After dealing with the Osseivores, Nareth descended slowly, under the gaze of all.
He fixed his gaze upon the future Tyrant of Xana, the architect of the first Hell-Forge.
"Anacharis Scoria?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.
He looked at the future ceiling of tech-priest combat prowess, noting the dark, empty socket where his left eye had been shattered.
"Are you alright?"
"Lord Nareth, Anacharis Scoria is at your service."
"Thank you for your concern. I merely need to replace a cybernetic eye."
The synthesized voice came from beneath the enveloping faceplate. Anacharis did not ask the Primarch how he knew his name.
Having witnessed the giant before him slay the powerful xenos that had destroyed a Titan in thirty-six seconds, he believed a Primarch could accomplish anything.
Especially this Lord Nareth, known as the Omnissiah's favored one, who had led the discovery of numerous holy STC.
The damaged flesh was worth it. Scanning the few images of the Primarch's battle had provided him with precious data.
"You are an exceptional commander. I need you by my side to assist me in crushing the xenos."
Anacharis's remaining right eye brightened. "It would be my honor."
Though his plan had only just begun, a better opportunity now presented itself.
He could not refuse a Primarch's invitation, especially from someone like Nareth, favored by the Omnissiah. It would bring him immense prestige and numerous followers.
Arkhas Fal and Nerat Kirine walked towards the Osseivores.
They had intended to assist the Primarch in battle, but never imagined that before they could even land, Lord Nareth had already slain the Titan-killer.
They gazed upon the corpse of the Osseivores, vast as an entire forest, replaying the battle in their minds.
Librarian Balsar stared at the spear embedded in the ground. He could feel the radiance emanating from it, a familiar light; it belonged to the Emperor.
In his mind's eye, a streak of celestial light flashed across the sky, the moment the Primarch had infused it with a mighty psychic energy, making the spear 'come alive.'
Electricity flickered in Balsar's eyes. His body trembled in pain as he replayed that transcendent scene.
The "Baron of Corruption," in the process of beginning to "corrode" Anacharis, felt his comm bead buzz.
He activated it, and Arsena's voice came through.
"My Lord, signs of Star Hunters' activity have been discovered."
"Mechanicum Magi, reviewing data from reactivated monitoring systems, found Astartes activity at Forge-Complexes 166, 168, 169, and 171. After comparison, it has been confirmed to belong to the Star Hunters."
"They broadcast a system-wide, all-frequency summons, requesting a response from the Star Hunters. As of yet, no communication reply has been received."
"That is not surprising," Nareth said. He knew that since the Great Crusade began, the Star Hunters were among the first Astartes to leave the Sol System.
The Star Hunters had been divided into a hundred companies, serving as vanguards, charting courses for the Expeditionary fleets, and seeking suitable temporary bases.
These reconnaissance teams received little attention or praise. They were considered 'outsiders' within the Imperium military.
They did not seek aid, choosing instead to live and die in their own way, in places of their own choosing.
"Assign the task of searching for them to William Wood."
William Wood, having returned to the 12th Chapter, was immediately promoted to Lieutenant of the 5th Company.
Receiving the Primarch's command, he immediately led his three squads aboard the newly equipped Land Speeder of Shadows of Order
The negotiation team Nareth had dispatched to Arkhan Land was currently negotiating with various Forge Worlds, seeking the most suitable partners.
As of yet, no Forge World had been granted authorization. Therefore, a series of vehicles, including the Land Speeder, were only fielded by Shadows of Order
The powerful anti-grav plates in its belly hummed to life, generating a powerful anti-gravity field that slowly lifted the Land Speeder.
The Land Speeder rose to a height of one hundred meters, a stable altitude sufficient to clear the surface furnaces.
"Forge-Complex 166." William selected the target. The ramjet engines at the Speeder's tail ignited, and it streaked towards the objective.
William left the piloting to the "Monster." He took the gunner's position, reviewing the data on the Star Hunters on his slate.
