‘Then all is well,’ said Guilliman. His armourers had clad him as far as his waist. Their activity lessened a moment as diagnostic handsets were plugged into his armour’s interface ports to check the function of the lower assembly. The legs tensed as their fibre bundles contracted. The handsets chirruped affirmatively, and the arming commenced anew.

‘Leave Macullus and Dibus here,’ said Guilliman, nodding at two of the Ultramarines. ‘I wish to speak with them about their plans for redevelopment of the Veridian system.’ The Victrix Guard were as much statesmen as warriors, another practice Guilliman had reintroduced to his Chapter. ‘Take the rest of the Victrix Guard with you to the command deck. I will join you shortly.’

‘As you command,’ said Sicarius.

‘And where is Felix?’ said Guilliman.

‘He is delayed, my lord. He sends his apologies.’

‘Very well,’ said Guilliman. ‘See he is with us at the opening of the battle. I will have representatives of all arms of the crusade present. This is an important day, Sicarius.’

The backplate of Guilliman’s armour was lowered into position by a crane and held steady by the velvet-gloved hands of four mortal servants. Two massively augmented servitors manoeuvred the Armour of Fate’s breastplate from the table. Moving it into perfect alignment with tiny whinings of their servomotors, they slammed the breastplate home. Small clicks sounded as it locked to the backplate, and two men worked quickly to tighten the hex screws, making the seal fast.

‘My lord,’ said Sicarius. With one last bow, he departed, leaving two Victrix Guard behind.

‘Praise the Omnissiah for the Armour of Fate!’ proclaimed the tech-priest. ‘Praise the Emperor for His wisdom! Praise the motive force for the activation of the primarch’s shield.’

Guilliman hid a wince at the tech-priest’s fervour. He had little time for religion.

At least they are not singing, thought Guilliman. He had put a stop to that.

‘Dibus, Macullus – come here,’ Guilliman said to the two remaining members of the Victrix Guard. He settled back into the arming frame as the rest of his armour was assembled around him. ‘Tell me more about this water-conservation regime you wish to impose on Calth’s feed worlds. I understand you have been suffering disagreement. We will resolve this now, or I will decry you as worse than the archmagi.’

The two warriors glanced at each other and approached. They set out their plans, and where they did not accord. The primarch listened.

So matters of peace were discussed as Guilliman’s armada sped on towards the Pit of Raukos, and the enemy awaiting them there.

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Guilliman’s Mercy

The primarch’s war had taken him away from the star-realm of Ultramar, but still he found time to govern his home from afar.