The mountain-like piles of Hilling supplies formed a cold metallic range in Terra's orbit. The Lion was the first to recover from his shock.
"Prioritize resupplying the expeditionary fleet!" The Lion's voice allowed no argument.
With unprecedented efficiency, the chief logistics officer directed the Tech-Priests and transport ships as massive quantities of supplies were loaded into the Imperium warships assembled at the docks.
Thanks to the standardization and modular design of the Hilling supplies, the fitting process was several times faster than expected.
When the final batch of critical supplies had been delivered into the fleet's cargo holds, the Lion did not even return to the surface for any ceremonial farewell.
The gigantic flagship's engines spewed dazzling plasma streams. The enormous fleet formation began turning in Holy Terra's orbit like a moving continent of steel, tearing through the void toward the dread-inducing Ork WAAAGH! at the edge of Ultramar.
As the fleet's light vanished into the Warp vortex, the atmosphere in the strategy chamber did not grow much lighter.
"All right." Liang Bing stretched lazily, her graceful curves fully outlined beneath her tight combat suit. "Now it's time to worry about those brothers of yours who got 'lost' or 'went traitor.'"
Guilliman's gaze immediately shifted to Terra's position on the star map, his brow deeply furrowed. "Rogal Dorn." His voice carried weight and confusion. "Terra's guardian. He should have been Terra's strongest shield. Yet he vanished without explanation. Only one of his hands remains, enshrined as a holy relic by the sons of the Imperial Fists aboard the fortress Phalanx. Whether he lives or dies has remained a mystery for ten thousand years."
"One hand? If the residual biological information is strong enough, perhaps we can trace the state of the main body, even... locate it."
"Exactly!" Hope ignited in