XXXV

269.M36

Dimannar - Segmentum Obscurus

From the Mandeville Point, a large Astarte fleet exited the warp. It's the largest fleet that ever come to Dimannar, not too said it's the Emperor's Angel, the Astarte have come in such large number.

On the bridge of his flagship, Atharion stood before the holo-display, where the image of the planetary governor flickered into view. His voice was calm but firm as he spoke.

"This is Supreme Grand Master Atharion of the Dark Knights. I have arrived with Grand Master Garron of the Fire Hawks and Grand Master Tristan Dare of the Angels of Wrath."

Angels of Wrath, a Space Marine Chapter of Dark Angels ancestry and are part of the Unforgiven. The Chapter was almost completely destroyed by the Frateris Templars on the command of Goge Vandire, during the Age of Apostasy due to their refusal of allowing the replacemnet of their chaplains with Ecclesiarchy missionaries.

In the original timeline, the chapter is destroy with only the 10th company, under Captain Cornelius Makallan escape with a small numbers of scout. They were trap within the warp for a long time before exited it at Death World Megiddio Primus. Thinking that Goge Vandire still in power, they got influence by the governor, Ezbesde Konnar to attack the local Church after he told them the Church have total control over the planet. In reality, no matter what the Church are doing on the world, it's just a plot by Konnar to gain back power over the world.

The final fate of the chapter is unclear as they got ambush by a large force of the Adepta Sororitas, and Makallan didn't give any order to retreat.

In current timeline, Atharion arrive at their homeworld just in time to rescues Tristan Dare and large numbers of Angels of Wrath from their destruction.

But the chapter had been devastated. The Frateris Templars' assault had left only 300 battle-ready Astartes, their fleet reduced to ruins. Their homeworld was fire-bombed into oblivion. The only good news, their gene-seed vault remained intact.

To aid them, Atharion gifted them three Strike Cruisers, allowing them to leave their homeworld with it's survive citizens.

Now, before him, the image of the planetary governor flickered. A middle-aged man in ornate robes, his hands trembled as he heard that three Astartes Chapters had come in at such large number.

"My Lords," The governor said with trembling voice, either from excitement or fear. "It's our most greatest honor to welcome the Emperor's Angel to our world." His voice wavered slightly, before he composed himself. "What's bring the Emperor's Angels to our world in such numbers?"

Atharion didn't answer right away. He simply stared into the governor's eyes. The weight of his gaze made the man tremble even more. Before the governor could collapse under the pressure, Atharion finally spoke in a neutral tone.

"You know why we are here, governor."

The man opened his mouth to reply, but Atharion cut him off.

"Sebastian Thor."

The moment the governor heard the name, he froze. His face turned pale, his mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

Atharion, watching closely, noticed something else, the governor's eyes flickered to his left.

An interesting reaction.

Just then, Atharion saw the governor step back, making way for another figure. A young man, likely in his twenties, took his place. He wore the robes of the clergy, his posture calm but firm.

Atharion immediately recognized him, Sebastian Thor.

He had seen the man's face before, in reports and images gathered by his reconnaissance squads. Every detail matched what his operatives had collected under his orders.

"My lord," Thor bowed, showing respect before speaking in a calm, steady voice. "I am Sebastian Thor, leader of the Confederation of Light. It is an honor to stand before the Emperor's Angels."

"Sebastian Thor," Atharion said slowly. "The traitor that Goge Vandire have declare, but save by the warp storm that destroy Templar that have been send to punish you." Atharion look into the eye of Thor. "So, are you the traitor Vandire declare, or the savior that send by the Emperor."

Atharion's voice was calm, but his words carried weight. This was a test, for the two Chapter Masters beside him. Garron and Tristan Dare needed to see for themselves that Thor was not another tyrant like Vandire, but a man who could truly lead the Imperium back to order.

Thor met Atharion's gaze without flinching. "I am no traitor." He said firmly. "I fight for the Imperium, for the God-Emperor. He has twisted the God-Emperor's vision, using faith as a weapon to serve only himself." He raise his voice. " He has brought ruin upon the Imperium, wasting lives, resources, and faith for his own greed. I will not let his madness continue."

Garron and Tristan exchanged glances, listening closely.

Thor continued, his voice steady. "The people suffer under his rule. Worlds burn, Astartes and Guardsmen alike die in pointless wars, all so Vandire can hold on to his throne. That is not the Imperium the Emperor wanted. That is not the Imperium I will allow to stand."

Atharion nodded. True to his word, Thor did bring back stability back to Imperium after the Terran Crusade, reorganize the Ecclesiarchy to prevent the rise of someone like Goge Vandire, form a rule that Ecclesiarchy will not be able to form any type of men-at-arms, and most importantly, the establishment of Adepta Sororitas.

