primaris

Lerica spoke up.  "It is perhaps worth noting, Watch Commander, that the sheer power of your Indomitus Crusade forces outweigh all of the obstacles that face Cloudburst combined," she said.  She drew her silver shawl close around her shoulders and stared cannily up at the Primarch.  "Were you to disperse your fleet over last eight of the systems presently under attack, that would be quite more than enough to push back our foes.  Perhaps we could other contribute some of those assets to your own Indomitus Crusade."

"That was the idea.  The galaxy may benefit at times from a more dispersed military force, although I have my doubts about that," Guilliman added in a growl, "but now is not the time for subtlety.  It is time to set down the scalpel and pick up the jackhammer.  The enemies of the Imperium are poised to take advantage of half of the galaxy losing safe travel.  We shall dissuade them of their ambitions through unstoppable force."

Domack grimaced uncomfortably.  "Lord Commander, of course we shall follow your orders without doubt, but this is the Deathwatch.  We are the scalpel.  We function in small units because we are not high enough in number to be the jackhammer."

Guilliman nodded patiently.  "I am aware, Commander Domack.  Your own Watch Fortress shall contribute only a few Killteams, I think.  Nor shall I leave your Fortress understaffed.  I intend to leave twelve Primaris Marines from the Unnumbered Sons, to learn at the feet of the master, if you will."

Domack searched his memory, but nothing came to the fore.  "I fear I am unaware of the Unnumbered Sons Chapter," he said.

Guilliman shook his head.  "The Unnumbered Suns is my own name for the Primaris Marines that now follow in the Indomitus Crusde, Lord Domack, not a Chapter.  Primaris Marines are a new creation, Space Marines made from the geneseed of the original Primarchs and imbued with new organs that differentiate them from the Emperor's original Astartes."

Now, he gauged, he would need to recite another of his platitudes by rote, as Elkop, Domack, and Lerica all exchanged looks of shock, disgust, or even horror.  "New Marines?" Lerica demanded.  She rose up to her full height, which she did not seem to care did not intimidate Guilliman in the slightest.  "What blasphemy is this?  The Emperor would never allow an entire new breed of transhumance to be made from his sons!"

Guilliman's gold-blue eyes glimmered angrily, and Lerica did not back down.  "Have a care, High Inquisitrix," he said coldly.  "Of august station you may be, but you are not above reproach."

"As is for me, so is for you, Lord Guilliman!  What is this impingement?  By whose authority do you think to modify the sacred gene-line of the Emperor Himself?" Lerica demanded.

"His own," Guilliman snapped, and this time Lerica did recoil.  "I spoke to the Emperor for a day, a full blasted day!  We spoke of death, and of tools, and of a galaxy of crushed hope!  Stow your objections, for they are based in ignorance, as is so very much of this benighted Imperium!  I and my fellows of the forward-thinking sort are all that stands between the Imperium and total extinction."  His contempt spilled through his voice.  Domack and Elkop both took a step back at the bile in tone.  "Do not speak to me of authority," he said firmly, his voice back under iron control.  "Until and unless the Emperor personally countermands me, I AM the authority.  By His own authorization, I have resumed both the chairmanship of the Senate of the High Lords, and the Imperial Regency."

"And that gives you remit to tamper with the Emperor's own handiwork?" Lerica demanded, though her tone was more respectful.

"Handiwork," Guilliman scoffed.  "I am as much His handiwork as anything else in this galaxy and rather more than most.  Unless you think to countermand His direct instruction, hold your tongue."

Lerica fumed, but kept her jaw tight.  Guilliman sighed.  That had been a sadly common outburst from the Inquisitors he had encountered in the past two years.  "What say you, Watch Commander?"

Domack felt intensely uncomfortable under the scrutiny of his nominal superiors, but determined not to show it.  "I suppose I can not say I disapprove of efforts to expand our defensive capabilities.  Are the logistical requirements of these new Marines terribly different from our own?"

"Slightly higher, and they have their own unique armor and weapons.  Archmagos Cawl can tell you more," Guilliman said.  "Regardless, the Deathwatch has been learning the ways of the most dangerous and perfidious aliens and alien-worshippers in the galaxy for millennia.  The new Primaris Marines need this experience.  I have taken the liberty of choosing twelve of the most promising new Primarises to add to your complement of Deathwatch Brothers, as well as a generous complement of new arms and ammunition."

Domack inclined his head.  "Then you have my thanks."

Lerica pursed her lips.  "It is dangerous enough to face so many threats in this galaxy with Astartes from Chapters that I know well.  am not entirely comfortable with such untested factors entering into the sphere of my authority here."

"How long do you need to get over it?" Guilliman asked simply.

Lerica was too dignified to flush with anger, but the glint of genuine resentment in her eyes carried her message well enough.  Guilliman doubted she would act on it, but decided to hedge his bets.  "Allow them to learn from the best, High Inquisitrix, and to lay their lives on the line to defend the Imperium from its many enemies.  That will be more than enough to convince you of their utility."  Guilliman raised his gauntleted hands.  "Change has come to the Imperium.  Whether forced on us by Abbadon or the Tyranids, whether from within by my forces of reform, or whether a natural consequence of our attempt to survive these trying days, it is here.  We shall adapt or die."