Ready to Begin

Boom—!

This time, there was no technique left to deflect the force.

Calgar flew straight backward like a cannonball fired from its barrel.

He slammed hard into the workshop's reinforced wall with a teeth-grinding crash before slowly sliding to the floor.

After a brief silence, Calgar struggled to rise onto one knee.

Lowering his head toward Guilliman, his voice carried restrained pain and deep shame:

"I am sorry, Father... I have... brought you dishonor.

"But I must admit that I am no match for this brother, the 'first of the Primaris.'"

At the same time, Alpha Primus ceased his movements.

Rather than assuming a victor's pose, he quickly walked over to Guilliman.

He likewise dropped to one knee. His voice returned to its usual steadiness, but what he said was unexpected:

"Lord Guilliman.

"This Ultramarines Chapter Master's strength surpassed my initial assessment.

"My victory relied entirely upon the unfair advantage in baseline capabilities granted by this body.

"His combat wisdom and skill are far superior to mine."

Guilliman watched this scene, and the light in his eyes grew brighter.

Alpha Primus's performance had rather surprised him.

Powerful, yet not arrogant; rational, yet able to acknowledge the strengths of others.

That touch of humanity concerned him far more than mere combat data.

Astartes who had not been brainwashed by the Imperial Truth and the Astartes Codex were truly rare these days.

It seemed Cawl had raised this fellow well.

"Why are you both kneeling? Get up!"

Guilliman's voice was sonorous, carrying an approving smile:

"This was a splendid battle!

"It perfectly demonstrated what we need."

He first walked to Calgar and personally helped the Chapter Master to his feet. "My son, you need not feel ashamed.

"What you displayed was the spirit the Ultramarines have inherited for ten thousand years.

"Even at an absolute disadvantage, you still fought with wisdom and courage until the very last moment.

"Your skill is a jewel forged from the blood you have shed for the Imperium over hundreds of years. It is irreplaceable."

Then he looked at Alpha Primus, his gaze blazing:

"And you, Alpha Primus, allowed me to witness firsthand the astonishing potential of a Primaris body.

"This body is the future!

"Its power is beyond doubt."

Finally, Guilliman turned toward the creator at the heart of it all, his tone becoming eager and pragmatic:

"Cawl, tell me now: with the conditions we currently have on Macragge, can we immediately begin this Primaris augmentation surgery for my sons?

"I need it. The Imperium needs it!"

What seemed to be a current of a "smile" flickered across Belisarius Cawl's mechanical face. "Of course, Lord Guilliman.

"For this journey, I brought sufficient reserves of first-generation Gene-seed, along with all organ prototypes and cultivation apparatus required for the first batch of surgeries.

"So long as we have an appropriate surgical environment and your approval, we can begin selecting and augmenting the first batch of loyal warriors at any time."

"Good! Very good!"

Guilliman clapped his hands forcefully. Yet the smile on his face soon faded somewhat, turning into a more contemplative expression:

"However, Cawl, before formally commencing this great undertaking, there is another matter I need to discuss with you alone."

His gaze swept over Calgar and Alpha Primus, indicating that they could rest for a while or take their leave.

After Calgar and Alpha Primus withdrew upon receiving their orders, only Guilliman and Belisarius Cawl remained in the workshop.

Even the scent of machine oil and incense in the air seemed to settle.

Guilliman turned to face his loyal Archmagos and went straight to the point:

"Cawl, with your insight, you should have noticed my changes long ago."

Cawl's mechanical body emitted a low hum of affirmation:

"It was impossible to ignore, Lord Primarch.

"You are more than an entire order of magnitude... stronger than the records of history and the data in my memory banks.

"This is not a simple revival. It is more like... evolution."

"Precisely. Evolution."

Guilliman affirmed it, spreading his hands as though displaying a perfect creation:

"During these ten thousand years of slumber, my body did not remain stagnant.

"In silence, it underwent a complete transformation that even I had never anticipated.

"It allows me to soar through the skies, grants me the brute force to crush steel, and lets me almost disregard ordinary injuries...

"This is an essential elevation, Cawl."

"I noticed it, my lord."

For once, Cawl's electronic voice rose and fell with something akin to amazement:

"To say I merely noticed would be an understatement.

"The majesty you displayed upon awakening was like an ancient legend's colossal god, breaking through divine mountains to enter the mortal world—unstoppable and omnipotent."

"Omnipotent? Heh, I am far from that."

Guilliman waved a hand, then abruptly changed direction, fixing Cawl with a sharp gaze. "But that I am stronger is beyond doubt.

"And that strength must be deeply imprinted within the very depths of my genes.

"Would you not agree, Cawl?"

Belisarius Cawl was exceedingly intelligent. He understood Guilliman's unspoken meaning almost instantly.

The lights of his multiple compound eyes flashed rapidly as he conducted massive data projections and analyses of possible outcomes.

After a moment, he spoke with deliberation, though his voice already trembled with barely restrained excitement. "So... Your meaning is...?"

"That is right." Guilliman took over decisively. "I want you to update the Gene-seed of the Ultramarines Legion for me."

He stepped forward, his voice filled with the resolve to forge the future. "What flows within my sons is still the genetic blueprint of that 'Roboute Guilliman' from ten thousand years ago.

"But I am no longer the same!

"The new powers and traits I acquired over these ten thousand years should rightfully be bestowed upon my children anew!

"What they ought to inherit is the gift of the stronger, more perfect father I am at this very moment!"

The light in Cawl's eyes instantly blazed to its utmost intensity, and great jets of steam burst from his vents!

Yes! Exactly right!

The potential contained within Lord Guilliman's genes now far exceeds all previous records!

Flight, immense strength, accelerated recovery... even if his sons could inherit only a small portion of it, it would be enough to bring about a qualitative leap!

This would be nothing less than another fundamental "sacred upgrade" atop Primaris enhancement!

By then, every Ultramarine might truly be able to touch the threshold of the Adeptus Custodes' realm!

"Lord Guilliman! Your vision illuminates the path ahead!"

Cawl was so excited that even his mechanical tendrils trembled faintly:

"This will be one of the greatest evolutions in genetic inheritance since the Emperor created the Primarchs!

"Then, will you permit me to extract fresh genetic samples from you at once, using them as the blueprint to create entirely new Gene-seed?"

"That is precisely why I sought you out, Cawl."

Guilliman smiled and nodded:

"We can begin at any time."