The "Governor's Scepter."
It was the ultimate symbol of supreme power for the ruler of Brevis. In a secular sense, it represented the Governor's legitimate command over all Imperial armed forces on the planet, the final authority to sign planetary laws, and the power to allocate significant resources.
In a religious sense, it was a relic blessed by the State Religion, serving as proof that the bearer was the "Chosen of the Emperor." It could mobilize the Church's armed forces and even possessed a minor warding effect against the corrosion of the Warp. However, its most critical function was the activation and control of the Brevis orbital defense system. Only a verified Governor could truly wield the ultimate military force of this Hive World. Without this scepter, a man was merely a puppet—a title without substance.
The moment Goodwin held up the relic, a series of suppressed, rhythmic breaths filled the hall. Every eye—from the powerful nobles to Gus and the Butcher—was fixed on the artifact. Their gazes betrayed an uncontrollable mixture of desire, greed, awe, and terror.
Raynor's own breathing became rapid. He felt a phantom weight on his chest, making it difficult to draw air. His gaze fell upon the deep red sapphire at the top of the staff, his purple eyes gleaming with undisguised fervor. It wasn't an act; it was a genuine, heartfelt hunger for power and the control of his own fate.
Even in the grim darkness of the far future, power was the only currency that mattered. Even a Primarch like Guilliman had found his authority restricted in the early days of his awakening until he obtained the proper Imperial mandates. Similarly, Raynor knew that only with this scepter and the recognition of the Church could he truly establish himself and gain the leverage needed to negotiate with the Noble Council. Only then could he secure the time and resources Sarah required.
He extended his hand. It trembled uncontrollably for a moment in mid-air—not out of fear, but from the raw, instinctive excitement of humanity's desire for dominion. He swallowed hard, steadied his fingers, and firmly grasped the cold metal shaft.
Goodwin released his grip, handing the authority over.
The moment Raynor's right hand made contact, the scepter seemed to come "alive." The inscriptions on the staff lit up in sequence, their brightness flickering like a slow, rhythmic pulse. The deep red gemstone at the peak began to swirl with internal light.
Simultaneously, a directional "biological scan" emanated from the staff, instantly enveloping Raynor. He felt his bionic hand being analyzed at high speed. Gene sequences, cell structures, and neural signal patterns were compared against the stored biological data of the true "Kerry von."
Suddenly, the deep red gem flared with a brilliant sky-blue light. Archbishop Goodwin nodded; the scan confirmed that the man standing before him was, biologically at least, the real person. The bionic hand had perfectly mimicked the required features.
Raynor felt a brief flash of relief, but the test was not over.
The scepter's scanning deepened. A wave of psychic energy surged forth, attempting to resonate with his soul. It sought to verify not only the identity of the flesh but the "purity" of the spirit. The blue light faded, returning to a deep red that grew increasingly dazzling, the energy inside forming a violent vortex.
Inside the hall, everyone held their breath. Gus's heart was in his throat, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. If Raynor failed, they were all dead men. Sarah's posture remained perfect, but the swirling purple in her eyes indicated that her internal processors were redlining.
One second passed. Two. Three.
The gemstone radiated light as bright as a dying star, but its color did not change. The expected "Soul Binding"—the stable connection between the relic and the Governor's spirit—did not manifest. The ruby simply kept shining wildly, its energy surging but unable to bridge the final gap. It was as if an invisible barrier blocked the resonance.
The scepter "refused" to acknowledge him.
The hall fell into a deathly, suffocating silence. Countless gazes shifted from the scepter to Raynor's face. The emotions in the room shifted instantly: shock, doubt, mockery, and a cold, rising murderous intent.
Finally, cracks appeared in Raynor's composed mask. His knuckles were white from gripping the staff so tightly. A single drop of sweat slid down his cheek and dripped onto the stone floor. Deep within his purple eyes lay disbelief, astonishment, and a barely suppressed rage.
Are you kidding me?
He had gambled everything to get here. He was a true ancient human from the 3K era of Ancient Terra—his soul should be purer than anyone in this room. Did his connection to the Swarm negate his very humanity? He refused to accept it.
The tranquility below the pulpit vanished. The nobility began to whisper and murmur. The guards, previously as silent as statues, shifted their weight and began to close in on the stage.
Gus' breathing became ragged, his face flushed from the lack of oxygen. He could almost hear the roar of the Knight mechs outside, preparing to purge them. Was this the end? Was the dream of restoring his family's glory destined to die here?
Then, a sound broke the tension.
"Hahahahaha..."
Raynor's laughter echoed throughout the vaulted hall. It was not the sound of a man in despair; it was the chilling, defiant laugh of a predator who had found the flaw in the trap.