The Chapter Master of the Space Sharks looked at Rhodes with a face full of astonishment. Can the size of this body be controlled at will?
"Chapter Master! That's just one of the Primarch's transformation forms. The Primarch can become a giant as tall as 55 meters.
Lord Guilliman, Lady Elena, and that Custodes can do the same. There's even a veteran Dreadnought in the Ultramarines who can grow larger," Andaris explained as he came up to Tyberos.
"A 55-meter giant? So how long was I sailing through the Warp?" Tyberos asked in shock.
Could he have been lost in the Warp for hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years?
"It's only been a little over a month, Chapter Master. I was just as shocked as you at first, but you'll get used to it," Andaris shrugged, giving his own Chapter Master a rundown of the facts.
After a while, Tyberos finally accepted reality and realized that something big was about to happen soon!
"All right, Tyberos, let's set chit-chat aside. You know the basics now. Come with me for a free Primaris Super Space Marine upgrade.
From me, your new Primarch, you'll get an even more powerful gene-seed implant, new power armor, power claws, a full array of ray-gun weapons—everything you could need.
So, what's your decision? Want to come with me?" Rhodes asked.
"My lord! Are you thinking of rebuilding the Legion?" Tyberos asked.
"That's what Guilliman and I are planning," Rhodes replied honestly, not hiding his goal.
"No problem! Since you're offering me such an opportunity, of course, I'm willing to become your gene-son and follow you to war," Tyberos replied without hesitation, very decisively.
The Imperium is about to undergo a massive change. He had to pick the right person to follow. Since this new Primarch valued him, why refuse?
Besides, he really would gain greater power. The new Primarch's gene-seed and that berserk transformation were perfect for the Space Sharks, especially for his ferocious fighting style.
"Welcome aboard, Tyberos! You're one of us now. I'll arrange for you and your men to receive the new surgical upgrades on my ship!" Rhodes laughed with satisfaction, patting Tyberos on the shoulder.
This Chapter Master was certainly giving him plenty of face.
"Chapter Master, congrats on your promotion. Now I get to lead a thousand-strong Company on my own, and you'll at least get a Brigade command," Andaris said.
"Just you wait! When I finish my upgrades and get my new gene-seed, let's have a rematch," Tyberos replied.
Andaris' face stiffened immediately.
...
A few days passed. Under Dante's leadership, several planets near Baal had been pacified, nearby star systems restored communications, and other Imperial forces sent by the Dark Side were arriving to assist.
Once Baal was confirmed completely secure, Rhodes bid farewell to Dante.
He'd already spent over half a month on Baal. It was time to return to Macragge and join Guilliman to launch the Terra Crusade.
"Lord Rhodes! Do you need the Blood Angels' help for the Terra Crusade? If you need it, I can send a few Companies to join you," Dante offered.
At this time, some Blood Angels had already received the new upgrades, becoming even taller and stronger Primaris Space Marines.
The Chapter was recruiting new initiates, and the standard year-long slumber had been cut to six months. Everything was improving!
And now, the Death Company was gone—the curse of the Red Thirst and Black Rage had been cured for all! This special brain-core let the Blood Angels keep their sanity, suppressing the thirst for blood far better than willpower alone ever could. Dante had no idea how to thank this new Primarch—their debt to him was truly beyond repayable.
From now on, whatever Lord Rhodes decided—so long as it wasn't open rebellion against the Emperor—the Blood Angels would support him.
"I'm already very happy that you, Guilliman, and Elena support my decisions. As for reinforcements, that's not necessary. The Baal system just escaped the Tyranids and still needs your Chapter's protection.
Your main task for now is to let the Blood Angels recover. When Guilliman and I announce the Legion plan, you can rebuild the Chapter. I hope to see a renewed Blood Angels Legion," Rhodes instructed.
The Dark Side of the Imperium still needed the Blood Angels' watch—at least until Sanguinius or the Lion returned.
"Lord Rhodes, why not take a Blood Angels representative with you? They can speak for us and show our support for the Legion's return," Dante said.
A founding Chapter's attitude was critical.
"Yes, Lord Rhodes, I discussed this with the Chapter Master yesterday. I'll accompany you as your advisor," said Mephiston, the Chapter's Chief Librarian.
There was plenty for him to do at home, but the new Primarch needed a powerful psyker at his side even more.
"No need! Mephiston is one of your main assets. His psychic powers help you Blood Angels a lot. If you're attacked again, he can foresee it," Rhodes said.
"Lord Rhodes, there's no danger here now, and many of our sub-chapter Librarians are gathered here. My disciples can handle minor matters.
But your Legion, though large, has no Librarians. I can help train new ones. Besides, it's the will of the Great Gene-Father," Mephiston pressed.
This wasn't just his own decision—it was Sanguinius's order. The Father told him to follow Rhodes, train new Librarians for his Legion, and serve as Chief Librarian for a hundred years before returning to the Blood Angels.
"All right, Mephiston, you can come with me. You're still a member of the Blood Angels, just acting as my advisor for now," Rhodes decided after thinking it over.
He did lack a Chief Librarian, and there were no qualified psykers on hand. Having a Blood Angels Librarian would help a lot.
Plus, Sanguinius could contact Guilliman through the Warp, so if anything happened in the Baal system, Rhodes and Guilliman would know right away.
"Lord Rhodes safe travels. I look forward to our next meeting," Dante said.
"Goodbye, Chapter Master Dante."
After saying farewell, Mephiston boarded Rhodes' ship. In his absence, his disciples and sub-chapter Librarians would fill in for him.
Rhodes' ship soon tore open the barrier between the Warp and reality, entering the Immaterium.
This time, Rhodes deployed both of his space fortresses, using powerful shields and Geller fields to protect the fleet.
With Mephiston aboard, Rhodes didn't hold back—he gave the Librarian a round of upgrades, enhancing a dozen Astartes organs to make his body even tougher.
Mephiston's psychic powers were so strong that he didn't even need a Navigator in the Warp; he could find his way, even moving his consciousness between past, present, and future bodies.
"Mephiston, before long I'll select candidates from the Black Ships bound for Terra and have you train them," Rhodes said.
"Lord Rhodes, Librarians must be the top psykers—often, hundreds of Black Ships might yield just one. But I'll do my utmost to find suitable ones for you," Mephiston replied.
"My main standard for Librarians is character. If their will is strong enough, I can raise their psychic level," Rhodes smiled.
Guilliman could boost a psyker's abilities with his divine blessing. And while Rhodes wasn't a minor god, with his system, there were plenty of ways to enhance psychic power.
"If that's the case, it'll be much easier—we can train strong-willed candidates to be your Librarians," Mephiston nodded.
Sanguinius had told him in the Warp that both Guilliman and Rhodes were now far stronger than past Primarchs—minor gods who could walk the mortal realm, their life-force far beyond humanity.