Two Member

"Destroyed!?" Jacob frowned, thinking for a moment. "I haven't heard much about them lately, so it's possible. But it's more likely they've gone dark, conducting some secret mission. It's their style—keeping everything under wraps. To be honest, I can't confirm their status, but we could investigate their homeland if this concerns you so much. Who told you they were destroyed?"

"Inquisitor Elizabeth," Kayvaan replied.

Jacob scoffed. "Ah, the Inquisition. That explains it. Their word is always hard to trust. They'd rather see all Star Chapters destroyed to maintain their version of order. Did she say this during an inquiry?"

Kayvaan nodded. "Not outright. But her words strongly implied it."

Jacob sighed. "Typical. The Inquisition thrives on half-truths and ambiguity. They create webs of doubt and fear, isolating and breaking down their targets. It's a method designed to expose hidden weaknesses or deviations, and they apply it ruthlessly to anything or anyone they can't control." His tone hardened. "Given your unique situation, it's no surprise they'd single you out."

Kayvaan's expression darkened. "I was cursed, but that's all in the past," he said sharply, steering the conversation away. "Let's talk about the Raven Guard."

Jacob leaned back slightly, unfazed by the abrupt turn in the conversation. "The Inquisition hasn't fully claimed the Raven Guard is gone, but their silence raises questions. The truth is, we've had no contact with the Raven Guard since you woke up. No communication, no reports. Even the gene-seed we've been granted access to is stored material from Mars, likely centuries old. These archives are reliable, but they lack the quality."

"I get that," Kayvaan replied, frowning. "But here's what I don't understand—why don't people living on Terra have any real information about an active chapter? We can't even confirm if they're still operational."

Jacob didn't answer right away. Instead, he countered with a question of his own. "Do you know how many active Space Marine Chapters the Imperium has right now?"

"No idea," Kayvaan admitted.

"In one of the official reports, the number of active Chapters was estimated to be between 989 and 1,021," Jacob explained. "But that's just an estimate. Even the Imperium itself doesn't have an exact count. Space Marine Chapters are highly autonomous. Some are deployed on long-term missions, and others quietly establish successor Chapters. It happens more often than you'd think. Combine that with the labyrinth of bureaucracy, the rigid hierarchy, and the vast distances across the galaxy, and tracking every Chapter becomes almost impossible. If a Chapter doesn't want to be found, they won't be."

Jacob leaned forward slightly, his tone more serious. "Chapters like the Raven Guard, who specialize in covert operations, are even harder to track. Even the Inquisition struggles to keep tabs on them. If a Chapter decided to rebel, the Imperium might not notice until the rebellion was already underway."

"So, what's the status of the Raven Guard?" Kayvaan pressed.

Jacob shrugged. "No idea. If they're not reporting to the Imperium, the Imperium assumes they're fine. The surrounding sectors near the Raven Guard's territories are quiet, so there's no immediate reason to investigate. If you want real answers, someone would have to travel there and check personally. But right now, there's no pressing need for that."

Kayvaan sighed, pushing the thought aside. There were more urgent matters at hand. His eyes turned to the books before him, each outlining the strengths and weaknesses of different gene-seeds. The Ultramarines, with their balanced traits, were the ideal all-rounders—competent in every area but excelling in none. Their adaptability made them the backbone of the Imperium's Chapters, a reliable choice for most missions. However, their approach required time—centuries, in fact—to fully develop into a seasoned force. For someone like Kayvaan, waiting hundreds of years wasn't an option.

The Blood Angels, on the other hand, were ferocious warriors with incredible power on the battlefield. But their berserker tendencies and the curse of the Black Rage made them less suitable for smaller, tactical missions. Besides, their peculiarities weren't something an outsider like Kayvaan could fully understand or control.

Kayvaan asked, "What does the Raven Guard's gene-seed authorization provide for us?"

Jacob nodded. "The Raven Guard's gene-seed ensures recruits will inherit the genetic modifications necessary to create warriors capable of their specialized tactics—stealth, precision, and adaptability. However, their gene-seed has been fragile since the Heresy, and the success rate for implantation is lower than other legacies. Still, it's a viable foundation for a Chapter like ours."

Kayvaan thought for a moment. Weapons can be replaced. Ships can be forged. Supplies can always be requisitioned. But gene-seed? That's irreplaceable—the lifeblood of a Chapter.

Jacob continued, "When a veteran falls, his gene-seed is recovered by the Apothecaries. It's critical to sustaining a Chapter's numbers and ensuring its genetic legacy endures. Every recruit who carries that gene-seed will inherit the biological enhancements needed to uphold the Chapter's traditions and combat doctrine. It's a cycle—each generation building upon the strengths of the last. That's what makes the gene pool invaluable."

As long as the gene-seed remains pure and intact, the Chapter can rebuild itself after losses. Even after devastating defeats, a Chapter can recover over time, using its gene-seed as the foundation for a new generation of Space Marines. However, some Chapters, like the Raven Guard, faced catastrophic setbacks during the Horus Heresy. The losses at Istvaan V devastated their numbers and severely weakened their gene-seed, leaving it prone to instability.

In contrast, the Ultramarines' gene-seed is renowned for its stability and reliability. This makes it a common foundation for successor Chapters, allowing them to produce balanced and effective warriors. It's no surprise that many see the Ultramarines as the standard for the Adeptus Astartes. "We'll use the Raven Guard's gene-seed and inherit their strength," Kayvaan declared.

"But the success rate of the operation…" someone hesitated.

"I've reviewed the data thoroughly," Kayvaan interrupted. "I know how the Ravens handled things in the past. Their harsh training caused many unnecessary deaths, but we can change that. During training, we won't push soldiers to the point of dying. For the surgeries, we'll make adjustments to increase success rates—eliminating high-risk procedures and borrowing techniques from the Ultramarines where applicable."

"Wouldn't that go against tradition?"

"Tradition?" Kayvaan smiled faintly. "We're not recreating the Raven Guard; we're building something new. Tradition isn't a concern."

 Jacob nodded. "As you wish."

"Now, for the next steps: We'll need to coordinate with the Ecclesiarchy to assign Chaplains, arrange weapons and equipment through the Munitorum, and select suitable Captains and Navigators for our fleet. We also need to involve the Mechanicus for tech-priests and servitors to aid in constructing the fortress-monastery. There's much to organize."

Setting up a new chapter in the remote Eastern Fringe, far from the Empire, was no easy task. Fortunately, Kayvaan had Jacob's help. Unlike typical Space Marines, Kayvaan had a softer personality. He could smile warmly, speak kindly, and even pay small bribes when necessary to ease bureaucratic hurdles. Jacob, who observed these actions, found it amusing. "An Astartes negotiating like a Munitorum clerk," he often remarked. But Kayvaan's methods worked. Within a month—a record time—the entire process was completed.

"The official recognition of the Chapter has been issued," Jacob said, presenting the scroll to Kayvaan. He stepped back, dropped to one knee, and placed a fist over his chest. With solemn reverence, he recited an oath in High Gothic, pledging unwavering loyalty to the Chapter and the Emperor's eternal service.

Kayvaan raised his hand, mimicking a ceremonial sword, and tapped Jacob's shoulders. "Welcome, my brother." With this simple but solemn gesture, the ceremony was complete. The Knights Templar's roster grew from one to two.