Sicarius's report was like a boulder cast into stagnant water, instantly shattering the heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the conference chamber.
The Eldar? Fighting at the edge of the Solar System?
Guilliman's brow immediately furrowed.
He was not overly concerned about the Eldar, having once received assistance from the Reaper Host.
At that moment, a name almost immediately surfaced in his mind—Yvraine.
The Reaper Host seer who had briefly worked with him when he had first been resurrected, and who had, in a sense, even saved his life.
Were they her subordinates? Why had they appeared in the Imperium of Man's core territory in this manner? Were they being hunted due to Eldar internal strife?
There was no need for further deliberation.
No matter who they were, the Eldar daring to fight at the doorstep of humanity's home was itself an unforgivable provocation.
And if they belonged to Yvraine's faction, then by both reason and sentiment, he could not simply stand by.
Guilliman made his decision almost instantly.
He abruptly raised his head, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, and issued a deep command to Sicarius. "Notify the nearest fleet! Dispatch rapid response forces immediately and intercept all Eldar vessels approaching the Solar System! Any who resist are to be killed without mercy! If possible... capture them alive and determine the reason."
He paused before adding, "...If they are from the Reaper Host, bring them here."
"As you command, Lord Regent!" Sicarius accepted the order without hesitation, immediately turning to relay it through his implanted quantum communications chip.
He himself strode out at once, deciding to personally lead the mission to ensure nothing went wrong.
The others in the conference chamber, including the recently returned Icarus, watched everything in silence.
A flicker of surprise passed through Lion's eyes, but he did