Everyone turned to look at Lin En.
Such an obvious trap—what were they supposed to do? It was clearly a pit dug for them to jump into.
"Jump in." Lin En shrugged.
Valerian frowned in disapproval.
Lin En spread his hands casually. "What else can we do if we don't? Hope the enemy suddenly grows a conscience and lets them go? If we don't jump, they'll rot away in that green fog."
Nurgle was best at forcibly corrupting people.
Even Astartes could not resist it.
Wasn't that how Mortarion's Death Guard had fallen back then?
So they would jump.
What was there to fear from a trap?
They had to test it eventually.
Valerian still frowned. "But—" The Emperor ordered that your safety take priority.
Lin En reassured him. "I won't go forward. Let them go first."
Though this was obviously bait meant specifically for him.
Nurgle's purpose in setting this trap was crystal clear.
Three Battle Barges, an Ultramarines successor chapter, near the Maelstrom.
Put those three factors together, and there were fewer than five people in the entire Imperium who were likely to come save them, willing to save them, and capable of saving them.
Take a guess whether Nurgle's ambush had anything to do with Tzeentch.
Lin En tapped his arm twice.
Heh.
Did Grandfather know he was being used as a weapon by Blue Bird?
Did Grandfather know he had Purification?
Had Tzeentch not told Grandfather anything at all?
Gabriel and Sentoyor stepped forward to volunteer. "My lord, give the order!"
They had held themselves back ever since setting out, and at last, their chance to prove themselves had come!
Lin En nodded, turned, and looked at the green light beyond the viewport. "Attention, all ships. Prepare for battle."
The bridge officer on duty hit the