"Open the star chart. Locate the Tanagra system."
Arsena immediately complied, raising his control rod and projecting a star chart.
Arsena, entering a "Reader" state, recalled his knowledge of the region. "The Tanagra system is on the edge of the Ursoris Sector. It is only 52.7 light-years from the Isstvan system and possesses the most stable Warp route to Terra. It is the most industrialized system in the sector."
"Diamat within the system is a primary-class Forge World. There are also twenty-three mining outposts and refineries scattered throughout the system."
"Tanagra was brought into compliance early in the Great Crusade by Horus. Since then, it has been a key logistical hub for the sector."
Arsena shifted to a "Detective" state, thoughtful. "Tanagra is the key. If we seize it Horus will not only lose a vital supply base, but also suffer a blow to morale from the loss of a major conquest."
"It is also a lure. The Alpha Legion agents sent by Horus have already infiltrated the Forge World." Nareth said.
"Our enemies are not just the Skitarii and the automata, but also the hidden Alpha Legion."
Though he knew Diamat was a shining lure, and that the Lion hadn't encountered the Alphas there, he decided to take the bait.
Diamat was not only strategically valuable, but also a highly valuable asset.
To minimize the Alphas' time to prepare their hidden outposts, he decided to strike immediately.
In his memory, Lion El'Jonson had learned of the Drop Site Massacre at Isstvan V much later.
He had expected the war against the Gordian League to continue for another eight months.
The Lion had sent a battle group of fifteen ships ahead, and only after ending the war with the Gordian League had he taken Diamat.
"How much longer is the Gordian campaign expected to last?"
"My Lord, the Chapters have, as planned, taken the main Gordian strongholds. But their xenos allies, familiar with the terrain, continue to resist stubbornly."
"Estimated time for full pacification: five months."
"In this region, we have discovered nineteen habitable worlds. Gordian IV has the most development potential, with rich mineral deposits. It can be designated a mining world."
Nareth nodded. "The Tenth and Twelfth Chapters will remain to continue the pacification."
"The Fourth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh Chapters will accompany me to the Tanagra system."
"By Your will."
After Arsena and William Wood withdrew, Nareth rose. Out of sight, he stepped into the Kingdom of Disorder.
Seated upon his throne in the fourth layer, he extended his spirituality, touching a golden orb.
Confirming Howard Fender, Chapter Master of the First, was alone, he drew him into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"My Lord." Howard knelt in the black mist.
"Your Chapter will depart immediately for the Akum-Sothos Cluster. Declare the Warmaster's treason and bring the entire cluster under your control."
The Akum-Sothos Cluster was Horus Lupercal's first great achievement on his journey to the stars, a cluster of one hundred industrially developed worlds.
During the previous rebellion, he had tried to use that campaign to assert his authority by humiliating Nareth and Corvus Corax.
Nareth had decided, then, to take the jewel of Horus's conquests. Now, the time had come.
'There's a saying: stand on the shoulders of giants.'
'Horus, my one thousand one hundred worlds will be built upon your achievements.'
Before the Heresy, he controlled eight hundred and nineteen worlds. With the Akum-Sothos Cluster's three hundred and eight worlds, he would exceed one thousand one hundred.
"By Your will." Howard bowed.
After returning him to Elysia in the Segmentum Solar, Nareth extended his spirituality again, ordering Maria Kournikova's "Assassins" to sow chaos in the Akum-Sothos Cluster, weakening the defenders.
He had prepared for this when he had pacified the cluster, sending Maria and her people to infiltrate most of its systems.
As Nareth planned the conquest of the Akum-Sothos Cluster, purple-gold and dark grey ships translated from the Port of Bliss.
Techmarines aboard the Andronius worked tirelessly with their artisans and laborers to repair the damage suffered during their escape from Isstvan.
In the conference room, Nathaniel Garro, former Captain of the 7th Great Company of the Death Guard, had ordered his followers to paint their right arms and pauldrons dark red and brand the emblem of the Dusk Raiders, the Legion's name before Mortarion's return.
He stared at Lucius, Captain of the 13th Company of the Emperor's Children. "Our priority must be to report to the Emperor and the Regent."
His oath-brother, Solomon Tarvitz, Captain of the 10th Company, said: "We have paid too high a price to return to Terra."
"Warp storms claimed four ships, nine hundred and twenty Astartes."
"Thirty-eight Navigators and seventeen Astropaths gave their lives for our journey."
"We have thirty-one thousand four hundred and twenty warriors enough to conquer an entire sub sector and we're being reduced to the work of Astropaths?" Lucius crossed his arms, his tone sardonic.
"I understand." Vespasian, the Lord Commander of the Emperor's Children, said.
"You want to avenge our father and the other traitors. But our strength is not enough to decide anything."
"I disagree." Lucius produced a datapad, recently granted by the Black Emperor, and connected it to the room's cogitator.
A holographic image materialized: an old man in a red robe, holding a Magos' staff, with no visible modifications.
"I am Archmagos Arkhan Land of Mars."
"The Warmaster's envoy, Regulus, has returned to Mars. The Fabricator General, Kelbor-Hal, has sided with the Warmaster."
"Lucius, I need your help."
The image shifted. Vespasian and the others watched a slowly rotating Mark IV power armor, recently issued to the Legions.
"There are many weapons and equipment on Mars that will be vital strategic assets for winning this war."
"Alone, in the forge temples of Mondus Occulam, there are twelve thousand Mark IV power armor suits, and enough weapons to arm twice that many warriors."
"There are also design schematics and completed prototypes of new, unissued power armor."
Lucius deactivated the cogitator. His eyes swept over the assembled warriors like blades.
"Imagine if all this fell into Horus's hands. Winning this war would become ever more difficult."
"If we want to prevent that, we must go to Mars immediately and support Archmagos Land."
Vespasian nodded. "We must act."
He looked around. "We will leave a holographic recording as evidence of the Warmaster's betrayal."
His gaze settled on Iacton Qruze, Captain of the 3rd Company of the Sons of Horus.
"Iacton , you will represent us. You will go to Terra, to the Emperor and the Regent, and report the Warmaster's shameful rebellion."
"Very well." Qruze nodded. "I will bring your words to the Emperor."
A gleam of triumph passed through Lucius's eyes. He had fulfilled the Black Emperor's divine command.
As he and the Emperor's Children and Death Guard set course for Mars, a carefully prepared performance was beginning in the Venetian Theatre aboard the Pride of the Emperor.
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu