Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

Vashtor leaves.

Having discussed what was to be negotiated between them, the creature of the warp had no reason to stay: and Morgan had never welcomed it.

Of course, the more important reason is: in the strange waves of the highest sky, the icy sun and its light are getting closer and closer to the galaxy where Caliban is located: the Lord of the Furnace is not arrogant enough to think Want to test the quality of those cold lights.

The departure of this uninvited guest was just like its arrival, without disturbing anyone on the battleship. Except for the air that was baked and twisted by the hot warp flames, and an unknown mechanical priest who died, it There were no traces left that could be traced.

For the next five Terran Standard Days, the Lord of Avalon locked herself in the deepest part of the Dawn Goddess. Her scope of activities was limited to the throne room and private office, with only her most trusted subordinates and confidants. Only when you report work results or submit important documents can you see her.

The original body's seclusion even caused a lot of discussion on the flagship: Although in most places on the Far Eastern Frontier, the Lord of Avalon is associated with mystery and nobility, like an image like a towering king, but, At least in the Second Legion, the Dawnbreakers never lacked opportunities to meet the Gene Mother.

Morgan would always randomly choose a legion canteen as a place to enjoy lunch or dinner; she was also a frequent visitor to various large activity rooms, chess and card rooms, and libraries; although some locations with more violent elements, such as legion competitions, She has never been favored by the Primarch; but at least, she has never been absent from those psychic seminars and legion ideological exchange activities that have been held regularly and are open to every legion soldier.

The soldiers stationed on the legion's flagship all year round are not only used to seeing their genetic mother every day, but also used to their original body being able to accurately call everyone's name and express for their last victory. Be happy: no matter how small a victory it is.

Even for those new faces who have just joined the legion, the Spider Queen only needs to squint her eyes slightly, and after a pause of less than a second, she will do the above things: she can even use words to accurately To hold their hearts and speak those words of approval that their hearts longed for.

After getting used to such treatment, the Primarch stayed behind closed doors for five days for no reason, which was enough for veterans and recruits to gather together and whisper: Although this weak wave was quickly suppressed by the Praetorian Guards Chief Lana They suppressed it with an iron fist on the grounds that [the original body had important matters], but it still reached the ears of the Spider Queen.

Virgo told her.

He told her solemnly.

"I think this is a very bad omen, Mother."

Facing Morgan's somewhat doubtful gaze, the proud creation of the original body spoke concisely and concisely, and her pupils shone with a vigilant light, which was shrouding everyone gathered under Morgan's power pyramid without distinction.

"I know that you have a high level of trust in Mr. Rana. Mother, I also know that Mr. Rana is indeed a trustworthy subordinate. But I also want to tell you: the power of the legion is over-distributed like this. It is very inappropriate to give it to certain subordinates."

"Although you often appear in front of the legion warriors to make them familiar with you, and through the conversations I listened to in secret, I can also confirm that almost all the Dawnbreakers regard you as the genetic mother who surpasses other Primarchs. Your appeal among the Legion’s grassroots is unquestionable.”

"But, from another perspective, except for a few people such as Bayar, Rana, and Hector, the other Dawnbreakers rarely receive orders directly from you, but more through these people, especially Rana. Na conveyed: If things go on like this, your chief guard will accumulate a huge authority that is not commensurate with his current status."

"And this is not good for you."

"After all, you told me that under certain extremely special circumstances, the Astartes warriors, who have great prestige and special status in the Legion, can in turn restrict or even harm the Primarch. You also I have speculated on which legions have such hidden dangers."

[Are you worried that Rana will become such a hidden danger? 】

The Spider Queen slowly raised her head from her pile of documents. She smoothed her hair and raised the corners of her mouth with a relaxed smile: This shows that she is in a good mood now and has not accumulated any dark clouds because of Virgo's warning. .

The Primarch's palm fell and pressed on countless documents. That was the direct reason why she stayed behind closed doors. It was also the hub connecting countless important fields, including but not limited to: the Holy Terra Arrival Expedition. A new batch of supplies from the front line, a report on Avalon's military and civilian life, a memorandum on exchange activities between the Far Eastern Frontier and Ultramar, two ancillary books on the Psionics Code that are being filled in, and information from twenty forging worlds, Eighty-six Rogue Trader fleets and official condemnations from hundreds of sectors...

[In your eyes, am I such a failure as a mother? 】

[Even one of my most trusted and respected descendants now secretly harbors evil intentions? Like the victorious Macbeth hiding his sword from his king? 】

Placing a hand on his chest, Morgan frowned, feigning operatic sadness.

"..."

Virgo frowned.

"That's not what I meant, mother. It's just that Lord Rana's action touched a certain keyword in my memory array: this keyword was told to me personally by you, and it was specially marked."

【What? 】

“The Theory of War Dictators.”

【……】

"Do you need me to describe it, Mother?"

[No, I get it. 】

Morgan let go of the pen in her hand, she piled the approved documents aside casually, leaned back on the chair, and rubbed the corners of her brows.

War Dictator: A system during the ancient Roman Republic that was only temporarily established in the most urgent moments and had the power to literally govern everything.

[What you mean is: If I continue to let Rana establish this invisible authority in the legion, then one day in the future, if something unfortunate happens to me, Rana will become the leader because of his invisible authority. The de facto leader of the entire legion. 】

"Yes, because you once told me that authority has a certain degree of inertia. When the soldiers are accustomed to listening to the orders conveyed by Rana, he will have a certain degree of authority. Once something unexpected happens to you, the entire legion will Therefore, when the situation is chaotic, this kind of authority in daily life will make Rana become a subconscious leader."

"In this case, while Lana's loyalty is irrefutable, we cannot be sure that he will remain completely sane and make the right decision: after all, the connection between the Primarch and the Astartes is indeed It's too deep. Your accident can completely make the Terra veterans under your command lose their previous logical thinking ability. By then, I'm afraid there won't even be anyone to stop Rana. After all, Lord Marshall is too old. And His Excellency Bayar obviously has no more interest and experience in these matters."

"Therefore, mother, I suggest you think about it seriously: you really need to build a formal team of attendants now, just like the Council of Four Kings of the Luna Wolves, or the Trident of the Iron Warriors, instead of like this now , allowing a verbal cooperative relationship to be maintained between the Guard Chief and the Legion Council."

"You also need a real guard: not the old guard today, but a true Primarch guard like the Phoenix Guard or Gastalin, who will only follow you."

[Interesting suggestion. 】

【Also very useful. 】

The Spider Queen leaned on her seat, staring at her first creation seriously. She even felt that she hadn't looked at Virgo so seriously for a long time: Morgan couldn't help but wonder why words like this would actually come out. Coming from the mouth of a Virgo?

In front of her creation, Morgan had no intention of hiding her inner doubts.

[Is this your own idea, my Virgo? Is this the result of your independent observation, independent summary, and independent thinking? 】

Virgo shook her head.

"Have you forgotten, mother, whether it's me or the other sisters, we are essentially an extension of your will, a part of your thoughts that you don't have yet to use: I didn't think of these words. Yes, it was you who once told me."

"These were the first ideas you instilled in me when you and your brother Perturabo first created me: at that time, it had only been less than a year since you reunited with the Dawnbreaker Legion. , and are carefully thinking about how to divide their power and organization."

"But after so long, you seem to have forgotten about this?"

"Is it because you have other ideas, or because you feel that your descendants are no longer an important threat to you: Please forgive me, mother, but I need to update my memory array because of this."

【……】

[I will do this, Virgo. After this expedition is over, I will start to build my original body guard and my personal staff team: Your reminder is very timely, my reliable daughter, continue to keep it. Keep these entries, I need them. 】

[As for the reason...]

【……】

【……】

# Morganian sigh #

[People change, right? 】

——————

"only……"

“Sometimes it gets better, sometimes it gets worse.”

Luther stood at the highest point of the watchtower on the outer wall. He shook his head slowly. His weathered brows and eyes were filled with endless emotion and a self-deprecating smile.

This is what Morgan saw: when she finished handling everything on the battleship, remembered the words from Virgo, and landed on the surface of Caliban again, intending to fulfill her agreement with the Black Watchers, Lu Se sent her an invitation.

With plenty of time on her hands, the Primarch first responded to Luther's invitation and came to Androuka Castle: Luther's former peaceful home, a metropolitan fortress with a population of one million now thanks to the efforts of the Empire, surrounded by Mines, refineries, solar arrays and grain processing plants are under construction.

"I originally wanted to invite you to come and see the forest outside Andluka Castle together."

The Caliban tilted his head, expressing his apology and regret to the Primarch.

“I once thought that when you stand on the watchtower of Andruka Castle and look out, you can see the most magnificent scenery in the Milky Way: emerald forests, blue rivers, ancient mountains, endless green will bloom in front of your eyes, all the way Stretching to the end of the sky, it is like the mind of the God of Nature that encompasses the entire universe, boundless.”

