"Have you discovered anything?"
As the holographic imagery faded, Blazkowicz raised his right arm-guard, projecting a phantom miniature of the Void Dragon from his palm.
The god of physical laws remained silent, but his green light-screen projected digital graphics, where countless emerald-green numbers simulated the overall schematic of the World Engine.
Simultaneously, the two Blackstone Fortresses faced off across the void. Their ultra-heavy vortex cannons targeted the structure, channeling and building up the raw energy of the Warp.
[ERROR CORRECTION INITIALIZED]
[VORTEX CANNON DEVIATION BELOW MOLECULAR LEVEL]
The automated intelligences of the two fortresses exchanged rapid streams of data. Their central axis cannons locked onto the target, purple sparks flickering within the blackstone.
"The human fortresses are massing Warp energy."
Inside the central control room of the World Engine, the Creator listened to the report from its artificial intelligence. It turned to look toward the gap along the central axis, where two purple stars gleamed in the distance.
The AI continued: "Fortress-class firepower. Its energy output is less than one-ten-thousandth of our shield capacity."
Hearing the data report, the slight unease in the Rangdan Overlord's mind vanished completely. Paying no further attention to the humans, it refocused its full attention on the neutron star. A fanatical gleam entered its eyes—they were now down to the final step!
Once the neutron star settled into position, the World Engine would unleash its full, majestic might and crush all enemies.
The gravitational lasso was drawing energy directly from the engine, dragging the stellar remnant inch by inch into the gravitational field, pulling it toward the core constraint array.
Beyond the central axis fissure, a purple light illuminated the universe as the human fortresses launched their assault. The beams of light slammed violently against the shield, failing to stir a single ripple.
"The humans have aggregated the fortresses' energy. The energy output has squared, reaching ten times our initial forecast. Output is now at one percent of shield capacity."
Hearing the update, the Creator shook its head in complete indifference.
A combined strike from both fortresses could not even reach one percent of the first shield layer's capacity. It was practically—
It scratched its head with a tentacle. Unable to find an adequate description within the Rangdan language, it searched for a substitute phrase.
A donkey that has exhausted its tricks. A desperate impasse where one's means are spent and no other options remain.
The Creator uncovered the corresponding idiom from the human linguistic database. For the human "donkey" to bray and roar at the "tiger" was indeed a highly fitting analogy.
The starscape flashed with a purple radiance. The energies of the two Blackstone Fortresses' vortex cannons overlapped, boosting their destructive yield nearly tenfold, yet the blue shield remained completely unyielding. However, the energy output did not cease; the power of the Warp continuously washed against the barrier.
Inside the Blackstone command deck, Blazkowicz waited for the Void Dragon to provide an answer. If the master of the material realm had no solution, he would immediately depart this sector and return to the Imperium's territory to prepare for the World Engine's arrival. But if there was even a sliver of hope, he had to give it everything.
"The Rangdan World Engine bears traces of Necron technology," the Void Dragon spoke, slowly delivering his findings. "But it is merely a crude imitation, completely unviable as a breakthrough point."
"They were highly cautious, fearing that actual Necron technology might take over the vessel's functions. Therefore, they replicated the relevant equipment to completely eliminate the threat of a technical intrusion."
The light in Blazkowicz's eyes dimmed slightly. When he first heard mention of Necron technology, he had felt a surge of excitement. A vast portion of the Necrons' incomprehensible technology originated from the Void Dragon, making a reverse-intrusion highly likely to succeed. Unfortunately, the Rangdan had been deeply defensive, choosing to go through the immense trouble of replicating the systems rather than using them directly.
Rigorous!
While respecting the Rangdan's meticulous nature, he asked the Void Dragon: "Have the Rangdan excavated a Necron Tomb World?"
This was Blazkowicz's greatest concern. The Necrons lay in a deep slumber; if the Rangdan were to uncover a Tomb World, that technology would drastically enhance the xenos' strength.
Necron technology was highly dangerous!
Why were the Aeldari so agile and graceful? That was not merely their nature; it stemmed from a specific design by the Old Ones to counter the Necrons. Against the Necrons, physical armor was entirely useless—a heavy, cumbersome burden. One could only rely on sheer agility to evade the fire of gauss flayer weapons.
"They have not," the Void Dragon explained. "The technology is a patchwork and lacks a cohesive system. They likely salvaged a Necron derelict ship."
Blazkowicz let out a long sigh of relief. "So that's how it is."
"Boy," the Void Dragon said, rubbing his chin in thought for a long moment before ultimately shaking his head with a heavy expression. "Conventional methods cannot breach this defense. The firepower of two Blackstone Fortresses is severely lacking."
"Conventional methods?" Blazkowicz's hand curled slightly as he spoke to the Void Dragon. "You specified 'conventional methods.' What if we step outside standard parameters?"
The Void Dragon raised his head, his obsidian features staring intently at Blazkowicz. "That depends on what you are willing to part with."
Blazkowicz's heavy brows furrowed, and he did not give an immediate assent. "What sacrifice is required?"
The Void Dragon did not answer verbally. The deity waved a hand, and the green digital characters shifted and drifted, mapping out an entire operational plan.
