CHAPTER 109 — THE EMPEROR'S HAND
The Oath of Rectitude moved through space in calm silence.
Its engines burned steady and low, keeping a smooth course along the edge of the sector. There were no alarms, no warning lights, no sign of battle or pursuit. This was not a time of war, but of waiting.
In his private chamber, Gaius sat alone.
He remained fully armored, back straight, hands resting on his knees. His golden Auramite armor, along with the jet pack Tony had gifted him, caught the soft light of the chamber, now polished and free of Xenos blood, untouched by damage. His helmet rested quietly on the desk beside him.
His eyes were closed.
Gaius was not sleeping. He was listening, to the hum of the ship, to the steady beat of his own breath, and to the calm focus that came with long years of discipline. This was how he waited. Not with restlessness, but with readiness.
Time passed.
Then, a knock came at the door.
It was light. Respectful. Careful.
Gaius opened his eyes and rose in one smooth motion. He crossed the chamber and opened the door.
A Chapter serf stood outside, head lowered, hands clasped together. The man did not look up.
"Lord Captain Gaius," the serf said quietly. "A vox transmission is being prepared for you. It is from an honored Custodian."
That caught Gaius's attention.
A Custodian did not call without reason, and the message came over vox. That meant the Custodian was nearby, though it could still be a few light-years away.
"I see," Gaius replied.
He turned back into the room and reached for his helmet. Instead of placing it on, he clipped it to his belt, where it locked in place with a soft sound. He returned to the doorway.
"You may return to your duties," he said.
The serf bowed deeply and left at once.
Gaius made his way to the control room. As he entered, the crew straightened, movements sharp and respectful. A Techmarine stepped forward, holding a prepared vox unit.
"It is ready, Lord Captain," the Techmarine said.
Gaius took the unit and activated it.
"Custodian," he said. "Why have you called me?"
There was a brief pause. Then a voice answered, calm, firm, and clear.
"I am within your sector," the Custodian said. "I act under the authority of Lord Primarch Guilliman. I have been ordered to deliver an item to you. I am also to retrieve an item from you."
Gaius raised one eyebrow slightly.
"That is unexpected," he said. "Why would Lord Guilliman send something to me?"
"I do not know," the Custodian replied. "I only carry out my orders."
The voice was steady, but familiar.
Gaius listened more closely.
Then he spoke again.
"So it is you," Gaius said. "Aurelius Kaelion Thryx."
There was a pause on the other end.
"…It is," the Custodian replied. "I did not expect to be recognized."
"You were my escort to Guilliman," Gaius said calmly. "We fought side by side in many campaigns. I remember."
Thryx accepted this without comment.
"I require your location," the Custodian said.
"You will have it," Gaius replied at once. Guilliman's authority was not questioned. "Transmit the data."
The coordinates were sent. After a moment, Thryx spoke again.
"Our arrival will be within two to three days."
"Then we will be ready," Gaius said.
The vox went silent.
Gaius handed the unit back to the Techmarine and turned away. There was no tension in his steps, no rush. Only quiet awareness.
Something had been set into motion.
Far from this grimdark universe, in another world that moved at a much gentler pace.
Diana stood near a window, holding a folded newspaper in her hands. Outside, the city was loud with traffic and voices, life moving on as it always did. Inside, her thoughts were still.
The headline was clear.
SUPERMAN TO STAND TRIAL
She exhaled slowly.
The words did not surprise her, but they still weighed on her. She had seen this before, many times, across many ages. When people faced something stronger than themselves, they did not ask how to understand it. They asked how to control it.
Diana folded the paper and set it aside.
"This is not my battle," she said quietly.
For now, she would watch. And wait.
Two days later, the sensors aboard the Oath of Rectitude detected an approaching vessel.
The ship was smaller than a strike cruiser, but its presence was unmistakable. Its hull was shaped with purpose, its power readings clean and precise. Auramite and adamantium reflected distant starlight.
A Custodian ship.
The vox came alive again.
