The True Ferrus Manus

"It's time for Ferrus to stretch his legs. A full century buried in the labs, I suspect he's itching for action." Sandman's gaze pierced the star-sea, landing on the distant Medusa system—the home of the true "Ferrus Manus," the Lord of Iron.

Since the brutal conclusion of the Rak'Gol War, the Primarch, known for his resilience and skill, had gradually faded from public view. Even his own Iron Hands Legion had significantly reduced their presence on the Great Crusade's front lines. For nearly a hundred years, Ferrus had remained rooted on his homeworld, Medusa, dedicating himself to a series of highly classified research projects.

His research scope was exceptionally broad, encompassing everything from the reverse-engineering of Ork warp-tech to the upgrade protocols for the Imperium's entire communication network.

The core project involved the "miniaturization" and modification of the Orks' massive, cumbersome warp drives, aiming to adapt them for use on the Imperium's primary warships.

After more than a century of relentless effort, this monumental technological barrier had finally been overcome. The miniaturization of warp engines was complete, and the Iron Hands Legion was conducting the final phase of extreme testing. All that remained was a single command from the Emperor and Sandman, and the Imperium's fleet could begin the gradual refitting with these new faster-than-light engines.

While their absolute speed could not yet rival warp transit, they possessed an unparalleled strategic advantage: absolute controllability and complete avoidance of the Warp.

This meant the Imperium's fleet maneuvers would significantly reduce the risk of Chaos Corruption, a common consequence of frequent Warp exposure, thereby forging a crucial defensive measure for humanity.

"When that time comes, let the Chaos Gods dance in the Warp's tides," the Emperor's words carried a genuine smile. Over these years, ensuring Ferrus's research remained untouched by Tzeentch had demanded nearly as much effort as a divine war.

Clearly, the successful miniaturization of warp technology marked humanity's firm first step on the long journey to breaking free from the Warp's shackles. Though complete detachment from the Warp remained a distant goal, the Imperium had now gained its most precious assets: time and choice.

Humanity could finally plan its future methodically, from behind a relatively safe barrier.

"Then, I'll trouble you to make a trip to Medusa and inform Ferrus. After more than a century of refinement, Ferrus's temperament has become much steadier; he won't be easily provoked now," the Emperor said to Sandman.

"No problem, leave it to me." Sandman agreed without hesitation.

His own time and energy had been focused on Nurgle these past years; Ferrus and the other Primarchs were the Emperor's direct responsibility.

Nebulous Sector, Medusa.

The once-dead world, where volcanoes roared year-round and the land was scarred, its air perpetually thick with the scent of sulfur and destruction.

The old scenes were now a memory. Under the will and might of the Iron Hands Legion for the past century, this tempestuous planet had been thoroughly tamed.

The once surging seas of lava had been channeled into orderly riverbeds, becoming the world's lifeblood; the restless tectonic plates were locked down by colossal force field arrays, brought to stillness.

In their place, countless silver-gray research spires and grand experimental facilities rose like a steel forest from the land that had been reborn.

Today, Medusa's identity had long surpassed that of a mere homeworld for an Astartes Legion. Within the Imperium of Man's territories, it had become the most efficient and cutting-edge research and development center, second only to the Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars.

Here, many Iron Fathers of the Iron Hands had already fitted mechanical arms onto their backpacks, their various power weapons replaced by data-slates, and their power armor bore the marks of engine oil.

The Astartes' extraordinary genetic modifications allowed them to immerse themselves in solving research problems for months on end without rest, pushing the boundaries of Imperial technology with an absolute, rational persistence.

In contrast, even the most brilliant mortal employees were still bound by their physiology. They struggled to maintain the kind of extreme, continuous high-intensity focus for months on end.

In terms of efficiency, the results achieved by an Astartes researcher over several months of hard work were comparable to the efforts of a top-tier mortal team over several years.

"Hmm, it really is a last resort to have Astartes fighting wars. Building infrastructure and conducting research is the correct path," Sandman remarked, looking at the incredibly busy members of the Iron Hands Legion on Medusa with deep emotion.

As for the Emperor's thoughts behind the scenes, he didn't understand why the Legions were excluded from the Imperium's civilian governance. He had always adhered to a pragmatic ideology: mortal foundations, Great Astartes principles—whatever worked was sufficient.

The light in the laboratory's core area was fractured into sapphire shards by the central holographic star map, casting them upon Ferrus Manus's face, like a statue of steel.

A century of time had left no trace of aging on the Primarch, but it had tempered his innate resilience into something even more cold and stern.

He wasn't merely standing before the map; he was surrounded by countless streams of minute data and weapon schematics, as if he himself were the central processor of this world-brain.

There were no footsteps in the air, only the faint hum of energy. A shadow coalesced without warning in the light, forming a blurred humanoid silhouette.

Ferrus did not turn around. His enhanced voice, deep and steady, broke the silence: "You always choose the most efficient path, Lord Sandman."

A low chuckle echoed from the shadow as Sandman's form fully solidified. He, too, gazed at the vast star map. "Facing the coming storm, pleasantries are an unnecessary luxury, Ferrus."

Ferrus's massive metallic hand—those arms of Living Metal—clenched in the air, and the star map instantly shifted, displaying several extremely complex devices. "After a century of preparation, our research has finally yielded groundbreaking progress." His words carried a metallic texture. "Look here."

The star map zoomed in, revealing a battleship engine design unlike any seen before. "Based on a deeper understanding of warp fluid dynamics, we have developed a new generation of warp engines. Not only will they allow ships to travel faster in the Warp, but more importantly, they can actively 'smooth out' surrounding turbulence, creating a temporary 'calm bubble.' Chaos's power will find it harder to perceive and track our fleet."

