Chapter Twelve

…

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

…..

The Great Crusade, the 30th Millenium

"John, I meant no offense but I have to ask, how do you plan on managing such a vast empire of planets under a single rule?" asks Helaena looking at the galactic map arrayed in front of her which is the current map of the Imperium and the uncountable number of worlds that her sons have reclaimed for humanity.

"We already have this discussion many times Helaena," sighs John leaning on the bed the two of them share, he has reverted to his usual human size so that he can cuddle with his Companion who is currently supporting a frown as she observes the hologram of the territory that the Imperium currently control.

"You know I disapprove of your feudalistic method where you allow the current petty lords and Planetary Governors to continue their rule on their own planets while being loyal only with a scant set of rules to us here in Terra. Many of those fools are just that, fools who are unsuited for their position and corrupt to the core. I have to sleep with some just to make them bow to us wholeheartedly," she murmurs.

"The Federation almost works the same way my dearest one. They let planets govern themselves and continue their own practices and culture also," points out the Emperor.

"Yes, yes but you know as well as I do that the Federation demands that each planet has its ruling class elected democratically, also the Federation demands planets to adhere to its constitution and enforces them strictly. The Artificial Intelligence Units stationed at each planet that serve as the planet's stopgap defense force and police are loyal to the Conclave here at Terra. We have none of that here, we have no way of monitoring our planets under our rule and we are already forcing martial law on a dozen others that seem intent on rebelling,"

"I can guess that you are about to suggest something," John says looking at the same time at the hologram.

"Do you remember that old game back when Terra was young about a group of humans with a singular goal of hunting down a demonic being that absorbed the Warp? They united various factions and countries to support that singular goal and at the same time purge the countries of their filth and corruption. I've always liked that game, Dragon Age Inquisition," she says.

"I don't seem to get the relevance of a small game from before to our current predicament dearest," John says.

"Cause you're not listening as usual. John. What I'm saying is we forge an office in the Administratum whose only purpose is to police and eek out any sign of trouble and rebellion in our territories, they would have access almost to any door, any office as long as it relates tot heir work. They would have the authority to meet out judgements and commandeer armies for the greater good and singular goal of humanity,"

"And what do you plan to name this organization dearest?" asks John to the now excited looking Helaena.

"Why, the Inquisition of course," she smiles with a beam. John only frowns though.

"You really should stop playing too much video games,"

"JOHN!"

…

Planet Vertigo, Astute System

Helaena stares as the Thunderhawk she is riding in alongside her sons descends into the giant Fortress World that is Vertigo. Once it has been a simple Fortress World, one of hundreds littering the different systems of the Imperium. Now however with the ripping of the Cicatrix Maledictum that cut the Imperium in half, its importance cannot be any more stressed.

The Astute System lies at the very edge of one of the Passageways or Corridors as the Imperials call it to the Imperiam Nihilus. There are Seven Corridors and the Imperium controls three perfectly with Fortress Worlds like Vertigo on both ends to make sure that ships be able to pass safely. One is being controlled by Chaos while the others are a free for all changing hands from Xenos, aliens, Imperials and Traitors. That is why Vertigo is so important. It basically takes over the role of Cadia as a Fortress World that connects Imperium Sanctus to Imperium Nihilius. If any traitor or Xenos try to attack this side of the Corridor, it would be at Planet Vertigo where the hammer stroke will fall the hardest.

Thus Helaena can see the giant guns of the planet even as they descend. Hundreds of Planetary Guns are ready and waiting while hundreds more are being constructed. An entire battlefleet stands ready at the system in defense alongside orbital platforms and satellites both manned and unmanned. Countless airfields can be seen below filled to the brim with Interceptors and Bombers of Imperial design. The Ai's in charge of the Administratum it seems spare no expense in making sure that Vertigo be armed to the teeth as possible.

The giant steel walls of the primary fortress is being swarmed by adepts doing maintenance on it as nearly inch of it is bristling with guns and weapon emplacements. Its giant spires even have missile and torpedo casings attached to the sides showing just how important the Imperium is eyeing this Fortress World as part of its primary defense and making sure that the Corridor remains in human hands.

It is the Venator Star-Cruisers however currently docked in the ground that Helaena takes an interest on. Nearly five of the giant white ships are here. It is enough proof that Dobby came through with her orders and now they are here in the rendezvous point. There are at least ten of them currently on land, their massive landing gears acting like massive towers that keeps the giant white ships anchored in the ground.

From their great underbellies march millions of clones, their white armor gleaming under the noonday sun of the Fortress World. Giant All Terrain Enforcers, Juggernauts and Walkers can be seen being carried in an assembly line out of the Venators, the product of Imperial industry and armament. The Indomitus Crusade successfully manages to secure Imperium Sanctus, now they must hold it and this is where the clone legions come in, to boost the defense of the many worlds that so many died and fought for. Great is the might of the Imperial firepower, and its number count in the billions upon billions of the Guard which serve as the bulk of its forces. Yet for all its numbers, majesty and power, the Imperium is stretched thin and are barely holding on to many sectors. The Clones would help rectify that problem.

Up above the visage of the Rock can be seen above the skies as the massive floating fortress monastery remain floating above the surface of the planet. Planet Vertigo is a Fortress World and one containing massive spaces for training and retrofit of the forces that have come all over to aid the Indomitus Crusade in its final leap before the it heads off to Imperial Nihlus. It is now a point in the map where goods and materials are being stockpiled to the high heavens for the various fleets and individual merchant caravans that would be heading off to the darker part of the Imperium.

Like all empires, it's heartbeat and blood relies heavily on trade and business that connects one planet to another. No planet in the Imperium is self-sufficient on its own, and every single one has a function to the great cog of machinery that is the Imperium of Man. With the cutting off of the Cicatrix Maledictum of the galaxy into two, the great highway of the Warp which Navigators use for FTL travel have been permanently suspended. Now instead of one great highway, all that is left are three stuffed Corridors which can barely compare to what it is before that leads to Imperium Nihilus. The result is an ungodly amount of traffic in the Corridors as massive merchant caravans to lone Rogue Trader Vessels await their turn for the Warp point jumps.

This is another reason why the planet is so important now. It is no longer any ordinary fortress world. It has to host not only the members of the Astra Militarum but also those of the Administratum which contains more than one pompous noble whose sense of self-importance tends to grate the patience of even the most commendable officer.

Either way, currently the great parade spaces of Vertigo are filled to the brim as its citizens welcome the Clone Legions and other Imperial Armies that volunteer themselves for the upcoming breach towards Imperium Nihilus. Despite the successes of the Crusade, much has been lost after all during its tenure and it badly needs reinforcements and a complete retrofit for many of the ships. Now three Primarchs are attending much to the frenzy of the crowd at the sight of the sons of the Emperor and the Empress standing tall and proud atop the command spire even as the legions of men, tanks and superhumans march down below them. It is a great moment for the citizens and one that would be recorded by scribes and memoirs as one of the greatest days of Vertigo as their planet play host to the Primarchs and to the Empress of Mankind.

Yet no sign of the Empress can be seen, and officially she is in "commune with the Emperor". Thus her sons are the only ones present and that is enough.

There is Roubutte Guilliman splendid in his Artificer Ultramarine armor, his giant visage standing tall and proud like a proud king that needs to be venerated. He has borrowed one of his brother's pelts which is now draped over his shoulder like a massive cape. A golden laurel wreath sits atop his head making him very much like the pic vids and the stories told by Imperials to one another in the streets, the Avenging Son.

Beside him are his brothers.

Dorn is probably the most eye catching with his black and yellow Centurion armor, he almost looks like a bumblebee from afar. Short and stout with a scraggly beard that seems to have been brushed haphazardly and with an overlarge nose, he doesn't give off the same awesome vibes as his brother Guilliman. Yet with his giant form, none can deny that he is another son of the Emperor and a Primarch which is more than enough for the ordinary Imperial Citizen to cheer. It certainly boosts the morale of the Black Templars present in the parade with the sight of their gene father.

