Xana II, Primarch's Temporary Command Post.
Arsena held a data-slate, reporting to the Primarch.
"My Lord, after six weeks of negotiations, I have reached an agreement with the Archmagos Intendant."
"The Archmagos Intendant is willing to provide two technologies in return for our relief efforts and the Ramillies-class starfort's garrison in the system."
"They are providing a newly developed special bolt ammunition technology, called Tracker Stalker Rounds."
As he spoke, he operated a control rod, projecting a three-dimensional image before Nareth.
"Xana's Magi replaced the mass-reactive warhead with a solidified watermark warhead, replaced the previous shell casing's primer and rocket propellant with a gas reservoir, and controlled the bolt's velocity to subsonic levels to achieve a silencing effect."
Nareth gazed at the three-dimensional image, superimposing it with the Tracker Stalker Rounds in his memory.
'Very suitable for use by my Tenth Chapter, which is designated for covert operations.'
With this thought, he gave instructions:
"Order the Techmarines to develop an extended-barrel Tracker-pattern bolt rifle, for sniping and covert operations."
"By your will, My Lord." Arsena continued.
"The other technology utilizes high-temperature fusion techniques to increase current density, creating a fusion-core power bundle. Compared to the servo harnesses currently used in power armor, it provides greater power."
'Anacharis Scoria manipulates dozens of mechandrites. That requires not only calculation and multi-threading capabilities, but also power and coordination systems. Could he have used this technology?'
Nareth mused, then smiled.
"This is very important to us. The Court Members have more diverse needs. Greater power will allow the Techmarines to manufacture more suitable power armor with different characteristics for them."
Seeing the Black Emperor pleased with his negotiation results, the Primarch's aide smiled as well.
"This is a happy prospect for over fifty thousand Court Members."
'Not fifty thousand, but eighty-one thousand five hundred and twenty.'
'Each beyonder is personally reviewed by me, and I grant them the potion. Even Arsena, who has been with me the longest, can only come up with a rough figure, but it's far from the actual number.'
'Hmm, he often represents me in negotiations or leads operations. The Gadianaal operation was his most successful.'
As Nareth pondered, Arsena continued his report.
"Xana has pledged to provide supplies for the war against the xenos and to forge three battle barges for the Legion."
Nareth nodded slightly. A battle barge can serve as the core of a fleet. The resources and production capacity required to build one are second only to a Gloriana-class battleship.
Among his territories, only the shipyards of Cypra Mundi, which rival Mars, are capable of constructing them, but their production capacity is prioritized for building Ramillies-class starforts.
Shipyards like Calth are still developing and also bear the task of constructing Starforts. Currently, all six of the Legion's battle barges are built by Forge Worlds with which they have treaties.
Xana has an extremely high production capacity among Forge Worlds. Building three battle barges for the Legion would be a significant boost to fleet strength.
Nareth also knew that Xana was even capable of forging Ordinatus weapons. During the Heresy, they built three for Horus Lupercal.
'While I'd prefer Ordinatus weapons, battle barges are good too.'
'Hmm, Anacharis will be "corroded" by me. With my support, the future Tyrant of Xana will rise earlier and become more powerful.'
'The Ordinatus and most of Xana are already mine. It's just a matter of time.'
"The Archmagos Intendant has accepted your request. He will arrange a more suitable position for Anacharis within the Legio Cybernetica."
"He will lead the entire macro-branch of Archmagos Edi, directly under your command in battle."
"Excellent." Nareth nodded with satisfaction. This would give him ample time to "corrode" Anacharis.
He had previously "corroded" Captain Börger and Apothecary Stache of the Star Hunters 33rd Company. Nerat Keelin had also been corroded by him yesterday.
Arkhas Fal was also nearing corrosion. Balsar, however, was progressing more slowly.
'The "Baron of Corruption's" Digestion progress has increased significantly again, about seventy percent now.'
