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Lucian stood with his Praetorian and Griffin Riders as the shuttle made its way slowly to a halt on the embarkation deck. His face was as ever impassive more so since the debacle with the Dark Angels a few months ago.
Now he was here at the request of the XIII Legion Astartes. For what reason he did not know only that the order had not come just from this Legion but the Emperor himself.
The Praetorian looked resplendent in their gleaming red and gold plate, their ceremonial helms tall and proud on their heads, their shields across their chests. The Griffon Riders stood smartly in two rows opposite each other their Gold Terminator armour highly polished.
As the Shuttle came to a halt the door opened and a squad of Terminators in dark blue armour made their way down the ramp followed by two Captains. They stood to one side of the ramp and were followed by a giant in blue.
He paused and took a look around him taking in the deck where work crews suddenly fell to their knees and kept themselves abased less they end up weeping wrecks for the giant that was among them now was beloved by most who met him.
Lucian went over what he knew of the man that was standing before him and neither moved.
He was raised on the planet of Macragge and was found by a man named Konor at the foot of a great waterfall that was named Hera’s fall. He was named Roboute Gulliman and this was the man that would become the father of the Ultramarines and not just of one world or system like Lucian was but also of a small interstellar empire.
If Lion El Jonson was a strategist then Gulliman was the perfect Tactician and he had heard enough about this man to know that he was one of the Emperors closest sons.
He was a handsome man. His blonde hair was close cropped to his head and his features patrician and noble.
In his blue eyes sparkled not only the immortality of all Primarchs but a wisdom that belied his age.
Lucian swallowed his trepidation. This brother was known to be fair and play his hands openly and not hide behind secrets.
In fact the Ultramarines were known to be staunchly adherent to their Primarchs battle doctrines and never deviated from that order. These stringent rules to their codex earnt them a reputation, as nothing more then robots slave to their fathers will.
However that aside and whether it was true or not Lucian did not know what he did know was that when the Ultramarines took a world or a system in the name of the Emperor they left it a civilised and loyal world to the will of the Emperor.
The only other Legion that could lay claim to that feat was the Lunar Wolves and there was talk of some rivalry between the two Legions because of it.
Gulliman made his way towards his brother and Lucian did likewise meeting halfway.
“I wish we could have met under better circumstances brother” Roboute apologised “However when the Emperor asked me to meet with you I could not pass up the opportunity of meeting the one who taught the Lion that he is not infallible”
“Are you here to take me to task?” Lucian asked.
Roboute shook his head and rested his hands on Lucians shoulders “I am here to fight alongside my brother, I have no quarrel with you and I make no judgements based on what others have told me. It is good to finally meet you brother”
Anteaus eyed Lucius Mysander warily as the two Primarchs talked quietly between them. Mysander glanced over and made his way towards the first Captain.
“Have I offended you Sir?” He asked politely.
“My apologies Captain, just we are still a little raw after the Dark Angels visit”
“So I heard” Mysander nodded a little and then saw the First Captains quizzical expression “when two Primarchs come to blows it makes news round the fleets and when the Lion is defeated it defiantly makes news” Mysander inclined his head a little “Your master will discover that my master is nothing like that, My Lord Gulliman is an honourable man and a man of his word”
Despite his misgivings Anteaus found he warming to the Ultramarine and relaxed a little.
The other Praetorian joined him along with the Ultramarines Chapter Master Marius Gage Nikoli was asked to retell the tale of his companies war games with the Dark Angels and the group relaxed around each other.
Lucian glanced over at the quiet laughter and allowed himself a wry smile then returned his attention to his brother.
“I would like to see Macragge one day” He mused after listening to Roboute tells him about the beauty that was the system of Ultramar. “I believe your temple of corrections is indeed a marvellous sight.”
“I hear that Eden is a wondrous world that eclipses even mine” Roboute countered “Perhaps brother when this endeavour is over I will take a detour and take a look for myself if that is acceptable to you”
“My world is open to any who wish to see it my Chapter Master will endeavour to see to all your needs although I fear he may shit himself when he sees who his guest is going to be” Roboute laughed long and loud at the very thought. Lucian chuckled a little and shrugged. “Well maybe Leronas won’t but I am damn sure our novitiates will”
Roboute shook his head and his smile faded “Brother, our father beloved by all has asked that we join forces to drive the accursed Eldar from a world that is human by dint of conquest and whom the last communiqués suggest is shared by human and Eldar living together and mating together”
That brought silence to the room. The Praetorian and the Ultramarines shared disgusted glances with each other and Lucian was shocked to the core.