"This beautiful scenery once existed: when Andluka was not a city but a simple castle, we could see this scenery every day and hear ancient legends about the first How did the warriors come to Androuka, find shelter in the caves here, and then use their swords and shields to protect the people here. Then, more and more people came after hearing the news and built towers, Walls and houses.”

"Then, a castle appeared, and more reliable warriors began to set out from the castle. Adhering to the ambition of the forerunner who had lost his name, they continued to recruit people, treat the wounded, and summarize the results. The hard-earned combat experience is for future generations to learn from, and the children of nobles and commoners are treated equally and given the same opportunity to become knights."

"They gave themselves a resounding name: the Knights of Order."

[Is this the Knights you were in when you first met Jonson? 】

"Yes."

"Because in the ancient language, Andluka means long-lasting, eternal, and unyielding, we naturally hope to have a title worthy of the name of our hometown."

Luther leaned forward and leaned against the railing of the observation tower. The hot breath he exhaled was frozen by the severe cold at high altitude, staining his beard with a layer of snow-white frost.

"Legends like this have been sung in Caliban for at least a thousand years. I have grown up listening to them, and I am even a little tired of these clichés: just like I was tired of seeing them day after day. The big forest in the sun, I just want to go to the starry sky and witness some scenery that I can only imagine in my dreams."

"When I followed Jonson and left Caliban: I cannot deny that my mood was excited and joyful. At that time, I even wanted to never come back again."

"But when I really traveled across the galaxy and witnessed wars, murders and honors among countless stars, as well as the thousands of stars soaked by them, I suddenly discovered that I actually prefer the scenery of Caliban. , I still have an unshakable nostalgia for my hometown.”

"My will is far from as strong as I thought. When Jonson gave me this task and allowed me to return to Caliban for a look, I was even a little happy."

[Wanderer returning home? 】

Morgan took a step forward and also reached the railing.

"..."

Luther laughed, baring his white teeth and exhaling hot breath into the icy wind outside the tower.

His voice grew quieter.

"That should be it."

"But it's a pity..."

"..."

"I'm late."

【……】

Maybe it was an illusion: Morgan actually heard a little choking from these words.

Out of the most basic courtesy, she did not turn her eyes to Luther next to her, but held on to the railing and looked into the distance with all her concentration.

She understood what Luther meant.

Looking around: the emerald forests, blue rivers, ancient mountains, and endless primeval forests that Luther mentioned have long since disappeared without a trace, replaced by the heavy bulldozers of the Terra Planet Reclamation Corps. Roads, landing strips, and giant farms crushed everything in their way. At the end of the field of vision, you could still see towering domes digging their foundations deep into the ground, almost completely splitting the entire Caliban in two.

The Spider Queen remembered a document she had accidentally glanced at. According to the report of Terran officials, they would completely destroy tens of millions of square kilometers of forests across Caliban, leaving only thousands of hectares for decoration and protection. District: When these figures are placed on paper, they don’t have a sense of reality, but just seeing the tip of the iceberg with one’s own eyes is enough to have a real impact on the Primarch.

For a moment, even the Spider Queen didn't know what to say: she just felt a little lucky in her heart, because her Far Eastern Frontier and Avalon had sufficient reasons to reject most of Holy Terra's demands. .

Morgan countered Luther's silent lament with silence. She waited patiently for a while, until the old knight's mood stabilized again, and until those embarrassing choked sobs disappeared, before she decided to continue the topic.

But then again.

Since Luther has been back for so many days, why does he only show his emotion about the changes in things and people now?

The Primarch blinked.

She had a guess.

Perhaps Luther was just enduring, enduring in front of his subordinates, his colleagues, and those he could not fully trust, until the one he could trust, until the best audience, appeared in front of him.

And Morgan was that choice.

【……】

Thinking of this, the Spider Queen even felt a little ridiculous: she had never thought that Luther would be so lonely in the Dark Angel Legion and Caliban.

"Sorry... I'm a little out of sorts."

The voice that had returned to normal reached Morgan's ears. Obviously, in terms of self-emotion regulation, the Calibans were better than most people Morgan had ever seen, even most of the original bodies.

[No need to mind, my friend. 】

The Primarch patted Luther on the shoulder.

