Catachan's Viper

While the Second Legion was hunting for prey on the planet Wheel of Fire IV, the 7th Legion of the Eleventh Legion arrived at the Catachan system in the Ultima Segmentum.

Sanchez ordered the fleet to conduct a full Auger Matrix scan of the main star of Catachan.

The Auger Matrix Master, holding Data Slate, reported to the Reaper Lord.

"My lord, according to the scan results, 90.47% of the surface of the main planet Catachan is covered with dense trees; it is a jungle world."

Sanchez looked at the holographic image; the entire planet looked like a green gemstone sphere.

"The Auger Matrix scan results show that these seven locations have the highest concentration of life signals."

"These areas are flat terrain and should be settlements for local residents."

The Auger Matrix Master spoke of the white spots on the surface of the bright green spherical gemstone.

Sanchez asked, "How is the defense in Catachan?"

"My lord, there are no orbital defense facilities in Catachan, nor are there any signals from ground-based defense facilities."

The Reaper Lord nodded slightly and spoke to the Chief Apothecary Mikel him.

"The Data Slate, in the materials my father distributed, mentioned that the Catachan people could be reformed."

"I have decided to lead my personal guard to their settlement and meet with their leader."

Mikel nodded in approval. "That's feasible."

The Reaper Lord then led his royal guard and Astropathic Officer aboard Stormbird and flew toward the settlement with the densest life signals.

During the flight, Sanchez looked through the viewing window at the dense forest rushing past below.

The forest stretches to the horizon like a giant painting, with layers of tree canopies pressing together like rolling waves.

Mist rises from the surface of the forest, the canopies of the ancient trees are smooth as a carpet, and the branches at the top intertwine.

Sanchez's eyes were deep, and he keenly sensed that the forest below seemed to be opening its gaping maw, ready to devour someone.

The Stormbird swiftly flew over the forest and approached their target.

After surveying the surroundings and confirming that there were no defensive structures on the ground, the Reaper Lord issued his orders.

"Landing."

Sanchez led his team down the deck and looked around.

Behind him, in the Librarian, the "Mystery Pryer" Mesut activated his Eyes of Mystery Prying " and surveyed his surroundings.

"The area has been cleared by fire, but vines and lichen are still everywhere."

"The toxic substances in plants can melt the mortar, and the vines can destroy the building."

Sanchez nodded. "The documents my father distributed mentioned that local plants would 'destroy' buildings, and animals would gather together and attack human settlements."

"Compared to the indigenous people, Catachan itself will be a greater challenge for us."

After Sanchez finished speaking, he looked at the indigenous people running towards him from a distance.

By unmodified standards, they were all tall, even taller than the Fenrisian.

Their clothes resembled camouflage vests, their skin was bronze, their muscles were bulging and knotted, and every tendon was taut like a fully drawn bow.

Their faces were painted with natural dyes, most of them carried primitive weapons such as wooden spears, and a small number used live ammunition such as guns.

Sanchez keenly sensed a threat from the Catachan; they were dangerous hunters no less than Jorin and his ilk.

The Reaper Lord narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke in praise.

"Father was right, they are truly promising hunters."

"Astropathic Officer, communicate with them."

"Yes, my lord," the Astropathic Officer said, taking a translator from his waist.

The speaker played synthesized electronic sounds on a loop, with various languages of Terra playing.

Mesut's consciousness spread forward, sensing the minds of the Catachan people.

The Shadow of Order inherited the Primarch's perceptual talents, and most of the Librarian are skilled in psychic abilities. They are also the most likely Psyker in the Librarian to meet the battlefield communication requirements of the Astropathic Officer.

A moment later, Mesut sensed from the minds of the Catachan that the translator's seventeenth language was similar to the local language.

He immediately switched the language channel to the seventeenth language.

"Fellow countrymen of Catachan, we are not the enemy."

"We come from Terra, the common home of humanity; we are all human."

"..."

After being played several times, the people of Catachan understood the general meaning of the broadcast.

They slowed their pace, gripped their weapons tightly, and approached the black-armored Warrior.

Sanchez, wearing a helmet adorned with Russ's Wolf Helm, stepped forward. "Mesut, translate for me."

