Aboard the Eleventh Chapter's flagship, the Son of Vostroya.
"My Lord, as you predicted, they did not attack. They only dispatched a fleet of sixteen ships." The silver-haired Arsena glanced at his data-slate.
"We have received a message from the 'Emperor.' Roughly translated, it says:"
"He has kept the flame of human civilization burning through the long, isolated night. He has preserved precious and vital fragments of civilization intact, hoping to one day reconnect with their human brethren scattered across the galaxy."
"He is overjoyed that this great moment has finally arrived. He only asks that the ships of these lost orphans swear fealty to him."
"He is the Emperor. The Lord of Humanity."
The corners of Nareth's mouth curved upward. The Golden Man at least possessed immense power. This pocket empire was rather self-important.
He knew that neither the 'Emperor' nor the people of 'Terra' would accept reality. In his memory, Horus had exhausted all diplomatic means.
Nareth withdrew his gaze from the floor-to-ceiling viewport and looked at the "Witch," Maria Kournikova.
Dressed in a masterfully tailored, waist-cinching silver-grey gown, she, a former "Assassin," was not yet accustomed to being in the public eye.
"Maria, from now on, you are the mistress of this relic-class ship and the head of the ancient House Kournikova."
Yelena, as Vostroya's first Chancellor, had formed Nareth's cabinet.
House Kournikova, having risen with him, had long become the largest family in Vostroya. Its influence extended beyond the sector, even the segmentum, with assets and influence on many worlds in the Ultima Segmentum.
House Kournikova was now a truly great family.
However, Maria was not from the ruling branch and had been trained as an assassin. Following Nareth, she had served as a blade in the shadows. She lacked the aristocratic bearing cultivated over years.
But the "Witch's" charm and a relic-class ship would surely make her the object of pursuit among the powerful.
"You will be the most honored guest on 'Terra.'"
"By Your will, my Lord."
The biomancer Marlena Skala scrutinized Maria as she bowed.
The cinched silk belt made her, over two meters tall, seem paradoxically delicate, evoking pity.
Marlena was startled. She ascended to the first level of the Thelema mindstate and looked at Maria in surprise.
Maria, with her delicate beauty and perfect figure, had affected even her, who had used bio-lightning to perfect her own form.
'The effect of my Lord's gift.'
Marlena thought with certainty. 'Hmm, still not as potent as my Lord's, even normally.'
The image of His masculine form on Kraven and Gurgan surfaced in her mind.
She immediately used her bio-lightning to suppress the agitation in her cells, quelling the blasphemous thoughts.
As Marlena pondered, Maria walked to the vox-system. Her tone was dignified, yet entrancing. The officers around her involuntarily stared.
"Such joyous news. I, Maria, Countess of House Kournikova."
"Request permission to visit 'Terra' and meet the 'Emperor.'"
In the spire palace on 'Terra,' the 'Emperor,' seated on the his throne, clad in a purple and yellow robe, listened to the report.
"I will grant her request. The Imperium of Man will once again encompass the stars. This is destiny."
"All is prepared. All begins here."
"I will open my arms and welcome her."
The 'Emperor' was not concerned about the ship entering orbit. Even if scans showed its weapons were powerful and ancient,
his throne world had six hundred warships. One was insignificant.
As the 'Terra' starport played beautiful music, and the "Emperor's" envoys welcomed House Kournikova,
Nareth, with four Lords including Bukayo Arshavin, and Beyonderslike Arsena, walked down the ramp.
The Primarch held the Osiron mind staff. Light and shadow flickered in his eyes.
The "Hypnotist" Diana looked around. No one was looking at them. It was as if they were invisible.
'My "Psychological Invisibility" can only conceal myself. My Lord can make our entire group undetectable.'
'Hmm... for my Lord, this is easy.'
'The power He displayed on Kraven was a true manifestation of His might.'
As Diana pondered, the four Lords, including Pell in black robes, vanished into the shadows of the aircraft.
They would proceed to four of the nine worlds in their own ways.
They were a contingency, in case chaos could not be fomented on 'Terra.'
Outside the system, the fleets of four Chapters were also transitioning from the Mandeville point, forming a blockade around the pocket empire within the system.
As the grand welcoming banquet began, figures emerged from the Son of Vostroya's shadows.
"Assassins," using their Markaton-pattern suits, fired spider silk, rapidly dispersing through the shadows of containers, loaders, and aircraft.
"Marauder" were bolder. Using the improved Yeld-pattern adaptive camouflage, they openly spread their wings and glided down.
Cold wind whipped against their black suits. Tierney stared at the increasingly clear buildings below.
The "Prometheus" viewpoint the many structures. With "Superior Observation," he spotted a castle among the towering buildings.
It had the most turrets, its lines cold and angular.
His extensive experience as a "Marauder" on true Terra told him this practical,, militaristic structure was likely the residence of a high-ranking military official.
He twisted his body, gliding towards the castle.
Landing on its periphery, Tierney recalled the intelligence on 'Terra' from the Black Emperor, which mentioned invisible warriors.
Besides the spire palace housing the 'Golden Throne,' the residences of military commanders were most likely to have elite warriors.
The "Prometheus" activated his Spirit Vision and cautiously approached the castle.
He nimbly scaled the outer wall. The familiar sensation awakened his "Marauder's" memories.
At two hundred seventy meters, he found an unoccupied room. He drew a blade.
With "Agile Hand," he moved the blade delicately, gently prying open the window.
He felt the subtle details, adjusting his balance.
Seconds later, the window opened soundlessly. Tierney slipped inside.
He landed on a carpet as the window silently closed.
His eyes swept the room. His psychic intuition was triggered.
He moved to a cabinet, quietly prying it open with the blade, leaving no trace.
Tierney's eyes showed disappointment at the coins and jewelry.
He opened the drawer below. Then, to his surprise, in the lowest drawer, which had not triggered his psychic intuition, he found a thick paper document, the building's structural plans.
The "Prometheus" flipped through it rapidly. His mind raced, identifying the room most likely to hold important documents.
He replaced the file and climbed back out the window.
He moved carefully along the outer wall towards his target.
Suddenly, he stopped.
He deactivated his Spirit Vision, looking in that direction. The faint figure vanished.
He reactivated it. A nearly imperceptible form appeared, more blurry than anyone else he had encountered.
He observed his surroundings. His eyes lit up. He spotted an ornate window fifteen meters to his right.
The "Prometheus" moved slowly to the window. He produced a nearly invisible thread, made from the same material as Aeldari cloaks.
He twisted his wrist, prying open a gap. Threading the thread through, he looped it around the fire alarm on the wall.
As a seasoned "Swindler," "Thought Misguidance" wasn't just about "Eloquence"; it involved manipulating the environment.
He lit the fabric and moved towards the archives.
As the piercing alarm sounded, the "Prometheus" saw the figure move quickly. He slipped inside.
Amidst the bustling capital, in the glittering lights, thousands of figures moved through the shadows.
"Marauder" infiltrated cautiously. "Assassins" established operating bases.
The next day, in the Kingdom of Disorder.
Nareth, using telekinesis, sent the hundreds of data-slates offered by Tierney to Dementieva.
"Instigate discontented nobles to unite and start a rebellion."
"Assassinate commanders. Leave the belongings of other families at the scenes."
For this advancement ritual, he handled the analysis and selection himself, rather than relying on the experienced Arsena.
"My Lord, By Your will."
Dementieva returned to reality, reviewed the information, and saw the Black Emperor had already categorized and listed the required abilities.
She immediately assembled the "Witches" hidden among the attendants, assigning them their targets.
The "Witches" departed the spires in groups, silently, through the shadows.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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