Herald of the Stars: Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety-Two

I have returned and will be replying to comments and messages as normal. Herald of the Stars will continue to be posted with two chapters a week for Rogue Trader Patreons.

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I explain what the Barghests have been researching while keeping my doubts to myself and pointing out the nuances behind the research. There are a lot of shocked faces and everyone is quick to grasp the implications. 

JK-404 looks pleased with herself. Calligos sips on amasec, watching Raphael with poorly disguised amusement. Logis Vakul is on the edge of a short circuit. Canoness Ephrine is shaking with fury, her face bright red. Brigid appears baffled at all the excitement and Alpia’s gaze is blank; she has replaced her ego with a simulacrum and is surfing the Noosphere.

I give Alpia a mental poke to remind her to pay attention.

Raphael folds his arms, “Given the urgent need for the Barghests to divest themselves of excess numbers and their willingness to be proactive, the Inquisition will not oppose their stated goal to establish a trade school, unusual though that may be. 

“However, like Trader Winterscale, I would prefer option three. It is more subtle, cheaper, and will cause the least disruption to existing power structures. What remains of them anyway. I don’t want to see Footfall torn apart by squabbling Rogue Traders.”

Raphael sweeps his gaze over the room then continues, “I agree that doing nothing would be foolish. I will oppose any moves the Stellar Fleet takes to subsume Footfall. SR-651 was acceptable as the Koronus Expanse needs a proper shipyard and is linked to the duties of the Mechanicus. Taking over a trade station is not.”

“Magos Issengrund is a Rogue Trader too,” drawls Calligos. “The Inquisition has no deck to stand on in hindering the expansion of his domain. We are outside the Imperium proper and thus his Warrant, and mine, hold the same weight as the word of the Emperor himself. I would welcome Magos Issengrund’s investment in Footfall. No matter what form that takes.”

“Before we get further into that,” I say. “I would like to hear from Fleet Marshal Ridel and Aeronautica Marshal Yorath what they think it will take to secure Footfall and the system at large. I also invite Herald Primarus Noake, who led the assault on the station, to poke holes in their assessment. Fleet Marshal Ridel, please start us off.”

Ephrine says, “Please wait a moment, Fleet Marshal Ridel. I was not aware that the creation of Astartes was such a cruel affair. I understand that the purpose of the research was to minimise the risks, yet the casual disregard for the death of 800 young boys is beyond the pale.”

“Canoness Stern,” says Riordan, his wrinkles deepening as he smiles, “It gladdens my scarred hearts to hear you care so much for our lost brothers. Be they veterans or half-made Neophytes, we sing songs and sew shrouds for every single one. No brother is discarded and a part of them will live on, held in the chest of their companions. We are expedient, not callus; it is my wish and duty to see that their souls reach the Emperor as soon as possible after passing.”

“Even so, I would like to take a moment after such news to lead us all in prayer,” says Eprhine.

I say, “I do not mind, Canoness Stern, if you must take comfort beneath the burning torch of the Emperor. A prayer and minute of silence would do us all a world of good.”

“You really do understand the faith, Magos,” Ephrine clears her throat, closes her eyes, and clasps her hands in front of her chest. “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Emperor, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the Barghest Neophytes, through your mercy, find safety at your side. Amen.”

“Amen,” I say along with everyone else in the room. We sit in silence for a minute. A gentle serenity fills the room. For a moment, I swear I can hear bells coming from the shrine and children laughing, then the sound fades like a dream and the moment is gone.

“Thank you for your words,” says Riodan. “Ottavio and I will inform our brothers of your care.”

Ephrine smiles, “I did not speak in the hope of praise. Nevertheless, the sentiment is appreciated. Apologies for interrupting you, Fleet Marshal Ridel.”

“It’s fine. I, too, needed a moment to gather myself,” Lonceta says. She takes a sip of water and looks around the room to check everyone is ready to resume, then nods once. “Heiress Alpia’s assessment of Footfall, though accurate, was by necessity, brief. I feel that more credit should go to Tanthus Moross and his securing of the docks. It is the most important infrastructure in Footfall and focusing his limited control on the docks gives far more soft power than one might expect. We are currently holding them and, having had to recapture them, I am loath to give them up to any other party.

