The Third Son

[simison]

Adalbard pondered Alexandros' words. "Are you divining the future right now, my lord?"

A shake of the head was his answer. "No, that would be rude of me, though I can see why you think I was. Particularly important or powerful events often reach out to me even when I am not actively scanning the temporal horizon. I realized my Father was coming for me four days before the event during a long-winded debate in the Senate. Thankfully, the Senate's attention was focused elsewhere for it was quite a shock to suddenly know that your missing Father, one if not the most powerful being in the galaxy is about to stop by to radically change your life. So far, it has been the most momentous occasion to ever alert me. Usually the passive warnings are far closer to the actual event," Alex finished as one finger subconsciously twirled a hair.

"Do you wish to prepare for your meeting?" Adalbard asked as he passed the dataslate that had brought him here.

"If you don't mind," Alex replied as he reached for the dataslate. He glanced over the details, which explained the next son he'd be healing. "Thank you for delivering this to me and for the chat. We'll be working closely together in the days after I assume command of the legion. I'll have some new duties that the Chaplaincy Corp will be needed for."

Adalbard saluted. "We will be honored to serve you and the legion, my lord."

Alexandros chuckled. "You can call me Alex."

"I'm sorry, but it is too informal for it to be comfortable. Unless you wish to make it an order."

"No, that would spoil the purpose of calling me Alex in the first place. Farewell, Adalbard. I look forward to our next conversation."

Edited March 31, 2015 by simison

[Welcheren]

An astute conjecture brother Lysi.

[evilmittens]

Fething good, fething good.  keep it up.

[simison]

After Adalbard's departure, Alexandros left as well. Outside of his new home, he walked on a path that cut between nineteen other pre-fab buildings, each one the proper size to house a primarch. Only two of them were currently active, though active may have been too strong of a word for the current residence of the 'Iron Tenth's' Primarch. Alex smiled as he past it, no doubt that his brother was enjoying the vast forge available to him. Their initial meeting had been cordial, however differing tastes prevented a stronger friendship. I'll need to visit him soon if I want to see him again before I leave Terra.

 

Alex blinked before he gingerly returned to the present. It was the fifth time he had accidentally moved his view into the future. This planet is rich in the Warp, especially the Astronomicon. Or is this another one of Father's subtle lessons? How far did I see this time? Two years? He remembered the trees and compared their current stature and knew he guessed correctly before returning to his walk.

 

None of the other buildings had seen use. The Emperor had instructed Horus without returning to Terra, while Leman had also insisted that his instruction happen on the road of war. It had suffice because there was no guarantee that any of the Primarchs would've been found, and then so much time had passed between their founding. That had changed with Alexandros' discovery, which had happen a mere three years after Leman's. And now another brother would soon arrive in almost as short of time. In reaction, the Emperor had decided it necessary to bring his sons to Humanity's birthplace to enhance their learning with the shorter time available to him. I do wonder how long Father can avoid the Great Crusade.

Edited February 22, 2015 by simison

[simison]

Leaving the area, he wandered through the Imperial palace greeting people as he meandered toward another, more restricted portion of the Imperial Palace. His last conversation was with an remembrancer's aide, who had complained how the Great Crusade was generating barely enough paperwork to make it nigh-impossible for them to continue chronicling it from Terra, especially since they had to rely on short and sometimes old reports that filtered back to the homeworld from the various expeditionary fleets. Alexandros had offered a sympathetic ear before swearing that his legion would be more attentive to the cause of History. His support had earned him a smile and a thank you from the young woman before he departed for his true destination. Edited February 22, 2015 by simison

[Welcheren]

Alexandros had offered a sympathetic ear before swearing that his legion would be more attentive to the cause of History.

 

Nice touch of irony there.

[simison]

Ha! I didn't realize that. It was supposed to be a shout-out to the eventual remembrancer contingents among the legions.

[simison]

Alex's path led him to a small garden. In front of the entrance stood a single golden guard who was speaking into his vox.

 

With a grin, Alex said, "Good afternoon, Valdor. You may cancel that last order since I've already arrived."

