"Then it is settled!" Lion El'Jonson declared, "I will lead Magnus's Legion. And Magnus, son Gris will come with me as well."
Gris was the sibamen son of Magnus, a being of unprecedented combat strength. In addition to his immense destructive power, he also possessed terrifying psychic abilities, a direct inheritance from his Primarch.
Including this son, his own from the Dark Angels, and the two from the Space Wolves, the Lion now had four such warriors. He was absolutely confident that he could not only hold back the Rangda xenos, but utterly defeat them.
"Of course," Magnus said with a nod, "You may use any resources from prospero."
He was determined to give Lion El'Jonson the greatest possible support.
Furthermore, Gris could serve as the strongest Navigator in the Warp, better guiding the Lion's fleet to its destination.
Axis also nodded in agreement. He knew that in the 40th Millennium, Chief Librarian Mephiston of the Blood Angels could navigate fleets through the Immaterium, so it was well within the realm of possibility for Gris, provided his psychic power was strong enough.
"Then we must not delay," Captain-General Valdor said, turning to the two Primarchs. "I assume you have ways to traverse the Webway with how you phrased your plan?"
"No, no," Axis said, a mysterious smile gracing his lips. "Who said we would be traveling through the Warp?"
Axis nodded.
"To be honest, I have some dealings with the Harlequin Troupes. The reason I was able to bring the loyalist survivors from Isstvan III to Prospero was with the help of the Aeldari Harlequins."
The Custodian Captain-General's expression turned ugly. "What is the meaning of this, Axis? You consort with xenos?"
According to the Imperial Truth decreed by the Emperor, all aliens were malevolent, and humanity was the most noble species in the universe.
"Let us not be so absolute," Axis countered, "During the Great Crusade, many xenos species were classified as abhumans and incorporated into the Imperium of Man. Some of them cannot even reproduce with us. The Imperium has standards for dealing with xenos races that pose no threat."
He was not speaking idly.
There were numerous records from the Great Crusade detailing alien species subjugated by the Imperium and made into vassal races. The Imperial Truth was merely a tool for managing the common populace. In the 40th Millennium, Rogue Traders held the authority to establish diplomatic relations with aliens, though under strict scrutiny. As Primarchs possessed the power to sign Rogue Trader charters, it was perfectly within Axis's right to communicate with xenos.
"Axis is right," Magnus interjected, "We Primarchs have the authority to grant Rogue Trader status. A friendship with a xenos race is not a significant issue, especially when they have genuinely aided us in this war."
Lion El'Jonson nodded from the side, signifying his agreement.
"Fine," Valdor relented, "I will say no more. When do we depart?" The Harlequins were Aeldari. As long as they were not the depraved Drukhari from Commorragh, he supposed it could be tolerated.
"Please wait a moment," Axis said, then turned to privately summon Cassandra, who had just returned to his side.
Cassandra had been aboard his flagship, the Solus Prime, which was now under the temporary command of the son Axis had yet to meet.
Although the ship was commanded by his heir, that son of his did not have the authority to use the Webway.
After Axis went missing, his son had sent Cassandra back to wait for the Primarch's return. Once contact was re-established, she had been dispatched once more to join Axis.
"Lord Axis," Cassandra said, bowing before him.
From an Aeldari perspective, less than a century had passed, a mere moment in time, so she did not feel he had been gone for long.
"Cassandra, I need to contact the Laughing God," Axis stated.
"I understand, Lord Axis. Please wait," she replied, nodding. She drew a deck of Cegorach's Jester cards from her robes. Infusing them with her psychic energy, it took only a few moments for the spectral image of the Laughing God to appear before them.
"We meet again, Lord Axis," the Laughing God said, "Your human race has found itself in quite a bit of trouble recently." The great rebellion within the Imperium of Man would shatter the nascent empire, likely bringing humanity's great expansion to an end.
The weakened Aeldari still needed humanity as a shield against Chaos, as it would take them at least ten or twenty thousand years to recover their strength.
"Indeed we have, Cegorach. I have a favor to ask of you. I hope to lead a human battleship through the Webway to Holy Terra. Would you permit this?" Axis asked.
"Oh! You ask a great deal of me. But what are friends for?" the Laughing God chuckled, "After your human civil war is over, you must help me purify a few more of my people." With Axis's help, he could recruit more souls for his Harlequins.
"You have my word," Axis agreed. For him, it was a simple matter.
"Excellent! You may use the Webway whenever you wish. The exit to Holy Terra is located near Pluto, so you will still have a short journey ahead of you," the Laughing God said.
Axis smiled slightly and nodded.
The jester god was trying to deceive him. He knew perfectly well they could open a gate as close as Luna. However, he also knew the Emperor's temperament. If his father knew the Aeldari could open a portal right next to Terra at any time, he would likely never sleep soundly again.
He decided to let it be. The Emperor had enough to worry about with Horus. And if the Emperor's own Webway project succeeded, it would grant a direct path to the Imperial Palace anyway.
"I wish you luck, Lord Axis," the Laughing God said before departing, "But be warned, the traitors in your human world are not limited to those who have already revealed themselves. This is the only hint I can give you."
From what his psychic sight had shown him, at least half of the Primarchs would join the rebellion.
So far, only four had been exposed. Another, who had already thrown his lot in with Khorne and ascended to daemonhood, would soon join the fray.
Axis nodded slowly.
He knew, of course, that more of his brothers would betray them. The only one whose allegiance he remained unsure of was Karl, the Second Primarch, who had only survived because of Axis's own intervention. What choice would he make?
"Lord Axis, I will gather my companions and prepare the Webway. You may use it whenever you are ready," Cassandra said with a bow before turning to leave.
Axis returned to the others. "It is settled. I have made the arrangements with the Harlequins. We can leave at any time."
"We must wait a little longer, at least two days," Magnus said, "I need to organize my Legion."
With the entire Thousand Sons legion deploying, he needed to make the proper arrangements as their father.
Axis nodded. For the next two days, the Custodians and Sisters of Silence rested on Prospero, while Lion El'Jonson's First Legion refueled and resupplied.
Within forty-eight hours, the Thousand Sons were assembled.
Magnus announced that his most powerful son, Gris, would temporarily command the Legion and join Lion El'Jonson to confront the malevolent enemies of the Imperium.
"My sons," Magnus addressed them, "this time, your father cannot be by your side, for I have a more important duty. My father, the Master of Mankind, the Emperor, needs me. Though I cannot accompany you, Lion El'Jonson, the Lord Primarch of the First Legion, will lead you. You will obey his commands, for the glory of the Thousand Sons."
"As you command, great father!" Gris raised his psychic staff that would put the biggest primarch to shame, "For the Thousand Sons! We shall deliver a punishing blow to the enemies of the Imperium!"
Over the years, he had risen to become the foremost warrior in the Legion, both in Physical poress and Psychic might.
"Go forth, my children!" Magnus commanded with a wave of his hand.
The vast fleet of the Thousand Sons began to merge with the Lion's armada. Once the forces were assembled, Lion El'Jonson ascended the command dais and delivered a passionate and stirring speech.
After, he met with the two Primarchs for a final farewell.
"Axis, Magnus, I leave our father's side to you," the Lion said, his gaze firm, "Do not worry about the western front. I swear that I will not let the Rangda take a single step into Imperial territory."
"I have faith in you, Lion of the Imperium," Axis replied.
With a final wave to Axis and Magnus, Lion El'Jonson turned and embarked on his journey to war.
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ps?