Sigismund returned to Holy Terra, traversing the Warp lanes at near-maximum speed. Upon arrival, he wasted no time, using his authority to directly request an audience with the Primarch Rogal Dorn.
At this sensitive time of Legion dissolution, Dorn was slightly surprised by the Company Captain's sudden return.
However, he knew Sigismund never acted rashly, so there must be a significant reason. He immediately received him in his private chambers.
As Sigismund stepped into the simply furnished room, even from several meters away, he could clearly sense his father of the genes' unusual state.
Dorn's massive body remained as straight as a mountain, but his eyes, usually as resolute as glaciers, appeared hollow, as if the inner flame had extinguished, leaving only the cold embers of duty.
Sigismund's heart sank; his worst fears were coming true.
The Primarch's physical body was still present, but his indomitable spirit seemed to be gradually fading under endless repentance and immense pressure.
After dismissing his attendants, only the father of the genes and his son remained in the room.
Sigismund got straight to the point, reporting his observations from the Death World in the most concise and direct language.
He described the green canyon stubbornly growing on the desolate planet, mentioning the 'genesis particle' and its almost creator-like power to reshape the environment.
Finally, he lowered his voice and uttered the term capable of shaking the Imperium's foundations—'Warp Drive'—and elaborated on its potential to bypass the Warp, achieve faster-than-light travel in the physical universe, and Osiris' request for a face-to-face demonstration.
As Sigismund narrated, Dorn's statue-like posture underwent a subtle change.
The massive hands resting on his knees slowly tightened, his knuckles turning white from the effort.
His eyes, which had once reflected the beacon fires of the galaxy but had recently appeared somewhat hollow, gradually refocused, as if molten lava was once again surging within a dormant volcano, and a sharp, scrutinizing light reappeared.
Even Rogal Dorn, a Primarch who had witnessed countless miracles and horrors, felt an unprecedented shock when confronted with these two technologies, either of which was enough to change the dynamics of humanity's struggle against Chaos. He also felt a long-lost, solemn interest in a new challenge.
This was no longer his painful internal struggle over the Legion's dissolution, nor was it a penitent crusade confined to appeasing the Emperor.
The information Sigismund brought pointed to a new possibility concerning the Imperium's future, a strategic direction that could partially free humanity from its unpredictable and malicious reliance on the Warp.
This was even more fundamental than the changes brought about by Guilliman's Codex Astartes.
A long silence enveloped the room, with only the eternal wind of the Tibetan Plateau outside the Imperial Palace on Terra as a backdrop.
Dorn's gaze passed over Sigismund, as if penetrating thick walls, looking towards the unfathomable future in the depths of the star sea, and the hope and risks hidden within it.
His mind raced, evaluating the potential chain reactions each technology could trigger, and the trustworthiness of Osiris.
"Osiris—" Dorn repeated the name in a low voice, like granite grinding, "I remember him. His faction, back then, touched upon taboos due to overly radical archaeological research."
His memory precisely retrieved dusty records. "It was you, Sigismund, who vouched for him, emphasizing his potential in fundamental technological fields, which allowed him to survive the brink of liquidation, merely placed under surveillance and restrictions."
A complex expression flashed in Dorn's eyes, a blend of adherence to past discipline and a weighing of current interests.
"A Tech-Priest who survived a purge, an explorer once deemed to be treading a dangerous path—now holds the key to reshaping the Imperium's power structure. It's ironic, but it also suggests that he might indeed possess extraordinary insight and luck."
He looked at Sigismund again, his tone imbued with the Primarch's characteristic decisiveness: "Arrange a meeting. The location will be the Palace's private audience chamber. I want to see this magos with my own eyes, and the future he speaks of that brings both hope and risk."
He paused briefly, issuing more specific instructions, indicating the extreme importance of this meeting: "You, Sigismund, personally return to the Death World and escort him to Terra.
Ensure absolute secrecy throughout the journey. You will personally plan the route; it must not be reported through the Adeptus Astra Telepathica's regular channels.
I want him, and everything he intends to demonstrate, to arrive safely, intact, and undisturbed.
During this sensitive period, we cannot take any risks, whether from external or internal sources."
Sigismund bowed deeply: "As you command, Father. I will ensure nothing goes wrong."
He understood that this was not merely a simple escort mission, but a sign of absolute trust given by Dorn, and a clear signal that the father of the genes was once again focusing on 'the future.'
Sigismund immediately mobilized the Black Templars Chapter.
The backbone of this nascent Chapter largely originated from the most aggressive companies of The 7th Legion, with his personally commanded and ruthlessly efficient Templar Knights at its core.
The unique character of these founding members established the Black Templars' millennia-long tradition: they embark on an endless 'Eternal Crusade,' refuse a fixed homeworld, viewing their warships and battlefields as their only home; they possess a fervent faith in the Emperor far exceeding most Adeptus Astartes; and in tactics, they strongly favor close-quarters combat, harboring a deep-seated distrust of ranged firepower and Psionicists.
Such a Chapter, devoted to close-quarters combat, disciplined, and absolutely loyal, was perfectly suited for a secret escort mission.
They were like unsheathed swords, sharp but focused, an inherent deterrent to potential onlookers.
To ensure absolute certainty, Sigismund deployed a force he had not intended to easily reveal—the Black Templars' Chapter flagship, the 'Eternal Crusader.'
This magnificent behemoth was formerly the flagship of The 7th Legion, the Primarch Dorn's personal vessel, a Gloriana-class battleship that carried countless glories of the Imperial Fists.
After the Legion's dissolution, it was transferred to the Black Templars and renamed the 'Eternal Crusader,' symbolizing the Chapter's unending crusade.
The deployment of this legendary warship, possessing devastating firepower, now signified far more than a simple escort.
It was not only a manifestation of Sigismund's resolve but also a silent declaration to all observers: this operation carried the will of Primarch Rogal Dorn himself.
In the shadow of this colossal vessel, any attempt to interfere would need to weigh the potential thunderous wrath they might face.
Sigismund personally boarded the bridge of the 'Eternal Crusader.' The massive hull began to adjust its posture, and powerful engines emitted a low rumble, preparing to once again tear through the veil of the real universe, heading directly towards the Death World where Osiris was located.
This time, he was not only bringing back a magos but also escorting a spark that could change everything for the future of the Imperium.