“I know the Eldar are skilled warriors although their star is fading but I have never known them to mate with any race outside their own or if it is a conquest thing. To believe that humans are willingly entering such arrangements is beyond belief” Lucian sat forward “how has this come to light?”
“Our father sent a small exploratory force into the system and discovered that there were humans there but was told of their intimate arrangements with the Eldar and when the force were returned with their heads neatly severed well that was when he asked for us and seeing as we are the closest two forces to this world and he thought it would be a good chance for us to learn about each others tactics”
Lucian got up and moved to his holo table. Roboute with him “So where is this world?”
“25 degrees spin ward which put her, here” Roboute pointed to the nearest star system “The world is called Nac’tar which I believe is Eldar for Harmony…”
The two Primarchs stopped what they were doing when Davinus opened the door to the strategum and looked quite pale.
“Davi is something wrong?” Lucian asked with concern.
Instead of answering the Space Marine moved onto one knee and to all in the room he looked like he had lost the ability to speak, the reason for his insensibility soon became clear as the figure, taller then even a Primarch came into the room with two of his giant Custodes.
All in the room instantly fell to one knee the two Primarchs included.
“My sons” The voice rumbled “Rise and let us prosecute this theatre together.”
The Emperor of mankind folded his arms across his massive chest and his gaze was stern and unflinching. He meant to make war on the Xenos and their human allies and reclaim what was by rights mans world not a Xenos world.
Largo and Konan was used to being in the Emperors presence and by that association they were also used to being in the presence of the Custodian Guard, as a squad always accompanied the Emperor wherever he went.
They were his personal bodyguard but their Praetorian brothers were not so used to being in such vaunted circles.
The last time they had seen the Emperor was when he had come to their home world in search of his son but, no matter how used they were to being in his presence, he still made them feel humble and he still had the power to rob them of their sensibilities.
Lucian knew very little of his father but he knew that he was ageless and he was truly immortal, but he still felt like the young pup when he was in the great mans presence and he kept his gaze averted.
He Emperor rested a hand on his broad shoulder “I have heard of what has transpired between you and the Lion”
“Are you here to punish me?”
He Emperor shook his head “No, why would I want to do that? The Lion is a prideful man, no pun intended and perhaps it is good that you have shown your mettle it is just I wish all my sons could get along without the need for arguments and fisticuffs.” He nodded a little “I am to blame I created warriors and warriors do like to try and out strut their fellow warriors.”
“You are not to blame” Roboute quietly spoke “It was an argument and whilst I do not always see eye to eye with Curze I am inclined to agree with him that the outcome was…. justified”
The Emperor turned to face his Ultramarine Son and smiled broadly. “Ever the diplomat Roboute”
“I try father”
The Emperor laughed and turned to Valdor “See Constantine, I said that Roboute should have been the one to meet Lucian first”
The giant Custodes bowed his head “I have not yet had the pleasure My Master”
The Emperor drew him forward and brought Lucian nearer “Lucian, this is the man that whilst you were an infant in the chambers where you were before you disappeared protected you and your brothers. This is Constantine Valdor the head of my Custodian Guard.”
The Commander of the Custodian Guard was even taller then a Space Marine and stronger but not quite as tall as a Primarch but then, the Leigo Custodes as they were otherwise known had walked beside the Emperor during the unification wars and the ways to create them differed to the ways that Space Marines were created.
Their weapons resembled great spears but it was a known fact that the spears were laser weapons and those weapons did the job they were built to do.
Unlike the Space Marines who live and fight as brothers needing the kinship that the fraternity of warriors seemed to gravitate, the Custodes had no such need for brotherhood ties and although they had a kinship in battle formations that was where the similarity ended for they remained individuals in all that they did their only shared bond was their duty to the Emperor.
Constantine bowed his head and saluted the Primarch
“My Lord Dragos it is a pleasure to meet you at long last.”
Lucian returned the salute and then shook the Custodes hand “A Terran custom I am told” He said.
