Chapter Eight
….
"Let us sing then and let us sing together,
Of golden palaces and forests of winter gossamer.
Where weapons crack amid powers of Lightning and Thunder,
The Emperor of Mankind and the Hands of the World's Potter,"
-Snape Snivellus Severus, Royal Minstrel, Great Crusade
…..
Great Crusade- The Planning for the Primarchs, Imperial Terra
"I'm telling you Morgana, this is bad. To create something like this? This would have far bigger ramifications than you and I can foresee in the future," protests John as he looks up from the data pad that Morgana has given her about her one choice of the twenty superhumans derived from both his and her genome.
"You already have nineteen to call your sons John, must you deprive me of one for myself. Imagine the hectic trouble that you and the boys will create on your own. No, one way or another, I will have this, a daughter as beautiful as me, or even greater. You promised me freedom on how to make her, so stop yanking my hair damnit!" hisses Morgana returning her attention to the data slate at her hand.
"You put too much faith on the DNA and the genome of the aliens Morgana. They might be older than we are but they are not essentially stronger," sniffs John.
Morgana simply rolls her eyes at him. "Please John, don't let your prejudices stain your pragmatic view. Look at the charts, stronger and more flexible bones that can also be strengthened by psychic energy. More elastic muscle growth and stronger immune systems that does not fail mind you. They are in every way superior to a regular human,"
"Still fallible though," insists John resulting to Morgana giving him an exasperated look.
"I've already decided John and you can't stop me. I've always wanted to bring those Lord of the Rings Elves to reality. This is my chance and I also get to have a daughter that would be as beautiful as the moon, my beautiful Luna,"
"Fine, fine! Just don't blame me when it start growing extra arms and appendages will you? You know very much how incompatible human and Aeldari DNA are. They might have the same looks as we do but molecularly we are incompatible," waves John in defeat.
"I disagree, that just needs more research," sniffs Morgana proudly. "If one of my sons fall in love with one. I would not deprive him a chance to have a go with some alien waifu,"
"You and your anime fascination. I told you that those shows will rot your brain," accuses the Emperor.
"Hey, they do not, they are my inspiration. Now shoo! You are disturbing me and I have a beautiful Luna to build,"
…
The Great Muster- Terra
Gulliman watches as ship after ship arrives into the great docks of Terra, never has been there such a gathering as this, hundreds, if not thousands of ships that would compose the Great Crusade. As word spread of the thwarted invasion of Terra, nearly every system nearest to the Segmentus are sending anything that they can spare from batallions of Guardsmen to great Knight Houses are answering the call of the Primarch to war.
His message is simple, and he made sure that every Astropathic choir in the galaxy hear it and sing it. "The Empress has triumphed over the Traitor Primarchs and Salvation is at hand," it irritates him to play the faith part of the Imperium but as his mother said, faith is a double-edged blade that he must be careful about but never shy to use.
And it works wonders.
Vessels are arriving each day forcing the Tech Priests to place temporary docking ports all over Luna just to accommodate them. Fancy Rogue trader vessels looking extremely unique to the more esoteric Luna class variants of the Wider Imperium; gleaming citadel like ships bearing Convents of Sororitas, to Emperor Class battleships looming over their smaller counterparts that flit like angry wasps. Then of course there are the Space Marine battle barges that roll in by the dozen per day.
Rogal and He has already sent out the call to every Chapter in Imperium Sanctus about the great muster of the Indomitus Crusade and many answer, primarily those that can can trace their lineages to the First and Second Founding. All of them came with great speed with the desire to once more look upon and greet their gene-fathers in awe. Not all chapters that answer the call come from Imperial Fist or Ultramarine lineage, there are many like the Roaring Lions and the Swooping Eagles also present, just glad to put themselves once more in the command of the loyal sons of the Emperor.
Other than the local Imperial Forces of course are the great Clone Legions from the secret world of Kamino commissioned by her mother to aid the Imperium. Unlike their Imperial Counterparts, they arrive late, their hyperdrives a lot safer compared to Warp travel but also slower. Yet they come, hundreds of Star Destroyers, each ten kilometers in length bearing enough firepower to level a city in seconds. With them are the more shorter but wider Venator Class Starships which would serve as the floating cities which the Clone Legions and their rather unique equipment and tanks would be carried on.
It is a great logistical nightmare that might have been impossible for Gulliman, even to wade through since no greater Crusade can be compared to this with the exception of the Great Crusade. Yet for some miraculous deed, his mother does it, forming the loose armies, fleets and different breeds of warriors to a singular command divided into organized battle-groups.
