Chapter 3.4 Talk of Murder

"We cannot permit non-humans amongst us in our Emperor's Glorious Imperium!" said Abaddon gruffly, "If the Interex have made common cause with Xenos then it is clear we must gather our forces and destroy them, utterly! We cannot let such sympathy to infect the rest of the Imperium."

"I agree with the First Captain," said Fulgrim, pacing back and forth in the Mournival's chamber, "Our Father demands perfection, Sanguinius. Perfection embodied in the human form. These humans have eschewed perfection if favour of a dalliance with these… creatures. There can be no parlay with them. We must engage them with our full force, now, whilst they are unready."

Sanguinius sighed and rested his head on his clenched fist. This was going to be a long day.

After the compliance of Murder had dragged into its 7th month, Sanguinius had brought more elements of the Sons of Horus and Sons of Sanguinius to aid the Emperor's Children in their efforts. At first Fulgrim had not been pleased by the intervention. He had felt a loss of pride after the death of Lord Command Eidolon in a foolish and rash attempt to take the world without reinforcements, and the efforts required to take the world had begun to cost far more than was acceptable for the Third Legion.

Sanguinius had placated his brother, stating it was nothing to do with a lack of ability in the Emperor's Children, more that the Ninth and Sixteenth Legions were ahead of schedule in some areas, thus could provide support for their kin to help expedite the result. This wasn't remotely true, but Fulgrim had accepted the explanation and his pride had cooled somewhat after. Fighting alongside Sanguinius for a month had given the Palatine Phoenix a new appreciation for the Great Angel, a feeling which was felt mutually by the Warmaster.

However after the compliance had been completed, a month after the arrival of the Warmaster's forces, a number of ships of a regional power known as the Interex had appeared. They claimed the world of Murder had been a sanctuary for a defeated enemy, a warning that had not been understood by the forces of the Imperium.

At first Sanguinius had spoken with the present envoys about opening diplomatic relations with the Imperium, but this had been postponed following the discovery that whilst the Interex was a primarily human culture, it did indeed consider xenos to not only be acceptable within their borders, but also equal to that of humans.

The current debate now raged as to how to manage the Interex. Fulgrim had joined the gathered Mournival to make his opinions know. Erebus too had joined the gathering as a neutral observer. Sanguinius had tried to use the opportunity to examine some of the other incoming demands of his time as Warmaster whilst the debate went on, but it was hard to concentrate with the passions running hot within the room. He would have to intervene and make a decision sooner or later.

"There is no need to be hasty," said Sejanus, frowning at Abaddon, "There is an opportunity here to do things differently. To set a new precedent. These are unlike the other xenos races we have encountered. They have already integrated into a human culture. With enough patience and guidance there is no reason why we cannot bring them under the under the Imperium's banner."

"Depends how much time we want to spend on the issue," said Nassir Amit, "We can spend years working with the Interex to bring them under the banner. In the short term we'd need some kind of non-aggression treaty to give the negotiators time to work. We don't want to be stuck here whilst the Warmaster spends close to a decade dotting i's and crossing t's."

"Agreed," said Tarik, "We have better things to do than bureaucracy, we hear enough about that as it is. Taxation this, levy that… I'm surprised the Warmaster hasn't banished the administrators from the fleet already."

Sanguinius gave a weak smile and nod, but let the conversation play out uninterrupted. Torgaddon was right. There was more than enough managerial work for him to deal with than to spend more years of the Great Crusade hammering out the finer details of treaty. Whilst the Interex controlled space was expansive it was just one region in a host of regions needing the illumination of the Imperium.

"We cannot allow the Xenos within the borders of the Imperium," contributed the High Warden Dahka Berus, "To keep faith with the Emperor is to not suffer the alien to live, nor the unregistered psyker. From what I have read in the reports of their culture they are twice, if not thrice, damned."

"Well put, brother," nodded Erebus in agreement.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the High Warden," said Little Horus Aximand, "Sejanus is right it would set a precedent, but it is not one we want to set. First it's the Xenos of the Interex, then next you will see Aeldarii free to move in Imperium space. The filthy knife ears would be more than happy to manipulate their way into regions of power long enough to strike."

"I don't think the Interex would be willing to integrate into the Imperium anyway," rounded off Raldoron, "The best we could hope for is that non-aggression treaty. With that many Xenos races their culture is fundamentally too divergent from ours to ever hope of serious reintegration. There are also rumours of artificials, something approaching or beyond Abominable Intelligence. Try telling the Mechanicum that we defy their most sacred of teachings by allowing Abominable Intelligence free reign within the Imperium, or even on the border of it. It would break the very foundations which has held the Imperium together."

