Chapter 931 - 930: Horus, I Will Walk into the Trap You Have Prepared for Me

'The Gordian League.' Nareth repeated the name, and quickly found the relevant memory.

'So Horus has given me the Lion's script.'

'The Gordian League... Forge World Diamat... Thramas... Forge World Triplex Phall... the Ghoul Stars…'

'Konrad Curze!'

Nareth knew the Night Lords, masters of guerrilla warfare, were a troublesome opponent.

In truth, though the Lion ultimately won, he had failed strategically.

Though the Dark Angels only lost ten thousand warriors, the Warmaster's strategic objective was achieved: the Lion was bogged down on the eastern frontier for three years.

He also knew that, without the Emperor's relics and the Tuchulcha Engine he had already taken, and without Curze's madness, the guerrilla war could have dragged on for three years, then another three, and another three.

'Diamat, Triplex Phall, the Ghoul Stars. Horus has laid out some tempting bait for me.'

Nareth knew the Night Lords actually had the most extensive territory of any Legion before the Heresy.

The Ghoul Stars encompassed the Thramas Sector, the Nostramo Sector, the Thirsis Sector, the Ikatan Deeps, the Salvakar Cluster, the Gulgorahd Protectorate, and nearly the entire galactic northeast.

Of course, vast territory did not equal a large number of worlds.

First, most worlds were dead worlds, left in ruins. The Ghoul Stars were entirely beyond the Astronomican's light; Navigators refused to risk their lives entering the region.

Second, Konrad Curze and his sons ruled their domains through fear, never developing them like the Ultramarines.

'Remote is good. It keeps me out of Terra's sight.'

'The Scythian xenos are also likely a potion ingredient.

'Triplex Phall, the Gulgorahd Protectorate, and even the shattered Nostramo all have great value.'

Shattered worlds are not suitable for human habitation, but because they are broken, their mineral deposits are exposed and easier to mine.

Worlds that were not mining worlds before their destruction often become mineral-rich after being shattered.

After Nostramo shattered, its adamantium veins were fully exposed to the void.

With that thought, Nareth decided to walk into the trap Horus had prepared for him, and claim the Ghoul Stars for himself.

'Hmm, this will also make it easier for me to control the only entrance to the Khrave origin space in the material world.'

'Horus, I will walk into the trap you have prepared for me. Let's see what you've got. Besides Curze and the Night Lords, what else have you prepared for me?'

Having decided on his primary expansion direction during the Heresy, Nareth began to consider how to deploy his forces.

He looked at Arsena. "What is the status of the teleportarium deployments?"

"My Lord, every key world in the territories I just reported has a teleportarium gate." Arsena replied.

"Additionally, the gates we established before acquiring the Kalium Gate are still operational."

Nareth nodded. This would allow the Shadows of Order to conduct Warp travel and rapidly redeploy across their domains during the Heresy.

Even if attacked, as long as they could hold out for a time, they could receive reinforcements.

The other loyalist fleets would have to rely on luck; most would be lost in the Warp storms.

As he thought, Arsena continued. "The portable solar generator STC we acquired from Aureus can meet the power needs of the Epsilon-5 forge complex."

"Magos Ryan has improved it, powering the teleportation gates and reducing Warp travel energy consumption by an average of 36.95%."

"An excellent development." Nareth smiled.

Compared to Warp travel, the Araneus Continuity's gates had another drawback besides being limited to established routes: high energy consumption.

Having confirmed his scattered domains were linked by the Kalium Gate and the teleportarium network, Nareth considered another key question:

Which of his territories would Horus attack?

First, the Coronid New Zone, certainly.

The industrial worlds Horus directly controlled were either in the Sol System, like the Akum-Sothos Cluster, or, like Diamat, were a single Forge World, insufficient to support an entire Legion, let alone all the rebel Legions.

The Cyclops Cluster's one hundred and five industrial worlds were the most suitable base. If he seized this integrated industrial region, he would have a secure rear area.

In his eyes, the Sixth Chapter had only about twenty thousand warriors, unable to stop his armies.

Second, the Kalium Gate. Even with Chaos's aid, the loyalists would think of using it, inevitably drawing attacks from the traitors.

In Nareth's memory, Jaghatai Khan's original plan had been to use the still-incomplete Kalium Gate to return to Terra.

Third, Vostroya and the Chapters' primary recruiting worlds, all rich in resources, especially ample manpower.

Before deciding on his deployment, Nareth considered one final key question, his strategic objectives: His primary objective was, of course, to kill Angron and advance to "Count of the Fallen."

His secondary target was Fulgrim.

Second, to secure Perturabo.

Third, the Magna Mater on Luna and the Selenar Gene-Cults, the foundation for future Primaris research.

Fourth, to secure Belisarius Cawl, the key talent for Primaris research.

Fifth, the traitor Legions' homeworlds.

Sixth, the Belt of Iron.

Seventh, the Akum-Sothos Cluster, Horus's most glorious conquest, he wanted it.

Eighth, the Forge World of Xana.

Axandria IV, Korane-Farstar, Nareth's mind raced. Combining his current objectives, enemy movements, and logistical factors, he formulated a deployment plan.

"Reply to the Warmaster: I will follow his orders and bring the Gordian League into compliance."

"Assemble the Fourth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Chapters. After leaving necessary garrisons in each territory, they will accompany me on the campaign."

"The Third and Eight Chapters will assemble at the Kalium Gate."

The Kalium Gate has one War Moon and five Ramilles-class Starforts. In reality, three Chapters were not needed to garrison it; Nareth had other tasks for these two Chapters and the Fifth.

"The First Chapter will assemble at Elysia."

"The Second Chapter, with all its tripedal walkers, will proceed to Valia-Maximal."

"The Sixth Chapter will enter the highest state of readiness."

"By Your will." Arsena noted the Black Emperor's commands.

"What is the status of the Ramilles-class Starforts, deployed and awaiting deployment?" Nareth asked.

Proper use of key strategic assets could, to a degree, change the course of the war.

....

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