ForNik,Lorraine,Dan,Laura,Rob,GemmaandJoattheVillageforkeepingmeheavilycaffeinatedandlettingmehogthebigtableallthetime.

Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.Heisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpower

fromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousandsoulsaresacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbythe

Astronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperor’swill.Vastarmiesgivebattleinhisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongstHissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesinarmsarelegion:theImperialGuardandcountless

planetarydefenceforces,theever-vigilantInquisitionandthetech-priestsoftheAdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreat

fromaliens,heretics,mutants-andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,

forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,forinthegrimdarkfuturethereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,only

aneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

DramatisPersonae

TheSperanza

LexellKotov–ArchmagosoftheKotovExploratorFleetTarkisBlaylock–FabricatusLocum,MagosoftheCebreniaQuadrangleVitaliTychon–StellarCartographeroftheQuatriaOrbitalGalleriesLinyaTychon–StellarCartographer,daughterofVitaliTychonAzuramagelli–MagosofAstrogationKryptaestrex–MagosofLogisticsTurentek–ArkFabricatusHirimauDahan–Secutor/GuilderSuzerainSaiixek–MasterofEnginesTothaMu-32–MechanicusOverseerAbrehemLocke–BondsmanRasselasX-42–Arco-flagellantVannenCoyne–BondsmanJuliusHawke–BondsmanIsmaeldeRoeven–Servitor

TheRenard

RobouteSurcouf–CaptainEmilNader–FirstMateAdaraSiavash–HiredGunIlannaPavelka–Tech-PriestKayrnSylkwood–EnginseerGideonTeivel–AstropathEliorRoi–Navigator

AdeptusAstartesBlackTemplars

Tanna–Brother-SergeantAuiden–ApothecaryIssur–InitiateAtticusVarda–Emperor’sChampionBracha–Initiate

Yael–Initiate

TheCadian71st‘TheHellhounds’

VenAnders–ColoneloftheCadianDetachedFormationBlayneHawkins–CaptainofBlazerCompanyTaybardRae–LieutenantofBlazerCompanyJahnCallins–RequisitionalSupportOfficer,BlazerCompany

LegioSirius

ArloLuth,‘TheWintersun’–WarlordPrinceps,LupaCapitalinaMarkoKoskinen–ModeratiJoakimBaldur–SecondedModeratiMagosHyrdrith–Tech-PriestEryksSkálmöld,‘TheMoonsorrow’–ReaverPrinceps,CanisUlfricaMagosOhtar–Tech-PriestGunnarVintras,‘TheSkinwalker’–WarhoundPrinceps,AmarokEliasHärkin,‘TheIronwoad’–WarhoundPrinceps,Vilka

TheStarblade

BielannaFaerelle–FarseerofBiel-TanAriganna–StrikingScorpionExarchofBiel-TanTariquel–StrikingScorpionofBiel-TanVaynesh–StrikingScorpionofBiel-TanUldanaishGhostwalker–WraithlordofBiel-Tan

<++<CartesianDoubt>++>

001

Knowledgeispower.Theycallthatthefirstcredo,buttheyarewrong.Knowledgeisjustthebeginning.Itisintheapplicationofknowledgethatpowerresides.Afterall,whatisthevalueofdiscoveryifwedonotputwhatwelearnintoeffect?

MillenniahavecomeandgonesinceIbecameMechanicus,butevenasanovitiatecasterofquantumrunes,IwasawareIhadblindlyacceptedmanyprinciplesunverifiedbymyownexperienceasbeingtrue.Consequently,the conclusions I laterbaseduponsuchprincipleswerehighlydoubtful.From thatmomentof realisation IwasconvincedofthenecessityofriddingmyselfofalltheprinciplesIhadunquestioninglyadopted.

Iwouldbuildknowledgefrommyownself-discoveredtruths.

010

AnancientTerranorderoftechno-theologiansonceboastedheraldicdevicesemblazonedwiththewordsNulliusinVerba,whichevenabasicproto-GothiclexicalservitorcantellyoumeansNothinguponAnother’sWord.ItisacredoIhavelivedbyandbywhichIwilldie.TheVenusianepistolarianwhofirstscratchedthosewordsintocuredanimalhidewaswiseindeed,andtheinheritorsoftheRedPlanetwoulddowelltorecallhiswisdom.

ButthepriestsofMarshavelostsightofwhatitmeanstobeMechanicus.Themagi rejoiceat scrapsswept fromthe tablesofgodsand think themselvesblessed.Theybear suchrelics

aloft like the greatest prizes, little realising that such intellectual flotsam and jetsam isworthless in the grandschemeofgalacticendeavour.

Theyareidiotchildrenstumblingaroundtheworkshopofagenius.Thetoolsandknowledgetheyrequiretorebuild the glory ofMankind’s past is at their fingertips, yet they see it not. Theywield lethally unpredictabletechnologieslikeplaythings,heedlessofthedamagetheywreakandignorantthattheyarelosingasmuchastheygainwitheveryfumblingstep.

Somuchthatwaslosthasbeenrediscovered,theycry,butlikeamillionscatteredfragmentsofapuzzle,theyareuselessunlesscombined.WithallthathasbeenhiddenbeneaththesandsoftheRedPlanet,wecouldrebuildtheImperiumasitwasinthehalcyondaysofthefirstgreatdiaspora.WecouldachievethedreamuponwhichtheEmperorwasembarkedinthefleetingmomentsofpeacefollowingthePaxOlympus.

Ah,howIwishIcouldhavebeenthere.ToseetheOmnissiahwhenHewalkedintheguiseofflesh.TobatheinHislightandfeeltheserenityofperfectcodeflowingthroughmybody.Oneasmechanistically-evolvedasIisnotsupposed tomiss the soft, ever-degeneratingmeat-body I left behind inmy ascension through the ranks of thePriesthood,butIwouldacceptitsinfinitelimitationsjusttohavebeheldthatmomentwithorganiceyes.

011

Now I see theworld through organic silicamembranes andglassine-mesheddiamond.A thousandmicroscopicmachinesinfiltratethefluidsthatcirculatewithinmynewbodyofcrystalandlight.MylimbsarepowerfulbeyondeventhestrengthoftheAdeptusAstartes,mymindcapableofultra-fastcalculationsthatallowcognitionspeedsfarinadvanceofeventheFabricatorGeneral.

Butnothingofsuchworthiseverachievedwithoutsacrifice,andnothingissofataltotheprogressofMankindastosupposeourgraspoftechnologyiscomplete.Tobelievethattherearenomoremysteriesinnatureorthatourtriumphsareallwonandtherearenonewworldstoconqueristoinvitestagnation.

Andstagnationisdeath.Ihavetravelledthevoidlikefewothersbeforeme.I have crossed the barriers of time and space and seen further than any other. The elemental forces of the

universeareminetocommand.Time,space,gravityandlightbendtomywill.Likethegreatcelestialengineersofafardistantepoch,Icarvethefleshofthegalaxytosuitmydesires.And

where ancient war and forgotten genocides have wiped the slate clean, I have brought life and the promise ofcivilisationreborn.

TheMechanicusveneratesthosewhodrawclosertoitsvisionofunionwiththeGodofallMachines,andtheyarerighttodoso.

Buttheyhavechosenthewrongdeity.Byanymortalreckoning,Iamagod.Soboldastatementcouldrightlybeconstruedasarrogance.Inmycase,itismodesty.Asimplestatementoffact.IamArchmagosVettiusTelok,andIamremakingwhatwaslost.

Suchisthepowerofmyknowledge.

MACROCONTENTCOMMENCEMENT:+++MACROCONTENT001+++

Microcontent01

Barelyworthyofbeingdesignatedaplanet,thedoomedworldhunginthefringesofArcturusUltra’srapidlydiminishingKuiperbeltatthefarthestextentofthestarsystem.Muchofthisspatialregionwascomposedoffrozenvolatiles–driftingagglomerationsofice,ammoniaandmethane–andthesewere slowly being turned to vapour by the thermal death throes of the newly named star’s rapidlyexpanding corona. The Oort cloud had thinned to the point of vanishing altogether, allowing thevessels of the Kotov fleet to approach the system without fear of taking damage from the debrisscatteredlikecelestiallitteratthesystem’sedge.

Thedyingplanethadbeen christenedKatenVenia, and its likely lifespan couldbemeasured inmonths at best. It would soon be destroyed by the very star that had once nourished an unknownnumber of habitableworlds in that slender astronomical region named for a flaxen-haired thief ofancientmyth.

TheclosestplanetstothestarhadalreadybeenreducedtometallicvapourbyitsexpandingheatcoronaandnowonlyKatenVenia remained. Itsouter layersof frozennitrogenhadalmostentirelyboiledoffintospace,exposingasurfaceofcraterediceandrock,soaringcrystalgrowthsofgeometricbeauty,abyssalcanyonsofshearedglaciers,andswathesofdesolatetundrathathadbeenrippedrawbythegravitationalpushandpullofitschaoticorbit.

Any currently uncontested method of celestial cartography would regard Katen Venia as anunremarkableworld,abarerockdevoidofanynotablefeatureswarrantingattention.Onlythestudyofitsdemisewouldbeofanyinteresttomostmagi.Yetforallitsapparentworthlessness,therewasoneaspecttoKatenVeniathatrendereditvaluablebeyondmeasure.

TeloktheMachine-touched,whoseexploratorfleethadbeenlostwithallhands,hadcomethisway.Numerous legends of Mars spoke of his foolhardy quest into the unknown to unearth an ancienttechnologicalmarvelknownastheBreathoftheGods.EachtalewasembellishedwithitsowntwisttoTelok’sobsession,butallagreedthathisquesthadcometoabadend.

Butanewly-revealedrelicofhisdoomedexpeditionhadcometo light,offeringtantalisinghintsthattheLostMagoshadactuallyfoundsomethingintheunknownreachesbeyondthelightoffamiliarstars:asaviourpodbeaconindicatingthatthenewly-namedKatenVeniawasthefinalrestingplaceof

Telok’sflagship,theTomioka.ItwasthisthathadbroughtanAdeptusMechanicusexploratorfleetofsuchmagnitudeashadnot

beenassembled formillennia to leave theconfinesof theMilkyWayandestablishorbitaround theplanet’snorthernpolarregions.

The heart of this fleetwas a vessel that could be called uniquewithout fear of contradiction. Amightystar-bornecolossus.Arelicofatimewhenthemysteriesoftechnologywerenotshroudedinaveilofignorance,andwhoseviolentbirthhaddestroyedaworld.Itsinhumanscalewastheproductofmenwhodaredtobuildthegreatestthingstheirimaginationscouldconceive.

ItsnamewasSperanza,anditwasArkMechanicus;theflagshipofArchmagosLexellKotov.Unlike the battleships built in the Imperium’s fortified shipyards, the ArkMechanicus had not

been wrought with any martial aesthetic in mind, nor had it accrued centuries of encrustedornamentationtoglorifylong-deadsaintsorheroesofwar.Itwasavesselthatwouldneverbecalledbeautiful,evenbythosewhohadbuilt it, for ithadnosymmetry,noclean linesnorevenmuchofastraightaxisthatallowedforspuriousnotionsofaerodynamics.

TheSperanzawasa vessel foreverbound to thevoid, andonly thepositioningof its vastplasmaengines’ containment-field generators allowed an observer to know which end was the prow andwhich the stern. Its outer hullwas a tangled arrangement of intestinal duct-work, exposed skeletalsuperstructure, and ray-shielded crew spaces. Its graceless topside and its bulbous undersidewereribbed plateaus overgrown with geometric accretions of unchecked industry. Refineries, ore-processingplants,gene-holds,testranges,manufactories,laboratoria,powergeneratorsandassemblyforgesclungtoitsflanksinahaphazardarrangementthatowednothingtoanydesignphilosophiesotherthanneedandpracticality.TheSperanzawasavesselofexplorationandresearch,amarinerofthenebulaewhosesoletaskwastobepartofKotov’sQuestforKnowledge.

ThoughthebulkoftheArk’sunimaginablemasswasgivenovertotheworkingsoftechnologyandconstruction, it was not without teeth. Conventional munitions and rudimentary void-weaponrypunctuated its length, but desperate need had revealed the presence ofweapon technologiesmanymagnitudesmore lethal, secretedwithin lightlesscompartments longsince forgottenbyall save theshipitself.

Thevesselwasnothinglessthanaforgeworldcutloosefromthesurfaceoftheplanetwhosedeathspasm had birthed it, a sprawling landmass of cathedrals to technology and the quintessentialembodimentoftheCultMechanicus’sdevotiontotheOmnissiah.AttheheartoftheSperanzawasanelectro-motivespiritformedfromthegestaltconjoiningofatrillionmachinesandmore,aterrifyinglycomplexhybridofintelligenceandinstinctthatwasclosetogodlike.

Likeanyrepresentationofthedivine,ithaddevotees.A fleet of ancillary vessels kept station around the Speranza: fuel carriers, warships, troop

transports,supplybarquesandahostofshuttlesandbulktendersthatpassedbetweentheminstrictlyobserved transit corridors. Moonchild and Wrathchild, twin reconditioned Gothic-class cruisers,patrolledtheflanksoftheSperanza,whileMortisVoss,thelastsurvivorofthetrioofvesselsdespatchedfromVossPrime,driftedmournfullyabovetheArk’sdorsalmanufactories.

Honour Blade had been lost in an emergency translation from the warp at the very edge of the

galaxy, whileBlade of Voss had been torn apart by a gravitational hell-storm during the nightmarecrossing of theHalo Scar.Nor had these been themost grievous losses suffered by the fleet on itsperilousjourneytosailbeyondthegalacticboundary.

CardinalBoras,avesselofgrandheritagethathadbravedthetempestsofthewarpfromonesideofthe galaxy to the other, had been destroyed by ambushing eldar reavers. The Adeptus Astartesaccompanyingthefleethadlikewisesufferedgrievousloss,forthoseselfsamereavershadgoneontoboardtheBlackTemplarsrapidstrikecruiserthatboretheproudnameAdytum.Thoughthecrusadersit carriedhad escaped to fight anotherday aboard theThunderhawkBarisan, theirReclusiarchwasslainastheHaloScar’scrushinggravitywavesclaimedtheship’scorpseofsteelandstone.

Those raiders had evaded the fleet’s retribution by the slenderest ofmargins, and thewarshipstaskedwiththeSperanza’sprotectionweretakingnochancesofbeingcaughtoutagain.

OneothervesselofnotemadeupthelastelementofArchmagosKotov’sfleet.Thoughnearlythreekilometres in length, the Renard was insignificant in comparison to the hulking ships of theMechanicus,butshewasfastandbuiltwithagraceandpoisetheSperanzalacked.

HershipmasterwasRobouteSurcouf,andKatenVeniawastheworldhehadnamed.Hewouldbethefirsttoseeitsskies.Itwaswhyhehadcomethisfar.

‘Youknow,forsomeonewholivesinspace,you’rebloodyuselessatputtingonavoid-suit,’saidKayrnSylkwood,enginseeroftheRenard,refasteningthesealsofhercaptain’sbulky,baroquely-ornamentedsuitofexo-armour.‘IfIletyougooutsidelikethisyou’llbedeadinsideofthirtyseconds.’

RobouteSurcoufshookhishead.‘IliveinsideastarshipsoIdon’thavetowearavoid-suit,’hesaid,hisvoicesoundingscratchyanddistantthroughhishelmet’svox-grille.

Sylkwoodwore thegreyarmyfatiguesand tight-fittingvest topofher formerCadianregiment,herbroadly-builtupperbodypermanentlysheenedwiththeoil,greaseandincenseofthepropulsiondecks that were as much a part of an enginseer’s uniform as any shoulder badge or rank pin.Functionalcommunionaugmeticsmadehershavenskullknottywithbrutalimplants,andhapticsub-dermalsinherfingersandpalmsgaveherasolidheftandameanrighthook.

She made one last circuit of Roboute, tugging at seams, adjusting pressure connectors andcheckingthesuit’s internalatmosphericsonthebulkybackpack.Satisfied,she tookastepbackandnoddedtoherself.

‘Happynow?’askedRoboute.‘Moderatelylessirritatedatyourstupiditywouldbeabetterwayofputtingit.’‘I can live with that,’ said Roboute, turning away and stomping over the deck to where Adara

SiavashhelpedMagosPavelkaprepthegrav-sledforthesurface.Littlemorethanaheavy,rectangularslabofmetalwithapilot’scompartmentatoneendandarepulsorgeneratormountedunderneath,thesledwastheworkhorsemachineoftheRenard.Itsenginewasratedforacargoloadofsixtymetrictonnesandavolumeofahundredcubicmetres,thoughithadbeena longtimesinceithadcarriedanything of such bulk. It floated on a cushion of distorted air thatmadeRoboute’s teeth itch even

throughtheprotectionofhisvoid-suit.Pavelkawas cowled in the typical red robe of theMechanicus, one that hid themajority of her

augmeticqualities.ThoughRoboutehadnoideaofthefullextentofhermodification,hesuspecteditwasalotlessthanmanyoftheMartianadeptsaboardtheSperanza.Anumberoffeed-linesranfromasparkingpowerunitmountedonherback,andfourconcertinaingpipesexpandedandcontractedlikebellowsastheyfedpowerintothesled’sbatteries.

‘Sheready?’heasked,slappinganarmouredhandagainstthegrav-sled’sbatteredplates.Pavelka flinched at the impact and said, ‘Admonishment: Need I remind you, captain, that to

ascribegendertomachinesisneedlessanthropomorphism?Machineshavenoneedoffleshlabels.’‘Idon’tbelievethat,’saidAdara,winkingatthecaptainthroughthepolarisedfaceplateofhisown

void-suit.‘Youcantellthisisagrandoldgirl.Trustme,Iknowaboutthefairersex.’Sylkwoodgrinnedandrubbedametalpalmonthethrummingfuselageasthoughitwasherlover’s

backside.‘Gottasay,Iagreewiththe lad,’shesaid. ‘Notabouthimknowinganythingaboutwomen.Trust

me,hedoesn’tknowoneinterfaceportfromanother.Butthismachine’sreliable,rightenough.She’stoughandwon’tletyoudowninatightspot.Soundslikeawomantome.’

Adara turned away to hide his embarrassment as Pavelka shook her head. ‘What else should Iexpectfromanenginseer?’shesaid,disconnectingherfeedlinesfromthesled.

Sylkwoodgrinnedandsaid,‘Hardwork,foullanguageandhangoversthat’llcrippleanork.’Roboute set a foot onto the iron rungs hanging down from the sled’s crew cab and awkwardly

hauled himself up into the pilot’s seat. Sylkwood clambered up after him and ran through theconnectionchecklistwiththethoroughnessofaSororitasdorm-mistressensuringhernoviceswereallabed.

SylkwoodwasCadianandthoroughnesswasherwatchword.‘Hey,howcomeyou’renotcheckingmysuit’ssealsandtuckingmein?’saidAdara,asheclimbed

ontothesledfromtheoppositeside.Without lookingup,Sylkwoodsaid, ‘Becauseyou’renotthecaptainandIdon’tmuchcare ifyou

explosivelydepressuriseinatoxicenvironment.’‘You’recleaningthesuitofpissandbloodifhedoes,’saidRoboute,makingalastadjustmenttothe

sled’ssurveyorgear.‘HowmuchonAdarahavingmissedaseal?’askedSylkwood,lookingbackdownatPavelka.‘YousoundjustlikeMisterNader,’answeredPavelka.‘WelefthimupontheRenard,’saidSylkwood.‘Someone’sgottoplaytheroleofannoyingidiot.’‘Inanycase,itwouldnotbeawagertome,’saidPavelka.‘AtmosphericreadingstellmethatMister

Siavashhashisvoid-suitsealedwithinacceptableparameters.’‘Goodtoknow,’saidAdara.The laddropped into his bucket seat and strappedhimself innext toRoboute. The boy hadhis

ubiquitous butterfly blade tucked into one of his void-suit’s thigh pouches next to his holsteredlaspistol,andRoboutesighed.

‘Tellmeyou’renotsostupidastocarryanunsheathedknifeinyoursuit,’saidRoboute.

Adaraatleasthadthedecencytolookguiltyashepulledthebladeoutandplaceditinastowageboxmountedontheinnerfaceofthedoor.

‘Yeah,sorry.Idon’tgoanywherewithoutit,Ikindofforgetit’seventhere.’Magos Pavelka appeared at his side, filling the emergency oxygen tanksworked into the door’s

structure.A coilingmechadendrite reachedoverher shoulderandopened the stowageboxbeforeasecondarticulatedbronzelimbcappedwithrotatingcallipersremovedtheoffendingblade.

‘Comeon,’saidAdara.‘Whatharmisthereinleavingtheknifethere?’‘Clarification: It is statistically probable that youwill remove thisweapon and carry itwith you

onceyouarebeyondthehullofthisvessel,’saidPavelka,andeventhoughmuchofherfacehadtheporcelainqualityofsynth-skinandaugmeticreplacement,Roboutesawaglintofamusementinherclickingoptics.‘AsEnginseerSylkwoodmightsay,“Youhaveprevious”andarenottobetrusted.’

‘Youcutmedeep,’saidAdara.‘You’dcutyourselfdeep,’saidRoboute,‘andoutthere,that’dbeadeathsentence.Right,Ilanna?’‘Unquestionably,’ answered themagos. ‘The atmosphere on theplanet below is a volatilemix of

frozen nitrogen being released from the ice-caps in both gaseous and liquid form, ammonia andairborne heavy metal particulates. The thermocline is shifting unpredictably in the ultra-rapidatmosphericbleed-off,resultinginsquallingpressurevorticesthatwouldcauseyourbodytoreactinanumberofextremelyunpleasantwayswithoutyourvoid-suit’sequalisation.’

‘Idon’tknowwhatalotofthatmeans,butIgetthegist,’saidAdara.‘Right,nowyou’ve scaredusbothhalf todeath,how longbefore the tethergetsusdown there?’

askedRoboute,tryingnottolethisdiscomfortattheRenard’scargoshuttlebeingreeleddownontotheplanet’s surface by remotemeans show in his voice. ‘I want to get out there and seewhat aworldbeyondthegalaxy’sedgelookslike.’

Pavelkacockedherhead to the side,wordlessly communingwith theMechanicuscontrollersonthe surface via the implants inher skull.Roboute’s brainhadbeenaugmented to view the invisibleskeinsofnoosphericdata,butonlywheninterfacingwithaspinallinksystem.Thesledhadnosucharray,andevenifitdid,hewouldn’tbeabletoconnectwithitthroughhisvoid-suit.

‘Approximately tenminutes,’ saidPavelka. ‘StratosphericdisturbancesandunexpectedmagneticfieldstormsareintroducingchaoticvariablesintoourETA.’

Sylkwooddroppedfromthegrav-sled’srunningboardsandshouted,‘Clearthedeck!’thoughtherewasnooneelseintheshuttle’scavernous loadingbay.ThefewservitorcadresRobouteownedwereotherwise engaged in monitoring the shuttle’s automated flight path or back aboard the Renard,repairingdamagesufferedduringthenavigationoftheHaloScar.Sylkwoodscrambleduptheserviceladder to the upper gangway as Pavelka climbed onto the grav-sled, sitting behind Adara andproducingadata-slate,whichsheresteduponherknees.

Roboutetwistedawkwardlyinhisseatandsaid,‘Everythingset?’‘Statement:yes,’saidPavelka,extrudingamechanisedauspexfromachestcompartment.‘Youdon’thavetocomewithus,’saidRoboute.‘Iknowyoudon’tlikeleavingtheRenard.’Pavelkashookherhead. ‘Imodified thememorycoil circuitryof theTomioka’sdistressbeacon. I

canfollowitstelemetrybetterthananyoneelse.Besides,ifthissledbreaksdown,youwillneedmeto

fixit.’‘Goodtoknow,’saidRoboute,quietlygratefultohavePavelkaalongfortheride.‘Don’tyouneedasuit?’askedAdara.Pavelka shook her head. ‘I have altered the filtration protocols ofmy lungs to exclude the toxic

elements of the atmosphere, and am currently modifying my biochemistry to nullify the negativeeffects of hostile pressures. My body mass incorporates so little organic mass that requiresoxygenationthatIcanstoreenoughreservewithinmymechanisedvolume.’

‘Goodtoknow,’saidAdarainimitationofRoboute.Roboute lookedupto theuppergantryof thecargobay,seeingSylkwoodopenoneof thehold’s

vacuum-sealeddoors.Shesketchedaquicksalutetohim,butsaidnothingassheslammedtheheavydoorbehindher.

ClearlyKayrnSylkwoodfeltnoneedtomarkthismomentwithanysignificantwords.ButRobouteknewthisparticularmomentwasspecial.Thethreeofthemwouldsoonpilotthesledontothesurfaceofanalienworldthatlaybeyondthe

edgesof theMilkyWay,aworldunclaimedby the Imperium.Aworld thathad,until thecomingofTelok’s fleet thousands of years ago, probably never known the tread of human feet.This waswhyRoboutehadcomethisfarandriskedsomuch,toseealienskiesandtouchtheearthofaplanetsofarfromtheunderstandingoftheImperium.

Anemerald lighton thewalnutandbrasscontrolpanelwinkedwithan incoming transmission,and Roboute flicked the ivory-tipped switch next to it into the receive position. The voice of theexpedition’sleader,ArchmagosLexellKotov,trilledfromthespeakergrille.

‘MisterSurcouf,’saidKotov.‘AreyouplanningonjoiningusaboardtheTabularium?’Roboutegrinned,hearingthefebrileedgeofexcitementinthearchmagos’svoice.ThoughKotov

wasthemasterofthisexploratorfleet,ithadbeenRoboute’sretrievalofthelocatorbeaconthathadbroughtthemthisfar.

‘I think we’d rather make our own way to the Tomioka,’ said Roboute. ‘But thank you for theinvitation,it’sverythoughtfulofyou.’

‘Yourtethershowssignificantmarginforerrorinyourarrivaltime,’saidTelok.‘SoIgather,butMagosPavelkareckonswe’llbeplanetsideinaroundtenminutes.’‘Howimprecise.Kotovout,’repliedthearchmagos.

Ofallthemanywaystobecarriedintobattle,Brother-SergeantTannarelishedthesuddenfuryofaThunderhawk assault themost. Nothing stirred his heartmore than the violent thrust of howlingengines,thejoltingmotionofevasivemanoeuvresandthesudden,screamingdecelerationasthepilotflaredthewingsandslammeddownintothecrucibleofcombat.BeingthrownaroundtheinsideofaRhinoorLandRaiderjustcouldn’tcompare,andTannadidn’tknowanyTechmarinethatcoulddriveworthadamnanyway.

Yes,agunshipassaulteverytime.Evenifthisparticulardescentwas–fornow–beingcontrolledbyaMechanicuse-magtether.

ThecrewcompartmentoftheBarisanwasascoldasameatlocker,andafinemistofcondensingvapoursslowlybeadedthecurvedplatesofTanna’smidnight-blackarmourwithdropletsofmoisture.Acrossofpurestjetgleamedononeivoryshoulderguardandaneaglecarvedfromthesamematerialstoodproudon theother.Anembossedredskullwasset in thecentreof theeagle’sbreast, itseyesglintingshardsofdeepergarnet.Liquidstreakscoatedtheangularplanesofhishelmetliketears,butTannahadnotweptinovertwohundredyears.

AloneinhismakeshiftarmingchamberaboardtheSperanzahehadcomeclose.TheThunderhawk lurched, slammedsidewaysby roguevorticesof surginggasesbeingstripped

fromtheplanet’ssurface.TheatmosphericsofKatenVeniaweregrowingincreasinglyturbulentandtoxic;amixofintolerablyhighnitrogenlevelsandvaporousmetalsutterlylethaltomortals.Tanna’spost-human physiology had been engineered to survive hostile environments, but even he wouldstruggletosurviveinKatenVenia’satmosphereformorethanafewhours.

TheBarisanwasn’tflyinganassaultrun,butitsdescentwasscarcelylesssteepandjudderingthananycombatdropTannahadpreviouslymadeinitsbelly.Thegunship’sframehadbeenstruckintheTyrrhenus Mons forge-complex on Mars, and bore the seal of the Fabricator General himself. Itsmachine-spirit was a tempestuous thing, part unbroken colt, part wounded grox – aggression andwildness combined. Suchqualities had served the FightingCompanywell in past crusades, but thegunshipstillgrievedthelossofitscarrierandhadyettosettleinitsnewhomeaboardtheSperanza.

Muchliketherestofus,thoughtTanna,castingaquickglancedownthelengthofthefuselage.AThunderhawkwasbuilttocarrythreeCodex-strengthsquadsintotheheartofbattle,butmostof

theBarisan’sgrav-restraintswereempty.Onlysixofthethirtyseatswereoccupied.Tannasatonthecommander’s bench next to the gunship’s assault ramp, his helmet fixed in place and his chainedbolterheldrigidathisside.

BrotherYaelsattwoseatsdownfromhim,cradlinghisboltgunclosetohischest.Theyoungestoftheir number, Yael had only recently been raised to the ranks of the FightingCompany, chosen byHelbrecht himself to take part in the ScarCrusade. The bout the youngwarrior had fought on theSperanza’strainingdeckagainstMagosDahanwasoneTannawouldneverforget.NotleastforthefactthattheMechanicusSecutorhadconcededdefeat.

The ivory-armoured form of Apothecary Auiden was a splash of white in the darkness, and helookedupatTannawithagrimnodasheslottedhomebronze-linedphialsintothemechanismofhisnartheciumgauntlet.Thiswasnotacombatdrop,butwhendescendingtoanunknownworldAuidentooktheviewthatitwasbettertoexpecttheworstthanfaceitunprepared.

Apessimisticoutlook,butonethathadyettobeprovenwrongonthisill-fatedcrusade.Thesolemn-heartedBrachasatwithhisheadbowedandhishandslacedtogetherasifinprayer.

Firstonthefieldandthelasttoleave,KulGilad’sdeathhadhitBrachahardestofall.HehadknowntheReclusiarch the longest, having fought six crusades to victory athis side.ManyhadbelievedhewouldfollowKulGilad’sexampleandtaketherosarius.

OneofBracha’shandswasfleshandblood,theotherfashionedfromchrome-platedsteel.Aflesh-cladcyborkontheValetteManifoldstationhadcutBracha’sarmfromhim,buthehadtakenthelosswithout complaint. The life of a SpaceMarinewas one of extreme violence, and no Black Templar

expectedtoliveouthisdayswithoutsufferingsometerribleinjuryalongtheway.MagosDahanhadcraftedBrachaareplacementarm,askitarii-patterncombatlimbwithanimplantedplasmagunintheforearm.

Along from Bracha, Issur the Bladesman ran his hands along the crimson sheath of his powerswordashealwaysdidwhenlockedintoaharnesswithinanassaultcraft.Itstexturewaspatternedwitharecurringcrusaderchainmotif,andasTannawatched,Issur’sheadtwitchedandthefingersstrokingthescabbardspasmedsuddenly.Issurclenchedhisfistinangerandslammedhishelmetedheadbackagainstthegunship’sfuselage.

Like Bracha, Issur had beenwounded in the fight against the cyborks, his body shocked to thebrinkofdeathbyaweaponisedelectromagneticgenerator.Theswordsmanwasluckytobealive,buthehadcomebackfromthebrinkofdeathwithmisfiringsynapsesandanervoussystemthatwasnolonger entirely reliable. His career as a duellist was over, and Tanna couldn’t help but notice theenviousglancesIssurthrewoutinthedirectionofAtticusVarda.

TheEmperor’sChampionsatunmoving inhisgrav-restraint, theBlackSwordrestingacrosshisknees. Sheathed in a scabbard of unbreakable Martian alloys, only its leather-wrapped hilt andcrusadercrosspommelwerevisible.Thebladewasamidnightrazor,filigreedwithGothicscriptwork.

IssurhadfullyexpectedtowieldtheBlackSword,forhehadoncebeenthebestamongthemwithablade.ButwhichTemplarwascalledtoserveasEmperor’sChampiondependedonmorethanjustskillatarms,andthewar-visionshadnotcometohim.TheMasterofMankindhadchosenAtticusVardatobeHisChampion,andnoBlackTemplarwoulddreamofgainsayingsuchauthority.

VardasatacrossfromTanna,cladinarmourthecolourofdarkestnight,handcraftedintheforgesoftheEternalCrusaderbyTechmarineLexneandanarmyofthrallsnearlythreethousandyearsago.Itsplatesweremouldedintheformofanidealisedphysique,theeagleatitschestgoldenandproud.TheChapter’siconwasrenderedinpearlescentstonequarriedfromthedarksideofLuna.Justtobeinitspresencewasanhonour.

Tannahad seenmany fine suits of armour inhis centuries of service, buthehad seenno finerexamplesoftheartificer’sartthanthis.Aeliushadwornitwell,butitfittedVardalikeasecondskin.

TheEmperor’sChampionwastheheartofaCrusade,andVarda’shadbeenbrokenbythedeathofKulGilad,abravewarriorslainwithouthisbrothersathisside.SensingTanna’sscrutiny,helookedupandtheember-redeyelensesoftheirbattle-helmsmetacrossthejudderingfuselage.

‘Somethingonyourmind,Tanna?’askedVarda.Thewords sounded inTanna’shelmetona closed channel;noneof theotherswouldhearwhat

passedbetweenthem.‘TheChampioncarriesthesoulofusall,’saidTanna.‘That’swhatKulGiladusedtosay.’‘Repeatinghiswordsdoesnotmakeyouhim,’saidVarda,grippingtheBlackSwordtightly.‘No,’agreedTanna.‘NorwouldIhaveitso.’‘Thenwhyspeakthem?’‘ToshowyouthatIgrieveforhimalso.’‘Notenough,’hissedVarda.‘Hisbloodisonourhands.’AngertouchedTanna.‘Ifwehadgonetohim,wewouldallbedead.’

‘Bettertofallinbattlethantorunfromit.’‘KulGiladorderedusfromtheship,’saidTanna.‘Youheardhim.Wealldid.’‘WeshouldhavefoughtalongsideourReclusiarch.’Tannanoddedandsaid,‘Aye,andourdeathswouldhavebeenglorious.’VardamadeafistonthescabbardoftheBlackSword.‘Thenwhydidyounotgivetheorder?’‘BecauseIwasfollowingtheReclusiarch’slastorder,’snappedTanna,liftinghisrightarmtoshow

themetalliclinksbindinghisboltguntohiswrist.‘Ourcommandstructureexistsforareason,Varda,and the moment we start picking and choosing which orders we obey, we might as well tear theChaptersymbolfromourshouldersandsetacoursefortheMaelstrom.WeareBlackTemplars,andwewillingly bind ourselveswith chains of duty, chains of honour and chains of death. You are theEmperor’sChampion,Varda.Youknowthisbetterthananyone.’

Varda’sheadsank,andTannasawthefireofhisangerhaddimmed.Itwasnot,Tannaknew,trulyangerthatfuelledhiswords,butguilt.

Aguilttheyallshared,whetheritwasdeservedornot.Tanna heard Varda’s soul-weary sigh over the vox. ‘I know you are right, Tanna, but Kul Gilad

anointedme,’hesaid,lookingup.‘Andyouwillalwaysbetheonewhokeptmefromhisdeath.’‘Iamtheonethatkeptyoualive,’saidTanna.

Fivehoursago,thesurfaceregionchosenforMechanicuslandingfieldshadbeennothingmorethanavaguelyflatplateauofretreatingglacialiceandadozengraduallyvaporisinglakesofexoticallylethalchemistry. A host of servitor-creweddrones launched as theSperanza spiralled into its high-anchorpositionhadprovidedthree-dimensionalpict-capturesoftheglobaltopography,anddeep-penetratingorbital augurs of the planet’s northern hemisphere had enabled Archmagos Kotov to select thisparticularlandingsite.

Thespecificuniformityoftheplateau’sunderlyingbedrockanditsrelativegeologicalstabilityputitwellwithintheterraformingcapabilitiesofFabricatusTurentek’sgeoformerengines.ThreecolossalvesselsdetachedfromtheundersideoftheSperanza,fallingawaylikespallingportionsofwreckageinthe wake of catastrophic damage. Each was a ten-kilometre-square slab of barely understoodmachinery; titanicatmosphereprocessingplants, industrial-scalemeltasandarcane technologiesofgeological manipulation. Like gothic factories cast adrift in space, the geoformer engines droppedthroughtheatmosphere,theirheat-shieldedundersidesglowingafiercecherryredastheynegotiatedtheturbulentstormsofescapinggases.

Theyhaltedtheirdescentahundredmetresabovetheground,bombardingthesitewithterrain-mappingaugurstoverifytheirposition.Manoeuvringjetsfiredcorrectiveburstsasserriedbanksofplanet-cracking cannons rotated outwards in their undersides. Precision ordnance strikes smashedthefrozeniceofthesurfaceintomanageablechunkswiththunderousbarragesasthewidemouthsoffurnace-meltasirisedopen.

A rippling haze of intense heatwas expelled like the breath ofmythical dragons, and painfullybright light flared from the meltas, filling the plateau with purple-edged fire. Hurricanes of

superheatedsteamshriekedandhissedas thesurface icewasboiledawayordiverted intodrainagechannelsblastedbyterrain-modifyinghowitzers.

Chemicalmortarsfiredthousandsofair-burstingsaturationshells,seedingthelocalatmospherewith slow-decaying absorptionmatter that began a cascade of alchemical reactions to filter out itsmosttoxicandcorrosiveelements.Wide-mouthedbaysopenedonthegeoformervesselsandscoresofheavy-grade earth-moving leviathans were dropped to the planet’s surface in impact-cushioningcradles.

Inacarefullyorchestratedballet, theearth-movingmachinesswiftlydemarcated theareaof thelanding fields and set about theirworkwith the efficiency of an armyof iron-skinned andhazard-stripedworkerants.Turentekhadcraftedhundredsof landingfieldsonworldsfarmoreinimicaltolifeandmachinesthanKatenVeniaandthepriestsunderhiscommandknewtheirtradewell.

Slowly the last of the icewas blasted clear and thousands of kilometres of cablingwere laid toreceive the telemetry gear required to tether the incoming vessels to their assigned landing zones.With the buried infrastructure in place andprotectedwithinhardenedductwork, the exposed rockwas crushed and planed flatwith tight-focus conversion beamers.Heat-shieldingwas laid over theburiedtechnologyastenthousandatmosphere-capabletech-priestswithimplantedprecisionmeltasandpolishing limbsapplied the final smoothing to thesurfaceof the landing fieldswithångström-levelprecision.Vacuum-suitedservitorsfollowedinthewakeofthetech-priests,acid-etchingtherockwithImperialeagles,cog-wreathedmachineskullsandcodedsequencenumbers.

Within four hours, a vast square ofmirror-smooth rock, six kilometres on each side, had beencarvedintotheplanet’ssurface.Withthebasicstructureinplace,entopticgeneratorsandnoospherictransmissionarrayswereinstalled,aswellasnumerousfully-equippedcontrolbunkerstomanagetheintricateandnecessarilycomplexschedulingofincominganddepartinglandingcraft.Defencetowerswereraisedatregularintervalsaroundthelandingfields,eachoneequippedwithanarrayofweaponscapableofengagingshipsinloworbitorattackinggroundforces.

To enablenon-Mechanicusdrop ships to set down, contrastingguide lineswerepaintedon thesmoothedrock, togetherwithconventional landing lightsandactivee-magtethers.Fivehoursafterthe work had begun, it was complete, and Magos Turentek set his seal upon the work from hisarticulatedfabricationhangarintheventralmanufactorydistrictsoftheSperanza.

NosoonerwasTurentek’sseal inloadedto theManifold, thanthefirstcraftwere launchedfromtheembarkationhangarsoftheArkMechanicus.Ahundredfat-belliedlandersbegantheirdescenttothesurfacecarryingthemechanismsofplanetaryexploration:tech-priestsandtheirmonstrousland-cathedrals,skitariibattalionsandtheirwarmachines,servitorsandweaponisedpraetorians.

Amidthehostofirondescendingtotheplanet’ssurface,threecoffinshipsoftheLegioSiriuswereshepherdeddownthroughtheatmospherebysupplicantvesselsthathowledbinarichymnalsofpraiseandwarningacrossmultiplewavelengths.

TheWarlordLupaCapitalinadescendedtoKatenVenia,attendedbyAmarokandVilka.WintersunwouldhavethehonourofFirstStep,aswashisrightasLegioAlpha.Skinwalkerand

Ironwoadwould share in thishonour, and if eitherWarhoundprinceps felt any reservationsat theexclusionofMoonsorrowandCanisUlfrica,theykeptsuchthoughtstothemselves.

Anairbornearmadaofsteelandgolddescendedtotheplanetontoweringplumesofblue-limnedfire,abilliontonnesofmachineryandmen.

TheAdeptusMechanicushadcometoKatenVenia.

Microcontent02

Apartfromanear-misswiththetraversingarmoflifter-rigWulfse,thelatestshiftinthedistributionhub of Magos Turentek’s forge-temple had gone well. Abrehem had kept up with the punishingscheduleinsistedonbythemateriel-logisters,andevenmanagedtoworksomecontingencytimeintotheirscheduletostarttransferringthenewly-builtCadiantanksdown-ship.

Abrehemunstrappedhimself fromVirtanen’s command throneandbegan thepainfulprocessofunpluggingthedozensofcerebral-communioncablestrailingfromthecommandheadpiecehewore.Witheachwincingdisconnect,thecrispnoosphericsensoriumdisplayingthelifter-rig’straverselines,tension/compressionratios,loadlevelsandspoollengthfadedslowlyfromhisfieldofvision.

With the last connector unplugged, Abrehem gathered up a battered set of aural bafflers andpressed themoverhis ears before swingingout onto the iron-rung ladderbolted to the latticeworktowerofthelifter-rig.Thecommander’scabwasnearlyahundredandfiftymetresabovethedeck,butAbrehem felt no sense of vertigo; he’dworked the rigs on Joura too long for any fear of heights toremain.

Themultiplearmsofthelifter-rigsplayedoutfromhiscontrolcabliketherigidsteeltentaclesofahigh-viz squid. All ten of Virtanen’s two hundred metre arms were capable of ascending anddescending, rotating through three hundred and sixty degrees or articulating in more convolutedwaysas itsoperatordesired.Eacharmwasequippedwithamultitudeofattachments:basichooks,magnets, a varietyof cuttingandwelding tools, aswell asmore specialisedmechadendrite-enabledmanipulatorclaws.

Virtanenwasa relatively smallmachine,but itwas sturdy, reliableandhadahefty loadcapacitythat belied its smaller stature compared to the titanic lifting rigs worked by Turentek himself. Itsservicehistoryandstructural integrityratingwereboth impressiveand itsmachine-spiritappearedonlytooeagertoacceptanewcontroller.

But itwas noSavickas. That had been a lifter-rigwithout limits, an unrelentingworkhorse of amachinethatseemedtoanticipateeverycommandbeforeitwasissuedandnever,ever,failedtolinkwithashippingcontainerfirsttime.

AccordingtoTothaMu-32,thepreviousincumbentofAbrehem’snewcommandthronehadbeen

killedduringtheattackoftheeldarpirates.‘I think Virtanen was waiting for you,’ Totha Mu-32 had said when Abrehem first sat in the

commandthrone.‘Itsnamemeans“smallriver”,buteventhesmallestrivercancutamountaininhalfgiventime,yes?Ithinkyouwillgetalongverywell.’

Abrehemhadnoanswertothat,andmerelyshrugged,stilluncomfortableatthenotionthatpeoplethoughthimMachine-touched.Hecertainlydidn’tfeelanyintimateconnectiontothegodhoodofallmachines. Totha Mu-32 had told him that such men as he were rare indeed, bringing a deeplyimplanted electoo up to the surface of his organics, a depiction of a coiled dragonwith silver andbronzescales.

WhenAbrehemaskedtheoverseerwhatthetattoorepresented,TothaMu-32toldhimitwasthemark of a proscribed Martian sect that made it their business to seek out and worship Machine-touched individuals. Archmagos Telok, the object of this voyage of exploration, was said to be soblessed,andshipboardrumourhaditthatMagosBlaylocklikewisehadtheeyeoftheOmnissiahuponhim.TohaveatrinityofsuchindividualsconnectedtothisvoyagewasseenasasignofgreatimportbyTothaMu-32,aphysicalmanifestationoftheOriginator,theScionandtheMotiveForce.

Abrehem listened to Totha Mu-32’s sermons in silence, finding the overseer’s zeal for hisbeatificationmisplacedandmorethanalittleoff-putting.

Hecertainlyhadnosensethathewasinanywayspecial.Thehardmetalofabionicarmgraftedtohisrightshoulderseemedtomockthatbelief.Theaugmeticlimbhadbeenfittedafteracontrabandplasmapistolthatshouldn’thavebeenable

to firehadexplosivelyoverheatedandmelted the fleshandbone fromhisbodyafterhe’dused it toshootdeadaneldarwarrior-chief.Hedidn’tliketothinkofthatmoment,thebowel-looseningterrorofthexeno-killersdescendinguponthem,onlytobecutapartintobloodychunksbyacyborgdeathmachinethathadapparentlyadoptedhimasitsnewmaster.HispleatoSebastianThorandhisbloodyhandprint had opened the door to the arco-flagellant’s dormis chamber, which Totha-Mu 32 and agreatmanyothersweretakingasasignofhisdivinefavour.

Abrehem shook off thoughts of TothaMu-32’s reverence, knowing that amoment’s inattentioncouldcosthimhislifewhenhewashundredsofmetresaboveahardsteeldeck.

Heworkedhiswaydowntheladder,andevenwiththeauralbafflersthenoiseintheforge-templewasalmostdeafening.Heavymachinery sprouted like the towering skeletal remainsof vast-neckedsauropodsaroundthetemple’sperimeter,andarch-backedrigsrumbledoverheadonsuspendedrails,haulingcontainersweighingthousandsoftonnesbackandforthwithnomoreeffortthanaCadianmight carryhis kit-bag.MagosTurentekhimselfworked across the centre-lineof the forge-temple,handling the largest andheaviest containerspersonally.Hismultiple loader armsdepended fromacentral machine-hub where the organic components of his body were interred like the biologicalscrapsofagod-machine’sprinceps.

Mostofthecontainersbeingloadedontothevast-hulledshippingrigscontainedmodularplatesofadamantium and structuralmembers intended for the lower decks. Kilometres of hull plating hadbeen torn from theSperanza by the crossing of theHalo Scar and the guns of the eldar warship –rendering entire districts of the Ark Mechanicus uninhabitable. The prow forges were producing

millionsofmetrictonnesofdesperately-neededcomponentsfortheship’srepaircrews,butAbrehem’sexperiencedeyesawthepacewasslowingastheSperanza’ssupplyofrawmaterialswasincreasinglydepleted.

Abrehemreachedoneofthetransitwalkwaysonthecliff-likewallsoftheforge-templeandtookamomenttocatchhisbreath.Theairherewasbitterandelectrical,withanacridchemicaltangthatleftthemenworkingherewithraspinglysorethroatsandincreasedbreathingdifficulties.This,combinedwithmonthsspentbelowdecksandworkingbackbreakingshifts in thereclamationhallsorplasmarefuellingdetailswithlittlesleepandonlynutrientpastetosustainhim,hadrobbedAbrehemofhisoncerobustphysique.DailydosesofHawke’sshinedidn’thelp,butsometimesitwastheonlythingthatknockedhimoutenoughtosleep.

Herubbedahandoverhisshornscalp,adecisionheandhisfellowbondsmanhadtakeninafitofrighteousindignationtoturnthemintothedronestheMechanicusbelievedthemtobe.Thoughtheiractionsduring the eldar attackhad improved their lot somewhat,Abrehem’s anger at the inhumantreatmentofthebelow-deckbondsmenstillsmoulderedlikeabankedfire.Keptasslavesandregardedsimplyasassets,numbersandmortalresources,thebondsmenexistedinanightmarethatwouldonlyendwiththeirdeath.

TheMechanicusbelieveditsbondsmenwerehonouredtoservetheOmnissiahthisway!Abrehemspatawadofoilyphlegmandclimbedbackontotheladder.Below,hecouldseeCoyne

andHawkeclamberingdowntowardsthedeckfromtheirsub-controlcabs,wheretheymanagedthearticulationandlinkageofthevariousconnectorstowhateverwasbeingtransported.

Awaiting them on the deck were two hooded figures, one robed in the red and gold of aMechanicusoverseer,theotherswathedintheblackcloakofadeathpenitent.Bothlookedupathimwithameasureofdevotion.Abrehemrelishedspeakingtoneitherofthem,notthatRasselasX-42everspokemuch.

Eventuallyhereachedthedeck,andtookanotherbreathofchem-scentedair.‘Asuccessfulshift,’saidTothaMu-32.‘Virtanenhasbondedwellwithyou.’‘It’sagoodrig,’repliedAbrehem.‘Smallerthanwe’reusedto,butit’sgotheart.’‘It’snoSavickas,’saidCoyne,echoingAbrehem’searliersentiment.Hawkeshrugged.‘Onelifter’smuchlikeanother,’hesaid.‘Showshowmuchyouknowrigs,’saidAbrehem.‘WhatwasityoudidonJouraagain?’‘As littleaspossiblewouldbemybet,’quippedCoyne,rollinghisshoulderstoeasetheitchingof

the synth-skin grafts on his back where he’d taken a razored fragment from a ricocheting eldarprojectile.

‘Damnstraight,’ saidHawkewithawink. ‘After the regiment tossedmeout, IworkedCargo-8smostly,drivingthecontainersbetweenthedepotsandthesub-orbitals.Thoughthatwasgruntworkcomparedtobeingamoderationalifter-rig.’

Abrehem sent an amused glance at Coyne, and his fellow rigman hid a grin atHawke’s boyishenthusiasmforworkingthelifter-rigs.Giveitamonthofmonotonyandhe’dsoonthinktwiceaboutratinghisjobinthesub-cabasbeinganythingclosetoaTitanmoderati’srole.

‘May I?’ asked Totha Mu-32, reaching up to examine the raw flesh at Abrehem’s temples and

forehead.AbrehemnoddedandRasselasX-42bristledattheoverseer’sfamiliartouch.Hewavedthearco-flagellant to submission. It didn’t matter how many times Abrehem reinforced that certainpeopleweren’ttobeconsideredthreats,RasselasX-42stillviewedeveryonewhocamenearhimasapotentialassassin.

Thoughnowcladinbaggyfatigues,heavyworkbootsandakevlarvestmachinedtohisimpossiblymuscularform,RasselasX-42couldneverbemistakenforanythingotherthantheslaughtermanhewas. Though currently obscured by thewide sleeves of his penitent’s robe, his gauntlet-handsweresilver-sheenedelectro-flailscapableof tearingthroughsteelandbonewithequalease.Thebackandcrown of his skull were sheathed inmetal and a circular CogMechanicus of blood-red iron stoodproudonhisforehead.Sharpenedmetalteethglintedintheshadowsbeneathhishoodandflickeringcombat-opticsshimmeredwithafaintcherryredglow.

‘You know there is no need for you to wear the command headset,’ said Totha Mu-32. ‘If youconcentratemorefully,theaugmeticeyesyouinheritedfromyourfathercandisplaythedataspheremoreefficiently.’

Abrehemnodded.‘Iknow,butI’mnotconfidentenoughinmycontroloverthenoosphericinloadstofeelcomfortablecommandingVirtanenbythemalone.’

‘YouareMachine-touched,’askedTothaMu-32.‘TrustintheOmnissiahanditwillcome.’‘If thatbastard’sbloodyMachine-touched, thenhowcomehedamnnear smashed intoour rig’s

arm?’saidaraspingvoice.AbrehemturnedasagangofsixmenappearedaroundthecornerofVirtanen’swidebaseplate.All

six wore bondsmen coveralls and had the same gaunt-faced meanness common to the Speranza’sbelow-deck crew. Three men sported augmetics on their arms and craniums, while the rest wereornamentedwithrig-tattoos,mohawksandritualbrowpiercings.Theycarriedheavypowerwrenchesandother,similarlybrutal-lookingtools.

Pulsing justbeneath the skinof themanwho’d spokenwasawolf-headelectoo, crudelyappliedandfuzzedwithbio-electricstatic.Hecarriedabuzzingmag-hammerinhispiston-boostedarmsandlookedlikeheknewhowtouseitinatightspot.

‘Wulfse,’saidAbrehem.‘You’re the sons of bitches that almost hit us!’ snapped Hawke. ‘What in the name of Thor’s

backsideareblindidiotslikeyoudoingrunningalifter-rig?’Hawke’svehemencecaughtthemenbysurprise,butforallhisbluster, theirnewestrigmanwas

right.ThenearmisshadbeenthefaultofWulfse’screw,butitdidn’tlookliketheywereinthemoodtohearthat.

‘Listen,’ said Abrehem. ‘Nothing happened, right? Nobody got hurt and we’ll all be a bit morecarefulnexttime,right?’

‘Thereain’t going tobe anext time,’ snarled the lead rigmanof theWulfse. ‘Only thing you’ll bedrivingisamedicaegurney.’

TothaMu-32’sfloodstreamsurgedwithbinaricauthoritysignifiers.‘Youmenaretoreturntoyourpostsimmediately,’hesaid. ‘Iftherehasbeenaninfractionofrig

safetyprotocols,Iassureyouthoseresponsiblewillbeassignedtherequiredpunishment.’

‘Stayoutofthis,overseer,’warnedtheman,heftingthemag-hammerontohisshoulder.‘Rigmensortouttheirowndiscipline.’

Thatatleastwastrue,reflectedAbrehem,butrightnowhewisheditwasn’t.ThemanlaunchedhimselfatAbrehem,bringingthemag-hammeraroundinabrutalarc.Abrehemfelta rushofmovementandablackblurshotpasthim.He flinchedasawhipcrackof

electricaldischargesnappedtheair.Whenhelookedup,theleadrigmanofWulfsewaspinnedtothesideofVirtanen’sbaseplate.

RasselasX-42’sleftarmwasextendedramrodstraight,hisstiffenedelectro-flailsimpalingthemanthroughhisshoulderandholdinghimametreoffthedeck.Therigman’scoverallsweresoakedwithbloodandhisfacewasbleachedofcolourbypainandshock.RasselasX-42drewbackhisrightarm,theflailswhippingouttoformslicingclawsofcracklingmetal.

‘Liveordie?’askedthearco-flagellant.Betweensobsofagony,therigmanscreamed,‘Live!’RasselasX-42leanedinclose,hiskiller’seyesandpulsingCogMechanicusbathingtheman’sface

inabloodredglow.‘He’snottalkingtoyou,’saidAbrehem.‘He’saskingmeifheshouldkillyou.’‘No,please!’yelledtheman,desperatelytryingnottostruggleandtearthewoundsinhisshoulder

wider.‘Don’tkillme!’TherestofWulfse’screwbackedawayfromthearco-flagellant,terrifiedofitsunnaturalspeedand

power.Chem-shuntshadelevatedalongitsarms,sub-dermaladrenalboostersreadytokickthebio-mechanical killer into combat mode. Anyone unlucky enough to find themselves in the path of arampagingarco-flagellantwasalmostcertainlydead,andrumoursofhowthoroughlyRasselasX-42hadslaughteredtheeldarboardershadspreadthroughtheunderdeckslikeavirus.

The shared aggression inWulfse’s crew drained away like oil through a perforated sump. Theydroppedtheirmakeshiftweaponsandbackedawaywiththeirhandsup.

‘Puthimdown,X-42,’saidAbrehem.‘Thisone’snotgoingtocauseanymoreproblems,areyou?’Themanshookhishead,bitinghisliptokeepfromscreamingout.Thearco-flagellant’sflailclawssnappedbackintohisgauntletsandthemandroppedtothedeck

withabellowofagony.Hishandclampeddownonhiswoundedshoulderandhescrambledawayafterhisfellowrigmen,castingfearfulglancesbackatthearco-flagellantasthoughheexpectedittopounceonhimoncehisbackwasturned.

RasselasX-42ignoredhimandpulledhishoodupoverhishead.Hawkewhoopedwithglee,bentdoublewithmirth.‘Didyouseethelookonhisface?’hemanagedbetweenlaughs.‘Thor’sballs,Ithoughhewasgoing

toshithisbritches!’Thearco-flagellantcametostandatAbrehem’sshoulder,andthestinkofitschemically-stimulated

physiologywasapowerfullyastringentreek.Bynow,acrowdhadgatheredtowatchthealtercation,but they backed off as the arco-flagellant’s dead-eyed stare swept over them like a butcher eyeingchoicecutsofmeat.

Abrehemsawthatasmanyfaceswerelinedinfearaswerelitwithadoration.

‘We should returnX-42 to his dormis chamber so that Imay attempt to re-engage the pacifierhelm,’ said TothaMu-32. ‘I should not have allowed him to remain at your side. That bondsman isfortunatetobealive.’

‘Hewasn’thurttoobad,andhe’llnotbotherusagain,’saidCoyne.‘Youmisunderstand,’ saidTothaMu-32. ‘Wulfse’soverseerwillhearof this.Asshallhigh-ranking

magiwhowill not think it fit that amere under-deck bondsman claims stewardship over an arco-flagellant.AndwhentheydiscoverIgaveyouanaugmeticarm,wewillbothbeintrouble.’

‘Whatdoyouthinkthey’lldo?’askedAbrehem.‘TheywillcometoremoveX-42fromyourpresence.Andyourarm.’‘I’dliketoseethemtry,’saidHawke,liftingahandtolayacomradelyslaponthearco-flagellant’s

shoulder. Rasselas X-42’s head snapped around, sharpened iron teeth bared, and Hawke’s handdroppedbacktohisside.

‘Yes,’saidAbrehem,withgrimrelish.‘Letthemtry.’

‘Openherup,’saidRoboute,andPavelkaunlacedthesecuritysystemskeepingtheatmospherewithinthecargobaybreathable.Thelightssurroundingthetallrhomboidaloutlineoftheembarkationrampflaredinarotatingdisplayofamberwarnings.Adepressurisationalarmblaredthroughthedeck,incasetheyhadsuddenlybeenstruckblind.Cablestaysvibratedinthesuddenevacuationofairfromthedeck,andRoboutefelthisearspopwiththeequalisationofpressuretotheoutsideworld.

Eventhroughtheheatingelementswovenintothefabricofhisvoid-suit,hefeltthestabbingchillof theworld beyond. Amber light changed to red, though the unambiguous nature of thewarningwouldhavebeenwastedonanyonestill in thecargobay,as the lackofatmosphericpressurewouldalreadybekillingthem.

Metres-thickpistons either side of the embarkationdoor groaned andpushed theheavy slab ofmetaloutwards,formingaridgedrampdowntothesurfaceoftheplanet.Theglaringbrightnessofreflected sunlight on ice made Roboute blink in shock until the polarisation filters in his helmetdimmed.

‘Let’sseewhataworldbeyondthegalaxy looks like,’saidRoboute,drivingoutoftheshuttleandintoacityofironandnoise,arcinglightningandmountainsofbeatenironthatweresurelytoolargetohaveanyhopeofmoving.

Astarportmetropolis.ThatwasRoboute’s first impressionupondisembarking fromtheRenard’s shuttle.Thegrav-sled

slid gracefully over hexagonal sheets of honeycomb plates, typical of every landing field in theImperium,andcametoanabrupthaltasheeaseduponthepowertotheengines.

‘Whyarewestopping?’askedMagosPavelka.‘Isthereaproblem?’Roboutetwistedintheseatofthegrav-sled,andhisanswerwasstillbornashesawhowashenthe

magos’sskinhadbecome.‘My dermal layer is being reinforced to withstand variant radiation levels, pressure and

temperature,’shesaid,pre-emptinghisinevitablequestion.

