The Fabricator-General of Mars's mechandrites swayed. His vox-synthesizer intoned a chant.
"Let us together praise the double charge and bio-electricity..."
His words came to an abrupt stop. He looked at Nareth expectantly.
'Hmm?' Nareth glanced at his robed form. The exposed parts of his arms and torso were inscribed with intricate, electroplated patterns. Twelve wires coiled around his head.
'The current Fabricator-General, rising from the Electro-Priesthood, is testing me with the Second Current Litany?'
The Second Current Litany was a revered and sacred prayer within the Mechanicum. Naturally, Nareth knew it well.
"...and the Omnissiah, who ignites the light of reason within us. May we carry His charge to those who convert to His light."
The wires crackled with sparks. The electroplated patterns blazed with dazzling light.
The vox-synthesizer's voice held unmistakable admiration.
"Nareth, you are truly favored by the Omnissiah."
"On behalf of Mars, I formally invite you to accept the creed of the Omnissiah."
"Your brother, Ferrus Manus, has already accepted. We opened our repositories of knowledge to him."
Nareth felt Ferrus's silver-coin eyes upon him. Ferrus, having accepted the concept of "the flesh is weak," had made his Legion the most technologically advanced among many.
'In terms of technological ability, Ferrus is first. I am second. Perturabo, who can develop in a targeted manner as needed, is third. Vulkan, the most skilled at forging weapons, is fourth. Magnus, who unearths knowledge and has long journeyed with Perturabo, is fifth.'
'The Lion, with access to the Emperor's forbidden weapons, is close to Ferrus and me in this regard.'
Mars's scale was immense, holding the largest repository of technology in the Imperium.
Even the Emperor didn't possess as much technology as Mars, though he controlled many unique technologies, both those he had collected and those seized from defeated Terran warlords.
Though Nareth had excavated some STCs, he couldn't compare to Ferrus, who had free access to Mars's vaults.
But, like the Emperor, he also possessed many unique technologies.
Nareth's private armory, the Dark Angels' reliquary, and Ferrus's Vault's held the largest collections of forbidden weapons.
'If I accept the invitation, like Ferrus, I would become the foremost Primarch in technology.'
"Thank you for the invitation, but I cannot accept the concept of 'the flesh is weak.'"
Nareth knew that for the tech-priests to believe he had become a follower of the Omnissiah, he would have to allow his sons to undergo large-scale mechanical augmentation like the Iron Hands. This was unacceptable to him.
'I have individuals like Arkhan Land among the tech-priests, and numerous Forge World allies. There's no need to accept such harsh conditions.'
'I also have the Paragon Pathway Beyonders. If I can successfully win over Perturabo, having talents with maximum creativity, I could naturally rival the Mechanicum, perhaps even surpass it.'
'As for forbidden weapons, I've already extended my hand towards the Dark Angels and recorded the possible location of the Vault of Mimir. I can naturally obtain part of it later.'
"Those of us in the Mechanicum are deeply grieved to be unable to share the light of our faith with one such as you, for you could bring the Omnissiah's holy light to us more brightly than any Magos." The Fabricator-General's voice held obvious sorrow.
The various factions on Mars had reached a consensus. Besides Ferrus, who had accepted their concept, the three Primarchs they most wished to win over with the Omnissiah's light were:
Nareth, who had recovered multiple holy templates, was first. Perturabo, whose understanding of binary surpassed even Magi, was second. Vulkan was last.
Ferrus remained silent, looking thoughtfully at Nareth.
"I am willing to trade the captured xenos war-moon with Mars. Are you interested?"
The disappointed Fabricator-General, thinking of the powerful war-moon that had even destroyed a Dark Angels Gloriana-class battleship, immediately said.
"Of course, I am very interested."
"I will send representatives to negotiate with Mars."
Seeing Nareth's conversation with the Fabricator-General conclude, Ferrus's leaden voice sounded.
"Nareth, have you completed the part of the heavy tank you were responsible for?"
Nareth nodded. "For the secondary sponson weapons, I chose lascannons, for faster elimination of light armored units and heavy infantry..."
