6th ed Rules of the Game: Weapons Virus and Reinforced Aegis requesting feedback

Here's a psychic rule situation that came up on Wed game.  Would like your opinion how it should work.

Above pic is the entry from the Grey Knights codex and Psychic power card for easy reference.

Malediction 40k6 pg 68

Maledictions are manifested at the start of the Psyker's Movement phase.

Weapon Virus Chaos Space Marines Codex 6th ed pg 71

Weapon Virus is a malediction that targets a single enemy unit within 24".  All of the target unit's ranged weapons have the Gets Hot special rule whilst the power is in effect

Reinforced Aegis Grey Knights Codex 5th ed pg 35

Psychic test Leadership penalties caused by The Aegis are increased to -4 if the target of the psychic power is within 12" of the Dreadnought (or is the Dreadnought itself).

Context: Chaos Sorcerer cast Weapon Virus in its shooting phase at a Purifier squad to give their ranged weapons the special rule Gets Hot.  Opponent said it was a shooting attack and that shooting attacks are always resolved against the closest target in a unit.  The two closest, of the four Purifiers, to the Sorcerer was outside the 12" of the Dreadnoughts Reinforced Aegis.  The other two Purifiers were within 12".

This where I'd like your feedback.  Does the Sorcerer have -4 to his psychic test from Reinforced Aegis when the closest Purifier from the squad was outside 12"?  Feel free to post references, books and page numbers.

Won't post how we ruled it to avoid possibly influencing how others believe this would work.  Bryan highly suggested to put this on the blog to see others opinions.


slainte mhath