Warhammer: Saiyan Adopted by the Wolf King

After a month and a half of warp travel, Russ's Space Wolves fleet finally dropped out of the Warp. 

The fleet had already entered the Prospero system and was just a few days away from reaching the planet itself.

At the same time, Axis was finally able to take command of his own Dauntless-class cruiser.

This battleship, which originally belonged to the Second Legion, had been reassigned to the Space Wolves by the Imperial Departmento Munitorum at Russ's request, making it Axis's flagship.

It was an Dauntless-class light cruiser. 4.5 kilometers long, about 0.6 kilometers wide, with a mass of 20 million tons, and a full crew complement of 65,000.

Riding a small landing craft, Axis, Russ, and Kasha boarded the light cruiser together.

"Great Primarch, Wolf Lord Axis, I salute you both. I am the first officer of this ship," the mortal first officer(first officer) stationed on the Dauntless-class light cruiser said, bowing respectfully to Russ and Axis in turn.

He had already received orders from the Imperial Navy. 

From this day forward, the ship would be transferred from the Second Legion to serve under the Sixth Legion.

"No need for such formalities, First Officer. Tell us about the ship's current condition," Russ said, waving his hand.

He planned to mix veterans and new recruits for Axis: 900 new initiates and 100 veterans transferred in from other great companies, for a total of a thousand joining Axis's company!

However, to be honest, packing a thousand Space Marines onto a light Dauntless-class cruiser was going to be a tight fit!

At the very least, a battleship would have been ideal, but for now, Axis would have to make do with this light cruiser. 

This was a transitional phase, he'd just have to put up with it for now.

"Yes, my lords. This ship is named the Wayfarer. She's an Dauntless-class light recon-strike cruiser, capable of carrying ample fuel and supplies. Even when operating far from Imperial bases and detached from the main fleet for months at a time, she performs admirably. However, her shields and armored gun turrets are only half as thick as those of a full-sized cruiser, and her void shield generators are somewhat weaker.

"On the upside, she boasts greater speed and strike capability, with agility and maneuverability to rival even Sword-class frigates! The ship is equipped with powerful massive prow lance capable of threatening capital ships. Both port and starboard are lined with macro-cannons, more than enough to tear apart any escort ship.

"The prow lance can also be replaced with torpedo launchers, further enhancing ship-to-ship combat abilities.

"In engagements against ships of similar size, the Dauntless-class light cruiser holds an absolute advantage. Even against larger ships, we still have the means to fight back." The first officer introduced the ship's features to Axis and Russ with considerable pride.

Within the Imperial Navy, the Dauntless-class was extremely popular: a superb warship, capable of scouting, support, and even serving as an escort.

"What about the crew complement for this ship?" Axis nodded and asked.

"Wolf Lord Axis, we previously served solely under the Second Legion, specifically Company 43, which numbered just over 150 Astartes. If you have more Space Marines under your command, I can expand the crew quarters slightly by reducing the rest areas for some of the mortal sailors. But the maximum capacity is about 400 Astartes," the first officer replied, clearly troubled.

Typically, a Space Marine company consisted of just over a hundred warriors, rarely exceeding 200. Only the Space Wolves, who still maintained massive companies, would go beyond that number.

Astartes required far more space than ordinary mortals to rest, as well as a huge amount of supplies and a dedicated arsenal for all their wargear. At its limits, the ship could only accommodate about 400 Space Marines!

"How many sailors and naval crew are on this ship?" Russ asked.

The ship was technically operating under battle damage, so it was likely understrength.

"Lord Primarch, the previous crew complement was 65,125: about 40,000 sailors and 20,000 Imperial Navy personnel. However, after battles with the Rangdan, we lost many naval ratings. Currently, only about 2,000 Navy personnel remain.

"The sailors, however, are still at full strength, over 40,000.

"In addition, there are more than a hundred Tech-Priests from Mars, responsible for maintenance of shipboard weapons and hull repairs. We also have several hundred Skitarii and a few thousand servitors, though these are fully cybernetic and not counted among the regular crew.

"The ship is also assigned an astropath, a member of the Navigator House, and their own dedicated guards," the first officer reported.

His implication was clear: he hoped the new captain would reinforce the mortal Navy contingent, since the ship was down to just a tenth of its usual combat crew.

"Axis, what's your opinion?" Russ turned to Axis.

Even with modifications, the ship would not be able to fit a thousand Space Wolves.

Russ was considering reducing the new recruits to 300, with 100 veterans, to bring the total up to 400 warriors for now.

"Can't we just discharge the 2,000 remaining Navy personnel. With those 20,000 vacant rooms converted to Astartes-standard living quarters, we should be able to fit a thousand Space Marines," Axis suggested.

"No! Wolf Lord Axis, please forgive me, I do not mean to disobey your orders. But without mortal Navy crew, there would be no one to operate the macro-cannons, lances, torpedoes, or any of the ship's weapon arrays!" the first officer immediately protested.

Without the Imperial Navy, who would man the weapons?

Each macro-cannon required over a hundred Navy crew to operate. Ordinary sailors couldn't do that!

The sailors handled ship operations, maintenance, and countless tasks outside of battle, including moving ammunition. 

Everything apart from combat was the domain of the sailors.

