The battle was short-lived, but it would be remembered for its importance to history.
All-told, by the time Kaius and Leman Russ ended hostilities, fifty percent of the enemy fleet had been either destroyed or crippled by the Wrath of the Omnissiah, which had sustained major structural damage to its hull and the loss of two Lance turrets.
Despite the fact that it had only been recently revived by the Exploratores, the venerable Ark Mechanicus vessel had been more than a match.
While the damage was repaired and losses catalogued, Kaius escorted Leman Russ to the Magnum Oratio Templum. He could tell that the warrior found the Forge World and the Mechanicum distasteful.
However, when they were alone in Kaius' private chambers, he wasted no time.
Russ told him everything about the Imperium of Man. He spoke of the Emperor of Mankind, the immortal, all-powerful ruler of Mankind who had united the fractured nations of Terra, humanity's birthplace.
He spoke of how the Emperor, or, to Russ, the 'Allfather', had created twenty superhuman Primarchs, genetically engineered demigods who would serve as the generals and statesmen of the newborn Imperium. Before the Emperor completed his work, however, the Primarchs had been taken from the gene-labs and scattered across the galaxy.
The Emperor had proceeded to create twenty Legions of Astartes, Space Marines, each created from genetic samples of the twenty Primarchs. With the Legions at his command, he had launched the Great Crusade, a massive undertaking meant to reunite the scattered populations of the human race and ensure their dominance of the galaxy. Leman Russ was the Primarch of the VI Legion, and they were called the Space Wolves, though they referred to themselves as the Vlka Fenryka in their native tongue.
Even now, as they spoke, the Emperor and His forces were conquering world after world, system after system, all in the name of human unity and superiority.
Kaius absorbed all this information, coming to terms with it all. Never in his grandest ambitions had he dared to imagine such an undertaking. That feeling quickly passed, however, and his inherent inquisitive nature emerged as he peppered Russ with questions. How large was the Imperium? Where were the other Primarchs? What was the Emperor like? How did He create the Primarchs and the Astartes? What were the designs of the Imperium's void ships and technology?
In particular, he pressed Russ for information on Mars, one of the first and oldest human colonies and the birthplace of the Cult Mechanicus. Mars had always featured in the most ancient records of Portentia, spoken of with wonder and mysticism as the place where the faith in the Machine God had originated.
For his part, Russ, referred to as 'The Wolf-King' by his Space Wolves, seemed irritated by all the questions, but nevertheless he answered them as best he could.
The longer they spoke, the more familiar Kaius became with his new brother. While he was a faithful adept of the Mechanicum, dedicated to studying knowledge and worshipping the Machine God, Russ was the exact opposite: he was brash, partly feral, and boisterous to an annoying degree.
Still, Kaius was relishing in this new feeling.
For his entire life, he had been respected and practically worshipped by the Priesthood of Portentia. And yet, he had never been on equal footing with anyone before. For all his faults, Russ was still his brother.
Kaius and Russ were walking along the kilometre-high defensive wall of Manufactorum Croesus, well into their fifth day of talking. They regularly encountered Skitarii squads and the occasional Tech Priest, all of whom bowed before their Fabricator-General and his brother, who was just as equally deserving of respect.
"What was your objective here?" Kaius asked, looking over at the Wolf-King. "I understand why the Priesthood of Mars would send an expedition, but why did you join them?"
He snorted. "I was hoping for some kind of fight. The last three worlds we conquered offered little sport, so I took a few of the Vlka Fenryka and offered to accompany that Tech Priest, Krakzon."
"I see" Kaius said in his deep, filtered voice. "So, I gather that you found the fight you were looking for?"
Russ glared at him. "You got lucky in your creaking ship. We would have torn through you like steel through linen if I had not stopped the attack. Especially if my entire fleet had come with me."
"As you say."
The two of them continued to walk for some time, eventually coming to stop at a perimeter command post along the wall.
"Where are the others?" he asked. "The other Primarchs?"
Russ shrugged. "Who knows? First it was Horus, then me, and now you. We'll find the others soon enough, so why bother wondering?"
