The Bizarre Adventure of the Warhammer Guard

The remaining orcs in the hall immediately fell into chaos after losing their leader, scattering and fleeing in all directions.

Kurland let out a suppressed groan. The Terminator armor's servo system was overwhelmed and emitted a low hum as he struggled to his feet from the pile of rocks and scrap metal.

He glanced down at the broken power sword in his hand, sheathed it again, and turned to look at Elpis beside him, his voice coming through the helmet's megaphone:

"Thank you for your rescue, sir."

"Not bad, worthy of the name Roger Dorn." Elpis nodded, offered a brief assessment, and drew the Spear of the Moon, its blade unstained by a single drop of green blood.

The other Astartes squads quickly cleared away the scattered resistance on the battlefield, and the roar of the bomb guns gradually faded away.

"My lord, the portal's energy core is malfunctioning," Chris reported after inspecting the portal's wreckage. "The orcs can no longer send in any more troops."

"The Mechanicus's Apostolic Guard and the Mind Control Legion are clearing out the remaining orcs on Battle Moon," Loken added from the side, his eyes still scanning the surroundings warily.

"My lord," Leon ran up from a short distance away, holding a rough piece of leather in his hand, "I found this thing next to the portal, and there are words on it."

Elpis took the leather, on which lines of rough, crooked characters were scribbled in an unidentified dark red pigment:

"Golden can, you're something else! But that's not enough. Our moon is shattered, but my boss says this thing is just a little toy."

"Bring us even more canned food next time we fight, the truly great Waaagh! We'll be waiting for you in Ulano."

Behind the text, an abstract orc head was outlined in the same red paint, wearing a top hat and holding a pipe in its mouth.

It was that arrogant ambassador; this must have been something he left specifically for Elpis before he fled.

"Ulanor," Loken repeated the word softly, his brow furrowed. "Isn't that the legendary origin world of the orcs? Wasn't it conquered by the Empire back in the Great Crusade?"

"News of Greenskin invasions are now spreading throughout the Empire's borders," Kurland said in a deep voice, offering his opinion. "They are provoking us, but it could also be a trap."

"Whether it's a trap or a provocation," Elpis slowly put away the leather, "the orcs have returned, that's a fact."

Elpis's gaze swept over the Astartes around him. They were from the Imperial Fist, the Iron Knights, the Exemplary Fist, the Crimson Fist, and the Blame-Makers Chapter. Despite their scars, they still stood side by side.

After a thousand years of separation, these Dornish descendants, bound by blood, have not forgotten their vows. Now they have reunited, forming a high wall to once again protect Terra and defend the honor of the Seventh Legion.

"Now we need to solve the problems on Terra," Elpis said, turning around and leading his squad toward the dilapidated gate. "Chaptermaster Kurland, the cleanup here is up to you."

-

The next day, Kurland removed his damaged Terminator armor and stood in front of the Abomination's observation window, his gaze fixed on the wreckage of the Battle Moon.

The once enormous space fortress is now reduced to a scorched earth, with about two-thirds of its area reduced to charred ground. Countless pieces of scrap metal and warship wreckage thrown into space surround the battle moon.

Although the life signals in the remaining areas of the Battle Moon were already very weak, the clearing of this part was carried out by the Mechanicus forces.

The Astartes who participated in the raid suffered heavy casualties, and most of them have already withdrawn with the fleet to prepare to return to Holy Terra for rest and replenishment.

Just then, news that seemed out of place on the battlefield arrived: the Imperial Commander, Lord Guilliman, Udin Macht Udo, was about to personally visit the Abomination to award medals to the Dornish sons who had fought in this battle.

The title "Lord Guilliman" has no connection to Primarch Robert Guilliman; it is simply a title given to the chief elders of the Council of Twelve in honor of the Primarch's contributions.

The news quietly spread among the soldiers, drawing even more boos and sneers. Kurland could feel the contempt and anger permeating the air.

If it weren't for the intervention of an Imperial Guard member, Kurland had no doubt that the lord would never have sent troops to provide support.

While the warriors fought the orcs, he was nowhere to be seen, never giving any speeches, and only dared to stay in Terra.

Now that the battle moon has been destroyed and the crisis averted, he appears fully prepared to award medals. Knowing these high lords as he does, Kurland is certain they've come to reap the rewards of victory.

"Where is the Emperor's Claw?" Kurland asked Maximus Thane, the leader of the Exemplary Fist, standing to the side.

"They've already returned to Terra," Sion replied.

"No wonder, I was wondering how the High Lord dared to come to the warship to award medals." Kurland's lips curled into a smile, "He only dared to perform without the deterrence of the Imperial Guard."

"Those three Astartes who followed the Imperial Guard," Kurland said, "I always felt their fighting style was familiar, as if I had seen them in some other battle group."

"Now is not the time to dwell on this, Kurland brothers. Anyway, they are men brought by the Imperial Guard," Sain paused, "We should be looking at the next High Lord. The war just ended, and he's already coming here. I wonder what he's up to."

"There's no way around it; he's still the chief elder in name only," Kurland said helplessly. "We have to show our loyalty."

Through the porthole, Kurland and Thane both saw Lord Udo's ornately decorated shuttle, which was about to arrive at the Abomination.

"My lord," Kurland's servant approached him and whispered, "Lord Guilliman's shuttle is about to enter the docking track, along with four escort fighters."

Kurland snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the data.

The losses from this battle were marked there: several warships were destroyed, and hundreds of Astartes warriors were killed. There was no celebration of victory on the deck, only silence.

"Have the Astartes Company stand by on deck," he ordered. "The Terminator Squad doesn't need to remove their armor or undergo repairs; just leave them as they are."

"My lord," the servant hesitated for a moment, "this might offend Lord Guilliman."

"Offensive?" Kurland's voice rose. "Where was he when gravity weapons tore our warships apart? Where was he when we were fighting?"

"Do as I say." Kurland took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. "The Sons of Dorne have no need for such formalities. Besides, this is our silent resistance, letting them see our stance."

"Brother Kurland," Thane said, "you're right. It should have been done a long time ago, to let those high lords know how we won, instead of hiding on Terra and praying."

Outside the window, Lord Guilliman's shuttle was slowly entering the boarding deck of the Abomination.

Kurland and Sain strode toward the boarding deck to "welcome" Lord Udo.