Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 232 Rogue Trader
Since the signing of the Stellaris Protocol, Mars has held countless internal meetings regarding the protocol.

The mechanical sages were outraged and demanded that the Forging General step down, accusing him of betraying the interests of Mars.

"Whoever can handle this better than me, I will voluntarily step down." With just one sentence, the Forging General silenced the Mechanical Sages.

They all understood the situation at the time; there was no other way to guarantee Mars' interests.

The so-called "indignation" was nothing more than an attempt to use it as leverage to blackmail the general and gain more benefits for their own faction.

To express Mars' dissatisfaction, someone finally came up with a "good idea".

In the portal world of the Nur constellation, establish a Mechanicus space station and sell the same goods as Nur.

Not for profit, but simply to make the stars of Nuer Qunxing unhappy.

Some mechanical sages suggested that Nur's counterattack would be fierce, but dissenting voices were drowned out.

The Mechanical Cult is so proud; they must regain the face they lost!

As for Nur's retaliation? Who cares!
Initially, the plan went quite smoothly. In the portal world's trading center, whatever Nur sold, the Mechanicus would immediately offer a competing product.
The quality of the products was not as good as that of Nuer's creations, but the price of the mechanical products was lower.

Wandering merchants and nomads lacked a sense of belonging, so in order to earn more profit, they naturally chose to buy inexpensive products.

A business that loses money but gains publicity naturally received widespread praise.

Now, retribution has come. And it came swiftly, without giving any chance to resist.

“I don’t think you need to evacuate.” Doom placed a piece and continued playing against Russ.

No need to evacuate?

The Primarch's words left the Mechanic Sage stunned. Could it be that the Primarch still allowed the space station to exist?

However, Doom's next words made him realize that he had overestimated the magnanimity of the imperial offspring.

"Your personnel evacuate, leaving the space station and stored cargo behind. Transport all cargo currently in transit here, along with ten resource planets, as compensation for our losses."

Doom's voice was flat and emotionless, yet it was like the low growl of a lion, making the Mecha Sage tremble with fear.

“I need to consult with Mars.” He bowed again in respect and requested a brief leave of absence.

“Okay.” Doum nodded, signaling him to leave, then added a warning: “If they don’t agree, Nur will increase the existing production capacity.”

The mechanical sage jolted, and the modified mechanical appendages under his red robe moved even faster. The communication module built into his body sent a message to the docked ship, requesting instructions from Mars in the language of stars.

He had been in the portal world for many years and had some knowledge of the Nur Stars.

Not to mention the newly built casting worlds, there are thirty-six casting worlds within the core territory of Nur, which contain a massive number of well-preserved STC templates.

To maintain the existing war needs and provide civilian industrial goods, the only option is to activate the six Forging Worlds.

The increased production capacity of the Nur Star system will inevitably lead to the sale of war machines to the Empire, creating fierce competition with Mars.

Although the Stellar Protocol stipulates that the Cult of Mechanics provides STCs to Nur, and Nur's Stellar constellations provide limited military equipment to the Empire to protect the interests of the Cult of Mechanics.

However, it should not be forgotten that the terms also stipulate that the Mechanicus cannot infringe upon the interests of the Nur Stars in the Empire.

The Mechanicus was also skirting the issue in the Gateway Galaxy.

Selling goods to wandering merchants and ronin was a way to avoid direct conflict and to obscure the terms of the treaty.

"I will convey your words." The mechanical sage left even faster, making a decision as quickly as possible to prevent the Primarch from further increasing the pressure.

The sage was certain that Mars would compromise; he simply needed to wait for authorization.

It's impossible for the Forging General to break ties with the Nur Star System over ten resource worlds; that would be bad for both sides.

I've vented my anger and disgusted the original entity; it's time to leave.

After the mechanical sage left, Doom put down the chessboard and began playing. He spun his chair so that he would face the lady who had been waiting for a long time below.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” He smiled kindly, like a gentleman apologizing to a lady: “I’m sorry to have neglected you just now.”

"You need not apologize. It is an honor for me and my family to witness the Primarch's glory."

The woman knelt down on one knee and spoke sincere words in a very emotional voice.

Doom nodded slowly, carefully examining the traveling merchants Sophia had selected, a look of approval flashing in his eyes.

The woman was dressed in Gothic clothing, her waist was cinched very thin, and she carried a scimitar of honor at her waist.

She wasn't young, but she still had a certain charm. Her skin was slightly loose, but it was heavily made up, with bright red lips and thick eyeshadow around her eyes.

A typical strong woman, she proudly raised her head, her white hair styled into an elegant updo, her amber eyes showing no sign of timidity.

“Victoria Regner, Queen of the Regner family.” A woman’s profile popped up in front of Doom as he addressed the kneeling woman.