That was another chief difference between them, Kaius noted: he was infinitely curious, while the Wolf-King had not an ounce of curiosity in his bones. He understood his purpose, and that was the end of the matter.
Just then, he received a transmission on his collar Vox-unit. "Yes? Alright, I'm sending you landing coordinates."
"What was that about?" Kaius asked.
"That was Admiral Kraust. The Vengeful Spirit just entered the system."
Two hours later, Kaius and Russ stood on the plains of Harshor, awaiting the arrival of their other brother.
Russ stood with a group of his Space Wolves several metres away from Kaius, who was flanked by an honour guard of Skitarii and the most senior Tech Priests of Portentia. To their left stood Archmagos Explorator Krakzon and a group of his subordinate Tech Priests. They all stood on the edge of a massive landing platform that Kaius had had his priests construct in order to prepare for the arrival.
Behind them, the Knights of House Aurelius were arranged in a semi-circle, while the fifty two Titans of Legio Lex loomed over the barren plains. To either side of the platform, Portentia's Skitarii Legion were arranged in perfect organization, with not a single man or weapon out of place.
All in all, it was the grandest gathering in the Forge World's history.
While they waited for the arrival, Kaius decided to speak to the fellow priest in Lingua-Technis. "How do you find Portentia, Explorator?"
Krakzon looked at him for a moment, then bowed his metallic head and replied "It is most impressive, my lord Primarch. You and your priests have done admirable work in glorifying the most holy Machine God."
"You honour us." He noticed Russ looking at them with a slight frown, but ignored it.
Their time together had taught him that the Wolf-King would never become comfortable with the Mechanicum, and by extension, Kaius himself. While they were brothers, the Fabricator-General of Portentia understood that they would never be close.
Up in the smog-filled sky, a dozen bright lights signalled the incoming transports.
Krakzon said "I understand that your world has only just recently ended a centuries-long civil war?"
Kaius nodded. "The Portentian Schism was long and brutal, but the faithful emerged victorious over those who would abuse our beliefs and see us entombed under the old paradigm."
The lights morphed into fiery engine trails as four transports and eight fighter craft became visible.
"If I might say, I believe your arrival on this world was a blessing from the Machine God" the Explorator stated. "I am personally humbled that He saw fit to induct a Primarch into the mysteries of our order."
Just then, the four transports landed on the platform several dozen metres ahead of the three groups, while the fighters circled around before landing on the platform's perimeter.
Once they were settled, their engines slowly shut down, and three of them promptly lowered their boarding ramps. A dozen massive warriors in gilded armour and wielding ceremonial pikes disembarked from a pair of transports, forming a line in front of the fourth. From the other, a number of armoured Astartes descended, their heavy boots clanging as they walked.
Unlike Russ and his Space Wolves, these warriors were garbed in white armour with a black trim. They were twice as large as the Skitarii, but nowhere near as large as Kaius and Russ.
At their head was a man twice as large as the rest. He was garbed in pearl-white armour, and the black hide of a creature not dissimilar from the wolves employed by Russ adorned his shoulders. His head was shaved, and he bore a charismatic aura; this was a man of destiny, meant to lead the armies of humanity across the stars.
He and his escort approached, while the golden-armoured warriors remained standing where they were. Russ walked over to him, and the two men greeted each other warmly. "Horus" the Wolf-King said, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Russ" the other said in return. "I understand that he knocked a few of your teeth out."
Russ grumbled, clearly still sore over Kaius landing a hit. "He got lucky" he finally mumbled.
Horus chuckled, then looked over at Kaius. His lips curled into a warm smile, and he walked over to the Tech Priest. For a moment, neither of them spoke, taking the chance to examine one another. Eventually, though, Horus placed a hand on Kaius' shoulder. "Hello, brother" he said. "I cannot tell you how pleased I am to be meeting you."
Kaius looked down at the hand on his shoulder. The Cult Mechanicus had taught him that the flesh was weak, for it bore limitations of ability and bred distracting emotions. Only the mechanical could offer improvement and the chance to venerate the Machine God.
And yet, there was a part of him that relished in the feeling of kinship, of belonging to a family.
