Warhammer: Dark Knights

015.M36

Eternal Vigilance

"So, you're saying that the patriarch of House von Tharos have arrive at Kar-1." You ask Aldarion as you seated behind your desk in your personal chamber. It's been 1 hour since you leave Kar-1 and arrive on your flagship.

You already handed the retrieved data to Nine-002, instructing him to investigate what STC data store in it still can be use and be manufacture, and also to identify the others data that have been seemingly encrypted by the tech-priest of Kar-1.

You hope that all those data have enough information and details to let Nine to manufacture those powerful equipment from the Great Crusade. Even if they can't be use, you hope that they can be use to upgrade the current Astarte weapons, vehicles and vessels. At very least, the data still can be use as a valuable asset for trade with the other forge worlds.

After you exited Nine-002 chamber, you encounter Aldarion, who is standing outside of your chamber, clearly waiting for you. As you both enter your chamber, he inform you that the patriarch of House von Tharos have arrive at Kar-1 aboard his personal armed freighter after you descended onto Kar-1.

As he didn't close in on the fleet or show any hostile intent to the fleet, Aldarion didn't issue any additional command to the new arrive ship. After 15 minutes, the patriarch attempted to contact Eternal Vigilance via vox, requesting communication. Turns out, he have a deal that he wish to present to the chapter, or more specially, to you.

"So, what's this deal that he propose?"

"He's willing to supply the chapter with new recruits for as long as the chapter or his house exist, for us to help him securing power in his world." Aldarion reply while handing you a dataslate, containing the information of the world.

The world house von Tharos rule is a hive world that located in the system with total of 6 planet, with only the hive world is habitable. The world have 10 noble house on it, von Tharos is one of them, with each ruling a hive city on it. The only reason house von Tharos can come out on top and becoming the system and planetary governor is because they rule over the largest hive city and have access to the only space elevator on the planet.

While rival houses occasionally attempt to usurp their position, these efforts are usually fragmented, with individual houses or small coalitions of two or three aligning against von Tharos. In response, von Tharos allies with the other houses to combat them. The situation on the world have always been like this since it's discoveries during the Great Crusade, and possibly, even before that. Noble houses unite to face a common enemy, only to realign and turn against their former allies once the immediate threat has passed. After all, there are no eternal friends, no eternal enemies, only eternal benefits.

But now, for some reason, 5 houses, half of the noble houses have banded together to topple their rules. With the other 4 houses are not a powerful one, allying with them can't bring victory to von Tharos. So, the patriarch wish to find a powerful allies outside the hive word.

But, unfortunately for him, his world didn't have much resources to use as leverage and the governorship other worlds in the system have already been transfer to the nearby forge world because of their rich resources. Without any leverage to use, he have a hard time to find any people that willing to help him.

So, when he receive a transmission from captain of the armed freighter about your existence, he see a hope. That's why he come to Kar-1 that quick, hoping to strike a deal.

'Hmm, there are something that I can get out of this situation.' You smirk a little. "Tell that patriarch that I have view his deal, and I wish to talk to him."

Aldarion nods. "Understood, my lord. I will relay your message immediately."

As he turns and leaves the chamber, you begin to think about your plan. The hive world, Vulgrax, may not have much of value, but its large population is an asset. The world has a moon orbiting it, and while the moon isn't rich in resources, it can serve as an outpost for your chapter. It can be a place for recruiting and training the neophytes from Vulgrax, as well as a watch fortress that can quickly reinforce the worlds in the Ghoul Star.

As part of your long-term plan for the chapter, you wish to establish fortresses or stations similar to those of the Deathwatch, scattered across the segmentums. These fortresses or stations will act as bases for both large and small missions. They will also be used to gather information from far-off sectors or systems, helping you stay informed about what's happening across the Imperium. This will improve your ability to respond quickly to important battles and reinforce key locations.

Some of these fortresses or stations will also function as recruitment and training centers. This will ensure that the chapter always has a steady flow of new recruits and fresh talent. While having these stations makes them vulnerable to attack, it is more important to make sure the chapter has a constant supply of new warriors ready to fight.

You have actually show the plan for the establishment for the fortresses and stations, both space-based and land-based, to the 12 members. They understood the importance of these facilities and the strategic advantages they would bring to the chapter. However, some of them expressed a desire to use some of these fortresses and stations for their gains.

As most of these facilities will be place on important regions, sectors and systems, they would natural hold great strategic value. With each larger fortresses and stations will have an Astarte detachment and equipped with defensive capabilities to deter space or land based attack. While not able to deter large scale attack, they at least can buy time for reinforcement arrived or let the occupants escape with important information.

This make them ideal to function as headquarters or bases for operation. But, it requires careful negotiations and delicate balancing to make sure they didn't lost their intended purpose and also to make sure they stay in your chapter hand, rather than falling into the hands of other factions.

With the knowledge on Imperium from your previous life and the risk of founding a chapter like yours, even if it's sanctioned by Emperor himself, there should be individual from different factions to make sure the founding can be conducted and all secrets can stay behind the door.