[Fate has given you regrets, and these regrets make you feel a little sad: This is normal. You are a warrior and an outstanding commander, but you are also a human being, not a war machine. 】

[As long as you are a living being, you have the right to be sad for the death of your beloved things: even we, as Primarchs, do the same. 】

[After all, my father started an era of conquest, and conquest is always accompanied by sacrifice, glory, suffering, and regret. No one can escape unscathed from the battlefield, and the crown of victory only favors scarred faces. 】

【not to mention……】

Morgan looked at Luther's pupils: there was sadness there, but it wasn't just sadness. In fact, a greater emotion was occupying Caliban's black eyes, and that was the main reason why he lost his composure. reason.

The Primarch recognized it: it was confusion.

She nodded.

That's right: a general like Luther who once held thousands of troops in his hands may feel sad because things are different and people are different, but it will never become so obvious. After all, happiness and anger cannot be expressed in color. It is the basic skill of a general.

It was only the confusion that was deeper, more concrete, rooted in thinking and even concepts that made the former famous Far East frontier general become the hesitant old man in front of Morgan: At this moment, the Spider Queen even suspected that she had done it herself. Is the operation canceled?

[I can see, Luther, that you are confused: don't deny it, my dear friend, I know you, you must be troubled by some problems, and it is difficult for you to solve them yourself. 】

[Then, why don’t you tell me these questions? 】

"..."

Luther pursed his lips, intertwined his fingers and hung them on the railing. The cold wind mixed with fine dust hit his cheeks and hair, biting like a knife, but he still cast his gaze on the observation tower. On the other side, unwilling to look directly at the Primarch or reveal his true feelings.

Morgan didn't press any further, she fell silent again and waited.

The original body knew very well: If Luther didn't have her [friend], then many of his thoughts would be kept in his heart until they slowly fermented into uncontrollable monsters, but now that Luther already has her [friend] , the problem becomes much simpler.

After all, Luther was never someone who would actively refuse to communicate.

The Primarch waited for a few minutes, until she began to look at the new building in her field of vision: the prison that had been used to hold the rebels, and then Luther's hesitant voice reached her ears. .

"Morgan."

【I am here. 】

"Sometimes, I think about this question: Everyone says that the relationship between Caliban and the Empire is like the relationship between the villages and towns on Caliban and the Knights. It is a sacred and simple vassal relationship, a payment The combination with gifts, even I thought so."

"But what is happening now is this: Caliban has handed over its lands, its forests, its traditions and culture, its villages and towns, its best young men of every generation, to the Empire of Man, without any reserve."

"So……"

"What did the Empire give Caliban?"

——————

【……】

【……】

good question.

——————

[You just asked a very common question, my friend: In the galaxy, there are at least two hundred thousand world residents who will ask themselves the same question while looking at the double-headed eagle flag of the empire in a daze. . 】

The Primarch grinned. She did not get angry because of this rebellious question like some of her brothers, but she did not answer it directly: the Spider Queen twisted her words into a flexible foil, avoiding The sharpest part hit the side.

The effect was noticeable: at least Luther had turned his head to look at Morgan, and after realizing that his question had not elicited anger, the Caliban clearly wanted to have a good chat.

"You know, Morgan, I just..."

Luther rubbed his hands and coughed violently a few times, looking like he had taken in a lot of wind.

[I know what you mean, Luther: In the past few years, you have witnessed the Far Eastern Frontier and the Five Hundred Worlds, and witnessed what the happiest residents of the Galaxy will be like. They do not need to sell the forests of their hometown, nor do they need to sell the forests of their hometown. They need to lose their culture and only need to maintain their courage and pride to live well. This is the case with Guilliman's Macragge. 】

"So is your Avalon."

Luther responded with a smile.

[I’ll lend you auspicious words. 】

Morgan smiled back: she was glad to see the conversation becoming more relaxed again.

Caliban licked his lips.

"You're right, Morgan: after seeing the Five Hundred Worlds and the Far Eastern Frontier, when I saw these changes on Caliban, although rationally, I knew that the actions of these Terrans were reasonable, but Emotionally, I still can’t convince myself.”

"I can't even be hostile to the rebels who are hiding in the wilderness of Caliban and are enemies of the imperial order: I know that their actions are harmful to the overall situation, and I also know that their leadership is a mixed bag, but I also know that, Most of them are just fighting not to lose their homes, just fighting for everything that was common sense when they were kids and is now in ruins.”

"I cannot be their enemy, because my sword was once wielded to protect them, and that was only forty years ago. Some of them even remember my face and can pronounce my name: how could I Make enemies of them.”