"The honour is mine" he said eventually, meaning every word. Horus looked down at his throat as he spoke, his attention drawn to the metal and Vox-grill. The look faded.
"I am glad. But I am not the only one who has been looking forward to this meeting."
At this, Horus stepped aside and turned to face the fourth transport. Kaius followed his gaze as its boarding ramp was lowered, and the ceremonial warriors parted before it.
A golden light shone from the ship's hold, a light that grew in majesty as the ramp touched the metal of the platform. It was as if a miniature sun were blazing from within, and even his superior sight was overwhelmed.
But, he was soon able to identify a silhouette that slowly descended onto the platform.
Kaius was filled with warmth, as if he were nothing but a babe warmed by a comforting flame after being lost in a cold forest. Even those parts of his body replaced by implants felt it, and he kept his eyes focused on the glorious being now approaching him.
In the corners of his vision, he saw Horus and Russ bowing before the figure, while Archmagos Krakzon and his Tech Priests were kneeling.
Kaius then prostrated himself before the magnificent figure. Behind him, Artisan Markovius and the other senior Tech Priests of Portentia did the same, as did the entirety of the Skitarii Legion. All of them, breathless, uttered the name "Omnissiah," invoking the name that the Mechanicum legends used for the personification of the Machine God. The Knights of House Aurelius and the Titans of Legio Lex all bowed, as well, the fearsome colossi of war completely humbled.
Kaius became aware that the figure was standing over him, but he dared not look up. "My son" he said, his voice possessing the compassion and warmth that only a god could have. "Rise. I would not have you on your knees before me."
Obeying the command, Kaius stood to his full height. He now found himself face to face with the Omnissiah, the Emperor of Mankind.
The Emperor's face was lit with a golden halo of light, enhancing its majesty a hundredfold. His eyes gazed at him, windows into the divine soul of a mighty being who had wandered the stars before Mankind's first steps. They spoke of infinite wisdom, the summation of all knowledge in the universe, and they also spoke of power, of the heights that a man could reach if he only had the strength to do so.
"Father" he said, his voice filled with devotion. He had always known that the Machine God had chosen him for greatness, and the Tech Priests of Portentia had called him 'Scion of the Machine God'.
Never before had that title been more appropriate.
"I solemnly swear, from this day until the end of time, that this world and all its inhabitants, all those who serve me, now serve you. This I swear, by my life and the lives of all those gathered here."
The Emperor smiled gratefully. "I accept your vow, my son. But you will not only serve me, but all Mankind, and the glorious future of the Imperium of Man."
Kaius led the Emperor into the peak sanctuary of the Magnus Oratio Templum. Horus and Russ excused themselves so that they might have some privacy.
The Tech Priest watched as his father gazed out at the Manufactorum below, at the scale of the industry that had been realized after the end of the Schism. For several minutes, neither of them spoke, until the Emperor eventually said "You have done well here, my son." He gestured to the cityscape with a gauntleted hand. "All of this is a testament to your abilities, and it is but the first step along the path that I designed for you."
Kaius took a step forward and asked "Father, why did you create us?"
His father turned to face him. "For millennia, Mankind was separated by the Old Night, each world left to fend for themselves in the face of violent Warp Storms that made interstellar travel all but impossible."
"What is the Warp?" Kaius asked.
"It is the extra-dimensional plain that allows us to travel at faster than light speeds." Kaius sensed that there was more to it than that, but his father continued with his tale. "Not even Terra herself was immune to the carnage. It was ravaged by petty techno warlords who operated out of self-interest. I knew that, to save humanity and ensure its dominance of the galaxy, I had to step out of the shadows. I had to take a direct hand in our race's affairs."
Kaius nodded. "So, you conquered these warlords, yes? I'm assuming that you did so with the Astartes?"
The Emperor smiled a little at his logical nature. "Nay. I did so with the Thunder Warriors, the precursors to the Astartes. Once Terra was unified under my rule, I began preparations for a Crusade of epic proportions, one that would re-unify our splintered race and conquer the galaxy. I knew that even I could not lead this endeavour alone; I set about creating the perfect generals, peerless warriors who could lead my armies across every star system. They, you, were to be humanity's perfect leaders."
