Chapter 6.5 A Conspiracy Of Unkindness
"The Signus Cluster?"
"Yes, my Lord Corax," said Erebus smoothly, "The Warmaster has uncovered a potential nest of Nephilim within the cluster that would prove a most dangerous threat to the Imperium if uncovered. As you doubtless recall the Warmaster himself purged the Nephilim prior to his ascension to the position, however his duties now preclude him from dealing with this matter personally. The return of the Nephilim concerns him greatly, thus charges you with this most necessary of duties."
Erebus smiled to himself as he watched Corvus Corax sit back in his command chair to contemplate the new orders he had brought.
The orders weren't from the Warmaster at all. Since the Great Angel had delegated persuading more of his brothers to join their cause to Lorgar, the master of the Word Bearers had been busy plotting to bring more Primarchs into the fold.
The nature of HOW Lorgar was corrupting the sons of the Emperor had been kept deliberately vague from the Warmaster. All he needed to know was in time forces would be at his disposal, and exactly how this came to be was best left unsaid. However the Four were choosing their new champions and Erebus was eager to not disappoint.
From what Erebus had heard the operation around Mortarion had been a failure, but where Typhon had disappointed them, Vulkan might yet be a great success.
Plans were in motion for others, Roboute was to be trapped within the Five Hundred Worlds until victory had been obtained. Lorgar was content to wait for his vengeance for Monarchia. Word from the Sixteenth had reported Fulgrim's Legion had been annihilated, a surprise for Erebus to be sure but not one that caused any problems, and Leman Russ was too far out from Terra to arrive in time, if he yet lived.
His current mission was to corrupt the Raven Guard for the Blood God, a plot that even now was beginning to take hold. The fact that Sanguinius had been liberal with providing official credentials to Lorgar for assigning operations for 'recruitment' played well for the Word Bearers. The Raven Guard would not refuse orders with the Warmaster's seal.
The Lord of Skulls had, reportedly, been less than pleased when Horus was slain and Sanguinius chosen as the new champion for the pantheon's machinations. The Blood God had been most eager to see its plans taken to fruition to bring the Great Angel under his sway. However, with the state of the Great Game being what it was the Warmaster was out of bounds. Khorne needed a new champion, and he would have it one way or another.
Others had been considered. If the plan with Corax failed Angron was still a possibility. The Lord of the World Eaters did not have long to live, and Lorgar had a secondary plan in place to bring the berserk monster into the fold if it became necessary. It would be a harder sell to the Warmaster whose distain for Angron was well known, but if the situation was unavoidable Lorgar believed it possible to persuade the Great Angel.
The fool Kor Phaeron had suggested Kurze or Ferrus, but these options had been absurd to Erebus. The Night Haunter, vicious as he was, was too psychically endowed for the Lord of Blood with his visions and prophecies. One such as Magnus was an exception as he basked in the power of the Four Undivided. Khorne would never have such a one as his champion though, and besides Kurze's sons delighted too much in the pleasure of their sadism which brought them too close to Slaanesh's domain.
Ferrus and Iron Tenth were far too solid, far too unyielding for the violent madness Khorne desired. The Blood God was welcome to try of course, but he would have an easier time corrupting Rogal Dorn. Both men did not give into violence or but lust like some of the others. Leman Russ would be been desirable, but getting him to work with Magnus on anything would be a feat even the Gods might struggle to achieve. Besides, he had been marked for death, and soon his agents within the Vlka Fenryka would report the Wolf King's demise.
Erebus had developed the plot for Corax. The Raven was an odd choice, but with the right tools he could be shaped into the weapon required.
Erebus needed a success for the Gods given his failure to corrupt the Warmaster entirely, and given Typhon's failure also. The Warmaster still walked the path of the Gods, but Erebus was banished from the inner circle. To maintain their favour he needed something more, something to keep him in their good graces. The Bloody Raven would be perfect for that.
"As the Warmaster commands," replied Corax, his voice grave as it always was, "We cannot have ones such as the Nephilim returning to the galaxy. I have read upon the work of my brothers and their cleansing of the Nephilim. Creatures that control and feast upon humanity like the bloated ranks of the rulers of Kiavahr, such thing must be erased from creation. I shall undertake this task, for the Warmaster, and for the people of the Imperium."
"The Warmaster and the people of the Imperium thank you, Lord Corax," concluded Erebus, bowing before the master of the Raven Guard, "With your permission my men and I shall retire for the evening."
"Of course. You have come a long way. These warp storms of late have made communication and travel difficult. It was wise of the Warmaster to send emissaries to carry his instructions, however unusual the bearers might be. Trust that you shall find all amenities at your disposal. I shall give the orders for the operational preparations to begin. The Warmaster can trust in our work."
With that, Erebus and his fellow Word Bearers departed from the presence of the Primarch. Their quarters were plain, but with everything necessary for an Astartes to rest.
His subordinates providing sufficient distraction across the Raven Guard fleet, Erebus set out to meet his next rendezvous. The first part of the plan was in place. Now, the second needed attention.
