[Your voice dropped to barely above a whisper, words meant only for the consciousness sharing your skull. "Judging from their paint scheme and armor style, they're all from the Alpha Legion's Astartes... Your other brother has arrived."]
[The navy blue ceramite, the specific patterns on the Terminator armor, the coordination and tactics, all of it pointed to one conclusion. These were Alpha Legionnaires. Which meant their Primarch was here.]
["Don't worry, young man, there are some things I, Omegon, would rather die than reveal a single word to anyone." Omegon's voice, barely audible, echoed deep in your throat before vanishing.]
[You nodded slightly, lowering the bolter and pale spear from your palm.]
[The weapons dropped to low ready positions, no longer aimed at potential threats. The tension in your shoulders eased fractionally, though full relaxation remained impossible.]
[You took a deep breath and adjusted your mindset.]
[You activated your power armor and stepped forward, approaching the Astartes cleric clad in navy blue power armor.]
[At this very moment, as you slowly approach.]
[The remaining four Lernean Terminators kneel in your direction, helmets lowered, hands in the Aquila salute.]
[The massive warriors moved in perfect synchronization. Armor joints groaned as tons of ceramite and adamantium bent at the knee. Their helmets lowered as one, gazes dropping in respect. Hands crossed over chests, forming the double-headed eagle.]
[The gesture hit you with unexpected force. These weren't just Space Marines. These were Terminators, veterans of countless battles, warriors who had earned the right to wear tactical dreadnought armor. And they knelt to you.]
[Meanwhile, seemingly having finished his brief mourning for the fallen members of the Honor Guard, Brother Astartes slowly rose.]
[He faced you and raised his hand to remove his metal helmet.]
[The other person revealed a bronze face almost identical to yours, or rather, Omegon's, even down to the bald head.]
[It was like looking into a mirror. The same bronze skin tone. The same shaved scalp. The same strong jaw and high cheekbones. Minor differences existed, tiny variations in scar placement and weathering, but the genetic template was unmistakable.]
[That was the sole soul of the Alpha Legion, the Lord of the Serpents, the first and perhaps final Primarch, Alpharius.]
[The recognition slammed into you with the force of revelation. This was him. The twin you'd never met. The other half of a triumvirate. Alpharius stood before you, alive and real.]
["Many years ago I knew that in this cold, cruel galaxy, there was a brother who would live and die with me... a true blood brother!" A radiant smile instantly spread across Alpharius's bronze face.]
[He strode up to you, opened his strong arms, and gave you a long-awaited hug.]
["I am Alpharius, brother... Have you heard of Astartes?" Alpharius whispered in your ear.]
[You deliberately relinquished control of the tall body to Omegon.]
[However, Omegon simply gave his twin brother Alpharius a brief hug before returning control of the body to you.]
[You paused slightly, then shook your head slightly, let out a sigh, and answered softly.]
[The delay was minimal but noticeable. You gathered your thoughts, organizing a response that would be honest without revealing too much.]
["You can call me Omegon... As for the names of Astartes and the Emperor, probably everyone in the galaxy knows them now."]
[The name felt right on your tongue. Not a revelation, but a confirmation. Omegon. That was who shared this skull, this body.]
["What's wrong, brother? Aren't you happy to see your own brother? It's alright, we can get to know each other slowly, no rush!" Alpharius, smiling broadly, released his arms, patted your heavy shoulder armor forcefully, and grinned as he asked.]
[The Lernean Terminator, who had been kneeling to one side, slowly rose and faced you.]
[Although their faces are completely obscured by their metal helmets.]
[But you could also vaguely sense their heartfelt respect and joy through their eyes.]
["Perhaps it's the Emperor's own concern for you, or perhaps it's some kind of blessing from fate that Max always talks about..." Alpharius didn't seem to care about your stumbling over your changes in address several times.]
[As he directed the other Lernean Terminators to lift the body of the fallen Terminator, he turned and stared at you, saying...]
["Our legion's flagship, the Alpha, received a group of refugees trying to escape the Rangda invasion, and some of them inadvertently mentioned that someone had seen me in person at the planet's trade market."]
[Alpharius's explanation emerged matter-of-factly, recounting the chain of coincidence and investigation that led here. Refugees. Sightings. Reports of someone who looked exactly like him.]
["But I'm certain I've never been to this planet called Savor. It was a crew of sailors who lost their cargo ship who confirmed for me that it was indeed true... If it weren't for verifying the information, I wouldn't have come in such a hurry, teleporting down with only a squad of Terminators."]
["Are those your people? They seem fairly loyal. If they pass the selection process later, you can give them a few experimental gene enhancement surgeries. If they barely survive, they can become your Astartes. Although they're much weaker than monks obtained through the regular channels, they'll still be considered Astartes..." Just then, Alpharius suddenly looked up and gazed at the distant horizon, speaking absentmindedly to you.]
[You did not respond to the other person's words.]
[You also turned your head to look at the horizon.]
[At this moment, the small and medium-sized landing craft from the Rangda Empire, along with the seemingly endless army of alien slaves billowing with dust on the ground, gradually revealed their terrifying forms. The densely packed attacking force stretched as far as the eye could see.]
["Brother, there's something very important you need to understand. Our human technology has been completely crushed by these damned Rangda aliens. Our fleet is practically sitting ducks against the Rangda Empire's warships..." Alpharius's bronze face twitched incessantly.]
[He quickly waved his hand at the Lernean Terminators standing nearby, then turned to you and said.]
["One of the Legion's Glory Queen-class flagships is leading the entire fleet, dragging the main force of the Rangda aliens into the invasion fleet. They're suffering heavy losses... but don't worry, the Thunderhawk transports responsible for picking us up have already departed. If we just hold on a little longer... things will be fine soon."]
[Upon hearing these words from the other party.]
[Not only you, but even Omegon, who had just fallen silent, couldn't help but open one eye wide again and glare at his brother.]
[Even if it's two Primarchs plus four Lernean Terminators.]
[Faced with tens of thousands of alien slaves and countless Rangda aliens, their ultimate fate was hardly good; they might be completely devoured by the countless aliens in a single encounter.]
[You quickly took a deep breath and gripped the pale spear tightly in your palm.]
[Your fingers closed around the weapon's shaft, knuckles showing white through bronze skin. If this was to be your last stand, you'd make it worthy of remembrance.]
[A cold smile twisted your lips. "Can we really hold out with this number of aliens? No fire support, no backup escape plan... Are you here to die with me?"]
["Brother, those words are too hurtful... Don't worry, Alpharius will make his own decision!" Alpharius's bronze face gradually turned serious as he stared intently at you and said in a deep voice.]
[However, at this moment, intelligence from a Lernean Terminator brought a smile back to Alpharius's bronze face.]
["Now we've found a way to escape this planet... I told you Alpharius had a way, didn't I? Just a few dozen kilometers away, there's a local power plant with an Aquila shuttle that hasn't been destroyed yet."]
[His voice rose with excitement, energy returning. A way out. Actual salvation, not just desperate last stands.]
["If nothing unexpected happens, that should be enough for us to get completely out of this mess and board our flagship!"]