Chapter 7: The Fate of the Thunder Warriors

Chapter 7: The Fate of the Thunder Warriors

The Master of Mankind returned from His sojourn within the Super Gene Universe, convened with His most trusted servants in the highest chambers of the nascent Imperial Palace. The Sigillite Malcador and Captain-General Valdor attended Him in council, two pillars upon which the future of humanity would rest.

He shared with them the sacred knowledge of Gene Engine technology, laying bare the magnitude of what His dimensional traversal had yielded.

Both Malcador and Valdor possessed intellects honed by centuries of conflict and study. They grasped immediately that the Gene Engine represented an entirely novel technological paradigm—one that diverged completely from the Dark Age of Technology's corrupted paths and differed fundamentally from any science known to this galaxy.

Through the programming of genetic sequences and the manipulation of dark matter, it could influence reality itself, bestowing upon the recipient enhanced corporeal form and devastating combat capabilities.

The concept was nothing short of revolutionary.

"If we implant Gene Engines into the Empire's warriors, our conquest of the stars shall proceed with unprecedented velocity," Malcador's voice carried barely contained excitement.

"We must forge a Gene Engine unique to the Imperium," the Emperor declared, His words carrying the weight of absolute authority. "It must be calibrated to this universe's physical laws to unleash the technology's maximum potential."

"I request permission to establish a research facility under Custodian Guard protection," Valdor stated with characteristic directness. "The Empire must allocate resources and gather the finest minds to conduct this research."

Such precious knowledge could not be permitted to fall into the hands of the Ruinous Powers—not again. The Captain-General would accept no other guardianship save that of his own Custodians.

Once Gene Engine technology reached practical application, it must be prioritized for Custodian integration. He would ensure that nothing could threaten the Emperor's reign or personal safety.

The Emperor's gaze turned to the small figure perched upon a nearby table, methodically consuming fried potato strips.

"Master Raven."

Both Valdor and Malcador followed their lord's attention to the diminutive creature.

Upon his return, the Emperor had granted Malcador the sight to perceive their interdimensional ally.

Raven looked up to find three of the Imperium's founding figures staring intently at him. A hint of embarrassment crossed his features as he pushed several fries forward with delicate talons.

"What's the matter? Would you care for some fried provisions as well?"

"I seek your counsel regarding the necessity of establishing this Custodian-protected research facility with Imperial resource allocation."

Raven appeared genuinely perplexed.

Such matters surely fell within the purview of the Imperium's triumvirate—why seek his opinion?

"Is it truly appropriate for me to offer guidance on affairs of such magnitude?"

"Your intervention made this technology's acquisition possible," the Emperor replied with sincere gravity. "You have earned the right to speak in this council."

Witnessing the Emperor's genuine request, Raven's naturally verbose tendencies emerged.

"The current Gene Engine represents merely a basic iteration. As fate nodes shift sufficiently, we shall access various improved and advanced versions."

"I recommend moderate modification to ensure the technology functions optimally within this universe's parameters. Excessive resource investment would prove wasteful."

"Naturally, absolute secrecy remains paramount. Any breach would invite endless complications."

The Emperor nodded thoughtfully. "If superior Gene Engine variants await us, then excessive research expenditure becomes unnecessary."

"Importing research data from the Super Gene Universe and adapting it for local conditions will both conserve resources and facilitate containment."

"The research facility proposal has merit, but Imperial investment shall remain limited. Only localization and specialized customization shall be required."

After addressing Valdor's suggestion, the Emperor activated a holographic projector.

Static-like pulse beams danced through the air, coalescing into a faintly luminous stellar cartogram.

"Terra stands unified; only minor concerns remain. Our vision must now encompass greater horizons."

The Emperor's finger indicated Luna upon the holographic display.

"Intelligence reports confirm that terrifying entities still prowl the lunar surface. Those who dabbled in genetic manipulation have descended into madness."

