"My Lord," Gabriel was the second to report, "through dismantling the Rangdan warships, we have preliminarily grasped the method they use to falsify readings."
"While immediate application is not yet possible, this will greatly reduce the time needed for identification."
"The Rangdan weaponry is mostly psyker-based, we'll need further assistance from the Librarius."
"The Rangdans also possess mature technology in personal energy shields. Through our studies, we've made progress in miniaturization."
"Continue your research," Nareth replied calmly. He knew that studying xenos technology required time, and he had patience.
As long as, before the year 862, the beginning of the Second Rangdan War, they could master Rangdan ship technology and formulate effective countermeasures, it would suffice.
There were still 23 years to go.
"My Lord, I've conducted dissections of Rangdan xenos," said Mikael, the third to report.
"These fox-headed, humanoid creatures possess great strength and agility, they form the mainstay of their fleet's combat troops…"
"…"
"I've uploaded all biological data on the xenos to the Legion's tactical network, and copies have been sent to all Chapter Masters and Company Captains."
Nareth nodded slightly before continuing:
"During ground combat, I'll capture live Rangdan xenos and have a special containment zone prepared aboard the Ramilies."
"As I've said before, the war against the Rangdans will last for decades, our Legionnaires must know their enemy thoroughly."
He remembered that, in the future, Deathwatch would be stationed within the Jericho Reach of the Ultima Segmentum, housed in a Ramilies-class starfort, Watch Fortress Erioch.
Inside Erioch, Deathwatch Kill-teams trained and prepared for coming missions.
The fortress combined command, storage, archiving, and garrison functions, and also served as a facility for various Astartes training programs.
To create the most realistic conditions possible, its massive domes simulated diverse environments, some even housed flora and fauna from Death Worlds.
Kill-teams would even capture xenos and release them into the domes, simulating live-hunt exercises.
'After the war, the Ramilies must not go to waste, it can serve as both a training base and a Rangdan research facility.'
"My Lord," spoke Arsenne Dunn next, "to date, the Expeditionary Fleet has lost fifty-four voidships, including thirteen capital ships."
"Most losses occurred upon entering the system, when outnumbered by Rangdan vessels."
"The Rangdan fleet has now retreated within the range of their orbital defense satellites, launching only drone strikes."
"We have achieved complete victory in the first phase of operations," Nareth said with a faint smile. "The goal of the second phase is to seize the four outer planets of the Advex-Mors system."
"Of these, Adved-Mors IV is the closest to the primary star. The Ramilies will move there, using its central torpedo batteries to counter Rangdan drone incursions."
"The fortress on that world is second only to Advex-Mors Primus. The Third Battle Group and Mordian Iron Guard will lead the assault, with support from the Titan Legion Void Striders."
As Nareth spoke, a Primarch's attendant raised a control staff, projecting a starmap of the Spin-Morse system and highlighting the four target planets.
"The First Chapter's Arbiters will move into orbit around Planet V."
The Rangdan fleet still had strength to fight and might launch sudden counterattacks.
Nareth ensured that every planet would have either the Ramilies-class star fortress or a Gloriana-class battleship in orbit to repel any raids.
"Augur Matrix scans show Planet V's surface is a vast cave network. It will be assaulted jointly by the Second and Eighth Chapters."
"The Black Mercy will move to Planet VI, an ice world. The Fourth and Fifth Chapters must capture it."
"The Throne of Shadow's Sovereignity will head for Advex-Mors Primus. I will lead the Honor Guard and the Eleventh Battle Chapter to storm the Rangdan stronghold."
"Yes, my Lord," everyone answered in unison.
After the others left, Nareth turned to the silver-haired Arsena
"Have Honor Guard member Santiago Borgkamp return to the Fifth Chapter and join the attack on Planet VI."
After a full examination confirming Santiago's loyalty and exceptional skill, Nareth had elevated him as a Sequence 9, Apprentice, of the Door Pathway.
As a psyker of the daemonology disciplne, he could banish daemons and open warp portals, though both were perilous acts that risked being lost to the Immaterium. The Door Pathway would one day allow him to escape even deadly situations.
"In ten minutes, summon members Bolti, Pierre Wright…" Nareth listed fifty-two names.
