Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 344 Sky Eagle Shuttle

The Shadow of Reigns, Primarch Office.

Arsena Dunn raised his staff and projected a star map of the Forged World Lucius and the area surrounding the Abyss of Colony.

The star map of the Colony Abyss region comes from the traveling merchant Lewis von Valancius.

Nimrod asked the Primarch's attendant, "What is the current construction progress of the Ramirez-class star fortress?"

“The second star fortress built by Sepra Mandy is about halfway complete, while the Triken and Vostonia are about a quarter and a ninth complete, respectively,” the silver-haired Arsena replied.

"There is one thing I think should be decided by you."

"The technical craftsmen of Sepra Mundi discovered a fragmented copy of the standard construction template data, and through research, they reconstructed a new shuttle."

The Primarch's attendant operated the data panel and presented the report to Ninglu.

Ninglu's inspection data parameters: length 11.8 meters, wingspan 21.45 meters, height 8.1 meters, weight 42 tons.

He then examined the holographic images of the experimental aircraft built by the craftsmen.

Ninglu immediately matched the shuttle with the one in his memory and recognized it.

Skyhawk Shuttle.

I remember that it originated in Sepra Mundi.

Besides ships, Cypra Mundy's flagship products include the Skyhawk shuttle.
Eagle shuttles are small transport spacecraft that are not typically used as combat vehicles. They are used to transport important personnel between orbital interstellar ships and planetary surfaces.

Users typically include high-ranking officials, judges, military commanders, and planetary governors—important figures in the empire.

"The shuttle also has an observation dome on the back of the fuselage behind the cockpit, which is better than the Stormbird's viewing window."

"During the experimental flight, the passenger comfort far exceeded that of all current void and atmospheric travel aircraft, and it has been welcomed by all the nobles of Sepra Mandy."

"As a legion base and serving as part of the Empire's hub in the Misty Starfield, the Sepra Mundi was highly sought after. Many powerful figures expressed their desire for it to be mass-produced as soon as possible, and they were willing to pay a price to obtain this aircraft."

After a moment of contemplation, Ninglu made a decision:
"The shape of this aircraft's wings resembles the Empire's iconic crest—the name Skyhawk, and the exhaust ports of multiple independent engines on the wings converge together, resembling wings, hence the name Skyhawk Shuttle."

He wasn't insisting on naming it after a name he remembered, but such a name, while highlighting its unique features, would make the powerful and wealthy willing to pay a higher price for it.

"The standard construction template technical data will be replicated and manufactured by the hive worlds such as Necromonda and the industrial world, and supplied to the imperial nobility."

"You choose which specific worlds will manufacture them."

In the short term, Nimrod will not allow Cypra Mundy, Triken and Vostonia, the future Kos, the Hurricane Star of the Collonid Abyss, etc., to possess world-class production capacity for civilian products comparable to that of the casting world.

Necromonda is an exception, with a production capacity far exceeding that of any other hive world or industrial world, thanks to its vast human resources and the technological legacy of the Orb Spider Alliance.

Ninglu hoped that Necromonda would eliminate its bad habits and develop comprehensively along its established trajectory, without limiting it to the military industry.

Necromonda is also the most suitable world for producing the Aquila Shuttle. The nobles of the Sun Sector are generally more numerous, wealthier, and more powerful than those of other star systems.

"The craftsmen who participated in the excavation of standard construction templates were assigned to selected worlds based on their merits."

"I will publicize your reward throughout the Legion's territory." The Primarch's servant understood his intention to encourage the discovery and innovation of technology without needing the Black Emperor's instructions.

After dealing with the Skyhawk shuttle incident, Ninglu turned his attention back to the war with Mitu.

"The three star fortresses are still under construction and cannot be deployed in this campaign. In other words, we can deploy two star fortresses in the battle against the Mitu."

"Given their deployment timeline, we need to decide how to deploy them now."

He turned his gaze to the first Ramirez-class star fortress, the Ramirez, commanded by Diana Pauline.

The female captain sensed the gaze of the Primarch. As a "mind reader," she possessed a powerful memory. She recalled the key points of memory formed after studying data from dozens of star systems of the Mitu United Empire.

"The Ramirez-class star fortress can serve as a strategic pivot, greatly accelerating the course of the war. Its deployment location should be a weak point in the enemy's defenses or a key strategic point."

"Without a doubt, the Manach system, as the capital of the Mitu United Empire, must have a star fortress."

“I believe another star fortress should be deployed in Dametus.”

The Primarch's servants highlighted the Dametus Galaxy in a cooperative manner.

After Diana nodded to Arsena, she continued, "The Knights of Veroni are the most determined force to resist within the sphere of influence of the Mitu United Empire."

"They have resisted the Mitu siege for centuries, and once liberated, they will join our war."

"According to information provided by the traveling merchants, Dametus is also located at the intersection of several smaller subspace routes, which is advantageous for further advances."

