Power
Murder's official designation in the Imperial archives was 140-20—the twentieth world brought to compliance by the 140th Expeditionary Fleet.
In truth, however, the planet had not been brought to compliance even now. All three Blood Angels companies of the Expeditionary Fleet had been wiped out after making planetfall.
Following the orders of Warmaster Horus Lupercal, Nimrod arrived in-system, then brought Howard Fender, Chapter Master of the First Chapter; Szczesny, Chapter Master of the Ninth Chapter; Ramsey, Chapter Master of the 10th Battalion; and Chief Chaplain Pat aboard the Vengeful Spirit.
Chief Librarian Thomas had come with the force, but before the other Legions, and with this being the final joint operation, he still had to maintain the appearance of obeying The Old Man in Yellow's ban, so he did not accompany them as a senior commander.
Nimrod had just reached the door to the strategium when Horus came out to greet him.
"Nimrod, my brother, welcome." He smiled, greeting him warmly.
"Warmaster," Nimrod said flatly, avoiding Horus's embrace.
Horus's arms froze for an instant. He knew it would be no easy thing to mend the rift caused by the Battle of Gate 42.
He reacted quickly, drawing his arms back naturally and speaking with a smile.
"Before Sanguinius received the message from the 140th Expeditionary Fleet, he had already dispatched the main strength of his Legion to the Keivas Star Belt to destroy a rising Ork Empire."
"I had no choice but to ask for your help. After all, only your Legion can reach this place quickly through the Carium Gate."
Sanguinius's pure white wings folded like those of a great eagle, the silver chains and strings of beads hanging from them looking somewhat dim beneath the shadows cast by the Lumen Lamp strips.
"We all have to adapt