Chapter 11: Subtle Motions, Massive In Gravity
Riskellus Plains, 893.M41
The new heraldry of Maniple Gryphon, the eponymous creature rolling the Iron Dice displayed proudly on a pole carried by Leona, flapped on a banner in a gentle breeze of the rolling plains and hills to the east of Highhold and the Fingerprint of the Stars. The grass was dying now, and the summer of this world progressed into autumn as the dying trees that surrounded them released a smell that Daniel knew best as that of rosemary.
With the season came rain, sometimes torrential, that proved to be both blessing and curse to their efforts, softening the ground they walked and rode across, and dug into.
The Maniple, along with another Maniple, Shrike, and a company from the Terinix 360th Armored, the 'Drakons', had dug into a prepared position that had been cleared and held by the Mastodons, the Mechanicus Skitarii having moved on to other objectives. True to their Chapter's name, two of the massive, ancient assault vehicles, a remarkable sight in this day and age, had their noses pointed to the picturesque cleft in the mountains that was their target. No more than 25 meters away was a contingent of Emerald Dragons, a pair of Razorbacks the steeds of the two squads therein.
They had become well-established, fortifications and tank dugouts for various kinds of vehicles, from Leman Russ' to Shrike's Hydras and Manticores intended to keep the skies clear of any Orkish air power, dotting the hills.
In recent days, Daniel had found himself surprised to see a few squads of Void Weavers join their position, three squads riding in two Rhinos and a Land Raider, accompanied by a single Dreadnought. They were led by a rather familiar figure, Lieutenant Mesele from their time in Greencloak Forest making their camp by Maniple Gryphon's purely for its strategic position, as they'd made respectfully clear.
Today, though, the rather amusing standoffishness of the Void Weavers was at the back of Daniel's mind as he and his command squad considered the opening of the valley. Their armored companies had bracketed the cleft in the mountains alongside the Drakons' armored elements, their scout platoon making its first probing movements into the range proper.
Lieutenant Weris had been instructed to update every half-hour with any reconnaissance info that the Sentinels had gathered. It had been an hour since their last transmission.
"Do we follow them in, sir?" Galen asked. "We could try and pick up on their trail, get them an extraction from whatever bind they might be in."
"A tempting choice, I must admit," Daniel replied. "But they could just be maintaining radio silence to escape the notice of the Orks. Nevertheless, prepare 1st and 2nd Motor Rifles to go in and find them. We'll send them in once we've hit 30 more minutes without contact."
"Aye, sir," Galen said, coming to attention before trotting over to the camps.
Daniel considered the sight for a moment before glancing over at the form that had joined him. "Lieutenant Cenellus," he said to the Mastodon Astartes beside him. "Have you something to say of our predicament?"
"I could send a squad in a Rhino, if you need more urgent news on your scout platoon," Cenellus, the square-faced man, his helmet removed to reveal mahogany-colored skin, replied. "Our channels are likely at least somewhat more secure to Ork interception."
"Then I would ask that one of your squads be made ready," Daniel replied. "They could go in 10 to 15 minutes before our motor rifles. A squad of Astartes would make a fitting spearhead."
"That it would," Cenellus said with a slight smile. "I'll inform Sergeant Dolmilo to prepare his men. I believe at least one of his soldiers has become familiar with members of your scout platoon."
Daniel nodded, but before he could speak any further, another voice drew his attention.
"Captain! We have them on vox!"
Daniel looked over at Jinley, who stood by the command tent, not bothering to hide a sigh of relief. "I figured they'd make it out," he said as he walked over to the man, Cenellus following behind.
Daniel took the proffered headset and transmitter. "Recon, this is Captain Theisman. Good to hear from you again. We were getting worried."
"We were pretty damn worried ourselves," Weris replied. "Sorry we couldn't talk. We ran across a rather large Ork base at the end of this canyon. Had a bit of a skirmish with one of the Ork patrols while we tried to pull out. We all took some damage, got a few pretty heavily wounded, but everyone's made it out alive so far."
"I see," Daniel said. "Return to base, and we'll go over your findings. Command out."
"Recon Actual out."
Daniel removed the headset and returned it to Jinley. "Contact Captain Gesella and Captain Mousun of the Drakons. We're going to make some plans to send up to the Commander."
"Sir," Jinley said as Daniel turned to face Cenellus, not seeing the man walk away.
"Lieutenant," Daniel continued, "if you would be so kind as to summon the leaders of the Emerald Dragons and Void Weavers to my command tent, I would appreciate their valuable input."
Cenellus nodded. "I'll see it done, Captain Theisman."
. . .
Some hours later, Daniel regarded the portable hololith sculptor on the field table within his command tent, Captains and Astartes Lieutenants surrounding the table, and the wireframe rendition of the mountain valley and the kludged-together Ork base at its end.
Almost immediately, something about the reconstruction struck Daniel as odd as he looked over to Lieutenant Weris. "And you're sure none of your units spotted any roadways that these vehicles might have taken to get to this point?"
Weris shook her head. "No one was able to get close enough to confirm how the heavy vehicles might have gotten there. However, I do know that air recon didn't see any roadways leading into the back of the base."
"That still leaves the question open, unfortunately," Daniel said. "As far as we're aware, all of the Orks' mining and manufacturing capabilities are deeper into the mountain. What methods could they be using to hide their movements? An airlift, perhaps?"
"More likely," Captain Gesella of the Shrikes, a brown-haired, blue-eyed woman with fair skin, who appeared almost younger than he was, said, "they took the time to dig out a tunnel system."
"That is true," Daniel replied. He was silent for a moment. "If that's so, then any entrance or exit would be hidden in the back of the base."
Daniel took a deep breath as he leaned on the table. "There's only one way to find out for sure. We need to crack this base, drive the Orks off, and do some detective work."
"To that end," Daniel continued, "my initial instinct is to utilize the mountainsides to create a pincer to augment a forward thrust."
He looked up at Lieutenant Mesele, who looked down at the map intently. "Lord Mesele, your squads could use the wooded mountainsides to your advantage the best, based on what I've learned of your combat doctrines. Would your men be willing to lead the charge there?"
Mesele looked at Daniel for long moments, Daniel wondering what was going on behind the faceplate of the green-lensed helmet. Then he nodded. "I will ensure my men are prepared for such an action," Mesele said.
Daniel smiled slightly as he nodded. "Thank you, my lord. My men from two of my motor rifle platoons will follow behind and support your advance."
He looked around the room. "Along with the pincer attacks, we have a remarkably clear lane to drive right up to the front of the base and assault it. That proves to be both a boon and a bane for us, now. Thankfully, we have a few armored shields to protect our men's advance."
Cenellus nodded. "Our vehicles will be the tip of the spear, Captain. With our Mastodon vehicles, you'll have a clear path into the base itself."
"Our ranks will be in the midst of this assault to provide a solid core," Lieutenant Rendell of the Emerald Dragons said. "Should we need to move forward, we shall do so."
Daniel nodded, a slight smile on his face. "Excellent. Thank you, my lords. Captain Mousun, your tanks would likely be best to crack the walls alongside our armored platoons. The more holes we open up, the easier our assault will be."
Mousun, an older gentleman with a stubbled, oaken face of gray hair and hazel eyes, nodded. "We can lead the way for your squishier men, Captain Theisman. My only concern would be the skies."
"We'll keep the skies clear, Mousun," Gesella replied. "We'll hang in the back, watch the mountaintops for any aerial response. One of your platoons is geared for anti-air duty, correct?"
Mousun nodded. "Good," Gesella replied. "We'll integrate with them."
"It seems we have the majority of a solid plan of attack, then," Daniel said. "I'll package these plans and submit them to Commander Kinley, see if she can get us some artillery or air support on hand for the attack. I anticipate only a few days before we get any word on the matter. Thank you and good evening to all of you."
With that, the gathered soldiers dispersed, out to prepare their soldiers for the coming battle. As one of them turned, however, Daniel spoke up. "Lieutenant Weris, a moment if you will?"
Weris paused and turned back to Daniel, who waited until the tent was largely empty to speak again. "How are the wounded soldiers, Lieutenant?" he asked.
Weris took a deep breath and sighed. "Frankly… there's a good chance some of them might not make it. They're being attended to by the Hospitallers attached to our company along with the medicaes… but I doubt they'll return to active duty, even under the best circumstances."
