Chapter 264: It's Simple, I'll Just Launch a Rebellion and Overthrow the Imperium
In the end, Bjorn chose to lie on the operating table.
The cold metal surface was pressed against his body tissues, which were swollen from a long immersion in nutrient fluid. The shadowless lamp above cast a blinding white light that filled the entire operating room. The air was filled with the mixed smell of disinfectant and activated stem cell culture fluid.
The Wolf Priest who was "testing the waters" for him had been strung up outside by the Great Wolf Logan and was being beaten. His full-throated howls pierced through the thick bulkheads, accompanied by the clatter of shaking chains, a testament to the Primarch's exquisite craftsmanship.
In the corridor, the watching Wolf Guard and the various Great Company Wolf Lords were holding back their laughter, but dared not make a sound, only exchanging glances.
Arthur stood before the operating table, his fingers flying across a data-slate, adjusting the parameters. The biggest problem with stem cell body reconstruction was the need for precise modification of each area at the cellular level, to prevent limb mutation or organ problems. And the normal process was to first analyze the Dreadnought's injured state, then extract the Dreadnought's body tissue, rely on the stem cells produced by the Belisarian Furnace to perform targeted limb cultivation, and then, after a long period of modification, remove the parts that the Dreadnought was not missing, and only then take the Dreadnought out for limb grafting.
The most difficult part was the grafting. The entire process had to be fast, to complete the fusion with the flesh and blood before the Dreadnought's remaining limbs became inactive. So the surgery also combined the local application of a stasis field and a time field, which was a huge test of the surgeon's own mental and focus. But for a Primarch, this little mental exhaustion was nothing.
A Primarch was the pinnacle of genetic engineering. If not for the Sangprimus Portum provided by Cawl, which recorded the genes of the twenty-one Primarchs, and Guilliman, the only working sample, Ramesses would not have dared to make any random changes.
The deepening of their cooperation had led Cawl and the Dawnbreakers to lay more and more cards on the table. Many of the newly-minted Primaris Space Marines had been placed in the development zone of the former T'au Empire. However, after careful deliberation, the Primaris Space Marines of the still-living traitor Primarchs had not been unfrozen. The gene-Primarch and his gene-sons had a connection on a genetic and a warp-level. Before their transmigration, they had seen Fulgrim use this connection to tempt a Primaris Space Marine to betray, and had even stolen the Black Templars' holy relic, the Black Sword. They couldn't afford not to be cautious.
Until Cawl had completed the method to sever the connection between the sons and the Primarch, these traitorous members who had not been tested by the Great Heresy could definitely not be used. The existence of a gene-Primarch, while naturally having a centripetal force on the Space Marines, also carried a huge risk. A Primarch's rebellion was a rebellion of the entire legion. This induction, even after ten thousand years, still plagued many Space Marines.
"I see. So the most contradictory point you face when receiving help is the Wolftime, correct?"
In the final stages of the surgery, Arthur was also communicating with Bjorn. A medical servo-skull floated between the two, recording the conversation. Its mechanical eye would occasionally rotate, capturing the changes in Bjorn's body data. He was checking Bjorn's neural responses, and the old wolf was very cooperative, raising his hand, his peripheral vision constantly using the reflection of the medical instruments to observe his own rough face.
Aside from the murals in the various holy halls, this was the first time in ten thousand years that he had truly seen his own face.
"Yes, my Lord," Bjorn said, opening his mouth, which he was not used to. The sound was like a long-unused gear turning again, with a raw, grating feeling. Speaking with his mouth. This was Arthur's request, to help him quickly recover his various bodily functions.
Arthur nodded slightly, his fingers quickly recording something on the data-slate. A probe was inserted into Bjorn's throat to observe the movement of his laryngeal muscles. Every breath had to be consciously controlled. After all, he hadn't used this function in a long time.
"My master made a vow. And I can be certain that he is somewhere in the galaxy," Bjorn said, each breath with a slight hesitation, as if he were re-learning how to control this body of flesh and blood. "So we have refused many things. When faced with a gift, we will accept it generously, and repay the kindness with blood. When faced with an enemy who tries to control us, we will bare our claws and tear them apart with blood."
"So you long for your own end," Arthur said, understanding. The Wolves all had a certain self-destructive tendency, but this was cleverly hidden by their externally displayed personality. They did not fear a challenge. No matter how hard the battle, they would rush forward, even if the war would wipe them out, would make them disappear.
All because Russ had once sworn an oath.
"Listen well, brothers!"
"At some point in the distant future, the pack will face a life-and-death struggle. Our enemies will do everything in their power to destroy us."