‘Ah,okaythen,’hesaid,marshallinghisthoughtstoanswerPavelka’soriginalquestioninamannerthatwouldn’tsoundchurlishordisappointed.Hegaveupafterafewmoments,turningbackaroundtowatchscoresofboxycontainersbeingoffloadedfromMechanicuscargo-barquesbyexo-armouredservitors.Tracked fuel tendersmovedpastcracklingvoid-generatorsalongpreciselydefinedroutes,whileahostoflifter-rigsstackedtheever-growingmassofmaterielinhardenedsupplydepots.SealedCadian transports rolled from the vast bellies of Imperial Guard drop ships, their hull integritycheckedbyMechanicuslogistersbeforebeingallowedonwards.

No trace of KatenVenia’s surface could be seen beyond the encroachments of theMechanicus,givingnocluethatthiswasanunexploredworldinthelastmomentsofitsexistence.

‘Itjustlookslikeanyotherfleetmustercentre,’hesaid.‘Whatdidyouexpectittolooklike?’askedPavelka.Robouteshrugged,noeasyfeatinabulkyvoid-

suit.TheexhilarationofdiscoveringworldsandopeningupunchartedregionsofspacehadneverleftRoboute,nomatterhowmanynewskiesandunspoiledvistasofdistantworldshesaw.Thoughthelandingfieldswerethrongedwithrobedadepts,grey-skinnedservitorsandbustlingactivity,hesawnothingthatresembledexcitement,onlythemonotonousdutyofroutinelyfamiliartasks.

‘Ithoughtthisplacewouldbedifferent,’saidRoboute.‘We’reexploringanewworld,afterall.’‘Anunfamiliarenvironmentisallthemorereasontoworkbyestablishedmethodologies.’Roboute knew it was pointless to try and convey that a singularmoment of history was being

trampledbeneaththegrinding,roteefficiencyoftheMechanicus,butfelthehadtotry.‘Thisisaworldbeyondthegalaxy,Ilanna,’saidRoboute.‘We’rethefirsthumanbeingstocometo

thisworldinoverthreethousandyears.Doesn’tthatmeananythingtoyou?’‘Thisisasignificantworldintermsofwhatmightbelearned,Iagree,butgeologicallyitisjustlike

any other: a metallic core, layers of rock and ice. No different to any planetary body within thearbitrarygeographicalboundariesofImperialspace.Soonthestar’sexpandingcoronawillenvelopit.Andthenitwillbegone.’

‘Ican’texplainitinanywayyou’dgrasp,Ilanna,butthisisamomentthatshouldbesavouredandrecorded.WhenmarinerssailedthefarthestoceansofOldEarth,therewasn’tamanamongthemwhodidn’tfeelasenseofwonderatwhattheywereseeing.Iftheyreturnedalive,theywerefetedasheroes,intrepidexplorerswho’dseenpeopleandplacestheycouldn’timaginewhentheysetout.’

‘Thismomentisbeingrecorded,’saidPavelka.‘Inmorewaysthanyoucancomprehend.’‘That’snotwhatImean.’‘Iamawareofthat.’RobouteshookhisheadinexasperationatPavelka’s literalness,butbeforehecouldsayanything

elsetoconvincehershewasmissingthepoint,screamingenginessplittheairwithdeafeningthunderlikeasonicboom.

‘Whatthe…?’wasallhemanagedbeforeahostofemergencylightsbeganflashingonthecontroltowersofthelandingfieldsandahostofvapourflaresbangedoffintotheskytowarnapproachingaircraftofanunauthorisedflightpath.

‘Whatwasthat?’askedAdara,shieldinghisvisorwithhisgauntlettogetabetterlookattheblackandivoryblurclimbingovertheglitteringpeaksofnitrogenglaciers.

Thescreamingaircraftvanishedfromsight,butRobouteknewexactlywhatitwas.‘That’saThunderhawk,’hesaid.‘ThedamnTemplarsaregoinginaheadofus!’‘It seems their crusading zeal extends to voyages of exploration as well as campaigns of war,’

observedPavelka.‘BloodyTanna,’sworeRoboute.‘ArchmagosKotovpromisedustherightoffirstpassage.’‘Doesn’tlookliketheTemplarsknowthat,’saidAdara.Roboute slammed a fist on the control panel in frustration. To have come all thisway only for

someoneelsetoreachtheirdestinationfirstwasbeyondgalling,itwasabitterblowtoeverythinghe’dsetouttoachieve.

‘Corollary: I thinkanydisappointmentyouare feelingwill soonabate,’ saidPavelka, lookingoutoverthelandingfields.

‘Whatareyoutalkingabout?’Pavelkapointedoverhisshoulder.‘BecausetheLandLeviathansarecomingout.’

It had beenmany years since Tanna had last taken control of a Thunderhawk, but the battlefield-learnedknowledgereturnedtohimassoonashesatinthepilot’sseat.Theviewthroughthepolarisedarmourglassofthecanopywasimpressive,apyrotechnicskyofborealisbrillianceagainstwhichweresettoweringglaciersoffrozennitrogenandbillowingspumesofvapourstormsthatpeeledfromtheirflanks.Freezingfogbankssurgedintheunpredictableatmosphericsanddazzlingbeamsoflightwerethrownoutfromthewaterfallsofgaseoustransitions.

Hekept thegunship’sspeedhighashepulledoutof thecombatdive, throwingoff therepeateddemandsfromtheMechanicuscontrolbunkersthathere-establishtheire-magtether.TheBarisan’smachine-spiritrejectedeverysuchdemand,andTannagrinnedashepicturedthefranticmagiseatedattheirdisruptedflightarrangementswonderingwhathadjusthappened.

AdeptusAstartesdidnotsubmittothecontrolofothers,notnowandnotever.HehadallowedtheBarisan’sflightpathtobedictatedbythetetheruntilatmosphericbreach,thenseizeditback.ThattheMechanicusbelievedtheycouldenslaveaproudvesseloftheBlackTemplarswaslaughable.

‘Howlongsinceyouflewagunship,sergeant?’askedAuiden,droppingintotheco-pilot’sseatandrestinghishandsnexttotheauxiliarycontrols.

‘Sixtyyears,giveortake,’saidTanna.‘Giveortake?’saidAuiden.‘Notlikeyoutobesoimprecise.’‘Verywell:sixty-eightyears,fivemonths,threedays.’‘Ah,thenthatmakesmefeelalotbetteraboutflyingnap-of-the-earthoveradisintegratingworld

withlittletonovisibility,’saidAuiden,tappingtheavionicspanel,wherealmosteveryslatewaslousywithsquallingstaticanddissonantauspexreturns.‘Ofcourse,youknowwhereyou’regoing?’

‘Mechanicusdata-feedshavegivenmeanapproximatelocation,’saidTanna.Auidentappedtheuselessdisplayslates.‘Approximate?’Tannanoddedandsaid,‘Howhardcanitbetofindsomethingasbigasastarship?’HeglancedoveratAuiden,anddespitehiscautionarywords,TannasawtheApothecarysupported

hisdecisiontooverruleMechanicuscommandandbefirsttoreachtheTomioka.TobeaBlackTemplarmeant continually pushing the Imperium’s boundaries and claiming whatever was revealed in theEmperor’sname.Auidenunderstoodthis,asdideverywarrioraboardtheBarisan.

‘Surcoufwillnotbepleased,’saidAuiden.‘Surcoufismortal,weareAdeptusAstartes,’saidTanna.‘Youtellmewhohasmorerighttobeat

theforefrontofthiscrusade.’AuidennoddedandsaidnomoreasTannaincreasedpowertotheenginesandgainedaltitudeto

avoidaten-kilometres-highgeyserofliquidnitrogen.IcymattersprayedthecanopyandTannakeptawatchful eyeon theengine temperatures.TheBarisan’s responseswerealreadygrowing sluggishasfrozengases icedonto the leadingedgesof itswingsandcontrolsurfaces.Heventedexhaustbleedoverthewings,meltingtheiceaway,butthisenvironmentwasprovingunforgiving.

‘HowfartotheTomioka?’askedAuiden.‘Unknown,butitcannotbefar,’saidTanna,aimingforagapbetweentwosoaringmountainsof

disintegrating ice. ‘Kotov’s initialdatasuggestedTelok’s flagshipwasnomore thansixtykilometresfromthelandingfields.Thedistancewaypointsontheavionicsarenon-functional,butmyestimateisthatitshouldbejustbeyondthisvalley.’

Auidenrosefromtheco-pilot’schair.‘ThenIwillreadythewarriors.’Tannariskedlookingawayfromtheviewthroughthecanopyandsaid,‘TheMechanicuswillnotbe

farbehindus,Auiden.Iwantthissitesecurebeforetheygethere.’‘Understood.’Tannareturnedhisattentiontotheir flightpathasheguidedtheThunderhawkintothenarrow

valley.Awayfromthefreezingfogcloudsandblindingbrightnessofthenitrogenglaciers,hesawthevalley was filled with glittering crystal towers arranged like vast columns in some ruined templestructureofOldEarth.Flickeringtraceriesofemerald-huedlightningdancedinthemistbetweenthecrystalspires,noneofwhichwerelessthantwentymetresthick,andfrondsofpoisonouslightlickedfromtheirtaperedtipslikethesputteringflamesofdamagedelectro-candles.

Whipping bolts arced between the columns and reached up to the gunship. Tanna pulled awayfromtheflaresofelectricalenergyandcursedashefeltpowerbleedawayfromtheengines.

‘Somethingwrong?’saidAuiden,pausingatthecockpithatch.‘Idonotknow,’askedTanna,fightingforaltitudeasyetmoreofthearcinggreenboltssnapped

between the crystal columns and theBarisan. An auspex-slate blew out in a shower of sparks, andTannafeltthegunship’sairframeshudderlikeawoundedgrox.Anothersurveyorpanelexplodedandsmokebillowedfromtheruinedmechanismwithin.

Auiden was thrown back into the transport compartment as the gunship lurched as thoughswattedfromabove.Tanna’sheadsnappedforwardsas theenginesdied, their firesnuffedoutbyasurgingelectricaloverload.SmokebillowedaroundthewingsandhefoughttokeeptheBarisan’snoseupasittransitionedfromahighlymanoeuvrableassaultcraftintoahundred-and-thirty-tonnehunkofmetalfallingfromthesky.

Blackrockflashedpasteithersideofthecanopy,barelythreemetresfromtheBarisan’swingtips.Thegunshipburstfromthevalleyofcrystalcolumnslikeabulletfromagun,flyingoveravastplateau

enclosedbyaringofsharp-toothedpeaks.Theplateauresembledthesurfaceofaturbulentlakethathadinstantlyfrozeninsomefardistantepoch,capturingeverywaveletandrippleonitssurface.

Atthecentreoftheplateauwasasightthatbeggaredbelief,somethingsoimprobablethatTannastruggledtocomprehendwhathewasactuallyseeing.

‘Brace, brace, brace!’ he shouted, hauling back on the control columns as the ground rushedtowardstheplummetinggunship.‘We’regoingdown!’

Before he could saymore, theBarisan ploughed into the glassy surface of the plateau with thesoundofamillionwindowsbreakingallatonce.

Microcontent03

With typicalMechanicus functionalityof language, theninemachines emerging from the toweringcliffsof thebulk landerswereknownasLandLeviathans.Straightaway,Roboutesawthe termwasinsufficientlygrandforsuchcolossalmachines.Notonewaslessthanfiftymetrestall,andonewasatleasttwicethat.Mostmovedoncaterpillartrackstensofmetreswide,someonenormous,ultra-densewheelsthesizeofmoderately-sizedhabitats,whileothersmovedonvast,poundingmachinelegs.

Notwowerealike,fortheyhadbeenconstructedonmanydifferentforgeworlds,overcountlesscenturiesbybuilderswithdifferingtechnologicalresources,materialsandaestheticsensibilities.Hereandthere,itwaspossibletoseethatmostsharedthesamebasicchassis,butbattledamage,centuriesof attrition, addition and amendments had taken their subsequent evolution in many differentdirections. Above whatever form of traction gave it mobility, each Land Leviathan was a movingmountain upon which were grafted haphazard confusions of jutting towers, fragile-lookingscaffoldingandextrusionstowhichRoboutecouldascribenopurpose.

Eachboreaproudname,andeachwasemblazonedwithheraldrybelongingtoitsforgeworldoforigin alongside binaric informationals denoting allegiances to various Mechanicus power blocs.Plumesofwastegasesstreamedfromhundredsofexhaustaperturesandelectricaldischargeflickeredaroundtheircrenellatedtopsides.

MightiestofallwastheTabularium.ArchmagosKotov’sLandLeviathanwalkedonfiftyvasttrapezoidalfeet,arrangedinparallelrows

oftwenty-five,eachrowthreehundredmetreslong.Themainstructure’smasswasconnectedtothefeetbyhuge telescopingcolumns;complex,brutishlymechanicalarrangementsofmuscularpistonsandcog-toothed joints.Eachwasveinedbydozensof ribbedcablesandpower lines,whichwere inturnconnected to threshingcouplingrods that thundered inandoutof thepropulsiondecks.Eachmonstrousfootelevatedfivemetres,cycledforwards, thenslammedbackdownwithearth-crackingforceandthunderousechoes.

LiketheSperanza, itwasold,butwheretheArkMechanicushadtakentothestarscomparativelyrecently,theTabulariumwassaidtohavepoundeditswayacrossworldsconqueredduringtheGreatCrusade. Itsvasthullbore theevidenceof those longyears in layersof stratifiedscar tissue– some

earnedinbattle,othersinnolessbrutalfitsofredesignandexpansion.Outflungprominencesofmasonryandsteel rendered itsupperreaches into the formofagreat

stone city on the move, a representation of ancient Troi or Aleksandria given motion. Its frontalsectionrosetoataperedprow,likeagalleonofold,uponwhichsatavoidshieldeddomeofpolishedpinkmarble,goldandsilver-steel.

Within theTabularium’s gildeddome, the aesthetic of an ocean-going galleonwas continued in thewarmwoodandbrassfitmentsinstalledthroughoutthecommanddeck.Thegleaminghardwoodfloorreflectedthediffuseglowofthelumensinsetinthearchedvault,andeachofthehundredservitorandthrallcrewworebrocadedfrock-coatsofarichnavyblue.

Avastship’swheelsuspendedfromtheceiling,anarchaicmeansofcontrol,butthiswasawheelthatMartianlegendtoldhadbeentakenfromtheflagshipofagreatoceanicgeneralofOldEarthafterhis great victory at Taraf al-Gharb. The wheel was operated by Magos Azuramagelli via a heavilyaugmented servitor whose torso was implanted into a bio-interface column and whose arms weretelescoping arrangements of piston-driven bronze callipers. Azuramagelli’s own body possessedmanipulatorlimbsfullycapableofdirectingtheLandLeviathan’scourse,buthepreferredtosteertheTabulariumthroughtheproxyoftheservitor,aholdoverfromthedayswhenhehadpossessedabodyofhisown.

Now,theMagosofAstrogationwasanarticulatedframeworkofslattedsteelworkinwhichseveralbell jars were suspended in layers of shock-resistant polymer. Each diamond-reinforced containercontained a portion of Azuramagelli’s original brainmatter, each excised chunk suspended in bio-conductivegelandlinkedinparallelwiththeSperanza’scogitationengineswhichlaughedinthefaceofAmdahl’sLaw.

‘Holding station,’ said Azuramagelli. ‘Plasma reactor chiefs report steady temperatures and allpropulsiondecksarereportingreadinessforforwardmotion.Isthewordgiven,archmagos?’

‘Ofcourseitisbloodywellgiven,’snappedArchmagosKotov,thescaleofhisangeroverwhelminghisnormallogicalprocesses.‘Iwantusafterthatdamnedgunshiprightnow,Azuramagelli.Youhearme?BurnthosereactorshotandworkthepropulsioncrewstodeathifitgetsustotheTomiokafaster.’

‘By your command,’ said Azuramagelli, conveying the strength of the archmagos’s request in aterseblurtofbinarytotheengineeringspaces.

TheLeviathan’scommandthronewassetbackonanelevatedrostrumofbevelledrosewoodandgold-veinedouslite, fullyequippedwithmultiple interfaceoptions for itscommander.Kotovworeabody fashioned from glossy plates of jade that concealed a hybrid amalgamation of a vat-grownnervoussystemandcunninglyinterleavedcyberneticsfromabygoneage.Itsperfectlyproportionedformwasmouldedtomatchtheentombedkingsofa long-deadcultureofTerrawhosepriestswereabletopreservetheirrulers’biomassformillennia.

Kotov’s shavenheadglistenedwith a fresh baptismal of sacred oils, and spinal plugs interfacedhimwiththeLeviathan’snoosphericnetworkanditssurgingfloodstream,whileunconscioushapticgesturesparsedsummarydatabeingfedtohimbythemagicommandingtheotherLandLeviathans.

He kept his consciousness split into several streams of concurrent data processing, eachpartitionedoffindiscretecompartmentsofhismind.Thrice-purifiedoilsburnedathisshouldersinbraziers carved to recreate the snarling image of the legendaryAres Lictor, helping to dissipate theexcess heat of his enhanced cognition. Numerous autonomous streams were embedded in theTabularium’scontrolsystems,butKotov’shigherthought-functionsmaintainedconnectiontoMagosBlaylockandtheSperanzainorbit.

Kotov’smechanicalfingersbeatarhythmictattooonthearmrestofhisthrone,andaflourishofrotatinglightpanelsflashedintobeingathisside.Overathousandicons,nonebiggerthanagrainofsand,surroundedhimlikeacloudofdancingfireflies,eachonebearinganidentifyingsignifierandprogressingonitsassignedroutetowardstheTomioka’srestingplace.

ExcepttheBlackTemplarsgunshiphadshruggedoffitstetherandracedaheadofKotov.Kotov’sfirstreactionhadbeenfury;thiswashisexpedition,assembledbyhiswillandsetuponhis

purpose,butinonemomentofcrusadingzeal,theBlackTemplarshadsnatchedawayhismomentofgreatesttriumph.

ButsixkilometresoutfromtheTomioka’ssignal,theBarisan’stranspondersignalhadvanished.Fromherpositionattheauspex,LinyaTychonsoughttore-establishcontactwithSergeantTanna,

butherbesteffortshad,thusfar,beenwithoutsuccess.‘Where are they?’ demandedKotov,when – even after a thousandth parsing – hewas none the

wiser as to the Space Marines’ location. ‘Why aren’t the auspex feeds reading that gunship’stransponder?SurelynotevenTemplarswouldbefoolishenoughtotamperwithitsworkings?’

‘I agree thatwouldbeunlikely,’ saidLinyaTychon, sifting themillionsof informational returnsfromtheexternalsurveyors.TheTabulariumpossessedthousandsofvarietiesofauspex,butnotonewasabletolocatetheBarisan.Butforthesubtleglintofaugmeticsbeneathherhairandtheloopingprofusionofcopper-jacketedwiringemergingfromthesleevesofherscarletrobes,shemightpassforabaselinehuman,butnothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.

‘CouldtheTemplarshavedisabledthetransponder?’KotovaskedLinya,whoshookherhead.‘TheydonotpossessaTechmarine,’ repliedLinya. ‘Though it is the fact thatnoneof theauspex

feedsorremotedronesurveyorsarereachingbeyondwherethegunship’ssignalwaslostthattroublesmemore.’

‘Anauspexblindspot?’askedKotov.‘Therewillbemanysuchinstancesonsoentropicaworld.’‘True,’ agreedLinya, ‘but extrapolating the curvatureof theblind spot showsaperfectly circular

umbraofdeadspacecentreddirectlyupontheTomioka.’KotovinloadedLinya’sdataandsawshewascorrect.Whathehadassumedwassensordistortion

causedbytheplanet’sdemisewasinfactsomethingsoperfectlydelineatedthatitcouldnotbeotherthanartificial.

‘Youdon’tneedtobeaTechmarinetodisableatransponder,’saidKryptaestrex,holdingstationatthedrive control interface, his blocky bodymore like theMartianPriesthood’s forerunners’ earliestconceptionsofabattlerobotthanahighrankingMagosofLogistics.‘Oneofthemcouldhavesmashediteasilyenough,itwouldbejustthesortofthingI’dexpectfromnon-Mechanicus.’

Kryptaestrex’s servo-limbs and crude articulation arms were drawn in tight to his body, their

oversizedcouplingsmoreusedtomanipulatingtheindustrialfittingsfoundonanengineeringdeckthanthedelicateinloadportsofacommandbridge.

‘No,’insistedLinya.‘Youmistaketheirzealforstupidity.TheSpaceMarinesholdtheirbattle-gearin thehighest reverence,and thatextends to their transportcraft.Nowarriorwouldriskhis lifebysomethingasfoolishasdamagingthemachinecarryinghimintobattle.’

‘Except they’renotgoing intobattle,’ saidMagosHirimauDahan,ClanSecutorof theSperanza’sskitarii,pacingthedecklikeasentry-robotwithaninfinitelooperrorinitsdoctrinawafer.‘Thisisanexploratormission.’

‘ThenwewonderiftheBlackTemplarsknowsomethingyoudonot,’saidavoicethatwasscratchywithinterleavedtonalqualities,likeaudio-bleedonanovertaxedvox-caster.

Dahanturnedhisgazeontheabominationspeakingtohim,andhisfloodstreamhazedwiththreatsignifiers bleeding from his battle wetware. Kotov’s precision optics registered that the organicportionsofDahan’sphysiquewerestillbeddingintoTurentek’ssuperlativeworktoundothedamagedonebythethermicshockwaveofLupaCapitalina’splasmadestructor. Itwasgoingto take timeforDahantoachievefullsynchronisationwithhisarrayoflethaltechnologiesandmultipleweaponarms,buttheSecutorwasnotamagosblessedwithanabundanceofpatience.

‘Iwonder ifyouknowsomethingwedonot,’ snarledDahan,his lowerarms flexing intocombatreadinesspostures.‘Somethingyouarenottellingusaboutthisworld.

’The thingDahan spoke to called itselfGalatea, and itwas a bio-mechanical perversionof everyUniversalLawoftheAdeptusMechanicus.

To outward appearances, itwas hardlymore outlandish thanmany chimeric adepts of theCultMechanicus;aheavilyaugmentedbodyformingalow-slungpalanquinofmismatchedmachinepartsassembledtoformsomethingthatwaspartarachnoid,partscorpion.Thecrimson-robedproxyofasilver-eyed Mechanicus adept sat at the heart of its mechanism, surrounded by seven brainssuspendedinbio-nutrientgelcontainersandconjoinedbyaseriesofpulsingconductivecables.

Galatea’sveryexistencewasanaffronttotheMechanicus;aheuristically-capablemachinethathadmurdered theadepts assigned to itsManifold stationover aperiodofmillennia. Ithadassimilatedtheir disembodied brains into its neural architecture and undergone a rapid evolution towards ahorrificandlong-outlawedformofartificialintelligence.Butaseachstolenconsciousnessrealiseditwastrappedforeverwithinanartificialneuromatrix,itdescendedinexorablyintoabyssalmadness.

When the machine decided a mind was of no more use, the brain was cut from the gestaltconsciousnessinreadinessforanotherhorrificimplantation.

‘Well?’ demanded Dahan, his lower arms flexing and his shock-blades snapping out with asuccessionofsnicks.‘Doyouknowsomethingofthisworldyouarenottellingus?’

In any situation to be resolvedwith violence, therewere fewmembers of the CultMechanicusKotovwouldratherhavenexttohimthanHirimauDahan.ButsodeeplyhadGalateaenmesheditselfwith theSperanza’s operating systems that anyattempt toharm it couldbe catastrophic for theArkMechanicus. Kotov had no doubts of Dahan’s ability to kill Galatea, but nomatter how quickly hemightdoso,themachineintelligencewouldhavemorethanenoughtimetodestroytheSperanza.

Flickering light passedbetweenGalatea’s conjoinedbrains. ‘We sense you are troubledbymore

than the disappearance of the Adeptus Astartes gunship.Have you not adjusted yourworldview toincorporateourexistence?’

‘You alreadyknow theMechanicuswill never accept your existence,’ saidKotov, rising fromhisthroneandsteppingdowntotheauspexandsurveyorfeeds.‘SowhynotsimplyanswertheSecutor’squestion?DoyouknowwhathasbecomeoftheBlackTemplars?’

‘We do not answer because Magos Dahan’s anger amuses us,’ said Galatea, ignoring Kotov’squestionandclatteringover thedeckon itsmisaligned limbs. ‘Whenyouhavespent four thousandandsixty-sevenyearsalone,youtoowillseekamusementwhereveryoufindit.’

‘Iwillnotlivethatlong.’‘Youmay,’saidGalatea.‘MagosTelokhas.’‘Howcanyouknowthat?’askedLinyaTychon,lookingupfromtheblue-limnedglowoftheauspex

returns.‘Ithasbeenthousandsofyearssincehecamehere.’Galateawavedanadmonishingfinger.‘Youofallpeopleshouldknowbetter,MistressTychon.Was

itnottheinconsistencieswithinthepassageoftimethatledyouandyourfathertoaccompanyMagosKotovinthefirstplace?WehaveseenthedatayouhaveassembledfromtheSperanza’ssurveyorfeeds.Youknowthetemporalflowofenergieshasbeenmassivelydisruptedinthisregionofspace.Thefewremainingsunsbeyondthegalacticfringeareageingfarfasterthantheyoughtto,transformingfrommain-sequencestarsintoredsupergiantsintheblinkofacelestialeye.Ifthatcanhappen,whatmightamanwhoknowshowtoharnesssuchenergiesachieve?Andamanwhocantransfigurethelifecyclesoftheenginesofexistence, issurelyamanwhomight learntoendurebeyondhisallottedspanandmanipulatethattechnologytootherpurposes.’

‘Soyou’resayingtheumbrais,what,aside-effectofwhatMagosTelokisdoing?’askedLinya.‘Webelieveitiscertainlyanintriguingpossibility,’repliedGalatea.‘Isthisumbrachanginginanyway?’askedKotov.‘Iamnotdetectinganydiscerniblechangesfromtheplanet’ssurface,’answeredLinya,callingupa

representationofthegeographyahead.‘Butmyfather’sreadingsontheSperanzashowahighenergysourcereachingintospacewithapointoforiginthatexactlymatcheswhatwouldbetheedgeofanumbralspherecentredontheTomioka.Wecan’treadwhat’sinsidetheumbra,butthere’ssomethingwithinthat’sgeyseringexoticradiationsandparticlewavesunknowntoanyMechanicusdatabasethatcanbedetectedwhentheyleaveit.Magneticanomaliesandsleetingparticlesofindeterminatechargearebillowingupfromtheplanet’scorelikeanelectromagneticvolcanowithenoughforcetoreachintotheexosphere.’

Kotovcameforwardstoexaminetheimageontheauspextable.The map was centred on the Land Leviathan, but grainy and skewed with unintelligible static

wherenormallytheTabularium’smanysurveyorswouldeliminateuncertainty.Itdisplayedareal-timecaptureof the landscape toa radiusof ahundredkilometres.Sixtykilometres southof the landingfields,intheexactcentreoftheumbra,laytheobjectoftheirsearch.

ThelastrestingplaceofMagosTelok’slostflagship.‘Arethereanyothereffectsofthisumbra,besidesblindingustowhateverforcesmightliewithin

it?’askedDahan.‘Isitdangerous?’

‘Topeopleormachines?’‘Both.’‘Iwouldn’t recommendprolonged exposure, but in ray-shielded void-suits, it should be safe for

yourskitariiforafewhoursatatime,’saidLinya.‘Andformachines?’askedKotov.Linyashookherhead.‘Letmeputitthisway,archmagos.Givenhowlittleweknowabouttheexact

natureoftheumbra,Iwouldn’triskenteringitonanythingthatwasn’tclosetotheground.’‘Anexcellentsuggestion,MistressTychon,’saidKotov,openinganencryptedmartialvox-linkand

awaitingconnection.HostilebinaricssnappedaroundhisfloodstreambeforethemapvanishedfromtheauspextableandthecanidaesymbolofLegioSiriusshimmeredintofocus.

+ThisistheWintersun,stateyourrequest.+‘PrincepsLuth,’saidKotov.‘I’mgoingtoneedyourScoutTitans.’

Theirrolesintheunder-deckenvironmentmighthavechangedforthebetter,buttheoneconstantintheirdailyexistencewasthequalityofthefood.FeedingHallEighty-Sixwasstillthesamecavernouschamberofclatteringflatwareandgruntingmenandwomentryingtoshovelasmuchfoodintotheirmouthsastheycouldgettheirhandson.Intheory,eachbondsmanwasdispensedanequalamountbythesustenanceservitors,butaswithalllargegroupskeptinconfinement,thestrongeststayedstrongbystealingthefoodoftheweakest.

NotthatAbrehem,HawkeandCoynehadeverneededtoworryaboutthatthankstothepresenceofCrusha,theogrynsweptupalongwiththembytheMechanicuscollarmenbackonJoura.Crushawas dead now, killed by the same eldar warrior Abrehem had killed, but even without his hulkingpresence,theyhadnoneedtoworryaboutanutritionaldeficit.

Nowtheyhadasurplus;votiveofferingsandgiftspassedalongthetablebythosewhohadheardaboutthemiracleoftheplasmagunandtherumourofRasselasX-42.WhenAbrehemhadreturnedtothefeedinghallwithanewly-graftedbionic limb, ithadonlycementedhisreputationasafavouredsonoftheOmnissiah.

‘Don’tgetmewrong…’saidCoyne,jammingastalehunkofbreadintohismouth.Evenmoistenedbythebeigepasteintheplastictray’sbowldepression,itstilltookhimnearlythirtysecondstochewittoalevelwherehecouldcontinuespeaking. ‘It’sgoodwe’rebeingrecognised,andthenewdutiesinMagosTurentek’sforge-templeareablessing,butisthereanywayyoucoulduseyour…influencetogetbetterfoodasopposedtomoreofthesamecrap?’

‘Weshouldn’tbetakinganyofit,’saidAbrehem.‘Comeon,Abe,’saidHawke.‘What’sthepointofbeingasomebodyifyoucan’tmakeuseofit?’‘ButI’mnotasomebody,’protestedAbrehem.Hawkegrinned,puttinghishandstogetherinprayer.‘Spokenlikeamanoftruedivinity.’‘Haveyouheardwhatthey’recallingyou?’saidCoyne,inaconspiratorialwhisper.‘No,what?’‘TheVitalist,’saidCoyne.‘AfterwhatyoudidtoIsmael.’

Abrehemtwistedonthebenchseat, lookingoverrowsoftablestowhereIsmaeldeRoeven,oncehis duty-overseer back on Joura, but now rendered down into a cyborg servitor, placed a food traybeforeahunch-shoulderedbondsman.Likethehundredsofotherservitorsinthefeedinghall,Ismaelfollowed an unchanging pattern of dispensing food, collecting trays and cleaning the hall inpreparationforthenextshift.

‘But I didn’t do that,’ said Abrehem. ‘Ismael’s cranial hoodwas damagedwhen theMechanicusventedthelowerdeckstosavetheshipfromthatplasmadischarge.Theimpactrestoredwhateverthecranialsurgeryleftofthepoorsod’smemoryandoldlife,notme.’

‘Yeah,buthecametoseeyouafterwards,didn’the?’askedHawke,loudenoughsothatpeopletwotablesovercouldhearhim.‘Doesn’ttakeasavanttoseeyouhadsomethingtodowithit.’

‘ButIdidn’t,’hissedAbrehem,lookinguptoseethatIsmaelhadpausedinhisworktoturntowardshim, as though somehow aware they were talking about him. He gave Abrehem an almostimperceptible nod before carrying on with his work. Every bondsman he passed surreptitiouslyreachedouttotouchtheservitor’shandsandarmsasthoughhewereadivinetalisman.

‘IfIhaddoneit,don’tyouthinkI’dhavegivenhimhiswholememoryback?’continuedAbrehem.‘Whatkindofsickbastardwouldbringsomeonebackhalfwayfromvirtualbrain-death?Thor’slight,canyouimaginelivinglikethat?Knowingyouweresomethingmorethanamindlessdrone,butonlyabletorememberbrokenfragmentsofyouroldself…it’smonstrous.’

‘It’sbetterthanwhathewas,’saidCoyne.‘Isit?I’mnotsosure,’saidAbrehem.‘Ireckonifheknewhowmuchhe’dlost,he’dwanttogoback

torememberingnothing.’‘Headsup,’saidHawke.‘Dragonboy’scoming.’Abrehemdidn’thavetolookuptoknowthatTothaMu-32wasapproaching,andwishedhe’dnever

told Hawke and Coyne what the overseer had told him about the sect that sought out those theybelievedwereMachine-touched.

Theoverseerleanedoverthetable,andsaid,‘Youneedtogo.Now.’Abrehemlookedupandsawalookofgenuinefearontheoverseer’sfacethathisfacialimplants

couldn’tmask.‘What’sgoingon?’‘I told you the senior magi would not tolerate you claiming stewardship of an arco-flagellant,

remember?’Abrehemnodded.‘Theyarecoming.Now.SaiixekisonhiswayandhewilldemandyousurrenderRasselasX-42over

tohiscustody.Thenhewillkillyouandcutoffyouraugmeticarm.’‘Whatdowedo?’askedCoyne,allthoughtsofbetterqualityfoodforgotten.‘Youleave.Now.Findsomewherehidden,’saidTothaMu-32.‘Iknowyounowhaveseveralalcohol-

producingstillshiddenbelowthewaterline,BondsmanHawke.TakeAbrehemtooneofthem,donottellmewhich.Youunderstand?’

Hawkelookedabouttoprotesthisinnocence,butsimplynodded.‘Yeah,sure.Okay,let’sgo.’

‘Toolate,’saidAbrehem,asMagosSaiixekandatroopoftwentyskitariimarchedintoFeedingHallEighty-Six via the port archway. Abrehem rose from the table and looked for anotherway out, buttwentymoreskitariiappearedattheoppositeentrance.

‘Nowayout,’hesaid,turningtohiscompanions.‘Getawayfrommeorthey’lltakeyoutoo.’‘Wayaheadofyou,’saidHawke,alreadybackingaway intothecrowdsofbondsmen.Coynewas

right there with him, and Abrehem wasn’t surprised. His fellow rigman had always been moreinterestedinhimselfthananynotionsofsolidarity,butAbrehemcouldn’tbringhimselftobeangry.IftheMechanicuswere reallygoing tokill him,or even if theywouldonly takehim for somekindofinterrogationtrawlorpunishmentdetail,thenbetteritwasonlyhimtheycollared.

‘ToobadyoutookX-42backtohissleepchamber,’ saidHawkeasapartingshot. ‘Looks likeyoucouldreallyusehimrightaboutnow.’

TheskitariiclosedinonAbrehemandTothaMu-32,untilthetwoofthemstoodwithinacircleofwarriors. Armoured in glossy plates of black decorated with glitter-scaled scorpions, snakes andspiders,theMechanicustroopslookedlikethey’dgivetheBlackTemplarsarunfortheirmoney.Shot-cannons,web-castersandshockmaulstoldAbrehemtheywantedhimalive,butdidn’tcaretoomuchabouthowbruisedhegot.

TheringofwarriorspartedlongenoughforMagosSaiixektostandforth,theblack-cowledadeptof theCultMechanicuswhohad first “welcomed”Abrehemand theothersaboard theSperanza.Hisrobesandacid-etchedstolewerepatternedwithfrost,thecylindersonhisarachnidbackpackventingbreathsoffreezingvapourandradiatingcoldfromtheloopingcablesencirclinghisbody.Hisfacewasobscuredbehindabronzemaskworkedinanangularrecreationofabeakedplague-doctorfromsomebackwardferalworld.

‘IamSaiixek,MasterofEngines,’saidthemagos,butAbrehemalreadyknewthat.He’dmethimbefore, and the information bled from him in noospheric waves as surely as the misty fog of hismachine-exhalationsandhisrighteousindignationatAbrehem’spresumption.‘Statement:youaretosurrenderthearco-flagellanttomycustodyimmediately.Furnishmewithitslocation,capabilitiesandtrigger phrase, andonce I have amputated that illegally affixed limb, youwill receive a lower-ratedpunishment.Respondimmediately.’

‘RasselasX-42hasimprintedonBondsmanLocke,’saidTothaMu-32. ‘Itwouldbedangerousforanyonetotryandundothat.Youmustnotattempttobreaksuchabond.’

SaiixekinclinedhisheadtowardsTothaMu-32, likeamanfindingsomethingunpleasantonthesoleofhisboot. ‘Identifier:TothaMu-32,OverseerTertiusLambda.Youdonothavesufficient rankprotocol tomakesuchademand.Yourbreachofbio-implantationprotocolshasalreadyearnedyoupunishment. Continue with this defiance, and I will strip what rank you have and ensure youroperationalprogressionpathneverleavesthebio-wastereclamationdecks.’

‘The Omnissiah chose Bondsman Locke to be X-42’s custodian,’ said Totha Mu-32. ‘A killingmachinelikethatisachoseninstrumentofImperialwill.HewasmeanttofindRasselasX-42,Iknowthistobetrue.’

Abrehemwanted to speak, to say that hewas perfectly happy to surrender control of the arco-flagellant,thatTothaMu-32’sbeliefinhimwasmisplaced.Butthemultiplebarrelsofheavyweapons

pointing at him kept hismouth shut. Saiixek spoke again, and though none of hismetal featuresmoved,Abrehemfelthiscontemptinthesurgingireofhisfloodstream.‘YoupresumetoknowthewilloftheOmnissiah,overseer?’

‘No,butIrecogniseitsworkingwhenIseeit,’saidTothaMu-32.‘Aswouldyouifyoueverdeignedtoventurebeyondthehightemplesoftheenginarium.’

‘Enough,’saidSaiixek,wavingabrasshandanddispersingthecoldmistsaroundhim.‘Thisisnotadebate.SuzerainTravain,takethem.’

Theskitariinext toSaiixekraisedhis shot-cannon,butbeforehecouldrack theslide,ametallicarmreached fromSaiixek’smist towrench it fromhishand.Thegun snapped in twowitha sharpcrack, and Abrehem watched as Ismael pushed through the ring of skitarii to stand before MagosSaiixek.

Hedroppedthebrokenpiecesoftheweaponandsaid,‘You…needto…leavehere,magos.Now.’SaiixektookastepbackfromIsmael,andAbrehemsawthesurgeofhisabhorrenceatthesightof

aservitoraddressinghimwithapparentself-will.‘Blasphemy!’hissedSaiixek.‘Youwillalldieforthistechno-heresy.’‘ButIdidn’tdoanything!’criedAbrehem.‘Hetookablowtothehead,that’sall!’‘ThewilloftheOmnissiahmoveswithinyou,Abrehem,’saidTothaMu-32.‘Donotdenyit.’‘Willyoushutup,please!’snappedAbrehem.‘Listen,MagosSaiixek,I’mnotMachine-touched,this

isallabunchofstupid,randomthingsthathavehappenedtome.There’snogreatmystery,it’sall…Idon’tknow,coincidenceorsomeone’sideaofasickjoke!’

Hiswordsfellondeafears,andAbrehemknewSaiixekwouldn’tbelievethemanyway.‘All… of… you,’ said Ismael, his face contorted with the effort of speech. ‘Should… go. Abrehem

Lockeis…notto…betouched.Wewill…not…allowourrestorertobeharmed.’AbrehemheardIsmael’swordswithoutunderstandingthem,butknewtheywereonlypullinghim

deeperintothemireinwhichhewasalreadyneck-deep.‘Admonishment:aservitordoesnotissuedemands,’saidSaiixek,ameasureofMechanicuscontrol

finallyassertingitselfthroughhishorrifieddisbelief.ThetensiononIsmael’sfacerelaxed.‘Thisonedoes.’‘Deactivatethis instant!’orderedSaiixek,unleashingabludgeoningstreamofbinaricshut-down

commands.IsmaelstaggeredwiththeforceofSaiixek’sauthoritysignifiers,droppingtoonekneebeforethe

red-robedmagoswithhisheadbowed.Saiixeksteppedpastthekneelingservitor,butIsmael’sservo-limbreachedupandclampeddownhardonhisarm.

Ismael’siron-cladheadliftedandhelookedSaiixekstraightintheeye.‘No,’saidIsmael,risingtohisfeet.‘We.Will.Not.’OnlythendidAbrehemrealisewhyIsmaelkeptsayingwe.Encirclingtheskitariiinanunbrokenringoffleshandironwerehundredsofdispensingservitors,

eachonestaringwithafixedexpressionatthedramaunfoldinginthefeedinghall.Abrehemguessedthere were at least five hundred servitors surrounding the skitarii, all heavily augmented withpowerfulservo-armsandpain-blockers.

Ismaelhadonceclaimedtobeabletoheartheotherservitors,butAbrehemhadhadnoideathatlineofcommunicationworkedbothways.

‘Hemadeusremember,’saidIsmael,shovingSaiixekback.‘Andwewill…notletyoutake…Him.’Saiixekturnedaslowcircleandhishorrorwasevident,eventothosewithoutaugmentation.The

naturalorderoftheworldhadbeenoverturnedandtheMasterofEnginesnowrealisedhewasinveryreal danger. The servitors were unarmed and individually were no match for highly trained,weaponisedskitarii.

Buttheyhadoverwhelmingnumbersontheirside,andifviolenceensued,neitherSaiixekorhisskitariiescortwouldleaveherealive.

‘What have you done, Bondsman Locke?’ asked Saiixek. ‘AveDeusMechanicus…what have youdone?’

‘Ididn’tdoanything!’protestedAbrehem.Ismaelraisedhismechanisedarmabovehishead,themanipulatorclawontheendclenchedinto

anapproximationofafist.AndallthroughtheArkMechanicus,tensofthousandoffistsroseinsupport.

Microcontent04

TheWarhoundwasaswifthunter,anunseenkillerontheice.Amarokmovedthroughthelabyrinthofcanyonswithasilencethatshouldhavebeenimpossibleforsuchahugemachine,itsheavyfootfallssomehowmaking little or no sound as Gunnar Vintras wove a path through a glittering forest ofcrazily-angledcrystallinespiresjuttingfromtheiceandrocklikeslenderstalagmitesofdiamond.

TheSkinwalkerlaybackinthecontouredcouchofhisWarhound,feelingtheflexandreleaseofhismechanised musculature, the acid-burn of exertion and the neutron winds whipping around hisarmoured carapace. He wore his silver hair shaved down to his skull, exposing wolf-eye tattoossurrounding the cerebral implant sockets in his neck. His actual eyes were closed, darting aroundbehindthelids,andhissharpenedteethwerebaredinaferalsnarl.

Amarokwasabeautifulmachinetopilot,builtbycraftsmenofabygoneagewhocaredabouttheweapons they built, not like the sunborn adepts of today who just stamped out inferiormanufactorum-pressedcopiesofmechanicalart.

Itfeltgoodtotakehisengineoutontoarealhuntingground.MagosDahan’straininghallsaboardtheSperanzawerewideandexpansive,butno substitute forwalkingon the surfaceofa realworld.VintraseasedAmarokfromacautiousstridetoaslowlope,graduallyfeedingpowerfromthereactorattheWarhound’shearttoitsreverse-jointedlegsofplasteelandfibre-bundlemuscles.

HefeltAmarok’sdesiretobeloosed,tosprintthroughthiscrystallineforestofglassyspiresonthehunt,butheclampedhiswilldownuponit.

‘Notyet,wildheart,’hesaid,feelingthevolatilecoreofthespiritbaitinghimthroughthecracklinglinkof theManifold.Ever since they’denteredwhatMistressTychonwas calling theumbra, arcingaheadofthecoursetobefollowedbytheploddingLandLeviathans,theTitan’sspirithadbeenrestless.Itdidn’tlikethisworld,andVintrascouldn’tblameit.Therewassomething…offaboutKatenVenia,asthoughitwasspitefullyhopingtodragothersintoitsimminentdemise.

Theauspexwasasquallingmessofbouncedreturnsfromthecrystallinespiressurroundinghimandcracklingdistortioncausedbytheumbra.HewasrelyingonwhatAmarok’sexternalpictersweretellinghim,walkingbyauspex-sightaloneandbereftofanyothersensoryinputs.

Princepsoflargerengineswouldbehorrifiedatsuchalimitedsphereofawareness,butWarhound

princeps were cut from a different cloth, and Vintras relished this chance to pilot his engine soviscerally.He couldn’t see theMechanicus Leviathans,LupaCapitalina orVilka beyond the canyon’swalls,butthatsuitedVintrasjustfine.

EversincetheWintersunhadopenedfireonCanisUlfrica,VintraswasinnohurrytowalkintheWarlord’s shadow. These canyonswere altogether too similar to the claustrophobic cavern runs ofBetaFortanis,andVintrasdidn’tliketothinkoftheWintersunhavinganyfurtherremindersofthatnightmarish battle. TheCapitalina’smagos claimed the engine’sManifold had been purged of datajunkrelatingtothatfight,butwhoreallyknewwhatghostechoes lingeredinthedeepmemoryofawarmachineasancientandcomplexasaWarlordTitan?

No,besttokeepclearofLupaCapitalinafornow.Hisfingersflexedwithoutconsciousthoughtandtheweaponmountsonhisarmsclatteredasthe

threat auspex overlaid the topographical display with a red-hazed shimmer of threat returns.Autonomic reactions took over and Vintras slewed the Titan around, lowering the carapace andshrugginghisweaponmountstothefore.

Ammunition shunts fed explosive shells into the vulcan, while the heavy duty capacitors of theturbolasers siphonedenergy from the surging reactor.Vintras felt his arms swellwith lethal powerandtheheatinhisbellyspreadthroughhisflesh-limbs.

KeepingtheTitanmoving,hepannedthesnarling, lupinesnoutofhisenginefromleft toright,searchingfor targetsoranythingthatmighthaveprovokedsucharesponse.Vapourbleedfromthemeltingnitrogenicemadevisibilityajoke,butVintraswasn’tseeinganythinghostile.

A few hundred metres away, a cluster of crystal spires crashed to the ground as the bedrockcracked open and they tore loose. Shards fell in glittering mineral rain, throwing back myriadreflectionsofhiswar-engine.

Vintrasletoutapent-upbreath.Therewasnothingoutherebuthim.‘Seismicactivity,’hesaid.‘That’sallitwas,mybeauty.Fallingspiresandshiftingrock.’Bouldersoficefellfromthelipofthecanyon,andhedancedhismachinebacktoavoidthelargest.

Thevoidswouldsparehimtheworstof the impacts,but itneverpaid toantagoniseaTitan’s spiritwithneedlessdamage.Thegroundcrackedastheboulderslanded,eachonetensofmetresacross,andVintrassidesteppedawayfromtheunstableground.

He dismissed the threat auspex and pushed forwards through the crystal spires once more,satisfiedtherewasnothingouttheretocausehimconcern.HefeltAmarok’sdispleasureintherumbleoftheenginecoreandtheresistanceinitslimbs.

‘Easythere,’hewhispered.‘There’snothingoutthere.’ButstilltheTitanfoughthim,keepingitsweaponsarmedandonceagaincallingthethreatauspex

tothefore.Vintrascancelledit.‘Enough,’hesnapped.‘You’regettingasjumpyastheWintersun.’TheManifold growled at his casual dismissal, and he felt the greatmachine’s ire in a surge of

painfulfeedbackthroughhisspinalimplant.Amarokwasnotanenginetopatronise,itsspiritthatofalonepredator,thekillerthatlurksinthedarknessandstrikeswithoutwarning.

Suchanentitydidnotjumpatshadows,andhehadbeenfoolishtoforgetthat.

‘Youwanttohunt?’hesaid.‘Thenlet’shunt.Fullauspexsweep.’

KatenVenia’s surfacewas painfully bright, even through the protective filters of Roboute’s helmet.Cold,ultraviolet-tingedilluminationfellinshimmering,auroralbands,theredlightofthestarshiftedalongthevisiblespectrumbyacocktailof releasedgasessurging in the temporaryatmosphere thatimparted a shimmering, undersea quality to their surroundings. Towering mountains of frozennitrogenwerevisiblethroughthedriftingbanksofvapourstreamingfromtheirjaggedpeaksastheheatfromthedyingstarstrippedtheicycrustfromtheplanet’ssurface.

Dazzling refractions of variegated light shone through the prisms of the ice mountains, andRoboutehadneverseenanythingasgrandlyterribleinallhislife.Hefeltasifhehadbeenshrunktomicroscopicsizeandwasnavigatingapassagethroughthegroovesandridgesonthesurfaceofacut-glassdecanter.Hisearlierdisappointmentattheplanet’sappearancehadmeltedawayassurelyasthenitrogenicecapsinthefaceofwhatlaybeyondtheMechanicuslandingfields.

Thiswasthedeathofaplanet,andlikewar,itwasabeautifulthingtoseefromadistance.There was majesty in this global annihilation event, an inhuman level of destruction whereby

mountainrangeswerebeingabradedbeforehisveryeyes,continentsunseatedfromtheirmoltenbedsandtheworld’smetalliccorebeingrendereddowntoitscompositeelements.

Upclose,itwasevenmorebeautifulandevenmoredangerous.Waterfalls of liquid nitrogen poured down razor-edged canyons. Boiling lakes expanded with

every surgeofmelting chemically-rich ice then shrankbackas theybled toxic vapour into the void.Under colossal geological upheaval, the planet was undergoing stresses it had not known since itsbirth in the star’s powerful gravitational tug-of-war. From orbit the planet’s crust had been areticulatedmessofrandomscoringwheretectonicplateshadbeenrippedapart.Onthesurfacethattranslatedtogorgeshundredsofkilometreswideandwhoknewhowmanydeep.

The planet was in a heightened state of activity, and only the precision of Magos Blaylock’scalculations –married to inloads from adepts of the CollegiumGeologica – had allowed the fleet’sFabricatusLocumtoplotaroutetotheTomioka.Thesnaking,zig-zaggingcourseofferedtheforcesonthegroundthebestchanceofreachingtheirgoal,butBlaylockhadbeenquicktopointoutthatitwasbasedpurelyonstatisticalprobabilityratherthanactualmeasurements.

Aninsetslateonthecontrolpanelfizzedwithstatic,buthadjustenoughresolutiontoshowthepositionofthegrav-sled, togetherwiththecorridorofacceptablystablegroundtheyweretofollow.Widenedouttomaximumzoom,thatcorridorwasstillfrighteninglynarrowandallowedlittlemarginforerror.Roboutedidn’tknowwhatmighthappenifBlaylock’scalculationswereawryorhestrayedfromthemarkedcorridor,andwasinnohurrytofindout.

Occasionally,theysawtheremnantsofservitordrones,buriedinthesidesofglaciersorsmashedto a thousandpieces on the valley floor. Smoke trailed from their shattered canopies, andRoboutetriednottonoticetherupturedbodiesthatspilledfromthem.AbriefinloadfromLinyaTychonhadmentionedanumbraofinterferenceanddistortioncentredontheTomioka,whichwentsomewaytoexplainingwhythey’dseensomanydowneddronesandwereforcedtorelyontheworkingsofTarkis

Blaylockinsteadofpreciserouteinformation.TheTabulariumpoundedtheiceandrockwithitsmultipleironfeetasittrudgedafterthemlikea

relentlesscitythathadmanagedtouprootitselffromitsfoundationsandgivechase.TheotherLandLeviathans were arranged behind it, nose to tail, a caravan of steel that reached back nearly fivekilometres.TheCadianarmouredvehicles,amixoftransportsandtanks,clusteredaroundthemobiletemples like scavengercreatures stalkingadyingherbivor, andRoboutewasgladat leastoneotherelementofthisexpeditionwouldlikelybefeelingasenseofamazementatthisexplorationofanewworld.

EvenovertheenormousheightoftheTabularium,Roboutecouldseethelopingformofthealphaengine of Legio Sirius. Lupa Capitalina held station at the centre of the convoy, a mobile fortressprotectingtheLeviathanswithitscity-levellingfirepower.

‘CanyouseetheWarhoundsyet?’askedAdara.‘MydaoncesaidhesawoneonKonor,butitranoffbeforehegotaproperlookatit.’

Beforenow,RoboutewouldhavepouredscornontheideaofaTitanrunningoff,buthavingseenthespeedwithwhichAmarokandVilkahaddeployedfromtheircoffinships,hewas less inclinedtolaughatAdara’stale.EventhespeedoftheWarlordhadshockedthem,andtheimpatientbraysofitswarhornechoedfromthewallsoftheglitteringicevalley.

‘No,’ answered Roboute, craning his neck around. ‘I haven’t, but that doesn’t surprise me.WarhoundsareScoutTitans,ambushpredators,andtheydon’tlikeyouseeingthemuntilit’stoolate.’

Adaranodded,butstillkeptlooking.‘Your father is certainlywell travelled,’ saidPavelka,her voice sounding inRoboute’shelmet via

subvocalisedvibrations.‘Calth,Iax,Konor…IsthereanypartofUltramarhehasnotvisited?’Pavelka’sdrippingsarcasmwasevident,evenoverthehelm-voxandthethrummingbassnoteof

thegrav-sled’srepulsors.‘Youdon’tbelieveme?’‘Ilanna’s just teasing you,’ said Roboute, knowing how defensive the lad got if anyone dared to

questionthetruthofhisfather’stales.‘Well she shouldn’t,’ said Adara. ‘My da served as an armsman to Inquisitor Apollyon on

Armageddon,andyoudon’tgomouthingoffaboutsomeonelikethat.’RobouteknewPavelkawouldn’tbeabletoresistpullingthatparticulardeclarationapart,andgave

thecontrolcolumnashaketodiscourageherfrompickingholesinit.‘Easy,Roboute!’criedAdara,grippingtherestraintbaronthedoor.Thegroundbeneaththegrav-sledwasamixtureoffrozennitrogenandbare,metallicrock,likethe

surfaceofanoil-streakedglacier.Thesled’srepulsorfieldreactedbadlytopatchesofexoticmetalsandtheridewasbumpierthanRoboutewouldhaveliked.Thecontrolswereoversizedtoaccommodatetheinherent clumsiness invoid-suitgloves,butevenso, it felt like themachinewas fightinghimeverystepoftheway,slewingleftandrightdespitehisbestattemptstokeeplevel.

‘IcancontrolthesledthroughmyMIUifyouwouldprefer,’saidPavelka.‘Itappearsyouarehavingsomedifficulty,captain.’

‘No,’saidRoboute,wrestlingwiththecontrolcolumn.‘I’mfinetakingusin.’

Theirroutewaswindingapaththroughasteep-sidedcanyonthatRoboute’seyesweretellinghimrosetoaroundahundredmetresorso,butwasprobablyatleastacoupleofkilometres.Theeyewaseasilytrickedintoformingmanageablescaleswhendeniedanyquantifiablepointsofreference.Whenhe’dfirsteasedthesledintothemountains,hismindhadreeledatthesheervastnessofeachcanyon’sice-blue walls, and without the measurable scale of the landing fields, it was impossible to definedistancesorperspectivewithanyreliability.

‘Howsoontillwereachthecrashedship?’askedAdara,hisneckcranedbackasfarasthegorgetarrangementonhishelmet’scollarwouldallow.Robouteriskednarrowing themagnificationof theslate, but gave up lookingwhen the screeching, squalling distortion pattern didn’t let up.Only theslenderthreadofBlaylock’sroutethroughthelabyrinthremainedunwavering.

‘Impossible to say through this interference,’ answered Pavelka, reading the same informationinstantly.Eventhroughtheimperfectionsofthevox-units,herexcitementwaspalpable.‘Accordingtoourdistancetravelled,weshouldbewithinsightoftheTomiokawithinsevenminutes,assumingthecurrentrateofadvancecontinues.’

‘AndassumingIdon’tcrashus,’saidRoboute.‘ApossibilityIdidnotcaretoraise.’‘Listen,’saidRoboute.‘Agrav-sledisn’taprecisioninstrumentofmanoeuvre,butIthinkI’mfinally

gettingitsmeasure.Itjusttakesalittlefinesseandalittlenerve.’‘Isupposehowmuchnerveisrequireddependsonwhereoneissitting.’Adarasniggered.‘AndMistressTychonsaidtheMechanicusdon’thaveasenseofhumour…’‘She’sright,’snappedRoboute.‘Theydon’t.’DespitePavelka’scommentaryonhispilotingskills,Roboutesteeredthemwithgreaterconfidence

with every passing metre. His Ultramarian ethic would not let him attempt a task without thenmasteringit,andcurbingthevagariesofthegrav-sled’scontrolwasnoexception.

Theircourseevenedoutoverthenextfewkilometres,andasRobouteeasedaroundasheerspurofviolet-tinged ice that shed streamers of vapour like an industrial smokestack, the valley widenednoticeably towards a cascade of smoking liquid nitrogen. It poured down through a fissure thatglitteredintheblue-shiftedlight,beforevanishingintoagapingcrevassethatcutthevalleyalmostintwo.

Robouteguessedthecrevassewasatleastthirtymetreswide.AccordingtoBlaylock’spath,theTomiokalayontheoppositeside.AndtheBlackTemplars,hethought,tryingtokeepalidonhisirritation.Wherethecrevassedidn’tquitereachthevalleywalls,cascadingspumesoffreezinggasescollected

inswirlingeddiesandwhirlpoolsofshimmeringliquid.‘WilltheLandLeviathansbeabletogetacrossthat?’askedAdara.‘Notachance,’saidRoboute.‘ThoughtheTabulariummightfallinandwedgeitselftighttomakea

bridgefortheothers.’‘Youthinkthere’sroomenoughforustogoroundtheedges?’‘Justbarely,’answeredPavelka,blink-clickingmeasurementdatumpointsandexloadingthemto

theMechanicuspioneervehiclesbehindthem.

‘Well,theBlackTemplarsmayhavebeatenustotheTomioka,butI’llbedamnedifanyoneelseisgetting there beforeus,’ saidRoboute, hauling the grav-sled around towards the edge of the valley,wherevorticesofnitrogentranslatedfromgastoliquidandbackagainwithalarmingfrequency.

Thepitchofthegrav-sled’senginesincreased,andtherepulsorfieldskitteredattheabruptchangeingrounddensity.RobouteheardPavelkamutterawhisperedprayertotheMachine-Godandfelthersubtleimprecationtotheengines’magneticfieldcompensatingfortheunusualterrain.

Buoyed up by Pavelka’s devotion, the grav-sled negotiated the foaming, streaming edges of theliquidnitrogenwaterfallwithaplombandskirtedtheedgesofthevastcrevassewithonlycentimetrestospare.Robouteriskedaglanceovertheedgeandfelthisstomachlurchashesawtheriftcutrightintotheheartoftheplanet.Heswitchedhisgazebacktowhatlayaheadofhimasanauseoussenseofvertigo threatened to sweep over him. Roboute gunned the engine and the grav-sled surged to thejaggedsummitofthefissure.

At long last, Roboute saw what had become of Magos Telok’s flagship, though it took him amoment to realise thatwaswhathewasseeing.Heshieldedhisvisor fromthebillionsofpointsoflightreflectingfromtheglassyplateaubeforehim.

‘Ithoughttheshipwewerelookingforwasawreck?’askedAdara,tiltinghisheadtotheside.‘SodidI,’saidRoboute.‘Itdidn’tcrash?’saidPavelka,herincomprehensionturningherwordsintoaquestion.‘No,’saidRobouteinwonderment.‘It…landed.’