Daniel nodded, sighing quietly. "The fact that no one died in your skirmish is a little miracle in and of itself. I'll visit with them once I've finished submitting our plans, then draft up the necessary paperwork to release them from their duties here and get them a duty posting somewhere behind the front while they continue to recover. We'll bring in new soldiers. Ones who need a home."
Weris considered Daniel intently, her eyes narrowed, as if he radiated some strange energy. "That's a lot of work for 6 men, sir," she said somewhat hesitantly.
Daniel smiled slightly. "Maybe so. But it's worth it to shore them up, keep them in a duty where they won't be useless or dead. If I recall correctly, the Commander needs some new liaisons with the Firebelchers to fill in the rest of the companies."
Weris regarded him for a moment more, then nodded. "I won't keep you any longer, sir," she said. "You've got a fair amount of work ahead."
Daniel nodded. "Indeed I do. Dismissed."
With that, the tent was empty, and Daniel made his way over to a field desk, sitting down as he picked up a dataslate and began to draft a proposal.
It would be tedious, boring work. He was, however, not alone. And he had questions besides.
"Lodham?" he said as he linked with the Emmisary Stone's resident soul.
"Good evening, Daniel," Lodham replied. "You have something you wish to ask me?"
"Last month, before I went and reviewed the Gryphons, you mentioned that you had almost forgotten humanity's barbarity, regardless of the age. What did that mean?"
It was silent for long moments, Daniel feeling the slight tempest of emotions that his question had kicked up as the soul put together an answer.
"I suppose you shall have to know where I came from," Lodham said, Daniel shifting a greater part of his focus to the soul as the proposal neared completion.
"In the time when the Great Devourer emerged and destroyed the Aeldari Empire, "Lodham began, "Craftword Vesuryan was among those close to what you have come to know as the Eye of Terror. My father watched the instant of its creation, and even multiple star systems away, it scarred him deeply. We fled into deep space through the Webway, eventually coming to rest over an isolated colony of human beings on a world they called Hephurinah."
Lodham was silent for a moment as Daniel finished and sent off his report, rising and beginning to make his way to the medical tent. "As my father tells it, we were… distrusted at first. But in time, we came to live quite amicably among the humans, watching and waiting as the Thoughtsea's tempests in realspace subsided."
"And then the Imperium came," Daniel said sorrowfully as he pushed aside the flap of the medical tent. Neither the Hospitallers nor the Guard medicae had to say much of anything: the three bodies draped in sheets said plenty enough.
"You see the end of the story," Lodham continued as Daniel paused by the bedsides of the three remaining Guards, all unconscious. Each had lost much, according to the medical reports. Limbs, organs, all of which would need either replacement or further surgery to work around.
"But I do not yet have the middle," Daniel replied, asking for names. Imorah Flashel. Quintio Sureve. Gideo Xephorah.
"Indeed," Lodham said as Daniel exited the tent, returning to the command tent in the dark. "Whilst we were there, we mingled together, sharing technology. One could say that the seeds of our current hope were first planted in that world's soil. Given time, we mingled more fully. And some of the fruits of those unions were children."
Daniel froze halfway to his desk, his eyes going wide. "Half-Aeldari children? How is that possible? I thought our species were biologically incompatible."
"We were masters of many things, Daniel," Lodham replied. "Our physiology and genetics were one of them. And for the purposes of love… there was little we would not do. Not only for ourselves but for those we loved. My father and his beloved wife, his balm, did so to ensure my existence."
"You're one of the children," Daniel said as he settled into his field chair, running a hand through his hair. "No wonder you hold the Imperium in such contempt."
"They darkened our skies, and I saw the light of our star go out from their shadow," Lodham said, his soul gently burning with old anger. "Warriors of brilliant blue, inscribed with the symbol of the Imperium and the human letters 'XIII'. The Astartes, sons of the Primarchs and the Emperor you consort with. They spared my people and my family no mercy, no respite, and no quarter. We did not conform to their view of a perfect, purely human society. So they destroyed everything. And now, my family will be forever united in the Infinity Circuit of our Craftworld."
"You must have escaped only narrowly," Daniel said as he began his promised work. "Especially if the crusading fleet of the Ultramarines was fully in system."
