Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 624

Chapter 622, Aramita Sect

Gu Hang of the Aramita Cult suddenly adopted such an aggressive attitude after the deaths of several Hawk Faction leaders. This was actually a strategy.

The surrenderists on Aramita, encouraged by Alliance agents, had effectively helped the Alliance eliminate several Hawk Faction sages. The remaining neutrals and fence-sitters, no matter how conflicted they had been before, had neither helped nor hindered Operation New World Torch, siding with either Farai or Delaroche.

Given this, do they now have any other options besides surrender?

Absolutely not.

What was the point of negotiating?

They had already exhausted their leverage.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Gu Hang wouldn’t have minded playing along with them. After all, using them, deploying Space Marines in special military operations with their cooperation, and then abandoning them when their value was no longer significant, was a rather inappropriate move that would damage Gu Hang’s political credibility to a certain extent.

If there were time, he could have put on a show. Even if the end result wasn’t any different, it would have improved his reputation.

But the problem was, Gu Hang was running out of time.

While the Alfonzo Sector’s infestation wasn’t as severe due to the presence of the Mechanicus, Alfonzo’s own combat prowess should not be underestimated.

While the Alliance was patiently plotting on Aramita, aiming to capture the Forge World as safely as possible, the Alfonzo Cult’s main fleet was en route.

Just as Gu Hang desired Aramita, the Alfonzo Cult couldn’t bear to see a Forge World captured.

This Alfonzo fleet was definitely not weak. With two mechanical arks as its core, two battleships, and six battlecruisers… even after Du Bo’s massive contribution, they were still able to assemble such a fleet, demonstrating the strength of the Mechanicus’s caliber.

Judging by the strength of this fleet, it was roughly on par with, or even slightly stronger than, the fleet currently led by Gu Hang.

Normally, there was no need to fear it.

With Gu Hang himself, he was fully capable of leading the Alliance’s main fleet against an enemy a full level stronger than himself.

The Alfonzo fleet was clearly not that much stronger than the Alliance fleet.

However, Gu Hang had to consider another issue: was Varuk himself present?

He had not forgotten the greatest challenge he faced during his previous decisive victory over the Alfonzo fleet: Sage Dubo’s manipulation of a neurozoan, with its powerful psychic power, posed a formidable opposition to Gu Hang.

It could be said that the two sides were evenly matched at the time. Gu Hang, utilizing Heroic Spirits and Space Marine raids, won the battle by means other than psychic confrontation.

Of course, after devouring the neurozoan, Gu Hang’s psychic essence had been further enhanced, becoming even more powerful. However, could Varuk’s wields be even more powerful than Dubo’s?

Gu Hang had to consider this possibility.

He had to treat Varuk as a formidable enemy and treat him with caution.

Varuk had hurried here to rescue Aramita. Gu Hang had to settle matters here before Varuk arrived.

Otherwise, when the Archsage arrived with the sect’s main fleet, those fence-sitters might have a backlash.

Under Gu Hang’s military pressure, the persuasion of Alliance agents, and the intimidation of Space Marines stationed directly at the starport and in the industrial zone of the planet’s surface capital, the people of Aramita, left with no other choice, reluctantly chose to surrender.

A large number of Alliance landing craft, accompanied by a large number of Alliance ground forces and the New Fury Chapter, landed on Aramita.

The local Skitarii were disarmed in an orderly manner.

Although they surrendered, it was clear that Gu Hang could not trust them in such a crucial battle.

The issues on the surface weren’t actually that important. The most valuable production facilities, forging hives, and the like weren’t a pressing matter. The Alliance’s primary focus was on taking over the orbital gun fortresses deployed on the surface, as well as the numerous planetary-scale void shield generators scattered across the globe. Together, they formed the planet-protecting void shield.

Additionally, there were the starports, star fortresses, and armed space stations in orbit.

The Alliance had completely taken over all of these facilities.

With these resources, the Alliance fleet could essentially defend itself against the incoming Varuk fleet, with Aramita at its back.

Of course, while preparing for war, Gu Hang didn’t forget to attend to some political tasks.

He first focused on the New World

Torches and reviewed the detailed battle reports. Honestly, Gu Hang was a little dissatisfied with

the New World Torches’ overall performance. He understood that perhaps their experience and mentality were causing them to be anxious. However, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was just a case of inferior genes, a fundamental weakness.

But there were also aspects that exceeded his expectations.

Wang Mengsong’s performance surprised Gu Hang.

He had already disregarded this man as a human being, but he hadn’t expected that an abandoned, discarded veteran would become such a key figure.

Perhaps his presence was a welcome remedy for Gu Hang’s discontent with the New World Torch?

He had also heard that after the Battle of Aramita, treatment in the Penitentiary Battalion within the New World Torch had improved slightly. The two sides were no longer as completely separated as before, and the new Torches were embracing some of the culture and philosophies of the old Torches.

Hmm… Gu Hang was a bit disdainful of the New World Torch’s philosophies.

Backstabbing, huh?

However, Gu Hang had a strong belief that the Alliance Space Marines, having graduated from the Political Commissar training at Zhongsi Academy, would not be “contaminated.”

He didn’t intend to intervene directly, preferring to observe.

Another politically relevant matter was Gu Hang’s release of Sebastian Moreau to the surface.

At the same time, as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Theater, he reiterated Moreau’s recognition of his position as Forge General.

Moro’s identity was already registered within the Empire.

It was Varuk who removed him, an illegal act.

Gu Hang simply set things right.

Later, as the Forge General, Moro announced that Aramita had separated from the Alfonzo Cult and established the Aramita Cult. He also called on all Mechanicus members in the star field to sever ties with the Alfonzo Cult, and Aramita would open its arms.

Then, as the Forge General, he signed a series of cooperation agreements with Gu Hang, the Alliance Governor.

(End of this chapter)