Smokefilledthepilot’scompartment,andTannatastedthereekofburningpropellant,scorchedironandbloodinthebackofhismouth.Heblinkedawaythedisorientationofthecrash,andcheckedhisvisortoseehowlonghehadbeenunconscious.Fourseconds.Toamortal,suchaspanwasnegligible,buttoaSpaceMarine,itwasaneternity.Angrywithhimself,heshookoffhismomentaryweaknessandpushedhimselffromthepilot’schair.TheangleoftheThunderhawk’simpacthaddriventhenoseintotheplateau,andTannawasforcedtousedanglingstrapsandcablestohaulhimselfbackintothecrewcompartment.

Thewarriorsinthebackhadweatheredthecrashwithrelativeease,thankstohismanagingtheirangleofdescentandthegrav-harnesses.

‘Anyoneinjured?’heasked,pullinghimselfalongthecentre-lineofthegunship.‘Everyoneisunhurt,’saidAuiden.‘Thatwassomelanding,brother-sergeant.’‘Somekindof interferenceblewouttheengines,’saidTanna. ‘Iwas luckytogetusdownonour

bellyandinonepiece.’‘Iknow,’saidAuiden.‘Imeantnoreproach.’Tannashookhishead.‘Ofcourse.’The grievances felt against him sinceKulGilad’s loss hadmade Tanna find fault in everyword

spokentohim,veiledinsultsineverycomment.Hetookamomenttopurgehimselfofthatsuspicionandmovedtothefuselagedoorsofthegunship.WiththenoseoftheBarisanburiedintheice,thesideandrearexitsweretheonlywayout.

‘Weneedtogetoutofhere,’hesaid,kneelingbesidethefuselagedoorandpullingopenthekeypadhatch.Hetappedinhiscommandcodes,but–ashe’dexpected–thedoorremainedstubbornlyshut.

‘Whyisthe…ngg,ngg…doornotopening?’askedIssur.‘Thereisnopowertothemechanism,’answeredTanna.‘Itwillneedbruteforcetogetusout.’TheBarisan creaked and lurchedwith a squeal of tearingmetal. Seams burst farther down the

fuselage,andhissingstreamersofescapinggasventedfromcracksinthehull.Tannagrabbedontoastanchion as the gunship shuddered, as though some giant beast had it locked in its jaws andwasslowlytryingtodigestit.

‘Yael,Issur,helpme,’orderedTanna.‘Gettheedgeofthedoor.’‘Icanshootusawayout,’offeredBracha,unlimberinghisimplantedplasmagun,butTannashook

hishead.‘IwouldrathernotriskangeringtheBarisanbyshootingitfromtheinside,’hesaid.ThethreeBlackTemplarstookholdofthedoorandbracedthemselvesagainststanchions,struts

andbenchseats.Moreseamsburstalongthelineofthefuselage.Tannahadaworryingimageofthegunshipcaught inawreckagecompactor,beingslowlycrusheduntil itandtheywerenothingmorethananultra-densecubeofironandmeat.

‘Auiden,assoonasyouseethelockingmechanism,cutit.’TheApothecarynoddedandbentbeforethelock-plateofthefuselagedoor.Apainfullybrightlight

spatintolifefromanextendedblade,afusioncutterforfieldamputations,andhepulleditbacklikeanexecutionerreadytostrikeakillingblow.

TheBarisangroaned,likeabeastinpain,andTannacursedthathehadbroughtsofineamachinetoso ignoblea fate.Glassshattered inthecockpitandtheavionicspanelblewoutwithawhoopingelectricalbang.

‘Now,’yelledTanna,andthethreeofthemhauledbackonthedoor.ThefuselageofaThunderhawkgunship was designed to be airtight during spaceflight and atmospheric insertion, but it wasn’tdesignedtowithstandthecombinedstrengthofthreeSpaceMarinestryingtohaulitopenfromtheinside.

Tannafeltthedoorshift,millimetresatbest,butherethedeformationscrushingthehullworkedintheirfavourandaportionofthehullbuckledinwardsatthelock-plate.HesawtheflashofAuiden’sfusioncutterandheard thehissofdissolvingmetal.Fora fractionofasecond, theheavydoorheldfirm,butthenthecutterfinisheditsworkanditrumbledbackalongitsrails.

‘Forgiveus,greatone,’saidAuidenashesheathedtheenergisedblade.Tannanoddedinagreement.TheBarisanhadcarriedthemfaithfullyintobattleandoutoftrouble

moretimesthanhecouldremember.Tohavewoundeditjusttoescapeseemedapoorwaytorepayitsstrengthofheart,buthefeltsureitsmachine-spiritwouldforgivethem.

‘Everybodyout,’heordered.Vardawas first through,quickly followedby IssurandBracha.Auidenwentnext, thenYaeland

finallyTannadroppedfromthecanteddeck.Helandedontheground,whichwasjustashe’dimaginedittobefromtheair;avastplateauof

ice. Where the gunship had smashed down was powdered like fine snow, but brittle like metal

shavings.TheThunderhawk’s impacthadploughedadeep furrow,andTannakneltashe sawwhatlookedliketendrilsoffrostreachingupfromthegroundalongthehullofthedownedflyingmachine.

Likecondensationonapaneofglass,itlookedliketheicewasreachinguptoenfoldtheBarisan’sfuselage.Tannalookedbackdowntowherethegunship’snosewasburiedintheice…excepthesawnowthatitwasn’ticeatall,butsomeformofparasiticcrystal.Whenhehadrecoveredconsciousness,herememberedseeingthevapour-struckskythroughthecrazedarmourglasscanopy,buttheentirefrontal section was now almost completely enclosed. As if the ‘ice’ had begun to swell and freezeinstantlyuponthegunship,liketheplanetwastryingtodragitdownintothecrust.

Even as Tannawatched, he saw the crystalline structure of the ground spread glittering frondsfurtheroverthebodyofthegunship.Hescrapedahandoverthefuselage,scatteringtheicelikesugarcrystalsthatfelltodustassoonastheywerenolongerpartofthewhole.

‘What is this…?’hewonderedaloud,butnosoonerhadheremovedhishandthanthecrystallinefrondsrenewedtheirattempttoengulftheBarisan.

‘Brother-sergeant,’saidBrachafromabove.‘Youneedtogetupherenow.’Tannabackedawayfromthestrangecrystallinegrowthsattachingthemselvestohisgunship,and

scrambledbackalongthelengthoftheimpacttrough.Yaelofferedhimahandup,butTannaignoreditandhauledhimselfontotheplateau.

‘Situation?’heasked.No-oneanswered,andTannawasabouttorepeathisquestionwhenheturnedtoseewhathismen

were all staring at. He recalled his last sight before the gunship had gone down. He had seen theTomiokawithhisowneyes,buttheactualityofitrenderedhimspeechless,unabletolookawayfromthelogic-defying,impossiblesightbeforehim.

‘Imperator,’hissedVarda.‘It’simpossible.’Tannashookhishead.‘ItistheTomioka,nodoubtaboutthat.’A retrofitted Oberon battleship, the enormous vessel stood vertical along its long axis on the

surfaceofKatenVenialikethelastfewkilometresofatoweringhivespire.Suchvaststarshipswerenevermeanttoenterthegravityenvelopeofaplanet.Theirsuperstructureswerebuilttoendurethemulti-directional forcesof voidwarandwithstandpressuresof accelerationandenormous turningcircles.

Whattheyweremanifestlynotdesignedtodowascopewiththetitanicforcesofre-entry.Tannaguessedthattheship’senginesectionwasburiedatleasttwokilometresinfrozennitrogen,

while the remaining five kilometres of its monolithic superstructure jutted into the sky, almostvanishinginaforcedperspectivethatdefiedhumanscale.ItshullwasasgothicallyornamentedasanyImperialshipoftheline,redolentwithcathedrals,crenellatedbattlements,roundedarchwaysofgunbatteries,ice-encrustedprocessionalsofstatuaryandthebladedprowofafightingvessel.

Glaciersofbuttressing ice surrounded thebaseof the ship, rising from theplanet’s surface toaheightofaroundfivehundredmetres,obscuringanyobviousmeansofentryandhelpingtostabilisethe toweringedifice.Above the ice, vast swathesof the shipwereencrustedwithbizarre crystallinestructuresofintricatedesign,butwhichboretheclearhallmarkofMechanicusorigin.Somehadthelookofpowergenerators,othersofcommunicationsrelays,butthemoreTannalooked,themorehe

understoodthattheTomiokahadbeencompletelyredesignedtobesomethingotherthanastarship.‘Howcouldanyone…ngg,havedone…nggh, this?’askedIssur, thesynapticdamagehe’dsuffered

aboardtheManifoldstationmakingeverywordastruggle.‘Idonotknow,’admittedTanna.‘Theshipshouldhavetornitselfapart.’‘Doyouthinkthiswaswhatthearchmagoswasexpecting?’askedVarda.‘Idon’tthinkit’swhatanyonewasexpecting,’saidTanna.Aneruptionof icecrystalstoeithersideoftheBlackTemplarshadthemsnapgunstoshoulders

andswordstoengarde.Scoresofdetonationsplumedlikegeysersofice,exceptthatTannaknewtheglassy substanceonwhich they stoodwasnot ice at all.Glitteringparticulateshung in the air, andTannasawahostoffiguresclimbfromeachoftheholesblastedthroughtheplanet’ssurface.

TheyhadthebulkofSpaceMarines,buttheirbodieswereformedfromatranslucentcrystallinematerialwithitsownbioluminescence.Apulsingnetworkofgreenveinsthreadedtheirbodies,likeanilluminated nervous system or amap of blood vessels in a human body. Tanna saw theywere notcoming from beneath the ground, they were part of the ground. At least forty of the creaturessurroundedthem,andastheglassydustof theirarrivalsettled,Tannasawtheydidn’t justhavethebulkofSpaceMarines,theirbodiesweresomehowformedinacrudeimitationofAdeptusAstartes.

Eachcrystallineformhadthebulkycurvatureofauto-reactiveshoulderguards,thebroadsweepofa plastron and an elementary form of a helmet. They were like a child’s representation of SpaceMarines,crudeandill-fashioned,butrecognisableenough.

‘WhatintheEmperor’snamearethey?’hissedVardaasthecrystalcreaturesclosedin.‘Theenemy,’saidTanna,sightingdownhisbolterandpullingthetrigger.

Iftherewasalessontobelearnedhere,itwasthathenotdoubtAmarok’ssenseforsomethingamiss.GunnarVintraswalkedtheWarhoundbackwardsthroughathicketoftallcrystallinespires,keepingthedamagedsideofhisenginefacingthecanyonwall.Histurbolaserwasjammed,theservitordeadandtheTitan’smachine-spiritdesperatelytryingtofindaworkaroundtogetitfiringagain.Phantomagoniesfromhis leftarmkeptVintrasfromblackingout,andaconstantfloodofstimulantsfoughttheeffectsofthepain-balms.

‘IfIsurvivethisfight,I’mgoingtohaveonehellofachemicalcome-downwhentheyflushmeout,’hehissedthroughpursedlips.‘That’saManifoldpurgeI’mnotlookingforwardto.’

No sooner had he initiated a full-threat auspex sweep, the kind of blaring announcement ofpresenceaWarhoundprincepswasloathtoinitiate,thantheenemyhadattacked.Hestillwasn’tsurewherethey’dcomefrom.Oneminutehewasstridingoveraseriesoffallenstalagmitesofprismaticglass,thenext,fourenginesofcomparabledisplacementtoAmarokwereattackinghim.

TheWarhound took the first shots on her voids, but in keeping him alive they blew outwith ascreaming detonation. Only Vintras’s natural reactions had kept a second volley of streaking boltsfromguttinghisTitan.Asitwas,theturbolasershadtakenthebruntofthebarrage.

Hereturnedfirewiththemega-bolter,feelingthepoundingreverberationsthroughthebonesofhisarmasheunleashedasalvoofhigh-explosiverounds.LikemostWarhoundprinceps,thejointsat

hiselbowhadbeenreplacedwithshock-absorbentmaterialstobetterwithstandtheconstantpressureofbio-feedbackfromhisengine’sweaponry,andhewasabletobearthebruntofsuchpunishingrecoilfromanarmthatwasn’tevenhis.

Somethingshatteredintoamillionpiecesinfrontofhim,butacascadeofbillowingicepreventedhimfromseeingwhatitwasasitfell.Vintrasknewbetterthananyonetheperilsofstayingstillinanenginefight,andpushedAmaroktostridingspeed.AWarhoundwasn’tagross-displacementenginethatcoulddishoutvastamountsoffireandtakeitatthesametime,itwasahunterthatthrivedinhigh-speedwar.

Aflensingblastoffireblewasmokingcraterinthecanyonwall,andVintrastracedtheshotbackto itspointoforigin.Hedanced theWarhound through the crystalgrowthsand sawanother threeenginesstridingtowardshim.Hiseyesnarrowedashetookthemeasureofhisopponents.

‘Whatthehellareyou?’hemurmured,seeingadreadfulfamiliarityintheirappearance.TheywereWarhounds,butonesthatlookedliketheatavisticicesculpturesleftoutsidethefortress

oftheOldbloodsbythesavagetribesthatcalledLokabrennahome.Thoughthesestatuesweremovingandfighting.Buttheywerestupid.Theycamestraightathim,likerankedupregimentsofImperialGuardsmenonaparadeground.

Vintras grinned andpushed the reactor to full power as he bolted for the cover of a fallen slope ofrubble fartheralong thevalley side.Shots chasedhim,buthis controloverAmarok’smovementwasfaultless. Even the pain of his wounded arm and the pain-balms couldn’t dull the pleasure of thismoment.

ATitancommanderrelishedagoodfight,buttofindyourselfengagedagainstafoeyouhopelesslyoutmatchedwasaveryspecialpleasure.

The crystalline Titans followedhim like hounds on a hunt, andVintras led themamerry chasethrough the spires; darting back and forth, weaving around them and leading them just where hewanted them.Billowing cloudsofglassydust choked the canyon,butVintrashadmemorisedeverymovehe’dmade,likeavirtuosodancerflawlesslyperforminghisgreatestwork.

ThepaininhisleftarmfadedandtheManifoldsurgedwithreadinessdata.Evenhisvoidshadreset.Amarok burst through a curtain of bright fragments, and there ahead of him were the three

counterfeitWarhoundswiththeirbackstohim.‘Imperator,Ilovethesemoments,’hesaid,stridingforwardsatcombatspeed.Insteadofscattering,theenemyenginesbeganturningonthespotlikenovicemoderatiplayingat

being a princeps. Vintras was on them before they were halfway rotated. He stepped between therightmostenginesandthrusthisarmsouttoeitherside.Themega-bolterwasprimarilyaninfantrykiller,butatpoint-blankrangeagainstanunshieldedenemyitwasanexecutioner’sweapon.ExplosiveshellsrippedintotheuppersectionofthefirstcrystalWarhoundandblasteditapartfromtheinside.Turbolaser fire cored the middle engine, shattering its canopy in a superhot explosion of moltenfragments.

Amarokkeptgoing,andVintraspivotedaroundthefallingcarcassoftheheadlessTitantofacethe

last remaining crystal engine. He bared his steel fangs and brought his hands together as thoughaimingapistoldownthefiringrange.

‘YoumightlooklikeaWarhound,butyoudon’tfightlikeone,’snarledtheSkinwalker,unleashingbothweaponsintotheglitteringfaux-Titan’shead.

Microcontent05

Kotovhadswitched toabodybetter suited tohostileenvironments,anarchaic robotic chassiswithray-shielded internalworkingsandheavyarmouredplates thatputhim levelwithhisskitariiescortandmadehim look likea ceremonialknight.Hisheadwasencased ina shimmering integrity fieldthat sent an irritated buzzing through his aural implants, but which was still preferable to anenclosinghelm.

HesteppeddownfromtheconvertedskitariiRhinoandlookedbackthewaytheyhadcome.ThecrevasseattheendofthevalleywasbeingbridgedbypioneerunitsdisgorgedfromtheconstructiondecksoftheTabularium.TheCadianengineerunitshadnothingcapableofbridgingsoawideagap,andtheirvehicleswereforcedtowaitalongwitheveryoneelse. JudgingbythevoxpassingbetweenCaptainHawkins’sChimeraandColonelAnders’sSalamander,thatdelaysatillwiththemenofCadia.

A thousand servitors, load-lifters and construction engines were manoeuvring heavy, girder-braced spars of plasteel intoplace, and robed adepts on suspendedplatformsdrilledbracing strutsontotheinnerfacesofthecrevasse.

ButitwasgoingtotaketimetoconstructsomethingcapableofbearingtheunimaginablemassofaLandLeviathan,andKotovcouldn’twaitthatlong.Hewantedtotastehismomentoftriumphfirst-hand,notfilteredthroughapict-captureorhololithicrepresentation.

HewouldseetheTomiokawithhisownaugmeticeyes.LupaCapitalinastoodimmobilebehindtheTabularium,atoweringrepresentationoftheOmnissiah

inhisaspectofwar.Occasionalpuffsofejectedvapourandthermalbleedfromitsarmouredreactorgave the lie to itsdormancy.TheWarlordwasawarrioronhair-trigger, tautandpoised foraction.Under normal circumstances, the reassurance a fully armed Warlord Titan imparted would bewelcome,butafter the incident in the trainingdecks, everyonewasunderstandably skittisharoundthemightywarmachine.LegioSiriusadeptshadassuredKotovthattheWintersun’slapsecouldneverhappenagain,butasKotovwellknew,theMechanicusneverdeletesanything.

TheWarhoundsthathadaccompaniedtheWintersuntothesurfacewerenowheretobeseen,butthatwasn’tunusual;theprincepsofsuchengineswerewilfulandpreferredtoremainunseen.

Satisfiedallwasproceedingasfastascouldbeexpected,Kotovsetofftotheopeningofthevalley,

whereRobouteSurcoufandtwomembersofhiscrewawaitedhim.‘Youshould letmyskitariiscoutthisplaceoutfirst,’ saidDahan,emergingfromasecondRhino

and marching to join him with a loping, mechanical gait. ‘We don’t know what’s up here, and ifSurcoufistobebelieved,theTomiokamightstillhaveactivedefencesinplace.’

The fleshy part of the Secutor’s face was encased in an oxygenatedmembrane gel that rippledacrosshisskull likea thincoatingofwater.All fourofhisarmswereextended,hisdigitalscarifierscracklingwithsparkinglightningandhisCebrenianhalberdheldatthereadyinhisupperlimbs.

‘Evenafternearlyfourthousandyears?’‘Mechanicustechisn’tfragile,’Dahanremindedhim.‘It’sbuilttoendure.’‘You’reright,ofcourse,Hirimau,’saidKotov,‘butIthinkwearewellprotected,don’tyou?’‘Bettertoknowthantothink,’gruntedDahan.‘SpokenlikeatruepriestofMars,’saidKotovwithoutanytraceofirony.Twenty skitarii followed the archmagos, armoured in non-reflective carapace that seamlessly

shifted in sync with their movements. Cog-toothedMechanicus skulls were rivet-stamped to eachshoulder, alongside scaled scorpions and azure spiders. Dahan’s warriors normally eschewed thewearingofbarbarictotems,butKotovnotedthattwohadfashionedleathery-lookingcloaksfromwhatpassivereceptorstoldhimwashumanskin.ItwastheworkofapicosecondtomatchitsDNAprofilewiththatofthebatch-grownskincurtainsfoundintheValetteinfirmary.

Mostoftheskitariicamearmedwithsolid-slugweapons,thoughtwowereimplantedwithflameunitsandalastwarriorwasequippedwithtwinmeltaguns,oneasareplacementarm,theotherasashouldermount.Allcarriedavarietyofclose-combatweapons;amixofsabres,axesandfalchionswithenergisededgesandsaw-bladeteeth.Theirfaceswereobscuredbytintedvisorsthathaddarkenedtoadeepbronze.

Galatea had elected to remain aboard the Tabularium, which struck Kotov as strange, given itsstateddesire tokill theLostMagos.Not thatKotovwasn’tgrateful tobeaway fromtheabominablecreature, but he couldn’t shake the niggling suspicion that the hybridmachine intelligence wasn’tbeingentirelyhonestwiththem.

WhateverthetruthofGalatea’sultimateagenda,itwouldhavetowait.WithDahanathis side,Kotovclambered through thenitrogen-wreathedrocks to the topof the

fissure.Surcoufclimbeddownfromhisgrav-sledandheldoutahandtohim.‘Youmadeit,archmagos,’hesaid.‘It’squiteasight,isn’tit?’Kotov didn’t answer the rogue trader, his gaze drawn to the dizzying height of the starship

standing on its ice-encased engines in the centre of the glassy ice plateau.Of all the thingshehadexpected,thishadfeaturedinnoneofhisdreamsoffindingtheTomioka.Farfrombeingavictimofatmosphericpoisoningorrampantexaggeration,Surcoufhad,ifanything,undersoldhowincrediblethesightofthelandedstarshipwouldbe.

‘Ave Deus Mechanicus…’ he said, his mouth hanging slack at the impossible sight of a seven-kilometrestarshipstandingproudlikeahivestarscraper.

‘Iknow,’saidSurcouf,understandinghisawe.‘Istillhaveahardtimebelievingit’sreal.’Kotovtriedtofindsomeframeofreferencetobringtheideaofalandedstarshipintosomekindof

focus,butthesightofitstandingsoincongruouslyinthelandscapewasonethatfittednomodelofreality.

‘Ihaveneverheardofavesselthissizesurvivingatmospherictransit,letalonebeingsuccessfullylanded,’saidDahan.

‘Telokmusthavebroughtitinexactlyperpendiculartothesurface,’saidKotov,finallyimposingameasureoforderonhiscascadingthoughts.‘Orelseitwouldhavebrokenitskeelandspreaditselfalloverthesurface.’

‘Is that even possible?’ asked Surcouf, unlimbering a pair of magnoculars and training it on aglitteringcloudofmistakilometreorsoaheadofthem.

‘Theship’splasmaenginesallowedtheship topenetrate farenough into the ice for it toremainupright,’saidKotov,moretohimselfthaninanswerofSurcouf.

‘What is that?’ asked Dahan, training his own combat optics on the mist cloud Surcouf wasexamining.‘IsthattheBarisan?’

‘Itmustbe,’agreedSurcouf.‘It’srightattheendofwhatlookslikeanimpactgougeintheground.IthinktheTemplarscrashed,butit’shardtomakeanythingout.’

‘Theumbraisdampingallauspexreadingsandhexingtheblessedworkingsofmachineswithinthelimitsofthisplateau,’saidKotov,suddenlyrealisingthatthedimensionsofthisencircledplateauwereavirtuallyperfectlymatchforthediameterofthedistortionLinyaTychonhaddetected.

‘We’rewithinit,andthegrav-sledisstillfunctional,’saidSurcouf.‘Ifit’sbeinggeneratedfromtheTomioka,thenitlookslikeitdoesn’textendallthewaytogroundlevel.’

‘IftheBlackTemplarshavecrashlanded,weshouldgototheiraid,’saidDahan.Kotov was inclined to damn the Space Marines and let them suffer the consequences of their

foolhardy zeal, but quelled so petty a notion. Dahan was right, if the Adeptus Astartes requiredassistance, he was duty-bound to offer it. He switched through his visual perception modes andmultiple hues descended over the landscape as he saw in expandedwavelengths, sound vibrations,radiation decay and a host of other sensory inputs. Irritatingly, it seemed Surcouf was correct indeducingthattheumbradidnotreachgroundlevel,ashisaugmeticsenseshadnotroublepenetratingtheumbrabelowfiftymetres.

Justaswhathehadfirstseenuponreachingtheedgeoftheplateaumadenosense,whathewasseeingnowmadejustaslittlesense.Withathought,heswitchedDahan’sopticstomatchhisownandexloadedthecorrectperceptualmodetoSurcouf’smagnoculars.

‘MagosDahan,’saidKotov.‘TheTemplarsareunderattack.Sendintheskitarii.’

MagosDahandetestedridingintobattlewithinthehullofanarmouredvehicle,equatingitsmetallicconfinementtotheinteriorofatomb.HehadadoptedtheusageoftheIronFistforjustthatreason,preferringtorideinanopen-toppedvehicle,likeabarbariankingofOldEarthchargingtowardstheenemyonhiswar-chariot.

Theimagewasanaptone,forhestoodonthearmouredtopsideofacrimsonandblackRhinoasitledhisskitariitowardsthebeleagueredBlackTemplars.Hisclawedlegswerebracedonthesideand

rear holdbars, while his deactivated scarifiers clamped onto the cupolamount of the commander’shatch.Hisupperarmswerefree,andhehadslunghishalberdinfavourofdeployingapairofforearm-mountedrotarylasers.

DenyingtheCadianunitspermissiontocrossthepartiallycompletedpioneerbridge,Dahanhadled his skitarii past the thousands of servitors and structural engineers buttressing its supports inreadinessfortheTabularium’scrossing.ThirtyRhinosmatchedthespeedofhisown,heavilyconvertedvehicles with upgraded auspex suites, additional weaponry and higher-grade command/controlfunctionality.Eachcarriedasquadofheavily-armedandhighly-skilledwarriors,menhehadtrainedusinghisstochasticanalysisofmillionsofinloadedcombatdoctrineswhichwerethenbrokendownintotheircomponentelements.ItwasatrainingregimehehadbelievedfaultlessuntilBrotherYaeloftheBlackTemplarshad–defyingallstatisticalprobability–bestedhiminacontestofarms.Amortalmindmighthavefeltsomeaffrontorinsultatsuchadefeat,butDahanwasabovesuchpettyconcerns,and had incorporated the fighting styles of the Black Templars into his accumulated battlesubroutines.

Interspersed with the screen of armour came the columns of weaponised servitors, trackedpraetorians,mobileweaponplatforms and a quad-maniple of twelve battle robots: sixCataphracts,fourCrusadersandtwoConquerors.Eachrobot’sorgano-cyberneticcortexwasslavedtoapartitionedthought-streamofbattle-implants.

NopartofthisbattlefieldwasunknowntoDahan,theoverclockedspeedofhismentalarchitectureplottingoutapreciseandconstantly-updatingpictureof thecombatarena.His threatoptics–nowincorporatingArchmagosKotov’ssensoryinload–drapedtheplateauoficyrockinmyriadcyanhues:strongly pigmented azures for organics, deeper cobalt shades for metallics and lighter teals forinorganicmaterials. Firing range bands, topographical vectors of assault and optimal engagementzoneswereoverlaidincrispredlines,givingDahantheperfectdatumpointsfromwhichtoconductthisassault.

The Black Templars fought from the topside of their partially buried Thunderhawk, which atDahan’s increased consciousness speed appeared to be in the process of being subsumed by thegrounditself.Ahostofcrystal-formedwarriors,illuminedandlikelyempoweredbyabloomofexoticenergywithin their chest cavities, laid siege to theThunderhawk.Bioformanalysis took them tobeSpaceMarines,butDahansawtheywerepoorimitationsofAdeptusAstartesperfection.

Withering hails of bolter fire were blasting these monstrosities apart, but more were pullingthemselves free from the groundwith the sound of breaking glass. Perhaps two hundred ormoresurrounded the buried gunship, hurling themselves at the embattled Space Marines with a slow,relentless hunger. Somewere equippedwith crudely-shapedweaponry integral to their forms, andthesefiredstreamsoflightthatregisteredaspainfullybrightlancesofsapphire.

Fortunately for theSpaceMarines, theirattackersdisplayedanappalling lackofmarksmanship,butthesheervolumeoffirewasforcingtheTemplarstoemployeverysquaremetreofcoveraffordedbythegunship’stailfins,openeddorsalhatchesandinactivetopsideturrets.

AnumberoficonsflashedontohisvisionandDahanwordlesslyissuedhisorders.TheConquerorscametoahalt,diggingintothereflectivesurfaceoftheplateauwithbracingclaws

before cycling round their heavy bolters and lascannons. Blazing gouts of fire streamed overhead,ploughingthroughthecrystallinecreaturesinathunderouscacophonyofshatteredcrystalandarcingelectricaldischarge.ThedatalodgedinDahan’scognitiveoverview.

Whateverelsethesecreatureswere,theyweredefinitelynotorganic.TheCrusadersincreasedspeed,twomovingaroundeachflankastheskitariiRhinosgroundtoa

halt in a blizzard of glittering ice chips. Assault doors slammed back and squads of cybernetically-enhancedwarriorsdebarked inperfectsynchrony.Eachsquad-chief’srighteyewasabattle-implantthat received situationaldata straight fromDahan; theyknewwhatheknewandhisbinaricorderswereimplementedvirtuallyinstantaneously.

Like a grand-master’s regicide pieces on a tri-dimensional board, each squadmoved in concertwith those nearby, offering mutually supporting fields of fire and flank protection. Weaponisedservitorsswiftlycaughtupto the infantry, takingupoverwatchingpositionstooffer fire-supportasandwhenitwasrequired.TheCataphractrobotsmovedalongsidetheinfantry,theiranti-personnelautocannons and power fists ready to support against any foe beyond the soldiers’ capability toengage.

DahanreleasedhisgriponthesidesofhisownRhinoanddroppedtotheground,unlimberinghisCebrenianhalberdandignitinghisclawedscarifiers.Hisassignedsquadhoveintoview,andherantojointhemwithhispeculiarlopinggait.

Skitariigunfiresmashed through thecrystalcreatures,blasting themapartwithsolidroundsordetonating them explosively with high-energy hotshots. Grenade launchers cleared space forpraetorianstooccupyanddenytheenemytimetoregroup.Dahanhimselfwasnotabovegettinghishands dirty, fightingwith killing sweeps of hisCebrenian halberd.He assigned his own commandsquad, amix of elite suzerain and experimentalweapon-bearers, a path right into the heart of thefight.

His accompanying skitarii unleashed a hail of plasma, graviton guns and micro-conversionbeamers.Thoughthecrystalcreaturesweremanifestlyinhumantheystillobeyedthelawsofphysicsandcameapartlikeanyothersubstance.Theiradvancewasmadeovercrunchingdebrisofflickeringcrystalandcut-glasscarcasses.

Dahanallowedhimselfamomentofrecklessnessandsurgedaheadofhissquad,vaultingintoagroupoftheicy-lookingcrystal-formswithaburstofhostilebinary.HeswunghisCebrenianhalberd,slamming its entropic capacitor into the chest of a slowly turning construct.Ablast ofhostile codestabbed into its heart and the green light was instantly extinguished. The impact of the halberdshatteredthething,andDahanwasalreadymovingbythetimeitsglassyremainsfelltotheground.Justastheywerepoorshots,thecrystal-formswerenomoreadeptintheartsofclosecombat.Dahanslashedandstabbedwithhishalberd,reapingagrimtallyofglassyenemies,andcuttingshard-limbsfromtheirbodieswithhisenergy-wreathedscarifiers.

Mostbattlefieldswerefilledwiththescreamsoffrenziedwarriors,thehowlsofthedyingandtheclashofblades,butinthisarenatheonlysoundswereboominggunfireandthebrittleshatteringofcrystal-formbodies.

Thetwinhornsoftheskitariiassaultnowpressedinonthecrystal-formcreatures,scythingtheir

numbersandpressingintowardstheSpaceMarinesatoptheBarisan.Dahan’scalculationsindicatedthatthisengagementwouldbedecisivelyendedinfourminutesandthirty-fiveseconds.

Dahan’s squad finally caughtupwithhim, fightingwith implantedweaponry toblast and cut apath through theheart of the enemy towards theSpaceMarines.Dahan instantly read the identitybiometricsofeachoftheBlackTemplars,intriguedtonotethatnotoneofthemdisplayedanyelevatedreadingstoindicatethattheywereengagedinadesperatefirefight.

He opened a vox-link, cycling through all known Space Marine frequencies until he heard aclipped,verbally-efficientbattle-cantbasedonthenorthernInwittribalargot.

‘SergeantTanna,thisisMagosDahan,’hesaid.‘Nowwouldseemaprudenttimetowithdraw.’Tanna’svoicesoundedshockedtohearanon-Templarvoiceinhishelmet.‘ThisisaTemplarvox-

net,’hesaid.‘Youdonotspeakuponit.’‘FeelfreetocensuremewhenwearebackontheTabularium,’Dahansaid,‘butIsuggestyoucome

withusbeforemoreofthesecrystal-formsappear.’TannadidnotrespondandDahanrealisedthesergeanthadshuthimoff.‘Foolish,’ said Dahan, amazed at the self-harm beings not defined by logic would wreak upon

themselvesforthesakeofmortalprideandpropriety.Dahanpausedinhisadvanceasheregisteredthedestructionof twoofhisRhinos.Nowhere inhiswidenetofsensory inputshadheregisteredathreat capableofdestroyingavehicle.Hepulledhisawarenessoutwardsasa ripplingspiderwebofsurgingenergypatternsconvergedonthebattlefield,likeareversedpict-captureofashatteringpaneofglass,thesplinteringtraceriesofcracksradiatingbacktowardsthepointofimpact.

Moments later, the threat levels ramped up as fresh energy forms rapidly appeared withoutwarning. All across the theatre of battle, the ground eruptedwith thousands of geysering blasts ofprismaticshardsasanentirearmyofthecrystal-formsrippedupintothefight.Thecyclingcounterofhis battle-end calculation went into reverse before winking out and being replaced with arepresentationofhowlonghisownforcescouldexpecttoremainviable.

Inevitablevictoryhadsuddenlybecomecertainannihilation.AtriooffigurestorethemselvesfromthegroundbeforeDahan,tworesemblingcrudeanatomical

representationsofskitarii,whilethethirdwasaglassinemockeryofhisownform,completewithatripodarrangementoflegsandquad-armatures.

A blast of fire stuck him on the shoulder, and his combat algorithms leapt in complexity by anorder ofmagnitude. Dahan gasped at the hexamathic density of the required calculations and hisshoulders erupted with thermal bloom as his cranial implants desperately vented excess heat. Hestaggered as his mind and body fought to maintain equilibrium between strategic overview andtacticalnecessity.

Somethinghad togive, and rightnowDahan’smostpressing concernwas the creature right infrontofhimthreateninghislife.

He shut off his high-speed cognitive functions and veils of battlefield awareness fell away likewind-blown smoke. His doppelgänger came at him with its copied halberd slashing for his head.Dahanwasstilladjustingtohisrestrictedworldviewandtheblowtookhimfullinthechest,hurlinghimbackwithacrackofsplittingmetal.Boltsoflas-fireblastedchunksofitssubstanceaway,butits

imitationbodywasclearlyofgreaterdensitythanitsbrethren.Acrystal-clawedfootstampeddownonascarifierarmandsheareditfromhisbody.Painsignals

flaredinDahan’sbrain.Nothingorganicwasleftinthatlimb,butthehurtwasnolessreal.Dahan’srecalibrating combat subroutines snapped back into focus and he parried a follow-up blow, rollingasideasthehalberdslammeddownwherehisheadhadbeen.

‘Myturn,’hesnarled,drivinghisscarifierupintothething’sbody.Snappingelectricaldischargeblewoutavastchunkofcrystallinematerial,andhekickedoutwith

his third leg, snapping one of his attacker’s. The creature staggered, but didn’t fall until he pushedhimselfuprightandbroughthisCebrenianhalberddownonitsskull.Theblowshearedthecreatureintwo, itsseveredbodycollapsing like twohalvesofaclovensculpture.Moreof therisencrystal-formcreaturesweresurroundinghim;thesheerquantityofenemyfirepowerhadaqualityallofitsown.

Fourmore came at him and he swayed back on his rear leg to avoid a thrusting spear-limb. Ahalberd strike destroyed the limb, and he sprang forwards to deliver a hammering electrical strikefrom his remaining scarifier. The creature exploded and he spun low on his reverse-jointedmainlimbs,scythinghisretractedrearlegaround.Twocrystal-formswentdown.Dahanskeweredonewithhishalberd,spinningtheweaponaroundtodeliverathunderousstrikewiththeentropicgeneratoronthe other. A crackling energy fist came at him and he lowered his head to take the blow on hisarmoured cowl. Crystal shattered against the adamantium hood; Dahan didn’t give the creatureanotherchance.

Hesurgedupright,vaultingoverthething’sheadandbringinghishalberdaroundinthreeultra-rapid slices before he landed. The crystal form slid apart into pieces, green light spewing from itsrupturedchestcavity.Onanotherday,Dahanwouldhavedearlylovedtostudythatenergysource,butnowwasnotthetime.

Withafractionalspaceclearedaroundhim,theskitariiralliedtohisside.Dahan allowed himself a brief increase in cognition speed to access his strategic awareness

protocols,skimmingtheblurtsofreal-timedata-feedsfromthewarriorsunderhiscommand.Theinformationwasnotheartening.Dahan’s skitarii were dying, and instead of rescuing the Black Templars, he and his command

squadwerenowasisolatedasTannaandhiswarriors.

Tannahadlongsinceexpendedhissupplyofbolterammunitionandthepowercellofhischainswordwasdangerouslyclosetorunningempty.Hisarmourwasscorchedfromdozensofimpactsandhewasamong the least wounded of his warriors. Auiden had already brought Bracha back into the fight,sealinganeatlycauterisedblastthroughhisthigh.

NowBrachakneltproppedupbytheBarisan’stailfin,pickingshotswithhisimplantedplasmagunandfendingoffcloserangeattackerswithhiscombatblade.Issurmetthefoebladetoblade,hackingthe crystallinemockeriesofSpaceMarines apartwithgracefulblowsofhis shriekingpower sword.Onlyhisnerve-damageinducedmusclespasmsallowedthecreaturesanywherenearhim.Shardsofhisarmourhungfromhimwheretheirenergisedclawshadtornitfromhim.

Issur fought back to back with Varda, who alone of them all appeared untouchable. The BlackSwordcutthroughthetranslucentglassbodiesoftheirattackerswithease,andhisgold-chasedpistolhadaseeminglyunendingsupplyofkillingbolts.

YaelfoughtfrombehindaturretthatTannadearlywishedwasfiring,snappingoffcarefullyaimedshotswithhis bolter anddriving the enemybackwithhis swordwhen thatwasn’t enough.Auidenfought atTanna’s side, awarrior first,Apothecary second.Hispistolwas empty, buthis swordandnartheciumbladeswerejustasefficientatkilling.

‘NothowIimaginedthiswouldend,’saidAuiden.‘Nor I,’ repliedTanna, sweepinghissword through the faceplateofacrystal-formimitationofa

SpaceMarine.Hekickeditsbrokenremainsfromthegunship,alltooawarethattheencroachingiceoftheplateauwasatleastametrehigherthanwhentheyhadfirstcrashed.Atthisrate,itsstructurewouldbecompletelyabsorbedbytheplateauwithinthenexttenminutes.

NotthatTannaexpectedtolivethatlong.He ducked as he saw a crystal-form take aim and felt the heat of the shot’s passing. Twomore

creaturesclawedtheirwayuptheBarisan’sfuselage.Hekickedthefirstonebackdownandplungedhisbladeintothegreen-litchestofthesecond.Threemorecameupbehindthem,andsawingblastsoffiretoreoverhisbackashethrewhimselfflat.Herolledandfoundhimselfslidingtowardstheedgeofthegunship,whereahostofclimbingenemyawaitedhim.

‘Tanna!’shoutedAuiden,divingoverthetopsidetograbtheedgeofhisarmour.The Apothecary’s grip gave Tanna the chance to swing his sword around and hook it behind a

protrudingintakevent.WithAuiden’shelp,hefinallyfoundpurchaseandpushedhimselfawayfromthedrop.Herolledasnumerouscrystallineclawsappearedattheedge.

‘Mythanks,’saidTanna,scramblingtohisfeetandstampingdownonthebesieginghands.Asfarashecouldsee,theplateauwassquirmingwithmotionasmoreandmoreofthecrystalline

creatures burst fromgeysers of crystal shards, cracking and splitting the groundwith their arrival.Magos Dahan’s assault now looked like a last stand as they too were surrounded by the emergentbeasts.

‘Gallingtobekilledwhilewe’reinspittingdistanceofagod-machine,’criedAuiden,backhandinghischainswordacrosstheneckofanenemywarrior.

‘Ifthey’reso…nggh…close,whyaren’tthey…hnng…here?’spatIssur.‘Itwouldn’tmake any difference,’ shoutedBracha. ‘Would you trust awarmachine that almost

blewyourshipoutfromunderyou?’‘KotovwouldneverauthoriseLupaCapitalina to fireontheTomioka,’ saidTanna. ‘Hehascrossed

thegalaxytofindthisshipandisn’tabouttoriskitbeingdamagedbyTitanfire.’‘Thenthenextfewmomentsaregoingtobeinteresting,’saidAuiden.‘Youhaveastrangeideaofinteresting,Apothecary,’saidVardaasheputaboltthroughanenemy’s

chest.‘That’sonlybecauseyouthinkpurelyintermsofkilling.’‘What other… gnnah… way is there to think?’ said Issur, cutting the legs out from two enemy

warriorswithoneblow.

‘Ihavetothinkofkillingandkeepingallofyoualive,’saidtheApothecary,adjustingthesettingsonhisnartheciumgauntlet.‘Nowthat’sinteresting.’

NosoonerwerethewordsoutofAuiden’smouththanahideouslyunluckyvolleyofshotspunchedthrough his plastron, gorget and helmet. Blood fountained, and evenwithout Apothecary training,Tannaknewthewoundsweremortal.HecaughtAuidenashe fell,wrenchinghishelmetoffbeforebloodfromhisarteriesfilledhishelmetanddrownedhim.

ButtheApothecary’sfacewasaruinofscorchedmeatandboiledblood.HisnoblefeatureswereobliteratedandevenasTannawatched,themoltenbonestructureofhisskullsaggedinwardstoformasloshingpoolofsteamingbrainmatter.

Tanna’sgriefswelledaroundhim,buthequasheditsavagelyastheBarisanlurcheddownintotheplateauonceagain.Heheardtheshoutsofhiswarriors,butignoredthemashesawawayoutoftheirentrapmentracingtowardsthem.

EmilwouldbecallinghimalunaticrightaboutnowandRoboutewouldbehard-pressedtodisagreewiththatassessment.Heswungthegrav-sledaroundaknotofembattledskitariiastheyfoughtinadiminishing shield wall against the crystalline monsters that broke free of the glassy plateau likecreaturesrisingfromuncountedmillenniafrozenbeneaththeplanet’ssurface.

Besidehim,Adara firedhis laspistolwithpinpoint accuracy,decapitatinga crystalwarriorwitheveryshot.Pavelkahadnodedicatedweaponry,buthermechadendriteswereequippedwith fusioncutters, ion beamers and las-saws, and they served as fearsome combat attachments. The grav-sledwasn’tarmed,butRoboutewasusingitasaweapon,barrellingthroughtheoverwhelmingnumbersofenemylikeanAdeptusArbitesurbanpacificationvehicle.

Ofcoursehetriedtoavoidthat,butthecloserhegottotheBarisan,theharderitbecame.Forthemostpart,thecrystal-formsweredirectingtheir lethalattentionsontheskitariiandSpaceMarines,butthatwasabouttochange.

‘This is insaneand illogical,’ saidPavelka,neatlysnipping thehead fromacrystal-formabout todeliverthedeathblowtotheexposedcortexofadownedbattlerobot. ‘Ishouldwrestcontrolofthisvehiclefromyou.’

‘Youwouldn’tdare,’saidRoboute.‘IwouldifIthoughtyouwouldn’tjustjumpoutandkeepgoing,’shereplied.Despitetheunimaginabledanger,Roboutefeltnothingbutatoweringsenseofinvulnerabilityas

heslewedaroundthegunship’spartiallyenvelopedengines.Heshatteredmoreoftheenemywiththesled’sbull-bars,haulingthecontrolsbacktobringhimdownthestarboardflankofthegunshipwhereitswingwasnowcompletelyenvelopedbytheground.

AroundthirtyofthecrystallineSpaceMarineshauledtheirwayupthelistingsideoftheBarisan,likeahordeofplaguevictimstryingtobreakintoasealedmedicaestructure.

‘Holdon!’shoutedRobouteandgunnedtheengine.The collisionwas ferocious, a splintering series of shattering impacts as dozens of bodieswent

underthegrav-sled.Itsenginesscreechedandtherearsectionheeledsidewaysasthemachine-spirit

howledinprotestatsuchcavaliertreatment.Roboute’sharnesssplitalongitscentre-line,andonlyoneofPavelka’ssnappingmechadendriteskepthimfromfallingfromthesled.

ShepulledhimuprightandhewavedhisarmstoattracttheattentionoftheBlackTemplars.ASpaceMarinewithanaugmeticarmimplantedwithaseethinghotplasmagundroppedontothe

cargobed,followedbyawarriorwithacracklingenergyblade.Betweenthem,theycarriedthebodyofafallenwarrior,butRoboutecouldn’ttellifhewasaliveordead.AnotherTemplardroppedontothesledafterthem,untilonlyTannaandthewarriorwiththewhite-wreathedhelmremained.Thoughitwassurelyridiculous,itlookedasthoughthetwoofthemwerearguingoverwhoshouldbethelasttoabandontheirposition.

‘For the Emperor’s sake, just get on the damn sled!’ shouted Roboute, though there was littlechancetheywouldhearhim.

Buthiswordshadthedesiredeffect,andthetwowarriorsleapttogether,landingonthesledwithenough force to drive the back end into the ground. The repulsor engine flared, but miraculouslystayedlit.

‘They’reaboard!’shoutedPavelka.‘Nowgetusoutofhere!’RoboutenoddedandwrenchedthecontrolsaroundwithawhisperedprayertotheOmnissiahto

forgivehimforhis roughtreatmentof thegrav-sled.Thesled’scontrolsweresluggish,butRoboutehad themeasure of themnow, and compensated for the addedweight of the SpaceMarines as hegunnedtheenginehard.Thesledshotawayfromthedownedgunship,everydialonthepanelinfrontofhimtappingintothered.

Thecrystal-formcreaturesweren’tabouttobedeniedtheirpreyandturnedtheirattackfromthegunshiptothegrav-sled.OnewrenchedAdara’sdooroffandreceivedanarmouredbootintheface.The creature fell away as Roboutewove a path through the battling skitarii. Bolts of emerald lightstreakedaroundhim.Explosionsstitchedacrosstheheavyplatesoftheenginecowling,andthesledlurchedassomeinternalmechanismblewout.

Avoiceblastedintohishelmet.‘Getusoutofhere!’Robouteflinched.AdeptusAstartes.Tanna.‘I’mtrying,’saidRoboute,skiddingaroundapackofcrystal-formsastheytriedtoboxthegrav-sled

in.‘Thesethingsareeverywhere.Andwe’renotexactlytravellinglight.’‘Wewillsecureyouapath,’saidTanna.Secondslater,blazingtrailsofbolterfirestreakedoverhead,rippingthroughthecrystal-formsand

clearingapathofbrokenglass.Adaraaddedhispistolfiretothescouringbarrage,andRoboutecouldjustimaginethestorieshe’dgetoutofthis.FightingalongsidetheBlackTemplars!

Thoughhe’dcautiontheyouthnottousethewordrescueinhistales.Aflatbangofelectricaldischargeblewoutonthegrav-sled,andRoboute’sheartsankasanumber

ofthedialsonthecontrolpaneldroppedrapidlytozero.‘Shit,shit,shit…’hemuttered,bangingapalmagainstthepanel:theuniversalrepairpanacea.Heriskedaglanceoverhisshoulder,seeingtheBlackTemplarskneelingorstandingonthecargo

flatbedwiththeirboltersroaring.Butbehindthem,thegrav-sled’senginewasbillowingtwinplumesoftarryblackoilsmoke.

Microcontent06

The atmosphere aboard theTabularium was one of control. Despite the sudden reversal of fortunesufferedbyMagosDahan’sskitarii,therewasnopaniconthecommandbridge.MagosKryptaestrexhadassumedcommandoftheLandLeviathan,andthoughthepioneerunitshadnotyetcertifiedthetemporary structures bridging the crevasse, his experienced optics had adjudged them capable oftakingitsweight.

Cadianunitswerealreadystreamingacross,butonlyarecklessvanguard,fortheTabulariumnowoccupiedthecentreofthenewly-builtspan.Itsstompingfeetshookthebridgeanddislodgeddebrisfrom the inner faces of the crevassewhere the supporting corbels and inset supportswere drilled.Portionsofthevastmachine’swidthhungovertheedgeofthebridge,andLinyatriednottoimaginewhatwouldhappenifMagosAzuramagellistrayedbutalittlefromitscentre-line.

She kept a tight rein on her terror, partitioning the innate synaptic responses to tumblingthousandsofkilometresbehindwallsoflogic.Shewouldpayforthatlater,butfornowsheneededtofunctionwithoutthedebilitatinghandicapoffear.

She’d launchedmore drones, but capped their altitude to fortymetres to keep them below theumbra,assigningthemfigureofeightorbitsaroundthe toweringspireof theTomioka.Visual feedscominginfromtheembattledforcesontheplateauhadshockedeveryone,buttheywereMechanicus,andencounteringtheinconceivablewaspartoftheirmandate.

‘MagosDahanwilllearnavaluablelessoninhumility,’saidGalatea,itsmismatchedlegswalkingitaround the surveyor table, where flickering icons and veils of binary bloomed from the hololithicsurfaceinmulticolouredbands.‘TheTomiokaiswelldefended.’

‘Isthatwhyyoudidn’tgowiththem?’askedLinya.‘Didyouknowthesethingswerehere?’Galatealookedup,andthecoldsilverofitsdeadopticsmadeLinya’sskincrawl.‘No,butthepresenceofautomateddefenceswasalogicalpossibility.’‘Apossibilityyouneglectedtomention.’‘We saw no need,’ replied Galatea. ‘We believed Archmagos Kotov would come to the same

conclusion.’ThoughLinyaknew itwasanabsurdlyorganicnotion, shewouldhave swornona stackofSTC

fragmentsthatitwaslying.Warningsbroadcast inbinaryandGothicblaredfromvox-hornsandLinyagrippedthesurveyor

tableastheTabulariumshuddered,thedeckanglingminutelydownwards.‘Weareatthemidpointofourcrossing,’MagosKryptaestrexintoned,andLinya’sheartbeatalittle

faster at the thought of the Land Leviathan’s vast,monolithic feet breaking through the temporarybridge’sweakestpointwiththunderoushammerblows.

‘Then let’s hope your pioneer crews have been thorough in their work on the far side,’ saidAzuramagellifromthesteeringstation,hisdeconstructedbrainportionsflickeringinthelightofhiselectricalactivity.

‘If you keep us straight, instead ofweaving us about like you have so far, then therewill be noissues,’returnedKryptaestrex,pluggedintothecontrolsformotivepowerasheattemptedtoreducetheimpactforceoftheTabularium’stwinbanksofenormousfeet.

‘Ifyouwishtoswitchassignments,’saidAzuramagelli,hisartificialvoicestillmanagingtoconveyhisirritationatKryptaestrex,‘thenIwillbeonlytoohappytotakecommandofmotivepower.’

‘Itwouldbeconducivetooperationsandmymentalequilibriumifthetwoofyouwouldshutupandconcentrateonyourassignedtasks,’saidLinyawithablurtofadmonishingbinary.‘Thatwaywemightactuallymakeitacrossthiscrevasseinonepiece.’

NeitherKryptaestrexnorAzuramagellireplied,butbothsignalledtheircontritionwithnoosphericmessagesofassent.

Theattenuated reverberationsechoing through theLandLeviathanchanged inpitchas thevastmachinemovedtoadescendinglatticeworksupportofadamantiumstruts,interlockingdeckplatingandbored-insuspensors.Linyabroughtupadroneoptic feedandwatched theTabularium crossingthe bridge, a million-tonne leviathan perched on an absurdly slender-looking structure that anyrationaleyewouldseeasutterlyincapableofsupportingsomethingsomassive.

But,asimpossibleasitmightlook,Kryptaestrex’sbridgewasholdingfirmandtheywerealmostacross.ThepitchoftheLandLeviathan’sfeetreturnedtonormal,andLinyaletoutabreath,theprimalpartofherbrainhavingtakenoverherphysiologicalfunctionsdespiteherbesteffortstoself-regulate.Theywereacross–thoughwould,ofcourse,havetoreturnthesameway–andtheTabulariumcantedupwardsasKryptaestrexpouredpowerintothepropulsiondecksandtheyclimbedthelasthundredmetrestotheplateau.

Linya switched between the dozens of visual feeds coming from the drones, studyingmultipleinloads at once. Dahan’s skitarii were falling back in good order, extricating themselves fromoverwhelmingoddsbymeansofmutuallysupportingmobileshieldwalls.Theplateauwasawashwiththe icecreatures,aglitteringarmyassembledintheir thousandsfromthecrystallinebedrockoftheworld.Against sonumerousa foe,mostmortal armieswouldalreadyhavebeendestroyed,overrunandslaughteredastheyfledthefieldinpanic.

Skitariiwerenotlikeamortalarmy.Theircourageheldinthefaceofinsurmountableodds,theircooldetachmentandunbreakabledisciplinekeepingtheminthefight.LinyasawDahaninthethickofthehardestfighting,breakingenemythruststhatmightinterferewiththeskitarii’sretreat.

LinyadidnotlikeDahan,buthadtoadmirehistenacityanddevotiontohiswarriors.

Onefeedcaughthereye,andshezoomedinonitwithaspikeofdisbelief.RobouteSurcoufwasinthemidstofthefighting,hisgrav-sledfleeingthefieldofbattleinspurts

andstartsasitsengineburnedout.ThatithadgotthemthisfarwasamiracleoftheOmnissiah,butLinyasawitsmachine-spiritwasclosetoextinction.Hundredsofcrystal-formssurroundedthem,andevenwiththeBlackTemplarsfightingfromitsback,sheestimatedtheyhadlessthanaminutebeforebeingoverrun.

‘MagosAzuramagelli,’saidLinya.‘Exloadingacoursechangetoyou.’‘Understood.’‘MagosKryptaestrex,deploythedockingclamp.’

‘It’stoofar,’saidModeratiMarkoKoskinen.‘Nowaywecanmakeit.’+Havefaith,+saidtheWintersun.+Iknowthisengine.Iknowwhatsheiscapableof.+‘AsdoI,princeps,andthatcrevasseistoowideforus,’saidKoskinen,bringinguptheschematics

of a Warlord Titan from the Manifold. A three-dimensional image of the towering god-machineappeared over the central display hub of the command bridge, rotating slowly with reams of datalistingitstolerancesandcapacitycascadingalongside.‘Weshouldwaituntilthebridgeisclear.’

ThoughPrincepsLuthhadnoneed–ormortaleyes–toseetheschematic,hiswithered,bifurcatedwraith-form drifted from themilky grey suspension within his amniotic tank to press against thearmourglass.Silverfeed-cablespluggedintohistruncatedwaistandspinalimplantstrailedfromhisbacklikethehacklesofarousedwolf.

+Schematicsareforthescholam,+saidtheWintersun,+Weareatwar,Koskinen.LupaCapitalinawaitsfornoman.+

‘Hyrdrith,backmeuphere,’saidKoskinen.‘Princeps,’saidMagosHyrdrithfromherelevatedstationattherearofthebridge.‘Asever,Iaccept

yourwisdomasOmnissiah-given,butImustagreewithModeratiKoskinen.OncetheTabulariumanditsattendantvehiclesareclear,wecan–’

+Mechanicuswarriorsaredying,+snarledLuth.+Wecansavethemfromthebeasts.+‘Myprinceps,’saidKoskinen,frowningasswarmingghostimagesflickeredthroughtheManifold

forthebriefestinstant.‘Evenifyou’rerightandwecanmakeitacross,there’snotellingifthegroundonthefarsideisstrongenoughtotakeourmass.We–’

‘If your princeps gives you an order, you question it?’ snapped Joakim Baldur on the oppositemoderatistationtoKoskinen’s.Heshookhishead.‘NowonderMoonsorrowchallengedforalpha.’

JoakimBaldurservedasModeratiPrimusonCanisUlfrica,buthadbeenassignedtoLupaCapitaliainthewakeofLarsRosten’sdeath.HewasReaverthroughandthrough,whichmadehimbelligerentat the best of times, but now serving on the engine that had almost killed his own princeps onlysharpenedhisviper’stongue.TheburnshehadsufferedaboardCanisUlfricahadhealed,buttheskinaroundhiseyesandearsstillhadtherugosetextureofvat-culturedskin.

‘You crew a Reaver,’ snapped Koskinen, his fraying temper – worn thin by Baldur’s constantcarpingandobviousreluctancetobeaboardLupaCapitalina–finallysnapping.‘Whatthehelldoyou

knowaboutthisengine?+Be silent! Lupa Capitalina’s anger burns hot,+ said Princeps Luth. +Would you feel that anger

throughyourManifoldinterface?+‘No,princeps,’saidKoskinen,pushingthemotivesystemsoutandtryingnottolethisdisquietat

whathethoughthe’dseenintheManifoldshow.LupaCapitalina setoffatcombatpace towards thecrevasse. Its strideswere long, theWarlordmoving faster thanwasprudent in such icy conditions.KoskinenheardHyrdrith’sprayerstotheMachine-Godasthecrevasseyawnedbeforethem.

Koskinen’sheartdroppedatthesightofit,knowinginhisbonesitwastoowideforthemandtooimpossiblydeeptosurviveiftheyplungedintoitsbottomlessdepths.TheWarlordwaswalkingfasterthanithadwalkedinmonths,itsmightylegsslammingintothegroundandthrowingupvastchunksofdislodgediceandrock.

Theywerepracticallysprinting,whichwasdangerousforsuchatoweringwarmachineatthebestoftimes,buttheyneededall themomentumtheycouldget.Thatmightbeall thatsavedthemfromtopplingbackintothecrevasse,soKoskinensettoscavengingeveryounceofreactorenergyfromthevoids and any secondary system he could think of to boost the gyro-stabilisingmechanisms at theheartofthevastmachine.

AngryrediconsflaredintheManifold,stampedwithinloadsignifiersoftheTabularium.ThemagiaboardtheLandLeviathansawwhattheyattemptedandwerewarningthemofthedangers.

+Theythinkwewillfail,+laughedtheWintersun.+IwillshowthemwhatSiriuscando.+

Roboutewastryingeverytrickheknewtokeepthegrav-sledintheair,fromprayerstothreats,butthemachine was dying. Thick smoke and streamers of random gravity fluctuations poured from theengine cowling, and they were leaving a black and oily train in their juddering, weaving wake.SergeantTannaandhisBlackTemplarshadexpendedtheirammunitionreserveandwerekeepingthecrystal-formsatbaywithswordsandfists.

‘Come on,’ said Roboute, finally seeing the cliff face of the Tabularium as it stamped onto theplateau, accompanied by a host of steeldust Cadian tanks. The vast machine was around threehundredmetresaway,butitmightaswellhavebeenontheothersideoftheplanet.Skitariiunitswerefalling back either side of them, some on foot and some in badly damaged Rhinos, but they werefightingtotheirownplan.

AplaninwhichRobouteandtheBlackTemplarsdidn’tfactor.Thegrav-sleddropped,andRoboutefelttheventralfinkisstheground.‘Canyoucoaxanymorelifeoutofthisbloodysled?’heshoutedbacktoPavelka.‘Don’tyouthinkIamtrying?’shereplied. ‘Clarification:employingpejorativetermsonmachines

thatmightsaveyourlifeisnotrecommendedbytheadeptsofMars.’‘Goodpoint,’saidRoboute,asyetanotheronboardsystemdied.‘Right,listenup,sled.Ifyougetus

outofherealiveIpromisetorepaireverydent,burnandtearinyourhull.Iwillreplaceeverydamagedcomponentandneveragainputyouinharm’sway.NowwillyoubloodywellgetustotheTabularium!’

‘NotquitewhatIthinkshehadinmind,captain,’saidAdara.

