After discussing everything, Guilliman took his leave to prepare the army and gather the mortal forces near Ultramar.
He also prepared two Ultramarine companies for Rhodes. The Ultramarines are currently well stocked—each battle company has its strike cruiser.
Recently, 300 original Space Marines from the Great Crusade era have just joined, so Guilliman assembled two companies for Rhodes, mainly to coordinate with the Blood Angels.
Guilliman originally wanted to send elite companies, but as Rhodes said, these two companies weren't meant for heavy fighting.
So, Guilliman sent the 3rd and 4th companies with their strike cruisers and mortal auxiliary troops to accompany Rhodes.
In addition, the Black Templars are among the visible support units—all 150+ Black Templars have received Rhodes' gene-seed and upgraded to Primaris Marines. Rhodes also transferred 1,500 from his legion.
The Black Templars have a tradition of veterans leading recruits—one veteran for ten recruits. If Marshal Avarrich hadn't insisted one veteran could lead only ten, Rhodes would've sent 15,000.
Every Black Templar veteran was promoted to sergeant, and sergeants to company commander. Avarrich himself was made deputy chapter master by Rhodes.
The goal is to build up to 100,000 in the future—this war against the Tyranids is a perfect training opportunity.
Rhodes' soldiers are experienced, not complete rookies. They've trained during cryosleep and fought orks previously.
…
Time flew by, and three days passed quickly.
Guilliman finished mustering the army. Gathering mortal troops wasn't hard—just within the Macragge system, there were tens of millions of auxiliaries.
"This is a bit too many!" Rhodes said, looking at the dense army and the ships in orbit.
Indeed, after counting, Guilliman had assembled 1.6 million auxiliaries—600,000 more than promised.
There were over 40 battle barges, more than agreed.
"I planned to send you a million, but the planetary governors kept sending more," Guilliman shrugged.
After all, it was the first time a Primarch summoned mortal troops. Every governor wanted to make a good impression. Guilliman asked for 100,000, they sent 150,000 or 200,000. He asked for two ships, they sent three—this was after careful selection.
Otherwise, the number could have hit 2 or even 3 million. In the Imperium, mortal auxiliaries are cheap—there are as many as you want.
"Whatever, they're just there to clean up the battlefield anyway," Rhodes said.
Next, as the Emperor's chosen, Rhodes and Guilliman reviewed the troops together.
Only a few Sisters of Battle, some senior Ultramar officials, and the Space Marine units knew Rhodes' true identity.
The mortal troops just thought they were following the Emperor's Chosen to war—they didn't know Rhodes' fortress held 600,000 Primaris Marines.
To boost morale, Rhodes unleashed his Emperor avatar. The huge avatar's appearance made every mortal soldier kneel and worship, removing all doubts about Rhodes' authority.
After the review, Guilliman gave an impassioned speech, followed by Rhodes' address (scripted by Guilliman).
With these rousing speeches, morale soared. The mortals believed they would win under the Emperor's gaze, following his Chosen and the Primarch's orders.
At Rhodes' command, all troops boarded transports and entered the battle barges.
In Rhodes' ship's bridge, a psyker coordinated communication with all vessels.
After everyone was assembled, Rhodes ordered the fortress to tear open a warp rift, leading the vast fleet into the Warp.
It was Rhodes' first Warp voyage—a multicolored world of shimmering light.
Once inside, each ship's Gellar Field is activated for protection. Rhodes' fortress floated above the fleet, projecting a massive energy shield that covered over 40 battle barges. Kahl the tech priest had modified it to emit a shield with extra Gellar Field protection.
"Transmit my orders: all ships maintain formation—no one leaves our mothership's shield. I don't want any navigation accidents in the Warp," Rhodes commanded.
"Yes, my lord! Relaying your orders to the fleet," the psyker at his side replied.
Once in the Warp, Guilliman and Sanguinius began psychic communication, guiding the fleet to Baal, now beyond the Astronomican's reach.
Rhodes' Navigator quickly locked onto the destination and guided the fleet forward.
Unless something unexpected happened, Rhodes wouldn't need to reveal his own Navigator abilities.
"Order all battle personnel to stand by. We're in the Warp now—there may be stray daemons on board. Exterminate them on sight."
"Commander, I'll announce this to the ship immediately!"
Rhodes' first Warp voyage went smoothly—no strange warp storms. The ship's Navigators even thought it was too smooth.
They didn't know that, even without the Astronomican, with two lesser gods guiding them—one in the Warp, one in realspace—their journey was the safest possible.
…
After more than ten days in the Warp, nearing Baal, Rhodes' fleet encountered a small warp storm.
Rhodes' fortress shield was at full power, ships kept tight formation, and with the two gods' help, the storm quickly passed without incident.
But the storm brought an uninvited guest: an Imperial ship lost in the Warp. Rhodes' radar picked it up, and they detected Rhodes' massive fleet.
"Lord Rhodes! I've received a new astropathic message," a psyker announced, eyes glowing.
"Oh? Which ship? Merchant or battle barge?" Rhodes asked.
"It's a large battle barge, my lord! And it has a dubious reputation," the psyker said, frowning.
"A bad reputation?"
"My lord, it's the infamous Carcharodons, aka Space Sharks. They're usually active on the galactic rim—this storm must have blown them here," the psyker explained.
Rhodes was stunned. This Chapter is famous!
Rumor has it their 3rd Company Captain uses gene-seed from the traitor World Eaters.
Official Imperial records say they're like ghosts—dirt poor, and known for collecting unauthorized tithes. Their reputation is not great.
"What do they want?" Rhodes asked, stroking his chin.
This Chapter is tough, but dirt poor—pathetically so. But super strong.
Inside the Chapter, their gene-seed is a total mix. Their Chapter Master, Tyberos, is a giant, almost the size of a Primarch.
Maybe I can recruit them! They don't care whose gene-seed they have, as long as it's strong enough—and mine is strong.
"Lord Rhodes! They ask if they can travel with us out of the Warp, and want to know which Imperial force we are," the psyker said.
"Tell them I am Rhodes, Emperor's Chosen, leading troops to support the Blood Angels' homeworld, Baal, under Tyranid attack. Ask if they're willing to help," Rhodes said.
"Understood, Lord Rhodes!" The psyker, though hesitant, obeyed and sent the message.
"Lord Rhodes! They say they're willing to help, but want some compensation—like weapons, power armor, and bolters."
"Tell them I'll provide generous rewards—lots of power armor, and some bolters," Rhodes said with a smile.
Come on, little sharks, get in the bowl.
Come to Daddy.