My Name Is Martha

The vast Galaxy saw stars being born and suns dying at every moment. Great purple scars hung between celestial bodies, while the darkness of the void remained eternal.

A gate of deep purple light opened in the void, and the Blacklight, after its long voyage, emerged from the Warp.

Astronomican coordinates confirmed. Time differential parameters adjusted. Astropathic link clear.

"Report, Primarch. We have arrived at Olympia."

Olympia, the planet where Perturabo, Primarch of the Fourth Legion, had come to land. It was a world whose natural scenery closely resembled Terra, with mountains and seas unlike those of other worlds, verdant trees, and a temperate climate.

If any Primarch had the best start in life, then aside from the fortunate Lord of Macragge, Guilliman, only old Fourth, Perturabo, could compare.

Born in peace, with a father and mother, brothers he could beat up, and a beautiful sister—he was miles ahead of the rest. Not to mention Stinky Lad of Barbarus; he'd cry himself to death. Family was the most precious thing in the Warhammer universe!

Later, Plankton's miserable state was entirely his own doing. If we were talking about the later Plankton, there was basically no hope for him. The fine lads of the Fourth Legion had been dragged down by him. But this young fellow wasn't so extreme yet. As Hogg thought about it, a plan gradually took shape in his mind.

According to reports from Blackwatch's undercover agents, Plankton hadn't fully grown yet. Now was the perfect time to educate him.

Hogg promptly made a psychic call to Holy Terra. After consulting the Emperor, he received only four words in reply: [Use your discretion. I'll be there soon.]

Hogg really wasn't cut out for teaching and raising children. He'd lived two lifetimes and had never had kids. But he had plenty of experience being educated. He recalled his father's fatherly love in the form of the Seven Wolf Belt in his previous life, and psychic slaps in the face now.

As Hogg pondered, he glanced at the collection of photos on the table—Alpha in women's clothing, which he'd forced Alpha to take. A bold idea suddenly came to him, though it would take some preparation and careful timing.

Actually, Hogg should have arrived earlier, but after thoroughly filling Alpha with energy, he'd been left somewhat weakened. So, after finding somewhere to dump Afa, who was nearly worn out from being played with, he'd taken a hearty draught from the Warp and eaten plenty of snacks his Warp-dwelling neighbors had given him. Only then had he leisurely made his way to Olympia.

But after deciding how to approach Perturabo, he'd spent another two days in orbit, preparing for his plan.

The morning sun spilled across the white marble rooftops, and bustling residents began weaving through the orderly streets. Olympia's warm climate made it rich in produce. As long as people worked hard, anyone could live comfortably.

The country had been unified and was beginning to stabilize, but a crack was slowly opening.

"You don't understand my ideas at all, Father!" Perturabo, nearly three meters tall but still a youth, shouted as he argued with Dammekos.

The old man seated on the throne—the Tyrant of Lochos and the soon-to-be ruler of a unified Olympia—scolded his adopted son harshly. Though he was an ordinary man of modest stature, his presence overpowered the giant.

The two parted on bad terms, and a figure approached the throne.

"Father, Perturabo is just young. I'm sure he'll understand you," Calliphone said to her father.

"And how long am I supposed to wait? I know I'm a foolish, violent bastard, but Perturabo is my finest child. I want him to become part of this family.

"He'll eventually take my place and rule all of Olympia. As he is now, what right does he have to be a king? My dear Calliphone! I'm not young anymore."

Watching the conflict between her aging father and her younger brother grow worse, Calliphone felt miserable. After comforting her father, she decided to have a proper talk with her brother.

To Perturabo, he was special. He had been born knowing things, and even the wisest scholars couldn't match his intellect.

Yet this wisdom was a curse. No one could understand him, and nothing could surprise or move him. He was alone, misunderstood by the world. Perhaps only his foolish sister tried to understand him. As he wandered through the wilderness, Perturabo sighed deeply.

Sigh...

Sigh...

"Who are you?"

A tall, slender figure wore a gray dress. Her snowy white hair was tied back with a cord. Her astonishing beauty would move anyone who saw her. She looked at him with a loving gaze, maternal radiance surrounding her. A special bond seemed to connect the two of them, as if she were the person closest to him in the world.

"Who am I? Child, that's something you must ask yourself. Your heart will tell you the answer." Hogg, maintaining a kindly maternal demeanor, looked up at the young Plankton, who still had all his hair.

"Could it be? You're—"

"Shh! Child, seeing you grow up so healthy fills me with joy. I hope you won't blame me for arriving so late." Hogg raised a hand and covered Perturabo's mouth, cutting him off.

"Would you mind showing me where you live now?" came the gentle voice by his ear.

Normally, Perturabo would have stopped such an intrusive gesture. But some inexplicable bond made him lower his guard. She was family—there was no doubt about it. Perturabo reached an initial conclusion.

The two walked through the city streets, following Perturabo. Hogg pointed toward the enormous wind turbine in the distance. "Did you make that?"

"Of course. I optimized the entire system, allowing us to use better, more stable electricity," Perturabo said proudly.

"An ingenious transmission structure, adapted to the local terrain. It's a perfect solution."

"No, it's not my best work." Though Hogg's praise pleased him, Perturabo still reflexively disagreed.

"You have other works?"

"Of course!" The two quickened their pace and arrived at Perturabo's workshop. Hogg had shown exceptional skill during their conversation, and it was easy for him to follow Plankton's train of thought and suggest improvements.

Held back by Olympia's extremely low level of technology, even a technically gifted Primarch was like a child compared with Hogg, who had received a systematic education, absorbed the Emperor's advanced technology, and consumed fragments of the physical god, the Void Dragon. That was the benefit of returning early: more experience, more growth.

Their animated discussion soon attracted attention. Calliphone pushed open the workshop door. She knew that whenever her brother grew restless, he came here to tinker with his machines. But this time, a stranger was with him.

"Brother, who is she?" Her clear voice interrupted their discussion.

"She is..."

"Martha Menethil. You can call me Martha. I'm Perturabo's family, beautiful lady." Her flawless smile, paired with her lovely face, immediately dispelled Calliphone's doubts.

"Ah! Family. Welcome to Lochos. I haven't seen Perturabo this happy in a long time. I hope you'll join us for tonight's banquet."

"Of course. It would be my pleasure, beautiful lady."

Calliphone, ever graceful, left the workshop and gave the two of them some privacy. She hurried toward the palace, intending to share the news with her father. "My brother's mother has come for him."

As their discussion continued, Perturabo became increasingly certain of the other woman's identity. At the same time, a nameless fury gradually rose within him. Why? Why had she abandoned him? Why had she come here after leaving him behind? Perhaps she'd had her reasons—but why?

Time passed, and evening arrived. Calliphone once again opened the workshop door, inviting Martha to attend the banquet at the palace.

The platform has sent a message. I'll look into it.