Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

Nareth sat in a black alloy armchair in the reception hall, looking at the tribal chief of the Telavar, Sol, seated before him.

Sol had black hair, soft facial features, slightly high cheekbones, and a broad nose. His skin was reddish-brown, and his eyes were pale gray.

He wore a gray robe inscribed with symbols resembling lightning bolts and minerals.

He bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Lord Nareth, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion."

"Pleasure to meet you, Chief Sol."

"Please, have some tea, this is red tea grown in the Symphony of the Sea. The Emperor himself tasted it and praised its fine quality."

Before coming here, Sol had done his research.

Several accounts of meetings between Nareth and the Emperor mentioned that the Primarch served red tea, and the Emperor greatly appreciated its flavor.

"It's an honor," Sol replied.

Nareth chatted casually with Sol about the Telavar's close cooperation with Malcador, then moved on to the customs and culture of their lands. Eventually, he asked:

"What brings you to see me today?"

Seeing the Primarch ask directly, Sol stated his purpose:

"My lord, I wish to request your support in ensuring the Telavar can safely venture on the Segmentum Pacificus."

Nareth's deep gaze extended toward Sol, his awareness probing past the door of Sol's consciousness like entering a furnace. He immediately grasped the challenges the Telavar faced and the true reason for Sol's visit.

During the era of Terra's unification, the Telavar tribe had a close partnership with Malcador. However, after the signing of the Treaty of Olympus, their position was gradually replaced by the Cult Mechanicum.

Sol realized the need for a new path and decided to lead his people off Terra to colonize new worlds.

They had prepared for over a decade, but their first attempt at colonization ended in disaster.

Their fleet encountered a powerful xeno species resembling a squid.

Over half the fleet was lost; the remainder barely made it back to Terra.

It was a devastating blow, vast resources lost and countless tribespeople dead.

'Perhaps this catastrophic failure explains why the Telavar faded into the mists of history.

Then again, maybe they successfully established a colony off-world but simply lost contact with Terra. Hmm… the planet they discovered, Tanith.'

Upon seeing "Tanith" in Sol's mind, Nareth immediately recalled the Tanith First and Only and one of the Imperium's three legendary commissars: Gaunt.

He also remembered that the main ingredient for the Sequence 9 potion "Apprentice" of the "Door" pathway was the Narl Grub.

Narl trees, native to Tanith, had mobile root systems allowing them to reposition for optimal sunlight and rain exposure.

The native Tanith population developed an uncanny sense of direction from moving through Narl forests all their lives.

Narl grubs lived in the soft bark of these trees.

'Narl trees really are a treasure trove. Their wood is the best in the entire Imperium, ideal for lasgun stocks, coffins, and even non-augmetic prosthetics. After Tanith's destruction, its lumber became a luxury item. Even the Narl fruit is edible.'

Nareth also gleaned from Sol's mind that his request for this meeting stemmed from the failed colony attempt and hearing of Nareth's arrival on Terra.

Inspired by Nareth's string of brilliant victories, Sol had an idea: ask the Primarch for help.

"My lord, not long ago, the Telavar stepped beyond Terra."

"We discovered a new human colony, but we also encountered a powerful xeno species resembling squid, we call them the Taelids."

"I hope you can support us. In return, the Telavar will share our technology, which originates from the Dark Age of Technology."

Nareth paused for a few seconds, his mind rapidly processing this new intel through his psychic abilities, updating and refining his previous plans.

Then he smiled and made Sol an offer.

"Chief Sol, you may have heard, I recently seized a star system from those barbaric Aeldars: Triken."

"It contains five pristine Aeldar maiden worlds, gorgeous landscapes, rich in minerals. The main planet alone could host a Forge World."

At this, Arsena stepped forward, operating a data slate to show Sol the Triken system's data.

Sol's pale gray eyes locked onto the dataslate.

Triken's main world was clearly far better suited for the Telavar than Tanith.

And clearly, Nareth wasn't showing off; he was recruiting.

Excited, Sol asked, "Lord Nareth, are you saying the Telavar can settle on Triken's main planet?"

"That's right," Nareth nodded with a smile. "Do you accept?"

Sol knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, so he asked:

"My lord, we would be honored, but what will it cost us?"

"Simple," Nareth replied, still smiling. "Obey my commands. Every Telavar activity in Triken and my territories must be executed according to my will."

Sol frowned slightly. "Could you clarify?"

"My development plan for Triken's main world will not sacrifice the environment or future sustainability. All your projects must be approved first."

"I also want access to Telavar technology. In return, I'll share the tech we've uncovered, like the Aether Cannon technology of the Fra'al."

Sol fell silent. In the past, he might've refused such demands.

Developing an independent world sounded better than subordination.

But their fleet's defeat showed him how cruel the galaxy was; xenos were more dangerous than he'd expected.

After ten seconds of deliberation, Sol made his decision: he would send part of the Telavar population to Triken, under the protection of the Eleventh Legion.

At the same time, he'd prepare to attempt colonization again, this time in the eastern galaxy instead of the west.

Even if they suffered more losses, the group in Triken would still grow strong.

"Lord Nareth, I accept your terms."

Nareth, reading his thoughts, wasn't surprised.

He didn't mind. Keeping a backup plan was only natural unless someone was completely desperate.

As long as the Telavar followed his instructions and provided him with the technology he needed, that was enough. The dangers of space would eventually show them that submission was the optimal choice.

"Send me the star map to the world you found. I'll handle the xenos."

Besides the Nal Grub, the Taelids Eye was also the key ingredient for the Sequence 9 potion "Spectator" of the Visionary Pathway. Tanith was indeed a world of value.

Nareth decided: he would conquer Tanith and make it a strategic foothold for the Eleventh Legion in the Segmentum Pacificus.

In the days following the Telavar alliance, Nareth scoured Terra for potion ingredients during the day.

At night, he received noble visitors, eventually selecting two families to swear fealty to him.

In his spare time, he studied the Book of Thelema.

On the eleventh day of his stay on Terra, he received word from Mars: the Gloriana-class battleship built for the Eleventh Legion had completed construction and was now undergoing final testing.

Naturally, it was time to choose the future captain of his flagship.

He could select someone from the Vostroyan people, or from the five excellent candidates Malcador had prepared for him.

.....

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

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu