Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

"'Went along' doesn't do it justice," Kayvaan replied with a smirk. "He's ecstatic. Thrilled beyond words, really. You know how the Mechanicus operates—a structured hierarchy with strict criteria for promotion. Gustav's discovery on Aion five years ago got him noticed, but it wasn't enough to secure his advancement. To move up, he needs to elevate the Forge World's status. That means improving its output, quality, and overall efficiency. In short, he needs a miracle."

Mordaine tilted her head, curious. "So, you're his miracle worker now?"

"In a way," Kayvaan admitted. "The Forge World's production capacity hinges on two factors: raw materials and demand. You can't produce high-tech equipment without the right minerals, and even the best-crafted items are useless if there's no market for them. Gustav knows this better than anyone. Without raw materials, you can't forge a blade, no matter how skilled the artisan. And without buyers, your warehouses just fill with rusting stock. That's why this plan works. We secure the materials, provide a steady supply, and help the Forge World scale up. Gustav gets his promotion, and we get the equipment we need for our defense projects. It's a win-win."

A Forge World is a colossal planetary factory, but even such massive industrial operations have limits. The underground mines on Forge Worlds can only yield so much. Mining veins requires detailed surveys, digging, and extensive supporting infrastructure. Even when operations are accelerated, the total output remains finite. Kayvaan's proposal offered Gustav a solution to two critical issues. Space is rich with untapped resources, particularly in asteroid belts—treasure troves of minerals waiting to be mined. If Kayvaan's envisioned mining companies became operational, the influx of raw materials would grow exponentially. Beyond that, Kayvaan had another advantage: a vast consumer base. If he wanted, he could arm every citizen of Reach with a laser rifle. As the ambitious governor of a civilized world, the sheer scale of his market was staggering.

For Gustav, the plan was a godsend. He envisioned a path from the Far East to the holy world of Mars itself. In gratitude, Gustav personally granted Kayvaan thirty training slots, allowing him to send individuals from Reach to Mars for advanced Mechanicus training. Gustav even hinted that if he achieved promotion, his successor could be chosen from these trainees, giving Kayvaan significant influence within the Mechanicus hierarchy.

The arrangement was mutually beneficial. Gustav could advance within the Mechanicus, while Kayvaan gained a trained cadre loyal to his goals. However, these deeper implications were not something Kayvaan intended to share with the Countess. "The next issue," Kayvaan began, "is the handling of precious mineral deposits. Some of these require high-end space smelting technologies that we don't currently possess. That's where you come in."

"Me?" Mordaine tilted her head, intrigued.

"Yes, you. Merchants don't just deal in goods for profit. Technology, information, and even intelligence can be bought and sold. The Black Rose was originally just an exploration ship, but I'll have it outfitted with additional cargo holds. Still, its capacity won't match a dedicated freighter, which means you'll need to focus on higher-end products."

Mordaine considered this for a moment. "Luxury goods could work. They're expensive, don't take up much space, and trading them allows us to gauge the connections and economic strength of other galaxies. As for the rare minerals we can't process, we could sell those to advanced systems that have the technology. That's what I can think of for now."

"That's more than enough," Kayvaan said approvingly. "I'll also be sending a few personnel with you."

"Oh? Spies?" Mordaine asked with a sly grin.

"Not exactly. They're like you—helping me generate income. They'll be spreading the name of Coca-Cola across the stars."

Mordaine laughed. "Coca-Cola? Really?"

Kayvaan smirked. "It's a legend waiting to happen."

"Anything else before I go?" Mordaine asked as the conversation wound down.

"Trade between star systems isn't just profitable—it's obscenely lucrative. But within the Imperium, most of the major routes are controlled by trading families and mega-corporations. The Far East is a little less restrictive, but it still has its share of powerful companies. Don't clash with them unnecessarily. Focus on charting new routes and gathering market intelligence about nearby systems. Profit can wait."

"I understand," Mordaine said, nodding. After dinner, Mordaine left with uncharacteristic urgency. Initially, she had anticipated a more relaxed evening, but after seeing the schedule Kayvaan provided, her mood shifted. Time was tight—he wanted her to leave port within a month. The urgency underscored just how critical this mission was.

Mordaine adjusted her own plans, shaving the timeline down to two weeks. In the lucrative world of interstellar trade, delays were tantamount to wasted fortunes. Time was, quite literally, money. This pragmatic efficiency was one of the reasons Kayvaan valued her so much. While she enjoyed luxury and indulgence, Mordaine understood the importance of results. She knew that beyond her allure, it was her competence that secured her place in Kayvaan's inner circle. What she could achieve in business made her indispensable.

Once Mordaine departed, Kayvaan turned his attention to Reach's administrative affairs. He convened several internal meetings to finalize the planet's strategic direction. Jacob, head of the think tank, was assigned to oversee the training of new recruits, while Bell, the Mechanicus priest attached to his forces, continued his work on various projects.

With his arrangements complete, Kayvaan made his way to the spaceport. In the bridge, Kayvaan was greeted by Chapter Priest Marius Benedictus, who had been awaiting his arrival."Is everything ready?" Kayvaan asked.

"We're just waiting on you," Marius replied.

"Then let's go. Set course for the Eridanus System."

Among the three galaxies under Kayvaan's control, the Winter Solstice System barely warranted attention. Its planets were barren and lifeless, utterly unfit for human habitation. It was a forgotten corner of the cosmos, its name spoken only in passing.

The Eridanus System, though slightly more notable, was hardly a jewel in the crown. It was the kind of place that faded into obscurity, overlooked even by imperial bureaucrats. There were no rare resources, no exceptional fauna or flora to draw interest. Its only noteworthy feature was the presence of three habitable planets: Eridanus 4, Eridanus 6, and Eridanus 8.

The indifference of the Imperium was evident in their unimaginative naming scheme. The planets were identified by numbers rather than any meaningful titles, a stark reminder of their insignificance. Their systems were remote, their economies stagnant, and their inhabitants clinging to either feudal or primitive lifestyles. The history of these colonies was a tale of hope turned tragedy. During the golden age of humanity, daring settlers had spread across the System, establishing colonies on distant worlds. But when the cataclysmic Warp storms tore through the System, trade routes were severed, and interstellar travel ground to a halt. The newly established colonies found themselves cut off from the support of the Imperium.

At first, the colonists hoped the storms would abate. But as the years stretched into decades and generations passed, that hope dimmed. Without the lifelines of supplies and technology, many colonies regressed, their advancements crumbling. Some were destroyed outright, while others descended into primitive states of existence, akin to falling from an industrialized world into the Stone Age.