Heretic Dread-
The immense flagship sailed through the void, its golden icons giving off a faint glow, with a vast fleet following in its wake.
At Holy Terra's command, the enormous fleet had assembled with terrifying speed before setting out for the Eastern Fringe.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the deck as an Ultramarine with a resolute expression entered the command chamber.
His scratched and battered power armor bore the marks of honor. Purity Seals steeped in Holy Oil fluttered, and the laurels earned through countless battles were emblazoned on his pauldrons.
Above his steadfast eyes, golden studs signifying a century of service to His Holy Majesty gleamed.
He stepped inside, and everyone in the chamber turned toward him.
Agemman, Company Captain of the Ultramarines' First Company, spotted the newcomer.
"Titus, over here."
Titus looked at those gathered in the command chamber.
An Inquisitor, a Cardinal, an Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Space Marine Chapter Masters, and a Lord General of the Astra Militarum.
He offered a brief salute, then walked over to stand behind Agemman.
The interrupted meeting resumed.
"This is outright heresy! The local sector commander must pay for allowing such a vast heretical realm to be established!" Cardinal Noshvar roared.
"We have done everything we could. More than thirty percent of the Eastern Fringe's warships have been destroyed or captured," the local sector commander said angrily.
"That is no excuse!" the Cardinal roared.
The Cardinal hammered his sword against the table, his face livid.
"This damned heretical empire is heresy incarnate! The Emperor alone is humanity's supreme being. He is the almighty god, not some damned mortal!"
"I will seize every heretic on those planets, drench their bodies in sacred Holy Oil, and burn away their filthy faith with the Emperor's wrath!"
"Ahem."
Inquisitor Achilles cleared his throat