883.M30.
Coronid New Zone, aboard the Rogue Trader Lewis von Valancius's flagship, the Vostroya's Loyalty.
Pat, clad in a black robe, stood on the observation platform, gazing down at the decks below.
Since becoming an "Spectator," he had enjoyed observing the expressions, mannerisms, speech patterns, auras, and emotional colors of people from different strata.
After arriving on Terra to attend the Rangdan War celebration ceremony, he had received his Father's gift and become a "Telepathist," able to read surface thoughts.
During his time as a Shadow Guard, through observation and mind-reading, he had summarized the emotional reactions of the Imperial high command, learning what details of expression and body language corresponded to which emotions.
This voyage was his last as a Shadow Guard for Navigator House Visscher. He focused more on the various officers and crew of the Rogue Trader's fleet.
He looked at the other side of the platform, the Rogue Trader's Master of Whispers.
He stood in the shadows, observing with the same scrutiny as Pat.
His eyes were sharp. A hidden blade lay within. He could kill without mercy while wearing a smile.
'The Master of Whispers is the Rogue Trader's confidant, eyes, and ears, holding intelligence on internal and external enemies.'
As he thought, his Lyman's Ear twitched.
In a sealed room two hundred meters away, a voice sounded, the Seneschal's.
"Master of Vox, I need your support. The Numinal project is mine..."
Pat shook his head slightly. Though the Seneschal was the second-in-command on the ship, he would be disappointed this time.
Before leaving Terra, as a guard for Visscher, he had accompanied him to meet Konkonda Pyke, securing this powerful noble's support.
Pyke was not only the former chief priest of the Emperor's Children but also a power player in the Terran Palace.
House Pyke's history stretched back to the Age of Twilight. Their voice was one the Emperor and the Sigillite had to heed.
As he thought, he saw the Seneschal and the Master of Vox leave the room.
He waited a moment before entering the meeting room.
After nodding to Visscher, Pat stood at the edge.
Though the Rogue Trader had repeatedly invited him to sit beside him, out of respect for his Monarch, Pat preferred to observe.
Lewis, in a black robe, entered last. He nodded to Pat before taking his seat.
He sat and spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen, since the Monarch defeated the Rangdan xenos, Lord Flamini has been vigorously developing the Coronid New Zone."
"The first batch of priority development worlds numbers eighty-six."
"To ensure transport and navigation routes, the Fortune Lord has decided to colonize Numinal."
Lewis nodded to Pat, then raised his head and said proudly.
"I, Lewis von Valancius, the first Rogue Trader appointed by the Monarch, the discoverer of the Coronid Deeps."
"Therefore, I have the honor of being invited by Lord Flamini to participate in Numinal's development."
He looked around. "It will become the third most important port in the entire sector, after Abyss Port and Moab."
"I have been granted the development rights for two projects. One will be developed by House von Valancius alone."
"For the other, I wish to join with all of you."
Everyone except Pat took a deep breath.
Though it was a joint venture, whoever won the lead would reap immense benefits.
The "Telepathist" saw gazes collide, invisible sparks flashing in the room.
He noticed the Seneschal, on the Rogue Trader's right, lean back slightly. He looked at the others with apparent casualness, but his eyes held a determination to succeed.
Pat observed. He saw the Master of Vox, the Master-at-Arms, and others nod to the Seneschal. He had clearly secured the support of most.
Only the Navigator and the Astropath, on the Rogue Trader's left, had not yet expressed their stance.
As Pat observed them, he felt something dissolve within him, like coffee.
"My project is a pleasure garden." The Seneschal presented his project with a data slate.
"Using Numinal's pristine environment, we will build magnificent gardens for the passing nobles and wealthy merchants to enjoy."
"..."
After the Seneschal's introduction, the Master of Vox, the Master-at-Arms, and others spoke up, "I support this."
As Lewis nodded with satisfaction, Visscher smiled and spoke.
"I also have a project. A megastructure platform."
"Using a crashed starship, we will build a space elevator, with a starport platform at its top for large ships unable to land on the surface."
"..."
The senior advisor, responsible for commercial and financial advice, frowned and spoke calmly and rationally.
"Esteemed Lord Visscher, forgive my bluntness."
"A megastructure platform project requires immense investment and the support of powerful nobles."
"Not only Imperial nobles, but also the esteemed Shadows of Order. We would need their support and trust."
He had just finished when the Master of the Astropathic Choir spoke softly.
"I will invest in this project."
The "Telepathist" noticed a flicker in the Rogue Trader's eyes. He was interested, but still leaned toward the Seneschal.
Visscher's slightly elongated, elegant nails tapped the table. "Konkonda Pyke is investing in this project. She has pledged that Terran nobles will use Numinal's megastructure platform as a stopping point."
"She has also secured a supply of Beisan wine, thanks to her good relations with Fulgrim and high-ranking officers of the 'Emperor's Children.'"
The "Telepathist" noted Lewis was deep in thought. He knew Beisan was one of Fulgrim's iconic conquests after his return. He had preserved its local culture and wine industry.
Beisan wine was considered excellent in the Imperium's upper echelons.
Seeing Lewis hesitate, Visscher looked at Pat.
Pat, to the astonishment of all, walked to the table and stood opposite Lewis.
He spoke for the first time at a meeting, "The megastructure platform will have the support of Shadows of Order."
Hearing this, everyone knew the Seneschal's efforts had failed.
"Numinal will develop the megastructure platform." Lewis decided.
Visscher smiled. The presence of Shadows of Order often benefited the Navigator families in many situations.
Whether through force, or the prestige of Lord Nareth and Shadows of Order.
In Lord Nareth's territories like the Koronid Expanse, and with Rogue Trader families like von Valancius, whom he had appointed.
After the meeting, Pat left amidst the Seneschal's disappointed gaze. He went with Visscher to his private deck.
The hatch opened. Pat saw killers within, dressed in fine clothes, armed with sharp, durable weapons, their bearing noble.
"Pat, each of them is the child of a distinguished European bloodline, sent to Luna as the 'Firstborn Blood Tax' to be augmented and trained in killing."
"I won them at auction."
The "Telepathist" noticed even the wealthy Visscher showed a flicker of reluctance. He had paid a heavy price for these noble-born killers.
Though in reality, it was Pat who had paid the price.
Pat had exchanged his share of the Numinal project and the benefits he had accrued during his service as a Shadow Guard for the killers.
Pat cared little for wealth. He was willing to give it up for these killers.
During his time as a Shadow Guard, he had seen the Terran bureaucracy swell. Their voices grew louder, their influence stronger.
They targeted the Primarchs. They wanted themselves, true humans, not Primarchs or Astartes, to decide the Imperium's fate.
The "Telepathist" saw in the nobles' open discussions that the Sigillite, even the Emperor, was to some extent tolerating, even encouraging, them.
Pat cared only about the voices against his Father, and the danger they represented.
He watched the noble-born killers, a cold glint in his eyes.
Anyone who threatened his Father must be eliminated without mercy.
As a Court Baron, Pat's request had the support of Viscount Flamini.
Even if he could not speak openly in astropathic communication, when it came to supporting one of the Rogue Trader's two projects, Flamini would naturally support him.
At the same moment, on 'Terra,' the High City, in the former second-highest level of the palace spire, now the highest.
Arsena held a data slate. "My Lord, all nine planets in the system are under the Legion's control."
"Techmarines have recovered the STCs for the invisible warriors' force fields and energy weapons. They are also studying the automated artillery platforms."
"Only thirty-six Shadows of Orders fell, all while defeating the resistance on planets six through nine."
The Chapter Masters of the Eleventh, Third, Sixth, and Tenth Chapters, Pell, Bukayo, Flamini, and Ramsey, exchanged glances, surprise in their eyes.
Conquering a nation with cutting-edge weapons technology had cost only thirty-six lives.
They were beginning to understand what the Black Emperor meant by a new way of war.
The Primarch saw their expressions and nodded slightly.
In the future, as Chaos rose, the threat of xenos would relatively decline, and the role of ordinary Beyonders would become more important.
They could perform infiltration, assassination, and other tasks.
As the architect of the chaos on 'Terra,' Nareth knew things his Aide did not. The losses were not only the Shadows of Orders.
Only he knew the true numbers: fifty-eight "Marauder," two "Swindlers," one hundred forty-nine "Assassins," and twenty-seven "Instigators" had fallen.
'Even so, losses are far lower than the Luna Wolves. They didn't lose their second-in-command either.'
As he thought, Arsena continued.
"My Lord, the Emperor has summoned a war council for tomorrow at ten."
"Acknowledged."
.....
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