Aboard the Void Hunter, Nareth stood before the panoramic observation window alongside Arsena Dunn and Diana Pauline, watching as a colossal silhouette lood ever closer in the void.
Compared to it, every ship docked in the Martian shipyards and orbital ports looked utterly insignificant. This warship eclipsed them all in both size and nace.
"A truly perfect creation," Diana said, her turquoise-blue eyes fixed on the approaching vessel, gleaming with fervor. "It's perfect, radiating destructive power. It's like a void leviathan rising from the depths… or a massive black pike."
Following Nareth's specifications relayed through Rosicky, the entire Gloriana-class battleship had been painted jet black.
Its spine bristled with over a thousand hill-sized defense turrets and shielded engines, and its belly shimred with the destructive brilliance of world-ending weaponry.
A massive ram-prow, shaped like a giant pear, jutted forward, and city-sized engines flanked the rear.
The Gloriana-class battleship was one of the most powerful ships ever constructed by the Imperium. Its hull was protected by layered void shields and thick armor plating capable of withstanding relentless bombardnts while still remaining combat-effective.
Such ships often served as both the flagship of an Astartes fleet and the personal vessel of a Primarch.
Just imagining herself commanding this titanic ship across the stars, serving the Primarch as the commander of the 33rd Expeditionary Fleet's flagship, filled Diana with overwhelming honor. It surpassed even the pride she felt after purging xenos pirates and being decorated for her deeds.
Monts later, the Void Hunter docked at the starport.
As Nareth disembarked, he was greeted by a red-robed Martian Magos. Standing beside him was a familiar figure: Rosicky.
The techmarine wore black power armor, and the sigil of Mars was etched into both of his pauldrons.
The Magos approached Nareth, and a raspy voice issued from him.
"Requesting exchange of information regarding Eleventh Legion delivery obligations."
"Permission granted."
Rosicky's left eye was now a chanical implant. He exchanged a brief glance with the Martian Magos, and the two began transmitting a high-frequency binary conversation. Once complete, both nodded in satisfaction.
"Primarch, your warship has been completed. Mars is now able to fulfill its //construction// obligation as stipulated. Confirm acceptance of //warship delivery."
"Delivery accepted."
Nareth gave the order. Rosicky confird with the Magos using binary authentication.
Monts later, the Magos bowed deeply and departed.
Rosicky stepped forward. "Father, I have completed my studies on Mars."
"From this day on," Nareth replied, "you are the Legion's Forge Lord, leader of all techmarines."
"I will give my utmost, Father. I will not disappoint you."
"Co. Let's see my flagship."
"Father, please follow ," Rosicky said, and began his introduction.
"This Gloriana-class battleship is 28.11 kiloters in length, with a mass of 170.33 gatons."
Nareth nodded. The Macragge's Honour, Roboute Guilliman's flagship, was 26 kiloters long. At 28, his own ship was among the largest in the Primarch ranks.
"It requires approximately 309,100 crew mbers, plus 103,000 engineers and logistics personnel."
Turning slightly, Nareth asked the woman behind him, "Diana, are you ready?"
Her eyes sparkled. "My lord, I am more than ready."
Nareth followed Rosicky into the battleship, toward the command bridge.
They took a lift upward. As they ascended, layers of curved decks rose alongside the arched walls, supported by black tal pillars like the ribs of so steel leviathan.
Stepping out, they were greeted by a towering armored-glass do.
In the center of the command bridge, five strategy tables displayed flickering holograms, scenes from the Martian docks, and across the Solar System.
Overhead, lun-lights slowly rotated, illuminating countless control panels and optic sensors.
"Father, please take your seat," Rosicky said, gesturing toward the black alloy throne.
Nareth seated himself. Diana spoke:
"My lord, you should na this vessel."
"Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow."
Diana paused for a mont, then understood the aning.
"A perfect na, my lord. You are the King of Vostroya, and your legion is the Shadow of Order."
Since being appointed as the ship's commander, Diana had spent her ti gathering and studying every scrap of information she could find about the Primarch and the Eleventh Legion.
She knew how Nareth had descended upon Vostroya, unified his howorld, and taken the title of Monarch, how he had renad his legion from the Reapers to the Shadow of Order.
"Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow… It suits your flagship perfectly."
"If the captain agrees, then begin fulfilling your duties."
"As you command."
Diana bowed and walked briskly to her station, black high-heeled boots clicking lightly with anticipation.
She picked up the ship's comm unit and opened the command channel.
"Attention, all personnel. This is your ship captain speaking, the first commander of the Gloriana-class battleship newly nad Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow by the Primarch."
"I'm honored to serve alongside you. Prepare your briefings. I'll hear your reports in the eting hall in three hours."
Seeing Diana swiftly assu command, Nareth turned to Rosicky.
"Take to the palace."
"This way, Father."
They rode a lift down into the ship. Stepping out, they erged onto a grand corridor bridge.
The passage was ornately decorated, with a towering vaulted ceiling like a cathedral's nave, solemn and majestic.
Nareth stopped and addressed his Honor Guard.
"From now on, this area will be your responsibility."
They stood tall and answered in unison:
"As you command, Father."
He then told Rosicky, "Wait outside. Enter in five minutes."
After the ti passed, Rosicky, now promoted to Forge Lord and now "Archaeologist", bowed and said:
"Father, I will give my all to fulfill my duties as both Forge Lord and Archaeologist."
Three days later, Hollis of the 1st Chapter and Bradshaw of the 11th Chapter were sent to Luna.
The training proposals they submitted had been approved by Nareth, and they would oversee the training of Terran-born recruits for the Eleventh Legion.
Since Horus had not sent his own sons to Luna for training, Nareth beca the first to do so, attracting widespread attention.
As organizations like the Selenite Gene Cult watched closely, fifty treasure-hunters slipped into Luna under the radar.
Two months later, six assigned Chapters arrived in the Sol System.
The Primarch convened a war council to plan the conquest of the Araneus Continuity
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu
User Comments
0 comments from readers