Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

"Before I formally begin my elaboration, I would like to remind everyone here, including every representative of the Primarchs and mortals, as well as our Supreme Lord of Mankind, to reiterate a reality that is recognized throughout the galaxy."

When the fifteen legion think tank directors gathered in front of the emperor's dais, knelt on one knee, hung their heads, and stood up again after a simple but solemn salute: Ahriman was the only one among them who could speak aloud. people.

Not only because he has an influential position in the imperial think tank system, he is the guide and mentor of the other fourteen think tank directors present, but also because he has a practical meaning: in the emperor Amid the silent gaze without sadness or joy, only Ahriman could speak steadily without changing his expression.

Of course, maybe Yesugei and Savita can do the same, but they respect the status of Magnus's heirs at this time: As for the director of the Think Tank of the Dawnbreaker Legion under Morgan, he disappeared from everyone early. In the midst of it, his face even showed childishness.

This is very counter-intuitive. As a well-known psionic master in the empire, the legion that the Spider Queen herself followed was not known for producing powerful psykers: after the initial Terran veterans gradually became successful and retired , the new generation of Dawnbreaker think tanks don't even have a name that other legions can remember.

But it is also interesting to note that anyone who has worked with the Second Legion will never forget the powerful psychic power of the Dawnbreakers and their mortal auxiliaries: the lack of powerful individuals does not affect the performance of the Second Legion's psychic troops. A powerful unit that unleashes destruction on the battlefield that brings despair to the enemy.

Ahriman knows this very well: under the invisible hand of the Spider Queen, this featureless power is exactly the new order Ahriman created in the new generation of Dawnbreaker think tank, and it is also something that he can recognize from the bottom of his heart. , the future of the psykers of the Empire.

And now: he has to fight the other Primarchs for the future in his heart.

Well... even the Primarch...

Ahriman calmed down and walked quickly to the center of the theater.

His voice was loud and clear: his long years of experience in the arena and close combat allowed the Thousand Sons to make his thoughts clear to the tens of thousands of listeners from far and near in the hall without the help of psychic powers. .

"Gentlemen and ladies, as the de facto managers of the human empire, elites with countless responsibilities and missions, I think everyone here is actually very clear about one thing: there are things about psykers."

As he spoke, Ahriman did not forget to raise a finger: out of the corner of his eye, he realized that the Wolf Shepherd was paying extremely prominent attention to his speech at this time. The Warmaster seemed to have just finished his meeting with Chagatai. Khan's conversation, judging from his slightly depressed brows, suggested that the outcome of the conversation might not satisfy Horus.

"We all know: judging from the current actual situation and professional level of the Empire, we actually do not have the ability to create any kind of psyker, whether it is the think tank of the Astartes or the psyker among mortals. All require their own innate abilities.”

After saying that, he immediately smiled at those disapproving eyes.

"Of course, when it comes to this, I know some people want to refute: Everyone, we do not lack some special means. For example, people without talent can also awaken psychic powers, but please forgive me for speaking bluntly. The so-called technologies and methods are all costly, cumbersome, require complex preparations and demanding implementation conditions, not to mention that their final results are still extremely unstable.”

"From the perspective of the empire, these methods are better than nothing. They all lack what we need most now: that is, actual popularity and cost of action, thousands of successful cases, and massive gaps in the empire. In front of us, they are just a drop in the bucket and have no real value.”

“That’s right, the gap: actual demand.”

"That's what I'm saying, folks."

Ahriman smiled, he slowly turned his body, and pointed his open fingers at the representatives of the Navigator family behind him and the spokesperson of the Star Yuting: Some of the original bodies already understood what he wanted to express, including the expression on their faces. The livid Mortarion, and Leman Russ who didn't seem anxious, his eyes were wandering, and he didn't know what he was planning.

"That's right!"

"Real! Actual! Need! Demand!"

Ahriman clenched his fist and struck these words with emphasis.

But then, a relaxed smile appeared on Qianzi's face.

"My lords, I would like to tell you an anecdote from ancient Terra: According to legend, about dozens of thousands of years ago, it was once popular on Terra for skilled warriors to wear heavy armor, carry spears, and ride on tall horses. On the battlefield, the tactic of charging at the enemy array, this type of arms called knights or cavalry, has been the mainstream of various wars on Holy Terra for at least a thousand years.”

"Until they are slowly phased out."

With his arms spread out, his slightly exaggerated movements ensured that everyone's eyes could be focused on Ahriman in time.

"Once upon a time, many people thought that the emergence of matchlocks, breech-loaded artillery and even machine guns destroyed the status of cavalry and caused them to completely disappear from the stage of history. But this view is actually wrong: muskets and artillery only made them The cavalry is no longer the master of war, but they cannot replace the cavalry because they cannot meet the needs of mobile warfare.”

