Vengeful Spirit, Wolf-God Council Chamber.
Horus Lupercal raised both arms as if cradling an increasingly distinct sphere.
"Thirteen years ago, my brother Corvas Corax led the 27th Expeditionary Fleet in bringing this world into compliance."
"He did not finish the job." Angron sneered.
"Clearly not. Four months ago, I received a distress signal from Isstvan," Mortarion said.
"That we received it at all was entirely accidental. A supply ship dropped out of the Warp for emergency repairs while en route to rendezvous with the fleet at Arcturan."
"Judging by the signal's deterioration and the time it took to reach me through successive reports, it was sent at least two years ago."
"I reviewed the War Council's reports. The Raven Guard 'eradicated the radical resistance forces in the Ridas Mountains.'"
As he spoke, the Warmaster's adjutant Maloghurst shifted the display to the relevant region.
A mountainous area on the northern continent of Isstvan III lit up in red.
Mortarion nodded to Maloghurst. "The local colony had maintained a highly unified industrial society for thousands of years. Its industrial systems and population were therefore vital to the Imperium."
"When Father led us to make the decision, he assigned the task to Corax and prohibited the use of overwhelming force in order to avoid excessive damage."
"But clearly, xenos and psionic influence remained present, while the rebels were driven mainly by religious motives."
Mortarion said with disgust, "They were once a marginalized cult, long suppressed by the mainstream society when they were brought into compliance."
"Due to the dual demands of administration and maintaining rule through force, Major Valdu Spral of the 11th Lastran Infantry Regiment, who had served as a politician in the Ultima Segmentum and possessed both military and political experience, was appointed Planetary Governor."
"He did well enough at first,