Warhammer: Dark Knights

016.M36

Eternal Vigilance

Isstvan III - Isstvan system

"So," Atharion raised his head for the report. "they have found the STC."

"Indeed." Selina reply while handing him another report. "The other STC that you specify also have been retrieve."

In the 7 months he stay on the forge world helping Nine salvaged, researched and rebuidled all the equipments with the STC that have been found on the forge world and retrieve from Kar-1, they actually have multiple successful results.

First, the combining of Mk IV Maximus and Mk VIII Errant power armor. While schematic that retrieve from Kar-1 have a detailed information on how to build the Mk IV, it's not without flaw. For reasons unknown, whether due to intentional tampering or corruption of the original data, the power system of the armor failed to provide optimal energy output for the power armor, despite the generator itself being functional.

So, Atharion decided to integrate the systems of Mk IV into Mk VIII, refining the power distributiona, structural integrity and agility. This allowed the chapter to field improved armor without catching too much attention. Outfitting an entire chapter in Mk VIII would certainly raise questions, but it was still preferable to openly fielding ancient and supposedly lost and relic Mk IV suits.

Secondly, the Javelin. The main problem for it is the complexity of the advanced gravitic nullification. As Javelin function same as the Land Speeder, having some identical systems, Atharion and Nine use the Land Speeder system as a foundation to build a new and cheaper version of the advanced gravitic nullification.

In 2 months since the research begin, both of them successful in building the new one. Atharion using the knowledge he gain from the dream and Nine using the knowledge he learn when he still serving on Mars, Atha-N pattern advanced gravitic nullification birth into existence. It's can function just the same like the original advanced gravitic nullification, only that it using more common materials to build. But of course, this means that it's actually broke more often and needed more resources in maintenance.

Despite this, the Atha-N pattern still allow the mass production of Javelin at a lower cost of materials and time. Even lowering the overall cost in repairing the Javelin as the Atha-N pattern is more easily to maintain and fix. This allow the chapter to deploy a large numbers of Javelin in battle.

At the same time, this new system opened the door for the revival of the Jetbike. Since both the Javelin and Jetbike utilized similar gravitic nullification technology, the Atha-N pattern, after undergoing minor modifications, could be seamlessly integrated into Jetbike designs.

Thirdly, the design of Land Raider Crusader. While not having the STC for it, using the knowledge from the dream and information that Atharion still remember about it from the past, he was able to recreate the design schematics from memory. Working alongside Nine, they successful in building one prototype.

The prototype perform well, functioning and moving just like what Atharion still remember. But of course, it's still not the final product. As it still having problem with the power system, the generator can't generate enough power for the multi-melta and the other weapons system to fire without shutting down the other systems. So, the production for the Crusader is put to a halt until the STC for it have been recovered and the vehicle can be prefected.

Finally, the most important advancement is the integration of the new cooling system into the current arsenal. The system as planned have been successfully replace the original cooling system for the 3 different terminator armor pattern that currently can be produced. The Cataphractii Pattern, Tartaros Pattern and Indomitus Pattern have all been retrofit with the new cooling system.

In Atharion opinion, the main reason why the terminator move so slow is mainly the power generator problem. Because the armor can't be fit with more powerful generator, fearing the heat will actually kill the wearer or blow up as the heat build up. Using this new cooling system with the Helfrost crystal, the generator can be keep in an optimal heat level even when it is being running for a long time or overcharged.

Other than terminator armor, Dreadnought also have benefit from this. As experiment show positive results as the occupant feeling much less strains, mainly physical strain when operating the machine. As the cooling system actually make the machine operate smother than original, resulting in slight increase in agility and response time. It also allow the plasma, flame and melta based weapons on the Dreadnought to fire more frequent than normal.

There is still great potential for this cooling system. If it can be miniaturized, it could be integrated into plasma weaponry, significantly increasing rate of fire and safety. At the same time, if it can be scaled up, it could potentially be mounted on larger vehicles, heavy weapon systems, and even Titans or Knights, improving their thermal efficiency and sustained fire capabilities significantly.

