Time began to flow backward.
The Warp influence of the Maelstrom, a Warp rift, had already reached its absolute peak. The Blackstone at the Maelstrom research base was activated nonetheless, compressing the entire Maelstrom to its utmost limit.
After the few people participating in the temporal operation left the current point in time, the Tyran Navy, the New Badab sector fleet, and the Space Wolves launched another sweeping purge against the Red Corsairs.
Using the device provided by Qin Mo, Aurekan borrowed the power of the C'tan to manipulate the entire timeline.
It set the coordinates to the point in time the Emperor wished to visit.
If the timeline of the Real Universe was a straight line, then the opened temporal passage was like an arc drawn between two points on that line.
They had arrived at their first destination.
Qin Mo looked around and found himself inside the Imperial Palace.
Back when Talon and the Imperium had negotiated to ease relations, he had come to the Imperial Palace as the leader of Talon's forces. But he had never reached the Throne, because the Adeptus Custodes had refused to let the Lord of Tyran approach it by even half a step.
But now, Qin Mo saw the Throne.
Yet the one seated upon the Golden Throne was not the Emperor, but Malcador.
"Seal off this area. Do not let any living creature approach," Aurekan said to Burner. "I need to continue calculating, so you will handle this task."
Burner showed no reaction whatsoever.
Like a human unable to hear the chirping of ants.
"Do as it says." Qin Mo looked at Burner.
Burner nodded and vanished from where he stood.
Pure material force formed an invisible, undetectable barrier around the Throne. No living creature could approach it, nor would any