"The energy signal source has been precisely locked, Commander. Its coordinates overlap by more than ninety-eight percent with the 'Cult sanctuary' mentioned in Major Terrance's memory fragments. This is the place." The chief sensor officer's voice rang out across the Bridge.
Kael Valen stood before the broad Observation Window, his Terminator Armour seeming to merge with the Bridge's steel deck.
His gaze pierced the reinforced glass and settled on the celestial body below.
It was no ordinary planet, but a frozen world completely encased in thick ice, reflecting a pale, lifeless glow beneath the faint light of its distant Stars.
It hung silently in the void at the edge of the system, like an enormous, silent, frozen headstone in a cosmic graveyard.
"Looks like nothing more than a nest where the enemy is clinging to life." Kael Valen's deep voice sounded over the Communications Channel as he raised his massive Power Fist and pointed toward the frozen sphere.
"Commander Kael Valen," came the voice of Dexter, the Word Bearers Company Captain, from beside him. He, too, was watching the frozen planet, but his gray Helmet turned toward the Iron Warriors commander.
"The Primarch's orders were clear: avoid close contact wherever possible and eradicate the source of contamination. Our mission is purification, not exploration or interrogation."
"I understand the Primarch's will, Company Captain Dexter." Kael Valen did not turn. His fingers tapped lightly along the edge of the Control Panel before finally hovering above a dark red button protected by a transparent cover.
"Lord Lorgar is right to be cautious. Every additional second of contact with such blasphemous, uncontrollable creations is an unnecessary risk. The most thorough solution is to erase it from Orbit, just as we dealt with the primary planet."
"Prepare an Orbit scan and calibrate the Torpedo coordinates.