84 Joint Operation
'That was way too close.' William forcibly stops himself from consuming the brain piece of a master assassin while Magos Callias stare at the Chapter Master, who is about to eat the piece of enemy flesh.
[Is something wrong? Lord William. This is the part of the piece you did wish to consume, isn't it?] The Tech-priest double-checked the part of the brain since he was the one who dissected it. Of course, this was all done after Tech-priest used his machines to import vital information from the master assassin, including who was his employer.
With every piece of information retrieved, Magos Callias was about to create the first servitor of this world when William requested to have a piece of the brain. Without realizing what he asked for, William received a large chunk of the brain and was about to devour it when his sense returned and stopped from committing one of the taboos of his era.
"No, Magos. Everything is fine. I have all the information about the assassin and who funded my death. Here, you can take this back and continue working on him." William returns the piece of the brain to Admech and turns around to leave the laboratory of the Magos Callias. The reality and realization that he no longer has control of his own body and mind disturbed him as well. His own theory that Space Marine's subconsciousness might still be around within himself gave a cold chill to which William began to feel fear. A fear that no Astartes should ever feel thanks to their design, but William is different, and he knows it.
'I'm William. I know who I'm and what I'm.' William reminds himself of his origin and what he is or was. Until now, William didn't struggle with his situation or the fact he is becoming an insensitive person. His identity collides as two different personalities within one person's mind fight against each other.
A young adult from a real-world where magic, monsters, Chaos, and Astartes are nothing but fantasy and science fiction for entertainment. Great writers of many generations write stories for others to imagine the scenes and further the mind to the creativity to other worlds.
An Astartes of the Emperor of Mankind, a genetically created superhuman warrior who fights against the terror of all kinds and knows no fear. A being from the 41st millennium, where humanity is no longer recognizable to the 21st century Earth was created by the tabletop company in Great Britain. Nothing but a grimdark science fiction story and replacement for many who are disappointed with the latest Star Wars trilogies.
This is the conflict within William's mind as his second personality is slowly coming back and influencing William. William doesn't know if this is the original mind of the body he now possesses or a remnant of the mind fused with William's when he woke up in this body.
'I need an answer before going absolute crazy like black rage or Dorn's darkness. I need a psyker or someone who can see through my mind.' William passes through servants and lower-ranking tech-priests as his status ensures everyone moves out of his way.
'I'm William, and I'm from Earth.'
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"I know our time was short, but I know my feeling for you is real. You have greater calling and duties for your God-Emperor." Maria Beckett said to Leonidas with weeping tears coming down her eyes. For the past few days, the youngest lady of the Beckett got to know former Blood Angel Astartes and enjoyed his company while she and her family stayed in the capital city. Of course, she also learned a few new things about Leonidas, including his mission to the Chapter, past duties, and previous life on Baal.
The one thing he didn't tell her was his curses from Blood Angel that are no longer raging within him. Thanks to the new gene seeds provided by the Chapter Master, every member of the Blood Angels no longer experiences the two flaws, but it still remains within them, dormant and ineffective to influence the Sons of Sanguinius.
Sanguinius, 'The Great Angel', 'Brightest One', and an 'Emperor's Hawk Boy' were one of the sons of the Emperor and Primarch of the Blood Angels Legion. As a 9th legion of the Emperor's Astartes, the Blood Angels possess the heritage of their gene father Sanguinius, including his charisma, loyalty, and curses when he perished from Horus's hand during the final hour of the Horus heresy.
"It was my pleasure to serve you as your apothecary and guide to my lord's palace. Unfortunately, we couldn't spend more time due to military conflict." Leonidas expresses his worry as he comforts her with his hand on her's. They stare at each other in the eyes until someone next to Maria clears his throat to get both of their attention.
"Ahem. Yes, thank you for taking care of my daughter, Sir Astandro. Maria, I believe we are ready to leave (For the past 10 minutes)." Archduke Godfrey said to his daughter and smiled the best he could to move his youngest daughter to hop into the carriage. All this was happening after everyone said their farewells and was about to leave, but Maria held the entire departure due to the youngest being the youngest and naive to love.
"Yes, of course, father. Farewell, Sir Astandro, and please remember me even though we can't be together." Maria Beckett said her farewell to the apothecary and got into the carriage. Leonidas waved his hand to send Maria farewell while every Astartes, including each captain of Blacksouls companies, watched the whole thing dumbfounded.
"Hey, Leonidas. What was that all about?" Captain Sariel of the 3rd company asked his senior apothecary as the rest of the Astartes focused their ears to listen. Captain Sariel, the former Veteran Sergeant of the Blood Angels and one who criticizes the codex, waits for Leonidas to reply.
"Captain. I'm following the example of Sanguinius by not breaking the fair lady's heart and soul. All I did was escort the lady around the palace and spend some time with her without being rude. Some of our brothers need the teaching of the Great Angel." Apothecary said to his captain while looking at the group of former Space Wolves (5th company), Ultramarines (4th company), and Imperial Fists (2nd company).