Seeing Atharion nodded at Sebastian Thor words, both Garron and Tristan looked at each other once more, their expressions unreadable. Tristan Dare was the first to speak.

"You speak with conviction." He said, his voice measured. "But words alone do not win wars. How do you plan to defeat Vandire? His forces are vast, and the Frateris Templars are zealous beyond reason. Even with our might, this will not be an easy war."

Thor nodded. "I understand the challenge. Vandire controls the heart of the Imperium, and many still fear him. But fear is not loyalty. There are many that despise him, saw what have he brought the Imperium." He stop for a moment, seemingly thinking about something before continue. "Even some within his own ranks that see what he have become. They will join us the moment they see the better alternative."

Garron crossed his arms, raise one of his eyebrows, thinking what Thor have said. While Tristan keep silence, still staring at Thor.

Just as the silence seems to be getting longer, Atharion chuckle bring all the attention to him. As both Garron and Tristan puzzle by what Atharion chuckle for, Atharion spoke.

"There's not much choice left for us." He said while looking at Garron and Tristan. "We don't have time to wait for Vandire died naturely, even when he died, how can we be sure that Imperium, Terra will not left a power vaccum that truly destroy the Imperium."

Garron exhaled sharply, his expression still unreadable. "And you believe throwing our lot in with Thor is the only option?"

Atharion nodded. "It is not about belief, Garron. It is about reality. The Imperium was already stagnating before Vandire came to power. His rule already made the situation worse."

He looked at both Chapter Masters, his tone unwavering. "The Imperium was never meant to be ruled by a tyrant who cares only for his own power. Vandire does not serve the Emperor, he serves himself. If we do nothing, we are complicit in the slow death of the Imperium."

Garron let out a slow breath, his arms still crossed. "So you would put your faith in Thor to fix it?"

Atharion shook his head. "I do not put my faith in a single man. I put my faith in action. Thor is the one who has stood against Vandire. He has gathered followers. He has shown that the Imperium does not need to be ruled by madness and fear." He turned his gaze to Thor. "But words mean little if you do not have the means to back them up."

Thor nodded. "I understand. That is why I have not come empty-handed. The Confederation of Light has been building its strength. There are worlds that are ready to rise against Vandire, soldiers who have grown tired of dying for nothing. Even within the Ecclesiarchy, there are those who see the truth. They only need a spark to set the fire of rebellion."

Tristan remained silent for a moment before speaking. "And if we commit to this, there is no turning back."

Atharion met his gaze. "There never was."

Afterward, they all met on Dimannar to finalize their alliance. However, the meeting did not go well at first. While Thor and some of the higher-ranking members of the Confederation of Light were willing to listen, many others clearly opposed Atharion's proposal.

Atharion had suggested that after Vandire was overthrown, Thor and the Confederation of Light would support his crusade into the Dark Marches region. In return, Thor would grant the Dark Knights control over approximately 400 worlds in the region. Additionally, the Fire Hawks and the Angels of Wrath would be allowed to choose new homeworlds wherever they wished.

The last part of the proposal was not an issue. Both chapters had lost their homeworlds because of Vandire, who led the Ecclesiarchy. Since Thor and the Confederation of Light followed the Imperial Cult, it made sense for them to compensate the two chapters, especially when they had come to aid them despite their losses.

However, the real problem was Atharion's request for the Dark Knights to rule over the 400 worlds. While the members of the Confederation of Light respected the Astartes as the Emperor's Angels, they strongly opposed the idea of Space Marines governing planets. Many argued that this went against the Codex Astartes, which stated that Astartes should not rule over human worlds.

While Atharion argued with them, he understood their fears. They were afraid of another Ultramar, another region beyond Terra's control. They feared a Space Marine Chapter growing too powerful, pulling the Imperium into another civil war. Even after all this time, many still had not forgotten the Horus Heresy.

And how could Atharion blame them?

After the first meeting, Atharion have a private meeting with Thor and the highest members of the Confederation.

As Atharion took his seat, Thor already speak, clearly unwilling to wait longer.

"Lord Atharion," He speak with ferocity, while still enough respect within his tone. "What you have propose border, or even heresy. While what you said are true," He looks at Atharion. "The Angels does bleed and dies like us mortal, but with what happen before, not many will agree with you, and not many will even listen to your reasoning."

Atharion met Thor's gaze, his expression calm. He understood Thor's frustration, but this was not a demand made on a whim.

"I am not asking for an empire, like Ultramar." Atharion said evenly. "What I ask for is order. A realm where it's separate itself from the chaos and serve as one of the place that can support the Imperium in it's time of needs."

Thor's expression remained firm, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together.

