"Father, after departing from Vostroya, I successfully took control of the Zenith System. There, I acquired a star map."
Though Bukayo retained all his mories from before his augntation surgery, he had quickly embraced his new identity and now naturally referred to Nareth as Father.
Becoming Nareth's gene-son filled him with pride; he relished the strength of this new bond.
"The star map led to information on two new star systems."
"After reviewing it with the Navigator, we discovered one system ruled by a Knight House."
Nareth looked at Bukayo with approval and offered praise:
"Your discovery is thrilling."
"Now, tell us everything you've learned about this system."
Bukayo smiled at the comndation. He briskly approached the strategium table, took out his personal data slate, and linked it with the room's Cogitator.
A green holographic image of the star system appeared.
"As the na suggests, the Daxos system consists of twin planets, Daxos Alpha and Daxos Beta, orbiting the system's star.
"They share the sa orbital path, positioned opposite each other."
"The rest of the system holds no notable features, nor are there any habitable worlds."
Nareth nodded slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
"The Daxos Twins are the prize. That's why I set out imdiately upon receiving your report. We must reclaim this system."
"Yes, Father. The entire value of this system lies in the Twins."
"House Vextrix, after a long conquest, now rules Daxos Alpha. In recent years, they've begun expanding into Beta."
Nareth tapped the armrest of his command throne lightly, then asked the key question:
"I assu you've already had contact with them. What's their strength? What's their stance?"
"Father, from what I've gathered, House Vextrix possesses at least seventy-nine Knight suits, possibly more, though likely fewer than a hundred."
"I t with their Knight King, Campbell, and spoke of Terra and the rise of the Imperium. He showed no interest at all."
"However, when I ntioned how Mars had sworn loyalty to the Emperor after signing the Treaty of Olympus, his deanor shifted, he grew excited, and asked over a dozen questions."
Nareth nodded. That matched what he already knew of House Vextrix.
In his mories, when Martian explorator fleets discovered their world, House Vextrix submitted without a single battle, becoming a famous tale of peaceful compliance. From then on, they followed only the will of the Fabricator-General.
But Nareth had not traveled so far just to beco the chanicum's vanguard.
He had co to conquer House Vextrix and make them swear loyalty to him. Considering their nature, he believed this could be done in two phases.
After a mont's thought, he asked another question:
"What is the condition of their Knight suits?"
Bucayo was prepared. He answered promptly.
"From what I observed, quite poor."
"Though historical records indicate they once fielded seventy-nine Knights simultaneously, that was nearly a millennium ago during their world's unification."
"Their colony ships were dismantled upon landing, providing basic materials for settlers. Without access to STC maintenance, they've suffered a technical decline, and the number of sacred Tech-Priests available for relic maintenance is dwindling."
Bukayo smiled and added:
"When I t with Knight King Campbell, he brought only thirty-five suits with him. Even if that wasn't their full force, it's likely close."
"Excellent. You've gathered all the intelligence I need. Now send him a ssage, inform him of my arrival."
Nareth paused. Since his goal was assimilation, not annihilation, he decided to give House Vextrix sufficient ti to prepare and reflect.
"I will descend to the surface in one day, to et with Campbell Vextrix."
"Afterward, report to my office in ten ship-standard minutes. I will reward you."
The "Midnight Poet" felt a rush of excitent, not only was this the third gift he had received, but it also signified that Nareth had acknowledged him.
Bukayo had chosen to undergo his augntation surgery in order to better serve Nareth. Now, their bond had deepened to a new level of father and son.
Shortly after, inside Nareth's private chamber, isolation systems activated.
The "Midnight Poet" took a vial from Nareth's hand and drank the gem-like, deep, and shadowy gel in a single motion.
After restraining the surge of power, he looked up.
"'Nightmare'?"
Nareth nodded, sending him a telepathic pulse:
"Correct. Dream Invasion, the ability to forcibly pull others into dreams, is the core power of your newly granted path."
"Becoming a Nightmare marks your transformation."
Nareth knew that potion-based advancent paths often triggered a fundantal power shift at Sequence 7 or 6.
For the "Darkness" path, Sequence 7 was Nightmare, which unlocked the ability of Dream Invasion.
For his own path, "Dark Emperor," the pivotal sequence was Sequence 6: Barron of Corruption, whose core ability was Distortion, the essence of the path.
The "Dark Emperor" seed to follow rules, but in truth, exploited them.
"Distortion" was the step beyond, not just bending existing laws but twisting them to serve one's will.
Unlike the adjacent "Justiciar" path, which upheld order and refined law, the "Dark Emperor" subverted it entirely.
In simple terms: "My will is the law. Rules exist to serve ."
Of course, Nareth was still far from being able to truly reshape reality to his own will.
As he pondered, the newly ascended "Nightmare" bowed respectfully:
"Father, I will make good use of the power you have bestowed upon ."
The next day, as the starlight bathed Daxos Alpha, the shuttle carrying Nareth, Bukayo, Arsena, and Gabriel descended toward the planet.
As they passed through the atmosphere, Nareth peered out the window.
Below, at the airfield, House Vextrix's Knight suits stood in formation, awaiting his arrival.
Their gray tallic fras were marked with green paint on their cockpits, shoulders, and outer legs, bright and unmistakable.
With a glance, Nareth counted them: forty-seven Knight suits.
'So this is all they can muster… and likely, not all of them are combat-ready.'
He also noticed that aside from the Knight suits and their household guards, there were no citizens, no flowers, and no ceremonial displays.
Clearly, Campbell was not receiving him as a subordinate would.
The Honor Guard's drop pod landed first. Warriors in black armor disembarked and lined up precisely, facing the towering Knights.
Then, surrounded by the Chapter Master of the 3rd Chapter, his aide, and the Techmarine-sergeant, Nareth stepped out, striding directly toward the center of the Knight formation.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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