However, due to the limited number of Helfrost crystals, production remains restricted. Currently, only ten systems for Tartaros Pattern Terminator armor, two for Contemptor Pattern Dreadnoughts, and one prototype system designed for larger war machines. Until more Helfrost crystals can be obtained or an alternative cooling medium is discovered, production will remain impossible.

After spending 7 months on the world, Atharion decided it's time to leave the world to continue his efforts in massing as much strength to help him defend the Imperium, and more importantly, to ensure his own survival and the ones he care.

Before leaving the Anvilus Nine, he instructed the 4th company to embark on a journey towards Jerulas in Segmentum Pacificus to retrieve ancient techno-arcana, located in one of the hive city.

While the 3rd company send to Nephilim Sector to recover the STC for improved jet engines that used by the Dark Angels to build the Nephilim Jetfighter in the original timeline. As they need to search an entire sector, they have been deployed with 10 Vanguard strike cruisers, so that they can search multiple worlds at the same time.

After 3 months journey, Atharion finally received news from both companies. Both things that he have instructed them to recover are now in their possession, and they are currently returning to Anvilus Nine, so that the full production for the Land Raider Crusader and the Nephilim Jetfighter can start as soon as possible.

Especially with Atharion having already designed and prepared detailed schematics for both vehicles, production could begin immediately, as soon as Nine finished analyzing the designs, optimizing their construction, and integrating the schematics into the forge's manufacturing systems.

As Atharion reading all the documents, mainly informations collected by the 10th company, a voice suddenly broke the silence.

"My liege, we have arrived." A cold voice come from the vox.

"Understand," Atharion replied. "prepare my Stormbird and the Thunderhawks. We shall go to the surface."

"Your will." The voice replied.

"Selina, stay on the ship." Atharion said as he moving towards the door. "It will be a quick journey."

"Stay safe, young master." Selina said with a small smile.

Atharion nodded before exited the room. As he continues towards the hanger, two honor guards follow him closely. Two of them have become colder and less human then before. Not only these two, the whole honor guards retinue have change too.

They become more and more like a machine than humans, even the men in the 1st company still have some flesh on them. But, there no longer flesh on the honor guards, other than the important organs.

The Ferrus' curse have strike again, this time harder than before. When Atharion meet with the commander of the honor guards to learn what happen. The commander said that not only him, but the others all suffer a same dream. Because of their failure, lack in strength that Atharion have been killed by a Chaos space marine.

So, too make sure the dream can stop and they will not lack the strength to protect him, all of them once again start to change all their flesh to bionics. Only when all their flesh, other than the important organs have been change to bionics does the nightmare stop.

While most of them stop the moment the nightmare stop, satisfied that their new, steel-forged bodies would grant them the strength they needed.

Some of them continue, took it further. They fused themselves into the Tartaros Pattern terminator armor. no longer merely wearing it, but becoming one with it, a twisted parallel to the Dreadnoughts of the Chapter. Their armor was no longer just a shell, but their new body.

As Atharion dig deeper into the details of the dream, he actually now some what know what the dream is.

All of them described the same scenario.

No matter where they were.

No matter how they got there.

No matter why they were there.

No matter which Legion's traitor they face.

The ending was always the same, Atharion's head severed from his body by a Chaos Space Marine, displayed atop a high vantage point for all of them to see clearly.

A very familiar setting for Atharion.

'The death of Ferrus Manus.' He though. Same dead, similar place and with his Morlock, his most loyal honor guards, around him, witnessing his dead.

It was too similar for a coincidence.

After some more research, Atharion found out that the Iron Hands gene-seed use for the project are all from the Avernii clan. As the warriors from that clan are the strongest of them, the 12 members choose it as the base for the new gene-seed.

This connected some dots, but it still did not explain why this dream occurred. Even if such a vision were to plague the Iron Hands and their successors, should it not be Ferrus Manus who fell in the dream, rather than himself?

