Warhammer: Empire Reboot

Lawson's infiltrators did not attempt to control the three captains.

They are simply facilitating the flow of information.

An undercover agent working for Grey Hook Malos secretly overstated the value of the goods by 30%.

A one-eyed assistant of the Dark Mechanicus under Savik's command determined that the forged STC rubbings "may involve ancient ship maintenance systems."

One of Irontooth Hall's lieutenants heard that Gray Hook and One-Eye were already planning to divide the spoils in secret.

Suspicion arises naturally.

Next, all we need to do is pass this message on to Huron.

Valk Bloodhook was dealing with a tax dispute at Rusty Star Wharf when he received the intelligence.

The intelligence came from three different sources.

The first document is a fragment of encrypted communication intercepted by a patrol boat on the perimeter of the Broken Ring Space Station.

The second document was a ransom request submitted by a black market slave trader.

The third report came from a registrar within the Red Pirates who discovered that Iron Fang, Gray Hook, and One-Eye had all recently mobilized their private armies without reporting to Huron.

The three intelligence reports are independent of each other.

The content, however, points to the same thing.

The three captains secretly met at the Broken Ring Space Station.

They have acquired control of an imperial smuggling ship loaded with enormous resources.

They planned to bypass Huron and divide the spoils.

More seriously, they may use this opportunity to recruit troops and establish new independent anchorages.

After reading it, Valcke did not do anything about it.

He sent the intelligence directly to the bridge of the Ghost of Destruction.

Huron sat on the throne and silently read through the three reports.

No one dared to utter a sound on the bridge.

Hamadleya squatted down beside her, giggling softly.

"Greedy teeth, fighting on the bone."

Valk whispered, "Overlord, the intelligence source is independent, but it could still be bait."

"Should we send a reconnaissance ship first?"

"It's too late."

Huron said coldly.

"If they are really dividing up the spoils, they will scatter as soon as the reconnaissance ship gets close."

"If they've already decided to hide the cargo in a ship graveyard, it could take years to find it again."

Valker said, "The Ghost of Destruction cannot move."

"I know."

Huron's voice trailed off.

The Destroyer Ghost is too big.

Too conspicuous.

The subspace engine signal of the ten-kilometer flagship was like a black sun in a storm.

Once it's activated, the broken-loop space station will have already been completely cleared out.

Irontooth Hall, Grayhook Malos, and One-Eyed Savik are all veteran pirates, not naive newcomers. Having lived in the Great Maelstrom for so long, they know best how to detect the movements of Huron's flagship.

If Huron wants to catch them in the act, he can't operate the Ghost of Destruction.

He has to be quick.

It must be kept hidden.

He must be beheaded with lightning speed.

Huron looked at Valcke.

"Summon the Black Claw Guard."

"Deploy three stealth cruisers and six fast attack frigates."

"Disable the regular Red Pirate identification signal."

"Use the ship graveyard route to get there."

Valcke's eyes narrowed.

"You're going in person?"

Huron stared at him.

"If they really betray us, I must cut off their heads with my own hands."

"If this is a trap, I want to know who set it."

"Sending someone else won't be enough to control the situation."

Iron Teeth, Gray Hook, and One-Eyed are all captains.

Each of them has its own fleet, crew, and network of interests.

If only ordinary Red Pirate officers are sent, they are very likely to delay, make excuses, split up and escape, or even open fire directly.

Huron's personal presence carries a different significance.

The Pirate King's intimidation was enough to keep them from making any rash moves for a short period of time.

At the same time, Huron himself is strong enough.

He was not a nobleman hiding behind the throne.

He is a ruthless tyrant who rose from the ashes of Badab, and the master of the Red Pirates.

Valcke lowered his head.

"I arrange."

Huron then looked at Hamadleya.

"You remain on the Ghost of Destruction."

Hamad Leah tilted her head.

"Aren't you taking me with you?"

Huron said, "You will take command of the flagship."

"No matter what happens, the treasure vault must not be compromised."

Hamadleya grinned.

"What if there's a psionic trap on the other side of the broken ring?"

“I’m bringing two wizards and Black Claw psionic locks.”

Huron said coldly, "You are more important."

This made Hamad Leah laugh even more heartily.

It likes to be needed.

I also like to know that others are afraid of its absence.

Huron continued, "While I was away, the Ghost of Destruction went into inner-level alert."

"All vault gates are locked."

"No box may be moved without my key."

"Anyone who approaches the core vault, kill."

He looked at Valcke.

"You stay on the flagship as well."

Valcke looked up.

This was somewhat unexpected.

"Your Majesty, I may follow you..."

"You stay."

Huron interrupted him.

"The vortex is more important now than the broken ring."

"If this is a diversionary tactic, the real target is to destroy the Ghost."

"I'm going to kill the traitor."

"You stay home."

Valcke immediately understood.

Huron was not blinded by anger.

He led a sufficient elite force to carry out decapitation strikes and used a concealed fleet to quickly approach Broken Ring.

Meanwhile, the second-in-command and the strongest psionic vigilant were left to guard the flagship.

If they don't go, they might allow the three captains to swallow up huge sums of money, or even incite more captains to betray them.

If the faction is too weak, it can't be controlled.

Sending the flagship vehicle there would alert the enemy.

Leading an elite small fleet personally is the fastest and most intimidating way.

Leaving Valk and Hamadley to guard the Ghost of Destruction would prevent the true target from being the flagship.