The Strategic Conference Room aboard the Herald of the Holy Word lay in the core of the ship, several decks below the bridge, and its atmosphere was entirely different from the bridge's solemn grandeur.
More compact, more subdued, more private.
The walls were assembled from dark gray metal plates, with fine brass strips embedded in the seams, tracing intricate patterns of light and shadow beneath the dim lighting.
A vast star chart hovered in the center, displaying the entire Millennium World and several surrounding sectors in a three-dimensional projection. Its countless points of light flickered silently in the darkness like innumerable eyes.
The red dots representing the Imperium's millions upon millions of worlds were scattered sparsely across the immense star chart.
When Lorgar and Curze pushed open the armored doors and entered the conference room, they found a gathering of Word Bearers Chapter Masters running simulations around the star chart.
Several Chapter Masters stood at the edges of the chart, sweeping slender pointers across key nodes in the projection and tracing tactical routes through the air, while another frowned as he rapidly entered newly added troop-strength data.
This was a contest charged with urgency, played out against the backdrop of the entire galaxy, billions of mortal lives, and the future course of the Imperium itself.
Lorgar stood at the entrance, silently watching the star chart surrounded by the Chapter Masters.
He stood just inside the threshold, studying every busy figure.
His gaze lingered briefly on their gray armor, without alerting anyone to his presence.
After a moment, he stepped forward, making no effort to soften his footsteps as they fell steadily against the floor.
The Chapter Masters who noticed his arrival looked up one after another. After a brief silence, they moved as one to clear a path to the