Warhammer 40k: Shattered Steel Soul

Just as the Iron Warriors had done countless times before, their assignment to build a medical center in Nuceria was completed equally quickly and brilliantly.

At Perturabo's specific request, the template for the hospital was actually set to be the large sanatoriums often preferred by the governors of various planetary empires - if they could really find the day to retire normally in their continuously extended lifespans through surgery. .

Apart from the temptation to build a palace for their Primarch, the Iron Warriors rarely undertake large-scale projects that have practical purposes but are often neither urgent nor necessary.

Therefore, in response to the actual situation of Nuceria, the architects of the Iron Warriors held many intensive temporary discussions. The location was not limited to the Iron-Blooded, but the Agora Market distributed on various ships.

This is also the first time that the newly built internal communication hall of the Legion inside each Iron Warrior ship, nicknamed the "bazaar", has been put into use.

The origin of the Agora Market is actually a subsidiary derivative of the Masons' Club formed by the warriors at that time. The first proposer of this proper noun with Olympian characteristics and an extended meaning in its later development, In fact, it was the late Terran war blacksmith Defes.

At that time, when the Legion was rebuilt a few years ago, in order to avoid being named in the Legion's log in an inappropriate way in the Iron Warriors Memorial Hall, the soldiers took the initiative to create a stonemason club for the purpose of exchanging carving techniques and sandbox simulations of offensive and defensive theories - —Whether the club really fulfilled its original function is still open to question. Over time, it has gradually evolved into a council of wise men with strict personnel selection and many tests for membership. Many people believe that it is necessary to establish a new one that can be used by all. The discussion square where battle brothers participate gives more brothers the opportunity to speak publicly.

This view once jumped to the core of the topic within the Legion after Perturabo once proposed that "let people speak with their own voices."

It was also at that time that Defes proposed a brand new discussion platform based on the culture of the Primarch's home planet, which was modeled on the public space in the center of the old city-state in Olympia, with a single ship in the expedition fleet as the basic unit. , build a block where collective participation in military consultations or discussions on Perturabo's orders can take place. He didn't have time to implement his idea himself.

Interestingly, the legionnaire who actually implemented the war blacksmith's idea was actually a centurion whose reputation at the time was somewhat insufficient to support the grandeur of his decision.

"Barabas Dantioch," said Caidomo Frix, still stern but not harsh, "do you remember him, Azak? He was a recruit from the same batch as me. Although I was born in Terra, he was fortunate enough to be raised in Olympia. He established the first Argora Fair in the army in his cruiser."

In their spare time, psykers wearing parchment-like pale robes and steel warriors in simple robes walked side by side in the newly built hospital. The moonlight formed a brilliance like a shallow pool of water, flowing on the cobblestone road, and even the outlines of the Space Marines were softened. Together with the luster of the vegetation in the forest, it embellished this peaceful healing place.

This hospital is a miracle of multiple combinations of technology and nature, practicality and beauty. A batch of the empire's most advanced mortal medical equipment and a transplanted, pleasant and secluded mountain forest that is rare in the entire galaxy appeared in the red sand at the same time. For Frix, this scenery was quite different from him. It is somewhat similar to the deep valley of Olympia that I imagined in my mind.

Ahzhak Ahriman heard that Frix was waiting for him to ask for more details. Only when the topic of Olympia comes up, and the Iron Warrior is in high spirits, will he abandon his straightforward efficiency and play these little tricks. This makes Frix more human.

"I have heard something about him." The scholar nodded. "He is praised as a keen and fierce warrior."

The two saw a wooden bridge spanning a man-made stream. Frix squatted down to check the quality of the wooden planks, then stood up and continued walking: "He occasionally has some humor. On the Attalus, he When he announced that he was going to build a market, he also specifically mentioned that it was a pity that he couldn't think of a suitable trade currency."

Ahriman pondered and said: "The Galaxy is still divided. A unified currency...should be somewhat difficult to implement?"

"So in DeFess's initiative, Agora is actually more suitable to be extended to the meaning of 'I speak publicly' than to extend to the semantics of 'shopping.'" Fricks said, "This is just a public In the open space, we got to know each other better, talked about combat, skills, life, governance, and exchanged items. Some people even started to discuss philosophical issues after learning that our genetic father had studied philosophy. "

“In any case, it was in our bazaar that this medical center, gifted to the Nucerians, received every detail of its design.”