"According to those that joined us, it was a narrow thing indeed," Lodham replied. "And as we encountered what Craftworlds shared our story, they all ended the same. In humans landing, bellowing the glories and supremacy of humanity and its Emperor as they killed indiscriminately. No children like me have been born since."
It was silent between them as Daniel filled out the recommendation forms for Commander Kinley's consideration, sending them off for her to review in the morning."For what little it's worth now," Daniel finally said, "I'm sorry such tragedy befell you and your people."
Again, it was silent before Lodham responded. "There is a power for the Aeldari, far more fundamental than in your species or perhaps any other, in likeness and similarity. It is why the moniker of Mon-Keigh, a brutal species fought by the ancient Empire, is no idle comparison. For most Aeldari, they believed your very souls are touched by those of the Mon-Keigh. Many still do. Perhaps it is a little comfort, to try and reason that your actions are not as theirs were, entirely of your own accord and nature."
"And what say you?" Daniel ventured.
"The blood of my family on my hands before a bolter round went through my skull is proof enough,"Lodham said,"that the Mon-Keigh need not encourage anything."
. . .
Daniel had much to think about as he made his way to the little refuge in the Warp, the revelations he'd learned the day before from Lodham swirling in his mind even as he tried to keep himself hidden from view. So much knowledge had managed to upend… just about everything he'd thought he'd known about the galaxy.
But as he passed through the barrier…
He found that the other side was more… solid than it had been, as if the painting that he'd entered once before had become an immaculately detailed sculpture in the time he'd been away.
He gently patted himself, impressed by how… real he felt.
He looked around, and then began to make his way down the path. It was only a few minutes before Cionaodh appeared, approaching him.
"There's a notable difference," Daniel said. "You've been busy."
Cionaodh nodded, smiling slightly. +Indeed. With your arrival, and with the potential arrival of others, Magnus and I decided to reinforce the sanctuary we had made. We have a greater grasp on time now. You needn't overly worry about the fickleness of the Warp.+
Daniel took a deep breath and nodded. "Good. Because the time for other visitors is coming soon."
+There is a greater reason, I would imagine,+ Cionaodh said as they began to walk together. +Your countenance betrays a great anxiety.+
Daniel nodded again, his expression becoming grim. "Indeed. A great war is coming. The Imperium will turn on itself in a way not seen since Horus fell to Chaos. And it will come to pass in the Badab sector."
+I see,+ Cionaodh said quietly. +And you have come here to prepare myself and my sons.+
"Not only that," Daniel said, "but to gather as many of your sons as possible. The process of breaking the mental programming of over 15,000 years is going to be difficult, but not impossible. It is a process that having the legitimacy of your sons behind it will strengthen far before their martial prowess needs to be brought to bear."
Cionaodh slowed, his lips pursed as the house came into view in the distance. +How do you expect to do this deprogramming?+
"One step at a time," Daniel said. "First, I must form an inner circle, a new guard to lead the charge when the time is right. As trust and time goes on, that circle shall expand into an army and a realm. One that must be ready to defend itself from much that the galaxy will cast its way."
Cionaodh was silent for long moments. +Do we even have the time for such a thing?+
"We operate on a timescale far greater than most," Daniel replied. "But your fears are not unfounded. We have little time to prepare, a millennium at most."
+Daniel, you do not even have that,+ Cionaodh retorted. +I admire your optimism, candle in the dusk that it is, but you must plainly see the galaxy around you. Endless war, byzantine scheming, redolent excess, and the rot and degradation of not only people, but ancient institutions? With the Imperium as it is, Chaos has already won its hardest battle against humanity. Not only that, but the Tyranids continue to advance into the galaxy in waves seemingly without number. And, before all else, when, and it shall be when, the Imperium discovers our efforts, it will stop at nothing to crush them. Just as it will with Badab, I imagine.+
Daniel paused on the road, opened his mouth… and found no argument that could counteract Cionaodh's points for his current plans. And for a moment, hope faltered. What time was there, really?