"Yet they retain genetic knowledge and creations from the Dark Age of Technology. Acquiring these resources will enable accelerated Legion warrior production and launch Our Great Crusade across the galaxy."

The Emperor's pronouncement caused Malcador's features to tighten, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"Legions? My lord, are you certain you wish to abandon the Thunder Warriors?"

"The Thunder Warriors' psychological stability has deteriorated beyond acceptable parameters. They no longer serve our forthcoming plans."

The Emperor's words held no hesitation. His demeanor remained coldly practical, as if discarding a tool that had outlived its usefulness.

"They conquered the entire world in your name, yet you would cast them aside."

"Ushotan will never accept such a fate—he will rally them in resistance against you."

Sadness crept into the Sigillite's voice.

"No sacrifice is unacceptable. When necessity demands, Valdor shall lead the Custodian Guard in appropriate action."

"Perhaps new technology might salvage them," Malcador ventured hopefully.

"They are lost to bloodlust, unable to extract themselves from its embrace. Granting them greater power would only render them a more dangerous, destabilizing element within the nascent Imperium."

The Emperor remained unmoved by His old friend's plea, His resolve absolute.

The Thunder Warriors' loss of control had grown increasingly frequent. Recently, two berserk Thunder Warriors had massacred over three hundred loyal Imperial servants. When the Custodian Guard arrived, only mutilated corpses remained—a scene worthy of the warp's deepest hells.

Such incidents represented merely the visible portion of the Thunder Warriors' degradation. In their frenzy, they had even turned upon their own battle-brothers.

Such an army could never be deployed in the Great Crusade.

"What a cruel decision," Raven observed, shaking his head after consuming a ketchup-dipped fry. "You truly intend to abandon those loyalists—perhaps even eliminate them entirely."

The Emperor's attention turned to Raven, maybe hesitation flickering across His features before He asked, "Raven, do you have an alternative counsel to offer?"

"Emperor, your decision demonstrates perfect rationality, yet sometimes absolute logic becomes the root of greater evils."

"Since you must take Luna while also removing the Thunder Warriors, why not grant them honorable death?"

"Let the Thunder Warriors be consumed in Luna's conquest, interred with honor and remembrance."

After speaking, Raven shook his head once more.

"Politics truly represents cruelty incarnate—deciding others' fates with such casual ease. Perhaps we should simply enjoy these fried delicacies; at least they might bring momentary happiness."

"Honorable death. A good alternative proposal." The Emperor nodded approvingly. "Let it be so."

The Master of Mankind's gaze encompassed both Malcador and Valdor.

"Beyond securing Luna and subjugating the Gene-Cults to our will, concurrent operations must proceed."

"Malcador, reconstruction efforts across all regions must intensify during this period. Existing power structures require purging, their assets claimed for the Imperium."

"Mobilize all available technical personnel. By any means necessary, I demand the orbital manufactorums restart immediately. The Imperium requires a vast fleet to launch Our Great Crusade."

"Any who dare impede Our progress—regardless of identity or station—must face absolute elimination. I shall permit no obstacles to humanity's destiny."

To preserve humanity, the Emperor had never hesitated to stain His hands with blood.

The council concluded.

The Emperor departed with Raven to His private laboratorium, there to apply the knowledge and technologies acquired from the Super Gene Universe.

Malcador and Valdor dispersed to execute their assigned tasks.

"He places considerable trust in that raven," Valdor observed, his tone carrying an uncharacteristic note of... something approaching jealousy.

Malcador turned to regard the Captain-General Constatine Valdor, and after a moment, smiled knowingly.

"I believed you incapable of emotional fluctuation, Constantine."

His gaze swept toward the majestic mountain ranges beyond the palace. "His Majesty grants the Raven participation in governance to foster belonging and responsibility toward the Imperium."

"The Empire requires The Raven as surely as it requires you and myself. He has become indispensable to the Emperor's grand design."

"You must accustom yourself to this reality, Constantine. The Imperium's future shall no longer rest upon three voices alone, but four—including now Master Raven."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________