In the Second War Zone, the entire Second Legion arrived and began rapidly mobilizing local resources to set up defenses for the Beta War Zone.
The Legion Warriors suppressed their fervent emotions, pouring all their enthusiasm into war preparations, eager to achieve a brilliant victory and justify the Second Legion's name.
Since the Primarch's return, the Legion had not received a name, and their participation in wars had been minor, with conquest efficiency even lower than before the Primarch's return.
With the Rangdan invading, the Legion Warriors hungered for merit and to gain honor through war.
There was also a most unique point—the Gene-Father had been chosen as Warmaster, a title symbolizing supreme honor, second only to the Emperor.
Opportunity lay before them, and the Legion Warriors naturally would not let it slip away.
They craved war and honor, hoping to obtain a name for the Legion through the Rangdan War—a name of war recognized by all Legions.
The Legion Warriors' steps were hurried, and the steel corridors seemed saturated with an anxious atmosphere. The Second Legion was on high alert, pouring all its heart and soul into the war.
The widest compartment near the bridge had been cleared to house the messengers of brother Legions—the treatment had to be thorough, not lacking in the way of hospitality.
However, beneath this feverish facade of war preparation, a sliver of icy coldness was quietly hidden.
The Doom Slayer messenger Burkethso, holding a Messenger Scepter, walked down the corridor to visit other Legion messengers.
Such visits were normal, a practice used to deepen the bonds between Legions.
With the Rangdan and the Imperium, two behemoths, at war, the conflict could last for decades.
Messengers stationed on the Warmaster's flagship would also work together for decades; there was nothing wrong with getting familiar with each other first.
Moreover, messengers entering the Second Legion were essentially "outsiders"; they would receive courteous treatment initially, but it would not last for very long.
As the war situation developed, disputes between Primarchs were inevitable, and contradictions would extend to their respective Legions.
Therefore, it was necessary for outsiders to stay united to prevent unfair treatment in the future.
But Burkethso was different; he was not simply visiting, but had come with a secret mission.
The Doom Slayer held the Messenger Scepter in one hand, his gaze calmly watching the reliefs on the doorway, standing before the Blood Angels messenger's room, waiting for the adamantine gate to open.
Pshhh~
The pneumatic gate rose, and the guards by the door gestured, welcoming the Doom Slayer messenger's visit.
"Please enter," said Amaranth, standing behind the door. He had once visited the Nur Stars and was now ordered to be stationed with the Second Legion again.
Burkethso nodded silently, his Auric Boots stepping into the room.
This appeared to be a room, but was actually a complex area including an office, an assembly hall, a lounge, and an armory—an independent area partitioned from the warship for visiting guests.
In this area, the Second Legion would not interfere with most matters, leaving them entirely to the stationed visitors to handle themselves.
The room was very busy; the Techmarine held inspection instruments, scanning all furnishings in the room to check for the presence of spy devices.
Even if the other party was a brother Legion, there was no room for laxity in this regard, to prevent Legion secrets from being pried into.
Even if the Second Legion would not use such means, they had to guard against other Legions. Especially for the Blood Angels, they had to raise their defense level and try not to mention their own secrets.
"Welcome to your visit." Amaranth looked up and smiled, gazing at his cousin who was much taller than himself, feeling a slight bit of envy in his heart.
Though also among the ranks of the Astartes, the Doom Slayers were taller, their physical functions were more powerful, and they wore Auric Armor of the same grade as the Custodes, deeply blessed and favored by the Emperor.
There were bloodline connections between the Legions, but the status of the two was on completely different levels.
Amaranth performed elegant etiquette, warmly welcoming the visitor; the Blood Angels and Doom Slayers were once to become sworn Legions: "This way, please."
He gestured with his palm toward the long table in the hall, inviting his wild cousin to take a seat.
Burkethso's face was broad and powerful, with many battle scars; his white hair and sideburns were pulled back straight, and tribal braids were tied into a high ponytail.
"No need." His coarse voice sounded like clashing battle axes, exuding a natural sharpness. He looked at the Techmarine and asked, "Has he finished his work?"
The voice was low, yet possessed extraordinary penetration, echoing through the hall.
The Techmarine put down the instrument in his hand, took off his helmet, and looked back, his handsome face carrying a hint of confusion: "I need ten more minutes."
"I can wait." Burkethso nodded, standing straighter than a javelin, holding his scepter as he waited silently in place.
