Chapter 3.5 Remember Whom We Serve
"There were a significant number of xenos weapons encountered during our initial assault on the Interex. Erebus and Dahka ensure their disposal but…"
"But it brought up uncomfortable memories?" asked Kyril Sindermann.
Sanguinius nodded. Sindermann thought it strange he was effectively playing therapist to a higher form of humanity, but the Warmaster had been consulting him on many matters since his arrival in the fleets, and if the Great Angel needed a place to talk out his mental state, the Great Crusade would be all the better for it. The matter with the Interex had shaken him badly. First was the debate over whether to keep diplomatic channels open, to which Kyril had advised caution. Sanguinius had sought his opinion prior to meeting with the Mournival and Fulgrim, but whilst Sindermann's stance had not been as extreme as that of Fulgrim, he had suggested integrating a xenos culture would make the embryonic Imperium more fragile to internal strife.
"If the Interex possess such weapons, how many more cultures have such tools at their disposal? It is true we have conquered much of the galaxy, but my fear is my reign as Warmaster will be marked with the loss of even more brothers."
"Do you fear death?" enquired Sindermann knowing full well what that answer would be.
"No," said Sanguinius, shaking his head, "I serve my Father's vision and I believe in it more than anything else in my life. If I fall during its completion, my only concern is that the vision can be completed with my absence."
Sindermann nodded in approval. The question wasn't for him to learn anything, it was to take the first step in illustrating a point. He gently rounded on the actual context he wished to provide.
"Death… death is not something one feels," said Sindermann reassuringly, "The dead do not feel pain, or suffering, or even concern. The dead are at peace. They are beyond mortal wants and needs. The greatest tragedy in death, is not felt by the one who passes. It is felt by those left behind."
Sanguinius nodded in agreement. Sindermann noticed a tremor in the Great Angel's wings. It was a subtle thing, like a small shiver in a brisk morning, but it was there.
"When your brother… fell, it was not he who felt the pain of his loss," continued Sindermann, "It was those who knew him. Horus was the first Primarch to fall in battle. He was the first of the Emperor's sons to suffer a wound so grave he could not recover. Because you and your brothers could recover from so many injuries that would kill an ordinary mortal, it was a shock to the whole Imperium. Being around such weapons makes you feel, not unreasonably, uncomfortable."
"I cannot feel fear, not in the way you might know it," agreed Sanguinius, "But if I was to give a name to the sense I felt seeing that collection of weapons capable of hurting my brothers and I… fear would be the closest approximate. And perhaps anger. Anger at their very existence."
"Not fear for yourself though," determined Sindermann, "Fear for losing another brother to such weapons. The pain of going through another funeral, the pain of having another part of your world forever taken. That is what has been driving you since Ullanor, hasn't it?"
Sanguinius nodded again, replying, "I understand now my Father's plan more than anything. It isn't about domination, it isn't about victory. It's about safety. He wishes for all of humanity to be safe. Safe from the threats of xenos, internal threats of warlords or barbarian kings. The Imperium is a shell around the beating heart of humanity, a shield to protect us from harm, a suit of armour to defend us from all dangers. I myself want to protect my brothers from harm, so that none suffer Horus' fate. I may have failed with Magnus, and Russ now refuses to speak with me, but for the others I hope I have done my duty as Warmaster."
Now it was Sindermann's turn to nod. As usual, the Warmaster's perception was magnificent. He had an insight into the Emperor that no mortal could truly understand, and his ambitions as usual were noble and gracious. He had been an excellent choice for Warmaster.
A sudden chime heralded a visitor at the door to the Primarch's chambers. After a moment the entrance slid open and a duo of Astartes entered. Raldoron and Abaddon, both clothed in their traditional Legion garb bowed before the Primarch and his guest.
"Forgive the intrusion, My Lord, Sir," said Raldoron, with a brief nod in Kyril's direction, "But you wished to be alerted of any ship arrivals."
"The Lord Primarch Lion El'Jonson is here, My Lord," finished Abaddon, "He will be on his way here momentarily to speak with you as requested."
"It is alright," said Sindermann, standing up, "I think it was about time I was leaving anyhow. By the way, First Captains, if I may be so bold, how are things with the new Remembrancers? I trust they are providing a valuable service to you?"
"Yes Sir," said Raldoron without hesitation. Abaddon's response took longer to be forthcoming.
"I must admit," said Abaddon, obviously struggling, "I had my reservations… about having civilian personnel attached to the Crusade. A lot of them tended to… get in the way. Much like the new Administratum clerks and the endless line of bureaucrats dispatched by the High Lords of Terra. We seemed to have conquered the galaxy only for lesser men to ruin it with taxations and paperwork. However I must admit… Mersadie Oliton has been an enlightening figure. Her patience is commendable, I will give her that. I would not have spoken to her had the Warmaster not personally advised speaking with her."
Sanguinius smiled and stood also, moving to place a hand on Abaddon's shoulder.
