Chapter 162: A Compelling Reason for Support

Less than a month had passed since the cruiser, *Path of Glory*, had set out with Vanessa and Yoren before finally returning to the Starport.

Back in the stronghold of the Hive World's Underhive, Vanessa met with Qin Mo once more. Beside him, Yoren began to deliver a thorough report of their journey, detailing how Vanessa's psychic influence had rendered her nearly untouchable within the Hive World, as well as relaying every word spoken by the enigmatic figure in black.

Vanessa waited in quiet patience until Yoren had completed his account and displayed the records embedded in his powered armor. Then, she asked, "So, have I passed the test?"

Qin Mo nodded in confirmation. It was clear now that Vanessa had been truthful; she did indeed have a means to connect with the Empire's upper echelons. The black-robed figure might even be a former intelligence officer of the Imperial Guard, which would explain much.

"Is there anything else I can be of service with?" Vanessa inquired.

"Not at the moment," Qin Mo replied, shaking his head.

Vanessa inwardly hoped he would assign her another task, giving her an opening to introduce her plea for support of the Forge World Agrippina. But since no further requests came, she broached the subject directly.

"I await your orders, but I wish to request that a fleet be dispatched to protect a Forge World." Vanessa explained the Empire's naval loss and the dire need for support.

Qin Mo fell into a contemplative silence. The Forge World Agrippina lay near the Eye of Terror, tasked with supplying armaments to the forces stationed at Cadia's Gate. With the Thirteenth Black Crusade imminent, the strategic significance of Agrippina was beyond question. Moreover, Qin Mo knew that, in the run-up to the crusade, Agrippina would be plagued by not only the relentless No-Faith Plague but also raids from enemies within the Eye of Terror.

The Admiral's engagement with the Plague Fleet meant that, despite victory, his forces had suffered considerable losses, leaving the Plague Fleet free to maraud entire sectors unchecked. Qin Mo couldn't help but wonder at the strange timing of these events.

"This is happening far too early," he muttered, his expression clouded with frustration. "I had hoped for at least several years to make the necessary preparations before getting involved in all this…"

Vanessa paused, a suspicion forming in her mind that Qin Mo might already have foreseen much of this unfolding chaos.

"I didn't even have a chance to warn the Admiral," he said. In his original plan, he had intended to send prophecies to every combatant in the events leading up to the Black Crusade.

"I did try to warn him," Vanessa replied, "but it was in vain. There are some events that unfold regardless of foreknowledge; even one who glimpses the future finds themselves nudged inexorably toward it."

"Well… that does seem to be the way of things," Qin Mo conceded.

The Eldar were notorious for their prophecies, only to discover that in trying to avert them, they ultimately brought about even graver consequences. It was often better to address the present rather than dwell too much on the future.

"What's your view? Is defending this Forge World essential?" Vanessa ventured, subtly probing Qin Mo's stance on the matter to gauge his likelihood of agreeing to the defense.

Qin Mo didn't reply aloud but inwardly acknowledged its necessity. The Forge World held significant strategic value. If Abaddon's Thirteenth Black Crusade were to obliterate Cadia, safeguarding the Forge World was imperative. Furthermore, the Mechanicum priest, Vic, who had come to the Talon sector with the Inquisition, had been dispatched to Agrippina by Cawl himself.

With all these factors in mind, Qin Mo considered Vic's future role to be even more critical than that of the Forge World itself.

After a moment's deliberation, he said, "I'll commit to defending the Forge World, but only within its own system. Don't expect me to pursue and destroy the marauding fleets across the region. The Talon sector has only just begun its development and integration."

"That will be more than sufficient…" Vanessa exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and unexpected satisfaction filling her gaze. "What will you require in return?"

"I haven't decided yet," Qin Mo replied, shaking his head slowly.

Vanessa's curiosity piqued—she sensed that this decision to support Agrippina was something he had long pondered, perhaps even intending from the beginning, given his lack of immediate demands. Reflecting on past events, she began to realize that Qin Mo's goals might extend beyond mere gain and power to something far grander, perhaps even encompassing the survival of the entire race and material realm.

"You may take your leave," Qin Mo signaled for her to depart.

Vanessa rose, offering a respectful bow before making her way back to her quarters in the fortress.

Once she was out of sight, Qin Mo set about his next plans. The Talon Fleet would remain in-system to prevent sector-wide invasions.

Only the Astral Engine would be sent to defend the Forge World, which carried the added advantage that, when Abaddon inevitably began his full assault on Cadia, the Astral Engine could move directly to Cadia's location. Of course, it wouldn't orbit Cadia like a satellite, as that would destabilize the planet on its own; rather, it would remain in a stellar orbit, ensuring that no fleet could bypass it without peril.

With the Astral Engine posted near the Forge World, the outcome would be the same.

As for the accompanying forces, Qin Mo, after brief consideration, decided that both Grey and Yoren would escort a hundred regiments. Mirroring the structure of the Astra Militarum, these regiments weren't in the thousands but numbered in the tens, even hundreds of thousands. Coupled with the defending Cult Mechanicus forces on the Forge World, this should be more than adequate.