After the three Chapter Masters sat down, Lin En asked what had happened. Why were their three Chapters together, and how had they all ended up trapped by a Nurgle plague?
Macragge had once again summoned its Successor Chapters en masse. That was unusual.
Guilliman rarely summoned the Successor Chapters back to defend it. The Ultramarines' own Chapter was usually enough, and the Five Hundred Worlds had an entire defensive fleet surrounding them.
The last time an assembly order had called back every nearby Successor Chapter... had been during the Tyranid invasion.
Vadsim nodded.
"We received a summons from Macragge."
"A summons?"
"Yes. Half a month ago, Macragge issued an assembly order. We were to mobilize our main forces, return to Macragge, and form a joint strike group. Each of our three Successor Chapters sent one Battle Barge carrying five full-strength companies. We were to rendezvous in the southern reaches of Ultramar, then head back together."
"Why?"
"Because a Khorne Army is besieging Macragge."
Lin En sat up straight, one hand on the armrest, and stared at Vadsim. "What???"
"Our intelligence said a Khorne force of unprecedented size entered Ultramar from the direction of the Great Rift. It bypassed the outer defenses and headed straight for Macragge. Hundreds of warships, millions of Khorne Berserkers, and at least one Blood God Greater Daemon leading them."
"Macragge's defense fleet has already engaged the vanguard. The Lord Regent is on Terra and can't return in time. Chapter Master Calgar is holding Hera Fortress. The Ultramarines' main forces have all returned to defend Macragge, and every nearby Successor Chapter has been recalled."
"Khorne?"
"Yes."
"Besieging Macragge?"
"Yes."
Lin En was stunned.
What was the Khorne Army doing besieging Macragge?
Did they really think they could charge in and raze the Lord Regent's homeworld?
Cordova