The Old Man in Yellow Chooses Nimrod to Accompany Him

The last Terra month of 853.

Terra, the Golden Palace.

Nimrod's Psionic Energy projection crossed the void, and he glanced around, noticing that the seating arrangements among the Primarch had changed somewhat.

Having completed the first phase of his expedition and opened up the route to Terra, Robert Guilliman rose to third place, sitting to the right of Horus Lupercal.

To his right, in order, are Rogal Dorn Dorn, Leman Russ, Sanguinius, Vulkan, and Magnus.

The First Legion grew rapidly after Lion El'Jonson's return, and between him and Nimrod, only Ferrus Manus stood out.

To Lion's left are Hannibal, Perturabo, and Fulgrim, in that order.

When Fulgrim saw Nimrod, a perfect smile appeared on his face.

Nimrod, thank you for your gift.

"It's simply a work of art, as beautiful as the Aquila on the breastplate of my legion's armor."

"The Aquila Shuttle has indeed given us a completely new image, providing us with a more suitable aircraft in many situations." A perfect smile appeared on Sanguinius's face.

"The Stormbird are too rigid," Horus said, looking at his friend. "The Aquila Shuttle shows another side, making diplomatic affairs go much more smoothly."

Malcador smiled and gently stroked the golden Aquila on the tip of his staff.

"Not only the legions, but the Administratum also benefited, finding it easier to conduct diplomatic affairs."

After accepting everyone's thanks, Nimrod's gaze fell on Perturabo, who had not spoken.

"We also need to thank Perturabo, who made the Aquila Shuttle even more perfect."

Perturabo's icy blue eyes shone brightly as he spoke casually.

"It was just something I did on a whim; perfecting it wasn't difficult for me."

"Perturabo, how is your evacuation operation with Magnus on Dawn Star going?"

"We have successfully evacuated 1.03 million people and resettled them in the neighboring Imperial World," Perturabo said calmly.

Perturabo didn't want to say much. Although in the end, apart from the civilians who died in the Catastrophe caused by the electromagnetic storm, everyone else executed his plan perfectly, after learning the truth about Sons of C'tan, the "rescued" Planetary Governor Konrad Vaul, and the Planetary Defense Force Red Dragon C'tan, it was clear that he was not the one who truly made the decision.

If the truth is not discovered and his evacuation plan is carried out, C'tan's faith will spread to other worlds.

In the worst-case scenario, many worlds could be destroyed by the rising Death Cult.

Perturabo decided to consider the Warp and the life within it more thoroughly in order to develop a more perfect plan.

Magnus knew Perturabo didn't want to elaborate, so he added, "There's a religion on Dawn Star called the 'Sons of C'tan'..."

After listening to Magnus and Perturabo's accounts, Nimrod knew from his memory that the two had been hiding a lot of information.

Clearly, given that Imperial Truth does not acknowledge the existence of life in the Warp, Magnus did not mention the Warp entity C'tan.

He also failed to mention the phrase he uttered when he possessed Asava, foretelling the fate of the "Thousand Sons" with the words "All will turn to dust."

Despite Magnus's attempts to conceal information, Nimrod managed to glean some details from his memories.

[Magnus's famous scene, fighting against the falling colony ship.]

Magnus mentioned that only 540 Thousand Sons were killed in the entire operation, which was much fewer than he remembered.

Did I get the intelligence from Hathor Mhat that allowed Magnus to prepare in advance?

In Nimrod's memory, Magnus faced C'tan and was almost always at a disadvantage.

He, along with many of his Thousand Sons, bravely resisted the sinking colony ship.

Most of the Thousand Sons who were bound to his Psionic Energy turned to dust.

In the end, Magnus won by sealing C'tan inside his Book of Magnus.

Well, the detailed process will only be known when I see Hathor Mhat again, from him.

Hathor successfully completed his mission. He was originally going to be controlled by C'tan, but was eventually rescued by Magnus.

Now, with my guidance, his abilities are far greater than before. He not only enabled over a million survivors of the Kingdom of the Dragon, from a time when not a single one had survived, to live, but he also successfully became the Chief Librarian.

After Nimrod and Magnus discussed the Dawn Star campaign, the Emperor and Constantin Valdor appeared at the meeting.

After everyone bowed, the Emperor looked around at them and casually asked Magnus and Perturabo about the evacuation operation from Dawn Star.

Magnus provided a more detailed report, but still made no mention of the existence of the Warp entity C'tan.

After the briefing concluded, Malcador began by saying:

"The Administratum clerks documented and publicized the 'Dawn Star Evacuation' operation, and many worlds rejoiced at the Imperium's performance in the face of Catastrophe."

"Across the Imperium's many worlds, support rates have increased to varying degrees, and work efficiency has improved."

"Fellow council members." A synthesized Sonic Array rang out from beneath the mask of the Mars Fabricator-General, drawing everyone's attention to him.

"During the war with the Squats, the Mark II Power Armor demonstrated numerous drawbacks."

"To fight in the confined corridors of spacecraft and during boarding operations, in enclosed mines and underground tunnel complexes, and in environments with little cover, we have developed specialized armor to adapt to these conditions."

"Compared to the expeditionary version, the new model, named the Iron Pattern, offers more frontal protection, but correspondingly reduces the weight of the rear armor, making it unsuitable for conventional combat."

As the Mars Fabricator-General spoke, Mechadendrite struck his chest, projecting a brand new image.

"It employs a completely new design called Iron Pattern, where the sloping plates of this heavy armor helmet are designed to deflect to the left and right for firing."

Nimrod nodded slightly. He knew that the helmet design of the Mark III inspired the future helmet design of the Mark IV, and the wedge-shaped helmet was the basis for the unique beak helmet of the Mark VI.

"The holographic image disappeared," the Mars Fabricator-General continued.

"The Adeptus Mechanicus will provide each legion with new types of armor to prepare for future frontal battles."

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. "This is yet another piece of good news I've heard today."

He looked around at the members of parliament and continued:

"I have another piece of good news."

He said slowly, "I have received intelligence that there is an extraordinary person on Barbarus, a barbaric world in the southern part of the Galaxy."

He led the local people in an attack against the Xenos Overlord who enslaved humanity.

Upon hearing this, Nimrod knew that the Old Man in Yellow was referring to Mortarion.

"I want one of you to choose and accompany me to Barbarus to find your brother."

The Emperor's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Nimrod.

"Nimrod, you can reach Barbarus quickly through the Caluhm Gate."

"Come with me."

Nimrod had no interest in accompanying the Emperor to welcome back Mortarion, a staunch opponent of Psionic Energy.

But then it occurred to me that perhaps the Xenos — the Overlord —was an ingredient in the potion.

Nimrod also realized that he did not plan to launch a new campaign in the short term. He would only consult the Gardinal after the next Dice of Prophecy had cooled down in 855.

Thinking of this, he immediately agreed.

As you wish.