This is our Warhammer journey

Chapter 378 Ash Claw
Ash Claws, the Imperial Renegade Chapter.

Strictly speaking, they weren't exactly a defector group.

After all, when Ashclaws broke away from the Empire, Guilliman was still in Ultramar being double-teamed by Angron and Loka.

In short, as early as the beginning of the Great Rebellion, after the massacre of the loyalist legions on Istvan V, these people had already stopped accepting the Empire's control.

Ash Claws is actually the 18th chapter of the Raven Guard. The name comes from the Erik tribe, which provided them with their first batch of recruits, and it meant "ash claws" at the time.

The 19th Legion had been under Horus's command until the Primarch, 'Raven King' Corax, returned.

However, there is a distinction between close and distant allies. Because of the Nineteenth Legion's innate stealth capabilities and formidable breakthrough ability, Horus, who was once eager for military achievements, devised a strategy to rely on the Nineteenth Legion's soldiers to break through, thereby luring the enemy out and concentrating them, and then allowing Horus's other troops to attack the enemy's flanks.

This tactic is known as "Ash Claw".

Although this strategy treats allies inhumanely, the 19th Legion is happy to do so because of Horus's own prestige and the fact that the warlord is good at providing emotional value to his subordinates.

And they followed suit.

In the famous Battle of Hell's Anvil, where the Raven King Corax broke with the Terran Legion, Shadow Captain Narat Gillin of the Ash Claws Chapter skillfully employed the same tactics used by the Nineteenth Legion under the Shadowmoon Wolves.

Using Imperial auxiliary forces as bait, the 19th Legion launched a concentrated bombardment of underground fortifications after the enemy and friendly forces were entangled, causing particularly heavy casualties to the Imperial army. Meanwhile, the Ash Claws took the opportunity to launch a space raid on the enemy leaders, thus seizing victory in the war at an extremely fast pace.

This battle solidified the Empire's infamous reputation that auxiliary troops would be killed if they fought the Nineteenth Legion. Coupled with the tradition that the Terran soldiers of the Nineteenth Legion were the sons of slave warlords before being conscripted, Corax, who was raised by laborers, was quite displeased with these Terran veterans in the Legion after taking over the Legion.

These Terran descendants constantly compare their Warmasters to their Primarchs, saying they're worse at guerrilla warfare and can't win any glory, and then they think their Primarchs are no good.

He was one of the most rebellious sons.

But Corax is Corax after all; his temperament is among the best of the Primarchs. He didn't follow the example of the likes of Angronn by doing the "eleven-draw kill" or confine them all in one place like someone else.

Instead, they were simply exiled.

However, this exile was not a simple exile.

They had everything, including a fleet. At the time, the 19th Army Corps had very few people because of the war commander, but the 4,000 men who were separated were divided into 13 capital ships from the Great Expedition. It was more like a dismantling than an exile.

Then the two sides parted ways, and Ash Claw went through a difficult period from then on.

Life became even harder without the original body.

Imperial supply depots are known for their poor service and low priority for supplies. Fleet staff tend to follow forces with Primarchs and are less inclined to visit Greyclaw fleets.

As for the Astronauts, everyone knows the Ash Claws' infamous reputation, and even the Commander is unwilling to come.

But since the words have already been spoken, it would be shameful to go back empty-handed.

The two remained silent, with Corax busy reorganizing the Ravenguard and handling internal affairs, while Ash Claw was left to slowly endure the situation.

Then came the Istvan V, and the main forces of the three legions were wiped out.

Ash Claw rushed back from the northern part of the Empire, and with only 4,000 men and 13 capital ships, defeated 30,000 Night Lords and captured their homeworld orbital fortress 'Tenepo', which had been destroyed by Koz himself, plundering a large number of STC templates and resources.

But for some reason, after the war, they actually issued a declaration of independence.

The reason given was, 'The empire relies on defense, and so do the rebels. My father is dead, do whatever you want, I'm not playing with you anymore.'

That's what they said, but Ramses felt that these people were heartbroken.

Even in his current state of decline, my father doesn't intend to take us back. He's still thinking about rebuilding his army. There's no place for me in this family anymore.

The funniest part was that in a later battle where they were cooperating with the Ultramarines, Ash Claw was helping out while emphasizing to the Ultramarines captain who was leading the team that Corax was dead.

That's nonsense. Astartes can sense when the Primarch dies. They either go crazy like the Iron Hand or the Blood Angel. How could their son not know whether the Primarch is dead or not?
I don't want this father anymore!

Then the Claws of Ash remained outside the Star Torch, and have remained there ever since.

However, I heard from Tiberos in private that these people actually wanted to continue serving the empire, but firstly, they had already made their promises and couldn't bring themselves to come back, and secondly, the current empire might not give them the honor they deserved, so they were in a dilemma.

Every time the sharks came to trade gene seeds, they'd grumble sarcastically, "Hey, you don't want honor, you don't want records, you don't want this or that, why are you still serving the Empire?" Anyone who didn't know better would think your Man-Eating Shark banner was in Terra's Hall of Fame. "Why are you coming to me again, all humiliated? Sigh, you're working for the Empire."

In reality, he was extremely envious, but he readily helped out, a classic case of saying one thing and doing another.

That's something he's very similar to when he's a father.

Ramses sighed as he looked at the pile of unread messages he had sent to Corax.

