"I know Perturabo. He would never adopt such a reckless attack formation!"
"You knew him ten thousand years ago, Dorn! Who knows what he's become? I'm more inclined to attack directly and find out the truth for ourselves!"
"No!" Dorn's voice sounded almost like a roar. "Your tactics are utterly irrational. Perturabo is a terrifying opponent. How dare you underestimate him like this?!"
"This isn't underestimating him!"
Roboute Guilliman gave no ground at all and argued his case. "With the Vengeance's armor and shields, his fleet couldn't break through even if every ship fired a full salvo from its main cannons at maximum power! We already hold the advantage. Why send out the fleet and turn this into a slow war of attrition? You're being too cautious, Dorn!"
"Caution is necessary. Does the one issuing the orders not have to be responsible for the lives of the soldiers!?"
"Of course he does, but your caution will only cause even greater casualties! If we disperse the fleet and engage in a drawn-out battle, who knows what traps Perturabo has arranged? Are you expecting the Navy captains to compete with him in experience at war? You were the one who said he was a terrifying opponent, but your actions are what truly show contempt for him!"
Before He Shenyan even had time to enter, he heard them arguing. Logically speaking, the argument between Roboute Guilliman and Rogal Dorn should not have been able to pass through the walls and metal door into his ears. For one thing, the Mage was too lazy to eavesdrop right now. For another, the Vengeance's soundproofing was absolutely trustworthy.
Otherwise, every time Leman Russ sang in his room in the middle of the night, the Primarchs would have ganged up and beaten him long ago.
So.
The