Domus Discordia Chapter 41

Silence reigned in the grand council chamber, silence undercut only by the dull thrum of power armour. The Astartes stood in a loose circle, all looking at each other in bewildered confusion. All of them were struggling to process what they had heard; all of them were trying to imagine a universe where their gene-sire lived. Not in stasis, not as a distant and cold statue, but as a vibrant living being, able to think and speak and make his will a reality.

Toran saw Hakulo open his mouth, but no words came out before he shut it.

Then Furion said, "What…" before going silent again.

Toran understood their confusion all too well; he couldn't comprehend what this meant, how the Imperium would be changed by this. Finally Toran broke the silence as he uttered, "This is monumental, it changes everything."

"Does it?" Novak asked, reaching out to take the data-slate, "He is only one man, I mean Astartes, no I mean… I don't know what I mean. Seriously, what can he do about a whole galaxy being lost to darkness?"

"He is Guilliman," Furion declared, "You know the legends of his vision and drive, if anyone can reverse this galactic calamity, it is him."

Persion leaned over Novak's shoulder and looked at the data-slate remarking, "The time-stamp on this message is a couple of years old, it must have been delayed by Warp Storm activity. Surely he must have moved on from Terra by now."

"Hold on, there's more," Novak said scrolling down, "Yes there are additional messages after the first. Guilliman didn't stay on Terra long; he's already organised a counter-offensive. The 'Indomitus Crusade' is its official title; it's already left the Solar System and is liberating the core worlds as we speak."

Suddenly Ajax rumbled, "GUILLIMAN WALKS THE STARS… it is remarkable. Even when we were first founded Guilliman was but a myth, a mere fable to remind us of better days. To think he walks among us, the universe is turned upon its head."

Toran noted that the shock had made Ajax forget to make his voice boom but the Captain glossed over it saying, "He may be alive but he's half a galaxy away from here, we can't expect him to fix our problems for us."

But Persion stated, "Actually I have a question: what the Frak are we going to do when he finds out what's been going on here?!"

Hakulo nodded and remarked, "A Chapter at war with itself, heresy and betrayal, secrets and murder. Apothecaries and Chaplains disgraced and a Chapter Master dead. Guilliman is going to be pissed."

Furion drew himself up and said, "We had better get our house in order, fast, before he notices us. We have a monumental amount of work ahead of us. "

"Then let us waste no more time here," Toran said, "Our companies need us and we must keep them busy."

Slowly the group turned and walked out, putting thoughts of Lessall and his crimes from their minds. As they walked Novak was still scrutinising the data-slate and queried, "What is a Primaris Marine?"

"A what?" Persion inquired.

Novak showed him the data-slate and remarked, "This bit here, it says in addition to the Crusade Guilliman has ordered a Founding of New Chapters. Comprised of 'Primaris Marines', what's that supposed to mean?"

"Probably nothing," Persion demurred, "A new Founding is most welcome but it won't affect us. I'm sure these 'Primaris Marines' will turn out to be nothing special."

Toran agreed and put it from his mind as they left the grand council chamber. They stepped out into the night air, finding the stars still twinkling overhead. Toran was amazed that all these events had taken place in only one of Lujan II long nights, a little over a Terran week, so much had happened in such a short space of time. So much was left to do.

As they exited Toran saw a small crowd had gathered, Initiates waiting for their officers to emerge. Toran saw their expectant faces and knew they longed to hear what was occurring. He wasn't quite sure how to put it but he wouldn't lie to his Brothers. Toran drew in a breath and opened his vox so all could hear him, anywhere on the island, then declared, "Brothers now hear this, Lessall is dead by his own hand. The coward committed suicide rather than face justice, let his name be forevermore deemed a symbol of shame!"

Excited mutters arose at that but Toran wasn't done, "Brothers, there is more, I don't know how to tell you this, save to say it outright. Astounding news has come from Terra, news that changes everything. The great Primarch Roboute Guilliman has arisen from his ten millennia of slumber, our gene-father walks among us!"

Absolute silence fell and shock was upon every face as the news sank in. Then from the back a voice called out, "Holy crap!"

Toran peered over and saw it was Nimodes who had spoken, the scout having returned unto them and he wasn't alone. Toran moved forward hastily and the crowd parted before him, to reveal Nimodes standing alongside Jediah, who was sitting on a low wall. Toran gasped at the sight, Jediah's armour was in tatters, absolutely ruined in a way Toran had never seen before. His ceramite was shattered, his fibre bundles wrecked and his backpack generator missing entirely. Jediah's face was hardly better, a mask of dried blood and crisscrossed scars that would never fade. Yet he still breathed and seemed unperturbed by the news.

Toran skidded to a halt and said, "Jediah, you're alive!"

"Aye," Nimodes answered for him, "I found him right where I left him, bleeding and broken but still alive."

Persion gasped, "But we were told you were outnumbered five-to-one, how did you beat such odds?"

Jediah's lip twitched and he raised one arm slowly, the armour grinding without power, to reveal a combat blade that was broken half-way along its length. Jediah muttered, "It was a good job I had a second knife, I really would have been in trouble without this."

Hakulo gasped, "One Space Marine against five, incredible."

Furion smiled and said, "You have no idea how nasty Jediah can be."