"But what happened? Russ told me that we were stolen as infants."
His father stared off into space, appearing as if he were reliving a memory. "You were stolen from me. At the time, I knew that you and your brothers were scattered about various human worlds, and I was forced to press on. I used your genetic material to create the twenty Legiones Astartes, my Angels of Death."
Kaius turned and stared out at the vast manufacturing complex below. "So that means that one of the Legions is mine?"
"Yes. They are your sons, their essence distilled from your genes."
"And I am to lead them."
"Yes. It is your destiny."
He nodded, understanding more about his life and his purpose than ever before. For his entire life, Kaius had merely supposed what he had been engineered for, imagining a host of possible fates and scenarios over the years.
A few had been realized by his unification of Portentia, but his ultimate purpose had long been a mystery to him. Now, it was perfectly clear: he was meant to lead his father's army out into the cold void of space and forge the greatest empire the galaxy had ever known.
As he absorbed this information, he found himself hungry for more. He turned to his father and said "I wish to know of Mars. What can you tell me about the birthplace of my order?"
At this, the Emperor's smile lessened. "My son, while I can respect the beliefs as taught by those who raised you, you must understand that you are past that, now. You will be at the forefront of my Great Crusade, spreading the belief in Mankind's superiority. The Imperial Truth that I have created does not allow for religion and strife, as it was in ancient times. Reason and science must become the truth of humanity, and you are to be a champion of that truth."
Kaius once more looked out at the Manufactorum, pondering his father's words as the light of the setting sun slowly faded.
The following evening, Kaius was standing at the base of a massive statue of the cog symbol of the Mechanicum within Manufactorum Croesus' primary administrative structure. All of Portentia's senior Tech Priests were gathered before him: the Archmagi, the Forge Masters of the Forge Temples, all the way down to the Lachrimallus who drove on their hordes of workers and the Artisans who constructed all of the vehicles, Titans, and other engines of war. Even High Lord Julian, the new ruler of House Aurelius, was present along with some retainers.
Kaius gazed out at the gathering of the Forge World's collective leadership. Artisan Markovius stood just behind and to the right of him. Lining the perimeter stood various Skitarii Protectors and warrior Electro-Priests.
After the assassination of Lucratio Moran, Servitors were forbidden from serving as bodyguards.
Eventually, Kaius took a step forward and, mentally increasing the volume of his Vox-grill, said in Lingua-Technis "In the sight of the Machine God, I call this meeting to order."
The other priests fell silent, staring up at him.
"We have come to a crux in our history" he continued, looking out at the gathering. "For centuries, we fought against those who were too stubborn to recognize the march of progress. We defeated them, and ushered in a new age of prosperity and production and innovation. All of our struggles have led to this moment. Before now, our concerns have been limited to this world, to our people. From this point forward, our concerns now extend to the entire galaxy. Our production, industry, and armed forces will now be dedicated to crafting the Imperium of Man."
"How will this endeavour help us in worshipping the Machine God?" Magos Prime Ludko asked.
Kaius replied "The Omnissiah has spoken to me of the greater galaxy." The mention of His name caused many of the Tech Priests to utter prayers to the Machine God. "He says that there are other Forge Worlds, settled by the Mechanicum millennia ago. Also, one of the primary aims of the Great Crusade is to reclaim the sacred Standard Template Constructs of old, those most holy designs of ages past."
"The sacred templates!" a Logis cried out.
"The holiest incarnations of knowledge" an Archmagos Reductor uttered.
To the Cult Mechanicus, who revered knowledge as the manifestation of the divine, the Standard Template Constructs were the single holiest artifacts in their faith. Relics from thousands of years ago, when human technological achievement had been at its peak, the STCs had been designed as evolved computer systems that could instruct humanity's colonists on how to construct innumerable advanced technologies from available materials.
By the present day, most had been lost, and those that were left were the most highly prized objects for the Mechanicum.
