On the summit of the Chapter Monastery, countless transport planes soared from the tarmac like crows leaving their nests.
The combined formation of the Stormraven gunships and the Chapter's remaining Thunderhawks formed a jagged line of shadow against the deep blue night sky.
Among them is also the Valkyrie transport aircraft belonging to the Chapter's Auxiliary Army. Originally, this equipment was not in the armory of the Astral Knights Chapter, but after arriving on Nessen IV, due to the Planet Governor's confusion about the Chapter, Fanatic support, and there happens to be a batch in the transshipment warehouse of Star Port.
Although they belonged to the Imperial Navy in the Storm Star Territory in principle, after a brief report was issued, these brand new Valkyries were sent directly to the Astral Knights' armory.
Although this would arouse the anger of the navy, the planetary governor had enough excuses.
The great Astral Knight is about to launch an expedition.
The twelve Valkyries on the apron had already sailed away, and the hangar became empty in an instant.
Only seven days have passed since Lord Magyar's departure, but the gathering of the Chapter's strength is nearly complete.
Those hovering far above the surface aircraft formation are the Chapter fleet formation.
Slaves on each battleship have their plasma engines fully prepared to push the battleship to the jump point.
At this moment, every spaceship made buzzing sounds one after another - although the Astral Knights only participated in the battle with two battleships.
In the center of the assembly point, uniform gunboats are waiting to enter the cave-like hangar of a giant ship. This is the floating base of the Chapter, the Starfire.
Now it is hovering motionless in the void, dominating the starry sky just like the leader of the herd dominates his own tribe. In other shipyards of the star port, several smaller warships are being built overtime.
Like other Space Marine warships, the Starfire was designed to do only one thing - unleash overwhelming, gut-wrenching fury upon unrepentant worlds from high orbit.
It has done this kind of job many times, and the ship's drop bay and torpedo launch array have been burned black during the long period of use.
From the tower of the Chapter's fortress, Soshyan watched as the final preparations for the gathering were being completed.
He could see the slender and elegant trails left by the Thunderhawks when they broke through the atmosphere and flew towards the assembly point in space, and he could also see the transport planes carrying the mortal auxiliary army swarming into the sky like a swarm of "nests".
Around him, the tactical display screen showed the location of each force. All the forces that could be mobilized were slowly entering the battleship formation, including the battle robot army.
Soon, even he will board the flagship.
And the only forces the war group has are all gathered in one place, all pointing towards the same simple goal.
A familiar tremor awoke his genetically modified limbs.
The war group may be in urgent need of growth and cultivation, but Soshiyang always firmly believes that powerful warriors are tempered in the flames of war. No matter how intense training is, it cannot make up for the lack of actual combat experience.
The new recruits who came out of the Obsidian Fortress had not seen blood for a long time, which was not a good thing.
At this moment, blood was rushing through his limbs and bones, and he was ready.
They are Astartes and must never forget what they do best.
The reason why Soshyan participated in this battle was not only to dispel the doubts of neighboring war groups and gain a reliable ally, but also to give a warning to all warriors.
Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he saw a rune flashing at the door.
"Come in."
Soshyan said while looking away from the fleet.
When he turned around, he saw Balita'em striding into the room, the apothecary's eyes flashing with rage.
"Why?"
He asked straightforwardly, but in the face of this almost rude behavior, Soshyan spread his hands.
"This is……"
"Tell me exactly why."
Soshyan sighed and closed the door with a push of his finger.
"You know what we are doing. This needs to be kept secret. You are also an immortal."
Balitaem shook his head.
"And to send the Chapter into battle without the Apothecary? Isn't that more important to you?"
"Only you can perform those surgeries. There's no way I'm leaving the reformed recruits under Ford's care."
"But you allowed him to participate in the surgical procedure."
"Because his technology can improve the survival rate of recruits. You must know that although it is only in the third stage, the mortality rate has already exceeded 30%. We cannot afford such a huge loss."
A trace of shame flashed across Balitaem's face.
"That can wait. When I come back from this battle, I can't miss the honor of participating in this operation! There's no way I can give up taking care of my battle brothers!"
Soshyan shook his head.
"Now is the moment that determines success or failure. Those children are the hope of the future of the Chapter, and I also need a smart mind to ensure that everything is normal in the monastery fortress. You don't have to go with us."
Balitaem roared, and Soshyan could detect the frustration building up in the pharmacist's body.
"Chapter Master, please, don't do this."
insisted the apothecary, tightening his grip on his gauntlets.
Sosh raised his eyebrows slightly. In his memory, Balitaem had always been obedient and gentle, and had never disobeyed orders.
"Pharmacist, you threaten me."
He said solemnly, with a somewhat sullen tone in his words.
Balitaem remained fixed in place, his eyes fixed on Soshyan.
Finally, he lowered his eyes reluctantly.
"I personally watched them struggle to death on the operating table."
The pharmacist murmured the truth.
"Those children...my skills were far from being able to get them through this ordeal. I even thought I was murdering them with my own hands...I was afraid that they would continue to die, and I became more and more irritable."
After understanding all this, Soshyan looked at Balitaem carefully.
He knew the pharmacist very well. He was a pure warrior, a passionate and fearless good man.
But he still needs to understand that in this cruel galaxy, any sacrifice is acceptable - Soshyan already understands this.
"No, bro."
Soshyan put his hand on his shoulder.
"No one is more suitable for this role than you. The fact that you are upset about the death of a candidate is enough to prove everything, but these are the prices we must pay."
Then, he recounted his experience in Thetis.
"…So, necessary evils and necessary good are both part of our journey, and you need to face them calmly instead of escaping from them."
After listening to Soshiyan's story, Balitaem's expression changed from frustration to determination.
As the pharmacist's inner frustration subsided, Soshyan relaxed.
"We must keep a good eye on the future, because we shoulder the important task of rebuilding the Chapter and even the Legion."
Soshyan lowered his head and whispered:
"I can only trust you."
Balitaem looked back into Soshyan's eyes, and he accepted the arrangement.
"I see."