‘BestI’vegot,son,’saidRoboute.‘BestI’vegot.’Thegrav-sled’srearsectionslewedaroundastheenginefinallyblewoutwithabrayofthrashing

machinepartsandsquallingrepulsorfields.Theventralfinploughedafurrow,andthesled’sfrontalsectionslammedintothegroundwithashriekof tearingmetal.Roboutewasthrownforwards intothebuckledcanopystruts,hischeekcrackingpainfullyontheinnerfaceofhishelmet.

The sled had broken its back in the crash, spilling the body of the fallen Black Templar to theground.Thewarriorwiththewhite-wreathedhelmetimmediatelyleaptfromthewreckageandswunghisenormousblacksword inawidearc.Threecrystal-formsshattered,andtwomorefellbackwithemeraldlightstreamingfrommortalwoundstotheirchests.

The rest of the Templars were at his side in moments, fighting to clear a space around theirdownedbrotherastheenemyclosedin.Thesledwaswrecked,andRobouteslammedhisfistagainstthecontrols.

‘Bloodyuselessthing!’heyelled‘Timetogetoutofhere,captain?’saidAdara.‘I think youmight be right,’ said Roboute, seeing hundreds of crystal-forms closing in through

puffsofoxygenstreamingfromwidecracks inhishelmet’s faceplate. ‘But Idon’t thinkwe’regoinganywhereinahurry.’

Hedraggedhisgold-chasedlaspistolfromitsholsterandstoodinthebuckleddoorwayofthecab.‘Comeonthen,youbastards!’heyelled.‘Comeandgetus!’He held his pistol in the classic straight-thumb grip and started shooting into the clashing,

crystallinehostthatsurroundedthem.Hisfirsttargetdroppedwithaneatholecoredthroughitsskull,thesecondwithanidenticalwound.

ThethirdexplodedintoglassyvapourasthoughhitbyaVanquishershell,leavingagiantcraterinits wake. Roboute fell from the sled as the pounding shockwaves of the blast swatted him to theground.Scores of smoking shell cases raineddownaroundhim, andhe rolledontohis back as theshadowofasnarlingbeastrearedoverhim.

Itsweaponarmsbuckedwiththeforceofblazingmega-bolters,andthepairofwarhornsmountedatitsjutting,fangedmawunleashedahowlingbattlecry.

‘Vilka!’criedPavelka,hearingitsnamewovenintothehowl.TheWarhound stomped over thewreckage of the grav-sled, sheeting bursts of fire clearing the

groundofenemiesfortensofmetresinalldirections.Ittrampledthecrystal-formstopowderbeneathitsenormousclawedfeetandcarvedwhite-hot-edgedgougesintheearthwithitsguns.

Norhaditcomealone.AsecondWarhoundlopedfromablizzardofspinningcrystalshards,twinweaponarmsspitting

thunderousvolleysoflas-fireandexplosiveshells.Itsflankwasscoredwithdeepwounds,andblessedoilssheeneditsarmouredhide.Likeitstwinithowleditsfury,dartingintomakekillsateveryblastofitswarhorn.

Roboutescrambledintothecoverofthesmokinggrav-sled,pullinghimselfuprightashefoughttokeephisbreathsshallow.Alreadyhewasfeelinggiddyandlightheaded,acuriousnumbnessseepingintohislimbs.

‘God-machines…’ he said, staring up at the snapping, howling war-engines keeping the enemycreaturesatbay.

Hefeltthegroundvibratewithtitanicimpacts,thefootstepsofatruegod-machine.HandsgrabbedRobouteundertheshouldersanddraggedhimbackontothesled.Black-armoured

warriors surroundedhim, and a robed tech-priestwhosehalf-human featureswere familiar tohimwrappedasnakingmetallicarmaroundhiswaist.

‘Hold on, captain,’ said a voice he knew he should recognise, but which he just couldn’t place.‘They’recomingforus!’

‘Ofcoursetheyare,’saidRoboute.‘Whywouldn’tthey…?’He cranedhisneckupas agiantofmyth strode into view, a soaringengineofdestructionand

power.Itssizewasincredible,amonstrousgodofsteelandadamantiumwithasunatitsheartanddeath in its fists.Agargantuan footwith fourpneumaticbuttressclawssweptover them, trailingarainofcrystallinedebrisandpulverisedrock.Thegod-machine’senormousfoothammereddownandsentseismicshockwavesthroughtheearth.

Pistoning clamps punched into the ground as auto-loaders fed ammo hoppers into hungrybreechesanddozensofratchetingmissilehatchescycledopen.Indeferencetothemortalsatitsfeet,Lupa Capitalina’s plasma weaponry remained inactive, but an artillery battalion’s worth of blazingheavy ordnance rippled from its shoulders. Streaking missiles traced parabolic trails over thebattlefield, twenty-four in the first second, another twenty-foura second later.Plumesofwhite-hotfire exploded from the terrifying gatling blaster, and thousands of shells sawed from the spinningbarrelsofthevast,snub-nosedrotarycannon.

Theplateauinstantlyvanishedinsky-highcurtainsoffireandpoundingexplosionsasthearcingstreams of missiles slammed down in a never-ending series of punishing hammerblows. Robouteclosedhiseyesagainstthebrightness,feelinghischesttightenandhisthoughtsdriftoff inwhatheknewwasnitrogennarcosis.

Aswaystodiewent,thisatleasthadthevirtueofbeingpainless.Hesmiled,thinkingitaptthatheshoulddieonaworldhehadnamed.Wouldanyonerememberthatname?Hedidn’tknow,butitseemedimportant.Over theunendingbarrageof the threegod-machines,Robouteheardaheavyclangofmetalon

metalandfeltathrummingvibrationthroughhisvoid-suit.Asenseofweightlessnessclutchedathim,andheopenedhiseyestoseethegroundspinningawayfromhimasthegrav-sledwashoistedintotheair.

Beneathhim,aworldburnedinthefireofthegod-machines.

‘Below the waterline’ was an expression from the days when vessels plied the seas of Old Earth;meaningless now that Mankind’s vessels had left their earthly oceans behind, but which still hadcurrencyamongthebondsmenoftheSperanza.Insteadofreferringtoareasofashipthatwouldfloodin theeventofahullbreach, itnowapplied to theventral regionsof theArkMechanicus thatwere

knowntobedangerousforallsortsofadditionalreasons.MagosCasadahadrecentlybeenassignedasupervisoryroleamongthebondsmenaftertenyears

spentindata-transmission,amovehe’dhopedwouldseeanendtothecomparativelymundanedutiesofinformationalflowpathsandthechancetobeinchargeofmorethanjustbinarybitsandinfocytelogs.Butwithonlytwowork-shyloafersandthreeservitorsfollowinghimdowntheironscrew-stairsintothecolddarknesshedidn’tfeellikehewasinchargeofmuchatall.

Everyonewasonedge,whichatleastkepttheirmindsontheirsurroundingsinsteadoflookingforwaystoskiveoff.

OrsoCasadahadthought.‘Howcomewegettodothis?’askedKnox,pickingsomethingdrippingandoilyfromhisnose.Thiswasrepairingafaultytransmissionhubinoneoftheport-sideconduitarrays,arepairmade

rathermore thanmundanedue to the suddennatureof the fault’s occurrence and its location in aregionoftheshipthathadsufferedmorethanitsfairshareofmalfunctionsinrecenttimes.

‘Because this iswhatwewereassigned,’ saidCasada, followinga jumping, flickeringnoosphericmapprojectedintheairbeforehim.‘EverydutyinserviceoftheOmnissiahisvaluedandimportant,fromthelowliesttothe–’

‘Spareusthemotivationalcrap,magos,’saidKnox. ‘Yougotitbecauseyou’renewhereanddon’tkiss the right overseer’s arse. Anyonewith a brain cell rattling around their skull avoids the lowerdecks.Toodark,toopackedwithmachinerythatcantakeyourarmoff,disembowelyouorvaporiseyourbonestodusttobehealthy.’

‘I heard these decks got irradiated when the Speranza threw her moorings at her launch,’ saidCavell.

Casadaknewheshouldquashtheirseditioustalk,buttherewastruthtowhattheyweresayingandhewasafirmbelieverinallowingthosebeneathyouanawarenessthatyousharedtheirconcerns.

‘There’sameasureoftruthtothat,’heallowed,takingahigh-ceilingedtransitpassagewayhismaptoldhimshouldleadtoprocessionalstepsdowntotheconduit.‘Thereareheightenedradiationlevelsinthelowerdecks,yes,butnothingtogiveusundueconcern;we’llnotbegoingdownintothedeeperregionsoftheship.’

‘Justasbloodywell,’saidKnox.‘Ain’tnobodyknowsnothin’ofwhat’sdowntherenohow.’Forcing himself to ignore Knox’s murderous grammar, Casada said, ‘Correction: that just isn’t

true.Ihaveplentifulmapsoftheregionswemusttraversetoreachthetransmissionhub.’‘You’re in the deeps now,magos, down past thewaterline,’ said Knox. ‘Try navigating by those

mapshereandyou’llbelostlikeallthemothercrewsthatwentdowntoofar.’‘Ah, gruesome tales of hauntings and disappearances in uncommon regions of a starship,’ said

Casada.‘Iamfamiliarwithsuchshipboardrumoursandscare-stories.Theyarenothingbutinventedfantasiestoexplainawayindustrialaccidentsandfilllacunaeofinformation.Itismycontentionthatsuchtalesarespreadasameansofcreatingaunityofexperienceamongtheuninitiated.’

‘Showswhatyouknow,’saidCavell.‘You’renewhere,butyou’lllearn.’‘Orhewon’t,’saidKnox,drawingafingeracrosshisthroat.Casadatriednottobeputoutbytheirobviouslyscaremongeringbehaviour,butitwastruehewas

havinganumberofdifficultiesinfollowingtheirassignedroute.Accessportsweren’twheretheyweresupposed to be, corridors and companionways marked as passable were blocked by thrummingmachineryorsimplyweren’tthere.Thusfar,hisnoosphericadaptationshadfoundworkarounds,butsooner or later Knox andCavell were going to realise hewasn’t entirely surewhere theywere anymore.

‘Andwhataboutthem?’askedKnox,jerkingathumbatthethreeservitorsfollowingmutelybehindthem.‘Howdoweknowthey’renotgoingtomurderuswhenwe’retoodeeptocallforhelp?’

Rumours of the incredible events in Feeding Hall Eighty-Six had circulated the various shiftsthroughout the ship, and despite the Mechanicus’ best efforts to quash their spread no one waslookingattheservitorsinquitethesamelight.Thattheinstigatorsandtheirapparentlyautonomousservitorweresaid tohaveescapedMagosSaiixek’s skitariiand fled into thedepthsof the shiponlyaddedalevelofrevolutionaryverisimilitudetothetalkofholypresences.

‘Theseonescertainlyappeartobeappropriatelyservile,’saidCasada.‘Yeah?Wellperhapsthat’sjusttolullusintothinkingthey’rebrain-deadcyborgsandnotheartless

killersthatwantrevengeforbeingmadeintoservitors,’saidCavell.‘Nowyouarebeingridiculous,’saidCasada,frowningastheyreachedtheendofthepassagewayto

findtheexpectedprocessionalarchwayfringedwithsparkingcabling.Abrokencoolantpipebillowedhotsteamandspilledawaterfallofscum-frothedwaterdownthestairs.TheeffectwasakintoapictCasadahadseenofawaterfall inamangroveswamp,overhungby junglecreepersandhumidwithtorpidvapour.

‘Downthere?’ askedKnox,peering into thedarknesswherewater-damaged lumensstrobedandspat.‘Tellmeyou’rejoking.’

Casada heard what sounded like heavy footfalls, but were most likely some deeper machineryechoingthroughthetunnels.Somethingscrapedonmetal,butinsuchunvisitedregionsofashipaslargeasanArkMechanicus,thatwouldn’tbeunusual.Alackofregularmaintenancewouldgiverisetoallmannerofapparentlyinexplicableauditorypeculiarities.

Cavellduckedunderabundleofconjoinedcabling,bendingthiswayandthattogetabetterlookatwhereithadbeenbroken.

‘Thisain’tright,’hesaid,reachinguptotouchtheinsulatedsheatharoundthebreakpoint.‘Wehaveseenmanysuchbreakages,’saidCasada.‘AfterthenightmarishcrossingoftheHaloScar,

manycablerunshavesnappedunderincreasedtensileloads.’‘No,’saidKnox.‘He’sright,look.They’vebeencut.Deliberately.’CasadaexaminedthecablerunbeingheldbyCavell,runningathree-dimensionalmappinglaser

overthedamagedportion.‘TellmeI’mwrong,’saidCavell.‘The separation appears to be clean,’ admitted Casada. ‘I see no evidence of the stresses and

weakeningoftheinsulationsheathImightexpectfromteardamage.Itisimpossibletobecertain,butitappearsthat,yes,thiscablehasbeencut.Whocutitandwhyisanothermatterentirely.’

Evenashesaidthewords,heknewhewasn’tbeingentirelytruthful.Thebreakinthecablewassoprecise,withsoinfinitesimaladeflectionintheadjacentfibres,thattherewaslittlepossibilityitcould

havebeenachievedbyanyknowndeviceorblade.AtleastnoneknowntotheMechanicus.Anotherboomingechosoundedfrombelow,thatdeeper,sub-deckmachineryagain,butwhenit

came again, Casada realised itwas closer than before.He looked down the processional stairs, butinsteadofflickeringlumens,thewidestairwellwaswreathedinimpenetrabledarkness.

‘Perhapsweshouldfindanotherwaydown,’saidCasada,backingawayfromthesteps.Knoxlookedup,pickinguponhisbuildinganxiety.ThemanfollowedCasada’sgazeandhiseyeswidenedinfearassomethinghugesurgedfromthe

darkness below. Its elongated emerald skull was bulbous and glossy, its ivory limbs slender andgraspingasitracedupthestepswithaloping,horrificallyorganicgait.

Whisperingstreamsofdisplacedairscythedupthesteps.Cavell simply vanished, his body coming apart so thoroughly itwas as though he’d clutched an

armedfragminetohischest.Ruinedbodypartstumbleddownthesteps,andKnoxsetoffatasprintlesthesufferthesamefate.

Hemadethreestepsbeforehewasfelledbythetowering,spindle-limbedconstruct.Itsmonstroushand seemed tomerely brushover the topof theman’shead, but the lid ofhis skull cameaway assurelyasthoughaprecisiontrepanninglaserhadslicedcleanthroughit.

The animal part of Casada’s brain howled in terror, flooding his body with adrenaline, and hescreamedasheturnedtorun.Hepushedpasttheunresistingservitors,fightingtoescape,togetawayfromthisbelowthewaterlinedaemonofthedark.Heriskedaglanceoverhisshoulderandletoutawhimper of naked fear as he saw four porcelain-limbed figures with cherry red plumes streamingfromtheirhowling,death-maskfaces.

‘Howdid–’wasallCasadamanagedbeforeashriekingwailbuckledtheairbetweenhimandhispursuers. His high-function aural implants blew out under the lethal sonic assault and blessedlubricantpouredfromhiseyesandears.

Casada howled in pain as his optics fizzedwith bleeding binary static and his skull filled withnerve-shreddingfeedback.Deniedtheheightenedsensoryinputofhisenhancingaugmetics,Casada’sbrainimplantsbeganreroutinghissynapticpathwaystoonceagainemployhisbirth-senses.Viewedthroughtheobscuringlensofhisblownimplants,Casada’snaturalvisionwasblurredandgrainywithlackofuse.He sawawavering, smeared-lens imageof thekillers coming towardshimandpushedhimselftohisfeet.Heknewhecouldn’tescape,butrananyway,histerrordrivinghislimbsinavainattempt to prolong his life. The after-effects of themind-shredding scream still ravaged his body.Hideousnauseachurnedinhisgutandasickeningvertigomadehislurchingstepscomicallydrunken.

Casadacouldn’tseewherehewasgoing,hisunaugmentedsensespainfullyblunted.Heblunderedintoanironwall,strikinghisheadonaprotrudingflangeandfallingtohisknees.

Bloodpoureddownhisfacefromthislatestindignity.Hecrawledlikeabeastonitsbelly,awoundedanimalstalkedbyapredatorycreaturethatrevelsinitsprey’ssuffering.

Through his sobs he heard the unmistakable sounds of blades through flesh. One by one, theservitors he had led into the depths were butcheredwithout resistance; beasts led blindly into theslaughterhouse.

‘Please,’hebegged,ashehearddistortedechoesoffootstepsbehindhim.‘Pleasedon’tkillme.’Thetipofsomethingdreadfullysharppressedonthenapeofhisneck.‘Ave Deus Mechanicus…’ he said, drawing his hands together beneath his body in the Cog

Mechanicus.‘TheMachine-Godiswithme,Ishallfearnoevil…’AsharpthrustandthebladeslicedcleanlythroughCasada’sspinalcord.

Microcontent07

Theearliermoodofoptimismthathadsuffusedtheexpeditionuponestablishingthe landingfieldshad evaporated utterly. A great many machines and lives had been lost on the plateau, and anatmosphere of shared contrition now filled the command deck of the Tabularium. Still clad in hisgleamingarmour,KotovhadgatheredhiscommandersaroundLinyaTychon’ssurveyorstation.EachwarriorandmagoswasstudiouslyexaminingthehololithicprojectionoftheTomiokaasitstubbornlyrefusedtodivulgeitssecretstoanyoftheavailableaugurs.

Kotovstaredatthegentlyrotatingimage,asthoughhecouldsimplywill itsinteriorstructuretorevealitselfbyvirtueofhisvauntedrank.

VenAndersstoodintheshadowofSergeantTannaandhiswhite-wreathedEmperor’sChampion.ThoughDahan’slossescurrentlystoodatthreehundreddeadandfifty-seveninjured,Tanna’slosswasperhapsthegreater.ComingfacetofacewiththeBlackTemplars,Kotovhadthoughttoberatethemfortheirfoolishness,butuponlearningofBrotherAuiden’sdeath,hehadinsteadofferedonlysincereregrets.ThelossofasingleSpaceMarinewasbadenough,buttoloseanApothecarywassomethingelseentirelyandKotovcouldclearlyseeTanna’sneedtoatoneforhismisguidedzeal.

AzuramagelliandKryptaestrexwerepluggedinonoppositesidesoftheplottingtable,theirpettybickeringputasideinthefaceofthisbloodysetback.Galatealeanedoverthesurveyorstation,itshandidlytracingtheoutlineoftheholographicstarship.

‘It has been over four thousand years since we saw her. Many long years…’ said the hybridconstruct,turningtherotatingimagebackandforthwithsofthapticgestures.

KotovfeltatremorofuneaseatGalatea’sbehaviour;likeitwasreachingouttosomethingfamiliar,likealonglostfriendoraforbiddenobjectofdesire.

‘No-onehasseenitinthatlong,’saidKotov.Galatea’sheadsnappedup,anditsnatcheditshandback,asthoughcaughtinsomeforbiddenact.

Thesilver-eyedproxybodyatthecentreofitspalanquinpulledbackintoitself.‘Youdidnotseeitaswesawit,’saidGalatea.‘Thatwecanpromiseyou.Thegreatestshipofitsage,

launchedinglorioustriumph,butmockedfordaringtodreamthattheimpossiblecouldbewithinourgrasp.Youdonotknow,youcannotknow,whatthatwaslike.’

‘Youwouldbesurprised,’snappedKotov,hisowntravailsand losseshavingseenhimsetsailonthisexpeditionunderasimilarcloudofcriticismfromhisfellowMartianadepts.‘ButyourrecalloftheTomiokawillhavetowait,unlessyouhavesomethingusefultocontribute?’

‘Likewhatliesinside,’saidVenAnders.‘That’swhatIwanttoknow.Ifwewanttogetinsidethatship,thenIwanttoknowwhatmymenaregoingtoface.’

TheCadiancolonel’s close-croppedhairwas sheened inperspiration, for the running-heatof somanycogitationenginesmadethischamberahothouseformortals.

‘Weknownomorethanyou,ColonelAnders,’saidGalatea.Andersranahandacrosshisstubbledchinandsaid,‘Youknowwhat?Idon’tthinkIbelieveyou.I

thinkyouknowdamnwellwhat’sinsidethatship,sohowaboutyoucutthecrapandjusttelluswhatyouknow.’

Galateaspreaditshandsinanemptygestureofapology. ‘ThesameumbrathatinhibitsMistressTychon’saugurspreventusfromlearningmorethanyoualreadyknow.’

Andersgruntedindisbeliefandshookhishead.‘You’relying,andifanyofmymendiebecauseofthat,youhavemywordasanofficerofCadiathatI’llkillyou.’

Kotov placed both hands on the edge of the plotting table and said, ‘Wemust proceed on theassumption thatwewill encounter furtherautomateddefenceswithin theTomioka.ColonelAnders,SergeantTannaandMagosDahan,youshouldprepareyourassaultplansonthatsupposition.’

‘The skitarii should have the honour of breaching the hull of aMechanicus vessel,’ saidDahan,squaring his shoulders as if daring anyone to contradict him. Kotov understood Dahan’sgrandstanding. His warriors had been humbled, and only the intervention of Legio Sirius’s war-engineshadfinallyendedthebattle.

‘MyTemplarsarebettersuitedtofightinginsuchenvironments,’saidTanna.‘Weshouldbefirst.’‘Withallduerespect,’saidAnders.‘There’sonlyfiveofyou,andthat’saprettybigship.’‘IcouldconqueraworldwithfiveBlackTemplars,’saidTanna.LinyaTychoncutacrosstheimpendingconfrontation.‘Togainaccess toareasof theship thatoffer thebestchanceof findingwhatwecamehere for,

there’sonlyonewayanyoneisgettinginsidetheTomioka,’shesaid.‘Andwhat’sthat?’askedAnders.‘Theumbra’sstillinplace,soanaerialassaultisn’tanoption.’‘Thecrystallinebuttressingistoothickatthebaseofthetower,’addedTanna.‘The onlyway in is on the back of Lupa Capitalina,’ said Linya. ‘It has the capacity to carry two

assaultforces,anditsheightmeansit’sjustbelowtheceilingoftheumbra,buttallenoughtocarryustowheretheicearoundtheship’sbaseisthinnest.’

Andersgrinned.‘I’vealwayswantedtorideintobattleonthebackofagod-machine.’‘Shouldweexpecttofindmoreofthosecrystalbeingsinside?’askedTanna,alreadyassimilating

theadditionofaTitantohisowndeploymentplans.‘Morethanlikely,’saidKotov.‘And do we have any idea what they are?’ asked Anders. ‘Magos Dahan, you got up close and

personalwiththem.Anyinsights?’Dahan stood with one shoulder hunched as three tech-menials and armourers worked on his

damagedbody.Shroudedfusion-weldersworkedbeneaththefoldsofhismantleofbronzemail.‘I have never seen their like,’ he admitted. ‘They were crystalline, that much was obvious,

empoweredbyanenergysourcecentredintheirchests.Passivedatarecordingssuggestittobeaformof bio-morphic induction energy, similar to that encountered by explorator teams excavating tombstructuresonthesouthernfringesofSegmentumTempestus.’

‘Necrontyr?’askedAzuramagelli. ‘Surely it is impossible thatsuchbeingscouldbe foundbeyondthegalaxy’sedge.’

‘Payattention,Isaidsimilar,notidentical,’saidDahan. ‘Youhaveallparsedthedata.Drawyourownconclusions.’

‘Theyarenotnecrontyr,’saidKotov.‘Thenwhatarethey?’demandedTanna.‘Anewxenos-breed?’Kotov shookhishead. ‘Strictly speaking,no, they arenot alive, though inmanifesting cognitive

awareness of their surroundings and behaviour that appears to be intelligently reactive, they couldeasilybemistakenforlivingorganisms.’

‘That doesn’t answer his question,’ said Galatea, stretching one bio-mechanical hand into theimageoftheTomioka.Kotovmaskedhisirritation,butGalateaspokeagainbeforehecouldcontinue.‘Youknowaswellaswedothenatureofthisfoe.’

‘Archmagos?’askedAnders,whenGalateadidn’tcontinue.‘Ibelievethemtobeaformofbio-imitativemachineryseededwithinthecrystallinestructureof

theplateau,’saidKotov. ‘Essentially,billionsofmicro-bacterialsizedmachinesthreadedthroughthecrystallinematrixoftheground,eachuselessinandofitself,butcapableofcombiningintosomethinggreaterthanthesumofitsparts.Theyreactedtoourpresence,formingamimickingforcetorepelus,likewhitebloodcellsrushingtothesiteofabiologicalinfection.’

‘Ihaveneverheardoftechnologysuchasthis,’saidKryptaestrex,asthoughaffrontedbytheidea.‘Whyhasitnotbeenrecordedinthedata-stacksofMars?’

‘Becauseitwasneverbroughttofruition,’saidKotov. ‘MagosTelokpioneeredthisresearchafterhis expedition to Naogeddon in the turbulent years following the fall of the High Lord. He neverpresentedhisworktoanyMartianFraterisConclave,becausehecouldnevergetittowork.’

Anderstappedtheflatslateofthesurveyorgrid.‘Lookslikehehasnow.’‘IfTelokneverpresentedhisfindings,howdoyouknowthis,archmagos?’askedTanna.‘Do you think Iwouldmount an expedition such as thiswithout preparation, Sergeant Tanna?’

askedKotov,risingtomeettheimpliedchallenge.‘BelievemewhenIsaythatIhavestudiedallaspectsofArchmagosTelok;hiseverypublishedmonograph,hiseveryexperimentalrecordandeverylunatictale woven around him since he was inducted into the Martian priesthood and his expedition’sdisappearance.My preparations were no less thorough than yours would be for battle. The key tounderstandingTelok,myTemplar friend, isnot just in learning everything, but in recognisingwhatamongstthatisofvalueandwhatiswantonembellishment.’

‘Andwhatdothosestudiestellyou,archmagos?’askedAnders.‘Whybotherprotectingashipthat’sgoingtobedestroyedalongwiththisplanet?’

Kotovstraightened,logicprovidingtheonlypossibleanswer.

‘Tokeeptheshipsafeuntilitfulfilsitsfunction.’‘Andwhatfunctionisthat?’‘Idonotknow,’saidKotov.‘Isuspectwewillonlylearnthatoncewegoaboard.’

The range-finder in Tanna’s helmet told him the Tomioka was two kilometres distant, though itsimmense scalemade it look far closer. TheMechanicus contingent, a curiousmix of warriors andexplorers surrounded by Dahan’s atmosphere-capable skitarii, occupied the port-side assaultbattlement,whileheandhisbattle-brothersstoodonthestarboardshouldermountofLupaCapitalinaalongsideaheavily-armeddetachmentofvoid-suitedCadians.

Tannahad seen themortal soldiers training and knew them to be competent fighters, but theyweren’t Adeptus Astartes and that made them inherently unreliable. He kept his thoughts fromApothecaryAuiden,hisbodyfrozenintheTabularium’smorgue,knowingitwouldonlycompromisehissquad’sefficiency.Butnomatterhowhetriedtocompartmentalisehismind,allowingthegrieftobuildbehindwallsofdisciplineandpsycho-conditioning,Tannafeltthelosskeenly.

YetanotherdeaththatwouldseethemlostwithouthopeofreturningtotheChapter.Tannaknewhiswarriorsweresufferingtoo,buthehadnowordsforthem,nosoul-liftingoratory

tosalvethelossoftheirApothecary.LikeKulGilad’sdeath,Auiden’slosscouldnotbelaidathisfeet,butTannaknewitwashisresponsibilitytoensureeverywarriorunderhiscommandcamebackalive.Ataskthateverycommanderofwarriorsknewtheywouldultimatelyfail.

TheWarlord’s rapidmarchwasdevouring thedistancebetween theedgeof theplateauand theverticalspireoftheshipwitheverythunderousstride.Puttingasidehismournfulthoughts,heleanedoverthecog-toothedbattlements,seeingsquadronsofImperialGuardsuper-heaviesandskitariiwarmachinesfollowingthegod-engine.BothWarhoundswoveastalkingpathaheadofLupaCapitalina,prowlinglikethesuperlativehunterstheywere.

FarbehindtheWarlord’sadvance,well-defendedworkcrewsfromtheTabulariumwerediggingtheBarisanfromitsenvelopingcrystalprison.ThehonourablegunshipwastobebroughtbackaboardtheSperanzaandmadewholeonceagain.

Tannamadeafistandplaceditoverhiseagle-stampedbreastplate.‘Youwillflyagain,greatone,’hewhispered.‘Thisisn’tright,’saidVarda,theBlackSwordbalancedoverhisshoulderguardandlegsbracedto

counteracttheswayingmotionofthestridingWarlord.‘Wecamehereexpectingtofindacrashsite,theruinsofadeadshiprustinganddecayingforthebetterpartoffourthousandyears.Butthatvessellookslikeitlandedhereadecadeago.Whatdoyoumakeofthat,sergeant?’

Tannafeltthescrutinyofhisbattle-brothersandknewtheyexpectedameaningfulanswer.‘Ittellsmethatweshouldexpectthisshiptobedefendedateveryturn.’Vardanodded,flexinghisfingersonthehiltoftheBlackSword.‘Bythosecrystal-forms?’Tanna nodded. ‘That, and worse,’ he said. ‘We took no measures to avoid detection on our

approachtotheTomioka,soitisreasonabletoassumethatanyMechanicuspresencehere,evenanold

one,isawareofourarrival.’‘Clearly,’agreedVarda.‘Whatisyourpoint?’‘IfArchmagosKotovissosurethereissomeonehere,whyhastherebeennoresponsetoourarrival

onthisworld?’‘Youdon’tthinkthose…gnnnh…crystal-formsthatkilledBrother…nggg…Auidenwerearesponse?’

declaredIssur,hisangermakinghisinvoluntarytwitchesevenworse.‘IfArchmagosKotoviscorrectthenthosethingswereanautomatedresponse,’saidTanna.‘Perhapstheshipisdamagedandcannolongerdetectorbitaltraffic,’suggestedBracha,pointing

to the crystal growths extruded from the Tomioka’s forward compartments. ‘Or it is possible thosethings,whatevertheyare,interferewiththeship’ssurveyors.’

Yaelgrunted.‘SincewhendidyoubecomeaTechmarine?’‘Youhaveabetteranswer,boy?’BeforeYaelcouldrisetoBracha’scausticwords,Tannaintervened.‘Evenifwhoeverisaboardthisshiphaslostthecapabilityofdetectingvesselsinorbit,theycannot

have failed to miss a battle on their doorstep. Not to mention the sight of a Warlord Titanapproaching.Buttheyhavenotreactedtoourpresenceatall.’

‘Suggestingwhat?’askedVarda.‘Oneoftwothings,’repliedTanna.‘Eitherthereisnooneaboardthatshiportheyarewaitingfor

ustogetcloserbeforerevealingthemselves.’‘Anambush?’‘Wewill proceed under that assumption,’ said Tanna, and the posture of his knights racked up

fromreadinesstocombatimminent.‘Soit’sgoing…nggg…tobelikeanassaultintoa…nnng…void-losthulk?’askedIssur.‘That is an acceptable paradigm for what we should expect,’ said Tanna, well aware of the

difficultiesinclearingaspacehulk:thedarkness,theblindtunnels,thelabyrinthineinternalstructureoftheagglomeratedvessels–someofwhichwouldundoubtedlybeofxenosorigin.Nottomentiontheunspeakablehorrorsthatoftenlurkedwithin,tyranniclifeforms,greenskins,fleshlessabominationsfromthewarporworse.

‘Atleastwewillhavegravity,’saidYael,evertheoptimist.‘True,buteverythingwillbecantedatninetydegrees,’pointedoutVarda.‘Therewillbenofloors,

onlybulkheadsforfootholdsandcross-passagesforsecurefooting.Everymetreofouradvancewillbeliketheascentofacliff.’

‘Enough,’saidTanna.‘Thisisnodifferenttoanyotherassault.Wegoin,wekillwhatwefind.’His certitude silenced them,but theunspokenconsequenceof theirApothecary’sdeathhung in

theairbetweenthemlikeacurse.NothingmorewassaiduntilLupaCapitalina’sadvancehadcarriedthemtowithinfivehundredmetresoftheTomioka,andTannascannedthefrozencliffsencasingthelowerreachesofthestarship.

Glacialiceshimmeredwithrainbowpatternsofviolet lightandreflectedmetallicglintsswaminitsdepths.Withoutimpurities,itwasvirtuallytransparent,andthedistortedimageoftheentombedshipwaslikelookingatsomethingsubmergedonashallowriverbed.

Lupa Capitalina raised its plasma weapon to the level of its shoulders and traceries of blue-hotlightningarcedfromitspowercouplings.Theplasmadestructorwasavast,smooth-boredweaponthesize of a boarding torpedowith heavymagnetic coilingwound tightly around its ovalmuzzle. Thestaticbuzzofdevelopingpowerreactedwiththevoidsinaseriesofsquealingrainbow-huedborealis,causingtheCadianstoflinchfromtheviolentdisplayofsun-hotenergies.Shimmeringwaveshazedtheairaroundtheweapon–theheatofastar’scoreprimedandreadytobeunleashed.

But instead of firing itsmost potentweapon,LupaCapitalina thrust its fist forwards as thoughthrowing a punch. A bowwave of heat turned the ice to vapour long before any impact, a hissingcurtain of superheated steam billowing from the disintegrating ice. The toweringWarlord took asingle sidestep and the chained plasmic energies burned away the ice, carving into the entombingglacier.

Theprecision required for thismanoeuvre astoundedTanna,whohadn’t truly believed the vastmachine capable of achieving such finesse. Electrically-charged steam wafted through the voids,carryingthescentofincredibleage,heatedmetalandchemicallypurenitrogen.

Whenthehissingcloudsweredispersedbythechurningatmospherics,Tannasawawidegalleryhadbeencutthroughthethickbuttresssupportingthelowerreachesofthestarship.Whathadbeenimpenetrableonlymomentsbeforewasnowopentotheworld,andthroughacurtainofmeltedice,TannasawthegleamingwetflankoftheTomioka.

‘Noremorse,brothers,’saidTanna,astheassaultrampextendedfromthebattlements.‘Nopity.’‘Nofear,’cametheanswerfromeachwarrior.

Abrehem turned over, trying to get comfortable on the makeshift bunk, no easy task when oneshoulderwasanunyieldingmetallicrotator-cuff.Hisweightwasunbalancedand,untilhe’dhadhisarmreplacedwithanaugmetic,hehadn’trealisedhowdifficultthatmadeittosleep.ThebedwasascavengedfoldawayHawkehadsourcedfromEmperor-knew-where,uncomfortable,butbetterthanwhat Abrehem had gotten used to. He stared at the chamber’s coffered ceiling, where fadedrepresentations of Sebastian Thor and his disciples looked back, always seeming to be highlyinterestedinsomethingjustoutofsight.Theiron-wroughtskullsworkedintotheblackwallsgavetheimpressionofbeinginatomboratemple,animpressiononlyreinforcedbythehunchedshapeseateduponthegoldenthroneintheadjacentdormischamber.

RasselasX-42woretheaggression-suppressingmechanismsofapacifierhelm,adeviceTothaMu-32 assuredhimwouldkeep the arco-flagellant in a trance-like stateof childishbliss.Enrapturedbyvisions of Imperiocentric ecstasy, Rasselas X-42 presented no threat to any living being unlessAbrehemvoicedthetriggerphrase,somethinghehadpromisedhewouldnotdo.

Butgivenhiscurrentpredicament,thatwasn’tapromisehewassurehe’dbeabletokeep.Abrehemwasawantedman,afugitivetrappedonastarshipwithnowheretorun.AfterMagosSaiixekhadwithdrawnhisskitariifromthefeedinghall,HawkeandCoynehadfled

withhimthroughthepassagewaystheyknewintimatelywellandyetnotatall.LettingtheSperanzaorthe Omnissiah guide them, they’d eventually reached the site of Hawke’s first alcohol still; now

revealedtobetheactivationchamberforanarco-flagellant.Evendormant, itsmaliciouspresencewaspalpable, apotential forhorrific,bloodyviolence that

infectedtheveryairwithtoxicemanations.They’dcleanedtheeldarbloodandbodiesaway,butthememoryofthatnear-instantaneousslaughterstillhauntedAbrehem.Heshiedawayfromthoughtsoftheslumberingkillerandturnedhisattentiontothechamber’sotheroccupant.

IsmaeldeRoeven,freshlycladinarobeofpalecream,satonthefloorwithhisbacktothewall.Therestoredservitorhadhiskneesdrawnuptohischestandhadn’tsaidawordabouttheincidentinthefeeding hall. Nomatter howmuch Abrehem tried to coax him into an explanation of how he hadmanagedtocontrolthoseotherservitors,Ismaelwouldn’t–orcouldn’t–say.

Abrehemhadlostcountofthehourshe’dspentinthischamberwhileTothaMu-32andtheotherstookstockoftheMechanicusresponsetoathreatenedservitoruprising.Withnothingtodobutwaituntil theirreturn,Abrehemwasgrowingevermorerestless.Herolledontohisbackandrubbedtheheelofhisfleshandbloodpalmoverhiseyes.

Whenhetookhishandaway,hesawatrickleofnoosphericcodesquirmingthroughthewalls,anirregulargridpatternenfolding the room likea cage.He’dcaught sightof it everynowand then,aliminalbinaricward-patternthatwouldfadeassoonasitbecameawareofhisscrutiny,butAbrehemturnedhiswilluponitandthecode-lightshimmeredbrightlyoncemore.

Hiseyesfollowedtheleadingedgeofthecodeasitcircledtheroom.Therestofthechamberwasinsharpfocus,butwhereverthecodetouched,hecouldfeelitsbrittle,fadingpower.Thebinarywasold,degraded andworn out. It had patrolled this chamber somany times, perhaps since theSperanza’sbirth,thatitspotencywasallbutspent.

There was a hypnotic quality to the pattern, and Abrehem felt himself drawn into its loopingarrangement.Withoutconsciousthought,herosefromthebedandlethiseyesroamthecontoursofthewalls.Thecode flowedover thepolisheddomesof ironskulls,betweentheentwinedeaglesandcogs, following the hexagonal pathways. He followed the code as it travelled over the walls, andAbrehemwasremindedofanoldmetaphorofelectricityascivilisation’slifeblood.

Hisheartbeatfasterinhischestandhisbreathtastedofburntmetal.FootstepsechoedandAbrehemhadtheunpleasantsensationof thewallsclosing inonhim.His

copperybreathquickenedandbothhands closed into fists as anunformedanger took shape inhisthoughts.Thebeguilingqualityoftheflickeringbinaryglitched,andAbrehemblinkedasitsholdwasbrokenandthemachine-stampedwallsswambackintofocusaroundhim.

AbrehemletoutasoftsighoffearashefoundhimselfstandingbeforeRasselasX-42,hisaugmetichandstretchedouttowardsthecomplicatedcontrolsofthepacifierhelm.HehadwatchedTothaMu-32engagethehelmandnowrealisedhe’dmemorisedtheritualmovementsandcatechismsrequiredforitsusewithoutconsciousthought.

Violentredintrudedonhisvision,adescendinghazeofscarletfallingoverhiseyeslikeacurtainofblood, theangerhehadfeltearliersharpened intoabrightspikeofpurestrage.Abrehemcouldnotrememberamomentinhislifewherehe’dfeltsuchunreasoningfury,abone-deepurgetodoharmtoanotherhumanbeing.Memoriesofrippedbodies,torn-outentrailsandscreamingmouthsthatcriedanamethatwasn’thisownfilledhisskull.Abrehem’sinitialhorrorwasquashedbytheunstoppable

urgetokill,toviolateuncleanflesh,tomurdersomething…anything…Histremblingdigitstouchedthebronzekeysattachedtothesideofthethroneandhetappedout

the initialisation commands that began the process of decoupling the mechanisms of the pacifierhelm. Slowly the soothing, calming imagery of Imperial saints, cherubs and golden bliss would bestrippedawayfromthearco-flagellant’sperceptions,eachlossdrivingitintoahigherstateofinsane,murderouswrath.

RasselasX-42’sheadroseup,stillmaskedbythefeaturelesspewterhelm.Hischestheavedandgruntingspurtsofstinkingbreathsighedfrombeneaththepacifierhelm.Thearco-flagellantwasaloadedgun,primedandreadytofire.Allitneededwasthetriggerphraseanditwouldbefreetokill,maimandmurder.Abrehemsuddenlybecameawareofapresenceathissideandfeltagentlehanduponhisshoulder.

Thebuildinghorrorofmutilationsandviolentdegradationdrainedfromhisthoughtsinafloodandhis legsbuckledbeneathhim.He fell into thearmsof Ismael, sobbingasherealisedhowclosehe’dcometounleashingthefullfuryofthearco-flagellant.

‘Ididn’t…’hesaid.‘Iwouldn’thave…’‘Iknow,’saidIsmael.‘ButRasselasX-42isalivingweapon,andaweaponhasbutonepurpose.’Abrehem nodded and let Ismael lead him back to his cot bed, blinking away the nightmarish

imagesoftortureandmutilation.Hesatdown,heavingingulpingbreathsandweepingatthehorrorofwhat he’d seen.He knew theywerenot his own thoughts, butmemories of carnagewrought byRasselasX-42inhispreviousexistence.

IsmaelheldouthishandsandAbrehemlookedupintohiseyes.Theservitor’sdistracted,vacant lookwasgone; in itsplacewasanexpressionofsuchpeaceand

understandingthatAbrehemwasrenderedspeechless.‘Hecallstoyourlustforviolence,’saidIsmael,alltracesofhishaltingspeechvanished.‘RasselasX-

42isthequickandeasypathtovengeance,theevilofthemanhewasdistilledandperfected.Youmustbebetterthanthat,Abrehem,youmustcasthimout.’

Abrehemshookhishead.‘Ican’t.IftheMechanicuscomeforme,thenI’llneedhim.’‘Youdonotneedhim,’promisedIsmael.‘Youalreadyhaveallthatyouneed.’‘Idon’tunderstand.’Ismaelheldhishandsouttohimandsaid,‘Thenlisten.’AbrehemhesitantlytookIsmael’shandsandkeptsilent,alertforanythingoutoftheordinary,but

beyondRasselasX-42’s thwarted, animal breath and the constantmechanical beat of theSperanza’sworkings,therewasnothingtohear.

‘Listentowhat?’saidAbrehem.‘Toallthelostsouls,’saidIsmael,andAbrehemcriedoutasthousandsofenslavedvoicesfilledhis

headwiththeiranguishedcries.

Theappearanceof theTomioka’s exteriorhad shockedKotov,but the interiorwas, if anything, evenmore outlandish. The starship’s internal plan had been extensively reshaped, rendering his ancient

schematicsutterlyuseless.With their entrypoint far above them, thedarknesswithinwasvirtuallyabsolute, leavenedonlyby thehelm-lampsof the skitarii andapale,greenishhue that seeped fromflexingcablesthatinfestedtheship’sdrippinginnardslikepulsingarteries.

Access ladders and stairwells that had been removed from their previous locations and re-fixedperpendicular to their original orientation allowed Kotov’s force to travel downwards withoutdifficulty.Theirroutetraversedvast,echoinginteriorcompartmentsstrippedoftheiroriginalfittingsandwhichwerenowconnectedinwaystheTomioka’soriginalshipwrightshadneverintended.Theykept close to the ice-clad hull, and ghostly wisps of chill vapour curled from protruding structuralelementslikebreath.

‘Ifeellikewearedescendingthroughbiologicalanatomy,’saidDahan,movingwithahunchedgaittofitthroughtheoddly-angledpassageways.‘Itisanunpleasantsensation.’

Kotov understood his sentiment, imagining they were passing through the literal guts of thestarship. Like a living organism, the interior of theTomiokawasnot silent, but a place of groaningechoes,creaking,flexingsteelworkandadistant,glacialheartbeat.

‘PerhapsabiologicalaestheticinformedTelok’sworkhere,’suggestedKotov.‘No wonder they called himmad,’ observed Dahan distastefully. ‘Why then do we traverse the

bowelswhileMistressTychonascendstothebrain?’‘Because the greatest power source lies far beneath us, and it is the key to understanding the

mysteryofthisvessel,’answeredKotov.‘LetMistressTychonplunderthearchives,wewillbetheonestolearnthetruerevelationsTelokleftbehind.’

Dahangaveablurtofdismissivebinaryandsetofftorejoinhisskitariiwarriors.Kotov ignored the Secutor’s scepticism, attuning his senses to the chatter of background

perceptions;ManifoldinloadsfromTarkisBlaylockandVitaliTychonaboardtheSperanza,encryptedvox-clicksfromtheTemplars,Cadianintercomechoesandacracklinghissofmachinelanguagethatburbledjustbelowhisthresholdofunderstanding.

Kotovcouldn’tunderstandit,butonethingwasclear.Itwasgettingstronger.‘Itakeityouhearthat,archmagos,’saidabobbing,gold-chasedskullfloatingbesidehim,keptaloft

by a tiny suspensor and embellished with a single flared wing that fluttered back and forth at itsoccipitalbone.Oneeyesocketwasfittedwithanocular-picter, theotherwithasophisticatedaugurimplantthatrecordedandrelayeditsfindingsbacktotheSperanza.

‘Yes,Tarkis,’saidKotov.‘Ido,butitirksmethatIcannotunderstandit.’‘The ship’s cogitators are struggling too,’ said the skull with Blaylock’s voice. ‘I am applying all

sanctionedenhancementsandfilterstothesourcecode,buttheyarestatisticallyunlikelytoretrieveanythingofuse.’

‘Understood,Tarkis,’saidKotov.‘Butkeeptrying.Iwanttoknowwhatthisshipissaying.’The skull clicked its jaws and drifted back to its position at Kotov’s shoulder as the downward

journeythroughtheTomiokacontinueddownweldedladders,crudely-formedrampsandrepositionedstairwells.

KotovfollowedtheBlackTemplarsdownascrew-stairweldedtothesideofacorridor,lettinghis

fingersbrushagainst a lineof angular symbols that resembledancienthieroglyphicsor a forgottenbranchofmathematics.He’dseenvariationsofthesesymbolseversincethey’dboardedtheTomioka,eachideogramconnectedtoanotherliketheholywritofacircuitboard.LinyaTychonbelievedittobean impossibly complex form of organic language belonging to a hitherto unknown xenos breed, adeclarationthathadonlyheightenedthetensionamongtheMechanicusboarders.

Where Kotov, Dahan’s skitarii and the Black Templars were forging a path down through theTomioka’s internalstructure,VitaliTychon’sgifteddaughterwasascending.Escortedbyacompany-strengthdetachmentofCadianstormtroopers ledbyCaptainHawkins, shehadeagerly seized thischancetoventureintotheunknown.Curiously,Galateahadchosentoaccompanyher,theabominablemachineintelligencekeentoexploreTelok’sflagshipnowthatthethreatbeyonditshullhadbeendealtwith.Magos Azuramagelli had been seconded from theTabularium’s command deck to oversee themissiontotheship’sbridge,assumingsuchalocationstillexisted.

Kotovreachedthebottomof thescrew-stair to findhimself inahigh-roofedtransversecorridorthathadbeensealedateitherendbyheavypanellingfashionedfromelongatedpanelstornfromtheship’sprowblade.Thereappearedtobenowaytocontinuedownwards,thoughskitariimeltagunnerswere hunting for weak points in the floor and strangely scraped walls to attempt a breach. Kotovdetectedheavydepositsoflubricantgreaseandfeltthepresenceofelectricalcurrent.

MagosDahanbeckonedKotovovertoajury-riggedcontrolpanelagainstthefarwall,butbeforehecouldjoinhim,Tannainterceptedhim.

‘Howmuchfartherdowndoyoubelieveweneedtogo,archmagos?’askedTanna.‘Ibelieveweareclose,sergeant,’repliedKotov.‘Witheverylevelwedescend,thedangerincreases.’‘Weareexplorators,SergeantTanna,’Kotovremindedhim.‘Dangercomeswiththeterritory.’‘Youareanexplorator,Iamawarrior.’‘Thenyoushouldbeusedtodanger,sergeant,’snappedKotov.TheSpaceMarine’sangerwasunmistakable,butKotovpaiditnoattentionandmovedpasthimto

joinDahan.A seriesofgem-lightswinkedon thepanel, indicating that ithadpower. Itsonlyothercomponentwasasimpleleverthatcouldberackedtoanupordownposition.

‘Elevator controls,’ saidDahan. ‘Funicular transit ones ripped froman embarkationdeck by thesizeofthem.’

‘This whole chamber is a descent elevator,’ said Kotov, now understanding the nature of thescrapesonthewallsandtheexcessivepresenceoflubricants.

‘Theenginariumspacesshouldbebeneath,’saidDahan.‘Thesourceofthepoweremanations?’‘Possibly,’ said Kotov taking hold of the descent lever. ‘If whatever is below us bears any

resemblancetotheoriginalplan.’Kotovpulledthecontrolleverintothedownposition.‘Soletusfindout,’hesaid.Thechambershudderedandgrounddownwardsonbleatinghydraulicsandclankinggearchains.

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Entire structural elements had been removed from the upper reaches of the Tomioka’s hull andreplacedwithcrystallinepanelsthatrefractedoutsidelightthroughtheenclosingiceinstrangeways.Linya blink-clicked images of rainbow-hued prismatic beams dancing in the open spaces, the lightcatching glitteringmotes of dust and reflecting from the polarised visors of theCadians’ enclosinghelmets.Thebrightnessgavetheimpressionofspaceandpeace,butthatwas,sheremindedherself,anillusion.

‘Wondrous,isitnot?’askedthevoiceofherfather. ‘RemindsmeofthemagnificentprocessionalcathedralsoficeandglasswithintheArtyniaCatena.’

Vitali Tychon’s voice emerged from a jet-black servo-skull flitting through the air like a curiousinsect, the audio scratchy with distortion and warbling with singsong static. The presence of theumbrasurroundingtheTomiokamadestandardorbitalvoximpossible,soall transmissionsbetweenthegroundforcesandtheSperanzawererelayedthroughtheTabularium tothe landingfieldsbeforefinallybeinghurledintospace.

‘There’sa resemblance,’ agreedLinya,addressing the floatingdevice,whichhadbeenbuilt fromremovedsegmentsofherfather’sownskullafterhehaddecidedtoenlargehiscranialcavitywithanartificialreplacementtoallowforadditionalimplants. ‘ButwearenotonMars,weareexploringthehostileenvironmentofanancientmadman.’

‘Madman? Visionary? Often the two are separated by a hair’s-breadth,’ observed Vitali, as twincallipersmountedunderthejawboneproducedaquicksketchoftheviewbeforehisproxyskull.

‘IknowwhichoneIwouldusetodescribeTelok,’saidLinya.‘BeforeIsawthis,Imighthaveagreedwithyou,butthisisincredible,’saidVitaliastheservo-skull

floatedaheadtowhereMagosAzuramagelliwasascendinganarrowstairwellbyfoldinghisratchetingmachine body into amore compact form. Contrary towhat Linya had expected, Azuramagelli wasnegotiatingtheconvolutedspaceswithintheTomiokawithrelativeease,swiftlyclimbingladderswithmultiple arms, and reorderinghisbrain-fragmentswithin the armatureofhisprotective casings tofacilitatehistransit.

Giventheself-assembledcrudityofGalatea’sform,ithadnosuchabilitytoalteritsbody-planand

was forced to take loopingdetours toavoid themorecrampedroutes to thebridge.Linyahadbeenglad of the respite from its presence, but each time they reconnected with the hybrid machineintelligence, she wondered just how it managed to get ahead of them. She and the Cadians weresupposedtobefollowingthemostdirectroutetothebridge,buteachtimethedimensionsofablastdoororcoredshaftpreventeditfromproceedingGalateawouldbewaitingfortheminawiderspacebeyond.

What,shethenthought,wasitdoingwhileitwasbeyondtheirsight?Linyashookoffsuchsuspicionsandconcentratedonherownprogress,followingfoursquadsof

void-suited Cadian troopers as they forged a path upwards, moving in fits and starts as differentgroupsadvancedhigherintotheshipinmutuallysupportingcoverformations.Anotherthreesquadsfollowedbehind, andLinyaadmired the effectivenesswithwhichCaptainHawkinswas leadinghismen;fromthefrontandwithnothingaskedofthemhewasn’tpreparedtodofirst.

Cadiancombatargotwasterseandtacticallyprecise–foraverbalformofcommunication–withclearcommandsandunambiguousmeanings.Skitariimind-linkswereafarmoreefficientmeansofcombat communication, but required cranial implants she suspectedmost soldiers of the fortress-worldwouldn’taccept.

Despite Kotov’s gloomy predictions, their winding upwards passage through Telok’s ship wasmeeting with no resistance, either in the form of the crystal-form creatures or impassablearchitecture. While her father’s servo-skull flitted ahead as a gleeful scout, she and the CadiansclimbedtheTomioka’scavernousinternalchambersviachuggingfreightelevatorshaphazardlyfixedtothewallswithdockingclamps,scaledverticaltransitshaftsonmultipleladdersweldedtothedeckandscrambleduprampsofcantedceilingplates.

Thecrystallinepanelssenttheirlightdeepintotheheartoftheship,creatinganairy,openfeeling;which was a novel sensation for Linya, who normally found being aboard a starship tiresomelyclaustrophobic,evenoneasvastastheSperanza.

Shepausedatamakeshiftlandingthatlookedoutoverawideopenspacethathadprobablyoncebeen an embarkation deck. Light flooded the area through a series of opened docking hatches faracrossthechamber,throughwhichgaseousmistbillowed.Thetemperaturegradientformedcloudsintheupperreachesoftheembarkationdeck,andmoisturefellthroughtheinteriorinasoftshimmerofrainthatpatternedherhoodwithvapourtrails.

‘Don’t think we should dawdle, Miss Tychon,’ said a Cadian trooper whose shoulder patchidentified him as Lieutenant TaybardRae. ‘Soonerwe get you and your… friends to the bridge thesoonerwecangetoutofhere.’

Something in the soldier’s manner was instantly disarming and Linya smiled within herenvironment hood. Like the Cadians, she was protected from the hostile conditions, but thetechnology keeping her alivewas farmore advanced; a self-generated, full-body integrity field andflexingcranialcanopywithamulti-spectralsensorium.

‘Youdon’tlikeitinhere?’askedLinya,lookingthroughtheglitteringnitrogenrain.‘Sightslikethisdonotcomeoften.Theyneedtobesavoured.’

‘Beggingyourpardon,MissTychon,butCaptainHawkinssaidweweren’thereonasightseeing

trip.Andtrustme,youdon’twanttogethisdanderupwhenwe’reonamission.’Linya recalledCaptainHawkins from the regimental dinner she andher father attended in the

Cadianbillets.HerimpressionhadbeenthatHawkinswasamanoffewwords,thoughhehadbeencoaxedtoloquaciousnesswhentoastingthefallensoldiersofBaktarIII.

‘Heisastrictofficer?’sheasked.Raelookedperplexedatthequestion.‘Aren’tweall?’hesaid.‘Isupposeso,thoughIconfessIhaveonlymetafew.’‘Ach,he’snotsobad,’saidRae,slinginghisrifleandleaningoutoverthebalcony.‘I’veservedunder

alotofcaptainsandcolonelsinmytime,sowhenyougetagoodone,youtryandkeephimalive.Youknowwhatseniorofficersarelike,miss,alwaystryingtogetthemselvesshotorblownup.They’relikechildrenreally,theyneedtheirlieutenantstokeepthemoutoftrouble.’

Clearly deciding to take Linya’s advice, Rae turned and rested his folded arms on the ironbalustrade, taking in thesplendourof thevistabeforehim. ‘Rain ina starship,’hesaid, shakinghishelmetedhead.‘Hellofathing.’

‘Yes,Idon’tthinkI’veeverheardofsuchanoccurrence,’saidLinya.‘Makesyouthinkthough,eh?’‘Aboutwhat?’askedLinya,whenRaedidn’tcontinue.‘Aboutwhyyou’dbringashipallthiswayfromtheEmperor’slightjusttocrashitonaworldthat’s

goingtodie,’saidRae,makingroomforoneoftherearguardsquadstopass,tensoldierswithriflespulledintighttotheirshoulders.

‘SowhydoyouthinkTelokdidthis?’askedLinya.‘You’reaskingme?’laughedRae.‘I’mjustagruff,incrediblyhandsomeandvirilelieutenant,what

doIknowabouttechstufflikethat?’‘Idon’tknow,’saidLinya,gesturingtothemistycavernoftherotatedchamber.‘Youtellme.’Raegrinnedandtappedthesideofhishelmet.‘Well,whoeverdidthishadhimselfaplan,right?’heasked.‘Imean,youdon’tgotoalltheeffortof

standingastarshiponitsarsefornoreason.SoI’mguessingthisTelokfella,heknewKatenVeniawasgoingtobedestroyedsoonerratherthanlater,yeah?’

‘Thatwouldbeasafeassumption,LieutenantRae.’‘Then it stands to reason that whatever he’s got planned is going to happen soon,’ said Rae,

unlimberinghisrifle. ‘Andwhateverthat is,Igetthefeelingthatbeinginsidethisshipwon’tbethebestplacetobewhenitstarts.’

Tothosewithoutnoosphericadaptations,thecommanddeckoftheSperanzawasacoldsteelellipticalchamberthatlookednothinglikethebridgesofNavalshipsofwar.Silver-steelnubsjuttedfromthefloorlikeunfinishedstructuralcolumns,andanumberofotherwiseunremarkablecommandthroneswereplacedatapparentlyrandomlocations.

ButtotheservitorshardwiredintothosegleamingnubsandtheMechanicuspersonnelmanningeach station, it was a far more dynamic place than the sterile steel and preserved timber

compartmentsofstarchedNavycaptainsandtheirunderlings.Thousandsofshimmeringveilsofdatalighthungsuspendedintheairliketheatricalcurtainsabouttoriseandspirallingarcsofinformation-rich lightstreamedfrominloadportstobesplitbydataprisms,divertedthroughoutthebridgeandprocessed.

MagosTarkisBlaylocksat in thecommandthrone latelyvacatedbyArchmagosKotov.Hisblackrobeswereetchedwithdivinecircuitryandhischasubleofzincalloywasafractally-complexnetworkof geometric designs andmachine language.Green optics pulsed beneath his hood and streams ofcoolantvapourrosefromhimasthoughheweresmouldering.Hisretinueofstunteddwarf-servitorsfussed around him, rearranging his floodstream cables and regulating the flow of life-sustainingchemicals to his bio-mechanical body, a complex mix of proteins, amino acids, blessed oils andnutrient-denselubricants.

AsFabricatusLocum,theSperanzawashistocommandintheabsenceofthearchmagos–itwasatask he relished. The sheer power of the Ark Mechanicus was unimaginable, a vast repository ofknowledgeandhistorythatwouldtaketheMartianpriesthoodathousandlifetimestoprocess.

Blaylockpridedhimselfinhisabilitytoassimilateenormousvolumesofdata,butjustskimminghis consciousness over the golden light of Speranza’s core spiritual mechanisms was enough toconvincehimthattodescendintoitsneuromatrixwouldbetoinvitedisaster.Necessityhadforcedthearchmagos to enter the deep strata of the Speranza’s machine-spirit during the eldar attack, andBlaylock still did not know how he hadmanaged to extricate himself from its impossibly complexlatticeaftersecuringitshelp.

Together with Vitali Tychon, who occupied an adjacent sub-command throne, Blaylock wasengaged in fleet-wide operations thatwould normally require substantialMechanicus personnel tohandle.Vitali’sfloodstreambetrayedhischild-likewondermentatthedataexloadingfromthesurface,but Blaylock found something strangely familiar in its nature, as though he was somehow alreadyawareofitscontent.

