[Menelek – Captain of the 6th Company of the Word Bearers]
Primarch Aurelia Valerion. That is the name of the Primarch.
Just like any Astartes, he is eager to meet his Gene Mother. He has seen what a Primarch does to a legion. He watches as the Luna Wolves transform into something greater than before when their Primarch returns to them.
He watches as the Space Wolves turn from savages into barbarians who understand formations and tactics. On the surface, they look the same, but he can see beneath it. The Space Wolves might still use their usual tactics, but now they know when to retreat and when to ambush their enemies. They also move as one, just like a pack of wolves.
Every Astartes wants that glory. Every Astartes wants that feeling of being led by their Gene Mother. And the Imperial Heralds receive that wish as their primarch returns alongside four other primarchs.
She looks at them, and they immediately know that she is their mother. He remembers when she first appeared before them. The sense of awe he felt at that moment is something he will never forget. Just like all Primarchs, she possesses an aura that inspires reverence, but their mother feels like a protector, someone you can trust with all your secrets and being.
She is perfect.
It is even better when she takes over their military training and strategy. Everything he hopes for is granted by her actions. She embodies the Imperial Truth and follows its teachings. However, she knows there are supernatural powers originating from the Warp, and she warns them of that danger.
At first, Menelek and the others hesitate to believe her, but with the help of the Primarch of the Second Legion, they see the ugly reality of the Warp.
They see what faith can do, and it disgusts them. The Imperial Truth might not reveal everything, but their Primarch shows them the reality, making him and the others feel freer than ever before.
"The truth shall set you free."
Those are the words Lord Primarch Theodore spoke to them in the past, and they still hold true today. However, he also knows that truth is dangerous. If others learn about the situation in the Warp, some fools will worship the creatures within it as gods and feed them power. They must prevent that from happening and spread the Imperial Truth far and wide.
Hence, their Primarch's decision to rename their legion makes him happy. They are now the Word Bearers. They are the bringers of truth and the ones who lead others to find peace in the reality they have learned.
They are the Heralds of the Unwelcome Truth. They shall spread truth to others, but not the full truth, for it is dangerous.
"Brother Menelek."
He snaps from his thoughts and turns around to see his fellow captain, Kulineth. Just like him, Kulineth is a Terran-born Astartes. Previously, more than half of the Imperial Heralds came from Terra, but after their Primarch arrived, the majority came from the Eternitus Realm and a planet called Colchis. That is the planet where their Primarch landed, and the people he rescued from that place join their ranks.
However, he knows that their Primarch was tortured on that planet by the barbarians who worship the creatures in the warp. That thought alone makes him angry and want to butcher everyone on that planet. It is a shame they are not departing to that part of the galaxy, or his company shall lead the termination of the barbarians on that planet.
"Brother Kulineth. How is training?"
As the Captain of the 12th Company, Kulineth requires constant training, as they are the vanguard of the Word Bearers Legion. They need to continuously hone their skills so that the other companies can deliver a decisive blow to anyone foolish enough to reject their Primarch's offer of peaceful conquest while they hold the ground.
"Everything is going smoothly. The Danger Room makes it easier and faster."
The Danger Room is a technology that allows the Astartes to train in new formations, tactics, and weaponry without causing destruction to their surrounding environment. It is a massive facility equipped with advanced features, including solid holographic enemies, gravitational modules, and full-scale war simulations.
It is technology derived from the Second Legion and the Eternitus Realm. Each of the ships owned by the Word Bearers features one of these rooms. A proper Word Bearers needs to be able to reach at least Level 10 in battle simulation. At first, it was a bet, but it became a tradition in the legion.
"I wonder how Lord Theodore created this technology. I've seen what kind of technology the Legions work alongside the Mechanicus using, and this makes theirs look like children's creation."
"Hah! Isn't that the truth? Those red rats think they know everything about technology and declare whatever we use to be heresy against their religion. Sometimes I wonder why we cannot just cleanse the Red Planet from orbit and rid the Imperium of their Machine Cult teachings."