"The central axis of the World Engine has not closed; the residual gravitational pull at the rear of the neutron star still exists."
"Of the two Blackstone Fortresses, one will be responsible for bombarding the shield with its vortex cannon to create a localized weak point. The other—"
He paused his explanation as the graphic displayed the rest.
The deity's plan was simple: utilize the residual gravity to accelerate a Blackstone Fortress, ramming it directly into the shield's weak point. The vessel's warp shields would neutralize the defensive barrier, allowing it to breach the interior. At the cost of the Blackstone Fortress itself, it would detonate inside the World Engine, shattering the gravity-shielded zone. Without the gravity shielding, the extreme gravitational forces of the neutron star would tear the World Engine to pieces.
"My Lord, this plan contains a critical flaw."
Before Blazkowicz could state his position, the Blackstone's automated intelligence projected a humanoid silhouette, explaining: "The neutron star possesses extreme gravity. As I draw close, my psychic sensory arrays will struggle to counter the physical laws, preventing real-time data transmission."
"The fortress must be detonated at the precise coordinate, otherwise there will be no actual effect."
"The worst-case scenario is that the fortress's flight controls will fail entirely, causing it to crash uselessly into the neutron star's gravity well."
"Therefore, it requires a sacrifice," the Void Dragon's projection floated high, the deity looking down upon Blazkowicz as he spoke. "Sacrifice a warrior to manually pilot the Blackstone Fortress and charge into the World Engine."
"Neither iron men nor the fortress's automated systems will suffice. In an extreme gravity environment, both psychic sensing and optical signals will fail entirely. Only a being of unyielding will can execute this mission."
The deity's voice sounded with an absolute weight: "A Blackstone Fortress and a single warrior. That is the price of victory."
Having laid out the plan, the Void Dragon hovered quietly, waiting to see how Blazkowicz would choose.
Blazkowicz leaned back against his Blackstone Throne, his dark eyes reflecting the tactical schematic. Following the Void Dragon's explanation, the Blackstone intelligence introduced the variables, and the calculated result came back: Feasible!
"Let me do it!"
A fierce declaration broke the silence of the command hall. Within the Primarch's Honor Guard, a warrior disregarded Legion discipline, stepping out of formation to kneel before his genetic sire.
"Let me do it!"
"Let me do it!"
More warriors broke formation, vying for the task, their eyes entirely devoid of any fear of death as they prepared to meet a glorious end.
"How about I do it?" Harlan also stepped forward, tapping his chest with an easy, relaxed smile. "The Dark Gods probably can't bear to see me die anyway, right?"
Blazkowicz lowered his gaze, his eyes sweeping across his Legion warriors and his closest friend. They were usually men of few words, rarely participating in the broader strategic councils of the Legion, yet they stepped forward unhesitatingly when it came time to die.
He saw their absolute fearlessness, but he rejected the sacrifice. "All forces, hear my command!"
With a sharp growl, the formation dropped to their knees in unison, the command deck ringing with the sharp clatter of ceramite armor striking blackstone.
"Legion warriors, prepare for embarkation," Blazkowicz spoke deliberately, his voice booming and powerful, carrying an undeniable finality. "Within three Terran hours, transfer all high-value materiel to our transport assets and prepare to evacuate this Blackstone Fortress."
"Load every cyclone torpedo and weapon of extermination into the fortress's launch arrays. Set them to standby status."
Under the weight of the Primarch's presence, Guard Commander Astelan forced himself to his feet, lifting his gaze to face Blazkowicz. "King Novik—"
"No more words!" Blazkowicz rose from his Blackstone Throne, raising a hand to cut him off, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You are a veteran of the Night Guards, and today you are a Doom Marine."
He turned his gaze back to his genetic sons, his low growl shattering any further attempts at dissuasion: "Execute the order!"
The Legion warriors, usually absolute in their obedience, did not move. They remained firmly on their knees, using their silence as a counter-protest, hoping their Primarch would rescind the command. They all knew that the Primarch intended to take the helm personally, piloting the Blackstone Fortress to execute the strike.
"What are you doing?"
Blazkowicz let out a fierce shout, pointing a finger at his genetic sons. "Defying orders on the field of battle?"
"Eager for a glorious sacrifice?"
He leapt down from his floating throne, his commanding voice filled with stern rebuke and disappointment: "Such a fine opportunity won't fall to me, and it certainly won't fall to you!"
"Chaos has not been purged, and our mission is far from over. To speak of sacrifice and death now? I see a trace of cowardice in you."
"Are you looking to use death to flee from your unfulfilled duties?"
The Legion warriors remained knelt with their heads bowed, looking left and right to exchange pained glances with their battle-brothers.
Clack.
The first Legion warrior stood up. Saluting his Primarch, he turned and departed swiftly to begin moving the vessel's materiel.
"What are the rest of you still kneeling for?" Blazkowicz's jaw tightened, his low growl carrying a hint of true anger. "Do I need to pull each of you up one by one?"
First Captain Atum rose, growling low to his battle-brothers: "Execute the order!"