11th month, 867.M30.
Aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, Nareth reviewed the reports in his hand while listening to Arsena's briefing.
"As per your command, the Inquisition was dispatched to five warzones where Osseivores appeared in large numbers."
"The commanders reported only the results obtained to you: fifteen Psi Titans, killing a total of one hundred forty-nine Osseivores."
"Our observers confirmed the results were roughly accurate, and also collected some footage and compiled combat reports."
Nareth nodded slightly, thinking to himself.
'The Emperor is really willing to pay a heavy price. The current Ordo Sinister cannot have more than twenty Psi Titans. These fifteen might even be their entire number.'
Nareth remembered that in 967.M30, the Emperor requested the permanent conscription of twenty-five Warlord-class Titans into the Palace's vaults, which provoked a strong reaction from the Mechanicum.
Although many tech-priests already regarded the Emperor as the Omnissiah's earthly avatar, there were also those dissatisfied that Mars' rights were not being fully respected by Terra.
Ultimately, Mars transferred eight Warlords from its reserves, with the remaining numbers to be produced by various Forge Worlds.
Nareth sneered. The Emperor loved getting things for free. No wonder the Titans guarding the Palace gates were just two Warhounds.
If he had just coughed up some Dark Age technology, he could have traded for eighty or a hundred Warlords.
After all, each of Mars' three primary Titan Legions had at least two hundred. Counting other second and third-tier Titan Legions, Mars must have had at least eight hundred Warlords, if not a thousand.
'The key point is, the Emperor hasn't given me anything good for a long time.'
Reviewing the report, Nareth found, as he had expected, that the current Psi Titans were all Reaver-class.
'The current Psi Titans are still experimental models built by the Emperor using forbidden technologies collected from the Dark Age of Technology, especially the psycho-binding crowns that restrain the psykers.'
'Reaver-class only enslave two psykers. The mature Warlord-class version, over a hundred years from now, uses three as batteries.'
As Nareth pondered, Arsena continued.
"We experimentally deployed one miniaturized Void Claw weapon in each of ten warzones."
"They killed a total of thirty-four Osseivores. Three experimental weapon units were lost."
"Additionally, two hundred eighty-one personnel died in luring and defending the enemy. This number is approximately 36.2% of the average casualties required to achieve the same results."
Nareth nodded slightly. Compared to the over twenty Titan Legions the Imperium had already lost, and the dozens more lost in his memory, the Void Claw's effectiveness was clear.
"The Forge Lord believes the Void Claw's weaponization is successful. To distinguish it from the doomsday weapon, he suggests a separate name."
"Because the launcher is shaped like an arm, with a fist at the end, he suggests naming it the Void Fist."
"Good," Nareth agreed.
After hearing the silver-haired Aide's briefing, he instructed.
"The 12th Legion's Apothecary, Gahlan Surlak."
"Have him report to me."
The 12th Legion's task force commander wasn't a notable talent from his memory, not worth the time to "corrode." But Nareth had made a major discovery among the officers.
Gahlan Surlak.
A student of Fabius Bile, Chief Apothecary of the Emperor's Children.
By the time Angron returned, Gahlan had already risen to Chief Apothecary of the 12th Legion.
Most crucially, Gahlan was the creator of the World Eaters' version of the Butcher's Nails.
Angron tasked him with finding a way to implant the Nails without killing the host.
The sixth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder could corrode not only gene-seed, but also objects.
The Butcher's Nails were the perfect target.
Thus, a plan began to brew in Nareth's mind.
Gahlan. Have him develop new Nails that meet Angron's requirements but contain a backdoor, preventing the implanted from being consumed by rage.
A minority of World Eaters, like 9th Company Captain Dreagher, who disdained Khorne worship, and the distant First Cavalry Master Invictus, were not completely driven by the lust for slaughter.
"Corroded" Nails and gene-seed would make some World Eaters loyal to him, and also act as a restraint on slaughter.
Nareth's own "corrosion" couldn't contend with Khorne, but he relied on the Kingdom of Disorder, the power of the sefiroth.
Also, due to the barrier between the Warp and reality, Khorne couldn't reach out to everyone.
As Chief Apothecary with Angron's authorization to oversee Nails and gene-seed implantation, Gahlan could make most follow his commands.
Nareth's plan could cover most of the World Eaters, meaning he could steal people from Angron, and from Khorne.
Those most bloodthirsty would probably still be corroded, but he could still take a portion.
'I want those World Eaters who are loyal and can restrain their killing urges.'
'Khorne, I'm stealing people from you.'
'Stealing a few thousand wouldn't be a waste of effort, and I wouldn't mind thirty or fifty thousand.'
After Arsena left the Primarch's Office, Nareth willed himself to the Kingdom of Disorder.