She only has one request and both Gulliman and Dorn really don't like it.
…
The Training Arena Inside the Bucephalus
"Weeehhhh!" the rather too cheerful tone of the only resident that everyone is completely wary about can be heard echoing in the training halls. For the Space Marines that volunteered (more like coerced), the sound of their bodies can be heard falling into the floors as the thunderous kick of their training partner sends them flying to the wall of the training cages. The culprit is at least ten feet tall, slender and elegant looking. She has hair as dark as night and her green eyes are blazing with an inner fire. Dressed in a borrowed(more like stolen), Callidus suit that hugs every line and contour of her body, she moves in twists that might have broken a normal man's body if he tried it. She is as dangerous as she is beautiful as it is shown as she thrashes space marine after space marine as easily as one would punt walking unmoving automatons.
"This is boring, they are boring me!" she chirps with a loud yawn before looking at where Gulliman and Dorn is watching.
"Hi brothers! Care to join? Your sons are not living up to the expectations," she shouts out loud ignoring the blazing looks that come to the Space Marines that are supposed to "test" her. They obviously do not take the comment well that they are insufficient in any kind of way, especially with their fathers watching.
They roar out battle cries before charging again. The Primarchs wince as it is followed by flesh meeting steel and the groaning of armors bending with the ending being flying Angels of Death once more being punted all over the training area.
"She is dangerous brother," Rogal mutters beside Roubutte.
"So are we," he comments out loud ignoring the glare that Dorn pins on him.
"You know exactly what I mean Roubutte. She is unnatural and different than the rest of us. She….she is a human and Aeldari hybrid,"
"Yet she is our sister and the Primarch of the Second Legion, though I think it would be best if that information not be disseminated. The last thing that we want are loyalist Chapters that still have not find out their gene fathers or mother in this case wondering if they have alien taint on their gene seeds,"
"Agreed," nods Dorn before returning his attention to where their "Sister" are chasing a group of five of his sons around the training area who are running for their life while cackling like a madwoman.
"So much for showing no fear,"he mentally snorts as she catches one and starts hauling him away even as he screams for his fellows not to leave him. It is followed by dull thwacks as she beats him senseless.
"She would be good in training the neophytes," says Roubutte watching their sister throttle senseless another Imperial Fist.
"Forget neophytes brother, she would be good in training the veteran companies," snorts Dorn before sighing as he lets his hand roam over his white hair atop his head. "I still can't get over the fact that we have a half Eldar sister. What is mother thinking making her like that?"
Gulliman just shrugs as they watch another fresher batch of Adeptus Astartes try their close quarter combat skills against the newly found Primarch of the Second Legion.
To say that their new family member is a surprise would be the understatement of the century. Imagine their surprise when their mother presents them a new "sister". Both Gulliman and Rogal is simply floored that this hybrid woman aptly named Luna belonged to the twenty. Already both in their calculating minds, the fallout would be legendary and disastrous. It would be completely damaging to the Imperial policy against the Xeno once it is known that by the Emperor's hands, the purity of human flesh has been mixed with that of the foul alien. Normally Gulliman and Dorn would never believe something like this, that one of the twenty is a half alien and a woman. However it is their mother speaking and telling them. That and she also has their mother's eyes which is a deep sea green that seems to bore into your very soul. Thus despite their reservations, they believe her word about her identity. Her name is Luna.
Immediately it becomes obvious as to why their mother wants her gone from the Imperial Palace. The Eldar human Hybrid has a penchant for taking stuff that doesn't belong to her. In fact everything that is not nailed down would suddenly find themselves disappearing and finding itself in her small collection at her private room. Add the fact that she's an Eldar and has a penchant for the shadows result to Tech Priests trying to screw everything that can be screwed in the ship before their resident "mercenary" finds them interesting enough to steal.
Mercenary, that is what he and Dorn agree to call their rather new errant sister. There is just simply no way that they would announce to the world that the Primarch of the Second Legion and one of the Emperor's children is part alien. In the tumultuous time that the Imperium is facing now, that is the last thing that the Imperium needs. Their mother thankfully agrees to it.
