Webway, Ilmarin
544.M32
Sanguinius
Sanguinius, leaning back in his chair, intently studied the holographic images that filled almost the entire chamber. From maps of the entire galaxy to those depicting individual systems and planets.
Each one depicted the current situation in various corners of the galaxy. Seeing how drastic the situation was for the Imperium in the fight against the Orks, his first instinct was to engage these battle-loving xenos.
Two things held him back, however. His advisors argued that it was too early to reveal himself to the galaxy, and his mind told him they were right. However, his heart, seeing the toll this war was taking on the Imperium's inhabitants, ached to help.
And he likely would have done so if it weren't for the glimpses into the future that haunted him with increasing regularity, likely a consequence of his growing psychic powers and his immersion in the Well of Eternity.
And they were completely in agreement; openly engaging in war meant, in effect, open conflict with the Imperium and tearing it apart. A new Heresy, which they would call something like... the Sanguinius Heresy? The Lords of Terra would not accept him and his new ideology, and above all, they would not accept the surrender of their power.
Sanguinius himself still lacked the logistical and administrative forces to effectively take over the management of the Imperium's millions of inhabited planets, and, moreover, he would likely force the forces of Chaos to become more actively involved in the affairs of the material world.
His gaze swept across the dozen or so sectors under attack by the Ork WAAAAGH, then settled on one particular system. Sol System, where two of his targets currently resided.
Mars and the Craftworld Zahr-Tann system, his current target.
While part of his forces intended to rescue the inhabitants of the attacked Imperial planets and bring them to Ilmarin to increase their population, Orain, Melyth, and a detachment of his Angeli Custodes under Raldoron's command were to secure the Aeldari Craftworld and convince it to join their growing forces.
Sanguinius, meanwhile, had a different mission. He intended to limit the Orks' gestalt psychic power as much as possible, on a galactic scale. Normally, this wasn't possible, but he had an ace up his sleeve. Namely, the creators of this accursed race.
With their knowledge and a more refined version of this power, the Krorks possessed, he intended to serve as a conduit for this psychic field and oppose the Orks. He believed this would help humanity more than if he fought on the front lines, a feat nearly impossible in his current state.
He turned his head suddenly, hearing the sound of a door opening behind him, as his brother, who was to lead the evacuation of people from the attacked planets, entered.
Jaghatai wordlessly approached the nearest hologram and stood over it, his stoic face devoid of even the slightest hint of worry or nervousness.
After a moment, he finally looked at Sanguinius himself and said, "Everything is truly ready. We are just waiting for your orders... But are you sure this is a good idea?"
Sanguinius sighed slightly and glanced at his brother. "I assume you're not referring to our current plans but to what comes next, right?"
Jaghatai merely nodded, his eyes twinkling slightly. "Yes, Mars. I do mean that damn planet... Don't think I wouldn't like to rub those semi-robot lunatics in the face, but don't you think it's a bit early?
Especially since even with the technology Prophet and the others have, you'll only be able to set foot on the planet for two hours..."
Sanguinius shook his head, cutting him off.
"We won't have a better chance," Sanguinius replied, rising and walking over to the same hologram, revealing the red planet of the Mechanicus.
"They won't expect this, nor will they be ready for any attack, convinced they've just eliminated the greatest threat from the greenskins.
Then we'll strike. The I to IV Legio Titanicus will attack the factory complexes to the south," he said, pointing to the specific attack points.
"The V, VI and VII along with sixteen squads of Knights, will attack from the northwest, but this will all be merely a diversion, as Legions from VIII to XVII, along with the remaining fourty squads of Knights, will attack the headquarters."
"And we, too," Jaghatai added, also looking at the planet's holomap, nodding slightly in thought. "Do you think these forces will be enough?"
Sanguinius nodded, running his finger along the line of attack. "We're not going to conquer Mars. They're supposed to give us enough time to get what we came for, and then we'll retreat directly to the Webway.
Besides, our Titans are at a different technological level. And a full fifth of them are the equivalent of Emperor-class Titans. That's definitely overkill."
Jaghatai smiled involuntarily. "I'd like to see the looks on those red bastards' faces when they see dozens of these giants among the remaining Titans assaulting their planet."
Sanguinius laughed lightly, then replied, patting him on the shoulder, "Believe me, brother, that will be the least of their worries. On that day, they will lose something priceless to them, their illusory god... no more visions from the Omnissiah, no more whispers."
The smile on Khan's lips only widened. "Not only do we strengthen ourselves by gaining the Shard, but we also weaken the enemy's morale and standing. You are truly our father's son."
Sanguinius sighed at these words, his heart filling with a mixture of pride and bitterness. "I don't know if I should take that as a compliment. For all his genius, it was his mistakes that pushed us into the madness humanity has found itself in."
