"Arugh!" I grunted as my back hit the hot sand of the training field.
"You are improving." The Custodian observed offering me a hand.
The Custodian in question was out of his armor. He wore a simple white robe that exposed his left shoulder and from his knees down. I wore something similar yet mine was more of a T-shirt.
I took the offered hand and in the next moment I was back on my feet. I went to lean forward to rest, but I quickly stopped as I reminded myself of the punishment for showing weakness. I quickly straightened myself; he was watching me carefully. Despite his soulless expression I had been training with him long enough to look past that. His eyes dared me to give him a reason. Seeing as I was not budging from my position, the Custodian turned away from me. Using his foot, he tossed the training staff into the air and used his own staff to knock it towards me.
"Shield-Captain Desh, a question." I spoke up catching the staff and readied myself once again.
"Speak." The Shield-Captain replied, readying himself.
"How far along am I with my training?" I asked as we began our clash again.
"I am not privy to the Empress' end goals for your training. The training of custodians takes many decades, we have been training for three years. Your progress is impressive, yet you are not ready to fight a custodian to a standstill." Desh dodged or blocked every strike I made.
"But am I ready for my duties as a Legatus?" I asked as I dodged a strike made by the Custodian causing me to back out of striking distance.
"I believe you would be able to subdue a standard astartes, perhaps even a captain." Desh answered, dashing forward closing for another melee. Using my genetic enhancements for speed I managed to stay out of the Custodian's superior melee prowess. "Your speed would allow you to keep out of their grasp. I must admit, the Empress has crafted you for speed, it is beyond what I am able to do. Yet,"
A quick maneuver with the quarterstaff kicked up the sand into my face forcing me to close my eyes. I switched to my psionic senses but it was too late as the Custodian had already grabbed my arm and with his far superior strength flipped me over causing me to land on my back again. The super human then thrusted his quarterstaff backwards hitting the real me in the torso causing me to stumble back. The fake me on the ground turned back into purple psionic energy and dissipated.
"I could have sworn that was going to work." I commented after regaining my balance.
The Custodian straightened himself and turned to face me, maintaining that blank expression. "It was a clever use of your abilities; it is why I believe you could subdue an astartes captain. Yet there is a reason for my rank, all Custodians have been trained to fight in every situation."
I sighed as I let my butt fall onto the sand.
"Will I ever be able to beat you." I wondered out loud, while propping up my head with my hands.
"No, not as you are now." Desh answered the rhetorical question. "Maybe once you gain more experience, yet I do not plan to make it easy for you."
"Eh, the victory would be hollow if you didn't give it your all." I commented trying to mimic the Custodian's mindset.
"Indeed."
"Excuse me my lords." A servant spoke up, drawing both our attention. "The Empress has summoned Lazarus."
"Then I best be on my own way then." I answered, getting up off the sand. I bowed to Desh. "Thank you for your instruction Shield-Captain."
The Custodian nodded.
I left the training field and headed for my room for a change of clothes. The servant then led me to the Empress. Along the way I noticed an Imperial Fist strike Cruiser in low orbit. The Empress had yet to name Horus, or Hathor as her female name would dictate, War Master. Thus, Dorn had not yet been named Pretorian of Terra, meaning the strike cruiser must have returned to pick up some new marines.
The servant led me to the more scientific side of the palace. This was where the "Recovery and Preservation" happened, full disclosure it was called this to stop the mechanicus from blowing a fuse. Really it was R&D without the mechanicus' help. Though we had a lack of German scientists, so we were not going anywhere fast. I had my own workspace here as I have been trying to make some equipment to aid in the use of my psionics. Though even with my body upgrades I was still struggling to get the technology to work.
Soon enough we arrived at my workstation with the definitely not god-like figure standing by my workbench inspecting the amp gloves I was working on. The Empress turned her head at our approach, we both bowed, and the servant left soon after.
"You summoned me, your highness." I started while rising from my bow.
"Indeed, the mechanicus have been raising inquiries about the technology being moved here. Every order has your signature." The Empress observed setting down the glove.
"I've been working on a type of amp that not only amplifies my psionics but also allows me to project the energy into weapons." I answered.
"And how has that been going?"
I sighed. "Not well."
I approached the workbench and slipped my hand into the long glove. With my other hand I began to attach the other internal workings onto the glove and began connecting parts. This thing was the bulky prototype that I would try to work down into a smaller size once I got the damn thing working. Once I got everything together, it looked more like a bulky gauntlet once assembled. I began to channel my psionics, my vanes began to glow purple as the energy moved through my body. Once the energy reached the gauntlet it began to spark with psionic energy. However, the systems overloaded and a little explosion of psionic energy caused the whole gauntlet to shut down. I set my arm back down and began disassembling the gauntlet back down into a glove.
Another failure. I was by no means tech savvy. Since the upgrades I got from the Empress, my brain also seemed to have gotten a boost and something that was previously hard to do was now easy.
'AH, fuck you math tests! I have surpassed you!' I declared in my mind as I took apart the gauntlet.
At the end of the day, these gauntlets were my attempt at recreating the Shard gauntlets from X-Com. Hell, a lot of my abilities took inspiration from the psionic abilities from the games. One of the pluses of using an unknown type of power, I got to experiment with it.
"You've been attempting to make something similar to a force weapon." The Empress observed eyeing the disassembled items around me, some of which were force weapons.
Yeah, lulling the machine spirits back to sleep was a pain in the ass. I did not have time to deal with the discount Ais when trying to get this thing to work. Though one element of the mechanicus was lingering on my mind as I worked on this project. Though getting to it with the Empress' blessing was going to be more difficult then BSing an excuse as to why I knew. Though I did have an excuse in mind.
"Your highness, I've come across some interesting information while doing some mental probing of some tech-priests."
"Oh?" The Empress sounded like she was ready to cut me in half if I found out something she didn't want me to know.
"The Dragon of Mars." I began, half expecting to get cut off. "From what I gathered its some kind of powerful machine or something. I just thought it might be able to approach this guy and see if I can't get his help on the matter."
'I totally don't want to meet the Void Dragon C'tan, who was retconned into a large shard, and who also happens to be my favorite C'tan!' I added in my mind.
"That would be unwise." The Empress shot me down like I thought she would. "The Dragon of Mars is not a man nor a tech-priest. It is a dangerous creature that was imprisoned within Mars a long time ago. It is not something that you should seek out."
Yeah and there was no way I was going to get past all the guards that the Empress left behind, convince the perpetual guarding the C'tan, and somehow get the Void Dragon to help me in the first place. Hell, that was if my knowledge on the Noctis Labyrinth was accurate to begin with. It has been a long time since I read the wiki and some things could have changed in this universe.
"I don't suppose you have time on your hands." I asked hopefully.
A ghost of a smile appeared on the Empress' face but she shook her head in the negative. "No, I will be heading off to join an expeditionary fleet. I believe I have located the signature of one of my missing daughters. I called you here because I have a task for you."
"Yaaaay." I drew out and put on a smile.
"I want you to accompany my regent to Mars. There has been a dispute between ranking members of the mechanicus. I want you to watch my regent in his political skills." The Empress explained. "Consider this a chance to show your worth as a Legatus. When you return you shall aid in the psionic training of the next Legatus."
My eyes went up to that. 'She found another psionic? Well at least we are not going down the cloning route.'
"May I ask what legion this Legatus is going to be assigned to."
"The IXTh given his recorded personality."
'Ah the Blood Angels, meaning this guy is going to be working for Angelica, I'm almost jealous. I have yet to see a picture of the Primarch, only some of their names in passing. From my knowledge of lore I had a feeling it might be an easy integration for this Legatus.'
"You'll meet my regent in the main hangar, head there as soon as you are able." The Empress ordered as she moved past me.
"Yes, ma'am." I murmured as I went to pack up my shard gauntlet into a bag.
With the bag in tow I set out to my room so I could change out of my sparring clothes, maybe grab a shower while I'm at it. Once everything was said and done I walked out of my room. I was wearing some simple clothes, black boots, gray slacks, with a black shirt under a gray open long sleeve jacket. A few golden chains hung across my upper left arm. The VIII's legion heraldry hung from my belt.
Nothing fancy and a little more black than I might have wanted but it was better than wearing nothing but gold. Besides, I had a feeling I was going to be getting some new clothes once I joined Cass' legion. I still had no idea what kind of armor I was going to be wearing. I didn't have those armor uplink studs like the marines had.
I began to make my way to the hanger where I spotted the golden thunderhawk that would be our transport to Mars. Already a squad of Custodies stood waiting to board, and there low and behold was the Empress' regent, Malcador the Sigillite. Still a male by the look of his face. Like in lore he wore a simple brown robe. Really the only thing that stood out about him was his force staff, its golden eagle on fire, and the collar around his neck.
The powerful psyker's old eyes fell on me as I entered the hanger and began approaching the ship.
"You've arrived, you were expected to be here some time ago." Malcador passively observed.
"I felt that showering would be smart given that we're supposed to be representing the Empress." I answered as I got close.
"Indeed, but you're fine that the Mechanicus do not pay attention to minor details such as body odor." Malcador added, waving one of the Custodies forward.
One of the Custodies stepped forward and retrieved a small holster from his person. The golden guard held out his hand to me, prompting me to take the holster from his hand. There was a weapon sitting in the holster, but not just any weapon. Pulling the weapon from its holster, my eyes widened as I identified the weapon, a Volkite Serpenta. I look back up to the regent.
"It was crafted by the Custodian's own weapon smiths, a weapon fit for a Custodian." Malcador explained. "I imagine it will serve you well. Now we must be on our way."
The regent and his guards turned and began boarding the Thunderhawk. I quickly attached the holster to my belt, holstered the Serpenta, and joined them in the Thunderhawk. We each took our seats. Coincidentally my seat was across from Malcador's. Soon after we were seated the Thunderhawk began to rumble then took off. The ship shocked as it raced into space before smoothing out some twenty minutes later.
"How fares your training?" The Cursed Wanderer asked.
"Shield Captain Desh seems to think I can match a space marine captain in combat." I answered beginning with my marshal training. "The others are progressing well enough, though I found the military tactics portion very open to interpretation."
"Expecting something closer to Sun Tzu?" He questioned with an ever so slight air of humor.
It dawned on me that Malcardor was said to have a vast collection of artifacts from Earth's past. I suppose the Art of War was among them. That line of thought had me wondering if he might have the Bible in that collection, I might just pull a little Blood Raven and "find it" lying around. Whatever the case I needed to be careful on what I said around the Sigillite. He was way smarter than me and I didn't want to let something slip that I was not supposed to. Then again the real reason he brought it up was because he was the only other person who was aware that I was from the past.
"I was expecting something heavier on the tactics side, but I suppose it was taught with the knowledge that my tactics will change to match the legion I'm assigned to." I answered.
"The primarchs were created to lead in their own ways." Malcardor explained. "You are correct in assuming your training is only preparing you for the basics. When you return to Cassandra you will no doubt be expected to learn the legion's tactics."
Malcardor's use of the name I gave to Cassandra reminded me that compared to their creator, Malcardor was a far better parental figure. Then again, the Primarchs adopted parents where their best parents were. Well for most of them anyways. Mortarion's whole life goal was killing said adopted parents… again again, I don't know if he or she in this world could be considered a parent.
'ehehe, yeet the genetically engineered child.' I thought humorously, before my thoughts began to drift to other Legatus that would pop up. 'Man I do not envy the ones who have to deal with more problem primarchs. Angron would probably be the worst, with Perturabo being a close second, Mortarion might provide a challenge but not impossible just kill his first captain and its all good.
My thought process changed as I thought of Morty's first captain. Killing the key figures who started the heresy, might prevent it from happening. Erebus really needed to die, I bet I could get Cass to do it.
Returning to the topic of Cass and her legion. "I don't know if I like the way Cassandra is "running" her legion. I'm also suspicious of the recruits Nostramo has been sending to re-enforce her legion."
"Oh, and what is wrong with them?" Malcardor asked, I suspected he had his own thoughts on the VIIIth legion.
I was allowed access to reports concerning the VIIIth legion, which also included reports from the other legions if it involved the VIIITh. From what I could tell, the legion was still following its cannon self with the difference that they were more active and Cass seemed to me more involved. She was pushing her legion beyond that one might consider healthy. Once the planet was pacified, she loaded up her legion and set out again. Sometimes marines got left behind and had to find their own way back to the legion's fleet.
Then there were reports from other legions. They talked about the brutality of the VIIIth legion, wearing body parts as trophies, starving out planets, and their unrestricted bombardment policy. While there was some mention of Cass trying to reign in her legion and deal out punishments. Yet, according to other legion and attached guardsman regiments, Cass would order out the punishment and the legion would give them a slap on the wrist.
"The legion is becoming far too similar to the gangs Cassandra fought on Nostramo." I began looking off into space. "I don't think she would allow her legion to turn out like the reports would suggest. So I can only assume she is not taking an active part in the leadership of her legion outside of battle, the aspirants were just a bunch of criminals to begin with, and whoever is in charge at the moment doesn't mind that legion is turning out like this."
Malcardor made no serious reaction to my declaration. "I have not had the opportunity to comb through the reports in reference to the VIIIth legion even with their many accomplishments. Yet, it does bring me some concern that a legion is going down this path. Though all of this begs the question, what do you want to do about this?"
"I would like to return to Cassandra. I don't know if you have spent an extended amount of time with her, but Nostramo has damaged her mental state, and she is plagued by visions of the future. They don't often present themselves in a positive light." In truth I had no idea if the other primarchs knew that Konrad had visions of the future. Most seemed to keep their distance whenever possible. "My abilities allowed me to block her visions and allowed her to think."
"It might explain her withdrawnness when the primarchs are called together for a meeting." Malcardor commented mutually. "She always appears distressed, and she often sought out the Empress for reasons I was not privy to. I suppose you are the subject of her inquiries."
"Guilty as charged." I confirmed his assumption.
"Perhaps speeding along your return may be a wise option for the health of Cassandra and her legion." Malcardor mused.
"I would agree." I paused for a moment. "Though the Empress wanted me to train the next Legatus that was found. I don't think her highness will be willing grant me my request to rejoin Cassandra's legion before I'm done with him."
"Yes, I was made aware of this new psionic." Malcardor commented looking off to the side. "A boy from one of the Navigator houses, he was not born with the navigator gene. I suppose luck would have it that he was given this "gift". I would wager you are correct in your assumption that the Empress will prefer you complete his training before allowing you to join the VIIIth. Though given that he comes from a Navigator house I suspect that he will take to your training."
"That does bring up another matter I wanted to bring up about this new Legatus."
"Oh?"
"The Empress said he was slated to join the IXth because his personality would fit in with the IXth primarch." I recounted. "I feel like that reason by itself is… a poor choice."
"Explain." Malcador inquired, sounding interested in my reasoning.
"Cassandra and I work well together because I provide what she needs. Sure, our time together has brought us close."
'More so than I would like to admit right now.'
"But if I'm being plain that is icing on the cake. To put it simply, the Primarchs need a Legatus that will give them what they need. Not necessarily someone who will comfort them or even just a closer companion."
If push came to shove; I was going to steer Cassandra down the better path if I could. If I needed to, I would force her hand. I would like to think that I wouldn't have to do it again, but if I had to. I'd do it again. If Angelica was anything like her lore counterpart, she was going to need someone to pull her out of her own visions of the future as well as dissuade her tendency for noble sacrifices. Also having someone to talk to about her legions defects. The red thirst…
'eh, white thirst… ok that was bad.'
Malcador thought over my words. His expression did not clue me in one way or another. A few moments passed and he spoke.
"I… agree."
'Oh Malcador, you just shot up in my favorite 40k character list.'
"The Primarch need to be pushed to be better, not to what feels good." Malcador finished. "Once you meet him, and make your assessment of his character, bring your proposal to me and I will convince the Empress of your ruling."
"Thank you, Lord Regent."
An ever so slight smile appeared on the Regent's face. "Tell me Lazarus, have you ever played regicide?"
'No I don't play grim dark chess, I can't stand chess to begin with. Sun Zoo says chess bad!'
From there we just made small talk while we waited for the rest of the ride to conclude. After a few hours the pilot made an announcement that we were landing. When the door lowered Malcador and I exited the Thunderhawk and stepped onto the landing platform of the red planet. There was a Magos there to greet us along with a contingent of skitarii.
We were led to the room where two mechanical monstrosities were arguing in binary. I can't say I recognized the two as I did not have a lot of knowledge on the big names for the Mechanicus during the heresy. Upon our arrival the two high ranking mechanicus members switched to High Gothic. They made their positions known to the regent, which boiled down to better methods to fulfill manufacturing orders and the use of technology. I kept quiet for most of the proceedings as Malcador was a politician well beyond me. He really only sought my input on a few occasions, but I had a feeling that those instances were a test for me.
Once it was all said and done the problem was sorted out and we were led back to our waiting Thunderhawk. I was speaking to a Magos about my shard gauntlets. I was lucky to come across one of the rare "progressive" tech priests. We were hitting it off when an explosion caused the tower to crumble in some areas. I managed to get a stasis field around me before a bunch of debris fell on me. The downside to the stasis field was that it put me in a comatose state for the duration of the effect. As the purple field covered me, my eyes closed and everything went black.
I'm certain I was not on narcotics. Yet here I was sitting in a space-like void with a bunch of stars surrounding me. I was not alone for long as something massive was heading towards me. I did not have any time to react before the big whatever slammed into me. I was thrown back into the void, and I seemed to be picking up speed rather than slowing down. There I continued to spin until-
my eyes shot open. I was back in my room on Tarra. Sitting up I looked around; my eyes quickly fell on the servo skull hovering at my room's entrance. Upon seeing me get up the servo skull flew over and began scanning me. Once it was done it flew back a little before projecting an image of Malcador.
"I see you have woken up." A skyrim joke passed through my mind. "We returned to Tarra soon after the bombing of the spire. This is not something you should concern yourself with. Instead, you should locate the new Legatus that you are going to train. You will find him in the training fields you are trained at."
The projected screen closed and the servo skull began to float off. It was a little shock to the system, to be a part of a bombing attack only to be told not to worry about it and get back to work. I suppose it was to be expected from life in this universe. Malcador was probably used to attempts on his life. It wasn't something I ever had to deal with until now. The last time something like this happened I ended up in a test tube for twenty years.
Standing up I began to change out of my nice clothes and back into something better for training. A simple shirt and pants with no real defining features. I did notice that my bag with my shard gauntlet was not in the room, I could only guess that someone brought it back to my workshop. I put that aside and finished changing before I began heading off towards the training grounds.
My mind was dominated by the events that happened on Mars. Who attacked us? Why did they attack us? Are the ruinous powers making a play? Are the Eldar doing future things again? Every answer came back the same. Hell, if I know. Like it or not I was forced to put it aside, and promise myself not to tell Cass less she turned Mars upside down looking for the culprit.
Soon enough I made it to the training grounds. I quickly spotted the odd kid out as I saw a kid no older than twelve sitting on the sidelines watching the pair of Custodians train. I approached him, he quickly looked over to me walking towards him. He stood up quickly and straightened himself as if he was about to be addressed by a superior officer.
He was wearing a dark gray uniform no to dissimilar to a noble's casual suit, something one would wear for everyday life rather than training. I noticed a bit of nervousness in his brown eyes, that he was trying desperately to hide. I must admit that his bald head was a little bit off putting for someone so young. At the same time I reminded myself that he was from a Navigator house so that might have something to do with it.
"H-Hello sir, I am ready to begin my training." The kid spoke in a semi-determined semi-scared voice.
I sat down on the bench he was sitting on a moment ago. "Sit down kid."
He did as he was told as soon as I finished. He was very disciplined for his age, I was still raising hell for my siblings when I was his age. I unraveled my psionic energy and began moving it throughout the kid's body. I was searching for remnants of psionic energy, given that where on Earth and Earth was just a bit better than Nostromo. I considered asking the Empress that further training of Psionic users be done in a more life filled world. Back to the kid, I did manage to find some traces of psionic energy hanging around. I just needed to get this energy moving so the kid could do it himself.
'Shit, I don't even know his name yet.' I thought just as I began using my own psionic energy to jump start his.
"What's your name kid?" I asked, starting our conversation.
"Jorant of House Achelieux." Jorant stated as if he was being interrogated.
Yeah, the house names meant nothing to me as I had no lore knowledge about Navigator houses, all I knew is that they existed. I wonder if he knew what he was getting into.
"Do you know what you're being trained for?"
"I-I am to be an assistant for one of the Lady Primarchs." He answered as if he was still struggling to believe it himself. At least he knew.
'To bad he might not be getting Angelica. God please don't make me send this one off to one of the troubled ones.' I mentally prayed.
"Yeah, I'm glad you know. It saves me a lot of trouble explaining that is going to be happening to you. I'm also glad that you are not excited about it." I relented.
"I-uh… why is that?" Jorant asked, sounding more nervous now.
"Well, I want you to be prepared for that you might be dealing with." I leaned back thinking about my time with Cass. "You see primarchs are not like us humans, the biggest one is probably the fact that they don't think like a normal human would. You will be helping a being who is way smarter, stronger, and more experienced than you. The hardest part is… you have to reign this being in and push them to do better."
Jorant sat on that for a little while. No problem for me, his psionic energy was being fickle right now. Yet it did not stay quiet for long.
"How am I supposed to do that?" He asked, looking down at the ground.
"For starters, you will have to get to know them, become their friends-"
'fuck'em if you have to.'
"Hell or be their greatest obstacle. The Empress wants us to maintain the efficiency of her generals. Each of them are very different while also sporting an array of emotions that neither of us can understand, and that's not just because they are women." I was almost done.
"What?"
"Nothing. Listen, my job here is to get you psionic training going." Just as I said that I finished speaking I got Jorant psionic energy to flow on its own.
"Y-yes, how should we begin?" He questioned looking up at me.
"Hold this." I quickly ordered shoving a ball of psionic energy into his hands.
It took only a moment for the boy to recognize the dangerous orb that he was now holding. He jumped and panic but maintained a hold on the psionic orb. Before he could say anything I pointed him at the two female Custodians who were still training with each other. Completely unaware of the threat that hung over them.
"W-w-w-"
"First step, getting a feel for psionic energy." I cut him off getting on an official tone.
"B-bbut there the Empress' guard!" Jorant stammered completely flabbergasted.
We needed to break that fearful side of him, as Jorant was going to be on the front lines with his primarch. As he was a kid, it would be better to kick this fear now. I looked down at him and smiled, using a little bit of psionic influence on his mind.
"Now embrace your inure child and throw shit at things you shouldn't be throwing shit at!" I ordered, luckily the training Custodians were failing their perception checks.
With my psionic influence and a bit of childish trust in me, he threw the ball of psionic energy. The purple ball of energy flew towards the Custodies with great speed. Just as it was about to hit one of them, the other raised her training staff causing the ball to hit the staff instead of the custodian. The staff shattered and the release of energy caused them both to duck down as the psionic energy washed over them.
'Man, custodes are durable.' I thought as I saw both the Custodies turn to face us, looking no worse for wear.
All the color drained from Jorant's face as he saw the Custodies adopted a rather peeved expression. Grabbing the young Legatus and putting him under my arm I turned and made use of the speed the Empress had built me for.
"Now WE RUN!" I cried dashing away from the scene of the crime, the two Custodies in hot pursuit.
It was an interesting relationship that Jorant and I had with the Custodes. We were both crafted for different roles in the Empress' Imperium, yet we were all created personally by the Empress. Well, not directly but more of an effort was put into us. I think that's why the Custodies were more willing to open up to us. It had been a few months since we launched a psionic orb at two Custodies, and while the Custodies were not big on emotions, they showed their affection in their own ways. A few patted Jorant's head in passing, others would acknowledge us, and a select few would even smile at us haven taken part in the chase.
I'm not sure if they truly saw us like the legions saw other legions, but I think we were a step above the rest of the common people they came across. Whatever the case, what would become known as "The Chase" was now be the first L the Custodies took in their history… well some of them anyways as not all the Custodies join in the chase. The two Custodies were joined by others as they chased us down and soon enough we had a bunch of golden guards on our tails. There we were being chased through the palace. The Chase had come to an end when Malcador showed up and demanded to know why a company's worth of Custodies were mobilizing like the palace was under attack.
Malcador was only semi-amused and ended the chase there. We claimed victory, in body language rather than words. In all honesty, I'm thanking God that the Custodies were good sports about the whole thing. One would never expect it but behind that emotionless exterior was an individual who had their own thoughts and personalities. Something that was never really explored in the lore, well lore that I was aware of.
In other news I finally managed to build a working prototype for my shard gauntlets. They were bulkier than I would have liked, but they were just prototypes. My hope was that I could get them down to a size where they could act as concealed weapons. I had plans to build a set for Jorant as our training was getting to the point where I wanted to start getting him used to the weapons.
Speaking of training I was surprised to learn just how much of a quick learner Jorant was. The kid was a sponge when it came to soaking up knowledge, no I'm not jealous. Before long he had mastered most of the basic psionic techniques I had devised. He showed a great talent for the precise use of psionic energy. Simply put he was very good at using psionic energy to teleport and open dimensional rifts, something I was still struggling to do. I could only attribute his skill to his navigator heritage even if he didn't have the navigator eye gene thing.
Since Jorant was becoming comfortable with me I was able to better understand his personality. Jorant Had a very determined personality and was eager to please, when he set his mind to it there were few things he couldn't overcome. Once he got comfortable with who he was with he could be quite headstrong too. I already had an idea of the Primark he would be perfect for. Yet, I was not looking forward to talking to Marcador about it.
"Have you may your decision on Jorant's assignment?" Malcador questioned was we walked upon the palace ramparts.
"Unfortunately." I relented, my conscious was punching me in the face right now. I had grown to like Jorant, and I didn't want to see him suffer.
"So you feel he would best serve of one of the more, troubled primarchs." Malcador summarized my thoughts on the matter.
'Yeah, troubled.' I repeated in my mind.
"The IVth legion." I hated myself for wanting to send Jorant to that legion. "He would fit right into the XVth or XIIITh legions, but he is needed in the IVth legion."
"Petra may not accept him, she does not view her own legion as her sons and daughters." Malcador warned me.
"I know, that's why Jorant is going to have a rough time getting her to accept him. Never mind the conditions they face." I really wish I was not the one to be assigning him, my words have come to bight me back.
"It would be a waste if he would die in her care, are you sure about this."
"Its because Jorant it's so good that I think he can survive, he was timid when I first got him, but he is eager please and headstrong. If anything, he has the powers to survive and the personality to where the IVth legion's primarch down. I'm certain of it."
"As long as you are aware." Malcador commented. "I will make the arrangements necessary to have him assigned to the IVth when he is ready. I trust he will be ready to begin the procedure soon?"
"He's got the basics and he is already experimenting with his own abilities. He's already started to use his psionics in ways I can't… well not yet anyways. I'm sure once he turned into a Legatus he will only get better."
"There is one more matter that requires your attention." Malcador added after a moment of silence. He handed me a scroll, with the seal of the throne upon it. My eyes widened; this could only mean. "The Nightfall was damaged in battle and has been recalled for repairs. I believe it is time for you to return to Cassandra."
I took the scroll. It was finally time after so long. I looked back at Malcador. "Did the Empress deem me ready?"
Malcador shook his head. "No, but she has not said otherwise. Think of this as a moment to prove your worth."
Holding the scroll close to my body, I looked up towards the stars. I could almost feel her getting closer.