Based on your understanding, you've been able to make an educated guess about the factions represented by some of the 12 members. At the very least, there will be inquisitor, Archmagos and Novator of Navis Nobilite chosen by the Emperor. With the inquisitor can put cover on the operation for the founding. Archmagos, such as Nine provide technologies and equipment for the chapter. The Novator provide Navigator for the fleet.

You're particularly confident that there are two different Novators in the mix. This suspicion arises from the unique traits and symbols shared by the Navigators serving your chapter, which only show two different logos.

Additionally, you've deduced that members II and VI are both likely Inquisitors, although their exact rank and which Ordo they belong to remain unclear. You came to this conclusion after both of them independently proposed that some of the fortresses and stations should be used as Inquisitorial headquarters or bases for resupply and rest.

Though you are suspicious about why II and VI proposed the plan that will revealed their identity during the meeting, instead of letting Nine inform you after it ended, you can't help but wonder if it was intentional.

"Transmission incoming." Announced the servitor connected to your desk, its monotone voice breaking the silence. Designed to assist with organizing communications and tasks.

You quickly press the button that connect the transmission. Within moments, the holo-display show a man in his 40s. He wore ornate and expensive clothing, a clear display of wealth and status.

"Lord Atharion." The man said, bowing slightly. "I am Xekre von Tharos, patriarch of House von Tharos, it's my honor to speak with you today."

"Lord Xekre." You said, with blank expression and cold voice. "I have review your deal, but unfortunately we don't have the luxury to engage endeavor that benefit little to the chapter. As we already have multiple recruiting worlds in other segmentum." You paused. "However, I may reconsider if certain terms are meet."

Xekre visibly stiffened but quickly composed himself when he hear the last sentence, nodding cautiously. "I am listening, my lord. What terms do you propose?"

You leand forward, elbow on the desk. "First, I will decide the fate of the five houses. Either they are to be completely destroy or else. Furthermore, the largest hive city that under their domain will be transfer to my chapter."

Xekre hesitate, his expression growing more tense with each words coming out of your mouth. You can feel that he is scared, wary of your intention, uncertain if you meant to use the hive city and the fall of the five houses as leverage to overthrow him or undermine his rulership.

"Don't worry, Xekre." You said. "I do not wish to harm you, your house or your rulership over the world. But I would be much more happy and more willing if my terms are meet."

Though still hesitate, but he knows that he have no choice left. As the moment he proposed the deal, there is no turning back for him. After all, you could easily approach one of the five rival houses with a similar deal, one they would likely accept eagerly. Such an alliance would solidify their claim to rulership and give them a powerful ally in the process.

Resigned to his fate, Xekre finally nodded. His voice was heavy with reluctance as he said, "Very well, Lord Atharion. I accept your terms."

"Of course." You said, with a much more warmer tone. "You will be compensated for this..... attempted coup, shall we call it. 20% of their total wealth, and 35% of all their hive cities production shall be transfer to you or your designated representative for the next 500 years."

Xekre's face visibly brightened, though traces of tension still lingered. It was clear that he saw the offer as sign of trust, a gesture that reaffirmed his value and position. "I thank you for your generosity, my lord," he said cautiously, inclining his head in gratitude.

"Very well." You said. "As the deal have been confirmed, I will send my 5th company to help you in the matter. Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to, Grand Master of 5th company will represent me in overseeing the operation, while a Castellan will be appointed to govern the hive city. The Castellan will manage recruitment efforts on the world and will also serve as your point of contact for any future requests for assistance."

"Understood, my lord." Xekre said. "May our partnership bring stability and prosperity to the world."

"Indeed, may our partnership bring stability and prosperity to the world." You said, smiling a little. "Good bye, lord Xekre. I look forward to the day we meet face-to-face. Emperor's Protect."

As the transmission ended, the holo-display flickered off, leaving you alone in the quiet hum of your quarters. You turn your head towards the servitor and said. "Inform Sevran that I need to talk with him, also inform Gideon to choose a squad from his company that have prove themselves capable to act alone, without any guidance from the chapter."

The servitor processes your command as usual, mechanical humming and clicking as it relaying the order.

"Acknowledge." It replied in its monotone voice. "The messages have been relay."

You leaned back in your chair, content with the results of the deal. Though the plan had shifted slightly, with the fortress now to be constructed within the hive city your chapter controlled rather than on the moon, it ultimately worked out in your favor. This alteration reduced the costs significantly, making the fortress more cost-effective to establish. Moreover, placing it within the heart of the hive city would make it far more strategic, ensuring that it could better fulfill its purpose of protecting the Imperium's hold on the world, and maintaining control over the area.

After two hours of preparation, two strike cruisers, two Gladius-class frigates, and two Nova-class frigates detached from the main battlegroup and moved toward the von Tharos fleet. The Relentless Pursuit, the strike cruiser assigned to the 5th company, would complete the mission and then leave the world in the hands of the Castellan. The rest of the ships would form a new battlegroup under the Castellan's command, tasked with protecting the world from any future threats.

As the battlegroup departed with the von Tharos fleet, the main battlegroup also made its way toward the Mandeville point, preparing to leave the system for Anvillus-Nine.