Chapter 10.6 – His Last Commands
"My Sons," proclaimed the Emperor, "High Lords of Terra. The Commons Representative. Parliamentarians of the Mechanicum. Citizens of Imperium Secundus. Hearken to my words. What I say to you now is of the greatest importance, and shall define the future of Imperium Secundus, the Mechanicum, and all worlds of humanity yet unclaimed."
The assembled groups sat or stood silently, thousands of minds all focused on the one speaker. Special seating had been arranged by Roboute to ensure all the major governmental figures could be present for this event. The Emperor had been very specific. All within the levers of power were to hear his speech.
He had also rolled back his plans to spread chemical repression across Ultramar to which Roboute breathed a sigh of relief. None the less, his theoretical dictated that if the Emperor had changed his plans in such a way, something even more substantial would have to replace it. This must be it.
"The Imperium I built was born of rationality. Secularism was the watch word, with all faiths being outlawed. This was not done rashly. This was done as a measure to protect the people of the Imperium from a malevolent evil. A force so dark and so destructive, it had the means to destroy our very galaxy itself."
Russ sighed, thinking back on Magnus and all that had transpired. Mortarion nodded approvingly.
"Despite my best efforts," continued the Master of Mankind, "These forces prevailed. Terra was cast into the warp. Mars was lost. A creature of the most malign birth came into existence due to the acts of those renegades who did not heed my warnings. Those traitors to humanity that thought they could control a power that I have been fighting against for Millennia. This force feeds on emotion, belief, on the very ideas and actions of men, women and even Xenos. It is not something a sword alone can cut, or a bullet can slay. Even our very thoughts can empower them."
The crowd shifted uncertainly. Osiris caught Roboute's eye and smiled encouragingly.
"They are parasites," said the Emperor with disdain, "Creatures that feed on belief, growing in strength within the warp until they are able to make their existence manifest within reality itself. Many manipulated religions, and cults, to channel faith which they can use for nutrients. I had hoped that by depriving them of their food, pure belief, I could utilize weapons to destroy them utterly. This was my Great Work, the thing for which I departed the Great Crusade. Had I succeeded, travel between worlds would have become absolutely safe, the monsters of the warp would have been vanquished, and our species could have entered a new Golden Era. With the loss of Terra, and my Great Work, this is no longer possible."
More murmuring. Never before had the Emperor been so candid. Only Malcador had ever been privy to the Emperor's great designs. This admissions filled much of the unknown, but equally the revelations were shocking. The Mechanicum seemed particularly concerned and perplexed.
"To this end," boomed the Master of Mankind, "I must set upon a new course to protect our species. I must find away to keep our kind safe, whilst fighting against these forces that would devour us and our reality. But just as belief and faith can be a weapon used by our enemies, so it can be wielded by us as well."
Roboute frowned. He wasn't sure where this was going, but every rational bone in his body felt that he wasn't going to like it. Osiris simply nodded in understanding and Alpharius lent forward with curiosity.
"If the enemy is empowered by the darkness in human hearts, by rage, sadism, apathy, deceit and despair, so must we have a source of power for the light to challenge it. We must have an equally powerful icon of joy, mirth, kindness and hope. We must have an equal force of good to balance this malice. To this end, I shall be manifesting a new being within the warp to be the focus for these positive emotions and to protect the spirits of our species as we travel through both the immaterium and life itself. However… this creation will come… at a cost."
Mortarion narrowed his eyes. Ferrus continued his impenetrable stare. Fulgrim brought his hand to his mouth, already foreseeing the Emperor's next words.
"There will need to be… a sacrifice," uttered the Master of Mankind, his voice as heavy as lead, "And that sacrifice… will be mine. Long have I been a source of great power. The Martian People recognized me as the Avatar of the Omnisiah. To the Imperium I was merely the pinnacle of our Species. But for the power we need to hold back this tide of darkness to manifest… I must end my mortal existence and grant my strength to something greater. In one standard week from now, I shall give up my life as we all know it to ensure the future of our species."
