The Gloriana-class Battleship Law of Faith
Warship main deck
The threat had been laid to rest, but the war's aftermath was far from over.
Under Perturabo's cold and uncompromising orders, the Iron Warriors fleet subjected the star system that had become a graveyard to a second, then even a third round of orbital bombardment. Searing lances tore apart and melted the planetary debris once more, ensuring that not a single fragment of nanometal survived.
This almost obsessive "purification" was the Lord of Iron's way of leaving nothing to chance.
Meanwhile, the Legions' senior leadership agreed on a personnel exchange plan with far-reaching implications.
Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamanders, personally selected one hundred of his most experienced veterans, men skilled not only in battle but also in the art of forging. They would join the Word Bearers as emissaries for technical and tactical exchange.
At the same time, Lorgar, Primarch of the Word Bearers, selected two hundred loyal and perceptive warriors to serve with the Salamanders.
On the surface, this was a shining realization of the "mixed formations" concept Lorgar had proposed.
Vulkan wholeheartedly approved. Not only would it spread the Salamanders' exceptional forging techniques and Endurance in battle, it would also allow his warriors to learn from the other Legions' strengths, making up for their own shortcomings and strengthening the Imperium's armed forces together.
Beneath this open and honorable justification, however, lay Lorgar's deeper considerations.
The Word Bearers sent to their brother Legions would be more than bridges for exchange. They would also be "eyes" and "ears" stationed abroad.
Should any Legion show unusual signs of straying from the Emperor's truth, or the first stirrings of rebellion, these loyal warriors would be able to send word back to their parent Legion immediately.
More importantly, they would act as sowers, subtly