The Lasidream People

Five months later, outside the gates of Lasidream City-State, Sacks stood in his ill-fitting Arbitrator Carapace Armor, frowning at the towering walls before him. The armor chafed his shoulders raw, but it was the current campaign that truly pained him.

After all, if they couldn't take Lasidream City, he and his brothers would be dead men walking.

Five months ago, when he arrived at the Primitive City-State Camp that held all their supplies and rendezvoused with his dozen or so subordinates, Sacks discovered they were even less reliable than he was.

He was at least a proper Astra Militarum battalion commander. The others were Planetary Defense Force company commanders, Hive Enforcer Patrol officers, ungraduated military academy students, and even one PDF cook.

Faced with this motley crew of misfits, Sacks could only grit his teeth and preside over their operational meeting.

Like a teacher in a literacy class, Sacks patiently guided his subordinates. He planted one foot on a Frag Grenade Box, grabbed an antenna temporarily detached from the Communication Radio, and used it to tap the blackboard while highlighting key points.

"The Forged Steel Lord's requirement is to take the main continent within half a year. So what's the key issue?"

"The key issue is the crux of the problem. The crux is that we have no armored units. The only Aquila Shuttle we have belongs to the Blackrock. Sure, the Astartes ordered them to provide air support, but to put it in terms everyone understands: the Navy? Screw them. They just fly around, transmit useless terrain maps, and casually fire their autocannons a few times."

"We have thirty thousand soldiers, and they weren't trained by us. If casualties get too high, there's a risk of mutiny... So... we need to... flank... encircle... expend ammunition... capture their homeland..." After a grueling ten-hour operational meeting, they finally settled on a battle plan.

First, they'd urgently train these citizen soldiers for half a month. Then he and his dozen subordinates would split into five columns and attack the major city-states. Once the big ones fell, the smaller vassals would know which way the wind blew.

They'd use firepower incomprehensible to the locals to take down some city-states first, proclaiming themselves heavenly soldiers of the Iron Angels. Some city-states might even surrender without a fight. Along the way, they'd conscript local soldiers. Finally, all five columns would converge on the eastern coastal plains and take Lasidream City-State in one decisive blow.

But now, he knew he'd made a mistake: saving the hardest nut to crack for last. The locals said the Lasidream people were a warrior race, emissaries of the Evil God Ares. Back then, he'd scoffed. A bunch of savages with wooden spears who didn't even know what a gun was. One burst of fire would send them running.

By the time they reached Lasidream, their ammunition was nearly spent. The good news was their forces had swelled to nearly 200,000. They had the last holdout city-state completely surrounded.

Out of ammo? Time for the old ways. What old ways? Build wooden siege towers and catapults. Have the soldiers grab scaling ladders and charge.

The result? Seven or eight thousand soldiers and twenty thousand slave soldiers inside the city beat back their 200,000-man army. During the siege, Sacks even lured the enemy king to the walls for negotiations, then took him out with a single sniper shot from a Laser Gun.

After the decapitation strike, the enemy fought even harder. They not only dared to sally forth but even drove back the besieging troops. According to the locals, it was because of some Dual King System. Losing one king didn't matter.

Staring at the map, Sacks couldn't figure out how his war had devolved into throwing rocks and javelins. The kicker? They were losing to spear-wielding natives. The more they fought, the more primitive it got.

But the bigger problem now was the Forged Steel Lord's deadline. If they didn't take the city in five days, the Astartes would rip his head off and use it for a football. He'd heard the Iron Warriors executed their own by tens. If he failed... God-Emperor protect him.

His adjutant cursed beside him:

"Damn it, why did we have to fight this war?"

Truth be told, Sacks still wondered the same thing. Why did the Forged Steel Lord make them attack these city-states when there were easier ways? One or two Astartes leading a few hundred sailors from the ship could sweep the entire world.

Meanwhile, in the Storm Eagle Gunship cruising through the planet's stratosphere, Peter, Anthony, and Wonaby watched the footage on the screen.

Wonaby spoke first:

"This is the last city-state. We can confirm they have no dark technology from the Old Night."

Peter stared at the screen and commented:

"Good. Despite absolute disadvantage, these soldiers called the Lasidream people still display courage. They've even achieved local victories."

Anthony sneered:

"Captain, they're just primitives. One unarmed brother could slaughter them all. Since they have no ancient tech, I suggest we massacre this last resisting city. Show the others what happens when they defy us."

Peter shook his head slightly:

"Anthony, look at their spears and large round shields. They cover each other, forming a shield wall. Primitive but coordinated. The Dark Eldar slaves may be routing, but not a single armored citizen soldier has fled. I think we should keep them."

Wonaby picked up the thread:

"Lord, I've studied the local records. They don't worship the False Emperor. It's a primitive Local Faith."

"Any signs of Chaos?"

"None so far. But this city-state doesn't get along with the others. 'Lasidream' in the local tongue means 'Arable Plain.' They occupy the few plains, the richest land, and follow a Pagan Faith. That makes them hated by the other city-states."

Peter nodded lightly:

"No Chaos signs means we can keep them. Warriors always deserve some privileges. A strong warrior culture makes them excellent recruitment stock."

Peter glanced at his brother Anthony. Too stubborn and contemptuous of everything. He barely qualified as a squad leader. Promoting him further would be a disaster. Peter planned to gradually phase Anthony out of command, letting him serve more as the War Band Champion and his bodyguard.

Just then, Peter's communicator buzzed. After hearing the message, he replied:

"Alright, I understand."

Ending the call, he turned to Wonaby:

"Captain Wonaby, we have distinguished guests. I need to return to the flagship to receive them. Take two brothers and secure this city-state. Don't kill too many."

"Yes, Lord."

Anthony asked curiously:

"Captain, what guests?"

Peter cracked a rare smile:

"The Dark Mechanicus."