“Now that is all done shall we get down to the planning” The Emperors voice became darker “I want the Xenos off this world and the humans that cavort with them taught a lesson on what it means to defy my laws on such matters. They will be illuminated.”
Now he was here at the request of the XIII Legion Astartes. For what reason he did not know only that the order had not come just from this Legion but the Emperor himself.
The Praetorian looked resplendent in their gleaming red and gold plate, their ceremonial helms tall and proud on their heads, their shields across their chests. The Griffon Riders stood smartly in two rows opposite each other their Gold Terminator armour highly polished.
As the Shuttle came to a halt the door opened and a squad of Terminators in dark blue armour made their way down the ramp followed by two Captains. They stood to one side of the ramp and were followed by a giant in blue.
He paused and took a look around him taking in the deck where work crews suddenly fell to their knees and kept themselves abased less they end up weeping wrecks for the giant that was among them now was beloved by most who met him.
Lucian went over what he knew of the man that was standing before him and neither moved.
He was raised on the planet of Macragge and was found by a man named Konor at the foot of a great waterfall that was named Hera’s fall. He was named Roboute Gulliman and this was the man that would become the father of the Ultramarines and not just of one world or system like Lucian was but also of a small interstellar empire.
If Lion El Jonson was a strategist then Gulliman was the perfect Tactician and he had heard enough about this man to know that he was one of the Emperors closest sons.
He was a handsome man. His blonde hair was close cropped to his head and his features patrician and noble.
In his blue eyes sparkled not only the immortality of all Primarchs but a wisdom that belied his age.
Lucian swallowed his trepidation. This brother was known to be fair and play his hands openly and not hide behind secrets.
In fact the Ultramarines were known to be staunchly adherent to their Primarchs battle doctrines and never deviated from that order. These stringent rules to their codex earnt them a reputation, as nothing more then robots slave to their fathers will.
However that aside and whether it was true or not Lucian did not know what he did know was that when the Ultramarines took a world or a system in the name of the Emperor they left it a civilised and loyal world to the will of the Emperor.
The only other Legion that could lay claim to that feat was the Lunar Wolves and there was talk of some rivalry between the two Legions because of it.
Gulliman made his way towards his brother and Lucian did likewise meeting halfway.
“I wish we could have met under better circumstances brother” Roboute apologised “However when the Emperor asked me to meet with you I could not pass up the opportunity of meeting the one who taught the Lion that he is not infallible”
“Are you here to take me to task?” Lucian asked.
Roboute shook his head and rested his hands on Lucians shoulders “I am here to fight alongside my brother, I have no quarrel with you and I make no judgements based on what others have told me. It is good to finally meet you brother”
Anteaus eyed Lucius Mysander warily as the two Primarchs talked quietly between them. Mysander glanced over and made his way towards the first Captain.
“Have I offended you Sir?” He asked politely.
“My apologies Captain, just we are still a little raw after the Dark Angels visit”
“So I heard” Mysander nodded a little and then saw the First Captains quizzical expression “when two Primarchs come to blows it makes news round the fleets and when the Lion is defeated it defiantly makes news” Mysander inclined his head a little “Your master will discover that my master is nothing like that, My Lord Gulliman is an honourable man and a man of his word”
Despite his misgivings Anteaus found he warming to the Ultramarine and relaxed a little.
The other Praetorian joined him along with the Ultramarines Chapter Master Marius Gage Nikoli was asked to retell the tale of his companies war games with the Dark Angels and the group relaxed around each other.
Lucian glanced over at the quiet laughter and allowed himself a wry smile then returned his attention to his brother.
“I would like to see Macragge one day” He mused after listening to Roboute tells him about the beauty that was the system of Ultramar. “I believe your temple of corrections is indeed a marvellous sight.”
“I hear that Eden is a wondrous world that eclipses even mine” Roboute countered “Perhaps brother when this endeavour is over I will take a detour and take a look for myself if that is acceptable to you”
“My world is open to any who wish to see it my Chapter Master will endeavour to see to all your needs although I fear he may shit himself when he sees who his guest is going to be” Roboute laughed long and loud at the very thought. Lucian chuckled a little and shrugged. “Well maybe Leronas won’t but I am damn sure our novitiates will”
Roboute shook his head and his smile faded “Brother, our father beloved by all has asked that we join forces to drive the accursed Eldar from a world that is human by dint of conquest and whom the last communiqués suggest is shared by human and Eldar living together and mating together”
That brought silence to the room. The Praetorian and the Ultramarines shared disgusted glances with each other and Lucian was shocked to the core.