The only fortunate detail was that no corruption, genetic, psychic, or otherwise, had been found in the affected warriors, nor in the 1st Company as a whole.

As a hiss filled his ear, Atharion is break from his thinking. When he raised his head, he realized already arrived at the hanger. Stormbird with the rest of the honor guards ready for his arrival. Two squads of terminator from 1st company standing near the Thunderhawks.

When Atharion approach the Stormbird, the commander of the honor guards, Draevan said with a mechanical voice.

"My liege, we have received coordinate from the reconnaissance team."

"Good," Atharion nodded. "we will go straight to the location then. Tell the reconnaissance team to ready for our arrival."

Draevan inclined his head in acknowledgment, his bionics whirring softly as he transmitted the order.

As Atharion strode up the ramp of the Stormbird, his honor guards follow in silence, with only sounds of bionics come from them. The 1st company also enter their assign Thunderhawks.

As the ramp sealed shut with a heavy clang, the Stormbird's engines roared to full power, propelling it into the void. The two Thunderhawks followed in close formation, their armored hulls reflecting the distant glow of the stars.

Atharion remained seated, his mind thinking what's the words he should use. The reconnaissance team already located the target, now it's fall on him to talk and bring that person back.

A vox chime interrupted his thoughts.

"My lord, we are approaching the designated drop zone. Prepare for touchdown."

Atharion and his Honor Guard rose in unison, the faint hum of servos and clanking of bionics the only sound within the Stormbird.

Draevan turned to Atharion, his mechanical voice cutting through the silence. "My liege, how shall we proceed upon landing?"

"With caution," Atharion said. "this is a conversation, not a battle. But if it comes to that…" He glanced at the Honor Guard. "we do what must be done."

Draevan inclined his head in understanding.

With a heavy thud, the Stormbird have just landed. When the ramp lowered and the view of the ground can be view, the only thing Atharion can see is destruction.

Everywhere be look, only destruction can be see. The collapsed building, the destroy vehicles from the traitor legion, even some of the weapons and power armors from both loyalist and traitor can be see scattered around.

But, this is not Atharion come for. After everyone have disembark, all of them moved towards the objective.

When they arrived, Atharion can see the reconnaissance squad. A team of five Astarte, clad in Mk VI Corvus power armor. Each of them are equip with Stalker bolter, sensory-auspices, and stealth equipment. Unlike standard scouts, these warriors were elite, formed in the style of the reconnaissance squads of the old Legions. Only the most experienced or capable Astartes were chosen for such a role.

The Chapter had only fifteen such squads currently, all technically part of the 10th company. However, they did not answer to its company Master. Instead, they received orders directly from the Round Table, or in some cases, from Atharion himself.

Currently, the Astarte that have been put into the reconnaissance squad are all have gene modifications even before they begin the implantation of gene-seed organs.

All fo them are genetically-engineered clones that Nine created. Each of them are stronger, larger, smarter and faster than normal mortals.

Then, each of them are dropped onto a death world, left to survive for a week. But, this is not the end as each of them have been given a simple order by Nine.

"Kill the others."

Nine have told them that the gene-seed organs available for them are limited. So, they need to kill the others to secure a spot for themselves.

This is a lie. The gene-seed organs are always sufficient. The current gene-seed organs stockpile can rebuild a whole company, or even half of the chapter if needed.

As the reconnaissance squad need to operate behind enemies lines for a long time, they could not just be strong or skilled, they also need to be more ruthless, resourceful, and more independent than normal Astarte.

While Atharion still opposed the idea of just making them killed each other just to find the strongest, as it's different when he's here, reading the report and even see the survivors from the test, not when like he just reading it from the story or internet in previous life.

He understands that for he to gain the upper hand in the future, he has to do anything to have it, especially in this universe.

"My lord." The reconnaissance sergeant said while lowering his head a little to show respect. As the same of other members of the squad.

"Sergeant, so he's in this underground hanger?"

