his mother out and then threw him back.

"Is what the Federal Governor said true?"

An Ada man stood up and asked Zhao Chen tremblingly.

"We destroyed a planet..."

Zhao Chen planned to explain this matter clearly, but before he finished thinking, a woman next to him spoke first.

"We can't even get medicines. The Tyron naval armada is blocking the entire system."

"Then under such circumstances, we can still go out and drop a bomb on a planet that has no value at all."

"Why don't you stop using your stupid pig brain and think about it, is this possible?"

When the woman spoke, her pointed ears trembled with anger.

Then she looked at the others and assured them loudly.

"We are not helpless!"

"The army will be ready, I guarantee that as a general."

"We don't have a navy, but all the planets in this galaxy are protected by a void shield that can anchor everything. The Titan piloted by my ancestors will ensure that the void shield is always supplied with sufficient psychic energy, even if the Titan is only Can do this.”

Zhao Chen gently patted the army general on the shoulder and took over the words.

"I can't guarantee you that you will all be safe, but I will try my best."

"Now it's your turn to make a decision. Are you going to accept the preferential treatment for surrender that was just sent to me, and believe that you so-called separatists will really get preferential treatment and survive, or are you going to resist with me?"

"To be or not to be."

"Make a decision."

…

To be or not to be.

For the Federation, this is not a choice, but an ending waiting to be witnessed.

On this solar week day, even Lant, who was only a few years old, went from not understanding what was happening to understanding.

The gap in military strength between the two sides is too great.

In the morning, the star's light had just enveloped the settlement, and it only lasted for two minutes before being completely covered by the metal outline that blocked the sky.

At noon, the defense power of every planet in the 44 star systems was collapsed.

In the afternoon, when people would have taken a nap, gunfire rang out in the shelter of World No. 1 in Galaxy 44.

Rand and his mother were as frightened as the many civilians who took refuge here.

Mother and son were hiding in the corner.

His mother cried and comforted Lant softly, while Lant stared at the entrance to the refuge room outside the eyepiece.

The whole world was shaking, and Lant was occasionally shaken so hard that he bounced out of his mother's arms.

That's the tremor caused by orbital bombardment as it clears any terrain or installations where soldiers might be present.

What it's like outside, Lant doesn't know.

He only had fear, huddled in his mother's arms, holding the amulet tightly in his hands.

The amulet in the shape of a man holding a chainsword and a scepter was held so tight that even Lant's skin was pierced by the chainsword, but he couldn't feel it because all he had now was fear.

soon.

The door to the refuge room was kicked open.

A squad of Union Army soldiers burst into the shelter.

When they rushed in menacingly, and everything they looked at were civilians who were screaming and hiding in panic, they were stunned.

"The intelligence says this is a military fortress... these people... they... they don't seem to be soldiers..."

"They are indeed not, otherwise we would be dead by now."

"..."

The group of soldiers deliberated in astonishment, then reported the situation and waited for orders.

However, at this moment, a soldier suddenly walked in, and various weapons integrated on the thick power armor were aimed at the people here.

"Roel, what are you doing?"

The captain questioned the soldier named Roll.

Rohr looked at the people here in the power armor and replied softly: "The Federation Chief said in his speech that we should not give in anymore... That's right."

The scarlet light on the power armor helmet swept across everyone.

"Lee, they're not civilians, they're damned Separatists."

"If we show mercy, they may survive, and then the next Arogan 7 will be destroyed when we let our guard down."

"They destroyed my home planet, and my wife and son who were waiting for me to return home turned into a picture... I can't just watch the next person like my wife and son lose their lives because of our laxness, We should have done things right the last time we came here.”

Rohr said, his eyes falling on Lant.

He suddenly walked towards Lant, squatted down, and reached out to touch Lant's head.

Lant ducked, his mother howling and shielding her child behind her.

Rohr put down his hand and shrugged: "My son is only as old as you... If he can grow up, he will be a soldier like me who defends all life in the galaxy, but you are different."

With that said, Rohr stood up, and the red light released by the two scarlet observers on the helmet enveloped the mother and child.

"You will become an executioner under the influence of the man who defiled humanity's former leader, so he cannot exist and you cannot grow up."

Rohr suddenly reached out and grabbed Lant's head.

Rand struggled.

His mother howled and tore at her power-armored arms.

Rant was so frightened that he couldn't even struggle. He was caught in a daze, and the amulet in his hand fell to the ground due to the numbness of his hands.

It seemed as if something inside the amulet had been activated by the impact of the fall.

It projects a holographic image.

Image of a man holding a chainsword and scepter.

Along with the images, there are also recordings that are played continuously.

"No need to fear, no need to worry, because I'm here."

That's not a powerful item at all.

It's just a souvenir, a free souvenir that you can get when you go to Tai Lung Star Port No. 1.

When you get off the ship, you will be stuffed by a drone into your hand, and then you will hear a cold welcome: "Welcome to the most star port."

But for rand.

That was the only souvenir that could remind him of that beautiful part of his memory after it was suspended.

The only thing his father had left for him was stuffed into his pocket.

"No need to fear, no need to worry, because I'm here."

The Memento is still playing, but no one present is safe or has let go of their fear.

A cold recording will not produce any effect.

Lant cried, his head grasped by the arm of the power armor.

Roll was taking him outside.

And his mother was pulled away by the helpless soldiers next to her.

Lant cried and reached for the souvenir, his plea to Rohr being carried back to his stomach by the tears and snot that flowed into his mouth.

Rant's vision was blurry, and he couldn't even see the souvenir anymore, but he still remembered the direction in which the thing fell, and kept reaching out in that direction.

He could also hear the direction of the voice from the souvenir.

"No need to fear, no need to worry, because I'm here."

"..."

A roar suddenly entered the shelter.

When the soldiers thought it was the roar of a fighter plane and did not respond, the ceiling of the refuge room suddenly shattered and something fell into the refuge room.

Smoke and dust filled the air.

"No need to fear, no need to worry, because I'm here."

The souvenir's voice still echoed in the refuge room.

But it came from the smoke.

The soldiers raised their guns into the smoke.

The civilians also looked at the smoke.

The first thing to emerge from the smoke was Sawtooth.

Then there is a figure.

The figure showed no reaction to the gun and just walked out slowly.

Walking out of the smoke with him, there was also a scepter carried behind his back. The double-headed eagle that could only be seen in history books stood on the top of the scepter.

The figure came to the souvenir, squatted down, and picked it up.

Souvenirs were handed to Rand.

And what was handed to the soldier holding Lant was only a cold order.

"Put him down."