The five hundred Ultramar worlds were the crown jewels of the Imperium. Here, public order reigned supreme, and living standards surpassed those found on most Imperial planets.
During the Horus Heresy, the bitter civil war that nearly tore the Imperium apart, Guilliman had envisioned these worlds as a potential fallback position.
He even contemplated establishing a Second Empire with his loyal brothers, but that plan was shelved upon learning of the Emperor's survival.
Even as an unrealized concept, the idea highlighted the immense potential of Ultramar. These worlds were Guilliman's bedrock, his foundation upon which he would rebuild.
News of his resurrection had drawn a mixed response. Some capable planetary governors and enterprising Rogue Traders, loyal and resourceful individuals, responded swiftly.
Others, however, remained trapped by the chaos plaguing their territories, or simply refused to acknowledge the authority of a resurrected Primarch.Ten thousand years had wrought significant changes. The Emperor and the Primarchs, once revered figures, had faded into myth.
The Imperial Truth, the doctrine emphasizing reason and scientific inquiry, had been relegated to the dustbins of history, replaced by the increasingly dominant state religion.
The once-cooperative Mechanicum had become insular and dogmatic, while the Terra Council, the governing body on Terra, wallowed in bureaucratic lethargy.
The recent fall of Cadia, a critical world guarding the rift between realspace and the warp, had served as a stark reminder of the Imperium's vulnerability.
The vast empire, bled dry by a thousand conflicts, struggled to react effectively. Ten millennia had allowed various factions to sink their roots deep within the Imperium, feeding off its resources like parasites.
Those who resisted Guilliman's resurgence were these entrenched entities, unwilling to relinquish their perceived birthright – power and control.
For now, Guilliman chose to bypass them. His focus was on the loyal worlds of Ultramar, the foundation upon which he would build his strength. Here, he would enact sweeping reforms.
- Population Optimization: He envisioned a system of mandatory military service, ensuring a steady stream of soldiers for his planned campaigns.
- Food and Weapon Production: Increased production of food and weapons would bolster Ultramar's self-sufficiency and warfighting capabilities.
- Administrative Streamlining: The bloated bureaucracy and the aristocratic system would be trimmed, freeing up resources and improving efficiency.
- Education Reform: Promoting widespread education was crucial to fostering innovation and reducing dependence on the increasingly unreliable Mechanicum.
- Independent Research: Establishing a research infrastructure independent of the Mechanicum would provide a critical alternative source of technological advancements.
The alliance with the Mechanicum was a fragile one; they merely occupied a seat on the Terra Council. Unlike the Emperor, Guilliman lacked the absolute authority to keep the Adeptus Mechanicus in check.
Should the Emperor return and brand him a traitor, the loyalty of the Mechanicum would be put to a critical test – would they side with the Omnissiah, their machine god, or the resurrected Primarch?
The dilemma was clear. While some within the Mechanicum might choose to side with him, they'd likely be a minority. Establishing his own scientific research institution was paramount. It needed a comprehensive system to digest the vast knowledge stored in his database.
To achieve this, the cooperation of the assembled planetary governors was crucial. Guilliman, a Primarch born under the crimson light of war, found the existence of these aristocratic families above the commoners abhorrent. However, the complexity of this world far exceeded anything he'd known.
Despite being a time traveler, his Primarch status and the ruling template granted him unimaginable abilities. Yet, absolute control over every world remained an impossible dream.
The vastness of the Imperium, coupled with inefficient communication and navigation technologies, made it a logistical nightmare. Additionally, there weren't any sufficiently powerful AI systems available.
Chaos, the embodiment of evil, could corrupt not just flesh and blood, but infiltrate networks as well. The sophisticated AI systems prevalent in his world were out of the question here. A single, central AI controlling too many combat units would be disastrous.
Under the influence of Chaos Gods, flesh-eating viruses and demons could infiltrate the network, turning human-controlled units against themselves.
The limitations of this universe necessitated granting a degree of autonomy to each colonized planet. The position of planetary governor, with all its inherent power, couldn't be disregarded.