“From our post battle investigations, it is clear that our initial assumptions were inaccurate. Liege Moross’s enforcers performed to the standards of veteran Imperial Guard. They held their ground and then fought a skilled fighting withdrawal, leaving traps and sabotaging what defences they could. They suffered in the initial confusion and betrayal though I would not accuse them of negligence. Security forces elsewhere in the station were nowhere near as alert and were quite useless. No matter their efforts, all station security was slain.

“Whether the Stellar Fleet subsumes the whole station, or merely a part of it, the security of the docks is where I would focus my efforts. The bridges, void craft hangers, and power generation should be consolidated and limited. There are hundreds of small habitats in Footfall and policing them as they are is not practical.”

I say, “Thank you, Fleet Marshal Ridel. How many military police companies would you need to control the station, and what other forces would you want available in case of assault? I want numbers for both partial and total takeovers.”

“I am uncertain, Magos,” says Lonceta. “There are too many factors here. Imperial citizens do not behave like Stellar Fleet citizens. The level of oversight on trade is yet to be decided.”

I nod, “Logis Vakul, estimates are your domain. Do you have a recommendation?”

“Yes. Rather than exact numbers of troops, it is better to think of the percentage of the population that can be mobilised when necessary and how much you want to keep on standby. This will allow the debate to continue without having to wait for months, even decades, for a select committee to arrive at the correct number.”

“Thank you, Logis Vakul,” I say. “Fleet Marshal?”

“Using that metric, the Stellar Fleet mobilisation limit is approximately 80%. It would not be wise to mimic it with Footfall citizens,” says Lonceta.

Several nods and exclamations of agreement fill the air.

Tanthus mutters, “Didn’t you just state my people did a good job?”

Lonceta ignores the interruption and continues, “I would want 2% on active duty and a further 3% as reserves. Assuming we do not hire mercenaries, or receive other assistance, and still want to maintain the same systems of the Stellar Fleet at Footfall, even if we were to partially take over the station, we would need the Stellar Fleet to make up at least 6-7% of the total population. Liege Moross, before the invasion, what was the approximate population of Footfall?”

Tanthus folds his arms and says, “There has never been a census and the transient population is significant. No matter who governs Footfall, none have ever had access to useful metrics. It can’t even be estimated from the Environmental Sustainer as there are many leaks and much of our life-giving infrastructure was run by the Narco Tribes, who did not keep accurate records. More than fifteen million and less than thirty million is the best I can give you.”

“We would need a million people, at minimum,” I say, “with 300,000 under arms to meet your requirements, Fleet Marshal. There’s no way we can leave that many people behind.”

Brigid shrugs, “Right now the population, going by minimum numbers, would be closer to two million. 140,000 to 150,000 would suffice.”

“That’s in the range of the total population of Distant Sun” says Alpia, “or five regiments of line Infantry. We can’t spare that many and we definitely can’t make up those numbers with Penitents.”

“Let’s set aside that problem for now,” I say. “Aeronautica Marshal, Yorath. You’ve been patrolling the system with your strike craft for weeks. Excluding infantry, how would you secure Footfall from assault?”

Igraine says, “I would restore the shield stations, adding Macro-Cannon batteries and hangars. It would be entirely impractical to secure the system with strike-craft and defence stations alone. A fleet of monitor ships would be needed as relying on passing friendly ships has proven inadequate, even harmful, on multiple occasions. 

“A single light cruiser strike group would be my recommendation. Enough firepower to fight off a single cruiser and fast enough to chase down smaller raiders. At minimum, I would want two Adder-Class escort carriers. Alas, we don’t have any spare, let alone a whole light cruiser strike group. 

“Without the Barghest’s offer to purify the captured merchant vessels, we have no means to secure Footfall to a point where it would be worth the risk of the investment. I would even go so far as to claim that if we don’t have ships, it would be in the Stellar Fleet’s best interest to do nothing, rather than throw resources after dreams of unsecured progress.”

I grimace, unhappy with Igraine’s recommendation. My displeasure does not alter the truth of her words, however.

I say, “If we restored and refitted the six shield stations with a light cruiser’s armament each and filled the hangars with Stellar Fleet strike craft, could you hold the system long enough to be reinforced by High Factorum Eire Lobhidain from SR-651?”

“Maybe,” says Igraine, “but that does not fit the scenario. Footfall is subject to raids, not occupation. That does not mean defences cannot play a vital role though. I would recommend that the shield stations are provided greater manoeuvrability to help mitigate the long range bombardment we saw from The Wolfpack. A method of intercepting incoming macro-shells would also be prudent too, should we face a repeat of outrageous divination skills. Perhaps we could repurpose the Hecatonchire Missile Launchers?”

