Lox did not return to the Victorious Crown. After reaching the Solar System, his Red Alert once again detached itself from within the Thundercloud-class planetary warship.
He brought Konrad Curze back to the Red Alert, along with the battle-hardened veterans who had always followed at his side.
The moment the memories ended, Lion had already assumed a new role. As Imperial commander, he mobilized every warship in the Solar System apart from the Mountain Array, including his brothers' Tears of Angels and Victorious Crown.
Lion had prepared for this moment for far too long. His mind, born for war, had long devised countless strategies and tactics. He had simulated a thousand times over how to win this war, and now, at last, the time had come to realize his ambitions.
By the Emperor's prior command, Jaghatai Khan and Sanguinius would assist Lion in the war.
For the Lion, this was already the perfect opening. With Rogal Dorn holding Terra and the Solar System, he did not need to divide much of his attention toward defending the Solar System at all.
Attack, attack!
Attack was the best defense. The Calibanites understood that principle well.
After meeting the Emperor, Lox returned to the Red Alert, the place where it had all begun.
He stroked the ship's warm, smooth bulkhead while the Cogitator Pika lay across his shoulder. The New Caliban was fine, but this was his home.
Once, he had piloted the Red Alert and raced desperately across the stars to fulfill the Chief's wishes. Now, he had an entirely new mission.
According to the Emperor, if things truly reached an irretrievable point, he would use all his power to send Lox and the Red Alert out of this universe.
Lox needed to make preparations early.
Compared with the Thundercloud-class planetary warship,