Chapter 188 — The Praetor's Authority
The private chamber aboard the Imperial Palace was unusually quiet, even for a space that usually held the hum of activity and low chatter of attendants. High ceilings arched over polished floors, illuminated by the soft golden light of hololith projectors and the sunlight streaming through tall windows.
Gaius Maximor Thassor sat alone at a large desk, the weight of a freshly unrolled scroll before him. The document carried the seal of Roboute Guilliman himself, an official decree elevating him to a position unlike any he had ever held.
He read the scroll carefully, each word measured, his voice steady as it carried across the room. Around him, a small group had gathered, present to witness this reading and understand its implications. Saeko, Mindy, Diana, Naruto, Tony, and Tanya stood in quiet attention, the hum of curiosity evident in the subtle shifts of their bodies.
By decree of Primarchal authority, Gaius began, his voice resonant yet calm:
"The office of Praetor is established beyond the limitations of conventional command structure as codified within the Codex Astartes and subsequent Imperial administrative doctrine. The Praetor shall stand invested with autonomous mandate, entrusted to act where delay, debate, or divided authority would imperil the survival of Humanity."
Gaius paused briefly, letting the weight of the words sink in. Then he continued:
"The Praetor shall answer only to: The Emperor of Mankind, Master of Terra and Sovereign of Humanity Eternal, and Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines and Lord Commander of the Imperium. No other authority, whether Chapter Master, Segmentum Command, High Lord of Terra, Inquisitorial Office, Adeptus Mechanicus Archmagos, Ecclesiarchal decree, or Imperial institution, shall countermand, suspend, obstruct, reinterpret, or nullify the Praetor's lawful decisions while enacted under this mandate."
The room was silent, broken only by Gaius's voice. The group felt a tremor of disbelief as they listened, realizing the extent of the authority he now commanded.
"The authority of the Praetor shall supersede all regional, sector, and theater-level command structures when operating within an active warzone or declared strategic operation under his judgment. Said supersession shall be recognized as an extension of Primarchal will, and refusal of compliance shall constitute dereliction of Imperial duty."
Saeko and Mindy exchanged glances, both understanding the gravity. Sweat formed at their temples, not from fear of Gaius, but from the understanding that this was no ordinary command. This was absolute authority, the kind that could shape the destiny of worlds with a single decision.
"The Praetor is granted full operational sovereignty to command Imperial military assets assigned, pledged, or rendered subordinate by necessity of campaign. Assume unified command over joint Imperial forces where fractured leadership threatens operational success. Enforce planetary compliance through any means deemed necessary for the preservation of mankind. Declare and enact Exterminatus upon any world judged irredeemably compromised by heresy, xenos corruption, daemonic incursion, or existential threat to the Imperium. Authorization issued under this decree shall require no secondary approval, ratification, or ecclesiastical confirmation. The Praetor's judgment in such matters shall be regarded as final operational authority, executed in trust as the delegated will of the Lord Commander himself."
Naruto blinked, his usual energetic eyes wide as he processed the term "Exterminatus." "Wait," he said slowly. "Doesn't that mean… Gaius could just destroy a planet if he thinks it's too dangerous?"
Gaius nodded slightly, acknowledging the truth in the boy's realization, but he remained silent, letting the weight of it stand.
His expression stayed calm, reflective, and almost distant, as he considered what this meant in practice, and solemn at the enormity of what his Gene-Father had entrusted to him.
Diana stepped forward, her voice careful but firm. "Gaius, the authority you now hold… it is immense."
She didn't speak from fear or doubt. Her tone carried respect, a measured acknowledgment of the responsibility he now bore.
Tony let out a low whistle, hands on his hips. "Gaius," he said casually, "you're practically a walking final decision. No committees, no approvals, and no debates."
Tanya, who had been silent until now, couldn't hide the faint tremor in her body. She had seen the recorded broadcasts saved in the multiversal chat and already understood the kind of figure he was.
Now, hearing the extent of Gaius's authority over an empire that spanned the galaxy, a mix of fear and exhilaration coursed through her. After all, he was her teammate, but knowing the enemies humanity faced in this world, she hoped none of that chaos existed in her own world.
Gaius continued, internalizing the magnitude of what he had just read. This was not ceremonial authority, not a mere title or honorary command.
He now had the legal, sanctioned power to redirect fleets, enforce planetary obedience, and even obliterate worlds if they posed existential threats to humanity.
