Aquila Shuttle

The Shadow of the Throne, Primarch Office.

Arsena Dunn raised his Control Staff and projected a star map of the Forge World Lucius and the area surrounding the Coronid Abyss.

The star map of the Coronid Abyss region, by the Rogue Trader Lewis von Valancius.

Nimrod asked the Primarch's Attendants, "What is the current construction progress of the Ramillies-class Star Fortress?"

"The second Star Fortress built by Cepra Mundi is about halfway complete, while the Triken and Vostonia are about a quarter and a ninth complete, respectively," the silver-haired Arsena replied.

"There is one thing I think should be decided by you."

"The skilled craftsmen of Cepra Mundi discovered a fragmented copy of the Standard Template Construct data, and through study, they reconstructed a new shuttle."

The Primarch's Attendants operated the Data Slate and presented the report to Nimrod.

Nimrod's inspection data parameters: length 11.8 meters, wingspan 21.45 meters, height 8.1 meters, weight 42 tons.

He then examined the holographic images of the experimental aircraft built by the craftsmen.

Nimrod immediately matched the shuttle with the one in his memory and recognized it.

Aquila Shuttle

I remember that it originated in Cepra Mundi.

Besides ships, Cepra Mundy's flagship products include the Aquila Shuttle.

The Aquila Shuttle is a small transport spacecraft, typically not used as a combat vehicle. It transports important personnel between interstellar ships in orbit and planetary surfaces.

Users typically include high-ranking officials, Inquisitor, military commanders, and Planetary Governor —important figures in the Imperium.

"The shuttle also features an observation dome on the back of the fuselage behind the cockpit, which is even better than the Stormbird's viewing window."

"During the experimental flight, passenger comfort far surpassed that of all current void and atmospheric travel aircraft, and it has been welcomed by all the nobles of Cepra Mandy."

"As a legion base and serving as part of the Imperium's hub in the Segmentum Obscurus, the Cepra Mundi has been highly sought after, with many powerful figures expressing their desire for its rapid mass production and offering to pay any price for it."

After a moment of contemplation, Nimrod made a decision:

"The shape of this aircraft's wings resembles the Imperium's iconic crest— the Aquila, and the multiple independent engine exhaust outlets on the wings converge together, resembling wings, hence the name Aquila Shuttle."

He wasn't fixated on naming it after a name he remembered, but such a name, while highlighting its unique features, would make the powerful and wealthy willing to pay a higher price for it.

"The Standard Template Construct technology data will be replicated, manufactured in Hive World such as Necromunda and the Industrial World, and supplied to the Imperium nobility."

"You choose which specific worlds will manufacture them."

In the short term, Nimrod will not allow Cepra Mundy, Triken and Vostonia, the future Calth, the Judang Star of the Coronid Abyss, etc., to possess Forge World.

Necromunda is an exception; its production capacity far exceeds that of any other Hive World or Industrial World, stemming from its vast human resources and the technological legacy of the Orb Weaver League, which far surpasses that of any other world.

Nimrod hoped that Necromunda would eliminate its bad habits and develop comprehensively along its established trajectory, without limiting it to the military industry.

Necromunda is also the most suitable world for producing the Aquila Shuttle. The nobles of the Solar Segmentum are generally more numerous, wealthier, and more powerful than those of other star systems.

"The craftsmen who participated in the excavation of the brick templates were assigned to selected worlds based on their merits."

"I will publicize your reward throughout the Legion's territory." The Primarch's Attendants understood his intention to encourage the discovery and innovation of technology without needing the Black Emperor's command.

After dealing with the Aquila Shuttle incident, Nimrod turned his attention back to the war with Mitu.

"The three Star Fortress are still under construction and cannot be deployed in this campaign. This means we can deploy two Star Fortress in the battle against the Mitu."

"Given their deployment timeline, we need to decide how to deploy them now."

He turned his gaze to the first Ramillies-class Star Fortress, and to the commander of the Ramillies, Diana Pauline.

The female captain sensed the gaze of the Primarch. As a "Telepathist," she possessed a powerful memory. She recalled the key points of memory formed after studying data from dozens of star systems of the Mitu United Empire.

"The Ramillies-class Star Fortress can serve as a strategic pivot, significantly accelerating the course of the war. Its deployment location should be a weak point in the enemy's defenses or a key strategic point."

"Without a doubt, the Manache system, as the capital of the Mitu United Empire, necessitates the deployment of a Star Fortress."

"I believe another Star Fortress should be deployed at Dametus."

The Primarch's Attendants cooperatively highlighted the Dametus system.

After nodding to Arsena, Diana continued, "The Knights of Veroni are the most determined force to resist within the sphere of influence of the Mitu United Empire."

"They have resisted the Mitu siege for centuries, and once liberated, they will join our war."

