Half a month later, Rhodes' fleet safely arrived at the Macragge system, tearing open a Warp rift as a massive fleet appeared above Macragge.
Guilliman, clad in blue power armor, awaited Rhodes' triumphant return. They greeted each other warmly with an embrace.
Then Rhodes received the cheers of the people, waving to the crowd as the Emperor's Chosen.
Led by Guilliman, Rhodes entered the Fortress Hera on Macragge, t the high command, and then the two retired to Guilliman's study.
Guilliman knew Rhodes didn't care for the excessive ceremony, so the welco was brief.
"Welco back, brother! You've brought us victory—a long-awaited victory! This will inspire the whole Imperium! The Tyranids are not unbeatable," Guilliman said.
But this was just one tendril of Hive Fleet Leviathan. There were several others, and the strongest was still locked in a brutal war with the Orks in Octarius. That conflict could decide the Imperium's fate.
So clever Inquisitor might yet create a monster the Imperium can't handle—whether the Tyranids or Orks win, it won't be good for humanity.
Right now, the defensive line is only in the early stages. Guilliman doubted it could hold against the full might of the Tyranids or Orks.
Though there was no clear victor yet, intelligence suggested the Orks were losing. Once the Tyranids finished feeding, their fleet would be even stronger than the one that besieged Baal.
"Don't flatter ! This war was tough. If not for my special tech, you wouldn't have seen again," Rhodes waved off the praise.
Only those who've fought the Tyranids know how terrifying they are. And the force he beat was just a vanguard detachnt.
When the main Tyranid fleet arrives in centuries, that's the real terror. Without the Tyranids, Rhodes' current power would let him sweep the galaxy.
He still needed to upgrade his system shop and summon even stronger monsters.
"I've read the battle reports. The Tyranids are terrifying. In my estimate, we'll need as many Space Marines as there are Imperial Guard to cope," Guilliman nodded.
Only those who've seen the Tyranids understand their horror. Guilliman had watched the war, not just read reports—he'd glimpsed the Great Devourer.
"With that many Marines, we could only just handle scattered incursions. When the main Hive Fleet cos, humanity can't match their numbers," Rhodes shook his head.
If not for Baton's special roar disrupting the Tyranid fleet, plus a decapitation strike on the Hive Ship, he'd have been overwheld by sheer numbers.
"We need allies. Alone, we can't stop these monsters," Guilliman sighed.
"We'll worry about that after the Terra Crusade. Are you ready? My troops can depart at any ti.
They've been tempered in the war against the Tyranids—they're proper soldiers now, and I've also absorbed the Space Sharks," Rhodes said.
"I'm ready. In fact, with your two battle barges, we can fit all our Marines inside. Add the chanicus' Ark ships and a token escort fleet, and that's it," Guilliman replied.
Without Rhodes' carriers, moving nearly a million Marines would require hundreds of ships—sure to alarm the High Lords of Terra.
But with Rhodes' carriers, just a few ships would do, and the Terrans would think Guilliman was just visiting his father.
This ti, they were going to rebel, so everything had to be perfectly hidden. Guilliman had told everyone Rhodes was just quelling a minor xenos uprising, not reinforcing Baal.
Returning Imperial Guard units would be quarantined to keep them quiet. Once the Marines reached Terra, everything would be settled.
"No problem. My new carrier can fit another 600–700,000 Marines," Rhodes confird.
Each of the two top-tier carriers could hold 1.5 million troops—the internal space was enormous.
"Since you're back, we'll leave tomorrow. The sooner the better. Once we reach Terra, we must quickly settle matters and take full control of the Imperium.
I'll beco Lord Regent and govern Terra, while you, my brother Rhodes, will be Warmaster, launching a grand crusade to reclaim lost Imperial worlds and restore morale.
You'll show everyone you're a new generation Primarch, leading the Indomitable Crusade. I'll assemble a massive fleet for you," Guilliman declared.
"Wait! Guilliman, you an I'm launching the Crusade?" Rhodes gaped at him in disbelief.
"Of course, you'll lead the Crusade. I'll govern Terra and handle logistics. What's wrong with that?" Guilliman gave him a surprised look.
His plan was perfect—he was best at administration.
Rhodes was best at leading the Crusade, while Guilliman could marshal the Imperium's full resources from Terra.
"You want to be Warmaster?" Rhod protested.
"I'll be Lord Regent; you'll be Warmaster and lead the grand Crusade," Guilliman insisted.
"Why aren't you leading the Crusade?" Rhodes pressed.
"What are you thinking? Of course, you're leading the Crusade! Or do you want to stay on Terra and process endless paperwork?" Guilliman retorted.
If there was only one awakened Primarch, Guilliman would have had no choice but to lead the Crusade himself.
But with Rhodes and Elena, it was perfect—they could lead the expedition, while Guilliman managed the Imperium.
Rhodes stroked his chin. It did make sense. As a Primarch returning to the Imperium, leading the reconquest was his job; Guilliman belonged on Terra.
With Guilliman handling logistics, Rhodes wouldn't have to worry about supplies or reinforcents—Guilliman would handle it all. Rhodes just needed to keep advancing.
So, Guilliman as Regent, Rhodes as Warmaster.
But… Warmaster isn't exactly an auspicious title after all…
"Are you worried about Horus? Don't worry—he'll never appear publicly again. I can promise that. He has no wish to, and will only protect the Imperium from the shadows to atone for his sins," Guilliman assured.
He thought Rhodes was worried about Horus—the original Warmaster.
"All right, I'll be Warmaster. I'll handle the fighting; all the worlds I reclaim, logistics, and administration—you handle it," Rhodes agreed.
He wasn't concerned about Horus objecting; Horus wouldn't mind.
It just felt odd. Still, being Warmaster had huge advantages—he'd command the entire Indomitable Crusade fleet, even much of the Imperium's military. Rhodes was already thinking about taking on Tallarn.
"No problem. I'll handle all that. You and Sister Elena just focus on fighting," Guilliman said.
The Imperium was a ss—Guilliman would use his return to Terra to clean house and deal with all corruption.
"This ti on Terra, I want to upgrade the Emperor's Golden Throne. Last ti I couldn't touch it, but with you here, we can improve it," Rhodes said.
His scientists could now upgrade the Golden Throne, expanding the Astronomican's range to even the galaxy's edge.
"I know. Your two scientists can return via FTL ship anyti," Guilliman replied.
"Guilliman, I have another favor. My Legion has plenty of warriors but still lacks Librarians. Can you find so psykers to train?" Rhodes asked.
"You only now thought about this? I've already prepared—while you were at Baal, I was selecting candidates.
From over a thousand Black Ships, I picked twenty strong psykers and personally strengthened their powers for stability. They're training with Tigurius, waiting for you to turn them into Space Marines," Guilliman said.
"That's a relief. I also brought a new advisor—phiston, the Blood Angels Chief Librarian," Rhodes said.
"That's even better. Let him coordinate with Tigurius and train the new psykers," Guilliman agreed.
Rhodes nodded and discussed the details with Guilliman before taking his leave.
If he was leading the Crusade, would that an all the Plague Wars, Psychic Awakening, and even the future Vigilus campaigns would be his to fight?
That was great news! More system coins!
...
Back at Rhodes's residence.
Elena's silky hair cascades down her bare shoulders as she rides Rhodes with passionate abandon, her perfect breasts bouncing enticingly with each roll of her hips. His strong hands grip her waist, guiding her movents as she grinds against him with increasing urgency.
"Oh god, Rhodes..." she moans breathlessly, throwing her head back as waves of pleasure course through her body. Her inner walls squeeze him deliciously as she works herself up and down his thick shaft.
Rhodes drinks in the erotic sight of his lover lost in ecstasy above him. Her skin glistens with a light sheen of sweat, catching the soft moonlight filtering through the window. He can feel every quiver and pulse of her tight pussy around his cock.
"You feel amazing Elena," he groans, thrusting up to et her downward motions. His thumbs trace circles on her hipbones as she rides him faster.
Elena's moans grow higher and more desperate as she chases her peak. "Right there... don't stop... gonna cum..." She grinds her clit against his pubic bone on each downstroke.
Rhodes feels her inner muscles start to flutter and clench. He grips her hips harder, driving up into her g-spot. "That's it beautiful, cum for ..."
With a cry of pure pleasure, Elena's orgasm crashes over her. Her back arches as her pussy spasms around his cock, milking him desperately. The erotic sight and sensation of her climax triggers Rhodes' own release. He groans her na as he pulses deep inside her, filling her with his hot cum.
Elena collapses forward onto his chest, both of them breathing heavily as they co down from their shared high. Rhodes wraps his arms around her, pressing tender kisses to her shoulder while thinking about sothing.
"What's wrong, Rhodes? You seem preoccupied," Elena whispers against his neck, still trembling with aftershocks.
"I'm thinking about the upcoming Crusade. Once we reach Terra, we'll barely have ti to rest before the next campaign.
A grand crusade awaits—likely to last a hundred years," Rhodes said while holding her close as their racing hearts slowly return to normal.
He wanted to prepare Elena—there'd be no rest in the 40k universe.
"A Crusade? A hundred-year campaign! Rhodes, are you launching a Great Crusade like the Emperor?"
"Not as huge as the Emperor's, but close. This one is about reclaiming lost Imperial territory. For the next century, we'll be living on ships," Rhodes replied.
"That's fine. As long as I'm with you," Elena said sweetly.
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