 

The Captain-General glared up at him before giving the counter order. Then, he stepped to the side. "My lord," he replied with forced courtesy. "The Emperor awaits."

Edited February 22, 2015 by simison

[simison]

"Thank you," Alex said as he entered. The musky scent of the Amazon greeted him as he walked through tropical plants, careful not to disturb anything. For all he knew, these might be the last specimens remaining on Terra. A glass door at the back of the conservatory took him out of the tiny rainforest and onto a small balcony.

 

The Emperor's gaze watched over the Annapurna Gate, the massive gate made small by distance. Next to him was a table holding a half-finished game of Regicide with all of the pieces hidden beneath hoods. Another chair large enough for a primarch waited for Alex.

 

"Are you remembering Babylon again, Father? Can you see the Hanging Gardens?"

 

The Emperor shook his head. "Paris, standing on the Eiffel Tower overlooking the Arc de Triomphe."

[simison]

"I would've guessed the tower to be against your tastes."

A smile briefly flickered over the Emperor's face. "You would be correct. Such a vulgar building to be declared a national treasure. Napoleon had the right of it." His brown eyes turned on Alex.

Of course, his eyes weren't really brown. One of the few surprises that awaited Alex on Terra was his father's talent for changing his form. When it was just father and son, the Emperor would relieve himself of his bright, golden persona for a plainer one though with an unmistakable hint of great power. And always a head taller than Alex.

The Emperor gestured to the chair across from him. "Have a seat, my son. This will be my last lesson to you on Terra."

"I know," Alex replied as he studied the board in earnest.


 

Edited March 3, 2015 by simison

[simison]

Since the pieces were hooded, there was little to tell. The biggest item of note was the arrangement if pieces. Dividing the board in half left a small force on Alex's side and one that doubled it on the other.

"You may remove the hoods from the pieces on your side of the board, however from this point onward, you may only interact with your pieces through telekinesis."

That was a surprise. While Alex had foreseen the game taking place, the Emperor had quickly forbidden him from seeing any further. Alex lifted his hand, and the hoods gently flew off their owners before drifting and landing next to the board in a folded pile.

"Without using physical gestures," the Emperor amended. "There will be a time and place for theatrics on the battlefield, but the surest sign of a psyker's self-discipline is by how much he can accomplish while remaining still."

A nod was Alex's reply, but his focus was on his 'army'. No pawns as his pieces formed a protective ring around his king. He glanced at his opponent.

"You'll discover it is a rare campaign where you will outnumber your enemy. Nor will you have access to reliable intelligence." A hooded piece advanced a single space toward Alex's army. "Your move."

Edited April 7, 2015 by simison

[Welcheren]

Quite foreboding. 

[simison]

Only a single move, but that was no guarantee that the piece was a pawn. For all Alex knew, he was against an army of queens that was merely toying with him. Unlikely, but he couldn't discount the possibility as he moved a knight away from the enemy, moving it to a safer spot on his left flank as he attempted to peer into the future. With a grunt, he hit a wall of psychic might that dwarfed his own. Father is going all-out, he thought to himself as the Emperor advanced a second piece, this time on his right flank.

 

"There are records of creatures that have no connection to the Warp," the Emperor explained as he waited. "Genetic manipulation was widely available during the Age of Technology. Who is to say that no man has created an army of nulls?"

 

"I imagine the processes to create such an army would have to forgo physical enhancements and would still be no match for a space marine," Alex countered as he positioned a rook in front of his king, while his mind began to 'scout' the wall before him. Even the Emperor wasn't perfect.

 

The first piece advanced again, placing itself directly before a bishop. Silent, the hood floated off, revealing a pawn. "Perhaps so, but a wise commander will never make an unnecessary assumption."

Edited March 8, 2015 by simison

[simison]

Alexandros avoided the temptation to simply kill the pawn as he finished forming his defenses. The Emperor steadily advanced his forces, more hoods falling away as pawns reached Alex's forces. First blood went to one of the primarch's bishops after one pawn strayed too far from the pack. Another pawn fell in a couple of more turns, but at the price of a knight when the Emperor revealed a rook of his own. "Your warship is built," the Emperor explained as he moved the dead knight off the board. "Have you chosen a name for it?"

