(Thanks to God-Emperor Above, Slaanesh Below, Me in the Middle and Red Alert 08's Bag Carrier for the premium recognition gifts. Today's extra updates are complete; more tomorrow.)
Dozens of days earlier, at the edge of the Prospero system.
A warship belonging to the Word Bearers was making its final preparations for departure.
The warship had originally been part of the Millennium World expeditionary Fleet. Now it floated quietly in its berth at the starport, waiting to undertake a crucial mission: returning the gravely wounded Lorgar to Colchis.
The warship's personnel had been carefully selected.
Everyone chosen had an impeccable record of loyalty and outstanding combat prowess. They were Lorgar's most trusted warriors, brave men willing to lay down their lives for him.
Primarch Bodyguard Hercules stood before the observation deck on the Bridge, gazing through the thick viewport at the surface of Prospero as it gradually receded.
The Perpetual Nibelung leaned against the Lounge wall, holding an antique Zhang Jian and carefully wiping its blade with a velvet cloth.
The dwarf Grom sat in a corner, clutching a large bottle of spirits and gulping it down.
Seras, Chapter Master of the Word Bearers' Third Chapter, was checking his bolter. Once he had confirmed that all his equipment was in order, he walked over to Librarian Royst.
At that moment, Librarian Royst stood beside Lorgar, his eyes closed and both hands hovering above Lorgar's body.
Golden psychic light flickered at his fingertips. Like fine threads, it wound around Lorgar's body, forming a thin psychic shield.
"How is it?" Seras asked.
"Ready. This psychic shield can withstand a direct hit from a macro-cannon," Royst replied.
Seras nodded and said nothing more.
In addition, a thousand Word Bearers warriors were stationed at key positions throughout the warship.
They were the finest warriors