Novak laughed out loud and jested, "They only outnumbered you fivefold, maybe you should have let them call up some reinforcements to make it a fair fight."

Jediah snorted in amusement but then winced and held his side in pain as a trickle of blood flowed. Toran gestured him to stay still and said, "Don't move until Memnos can look at your wounds. The Chapter owes you a tremendous debt and you too Nimodes, you two turned the tide with your actions."

Nimodes shook off the praise saying, "It was your idea and you were absolutely correct. There was nothing but bare Ferrocrete between the Primary plasma reactor and the back of the Dreadnought's stasis-crypts. It took every melta-bomb I had to burn through, but I made it inside. The hard part was convincing the Techmarines not to shoot me, but when that transmission came across the vox they finally picked a side."

"They certainly did," Furion stated, "To see so many Dreadnoughts awake at once, I didn't think it was possible. Some of those ancient warriors haven't stirred in centuries."

"That was my doing," Ajax said, seemingly forgetting to switch his vox-speaker back, "I was just drifting off when the message came, once I saw it I insisted on inputting it into every one of my brethren's cortexes. None of them could sleep through that, the results were impressive, to say the least ."

Toran nodded and said, "The war is over but now we have to rebuild everything we have lost. The task before us is monumental."

Furion said, "Our numbers have been decimated, but at least the serfs have kept the gene-seed secure. The Fortress-Monastery itself took minimal damage, we have everything we need to rebuild, properly this time."

"Except a Chaplaincy, an Apothecary order and a Master of Scouts," Novak remarked.

Toran eyed Nimodes thoughtfully but kept his opinions to himself as he said, "Problems for later, for now let us concentrate on what we do have. Which is a long list of problems to be resolved."

"Speaking of which," Persion muttered, "Here comes a vexing one."

Toran twisted his head and looked past the milling crowd of Astartes to see a sight he certainly did not welcome. Marching towards them was Chief Librarian Echeb, in his full plate armour and bearing his staff topped with its brass orrery. Along with him marched two Librarians, one of whom was Arvael. Mutters arose at the sight, whispers that the Librarians shouldn't be here. Toran understood his Brother's ire all too well, war had ravaged the Storm Heralds and the Librarians had done nothing. Deeds like that were not soon forgotten.

Echeb came to a halt and nodded respectfully as he said, "We were looking for you."

Hakulo spat, "Your kind isn't welcome here, go back and cower in your tower like the cowards you are."

Echeb didn't react but Arvael noticeably winced at the insult. Echeb ignored the rebuke and said, "I come to deliver news, Ninth Captain Phalros has received your Astropathic cry, he turns about and intends to return with utmost speed. He will be here soon."

Hakulo sneered, "Fine, we've got the message. Now get out of our sight and don't come back."

Echeb didn't look concerned but Arvael spoke to say, "We know you resent us but we couldn't get involved. We had to keep the Warp out of the fighting."

Angry whispers arose all around but Toran declared, "I am wary of the Warp but you forsook our Brotherhood, how do you expect us to respond?"

From his wall Jediah sneered, "You are weak."

Arvael paled but now Echeb did respond, shadows gathered around him and his eyes took on an eldritch glow. Somehow he seemed taller and mightier as a cold wind stirred; one that cut through ceramite armour like it was gossamer thin. The Psykanna Primus towered over all as he declared, "Do not take us for cowards and weaklings, we are held to a higher standard than others, a most terrible and fearful measure. Did you really want the Warp to become involved in this? Even if we could have stopped the fighting, would you desire to live under our subsequent rule? Would you accept the Storm Heralds becoming answerable to the Warp?"

Silence fell as everybody shrank back before Echeb, then he breathed out and his power dissipated, leaving only shivers behind. Toran was forcibly reminded why the Librarians were an order apart and he quickly said, "It is not within our remit to chastise you, we have no authority over your order. Yet understand this, you have sacrificed our respect and good-will. You will have to labour hard if you wish to be welcome in our Brotherhood ever again."

Echeb nodded and said, "We are accustomed to being shunned, we shall not question your choices."

"Then you will not help us rebuild?" Furion asked.

Echeb shook his head and explained, "We shall be there, to advise and support but we shall not place ourselves over you, it is not the place of the Warp to dictate the hearts of men. You must decide how you wish to proceed from here."

Toran accepted this and said, "Then we shall redress our wounds and ensure our prisoners are held accountable. Once Phalros returns we shall consider matters of reorganisation and rebuilding. We have only three Captains now, all must be equally involved. We have to ensure the Storm Heralds rise from the ashes, better this time, purer and nobler than we have been before."

"Most wise," Echeb replied, "And what shall we do regarding the Primarch's return?"

"A matter for another day," Toran stated, "For now we concentrate on healing our wounds."

Arvael however hesitantly said, "Captain, I would like to serve with you again, sometime in the future… If you will have me."

Angry mutters arose but Furion declared, "It is yet early for such talk, perhaps you may find a place among us, but you would be wise to let tempers cool. You must prove yourselves stalwart and true before any among us would willingly stand beside you in battle."

Toran agreed, "For now you can go tend to the prisoners, keep anyone from doing something foolish. In time we will discuss assignments."

Then Toran addressed the crowd saying, "Now everybody, move out and secure this island. Clear the damage, secure the facilities, retrieve the fallen and reassure the serfs that all is well. We have a lot of work before us!