Chapter Six

"Sanguinius. It should have been him. He has the vision and the strength to carry us to victory, and the wisdom to rule once victory is won. For all his aloof coolness, he alone has the Emperor's soul in his blood. Each of us carries part of our father within us, whether it is his hunger for battle, his psychic talent or his determination to succeed. Sanguinius holds it all. It should have been his…,"

"…..and I'm not asking you as a Saint. I am asking you as a citizen of the Imperium. Your planet is facing the gravest of dangers from Traitors and Cultists. It might be the End of all things with the Imperium cut in half. But I tell you right now that hope is not lost. Through its long history, it is human courage and human will that brought the Imperium victory against the might of the darkness. It is a mere human who stood against the Arch-Enemy Horus that aided the Emperor in dealing the final blow. We have the technology to prevent this planet's extinction and all who live on it. The indomitable human spirit to fight, to defend, even the wars it has fought has given us the tools to save this world. All the fates of every human right now would rest on you who will answer, brave souls. Now I am asking you in the god-Emperor's name. Come with me and fight, fight for the very soul of your planet!" finishes Sanguinius looking at the gathered mismatched crowd which he is looking down at from the podium he is standing in, he lets his wings open for flair at the end of his words.

"For the Imperium! For the Saint!" roars one voice, followed by another and another. In a few seconds, an entire symphony of cheers are following as the crowd roars in acquiesce to his speech.

"For the Imperium!"

"For the Saint!"

"For the Imperium!"

"For the Saint!"

"For the Imperium!"

"For the Saint!"

He lets them steam their souls off for a few seconds before raising one massive gauntleted hand shutting the cheers down as he leans back to the voice amp. "I am grateful for you all. For those who answer the call, please submit yourselves to Lieutenant Myers and he'll guide you to the four sleds which will take us all to the Forward Base to take back the capital where the other heroes await. Glory awaits you all my friends. Emperor bless you all," finishes Sanguinius with a smile before opening his wings and flapping away back to the Spire of the City Hub, Gallim.

Gallim is one of the few that has not been touched by the attacks of the Chaos Warband. He has been right in his assessment that the entire planet's been hit. Other than Mitras, Exodi, Alleri, Bustaz, and Illias, all city habs have been attacked and ransacked by traitor Astartes and the cultists that follow them. Unlike Mitras, these City Hubs do not have him running around to aid them of their Chaos Astartes problems. Of course the worst is the main capital itself, Liknik which where can be found the largest of Warp Rifts. The Neverborn is walking there according to his foresight. it would not be an easy force to crack with his resources.

Sangunius of course is no Angron or Russ to go charging there with the paltry near two hundred force of Imperial Guard and local militia and Arbites he has in command at Mitras, no. As a Primarch he can probably deal death in a large scale against even Chaos Astartes all by his lonesome. However Sanguinius does not have his original auramite armor or even weapons. He does not possess in his possession his trusty Blade Encarmine or the Spear of Telesto. A Primarch is a weapon to himself, but equipped with the right items and he can put his Emperor given talents to full effect. Of course Sanguinius is not fully without weapons. At his hip attached is his current primary weapon at the moment, the chainsword he liberated from the Chaos Marine before that belongs to his children's legion. He has named it Teeth of Baaal with how good the Chainsword is at chewing up ceramite armor. A bolter he has also scavenged from one of the broken Hives. At the moment, Sanguinius is wearing flak armor painted in, commissioned by the few armorers from Mitras. It is aesthetically pleasing but a great downgrade from his Auramite armor which he has been using since the Great Crusade till his death. Frankly he feels like he is wearing paper with how thin the flak armor is. Still he needs to wear it.

It is all for show.

Sanguinius plans to retake this Agri-World from the Chaos warband that is currently traipsing on it as if they have already won. In a way they might have if not for him present. To do that, he needs to get to the ship in orbit above the planet and the only way to achieve that is to find a ship space worthy enough to get there. Seeing that this is an Agri-World, the only ships that would be able to do that are the ones parked at the capital as his foresight tells him. That means retaking the capital first. He needs to do it anyway if he plans to clean this world of the Chaos taint.

If he has his sons and his legion, it would be easy, but he does not even one Astartes in command here right now. That puts Sanguinius in a disadvantage. He alone is a great asset but he cannot solo entire companies of Khornate Berserkers and Chaos Astartes blessed with the might of Khorne on his own without dying. Thus Sanguinius has to fall back to old traditional methods on doing it.

