Bring the Emperor's Destruction Here

In Orbit above Rox, the Word Bearers Legion's Strike Cruiser, the Blade of Piety, hung silently in the Void.

Its broadside Macro-cannon arrays gleamed coldly in the starlight, as though ready to spew the flames of destruction once more.

Before the solemn, oppressive Command Throne on the Bridge, Sergeant Kran straightened his grievously wounded body.

Despite the Apothecary's emergency treatment, his chestplate of ceramite still bore grotesque molten scars left by searing melta fire. Every breath brought a faint stab of pain as his internal organs repaired themselves.

Yet his voice as he delivered his report was as steady and cold as a calibrated machine, devoid of personal emotion.

"The source of the threat on Rox's surface has been confirmed physically destroyed. Its methods of propagation were biomass infection and perfect mimicry. Its threat level has been assessed as 'highest.' These are the Star Chart data we decoded from the wreckage of the Dragon Kingdom's spacecraft. They point to its suspected system of origin."

As he spoke, Kran inserted the Star Chart data into the Warship's control console.

Just then, Company Captain Arut arrived.

He was a warrior even taller than Kran, his armor covered in still more ancient battle scars and sacred Scriptures. His helmet lenses glowed a spectral red, like the gaze of the abyss.

Company Captain Arut listened silently to Kran's full report, from the initial loss of contact with the Hive City to the bloody battle at the Steelworks, and finally the desperate struggle against the enormous ball of flesh deep within the mine.

Only after a long silence did a deep voice slowly emerge from beneath the captain's helmet, resonant as a cathedral organ. Every word carried unquestionable authority and the weight of final judgment:

"You have fulfilled your duty, proving your loyalty to the