Chapter 9.3 His Master's Voice
Roboute took his seat amongst the Council of Three.
He hadn't told Russ and Ferrus that they were the Council of Three.
They probably would have objected to the formalized coding of them as a power structure in parallel to anything on Terra. But functionally they were, so in Roboute's mind that is what the practical dictated. When it came to affairs of state in Ultramar, everything went through the Triad of Primarchs.
Russ' arrival had helped convince Ferrus to start opening up and sharing tactical data, especially after a significant tantrum by Guilliman following the destruction of a civilian transport due to a miscommunication with the Iron Tenth. The Wolf King was not one for stodgy meetings, but the loss of innocent life due to the lack of coordination had upset Leman as much as it had done Roboute. A quiet word to the Gorgon from Russ and these informal meetings had been established.
Ferrus' new beacons, now known as the Eyes of Medusa, were being placed all across Ultramar. Their distance was short, each only covered a few systems, but together with the overlaps they reached from one side of Ultramar to the other. The mass production of such devices meant a small number worlds beyond the Five Hundred had been brought back into the fold, including a number of moderately sized Forge Worlds.
Ultramar was now made whole and self-sufficient. And so now the conversation came to the departure to Terra.
"We shall depart tomorrow," rumbled Ferrus, "We have enough Eyes to reach a significant portion of the way. We can resupply from the Forge Worlds we encounter en-route. I have the schematics to produce more, we just need the resources they can provide."
"The Mechanicum will be resistant to produce something which is not available as an STC, especially something based on Xenos technology," pointed our Roboute, already knowing what the response would be.
"I don't care," snapped Ferrus, "I've had it with the blasted Mechanicum, and their ridiculous Cult, and witless idolatry. The sooner we can be rid of their faith the better the Imperium will be for it."
"The Hands of the Omnisiah is quietly picking up traction amongst some of the more radical elements of the Mechanicum," replied Roboute, "Though the Mechanicum hierarchy has been attempting to crush it whenever it grows to any significant mass."
"Your manufactured offshoot is nearly as obnoxious as the original," growled Ferrus, "Its only saving grace is I don't have to argue with their followers when I need something accomplished that disagrees with their mindless tenants."
"You are welcome…" muttered Guilliman.
"The son of Medusa is right," said Russ, his armour creaking as he leaned forward, "It has taken us too long to gather ourselves. We must go now and seek our fate at Terra. The All-Father will be needing all of our strength if we are to combat our wayward brothers."
"Then let is be so," sighed Guilliman, "The fleets are assembled over Macragge. We are well supplied and prepared for war. We shall coordinate on the morrow from our respective flagships. Is this agreeable?"
"Aye," grunted Russ.
"Yes," answered Ferrus.
"Then let us adjourn," said Roboute, rising to stand.
"Stop."
It was a single word, a word that echoed like a thousand voices, a command that once heard could not ignored. All brothers instinctively pause, almost unsure that there had been any voice at all.
"Father?" whispered Russ.
Roboute glanced at Ferrus. The Gorgon seemed unwilling to accept that he had heard the voice, but the look on his face made it plain that something had affected the Lord of the Iron Tenth.
"He is coming," grinned Russ, "The All-Father. He is not on Terra. He comes now to us."
"What are you babbling about," growled Ferrus, "We depart for Terra tomorrow as agreed."
Russ shook his head, "No, Ferrus. You heard it. As plainly as I. The All-Father's command. We are not to go to Terra. He is no longer there."
"You cannot possibly know this," snorted Ferrus, "Guilliman, talk some sense into Leman."
"He… might be right," said Guilliman, grasping at the opportunity undermine the planned departure, "I do not know what that was, but if Leman is right? What if we depart Ultramar, only to have our Father arrive here in our absence when he needs us most?"
Ferrus narrowed his eyes.
"This is absurd."
"No brother," said the Wolf King, "It is the will of the All-Father. I feel his spirit now. He comes to us, driven by the threads of fate."
"One brother is a petty king, the other brother is a delusional prognosticator," grumbled Ferrus, "We are going to postpone everything because of some echo from the void? What if this is just some other trick of Magnus to delay us?"
"It is no trick of Magnus," growled the Wolf King, "I would know his foul majiks anywhere. No. This is the All-Father. It can be no other."
"It might be," said Roboute, thoughtfully, "But none the less, if Terra has fallen, where would our Father go to rally his forces for a counter attack? Where is the strongest bastion from which he can sally forth to retake what our enemies may have seized?"
"… Hmph," replied Ferrus, unable or unwilling to come up with an argument given Guilliman's valid point.
"Ultramar is now in a prime position to fight back against his enemies," concluded Roboute, "We have three full Legions, undamaged. We have the Eyes of Medusa which will allow us to scout out worlds and reestablish contact with the rest of the Imperium over time. It possesses everything our Father would require to restore the Imperium following the loss of the Throne World. It would be a logical theoretical for our Father to come here. The beacons will light his path once he is in range."
"Fine…" muttered Ferrus, "We shall postpone our departure. But if our Father is not here within two months I will be departing for Terra regardless, with or without you, brothers."
