Cassian Vaughn

Nimrod sat on his the Throne, watching the green-armored Warrior enter the hall, his right shoulder adorned with the yellow lettering of XVIII.

On his left shoulder was the legion insignia, a pair of black metal horns curving downwards.

Corps Commander Cassian Vaughn of the 18th Chapter removed his helmet and slung it over his left arm.

Nimrod stared at Vaughn, remembering that the Warrior before him was not only the commander of the 18th Legion now, but would also survive the brutal "Isstvan V" and become the founder and spiritual leader of the "Disciples of Flame".

What is the situation with the 18th Legion?

Before encountering Vulkan, the 18th Legion was known as the "Dragon Warriors," but this is no longer mentioned.

They, along with the Sixth and XX Legion, were referred to as "Clover," and the Old Man in Yellow provided them with a series of cover-ups.

"My lord, the 18th Legion suffered heavy losses in the 'Storm Corridor' battle during the 'Unification Wars,' its strength reduced from 26,000 to 1,000."

"We have now recovered from our previous losses and currently have 15,000 Warrior."

Nimrod slightly. He remembered that when Vulkan reunited with the 18th Legion numbered 19,000.

After Vulkan returned in 832, he did not immediately take over his legion. He studied under the Old Man in Yellow for several years before taking command. The number of people Vokan mentioned was not much different from his estimation.

The "Emperor's Children," "Thousand Sons," and "Salamanders" legions can compete for the title of the legion with the fewest members at different stages of the "Great Crusade." I've actually commanded two of them.

"I will send a small squad to the 18th Legion to enhance understanding between the two corps and facilitate future cooperation."

Because of its small number of personnel, the 18th Legion had never been the main force responsible for combat since the start of the "Great Crusade".

They were deployed in scattered groups to deal with threats from the rear, such as Space Hulk or Aeldari Corsair.

For this reason, the 18th Legion also has some lessons to offer in dealing with guerrilla warfare and Space Hulk.

As you wish.

Vaughn, leading a small squad of Shadow of Order, left the palace. Looking at the shield that enveloped the entire city and shimmered with dazzling light, he asked curiously.

What is that?

"This energy shield technology is called the 'Bastion-class Energy Shield,' capable of ensuring the safety of the entire city," Lucas, a member of the Honor Guard from the 11th Chapter of the "Shadow of Order," proudly explained.

"This is technology that the Arbites Lord discovered on the Vigilant Star."

Vaughn stared at the shield, his eyes gleaming, and exclaimed in admiration, "Amazing technology."

Two days later, the XIV Legion's fleet arrived at Cepra Mandy, Nimrod met with Barasin, the First Company Captain of the "Dusk Raiders," and Theseus, the 7th Company, in the palace.

They wore unpainted gray Power Armor, with their right arms and shoulders painted deep red, symbolizing that they were the Emperor's ruthless right hand.

The insignia on their right shoulder consists of a skull on one half and spikes, a semicircle, and a hemisphere on the other.

After the two company commanders saluted, Barasin, as the chief company commander, addressed Nimrod.

"My lord, by order of the Emperor, those the Unbroken through your defenses are here to report."

Nimrod knew that although the Old Man in Yellow had given the XIV Legion the name Dusk Raiders, the Terra Warrior had always called themselves the Unbroken, even after Mortarion returned to the Legion.

This is because they all came from the warlike and tenacious tribes of Albia.

"How many the Unbroken does the XIV Legion have?" Nimrod asked.

"My lord, the legion currently has 37,000 the Unbroken."

Barasin's answer was similar to what Nimrod knew: before the start of the Great Birthday Celebration, the total strength of the "Death Guard" was about 95,000 men, a relatively small legion.

After inquiring about the legion's situation, Nimrod issued the following orders:

"Five days from now, the three legions will depart for the Stevenage System."

"My lord, those the Unbroken will be prepared." Barasin accepted the order.

"I will dispatch two teams of Shadow of Order to fight alongside you and deepen mutual understanding."

