The Emperor sat high on the Golden Throne, with towering Custodes on guard. Nearly all the other Primarchs attended.
Ultraman gave a detailed report of the mission to the Emperor and the Primarchs.
"That's the situation, great Emperor. Please decide."
Rhodes sat off to the side, relishing this Dark Angels drama. Guilliman had wanted him to go, but Rhodes declined, saying his son was just born, and he had to stay home to raise him. After all, a father must personally educate his son.
A year had passed since cooperating with the Eldar. Rhodes' son was now a year old and had grown to the size of a normal child, already speaking fluently. As a super lifeform, he surpassed even the Primarchs.
Sometimes, Rhodes felt being too much of a genius robbed him of some joys of fatherhood.
Sitting beside Rhodes were Elena, Guilliman, Magnus, and Vulkan. Behind Elena stood Rhodes' son, Stark, who the Emperor had allowed to observe the proceedings.
Looking like a little adult, Stark sat beside his mother and whispered to Rhodes, "Father! These Dark Angels are seriously ill."
"Exactly. Don't mix with the First Legion; they're all a bit messed up," Rhodes replied.
"Rhodes, the First Legion is more like a special-ops group, not front-line fighters. Their unusual style is normal," Guilliman interjected.
"You can't teach the child that way, Rhodes. Telling him what's right or wrong up front will make him unable to judge for himself. My legion will bear this shadow, and Stark might grow up hating the Dark Angels."
"And you, Stark, learn to judge for yourself, don't be prejudiced."
"I understand, Uncle Guilliman."
At this time, the Emperor's Avatar spoke from the Golden Throne.
"I am aware of the Dark Watchers. They are not undead spawned after Caliban's destruction; they lived there long before, even predating humanity," the Emperor said.
He knew all about the Dark Angels' homeworld drama—both sides were at fault. In the past, he would have ordered Exterminatus and wiped out the Dark Angels with a thousand Custodes.
But after ten thousand years, he'd learned other methods. This matter should be handled by the Lion, his eldest son. It was also a chance to keep the Lion in check.
As the oldest and first Primarch, the Lion considered himself the eldest brother of all. The Emperor knew his son coveted the title of Warmaster immensely. When Horus was appointed, the Lion was furious—he believed it should have been his.
Though the Lion was the eldest, the Emperor knew he could never hand him the Warmaster's position—not even to Guilliman.
The Lion might be a great general, but not a qualified Warmaster. He could command a planet or sector, but not a grand crusade.
Ten thousand years ago, he gave the title to Horus, who betrayed him. Now, he'd given it to a new Primarch, not even his son. The Lion would definitely resist and might even fight Rhodes for it.
But Rhodes was far stronger, and if the Lion lost, his confidence would be shattered; he might never accept Rhodes' offer to become a super lifeform and awaken his god-essence.
Thus, the Emperor planned to let the Lion awaken with a sense of guilt.
"Yes, Emperor. I understand. What of the Dark Angels and the Fallen?" Ultraman asked.
"Guilliman, as Regent of the Imperium, and Rhodes, as Warmaster—you two share your opinions," the Emperor said.
"Father, I believe the Lion should handle his own Legion's problems," Guilliman said.
"I disagree. The Dark Angels have done much wrong. Though they are valiant, loyalty is the Astartes' duty. In capturing the Fallen and hiding secrets, they repeatedly betrayed the Imperium. Without punishment, it is hard to convince others," Rhodes argued.
You can't just smooth things over; there must be reward and punishment. The Dark Angels went too far. The Space Wolves could be reasoned with—they still had a sense of proportion. But the Dark Angels would shoot a friend of a hundred years to protect secrets, or even kill you to seize an artifact. These are things they really did.
"Rhodes, the First Legion should be left to their Primarch," Guilliman frowned.
He knew Rhodes was right, but also cared about his brother's feelings.
The Emperor nodded—he supported Rhodes. To rule well, one must be fair and just.
"Let's hear your proposal, Rhodes. How do you wish to punish the Dark Angels?" the Emperor asked.
"All Dark Angels who attacked the Custodes or my gene-sons should be healed, then sent to the Deathwatch for at least a hundred years of penal service. Only after making sufficient contributions can they apply to return. Until then, they must serve as Blackshields, with no Legion insignia—including their Grand Master," Rhodes said.
The Deathwatch, now a Legion-level force, still recruited from other Legions. They could absorb the Dark Angels without issue.
"And the Fallen?"
"Each Fallen must be judged to confirm they have not joined Chaos. The Lion will handle this after he awakens," Rhodes said.
"But Rhodes, if you do this, you'll break up the Dark Angels!" Magnus protested.
"Who says so? A Legion depends on its Primarch. As long as the Primarch and humanity remain, the Dark Angels will survive. If the Fallen are pardoned, they rejoin. As for successor Chapters—only Inner Circle members must serve in the Deathwatch; ordinary ones can return," Rhodes said.
"I agree. Let the Lion handle the Fallen, but all Dark Angels, especially the guilty, must serve one hundred years in the Deathwatch as Blackshields," the Emperor nodded.
This was a light sentence—if the Inquisition judged, they'd all go on penitence crusades! This way, the Imperium's dignity was preserved, but the punishment was not excessive. For Astartes, a hundred years wasn't long.
"One more thing—the Dark Angels must reveal all their secrets. Not to ordinary humans, but at least to all other Legions," Rhodes said.
If mortals knew, the Dark Angels' reputation would be ruined; so it would only be shared among the Astartes.
"Agreed. The Dark Angels claimed they had no secrets—let them have none," the Emperor said.