No matter the cost, the secret of the Fallen Angels must never be revealed.
This is the highest operational directive of the Dark Angels: prioritize dealing with the Fallen Angels under any circumstances.
After confirming the accuracy of the Astropathic message, Azrael ordered the Rock to change course and head for the Camus system, located in the Imperium Nihilus.
This was a perilous journey.
Since the Despoiler destroyed Cadia and tore open the galaxy, the terrifying Warp storms had never ceased.
They continuously churned up terrifying waves, and even a slight deviation could lead to being dragged into the depths of the Warp, with no hope of return.
Thanks to its massive size and comprehensive Warp protection measures, the Rock was able to navigate through the turbulent Immaterium.
The commanders gathered in the Rock's Command Sanctum to discuss the operational strategy for reaching the Camus world.
Azrael, as the Battle Group's highest commander, stood in the shadow of Lion El'Jonson's statue.
The flickering candlelight occasionally pulled his figure out of the shadows, casting wavering shadows on the empty walls.
On Azrael's flanks were Belial of the Deathwing, Sammael of the Ravenwing, Chief Librarian Ezekiel, and Chaplain Asmodai.
The massive tactical projector hummed, outlining a glowing holographic projection.
The projection displayed countless bright stars.
One of these stars was specifically highlighted, with a red circle continuously expanding outwards from it.
"This is the twelfth message received so far," Ezekiel began, as a data holoscreen opened before him, displaying the translated Astropathic message.
"It's the same as the messages we first received—all claiming the Fallen Angels and the return of the Lion."
"They are too presumptuous," Belial frowned. "Their Astropathic messages are being sent indiscriminately, which means many factions will receive this message."
"We must be fast, before the situation spirals out of control," Azrael said.
"We are too far away; even if we travel at full speed, we won't be able to get there before other factions," Sammael said. "Other factions must have already detected the Fallen Angels, and may even have made contact."
"What should we do if those factions learn of the Fallen Angels' existence?"
"You know, this indiscriminately sent Astropathic message covers a very vast area."
Sammael looked at Azrael.
The other commanders also made the same movement, all looking at Azrael.
The Grand Master closed his eyes, falling into an internal struggle, tormented by the choice he had to make.
When he opened his eyes again, they showed determination.
"No matter what, we must prevent the secret of the Fallen Angels from spreading, for the Dark Angels, and for the honor of the Lion."
"If necessary, eliminate all who know."
As soon as Azrael's words were spoken, the high-ranking Dark Angels all breathed a sigh of relief.
With Azrael's words, they could now act without restraint.
The impact of this Astropathic message was too great, and Azrael and the Dark Angels had to treat it with extreme caution.
Through secret means, the Grand Master summoned every successor Battle Group he could contact.
The Angels of Redemption, the Absolvers, and the Consecrators Battle Groups all responded to their parent Battle Group's summons, bringing their warships and Imperial forces to join this campaign against the Fallen Angels.
For safety, the fleet would exit the Warp periodically before making another jump.
Those successor Battle Groups waited at the Warp exit points and were integrated into the Dark Angels' forces.
Each time they exited the Warp and entered Reality before re-entering the Warp,
the Rock would rendezvous with new reinforcements.
Soon, this force became incredibly formidable.
After the Legion era, it was rare to see such a massive combined force of Astartes and mortal armies.
But today, to utterly annihilate the Fallen Angels on the Camus world,
the Dark Angels displayed terrifying mobilization capabilities.
If necessary, they would launch a sector-level war just to prevent the secret of the Fallen Angels from spreading.
After a difficult journey, the Dark Angels' fleet exited the Warp at the Mandeville Point and flew towards the Camus world.
The sight before them made Azrael and the other Dark Angels realize the seriousness of the problem.
The Camus world was not mired in suffering and despair as they had imagined.
On the contrary, its economy was prosperous and developed, with countless merchants and travelers coming and going.
"The situation is even worse than we expected," Ezekiel said with a worried expression. "With so many people coming and going, I'm afraid the secret of the Fallen Angels has already been spread."
"Then we will cut off the roots; we absolutely cannot let the secret of the Fallen Angels leak out," Azrael said. "After we deal with the people here, we will then cleanse this sector and the neighboring sectors."
No sooner had he spoken than a communications priest, holding a parchment scroll, hurried in, his voice urgent.
"Grand Master, there's a new communication."
Azrael took the parchment scroll and inserted it into a nearby control console.
The projection screen scrolled with binary and runic code, then displayed the new communication content.
"Welcome to the Camus system. I am Chapter Master Dante of the Blood Angels Chapter. It is good to see you again, Grand Master Azrael."
"Blood Angels?" Azrael frowned. "Why are they involved in this too?"
"Should we engage them?" Ezekiel asked.
"I need to speak with Dante and see how much he knows! If he has already contacted the Fallen Angels and believes them, then we will have no choice but to act."
Azrael's gaze sharpened.
No matter what, he would not allow the secret of the Fallen Angels to be revealed, affecting the image of the Lion and the First Legion.
If the Blood Angels didn't know much and still firmly believed in the Dark Angels, then let them be.
If they believed the Fallen Angels' narrative, then war was the only path.
"Request communication with the Blood Angels. Tell the communications department to prepare," Azrael said to the messenger priest.
The priest nodded and established contact with the communications room, requesting that they set up a communication link for the Grand Master to speak with the Blood Angels.
A moment later, the communication was successfully established.
Dante's holographic image appeared in the Rock's Command Sanctum.
He was not alone; Zabriel and several other Fallen Angels accompanied him.
Dante's primary task was to help these Fallen Angels understand the Imperium's new technology.
Azrael's gaze swept over Zabriel and the other Fallen Angels beside Dante, his heart sinking. He turned to Ezekiel and the other Dark Angels and said,
"Order the Rock to open fire. This entire system is our enemy."