Senior generals and officials of the expeditionary force gathered in the strategic hall of the Emperor's Grand Plan.
Auxilia generals, fleet commanders and ship captains, knights-errant of the Knight Houses, high pilots of the Titans, and envoys from subjugated star systems filled the room.
They took their seats in order of rank around the command console.
Sitting at the very front were the Emperor and several commanders of the expeditionary force.
The primarchs occupied the row behind them.
They were still learning and lacked the qualifications to shoulder independent command.
Once everyone had arrived, the Emperor ordered the received message to be played.
The humming of projection machinery sounded, and tiny bright beams shot into the air.
Interweaving, they outlined a glowing sphere.
A massive amount of numbers and code surged like a tide.
The holographic sphere unfolded into a giant screen suspended in mid-air.
The screen shook, the footage was dim, and hurried breathing and footsteps could occasionally be heard.
It was as if someone had activated a recording device while running.
In the distance, the harsh whining of laser guns cutting through the air rang out, mixed with various cries.
"You guys go on ahead."
"First Squad, stay behind and intercept the enemy."
"I beg you, take me with you."
"For the Emperor, for the Imperium."
"Humanity will triumph."
"They are here, we have nowhere to run."
The footsteps grew fewer and fewer. Those fleeing together either stayed behind to block the enemy and buy time, or scattered.
In the end, only the person recording was left.
The person recording ran into a compartment equipped with communication equipment and immediately closed the blast door.
The sound of mechanical gears echoed, and the heavy blast door dropped and locked.
The person recording found a console and placed the device