"I wanted to know how many times conversations like this had taken place between you and others."
In the space elevator leading to Dockyard Three, the White Scars warrior hesitated for a moment before voicing the question in his heart.
"Many. Too many for me to count," Lox answered honestly.
Aside from the White Scars, he had long since conducted surveys within the Ultramarines as well. Yet the findings from the XIII Legion had offered nothing particularly striking.
The Ultramarines pursued sheer numbers above all else. They even believed that continuing to manufacture those old war-tested warships was enough, while the construction of new vessels could be postponed indefinitely.
"Our Ultramarine cousins are like that. They follow the middle path and never pursue extremes." Gantula even knew of Confucius's teachings from ancient Terra, which made Lox feel even closer to this White Scars warrior with his distinctly Eastern air.
"The Ultramarines fleet ranks among the best of all the Legions. They seem capable of everything, yet they do not seem especially proficient at any one thing." The White Scar's assessment was fair, and it was indeed the impression the Ultramarines left upon the people of the Imperium.
"Also, I would like to say that the one standing before us now is not your real body, is it?" Gantula asked.
After their exchange, he had found Guilliman's mortal adviser fairly easy to talk to. Still, Lox's decision not to come in person felt somewhat disrespectful.
"That is correct. My real body is currently staying somewhere that is not particularly convenient to travel from. I am speaking to you in the form of a projection."
"The reason we can illuminate the Warp is connected to the place where I am currently located."
Lox did not reveal his location. Information regarding Pharos still