The Emperor’s Angel of Death

When the Star Knight fleet arrived at Mars, they were greeted not by the current Fabricator-General Urd Udia Rasky, but by a Logis named Fastian.

If it were any other Space Marine, they might have seen this as an insult, but after a brief communication between Sosiun and this Logis Fastian, he determined that Mars did not do this out of contempt or any other reason, but because this Fastian was indeed a rare member of the Mechanicum who could communicate with Sosiun using non-Mechanicus thinking.

Most high-ranking members of the Mechanicum would try to erase their irrational functions, that is, emotions and humanity, but this Logis instead made a separate area for his humanity and emotions, and preserved it very carefully, so the first question he asked Sosiun was—

“Chapter Master Sosiun Alexius, was the journey pleasant?”

From this point of view, the Fabricator-Generals of Mars were surprisingly “human,” knowing to use a “normal person” to receive Sosiun.

Mars, as the core world of the Mechanicum and the largest repository of technical knowledge in the Imperium, is no less important than Terra, but one thing is very strange: when Sosiun first gazed at this red planet, he always felt something whispering in his ear. The voice was very, very weak, almost a hallucination, and he couldn’t even hear what it was.

The fleet was docked in Mars’ Hopeport, part of the massive ring of steel in Mars’ orbit. As the largest orbital space structure in the human Imperium, Mars’ equatorial belt is not only surrounded by two giant ports called Hopeport and the Hand of God, but also houses the Imperial Navy Assembly Plant and the Imperial Navy Shipyard, making Mars the main anchorage of the Solar Fleet. In addition, the orbital steel ring is dotted with countless space factories of all sizes, which operate day and night to provide a constant stream of materials to the Imperium’s largest shipyard. The biggest difference between Mars’ orbital ring and Jupiter is that it has a direct connection to the surface of Mars—through the massive space elevator called the Twelve Heavens Ladder, personnel, equipment, and materials from the surface of Mars can be quickly transported into orbit.

After arriving at the spaceport, Sosiun, accompanied by Logis Fastian, visited the giant shipyards in Mars’ orbit.

“Truly a miracle of knowledge, a great creation.”

Standing in the enclosed shuttle, gazing through the huge curved glass at an Emperor-class battleship lying quietly in the dock, already nearing completion, Sosiun couldn’t help but exclaim. There are not many shipyards in the Imperium that can build battleships, and even the shipyards of Ulani Huda can only barely build heavy cruisers.

The huge warship was held in place by gravity locks in a massive framework, the undulating ridges of the undecorated hull like the outline of a mountain. As the shuttle lowered its altitude, Sosiun could clearly and intuitively see countless engineering ships active on the massive hull, like ants building a nest. Through the already installed giant tempered glass, he could also see countless workers, servitors, and tech-priests installing various pieces of equipment inside.

The manpower and resources required to build such a giant ship were unimaginable even to Sosiun.

“What is the Chapter Master’s view on knowledge?”

Fastian suddenly spoke from the side. This Logis was already highly mechanized throughout his body, with only his left eye and part of his left forehead still remaining flesh, but the voice he now emitted was a very deep and clear middle-aged man’s voice.

“Knowledge is the light of reason, and the path by which humanity can move towards the future.”

“Then what about faith?”

Sosiun looked at the Logis, unsure if the other party was implying something to him. Based on his understanding of the Mechanicum, he guessed that his conversation with the other party was probably being observed by many people.

But this did not affect his attitude. After all, humility is not the same as being obsequious.

“Faith is a substitute when knowledge is not enough.”

The Logis, clad in red robes and holding a mechanical battleaxe, stared at Sosiun with his still human eye, and suddenly nodded.

“Knowledge is the only way to save humanity.”

Then, he changed the subject.

“But we still need to pay attention to the means. Acquiring knowledge requires more attention to the right path. Transgressions will lead us to use the acquired knowledge in the wrong places, such as unauthorized modification of the Omnissiah’s covenants and doctrines.”

The shuttle began to rise, and Sosiun knew that what was coming was inevitable. Mars would not let the Angstrom affair go so lightly.

“I am an Astartes, and I have neither the qualification nor the ability to discuss the doctrines of the Mechanicum. In my opinion, everything is only for the service of the Imperium and the war.”

“Even letting the heretics of Ryza taint Angstrom was for this reason?”

Sosiun turned to look at the other party, and then said meaningfully:

“I only know one thing: Ryza is close to the Eye of Terror, and Mars is far from the Eye of Terror.”

“Chapter Master, Mars has the power to decide the Director-General of every Forge World. This is part of the sacred covenant between the Emperor and Mars.”

“I respect the authority of Mars, very much so, but at that time it was wartime, and the stability of Angstrom was crucial to the crusade. I think that relative to the victory or defeat of a crusade, a temporary personnel appointment is not excessive? And I have repeatedly emphasized that everything in Angstrom is temporary, and I have never interfered in the internal affairs of the Forge World. Mars can appoint a new Director-General at any time.”

“There are rumors that the Star Knights are very close to Ryza.”

“I must point out that there is a fallacy in your words, Logis.”

“Oh?”

“It is the Astartes Chapter that is very close to the Mechanicum. We regard the Mechanicum as a whole, so we can cooperate with any Forge World if necessary, because this is the sacred covenant between the Emperor and the Mechanicum. However, for Mars, I personally always maintain respect and necessary reverence, as you said before, knowledge is the only way to save humanity.”

Fastian blinked his only remaining eye.

“You acknowledge this point?”

“Mostly.”

“I thought that in the eyes of the Astartes, only war can save everything.”

“Well, that’s why I said mostly, because knowledge alone is not enough. You also need military force, strength.”

The Logis nodded thoughtfully, and then they returned to the spaceport.

Since the Director-General was already on Terra, Sosiun had nothing to talk about with those Fabricator-Generals. On the contrary, this Logis Fastian left a deep impression on Sosiun. The other party showed a strong desire for adventure, and Sosiun welcomed the other party to explore the Storm Zone.

After staying for a day, simply circling in the Martian sky and browsing Mars’ famous areas such as the Olympia Dune Hive, the Acheron Chasm Forge Temple Complex, the Second Hundred Million Watt Sector Complex, the Sedonian Mist Sea, and the Iron Curse Sea, he led the fleet straight to its final destination, Terra.

But before entering Terra, he had to go to another place first—

The true home of the Imperial Fists Chapter, Phalanx!