He picked up the Dice of Prophecy and silently intoned the information he knew about the world of Torvendis.
'Ultima Segmentum, the Maelstrom region, a Daemon World dedicated to Slaanesh.'
'In orbit, the Dark Age of Technology ship, the Slaughtersong, circles. Its form is a bright silver star, hanging high above the planet's night sky.'
'The complex astrology of the Torvendis witches points to the Slaughtersong. They call it the Legendary Steed...'
After intoning it eleven times, he tossed the dice.
The triangular pyramid tumbled through the air several times before landing in Nareth's open palm.
A scene like a holographic projection unfolded before him. The Primarch's transhuman mind absorbed the star chart.
After loading the star chart and the known information about Torvendis and the Slaughtersong into a data-crystal, Nareth extended his psychic energy, touching the golden orb.
Confirming Wilshire was alone, he pulled him into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"My Lord," Wilshire knelt on one knee, saluting devoutly. "As You commanded, my Chapter has arrived at the Kalium Gate and rendezvoused with the Word Bearers Scions."
"Zadkiel can be trusted," Nareth said as telekinesis extended, sending the data-crystal before Wilshire.
"He will assist you in going to Torvendis, purging the cultists, and seizing the Slaughtersong in orbit."
"Decide for yourself, based on the situation, whether to use Exterminatus."
Countless worlds filled the galaxy, but those suitable for human development were limited.
Unless absolutely necessary, the Imperium would not order Exterminatus, preferring to expend resources and manpower to acquire a world.
Nareth had never ordered Exterminatus. By comprehensively using his beyonders, he could always find a way.
But Torvendis was different. The Maelstrom was the second largest permanent Warp rift in realspace, second only to the Eye of Terror.
Tovendis itself was almost entirely populated by Chaos worshippers. Purifying it would be extremely difficult, and it would likely face constant Chaos incursions in the future.
"The Slaughtersong has its own consciousness. After purifying it, use your abilities to enter into a 'Contract' with its machine-spirit."
Nareth chose Wilshire to seize the Slaughtersong not only because his Chapter had beyonders like "Solar High Priest" capable of purifying Chaos worshippers, but more importantly because of his "Contract" ability.
In the future, all artificial intelligence constructs like the Iron Men, once "corroded," would be maintained and commanded by Wilshire and his 2nd Chapter.
Purify Chaos corrosion. Constrain artificial intelligence.
"As You command, my Lord."
Wilshire bowed in acknowledgment, then was engulfed by the black mist.
Returning to the real world, Nareth buried himself in data-slates, refining his decisive battle plan.
He decided to attack the xenos' main command base in advance, initiating the "Decisive Battle of Taxal" ahead of schedule.
'Before launching the decisive battle, final preparations are needed.'
Nareth remembered that in the Decisive Battle of Taxal, three Primarchs, including the Lion led three hundred thousand Astartes, and the situation was still dire.
Finally, the Emperor released the largest shard of the Void Dragon imprisoned in the Labyrinth of Night to secure victory.
'I cannot rely solely on the Emperor. I must be prepared.'
'And first, I need to secure the anticipated benefits. I must go to Bar'Savor and rescue Omegon, over a decade early.'
'I might lose some biological samples, but at least I'll secure the prize.'
Nareth knew the Alpha Legion excelled at obtaining intelligence and information.
As more and more Imperial worlds were reclaimed, Alpharius might learn of his twin brother's whereabouts in advance.
As Nareth pondered, a warrior clad in the blue-white armor of the War Hounds Legion entered the office.
"Lord Nareth, Gahlan Surlak, Apothecary of the War Hounds, reporting as ordered."
Gahlan said excitedly. He didn't know why he was fortunate enough to be summoned alone by Lord Nareth.
As he spoke, he couldn't help but scrutinize Lord Nareth from a biological and genetic perspective.
'Perfect!'
'Just as perfect as Lord Fulgrim.'
A face like a marble statue. Eyes deep as obsidian. Skin lustrous as jade.
He was already beyond the scope of biology, impossible to describe precisely with words.
Only one word: Perfect!
"Akurduana told me," Nareth offered his pre-prepared reason, "that you are an excellent Apothecary."
"I need your knowledge and abilities to research xenos, to counter the threat."
"Arsena will prepare a laboratory for you. You will report to me daily."
Hearing the name of the Emperor's Children's 2nd Company Captain, Gahlan understood. He had studied under Bile for a considerable time.
No Apothecary in his Legion could compare. Across all Legions, only Bile and Lord Nareth's Chief Apothecary, Mikael, could match him.
Being able to study xenos and see the perfect Lord Nareth daily, to observe a Primarch, this was like a dream.
"It is my honor." Gahlan said excitedly.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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