Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

Aboard the Throne of Sovereignty's Shadow, War Room

As the meeting commenced, the blinds of the numerous windows descended slowly, followed by the activation of runes for the signal-blocking array. The power output was turned to maximum.

At the center of the room sat the Primarch upon a black throne atop a white marble dais. To his left and right, seated on slightly lower platforms, were his aide, Arsenna Dunn, and flagship captain, Diana Pauline.

In attendance were not just company and squad captains, but even ordinary Astartes who held no command rank. These warriors had one thing in common: they were all Beyonders.

Of the six Chapters under his command, 331 Shadows of Order had achieved this status.

Nareth's long-term plan for his legion's Beyonders was to shape each Chapter around a core mystical Path, balancing it with a suitable number of supporting mystics from other Pathways. Unique tactical doctrines required these mystics to be viable. Supporting Paths would provide situational advantages.

Currently, this vision is in its first stage. For three of the six Chapters, the 4th, 7th, and 11th, the core Pathsways had already been determined:

The 4th Chapter: Centered on the Death Pathway. Death-Lord Adams had reached Sequence 9, known as the "Corpse Collector."

The 7th Chapter: Centered on the Red Priest Pathway. Reaper-Lord Sanchez was at Sequence 9, "Hunter." As this path's Sequence 5 was "Reaper," Nareth awarded this Chapter their former title: The Reapers.

The 11th Chapter: Focused on the Black Emperor Path. But Nareth was unsatisfied with its Lord, Christian, whose ability lagged behind Adams and Sanchez. Though he had successfully guided the 11th through its transformation, Nareth hoped a more exceptional heir would emerge. For now, Christian had attained Sequence 9 as a "Lawyer."

The other three chapters had no set core Pathway, due to their Lords' underwhelming performance. However, having passed loyalty tests and reached the minimum requirement, they too were inducted as "Lawyers."

Once all were seated around the Primarch, Nareth listened to their reports. Then he spoke:

"You have all fulfilled your tasks well and upheld the doctrines I require of you."

He turned to Reaper-Lord Sanchez:

"Your ambush was executed brilliantly. You swiftly eliminated the Exodites. As a reward, I grant you the Void Hunter, my former relic-class flagship."

Sanchez rose solemnly:

"Father, I will put your gift to good use and hunt down more enemies in your name."

The other Chapter Masters looked on with envy, not only at the ship's power and range, but because it had once been the Primarch's personal flagship.

Nareth smiled and addressed the group:

"There are many wars ahead. You'll all have opportunities. Warships, weapons, armor, all are yours, if you excel."

"Now, your next opportunity has come. This council concerns our campaign against the Araneus Continuity."

At his words, Arsenna raised his command staff, and a glowing star chart bloomed into projection. Nareth began to explain:

"The Araneus Continuity is ruled by Techno-nobility. Their highest leaders, the Iron Lords, dwell in massive towers like mountains, dominating entire systems through advanced technology."

"Their military power is far weaker than the Cult Mechanicum, but their star systems are linked by ancient, unknown-origin Warp Gates."

Unlike past campaigns, Nareth outlined a new strategy:

"Our first target is not their towers or nobles. It's those gates. We must seize them simultaneously in the first wave."

"If the nobles see defeat is inevitable, they will detonate the gates, causing the star systems to vanish in light and flame."

"These gates also have immense strategic value. Even during warp storms, the Araneus Continuity systems remain connected through them."

In Nareth's estimation, the Continuity's most valuable asset was Necromunda. The Warp Gate was second, unless it could be replicated, in which case, it might be the most valuable of all.

He scanned the room:

"Do you believe you can seize all gates simultaneously and complete this mission?"

Historically, the 11th Legion struggled with coordination, often fighting disjointedly. While Nareth had reshaped the Legion's culture, inter-chapter synergy remained difficult.

If they showed doubt, he planned to use his "Dice of Fate" once it recharged.

But the six Chapter Masters exchanged firm looks and replied together:

"Father, we can complete your mission."

Nareth turned behind them:

"Szcesny, I want to hear the Black Duke's Court's perspective."

The Knight-Captain of the 4th Chapter stood and said:

"The Shadows Order now acts as one. We will complete your orders. The Court's members will return to their squads and ensure that your command that the gates are the priority is heard by every level."

That was part of Nareth's strategy: to use his multi-level court to deliver orders through every tier of the Legion.

After a moment's thought, he nodded.

"So be it. Once this meeting ends, we depart immediately."

Suddenly, Rosicky, who had been silent, spoke:

"Father, I may have a way to disrupt the gates. It could stop the enemy from detonating them."

Nareth turned toward the Forge Master.

"How?"

"While on Mars, I helped develop a new Astartes armor project, codename Terminator. Due to its bulk, it incorporates teleportation tech."

Nareth nodded. He knew the Imperium would soon begin rolling out Terminator Armor after the Ullanor Campaign, and research was likely already underway.

Rosicky continued confidently:

"I studied the principles of teleportation. While the Continuity's gates may differ, the core mechanisms should be similar."

"Detonation must involve energy overloads. I can design disruption devices to interfere, at least long enough to buy us time."

Nareth responded:

"Begin the research immediately."

If successful, the disruption tech would greatly strengthen his plan.

He also anticipated casualties during the defense of the gates. Thus, he decreed a new succession rule for the 11th Legion:

"From now on, if a Chapter Master perishes in battle, their deputy assumes command."

"If the deputy is absent or also killed, command falls to the highest-ranking court member present."

This system resembled that of the Dark Angels, but with its own distinctions.

Arsena recorded the new law and would disseminate it to the other Chapters after the meeting.

Following this, Nareth and the Chapter Masters drew up the preliminary war plan.

After the meeting concluded, he kept Arsena and Adams behind.

...

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

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