Daniel closed his mouth and began to think, walking slowly towards Cionaodh, who had stopped a little ahead of him. "I already know the method we must use for our deprogramming," he said quietly. "An inoculation of the truth, administered directly to the soul. The soul cannot lie, and it cannot be lied to. Only the mind can create and be convinced by such deceptions. But for how to deploy it on a mass scale…"
He fell silent as the pair came to the door, Cionaodh opening it and allowing them in. "I will have to think on it over my other preparations," Daniel finally said. "But there is a way. I'm sure of it."
They entered the living room, Magnus standing within and speaking to Leman Russ, both turning to see Daniel and Cionaodh enter.
Magnus smiled broadly. "Ah, Daniel. You've witnessed the fruits of my labors thus far. What say you?"
Daniel smiled slightly. "You do good work, Magnus. If what I've been told of this realm's new capabilities is true, then we have a fine place to enact our plans."
The smile disappeared. "Is Ferrus Manus here? I'd like to speak to him."
Magnus and Leman both arched brows silently for a moment. "And what would you need to speak with him for?" Leman asked. "He's not exactly your greatest admirer at this point. Hels, most of us are fairly skeptical, Magnus' optimism notwithstanding."
"I don't need him to be a friend at the moment," Daniel replied. "I simply have a question that I hope I know the answer to."
"He is coming," Magnus said as Leman scoffed softly, the room once again falling silent.
After long moments, Ferrus came to the balcony, sneering slightly at Daniel as he made his way down. "Magnus indicated you wish to speak with me. What do you want?"
"Do you have a forge in this realm?" Daniel asked.
Ferrus blinked, but nodded. "Yes. Father and Magnus helped me construct one so as to let me work with my hands. At least as best as one can in a realm such as this."
"Can I use it? I need to create some tools for other aspects of my plans."
Ferrus' eyes narrowed, but regardless, he slowly nodded after a moment. "Very well. I see no reason to keep you from such a place. At least, with my supervision."
Daniel nodded. "Excellent. I wished to speak further with you anyway."
He glanced over at Magnus as Ferrus frowned slightly. "Can Magnus accompany us? I have need of his input as well."
Ferrus shrugged. "As long as you do not ask him to try his hand at crafting anything on his own, I will allow it."
Magnus sighed quietly. "Come now, Ferrus. It was one attempt."
"That nearly undid the forge around us," Ferrus retorted. "If you had asked me to forge you an implement, you would not have had to waste your time shoring up the walls of our little reality."
Magnus grimaced slightly. "A fair enough point, as always."
Ferrus' only response was to turn. "Follow me," he said.
Daniel looked around the room for a moment before going on to follow Ferrus, Magnus falling in step beside him.
As they followed Ferrus out a back door, Magnus looked at Daniel intently. "What tools do you have need of?" he began.
"Implements to work on the soul with," Daniel replied. "There are beings who will have great need of such things as I craft here."
"You can manipulate the soul?" Magnus said somewhat incredulously, his eye wide. "The fundamental element of a being, and you are capable of shaping it to your desires?"
"Not to the extent you may be thinking," Daniel replied. "There are beings far more advanced than I at such a craft, and… where I came from, there were restrictions on how far one could go, what one could do, for the sake of ethics. But with the right tools, I can do more than a few things."
They came to a great metal door set into a hill, Ferrus opening it and walking in as Magnus and Daniel followed him into a long corridor with evenly spaced lights. After a longer walk than Daniel was anticipating, the space opened up massively, a sprawling, towering hemisphere with a catwalk leading to a platform in its center, upon which two massive anvils sat together, a furnace across from them. Lining the walls were a number of toolsets and mechanisms on articulated arms, seemingly ready to attend to them at a moment's notice.
Magnus smiled as the room rumbled to life. "I'd like to think I did a decent enough job on this recreation of Mount Narodnya's main forge," he said as they came to a stop in front of the anvils. "Ferrus' memories of this place were remarkably sharp."
"They are bitter," Ferrus said, Daniel spying an emotion that, while hidden behind stoicism, burned with an old, only somewhat tempered flame. "But recent times have dulled such things."
Daniel blinked, then nodded slowly. "That's right. This is where you forged Fireblade. And where Fulgrim crafted Forgebreaker."
Ferrus' jaw clenched, the flame flaring for a moment before he nodded. "Yes," was his only response.
