96. Interlude: Alpha Primus (includes a small portion of this...

(Text timeline)

Looking at the enormous nutrient tank in front of him, Belisarius Cawl slowly took a few steps back.

A giant floated in the nutrient tank, seemingly asleep with his eyelids closed. His skin was covered with crisscrossing scars, but they were not medals from war; rather, they were the result of repeated injuries and stitches during experiments.

He was very strong, his muscles a perfect blend of power and beauty, clearly not naturally formed, but imbued with a strong sense of design. He was taller than the average Astartes, but his skin was free of any Black Carapace.

He appears to be from the Astartes, but which Chapter does he belong to?

No one knows the answer; at least Roboute Guilliman couldn't figure it out at all.

"I created him," Cawl said, his voice strained.

"Explain," Roboute Guilliman said succinctly, his brow furrowed.

Cawl a deep sigh.

"He has neither a father nor a mother. He is neither a clone nor a naturally born human. I gave him life using the purest human genes I could obtain."

Cawl walked to a corner of the secluded workspace. There stood a long table, with numerous cables hanging from the ceiling, almost completely obscuring its surface.

Cawl slowly raised one of his appendages, ripped off all the cables, and threw them on the ground. A small, empty nutrient tank was revealed; it was quite old, with its iron-gray surface covered in spots.

Cawl used his appendages to lift it and brought it to Roboute Guilliman and Karyl.

"Gene editing is a dangerous technology that requires constant monitoring from the embryonic stage. I spent ten years advancing this project while I was still on Mars at the time, and in the end, I obtained a strong, healthy, disease-free, and exceptionally intelligent child from this culture tank."

"He can be adapted to any Primarch's Gene-seed and perfectly survive the critical period. Those nineteen modification surgeries were not difficult for me; in fact, they were quite simple."

"But my goal wasn't to create an Astartes from scratch; that's not what my mission described. So I placed him in the Stasis Field and began waiting for the Sangprimus Portum."

"It was at this time that Lord Kolaus Corax found me."

Roboute Guilliman's expression changed immediately, as did his tone.

"Corax?" he asked. "Have you met him?"

"Yes," Cawl said, his tone carrying an undercurrent of admiration that was not easily detected, but Karyl still caught it.

He continued to listen attentively.

"He went to Mars specifically for this purpose. As I said, I wasn't Archmagos at that time, but he still specifically asked to see me. My first thought was that he knew about my mission, and I was terrified by that."

"My intuition tells me that he came to me because of my mission. I'm afraid he'll kill me. I'm not afraid of death, but if I die, I won't be able to complete the mission the Emperor gave me."

Roboute Guilliman immediately and seriously defended himself, arguing that he was not present and that he was a brother from the past, raising his voice.

"Corax isn't that kind of person, Cawl. He would never kill innocent people indiscriminately, much less be the rigid person you imagine."

Cawl smiled and nodded. "Yes, sir, it's obvious. Otherwise, how would I have survived to this day?"

"In short, I met him on his flagship. He told me directly that he was indeed there for my mission, but the truth was completely different from what I had imagined; he had come to help me."

"He brought me the Sangprimus Portum, and not only that, but also an exceptionally valuable technology—or more precisely, the only remaining sample."

Cawl turned to look at the huge nutrient tank.

"Is it him?" Roboute Guilliman asked.

"No, no, sir," said Cawl. "It is a dying Raven Guard."

Roboute Guilliman lowered his head, closed his eyes in thought for a few seconds—a habit he'd inherited from a certain lady—before suddenly speaking, "Is it related to the Deliverance Rebellion?"

"Yes," Cawl sighed. "That catastrophe caused heavy casualties among the Raven Guard. Although they were victorious, personally, I wouldn't call such sacrifices a victory."

Roboute Guilliman slowly clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. But he remained calm and nodded to signal Cawl to continue.

"That Raven Guard's name was Narva Hef, and when I met him—"

Cawl paused for a moment and tapped his prosthetic eye. A beam of light slowly bloomed from his eye and projected onto Roboute Guilliman and Karyl.