Ferrus's silver-coin eyes flickered. "Practical, wise design. I think the heavy tank can now be finalized."
"Proceed with experimental production. The decisive battle against the xenos will be the perfect test opportunity."
"I propose naming this tank the Sicaran."
"I have no objection," the Fabricator-General said.
"Good." Nareth nodded. Apart from him replacing Guilliman as Ferrus and Mars's cooperation partner, the Sicaran Battle Tank was essentially unchanged, even its name remained the same.
After leaving the Golden Palace, Nareth boarded the black Aquila Lander.
Deafening cheers erupted across Terra. People would enjoy twenty days of holiday to celebrate Omegon's return.
Back aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, Nareth summoned his Aide and the Chief Apothecary in his office.
With Omegon no longer on the ship, Mikael, who disliked light and completely concealed his body within his armor, directly reported his findings.
"My Lord, while treating him, I extracted genetic material from Lord Omegon. Enough to cultivate two hundred fifteen gene-seed."
"I also studied Lord Omegon's blood," the "Potion Professor" couldn't help but lick his lips. "Each drop surpasses that of a Salamander or a Kraken."
"They even transcend the category of blood. They are incomprehensible things."
"They, along with his tissue, can serve as mystical materials."
Nareth nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then spoke.
"Use ten gene-seed to cultivate Astartes. Deliver two drops of blood to the Forge Lord."
The Forge Lord already possessed the ability to create magical items. Even if he couldn't complete one alone, with his ritual magic abilities he could leverage Nareth's power.
Omegon's blood could be used as a mystical material to create magical items, and to detect his sons, the Alphas.
"The remainder, all offer to me."
"Five drops of blood are granted to you. But do not consume them all at once. That would be wasteful." Nareth instructed. With a thought, he sent a thought-pulse.
"Dilute one drop now and consume it in batches. You must gauge the progress yourself. If you feel it's too much, pray immediately to the Black Emperor."
"Each subsequent time you receive a bestowal of power from me, consume another drop."
Nareth then said, "Keep five drops aside. When Marlena returns, give them to her for research."
He again sent a thought-pulse via telepathy.
"Offer the remainder to me."
Nareth recalled that in the future, Ku'gath would use Nurgle's cauldron and a single drop of Guilliman's blood to brew a potent poison called the Godblight.
A Primarch's blood contained mystical, powerful energy, making it excellent material. The current Beyonders were not yet high enough sequence; using it all now would be wasteful.
'This is all my due reward. Omegon was spared over a decade of torment. Alpharius wasn't beaten.'
The Alpha Legion's Chief Librarian and the numerous elite Lernaean Terminators didn't die.
Hmm, I really am a kind-hearted, good person.'
"The tissue samples will be studied by you, Malena, and Garan together. Share the results."
"Thank You, my Lord." The "Potion Professor" responded joyfully. Just sniffing Lord Omegon's blood told him it was the most delicious food he could find.
Each drop was an ultimate delicacy. Had it not belonged to the Black Emperor, he would have tasted it long ago.
The "Potion Professor" could absorb part of the power from it, but couldn't handle the full force of a Primarch's power. That was why the Black Emperor instructed him to consume it in batches.
"My Lord, before the xenos invaded Bar'Savor, it was ruled by techno-brutes."
"They were granted the right to continue ruling locally after joining the Imperium, until the xenos invasion."
"Techmarines have located several of their ruins and have begun excavation."
"Acknowledged." Nareth nodded slightly. His right thumb pressed on a drawer of his desk.
A rune flickered. The drawer slid open.
Nareth took out a data-crystal containing the information about the Silent Tears and the topographic map of its location, which he had previously given to Ramsey.
"Set sail. Head for Piraeus."
The Emperor had not mentioned at the war council whether he would provide assistance if the Taxal decisive battle reached a stalemate.
Nareth couldn't be sure he would open the Labyrinth of Night and release the Void Dragon shard. He had to prepare.
With Omegon gone, now was the time to acquire the C'tan shard.
Afterwards, he could rendezvous with the Lion, Guilliman, Omegon, and the 'secret' Alpharius to launch the decisive battle.
"By your will."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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