Daniel said nothing more on the matter for a moment as he stepped forward to stand at one of the anvils. "I have an idle question for you, Ferrus, and if you feel unable to answer, I understand," he said as he held out his left hand, a hammer of iridescent, hazy crystal forming above it before it dropped into his palm, and he measured its weight. "What is the difference between meltas and volkite weaponry? My world's stories concerning their differences are… frustratingly vague at best."
Ferrus frowned slightly at the nonsequitur as Daniel held out his right hand, the Framework he created, its glowing, thread-like tendrils visible with a prismatic glow, beginning to be spun into being in front of him. "Microwave/plasma bombardment weapons, or 'meltas' to the common soldier, work largely as described, utilizing a mixture of powerful microwaves in conjunction with excited plasma to strip atoms from their targets. They are remarkably effective against armor for this very reason, using the impact of the microwaves and plasma to melt materials."
As a handle of deep black crystal, white flecks within it seeming like stars, flowed into existence, Ferrus only paused to watch Daniel hit it with the hammer, a resonant, almost musical tone ringing from it as Frames were compressed into it, the impact sending out stars of all colors like sparks that floated gently for a moment before dissipating. "Volkite weapons, on the other hand," Ferrus continued, "are the Mechanicum term for weaponry that utilize various similar energies to create and channel a beam of energies that excite molecules, causing a thermal reaction without the bombardment of particles. These weapons are most effective against organic material, but larger and more powerful examples of such weaponry, or prolonged exposure to a given energy beam, could cause such reactions in armor of many different kinds."
Daniel smiled slightly as he kept working, a second handle quickly joined its companion. "Fascinating. A genuine heat ray," he said in between hammer blows. "I imagine the Mechanicus tech-priests would be slavering, if they still could, to ply your mind concerning such things."
Ferrus sighed quietly. "I imagine they would. But you have not explained yourself. What manner of tool do you need this forge to create?"
"A tool with a simple purpose, yet a delicate framework," Daniel replied. "One that can mend the cores of souls."
"The cores?" Magnus said. "What do you mean by this? As far as I was aware, and as far as I have seen, the soul was a singular construction."
"And it is," Daniel replied as he gave one last hit to the second handle, putting the hammer aside to study the twin, somewhat patterned handles before picking them up and putting them in a pocket. They would appear on his body when he awoke.
"However," he continued as he prepared a second set of handles, beginning to hammer again, "the soul connects to the mind and body with tendrils of Pneumaic energy, the energy of the soul, creating a vast river system stemming from a single mountain spring, as it were. When the core is fractured, often by sympathetic stress to the body or mind it is connected to, it leads to problems with the being possessing it. These tools bind together and repair that core, providing enough of a framework for the soul to properly function again."
"And what do you intend to use these tools for?" Ferrus asked archly. "Or rather, who do you intend to repair?"
"Perhaps Corvus?" Magnus said, hope tinging his voice. "The millennia have not been kind to his soul. I have seen him stalking the Realm of Chaos, always too far for me to safely reach, losing more and more of himself."
Daniel paused his work for a moment, considering what Magnus had said. "Hmm," he began as he started working again. "You bring a good point to mind with Corax. And his time will come, now that I remember him. But yes, these tools do have something to do with Primarchs. Which is why I asked you to accompany me, Magnus."
"What would you ask of me?" Magnus asked.
"As you've seen me do, I can draw my soul from my body, tethering it as I explore the Immaterium with my concealment. I can do the same for other human souls easily enough, which is the first part of my plans with humanity. It is in covering the souls of Primarchs as I bear them here where I request your assistance."
"I see," Magnus said, cupping his chin thoughtfully. "Who did you have in mind?"
"I thought to start with a test run," Daniel replied. "Someone easy to find, and largely easy to extract. Roboute Guilliman on Ultramar springs to mind, though Lion El'Johnson would be a fitting candidate as well."
"That is likely going to be a challenge we can overcome together," Magnus mused. "Father and I have managed to conceal ourselves as we've ventured out over the last 10,000 years. Do you expect his soul to be damaged?"
Daniel shook his head as he finished the other pair of tools, stowing them away alongside the other pair. "No. Despite his injuries, I doubt Guilliman's soul has fractured, at least enough to require such tools. It is the challenge that comes after that I need these tools for."