When they needle her however about the creation of their "sister", she thankfully explains it to them in clear words. It is a nice change compared to the cryptic answers of their father when they ask him before about their creation. The way she explains it, the Emperor would have nineteen while she will have one. Luna is the product of the curiosity of Helaena's fascination with Eldar bodies and psychic power thus she spliced it with human genetics to make the perfect balance between the two. She also asks their father to do a little bit of soul crafting to part the essence of one of her old friends many thousands of years ago to the new form and body. The result is Luna, a being with the strength of a Primarch but has the gracefulness, agility and dexterity alongside the Psychic control that the Elder race of the Aeldari has. She has apparently put herself in cryo, dimming her psychic signature closer to being dead after the feral world she has been sucked into as a baby got swallowed by a warp storm. Thus her absence during the entire Great Crusade and all the ten thousand years after that. With the tearing of the galaxy into two and the spreading of the Eye of Chaos throughout the known universe, the planet she has been trapped is freed giving the opportunity for the Empress to thaw her out.
Now she's ready for a galaxy that much needed the presence of Primarchs once more.
"One thing I can tell you brother. This Crusade would certainly be an interesting one," says Rogal Dorn as they watch Luna bounce around the walls the screaming bodies of the veteran Ultramarines like ping pong balls.
….
Segmentum Pacificus, Planet Gallis, Desert World
Gallis is a desert world at the Segmentum with only one regular hive with the rest filled with rocky mountains that stretch on for kilometers all over the planet. It has little fauna or flora that can be deemed of importance. What it has in abundance however are minerals, raw materials that are mined like iron, nickel, steel and others more that can be synthesized to stronger fields by the Mechanicus to be transported to the two Forge worlds that can be found in the system or even beyond.
With the destruction of Cadia, the ripping of the Cicatrix Maledictum all over the galaxy and the dimming of the Emperor's Light, the rebellious elements of Gallis turned against Imperial authority and murdered the governor, overcoming the local Planetary Defense Forces of the planet. Now they are declaring themselves as the Free Planet of Gallis declaring war against the Imperium of Man. The new governor, a man calling himself Rics immediately purged the entire city with any loyalist he can find.
Unfortunately his new found freedom and rule would not last.
Above the planet, Fleet Tertius arrived, the first splinter fleet of the Indomitus Crusade itching for glory. Venators and Imperial Battleships alongside Space Marine Battle barges easily rip apart the ten Luna Cruisers that the new Governor commissioned to defend his fiefdom. Valkyries and Gunships immediately start descending carrying with them the heavy machinery needed to pacify the planet alongside millions of troops. Primaris Marines drop pods burn through the atmosphere striking against the Central Spire of the Hive World where the Governor's palace is, cutthing through the steel walls to the great hall.
Out jumps Segeant Brother Halla, with five of his Greyshield companions. Brother Halla comes from the gene line of Gulliman and he is determined to bring glory both to his gene father and the Empress. It has been declared to each and every ship and member of the Indomitus Crusade about the great work the Empress has been doing to make sure that the Crusade is a success and the worlds of humanity liberated from the xeno, the mutant and the heretic. The Empress has done her part and blessed them now he and his brothers would do their duty and answer the call of War.
"For the Empress!" he roars through his vox grill and with the click of his trigger at the bolter, a guardsman coming out of the door from the hallway explodes in a smattering of gore.
"Forward! We capture the governor," he orders his brothers who runs after him as they charge towards the Governor's personal chambers. The sounds of other drop pods breaching the structure can be heard as other Primaris Marine units also make landfall, each with their own mission to capture the ruling houses that rebelled against the Governor. It has been the orders of Rogal Dorn that they be publicly executed as an example for any more wannabe detractors in the future.
Around the Hive Tower Central Valkyries and LAAT gunships start to land discharging thousands of troops who waste no time establishing a perimeter around the central tower as the Primaris marines do their job. Immediately they are beset by traitors and angry mobs firing slugthrowers. The Imperials however are not like the PDF, these are professional soldiers from the Hundred and Fiftieth Vendoland and the more elite Guardsman of the Solar Guard. With them are Clone Troopers whose only existence is to fight and die for the Imperium. Lines of red and blue lasers counter the traitors as fireteams start to gain momentum. Men cry out dying and falling as the perimeter is established not letting a single traitor get past them. Moments later and the tanks and walkers are deployed via Valkyries or more LAATs' lessening the pressure from the Guard.
Up above the Spire of the Tower, the squad of Primaris Marines are doing good time as they blast apart every type of resistance that the traitors' honor guard is doing. Some of them have hotshot lasguns and even one has a power sabre. Against regular humans it might have cut cleanly, but against Astartes, it breaks as if it's a walking stick.