As Erebus entered the lower deck of the ship, various personnel scuttled past on various errands to ensure the mighty vessels of the Imperium kept their majestic functions ongoing. Even further down into the ship, the number of individuals Erebus saw began to decrease by fewer and fewer until he was completely alone walking the grim metallic corridors.
Finally, he reached his destination. Pushing his lodge token through a small hole in a wall momentarily, a door to his right slid open to reveal a small chamber within which stood a handful of Astartes, their black and white plate indicating their positions within the Nineteenth Legion.
"Enter, friend."
Erebus quickly stepped inside, once again a broad smile on his face. The metal door slid quietly closed behind him as he addressed the rooms occupants.
"Greetings, brothers! I am glad you have been willing to meet with me. Your plight has not gone unnoticed by the Warmaster. He now seeks your aid in a venture most important. Whom may I ask is the nominated representative of your collective?"
"That would be me," said one of the Raven Guard, "I am Alastor Rushal. I speak for what remains of the Terran legionaries here in the Nineteenth Legion. Your reputation precedes you Erebus, not all of it pleasant. However… we find ourselves without much choice but to treat with you."
"Do not believe everything you hear, brother," replied Erebus with a heir of coldness, "But from what has been said in other circles the Terran Raven Guard are a dying breed it seems."
"To put it mildly," growled Rushal, "Our Lord sends us on the most dangerous or meaningless assignments. He does everything within his power to purge us from the Legion. We are below his sons of Deliverance to him. We are second class Astartes, despite our efforts to please him, serve him valiantly, and perform our service for the Imperium."
"And this has not gone unnoticed by the Warmaster and his close confidants," smiled Erebus, "To this end I come to ask your aid. The Warmaster is in need of allies. Soon his path might take him back to Terra, and when he does so he will need as many Legions at his back that he can muster."
"Some might call that treason," muttered Alastor darkly.
"Some might call it liberation," counted Erebus, "To many, the Primarch Corax is a saviour and hero. To you he is a tyrant and a slave master. Perspective is a matter of where you stand. The fact of the matter is your Primarch will never respect you. He will never do anything other than despise you. The Warmaster however needs you. His gratitude will be limitless should you bring the Nineteenth to his banner in the upcoming conflict."
"And how exactly does he propose we do that?" asked Rushal, "Unless you haven't noticed we're not exactly close to the Primarch's ear."
"You will not need to, brother," explained Erebus, "A plan has been put in place to help your Primarch see the light. It will, however, require blood. The blood of your Legion. We simply need you to take these and keep them about your person."
From about his person Erebus handed a bag what contained a series of metal icons. They each had an eight pointed star of Colchisian design.
"Keep these about your person at all times. It will protect you from anything… unexpected."
"What is this?" asked Alastor, accepting the bag, "Is this some kind of joke?"
"Far from it," replied Erebus, "These might be the most important objects you have ever held in your lives. There are powers that exist in the darker places of the galaxy that are more powerful even than the Emperor himself. The Emperor has forbidden knowledge of such powers, keeping their power for himself alone. This is why the Warmaster may have to challenge the Emperor. Such power should be freely given, a gift for all of humanity not just the Emperor and his chosen few. Much like your own master who keeps the honour and glory for his chosen few, sacrificing those he does not care for."
"A clumsy analogy, but I get your point," said Rushal with some skepticism, "Honestly it seems a bit too good to be true."
"Much planning has gone into this, my friend," said Erebus gleefully, "Much preparation. You are but the last piece in a puzzle that has been assembled for a very long time. Do this for the Warmaster, and he shall reward you for your sacrifice."
"Very well," said the Raven Guard, "Can't possibly be much worse than what Lord Corax has planned for us if we do nothing. What can we expect from this campaign and this plot? I'm not foolish enough just to accept this without explanation."
"And here I was hoping it would be a surprise for you," grinned Erebus, "Very well. You will fight creatures you have never seen before, but the talismans I provided for you will keep you safe. The enemy will be repulsed by them. Provided you are clever your entire collective will survive the encounter."
"And the Primarch?"
"At first nothing. But as more and more of his son's blood is spilled he will see the truth. That all that matters is the blood. The pain and anguish of loss will be replaced by the rage and blood lust. As he falls deeper and deeper into the frenzy to survive, his sons too will fall. Save those with the talismans. You alone will keep your minds. You will then be able to direct the frenzy for the Warmaster's benefit."
"Well, lets see if it ends up being that simple," said Alastor gruffly.
"Oh, I am certain everything will go according to plan," smiled Erebus.
Thinking to himself, Erebus inwardly chuckled.
'Idiot pawns. We shall get the Bloody Raven and purge his Legion of the most loyal in one fell swoop. As the bloodlust comes upon him, so will the power of Khorne channel the daemonic essences into him. When he leaves the Signus Cluster, the Bloody Raven and his sons will be dedicated to the annihilation of the Emperor's work, because all that will matter to him is Blood, and the Warmaster shall provide him with that in abundance... That, and skulls for the Skull Throne... And my position and favour amongst the Gods shall be restored once more...'