Work Text:
Preface to Index Aurelian
This Passage was part of Roboute's Collected writings called "Reflections on the Great Crusade." In which Roboute provides commentaries on the actions of himself and his brothers during The Emperor's Great Crusade as a preface to his own death and Lorgar's treachery. Gulliman remains hopeful in the Emperor's project, but he does warn that The Primarchs need to stop thinking of themselves as conquerors, and instead as rulers.
We should not be so arrogant to assume that all sins fall on Lorgar and his ilk. As if it is us not them who have nothing to atone for. All of us have committed great crimes in the name of a Higher Truth. Perhaps I can say that my legions never stooped to the brutality of Angron and his world eaters, yet the home of Nuceria was part of my kingdom. The men who tortured and mutilated the soul of my brother continued their evil with their deeds unpunished. Even if I am not a monster by my deeds I have been their husbandman through my omissions. All of us have committed our crimes and when we do, we place hope in our immortality, thinking that the memories of our nefarious deeds will die with our ephemeral brethren. They do not. Instead the stories echo and amplify in whispers and hearths and children's bedsides. Eventually all of the galaxy will know of us not as the heroes we paint and sculpt ourselves to be, but mythical monsters who steal their children and punish the wicked. And as they grow fearful, we grow cold. And as aloofness becomes callousness, callousness becomes contempt. And after contempt? What then? Then perhaps it would be better if Lorgar and the traitors did succeed, for at least such maniacal evil has the virtue of honesty, and that's one more virtue than possessed by the hypocrite. No, if the citizens of this Imperium are to serve us, then we must serve them as well. Our Astartes should grow and bond not merely with us and their ships, but the planets they serve, attend to their needs, take on their way, right their wrongs and nurture their growth. If we take the best of their sons for our own ranks, should we not return something as well?
On Taking Cover
Do not allow your adrenaline to override your tactical sense. For an Adeptus Astartes, Cover has more uses than protection from bullets. Consider for instance, that appropriately sized barriers will protect your silhouette from enemy fire. For a few precious seconds you are little more than a formless specter of your former self. Every bullet he spends trying to pinpoint your silhouette is a round that can no longer go into you or your comrades. So use that time that your opponent spends deducting your precise location is time scouts and diversions can gain mastery of the battlefield. The armor of a space marine offers sufficient protection from most threats, and therefore cover is more suitable protection against enemy eyes than it is enemy fire.
--Roboute Gulliman, Codex Velladucti
Magnus
Boldness is brashness. Ensure that your most vulnerable members are protected. Your Librarius and apothecary should always be protected by a shield of materia, of bolter fire, or their own brothers. This is just as much for your protection as it is theirs, for what barrier could compare to the psychic protection of a librarius with time to concentrate?
--Magnus the Red, Index Prosperae
Dorn and Sigismund
A sturdy wall is a meatshield that does not cost human life. Use it.
--Rogal Dorn, Index Praetorian
Our hands are the Emperor's fury, our armor is the Emperor's ingenuity, our brothers are the Emperor's protection. If an Astartes is so foolish as to forsake this and place its protection in a wall that could not support its own roof, then both he and that wall deserve to collapse together.
--Sigismund of The Emperor's Champions thoughts on Index Praetoran (and Rogal Dorn).
Curze
I've considered the Situation Gulliman presents, "A man needs to take cover because he is under fire." I will tell you this now my children, if you are in this situation, you have already failed me four times. Firstly because you did not prepare for his arrival, secondly the enemy is not dead before seeing you, thirdly because you allowed him to fire first, and finally because your presence failed to instill him with the fear to stand up to you at all.
--Konrad Curze, Regula Noctis
Vulkan
To be a Salamander is to be a bright flame of hope on a dark dismal battlefield. An astartes was built to fight like a warrior of the emperor not like a guardsmen. Think of your auxiliaries! What will the put upon soldier think when he sees the Emperor's angels and the sons of Vulkan lying prone before a shattered column? I will not tolerate such pathetic displays and insults to my craftsmanship. You must act as an inspiration and example at all times. You must show your men how to fight with inspiration, and should you die, teach them to die with glory.
--Vulkan, Via Draconis Always listen for the Rhythm of the Battlefield. All soldiers in a fight take their turns to play their peace. We Astartes are the masters of the instruments of war, and can adjust to the tempo of the battle while continuing to play our piece. When taking cover, or stop for any reason you may think you are adjusting the tempo. You are not, instead you are forfeiting your role, and allowing the opponent to play his part instead.
--Jaghatai Khan, Index Skythae