Now reaching the final doors of the Governor, the Primaris Marins nod at each other before deftly opening it. Immediately a wall of gunfire erupts forcing them to lean back as the door splinters and a beam of red light cuts through it.
"You are not getting through here false angels of the Tyrant Imperium. This lascannon will be your death. You hear me? You will not enter here, not with my life on the -," that is as far as he gets before a flash bang cylinder rolls on the floor at his feet.
"Oh," and it explodes causing the governor to wail as he clutches his eyes. Sergeant Halla wastes no time unclipping the plasma pistol at his right leg and breaks cover aiming in a split second at the chest of the governor.
With a powerful hiss, the plasma weapon discharges cutting the governor in two as his half is melted from the waist downwards, his eerie screams can be heard as his remaining half bursts through the window flying downward below the Spire.
"This is Sergeant Halla of the Greyshields. The first execution sample will crash in twenty seconds from above. Glory to the Empress!" he voxes out in public channel.
…
Segmentum Obsucurus, The Road of Martyrs
During 999 M.4.1 of the Imperial Calendar, Segmentum Obscurus has always been home to the majority of the Imperium's armed forces. Its importance as a lynchpin of Imperial might and power has only increased thanks to the Thirteenth Black Crusade. Now however it is part of Imperium Nihilus since the creation of the Great Rift and the light of the Astronomican no longer is visible. It's importance however isn't diminished. It contains at least two corridors leading to Imperium Sanctus through the Cicatrix Maledictum and probably one where Imperial control is at an all time high on both sides.
That is the reason why all the ruling Primarchs (minus the new additional), decideto set out Fleet Secundus of the Indomitus Crusade to bolster and make sure that the Segmentum remain deep into Imperial Control. It is a daring and aggressive offensive that the Imperium has to launch to buy time to stabilize Imperium Sanctus and ensure that the Corridors found at the Segmentum would not be overrun by any of the foes of the Imperium. It is a counter-punch for the devastation of Cadia. Spearheaded by the Sisters of the Ebon Chalice and Of our Marytred Lady with heavy support from the Ardent Light Convents alongside dozens of others, their warships drive like a fist into the center of Segmentum Obscurus leaving nothing but death and destruction of holy fire. Supporting them are massive clone legions assigned to help them consolidate campaigns, their looming Venators shadowing the skies of many worlds.
The Agripnaa Sector are consolidated and heavily defended. Once it has been the main suppliers of the military arms to Cadia both in manpower, and equipment. This as a result turned the Sector into a wealthy one. Now they are suffering from Chaos warbands ransacking worlds with Cadia gone and their proximity to the Eye of Terror. Dozens of Clone Batallions are sent to the beleaguered worlds, the heavy numerous clone legions shoring the defenses of many important worlds while countering the raids of chaos warbands on the lesser worlds. The Sector has always provided large number of regiments to the Sector and the arrival of the legions frees them for other tasks that might need them all over the Imperium.
The Athena Sector is probably one of the more secure territories in the Segmentum, with an Emperor Class battleship as its flagship over the battle-fleet it retains superior space superiority in its area. However with the Rift ripping through the light of the Astronomican, the regular patrols set out by the Imperial Navy becomes nigh impossible to do. Daedalus Class Vessels are now taking over the role as their hyperdrives are not reliant at all to the Warp though they are a lot slower. This enables the Battle-Fleet to be able to engage enemies of the Imperium accurately. Notable in their laurels is the destruction of an entire Drukharii raiding fleet taking potshots at a hive world after a Daedalus Class Vessel run to it and reported back to the main fleet.
The Cadian Gate is renowned as the only way out of the Eye of Terror and once contained the great fortress world of Cadia. The Thirteenth Black Crusade puts an end to that when the planet cracked after the machinations of Abaddon the Despoiler. It is here that the Emperor's Light is near absent and Warp travel almost impossible. Yet it is also here that the righteous might of Fleet Secundus punch the greatest. The Primarchs and the Empress plans to fortify new positions of strength out of the allotted systems if only to be thorns to the Warbands of Chaos who have now a highway to the greater Imperium. They may not be as strong as Cadia but every little is gain is a win in this Era Indomitus. Thus the Sororitas convents cut through the Sector in a wall of blazing fire, purifying everything that even farts Chaos the wrong way. Hundreds of Clone Batallions support and consolidate beleaguered worlds while invading those occupied by the forces of Chaos. In the end Battlefleet Cadia is reformed now with Venator Class ships among its ranks with Aurora and Daedalus classes serving as heavy hitters for the new fleet. The worlds of Alpha Prime, Beta Prime, Charlie Prime and Delta Prime are also established as fortress worlds, hive worlds before they are now major recruitment for the Guard to serve as thorns for any Chaos warband or anything alien that dare pass the sector.
