Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

During the voyage of the Void Hunter, Nareth first summoned Mikael and Marlena for a debriefing.

The Chief Apothecary, holding a data slate, began his report.

"Father, the augmentation surgeries for the 73,311 candidates from the 29 Vostroyan regiments have all been completed."

"In the end, 41,523 new Shadows of Order were successfully created. Only 404 perished, a result we owe to our skilled 'Doctor'."

Marlena received the praise with a quiet smile. Mikael continued:

"The rest of the unsuccessful candidates survived and were transferred into the Auxilia forces.

"The remaining failures survived as Auxilia troops. 19,438 couldn't complete even the first procedure, but the rest averaged 11 enhancements each. Their combat effectiveness surpasses standard Auxilia."

"Excellent."

Nareth nodded in approval and opened his Spirit Vision to examine the Apothecary.

He studied Mikael carefully and noticed his body had not reached a stable equilibrium; his essence still flickered between red and white.

"You've yet to master the power I bestowed."

"As you can perceive, Father… I haven't," Mikael admitted.

Overseeing the legion's augmentations left little time for personal development."

"Moreover, the collected herbs proved... incompatible. Thus far, I've only formulated five remedies effective for mortal ailments like diarrhea, useless for Astartes.

After a moment's consideration, Nenrod declared:

"The Trekin System is still in its primitive state. You'll find the herbs you need there.

"Temporarily designate the Trekin System as our large-scale augmentation site."

Given his understanding of the Emperor and Malcador, Nareth expected that once they received the news that he had secured a knight world, he would be summoned back to Terra for a welcoming ceremony, where the knight world's allegiance would be formally declared.

Nareth had also been keeping an eye on the progress of the Gloriana-class battleships being built on Mars. The last update came when they had just arrived in the Daxos System.

According to that report, the High Magos overseeing the project estimated another 1 year and 11 Terran months to completion, almost time to return to humanity's cradle.

"I've also received word that the Second Chapter has taken over defense of the Crystal Mirage and has begun expanding into nearby systems."

"The other Vostroyan regiments have already boarded ship and will be redirected to the Trekin System."

"Father, I'll give everything I have to create more Shadows of Order for our legion."

Nareth gave a small nod and turned to Marlena.

"The Trekin System is rich in mineral resources. It will become our legion's future forge world. Once Wojciech completes the orbital shipyard above Vostroya's moon, he will be responsible for this task."

"But I don't want another Vostroya with higher output. I want a thriving new world."

"Marlena, you will be in charge of all non-industrial affairs. You also have veto power; you may reject any projects that harm the ecosystem or undermine sustainability."

Nareth believed that with his children and the Beyonder among them, they could build an industrial jewel with a pristine ecosystem even more promising than Roboute's Calth. The future pearl of the Segmentum Obscurus.

Marlena hesitated briefly, then replied:

"My lord, I will do everything I can."

"Don't worry whether you're capable. You will gain new power."

"Kaeri and the other sixteen attendants have passed my trials. In one standard ship cycle, bring them to my chamber office. They'll be your allies in Trekin."

A cycle later, as Marlena's retinue drank the "Planete' potion, Nareth used telepathy to send them a bundled Beyonder Initiation Pack, complete with knowledge of Spirit Vision, Meditation, and the art of gathering Beyonder traits from the Fallen gifted.

He then focused his gaze on the newly ascended Sequence 7 Beyonder from the "Mother" pathway.

Marlena slightly parted her full lips and whispered:

"Harvest Priestess."

"I understand your will, my lord. I will not disappoint you."

"I believe in you."

Marlena's face lit up with a bright smile.

She gave an update on another matter:

"The pregnant female Space Ape will give birth in about ten stellar days."

"Its biology differs greatly from human physiology, so I can't be certain of the exact timing."

She had come to this conclusion after thorough examinations using both Beyonder and biotechnological means.

"Ensure the infant is born safely."

"By your will."

After Marlena departed with her sixteen newly elevated followers, Nareth activated his vox comms and sent a message to Tierney.

"Come to my chamber office in ten minutes."

Moments later, Nareth returned from the Kingdom of Disorder to his chamber, holding a bottle of the sequence 9 "Marauder".

'If my plans for the Jokaero succeed, this may be the last potion I ever brew myself.'

As he reflected, he sensed Tierney arrive.

"Come in."

Tierney opened the door and saw his king holding a bottle of gray potion in his open palm.

"You completed your mission on Daxos Alpha. This is your reward."

"Thank you, my monarch."

Without hesitation, the scout platoon leader drank the elixir.

Soon, under the guidance of the implanted knowledge, the "Marauder" condensed his powers.

"Marauder?" he murmured.

"Correct," Nareth said.

"But I don't want you to steal common goods, I want you to steal treasures."

"Your task is to use your agility to infiltrate ruins, bypass traps, defeat guardians, and steal lost relics."

"You'll also need to learn the languages of other xeno civilizations. Once you've grown stronger, your targets will be xenos treasure vaults."

Inwardly, Nareth added:

'Not just Craftworld Aeldar, but also the Dark Aeldar, the Black Library, even Chaos forces, T'au, Necrons…'

"Yes, my lord. I understand."

"I will not betray your trust. I will retrieve all those idle treasures and artifacts for you."

Five standard ship-days later, Nareth received a communication from Marlena.

"My lord, the Space Ape infant has been born. I've examined him, he's very healthy."

"Bring him to my office."

Soon, Nareth looked down at the small orange-red bundle in his hands.

The tiny Space Ape infant curled in his palm.

He nodded in satisfaction and said to Marlena:

"Well done."

After the psyker left, Nareth placed the infant into the third layer of the Kingdom of Disorder.

He meditated for a while, but sensed nothing unusual.

'I suppose… my authority still isn't enough to perceive the formless laws here. Perhaps after I ascend to "Baron of Corruption" or something higher, I will be able to grasp them.'

.....

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

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