Chapter 115: Child of Hope
Chapter 115: Child of Hope
"This is a lie." By Alpharius Omegon (Maybe, possibly, ???)
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When the Emperor created his 20 Primarchs and Space Marine Legions, he design them according to his needs for the Imperium.
Magnus the Red, a powerful psyker who was destined to seat on the Golden Throne and control the Emperor's Webway.
Horus Lupercal, a grand military leader and able to handle any military or diplomatic issues as a leader among his brothers.
Leman Russ, Jaghatai Khan, and Lion El'Jonson. The military generals and blades of the Emperor.
And there is Alpharius Omegon, the literal representation of intelligence and sabotage on the galactic scale.
The 20th legion's Primarch, also known as Last Primarch was found last near the end of the Great Crusade. Already possessing a small fleet of spaceships, Horus found his last brother in the misunderstood conflict in which he ultimately welcomed his brother into Imperium.
This is a lie.
Unknown to everyone including 18 Primarchs and Imperium itself, Alpharius was the first to be found by the Emperor after four Chaos Gods scattered 20 super babies into the warp. By chance or sheer luck, Alpharius's baby pod landed back on Earth after traveling through the warp and was secretly retrieved by the Emperor.
To keep this matter secret, Emperor assigned his right-hand man, Malcador the Sigillite to raise the boy and teach him everything he need to survive including the ability to blend in and be incognito. It is said that Alpharius can block a psyker from reading his mind and is able to walk among people without being noticed or remembered (Example: Do you remember who walked beside you this morning? You just brush that person from your memory. That is what Alpharius is to everyone if he wants to be unknown).
While Emperor and Malcador kept the greatest secret from everyone, Alpharius also have a secret of his own. Ever since he was young, he felt something was missing, a piece of himself that isn't complete. This later was discovered to be true as he found his other half, another 20th Legion's Primarch, Omegon. Alpharius Omegon is in fact a twin Primarch who separated during their scattering through the warp.
Alpha Legion is a very different type of Space Marine Legion. Following their gene fathers' example and military doctrine, Alpha Legion became masters of intelligence gathering and sabotage. Every Alpha Legion changed its face to look like Alpharius and Omegon's faces and identified themselves as Alpharius, no matter what. Later during Horus's heresy, this confused other legions as a report of Alpharius Omegon's appearance was confirmed everywhere.
When Rogal Dorn and his Imperial Fists confronted the Alpha Legion and Alpharius, the Primarch of the Imperial Fists ultimately slain his traitor brother with his own chainsword. Later when Rogal Dorn told his brother, Roboute Guilliman that he killed Alpharius, the Primarch of the Ultramarines simply asked Dorn 'Which one?' indicating that there is a possibility of Alpharius may not be Alpharius but Omegon (Or none as Alpha Legion Space Marine pose as Alpharius).
Due to their secrecy and being a spy faction, no one truly knows Alpha Legion's loyalty. Some say that they are still loyal to the Emperor as one of their warcries is "For the Emperor!" but others point out that they sided with Horus during the Hersey and are still active as spies for the traitor legions. No matter who is correct, Alpha Legions is very effective and dangerous within the 40k universe.
Imagine, a perfect spy in every Hollywood movie and enhance with Space Marines gene seeds. Once, a small group of Alpha Legions operatives managed to kill billions of people using simple bacteria of Xeno origin. The bacteria managed to kill essential crops in Agri-World that supplied multiple key Imperium planets including hive and forge worlds. After Agri-World failed to produce food for these planets, the entire sector fell into chaos as people rioted and attacked the ruling government, demanding food. In the end, billions starved to death and destabilize the sector entirely. The ultimate combination of sabotage and effectiveness beyond imagination.
The most terrifying thing about 20th Legion is their current number after post-Horus Hersey. Currently, no one including Abaddon the Despoiler doesn't know the real number of the 20th, and their participation in each Black Crusade is barely noticeable. This also includes what kind of resources, manpower, and the number of ships are under 20th control. In short, just like the Hydra emblem, Alpha Legion always has someone to replace the head when it is cut off.
"Hydra Dominatus!" By Alpha Legion
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"What is the meaning of this?" William shouts with rage in his voice. The entire room went quiet and many of the guests cover their ears with their hands as the volume of William's voice is something they never experienced before.
Lady Shaw also covered her ears with fear as she realized that she may have angered a being beyond her capability. The whole purpose of playing the recovered information was to show that she has the advantage and have William take her into his study so ultimately she can lure him out of the capital city.
