Chapter 205: The Delegation from Terra
Macragge - The Fortress of Hera
Not long after the war in Ultramar concluded, the Imperial Navy fleets from other sectors submitted their departures. There were countless other systems among the stars that required their aid.
Next were the Guardians of the Maelstrom. They needed to return to their domain as quickly as possible to defend against Ork and Chaos incursions.
Then came the Black Templars. Having completed their part in the grand crusade, they made a stop at a shrine world in the eastern sector, where they established a recruitment-fortress as an eternal testament to their crusade.
After that, the Crusade Fleet quickly dispersed, carrying fresh tithes of untainted gene-seed to their various successor Chapters across the sectors.
Aside from the Nemesis Chapter and the Carcharodons, which always operated around their Chapter flagships, and the Ultramarines and their successors, who were already garrisoned in the Realm of Ultramar, only representatives from the many Chapters that had come to Ultramar's aid now remained.
This was the nature of the 41st Millennium. The Imperium's wars were never-ending. There was no time for respite.
Romulus could not ask them to stay. The crusade was over, but astropathic distress calls from across the galaxy still fell like snowflakes into the choir-chambers of every ship. These elite mobile forces had to move on to the next battlefield. The Imperium would always need them, even if they had just emerged from a bloody war. The astropaths listened to the cries for help from distant worlds, and the Astartes sifted through the countless pleas, deciding which were worthy of a response, and which had to be abandoned.
But the delegation from Terra had not yet left. First, they had, on behalf of Terra, commended the heroes of the campaign. Then, they had respectfully invited the Primarchs to a conference. Both sides needed to reach a systematic consensus on several key resolutions.
Romulus had initially intended to ignore them, but after leaving them to wait for a while, their placid demeanor had changed his mind. He was now walking towards the conference hall within the Fortress of Hera.
The fortress was a different place now. The air was thick with a heavier, more solemn atmosphere. The "Ultramar Auxilia" that had once garrisoned it were gone, replaced by squads of guards he had never seen before. They wore black, fully-enclosed flak armour over black robes. They were so well-equipped it was startling; even the officers carried power swords.
Romulus recognized them at a glance.
The Lucifer Blacks. They had served the Imperium as mortal auxiliary forces since the Unification Wars, and now, along with the Palatine Sentinels and the Katandar Venators, they were stationed on Terra. They were the guards of the Throneworld, of the highest governing body of the Imperium. Now, they had taken over security for the Fortress of Hera, a clear symbol that the supreme authority of Terra once again overshadowed Macragge.
Hmm—
Romulus glanced at the nearby Invictarus Suzerain, then back at the Lucifer Blacks and their lasrifles, whose power packs had been removed. Due to necessary security measures, no faction was permitted to carry readily-fireable, long-range lethal weapons within the Fortress of Hera.
It was like a cage.
"Our respects to you, Lord Primarch." The Lucifer Blacks saluted in perfect unison. Their posture was solemn and restrained. Compared to the fervent worship of the common people of Ultramar, these highly-trained guards were far calmer.
Romulus's gaze flickered. He knew that these Lucifer Blacks, during their time on Terra, were under the direct command of the Adeptus Custodes. The best among them were even selected as secret agents, assisting the golden guardians in monitoring the goings-on throughout the Imperium. In theory, at least, they were the feelers the Custodes extended into the galaxy.
Of course, considering the War of the Beast, when Ork attack moons were in orbit of Terra and the Imperial Fists fought to the last man while the Custodes remained hidden, their actual effectiveness was... well.
In theory.
"Greetings, brave warriors," he said, his gentle response making even these famously iron-disciplined guards straighten their backs, their faces under their helmets unable to hide their excitement. To them, to be personally greeted by a Primarch was the highest of honours. It had not happened in ten thousand years.
Romulus passed through the gate guarded by the sentinels and slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the grand dome of the hall. The delegates from Terra were already lined up before the chamber, waiting solemnly for his arrival.
The delegation's invitation had explicitly mentioned several key topics: whether this Primarch, with his deep ties to the Ultramarines, would rebuild the political structure of Greater Ultramar; whether the four Primarchs would journey to Holy Terra to seek an audience with the Emperor; and a series of other pressing matters. Each topic concerned the future course of the Imperium.
The members of the Terran delegation were: Representative of the Administratum, Itu-Hamathelion; Representative of the Departmento Munitorum, Violeta Roscafler; Emissary of the Navis Nobilite, Kadak Mir; Representative of the Ecclesiarchy, Eos Ritellur; and Representative of the Inquisition, Aglaia Hesiod.
And—
His gaze fell on a towering, golden-armoured warrior. Even though Ramesses now had Guilliman's complete data, this Custodian representative was as tall as Romulus himself in his still-developing state.
Custodian-Warden Navradaran.
As expected. Where there were Lucifer Blacks, there were usually Custodes.
Romulus felt the list of names was somewhat familiar. He narrowed his eyes, quickly forming an assessment of the group's composition.
"...My respects to you, Lord Romulus. I am Custodian-Warden Navradaran. I have come of my own volition," Navradaran said, sensing the gazes of the other delegates on his back. "May I ask where the other three Primarchs are?"
He was one of the few Custodes who had left the Imperial Palace before the Indomitus Crusade. He held a deep admiration for the will of mortals and often taught his friend, Shield-Captain Valerian, that mortals were not just a source of annoyance, but that the Imperium was sustained by their fearless sacrifice and devotion. For this reason, he had often operated outside of Terra long before Guilliman's awakening and had close ties with the Ordo Xenos of the Inquisition, focusing on xenos threats that could potentially reach the Throneworld.
Information on this Custodian flashed through Romulus's mind, and he immediately responded with a warm greeting. Proactive Custodes like this were a rare breed.
"They are not involved in political affairs. I am fully responsible for all related negotiations," he stated.
The words caused a slight stir among the delegation. No one had expected the bond between the four Primarchs to be so close. Yes, close. The delegates all looked at Romulus. He appeared to be alone, but in reality, this meant the others had completely entrusted him with their authority. It was a sign of absolute trust. The idea that he had come to the meeting while abandoning the other three was not even considered. After all, the entire upper echelon of Ultramar knew that the Terran delegation intended to meet with the Primarchs. It was no secret.
"I understand," Navradaran said with a slight bow, and was the first to step aside.
The delegation and their entourages quickly parted, leaving the magnificent, empty conference hall to Romulus.
"Please enter, my Lord."
It seemed Terra was indeed sincere. Romulus privately approved. At the very least, their willingness to go through these formalities meant they truly wanted to negotiate. He strode forward.
And in the crowd, the representative of the Administratum, Itu-Hamathelion, watched his broad back with a complex expression.
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