Hedismissed the thoughtand turnedhisattention toa last strandofpartitionedconsciousnessthatwascurrentlyengagedinhuntingthebondsmenwhohadinstigatedtheinterruptionofservitudeamongtheSperanza’scyborgservitorcrew.EachoftheindenturedworkerscollaredonJourahadbeenimplantedwithfealtydesignatorsandshould,intheory,beeasilyfound.

But neither the senior magi nor constant sweeps of cyber-mastiffs and armsmen could locateBondsmenLocke,CoyneandHawke.Norcouldtheyfindanytraceoftherogueoverseer,TothaMu-32,and the servitor said to have recovered itsmemories.Norwas their any evidence of the rumouredarco-flagellantBondsmanLockewassaidtopossess.

Itwasasiftheyhadsimplyvanished.Which,onaMechanicusship,wassurelyimpossible.Blaylockleftthatportionofhisconsciousnesstokeepsearching,andreturnedtothebusinessof

runningtheSperanza.Between them,heandVitaliweremaintaining theship’spositionoverKatenVenia’s turbulent polar region, processing the surveyor readings exloaded from the surface,communicating along Manifold links with the senior commanders on the surface, optimisingshipboard operations of over three million tertiary grade systems and coordinating the fleet

manoeuvresinexpectationofacataclysmicstellarevent.ThelikelihoodofArcturusUltraexplodingintheimmediatefuturewasstatisticallyremote,butthe

paceandfuryofthereactionstakingplaceinitsnuclearheartwerebeyondmeasure;nothingcouldbetakenforgranted.Asfaraspossible,Blaylock–withMagosSaiixekinEngineering’sassistance–waskeepingKatenVeniabetweenthefleetandthedyingstar.Ifthisstardidgonova,aplanetwasn’tgoingtooffermuchinthewayofprotection,butitwasbetterthannothing.

+Somuchinformation,+saidVitaliovertheirhardlinelink.+Wondrous,isitnot?Howoftendoesonegettoseethedestructionofanentireplanetthisclose?+

+IhaveoverseenExterminatusprotocolsonthreeworlds,MagosTychon,+saidBlaylock.+Iknowwhatextinctionleveleventscomprise.+

+Ah,butthisisanaturalevent,Tarkis.Completelydifferent.OfcourseIhaveseentheafter-effectsofsucheventsfromtheorbitalgalleriesonQuatria,buttobehereissomethingwewon’tsoonforget.+

+Wewillnotforgetitatall,+saidBlaylock,irritatedatVitali’sinterruptions.+ThedatahasalreadybeenrecordedandtheMechanicus–+

+Neverdeletesanything,+finishedVitali.+Yes,Iamwellawareofthattiresometruism,buttoseeaneventlikethisfirst-handisquitedifferent,regardlessofwhatyoumightbeabouttotellmeaboutexperientialbias.+

+Is there a point to this current discourse?+ asked Blaylock. +The surveyor emissions from thesurface are complex enough to processwithout having to divert additional processing capability tointerpersonaldiscourse.+

Vitalinodded.+Yes,thesheervolumeandcomplexityofwhatIamseeingisquite…+Thevenerablemagosbrokeoffasasimulationhehadrunninginthebackgroundfinallyreached

itsconclusion,coalescinginabrightsphereofglitteringinformation.Hismulti-digithandssplayeditoutwards,butBlaylockdidnotbothertoinloadwhateverspuriousexperimentthestellarcartographerwasrunning.

+Tarkis,wereyouawareof theelectromagneticdischargesemanating fromtheTomiokaandthedissonantareaofgeostationarydeadspaceaboveit?’

+Iregisteredbothitemsearlier,yes.++Andwhatdidyoubelievethemtobe?+Blaylockbroughtupacascadeofdiscardedauspexjunk,siftingthroughitwithhapticsweepsof

hishands,processingtheinformationthroughamultitudeofsenses.+Nothing more than irrelevant by-products of the chaotic systems within the atmosphere

intersectingwith rogue electromagnetic emissions from theplanet’s core. Ithas likely alreadybeensubsumedintothebackgroundradiation.+

+Youaredeadwrong,Tarkis,+saidVitali.Blaylock’sfloodstreamsurgedwithirritationhedidnotbothertomodulate.+Iamseldomwrong,

MagosTychon.++Seldomdoesnotmeannever, look again,+ saidVitali, sweeping a series of extrapolations and

speculativeinterpretationsofthesurveyorinloadsovertoBlaylock’sthrone.Blaylockdigested thedata, thenbroughtup thebacklogged surveyordata and ran it forwardat

speed to the presentmoment. As absurd as Vitali’s conclusions were, it was hard to dismiss theirinevitablelogic.

+Areyousureaboutthis?+heasked.+Sureenoughtoknowthatweneedtogeteveryoneoffthatplanet,+saidVitali.+Yes,ofcourse,+agreedBlaylock.+Whenwillitreachus?++Mymostaccurateprojectionsaystwohoursandfifty-fourminutes.++Ave Deus Mechanicus!+ said Blaylock, sending a stream of imperative binary through the

noosphere,Manifoldandvox-networks.+ContactKryptaestrexandhavehimprepeverylandingcraftforimmediatelift-off.Geteveryoneoffthatplanet.Now!+

ThespacehadoncebeentheTomioka’senginarium,butthatpurposehadlongsincebeensacrificedinserviceofanother.Thefuniculartransitelevatorhadcarriedthemdeepintothebedrockoftheplanet,theirangleofdescenttakingthemfromwallsofsteelintoregionsstratifiedwithaeonsofgeologicalchange.Whenat last the elevatorhalted, itwas immediately clear that the cathedralsof the enginespaces had been enlarged many times over by the simple expedient of drilling out the rock forkilometresinalldirections.

An enormous cavern had been created beneath the Tomioka that extended far beyond theboundariesof thestarship,but justhowfarwas impossible to tell, foronly thedimmestgreen lightilluminated the cavernous space. The heat down herewas immense, the air hazedwith steam andferocioustemperaturesradiatingfromthevastquantitiesoftoweringmachinerythatlinedthewalls.

Innumerable glowing green cables threaded the walls, coiled together like nests of snakes andpulsingwithahypnoticrhythm.Tensof thousandsextendedfromthenearestmachines, thousandsmore fromothers farther around the circumference of the immense cavern. Tangledmasses of thecablesallconvergedonadistantpointwhereadancinglightglimmeredinthehalf-darkness.

‘Whatisthisplace?’askedTanna.‘Idonotknow,’saidKotov,followingthevanguardofskitariitowardsthecentreofthechamber.

‘ButwhateverplanTelokhadforhisship,thisistheheartofit.’‘Ithasthelookofthexenostoit,’saidTanna,andKotovwasforcedtoagree.‘ItcouldbethatTelok’scrystaltechnologiesincorporatealientechnology,’suggestedDahan.‘Might

thatbehowhefinallysucceededingettingittowork?’‘Thatiscertainlyonepossibility,’concededKotov.TannaraisedafistandhisSpaceMarinesdroppedtotheirknees,eachonewithaweaponaimed.Dahanwasathissideinaninstant.‘Whatisit,sergeant?’‘Battlerobotsahead,’saidTanna. ‘They’renotmoving,but lookatthechests.Thereissomething

wrongwiththem.’TheMechanicusadvancedbehindtheBlackTemplarsandKotovsawTannawasquitecorrect.AmanipleofimmobileConquerorbattlerobotsindustyarmourofblueandredstoodrankedupas

thoughawaitingdoctrinawafers.Theirsunkenheadsstaredunseeingatthefloorandtheirweapon

armshungslackattheirsides.Kotovcountedfiverobots,eachfourmetrestall,brutishandharshly-angled,withrustedplatesofablativeshieldingcrumblingattheirshoulders.

Inallrespectsbutone,theyappearedtobenothingmorethanrelicsofalongagowar.Eachrobot’schestcavity,whereKotovwouldexpecttofinditspowersource,wasfilledwithfinely-

wovencrystallinefilamentslikethefinestblownglass.‘Thisisthesamecrystal-formwefoughtabove,’saidTanna,instantlybellicose.Kotov raised a delicately-machined hand. ‘Be at peace, sergeant. Thesemachines have not been

activeinhundreds,perhapseventhousands,ofyears.’‘Thatgivesmenocomfort,’saidTanna,gesturingtohisfellowwarriors.‘Destroythecrystals.’‘Wait!’criedKotov.‘IcannotallowyoutosimplydestroyMartianproperty.’‘AndIcannotallowapotentialthreattoremainalongourlineofretreat.’‘SergeantTanna,’saidKotov,placinghimselfbetweenthetoweringwarriorandthebattlerobot.

‘Wedidnotcomeallthiswayjusttovandalisethefirstpieceoftechnologywedonotyetunderstand.Thediscoveryofnewthingsiswhatbringsusouthere,yes?’

‘It’swhatbroughtyououthere,archmagos,’saidTanna.‘Wecametohonouradebt.Ithoughtyouunderstoodthat.’

Kotov shook his head and rested a hand on the nearest robot’s arm. Rust flaked away andfragments of corrodedmetal drifted to the ground. ‘These areMechanicus artefacts, it would be acrimeagainsttheOmnissiahtodefilethem.’

‘That crystal isn’t Mechanicus,’ said Dahan, standing alongside Tanna. ‘That crystal is xenostechnology,andthealienmechanismisaperversionoftheTruePath.That’swhatyouaredestroying,areyounot,sergeant?’

TheSpaceMarinenoddedandanunheardorderpassedbetweenhimandhiswarriors.ThoughKotovwasunhappyabout suchwantondestruction,heknewhehad little choicebut to

accede to the Black Templars’ tactical decision. Tanna put a fist through the lattice in the nearestrobot’schest,thecrystallinewebshatteringintopowderedfragments.Withinsecondsthebattlerobothaditschestcavityemptiedofcrystal,andthisactofdestructionwasaknifetoKotov’sheart.

Dahankneltbesideoneof therobots,whereascrapof loosecloth layunder its foot.He lifted itwith the inactive prongs of his scarifiers, dust trickling from the folds like the ash of an ancientrevenant.

‘Whatisthat?’askedKotov.‘Somesortofrobe,’saidDahan.‘Mechanicus?’Dahanshookhisheadasthethreadsbegantofrayandtheclothfellapart.‘Toosmall.’Thescrapofclothfelltothefloor,nowlittlemorethancoarse-woventhreadsthatunravelledand

rottedawayevenastheywatched.‘There’s more of them,’ said Tanna, moving behind the robots. The Space Marine knelt beside

anotheroftherobes,thisonewithasemblanceofashapebeneathit.Nolargerthanasmallchild,itwasswathedinidenticalrags,butasTannatouchedit,therobelostitsshapeandpuffsofdustsighedfromitsedgesaswhateveritconcealeddisintegrated.

Somethinggleamedbeneaththerags,andTannasiftedthroughthedusttoretrieveit.‘Whatdoyouhavethere,sergeant?’askedKotov.‘I’mnotsure,’saidTanna.‘Amechanismofsomesort.’TannastoodandheldhisdiscoveryouttoKotov.Abentpieceofmetal,corrodedandpittedwith

age,ithadthelookofaflint-lockbelongingtosomeprimitiveblackpowderweapon.Tannaheldtheshapedmetalonthepalmofhishand,butbeforeKotovcouldgiveitacloserexamination,itcrumbledtopowder.

‘Accelerateddecay,perhapsaside-effectofthisworld’sdissolution,’saidDahan.‘Perhaps,’saidKotov,pushingdeeperintothechamber.‘Butamysteryforlateron,Ithink.’Leavingtheancientrobotsandrottedfabricformsbehind,Kotovpusheddeeperintothechamber,

seeingyetmoreisolatedgroupsofrustedbattlerobotsdeeperintheshadowseithersideoftheirrouteofmarch.SoonitbecameclearthatthecentreofthechamberwasdirectlybeneaththeTomioka,asthechamber’sroofchangedfrombarerocktothecross-sectionofaguttedstarship.

Structuralhullmembers,tensofmetresthick,stoodlikevastpillarsattheentrancetoatemplum;oncebeyondthispermeablebarrier,Kotovsawavastcircularchasmhadbeenexcavatedatthebaseofthe starship. At least five hundred metres in diameter, its edge was delineated by hundreds ofthousandsofthefaintlyglowingcablesthatplungedintoitsdepths.WhatlookedlikeavastdataprismhungdownfromtheceilingformedbytheTomioka, resemblinganenormousspear-point fashionedfromasingleblockofice.

But it was the flickering globe suspended over the exact centre of the shaft that commandedKotov’sfullattention.

A ball of greenish fire hung in the air like an emerald sun caught in an invisible force field. Itssurface rippled with coruscating lines of force, as though formed from viscous fluids stirred byinternaltides.NopartofKotov’ssensoriumcouldmeasureitsdimensions,massordensity,andhadhereliedonanyinputbeyondhisoptics,hewouldneverknowtheobjectwasthereatall.

‘Whatisthat?’askedTanna.‘Somekindofreactor?’venturedDahan.‘Perhaps,’ said Kotov, rechecking the passive augurs worked into the armoured body he wore.

Whatevertheobjectwas,itwasbeyondhisabilitytomeasure,andwhatreadingshewasgettingwerefluctuatingmeaninglessly,asthoughtheobjectwastransitioningfromonestateofbeingtoanotheratanygivenmoment.Hischronometricreadingsflatlined,asthoughcaughtwithinthetemporalnullofastasisbubble.

KotovtorehisgazefromthenucleargreenfireandstareddownintoabottomlessblackabyssasDahanmanoeuvred his skitarii around this segment of the shaft. Kotov saw no obviousmeans ofdescendingintothechasm,butcountedthatasfortunate,feelingastrangesenseofobservationrisingfromitsdepths.

‘Whatever this place is, it is clear that Telok never intended this ship to fly again,’ said Kotov,perchingprecariouslyatthechasm’sedge.‘Theengineshavebeencompletelydismantled.’

‘WhywouldTelokhavedonethat?’askedTanna.Kotov had no answer for him and pulled away from the vertiginous shaft as the visible

circumferenceoftheshimmeringgreenorbsuddenlyexpanded,doublingitsdiameterintheblinkofaneye.Thetideswithinitsunknownstructuregrewmoreviolentandthelightpouringfromitfilledthechamberwithsearingbrightness.

‘What’shappening,archmagos?’demandedTanna,backingawayfromtheobject.Kotovhadnofirmevidenceuponwhichtobasehisanswer,buttherecouldbeonlyonepossible

explanation.‘WhateverTelokhasplannedfortheTomioka.It’shappeningnow.’

Themachine-spiritattheheartoftheTomiokawassluggishandhostiletoLinya’senquiries,notthatshecouldblamesovenerableamachineforreactingbadlytoanunknownpresenceinitsneuromatrixafter so long a time spent dormant. They had reached the bridge; it was exactly where they hadexpected it to be, andCaptainHawkins’s Cadians had secured itwithout incident. Linya had beensurprisedathowlittleitsstructureappearedtohavebeenaltered,giventhenatureoftherestoftheship,thoughitwas,ofcourse,turnedthroughninetydegrees.

Servitorssatstrappedintotheirconsoles,andanumberofbattlerobotswerestillmag-lockedinplacewithintheirdefencealcoves;beyondthethicklayersofdustthathadaccumulatedonnumeroussurfaces,itfeltlikethebridgecrewmightreturnatanymoment.

WhileAzuramagelliandherfather’sservo-skullattemptedtoaccesstheship’savionicslog,Galateamadeacircuitofthoseareasofthebridgeitcouldtraverse.Linyahuntedforacompatibleinloadportshecouldreachandwhichmatchedthequaintlyarchaicinterfaceaugmeticinthepalmofherhand.Iftherewasanydatatobesalvagedfromtheship’sdatacore,shewoulddigitout.

Incredibly,theship’scogitatorsanddeeplogicengineswerestillfunctional,maintainedbyadim,slumbering spirit that rested in the deep strata of cogitation. Connection to the data-engines wasmadeviaasimpleseriesofMechanicushails,butshewouldneedtogodeeptofindanythingofvalue.

Linyaclosedhereyes,lettingherfunctionalawarenessflowfartherintotheTomioka’sdatasphere,feelingthepresenceofnumeroussecurityscreensandinvasiveprotectionalgorithmsmarshallingather continued presence. She tested their integritywith gently inquiring probes thatwere rebuffedwithoutexception.

‘Onlytobeexpected,’shesaid,tappingoutabinaricmantrawithherlefthand.Shetriedamoredirectapproach,shapingherinterrogativewithaggressivesignifiersofrankand

demand protocols.Once again, the data-engine rejected her attempt and sent a painful jolt of bio-feedback through Linya’s hand. Not enough to hurt, but enough to remind her that she was notauthorisedtoaccessthisship’srecords.

Themachine-spirit’s defences resisted her every attempt at infiltration until she registered thepresenceofaninloadedcode-breakingalgorithmthatcarriedthenoospherictagsofMagosBlaylock.Linyahadnomemoryofreceivingsuchaninload,butcouldn’tdenyitsusefulnessrightaboutnow.

She opened the inloadeddata packet and let out a soft gasp at the geometric complexity of thealgorithmsworkedintothecode.TarkisBlaylockwasanothertech-priest itwashardto like,buthisgrasp of hexamathic calculus and statistical analysiswas second to none; this looked like themost

perfect binaric skeletonkey shehad ever seen. Like ahoundon thehunt, thedecryptionalgorithmmeshedseamlesslywith theTomioka’s datasphere, and the security systemswovenaround the info-logsfellawaylikemistbeforeahurricane.

Almostimmediately,Linyarealisedhermistake.Atsunamiofstellarinformationpouredintoherandsheletoutacryofterrorasthedata-burden

overloaded her neural capacity in a heartbeat. She tried to pull away from the ship’s flow ofinformation,butlikeavictimofelectrocution,shefoundshecouldnotdisengagefromtheverythingthat was killing her. Numerous implants in her skull shorted out, one after the other, and Linyaconvulsed as the bio-electric feedback vaporised thousands of synaptic connections within thearchitectureofherbrain.

Justas thedata-burdensurgedwithaneven largerpacketof impossiblydensecelestialcalculus,Linyafeltherselftornfromthedata-enginewithaphysical joltandasearingblazeofdisconnectionagonies.Shehitthefloor,wrappedinLieutenantRae’sarms,dizzyingvertigoseizingher.

Herhandsflewtothesidesofherheadaspoundingwavesofshriekingpainstabbedthroughherskulllikeaninstantmigraine.Blindinglightfilledhereyes,andsickeningnauseacrampedinhergut.Sheheardherfather’svoicethroughtheebonskull,thegleamingredopticshoveringjustbeforeherface,butcouldn’tprocesswhatshewashearing.

Shoutedvoicessurroundedher.‘MistressTychon,’saidRae.‘Beggingyourpardon,butareyouallright?’Shetriedtonod,butrolledontohersideandvomitedthecontentsofherstomachinstead.Linya felt thepresence of something clanking andmetallicmovingpast her andpushedherself

uprightintimetoseeGalateapluggingitselfintothesmokinginloadport.Thesilver-eyedproxy-bodyturnedtoregardherslumpedform.‘Onemindcannothandlethisdata-burden,’saidGalatea.‘Onlywecandothis.’The surgingpain in Linya’s skull receded a fraction and shepulledherself upright onwobbling

legs, feeling an unaccountable need to stop the machine from taking her place. Lieutenant Raesupportedher,andsheclungtohimtokeepfromfalling.

‘What’shappening?’sheasked,strainingtoregainhersensesandmentalequilibrium.‘Don’tknow,miss,’saidRae,bringinghislasgunaroundasCadianbattle-cantfilledthebridgeand

the bridge’s defence robots climbed from their alcoves. Linya saw their chests were alight with acuriousgreenillumination,theirweaponssystemscomingonlineoneafteranother.

Gunfireandshoutsfilledthebridge.

Microcontent09

Both war machines were vigilant, stalking the icy plains around the Tomioka like wary predatorscirclingdangerouspreythatmayormaynotbeplayingdead.Amarokwasstillfeistyafterthefightinthecanyon,itsgunsandvoidsrestored,andPrincepsVintrasalloweditsvirilemachine-spirittocometotheforeintheManifold.

HeloopedoverthetrailofVilka,carefullyavoidingthedeeptrackstheIronwoadwasleavinginthecrystallinestructureoftheglassyplateau.It tookfinessetowalkaWarhoundlikethis,sidesteppingandmovingforwardsatthesametime.Hekepthistargetingauspexloose,lettingtheaimingreticuledriftbackandforthinsearchofsomethingtokill.

Vintraswasgetting twitchy too, the resultofapotentcocktailofdrugspumped intohis systemafterthefightwiththefacsimileengines.Wordhadcomedownthattheyweresomeformofmachine-tech thatcouldmould thecrystallinestructuresof thedyingworld into theshapesofelements theyperceivedasthreats.

Thegroundunderfootwasunstable,theWarhound’scomplexstabilisationsensorsperceivinganevergrowing,everspreadingwaveofseismictremorsbuildingfromfarbeneaththeground.Whichwasonlytobeexpected;thisworldwasdyingafterall,beingpulledapartbygeologicalstressesandcelestial cataclysm.Suchdisturbanceswereonlygoing togetworse and the surfaceofKatenVeniawouldsoonbecomeuntenableforTitanengines.

Withitsboardersdelivered,LupaCapitalinahadretreatedfromthetoweringformoftheTomiokaand taken up an unmoving position before the starship. Even after the Wintersun’s attack onMoonsorrow,therewasstillsomethingmagneticaboutthevastscaleoftheWarlord,apotential forsuchawesomedestructionthattranscendedallnotionsofmorality.JusttosharethebattlefieldwithaWarlordwasanhonour,andtobepackwithagod-machineofitspowerwastobeapartofhistory.YetforallthatVintrasreveredtheincredibleTitan,theideaofremainingstaticwasanathematohim.Asmuch as he longed to risewithin the ranks of the Legio, hewas loath to consider thepossibility ofleavingAmarokforabattle-enginethatwonwarsbymarchingstraightattheenemy.

‘Areyouhearingthis?’askedEliasHärkin,intrudingonVintras’sthoughts.TheVilka’sprinceps’svoicewasgruffandhadbeenaugmetically-renderedfordecades,buthearingitoverthevoxonlymade

itmoreunpleasant.‘Hearingwhat?’askedVintras,irritatedhe’dallowedhismindtowander.‘TheMechanicus,’snappedHärkin.‘Whataboutthem?’‘CallyourselfaWarhounddriver?’askedHärkin.‘Useyourdamnedeyesandopenyourvox!’VintrasslewedAmaroktotheside,increasinghispaceandweavingacrossthelandscapetocircle

aroundtheTomiokaasthegroundshookwithanotherearthtremor,thisonemorepowerfulthanthelast.Vintrascompensated,keepingtheWarhound’scentreofgravitylowuntilhecompletedhiscircuitofthelandedstarship.

IntheaftermathoftheLegio’srescueoftheSpaceMarinesandskitarii,theLandLeviathansandsupportvehicleshadpouredoverthebridgeandontotheedgeoftheplateau,wheretheywaitedlikeobserverstooafraidtoapproachtheobjectoftheirscrutiny.

Vintrasswitchedhisvox-inputtoacceptnon-Legiotraffic,andimmediatelytheManifoldfloodedwithprioritisedthreatwarningsandwithdrawalorderscomingdirectfromtheSperanza.

‘Whatthehell’sgoingon?’askedVintras.‘Whatdoesitbloodylooklike?’gruntedHärkin.‘They’releaving.’

The informational flow through theSperanza’s bridge had increased significantly, but the gatheredmagi,calculus-logiandlexmechanicswerestillabletohandlethedata-burden.Largelythankstotheco-ordinatingpowerofMagosBlaylock,whosehigherthoughtprocesseswerestreamlinedtorendersuchvastarraysofdataintomanageablechunks.

‘Wordfromthesurface?’askedBlaylock.‘Evacuationhasbegun,’saidamagoswhoseidentitysignifierswerelostinthehazeofnoospheric

data filling thebridge. ‘The firstLeviathan is en route to the landing fields.TheothersarealigningbehinditandareintheprocessofcrossingMagosKryptaestrex’sbridge.’

BlaylockturnedtoVitaliTychon,whoencompassedtheManifoldlinkswithinhisdataspheretoco-ordinatethelogisticalnightmareofanemergencyplanetarywithdrawal.

‘Vitali,’saidBlaylock,hisurgencypromptinghimtodispensewithtitlesandprotocol. ‘Howlongbeforetheenergysourcereachestheplanet?’

‘Onehour,thirteenminutes,Tarkis,’saidVitaliTychon,withoutneedingtolookup.‘Stillnowordfromthearchmagosormydaughter.Neitherhasrespondedtothesummonsbacktotheship.’

Hearingtheworryinthevenerablemagos’svoice,Blaylocksaid,‘Keeptrying.’Blaylockbroughtupthesystemplotthatdisplayedthefleet’spositionaroundKatenVeniaandthe

approachingenergysourcehurtlingthroughspacetowardsthem.No,nottowardsthem,towardstheTomioka.Toolate,henowrealisedwhatTelok’sflagshipwasandwhytheLostMagoshadgonetothetrouble

of landing it in the first place. Together with the infinitesimal concavity of the plateau, the entirestructure of the Tomioka was a vast receiver array; a hundred kilometres wide receiver that wouldchannelasurgingstreamofunimaginableenergythroughitsstructureandintotheplanet’score.The

purposeofthiswasstillamystery,butthatanythingnearbywouldbeinstantlyobliteratedwasalltooobvious.

Vitaliwasrunningaback-tracetothesourceoftheenergybeam,butitwouldtaketimetolocateitamidtheferociousamountofbackgroundradiationfromthedyingstar.Eventryingtomeasurethebeamwasprovingtobenexttoimpossible,itsqualitiesallbutunknowntotheirauspexandofgreatermagnitudethancouldbereadilyquantified.

Thatsuchanunimaginablequantityofenergycouldtravelsofarwithout losingitspowertothevacuumwasstaggering.Blaylockknewofonlyonethingsaidtobecapableofsuchamonumentalfeatofpowergeneration.

TheBreathoftheGods.

GunfireechoedweirdlywithinthechamberastheBlackTemplarsbracketedoneoftherustedbattlerobots with carefully coordinated bolter shots. With the swelling of the seething energy globe, ameasure of its tidal energies had bloomed throughout the cavern in a single pulse of atmosphericpowertransfer.

Numerous skitarii had collapsed, their enhancedneural pathwaysblownoutby theblast – evenDahanhadstaggeredwiththeforceof it.Thenatureofthepowertransferhadn’tbeenimmediatelyobvious, but when the first sawing blasts of autocannon fire tore through the skitarii, its purposebecameself-evident.

Thebattlerobotslefttorustthroughoutthecavernwerenodustyrelicsofaforgottenconflict,butdormantsentries,taskedwithwaitinguntilsuchatimeastheywouldberequiredtodefendthearcaneprocessesunderway.Thecrystallinelatticeworkedintotherobots’chestcavitiespulsedwithnecroticgreenlight,anddespitetheiradvancedstateofdisrepair,eachmovedandfoughtasiffreshfromtheforge.

Amaniplehadcomeatthematbattlepace,butDahankilledthefirstonewithabeamofwhiteheatfromhisplasmagun.Skitariiweaponrybrokeapartthesecond,andabroadsideofbolterexplosionsshatteredthethirdintoastormofmetallicjunk.

‘I told youwe shouldhavedestroyed themall,’ saidTanna,walkingbackwardsashe slammedafreshmagazineintohisbolter.

‘Dulynoted,’ saidKotov,cycling throughhis implantedweaponryuntilhecameupwitha tight-beamgravitongun.Moreoftherobotmanipleswereclosinginfromallsides,andviaMagosDahan’sthreat-optimisershesawatleastsixtymoreapproaching.

Kotovkneltanddirectedhisimplantedweaponrytowardsthenearestrobot,triggeringaninvisiblebeamofintensegravometricenergies.Therobot,aclankinglyarchaicdesignofCataphract,crumpledand bent double as its upper section was suddenly quadrupled in mass. Its already rusted spinecollapsedundertheweightanditfellinawelterofspilledoilandbuckledplates.

Autocannonshellskilledmoreoftheskitarii,butnowarriorwasleftbehind.Astheyhadagainstthecrystalbeasts,Dahan’smenbrought theirdeadandwoundedwith them.The robotshadbiggerguns and thereweremore of them, but theywere slow and did not have the fire discipline of the

skitarii.Every metre of their retreat was earned in blood. Once beyond the structural elements of the

Tomioka, there was no shelter and no strategy except flight. Kotov’s implanted auspex registeredanotherpowersurgefromtheenergysphere,andonceagainitsdiameterswelled,almostfillingthewidthoftheshaftoverwhichitwassuspended.Theblazeoflightfromtheemeraldsun’sdepthsfilledthecavernousspacebeneaththeTomioka,andthetipoftheglitteringprismaboveitwaslessthantenmetresfrommakingcontact.Kotovhadnoideawhetherthatwouldbeabadthingornot,butthepartof him that relished symmetry and connectivity in things suspected thatwhen it and the seethingenergyglobecameintocontact,itwouldbeveryunpleasanttobeanywherenearby.

Kotov crushed the chests of another ten robots with his graviton beams before the internalcapacitors registered power loss. To fire it again, he would need to divert power from some othersystem. Instead, Kotov retracted the exotic weapon and cycled through to amoremundane rotarycannon.Thedesignwasanoldone,amodifiedDreadnoughtweaponthathadbeendeemedtooflimsyfor deployment with Adeptus Astartes forces, but which Kotov liked for its brutal simplicity. Thebackplateofhisbodyrotatedtoreveallouvredvents,andalongbullet-chainextendedfromhisarmtolinkwithaninternalammunitionchamber.

Recoil compensators deployed along Kotov’s shoulders and legs as a series of readiness iconsflashed before his eyes. Kotov slaved his targeting arrays to inloaded threat data fromDahan, andpushedhisconsciousnessintoahigherstatebeforeopeningfire.

Ablazingstreamof fire tore fromKotov’sarm, fully threemetres long,andwhatever it touchedsimplyexplodedinahazeoftorn-upmetalandshatteredplates.Eachburstwaspreciselycontrolled,anditseemedthatKotovcouldseeeveryshell,hiscognitivefunctionsmovingsoswiftlythathecouldwatcheachexplosioninslowmotion,switchtargetsandengagetheenemywithoutwastingasingleroundofammunition.

Allaroundhim, theSpaceMarinesandskitariiweremoving like figures inaslow-runningpict-feed, theirmotionspainfullymeasured. Sounds reachedhimat a glacial rate, and even the light ofexplosions and muzzle flare seemed to expand like slow-blooming flowers. Wherever Dahanregistereda threat,Kotovswunghisweapon tobearandeliminated itwithapreciseburstofhigh-explosiveshells.

Wavesofexcessheat fromsuch increasedcognitionweredispersedthroughcoolant flowacrosshisscalp,butsuchanoverclockingcouldonlybemaintainedforaminuteofsubjectivetimeatmostandhewasalmostathislimit.

IntheenditwasKotov’sammunitionthatgaveoutfirst,andthespinningbarrelsclickeddryastheammohoppersoughtinvaintokeepthetideofshellscoming.Kotovfelttheurgetokeepgoing,toswitchouttoanotherweapon.Toprocessinformationandstimuliwithsuchspeedwasintoxicating,awholly addictive feat of cognition that had seen more than one adept of the Mechanicus boil theorganic portions of his brain within his skull. Kotov disengaged the rapid-thought functions andstaggeredasthesearingheatinhisskulltemporarilyoverwhelmedhim.Theenergydemandsonhisbody, which ran to narrow enough tolerances as it was, suddenly found themselves with anunsustainabledeficit.

Kotov’slimbsfoldedupbeneathhim,butbeforehehittheground,SergeantTannacaughthimandhauledhimback,firinghisbolterone-handedashewent.Kotovtriedtospeak,butthepaininhisskullwastoointense,thechronicdrainonhismentalfacultiesshuttingdownallnon-essentialfunctionsastheyfoughttorestoreorderinhissynapticarrays.

Hewasdimlyawareofmorerobotsclosing inontheirposition,buthecouldnotmakeouthowmanyorhowfarawaytheywere.HesawDahanfiringhisimplantedweapon,surroundedbyperhapsthirtyskitariiwarriors,somewounded,somebearingthebodiesofthedead.TheBlackTemplarsfellbackbehindrelentlesssalvosofbolterfire,haltingabattlerobotwitheachone.

‘Quiteafeatofarms,’saidTanna,depositinghimbythecontrolsofthefuniculartransitelevatorandturningtohaultheleverintotheupposition.‘IthoughtyousaidIwasthewarrior.’

‘An exploratormust beprepared for all eventualities,’ saidKotov, finally regaining thepower ofspeechastheelevatorrumbledbackupintotheTomioka.‘AndIamnotamantotravellightly.’

WithLieutenantRaesupportingher,Linyascrambleddownthelengthofthestarship,breathlessandfightingthebuildingagonyinherhead.Thefightonthebridgehadbeenbrief,bloodyandone-sided,with the Cadian troopers hopelessly outgunned by an enemy they couldn’t hope to hurt. CaptainHawkinshadseenthefutilityofstayingtofightandimmediatelyorderedtheretreat.

A squad of Guardsmen had covered their retreat, and even amid the confusion of being pulledfromthebridge,Linyaknewthosesoldierswerealreadydead.Heavycalibreshellstorethebridgetopieces,smashingancienttechnologythathadcrossedthegalaxy insearchofwonder.Onerobot, itsrightarmapulverisingsiegehammer,hadsmashedthroughbulkheadafterbulkhead,shruggingoffCadianreturnfirefromlasrifles,grenadelaunchersandevenadirecthitfromaplasmagun.

Sixtymenandwomenfellbackfromthebridge,keepingtheirpursuersatbaywithambushesandtraps.Onerobotwaspitchedintoashaftthatlookedasthoughitranthelengthofthestarship’slongaxis,andanotherhaditslegblownoffbyaluckygrenadethatmanagedtolodgeinitspelvicjoint.Butthe otherswere utterly relentless and Linyawas forced to admire the lethal purity ofwhoever hadpunchedtheobedienceroutinesoftheirdoctrinawafers.

It felt liketheywererunningatrecklessspeedsbackthewaytheyhadcome,pursuedbyat leastfiveImperialbattlerobotswithcuriouscrystallinepowersourcesintheircheststhatcloselyresembledwhatMagosDahanhaddescribedontheTabularium.MagosAzuramagelliledthewaybackdowntheTomioka,hismentalmappingunfazedbythedangerthreateningthemandhisbody-planalteringandreshapingwithaspeedLinyafoundincredible.

Her father’s servo-skull zipped alongside her, pausing every now and then to check behind itbeforescootingafterher.Shecouldhearhisvoiceurgingheronwards,butshutitoutasadistraction.Somewherealongthewaythey’dlostGalatea,themachineintelligencefleeingalongadifferentroutewhenitcouldnolongerfollowthesamelineofretreat.Linyawonderedifitwouldmanagetoescapeandfoundshedidn’tcareeitherway.

Thegroundshiftedbeneathher,andshesprawledtothegroundastheweldeddeckplateservingasafloorpulledfreefromthewall.Raepulledherroughlytoherfeet,alltraceofhisformerconcern

fordecorumforgotteninthisflightfromtheenemy.‘Ican’tgoon,’shegasped.‘Can’t be stopping, miss,’ said Rae, pushing her through a group of covering soldiers as they

clamberedovertoaweldedscrew-stair.‘Atleastthesestepswillslowthebastardsup.’Linyascrambleddownthestairs,hearingchuggingbangs of rapidbolter fire echoingaboveher.

Tooloudandtoofastforaregularbolter,thesewereroundsthatwouldreducethehumanbodytoanexpanding vortex of vaporised blood and cooked flesh. Screams followed the thudding booms ofdetonation,howlsofpainthatnohumanshouldeverhavetomake.

Tearsrandownherfaceassheallbutsprinteddownthestairs,clutchingtheironbalustradeandremaininguprightonlybythegraceoftheOmnissiah.Closetothebottom,herluckranoutandherfeetslidonthecoldmetalofthestairs.Shefellfromthelastfewstepsontothebuckledmetalofthewalkway below. She rolled and grabbed onto the nearest spar ofmetal as the nitrogen rain of theembarkationdecksoakedher.

‘Comeon!’shoutedRae,leapingfromthelastfewsteps.‘It’srightbehindus!’The ceiling sagged inwards under the force of a titanic hammerblow as something immense

soughttobringdownthestairs.Raehauledheruprightagainasanotherblowstruckthetopof thestairs,accompaniedbyascreechingwailofdumbbinaricfury.Raebackedintoherandliftedhisrifle,firingbackupthestairwellonfullauto,ablazingspreadofcrimsonboltsthathissedastheyleftthefocusringofthebarrel.

‘Alasriflewon’tharmabattlerobot,’saidLinya.‘Maybenot,miss,butifyou’vegotabetteridea,I’mallears!’HegrabbedLinyabytheshouldersandpushedherawayasthestairwellbuckledinwardsandthe

blocky form of a Castellan battle robot crashed down onto the walkway behind them. The floorcrumpledbeneathitsweightandastormofdebriscascadedover itshunchedform.Raewentdownunder the ruptured service conduits and shattered steelwork, his lasrifle skittering over the cantedwalkwaytowardsher.

Therobothadlandedononekneeandnowrosetoitsfullheightofnearlyfourmetres.Itsheavybolter ratcheted from the protective cowling at its shoulder and its power fist crackledwithdeadlydisruptive field energies.TheCastellan’s armouredplatingwas scorchedwith las-burnsand impacttrauma.Itsthreatopticsfastenedonherwithhostileintent.

Herfather’sservo-skullflittedinfrontoftherobot,screechingdeactivationcodesspillingfromitsaugmitter, but the weaponisedmachine simply swatted it aside. The skull cracked into a wall anddroppedstonedeadtothefloor,thelightfadingfromitsoptics.

LinyawantedtobendtoretrieveRae’srifle,butterrorheldherpinnedtothespot.Sheheard someone shouthernameas theheavybolter swungout, theautomated slide racking

backasitpreparedtofire.Linyaclosedhereyesandsliddownthewall,buttheshotsnevercame.Shefeltcoldhandspullheruprightandfellintothearmsofherrescuer.‘Wewouldnotletsuchaprimitivecreationharmyou,MistressTychon,’saidGalatea.Linyaflinchedandpushedherselfawayfromthemachineintelligence,repulsedbeyondwordsat

thethoughtofittouchingher.Galatea’spalanquinbodysquattedclosetotheground,itsoddly-jointedlegs twisted around to bring it so low.The silver-eyed tech-priest body roseup as she backed awayfromit.

‘Getawayfromme,’shesaid.‘Suchingratitude,’saidGalatea.‘Andafterweriskedourcontinuedexistencetorescueyou.’LinyablinkedawaytearsandturnedtoseetheCastellanrobotunmoving,itsheadsaggingtoone

sidewithgreen-tingedfumespouringfromitscontouredskull.Itschestplatebelchedsmokeandthewarlikebinarythatspalledfromitsweaponswassilent.

Itwasutterlydead.‘Howdidyou…?’askedLinya,lookingupthroughtherenttornintheceilingtoseeanotherbattle

robotwithsmokebelchingfromitsinnards.‘Ifwecan take controlof theSperanza,doyoubelieve thatoverloading thecortex-doctrinasofa

manipleofbattlerobotsisbeyondus?’‘I don’t understand,’ said Linya, as Cadian soldiers ran back to dig Rae from the debris. The

lieutenantwasbleedingfromacutonhisforehead,butwasalreadyshoutingatthemenhelpinghimthathewasfineandtodamnwellleavehimbe.

‘Youaretoowondroustobeallowedtodie,’saidGalatea,reachingouttostrokehercheek.Linyapulledawayfromitsrepellenttouch.‘Don’ttouchme,’shesaid.‘Notever.’The machine intelligence rose up, the brains on its palanquin flickering with frantic synaptic

activityassomeunheardcommunionpassedbetweenthem.‘Asyouwish,’saidGalatea.‘Butyouareprecioustous.’Linyabackedaway from the loathsomecreature, andpausingonly to recoverher father’s servo-

skull,shefollowedtheCadiansbackdowntheTomioka.

KotovcouldrememberlittleofthejourneybackuptheTomioka,hismentalprocessestootraumatisedbythestrainofmaintainingsorapidacognitionspeed.Ithadbeenshortbymortalreckoning,butalifetimeby the termsofmeasurementemployedby theMechanicus.Tannacarriedhimmostof theway,allbutdragginghisarmouredbodyupramps,stairsandladders.Theremodelledinterioroftheshippassedinablur,butevenhisbluntedsensesregisteredthatsomethingunprecedentedwasunderway.

PortionsoftheTomioka’sinternalanatomywerereshapingthemselvesmomentbymoment.Whathehadmistakenforstructuralmodificationstoallowthevesseltostanduprightwereinfactcarefully-placedmovingpartsthatwerenowfulfillingsomeunknowablefunction.

‘Imperator,’ said Tanna, as they passed through a vaulted compartment that had once been anordnancemagazine.‘Somanyofthem.’

Kotov lifted his head and followed Tanna’s gaze, seeing a multitude of reflective panels ofmachinedsteelrotatedintopredeterminedpositionsandvastlengthsofcableextrudedfromvacuum-sealed compartments before being fitted into place by a veritable army of floating servo-skulls.Thousandsofthegoldandsilver-chasedskullsfilledthecompartment,morethanKotovhadeverseen

inoneplace.‘It’s like thecrewchose to remainbehindandcarryon theirduties…’hesaid, thewordscoming

onlywithdifficulty.‘Orwere forced to,’ saidDahan, followingbehind them. ‘Whoknowshow long these skullshave

beenhere,justwaitingforthismoment?’AsfascinatingasKotovfounditwatchingthethousandsofskullsatwork,Tannadraggedhimever

upwards through the reconfiguring interiors. The dull green light that had illuminated theirdownwardpassagehadbeenreplacedbyastarkbrightnessthatshonefromeverypolishedplateandeveryovertaxedlumen.Vastarraysofstructuralsteelworkrotatedintoplacethroughouttheenlargedvoids within the Tomioka, like the pylons of some planetary power generation system. Toweringconduitsunfoldedfromirisingcompartmentsandtheinteriorvolumeofthestarship’slongaxiswasrapidlyfillingwithcomplexmachinerythatspun,pulsedandthrobbedwithimminentactivity.

Eventually,Kotovfeltthepressuredifferentialofanoutsideenvironmentandlookedup.Aflattenedovaltunnelledthroughtheviolet-tintedicetoldhimtheyhadreachedtheentrypoint

cutby thesuperheatedmechanismsofLupaCapitalina’s plasmadestructor.BlackTemplars stood atthe far end of the tunnel, waving at something he couldn’t see. Dimly he registered the sounds ofartilleryfireandhigh-energyweapondischarges.

MagosDahanstoodwiththeAdeptusAstarteswarriorsandKotovtookamomenttorealisethatthereweremorepeoplearoundhimthanheremembered.

Cadian soldiers lined the walls and Kotov’s floodstream surged with relief as he saw MagosAzuramagelliandLinyaTychonnearthefarentrancetotheice-tunnel.Galateastoodattheoppositesideofthetunnel,andeveninhislimitedstateofawareness,Kotovreadthetensionbetweenitandhismagi.

LinyaTychonlimpedovertohim,clutchingajet-blackservo-skull.Foramoment,Kotovwasconfusedatthesightoftheskull.Hadshestoppedtoprocureherselfone

belongingtotheTomioka?Thenhereadthefaintbinaricsigilsonitspolisheddomeandrealisedtheservo-skullbelongedtoVitaliTychon.

‘Archmagos,’saidLinya,herfacebruisedandswollen.‘Wehavetoleave.Now.’‘Ithinkthatisself-evident,’hesaid,finallymanagingtostandunderhisownpowerashisbodily

control returned to a semblance of normality. ‘This ship is reconfiguring itself in some mostdisconcertingways.’

‘No,Imeanwehavetoleavethisplanet,’saidLinya.‘Inanhouritisgoingtobedestroyed.’‘Comenow,youarebeingmelodramatic,’saidKotov,feelingmoreofhissynapticarchitecturere-

establishing itself. ‘Itwill takemonthsoryears for thestar’sdeathto fullydismantle thisworldandthereismuchwecanyetlearn.’

Linya’seyesnarrowed.‘Haven’tyoubeenreceivingMagosBlaylock’sevacuationorders?’Kotovhadn’t,butasmoreandmoreofhissystemsreset,hebeganpickingoutdesperateburstsof

communicationtransmittedfromorbitviatheTabularium.Thoughitsentaflareofpainthroughhisskull,Kotovprocessedthemosturgentoftheminthreepicoseconds.

‘This isasacrificialplanet,’ saidLinya. ‘Idon’tknowallofwhat’shappening,butthatmuchIdo

know.This ship isagiant receiverarray,and thepower that isabout tobechannelled through it isgoingtotearthisplanetapartforsomepurposeIcan’tevenbegintoimagine.’

Kotovnodded,andmarchedtowardstheendofthetunnel.Lupa Capitalina walked in all its war-finery, sheathed in the blistering envelope of voids that

shimmeredwithrainbowhuesastheydissipatedtheenergiesofarecentattack.Likeavastsauropodof the plains being attacked by raptor packs, the Warlord was surrounded by smaller, crystallinerepresentations of its godlymight. Bright green bolts of light shot from the glittering forms of itsattackers,but theWarlordwasno lumberingherbivore justwaiting tobedraggeddown, itwas thealphaofadeadlyhunterpack.

‘Iwouldn’tbelieveitifIwasn’tseeingitwithmyowneyes,’saidaCadiancaptainbythenameofHawkins.‘Ididn’tthinktheycouldmovelikethat.’

A lieutenantwithhalfhisfacecoveredinbloodansweredHawkins, ‘I’mthinkingItookabiggerblowtotheheadthanIthought.’

KotovwouldnormallyhavethoughttorebukemereGuardsmenfordisparagingthecapabilitiesofaMechanicusbattle-engine,butevenhewasshockedatthespeedandagilitywithwhichPrincepsArloLuthwasmanoeuvringLupaCapitalina.More often used as strongpoints, fire-bases or points fromwhichtolaunchassaults,WarlordTitanswerenothighlymobilewar-engines.

ClearlytheWintersundidnotholdtothatview.TheLegioSiriuspackfoughtasoneentity,AmarokandVilkasnappingattheheelsoftheiralphaas

it advanced, retreated and sidestepped every attack. Itmoved in close to its attackers and crushedthembeneathitsclawedfeet.Itsawedadozentoshardswithgatlingfireandvaporisedhalfasmanyagainwithstabbinglancesfromitsturbo-destructors.Itsrapidly-movingbulkshattereddozensmoreanditachievedthiswithoutlosingitsvoidstothecriss-crossingtrailsofenemyfire.

‘Isitcomingtopickusup?’askedHawkins.‘TheTitan,it’scomingbackforus,right?’‘Yes, captain,’ said Kotov, already having broadcast an extraction request. ‘Lupa Capitalina is

comingbackforus.’KotovsawHawkins’sdesiretowitnessthegod-machineatwarwaspullingagainsthisCadianduty

tohismen.Heallowedthemananindulgence.‘Stay,’saidKotov.‘Watch.ToseeaTitaninbattleistoknowthetruepoweroftheOmnissiah.’Hawkinsnoddedandsaid, ‘I’vewatchedartillerybatteriesreducegreenskinfortressestoruinin

minutes,seententhousandchargingWhiteshieldsonhorsebackandbeenpartoforbitalassaultsthatcapturedanentireplanetinlessthanaday,butseeingaWarlordinaction…that’ssomethingspecial.’

‘AndLegioSiriusaremastersoftheirart,’saidKotovinararemomentoflargesse.LupaCapitalinaturned,asthoughhearingitsLegionamementioned,andsetoffatasteady,rolling

pace towards the Tomioka. Its attendant Warhounds followed, loping ahead to clear the way withpunishingblastsoffireandhowlsofwarning.

Kotovsteadiedhimselfasthewar-enginecamecloser,thethunderousreverberationsofitscolossalfootfallstransmittedtotheTomiokaeventhroughtheimmensesheathof icesurroundingit.Heandeveryone else within the tunnel backed away as it drew nearer, for even the approach of an alliedbattle-enginewasaneventofsomedanger.

‘Everyoneupandreadytomove!’shoutedHawkins.‘We’reonlygoingtogetoneshotatthis.’TheWarlord’svoidsimpactedupontheiceattheedgeofthetunnel,sendingdeepcracksracing

alongtheceilingandfloor.Crystallineshardsfelllikebrokenglassandshriekingburstsofexplodingice rippled along the length of the tunnel until the void shields finally dropped. The assault rampsslammeddown onto a broken ledge of ice, and Titanmenials in orange boiler suits and armouredvestsyelledatthemtogetaboard.

DahanandhissurvivingskitariiescortedKotovandAzuramagelli,whiletheBlackTemplarsandCadianswerelasttoboardthewarmachine.Kotovhadamoment’svertigoashelookeddownbetweenthe lip of the assault ramp and the crumbling edge of the ice. His internal systems quicklycompensatedfortheunwelcomesensationasmenialshauledhimaboard.

AtremendousimpactrockedtheWarlord,andevenfromhere,Kotovfelttherepercussivepainofits wounding. Engaged in this rescuemission, Lupa Capitalina was horribly exposed with its voidsdownanditsweaponsystemsuseless.Thecrystallineenginesweretakingfulladvantageofthat,andexplosions of green fire erupted all across the Titan’s rear quarters. Both Amarok and Vilka werekeepingtheenemyfromsurroundingtheirpackleader,buttheycouldnotprotectitfromtheterriblefirerakingitsunshieldedflanks.

KotovgrippedtheedgeofthebattlementstightlyasLupaCapitalinawrencheditselffreeoftheiceandtooka lurchingbackwardstep.Theassaultrampswerestilldownandtwomenialsscreamedasthey fell from the open structure. Cadian soldiers ran to help in getting the ramps raised as theWarlord tookanother step, twistingon its axis as itdid so.Thewalk to theTomiokawasmade at astatelypace,buttheWintersunwasinbattlenow;theinsectscrawlingonitshullwereofsecondaryimportancetoitsownsurvival.

Thelogicwasundeniable,thoughitgaveKotovnocomforttobeoneofthoseinsects.A hundred metres now separated the Warlord and the Tomioka, and Kotov saw that the

transformations he had witnessed within the starship were being mirrored on its exterior. Thecrystallinegrowthsonitshullwereexpandingorganicallytosheathetheentireupperreachesofthehullinwhatlookedlikeacaulofglitteringglass.

AflareofstaticblindedhimmomentarilyasLupaCapitalina’scarapacevoidpylonsignitedandcladthe Titan in layers of ablative energies. The clashing harmonics and belligerent frequencies wereantitheticaltohisimplants,butKotovwasgratefulfortheprotection.

+ArchmagosKotov,+saidavoicethatcutintohismindwithicydisdain.+Areyousecure?+‘Iam,’hereplied,sendinghiswordsintothecaustictundraoftheSiriusManifold.+Thenweareready,+saidPrincepsArloLuth.‘Ready?Readyforwhat?’+Toabandonthisworld.+

Microcontent10

WatchingKatenVenia’s lastmomentswasamomentofgreatsadness forRobouteSurcouf.Hehadnamedthisworldanditwasnevereasytowatchsomethingbeautifuldie.Robouterememberedthegirl whose name the planet shared, wondering if he would ever see her again and silently beratedhimselfforsomaudlinathought.

Sickly bands of variegated light enveloped the planet in traceries of continent-wide lightningstormslikeavastnetcastarounditssplinteringmass.Thebrightestpointoflightwascentredonthenorthernpole,wheretheabortiveexpeditiontotheTomiokahadfoundered.TheevacuationofKatenVeniawasover,withthemajorityoftheembarkedcrewalreadybackaboardtheSperanza.

TheMechanicus had been forced to discard a great deal ofmateriel and resources in the flightfromthesurface,ofwhichtheLandLeviathans–Krakonoš,AdamastorandFortisMaximus –were themostgrievousloss.Muchoftheircrew,adepts,tech-priestsandmenialsalike,hadchosentoremainwiththeirmachinesratherthanabandonthem,andthosemenwerealmostcertainlydead.

Robouteshookhisheadattheirstupiditybeforerememberingthat,untilrecently,hehadalwaysbelievedthathewoulddieaboardtheRenard.Hehadsurvivedhisbrushwithdeathafterthegrav-sledhadbeenwinchedtosafetybytheTabularium’sdockingclampandateamofmedicaehadstrappedanoxygenmasktohisface.Adarawasunhurt,aswasMagosPavelka,which–giventhefranticnatureoftheirexcursiontothesurface–wasnothingshortofamiracle.

The bridge of the Speranza was thronged with the senior members of the Kotov expedition;Mechanicus, Adeptus Astartes and Imperial Guard, drawn together to watch the finalmoments ofKatenVeniaandthelossofeverythingtheyhadcrossedthegalaxytodiscover.Azuramagelliwasonceagain ensconced by the navigation arrays,withKryptaestrex plugged in next to him. Vitali Tychonkept close to his daughter, a protective arm around her shoulder. From the bruises on her face, itseemedtheexcursionsintotheTomiokahadbeenasplaguedbytroubleaseventsoutside.

Galatea stood in the centre of the command bridge, its low-slung palanquin connected to theSperanza in ways Roboute couldn’t begin to imagine. Pavelka had given him a rough idea of thehereticalrealityofGalatea,andtheconceptofathinkingmachinegaveRoboutecoldchillswheneverhethoughtoftheonwardimplications.

ArchmagosKotovhimselfsatuponhiscommandthrone,lookinglikeanexhaustedkingattheendofhisreignandsurroundedbycourtiersjustwaitingforhimtodie.Hardontheheelsofthatthought,Roboute’sgazeshiftedtoTarkisBlaylock,whostoodatKotov’sshoulderlikeaplottingvizier.Hehadno reason to suspectBlaylockof any suchambitions, but the image–once imagined–washard toshake.

Roboutehimself reclined in thenoospheric-enablingchairhehadoccupied the last timehehadcometothebridge,connectedtotheship’svastdataspherebyinloadsocketsinthebackofhisneck.Thevastmajorityofwhatthisenabledhimtoseewasmeaninglesslingua-technisorbinariccant,butheknewenoughtoknowthatnoonegatheredherereallyunderstoodwhattheywereseeing.

‘Are we far enough away from the planet?’ asked Roboute, trying to make sense of the energyemissionsstreamingfromaport-sidedatahub.

Azuramagellirotatedabraincasetofacehim,thoughthedisembodiedsliceofcerebralcortexhadno outwardly obvious sensory apparatus to render suchmotionnecessary. ‘The surveyor arrays areregisteringabuild-upofenergiesbeyondanythingwehaveeverseenbefore.There isnowaytotellwhatminimumsafedistancewouldberequired.’

‘Sowemightbeindangerrightnow?’‘Very likely,’ agreed Kryptaestrex, his thick robotic body disconnecting from the navigation

stationsandrumblingovertothemotivepowerlinkagesandpluggingin.‘Saiixekbeganpreparationsforbreakingorbit upon receipt ofMagosBlaylock’s orders, but the engineswill not bemanoeuvre-readyforanothersixhours.’

‘Idon’tknowifyou’vebeenkeepingupwithrecentevents,’snappedRoboute,‘butwe’llbeluckyifthatplanetlastsanothersixminutes.’

Kryptaestrex boreRoboute’s outburst stoically and said, ‘There is little that can be done save toalterouraspecttotheplanettoreduceblastdamageintheeventofanexplosiveenergyoutburst.’

‘Explosive?’askedRoboute,twistinginhisseattolookupatKotov.‘Isthatwhatwe’relookingat?Isthatplanetgoingtoblowup?’

Kotov waved a dismissive hand. ‘Magos Kryptaestrex should know better than to voice suchevocativeterms,’hesaid. ‘Planetsdonotblowup, they fracturealongestablishedfault-lines, implodeon their collapsing core or they simply become geologically inert. In all my centuries with theMechanicus,Ihaveneveryetseenaplanetexplode.’

‘Aftereverythingwe’veseenonthisexpedition,that’snotexactlyfillingmewithconfidence.’Kotovignoredhim,andRobouteturnedhisattentionbacktothedeaththroesofKatenVenia.Clearlysomethingwashappeningtotheplanet,somethingthatwasjustasclearlyalmostcomplete.

ThefactthatnooneaboardtheSperanzawasadmittingtheyhadabsolutelynoideawhatthatmightbewasthewhitegroxintheroom.

TheenergythathadtravelledfromavastlydistantsourcetoreachKatenVeniawithvirtuallynodegradation in field strength had begun a chain-reaction throughout the planet and, even now,BlaylockandVitaliwereattemptingtodeterminewhathadsentit.

‘Archmagos,’saidAzuramagelli,withdrawingallbuthismostbasicconnectionstothenavigationarray.‘Something’samiss.’

ThevaguenessofAzuramagelli’scommentwassounlikeanythinganadeptoftheCultMechanicusmightsaythateveryeyeinthebridgeturnedtowardshim.

‘Clarify,Azuramagelli,’saidMagosBlaylockwithaclippedflushofadmonitorybinary.‘Icannot,’saidAzuramagelli.‘WhatIamseeinghasnoempiricalprecedent.’Roboute skimmed the surface of the Speranza’s data inloads and was forced to agree with the

Master of Navigation.What he was seeingmade no sense. Every single external augur capable ofreceivinginputfromtheplanetbelowhadeithercompletelyflatlinedorregisteredanonrushingtideofimpossiblereadingsthatwerecompletelybeyondmeasure.

The sudden influx of anomalous readings acted like a gout of raw promethium into an enginecowling,asspacebeyondtheSperanzawasabruptlyfilledwithvastlycontradictorystatesofbeing.

The Ark Mechanicus was simultaneously bombarded with exotic cosmic radiation of suchcomplexitythatitdefiedeasycategorisation,whileinthesamemomentfindingitselfadriftinspaceutterlybereftofasingleelectromagnetictransition.Suchphysicalstatesofbeingwereutterlyatoddswithoneanotherandimpossibleinthesameregionofspaceatthesameinstant.

TheSperanza resolvedthisparadoxbyblowingoutnumerousdatahubsandsurveyorstations inblurtsofdistressedbinariccant.Adozenservitorssufferedinstantaneousbraindeathandslumpedtothedeckwithoil-infusedbloodsquirtingfromtheircranialimplants.

‘The instant of creation and the time of heat death,’ said Vitali, rushing over to one of the fewremaining surveyor stations and plugging himself in with haptic implants in his rapidly splittingfingertips.

‘What’sgoingon?’askedRoboute,seeingthat–withtheexceptionofVitali–everysinglemagoshad removed himself from any connection to the ship’s augurs. The illuminated streams pulsingbetweendataprismsvanishedasthelibraries-worthofinformationwascutoffinasinglestroke.

‘Vitali?’askedRoboute,disconnectingfromtheSperanza’snetworkandrisingfromhisseatatthefootofKotov’sthrone.‘What’sgoingon?Idon’tunderstandwhat’shappening.’

‘Ithinkitisfairtosaythatwearealladrifthere,captain,’repliedVitali.‘ButwhatIbelieveweareseeingisastateofuniversalbirthanddeathplayedoutinthesamemoment.Thiscouldverywellbeanultra-compressed renditionof every singlemomentof time since the creationof theuniverse to itseventualend,whenitsendlesstransformationofpotentialenergyintopalpablemotionandhenceintoheathavefinallyrundownlikeaclockandstoppedforever.’

