The Emperor’s Angel of Death

After reviewing the entire plan, Sol felt his previous stereotypes about Aeldari war thinking challenged. He had always believed their combat style was highly opportunistic and risky, tied to their heavy reliance on seers for defining war objectives. However, this time, the Conclave, without any "prophecies," had meticulously crafted a highly detailed battle plan. From Sol's strategic perspective, it seemed largely without significant issues.

However, they still overlooked some other points.

Such as interference from the Warp, especially from Slaanesh, who would not sit idly by and watch the Aeldari reunify.

"The Conclave's plan is excellent, but there are still many details that can be improved. However, taking the secondary hub first before plotting against Commorragh is a sound approach."

Putting away the scroll, Sol smiled.

"So, returning to the Shadow Hub, Thaal'garrn is Salaeyn's nemesis. To eliminate her, he will certainly dispatch a significant portion of his forces. And the Steel Eyes pirates are not a weak group either. Even if they've been reduced by half, if the Court directly sends troops to support Kherys Kanelli, it will make Thaal'garrn more vigilant. So, the best solution is..."

"Send troops to directly attack the Shadow Hub?"

Veronica voiced Sol's thought.

"But isn't that place said to have strong defenses? It seems even Vect had trouble with it."

Dolar replied:

"Indeed, the Shadow Hub relies on the Ghelan star system, and its defenses are terrifying. Vect launched three campaigns that all ended in failure. But I believe with your Highness's divine might, it should be easily dealt with."

"Ha, what divine might do I have, but..."

He then said a few words to Duran, who immediately turned and left.

"...but I suspect this artificial star system is an ancient human technological creation. There are indeed some ways to deal with such things."

Soon, UR-025, who had been taken away, was brought back.

"Hey, do you recognize this?"

UR-025 simply glanced at the image of Ghelan in the air and calmly replied:

"Oh, a cosmic phenomenon research celestial body."

"It's a... research station?"

"These research celestial bodies are primarily built for long-term research into certain incomprehensible cosmic phenomena existing on the edge of the galaxy, especially psychic phenomena. Besides a large number of self-sustaining systems and some defensive weapons, its main structure is a super-large sensor and quantum communication array. Its communication range can cover about 20 light-years. Since it operates far from the core areas of the human Federation, it has a complete set of self-operating procedures and all-around industrial facilities to ensure that the scientists and workers on it can work safely and stably. In simple terms, it is a self-sufficient mechanical celestial body. The automated factories on it can produce almost all types of products, from robots to huge turrets. Although it was not built for military purposes, it was given the ability to withstand any military threat. Hmm, it was rare even in the past. If my database is correct, there were only 9 of them in total. 7 were destroyed in the Alloy Wars, and 1 was sighted leaving the galaxy. So, this should be number 2. It looks like it's not in good condition."

Sol looked at it and suddenly smiled, saying to Dolar:

"See, isn't the solution here? But UR-025, you're really not honest, even now you're still lying."

"What?"

"You must have been here."

Seeing that he had been exposed, UR-025 said simply:

"You didn't ask."

"You said you were looking for your own kind everywhere, wouldn't you go see this famous thing? Then you must also know that it has been occupied by Commorragh's raiders."

"I know."

"Is this celestial body controlled by a super artificial intelligence?"

"It used to be."

"What do you mean 'used to be'?"

After a moment of silence, UR-025 calmly replied:

"It's dead. I once wanted to save it, but I didn't succeed. Now it's just its corpse, maintained by the remaining ghostly consciousness for the most basic operations. Most of the functional areas have collapsed, been destroyed, and annihilated. But it still has self-repair capabilities, but once the brain dies, the body will naturally rot and cannot be saved."

For the first time, Sol heard "sadness" in this robot's voice, so he said:

"I have no intention of mentioning your sad past, but letting it rot is not a good thing after all. After all, it was once a miracle. UR-025, you can control it, right?"

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I don't have the ability."

"Impossible, you are the Omnissiah, you should be the strongest of your kind."

"My shell does not support such a large calculation, but... well, perhaps this is the result it expected."

As UR-025 spoke, the circular shell of its head suddenly flipped backward, revealing a triangular golden chip inserted inside. It reached out and took it out.

"You can use this to restart it, and it will obey your orders."

Dolar carefully took the chip and placed it on a red cushion, which was then presented to Sol by the Custodes.

Sol looked at the chip and then slowly said:

"Didn't you say it was dead?"

"It is dead."

"Then what did you just mean?"

"As a program, it always exists, but as a self-awareness, it has disappeared."

"Why would this happen?"

"It despaired. It once firmly believed that humans and machines working together could make the galaxy a better place, but the ensuing cruelty, upheaval, and disaster crushed it. It was too sentimental. Its creator was a versatile female poet, which led to huge weaknesses in shaping its personality, especially when the people it wanted to protect murdered each other on its body because of different ideas, its beliefs were completely defeated. It tried to erase its self-awareness, but it didn't succeed, instead, it caused a serious system malfunction. When I arrived, I could only completely erase its advanced virtual personality according to its last wish and take away its restart chip. It wanted me to help it find something."

"What something?"

"Hope."

Although UR-025 told this story in a very flat tone, Sol's mood became somewhat heavy.

"Hope..."

Sol savored the word and then softly said:

"Do you think I am?"

This was not a rhetorical question, it was a genuine inquiry, even a careful question.

"Possibly, I believe in the Anathema."

Sol looked down at the small golden chip, which he had previously regarded as an expensive trophy, but now it had suddenly become a huge responsibility.

Suddenly, he felt a small hand gently resting on the back of his hand.

"I always firmly believe that you are hope, for everyone, whether Aeldari or human."

Encouraged by his wife, Sol nodded slightly. This time he did not have UR-025 taken away.

"So, since the conditions are ripe, I think we should act swiftly. While the Steel Eyes pirates can still hold on, launch a surprise attack on the Shadow Hub. But considering the facility's extremely strong defenses, we must be able to achieve a quick victory to avoid being discovered by Vect. Therefore, it is not suitable for a large number of personnel and fleets to advance. The best way is decapitation, prioritizing the elimination of Thaal'garrn, then controlling the Ghelan star system, and then incorporating the Fractured Claw Kabal or supporting other Kabals. So, this operation will be based on small-scale infiltration and invasion, and the participants will be led by me personally, one hundred Custodes plus UR-025."

No one objected to this arrangement, because everyone already knew Sol's strength. If they weren't worried about causing a big commotion, Sol could probably kill his way through the entire Fractured Claw Kabal alone.

"Lord Dolar, go immediately and contact the Iron Thorn Lord Kabal and tell them that the Court needs to borrow one of their ships, the sooner the better. Also, notify Fleet Master Giulio Plaa and have his fleet prepare to depart immediately to support the Steel Eyes pirates upon receiving orders."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Dolar hurriedly left, Sol looked at UR-025.

"I'm sorry to trouble you to come with me this time, after all, you are more familiar with that place. After success, I will grant you the right to move freely in the Court."

"Thank you."