Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

The Sigillite's mind spun rapidly, data surging through it at speeds no less than those of a Tech-Priest of the Cult 

[Transit Hub – Marcay: Five troop transports, three landing craft, four Solar Auxilia regiments…]

[…]

Rations. Ammunition.

Logistics figures for the Vostroya periphery in Segmentum Obscurus flashed through Malcador's consciousness.

Twenty-three seconds later, he spoke:

"As you propose."

With that, the Sigillite made his decision. Two scribes immediately recorded the agreement between Malcador and the Primarch regarding the supply commitment.

"Next is the scope of the supplies," Malcador continued. "Vostroya has already established a shipyard capable of servicing expeditionary fleet vessels."

Repairing ships was something Nareth was more than willing to offer; it was an excellent opportunity to train skilled laborers. He also planned to develop some gifted individuals into Beyonders, who might uncover the secrets of rare and unusual ships during their work.

"Vostroya has a fairly complete industrial system. It can supply lasguns, power cells…"

"…"

"The Symphony of the Sea has abundant produce and can supply food for the expeditionary fleet, including rice…"

Nareth spoke at a rapid pace, and the two scribes nervously recorded the 33 major categories and 1,052 subcategories he listed.

"As for the specific supply standards, my attendants will coordinate with Imperial officials."

The items Nareth listed were all high-output products of Vostoynia, with solid logistics capabilities. Most supply allocations were set at 20% to 30% of production capacity, a significant challenge for Vostroya, but not an insurmountable one.

"As for equipping Astartes legions, since Vostroya's factories are still under construction and the Eleventh Legion is still growing, production capacity will remain tight in the near term. We do not yet have the ability to supply them."

Given that the Emperor and Horus had gone to the Segmentum Obscurus to retrieve the Eleventh Primarch, that region naturally became the focal point of the Great Crusade, increasing its logistical pressure.

With Vostroya now supplying the Imperium, Malcador's burden was greatly eased.

Pleased with the range of support Nareth promised, Malcador offered his own contribution in return:

"I will command the Mechanicum Magos to provide technical and equipment support for the Shadow of Order, ensuring that Vostroya can fully develop its legion armament production capabilities."

"Thank you for your support, Lord Regent. With this, the Shadow of Order will be able to join the Great Crusade even faster."

"The Emperor will be pleased to hear this. He's been very satisfied with the Eleventh Legion's progress."

As he said this, even Malcador couldn't help but smile.

"I believe he'll grant you more rewards," he added. "I mean truly special items, he knows your interests, and his collection is vast beyond measure."

Relieved of much pressure, Malcador, knowing the Emperor's satisfaction, couldn't help but speak warmly.

The "Briber" pathway within Nareth responded with noticeable digestion, a form of indirect feedback. While not as effective as direct feedback, it was clear enough.

He used his Beyonder Eloquence to speak:

"I do have a personal request related to my interests. I hope it will receive your support."

"Please, go ahead."

"I hope that as the fleets receive supplies and continue their expeditions, they'll also share with me a portion of the artifacts they collect."

Nareth understood that potion ingredients were scattered across the galaxy, and relying solely on his progeny to acquire them would be too limited in scope.

Since he had this opportunity, he intended to expand his sources. After all, supplying the fleets should entitle him to an appropriate return.

"No fleet will ignore a request from a Primarch," Malcador replied with a smile. "If they are able, they will be glad to satisfy your interests."

"I'll attach this instruction to the astropathic messages sent to all legions. In my personal name, I'll encourage all fleets, without hindering their expeditions, to search for unique artifacts and bring them back to Vostroya."

Nareth nodded with satisfaction. All the fleets and Auxilia forces would naturally honor the interests of a Primarch, seeing their offerings as a mark of distinction.

Most Astartes were fiercely proud of their own legions. Their desire not to be outdone would drive them to gather rare "specialties" from the worlds they visited, fueling a competitive display of offerings.

'In this way, I'm exchanging a portion of our output for potion ingredients I might otherwise never encounter. Providing supplies for the Empire is, at the very least, a break-even arrangement.'

Having finished discussing logistics, Malcador shifted to a new topic, enhancing the connection between the retrieved Primarch and both Terra and the Imperium was one of the Emperor's secret directives.

"I believe your understanding of Terra, humanity's homeworld, is still incomplete."

"You should use your time on Terra to visit any places that interest you."

Recalling Nareth's preferences, Malcador smiled and said:

"I believe you'd be interested in museums and observatories. They might offer your collection some intriguing additions."

Every collected item would bear the imprint of Terra's culture. In admiring them, a Primarch would naturally remember the world they came from.

Nareth gave a slight nod, understanding Malcador's meaning.

He remembered that when Fulgrim was on Terra, he stayed on Mount Naroda and used the Terrava Forge to craft the mighty warhammer Forgebreaker as a gift to Ferrus Manus.

Thinking of the Terrava Forge, Nareth recalled the information about that ancient tribe.

Terrava, abbreviated as Tava, is a unit of power commonly used in nuclear industries, equal to 10¹² watts.

During the Age of Strife, there was a clan on Terra known as the Terrava Tribe, master smiths and engineers. They controlled many forges in the Ural Mountains and were believed to share roots with the Mechanicum of Mars.

They remained hidden for thousands of years until they emerged once more to swear allegiance to the Emperor.

In return for their weapons, used during the Unification Wars, the Emperor shared with them many technologies from the Dark Age of Technology.

'The Terrava Tribe is a force worth contacting. Before the treaty with Mars, they were the Emperor's arms dealers. They must have some good stuff.'

With that, Nareth said:

"I will make good use of my time on Terra."

He and Malcador exchanged a few more words on culture and collectibles before parting ways.

On the walk back to the courtyard, Nareth reviewed his plans, combining memory with data submitted by Arsena.

'After eating, I'll go check out the Grand Observatory.'

Thinking of the observatory, he couldn't help but think of a secret passage.

'As a Primarch with keen senses, I should at least explore one secret passage. Let's see… which of my brothers discovered the secret passages beneath the palace again? Magnus…'

.....

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