NOVEL NEXT Chapter 139: Chapter 139
---A Week Later---
As the armada began to near the Eye of Terror, we began picking up communications from the Imperial Forces manning the Sanctus Wall. While the messages we intercepted were garbled and filled with static, it was very clear things were not going well for them. Instead of sending manpower to stop our march across the Great Rift, Abaddon had focused his time and energy on trying to close the Nachmund Rift. Anticipating heavy resistance from here on out, I made the decision to bring all my forces in for the rest of the expedition, including the Blackstone Fortress.
Moving on to the Sanguis System, once my forces were mustered, we made our way to Sangua Terra to join up with the defenders stationed there. Providing them with sorely needed equipment, munitions, and other supplies, the defender's commander, Canoness Superior Junith Eruita, came to personally welcome us. Greeting Russ and Vulkan with the utmost honor and respect, when she stood before me, she grabbed hold of my hand and began to vigorously shake it.
"Lord Stark, you have my utmost gratitude for resupplying our defensive line! It has been three months since the last transport ship was able to reach us, and we were days away from exhausting what little we had left.", Eruita said, looking at me with a weary gaze, "Do you intend to stay for a time or continue onward with your mission?"
Listening to our conversation, the soldiers nearby stopped what they were doing and turned to look at me. Receiving frantic distress calls from the ships brave enough to make a dash across the Nachmund Rift daily, every one of them knew what was coming their way. With reinforcements unable to consistently reach them, leaving these defenders alone was akin to signing their death certificates. Knowing this, there was only one choice for a man in my position.
"Canoness Superior Eruita, the Second Legion stands ready to lend you our full support during these trying times.", I spoke, giving her a reassuring smile. "On our approach, I noticed this world has pylons similar to the ones found on Cadia; is that correct?"
"That is correct; the pylons here are a bit shorter but nearly three times as wide. Why do you ask?", Eruita inquired.
"I believe we may be able to cleanse the Sanguis System of daemons and weaken the Great Rift substantially.", I remarked, turning toward the soldiers. "Before I explain my plans to you, though… we need to purge the traitors lurking in the shadows of this garrison."
"The garrison was cleansed of traitors shortly after I took command of Sangua Terra's defenses. I can assure you that only the Emperor's faithful reside here now.", Eruita insisted, with a concerned look, "Are you certain there are still traitors here?"
"Oh yes, there are currently twenty-seven turncoats here in the garrison. Unlike the rest of you, I possess the ability to sense the good and evil in the hearts of others.", I answered, my gaze falling on two of the soldiers in question. "The days of selling out your fellow countrymen are at an end. Suffer my cleansing light and burn away, Solemn Judgment!"
Bathing the garrison in pure, holy light, those who had given into Chaos were engulfed in golden fire while the innocent were left unscathed. Filling the air with their agonizing screams, soldiers collapsed to the ground and began flailing around trying to put the flames out. Revealing their true nature in their final moments of life, they started spewing all manner of heinous things about the Emperor and the Imperium before crumbling into piles of ash.
"The God-Emperor preserve us… There really were still traitors among us…", Eruita said, as a few loyalists fell to their knees in shock. "I have diligently been watching for any signs of corruption, and yet it still managed to take root in this garrison. Please forgive me!"
"You have no reason to ask for forgiveness, Eruita. Not every heart can withstand the heavy burden the Imperium of Man places on its staunch defenders.", I stated, surveying the remaining troops. "You were all given the nearly impossible task of holding this world yet received little to nothing to achieve that. I can see it on all your faces; deep down, everyone here knows you were given a dog's dinner. In the face of such insurmountable odds, it is no small wonder that the weak-hearted fell victim to the darkness."
"My Lord… forgive my insolence…", a guardsman said, stepping forward to address me. "Is there truly a way for us to end this nightmare?"
"Yes, and the Imperium of Man holds the keys to pull it off right now. First and foremost, Sangua Terra and Vigilus must rally their forces and prepare for grueling combat.", I told him. "Like Cadia, Sangua Terra and Vigilus possess Blackstone Pylons that can suppress the Warp's chaotic energies. They are the reason why the Nachmund Rift exists and why the enemy is throwing everything they have at both worlds."