“I know the Eldar are skilled warriors although their star is fading but I have never known them to mate with any race outside their own or if it is a conquest thing. To believe that humans are willingly entering such arrangements is beyond belief” Lucian sat forward “how has this come to light?”
“Our father sent a small exploratory force into the system and discovered that there were humans there but was told of their intimate arrangements with the Eldar and when the force were returned with their heads neatly severed well that was when he asked for us and seeing as we are the closest two forces to this world and he thought it would be a good chance for us to learn about each others tactics”
Lucian got up and moved to his holo table. Roboute with him “So where is this world?”
“25 degrees spin ward which put her, here” Roboute pointed to the nearest star system “The world is called Nac’tar which I believe is Eldar for Harmony…”
The two Primarchs stopped what they were doing when Davinus opened the door to the strategum and looked quite pale.
“Davi is something wrong?” Lucian asked with concern.
Instead of answering the Space Marine moved onto one knee and to all in the room he looked like he had lost the ability to speak, the reason for his insensibility soon became clear as the figure, taller then even a Primarch came into the room with two of his giant Custodes.
All in the room instantly fell to one knee the two Primarchs included.
“My sons” The voice rumbled “Rise and let us prosecute this theatre together.”
The Emperor of mankind folded his arms across his massive chest and his gaze was stern and unflinching. He meant to make war on the Xenos and their human allies and reclaim what was by rights mans world not a Xenos world.
Largo and Konan was used to being in the Emperors presence and by that association they were also used to being in the presence of the Custodian Guard, as a squad always accompanied the Emperor wherever he went.
They were his personal bodyguard but their Praetorian brothers were not so used to being in such vaunted circles.
The last time they had seen the Emperor was when he had come to their home world in search of his son but, no matter how used they were to being in his presence, he still made them feel humble and he still had the power to rob them of their sensibilities.
Lucian knew very little of his father but he knew that he was ageless and he was truly immortal, but he still felt like the young pup when he was in the great mans presence and he kept his gaze averted.
He Emperor rested a hand on his broad shoulder “I have heard of what has transpired between you and the Lion”
“Are you here to punish me?”
He Emperor shook his head “No, why would I want to do that? The Lion is a prideful man, no pun intended and perhaps it is good that you have shown your mettle it is just I wish all my sons could get along without the need for arguments and fisticuffs.” He nodded a little “I am to blame I created warriors and warriors do like to try and out strut their fellow warriors.”
“You are not to blame” Roboute quietly spoke “It was an argument and whilst I do not always see eye to eye with Curze I am inclined to agree with him that the outcome was…. justified”
The Emperor turned to face his Ultramarine Son and smiled broadly. “Ever the diplomat Roboute”
“I try father”
The Emperor laughed and turned to Valdor “See Constantine, I said that Roboute should have been the one to meet Lucian first”
The giant Custodes bowed his head “I have not yet had the pleasure My Master”
The Emperor drew him forward and brought Lucian nearer “Lucian, this is the man that whilst you were an infant in the chambers where you were before you disappeared protected you and your brothers. This is Constantine Valdor the head of my Custodian Guard.”
The Commander of the Custodian Guard was even taller then a Space Marine and stronger but not quite as tall as a Primarch but then, the Leigo Custodes as they were otherwise known had walked beside the Emperor during the unification wars and the ways to create them differed to the ways that Space Marines were created.
Their weapons resembled great spears but it was a known fact that the spears were laser weapons and those weapons did the job they were built to do.
Unlike the Space Marines who live and fight as brothers needing the kinship that the fraternity of warriors seemed to gravitate, the Custodes had no such need for brotherhood ties and although they had a kinship in battle formations that was where the similarity ended for they remained individuals in all that they did their only shared bond was their duty to the Emperor.
Constantine bowed his head and saluted the Primarch
“My Lord Dragos it is a pleasure to meet you at long last.”
Lucian returned the salute and then shook the Custodes hand “A Terran custom I am told” He said.
“Now that is all done shall we get down to the planning” The Emperors voice became darker “I want the Xenos off this world and the humans that cavort with them taught a lesson on what it means to defy my laws on such matters. They will be illuminated.”