The room was awash in blinding white light, cold and unfeeling. Despair had once spread here, and its remnants still lingered. Yet, a glimmer of hope danced, casting a feeble light.
The Primarch sat in silence. On the other side, unseen by all, his progeny cried out, voiceless.
The Death Guard always maintained such silence.
But silence was meant to be broken.
"Mortarion, after witnessing those visions, I've pondered how we might resist this preordained fate, how we might triumph in the war against the beings from the sub-space."
Mortarion, and his legion, needed actionable advice more than empty comfort. Raised on Barbarus, Mortarion was always a pragmatist, not an idealist. He would grasp at anything useful, even if he loathed it.
With the right stakes, Mortarion would accept Hades's proposal.
"My first answer is, psykers."
"Every human with a soul serves as a conduit between the sub-space and the physical realm. Among them, psykers can more easily bridge the two."
"But this doesn't mean psykers should be eradicated. We need them to detect the emergence of sub-space entities and gauge the barrier between the realms."
"Moreover, we need psykers to combat other psykers, to fight the sub-space entities. In terms of deployment costs, only another psyker can truly defeat a psyker."
Mortarion slowly raised his eyes, their amber hue dimming in the stark light.
"And then there's you."
Hades hesitated but quickly continued, "Untouchables are also an excellent counter to psykers. However, compared to psykers, the costs of finding, training, and adapting Untouchables for the battlefield are much higher."
Hades, a unique variant, knew not all Untouchables could be transformed into Astartes. Their nature meant they'd only be deployed against psykers or sub-space entities. Deploying them elsewhere would be unwise.
During the Great Crusade, the primary enemies were xenos and other humans. Deploying Untouchables seemed more like an investment for the future.
Mortarion stared at Hades, deep in thought. "So, setting aside the Untouchables for now. The Death Guard needs a cadre of psykers, those with unwavering wills, capable of resisting the sub-space."
Mortarion's eyes still held a hint of resistance. He remembered those who dabbled in sorcery, those who went mad from it. Their power, after all, came from the chaotic sub-space.
Hades's gaze darkened, "I understand your concerns, Mortarion. Indeed, psykers, being closer to the sub-space, are more susceptible to corruption. Hence, we need oversight."
"That's my second answer. Establishing political officers or chaplains within the Death Guard."
Mortarion pondered. Political officers? Such roles were unfamiliar to him. Chaplains? He knew his brother Lorgar had them, but Barbarus had no gods or religion.
Yet, the cries of his progeny echoed in his soul.
"The sub-space can corrupt minds. Even if the Death Guard stands as a symbol of resilience now, we still need warriors of the mind and spirit. It's a battlefield we've rarely faced, but one we must."
Mortarion realized that perhaps their minds weren't as resilient as they appeared. And if Hades, the Untouchable who foresaw the visions, proposed this, he must've thought it through.
Mortarion, as the legion's leader, couldn't be whimsical. Only those who faced reality emerged victorious.
"Is there truly no other way, Hades?"
Hades looked at him, eyes filled with determination, "Mortarion, personally, I'm not inclined to this either. But given our situation, it seems we have but one choice."
Mortarion paused, then slowly nodded, "Very well, I accept your proposal."
"Our new psyker cadre will be called the Undertakers."
They would bring death, sending enemies back to another realm, even if they were reviled.
"And the new division overseeing discipline and spirituality will be called the Grave Wardens."
Everyone could be granted eternal rest, but not them. They were the guardians, the watchmen of the legion.
"Agreed."
Undertakers. Grave Wardens.
Mortarion mulled over these names. Their presence would alter the Death Guard's destiny.
Hades swallowed, "Next, my third answer is, the Untouchables."
Mortarion raised an eyebrow, "Though few in number and costly to train, we need them."
"For a long time, it'll be a loss. But we need them."
Mortarion spoke, echoing Hades's thoughts.
Hades nodded. Currently, the Imperium's Untouchables were primarily the Silent Sisters. For male Untouchables, there was no formal recruitment or promotion system.
"If we wish to expand the Untouchables, we need to broaden the Death Guard's recruitment sources."
"That's my fourth answer."
Mortarion nodded. Expansion was always his ambition.
Hades subtly blinked, wondering why Mortarion never sought more recruitment worlds. Most likely, Mortarion doubted the reliability of soldiers from other planets.
But now, facing a grim future, personal preferences could be set aside.
"We can recruit Untouch
ables from other worlds, train them, and then deploy them. It's a long-term plan, but it's necessary."
Mortarion nodded, "Agreed."
Hades sighed in relief. The conversation was going smoother than he'd expected.
However, the next topic would be the most challenging.
"Lastly, Mortarion, there's one more thing."
Mortarion looked at him, waiting.
Hades took a deep breath, "The Death Guard needs allies."
Mortarion's eyes widened, "Allies?"
Hades nodded, "Yes, allies. We can't face this alone."
The room was silent, but the weight of the conversation was palpable.
Mortarion's voice was low, "Who do you suggest?"
Hades hesitated, "The Thousand Sons."
Mortarion's eyes darkened, "Magnus and his sorcerers?"
Hades nodded, "Yes, they're the most knowledgeable about the sub-space. We need their expertise."
Mortarion looked conflicted, "I'll consider it."
Hades nodded, "Thank you, Mortarion."
The conversation ended, but the weight of their decisions lingered.
The Death Guard's fate was now intertwined with the future of the galaxy.