The Lord of Iron and Steel (3)
Despite the initial rocky relationship between Angron, Perturabo had come to respect his brother's empathy and skill on the battlefield. What's more impressive to him is the number of Imperial Compliance his brother had managed to achieve within the five years that he's been active on the Great Crusade.
Although he initially looked down upon his brother's usage of diplomacy when engaging with the worlds unwilling to submit themselves to the Imperium's rule, most of time, the planets that he manages to convince swear their utmost fealty to the Imperium with nary a loss of life: both within his brother's Legion and the accompanying Navy and Army.
What made him impressed compared to his other brothers that uses diplomacy like Lorgar, Fulgrim, Horus or even Sanguinius, is that Angron is blunt when it comes to laying out the demands of an Imperial Compliance though in exchange, he'll give them his guarantee of self-governance as long as they pay their tithe and remain loyal to the Imperium.
While Perturabo initially scoffed at his brother's supposed weakness, those who've surrendered to his brother would form the nucleus of his brother's personal Auxilia army and would serve as the backbone of the two Legion's support army throughout the two-year collaboration. And for those who've truly refused surrender, their Compliance would be conducted in a quick and ruthless manner.
For over two years, the two Legions learned and collaborated much with each other. His legion learned much from his brother's legion culture and even learning to improve their Wargears with to no-to-little cost, with the Mechanicum forces accompanying him giving their full approval to have access within the Mechanicum's most vaunted technology. The only reason why they're able to access the Mechanicum's vast and most guarded technologies is due to his brother's status as an Aeternus Socius and as such, is forever grateful for his brother's allowance for his Iron Warriors to improve their wargears.
Though, he did have to reign in his temper when his brother pointed out his decimating reformation of his legion. As much as he's beginning to feel a bond with his brother, his comments on his legion's ways irks Perturabo fiercely. He knows that his actions are cruel and reforming his legion into weapons in service for the Emperor is diabolical yet this was the only way he knew to conduct warfare. For war is cruel and the only way to end as quick as possible is to be as efficient as possible.
Regardless of that lingering issue, Angron and his legions learned much from his own legion when it comes to conducting siege warfare and their ability to pacify a planet via their experiences serving as garrison troops is remarked by his brother as 'beneficial' and 'very helpful': words that almost seem alien to Perturabo's ears.
Nevertheless, their joint collaboration of two years is seemingly coming to an end as their father, the Master of Mankind, had recalled Perturabo back to Terra for his legion's relocation towards Segmentum Pacificus with two goals in mind: to help his newly-found brother Corvus Corax on how the Great Crusade must be conducted and to keep the planets that his brother is going to put into compliance in order and docile.
The last part of his Father's orders angered him greatly but he kept his rage down, knowing that raging against his Father's decree would do nothing. Yet, as Roboute would always say, 'Duty beckons'.
"What got you on the slumps? Had a bad breakfast on your way here or something?" Perturabo felt his eyebrows rise as he turned his head to look at his brother's father, the man in front of him munching on some food that he created on one of the Iron Blood's kitchens.
"My father has recalled me back to Terra. I'm to accompany by brother Corvus Corax on enacting Compliance within Segmentum Pacificsus." Perturabo started as his brother's father gave him a questioning look before he pointed at his own face.
"...you're not that good at hiding your emotions, aren't you?" His broth- Steven remarked as Perturabo scowled at Steven's words before he turned his head away to look at the vastness of space.
"I'm... not well-versed on emotions." Perturabo admitted as Steven hummed, crumbs of food waste dirtying his fine clothing.
"I don't blame you. Having to grow up in that planet of paranoia doesn't leave much for a stable childhood, much less adulthood." Steven commented as he continued scarfing down on his food.
"And, pray tell, have any experience of what I've gone through?"
"Oh, most definitely. The only reason I became the way that I am is because of my sisters. Without them, I could've been like my parents: stumbling ang grumbling about without any regard to the people around me." The man commented, nostalgia and fondness tinged within his voice.
He remained silent as Steven neared him, giving Perturabo a pat on the shoulder.
"That's why instead of sulking at your biological father's orders, try to take advantage of the situation. From what I've heard from Angron, Corax is a pretty swell guy if you get to know him better. Maybe you could even teach him of what you've learned from us, huh?" Steven's suggestion does make sense from a logical standpoint. He'd already given a bad impression amongst his fellow Primarchs. Having not met Corvus Corax, this could be a great way to gain another ally for his legion and himself.
"I'll take your words into consideration." He simple said as the man pouted, though given the way he's giving him a grin suggests the opposite.
"Good! Your legion needs a few friends anyway. Thank goodness you're starting to learn something beyond other than waging war." Steven espoused, and although Perturabo growled at his words, he couldn't help but note that it was starting to become true.
As much as reformed his legion into an excellent sharp blade, at the end of the day, his legions are human. Superhumans created from his gene-seed but nonetheless, humans. Sure, his legions are starting to become arrogant at how they're perceiving themselves to be better than the humans around them but with his brother's arrival, change is slowly developing within his legions.
The culture of paranoia that he unintentionally cultivated within his legions are being curtailed, with the World Eaters developing close bonds with his Iron Warriors. More than enough times did he saw his sons engage in friendly competition or even seem them cooperate in terms of wargear maintenance and creation. Despite the short time the two legions had, their collaboration bore fruit and many of his sons were already debating on whether or not they should accept Steven's invitation of establishing a base operations within the Nuceria system.
"...whatever. I'll inform the legion of our departure." He simply said before leaving Steven behind, with the latter staring forlornly at Perturabo's back.
"God, that kid's still a mess."