Segmentum Solar, Elysia.
The entire fleet of the Emperor's Children returned to realspace.
Each ship was lavishly decorated, both inside and out, a rarity among the Legiones Astartes.
The flagship of the 3rd Legion, the Pride of the Emperor, in addition to its ornate embellishments, also boasted armor plates inlaid with gold.
On the flag bridge of the Pride of the Emperor, Fulgrim ordered the protective shutters lowered. He looked at the verdant green planet drawing closer and sighed in admiration:
"What a beautiful world."
A short while later, Fulgrim boarded a Stormbird and headed towards Elysia. Images of the Aquila Lander flashed through his mind.
'For an occasion like this, the Aquila would be far more fitting.'
Through the Stormbird's viewport, Fulgrim saw towering, ancient trees surrounding cities built of marble.
Following the guidance, the Stormbird pilot headed for the starport. The marble structures came fully into view, resplendent and magnificent, shimmering dazzlingly under the light.
Howard Fender, leading his subordinates and representatives of the Elysian Council, waited in the starport's reception area.
In the era when piracy was less rampant, ships had once come and gone in a constant stream at Elysia's starport.
But with the fall, fewer and fewer merchant ships arrived at Elysia, while the pirates did not diminish. The once-bustling starport gradually declined.
With the hiss of hydraulics and a rush of cold air, the landing ramp lowered.
Howard saw a giant in gilded purple armor emerge first, his white hair flowing in the wind. His shoulders were adorned with shimmering golden wings, as dazzling as the Imperial Aquila.
Howard looked at Fulgrim. His flawless features were the most handsome he had ever seen.
'The Emperor's Children call their primarch the Purple Phoenix… how fitting.'
'He may possess perfect beauty, but he is not true perfection.'
'Only the Black Emperor is.'
"Lord Fulgrim, welcome." Howard greeted respectfully.
Fulgrim drew in a deep breath, his expression softening into one of pleasure.
"The air is fresh, the environment clean. A beautiful world."
"I have heard that wherever the Shadows of Order arrive, they bring new order."
"I hope you can preserve this world's beauty, so that as it develops it does not become one of those worlds smothered in industrial fumes."
"My Lord," Howard spoke, "I will see to it. That is also what Father instructed."
The data crystal given to him by the Black Emperor had already informed him that Elysia was a convergence point for numerous stable Warp routes, with commerce being its future focus for development.
Howard had no doubt about the Black Emperor's words, and he had already obtained relevant information from Elysia's Merchant Council.
After a brief stay, Fulgrim's fleet departed the beautiful world that had left a deep impression on him.
'I hope to receive Nareth's gift soon. The Aquila Lander is the aircraft that truly matches me.'
At the same time, Fulgrim left Elysia, in Kalium...
The Honour Guard and the 5th Chapter entered the 3,200-kilometer-long body of the Void Whale to explore it.
When Nareth entered the Void Whale, he had taken a direct route, not exploring the colossal creature.
Even for him, exploring the entire Void Whale would be a time-consuming endeavor.
The Void Whale's various parts would be fully utilized. Most of its flesh would be used as food for the 5th Chapter, some would be provided to Apothecaries and other Chapters, and a portion would be gifted to the Second Legion.
Besides the Void Whale's hide as a potion ingredient and the peculiar creatures the Shadows of Order would submit, the Void Whale had more uses.
After confirming Mikael had digested the "Vampire" potion, Nareth had the Jokaero prepare the main ingredient for the "Potion Professor" potion and other materials.
The newly promoted Chief Apothecary was tasked, besides concocting potions from the creatures found, with cooperating with Techmarines and Librarium to disassemble and reassemble parts of the Void Whale's body.
The Void Whale's complex internal ecosystem, with various terrains like mountains and rivers, served as a natural training ground.
Utilizing his understanding of flesh, the Chief Apothecary detached 3-kilometer-long sections of flesh from each environment.
Each section of flesh was connected by passages, forming a training facility.
....
5th Month, 847.M41, aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty.
In the Primarch's office, Arsena reported to Nareth.
"My Lord, the negotiations between the Imperium and the Squats have failed. They refused the demands of the diplomatic envoys from the 15th Legion and will not submit to the Imperium."
"The Emperor has issued orders. The 4th, 11th, and 15th Legions are to launch an assault into the galactic core."
"Understood." Nareth had expected this. The resilient Squats were unwilling to submit to the Imperium of Man.
Before recognizing the Squats' strength, the Imperium also wanted to fully conquer them.
Only after both sides recognized each other's strength would a compromise be reached, with some Squats nominally joining the Imperium.
"My Lord-"
Nareth pondered which Chapters to dispatch for the campaign against the Squats.
'The Squats' underground cities require armor with better protection. Although the Mark III pattern hasn't been born yet, the Cataphractii pattern is a better substitute.'
Cataphractii Terminator armor naturally offered far superior protection compared to Mark III, though it required more resources and time to produce.
Besides the Iron Hands, who possessed the technology and production capacity, and the Luna Wolves, who favored Terminators, other Legions only had a limited number, not equipped on a large scale.
'The many worlds under my control, along with allies, could also mass-produce them.'
'But Cataphractii Terminators are too cumbersome and would sacrifice the speed advantages of many pathways.'
'Lacking agility enhancements would affect combat effectiveness. And I have chosen the main development paths: the 1st Chapter on the "Justiciar" pathway, the 2nd Chapter on the "Sun" pathway, the 5th Chapter on the "Gate" pathway, and the Techmarines on the "Paragon" pathway.'
Thinking this, Nareth issued his commands.
"Remind the Fabricator General of Mars of his promise of supplying Cataphractii Terminator Armor to the legions joining the campaign."
"Also, inform Mars that I want the complete Cataphractii schematics as soon as possible. My forges will begin mass production."
"The manufactured Cataphractii Terminator Armor is to be prioritized for equipping the 1st, 2nd, and 5th Chapters."
Arsena noted Nareth's commands.
"Issue orders. After leaving behind essential garrison forces, these three Chapters will deploy through the Kalium Gate into the galactic core."
"Summon the 3rd, 4th, and 11th Chapters to join this campaign."
The 3rd specialized in breaching actions; beyonders of the "Darkness" pathway excelled at fighting in lightless environments.
The 4th Chapter's "Death" pathway beings thrived in cold, dark battlefield.
The 11th Chapter had the most manpower
"As you command, My Lord." Arsena said with a bow.
At the same moment Nareth issued his orders, the 2nd Chapter, having set out from Cypra Mundi, had rendezvoused with the 3rd Chapter, which had departed from Mordian.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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