987.M30.
Caliban, homeworld of the Dark Angels.
Merir Astelan, former Chapter Master of the First Chapter and First Master of the First Order, stood at the base of Aldurukh's towering walls.
He hailed from the plains of the Sibarn province. He had witnessed the brutal slaughter when his homeworld was conquered by the Thunder Warriors.
It was from Sibarn that the Emperor had recruited the first five thousand Astartes. Astelan was one of them.
During the Unification Wars, they had been formed into the first Astartes Legion, fighting alongside the Emperor.
Astelan's early career had been a swift ascent. In just fourteen years, he had risen from commanding ten warriors to leading an entire Chapter.
But with the arrival of the one known as the gene-father, Lion El'Jonson, his fortunes had turned.
His body remained in its prime, yet he had been exiled just as the Great Crusade was flourishing. He watched his juniors rise one by one:
Ezekyle Abaddon of the Luna Wolves, Sigismund of the Imperial Fists, Raldoron of the Blood Angels, Howard fender and Bukayo Arshavin of the Shadows of Order...
He had committed no error, yet he had been cast aside.
"Chapter Master," said Captain Merian, himself clad in armor from old Terra.
"Former Chapter Master. My rank has not been restored," Astelan corrected.
"I have summoned you to discuss the matter you wished to raise privately."
"Chapter Master," Merian did not change his address, "the Caliban-born..."
Astelan did not attempt to correct the stubborn Captain Merian. "There are no longer any Terrans or Caliban-born. We are all Dark Angels."
"That is precisely what I mean. Why does Luther still retain that redundant title of Lord Cypher?" Merian countered.
"Upon his return from the Rangdan War, Luther re-established the Great Orders."
"When the young neophytes, having completed their training, swear their oaths of dedication, not a single word mentions the Emperor or the Lion. They swear their oaths as Knights."
"Are you accusing Lord Luther?" Astelan glanced at the mighty fortress.
It was unlike most of Caliban, which had been reshaped by the technological wonders Astelan had brought, following the Emperor, to the world.
It still used the ancient infrastructure and systems left over from the Dark Age of Technology.
Throughout the Imperium, it was known more as the Rock, rather than Aldurukh.
Within the caves beneath the Rock, ancient technological relics lay. The low-gothic Angelic Towers generated an energy shield that protected it from the great beasts during the long night.
"Be careful, Merian."
"Luther is now the Grand Master. His status is second only to the Lion's."
"He possesses indisputable authority. His decisions are legitimate."
"Luther has long been out of favor, just like us." Merian curled his lip in disdain.
"Corswain," he said, his tone unable to hide his jealousy, "and Zahariel's cousin, Chaplain Nemiel, are both far more favored by the Lion than he is."
"Luther is not the problem. We know how to isolate him, how to bring him down."
"The others are the problem: the neophytes and those loyal to Luther."
"Vendraig. He abandoned the former Legion Master's glory, colluding with Luther and Zahariel."
Merir Astelan stared at Captain Merian. "Do you truly believe we can succeed?"
"I am certain!" Merian said with conviction.
"If a former Chapter Master, appointed by the Emperor and highly respected in the old Legion, could be the leader, it would greatly aid our cause."
"Chapter Master, your reputation could rally the Terrans on Caliban."
"Your experience would guide our actions."
Astelan pondered for a moment. "Then it's settled."
"I need you to convene a gathering. Not everyone, only those officers who command troops."
Merian dropped to his knees with a thud. "My lord, as you command. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your participation."
"We are facing difficult times, but with your leadership, we will set the Legion back on course."
Astelan watched Merian's back until he had vanished from sight, then turned and walked towards the Rock.
As the last light of Caliban faded, Merir Astelan appeared outside the Grand Master's private chambers.
He addressed the two warriors at the control console by the door: "I wish to see Lord Luther."
"Enter," a low voice came from upstairs.
Astelan climbed the stairwell, gently pushing the wooden door.
It was a remnant of old Caliban.
The hinges creaked. Astelan entered the Grand Master's chamber.