Mitras cannot provide him with the manpower, but it is still a working city hub and industrialized enough to shift from providing worker's tools and machineries to basic weapons like lasguns, stubbers and explosives. He tasked it to the installed Adepts there under his name to work day and night. Meanwhile Sanguinius with the Cadians tour the entire countryside visiting villages and City Hubs for more manpower that is needed to bring the fight to the capital.

Sanguinius' plan is simple. He cannot fight off the entire cultist army and the Neverborn walking at Liknik. He needs an army with him to cover his back. With his sons absent, he would need to rely on the militia force of Thracia and that means heavy recruiting. Unfortunately this is no Hive World where a single Hive can sprout out thousands of soldiers, no. This is an Agri-World and that means getting from one place to the other where people are gathered in large numbers.

So far it has been doing kind of well though Sanguinius' heart is saddened by the damage caused by the invading Warband. Out of the twelve City Hubs that they have visited so far in the surrounding area, all have been ravaged by the Chaos Forces except for two. Sanguinius with the Cadian Tenth Light Infantry along with the strap-along mismatched force of Thracian Militia Heavy Weapons Team, they liberated each Hub that they could. The Hubs might have fallen to invasion but there are always a lot of survivors once Sanguinius and his little band of soldiers wiped off the surface of reality the cultists and such Chaos Astartes that are still milling about. Such survivors like mechanics, workers, and anyone with a trade are sent to Mitras to help the industry wheel working there. Those who are able to hold a weapon and still have the desire to fight are sent through officers of the Cadians to lead them to the Forward Base of Eden.

As such Sanguinius' recruitment efforts are focused mostly on the villages surrounding each Hub. The Khornate Berserkers apparently find the countless small settlements dotting the landscape of the planets through the wastes not worthy of their attention. Knowing Khornate worshippers, Sanguinius is thankful for that. They would rather focus on the more populated areas where there lots of victims that can provide them with the blood and the skulls that they would want to offer to their deity. There is no point for them trekking in the wasteland for hours only to kill three dozens of hapless people in a settlement.

Thus Sanguinius visits this settlement with his retinue. Many of course answer the call. The very presence of an "Imperial Saint" calling for them to liberate the world from their usurpers is usually enough for brave fathers and sons mostly to join the "liberation army" at Eden. He repeats the process again and again countless times. It is almost a year before they finally stop here at Othellon, one of the few Hubs untouched by Chaos.

His feet touches the small landing pad at the top of the Spire and his wings folded on their own as Sanguinius lands. He is not surprised to see Captain Mira there waiting with two other Cadians. The pretty captain has been serving as his personal information source and guard alongside Greg and Forge. Technically he does not need them, but officially, a "Saint" needs to have guards with him.

"Your holiness," bows Mira in greetings to him before pulling herself together. "Judging by the loud cheers that can be heard down here, the militia and the Guard of these City Hub are marching towards us?" she asks as Sanguinius strides past her with her following at his side. Greg and Forge stays a little bit behind to give the two of them some privacy to talk while walking.

"They are, I've connected them to Lieutenant Myers for organization. They would be ready to march once we are done with our business here," says Sanguinius entering through the large doors of the top entrance of the Spire. Immediately he is pulled into a long hallway filled with scribes and servants running around. They all stop at least once staring in wonder and awe at his approach; those nearest bows at him with their faces to the ground. He gives off a smile or two at them as he continues his walk to the meeting hall where the Adept in charge of this Spire is waiting.

"Lieutenant Myers is a good man. He'll have them ready for the convoy before leading them to Edenwhere the Forward Operating Base will marshal them," says Mira keeping in stride with him. "I guess the Emperor blessed us with this luck Holy Saint, I admit, I do not expect that we will be able to find an intact city Hab other than Othello back then to be still standing. The number of militia that we will be able to round up here would be two thousand and three thousand at least,"

Sanguinius keeps off the wince at his face being addressed Holy Saint again. He keeps his face conformed however. "Luck has nothing to do with it captain. This tells a lot about the enemy that we are facing. Either they are incompetent and missed attacking the City Hub of Othello and here, or they do not have the numbers to do it. I believe it is more the latter than the former. Contrary to popular belief, it is not easy feat invading a planet, even with Astartes at your command,"

"Really? I didn't know that. Guess a lowly guardsman like me would have little idea about invading planets even if I am boasting from one of the greatest legacies in the Imperial Guard huh?" chuckles Mira wryly.

