"I hope to purchase dimensional engines in the Talon Sector," Guilliman said, casting a glance at Inquisitor Greyfax.
The female inquisitor, having resigned herself to the situation, focused on enjoying the comfort of the bath and refrained from voicing any opinion.
"The tithes you submit to the Imperium are hoarded in High Lords' warehouses. Even Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds struggle to procure a single dimensional engine," Guilliman continued. "Thus, I hope to purchase some here in Talon—new, cutting-edge models."
This request, while anticipated, did not elicit an immediate response from Qin Mo. Instead, he said, "I've prepared a gift for you."
The water in the pool began to coalesce, forming a translucent image of Talon's orbital shipyard. Through the clear surface, everyone could see the interior, where a thirty-kilometer-long ship without any armaments was displayed.
"An industrial ship," Qin Mo explained, gesturing toward the vessel. "It can manufacture ships of cruiser and frigate class, as well as dimensional engines. As for raw materials, it requires only matter composed of atoms."
Guilliman could scarcely believe such generosity. Yet Qin Mo, seeing an opportunity, hoped Guilliman's authority and status as a primarch could help propagate the use of dimensional engines throughout the Imperium. To this end, directly granting him the means of production was a more effective strategy than mere advocacy.
A dimensional engine, used and sanctioned by a primarch, would carry a persuasive weight comparable to Guilliman arriving on Terra in a warp-capable ship.
"Thank you," Guilliman said with a solemn nod.
Cawl, who had been silent throughout, now found himself unable to remain composed. Industrial ships were rare treasures, even among the Mechanicus. Though he deeply desired one, he refrained from asking—after all, this was a gift intended for a primarch, not for him. Moreover, he understood that building such a vessel likely wasn't an easy task, even for the Talon Sector.
"This ship remains nameless," Qin Mo remarked. "You may choose a name for it."
After a brief moment of thought, Guilliman responded, "Let it be called *Friendship*."
"A fine name," Qin Mo said with a meaningful nod.
Having addressed the matter of dimensional engines, Guilliman felt that his primary objective for this visit was accomplished. However, his thoughts turned toward Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds, and he resolved to acquire advancements from Talon that could further improve his domain.
"I've arranged accommodations for each of you within this building," Qin Mo said, stepping out of the pool. He turned to Guilliman. "One of my Custodians will attend to your care and protection."
At that moment, Anreda ascended to the rooftop via an elevator and saluted Guilliman.
It came as no surprise to Guilliman that Qin Mo had assigned a Custodian to him. Whether this was merely for protection or also to keep him under surveillance, Guilliman found the arrangement entirely reasonable.
---
**Later that night**
Anreda escorted Guilliman to his assigned quarters.
Once alone, Guilliman wandered the room, inspecting its contents. He found a massive bed five meters in length, oversized furnishings suited to his stature, and an assortment of peculiar technological devices.
While he couldn't discern the purpose of every object by sight alone, he was relieved to discover a thick stack of manuals in a bedside drawer.
Scanning the manuals with his speed-reading capabilities, Guilliman hesitantly called out, "Steward."
A woman materialized out of thin air and approached him. "State your request," she said.
"I'd like to read some books," Guilliman replied.
The woman nodded, raising her hand. The ceiling projected a holographic library that transformed the entire room into an immersive archive.
Though the books appeared tangible, Guilliman's acute senses revealed them to be projections. For an ordinary person, the illusion would have been indistinguishable from reality.
Selecting ten books, Guilliman placed them on the table and activated the system to flip through the pages automatically. As the first page of each book turned in unison, he sat down and began to read intently.
These books chronicled the history of the Talon Sector and the origins of the Custodians and their enigmatic master.
According to one account written by the Ecclesiarchy, the Talon Lord was an emissary of the Emperor.
Another, penned by the Talon Sector's Department of Ecclesiastical Affairs, claimed he was once a soldier in the 44th Regiment of the planetary defense force.
Memoirs from various regimental commanders offered conflicting stories. Some aligned with the Ecclesiarchy's version, while others speculated that he was either a hive-dweller or a descendant of a scientific dynasty.
One memoir, titled *The Iron Fist of the Talon Lord: Recollections of the 87th Armored Regiment*, recounted a curious tale. Its author, Commander Duncan, claimed to have encountered a doctor in the underhive who insisted his neighbor—a fellow physician—had once treated the Talon Lord. The proof? A pattern of black markings on his body.
The account, however, noted that this physician later perished in a gang skirmish, and no one else had since verified the claim by inspecting the Talon Lord's body. Yet, during the unification of Talon Prime, the Talon Lord had reportedly asked his Custodians about a certain doctor.
"It seems the sector governor has no intention of concealing his identity as a Star God," came Yvraine's voice in Guilliman's mind. He realized he had forgotten to remove the spirit-stone device.
"Perhaps he's guessed that we've deduced the truth," Guilliman responded.
What had begun as suspicion during the parade had solidified into certainty after their shared bathhouse experience. For water to bypass the armor and touch his skin, only two possibilities existed: either physical laws had been altered, or Cawl's armor had a design flaw.
It was clear Qin Mo had no desire to conceal the truth. For Guilliman, this transparency was reassuring—an open ally was far more trustworthy than one shrouded in secrets, even if that ally were a sibling.
"Do you think the Talon Lord's reaction during the parade was genuine or an act?" Guilliman asked, recalling the scene of Qin Mo's prideful gaze upon his creations.
"My guess?" Yvraine mused. "Unless he's a Star God skilled in deceit, his emotions were genuine. His love for the humans here is akin to the affection our creator held for the Aeldari. He sees them as masterpieces to be proud of and trusted companions."
Guilliman nodded, removed the spirit-stone device, and returned to his reading.