Facing the Arbiter's imposing pressure, Nareth remained calm.
"I took control of Magnitogorsk Steelworks not for myself, but for the Hantmann West Dome and for you, Arbitrator."
The young master of House Fender looked intrigued, while the Arbiter let out an incredulous laugh.
"Don't spout nonsense, boy. You seized the steel mill for your own gain. How is this for me?"
"Vostroya has pledged loyalty to Mars for millennia. What do the followers of the Omnissiah value above all? Efficiency. Am I wrong?"
As Nareth spoke in his measured, unhurried tone, Dimitrov's agitation gradually subsided, though he still didn't see how this concerned him.
The Arbiter's voice softened slightly. "You're not wrong. But what does that have to do with your takeover? And how does it benefit me?"
"Magnitogorsk Steelworks supplies D-46 Forge Complex. As the ancient Terran management scholar Chandler proved, controlling upstream enterprises optimizes resource allocation and utilization."
"With my forge controlling the steel mill, efficiency will skyrocket. Hantmann West Dome will outshine all others, drawing the attention of the Tech-Priests... and you with it."
Dimitrov fell silent. All of Vostroya was ruled by nobles and Tech-Priests from Mars. Gaining even one Tech-Priest's favor could elevate him to the upper hive.
After a long pause, he asked, "Why you? Wouldn't it be better if I took control myself?"
Nareth smiled confidently. "If you moved directly, every factory would resist violently. You'd lose too many men."
"But if I absorb them? They won't unite immediately. They'd never expect my ambition. By the time they realize, it'll be too late."
"I have the capacity to assimilate every factory, and only I can maximize the dome's efficiency."
Dimitrov studied Nareth, swayed by his logic and the absolute conviction in his voice. Yet remembering Fend's orders, he grasped for an objection.
"Rules cannot be broken."
"Not so."
Drawing on the legal knowledge imprinted when he ingested the potion, Nareth cited a precedent from the Tizca rulings.
"Thirty-eight years ago, the Kournikova family launched a surprise assault and seized fifty-two upper-hive chemical plants within nineteen work cycles, without precedent. The adjudication council of nobles and Mechanicus ruled in their favor, granting them monopoly rights."
according to the Omnissiah's Guide written by Magos Kivior, Chapter 11: 'Tetzvok Governance Regulations,' Article 11, Factory Management Rules, Clause 11: 'All precedents in this Hive shall be considered valid grounds for judgment.
"Furthermore, according to the Omnissiah's Guide written by Magos Kivior, Chapter 11: 'Tizca's Governance Regulations,' Article 11, Factory Management Rules, Clause 11: 'All prior rulings of this hive may be cited as legal precedent.'"
Though Vostroya hadn't yet joined the Imperium and the Adeptus Arbites hadn't established a presence, its unique dual governance had birthed a distinctive judicial system.
They'd inherited ancient Terran arbitration traditions, creating adjudication bodies mirroring the Adeptus Arbites, even spawning specialized roles like advocates.
In the underhive, this was simplified to a single Arbiter's authority.
The golden-haired noble's eyes sharpened. These obscure precedents and clauses were known only to upper hive barristers. How could an underhive youth possess such knowledge?
'He doesn't look like someone from the underhive at all. But even upper-hive law students his age wouldn't master statutes this thoroughly.'
Dimitrov looked lost. He wasn't even sure if Omnissiah's Guidance contained that clause, as an Arbiter, he only needed to know surface-level regulations.
As he hesitated, Nareth continued, "I'm certain this noble from the upper hive knows this statute."
"Insolence!" a guard barked. "You dare address his lordship directly?"
"It's fine," the young master waved a hand, applauding. "A brilliant argument, as impressive as any speeches I've heard in the Grand Adjudicatum."
"You've persuaded me. That steel mill supplied House Fender, which is why I came."
"When I heard a boy ten years my junior achieved so much so quickly, I had to see you myself."
"Now, you've exceeded expectations."
Turning to the Arbiter, he said, "Dimitrov, give him a chance. I want to see how far he can go."
"As you command, my lord."
The Arbiter's eyes burned with envy at Nareth's sudden favor.
Howard Fend turned back. "But I have one condition: I'll assign an observer."
"Don't refuse yet. He won't interfere, only assess your capabilities. Excel, and I'll support your underhive expansion... perhaps even sponsor your ascent."
Nareth considered. Psionic Crystals were rare; only nobles, the Mechanicus, or psyker craftsman would have them.
"Agreed. But I require one Psionic Crystal."
"Bold." Howard paused. "Very well. But within one month, you must control all sixty-three factories in Hantmann West Dome and increase output by ten percent. Can you handle it?"
"Easily."
Howard's curiosity grew at Nareth's confidence. He gestured to a retainer wielding a plasma riffle.
"Yasin, accompany him."
"By your will, young master."
Dimitrov declared, "Congratulations, Nareth. Magnitogorsk is yours, with sanction to assimilate all dome industries."
As the words left his mouth, Nareth felt his spirituality surge.
'Interesting. By "playing" the Lawyer, securing benefits through formal recognition, my potion absorption progresses faster than simply seizing resources.'
Sixteen Work Cycles Later – Upper Hive
Howard Fend sat brooding in his office when the vox-bead in his artificer armor chimed. His majordomo's voice came through:
"My lord, Yasin has returned."
Howard's frown deepened. He'd ordered Yasin to report only when Nareth's task was complete or if he'd failed spectacularly.
'Could he have conquered the entire dome already? Impossible. Unless he's dead? No—with his talents, failure was unlikely. But this speed...'
"Send him in."
Moments later, Yasin entered breathlessly.
"My lord, Nareth controls all sixty-three factories. He's increased productivity by fifteen percent."
Howard froze for several seconds.
"How?"
"His combat prowess... my lord, it was terrifying. All of us combined couldn't match him."
"I suspect he's a gene-bred product, perhaps even from Mechanicus labs. In mere weeks, he's grown noticeably taller. His fighting... it was artistry. Precise. Efficient. Lethal..."
Yasin launched into a vivid account of Nareth's conquest.
Slouched in his synthetic leather chair, Howard gradually straightened, finally resting his chin on interlaced fingers as he absorbed every detail.
"He has this... presence. His speeches are incredibly persuasive. The once lifeless workers seem brainwashed, working tirelessly. Some gang bosses pledge their allegiance after hearing him speak."
"But he delivered. Streamlined management, optimized production chains, fed every laborer and enforcer."
"Even the former gutter-scum follow his rules religiously. They're like..." Yasin searched for the right term, "...reborn. I'd wager the Arbiter's men can't match Nareth's forces now."
"He did it."
Howard sat stunned before a sudden realization struck.
'Perhaps he can solve my current predicament.'
He sprang up, using his family sigil, red with a golden lightning bolt, to open a vault. From a dozen Psionic Crystals, he selected the largest: one meter long, ninety centimeters in diameter.