"When that time comes, my children, no matter the mountain of blades or the sea of fire, no matter if the path is at its end, no matter if it is life or death, I will surely come to your call."
"When it is all over, I will be there. For the final battle, for the Wolftime!"
Under Bjorn's twitching gaze, Ramesses repeated the words of the Wolftime with great emotion.
His gaze searched for some trace on Ramesses's angular face, trying to find a connection between this mysterious Primarch and the Wolf King. Bjorn couldn't help but suspect that this guy had been standing right next to Russ when he had said those words. How do these four Primarchs, whom I've never even heard of, know everything?
The Wolftime, in the understanding of the Wolves, was the time of the Wolf King's return. So when Magnus had invaded Fenris and had destroyed the Space Wolves' hope of escaping the Canis Helix, they hadn't panicked. When several Imperial departments, using the Armageddon War as a pretext, had launched the Months of Shame, they hadn't panicked. The galaxy was in turmoil, the Space Wolves were on the verge of extinction, but the Wolves had always thrown themselves into one battle after another with a high-spirited enthusiasm.
But when the Dawn Crusade had appeared, when the four Primarchs had come to the Imperium, the Space Wolves were a little panicked. The Wolves were all afraid that the Wolftime would be broken, afraid that the Imperium would get better and better, and that Russ's return would be a distant dream. But their duty did not allow them to stand on the opposite side of humanity. So when faced with the Primarchs' support, with the Primaris Space Marine augmentation that Alm had brought back, the high command, including Logan, had been very conflicted. They had given them everything they should have, and had even given the Apothecaries room to exercise their own discretion. There was no fault to be found, no way to refuse.
And now, the four Primarchs had come to them in person. And as it turned out, even the ambitious Ultramarines, they couldn't find any fault with them. The Maelstrom sector had already begun to operate stably, and its resources could stably strengthen the defenses of the Segmentum Solar. Even the Space Wolves, who were on the salient of the Segmentum Solar, had received a batch of military support from the Maelstrom in the past few years. The other special zones were all in a stable and improving state. The Ultramarines were gradually recovering the territory of Greater Ultramar, recalling a large number of fleet-based successor chapters. The Blood Angels had regained their status and had the look of a parent chapter.
The Dawnlight Sector was even more incredible. With four Primarchs in residence, they had settled the development plan in ten years and had begun to export resources. Next, they would build a stable route to Cadia, further strengthening the defense of the Cadian Gate, and more efficiently utilizing the existing resources to fight the great enemy of Chaos.
It was clear that the situation of the Imperium would get better and better. The better the situation of the Imperium, the later the Wolf King would return. What if it was always good?
"It's simple. We'll just launch a great revolution and overthrow the Imperium," Ramesses said, patting his chest, looking at the melancholy Space Wolves. "It's also a time of turmoil, and it doesn't say which Imperium is in turmoil. And a revolution... there's no revolution without bloodshed."
Wait, uncle? Bjorn's eyes went wide, the beard on his chin even curling up. His arm, which was still moving, froze in mid-air.
"Cough, cough cough~" The old wolf couldn't catch his breath. Arthur quickly put the respirator on him and glared back at Ramesses.
Even Logan couldn't keep a straight face. He had thought the Wolves were already out of step with the Imperium. Who was this master? And that great revolution... shouldn't it be called the Great Heresy? And which Imperium?
Seeing all eyes were on him, Ramesses added, "To be honest, I feel like Leman Russ was probably just messing with you. He just felt the Imperium had become a dung heap and wanted to run, but he wasn't at ease with the Wolves, so he left behind the sufficiently reliable Bjorn. If the Wolves were in danger because of some reform, maybe the Wolf King would really run back."
As soon as Ramesses's words fell, the temperature in the medicae-bay seemed to drop by several degrees. The facial muscles of the Wolf high command tensed unconsciously. Someone instinctively reached for the weapon at his waist, the sound of metal on metal particularly harsh in the silent space.
But he still did not relent, but continued, "And I bet that if the Wolves were to be wiped out today for their own reasons, that guy wouldn't come back."
Ramesses's judgment made the Wolf high command very unhappy, and they bared their teeth. But they vaguely felt that what Ramesses said was right, especially the Rune Priests. This made them even more panicked.