Lion El Johnson on the other hand embodies quite literally his persona as the Knight of the Imperium. He has eschewed using the more common armor designs of the Forty-First Millenium and instead uses the same design as he did during his time at the Great Crusade. His helmet is almost like a knight's helm with a square templari design with slits on the eyes. His sword strapped at his side, and a banner on his left hand, he is a great eye catcher. The people of coruse go crazy at the sight of another son of the Emperor found and returned to the fold. This just shows how desperate the regular Imperial Citizen is ever since the Fall of Cadia.

The fall of the planet has dealt a massive blow to the entire Imperium as a whole no matter how much Imperial Propaganda tries to soften the blow. It doesn't help that its fall creates a sundering that many literally thought impossible. Hope suffices it to say is in extremely short supply.

Thus when the revival of Guilliman, the rise of the Empress, the return of the sons of the Emperor and the permanent death of the traitors start to break news to the despairing galaxy as a whole, words cannot be given to the hope it brings. Now even through this bleak time, the Imperial Citizens can look to the sky and find not despair but a burning fire in their chests telling them that somehow in someway, they will make it through the darkness.

…..

Tallest Spire, Private Quarters for the Empress of Mankind.

Speaking of the Empress, said Empress is currently found on the former solar of the Governor. The fat man has been forced to give it up for the highest ruling monarch of the Imperium of Man since the Primarchs "insist" that their mother get the grandest and the most opulent of all dwellings while during her stay here at Vertigo.

Now here Helaena is decked and dressed in opulent black satin silks. She has been forced to change her wardrobe off the Synthsuit she wears thanks to her sons insisting that she wear something formal for once and not the form hugging outfit which serves both as armor and casual wear that she prefers. Of course the other reason that they indicate is that it would prevent a lot of unnecessary deaths via Arbites. Tongues wag, as Guilliman states it. With her walking around in a Synthsuit that fails to hide her naked form, men are sure to talk about her in a less than respectful manner and the Arbites in their loyalty would be forced to conduct summary arrests which nine times out of ten ended up you with being beaten to death via batons and repurposed as a servitor if you are living in the grim Empire that is the Imperium of Man.

Helaena calls it flattering, Guilliman calls it practical and thus with the pressure from her three sons, she acquiesces in asking the best tailors found in the planet to make her a dress. Not that it helps much, the dress she wears right now as based on her specifications gives her a wavy elegant look that leaves none of her curves to the imagination with a black train following behind her. She giggles as she remembers Guilliman slapping his own face with the gauntlet of Ultramar muttering something about "Why did I even bother?" before walking away in defeat.

The room itself that the Governor has given her is not bad for Imperial Standards. The man apparently is a first generation Governor with the previous one being executed by the Inquisition for "badmouthing" the Empress' orders about the new food supply for his constituents.

The new one is a former General of the Astra Militarum and a higher ranking one at that too. It is plain obvious that the man like the governor before also loves opulence if the solid gold Regicide pieces he has in his room is any indication. However unlike the previous governor, he has enough sense to follow the orders from above despite his new power and position, acquiescing easily to the demands of the new regime without much hassle. So far it works out for him so far. He has even successfully recognized the importance of Vertigo in the new reality caused by the destruction of Cadia and has not been a tom-headed fool by not using the great wealth of the planet to make sure that it remains defended. Majority of the walls, the new guns and the orbital platforms that now surround Vertigo is all thanks to him. The Planetary Defense Force of Vertigo has also been retrofitted numbering in the few millions scattered all over the planet. All in all the man is shaping up to be okay despite his new opulence. Compared to the other planetary governors throughout Imperium Sanctus who prefers burying their heads in the ground, he is rather sensible.

Helaena reclines in one of the giant reclining chairs as she takes a few beads from the bracelet at her hand before throwing them in the air. Immediately they form into a hologram of a screen in front of her. Colored sky blue and gleaming, it is technology that are years ahead compared to the data slates preferred by the Imperium of Man. The Tech Priests would be foaming at the mouth with envy if they can see this sort of technology being used by her right now. This is not just a simple hologram screen however, no. This connects her with the AIs back at the Imperial Palace who would be doing the work of the Administration that keeps it running smoothly.

Leaning back on the comfy reclining chair, Helaena takes the time to read the few important reports that the AIs feel the need to report to her. They are AIs and they can solve majority of the mundane issues that needs solving without her needing to be informed or stepping in. However others are such importance like the wiping out of the Genesis Chapter after a brutal battle against a Necron incursion at the Sector Arites that she has to place an Imperial Order for a general mobilization there to stomp out the green walking Zombies before they can wake up even more of their forgotten accursed ilk.

There are many more like these and this prompts the Empress to actually think about the Empire that she is ruling right now. Chaos would always be the number one threat in her mind, that would never change. The Chaos gods after all costs her, her sons and she has a bone to pick with them as long as she's breathing and alive. Other than her personal vendetta, they have already shown their power by bringing low the Aeldari Empire who at the height of their power is greater even than the United Federation before, so yes, her main priority would always be against them and those that serve them.

However right now as she reads through the reports passed to her by the AI's, the more she's starting to only realize that the Imperium she is ruling over is not limited only to threats of Chaos but also Xenos like the Tau and renegade Aeldari Craftworlds, the Drukharii, Necrons, Tyrandis more Xeno Races and of course, the Orks which would always be a problem. She is concerned mostly for the latter.

The Orks are probably the most powerful when it comes to psychic power limited only by their dumb thinking. They are also a pest that you have to stomp out every time they emerge from their spores. The Federation before utilized molecular weaponry to bring them down to the last spore, and even then they manage to still puff out of planets much to the consternation of Federation leaders many times. Helaena herself as one of the Fleet Captains for a time has done her utmost to put down as much of the Green spores down as possible.

All in all, all these threats currently besieging the Imperium other than the threat of Chaos are just slowly dawning on her. Frankly it feels overwhelming and Helaena for the first time in her long life actually considers that she might not be up for the task. She is never a leader, she usually leaves that part to John who has the natural aptitude for it. She is mostly a doer and a free spirit who does most of the things she plans to do all by the strength of her own hands. That is why she is the one putting down her traitorous sons instead of commanding mighty battlefleets to trap and get rid of them once and for all.

"A Gryffindor through and through," she smiles bemusely to herself as she reads how an Agricultural World is being invaded by the Drukharii only to be liberated by the Mighty Masons Chapter who responded to the call of help by order of the Inquisition.

With the rate she is going on, she now understands would never work. No matter how successful she is in her endeavors, even with all her strength and power, she would never be able to do this alone. No, if she plans to be successful at all with the assignment that John left her with, she would need to use the full might of the Imperium's industry, wealth and properties. Even before she came, the Imperium manages to survive on their own even through the infighting and the rotten corruption that plague the most highest of echelons of its society. She likes to believe that she would be able to do a great good in fact, her presence that is compared to the corrupt leaders it has before.

First things first though. She needs to address the hundred and one problems popping out all over the Imperium like whack a mole. She needs a pretty good hammer to do that and she just has the thing.

"Oddball, connect me with every AI back to Holy Terra, would you please," she calls out to the communicator bead that separates itself from the rest of her beads.

"Yes my lady, you are connected after the beep," the AI of her ship says followed by a loud beep a few seconds later.

"Our Empress, we live to serve," the AI's at Terra speaks out loudly through the communicator. "How can we be of service?"

"Alpha, I am placing you under full command. Coordinate with the rest of the AI's and the human protion of the Administratum and the Militarum by Imperial Order of Mine. I want Fortress Hubs Alpha. I want Fortress Hubs all over Imperium Sanctus in strategic locations that each and every planet would be able to call to if they are in trouble established. Do you understand?"

"We hear and we obey our Empress. Your wish is our command," they all reply before vanishing with a loud beep.

Helaena just sighs as she returns her attention to the reports. With the Fortress Hubs, manned and ready, she hopes that no planet would be left on the mercy of Xenos, traitors or any more ungodly issues. Next thing though are the issue of the Necrons. Other than Space Marines, she knows that the best way on dealing with the undead terminator robots are non-existent. The Imperial Guard would be cannon fodder to them and the Clones would be the same, no. Back in time, special robots called Black Guard are employed by the Federation to deal with them. They are equipped with the best weapons of Electromagnetic Warfare and shock guns that would rip apart the Green Undead Xenos. She has no Black Guard whatsoever right now and Space Marines are costly to make. No, she needs something akin to the Black Guard equipped with special weapons like they are before who specializes in dealing with overpowered enemies like the Necrons.

She smiles after a few minutes as the answer becomes clear to her. It has been staring at her face the whole time and she never recognizes it.

…..
Lower Hives, Vertigo, Tertiary City of Palagius

The lower areas of the Spires of Vertigo are like everything that can be found in the Imperium. Here dwells the most desperate, the poorest, the dullest and the half-mutants that transformed into their hated being through various reasons or another. Here the saddest, the lowliest and the most vulnerable to Chaos worship and Xeno influence also dwell. That is why they are so easy to fall once a local outbreak of a Zombie Plague Virus of Nurgle erupts beneath one of the spires infecting thousands of its residents. The local Arbites of course are overrun and the PDF is ready to go in en-masse and with force if not for direct orders from the Empress herself that they quarantine the area instead and let the "mercenaries" earn their pay. Luna has elected to come with them being bored with all the pomp and marching that his brothers are doing above the spires.

Said Mercenaries are delivered via black sleek black ships looking more akin to flying knives than ships as they fly over the infected spire depositing their infantry into its depths. Said ships of course belong to the Wych Cults under the command of Lelith Hesperax and they are here to feed over the corrupted souls of the victims. The Drukharii war dogs needs feeding and the Empress of Mankind is only to happy to help them in their path so that they could be of greater benefit to the Imperium as a whole in the long run. Besides, Lelith needs something to hone her skills and the poor numerous sods would do.

The pathetic dead of Vertigo are marching to war. They trudge forwards clad in ruined clothe. They are propelled by limbs that should not probably work with how wrong the angles are bent. The faces of their expressions are twisted into dark grins, but their eyes are filled with hopeless despair.

"They are what we call plague walkers if the book that my big brother made me read is any indication," chimes Luna looking at the mob of walking dead marching towards them.

"By the gods, their souls are trapped in their bodies, this would be awesome mistress," murmurs one of the members of Lelith's cabal licking the edge of her barbed sword with her tongue drenching it with her own blood. "The pain they bear is intoxicating,"

"We shall al partake in it sisters," says Lelith readying her whip. Defensive protocols. All cabals, consolidate on our position. We shall enjoy this and fight our way through,"

A grenade explodes behind the small group of Wyches showering metal gummed with sticky meat across the hallway they are in. Something inside gives off an inhuman scream as it explodes, half of pain, half of release.

The Wyches charges into the dead with the grace of ballerinas with the lethality of piranhas. The plague zombies' feeble hands and makeshift weapons are no use against the quickness and nimbleness of the Drukharii. They strike only millimeters away, just to miss through pale skin and half-naked bodies, neither weapon or teeth touching flesh. The Wyches respond with a dance of serrated blades. The dead fight on even as they are cut into pieces.

Plague Drones hover all over the horde continuing to spread the blessing of Nurgle to the dead. One of the Drukharii spears one with her weapon searing the minor demon from its shell. Another takes hits from the shuriken pistols from two Wyches and is consumed in an actinic ball of energy.

The Wyches gain the bridge. The dead coming from the lower levels are slow but there are so many that Lelith's little band of bodyguards for all their skill cannot prevail against them.

"Sisters shift into rifles, firing lines into two rows!" hisses Lelith even as she kicks a zombie into the waiting arms of three others making them all four tumble off the bridge. We clear a way to the source!"

Twenty Wyches lines up changing their weapons from blades, spears and whips to Dart Rifles before forming a line, the first ten on their knees while the second is standing. Luna on the other hand simply raises her own Shuriken pistol to the gathered mass.