Luther stood at the window, looking out at the low towers and halls of the Rock's southern quarter.
Before the Apothecaries had enhanced him, he had been tall among mortals, with a thick neck and broad shoulders.
But he had been too old, his physique inferior to that of the fully modified Dark Angels.
That had changed upon Luther's return to Caliban. His current form could rival any Dark Angel.
He wore the Saturnine-pattern Terminator prototype armor gifted by Lord Nareth, his imposing frame completely hidden.
Luther regarded Merir Astelan appraisingly. "Astelan, what brings you here?"
"My lord, a conspiracy against you is brewing on Caliban."
"To my knowledge, those currently involved include Captain Merian, the suspended Chapter Master Nereidas..."
"There are dungeons beneath the Rock. But I would advise you to dig a few more, just in case."
Luther's eyes fixed on Astelan, unblinking.
"You are a Terran. Your distaste for Caliban and its people is well known."
"Tell me, what is your purpose in informing me of this conspiracy?"
"Have you seen that this rebellion is doomed to fail? Do you wish to curry favor with the victor before the outcome is decided? Do you want to regain command of troops?"
Luther fired a rapid succession of questions. "What is it you want?"
"My lord, the reason I support you is simple." Merir Astelan spoke calmly.
"I do not know what happened between you and the Lion. But I can see that you no longer follow his goals."
"And I have also seen your strength."
The "Baron of Corruption," Luther, clenched his fists, his gauntlets creaking. "Strength?"
"Yes. When the Emperor slaughtered my people, I felt no sorrow," Merir Astelan said plainly.
"I understood that the use of force can be righteous, even if it brings misfortune."
"Resistance is meaningless. Pointless resistance leads only to ruin."
"When I was inducted into the Legion, I became a part of that force, a part of its application."
His eyes gleamed. "Now I see a new force rising. To decry it would be equally pointless."
"You bring the chance for resistance."
Astelan's gaze was deep. "Everything that has happened to the First Legion since we discovered your world stems from his influence."
"I will rebel against Lion, against the ill fortune he has brought upon us."
"I will swear allegiance to a more worthy commander. And that is you."
Thud!
Merir Astelan's knees struck the floor.
"If you tell me I am wrong, that you remain wholly loyal to the Lion, then I will walk into the depths of the Rock and join the prisoners."
Luther's silence was a ten-second interrogation of Astelan's soul.
Thud!
A warhammer landed before him. A massive hand clasped his shoulder.
"Chapter Master Astelan, your rank is restored." Luther's expression was warm, deliberately using the intimate given name rather than the distant surname he had used moments before.
"Of course, after I have dealt with the traitors."
Astelan let out a long breath. "I will follow your will. I will draw all the conspirators out."
Luther watched the wooden door close softly. 'All of them? Unfortunately, you cannot.'
He never forgot Seraphax and Belah, who lurked in the shadows, stealing the archives of the Order of the Knights of Sirius.
They had prevented him from completing the Black Emperor's divine task.
Luther opened his internal communicator, switching to an encrypted channel, and contacted the trustworthy Zahariel and Urian Vendraig.
"They are about to act. Merir just reported to me, but his loyalty cannot yet be confirmed."
"During my absence, keep watch over Merian and Nereidas."
"I have been watching them from the darkness," said the full-fledged "Nightmare," Zahariel, his voice deep and eerie.
"Rest assured," came the voice of the "Judge," Urian.
"They think themselves hidden, but they have always been within my sight."
After terminating the communication, Luther walked into the inner chamber.
As he removed his armor with the aid of a servitor, he looked at the Shadows of Order, who was draped in a black robe. "I am ready."
The "Faceless" of the Twelfth Chapter, Shadows of Order, his skin rapidly drying and cracking, took on Luther's form.
"The Shadow-pattern Stormbird is ready for you," the "Faceless" said, his voice identical to Luther's, down to the prominent veins in his neck from artificial augmentation.
Luther looked at the Shadows of Order, now his mirror image, and nodded.
'The power my Lord has granted is strange and terrible. To be able to make him look exactly like me.'
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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