What's even more amazing about the Mantis Warriors is that compared to the passive combat of the Lamenters, they were very active and active in the Badab War.
It can even be said that the entire Badab War was fought by the Mantis Warriors. The Weeper left early, the Executioner joined in the middle, and even the Star Claw only took action late in the war. The Mantis Warriors started from the first conflict.
The war continued until the war was almost over, when the coalition forces began to besiege the Badab System Contact.
They could actually be forgiven under such circumstances, and it was hard for Soshyan not to think about whether White Scar had a hand in it.
And even if you put aside the label of the Mantis Warriors as a rebel diehard, the target of this expedition is Huron. As a former ally of Huron, even if Soshyan doesn't care, they will be criticized by others for their loyalty.
Although the Lamenters were once Huron's allies, after the last surprise attack on the Eye of Hell, the Lamenters proved their loyalty, and the Atonement Crusade ended early. If the Mantis Warriors join, it will have a great impact in all aspects.
Big, especially within the expeditionary force.
This was the first time Soshyan showed hesitation in front of the white-scarred warrior. He put his hands on his knees and tapped the armor lightly with his fingers, as if he was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle.
Juba Khan didn't urge him when he saw this, he just sipped his wine. The other khans just whispered and didn't express any opinions. The Astral Knights just watched their chapter leader make a decision.
If Soshyan remembered correctly, the Mantis Warriors were a sub-group of the Marauders, that is, a sub-group of the White Scars. Juba Khan must have had expectations when he mentioned this.
In fact, having one more battle group, even if it is a crippled battle group, is always good for the expedition, but——
He then briefly recalled the process of the Badab War. In fact, the war was originally caused by the conflict between the Fire Eagle Chapter and the Mantis Warriors who came to investigate the Maelstrom area. The turning point in the expansion of the war was the Fire Eagle Chapter.
The process of the failed negotiation between the Chapter Master of the Scorpion Chapter, Ordiz, and the Chapter Master of the Mantis Warriors, Sartak, who represented the Hurons, on the planet Shadim in the Sorrow Galaxy is unknown, but the result was that the negotiation
It turned into a firefight, and both chapter leaders died. This also caused the Badab War to completely lose room for negotiation, and the Tranquility Galaxy where the Mantis Warriors' original home planet was eventually destroyed in the ruthless raid of the Mantis Sharks.
Massacre, before which Huron's other allies had withdrawn from the battle.
And after careful calculation, there are many war groups that have fought against the Mantis Warriors, including the Fire Eagle Chapter, Ranger Warriors, Raptor Chapter, Salamander Chapter, Fire Angel Chapter, Red Scorpion Chapter, Man-Eating Shark Chapter...
...
Soshyan knew very well that due to the sense of honor and brotherhood, Space Marines are generally quite vindictive. If the Mantis Warriors are accepted to join the expedition, it is very likely that these chapters will reject the call for the expedition - although the Mantis Warriors will not be accepted.
Warriors may not come, but if they accept it, they will definitely not come.
After all, he didn't have the time or energy to explain to various groups like he did here with White Scar.
In fact, at this time, Soshyan was already inclined to reject the Mantis Warrior, but then he thought about whether Juba Khan had any hidden agenda when he raised this matter.
So after pondering for a moment, he said to Juba Khan:
"Juba Khan, why are the Mantis warriors so eager to join the expedition? Just to wash away their shame?"
"Not at all."
Juba Khan put down his wine bowl and replied in a deep voice:
"During the trial, Khoisan Nildra alone bore all the blame. The Mantis Warriors thought it was their Chapter Master who sacrificed himself to protect the Chapter. In fact, it was the former Chapter Master Thrall who joined the Huron camp.
Due to Tucker's decision, the situation was already out of control when Khoisan Nildra took over the Chapter... They hoped to use the achievements of this expedition to redeem their Chapter Master who was sentenced to life imprisonment."
Soshyan was about to say "How is this possible", but the words were immediately stuck in his throat.
It is indeed impossible for the Mantis Warrior, but if he, the supreme lord commander, brings the prestige of a victory in the expedition, it is possible to get people out of the prison of the Inquisition.