"We will venture out into the stars and reclaim the lost knowledge of the ancients" Kaius promised, silencing his priests. "But we will also not forget our recent struggles. We fought for centuries so that we may have the courage to explore new ideas and paths of development, and we will continue to innovate as we recover what has been lost." He indicated one of the nearby Tech Priests. "Fabricator Locum Ptolemais, step forward."
The other priest did as ordered, approaching him and holding his multi-fingered, metallic arms to the sides. "What do you wish of me, Scion of the Machine God?"
Kaius glanced at the others before replying "My father created me for one purpose: to lead his armies across the stars to conquer the galaxy for Mankind. I shall do this, which means that I cannot continue in my capacity as Fabricator-General."
This caused a stir among the gathering, and they were clearly upset.
"But this cannot be!"
"Most holy one, you are our only leader!"
Kaius held up a hand for silence. "I will always be an adept of the Mechanicum, studying the six-fold path of the Machine God. But overseeing this world is no longer my purpose. It shall fall to you, Ptolemais."
The Fabricator Locum inclined his head. "I am most humbled by your decision."
"Fabricator Locum Ptolemais, do you accept the role of Fabricator-General and all the responsibilities it entails?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to uphold this world's pledge of loyalty to the Omnissiah and the Imperium of Man?"
"I do."
"Then by the authority vested in me by Lucratio Moran and the Cult Mechanicus, I proclaim you Fabricator-General of Portentia, in the name of the Machine God, the Omnissiah, and the Motive Force."
The arrival of the Emperor was the single greatest event in the history of Portentia, easily outstripping its initial colonization and the final, victorious battle over the Orationes. That day marked the Forge World's venture into galactic affairs; from then on, all of its industry, production, and nearly all of its military forces would be donated to the Great Crusade.
While not as grand as the Emperor's arrival, Kaius Caesarius' initial address to the II Legion of Astartes was the second greatest event in his homeworld's history.
Shortly after declaring Ptolemais the new Fabricator-General, Kaius had begun preparations to accept command of his Legion. Russ had left three days prior, citing his and his warriors' restlessness. They had spent too long on Portentia, while worlds uncounted awaited the ice-cold steel of the Space Wolves. He did not explicitly say as much, but Kaius surmised that his brother was also leaving because of him; the two were just too dissimilar, and his membership in the Cult Mechanicus was likely another point of irritation for the Wolf-King.
Horus and the Emperor had remained, though they were presently in orbit aboard Horus' flagship, the Vengeful Spirit.
After he finished addressing his Legion, Kaius would join them and truly begin his tutelage in the ways of the Imperium and his duties as a Primarch.
The II Legion had arrived in-system not two days after the departure of Leman Russ. Kaius had watched their ships, his ships, coming into orbit and depositing the entirety of the Legion onto Portentia's surface. As with the Emperor's arrival, the gathering took place on the plains of Harshor. He had led Skitarii and Titans into battle for decades, and as such he was no stranger to the art of warfare.
On this day, he would be assuming command of one of the most potent military forces in the history of Mankind.
A Servitor-piloted shuttle ferried him from Manufactorum Croesus over to the dry, blasted plains, where his Astartes were awaiting him. The shuttle eventually came to land on the recently constructed speaking platform. It shook as it settled into place, and Kaius stood. The boarding ramp lowered, and a truly mighty gathering awaited him.
There were 20, 000 Astartes in the II Legion. All of them were garbed in grey, colourless suits of imposing armour. They were assembled in perfect formation, no less imprecise than the Skitarii, a point that Kaius found impressive.
These were his gene-sons, and they would be his instruments as they conquered the galaxy.
Kaius descended the ramp, his boots clanging against the metal like the steps of an ancient, metal giant of myth. He was dressed in a long, sleeveless rust-coloured robe that left his head bare. The silver hair and beard on the organic part of his face glistened in the sunlight, while his four massive Mechadendrites and bionic right arm surely cast a memorable image in the minds of his Astartes.
He strode across the platform, noting the line of eight Astartes standing as a line of armoured statues with Bolters held against their chest and combat knives strapped to their belts.
One of the Astartes detached himself from the line and knelt before him. "My lord" he said, his voice deep and filtered.