"What really makes the cavalry disappear is the large-scale use of technical weapons such as military cars, armored vehicles and even tanks: because they can better meet the needs of mobile combat and various tasks than the cavalry, they have lost their jobs. The cavalry finally withdrew from the stage of war."

“After that, with the rapid development of science and technology, new weapons such as helicopters, drones and missiles once threatened the positions of tanks and armored vehicles, but these inventions have never been able to completely replace all weapons on the ground battlefield. function, so even today, armored weapons that were born dozens of thousands of years ago can still be installed on a large scale in the equipment list of the imperial army. "

Ahriman's words earned at least a nod from some of the army generals.

"And this is what I want to tell you, my lords here."

"In our human civilization, or to be more precise, in any field related to war, what can really make an ancient thing disappear is not because of how bad, how dangerous, or how bad it is. is weak or unimportant: there is a brand-new invention or thing that can replace every function of it in an all-round way.”

"If there is no such thing, no matter how much we complain about the old objects, no matter how intolerable, we cannot really eliminate the old objects: just like if we really cancel the configuration of all armored vehicles and self-propelled artillery , how can we provide a simple and quick support firepower for the infantry fighting on the front line?”

"So, as long as it's still useful, it shouldn't be erased."

"I believe everyone here can agree with me on this point, right?"

Ahriman spread his hands again, and now he only received two attitudes: either a nod or a low response, or maintaining numb silence. There may be more than 100,000 listeners gathered in the hall, but there are no Even one person can refute Ahriman.

"Great, we've reached a consensus."

Now Ahriman is as amiable as a kindergarten teacher.

"But if that's the case..."

His conversation suddenly changed.

"Have you ever thought about it, when all of you are sitting here, seriously considering whether to expel all psychic powers from the territory of the Human Empire: If you really succeed, then we really Do you have the ability and means to fill the loopholes caused by this kind of expulsion? "

"You know, psychic power has always been accompanied by the development of the empire and humanity."

"You may not have cared: but let me remind you, my lords."

Ahriman stretched out his fingers and counted the audience bit by bit.

"Army marshals, if you don't have enough psyker warriors, where will you go to find such convenient support firepower, as well as timely and effective counterattacks if you encounter the opponent's psykers?"

"Admirals of the Navy, if there is no leadership of the Navigator family, how will your fleet find its direction in the subspace? If there is no Star Language Court running, how will you get timely communications from Terra? "

"Governors of the Empire, as well as the primarchs of each legion, please think about it from the bottom of your heart: After all, an imperial think tank who has undergone rigorous think tank training and has performed stably and is trustworthy is more important to you. What would be more beneficial to your world and your legion, safety, or an out-of-control psyker who is defenseless to his own power and rampages like a bomb?"

"We all know that all psykers are innate powers, and we cannot control the probability of their birth: in this case, instead of raising a butcher knife to eliminate each of the unwilling subjects and heirs. Why not choose to accept the think tank? How about using the guidance of the system to make them work for you in another way?”

"To put it more seriously: If there are some out-of-control psykers who really cannot control their power no matter what, then a think tank that knows themselves and their enemies about psionic power and can ensure their stability and loyalty can't suppress these. When faced with unstable factors, is it the most powerful knife in your hand?”

"And without this sword: How many loyal warriors will you lose for this?"

"We all know about the dangers of psykers, and we're meeting just for that, so I guess the answer goes without saying, right: You all know that, whether it's to maintain daily operations or to defend against potential threats, today The think tank or the spiritual power of the empire are existences that we cannot let go of. "

"What's more, I think everyone is aware of the security of think tanks, right?"

After saying this, Ahriman shook his finger at everyone.

"One hundred years, my lords, since Lord Morgan and the Primarchs issued their think tank plans to the entire empire, this ancient tradition has continued for a hundred years. During this entire century, We are improving the think tank system every moment and trying to fix any deficiencies as much as possible to ensure safety.”

"And I believe that our efforts and rewards are seen by everyone: the past hundred years have proven that a well-functioning think tank system can indeed offset the instability of psychics to the greatest extent. But in any world that implements the think tank system, the probability that they will be affected by the turmoil of psychics again has dropped to a very slim level.”

"I can prove it."

Guilliman stepped forward at the right time and slapped his data wall, the dull sound echoing on the ceiling.

"The governors here... and my brothers, if you have any doubts about the words of Lord Ahriman, then please tell me your names loudly, and I will find your corresponding world and legion in the past one hundred years. The data from this year tells you whether the frequency of psychic disturbances in these worlds has been greatly reduced after the introduction of the think tank system?"

"..."

The echoes of the Macragges echoed over and over again in the dome, until the moment they completely dissipated, no one really questioned Guilliman: Everyone here is not a fool, at least their Their eyes were sharp, and they knew that Ahriman's confidence at this time was based on reality.

