The Talavera Immigrants
Nimrod sat in the black Golden Throne in the reception room, looking at Saul, the chieftain of the Tarawa Tribe, in front of him.
He had black hair, soft facial features, slightly high cheekbones, a slightly wide nose, reddish-brown skin, and light gray eyes.
Saul wore a long gray robe covered with runes resembling lightning bolts and minerals.
He bowed deeply. "Greetings, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, Nimrod."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Chief Saul."
"Please have some tea. This is black tea grown in the Cradle of the Sea. Even the Emperor himself praised its superior quality after tasting it."
Saul had gathered intelligence before coming here.
In several versions of Nimrod's meeting with the Emperor, it is mentioned that the Primarch served the Emperor black tea, and the Emperor greatly appreciated its taste.
"My pleasure."
Nimrod chatted with Saul about the close cooperation between Tarawa and the Old Man in Yellow, and after talking for a while about the local customs and culture of their respective territories, he asked a question.
What brings you to see me today?
When Saul heard the Primarch ask about it, he explained his purpose.
"My lord, I hope to gain your support in protecting the colonization of Tarawa in the Segmentum Pacificus."
The Primarch's gaze was deep, and his consciousness spread toward Saul, seeping through the furnace-like gate, where he understood the dilemma facing Tarawa and the chieftain's intentions.
During the era of Terra's unification, the Tarawa tribe cooperated closely with the Old Man in Yellow, but with the signing of the Treaty of Olympia, their position was gradually replaced by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Saul realized that a new way out had to be found, and he decided to lead the Tarawa people out of Terra and colonize other worlds.
The Tarawa prepared for this for over a decade, but unfortunately, their first attempt at colonization ended in a major failure.
The Tarawa colonial fleet encountered a powerful Xenos, a squid-like Xenos.
Ultimately, the Tarawa lost more than half of their fleet, and the remaining ships fled back to Terra in disarray.
The Tarawa people suffered a devastating defeat, not only expending vast amounts of resources but also losing countless members of their tribe—a heavy blow.
The Tarawa may have disappeared into the annals of history because of their failed interstellar colonization.
Of course, it's also possible that they established their own colonies outside of Terra, but then lost contact with Terra.
Yes, the planet they discovered is Tanith.
Upon seeing the name of the world of Tanith in Saul's mind, Nimrod immediately thought of the First and Only Tanith Regiment, as well as Gaunt, one of the three legendary Commissar of the Imperium.
He also realized that the only primary material required for the "Apprentice" in the "Gate" Pathway Sequence 9 was the Nal-grub.
Nimrod recalls that the Nalwood Tree is a tree native to Tanith, and its most distinctive feature is that its root system breaks through the soil to move itself in order to receive as much sunlight and rain as possible.
The locals of Tanith possess an unerring sense of direction, a result of their years of traversing the forests of the Nalwood Tree.
The Nal-grub lives in the soft bark of the Nalwood Tree.
[Yes, the Nalwood Tree is a treasure trove; its wood is the highest quality wood in the entire Imperium.]
The wood of the Nalwood Tree, which could be used to make stocks for Lasgun, as well as solid materials for building coffins and non-reinforced prostheses, even became a luxury item after the destruction of Tanith.
The Nal-fruit of the Nalwood Tree is also edible.
Nimrod also learned from Saul's mind why he wanted to see him.
Just as the Tarawa colony fleet was returning to Terra in disarray, Saul happened to hear that the Primarch had arrived on Terra.
Nimrod's series of brilliant achievements gave him an idea: to request assistance from the Primarch.
"Primarch, Tarawa left Terra not long ago."
"We discovered a new human colony, but we also encountered powerful Xenos who resembled squid; we call them the Thalesians."
"I hope you can provide us with assistance. In return, the Tarawa people will repay us with technology, which we have inherited from the 'Dark Mechanicum Era'."
The Primarch remained silent for a few seconds, his brain spinning rapidly as he iterated over his previously conceived plan using the information gleaned from mind reading.
A moment later, Nimrod, with a smile, offered a suggestion to Saul.
"Chieftain of the Tarawa, I think you should know that I have just seized a star system— Triken— from the savage Aeldari Xenos."
"That star system has five Aeldari Crone World, which are not only beautiful but also rich in minerals, especially the main star, which is capable of building a Forge World."
Arsena, who was standing nearby, understood and immediately operated the Data Slate to show Saul Triken's information.
Saul's pale gray eyes were fixed on the Data Slate.
Triken Prime is a better fit for Tarawa than Tanith, which they discovered.
Moreover, the Primarch showing him all this was clearly not a boast, but a recruitment, Saul asked in surprise.
"Lord Nimrod, do you mean that Tarawa can go to Triken Main Star to develop?"
"That's right," Nimrod with a smile, "Would you be willing?"
Saul knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, so he asked the Primarch.
"My lord, of course I'm willing, but what price must I pay?"
"It's very simple," Nimrod said with a smile, "Obey my orders. Every activity of Tarawa within Triken and my territory must be carried out according to my will."
Saul frowned slightly. "Please elaborate."
"My development plans on Triken will not come at the expense of the environment and future sustainable development. Your development projects need to be approved first."
"I also need Tarawa's technology, and I will also provide you with technologies discovered by my legions, such as the Flao's Aether Cannon technology."
Saul fell silent; in the past, he would not have agreed to Nimrod's request.
It is better to develop our own world independently than to be controlled by others.
But the failure of the colony fleet made him realize the cruelty of the Galaxy, and that the Xenos were more dangerous than he had anticipated.
A few seconds later, Saul made a decision to send some of his men to the Triken system to develop under the protection of the powerful Eleventh Legion.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for another attempt at exploration and interstellar colonization.
The western part of the Galaxy is dangerous, so let's change direction and head to the eastern Galaxy.
Even if they suffer losses again, one branch of the Triken tribe will grow stronger and stronger.
"Lord Nimrod, I am willing to accept your terms."
The Primarch, through mind reading, discerned Saul's thoughts.
He didn't take it seriously. It's normal not to put all your eggs in one basket and to prepare backup plans, unless you're desperate.
The Tarawa people only need to develop Triken as he requests and provide the technology he needs; the crises they encounter in space will make them realize that submission is the best option.
"Send me the star map leading to the world you've discovered, and I'll deal with the Xenos."
Besides the Nal-grub, Thales's eye is also the only potion needed by the "Visionary" Pathway Sequence 9 "Spectator," and Tanith is a world of value.
Nimrod decided to conquer Tanith, making it a strategic stronghold for the Eleventh Legion in the Segmentum Pacificus.
In the days following the recruitment of Tarawa immigrants, Nimrod his days traveling throughout Terra in search of potion ingredients.
In the evening, he received the visiting nobles and selected two families to pledge their allegiance.
In his spare time, he would study the contents of the Book of Thelema.
On the eleventh day after arriving in Terra, the Primarch received a report from Mars that the Gloriana-class Battleship built for the Eleventh Legion had been completed and were entering the final testing phase.
Therefore, the captain of Nimrod's future flagship was naturally put on the agenda.
The Primarch can be chosen from the Vostonians, and Malcador also provided Nimrod with five excellent candidates.