Chapter 186: They Are the First Legion
The Crimson Paladins would impart their experience to the Lamenters. In the future, the Lamenters Chapter would take on the duties of the Crimson Paladins. This would bring about a cultural exchange spanning ten millennia, leading to modifications in the Chapter's doctrines, such as their livery, special insignia, and more. Following this, the Lamenters' warriors would also need to adapt to entirely new patterns of wargear under the guidance of the Dark Angels. The Silent Vow would dispatch its Apothecaries to train them and, once their own Apothecaries received the detailed modification data, the Chapter Master would decide whether to accept the Primaris Space Marine enhancements.
As the commendation ceremony concluded amidst a complex tapestry of subtle glances, envy, and sincere blessings, the various factions within the Dawnlight Fleet grew busy.
In the Apothecarion medicae-decks, a 'Dark Angel' pushed a transport unit loaded with gene-seed.
After repeated screenings, the first phase of Astartes enhancement had finally begun, including the augmentation of Blood Angels and Dark Angels candidates.
'But they never suspected that the Hydra's venom had already seeped within.'
A strange voice echoed in the 'Dark Angel's' mind as he strode down the corridor. He was supposed to be cultivating the seeds of those two chapters with their glorious histories, but the cargo he was currently transporting was clearly not that.
'...'
A flicker of confusion arose. The 'Dark Angel' frowned, sensing something was wrong.
Reality gave him no time for doubt.
Thump... thump... thump...
He quickened his pace, a strange silence settling over the surrounding corridors.
SHLICK!
Two figures seized his limbs. A third lunged forward, a combat knife in hand, and plunged it through his skull.
The bright lights illuminated the dead body. In an instant, the spattering of blood and the corpse itself were wiped clean from existence.
Click—
Gene-seed system access... authentication approved. Hearing that beautiful sound, Hydra breathed a sigh of relief.
The Dark Angels had long ago detected the intrusion into their medicae systems and had quickly identified the Alpha Legion operatives. The so-called transport mission was nothing more than a lure. Whoever accepted it would die.
'But they never suspected that the Hydra's venom is never of a single kind.'
The Alpha Legion's gene-seed itself possessed powerful mimetic properties. Aside from the Space Wolves and the Blood Angels, other Legions would find it difficult to detect any anomaly. But it didn't matter. They only needed to blend in among the Dark Angels. All it required was a little professional adjustment.
With his rising clearance level, he had been able to interfere in more and more affairs, and had already obtained a batch of Dark Angels' genetic data. Once this data was entered into the system, even a professional gene-scanner would not detect a problem.
The escort team of a dozen Astartes entered the lift. The gene-seed used as bait would never be implanted. But that didn't matter. His only responsibility was to input the genetic data. As for the rest...
Watching the floors ascend, a calm smile played on Hydra's lips. He could leave that to the arrangements he had made long ago.
Click~
The next moment, the lift doors opened. Pushing the stasis-casket, now containing the replaced gene-seed, the calm smile on Hydra's face froze.
In the wide corridor, it was not just the Apothecaries he had expected to meet. Twenty Dark Angels in Mark X power armour stood before him in silent ranks, their gazes fixed upon his team.
'Unexpected.'
Hydra's eyes narrowed as he assessed them. Their pauldrons lacked the silver trim of the Angels of Redemption. The ciphers on their armour indicated they were from the Ironwing, the technical research branch. The Dark Angels' internal network showed no record of this Ironwing unit's activity, which meant they were on a secret mission unknown even to him, or...
A suspicion flashed through his mind, but Hydra quickly dismissed it. There was only one chance. The information could absolutely not be leaked. Unless they could prove their identity.
In an instant, he had made his decision. His right hand slowly closed around the hilt of his combat knife.
CLANG!
Swords and guns were drawn as one. The Alpha Legionaries did not hesitate. Or rather, reality gave them no chance to.
Kill!
"We are Alpharius."
At that tense, blade's-edge moment, Askelon spoke.
The sound was unique, unlike any language currently in the Imperium. It was more like the rasping hiss of scales rubbing together, a sound the human throat could not produce.
Hydra's team froze.
Savouring the strange taste that bloomed in his consciousness, he recognized the special code-phrase, unique to the Alpha Legion, used to activate a hidden persona. It could not be faked. His gaze swept the area as he relayed intelligence to the 'Dark Angels' under his command.
To reiterate, his security clearance was high. He could access the vast majority of the Dark Angels' systems.
'Anomalies detected... a mix of truth and lies, most likely to exhaust the Dark Angels' resources.'
The information reported by his 'comrades' flashed through Hydra's mind. He looked at the Ironwing unit with a hint of appreciation. They were professionals. Although some Alpha Legionaries would be exposed because of this, it was enough as long as their objective was achieved. Even if they didn't know what this particular Alpha Legion cell's objective was.
It didn't matter.
"We are the Dark Angels."
Hydra decisively pushed the stasis-casket forward. The metal container slid across the deck with a cold, scraping sound.
[GENE-SEED RECOVERY COMPLETE. REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE LORD OF KNIGHTS.]
The Apothecary who was supposed to be the contact looked at Askelon, the shadows cast by the lights conveniently obscuring a few irrelevant details. The Grand Master of the Ravenwing, having received his answer, nodded and strode directly into the lift.
The two groups stood together in silence, the only sound the faint hum of their armour's servo-motors.
Click~
The sound of the lift doors opening again broke the tense atmosphere. The two groups tacitly stepped out and went their separate ways, heading towards their respective Wings' sanctums.
[FIREWING HAS COMPLETED ANALYSIS OF ALLIED CHAPTERS' COMBAT DOCTRINES. ORDER OF THE BROKEN SWORD IS BEGINNING SIMULATIONS, GRADUALLY ADAPTING TO THE BATTLEFIELD CONDITIONS OF THE CURRENT ERA.]
[STSTORMWING HAS COMPLETED OPERATIONS AT THE RISEN'S OFFICE IN TALASSAR. IDENTITY REPLACEMENT COMPLETE. INITIAL VERIFICATION SUCCESSFUL.]
The twenty Dark Angels marched in formation, their figures appearing and disappearing in the corridor's intersecting lights like phantoms moving between reality and shadow, providing information to unseen observers.
The rendezvous point for the Ironwing was just ahead.
"We are the Dark Angels."
The Ironwing conducts research. The Deathwing hones its blades.
The Dreadwing forges its bodies. The Firewing integrates tactics.
The Stormwing performs shock assaults. The Ravenwing gathers intelligence.
They are warriors, agents, commanders, and researchers.
They are a complete and independent military system.
They are the First Legion.
Of a thousand faces, masters of all.
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