 

"The Elpis," Alex replied as he countered with his king, which personally slew the rook next to it. Three enemy kills for one meant Alex would lose via attrition.

 

The Emperor quirked an eyebrow. "You would name a battleship 'Hope'?" Another hooded piece advanced, moving three spaces than one before revealing itself as an enemy knight. "Check."

 

"I think it fitting. For is that not what the Great Crusade is? We fight for the hope of a better tomorrow." Alex moved his king before quickly chasing away the enemy knight, while the Emperor moved a phalanx of pieces on his right flank. One pawn was getting dangerously close to his side of the board.

 

"There is truth in what you say," the Emperor agreed as his pawn met death via rook. Another moved through the new hole in Alex's lines and was only a single space away from the edge.

[simison]

The dangerous pawn died to a knight before being avenged by a rook. Alexandros switched tactics to offensive to overcome the numbers gap. Five dead pieces later, the odds were coming back to his favor, but was still vulnerable. Only five enemy pieces remained hooded, but three of them were in position to wreck his center if they weren't pawns or knights.

 

"I've noticed you are struggling with one of my lessons," the Emperor said as he waited.

 

"A few," Alexandros confessed. "Two in particular. I've noticed the Imperium's arsenal contains weapons fitted to destroy planets." He advanced a pawn toward one of the hooded pieces.

 

A different pawn of the Emperor moved, a distraction. "A necessity. There are enemies among the stars who will plague us unless we ensure their annihilation."

[Welcheren]

Still very exciting. Can't wait to read more. 

[Wulfkry]

damn i got to your last post and was like "NOoooooOoo need moarrrrrr!!"

[deathspectersgt7]

Ditto 

[simison]

Alex's pawn continued forward, ready to strike. "I understand the need for powerful ordnance, but planet-killers? As slow as a planet life cycle is, they may as well be a finite resource. What enemy could we face that would require such destruction?"

 

The Emperor revealed his remaining rook before moving it to safety and catching Alex's queen between it and the earlier pawn. "I am not blind to the laws of the galaxy. These weapons will always be used in last resort. However, make no mistake Alex, you will face enemies who can't be swayed with words and will entrench themselves so deeply into their home world, that oblivion will become an option out of need. You must be ready for this possibility."

 

Alex's knight sacrificed itself to protect his exposed queen, defeating the rook only to fall prey to another pawn. "Very well, Father. I will be prepared."

 

"What is your other difficulty?"

Edited March 22, 2015 by simison

[DaGrot]

So cool

[simison]

With two hooded pieces remaining, the Emperor outnumbered Alex's forces, which had been reduced to his king, queen, two bishops, and a lone knight. "One of the aspects of the Imperial Creed. I don't know why you're insisting on the destruction of religion."

 

The Emperor paused, Alex abruptly found the mental opening he needed. Gathering his strength, he punched through the weakened barrier and threw himself into the remaining number of alternate realities for this game. Defeat had already met him in countless other games and before he could find the one where he won, the Emperor's defenses reconstructed before tossing him back into the present. Alex's body twitched as his mind landed in it, but it had been worth it. The two hooded pieces were a knight and a pawn, which meant that the Emperor had played with three more pawns instead of bishops and queen.

 

"It is for the best, my son," the Emperor continued after removing the last two hoods. "Religion causes more destruction than it is worth."

 

"Yet, the Adeptus Mechanicum continues with its theocracy," Alex countered, noting how effectively pinned his army was by the Emperor's remaining pawns. With a small grimace, he began the end-game, his bishop moving through the Emperor's flank. "I agree that some religions should be eradicated, but the Imperial Truth claims all religions deserving such treatment. Not only have you failed to follow through your own creed, but you eliminate any potentially beneficial beliefs along with the corrupted."

 

The Emperor ignored the bishop as he trapped Alex's queen. "A diplomatic necessity that will not survive the end of the Great Crusade. Religion divides humanity and weakens us. I know you know the power of a unity. Is that not why you brought an end to the meaningless factions of Delos?"

 

Alex frowned as his queen slayed the first pawn only to die to the second. His knight rushed through the gap. "Check. I'm well aware that our capabilities as a species is magnified by pooling our efforts and am not denying the truth of it. I am denying you're claim that religion offers nothing to Humanity. Why not mirror the ancient Roman Empire? Allow any religion that does not threaten the peace?"

 

"The Roman Empire included an imperial cult, and I refused to be deified," the Emperor countered as his last knight moved to protect his king.

 

"Which is your prerogative," Alex said as he weighed his tactics. Victory stood distant from him. "Though, you must admit, the sheer power you wield puts you above many of the ancient divinities. There will be people who will see you as a god, no matter your desire." He began his final charge.

 

"Our survival as a species requires we abandon superstition." A pawn made it to the edge of Alex's side and transformed into a queen.

 

Another retort was on the way when Alex noticed something. The game forgotten as he peered at the Emperor, his mind analyzing the nuances of his last statement, catching something hidden deeper. "...why? Why is that the only way?"

 

"There are enemies out there that threaten us. Enemies of great power who would manipulate the weakest of us to ensure our own destruction."

 

A bishop idly ended the Emperor's last knight. "Yet, with my brothers and the legions, what enemy could pose a threat to us? You...you're not speaking generally. There is an enemy you're thinking of."

 

"Your gifts of perception are great, my son, however," the Emperor said as his new queen killed the flanking bishop. His eyes hardened. "Not all knowledge is good."

 

Alex buckled beneath the weight of the words as they were amplified by psychic power. The message clear. "Very well, Father. Check." King faced king with only a single space between them.

 

"Mate," the Emperor finished as a second pawn became a queen, finishing the snare Alex had seen in two other games.

Edited March 24, 2015 by simison

[Welcheren]

Brave work sir - and jolly well executed.

 

Reading these posts has become one of my favourite past times.

[simison]

Alexandros scanned the field. He decided not to comment on the lack of bishops' on his Father's side and phrased his question differently. "You played with two more pawns?"

 

"It will be the rare enemy who will match you in strength of force," The Emperor replied. "Though they might wield a few powerful war machines, your common enemy will have no choice but to use large amounts of lesser infantry and attempt to drown you in bodies. A less sophisticated strategy, but even Astartes have their limits." The door opened as Valdor stepped out. Behind him, a servitor pushed a large metal chest onto the balcony. Alexandros quirked an eyebrow at the Emperor. "As I said, this was your last lesson. It is time for you to take your place in the Great Crusade. These are your parting gifts."

[simison]

Valdor keyed a few runes before the seals unlocked. Slowly, the chest's hatch opened as Alexandros walked over. Within the container, he found expertly-wrought purple armor waiting for him. At the head of the armor was a helmet, made in the style of the ancient Corinthians, yet this one could seal against the vacuum of space. A crest of red 'hair' divided the helmet into left and right halves. Next to the armor was a power short sword and a round shield, large enough to cover most of a primarch. Alexandros carefully lifted the armor, and a bright red cape unfurled from the shoulders. He glanced back at the Emperor with a grin.

 

"A human general fulfills his duty best at a safe distance from the front lines. We are meant to lead humanity from the fore, and require enough protection of ourselves yet must be always be visible on the field of battle." The Emperor stood. "This armor will do more than shield you from physical attacks. Within both the helmet and pauldrons are focusing crystals from Aklantisiana that will allow you greater finesse in controlling your powers and eases your ability to defend others from warpcraft. You have mastered shielding your honor guard from enemy psykers. With this, you'll be able to shield far more of your soldiers."

 

"A kingly gift, Father," Alexandros affirmed as his fingers traveled over the pauldrons, sensing the crystals. "I mean no offense, Father, but I'm surprised how bare it is, compared to my brothers."

 

"It mirrors the legion you will lead. Each legion may have a preference for one area of war, but they were created from the same process that granted them their grey armor. As Horus and Leman have molded their legions to their taste, so will you. Including what symbols your armor bears."

Edited April 7, 2015 by simison

[Welcheren]

I enjoy the relationship between the two.