The atmosphere was slightly stiff. Amaranth's fine brows furrowed; after nodding, he slowly retreated and began to summon his Legion brothers.
Legion Warriors stepped out from the lounge, and some, sensing something was wrong, went to help the Techmarine with the sweep; the room gradually became busy.
Burkethso took everything in, counting silently in his mind: there were thirty Blood Angels messengers.
Thirty Astartes, in normal times, would be a force that could not be ignored, but now it was a bit small—like a drop of water falling into the ocean, predictably unable to cause any waves.
The Techmarine was very precise with time, completing the work in nine minutes and forty seconds, and spent twenty seconds packing up the instruments to assemble with his brothers.
Beside the long table, the Blood Angels stood in silence, unaware of their cousin's specific purpose.
Burkethso nodded. Seeing that the Legion Warriors had all assembled, he lightly released the Messenger Scepter, letting it hover via anti-gravity.
"Blood Angels messenger group, hear my command!" The coarse voice suddenly tightened, as if seizing everyone's hearts.
The Legion messenger raised his left arm, and the tactical terminal's light flickered as a Military Mobilization Authority directive personally signed by the Emperor himself popped up.
The Blood Angels' gazes froze, seeing the holographic projection clearly within a few milliseconds: Military Mobilization Authority!
"Kneel!" The more senior warriors in the ranks reminded in low voices, being the first to drop to one knee, obeying the authority equivalent to the Emperor himself.
The veteran warriors remembered clearly that when the Emperor issued the Military Mobilization Authority, all Legions were notified.
That supreme power had never been used until now.
The activation of the Military Mobilization Authority at this moment made their hearts suddenly chill—what exactly did this move signify?
The sound of power armor friction rose in unison; the younger warriors did not understand, but there was no mistake in following their seniors' actions.
The Legion Warriors knelt down in a clatter. Relying on the supreme authority, Burkethso read out the order: "From now on, the Blood Angels messenger group accepts the command of the Doom Slayers."
After speaking, the holographic projection dissipated, and the reading of the order ended.
The Blood Angels looked up with expressions of confusion; this order, which was not directly explained, left them bewildered, not even knowing how to comply.
Burkethso reclaimed the Messenger Scepter, took a communication module from his waist, and tossed it into Amaranth's hand: "Install this communication module and be ready for combat at any time."
Amaranth rose quickly and asked his cousin brother anxiously, "Fight against whom?"
The crisp sound of footsteps stopped. Burkethso turned back to look at him; his deep gaze made the latter flinch, unable to believe that sliver of doubt in his heart.
"You've already thought of it, haven't you?"
"No!" Amaranth stepped back a few paces, his eyes flickering with disbelief as he shook his head in refusal: "How can we strike at a brother Legion?"
Brother against brother!
The Blood Angels were in an uproar, rising from the cold floor with expressions full of shock; their superhuman Astartes brains were buzzing, making it difficult to think for a short time.
"A sufficient reason might make you set aside your reservations."
Burkethso turned back, also realizing that as a pure warrior, he had many shortcomings in diplomacy.
This matter had to be explained clearly, otherwise the Blood Angels or other Legions would surely hesitate at a critical moment.
"Please enlighten us, brother." Amaranth nodded heavily; a sufficient reason could indeed make a warrior set aside doubts.
If necessary, the Blood Angels would cooperate with the Doom Slayers' actions, but it had to be justified to dispel the hesitation of drawing swords against a brother Legion.
"The Primarch of the Second Legion has shown signs of defection." Burkethso opened his mouth, and the words he spoke were sharper than his voice: "He is very likely the main individual the Imperium is searching for, the one sending intelligence to the Rangdan."
Boom—!!!
The Blood Angels gaped, their eyes filled with shock and doubt; they would never believe such a reason.
Burkethso placed his index finger to his lips and shook his head for silence, continuing to drop bombshells: "The intelligence comes from another Primarch; there is no need to doubt its authenticity."
"But we do not know who in the Second Legion is loyal to the Primarch and who is loyal to the Emperor."
"I understand." Amaranth nodded stiffly, his numb throat working to squeeze out a question: "So there will be a chaotic battle?"
"Yes." Burkethso nodded, acknowledging the future possibility: "Or perhaps not."
"I have no specific certainty; everything being done now is a precaution, a necessary preparation to avoid further chaos."
Understanding the nature of the event, Amaranth led his Legion brothers to kneel again and growled: "The Blood Angels are willing to obey."
"And we swear here that not a word of today's matter shall be revealed."