Warhammer 40,000: Truth
Chapter 5: Affirmation
After the initial encounter with the Ordo Malleus, and by extension the Inquisition, Nuas, Lyonus and Dante prepare their forces to travel to distant worlds to encourage other commanders, and chapters, to join their cause.
However, word has reached the High Lords of Terra about the Grey Knight's incursion into Lyonus' outpost and now they must discuss the next course of action to take, due to the newly formed rebellion against the Emperor.
"Brothers, a grave injustice has been dealt to the Imperium and it MUST be dealt with as quickly as possible. Announced the Master of the Administratum, "We've received reports from the Inquisition that a band of Marines has denounced the Emperor as their God, attacked Grey Knights serving under the Emperor's name, and have betrayed their fellow man with their heretical lies." He pointed towards a solar system in the far reaches of the galaxy, indicating where the initial confrontation had taken place.
"So? What of it? We'll send more Grey Knights to the infested area and have them purify it, in the Emperor's name!" His fist raised in the air, beaming with loyalty to his God, a typical response from the Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard.
"It's not as simple as that, brother. Your aggressive nature is only exceeded by your ignorance of the Imperium. You see… we've also received unconfirmed reports that Dante, of the Blood Angels, has also pledged himself to this heretic's cause. One of our finest has fallen to the dark magic of Chaos. And with that, it is also likely the Blood Angel chapter shall fall with him. I feel it best, at this point, to pass on this meeting to the Inquisitorial Representative, who speaks on behalf of his colleagues. Commander Seneca… your report if you please." The Master of the Administratum sat back down in his throne, and looked over the High Lords table to Seneca who stood up and begun walking round his counterparts, announcing his findings.
"It would appear a Brother-Captain of the Blood Angels called Lyonus has been swayed with a few words from a friend, against the Emperor. He now believes in a cause which takes him directly to Terra, to confront the Emperor himself. Usually, this would be a laughable matter – but his cause has gained significant following in the past few weeks… Hundreds, if not thousands of Space Marines are starting to fall under his spell and it goes without saying that numerous platoons of Imperial Guard are converting to his beliefs as well. Gentlemen, we need to confront this with the full might of the Emperor's fist. We cannot afford another full-blown rebellion, as it happened before." Seneca quaked under his own words. The parallels between the Horus Heresy and this coming rebellion were all too familiar, the High Lords all acknowledging Seneca's findings were poised to announce their full support of a campaign of retribution against Lyonus, until one voice asked the simplest of questions…
"Tell me, Seneca, what is it he believes? You're quick to rile our support to your cause, but yet I'm not even sure what it is I'm supporting…" The Ecclesiarch asked, calmly, collected. Seneca paused, his face a picture of confusion.
"You cannot be serious? Surely the Ecclesiarch would know of th…"
"That's enough Seneca..!" Exclaimed the Master, interrupting the Commander before he had a chance to inform the Ecclesiarch of the situation. "We do not need to know all the details, only that we're all here to follow our Emperor and devote ourselves in His name… are you not able to do that dear brother?" He looked over towards the Ecclesiarch, questioning his faith in his God, the Emperor.
"You dare? I am head of the Imperial Cult, I alone command the religious aspect of the Imperium – I make sure the entire galaxy sings His praises! How dare you question my devotion to Him!" the Ecclesiarch shouted, his deafening voice silencing the Master, and the room.
The Master smirked; knowing the Ecclesiarch would rise to such simple bait to have him on the same side meant an easier job for the High Lords of Terra in general, in dealing with the rebellion.
"Sit down brother; it was merely a comment… in these dark, wretched times we have to be sure of our allies. And with that, I close the proceedings of this meeting. Go now; spread the word that Lyonus must be brought to justice… Him and his legions of fools. And bring Dante to me, I'll see to his interrogation personally…" the Master sprung out of his seat and steadily walked out of the chamber with his guard following closely behind. Most of the High Lords followed suit and proceeded to move out of the council chambers also. However Seneca remained behind with the Ecclesiarch as he now had a clear chance to voice his confusion to the Ecclesiarch's ignorance on the subject.
"If you don't mind my prying, brother… How could you not know of the reasons which happen to be foundation of these circumstances? I thought you'd already know of Lynous' treachery?" Seneca looked over to the Ecclesiarch, believing him to be honestly feigning ignorance on the subject."
"Your questions are well-founded, how could I not know of his treachery? After all I'm supposedly one of the High Lords of Terra, but alas… we all feel left out at the best of times. The Master of the Administratum would like to believe he solely holds the keys to power in this Council, and thus he keeps most information to himself. He doesn't deem it necessary for some of us to be in the know…"
"Then why not confront him about this? Raise his awareness on the subject and have him correct himself!" Seneca interjected, stating it a fresh opinion. Hoping that he could somewhat inspire the Ecclesiarch to take notice.
"Hah! You speak as if this idea has never found sanctuary in the corners of my mind. No, dear brother; he's quick to question our loyalty to the Emperor if we openly question things we're not too sure on. It's easier to remain silent – as you saw earlier." The Ecclesiarch looked down at his feet, himself a picture of a broken, dejected man, sick of the political lifestyle that he wished not to be a part of.
"Anyway brother; you were going to tell me what this Brother-Captain has done to have the Imperium's wrath on his doorstep?" the Ecclesiarch asked, quickly changing the subject to settle his own inquisitive mind on the subject and finally be in full knowledge of the information the Master carried.
"Yes… it appears he's been handed knowledge from a friend, concerning the Emperor. He claims the Emperor is a liar, a cheat, but most of all – claims our Emperor is Horus himself. He states that Horus won the battle of Holy Terra; he slaughtered the Emperor in mortal combat on his personal battle barge during the final hours of the war… And after the conclusion of the fight, the powers that are the Chaos Gods wanted Horus to share his power over the Imperium of Man with them… but Horus was not a sharing person. He exchanged places with the broken Emperor and had himself brought back to Terra, to this planet where he was installed into the Golden Throne, where now he's the subject of praise from the billions upon billions of people who now live in His Empire. I must say, it makes for good story telling, if nothing else…" Seneca smiled, he was completely certain that the story was a fabrication, a good one, but never-the-less still a lie. However the Ecclesiarch settled back into his chair and breathed heavily taking in the information handed to him, from this naïve God-fearing Inquisitor.
"Dear Seneca, I must be honest… To lie in this circumstance would only go to exacerbate the whole situation…" The Ecclesiarch raised his head and looked deep into Seneca's eyes, searching his soul for the correct words he wanted to give to him before he was ultimately damned for them. "I've always felt…there was something…wrong?" Seneca's jaw dropped as he realised the High Lord of the Imperial Cult had also been infected with the lies that Lyonus was spouting. He jumped out of his seat and quickly ran over to the Ecclesiarch picking him up and slamming the old, frail man against the wall.
"You defile this planet and our religion with your filth, Ecclesiarch! You of all people should know better than to question the Emperor. He is our beacon, our light, our father… you should be executed for your vile remarks!" Seneca quickly released him knowing he was attacking somebody much more influential than he, stepping back to evaluate the situation… as is the Inquisitor's way.
"Seneca, I commend you for your stalwart faith in the Emperor, after all it is your duty. However, do not think to question me on what I know and say… I've seen countless things, and interacted with countless people and there's a fine line between the fanatics of Chaos and the Imperial Cult. I sometimes fail to see it, and it raises good questions about the leadership of this Imperium…" Before he could finish an officer of the Adeptus Custodes rushed in to inform the two council members of a more pressing matter.
"Brothers, we've just received word that legions of battle barges have dropped out of the Warp near Mars. It appears Lyonus is closer than we recently believed… quickly, we must muster our forces and prepare for battle!" The Marine charged out of the room, expecting the two High Lords to follow with him.
"It seems, Seneca that this will have to wait for another time…" The Ecclesiarch gathered himself and marched out of the room following the Marine of the Adeptus Custodes. Seneca however looked around the chamber of the High Lords and took it all in. The admission from the Ecclesiarch had knocked him back; the thought that a High Lord of Terra could question the Emperor himself was absurd. But it raised serious doubts in his mind, after all – it's not as if the Ecclesiarch was wrong with his concerns of the Imperium.