Another critical factor was the Rogue Trader. Their history stretched back to the Great Crusade ten millennia ago. Since the Emperor's first Rogue Trader patent, these individuals had played a vital role on the galactic stage. Responsible for intergalactic trade, they even possessed the authority to deal with alien species, amassing unimaginable wealth.
Some Rogue Trader dynasties spanned dozens, even hundreds of galaxies, a testament to their immense power. They followed the Imperial Navy where it dared to tread, and ventured beyond, exploring uncharted territories where the Emperor's Astronomican beacon couldn't reach.
They salvaged wrecks from forgotten wars, unearthed lost relics of humanity's golden age, and facilitated trade with aliens in regions far removed from the Emperor's light.
This enterprising group played a crucial role in the Imperium's economy, generating massive tax revenues that fueled the vast legions and bureaucracies. Without their assistance, Guilliman would be left with the daunting task of raising funds himself.
The Ultramarines under his command were far too busy defending the Imperium to dabble in commerce. Their unwavering focus lay on combating alien threats and the ever-present corruption of Chaos.
In the grand hall, a well-dressed Ziller and his fellow planetary governors and Rogue Traders pledged their loyalty to Guilliman.
Seated at the head of the round table, the Primarch remained unmoved by their declarations. He rapped his knuckles on the table, his voice echoing in the vast chamber as he began to speak slowly.
"I require a parliament," Guilliman declared, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd. "This body will be instrumental in implementing my policies and enforcing my will."
His words resonated through the grand hall, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. He needed more than just loyalty; he needed a collaborative effort to translate his vision into reality. The upcoming conquest wasn't just about claiming worlds - it was about transforming them according to his ideals.
This approach, however, wasn't without its risks. Imposing reforms across the vast Imperium would inevitably draw the ire of entrenched interests. The Terra Council, the insular Mechanicum, regional nobles, even wealthy merchants – they would all resist any attempt to disrupt their established power structures.
But Guilliman had no choice. With the Chaos Gods ascendant and the Emperor still slumbering, a laissez-faire approach was untenable.
Lawlessness ran rampant in many worlds, with brutal gangs preying on the populace, the rich exploiting the poor, and leaders abandoning their people in times of crisis.
The average lifespan in some sectors dipped as low as thirty years – a grim testament to the dystopian reality gripping the Imperium.
Guilliman's voice resonated with a quiet anger. "Can you blame these people for turning to Chaos?" he questioned. "They've reached rock bottom. What's the alternative? Chaos may be corrupting, but how much worse can it truly be?"
He needed control, a system ensuring some semblance of equality and upward mobility. Only then could his rescued worlds become self-sufficient, providing a steady flow of talent and soldiers to bolster the failing Imperium.
Ziller and the others exchanged uneasy glances. The Primarch's words were a radical departure from the established order. Was he considering a path akin to his brother Horus, one that led to rebellion?
Noticing their trepidation, Guilliman continued, "This is not a betrayal. Since my awakening, I've witnessed the rot at the heart of the Imperium. Ignorance and superstition have choked out the former glory and reason, leaving behind a decaying edifice. Tinkering with the old system might buy time, but it is a far cry from my father's vision. Necessary reforms will strengthen us, providing the tools we need to combat the threats of Chaos and alien aggression."
A note of sincerity crept into his voice. "The choice is yours," he declared, addressing the governors and traders.
"Follow your convictions. I assure you, no harm will come to you for your decision. However, one thing must be clear – the power of Chaos is at its zenith, and the Great Rift has severed a significant portion of the Imperium from the Emperor's Astronomican beacon, leaving them vulnerable to alien and daemonic incursions."
He gestured towards them, his tone turning grim. "You've witnessed the bloated bureaucracy of the Terra Council and the stagnation of the Mechanicus. Without change, the Emperor's dream will crumble in our hands. Humanity itself may face extinction. As the Regent of the Imperium, Lord of Ultramar, and Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion, I implore you to become pillars of my endeavor."
Guilliman's powerful words hung in the air, leaving the assembled leaders with a momentous decision to make. The fate of countless worlds, and perhaps humanity itself, rested on their answer.
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Some Rogue Trader dynasties spanned dozens, even hundreds of galaxies,
Systems or planets, galaxies is a bit of a stretch. Thanks for the chapter