"Because in Leman Russ's mind, his sons will surely be the ones to persevere to the end," Arthur said, seeing that Bjorn had caught his breath. His voice was calm but powerful, like a tranquilizer that calmed the agitated wolves slightly. "In your records, the purpose of Leman Russ's departure was to find the Tree of Life that could heal the Emperor. According to the intelligence we have, the so-called Tree of Life is most likely the Aeldari goddess of life, Isha. This is a long and arduous road. Even we, today, do not have the courage to rashly venture into the warp. Leman Russ left you behind, Bjorn, because you have proven your resilience and courage to him countless times. You have also experienced and overcome the pain of losing a companion stronger than yourself. So of all of Leman Russ's sons, only you are qualified to lead the Space Wolves. Only you can make the Wolves persevere until his return."
Bjorn's throat moved, his fingers unconsciously gripping the cloth on his knees. His gaze passed through the medicae-bay's viewport and into the endless starry sky. The Primarch had revealed a secret that few knew, and the Wolves listened quietly.
"If he finds the Tree of Life, his return will see a Space Wolves that is better than the original. If the Imperium truly reaches its final hour, then whether he finds the Tree of Life or not will be meaningless. He will naturally return to stand with you. He believes that the wolves of Fenris can persevere to the end, which is why he can leave with an easy mind. Because when he casts his gaze upon reality, he can see a part of the Imperium to judge the current situation. He believes that when the Imperium is about to be destroyed, the Wolves will still be fighting, not that you will actively seek death for his return, and that when he returns, he will only see the ruins of Fenris. So I personally understand your actions, but I also think it is unnecessary."
Seeing the many high-ranking members here, their faces clearly showing contemplation at the 'Primarch's' words, Arthur also took the opportunity to express his own thoughts. "I hope that the Space Wolves can accept our aid and begin a mutual learning process to strengthen yourselves. This is not the Dawnbreakers wanting to control you, wanting you to act according to our plan. It is that we need the help of the sons of Russ, and the sons of Russ have this ability."
It had to be said, Master Arthur was a true master of the art of speaking. He could always coax people into a good mood.
"I remember that Magnus seems to know the whereabouts of the Wolf King," Ramesses said, stroking his chin, and threw another bombshell. It was clearly mentioned in the 'Black Library' that Magnus knew the whereabouts of the Wolf King. And it didn't matter if he didn't. Once he fell into his hands, even if he didn't know, he would have to know. "If one day Magnus comes to attack Fenris again, and the Space Wolves let him run away because they are not strong enough, what then?"
"..." The Wolves all fell into a deep thought. Although they didn't really believe the words that came out of a Thousand Son's mouth, but since he had said it, they couldn't just ignore it, could they? What if? What if it's true?
Bjorn looked up at the sky. He was already beginning to regret that he hadn't left Magnus, who had invaded Fenris in the 32k era, behind.
The entire sanctum fell silent, leaving only the sound of the medical instruments.
"It seems they've listened," Ramesses said, sidling up to Arthur.
"Well done," Arthur said. Without his companion playing the bad cop, his words might not have had such a good effect. "And, you can go for a walk if you have nothing to do. Don't interfere with my recovery adjustments."
"Come on. You taking two steps back is better than any recovery," Ramesses said, stepping forward and pulling Arthur back. "And take down the interference," he reminded.
Hearing this, Arthur simply withdrew his own 'reality'. And on the sickbed, Bjorn's body's indicators, as if having lost some suppression, began to rapidly return to normal, and then, his body began to develop in a stronger direction.
"A warp-entity," Arthur quickly confirmed what it was.
"Not really. It hasn't interfered with Bjorn himself. It's more like the power the Wolves have been thinking up for him all these years. His soul has just become a little unique," Ramesses explained, and then couldn't help but complain, "The Astartes really are a being that is highly tied to the warp." Just like Sigismund, who could suddenly cut down the Chosen of Khorne, Khârn, after a moment of enlightenment, the actual combat ability of a named Astartes and their actual physical data were never a good match.
"Don't worry. It's fine," he judged.
"Then let's go," Arthur said. After saving the experimental data and leaving it in the sanctum's internal equipment, he did not delay, but directly chose to leave, leaving the sanctum entirely to the thoughtful wolves.
"Logan," after a long time, Bjorn finally stood up and said to Logan, "I need to go out."
The voice interrupted everyone's thoughts. The Wolves' gazes immediately fell on the old wolf. Strong, mighty. Just by looking at him, you knew he was terrifyingly strong. And in those deep wolf-eyes, there was a touch of peace. As if he had figured something out.
"To do what?" Logan asked, looking at the strong and mighty old wolf.
"To catch up with some old friends!" Bjorn shouldered an axe, draped himself in a simple wolf-pelt, and charged into the feasting hall.
"Cypher! Zahariel! And the few who were swaggering in front of me a few days ago! Get out here!"
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