Nareth's psychic projection traversed the void, arriving at the Golden Palace of Terra.
He glanced around. The seating arrangement of the War Council was unchanged. The Emperor had urged Lorgar multiple times, yet he still saw spreading faith as his mission.
Unlike before, the Fabricator-General of Mars hadn't arrived at the last minute; he appeared even earlier than Nareth.
'Due to the Rangdan xenos invading Forge World Xana II, urgently seeking relief?'
As Nareth pondered, Leman Russ's grating.
"Nareth, your witch-boys grow increasingly sluggish. For this campaign, you can just cheer for the real warriors."
Hearing this, the Fabricator-General's hood flickered with light beneath it.
The Space Wolves were a Legion he did not wish to be sent to relieve Xana; wherever the Wolves passed, only ruins remained.
He inwardly resolved to prevent the Space Wolves from being sent to Xana.
Nareth didn't even look at Russ. "I don't mind. You can make the request."
'Russ doesn't yet know the strength of the Rangdan. The Wolves number only about seventy thousand now; they'd be wiped out as the main force.'
'Among returned Primarchs, only the five largest Legions can serve as the absolute main force.'
Nareth knew the Dark Angels, which bore the brunt of the three Rangdan conflicts, suffered approximately 150,000 casualties.
They lost nearly 10,000 in the First Rangdan Xenocide, 50,000 in the Third Rangdan Xenocide, and about 90,000 in the largest, most brutal Second Rangdan Xenocide.
The Advex-Mors of the First Rangdan Xenocide was merely a secondary outpost on the Rangdan border. This war would encounter the main Rangdan force.
In Nareth's memory, during the twenty years of brutal warfare, the Imperium would face a massive fleet comprising thousands of ships and over a dozen war-moons.
Imperial expedition fleets were destroyed with no survivors, nineteen star systems were obliterated, and dozens of Titan Legions were annihilated.
The Dark Angels' combat prowess ranked top-tier among Legions, meaning the absolute main force Legion must number at least 100,000.
Among the current Astartes Legions, only Shadows of Order, Dark Angels, Ultramarines, Luna Wolves, and Iron Hands exceeded 100,000.
These five Legions each had their strengths. Facing the main Rangdan force, they would suffer varying degrees of losses but would not be crippled.
'The Space Wolves' and other Legions cannot serve as the absolute main force on the battlefield. Even if forced, post-war, they'd prematurely adopt the future Codex Chapter mode, requiring rebuilding.'
'Though most First Founding Chapters weren't Codex Chapters and could extract pure gene-seed from their Primarch, recovery would still take considerable time.'
Russ keenly sensed Nareth's indifference. His eyes narrowed, thoughtful. He spoke no further.
The War Council commenced in silence. After the Emperor took his seat, he spoke gravely.
"Xana II is under xenos invasion. Thousands of vessels shattered the orbital fleet and defenses within days."
"The enemy has made planetfall. Titans and the Legio Cybernetica cannot halt their advance."
"Nearby Fifth and Nineteenth Legions responded promptly, but the situation remains dire."
In Nareth's memory, Xana would endure an eight-month siege. The two Legions would suffer over 3,000 casualties, and Xana would lose hundreds of thousands before reinforcement arrived from the Dark Angels and Death Guard.
Just as he thought the Emperor would seek opinions, Nareth keenly sensed the gaze falling upon him.
"Nareth, my Pegasus. Only your Legion, via the Kalium Gate, can reach Xana swiftly."
Hearing this, the Fabricator-General leaned back.
The Emperor dispatching Nareth gave him no concern. The enemy would surely be crushed; Xana would be spared.
Nareth sighed inwardly. 'As expected, the Emperor had chosen my Legion again as the absolute main force against the Rangdan.'
He knew his Legion would suffer the heaviest losses, but this was also an opportunity, not just for alchemical materials, but for his "corrosion" plan.
'Jaghatai Khan and Corvus Corax have not yet returned. Rescuing the Fifth and Nineteenth Legions presents the best chance to "corrode" them through their gratitude, leveraging my Primarch status.'
'Both the men and their gene-seed are targets of my "corrosion."'
'Later, there will be opportunities to "corrode" the Legion detachments. If it unfolds as I remember, with nine Legions eventually sending detachments, that means at least four or five more Legions can be "corroded," given this war should last over a decade.'
With this thought, Nareth spoke.
"As you will, My Lord."
"Since Titans cannot resist the enemy, the xenos likely possess powerful war machines. I need stronger weapons to counter them."
Hearing this, Russ's ice-blue eyes gleamed brightly, even through psychic projection.
"Whatever they are, the Wolves can defeat them."
He bared his teeth. "True hunters will prove superior warriors to witch-boys."
Nareth glanced at Russ, ignoring the provocation.
He knew the Rangdan Cerabvores and Osseivores were two main forces, exceedingly powerful, even Titans were unable to withstand them.
Most of the dozens of annihilated Titan Legions were destroyed by the Osseivores.
The Emperor had to deploy one of his trump cards, Psi-Titan, to counter them.
To reduce his sons' casualties, Nareth wanted the Emperor to deploy that card earlier.
"The resilient Death Guard can stand against powerful foes," Mortarion's voice came through his rebreather, low and somber.
Hannibal's throat quivered slightly. "My Legion has just concluded an expedition in the Eastern Fringe."
"I am willing to lead my Legion to relieve Xana."
"The knights of Caliban will deliver a crushing blow to the enemies of the Imperium," Lion El'Jonson, rarely speaking, said gravely, head held high.
Though after reforming the Dark Angels, he had relieved the Ultramarines garrison on that planet, crushing the Ork defenders and freeing the First Legion from the shame of Roboute Guilliman's censure, he still yearned for a great battle to proclaim the Legion's rebirth.
The Emperor surveyed the others. He noticed Sanguinius, Magnus, and Fulgrim, among others, also had eager looks in their eyes, clearly interested in participating.
His gaze finally settled on Perturabo, who had not voiced an opinion.
"Perturabo will assist you in relieving Xana."
Not getting his most desired outcome, Nareth sighed inwardly.
'The strength the Rangdan have currently displayed, while concerning to the Emperor, is merely their vanguard.'
'He does not yet truly grasp the enemy's full strength and is unwilling to deploy his trump cards.'
'He cannot imagine that during the decisive battle at Taxal, even with 300,000 Astartes led by three Primarchs, including the Lion, the situation would become so dire that he would have to use another trump card, shattering the Labyrinth of Night and releasing a shard of the Void Dragon, to secure victory.'
Perturabo's rock-like voice interrupted Nareth's thoughts.
"As you command, Father."
Nareth looked at Perturabo, thinking further.
'Hmm, if facing the Osseivores, Perturabo with his formidable technical expertise would indeed be most helpful.'
'I can also take this opportunity to learn more about Perturabo.'
'At least become friends with him first, then find a way to win him over in the future.'
Nareth knew that even with the Kingdom of Disorder, winning over a Primarch was no easy task; a breakthrough point was necessary.
The War Council thus concluded. As Nareth was about to return to the Shadow's Sovereignity, a leaden voice sounded.
"Nareth, a moment."
Nareth recognized the voice as Ferrus Manus's. He turned to meet those eyes.
Perturabo, who had intended to discuss battle plans with Nareth, spoke instead.
"I will formulate the operational plans and have the astropaths transmit them to you."
"Good."