"End these wretches off their torment and let's carve our way in! Fire!" barks Lelith

Twenty rifles open up sending out a wall of crystalline shards shaped like darrtks that gouge a deep and immediate passage into the crowd. Lelith herself joins her group and fires with them. The dead falls into a thick carpet of twitching limbs, many still standing despite being turned into fine red and green mist.

"Grenades!" orders Lelith with the Wyches complying as twenty grenades sail over their heads turning to mish-mash of flying flesh and bodies the entire front of the walking dead. The Wyches are all on the same level now firing into the crowd of dead. Walking corpses explode or flash burst with all the shard darts ripping into them.

"Advance!" orders Lelith marching forward. Her dart rifle with almost zero recoil screaming, she leads her cabal against the damned. Her bare feet crushes corpses flat, the bodies threatening to snag her in traps of broken ribs. She brings her serrated blade into play using it like a graceful machete to hack down her foe. She needs none of her considerable skill to kill them. Hundreds fell to Lelith and her small group. Yet no matter how many they slay, they still arrive in an endless tide. The laughter of Luna can be heard as the Matriarch charges the sides protecting their flanks from the worst of the side attacks of the ghostly zombies.

Foot by foot, the Drukharii forges on even through the symphony of death. Sooner or later though it has to end and the dart rifles are almost of ammunition when the last of the zombies in this area are wiped out finally, the final Plague Walker ripped to shreds by thousands of crystalline shuriken darts rendering him to pieces of meat moaning in agony. Then it is finished, all that remains of the thousands strong cultists are moaning wrecks on the ground in agony. Lelith just grins through the blood and gore bathing her bare skin. There's no such thrill as the thrill of in a battle of life and death, and there is no more pleasure than the one savoring victory after a fight like these one.

"Is that all?" asks a disappointed sounding Matriarch also flicking bits and pieces of dead cultists off her armor. Lelith mentally approves of her. The half-Eldar has a simplicity to her, a naivety that the Wych found both irritating and endearing at the same time. One can't help but like the half-Eldar the few hours they have been traveling together.

"Don't worry Matriarch Luna, there are more fights to come, for now we make sure that the dead indeed remains dead," she grins as she levels her serrated blade at the moaning dead on the ground, those unlucky enough not to be thoroughly torn to pieces by the Dart rifles. She does not wait for the half-Eldar to follow but goes with her bodyguards to start enjoying the pained screams of the dying.

Nothing pleases a Drukharii after all more than the last minutes of death of a living being.

…..

Highest Spire, Planet Vertigo

The sound of arguing is the first indication for Helaena that her sons have finally arrived.

"They never cannot compete with each other as long as they are in each other's company," thought Helaena fondly remembering very well how the eighteen are when they gathered before during one of their fateful yearly gatherings back at Terra every Yule. It is never a gathering without Russ punching Magnus in the face at least once, Mortarion, Alpharius and Omegon trying to stop Angron from downing an entire box of pain relievers, Horus plucking at least one feather of his brother, Sanguinis and of course Roubutte buttering up to her, the mama's boy.

Now he can hear Roubutte and Johnson arguing as they approach about who has the better sword. If not for the fact that she knows that her sons are not attracted to women at the moment minus her smurf of a son whom she suspects to have the hots for a certain death loving priestess. She might have thought they are arguing about sexual innuendos. As it is, she opens the door of the private solar catching the three off guard making them jump at the sudden welcome that their mother is giving them.

"You three are here, how's the parade boys?" she asks letting them in as they quickly recover from their shock.

"Almost a small reenactment of our forces during the Great Crusade mother, its funny how far we are into the future and how things remain the same at the same time," answers Johnson sitting on the specially made chairs for the Primarchs to sit. She has specially commissioned them from the metal and wood workers before so that her sons can sit with her.

"I am glad at least that you three enjoyed it. It is your right after all to witness such grand events as your birthright demands as sons of your father," she answers even as the Primarchs puff out their chests self-importantly.

"And your son also of course mother," adds Roubutte making Helaena beam at him while giggling inside. The cause is the rolling of the eyes of both his brothers.

"Now the reason why I called all of you here is because I want to share with yout the plans we have for the future," states Helaena making the Primarchs immediately drop their boyish personalities to be replaced by the leaders that they are born to be, attentive, astute, and ready.

