Warhammer: Don't Call Me the God of All Machines

Chapter 589 Sigismund
Solar system defense line, Pluto defense zone.

Densely distributed orbital weapon platforms are suspended above the stars, and countless orbital cannons and light spear arrays are now ready to be activated.

The cruising garrison fleet continued to swiftly cruise through the airspace as usual, searching for any suspicious existence. They were the eyes released by the solar system's defense line.

The scanning array can capture the smallest optical signals and force field disturbances. Only the intelligent computer in the rear can analyze these astronomical data and report any suspicious traces to the superior commander.

This tight state of alert has lasted for several years. The human soldiers stationed in this defense zone repeat their duties day after day, waiting for the day when the destined enemy will arrive.

The supreme commander of the Pluto defense zone, the Black Knight Sigismund of the Imperial Fists, was currently inspecting the frontline positions of the defense zone with his personal guards.

This most famous son of Dorne, the Emperor's Champion, has an extremely simple bald look. During the Great Crusade, Sigismund also had a handsome short golden hair.

The years of war did not take his life, but they took away his hair, which is somewhat sad.

Sigismund's heavy power boots made dull footsteps as they stepped on the solid ceramic steel floor. He was wearing a set of finely crafted Star-type power armor, which gave him the strongest defense without affecting his impressive speed and flexibility.

The famous black sword hangs at his waist, ready to activate the stance and take down the enemy's head at any time.

The Silent Emperor's Champion randomly selected a battlefield fortress and walked in with his guards. With the discerning eyes of a son of Dorne, he carefully inspected the quality of the fortress and the status of the mortals stationed inside.

Only Sigismund himself knew why he felt so bored and had to find an opportunity to get out and get some fresh air.

The mortal auxiliary forces in the fortress discovered these Astartes wearing bright yellow power armor and immediately sent a team leader to greet the arrival of the Emperor's Angels.

No matter where they are, the number of Astartes is always scarce, and most of the fortifications are garrisoned by mortal armies. It is an exciting thing for them to be able to see the Space Marines.

The Son of Dorne carefully examined the mental state of the mortal warriors stationed here. He knew very well that compared to the weapons and equipment, the warriors' spiritual will was the most solid weapon.

"Soldier, do you know why we are defending here? Why, after so many years, we are still doing these seemingly meaningless things?" The Black Knight looked into the other's eyes, maintaining eye contact.

The young mortal captain still held his incendiary gun tightly and stood proudly in front of Sigismund.

He gave his commander a standard imperial salute, and then began to answer his superior's questions concisely and forcefully.

"We are Terra's first line of defense and the sirens of the Empire. Only by stepping over our corpses can we get close to Holy Terra."

Well, that’s a fairly official answer, the Black Knight thought.

"Once the traitors arrive, you will be the first soldiers to die. Don't you feel fear and resentment? The empire is so big, and there are so many humans. Why are you the first to die?"

The Black Knight's gaze stayed on the opponent's chest badge for a second, and the Thinker in power armor immediately and automatically scanned the opponent's code to query personal information.

The new recruit in front of him, named Wade Dalton, is only nineteen years old, and he only joined the Sun Auxiliary Army three years ago.

He is too young, so young that people doubt whether he is really reliable.

"Yes, we know everything you said." The team leader named Wade said with a smile, revealing half of his white teeth.

"My comrades and I all understand that human instinct is extremely difficult to control. We are also afraid and hesitant, so we all accepted the implantation of thought stamps."

Wade pointed to his head, where a highly insidious mark remained, the mark left by his ideological imprint. "But in times of crisis like this, we all understand that humanity needs reason more than anything else. If our deaths can warn Terra of the enemy's arrival, then we've fulfilled our purpose."

"If someone has to sacrifice first, why not us?"

Wade Dalton and his comrades laughed in tacit understanding, giving people the feeling that they were not going to die, but to a party with friends.

Sigismund listened to the other party's answer with a complicated expression. He inherited Dorne's stubbornness and never believed in this kind of loyalty imposed by the ideological stamp.

But now, his thoughts have changed a little.

The thought stamp is just a kind of aid. It is not an omnipotent artifact that can distort human will at will.

"For the Emperor." The Black Knight tapped his chest with his right fist.

"For humanity." Wade and others said in unison.

Sigismund left their position, knowing full well that this might be the last time they would see each other.

The rebels are coming soon, perhaps in the next moment.

The conversation with the mortal warrior made Sigismund feel much better. In fact, only Sigismund himself knew why he became the commander-in-chief of the Pluto Defense Zone.

As early as the beginning of the Horus Heresy, Dorn learned of the tragedy in the Isstvan System and immediately dispatched a massive punitive fleet.

The commander he originally chose was the captain of the first company, of whom he was most proud. However, the Black Knight himself learned from a conversation with the narrator Euphrates Keele that if he led the fleet, he would be buried on an unknown planet, and if he did not go, he would have to fight forever.

In a strange state of mind, he told Dorn his thoughts, and although the Primarch felt strange, he respected his wishes.

It was this personnel change that led to Polux leading the remaining fleet to fight an extremely beautiful Battle of Farr, defeating the strong with the weak and inflicting heavy damage on the Iron Warriors fleet.

But after Sigismund confessed everything to his father, Dorn could not bear the fact that his son would refuse to carry out orders just because of a prophecy without any basis from a mortal chronicler. He angrily accused the captain of forgetting what the "Imperial Fist" was and exiled the Black Knight.

Even the battle brothers of the Seventh Legion did not know why the First Captain came to the Pluto Defense Zone. They simply believed that their father made such a decision because he valued and trusted Sigismund.

"I long for a hearty fight to the death. Only this can wash away my weakness."

Dorn's warning still echoed in his ears. The Father of Genes angrily stated that he would sever the father-son relationship with him, which was the most painful punishment for an Astartes.

Sigismund could greet his own death with a smile, but he could not bear the pain of separation from his Primarch, and now he could only numb himself with the mission he was carrying.

suddenly.

The communicator on Sigismund's body issued an extremely shrill alarm. At the same time, countless subspace cracks emitting strange light suddenly appeared in the dark and deep universe.

The hesitation on the Black Knight's face was instantly swept away by an extreme fanaticism. He drew out his power sword and ordered everyone to be on alert.

(End of this chapter)