I drum my fingers against the table, “Repurposing the Hecatonchire Missile Launchers is a proposal for Artisan Laisren to consider.”

Laisren says, “Magos Issengrund, Aeronautica Marshal Yorath, it’s not the launchers but the missiles, augur, and auspex working together that matters. Intercepting a macro-shell or bursting the magnetic containment on a plasma munition is possible in theory. Pulling it off is another matter entirely. We have no records of even Great Crusade Era vessels pulling that off. Navigators predicting incoming ordinance and coordinating with pilots is the standard method and one that we use ourselves. This is because missiles have a higher tech burden than macro cannon ammunition. No one is going to waste a Navigator or Psyker on a defence platform though. I am willing to make macro-ordinance interception my new project.”

“Artisan Laisren, you have a month to put together a feasibility study,” I say.

“Acknowledged, Magos Issengrund,” says Laisren.

I say, “Returning to Aeronautica Marshal Yorath, are you certain that the purification and restoration of corrupt vessels is necessary to defend Footfall?”

“Yes. The number of ships stationed at Footfall at any one time means that raiding Footfall requires bringing a substantial fleet, even if visiting vessels don’t always help. Seeing off, or stalling such a threat, requires manoeuvrable hulls and as many tactical options as possible. You proved that with your own leadership during the Battle of Footfall, Magos Issengrund. The Barghests have clearly already discussed this internally and come to the same conclusion. It is time to make commitments, not prayers.”

“Thank you for your recommendations, Aeronautica Marshal Yorath. Herald Primarus Domhnall Noake, you’ve heard from your colleagues. What is your rebuke?”

Domhnall’s porcelain mask shows no emotion, though his voice is tinged with merriment.

“Magos Issengrund, I rather think that Aeronautica Marshal Yorath and Fleet Marshal Ridel gave perfect answers within the scope of your questions.”

I chuckle, “Go on.”

“As ironic as it is coming from a man whose only remaining weakness is his brain and spine, at no point have any of us brought up the Human element. I am speaking of reputation. It was around some 45 years ago, in 805.M41, that rumours of Karrad Vall settling a world Spinward of the Cauldron first appeared. 

“From that, we can infer that Karrad Vall took at least half a century to assemble his fleet of sixteen voidships. Three cruisers and a heavy cruiser with escorts should have been enough to raid almost every world in the Koronus Expanse and escape. 

“We crushed them. 

“I doubt the Aeldari have the need or will to match Vall’s Wolfpack. We blew up the Kinbriar Dynasty’s only known world in the Koronus Expanse. The Tyranids are mostly absent from the sector. The primary threats are Imperial pirates and other Rogue Traders. 

“Both of these disparate factions are reliant on Footfall for resupply. They are not going to piss in their nutrient paste. Even if self-hydration does not deter them, the thought of attacking the home base of a new Barghest Company will keep their thrusters pointed in the opposite direction.”

I nod slowly as Domhnall speaks. He’s right. We did miss the obvious. At the same time, I don’t like to leave things up to chance either.

Domhnall continues, “We are overestimating our enemies and underestimating the quality of our forces. The Barghests captured four vessels on their own and Heralds are just as capable. The only people who might give our Stellar Corps trouble would be the forces of another Magos Explorator or an Astartes chapter; I would assume that infiltrating one of their vessels would be as tricky as it is to do to ours.

“My colleagues have explained what we would need to repel a once in a century raid and maintain order on a rebellious station without the Barghests. It is an excellent metric. However, not only do we have the Barghest’s support, but we can afford to gamble that it will be at least a decade or two before new threats arise. They’ve told us what to aim for. Not what we need today.”

Tanthus Moross gives the room a slow clap, “Congratulations. One of you cog boys finally managed to state the obvious. Perhaps we can finally get down to business and you can stop planning on how to carve up my station?”

“Liege Moross,” I say, “While your attitude and circumstances are understandable, your words and tone are unacceptable. It isn’t your station anymore. I already own it. How much I give back depends on what I can afford, and what you can offer. Your Astral Knives will not save you from your failings and my guns. I suggest you remain silent unless called upon and enjoy the privilege of listening to our open discussion so that you may better understand the reach of whatever cards you have left to play.”