Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde [259]

Baton's ability was so overpowered, that Rhodes was tempted to max it out against the Tyranids.

Its anti-Tyranid power was truly immense.

And the upgrades were cheap—just a few hundred thousand credits for a fully maxed Baton.

Rhodes didn't plan to max out its height and weight, just upgrade its spaceflight and bug nemesis skills. The remaining upgrades could serve as revival tokens, in case Baton was wounded during the attack.

This time, Baton would be Rhodes' secret weapon, catching the Tyranids off-guard.

If he could devastate the hive ships, the Tyranid fleet would be forced to retreat—or be annihilated.

"Lord Rhodes, is there a way to counter the Norn Queens' power?" Dante asked.

Titus and Avarrich looked on curiously.

"In the Golden Age, humanity captured a unique bird monster, which has immense suppressive power over bugs.

I have its gene map on this ship. Give me some time, and I can clone it—then use its special howl to devastate the Tyranids," Rhodes explained.

Rhodes had already prepared an explanation for these monsters: all were Golden Age biotech, cloned from captured cosmic creatures.

"Incredible! In the Golden Age humans had such powerful bioweapons? Is it really that effective against Tyranids?" Dante asked.

He knew well how advanced Golden Age tech was—many were forbidden weapons, able to collapse planets or extinguish stars.

If they'd faced the Tyranids, their endless robot armies could have outlasted them.

But, sadly, modern humans couldn't use such things—though monsters were still an option.

"Trust me—it'll work. This special giant bird is a natural Nemesis to bugs, even those from space," Rhodes assured.

In the Taro TV series, Baton killed the huge bug monster Kemjila, who was no small fry—22,000 tons, 47 meters tall, bigger than Red King, and very tough.

Bug monsters are never weak; Kemjila's silk could bind Taro, his yellow gas could poison swathes of humans, and his claws were immensely strong.

But Baton's anti-bug power was so great that Kemjila collapsed in terror and was eaten alive.

"Then let's prepare the fleet. We'll carry out the boarding operation, with plenty of melta bombs," Dante said.

"No need for melta bombs, Lord Rhodes can provide us with Golden Age time bombs—much stronger," Titus said.

Their last boarding success was thanks to teleport bracelets, Rhodes' psychic shielding, and those terrifying bombs.

"I'll provide the bombs. Each marine can take one, plant it on a hive ship, then withdraw and detonate—it'll be more than enough," Rhodes said.

Two advanced carriers would mass-produce Pedanium bombs, and combined with his stockpile, they'd have plenty.

"That's fantastic!" The Blood Angels' ammo stocks were low, so Rhodes' bombs were a godsend.

"Your ships have some stealth capability, too—use it to sneak past the swarm.

I'll draw the main fleet's attention. You focus on strike missions. The battle's outcome depends on you," Rhodes told them.

If they failed, he'd just have to run—fighting any longer would be impossible.

After discussing the plan, Dante took a transport back to the planet to summon his marines and barges.

After the commanders left, the Custodes Ultraman entered Rhodes' command room.

"Lord Rhodes, please let me join the boarding mission."

Two days ago, he'd been beaten badly by the purple giant. Even after growing to a giant size, he was defeated, and the Emperor's avatar was badly hurt.

He couldn't accept this—he had to do something. In this war, he wanted to fight on the front line.

"You're not suited for boarding. I need you and the Emperor's avatar to fight in a giant form on the front lines," Rhodes replied.

The Custodes Ultraman was as powerful as two or three King Joe robots, with ranged attacks—he'd be needed in open battle.

Boarding wasn't for him.

"Lord Rhodes! I overheard your conversation with Dante and the others.

You're sending a giant cloned monster to weaken the Tyranids.

It might be attacked while doing this. I can survive in space—let me protect it," the Custodes said.

"Thanks for the thought, but believe me, Baton won't need protection.

You and the Emperor's avatar should both stand at the front, boosting morale. With my two fortress ships and a hundred battle barges, your appearance will inspire the troops," Rhodes said.

Baton's combat power was above most monsters, and his speed vastly exceeded the Custodes'.

The Custodes could fly at just under light speed, but Baton, after upgrades, was a true cosmic monster.

So, the Custodes and the Emperor's avatar's real job was to inspire morale.

"Understood, Lord Rhodes. I'll fight in space, let every soldier see me, and inspire them. For the Emperor!" the Custodes promised.

"That's right. Rest up—the war in three days will be brutal," Rhodes said.

The Custodes saluted and left.

After he left, Elena approached Rhodes.

"How does it feel, being the center of attention?" Rhodes asked.

"You're teasing me again, Lord Rhodes! I'm just an ordinary sister—being called the 'Gene-Mother' by those battle sisters is overwhelming. I'm not even twenty yet!" Elena said.

Rhodes laughed, "You'll get used to it! Remember, the Emperor raised his Primarchs to be leaders from infancy. You're already an adult.

And just call me Rhodes—no need for honorifics. You are my wife and a Primarch."

"Okay, R-Rhodes. Is there anything I can do in the battle in three days?" Elena asked.

"Of course! You'll fight in giant form, ambushing the Tyranids in space. A giant Primarch on the battlefield will inspire everyone."

"I'll work with my partner, the Cosmic Frost Leopard, and turn those Tyranids into ice," Elena promised.

Rhodes nodded, pulling her into his embrace.

But in those three days, Rhodes didn't plan to rest. With his Ultra Brothers, Ace Robot, two maxed King Joes, the space robot Iron, and even the unparalleled Iron God Inpelaizer, all recharged in 24 hours, it was better to send them on a raid against the Tyranid fleet.

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