That’s right: reality.

From the moment he came on the stage, every word Ahriman said was highly centered around this theme: he did not elaborate on any false words or fantasies, and he carefully ensured that every word he said The words were an unshakable reality, so even if the Thousand Sons talked about the present, the two primarchs opposite could not even interrupt him.

"So, like I said."

Ahriman nodded with Guilliman, and Ahriman's voice became a little joyful.

"Masters, of course you can discuss and think here about whether to completely expel psychic power from the empire, as long as you can come up with a new power: it can replace the work of the navigator and the astral court, and it can be better than the current one. Think tanks can do better to make your world a safer place.”

"As long as you can really find such a powerful replacement: then psychic energy will naturally be eliminated by history. This does not even require you to do it automatically, let alone choose sides in the original duel."

"But if we can't find it, it means that at least the psychic power at this time is still irreplaceable for the empire: and if this is the case, why do we have to cut off our own arm here?"

"That is my conclusion, my lords."

Ahriman slowly lowered his head, his thoughtful eyes looking directly at Mortarion's uncertain face.

"I can declare here: Any statement that ignores the actual situation of the empire, generalizes all psychic powers as evil, and blindly demands that psykers and think tanks be expelled from the empire is completely divorced from the actual situation. Utopian rants.”

"Someone rebuked us for our vanity."

"But in fact, he was the most delusional of all the people present."

"That's all I have to say: thank you all for your quiet listening."

"So, do you have any opinions on my remarks...Lord Mortarion?"

"..."

silence.

To many people, the scene at this time seemed so familiar: Not long ago, Typhon, who had received Mortarion's instructions and stepped onto the marble table with dignity, was not it exactly with such unruliness and rebellion? , will Magnus, who is standing opposite him, be unable to step down?

The gear of fate hit the Death Guard's forehead at such a fast speed.

And he couldn't even say a word.

The Lord of Death was breathing heavily. Judging from the thickening poisonous mist around him, which was almost about to materialize, he was not in a good mood at this time: not even Typhon behind him was He retreated eloquently, avoiding Mortarion's sight.

But they all knew that the Lord of Death could not remain silent forever. He had to say something about this. Even if there was no other way, he had to step on the stage forcefully: and just when Mortarion gritted his teeth, When he was about to use strong orders to make him move forward, a rough arm was placed across his chest.

It's Leman Russ, and his smile.

"Let me do it, bro."

"……Um……"

For the first time, Mortarion felt that the Fenrisian's smile was so bright.

"Ruth, you..."

"I know what I have to say."

The Wolf King nodded, and without giving Mortarion a chance to answer, he strode onto the marble countertop, as if he was afraid that the Lord of Death would regret it: Such majesty not only moved Mortarion, but even moved him. Guilliman and Ahriman, who were not fully aware of this, instinctively became nervous.

Once again, all eyes turned to the back of the Wolf King, and all ears were listening to his words: they knew that the next words of the Fenrisians were the official arguments of the anti-psychic faction.

"Ahriman of Prospero."

"I salute you, my lord."

Ahriman bent down slightly, but before he could fully straighten up, he clearly heard the Wolf King's declaration resounding throughout the world.

"You need to know."

"We have never felt that there was anything wrong with the actions of your think tank."

"We don't want to blame you either: we know the think tank is right."

"What we want to accuse is fools like Magnus and the Thousand Sons who abused their psychic powers."

"..."

"..."

Mortarion's eyes widened, and his hoarse throat stammered, but he couldn't even say a word: However, Ahriman was not in the mood to laugh at him at this time, because the expression on his face was no worse than death. No matter how much stronger the Lord is, even Guilliman is the same.

The Macragge's mouth was big enough to fit Conrad's head inside.

With his throat rolling, the Thousand Sons had to rack his brains to think about his answer.

"I..."

"Answer me!"

The Wolf King interrupted him, and his loud voice reached everyone's eardrums.

"Answer me, Ahriman, are you going to continue to speak for Magnus and others?"

"Are you representatives of the think tank ready to defend the abuse of psychic energy you are talking about?"

"Defend what you vowed to destroy a few minutes ago: as you just said, the little guy of the Thousand Sons, being able to destroy these unstable existences, isn't it your own irreplaceability?"

"Right?"

"..."

At this moment, Ahriman only felt that at least 100,000 pairs of eyes were staring at his chest and back, and the most eye-catching among them was his genetic father: that was an expectation that could not be written in thousands of languages, it was the bond between father and son, and it was the sincerity that Ahriman could not avoid no matter what.

He...

He closed his eyes.

——————

Sorry, father.

——————

"I think we have nothing to say on this matter, Lord Leman Russ."