The Astartes Family's Notebook

Ultimately, the reason is that automatons are products of the field of strong AI, and because of the Crimson Protocol, the Empire cannot undertake such large-scale systems engineering.

Therefore, the Empire's current automated mechs can only be described as rather dim-witted.

However, there are exceptions, namely the War Maniacs of the Rejuvenation Order.

The Thinker Array is a lower-level alternative to large-scale AI computing centers. It's not that it's theoretically impossible to replace the early AI mind cores developed by humans with the Thinker Array, but it's simply not feasible in terms of size.

Kaz, Draven, and Epsilon, all of whom are from the same quartet, know the ins and outs of this game all too well.

Those two Centurion tanks became hellish washing machines precisely because they lacked specially designed miniature Thinker arrays.

The mechanical cult doesn't sell these things at all; compared to the cost of making them, the cost is negligible.

Therefore, Huanyuan Xiu will make a wildly imaginative decision.

Why not just stuff people into the automatons?

Following Epsilon's instructions, Choun disassembled the humanoid mechanical unit and actually found a skull with half of its spine attached inside.

"Look, this is the [Thinking Core] and the [Central Processing Unit]. Once you've seen a Deadman, it's hard to mistake it. Calling it a mech is fine, calling it a powered exoskeleton is also possible, and if you think about it more deeply, isn't this just the Mechanicus version of the mortal-style Dreadnought?"

Epsilon gave a brief explanation, glanced at the other archaeological discoveries, and finding nothing noteworthy, pulled Katz aside to discuss the main topic.

"The message has already been sent out. When are you leaving? I'm worried that there might be psychics in those Chaos Warbands who are good at prophecy and divination."

Both Kaz and Epsilon were veteran company commanders, well aware that any military plan in the Imperium of Man that went beyond three steps was difficult to implement, and this was true for the Star Guardians as well as the Astartes.

So the plan was very simple: First, release false information to the Chaos Warband based on the information gleaned from the brain, that Watchmaster Epsilon had been taken away by the main group; second, lure the Chaos Warband to attack Watchhold Fortress; third, launch a surprise attack and trap them.

Cats have their ways, dogs have theirs; Deathwatch is a complex organization with many talented individuals. The Black Shields have their own methods for spreading rumors, so Kars doesn't need to worry about it.

However, the Eighth Company must leave the fleet it brought in first, otherwise even a fool would know there's a problem.

However, Katz disagreed with making a subspace jump, not even to a nearby galaxy.

It's not a matter of safety or insecurity, but rather that in subspace travel, the time frame is uncertain. Battles between Astartes can be either over in a few moves or drag on for a very long time; it's actually quite extreme.

So Kars' idea was to just take a short trip outside the galaxy and call it a day.

As the old saying goes, when you lack strength, you have to resort to scheming and plotting to make up for the gap. When you are strong and your enemy is weak, the real systemic problem is how to lure them into a trap.

Epsilon wasn't going to engage in any pointless arguments with Katz on these issues; either way was fine.

So, on the Desolation Wings side, the selection of new blood continues, the archaeological excavation continues, and the Deathwatch's schemes and ambushes continue.

"Kaz, what do you plan to do with these Star Guardians?"

No betrayal is too small to be forgiven; regardless of the reason, their involvement in the rebellion is an undeniable fact.

I can't go back to my hometown.

“Select 5,000 people to take away, and settle the rest on the spot.”

Because of the discovery of the ancient undead mechs, Kaz began to seriously reflect on the Empire's current standing military strength.

If the fifty-dollar brethren from the Koprulu Sector were moved to the Warhammer Universe, the Imperium of Man would be a completely different entity.

It should be noted that during the Great Crusade, the Imperial's mortal forces were not like the Astragalus Army of today; their art style was completely different, and they weren't even on the same level.

The Sun Auxiliary Army—what a prestigious title!

The human empire lacks line-filling units, and has a massive number of them.

When it comes to advanced units and weapons of mass destruction, the Empire is not intimidated by other races. Do they really think that the current hegemon of the Infernal Galaxy was made by being beaten up?

Therefore, the approach of the Restoration Society may be correct.

Kaz keenly realized that after losing the Emperor, the Empire not only had a political system, but its scientific research direction had also gone seriously astray.

He once dismantled a high-priced power armored brigade that the military leader had bought with his bare hands.

The power armor used by mortals is not bad in performance. The main problem is that the black shell of Astartes is too overpowered. You wear heavy power armor, while we Space Marines have a second layer of steel skin.

Because of the benchmark that is Astartes, the Order of Mechanics always aligns its data specifications with Astartes in terms of granularity when creating power armor for ordinary people.

Chun Chun is sick.

A set of power armor for ordinary people costs several million dollars to manufacture, even more expensive than the standard version of TM Leman Russ.

While each has its own combat scenarios where it can maximize its advantages, conducting combat power assessments and calculating overall cost-effectiveness is just plain stupid.

It's no surprise that the power armor used by ordinary people will become a luxury toy for the powerful and wealthy.

For the same price, if you get cybernetic modifications, the potential cyberpsychotics will annihilate you power-armored trash, okay?

The cost of setting up a Star Guardian Line-filling regiment is only five million, and the annual maintenance cost is only two to three million.

With such cost-effectiveness, there's no reason for the Empire not to use toilet paper wads in large quantities.

Do you think a few mortal bodyguards in power armor can do the work of an entire Astral Legion?

However, having seen and experienced much, Kars was well aware of the expenses of the Astral Army's Type A Corps.

Personnel training and replenishment, job placement, equipment procurement, policy benefits—a truly combat-ready Class A regiment requires an initial investment of two to three hundred million yuan, not even counting subsequent additional costs. On the contrary, maintenance costs are negligible.

In this situation, I'd accept anything, not just fifty dollars from a good friend, but even fifty thousand dollars.

Since Astartes is not under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Military Affairs Department, if we could have a batch of, not many, just around two thousand, of chapter combat servants with combat power similar to the Deathbringers, who could keep up with the combat pace of Astartes, then the casualties of the company would be reduced by more than half.

Kaz was a seasoned Astartes veteran skilled at coordinating operations between different branches of the military, and he had no complaints about the inconsistent performance of the Astral Army.

Seeing is believing. After seeing the remains of the dead soldiers of the Restoration Cult from thousands of years ago, I have no feelings for the current empire... including that bunch of junkies.

There's no need for Katz to develop any technological innovations himself; the technology is already readily available.

Let's not even mention the old Hundred Regiments of Holy Terra. There are plenty of similar mature technologies. There are even dragon riders who combine bio-engineered superhumans and gene-engineered war beasts. The armor of Lucifer's Black Guard is even more expensive to make than the power armor of Astartes.

Just considering the mortal-style power armor that fits the "fifty-dollar good buddy" image, there are probably hundreds of thousands of sets gathering dust in some ancient warehouse in Holy Terra.

Katz didn't dwell on it. He just kept it in mind and would push it when the opportunity arose. There was no need to force it. As a reserve company commander, he didn't need to worry about such important matters.

Both sides benefited greatly from their interactions with Deathwatch during this period.

Deathwatch operates on a regional responsibility system. Unless there is a clear order from the Lord of the Watchtower, the kill squad can only operate within its own defense zone.

Of course, the word "only" is far too exaggerated.

However, the various Imperial intelligence brought by the Desolation Wings is indeed something the Deathwatch needs.

Whether they were those with the Mother Group's emblem on their shoulders or those with Black Shield, they were all very interested in this information.

In exchange, the Deathwatchers are generous in sharing the various experiences they have gathered and summarized while exterminating aliens.

There's no need to hide the fact that we're slaughtering aliens.

At Epsilon's place, Kaz even learned the latest version of the Crimson Fist's simplified guide to defeating Greenskin Orcs, modified fifty years ago.

You really haven't changed your original intentions when it comes to boxing.

"Kaz, something's happened."

"Ok?"

"My informant reports that something's gotten out of hand at the Great Vortex, and it might be related to you."

"I!"

"It is said that several Chaos War Gangs calling themselves 'Destroyer's Blade' have started fighting."

I'm a milk dragon?! I'm the real milk dragon?!

"What's going on?"

"The specifics are unclear, but the situation is not optimistic."

Isn't it better for the Chaos Traitors to kill each other?

It might not be a good thing.

Especially for loyalists like Katz who had served in the Warband, Astartes wasn't so naive.

"Is the breeding of Gu about to produce a Gu King?"

