Chapter 925 - 924: Horus: How Did Nareth Find So Many Rare STCs?

Aboard the Vengeful Spirit, the Warmaster's inner sanctum.

Regulus, the representative of the Mechanicum, stared at Horus Lupercal, who radiated a palpable energy.

His bionic eyes could not identify it, but it was unmistakable.

A new power was emerging from the shadows. The course of the Great Crusade was shifting.

As Regulus watched the Warmaster, Maloghurst, the Primarch's Equerry, spoke.

"I have heard that, over two centuries ago, the Emperor was brought before the Fabricator General in his forge."

"He was forced to kneel."

Regulus's robes clicked. "The Fabricator General was not the leader of Mars then. He is now the other head of the Imperial Aquilla."

Maloghurst's expression did not change. Following his father's orders, he was prepared.

"He promised you equal status in the Great Crusade. Have you truly received it?"

"You contribute the weapons of war to the Imperium. What have you received in return?"

"Is this true equality?"

"And what will you give us?" Regulus looked at Horus.

Horus remained silent. Maloghurst continued to speak for him.

"The Warmaster promises a true, equal alliance with Mars, not one that exploits it."

"I want to hear specifics," Regulus pressed.

"The Warmaster will withdraw all non-Mechanicum forces from the Forge Worlds."

Regulus's mechanical numerals clicked. "Including the garrisons on Nareth's Incaladion, Lucius, Mezoa, and Valia-Maximal?"

"Of course. The Warmaster will help Mars reclaim these worlds, rife with separatism."

Hearing this, Regulus asked, "I will take your proposal back to the Fabricator General."

"I would like to know what Mars must offer in return. We have already, following the Warmaster's commands, adjusted our supply allocations to the Expedition Fleets."

"Our weapons and materials are prioritized for the Fleets the Warmaster favors, and deliveries to those he dislikes are delayed."

"What more do you require?"

"Ambassador, your questions are incisive." Maloghurst praised him.

"Before the Warmaster's armies reach the Sol System, the Fabricator General must ensure Mars is firmly in his grasp."

"He must destroy or force the surrender of any forces loyal to Terra, to ensure the Warmaster's grand design is unimpeded."

Regulus looked at Horus. Though he had suspected something of the sort before arriving, hearing Maloghurst so plainly express the Warmaster's ambition to replace the Emperor caused his logic engine to stall for a second.

"Forgive my bluntness, but the cost is immense."

"Mars still has many forge cities loyal to the tyrant, and many Magi who believe He is the avatar of the Omnissiah."

"Your demand would plunge Mars into a schismatic civil war."

He looked at Horus. "What reason do you give us to believe you will not be another tyrant?"

"A good question." Horus spoke for the first time since the meeting began.

He knew what would attract the Mechanicum.

Knowledge. STCs were a good bargaining chip, but he had none.

He knew that if he asked his new allies, the Chaos Gods, they would provide what he needed.

But at what cost?

Horus thought of Nareth's recovered STCs: the Ramilles-class Starfort, the Gabriel-pattern Predator, the Blyek battle tank.

'How did Nareth find so many rare STCs?'

Though he had no STCs, he had another lure.

"I will authorize Mars to lift all restrictions on forbidden research."

"I will grant you access to the Vaults of Moravec."

"The Vaults of Moravec?" Regulus's voice trembled.

Primus Moravec was the most gifted of the ancient Terran Magi. He believed that technology would eventually surpass the limits of human intellect, triggering a technological singularity, the fusion of man and machine, transcending both.

He prophesied: once man and machine were perfectly fused, the Omnissiah would manifest.

He was not merely a theoretical theologian of the Mechanicum; he wished to personally initiate the miracle that would bring forth the Omnissiah.

His views attracted many Terran tech-specialists, forming the Brotherhood of Singularitarianism.

His research aroused the suspicion of many tyrants. The warlord Kazar, of the radiation-scorched wastes of the Pan-Pacific, attacked Moravec's fortress, branding him a heretic, but did not kill him.

Moravec survived, fleeing to Mars. Deep within Olympus Mons, he established his vault, sealing all his relics within.

To this day, the Vaults had been sealed for over a millennium.

The tyrant, upon setting foot on Mars, had visited the sealed place. He had not entered, and before leaving, had strictly forbidden anyone from opening it.

"You heard me correctly. The Vaults of Moravec," Horus said.

A full five seconds passed before Regulus spoke again.

"I must admit, you have offered a tempting price."

"I will convey your sincerity to the Fabricator General. He will decide."

"I am confident Kelbor-Hal will make the wise choice." Horus's eyes were deep.

One of the gifts his Warp-allies had given him was the means to open the Vaults of Moravec.

He already knew what lay within.

Moravec, like himself, had wisely bargained with the entities of the Warp. His vault held their power.

Kelbor-Hal also knew what was inside. Though the Emperor had erased the location of the Vaults from the memory caches of the Martian Magi, He had not erased their memory of the treasure.

How foolish!

He had hidden an apple nearby, hoping Kelbor-Hal would never find it.

'I will help them obtain that apple.'

Horus was certain that once Kelbor-Hal opened the Vaults of Moravec, he and his followers would gain power beyond reality.

The Dark Mechanicum would be born.

Horus raised his hand, caressing Regulus's head, like a giant comforting a child.

Another gift from his allies, the hidden power of the Warp, projected from his palm.

Regulus's body trembled. Sparks crackled beneath his robes.

A binary hymn echoed in Regulus's mind.

A hymn he had never heard.

A prayer that transcended physical limitations.

After twelve seconds, Horus lowered his hand.

"I know how to open the Vaults of Moravec." Regulus looked at the giant before him. He seemed even more majestic than when he had first entered.

Now, he knew what that energy emanating from the Warmaster was. It was the power of the Warp, one beyond physical law.

Horus watched Regulus leave. The Martian ambassador, with his help, had been enlightened.

He had mastered new Mechanicum hymns, new powers. He had wholly embraced the Warmaster's Warp-allies.

He was the first pioneer of the Dark Mechanicum on Mars.

He asked Maloghurst, beside him, "Do you think he will succeed?"

"Kelbor-Hal cannot resist the lure of the Vaults of Moravec. Only you can give him the chance to glimpse its forbidden knowledge."

"But I believe the price we ask and the bait we offer are almost equal. That means our alliance is fragile."

"If the war goes poorly, they may harbor second thoughts."

A buzz from his comm-bead. After listening, his Equerry reported: "Perturabo's Stormbird will land on the flight deck in one hour."

"I will greet my brother personally." Horus smiled.

....

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