"My Lord, in accordance with your will, I have reached an agreement with the Squat League."
Arsena presented the data slate to the Black Emperor.
Nareth took the slate and quickly reviewed its contents.
"The Squat League agrees that after fulfilling their duties as determined with the Imperium, their remaining output will be prioritized for our supply, covering weaponry and equipment, civilian products, and various minerals."
"Squat Brokhyr are willing to design Sagittarius transports and Hekaton Land Fortresses suitable for the Legion."
"I have seen their warriors' vehicles. Although the Kin are shorter, their vehicles have ample interior space. Ordinary Auxilia troops can use them, though they would be rather cramped for Shadows of Order."
Hearing this, Nareth's eyes flashed. In his memory, after the Squats nominally joined the Imperium, they did not build Sagittarius transports or Hekaton Land Fortresses for it.
This was the best proof of their considerable independence. Although the Mechanicum also had significant freedom in supplying weapons, they still had to meet Imperial demands to a considerable extent, especially during the Emperor's and the Primarchs' era.
The Sagittarius Multi-role Infantry Vehicle was a high-performance, rapid-response, all-terrain vehicle capable of operating in various extreme environments.
This vehicle was most suitable for exploratory operations, its performance among the finest in its class of reconnaissance vehicles.
The Hekaton Land Fortress was the Squats' iconic combat vehicle and armored transport, a versatile and practical asset for any clan or mining guild.
Its modular Standard Template Construct allowed for the replacement of different weapons and warheads as needed, fulfilling a full spectrum of roles from troop transport to destroying enemy heavy weaponry.
As a light vehicle, the Sagittarius often operated alongside the Hekaton Heavy Fortress, a heavy vehicle.
The Sagittarius was one thing, but the STC for the Hekaton Land Fortress was something even the Imperium envied.
However, Nareth had not yet extracted these two STCs during his exchanges with the Votann.
As Nareth pondered, the Primarch Attendant continued his report.
"The Squat League will dispatch a ten-thousand-strong Iron-Sworn contingent to campaign alongside the Legion."
"The size of the Iron-Sworn will gradually increase, ultimately reaching fifty thousand."
Nareth knew the Squat League, having suffered heavy losses, needed time to recover. In the short term, aside from Gardinaal, he wouldn't initiate other major campaigns. And for Gardinaal, he planned to focus on ordinary beyonder individuals, which could wait a while.
He nodded with satisfaction, saying to Arsena, "Well done. You have worked hard."
A short while later, to the melodious strains of Squat long-flutes, Nareth walked towards the grand hall of the Squat League.
Nareth surveyed his surroundings. In his Warp Insight, the complex emotions in the minds of the Squat League's members as they looked at him and his Honor Guard were evident.
There was a hint of hateful crimson, but also perplexed, pale grey.
'For Squats, who just endured a major war and are known for holding grudges, their resentment towards the Legion is remarkably faint. The Votann's influence on them is indeed profound.'
Lorenzo waited at the entrance. As the sole remaining Grimnyr Lord, he naturally became the Chief.
As the only Grimnyr Lord, and with a new High Kâhl not yet selected, he had to step forward, directly representing the Squat League to sign the treaty with Nareth.
Lorenzo approached Nareth and said:
"I have dispatched prospector teams to search the Galactic Core to select a mineral-rich star for you."
"I hope this gift and this treaty will establish friendship between us."
Nareth smiled and extended his right hand. "It certainly will."
His large hand enveloped the Squat's hand. The surrounding Shadows of Order and Squats witnessed this harmonious moment.
Two days after Nareth signed the agreement with the Squat League, the flagships of the Fourth and Fifteenth Legions arrived in the Squat System.
Heading to the now-surrendered Squat homeworld, both Primarchs, independently and coincidentally, chose to travel aboard the recently received gift, the Aquila Lander.
In the hangar, Magnus looked at the red-hued craft before him, smiling as he spoke to Amon, beside him.
"The Aquila Lander is indeed an elegant craft. Compared to the Stormbird, its wings are more expansive, reminiscent of the Imperium."
Meanwhile, Perturabo circled the silver Aquila Lander. His ice-blue eyes scrutinized every part of the steel craft. His mind instinctively deconstructed the entire vehicle into a stream of data.
'Length: 23.6 meters. Wingspan: 42.9 meters. Height: 16.2 meters. Weight: 84 tons... Hmm, Nareth did not lie. It is indeed specially crafted for a Primarch.'
Forrix was astonished to see his stern father actually wear a rare smile.
This was the first time he had seen his father smile. He had thought his gene-father would always be so serious.
The Iron Warriors, since their gene-father's return, had erupted with greater fighting spirit than before, displaying combat prowess in the assault on the D-1504 system far surpassing the past.
But shortly after the Iron Warriors captured the hold, the evaluation was merely "barely adequate, perform better next time."
Now, seeing his father display obvious pleasure, Forrix couldn't help but think to himself.
'The Aquila Lander gifted by Lord Nareth has pleased Father greatly!'
'Gaining respect from a brother?'
As Forrix pondered the reason, he heard Perturabo's rock-like voice.
"Board."
Forrix noticed the smile had completely vanished from his father's face. If he weren't an Astartes, he might have doubted whether the fleeting smile was an illusion.
Perturabo took two steps towards the deck, speaking as if casually.
"Bring the two plasma guns I forged. Though made casually, they were crafted by my own hand. I shall gift them to my two brothers."
Perturabo wasn't worried that his sons would discover that the plasma guns he forged during battle intervals were masterfully crafted works.
During moments he wasn't physically forging, he used his talent conceive and refine the weapon in his mind with numbers and craftsmanship standards.
Perturabo had drawn upon both Imperial and Squat plasma technology. He was absolutely confident these two weapons surpassed any plasma gun in the Imperium.
"As you command, Father." Forrix personally shouldered the two plasma guns. He had seen Perturabo disassemble the Squats' Etacarn-pattern plasma guns.
The data slate Perturabo gave him had caused the Iron Warriors' plasma gun forging technology to leap forward, achieving stability unmatched among many Legions. There were no explosion incidents in subsequent battles.
And his father had invested far more thought into those two plasma guns. Every Warsmith coveted those two masterpieces.
Four Honor Guard equipped with the new pattern plasma guns followed Perturabo and the First Captain aboard the Aquila Lander.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu