Terra Standard Calendar: 372nd year of M31
World Name: Limnos III
Segmentum: Ultima Segmentum
Sector: The Maelstrom
System: Limnos System
Population: 1 to 3 million
Affiliation: Imperium of Man
Type: Feudal World
Tithe: Fourth-grade – tax-exempt
The Sword-class frigate floated silently in orbit around the world named Limnos III.
This ancient warship had survived countless Warp storms, but had also undergone numerous repairs after being captured by Atreus's group of Iron Warriors.
In the conference room on the command bridge, there were twenty-two imposing silhouettes.
They were Atreus's battle-brothers.
All were seated around a round table while mechanical servitors offered each of them a cup filled with an unknown red liquid.
Atreus quickly activated the holographic projector and turned to face his subordinates.
The veteran Astartes stood straight in front of the device as the image of a blue planet was projected behind him.
"This is the world of Limnos III, the third planet of the Limnos system. It has a decent-sized moon and three main continents. Land surface accounts for 31.53% of the total surface, and the planet is predominantly mountainous," he stated in a calm voice.
The Iron Warriors squad leader began summarizing the state of Limnos III, highlighting the positive aspects of the world that the previous owner of his body had already studied in depth.
For what purpose?
To escape the influence of his gene-father and to achieve something more than a simple warband.
Atreus wanted to be more than just another traitor lost in the vastness of the galaxy.
He wanted to try to change things in this corrupt Imperium that Guilliman would leave behind after his duel with Fulgrim.
For this purpose, he and Abaddon shared a common goal.
"However, I have no intention of touching the Warp or making pacts with the Chaos Gods," he thought while observing the elite members of his group.
Atreus was satisfied with everyone's concentration during his presentation.
He lingered in his thoughts and continued speaking.
"The main continent of Limnos is ruled by several kingdoms and feudal dynasties, supported by numerous vassals. The current ruler of the most powerful dynasty is the planetary governor, appointed to this position by former Iron Warriors," he went on, presenting the data on the medieval world.
During the Great Crusade, the Space Marines had not only conquered technologically advanced worlds.
These groups of genetically modified humans had also clashed with human civilizations that had regressed.
An inevitable situation following the events of the Long Night that humanity had endured after its peak during the Age of Technology.
Alex even remembered that some humans had reverted to the Stone Age.
Limnos III had fared relatively well, according to his overall understanding of the Warhammer 40K universe.
It was a stable feudal world with a decent level of human civilization.
If Primarch Angron had had the fortune to land there instead of Nuceria, the World Eaters might have avoided their tragic fate.
"They are also far from Terra's influence and have not encountered any xenos since the end of the Dark Age of Technology," he thought while studying the data on this future bastion.
The reason for the absence of xenos civilizations in the area was certainly due to the nature of this sector: the Maelstrom.
A vast Warp storm that the Imperium had never been able to fully map.
Limnos III literally existed on the edge of this nightmarish place.
The only real reason the population had not suffered strange mutations, according to Atreus's understanding, was the distance between the solar system and the Maelstrom.
It was just perfect.
"One of the other two continents is located in the arctic regions, perpetually locked in ice and rarely visited. The inhabitants of the third continent are more primitive. However, I estimate that these barbarians dressed in beast skins will also be useful. The planet's total population ranges between one and three million souls, with no trace of corruption or chaotic mutation," he explained in a serious tone.
Atreus took the time to emphasize the last point of his explanation.
He hated the use of Warp-related arts unless they were strictly necessary and controlled.
Even though Atreus did not want to meddle with the Immaterium, he still needed a psyker to serve as the ship's Navigator.
He therefore had to pay very close attention to the psychic aspect of this world, especially since its proximity to the Maelstrom favored the birth of psykers.
It was also the only thing that made Atreus hesitate in choosing this world as a Chapter planet.
Nevertheless, he decided to try educating the psykers in a manner similar to Roboute Guilliman's Ultramarines.
After all, it would be unfortunate if a dissatisfied psyker turned Limnos III into a Daemon World.
Just thinking about it already gave Atreus migraines at the thought of the problems he would have to deal with.
"The technology on the main continent is only just beginning to solidify; in other words, the Planetary Defence Force still uses spears, bows, and arrows. That is the overall state of Limnos III. And I intend to make it our primary planet," he concluded.
The hologram faded out.
Atreus swept his gaze across the Astartes present. Even though he had been named leader, he did not have absolute control over them.
According to the "Trust" index on his arm, only Anthony granted him total trust.
Therefore, he had to dispel their doubts.
"Fortunately, I am the most experienced one here, and everyone shares a vision similar to mine," he thought inwardly.
Even though he was respected, Atreus had not gathered his group through force alone.
All these Renegade Space Marines who followed him in his quest for independence were tired of a corrupt system.
A system that treated Astartes as nothing more than disposable pawns on a chessboard whose stakes far exceeded them.
And above all, they were all tired of being the faithful dogs of the Primarchs.
These Space Marines were looking for another path — one that would allow them to be something other than tools of their father, Perturabo.
Their choice of Atreus as leader came from his experience, but also from his victories.
The man before them held the title of Iron Lord, which he had earned during the Iron Cage campaign.
A campaign during which Primarch Perturabo had become a Daemon Prince thanks to the blessing of Chaos.
It was also this event that had pushed Atreus to escape the shadow of his gene-father, because he feared for his soul.
"Fortunately that idiot named me Iron Lord," he thought inwardly.
This title carried considerable weight within the Iron Warriors Legion at the time.
"Does anyone wish to ask questions?"
A low voice rose from a seat close to Atreus.
This voice, distorted by the helmet, belonged to Anthony, Atreus's battle-brother.
By intervening, he was already showing which side he was on during this meeting.
"Speak, my brother," Atreus declared, gesturing toward the Space Marine who wished to ask a question.
"Iron Lord, why leave the Eye of Terror to travel all the way to the Maelstrom sector for a single planet? It is too sparsely populated, technologically backward… and above all, it still belongs to the Corpse-Emperor," Barnaby stated in a calm but firm tone.
He was not challenging Atreus's authority, but Iron Warriors always prioritized logic above all else.
The Space Marine wanted to understand why this world in particular, and not another inside the Eye of Terror.
Especially since the majority of traitors had fled there.
Currently, the Horus Heresy had failed, and the Iron Cage campaign had broken out because the Loyalists sought to purge the traitors.
So it made sense to stay close to the other Renegade Legions, didn't it?
Atreus sketched a smile at Barnaby's question, because it was necessary to lay out his "experience."
Even though that experience was partly based on his understanding of the Warhammer 40K universe, as well as on the future conflicts linked to the Maelstrom.
And above all… on the opportunities this place could offer.
***
Author's Note:
The Maelstrom is the designation of a region of Imperial space surrounding a Warp storm (or Warp rift), the storm itself also bearing the name Maelstrom.
It is a massive and ancient Warp rift located near the galactic core in the Ultima Segmentum.
It should also be noted that this region of space is torn by Warp storms so intense that stellar travel there is practically impossible.
Unlike the Eye of Terror, which was created by the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh, the Maelstrom is a natural phenomenon.
The difficulty of access to this region makes it a refuge for pirates, criminals, and renegades.