The Gothic Sector is mostly together due to the brilliance of Solar Admiral Spire. The veteran of the Gothic wars charisma and faith is so strong that despite the tragedy of the new Era, many are still following him. However the Gothic Sector is overrun by Orcs and Imperial Worlds are all reeling from the savage attacks of the Greenskins. Majority of the Imperial Ships fell under Spire's command and a large number of Greyshields Primaris Marines have been allotted to him to aid him in his endeavor in pacifying the Sector in the name of the Emperor and the Empress.
The Ixaniad Sector is ruled by Highborn Dynasties over multiple planets each. Prosperous and proud, their silver legions have been a boon to the Guard. However the Dynasties rival each other and it is near impossible to force them to work with one another. With the dimming of the Emperor's light, the situation becomes tighter for these rich worlds. Clone legions have to be sent with Inqusitors to force the rotund and proud Dynasties to work together for the greater good or else suffer the wrong end of a boltgun.
The Scarus Sector is the most hectic of all the sectors barring the Cadian gate. Large Traitor warbands invade its planets while a tide of Greenskins continue to erupt everywhere like plague rats. The large part of Fleet Secundus has set out like a hammer against these threats. With dozens of batallions and with the might of the Sororitas with it, they blaze through the sector like a righteous knife cutting through the infected flesh. Thousands die in the attempt as the warbands fought like demons back and the Orcs congregate to the battle like sharks smelling blood. In the end it is a continuous struggle as more reinforcements are sent to battle out the region and stamp out any incursions into Imperial Space.
Thus the Indomitus Crusade blazes in this important area even as Gulliman leads the main fleets to other more parts of the Imperium.
…
Imperial Palace, Terra
Lilith Abfequarn has seen many odd and different things during her time as an Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus. The Imperium is large and each world has a culture of his own that brings a new perceptive in the eye in every way. However seeing the Empress of Mankind, the great magnanimous figure currently worshipped in the entirety of the Imperium almost in the same reverence as the Emperor due to the Empress' Blessing which is said to bring rains of food, and Imperial Justice when Inquisitors come knocking to the rooms of Planetary Governors for hoarding what is freely given to the masses simply in a crop top and shorts that reveals those mile long gorgeous legs surely is an odd site for her. She is glad of course that the Empress is getting better already that she doesn't have to huddle all the time to Lilith, not that she begrudge her. The Empress is the most beautiful woman she has seen and she has an aura that simply draws you in if you stay around her long enough.
More importantly however she can see that the Empress is doing something good for the Imperium of Man. Like many Inquisitors, Lilith can see that the Imperium of Man is regressing at worst and enduring at best. With everything the Empress has been doing however, it is obvious that she is actually succeeding on improving the Imperium of Man little by little. Everyone has been gobsmacked when she focused on agriculture of all things at first. No one truly paid attention that much to food production, especially now with the galaxy in turmoil. Yet her success at increasing the food supply in extremely large dividends all across Imperium Sanctus has already reduced rebellions by a large percentage over the planets. That and her fellow Inquisitors are having a field day rooting out governors trying to break the Empress' decrees about the new food division to the people
Lilith has no idea how she manages not only to wrangle the chaos that is the Administratum to actually work effectively but she's maintaining such consistency that her Inquisitor's nature is tingling that she investigate. She has to hold back such impulses however. She is the Empress and already she has given great boon to her life. Who else can say that they slept with basically the ruler of the galaxy? It is a great honor and Lilith would not break the trust that she has been given to be allowed skinship with the ruler of Mankind. She has proven herself in battle and she has proven herself a good administrator, that is enough for Lilith to trust her. Dare she say it also, she has proven herself in bed and that is always satisfying.
"Lilith come here, I am cold,"
"Yes, my Empress," she replies dropping the fur shawl which is the only garment she is allowed to wear within the private quarters of the Empress of Mankind.
….
Imperial Palace, Personal Training Room A few months later
Despite no matter how many ages the world it is, part of Helaena would be a Gryffindor through and through. That is why here she is at her private training room allowed only to her sons and her testing the limits of her body once again. The long rest has been enough for the nanites to repair all the damage she has taken from her sons. Such is the wonder of the Golden Age of Technology at its height that it surprises even Helaena now and then. Ripping apart an automaton with a blast of energy, she levitates the pieces, transforming them to sharpened spikes before sending them to a dozen targets, the metal pieces hitting their planned aims right where she wants them. Dodging another battle-axe downward strike, she punches the automaton at the middle caving its mechanisms as it fell in pieces.
