What Are You Babbling About?

Everything was ready. It was time to head for the Great Rift.

The Mother of Tears emerged from the repair docks of Fris Forge World looking brand-new.

Every shell hole the Minotaurs had punched through her hull had been replaced with fresh ceramite plating. The Adeptus Mechanicus repair crews had stripped away the old armor, patch upon patch, and fitted the finest warship armor Fris Forge World could provide.

Talk about an upgrade. [Not really.]

Money made a difference. The engines had been thoroughly tuned and upgraded; even their sound had changed when they fired up.

A crowd of Lamenters flocked to the engine room to see.

They were embarrassingly easy to impress.

Supplies filled every storeroom aboard the Mother of Tears.

The Night Goddess carried plenty as well.

They had made sure they had everything they might need, so a missing item would not leave them helpless once they entered the Warp.

Lin En stood before the bridge viewport of the Mother of Tears and watched Fris Forge World slowly shrink behind them.

Thanks for the Lord Regent's generosity. Given the chance, I'll catch a few more Tzeentch Greater Daemons to help him with the paperwork.

Valerian and Carl stood behind him, with Phoros and Calix farther back.

"Course confirmed. Destination: Atilan's Gate. Estimated arrival in twelve hours." Phoros finished his report and waited for Lin En's next orders.

Lin En nodded. "No problems. Proceed. Nothing else needs doing for now, so the Lamenters can spend the time as they like. Get some proper rest."

"Yes." Phoros nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

The journey before a major battle was a rare chance to rest.

Astartes needed little sleep. Lin En had no idea what the Lamenters did with their time, but he pulled the covers over