Chapter 989: The Angry Mortarion

Zhonghun.

Horus stood on the Bridge, watching the chaotic Fengqi Fleet on the tactical screen.

He saw the wreckage still exploding sporadically, saw the Dusk Raiders Thunderhawk Gunships attempting to break away from enemy ships, and also saw the defensive formation the Fengqi Fleet had hastily assembled.

Horus gave the order calmly.

"Notify the entire fleet: target, the invading fleet of the Fengqi Heretics. The time has come to avenge our sacrificed brothers. The wolf pack hunt, begins."

"For the Emperor! For Horus!"

Deafening battle cries echoed through the communication channels.

The next moment, the Luna Wolves fleet opened fire.

Light Lances and Macro-cannons fired in unison, illuminating the dark starry sky and covering the Fengqi Fleet!

L-449 Star, edge of the battlefield, inside a Fengqi Cruiser.

The brief communication silence was broken, and Galadun's voice sounded on the communication channel.

"All brothers of the Dusk Raiders, I am Galadun. We have fulfilled our Oath. With our blood and lives, we have proven that the Emperor's domain is inviolable. We have delayed an enemy tens of thousands of times our size, heavily damaged their fleet, and made the Alien pay a heavy price.

Adjutant Hector, and all the brothers who died in battle on the ground, in the void, and inside enemy ships, their sacrifice was not in vain. Now, the roles of attacker and defender have reversed! Lord Horus has brought the Luna Wolves to support us!"

Some Dusk Raiders Space Marines could not help but exclaim in the communication channel.

"It is Lord Horus! Lord Horus has arrived!"

Galadun's voice sounded at the right moment.

"That is correct, our sacrifice has bought time for Lord Horus and locked onto the enemy. Now, it is the turn of the brothers of the Luna Wolves to show us the Liaya of the wolf pack!"

Speaking to this point, Galadun's voice rose.

"But this does not mean our battle is over! We are the Dusk Raiders! As long as we have a breath left, as long as we can pull the trigger and wield our Sharp Blade, we must continue to fight!

Coordinate with the Luna Wolves' offensive! All gunships that can still move, harass the enemy ships' flanks! Brothers inside the enemy ships, continue to create chaos and destroy their key systems! Let these Aliens know that provoking the Dusk Raiders requires paying an eternal price!

For the Emperor! For the Primarch Mortarion! For the fallen brothers! Dusk Raiders, fight to the death!"

"Fight to the death!"

At the same time, Luna Wolves "Zhonghun" Bridge.

Just after Horus ordered the fire, Horus's private communication channel received a high-priority connection request, source identification, Mortarion.

Horus raised an eyebrow slightly and connected the communication.

"Horus! Tell me, what is the situation in the L-449 Star System! My progeny... how are Galadun and the others?!"

Horus looked at the stubborn but tiny Dusk Raiders light dots on the star map and replied in a deep voice.

"Brother Mortarion, the situation... is not optimistic. When I arrived, the Sixth Company's ships were essentially lost. They launched a boarding action, heavily damaged at least one enemy Cruiser, and destroyed one. Currently, only a very small number of units continue to resist in Thunderhawk Gunships and inside some enemy ships. Ground forces... according to the last signal received, have also been completely wiped out."

The other end of the communication channel fell silent, with only the heavy breathing becoming more labored.

A few seconds later, Mortarion's voice sounded again.

"Completely... wiped out? My progeny... fighting to the last man for the Emperor's domain?"

Horus spoke to soothe him.

"Their sacrifice was heroic, brother. They delayed the enemy and created a tactical opportunity for us. The Luna Wolves are avenging you and my brothers."

Mortarion raised his voice.

"Vengeance?! That is not enough! Horus! That is far from enough! Those Alien scum must pay with the blood of their entire fleet! They must be sacrificed to with the wails of their billions of souls to honor my progeny!"

"Horus! I request you, no, I demand you! Allow me to immediately lead the Dusk Raiders Capital Ship fleet to L-449 Star! I want to personally level that place! I want the Heretics of the Fengqi Star Alliance to witness with their own eyes what true destruction is! I want to personally twist off the head of their Commander!"

Horus was silent for a moment.

He understood Mortarion's anger; any Primarch would be furious upon learning that their Legion had suffered such heavy losses.

But he had to consider the big picture.

"Brother Mortarion, I understand your feelings. But the cleanup work in the Eighth Star Sector has not yet fully concluded, and your Legion still has a Task. The enemies here, the Luna Wolves are enough to resolve. I assure you, not a single Fengqi will leave this star system alive."

"No! You don't understand, Horus! This is not a matter of a Task! These are my progeny! My bloodline! They flow with my blood and inherit my will! They cannot die in vain! I must personally avenge them! This is the responsibility and power of being their Primarch! Give me the coordinates immediately! I am leaving at once!"

Horus could feel Mortarion's unquestionable determination.

Continuing to block him would only escalate the conflict. Moreover, letting the angry Mortarion and his Dusk Raiders join the battlefield might end the battle faster, and... better vent this brother's fury, preventing him from doing anything more irrational.

Horus finally relented.

"... I understand, brother. I will send you the coordinates and friend-or-foe identification codes for L-449 Star. However, Mortarion, remember, we are the Emperor's Sharp Blade, for conquest and order, not mere destruction."

"Order begins with thorough purification! When I arrive, Horus, you will see what the Dusk Raiders' 'order' is! Communication ended!"

The communication was unilaterally cut off.

Horus looked at the communication interface that had returned to calm and shook his head slightly.

Then he cast his gaze back to the intense battlefield, his eyes becoming sharp.

"Order all ships to accelerate the pace of the attack. Before Brother Mortarion arrives, weaken the enemy's main force as much as possible. At the very least, leave Mortarion some... targets worth him destroying personally."