"Don't disparage yourself Captain. Lessons like these are usually learned by Generals and Admirals," says Sanguinius as they reach the wooden double-doors entrance to the meeting room. "Take heart of the fact that you are learing them anyway," he adds with a confident smile making the Captain nod at him before he enters the room.

The "meeting room" is big like everything in the Imperium. A large open space of metal and plasteel has been dedicated unto it. The epicenter is a large holo-map containing the figure of the hub of Othellon and its adjacent territories. The entire City Hub is in full alert mode due to the happenings of the planet and workers surround the age holo table alongside Tech Priests. Every few seconds or so, one would add a new information to it before another and another.

Into this organized Chaos walks Sanguinius, his golden form cutting through the swathe of mortals like hot knife through butter. Once more he has to endure the bowing and the scraping and the edifies of blessing and prayer from the mortals. He touches a few with his hands and even giving one, a loose feather from his wings before they reach their intended person, a red-robed adept that is in charge of the City Hub of Othellon. He like everyone else gets on his knees, kissing the ground at the presence of Sanguinius.

"Oh honored Saint, I am greatly honored to be in your presence," crows the Adept. "Have the people responded to your call to war against the heretics my lord?"

"They did. I am here to inform you Adept Cygnus that I and Captain Mira here along with our retinue would be out of your home at the highest of noon," says Sanguinius.

"If it pleases you your holiness, let my servants and I serve you with some refreshments and food for the high noon meal before you go. We will not send you away with anything but a full belly your holiness. Grant us this small honor at least your holiness," begs the Adept.

"If your offer of food and refreshments is also given to the men and women with me then I accept your offering Adept Cygnus," replies the Great Angel with a small nod.

"You honor us your holiness," the man scrapes in a kow tow manner before waving to his servants to hurry. Like scurrying rats they exit the entrance of the central hall.

"I would be at the landing area of the Spire. You can send the food and refreshments you promised there to me," says Sanguinius to the adept. "Mira, take Gred and Forge to tell your men that food will be provided for them, courtesy of the Adept here and the people of Othellon,"

Sanguinius' raises an elegant eyebrow though as Mira squares her jaw at his orders. "With all due respect my lord. I will not leave you alone. Gred and Forge can inform the man while I continue to guard you," she finishes. The Adept of Othellon looks like someone has ripped his jaw off alongside everyone in the vicinity, unable to believe how brazen the Captain of the Cadian Tenth is at the Hallowed Saint.

Sanguinius however simply snorts finding it amusing before nodding his head. "As you wish Captain Mira, you may accompany me. Gred, Forge, my orders," he turns his attention to the two Cadians who salutes before heading off.

"Adpet Cygnus, it is a pleasure to meet you and your people. Emperor be with you," says Sanguinius letting his eyes rake everyone around before exiting the hall. The walk back to the small landing pad which he lands in is quite quick and Sanguinius once more feels the fresh air of the planet kiss his skin as he exits the halls of the Hive. He notices through the side of his eyes Mira nervously looking at the sides of the landing pad. The area after all has no railings that can prevent you from falling off.

"Afraid of heights Captain?" asks Sanguinius with humor at the Imperial Guard captain who shakes her head in negative at the question.

"Afraid of falling your holiness," she admits, her tone quite high in timber.

"Don't worry Captain, if you ever fall. I will catch you. In the meanwhile, stay near the door and I will take a few hours flight. Wait for the food and drink that our dear Adept Cygnus promised us," says Sanguinius, his wings opening to their full might.

"My lord I don't think you should-," Mira tries to protest but Sanguinius is having none of it. With a great flap of his wings, he is airborne immediately.

