After the Harlequins and the Harlequin Troupe headed for the Golden Expedition Fleet, the entire fleet did not proceed with the next step as planned. Instead, it remained in the Cadia system.
The fleets too large to fit within those systems were sent to the Beliscoronna Sector for anchorage.
Because the Harlequin Troupe had found something for humanity to deal with, the expedition could only be delayed by a few days. Fortunately, to the traitors within the timeless Eye of Terror, it made little difference whether the expeditionary force arrived early or late.
In the meditation chamber aboard the Glorious Humanity that had originally belonged to the Iron Man Scholar, nearly all the leaders of the expeditionary force had gathered.
Yvraine, prophet of Ynnead; Guilliman; Qin Mo; Lion; and, of course, the Veil Walker.
Lion sat cross-legged in the center of the meditation chamber, his hands resting on his knees as he looked helplessly at everyone focused on him.
"Are you joking?"
"You want to save your kin's Ark World, but you will not travel there with the Dimension Engine or use the Webway."
"And you are all staring at me, expecting me to lead the way?"
Lion practically wanted to punch Sylandri's head clean off.
Guilliman was just as confused as Lion.
Yvraine helped Sylandri explain, even though Sylandri seemed incapable of speaking plainly and always sounded as though she were speaking in riddles. "Ordinary means cannot reach the suffering Autansa. Its location is highly unusual, so we need an unusual method to get there."
"What method?" Lion asked.
"You." Yvraine raised a hand and pointed at Lion.
Lion froze for a moment, then laughed in anger. "If this is just some prank to amuse yourselves at my expense, it is not too late to kneel and beg forgiveness.