"Who?" Ferrus asked, frowning as his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Daniel steeled himself for whatever might come next. "On the world of Solemnace, a being known as Trazyn the Infinite holds a perfect clone of Fulgrim, from before his corruption, in his archives. And apparently, Fulgrim is possessed of his original soul. I intend to use these tools to gain an audience with Trayzn, and ascertain the condition of-"
"No."
Daniel paused, regarding the unkempt fury on Ferrus' face as it bubbled to the surface and twisted his expression. "I will not suffer that arch-traitor to join your cause or any that I may be a part of," he growled. "Not while I still exist. He will betray everything you think you stand for after honeyed words, and he will do so gladly."
"Fulgrim's soul, currently, possesses no taint of Chaos," Daniel replied calmly. "At least, so the records I've read suggest. If it comes to it, I will cast any corruption out of his soul."
"It will mean nothing!" Ferrus thundered as he stepped forward to come almost face-to-face with Daniel. "We were honor-brothers, and he still decided to throw in his lot with Horus and kill me, betraying his other brothers. He needed no Warp taint to do so."
Daniel regarded Ferrus levelly, silent for what felt like long moments. "Do you recall the blade that Fulgrim took as a trophy?" he asked quietly.
Fulgrim's rage flickered to confusion. "I recall it. A trophy from a conquest in the 28th Expedition. He called it a 'Laeran blade'."
"The Silver Blade of Laer, which he took to try and match the great trophies you and your other brothers took in their vainglorious, blood-soaked crusades, contained a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh," Daniel replied. "It twisted his mind, playing on his desires, fears, and anxieties to lead him down the path to Chaos. When he hesitated to kill you on Istvaan V, the daemon forced its will fully on him, cutting you down itself. In his moment of terrible clarity, he asked for, and was granted, oblivion, his soul shackled as the Daemon occupied his body, wearing him down further until he was driven utterly mad."
Ferrus' jaw clenched. "You lie for him. Are you so desperate to get that base, craven fool-"
"He speaks the truth, Ferrus," Magnus interjected. "I remember it clearly, even with the separation I had from the rest of my soul. When I saw Fulgrim after the Drop Site Massacre, his soul was bound by threads of Warp energy in a cocoon. The Greater Daemon had fully taken control of his body, and the process was too comprehensive to have taken place suddenly."
He paused, seemingly apprehensive now. "Afterward, when he had ascended to daemonhood and I beheld his presence over Terra… I saw nothing of his former soul. It had become so changed, I doubted it was even his in the first place. Whatever process was used to make the Daemon Prince Fulgrim likely heavily damaged, if not destroyed, the original soul in the process."
It was silent again, Ferrus looking between his brother and Daniel, his expression stony. But Daniel could see the conflict in his eyes, the silent battle that waged within him.
"If Fulgrim's soul has reconstituted itself into this new body," Daniel said, "then he will need guidance. At least, better guidance than his creator, the Apothecary Fabius Bile, gave him. He needs someone who understands his drive for perfection and has seen the consequences of what it looks like taken too far. He needs an anvil," he punctuated the word with a tap of his hammer on the anvil next to him, "to reforge himself on."
Daniel met Ferrus' gaze with determination. "You can be that anvil, Ferrus Manus. 10,000 years of experience, of growth, will be able to show him the way. You may even be the only one that can help him."
The flames in Ferrus' expression died down, and he seemed… tired. Visibly tired, the exhaustion seemingly carving itself into his face as he sighed quietly. "You ask much, for someone with no understanding of what we are," Ferrus said, his words as muted as his expression.
Daniel sighed as he set the hammer back down. "I understand remarkably well," he said, leaning against the anvil. "More than I ever wished to."
Magnus' expression became one of sympathy as Ferrus' became one of confusion. "You have endured… ages upon ages of warfare," Magnus said quietly. "You were… shaped. As we were."
Daniel nodded. "Yes. By a Greater Will seeking to impose its order on the entirety of Reality itself. I was known as 'the New Empyrian', a being of ultimate power. But I was bound to the Greater Will, my soul slowly becoming subsumed by its dominion. Even free of it, the countless passage of time having gone on since I was freed, it marked my soul. A fingerprint burned into it."