The light screen flickered, and a figure slowly appeared.

He lay in a complex medical apparatus, his armor inexplicably melted and mixed with flesh and blood. His entire upper body was severely injured, and most of his organs were entangled and mixed with metal.

Nevertheless, he still smiled at the light screen.

"I hope I can be of some help to you, Cawl Kaul," Narva Hef said weakly, very weakly.

The light flickered, and Narva Heff's pale face vanished, replaced by another face—a face that was exhausted and in agony.

The owner of this face slowly spoke.

"I have failed my children, Cawl Caul," he said with a smile, but the stiff muscles made the smile bitter.

"But I did not break the vow I made to my father. I spoke with him in spirit when I left Terra, and I swore to him that I would defend the legacy he gave me with all my might. You swore an oath to him too, didn't you?"

The light screen swayed up and down.

"Ah, you are both lucky and unlucky, Father. I bless you, and I hope you can accomplish your mission."

Kolus Corax's smile vanished; his face, withered and ravaged by pain, held no trace of life, and all that could be seen was death.

The light curtain dissipated.

"Lord Kolus Corax entrusted one of his sons to me. From the body of the deceased Narva Hef, I unearthed a technology that I cannot reveal to anyone, and it has greatly aided my research."

As Cawl spoke, Kaul fell into deep thought, his tone becoming almost a murmur.

"The Primarch's genetic material is stored in the Sangprimus Portum, and the Emperor has commanded me to create a new generation of Astartes to face an even more terrible war. I pondered for a long time before finally arriving at a conclusion."

"I believe that to do this, I must implant the pure genetic material from the Sangprimus Portum, which has not been altered by any Legion or Chapter brothers, into a person's body and allow it to combine with him."

"Then, I will use him as a blueprint to gradually create more derived gene sequences specifically adapted to each of the Primarch Gene-seed."

"That's what the Emperor did, my lord. He created the first Astartes using derivative sequences isolated from the genetic material of the Primarch."

"I stand on the shoulders of giants and look ahead, but I am foolish; all I see is a fog. Even with Lieutenant Narva Hef's genetic fragments being of great help, progress on this work is extremely slow."

He finally raised his head and walked to the huge nutrient tank as if he couldn't help himself. The giant inside the tank was as still as the dead, completely unaware of his gaze.

Roboute Guilliman stepped forward seriously, stared at him, and asked in a low voice.

"So, you mean he possesses the genetic sequence of the entire Primarch?"

Cawl forced a smile, as if to conceal some emotion he was unwilling to express.

Karyl saw it clearly; that kind of emotion wouldn't appear in a cold-blooded researcher.

To be honest, he empathized with her somewhat. On the other side of the lab, Cawl began to explain.

"I find it difficult to refute your statement from a scientific point of view, sir. But the truth is, as I said, he was a blueprint, an experiment combining all the genetic material of the Primarch."

"His genes are merely similar to, but not a match to, any Primarch or their offspring. He is a unique individual; in this galaxy, no one is his brother."

"You mean he's not Astartes? He didn't undergo nineteen modification surgeries?" Roboute Guilliman immediately pressed.

"No, sir, I didn't operate on him, but he possesses all the organs that a normal Astartes would have surgically implanted. The technology I obtained from Lieutenant Narva's body allowed him to naturally possess these precious gifts during his development."

"He could naturally grow into Astartes without undergoing those modification surgeries, but..."

Roboute Guilliman suppressed his excitement and asked in a gentle tone, "But what?"

"But I failed," Cawl said.

At that moment, the Archmagos's mutilated half-face was filled with bewilderment.

"I've been trying all these years, I've tried every way I can think of to keep this project going, but I just can't."

"The pure fragments extracted from his genes and the Gene-seed provided by various Chapter combined quite well in the petri dish; however, whenever I implanted them into a new recipient, these pure genes mutated."

"Forget about naturally growing into Astartes without surgery; they won't even live more than a few hours before dying."

Cawl shut his mouth, and after a few seconds, he shook his head with a smile.

