Chapter 198, From today on, I am the Phoenix
In an untraceable era, the Emperor, who was still alive on Earth, created gene seeds and created Space Marines.
Today, that technology has long been lost.
In the current era, gene seeds can only be produced by Space Marines themselves. Moreover, due to the long separation, the gene seeds of each long-standing warband have gradually produced some subtle differences. After the completion of the genetic surgery and the creation of the Space Marines, their characteristics will also be different.
The gene seed bank accumulated by the Phoenix Legion over the long years has been destroyed.
According to the history of the chapter that Martins once told, in the final battle that ended the Hundred Years of Atonement Crusade, their flagship, carrying the chapter's arsenal and gene pool, was completely destroyed in a huge explosion.
In this world, if you want to see the gene seeds of the Phoenix again, apart from those picked after the seven living warriors died, the rest can only be found in the Imperial Gene Seed Bank.
Space Marines also need to pay taxes, called "gene-seed taxes". They need to pay 10% of the new seeds produced by the chapter regularly. The Adeptus Mechanicus and the Imperial Church check whether the chapter's gene-seed is still pure, and in this way determine whether the chapter has no problems.
Seeds that pass the inspection will enter the Imperial gene bank and will generally be used to establish new regiments.
In this way, in theory, the Phoenix Chapter could ask the Empire for assistance and rebuild the chapter through the gene-seed taxes they had paid in the past.
But in reality, this is impossible.
First of all, Phoenix applied, but it fell on deaf ears. The Empire has no such rule, and there has never been a rule that a war group with heavy losses can use past seed taxes to replenish its troops.
The Empire really has no motivation to do this: why should it replenish the combat power of the old regiments?
From Gu Hang's perspective, if he were a member of the Imperial Supreme Council, he would not agree.
Space Marines are independent warlords within the Empire, according to the canon. Most of them have their own home planets, which do not pay taxes. Space Marines are generally obedient, but there are also many who follow orders but not proclamations.
The Empire doesn't even have an organization with the power to specifically supervise Space Marines. Getting Space Marines to do work is like the relationship between Gu Hang and the Phoenix. They have to be assigned orders and commissioned. If they really don't do it, or if they don't contribute, there is no conventional means to punish or restrict them, except to have a falling out and label them traitors.
And if you really want to label someone a traitor, it's not that simple. Which long-standing chapter doesn't have a bunch of comrades, good friends, planets saved by them, etc., all of which are connections, all of which are political backers. Can you just label them as traitors? After the labeling, the mother chapter and the same chapters come out one after another to defend the injustice.
If there is real evidence, that’s another matter; if there is even the slightest controversy, this matter cannot be done.
In this case, why support the old regiment? If there is a real need, just build a new regiment.
You guys should figure out a way yourself.
Especially the Phoenix Regiment, which has a criminal record and was sentenced to a penance expedition. Its political connections are almost wiped out, so don't even think about getting support. Instead of saving you, it's better to build a new regiment, unlike the Phoenix, which has a lot of unclear historical issues.
Without any hope of getting new seeds from the empire, they have no one left to rely on but themselves.
The sacrifice of the three soldiers brought three seeds of hope, but all the operations failed.
This means that the seeds of the Phoenix Legion only exist in the bodies of the four remaining people.
In theory, it is impossible to have it anywhere else.
In this situation, Gu Hang took out one.
What does it mean?
Are you connected to the higher-ups and got the gene seeds, or what?
No matter what excuse Gu Hang made, it was untenable. He couldn't possibly say that the Imperial Gene Bank authorized him to have a batch of Phoenix seeds. That was a lie. Such a thing had never happened in the entire empire's history of tens of thousands of years.
But continue to play dumb and deny it?
Something doesn't seem right.
It has been half a year since Gu Hang gained the ability to exchange gene seeds. It is impossible to say that he is not itching to try. He has also been planning for this opportunity to use the ability to exchange gene seeds.
