After securing the Long-Beard class Mega Cruiser, Nareth immediately ordered the Honour Guard to begin a full search.
Arsena approached him. "My Lord, the Mechanicum ships have arrived. Court members of the 2nd Chapter have begun re-equipping as per your command."
"Magos Malevolus, upon hearing you captured a Squat warship, has expressed great interest in their technology and wishes to come aboard for research."
"Let him come."
Nareth's eyes deepened as he thought:
'Aside from the all-rounder Emperor, even compared to the Primarchs, skilled in forging Malevolus is one of this era's greatest armorsmiths.'
'My own armor and that of Horus were personally crafted by him. Even Manus's armor was completed with his assistance.'
'Perhaps the armor of other Primarchs I don't know about was also crafted by him.'
Nareth then recalled: 'Though the Cataphractii Terminator pattern had early prototypes and ongoing research, its final form came from the knowledge and data Malevolus gained while crafting armor with Manus.'
'Now that I am a "Baron of Corruption," and Malevolus has been sent to the galactic core to gather data to improve the Cataphractii pattern, this is the perfect opportunity to "corrode" him.'
'Gaining his loyalty would put all Cataphractii Terminator data in my hands.'
'Afterwards, having him collaborate with Gabriel on armor suitable for Beyonders would proceed more smoothly.'
Thinking this, Nareth walked over to the High Kâhl's corpse and examined the armor.
The armor gleamed brilliantly. The blood from the corpse and the violent tossing he had inflicted using his abilities had not marred the armor in the slightest.
The layered plates were interlocked perfectly, with not a single gap, seamless, unified craftsmanship.
Every piece of the golden armor was polished to a radiant shine.
The "Baron of Corruption" placed his right hand on the shoulder plate, his arm bulging with power as he squeezed.
After a few seconds, a flicker of surprise appeared in Nareth's eyes.
The armor hadn't deformed under his immense strength. After promoting to "Baron of Corruption", during bursts of strength, his power should surpass Vulkan's.
Nareth's raw physical strength was only second to Manus's iron hands, empowered by a Void Dragon shard. If coated with the Burning One's golden liquid metal, their destructive power was comparable.
Even powered armor was trivial for him to crush, yet this armor resisted.
'Armor forged from Bastium Alloy.'
'This High Kâhl sure does have good things.'
Nareth's right hand lifted the High Kâhl's corpse. It felt somewhat heavy, further confirming his judgment.
'The technology to forge Bastium Alloy is only held by the Squats.'
'Armor made from it, even among them, is likely only affordable for Kâhls leading Hearthkyn warriors.'
'Malevolus, seeing it, would regard it as a priceless treasure.'
A smile touched Nareth's lips. The plan to "corrode" Malevolus would be easier to achieve.
He slung the High Kâhl's corpse over his shoulder and strode forward quickly.
Two hours later, Magos Malevolus entered the bridge. His gaze lingered on the Primarch for a moment before shifting to the corpse at his feet.
Upon seeing the armor, his eyes lit up with fervor.
The master smith who had forged countless suits of armor instantly judged that the armor's craftsmanship and materials were second only to the auramite armor of the Custodes.
Suppressing the impulse to immediately approach the corpse for study, he walked respectfully before the Primarch and bowed.
"Lord Nareth."
Nareth said with a smile, "Malevolus, it has been a while."
"Thank you for your concern, my Lord," Malevolus replied, his face beaming. "The armor on the Squat corpse at your feet is of exquisite craftsmanship. Might it be entrusted to me for research?"
"Of course," Nareth said with a laugh. "Coincidentally, I am also very interested in this armor's craftsmanship. I would like to examine it with you."
....
While void combat continued in Rosario, clearing the remaining Squat fleet from the system, the 2nd Chapter, with the assistance of the Mechanicum Tech-Priests, began re-equipping with the Cataphractii Terminator Armor.
The Glory of Light was simultaneously being retrofitted with Teleportarion platforms.
Tall adamantium columns were erected under the guidance of the Tech-Priests. Control panels were installed, establishing connections with the Cataphractii Terminators.
The four Chapters of the 11th legion launched assaults on the underground cities.
The 2nd Chapter, which had re-equipped first with Cataphractii Terminators, served as the main force, attacking the Hold.
"Lord, teleport homing beacon confirmed."
"Prepare for teleport." Wilshire, clad in Cataphractii Terminator Armor, gave the command.
Moments later, after receiving confirmation, a squad of Court members entered the Teleportion platform.
Dazzling light erupted. The entire bridge could hear the piercing screech.
Electricity coiled upward like serpents, and lashed viciously against the adamantium columns before swiftly subsiding.
Underground in the Rosario Hold, light burst forth like parting clouds. A squad inCataphractii Terminators appeared in the mining tunnel.
The squad leader opened the comm-channel and reported to the Lord in orbit:
"Lord, teleport successful."
"Move out." Wilshire strode toward the platform, each step heavy.
The teleportation device hummed again as it accumulated energy. The Tech-Priest's mechadendrites twitched, inputting a string of characters on the control panel.
Dazzling light flashed again in the underground city. Wilshire led his squad out.
Hearthkyn raised their auto-pattern bolt cannons, firing at the newly emerged black-armored giants.
Dense beams struck the additional shields mounted on the plate armor. After breaching the shields, they failed to inflic significant damage on the heavy armor.
Wilshire took steps. Although the Cataphractii Terminator had built-in auto-balancers, the armor's immense weight made running impossible.
He stepped forward with heavy footfalls, shouting loudly in the Chapter's Voice-channel:
"Shadows of Order!"
"Today we set foot in the depths of Rosario! For the Chapter and for our Father, we shall carve new honor!"
"Our moment will be engraved into every corpse we leave behind! For our Primarch!"
Wilshire added silently in his heart, 'For the Black Emperor!'
"For our Primarch!" the Shadows of Order of the 2nd Chapter shouted in unison.
Wilshire activated the Cyclone missile launcher on his shoulder. Missiles trailing fire streaked towards the densest concentration of Ironkin.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst the roar of explosions, Ironkin mechanical carapaces were torn apart.
Wilshire raised his right arm. The Reaper Autocannon roared, firing a dense barrage at the Hearthkyn.
Cataphractii Terminators stood shoulder-to-shoulder, forming an iron line.
The beams fired by the Hearthkyn, after piercing the Cataphractii Terminators' shields, dissipated harmlessly.
The Terminators' bolt rounds struck the grey armor of the Rosario Kindred in waves, reaping lives in swathes.
Wilshire swung his left arm. The Cataphractii Terminator granted his arm formidable strength.
The Relic Thunder Hammer slammed into an Ironkin mechanical form.
The tremendous force directly crushed crushed it.
The resilient Squat lines were shattered by the iron charge.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu