Chapter 5.5 A Thousand To One
"So, speak. What do you bring that can benefit the world of Caliban?"
Luther leaned back in his chair, studying the face of his guest opposite.
The room had been cleared so the conversation could be candid, it was only the two of them. Luther was skeptical of what could bring such a strange figure all the way out to the home world of the Dark Angels Legion, especially whilst the Lion was away on campaign. But he bore the authorization of the Warmaster, and so it would have been discourteous not to speak with him.
The figure had requested confidentiality on his arrival, and for as few to know of his presence as possible. Luther had been surprised by the request but had granted it. Only a few trusted Lieutenants knew who had landed on Caliban, all sons who held their allegiance to the world he loved rather than to the Legion, the Lion or even the Emperor.
"The… dishonour… heaped upon you by the Lion has not gone unnoticed by many. We are aware that you are not disloyal nor unreasonable, Luther. We know all you care for is the world you love, and the culture of your people that the Imperium would crush beneath its boot of progress. It is a story told across many worlds. The Emperor and the Imperium care nothing for tradition, for history. Prospero itself stands upon such a similar threat."
Ahzek Ahriman pulled a pair of scrolls from a container he had about his person and carefully placed them both on the table before himself and Luther. Luther looked down at the scraps of parchment and folder his arms with a scowl.
"What is this, a cultural exchange? We're not short of ancient texts here."
"Of course not," replied Ahriman smoothly, "I would not expect you to be. Both our worlds are rich in tradition and history, as I just said. This however is a tool. Something which I believe you will find extremely useful. I will explain a little of it, and my purpose here, and by the end if you wish to make use of it then you may take it as a gift. If you reject what I have to offer, I shall take it from here and never trouble you again."
"I suspect there is more to this than you speak of," said Luther, still scowling, "But continue. You carry the mark of the Warmaster which shows you have some authority at least."
"Only to speak. I am not here to enforce any decisions on your Legion. The Warmaster has always sought to protect the independence and identity of worlds and traditions, especially within the Legions. On Nikaea he fought for our Legion's rights of our own culture, only to have it taken away by the Emperor himself."
"From what I hear he may have been right to do so…" murmured Luther as Ahriman continued.
"None the less, the Warmaster extends his offers of protection in this case as well, as does the Crimson King. You wish for Caliban to remain free and unsullied by the sterilizing spirit of the Imperium. We can assist with that. The Warmaster and my Lord Magnus have uncovered Primordial Truths which have been kept hidden from his sons and the wider Imperium. You are familiar with the death of Horus, I presume?"
"Only that it took place on Ullanor," replied Luther, "I always felt it strange that one as powerful as a Primarch could be brought down by the green-skins, as powerful as one of their Warlords might be."
"The nature of the death of the First Found has been necessarily kept secret," said Ahriman, drumming his fingers on the table, "Few outside the Primarchs and the Regent on Terra are aware his death came not at the hands of the Ork Warlord, but from a third party wielding weapons far more powerful than anything used within the Imperium. These weapons continue to pose a risk to the sons of the Emperor to this very day. The Lion did not tell you this?"
"In recent times the Primarch and I… have not been on best terms," admitted Luther with some hesitation, "I will not go into why. But obviously you have heard some of it since you mentioned it before."
"Indeed yes, some of it," agreed Ahriman, "As has the Warmaster and my Lord. Truth is what drives the Warmaster now, avoiding secrets and bringing the truth to the Imperium."
"And what truth is it you bring to me today, Ahzek Ahriman?"
"The truth that the Emperor let Horus die," answered Ahriman darkly, "The Emperor is far more cruel than any of us ever realized. He cares nothing for the subjects of his Imperium or even his own sons. All that matters is his great works, and he will discard any who no longer serve his purposes. He had the power to save Horus, but chose instead to keep that power for his own uses. Who is to say what else he is capable of but hides to himself."
"I cannot say I surprised by this," said Luther, glancing at the scrolls before them, "The Emperor has never struck me as a man with overwhelming empathy. The nature of the Astartes is clearly a tool to achieve ends. Once his conquest is complete I have no doubts he would dispose of all of us."
"That is a logical conclusion," nodded Ahriman, "To this end the Warmaster seeks with the Crimson King and other Primarchs to supplant the Emperor and ensure his truths are gifted to the whole of the Imperium and not withheld miserly."
"You see to challenge the Emperor," said Luther raising an eyebrow, "And, what. You would have the Dark Angels join your war? You seek to sway me and the Legion to fight for you and risk the destruction of Caliban itself?"
"Of course not," insisted Ahriman, though Luther could tell this was a half truth at best, "Whilst we would welcome the First Legion amongst our number the Warmaster wishes more that his brothers remain out of the conflict. This need only be a family matter between the Warmaster and the Emperor. The Warmaster does not wish to bring conflict to the galaxy at large. Every Legion that does not side with the Emperor is a Legion the Warmaster does not have to contend with. Neutrality, is what the Warmaster asks for. He promises to grant Caliban full autonomy under the direction of the First Legion in exchange for the Legion remaining neutral within the coming events."
Luther stared at Ahriman intently, looking for deception. This time there was none, the offer was genuine. And it made a degree of sense, neutrality was preferable to open war for the Warmaster.
"You threaten us," tested Luther, "If we do not accept your offer and remain loyal to the Emperor then you will come and burn Caliban in revenge."
