Chapter 66 The Lovely Stone Man
"Ferrus, calm down. Dorn didn't mean it like that."
"That is precisely what I meant."
"Dorn, please stop talking."
Ferrus Manus' iron fingers curled into fists, metal grinding.
"Sister, don't stop me. If I don't beat this stone-headed bastard into scrap today, I'll change my name."
Departure
Rogal Dorn did not linger on Terra.
Within days of his arrival, he departed for the Great Crusade.
His Legion's flagship was not some newly commissioned battleship, but the ancient void-fortress Phalanx — a mobile citadel of unmatched defensive strength. With such a weapon at his command, the construction of lesser capital ships held little urgency.
The Emperor granted Dorn wide recruitment authority. Wherever the Seventh Legion advanced, Dorn could levy manpower and establish fortified bastions in the Imperium's name.
Speed favored consolidation.
Consolidation favored survival.
The Emperor approved.
Malcador approved.
If Dorn remained on Terra much longer, the Primarchs might begin fortifying each other.
The Banquet Incident
The welcome banquet did not go well.
Dorn examined the dishes with the same scrutiny he applied to siege lines.
"These rations are inefficient."
Silence fell.
"In extreme climates," Dorn continued, "nutritional density determines survival. Excess refinement serves no operational purpose."
The Space Wolves stiffened.
Dorn added, in complete sincerity:
"Preoccupation with indulgent cuisine is strategically unsound."
The Wolf King's knuckles whitened.
Only Yuki and Vulkan intervened.
Even Horus watched carefully, curious how this would unfold.
Later, Yuki confronted Dorn.
"That was a family dinner."
"A pre-deployment briefing meal," Dorn corrected.
"…no."
Dorn frowned.
"Who planned the menu? A Primarch's caloric intake should be optimized. The current arrangement suggests a failure in logistical planning."
"…I cooked it."
Dorn paused.
"…It was acceptable."
Yuki blinked.
Praise from Rogal Dorn arrived like a rare solar eclipse.
Dorn's Problem
Dorn loved his brothers.
He expressed that love through efficiency, preparedness, and ruthless honesty.
Unfortunately, those languages were not widely spoken.
The Tactical Dispute
The real explosion came later.
Dorn sought Ferrus Manus to discuss battlefield doctrine.
Ferrus listened in silence as Dorn outlined his concerns.
"Iron Hands orbital saturation reduces infrastructure survivability," Dorn stated.
"Post-compliance reconstruction timelines increase by 63%. Resource recovery declines. Civilian survival rates collapse. Strategic value decreases."
Ferrus stared.
Dorn continued.
"A fortress cannot be built upon ashes. Your methodology reduces long-term Imperial stability."
Ferrus' voice lowered.
"You're telling me how to wage war?"
"I am identifying inefficiencies."
Ferrus stepped forward.
Yuki moved instantly between them.
Dorn added, helpfully:
"Persisting in flawed doctrine suggests stubbornness."
Ferrus exploded.
Yuki grabbed his arm.
"Dorn! Run!"
Dorn did not move.
Running implied retreat.
Retreat implied defeat.
Neither applied.
Ferrus had to be physically restrained while Dorn was escorted out of the Fist of Iron.
Ferrus exhaled like a blast furnace.
"Sister, why did you stop me?"
"Because he wasn't insulting you."
"He didn't need to."
Ferrus turned away.
Traveling with Dorn was no longer acceptable.
The Stone Man's Reputation
Word spread quickly.
Dorn was brilliant.
Dorn was loyal.
Dorn was unbearable.
Soon, only Yuki and Horus remained traveling with him.
Vulkan departed on a separate front.
Others found urgent strategic obligations elsewhere.
Horus' Decision
Officially, Horus accompanied Dorn because the Seventh Legion would recruit near the Colonies.
Unofficially, he did not intend to leave Yuki alone with Rogal Dorn.
Horus respected Dorn deeply.
He admired his discipline, strategic clarity, and incorruptible loyalty.
But Dorn spoke truth the way orbital bombardment delivered messages.
Horus feared collateral damage.
The Conscription Debate
Horus entered the strategium to find Yuki silent, head bowed.
Dorn stood opposite, continuing calmly.
Horus' hand twitched toward his sword.
"What happened?"
Dorn inhaled to answer.
Yuki clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Haha! Nothing. We were discussing recruitment logistics."
Moments earlier, Yuki had proposed:
Fewer conscripts per world.
Wider recruitment distribution.
Reduced economic disruption.
Dorn rejected it immediately.
"The Emperor requires rapid reinforcement at the front. Delay constitutes disobedience. Depleting fewer worlds increases logistical transit inefficiencies."
Yuki had been firmly — and repeatedly — corrected.
She did not mind.
This was Dorn moderating his tone.
Unfortunately, Horus had not witnessed enough Dorn to recognize that.
The moment Yuki released him, Dorn added:
"Why conceal it? Errors require correction."
Horus exploded.
"Rogal Dorn! What right do you have to berate my sister? If this concerns fortification or warfare, I will match you gladly — but do not direct your severity at her!"
Dorn blinked.
"When did I do that?"
He studied Horus carefully.
"Horus… are you unwell?"
Horus stepped forward.
"Why you—"
"Enough!"
Yuki pressed her temples.
Were there any normal people left?
Dorn attempted to clarify:
"I—"
"Quiet!"
"…understood."
He fell silent.
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