"Yes my lord." The sergeant replied. "I gave personally conducted a visual confirmation. It's match the description."

"Good." Atharion said. "My honor guards shall accompany me, the rest of you shall stay behind and guard the entrance."

The 1st company position themselves at the entrance, acting as the shield for the entrance. While the reconnaissance squad spread out further from the entrance, using their sensory-auspices to scan for threats.

While the route is full of rubble, Atharion and his honor guards can still moved through it. With the two honor guards serve as the vanguard, both of them cleared the route with ease.

Finally, after 10 minutes of journey, they finally arrived at a large area, and at the center of it, a purple Contemptor Dreadnought.

'Rylanor.' Atharion though as he approached him slowly.

When Atharion survey Rylanor, he already see the thing that he afraid the most. 'The Virus Bomb.'

Suddenly, a sound emanated from the Dreadnought's vox grille, distorted yet unmistakably clear. Atharion and his honor guards froze, their weapons at the ready.

A low, mechanical voice, laced with ancient sorrow, rumbled through the chamber.

"Who… stands before me?"

Atharion exhaled slowly. He had expected this moment, yet now that it had come, he felt the weight of it pressing down upon him.

Stepping forward, he speak with a calm and soothing tone.

"I'm Atharion, Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Knights chapter. We are not your enemies."

Silence followed. The only sound was the faint hum of failing power sources within the hangar. Then, the Dreadnought's head-plate shifted slightly, his optics glowing a faint, flickering red.

"Dark… Knights?" He speak with confusion. "I do not know this name."

Atharion took another step closer. "You wouldn't. We are not of your time. But I know who you are, Rylanor, the Ancient of Rites of the Emperor's Children."

Hearing this, the sound from the Dreadnought becoming louder. Following this is the voice of Rylanor.

"How do you know who I am?" He questions, with his assault cannon starting to turn towards Atharion.

"I'm come here by the will of the Emperor, Rylanor." Atharion quickly said. "The Heresy has ended. It's already ended for five thousand years."

The assault cannon stop moving, even the sounds become more quiet. Rylanor didn't said anything for a few seconds, processing the information.

"Five.... thousand years?" His voice full of confusion and sadness.

"Indeed." Atharion continue. " Horus have been killed by Emperor himself, the traitor have been banished to the Eye of Terror. The Imperium still stand."

There was a brief pause before the sounds of Rylanor's ancient machine frame flared to life once more, his voice growing stronger.

"Then… what of Fulgrim? Has he been punished?"

Just as Atharion still thinking on how to answer the question, he can feel something shift. But, before he can found out what happen, Rylanor suddenly said, calmer that before.

"I will follow you."

Atharion froze for a brief moment, his mind catching up with what he had just heard. This is wrong, he hasn't answered the question, he hasn't even began to convince Rylanor to follow him.

'This is weird, something wrong.'

But, what's that matter is that Rylanor was willing to follow him. Whatever had just happened, whatever had caused this sudden shift in Rylanor's decision, Atharion knew he couldn't waste this opportunity.

He pushed his suspicions aside for now. The Imperium needed warriors like Rylanor, loyal and unyielding.

"That is good to hear," Atharion said with a nod. Then, with a more relaxed tone, he asked, "Should I prepare a new Contemptor Dreadnought for you, or would you prefer this one repaired?"

Rylanor was silent for a moment before he spoke. "Prepare a new one for me. This is a new beginning, and it is better to start anew. Especially since the systems of this Dreadnought are beginning to fail."

"Understood." Atharion said. "I will prepare the new Dreadnought myself, one that worthy for you."

Then, Atharion turned his back on Rylanor and talk into the vox, making the preparation to transport Rylanor back to Eternal Vigilance and the operation to move Rylanor into a new Contemptor Dreadnought.

As he spoke, Rylanor kept his gaze fixed on him, a golden light glowing faintly from one of his eye lenses.

'If it is your will, my Lord, I shall shield him from any threat… and this time, I will not fail you.'