"Are you implying that his next target will be you?" Kasha asked, giving Axis a once over. Indeed, she wouldn't blame the Overlord.
"This guy has a habit of collecting strange and bizarre things. The Adeptus Astartes created by the Emperor, even the Custodian Guard, are on his list," Axis shrugged.
The so-called Archaeovist was without a doubt the boldest and most audacious individual in the galaxy.
In his collection, even the Custodian Guard were not considered especially valuable. During the Thirteenth Black Crusade, he had casually released them, as if they were nothing.
At the same time, several Imperial armies had appeared, including entire companies of Ultramarines from the era of the Great Crusade, as well as female Inquisitors from the Ordo.
This character had covertly sabotaged the Imperium of Man on multiple occasions, acquiring countless Imperial assets for his personal collection. He had entire regiments of Imperial Guard, fully intact Astartes companies from the Great Crusade era, and more.
Before Axis' transmigration, some hobbyists on the forums had even speculated that out of the twenty Space Marine Legions the Emperor created, the Archaeovist possessed at least one company from each Legion in his vaults.
Not to mention his unique collections from other xenos species.
So, after Axis displayed the power to physically destroy fleets with his bare hands, it would be a miracle if the Archaeovist didn't set his sights on him.
"Axis, I think we should inform Father about the Necron intelligence," Kasha said, "At the very least, he should know that the Rangda is currently at war with the Necrons."
"Alright. Just tell him we accidentally obtained this intel from a destroyed Rangda warship. I'll teach you exactly how to phrase it," Axis said, rubbing his hands together.
This was a highly valuable piece of intelligence. Perhaps it could be used to pit the Necrons against the Rangdas.
And besides, he had something important in his possession, something that might require Necron technology to open: King Vegeta's private lockbox.
Axis was very curious about what was inside.
He intended to investigate this small Necron dynasty.
"Fine. Let's finish dealing with the situation on this world first. After that, I'll report it to Father," Kasha said.
"I'll also inform the Lion, then get ready to head for the next target," Axis replied.
Once the conversation ended, Axis and Kasha began addressing the problems on the Forge World.
First, they transported the hundreds of thousands of newly recruited Imperial soldiers aboard his ship.
Then, he had the Astropaths contact the Lion's fleet to report on the status of this star system.
The primary Forge World had been completely liberated, and the remaining mining planets could soon resume production, once again supplying the Imperium with arms and materiel.
"Well done. I expect no less from you. It seems the enemy you faced this time wasn't too strong," said Lion El'Jonson. The man had gone form "I didn't expect" from "I expect"a bit too fast.
Lion's own campaign would still take days before all xenos forces in the system were eliminated, even with the Dark Angels fighting with everything they had, to the death if necessary.
Axis had finished even faster, and it came as no surprise.
"So then, give me a new target. My fist's are honestly itchy," Axis said.
"That won't be a problem. I've already assigned you a new objective. Head there immediately.
"It's about a dozen light-years away. A few days in the Warp should get you there. I look forward to seeing you end the battle just as quickly," the Lion said, before ending the transmission and returning to his own fight.
Axis chose not to tell the Lion about the Necrons for now. He would first see what the Emperor had to say.
The next day, after wrapping up the local post-battle work, Axis once again led his fleet into the Warp.
Together with Kasha, he entered a secure chamber to make psychic contact with the Emperor.
Before long, Kasha successfully reached Him.
"What is it, my daughter? Do you have something to report?" the Emperor asked the moment the psychic link was established.
Lately, Lion El'Jonson had been regularly reporting battle results to him. The power Axis had displayed shocked even this proud son, filling him with admiration.
To face an entire fleet alone and even destroy planetary-scale weapons, such combat strength was unmatched in the Imperium, save for the Emperor Himself.
Not even Malcador could compare.
Axis had truly lived up to expectations. For humanity to have another top-tier combatant was crucial.
Axis was, indeed, the hope of mankind's future.
"Father, Axis and I have been victorious. We have destroyed three Rangda fleets and liberated three star systems. We are now en route to the fourth.
"But there is also an important piece of intelligence we stumbled upon, something we deem extremely significant," Kasha reported.
"Good," The Empeor's mood was as bring as the dawning sun, "I'm already preparing to restore your title as Imperial Crown Princess once you return to Holy Terra.
"Now, tell me, daughter, what kind of intel made you contact me directly," the Emperor replied.
Over two decades of testing had convinced Him to trust this daughter again.
Her political marriage to Axis was also vital.
This was a key move to bind Axis to His family, a suggestion originally made by Malcador, who had personally insisted Kasha remain by Axis' side.
"Father, do you remember the Xenos you once told me about, the Necrons?" Kasha asked.
"What? You're saying you and Axis have encountered the Necrons? Was it that guy with mastery over time and space technology? Did he attack you? Are you both unharmed?" The Emperor's tone sharpened, showing a hint of alarm.
In His mind, if they had run into the Necrons, it must be that thief, that shameless scoundrel.
The enmity between the Emperor and this particular Necron Overlord went back over ten thousand years, to when mankind had only just entered the void.
They were old adversaries. If that wretch were not so skilled at hiding and deception, keeping both his true body and his tomb hidden with no sightings, the Emperor would have destroyed him long ago.
This despicable, brazen thief, the Emperor would gladly tear him limb from limb and grind his bones to dust.
"Rest assured, Father. We have not met the Overlord you mentioned. In fact, we haven't encountered the Necrons directly, only discovered intelligence about them.
"It happened when Axis destroyed a Rangda ship and brought back its central cogitator. From it, we learned that the Rangdas refer to them as Death Bots," Kasha explained, delivering the cover story she and Axis had prepared.
She also described the small Necron dynasty currently at war with the Rangdas.
From her father's tone, Kasha could tell He loathed this 'Trazyn the Infinite' deeply. She began to wonder, what exactly had passed between him and her father?
"Good. If it's not that one, then listen carefully: if you ever see a sly skeletal figure of living metal, do not hesitate. Have Axis hit him with his strongest ki attack and reduce him to scrap.
"He is extremely dangerous, evil, shameless. Never believe a single word he says. He is a liar, a bandit, a thief.
"As for the Necrons as a whole, they are a cruel and domineering race. They see every other civilization in the galaxy as beneath them.
"Their technological mastery is so advanced that even at humanity's peak, in the Dark Age of Technology, we could not match them.
"The fact that they are fighting the Rangdas is to our benefit," the Emperor said through gritted teeth.
In the Dark Age, humanity had unearthed these metal skeletons from tombs where they had slept for tens of millions of years, and fierce battles had ensued.
The Emperor Himself had fought the Necrons and knew all too well what they were capable of.
It was during this war that He had encountered that maddening cockroach that refused to die.
Every time the Emperor destroyed him, it was only an avatar. No matter how many times he failed, he seemed endlessly fascinated with the Emperor.
"Father, Axis also learned about the Necrons while studying under Lord Malcador. He believes this is only a small dynasty," Kasha added.
"He's probably right. That's my view as well," the Emperor replied.
Like Axis, He suspected this was not a major dynasty, but either a minor one or simply the dominion of a Necron Overlord under a greater power.
"Father, Axis wishes to request your permission to negotiate with this Necron dynasty, so that we can join forces against the Rangda. After all, the enemy of our enemy is our friend. Perhaps the two of us could crush the Rangda together," Kasha suggested.
The Emperor fell silent.
But in truth, He found the idea of allying with the Necrons absurd.
In His eyes, they were no less evil than the Rangdas, perhaps more so. Even a small dynasty would still see humanity as nothing but an inferior species.
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