[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor":3,"chapter-warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-238":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1511037,1962,"Chapter 238: Punisher-Class Reactor","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-238",238,"\u003Cp>In the frozen wastes of Medusa, Ferrus Manus led Santor and the Iron Fathers deep underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With massive excavators, they had broken through a subterranean bunker, breaching into the remains of a colossal manufactorum buried beneath the ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manus stood before a wall, his silver hand knocking against a surface as wide as a voidship's transit deck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall was made up of data machinery, within it a seat wrapped in cables, embedded into a shattered niche.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manus turned his head toward Santor, his most trusted son of Medusa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Santor met the Gorgon's silver eyes, dazed for several seconds before regaining himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gorgon, the Iron Fathers' initial analysis confirms this wreckage fell from orbit. They are searching for anything useful within.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not enough,\" Manus said in a voice like molten lead, echoing heavily as his silver hand struck the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This allows a man, through a spinal nerve interface, to connect directly to the database.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this virtual thought-space, data transfer can occur at super-high speed, with combat simulations possible as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Santor looked at the Gorgon with reverence. Only he could, without restoration, divine the function of a machine-spirit's work through observation and touch alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the cables and cogitator banks making up the wall, Santor asked in confusion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a monumental find. Not only can it process the massive data of war, but it can also simulate battle scenarios. With this, can we not ensure victory?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gorgon's silver eyes were fathomless. \"There is no absolute certainty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Nareth is like me, and he very well may be, then to secure victory, one must uncover the true origin of the Garuda.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His coin-like eyes turned to the distance, where a mechanical eagle approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The automaton was forged from grey steel and brass. The Medusans, after their own myths, had named them Garuda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten of the Garuda circled down to Manus, beating their wings with shrill cries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver of Manus' eyes rippled like liquid. \"They will not find it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Santor, long at his Primarch's side, heard in his tone the faint trace of loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gorgon, I believe this wall alone may be enough to win us the contest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Nareth had finished hearing \"Spirit Medium\" Adams' report and turned to \"Student of Ratiocination\" Arsenna Dunn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arsenna, which location do you judge most valuable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The acolyte did not answer immediately. Instead, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, to ensure the accuracy of my reasoning, I must review the records first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adams produced a data slate, transmitting his findings to the Primarch, his aide, and Techmarine Gabriel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing, the \"Student of Ratiocination\" spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, I believe the site pointed out by the noble ghost and others is the most valuable relic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, the structure he described was likely built by xenos before humanity ever came to Medusa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Based on current evidence, we cannot determine its full worth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the acolyte's logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we go to the human-built ruin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the \"Spirit Medium.\" \"Summon the ghost to guide us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adams drew forth a spirit-crystal and uttered a Dunnic invocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In my name I summon thee, spirit bound within crystal, manifest and obey my command!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold spectral wind arose, and the noble ghost appeared before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shade looked with dread upon the towering black giant. Even as a ghost, he could feel the crushing pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Spirit Medium's\" voice was airy, ethereal:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lead the way to the oldest structure your people built.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble ghost circled uncertainly before finding his bearings and walking ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the shade for over forty kilometers, the party's sight fell upon a massive iceberg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, its silhouette was visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike most worlds' glaciers, or even those of Fenris, this one was strangely irregular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain of ice rose and fell chaotically, as if shaped by the careless hands of a child molding a toy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble ghost halted abruptly, muttering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is called Mount MacKenna of the Black Snow. It was born from the wars fought by the first colonists for control of Sthelenus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Archaeologist\" Gabriel asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Black snow?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble ghost sank into ancient memory, speaking after several long seconds:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After nuclear fire, vast amounts of carbonized or sulfurized particulates were hurled into the atmosphere. When cooled, they fell as what we called 'black snow.