Warhammer: Dawn of Annihilation

Guilliman stopped speaking, settling back into his seat, and regarded those before him.

The conversation had reached a decisive moment. If they agreed to join him, they joined; if not, they would simply be excluded from his plans.

This reform would be a colossal upheaval for the empire, and only those who were loyal and obedient could be trusted with such a task. It was essential to ensure his will would not be exploited by Chaos.

Resistance was inevitable. After all, no one relished the idea of losing their power.

When Terra was still called Earth, power-hungry individuals waged wars for even the smallest dynasties, all to gain supremacy and the right to dominate others.

In the stars, such individuals would be even more numerous, eager to wield authority over entire planets and star systems.

After a brief pause, Ziller was the first to rise. He bowed with a slight incline, saying, "The Hitler family is willing to serve you, respected regent. Please accept my humble loyalty. The Hitler family will swear an oath here, our loyalty as unwavering as the sun of Terra."

One by one, the governors of other planets followed suit, rising to salute.

"The Valens family is also willing to serve you."

"The Hitler family is also willing to serve you."

They knelt before Guilliman, some with mechanical prosthetics, others with flesh-and-blood limbs, all offering their loyalty.

A few Rogue Traders exchanged uncertain glances before, hesitantly, they too knelt.

"The William Chamber of Commerce will resolutely carry out your will."

"The Nancy Chamber of Commerce will resolutely implement your will."

The room was divided. Half chose to kneel, pledging their loyalty. The other half, faces taut with uncertainty, glanced around the hall, hands resting on gun bags, bracing for what might come next.

It seemed inevitable that a group of Ultramarines clad in blue power armor might burst forth, ready to enforce Guilliman's will with power axes. This was not to be taken lightly.

Guilliman's words had been a bold step—clearly aimed at undermining the Solar System's control over the empire. For Terra, this could easily be seen as treason.

He smiled, noticing the apprehension among those who had not bowed. "Do not worry. I do not seek what you fear. For me, the most important thing is saving this dying empire, not pursuing power. For ten thousand years, the empire has strayed from its true path. My father set too many boundaries, and now I must restore it to its rightful course."

"Those of you who did not kneel, please leave. Allow me the time and space to discuss reforms with those who have pledged their support. You need not worry about retaliation. I am not here to create havoc for those seeking power."

Guilliman's invitation was clear: those who had not knelt were to leave, while those who had pledged loyalty could stay.

"Stand up, everyone. I am pleased you remain," he said, helping them rise and inviting them to sit down.

The human empire was vast, stretching across tens of thousands of light-years—far beyond what any man could conceive. Navigating this immense span of space would require a slow, deliberate effort. Guilliman knew the reforms had to roll out gradually, taking advantage of the new technologies that Kaur had developed, with changes creeping across the empire over the next century or two.

Every policy would be implemented carefully, to minimize negative impact.

For those who resisted him, there would be no immediate purging. The positions of the chambers of commerce would not be swiftly replaced, but their influence would be slowly drained, like a frog being boiled in warm water.

As the last of the members took their seats, Guilliman, his tone measured, spoke again, "I am glad you have chosen to stay and assist in this monumental task. What we do here is to ensure our families survive in this grim universe. We must keep the empire my father created from crumbling into nothingness, swallowed by the tide of chaos."

"We hold no disrespect for you," one of the leaders assured him.

"You don't need to worry about that, Regent," another added, affirming their loyalty.

Guilliman smiled. "It is always a good thing for you to remain. During the ten thousand years I slept, I watched many worlds suffer. The empire abandoned them, leaving them to struggle in ignorance and poverty. Some lived in rags, giving only what little they had to survive. Yet they were ignored, as if their lives didn't matter."

"People will fight for what they can protect. If they have nothing, if they live in hell, then why would they reject the damnation that Chaos offers them?"

Guilliman's voice trembled with the anger he felt toward the empire's current state. If anyone else had dared speak such words, they would have been swiftly executed, labeled a traitor.

Humans were taught to obey the empire and worship the Emperor. This doctrine had been perpetuated by the state religion.

Guilliman's words, however, stood in stark contrast to the empire's traditional beliefs. His speech was dangerous; anyone else making such declarations would have found their body missing the next day.

Ziller and the others who had remained in the room shifted uneasily in their seats, wondering if they might soon face punishment for their decision.

For now, they kept their silence, avoiding the wrath of the regent.

Guilliman continued, "I will issue a decree. The new wealth distribution system will be tested in Ultramar, and from there, it will spread across the empire. Additionally, I will establish new educational institutions, ensuring that every child receives an education. We will teach them new imperial ideals and eradicate any organizations tied to Chaos."

"We will standardize imperial law, abolishing the power of feudal lords and dictators. Their time is over. We must reduce the chance of rebellions and Chaos infiltration."

He laid out the foundations of his reforms, each one recorded carefully by those present.

In the days of the Great Expedition, as long as planet governors paid taxes and promoted imperial truths, they could keep their existing systems. However, the empire had become severely deformed. Some worlds embraced socialism, others authoritarianism, and still others slavery.

When the Emperor was severely injured and placed on the Golden Throne, the Primarchs had left, and the High Lords of Terra had lacked the courage to instigate the reforms needed. As long as taxes were paid, the status quo persisted.

The High Lords had once been powerful, but now they were irrelevant.

At each council, representatives fought for their own interests, each faction moving at a glacial pace, at times absurdly so.

The great families had poured their efforts into securing positions for their people in the government of Terra, trying to ensure that their influence would last.

Guilliman, however, wanted none of this deceit. He wasn't concerned with political maneuvering. What he sought was absolute control over the empire.

After hours of discussion and planning, Guilliman dismissed the meeting. He authorized the formation of a new body, akin to a parliament, to serve as a support system for his reforms.

As the room emptied, Guilliman leaned back in his chair, weary.

He hadn't rested since his awakening. He had fought Chaos, gathered his supporters, and now orchestrated a complex series of moves to ensure the empire's future.

Rubbing his eyes, he exhaled deeply, his mind momentarily at peace.

A soft electronic tone broke the silence, followed by the voice of Sicarius, commander of the Ultramarines' Second Company, coming through the communicator.

"My lord, the other battle groups who heard of your recovery wish to be received by you."

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