"Father."
Brutus pushed open the meeting room's heavy metal door and strode inside.
His pace was a little quicker than usual, and his gaze swept across the spacious room to the towering figure standing before the star chart.
Horus was already waiting there.
He stood before the enormous tactical table at the center of the room. A three-dimensional star chart hovered above its surface, countless points of light slowly revolving within it, marking the positions and movements of the major powers throughout the Milky Way Galaxy.
He wore his famous black power armour, inlaid with gold and silver. A golden laurel wreath emblem signifying his rank as Warmaster adorned his pauldron, while the eye insignia of the Sons of Horus was emblazoned on his breastplate.
He wore no helmet, and the star chart's ghostly blue light gave his handsome, imposing face an especially brooding cast.
He held a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, his gaze drifting slowly over the star chart as though he were contemplating some far-reaching strategic question.
Hearing Brutus's footsteps and greeting, Horus slowly turned, shifting his gaze from the star chart to the First Company Captain who had just taken Abaddon's place.
A gentle smile tugged at his lips, and his voice carried a father's warmth and concern. "Oh, Brutus, what happened? Your footsteps sounded a little more hurried than usual."
Brutus stopped at the table, gently set down the dataslate he was holding, and slid it toward Horus.
His voice was concise and clear, with the brisk efficiency expected of an excellent officer. "This is the latest report, Father. It concerns Davin."
"Davin?" Horus set down his teacup and picked up the dataslate, his eyes sweeping quickly over the screen.
His brow creased slightly. He considered it for a moment, then