Chapter 263: Two Men Reminiscing
Joric's mechanical finger tapped lightly on the edge of the console, his crimson optical lenses flickering slightly. After a brief moment of contemplation, he opened the communication channel.
"Magos Joric." The voice from the communicator was steady and powerful, like a blade forged of adamantium. "I heard you have returned to Nexum and completed your promotion rituals."
He paused, then continued in a peaceful tone, "If it is convenient for you now, I would like to pay my respects in person."
Even through the communication device, Sigismund's voice carried a unique authority.
"You are welcome at any time, Lord Sigismund." Joric's synthesized voice was steady as usual, though it seemed to contain a barely perceptible fluctuation. "Please enter."
The heavy laboratory blast door slid open silently, and a towering figure appeared at the entrance.
With his arrival, the atmosphere of the entire laboratory changed, as if the air itself had become heavier.
Sigismund stood nearly two and a half meters tall, clad in Ceramite Power Armor painted in the iconic yellow of the Imperial Fists.
The armor was heavy, its lines rigid. Etched upon the pauldron was the unique heraldry symbolizing the status of the First Captain.
Sigismund stood at the door, helmet removed.
His weathered face was etched with the marks of time; every wrinkle seemed like a scar left by battle.
His grey-white hair was cropped close to his scalp, accentuating eyes as sharp as a falcon's, which seemed capable of piercing through all disguises.
Simply standing there, he naturally radiated the majestic aura unique to a veteran of a hundred battles.
The Power Sword at his waist looked plain and unadorned, but the wear marks on the hilt silently told tales of countless life-and-death struggles.
Sigismund's gaze slowly swept across the laboratory, lingering briefly on Ignis and the Skitarii, before finally settling on Joric's dark red mechanical body. Those sharp eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a trace of relief that was almost impossible to detect.
"Explorator Magos." Sigismund's voice was deep and clear, standing out distinctly in the quiet laboratory. "It seems you have walked further on this path of knowledge than many expected."
Joric's mechanical body emitted a slight hydraulic sound as he nodded. "Captain Sigismund. This promotion also owes credit to the guarantee you provided back then."
The corner of Sigismund's mouth moved ever so slightly; the expression could almost be counted as a smile. "I was merely repaying an old debt." His gaze grew distant. "Many years ago, in that alley on Terra, you showed a potential different from the rest."
"I was just an apprentice then," Joric's synthesized voice remained steady. "And you had already revealed the shadow of the warrior you would become."
The laboratory fell silent for a moment, the air seemingly solidifying around the unfinished past between the two.
"You came this time," Joric broke the silence first, "regarding the splitting of the VII Legion?"
Sigismund's expression turned serious again, a deep shadow casting over his brow. "The 'Second Founding' pushed by Lord Guilliman before he fell is now a done deal."
His voice was low, every word carrying weight. "Lord Dorn... although he harbors complex feelings about breaking up the Legion, after Lord Guilliman was critically injured and entered the Stasis Field, he believed this plan must be pushed forward. He views it as completing his brother's unfinished business."
He paused for a moment, a trace of heaviness flashing in those sharp eyes. "Lord Dorn once said that after Guilliman fell, continuing to execute this plan is a sign of respect for his brother's philosophy, even if it means the VII Legion will cease to exist."
He paused again, eyes narrowing. "The VII Legion is about to become history. Replacing it will be several independent Chapters inheriting the traditions of the Imperial Fists."
His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the sword at his waist, a subtle movement betraying the turmoil in his heart.
Joric's mechanical body emitted a low hum. "Splitting means every new Chapter will need to rebuild its own armory. You represent Lord Dorn here to ensure Nexum can take these orders?"
"Precisely." Sigismund nodded. "Nexum has a long history of cooperation with the VII Legion. Lord Dorn hopes that even with the Legion's restructuring, this connection can extend to the new Chapters."
His tone held a trace of imperceptible reservation. "We need a reliable source of equipment supply. We require not only standards of quality but also guaranteed stability of supply. Fabricator Locum Volks has agreed in principle; I am here to finalize the specific details and the first batch of orders."
His gaze fell on Joric again. "Learning of your promotion to Magos and your establishment of a laboratory here was also one of the purposes of my trip. It seems you now possess a broader stage."
"Resources and authority are indeed the cornerstones of exploration." Joric's synthesized voice was as steady as ever. "Orders for the new Chapters are a much-needed opportunity for the Forge World. Fabricator Locum Volks has been troubled by shrinking orders recently."
A barely detectable bitter smile grazed the corner of Sigismund's mouth. "Opportunity always coexists with challenge. Splitting the Legion into smaller forces... this goes against Lord Dorn's original convictions."
His voice lowered. "But now, he has become the firmest executor of this policy, believing it is the completion of Guilliman's unfinished work."
The First Captain shook his head slightly, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "New organization, new command hierarchy... we are still groping through everything. Whether dispersed power can cope with future threats is an unknown variable."
There was obvious distrust in his voice, but it was immediately replaced by a firm tone. "However, since it is Lord Dorn's decision, the Imperial Fists will carry it out thoroughly."
Joric's mechadendrites tapped lightly on the console. "Political reality often requires compromise. What is important is ensuring the new Chapters can obtain equipment support at the same level as the Legion of old."
"That is exactly the purpose of this trip." Sigismund nodded. "To ensure tradition continues, even if the form has changed."
He took a half-step back, his mechanical joints making a slight sound. "I will not disturb your research further, Magos Joric. May the wisdom of the Omnissiah guide your path. I must return to continue discussing details with Fabricator Locum Volks."
Before turning away, he gave Joric one last deep look. "Keep in touch. The Imperium... needs the strength of every loyalist, no matter what form they exist in."
"Duty calls," Joric responded concisely.
Sigismund nodded slightly, turned, and left with steady strides. The heavy blast door closed silently behind him, isolating the laboratory in silence once more. Only a trace of faint heaviness remained in the air, seemingly speaking of the choices and persistence everyone had to face in an era of change.
(End of Chapter)