As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Horus Lupercal was the first to speak.
"The First Legion's Hexagrammaton each possesses unique strengths and diverse tactics."
"They can adapt to any situation, making them the best choice."
Leman Russ bared his fangs and replied, "The First Legion is not in a good state. They are unfit for a major campaign."
"Urian Vendraig, before becoming Legion Master, had not even served as a Captain."
"He is unqualified to lead an expeditionary force."
The members of the War Council all agreed with Russ.
Vendraig's appointment as Legion Master was, in truth, a compromise.
During the Sealing of the Dark Gate campaign, the First Legion suffered devastating losses, only eight hundred survived from three Chapters. The Pentagrammaton was disbanded as a result.
Soon after, the first Legion Master, Hector Thrane, recklessly launched an offensive and was killed in battle.
The six lords of Hexagrammaton then fought openly and secretly for control of the Legion, but none could dominate the other five Grand Mentors.
In the end, they had no choice but to compromise and appoint Vendraig, who came from outside the Hexagrammaton and had previously been only a commander of the 14th Batallion of the 8th Company.
Before becoming Legion Master, Hexagrammaton was neither a Grand Mentor nor even a company captain. He had never proven himself capable of leading independently.
Russ continued proudly, "My wolves will cleanse the xenos filth and raze their fortresses to the ground."
From Russ's words, Nareth sensed his underlying discontent.
'Lion El'Jonson has yet to return, and the Dulan Campaign has not even begun, yet Russ is already displeased with the First Legion?'
'Hmm… perhaps he's right. The First Legion, being the first founded, has grown arrogant with pride.'
Nareth knew that during the First Rangdan Xenocide, the First Legion had suffered heavy losses but achieved glorious victory.
Vendraig and his Legion, drunk on that success, ignored Roboute Guilliman during the Karkasarn War, attempting to prove that even the 13th Legion, despite recovering its Primarch, was still beneath them.
They recklessly attacked on their own, disrupting Guilliman's war plan.
Although they won a bloody victory, Vendraig himself was killed in battle, and Guilliman harshly rebuked the First Legion, saying that vanity had corrupted them.
To redeem themselves, the Legion sought out the deadliest enemies they could find, hoping victory would restore their honor.
'Had the Lion not returned, the First Legion, bleeding for glory, would have slowly perished.
From this perspective, not taking part in the First Rangdan Xenocide may actually be a blessing for both Bendreg and his Legion.'
'They will not be consumed by vanity born of victory.'
Nareth turned his thoughts back to Horus's words.
'Did Vendraig make some kind of deal with Horus to secure his recommendation?'
After becoming Legion Master, Vendraig had worked tirelessly to restore the staggering First Legion to stability.
'Russ is right, the Legion is not fit to lead a major expedition.'
'Perhaps Vendraig promised Horus political favors in exchange for his endorsement.
'Were it not for my presence here, the War Council, given Horus's unmatched record, might well have accepted his proposal.'
As Nareth pondered, the Emperor broke the silence, turning his gaze to his "Pegasus."
"Nareth, how goes the pacification of Incaladion?"
Realizing the Emperor had shifted the topic from the Rangdan campaign to him, Nareth replied, "The Incaladion campaign will be concluded within a month. Cleanup operations will continue afterward."
"Then it shall be your Eleventh Legion," said the Emperor, "that will undertake the expedition to Advex-Mors and purge the xenos threat."
Horus, hearing this, found the result acceptable. The rapid expansion of the Eleventh Legion had been putting pressure on him.
He had often been forced to abandon diplomacy in favor of swift conquest, an approach that tarnished the luminous image he had built.
With the Eleventh Legion thrown into a brutal war, Horus felt he could finally slow his pace and return to a more "civilized" style of warfare.
The Emperor's word was final. The council members offered no objections, and one by one, their forms faded away.
As Nareth was about to depart, a voice called out, Vulkan.
"Nareth, wait."
Nareth turned toward the black-skinned giant.
"I must thank you. The shields you provided now protect the Seven Cities with far greater coverage."'
"Since the Palace's Astropaths were providing communications support, Vulkan avoided directly naming the Fortress-Class Shields."
"When Nocturne and Prometheus nearly collided, few suffered misfortune."
"I believe my homeworld will never again fear volcanic annihilation."
Vulkan's eyes shone with conviction.
"Father made me understand the true meaning of the Great Crusade, to bring hope to those who have suffered under xenos tyranny and heretic bondage."
"Countless human worlds struggle for survival amidst disaster. They, too, deserve protection."
His words echoed powerfully through the golden hall.
Nareth studied the kind-hearted giant for a moment before replying:
"I can provide such shielding support, but I have conditions."
"Speak," said Vulkan, who had already discerned that Nareth was not a man who gave without gain.
"My Techmarines are limited in number and cannot all be assigned to this work," Nareth began. "Therefore, the worlds we protect must be selective."
"Those receiving protection must pay a price, resources, or population."
He would aid Vulkan not only out of goodwill but also out of instinct as a lawyer, recognizing the opportunity for leverage.
He knew many harsh worlds where humanity struggled to colonize and survive were rich in resources.
Volcanic eruptions had brought ore to the surfaces of Nocturne and Medusa IV.
Fenris teemed with life.
And worlds suffering from raids often lay along trade routes or hosted the populations the Dark Eldar prized.
'This is a chance to gain resources and extend influence over those worlds.'
"That's all?" Vulkan asked, surprised by how modest Nareth's terms were.
"That's all," Nareth said with a smile. "Although… if a kind-hearted smith were to gift me a few spare weapons, or offer some guidance to my sons, I would not refuse."
Hearing that the request was more flattery than demand, Vulkan smiled in return.
"Since your departure from Nocturne, I have forged not five but fourteen weapons."
"They've already been sent aboard your escort vessel, the same one that brought your Techmarines to my world."
He paused for several seconds before continuing, "I am aboard a transport ship bound for the Sol System. I have reached an agreement with Saturn's forges to perfect power armor production. Your sons may join the project if you wish."
Nareth knew Saturn had, during the Age of Strife, established an advanced and independent polity across its eighty-two major moons.
But unlike Mars, which sought autonomy, Saturn's priesthood had chosen alliance, seeing the newborn Imperium as kin and joining peacefully after negotiations with the Emperor.
Saturn's formidable industry and manpower had since become vital to the Imperium's military strength.
Without Saturn, even Malcador's Edict Network would have expanded several times faster.
The introduction of Saturn's heavy space armor infantry later paved the way for the Solar Auxilia.
Vulkan elaborated, "The Saturn-pattern armor provides superior protection, but its production is complex and its weight excessive. Over time, it fell out of use. I intend to improve the design and breathe new life into it."
Nareth realized that what Vulkan spoke of was the prototype of the Saturn-Type Terminator Armor, stronger than the Cataphractii or Tartaros patterns.
"This is significant. My sons would be honored to participate."
He knew that the Saturn project was Vulkan's personal endeavor; neither the Mechanicum nor other Legions' Techmarines had been invited.
'Clearly, this is Vulkan's gesture of goodwill, moved by my modest terms, and perhaps the passive charm of the 'Lawyer' and the 'Briber.''
To work alongside Vulkan would greatly enhance his Techmarines' abilities. Nareth decided to send his Forge Lord, leading a dedicated team, to join the research effort.
Their forms vanished swiftly, leaving only the sweating Astropaths in the silent golden chamber.
Upon returning to the Throne Shadow's Sovereignty, Nareth summoned Arsena and Rosicky to coordinate matters regarding the Rangdan War and the Incaladion campaign.
.....
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