Menelek nods at those words. Sometimes he questions the Emperor's decision to allow them to exist, but he remembers that without them, the Great Crusade would be delayed, and they would still be conquering their local star system. Unlike the others, Menelek is among the older Astartes who remember the situation at the end of the Unification Wars. It was not good as Terra has been stripped of its resources and technology by the Techno Barbarians.
He knows they need ships, and the only faction capable of providing them is the Cult Mechanicus.
"Yes. The sight of those so-called holy ships makes me want to spit in one of their priests' faces. Seeing them using thousands of humans just to load ammunition for their cannons manually makes me sick."
He sneers slightly at the memory. He does not understand why they refuse to use even the simplest automated loading systems for their weaponry. They claim it is not the design of their so-called Machine God, refusing basic improvements simply because the ship's ancient blueprints do not specify them.
What a foolish mindset, Menelek thinks.
"When we accompanied the Luna Wolves not too long ago, First Captain Ezekyle Abaddon complained about our equipment."
"What? Is he someone who supports the Red Cult?"
"No, quite the opposite. He envies our equipment and demands that Tech-Priests accompany them to upgrade the legionis wargear. The last I heard, Lady Primarch Hathor agreed with him and demanded the same."
"Hah! It is a shame I did not witness that spectacle."
The two of them arrive at the bridge, where their mother has summoned all the captains for a meeting. He can see they are not the last to arrive, as several captains have yet to appear. As their ranks continue to expand, the number of company leaders grows as well.
However, their mother decided to keep the inner circle to no more than seven. Each member of the inner circle leads a Space Marine Chapter specializing in a specific domain. Menelek himself is a captain in the 2nd Chapter, which specializes in Heavy Fire Support. That is why he and Kulineth are so close. It is because their units are usually deployed together, and the two will always meet on the battlefield.
It does not take long for all the remaining captains to arrive, followed moments later by their mother, who enters the bridge. Walking behind her are the seven Lord Commanders of Legion Chapters, but what captures his attention are two Space Marines from the 2nd Legion.
They are eye-catching because they stand taller than every Astartes, and only the Primarch stands taller than them.
He wonders why they are here. He understands why some Space Marines from the 2nd Legion are assigned to them. They serve to instruct the Word Bearers in medicine, psychic arts, and advanced battlefield technologies. The 2nd Legion is the legion trusted by the Emperor to teach the others regarding medicine and technology. Sadly, because of the Mechanicus, most of the legions do not receive the last part and only learn medicine. As for psychic arts, that is only reserved for legions that are close to Lord Primarch Theodore.
However, they rarely appear on the bridge of the Lux Aeterna.
"Ah, it is good you are all here."
Their mother smiles at them, and for a moment, he feels his breath catch in his throat. He cannot grow accustomed to the sight of his mother smiling like that. He knows that each Primarch possesses distinct traits. Hathor Lupercal commands the presence of a true leader whom one feels compelled to follow loyally. Leman Russ shares a similar aura, though wilder and more primal.
Their mother, however, feels like the center of the universe. She is a star whose gravity irresistibly draws one's focus. Her presence makes everyone want to listen to her words and entrust her with their loyalty. When she smiles, that effect amplifies immensely, commanding power over even the most disciplined mind.
He knows of a few recruits who made fools of themselves when their mother patted them on the head.
"The reason for this meeting is a major breakthrough in gene seed testing. As you know, my brother has managed to refine the process for creating Astartes."
He is familiar with this development. The improved process yields Primaris Astartes, and he must admit they are a clear advancement over the current template. Primaris are stronger, faster, and even more durable than standard Astartes.
They are the envy of other Space Marines, and every Legion desires Primaris Astartes in its ranks.
"The Apothecary unit sent by my brother has successfully utilized my genetic material to create Primaris gene-seed for all of you. This is a monumental step for our legion. It is a step toward a brighter future, the fulfillment of the Emperor's vision, and our ultimate goal of unifying the galaxy under a single banner."
She looks at them with an intense expression and offers her hand.
"Will you stand with me? Will you follow me on this new journey, my sons?"
Without hesitation, they move as one. Every captain and Lord Commander kneels before her. Zedkiel, Lord Commander of the 1st Chapter, shouts out,
"Yes, Primarch! We shall follow you even to the end of time! Command us!"
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