"I see." Captain Sariel replied with simple words and returned to his duty to maintain his side until the end of the ceremony. Meanwhile, three former chapters of the Astartes grunt and do their best to ignore the insult coming from the apothecary. It is one thing to fight among the Astartes brothers and another when you are participating in a ceremony where Chapter Master personally wishes farewell to guests.
"Well, he isn't wrong, you know." Captain Dioricus said to Wolf Seer and Captain Tyreus of the Imperial Fists. All three men and the rest of the Astartes were wearing their helmets for the ceremony, so they communicated through a private vox channel which gave privacy and no interruption.
"What do you mean?" Wolf Seer asked as if he didn't know what was going on. All he cared about at this moment was his third lunch and how thirsty he was for an ale.
"He means talking to regular humans, Wolf Seer. To show humanity and express our emotion to lesser beings." Captain Tyrus of the 2nd company said as if it was the obvious answer to the question.
"Yes. As Emperor's Angel and inheritors of his genetic heritage, I believe we should be more active toward Imperial citizens as we watch over them." Captain Dioricus said without mentioning the codex, which surprised even the Wolf Seer.
"What? Like our brothers of Salamanders? I don't know about that." Wolf Seer answers Captain Dioricus and takes a sip from his helmet's rehydration tube he modified to contain his ales.
"Enough, let us focus and discuss this matter later. I believe Chapter Master already knows we are talking among us." Captain Tyrus quietly ended the conversation and returned to his role as representative of the palace security as others did the same. Eventually, the carriages and knights of the House Beckett left the capital palace, and a report of the convoy leaving the city wall came.
"That went well. So, what is up with your sister? She was all romantic about farewell. It is not like she will not see Leonidas for the rest of her life. You know she can visit." William said to Rana while Duchess herself sighed with a long exhale as if she was holding her breath.
"She is always like that. Maria tends to be a bit dramatic in her romantic experience, and she writes a considerable amount of journal about it. I guarantee you that she will be telling her story with her friends like gossip of the century." Rana said to Wiliam and signaled her commanders to dismiss her troops. William scratches his chin and wonders how bad it can be with gossip among noble daughters and ladies.
Years later, Maria Beckett's remarkable romantic series known as 'Angel and Me' became the best-selling novels in the majority of countries. The novels were so popular among ladies that they eventually turned into theater plays and based the poem's structure for the poets and musicians for centuries. Ages later, this very novel inspired the creation of new religion and the birth of the new diety of love and romance in the realm of divinity with a very similar feature to Sir Leonidas.
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A few days later,
"Yes, I'm going to end this matter once and for all with a single swoop. Gather your troops and battle, brothers. By the end of this week, we will finally reunite this land under Emperor's name." William said to gather members of his military leaders after giving specific instructions to each and everyone, including what they are expected to fight against.
After retrieving the critical information from the master assassin and how the former royal family is hiring an army of mercenaries, William decided to take out the head of the snake and entire bodies at once by launching the first strike against major cities controlled by the remaining noble houses.
Very few already came to William and surrendered peacefully and pledged their service to the Emperor of Mankind and to William. With the majority of the nobles still against William and his authority as the absolute leader of the land, William decided to make the first move this time by sending all his forces at once.
Each major city is controlled by the noble houses and their personal military army, around 1500 to 2500 strong. Now, having enough numbers of Null Space Marines and heavy firepower to back them up, William made his final preparation this whole time.
"Each company and guardsmen will hold the city they are assigned to. I don't expect much resistance from the city, but to prevent any error, I will place rear guards to support the front in case they need additional support. Each of you is also given a significant amount of supplies to take care of the citizens, including after taking over the city. I remind you that you are not to massacre the people unless they revolt to an extreme. I remind you all that this is peacekeeping, not extermination." William cleared his order to everyone and made sure each and every member of the senior staff understood the mission objective.
"Finally, when we are done with your assigned city. We will regroup here at the fortress where the former royal family is currently staying. With their remaining riches and resources, the royal family hired a large number of mercenaries and supplies to last a year or more. I will not have one of us attack this location without second and third armies backing them up." William finishes his operation plan and waits for others to ask any questions. To his surprise, no one has any questions about the mission or aftermath of the city's occupation. That is until Rana raised her hand to ask.
"Where am I on this plan? I don't see myself or my troops on the map." With that, everyone turns their heads to see William.
"I didn't want your troops to join this because I want this to be done by mine. But, after receiving multiple requests and personal protests from one of the senior staff, I decided to have you and your knights join the operation." William pushes the button on the table to add an additional symbol, a yellow lioness, to the symbol of Sister of Battle.
"Sorry Rana, but you will be helping Sisters of Battle to take the city in this mission. May the Emperor protect you, and please stay away from their flame weapons. They tend to overuse them to maximum power."