"But surely if it weren't for him, we would be in a much worse place," his brother replied.
Sanguinius had no choice but to agree. "Yes... you're probably right about that."
"Anyway, do we even know where the Shard is?" he asked, to which Sanguinius merely pointed to the eastern part of the Mechanicus headquarters.
"Here, almost 72 miles underground, in an old Necron complex buried underground. Vaul later reinforced the prison, and after freeing the Dragon, Father sealed it there again."
"So what are we waiting for? We have much to do. Orain and the others are probably already on their way. I don't intend to be outdone."
"Good luck, brother. We'll all need it," Sanguinius replied, teleporting out of the chamber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sol System, Zahr-Tann Craftworld
544.M32
Raldoron
The past two-plus decades spent in Ilmarin not only allowed him to stand by their beloved Primarch's side, but also opened his eyes to many things he had once preferred not to think about.
He had been created as a weapon, and it didn't ask questions or ponder the meaning of the status quo. He knew humanity was threatened, and all it took was for the Imperium to show him where and what to shoot.
However, an encounter with the ancient Old Ones, older than the human races, the Aeldari or the Krorks, inevitably changed his perception of the world. Of course, this would have been impossible if not for their father.
When Sanguinius declared that the xenos were his most trusted allies, Azkaellon didn't even ask questions when he revealed his intention to become the sole God of this world; his brother once again wordlessly fell to his knees before their primarch.
It took the others, as well as Raldoron himself, longer to accept the new reality they found themselves in and this state of affairs, but when faced with a choice between the Imperium and the Emperor, and their beloved, righteous father, there could be only one choice.
Raldoron briefly wondered if this Sanguinius might be an impostor created by Chaos to deceive them, but he dismissed the thought almost immediately. For no one could imitate the warmth their father exuded toward them.
He never forgot how Sanguinius wept bitterly over the corpse of Alotros, whom he had personally slain after the latter had been completely consumed by the Red Thirst.
That day, Raldoron swore he would follow the angelic primarch into the darkest recesses of Hell. And what for it he end up in the Immaterium.
Over the past few years, he had learnt to live among the xenos, but now he was about to face his true test, for he was part of a group tasked with bringing the entire Eldar Craftworld to Ilmarin, a task he intended to fulfil.
For him, this wasn't his first visit to the Craftworld of the long-eared Eldar, but it was certainly his first peaceful one. However, he wondered, like the others, why they had come to the Sol System.
As their cruiser docked, he gazed with a sense of awe at the sheer size of this fleet, which seemed to form a single entity. It wasn't the largest of the Aeldari Craftworlds, of course, but it was still impressive.
Of course, it couldn't compare to the vastness of Ilmarin, which was in itself the most magnificent place and structure he had ever seen. Not only beautiful but also functional, it was a veritable impregnable fortress.
As Sanguinius used to say, "Rogal Dorn would love this place, and at the same time, he would burn with envy."
Looking at the silhouette of the aged Eldar standing before him, he had to admit a sense of relief. Orain not only proved exceptionally wise and patient with the Astartes, but above all, he was unquestionably loyal to Sanguinius, whom he saw as a friend and leader.
Raldoron couldn't imagine how the Eldar of Ilmarin and their masters, the Old Ones, had been able to wait, as they said, for Sanguinius for tens of millions of years. His human mind couldn't fathom the patience this required.
Melyth, on the other hand, seemed as beautiful as she was dangerous, having repeatedly defeated him during their training, but what else could he expect from her after millions of years of training? Only absolute mastery.
He glanced behind him, where six of his brothers stood in neat rows in the court, clad in their newly modified gold-and-black armour, surpassing those of the Custodes in virtually every respect, ready to engage in combat at a moment's notice. He hoped, however, that he would be able to do without her.
To his right stood ten towering Krorks, under the command of Thrall, their second-in-command. Although Raldoron hated Orks, the Krorks filled him with absolute admiration, being the perfect soldiers in every respect.
Not only were they large and strong, but they were also incredibly fast and highly trained, with experience beyond anything the Imperium could offer. And they were not stupid. On the contrary, their tactical and combat intelligence was alarming. He was glad they were on his side.
A moment later, the ship's doors swung open, revealing a hangar filled with heavily armed Aeldari, watching their every move.
Many watched them and Krorks intently, but it was Orain and Melyth who attracted the most attention.
Several Eldar, led by a Farseer, as he judged by the Eldar male's attire, emerged to greet them.
"Welcome, distinguished guests. I am Tirol Var. Member of the Seer-Council of Zahr-Tann... Come, the Council awaits you."