Nareth walked to stand beside Perturabo, gazing at the galactic star chart.
He saw dense clusters of red light points, spreading across the northwestern galaxy. He thought to himself,
'Deploying the Ramillies-class starfort, rapidly liberating Xana, and then jointly reclaiming the Vicidax Thule Sector with Perturabo, these actions have had the desired effect.'
'The central area where the war burns is not my core territory.'
At the same time, Nareth noticed that the Coronid New Zone in the northeastern galaxy had inevitably suffered invasion.
The Primarch picked up a data slate and reviewed the information. A stream of data flashed through his mind at tremendous speed.
[The Puhlheim Sector has fallen. 1.4 billion colonists have been enslaved by the xenos.]
[The Rousa Subsector is under invasion by a xenos fleet. Expedition Fleet 365 encountered an war-moon. The entire fleet was annihilated.]
[The Ran system is under invasion. Expedition Fleet 804 has been destroyed. Four regiments of the Solar Auxilia, reinforced by the Fifth Legion's 36th Company, are conducting guerrilla resistance.]
[The fortress world, Fortress of Resilience, is besieged. Communication has been lost for over forty-one standard days....]
In an instant, the Primarch found the information he needed within the data.
Thirty-two worlds, including Abyss Port, Lethe, Lament, Corando, and others, were under invasion by xenos with metallic hides.
Nareth's eyes narrowed. Abyss Port was the transportation hub of the Coronid New Zone. It must not be lost.
'Though guarded by a Ramillies-class starfort, it is not infallible. The siege must be lifted quickly.'
'Northeastern galaxy, xenos with metallic hides…'
'Basemekanic.'
Balsar Katuri, Alastor Rushal, and Perturabo's Trident connected their data slates to the cogitator and began reviewing report after report.
Their expressions were grave. The previous battles with the xenos had already cost them dearly. They had thought the xenos were crippled. They hadn't expected an even more ferocious assault from the main xenos force.
A thought inevitably arose in their minds: the xenos they now faced were more powerful than any other xenos they had encountered before.
Even more powerful than the Ork Empire in the Wheel of Fire, or the Mitu who had ruled the Coronid New Zone.
Arsena, however, was less surprised. He knew the Black Emperor had been preparing for this.
The Ramillies-class starforts had been built preemptively but not yet deployed. He had also ordered the assembly of all Legion warriors at the Kalium Gate, leaving only the necessary garrison forces.
As they pondered, Perturabo's ice-blue eyes turned to Nareth.
"We must formulate an operational plan."
Nareth nodded. "We should report to the War Council and the Emperor, requesting reinforcements."
The Emperor must deploy the Ordo Sinister, and other Legions must dispatch forces.
The Carcharadons and Ashen Claws, along with Balsar and others, were not enough.
'I need to "corrode" more people!'
"I agree." Perturabo realized that Nareth's earlier words at the War Council had been predictive. They needed more support.
After the two Primarchs reached a consensus, they immediately submitted a joint request for reinforcement to the War Council.
Perturabo's eyes were fixed on the star chart. "Reinforcements will take time to arrive. We must take action immediately."
Nareth nodded slightly. He had already formulated a plan. He now only needed Perturabo's agreement.
"Xana can provide powerful support for our counter-offensive. It is our base."
"The Iron Warriors have already established numerous fortifications in the Vicidax Thule Sector."
"I propose your Legion defend this line. I believe no xenos can breach the defense line you have established."
Nareth raised his hand, tracing an area on the star chart that encompassed Xana and the Vicidax Thule Sector.
"This region will be our secure rear area."
"With the Iron Warriors advancing steadily from this central point, we can gradually liberate the lost worlds."
"Of course," Perturabo said confidently. "I will crush every xenos."
Seeing Perturabo accept his arrangement, Nareth continued.
He drew a straight line on the star chart, like a sharp knife.
"My Legion will thrust forward, liberating Imperial worlds and leaving garrisons behind, until we return to the Kalium Gate."
"Then, I will transit through the Kalium Gate, projecting power directly into the strategic core region, opening a new front."
"Striking a heavy blow directly among the xenos," Perturabo said admiringly. "I agree with your plan."
After another five standard hours discussing the plan's details with Perturabo, Nareth boarded his shuttle and flew back to the Shadow's Sovereignty.
Back in his office, he instructed Arsena.
"Issue orders immediately. The Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Chapters are to attack the Rangdan xenos."
"..."
"The Ninth Chapter's target is Bergenheim."
The Arsena meticulously recorded the orders. "By your will, My Lord."
Nareth left the Dionysian Spear on its rack and went to the Kingdom of Disorder.
With a thought, he extended his psychic energy, touching orbs to confirm that Howard Fender, Sanchez, and Thierry were alone. He then pulled them into the Kingdom of Disorder.
Pasqual's abilities had not yet reached the standard Nareth had set, so he had not informed the Sixth Chapter's Lord about the Black Emperor and the prayer rituals.
The three men, arriving in the mysterious realm shrouded in black mist, immediately bowed respectfully to the Black Emperor on his throne.
"My Lord."
"The Coronid New Zone has been invaded. You will immediately lead your Chapters to Abyss Port." After speaking, Nareth transmitted images and information about the Slaugth to the three through a psychic link.
"You must be especially vigilant. The Basemekanic invasion by the Rangdan may have the Slaugth lurking behind it."
"Once you encounter the Slaugth, be cautious. Among them are those capable of contending with a Primarch, and even some who are stronger."
Seeing Thierry's eyes gleam, knowing his love for challenging the strong, Nareth emphasized his tone and spoke gravely.
"Do not engage them alone!"
He emphasized to the "Weapon Master": "Your weapons cannot cause substantive damage to the worm-creatures' regeneration."
"Seeking an opportunity to throw a grenade inside them is your only chance."
"Sanchez," Nareth said to the "Pyromaniac," "Your flames are the same, but more flexible than grenades. Your chances are better."
"Howard," he said to the "Judge," "Your "Prohibition" can interfere with the Slaugth's regenerative ability. 'Confine' might be able to bind a wounded one."
"If possible, "Confine" a Slaugth."
After a pause, he continued.
"Do not force it!"
He absolutely did not want Howard to lose his life for the sake of potion materials.
Based on Keon's report and his own memories, Nareth judged that Howard could handle an Infiltrator alone. Against an Overseer, the outcome was uncertain. Against a Destroyer, he would surely die.
After instructing the three, Nareth said to Howard, "Inform Pasqual. He is to return to the Coronid New Zone immediately."
The black mist churned. Nareth sent the three back to the realspace.
...…
Term Correction
Basmemaniq - Basemekanic
.....
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