The point nded, and Kayvaan's expression turned more thoughtful. The Ultramarines were a t force among the Imperium’s Chapters, with dozens of successors scattered across the gaxy. Their influence was unmatched, thanks to their efforts in rebuilding after the Heresy. Nearly half the Imperium’s Chapters could trace their lineage back to the Ultramarines. Marneus had earhe freedom to speak as he wished, his reputation and authority making him untouchable. Kayvaan, however, was just beginning. His Chapter were still a fledgling idea, more a promise than a reality.

  Jacob pressed on, his voice steady but firm. "Even in private, you o be careful. The Inquisition’s reach is vast. They cim to see everything, and while that might not be true everywhere, this is Terra—the heart of the Imperium and the most monitored p the gaxy. The Inquisition’s ears are always listening."

  Kayvaan's fident demeanor faltered, and he gnced around uneasily. Jacob’s words struck a he Inquisition’s reach was suffog. They trolled propaganda, public opinion, and Imperial bureaucracy with an iron grip, and when those tools failed, they turo more dired brutal methods. If they could, they’d likely impnt cogitators in every citizen’s brain to monitor their thoughts.

  Kayvaan sighed deeply. "You’re right. I didn’t think it through."

  "It’s not a big deal," Jacob reassured him. "You’re just not used to it yet. Give it time."

  Kayvaan nodded slowly. "I’ll be more careful with my words and as from now on." He paused before looking at Jacob, his gaze curious. "But I have to ask, Jacob. We only met yesterday, and now you’ve go of your way to help me. I’m grateful, truly, but there must be another reason you’re here, isn’t there?"

  Jailed faintly. "Not at all, Master Kayvaan. I came here today purely to assist you." He paused before tinuing, "In a month, the official transfer order will be issued. When that happens, I’ll be serving as your strategic advisor. I thought, why wait? The work to establish your Chapter begins now—building a regiment isn’t something you rush."

  Kayvaan’s expression shifted, a mix of relief aement. "Ah, so that’s what this is about! Excellent! In that case, I’ll leave it all to you."

  "Not so fast, Master Kayvaan," Jacob said, grabbing his arm before he could turn away. "There are a few matters that require your direct attention before anything be delegated. I’ll prepare detailed reports for you, but some decisions only be made by the Chapter Master."

  "Ah, I see," Kayvaan replied relutly. "What do I o do?"

  Jacob pulled three ly bound dots from the mountain of papers oable and id them before Kayvaan. "The High Lords of Terra have saned the name of the chapter as Tempr Knights, and the Administratum has finalized it. Now es the first and most critical decision—you must choose the geieage of your Chapter. Most Space Marine Chapters i the legacy of their founding Primarch without question, but your situation is different. The Tempr Knights have three potential options."

  Kayvaan's curiosity piqued. He leaned forward, his expression turning serious as he studied the dots. The Primarchs were the erstone of the Space Marine regiments. Each of the Emperor’s twenty sons had served as the geic foundation for one of the inal legions. They were more thahey were demigods, their abilities eclipsing anything humanity could hope to achieve. Marines infused with their geic legacy were unparalleled warriors, akin to living gods.

  For the Adeptus Astartes, gene-seed was destiny. It dictated not only their strength and resilie also their culture, traditions, and bat philosophy. The choice of a Primarch would defihe Tempr Knights for millennia to e, shaping their warriors and their p the Imperium.

  Jacob lifted a blue-covered book, the bold "U" emblem on its front immediately catg Kayvaan's attention. Within the "U," a skull symbol gleamed—a badge that unmistakably represehe Ultramarines.

  "This represents the geic legacy of Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines," Jacob began. "After the Horus Heresy, many Legions were shattered, but the Ultramarines emerged retively intact. They pyed a critical role in the Sed Founding, providing the geic foundation for tless neters. Their gene-seed is among the most stable and reliable in the Imperium."

  He set the book down and tinued, "Choosing the Ultramarines’ gene-seed means a stable start for the Tempr Knights. The process will be quicker, allowing us to deploy bat-ready forces sooner. Ultramarines’ warriors are known for their band adaptability—strong in every aspect, though some argue that makes them less specialized in any one area. Additionally, with my es to Ultramarines’ logistics, I help smooth the process and secure resources for the Chapter."

  Jacob slid another book forward, its dark red cover embzoned with a winged blood drop. "Then there’s the geieage of the Blood Angels. Their gene-seed carries both great potential and a heavy burden. After the Horus Heresy, their Primarch, Sanguinius, was sin by Warmaster Horus. That tragie a sting mark on his geic legacy, resulting in what’s known as the 'Bck Rage.'"

  “Bck Rage?” Kayvaan frowned. “What happened? How could Lord Sanguinius’s legacy bee inated?”

  “Well, ‘inated’ isly accurate,” Jacob admitted, “but after so many years, that’s how people describe it. Here’s what actually happens: Deep within the Blood Angels' gene seeds lies a fragment of Sanguinius’s memories—specifically, the final battle against Warmaster Horus.Under extreme stress, such as the eve of battle, these memories surface. Those afflicted believe themselves to be Sanguinius, reliving his final moments during the Siege of Terra. This state grants them incredible strength and resilience, drawing on their Primarch’s immense power. But the cost is their sanity. They see allies as enemies, and the battlefield bees a twisted vision of Sanguinius’s st stand. The Bck Rage is both a blessing and a curse for those who i it.”

  Kayvaan nodded slowly. “I see.”

  Jacob tinued, “If we choose the Blood Angels’ gene-seed, our warriors would i some of Sanguinius’s power, which would make them extraordinary fighters. Those with strong wills resist the Bck Rage. Those who ’t are still incredibly effective in bat and are usually grouped into the Death pany—a force specializing iating frontal assaults. The downside is signifit, though. Warriors who succumb to Bck Rage rarely recover. For a small neter like ours, where every soldier is precious, high sacrifices are a steep price to pay.”

  Kayvaan sighed. "We ’t afford too many losses. Every soldier matters.”

  Jacob reached for the st book, its cover bck as midnight. “This is the geic legacy of the Raven Guard. If you choose this, your warriors would excel ih, infiltration, assassinations, and sabotage—tactics perfectly suited for a smaller Chapter like ours.”

  His tone darkened as he tinued. “But the Raven Guard’s gene-seed has its own fws. During the Heresy, their geic material was nearly destroyed during the catastrophic events on Istvaan V and Corax’s ter attempts to replenish their numbers. The impntation process is highly unstable, with a low success rate."

  Kayvaan raised an eyebrow. “Wait, didn’t the Raven Guard destroyed?”