XXXIII

During the Mars Schims, an event know as 'Dead of Innocence' happen. One of the most important consequence was the destruction of Legio Agravides and Legio Fortidus, due to their reactors going critical, destroying their fortresses and all of their Titan.

But, not all of their Titan are on Mars. As both Legio have surviving elements of both Legio that are station on different worlds, remained unaware of each other's existence. Many believed they were the sole survivors of their respective Legio, driving them to fight the traitors with uncaring attitude. While their desperate assaults inflicted heavy losses on the traitors, it also led to their own downfall, as many of these surviving Titans were lost in battle.

At the end of Horus Heresy, the remaining Titans of both Legions have returned to Mars, mainly to display that their names are not yet lose to the Traitor, and displaying the war trophies that they have amassed during the war.

The 'resurrection' of both Legios was a great triumph for the Imperium. Their war trophies, paraded not only on Mars but even on Terra, bolstered the morale of the Imperium's weary citizens. However, despite this symbolic victory, both Legios, if they could still be called that, were reduced to nothing but no more than twenty Titans.

Legio Agravides had only a single Warlord Titan, one Dire Wolf Heavy Scout Titan, and two Warhound Titans.

Legio Fortidus fared even worse. While they still possessed one Nightgaunt-class Titan, it had suffered extensive damage and was deemed beyond repair by the Tech-Priests of Mars. In addition, they had only two Warhound Titans remaining.

Both Legios have proven themselves to ve worthy of their ranks and duties, but both Imperium and Mars lack the times and resources to rebuild both destroyed Legio. With Legio Ignatum still intact and hasn't suffer heavy losses like both Legio Agravides and Legio Fortidus, both Terra and Mars decided it's better to invest in repairing and rebuilding Legio Ignatum, than rebuilding two Legios from scratch.

In this aftermath, both Legios are semi integrate into Legio Ignatum. With most of the resources are poured into Legio Ignatum, both Legios only receive a small number of Warhound Titan to reinforce them.

When Mars decided to dispatch Nine to reclaim Anvilus Nine, a small number of Titan from Legio Ignatum and the full might of Legio Agravides and Legio Fortidus have been send to accompany Nine. And after Anvilus Nine is reclaim, the Titans will be then reformed into a Legio that serve Anvilus Nine, and by extension, Mars.

However, when the time came, the Titans were not reformed into a new Legio. Instead, they continued to operate under their original banners.

To accommodate them, two Fortress-Temples were constructed, one at the north pole and another at the south pole. Legio Ignatum took residence in the northern Fortress-Temple, while Legio Agravides and Legio Fortidus shared the southern one.

In this 4000 years, Nine not only restore the production lines of the forge world and execute the mission given by the Emperor, he also do his best to build more Titans for all three Legios.

During this time, the Legios developed their own unique culture, distinct yet still sharing similarities between them. Their colors shifted to black and silver, retaining only minimal traces of their original heraldry. Their badges also underwent slight modifications, reflecting their new identity while honoring their past.

Legio Ignatum detachment, once capable of fielding five Warlord Titans, six Reaver Titans, and twelve Warhound Titans, saw its strength grow significantly under Nine's efforts. Their forces expanded to fifteen Warlord Titans, twenty-four Reaver Titans, and thirty-six Warhound Titans, restoring them to a formidable fighting force.

Legio Agravides, after received the Warhound Titans during their time at Mars, have their Warhound Titan number increase to six. Currently, their numbers expanded to eight Warlord Titans, three Dire Wolf Heavy Scout Titans, thirteen Warhound Titans.

Legio Fortidus have it's Warhound Titan increase to five Warhound Titans. Currently, the Legio able to field five Warlord Titans, seven Reaver Titans, and fourteen Warhound Titans. Despite being heavily damaged, the Nightgaunt Titan has been restored to operational status thanks to Nine's efforts. As a result, the Titan can once again walk in service of the Legio.

As the Legios didn't march out for wars, they mainly march for training. Each fo the Legios will fight one another in a mock battle to test their tactic, improve coordination and make sure all the Princeps and the crews are battle-ready.

Other than open field Titan versus Titan mock battle, they also undergoes siege battle training, urban battle training and other specialized exercises to prepare them for any battle scenarios possible.

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160.M36 

Anvilus Nine

With a loud and clear war horn sounded from the open field, Atharion can see the Warhound Titans from the three Legios start moving towards the center ground.

