Nareth noted that the Fabricator-General of Mars also had not left the Golden Palace clearly, what Ferrus Manus had to say concerned him as well.
"As the Great Crusade progresses, we encounter increasingly formidable enemies," Ferrus continued, his silver-coin eyes gleaming.
"These enemies possess stronger armor protection, like the Squats' void-shields."
"We need more powerful heavy tanks to deliver devastating blows."
The Fabricator-General's vox-grille vibrated, emitting a synthesized mechanical voice.
"We have reached a consensus to develop a new type of heavy tank."
"We wish to invite you to join. You have discovered many sacred STCs; the Omnissiah favors you."
"Your numerous industrial worlds will ensure our results can be rapidly deployed for combat, supporting the Crusade."
Hearing this, Nareth understood Ferrus's purpose in stopping him: an invitation to join the development of the Sicaran Battle Tank.
'I remember originally Ferrus invited Roboute Guilliman. The three of them, Ferrus, Guilliman, and the Magi, completed the development.'
Although Manus approached Guilliman because he controlled many industrial worlds, Guilliman did contribute a small part to the research and development.
All Primarchs possessed superhuman abilities across multiple domains, even those not their specialties.
What they could achieve mostly depended on their intent; they often outperformed most in those fields.
With sufficient time, Guilliman could achieve technical feats matching most Tech-Priests.
If he took up crafting armor, while perhaps not matching the likes of Cawl, who crafted the Armor of Fate, or Malevolus, who crafted Primarch armour, he would exceed most Tech-Priests.
Thinking of Guilliman, Nareth considered Ferrus's reason for inviting him.
'Hmm, because the industrial worlds I control, excluding concealed ones like Gardinaal, surpass Guilliman's in number and output.'
'I've also discovered many STCs, so Manus and the Mechanicum deem me a more suitable collaborator, replacing Guilliman.'
Nareth knew the Sicaran battle tank was among the most advanced armoured assets in the Great Crusade arsenal, exclusively for Astartes use.
Based on component technologies from various STCs like Rhino and Land Raider, it was a new high-speed tank destroyer, complementing Predators and Land Raiders for a comprehensive, multi-layered armoured force on battlefields.
Nareth also recalled that during the Heresy, Legions were still introducing Sicarans; only the Iron Hands and Ultramarines deployed them on a large scale.
Horus used his Warmaster authority to ensure these new tanks entered the armories of Legions who would side with him before the civil war erupted.
By the 41st Millennium, because neither Primarch revealed manufacturing secrets to their sons, Sicaran battle tanks became rare relics. Even the Masters of the Forge in various Chapters seldom understood its systems.
They were forced into long-term stasis to prevent damage, awakened only when needed, their machine-spirits roused.
'To ensure my Legion is equipped with the Sicaran Battle Tank and masters its technology, I should join the development.'
'In the future, perhaps the Sicarans will become an exclusive Shadows of Order technology.'
With this thought, Nareth spoke. "I accept the invitation. Together, we shall develop new battle tanks to inflict heavy damage upon the Imperium's foes."
The three then discussed preliminary divisions of labor. Ferrus would undertake the core work, while Nareth's responsibilities were the lightest.
He handled two modules: one for secondary weapons mounted on sponsons, another for auspex and various detection systems.
After the responsibilities were assigned, Nareth willed himself back to the Shadow's Sovereignty.
He sent a message to Arsena and others, then left the Astropaths' chapel.
Moments later, Nareth leaned on his throne, gazing at the star chart.
A region in the Segmentum Pacificus, galactic west, was highlighted.
The Second Rangdan Xenocide, as in his memory, erupted at Forge World Xana II.
Nareth now faced a question: whether to deploy one of the fifteen Ramilies-class starforts to the Xana-Vicidex System.
He considered not only winning the Xana campaign but also the role of the Ramillies-class starfort afterward.
As a military asset, if not destroyed, it had at least three millennia of service life. Xana II was a powerful Forge World, difficult to bring to heel.
Discovered in 843.M30 by Rogue Trader Casilida DeAniasiei, Xana II maintained considerable independence due to its strength.
The Imperium only demanded Xana II participate in the Great Crusade, guaranteeing its sovereign independence.
Xana II merely dispatched two Titan Legions, Legio Vulturum, the Gore Crows, and Legio Kydianos, the Death Cry, fulfilling obligations.
'Xana II's strength far surpasses Incaladion's. Even after rescuing them, it would be difficult to bring this Forge World under control.'
'Hmm, no opportunity now, but during the Heresy, it would be possible.'
Nareth knew Xana II would later be called the foremost Mechanicum heretic. During the Heresy, they sided with Horus; post-war, they retreated into the Eye of Terror, becoming core forces of the Dark Mechanicum.
'As Xana's liberator, deploying a force to guard the system is reasonable.'
'I can exert influence and "corrode" some Tech-Priests, gaining benefits during the Great Slaughter.'
With this conclusion, Nareth decided.
Seeing Arsena and others enter the office, he spoke.
"The Rangdan xenos we encountered at Advex-Mors... their main force has halted conquests in other directions and is attacking the Imperium."
"This will be a long, brutal war. You must all understand this."
Hearing the Black Emperor's words, the Arsena immediately understood why he had ordered the Chapters to assemble and move the Ramillies-class starforts to the region around the Kalium Gate.
'The Black Emperor foresaw war with the xenos long ago. He previously established the Broken Claw Order and hunting bases, familiarizing Chapters with Rangdan combat methods.'
As the "Polymath" pondered, Nareth continued. "The xenos vanguard has invaded Xana II. Our primary mission is to liberate Xana II, using it as a base to launch attacks."
Nareth did not want the flames of war to reach his own domains, though he had deployed Ramillies-class starforts to important territories like Cyclothrathe and key allied territories like Damaetus.
But territories in the galactic north, like the Coronid New Zone, could still be attacked, and the Ramillies-class starforts could not counter all threats.
To pressure the Rangdan, he must swiftly crush their slave legions, reopening Xana's manufactoria.
"Relay my orders: Third, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Chapters, after leaving necessary garrisons, proceed via the Kalium Gate to the Xana-Vicidex system swiftly."
"Deploy one Ramilies-class starfort to secure void superiority."
"The remaining Chapters are to assemble near the Kalium Gate, ready to join the battle at any time."
"Your will be done." Arsena immediately transmitted orders to the Chapters.
.....
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