The Nation of Disorder, Fourth Layer Space.
Alpharius's avatar leaned against the Throne and listened to the reports from Ramsey, Chapter Master of the 10th Battalion, and Barabas Dantioch, a former Warsmith of the Iron Warriors.
[Guilliman's plan to preserve the Imperium's essence and spirit... Sanguinius... the Pharos Lighthouse...]
A thought stirred in Nimrod's mind. A phrase from his memories slowly surfaced: the Second Imperium.
[Hmm... Guilliman really might follow the same plan.]
He had turned Konrad Curze into a Shadow Avatar and killed Angron, easing the pressure the rebels placed on Ultramar. But Guilliman and his legion remained cut off from the Eastern Galaxy by the Ruinstorm.
Once the Pharos Lighthouse was lit, Guilliman might use the same approach to resolve the current crisis.
[I wonder whether Guilliman has a place for me as protector of the realm or as emperor?] A smile tugged at Alpharius's avatar's lips.
"Tell them I'll meet with them later."
His true body was on its way to Terra with Ollanius Persson, dealing with wave after wave of attacking Devils and even the limited reprisals Khorne had unleashed through the Warp. He had no time now.
Black mist churned and swallowed the two of them. At that same moment, above the Forge World Mirhand in the western galaxy...
In the Exegesis's astropathic chamber, Ishaan Tul Koriphas, captain of the Word Bearers vessel, wore crimson armor. The torch on his back spewed fierce flames, illuminating the dark compartment.
He had been ordered to lead the Heart-Eaters Legion to Mirhand, destroy the Skitarii, and strip the Forge World of every war resource it possessed.
[The Iron Hands will need at least a year to reach Mirhand.
Even if they arrive early, I can hold off their attack for a while.]
Koriphas strode back to his bridge