A flicker of admiration flashed in Sandman's eyes. "This means the Imperium's armies will gain unprecedented stealth and mobility."

"This is merely the foundation," Ferrus's hand moved again, the display changing to an energy field schematic. "Simultaneously, 'anti-psionic field' generators have entered mass production. They will significantly weaken the Chaos Gods' primary source of power in realspace."

His tone held no trace of arrogance, only cold narration. "Deep within Medusa's core, three hundred colossal furnaces work day and night. The Iron Hands Legion has completed the refitting of these new engines."

Sandman walked closer, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling technological achievements. "You have turned the entire world into an armory, a fortress facing an unknown war. But the true preparations seem to extend far beyond these hardware aspects."

He pointed to the schematic. "The 'Ork Warp Drive Miniaturization' is complete. It can now be stably installed on cruiser-class vessels. Our main fleet will no longer rely entirely on Warp navigation and will be able to perform short-range, rapid, and unpredictable breakout jumps within realspace."

Sandman was silent for a moment. "...You have given the Imperial fleet legs capable of instantaneous movement within realspace. This will fundamentally alter the predicament facing humanity."

Ferrus's gaze returned to the endless sea of stars, as if he could already see the future of betrayal. "I have synchronized the blueprints for the 'anti-psionic field,' the new warp engines, and this warp drive core via an encrypted data-link to the territories of Korax, Dorn, and Luo Jia. Their respective Forge Worlds should now be in the substantive production phase."

He paused, his voice lowering.

"The future the Father envisioned for humanity should not be extinguished by a betrayal that was foreseen. We do not need to wait for disaster to strike, Lord Sandman. While Perturabo is still flaunting his loyalty in the Maelstrom, we have prepared... a comprehensive 'surprise' for him, and for the 'gods' lurking in those dark corners behind him."

The laboratory's dim light reflected on Ferrus's statue-like face. The cold metallic sheen seemed to be his answer to that dark future.

"Very well. It seems the Emperor has revealed everything to you. Then be ready. After being idle for a century, I wonder if you and the Iron Hands Legion still remember how to fight," Sandman said to Ferrus with a smile.

Ferrus slowly turned, his eyes like quenched steel balls fixing on Sandman. The cold light of the laboratory flowed across his metallic arms. "Forgotten?"

His voice was not loud, but it was as heavy and powerful as a hammer striking an anvil, echoing throughout the vast space.

"Lord Sandman, you have made a mistake. The Iron Hands have never been 'idle.' We have merely shifted our battlefield from the corpse-strewn trenches to the very front lines against ignorance and fate."

He took a step forward, and a slight tremor ran through the metallic floor beneath his feet, as if the entire planet of Medusa was responding to his will.

"What is this century of research? A game played by scholars in ivory towers?" Ferrus raised his gleaming metallic hand. "No. This is war! Another expedition launched with logic and steel against Chaos and destiny! We reverse-engineered the Ork warp drives to deliver death more precisely to the traitor's bridge in future void warfare! To allow our warriors, when facing the madness of the Warp, to withstand one more strike, to unleash one more counter-attack!"

His voice rose, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"As for my Legion... they have never forgotten how to fight. They have merely deepened the muscle memory of wielding power weapons into neural synapses capable of reconstructing the laws of physics. Every warrior toiling here day and night, deciphering complex problems, their will has already undergone a tempering more brutal than any real combat, forged in the torrent of data and the labyrinth of theory."

Ferrus raised his hand, pointing outside the laboratory, towards the towering research spires and the roaring forges.

"You see, this planet itself is a war fortress that has completed total mobilization. Every forge here can be converted into a bolter production line within a week; every researcher can become the most ruthless killing master the moment an alarm sounds. We remember how to wage war, Lord Sandman."

He finally stopped, standing mere inches from Sandman, his voice dropping to a low tone, yet imbued with a more terrifying power.

"And we will fight in ways our enemies cannot comprehend. When they believe we will only hold our ground, our cruisers will use Ork technology to warp into their weakest rear; when they rely on Warp sorcery, our stasis fields will freeze their daemons in place; when they think they can destroy our flesh, they will discover that our will is already as unyielding as steel."

"Tell Father, and tell those enemies lurking in the shadows," Ferrus Manus, Lord of the Iron Hands, the Forgemaster of Medusa, made his final declaration, "the Iron Hands Legion not only remembers how to fight... we have redefined war."

The laboratory lights reflected on his half-flesh, half-metal face, devoid of any doubt, possessing only a cold, hard, and invincible confidence, much like his 'Gorechild' hand.

A low rumble emanated from the core of Medusa, as if the entire planet was resonating with his declaration of war.

"In that case, prepare yourself. I believe your brother is already eager to prove who the true Ferrus Manus is," Sandman's voice echoed in the laboratory. Simultaneously, a powerful surge of psionic energy erupted, projecting a heart-stopping vision before Ferrus.

It was no longer a cold star map, but a direct projection of the current location of Ferrus Manus – the Maelstrom's Sulis system.

The entire system had transformed into an immense armory, with countless crude, dark steel structures entwined around planets and asteroid belts like cancerous growths, emitting an ominous crimson glow.

And at the center of the system, an unimaginably vast structure was in operation, its form resembling a colossal heart woven from black iron, brass, and tormented souls – the core factory of the 'Soul Forge,' built upon Vashtorr's technology.

"Look, Ferrus," Sandman's voice held a hint of gravity, "your brother has chosen... consumption and desecration."

Within the projection, details were magnified. From the Soul Forge factory, a ceaseless tide of nauseating war machines poured out.