12th Solar Month, 849.M41, aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty.
Nareth received Thomas, who had returned, in his private office, listening to his briefing.
"My Lord, from what I observed, the Squats' equipment resembles weapons used by the Imperium, giving a sense that Imperial technology was never lost and continuously developed to this day."
"But their equipment level is not uniform. It seems due to varying development among Kindreds. Kindreds with web-shield technology pose greater threats."
"Ordinary Kindreds using what they call Bedrock-pattern boltguns and Voidsuit armor can also threaten Astartes, especially with the vast tunnel networks they construct underground, allowing attacks from different directions."
Arsena, standing nearby, added:
"The Squats are tougher than any enemy the Legion has ever faced. Even if completely cut off, they rely on their subterranean strongholds and resist to the end."
"As of now, not a single star system has surrendered. Even on Rosario, five deep-underground fortresses are still resisting fiercely."
"The Squats have inflicted heavy casualties on our Legion. All six Chapters involved in the campaign have lost more than five hundred warriors. The Eleventh Chapter suffered the worst, over fifteen hundred Order Shadows killed."
Arsena's tone was full of concern. The prolonged underground war of attrition made him worry about the losses.
The Chief Librarian sensed the silver-haired Arsena's anxiety. Recalling battlefield conditions, he said:
"The Cataphractii Terminator Armor, partially equipped by the 3rd Chapter offers better defense than Voidsuit armor. Shadows of Order wearing those achieve notable advantages in battle."
"But the Mechanicum supplies the Shadows of Order, Iron Warriors, and Thousand Sons at the same time. Each Legion receives only fifty suits per solar year."
"Our own forge domains can produce around two hundred suits a year. Even adding the Mechanicum's supply, with six Chapters sharing them, the number is still small, only enough to use as spearhead assault units.
Nareth nodded slightly. "I understand."
After the meeting, with a thought, he shifted into the Kingdom of Disorder.
'My domains in the Segmentum Ultima, Calth, and Ganfall's production capacity is invested in shipbuilding and Ramilies-class Starforts.'
'Other worlds' production capacity, supplying the war against the Squat League, is still slightly insufficient. So, this divination will address this issue.'
The star map of the Segmentum Ultima surfaced in Nareth's mind. He filtered based on known information.
His criteria: possessing numerous mature industrial facilities, immediately usable upon capture to provide supplies for the Legion.
Worlds flashed through the Primarch's brain. After over ten seconds, only one remained.
Firestorm.
Firestorm is the future homeworld of the Aurora Chapter, whose predecessor was the Ultramarines 4th Company.
During the Second Founding, the Aurora Chapter was formally established, excelling at lightning-fast armored assault operations. Their armory possessed far more Land Raiders and Predators than most Chapters.
This was thanks to their homeworld, Firestorm, whose scale rivaled numerous Forge Worlds, providing the Aurora with a constant stream of war machines.
'Although among the Ultramar Five Hundred Worlds, the pearls I coveted have been taken, and I don't intend to poach from him further, Guilliman's sons have a few good worlds outside Ultramar.'
'Firestorm is the most developed in terms of industrial production capacity.'
'Not poaching from Guilliman, poaching his sons is also good. Hmm, it's currently unclaimed territory; first come, first served.'
Nareth picked up the Dice of Prophecy, rapidly recalling known information about Firestorm in his mind.
'Firestorm, an industrially developed planet, covered in large-scale industrial facilities.'
'Firestorm is in the eastern galactic region, located between the Forge Worlds Inlaradion and Attila.'
Nareth chose Firestorm for another important reason: to build a bridge between the controlled Incaladion and Attila.
After swiftly running through the information, he silently recited his request.
'The star chart to Firestorm....'
The 7th and 9th Chapters were already rooted in the Segmentum Ultima. Among the 7th Chapter's domains, Ganfall and Calth were both developed industrial worlds.
Nareth decided to assign Firestorm to the 9th Chapter.
After silently reciting it eleven times, he tossed the Dice of Prophecy.
It tumbled through the air before landing in Nareth's open palm. A scene like a holographic projection unfolded before his eyes.
Just as Nareth was about to return to the real world, whispers suddenly sounded in his ears.
He briefly discerned and found the voice came from Santiago Bogdan.
The "Baron of Corruption's" spirituality extended, touching the shimmering orb-like light. Santiago knelt before an altar, praying to him.
"Black Emperor of the Shadows of Order,
...
"I beseech Your gaze."
"I bring You an offering."
The 5th Chapter was participating in the war against the Squats, but Santiago had been left at the Kalium Gate, responsible for repairing stations and commanding his company to continue exploring the remaining Void Whale.
'Has Santiago discovered something within the Void Whale?'
Nareth concentrated. At the altar in the Kalium System, black mist churned. An intangible gate materialized out of thin air.
Wind howled. Items flew up one after another.
The "Baron of Corruption saw among Santiago's offerings a peculiar leaf. Its two sides had silver and grey patterns respectively.
Nareth noted it would automatically flip based on light. The side near the light was silver; within the black mist, it was grey.
The main ingredient for Sequence 7 "Lucky One" of the Wheel of Fortune: Silver-Grey Duality Leaf.
Nareth concentrated, forming a message in his mind: "Collect the silver-grey leaves."
He transmitted the message.
Instantly, Santiago's response sounded: "As you command, My Lord."
Nareth then proceeded to the first layer, ordering the Jokaero to prepare the "Lucky One" potion.
Returning to the real world, Nareth handed the silver-grey potion to John.
The gyrinx drank the potion, meditated, and reined in his scattered power.
Through the psychic link, Nareth shared the information with John.
The gyrinx quickly ran back to his quarters, grabbed paper and pen with his paws, and scribbled rapidly.
'Firestorm...'
John silently recited the written content, memorizing the information on the paper, over and over again.
After eleven times, the "Robot" grabbed the paper and leaned back on his wooden bed.
The "Robot" visualized a sphere of light in his mind, his eyes turning deep black. He rapidly entered a meditative state.
The surroundings instantly became ethereal. Above, intangible things and colorful lights seemed to extend, boundless.
Images flashed rapidly in John's mind. Through the psychic link, Nareth examined them.
He saw a monster as tall as an Astartes, covered head-to-toe in fleshy sludge.
With each step the monster took, clumps of flesh of varying size pattered onto the ground.
'Carnivorous sludge-men emerging from the Black Reef, meteor. They are launching a surprise attack on Firestorm.'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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