"These are issues that can be worked out," pressed Sejanus, "The Warmaster is beyond any mortal in his ability to persuade. No Terran Diplomat could achieve this end, it is true, but consider how much we could gain by taking the whole of the Interex territory intact, unspoilt. The Mechanicum will be sure to look the other way if they have a number of Standard Template Constructs or other Archeotech they can share with us. And given the design of their ships it is more than likely they have new discoveries in large supply."

"So you would have us sit here and wait for the Warmaster to conclude negotiations, to delay the entire Great Crusade for a handful of worlds," retorted Abaddon, "How many worlds were crushed in similar circumstances during the time of the Emperor's leadership in the Great Crusade? We do not need to break with convention now."

"The Emperor asks for perfection," contributed Fulgrim, "It is regrettable that my own sons have failed me so spectacularly that the Third is already out of position. We cannot have elements of the Ninth and Sixteenth also waste time on something that could be accomplished in a year or so at most."

"We would need considerable force," commented Amit, "Whilst their region is small their technology looks like it is formidable. We should not expect an easy fight. This isn't something a single Legion could do alone without losses."

"It is fortunate then we have near three Legions right here," chimed in Askaellon, "The Ninth and the Sixteenth are at good strength, I'm sure all here would agree."

"The Third is in excellent condition too," said Fulgrim, forcefully, "Whilst we have taken some unfortunate losses on Murder I can say with some conviction that the campaign has purged my Legion of its least worthy members."

"The most arrogant he means," whispered Tarik to Sejanus, who tapped his neighbour on the arm in rebuke.

Fulgrim turned fully to Sanguinius, the full force of his violet eyes focused on his brother.

"Let me do this, brother. Warmaster. Sanguinius. Let me make up for the mistakes made by my sons on Murder. You need not commit your own forces, send me alone against the Interex and I shall bring them down and enforce the Emperor's will, one way or another. No matter the cost."

Sanguinius raised a hand to forestall any further conversation. He stood and stretched out his tired wings in an effort to shake the cramp they felt being static for so long. Ensuring he had the attention of all gather, the Warmaster made his proclamation.

"Whilst your offer is generous, Fulgrim, a direct assault by the Third would almost completely cripple the Emperor's Children. I have no doubts you would win, but the cost would be far too high. I also agree that diplomacy would be wasted in this instance. Whilst I would love nothing more than to bring the Interex into the Imperium whole, we do not have the time, nor can we subvert the very laws my Father put in place in order to integrate them in a way they would accept. Whilst we could take a non-aggression pact we would be turning our backs to force strong enough to destabilize the entire region if they so wished."

"We have no guarantee they would even wish to do that," protested Sejanus, "They should be given a chance to prove themselves as valuable to the Imperium. Just because they are different does not make them dangerous."

"No, its their weapons and technology that make them dangerous," muttered Aximand.

Sanguinius raised his hand again.

"Please, my sons. I understand your arguments, and they are all well argued. If it were up to me alone, I would consider the diplomatic route. But I am more than just Sanguinius. I am the Warmaster. I must make decisions that are best for the Imperium as a whole, not just for the benefit of the Interex."

Sanguinius turned to Fulgrim next, extending his arm in a gesture of revelation.

"And Fulgrim is right, he deserves a chance to regain his Legion's honour. The best course of action is to give the Interex an ultimatum. Fulgrim, I give you the right to prepare and deliver that ultimatum as you see fit. They will be given a standard week to review and decide on whether to submit to the rule of the Imperium. This will include the banishment of all Xenos from Interex space, and a requirement to comply with the laws of the Imperium. Should they refuse, the Third will lead a spear tip thrust into the heart of the Interex territory, supported by us in the Ninth and Sixteenth. Once the centre of their power is broken, the Ninth and Sixteenth will detach, resuming our regular duties within the Great Crusade. The Emperor's Children will then be able to conclude the conquest of the Interex alone and regain their glory as is rightful."

Fulgrim gave a thankful nod, saying, "Thank you, Warmaster. I shall ensure we conduct this compliance to perfection. What assistance you provide will be minimal at most."

"I shall see to it my own brothers contribute to the effort as well," said Erebus, calmly, "We must ensure alongside our Warden kin that no Xenos technology or weaponry makes its way into the Imperium. We must ensure we identify and purge all such foul devices, and leave the Lord of the Third with ways to recognize and destroy such items so that when we depart his Legion can complete the compliance without issue."

Sanguinius nodded in agreement.

"Especially with what befell my brother Horus, we cannot be too careful anymore. Xenos weaponry, armouries, foundries, factories and installations must be a priority when selecting our primary targets. This may well make it easier to ensure such weapons found elsewhere in the Imperium are safely disposed of."

"I will personally see to the fate of all Xenos weapons, My Lord," said Erebus, smiling malevolently, "They will not fall into improper hands..."