[Star Hunters 33rd Company, continuously active in the Northwestern Galaxy, charting star maps for the Imperium and seeking out hostile xenos.]
[Founding Date: 2516805.M30.]
[Company Captain: ...]
William frowned slightly. The information was sparse, of no use for the search.
Finally, he focused on the only potentially useful piece of information: the founding date.
'Level 2 indicates its source material can directly psychically connect with the Sol System. That's a fairly high degree of accuracy.'
'But the Star Hunters' 33rd Company was founded in the Sol System. It should be Level 0 or 1. Yet it's Level 2. The best proof of their neglect.'
'But for now, I can only hope this record is accurate.'
The Astartes instantly calculated the corresponding time: July 7th, 8 hours, 9 minutes, 36 seconds.
William noted the time. He tapped runes, unlocking the onboard data-slate.
After inputting the decryption key, he entered his Lieutenant code, accessing the star chart of the Sol System.
The "Seer," using 29805, July 7th, 8:09:36 as a base, back-calculated planetary and zodiacal positions. He then picked up a stylus.
The "Seer" marked symbols on the astrolabe at the correct positions, adding the corresponding states of various constellations.
Ordinary diviners would need reference books. But as a "Seer," he only needed a simple calculation to reach a conclusion.
Having completed the natal chart for the Star Hunters' 33rd Company's founding, William stared at it for a few more seconds, memorizing it.
Then, he called up the star chart of the Xana-Vicidex system.
The "Seer" examined it briefly, then rapidly sketched, translating the Star Hunters' founding chart from Terra to the Xana system.
This would be a monumental task for an ordinary Seer, but the "Seer" completed it in just one hour.
Mortal Seers needed a quiet, undisturbed chamber for their work. The Astartes, relying on his transhuman mind, completed it aboard a rapidly moving Land Speeder.
The "Seer" had no time to wipe the sweat beading on his nose from concentration. He rapidly marked the positions indicated by the revelation on the tactical network.
"Increase power! Full speed ahead!"
Promethium in the Land Speeder's tail ramjets burned fiercely, spitting brilliant white light.
The black Land Speeders, like arrows, streaked forward, flashing past furnace after furnace.
William stared at the three-dimensional image. He wasn't worried about his divination being wrong; he wouldn't err in that, but the founding date could be incorrect.
"Lieutenant, something ahead," the "Monster" warned.
"Open the loudspeaker. Connect me to it." William immediately ordered.
As the current hissed, he saw ahead the camouflage-painted jetbikes of the Star Hunters, conducting reconnaissance.
They too spotted the black vehicle. Engines roared as they split into five groups, speeding away.
"Follow that one." William chose the group heading towards the eleven o'clock direction. He marked the other targets on the tactical network.
"Spread out. Follow the others."
William grabbed the communicator before him and shouted in High Gothic:
"Battle-brothers of the Fifth Legion! I am Lieutenant William Wood of the Twelfth Chapter, Shadows of Order!"
The leading jetbike did not stop. The rider gunned the throttle, weaving through the furnaces.
He twisted suddenly, looking up at the black Speeder above.
The all-black livery belonged to the 11th Legion, but he had never seen this type of vehicle before.
The Star Hunter didn't stop. He twisted his body, the bike shooting between two furnaces.
The "Monster" had keenly perceived his intention. He leaned forward, dipping the Speeder's nose, then accelerated, surging ahead.
The black Speeder flashed between furnaces, plummeting to a halt directly in front of the jetbike.
He slammed the brake. The small stabilizing fins on the sides reversed thrust. The Speeder stopped perfectly in the passage.
"By order of the Primarch, Lord Nareth, I am here to find you."
"Please stop immediately."
The loudspeaker's voice echoed among the metal furnaces. The jetbike's emergency brakes shrieked.
Amidst flashing sparks, the camouflaged bike screeched to a halt.
Captain Börger removed his helmet, looking at the pilot. "Your piloting skills are excellent."
Five standard hours later, the "Seer" brought the Star Hunters' 33rd Company before the Primarch.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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