Ninglu nodded slightly, agreeing with most of Diana's views.

"From a purely military perspective, that's certainly true, but war is just a means; there should be more considerations."

The Mind Reader looked at Ninglu, and as always, she was unable to penetrate the Primarch's etheric field.

However, through long-term observation of her legions and others, Diana has already fully mastered the power of the "Mind Reader," and her abilities and skills are much stronger than when she first advanced to Sequence 8.

While the "Mind Reader" cannot read the superficial thoughts of others as she does with others, she can at least begin to simulate their thought processes. Although the Primarch's thoughts are difficult to fathom, having followed Nimrod for so long, she can still manage to do so with some difficulty.

The "Mind Reader" attempts to adopt the perspective of the Primarch and examine the Abyss of Colony.

Knight World Baroda, Zavaric, Rascal...

Galaxy after galaxy and world after world flashed by before Diana’s eyes as the “mind reader” recalled the decisions made by the Primarch in the past.

Her brain-training cat lay at her feet, assisting her in thinking.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind.

In addition to instilling the idea of ​​grasping the key points in the legion members, Lord Nimrod also valued the worth of the objective.

The most valuable thing in the entire Abyss of Colony is...

Forging the world of Mezoa.
A flash of inspiration struck the "mind reader," and she spoke.

"It's not Damedus, it should be Mezoa."

“Now is the time when Mezoa is at his weakest. Once you deal with Mitu, you will surely win his friendship.”

The "mind reader" frowned again as he spoke.

"My lord, but according to the intelligence Lewis has gathered, Mezoa has become accustomed to the Mitu people's periodic cleansing and their actions to control the human population."

"Judging from their tacit agreement with the Mitu aliens to become invisible, they don't value flesh and blood assets that much..."

Diana suppressed her anger and analyzed Mezoa's possible attitude.

"Their casting temples and factories were not attacked like those in Incaladion."

"The friendship we gained in exchange for helping them out is not as good as that of Incarardion, who was in trouble, and even less so than that of the Veroni family, who were facing the threat of extinction."

“That’s right.” Ning Lu nodded slightly, acknowledging Diana’s concerns.

“Mezoa has been invaded by the Metu aliens for centuries, and they are more thirsty for defense than other Forged Worlds.”

“They will definitely be interested once they discover that the Ramirez-class Starfortress can establish defenses in the void and keep the enemy out of Mezoa.”

Ninglu believes that there must be an implicit need in Mezoa. No world-building entity wants its territory to be periodically invaded and its "assets" destroyed.

“My lord, I understand.” Diana understood what Nimrod meant.

“My Lord,” the Primarch’s servant said after recording the command, “the First Legion and the Fourteenth Legion have completed their assembly at the Forgeworld Lucius.”

Ninglu turned his gaze toward the abyss of Colony.

He first ruled out Dametus and Baroda, both of whom were part of the world rescued and controlled by the "Shadow of Order".

Secondly, we must rule out Manach, the stronghold of the Mitu, where some of the bloody arcane technology still holds value.

Ninglu believes that after acquiring the technology possessed by the Mitu people, think tanks can conduct research and develop psionic technology that does not burn flesh and blood.

"The First Legion's mission is the Grail Abyss."

The Grail Abyss is teeming with Metu people, but it will be insignificant in the future Colony Sector.

Nimrod decided to hand this tough nut to the task, to Urian Bendreg, who was eager to prove himself.

Of course, the forces he assigned to the First Legion weren't the most difficult to fight; the elite main force of the Mitu were in Manach.

"I will personally lead the Sixth, Tenth, and Eleventh War Chapters, along with the forces of the First and Twelfth War Chapters, to launch an offensive against the Cyclops Cluster."

During the Great Birthday Celebration, Horus Lupecal's most valued and first target was the Cyclopes Cluster.

The worlds of the Cyclops Cluster possess abundant mineral resources, which can serve as a foundation for the development of numerous industrial worlds in the future.

“A request was sent to Lucius, asking the Voidwalker Titan Legion and the Guardians to join the war.”

"The Fourteenth Legion followed in my footsteps. After the 'Shadow of Order' occupied Rascal, they marched independently with Zavaric as their target."

"Zawalich provides food to Mitu, and the Fourteenth Army's mission is to cut off the aliens' food supply."

Ninglu anticipated that the fall of Zavalich would attract a large number of Mitu troops, allowing the 14th Army Corps to fully utilize its defensive advantages.

Zavarich will be classified as part of the agricultural world in the future.

While oil enthusiasts may not be able to transform a mineral-poor world into an industrial world, or even the potential to forge a world, they can transform an agricultural world.

Even if Zachary is reduced to ruins, the losses will not be significant; a suitable world in the Colony sector can be transformed into an agricultural world.

Therefore, Ninglu entrusted Zavalich to the Fourteenth Army Corps with peace of mind.

(End of this chapter)