"Therefore I must declare my failure, my lord. Belisarius Cawl has been working on this project for thousands of years without making any progress, failing time and again, yet trying again and again."

Roboute Guilliman pondered for a moment, then shook his head. He didn't seem disappointed at all, nor did he show any sign of blame.

He put his hands behind his back, took two steps back, and said to Cawl, "In that case, can you wake him up?"

"Yes, sir, but why?" Cawl asked, puzzled.

"Curiosity," Lord Macragge said frankly. "I want to speak with such a creature."

Cawl composed himself, nodded, and stepped forward to operate a panel-style Cogitator in front of the nutrient tank. But just then, Karyl suddenly spoke.

Does he have a name?

Cawl paused. "No, sir."

"Give him a name, Archmagos. We'll wait outside," Karyl said, turning and leaving the secluded workspace.

Roboute Guilliman, though puzzled, followed. The world outside was still filled with the sounds of various machines operating, still pleasant and rhythmic.

A few seconds later, Karyl spoke first.

"He didn't just see him as an experiment or his creation. The Belisarius Cawl's human side had largely disappeared from that mechanical body, but he remained rich in humanity, Roboute."

"What are you saying, Karyl?"

Lord Macragge asked in bewilderment, his words causing Karyl to glance at him. At that moment, he had some questions he wanted to ask, but ultimately he didn't voice them.

Roboute Guilliman's gray hair was the answer to his question.

War changed everything. War transformed Roboute Guilliman from a naive idealist into the pragmatic, and sometimes even ruthless, man he is today.

He still pursues his ideals, and he remains the same protector and shield as before. But what he lost can never be regained.

"I was saying—" Karyl answered slowly. "-- Belisarius Cawl regarded the creature in the nutrient tank as his son."

"But he didn't even give him a name."

Karyl smiled and shook his head, "He's just running away, Roboute."

He turned formally to meet Roboute Guilliman's gaze and said softly, "Just like how you deliberately avoided talking about Tarasha Euten."

Roboute Guilliman clenched his teeth sharply.

--

What should I call you?

Cawl stopped manipulating the control panel and began to ponder. He knew someone was waiting outside the room, and these two people were among the most distinguished in the entire Imperium, yet he continued to think.

He couldn't stop thinking like this.

Name, name, name... Yes, name. I should have given you a name a long time ago, but why did I forget?

He looked at the sleeping giant in the nutrient tank and felt a smile well up from the bottom of his heart. Although his heart had now been completely replaced by a powerful engine, and his veins were filled with engine oil and synthetic lubricant instead of blood, he was still filled with excitement.

His program was definitely malfunctioning at that moment, because he felt his heart was "racing"—when in reality, the main engine that was acting as his heart was accelerating.

This is not a good thing. If he doesn't stop, the most critical main engine will inevitably overheat. The resulting chain reaction could destroy his laboratory, and there are still many secrets about the fragment he placed inside his body that he hasn't figured out yet.

But he just couldn't stop; Karyl Lohars's words seemed to have opened Pandora's box.

"What should I call you?" Belisarius Cawl asked very sincerely.

Let me think of Sol. What do you think of the name Sol?

No, that won't do. It's too old-fashioned, it sounds like a local Sotha folk song from four hundred years ago.

So how about Alpharius? Ah, forget it. Although it reflects your identity as the first Primaris Astartes and my most satisfying creation, you don't deserve such a repulsive name.

You deserve better. You should be the best. Yes, you should be the best.

So, Augustus? Caesar? Gaius? Romulus? No, none of these will do. I don't want to use the names of predecessors to refer to you; they were all great, but you should surpass them.

I'm sorry, none of those will work. I'm terrible at naming things; I have no talent for it. I prefer to use numbers and designations to refer to my creations. But you should be more special, so...

Cawl suddenly slammed down on the panel in front of him, so hard that it shook violently.

"I want you to decide for yourself," Cawl murmured. "I want you to choose a name that you like best."