If he hadn't had this idea, why would he have spent a huge amount of money to buy twenty sets of power armor when the beautiful girl caravan was here?
Isn't it just for that day!
According to Gu Hang's original plan, he wanted to wait until Wu Jiarong had time and then let this priest of the Mechanicus study how to perform the gene implantation surgery.
This job does not have to be done by Space Marines. In fact, when the Empire wants to create a new chapter, it is the Mechanicus who is in charge.
The only problem is that Wu Jiarong is not specialized in genetic engineering. In comparison, Hu Ke is a better choice, but considering the degree of trust, Wu Jiarong is still the best choice.
Let her study it, and then Gu Hang will find some qualified and potential teenagers, train them to the T1 level with the [Soldier Card] system, and then exchange them for gene seeds. The total cost is 211 points of grace, plus the life of a potential teenager, as the price for Wu Jiarong to practice.
Even if you fail, you should be able to do it after practicing a few times.
Anyway, gene seeds are not precious to Gu Hang, they are only 100 points of grace. Now it costs much more than this amount to draw out a technology.
The only concern is how to explain it after it is done.
If we could take advantage of this opportunity to reach an agreement with the Phoenix Legion now...it would be almost a perfect situation.
Moreover, the fact that he came over almost made the situation clear, and there was no room for me to continue playing dumb.
Sitting on his Governor's throne, Gu Hang looked down at the four Space Marines, his eyes particularly focused on Martins and Rizzo.
He could see the relief and tension on Martins' face.
He could also see that Pastor Rizzo had opened his eyes at some point, and his expression was full of anticipation, even a little fanatical!
Recalling what Martins had just said, that they were guided to the Angry Owl Star because Rizzo prayed to the Emperor, he gritted his teeth and decided to give it a try.
He thought it through clearly. In the desperate situation, these phoenixes who were obsessed with keeping the chapter going, faced with the gene seeds that came from nowhere but were definitely descendants of the phoenixes, would most likely give up looking for the cause and just hope that the chapter could survive.
Space Marines are called the Emperor's angels of death, and it's true that they all value loyalty. But...are there no Space Marines who have betrayed?
That's not the case.
Heretic Chapters, Chaos Space Marine Warbands… these are real things.
Aren't they separated from the loyalist Space Marines?
Given the Phoenix's current situation, if it weren't for the survival of the regiment, there was a high chance that they would agree to rebel directly. Not to mention, what Gu Hang wanted them to do next was to ask them to rebel.
Furthermore, when Gu Hang looked at Rizzo, he always felt that this chief pastor would be a key figure, and maybe he would even become his accomplice.
Thinking of this, Gu Hang took a deep breath and said seriously to the four Space Marines below: "If you say so, I do have an idea that may help you..."
He just gave a head start, but Gu Hang didn't go into detail, leaving room for further discussion.
He spoke slowly, not forgetting to observe the expressions of Martins and Rizzo.
The longing expression on Martins' face suddenly became full of hope.
The Chapter Master looked at him with eager eyes, eagerly awaiting his next words.
And the fanatical look on Rizzo's face became even more obvious.
The two people’s reactions made Gu Hang feel a little relieved.
Their first concern was not "Why can this governor help us get gene seeds", but "He can agree to any conditions", which in itself explains a lot of problems.
He continued, "But this matter is too important and special. It involves some secrets, and I will pay a great price for it. This exceeds my support for you. So, if you need this kind of special help, I need you to agree to a few conditions."
Martins couldn't wait to speak: "You tell me! I will definitely agree! No matter what the conditions are, I will agree!"
Deep down, he was indeed prepared to pay any price.
Gu Hang raised a finger: "First of all, the Phoenix Regiment needs to pledge allegiance to me."
Just this first one made Martins stunned.
A chapter, pledging allegiance to a planetary governor?
Has anything like this ever happened in the entire history of mankind?
Planetary governors, aren't they mortals appointed by the chapter to help them manage the planets? At best, they are stewards who can be replaced at will if they don't do a good job, right?
