Nobi Kasgar and Dora Cawl

Kasgar: "."

Belisarius Cawl appeared out of nowhere in the basement of Chemos, the homeworld of the Sons of the Emperor.

Is that even possible?

Especially considering that Belisarius Cawl himself served as Lord Regent Guilliman's assistant for thousands of years.

Even though Guilliman was wary and cautious that Cawl might do something heretical, he never agreed to Cawl take the position of Martian Forge Master.

But in terms of the honor of developing and improving a large number of mechanical weapons and equipment in the Adeptus Mechanicus over the past thousands of years, Cawl's own prestige is even higher than that of the Martian Forge Master himself.

It's impossible that such a top figure in the Adeptus Mechanicus would appear when there wasn't even a single Adeptus Mechanicus Craftworld around him.

"Are you the artificial intelligence on Chemos?"

"I am not artificial intelligence, I am Belisarius Cawl."

"I recognize you. Ten thousand years ago, we communicated in an abandoned underground facility?"

"The Emperor's Children's people have been separated from you by your door. If you have anything to say, just say it."

"."

After Kasgar finished speaking, the steel behemoth fell silent.

"But I am still Belisarius."

Back when Kasgar and Fulgrim were about to embark on the Great Crusade with the Emperor, Kasgar had considered whether to move the artificial intelligence to another location.

According to the other party, it no longer has any need to continue existing in this era.

Since humanity is no longer willing to believe in artificial intelligence, he is willing to continue waiting for the right opportunity underground in Chemos, hoping that he can emerge from the ground again after the times change in the future.

This change occurred thousands of years later.

Belisarius Cawl, who was then a renowned sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus under Guilliman, traveled to Chemos during an academic conference in Melusine and discovered the ancient artifacts deep underground.

An ancient, Abominable Intelligence from the Dark Age of Technology.

As Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, this clearly sparked his research interest—therefore, he made a deal with the Sons of the Emperor using the "Planet Reshaping Technology," which could restore habitability to dead planets caused by Exterminatus or similar extinction events, as leverage.

His Adeptus Mechanicus help turn the surrounding world into a vacation paradise for the Sons of the Emperor, and the only thing they will do in exchange is deal this ancient artificial intelligence machine.

Needless to say, the Emperor's Children's Chapter Master naturally agreed to the request.

"Then?"

Then, the artificial intelligence on Chemos, just like the personality data that Cawl had absorbed before, joined Belisarius Cawl's family.

Indeed, Cawl, the Martian Mechanicus, was never alone.

Cawl's brain is essentially a complex computational system consisting of himself, countless AI copies of himself, and the souls (or personality data) he has absorbed that also possess thinking abilities. He likens himself to the conductor of an orchestra, while all these artificial intelligences and programs are the musicians.

After combining with the local artificial intelligence in Chemos, Cawl, now above Chemos, is both the former artificial intelligence and a slice of Belisarius's personality.

While providing the Archmagos with a wealth of Dark Age of Technology, it also serves as a backup personality for Belisarius Cawl in case the original body encounters misfortune.

A mechanical being capable of uploading or downloading backups of its own personality at any time.

"This is... way too Necrons."

After all, given the amount of flesh Cawl now, he's practically a Necron.

Space is alive.

"Alright, enough with the pointless small talk—what exactly do you want from me?"

"Kasgar said."

The armor he wore was the result of the other party's painstaking creation—if it weren't for Cawl, he would probably still be lying in the Stasis Field, continuing to sleep.

"Soon."

"Um?"

"My true body is very close to here," Belisarius's backup said slowly. "He will arrive in person soon."

"When?"

"Soon," said the AI version of Belisarius Cawl. "Right now."

As he spoke, he turned his head and turned on a projection screen—in the center of the projection, a giant Adeptus Mechanicus Craftworld, far larger than Strike Cruiser, was floating in the void.

"Since you disappeared, we have been searching for you all over the galaxy."

Shortly after Kasgar Chemos, Cawl and his Adeptus Mechanicus Craftworld learned of this—or rather, Cawl's Armor of Fate finally connected to the local network upon arrival in Chemos.

"Now, let's have a friendly chat while we wait."

The AI-generated electronic audio seemed to contain laughter.

As the conversation progressed, Kasgar learned a fair share of the identity of this Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Cawl's experiences over the past ten thousand years are quite similar to the original timeline.

As a secret researcher planted by Guilliman, he has been using his wisdom to develop and improve some of the Imperium's existing weapons and equipment. For example, plasma, Bolter weapons, and Melta Bomb have all been improved to some extent.

As for deeper research...

Kasgar stared at the machine that was communicating with him and fell into a brief silence.

"I see your confusion, but I would like to clarify something again."

"I am not an artificial Abominable Intelligence."

Okay.

If you say it's not, then it's not.

Only another super scientist of the Imperium of Man, the Chief Apothecary Melusine, knew exactly how treasonous the research that Cawl was conducting would be in the eyes of the Inquisition.

They're both equally bad.

Currently, Belisarius Cawl is working with Melusine on technological improvements to the Space Marine's modifications, known as Primaris Technology.

