After Sage Kaminski's departure, Nimrod received Howard's arrival.
"My lord, I have commenced the comprehensive implementation of the Huntmansi Dome's reforms across the Underhive. Soon, the Underhive shall be transformed, radiant with renewal."
Nimrod, having absorbed the report, commended with measured approval.
"Your efforts are commendable. You must also hasten the formation of the Fifth Regiment. Your destiny transcends the role of an Arbites."
"As you command, my lord."
"Moreover, remain vigilant for talent within your regiment, preparing for the next phase of military expansion."
Nimrod imposed this mandate upon all his commanders, for upon his return to Vostonia, he intended to launch another wave of military augmentation and achieve the complete subjugation of this world.
"The defense of Tetzvok is entrusted to you as well. Buksa shall assist you in this endeavor."
The newly subdued hives of Mazov and Szczecin, inhabited by the culturally inclined Magdanese, lacked robust resistance. Nimrod assigned these hives to Rawlslev and his First Regiment for governance.
"My lord, I shall safeguard Tetzvok with unwavering resolve, awaiting your triumphant return."
Following Howard's departure, Rosicky arrived, accompanied by dozens of servitors, bearing the armor they had crafted.
The servitors, their mechanical braces clanking, clad Nimrod in obsidian-hued armor.
"King Nimrod, does the armor suit your form?"
Rosicky, retaining much of his human visage with only a single augmetic eye, prudently confined his optical scans to Nimrod's physique and the armor's specifications.
Nimrod's form blurred, vanishing to the palace's grand portal and returning to his prior position in an instant, his speed so prodigious that Rosicky's optic scanner registered merely a fleeting flicker.
"Excellent craftsmanship. It fits impeccably."
"My lord, Sage Kaminski has commanded me to join your crusade against the xenos pirates."
"Prepare a flyer. I shall depart in one standard hour."
Tetzvok possessed only low-altitude flyers, lacking vehicles capable of high-altitude transit.
One Terran hour later, Nimrod, accompanied by Maria and two other assassins, boarded a transport vessel summoned from the starport under Rosicky's guidance.
In Lukov's hive, within the Upper Hive's palace, Nimrod first summoned Szczesny to receive his report.
"My lord, Thierry has diligently executed your command to form the Second Regiment."
"Through his prestige and influence, he has collaborated with Muravski to stabilize order. I believe his loyalty to you is genuine."
Nimrod inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the report. Should Thierry harbor disloyalty, this period of Nimrod's absence would present his prime opportunity for betrayal.
"How fares the formation of your Fourth Regiment?"
"My lord, the Fourth Regiment is fully assembled. I beseech you to permit us to join your campaign."
"So be it. Lead the Fourth Regiment to board the Piszczek at once."
Szczesny's heart surged with elation. Since becoming a "Sailor" Beyonder, he had yearned to serve Nimrod, repaying the trust bestowed upon him. Now, his moment had arrived.
"As you decree, my lord."
He spoke, employing the rhetorical flourishes recently gleaned from his study of oratory.
After Szczesny's departure, Nimrod activated his vox, transmitting a summons to Thierry.
"Come to the palace and meet me."
Standing before Thierry, Nimrod extended his palm, revealing a crimson potion.
Thierry hesitated for three seconds, his mind racing. [If my lord sought my death, such elaborate measures would be unnecessary.]
Realizing refusal was untenable, he steeled himself, seized the potion, and drank it in one resolute gulp.
Ten minutes later, Thierry's carapace armor strained, nearly bursting under his enhanced physique. Guided by Nimrod, he mastered meditation and spiritual vision, then knelt cautiously, his movements deliberate.
"My king, I am eternally grateful for your divine gift."
"I am bound for the void to strike the xenos. Lukov's defense is entrusted to you."
By elevating Thierry to a "Warrior" Beyonder, Nimrod sought to bolster the strength of his foremost combatant.
Unlike the remote hives of Tetzvok, Mazov, and Szczecin, Lukov was encircled by rival powers, vulnerable to opportunists during Nimrod's absence.
Though disappointed at forgoing the chance to campaign with Nimrod, Thierry felt the weight of trust in being tasked with guarding the largest and most prosperous of the four hives.
"My king, I shall defend Lukov with my life, never betraying your faith in me."
Nimrod's third audience was with Wojciech Bielik. Hearing the sloshing of water within the crates borne by the artisan's subordinates, Nimrod's suspicions crystallized.
"It seems you have achieved results?"
"My king, I have developed a waterproof coating gel. Applied to melee weapons such as chainswords, it dries in four hours, preventing corrosion for eight work cycles."
Opening a crate's lid, Wojciech extracted a chainsword.
"With your permission, I shall demonstrate."
"Proceed."
The chainsword roared to life, water droplets scattering as Wojciech cleaved the head from a steel mannequin.
Setting the weapon aside, he continued.
"For ranged weapons, I have completed modifications to lasrifles."
"The critical component is the power pack. Beyond the waterproof coating, I employed vacuum-sealed gel injection to prevent water ingress."
"This method sustains submersion for one work cycle, after which the vacuum seal must be reapplied."
Nimrod observed as Wojciech retrieved a lasrifle from a water tank, firing without wiping it, shattering another mannequin's head.
"Impressive. Gather your team and materials, and proceed to the starport to await me."
Nimrod's final audience was with Muravski.
"My king, per your instructions, I have distributed the grain reserves, once held by House Piontkovski and now yours, to the populace."
"The Upper Hive has regained temporary stability, but this is no lasting solution. I estimate it will sustain us for one month."
"I am soon to campaign against the xenos pirates. The grain crisis shall be resolved swiftly."
Muravski, hearing this, felt the burden upon his shoulders lighten. He placed unwavering faith in the martial prowess of King Nimrod to vanquish the xenos pirates.
"May your journey be victorious, my king, and may you shatter the xenos!"
Having received reports from Thierry and Wojciech, Nimrod, accompanied by Maria and her fellow assassins, proceeded to the spire's landing pad, boarding the transport vessel.
The transport ascended gradually, Lukov's sprawling hive dwindling beneath them.
Vostonia boasted three starports, each under the stewardship of the Omnissiah's servants.
Nimrod, wary of provoking the Mechanicus, had secured his three vessels—the Piszczek, Termalica, and Wisła—only after obtaining their access ciphers.
For now, these three ships sufficed his needs.
By seizing xenos vessels, he believed the Mechanicus would be enticed by advanced alien technologies, such as suspected aether cannons, and would consent to joint development, constructing larger warships for his fleet.
Though the Emperor had forged the Treaty of Olympus with Mars in 739.M30, the Great Crusade's fleets had yet to reach Vostonia. The local Mechanicus would scarcely forgo such an opportunity.
Since the Age of Dark Technology, the Cult Mechanicus and myriad galactic warlords had wielded technology with reckless abandon.
Nimrod was also aware that the future Martian civil war stemmed from Archmagos Kelbor-Hal's faction, chafing under imposed restrictions.
The Mechanicus allocated the thirty-three hives' vessels evenly across the three starports for docking and management.
The starport assigned to Nimrod's four hives was Krakow Starport.
Upon boarding, Nimrod proceeded directly to the bridge's strategium.