The Reaper Lord walked up to the Catachan and spoke.

"As the broadcast stated, we are fellow human beings."

Although the Catachan couldn't understand Vostonian Language, the black-armored giants before them filled them with awe.

The Librarian used a translator to relay the words of the Reaper Lord.

The Reaper Lord continued, "I am the Shadow of Order, sent by Primarch Nimrod to Catachan to find my lost human brethren..."

Catachan people listened to the audio played through the translator, they gradually understood the purpose of the black-armored Warrior's visit.

At the head of the Catachan people's procession, a burly man covered in tattoos walked a few steps forward and stopped just ten paces from Sanchez.

He spoke aloud in the local language, which was then translated into Vostonian Language.

"The Shadow of Order, we are all fellow human beings."

"For the people of Catachan, conquering the Galaxy has brought no more suffering than this world has inflicted upon us, and we answer your call with pride."

"I, Lucas, pledge my allegiance to Primarch Nimrod."

Sanchez removed the Russ's Wolf Helm and hung it at his waist.

He walked up to Lucas, tore off his gauntlet, and extended his right hand.

Welcome to the company.

Lucas didn't understand what he said, but he guessed what he meant from his actions.

He held the gun in one hand and extended his fist toward the black-armored Warrior.

Sanchez understood, clenched his right hand, and bumped into Lucas.

The Reaper Lord, accompanied by his guards, returned to his tribe with Lucas.

Upon entering the settlement of the Catachan tribe, Sanchez discovered that the Catachan people, regardless of age or gender, were all physically stronger than their peers.

Everyone had a weapon; even the toddlers were holding daggers, and some were even carrying pistols.

Sanchez thought to himself, "The people of Catachan are just as my father said, a nation of soldiers!"

Even children are like this; their grip on guns and their wielding of daggers are not standard, but they are deadly.

The weapons in their hands are not toys.

Lucas shouted to his curious tribe, "They are our fellow humans, the Shadow of Order, and I have decided to pledge allegiance to their the Monarch."

"Prepare food to treat our compatriots."

After listening to Mesut's translation, Sanchez used Communicator to call the track.

"Send over some delicious food and fine wine."

Three hours later, the feast began, with the Catachan people serving steamed Catachan Water Duck, Cobra Soup, and huge skewers of Black-Backed Viper...

Legion servants offer Iron-Scaled Kraken Steak, seafood from the Cradle of the Sea.

"What's this?"

Lucas asked curiously about the food he had never seen before, and was astonished to hear that the Kraken was several kilometers long.

The people of Catachan opened their mouths wide and swallowed the delicious seafood.

The Shadow of Order didn't touch the food made from various venomous snakes; they only ate Catachan Water Duck, at least these strange ducks with sharp teeth looked more normal.

After Lucas ate more than a dozen Kraken steaks, he noticed that the Black Armor Warrior hadn't touched the venomous snakes.

He swallowed the food in his mouth in large gulps and began to speak.

"Sanchez... Lord, those snakes were truly delicious."

The Reaper Lord understood the principle of adapting to local customs, and he spoke up.

"Eat up," he said with a smile. "Even if your stomachs, Oolitic Kidney fail, the medicine the Apothecary gives you will help detoxify you."

Lucas nodded in satisfaction when he saw the Shadow of Order begin to consume the venomous snakes.

After eating twelve black-backed venomous snakes, Mesut suddenly felt hot and cold, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

[The venomous snakes of Catachan are indeed dangerous; they can even poison the superhuman body of the Astartes.]

He slightly turned his body to avoid the gaze of the Catachan, took out a green vial, and inserted it into his arm.

A moment later, Mesut's body temperature returned to normal.

The Shadow of Order who attended the banquet each received at least one injection before the banquet ended.

After the banquet, Lucas led Sanchez to the other tribes.

At his urging, other tribes also pledged allegiance to Nimrod.

After winning the support of the Catachan, Sanchez returned to the Shadow of the Throne and prayed to the Black Emperor.

The shadow of the 7th Legion's Shadow of Order begins to encroach upon Catachan on a large scale, and the Chief Apothecary leads his men into the dangerous forest.