General: The Imperium's Situation Is Excellent!

Watching the incinerated planet turn beneath his feet, Warmaster Liss rested both hands on the finely carved brass railing.

"Another planet belonging to The Emperor has been reduced to nothing."

The Warmaster's scribal servant recorded his words, its quill scratching across parchment. These records would remain for Liss's descendants to admire.

"If we could return to the Cadia sector earlier, we could build a stronger defensive line," said a general standing behind Liss.

Liss turned to look at the general. His gaze swept over him from head to toe before finally settling on the general's face.

The general had a short, thick neck, neatly cropped hair, and sharp, resolute eyes.

His black boots had clearly not been cared for. The traces left by marching through muddy trenches had yet to be wiped away with polish and fine cloth, while large patches of dried mud stained the hem and knees of his greatcoat.

Liss was an old-fashioned Cadian. Rules and regulations had seeped into his blood when he was six years old. He could berate a general without hesitation for failing to keep his uniform clean, and he could use that excuse to strip a general of rank altogether.

"Creed," Liss said. "You know we cannot return to defend Cadia in advance. War burns across the Imperium."

Creed did not rush to refute Liss. He merely expressed his opinion with his eyes.

"Yes, the Cadia defense zone is important. Looking back now, your suggestion from several years ago to return and reinforce it carried considerable merit." Liss's tone hardened. "But your wording was the greatest problem. The hesitation and distrust toward Cadia's defenses in your words nearly got you killed! If I had not vouched for you before the Departmento Munitorum, forget your rank of general—even your Eighth Regiment would have