Chapter 1144: Speech on the Spirit of Vengeance

The strategic command hall of the flagship of the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet, the Spirit of Vengeance

Horus Lupercal stood in front of the holographic star map, his golden power armor glowing with a cold metallic luster under the cold light of the dome.

His face was calm and majestic, his brows showed the vicissitudes of thousands of years of battle, yet he had an almost divine calmness.

His eyes, eyes that had witnessed the best and darkest moments of the Imperium of Man, now gazed upon the gleaming Tau territory on the star map.

The automatic door of the command hall slid open silently, and Lion El'Jonson stepped in.

The lion king's steps were as steady as a mountain, and his lion mane cloak rose and fell slightly with his movements, like a living thing.

His lion-like pupils swept across everyone in the hall, finally fixing on Horus.

"My brother." Horus turned around with a smile on his face, which was the comradeship that had not been erased after thousands of years.

"Horus." Lion's voice was low and powerful. He walked to the star map, put his hands on the metal table, and exerted a little force with his knuckles. Tiny dents appeared on the surface of the alloy. "You summoned us to speed up the progress of this war?"

Horus nodded, his eyes looking past Lion to the door.

There, a tall figure was walking slowly.

Fiery red skin, long hair burning like flames, and a pair of golden pupils that seemed to contain endless wisdom. That was Magnus, the Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion, who was now appearing in the expeditionary force's strategic meeting in a rare manner.

"Magnus." Horus raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of teasing in his tone, "I thought you would stay in Prospero's library for another few thousand years."

Magnus chuckled, his voice as elegant and low as turning pages of an ancient book: "Knowledge is only symbols on paper if it is not tested in practice. My legion needs the battlefield, not an eternal study."

His tone had the unique rhythm of a scholar, and every word seemed to be carefully crafted.

The holographic star map switched, showing the deployment of the empire's various legions.

The Luna Wolves, the sons of Horus, have fleets that stretch across the border of the Tau Empire like a torrent of steel, numbering over a million, and the armor of every battleship is engraved with the oath of expedition.

The Dark Angels Legion, warriors from Caliban, their formation is like the ancient Caliban hunting formation, silent and deadly, with 800,000 elite soldiers ready to go.

The Thousand Sons Legion, the scholar-warriors of Magnus, may only number 50,000, but their psychic arrays are enough to tear apart reality, and their wisdom is enough to crack any enemy's tactics.

"The development of genetic technology has freed us from the constraints of the past." Horus' finger slid across the holographic star map, marking the core worlds of the Tau Empire. "The Word Bearers, the Night Lords, the Ultramarines... Each legion has exceeded one million people."

"And the Alpha Legion..." Ryan snorted coldly, "Who knows how many people they have?"

Horus smiled and said, "That is why they are the sharpest daggers."

Magnus nodded slightly, his fingertips tapping the star map, the light of psychic energy flickering in the data stream: "The technology of the Tau Empire is not without threats. Their pulse weapons, ion technology, and even some... forbidden reverse engineering are all worthy of our caution."

"Cautious?" Ryan raised a disdainful arc at the corner of his mouth, "Their so-called technology is nothing more than a toy in front of real power."

Horus looked at him with deep eyes: "Father gave us a month."

"One month?" Ryan laughed, his laughter echoing in the command hall like thunder, "That's enough! The Titanium are just a group of bugs hiding in metal shells. It won't even take thirty days to crush them!"

Magnus shook his head slightly, a hint of helplessness flashed in his golden pupils: "Lion, war is not only a contest of strength, but also a contest of wisdom."

"Wisdom?" The Lion King raised his eyebrows, "My sword is wisdom."

Horus raised his hand to stop any possible debate. "Our goal is clear - to destroy the military core of the Tau Empire, dismantle their command system, and ensure the security of human territory."

His voice was deep and firm, like the roar of a war drum: "The Luna Wolves will be the main attackers, the Dark Angels will be responsible for flanking breakthroughs, and the Thousand Sons will act according to circumstances."

Magnus nodded slightly: "My psykers are ready."

Ryan's eyes lit up with fighting spirit: "My warriors are thirsty for blood."

Horus looked at his two brothers, the smile on his face gradually turning cold. "Then let us teach the Tau Empire a lesson they will never forget."

Outside the command hall, the engines of the Imperial fleet roared like thunder.

The roar of millions of warriors echoed in the communication channel, and the muzzles of the battleships flashed with the light of destruction.

Horus stood in front of the observation window, gazing at the distant starry sky.

"In one month, the Tau Empire will be history."

Ryan stood beside him, the Lion Sword was already unsheathed, the blade reflecting the light of the stars: "No, brother."

"In one month, the Tau Empire will be reduced to ashes."

Magnus stood behind them, psychic flames dancing at his fingertips. "And we will write a new chapter."

The silhouettes of the three Primarchs stretched out in the starlight, like three unsheathed swords, pointing directly at the enemy's throat.

………………

The flagship of the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet, the Vengeful Spirit, main deck plaza*

Millions of Space Marines stood in silence like a forest, they were neatly arranged in square arrays, with the standard-bearer standing at the front of the square, waiting for orders.

The gray-white armor of the Moon Wolf glowed with a cold metallic luster under the spotlight.

The dark green armor of the Dark Angel was as silent as a dark forest.

The scarlet robes of the Thousand Sons fluttered in the void without wind, and psionic runes flowed on their armor.

The warships' giant projection arrays projected Horus's image onto the bulkheads of every ship, allowing every soldier to see their Warmaster clearly.

Horus Lupercal stood on the platform, without a helmet, his face as strong as cast.

His power armor was engraved with the glory of the expedition, and the double-headed eagle emblem on the shoulder armor shone brightly under the light.

He slowly raised his hand, and millions of soldiers instantly fell silent, even their breathing seemed to be suppressed by some invisible force.

“Warriors.”

His voice was not loud, but it penetrated everyone's soul like thunder.

"Today, we stand on the edge of human territory, facing an alien empire that claims to be the Greater Good."

Horus took a step forward, the sound of his boots hitting the metal deck like a war drum.

“They think their technology can challenge the dignity of mankind!”

"They think their fleet can stop the Empire's expedition!"

"They think their borders can stop our fleet!"

Horus' voice suddenly rose, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

"But! We will tell them! We! Will make every planet in the Tau Empire! Burn!"