"You don't seem to have had such a large-scale discussion when building Inwit." Ahriman pointed out, not sure whether the two Primarchs were different in the hearts of the Iron Warriors, so he implicitly included the impolite question in the statement.

Frix's expression darkened. "In Invite, my father listed out complete instructions for us and entrusted us with his will, and we implemented and implemented his great idea. But in recent days, everyone can feel that my father has become especially He is so busy and his silent seriousness makes us worried that our memorial hall may not have new personnel for a long time.”

In a sense, when the Iron Warriors finally received Perturabo's clear instructions about the hospital, there was an atmosphere of joy throughout the ships in Nuceria. They are confident in their own abilities, but having their father give them extra guidance is a wonderful honor.

"Think of me, brother," Ahriman said. "Not only have I been separated from the Gene Father for eight years, but I was last seen wearing a helmet."

Frix's laughter was powerful, but fortunately he was self-aware of his loud, rhythmic laughter and stopped quickly.

"Primarch Angron personally praised our construction." He said, looking sideways at Ahriman. "He came to our construction site and watched the bricks and stones being assembled, the trees being planted, and the streams being directed."

"His lightness and gentleness were very different from his size and face. He was so light that he didn't disturb any dust haze when he walked in the open space among building materials and builders. He praised every idea we had and asked about what he didn't understand. And after enlightenment, he confessed how this would benefit the recuperation of the first gladiators and the subsequent opening to mortals who could pass the review. "

"A surprising attitude. For a Primarch to..." Ahriman searched for an appropriate description, "to elevate our position."

"We are surprised and honored by this, but privately I still think that my father's attitude towards us is the most appropriate."

"Your partiality is beyond words, Kaidomo. If so, I think our legion is the most complete and beautiful family in the universe."

"Then you think so, but I must remind you that your impression of the Sun of Thousand Dusts unfortunately comes from your guess. You have lived among the Iron Warriors for much longer than you have lived in your Legion. "

"I'm going to get annoyed."

"You won't." Fricks said firmly.

Ahriman shook his head. The omens of the Black Crow were echoing in the light of the ether - or, in other words, his daily experience told him that if he fought back, the scene would quickly turn into two mature Astartes warriors enjoying each other. Throwing verbal pebbles.

"I'm going back," the scholar said. "You can continue to check the hospital's engineering quality. But have you already done one round of inspections during the day?"

"There is no guarantee that the conditions will be the same during the day and at night." The soldier replied, no longer thinking about the planting intervals of several rustling fruit trees on the roadside, and moved his eyes to Ahriman's eyes with peacock blue eyeshadow, "You go first "My father will call us for a meeting tomorrow. If I have time after that, I will go find you."

"No need." Ahriman said, "The project assigned to me by the original body must be completed as soon as possible, and there can be no further delay. From tomorrow on, I have to abandon distracting thoughts and devote myself to research in the Iron-Blooded Library. Maybe see you in a week, Kaido Mo."

"Oh." Frix nodded, "Goodbye then, Azak."

——

When 30,000 Astartes gather together, it is not just a matter of spectacular spectacle, but also a matter of finding a suitable venue.

If these steel warriors did not have to wait for the transportation of materials, they could rebuild the entire city of Desia overnight. They gathered outside the city in the early morning into a mighty sea of ​​steel, arranged in company groups, and waited for the father of genes to come forward. to preside over his meetings.

Frix was not sure whether the warsmiths standing at the front of the queue knew what was going on today, but he was sure that almost all the battle brothers were ignorant of what was to come.

No matter what, as long as it is a meeting announced by Perturabo, whether it is a simple praise or a profound criticism, a review of the past or expectations for the future, or even the announcement of the new list of personnel at the Iron Warriors Memorial Hall that makes the Legion most nervous. , just because they can hear the voice of the Gene Father with their own ears and have the possibility of meeting their father's eyes for a moment, the Astartes absolutely cannot refuse.