Luther's steps were heavy, and he slowly walked to the stone steps on the side of the tower. In the intersection of light and shadow, he sat down. The genetic principle leaned against the wall. She listened carefully to every word. words, thinking in silence.

[Do you think joining the Empire has not made Caliban a better person? 】

Luther let out a wry smile.

"It doesn't matter what I think. After all, I am just a knight. My biggest dream is to die on the battlefield, have my own place in the hall where heroes are remembered, and be mentioned by bards in those taverns. In exchange for a brief cheer: this was my dream when I first became a knight."

"Even now."

"But you know, Morgan, it doesn't matter what happens to me. After seeing so much killing and war, even if I were to die on Caliban, I have nothing to say: but what about those Calibans? But what about the villagers who have to move into the so-called ecological buildings? What will they think? What will they think of the empire, the legion, and even Jonson because of the current situation in front of them? "

"How are they going to tell their next generation: The former hero Zhuang Sen brought the emperor and the empire, so we lost our ancestral villages and forests, lost clean water sources and fresh air, and began to live in the hive capital Eat dry, custom-made food, recycled water and thick black smoke to embrace a new life?”

"I can fool myself, but I can't fool everyone."

"The arrival of the Empire has not made Caliban better: I see no reason why the Calibans would surrender to the Empire other than violence, but if we can only use violence instead of a mutually respectful contract, Can we still be considered knights if we rule this land?”

"Is Jonson still a knight?"

"Isn't this very different from his original ideal: violence is once again rampant in the land of Caliban, and the Calibans still cannot live in civilization and comfort, but this time, the beast has changed its appearance. "

Luther's words were a long piece of bitter sarcasm and rhetorical questions, mixed with self-questions and answers, self-mockery and pale comedy. He spit them out in one breath, leaned against the wall, breathed heavily, and used his hands to Calluses covered his numb face.

Morgan looked at him and then up at the railing of the watchtower.

The strong wind is still beating against these ancient walls, but it cannot cover up the roar of those steel behemoths: they are leveling mountains, digging tunnels, and turning highlands into plains.

[You know what, Luther. 】

The Spider Queen spoke, in an extremely rare sarcastic tone.

[In the declaration of the Empire, in the will of the Emperor, the happiness of our generation has never been promised: the Emperor swore to unite the scattered mankind, swore to destroy the alien kingdoms one by one, swore to rebuild Seize mankind's past glory and create greater glory. 】

[But he never said that the world under his command would become better. What he promised was only the protection of the empire by force, only the glory of the expedition and a bright future, not whether the ancient traditions of each land could be preserved, but It's not about whether every family can still be happy: that's not his responsibility at all, and he can't control it. 】

"..."

"But you..."

[But are my Far Eastern Frontier or Guilliman's Five Hundred Worlds different? 】

Morgan laughed.

[You are looking too lightly, Luther. 】

[Whether it is me or Guilliman, we both have a certain amount of luck: Of course, Guilliman has better luck, which gives our home planet higher development conditions. 】

[Of course, the most important thing is that we have this awareness to improve and develop the situation of the home planet, to listen to the voices of the people, and to regard it as a hobby and responsibility: although this is a bit too heroic in history. , but I still have to tell you, Luther. 】

[In the eyes of the empire, Caliban has never been the homeland of the Calibans. 】

[And the home planet of the Primarch is the home world of the Dark Angel Legion: this is Caliban's position in the eyes of the Empire. 】

[This positioning is determined: If you want Caliban to maintain the better image in your mind, then your eyes should not focus on these Terran bureaucrats and the scraps they bring. They are just effects, not causes. 】

[Listen, Luther. 】

[Only one person can change and reverse Caliban's current situation. 】

[Only one person has the absolute say in this world. 】

【Only one person can solve the countless confusions and problems in your heart. 】

【You know who that person is. 】

[Caliban is his world. 】

【Is not it? 】

"..."

Luther was silent.

Morgan stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, his tone low and sincere.

The Primarch felt a call from his bloodline: the icy sun that was rampant in the subspace had followed his battleship to the edge of the Caliban galaxy.

The Emperor has arrived.

Now, the most important thing for the Primarch is to welcome the Lord of Humanity and completely hand over the three artifacts, whether they are in Morgan's hands or not, to her Gene Father.

As for Luther...

Morgan looked at him and spoke his final words: words from the heart.

[Find some time, my friend, have a good talk with Johnson. 】

[You need to have a good talk, sit down, and listen to each other. 】

[Trust me: it's not that difficult. 】