The Emperor’s Angel of Death

With all the sentry weapons disengaged, the two entered the central area. This space was divided into two concentric zones: an outer ring composed of a array of cogitators, and an inner core consisting of a sealed external observation room, equipped with image recorders, scanners, and thick bulletproof glass screens, providing a secure observation point for the entire laboratory, while sentinel weapons monitored the entire room.

Li then spoke to the mechanical sage with great respect:

"Magos Belisarius Cawl, I hope my uninvited visit has not disturbed you."

"Of course not."

Standing before the two, the sage called Cawl revealed a figure several times taller than an ordinary man.

At this moment, Dalia suddenly said:

"Such an important plan, hidden in a place despised by all of Mars, is it truly secure enough?"

Before Li could explain, Cawl spoke first.

"Madam, I can confidently say that despite certain inherent risks here, there is no safer facility in the entire galaxy."

Dalia then turned to Li.

"You come to check every so often."

"Not so much check, but mainly to ascertain what Magos Cawl requires."

"This is the alternative plan?"

At this point, Cawl interrupted the two.

"Li, I welcome your observation of all procedures, as your rank and responsibility allow, but I must now concentrate all my efforts on my work, so, if you would excuse me…"

"Magos Cawl, I wish to see the Armor of Fate."

Hearing Li's words, Cawl's visual devices flickered, and then he turned and pressed a button on the console.

Soon, the observation room trembled, and then a section of the inner room's floor separated, and a rising platform ascended from the enclosed area below, supported by four crackling colonnades, within which was placed a stasis field generator.

Within the shimmering blue energy, a massive, ornate suit of armor appeared, predominantly blue with gold accents.

Li stepped forward, gazing at the armor, seemingly lost in thought.

Dalia watched for a moment, then whispered:

"Is it time to use it now?"

Li shook his head.

"This alone is not enough."

Saying that, he looked at Cawl.

"Magos Cawl has the most say in this."

"Based solely on the functions of the Armor of Fate, according to the calculations of all my processors, the probability of successfully reviving the Thirteenth Primarch is less than 10%. Therefore, we require another force to safely awaken him first, and then clad him in this armor. Thus, the success rate can be as high as 87%."

Dalia lowered her gaze slightly.

"Psykic power…"

"It seems it is not yet the time. When the opportunity arises, we shall be the ones to drive the gears forward."

After Li finished speaking, he had Cawl stow the armor away.

"How is the new legion project progressing?"

"Everything awaits the awakening of the Thirteenth Primarch."

Cawl inserted metallic tendrils into the console, and then the platform they were on detached from its original position and slowly ascended. Simultaneously, the laboratory ceiling opened a cavity, and the platform transported the three and their observation room into a dark space.

"Activate the lights."

As Cawl issued the command to the servo-skull, all the lighting strips instantly awoke, illuminating a space as crowded as a beehive.

It was generally oval in shape, with glass cases covering every direction, filled with translucent liquid. Within, one could see highly developed, muscular bodies. Although they all had their eyes closed, they seemed to be gazing down at the three simultaneously.

Their physiques surpassed all existing Space Marines. All of them had different skin colors, different hair colors, yet they all possessed the same terrifying musculature. Numerous red and blue conduits connected to interfaces on their bodies, and they all wore breathing masks, maintaining their minimal physiological functions.

Looking up, there were densely packed, thousands upon thousands of them.

After a glance, Li suddenly asked:

"Magos Cawl, have you created any finished products using the genes of the Eleventh Legion?"

After a brief silence, Cawl replied:

"I have attempted it, but it did not work, or rather, there are some technical doubts. The gene-seed of the Eleventh Legion has subtle but very mysterious differences from other legions. I am currently unable to explore the reasons for the existence of these differences."

"You will not discover them."

Dalia suddenly said softly.

Cawl looked down at her.

"Give me that sample, let me extract a little genetic material from him, and this doubt can be resolved. The Imperium will no longer need any additional plans. Primaris alone will be enough to achieve the goal of humanity's resurgence."

"That would also mean your days are numbered."

Cawl did not say anything, but Li, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked.

"What about the Second Legion?"

"There are no—"

"Magos Cawl, I am now asking you on behalf of the Throne, what about the Second Legion?"

Li's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable authority, extremely inconsistent with his decaying appearance.

"There are a very small number of finished products."

"Awaken them immediately."

"You are going to take them away?"

"No, not me, but you don't need to ask so much."

"Li, I must remind you that I am under the orders of Roboute Guilliman."

"He never ordered you to use the seeds of these two legions, did he?"

After a few seconds of silence, Cawl's cold voice responded:

"I need one standard Martian day."

"Then I will come to you at that time."

After speaking, Li and Dalia left the laboratory.

Afterward, the two went non-stop to the vicinity of Arsia Mons near the equator. This is a huge volcano, and the surrounding area also has rare Martian "garden residential areas." Thanks to the efforts of the bio-magi and the huge bubble shields, there is an extraordinary natural ecology and star-studded luxury residences, making the land price here no different from the most expensive areas of Terra. Only the most prestigious Mechanicus high-level personnel are eligible to enter here.

Li's aircraft passed through layers of security without hindrance and entered this space, then landed in a mansion nominally belonging to a gene-magos.

Leaving the shuttle and entering a corridor made of crystal and bronze, the two came to a hall.

Polarized walls filtered out severe atmospheric pollution, providing unparalleled clear views for the entire mansion. A solitary figure stood on the observation deck, watching the distant wasteland.

As the sound of footsteps echoed on the metal floor, the man turned around, looking decades older. Leonard Meyers, already full of wrinkles, smiled when he saw Li.

"You've worked hard, Li."

Li didn't say any polite words, and directly dropped a sentence.

"They will awaken in a day."

Leonard looked at Dalia, then nodded slightly.

"Dragon Guard, thank you for your efforts over the past ten thousand years."

"I am only fulfilling my mission."