Every movement brings him higher and higher until the City Hub is nothing more than a smudge in the color below. He breaches the clouds and he finds himself above a witness of the two suns of Thracia glowing brightly. At the highest time of noon, the purple scar of the Cicatrix Maledictum is almost invisible in the blue morning sky. Everywhere around him is a sea of white, clouds all that bear witness to the Primarch of the Ninth Legion in his most free. Flying has always brought calmness of mind to Sanguinius. Out of all the people throughout the Imperium, it is only he that he knows has the blessing of having wings. No one but him has the experience of something like this, to be able to soar freely in the clouds where it is just you, yourself, the world around you and your thoughts. It is a freedom that no one can share with him. It is almost a pity that Sanguinius has none to share this joy with. Not even his father for all his might and power. For a moment he thinks about bringing Mira with him for a fly, but quickly discarded the idea. The mortal for all her faith in him probably would lose it this far out in the sky.

This moments few in between is also the personal time of Sanguinius to think. The state of the Imperium suffices it to say brings him a lot of sorrow. The Imperium that his father envisioned, that he and his brothers envisioned before the Heresy is all but a dust in the wind. There is no seeking of knowledge, of invention, or even the desire of peace and stability. This is no prospering Empire but a slowly dying corpse war-torn and stricken, almost at the brink of collapse, only held firm by the blood of martyrs and the stubbornness of man to go quietly in the void. It is an empire rooted with corruption, fear, hate and ignorance with ungodly superstition. The very thought of it brings tears to Sanguinius' eyes as he hovers in mid-air. There is no promise of tomorrow for the Imperium of Man and there is no solution to it. Everything that his brothers and he fought for are gone. Everything that his father dreamt of for mankind is also gone. What remains, is a parody of an Empire that is not even close to the one that his father wanted.

Yet Sanguinius bottles it all up as he wipes his tears in this solitary place. His brothers, the ones he trust the most, the loyal ones are all gone. His father's presence is a questionable one. Even Mira cannot explain as to how the god-Emperor truly came to be worshipped. The Imperial Truth is non-existent and the people has is a bunch of ignorant superstitious to hell and back. Sanguinius has questions. He needs to get to Terra to find answers to these questions, but until then he will hold his ground.

Sanguinius has always been a being of hope. While the state of the Imperium, of humanity and the galaxy itself is big enough to crush his soul into giving up, he chooses to remain steadfast. Yes, humanity might be the way it is now, a bunch of zealots who does not even know the most basic of things of the galaxy around them. Yet they are still worth fighting for. He is a Primarch and it is his mandate to protect humanity, to lead them. He can still recall the grand fanfares of Imperium Secundus of the people that hailed him as the Emperor Regent when he's crowned by his brother Guilliman. Even here at Thracia, with his identity still in the wind, the people are looking at him with fervent hope, a savior born in the wings of mystery. Now more than ever, the people need a Primarch.

Sanguinius would not disappoint them.

Now more than ever, the people need a Primarch. He would lead them. First he's going to save Thracia and get rid of these Khornate Berserkers then he's going in the offensive one planet at a time. Mira told him that the people at Imperium Nihilus are suffering due to being separated from the Emperor's light. Sanguinius would be that light. He would be the knowledge that would liberate one system at a time until he finds a way to return and look his father in the eye at Terra. The Legions made do with Warp Travel without the Astronomican in the days of the Great Crusade. Ten Thousand Years later and people have obviously forgotten that fact, too reliant they are in the Light of the Astronomican.

In these darkening days, Sanguinius would bring something that the Imperium sorely needs.

Hope.

…..

Author's Note:

Hey fellow warhammer fans. So our boy Sanguinius isn't letting the depression get to him. People still think he's a Saint simply and have no idea that he is a Primarch. Please note that it is ten thousand years since he "died". No one alive would sanely put two and two and think that the Saint is actually a Primarch.

Poor Sanguinius also has no idea that his father is a withered corpse at the Golden Throne. He still thinks Big E is all fleshy and alive. Mira obviously can't share that to him since the basic Imperial citizen doesn't know that Big E is rotting at Terra. They just know that big E is the god-Emperor and all that worship.

Also a little question. How do Crusade ships travel during the Great Crusade without the Astronomican? Also what Imperial shuttles are able to breach atmosphere from the ground up to space?

Anyway as usual thanks for the reviews boys and girls. And no, there is no romance here. Sanguinius is a Primarch. He's no Papa Smurf falling in love with Yvraine, though next chapter will have a surprise. The presence of Sanguinius after all would be sensed by those with power, and not all bad.

As usual please review for your reviews are the song to this writer's heart.

Also if you like Warhammer fics that I make. Please Visit my other work, the Companion, the Empress of Mankind. I would love to listen to your intake on it.