"Adeptus Custodes, take point. Ultramarines, Imperial Fists, form the central escort formation. Salamanders, Blood Angels, cover the flanks. Space Wolves, White Scars, serve as the rapid response force. Raven Guard, scout ahead. Vostroyans, provide long-range fire support. Catachans..."
He paused, looking at the burly men who had already begun sharpening their machetes with whetstones.
"...You... will be the reserves. Don't hack at anything without my orders. Especially anything that looks expensive."
"Understood, Warmaster!" The Catachan colonel grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "But what if those 'expensive' things attack first?"
"Then hack them into something less expensive," Horus answered expressionlessly.
"As you command!" The Catachans let out delighted cheers.
"Luna Wolves, Captain Letorion." Horus turned toward the two most unusual contingents. "You... stay by my side."
"As you command... Warmaster."
"Good." Horus nodded. "Move out."
And so an army that could only be called the Milky Way Galaxy's "dream team" marched in force into Solemnace's main exhibition area.
The space here was ten thousand times more magnificent than the lower exhibition hall they had occupied before. The vault soared beyond sight, and countless ribbons of energy flowed silently through the darkness like artificial rivers of stars. Enormous display platforms resembled islands suspended in the void, connected by bridges woven from light and shadow.
Every exhibit here was enough to drive any scholar or general in the Milky Way Galaxy mad.
They stepped onto the first "island."
At its center stood an enormous crystal display case, fifteen meters tall.
The sight inside brought everyone to a halt.
It was... an Ork.
But it was unlike any kind of Ork they knew.
It stood twelve meters tall, almost as large as an Imperial Knight. Its body was less flesh and blood than a war machine that perfectly fused steel and muscle.