Warhammer: The Worst Start There Is (40k) - Chapter 12: Planetary Governor and Rogue Traders

The five hundred planets under the control of the Ultramarines could be described as the Imperium’s most dazzling jewels.

The public order and security is good, and the standard of living for the people was generally at the forefront of all the planets in the Imperium.

During the Horus Heresy, when loyalist forces were scattered throughout the galaxy, Guilliman even considered making the five hundred planets the second human base against the forces of chaos, alongside the other two Primarchs, the Dark Angel Legion Primarch and the Blood Angel Primarch, to establish the Imperium Secundus.

Of course, this plan had not been realized when they discovered that the Emperor had not died.

The three Primarchs disbanded the Imperium Secundus and led their forces to support Terra, sealing the records of this event.

Even if it wasn’t achieved, the potential of the five hundred planets could be seen.

The five hundred planets were Guilliman’s foundation, and they could not afford any mistakes.

Upon hearing of his revival, some planetary governors in relatively stable situations and cunning Rogue Traders had already arrived.

Others were either trapped by the current dire situation or unwilling to obey the orders of a revived Primarch and stayed away in Macragge.

The Emperor and the Primarchs had long become legends, and ten thousand years had been enough to change many things.

The truths of the old Imperium had been swept into the dust of history, and the despised Adeptus Ministorum had become a member of the Supreme Council of Terra.

The Mechanicus became more and more closed and conservative, and the Terra Council became more and more bureaucratic.

After the Cadia Incident, the vast Imperium bled like a rapidly bleeding corpse, and it was even difficult to react quickly.

Ten thousand years of nourishment had already made various forces deeply intertwined and deeply rooted in the heart of this Imperium, and the ever-hungry Imperium wanted to devour them all.

Those who were reluctant to come were in a state of wait and see; they did not want their rights to be taken away by a suddenly revived Primarch.

Hundreds of years, thousands of years of rule had long made them believe that their rights were inherent and a symbol of their superiority.

Anyone who offended this point undoubtedly became their enemy.

Guilliman temporarily had no intention of dealing with them; he had to first deal with the planets that were still willing to support him.

He had to reform and rejuvenate the existing system, turning the five hundred planets into a solid bulwark, only then could he support his upcoming plans.

Optimize the population structure, provide conscripts, rebuild the wealth distribution system, and stimulate people to produce more food and weapons.

The bloated administrative department and the aristocratic system had to be streamlined to reduce the financial burden and increase efficiency.

There was also a need to further improve universal education, establish research structures independent of the Mechanicus, and provide more military power and reserve technical personnel for the upcoming expedition.

The Mechanicus and the Imperium only have an alliance relationship, with a strong presence in the Terra Council.

Guilliman is not the Emperor, and he cannot guarantee that the Mechanicus will not suddenly break away from his control.

Also, one must consider this: if the Emperor were to be revived and declare Guilliman a traitor to the Imperium, which side would the Mechanicus choose?

Would they choose the Machine God, Omnissiah? Or would they choose the revived Thirteenth Son of the Emperor?

This question is obvious, and perhaps some members of the Mechanicus would choose him, but they would be a minority.

He must have his own research institution and a complete scientific research system to digest various knowledge from the database.

To achieve all this, he needs the assistance of these planetary governors.

Soul-born under the red light, these families that surpass the common people in power should not have been allowed to exist.

But the complexity of this planet far exceeds that of his original universe.

Even though he is a planet traveler and a Primarch, with the help of the governing template, he can obtain unimaginable abilities.

However, he still cannot completely control every planet.

The Imperium is too vast, and communication and travel methods are too inefficient.

There are also not enough powerful artificial intelligences to use.

Chaos gods can not only corrupt flesh and blood creatures but can also infiltrate networks.

In this planet, there is no way to use A.I like the ones in the super-god planet to manage the planet.

Nor can one let an A.I control too many combat units.

Should he blindly pursue the path of automation, once any of his creations is invaded by Daemons, the intelligently controlled units will also be corrupted by the flesh and blood, and they will turn against humans.

There are many viruses and AI who walk under the banner of the 4 Chaos Gods.

In this universe, developing large-scale intelligence and entrusting the entire planet to an A.I is simply suicidal.

Various conditions and restrictions mean that every human colonized planet has a certain degree of autonomy, and the position of planetary governor cannot be bypassed.

In addition to this, another important role is that of the Rogue Trader.

The history of the Rogue Traders is also very ancient, starting from the Great Crusade ten thousand years ago. Since the issuance of the first Rogue Trader document by the Emperor, this role has played an extremely important part on the stage of the Imperium.

They are responsible for trade between various star systems, and even have the right to trade with xenos, amassing unimaginable wealth.

Some Rogue Trader family influences can spread to a dozen or even hundreds of star systems, which gives you an idea of how formidable they can be.

Where the Imperial Navy goes, the Rogue Traders will follow, they would even go to the place that the Imperial Navy wouldn’t dare to step foot into.

They salvage sunken warships, explore areas untouched by the light of the Astronomican, and search for the lost relics and civilizations of humanity’s golden age.

They trade with xenos, far away from the Emperor’s radiance.

This group plays an active role in the Imperium’s economy and provides a massive source of tax revenue, supporting the vast legions and bureaucracy.

Without the assistance of this group, Guilliman estimates that he would have to raise funds on his own.

After all, his Ultramarines don’t have the time to make money.

Just dealing with the xenos and the forces of chaos already consumes all their efforts.

In the grand hall, Zille, dressed in fine attire, along with many planetary governors and Rogue Traders, expressed their loyalty to Guilliman.

Guilliman, seated at the head of the round table, didn’t show any excitement in response to their words.

He tapped the table in front of him and spoke slowly, “I need a council, a council that will help me execute my policies and implement my will. I wonder who among you is willing to serve me.”

Guilliman looked at the people in front of him, just as he had said.

He needs a council to help him formulate policies and promote his will and beliefs.

This time, when he conquers and subdues each planet, all planets must be transformed according to his will, rather than being left to their own devices.

This action will undoubtedly draw the hatred of many opposing forces in the Imperium.

The Terra Council, the Mechanicus, nobles from various star sectors, merchants, and others will all resent him for interfering with their interests.

But Guilliman has no choice, not in an age when the four gods have already awakened and the Emperor still sleeps.

Leaving each planet to its own devices, as before, is simply impossible.

Many planets suffer from severe lawlessness, with gangs running rampant, the lower classes being treated as expendable, and the privileged abusing their power, even deserting in crucial moments.

In some planets, the average lifespan is as low as thirty years! Think about how dire that situation is.

In such circumstances, living in a planet so unjust and cruel, why wouldn’t people accept the power of chaos?

They’ve already reached the bottom of the abyss; even if chaos makes things worse, how much worse can it get?

It’s necessary to take control, transform every planet, establish a relatively equal system where everyone has the opportunity to rise, to ensure he has no concerns in the future.

Only those planets that have been saved can continuously provide him with talent and soldiers, thus saving the human Imperium.

Zille and the others couldn’t help but exchange glances; this kind of talk was already crossing a line.

Is this Primarch planning to follow in the footsteps of his brothers and rebel against the Emperor’s rule?

They didn’t know whether his words were true or if he was testing them with this fishing expedition.

Guilliman noticed their hesitation and said, “This is not an act of betrayal. Although I have just awakened, I have already observed the entire Imperium. Ignorance and foolishness have permeated every corner of the Imperium. The former glory and rationality that me and my brother fought for are gone, replaced by a zombie-like state. If we simply patch things up, we can extend the Imperium’s life, but it will drift further from my father’s dream. Necessary reforms can strengthen our power. Only this way can we resist the forces of chaos and the ravages of the xenos.”

After he finished speaking, Guilliman looked at the planetary governors and Rogue Traders and asked in a solemn tone, “Are you willing to serve me? You can make a decision based on your own conscience. I will not harm any of you because of this, but I want to tell you one thing.

The power of chaos has become incredibly strong, and on our side, the Imperium has been torn apart by the Great Rift, with nearly half of human territory losing the protection and guidance of the Astronomican, suffering from the ravages of xenos and Daemons. The Terra Council is bloated and corrupt, the Mechanicus is closed and conservative, as you have all witnessed. If we don’t make changes, the Emperor’s dream will shatter in our hands, and even humanity will face extinction because of us. As the Regent of the Imperium, the Lord of Ultramar, and the Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion, I sincerely hope that you can be my support.”

After Guilliman’s words, many planetary governors and Rogue Traders looked at each other in silence.