"We are preparing to board," Thryx said.
"Void shields lowered," Gaius ordered.
A shuttle detached from the Custodian vessel and moved toward the hangar. It docked smoothly, without sound or delay.
The ramp lowered.
Three Custodians stepped onto the deck.
They were taller than Astartes, broader, and wrapped in gold armor that bore no marks of damage or age. The air itself seemed to shift around them. Servitors halted. Serfs bowed without being told.
At their center stood Aurelius Kaelion Thryx.
He carried a sealed box under one arm and a letter in the other hand, marked with the seal of Roboute Guilliman.
They were guided through the ship and into the control room, where Gaius waited alone.
The two warriors faced one another.
They were nearly the same height. Both stood straight, without challenge or tension.
Thryx stepped forward and placed the box on the table between them. Then he offered the letter.
"From Lord Guilliman," he said.
Gaius took the letter but did not open it yet.
Thryx continued.
"Captain Gaius," he said, "we are here to retrieve your warhammer."
Gaius's brow lifted slightly.
He did not argue.
Without a word, he turned and reached for the weapon leaning against the wall. The Auramite hammer was heavy, showing only faint signs of use, meticulously maintained. He returned it to Thryx and carefully placed it in his hands.
Thryx accepted it with care.
"Our task is complete," the Custodian said. "We will depart at once."
"You have my thanks," Gaius replied. "Aurelius Kaelion Thryx."
Thryx paused for a moment, then inclined his head.
"The Emperor's will finds worthy hands," he said.
The Custodians turned and left.
Only after their ship departed did Gaius open the letter.
Guilliman's words were direct and clear.
"Gaius,
This letter carries both a message and a gift. The Warhammer I once entrusted to you, though forged of Auramite, was only roughly made, beyond its weight and strength, it bears no additional effect. It will be returned for proper enhancement, and when perfected, it shall be placed once more in your hands.
In the meantime, I have commissioned Belisarius Cawl to craft a Power Fist for you, also made of Auramite, which now accompanies this letter. Use it wisely, and know that it carries my confidence in your skill and the Emperor's judgment."
Gaius folded the letter and set it aside.
Then he turned to the box.
He opened it.
Inside, resting on dark velvet, were two auramite power fists. They were gold-plated, finely shaped, and set with small, focused gems that caught the light without shine or flare.
He lifted one and fitted it over his gauntlet.
The armor synced seamlessly with the hammer, and Gaius could feel its power field come alive, ready to respond to his command.
Gaius studied the Power Fist in his hand, activating his Identification skill. A translucent panel came into view.
The Auramite Powerfists (Cawl Pattern – Guilliman Commission):
a matched pair of golden gauntlets, forged by Archmagos Belisarius Cawl at the behest of Roboute Guilliman. Each fist is embedded with a focused energy gem within the knuckles, amplifying the power field to destabilize molecular structures upon impact. Unlike standard powerfists, which are typically so heavy that only one can be wielded at a time, this pair is engineered to be significantly lighter without sacrificing durability or striking force. The auramite construction ensures exceptional resilience, allowing the wielder to deliver devastating blows with both hands while maintaining agility, precision, and lethal efficiency.
The fist felt lighter than expected. Balanced. Controlled.
Gaius flexed his fingers. The movement was smooth, precise.
He fitted the second fist and activated both.
A faint golden hue spread across the Power Fist, subtle along its surface but concentrated on the knuckles where the gem was embedded. There, the glow thickened, clearly showing how the gem amplified the surrounding power field.
Gaius stood still for a moment.
Gaius knew these weapons limited his choices, only customized arms could accommodate the size of his hands. Yet, the sheer power they granted was undeniable.
He clenched his fist, feeling the weight and energy of the weapon.
"You shall be named… the Emperor's Hand," he said, his voice steady as he stared at it.
The power was there. Waiting.
Gaius relaxed his hand and looked out toward the stars.
Whatever came next, he would be ready.
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Ps. Next stop is Diana's World!
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