The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"The situation is as follows: the warp demons had almost completely taken control of the Titan. Your Banshee was on the verge of becoming an ensorcelled Titan."

In a conference room aboard the Randau, Sotha Nul sat in a massive chair, facing a long conference table. On either side of the table stood bizarre figures. The conference room was dark, illuminated only by several lighting orbs near Sotha Nul.

Although light was of little significance to the Magi and Sotha Nul, the darkness provided the Magi with a sense of psychological security, as they were discussing arcane matters.

As for Sotha Nul, he was unconcerned and needed no concealment.

After a moment, a dry voice emanating from a speaker grille to Sotha Nul's right broke the silence.

"We are deeply sorry, Chapter Master Sotha Nul. We did not anticipate this would happen, and we apologize for the trouble caused."

Immediately following, a somewhat shrill, metallic voice added,

"Chapter Master Sotha Nul, during our inspection, we discovered that the Banshee's black iron core and psychic piloting structure appear to have undergone some changes. Do you know the reason for this?"

Sotha Nul, propping his chin with his fist, replied in a relaxed tone:

"As I said, I did control it, but I will not explain the process. This is a secret of the Unbowed. I will not ask what your black iron core is either. Mutual respect is essential for long-term cooperation."

"No offense intended, but its psychic core has become closer to the texture of wraithbone, which is what we have been striving for."

"I think you should give up. This incident has proven that the Banshee is not a viable option. You should focus more on the application of the black iron core in automata. Hasn't the Legion already ordered six hundred units? I hope to get a stronger, newer batch of products from Zhao-Arcadia. We have already paid the rewards. Those STCs are not cheap."

"This—"

Although many Magi did have this idea, they were speechless when someone actually voiced it.

In a sense, the Banshee had indeed become a burden for Zhao-Arcadia. Investing such vast resources to create an 'ultimate weapon' was, in the eyes of many Magi, quite irrational. The Titan forges of the forge world could not produce Warlord-class behemoths in a short period. Moreover, due to its remote location, Zhao-Arcadia did not face significant defensive pressure. The greatest defensive pressure in the past ten thousand years was now, with the Tyranids approaching.

Therefore, the mainstream view of the forge world was that resources should be focused on the fleet, especially exploration fleets. The Stormwild Sector was a typical 'vast and sparsely populated' area in the Imperial map, with many unexplored dark zones containing ancient relics and lost civilizations waiting to be developed. Additionally, the forge world, located on the edge of the galaxy, had the potential for small-scale exploration into the mysterious outer systems.

Opposition had arisen as early as two thousand years ago, arguing that the Banshee had become a 'foolish project' and an 'impractical plan.' Only through tradition and historical inertia had the project continued to this day.

But at the moment the Banshee was 'completed,' such a serious accident occurred. In a sense, the project had already been sentenced to death because it could not even guarantee basic safety.

Yet, it ultimately carried the dreams of many generations of Zhao-Arcadia, especially the Titan Magi's dream of a first-class legion. In their eyes, this was the forge world's strongest Titan, the pinnacle of human giant humanoid mechanical technology, the champion among Titans.

However, what Sotha Nul said next caused an uproar among the crowd.

"And what you don't know is that the pilot is very likely an agent of the Thousand Sons Legion. Terminating this project is not only for safety but also to stop losses. I suspect you yourselves don't know how many links in this plan have been infiltrated by traitors and how much manipulation has been done."

"What!?"

"This... this pilot was cultivated by us over thirteen centuries with hundreds of psykers. How could he be..."

"From birth to maturity, his every move was under the forge world's surveillance. How could he become a traitor of the Thousand Sons?"

The Magi immediately began to discuss amongst themselves. Sotha Nul lightly tapped the table with his palm, producing a crisp sound.

"So, this is the root cause of the Banshee project's failure. Zhao-Arcadia never truly understood the warp and psychic abilities, yet attempted to imitate the Eldar Titans to create a psychic Titan. A psyker doesn't need to go anywhere. His soul in the warp is very likely to connect with something. You are his creators, but also his jailers. Who can guarantee that he doesn't resent the forge world? Moreover, I'm not suspecting Zhao-Arcadia, but as you all know, the forge world once had deep cooperation with the Thousand Sons. Although contact was severed after the Great Heresy, who can guarantee that the Thousand Sons and that traitorous Primarch's gaze won't fall upon Zhao-Arcadia again?"

At this moment, a clever Magus adept at logical thinking seemed to hear Sotha Nul's hidden meaning and cautiously said:

"Chapter Master Sotha Nul, what are your thoughts then? Regarding the Banshee..."

Sotha Nul crossed his arms and slightly raised his head, feigning contemplation. After a moment, he said:

"As for my thoughts... this thing is too dangerous to keep in the forge world, and it's not of much use. Why don't I just buy it."

"Buy... buy it?"

The Magi in the shadows looked at each other, somewhat unable to react. An Astartes buying a Titan from a forge world was unprecedented in the Imperium.

"Yes, buy it. After all, this thing is a divine machine that took nearly ten thousand years to build. It would be a pity to dismantle and scrap it directly. I also know that the forge world has invested countless resources in it... How about this, two additional percent of the auxiliary army equipment orders for the next ten years will be given to the forge world. In addition, the Chapter still has some Necron wreckage and equipment preserved from previous battles, all of which will be transferred to Zhao-Arcadia. Furthermore, the technology of Project 520 will also be transferred to your side."

After listening to the conditions offered by Sotha Nul, the Magi engaged in a brief and intense exchange using wireless voice communication. Finally, the first speaker responded as a representative.

"We cannot decide on this matter and need to consult the Fabricator-General."

"Of course, I am not asking you to make a decision immediately, but because the Banshee may have the risk of Chaos contamination, I cannot transfer it to you now. We must keep it under our supervision."

"We trust you, but allow me to ask, Chapter Master, what do you intend to do with the Banshee after you buy it?"