850.M41. The Knight World of Chrysis was discovered. The Knight House Khrast on this planet joined the Imperium.
Chrysis was the third Knight World discovered by Nareth, after the Daxon System and Damaetus.
5th Month of the same year. A fleet of the 9th Chapter arrived at the Squat System in the galactic core.
Nareth received Sczesny and Nicholas in his private office.
"My Lord, following your command, Firestorm has begun manufacturing the Cataphractii Terminator Armor."
"We present the first batch of fifty-two suits."
Nareth leaned back in his chair, gazing at Sczesny.
"My Storm Lord, Cataphractii Terminators are prioritized for Chapters fighting the Squat League."
"You and your Chapter's Court Members will receive more suitable equipment shortly."
Not long ago, Rosicky prayed to the Black Emperor, reporting the successful prototype research for Saturnine Pattern Terminator and Saturnine Pattern Dreadnought armor.
Vulkan permitted him to bring some prototypes to the galactic core for testing against the Squats.
After Rosicky's arrival, Nareth would order him to begin researching various suits suitable for beyonder beings.
"My Lord, as you wish."
"Any command, I shall obey."
Nareth looked at Sczesny. He remained a loyal as he was on Vostroya.
His domains provide equipment for other Chapters without the slightest dissatisfaction.
The "Baron of Corruption" observed Sczesny, seeing a pure azure blue, like the ocean.
"You have mastered the power I bestowed upon you?"
"My Lord, I believe so." Sczesny said assuredly.
"After securing Talassar's primary world, I organized fleets to venture deep into the oceans, hunting down Saharduin, who had fled into the deeps of the world."
"During one hunt, after surrounding a hundred Saharduin, I felt that shattering sensation like the previous two times when I fully mastered the power."
Nareth also confirmed Nicholas had digested the "Folk of Rage" potion and said:
"Arsena, first take the Storm Lord and Nicholas outside to await confirmation on subsequent Cataphractii resupply progress."
Subsequently, he went to the Kingdom of Disorder, ordering the Jokaero to first prepare the "Seafarer" potion, then use materials like the Blue-eyed Sea Eagle found within the Void Whale to prepare the Sequence 6 "Wind-Blessed" potion.
Moments later, Nareth looked at the newly promoted "Wind-Blessed" and "Seafarer," pushing a data crystal towards them.
"It contains the Aeldari Path of the Striking Scorpion. It is very suitable for your Chapter. Research it together with Nicholas."
The "Path of the Striking Scorpion" was the third Aspect Path Nareth extracted from Slau Dha's mind, after the Path of the Fire-Dragon and Path of the Howling Banshee.
He spent a considerable time adapting the Path of the Striking Scorpion into a version suitable for the Shadows of Order.
Sczesny picked up the data crystal, somewhat puzzled.
'I've spoken with members of the Chapter's Aeldari Hunters. Striking Scorpions precisely control shuriken weapons, unleashing fury upon enemies.'
'It seems not strongly related to "Sailor," "Folk of Rage," "Seafarer," and "Wind-Blessed". However, since Our Lord says so, it cannot be wrong.'
Nareth keenly noticed the puzzlement in Sczesny's and Nicholas's eyes. He said with a smile:
"The suitability I speak of won't manifest in external shuriken weapons but in its essence."
"Striking Scorpions are patient and methodical warriors. They are fierce in attack and unwavering in defense."
"The Aspect grants them unique abilities to perceive the flow of combat, like sailors reading tides, utilizing its power to overwhelm enemies."
"They might unleash firepower at one moment, charge into enemy lines at dawn, or retreat the next, luring enemies into carefully planned ambushes."
Sczesny suddenly understood. "My Lord, I understand. The Path of the Striking Scorpion is also the power of the storm, stirring tides in an instant to swiftly crush enemies."
"I will definitely work with Nicholas to explore the mysteries of this Aspect Path."
Nicholas also immediately expressed his stance: "Father, I will cooperate with the Storm Lord to master the Path of the Striking Scorpion."
After Sczesny and Nicholas left, Nareth instructed Arsena:
"Equip 1st Chapter with the Cataphractii Terminator and launch an attack on Squat's Hold."
"The Shadows of Orderhave gained void combat superiority and can launch offensives against Squat's primary planet."
"Each Chapter will take turns. Equip Cataphractii Terminators to the Chapter launching the offensive."
"As you command, My Lord."
Nareth then rose and entered Marlena Skarra's biological laboratory.
The "Biologist's" long hair scattered, each golden strand swaying like venomous snakes.
Nareth knew the "Biologist's" hair wasn't just snake-like; it was truly highly toxic.
After Marlena arrived on the Shadow's Sovereignty, Nareth confirmed she had digested the "Harvest Priest" potion.
He then used the serpent from the Snakebite Klan obtained during the Wheel of Fire campaign to prepare the "Biologist" potion.
After being promoted to Sequence 6 "Biologist," Marlena took over research on the Squat cloning technology.
Marlena's tea-brown eyes saw the Black Emperor enter. She placed the strange creature in her hand back into its cage.
Nareth glanced at it. The creature had a grey-black serpentine body, showing clear Catachan viper traits, and a white rat head.
The "Biologist" turned on the faucet, washing bloody stains from her hands, saying:
"I utilized the Squat cloning technology to improve my hybrid creatures."
"I found physical modification is easier tha mental modification."
"Enhancing muscle tissue toughness is easier than enhancing resistance to psychic attacks."
As Marlena spoke, her fingers tapped on the touch panel.
The metal cage flashed with dazzling electricity, striking the hybrid creature.
The rat head's white fur stood on end. The serpentine body writhed.
Nareth saw the hybrid rat-headed serpent creature tumbling and struggling in the cage, emitting agonized hissing cries.
The Primarch keenly noticed that although the hybrid looked miserable, it suffered no substantive damage.
The hybrid creature underwent thirteen test including radiation and intense light exposure. It passed all tests.
Marlena tapped the panel again. Two slender, colorful probes extended into the cage.
Light flashed. Psychic lightning struck the hybrid creature.
The creature emitted sharp agonized howls, collapsed in the cage, and stopped moving.
"Higher white and red blood cell concentrations allow them to better adapt to extreme environments like high radiation and greater endurance under attack."
"For now, I can only perform gene modifications for physical toughness."
Marlena added, "The Squats' psychic resistance modifications involvethe Warp and soul. I need more time to figure it out."
"Good, continue the research." Nareth issued the command and then left.
.....
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