After a brief discussion, Leontus said goodbye to Guilliman and left the Great Hall alone. Two guards escorted him away to rest; he still had more details of the battle to discuss with Guilliman later.
The two members of the Adeptus Custodes, however, showed no intention of leaving.
Even behind their auramite helmets, Guilliman could tell that their eyes remained fixed on the mechanical figure before them.
Confronted with this mechanical unit he had never seen before, Guilliman ventured a question.
"Iax?"
The mechanical figure nodded, readily acknowledging his identity.
"What happened to your body?"
Guilliman was curious about this unfamiliar Mechanical Body.
"Roboute Guilliman, replacing a Mechanical Body is not complicated for the Men of Iron. In accordance with our agreement, I have completed your task. Now it is your turn to honor that agreement. I request access to the Imperial Archives and an audience with the Emperor."
At the mention of an audience with the Emperor, the Custodes behind him abruptly raised their heads, shifting their gazes from the mechanical figure before them to stare straight at Guilliman.
"We know nothing of this Ancient Construct's origins or nature. How can we recklessly bring it before the Emperor? If it poses a threat to the Emperor's safety, who will bear responsibility?"
Iax suddenly turned and slammed both Custodes to the floor.
"You are attempting to prevent the other party to my agreement from fulfilling his obligations?!"
The speed displayed by the Mechanical Body exceeded even Guilliman's ability to react.
Caught completely off guard, the two members of the Adeptus Custodes were pinned to the floor. They began struggling furiously, but Iax continuously adjusted the Anti-Gravity Device within his body. His relatively small mechanical frame easily held both Custodes firmly against the floor. No matter how they thrashed, they could