"The Imperium is still in shambles and despite the successes of the Indomitus Crusade, we are still far from secure I'm afraid, especially those who are trapped at the wrong side of the Imperium. This is where the three of you come in and I will assign to you your assignments for the future being. You and your brothers, bless their souls have brought back large swaths of humanity from the brink ever since the time of the Great Crusade, now we must hold it as best as we can and make sure that the dream of your father, remains,"

"More like the nightmare of our father," grumbles Dorn who immediately flinches as Helaena pins him with her stare.

"It is what it is Rogal, things might not have turned out exactly the way your father envisioned it to be, but we must take what we get in this new dark age. Your father hasn't given up on humanity yet and neither should you," she chastises.

"Besides look at the bright side, at least we wake up to a galaxy where humanity is ascendant and not xenos or any such kind of eldrith horror," points out Lion El Johnson. Leave it to the knight in their family to be upbeat about things.

"Exactly my point, now this is what we will do. Johnson," she turns her eyes at the Green armored individual.

"Yes mother?"

"I assign you as Lord Castellan of the Imperium. By any and all rights vested in me by the Emperor. It shall be your duty to safeguard the Imperium from any and all that attempts to attack us from the dark. For now please make sure that Imperium Sanctus remains as safe and secure as possible from any Xeno, Traitor or Demon incursion in many ways," she smiles wryly at her son. "Protect us from the dangers of the wild and the dark my son. Our safety, I leave to you,"

"And I shall not fail mother. In the name of my father, that of my sons and of my honor, I will secure Imperium Sanctus to the best of my ability," salutes the Lion of the Rock.

"I am sure you will. Rogal, my boy," she turns at the shortest of the three Primarchs who stands ramrods straight at being identified. She almost laughs at how cute he looks with his Centurion armor and cuddly.

"Rogal your prowess as a builder I remember very well and it is the greatest of all your brothers. Right now I am assigning Hub Fortresses all over Imperium Sanctus. They are giant floating installations Rogal that would serve as military strong points especially for the Clone Legions, each a starbase basically in style that can hold a million men. I have made it an Imperial Decree that Thousands of them would be established all over Imperial Sanctus so that no world would be without aid in a time of crisis. This undertaking would not be easy, but do you accept Lord Builder this commission of yours?"

"By my oath! I accept and I will not fail you mother!" says Rogal Dorn fiercely banging his chest with a mighty gauntleted fist. "These forts would be finished and ready before you know it mother,"

"I have great faith you will succeed Rogal. This brings us to you, Roubutte Guilliman," she feels amusement as the man literally prances like a peacock before bowing over exaggeratedly on his knees.

"My assignment to you Lord Regent remains the same, right now the Imperium needs something to hold on to in this dark time. With Cadia gone, such inspiration is as dust into the wind. As such Lord Guilliman, I commission you to reestablish Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar and bring it back to its former glory. I want you to show the entirety of the Imperium what kind of success we can achieve as a whole once we put our petty arguments and selfish desires for the sake of the greater good. Ultramar has always been the jewel of the Imperium but now it is barely living up to its name, go there my son and reestablish it. Also I have news that the god of Decay is making a campaign against your homeworld by sending out Plague Marines en-masse to different planets. I have already commissioned ten clone legions to aid you. Also the Ynnari and the Priestess Yvraine have pledged their support for the aid of your world. Make sure that the Alliance between them and us remain while you rebuild the system, am I clear?"

"Yes mother," Roubutte Guilliman answers with a salute like Lion El Johnson only with more flare. He pauses though. "No offense mother, but if we all three have our own assignments, who will lead the Indomitus Crusade through Imperium Nihilus?"

Helaena only smiles. "I will,"

As she expects, she is immediately met with a wall of angry protests and concern for her well-being from her three sons. She raises a hand silencing them though immediately.