"There will be no need," said Russ still grinning, "He is coming. I can feel it."
"We should deploy the fleets across Ultramar," mused Roboute, "If they are being pursued they will need support. We need to monitor all Imperial frequencies for chatter, and have our forces ready to rally if we hear the need for aid. We do not know from whence they will come to Ultramar, so we should have sufficient force able to respond regardless of their arrival vector."
"Sensible," agreed Ferrus, "Assuming this is not all a waste of time. I shall have the Tenth disburse… And coordinate with your forces, Roboute."
"The Vlka Fenryka too shall take up guard positions," nodded Russ, "If the All-Father calls nothing shall stop us from responding to his hails."
"Then let us be about this business," concluded Guilliman, "If our Father does arrive we will need to ensure we have all the necessary ceremony appropriate for his welcome. I would not wish for our Father to arrive unheralded."
"Go organize your parades then," scoffed Ferrus, "If you need me I'll be aboard the Fist of Iron."
Hours later, Roboute sat at his desk. Around him were scattered mounds of paper. There was so much work to be done. Since the arrival date could not be accurately predicted, he needed to arrange the celebrations in such a way that they could be enacted on a moments notice.
Moreover, there were considerations beyond just the arrival itself.
A new Imperial Palace would need to be constructed on Macragge to hold the seat of Imperial power for as long as the Emperor required it. Roboute had picked out the perfect spot for the buildings, including new structures for the High Lords and any other governmental functionaries that would be desired. The Emperor could tailor these designs as necessary upon his arrival, but Guilliman was certain his Father would be pleased to have somewhere to rest after his long journey.
Other brothers might arrive with their own Legions, quite possibly injured or in distress. New quarters were designed, to be built for each of the brothers yet to be confirmed as rebellious. They would not be built until their arrival, but Roboute took great care ensuring any villas for his brothers would meet their needs and be constructed immediately as needed. Resources for Legion resupply, repair, and emergency hospital and triage services were put on standby so as many loyal lives could be saved as possible.
A plan for expansion out from Ultramar was also concocted by Guilliman, targeting key resource worlds providing manpower, materials, chemicals and industry. Roboute was beginning to consider a plan for the restoration of Terra, when a thought crossed his mind.
He walked over to his closet and opened the doors. From within his pile of discarded works he withdrew the tome labeled 'Imperium Secundus'. Carrying it over to the desk, Roboute opened the treatise and pulled his quill out from its ink well, reading the first few passages.
The Executive and Legislative Power of Imperium Secundus shall be vested in the position of Regent, whose power is granted as the legislative successor of the Emperor of Mankind, and through his authority may hold the office for life or until such time the Emperor of Mankind relieves him of such duty.
Roboute crossed out the lines including the word Regent, so that the sentence now read quite differently.
The Executive and Legislative Power of Imperium Secundus shall be vested in the Emperor of Mankind, and through his authority may hold the office for life.
Feverishly, Guilliman continued through the work, erasing every instance of the word Regent to be replaced with the word Emperor. Here was the Imperium remade. A new code of law, devoid of the ridiculous and unnecessary structures of the Administratum. Something functional, efficient, yet magnificently crafted.
Writing a new section, Roboute smiled as he unknowingly altered the future of Imperium Secundus forever.
The Executive and Legislative Power vested in the Emperor of Mankind shall be assisted by 3 Houses to provide council and advice to the Emperor of Mankind. They are advisory in nature only.
These are the Council of Primarchs, The Commons Representative, and the High Lords (formerly the High Lords of Terra).
The Council of Primarchs and High Lords shall be appointed by the Emperor of Mankind at his discretion, with elections on all members of organized Imperial Territories providing the members of the Commons Representative.
The Commons Representative shall be self-organizing, with each world granted the status of 'Imperial Territory' providing a single representative to the Commons. Each world may appoint their representative as they see fit, either through election as decreed by the world, or by direct appointment by the world's recognized legitimate executive. All worlds of Ultramar are granted the status of Imperial Territory by the grace of the Emperor of Mankind upon his ascension to the Executive of Imperium Secundus.
In the event of the Emperor of Mankind, through his own admission or absence, to be considered incapacitated or unable to Execute the Powers of the Executive and Legislative, the Council of Primarchs, the Commons Representative and the High Lords will together form a tricameral legislative body of equal weight. The Council of Primarchs and High Lords shall self-appoint new members as required. New legislative resolutions require ascent from the majority of all Houses, and so approved are considered law absolute within Imperium Secundus.
This gave the people of Ultramar a way to bring their grievances to the Master of Mankind, to build a better Imperium supported by popular consent of the people. Another token of legitimacy that would help the recovery.
It also gave the Primarchs a forum to better assist their Father through a close advisory body, but also ensured the Primarchs could never again be in a position of unchecked power.
But everything was in order. The Emperor, with his superior judgement, could wield the power of Ultramar as necessary. None had better vision than the Master of Mankind, and his advisory bodies could help him rule justly.
After all, its not like the Emperor would ever be unable to rule, or would bring forth decrees that any would consider unjust.
Roboute would, in many years to come, regret that passage and all its implications.