This was a training skirmish, organized by the three Grand Masters of the Legios. A demonstration, not just of their combat readiness, but of their unity and discipline. They wanted to prove to Atharion that they were prepared to march to war once more.

After six hours, the skirmish have ended in favour of Legio Ignatum, as they have the largest number of Titans among the three Legios. But, Legio Fortidus and Legio Agravides still prove a match for them as they use mobile warfare on the Legio Ignatum that still use the normal tactics.

Though both Legios ultimately lost, their tactics inflicted heavy casualties on Ignatum. By leveraging superior mobility, they successfully outmaneuvered their larger foe, targeting weak points and striking with precision ambushes. In the end, Ignatum lost four Warlord Titans, six Reaver Titans, and twelve Warhound Titans.

Despite their defeat, the battle had demonstrated that Agravides and Fortidus were not merely surviving, they were able evolving, adapting their tactics to counter even the other Titan Legions.

After the skirmish ended, Nine led Atharion toward a large hangar situated at the heart of the main forge city. As they traveled, Atharion took note of the multiple Cohorts of Skitarii standing guards on multiple fortified bunkers and special design kill zones, their crimson and black armor gleaming under the industrial lights. Beside the Skitarii, Kastelan robot stood beside them, improving the overall security of the area.

As Atharion go deeper, the numbers of the Skitarii and Kastelan only increase. He even see glimpses of Sicarian Infiltrator and Sicarian Ruststalker moving in packs in the dark corners, on the roof, or crawl on the wall. He even see multiple Dunestalkers that hide within their fortified location that overlook their kill zones.

"Nine," Atharion said with a puzzled tone. "does whatever you trying to show me require this much security?" He then gesture at the Ruststalker that just blend into the darkness. "It seems too excessive."

Nine chuckle a little with his mechanical voice. "The only reason you think this security is too much is because you haven't look at the things they're guarding." He finished as they arrive in front of a massive vault door.

As both of them stood at the vault door, multiple Protectors with a large number of Secutarii Hoplite march towards them in a tight formation, their weapons raised towards them.

From the shadows behind them, a massive tech-priest emerged. His red and black robes billowed as he stepped forward, his many mechanical limbs and servo-arms clicking and whirring with each movement.

"Archmagos Nine," The tech-priest said with a monotone mechanical voice. "What's the purpose of your arrival at the Vault of Ommisiah' Rage." Atharion can see that the tech-priest head turn towards him. "With a stranger no less."

Nine stepped forward, placing himself slightly ahead of Atharion. "I have come to show Atharion what lies within." He stated firmly.

One of Nine's servo-arms extended, its mechadendrite connecting with the tech-priest's own mechanical limb. A stream of binaric code flashed between them.

The tech-priest, his optics flickering as he processed the data, remained silent for a few moments. Then, with a slight nod, he disengaged the link. "Access granted." He intoned.

Without a word, the Protectors and Secutarii Hoplites silently withdrew into the shadows, vanishing from sight as they resumed their watch for any future threats.

Atharion and Nine continued forward, stopping briefly beside the tech-priest. Atharion noticed a faint glow in the tech-priest's optics before the massive vault door began to slide open with a deep, mechanical rumble.

Just as Atharion and Nine were about to step inside, the tech-priest suddenly spoke. Though his voice remained mechanical, there was an unmistakable hint of warmth beneath it.

"I hope this is not too soon, old friend." His gaze shifted briefly to Atharion. "I have a good idea of what is happening, but I truly hope he is worth it, for you and for the Imperium."

"Time will tell." Nine reply, with the same hint of warmth in it. Both Nine and Atharion continue thier journey into the vault.

"I truly hope it is." The tech-priest murmur before he himself also withdrew into the shadow.

As they walked deeper into the vault, Atharion glanced at Nine. "So…" he began, breaking the silence. "Who was that tech-priest? You two seem to know each other well."

Nine let out a low chuckle, the sound distorted by his vox. "We've know each other for a long time, Atharion." He said. "Longer than most believe."

Atharion didn't say anything, just watching Nine as they walked. After a moment, he heard Nine let out a mechanical sigh.

"We met when I was still a Magos Dominus, leading a Skitarii Macroclade," Nine said, his tone laced with reminiscence. "He was a Magos Prime, commanding Cohort Cybernetica. His Cohort had just suffered heavy losses in a war that he fail to excetud the order from the Archmagos he is assign to." He paused for a moment, as if recalling the past.

