"Governor, this unit formally protests/requests: Rostov II's Adeptus Mechanicus priesthood is critically understaffed. Your reassignment of low-tier priests to forge-furnaces severely impairs this unit's sacred duties to the Omnissiah," a red-robed Tech-Priest declared in Alex's office.
Alex rubbed his forehead. The issue was real, and largely his fault.
Rostov II, a young colony, had low industrialization and a small Mechanicus presence.
A biologis adept was stationed here, but as a restricted tech-heretic, he was limited. Before Alex's arrival, the few low-tier priests managed the planet's machinery adequately.
But Alex's mass procurement of armaments and forge-furnaces stretched the "gear-boys" thin.
As a new colony, Rostov II's Mechanicus missionary work, hindered by Ecclesiarchy dominance, produced few new priests. With added workload and no new hires from forge worlds, they were overwhelmed.
Ovilia had suggested collaborating with Donia to recruit her former apprentices and tech team. Had Mai-Mai secured this deal on a forge world visit, the issue might've been avoided.
But Alex's wariness of Donia and the Mechanicus left the problem unresolved.
"I understand. I'll handle it," Alex said, offering no firm commitment.
The Tech-Priest, frustrated, vented in binary curses before leaving.
Afterward, Alex contacted Mai-Mai.
Using his Rogue Trader persona, Mai-Mai was preparing a trade expedition across the sector to open new routes. Supplies were nearly loaded, and he was ready to depart.
Rogue Traders rarely stayed put, constantly forging new Imperial paths and amassing vast wealth in the process—the Imperium's last spark of ambition.
"What's up? I'm about to leave," Mai-Mai said, puzzled by Alex's call.
"The Mechanicus just complained we're short on gear-boys. Head to Griffin IV, hire some Tech-Priests, and order an orbital ring from Graia," Alex instructed.
(Griffin IV emblem; records note it was devoured by Tyranids)
(Graia emblem; known for the Graian Crown, a warp-capable ring-station network)
Mai-Mai paused. "Seriously? Griffin IV was eaten by Tyranids, wasn't it?"
"No, I checked. Griffin IV gets hit in 988.M41—over a decade away," Alex confirmed, citing official records.
"Fine, but Graia? That's where Titus tore apart a daemon, right? Can they even take orders now?" Mai-Mai questioned.
In Space Marine 1, Graia faced simultaneous Ork and Chaos invasions, with a daemon lord ascending. Titus defeated it, but Inquisitor Jerome Thrax quarantined the planet. Titus was tortured for a century in an Inquisition outpost until Thrax, possessed by a daemon, was slain by a Grey Knight. The Inquisition seized Thrax's assets, freeing Titus to join the Deathwatch.
"Don't worry. Graia's main factories are on the warp-capable Graian Crown. They evacuated before the Ork Waaagh!. It's been years; Graia's rebuilt," Alex reassured, confident in his timeline. If correct, Thrax was likely dead or soon would be.
Space Marine 2 showed Titus with two additional service studs, indicating a 200-year gap. Sicarius became Ultramarines Second Captain around 849.M41, confirming Graia's invasion was long past.
Mai-Mai relented. "Fine, I'll visit both forge worlds. Hiring Tech-Priests is easy—requests are usually approved. But an orbital ring? Will Graia take the order? Can we afford it?"
"Money's no issue. I'll get the Ecclesiarchy to fund it. They're eager to bolster Rostov II's defenses; they'll likely cover a ring," Alex said, gauging the Ecclesiarchy's current stance.
"Be cautious. The Ecclesiarchy might not back such a huge expense," Mai-Mai warned.
(End of Chapter)