Sanguinius Comforts Athena Captain Ducard

Sanguinius Comforts Captain Athena Ducard

The Cyriolete System, aboard the Blood Angels' flagship—the Blood Tear.

Sanguinius's flagship was different from those of every other Primarch.

There was not even a place for him on the bridge, by his own demand.

His command throne was located on the upper level of the Blood Tear's dorsal tower.

From the moment Sanguinius began to oversee his Legion, he had forcefully imposed a unique humility.

He refused to serve as captain of any vessel in the fleet, doing everything he could to avoid weakening the authority of his commanders.

While Admiral Athena Ducard commanded, Sanguinius stood with his white wings folded as tightly as possible, one hand resting on the back of the female captain's high chair.

His radiant hair fell naturally, and he remained as still and silent as a statue.

The members of the Primarch's Honor Guard were the same, waiting on the port and starboard sides of the bridge deck, where crimson curtains hung over them.

The Blood Tear's command hub resembled a round theater.

At the very bottom was the main control dais operated by Ducard and the core officers of her navy staff.

Like spectator seating, three tiers rose step by step, with semicircular second- and third-level workstations for the remaining command personnel, gunners, engineers, augur specialists, and others.

Ducard, like Sanguinius, did not look down on her subordinates like some queen seated high above them.

Ducard was like the center of everything, the fulcrum of the starship and the fleet it led.

Gold ornaments hung from Sanguinius's armor, along with precious rubies and gem teardrops; a silk mantle and Adamantium mail draped over the magnificent plate.

He gazed at the holographic display before him. Aside from the few warships left to guard Bal, the Legion's fleet had nearly