novelHome #3197 - Hunter Corps
#3197 - Hunter Corps
Over the years, while alone in contemplation, Sorskyy often pondered many things, wondering what to do with the Chapter, what would happen in various situations. Like the Ashen Claws, being isolated and independent was certainly free and unrestrained, but also precarious. Sorskyy didn't want things to develop into the worst-case scenario, but as the Chapter's founder, he had to prepare for the worst.
He hadn't seen the Deceiver for a long time, nor had he received any news from Pseudo-Macaroth and the others. He didn't know what was brewing, or perhaps already happening. Even though he now seemed to possess godlike power, the future remained dark and uncertain. After all, he was well aware that this power was beyond his control.
So, if one were to delve deeper, many of his actions were based on a simple reason—security.
Subsequently, Sorskyy briefly arranged the reconstruction work for the Alathimos Forge World. Since Zhao-Arkhad had to oversee the archdiocese war, he had no spare capacity. This task was mainly assisted by Ulan-Ude, with Sorskyy guaranteeing sufficient resources. After repairing the damaged defensive facilities and some ground installations, the Forge World's original shipyards had to be expanded, and production lines for equipment such as Dreadnought tanks (Project 520), Javelin attack speeders, and plasma guns had to be added. Many forges that had been dormant due to a lack of resources also needed to be revived. As long as the potential of this ancient Forge World was tapped, its production capacity would be no less than any large Forge World. After all, it was once an important part of the Iron Belt, comparable to well-known worlds like Gryia.
After that, he learned about the Huntsmen Legion, a Titan Legion that was as ancient and miserable as its Forge World.
When Alathimos was first discovered by the Imperial Expedition, its Titan Legion was recorded to have about 134 God-Engines, including two Emperor-class Titans, belonging to a standard second-class Legion. However, only 54 God-Engines and one Emperor-class Titan survived the war with the Imperium. After submitting to the Imperium, the Alathimos Forge World made great efforts to replenish the Huntsmen Legion's strength. By the time the Horus Heresy broke out, the Legion's numbers had just returned to their former glory. (The history of the Huntsmen Legion is actually quite confusing in GW's lore. They also created a Huntsmen Legion in the Anggun Expedition, and the timeline doesn't quite match up, so I won't mention it here.)
But soon, civil war descended. Only 67 Titans of the Huntsmen Legion remained loyal to the Imperium, with the rest joining the traitors under the banner of the Three Suns Legion, including that Emperor-class.
During the subsequent civil war, a large number of Titans were destroyed. Due to the loss of their homeworld, the new Titans that the Huntsmen Legion could replenish were mostly captured in battle. They were the corrupted machines of enemies and traitors, reactivated in the name of the Emperor when the Legion was already at its end. Most were Reaver and Warhound-class Titans, with only a few Warlord-class Titans.
Now, the entire Huntsmen Legion is left with only 41 Titans, of which only 3 are Warlord-class, and the rest are Reaver and Warhound. They have fallen from the upper level of a second-class Legion to the bottom level of a third-class Legion. It is also worth mentioning that, two hundred years ago, the Huntsmen Legion fought alongside Lufgt Huron, who was then the Chapter Master of the Astral Claws. The Rhaecanthus System on the edge of the Maelstrom was occupied by Chaos rebels led by the Word Bearers. Huron commanded the Astral Claws Chapter to lead the battle and crushed the numerous rebel Chaos Space Marines on Rhaecanthus in just one year. The Huntsmen Legion also participated as an Imperial force at that time.
Now they are connected with Sorskyy, who defeated Huron. It must be said that this Legion is indeed a bit peculiar.
Of course, the plight of the Huntsmen Legion is unacceptable to the Mechanicus of Alathimos. Titans are not only a Forge World's defense force, but also a symbol of their faith as God-Machines. Looking at the weakened Legion, the past glory and decline are like sharp steel needles piercing the hearts of every Alathimosian. This is also an important reason why they so readily joined Sorskyy's camp.
If loyalty only leads to decline, then wavering is a high probability. It can only be said that they were fortunate to meet Sorskyy.
Therefore, the resumption of the Titan factory is imperative, which requires a large investment of resources.
After calculating the accounts, Sorskyy found that relying solely on the Blue Ants might not be enough in the short term. He might have to divert some resources from the Nathanson System to supplement it. However, for long-term benefits, a short-term sacrifice is worthwhile.
In the future, Sorskyy also plans to "develop" Gryia, but this Forge World is a bit special. It is actually built near a webway entrance and is relatively close to the Sol System, making it relatively sensitive. He needs to take it slowly. Fortunately, that Forge World has had a lot of contact and exchanges, as well as equipment trading activities, with the Star Phantoms.
After staying on the Forge World for a month, finalizing all the details of the Star Steel Council, and confirming that there were no remaining Ork threats, Sorskyy returned home. However, as soon as he returned to the Nathanson System, he received a message.
Inquisitor Scaramand had been waiting for him for some time. Although Sorskyy seemed surprised, he was not surprised in his heart.
Although he knew what the other party's intentions were, Sorskyy still asked "What brings you here?" with feigned surprise when he met with the other party. Scaramand also used a very cautious and tentative tone to say some "special situations recently discovered," such as he and another Xenos Inquisitor had an unexpected discovery in an operation against the Commorrites, and captured several Commorrite prisoners.
After professional psychic interrogation, they learned from the prisoners that the attack on the Ascetics was by a so-called pirate duke of Commoragh, and that this duke was instructed by Vect, the ruler of Commoragh, for the sole purpose of provoking the relationship between the League of Suffering and the Eternal Court.
Sorskyy "deliberated" for a while and basically affirmed this view. After receiving recognition, Scaramand also found a "breakthrough" and immediately proposed that this matter could be informed to other members of the League of Suffering. Subsequently, they also planned to launch a rescue operation to see if they could rescue some captured Suboler residents from Commoragh. If they were found, it would basically confirm this matter, and the League of Suffering would have a real object of revenge.
Sorskyy agreed deeply and thanked Scaramand and others for their efforts, but he also asked the other party with feigned curiosity, why are you so concerned about this matter?
Scaramand replied that their duty was to combat and destroy alien forces that threatened the Imperium, and naturally they could not let the murderers who attacked the Astartes Chapters escape justice. He also mentioned very implicitly that rescuing Mazhar might require the power of the Eldar, or rather the Eternal Court.
Sorskyy remained noncommittal, but told the other party that their duty was to eliminate the enemy, and how to investigate and identify the enemy was the business of the Inquisitors.
After the meeting, Sorskyy also retained the other party in the Nathanson System for a few days. Undoubtedly, the prosperity of this star system left a deep impression on Scaramand, and he marveled at Sorskyy's ability to govern as a Space Marine, but he did not produce the thinking that Inquisitors are most prone to—suspicion.
This was Sorskyy's main goal in keeping the other party, to see if the ring on his hand had any effect.
Obviously, the effect was good. The Inquisitor's subconscious had been affected, and he had completely let down his guard in front of him. Subsequently, this group of pro-alien Inquisitors will become very useful assistants.