"He was reassigned to the northern war zone, CNW-0938, as my third Magos Prime." Nine continued.

"At first, he was bitter." Nine admitted. "He saw it as a demotion, a punishment for his failures. His Cohort Cybernetica had been nearly wiped out, and he believed the Mechanicus had cast him aside."

Nine's mechanical limbs clicked softly as they moved deeper into the vault. "But I saw the potential within him." He said. "I gave him command over one of my personal Cohort Cybernetica, hoping he would prove himself."

Atharion glanced at Nine. "And did he?"

Nine let out a small, distorted chuckle. "He did more than that." He said. "He rebuilt the Cohort, forged a new battle doctrine, and turned his Cohort into one of the most effective on the front. When the war ended, he was no longer a disgraced Magos Prime. He was a rising figure in the Mechanicus."

Atharion nodded, understanding now why there was respect between the two. "And now he's here, guarding this vault," he said. "A sign of trust?"

"He is a friend, Atharion." Nine said with seriousness can be hear within his voice. "A friend that I can trust and leave my back to him." His head turn towards Atharion and look him in his eyes. "And I also hope that you can trust him too."

Atharion held Nine's gaze for a moment before giving a small nod. "If you trust him, then I'll try to as well."

Nine let out a satisfied hum before turning his attention forward again. "Good."

They walked in silence, the dim red glow of Mechanicus runes casting eerie shadows on the metal walls. As they went deeper, the sound of heavy machinery grew louder, the hum of servos and clanking of metal echoing through the halls.

After a few minutes, they reached the source of the noise, a massive chamber, larger than anything Atharion had expected.

Inside, countless Titans stood like metal giants, their towering forms stretching high into the chamber. Tech-priests and servitors moved everywhere, carrying large crates and containers to the Titans. Some worked on repairs, sparks flying as they welded damaged armor plates. Others installed weapons, attaching massive cannons and missile launchers to the war machines.

Atharion stared in awe. "Wha…" He muttered.

Atharion turned towards Nine, still trying to process what he was seeing. "What is this?" He ask, his eyebrow frown together. "The resources you get, even for all this years shouldn't allow you to build all this Titans, especially when you still need to reconstruct the cities and manufactorum on the ground, and the Orbital Ring."

Nine head turn slightly to the left. "What do you mean by building them?" He ask with a sligh amuse tone.

"If you didn't build this," Atharion said as he gestured towards the Warlord Titan that being equip with the laser blaster. "Where all this Titans come from?"

"Did you truly think that an important forge world like Anvilus Nine will not be garrison by a Titan Legion?" Nine ask before a servo-skull arrive and display a video that contain the information of the Titans here. "Most of the Titans in here are repairs and rebuild from the Titans that fall while protecting their home during the Heresy." The video flicker as it show the information of Titans with multiple different color schemes. "With some of them are scavenge from the Titans that destroy because of Cataclysm of Iron."

Atharion's frown deepened as he processed Nine's words. His gaze flickered between the towering Titans and the flickering holoscreen displayed by the servo-skull. The images showed various Titans, some still bearing the faded colors of their associated Legios, others marked with the scars of battle and centuries of wear.

"So, the Titans that you provide to those three Legios are from here?" Atharion ask, still reading the information on the holoscreen.

"No." Nine shooked his head. "Not all of them at least, the Warhound and the Reaver are build from the forge." He said with a slight pride in his tone. "My Ark, to my surprise, have the schematics of the Titans that Mars produce."

Atharion raised an eyebrow. "Your Ark had Titan schematics? That's… unexpected."

Nine let out a mechanical chuckle. "Indeed. When I first discovered them, I thought it was a mistake. But after careful examination, I realized they were authentic, complete STCs, untouched and fully functional." His optics glowed faintly as he continued. "I suspect the Ark was once part of a grander Mechanicus effort before the Heresy, but whatever its true origin, it allowed us to restore the Legios here to fighting strength."

Atharion exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "That kind of knowledge… Mars would kill to have it."

Nine's tone turned dry. "Which is why they will never know."

Suddenly, Atharion's eyes widened. He turned to Nine quickly, pointing at the holoscreen. "Is this real? There are ten of these here?"

Nine glanced at the display before nodding. "Yes. Ten Imperator Titans." His tone was calm, but there was a hint of satisfaction in it. "Most were found in deep chamber in seclude planets and moons, forgotten after the Heresy. Others were recovered and rebuilt from wreckage."