Soshyan looked at Juba Khan's solemn face and couldn't guess what he meant, while Ogedai beside him also looked calm.
But since the other party has pointed it out, it means there is hope in this regard.
Only then did Soshiyang realize what it means to be short-handed and soft-spoken. Since White Scar was willing to mobilize his sub-regiment to participate in the expedition and his attitude was there, it was difficult to say his refusal.
There were so many things going on before the expedition even started, and Soshyan felt really tired.
Thinking about it this way, it turns out that the Imperial Fist is better. If you say you want to support, you will support without any requirements or conditions attached.
"What about their atonement expedition?"
"I have informed all parties about this matter, and the trial court has no opinion on it."
Now that the other party had reached this point, after weighing it again and again, Soshyan nodded.
"I understand, then I will allow the Mantis Warriors to join the expedition, but they must fully accept my command. If they feel it is inappropriate, they will give up. Please convey my wishes to Juba Khan."
In fact, the Mantis Warriors in this state also have advantages. At least in order to rescue their chapter leader, they will fight very hard. If they can be commanded properly, their combat effectiveness must be very guaranteed.
But Juba Khan smiled and nodded directly:
"No problem, they can accept it."
"Well... you'd better tell them, after all..."
"Ahazira, come in."
As the door of the main hall was pushed open, a warrior wearing ancient green power armor, a psychic hood, and a Chegorith-style beard walked in.
Soshyan noticed that the think tank was holding a long staff made of wood and bone similar to that of Ogodei. There were many Chegoris runes on his body, and his armor also bore traces of lightning ablation.
He vaguely guessed that Bai Scar's method of maintaining contact with the sub-group should be a think tank.
"This is the think tank director of the Mantis Warriors, Alhazra Redeth, who is currently temporarily assuming the responsibilities of the Chapter Leader."
Then Juba introduced it to the think tank.
"This is the Supreme Lord Commander of the Maelstrom Expeditionary Force, Chapter Commander Soshyan Alexey."
Ahazira Redeth then bowed deeply towards Soshyan, and then said in a deep voice in High Gothic with a Chegris accent:
"Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to redeem ourselves."
Soshyan didn't react for a moment, then he nodded and looked at Juba Khan.
"The Mantis Warrior is not..."
"Wokuotai has sensed your arrival, so he notified them in advance. They have just arrived, a few days ahead of the expeditionary force."
Soshiyang sighed in his heart. He had not expected that the seemingly generous Chegris people had such a cunning side.
But the matter had come to this, and it was impossible for him to go back on his word, so he said to Alhazra Redeth:
"How many soldiers are there in your regiment now?"
"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, there are currently 311 warriors, 2 Dreadnoughts, three battleships, the battle barge Endless Redemption, and the strike cruisers Penitent Pursuit and Penitent Sword."
As expected, few who participated in the Badab War had good results. The Mantis Warriors were fully staffed at their peak, and only one-third remained after one war. Moreover, being sentenced to the Atonement Expedition meant that there were no new recruits.
But with more than 300 veterans, it's not bad.
"How is the combat readiness?"
"Not so good. Since the end of the Badab War, we have not received effective material replenishment for a long time. Most of the existing vehicles of the chapter cannot be used due to lack of maintenance parts. The soldiers' power armor also basically relies on casting sergeants.
Repair and use.”
Yes, it’s another one that requires a lot of spending.
Soshyan is now extremely grateful that he made enough preparations before setting off.
"Understood, I will restore your regiment's combat readiness, but as I just said, I hope your regiment can obey my command."
"We are willing to put our lives and honor in your hands."
"That's good."
Soshyan's somewhat bad mood finally eased a little, and then he looked at Juba Khan.
"Maybe we still need to stay in the orbit of the planet for a few days. The Mantis Warriors are not in a hurry to show up. I want to make this matter clear to other battle groups of the expeditionary force."
Juba Khan twirled his beard and nodded.
"It doesn't matter, it just so happens that the reinforcements from those sub-regiments should arrive in a few days."