Kaius silently deduced that the armour must have a built-in Vox-caster.
"State your name and rank" Kaius ordered with his own deep and filtered voice.
The Astartes lowered his Bolter and, with his left hand, removed his helmet, revealing a thick, square face with flat black hair and a long scar across his forehead. "My lord, I am Darius Solorax, Legion Master of the II Legion. Long have we searched the stars for our Primarch, and to our never-ending joy, we have at last been reunited with you, our gene-sire."
"So you have" Kaius said. "But be wary, Darius Solorax, for emotions are a product of the flesh, and the flesh is fallible."
The Legion Master bowed his head. "As you say, my lord."
"My father has spoken to me of your achievements. He says that you have earned renown as the Void Hounds."
"That is correct. Not all the Legions have earned their names, but the Emperor saw fit to bestow it upon us for our peerless ability with void ship boarding actions and planetary assaults."
Kaius nodded, briefly glancing at the other officers who stood on the speaking platform. He turned, and at the head of his Legion, before the cog of the Mechanicum and flags depicting the Imperial Aquila, he spoke, knowing that Vox Servitors would convey his words so that all might hear him.
"You have fought for many years, earning the name of the Void Hounds. That is now in the past. We must look to the future, a future that we shall not only forge through steel and iron, but also through the collection and reclamation of knowledge. Our race is superior to all others because of our knowledge, our higher learning."
He could tell the Legion was intently listening to every word, drawn in by his magnificent aura.
"Long ago, we created the greatest technological wonders this galaxy has ever seen. As we carve a path through the stars, we will reclaim those lost wonders, those products of a bygone age. Combined with our capacity for creation and innovation, we will create the most powerful empire in the history of the galaxy. From this day forth, you shall no longer be known as the Void Hounds. Instead, you shall be known across all time as the Knowledge Hunters, warriors who seek to elevate Mankind into its rightful, dominant place."
He stared out at the gathered host, letting his words sink in before he continued.
"That is what we are fighting for. We fight for the Emperor. We fight for Mankind. We fight for the greater good of the Imperium of Man!"
As one, the 20, 000 Astartes raised their voices in a mighty, thunderous roar that carried across the plains of Harshor, a war-cry that sounded the supremacy of the human race and doom to all its enemies.
We now come to a historic event: the Scion of the Machine God has now taken his place among the stars. Now that he has assumed command of the II Legion, I have a few factoids for those who might be interested:
Legion: II
Primarch: Kaius Caesarius (also known as the Scion of the Machine God)
Name: Knowledge Hunters
Homeworld: Clio (second planet of the Larusian System)
Flagship: Quest for Knowledge
Colours: Silver with rust-coloured shoulder plates on which are Legion/company markings in white
Symbol: Armoured hand grasping a scroll
Elite company: Praetores, led by Andion Videlis (heavily cyber-augmented heavy infantry that exclusively serve as Kaius' bodyguards and his personal assault force in combat)
Eight Cohorts (Great Companies) that are each led by a Captain and consist of 10 000 Astartes (not at first, but they build up to that over time)
First Captain: Darius Solorax, former Legion Master
Second Captain: Torghar
Third Captain: Daxus Monokar
Fourth Captain: Ashem Gyges
Fifth Captain: Athenaius
Sixth Captain: Bokanid Blantoss
Seventh Captain: Chrysos Mevius
Eighth Captain: Constallius Tyches
High Lord Julian: head of House Aurelius Knights
Erwin Krantz: Princeps Maximus of Legio Lex
Combat Doctrine: The II Legion focuses on mechanized warfare, and prefers to fight at long range. As reflected by their Primarch's upbringing by the Mechanicum, they place a heavy emphasis on cybernetic enhancements (just as much if not more so than the Iron Hands, but I'll get to that later). A Knightly House and Titan Legion are regularly employed for shock-and-awe tactics. Every Battle-Brother is trained to maintain their wargear's rites and the rites for every piece of weaponry and vehicle, and the Legion is in possession of the latest and most powerful technologies and weapons in the Imperium. They have no set tactical doctrine, and tailor their strategies based on the enemy they face and the terrain of battle.