"Nothing of the sort!" retorted Ahriman, "Any man who does not stand in the Warmaster's way shall not be harmed. If the First Legion does not meet us in open combat we shall pay Caliban and its sons no mind, but if it does, the Warmaster is not in the habit of punishing civilians and non-combatants. If you do take arms against us however we will fight back with all of our might."
Luther nodded, seeing the truth in the words. Caliban would be best served remaining neutral if this conflict was to occur. No sense in shedding Calibanite blood for a cause not their own. There was one problem…
"Even if I gave a promise of neutrality, you must know I cannot honour it by my word alone," said Luther with a heir of obviousness, "The Lion commands the First Legion, and whilst I have prepared Calibanite Loyalists within the fresh recruits our numbers would not be great enough to take Caliban or hold it against the rest of the Legion."
"Of course not," said Ahriman shaking his head, "This is why I come bearing gifts from the Crimson King himself. These will resolve your issues and ensure Caliban's independence."
Ahriman pushed forward the left most scroll first, allowing Luther to take it in his hands. Luther did not let it pass by him that the 'gifts' were granted by Magnus the Red, and not the Warmaster...
"What is this?" asked Luther, examining the High Gothic scripture and symbols before him.
"A ritual," replied Ahriman, "One that both the Crimson King and I had a hand in drafting. Your problem is even if you had the numbers to defeat the forces loyal to the Emperor your numbers would be so depleted that Caliban would be open for reconquest. You need the entire First Legion under your command."
"And how does this help me with that?" asked Luther impatiently.
"This ritual," soothed Ahriman, "Takes away the free will of any not within the circle of its casting. All you need do is gather your loyal Calibanites to you as you performed the ritual, and all other sons of the Lion both near and far would become nothing more than automata that obeyed your will. Their armour would seal, disintegrating their mortal remains and trapping their spirits within, unable to do anything but execute your commands. I call it the Rubric Caliban."
"The Rubric Caliban?" said Luther questioningly, "This seems far too good to be true."
"It isn't a simple ritual," Ahriman pointed out, "And I personally spent weeks researching the necessary elements for it. In a sense, we already paid part of the price for you. You need simply decide whether to accept it or not."
Luther looked over at the Thousand Sons Sorcerer. There was more to this than met the eye… But he wasn't lying about the basic nature of the effects. It would do as Ahzek had claimed. Luther had to decide whether it was worth taking this once in a lifetime offer or whether to reject it and hope another opportunity came up.
"But even if I cast this ritual," replied Luther, "I assume this would not stop the Lion. This would end with my head on spike and the Lion with a completely obedient Legion at his back. That would not work out well for either of us, especially if he decided to side with the Emperor, which I believe to be most likely."
"That is what this is for," said Ahriman, pushing forward the second scroll for Luther to examine. It was much shorter than the previous, but was no less intricate.
"And what does this one do?"
"It gives the Lion a new perspective," replied Ahriman, "He will see the truth of your beliefs, for Caliban's independence, and he will not stand with the Emperor. It will open his mind to new possibilities, and whilst it will may well result in him remaining neutral as you desire, it will ensure he does not take the Legion to war against the Warmaster. We would prefer the First Legion stand with us, but we will not force this on you or your Legion, as promised."
Luther studied Ahriman carefully. Again, this answer was full of half truths. Luther had no desire to bring harm to the Lion… but he did want Caliban defended. He could tell elements were true, this would prevent the Lion from joining the forces of the Imperium and it did have the possibility that the Lion would not join with the Warmaster… but there was still something more that was being hidden from him.
"I do not want the Lion dead," said Luther flatly, "Nor do I want him crippled in body or mind. I wish him only to see the truth of what I say, and accept it as his own truth. If this brings harm to the Lion I shall reject it outright."
"The Lion will not be harmed, in body or mind," reassured Ahriman, "As I have said, this ritual affects his perception. His physical form shall not come to any damage. His mind shall be as it ever was. It will introduce new voices to his mind, new thoughts, new drives that will ensure he sees not just the truth as he believes it, in his loyalty to the Emperor, but also truths of Caliban and more. He will see a new galaxy through his eyes and regardless of what he has said before, and he will not take Caliban to war in the Emperor's name."
Again, truths and lies in layers sat before Luther. There was definitely more than the obvious in this entire venture. But to reject this offer would mean another would not be soon to come around. The Emperor would never grant Caliban independence, and the Lion would always side with the Emperor's will.
Without something to change the outcome, the Dark Angels would be deployed against the Warmaster sooner or later, and Calibanite blood would spill for the purpose of their own enslavement. Only through these tools could Luther hope to free Caliban. And it wasn't as if he HAD to use them. Luther could take them and simply not use them. There was no harm in accepting these 'gifts' for now.
"What do you call this one?" asked Luther, gesturing with the second parchment.
"The Crimson King called it 'The Lion of Fate'" replied Ahriman with a smile that hid many secrets.
"I shall take these gifts," said Luther, after a moments pause, "But I do not promise to use them, nor that the First shall avoid taking the field against the Warmaster. But if Caliban is left out of this conflict, you can be sure that I will see what is possible to keep the First from interfering in this… internal affair of the Imperium's power structure."
"That is all we ask," said Ahriman, "If the First does not fight, that is all the Warmaster asks for. And he will honour his promise. Caliban shall be free and independent, and the Lion shall rule with you this magnificent world for all time. This I can promise you from the Warmaster, and from the Crimson King."