"Machine" Divines Thalassa, Space Sharks Invade

November 837.

The Sol System, Shadow of the Throne, Primarch's Palace.

"My lord, the Sage Neto has already declared in Incaladion that the turmoil that began in 790 and lasted for 47 years has come to an end."

"Of the five participating Chapter, a total of 5,314 Shadow of Order."

A trace of sadness flashed across Nimrod's eyes, but at the same time, he felt a little relieved.

Compared to the Fourth Legion, which was originally responsible for suppressing the rebellion and suffered approximately 29,000 casualties, almost being completely wiped out, my army suffered about 24,000 fewer casualties.

Based on the battle situation, objective factors, and the main factor, were that I launched the campaign six years earlier, resulting in fewer invading Xenos, stronger Forge Temple, and the Titan captured by the rebels not yet being repaired or restored to combat capability.

The subjective factor was that I deployed a stronger armed force, including the "War Griffons" Titan Legions, and I did not employ the Fourth Legion's typical heavy artillery and armored assault tactics to wage a protracted encirclement and attrition war.

Nimrod also thought that unlike the Fourth Legion, he hadn't gained anything, and no one even remembered their sacrifices, so he felt that the price he paid was worthwhile.

He gained complete control over the Forge World and a Titan Legions, though it will take time to fully master this power.

Another fortunate thing is that, like other Forge World, Incaladion possesses abundant mineral resources.

Nimrod predicted that the "Tiger Eye" Titan Legions would have more than fifty Titan and be qualified to participate in the war before the outbreak of the "Second Rangdan War" in 862.

"The 7th Legion, which were responsible for the main attack and infiltration operations, respectively, losing 2,095 and 1,628 men."

"The other companies of the First Chapter, except for the Second Company, have returned to the Osiris Sector for replenishment."

"Catachan's population growth rate has been increasing year by year, and its population has now exceeded 7.5 million. It is estimated that the number of casualties will be replenished after the next batch of new recruits Chapter in four years."

After reporting on the Legion's situation, the Primarch's Attendants continued:

"The 'War Griffons' Titan Legions had twelve Titan destroyed in the war, mostly during attacks on the territories of rebellious Knight Houses."

After listening to Incaladion's briefing, Nimrod asked again:

"Ninth Chapter Fleet, current location?"

"My lord, they have arrived in the Sol System, and the Storm Lord is on his way, expected to arrive in two days."

After the briefing ended, Nimrod" left" the Spear of Dionysus on the table.

Upon returning to his residence, he immediately went to the Third Layer Space of the "Nation of Disorder" and used the Dice of Prophecy to divine Thalassa.

Nimrod picked up the Dice of Prophecy, his mind racing through all the information he knew about Thalassa.

[Thalassa, one of the earliest human colonies established in the Galaxy.]

Humans have built advanced underwater facilities on the seabed and constructed vast cities and towering Spire along the rugged coastline.

Inland regions are centers of agriculture and industry, where they use land reclamation techniques to acquire fertile land, establish stable ecosystems, and set up mining bases to extract rich mineral deposits.

...]

After rapidly reviewing the information about Thalassa in his mind, Nimrod silently recited it to himself.

[Star map of the Sol System leading to the Talassar System.]

...]

After silently reciting it eleven times, he reached out and threw the Dice of Prophecy in his hand.

After the triangular cone tumbled several times in the air, it landed in Nimrod's outstretched hand, and a scene that looked like a holographic projection appeared before his eyes.

After Nimrod down the star map, he entered it into the prepared Data Crystal.

Back in the real world, he looked at John the Brainy Cat. Ever since becoming a "machine," he had been trying to make use of his abilities.

[Perhaps we should have John perform a divination. Although I know the general situation of Thalassa, I don't know its current state.]

Nimrod thought of this, a thought struck him, and John, with whom he had established a spiritual connection, immediately understood his meaning.

In John's home, his dark eyes suddenly shone.

After becoming Beyonder, he was no longer satisfied with his own place and built his own home next to Nimrod's dormitory.

Of course, because his strength was completely suppressed by Freddy, who was forced to be his older brother, his territory was only one-third the size of Black Wolf's.

John's house, besides his bed, contained books containing prophetic knowledge, Data Slate, Data Crystal, crystal balls, tarot cards, pendulums, and other divination tools.

He pulled out a piece of parchment with his left paw, and grasped a quill pen with his right paw, writing swiftly:

[Thalassa Main Planet...]

As a "machine," he knew that in this situation where he had certain information but no medium, Dream Divination was the most appropriate method.

