"Booker." Lin Fan picked up a dog tag from among the ashes and armor. He did not recognize the name, nor had he ever encountered any trace of it in all the Warhammer lore and books he had read.
But that did not change the fact that Booker had revealed the brave and selfless side of humanity in his final moments. The sight of the dog tag calmed Lin Fan considerably, despite how furious and anxious he had been. He remembered the many consequences caused by erasing Nurgle's life essence. Among those fighting the plague, there had surely been people like Booker.
"..." Lin Fan sighed, tucked Booker's dog tag away, and headed toward the fortress ahead.
Jon and White recognized Lin Fan's armor. It was utterly unique; once seen, it could never be forgotten.
"Sir!" Jon saluted Lin Fan, somewhat nervous. After all, the man before him possessed an absurdly impressive record. In private, soldiers often wondered whether he might be The Emperor's illegitimate son—or even The Emperor's incarnation.
"Did either of you know this Booker?" Lin Fan asked, holding up the dog tag.
Sorrow filled Jon's eyes. "He was from our company. An old Krieg man."
"A Krieg man... I see." Lin Fan nodded and put the dog tag away. "You know Booker's family situation, right? If you do, let me hold onto this dog tag for now."
"Sir... what are you planning to do?" White gathered his courage and asked. Lin Fan did not seem like a difficult person to approach.
Lin Fan fell silent for a moment before answering, "Use it to remind myself."
Jon and White exchanged glances, unable to grasp the deeper meaning of his words. But Lin Fan was not in the mood to explain. He merely asked whether they knew Perturabo's location.