The Emperor’s Angel of Death

#2963 - Fishing worm solution

After finalizing the action plan, the Inquisition also approved of the plan for Solzhenitsyn to carry out a surprise attack using the short-man warships. They would grant all legality to this operation, with the only requirement being that the Ordo Xenos must participate in the entire operation.

At the same time, considering the altered behavior patterns of the Tyranid Hive Fleet, the Ordo Xenos no longer advocated for a hasty attack. However, they believed that instead of allowing the Tyranids to huddle together, it would be better to engage them in a relatively dispersed manner, which could reduce the pressure during the attack on the Sandheim system. Solzhenitsyn agreed with this idea, but how to attract the Tyranid fleet to take the initiative to attack?

Originally, Solzhenitsyn thought the Tyranids would attack the Westeros system, but there has been no news of this so far. Obviously, this Tyranid force, like the Timithea fleet, has become a guardian fleet. If these Tyranids really retreat back to the Sandheim system, it would become a big trouble. Even with the short-man warships, it might be difficult to break through the system. Fortunately, according to intelligence, the Tyranid Hive Fleet is still making final adjustments in the Venosi system, but it probably won't be long before the next action.

In the end, the Ordo Xenos came up with a bold plan. They believed that according to the Tyranids' behavior patterns, they would definitely prioritize attacking areas with a large concentration of Genestealers. This is their biological instinct. Even Timithea often has fleets attacking surrounding star sectors. This shows that even if they become a guardian fleet, the Hive Fleet's aggressiveness still exists.

They envisioned capturing a certain number of Genestealers after suffering such heavy losses, concentrating them, and also concentrating a large population in the area, turning it into a signal tower to lure the Tyranids. The battlefield is best set in the Westeros system.

However, it is not easy to implement. First of all, after a round of great cleansing, the Genestealer cults in the Archdiocese have been basically wiped out. The survivors have become frightened birds, and it may not be easy to catch them, which will take a lot of time. Secondly, there is the concentration of the population. The Westeros system has concentrated many refugees, but to really use them as bait...

This book is first published on 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞.

Psychologically, Solzhenitsyn still found it difficult to overcome.

But the Inquisition has never been associated with being soft-hearted. They even stated in a secret meeting that if the number of Genestealers is not enough, they would artificially create Genestealers. Anyway, these aliens themselves are infectious. Injecting their gene-toxin into criminals or someone else is fine. As for the refugees—

In the Imperium, nothing is unsacrificeable.

The four Inquisitors said this to Solzhenitsyn very seriously.

Perhaps thinking that Solzhenitsyn's hesitation was out of concern for his reputation, the two Inquisitors immediately stated that they would be responsible for the operation and execution of this plan, and all orders and arrangements would come from the Inquisition, and have nothing to do with the Covenant of Sorrow.

Seeing them so persistent, Solzhenitsyn could only silently agree in the end.

After all, thinking on the bright side, the strength of the defense of the Westeros system is also very strong. It should not be a problem to fight against the Tyranid fleet. Then, the refugees can be transferred.

After finalizing all the plans, the Inquisition operated at an extremely fast speed, and there was nothing for Solzhenitsyn to do. All he needed to do was remotely coordinate from the rear.

In this case, he turned back to the Eternal Court, because Madel seemed to have researched something.

“These souls are basically still intact.”

Inside the Temple of Asuryan, Madel laid out pieces of purple crystal on the crystal table. Solzhenitsyn and Veronica stood beside the table, and the Starscryers and other seers were not far away.

“Then can they be restored?”

Veronica's voice carried some hope. After all, if these ancient souls could be revived, not to mention what benefits they could bring to the Royal Court, the meaning they represent would be extraordinary.

But Madel shook his head.

“When I say intact, I only mean in terms of form. In fact, their ego, memory, personality and other factors have already collapsed. Once the shackles are broken, they will become wandering souls, a kind of unconscious spiritual body without self. However, their energy is much stronger than the souls in the Infinity Circuit. Even without the protection of a spirit stone, they will not be drawn into the embrace of Slaanesh.”

“Is that so...”

Veronica looked at Solzhenitsyn.

“What do you think?”

Solzhenitsyn then said:

“Madel, do you mean to say, just let them maintain the status quo?”

“No, that’s meaningless.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Let them become part of the Phoenix Guard.”

As soon as this was said, Solzhenitsyn and Veronica both showed puzzled expressions.

“I didn’t understand, you didn’t say they were... unconscious?”

“Although they have no consciousness, they have instincts. After being reforged by the sacred fire of Asuryan, their fragmented selves can be gathered into a primitive battle spirit. Their skills honed over millions of years have long surpassed the scope of consciousness and become the instinct that drives their behavior, just like animals.”

Madel spoke as directly as ever, so directly that even the Starscryers frowned. After all, no one would be comfortable comparing their ancient ancestors to animals. Perhaps it was also related to the fact that it was once a “demigod”. Solzhenitsyn realized that it didn’t have that much “affection” for the Aeldari. Probably as it once said, it was only loyal to Asuryan.

No wonder the relationship between the Aeldari and the gods in their own mythology doesn’t seem to be so harmonious...

“What about their bodies? I mean, do they have to become Wraithguard like that?”

“No, Wraithguard are necromantic constructs driven by weak souls, so they are stiff and slow. These souls are strong enough, they don’t need that.”

As he said, Madel turned his huge body sideways, and then stretched out his hand towards the huge sacred fire basin.

In an instant, a blazing corona burst out, half orange and half white. Immediately afterwards, scorching heat poured down, and something rose slowly from the fire.

This was a suit of armor, covered with flames and phoenix reliefs, inlaid with gems, similar to the armor of the Phoenix Guard, but taller, its size close to an Astartes. However, there was no flesh inside the armor, only a ball of white-gold flame that seemed to be burning.

Then, this “living armor” slowly landed, took a few steps, and knelt on one knee in front of Solzhenitsyn.

“This...”

Looking at this thing, Solzhenitsyn couldn't help but think of an existence that Kayan once mentioned - the Red Warden, also an unconscious soul attached to armor.

Then he looked at Madel.

“Isn’t this... a Red Warden?”

“They have more autonomy and more power than the Red Wardens. Why not let Duran give it a try.”

After Madel finished speaking, the living armor on the ground stood up, then turned around and pulled out a crystal two-handed sword from the fire basin beside it. Solzhenitsyn then nodded to Duran, and the Custodes leader silently grasped his spear and walked towards the opponent.