Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

In the days that followed, Nareth focused his attention on using Vostroya as a central hub to conquer surrounding worlds.

In such operations, the number of legion warriors became crucial. So, the Primarch first turned to his Chief Apothecary.

"Mikael, I want your report. How is the expansion of the apothecary corps and the progress of transformation surgeries?"

"Father, five apprentice apothecaries have passed the trials and are now full apothecaries," Mikael replied.

"Additionally, fifty-two initiates have been promoted to apprentices, and we now have two hundred thirty-one servitors capable of assisting in the procedures."

Nareth nodded in satisfaction at the progress in personnel training.

"Well done. I am pleased with your results."

Nareth's praise filled Mikael with pride.

"As of today, 39,513 candidates have undergone the transformation surgery. 10,482 failed. Only 43 died; the rest survived despite the failure."

"Excluding those already deployed to the various Chapters, the fleet currently holds 9,532 Shadows of Order."

Nareth nodded slightly. Since his return to the Legion, their numbers had more than doubled, a reason for celebration.

"Your work has been exemplary, Mikael.

He then turned to Gabriel.

"Ensure a steady supply of power armor and weapons. Every Order-Shadow must be equipped."

"By your will."

The Tech-Sergeant bowed before continuing his own report.

"My team and I have dismantled the various mechanical components we recovered. By decoding the data, we discovered the metal wings used for flight contain tech that can be used to improve the Mechanicum's own designs."

"Once adapted, these improvements could enhance the mobility of our forces."

"Continue the research. Keep it undisclosed.

While the Emperor wasn't as repulsed by xenotech, there were still many in the Imperium who were.

Nareth also preferred to keep the Legion's discoveries a secret, especially as proprietary assets of the Eleventh Legion.

"Proceed with the research."

Next, Nareth turned to Arsena.

"I require the survey report on the Persephone system.

"My lord, the system has five planets. The Auger confirms human life on three of them."

"The local civilizations are primitive; their weapons pose no threat to our forces."

He used his control staff to highlight three planets on the star map and began introducing them one by one.

"The most noteworthy is this one, imperial cartographers have designated it Persephone Prime EX1."

"Its environment is pristine, ideal for human habitation. The natives have built it into a stunning paradise, a true garden world."

"Strangely, despite such an environment, the population density is extremely low. Total population is estimated to be no more than 50 million."

Arsena frowned. "Given such conditions, the population should've long exceeded 100 million."

Nareth tapped his fingers on the armrest and scanned the war room.

After a few seconds of thought, he gave his order:

"Kirkland, take three squads of recruits to the surface. Tell them they are part of the human species and must submit to me."

"As you command, Father."

Dressed in black armor, with a bolt pistol and chainsword at his waist, Kirkland was filled with pride at being entrusted with this honor by his Gene-Father.

Once Nareth had finished issuing orders, Arsena resumed his briefing.

"My lord, the other two planets have been labeled Persephone CW-2 and CW-3. They've maintained their ecosystems as well, though less beautiful than the prime world."

"Estimated populations: 120 million for CW-2, and 93 million for CW-3."

"Send squads, Gibbs and Chambers will lead the missions."

All three chosen warriors hailed from the 11th Chapter.

Since the natives were technologically inferior, he hoped to peacefully subjugate them, a testament to the cultural shift within the Legion.

To raise the odds of success, Nareth decided to elevate the three chosen sons into Beyonders.

Having observed them for some time, he had confirmed their loyalty.

"Coordinate with Arsena first, finalize the surrender procedures."

"Meet me in my office in twenty minutes."

Three newly elevated "Lawyers" emerged from the Primarch's office, filled with gratitude and pride for the powers granted to them and their new status in the Black Duke's Court.

Each selected thirty recruits from the newly transformed Shadows of Order in Vostroya, boarded landing craft, and set off for their targets.

Gibbs's craft rapidly descended. The marble city below grew larger in view.

His enhanced senses already picked up knights in metal armor, climbing onto horses and brandishing black powder weapons, staring in terror at the descending aircraft.

"Land outside the city," Gibbs ordered the pilot.

"Prepare yourselves. Do not attack unless I give the order."

Gibbs, loyal to his Gene-Father, understood his intention well. The Primarch no longer wanted his legionaries to be obsessed with slaughter and destruction, turning worlds into ruins.

If Persephone CW-2 could be conquered peacefully, all the better.

Considering the natives had no interstellar capability and wielded obsolete weapons, he opted for a gentler approach.

The roar of the lander terrified the horses, scattering the cavalry in chaos.

Despite their best efforts, the knights couldn't control the panicked beasts, which bolted before finally calming.

Around a dozen elite knights, pushing their steeds with a deathwish's resolve, approached the descending vessel.

When they finally arrived, they found themselves before a squad of giants in black armor.

These giants were as tall as their mounted forms.

Gibbs looked at them, then tapped his chest plate, activating a speaker.

A high Gothic voice echoed:

"Hear us! We are warriors of the Eleventh Legion of the Imperium of Man."

"By command of Lord Nareth, we bring you the truth of enlightenment…"

The locals looked at one another in confusion.

Though the metal beings' language sounded somewhat familiar, they couldn't understand it.

Gibbs was prepared; he tapped again, switching to the second language recorded by the Mechanicum.

This time, it was synthetic and robotic.

The message repeated again and again.

By the sixteenth broadcast, Gibbs noticed a change in the knights' expressions, so he locked onto that language.

He slowed the speech.

"Do you understand us now?"

One knight in golden armor stepped forward and spoke in a similar but distinct dialect.

"I am Feyth, commander of the Golden Lion Dynasty. I have never heard of any Imperium of Man, nor your so-called Monarch."

Gibbs's gaze chilled. Without hesitation, he drew his bolt pistol, aimed, and fired in one smooth motion.

Boom!

The armored warhorse was obliterated. Feyth was hurled by the blast.

"Before us, your Dynasty is nothing but dust," Gibbs said coldly.

"Take me to your king."

The rest of the horses bolted in panic. Fes lay stunned for a long while before finally struggling to his feet.

He stared in horror at the black-armored giants that descended from the sky.

Even the most elite knights of the Golden Lion Dynasty were nothing but insects before them.

Realizing they had no power to resist, he remained silent for a long time, then finally spoke:

"Please, follow me."

.....

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