"And you believe the Dark Knights are the ones to maintain this order?" He asked. "Even if your intentions are pure, others will not see it that way. Many fear another realm like Ultramar, another power that Terra cannot control."

Atharion didn't answer, instead smile a little while looking straight into eyes of Thor. As the silence stretch for an uncomfortable length, Thor suddenly speak.

"Fine," He said, while also look into the eyes of Atharion with trust in his own eyes, but there also some hidden deep within it, fanaticism which only Atharion can see. "I will support your crusade, but....."

"I will allow five worlds." Atharion cut off Thor, raising five fingers. "Five worlds to become the cardinal or shrine worlds, with the rulers choose by the Confederation."

The faces of Thor and the other high-ranking members froze. Cardinal and shrine worlds were ruled by the Ecclesiarchy, places where they could expand not only their influence but also their wealth. While they could take control of worlds once ruled by Vandire's chosen, it would take great effort to stabilize them and earn their loyalty. But a brand-new world, built from the ground up in their vision, was different. It was an opportunity. And with the support of an Astartes chapter, it was an offer they couldn't ignore.

Thor's fingers curled slightly against the table. He glanced at the others, reading their expressions, before turning back to Atharion. "You would allow us five worlds to shape as we see fit?"

Atharion nodded. "Yes. In return, you support my crusade and allow the Dark Knights to get what I proposed in the region."

One of the older members of the Confederation leaned forward. "And the rest of the worlds? What happens to them?"

"Other than the 400 worlds that I want." Atharion said. "The rest will remain under Imperium, governed by rulers appoint by Terra, as they should be. The Dark Knights will not interfere in their affairs unless necessary."

Murmurs can be hear for them, discussing of what this proposal can give them, and if it's worth the risk and political pressure that they will be getting. After a twenty minutes of discussion, Thor finally look back at Atharion.

"I can promise the support of the Federation to your crusade and claim." He stop, glancing at the other members before continue. "But, if the God-Emperor and Terra oppose the idea, we will not follow you through it."

Atharion nodded. "I understand." Atharion said calmly. "You don't need to worry about that. I can take care of it."

With this, the pact was sealed in the second meeting. While Garron, Tristan, and the other members of the Confederation were puzzled, especially since the first meeting had taken place only two hours ago, many of the members of Confederation are pleased with the outcome. They had secured the support of three Astartes chapters before even revealing their intentions to the wider Imperium, a significant advantage to their cause.

After three days of preparation, Sebastian Thor begin a speech, speech that got broadcast not only planet wide on Dimannar, but also on the worlds that already decide to support Thor to overthrow Goge Vandire. Atharion, Garron, and Tristan appeared alongside him, their presence a clear message to the Imperium, the Emperor's Angels stood with Thor. This not only bolstered the morale of those who had joined the cause but also strengthened its legitimacy in the eyes of the wider Imperium.

However, as the transmission spread across multiple worlds, Vandire's agents intercepted it and immediately relayed the information to him.

Upon hearing that Thor was still alive and now openly challenging his rule, Vandire reacted swiftly. He ordered the Frateris Templar operating in Segmentum Obscurus to mobilize immediately. Without delay, they were to gather their forces and launch an attack against Thor and his allies, crushing the rebellion before it could spread any further.

But Vandire didn't stop there. Turning his attention from Thor, he now looked toward the Adeptus Astartes chapters operating within the Segmentum Solar. He feared that they, too, might rise against him. Determined to prevent such a threat, he began laying the groundwork for a plan to destroy them before they could turn their bolters against him.

Thus, many Astartes chapters within Segmentum Solar came under sudden and brutal assault by the Frateris Templar. The most renowned among them were the Black Templars and the Space Wolves, both of whom found themselves under attack.

The Black Templars is attack by the Frateris Templar because of their numbers that are clearly over the limits, and with them maintaining so many keeps within the Segmentum. Vandire feel that they are a threat to his safety and his rule. So, all of the Black Templars' keeps got orbital bombarded.

Space Wolves is attacked mainly because of their close relationship with Atharion and the Dark Knights. Although Fenris didn't get attack by the Templar, one of the Great Company got attack when they are returning to Fenris, but survive the attacks and destroyed the attackers. Sensing war, Great Wolf summoned all the others Wolf Lords to return to Fenris, preparing their own hunt.

Thus, the war became bigger than in the original timeline. More factions and people were drawn into the conflict, leading to more destruction and more deaths, all because three Astartes Chapters openly supported Sebastian Thor.

In the original timeline, some Chapters voiced their support for Thor and his followers. However, most only gave words of support and did not send troops or supplies, as they were already busy defending the Imperium.

Now, changes have happen.

'Changes, no matter what it's give, it's also take.' After all, especially in this world, there are always a price for change.