Chapter 47: The Night Haunter
Omega inquired about the total logistical support capacity the planet could provide.
Russell confirmed they could supply approximately three million trained personnel with complete equipment and provisions on their own. Any quantity beyond that would require additional manufacturing time.
Omega had no surplus time to remain planetside.
He immediately notified the Alpha Legion command staff to begin comprehensive recruitment operations and soldier integration training.
Regarding the infected Imperial Military personnel, they would remain on Galbray until medical recovery was certified complete. Premature redeployment risked spreading infection to the civilian population, an unacceptable strategic liability.
Both governing bodies on Galbray, the Nine Star Republic and the secondary regional authority controlling a smaller territorial section, received notification and agreed to provide one million personnel each.
Both organizations explicitly stated they would not tolerate Alpha Legion interference in planetary internal political matters.
Upon receiving this clarification, Omega dismissed further political discussions.
Russell coordinated with the Tech-Priests to arrange the shipment of equipment and the distribution of weapons for the two million recruits to the orbital fleet.
...
Over the following weeks, veteran Space Marines conducted intensive training programs for newly recruited soldiers.
The entire planet became aware of the enormous imperial fleet in orbit. The constant shuttle traffic between planetary surface and orbital stations created a visible spectacle.
Galbray lacked spacecraft construction capabilities, so each arrival of the Alpha Legion generated significant disruption to local commerce.
One month later, nearly two million recovered Imperial military personnel, combined with two million newly recruited soldiers, remained on Galbray for continued recuperation and integration. Over three million mortal auxiliary troops now maintained positions on the planet.
Omega saw no tactical benefit to prolonging the stay. He led five hundred warships in immediate subspace translation toward the Sophis Forgeworld.
...
The Sophis Forgeworld, still under construction and not yet covering the entire planetary surface, was a destination Omega had previously notified Sage Julius about during his initial Galbray deployment announcement.
Upon arrival in the star system, the Alpha Legion fleet observed something unexpected: thousands of warships from multiple legions docked throughout the orbital space around the Forgeworld.
Company Commander Skol spotted the distinctive bat insignia displayed on one particular vessel formation.
He expressed immediate surprise. "That's the Night Lords fleet from the Eighth Legion! How did they gain access to our Twentieth Legion's exclusive Forgeworld?"
Another company commander, clearly anxious about potential inter-legion conflict, quickly provided context. "Every legion wants access to the valuable resources in this star system. The Iron Hands from the Tenth Legion previously docked here for resupply, apparently unaware that Sophis was designated as an exclusive Alpha Legion forgeworld project."
Omega's frustration was evident. "Tch. The Emperor has already announced the Forgeworld construction program. So, why in the hell are they consuming our resources?"
His concern was justified: if two legions discovered the actual situation, a cascade effect would inevitably follow. Other legions would also demand access.
The forgeworld would transition from private asset to imperial commons, eliminating the strategic advantage Omega had carefully cultivated.
The company commanders remained silent, understanding the dilemma perfectly.
The Emperor had made his announcement merely one year prior. Forgeworlds required decades of development to reach full capacity. Other legions would inevitably exploit access to partially-completed industrial infrastructure.
Omega gradually maneuvered his fleet closer to the Night Lords' position, then established communication with Sage Julius through Sophis's communication network.
The connection experienced deliberate signal degradation before Julius responded, his expression conveying wry amusement mixed with frustration.
Julius explained the situation with obvious regret. "It is a... funny situation, isn't it, My lord."
"The Iron Hands, the Tenth Legion under Ferrus Manus, had repeatedly contacted our Mechanicus regarding cooperative service arrangements with the Alpha Legion. When they realized the relationship was not entirely balanced to their advantage, they reported the Sophis project directly to the Emperor."
"The Emperor, recognizing the strategic value, has officially designated Sophis as a primary Forgeworld under imperial construction."
"The Mechanicus headquarters on Mars was baffled... they had no record of authorizing a second major project. They had dispatched investigators who became convinced that your faction represents a schism within the Cult of the Machine. No surprise there.
"Sigh~ And now they are under preparation to send additional tech-priests to 'supervise' operations."
Julius continued with clear frustration. "The situation remains unresolved, and now out of all legion the Night Lords have arrived."
"This complicates everything significantly. However, I hope you will support us in preventing the Mechanicus headquarters from seizing control of the territory and imposing their unwelcome oversight."
Omega understood this information in silence.
Everyone was attempting to exploit the emerging opportunity. But he couldn't let it happen so easily...
He spoke with clear seriousness. "Let me clarify: the Sophis Forgeworld can provide services to multiple legions if necessary. However, the Mechanicus personnel operating this facility must remain exclusively affiliated with the Alpha Legion. Is that your intention?"
Julius nodded awkwardly, as did the other sages present. "Yes, precisely. We promised our service to the Alpha Chapter, but now this situation has become complicated."