Each had either been a preexisting Honor Guard or newly promoted after distinguishing themselves in the boarding actions.
They had all passed his trials. Nareth would cultivate them into beyonder.
'Indeed, wartime allows for faster observation of candidates.'
'By the war's end, the first stage of transcendence should be complete. Every squad of the First, Third, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Eleventh Battle Groups will have a beyonder chosen from my Pathways.'
While thinking, Nareth returned to the Kingdom of Disorder and ordered his Jokaeros to prepare potions.
The orange-furred apes worked swiftly, concocting vials of glowing potions in rapid succession.
Nareth distributed the potions to the members of the Honor Guard one by one.
Santiago, who was heading to the transport ship, stopped and looked at the figure that appeared in front of him.
Holding a staff, Thomas, whose face was hidden under the psionic hood, spoke:
"Santiago, your psychic potential is exceptional. I invite you to join the Librarius."
"Lord Thomas, I am honored, but I'd rather fight alongside my battle-brothers than serve as a scholar." Santiago replied firmly.
"I believe you will shine brightly," Thomas said, seeing in Santiago the reflection of himself and of other Chapter Masters.
After the war council, the assault began. Because Planet V's surface was dominated by caves, orbital bombardment had limited effect, so the Second Chapter led the charge.
Black transport craft descended and landed. On the vox, Wilshire addressed his warriors.
"Shadows of Order! Hear me! We stand together before the lair of the xenos, beneath our Primarch's light!"
"The foul creatures lie ahead, powerful and relentless. Some of us will not live to see the dawn."
"But remember this, should you fall in battle, you will return to our Primarch's side. He will embrace you with his golden wings."
The Light Lord's voice thundered: "Now, we march for victory! For Nareth!"
And silently, in his heart, he added: 'For the Black Emperor.'
"For Nareth!" the Shadows of Order roared, charging into the cavern.
As they entered the dark tunnels, the beating of wings filled the air.
Swarms of one-meter-tall xenos with bat-like wings and serpent heads came flying at them, neural collars gleaming around their necks.
The Rangdans had enslaved not only humans but many alien races.
The Shadows of Order raised their bolters, unleashing a storm of explosive shells.
The xenos burst apart violently, their limbs scattered across the stone.
Those with flamers pressed their triggers, and burning promethium washed over the swarm. Steam hissed as the xenos were vaporized.
Wilshire strode forward, chanting loudly:
"Lord of Lords, let Your kingdom descend upon this place! Let the impure be driven away! Let light shine upon the Shadows of Order!"
Where the "Bard" walked, his brothers felt their strength surge.
Their power, their agility, their courage, all magnified.
The Second Chapter became unstoppable, cutting deep into the caves.
On the fifth day, they reached the heart of the network.
As Wilshire entered, a shriek tore through the air.
Descending from above came the Rangdan Overlord, covered in resplendent feathers, a razor beak nearly a meter long, and wielding a radiant spear.
He dove straight into their ranks, impaling a warrior through the chest.
The spear pierced clean through, flinging the body forward.
Dozens of bolter rounds slammed into his energy shield, sending ripples through it before bouncing harmlessly away.
The Overlord was fast, evading most of the return fire and vanishing from their auspex sensors.
'He seems to possess some kind of invisibility ability.'
Wilshire realized this calmly, scanning the shadows.
Then, the Light-Supplient's eyes flared, two miniature suns igniting within them, illuminating everything in the cavern.
He met the Overlord's gaze, two sunken, lifeless sockets devoid of light.
Wielding his relic thunder hammer, Wilshire instantly saw the Overlord's weakness.
Twin beams of pure light radiated from his eyes, two tiny suns descending upon the cave.
With his bare left hand pressed reverently before his lips in prayer, he whispered silently.
Without a sound, a brilliant column of fire descended from the heavens, striking the xeno Overlord squarely on the head.
A scream tore through the darkness as his hollow eyes burned away.
The Overlord plummeted like a broken kite.
Wilshire felt light ignite within his soul. 'I have finaly become a true Light-Supplient,' he thought.
He pressed a rune and swung his hammer down upon the fallen foe.
With a deafening explosion, the Rangdan Overlord's body burst into a crimson mist.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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