My buddy is actually quite diligent in helping out in the warp. During the 'Kardia Counterattack,' he single-handedly blocked the Word Bearers who came to help in the warp. Perturabo waited in vain for his best brother. He also helps him capture demons and cover up his whereabouts.

But they just refuse to communicate.

The reason is not hard to guess for Ramses, a master of linguistics.

It's probably because when the King of Crows exiled himself, he uttered the words, "Never to return!"

It also means that he has put himself in a difficult position.

None of them inherited the emperor's shamelessness.

"Hello, Nehat Nev."

"Homage to you, Lord Knight!"

Nev curiously examined the Primarch, who was about the same height as Tiberius but appeared more harmonious.

At first, he thought that Primarchs were all dignified, cold, and distant beings, but after observing this short and relaxed meeting, he found that both Primarchs were very amiable and not as unconventional as he had heard rumors about them.

It's not exactly ordinary, but it's easy to win the favor of most people.

"Humanity thanks you for your sacrifices."

Arthur first offered a compensation plan. Although Huron helped replenish some equipment and assist in repairing the ships, compared to the comprehensive supplies such as helping the Maneater and the Weeping Ones replenish their crews and mobilizing production capacity to replenish the ships, Ash Claw's special status made it seem rather meager.

After all, no matter how rebellious Huron was, he wouldn't go so far as to support a force that was openly completely detached from the Empire, especially when his career was flourishing.

It can negatively impact one's career.

But Arthur and they can.

The original text has supreme interpretive authority; any questions can be raised.

The prerequisite is that you can get there.

"Given the damage you have suffered, I will allocate several shipyards to prioritize replenishing your ships, but the first priority will be light vessels, as this will be faster."

"As for the capital ships, we plan to allocate them directly. The accompanying fleet will communicate with you, and you can send people to handle the handover. However, given your current status, we cannot provide the shipboard personnel."

Anyway, some of the older ships in the fleet need to be replaced, and shipbuilding in the Dawn Sector is gradually getting on track, so it doesn't matter if these ships are given away.

"Secondly, there's the gene seed. I've heard that the gene seeds of the Ash Claws have begun to degenerate?"

Nev turned his head to look at Tiberius.

No, you're telling people this?

Tiberius, of course, didn't mention it, putting on an expression that seemed perfectly natural.

What secrets in the world are unknown to this person?

“We have no intention of conducting genetic testing on the Ash Claws, but considering the Ash Claws’ personnel losses in this operation, we can allocate a batch of Man-Eating Shark gene seeds as a supplement. After all, the stock is still sufficient and can currently meet the requirements. How about three thousand? That should be enough to support you in completing the subsequent blood transfusion, as long as both of you agree.”

Arthur wasn't afraid of so-called overpopulation. Astartes needed a supporting system in addition to genetic seeds. Without a qualified screening system, an industrial system, and a sufficiently strong government, simply mass-producing troops would be a problem. Even if you could build them, they wouldn't be of much use.

Like a space wolf.

Even if you give the Wolf Pack a million gene seeds, they won't be able to produce a million space wolves even in ten thousand years.

No, man.

Nev continued to stare at Tiberius.

He asked why this person could produce a thousand gene seeds to get their help, implying that the Empire had such a large stockpile.
When did man-eating sharks start getting this kind of treatment?

"I agree."

Tiberius ignored his poor relative and replied indifferently.

In the past, they often traded with the Cult of Mechanics, exchanging STC and Midnight Lord gene seeds for Orthodox Raven Guard gene seeds, and then selling them to the Ash Claws as middlemen in exchange for favors, supplies, or recruits for emergency replenishment.

Although this would be considered treason by Imperial standards, in the Ghoul Starfield, having more friends means having more chances of survival.

The ingredients in Grey Claw are already quite faithful to the original recipe.

"very good."

Wait, I haven't agreed yet.

Nev wanted to speak, but the thought of the gene seed prevented him from doing so.

"Secondly, regarding your records, due to the sensitivity of your identities, we will award Ash Claws separately, but we cannot preserve or publicize your deeds within the historical and officially published records."

"understand!"

reasonable.

"At the same time, the Hall of Glory in the Dawn Sector also allows you to enter data using the Man-Eating Shark's files, which makes it easier for us to cover up and process it."

"understand!"

Recognized.

"Secondly, with the Man-Eating Shark leading the way, you can also go to various shipyards and fleet anchorages in the Dawn Sector for resupply."

"Ming—ah?"

Ah this
Nev became increasingly stunned as he listened.

No, bro, are you getting such good treatment now?

He turned his gaze for the third time to look at the silent Tiberius.

Good grief, you're making a fortune in silence, huh?
I want to be in history textbooks too! I want to be in the Hall of Fame!
And in the end, you can actually eat and take some home!
Nev's gaze lingered on Tiberos, as if he were seeing his former roommate, who used to eat rice with him in hot water but now lived a life of luxury with a rich woman.

'Didn't I bring you here?'

Man-eating sharks are very good at being silent; they simply don't make a sound.

"Finally, I will personally ensure your safety. We will not stay in the Great Vortex for too long. After completing the initial replenishment, I hope you can come with me to the Dawn System. At that time, you only need to wait for the 'Ghoul Starfield - Osiris Expedition' to be completed, and then you can return with the Man-Eating Shark."

Arthur acted as if he was thinking of you all and doing this for your own good.

Nev murmured, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Ramses suppressed a laugh.

They've practically turned people into cuckolds.

(End of this chapter)