This rigorous training not only allow Helaena to test her body's limits. It also allows her to think. Especially at her three children currently off ready to kickstart the major push of the Indominus Crusade soon. Reports are already trickling in about the successes of the giant splinter fleets conducting major campaigns all over the Imperium. That and also recruitment efforts of the Guard is at an all time high. With people now receiving enough food that they aren't starving but actually able to function properly like an individual, many at the hive cities are actually clamoring for a place at the Guard. That's not surprising since the Guard has an open invitation for all to join with free meals and free lasguns. People at Hive Cities now healthy actually are now volunteering themselves which is always a good thing.
The meatgrinder wheel to preserve mankind is turning non-stop.
She hates to admit it but the Imperium is in shambles and she cannot do this work alone that the Emperor has asked her as a favor. If John is here, she would give him an earful, but alas she is not. She needs help and that is the reasoning why she has chosen to wake up her little project that is the Primarch of the Second Legion despite the risks. There is no chance that she, Gulliman and Rogal can handle the work that should have belonged to twenty and the Emperor on their own. They need all the help they can get.
Call her evil but she's glad that the soul of the Primarch of the Second Legion is a clean slate. It might have been a little problematic if she has developed her own personality and life already. Unlike the others, she has not yet awaken from the ancient Cryo pod from which she has been awakened though it's obvious she grew. She has to thank their lucky stars that the pods on which the Primarchs are first placed as a baby are human sized not baby sized or else they'll get a very dead Primarch instead. The Primarch is a blank slate and Helaena in an effort that she is sure she would get an earful from John shares her essence of mischievousness and everything that makes her playful to her new daughter. With it also memories, but not only memories of this broken and dark world she is brought it but also memories of what mankind can be, a golden age long lost. Unlike her brothers, who only sees the world brought to ruin and the world made by the Emperor, she will be able to see mankind as it could be and would be able to hope.
That is why she sends her alongside Rogal and Roubutte. Should the two ever falter due to stress and despair, she can be their light and hope, giving them strength to push forward. Just as the Emperor instills parts of his personality and soul to his sons, so does she. Only thing is every part of her that is good with none of the seriousness her daughter will have. Add that to her near perfect genes spliced from Aeldari design and she would be a powerhouse with an empathetic heart that knows right from wrong.
At least she hopes so.
…..
Indomitus Crusade, Fleet Primus
The massive ships of the battleship blaze like small comets in the void as they spearhead towards their intended target, the Drogos System. Word has arrived from Terra about Daemon Hordes of Khorne overrunning the entire system that even the local Space Marine Chapter, the Eagle Talons, sons of the Great Khan are being pushed to the brink. Out of the dozen alarms asking for help, the Drogos System is chosen due to its many manufactorums that are giving supplies to the other systems.
While the men and women are preparing themselves for what obviously would be a brutal fight, Khornate Daemons are nasty at the worst and supremely dangerous at the best. Many that would be deployed to the aid of the system would not be able to return. Yet this is their duty and they will see it done.
In the command bridge however is another matter.
"Ne! NE! NEE! Onii-san, brother, why is it taking so long?"
Roubutte Gulliman, Lord Commander of all the Imperium, and Primarch of the most well-known legions of the Imperium can feel his patience being tested to the limit and beyond as the ten foot tall barely clad Aeldari Hybrid in transparent silks that is his sister clings at the back of his armor like an overgrown eel, her slender hands wrapping around his neck as handholds.
The snickering at the sides doesn't help and he glares at the command crew who immediately finds their consoles very interesting. More snickering at his other side and he grinds his teeth as he eyes narrow at Rogal Dorn who looks as red as a tomato as he tries to cover his mouth. Behind the Centurion armored Primarch is the slender form of Yvraine who has appeared out of nowhere to "observe" the Crusade a cycle yesterday and is currently trying to stifle her own laughter at the sight.
"It is not funny!" he growls and that is the spell for everyone. Rogal Dorn can't take it anymore and explodes into mighty howls of laughter alongside the Eldar Prophetess of Death who is wiping tears from her eyes. The crew is also laughing but immediately shut up as the Primarch glares at their direction for the second time.
"Luna gerroff me!" he tries to wriggle off the ten foot tall dangerous extremely beautiful wart that refuses to simply let go.
"NO! I like it here Onii-san," she refuses. Gulliman doesn't miss that the recaff drinks of the bridge crew disappeared. His new sister apparently got a talent for being sneaky and taking what isn't hers.
Apparently after thrashing black and blue the Veterans of the Ultramarines and jumping up and down over their pride as elites of their chapter, his new sister has taken into raiding the personal archives of Gulliman in the Bucephalus in order to learn a little bit more about her new brothers and the galaxy she is born into. Long story short, she got a new hero in Gulliman after she read some of the hundred and one books praising the prowess of the Primarch. Gulliman makes a mental note to turn to a servitor whoever it is that stocked the archives with fantastical stories about his good self. Now Luna is looking at him as an inspiration. She's very clingy also which makes it awkward for Gulliman who only is used to receiving hugs from his mother.
He sighs as he continues planning the upcoming planetfall in the system they are going to hit. He promptly ignores Luna who sits like an overgrown cat at his pauldron, her dainty feet patting his elbow as he works.
He would never admit it under the pain of death and even more, but having Luna around being all touchy feels not really so bad. He can do without the guffawing laughter of Rogal though and the crew. Yvraine's tinkling voice however he would consider acceptable, even likeable.
…..
Terra, Imperial Palace
"Is it true my Empress?" asks Lilith as she watches the Empress of Mankind being dressed by the Saints Celestine and Josephine in her today's outfit. Her choice of outfit today is a robe of gold with white trimmings while showing a rather large amount of stomach by the Empress' orders. It is both elegant and provoking, very different from the women of noble houses who chooses to cover the entirety of their body.
"Thank you my dears," says the Empress to the two saints who bows to her. They have simply appeared one day, both of them scaring Lilith half to death as she is in the middle of a tryst with the Empress when the winged beings appear. The Empress has shouted in the air at someone named "John" for being an arse before accepting the Saints to her service as her personal handmaidens.
That of course opens another can of worms. The Custodes are not very happy with the appearance of the Saints. For the Eternal Guards of the God-Emperor, it is just a sign that they are not doing their job well if their master has seen it fit to provide extra security to the Empress. Add the rather delibitating battle between her and two traitor Primarchs and their confidence is not that high. Thus they increased her guard to now a hundred and fifty much to Helaena's annoyance even more as it is almost having a small army following her around.
"Come attend me Lilith," she gestures as she walks out of her personal chambers with the Custodes hundred and fifty in all trekking behind her. "What is it you mean?" she asks as Lilith trails at her side.
"I have heard from rumors of the Custodes that you are planning an expedition that is different from the Crusade that my lord Gulliman is doing right now my lady?"
"Yes," answers Helaena continuing to walk. "My son has his own path to follow and I've done all I can to keep him safe and provided for him the tools that he would be able to do what he does best and do it well,"
"So where are we going my lady? I've always thought that you would remain here at Terra and rule just like the Emperor intends it to be," points out Lilithh.
A snort only comes from her lips. "J-The Emperor may have crowned me Empress but that doesn't mean that I would sit my ass on the throne doing nothing. The Imperium needs every help that it can right now and I can do that more by being out in the field. You want to know where we are going or rather what we would be doing Lils? I'll tell you what we are going to be doing. We are finding my other lost sons and bringing them back to the light. It is time that they get their lazy behinds from their own personal slumbers or quests and actually start doing what they are meant to do,"
Lilith pauses as her brain registers what her Empress just said. "The other Primarchs my lady? They are still alive?" she breathes out.
"Yes," Helaena replies pausing to wait for Lilith to realize she is keeping the Empress as she jogs at her side, the train of Helaena's cloak clinking from the amount of jewels it contain.
"A Commander leads among the stars, with great battleships he aims to cleanse the scars.
With him stands the Guardian tall, his hands with mighty fortresses will stand and fall.
The Lion sleeps in the night, the need for him will awaken his sight.
The Rider rides into the void, he must be recalled to his duties before everything is destroyed.
The wolf howls at plague's gates, he must be aided for behind the Empress' lover awaits.
The Prince resides in solitude and sorrow, yet he must be forced to remember of the time he borrow,
The Volcano sits dormant till now, yet by placing the final piece, mountains will bow
The Raven hunts the darkness alone, from grief he must be saved before the final tone.
