The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"So it's very old? Like Ghomor, part of the ancient empire?"

"Not really. This place doesn't have a long history. About five hundred years ago, Sarakin Morn, the Archon of the Shadowed Thorns Kabal, who was expelled from Ghomor by Vect, discovered an artificial planet in an unstable webway node. He then recruited Zahrgahn Khol and his Riven Claw Kabal to jointly develop this mysterious artificial sphere. Eventually, they controlled this creation and established the Shadow Hub. As a base, it provided an excellent and hidden location for attacks targeting the Chronos Expanse, the Calixis Sector, and even the Screaming Vortex. Its location in the webway also allowed raiding parties to access hundreds of worlds scattered throughout the Halo Stars and beyond. So, although Vect was very angry about this place, even slave traders from Ghomor would do business here. It has the second largest slave market after Ghomor. Even Vect's anger couldn't extinguish the passion created by profit. Even the Iron Thorn Lords Kabal used this area to travel to the Screaming Vortex and sell some of their slaves here."

"Oh? An artificial star system?"

Previously, Solzhenitsyn hadn't paid much attention to this area, but hearing Dorar's words, he became interested because the first thing he thought of was Ulan Hadar.

"Has Your Excellency been to the Shadow Hub?"

"Your Highness, I have. Hmm, seven or eight times."

"What kind of artificial star system is it?"

Dorar seemed prepared and took out a golden sphere, letting it float in mid-air, then projecting a realistic hologram in all directions.

Solzhenitsyn leaned forward slightly, widening his eyes and looking curiously. He saw in the hologram a completely artificial star system. It seemed different from Ulan Hadar, which was a mobile planet modified from a natural planet. The entire planet's surface was covered with complex mesh structures, towers, and support structures extending downwards, consisting of roaring machines and endless engines. Another close-up photo showed that the planet was completely wrapped in metal constructs.

On the planet, there was a tumor-like existence, a mass of swollen black stains clinging to the rusty metal shell of the star system, like an evil starfish clinging to its prey. The most conspicuous of these was a tall and large tower, undoubtedly with a strong Dark Eldar style.

"It really is an artificial star system..."

Solzhenitsyn murmured to himself.

"I never knew about this. It seems to have strong traces of human civilization."

Then he looked at Dorar.

"Lord Dorar, why didn't you tell me about this before?"

Dorar bowed and said:

"Your Highness is busy with affairs of state and always comes and goes in a hurry. I have always..."

Solzhenitsyn understood the subtext, which was that he spent too little time in the court and didn't manage things much.

"Alright, besides these, what else do you know?"

"This artificial star system seems to have a name in the human world, called Ghelan. It's about the size of a satellite, built around a solid core. The core is hollow, with a huge, open space surrounded by a shell of machines, engines, and generators. The shell was forged onto asteroids that were originally cut into spheres. There are also remnants of mineral-rich asteroids inside. Its automation system is slowly eating away at it to add more and more layers to the sphere. The large number of sensors and communication arrays distributed on its surface seem to suggest that this creation was originally a detection device. As for how Ghelan ran into the webway, it's still a mystery. It may have accidentally drifted through a webway gate and been sucked in after being abandoned for countless ages, or it may have been moved to the webway by some unknown force for some incomprehensible purpose. After it entered the webway, no one knows how long it took to finally settle in its current location."

Solzhenitsyn leaned back slightly, his eyes fixed on the slowly rotating artificial satellite.

This thing is powerful.

The first thought that appeared in his mind was this.

Then came the second thought.

This thing must be very, very powerful!

Although his understanding of it was still very superficial, based on his understanding of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Ulan Hadar, a semi-modified planet, could already be called the most powerful space fortress. Greia's running satellite was also very amazing, but this artificial star system from the Dark Age was likely unmatched even by a mountain array, let alone a battleship.

Then came the third thought!

This thing must be obtained! It must be in his hands! In the hands of the legion! In the hands of humanity!

It is the real foundation for the Eleventh Legion to settle down in the future!

At this time, Veronica suddenly said:

"How did Kalis Kanelli provoke the Riven Claw Kabal? Isn't that cargo related to the Shadow Hub?"

"Your Majesty is wise. That cargo is indeed related to the Shadow Hub, which is why Zahrgahn Khol values it so much."

"What is it?"

"A person."

"Who?"

"Sarakin Morn, the former ally of Zahrgahn Khol, and the Archon of the Shadowed Thorns Kabal whom he defeated."

Hearing this, Solzhenitsyn then asked:

"How did these two fall out?"

Dorar grinned.

"It's nothing more than one cave not being able to accommodate two Uguls. After Sarakin discovered the Ghelan sphere, the Shadowed Thorns Kabal couldn't break through the star system's own defense system and defeat the automated machines guarding the star system. Zahrgahn Khol provided her with the power she desperately needed to assist her in occupying it. At that time, the strength of the two's forces and fleets was actually similar, but soon after, Zahrgahn recruited a Hemonculus named Drekarus and his Association of the Woven Helix. At this time, Zahrgahn's strength had begun to exceed Sarakin's, but not by much. Sarakin was better than Zahrgahn in terms of city construction. She established the Shadow Hub's free trade concept, welcoming all factions into her city regardless of race, and prohibiting her subordinates from attacking those who came to trade, no matter what race they were, because they could provide wealth and influence, and also provide additional protection, shielding her from those who tried to take the city from her. This woman didn't have Zahrgahn's aggressiveness and arrogance, which earned her many allies, including the Pirate Queen Kalis Kanelli."

"Oh, so in theory... Sarakin should be more competitive."

"On the surface, it looks that way, but Sarakin's problem is that she lacks sufficient aggressiveness. She is too content with the status quo, indulging in her trading city and wealth empire, and ignoring that wealth without sufficient military support is just a vault that others can take at will. But even so, Zahrgahn didn't have an absolute advantage to defeat Sarakin. However, this cunning Ughul made two good moves."