MTLNOVEL Chapter 157: The Colossal Squig
Before boarding the gunship, Nareth returned to the "Kingdom of Disorder" to equip the power gauntlets of the "Justiciar" pathway.
Establishing a connection with the silver gauntlets took far longer than with the Dice of Prophecy, as Nareth had expected; the gauntlets clearly belonged to a higher sequence.
Though the full synchronization was still incomplete, Nareth could already selectively access supernatural abilities of Sequence 5 and below through the gauntlets.
During the gunship's flight, the Primarch's consciousness extended toward the Groningen.
In an instant, the Primarch "saw" a massive red beast, slightly shorter than a knight mech, covered in a chaotic tangle of cannons and firearms.
Its entire body was wrapped in a patchwork of armor, like trash haphazardly glued onto it.
The Primarch furrowed his brow. His consciousness expanded, revealing over a dozen red, round, spiked creatures nearby.
Squigs
The massive creature was a Colossal Squig.
The Primarch's mind processed rapidly and instantly deduced the cause:
'The Faceless Ones' gift must have been Squigs. For some reason, they escaped their cages and devoured the human crew, becoming what they are now.'
Nareth knew that Squigs were the lowest rung of the orkoid ecosystem. The greenskins called these bouncy red spheres "Jumpies."
Most Jumpies were edible and existed solely as orkoid food.
However, like all greenskins, Jumpies could mutate. Some could grow into Colossal Squig, the size of Leman Russ tanks, or even into Ancient Primes rivaling small Titans.
'Squigs are potion materials for the "Provoker," Sequence 8 of the Red Priest Pathway. But like other greenskins, they rapidly decompose after death. So if you want to use them for potions, you can't kill them.'
While considering this, Nareth glanced at the gauntlets and immediately found a solution.
The Primarch focused his thoughts. The gunship gently landed on the Groningen.
Once off the landing platform, he strode toward the Colossal Squig's locked position.
Arsena followed closely, accelerating with telekinesis to barely keep up with the Primarch's pace.
The entire transport ship had been smashed apart by the Colossal Squig, broken parts scattered everywhere, exposed cables flashing with harsh sparks.
Even the dented, torn-up deck didn't slow Nareth. He pressed deeper into the ship's interior.
Passing the cargo deck, he saw broken cages, likely where the Squigs had originally been held.
He didn't stop. The Squigs had eaten everything on the upper decks and had moved to the bottom deck to feed.
Soon, he and Arsena, along with the Honor Guard, reached the lower deck.
Nareth immediately spotted a massive cauldron in the center, its broth simmering for decades, exuding a bizarre fragrance.
The Colossal Squig stood in front of it, head plunged into the cauldron, slurping the soup.
Hundreds, maybe thousands, of Jumpies fought over the broth's scraps around the rim.
The Jumpies were the first to spot the black-armored warriors and charged screaming.
The Colossal Squig turned too, charging like a runaway tank.
Nareth remained calm. He raised his left arm and, when the Colossal Squig was within ten meters, infused the silver gauntlet with spiritual energy.
He invoked the Dunn Whisper, a mystical incantation named in honor of his aides, Arsena Dunn and Thomas, for their distinguished contributions.
"Imprison!"
The Sequence 6 "Judge" of the "Justiciar" path required declarations in a mystic tongue to pronounce judgments and laws.
"Imprison" was one such judgment.
With a forward thrust of the silver fist, golden light burst out, enveloping the Colossal Squig and dozens of surrounding Jumpies.
Thick, viscous translucent fluid wrapped around them, like an instant amber encasement, or a wall of transparent resin layers, freezing them in place.
The remaining Jumpies turned to flee. Arsena raised a staff and looked to the Primarch for direction:
"Capture alive?"
"No. Obliterate them all."
Nareth dismissed the suggestion immediately.
He would not bring live Jumpies back to the Kingdom of Disorder; those noisy red ball-creatures would never sit quietly in their assigned containment zones.
Bringing back their corpses was even worse. Unlike other creatures, dead Jumpies decomposed into spores.
And Nareth had no interest in turning an entire sector into a stinking Jumpie nest.
Though he suspected some spaces in the Kingdom of Disorder could suppress greenskin spore propagation, it wasn't worth the risk just to obtain more Jumpies.
A few "Imprisoned" specimens were enough to brew the Provoker potion.
When more were needed, he'd find them again.
The Primarch's aide nodded and released a telekinetic wave, detonating the hundreds of fleeing Jumpies.
Nareth sharply felt a rip open in the invisible veil between physical reality and the Warp. Multicolored Warp energy surged violently.
The Jumpies shrieked, then were shredded by the Annihilation Vortex, erased from existence.
"Search the ship," Nareth ordered. "Make sure there are no surviving red spheres, Squigs. The Orks call them Jumpies."
While the others fanned out to search, Nareth sent the amber-frozen Colossal Squig and nearby Jumpies back to the Kingdom of Disorder.
Returning to reality, he ordered the complete destruction of the transport vessel, ensuring no Ork spores remained to spread.
On board the Throne of Shadow's Sovereignty, Nareth had just issued the order to destroy the Groningen, the 2nd Legion's transport ship. He stared through the viewport at the approaching Vostroya satellite.
Arsena stood beside him. Believing it was time to report on the shipyard's status:
"My lord, the Vostroya's shipyard is now capable of repairing capital ships, performing partial refits, and building standard vessels, frigates, destroyers, and transports."
"This capability boosts our expedition fleet and has enhanced the skills of our tech-workers."
"All fleets, especially legion ships, have undergone varying degrees of modification. As per your instructions, we've gathered and recorded relevant data. Currently, five chapters techmarines are dedicated to this research."
Nareth nodded slightly.
"Accelerate the installation of aether cannons on legion ships. Also, speed up construction at the Cypra Mundi shipyard."
"Understood, my lord. According to the last report from Cypra Mundi, Phase I construction is complete, and the tech-priests have moved in."
"Begin installing an aether cannon on the Throne of Shadow's Sovereignty immediately."
The Throne of Shadow's Sovereignty docked at the Vostroya's shipyard per Nareth's orders to begin refitting. He boarded a transport ship bound for the legion's homeworld.
During the journey, Arsena selected key matters requiring the Primarch's attention and reported:
"Several Magos of Mars have arrived on Vostroya. The 152 military factories you owned before returning to the Imperium, and 143 selected arms factories, have all been converted to manufacture Astartes equipment."
"As of now, 149 of those factories can produce bolters, chainswords, and power swords for Astartes, meeting the Legion's needs."
"Twenty-seven factories can produce Mark II power armor for new recruits."
She continued with the vehicle production report:
"Currently, 74 factories can produce bikes, speeders, and other light vehicles."
"Thirty-three factories can build Malcador heavy tanks, supply trucks, and transports. Twelve factories can manufacture gunships and other aerial craft."
Nareth nodded and asked:
"Any major developments?"
The "Student of Ratiocination" hesitated, then replied:
"My lord, Lewis von Valancius, following your orders, departed from Vostroya and navigated toward the Crystal Mirage."
"On his journey, he discovered five star systems connecting Vostroya to the Crystal Mirage."
"He just returned to Vostroya and awaits your summons."
"Anyone else completed their task?"
"No, my lord."
Arsena sighed in admiration:
"Only the one you personally chose succeeded; your judgment is unmatched."
"I will meet him tomorrow," Nareth said, pausing briefly.
"Prepare the ceremony for naming him a Rogue Trader."
...
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