This plan usually works and she has done similar cases to ensure her demand was met during negotiations such as trade and political matters. Usually, when men are found out that their honor and dignity are actually flawed, they want to control the matter best as possible. In most cases, men tend to move the matter into a private room which Lady Shaw can exploit to her advantage. But tonight, it backfired as William's intention after hearing the recording wasn't compliance or maintain secrecy from everyone.
"I don't know how you have this technology but what concerns me is the content itself. You will answer my questions or else I will have your head right now." Drawing his new sword, William's blade glows red as the forge itself, brightening the entire room and generating tremendous heat.
"William, please, she must have a reason for doing this." Rana tried to calm down Master of the Fortress as she place her hands on William's wrist and lower it down. The glowing blade is lowered from Lady Shaw's direction but the tension in the room increased as William wasn't done with Lady Shaw.
"You will answer my question even if this means I have to break the treaty with Countess Shaw." William lowered his voice but the power of the words and their meaning remained effective.
With a large number of guests confused, Rana took command of the room and have servants escort the guests to another room where they can be entertained and remain calm. The situation overall wasn't a complete disaster as many assume the lady with the metal box offend the ruler of the fortress with a foul gift. That is until disaster walked into the room as the last guest exited the room.
Heavily armed Sisters of Battle entered the room with Sister Superior leading them. Once again, they entered the room with fire in their eyes and each step with a mission to do something not even William can predict.
"Is it true? Do you carry the child of the Chapter Master?" The new Sister Superior, Sister Marina asks Rana and examed her body to make sure the message from the vox channel was true.
Common misconceptions about Sisters of Battle are that they have to be pure of all including remaining virgins for life. This is not true in certain cases where the Sister of Battle has an intimate relationship and even shared a bed with a man for a night. Because of their lifestyle of purging, it is a rare privilege among Sisterhood to share bed or even have a relationship. Of course, if regular men of the Imperium have iron balls like Cain to spend a night with battle harden female warriors of the Emperor.
As for the Living Saint, it is a completely different story as they are considered the living embodiment of the Emperor's will, and it is never considered by any mortal man. Until now.
"Is it true? Do you possess a child of the Emperor's hope?" Sister Superior Marina said and this time it confused everyone including William.
"What do you mean by that? Aren't you about to go on a rampage because Rana and I are going to have a baby?" William asks Sister Superior as he is surprised by Sister's question and not burning him with flamer at the same time.
"Why would I oppose the will of the Emperor? Last night, he came to my dream and delivered a divine message to me about how his new hope is through the child from his living will and chosen warrior of great achievement. The child must and will be protected, I swear in his divine name." Sister Superior then kneeled and at the same time, all of the Sisters did the same and made an Imperial eagle with both of their hands.
'Star Child, you damn clever golden boy.' This was the only thing William can think of as he connect the dots after receiving new information.
"My lady, what is your will? From now on, we, the Sister of Battle will stay with you day and night until the child of the hope is born. We won't fail you on the holiest mission." Hearing this from Sister Superior, Rana made a face that show irritation as if something she worked hard to get rid of returned at the last minute before bed.
While this is going on, one of William's honor guard approach Lady Shaw and stand behind her, making sure she won't do anything foolish. Sensing this has to end and returning back to the main point, William turns his attention back to Lady Shaw who is still trying to figure out a way to turn the situation around.
"You, Lady Shaw will be in my custody until I find out who gave you this metal box and its content. You are not my prisoner but until I find out what is going on you will be under my protection as you can't be the mastermind. Honor guard, take her away." William took the metal box from Lady Shaw and order his guard to take Gabriella away. As the honor guard is about to take the lady away from the room, Willia appraises the metal box to see what exactly it is.
[An ancient vox recorder x1: This recorder was used before Great Crusade in Terra. With the large memory and battery life to record the message, it was mostly used as a reporter's recording device which can be attached to drones. Note: Modified for an unknown purpose.]
The last part of confused William and raise his head to see Gabriella about to step away from William as a guard stood next to her with his halberd in his hand.
Immediately, William once again grabs his power sword and draws the weapon out. In a single motion, he strikes down the honor guard with the intention to kill him once and for all. The swing of the sword made a large arc of red and yellow glow as William's blade went down while everyone who saw couldn't react or stop William from killing his own honor guard.
Meanwhile, through William's eyes, he saw the full name of Gabriella hovering over her head while his honor guard have [???] hovering over his.