A ripple of consternation spread around the gathering. Roboute registered the bewilderment on the faces of his brothers and the mortals. This all seemed insane.
"Further more," continued the Emperor in a voice that brought back silence, "To ensure our victory, I am ending the prohibition on certain forms of Xenos within Imperium Secundus."
"WHAT?!" roared Mortarion, leaping to his feet. Russ pulled the Pale King back down, fixing him with a steely-eyed glare. Ferrus also narrow his eyes, but Fulgrim caught his attention, shaking his head. Yet more surprise, some anger and much confusion rippled around the stands.
The Emperor raised his hand for silence once more, and the mortals before him felt compelled to obey.
"Today, the forces we face are a far greater threat than any single Xenos kind. Further more, some are willing to cooperate in the defeat of this enemy. We find ourselves gathering unlikely allies, but allies they are. This is no longer a threat humanity can face alone. Any Alien who is willing to comply with the laws of Imperium Secundus is now free to live and travel within its bounds provided they submit to the necessary authorities as required. The Aeldari in particular are to be granted access to any ancestral artefacts and buildings found on worlds within Imperium Secundus provided they uphold the laws of Imperium Secundus whilst within our borders. Trade with Xenos is now no longer under prohibition, but trade with ANY world outside of Imperium Secundus is under restrictive review until such time as they become a member. Possession of any artefacts or devices belonging to the enemies of humanity is considered a capital offense and their transportation shall be considered contraband of the most illicit."
"This absurd…" grumbled Mortarion.
"Enough, brother," hissed Russ, "You will obey the All-Father and his decrees."
"I do not like this," growled Ferrus.
"Brother… the Aeldari saved my life…" whispered Fulgrim, "There are those amongst their number we should consider noble."
"Did our Father just try avoid proclaiming he intends to become a God…" muttered Roboute, "Clever wording but the underlying intention is clear…"
Alpharius and Osiris simply remained quiet.
"I understand many of you will find this hard to accept," said the Emperor, forestalling any protest, "But know this is not done lightly or without consideration to the issues this will create. However, I must emphasize the dangers and horrors that the enemy possesses. Imperium Secundus MUST survive. Humanity MUST survive. This is the ONLY path forward. Trust in me, trust that I make a sacrifice for you so that you might continue on to blaze a brighter future for our kind."
Roboute watched the Master of Mankind turned his golden gaze in his direction. Those eyes of burning light bored deep into Guilliman's very soul.
'Roboute,' came a voice, 'I need Imperium Secundus to be kept safe. I leave this task to you and your brothers. Expand its borders by any means you see fit. Bring the Imperium back together and protect our people. Be my voice when I am no longer able to speak it. After this meeting, join me within the Palace. I have many preparations to make... before the end...'
One by one, the Emperor turned his gaze to each Primarch, each hearing that divine voice within their minds, each receiving the will of the Emperor and words only for him alone as the Emperor continued his speech for the rest gathered there.
"It has been an honour to be your Emperor, your protector, and your Omnisiah made flesh," concluded the Emperor, "But now we must do what is necessary for victory, even at the cost of my life. I hearby charge the Sixth Legion under Leman Russ to escort me to the place of sacrifice, along with the Thirteenth under Roboute Guilliman. They are to be the watchful guard, ensuring no interference for those that would seek to bring ruin to us all. This last week I shall spend ensuring all necessary governmental agencies are established for my new decrees prior to my departure. I ask for no sorrow, no sadness at my leaving. I order all present, and all within Imperium Secundus, to celebrate the coming week and the day of reckoning as a tribute to the future. The Imperial calendar is to be reset upon that day, being the first day of M Zero. We must abandon the mistakes and horrors of the past, and embrace a new and glorious future. But we must also build it with our own hands. Long Live Imperium Secundus. Long Live the Children of Terra and Mars."
As the Emperor departed the dais from which he had been speaking, a roar of chatter commenced amongst those present. The Emperor and his guard vanished down the pathway back to the Imperial Palace. There was a lot to do, and very little time to do it.
His audience however was very mixed in its response.