The Dancer dances in the night, a beacon to call back the Angel's Light,"
And with those cryptic words, Lilih just stares blankly at the Empress. "My lady, I don't understand,"
"Neither do I, but it is a prophecy that came to me. We will heed its guidance for prophecies are rarely wrong. Trust me, I tried ignoring one before and it bit me in the arse, not literally like you do of course at bed,"
"My LADY!" squeaks Lilith as she can feel the piercing hundred and fifty glares thrown at her. "Please don't share that out loud,"
"Please, you are a great lover Lilith, never doubt that. No need to be ashamed,"
"I am not ashamed. I am fearful for my life," protests the Inquisitor as she can see more than one Custodes fingering the triggers of their Guardian Spears.
"Stop eyeing her badly all of you," commands the Empress making the Inquisitor sigh as they all harrumphs. She knows that she might have been ribbons now if not for her order.
"Thank you my lady,"
"Don't worry about it. The boys could be overprotective of me. Direct orders from the Emperor I'm afraid," she gives off a beautiful wry smile.
"I understand my lady," replies Lilith before composing herself. "Where are we going by the way?" she asks noticing the hallway that leads to the docking area of the Imperial Palace is the one they are taking.
"To my personal ship at the hangar. I need to take stock of the crew manifest about who is coming with us in this little expedition of ours and how many, and yes I am taking all of you with me," she adds as the Custodes following them looks ready to protest.
"I see," Lilith only replies as she follows the Empress. Somehow she's got a feeling that being entangled with the fate of the Empress of Mankind would never be dull. Plus she's sure that her name would already go down in history once she continues this path.
…
Flashbacks Great Crusade: Russ' little Omelet Problem
"So let me get this straight. You want dinner," both the Emperor and the Empress is glaring at Russ who is covered in feathers and fur with bits of blood on him while his beard is still stained by yellow egg yolk.
"I want dinner,"
"You wanted an omelet cooked in my specialty,"
"Yes mother," nods the Primarch.
"And since you want me to cook an omelet for you, you want it the best and the biggest," the twitch in the Empress' eyebrow is starting.
"Nothing but the best are worthy of your skills mother," declares the primarch of the Fenris Wolves proudly.
"So you think it is a good idea to steal the egg of a giant bird, the size of a Luna Cruiser that lives in a planet classified as a death world, put to risk your entire legion, combat said giant bird costing at least half a trillion worth of credits, fifteen destroyed transports and an ungodly amount of equipment, just for you to be able to bring two eggs back here to Terra, correct me if I'm wrong my son," asks the Emperor.
"Exactly father, you are as accurate as ever," beams Russ much to the groaning of the Emperor.
"So where are these giant eggs for I am going to make omelets," the sudden declaration from the Empress makes the Emperor look at her in disbelief.
"What? It would be a waste if we don't cook it, am I right Leman?" she asks innocently.
"Yes mother!"
"Don't encourage him Morgana!" protests the Emperor. "We are supposed to be disciplining him for his actions!"
"Please, don't be such a prude Johnny boy. It's unbecoming of you. Besides, he does it for me and I am proud of him,"
Somewhere in the galaxy Gulliman gets an irritated feeling that he is being upped by one of his brothers for some reason.
"Thank you mother! I've already ordered the best Fenrisian casks to be brought inside my ship for dinner tonight,"
"Good thinking Leman, now come and bring those eggs with you," the Empress happily leaves her throne leaving the Emperor being patted by Malcador in the shoulder as they stare at the giant Astarte sized eggs being hauled after the two.
He has no idea how such madness enters his life. At least he knows what's for dinner tonight and Morgana's cooking is to die for.
…
Author's Note: Hello, So here's another chapter. Hope you like it. Now before anyone starts getting angry for Helaena's choice of a Second Primarch. Remember, this is Helaena we are talking about, she is DIFFERENT. Remember? She's the one responsible for the Clone legions playing around with genetics in a way that the Emperor doesn't. I think it would not be far-fetched for her to splice Aeldari DNA with a Primarch of her own. She is in her character after all very vain and the Eldar are beautiful by nature. It is logical that she would choose their DNA to make Luna.
Please Review, your comments and opinions are the fuel to this Fanfic and my inspiration also. It is hard to find someone to talk to about Warhammer 40k. 7600 words for this chapter.
Do you enjoy the story so far? I mean it has little support compared to my others.
Trivia: Who is the Space Marine gene-children of Luna? Give one example based on her traits.
Next up is the hunting of the Primarchs. Guess who is coming back to the fold next? Ill give you a clue. Snow White is awakened by being kissed, this Primarch is going to get slapped.