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The Cadian Eagle
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Consciousness is not common in souls that still rest entirely in the Warp, unattached to a body. Usually, it comes later, once the soul is born or empowered. A small flicker of light spread inside one such potential soul in the region of the Warp that was surrounding Cadia. Slowly, the light grew stronger, giving birth to a sense of self.
First came the comprehension of duty. Protection. The core upon all the other traits would be built.
Then came power, as of yet an unshaped potential. The unshaped mind saw vast possibilities: mighty tanks, the crackle of las-fire, the roar of bolters. It saw war, never-ending and brutal, but necessary.
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The Emperor remained silent as his consciousness withdrew from the newly formed mind, as it anchored itself in a body. In nine months they would have a result: a visible result. He closed his eyes, considering his next step. The first Senshi Minoris was not as they had hoped: empowered as an adult, Baal Primus had a fixed personality that was not compatible with what would be expected of a living shield.
Still, one lived and learned. Clearly, the process would initially have higher costs, but the Emperor still believed it would be worth it. He wasn't going to write down Baal Primus as a complete failure—while the Senshi was by no means a warrior, teaching others was another matter.
The future Senshi Minoris would need a mentor…
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"And what if it's a girl?" Sergeant Talia Vane mused.
The regimental chaplain looked at her, a small smile spreading on his scared face. "I'm sure an appropriate name will occur to you. Sergeant."
He made a faint gesture with his arm and only belatedly noticed that Talia was looking at the Imperial Emblem with an expression that could be only described as inspired.
"Then I'll call her Aquila."
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