Because Lox and the primarchs had been busy dealing with the incurable Warp curse afflicting Leman Russ as soon as they returned to Terra, it was a full month before Lox learned that Cawl and Barabas Dantioch had returned to Ganymede.
Fortunately, learning of it now was not too late. During this time, Cawl had brought Barabas Dantioch, along with the Selena Gene Cult gene-witches who had accompanied them from the Moon.
Cawl and the others waited for the meeting in Lox's private laboratory section.
"Behave yourself. If not for your own sons, then at least don't make a scene!"
"Those Lunans are important, and their attitude toward Terra has always been ambiguous. We need to find a way to win them over."
Lox had specifically warned Leman Russ. The great primarch followed at his side like a shadow and refused to leave even after being told to go.
He was holding back a burning urgency, determined to get an answer from Lox—an answer for how to save his fading Legion.
"I swear by the Allfather that I won't interfere," Russ said, making the promise most binding to himself. The King of Fenris would never joke about the Emperor. That was one of the few virtues these unruly men could be trusted to possess.
Magos Arkhan Land also attended the meeting. The cyber-monkey on his shoulder chattered and leaped about everywhere, clearly sensing its master's excitement.
"I will devote the rest of my life to one purpose—completing and improving the Omnissiah's creation: the Space Marine enhancement program!"
"History will remember my name. It will remember that I, Arkhan Land, completed the Omnissiah's unfinished work."
Land felt his long-dormant blood surge in his chest. He had undergone no cybernetic augmentation whatsoever and still possessed much the same flesh-and-blood body as before.