Governors, generals, planetary institutions, even entire chapters would be required to obey his orders during operations. Disobedience would not be treated as argumentation, it would be heresy.
The others in the room watched him closely. Saeko and Mindy felt their hearts race slightly at the magnitude of responsibility. Tanya's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Even Naruto, who did not fully understand the complex hierarchy of the Imperium, understood one thing clearly: the sheer destructive and commanding power Gaius now wielded.
Gaius finally set the scroll aside, leaning back in thought. He realized Guilliman had given him more than a company, he had given him a mantle of authority practically unparalleled in the history of the Imperium.
Only the Emperor and Guilliman could challenge his decisions.
No bureaucracy, no council, no ecclesiastical body could interfere. The realization was sobering, yet he felt a quiet determination. The burden was enormous, but he would carry it, he will lead humanity out of a galaxy consumed by war and chaos.
Two weeks later, Gaius stood on the bridge of his strike cruiser, The Oath of Rectitude.
The vast, humming chamber was filled with personnel and equipment, a microcosm of the Imperium's military might.
Gaius, now officially Praetor, walked the length of the bridge, his presence commanding attention without a word. At his side were his two lieutenants, Demetrian Titus and Metaurus. Titus had already held the title of lieutenant, but previously it had been purely ceremonial, he could not issue orders to other Ultramarines without explicit permission from Gaius.
Now, with the establishment of a formal company structure, his rank now grants him real authority to assist in commanding the squads. Metaurus now held the other lieutenant position. Promoted from sergeant, he completed the dual command structure needed for the company to operate effectively.
The strike cruiser, The Oath of Rectitude, was now fully staffed and operational, a testament to Gaius' authority. Ten squads of Ultramarines were ready, comprising seventy standard Marines and thirty Primaris.
Supporting them were a dedicated Apothecary, a Techmarine, and a Dreadnought, all fully integrated into the company's structure.
Beyond the warriors, nearly seven thousand servitors and support personnel maintained the ship, handling logistics, repairs, and operational functions to ensure the vessel could operate at peak efficiency at any moment.
With the company now fully formed, The Oath of Rectitude was more than a ship or a force, it was a self-contained instrument of war, capable of responding to threats independently, without waiting for orders from Terra or Segmentum Command. The authority he wielded extended beyond mere title, it was real, immediate, and absolute.
The Praetor's thoughts were interrupted as he approached the control room. "Engage the warp drive," he commanded calmly.
A serf at the console looked up, hesitant. "Destination, Praetor?"
Gaius's gaze was steady as he responded, "The Emperor will guide us where we arrive."
The serf hesitated, sensing the unorthodox nature of the order. Yet he did not question it further. Gaius Maximor Thassor was no ordinary commander, he was the Emperor's champion, Praetor of the Eleventh Company. His reputation had already been firmly established, even before the ceremony.
Especially the older serfs and crew, all were deeply loyal to Gaius. With the supplies he brought, the foods from modern worlds, delicacies they had never tasted in their lives, they believed it was a blessing from Gaius, granted by the Emperor as a reward for their loyalty. It only strengthened their faith and admiration for him.
With a subtle nod, the serf engaged the warp drive. The hum of the engines deepened as the ship shuddered slightly, then began to slip into the currents of the warp. Lights on the bridge shifted to display the ship's trajectory, but Gaius did not focus on coordinates. He trusted the guidance of the Emperor.
Gaius stood at the center of the bridge, his arms crossed behind him, watching the crew carry out their duties. His mind turned over the possibilities, the strategies, and the battles ahead. With his Haki, his newly awakened abilities, and the full authority granted by Guilliman, he could act swiftly, decisively, and without delay. There was no bureaucracy to slow him, no council to debate him. The Imperium had given him its trust, and with it, the burden of ensuring that trust was never betrayed.
Beside him, Demetrian Titus and Metaurus awaited further orders. Their loyalty and competence were unquestioned, but they too were aware of the extraordinary freedom and responsibility of their positions. The ten squads of Ultramarines, disciplined and ready, awaited only his command.
"Prepare all units," Gaius finally said, his voice calm but commanding. "We move where the Imperium requires us."
Titus nodded sharply. Metaurus mirrored the motion.
~~~
Praetor — an ancient Roman office under the consul, commanding armies and administering justice, a fitting title for Gaius' unprecedented authority.
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