Nareth's psychic projection crossed the void, descending upon the Golden Palace on Terra.
Mortarion's gloomy gaze, behind his breathing mask, fell upon Nareth.
Before attending the war council, he had read Nareth's submitted report.
The Ork invasion from the Grail Abyss had cost the Shadows of Order over twenty-five thousand casualties.
'Nareth and his Legion are already on the decline.' Mortarion thought, the image of Nikaea flashing through his mind.'
'Just like those psychic xenos.'
'That is their fate.'
"Nareth." Vulkan's psychic projection, tinged with the fiery heat of an anvil.
"I have forged new armor for you, using ore from the volcano where we once competed."
Nareth had shielded his people, protecting them from harm.
He, too, should use his talents to forge armor for his brother, to protect Nareth from harm.
"I eagerly await your gift," Nareth replied with a smile. Though the armor Ferrus had made remained unbroken, who would refuse to add to their collection?
Especially armor forged by the Lord of the Drakes.
Perturabo's ice-blue eyes flickered, recalling his own unfinished work, as the great doors rumbled open. The Emperor entered, walking alongside the Fabricator General of Mars.
Malcador and Constantin Valdor followed behind Him.
The Emperor received the salutes of those present, took his seat, and spoke.
"The Aeldari craftworld Magc'Sithraal has launched a brutal raid on Helioret. Millions of humans have been cruelly slaughtered."
"The xenos' crimes must be punished!"
His gaze swept over the assembled Primarchs, finally settling on the two with wings.
Nareth, with his golden wings, and Sanguinius, with his angelic wings.
"Nareth, my Pegasus, you can arrive the fastest."
"Sanguinius, your Legion is the closest to Helioret."
Hearing this, information about the Defense of Helioret flashed through Nareth's mind.
He remembered this campaign, the one that marked the official founding of the Ordo Sinister.
Although the Ordo Sinister had been deployed during the Rangdan War against the powerful Rangdan Osseivores, the Psi-Titans used then were experimental models, converted Warhound Titans.
Now, the technology was mature.
Nareth's memory recalled an obscure record:
In 946, on Scagan VI in the southern Segmentum Solar, a massive population surge from immigration led to civil war. The local Arbites requested aid from the Sector Governor.
The Arbites were surprised when their reinforcements arrived: an unmarked Titan Legion.
The terrifying roaring God-machines descended, stripping all soldiers of their courage, forcing them to lay down their weapons.
Nareth gathered his thoughts, remembering the Aeldari craftworld that Sanguinius had cast into a star. He immediately spoke.
"Your command will be done."
A light flickered in Sanguinius's eyes. His sons, lost to the thirst, were a constant reminder that his Legion could become the second empty plinth beneath the Tower of Hegemony.
Nareth had reforged the Reapers into the Shadows of Order. Perhaps, by fighting alongside him, Sanguinius could gain some insight.
This was also an excellent opportunity to deepen the mutual understanding between their Legions and solidify their political alliance.
He, Nareth, Magnus, and the Khan had forged their alliance around the use of psychic powers.
"Father, I gladly accept this task." His wings unfurled like a shroud of fresh snow.
He turned to Nareth. "I look forward to fighting alongside you."
As Nareth and Sanguinius exchanged nods, the Emperor looked towards the son who sat alone at the end of the table.
He glanced with disgust at the scriptures covering his shaven head and face.
"Lorgar, how many times must I warn you?"
"I am not a god."
"When will you understand that your task is to lead the 'Word Bearers' in conquering new worlds, not in proselytizing?"
"Father..." Lorgar began to explain, but the Emperor had no patience for his absurd ravings.
He rose abruptly, leaving a stunned Lorgar behind.
Vulkan, watching Lorgar's dejection, offered a reminder: "Father has always emphasized the Imperial Truth. You should heed His warnings."
"Humanity needs faith!" Lorgar's tone was resolute, laced with fervor.
"Since time immemorial, faith has given them strength."
"You, all of you, Father... you will understand."
"My brother, you must understand," Horus Lupercal said, his tone heavy with meaning.
"Father is a great man, but he is still a man. He is not a god."
"What the gods say is irrelevant. The truth is that He is a god!"
Seeing Lorgar begin his endless chanting, Nareth prepared to end his psychic projection.
Seeing Nareth's projection rapidly fading, Vulkan said, "I will send the armor to Helioret."
"I thank you for the gift." Nareth's form dissolved into light, returning to the Shadow's Soveriegnty As he walked to his office, he considered which Chapters to deploy.
Moments later, Nareth leaned back against his throne and spoke to Arsenae Dunne.
"The Emperor has commanded Sanguinius and me to punish the Aeldari of Magc'Sithraal for their raid on Helioret."
"The Eigth, Eleveth, and tweflth Chapters will form the main force."
"The First and Tenth Chapters will also participate."
Nareth, considering the substantial losses the First and Tenth Chapters had suffered in recent campaigns, decided to only partially mobilize these two Chapters.
"Assemble all Librarians. Thomas will have a great harvest on Magc'Sithraal."
Although it wasn't until the 33rd Millennium that Farseeer Mehlendri Silversoul of Iyanden discovered spirit stones on the Crone Worlds, the current Aeldari craftworlds were still worth looting, though less valuable.
The warlocks of Magc'Sithraal were known for their ferocity, but the powerful psychic abilities they commanded were among the most potent of any craftworld.
The combat power of their warlock Titans would be no weaker than the Ordo Sinister's Psi-Titans.
Before the Arsena left, he reminded Nareth, "My lord, Aevos is waiting for your summons."
"Send him in."
Aevos Jovan, wearing a form-fitting, black hunter-killer suit, entered the palace door.
As he passed Etrich, he clenched his jaw against the discomfort.
"My lord." He bowed respectfully, then began his report.
"Since you assigned me responsibility for the genetic modification of Upsilon and Phi-grade Vessorine candidates in 933..."
Nareth had entrusted the modification of Sigma and Tau-grade candidates, those with the lowest negative psychic ratings, to ordinary Apothecaries and their attendants.
Aevos, the "Doctor" and First Medical Officer of the Solar Auxilia, was responsible for the more difficult Upsilon and Phi-grade modifications.
"I was responsible for a total of 592 modifications, which included all eligible Vessor boys."
The Vessor possessed superb physical attributes, making them a prime recruitment source.
Excluding Chi-grade and above, recruiting all eligible boys from each tribe did not affect their ability to procreate.
"Using the abilities you bestowed upon me, I formulated custom-tailored drugs and performed the surgeries myself."
"Ultimately, 316 of them passed the modification process and became Shadows of Order."
"I then tested the new Shadows of Order. 129 reverted to Sigma-grade, and 63 reverted to Tau-grade."
Aevos checked his datapad, reporting each figure.
"I believe this is a result of the inherent perception you have bestowed upon the Shadows of Order balancing against their innate resistance."
Nareth nodded, satisfied. The result of one hundred and twenty-four Shadows of Order with varying degrees of immunity to psychic attacks pleased him.
They, and the Vessor, would prove useful in the coming war against Magc'Sithraal.
Aevos continued, scrolling through his datapad.
"Among the failed candidates, only thirteen unfortunately died. Of the remainder, fifty-eight showed violent rejection reactions after the first surgery..."
The "Mentor of Disorder" listened to Aevos's report while activating his psychic vision, gazing at his blue-green spirit body to confirm he had fully digested the "Doctor" potion.
After Aevos finished, Nareth turned his right hand over. A vial of golden liquid appeared in his palm.
"Aevos, your performance has satisfied me."
"This is your reward."
Aevos joyfully took the vial. Even before removing the stopper, the rich, malty scent of grain filled his nostrils.
He opened the vial and drank eagerly.
The liquid foamed in his mouth, like a fine, malty ale.
Gulp, gulp!
Aevos drained the vial, savoring the aftertaste.
The newly elevated Sequence 7 "Harvest Priest" gathered the scattered power, then knelt on one knee.
"I thank the Lord for this gift. I will strive to serve you ever better."
Nareth nodded and gave his instructions.
"Your task is to return to Rynn. Cultivate drugs that will aid in genetic modification, especially those suitable for the Vessor."
"Continue overseeing the modification of Upsilon and Phi-grade Vessor candidates."
Aevos bowed respectfully. "By your will."
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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