"Yes, I'm worried that if they achieve their goal, we might not be facing scattered warbands anymore, but rather..."

Epsilon's worries were not unfounded; the Chaos forces were displaying an attitude of "Who the hell are you? Who the hell am I? Who the hell respects you?"

If they really make a name for themselves and the previously independent Chaos War Gang is united by the powerful [Destroyer Blade], then there will be big problems.

Especially according to the intelligence from the Gilly Brothers, the Star Claws are currently locked in a fierce battle with the Green Orcs in the Great Vortex, and the entire Badab is being defended by the Mantis Warriors. The Badab defense line is like a leaky sieve.

"Don't panic. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Just do our job and have faith in the Emperor's power."

Epsilon frowned and glanced at Kaz.

This is just a string of platitudes, where did they learn that? Couldn't Motor Sich teach us something better?

Chapter 491 The Fisherman

"Power armor is armor, a weapon, equipment, consumables, and a necessities. It's not something more important than your lives, much less a valuable item that can be compared to victory or defeat."

"If I find any of you doing pointless dodging to avoid scratching your power armor again, I'll personally beat you up."

With so many people gathered in Astartes, it would be a shame if they didn't have some friendly competition.

They're all like some kind of imperial superhero, who's going to submit to whom?

Anyway, Epsilon is determined not to fight Kaz; that bastard is up to no good.

As a key member of the Deathwatch sent by the Wings of Desolation, the Lord of the Watchtower in the Pacific region received a private letter from Saladin.

For a warband talent like Epsilon who needed "special training," his "promotion" path was relatively smooth.

This isn't a double standard. Let's not even mention the human empire. Looking across the purgatory galaxy, perhaps all beings are equal under the gods, but there are always some who are more equal than others. That's reality. Organizations must always adhere to the principle of seeking truth from facts.

However, this does not mean that Epsilon became a master of Overwatch by simply lying down; he has already passed the stage where he needs to prove his combat ability.

Astartes members have a very strong sense of belonging to their faction, and it would be extremely humiliating for their leader to kneel before someone else.

However, the feud between the parent organization doesn't involve their workplaces. It's just an internal dispute within the Desolate Wings, something to watch for fun.

It can only be said that the problem of seniority-based hierarchy is particularly serious in human empires.

The tragedy of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü stemmed from the fact that they were only practicing martial arts, not cultivating immortality.

If this were in the cultivation world, what about masters and disciples? Five hundred years ago, we wouldn't say anything about them using their titles to oppress others. But five hundred years later, do we need you juniors to interfere when our peers are getting married?

Katz himself didn't realize that he had unknowingly become a veteran.

The average lifespan in Astartes is actually not high; few live past two hundred years. It is said that 40% of new recruits die on their first battle.

Of course, Kaz didn't really believe the 40% figure; he was probably just making up an excuse for the fast-growing chickens because the warbands were short of genetic seeds.

Training a new recruit to meet the standards for joining a normal company is incredibly difficult; 40%...

All the preliminary preparations for Deathwatch have been completed, and the selection of new recruits for the Eighth Company and planetary archaeology have been largely finished.

Now that everyone has gathered together, it wouldn't be right if we didn't have a fight.

Then, Kaz beat up all the Deathwatchers except for Epsilon.

"Draven brothers, is your company commander this fierce?"

"The Katz brothers have been this fierce since their recruit days."

In terms of combat experience, these Deathwatchers are truly not bad, but their basic skills are far inferior.

As a small, remote unit on long-term combat readiness duty, Deathwatch's captain or person in charge has neither the authority nor the right to criticize other members.

If you want to train, then train. If you don't want to work, just close the door and stay in your room; nobody cares what you're doing.

The worst that can happen is death, what are we Astartes afraid of?

But who is our Commander Kaz? During the chaotic years in the Eye of Fear, he never forgot to hone his body as a natural-born battle maniac. This is not a difference in combat skills at all. Just by relying on the attribute panel, Kaz can easily defeat these Death Watchers.

Can you withstand the power of this punch, which has been used for over two hundred years?

Because Kaz proved his strength, all the Astartes present ignored his various comments about their own company members.

Even the farts of the strong smell sweet.

Most importantly, Katz's words were insightful.

The new recruits in the Eighth Company were indeed a bit reserved, with half of the company members still holding the idea that their martial arts sparring would end there.

madness!