Roboute didn’t understand more than a fraction of what Vitali had just said, but caught theapocalyptic gist of it easily enough.He lookedupatKotov,whohadhalf-risen fromhis throne,hisexpressionthatofamanwhohaddiscoveredhisheart’sdesireonlytofinditwasapoisonchalice.

‘Telokactuallydidit,’saidKotov.‘Youwereright,Tarkis.Heactuallygotittowork.’‘So it would seem,’ answered Blaylock. ‘And it appears we have blundered straight into his

laboratory,mid-experiment.’RobouteturnedbacktoVitali, lookingupattheoneaspectoftheship’sdataspherestillavailable

nowthathewasnolongerpluggedinviahisspinalimplants.ThehauntinglybeautifulimageofKatenVenia’sdeath.‘ThisistheBreathoftheGods,’saidRoboute.‘Imperator,we’rerightinthemiddleofitall…’

ThereticulatednetoflightsurroundingKatenVeniapulsedwithonelastexhalation.Andexplodedoutwards inanonrushing tidalwaveofphotonsandexoticparticles thathadnot

beenseeninsuchconcentrationsfornearlyfourteenbillionyears.

Only afterwardswould any coherent picture of events surrounding the destruction of Katen Veniaemerge,andeventhatprovedtobefragmentary,contradictoryandalmostunbelievable.

Moments before the rapidly expanding energy shockwave exploded outwards from the doomedworld,everysquaremetreofrayshieldingandeveryfunctionalvoidpylonignitedacrosstheSperanza.EveryshipoftheKotovfleetfounditsshieldsflareintolifeanditsexternalaugursshutdownatthesamemoment,eachcaptainatalossastothesourceoftheinitiatingcommand.

Thesurgingexplosionofhighenergyflux,hugeparticledensitiesandpressuresslammedpasttheKotov fleet, scattering its ships like a spiteful warp fluctuation. Saiixek’s work to re-orientate theSperanzadidmuch tomitigate thedamageof theblastwave; thesheermassof theArkMechanicusallowedittorideouttheworstoftheexplosion’sforce.TheveryproximityofthefleettoKatenVeniaisolated it within the eye of an outward-rushing bow wave of exotic particles, compressed gravitywavesandunknowableforces.

Almost as soon as the blastwave passed over the fleet, a phase transition occurred, causing anexponential expansion of remodelled space-time. Passive auspex on the external surfaces of theSperanza registered an ultra-rapid spike in temperature caused by the high-energy photon density.Particle/antiparticle pairs of all descriptions were being instantaneously created and destroyed inviolent collisions of sub-atomicmatter – and only one other instant in history had achieved such aviolentmomentofcreation.

But this was no creation of a universe, this was that force harnessed by incomparably ancienttechnologyandbenttoanotherpurposealtogether.

Aloneandisolated,theshipsoftheKotovfleetbatteneddownthehatchesandrodeoutthestormof unleashed energies, fighting to hold their position in a ferocious upheaval of system-widegravitational fluxions that could tear them apart in a heartbeat. Compared to the forces ofmattertransition beingwielded in the Arcturus Ultra system, the titanic power of theHalo Scar paled incomparison.Tossedandswattedthroughspace like leaves inastormandnotknowingifanyof theothervesselswerestillalive,eachcaptainfoughttokeeptheirshipintactuntilthefuryofthisstellareventwasspent.

Ittookafurthersevenhoursbeforetheragingswellsofhigh-energyparticlesandhyper-chargedgravitationalwavefrontshaddissipatedenoughforanyofthefleetvesselstoriskdeployingsurveyorarrays.Travellingatnearlight-speed,whateverhadexplodedfromKatenVeniawouldcertainlyhavereachedthestarattheheartofthesystembynow.Havingweatheredthestormbetterthanmost,theSperanzawasfirsttotentativelyprobethevoidinanattempttolearnwhathadjusthappened.

Viaaseriesofbufferedservitor-proxies,MagosAzuramagellieasedtheArkMechanicus’ssensesout into space, sampling the local spatial volume for extreme thermoclines andharmful radiations.Given the existing chaotic nature of the dying system and the violence of the eruption fromKaten

Venia, he expected to find space lousy with squalling particle storms, volatile neutron flow and abackground hash of electromagnetic noise that would rendermuch of surrounding space virtuallyimpenetrabletoauspex.

Whathefoundwasfarstranger,farmoreunexpected,andutterlyunbelievable.ArcturusUltrawasnolongeradyingredgiant,abloateddestroyerinitslastincarnationbeforeits

explosivedeathasasupernova.Nowitburnedasalife-sustainingmainsequencestar.Glitteringbandsofmetallicdebris,rubbleandcoalescinggasessurroundedthenewlyrejuvenated

sun, the building blocks of planets. Gravity and time would do the rest of the work, and thoughmillionsofyearsmightpassbeforeworldscapableofsustaininglifecouldform,suchspansweretheblinkofaneyetoagalaxy.

KatenVeniahadgone,destroyedintheveryactofcreationithadpropagated.Onlyoneimpossible,yetinescapableconclusionpresenteditself.Theshockwaveofunimaginablyvastenergieshadbeen thecorollary toan immenselypowerful

stellarengineeringeventcentredupontheTomioka.Thesensory-occludingfieldsofstellardebrisandradiationejectedfromthedyingstarthathadhiddenwhatlaybeyondthesystemwasgoneasthoughithadneverexisted,andAzuramagelli’ssurveyorsregisteredthepresenceofnumeroussystemswithglowingstarsofjusttherightmassandheatforsustaininglife.

Allarrangedinacelestialalignmentthatwastooperfectandtoogeometrictobeaccidental.Atthecentreofthislatticeofstars,thelocationVitaliTychon’scartographaehadidentifiedasthe

sourceoftheinitiatingburstofenergy,wasaworldbroadcastingpowerful isotopereadings,energysignaturesandManifold-trafficthatwereinstantlyrecognisabletoeveryadeptontheSperanza.

AdeptusMechanicus.

Whathadoncebeeneffortless forher,aseasyasstepping fromoneroomto thenext,nowtookaneffort of will andmantras of focus she had not needed since her first, halting steps on this path.Bielanna’smindfeltcaged,hemmedinbythelayersofarmourplatingandhardanglesinimicaltothecurvatureofspace-timepressing inaroundher.Herspiritwasunable to take flightwith theease ithadoncetakenforgranted.Theskeinwastantalisinglywithinhergrasp,itssecretsatherfingertips,ifonlyshecouldrisefromherbody.Invisiblefettershunguponherspirit,chainingittotheprisonofskin,bloodandbone.Wasthisasignofherabilitiesfailingorsimplyaside-effectofthehurtshehadsufferedinthelastmomentsofthebattleagainstthefoolishhumans?

ShewantedtoblamethisterribleplaceofironandoiltheywereforcedtooccupyaftertheStarbladehad finally succumbed to the mortal wound the human’s chronometric weapon had inflicted. TheStarblade’sshipmasterandhiscrewhadremainedaboardthegracefulvesselasitwasfinallytornapartbythegravitationalstormswithintheHaloScar.Theyhaddiedalone,theirspiritstoneslostandthelightandbeautytheyhadbroughttotheuniverseextinguishedforever.

Bielannafelttheirlosskeenly,butshutherselfofffromtheall-consuminggrief,knowingitwouldonlyhinderherascentintotheskein.

AhandfuloftheStarblade’swarriorshadescapedwithBielannathroughahastily-craftedwebwayportal;theyhadallfeltthenightmarishforceofwhatthemon-keighhadunwittinglyreleasedontheoutermostplanetofthestarsystem.

ButonlyBielannatrulyunderstoodtheutterlyaliennatureofit.That so cosmically powerful an event had not appeared in any version of themyriad entangled

potential futures scared Bielannamore than she thought possible. An entire star system had beentransformed, renewed and regenerated in a matter of hours. Such power was not meant for thegalaxy’s current inheritors. Even the eldar in the days before the Fall, when their civilisation hadspanned the galaxy and their arrogancehadknownnobounds,wouldnot havedaredmeddlewithsuchawesomelypowerfulforces.

Sucharrogancewasentirelyhuman.She had followed the threads of these humans in order to cut them and restore her future of

motherhood,butthegreaterthreatofthisnewpowerdemandedprecedence.Past,presentandfuturewereonacollisioncourse,pullingtogetherintoaconvolutedknotthatwouldtearthefabricofspace-timeapartastheuniverseattemptedtoundothisviolationofitsnaturalorder.

Taking a series of calming breaths, Bielanna fell back on the gentle gifts of Farseer Tothaire,recalling his meditative exercises that unbound spirit from flesh and material attachments fromspiritual awakening. She let out a soft sigh as her spirit slipped its moorings and lifted into theoutermostedgesoftheskein,lettingitsfamiliarmosaicofpastsandfutureswashoverherandrenewherwithitsliminalbeauty.Ithadnogeography,savethatwhichsheimposeduponit,thoughitsfluid,structurelessimmensitywasonlyfleetinglyvisiblethroughthemanybarriersthatseparatedherfromitsdepths.

Bielanna sought something familiar in the web of possibility that surrounded her, threads shecould cling to and follow, pathways to lead her into the oceanic vastness of the skein. The goldenthreadsofherassembledwarriorssurroundedher,buteachtimeshetriedtofollowtheirpathsintothefuture,theyskitteredawaylikeapackofstartledWarpSpiders.

Holdingtoher teachings,shereachedback into thepast, towhere the threadsof lifewere fixedand unchanging. From such static points she could reach into the future and gain a measure ofunderstandingofwhatwastocome.Yetevenhereshewasunabletofindsolaceorsurety.

Bielannarememberedthepast,thefightoftheAvatarofKaelaMenshaKhaineagainsttheSpaceMarine leaderaboardhisdoomedvessel.Sherecalledhiscoldeyesandyet…andyet, she foundshecouldnotpicturehisface,northewordsthatpassedbetweenthemwithtrueclarity.

Exceptthatwasn’trighteither.Sherememberedhisblueeyes,hisgreeneyesandhisbrown,amber-fleckedeyes.Sherememberedhistaperedjaw,hisbeardedface,hiscleanshaven,hairlesschin.Sherememberedangularcheekbones,aroundedface.Scarredfeaturesandunblemishedskin.Bielannasawthedyingmanrepresentedathousandtimes,eachincarnationentirelydifferent,as

though a procession of warriors could have taken his place in any number of potential pasts andunwrittenfutures.Thatwasnotpossible, sheremembered thatdyingman.Shehad lookeduponhimwithherowneyes.Whycouldshenotrememberhisface…?

Butnomatterhowshetracedherownthreadbackintothepast, thatmomentremainedelusiveandfragmentary,asthoughithadhappenednotonce,butaninfinitenumberoftimes.Evenasshestruggledtosecurethememory,itsplinteredapart,shardsofmemoryandfictionflashingpastherinever-expandingfuturesthathadnevercometopass.

ShesawtheSpaceMarinedestroytheflamingavatarasmanytimesasshesawitcasthisbodytoruin.Shesawherselftornapartbyexplosiveshellsfromhisbrutishweapon,sawherselfcuthimdownwith elegant sweeps of her rune-etched sword. All of these unrememberedhistorieswere false andtrue, impossibleandcertain. Inone fraying threadshehadalready lived them,byanother theyhadneverhappened,butthetruthofitbecameimpossibletoknow.

The past rejected her attempts to pin it in place, without the past the mysteries of the futurebecameanunknowncountry.Bielannacriedoutinfrustration,thewallsoflightandpotentialaroundherclosinginatherall-too-materialemotions.Yetamidthishorrorofuncertainty,Bielannasensedsomethingofherownkind,anechoofanothereldar’stouchamongthemon-keigh.Nomorethanthevaguesthint;afragileconnectionthatspokeoffriendshipnothatred,respectnotfear.

Butlikethefleetingimpressionofaglimmer-facewithintheDomeofCrystalSeers,theveryactofnoticing ithidthefamiliar tracefromsight.Bielanna’sspirithowled inanger,but theskeinwasnoplaceforsuchemotions,andshefelttheirresistibletugofherbody.Shefoughttoremaininthisplaceofenlightenment,butthemoreshestruggled,themorepressureherbodilyexistenceexertedonherfragile,fleetingsoul.

Hershouldersslumpedasherbodyandsoulwerereunitedwithabittersweetsorrow,theacheoffreedomlostandalightnessofbeingforsaken.Herlungsheavedinabreathofsicklyairredolentwiththestenchofalkalinewater, chemicalpollutantsandoil-soakedmanflesh.Shedidnotwant to lookaroundher,forthesightofsouglyarefugeoffendedherrefinedsensibilitiesandwasaheartbreakingreminderofalltheyhadlost.

Bielannaopenedher eyes anda leadenweight settleduponher shoulders at the sightof so feweldar. Fifteen warriors, a mix of Striking Scorpions and Howling Banshees, sat or stood or wentthroughthemotionsoftraininginsullengroupsofresentfulsurvivors.Nowordsofrecriminationhadbeendirectedather,butBielannaneedednospirit-sighttoseetheirmistrustandangeratherfailuretoprotecttheirfellows.

Somewhereontheedgesof theirhidden lairaboardtheenemyflagship,UldanaishGhostwalkerpatrolledthedarknesswithahandfulofHowlingBanshees.Thetoweringwraithlordwaseagertokillmon-keighdespiteBielanna’scommandtoremainoutofsight.Theirpresencehadgoneundetectedsofar,butthehumansweren’tsostupidastonotnoticeentireworkgangsoftheirmachine-priestsandslaveworkersgoingmissingtimeandtimeagain.

‘Farseer,’ said a lyrical, almost musical voice with a lethal edge that snapped her from hermelancholyreverie.‘Youhaveguidanceforus?’

Bielanna felt her body’s assimilation of her spirit intensify at the sound of Tariquel’s voice, hissingularpurposelikeanunbreakablechainaroundher.Sheexhaledacalmingbreathandtriednottolethernascentclaustrophobiaatbeingreturnedtoherbodyinthistomb-likevesseloverwhelmher.

‘Thefutureis…uncertain,’shesaid,liftingherheadandlookingintohiscrueleyes.

Tariquel was clad in form-fitting armour of jade, its plates contoured to match the peerlessphysique beneath. Shoulder guards of pale ivory and gold gave his shoulders a bulk they did notnormallypossess,andhissegmentedhelmetwasretractedintotheridgedcowlathisneckwheretwobulbousstinger-blastersnestledlikethevenomsacksofameso-scorpion.

‘Uncertain?’spatTariqueloftheTwilightBlade.‘Howisthatpossible?Youareafarseer!’Bielannaflinchedatthepsychicforceofhisangerandpointedtothevaultedchamberwallbehind

him,whereaten-metre-widecogwasstampedinbronzeandbeateniron.Ahalf-robotic,half-humanskullsatatthecentreoftheicon,causticsteamleakingfromoneeyesocketandashimmeroftoxicrun-offdribblingfromtheraisedportionsofitscarving.

‘Uncertain,’sherepeated,gatheringupherrunestonesandcollectingtheminthebowlfashionedforherbyKhareilitheShaper.‘Anditgrowsevermoreso.’

‘Thenwhatuseareyoutous?’demandedanothervoice,thisonestrippedofitsmusicalqualitiesandparedbacktothecoldbarbatitsheart.

Bielanna rose from her crouch and forced her beating heart to remain calm in the face of theexarch’scoldfury.ArigannaIcefangwascladinarmourthatstretchedbackintotheancientdaysoftheeldarrace,andBielannacouldfeelthehungrysoulsthatstilldwelledwithinitsunknownheart.Itsplateshadoriginallybeencraftedforamalewarrior,butoverthenumerousincarnationsofbearersithad been reshaped many times, though no bonesinger had ever dared whisper to its murderouspurpose.Goldandemeraldplatesoverlappedwithasinuousorganicquality,thepommelofthecurvedchainsabrestrappedoverhershoulderglitteringlikeahungryambereye.

‘Uncertain does not mean unseen,’ said Bielanna, fighting to keep her composure. Aboard theStarbladeshehadbeentheleaderofthesewarriors,butwiththeirstarship’sdestructionandherlinktotheskein’smysteries,thatdynamichadturnedonitshead.

Nowthewarriorswereintheascendency.‘Thenwhat have you seen?’ demandedAriganna, themonstrous Scorpion’sClawonher left fist

flexinglikeasegmentedtail.‘Theshadowshideussothatwemayhunt,notskulklikethieves.’‘Therearehintsandshadowsof the future,but the skeinhasbeengreatlyupset,’ saidBielanna,

trying to articulate a realm of themind in terms a warrior in love with Death would understand.‘Whateveritisthehumanshavedoneherehasbeenlikecastingaboulderintoastilllake.Wavesandripplesarespreadinggreatdiscord,but theywillsettleandourpath intothefuturewillberevealedoncemore.’

Ariganna’sfacewashiddenbehindherwar-maskandthefurnace-redslitsofherhelmlensesweresmoulderingpits of anger.Where the rest of their survivor bandhadkept their heads bare to holdtheirwar-masksincheck,theStrikingScorpionexarchkeptherstothefore,lettingherfuriousangersimmerandgrowevermoredeadly.ThemandiblastersatherjawspatcracklingarcsofkillingenergyastheexarchloomedoverBielanna.

‘Youarefarseeranddeservingofrespect,’saidAriganna,reachingouttoplaceherclawhandonBielanna’sshoulder.‘Butyourvisionshaveonlyledustodeathandsorrow.TellmewhyIshouldtrustyouagain.’

Ariganna could crushherwithout effort and thebonesofBielanna’s shoulders flexedunder the

fractionalpressureoftheexarch’sclawedgrip.‘Becausethereisoneamongthehumansaboardthisvesselwhomwemightreach,’shesaid,asthe

truthofwhatshehadglimpsedintheskeinbecamecleartoheratlast.‘Oneoftheirnumberhasbeenmarkedbyanotherfarseer.Icanfindhimandturnhimtoourcause.’

‘Acuckoointhenest?’askedAriganna,hertonebetrayingalikingforthenotion.‘Exactly,’saidBielanna.‘HisnameisRobouteSurcouf.’

MACROCONTENTCOMMENCEMENT:+++MACROCONTENT002+++

Intellectistheunderstandingofknowledge.

Microcontent11

IntrospectionhadneverbeenoneofArchmagosKotov’sstrongestsuits,butwhenhefelttheneedtoturnhisgazeinwards,therewasonlyoneplacehefeltabletodoso.HecircledtheUltorMartius,thered stone table at the heart of the Adamant Ciborium – a surprisingly modest chamber enclosedbeneathapyramidofinterconnectedmachineryandlogicplates–andrangold-tippedfingersoverthestoneatitscentre,feelingeveryimperfectionintheslabshewnfromOlympusMons.

Thestonehadbeenagift fromtheFabricatorGeneral, apalpable signofhisapprobationandameansofsymbolicallycarryingthedominionofMarsbeyondtheedgesofthegalaxy.MagosTurentekhad crafted the steel-edged table, incorporating the finest navigation arrays of Azuramagelli, thestatistical cogitatorsofBlaylockand thevast resourcesofKryptaestrex’s analyticae.Anorbof silverwire mesh and glittering diamond hung over the table’s exact centre, a representation of thegeocentriccosmosasenvisagedbytheancientPtolemaicstargazers.

TheSperanza could be entirely controlled with the Ultor Martius, its inbuilt cogitators and thecomplex machinery lining the walls fully capable of meshing with every vital system of the ArkMechanicus.HerememberedthemomenthisseniorcommandershadmetherebeforesettingoutfortheHaloScar,whenhehadfirstlaideyesontheTomioka’ssaviourpod.

Despite the undoubted challenges that lay ahead, there was a mood of cautious optimism, anunspokenfeelingthattheymightactuallysucceed.Kotovhadcarefullymusteredabandtowhomthequixoticnatureofhisquestwouldappeal:aCadiancolonel renownedforhis tenacity in the faceofadversity; aReclusiarch in searchofpenance and towhom theprospect ofunknown spaceheldnoterrors; andmagi whose personality matrices displayed a propensity for free-thinking and radicalideas.

Thisgatheringhadsealedthepactbetweenthem,butlikethegeneralsofMachariusbeforethem,themanyhardshipshadgraduallyeroded theirdesire toventurebeyond the limitsofknownspace.Thejourneytoreachthisplacehadcosteveryonedearly,eventhemoststeadfastamongthem–Kotovincluded–hadbeguntoquestionthewisdomincontinuing.

ButthatfirstflushofexcitementandoptimismhadnowbeenrestoredasfullyasArcturusUltraandshonejustasbrightly.TheyhadallseentheBreathoftheGodsinactionanditwasglorious.The

transformationoftheArcturusUltrasystemwasnothingshortofmiraculous,andtheevidenceofthereborn star system alone was enough for Kotov to return to Mars a hero. Vitali Tychon and hisdaughterhadwantedtoremainin-systemforlongertochartthisrebornregionofspaceandrewritethenowhopelesslyoutdatedcartographicrepresentationsofthegalacticfringe.

AsmuchasKotovwishedtoindulgethem,heknewthetrueprizelayaheadofthem.HewouldseekoutMagosTelokandbringhimhometoMarsintriumph.In the sixteen days since the rebirth of Katen Venia’s star, Magos Turentek’s forges had been

workingaroundtheclockmanufacturingfreshcomponentstorepairallthathadbeendamagedinthecrossing of the Halo Scar. Despite the as-yet-unexplained loss of numerous work gangs below thewaterline,theSperanzawasbeingrestoredtoitsformerglory.Withenoughrawmaterials–somethingthe fleet’s support vessels were expending at a ruinous rate – the Ark Fabricatus boasted he couldrebuild the entirety of the Speranza before they reached the source of the Adeptus Mechanicustransmissions.

TransmissionsthatcouldonlybethoseofArchmagosTelok.ThethoughtofmeetingthelegendaryLostMagosfilledKotovwithaflushofemotionshehadlong

thoughtleftbehindinhisrisethroughtheorderedranksoftheMechanicus.Hopewarredwithafearthatwhathemightfindcouldnotliveuptohisexpectation.WhatofTelokhimself?IftheBreathoftheGodswashistocommand,whatchangesmightsuch

powerworkonaman’spsyche?Withthepowerofadivinecreatorathisfingertips,mightTelokhavechangedbeyondallrecognition?

Kotov shookoff suchpessimism,knowing theOmnissiahwouldnothavebrought them this farand shown them somuch only to dash them on the rocks of disappointment. He had been testedbeforeandfoundwanting–thelossofhisforgeworldswastestamenttothat–buttherevelationsofKatenVeniaandtheunmaskingofTelok’splanetwasproofthathispilgrimagetoundiscoveredspacehadbeendivinelyordained.

MagosSaiixek– togetherwithagiftedmagosandenginseer fromRobouteSurcouf’s ship–hadwrought wonders from the engines, pushing the ship through the void at speeds Kotov had notbelievedtheSperanzacapableofachieving.LinyaTychonandAzuramagellihadplottedacoursethat,withafairwindandasteadytideattheirback,shouldseetheminorbitaroundthesourceofTelok’stransmissionswithinfifteendays.

Kotovpausedinhiscircuitofthetableashebecameawarethathewasnolongeralone.‘Youarenotwelcomeinthisplace,’hesaid,asGalateaenteredtheAdamantCiborium.Themachineintelligenceunfoldeditsill-fashionedlegsasitrosetoitsfullheight,thetech-priest

proxybodyturningthroughafullrevolutionasitsurveyedtheCiborium’sinterior.Looseconnectionsbetween its brain jars sparked before being reseated by clicking armatures extending from thepalanquin.

‘Wedohopeyouarenotplanninganything foolishdownhere,Lexell,’ saidGalatea, circling thetable.‘YouarenottryingtothinkofwaysyoumightwrestcontroloftheSperanzafromus?’

Kotov shook his head,moving in opposition to Galatea. ‘No, I simply enjoy the solitude of theCiborium,’hesaidpointedly.

‘Strange,wenever tookyou for the introspective type.Wedidnot thinkyouregocould tolerateself-doubtortheindulgenceofreflection.’

‘Thenyoudonotknowmeaswellasyouthink.’‘Perhapsnot,butthequestionstillstands.’Kotov liftedhishandsand spread themwide. ‘Whatwouldbe thepoint?Youwoulddestroy the

Speranzabeforerelinquishingcontrol,wouldn’tyou?’‘Wewould,’agreedGalatea.‘Doyouplantoeverreleaseyourholdonmyship?’‘Your ship?’ laughedGalatea, extending a number of sinuousmechadendrites and slotting them

homeintothecentraltable.‘Youpresumetoomuch.’Hololithicslatesslidupfromthetable,projectingathree-dimensionalwireframediagramofthe

Speranza. Galatea reached out and spun the representation of the Ark Mechanicus with hapticgestures,likeachildheedlesslyplayingwithanewtoy.

‘TheSperanza isourshipnow,’ continuedGalatea. ‘Trying toremoveus fromitwouldbeamostunfortunatecourseofactionforyoutopursue,especiallywhenwearesoclosetoourgoal.’

‘Whenyousaywe,doyoumeanyouandIoristhatjustanirritatingaffectation?’Galatea’ssilvereyesflaredinamusement.‘Both.Neither.Youdecide.’‘Ihavelittlestomachforgames,abomination,’spatKotov,leaningforwardsandplantinghispalms

on the red rock of Mars. Through micro-sensors in his fingers he felt the texture and tasted thechemicalcompositionofthestone,takingstrengthfromthereminderofhisMartianheritage.

‘Youdonothaveastomach,Lexell,’saidGalatea.‘Noraheart,liver,lungsorcentralnervoussystemofyourownanymore.Theonlyorganicportionofyourbodythatremainsisyourhead,eventhatisachimeric amalgam of flesh andmachine parts. There is more organic matter in our body than inyours.’

‘Maybeso,butIamstillme,Istillhaveasoul.IwasbornLexellKotovandIamstillLexellKotov.Whatareyou?Avilemonsterwhoexistsonlybecauseyourippedthebrainsfromunwillingvictims.YouwerenothinguntilTelokcreatedyourneuromatrix.Whatyouwerethenisnolongerwhatyouarenow,andifyoucontinuetoexistyouwillbesomethingelseagain.’

‘Thatsoundsalotlikeevolution,Lexell,’saidGalatea,withateasingwagofafinger.‘Wecanthinkofnomorenaturalandbiologicalaprocess.’

‘Youarenotevolving,youareself-creating.ThereisnosparkoftheOmnissiahinyou.’‘Haven’twebeendownthisroad,Lexell?’askedGalateawithanexaggeratedsighthatwaswholly

artificial.‘Wearebothparasites,continuingtoexistonlythroughtheappropriationoforgansandvitalfluidsfromothers.Theonlydifferenceisthemeansofourinception.You,thoughitishardtoimaginenow,wereborn inamessy, inefficientbiologicalprocess,pronetomutationanddecay,whereasweare a sublime being, newly-created and superior to mortals, indignant that you should think usinferior.’

KotovandGalatea facedeachotherover thewarmstoneof thesacredmountainofMars.Therecould beno accord between them,no rapprochement andno peaceful co-existence. At somepoint,

KotovwasgoingtohavetogivetheordertohaveGalateakilled,buthowtoachievethatwhilekeepinghisshipintactwasaproblemtowhichhehadnosolution.

Buthewouldfindone,ofthathewascertain.‘Whatisityouwant?’heasked.‘Whatisityoureallywant?’‘Youknowthis.WewanttokillVettiusTelok.’‘Idon’tbelieveyou.’‘Yourbelieforotherwiseisirrelevant.’‘ThentellmewhyyouwanttokillTelok,’saidKotov.‘Heisyourcreator,whywouldyouwishhim

dead?’Galatea’s mechadendrites withdrew from the table and whipped up behind it like scorpion

stingers.Themachineintelligencebristledwithhostility,theconnectionsbetweenitsgel-filledbrainjarsflickeringwithelectricalactivity.

‘Whatmannerofcreatorbreatheslifeintoabeingandthenabandonsit?’demandedGalatea.‘EventhevengefulgodofOldEarthtookaninterestinhishandiwork.’

‘Notallcreatorsarebenevolent,’ saidKotov. ‘Andnotallcreationsturnout thewaytheircreatorintended.Mechanicusexperimental logsandmythcyclesarerepletewith talesof such ill-conceivedmistakesbeingdestroyedbytheircreatorsindisgust.’

‘Justasmanywarnoftheircreationsbeingthedestroyers.’‘AndifyoudokillTelok?Whatthen?’‘Thenwewill take theBreath of theGods for ourselves,’ saidGalatea. ‘And the galaxywill learn

exactlywhatamachineintelligenceiscapableofdoing.’

Icywindssweptdowntheflanksoftheblackandsilvermountain,ascoldasherememberedthemthelast timehehadclimbedtheshingledpathfromthefrozenrivertotheOldbloodfortress.Thesnowwaskneedeepandfresh,justasheremembered,clingingtohisdoeskintrousersandsoakingthroughtothefleshofhislegs.Howlingwindswhippedthepowderedsnowfromtheground,lashinghisfacerawandkeepingthevastbulkofthemountainfromhissight.

ArloLuthpressedonintotheblizzard,pullinghisbearskincloaktighter.Hewasn’tbuiltforthiskindofweather;toolongandleanandwithoutanyfattohisspareframe.Thecoldstabbedthroughhim,freezingthemarrowinhisbonesandsuckingthelastwarmthfromhisbody.

Ithadbeenthreehundredyearssincehehadlastfollowedthispath,three longcenturiesofwarthathadseenhimtransformedutterlyfromtheslender-bonedyoungsterthathadfirstmadetheclimbtothe lairof theCanidae.Hethoughtback to thecallowboyhehadbeen,whoseonly thoughtshadbeenhunting,reavingandwenching.

Allthathadcometoanendwhenthewolf-cloakedpriestshadcomedownfromthemountainattheheightofwinteranddemandedtheyearlyblood-geltfromthetribesofLokabrenna.Everyyouthoftenwintershad tomake the journey to theplaceof testing,where theirpalmswerecutopenbyanebon-clawedgauntletandthebloodcollectedinatooth-rimmedchalice.Eachchildwouldkneelbeforethepriest,whoseeyesburnedgreenbehindhiswolf-skullmask,whileashaven-headedthrallcovered

head to foot in tattoos placed his scarred hands on either side of his head. Luth shivered as heremembered the invasive presence within his skull, the unashamed violation of his innermostthoughts as what he now knew to be a Legio-sanctioned psyker tested the bounds of his synapticconnectionsandtherobustnessofhiscerebralarchitecture.Thewordsofthepsykerhaddominatedhisfuturefromthatmoment.

‘Princepsgrade.’Thatdayhadseenhimrippedfromallhehadeverknownandmarchedintothedeepforestsatthe

footofthemountains.Hehadexpectedalifeofgloryandprivilegebutsuchalifehadtobeearned.ThepriestsabandonedhimatthefootoftheblackandsilvermountainwithoutawordandindicatedthathewastoclimbtotheOldbloodfortress.

And climbhe had, for three days through blizzards, avalanches and rockslides.He had climbedthoughhisfingersandtoeshadturnedblackwithcold.Hehadclimbedpasttheicestatuesofthegreatiron-skinnedwarriorenginesoftheCanidae,andhadcrawledovertherazor-edgedvolcanicrocksthatkeptallbutthechosenfromdaringtoapproachthetitanic ice-lockedgatecut intotheflanksoftheblackandsilvermountain.

Dyingfromhypothermiaandnearcrippledwithfrostbite,hehadfallentohiskneesandrappedthefrozennubofhisunfeelingfistagainstthevastportal.Thoughhehadheardnodooropennorfeltanyone’sapproach,therewassuddenlyamanstandingnexttohim,swathedinanimalpelts,bronzedplateandastiffenedcloakofoiledleather.

Onlyhiseyeswerevisiblethroughthefrost-limnedburnoosehewore,yelloworbswithmachinecircuitrycrawlingbehindtheirpredator’sgleam.

‘Firstlesson,’growledtheman.‘Neverkneel.’AndLuthneverhad,notonce.Theyearshadtakentheirtollonhisonceslenderandperfectlyformedbody,thedemandsofwar

transforming him into a still-living revenant, trapped forever in a sluicing tank of life-sustainingfluids.

Luthlookeddownathisbody.Itwasjustasheremembereditfromthatfirstclimb,clean-limbedandwillowy;almosttootallforthelittleweighthecarried.Heflexedthemusclesinhisshouldersashetrudgedthroughthesnowtotheforestedridgewherehehadcampedonthefirstnightofhisclimb,whenhehadstillthoughttheascentoftheblackandsilvermountainwouldbeeasy.

EryksSkálmöldwaswaitingforhim,crouchedbyafirethatblazedwithagreenflameintheleeofbouldersthesizeofaWarlord’shead.JustasLuthhadcometothisplaceasherememberedhimself,sotoohadtheMoonsorrow.WhereLuthwas tallandrangy,Skálmöldhadabrawler’sphysique:broadshouldered,meatyandneckless.Heworemattedfursaroundhisbodyandwiretotemswrappedhistattooed, muscular arms. He was unarmed, but that meant nothing in this place, where theythemselveswereweapons.

The ridge had the look of an arena, flanked on both sides by wild forests where the highlandevergreensgrewthickly,andbeneathwhichallwasdarkness.Theforest linewasheapedwithsnowandathousandeyesstaredoutfromthedarknessbeneaththetrees,liketinycandleflamesofamberandblack.

TheywatchedLuthasheascendedtotheridgeandstoodacrossfromtheMoonsorrow.‘Youcame,’saidSkálmöld.‘YouthoughtIwouldn’t?’‘Itcrossedmymind.’‘Iamalpha,howcouldInotcome?’‘Yousenseyourownweakness.YoufearIamstronger.’‘Youarenotstrongerthanme,Moonsorrow.’Skálmöldshrugged.‘IamorIamnot.Untilweputittothetestourwordsaremeaningless.’‘Thatiswhatyouwant?Pack?’Skálmöldnodded,rollinghisshouldersandbaringhisteeth.‘Yes,thatiswhatIwant.Pack.’‘Youarenotready.’‘IsthatwhyyouleftCanisUlfricabehindwhenthepackwalked?’‘Youhadnocrew,’saidLuth.‘Becauseyoutookthem.’‘Iamalpha,andItakewhatIneed.Ineededanewmoderati.’Skálmöldcircledtheforestline,histeethbaredandhisbreathcominginheavinggrunts.‘WhenLupaCapitalinawalkedonthedyingworld,IflewtheManifold,’saidSkálmöld.‘Isawwhat

yousaw.Youwerebackthereagain,ontheworldtakenbytheGreatDevourer.Theothersmightnotseeit,butIknowyoubetterthananyofthem.Youarebroken.’

‘Enoughtalking,Skálmöld,’snarledLuth.‘IamtheWintersunandyouarebuttheMoonsorrow.’‘Thereisonlyonewaywewalkawayfromhere.Inblood.’‘Inblood,’ saidLuth. ‘Butwhatever theoutcome,what isbetweenus isdonewith.Agree to that,

andwewillsettlethis.Righthere,rightnow.’‘Agreed,’saidSkálmöld,spreadinghisarmsasgleamingclawsunsheathedfromhisfists.TheWintersun’sclawssnappedfromhishandashecharged.War-howlsechoedfromtheblackandsilvermountain.Clawsslashed,teethtore.Bloodspilled.

StrippedoffamiliarstarsandtheknownregionsoftheImperium,thepolishedinnerslopesofVitali’scartographae domehad been an austere, hemispherical vault of coldmetal and echoing space. Thedying corona of Arcturus Ultra had blinded the Speranza to most of what lay beyond the galacticthreshold, but with its dissipation, the emptiness within the dome was filling with every passingsecond. New suns winked into existence, distant galactic nebulae became clearer and the curiousarrangementofcorpse-starsthatmeasurementsinanearliertimehadsaidwerelong-deadglitteredwithrenewedfusionreactions.

Life-sustaining starsweredyingandareas fartherout into thewildsof interstitial space,whereeverythingoughttobecoldanddead,nowteemedwithcelestialnurserieswherenewstarswerebeingborn. In these newly fertile regions, metals and life-sustaining chemicals had been seeded like a

gardenerpreparinghissoilforplanting.‘AndIthoughtthereadingsweweretakingbeforewearrivedherewereawry,’saidVitali.The entopticmachinesworked into the polished face of the dome projected the newly-revealed

volume of space around theSperanza, probing fartherwith each cycle of the surveyors – Vitaliwaswastingnotimeinmanipulatingtherotating leversonthewood-framedconsoletocatalogueallhecould.

Linyaassistedhiminthis,insistingthatshewaswellenoughtoworkdespitetheinjuriesshehadsustainedaboardtheTomioka.Thebruisinghadfadedandsheborenooutwardsignofherbrushwithdeathatthehandsoftheroboticsentinels,butVitalisensedsomethingdeepertroublingherthananypainshemightstillbefeeling.

‘Did you see that one?’ askedVitali, gesturing to a star systemwhose stellar bodies orbited oneanotherwithchaotic,ellipticalwanderings.‘Aspectroscopicandeclipsingtriplestar.Threeblue-whitemainsequencestars.TwoareincloseorbitandappeartorevolvearoundeachotheronceeverynineTerrandays.’

‘Andtheyinturnorbitathirdstaronceeveryonehundredandfiftydays.’‘Fascinating,’saidVitali.‘Andtothink,weneverevenknewthesewerehere.’‘Someone did once,’ said Linya, consulting amillennia-old tabulus of celestial accountings. ‘But

theywere recorded as being in the final stages of their existence and those readingswere of lightalreadyhundredsofthousandsofyearsold.Theyshouldhavegonenovabynow.’

‘Andyethereweare,’ saidVitali, steppingaway from the controls andbeckoning the triple starsystemcloserwith thehaptic implants inhis clicking,metallic fingers. The starsmagnified as theyapproached,gracefulandorderedlikeclockworkbytheprimalforcesofthegalaxy.

Watchingthedanceofthestars,Vitalicouldeasilyimaginethehandofawatchmakersettingthemintheheavens.Heknewbetterthanthat.Ancientphysicallaws,setdownnearlyfourteenbillionyearsago in the opening moments of the universe’s birth, determined their movement and properties.Momentslikethatweremiraculousenoughwithoutthepresenceofacreator.

‘Ourpredecessorswouldhavewept to seewhatwecan see,’ saidVitali,more tohimself than toLinya.‘Flamsteed,Maskelyne,HalleyandthecomposerofHonovere…howtheymusthavedreamedofsuch things, trapped as they were on Old Earth and forced to scrabble in the heavens for theirknowledge.Butforallthat,Isometimesenvythem,Linya.’

‘Youenvythem?Why?Weknowsomuchmorethantheydidandwehavediscoveredthingstheycouldneverhavebeguntocomprehend.’

Vitalinodded,settingthetriplestarbackintoplacewithagentlewave.‘Alltrue,butthinkofhowwondrousitmusthavebeenbackthen.Whenallyouhadwasapolishedmirrorfashionedinamouldofdungandsetinawoodentube,sittingonafrostyhillsidewithaninefficientorganiceyepressedtoanimperfectlens.’

‘GivemetheorbitalgalleriesofQuatriaanyday,’saidLinya.‘We continue theirwork, but theybegan it,’ pressedVitali, feeling theneed to impressuponhis

daughterhowmagnificentatimetheheadydaysofearlyastronomymusthavebeen.‘Thosemenfirstbrought theheavenswithinMankind’s grasp.Theydenied thegeocentricmodels, and theygrasped

towardsconceptsofdeeptimeanddistance.Theymadeastronomyascienceandtheyunderstoodourplacewithinthegalaxy.Somethingwehavesinceforgotten,Ifear.’

Vitali stepped away from the control panel andwalked through the emerging starmaps of thisregionbeyondthegalacticfringe.

‘Sorarelydowehavethechancetojustexplore,’hesaid. ‘AlltoooftenourworksaresubvertedbyImperialistic concerns: identifying systemsofmilitary significance, locatingworlds rich inmaterielresources, breadbasket regions, asteroid belts to be used as staging areas or determining systemsuitabilitiesforstarforts.Howoftenareweaffordedtheopportunitytoexploreforthesheerjoyofitandtheactofexplorationitself?Achanceasrareasthisshouldnotbesquandered,Linya,weshouldembraceitandrevelinthesimplejoysofdiscovery.’

Linya smiled and it seemed a great burdenhad, if not removed itself entirely, at least eased itspressureuponher.

‘You’reright,ofcourse,’shesaid.‘Butwestillhaveajobtodo,westillhavetofindaworldofhighenoughmineraldensitytofeedtheforges.MagosTurentekandMagosKryptaestrexarecryingoutforrawmaterialstokeepthereconstructionworkgoing.’

Vitalidrewanother systemtohishands, centredupona softly-glowingyellowdwarf starwithadozenplanetsclusteredtightlytogetherinvariousellipticalorbits.Threeoftheplanetsweretooclosetothestartobehabitable,whiletheoutermostsevenwereeithervastgasgiantsorice-lockedrocks.Butthefourthandfifthplanetstravelledinstableorbitswithinthebandofspacethatallowedwatertoexistinliquidform.

‘Eitheroftheseshoulddo,’saidVitali. ‘ThoughifIwereforcedtochose,I’dsaythefourthplanetoffersthebestrisktorewardratio.IhavetakenthelibertyofnamingitHypatia.’

Linya smiled. ‘Aworthy name,’ she said, using the levers of the control panel to shift the focuslenses over to the projected worlds her father had brought up. Without the benefit of his hapticimplants,shewasforcedtorelyonarchaiccontrols tobringupthenoospherictagsfromwhichshecouldpullinformation.Thechemicalcompositionoftheplanet’satmosphereappearedinshimmeringbandsofcolour,togetherwithdeep-augurmineralscansofitslithosphereandoceans.

‘Atthisdistance,alotofthesereadingsareapproximate,’shesaid.‘ButIthinkyouareright.Thefourthplanetappearstobejustwhatwe’relookingfor.ShallIexloadthistoMagosKryptaestrex?’

‘Yes,I’msurehe’llbepleased.’‘Idon’tthinkbeingpleasedisastatewithwhichtheMasterofLogisticsisfamiliar.’‘Verytrue,mydear,’grinnedVitali.‘IbelieveMagosKryptaestrexviewstheSperanza’ssupplydecks

ashisownpersonalfiefdomanditinfuriateshimwhenpeoplehavethetemeritytoaskforthingstheyneed.’

Vitali lacedhis handsbehindhis back and continuedhis stroll through the constantlyupdatingrepresentationofspacebeyondtheMilkyWay.Hispathacrosstheacid-etchedfloor,notunnaturally,tookhimtowardstheglimmeringorreryofsystemsandworldsorbitingtheshiningstaratthecentreofthelatticeworkofimpossiblygeometricstars.

‘And now we come to you, my mysterious friends,’ said Vitali, spreading his arms out andenlarging the system his extrapolation simulation had identified as being the source of the

unimaginablepowerthathadkick-startedArcturusUltra’srebirth.‘Tellme,Linya,’saidVitali,turningtofacehisdaughter. ‘Doyoustillthinkthereisnointelligent

designer? Here we have an arrangement of systems whose geometrically perfect alignment clearlyimpliesthepresenceofawatchmaker,blindorotherwise.’

Linyaleftthebatteredcontrolterminalandjoinedherfatherinthemidstoftheorbitingsystems.Eachonefollowedaprecisepaththroughspace,theirrelativespeedswithinthedomevastlyincreasedto give their relationship a more obvious correlation. Just as the Imperium’s planets orbited sunswithinastarsystem,thosesystemsinturnorbitedthesuper-massiveblackholeatthegalacticcentre.Andjustasitscelestialbodiesorbited,sotoodidgalaxies,circlingaroundclustersofgalaxiesorsomeothervastcentreofmass.

‘The scattering of stars and planets across the galaxy owes nothing to design,’ said Linya. ‘Nomatter how ordered they might at first appear. Only the all-encompassing forces of gravity, time,pressureandahostofotherphysicalconstantsdefinehowthestructureoftheuniverseevolves.YouknowthataswellIdo,sowhythequestion?’

Vitali gestured to theorderedmovements andpositionsof the star systemsorbiting the centralworldintheentoptically-generatedimagery.

‘Thisarrangementwouldseemtocontradictthatsupposition,’saidVitali.‘Thisisclearlyaplannedarrangement. And if this system is arranged according to a design, cannot that be extrapolated asbeingpartofauniversallyordereddesign?Perhapssuchorderexists,butwehavenotthesensesormeanstoapprehendthatorder.’

‘Advocatusdiaboli?Really?’‘Indulgeme.’‘Verywell,Iagreethereisthedefiniteappearanceofdesignhere,which,inthiscase,suggeststhe

workofadesigner,but thatdoesnotmake it so for the restof theuniverse. IfArchmagosKotov iscorrectthenthisworldisindeedoneuponwhichwewillfindTelok–’

‘Difficult to see how it could not be a forge world, given the uniquely Mechanicus emissionssurroundingit.’

‘IfthisisaforgeworlduponwhichwemayfindTelok,whycanwediscernnexttonothingofitorthesystemssurroundingitwithanyclarity?’

‘Nowyou’rethinking,’saidVitali,pleasedLinyahadgraspedtheinherentflawinthemap.‘Wemust question the source,’ said Linya, nodding as one supposition supported another. ‘The

majorityofthisdatacamefromtheTomioka’scogitators.AndTelokisunlikelytohavelefteveryaspectofhisforgeworld’ssecretsencodedwithinashipheintendedtodestroy.’

‘And…?’‘AndeveryshredofinformationwebroughtbackfromKatenVeniawasexloadedbyGalatea…’‘Anunreliablenarratorifevertherewasone,’saidVitali.‘Thenweneedtoconvinceittoallowusaccesstotherawdatainitsmemory.’‘Andyouthinkitwouldletus?’‘Idoubtit,’concededLinya.‘ButifweareforcedtoquestiontheveracityofGalatea’sinformation,

theneveryaspectofthismapmustbeconsideredtainted.Wecanrelyonnoneofit,notevenHypatia.’

‘Ihavealreadybeguncorroborative surveysof thespatial volumes illuminatedbyGalatea’sdata,butsofaronlythesedeliberatelyorderedsystemsareprovingcoyinrevealingtheirsecrets.’

‘Ouraugursarebeingblocked?’‘Notblocked,perse,’saidVitali. ‘MorelikeobscuredbyaconfluenceofstrangeforcesIcannot,as

yet,identify.’‘Deliberately?’‘Hardtosay,mydear,hardtosay.’‘ThenwedefinitelyneedtospeaktoGalatea.’Vitaliturnedtohisdaughterandputahandonhershoulder.‘No,Linya,’hesaid.‘Thatwemustmanifestlynotdo.Galateaisaverydangerousentity,andifitis

obfuscatingourunderstandingofthesesystemsonpurpose,thenitwilltakestepstosilenceanyonewhoquestionsit.’

‘Galateasavedmylife,’pointedoutLinya.‘Ifitwantedmedead,itcouldhaveletthatbattlerobotkillme.’

‘Iamawareofthat,’snappedVitali,shyingawayfromthethoughtofhowcloseLinyahadcometodeathontheTomioka. ‘Andwestilldonot fullyunderstandhow itwasable toneutralise the robot’scommandcortex.’

‘Wouldyouratherithadn’t?’askedLinya.‘Ofcoursenot,butpleasepromisemethatyouwill,undernocircumstances,makeanapproachto

Galateawithourconcernsoveritsagendahere.At leastnotuntilwehaveabetterunderstandingofwhyitmightseektomisleadus.’

LinyahesitatedbeforeansweringandVitali turnedher to facehim.What littleorganic featureswereremainingtohimwerefrettedwithconcern.

‘Please,Linya,promiseme,’beggedVitali.‘Ofcourse,’saidLinya.‘Ipromise.’

Microcontent12

ThelasttimeMarkoKoskinenhadseenthetech-prieststhispanickedhadbeenwhentheWintersunopenedfireontheMoonsorrowinthetraininghalls.Thispanicwasjustasurgent,butdidn’thavethefocusofsoobviousacatastrophe.Heskiddedtoahaltintheinfirmary,tryingtofigureoutwhathadcausedthemagiattendingtheprincepstotriggeraLegio-widealarm.

At first glance, nothing looked amiss. Both princeps appeared to be adrift in their fluid-filledsuspension tanks as normal, twitchingwithin their hibernation-comas. But thenKoskinen saw thebrain-activity monitors spiking like crazy with neural activity. These were readings that might beexpected in the midst of a furious, multi-vectored engine brawl, not in the downtime betweenimplantation.

‘WhatinthenameoftheOldbloodsisgoingon?’heshouted.None of the tech-priests looked up, but Koskinen sawHyrdrith desperately affixing aManifold

interfacearraytothearmourglassoftheWintersun’scasket.Heranovertohisprinceps,placinghispalmsagainstthecasket’swarmsidesandfeelingtheheatofthebio-gelwithin.

‘Hyrdrith,talktome,’hecommanded.‘What’sgoingon?’LupaCapitalina’stech-priestshookherheadandshrugged.‘TheWinter-sunandMoonsorrowhave

establishedaManifoldlinkbetweentheircaskets.’‘What?Whoestablishedtheconnection?’‘No-one,theydiditthemselves,’answeredHyrdrith.‘Howisthatevenpossible?’‘Admission:Idonotknow,’saidHyrdrith.‘Ithinkwearelearningthatthereisagreatdealwedo

notknowofaprinceps’sabilities.’Koskinen looked over to theMoonsorrow’s casket, where the wizened form of Eryks Skálmöld

drifted into view, his truncated form like a foetal ancient, heat-fused limbs drawn up to his chestwherehiselongatedskullperchedlikeascavengerbird.Wiredopticstrailedfromhiseyesocketsandblue-whitelightshimmeredbehindhissuturedlids.

‘They’retogetherintheManifold?’‘Soitwouldappear,’answeredHyrdrith.

The door to the infirmary slammed open and JoakimBaldur entered. Koskinen saw he had hispistoldrawnandplacedhishandonthepolishedwalnutgripofhisownstub-pistol.

‘SotheWintersunwantstofinishthejob?’askedBaldur,aiminghispistolatArloLuth’scasket.KoskinenimmediatelyputhimselfbetweenBaldurandhisprinceps,onehandextendedoutwards,

theothercurlingafingeraroundthetriggerofhisowngun.‘Easy,Baldur,’saidKoskinen.‘Thinkaboutwhatyou’redoing.You’repointingagunatyouralpha.

That’senoughtogetyoumind-wipedandturnedintoagunservitor.Isthatwhatyouwant?’‘Thealphaistryingtokillmyprinceps,’snarledBaldur.‘TheWintersunisyourprincepsnow,orhadyouforgottenthat?’‘Moonsorrowismyprinceps.OnceReaver,alwaysReaver.’Koskinenshookhishead.‘No,you’reWarlordnow,Joakim.’Thegunwavered,butwasstilltooclosetotheWintersun’scasketforKoskinen’sliking.Theanger

inBaldur’seyeswasn’tshowinganysignsoflesseningandKoskinenferventlyhopedhewasn’tgoingtohavetoshoottheman.Baldurhadhisgundrawn,buthisattentionwasswitchingbetweenthetwoprinceps’ caskets. IfKoskinenwanted tokillhim, itwouldbeeasyenough,butshootingamoderatiwaslikevandalisingoneoftheirreplaceableLegioTitanicusmuralsonTerra.

Asitturnedout,Koskinenwassparedthenecessityofmurder.Theinfirmarydooropenedagain,andtheLegio’sWarhounddriversentered;EliasHärkinencased

withinhisclicking,ratchetingexoskeletonandGunnarVintrasinhisdressuniform.HärkintookonelookatJoakimBaldurandsaid,‘Putthatbloodyweapondown,youdamnfool.’Baldurnodded and loweredhis gun, backing away as the twoWarhoundprinceps took charge.

Koskinensawhehadfailedtosafetheweaponorholsterit,sokepthisownfingerrestinglightlyonthetriggerofhisownpistol.

‘You!’ snapped Härkin, beckoning Hyrdrith with a snap of bronze calliper-fingers. ‘Front andcentre,whatintheOmnissiah’snameishappeninghere?’

‘We are not sure, princeps,’ said Hyrdrith. ‘A Manifold link between the princeps’ caskets wasinitiatedninepointthreeminutesago,and–’

‘Ninepointthreeminutesago?Andyouwaituntilnowtosummonus?’‘There was no need,’ said Hyrdrith. ‘The connection appeared to be entirely benign, with

concurrentdataflowbetweentheWintersunandMoonsorrow.’‘Whatchanged?’demandedHärkin,asVintrasexaminedthedata-feedsontheslatesattachedto

eachprinceps’scasket.‘Admission: we do not know. The transition from their rest-state neural activity to readings

comparabletoahigh-stressengagementwasinstantaneousandunforeseeable.’‘They’re fighting,’ said Gunnar Vintras, reading thematching brain-wave activity on the senior

princeps’readouts.‘They’retryingtokilloneanother.’Amarok’sprincepsseemedmoreamusedthanhorrifiedbytherevelationandlaughedaloud.‘Emperordamnit,they’refighting,’hesaid.‘LooksliketheWintersunhasgonebacktofinishwhat

hestartedonthetrainingdeck.’‘No,’saidHyrdrith.‘Thatpossibilityhasbeendiscounted.’

‘Really,’saidVintras.‘Whyisthat?’‘BecauseitwastheMoonsorrowthatinitiatedtheManifoldconnection.’

Theycametogetherliketwogreatboulderscrashingintooneanotherwithsuchforcethatbothmustsurelybesmashedtopowderandflyingchipsofstone.Thethunderastheymetechoedfromthecoldgreenevergreenssurroundingthearena,ringingupanddownthemountainsidelikethepealoftheBellofLostSoulsatoptheTowerofHeroes.

Theyboth fell back from the impact, but the first to risewas Luth.HegrappledwithSkálmöld,whose fleshhadbeen torn in the collisionof claws. Luth rakedhis opponent’smarmoreal skin andhookedhisclawsbeneaththebronzetorqatSkálmöld’sneck.Hesnarledandwrencheditforwards.

Sensingthedanger,SkálmöldpunchedLuthintheface.Luthfellaway,dislodged,andSkálmöldwrenchedthetorqfromhisneckwithascreechof twistingmetal.Then likeanavalanchehehurledhimselfdownonLuth,hisformblurringasthewolfwithinroaredinrelease.

TheveryrockofthemountainshookwiththeimpactasLuthrolledandloosedhisownlupinehowlof anger.He drove his fist into his opponent’s gut, raking his claws up as Skálmöld bit downnearLuth’sthroat.Dropsofhotbloodflewthroughtheair.LuthslammedhiselbowintoSkálmöld’sribs,andtheMoonsorrowlurchedsidewaysinwindedpain,givingLuthtimetoscrambleuprightagain.

SnowwasfallingandLuth’sneckandshoulderwerewetwhereSkálmöld’sfangshaddrawnblood.Hefelthisownteethlengtheninresponsetotheblood-stink.

Foramomentthetwowolfprincepsstoodapart,circlingthearenaandgettingtheirbreathback.Thegleamingeyesinthedarknessoftheforestglitteredinapprovalatthefuryoftheboutbefore

them.Skálmöldwasbleedingfreelyfroma longstomachwound,butLuthknewhewasworseoff.The

woundathisneckwasdeep,andhisbreathwashotandpainfulinhischest.Despitehisinjuries,Luthgrinned,feelingthewolfwithintakethepainandturnittohisadvantage.

ToletSkálmöldtaketheinitiativewouldbeamistake.Luth leapt at Skálmöld before he realised how badly he was hurt. The impact was sudden and

ferocious,knockingthechallengerheadoverheels.HefollowedupwithaclawedlungeattherawpartofSkálmöld’sneck,buttheMoonsorrowthrewhimoffandthenthetwoprincepswereateachotheragain.Fountainsof snowwere thrownupas they fought, spraying inalldirectionsand falling inamistofglitteringcrystallinedroplets.

SkálmöldtoreawoundinLuth’sbelly,butamoment later,afteranotherconvulsiveexplosionofsnow, both princeps were standing upright like duellists. Luth slashed at Skálmöld’s face, but theMoonsorrowwashittingback justas savagely.Theweightof theirblowswas farbeyondwhat theirphysical forms could have inflicted, as if Imperator Titans were swinging wrecking balls at oneanother.

Clawsslashedflesh,teethcrashedonteethandbreathroaredharshly.Thesnowoftheirarenawassplashedwithredandtroddendownformetresintoacrimsonmud.

Skálmöldwas bigger and stronger than Luth and he had had the best of the fight so far. Both

princeps’ forms wavered between human and wolf, like mythic lycanthropes in the midst of atransformation.Neithermancouldallowthewolffullrein,fornonehadevercomebackfromsuchasurrender.Toallowitnearthesurfacewasasmuchaseitherofthemdaredrisk.

Luthwasbreathingheavily.Bothprincepswerewounded in the shoulders, arms, andneck, butLuth’swoundswerethedeeper.Skálmöldwashungrytobealpha,butLuthknewhewasnotyetreadytoleadthewarriorsofthepack.Hewonderedifthiswashubrisspeaking,theinabilitytocedecontrolofthepackbeforehebecametooweaktolead.

No,decidedLuth,lookingintoSkálmöld’syellowedeyes.TheMoonsorrowwasakillerandwouldbeagreatleaderoneday.Butthatdaywasnotnow.AtleastLuthhopednot.Skálmöldcircled thebloodyslushof theircombat,hiseyes roving insearchofaweakness.Luth

sawaferalgrinsplithisfeaturesashefoundit.Luthwaslimping,hisleftarmhungunmovingathisside. Luth watched Skálmöld replay the last of their clashes in his head, baring his fangs as heunderstood that Luth had not struck a telling blowwith his left hand for some time. The crushingpuncheshe’ddeliveredonlyafewsecondsbeforewerenowlittlemorethangentleslaps.

‘Surrenderthepacktome,’saidSkálmöld,redfoamspittingfromthecornerofhisjaw.‘Youdon’thavetodie.’

‘Idon’tplantodie.’Skálmöldlaughed.‘Lookatthebloodontheground,Arlo.Littleofitismine.Youcannotwin.Your

armisgone.Thetendonsatyourelbowandshoulderarefraying.’‘Ionlyneedonehandtobeatyou,Eryks.’‘Good,good,youstillhavespirit,’tauntedSkálmöld.‘Avictoryisnotavictoryifitiswonoverafoe

whoalreadybelievesheisdead.’‘Thencomefinishme,’saidLuth,lettinghisshoulderdrop.Skálmöldobliged,swingingblowsatLuthfromrightandleft–eachimpactathunderboltfromthe

heavens,a slamminghammerblowhecouldno longerparry.Luthmovedbackwards,one stepafteranother,crouchinglowundertherainofblowsfromthegrinningMoonsorrow.

ButwhatSkálmöldhadnotseenwasthathewasmovingbackwardsonlytoseekfirmrockbeneathhim.Luthfelttheresistanceofthegroundunderfootchangefromsnowtotheheart-rockoftheblackandsilvermountain.Hebracedhimselfagainstit,tensinghislegslikearunneratthestartingblocksandwaitingforhismoment.

Thatmoment camewhenSkálmöldvaulted towardshim,bellowinghis triumphand raisinghisclawedarmstoslashdownatLuth’sapparentlyweakside.

Luthmoved.Likeanavalanchethathadbuiltitsstrengthoverathousandmilesofbaremountainsidetosweep

allbeforeitinatideofdevastation,Luthexplodedfromhisfirmfootingontheheart-rockandsentaferociousblowatSkálmöld’sexposedside.

Itwasanappalling,horrifying,mortalstrike.Luth’sclawspunchedthroughSkálmöld’storsoandrippedtheentirerightsideofhisribcagecleanaway.Shatteredbonesflewthroughtheair,spraying

bloodtothesnowadozenmetresaway.SkálmöldlandedonhiskneesbeforeLuth,bloodrainingfromhisopenedbellyandtheglistening,

blue-pinkmeatofhisruptured lungsoozingoutwards.TheMoonsorrowwassuddenlyhelpless,andLuth’shandfastenedonhisthroat,readytotearSkálmöld’slifeawayinhisclaws.

‘Doyouyield?’demandedtheWintersun.‘Iyield,’noddedtheMoonsorrow.‘Iamalpha?’‘Youarealpha.’‘Thenwe return to the pack united,’ said Princeps Luth, and the black and silvermountain fell

away.

‘Drink?’askedRoboute,pouringhimselfastiffmeasureofaspirithe’dacquiredfromatraderbythename of Goslyng on a trading excursion around the Iabal and Ivbal clusters. The liquid was paleturquoise,whichalwaysstruckRobouteasanoddcolourforadrink,buthecouldn’targuewiththetaste,whichwaslikeambrosiapouredstraightfromthehallsofMacragge’sancientgods.

‘No,thankyou,’saidTarkisBlaylock.‘Isuspectthemolecularcontentofthatbeveragewouldreactpoorlywithmyinternalchemistry.’

The Fabricatus Locum had appeared at the opened flanks of theRenard while Roboute sourcedpartsandtoolswithMagosPavelkatobeginrepairingthebrokengrav-sled.Itssadlyneglectedpartshadlainrustinginacornerofthecargodeck,anditsstateofdisrepairhadbeenathorninhissideeversincetheirreturnfromKatenVenia.

Pavelkahadremindedhimnumeroustimesoftheoathhe’dsworntorepairthesledduringtheirescape from the crystal-forms on the planet’s surface, admonishing him that to renege on such apledge would be tantamount to blasphemy. Roboute almost laughed at her, but changed hismindwhenhe sawSylkwoodbackingherupwitha seriousexpressiononher faceand theheavywrenchheldathershoulder.

ThenMagosBlaylockhadsavedhimfromanafternoonofmanuallabour.Throwinghishandsupwitha ‘whatcanyoudo’expression,he’dleftPavelkaandSylkwoodtoit,

leadingBlaylockandhiscoterieofdwarfattendantsthroughtheRenardtohisstateroomsontheupperdecks.Now,drinkinhand,hewasbeginningtowonder ifhe’dmadetherightchoice in leavingthecargodecks.

‘So, towhatdo I owe thepleasureof this visit, Tarkis?’ askedRoboute, takinga seatbehind theexpansiverosewooddeskandtakingasipofhisdrink.

‘Ibelievethepleasurewillbemine,’saidBlaylock, lacinghismechanisedhandsbeforehimlikeamanwhoenjoysdeliveringbadnews.

‘Thatsoundsominous.’‘Foryou,perhaps.’Roboute put his drink down on the desk next to the astrogation compass he’d taken from the

wreckageofthePreceptor.Henoticedtheneedlewaswavering,bouncingbackandforth,wherebefore

ithadkeptasteadyandtruecoursesincethecrossingoftheHaloScar.TheFabricatusLocumnoddedtothekeepsakesandmementosRoboutekeptonthewallsofhisstateroom:thecommendations,therosettesandlaurelsandthehololithiccameoofKaten,thegirlhe’dleftbehind.

‘ThelasttimeIcamehere,Iwasmostimpressedbythecertificatesofmerityouhadearnedinyourtravels,’saidBlaylock.

‘No,youweren’t,’saidRoboute.‘Youweregoingthroughthemotionsofbeinghuman,justbeforeyou asked me to surrender the Tomioka’s memory coil. Just like you’re doing now, right before Iimagineyou’regoingtoaskmeforsomeotherfavourIlikelywon’tfeelinclinedtogrant.’

‘Thatiswhereyouaremistaken,MisterSurcouf,’saidBlaylock.‘Thengettothepoint,Tarkis.’Blaylocknodded,almostasthoughheweredisappointedRoboutehadn’tplayedalong.‘Verywell,’saidBlaylock,circlingaroundthedesktostandbeforeRoboute’sLetterofMarque.He

took a long look at it andRoboute’s hand slid over his desk to the top drawer, unlocking itwith apreciseseriesoffinger-taps.HekeptoneeyeonBlaylock’sbackasthedrawerslidopen.

‘ALetterofMarqueisapowerfulartefact,’saidBlaylock,liftingthegilt-edgedframefromthewall.‘Intheright–orwrong–handsitcanbeapowerfulweapon.Withsuchadocument,amancouldforgehimself an empire among the stars. Or roam free from many of the more… bureaucraticentanglementsinwhichsmallertradingfleetsmightotherwisefindthemselvesmired.’

‘Verytrue,Tarkis,’saidRoboute,slippinghishandintothedrawer.‘It’stheonegoodthingtocomeoutofmytimeaboardthePreceptor.MyservicerecordwentalongwaytopersuadingtheofficialsatBakkathatIwasworthytobearsuchaletter.’

‘Yes, your service record,’ saidBlaylock, turning to faceRoboute oncemore. ‘Amost impressivecatalogueofvalorousconduct,exemplarybehaviourandalltherightconnections.Somemightcallitaperfectrecord,yes?’

‘Perhaps,’ saidRoboute,withdrawinghishand fromthedrawer. ‘But then,perfect is the level towhichthepeopleofUltramaraspire.You’dbedoingmeadisservicetothinkI’dbeanythingless.Butenoughofthisdancing,Tarkis,Iknowwhyyou’rehere.’

‘Andwhyisthat?’askedBlaylock,placingtheframedLetterofMarquebetweenthem.RoboutelookedupatBlaylock’sface,cowledinscarletandwithonlytheshimmeringemeraldlight

ofhisopticstoimpartanyvisualcluestohisdemeanour.Heliftedtheitemhe’dtakenfromthedeskdrawer,placingthelongcigarinthebreastpocketofhiscoat.

‘Soyouknow?’hesaid.‘Yes,Mister Surcouf,’ said Blaylock. ‘I know that this SegmentumPacificus accredited Letter of

Marque is a fake. A very clever fake, one that even I almost believed was genuine, but a fakenonetheless.Youarenomorealegally-operatingroguetraderthanIam.’

‘SoIdon’thaveanofficialbitofpapertopermitmetodowhatIdo,’saidRoboute.‘Whocares?’‘You are in violation of numerous laws, both Imperial andMechanicus,’ said Blaylock, as if the

severityofhiscrimesshouldbeself-evident.‘Wouldyoulikemetolistthemallforyou?’‘Imperator,no!We’dbehereallweek,’saidRoboute.‘Sowhatareyougoingtodonext?’Blaylock liftedtheLetterofMarquefromthedeskandsaid, ‘Iwill takethis toArchmagosKotov

andlethimdecideyourfate.’‘Go ahead,’ said Roboute. ‘What the hell does itmatter anyway?We’re on the other side of the

galaxy,beyondtheImperiumandanylawyou’dcaretopunishmewith.Ibroughtyouhereandbeforeyoustartgettingallhighandmighty,youmightwanttorememberthat.’

‘Idonotforgetanything,MisterSurcouf,’saidBlaylock.‘Insultsandcondescensionleastofall.’‘Thendowhatyouneedtodo,’saidRoboute.

Sparks flew from each hammerblow, filling the smoke-filled forge with strobing flashes at eachpounding impact. Tannawas no Techmarine, but he knew how towield a hammer and beat out achain.EveryBlackTemplarwastaughthowtofashionthechainsthatboundaweapontoabearerand,thoughithadbeenmanydecadessinceTannahadbeatenmetalupontheanvil,itwasaskillthat,oncelearned,wasneverforgotten.

MagosTurentek’sforgeswerewell-equippedandwell-stocked,buttheywereintendedforusebyadeptsoftheMechanicus.Themenialsandforge-slavesinhabitingthisflame-litvaulthadprotestedattheSpaceMarines’arrival,butonelookintoTannaandVarda’spurposefuleyessentthemscurryingfromtheforgeinfright.

Hotexhaustgasesventedfromsmoulderingfurnaces,keepingthetemperaturewithintheforgeclose tovolcanic,agiantcogat the farendof thechamber turningsolemnlywithboomingpealsofgrindingmetal.Agreatchain,eachlinkametrethick,waswrappedaroundthecog’steeth,turningatregular, clanking intervals – hauling who knewwhat fromwho knewwhere. The hiss of cracklingbinaryspatfromceiling-mountedaugmittersandanumberofoil-drippingservo-skullsbobbedintheshadows,readytoassisttheirMechanicusoverseers.

EverysooftentheywouldapproachthetwoSpaceMarineswithahashof lingua-technis,whichTanna supposed was an offer of assistance, but sounded more like disparaging comments on hissmithingskills.Hewavedthemawayeachtime,buttheykeptcomingback.

TheBlackSwordoftheEmperor’sChampionrestedonawheeledworkbenchbesidetheanvilwithoiledcloths laidbeneathitsblessedblade.Vardakneltbesidetheanvil, feedingthe lengthofbrokenchainontoitforTannatobeatbackintoshape.

TannabroughtthehammeraroundasVardapulledtheheatedmetaltaut.Metalstruckmetal.Sparksflew.Thechainwasrotated,anotherlinkadded,andthehammerfelloncemore.Strippedtothewaist,theEmperor’sChampionlookedlikeabare-knucklepugilistofold,massively

muscledandtautwiththebarely-controlledneedtodoviolence.Tannarolledhisshouldersandbroughtthehammerdown.‘The linksarecrudecomparedto thoseoriginallycast for theBlackSword,’hesaid, ‘but it is the

bondbetweenweaponandwarriorthatmatters.Youandtheswordmustbeasoneuntilyourdeath.’‘IdoubtaDreadnoughtcouldpullthischainapart,’saidVarda,insertinganotherheatedlinkwith

apairofneedle-nosedpliers.‘TheBlackSwordispartofyou,Varda,’saidTanna.‘Partofallofus.Thatthecrystal-formsparted

itfromyourwristisabadomen.’Vardasnorted.‘Thisentireventurehasbeenfilledwithbadomens.Whatdoesonemorematter?’Tannaloweredthehammerandsaid,‘Donotspeakofsuchthingslightly.’‘I donot,’ saidVarda. ‘I speak as I find.Howelsewould youdescribe this crusadebut ill-fated?

AeliusfallingatDantiumGate,thelossoftheAdytumandthedeathofKulGilad,whatarethesebutthefootstepsofdoomthatmarchatourside?AndnowAuidenisgone,ourApothecary.’

‘NonefeelhislossmorethanI,’saidTanna.‘Hesavedmylifemorethanonce,andIreturnedthefavourtimeandtimeagain.’

‘Weallgrieveforhim,butthatisnotwhatImeant.’‘Iknowwhatyoumeant.’‘WithoutourApothecary,wehavenomeansofrecoveringthegene-seedofthefallen.Allthatwe

arewillbelost,nevertoberemembered.’‘Wewillberemembered,’promisedTanna.‘Bytheenemieswefight,ontheworldsweconquerin

Hisnameandthedeedsofglorywewillbringbacktothecrusadefleets.’‘Youaresosurewewillcomebackatall?’askedVarda.‘ToadmitdefeatistoblasphemeagainsttheEmperor,’warnedTanna.‘Iadmitnothingofthesort,’snappedVarda. ‘Isimplymeanthatwhenwedieouthere,ourflesh

willnotreturntotheChaptertoberebornintheheartsofthenextgenerationofwarriors.WithoutAuiden,webecomeasgoodasmortal.’

‘Yousay“when”asthoughthemannerofourdeathsisaforegoneconclusion.’‘Youdonotfeelthattobethecase?’askedVarda.‘Truly?’Tanna was about to dismiss Varda’s comment as doom-mongering, but caught himself as a

memoryreturnedtohim.‘KulGiladoncespoketomeofacreepingsenseofruinationthathauntedhimeversinceDantium,’

said Tanna, ‘but the Reclusiarch was always given to melodramatic pronouncements in the daysfollowingabattle.’

Vardanoddedinagreement,thenlookedaway.‘Perhapshewasrightthistime.’TannaheardsomethingdeeperinVarda’stoneandsaid,‘Didyouseesomething?Whenthewar-

visionscametoyouaboardtheAdytum,didtheEmperorgrantyourevelation?’Varda’shesitationwasanswerenough.‘Whatdidyousee?’demandedTanna.‘Tellme,brother.’‘I donot knowwhat I saw,’ saidVarda. ‘Nothing I can articulate clearly. I sawus on aworldof

lightning,amillionpointsoflightreflectingfromglass,and…’Vardatrailedoff,hisvoicechokedwithloathing.‘Goon,’saidTanna.‘Speak.’‘Isawtheeldar,thesamepsyker-bitchthatkilledAelius,’saidVarda.‘Isawmyselffightingather

side,andEmperorforgiveme,Isawmybladesaveherlife.Tellme,Tanna,howcanthatbetrue?WhywouldHeshowmesuchavisionoftreachery?WhatevilcancometopassthatwouldseemefightforthelifeofthexenoswychwhokilledAeliusandourReclusiarch?’

TannaheardthedespairinVarda’swordsandunderstoodtheturmoilthathadfuelledhisanger.

TohavebeengrantedtheEmperor’sblessing,onlyfortheverymomentofapotheosistorevealanactofapparenttreacherymusthavetornVarda’ssoullikesplinteredglass.

‘BrotherVarda,’saidTanna,restingthehammerupontheanvilandplacinghishandonthecrownofVarda’sshavenhead.‘YouhavebeenchosenbytheEmperortobeHischampion,andHedoesnotlightlyofferHistrustinsuchmatters.OfallthewarriorsIhavefoughtalongsideoverthecenturies,therearenoneIwouldratherhaveasmyEmperor’sChampionthanyou.TobelievethatyoumightfalltotreacheryistobelievetheEmperorhasmadeamistakeinyouranointing.AndIrefusetobelievethat.’

VardalookedupandTannasawacceptancethere.Tannaofferedahandtohim,butVardashookhisheadandrosewiththefluidgraceofamaster

swordsman.Vardaliftedthechainfromtheanvil,runningthestill-hotlinksacrosshiscallusedpalm.Satisfied,heliftedtheBlackSwordfromtheworkbenchandsnappedtheiron-lockfetteraroundhiswrist.

TheEmperor’sChampionswungtheswordinaloopingseriesofcuts,thrustsandripostestotestTanna’swork,themidnightbladewhistlingasitcutthedenseairoftheforge.

‘You are no artisan,’ said Varda, his hawkish cheekbones lit by the glowing maws of hungryfurnaces.‘Butitwilldo.’

Microcontent13

Thesummonshadcomelessthananhourlater,andRoboutewasjustsurprisedithadtakenthatlong,giventhe immediacywithwhichthepriestsofMarscouldcommunicate.TheclippedmessagefromArchmagosKotovgavenoclueastothetoneoftheforthcomingaudience,butRoboutehadnodoubtthere would be preening outrage, followed by an immediate cessation of all privileges aboard theSperanzaandtherevokingofhiscontractwiththeMechanicus.

A pair of high-function valet-servitors in robes of pale cream escorted him through the gildeddoors of Kotov’s stateroom, a lavishly appointed chamberwith numerous anterooms, libraries andsub-chambersbranchingoffwithwhatfeltlikemathematicalprecision.

Hefeltlikeaconvictedmurdereronhiswaytoexecution,yetthethoughtgavehimlittletrouble.Roboute was ready to take whatever punishment Kotov felt fit to dispense, be it incarceration orexecution,butwasequallyreadytofighttoothandnailtoseetoitthathiscrewwereexemptedfromhisfallfromgrace.

The servitors led him into an enormous circular chamber of tall marble columns supporting adomedroofthatwaseasilythreehundredmetreswideandadornedwithfrescoesdepictingtheearlycolonisation of Mars. Complex holographic representations of sacred geometries, holy algebraicequations and trigonometric proofs floated in the spaces between the columns, endlessly workingthemselvesthroughfromoriginationtocompletion.

Aroundthecurvedwallswerehundredsofheadlessmannequins,armourstandsandportionsofrobotic armatures, or soRoboute thought until he recognised a number as being bodiesKotov hadwornoverthecourseoftheexpedition.Theservitorshaltedinthemiddleofthechamber,wordlesslyindicatingthatRobouteshouldremainwhiletheydeparted.

Robouteturnedonthespot, lookingupatthefrescoonthecurvedinnerfacesofthedome,nowseeingthatitwasinfactanimmensemapofMars.OlympusMonswasrepresentedatthecentreofthedome, as thoughRoboutewas lookingdownon the immensemountain fromhighabove.At itsdizzyingpeakstoodared-armouredwarrioratopaboundmanwithskinofscaledsilver.Surroundingthewarriorwereahostofartists,poetsandmusicians,eachofwhomweremastersoftheirart.Goldenlighthaloedthewarrior’supraisedhead,andthatlightspreadacrossthesurfaceoftheRedPlanetlike

irrigatingflowsofknowledgethatilluminedthefarcornersoftheworld.‘I believe it is calledMarsVanquishing Ignorance,Mister Surcouf, one of AntoonClaeissens’s last

piecesbeforehisuntimelydeathduringthelegendarynano-plagueatHiveRoznykaduringthewarsofUnity,’saidArchmagosKotov,stridinginfromwhatthecompasspointsonthepedimentabovetoldRoboutewastheeasternapproaches.‘ItlayfadinganddisintegratinginaforgottenvaultbeneaththeTharsisMontesandIspentaconsiderablesumrestoringitfortransplantationtotheSperanza.’

Forthisaudience,Kotovhadcomecladinrobesthatmadehimlookmuchmorelikethearchmagoshewas, insteadofa jadeorgold-armouredknight.Blackandwhitechequerboardpatterns linedthehems of his robes and a clicking armature of whirring mechadendrites enfolded his torso likeelectromagneticcoiling.Twoofthebland-facedvalet-servitorsaccompaniedthearchmagos,togetherwithTarkisBlaylockandapairofbeetle-armouredskitarii,bothwithgolddragonsinlaidontotheirshoulderguards.

‘It’s an impressivepiece,’ saidRoboute, surprisedKotovhadn’t launched intoa tiradeofbinary-spewingoutrageathisduplicity.

‘It ispropagandaandhistorydisguisedasart,’saidKotovwiththesharptoneofaschoolmaster.He pulled back his hood before continuing. ‘Every element of Claeissens’s work is laden withsymbolismandmetaphor,mostofwhichtimehaserasedorwecanno longerunderstand,buthereand there it is possible to interpret the meaning behind a pictorial element. The bound man, forexample,canbereadassymbolisingapuritanical sectofcontemporarymonotheists,orsimplyasaphysicalrepresentationofignorance.’

Kotovpointedtowardswhatlookedlikeacaveopeningattheendofaseriesoflongcanyonsthatcrackedthelandscapelikeaspiderwebbingfractalpattern.Somethingsilverglitteredwithinthecave,butitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatitwasforcertain.

‘Anddoyouseethecave?Wildspeculationclaimsthatthisisthecaveofthe–’‘Archmagos,’ interruptedRoboute. ‘Youdidn’tbringmehere foranarthistory lesson,socanwe

justcuttothechase?I’msureMagosBlaylockhascrowedenoughtoyoubynow,sojustsaywhatyouhavetosayandbedonewithit,becauseI’minnomoodforasermon.’

Kotovnoddedandsaid,‘Verywell,MisterSurcouf.Weshalldispensewiththehumanpleasantries.Yes,TarkisherehasinformedmeofwhathehaslearnedconcerningtheauthenticityofyourLetterofMarque.Wouldyoucaretoelaborateonhisaccusations?’

Roboutehadcomeexpectingtobelambastedbythearchmagos,nottobeofferedadiscussiononthenatureofUnity-eraartworkorthechancetospeakinhisdefence.SensingtherewasasubtexttothisaudienceofwhichevenTarkisBlaylockwasunaware,Roboutefelthimselfrelaxafraction.

IfKotovwantedtothrowhimtothewolvesthenhehadnoreasontoindulgeinthischarade,whichsuggested thepossibilityofa lifelinebeingoffered. Instincts thathadservedRoboutesowell in thepastnowtoldhimhewasn’tabout tohavehisheadmountedonaspike.Roboute feltaburgeoningsensethatthissituationmightyetbesalvaged,butthatwouldmeantakingtheinitiativeandholdingontoitlikeamothertohernewborn.

‘Doyoumind?’heasked,pullingthecigarfromthebreastpocketofhiscoat.‘Gorightahead,’saidKotov.‘Thechemicalsinthesmokewillhavenoeffectonme.’

Roboute nodded and reverently lit the cigarwith a flame-lighter hanging from the chain of hispocket-chronometer.Hetooka longdrawandsmiledas thetaste–warmwoodsmokewithhintsofvanillaandcinnamon–unlockedahostofmemories.

RobouteheldthesmokingcigarouttoKotov.‘IboughtthistwentyyearsagoonAnohkin,fromastallintheIskanderHivecommercia,’hesaid,

walkingaroundtheedgeofthedome.Thelightofthesacredholographicslithisfacewithasoftblueglowashewalked. ‘The fellowhad tobacco fromacross the subsector, thoughEmperor aloneknewhowhehadtheconnections.Didn’tlookthetypetohavehigh-endcontactsinthetradingcartels,butbythunderhehadamagnificentcollectionofrolledleaf.ThisparticularbrandofcigarisfavouredbytheLordMilitantGeneralofSegmentumPacificushimself,didyouknowthat?’

‘Ididindeed,’saidKotov.‘Iamfamiliarwiththevicesofagreatmanyimportantmen,butisthereapointtothistangent?’

‘Patience, archmagos,’ said Roboute with growing confidence as he saw Blaylock’s obviousconsternation at Kotov’s lack of immediate condemnation. ‘You Mechanicus are all purpose, butsometimesthetellingofa tale is thepurpose.Yousummonedmeheretoaccountformyactions,soallowthetaleroomtobreathe.’

‘Verywell,’saidKotov.‘Tellon.’‘YouknowthattheeldarwhorescuedmefromthewreckageofthePreceptoreventuallydeposited

meintheKoalithsystem?’‘Yes,’ said Kotov, matching his pace around the dome’s inner circumference, with Blaylock

followinginthesmokywake.‘Thatmuchyouhavealreadytold.’‘They didn’t leave me there empty handed,’ continued Roboute. ‘An eldar craftsman named

Yrlandriargavemeastasischestwithauniquely-craftedlock,theoneIputtheTomioka’smemorycoilin,youremember?’

‘Alltooclearly,’saidKotov.‘Yes,well, itwasfullwhentheygavemeit,’saidRoboute. ‘Fullofwhattohispeoplewereoffcuts

fromtheirlapidarycraftsmen,butwhichwerepricelessgemstonestous.’‘Whyshouldthiscraftsmandosuchathing?’‘Idon’tknow,theeldarvanishedbeforeIcouldask.Perhapsitwashiswayofsayinggoodbyeora

waytoensureIdidn’tsurvivethehellonthePreceptorjusttodieinagutteronthefirstImperialplanettheydroppedmeonto.Eitherway,itgavemeastart,andIwasabletoparlaythosegemstonesintoalucrativecareerin…exoticjewellerysales.’

‘Illegaljewellerysales,’pointedoutBlaylock.‘Tradinginxeno-artefactsisacapitalcrime.’‘ThenyouunderstandwhyIomittedthatpartofmyhistory,’saidRoboutewithadismissiveshrug.

‘Anyway, I soongainedquiteaname formyselfamong thepreeningeliteofAnohkin,adorning thedécolletagesofsomeof themosthighlyplacedmistresseson theplanet. Ididn’t just trade inxenosgems, of course, I diversified into numerousmarkets: off-world property, passenger transit, cargo-haulage,artdealing,financialshenanigans,modestphilanthropyandahostofotherhighlylucrativeendeavours.TosomeoneraisedinUltramar,itwasalmostobscenelyeasytobecomeoneoftherichestmenontheplanet.Iownednumerouspalatialvillas,asmallfleetoftrans-orbitalshuttlesandinter-

systemshipsthatranbetweeneveryinhabitedplanetwithinreach.‘Butthethingaboutmoneyisthatonceyouhaveenoughtolivelikeroyalty,theactofmakingmore

becomesalmostunbearablytedious.IwasearningvastprofitsineverycorneroftheKoalithsystem,but it just wasn’t enough. Not themoney, you understand, I had plenty of that, but the challengesimplywasn’tthere.IwantedtoreachoutbeyondtheKoalithsystem,topushtheboundariesofwhatIcouldachieve,buttherewasonestumblingblockinmypath.’

‘YouneededaLetterofMarquetooperatewithimpunitybeyondthesystemborders.’Roboute stabbed his cigar at Kotov and said, ‘Correct. And the Adeptus Terra aren’t exactly

handingthemoutlikepartyfavoursaroundBakka.ThelastoneIknowofthatwasgranted,wastoafamily that could trace its origins back to theAge of Apostasy, or so they said, and that took threecenturiesofnegotiations,fancybureaucraticfootworkandcopiousamountsofbribery.Ididn’thavethatlong,soIarrangedameetingwithAnohkin’sseniorAdministratumadept,amanforwhomtheword vulgar might well have been invented and who was the ultimate authority in granting suchdocumentationaroundBakka.

‘I invitedthismanovertooneofmyvillasforasumptuousdinnerinordertoshowhimcertainspectacular pieces of xenos gemstones I’d kept back for just this sort of contingency. On similaroccasionswhereI’dhopedtoselltheeldargemstones,IemployedtheservicesofadearfriendwhomI’llcallLorelei.Trustme,archmagos,ifyouorTarkisherehadanyhumandesireleftinyou,youwouldbothhavefallenhopelesslyinlovewithherimmediately.’

‘YousoughtsimplytobuyaLetterofMarque?’askedKotov.‘Nothingquitesocrass,’saidRoboute,‘butnottoofaroffthemark.IseatedLoreleidirectlyacross

thediningtablefromtheadept,givinghimeightcoursestogapeatthenovarubiesanddeepgardenemeraldsglisteninginthecandlelightagainstherbody-sheerdinnerdress.All thewhile, theadept’s“companion”fortheevening,aparasiticwomanwhorepresentedtheveryapexofpoortaste,slurpedhersoupandmangledhermeatbesidehim.WithLoreleialways inview, the intended transferencetook place in the adept’s mind: upon purchasing the jewellery and adorning his lady, she wouldbecomeaslovelyasmylady.

‘LoreleiandIhadrunthispsychologicalmanipulationmanytimes,andtheillusionusuallyendedup further fattening my coffers and Lorelei’s investment portfolios. Not to mention that it wouldenhance the stature of the adept with his companion, while providing her with an impressivemementoagainstwhichhernextconquestwouldhavetocompete.Everyonewouldwalkawayhappy.Usually.’

‘Sowhatwentwrong?’askedKotov,andRoboutesawhewashooked.‘Thisparticularadepthadbeensnaredbyavapidnymphencasedinwhitesatinthatclungtoher

curvesonlyslightlylesstightlythanshetohiscreditflow.Bythetimethemealwasconcluded,itwascleartomethatLorelei’scustomaryhypnoticspellhadagaintrumpedreasonandthatthedealwouldbesealedoverdrinksandfinecigars.

‘Usheredtoalushleatherwingchair,theadeptsettledinwhilehiscompanioncurledupcoylyathisfeet.Again,thelovelyLoreleiwascarefullyseateddirectlyoppositetoensurethetranceofherbeautywouldremainunbroken.Ipouredsniftersofexpensiveamasecforeveryone,thepersonaltouchyou

understand,andsubsequentlyheldoutanopenhumidorsothattheadeptmightselectacigarfromamongthebest in thesubsector.While theadept’spositionhadallowedhimtosamplemanyexoticpleasures, he had not yet had occasion to experience the finest of cigars.He carefullywatchedmeremovethebandfrommycigarandclipitwithasterlingcutter.Theadept,asanyavidstudentwould,followedsuit,but,alas,tragedysoonstruck.’

Roboute grinned, savouring the moment and relishing Blaylock’s obvious impatience. He hadcomehereexpectingKotovtobreakRobouteonthewheel,buttheinitiativehadslippedfromhisgripandRoboutewasn’tabouttogiveitback.

‘JustasIdippedtheheadofmycigarintheamasecandstruckamatch,thetrophymistressattheadept’sfeetrosetoherknees,partiallyblockinghisviewofthedip-and-lightprocess.Attemptingtoemulatewhathe thoughthehadseen, thehaplessadeptdipped the foot ofhis cigardeeply into theamasec and lit the saturated end. Amighty flame roaredup, resolving itself in a huge clot of char.Fumblinghelplesslyforanashtraythestartledadeptwavedthemaimedcigarintheair,dislodgingtheblackenedblobofchar,whichplungedstraightdownthealreadyplungingnecklineofhiscompanion.The lady wasn’t burned, but she wasmightily outraged and shrieking obscenities that would havemadeaMunitorumoverseerblush,fledintothenight,profoundlyvilifyingherformertrueloveandvowingnevertocomewithinahundredmetresofhimagain.’

‘Thenitwouldseemthatyourplanhadfailed,MisterSurcouf,’saidKotov.‘Not at all,’ said Roboute. ‘The adept was inordinately pleased to be rid of this particularly

troublesomeandexpensivewench,andwenttogreatlengthstoexpeditethepassageofmyLetterofMarque.With his assistance, I was easily able to penetrate the impenetrablewalls of red tape andobtain copies of the Administratum hololithic imprints necessary for the fabrication of such adocument.AllthatheaskedwasthatIdestroythemafterwards.’

‘Anddidyou?’‘Ofcourse,Iamamanofmyword,afterall.’‘Idonotseethepurposeofthisirrelevantstory,’saidBlaylock.‘Ithasnobearingonyourflouting

ofImperialandMechanicuslaws.’‘That’s because you have no soul, Tarkis. You don’t feel the need tomark anymomentwith an

emotionalreminderofwhythingshappenthewaytheydo.’HeheldthesmokingcigarouttoKotovandsaid,‘Thisbrandofcigarwastheonethatwentupin

flamesandhencesecuredmemyLetterofMarque.ThedaybeforeI leftAnohkin, Iboughtasinglecigarfromthestallinthecommercia,andI’vekeptiteversince.’

‘Forwhatpurpose?’‘I knew it was only a matter of time until someone figured out my Marque had been faked,

especiallyonanexpeditionlikethis,soasthebeginningofmycareerasaroguetraderwasmarkedbysuchacigar,sotoowouldbeitsending.’

Kotovnodded,asthoughunderstandingthesignificanceofRoboute’stale.‘Acolourfultaletoembroiderthebeginningsofyourcareerasaroguetrader,MisterSurcouf,’said

Kotov. ‘Comical details that add a level of verisimilitude I suspect you hope will lessen my angertowardsyourongoingdeception.’

Roboutesaid,‘Forwhatit’sworth,thestory’strue,butdidithavetherequiredeffect?’‘Theeffectwasunnecessary,’saidKotov.‘IalreadyknewyourLetterofMarquewasfake.’ThesilencebetweenKotov’swordsandBlaylock’sdisbelievingoutburstwassecondsatmost,but

feltlikeageologicalepoch.‘Youknew,archmagos?Youknewandyouallowedhimtoleadusbeyondthegalaxyanyway?’‘OfcourseIknew,Tarkis,’saidKotov.‘DidyouthinkIwouldnotexamineeverydetailofthisman’s

life before takinghimathisword thathehad a relic ofTelok’s lost fleet? Imayhave lostmy forgeworlds,butIhavenotlostmycapacityforreasonandduediligence.IknewallaboutMisterSurcouf’sencounter with the eldar and his subsequent dealings and exploitation of the Adeptus Terra’srepresentativeatBakka.TheprecisedetailsofhowyouacquiredyourLetterofMarquewereamysterytome,butIconfesstobeinggreatlyamusedbyyourtale.’

‘Archmagos,’protestedBlaylock. ‘Thismanhasgrosslymisrepresentedhimself.Howcanwetakeanythinghehassaidorpresentedtousatfacevalue?EveryaspectoftheMechanicus’sdealingswithhimmustbecalledintoquestion.Everyscrapofdataandeverywordoutofhismouthistaintedbydeceit and falsehood.ThatheacquiredaLetterofMarqueunder such circumstances should, at thevery least, seeeverythingheownsbe impoundedby theMechanicus.His ship,hiswealth,his crew,his–’

‘Leavemycrewoutofthis,Tarkis,’warnedRoboute.‘Theyknewnothingofthis.Asfarastheywereaware,theRenardwasalegitimatelylicensedvessel.Iwon’tletyoupunishthemforwhatI’vedone,doyouunderstandme?’

Kotovheldupahandofmachinedsilverandsaid, ‘MisterSurcouf,beatpeace.No-one isbeingpunished, what would be the point?We are far beyond Imperial space and that you were able tofacilitatethefabricationofsocomplexadocumentspeaksvolumestoyouringenuityandtenacity.I,forone,would farratherhavesuchaman leadingme into theunknownthansomefoppish, inbredfoolwhoearnedhisMarquebyvirtueofhereditaryinheritance.’

‘Youcannotletthisdeceptiongounpunished,archmagos!’saidBlaylock.‘Whatdeception,Tarkis?’saidKotov,gesturingtotheholographicveilsof lighthangingbetween

the titanic columns supporting the dome. Roboute followed Kotov’s gesture and saw a series ofellipticalhexamathicproofsvanish,tobereplacedbyanentryintheRegistratiImperialis.

‘No…’saidBlaylock,instantlyprocessingwhattookRobouteamomenttounderstand.‘As soon as I saw that Captain Surcouf’s Marque was a forgery, I knew I had to ratify it

immediately,’ saidKotov. ‘The expedition’smanifestwas tobe entered inMartianRecords, and theMontesAnalyticaewouldspotthediscrepancylongbeforethefleetwasreadytodepart.’

‘Youfalsifiedtherecords,’saidBlaylock.‘Iamendedthem,’correctedKotov.‘MisterSurcouf’sphysicalLetterofMarquemaybecounterfeit,

butsofarasImperialrecordsareconcerned,he isa legitimateroguetrader,andhasbeensincehisarrivalonAnohkin.’

‘Thisisoutrageous,’splutteredBlaylock.‘Youcannotdothis.’‘IamanarchmagosoftheAdeptusMechanicus,’saidKotov.‘IcandowhateverIwant.’

From the descending orbital spiral of theRenard’s shuttle, the surface ofHypatia appeared as rustbrownsmudges interspersedwithupthrustmassesof titanicmountain rangesand rapidly swellingoceanic bodies. Atmospheric seed-augurs revealed the atmosphere to be breathable, if onlycomfortablysoforshortperiodsoftime,andthegeologicalcoretobeinastateofongoingflux.Thesurfacewastectonicallyactive,butstableenoughtosustaintheindustrialharvestfleetdescendingtoreplenishtheSperanza’svirtuallyexhaustedsupplyofrawmaterials.

Linyakeptabackgroundinloadfromtheshuttle’spilotcompartmentfilteringthroughherfieldofvisionasshemadeherwaytothegiantcargoshuttle’s loadinghold.Theinternalcrewspacesofthetrans-atmospheric ship were cramped, as one would expect of a vessel that was littlemore than apilot’scompartmentmag-lockedandboltedtoaheat-shieldedwarehouse.Theywerecleanandwell-maintained, each junction of corridors clearly marked and efficiently laid out. Here and there, inalcoves that appeared like shared secrets, she found curiously random trinkets in subtly lit displaycases:afoldedflagfromEspandor,aMechanicuscommendation,aCadianmedalandotherfleetingglimpsesintothecharacterofthecrew.

Itwasapersonaltouchonaworkingvesselshefoundquaintlyarchaic,yetwonderfullyhuman.The Renard’s shuttle was a mid-sized carrier, capable of carrying tens of thousands of metric

tonnesof cargo andwas clearly kept in awell above average state of repair. Linya expectedno lessfromamanlikeRobouteSurcouf,andshesmiledassherememberedhisclumsyoverturesinthewakeofthedinnerintheCadianofficers’mess.

Shedidnotregretwhatshehadsaidtohim,afterallshehadnot lied.BaselinehumanswithoutcognitiveaugmentationwerealmosttransparentintheinteresttheyheldformembersoftheAdeptusMechanicus.Artificiallyevolvedthoughtprocessesmadeitnexttoimpossibleformanytech-prieststorelate to the petty concerns and levels of importance humanity placed on meaningless ritual andunnecessarysocialintercourse.

Linyahad fought toholdonto thecoreessenceofherbirthspeciesas sherose through theCultMechanicus,butwitheveryimplant,everysacrificeofanorganicorganorlimb,itbecameamoreandmoredifficult task.Sheknew thatmany in theMartianpriesthood consideredher anaberration, athrowback to the earliestdaysof transhumanism,where even the slightest alteration to thehumanbody-planorcyberneticadditiontocognitionwasviewedwithtechnophobichorror.

Shereadachangeinattitudeoftheshuttleandbroughtherinloadstotheforeofhervisualfield,reading theplanet’smass, rotationalperiod,perihelion,aphelion, equatorialdiameter, axial tilt andatmosphericcomposition.

VolcanicactivityonHypatia’sclosestmoon, theerraticallyorbitingIsidore,wasforcingacoursecorrection,somethingEmilNaderwasmanagingwithonlythesmallestexpenditureoffuel.Bloatedrefinery tendershung ingeostationaryorbit around Isidore, theirdeep-core siphon rigsdraining adozenundergroundcavernsoftheirvastlakesofpromethium.

The second moon, Synesius, traced an elliptical orbit at the farthest edge of the planet’sgravitationalenvelope,an inertballof rockwithoutanyrotationof itsown.AhundredMechanicusscarifiershadlandedonitssurface,tearingclawsthesizeofhab-towersbreakingitslithosphereopen

fortheLandLeviathanstostripitsuppermantleofusablematerials.ButtherealprizewasHypatiaitself.Byherfather’sreckoning,theplanetwasintheearlystagesof

itsdevelopment,thecruststillmalleableenoughtopermitthediggingoutofitspreciousmineralandchemicalresourceswithrelativeease.TheentiretyoftheSperanza’sharvestfleethadbeendespatchedto the surface of Hypatia and its two moons, as Archmagos Kotov wanted this resupply effortundertakenwithmaximumspeedandminimumdelayontheirjourneytoTelok’sforgeworld.

WithMoonchildandWrathchildkeepingstation inhighorbitandMortisVossassumingarotatinghelicalcoursearoundthethreevessels,theSperanzaanchoredinloworbit,atanaltitudeLinyafeltwasdangerously close to the planet’s atmospheric boundary and fluctuating gravity envelope. MagosSaiixekwasworkinghisenginecrewstothe limitsofendurancetokeeptheship’s trajectorystable,butMagosBlaylockhadcalculatedthatthebenefittothebulkhaulers’turnaroundspeedswouldmorethancompensateforthelevelofrisk.

Linyamatchedwhattheshuttle’sactivesurveyorarraysweretellingherofHypatiawiththedataGalateahadexloadedfromtheTomioka’scogitators,findingonlytheacceptablelevelofdiscrepanciesonemightexpectbetweenreadings taken thousandsofyearsapart.Linyadidnot trustGalateaoneiota,butthedatahadsofarofferedhernoreasontodoubtitsclaimofsimplyactingasaconduitforthevastreamsofinformation.Sheshudderedassheremembereditsmanipulatorarmtracingdownhercheek, likeanobsceneparodyofa lover’stouch.Themachineintelligenceclaimedtobesentientand thus ‘alive’, so could thatmean it harboured intentions towards her thatmight be consideredunnatural?

She shook off the loathsome thought as the cramped, steel-panelled corridor opened into thevaultedimmensityofthecargohold.Shereadthenoosphericdatabeingshedbytheshuttle’ssystems,acuriousblendofawemixedwithfearfulreverenceandsmiledattheirconflictedemissions.

Theshuttlecarriednocargo,butitsholdwasabustlingmassofactivitynonetheless.Ahundredormoretech-priestsbearingthecanidaeinsigniaofLegioSiriusclusteredaroundthe

threateningmassofmetal,ceramiteandironthatstoodshackledtothecentreofthecargodecklikeadangerous wild animal in the hold of a big game hunter. Hostile binaric code burbled from itsaugmittersandLinyafeltathrillofdangeratthesightofit.

Evenchainedtothedeckfortransit,Amarokwasamagnificentlylethalengineofwar.Princeps Vintras directed the work of a dozen tech-priests and servitors as they finished the

repaintingoftheWarhound’sarmouredtopside.ThedamagetheenginehadsufferedonKatenVeniawasalmostcompletelyrepaired,andVintrasmadesurethatallevidenceofitswoundingwaserased.

TheTitan’swarhornblared,echoingthroughthecargodeck,andLinyaadjustedherauralimplantstofilteroutthemostgruesomewar-horrorsembeddedinitshowl.

‘I take it the senior princeps have settled their differences?’ asked Vitali, approaching along agantryperpendiculartotheoneshestoodupon.

‘Soitwouldappear,’saidLinya.TheManifoldhadbeenalightfordaysfollowingthealtercationbetweenEryksSkálmöldandArlo

Luth, the fury of their confrontation bleeding into neighbouring cogitation networks and causingsystems throughout theSperanza to fuse and spit with borrowed aggression.Whatever had driven

themtoconflicthadapparentlybeenresolved,astherenewedvigourwithwhichthetwoprincepshadcoordinatedtheLegio’songoingtrainingschedulewasmasterful.

‘I don’t know about you, daughter,’ said Vitali, clapping his hands with glee, ‘but I am lookingforwardtowalkingthesurfaceofHypatiainagod-machine.’

Linya’sfather’senthusiasmfortheirplannedtriptothesurfaceaboardAmarokwastakingdecadesoffhim,makinghimsoundmorelikeanadeptonlyintohissecondcentury.Heputanarmaroundhershoulderandshefeltthewarmrushofhisaffectioncoursethroughherfloodstream.SherememberedRobouteaskingherifshelovedherfatherandthefaintlydismissiveanswershehadgivenhim.

Ofcourseshelovedherfather;attimeslikethishisirrepressibleenthusiasmfornewthingswasasalutaryreminderofwhatitmeanttobehuman.Shetriedtoholdtothefeeling,butthetoxicstreamof wrathful binary from the secured Titan made it hard to hold onto any thoughts save those ofconquest.

‘It’s going to be cramped in there,’ she reminded him. ‘A Warhound isn’t designed to carrypassengers,andwewillbeexpectedtocarryoutthetasksofthecrewmemberswearereplacing.’

‘Yes,yes, Iamawareof that,’ saidVitali,pullingherclose. ‘And itwillbeagrandadventure, I’msureofit.’

Linya smiled and nodded in agreement. ‘Though hopefully less eventful than the excursion toKatenVenia.’

‘Yes,’agreedVitali.‘Andyouaresureyouarerecovered,mydear?’‘Iam,yes.Theimplantsthatblewoutinthedataoverloadhaveallbeenreplaced,andthephysical

injurieshavehealed.’‘Ididn’t justmeanthephysicaleffects,Linya,’saidVitali. ‘Youalmostdieddownthere.AveDeus

Mechanicus,Idon’twanttothinkaboutyoubeinghurt,itturnsmybloodcold.’‘Youroil/bloodmixismaintainedatpreciselythirty-eightdegrees.’‘Anorganic turnofphrase,butyouknowwhat Imean,’ saidVitali. ‘Youshouldneverhavebeen

aboardthatship,andIshouldhaveknownitwasgoingtobetrouble.Ifevenhalfthestoriestheoldlogs tell of Telok are true, then therewere bound to be automateddefences. You shouldn’t even bedescendingtothesurfaceofHypatia.’

‘Whynot?Youare.’‘Ah,yes,butI’manoldmaninthelasthurrahofhisalreadyover-extendedlife,’saidVitali. ‘Who

woulddenymethislastchancetowalkanewbornworldaspartofaTitan’screw?’‘No-one,’saidLinya,inloadingtheshuttle’sfinalapproachtothesurface.‘Ah,’saidVitali,readingthesameinformation.‘We’rehere.’

Microcontent14

TheProcessionalWaythatledfromtheAdamantCiboriumwasasuperhighwayofnoosphericlight,alibraryandatransitrouteallinone.KotovfoundintrospectioninthecooldarknessoftheCiborium,but when he wished to revel in all that his order had achieved over the millennia, it was to theProcessional Way that he came. Vaulted and coffered with gold and steel, the history of theMechanicusunfoldedabovehiminvastmuralswithnoneofthesubtletyofClaeissens’swork

ThisroutethroughtheSperanzawasnotaboutsubtlety,butstatement.Towering statues of bronze and gold-veinedmarble reached into the vaults above,where gene-

splicedcherubsandservo-skullsdriftedinlazyarcs,burblingsoftbinarichymnals.Shimmeringveilsoflightfromthetessellatedwindowsofstainedglassfellinoil-shimmerbandsofcolourilluminatingthevotivestripsofdoctrinapaperattachedtothestatues’bases.

Asix-leggedpalanquinfollowedKotovashemadehiswayfromtheAdamantCiborium,itsmono-taskedservitordriverperiodicallyrequestinghimtoboard,butthearchmagosfelttheneedtomakethisjourneyonfoot.Orasclosetoonfootasabeingwithlittlemorethanadisembodiedheadandatruncatedspinalcordcouldachieve.InthedayssincehisaudiencewithSurcouf,Kotovhadremainedensconced within his robes of office. As the time of their arrival around Telok’s forge worldapproached, Kotov knew it was time to fully assume the mantle of an archmagos of the AdeptusMechanicus.

Besidehim,TarkisBlaylockmatchedhismechanisedpaceexactly,thoughhisattachedretinueofstunted servitors wheezed and puffed with the effort of keeping up. Between them, they had justorchestratedthefinalrepairschedulesfortheSperanza,allocatingresourcesandwork-shiftsasneedandprioritydictated.ForashipascomplexastheArkMechanicus–andwiththeirmaterielresourcesstillamorassofunknownvariables–thetaskwouldhavebeenoneroustoanyonebutsenioradeptswithhigh-functioninghexamathicimplants.

Linesofpowersquirmedoverthefloor’shexagonaltilesathiseveryfootfall,spreadingwordofhispresence and passing their calculations into the ship’s network. In return, Kotov felt the ship’swoundedheart,seeingGalatea’senmeshedpresenceinitseveryvitalnetwork.

‘Youwillbewholeonceagain,’saidKotov.‘Andfree.’

‘Archmagos?’askedBlaylock.Kotovshookhishead.‘Justthinkingaloud,Tarkis.’Blaylocknodded,butsaidnothing.ThebusinesswithSurcoufhadreachedpastBlaylock’snormal,

logicaldetachmentfrommortalconcernstoprovokegenuineanger;KotovknewhisFabricatusLocumwasstillprocessingthereasonsforhisallowingSurcouftoescapepunishment.

Kotovstoppedat the footofagrandstatue,exactly fourhundredandninety-sixmetres tallandrenderedinpolishedsilver-steelandglitteringchrome.

‘MagosZimmen,’saidKotov. ‘OriginatorofHexamathicGeometry.Apersonalheroofmine,youknow.IwrotenumerousmonographsonherworkwhenIwasfirstinductedtotheCultMechanicus.’

‘Iamawareofthat,archmagos,’answeredBlaylock.‘Ihave,ofcourse,inloadedthemandfactoredthemintomyownwork.’

‘Itseemsstrangetothinkofatimebeforehexamathics,don’tyouthink?Werelyonitsoheavilynow.Itispartofeverybinariccodestructure,partofeverycommunication,yetwetakeitforgranted,asthoughwewillneverloseit.’

‘Norshallwe,itsusageisincorporatedintoeverydatabase.’Kotov lookedup intoZimmen’s stoiccountenance. ‘Wearesosureofourselves,Tarkis,’he said.

‘Yes,wehaveencodedmuchofourdata,butallitmighttakeisonecatastropheforustoforgetallwehavelearned.TheAgeofStrifenearlywipedusout,erasedsomuchofwhatourspecieshadachievedsothoroughly–onemightbetemptedtoimagineitwasadeliberateactoftechnologicalvandalism.’

‘Wehavelearnedfromthat,’saidBlaylock.‘Ourarchivesarescattered,multipleredundanciesandduplicatesexistoneveryforgeworld.’

‘Trustme,Tarkis,’ saidKotov. ‘Iknowhoweasilya forgeworldcanbe lostbetter thananyone. IrememberasayingfromOldEarththatsaidcivilisationwasonemealawayfrombarbarism.Ibelievewearelittlebetter.’

Kotovwalkedonastheservitoratopthepalanquinbroadcastanotherboardingrequest.‘Hexamathicsisagoodexample,’hesaid.‘Wetakeitforgranted,butwhatiftheSTCtoconstruct

the implants that allowourbrains toprocess the calculationswas lost?Vast swathesofour currentmeans of encrypted communication and data transfer would be rendered incomprehensible at astroke.YouandIareexchangingandupdatingourrecentwork-flowpatternsaswespeakonhigherplanes of noospheric transference, but remove our hexamathic implants and those data-streamswouldbecomeunintelligiblegibberishlittlebetterthanscrapcode.’

‘Asyousay,archmagos,’agreedBlaylock.‘OnemightthenaskwhyyouriskedastarshipasvaluableastheSperanzaonsouncertainaventureasthis?Thebattleagainsttheeldarvesselhasshownittobearepositoryoftechnologiestowhichwedonotyethaveaccess.’

‘YoumeanwhyIriskeditonthewordofafraudsterlikeSurcouf?’‘Thatisindeedmymeaning.’Kotovpausedinhiswalkandsaid,‘BecauseIhadbecomeguiltyofoverweeningpride,Tarkis.The

OmnissiahinHiswisdomsawfittopunishmeformyhubrisinbelievingthatIcouldliftourorderoutof the darkness and into a new golden age by my intellect alone. My forge worlds were lost, myreputation in tatters.My fall fromgrace remindedme thatwithout theOmnissiah,wearenothing;

apesgrubbingaboutinthedirtforscrapsofanearliercivilisation.ByfollowingthemindstepsignstheMachine-God leaves forus,wedrawcloser to thesingularity that is thepinnacleofouraspirations,whentheMachine-GodbecomesonewithMankindandelevatesustothelevelofsuper-intelligences.’

‘AndyoubelievethatSurcoufisoneofthosesigns?’‘Hehastobe,’saidKotov,exloadingthedata-footprinttheroguetraderhadleftintheManifoldin

theyears leadinguptotheexpedition’sbeginning. ‘HistradingfleetswereoperatingonthegalacticfringesforyearsbeforehereceivedacommissionfromMagosAlhazentotraveltotheAraxsystem.’

‘MagosAlhazenofSinusSabeus?Mymentor?’askedBlaylockinastonishment.‘Theverysame,’repliedKotov.‘TheSperanzaskirtedtheedgesoftheAraxsystemenroutetotheHaloScar,’saidBlaylock,calling

uptheroutecalculationsofAzuramagelliandLinyaTychon.‘Whatwasthenatureofthecommission?’Kotovstoppedastheyapproachedthecliff-likebulkheadthatseparatedtheProcessionalWayfrom

the more functional areas of the vast starship. Half a kilometre high, its geometric patterns wereidealisedrepresentationsofthegoldenratio,andatitscentrewasacolossalCogMechanicusincoal-darkironandglitteringchrome.

‘A routine outsource request to bring back mineral samples from an abandoned Techsorcistoutpost on a planet designated as Seren Ayelet. Surcouf’s ships duly returned with the requestedsamples,butsixmonthslaterRobouteSurcoufmadecontactwithmyMartianholdingswithnewsofsomethinghisshipshadfoundwithinthesystem’smainasteroidbelt.’

‘ThedistressbeaconfromtheTomioka’ssaviourpod.’‘Just so,Tarkis, just so,’ saidKotov. ‘Andyouarecertainlyawareofhowstatisticallyunlikely the

oddsareofasaviourpodbeingrecoveredinwildernessspace,letalonewithinadenseasteroidbelt.ThatthebeaconsurvivedtransitoftheHaloScarwasnothingshortofmiraculousanditsdiscoverynolessso.That itcameto light inserviceofa tasksetbyyour latementorwasa link in thechainthatstretched any notions of coincidence or happenstance beyond breaking point. The pieces werebeginning to fall into place. I had theSperanza, a vessel capable of breaching theHalo Scar, and astargazerwhosecartographywasshowingmarkeddiscrepanciesinthestellartopographyoftheveryregionIwastotraverse.Truly,theOmnissiahcouldhavegivenmenoclearersigns.’

Blaylock was stunned, and Kotov saw him struggling to comprehend the enormous web ofcausality that needed to combine to produce a confluence of factors so unlikely as to be virtuallystatistically impossible. Kotov saw the dense web of probability calculus interleaving throughoutBlaylock’snoosphericauraandsmiledashe saw thecalculations fall apartas thenumbers involvedgrewtoolargetomanipulatebyconventionalalgebra.

‘TheOmnissiahhasbroughtushere?’askedBlaylock,droppingtohiskneesbeforethevasticonoftheCogMechanicus. ‘Ihavealwayshad faith in theMachineSpirit,but tosee itsworkings laidoutbeforemelikethisis…is…’

‘It is wondrous, my friend,’ said Kotov, placing a hand on Blaylock’s hooded head as divineradianceshonethroughtheProcessionalWayandfilleditwithlight.

Even filtered through the cracklingpictersofAmarok’s surveyor suite, the cascadingbandsofochreand umber inHypatia’s sky reminded Linya of the years she had spent as a youth in the volcanicuplandsof theElysiumPlanitia.Then,shehadbeenagifted initiateofMagosGasselt,boundtohisMartianobservatoriacadresasOculistSecundus;nowshewasCartographaeStellaeofherowntrans-orbitalgallery.Withnumeroustechnologicalachievementstohername,Linya’srankauthorisedhertopetitiontheFabricatorGeneralhimself, requisitionplanetarytithesandassembleImperial forcestoservethegoalsoftheMechanicus.

Yetshehaddonenoneofthesethings,becauseshewas,atheart,anexplorator.Atfirstshehadexploredspacethroughthemultiple lensesandorbitalrelaysofMars–andthen

Quatria–butthegradualrealisationthat justobservingthefarcornersof thegalaxywasn’tenoughhadcometoherassheandherfatherhadstudiedthegrowinginaccuraciesarisingintheirmapsofspacearoundtheHaloScar.Linyahadgrowntiredoflookingatdistantstarsandsystems;shewantedtofeeltheirlightuponherskin,totasteunknownairandtreadthesoilofthoseworldsshehadonlyknownassmudgesoflightonelectrostatically-charged,photosensitiveplates.

ShesmiledassherealisedherreasonsforjoiningtheKotovfleetweremuchthesameasRobouteSurcouf’sandwonderedwhathewouldmakeofwalkingthesurfaceofanalienworldaspartofagod-machine’screw.

The interior of theWarhoundwas humid and stank of heated oils and blessed lubricants. Thecompartmentinwhichferaltech-priests,toolongintheserviceofaTitanLegion,hadimplantedherwascoffin-sizedanddesignedforbeingswhosecomfortwasofnoconcerntotheTitan’sprinceps.

GunnarVintrashadspoken toLinyaandher fatheronly to remind themthathewould toleratenothing less than the same level of competence as the servitors they were replacing, a needlesslypatronising remark that only a discreet noospheric nudge from her father had kept her fromaddressing.TheprincepsofWarhoundswerenotoriouslyarrogantandreckless,andVintrasappearedtorevelinthatpreconceptionwitharelishthatborderedontheridiculous.

He had assigned Linya to operate the port-side stabilisation array, a task that involvedcompensatingforanyill-judgedstepstheprincepsmightmakeandrunningthereal-timegyroscopiccalculations that allowed a fifteen-metre-tall bipedal war machine to remain upright at any givenmoment.

To a hexamathical-savantus secundus grade, such calculations were child’s play, which allowedLinyatosavourthisnewexperiencetothefull.

Therewassomethingpleasinginthesimplisticnatureofthecontrolsavailable,andLinyahadtoremindherself that shewasoperatingapositionnormallyoccupiedbya servitor.Shehadcoaxedashimmering holographic display that clearly hadn’t been used in decades to life and the planet’ssurfaceswamintoviewinripplesofphotons.

The Adeptus Mechanicus had descended to the surface of Hypatia like a rapacious swarm oftyranidfeederorganismsandpromisedtobenolessthoroughinstrippingtheplanetofitsresources.Titanicminingmachinesdeployed innumbers thatmade theexpedition toKatenVeniaresemblea

dilettantes’excursion.Eachharvestforcelandedwhereorbitalsurveyshadrevealedthemostpromisingdepositsofthe

requiredmaterials, and almost as soon as each cadre ofmachines rumbled from their landers theybegan smashing the planet’s surface apart.Underground caverns filledwith chemically-rich oceanswere drained, while earth-churning digger leviathans descended on previously bombarded sites totearopentheplanet’scrusttoadepthofhundredandthirtykilometres,exposingtheductile,mineral-richseamsofthesuperheatedasthenosphere.

MagosKryptaestrexoversaw the resourcegatheringasAzuramagelli coordinated themammothtask of shipping the excavated raw materials back to the phosphor-bright comet of the Speranzahanginginloworbit.

Withtheharvestersexcavating,drilling,siphoningandrefiningacontinent’sworthoftheplanet’ssurface intomaterialsusableby theSperanza’s forges,PrincepsVintraswalked themfarbeyond thescattereddig-sitesandintoregionsthathadnotregisteredenoughinterestinthegeologicalsurveys.

TheswayingmotionoftheWarhoundtookalittlegettingusedto,butonceLinyahadacclimatisedtoitslopinggait,shefounditeasiertoconcentrateonexperiencingtheworldaroundher.Herfather,ensconcedintheoppositestabilisationarray,sentaconstantstreamofexcitedchatterdirectlytohercranial implants,bypassingtheengine’sManifoldandpointingoutcuriousgeographical featuresofHypatia’sbirthpangs.

Though still millions of years old, Vitali estimated that Hypatia was in the mid-stages of itsplanetarydevelopment,withitslandmassesstilllargelyconfinedtoonevastsupercontinentthatwasonly slowly being broken up by the gradual movement of tectonic plates. Its oceans were viscousbodies of toxic black liquid and its mountains were nightmarish spines of volcanic eruptions andsudden,violentearthquakes.

‘PrincepsVintrasappearstorelishtheprospectofrunninghisengineclosetoregionsthatoughttobebestavoided,’saidLinya,workingtocompensateforthebrittlenatureofthegroundbeneaththeTitan’sclawedfeetastheWarhoundstompeddownasheer-sidedcanyonoforangerock.

‘Warhounddrivers,’saidVitali,asthoughthatwasallthatneededtobesaid.‘What do you make of this canyon?’ asked Linya. ‘It appears to be almost perfectly straight.

Unnaturallyso.’‘Yoususpectanartificialhandinitsformation?’teasedVitali.‘LikethecanalsofMars?’Linyasmiledatherfather’smentionoftheancientbeliefthatMarshadoncebeeninhabitedbyan

extinctraceofbeingswhohadcarvedvastchannelsclosetotheplanet’sequator.AslaughableasthenotionoftheCebrenianface,whichhadinfactbeenmaderealbyanearlyMartiansectofkillersinhomagetoanotherhalf-rememberedmyth.

‘No, of course not. Unless Telok paused here,’ she said, adjusting the gyroscopic servos as theWarhound dropped down a sharp split in the rock and turned in towards themouth of an almostperfectlyV-shapedvalley. ‘WeknownothingcertainaboutthepoweroftheBreathoftheGods.If itcanregenerateastar,thenalittlebitofterraformingshouldpresentnoproblem.’

‘You could be right, daughter, andwhile this region does evince a level of artificiality, it seemssomewhatperfunctoryforanartefactcapableofstellarengineering,don’tyouthink?’

