THE IMPERIAL TRUTH
Throughout the many volumes of The Horus Heresy, it becomes apparent that the so-called Imperial Truth is a social construct no different to any other – the ideologies and assertions include as many falsehoods as facts, as well as deliberate obfuscation and elements of extremism. The Emperor has destroyed things that are opposed to his own rhetoric, branding them as evil and ensuring nothing remains to be studied at a later date or even as evidence they existed at all.
“Not at all; dogma and belief are not reliant on the predisposed belief in a godhead or cloak of religion. They might simply be a regime or set of social values, such as we are bringing to the galaxy even now. To resist or rebel against that could easily be considered heresy, I suppose.”
The Horus Heresy, volume V, Fulgrim, p184
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The Unremembered Empire, 2013, by Dan Abnett
The Emperor was no different to any other self-centred, narcissistic sociopath with ambitions to become a fascist dictator, albeit one who wanted to rule over the entire galaxy. All of the claims the Emperor and his sycophants made that it was religion that was responsible for every injustice that had afflicted Mankind were self-serving, founded on ignorance, bigotry, delusion and, sometimes, projection. Those flawed intellectual and personality traits, combined with a lust for power and control over others were responsible for the woes of Mankind.
The brutal genocide inflicted on those who dared oppose the Emperor was no different to that inflicted by any other dictator throughout history, religious or otherwise. Demands under the terms of Compliance, and promises of Enlightenment under these conditions, reduced the Emperor and those who enforced his will to hypocrites, deceitful or mindless thugs, bullies, liars.
The Emperor’s efforts to literally rewrite history by purging all evidence of anything that could contradict his own version created an environment he could not control. Reality imposed itself regardless of his own desires, leaving those exposed to the worst the galaxy had to offer with no means to comprehend or defend against those things. As the entities of the warp began to impose themselves on real space, the Emperor’s efforts to deceive Mankind began to unravel, and the trust others placed in him was not the only casualty.
“My truth is better than your truth” is a school-yard squabble, not the basis of a culture. “I am right so you are wrong” is a syllogism that collapses as soon as one applies any of a number of fundamental ethical tools. I am right, ergo, you are wrong. We can’t construct a constitution on that, and we cannot, should not, will not be persuaded to iterate on its basis. It would make us what?”
He looked out across his audience. A number of hands were raised.
“There?”
“Liars.”
Sindermann smiled. His words were being amplified by the array of vox mics set around his podium, and his face magnified by picter onto the hololithic wall behind him. On the wall, his smile was three metres wide.
“I was thinking bullies, or demagogues, Memed, but “liars” is apt. In fact, it cuts deeper than my suggestions. Well done. Liars. This is the one thing we iterators can never allow ourselves to become.”
The Horus Heresy, volume II, Horus Rising, p57-8
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The sheer volume of information flooding back to Terra about other worlds and cultures in the galaxy was not something that could be easily catalogued by the administration. It was overwhelming. The more information, the longer it took to analyse for useful intelligence. The process took even longer because the information was also purged of anything that conflicted with the Emperor’s version of reality before it could be analysed by the menials serving within the administration.
His father denied such things, kept his people ignorant of the true powers that existed in the galaxy, and though he promulgated a doctrine of science and reason, it was naught but a lie, a comforting blanket thrown over humanity to shield them from the truth.
The Horus Heresy, volume II, False Gods, p172
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The average citizen might be aware of general knowledge concerning other worlds, albeit years or decades after these places had been brought to Compliance, but they remained ignorant of the truth concerning alien species, including warp entities. The Carnivals of Light on Sarosh are a good example, but while some had heard of this, knowledge of the Melachim had been expunged and restricted to all but those with the highest clearance.
Neither would she ever learn more of the Carnival of Light on Sarosh, or vicariously live tales of battle like the Victory on Murder or the vanquishing of the Hexen Guild.
The Horus Heresy, volume IX, Mechanicum, p306
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Knowledge of the Melachim was not even available to the Astartes that sometimes encountered them. In some cases, certain individuals were aware of ‘things’ that existed in the warp, and some had even encountered them outside the warp. These would, eventually, be referred to as daemons, creatures that appeared and attacked if a ship’s Gellar field failed, or possessed living creatures.
“You may have heard the high exalter talk of beings known as the Melachim during his outburst against the Imperium. It is my belief that this is the Saroshi name for a certain breed of xenos creature that dwells in the warp.”
The Horus Heresy, volume VI, Descent of Angels, p377
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Depending on the culture where they were encountered, these creatures were also known by other names – Cryptos, Dominators, Enslavers, Ji’atrix, Krell, Psyrens, and Puppeteers being but a few. This presents a very interesting possibility concerning several other species. One account claims warp entities refer to themselves as the Gida’Ljal, although they are notoriously deceptive so this may be just another lie.
It told me it was one of the Gida’Ljal, the spawn of the Ruinous Powers.
The Horus Heresy, volume XXI, Fear to Tread, p345
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The Psychneuein mentioned in in A Thousand Sons were referred to as being similar to Vespidae, and could be ancestors of the Vespid. It also seems likely that these creature were Vespidae and the Psychneuein were actually a parasitic warp-entity possessing the creatures. Given the descriptions, the Arachen, Brachyura, Caradochians, Chromes, Cythor Fiends, Kathap, Laer, Psy-gore, Q’orl, Rak Gol and Urisarach may have also been insectoid or arachnid species, possibly even Vespid – or sub-species of Vespid – by other names.
Then she heard it, a droning buzz like a hive of vespidae, and the excited flutter of what sounded like an explosion of wings as a flock of predatory birds took flight.
The Horus Heresy, volume XII, A Thousand Sons, p394
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But if the suspicions concerning the Psychneuein and Laer are accurate, then warp-entities are able to possess a number of different species, not just humans. Perhaps the most interesting possibility concerning the possession of insectoids, however, is what this may mean in regards to the Tyranids. Not only do the descriptions of Laer sound a lot like Tyranids – particularly Reavers – but it seems entirely possible the Tyranids are literally Vespid possessed and mutated by warp-entities.
“…the method of war on Keylek gave us all pause. This was eighty years ago. The keylekid were a grotesque alien kind, of a manner you might describe as reptilian. They were greatly skilled in the arts of combat, and rise against us angrily the moment we made contact. Their world was a harsh place. I remember crimson rock and indigo water. The commander – this was long before he was made Warmaster – expected a prolonged and brutal struggle, for the keylekid were large and strong creatures. Even the least of their warriors took three or four bolt rounds to bring down.”
The Horus Heresy, volume I, Horus Rising, p172-3
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The Keylekid that were believed to have been eradicated by the Lunar Wolves provide further evidence which appears to support the theory that several species may actually be the same but with different names. Keylikid were a reptilian species like the Naga, Tarellians and Viskeons,possibly even sub-species of a single race. They were named for the world on which the Lunar Wolves found them, much like the Laer were named for the world on which they were located. It seems likely that even if a similar species had been found before, the information concerning them may not have been available to the expedition encountering that species.
“I saw him on Nove Shendak. World Eight-Two-Seventeen. A world of worms. Giant creatures, intelligent. Hateful. Their weapons were filaments, metal feathers that they embedded in themselves to conduct energies out of their bodies. I remember we saw the surface roil with the filaments before the worms broke out of it almost at our feet. Thick as a man, longer than you, sire, are tall. Three mouths in their faces, a dozen teeth in their mouths. They spoke through the mud in sonic screams and witch whispers.”
The Horus Heresy, volume X, Tales of Heresy, p401
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The Nagi are another good example. This highly intelligent worm-like species was known for their mind control abilities, but sounds similar in nature to the giant worms from Nove Shendak (although it seems likely they had “three eyes in their faces” rather than three mouths). It is also possible that they may be related to – or even the same species as – the worm-like Drugh, invertebrate Greet, and Nicassar – a species described only psychic. And then there are the Galgs.
Although the Galgs are sometimes described as green, scaled, frog-like creatures, other descriptions indicate a similarity to the Thyrrus, a squid-like race with color-changing skin, and even the K’nib. However, while Galgs appear relatively sociable, Thyrrus are unpredictable and regard conflict as a performance, tactical decisions being made based on spectacle, flash and inflicting heavy casualties on both sides rather than what might seem strategically sensible. Of the K’nib, there is only the reference that they are “festering clawed fiends” and appear to have as many as ten limbs.
“What are those?” I ask next, indicating three multi-limbed creatures splayed on a bench along one side of the bar. They have no heads, but clusters of eye-like organs wave towards us, like grass in a breeze. They have no arms or legs, just a set of six tentacle limbs which I guess must serve them for both purposes.
Oriel thinks for a moment before replying.
“I’ve never seen one before, but they match the description of galgs,” he tells me as we stop by the drinks counter.
Kill Team, 2001, p194
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It seems likely that the Thyrrus and K’nib are actually Galgs infected and mutated by warp-entities. This may also explain why information on the hyper-violent Barghesi, mind-eating Krave, and Lacrymole Shape-shifters is limited – in some cases to that description alone. It is entirely possible the Barghesi is the name of a species possessed and mutated by warp-entities aligned with Khorne, while the Krave may be responsible for plagues that reduce victims to a zombi-like state, and the Lacrymole appear to behave in a manner in keeping with the deceptions and manipulations of Tzeentch.
