Chapter 926 - 925: If Only Nareth Had Ambitions Like Horus's

Perturabo stepped down the flight deck ramp and immediately saw the Warmaster waiting for him on the landing pad.

His gloomy ice-blue eyes brightened slightly as he walked towards Horus.

Perturabo stiffened as Horus embraced him. As their armor clashed, he felt the immense power hidden within Horus's strong body, far greater than he had ever imagined.

He pulled back from Horus and spoke. "Warmaster."

Horus put a friendly arm around him. "Perturabo, my brother."

"I have been longing to meet with you. Face-to-face. Now, at last, we have the chance."

Led by the warm and welcoming Horus, Perturabo entered his private chamber. The doors closed, leaving the two brothers alone.

Horus looked at Perturabo across from him. "My brother, you seem troubled by something."

Perturabo was silent for a few seconds before speaking. "I have made an irreparable mistake."

"What mistake?" Horus leaned forward, listening intently.

Perturabo, looking into Horus's focused, trusting eyes, hesitated for a dozen seconds before speaking.

"Olympia rebelled..."

"...and that is how it happened. My orders nearly destroyed all of Olympia, four million, seven hundred and fifty thousand people died because of my command."

Perturabo spoke calmly of the weight on his heart, watching Horus's reaction.

He had come to Horus because he knew of the Warmaster's attitude towards Angron. He hoped to find the same understanding from him.

"Your actions were not wrong. Betrayal must be met with swift and decisive force."

"It is a pity you couldn't be at the Triumph of Ullanor. But that day wasn't entirely filled with fond memories." Horus laughed self-deprecatingly.

"You must have heard that Angron, after the celebrations, raged like a caged animal."

"I used all my diplomatic skill to soothe his anger, to make him temporarily accept my authority."

"But I know that if I want to be a true Warmaster, mere compromise is not enough."

Horus rose. "To be the Warmaster, I must have the trust and obedience of all."

"I gave Angron the freedom he wanted. All I ask in return is his loyalty."

"Your loyalty was bought with blood," Perturabo said bluntly.

"Yes. I am the Warmaster. I need you." Horus spoke.

"Angron is the most savage and bloodthirsty of the Primarchs, but he still has a place in my plans."

"I need his loyalty. His loyalty to me."

He walked to Perturabo, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Might makes right. Your actions were not wrong."

A warmth seeped into Perturabo through his pauldron. He forced his will not to be wholly swayed by Horus.

"You mentioned a plan. What plan?"

Horus remembered Perturabo's questioning of the Emperor's vision. "The Emperor has abandoned us to the galaxy, returning to Terra to pursue godhood."

Perturabo's eyes widened. "He said He was not a god."

"His lies." Horus's expression was pained, but unwavering.

"We all believed in the Emperor's perfect vision, but it was all a lie."

"I think what you said earlier was absolutely right. The Imperium is my father's farce."

Horus praised him. "Yes, He is an actor in that farce. He has deceived us all with His performance."

"We are all His tools. Once we are worn or blunt, He throws us aside."

"Think carefully. Has He ever praised your great achievements?"

Perturabo thought of how he had always taken on the tasks other Primarchs refused, without complaint, and without receiving commensurate honor. His rebuttal died in his throat.

"Think again. Why did He abandon us, withdraw from the Great Crusade, and return to Terra?"

"He is working on His own plan for apotheosis. All of humanity will suffer for it. We must stop Him."

"We are all pained by the truth, but we must face reality."

"Do you have proof?"

"Of course." Horus walked to a cabinet, opening a drawer.

"Do you think I would accuse Him without proof?"

"Look at this. The Lectitio Divinitatus."

He handed a stack of papers to Perturabo. "I recently discovered that a magazine on the lower decks of my flagship was being used as a meeting place for a Lectitio Divinitatus sect."

"The fleet's Chief Iterator, Kyril Sindermann, was even a member. He was preaching the Emperor's divinity aboard my ship."

"While we brought the light of scientific reason to mortals, they were worshiping a false god."

Perturabo scanned the pages quickly. His reverence and love for his father were torn.

Horus placed his hands on Perturabo's shoulders, his voice fervent.

"I need your support, my brother."

His tone was earnest. "I cannot do this without you."

"I need your hammer to shatter the Emperor's illusory farce and let the light of truth shine upon the human race once more."

"I beg you, help me win the coming war."

Perturabo looked into the Warmaster's burning eyes. "You want to become the new Master of Mankind."

"Yes." Horus did not hide it.

'If only Nareth had ambitions like Horus's. He is too loyal to our father. His Librarius plan was abolished. He was judged at Nikaea...'

Perturabo cut off the thought, burying the memory of Nikaea deep in his mind.

"I will join your plan."

"Excellent!" Horus raised his fist.

"We will win. You will win glory."

"This time, no one will overlook your achievements. You will receive the praise and recognition you deserve."

"Dorn and his Imperial Fists are mine." Perturabo declared.

Horus remembered Fulgrim's account of a conversation he had once had with Dorn. He had asked, "Could you build a fortress that Perturabo could not breach?"

Dorn had replied directly, in front of Perturabo: "Yes."

Perturabo had stormed out.

"Of course they are yours. You will prove that you are far superior to the Praetorian of Terra."

"Your hammer will shatter every fortress he builds."

Perturabo nodded, satisfied.

Horus escorted Perturabo all the way to the flight deck, waving until the Stormbird vanished from sight. Then he turned and strode back to his private chamber.

It was time to move to the next stage of his plan.

....

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

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