Warhammer: Dawn of Annihilation

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In the vast and solemn parliament hall, only Guilliman and Kaul remained, as everyone else had already departed. 

Kaul, a sage of the Mechanicus with a fully mechanized body, stood almost equal in height to Guilliman, a primarch. Over ten millennia, Kaul had undergone countless rounds of technological transformations, leaving little of his original flesh and blood intact. 

His back carried a massive metal shell-like structure, equipped with a force field generator, several articulating mechanical arms, and multiple floating servo-skulls connected by intricate nerve cables. Embedded within this construct were numerous high-energy weapons sourced from across the galaxy, all directly linked to his brain and spinal column. 

Even his lower body had been entirely replaced by machinery, and each step he took emitted a distinct mechanical hum, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of pistons pumping. 

A glowing energy source illuminated Kaul's chest—a clear indication that the madman had installed a nuclear fusion core within himself to power his myriad weapons. 

Despite having had prior encounters with Mechanicus adepts, Guilliman couldn't help but marvel at Kaul's imposing form. The sage was a living embodiment of the Mechanicus creed: "There is no strength in flesh, only weakness"

"Kaul, come closer," Guilliman commanded, his tone calm and measured. 

Kaul, who had been instrumental in Guilliman's resurrection, was among the few individuals Guilliman could currently trust. The sage had dedicated thousands of years to searching the galaxy for lost technologies and buried relics to bring Guilliman back to life. 

Such unwavering dedication warranted a degree of trust, though Guilliman remained cautious. In this treacherous galaxy, even the most loyal ally could eventually betray him, and he had to prepare for every possibility. 

"What are your orders, Regent?" Kaul inquired, his heavy metal frame leaving deep impressions on the marble floor as he approached. His mechanical eyes emitted a cold glow, their lenses revealing the intricate rotation of gears within. 

Kaul's eyes, a fusion of flesh and machine, were sophisticated electronic instruments capable of a variety of advanced scanning functions. 

Guilliman remained silent for a moment before producing a data storage device. "This device contains knowledge I secretly gathered ten thousand years ago," he explained. "This knowledge will enable us to create a brand-new army, one that will help us reclaim control of the galaxy." 

Of course, the information wasn't actually ten thousand years old. Guilliman had compiled it from the empire's existing databases, but presenting it as ancient knowledge was a strategic move to avoid resistance. 

If the Mechanicus doubted its authenticity, Guilliman reasoned, they were welcome to verify its origins—though, naturally, such verification was impossible. 

The Mechanicus, as the empire's primary provider of machinery and equipment, had become increasingly rigid and slow over the millennia. Developing a new product often took centuries, from testing to mass production. Guilliman had no time to wait for their cumbersome processes. 

Staying within the Ultramar 500 worlds allowed him greater freedom to act. Here, the Mechanicus held less sway, and with the backing of allies like Calgar and Celestine, Guilliman could swiftly build a new, powerful army. 

This army, he believed, would be the key to pulling the empire back from the brink of collapse. 

The empire's internal structure had become bloated and fragmented over millennia. Its various factions—Tara's High Lords, planetary governors, aristocrats, the Astra Militarum, the Imperial Navy, the Custodian Guard, the Inquisition, and countless other Space Marine chapters—were riddled with infighting. 

Even the Mechanicus, nominally an ally, often acted in ways that undermined the empire, as seen during the infamous Beast Wars. 

Then there was the state religion, with its power struggles and misguided atonement crusades, which frequently led loyal Space Marine chapters to their doom within the Eye of Terror. 

The empire had been patched together over the centuries, becoming a grotesque, lumbering behemoth. Guilliman knew that no amount of mending could save it. Only radical reform and a complete overhaul could restore its vitality. 

But for that, he needed an army—a force powerful enough to crush chaos and alien threats alike. 

Kaul accepted the data storage device with a skeptical expression, doubting that Guilliman could possess any groundbreaking technology. However, out of respect for the primarch, he inserted the device into the interface at the back of his head. 

As the data flooded his processors, Kaul's initial skepticism gave way to astonishment. The knowledge contained within was unlike anything he had encountered before. 

The device held schematics for genetic modifications, designs for advanced warships, and even plans for a superweapon labeled the "Death Star." 

Kaul's excitement grew as he reviewed the details, realizing that this knowledge exceeded anything currently possessed by the Mechanicus. Most of their existing technology was derived from ancient STC templates, and once a piece of knowledge was lost, it was nearly impossible to recover. 

"Is there no STC template for this technology?" Kaul asked, his curiosity evident. 

"No," Guilliman replied candidly. "This knowledge was acquired through ten thousand years of learning and innovation." 

The absence of an STC source posed a problem. The Mechanicus traditionally forbade the use of non-STC technologies, often declaring them heretical and launching wars against those who dared to utilize them. 

Guilliman, however, knew that Kaul was a reformist—a member of the Mechanicus faction advocating for innovation over strict adherence to dogma. 

"What do you require of me, Regent?" Kaul asked, his tone tinged with determination. 

Guilliman smiled, reassured by Kaul's willingness to embrace progress. "I need you to build a new army," he declared. "From battleships to personal equipment, everything must be upgraded. I will authorize the industrial worlds of the Ultramar 500 to support you. When I've eradicated the remaining Chaos forces here, I expect to have an army ready to pave my way to Terra." 

"I will carry out your orders, Regent," Kaul vowed, bowing slightly. The movement caused his mechanical frame to emit a series of metallic clicks. 

"Good," Guilliman said. "Prioritize the development of this thought-stamp technology, and ensure its secrecy. No leaks are permissible." 

"Understood, Regent," Kaul affirmed, his tone resolute.