Greeting Lox was a new face named Titus Praetor, an Ultramarines Librarian.
The Librarian wore a cobalt-blue robe and a black anti-psyker suppression circlet around his forehead, a technological artifact the Mechanicus had restored through lost technology.
It was made from some silicate-like material, dense and seemingly without any obvious protrusions.
When worn by a Psyker, it naturally emitted a force field capable of calming the powers of the Warp, allowing Space Marine Librarians to better control their psychic abilities and prevent them from running wild, while also improving their command over them.
Combat records had also proven that anti-psyker suppression circlets enhanced a Librarian's resistance to enemy psychic attacks.
"Lord Lox, you carry the scent of Untouchables," Praetor said.
He held a psychic short staff in his hand, the vessel through which he wielded his powers.
"Your senses are sharp, Librarian. We just completed a targeted plan concerning psychic targets—regarding the strategic value of the soulless against psychic enemies."
"Has Marius not returned to Macragge yet?"
Walking alongside Praetor, Lox asked casually.
"The First Company Captain has not returned to Macragge for a long time. Duty calls."
During their conversation, Lox learned of some of the XIII Legion's current movements.
Marius Gage led Macragge's Honour across the Five Hundred Worlds, stamping out the remnants of the Shadow Crusade. Although Angron and Lorgar had escaped, countless Chaos cultists and scattered Space Marines still harassed the Five Hundred Worlds.
They were exceedingly cunning. At times, they would strike only briefly before fleeing at once, using Warp storms as cover to evade the Ultramarines' pursuit.
After recovering from his injuries, Orpheo Cassandra returned to Amatara. With the aid of the Mechanicus and Mustapha, that war-ravaged planet was rapidly rebuilding, while New Amatara required its regent's management and oversight.
Ahead stood a broad,