The thought sent a shiver down Eden's spine.
Currently, gene-seeds were in short supply across the galaxy's Chapters, with many suffering mutations.
If his secret were exposed...
Both Loyalists and Traitor Astartes would descend upon him.
Would they not just pack him up and take him away?
Exposure was absolutely not an option.
If Eden were exposed, Chaos Space Marines, desperate for gene-seeds, would soon co knocking, inviting him to join their "joyful" Chaos family.
And if captured by the followers of Nurgle, wouldn't he be instantly corrupted, becoming a prized tool at the side of the Plaguefather?
Not to ntion the constant glares from Typhus's jealous eyes.
Even if Eden were caught by the Imperium, his safety wouldn't be guaranteed.
Until Guilliman awoke, the Imperium was often lost in a haze of fanaticism.
It didn't matter whether your actions benefited the Imperium or humanity. The only question was your loyalty.
And loyalty was a vague concept.
Take Eden's current actions: undeniably loyal to the Emperor and humanity.
But to the Imperium? They'd label him a heretic.
As for the Emperor's opinion—did the Emperor even understand loyalty?
For soone like Eden, dancing on the edge of the Imperium's taboos, getting caught would be disastrous.
The Ecclesiarchs and High Inquisitors, shouting "For the God-Emperor," would likely sentence him to death without hesitation.
Things wouldn't improve until Guilliman's return.
As the only leader capable of uniting the Imperium, Guilliman had the rationale and compassion to bring change.
He and Eden were both agricultural strategists, prioritizing their people's well-being.
The Ultramar Segntum's prosperity wasn't without reason.
Even after multiple wars, with declining living standards, the average quality of life there was still far better than the Imperium's norm.
Only after Guilliman's return could Eden hope to negotiate with the Imperium.
But it was best to avoid exposure entirely.
Eden suspected that Guilliman, upon discovering him, would invite him with a smile to Terra, where he'd work tirelessly for the Imperium.
While not a terrible option, it wasn't ideal.
Given the current state of the Imperium, joining would bring nurous restrictions, stifling his efforts.
For Eden, the optimal solution was to remain hidden in the shadows, developing his plans.
The longer he stayed concealed, the better.
Resolving his thoughts, Eden imdiately classified the gene-seed as top secret.
No one was to leak it under any circumstances.
He also ordered the Biogenetics Institute and the Departnt of Military Affairs to implent strict confidentiality protocols and technical safeguards to minimize the risk of exposure.
While he didn't expect the secret to remain hidden forever, he aid to delay its discovery as long as possible.
In short, staying hidden was the key.
...
Three months later, Armor Granting Hall
This grand chanical structure was designed for the sacred ceremony of Space Marine armor bestowal.
The hall belonged to the chanicus Armory Research Institute, managed by a Master Fabricator.
The Master Fabricator, a sage-level Tech-Priest, oversaw nurous assistant priests, servitors, and apprentice fabricators.
Together, they provided an endless supply of equipnt to Urth's various institutions.
Among their responsibilities, supplying power armor to Space Marines was paramount.
Under Eden's direction, the new power armor project had been underway for years.
The prototype technology was based on power armor crafting techniques used by the Grant family, a key asset for controlling the planet.
This technology stemd from the MKII Crusade-pattern power armor, already outdated by several Imperial generations.
With the project launched, the Master Fabricator used the Grant family's armor as a base, incorporating recovered technology from fragnts found in the Warp.
The result was a new power armor model.
While its performance couldn't match the Imperium's latest designs, it was on par with their average standard.
Eden nad the new armor MKII-Kai.
Now, with the Space Marines' surgeries complete and adaptation training underway, the ti had co for the armor bestowal ceremony.
For Space Marines, this mont was among the most significant in their lives.
Power armor symbolized faith and honor.
...
Inside the Armor Granting Hall
The vast hall was adorned with floating cherubim and servo-skulls.
Apprentice fabricators carried incense burners, circling the central armor platform in a blessing ritual.
Clad in deep red ceremonial robes, the Master Fabricator ascended the observation platform, holding the sacred to in his chanical arms.
As solemn prayers echoed, Duke entered the hall, walking along the central pathway toward the armor platform.
He was ready to accept his duty, for the world of Paradise.
He was ready to accept his duty, for he feared nothing.
He was ready to accept his duty, for he was the Savior's Void Angel.
He was ready to embrace his iron body and beco a true Space Marine!
Duke stood before the armor platform, where apprentice fabricators fitted him with the black synthetic musculature.
Then the armor ceremony began.
chanical arms on the platform inserted cables into ports across Duke's body, attaching armor components one by one.
Leg guards, arm guards, chest plates, pauldrons, and the power pack...
Finally, cherubim descended from above, gently placing the helt onto Duke's head.
As the helt's chanisms activated and sealed, the power armor beca complete.
Standing tall in the heavy armor, Duke appeared like an iron giant.
Apprentices gazed up at him, kneeling in prayer.
As their chants intensified, several apprentices carried over a heavy bolter, a weapon exclusive to Space Marines.
Duke extended his hands, reverently accepting the weapon.
He would wield it humbly, faithful to the Savior, unwavering in loyalty.
Filled with awe, he awakened the armor's spirit, reborn with pride.
He would bear the Chapter's na, standing shoulder to shoulder with his battle brothers.
Duke gripped the weapon tightly.
Vrrrm—
The deep blue power armor ca alive, visor lenses glowing an intimidating red.
He was a warrior. He was destruction.
He was the Savior's angel, bringing the Void's wrath to all enemies!
Eden watched the entire armor ceremony.
After all the warriors received their armor, he stepped forward as the Savior and Gene-Father, granting them his blessing.
With the ceremony complete, the Space Marines would now face the formidable Thunder Guardians.
Through intense live combat, they would adapt to the armor that would accompany them for life.
At the Governor's Office
Eden reviewed docunts related to the Void Angels and War Angels Chapters.
With the first batch of Space Marines fully ard, supporting facilities needed to be arranged.
As he read, his brows furrowed...
(End of Chapter)
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