Rhodes agreed with Cawl's plan—downsizing the chanical Ultra Warriors saved costs and made them viable as giant chs or small Titans.
"Glad to hear it, Lord Rhodes. I'll also add so weapons to the 16-ter models, including a minimal tispace shield array," Cawl said.
Besides their ray and lee powers, Cawl would add void arrays and other weapons from Imperial Titans or knight chs.
"No problem. Let the other senior Magi of the chanicus handle the mortal ch weapons—don't overwork yourself," Rhodes said.
It didn't matter if others handled mortal ch weapons.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Rhodes. But I'll keep so data confidential—the weakened Ultra Warrior chs can't keep core secrets. I'll encrypt the data, but others can handle the rest," Cawl replied.
Confidentiality was still paramount. Even a weakened Specium Ray was a major weapon, fireable in space.
These chs were far more agile than Titans of similar size, so their core tech had to be protected.
Rhodes nodded, spoke a bit more with Cawl, and then left the secret lab.
…
Over the next few days, Rhodes spent ti with Elena and checked in with his legion, strengthening ties with his gene-sons.
anwhile, the chanicus completed design drafts for small Ultra Warrior chs and began building prototypes.
Yapool also finished Bjorn's transformation—the First Wolf, who had fought alongside Leman Russ, was revived.
This ti, Rhodes didn't make him a giant dreadnought but instead used the gene-flesh of the werewolf beast, Wolf Gas.
He beca a 56-ter tall giant werewolf beast, and after reverting to human form, was over 3 ters tall—matching modern Astartes.
He also received the latest Astartes surgery, now standing 3.5 ters as the First Wolf, with a qualitative leap in power.
As an Astartes, he could shift into Wolf Gas form; when giant-sized, he looked like Wolf Gas wearing Astartes power armor.
"Thank you for giving new life, Lord Rhodes," Bjorn knelt and said.
"No need for thanks. Lead the Space Wolves well—let them be the Imperium's unbreakable spear. That's your mission," Rhodes replied with a wave.
After transformation, Bjorn's combat power was still less than that of the Custodes Ultraman, as Wolf Gas had no energy beams or flight, just speed and bite power.
"I understand, Lord Rhodes! Please permit to see the Emperor."
Bjorn had discussed this with Logan, so after the transformation, he wanted to see the Master of Mankind.
"Go ahead. After seeing the Emperor, rest for two days and get used to your new strength. I'll arrange a ship to return you to the Space Wolves' howorld," Rhodes said.
"Yes, Lord Rhodes. In the next great crusade, I hope to fight by your side again." Bjorn bowed and left for the Emperor's palace.
With excitent and nervousness, Bjorn and a Custodes escort entered the palace, seeing the Emperor on the Golden Throne.
"Great Emperor, First Wolf of the Space Wolves, Bjorn, cos to beg your forgiveness. Mighty Master of Mankind, please forgive your servant!" Bjorn imdiately knelt.
After the new legion laws and Astartes plan were announced, Logan had awakened him to ask his opinion.
But back then, Bjorn resented both Regent Guilliman and the new Warmaster Rhodes, and didn't believe the Emperor had truly awoken.
So he insisted the Space Wolves follow Leman Russ's old rules, refusing Imperial recall—almost getting the Wolves disbanded.
That would have been high treason! A cri unforgivable even in death.
Fortunately, Rhodes was magnanimous and went to the Space Wolves' howorld, disciplined them, and brought Bjorn to Terra to et the Emperor.
"Rise, Bjorn. I know all about it—I know how headstrong Russ's sons can be!
So I'm giving you another chance. Treasure it. Rember, the Space Wolves belong to the Imperium—even Russ must obey ," the Emperor said, not blaming him further. All was forgiven—just serve the Imperium well.
"Mighty All-Father, I swear: the Space Wolves will make you proud again!
In the new unyielding crusade, the Wolves' howl will echo across the galaxy," Bjorn declared.
"I believe in you, Bjorn. Russ himself chose you as the First Wolf. So, as Master of Mankind, I appoint you as the new Chapter Master of the Space Wolves, serving until Russ returns," the Emperor said.
Primarchs made the best Chapter Masters, but until they returned, others were needed—like Calgar for the Ultramarines.
For the Space Wolves, until Russ returned, Bjorn would serve as Chapter Master.
"Thank you, great Emperor. But the current Master, Logan, is also an outstanding leader.
I am just an old wolf—I would rather serve as his deputy," Bjorn replied.
Logan was an excellent Chapter Master—even if the Wolves returned to legion status, he was suitable.
"Logan has only led a few thousand n, not a full legion.
But you have—once as a company captain, once as the First Wolf.
That's why I choose you. When Russ returns, you and Logan will both be deputies," the Emperor explained.
He intended to bring all loyalist Primarchs back and revive humanity.
Hearing this, Bjorn stopped protesting and accepted the order.
After the Emperor's appointnt, Bjorn rested for three days on Terra, then took a ship ho to Fenris.
…
Half a month later, Ahriman brought the Dark Gate to Rhodes's territory and t filas, who arranged an abandoned planet for him.
On this barren world, the Dark Gate was installed.
Ahriman notified Rhodes, who paused his affairs and, with Tartarus, used the portal to return to his realm.
"Long ti no see, Master! Is this an Absolutian?" filas greeted Rhodes, then looked at Tartarus behind him. The aura was unprecedentedly powerful—a supre lifeform.
"Yes, I am an Absolutian, an ultimate being of the Absolutian race, Tartarus.
I've heard of filas—your intelligence ranks top ten among cosmic races. I look forward to working with you," Tartarus greeted filas.
A filasian who could beco a giant super-lifeform with terrifying psychic power was worth respecting, at least a little.
"You're too kind. We're colleagues now—let's serve the Master together!" filas smiled at Tartarus.
An Absolutian ultimate being greeted him warmly—he wouldn't overstep. Though he was a super-lifeform with imnse psychic power, in front of an Absolutian, he was nothing.
Ahriman, standing by, bowed to Rhodes.
"Lord Rhodes."
Ahriman was inwardly exasperated—his new boss had a portal skill all along.
He could have teleported Ahriman from Terra, so why make him drift for four months in the Warp?
But he didn't dare ask.
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