"Lord Stark, I think it would be better if we discuss this plan in a more private—", Eruita began.
Glancing back at the Canoness Superior, I silenced her with an unamused stare.
"Canoness Superior, do not interrupt me…", I warned her, "These brave men and women deserve to know what they are risking their lives for. The Imperium's current military hierarchy may treat their soldiers like disposable pawns, but I adamantly refuse to treat them as anything less than the Imperium's greatest heroes."
Immediately bowing her head and apologizing, as sweat began running down her face, Eruita moved next to Ionica and stood at attention.
"As I was saying, the Blackstone Pylons are our keys to turning this situation around. If we slightly modify the pillars and activate them, it should be possible to suppress the rampant Warp energy plaguing the Imperium to a certain extent.", I explained, turning back to the soldiers, "The pylons on both worlds are fewer and less powerful than on Cadia, but will still be enough to significantly widen the Nachmund Rift and weaken the Great Rift overall. As they were designed to be relay pylons, not suppression pylons, we will need to incrementally increase their output to ensure we do not destroy them by accident. During that adjustment phase, the enemy is certain to make a frantic attempt to thwart our work. It falls on the planetary defenders, the Second Legion, and possibly the Battle Group Lambdax to hold them back until the work is complete. Can I count on your support to bring this plan to fruition?"
Looking at one another, the Guardsmen began nodding with approval. Understanding the overarching plan, they were perfectly fine not knowing what the nitty-gritty details were.
"Of course, my Lord! Sangua Terra's defenders will give you our very best effort!", the Guardsman swore as he and his comrades began to salute me.
"While I negotiate for support from Battle Group Lambdax, my logistics team will get all of you kitted out with proper combat gear.", I said, giving a nod to the logistics' officer standing close by. "For the duration of this operation, I forbid any of you from needlessly throwing your lives away to win us this fight. A foothold can be retaken, a gun replaced, but no one can quantify your value to the Imperium of Man. Every one of you has loved ones back home eagerly awaiting your safe return. Do not let them down!"
Hearing me say that their lives mattered to me, the soldiers began to shed tears of happiness and joy.
"We will do our utmost to obey your orders, Lord Stark!!", the soldiers shouted in almost perfect unison.
"Very good, now go fill your bellies and get some rest. The Second Legion and I will take up your posts while you take a much-deserved break.", I commanded them as I opened a channel with the New Genesis. "Commander Dance, deploy several scout drones and have some of your men take up defensive positions along the walls."
"By your orders, sir!", Dance acknowledged.
Wandering off to get something to eat, I waited for the soldiers to leave before turning back to my group and Canoness Superior Eruita. Calling the Emperor and my uncles next, the four of them answered my call after the second ring. Projecting the feed for everyone to see, Eruita and Ionica quickly knelt before the Emperor when they saw him appear.
"It is good to see you, Victor.", Guilliman said, noticing a familiar face among us. "Canoness Superior Eruita, is that you?"
"Yes, it is, Lord Guilliman!", Eruita gulped, dumbfounded we were having a real-time call with people on Terra.
"I see, so that means you have arrived on Sangua Terra then. Is there something we can help you with, Victor?", Guilliman inquired.
"Yes, if you have a moment, I would like to discuss a plan I have worked out to weaken the Great Rift and significantly widen the Nachmund Gauntlet.", I stated, causing the men to lean forward in their seats.
"Before you begin, Victor, I would like to summon the High Lords of Terra.", the Emperor stated, calling out to his guards outside, "Summon the High Lords of Terra immediately!"
Receiving a muffled confirmation from one of the guards outside the room, the Emperor turned back toward us and waited patiently. While the High Lords made their way to the room, Guilliman took the opportunity to ask Eruita how the situation on Sangua Terra was going. Giving him an honest answer, she made no attempts to downplay or sugarcoat their terrible situation here.
"I see…", Guilliman said, with a scowl, "Victor, we need you to purge all the traitors hiding among the remaining defenders. Whatever your plan is, Abaddon's men cannot be given the chance to thwart it."
"Of course, consider it done.", I acknowledged as people began shuffling into the room.
Taking their seats around the meeting table, Guilliman had all of them join the call immediately. Doing as they were instructed, one by one the High Lords joined us, causing Eruita to become even more distressed. Getting straight into things, I explained to everyone why the Nachmund Gauntlet existed and how I intended to utilize it to weaken our enemy. Making sure everyone present understood the risks involved with my plan, I proceeded to the reason for my call.
"Once the pylons awaken and we begin the adjustments, the enemy is certain to launch an all-out offensive on both worlds. While the planetary defense forces and the Second Legion should be enough to withstand the onslaught, I would feel better if we had additional resources to assist us.", I said, "I would like to send Russ and Vulkan back to their respective worlds to gather as many men as they can to join us. In addition, I would also like to utilize Battle Group Alphus and Battle Group Lambdax, if possible."
"Victor, do not hesitate to ask for what you need.", the Emperor spoke, with a reassuring nod.
"If that is the case…", I replied, "I would like to utilize El Johnson and Russ' forces here on Sangua Terra, Guilliman and Vulkan on Vigilus, and Draigo, Ionica, and myself on the moon Sigil. To reinforce us, Abbess Vahl, I would like to utilize Canoness Superior Erutia's people here on Sangua Terra and any available troops you have on Vigilus. In addition, Battle Group Alphus will provide orbital support on Vigilus while my armada will provide support on Sigil and here."
"Of course, you have my support.", Vahl agreed.
"While we fight on those three fronts, I recommend opening a fourth front on Dharrovar/Omega-Threx.", I spoke, looking at Dorn and the Emperor. "I recommend utilizing Battle Group Lambdax, Dorn and his Legion, the Emperor and his Custodes, and forces from the Inquisition and Mechanicus. As things stand now, the enemy utilizes Dharrovar as a staging ground for their offensives against the Sanctus Wall, and Omega-Threx is utilized by the Dark Mechanicum to produce arms, equipment, and munitions to fuel their war in this region. Once we have completed our objectives, our forces will move in to reinforce you."
Turning to the Emperor, everyone present looked to him for his response. Nodding his head with full approval, he looked at me and gave me a proud smile.
"You have my full authorization to proceed with your plan.", the Emperor agreed.
"After we seize control of Dharrovar, I will install the Cadia pylons I possess on the planet. Adding them to the mix, we should be able to push the Eye of Terror's reach to Cadia.", I told everyone, "This will set us up perfectly for our counteroffensive in a few months."
"It is time for the Imperium of Man to stop fighting defensively and deliver our first devastating blow against the forces of Chaos.", the Emperor proclaimed. "Rally our men at once. We enact Victor's plan in two days' time!"
"Yes, sir!", all of us acknowledged.
Promptly sending the Primarchs back to their respective worlds to prepare, everyone began to drop off the call one by one. Staying on the call, the Emperor waited for everyone on his end to depart before speaking to me again.
"Victor, how many survivors were you able to rescue?", the Emperor asked.
"Over eleven billion survivors.", I answered.
"While the number may seem small, every single one of them is here with us right now because of your generosity and kindness. I am certain the survivors have expressed their gratitude many times over for all you have done for them. As the Emperor of Mankind, you have my utmost gratitude for saving my people.", the Emperor spoke, giving me a warm smile. "I look forward to seeing you continue to flourish and grow, my beloved grandson. One day, you will surpass me and achieve things that I could have only dreamt of. When those times come, do not forget who you are at heart."
"I promise to never stray from the path I have set before myself.", I assured him.
"Good.", the Emperor remarked, his smile turning mischievous. "*Cough* The Emperor approves of your relationship with Canoness Superior Ionica."
While I looked at him in shock, Ionica quickly looked away with a flushed red face. Ending the call, before I could say anything, Eruita began bombarding Ionica with questions while letting out a chuckled sigh.