After ending the transmission, Nareth gave orders to each Company Captain:
"Prepare for battle. Our next conquest target is the mountainous world where the Ogryns lurk."
After a moment's thought, he sent a separate message to Fourth Company Captain Adams and Seventh Company Captain Sanchez:
"Select some of your men to form my Honor Guard."
Both Captains realized that only their companies had received this privilege. A shared thought immediately formed in their minds:
'As knights of the Black Duke's Court, we are more trusted than the others. This honor is ours alone.'
Above Planet 33-5 – Void Hunter
The Company Captains of the 11th Legion turned their attention to a silver-haired mortal standing beside the command throne, astonished that a mere human could stand so close to their Primarch.
Just as speculation about the mortal's identity was spreading, the Nareth spoke:
"Let's hear the tactical briefing."
"I haven't appointed an official aide yet. Sanchez, you arrived earliest and already have a grasp of the situation. You handle it."
"Understood, Father."
Now a "Hunter," the Seventh Company Captain had painted seven red arrows on his right shoulder plate. A long central arrow pierced straight through the middle, flanked on each side by three shorter arrows, each decreasing in length from ¾ to ½ to ¼ of the central one.
Sanchez picked up the control staff and gave it a wave, activating the hololith.
A refined holographic display shimmered to life above the platform surrounding the command throne. It showed the star system's overview, orbital charts, and the positions and headings of Imperial vessels.
With a swift gesture, Sanchez pointed to the newly registered Imperial-designated planet 33-5, magnifying its holographic image.
"According to the Auger Matrix scan, this planet has a diameter of 5,104.02 kilometers. It is a world composed almost entirely of mountains."
He flicked the control staff toward a blacked-out region, starkly visible against the green-tinted hologram.
"This zone accounts for about one-tenth of the planet's total surface area."
"Notably, this area exhibits signal interference that has disrupted the Auger Matrix scan."
Leaning back in his throne, Nareth tapped his chair's armrest with his left hand.
"Cause of the anomaly?"
"The Tech-priests' preliminary assessment suggests magnetic field irregularities," Sanchez replied.
Nareth nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.
With another gesture, Sanchez pointed elsewhere on the map.
"Scan results indicate this region has the strongest life signals. It is the largest known Ogryn population center on the planet, designated 33-5-001."
After the tactical briefing, Nareth quickly processed all the data and completed a battle plan within seconds. He chose to give First Company Captain Saesak one final chance:
"Cezak, your Company will accompany me in assaulting 33-5-001."
As expected, in the midst of his jealous peers, Cezak beat his right fist against his chest proudly.
"Father, the First Company shall become your sharpest blade and deliver—"
"Not a blade," Nareth interrupted sternly.
"You are the Shadow of Order."
Cezak's lips twitched subtly, but he said no more.
Nareth had caught the faint traces of defiance not only in Cezak but also in Third Company Captain Samir and Eighth Company Captain Robin.
He raised his voice:
"You are no longer reapers. I want to see change, to see you conquer your lust for slaughter."
"Do not disappoint me!"
He was pleased to see Second Company Captain George looking thoughtful and affected, but noted that Cezak, Samir, and Robin showed no such signs.
'Let's see if their actions change. If not, once Howard, Bukayo, and Thierry finish their transformations, I'll assign them to these three companies.'
'With a new chain of command and more Vostroyan-born troops, change can be brought from within.'
Nareth continued assigning targets to each Company. Only the Seventh Company was left.
"Sanchez, your target is the anomalous region."
"Scout it. If conditions permit, conquer it."
Nareth had decided to give the "Hunter" a fitting challenge.
The meeting ended, and the companies immediately began pre-battle preparations.
Soon, each Company boarded drop ships for the planet's surface.
Nareth's Honor Guard consisted of 27 warriors from the Seventh Company and 20 from the Fourth.
Also aboard the lander was a mortal, Arsena Dunn.
Nareth had not brought Marlena; during this phase of large-scale transformations, the "Doctor" remained on the medical deck, using her abilities to save candidates from failed surgeries.
As the drop pod touched down, Arsena, walking beside Nareth, immediately felt the oppressive gravity of the planet.
His body trembled, and he nearly dropped to his knees.
But with a subtle lift of his hand, the silver-haired psyker wrapped his body in telekinesis, shielding himself from the crushing physical force.
Nareth noted that the planet's gravity was even higher than 33-4. It affected him faintly, but barely.
His Honor Guard felt their steps grow heavier, but remained fully battle-capable.
Cezak, upon seeing Nareth flanked by the Honor Guard, felt a surge of frustration and loss.
The first Company has the best warriors. This time, I'll prove it to the Primarch.'
Having been scolded earlier, Cezak did not speak out again. Instead, he addressed his men via the Company channel:
"Brothers, today is our best chance to prove ourselves to our Father."
"For our Father!"
Nareth addressed the First Company on the command channel:
"Control your desire to kill. You are no longer reapers, you are the Shadow of Order."
"Advance!"
The force marched toward the identified Ogryn settlement, a towering mountain 5,400 meters above sea level.
Atop the mountain, in the ash-gray forest, Ogryns with tree-sized clubs were chasing prey through the woods.
Suddenly, an Ogryn as large as an Astartes spotted the approaching army and shouted to his kin:
"Down mountain…"
"Big guys…"
"Black…"
"Iron skin!"
Excited, the Ogryns gathered with their massive clubs, peering downhill.
One Ogryn with a severed left arm mumbled blankly:
"Eat?"
The smartest Ogryn, with the biggest head, scratched the top of his skull with his left hand.
He saw a small creature and a helmet-less giant, then shouted decisively:
"Ye eat!"
The Ogryns roared with excitement and began charging barefoot down the mountain.
From his visor, Cezak saw the Ogryn horde rushing downhill. A cold gleam flickered in his eyes.
"Charge!"
True to form, the First Company Captain led the charge himself, the Honor Guard close behind.
As the Astartes collided with the Ogryns, Cezak darted forward, dodging a giant club and slamming into an Ogryn on his left.
The enemy stumbled, and Cezak drove his chainsword into its gut.
Nareth observed from behind.
'Though Cezak is obsessed with killing, he instinctively targets weaknesses.
He avoids direct head-on clashes and never wastes strength on brute force battles. He prefers side attacks, swift, surgical, effective.'
More and more Ogryns were drawn to the battle by the sound of shouting and carnage.
Although Nareth was dissatisfied that Cezak had not used luring tactics to draw the Ogryns down to open ground for easier engagement, he was glad to see that First Company remained in control.
Just then, the largest-headed Ogryn leapt into the fray with a savage grin, his massive club slamming into Cezak's body from the side.
The Captain was knocked down, skidding several meters downhill.
He quickly stabilized himself, then, with his black eyes flashing with unleashed fury, threw back his head and let out a thunderous roar.
...
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