"I am Rogal Dorn, and I will be responsible for the defense of the entire Eye of Terror."
These were Rogal Dorn's first words upon arriving at Cadia aboard the Phalanx. Li Feng looked at Rogal Dorn before him; he had shaved off the beard he had kept for ten thousand years, making him look much younger.
For a moment, Li Feng even had a hallucination; he thought he saw "Captain America." However, to the defenders of the Cadia Star Sector and the Imperial Army Soldiers, the arrival of the Emperor's child, the Commander of the "Siege of Terra" ten thousand years ago, was clearly a shot in the arm.
Rogal Dorn immediately connected the entire star system and Star Sector into solid battle lines. Dorn's children and the local defenders constructed and established various defensive strongholds and orbital defense platforms on the planets.
From Li Feng, Rogal Dorn received a large number of advanced, highly mobile multiple rocket launcher systems: "M142 HIMARS," as well as a large number of "S-40000 'Rogal Dorn-type' Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile Systems."
These were the things Li Feng had mentioned, prepared for Rogal Dorn. A large number of precision-guided rockets, ballistic anti-air rockets, active phased array radars, artillery detection radars... Under Rogal Dorn's arrangement, they were deployed on the planets surrounding the Eye of Terror, quietly awaiting the enemy's arrival.
Li Feng's Imperial Guard, all its Soldiers, were re-equipped with exoskeleton systems. The exoskeletons allowed them to somewhat match regular Space Marine in strength, and also enabled them to use the exoskeleton's jet systems for high-speed jumps and movements for short periods.
They became the most striking presence among all Imperial Army forces because they were the only mixed-arms unit in the Imperial military hierarchy.
Infantry, artillery, mechanized units, armored units, air-mobile units (helicopters, valkyrie air-drops), airborne units, marines, special forces, fighter squadrons, close air support units, various logistical units, naval support vessels... From land to sky, and then to the star sea, a comprehensive, all-encompassing integration.
More tactical uniforms, modular tactical vests/armor, the most advanced individual weapons and equipment, FAST helmets equipped with night vision and thermal imaging, sound-gathering noise-canceling headsets, respirators, and tactical smart glasses.
People could easily identify their presence. It was simple: among all Imperial Army, the most modern-looking were Li Feng's troops. (The highest quality Soldiers!)
However, Rogal Dorn had no comment on this, as he had not yet personally witnessed Li Feng's systematic combat. But now, he did admit that Li Feng's "Imperial Guard" was the most powerful presence among Imperial Army forces, though... compared to the Astartes... it was still far off.
Rogal Dorn's thoughts were still on Terra, where he had met his father in the Throne Room and received his father's mission. The Emperor, whose body had mostly recovered and whose ability to speak had returned due to Li Feng constantly hovering nearby, spoke.
Not long ago, Terra Imperial Palace, Throne Room:
Emperor: "Can you hold the line, even if everyone else has stopped trying, worn out of hope by frustration, tell me."
Dorn: "Where I am, all things have cause and effect, nothing comes easy, so tell me, your instructions."
Emperor: "Will those planets be connected into a battle line by you?"
Dorn: "That doesn't matter, as long as wherever I go, it will stand forever."
Emperor: "This is the price you must pay, do not indulge in everything at hand, focus on the goal."
Dorn: "For me, it's just another small matter; rather than being prey, I will take the initiative."
Rogal Dorn stood up and turned to leave the Throne Room, walking towards the Starport. He was going to the Phalanx to prepare for Cadia's defense. The Emperor watched Rogal Dorn's gradually receding figure.
At this moment, Sanguinius looked at Old Man Huang on the throne. The old man sighed helplessly, admitting defeat. Then he flung a key with his psychic powers to Sanguinius... Sanguinius received the key, which read "Gene Engineering Room."
"See, I told you. Imagine Dragons' 'Natural' is that child's theme song."
...With his feet on the soil of Cadia, Rogal Dorn looked up at the Eye of Terror, which continuously emitted an evil glow above him... ♪ ~ And you're standing on the edge, face up, 'cause you're Natural! ~ ♪
♪ ~ A beating heart of stone ~ ♪
♪ ~ You gotta be so cold ~ ♪
♪ ~ To make it in this world ~ ♪
♪ ~ Yeah, you're natural ~ ♪
♪ ~ Living your life cutthroat ~ ♪
♪ ~ You gotta be so cold ~ ♪
♪ ~ Yeah, you're natural ~ ♪
...Eye of Terror, Perturabo's flagship, the "Ironblood."
Perturabo sat in his position, looking out the viewport at the Eye of Terror, at the planet that resembled a fortress. He could feel it... the man he had long awaited was there... his brother.
And now, ten thousand years later.
Perturabo once again had an opportunity to fight the brother he disliked the most. He wanted to prove himself, he wanted to prove... that he was no less than Rogal Dorn. That time with Horus, it was because my brothers were too weak. This time, I will completely destroy everything Rogal Dorn has; his defenses... will be utterly crushed by iron.
♪ ~ Deep inside me, I'm going to black, I'm going ~ ♪
♪ ~ Took an oath by the blood of my hand, won't break it ~ ♪
♪ ~ I can taste it, the end is upon us, I swear ~ ♪
♪ ~ Gonna make it ~ ♪
♪ ~ I'm gonna make it! ~ ♪
At this moment, countless warships gathered in the Eye of Terror, collectively massing around the "Ironblood." All warbands related by blood to Perturabo had answered their father's call this time.
They would fight alongside their father to defeat the man their father hated most, Rogal Dorn and his children. They would prove to their father, and to the entire world:
"Iron" will be stronger than "Stone."
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