"Thank you, Ezekyle, for humouring me. I know the people can seem small and beneath you, but there is value in understanding them. Afterall, we must remember whom we serve. We are the sword of the Imperium, but the blade cannot wield itself. An Imperium without its people would serve no purpose. We are the protectors of the Imperium, much as you both are my protectors."
"As you say, my Lord," said Abaddon nodding, "I fear I am not as well made for diplomacy or arts such as your sons are. I am a warrior to my core."
"But Sejanus is good at diplomacy, and he is your brother," objected Sanguinius, "Tarik is very creative in his jokes. There is nothing special about my sons in this matter. You may be a warrior, Ezekyle, but you are more than that. And it is how you use your strength that matters. We use our strength to defend the weak, to uphold the Imperium's law, and to extend it so that all might live in peace."
"But what about if the peace is won," replied Abaddon, "Will we be discarded like a used lasgun? For those of us to whom peace does not sit well, what value will we have in the Imperium after?"
"You will be the defenders of the peace," said Sanguinius, "You will have a choice in what you do, but if you fear there will be no place for you – there will always be threats. Even if they are no longer external, we will need forces to police the Imperium. It may not be as thrilling as conquest but I promise I shall ensure there is a place for you. The fact that we travel soon to Davin highlights this point. The fact that Governor Eugen Temba has risen in rebellion shows that holding the peace is just as important as winning it."
"I will have his head," murmured Abaddon, "We took Davin years ago. This will be another slight on our honour if one of the worlds put into compliance by the Lunar Wolves back slides."
"I will not let that happen," reassured Sanguinius, "I will personally lead the mission, and both Mournivals will join the assault. It might seem excessive, but we must send a signal to any would-be traitor that to defy the Emperor is to invite death. We shall show such overwhelming force that the very mention of treason against the Emperor will be associated with annihilation."
"Thank you, Warmaster," said Abaddon gratefully, "Eugen Temba shall know the fury of the Sixteenth, and we shall not let a single traitor leave alive."
With that, the First Captains and Kyril Sindermann departed the Warmaster, soon to be replaced by another figure far more resplendent.
Lion El'Jonson echoed his namesake in many ways. His golden hair was a different shade to that of Sanguinius, and his stern demeanor contrasted greatly with Sanguinius' earnest smile, but the similarities in their spirit would have been plain for all to see. They were brothers, in the deepest sense, and as they grasped each other's forearms in greeting, Sanguinius once again felt that joy of being in the presence of kin once more.
"My dear brother, I am glad to see you," said Sanguinius warmly, "What can I do for you at this time?"
"Warmaster…" began Lion.
"Sanguinius, please," said Sanguinius, "I may be Warmaster but I do not ask nor need any heirs or graces."
The Lion nodded in agreement, replying, "Sanguinius then. I must admit, I was somewhat… angered when I first heard you have been appointed Warmaster."
"You did?" asked Sanguinius in surprise. He didn't consider himself close to the Lion, but he never had any conflict with the Lord of the Dark Angels Legion. The Lion nodded solemnly.
"A point of pride, I am afraid. I felt I had been passed over for the position of Warmaster not once, but twice. First by Horus, the original chosen of our Father. Then by you, one who has always had our Father's favour more than any other. As the commander of the First Legion it seemed absurd that I was twice rejected for this honour. My sons and I had been granted much honour by our Father, made privy to many secrets, yet when it came time to choose a successor, he did not choose me."
"I am… sorry, brother," said Sanguinius with a hint of sadness, "Had I known how you felt I would have summoned you sooner to resolve this insult to your honour. I meant no disrespect by being chosen or by accepting the role."
"I would not have come, had it been so soon," said the Lion, "But in time I came to realise the truth. Whilst Horus may have been too… unfeeling… to lead us, you have an understanding of both your subordinates, and us your brothers, that make you a worthy choice. Whilst I do feel somewhat slighted that our Father would have chosen Horus over me, I no longer feel slighted by you. I do feel I would have led us well, but I am willing to serve you as Warmaster, if you are willing to listen to my council in times of need."
"I am certain you would have been a fine leader, and I would have gladly served under you as well," said Sanguinius, repressing the feelings of anger at his casual dismissal of Horus, "But I am glad you are here now brother. You mentioned you had plans for a joint operation?"
The Lion nodded, asking, "How soon can you muster either the Sixteenth or the Ninth? I would do it alone but I get the feeling additional force may be required to avoid unnecessary losses. I do not need both Legions, but enough support to make the endeavor viable."
"Give me a few weeks," said Sanguinius, "There is a matter I must address on the planet Davin first, but once that is completed the Sixteenth and Ninth will disperse. It is time for me to rejoin the Ninth, so I shall bring my Sons of Sanguinius and aid you in this operation."
"Excellent," replied the Lion, "I shall return to my forces and await your arrival. The First and the Ninth are mighty Legions indeed. Together there shall be few who can stand against us. The Angels shall take flight together. Now, onto other matters…"