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Archaeologist\" exchanged a look with the \"Student of Ratiocination,\" then stared at the iceberg in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that is true, it was a dreadful war indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My bound spirits do not speak falsehood,\" the \"Spirit Medium\" said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth knew the ghosts were real, yet he was troubled. By any measure, the Medusan system was unfit for human life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To shed blood for such a system, was it worth it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would you fight so fiercely for this place, paying such a heavy price?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble ghost glanced up fearfully and replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because here we discovered xenos ruins. It was for them we waged war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth's eyes grew deep. He thought of Medusa's hostile environment, of the debris adrift in void, and of its alien relics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he remembered Asirnoth, the silver wyvern suspected to be a shard of a Void Dragon, freed when Ferrus Manus' incubation pod crashed into Karash's Black Snow mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If Asirnoth truly is a shard of a C'tan, then perhaps Medusa was one of the Necrons' prison-worlds sealing it away.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, the noble ghost continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The war dragged on and on for possession of the relics. Thus was MacKenna born.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After I discovered alien ruins in the far north of Sthelenus, I landed here, building a subterranean base within the mountain to excavate them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The company soon reached the foot of MacKenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Techmarines found the chill extreme, forcing them to keep their servo-arms in constant motion lest the joints freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Savants, however, endured without trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the noble ghost along winding paths, they came before a vast metal gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Spirit Medium\" asked: \"How is the gate opened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble ghost studied it, speaking only after long thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With a key.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is the key?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not know. It was once borne by my attendants. I do not know where their bodies lie, nor whether the key yet endures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gabriel stepped to the gate, his mechadendrites whirring as drills scraped away centuries of ice from its surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stopped. His probes tapped carefully against the terminal before he turned to the Primarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, no force must be used. This door is no less than five meters thick. Breaching it may trigger its defenses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In fact, it is ten meters,\" the ghost said with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even orbital bombardment from a voidship could not destroy it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was once the hull of a voidship. My artificers reforged its void shields to protect the entire base.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you fail to crack it properly, the defense protocols will detonate the whole installation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Techmarine frowned. \"What powers these defenses? After millennia, the energy arrays of the Dark Age should have long gone cold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Punisher-class reactor,\" the ghost answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term was alien to the Techmarine, but familiar to Nareth. He recalled after a moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Punisher-class reactors were unique to the Iron Hands' ships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the standard plasma drives of Imperial voidcraft, Punisher-class reactors yielded far greater output, powering more devastating weapons and auto-recharging void shields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Perhaps this technology came from these very ruins. If so, the relic's value is immense.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Nareth also thought of what would happen if a Punisher reactor detonated. Even if he survived, his sons would be slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked: \"So it cannot be forced. Gabriel, can you open it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, I need more time to probe it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Archaeologist's\" mechadendrites skittered across the terminal. After ten minutes, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, I can. But I cannot say how long. I have never seen such intricate and impossible systems.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The codes within the gate spawn sub-ciphers, and each requires separate decoding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They multiply like an ecosystem, ever-evolving in response to my intrusion, growing into more complex systems.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth considered. He and Ferrus Manus had no fixed deadline. Neither would stoop to endlessly excavating ruins without limit, nor would Huang Lao allow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he trusted the \"Archaeologist's\" skill. And if the Punisher-class reactor's secrets lay here, they might secure him victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Begin. Break through the defenses as swiftly as you can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you wish, Father.\" The \"Archaeologist\" was thrilled; such living code fascinated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he and his cognitors set to work, Nareth ordered the 4th Chapter Shadows of Order to keep watch, then said to the \"Spirit Medium\":\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring your spirit. I have more to ask of him about the xeno relic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his aide and the Spirit Medium, Nareth left the gate, walking a kilometer away before halting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FDaoistJinzu\u003C\u002Fp>",1484,"2026-06-06T05:05:10.769Z",1,"novelbin.me","025c3ff8e430562c8369bc5e9866014f2a89588d2973e0e6dbb0beb887fa4028","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-239","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-237",698,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwarhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-cover.jpg"]