The wind descending from the mountains blew the red sand, and the fine gravel hit the ceramic steel surface of the power armor, making a fine crackling sound, which reminded Frix of the harmonious rhythm of the branches and leaves of the forest last night. His consciousness faithfully counted the time for him, and at five o'clock in the morning on Terra's time, Perturabo appeared on time.

The father wore a helmet. Fricks thought, with some regret.

"My Iron Warriors." Perturabo spoke, and his voice filtered through the current and spread against the wind, wrapping every Iron Warrior in it. Frix's heart was pushed by a real warm current and beat faster.

"First of all, I need to commend you for your recent work." The Iron Lord said, "Whether it is combat, cooperation or construction. You have completed every task brilliantly, which is worthy of praise."

His voice echoed in the red sand, and the Legion proudly accepted the Gene Father's approval.

"My eyes fell on you as you worked so hard to build the hospital for my brother Angron. I find with the greatest regret that selecting the most outstanding among you has become an almost unattainable wish, for Each one of you has a passionate and practical spirit and ability, and you are equally proud of me.”

The Legion maintained a steely silence, a trait that had come to become somewhat unique among the Iron Warriors.

Outside of formal meetings, warriors can gather around the Iron Lord, and Perturabo will not refuse to listen as long as there is something to say. But in the formal meeting, the more excited they were, the more the soldiers unanimously chose to use absolute self-control to quietly convey their strong emotions to their father.

The Iron Lord's helmet rotated, and it is not difficult to imagine how he took in the expressions of all the warriors.

He continued: "But today we are gathered here for a more secret and critical matter. I am standing here because I want to select some of you to participate in an absolutely secret mission, a mission directly controlled by Terra’s order.”

Frix wasn't sure when this order came, but the battle-brother he knew who took turns supervising the transport of paperwork between Perturabo and the Imperial Palace of Terra had not had any recent work in this area. He was a little curious, but he knew that Perturabo would not deceive his children. He became curious about the mission and wondered if he had a chance of being selected.

"This mission, it is no exaggeration to say, is as important as our great expedition to promote the glory of the Sky Eagle. And its unknown dangers and difficulties are also destined to not be available to every Legion Astartes warrior. Ability accomplished.”

Before the heirs began to get excited, Perturabo continued: "To avoid surprises, the only information I can reveal at the moment is that those who participate in the mission need to return to Terra and leave the Great Crusade."

Perturabo's majestic voice sounded unwavering under the filter of the helmet.

"The chosen warriors will suspend their Astartes service and leave the ranks of the Iron Warriors. You will have one day to sort out your belongings and say goodbye to those you need to say goodbye to. Then, in this mission that may last for decades or even hundreds of years, Until it is fully completed, you and your achievements will not be allowed to appear in the public. Your names will not be concealed, but your names - although we will remember each one of you - will be sealed in steel for a long time. Among the Warriors’ files.”

Frix's heart beat a beat slower. Of all these requirements, the only one that really worried him was that he had to leave the Iron Warriors.

This meant losing the opportunity that he had been looking forward to for many years to follow the Gene Father to visit the Primarch's home planet. He was far away from his battle brothers, away from the Gene Father, and far away from Petula who had to devote himself to the forefront of the Great Crusade and personally spread the golden light of the Emperor of Mankind. Bo.

He thought of Ahriman. Can Ahriman be distressed by being asked by Magnus whether the task has been completed, and after he participates in the task, will he still have a chance to see the face of the Gene Father again?

Despite his hesitation, in the back of his mind Fricks had no qualms about counting himself a part of this secret mission.

This is true for every Iron Warrior. If Perturabo asked who wanted to go, everyone would raise their hands.

"As I said, each and every one of you is so good that I can hardly choose. And if I asked who would like to participate, I'm afraid I would see thirty thousand people sign up to me."

"Therefore," Perturabo said, "I decided to randomly select three thousand of you as the first batch of executors of the task. The statistical work was completed yesterday. Next, I will report the names of the people from the team. Out of the queue.”

Kaidomo Frix waited patiently. As his name was spoken by Gene's Father, he stepped forward, his feet landing on solid ground, feeling his expectations being met.

He didn't know what was waiting for him, but as long as he helped the father of genes and contributed to mankind, he would never refuse.