"Xenos. Sacrifices," spat Mortarion, "Did we fight for Terra only to let the mongrels in through our back door and cast our own rituals to bring forth the idea of profane gods…"
"Mortarion…" began Fulgrim, "They are not so bad one you get-"
"Oh shut up, Princeling," snapped Mortarion.
"Mind your words," growled Ferrus, annoyed at the disrespect to Fulgrim.
"Or else, what?" hissed Mortarion, "I am done with this… circus. I will be taking my Legion and departing for Barbarus. This night."
"Mortarion don't you think that is a little hasty?" asked Roboute, "Your numbers are low and the warp storms-"
"To blazes with the blasted warp!" exploded Mortarion, "And to blazes with the damned Xenos! Not one shall be permitted to set foot on Barbarus. The Death Guard will keep the Imperium pure! As it should always have been!"
"The Martian Parliament concurs," said the Fabricator General, joining Mortarion's side, "The trade with Xenos opens up the potential for Tech-Heresy. This we cannot permit. We will join the Death Guard Crusade to our appointed world of Barbarus for a new sitting of the Martian Parliament. I know the people of Mars and those that sit in its Parliament. It is likely it will pass a prohibition on Xenos trade upon Mechanicum worlds. If this displeases the Avatar of the Omnisiah he is welcome to attend the sitting and make his voice heard as he has done so before. But the sitting will take place."
"Go. We don't want your useless religion here," retorted Ferrus, "Your absurd delusions have been nothing but a blight on our kind ever since the Treaty of Olympus. Without the Cult Mechanicus we might actually get something done."
"Then I go!" yelled Mortarion, turning to leave his kin behind.
A hand rested on his shoulder, and the Pale King turned to see the face of Osiris gazing at him sadly.
"You are always welcome back, should you decide to return," promised Osiris.
"Get your hand off me," snapped Mortarion, shoving away the hand, "I don't even know what you are…"
"Your brother…" murmured Osiris as he watched Mortarion vanish with the Fabricator General into the city of Macragge.
"I don't like this," muttered Ferrus, "Even if I am willing tolerate the Xenos out of necessity, this seems a lot to me like another Cult to infect Imperium Secundus."
"Trust in our Father," insisted Fulgrim, touching Ferrus' arm, "You know as well as I he would not do something this grandiose unless it served a greater purpose."
"I share your concerns, brother," said Roboute, thoughtfully, "But there has been much strange of late. If what our Father says is true… perhaps the most effective way to defeat these creatures is to organize our people into a new faith. Combating negative emotions is like fighting the tide. It cannot be done with sword and shield alone. Not even the book of law can instruct the common people on how to think or feel."
"Worship is not what he asked for as well," pointed out Osiris, "Only belief in positive emotion. We do not necessarily need a Religion around that. Just exercising of virtues. Faith makes it easier but you can have a secular focus on positive emotion."
"I for one would be glad to worship our Father," declared Fulgrim, "I can think of none other more suited to be Divine. The Hope of improvement, the ambition to do better every day. I will take our Father's words to heart and ensure my new sons carry his message to every world."
"The Iron Tenth will focus on the material war and leave this... mystical talk to others," rumbled Ferrus, "Our lost brothers will doubtless be forming areas of control we will need to fragment. A bolt round or a hammer will do more break them than a prayer will..."
"The All-Father will take his place amongst the stars," rumbled Russ, "Somehow I always knew this day would come. He goes now to set the Halls for the Coming Wolftime. I shall ensure his last commands are executed faithfully and the Imperium shall be reunited once more."
"We will need oversight of… contraband," mused Alpharius, "I am certain my Legion can help ensure the suppression of Chaos, unregulated belief and enemies of humanity. Also ensure our new Xenos... friends... do not cause any trouble."
"Imperium Secundus shall stand," affirmed Roboute, "No matter what happens from this day forth, I shall obey our Father's command. We shall build a new Imperium, with a focus on influence and hope rather than brutal conquest. We shall offer hope to the many, and keep the peace for the worlds within our realm."
"Long Live Imperium Secundus," echoed Fulgrim, "Long Live the Emperor."