"You forget who you are talking to my sons. I am no Damsel in Distress, I am the Empress of Mankind and I have powers available to me beyond your imagination. I will lead this Crusade to the darker part of our kingdom not because I want to, but because I have to. I aim to search for your lost brothers and bring them back to the fold. You boys have no idea how to do this, but I do. Already I can feel the small tingling of the aura of your brother Corvus Corax at the other side and I am sure I can follow the clues even more if I personally lead. I would not be alone, Lelith Hesperax and her cabal would be going with me alongside your sister Luna. Don't forget that the rest of the Indomitus Crusade would be with me and I highly doubt that any danger except another traitor Primarch would put me low. Have a little faith in me my boys,"

"I still don't like this," grumbles Guilliman. "Your place should be at Terra sitting on a throne leading us all,"

"And I would die of boredom then my son. That is your father's specialty sitting immobile while having the patience to be all kingly and such. I am more of a warrior than a queen and I would not be denied in this mission of mine. The more brothers you have with you, the easier it would be for the plight of the Imperium in this dark times,"

"I still don't like it," repeats Guilliman making Helaena sigh. Nothing short of a yes would make the Ultramarine Primarch happy but she has already decided. She's the Empress so sue her.

"Either way that's my plan, once we have Corax back in our ranks we will be bringing back your brother, Leman Russ, as to how. We will need the help of the Aeldari in that one, that's why you musn't botch your mission up whatever the reason Roubutee, am I clear?"

"Yes mother,"

"Good, now all three of you take off those sweaty armors of yours and come to the dinner hall to eat. I have cooked some Lasagna for all three of you and you can tell me all about the parade and your opinions on it," she says.

Once more the Primarchs transform from fearless warriors to little boys who craves the attention of their mother. Everyone plans to be a good boy, especially when there's a chance that they can taste her godly cooking once again.

…..

Omake: the Great Crusade, the Prank War

Fulgrim sighs as he turns on the hot shower. As much as he enjoys the Great Crusade and liberating different planets each with its own unique culture and art, there is just no hot shower even in his personal quarters, no sir. It's all cold shower and the Primarch really hates that. There's nothing more relaxing after a day of throwing Xenos under the boot of Mankind's approach than a hot shower of success. Now here he is back at the Imperial Palace about to rest and recuperate and about to enjoy his hot shower for months.

He makes an ungodly screech though as he turns on the nozzle and he is blasted on the head by ice cold water flattening him in the ornate bathroom shivering and coughing. He swears an oath to get back at them as he can hear his siblings outside laughing raucously at his unfortunate shower trouble.

…..

The Retaliation

Finally the time has come. It has not been easy bribing Conrad and Corax to help him out in his revenge. He has to say kumbaya to one of his favorite paintings in exchange for their help. Yet this would worth it. He grins like a madman as his brother Sanguinis and Roubutte enters the washing areas of the Imperial Palace naked and turning on the nozzles of the waters, for Sanguinis a shower, while for Guillman an entire bathtub like the Princess he is. The former immediately starts washing his hair with his own personal brand of shampoo humming a small tune while Guilliman starts skinny dipping on the bathtub.

Immediately screams of horror come from the two as they run out of the washing areas just in time for the Emperor, The Empress and the rest of their brothers enter. All it takes is one look and they are in the ground laughing their hearts out at the sight of the two.

Sanguinis' hair has been turned bright pink while the skin of Guillliman has transformed into a bright shiny sky blue color. The two Primarchs are near tears before their mother butts in and turns their differently colored appendages back to normal, but not after taking a picture of them first.

….

Author's Note:

Hi guys so another chapter is done. I hope you like this one. Sorry for the long posts. I have been lacking interest in the story for some time and I have been pressuring myself to write them. Might be paused later if I fully lack inspiration about it.

Anyway thanks for the reviews, while it would be awesome to write about the Orks and Ghazkull hunting down Helaena, I have no experience with the Orks of Warhammer 40K so I have no idea how to write it down. I meant how mean it would be for Ghazkull would be compared to the other warbosses, what makes him powerful and all that. I've researched it but I've barely got answers.

Also how do we find Corax since the only guide I have right now is Starbound fanfic about it and there is no mention there about him being a giant raven and such.

As usual please review since your reviews are the inspiration to continue this story.