Inquisitor Alex received the Imperial Fists reinforcements in a palace in the Mariupol Sector Capital.
Chapter Master Jolandiel of the Heavenly Lion Battle Group arrived at the palace with High Marshal Mordred of the Black Templars, accompanied by Tor Garadon and his Phalanx Warders.
Also present were the three chief Apothecaries from the Heavenly Lion Battle Group, Black Templars, and Imperial Fists, respectively.
None of them discussed the current expedition, nor did they care about the war or Inquisitor Alex's arrangements for them; even the Heavenly Lion Battle Group no longer dwelled on their previous conflict with the Inquisition.
They simply stared intently at Inquisitor Alex, concerned with only one thing.
"Inquisitor Alex, where is the Gene-Seed you spoke of?" Tor Garadon asked directly after patiently exchanging pleasantries with Inquisitor Alex.
Regarding this question, Inquisitor Alex did not beat around the bush; he immediately had a Battle Sisters retrieve a stasis field box and then opened it.
Inside the box were several white, specialized instruments, each with four tempered vials arranged side by side. Engraved on them were simplified red double-snake coiled patterns, identical to the emblems on the three Apothecaries' gauntlets, along with a not-so-conspicuous Imperial Fists chapter badge and the Roman numeral VII.
The three Apothecaries' breathing grew heavier, filled with a heartfelt excitement that permeated their bodies and souls.
Their fingers trembled slightly, their gazes fixed on the Gene-Seed storage box before them, as if gazing upon a sacred relic.
As the most proficient experts in gene-tech within the Adeptus Astartes, they understood the value of these pure Gene-Seed more than anyone—these were precious chapter legacies, remnants from the Great Crusade Era legions!
Among them, the chief Apothecary of the Imperial Fists was particularly emotional, as he had seen this item once before.
Previously, Inquisitor Alex had ordered a similar box to be sent to the Phalanx via Inquisition channels, and it was the chief Apothecary who had authenticated it at that time.
It was the purest Gene-Seed of the Imperial Fists from the Great Crusade Era, with complete and intact information for all nineteen artificial organs required for gene-modification surgeries, and it had not been affected by any Chaos corruption.
These Gene-Seed had not suffered the attrition of ten thousand years of war, nor had they mutated or degraded over the long ages; they retained the perfect state of the Great Crusade, as pure as when the Emperor himself had created them.
For the Imperial Fists, this was an absolute treasure!
If not for the Phalanx needing to guard Terra and being unable to leave easily, it would probably already be on its way here.
But even so, the Imperial Fists, having confirmed the Gene-Seed was authentic, still contacted two successor chapters and sent reinforcements.
These warriors from the successor chapters also flowed with Dorn's blood; they deeply understood the value of these Gene-Seed and were willing to spare no effort to ensure their safety.
Not only that, but the Imperial Fists' Third Captain, Tor Garadon, even brought the Phalanx Warders, who rarely leave the Phalanx, to personally escort these precious Gene-Seed.
The Phalanx Warders are the most elite warriors of the Imperial Fists, typically stationed only in the core areas of the Phalanx; their deployment itself signifies the highest level of importance from the chapter.
Garadon himself is a highly respected hero within the chapter; his personal escort sufficiently demonstrates the Imperial Fists' solemn attitude toward this matter.
Pure Gene-Seed from the Great Crusade Era is an absolutely precious chapter treasure for any chapter, a sacred relic inherited from the Great Crusade Era.
Gene-Seed is already important, let alone such ancient and precious Gene-Seed.
Especially for the Imperial Fists, Gene-Seed with all nineteen artificial organs intact is even more invaluable.
It is worth noting that during the Great Rebellion, to quickly replenish the legion's losses, the Primarch of the Seventh Legion had ordered the omission of two of the nineteen modification surgeries, namely the Betcher's Gland and the Sus-an Membrane. This not only reduced the stability of the Imperial Fists' Gene-Seed but also led to the Imperial Fists' Space Marines themselves being less stable.
All of this plagued the Imperial Fists for ten thousand years after the Great Rebellion, leading to heavy losses in various engagements and even earning them the nickname 'Terra Fists.'
Now, seeing these precious Gene-Seed, how could they not be excited?
"There are twenty Gene-Seed in total. I found them in a ruin. One set has already been sent to the Phalanx, which I presume you have received and authenticated. The rest are all here." Inquisitor Alex was too lazy to concoct a story; these Gene-Seed were authentic and presented before the Imperial Fists, which was an irresistible temptation for them.
As for anything else, that was all superficial.
Hearing Inquisitor Alex say this, all the Space Marines of the Imperial Fists present could not help but feel excited, but the three leaders still restrained their emotions.
"Inquisitor Alex, I, on behalf of the Imperial Fists and all of Dorn's Sons, thank you for your assistance! Your selflessness and generosity will be etched in the hearts of Dorn's Sons! All of Dorn's Sons owe you a favor." Garadon did not use flowery language, and his expression of gratitude was very restrained.
But for the Imperial Fists, who are like stone, this was already very rare!
These stone-headed individuals, like their Gene-Seed Primarch, had no concept of emotional intelligence whatsoever.
To make Dorn's Sons say they owe a favor and express gratitude was already enough; it is well known that Dorn's Sons' promises are as good as gold, and if they say they owe you a favor, they will truly repay it with their lives.
It could even be said that if the words of Dorn's Sons could not be trusted, then there would truly be nothing trustworthy in this galaxy.
And Garadon's promise could even be seen as a willingness for the Imperial Fists to initiate a Final Wall for him, because Garadon said "all of Dorn's Sons," not just the Imperial Fists mother chapter.
"There is no need for such seriousness. As long as the Imperial Fists are willing to assist me in defeating those xenos in the upcoming expedition, I will be deeply grateful!" Inquisitor Alex naturally also reciprocated the pleasantries. The favor of the Imperial Fists was extremely valuable, and a few polite words would not diminish this favor; on the contrary, it would make Dorn's Sons fight even harder in the battles to come.
However, after discussing this matter, Inquisitor Alex suddenly looked at Chapter Master Jolandiel and asked him, "How has the Heavenly Lion Battle Group considered my previous proposal? Previously, you did not trust me, which I can understand, but now that trust should have been established between me and Dorn's Sons. So, are you willing to consider my previous proposal?"
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