The Rak Gol in particular appear to be aligned with warp-entities, their affiliation with the Yu’vath (or at least technology created by the Yu’vath) – a race of warp-worshipping sorcerer-slavers from the Koronus Expanse –being considered incontrovertible evidence. The identity of the Yu’vath remains a mystery, although there are some who believe the Yu’vath may be descendants of the Necrontyr, and that they, the Necrons are Tau might actually be three factions of the same species.
“The demiurg are a spacefaring race that rarely enters Imperial territory.”
“That at least explains why I have never heard of them,” Setebos murmured. “Hostile?”
“They are technologically advanced but seem to enjoy cordial relations with other xenos cultures, several of which were eradicated during the Great Crusade,” the artisan told them. “Principally they are miners and traders.”
The Horus Heresy, volume XX, The Primarchs, p377
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There is a growing suspicion among many who research the topic that information concerning particular species and sub-species of xenos is being changed or even purged from official records altogether. The descriptions for Galgs and the Hrud are very good examples where there are contrary accounts and images, while assumptions have created all manner of unfounded and foolish controversy.
In the case of the Hrud, for example, there are two very different images and descriptions. Official accounts do tend to agree that they are scavengers whose societies are teeming warrens, and that the Hrud fight using sheer weight of numbers. Yet some point to references concerning high-tech or warp-based weaponry and insist, using flawed logic, that every Hrud carries such weaponry rather than a few specialists. There is no evidence to support either claim, but if it were true then a tide of Hrud armed with hi-tech weaponry would overrun any foe.
Regardless of the evidence and irrational claims concerning the Hrud or any other species, the Demiurg provide ample evidence of duplicity. The Demiurg are described an avid mining species and expert traders who possess technology more advanced than that possessed by the Imperium. It is claimed they are entirely space-borne race which either lost or abandoned its homeworld, spreading out through the stars to mine new resources and trade, and are shorter than humans but have a sturdier build.
The appearance of the Demiurg coincides with the expunging of all records to the Squats in official records. Ian Watson’s Inquisitor trilogy originally included records referring to one of Draco’s henchmen, Grimm the Squat, but in subsequent editions these references were removed and replaced with a member of the Mechanicum. It was part of a much larger purge of all references to the abhuman Squats, and coincided with claims that Tyranid Hive Fleets had specifically targeted Squat populations and eaten every last one of them while, oddly enough, leaving other populations alone.
According to the official accounts, the Demiurg are xenos, and yet their appearance and technology is incredibly similar to those of the Squats. It seems far more likely that there was a falling out between the Squats and their supporters and the Imperium and its loyalists, the end result being a galactic wide tantrum whereby the Imperial authorities passed orders to purge and erase all mention and memory of the Squats, and begin a dedicated and bizarre campaign to recreate the abhumans as xenos, enemies of the Imperium, and nomadic.
In all likelihood, the Squats are exactly where they have always been, occupying mostly core worlds where the Squat Leagues function in a counter-culture to Imperial society while the Imperium does its best to ignore them, and – of course – ensure none of their own citizens get any ideas about relocating to where the grass is greener (ie, they can escape the stagnant ignorance, extremism and oppression of the Imperium and the Imperial fascists can’t execute them if they want to trade with xenos species for superior technology).
The chronometer above the doorway mocked him with a date over half a year in the past. The primarch’s words were an unwanted truth: seconds had passed at the edge of the warp anomaly. Months dragged by within.
The Horus Heresy, volume XIV, The First Heretic, p208
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Then there are the timelines. In most cases, a vessel travelling through the warp can reach a distant destination hours or days after entering the warp, but days or months will have passed in real space. Vessels that find themselves marooned for any reason, yet able to maintain a Gellar field or otherwise survive, may emerge after several centuries have passed, or mere moments since they entered even though only days, weeks or months may have elapsed on board. This random time-lapse effect creates confusion in official records.
The passage of time within warp anomalies are another point of interest. Many of the traitors emerging from places like the Eye of Terror ten thousand years after the Horus Heresy are (or so they claim) the very same as the ones that fought in those conflicts. It is believed that while thousands of years may have passed in real space, time within regions affected by warp anomalies may have slowed to a fraction of this.
“The Warmaster conquered half the galaxy, didn’t he? The Emperor’s been hiding back on Terra for half a century.”
The Horus Heresy, volume XIV, The First Heretic, p408
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Anybody who has read Asimov’s Foundation trilogy may find many of the entries there rather revealing. They speak of a stagnant Imperium twelve thousand years old, collapsing under the weight of bureaucracy and internal corruption and strife presided over by a series of power mad dictators claiming the title of Emperor. It predates the official records of the Imperium established under the Emperor during the Great Crusade. It is almost as if Asimov’s work provided the foundation (pun intended) for the Imperium of Man.
