As everyone on Macragge formed a united front against Chaos, the great Lion, Lion El'Jonson, was piloting his new flagship, the New Caliban, through the Ultima Segmentum.
This was a colossal warship over 110 kilometers long. Even three Invincible Reason ships stacked together would not surpass its size.
Surging plasma engines cast forth blue-violet beams, driving this void fortress through normal space at an unimaginable speed.
Back then, in order to obtain the technological relics within the Lion's secret vaults, Lox had promised him a Thundercloud-class battleship and a void fortress similar to the Amattra.
Thus, when the Hera orbital shipyard completed its first Thundercloud-class warship, Lion, who had just become the Protector of the Second Imperium, declared that it would be his new flagship.
As Protector, he wielded immense authority over all the Second Imperium's military forces, including the vast majority of the Ultramarines Legion and Blood Angels Legion.
In Lion's view, this so-called Protector was, more or less, the Imperial Warmaster.
Yes, Warmaster.
The moment that word surfaced in his mind, ripples stirred within Lion's normally still heart.
The great Lion's breathing quickened slightly. The focus of his amber-green eyes shifted constantly, like those of a truly terrifying beast. Then he closed his eyes and calmed himself.
He was merely the Warmaster of the Second Imperium. It was nothing worth boasting about.
Horus had once served as Warmaster of the entire Imperium, yet he had failed to cherish the great responsibility bestowed upon him by the Emperor. He had chosen a vile and shameless betrayal.
Lion, remember this: loyalty was its own reward. You needed no external adornment. You were only playing house with Guilliman and Sanguinius on Macragge in order to supervise and restrain that ambitious provincial lord, to ensure he did not harbor treacherous intentions.
The