Deep beneath the central fortress of the Hold lay the Squat League's largest Ancestal Shrine, five kilometers in diameter.
Lorenzo felt the vastness of the shrine was empty. Besides the statue, the machine with its intricate circuitry, and various adornments, he was alone.
No Squat other than a Grimnyr was permitted to set foot in the Shrine.
Lorenzo sensed that the two other great souls belonging here, the Chief and Second Grimnyr Lords, had perished.
He knew the High Kâhl had likely died as well.
This meant that, as the sole remaining Grimnyr Lord, he had to shoulder the responsibility for the Squat League and guard the Ancestor, the Votann, ten kilometers below.
Lorenzo felt the weight of a world pressing upon him. Even his will wavered at the current situation.
His gaze settled on a control console where crimson runes flashed with a piercing light.
Lorenzo knew that was the final safeguard for the Votann. Once pressed, nothing would threaten the Votann again.
A doomsday weapon would activate. The Votann, along with the entire planet, would be reduced to rubble within moments.
The destruction of the Votann would also signal the destruction of the Squat League.
Lorenzo walked with heavy steps towards the console. The destruction of the Votann was preferable to it falling into others' hands.
When he was four steps from the console, he suddenly felt a spark of thought leap.
Lorenzo looked with surprise and hope towards the screen before the statue. He saw runes dancing.
"Praise the Ancestor! He has answered our prayers and inquiries!"
Lorenzo hurried to the display screen. Only the most exceptional Grimnyr could become Lords and join the Council. In an instant, he comprehended the Votann's revelation.
His pupils dilated violently, his eyes filled with astonishment. He murmured as if confirming something.
"'The gene-primarch Nareth of the 'Shadows of Order will bring hope to the Squat League'?"
"The Squat League should engage in trade with his domains and dispatch warriors to fight alongside the Shadows of Order?"
Lorenzo could not understand.
After years of brutal war, he knew the faction calling itself the Imperium of Man, after failed diplomacy, had sent three Astartes Legions, the primary forces of their conquest.
Among the three Legions, the Shadows of Order had inflicted the greatest casualties upon the various kindreds of the Squat League, their numbers exceeding the combined strength of the other two Legions.
Now, the Ancestor's revelation was to set aside hatred and ally with him.
Lorenzo slammed both palms heavily onto the screen. Thoughts flashed through his mind at lightning speed.
"Why would Nareth bring us hope?"
"He brought us death. Why ally with him?"
"…"
His thoughts raced, but he received no further response.
After another dozen breaths, Lorenzo raised his hands.
Though he hadn't opened a comm-channel, his over twenty years on the Council told him the situation outside: people were dying every second.
The Ancestor's will could not be defied. Since the decision was to submit, it must be done swiftly.
He opened a comm-channel and issued the order:
"Transmit to the commanders of the Imperium of Man: The Squat League surrenders!"
"We accept the terms. We submit to the Imperium!"
The Chief Communications Officer heard the order, finding it inconceivable. He would rather die fighting than yield. But the Third Grimnyr Lord was the sole remaining Council member.
He was both the representative of the Ancestor's will and the highest authority of the Squat League. His command superseded all else.
Moments later, Nareth received the message from the Squat League. They had surrendered.
'Perhaps my use of "Concept Swap", disguising the information fed to the Votann, took effect. Or Perhaps the Squat League realized that continuing the fight would only lead to their annihilation.'
Nareth knew that even a Grimnyr Lord could not obtain all information from the Votann.
The Votann's database was vast and complex. When responding to a Grimnyr, it would only select from existing information to give a reply.
The information he, disguised as a Grimnyr, provided, once verified by the Votann, might well be delivered as a revelation in the Votann's own voice, rather than attributed to a particular Grimnyr.
'The Squat League's Votann is a young Core, recently elevated from a Fane;'
'This means the database of deceased Squat minds it contains is not too vast.'
In other words, the Votann's response speed is faster. Faced with such a major threat, the Ancestor Core should have reacted promptly, offering a response.'
'Therefore, most likely, my "Concept Swap" has succeeded.'
"I accept their surrender."
War was always merely a means. Since the objective was achieved, Nareth would not continue fighting.
Moreover, the Squat League still possessed considerable strength. The stubbornly resisting Squats would continue to inflict significant losses on his Legion.
One hour later, Nareth met the Squat League's last Grimnyr Lord.
"Greetings, gene-primarch of the Shadows of Order, Nareth."
Through meditation and adjustment, Lorenzo had detached himself from feelings of hatred.
The Ancestor's will was paramount.
"Squat is willing to pledge allegiance to the Imperium and establish trade relations with your domains."
"Squat will also dispatch Iron-Sworn to campaign alongside your Legion."
"We will gift you a mineral-rich star to initiate our friendship."
Nareth smiled. He knew the Squats could, using their technology, capture stars, process them, and tow them to other star systems.
Stars were indeed an item on their trade list.
The "Baron of Corruption ," observing the Grimnyr Lord's actions, became even more certain his "Concept Swap" had achieved its goal.
If they were merely forced to submit, they would never gift him a star.
For the nascent League, towing a star to a distant star system would consume vast resources.
"Welcome to the Imperium."
"I look forward to receiving the gift from you."
"My aide will represent me in negotiating the trade agreement with the Squat League."
Nareth left the negotiations to be led by Arsena. He intended to use this time to continue mining the Votann's technology via the Fane on the Forge-Hammer.
He had already begun exchanging with the Squat League's Votann about shock technology, long lost to the Imperium.
Before boarding the Stormbird to return to the Forge-Hammer, Nareth instructed Arsena, who had arrived.
"Arsena, your task is to secure as much trading share as possible from the minerals the Squat League mines in the Galactic Core."
"Furthermore, monopolize the products they manufacture. Besides weaponry and equipment, civilian machinery suitable for ordinary humans is included."
Beyond mineral resources, the various durable civilian products of the Squats would also be highly sought after within the Imperium.
Elysia, Cypra Mundi, and the Abyssal Port were all located at intersections of numerous Warp routes. Trading wealth would bring immense prosperity to these worlds.
The warriors of the three Legions campaigning in other star systems successively received orders to withdraw from the battlefield for rest and recuperation.
Perturabo and Magnus received news of the Squat surrender almost simultaneously. Their flagships set course for the Squat System.
The War Council also received the report not long after. Representatives from Mars eagerly boarded ships and, alongside emissaries dispatched by Malcador, hurried towards the Squat System.
.....
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