Warhammer 40k: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 167: A Debt of Honor

The Stellar Pioneer set sail once again. This time, besides the usual troops, Lucan also brought along personnel tasked with establishing a stable trade outpost on Scintilla. He planned to build a trade branch there. With the assistance of the Reunificationist Sect, it would become a functional branch for acquiring resources and intelligence.

Although trade and economic exchange might seem insignificant in the desperate setting of Warhammer, they were indispensable in stable regions. The various necessary resources and the diverse talents produced by a large population base were urgently needed by the ever-growing Mongorte Dynasty.

Besides loyalty to the Emperor, profit was also necessary to maintain a large and powerful faction. Just look at the Rogue Trader Alliance that Lucan now led. In such a short time, how much true loyalty and identification with the alliance could really be cultivated among its members? What they recognized was that under Lucan's leadership, they could obtain profits and other benefits they could never have imagined before.

This was even more useful than Lucan's status as a Living Saint. As long as he could continuously bring benefits to these alliance members, Lucan could firmly bind them to his war chariot. The prerequisite, however, was that Lucan himself had to be strong enough. And as it happened, the Mongorte Dynasty had now achieved this, with critical resources like combat suits firmly held in the Dynasty's own hands.

When Lucan arrived at Scintilla, many of the fleets that had been docked in orbit were already gone. The urgency of the war did not permit the support troops to linger. The Raiders led by Damon had also departed with the other tithed forces towards Cadia. The journey through conventional warp travel would still take a long time.

The Blood Ravens, who were not part of the levy, had not left. They were waiting for Lucan's arrival.

At Lucan's invitation, Gabriel, along with his honor guard and the promised soul stones, boarded the Stellar Pioneer. Looking at this powerful warship, the Blood Ravens' gene-seed began to stir... they had a strong urge to "acquire" something! But after the previous incident, the Raiders stared at them like hawks, giving them no opportunity.

Acolytes provided a welcoming ceremony befitting his station. At a huge, ornate, solid wood round table, Gabriel looked at this Rogue Trader who had made him so curious.

"Lord Lucan, these are the Eldar soul stones I promised."

Looking at the large metal box filled to the brim with Eldar soul stones, Lucan suppressed the urge to immediately convert them into system resources.

"Chapter Master Gabriel, I believe our transaction will be a pleasant one. Damon told me you wished to purchase some of our Dynasty's technology?"

"It is as Damon said," Gabriel replied confidently. "You can state your needs. The Blood Ravens Chapter has good relations with both the Inquisition and the Adeptus Mechanicus. I believe the Blood Ravens can afford any price you require."

This was also the first time the Blood Ravens had negotiated terms with a Rogue Trader. In the past, they would simply "requisition" items, or perfunctorily tell the owner, "I found this." Gabriel wasn't sure what conditions Lucan would propose. Their previous transactions with the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Inquisition had been very direct, with both sides clearly knowing what the other wanted. The Blood Ravens worked for the Inquisition, and the Inquisition found them the resources they needed. The Blood Ravens shared the spoils of their "excavations" with the Adeptus Mechanicus, and the Mechanicus provided them with the necessary equipment, weapons, and ammunition.

"Chapter Master, I think you have already seen the strength of my Dynasty," Lucan began. "Under my rule, I have dozens of resource and colony planets. I do not lack conventional supplies or various weapons and equipment. You've seen the combat suits my soldiers wear. I hope that our transaction this time can be conducted in a different way."

Gabriel understood the meaning behind Lucan's words. Most of the conditions Gabriel could offer, Lucan likely looked down upon.

Gabriel made a decision in his heart. If Lucan proposed some outrageous terms, he would refuse. At worst, he would just find an opportunity to "salvage" some from the Dynasty's battlefields later!

"State your terms, Rogue Trader. Let's hear what you mean by 'a different way'."

"I wish for the Blood Ravens Chapter to swear an oath to the Emperor and establish a debt of honor with my Dynasty. If you do, I and my Dynasty will provide you with the technology you need for free, and even help you find suitable new recruits! I believe the vast population within my Dynasty will have many suitable candidates."

But hearing Lucan's words, Gabriel's anger flared.

"A debt of honor? The Blood Ravens Chapter will not accept such a condition! Do you, a Rogue Trader, intend to make us a weapon in your hands?!"

"Calm down, Chapter Master. You haven't heard my next condition. I think you will definitely be tempted!"

"No matter the condition, my battle-brothers and I will not accept your arrogant terms!"

With that, Gabriel prepared to stand up and leave the Stellar Pioneer. At this point, Gabriel felt there was no need for further negotiation.

But Lucan's next words stopped him in his tracks.

"Chapter Master Gabriel, I recall that your Chapter's recruits and Librarians have long been troubled by psychic overload and even daemonic possession! What if I could solve this problem for your Chapter?!"

Gabriel knew that these matters were secrets of the Chapter. Only a select few in the Inquisition and the Adeptus Mechanicus knew about them. After all, the Chapter also had to pay the gene-seed tithe to the Imperium; some things could not be hidden even if they wanted to. But to outsiders, these conditions were secrets the Blood Ravens had to guard strictly. A Librarian being eroded by the warp and losing control... just the rumor of it was an extremely dangerous thing. If one could lose control, what about the other Librarians? Did they also face the same risk?

This was the Chapter's unspeakable stain.

Gabriel and all the Blood Ravens looked at Lucan with alarm.

"How do you know this! Did someone from the Inquisition tell you?!"

"Would you believe me if I said the Emperor told me?" Lucan replied calmly. "You know that besides being a Rogue Trader, I am also a Living Saint certified by the Ecclesiarchy. You only need to know that I can solve the problem that has plagued your Chapter, and whether you are willing to accept this debt of honor in exchange for my help."

Under Lucan's confident tone, Gabriel was unsure if he was telling the truth. But it was just as Lucan had thought; if it was true, the significance for the entire Blood Ravens Chapter was too great. It was enough to tempt Gabriel. Even if Lucan was lying, Gabriel wanted to give it a try.

"If what you say is true... the Blood Ravens Chapter can accept the condition you have proposed. But how can you prove it? The Chapter has been researching a solution to this problem since its founding, but we have found nothing. I do not believe you could possess such technology."

"Proof? It's very easy to prove. You only need to provide me with a Librarian who is currently facing this problem. In just a day or two, you will know that what I say is true!"

After Lucan finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a time. Gabriel thought of a Librarian in his Chapter. In a previous battle, he had been forced to draw on psychic power far beyond his limits, bringing him to the verge of overload. The Chapter could not reverse this irreversible condition, and once he truly lost control, they would have to grit their teeth and execute their comrade-in-arms. Perhaps treating this dead horse as if it were still alive was worth a shot... what if it was true?!

"Fine," Gabriel said finally. "I am willing to make an attempt. But Rogue Trader, you must understand that if this is a deception, you and your Dynasty will bear the full wrath of the Blood Ravens."

"Rest assured, Chapter Master Gabriel. You will not regret your decision."

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