In truth, on most Imperial Navy ships, the Space Marines were the extra element. Their main job was to be delivered to the target, then drop pod onto the planet's surface to strike at enemy command centers or execute decapitation strikes. 

Occupying territory was left to mortal forces.

"Axis, without Navy crew, this ship would just be an Imperial merchant vessel, none of the weapons would function," Russ said.

"Then how many Navy crew are needed to operate this Dauntless-class light cruiser's weapon systems and keep her running?" Axis asked.

He wanted to minimize the number of mortals aboard.

"Lord Axis, we need at least 20,000 crew to keep the cruiser's weapons and equipment running properly. With that many, we can't even carry out boarding actions effectively.

"If I want to make enough room for 400 Space Marines, I'll have to cut 2,000 sailors just to manage that," the first officer explained.

Space Marines always had private quarters, while the sailors had to cram several to a room.

"Forget it, Axis. I'll assign you 300 new recruits, and transfer another 100 veterans from other companies. You'll start by forming a company of 400 Space Marines.

"You can gradually recruit more once your Avenger-class cruiser arrives. When that happens, both ships will be under your command," Russ said.

"Alright," Axis replied.

"From today onward, this ship is yours. I'll send the 100 veterans over shortly.

"Once we reach Prospero, we'll wait a bit. By then, the new recruits from Fenris should arrive, and you can pick your new warriors," Leman Russ said.

Axis nodded, and together with Kasha, officially moved onto the Dauntless-class light cruiser.

With the first officer as their guide, they toured the ship, familiarizing themselves with the basics of the Dauntless-class cruiser.

Following Axis's instructions, a 100-square-meter training room was set up inside the captain's quarters.

"You know, I think you could do without the astropath. I could fill that role instead," Kasha said.

"You're the Emperor's special envoy, not part of the Imperial system. The ship's astropath will stay. it's just one person, and he won't take up much space," Axis replied.

The next day, after settling in, Axis returned to Russ's flagship and received the 100 Space Wolf veterans assigned to him.

Each Great Company had sent about ten men. All these veterans had served for over twenty years.

In the 40K era, that would make them practically new recruits, but back in the 30K era, they counted as true veterans.

"Brothers! Welcome to my command, to my wolf pack, the 14th Great Company," Axis said to the 100 Space Marines.

"For the Emperor! For the Allfather! For Lord Russ! We salute you, Wolf Lord Axis!" the 100 Space Marines replied in unison, thumping their armored chests.

"Head to the Wayfarer now, get familiar with your quarters, you'll be serving on that ship from now on," Axis told them.

Axis made a point to tell Russ that none of these veterans had to have undergone "Ki" enhancement yet. Since they'd be with him, he could enhance them at any time.

The veterans nodded respectfully to Axis, then boarded the transport craft for his ship.

Axis, meanwhile, returned to Russ's side. 

They were now just two days away from Prospero. For this leg of the journey, they would be traveling within the system, so there was little danger.

Axis decided to stay on Russ's ship for those two days, planning to meet Magnus alongside Russ upon arrival.

"Axis, from today, you're a company commander, and you have your own wolf pack.

"Do well, and I'm planning to promote you as my deputy legion commander in the future," Russ said.

"Deputy legion commander? I don't recall the Imperium having that rank. A Primarch's second-in-command is usually just the First Captain," Axis remarked.

"Haha! If I say there is, then there is! Just wait, you'll be my deputy soon enough!" Russ laughed.

"By the way, old man, I've got a question. You and the other Primarchs are always campaigning, so why is Magnus staying on the The Planet of the Sorcerers?" Axis asked.

This time Russ finished his campaign objectives early, giving him four months of free travel. 

Otherwise, he'd have been thrown straight into the Great Crusade, invading other worlds.

"Because Magnus had only just returned to the Imperium. He needed time to build up his own Astartes force.

"Prospero also needed to construct all kinds of industrial facilities, to independently produce Astartes.

"The planet where a Primarch is discovered becomes the Legion's homeworld. 

"I spent ten years on Fenris, building the Wolf Fortress, perfecting industry, before launching my own crusade," Russ explained.

Though every Legion had some initial numbers, except for the First Legion, most Legions whose Primarchs hadn't returned were patchwork forces.

The Emperor always allowed newly recovered Primarchs time to recruit and train on their homeworlds.

A decade was just long enough to create a new generation of Astartes.

"So, at this pace, Magnus will only join the Great Crusade with his sons seven years from now, right?" Axis asked.

"If things go smoothly, maybe sooner. Take Roboute Guilliman, he joined the Crusade right after his return," Russ answered.

Of all the returned Primarchs, Guilliman's Ultramar region was especially prosperous. 

Its reintegration gave the Imperium a massive industrial boost.

Axis nodded.

"You know, Axis, this is actually my first time visiting a brother's domain.

"Magnus was so excited to get my message, he said he's going to give me a proper welcome," Russ said.

Most Primarchs were busy with the Great Crusade. 

Unless the Emperor himself led them, it was rare for the brothers to meet.

Magnus had only been back in the Imperium for three years, so he was truly looking forward to Russ's arrival.

Axis couldn't help but twitch at the thought, Magnus welcoming the Wolf King, offering him hospitality…

It was unthinkable for anyone from the 40K era!

Two days later, the Space Wolves fleet finally arrived at the starport under construction on Prospero.

[tl/n: Ironic]

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