Now, the Chapter will pledge allegiance to the Planetary Governor?
He couldn't quite accept it.
Gu Hang's expression calmed down: "I think I should make it clearer: This has exceeded the help I can provide to my allies. You should also understand this. I can only pay the price for my own people, my true friends."
After a pause, Gu Hang leaned forward and stared at Martins: "I am ready to pay the price for the revival of the regiment, but the premise is that this is 'my regiment'. So, Captain Martins, you said you are willing to pay any price, so does what you said just now still count?"
"I..." Martins looked at Rizzo again.
But he only saw Pastor Rizzo's encouraging look.
"I promise." Martins lowered his noble head.
"Then take the oath." Gu Hang said.
Now that you've agreed, what else is there to say?
Martins knelt on one knee in front of Gu Hang, who was sitting on the governor's throne in front of the golden statue of the emperor, and at the same time lowered his proud head.
Following his action, Rizzo and the other two Space Marines also knelt down.
The next step should be the oath-taking session.
But Martins pursed his lips tightly.
He didn't know how to start.
At this time, Reverend Rizzo spoke up: "It is my job to lead the chapter in taking the oath and singing the prayer. Let me do it."
Martins breathed a sigh of relief.
The chief pastor was still somewhat useful at the critical moment, at least he took over the most embarrassing part on his behalf.
But soon, he couldn't laugh anymore.
"From today on, I am the Phoenix..."
The first words that Rizzo said stirred the DNA of the three Martins.
This is the Chapter Oath of the Phoenix Chapter, which every battle brother must memorize and recite in front of all the battle brothers when they officially join the Chapter when they swear to the Emperor. After that, almost every banquet, dinner, and prayer of the Chapter begins with this.
I have memorized it by heart.
In the past and present warbands, whenever they held similar prayer activities, it was always led by the head priest Rizzo. Everyone was very familiar with this, so the three of them almost instinctively followed the chanting.
"From today on, I am the Phoenix..."
"I am the sword of the emperor, and also the sword of Gu Hang."
The three of them suddenly widened their eyes and looked at Rizzo in disbelief.
What the hell? You just changed the Chapter Oath?
Just swear allegiance, why change the oath that has been passed down in the entire chapter for thousands of years?
No, you should discuss it with us too!
However, the look in Reverend Rizzo's eyes when he looked at them was firm and fanatical, and it was obvious that he was urging them to recite along.
What else can Martins and the remaining two fighters do?
Things have come to this point, and there is still room for me to stand up and say I quit?
They just paused for a moment, but finally gritted their teeth and continued reading along with the chief pastor.
"I am the sword of the emperor, and also the sword of Gu Hang."
"I am the shield of the Emperor, and also the shield of Gu Hang."
"I will bring death to the enemies of humanity, and I will bring back glory for the Emperor and Gu Hang!"
"I will sacrifice myself for the Emperor, and be reborn because of Gu Hang!"
"From today on, I will be the immortal bird and fight forever!"
…
Gu Hang felt uncomfortable listening to this.
The oath forcibly adds his name to it, which sounds awkward no matter how you listen to it.
In addition to the embarrassment, the more important point is...guilty conscience.
What virtue do I have to stand alongside the emperor in an oath?
How big of a trouble would it be if other people heard this?
But he couldn't open his mouth to stop it, and it was hard to tell what he felt in his heart.
It's impossible that I don't feel any secret joy at all.
A chapter swore allegiance to him and even changed its oath. How could he not be unhappy?
Although there were only four people left in this regiment, from this moment on, he could finally use that repeatable event without any scruples to exchange gene seeds.
The seal has been lifted. For those who are good at cheating, do they still need to worry about the speed of troop growth?
However, Gu Hang was not overwhelmed by this secret feeling of joy.
He still remembers the business.
After the Phoenix Regiment finished their oath, Gu Hang raised his second finger...
(End of this chapter)
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