Perturabo stepped down from his Stormbird, flanked by a guard of honor composed of his own gene-sons and the mortal soldiers of the Kislev Streltsi.
This was the most glorious moment in the history of the young colony world of Norsca, an event destined to be recorded in epics and sung for ten thousand years: a son of the Emperor had set foot upon its soil.
"Lord Perturabo, I and the people of Norsca are beyond honored by your arrival."
The moment Perturabo appeared, Governor Vassa, who was already kneeling to receive the Primarch, spoke up to offer his welcome.
Behind him, the local officials did not dare to breathe loudly. They remained in silent, kneeling deference, acknowledging the Primarch's arrival.
"Governor Karl Vassa of Norsca. I know your name, and I know what you have done. Stand up. Let us speak more of this barbarian rebellion."
Perturabo showed little reaction to Vassa's reverent attitude. To a Primarch, a planetary governor was little different from the most common mortal—a being to be dealt with at his discretion.
However, his current lukewarm demeanor was, in itself, a form of basic respect for Vassa's position as an Imperial Governor.
"By your command, noble Primarch."
"Regarding the Norscan rebellion... please, allow me to explain before you decide how to dispose of me."
Vassa broke into a cold sweat. Strictly speaking, he was the architect of this planet-wide uprising. He stood up slowly, pleading with the giant before him, hoping to move the Primarch with logic.
"Very well. I, Perturabo, am not an unreasonable man. I will grant you a few minutes to explain the reasoning behind your actions."
A flicker of amusement crossed Perturabo's face as the mortal governor attempted to defend himself.
Around them, the Astartes of the Fourth Legion and the soldiers of the Streltsi watched the Governor with cold eyes. At a single word from their Primarch, they would seize and bind the man without hesitation.
"The root of this lies in the barbarians' worship of their bloody old gods. To obtain sacrifices for these deities, the tribes raided colonies near their territories, dragging innocent people away to be slaughtered on their altars."
"The existence of these blood-gods is a desecration of the Emperor's Imperial Truth. Therefore, I gathered my forces to launch a counter-strike. My intent was to permanently destroy the Norscan faith, ensuring they would never commit such atrocities in the name of their gods again."
Facing Perturabo, Vassa cleared his throat and began his report.
"And so, you chose the blunt path of destroying their most sacred shrines. The result was a wave of hatred against the Imperium that united the Norscan tribes as never before."
"Because of your actions, a rebellion has engulfed the entire world. Aside from this fortified city you now hide in, every Imperial village and town has been razed, and the colonists within have been butchered."
"These are the fruits of your labor, Governor Karl Vassa. Regardless of how noble your intentions were, you caused immense loss. In the end, a Primarch had to lead a Legion here to clean up your mess."
"Your stupidity forced the Emperor to divert military strength to resolve a deteriorating situation. The Fourth Legion could have been participating in the Great Crusade, reclaiming and liberating more human worlds."
"Instead, we are here fighting rebellious barbarians. I find your crimes unforgivable. Your folly caused the needless destruction of Imperial assets."
Having listened to Vassa's defense, Perturabo delivered his merciless judgment.
"But, My Lord, I..."
Vassa's face paled. He tried to speak, but Perturabo did not grant him the opportunity.
"By the authority granted to a Primarch and Legion Commander by the Emperor of Mankind, I hereby decree your removal from the office of Imperial Governor. This world, Norsca, is now annexed as a fief of the Fourth Legion. It will be governed directly by my homeworld and Legion base, Kislev."
"Theoretically, for your unforgivable sins against the Emperor, I should execute you and your entire lineage here and now. However, death is too easy an escape. I have decided to cast you into the Gulag. You will repay the losses your stupidity cost the Emperor through a lifetime of hard labor."
"You should consider yourself fortunate. I, Perturabo, am not a man prone to needless slaughter. Thus, you shall live."
Perturabo waved a hand, signaling his subordinates to arrest the man.
The Kislev Streltsi understood immediately. The mortal soldiers swarmed forward, seizing the struggling Governor and his officials to haul them away to the temporary Gulag established nearby.
"My Lord, now that you have deposed the Governor, what becomes of this world? How will you rule it?" Forrix, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward to ask.
"I have already planned for this. Norsca is not far from Kislev; it is a short warp jump away—or even reachable through conventional space travel."
"This shall be the first territory of the Tsardom outside of the Kislev system. While the pacification continues, I will manage all affairs personally. Once the war is over, I will appoint trusted Kislevite nobles to serve as governors here."
Perturabo nodded slightly, laying out his grand design for the planet's future to his son.
"Furthermore, do not think yourselves exempt from my standards. I judge all equally. If any among you prove as foolish and incompetent as Governor Vassa, I shall show no more mercy to you than I did to him."
"I understand, My Lord."