The same week, I met with the delegation from Forge Mezoa, and listened to their complains about lack of resources and workforce.

Truthfully, this would apply to anyone. Even the Demiurg, for all their advanced science and rugged technology, still needed to mine for minerals and clone their people for more workforce.

Now, what to do? Give the man a fish, or teach him how to fish?

"This problem can be solved two ways, esteemed Magos. I can donate to your Forge World all materials you need to keep producing. Transport ships filled with rare metals and even blackstone. I could empty several hab-blocks and transfer a billion people for your workforce. It would slow my own domain, but I could do it." I proposed with a calm voice, then took out a stack of dataslates. The other way.

The old tech-priest measured my proposal for a minute, then waved his tentacles. "Let's say we consider that a worthy option, Lord Lancefire. But I sense the other option would be far better."

I nodded kindly and handed over the precious STC slates. This is the way!

My modified Machine-pattern Ion Beamer Firestrike turrets, the Machine-pattern Cyclic Ion Beam and the Ion Cannon STC, Ferrus Ion Flare shields...and the brand-new Deus-pattern mining drone, my dumbed down model of the Demiurg drones, easy enough to manufacture even by a normal Forge World. For the workforce, I also had a dataslate, containing an inferior cloneskein designed for factory workers and miners, which simply reduced their Warp presence and increased the clones resistance and durability. Hardier workers could work harder.

"...This is too much, my Lord!" the tech-priest realized after getting over the joy of seeing new STCs.

"Sadly, there is no decent way to harvest blackstone, other than butchering Necrons and stealing their deposits." I commended in a more dour voice.

" I understand. Anything Forge Mezoa can do, it shall be done." the man answered as he cooled down, even gushing jets of cooling liquid from some internal pumps.

"I'm glad we are of the same mind, Magos. The Lamenters need to be equipped with 400 Astareus tanks, and 400 Redemptor Dreadnoughts. Best if the weapons are these Ion tech guns I have just reclaimed. If you can't, just leave the weapon slots empty. As for shields, both have to get Ion Flare versions. We can dispense with one Void shield from the Astareus, for the new shield." I demanded in a clear voice.

"That is a bit complex to do, but with the new minerals and workforce..." he answered hastily, already hoping he got a good trade.

" The Lamenter Fleet will need 4000 system corvettes and 40000 Lightning fighters to recover our loss. The Lamenters Auxilia will need 400 Baneblades and 400000 Sentinels. You can leave them unarmed, the chassis will suffice. The Ion Cannons can also be used as primary weapons for Knights and secondary for Titans." I explained in a patient voice.

"The STCs are valuable, but..." he hesitated for a minute.

"So I will add a Universe-class conveyor filled with blackstone. Your Forge will convert the conveyor into a fleet carrier to bring my corvettes back." I concluded my offer with a shrug. It was more than fair as I didn't ask for their own STCs or giant ships. Only a lot of work hours to construct low level machines.

"My Forge doesn't have any Titans..." he begged for more help.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Speak with Fabricator Gemma about that. I am often told that Titans aren't my business." I countered with an inner smirk.

I do remember being cock-blocked on this topic. Don't come asking me for Titans! If Gemma was smart, she will trade a Titan-pattern for the Astareus STC. I kinda wished to match the Tau or the Eldar with their flying tanks.

Tracks were good enough for the Auxilia, but flying tanks would help my Astartes move over unlikely places for tanks like swamps or deserts, even lakes or rivers.

'...any strange artifacts you may not need." he tried to barter as I returned him to his ship.

Forge World Goth got much of the same deal a minute later, a set of new STCs but of lower value. Machine-pattern revolving multi-lasers and Las Beamer STC, the Ion Flare shields plus Deus mining drones for 40000 Ragnarok tanks and personnel carriers and 400000 Armed Sentinels with an Ion Beamer as main weapon. Goth was also a Hive World, so they had enough people for workforce, so no cloneskeins, even dumb ones.

"Surely we can try more trading? We do have shipyards at my Forge, and your forces are always engaged in large actions." their Archmagos proposed in a displeased tone, perhaps knowing what their rival Forge had already gained.

"Perhaps. I may need 5 new Battleships for the Lancefire Fleet. If not, maybe 5 Battlebarges for my Successor Chapter, the Mourners." I allowed in a kind voice.

"...I don't see how we could provide Battleships, Lord Lancefire. There are only 4 mega-docks constructing those, and already claimed by the Imperial Navy. As is the next cycle and the next. As for Astartes battlebarges, there may be a way to construct 5 new mega-docks. However, these Mourners...are they already inducted? I haven't heard anything, even with the Ultima founding." the Archmagos managed to frown, even with bionic optics.

"It's complicated. They will be Blank Primaris, so there aren't any useful guidelines, not even in Codex Astartes. They will arrive at Terra next year, and meet their Primarch. I guess they can sort the details over there." I explained in a serious voice.

"Quite a paradigm shift, I may say. Not only Blank Marines, but Primaris! Not only immune to Warp, but strong and fast enough to outmatch the Chaos traitors." the man mused for a few minutes, then nodded abruptly.

"I do have some blackstone." I interjected before he could speak.

"+Conjecture known and anticipated. ++ We will offer the location for a probable//dangerous//deadly STC location. +++ Pef Lancefire will deploy and assist Forge World Goth with recovery. Compliance?" the tech-priest asked in a machine voice. Possibly some type of Mechanicus over-ride, just in case the negotiations reached a turning point.

"Agreed! I will assist your Expedition, and provide a conveyor filled with blackstone. But I do want the right to read and use any STC templates I discover at your location." I proclaimed in a greedy voice.

Who knew I could find such a bounty in a mere equipment trade?

"Compliance verified by vox logs. Segementum Obscurus, Coronid_Deeps , Dead planet named Grail . Be advised, xenos and Warp entities are probable//dangerous//deadly at this location." the Archmagos replied while passing over a thin data-wafer with a single stellar coordinate set, also marked Critical//Deadly.

Seemed I hit the jackpot!

'Sift through all data points or logs for this Grail planet, Speranza. I want to know what I'm getting into.' I sent towards my friendly AI mega-ship.

'...Scant recent news, Pef Lancefire. Mostly dead explorers and rumors of STCs, hastily deleted. Psychic phenomena usually attributed to wasp-type organisms called Psychneuein. Quite deadly.' the Speranza replied in a mere minute.

'I should be able to withstand those Warp things, and scan the planet with my tesseract. Then grab whatever STC and leave.' I said with a confident tone.

'You think you can withstand billions of immaterial Astartes-tall wasps that infest everything with microscopic eggs that devour brains?' the Speranza continued with a curious tone.

'...Alternate plan?' I asked more subdued. You already had me at billions, why did you have to go on? Eating brains? Nope!

'Indeed. Shoot with the Black Lament at the planet from far away. Then shoot more. Even thrice, to be sure. And bring a dozen Pariahs along, for safety.' the Machine Spirit provided with a more somber voice.

Perhaps this place was actually dangerous. There have been too many things that breached my Blank defenses, not even long ago. I should listen to the smarter partner.