He looked over at them, and the simple blade, glowing blue, appeared over his brow. "And a brand that I cannot dispel," Daniel whispered.
He sighed heavily, leaning more on the anvil. "I know what you have experienced. What Fulgrim, Mortarion, Angron, and all who were bound up in Chaos, have experienced. But Fulgrim has the chance to be shored up by what you've learned here. You have the chance to heal him and set him aright. I… it is my curse to bear this alone."
It was silent, the air thick with ancient emotion. "Don't consign Fulgrim to my fate, Ferrus," Daniel said quietly as he looked at the man, trying to read through the neutrality on his face. "Please."
Again, silence reigned. All Ferrus did in reply was stare at the anvils for long moments, then turn aside, slowly walking out of the forge.
Daniel and Magnus watched him depart, Magnus only speaking after Ferrus had disappeared from sight. "10,000 years and more of watching this galaxy, of sitting at the feet of Father as he's gently guided us through the tendencies and follies the Emperor imbued in us, and there are still wounds that have not fully healed. Ferrus' is likely among the deepest."
"I'm sad to say that in order to fully heal this wound," Daniel said, "he shall have to mend ties enough to at least be able to work alongside the man he once called brother. But that sort of anger, that hurt… it only smolders for so long when there is still some sliver of love there."
Daniel looked down at the anvil, then at the hammer, taking it up again as his previous problem, with the time he'd had to think, started to fall into place.
He stretched forth his hand again, drawing truths from the depths of his very soul and creating for them a tiny star as a repository.I offer my perspective. The Imperium is dying. The fault is humanity's, and all too often, humanity's alone. Humanity was better than this before. It can be again, when we abandon blind hatred, mistrust, and zealotry.
All these and more, a broad history of atrocity and the reality of humanity's many follies, assured by Daniel's experience, shepherded into the tiny star with gentle taps of the hammer.
Daniel's focus was sharply on his task, only noting Magnus' approach from the periphery of his vision. "What is this?" Magnus said quietly.
Daniel was silent until a few more truths were bundled into the little star before he willed his hammer out of existence, cupping his latest creation in his hands and gently lifting it for Magnus to study.
"The Message," Daniel said. "Or, at the very least, its earliest draft. It will require revision and a throughline to be made, as well as additions from Cionaodh. But with your father's help, this will be the tool that shows humanity the truth, unvarnished and indisputable."
"Amazing…" Magnus said quietly. "What of their wills? How will it bend them when they are exposed to it?"
"It will not coerce any who feel its effects to join us," Daniel said. "If we are to be better than the Imperium, we must offer them the choice to accept or reject the Message. Freedom, real freedom, is the first gift we can give."
Magnus' lips pursed slightly. "With the way that the entire citizenry of the Imperium have been educated, how they have been raised and indoctrinated since birth, how wise is such a thing?"
"That is why we start small," Daniel replied. "Test the provenance of the Message on those who trust me first, then increase the deployment in scale and difficulty. From a squad to a platoon to a regiment, normal humans to Astartes to Sisters of Battle. Eventually, I hope to spread the Message to an entire realm."
It was silent between them for a moment before Daniel turned and began to walk out of the forge, Magnus following after. "I am nothing if not interested in how you came to imagine such a power," he said.
"The properties and theories of the device itself are sound," Daniel replied. "It is only a matter of prototyping and fine-tuning. A process that will take years, but with its deployment time only being an instant… we will have far more time than if we were to deprogram each person we come across individually."
The pair exited the forge, finding Cionaodh standing in front of it. +I imagine your conversation and efforts in the forge bore much fruit,+ he said. +I haven't seen him this openly contemplative in quite some time.+
"I spoke to him about my intention of bringing Fulgrim into our cause," Daniel replied. "He has quite a lot to think about."
Cionaodh nodded silently and slowly. +I see,+ he said quietly. After a moment, he looked down at the star in Daniel's hands. +What would that be?+
"The answers to your questions earlier," Daniel said with a slight smile. "The beginnings of a device to spread the Message to many people at once. It will need your perspective on the history of the Imperium. And some portion of your history as well."
Cionaodh hummed softly. +I see. Then, it seems it is time for the galaxy to hear the Emperor's voice speak the honest truth.+