The "Dusk Raiders's " use of heavy infantry and his grasp of the timing at Evening are also worth understanding and learning from.

The fleets of the 8th Legion and the Fourteenth and Eighteenth Legions of the "Shadow of Order" arrived in the Stevenage System in 824.

The fleet immediately joined the void battle.

The bridge of the flagship of the 18th Legion.

Cassian Vaughn stared into the void. After the "Shadow of Order" fleet arrived in the Stevenage System, it immediately coordinated with the Second Legion to launch an attack on the Xenos fleet.

Recalling the "Reapers" from the "Unification Wars," he sighed, "You are different now."

"The return of the Primarch has reshaped the Legion," said Lucas, the squad leader stationed in the 18th Legion.

Vaughn's eyes flickered. Despite his best efforts, the 18th Legion had never been able to restore its former glory.

His legion and the XIV Legion combined only barely exceeded half the strength of the Eleventh Legion, even after they had suffered heavy losses in the fierce battle of the "Wheel of Fire".

The Eleventh Legion now governs more than seventy star systems, which are steadily developing under the rule of the Shadow of Order.

This laid the foundation for the development of the Eleventh Legion. No one could have imagined that the "Reapers," who only knew how to kill, would transform into Shadow of Order adept at management after Lord Nimrod's return.

After a moment of reflection, Vaughn ordered the warships to join the battle.

Lucas stared at the video screen and saw the Second and 8th Legion, centered on the Relic-class warships, using their range advantage to strike the Xenos warships.

Dense beams of light rained down on the enemy ship, which was covered in flashing red runes.

The red beams fired from Andres's fleet failed to strike any of the Imperium warships gleaming with green light.

The dazzling red light burst forth and vanished in an instant.

After several repetitions, the enemy ships marked in red scattered and fled like a school of fish in a panic.

Lucas glanced at the video screen, reviewed the enemy ship readings from the identification runes, and then spoke to Vaughn.

"Xenos ships, smaller and more agile."

So, what should the 18th Legion do?

Vaughn's gauntlets traced a path in the holographic image.

Lucas noticed that it was a route heading straight towards the center of the Xenos fleet's escape route.

He began, "Just as you said, the Xenos fleet is more mobile and agile."

"You cannot win by trying to outmaneuver them."

"By penetrating the center of the Xenos, the firepower advantages of the bow and two wings can be fully utilized."

Lucas remained silent. The XIV Legion and 18th Legion, lacking Relic-class warships, found it most suitable to utilize the armor and firepower advantages of Imperium warships as their tactical option.

The warships of the 18th Legion, centered on their flagship, formed an arrow formation and charged towards the Xenos fleet.

All the video screens were filled with red and green dots of light, and Lucas stood with his feet apart, his body still.

A violent tremor swept through the bridge bulkhead. He saw that in the instant of the attack, the Void Shield was subjected to countless attacks, and alarm runes flashed frequently.

After the runes flashed frequently, the B-2 Void Shield rune on the starboard side of the flagship turned completely red.

The Void Shield shattered, and then the next wave of attacks violently shook the bridge bulkhead.

A Servitor's control panel lost power due to a broken internal cable; after two electrical sparks, the Servitor ceased operation.

Lucas was prepared for the impact; his body swayed only slightly before he maintained his balance.

He couldn't help but think, "Restarting the Void Shield takes too long. It would be great if it could automatically recharge and restart."

Yes, the Legion discovered this technology at Medusa, and it should be rolled out across our Legion's warships in the future.

Lucas gathered his thoughts and refocused on the battle. He saw that although the 18th Legion's warships had suffered some losses, they had inflicted greater damage on the Xenos.

The Lance on the bow tore through the Xenos's cramped warship.

The two cannons, with every shot hitting its mark, rammed into the enemy ship, which had no Void Shield.

Vaughn's stern voice rang out. "The Xenos pirates have no honor, no courage; they've collapsed."

After clearing out the Xenos warships, the Imperial Fleet began its amphibious assault under Nimrod's orders.

After conducting orbital bombardment of Planet III, the 18th Legion launched a landing operation.