He let out a triumphant laugh and quickly stepped forward to help the giant, who was falling out of the nutrient tank, to his feet.

Although he was tall, he was still not as tall as the Archmagos Cawl. His enormous, almost bloated body made him look like a monster most of the time, and in fact, that's how the common people saw him.

Those few who knew who he was regarded him as a talented madman, whose talent and madness went too far.

Cawl patiently used his appendages to wipe away the nutrient solution clinging to the giant's body, and gently patted his back. A Servo-skull floated over, bringing a robe to the naked giant.

He put it on without saying a word, took two steps back, and spoke in a detached and numb tone.

"My creator," he bowed slightly, "What is the mission this time? Is it another experiment? Or a sparring match with your Servitor?"

"Neither, Alpha Primus," Cawl said.

"So—" Alpha Primus's expression suddenly turned serious. "—Am I finally going to kill someone for you?"

Cawl was horrified.

"Of course not! It's a gear of Omnissiah! How could you think that?!"

"Because you taught me," Alpha Primus replied calmly. "You showed me what I am; the knowledge I gained from books tells me that a strange physicist like me should commit murder. In fact, the power I possess is indeed suited for this."

He clenched his right fist, then gently swung it out, causing a sudden, explosive sound in the air.

Cawl was silent for a few seconds, but he always had an extraordinary patience with Alpha Primus, so he spoke in a persuasive tone.

"Would you be willing to kill someone for me?"

Alpha Primus nodded expressionlessly. "You are my creator. I cannot and will not disobey you. I will do anything for you."

He received a roaring sound and Cawl's constantly waving limbs.

"No, no, that's not it!" Cawl retorted loudly. "I didn't create you to kill for me; I can do that myself."

"So," Alpha Primus asked slowly, puzzled, "What do you want me to do for you?"

I want you to choose a name for yourself.

"I have a name."

"What name? Alpha Primus? No, that's not really a name, more like a title. Names are very important, you understand? Those lousy mystics consider names the shortest spells, you see, even they think so!"

Alpha Primus fell silent, a simple bewilderment forming on the face of this enormous laboratory creature. He had never left Cawl's laboratory since his birth, or rather, he had never left Cawl.

He was well-read and could defeat ten Combat Servitor made of Adamantium with his bare hands, without even shedding blood. He was meticulously crafted by Belisarius Cawl and possessed wisdom, strength, and a long lifespan that many could only dream of.

But he was puzzled by this.

His mind never left the laboratory, so he didn't know why Cawl did it. But a creator is a creator after all.

Alpha Primus began to ponder. His face was the only part of his body without surgical scars, but it was neither handsome nor ugly; in fact, it possessed many strange features that were the complete opposite.

For example, he has a pair of dark eyes, but not completely black, nor is it a mutation of the iris; there is still a light white ring around his pupils.

His lips were a somber pale purple, as if he were ill. And Cawl also noticed that, when not under orders—like now— the Alpha Primus always maintained a somber sadness.

Even as he pondered this, he still looked sullen.

Cawl waited patiently, one minute, five minutes, ten minutes, his patience showing no sign of waning. He was even prepared to send the Servo-skull to inform the two adults outside, but Primaris did not remain silent any longer.

"I don't know," said the somber, tall, and strange giant. "I remember many names—great men, scientists, generals, and warriors."

"Or perhaps, a gladiator in the ancient Roman Colosseum, a renowned hero of a rebellion, monosyllabic, polysyllabic. I've thought of many names for myself, the creator, but I don't know what to call myself."

"I think that for an experimental subject, the title of 'Alpha Primus' is enough."

"You're not—" Cawl abruptly lowered his voice. "—Well, at least you're not just a simple experiment."

Why? Because I'm precious?

"To me, yes," Cawl corrected him. "And not in the way you think. You're as precious to me as Friedrich Adum Silip Chuffer. No, you're more than that."

Alpha Primus watched him silently.

He certainly knew who Friedrich Adum Sylip Chuffer was, but the answer to that question would likely surprise and disbelieve many.