“Forgive me, sire. Another primarch. One of the first we found. I was new to the War Hounds when the message went through the fleets, and I almost didn’t understand what it meant. Not until I saw the Iron Warriors and how they reacted. The very air seemed to change around them. They and we and the Ultra-marines, we were travelling together. We envied them. They had found their blood-sire and their general. Now we have found ours.”
The Horus Heresy, volume X, Tales of Heresy, p406
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Again, the timeline upon which the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy is founded is fraught with contradictions. The First Heretic includes an odd reference to the Emperor having returned to Terra fifty years before the Horus Heresy begins when other records indicate it is actually half a decade. It would seem that entire decades are not recorded in the official timeline of the Great Crusade, suggesting it lasted longer than the official two-hundred years most documents claim.
“Yes. Sensitive data and information relating to the placement of Alpha Legionnaries and operatives, on both sides of the conflict.”
“I don’t believe it,” Ranko said. “I mean, I do, obviously. But how is this possible?”
“This is a civil war,” Omegon reminded him. “There are those placed among the Legions loyal to the Emperor who secretly supply the Warmaster with intelligence and appropriate material. Why not the other way round?”
The Horus Heresy, volume XX, The Primarchs, pp335-6
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The timeline recording the order of recovery of each Primarch is, again, called into question when the records in Tales of Heresy are considered. While the entry indicates Perturabo was one of the first Primarchs to be found and reunited with the Emperor, but the official timeline contradicts this, indicating he was the twelfth, located in 854M30, one of the last. Even taking into account the discrepancy concerning Lion El’Jonson’s recovery, the discovery of Perturabo only moves to eleventh. Perhaps the reference is meant to be the Iron Hands rather than the Iron Warriors, as Ferrus Manus is listed as being the fourth Primarch recovered.
The discussion between Omegon and Ranko in The Primarchs also confirms that Alpha Legionnaires and their operatives were placed in both loyalist and traitor Legions – not only their own Legion – and passing on material to the both loyalist and traitor factions as appropriate. The Alpha Legion was as divided by loyalties as much as any other Legion, be it by design or circumstance. But The Primarchs also revealed that the Alpha Legion was not the only Legion that deployed infiltrators disguised as members of another Legion.
“Enough of this,” Arvas Janic said. “Remove your helmet. You will identify yourself and your designs on this installation. You will reveal how you came to know of its location. You will admit to your true Legion and deliver the name of the commanding officer foolish enough to despatch you here on a suicide mission.”
The Horus Heresy, volume XX, The Primarchs, p424
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The comments by Arvas Janic suggest the Alpha Legion suspected other Legions were capable and even willing to infiltrate another by disguising their armour to match the target Legion. The Raven Guard had the skills and capacity for such actions, and the White Scars had demonstrated the ability to ambush foes, but only one other Legion had trained for combat against the other Legions… the Ultramarines.
The Legion armourers were already repainting suits of battle-plate and vehicles that had masqueraded upon the field of battle in the Sons of Horus livery. The halls of the Legion stank of thinner and paint as ‘enemy’ colours and markings were once again removed from armoured plates and weaponry.
The Horus Heresy, volume XVI, Age of Darkness, pp60-1
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Roboute Guilliman, of all the Primarchs, demonstrated the most adaptability to circumstances. He was well known for adopting useful tactics from other Legions and his treatise on both combat and administration, during and after, conflict was considered unmatched and studied by every other Legion and Imperial officers and administrators. Admittedly, the other Primarchs disregarded whatever tactics they did not favour, and the traitors ultimately used it to exploit the methods used by the Ultramarines to turn against them during the Horus Heresy, but the adaptability of the teachings allowed the XIII Legion to prevail by learning from every encounter and assimilating certain advantageous tactics and strategies.
“In order to properly honour the combat teachings of Roboute Guilliman, we must cast his rules aside for the day. I have always considered his greatest wisdom to be Remark 101.x-”
Gage nods.
“I know it. “What wins the fight is what wins the fight. Ultimately, nothing should be excluded if that exclusion leads to defeat”.”
“Precisely so, sir.”
“The “by any means” edict,” Gage says. “The ultimate rule that no rule is unbreakable. You know, that idea always troubled him. He told me he often thought to excise the remark. He thought it too dangerous. He feared it would stand, in posterity, as a justification for any action.”
The Horus Heresy, volume XIX, Know No Fear, p247
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If the ultimate outcome of the Horus Heresy concerning the fate of the Legions was any indication, Guiliman’s concern for the livery of any individual legionnaire did not concern him as much as the nature of their character. As far as Guilliman was concerned, the genetic heritage of a legionnaire was a secondary consideration – their loyalty to the Emperor and Imperium determined his attitude toward both them and their fate. This attitude may have influenced, or at least been shared by, Rogal Dorn and Malcador the Sigillite.
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