"Actually, if we're talking about improvements to Space Marine technology, I've already completed improvements to the Primaris."

"But it seems the Chief Apothecary has his own opinion on this."

Melusine stated that the Primaris was merely an improvement and minor tweak to the original technology. Although it could make Space Marine taller, faster, and stronger, it still couldn't meet Melusine's requirements.

However, it seems that the research has recently hit a critical bottleneck. Melusine and some of her Apothecary have left Chemos and disappeared without a trace.

Bio-modification technology is mostly within the scope of Chief Apothecary's work, and they don't know much about it.

"And this armor you're wearing is the product of a great deal of my effort—in order to suppress your Psychic Power from bursting out of your body while ensuring that it won't affect your use, I—"

Just as "Cawl" was still boasting about himself, his voice suddenly became a little lower.

As if it had been processed again, the display screen behind them, which originally showed the giant Craftworld of the Adeptus Mechanicus, suddenly changed, revealing the mechanical face of the steel behemoth itself.

"Nice to meet you."

Belisarius Cawl.

My true self.

"Welcome, Hero Kasgar."

"Since the day you disappeared, we have been searching for your whereabouts every moment."

Cawl's Adeptus Mechanicus Craftworld was enormous. As he and Titus boarded this super warship made of giant steel machinery, the Adeptus Mechanicus sage, the steel behemoth Belisarius, Cawl in Red Robes, stepped forward to greet them.

"Please."

Guided by the other party, Kasgar and his adjutant Titus were led into one of the rooms.

Even at its current Kasgar, the Archmagos is still a super-large machine with very little flesh.

"I believe my clone has had in-depth exchanges with you, great ancient hero."

"Could you tell me what your plans are for the future?"

Belisarius chuckled, seemingly gloating over his observations of Kasgar's homeworld. "Consider this your assessment of the current Sons of the Emperor?"

"Enough, Archmagos. There's no need to ask such questions."

I don't want to answer.

"Heh, those pathetic guys."

If it weren't for Melusine's request, he wouldn't have spent a thousand years designing a suit of armor for a dying person so that he could move freely.

This is a huge waste of resources.

But soon after, Guilliman also entered the Stasis Field for similar reasons, which prompted him to accelerate his research on the Armor of Fate.

The customization work for the Kasgar special edition was only completed not long ago.

Once it is successfully launched, his hard work can be verified, and then...

—And then it was lost.

Kasgar and his armor were suddenly captured by Abaddon and his Black Legion, who then fled.

From then on, there were no more clues about Kasgar in the world.

This ancient hero, along with the creations that Cawl had poured his heart and soul into, vanished from the world.

Even with Cawl's good temper (at least most of his personality is good-tempered), he consistently fell into a state of extreme anger when faced with this situation.

"Well"

Kasgar just sighed.

"Originally, I only wanted to rebuild the Sons of the Emperor, but now..."

It's utterly exhausting.

Even now, Kasgar doesn't want to mention rebuilding the Emperor's Children Legion.

To save the Emperor's Children from his current state of decline, he needs to draw suitable warriors from other sub-units and carry out a thorough overhaul of the Emperor's Children Legion from top to bottom, weeding out those who are unfit.

Then, without the notice of the Inquisition or the Ministry of the Interior, Ai gradually corrected the atmosphere of the entire group bit by bit.

Kasgar simply doesn't have the time for that.

It would take far too much time. The Imperium of Man is currently beset by internal and external threats, Kasgar doesn't have the time to stay on Chemos and slowly work on the Sons of the Emperor's mindset.

—There is even a possibility of being betrayed by an insider.

Even Kasgar himself didn't know whether the Sons of the Emperor was involved in the incident when he was rescued by Cawl and suddenly broke into Abaddon and the Black Legion.

Otherwise, without any intelligence, it would have been almost impossible for Abaddon to break through the Adeptus Mechanicus's defenses and snatch him and the armor covering him at the crucial moment when he was about to awaken.

"Integrating the Sons of the Emperor is already a pointless endeavor," Kasgar replied.

"I need to rebuild a new Chapter."

Let the Sons of the Emperor do whatever he wants.

I don't want to save them anymore; it's too much trouble and too dangerous.

You should hurry up and open a new account.

"Belisarius Cawl, I need your help."

Kasgar said to Dora Cawl, "I need the name of a Chapter that has been registered in the Imperium of Man, preferably currently missing, so that we can pretend to have just returned from Warp voyage."

"Ideally, it should be the offspring of the Sons of the Emperor."

"Any other requirements?"

"It would be best to call him the Sons of the Phoenix."

"?"

Cawl raised his head slightly and looked at the other person with some doubt through his mechanical eyes.

Is this requirement a bit too specific?

"Is there?"

"There really is."

As he spoke, he activated a projection screen on his body, which displayed a Space Marine painted in white and purple with a golden eagle emblem (single-headed eagle) in the center.

Sons of the Phoenix

The Sons of the Phoenix, like the Black Templars, are a glorious chapter, eternally on a perpetual Chapter.

They were brave and Dreadnought in battle, showing no mercy to either humans or the Emperor's enemies. As descendants of the glorious Sons of the Emperor, they possessed a spirit that Kasgar hoped their offspring would have more than the current Emperor's Children.