Because they couldn't imagine that a monster like Belisarius Cawl could have pure friendship with others, or even clone and create new Friedrich Adum Sylip Chuffers to preserve such friendship, and then name them with numbers.

Even now, Alpha Primus himself couldn't believe that the enormous, bloated monster before him, who constantly tormented him, gave him orders, and made him sleep and then wake him up, cherished him.

The creator. Alpha Primus silently chewed on the word, and he had to admit, he was confused.

A voice suddenly entered his mind at that moment, one that had never been heard before. The voice sounded quiet and peaceful, like the night breeze.

The voice told him, "Just choose a name you like, Alpha Primus. Remember, the most important thing is that you like it."

Do you like it?

Meeting Belisarius Cawl's expectant gaze, the Alpha Primus speak was, "Anazion Sotha Cawl."

The Archmagos suddenly fell silent.

"You... you used this planet, and my surname?" he stammered.

"After all, I was created by you, and I have a deep impression of this place," said the Alpha Primus. "So, what are the orders?"

Cawl quickly turned around and led him to the door, a strange smile playing on the remaining half of his face.

--

009. M31

The Horus Heresy ended, Terra shattered, and humanity triumphed.

Primarch returned to their homeworlds, and the Imperium began to slowly recover. Before leaving Terra, Primarch Koorus Corax received a valuable legacy from the Emperor Genetic Laboratory from the Sigillites Malcador.

010. M31

The Codex Astartes began to be promoted at the behest of all Primarch and the Sigillites Malcador, with Roboute Guilliman as its principal author and all Primarch credited as authors.

At the end of the Codex Astartes, Roboute Guilliman emphasized the flexibility of Codex Astartes rules and regulations, hoping that each Chapter would adapt to local conditions and use the Codex Astartes flexibly, rather than falling into rigid dogmatism.

034. M31

The Tech-Priest Belisarius Cawl secretly received a decree from the Emperor on Mars.

035. M31

Through the efforts of several Mars Magos Genetor and using the last remaining instruments and materials in the Emperor Laboratory, the "Raptor" technology was created.

039. M31

The "Raptor" technology has been put into practice, and the new Raven Guard have begun to replenish the severely weakened Raven Guard legion.

042. M31

A group of traitors calling themselves "The Cabal" and Xenos, led by Erebus, attacked the Deliverance with Daemon, intending to seize equipment and materials.

For the next six thousand years, there were no more Daemon invasions of this scale anywhere in the galaxy, not even the demonic tides targeting the Sol System.

During the war, the equipment required for "Raptor" technology was destroyed on the orders of Kolus Corax, thus ending the legacy of the Emperor Genetic Laboratory.

The enraged traitor Erebus cursed the Raven Guard Chapter by sacrificing the entire Demonic Tide; the exact effects are unknown.

After the war, Nikona Sharrowkyn, the then- Chapter Master, was buried in the Dreadnought due to his severe injuries, and he has survived to this day.

The Raven Guard Chapter another major blow, but their recruitment speed became unusually slow, and the extraordinary replenishment speed of the "Raptor" era completely disappeared.

The remaining Raven Guard are said to number less than sixty, and under the Primarch's leadership, they have sworn to hunt Erebus forever.

237. M31, Belisarius Cawl's laboratory was built in the southern part of the fortress on Mars. There were many complaints from the Mars, but the Sigillites Malcador ignored them all.

247. M31, Belisarius Cawl completed the initial genetic modifications to the Alpha Primus.

In the same year, he met with Kolaus Corax, obtained the Primal Mother, the Sangprimus Portum, from the Lord of the Ravens, and saw the last surviving "Raptor," Narva Hef.

In 324. M31, Kolaus Corax led six hundred Raven Guard into the Warp to hunt down a Daemon they called "The Raptor," and never returned to his Chapter.

Strangely, even today, some people still see them amidst the endless battles raging throughout the galaxy.

In some places, superstitious people call this the "Hour of Deliverance," believing that if war breaks out and demons surround them, the Lord of Deliverance will surely come.

"Never to return."