The Emperor’s Angel of Death

#2344 - Company Field Service

After giving specific instructions to the Battle Group armory and the Reclusiam personnel, Sojyan rose from the throne, all eyes fixed upon him.

“1240 people (after excluding the Crimson Sabres), without realizing it, the Battle Group has reached 1240 people. Even without counting the warriors of the 11th Company, the Battle Group has exceeded the Codex size of one thousand.”

Sojyan took two steps, his right hand pointing behind him.

“…Sixty years ago, when I took over this banner, when I knew we were a Legion, I only had thirty-three battle brothers by my side. Sixty years, it’s very short, and very long. It’s the lifespan of a mortal, and also the time for an Astartes to mature from naivety. But now we can't be complacent, let alone call ourselves a Legion. Although we have more friends, we also have more enemies. More than a thousand battle brothers, perhaps only a disaster like the World Engine is needed to cease to exist. We are still very fragile, so we must cherish every battle brother. All company commanders, sergeants, must remember, cherish every battle brother.”

“Yes!”

The crowd responded in unison.

Sojyan then shifted his gaze to Fourth Company Captain Lothar.

“Captain Lothar, what is the current fleet status of the Battle Group?”

Lothar, who had been very low-key, stepped out of the ranks and replied:

“Excluding the Legion flagship *Avesta*, the Battle Group currently has 13 capital ships, including the *Mars*-class battlecruisers *Mars's Son* and *Expedition's Glory*, the *Oberon*-class battleship *Abyss Hunter*, the *Hades*-class heavy cruisers *Unbound Soul* and *Invisible Dread*, the *Avenger*-class grand cruiser *Eternal Loyalty*, the *Executioner*-class grand cruiser *Silver Redemption*, the battle barge *Soul Bringer*, the *Vanguard*-class strike cruisers *Spark*, *Pandora*, and *Sabre*, the *Lunar*-class cruisers *Rogue* and *Danger Hunter*, and another 24 small escort ships. The 13 ships from Ulan Huda have been completed and are awaiting delivery, including 3 capital ships, namely 1 *Dictator*-class heavy cruiser and 2 *Lunar*-class cruisers. The 5 small ships built by Zhao Akkad are also awaiting delivery. In addition, the shipyard at Natesen IV has 1 *Lunar*-class cruiser and 2 frigates nearing completion. The Battle Group also obtained 6 *Goliath*-class forge ships and 2 *Goliath*-class factory ships from Mars. If we calculate a total, then the Battle Group should now have 17 capital ships, 41 small ships, and 8 auxiliary ships. Oh, this does not include the 3 *Mortifier*-class battle barges under construction at Ryza.

“What about the crew shortage?”

“We still need at least 3.5 million crew members and 200,000 basic technical personnel to ensure the combat operation of all ships and subsequent vessels.”

Sojyan nodded.

“Crew members will be recruited from Natesen V. As for the junior technicians, I will communicate with the various forge worlds. Also, I will personally go to deliver the fleet of Ulan Huda, but Zhao Akkad may need you to make a trip.”

“Yes.”

After confirming the fleet situation, Sojyan glanced at everyone.

“Now the Storm Sector is turbulent, and the Astral Knights, as Astartes Battle Group, naturally have the obligation to guard the territory of the Empire. Gryphon IV has sent us a request for assistance.”

Speaking, Sojyan looked at Zaraddon.

“Captain Zaraddon, you will lead the Sabre Company to support them. The strike cruiser *Sabre* will be assigned to you as your company’s base of operations.”

This was not because Sojyan had intended to abandon these “ungrateful” Crimson Sabres, but because they had always insisted on training their own recruits, making it difficult to keep up with the Battle Group's new recruit training program. The company desperately needed to go out and train new recruits in combat.

Hearing Sojyan’s arrangement, Zaraddon stepped out of the ranks, fist on his chest and bowed his head.

“As you command.”

“Well, if you need any equipment, just go directly to Forge Master Rogris. You are going to deal with Genestealers. Gryphon IV itself has a strong military force, so the task is not difficult. What the company has to do is to help them eliminate the enemy's leaders. I think with your experience you should know how to deploy. I will let the representative of Gryphon IV talk to you in detail.”

After that, Sojyan looked at Oscar.

