The neophytes.
(Image)
They are not yet Space Marines, but the status of a simple mortal no longer fully applies to them.
Normally, each Space Marine Legion or Chapter has a recruitment world where mortals are selected through a series of trials.
These trials depend on the nature and objectives pursued by the Legion.
For example, the Night Lords had an especially cruel recruitment process from an outside perspective.
They could leave teenagers in complete darkness with almost nothing to eat or drink.
A method designed to push them into surrendering to pure survival instinct.
You want to drink?
Then take your neighbor's meager supplies.
Out of provisions?
Then the only thing left is to devour the weakest of your batch.
From Atreus's memories, the Black Templars also had a particularly harsh recruitment process.
Even if it was not as macabre as the Night Lords', it still pushed individuals to the absolute limits of physical and mental endurance.
Atreus did not want to fully follow the example of his genetic father, who only sought simple tools.
He wanted true warriors.
Thus, his interest leaned more toward the methods of the sons of Sanguinius and Guilliman.
Only in this way could he forge truly unbreakable discipline, while still preserving a slight degree of independence to ensure sound judgment outside the chain of command.
"U-understood, Lord Atreus! I will inform my uncle so he can announce that the Angels are seeking chosen ones," she said while taking notes.
Atreus nodded in satisfaction.
He had initially planned to focus recruitment on the warrior nation of the Macedonians, but the Iron Warrior ultimately decided to give the "civilized" peoples a chance as well.
After this exchange with Olivia, he assigned various essential tasks to his subordinates.
One of them was ordering Techmarine Filon to recover all weapons that could be repaired on the battlefield.
Another involved protecting and psychologically monitoring the auxiliary army members exposed to the Warp during the war against the demons.
Even though they had resisted the madness and bloodlust of Khorne's champion, Atreus could not afford to lower his vigilance.
For now, he detected no signs of the Warp within them.
But he preferred to remain cautious.
"This small meeting is over. If you need me, I will be in my quarters for the next few months," he announced to his brothers.
In truth, he did not want to leave his group just yet.
There was still a tremendous amount of work to be done on the surface of Limnos III, but Atreus was somewhat pressed for time.
"I need to understand the limits and exact functioning of my power," he thought as he walked away from the battlefield.
A sage from Old Terra once said: "If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."
Atreus did not know how far his power could take him.
For now, he only knew it was a form of reality alteration affecting both the Materium and the Immaterium depending on the amount of Trust he possessed.
It was still too vague.
He needed to precisely determine what his power was truly capable of.
And more importantly, how much other people's perception impacted him.
"Yeah… I should also visit the Apothecary," he muttered, glancing at his new height.
⸻
Standard Terra Calendar: 372nd year of M31 (before) → 385th year of M31 (current)
World name: Limnos III
Segmentum: Ultima Segmentum
Sector: The Maelström
System: Limnos System
Population: Between 1 and 3 million (before) → around 9 million
Affiliation: Imperium of Man → Atreus Warband
Type: Feudal world (transitioning into a modern era)
Number of spacecraft: 2 cargo ships (good condition) and 1 frigate (fully restored)
Number of Astartes: 22
Neophytes: 18
Auxiliary army: 200,000 soldiers
Veterans of the auxiliary army: 5,000 soldiers
"Is this really the current situation?" Atreus asked while operating a standard cogitator, which he had gradually modified over time to meet increasingly complex needs.
The Tech-Priest named Ykarios felt very uneasy watching the Astartes so crudely apply the teachings of the Omnissiah.
However, she refrained from expressing her displeasure.
"This is a summary of the situation. You requested it to be presented in a 'brief' manner. I therefore omitted the various ranks of the auxiliary army, as well as the neophytes with the worst aptitude for becoming 'brothers.' There is also the next batch of recruits, but I did not consider that particularly relevant," the silver-haired woman explained in a cold, emotionless voice.
Atreus froze for a moment mid-task upon hearing about the next batch of recruits.
"Isn't it already the thirteenth year since my arrival on Limnos III? That child must be part of it…" he thought, pausing his work on the AI.
Indeed, Atreus combines the cogitator technology of the Warhammer 40,000 universe with his understanding of Old Terra artificial intelligence.
Is it foolish to use M2-era technology in the current age?
No—far from it.
Atreus's genetic father had already proven this in his memories. Using Leonardo da Vinci's notes, Perturabo had created astonishing and terrifying technologies.
Granted, he had also relied on Vulkan for certain aspects. However, this did not diminish the value of ancient knowledge as a source of inspiration.
Beyond that, Atreus already showed great interest in the technology of this universe. The idea of building and using futuristic machines brought a certain joy to the Iron Warrior.
The only reason he had not pursued it further was simply a lack of time to properly study Techmarine methods.
Now, he lacked neither time nor assistance to support his technological evolution.
The Dark Mechanicum was not opposed to teaching him some of their "rituals." Trust also served as a valuable aid.
He could use it to sense the will of the machine spirit, but also impose his own will upon it.
The machine spirit did not hesitate to cooperate with Atreus to better understand this secret.
As for the power of already-created AIs, they were quite effective in data management and analysis.
However, Atreus kept them locked down.
He was not satisfied with them and could not yet fully restrain them to guarantee absolute non-rebellion.
He also had to ensure that the machines would not become corrupted during his absence. The Astartes had not yet obtained Necron black stone.
For now, that technology was not suitable for Limnos III.
The Maelström was already deterrent enough.
"Hm… interesting. I think it's time I personally oversee the next selection trials," Atreus murmured while watching the image of a boy with black hair streaked with ash-white strands.
At first glance, the pale-skinned boy looked around ten years old.
His dark eyes carried something unusual.
An abnormal maturity.
"Olivia… let's see if this child is worthy of my time," he thought, studying the familiar features of the boy.
A name was written beside his serial number: Loki Polus.
Author's note: the story will speed up a bit, because I want to reach the first Black Crusade by Wednesday.