John silently repeated the sentence, writing down the information on the paper over and over again.

After eleven repetitions, the "machine" picked up the paper and leaned back on his wooden bed.

The machine conjured a sphere of light in its mind, its eyes turned deep black, and it quickly entered a meditative state.

The surroundings suddenly became ethereal, and there seemed to be invisible things and colorful light extending endlessly above.

The "machine" allows itself to fall into a deep sleep in this state, letting its consciousness wander in the Warp and gain Revelation.

Everything began to blur; the "machine" was half conscious and half dazed.

In Distortion, illusory world, the "machine" sees countless alien creatures with contorted bodies, Xenos sharks, raising weapons that look like Bolter and firing at humans.

At the same moment, Nimrod saw John's Dream Divination through a telepathic connection.

He saw that the Xenos creature had gills, four webbed limbs, and a long, finned tail.

The Xenos also has a set of sharp teeth, like a shark that preys on its prey.

Nimrod immediately recognized the shark-like Xenos species as Sahar-Duin.

As the image shattered, he immediately used his memory, combined with the Revelation he gained from Dream Divination, to deduce the condition of the main star, Thalassa.

I remember that the Sahar-Duin controlled several worlds in the Ultima Segmentum. They were a hostile and powerful species with technology roughly equivalent to that of the Imperium of Man.

During the Great Crusade, the Space Wolves waged war against them, destroying several Sahar-Duin- controlled worlds.

Yes, the Sahar-Duin are a space species that evolved from sharks. Thalassa is a rich Ocean World, and once they discover it, they will naturally plunder it.

Thinking of this, Nimrod added the Sahar-Duin's information to the Data Crystal.

They stand about 2.2 meters tall in a classic hunched posture, and their army is called the Pisces Warriors, equipped with Bolter and Power Sword similar to those of the Imperium.

...]

"Well done." Nimrod praised John's divination results through a telepathic connection.

He was just trying it out, but unexpectedly, the "machine" actually gave him valuable Revelation.

Two days later, Nimrod met Szczesny in the palace and handed the Data Crystal to the Storm Lord.

"I have chosen a recruitment world for the Ninth Chapter."

"In the Ultima Segmentum of Thalassa, human colonists established a world with advanced agriculture and industry."

"It has immense development potential; once integrated into the Imperium of Man, it will immediately become a key node and strategic center on trade routes."

Nimrod recalls that after Robert Guilliman discovered Thalassa, he immediately recognized its value and developed it into a key node in the western region of the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar.

Even after the Great Rift unfolded, Thalassa was invaded, and the ancient defensive weapons of the "Dark Mechanicum Era" were activated, destroying the entire planet's environment, he did not abandon Thalassa.

During the Indomitus Crusade, Guilliman established the Void Tridents Chapter and regained control of the key strategic node of Thalassa.

I wonder what kind of interesting expression Guilliman would have if he discovered that the western region of his Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar, the most suitable star system for establishing strategic nodes, was under my control.

That feeling must have been like having a nail stuck right under your nose.

"The Thalassa were frequently raided by pirates, and in their defense, they became fierce Warrior."

"They are fierce, tenacious, and highly disciplined; you will have excellent recruits."

"Thalassa is now under invasion by the Sahar-Duin. Once you arrive, immediately begin the rescue efforts, and you will gain their support."

Nimrod believed that the Sahar-Duin were likely the potion ingredients for the "Tyrant" Pathway, so he gave orders to the Storm Lord.

"The Sahar-Duin carry a special water tank on their backs, which is connected to their gills via a tube, enabling them to survive for extended periods without water."

"During the battle, focus your attacks on the water tanks behind them."

"The Sahar-Duin will soon lose their ability to resist; I am very interested in them."

"I understand, Father," Szczesny replied.

Nimrod then looked at the Logis he had summoned and gave him instructions.

"Nicholas, you will accompany the Ninth Chapter and provide assistance."

"This is the perfect opportunity to become a real 'Sailor'."

"Yes, Father." After receiving the Librarian Nimrod another Thought Impulse to Szczesny, instructing him on how to build the altar and perform the sacrifice.

Szczesny organized the information in his mind, "Yes, my lord."

As one of Nimrod's earliest followers, Szczesny had long since pledged his complete loyalty.

To him, "The Monarch King," "Father," and "Black Emperor" were just three titles.

Nicholas's eyes flashed, and he thought to himself, puzzled.

The Storm Lord suddenly changed how he addressed his father.

Why is that?

Is it simply that the Storm Lord likes to use several different titles to refer to his father?