'If the remaining three can all be successfully "corroded," it should complete the digestion. I will not only fully master the "Baron of Corruption's" power, but should also increase my permissions, opening a new layer of the Kingdom of Disorder.'
'Even if I fail to "corrode" Balsar, completing the corrosion of one important target among other Legions in the future should suffice.'
Arsena put away his data slate and reminded him.
"My Lord, Lord Perturabo will arrive in four standard weeks."
"I understand."
After the Arsena left, Nareth glanced at the timer. He still had five minutes until his scheduled meeting with Nerat.
The Dionysian Spear had already been left outside the office. He went directly to the Kingdom of Disorder and ordered the Jokaero to concoct the "Mystery Pryer" potion.
Considering that the future master of the Ashen Claws excelled in the Raven Guard's method of stealth attacks, and that Corvus Corax did not favor the Terran-born, Nerat rarely had opportunities to see his Primarch, making the risk of exposure lower. Nareth chose the "Mystery Pryer" path for him.
Nareth knew that Jaghatai Khan would summon all companies to Chogoris in 875.M30 for a ritual called the Blooding.
Therefore, like Hathor Maat, he had granted Börger and Stache the "Spectator" potion to better observe and respond.
He hoped they would advance to "Psychiatrist" by 875, so they wouldn't be discovered by Jaghatai Khan.
He remembered that all fifty thousand Astartes, both Terran-born and Chogorian-born, participated in the ritual, merging into one within the scars. The two, being unremarkable, should not be found.
Moments later, Nerat entered the office and said respectfully,
"Lord Nareth."
"Drink this." Nareth extended his palm, offering the black potion that occasionally bubbled.
Nerat took the potion without hesitation and drank it down. His face twisted slightly.
'Bitter! So bitter!'
Nareth sent Nerat a thought-pulse, instilling the basic knowledge.
Considering that the Nineteenth Legion was under Horus's command, Nerat would leave soon, and that a "Mystery Pryer" needed to master sacrificial knowledge and perform prayers to digest the potion, he revealed the rituals directed at the Black Emperor to the corroded Nerat.
In just two standard minutes, Nerat entered a meditative state, reining in the overflowing power of the potion.
He intuitively sensed the difference. He could see more.
Nareth's form was more majestic than before, more majestic than any ship he had ever seen. It seemed bound by the laws of reality, thus condescending to be within the tent.
He immediately abandoned the Imperial Truth preached by the Emperor, knelt on the ground, and said devoutly,
"My Lord, I thank You for Your gift."
"I will surely use the power You have granted me well, and serve You."
At the same moment, on the edge of the Vicidax Thule Sector, in the Captain's quarters aboard the Star Lance.
Börger activated the care field and asked Stache,
"How is the neophyte implantation progressing?"
"The five neophytes grown from the gene-seed bestowed by Our Lord show no signs of rejection," the Apothecary replied.
"Excellent. Our Lord will certainly wish to know this."
"The Auspex Master told me the scan results from Gilders will be delivered to me in two hours. After that, we will perform the ritual and report to Our Lord."
"Before that, I'm going to run a few laps on the training course to get familiar with my Thurn."
Stache smiled as he watched his Captain leave. Börger had built a training course between two engine sections on the lower decks.
It was five kilometers total, with two parallel straightaways of two kilometers each, and a dangerous hairpin section weaving through exhaust pipes at each end.
He wondered if his Captain's oath of fealty to Our Lord was influenced by the Land Speeder Our Lord had gifted him upon their first meeting.
Börger was the first Astartes outside Shadows of Order to receive a Land Speeder.
He had named it after his birthplace on Terra, Thurn.
Stache shifted his thoughts from Börger to himself.
He switched to the "Spectator" perspective, examining himself, trying to recall the decisive moment that had led him to swear fealty to the Black Emperor.
Moments later, he could not pinpoint the exact time.
'At least I know it was definitely not because of my Land Speeder. It was for the future of my company.'
'Only Our Lord can give us a future.'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu