Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde

In the Star Beacon, the closer the light points are, the faster messages can be received. The Deathwatch battle group was only a few light-years away from Rod's position.

At Behemoth speed, or by using a Phaeton-class starship, it wouldn't take long to reach them—perhaps just a day or two.

 And that was without even needing to engage in any Warp travel, making it a safe journey.

The system credits for upgrades were right in front of Rhodes—why wouldn't he take them?

 At this stage, the only things he could use credits for were Tyranid biomorphs, and Rhodes was still wondering where to find some Tyranid creatures.

["My lord! Please, notify the Imperium!

 Ask them to send reinforcements immediately. At most, we can hold out for one more week—maybe not even that long."]

The Deathwatch Chaplain spoke urgently.

 He knew this lord wouldn't be able to personally assist, so their only hope was that the Imperium could dispatch reinforcements.

["Loyal Chaplain of the Deathwatch, I understand. I will send a distress signal to the Imperium immediately. May the God-Emperor protect you."]

Rhodes responded solemnly.

Rhodes had already decided to go to the rescue—this was a perfect opportunity to earn points.

 However, he needed to change his identity and plan carefully.

If he stuck to the original plan of waiting for Imperial reinforcements, who knew how long it would take for the Imperial Navy to respond?

 Their speed was notoriously slow, and since the Tyranid threat had already been repelled here, there was no immediate urgency.

It was entirely possible that the Imperial Navy wouldn't arrive for years, even decades.

Of course, the Space Marine's Chapter Master might notice what was happening and intervene.

 But their 2nd Company was currently on a recruitment mission, which could last for years.

 The other companies were scattered across the galaxy, engaged in battle.

By the time the Chapter Master realized the situation and sent aid, it could take a very long time.

 Rhodes had just checked the Star Beacon—there were no Space Marine's Librarians or Astropaths nearby.

Waiting for reinforcements was unwise. It was better to take action himself.

["Thank you, my lord. The Emperor Protects!

 May our souls return to the Golden Throne after death."]

The Deathwatch Battle-Chaplain nodded, ending the Astropathic communication with Rhodes.

Rhodes ignored other distress signals and disconnected from the Star Beacon network.

"Lord Rhodes! Was that Chaplain Magro?!"

The 2nd Company Captain, Dres, asked urgently.

Chaplain Magro had once been destined to become the next Librarian of their Chapter.

 However, the Deathwatch had needed a Psyker-Chaplain, so Magro had been sent to serve with them.

Now, by sheer coincidence, Dres had reestablished contact with his old mentor.

"I can confirm it—he is indeed Chaplain Magro.

 Right now, he is on a planet, fighting Tyranid forces with everything he has."

Rhodes nodded.

"The Emperor Protects!

 May the valiant Deathwatch Astartes hold their ground and slay the vile xenos."

The Battle Sister Anna placed her hand over her heart and prayed for the Deathwatch warriors.

Within the Imperium, the Deathwatch Astartes were highly respected.

 They were elite warriors, drawn from various Chapters, tasked with hunting down xenos threats.

After their Deathwatch service, they would return to their original Chapters and train their brothers in anti-xenos warfare.

The only members of the Deathwatch who were not welcomed were the Black Shields—Astartes who had been abandoned by their Chapters, doomed to serve in the Deathwatch Black Shield forces for life.

"Lord Rhodes, please—send the Imperium a distress signal.

 Magro and his brothers… their situation must be dire."

Dres sighed, frustration evident in his voice.

 All they could do now was send a request for aid.

 If possible, he desperately wanted to fight alongside them.

"I will send an emergency request.

 But with the High Lords of Terra and the Inquisition handling it…

 By the time help arrives, that planet will already be a graveyard.

The Deathwatch is facing at least 50 Tyranid Hive Ships.

 Their chances of survival are slim to none."

Rhodes stated grimly.

"They are loyal warriors. They will die with honor.

 May their souls return to the Golden Throne."

Canoness Anna sighed, clasping her hands in solemn prayer.

No one knew exactly how many Imperial forces were on the planet, but the Tyranid Swarm was at least ten times larger than their forces.

The Deathwatch Astartes had almost no chance of surviving—unless a miracle occurred.

The 2nd Company Captain, Dres, clenched his fists in rage, then slammed them against the ground.

"Do not despair!

 Even if the Imperium cannot send reinforcements…

I have decided—I will go myself."

Rhodes declared.

"Lord Rhodes?! Are you joking?!

 How could you possibly reach them?

 We don't even have Warp travel!"

Canoness Anna shook her head in disbelief.

To travel across the galaxy, one needed:

A Warp Drive to tear into the Immaterium.

A Gellar Field to protect the ship from daemonic corruption.

A Navigator from one of the Navigator Houses to guide the vessel.

And that was just the bare minimum.

"Everything is the Emperor's will.

 Do you see that great machine?

 By the Emperor's blessing, it now possesses the ability to travel through the Warp.

The Emperor has awakened my psychic powers, allowing me to connect with the Star Beacon.

 And this sacred machine shall be blessed once more, gaining the ability to navigate the Warp.

The Emperor wills that I rescue the loyal Deathwatch Astartes.

 The planet they protect is critical—it must not fall."

Rhodes proclaimed.

It was time to spend the accumulated system credits.

With a final upgrade, Rhodes enhanced the King Joe—his massive war machine.

Once again, it was bathed in golden light—transforming into a colossal, golden titanic war machine over 120 meters tall.

It was now the size of an Emperor-Class Titan—the largest war machines in the Imperium.