Atharion stared at the screen, his mind racing. The Imperator-class was the largest and most powerful Titan the Mechanicus had ever built. Each one was a walking fortress, a symbol of the Omnissiah's might. "And they're all operational?"

"Not yet," Nine admitted. "Three are fully functional. The rest are in various stages of repair. But in time, all ten will walk again."

Atharion didn't talk for a short while as he trying to process this information. According the information show on the holoscreen, excluding the Titans of the three Legios, there are almost 160 Titans in this very chamber. 50 Warhound Titans, 20 Rapier Titans, 40 Reaver Titans, 20 Warbringer Nemesis Titans and 20 Warlord Titans.

He slowly turned to Nine. "This… this is a whole new Legio."

Nine nodded. "Yes. And once the repairs are done, they only need worthy Princeps and crews before they march."

Atharion exhale as he looking at the Titans. "Its not easy and time consuming to train all the Princeps and crews for all this Titans in a short time." He then look back at Nine. "Do you have a plan for this?"

Nine nodded. "The eugenics program." Atharion brow furrow hearing this. "I have been using the gene that I collected from the Princeps and crews of the three Legios, and part of your gene code for this."

Atharion frowned. "You used my gene code? Won't that cause problems?"

"Interestingly," Nine mused. "There aren't many issues." The holoscreen shifted, displaying genetic data. "The only two downsides are their survival rate and the restriction to only male candidates. But in exchange, they are stronger, more disciplined, and highly resistant to corruption, ideal traits for commanding a Titan."

Atharion crossed his arms, studying the data. "So, you're telling me that these pilots are basically a mix of experienced Princeps and… me?"

"Correct," Nine confirmed. "Your gene structure has unique traits that improve mental resilience. Combined with the genetic material of seasoned Princeps, the results are promising."

"So, how many of them survived the program?" Atharion asked.

"Out of 300, only 100 survived. They are currently being trained by Legio Ignatum," Nine answered as the holoscreen shifted, displaying information on the survivors.

Atharion scanned the data, his expression serious. "A one-in-three survival rate… that's brutal."

Nine nodded. "Titan crews must be strong, both physically and mentally. Those who could not handle the strain were removed early in the process."

Atharion exhaled and crossed his arms. "And when will they be ready?"

"In a few years. Some may be ready sooner, but true mastery takes time."

"It's better than nothing." Atharion said. "It already faster than how a normal princeps and crews are being recruited and trained."

Nine inclined his head slightly. "Indeed. With the right training and conditioning, they will be more than capable."

Atharion glanced at the holoscreen again, his mind running through the possibilities. "Once they're ready, will you will raise a new Legio, or will they reinforce the existing ones?"

Nine's optics flickered as he responded. "I have already discussed this with the Grand Masters of the three Legios. An agreement has been reached."

Atharion listened closely as Nine continued. "Legio Ignatum elements will form the core of the new Legio. The other two will function as independent demi-Legios under this new banner."

Atharion raised an eyebrow. "And they agreed to this?"

Nine nodded. "Yes. Legio Ignatum's forces here will abandon their original colors and badges, but they will keep their traditions and battle doctrine. Meanwhile, the other two Legios will retain their color schemes as secondary markings. Their original insignia will become their demi-Legio badge, while the new Legio's emblem will be their main symbol."

Atharion exhaled, looking back at the Titans in the chamber. "A whole new Legio, hidden from Mars and the Imperium..." He shook his head. "This is going to cause trouble one day."

Nine's mechanical voice remained steady. "Perhaps. But when that day comes, we will be ready."

Atharion nod his head. "Indeed, while it's require effort to calm the wrath of Mars and Terra." He stop for a short second before continue. "But I have multiple plans to deal with it when the time come."

"Yes." Nine said as the servo-skull stop displaying the holoscreen and hover away. "Now, we must choose a name for this new Legio." Nine turn towards Atharion. "Do you have one in mind?"

Atharion's gaze lingered on the Titans before him. "Argentum Fulgur." He said at last. "Silver Lightning."

Nine's optics flickered. "A fitting name. Lightning is fast, strikes without warning, and leaves destruction in its wake. And silver..."

"It represent purity." Atharion finished. "For these Titans will not fall to corruption or weakness."

Nine nodded. "Then it is decided. Legio Argentum Fulgur shall rise."

Atharion exhaled, his eyes looking at the Titans one last time. "Now, we prepare them for war."