“Fifth Company Captain, Zhao Akkad also needs a force to help them clear the rampant alien threats. The Fifth Company has just been formed and needs combat to break in. Your company will use the *Pandora* to perform the mission. After the meeting, the representative of Zhao Akkad will come to you. This is a world with a high degree of cooperation with the Battle Group. Listen to their opinions as much as possible, but the priority is to clear the aliens and ensure that the warriors get enough training, and reduce personnel losses.”

Oscar stepped out of the ranks and replied in a deep voice:

“As you command!”

Finally, Sojyan looked at Murad.

“Seventh Company Captain, similarly, your company also needs to conduct live combat training. The Nicomedia star system is the closest star system to the Natesen star system. We must guard against it before it happens. There are two hive worlds that have also reported Genestealer riots and cult uprisings. After the company is formed, you will lead the team to perform the suppression mission. The *Spark* will be your base of operations. I have had a remote meeting with the local planetary governor representative, and they will fully cooperate with you. In the operation, try to grasp the key points and don't waste troops. Non-critical tasks can be handed over to the local garrison. Again, ensure that the warriors get enough training and minimize personnel losses.”

“As you command!”

“Although the other companies do not have any tasks for the time being, they cannot relax. Requests for assistance are still pouring in continuously. Each company may have to go out to perform tasks at any time. Everyone must always maintain a state of combat readiness!”

“As you command!”

After that, Sojyan looked at Bahram.

“Bahram, you must also speed up the training of the Tenth Company. Otherwise, the subsequent new recruits will put a lot of pressure on your training. There are some harsh death worlds in the Natesen star system that can be used as the first step for new recruits to adapt to the harsh environment. You must submit a training plan to me before 12 noon tomorrow.”

“Yes, Battle Group Master.”

After completing the deployment of the company's field service, Sojyan said earnestly to all the company commanders:

“I can tell you in advance that in the future I plan to reform the Battle Group structure, especially the company structure. The main goal is to increase the standard number of people in the company to 150, and at the same time, the Codex rules of company specialization will no longer be implemented. Except for the First Company, each company will have its own Terminator squad, and at least two squads. At the same time, the number of Assault squads in the company will be increased to three, and the number of heavy weapon squads will also be increased to three. The fundamental goal is to increase the tactical flexibility and independent combat capabilities of the company, and to train the abilities of the company commanders. Therefore, my requirements for all company commanders will become higher, because everyone is now a company commander, and may be a chiliarch of the Legion in the future. Before the dawn of the Legion’s revival, we urgently need a more courageous, tenacious and commanding leadership. Similarly, the White Templars will also carry out similar reforms. After a while, I will convene a Legion Centurion Conference, including all the centurions of the White Templars will also participate in the meeting. If you have any good ideas, you can speak freely at that time.”

After talking about the future plan, Sojyan summoned all the warriors and new recruits of the Battle Group and held a simple company flag awarding ceremony and company commander appointment ceremony in the reception hall. After all, the form needs to be followed at least.

However, what surprised and puzzled many people was that when awarding the company flag to Bahram, Sojyan also gave him a very special weapon - it was a plasma short sword made according to his physique by the Great Sorian League after the end of the expedition to thank Sojyan. However, Sojyan felt that he could not use this thing, and he was not used to using short weapons, so he simply gave it to Bahram, and the length was just right in his hand.

This weapon also has a very interesting name, Broken Horn Fiend Star.

Although this was a casual move, it seemed very special to some people, because this thing did not come from the armory, but from Sojyan's personal armory. Currently, only Ustad has received the honor of being directly gifted personal equipment by Sojyan in the Battle Group - his armor is the armor that Sojyan wore when he just became the Battle Group Master.

This may represent a certain signal. At least Robin's eyes became more interesting when looking at Bahram, while Oscar's gaze was more profound--

Let’s add the number of people in the company, otherwise everyone may not remember

First Company 104 people (1 person was transferred to the 7th Company)

Second Company 98 people (12 people were transferred to the 8th Company)

Third Company 107 people

Fourth Company 110 people (10 people were first added to the Seventh Company, and then 14 people were obtained from the Tenth Company)

Fifth Company 110 people

Sixth Company 110 people

Seventh Company 110 people

Eighth Company 92 people

Tenth Company 208 people

Eleventh Company 148 people