According to the original strategic plan, the Golden Expedition Fleet would begin at the very edge of the Eye of Terror and gradually devour its way toward the center.
But that was under ideal circumstances. Anything could happen in war.
Lion had to prepare for the worst-case scenario the expeditionary force might encounter: the Blackstone provided by those C'tan failing or being turned against them, leaving the entire expeditionary fleet trapped in the Warp.
Though he did not wish to admit it, Sylandri was right. The expeditionary force needed Autansa.
After careful consideration, Lion nodded. "I'll do my best. But I don't care what the Autansans think. If they can be saved, they must join this expedition. Otherwise, they'll die before those scum traitors do."
"If the Harlequins join the expedition, Autansa will join as well, because they survived in the Eye of Terror only through Death God's protection," Yvraine said.
Lion was slightly relieved and closed his eyes.
Guilliman gestured for everyone to leave. Once the blast doors opened and shut, Lion was left alone in the meditation chamber.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Lion tried his best to recall every experience and sensation from each of his teleportations.
A ray of light pierced the darkness.
With his eyes closed, Lion saw a forest within his own mind, and an old man fishing on a lake amid the trees.
The old man was dressed like a king, wearing a golden Crown and magnificent robes.
Yet he was far too old. The Crown was covered in dust and badly damaged, while many parts of his gold-threaded finery had also been torn.
Lion now knew that the old king fishing there was his Father-Emperor, and he could understand the meaning of that image.
The Emperor of mankind had once walked among