However, according to the Imperium's current records, the Sons of the Phoenix Chapter disappeared without a trace after one expedition in M36.

"Good!"

Nobi Kasgar nodded slightly as he looked at the message handed to him by Dora Cawl.

The negotiations lasted for several days.

As Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Belisarius Cawl, having spent a millennium designing the Armor of Fate and awakening Kasgar, naturally hoped that this ancient hero could inject new vitality into the stagnant Imperium of Man.

If things continue as the High Lord of the Interior intends, his innovative actions as Adeptus Mechanicus will soon be classified as heresy. At that point, not only will he be unable to revive Guilliman, but even his own research will be in jeopardy.

As for Kasgar's plan to rebuild the Sons of the Phoenix, Cawl will naturally provide all his support.

Whether it's the Emperor's Children Gene-seed he currently possesses or the best Space Marine candidates he's cultivating in petri dishes, Cawl can provide them to Kasgar.

It can be said that the all-powerful Dora Cawl can currently provide them with approximately three thousand new recruits.

"But it is clear that three thousand is a number that violates the Codex Astartes."

Moreover, the reborn Sons of the Phoenix currently lacks the equipment, weapons, ammunition, and training programs to equip these three thousand people.

Blindly expanding the number of members will only increase the unnecessary burden on the Chapter.

"One thousand." Cawl chose to change his plans. "These one thousand new recruits will all be joining your Strike Cruiser in the coming weeks."

"If you are able to acquire more weapons and equipment to equip more Space Marine in the future, you may contact me or my clone at any time."

The beach at Chemos.

During this time, Cawl was nurturing Sons of the Phoenix recruits for Project Kasgar in his private incubation chambers.

With this new force, although the entire Chapter was still very rudimentary, it could be considered to have taken initial shape.

"But sir, what brings you here?"

While waiting, Kasgar did not stay in the Emperor's Children's playground as requested, but instead walked out of the tower alone and stared blankly at the vast but poisonous ocean outside.

As for the little boy who had just appeared beside him.

Clearly, he had once again inadvertently displayed his Psychic Power talent.

"Would you believe me if I told you that this place used to be a beautiful place?"

This used to be a beautiful beach, at least 10,000 years ago.

Kasgar remembers how he helped the Emperor's Children veteran, who was suffering from Withering Sickness, through his final moments.

He promised that he would always remember their sacrifice and would forever ensure that they could rest in peace in this beautiful place.

But now.

Nothing else existed; he was still staring blankly at the dirty ocean in the distance.

To ensure that the poor cannot enjoy the beautiful sea view, let alone live a relatively prosperous life by fishing.

Just to prevent them from getting even the slightest bit of enjoyment, everything on Chemos was completely corrupted.

No fish or algae in the ocean can survive in such a highly toxic environment.

Here, only utter silence remained.

"The Sons of the Emperor has gone astray. If that's the case, then let's set off again from here."

As for you

Kasgar prepared a special modification surgery for this little guy.

The Psychic Power potential he previously displayed was quite remarkable. With proper training, he could grow into a qualified Librarian member, or even the Chief Librarian.

"Come on, soon you will become that tall and strong."

"Let's go back to our spaceship and talk about it now."

"Yes, sir. However, I have another question I would like to ask you."

Is our goal space?

The little boy's eyes shone with intense anticipation, as if he were soaring freely in the sky at that very moment.

"That's right," Kasgar said, smiling as she looked at him.

"Our goal has always been the stars."

On the Strike Cruiser.

"Chapter Master, our first batch of new recruits has been delivered."

His adjutant Titus, brought him some good news.

Kasgar's current title has become Chapter Master of the Sons of the Phoenix.

As for the paint on his own Strike Cruiser, it was naturally replaced during this period as well.

"Chapter Master, now that we've replenished our personnel, what's our next goal?"

"Next goal?"

Kasgar looked at the projection screen in front of him.

"We urgently need weapons, ammunition, and Gene-seed."

"A large number of Gene-seed."

Three thousand Gene-seed sound like a lot, but it's still far too few compared to the number needed to unlock Terra.

As for the Sons of the Emperor, even if Kasgar threatened them with fire and their lives, they could only provide him with about a thousand of them.

According to the Chapter Master, although the Emperor's Children doesn't have many tasks, the Gene-seed tax is the heaviest.

Even Kasgar thought that the Ministry of the Interior and the Adeptus Mechanicus using the Sons of the Emperor as incubators.

As a result, after paying taxes, the number of Gene-seed remaining is not very large.

"But if we really want to force the High Lord to submit, we'll need at least tens of thousands of Astartes."

Equipment can actually be sourced from anywhere; their sub-group Red Scorpions, is even capable of mass production.

However, as the lifeblood of each Chapter, it is almost impossible for outsiders to obtain the Gene-seed.

However, in order to form a Space Marine Chapter with a scale approaching that of a legion, Kasgar also legally obtained more Gene-seed as a backup.

At that moment, a former storage vault appeared in his mind.

"That Trazyn the Infinite, still owes me a whole shipload of Gene-seed."