November, 837.
Solar System, Throne of Shadow's Sovereignity, Primarch's Palace.
"My lord, Magos Neto has proclaimed on Incaladion that the turmoil which began in 790, lasting forty-seven years, has finally come to an end."
"Among the five Chapters that took part in the campaign, a total of 5,314 Shadows of Order were slain."
A faint sadness flickered in Nareth's eyes, but also a trace of relief.
'Compared to the original Fourth Legion, responsible for quelling the rebellion, who lost around 29,000 Astartes, nearly the entire force, my losses are lighter by roughly 24,000.'
'Objectively, the primary reason is that I launched the campaign six years earlier; fewer xenos had invaded, the Forge Temples were stronger, and the rebel-seized Titans had not yet been repaired or reactivated.'
'Subjectively, I deployed a far stronger strike force, including the Legio Gryphonicus and avoided the Fourth Legion's favored prolonged artillery sieges and attritional assaults.'
He also reflected that, unlike the Fourth Legion, who gained nothing and were forgotten for their sacrifice, his losses had been worth it.
He now controlled an entire Forge World and a Titan Legion, though it would take time to fully consolidate that power.
Another blessing was that Incaladion, like other Forge Worlds, was rich in mineral resources.
Nareth estimated that by 862, before the Second Rangdan War erupted, the Legio Fureans Titan Legion would possess over fifty Titans, ready for deployment.
"The heaviest casualties were in the First Chapter, which took the vanguard, and the Seventh, which carried out infiltration operations, 2,095 and 1,628 killed respectively."
"All other companies of the First Chapter, aside from those ordered, have returned to the Osiris Cluster for replenishment."
"Catachan's population has been rising steadily, now exceeding 7.5 million. The losses of the 7th should be replaced in four years when the next recruitment wave joins the Legion."
"The Legio Gryphonicus lost twelve Titans in battle, most during assaults against the rebel Knight Houses."
After listening to the Incaladion report, Nareth asked:
"The Ninth Chapter's fleet, where are they now?"
"My lord, they've arrived in the Solar System. The Storm Lord is en route and should reach us in two days."
Once the briefing concluded, Nareth left the Dionysian lying on the table.
He returned to his quarters, entered the third layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, and took up the Dice of Prophecy to divine Talassar.
As he held the die, memories of Talassar's data flashed rapidly through his mind.
'Talassar Prime, one of the earliest human colonies in the galaxy.'
'Humans built advanced underwater facilities and sprawling coastal cities crowned with towering spires.'
'Its inland regions serve as agricultural and industrial centers, transformed by terraforming into fertile lands with stable ecosystems and rich mining operations.'
He silently recited in his mind:
'Star chart routes from the Solar System to the Talassar System…'
After eleven repetitions, Nareth cast the prophetic die.
The tetrahedral crystal spun through the air before landing in his open palm, projecting a holographic star map before his eyes.
He recorded the data, transferring it to a data crystal.
Returning to reality, he glanced at John the gyrinx, who is a sequence 8 "Robot". Ever since his ascension, John had longed to demonstrate his capabilities.
'Perhaps I should let John divine as well. I know Talassar's general situation, but not its current state.'
At that thought, Nareth sent a telepathic pulse, John immediately understood.
In his quarters, John's black eyes gleamed.
Since becoming an Beyonder, he had moved out of his cramped nest and built a small "home" beside Nareth's chamber, though still far smaller than that of Freddy, his "big brother" and superior.
John's den was filled with tomes and data slates on prophecy, along with crystal balls, tarot decks, and pendulums.
With his left paw he drew a piece of parchment, and with a feather quill in his right, he quickly wrote:
Talassar Prime…
As the Robot, he knew that when information was limited and no physical focus existed, dream divination worked best.
He muttered the phrase eleven times while writing it over and over.
Then he clutched the parchment, leaned back on his wooden bed, and allowed his consciousness to drift.
A glowing sphere formed in his mind, his eyes darkened to jet black, as he sank deep into meditation.
The surroundings dissolved into stillness, filled with unseen shapes and shimmering colors stretching endlessly.
He let himself fall asleep in that state, sending his mind adrift through the Warp to seek revelation.
Everything grew hazy, half dream, half trance.
Within that distorted, unreal realm, The Robot saw countless sinuous forms, xenos resembling sharks, raising weapons akin to bolters and firing upon humans.
At the same time, Nareth, linked to John's mind, saw the same vision:
Amphibious aliens with gills, four webbed limbs, and long finned tails, shark-faced, full of serrated teeth built for slaughter.
Nareth instantly recognized them, the Saharduin.
As the vision shattered, he analyzed what he'd seen, merging it with his own knowledge.
'I recall the Saharduin control several worlds in the Ultima Segmentum. A hostile but powerful species with technology on par with the Imperium.'
'During the Great Crusade, the Space Wolves fought them, destroying many of their worlds.'
'They evolved from aquatic predators, spacefaring sharks. If they've found Talassar, a wealthy ocean world, plunder is inevitable.'
He added new data on the Saharduin into the crystal:
Standing at 2.2 meters in their typical hunched posture, their armies, called Pisces Warriors, wield weapons akin to bolters and power swords.
"Well done," Nareth said through the telepathic link, genuinely pleased.
He had only intended to test John's abilities, yet The Robot had produced valuable insight.
Two days later, Nareth met Szczesny in the palace and handed him the data crystal.
"I've chosen a recruitment world for the Ninth Chapter."
"The Talassar System, in the Ultima Segmentum, a human colony with flourishing agriculture and industry."
"It has immense potential. Once integrated into the Imperium, it will become a vital trade and strategic hub."
Nareth recalled that Roboute Guilliman, upon discovering Talassar, had immediately recognized its value and made it a key node in the western realm of Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds.
Even after the Great Rift tore the galaxy apart and Talassar was devastated by its own Dark Age defense weapons, Guilliman never abandoned it, later reclaiming it through the Indomitus Crusade and founding the Void Trident Chapter there.
'I wonder what expression Guilliman would wear if he discovered that this prime strategic system in his western domain is now under my control…'
'Like having a nail driven beneath his very eyelid.'
"Talassarians are often raided by pirates, which has hardened them into fighters."
"They are fierce, disciplined, and resilient, you'll find excellent recruits there."
"Now, Talassar is under attack by the Saharduin. When you arrive, launch a rescue. You will win their trust."
Believing the Saharduin might provide Tyrant pathway potion materials, Nareth gave further instruction:
"The Saharduin carry special water tanks on their backs, connected to their gills, that allow them to survive long periods out of water."
"Target those tanks during battle. Once destroyed, they'll quickly lose resistance. I'm very interested in studying them."
"I understand, Father," Szczesny replied.
Nareth then turned to the chronicler beside him.
"Nicholas, you'll accompany the Ninth Chapter and provide assistance."
"This is your chance to become a true "Sailor"."
"By your command, Father."
The Librarian bowed. Nareth sent one final thought-pulse to Szczesny, teaching him the method for constructing altars and conducting sacrifices.
Szczesny processed the information and bowed again. "By your will, my lord."
As one of Nareth's earliest followers, the Storm Lord's loyalty was absolute.
To him, Monarch, Father, and Black Emperor were simply different titles for the same being.
Nicholas, however, blinked curiously.
'Strange… the Storm Lord just changed the way he addresses Father.'
'Why?'
'Could it be that he simply enjoys using different titles?'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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