"A small family of traveling merchants has maintained an extremely high reputation in the transaction records of the portal world and has never broken a promise."

“That’s why your family has a high volume of transactions but hasn’t achieved better development.” He nodded with satisfaction and said to Ms. Victoria, “But I think this integrity and openness deserve a reward.”

Victoria trembled with excitement, her eyes welling up with tears. She understood that her family's commitment to their reputation had finally paid off.

“Look at this shipping route.” With the Primarch’s calm voice, a miniature version of the galaxy appeared before Victoria’s eyes.

In the dazzling galaxy, starting from the hazy star field, a route leads directly to the solar star field, the world of humankind's throne—Terra.

“This is…” Ms. Victoria was so excited that she couldn’t contain herself. Even though she had traveled through the stars, she felt like a newcomer to the family boarding a ship for the first time when facing this route.

“I’ve heard a lot from my brothers,” Doum explained calmly. “Nur’s goods, after changing hands many times, have become worth hundreds of millions of times more than they originally were, and I don’t like that.”

“A case of wine, a transport ship.” Ruth’s face darkened as he added, seemingly recalling the actions of those unscrupulous merchants.

"Therefore, I plan to establish a shipping route to transport supplies to Terra at a stable price, while also leaving room for profit for you."

Doom's gaze was intense, as if trying to pierce through the woman's soul: "Can the Regner family take over this transport route?"

After learning about the exorbitant premium, Doom had this idea: to make a contribution to people's livelihoods.

The scale of the agricultural industry was completely beyond Nur's capacity to absorb, and warehouses were being built one after another.

Instead of letting agricultural products pile up like mountains, it would be better to transport them out so that people in impoverished worlds can have more food to eat.

Terra. A political and cultural center for humanity, yet it has just as many people living in poverty.

When I last left Terra, the population had already exceeded 700 billion and was still rising.

As the Great Crusade progressed, more and more people came to Terra, trying every possible way to stay.

When leaving Terra, the most serious thing to check is the Terran dirt hidden in your palm or backpack.

In the lower nests of the city, the poor are crammed together, and millions starve to death every day.

One of Makado's problems is how to bring in large amounts of water and food to feed the population of Terra.

Terra no longer has oceans and a water cycle; the concept of the ocean within her was sacrificed to a demon by an old Night Warlord.

Doom's idea was straightforward.

Wine and other luxury goods were sold to the nobles of Terra, who were never short of money.

The money and supplies obtained from luxury goods were used to cover the losses incurred in transporting grain, ensuring the healthy balance of income and expenditure in waterway transportation.

He wasn't particularly philanthropic; his purpose was quite simple.

Reduce inventory pressure in the Nur Star Cluster, curb rampant prices and prevent smuggling, and incidentally help Macado solve some minor problems.

“Thank you for the Primarch’s favor. The Regner family will certainly live up to your expectations.” Lady Victoria punched her chest, accepting the appointment with a resounding tone.

She knew that the rise and fall of her family depended on this one move, and she had to seize this opportunity.

"Faced with enormous profits, can the Regner family stay true to their original aspirations? Let us witness this with time."

As he spoke, Doom reached out and took the parchment scroll from the court maid; it contained a pre-drafted trade agreement.

"Let me see." Ruth suddenly stood up, snatched the scroll of the agreement, and began to read it carefully.

Doom was surprised by his brother's actions, but he didn't scold or ask any questions. Every move Ruth made had a deeper meaning.

"Bring me a pen," Ruth said, gesturing for a maid to hand him a quill pen. He took a sip from the nib, and the ink stained his lips black.

He scribbled away with his pen, writing new content on the parchment, nodded in satisfaction, and then stepped back in front of Doom.

Doom took a closer look and immediately smiled helplessly.

Russ valued the convenience of the merchant fleet, and if Fenris ordered supplies from Nur, he would send the fleet to deliver them.

This is not a major issue. Fenris is located on the edge of the solar system, so the fleet does not need to turn in the subspace; it only needs to enter and exit the real universe.

In return, Space Wolves will send one hundred Space Marines to provide some security for the Regner family fleet.

This was not to be refused; Ruth had already signed his name.

Doom signed his name, and the maidservant presented the lady with a parchment scroll, gesturing for her to sign it.

"The Regner family will never break the agreement!" Victoria shouted, drawing her ceremonial sword from her waist and placing her hand on the agreement.

Blood soaked the merchant agreement, but her expression remained resolute as she recited the oath of a wandering merchant.

Doom nodded at her resolve, but still solemnly warned, "Never forget the oath we made today. If you break the agreement, the Regner family will face trial."

“Never forget!” Victoria’s voice was as firm as steel.

(The black uncle is here!)

(End of this chapter)