Under the attentive observation of his assembled company commanders, Omega deliberated carefully before reaching a decision. "I can accept this arrangement."
"The Imperium is constructing multiple forgeworlds on a larger scale. Your situation here is only temporary in the broader strategic context."
Julius and the other sages visibly relaxed, releasing the tension they had been holding.
The Alpha Legion leadership proved remarkably reasonable in their negotiations. Most importantly, they possessed the profound secret regarding Randan alien technology, knowledge that absolutely could not be exposed to Mechanicus headquarters on Mars.
Before further discussion could continue, an external communication request was announced. Company Commander Skol indicated the incoming transmission originated from the Night Lords' flagship.
Omega terminated the internal channel and accepted the external transmission. The moment the connection stabilized, a sinister voice emanated through the speakers.
"You, Hydra, are quite something! You have organizational networks scattered across planets throughout this entire star system. Even this newly constructed Forgeworld was secretly planned and built under your control. What exactly are you scheming? Tell me truthfully, or my Night Haunter's righteous judgment will descend upon your heads!"
"Have you ever trembled with genuine fear? Hahahaha!"
The assembled company commanders erupted in anger upon hearing this threat. This primarch was robbing their forgeworld while acting with spectacular arrogance!
Omega raised his hand, silencing them with a gesture, then calmly replied.
"A question for you, Lord Curze: does the Alpha Legion possess more space warships, or do the Night Lords?"
Curze responded with evident pride, observing the tactical display showing the Alpha Legion's five-hundred-vessel formation. "Of course, we have more ships. You have a pitiful five hundred warships. We dwarf you by orders of magnitude."
His statement served another purpose: establishing that the Night Lords possessed superior firepower and military capacity.
Omega replied without hesitation. "Then what is wrong with the Alpha Legion constructing our own Forgeworld to expand our own military capacity rather than parasitizing the resources of others?"
"You have more warships than we. Lord Guilliman commands tens of thousands of vessels. What offense have we committed by wanting a Forgeworld of our own?"
"We, Hydra Dominatus, specifically: what have we done wrong?"
On the bridge of the Night Lords' massive ten-kilometer flagship, Curze, clad in black power armor and a flowing black cloak, exchanged bewildered glances with his assembled company commanders upon hearing Omega's response.
The Night Haunter was plagued by dark visions of the future, torments that isolated him even among his brothers. Yet for all his madness and prophecy, the raw logic in Omegon's words cut through the storm within his mind.
The Night Lords were predominantly criminals and mercenaries by nature. Omega's straightforward reasoning only reinforced their sense of justification.
One company commander smirked wickedly. "Being weak is your fundamental error. Summon your Primarch if you dare to challenge us!"
Curze glared at the company commander with obvious disapproval. Curze's experiences with Nostramo in his self-appointed role as the Night Haunter had instilled in him the philosophy of terror, whereby he inspired obedience to the law through fear of extreme punishment.
He considered himself an instrument of justice in darkness, a nocturnal protector, and thus had no interest in bullying genuinely weak adversaries.
Previously, Curze had suspected the Alpha Legion of harboring hidden conspiracies. Their extensive planetary organization network and mysterious forgeworld project had seemed suspicious. But upon hearing Omega's logical explanation, something shifted in his perspective.
Curze confirmed his understanding multiple times. "Your sole objective is simply expanding your own military capability? Nothing more sinister than that?"
"Indeed," Omega replied with calculated sincerity. "If I may offer counsel, Lord Curze: consider directing your efforts toward the Five Hundred Worlds in the Extreme Starfield. They possess far greater resources and military production capacity than our still-developing, incomplete forgeworld. That region would prove far more valuable to the Night Lords."
Upon hearing this suggestion, Curze's expression darkened noticeably.
His voice dropped to a low, sinister tone. "I will not go there. Guilliman jealously guards that region like a brooding hen protecting her brood. I cannot afford the loss of face such a confrontation would entail. Your Sophis Forgeworld is indeed quite impressive, however."
Curze paused, then continued with a proposition. "What if the Night Lords' Mechanicus technicians collaborated alongside your Mechanicus members to develop this planet even more effectively? Everyone could benefit from expanded resource production and service capabilities."
Omega responded with measured diplomacy. "The Alpha Chapter's Mechanicus personnel are fully capable of managing Forgeworld operations independently. We remain willing to provide logistical support services to the Night Lords."
"The Imperium is currently expanding Forgeworld construction across multiple star systems. Resource scarcity will gradually diminish as more facilities achieve operational status."
The company commanders observed Omega's response with evident astonishment.
Curze, understanding the Alpha Legion's strategic thinking, responded with a slight smile. "Interesting indeed. I will not stand on ceremony then. Young one, what is your designation?"
Omega announced with a slight, enigmatic smile.
"We are Alpharius."
[End of Chapter]