"According to information provided by the Rogue Trader, Dametus is also located at the intersection of several smaller Warp routes, which is advantageous for further advances."

Nimrod nodded slightly, agreeing with most of Diana's views.

"From a purely military perspective, that's certainly true, but war is merely a means; there should be many other considerations."

The "Telepathist" looked at Nimrod, and as always, she was unable to penetrate the Aetheric Field of the Primarch.

However, through long-term observation of her legions and others, Diana had already fully mastered the power of the "Telepathist," and her abilities and skills were much stronger than when she first advanced to Sequence 8.

While the "Telepathist" cannot read other people's superficial thoughts like she can, she can at least simulate their thought processes.

Although the Primarch's thoughts were hard to fathom, she, having followed Nimrod for so long, could still manage to do so with some difficulty.

The "Telepathist" attempts to adopt the perspective of the Primarch and examine the Coronid Abyss.

Knight World Baroda, Zavarich, Laskar...

Galaxy after galaxy and world after world flashed before Diana's eyes as the "Telepathist" recalled the decisions made by the Primarch in the past.

Her Brainy Cat lay at her feet, assisting her in thinking.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind.

Besides instilling the idea of grasping the key points in the legion members, Lord Nimrod also valued the worth of objectives.

The most valuable thing in the entire Coronid Abyss is...

Mezoa, the Forge World]

A thought flashed through the mind of the Telepathist," and she spoke.

"It's not Dametus, it should be Mezoa."

"Now is the time when Mezoa is at his weakest. Once you defeat Mitu, you will surely win his friendship."

The "Telepathist" frowned again as he spoke.

"My lord, but according to the intelligence Lewis has gathered, Mezoa has become accustomed to the Mitu's periodic purges and their efforts to control the human population."

"Judging from their tacit agreement with the Mitu Xenos to become invisible, they don't value flesh and blood assets that much..."

Diana suppressed her anger and analyzed Mezoa's possible attitude.

"Their Forge Temple and factories were not attacked like those in Incaladion."

"The friendship we gained in exchange for helping them out is not as valuable as that of Incaladion in his predicament, much less so that of the Veroni Family facing extinction."

"That's right." Nimrod nodded slightly, acknowledging Diana's concerns.

"Mezoa has been invaded by the Mitu Xenos for centuries, and they crave defenses more than other Forge World."

"Once they discover that the Ramillies-class Star Fortress can establish defenses in the void, keeping enemies out of Mezoa, they will definitely be interested."

Nimrod believes that Mezoa must have an underlying need; no Forge World wants its territory periodically invaded and its "assets" destroyed.

"My lord, I understand." Diana understood what Nimrod meant.

"My lord," the Primarch's Attendants recorded the command, then reminded, "the First Legion and the XIV Legion have completed their assembly at Lucius Forge World."

Nimrod turned his gaze toward the Coronid Abyss.

He first ruled out Dametus and Baroda, both of whom were part of the world rescued and controlled by the "Shadow of Order".

Secondly, we must rule out Manache, the stronghold of the Mitu, where some of the bloody Arcane Technology still holds value.

Nimrod believes that after acquiring the technology possessed by the Mitu, Librarian can conduct research and develop Psionic Energy technology that does not burn flesh and blood.

"The First Legion's mission is the Grail Abyss."

The Grail Abyss is teeming with Mitu, but it will be insignificant in the future Colonid Sector.

Nimrod decided to hand this tough challenge over to Ulian Bendregg, who was eager to prove himself.

Of course, the enemy he assigned to the First Legion wasn't the most difficult to fight; the elite main force of the Mitu was in Manache.

"I will personally lead the Sixth, Tenth, and Eleventh Chapter, along with the forces of the First and Twelfth Chapter, to launch an offensive against the Cyclops Cluster."

During the Great Birthday Celebration, Horus Lupercal's most valued and first target was the Cyclops Cluster.

The worlds of the Cyclops Cluster possess abundant mineral resources, which can serve as a foundation for the development of numerous Industrial World in the future.

"A request was sent to Lucius, demanding that the Void Walker Titan Legions and the Skitarii join the war."

"The XIV Legion follows in my footsteps," the "Shadow of Order" declared as they marched independently after capturing Laskar, their target being Zavarich.

"Zavarich provides food for Mitu; the XIV Legion's mission is to cut off the Xenos' food supply."

Nimrod anticipated that the fall of Zavarich would draw a large number of Mitu troops, allowing the XIV Legion to fully utilize its defensive advantages.

Zavarich will be classified as belonging to the Agri World in the future.

While Tech-priest may not be able to transform a mineral-scarce world into Industrial World, or even the potential to Forge World, they can certainly transform Agri World.

Even if Zachary is reduced to ruins, the losses will be minimal; a suitable world in the Colonid sector can be transformed into Agri World.

Therefore, Nimrod Zavarich to the XIV Legion with peace of mind.