‘Admittedly,’saidLinya,shearingathreadofconsciousnesstomeshwiththepassiveauspexofthestridingwarmachine.Thedata-feedswereofamoremartialnaturethanshewasusedto,eachreturnameasureofthreatandwar-utility;coverratios,potentialambushlocations,deadground,blindspotandfree-firezones.

Shefilteredoutthemajorityofsuchinputs,leavingtheauspexpanelmostlyblank,forwhatdidaWarhoundprincepscareforthecompositionoftherock,theatmosphericmake-uporthewavelengthsof the various spectra of light? Linya brought the environmental data to the fore, gatheringinformationontheWarhound’simmediatesurroundingswitheverysweepoftheauspex.

Yet themost telling detail wasn’t one she gathered through the numerous auspex feeds on theTitan’shull, itwas throughtheswayingpict image fromtheexternalpicters.Thewallsof thevalleysweptpasttheTitan,striatedbandsofsedimentaryrocklaiddownovermillionsofyearsand,lookingattheevidencebeforeher,itsuggestedthatthisvalleyhadnotbeenrippedintoexistencebytectonicmovementatall.

‘Father,areyouseeingthis?’shesaid.‘Iam,thoughIamnotsurequitehowIamseeingit,’saidVitali.‘Thisisarivervalley…’‘How is thatpossible?Theoceansare still forming,but theappearanceof the rocksuggests this

valleywascarvedthroughthemountainsbytheactionofavastriver.‘‘This ismost peculiar,’ said Vitali, as theWarhound strafed around a spur of stone that looked

almostlikethebrokenstubofagreatwall. ‘Quiteoutofkeepingwithaworldofthisageandwhoseoceansareonlyjustforming.Butplanetaryaccretionis,giventheenormousspansoftimeinvolved,stillsomethingofamystery,soIexpectitwon’tbethelastincongruousthingweseeonHypatia.’

Thepict screenbeforeLinya crackled to life as the threat auspex litupandevery input shehadfilteredoutbloomedontheslatebeforeher.

‘Ithinkyoumightberight,’saidLinya,staringattheruinedcityspreadoverthevalleyfloor.

+Kryptaestrex,areyouseeingthis?+askedAzuramagelli,switchingthecablingfromtheinloadsocketsofhiscerebraljarsanddispersingtheinputthroughthecommanddeck’sdataprisms.

+Whateveritis,itcanwait,+saidKryptaestrexfromadatahublinkinghimtothecargoholdsandembarkationdecks.+Haveyounotseenthelevelofmydata-burden?+

+No,+repliedAzuramagelliwithacrackleofbelligerentcode.+Itcannotwait.++I amco-ordinating aplanetaryharvestingmission,+ snappedKryptaestrex. +A thousand cargo

shuttles are ferrying back and forth from the planet’s surface and there are hundreds of ship-wideladingoperationsinprogress.Ihavelittleinclinationtodealwithwhateveryourproblemis.+

Azuramagellishuntedthedatawithgreaterforce.+Look,+hedemanded,seeingtheflareofirritationsurgethroughKryptaestrex’sfloodstream.IrritationthatfadedjustasquicklyasKryptaestrexsawwhatAzura-magellihadseen.+Whatisgoingondownthere?+Thedatawasimage-capturefromoneofthedormitorydecksbelowthewaterline,anareaofthe

shipwheregravitationaltorsionforceswithintheHaloScarhadbuckledtheSperanza’sventralarmour

almost to the point of a breach.Only hastily-mounted integrity fieldsweremaintaing atmosphericpressure,butthepowerdrainofsuchasolutionwasprovingtobeuntenable,andArchmagosKotovhadtaskedathousand-stronglabourforceofbondsmenandservitorswithrepairingthisdamagetothelowerdecks.

Cracklingsheetsofenergyarcedthroughthechamber, leapingfromstanchiontostanchionandfillingthevastspacewithastormoflightning.Men,womenandchildrenweresoundlesslyscreamingasthelightningblitzedthroughthelower-decklivingspaces,turninglivingbodiestoashandsmokewitheveryflickeringblastofblue-whitelight.

+Impossible,+ blurted Kryptaestrex. +There are no electrical power sourceswithin the chambercapableofgeneratingsuchadischarge.+

+That isn’t electricity,+ saidAzuramagelli, takingurgent inloads from theSperanza’s astropathicchoirchambers.+Choirmastersacrosstheshiparereportingapsychiceventofbattle-gradelevels.+

+Warp-craft?++Unknown,butChoirmasterPrimusbelievesthesourcetobenon-human.Recommendation:cut

powertotheentiredeck,+saidAzuramagelli.+Flushoutwhateveriscausingthis.++Theintegrityfieldsaretiedintothechamber’sgrid!+protestedKryptaestrex.+Wewouldlosethe

deckandrepairmaterials.Therearethousandsofworkersdownthere.++Youwouldratherlosetheentireship?+ThedoortothecommanddeckhissedopenandArchmagosKotovstrodeinwithMagosBlaylockat

hisheels.Thearchmagoswasclearlyawareofwhat theywereseeing,andhisorderwasswiftlyandmercilesslygiven,inthefullandcertainknowledgeofwhatitmeantforthethousandsofpeoplebelowthewaterline.

+Cutthepower,+hesaid.

Impossiblewas thewordLinyakeptgropingtowardsasAmarok strodecautiously throughtheruinedcity. Princeps Vintras had initially been reluctant to enter, but the natural aggression and hunterinstinctoftheWarhoundhadwonthroughandconvincedhimtoexploretheshatteredstructuresandrubble-strewnstreets.

Thata cityof suchage shouldbe foundonaworld in themid-stagesof its life cyclewashighlyunlikely,forthesurfacehadyettoachievealevelofgeologicalsoliditythatwouldmakeraisingcitiesofsuchsizeaviableproposition.NumerousbuildingsappearedtohavebeenwreckedbyearthquakesandAmarok was forced to detour several times to negotiate wide chasms ripped through the citystreets.TwicetheTitanhadbraceditselfagainstsingle-storeystructuresasearthtremorsshooktheground.NeitherhadforceenoughtoconcernherortheWarhound’sprinceps,buttheywereindicativeoftheplanet’sunderlyinginstability.

Linyahadbeenforcedtoreviseherinitial impressionofGunnarVintras.Cocksureandarrogantcertainly,buthewasalsoahighly-skilledWarhounddriver,dartingfromcovertocoverandkeepinghisengine’sbacktothewallsashemoveddeeperintothecity.

‘It’s Imperial,’ said her father. ‘That much is obvious. There’s STC patterning clearly visible on

almosteverystructure.’‘Iseethat,’ saidLinyaasaslab-sidedhab-blockpassedtoherright. ‘Buttheauspexreadingsare

makingnosense.Ican’tgetacertainfixontheageofthiscityfromonestructuretothenext.’‘No,’ agreed her father. ‘I’m seeing emissions that suggest much of this city was constructed

aroundfifteenthousandyearsago.’‘That’spre-GreatCrusade,’saidLinya.‘MightthisplacehavebeensettledintheFirstDiaspora?’Her fatherpausedbefore answering andLinya lookedup from thepict-slate,whichdisplayed a

grainy imageofacollapsedstructurethathadbornethebruntofanearlierearthquake.Itsexposedfloorswereawashwithdebris,butshesawnosignofanyprevioushabitation.

‘Thatiscertainlyoneconclusion,’saidVitali.‘Ican’tthinkofanother.’‘Premature ageing,’ said Vitali. ‘Accelerated decay caused by entropic fields. I’ve heard of xeno-

breedspossessingtechnologycapableofsuchfeats,butneveronthisscale.’‘That’ssomethingofareach,isitnot?’askedLinya.‘LexParsimoniaesuggeststhattheexplanation

requiringthefewestassumptionsismostoftenthecorrectone.’‘You’rerightofcourse,mydear,andundernormalcircumstancesI’dagreewithyou.’‘But?’‘I have linked with the Speranza’s more specialised surveyors, and take a look at what they are

detecting.ComparethecurrentreadingstowhatwedetectedwhenwefirstbeganbuildingthemapofthisregionfromGalatea’sinloads.’

Linyaswitchedherinloadarraytodisplaywhatherfatherwasseeing,andonceagain, impossiblewasthewordthatfirstleapttomind.

‘They’redifferent,’saidLinya.‘Byasmall,butsignificantamount.Idon’t…butthat’s…’‘Impossible?’ finished her father. ‘Routine chronometric readings are now telling me that the

planetweareonisyounger than itwaswhentheSperanza setcourse towards it.This isnotaplanetevolvingthroughitsmid-stageofdevelopment,butonethathasrevertedtoitoveravastlycompressedtime-frame.Andonethatwillcontinuetorevertuntilitbreaksapartintoanexpandingmassofstellarmaterial.’

Linyastruggledtoprocesstheideathataplanetcouldregressthroughitsphasesofexistence.Ifsheaccepteditastruththenthelawsofspace-timewerebeingviolatedinunspeakableways,andshefelt her grasp ofwhat constituted reality being prised loose from every-thing she had learned as amemberoftheAdeptusMechanicus.

‘Doyouthinkthisisaside-effectoftheBreathoftheGods?’sheasked.‘One can only hope so,’ said Vitali. ‘The alternative is too terrible to contemplate, that the

fundamentallawsoftheuniversearenotnearlyasfixedandconstantaswehaveassumed.’‘Weneedtoalerttheharvesters,’saidLinya.‘BeforeHypatiarevertstoamoreunstablephase.’‘Please,doyouthinkIwouldn’thavealreadydonethat?’askedVitali.BeforeLinyacouldanswer,sheregisteredtheincomingseismicwavesthroughthegyroscopesset

withinthelowerreachesoftheWarhound’sclawedfeet.Themagnitudeoftheincomingenergywasfargreaterthananythingshehadseenbeforeandtheywererightoveritsepicentre.

‘Myprinceps!’sheshouted,butitwasalreadytoolate,asthefullforceoftheearthquakeroaredupfrom theplanet’s depths. Thebuildings around themwere smashedapart in a stormof splinteringmasonryandsnappingsteelwork.Claddingpanelsandroofsparscascadedfromthetallesttowersasthemostdamagedbuildingssimplyceasedtoexist.

Millions of tonnes of rubble fell in roaring avalanches of broken rock as the valley shook itselfapart.Dustbillowedfromchasmsthattorethroughthecitylikesplittingiceonthesurfaceofalake,andapparentlysolidrockrippedopenaseasilyastearingparchment.Amarokstaggeredlikeamortallywounded beast as the ground lurched and broke apart into bifurcating chasms. Spewing gouts ofmagmabubbledtothesurface,bathingtheruinedcityinahellish,redglow.

Linya’s stabiliser panels blared warnings as their tolerances were horribly exceeded, filling theTitan’sinteriorwithemergencylights.Eveninsulatedwithinthelowerreachesofthegod-machine’sbody, thenoisewasdeafening.Linya fought tokeeptheTitanstableasVintras threwAmarok intoaloopingturn.Therockbeneaththewar-enginecrackedandsplitintogeyseringcrevasses.

LinyagrabbedontoahandrailaboveherheadasAmarokleanedfarbeyonditscentreofgravity.ShecriedoutassherealisedtheTitanwasgoingtofall.VintrasbentAmarok’srightkneeandpistoneditsmega-bolterarmstraightdown.Ahurricaneof

explosive shells blasted the ground at point-blank range. The recoil was ferocious, and with thecompensatorsofflineitwasjustenough.

Incredibly, the Titan righted itself, taking half a dozen lurching, unbalanced steps before fullyregainingitsbalance.Linyawasastonished.ShehadalreadyrevisedheropinionofVintrastoahighly-skilledprinceps,butnowsherealisedhewasextraordinarilyskilled.

ButthenthegroundbeneaththeTitansplitapart.Not even an extraordinarily skilledprinceps could keep its leg fromplunging into a crevasse of

bubblingmagma.

‘This is amistake, Abe,’ saidHawke, rapidly sidestepping to keep upwith Abrehem as hemarchedthrough the arched hallways of the Speranza. ‘Seriously. Think about it, you’re a wanted man, myfriend.Putting yourheadover theparapet like this is a sure-fireway to get it shot off. I’ve spent alifetimenotstickingmyneckout,it’sthebestwaytooperate,trustme.’

‘Omnissiah saveme,but foronce I findmyself in complete agreementwithBondsmanHawke,’saidTothaMu-32.‘Thisisnotwise.’

AbrehemroundedonHawke,thefuryinhisheartlikeaslow-burningfirebeingfedincrementally-increasingamountsofoxygen.Hisfistswereclenchedathissideandbehindhim,RasselasX-42baredhismetallicteeth.

‘Wasn’tityouthatsaid:OnedayI’mgoingtomakethebastardlisten?’‘Maybe,Idon’tremember,butyoudon’twanttogolisteningtome,Abe,’protestedHawke.‘Ishoot

mymouthoff,butIdon’tdoanythingaboutit.You’reoneofthemdangeroustypesthatactuallymeanstodowhathesayshe’sgoingtodo.’

CoyneandIsmaelcaughtuptothem,thelatterlookingsolemn,theformerlikeafrightenedprey

animalthatknowsthereareapexpredatorsnearby.‘Thor’sbeard,butyou’vegottolistentohim,Abrehem,’saidCoyne.‘You’llgetusallkilled.’‘Ifyou’rescared,Vannen,goback,’saidAbrehem.‘Youdon’thavetocome.I’dratherhavesomeone

atmybackwhogivesadamnthansomeonewho’sjustoutfortheirownskin.’Coyne’sfacefell,butAbrehemwasinnomoodforregret.‘That’snotfair,Abe,’saidCoyne.‘Haven’tIalwaysbeenthere,everystepoftheway?’‘That’strue,’saidAbrehem,‘buthowmuchisyoursupportworthwhenit’ssimplythelesseroftwo

evils?We’redoingthis,andwe’redoing itnow.It’s timetheMechanicus learnedthatwe’renot justnumbersorresources.We’rehumanbeings,andtheycan’tkeepkillingusbecauseitsuitsthem.’

EversinceIsmaelhadforcedhimtofeeltheanguishoftheSperanza’sservitorsanditsbondsmeninhissoul,Abrehemhadfoundhimselfunabletoclosehiseyeswithoutfeelinggut-wrenchinghorroratthesufferingthroughouttheKotovfleet.He’dfeltthedeathsintheventraldormitorydeckwhenthepowertotheintegrityfieldshadbeencut.He’dweptasthealreadytorturedarmourplateshadgivenwayandanentiredeckexplosivelyventedintospace.

Two thousand three hundred and sevenmen, women and void-born children had died, not tomention the three hundred and eleven servitors who had flash-frozen or had their organiccomponentsdisposedofintheaftermath.

He could endure it no longer – and with Ismael’s help – he was going to show the AdeptusMechanicus that their workers would stand for no more. After disengaging the arco-flagellant’spacifierhelm,hehadmarchedfromhiding,followingaroutehecouldneverdescribeindetail.WithRasselasX-42andIsmaelathisside,hemadehiswaybacktotheportionsoftheSperanzainwhichhehadspenthisdaysnot,henowrealised,asabondedservantoftheMechanicus,butaslave.

TothaMu-32triedadifferenttack.‘YouareMachine-touched,BondsmanLocke,’he said,grippingAbrehem’sarm. ‘Youare special,

andyoumustnotriskyourselflikethis.Youaretoovaluabletobelostinanactofemotionalspite.’‘If I’m special, Ineed to earn that reverence,’ saidAbrehem. ‘If IamMachine-touched, then I’m

beholdentodosomethingwiththatpower,yes?Afterall,what’stheuseofbeingsomeoneimportantifyoudon’tusethatpowertomakepeople’slivesbetter?’

‘TheMechanicuswillkillyou,’saidTothaMu-32.Abrehem jerkeda thumboverhis shoulderand said, ‘I’d like to seeanyone trywhen I’vegotan

arco-flagellantwithme.I’llusehimifIhaveto,don’tthinkIwon’t.’‘X-42isapowerfulweapon,’agreedTothaMu-32.‘Butheismortallikeallofus.Abulletinthehead

willkillhim,thesameasanyofus.Pleasereconsiderthiscourseofaction,Ibegyou.’‘No,’saidAbrehem.‘It’stoolateforthat.’His footstepshadunerringly carriedhimback toFeedingHallEighty-Six, the siteof aprevious

casualmassacreofbondsmen,andAbrehemsmiledtoseethathistimingwasimpeccable.Oneshiftofthousands was just finishing its nutrient paste meal, while another stood waiting at the oppositeentrance,patheticallyhungryfortheslopswithwhichtheMechanicussawfittopresentthem.

Agroupofaugmentedoverseersstoodinthearchedentryway,andAbrehemrelishedthelooksoffearastheysawRasselasX-42andretreatedintothefeedinghall.Hefelttheircallsforaidflowinto

the noosphere, knowing he could prevent them from reaching their intended destinations, butwantingtherestofthefleettoknowhewashere.

‘Letthemgo,’hesaid,quellingX-42’snaturalurgetomurderthefleeingoverseers.Though therewereonlysixof them,what theyrepresentedwasmoreofa terror to theAdeptus

Mechanicusthananyarmyofdestructivegreesnskinscouldeverbe.Abrehemmarchedstraightintothefeedinghall,feelingeverypairofeyesfastenuponhim.Everyonehereknewwhohewas.Theyhadheardthestories,passedthemaroundthemselvesand

maybeevenaddedadetailhereandthere.OnsomedeckshewasalreadybeingnamedasanavataroftheMachine-God.Onothers,hisnamehadbecamesynonymouswithmessianicfiguresfromhistory:greatliberators,firebrandrevolutionariesorpacifistmessengersoftolerance.

Abrehemwouldbealloftheseandmuchmore.FlankedbyRasselasX-42andIsmael,Abrehemmadehiswaytothecentreofthevastchamber.By

now, the desperate calls for armed assistance had reached the skitarii barracks, Cadian billets andarmsmenstations.HundredsofmenandwomenwithgunsandthewilltousethemwereevennowconvergingonFeedingHallEighty-Six.

Noneofthemwouldarriveintimetostopwhatwasabouttohappen.Abrehemclimbedontoatable, turningafullcirclesoeveryonecouldseehim.Hehadcomeina

plainrobe,redliketheMechanicus,butunadornedwiththefinerysofavouredbythetech-priests,androughly-fashioned like the overallswornby thebondsmen.Hehadpreparedno speech andhadnowords ready with which to swaymen he already knewwould applaudwhat he had to preach. Hiswordshadtocomefromtheheart,orallhewouldsoonrepresentwouldmeannothingatall.

HenoddedtoTothaMu-32,andthevox-grillesthroughoutthefeedinghallcrackledandhissedastheoverseertookthemover.

‘My fellow bondsmen,’ began Abrehem, his voice booming throughout the feeding hall and farbeyond. ‘You all knowwho I am andwhy theMechanicus fearme. I amAbrehem Locke and I amMachine-touched.And Iamoneofyou.Theoverseershave toldyou that Iamamadman,a lunaticwithdelusionsofdivinity.Youknowthistobealie.IhavetoiledwithyouinthebowelsofArchmagosKotov’sslavemachine,andIhavebeenburnedasyouhavebeenburned.IhavebledandIhavebeensickenedbywhatwehaveallexperienced.YouknowIhavesufferedasyoucontinuetosuffer. Iamheretotellyouthatyoursufferingisatanend!’

Heads were nodding in agreement, and Abrehem saw the armsmen and overseers clusteredtogetherinnervousgroups.TothaMu-32assuredhimthathiswordswerebeingcarriedthroughouttheSperanzaoverthehijackedvox-system.Abrehemrelishedtheuncertaintyhesawintheoverseers’facesas theydebatedthewisdomofpushing into the feedinghall toseizehimbefore thissituationspiralledcompletelyoutofhand.

Abrehemdidn’tgivethemtimetoreachaconclusion.‘Considerthis,brothers.IftheSperanzaisamachineandArch-magosKotovisthecogitatoratits

heart,thenthemagiaretheleversofcontrolandtheoverseersarethegears.Thatmakesustherawmaterialthemachinedevours!Butwearerawmaterialsthatdon’tintendtobedevoured.Wewon’tbeusedandspatoutorcastaside.Wearenotslavestobeboughtandsold,tradedlikeanimalfleshata

meatmarket.No,ArchmagosKotov,wearehumanbeings!’Thistime,Abrehem’swordsbroughtwildcheersandpumpingfists.Hefeltthemechoingthrough

thefarthestcornersoftheArkMechanicus,fromitscommanddeckallthewaytothedeepest,darkestsumpsbelowthewaterline.Anangryundercurrentthathadbeenbubblingjustunderthesurface,withnowaytoexpressitself,suddenlyfoundanoutletinAbrehem.Bondsmenthrewplasticfoodtraystothe floor and climbed onto the tables. They roared hatred at their overseers and shoutedwords ofsupportanddevotion.

Abrehemthrewhisfistsintotheair,oneoffleshandoneofmetal,likeavictoriousprizefighter.‘TheSperanzaisagreatmachine,andtheoperationofthatmachinehasbecomesoodious,madeus

sosickatheart,thatwecannolongertakepart!Wecannotevenpassivelytakepart!Sowewillputourbodiesuponthegearsanduponthewheels,upontheleversanduponalltheapparatus!Wewillmakethe machine stop! And together we will show Archmagos Kotov that unless we are free, his greatmachinewillbepreventedfromworkingatall!’

Thefeedinghallwasinuproarnow,andAbrehemcouldnolongerseeanyarmsmenoroverseers.Theyhadretreatedfromthegrowingunrestofthethousandsofbondsmen,pullingbacktoregroupwiththearmedforcesclosinginonthefeedinghallfromalldirections.Abrehemdismissedthemfromhisthoughts.Theywereirrelevantnow.

Hehadanaceintheholethatwouldmakeallthegunsontheshipmeaningless.AbrehemloweredhisarmsandturnedtoIsmael.‘Areyousureyoucandothis?’heasked.Ismaelnodded.‘Ican.Theyarereadytolisten.’‘Thendoit,’saidAbrehem.Ismaelnoddedandclosedhiseyes.Onebyone,ondeckafterdeck,tensofthousandsofcyberneticservitorslavessimplystoppedwhat

theyweredoing.Theysteppedawayfromtheirstations,unpluggedfromtheirmachinesandrefusedtoworkanotherminute.

TheSperanzaceasedtofunction.

Microcontent15

Consciousnessreturnedslowly,Linya’simplantsinducinganartificialcoma-likestatewhilerunningdiagnostics on her entire neuromatrix. Satisfied the damage to her skull would not impair hercognitive functions, they stimulated the active cerebral functions, effectively jump-starting herconsciousnessasintravenousreservoirsfloodedherbodywithstimms.

Linya’seyessnappedopenandshedrewinavast,suckingbreathofhot,electricallytaintedair.Thecompartment was filled with acrid smoke from the shattered slates and flames burned the sacredmachinerybehindthemtoatangledmassofdrippingplastekandmoltencopper.Theonefunctioninggyroscopetoldhertheentirewar-enginewascantedoveratanangleoffifty-sevendegrees.

Theheatwasintolerable,herskinslickwithsweat.Herheadhurt,andbloodcoatedherlefttempleandcheek.Sheblinkedawaytearsofpainasshe

heard her voice being called. She twisted in the entangling restriction of the impact harness,struggling to free her arms as she realised she was trapped. Her internal augmentations wereregisteringdangerouslyhightemperaturesthatweresteadilyrising.

Dimlysherememberedthefuryoftheearthquake,thebuildingscrashingdownlikesculpturesofashinarainstorm,thedeafeningnoise…the…

‘Wefell,’shewhispered.‘AveDeusMechanicus,wefell…’Linyastruggledagainstherrestraints,pullingandtuggingattheleatherbeforeforcingherselfto

calm.Shetookabreathofhotair,feelingitburnherthroat.Sheheardhernamecalledagain,andthistimerecognisedherfather’svoiceechoinginherskull.

+Linya!Linya,areyouthere!+‘I’mhere,’shesaid,beforerealisingthecommunicationwasintheManifold.Somethingnearbycreakedandpopped,andhercompartment lurchedsuddenly,herangle from

theverticalwideningtosixty-threedegrees.+Linya!++I’mhere,+shesaid.+I’mallright.Whathappened?Wefell?++Wedid,+repliedherfather.+Butyouhavetogetoutofthere.Rightnow.Thelegissinking.Right

now,yourcompartmentissunkintothecrevasse,andenvelopedbyhotmagma.+

+Magma?++Yes,technicallyit’sstillunderground,soI’mcallingitmagmaandnotlava,butthat’sbesidethe

point.Now,canyoumove?Canyouclimbupthroughthefemoralcompanionway?+Linyatwistedherneckupandsawthemetalaroundthenarrowhatchaboveherwasshimmering

inaheathaze.Shenoddedandreacheddowntounsnapthelockingmechanismoftheimpactharness.Themetalwashottothetouch,burningherskinassheunbuckledherself,butsheforcedherself toignorethepainandremoveeachneuralconnection.Wheretheregularservitorcrewmanwouldhaverequiredafullsuite,shehadonlythebareminimumthankstoherbody’sgreatersophistication.

+I’moutoftheharness,+shesaid.+Linya,pleasehurry,+saidherfather.+TheTitanwon’tbeuprightformuchlonger.+As if to underscore her father’swords, the compartmentwas slowly illuminated by a hotmetal

glowoforangelight.Linyalookeddowntoseethefloorshimmeringinahazeasitbegantomeltintheferocious heat. The hem of her robes was smoking, and it wouldn’t take long before it burst intoflames.Thethoughtofbeingcookedaliveinthiscramped,coffin-likespacespurredhertohaste,andsheswiftlyshruggedoffthelastofthestrapsandsnappedoutthefinalconnection.

Linya wriggled out of the impact harness and reached up to grab the metal rungs on thecompartmentwalls.

Shescreamedastheskinwasburnedfromherpalms,andfellbackintotheharness-seat.Fighting back tears of pain, Linyawrapped the fabric of her robe aroundher burned hand and

tried again. She gritted her teeth and forced herself upwards, squeezing her body up through thecompartmentandfeelingtheonsetofasuddenandalmostoverwhelmingclaustrophobia.

Thehatchwasnumerically-lockedandinasingle,terrifyingsecond,Linyarealisedshehadnoideaofthecode.Assoonasthethoughtoccurred,Linyagaspedasthecorrectdigitsrammedintohermind,asforcefullyasthoughtheyhadbeenblastedintohercerebralcortexbyacranialshunt.

+Thankyou,father,+shesaid.+Butyoucouldhavejustspokenthecode.++Don’tthankme,+saidVitali.+ThatwasAmarok.+Blinkingawayinloadtrauma,shetappedthecodeintothepanelandthehatch’slockdisengaged

withathuddingseriesofratchetingclangs.‘Thankyou,greatone,’shesaid,pressingacloth-wrappedhandtotheMechanicusiconstamped

into themetal collar of the hatch. Linya pushed up and slid the hatch aside, climbing into a spacebarelywideenoughforamalnourishedadolescent.Ribbedwithbracingstrutsandcomplexnestsofgyroscopicmechanisms,powerrelaysandrepercussivefilters,thefemoralcompanionwaylinkedtheWarhound’slegwiththepilot’scompartment,butshewouldn’thavetoclimbthatfar.

Ruddy daylight poured in through an emergency hatch just below the complex arrangement ofgearsandgimbalsattheTitan’spelvicjoint.Theairreekedofburningmachinery,cookinglubricantsandsteamingoils.Linyasqueezedthroughthetube,twistinghershouldersandforcingherbodyintoall manner of strange contortions to push past protruding mechanisms and jutting outcrops ofreinforcementspars.

Belowher,thetemperaturegradientsuddenlyspikedandsheknewthemagmainthecrevassehadmeltedthroughthefloorof thecompartment inwhichshehadsat.TheTitansaggedas its legsank

deeper,andLinyapulledindesperatefearasshefeltthelowerreachesofherrobeburstintoflames.Hershouldersweretoowide,andshecouldn’tshiftherbodyupwards.

+Linya!+yelledVitali.‘Ican’tgetout!’shescreamed,reachingblindlyfortheachinglycloseoblongofdaylightjustabove

her.Herfeetwereburning,themeatsearedfromherbonesandsloughingfromherlegslikemoltenwax.Linya’scranialimplantsregisteredherpainanddidtheirbesttoblocktheworstofitwhilestillallowinghertofunction,butthesheerawful,intolerable,overwhelmingforceofitwastoohideousforanythingdesignedbytheMechanicustoovercome.

‘Ican’tgetout!’screamedLinya,beforetheheatscorchedthewordsfromherlungs.

ArchmagosKotovheard thewordsechoing throughout theSperanza fromFeedingChamberEighty-Six,but couldn’tbelieve theywere real.Bondsmendidnot speakoutagainst their rightfulmasters,theyacceptedtheirrolewithinthemachineandwerehonouredtobepartofsuchaninterconnectedhierarchy.Sohaditalwaysbeenbefore,sowoulditbenow.

‘…We will make the machine stop!’ shouted the voice that had been positively identified asBondsmanAbrehemLocke. ‘AndtogetherwewillshowArchmagosKotovthatunlesswearefree,hisgreatmachinewillbepreventedfromworkingatall!’

Asoutragedashehadbeenbysuchpresumption,itwasnothingtothehorrorthatfollowedasthebridgeservitorssatboltuprightinunisonand,inperfectsynchrony,unpluggedthemselvesfromtheirduty stations.Those that could stand, rose from theirbench seats and turned to facehis commandthrone,andthoughhemustsurelybeimaginingit,Kotovfelttheheatoftheiraccusation.

‘AveDeusMechanicus,’ he said, stepping forwardsand turningaround to see that same look ineveryservitor’sface.

Thenoosphericnetworksurgedwithalarmsandwarningiconsaspreviouslymaintainedsystemsbegan to falter or shut down altogether. Forge control, engine stability, reactor core protocols, life-support…everythingwas shuttingdownoralready lost.Only themostbasic autonomous functionswerestillactive,andeventheywouldsoondegradewithoutintervention.

Throughout theSperanza, tech-priests and lexmechanics rushed to every abandoned station in adesperate attempt to restore control, but as numerous as they were, the sheer number of dutiesundertakenbycyberneticsfaroutweighedanyhopeofcontrolbytheMartianpriests.

‘WhatinthenameoftheOmnissiahhashedone?’demandedKotov.MagosBlaylockwaswiredintoadozensystems,viaeverymethodofconnectionavailabletohim.

Hisentourageofstuntedvat-creaturesstoodcuriouslyinert,asthoughtheyhaddecidedtonolongerassisttheirmaster.

‘Statement:unknown,’saidBlaylock.‘Withoutexception,everyservitoraboardtheshiphasceasedin its appointed task.Theyhave either shutdown their active systems connectionsordisconnectedthemselves…voluntarily…’

Thelastwordwasbreathedasawhisper,asifbyitsveryutterance,theevidencebeforetheirsensesmightberefuted.KotovlookedoveratBlaylock,who,forthefirsttimesincehehadbeenappointed

FabricatusLocum,lookedutterlyhelpless.‘Howhashedonethis?’askedKotov,steppingdowntothedeckanddraggingnoosphericsheetsof

lighttohim.HesawthetruthofBlaylock’swords.ThroughouttheSperanza,thepreviouslycompliantservitorcrewhadceasedtheirfunctioning,standingasimmobileastheflesh-statuesinthecavernouscyberneticising-templesonMarsbeforetheimplantationoftheirencodedroutines.

Kryptaestrexwas a flaringbeaconof angrynoospheric code ashis carefully structured resupplyplanswerehopelesslydisruptedand the loadingdocks ceasedoperating.Across from theMasterofLogistics,Azuramagellistruggledtorerouteeveryavionicspackagepreviouslycontrolledbyacadreofnavigationalservitorstohisstation.Thesheervolumeofcomputationaldatadelegatedtocyberneticswas staggering, and Kotov winced at the data-burden crackling between Azuramagelli’s brainfragments.

‘Weneedtore-establishcontrol,’saidKotov,extendingamechadendriteandhookinghimselfintothe control web that oversaw the smooth running of the ship’s servitors. ‘Immediately. Send arestorativeactivationcodetoeveryservitoraboardtheship.’

Nosoonerwerethewordsspokenthanhismechadendritesurgedwithfeedback.Kotovsnatchedthesinuouslimbfromtheconnectionport,trailingafrothofbelligerentcodeandgoldensparks.

‘The servitor networks are shutting themselves off from us,’ said Blaylock. ‘Locking themselvesbehindwallsofbinaricwhitenoise.Evenifwecouldestablishaconnection,theywouldn’thearus.’

‘Weneed toget themback,’ snappedKotov. ‘Iwillnotbeshutoutofmyownshipbyadamnedbondsman.Abondsmanyouhavesingularlyfailedtodigoutfromhiswretchedhidingplace.Thisisyourfault,Tarkis,youshouldhavefoundandexecutedthismanlongbeforenow.’

‘Rebuttal: this bondsman all but vanished from the Speranza,’ said Blaylock. ‘No amount ofarmsmenorbio-signaturesurveysweepsrevealedanytraceofhispresence.ItismybeliefhehashadhelpfromMechanicuspersonnelinevadingcapture.’

Kotov forced a measure of calm into his floodstream, knowing that such recriminations werepointless.Accusationscouldbemadeoncecontrolhadbeenre-established.

‘Howcloseareourarmedforcestothefeedinghall?’heasked.‘IwantAbrehemLockedead.’‘Cadians and armsmen are within four minutes,’ answered Kryptaestrex. ‘But we need this

bondsmanalive.Whatifheistheonlyoneabletorestoretheservitorstotheirproperplace?’‘It’snothim,’saidAzuramagelli.‘It’sthedamnedservitorthathaditsmemoryrestored.’‘Impossible,’ snapped Kryptaestrex. ‘Thatwas just a rumour, a ridiculous farrago spread by the

lowermenials.I’vehearditslikeahundredtimesormore.’‘Thenexplainthis,’saidAzuramagelli.Kotovshutthembothupwithaharshblurtofbinary.‘Aservitorthathaditsmemoryrestored?’heasked.‘Sothelower-deckrumourmillhasit,’answeredAzuramagelli.‘Tellmeeverythingyouhaveheard,’orderedKotov.‘BeforeIlosecompletecontrolofmyship.’

TheenginariumtemplumoftheSperanzawasaplaceofmiracles,wherethepoweroftheOmnissiah

was at its most controlled and most violent. Forget the explosive death of munitions, forget themurderouspoweroftheLifeEater.Intheplasmacontainmentchamberswaswheretheraw,primalessenceoftheMachine-GodandthegeniusoftheMechanicusweremostsublimelycombined.

OrsoMagosSaiixekhadthoughtuntilthreeminutesandfourteensecondsago.Now he realised he was standing at the heart of what was likely to be a colossal explosion of

superheatedplasmaenergythatwouldreducethevaststructureoftheSperanza tovapour.Chimingalarm bells pealed from on high, drowning out the binary hymnals of appeasement as geysers ofemergency venting spewed columns of superheated steam into the air. Moist banks of humid,chemically-rich vapour gathered about the reactors like jungle-fog, refracting the scintillatingilluminationoftheemergencylightsingoldenrainbows.

Each cylindrical reactor was five hundred metres in diameter and two kilometres in length –almosteighty-fivepercentoftheirmasscomprisedlayersofceramiteheatshieldingandcontainmentfieldgenerators.Onereactoralonewascapableofsupplyingtheenergydemandsofamid-sizedhiveforcenturies,andSaiixekwaslookingattwelvesuchreactorsstretchingofftowardsavanishingpointatthefarendofthechamber.

Entirecadresofservitorshadbeendevotedtoregulatingtheunimaginablecoretemperatureswithmantrasofprayerorministeringtothemanyhundredsofmachine-spiritsinhabitingthemechanismsempoweringthereactors.Thenever-endingcatechismsofmaintenanceandthecontinualritualisedworkingswere attended to by five hundred servitors for each reactor and, until threeminutes andtwenty-fivesecondsago,theyhadbeenattendingtotheirdutiesinperfectorder.

Nowthosesameservitorssimplystoodandwatched thereactors towhich theyhadbeenboundrelentlessly and inevitably spiral to destruction. Every override code, every mastery file and everyServitudaeObligatushadbeenrejected,likeahigh-functioningdata-engineignoringtheadvancesofa lowly technomat. Powerwas no longer being fed to the engines, and theSperanza’s orbital track,alreadyfarlowerthanwasprudent,wasdecayingataratethatwouldsoonseetheshipcaughtwithintheplanet’sgravityenvelopebeyondhopeofescape.

AssumingSaiixekdidn’tlosecontrolofthereactorsbeforethen.Standing atop the latticedmezzanine, overlooking the array of runaway fusion reactors,Magos

Saiixeknowunderstoodhowperilouslytenuoushisgraspontheircontrolhadbeen.Hehadstoodatthisverystationandissuedorderstothesemonolithicmachinesandthoughthimselftheirmaster.

Butwhathehadmistakenformasterywaslittlemorethananillusion.Every single mechadendrite Saiixek possessed, from thickly-segmented cables like gleaming

snakes to fibre-fine sensorywands,was engagedwith the control stations to either side.Coldmistsurrounded him, the coolingmechanisms of his upthrust backpack coating everything nearby in aveneer of hoarfrost. His black robes cracked in the frozen temperatures, though his metallic skullsteamedwithexcessheatbleedfromhismonstrouslyoverclockedcognitiveprocesses.

Like a conductor before an impossibly vast and complex orchestra, Saiixek had subsumed thecapacity of everymagoswithin range to process the insanely complex hexamathics of uncontrolledfusioninanattempttokeepthereactionsfromachievingcriticalmass.

It was an impossible task, and the best he hadmanagedwas simply to keep the reactors from

exploding. The geometric progression of the calculations’ complexity would soon outstrip hisborrowedcapacitytoprocess,makinghiseffortsaholdingactionatbest,onethatwouldseehimburnoutlargesectionsofirreplaceablebrainmatter.

But ifhisdelaying tacticbought time for thearchmagos to re-establishcontrolof theSperanza’sservitors,itwouldbeapriceworthpaying.

Saiixekgaspedashefeltasuddenthrustofcoldwithinhisphysicalvolume.Suchwasthelevelofdisconnectfromhisorganicform,ittookhimseveralsecondstocomprehend

that his bodyhadbeen injured. Saiixek lookeddown to see a length ofwhite steel jutting fromhisbody,agracefullycurvedswordbladeofnon-Imperialdesign.

‘Howcurious,’hesaid,asthebladewaswithdrawnandstabbedhomethreemoretimes.ThistimetherewasnoignoringthepainandSaiixekfelltohisknees.Bloodandoilspilledfrom

theprecision-cutwoundsinhisbody,floodingfromhisinternalstructuresataratethathehadnotthecapacitytoknowwasmortalwithanysenseotherthanhiseyes.

Helookedupasawomancircledaroundfrombehindhim,cladinform-fittingarmourofemeraldplates.Sheworeabonecolouredhelmetwithalongredplumeandbulbousextrusionsatthegorgetlikesomeformofstinger.Hercloakofgoldandgreenbillowedinthevorticesofhotandcoldair,andherivorysworddrippedoil-darkdropletsofhisbloodtothemezzaninefloor.

‘Eldar?’askedSaiixek.‘Ridiculous.Youcannotbehere.’‘Youdestroyedourvessel,’saidtheeldarwarrior-woman.‘Nowwedestroyyours.’‘Illogical,’saidSaiixek.‘Youwilldietoo.’‘Topreventyourmasterfromacquiringsuchpower,wewoulddieathousanddeaths.’‘Outrageoushyperbole,’ said Saiixek, slumping against a control panel as the life flooded out of

him.

‘Whatdoyoumean,youcan’tgetanycloser?’criedVitali,hisdesperationclearevenovertheinternalvoxfromthecargodeck.

‘Ican’tsayitanyclearer,’repliedRoboute.‘We’rehookedonane-magtetherandtheSperanza’snotreelingusin.Ican’traiseanyoneontheembarkationdeckeither.’

‘Please,wehavetogetbackaboard!Linyawilldieifwedon’tgethertoamedicae.’‘Iknowthat,damnyou,’ snappedRoboute, instantlyregrettinghisoutburst. ‘Butunlessyoucan

overridethistether,we’renotgoinganywhere.Theshuttle’stryingtolinkwiththeembarkationdeck’sdata-engines,butsofarnoluck.We’renotpartofAzuramagelliandKryptaestrex’sshippingtimetable,andthere’snooneansweringwhocanoverrideit.’

‘TheSperanzaisinlockdown…’saidVitali.‘Somethingterriblemusthavehappened,anaccidentorunexpectedevent.’

‘Sowe’restuckhere?’‘Untiltheybringusin,yes,’saidVitali,andRobouteheardafather’sterroratthelossofhischild.Itwasaterrorheshared.TheRenard’sshuttlewasstuckinaholdingpatternbelowtheventralfantailoftheSperanza,kepta

fixed distance from the ArkMechanicus by the same e-mag tether that would normally pull themthrough the gravimetric turbulence surrounding the enormous vessel. Their lift-off had beenunscheduledandwouldnodoubtearnthemasternwarningfromMagosAzuramagelli,butthiswasanemergencyandRoboutewaswillingtoriskanycensuretogetLinyatoamedicaequicker.

TearsrolleddownRoboute’sfaceatthethoughtofLinyaTychon’sdeath.Heunderstoodtherewasnoprospectofaunionbetweenthem;he’dacceptedthat.Instead,he’d

beenlookingforwardtoagrowingfriendship,buteventhatlookedunlikely.ThedistresssignalfromAmarokhadbeenahowlingbrayofagony,ashriekofunimaginablepain

thatwasinstantlyrecognisableasbelongingtoagod-machine.FollowingthatbrashcryforhelpcameapleafromVitaliTychon,beggingRoboutetoflytotheirrescue.Thesignalhadbeenabruptlycutoff,and seeing that Legio Sirius recovery craft would not reach the planet’s surface for over an hour,Roboutehadimmediatelyliftedoff.

TheRenard’sshuttlelandedamidthedevastationofaruinedcity,butRoboute’smyriadquestionsconcerning theunexpectedmetropolis died inhis throat ashe saw thehorrific injuries sufferedbyLinya.

Only Vitali Tychon had emerged fromAmarok’s wreckagewithout significant injuries.With theexceptionofPrincepsVintras, the crewof theWarhoundweredeadand thewarmachinecrippled,listingovera sealed crevassewithone leg sunk fully into the crackedground.Thoughhe still lived,Vintrashadnotemergedunscathed;Manifoldfeedbacklefthimweepingandparalysed,hisnervoussystemwrackedwithsympatheticagonyatthemortalwoundingofhisengine.

ButhisinjurieswerenothingcomparedtowhatLinyaTychonhadsuffered.Roboutebarelyrecognisedtheyoung,vivaciousgirlhe’dmetatColonelAnders’sdinner,herflesh

burnedblackandraw,withonlyherupperbodyhavingescapedtheworstofthehellishinferno.Herfather was keeping her alive, barely, with noospheric connections to her neuromatrix blocking thepaincentresofherbrain,buthewasnomedicae,andhecoulddonothingtotreatthephysicalinjuriesthat would undoubtedly kill her. They’d got her on board the shuttle as gently as they could andfollowedthemostdirectcoursefortheSperanza.Theshuttle’sservitorswereadministeringfirstaidasbest theycouldwith their limitedknowledgeofhumanphysiology,butwithout specialisedmedicaetreatment,Linyawouldsoonbedead.

Andnowthis…Roboute had tried every trick in the book to break the Speranza’s tether, every risky evasion

techniqueanddownrightdangerousmanoeuvrehe’dlearnedintheskiesofUltramar,butnothinghadcomeclosetoevenweakeningitsgrip.Theyweretrappedouthere,hookedlikeafishonaline,unabletocloseorbreakawayfromtheArkMechanicus.

AwarninglightflickeredtolifeonRoboute’savionicspanel,andhecheckedthereadouttomakesurehewasreadingitcorrectly,buthopinghewasn’t.

‘Hell…’hesaid,standingandlookingoutthroughtheshuttle’sarmourglasscanopy.‘Oh,thisissoverynotgood…’

Nodoubtaboutit.Theshimmeringblue-hotplasmaglowwithintheSperanza’scontainmentfieldswasfading,whichmeanttheengineswerenolongersupplyingthrust.

Whichmeantitsorbitwasdecaying.TheArkMechanicuswasgoingdown.

The gathering took place in the forward observatorium above the dorsal transit arrays, a centrallocationthatallowedtheseniormilitaryforcesthebestoptionsfordeploymentthroughouttheship.Fromhere themag-lev transit trainswerewithineasy reach,and themain internal teleporterarraywasintheprocessofbeingpoweredupbyachantingchoiroftech-priests–withtheaccompanyingritualcatechismsbeingvoicedbycarefullycoacheddeckmenialsinsteadofservitors.

Starlight filtering through theupper reachesofHypatia’s atmosphere fell inglitteringbeamsofumber andmagenta, illuminating the terrazzo floor panels and reflecting across the multitude ofstargazing optical machines that hung from the polished glass dome or stood on vast girderstructures.

The commanders of theSperanza’s fighting forces gathered tohearArchmagosKotov’s briefing,each rapidly digesting hastily prepared dossiers on the mutiny’s ringleaders. Magos Dahan andSergeant Tanna waited for Kotov to begin, while Colonel Anders continued to peruse his briefingdocuments.

‘Whatwehavehereisafull-scalemutiny,’saidKotovtotheassembledwarriors,wishingtoinciteinthemthesamerighteousangerateventstakingplacebelowdecks. ‘AbondsmannamedAbrehemLocke has defied the legal and holy writ of the Mechanicus and incited rebellion throughout theSperanza.Iwanthimandhiscadreofsupportershunteddownandkilled.’

‘Howmanytargetsareyoutalkingabout?’askedTanna.Magos Blaylock answered the SpaceMarine’s question: ‘Six that we know of. Bondsman Locke

himselfandthreeotherswhowerecollaredalongwithhimonJoura,VannenCoyne,JuliusHawkeandIsmaeldeRoeven.’

‘DeRoeven?Ishetheservitorwiththereturnedmemories?’askedAnders.‘Sobelowthewaterlinerumourwouldhaveit,’saidBlaylock,‘Thoughsuchathinghasneverbeen

documentedbefore,somustbeviewedwithsuspicion.Inaddition,BondsmanLockeisaccompaniedbyarogueMechanicusoverseer,TothaMu-32,andanimprintedarco-flagellant,RasselasX-42.Bothshouldbeconsideredextremelydangerous.’

‘An arco-flagellant?’ asked Anders with a sudden intake of breath. ‘I thought they were purelyInquisitionweapons.’

‘Theyare,’ saidDahan, flexing thearticulated jointsofhismultiplearms. ‘Butwhodoyou thinkmakesthemfortheinquisitors?’

‘Wherediditcomefrom?’askiedAnders.‘Doesitmatter?’repliedTanna.‘Wedonotneedtoknowwhereitcamefromtokillit.’‘No,butifI’mgoingtoputmymeninharm’sway,IwanttoknoweverythingIcanaboutthisarco-

flagellant.IsawoneoftheminactiononAgripinaa.Thethingwentthroughamartyr-companyofBar-elpenaltroopswho’dgoneovertotheenemy.Itwasn’tpretty.Andifthisbondsmanhasone,thenI’mgoingtodamnwellknoweverythingthereistoknowaboutit.’

‘Wedonothavetimeforthis,ColonelAnders,’saidKotov. ‘Iftheservitorsdonotreturntotheirstationswithinthenexttwohoursandelevenminutes,theSperanza’sorbitwillhavedecayedtoalevelthatwillmeanacatastrophicre-entryisinevitable.’

‘Thenanswermyquestionquickly.’‘Verywell,’saidKotov. ‘WhenIdiscoveredtheSperanza, itwasunfinished,aburiedskeletonofa

starshipthatwasvirtuallycomplete,butnotentirelyso.Manyofitsdeeperstructuresandchamberswereleftunexploredorwereinaccessible.Itislikelythisarco-flagellantwasimplantedwithweaponryandpacificationroutines,butleftasatabularasaforthedesignatedinquisitortoimprintuponit.’

‘Soit’sbeensittingtherelikeabloodytimebomb,justwaitingforsomeonetostumbleoveritandsetitloose?’

KotovdidnotcarefortheCadiancolonel’stone,butrecognisedhehadlittletimeinwhichtotakeumbrage.‘Essentially,yes.’

Anders nodded. ‘Thatwas careless of you. It’s likeme forgettingwhere I parkedmyBanebladesquadronsandbeingsurprisedwhensomeonedrivesthemoverme.’

‘WhatinformationdoyouhaveonBondsmanLocke’scurrentwhereabouts?’askedTanna,cuttingoffKotov’sbilious response. ‘Givemehis locationandmymenwilluse these internal teleporters toattackwithaswiftandmercilessresponse.’

‘ForreasonsIcannotexplain,wearecurrentlyunabletotrackBondsmanLockeorhisimmediateco-conspiratorsvia their sub-dermal fealty identifiers,’ saidBlaylock. ‘It seems likely theyhavebeenremoved or shorted out by Totha Mu-32. Which would explain why the regular snatch teams ofarmsmen and cyber-mastifs were unable to locate them after their initial display of mutinousbehaviour.’

‘Thisjustgetsbetterandbetter,’saidAnders.‘Themutinybegan inFeedingHallEighty-Six,’continuedKotov. ‘Intheshort timesincethen, it

appears tohavespread toneighbouringdecks.Every servitoraboard theSperanza is currently inanenforced dormancy state fromwhich they refuse to be roused, but there are tens of thousands ofbondsmenaboardthisvessel.AndeveryoneofthemheardLocke’sbroadcast.’

‘Sowecouldbelookingataship-widearmyofmutineers?’askedTanna.‘Youpeople,’saidAnderswithashakeofthehead. ‘Youkeepcallingthisamutiny,butthat’snot

whatthisis.Ican’tbelieveyoudon’tseeit.’‘Ifitisnotamutiny,thenwhatwouldyoucallit,colonel?’demandedMagosDahan.‘It’s a strike,’ said theCadian colonel. ‘Mutineerswant to take over a vessel, but that’s notwhat

thesemen are doing. I’ve listened towhat Bondsman Locke’s saying, and I don’t think hewants astarshipofhisown.’

‘Thenwhatdoeshewant?’askedKotov.‘Youheardwhathewants,’saidAnders. ‘Hewantsthemenofthisshiptobetreatedlikehuman

beings.Don’tgetmewrong,thesebondsmenare legitimateservantsoftheMechanicus,andthey’reheretodoajob,justlikeeverygruntthatjoinsmyregiment.ButwhateveryCadianofficerknows,andwhat theMechanicushas forgotten, is that thewaytoget thebestoutofamanisn’t tobeathimtodeathwithastick,buttobeathimjustenoughthathe’sgratefulforahintthatthecarrotevenexists.’

‘Such a thing isunheardof,’ saidKotov, horrified at the ideaof entering intonegotiationswithbondedservants.‘Theyareindenturedworkers,boundtothepurposeoftheMechanicusandthewillof the Omnissiah. To allow them to believe that their demands might be met is to break withthousands of years of tradition and precedent. It cannot be done. I refuse to entertain such a vilenotion!’

‘Idon’tthinkyouhaveachoice,’repliedAnders. ‘Intwohoursthisshipisgoingdownunlessyouofferthesemensomethingthat’llconvinceAbrehemLocketoputtheservitorsbacktowork.’

‘YoubelieveIshouldstandbeforethese…strikersandaddresstheirso-calledgrievances?’Andersshookhisheadandsaid,‘No,archmagos,Ithinkthesenegotiationsneedahumanface.’

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Roboute had seen and heard many bizarre things in his time as a rogue trader, but the loopingrecordingcomingoverthevoxfromtheSperanzahadtorankasoneofthestrangest.HearingamancalledAbrehemLockemakingastandfor therightsofhis fellowmenonaMechanicusshipmight,underdifferentcircumstances,havestirredtheunderdoginRoboute’sheart.

Leaving the shuttle flying on its own autonomous systems, Roboutewound a path through thecompanionways and corridors of the shuttle to the cramped crew berth where his own servitors –which,thankfully,seemedfreeofwhateverrebelliousstreakhadovertakenthoseoftheSperanza–hadtakenthewoundedLinya.

Roboutesmelledthestenchofherburnedfleshlongbeforehereachedtheberth.Tryingtohidehishorrorasbesthecould,Roboutestoodinthedoorwayandfelthisfistclenchin

anger.Hedidn’tknowwheretodirect thatanger,noonewastoblamefor this.AccordingtoVitali,PrincepsVintrashadworkedmiraclesinkeepingtheTitanuprightaslongashehad.Whatgodwastheretorailagainstforsendingtheearthquake?

Linya lay encased in a counterseptic dermal wrap that kept contaminants from reaching herburned and exposed flesh, but did nothing to begin the healing process. A basic bio-monitor washookeduptoherarmsandanoxygenmaskwasclampedoverhermouthandnose.Herscalpwasrawandredwhereherhairhadburnedawayinclumps,andmilkytearsleakedfromthecornersofcrackedaugmeticeyes.ThefireintheTitanhadblindedher,butthatwasprobablyagoodthing.

Concealedbeneath thedermalwrap,Linya’s legswerecrooked lumpsof fusedmeatandburnedmuscle;littlemorethanruinednubsofbone.Theywerefleshlessbelowtheshin,andevenifshelived,Linyawouldneveragainwalkasshehaddonebefore.

VitaliTychonsatbesidehisdaughter,restingaspindlymechanicalhandnexttoheronthebed.Aslendercopper-jacketedwireranfromthebackofLinya’sskulltoanidenticalportbehindVitali’sear.TheoldmanlookedtohaveagedahundredyearssinceRoboutehadlastseenhim;nomeanfeatforamancenturiesold.

Vitali didn’t look up asRoboute rapped a knuckle against the doorframe, but nodded briefly inacknowledgementofhispresence.

‘I take it there isnochange in the tether’s status,’ saidVitali,phrasinghiswordsasastatementinstead of a question. Vitali would likely know before Roboute if anything changed aboard theSperanza.

‘No,’saidRoboute.‘I’mafraidnot.’Vitalishrugged.‘IcouldalmostadmirethisLockefellowwereitnotforthefactthathisactionswill

inalllikelihoodseemydaughterdead.’‘They’retryingtogetthingssettled,Vitali,’saidRoboute.‘Yes,Iheardthataparleyhasbeenarrangedinthemainport-sideembarkationdeck.Apparently

therevolutionarieshaveseizeditandarepreventinganyresupplyvesselsfromdocking.’‘ColonelAndersisenroutetonegotiatewithLocke,’saidRoboute.‘He’sagoodman,andifthere’s

awaytosortthis,he’llfindit.’‘Theoutcomewillnotmattertous,’saidVitalisadly.‘TheSperanza’sorbitisdecayingtoosharply,

andsincethisshuttleisnotasthicklyhulledorshieldedastheArkMechanicus,wewilldielongbeforeit.Wewillbetornapartbygravitationalstressforcesorburnedupbyatmosphericfriction,takeyourpick.Assuming,ofcourse,theCadiansdon’tjustguneveryonedownanddoomusallanyway.’

‘IgottheimpressionthatColonelAndersistoosmartforthatkindofgunboatdiplomacy.’‘Ihopeyouare right, captain,’ sighedVitali. ‘Inanycase, it is cleverof thearchmagos to senda

humantospeaktoLocke.Alessinhumanfacemightmakeallthedifference.’VitalireachedouttoplacehishandgentlyonLinya’sshoulder,theclickingfingersofhismetallic

handclenchingintoafistbeforetheymadecontact.‘Shealwayswantedtoholdontoherbaselinebody-planas longaspossible,’saidVitali,andeven

with his back turned, the man’s grief was entirely obvious. ‘Seems like such a silly thing to haveinsistedon,butshewasquiteadamant.’

‘Idon’tblameher,’ saidRoboute. ‘It’s easy to forget yourhumanitywhenyoudon’t see it in themirroreveryday.’

‘That’sthekindofthingsheusedtosay.’‘She’llgetthroughthis,’saidRoboute, ‘She’sastrongone.Ihadn’tgottoknowherwell,butthat

muchIcouldtell.’‘Youarenotwrong,youngman,’saidVitali,finallyturningtofacehim.NothingcouldhavepreparedRobouteforthedeathlypallorandgauntdeathmaskofVitali’sface.Hiseyesweresunkendeepintotheirsockets;thoughthemajorityofhisfleshwasartificial,there

wasnodisguisingthesufferinghewasexperiencing.‘Imperator,areyouallright?’askedRoboute.Vitalinodded,thoughhewasclearlyveryfarfromallright.‘My daughter lies dying before my very eyes,’ said Vitali. ‘Within sight of one of the greatest

technologicalmarvelsofthegalaxy.There’sanironytheresomewhere.’Roboute knelt beside Vitali and placed a hand on the venerable stargazer’s shoulder. He felt

vibrations running through Vitali’s body, the micro-tremors of a man holding back an ocean ofunimaginable,fieryagony.

‘Pain has to go somewhere,’ said Vitali, themuscles in his face tensing and twitchingwith the

effortofkeepinghisdaughteralive.‘AndIcouldn’tletherlasthoursbefilledwithsuffering.’RoboutehadheardthatVitaliwasmanagingLinya’spain,butseeingthetraumaticrealityofthat

process was horrifying. He felt his admiration at Vitali’s devotion to his daughter soar – theUltramariancoreofhimknewhecoulddonoless.

Hestoodandusedthevox-panelonthewalltoopenachanneltotheRenard.Afteraminuteofclicking,static-filledgrowls,EmilNader’svoicebarkedfromtheaugmitter.‘Roboute,’ said Emil. ‘Are you aboard yet? We can’t get anything from the Mechanicus, all the

internalsystemsaredown.WhatinKonor’snameisgoingon?’‘Shut up and listen, Emil,’ snapped Roboute. ‘We don’t have much time. The Speranza’s on

lockdown,andtheshuttle’ssnaggedonane-magtether.’‘Hell,andIguessyouknowtheorbitaltrackoftheArk’sdecaying?’‘Painfullyaware,’repliedRoboute. ‘Nowlisten,weneedtogetbackaboardrightbloodynow,and

I’mgoingtoneedyourhelptodoit.’‘Goahead,whateveryouneed.’‘YourememberthatlunatichaulerpilotoutofCypraMundi,theonewiththeshipthathadthose

giantgreeneyespaintedonitsprow?’‘Rayner?ThecaptainofInfiniteTerra?’‘That’stheone,’saidRoboute.‘Yourememberhowhedied?’‘OfcourseIdo,’saidEmil.‘IstillgetnightmaresthinkingabouttheevacuationofBrontissa.’‘Yeah,tyranidsdomakethingsmessy,’agreedRoboute.‘Nowlistenup,Emil.We’restuckouthere,

andunlessMistressTychongetstoapropermedicaedecksoon,she’sgoingtodie.’‘Shit!Whatdoyouneedustodo?’Roboute took a deep breath, knowing that what he was about to ask of his first mate was so

dangerousthatitmightcharitablybecalledsuicidal.ButiftherewasonepilotinthegalaxyRoboutewouldtrusttopullthisoff,itwasEmilNader.‘IneedyoutodowhatRaynertried,’saidRoboute.‘ButIneedyoutopullitoff.’

ItfeltstrangegoingintoahostilesituationwithouthisubiquitousHellhoundtanksathisbackortheroaring form of a Leman Russ Conqueror beneath him. Colonel Ven Anders firmly believed thatmarching towards the enemy on foot was a tactic of last resort or a way for gloryhounds to getthemselveskilledtryingtomakeanameforthemselves.

Yetherehewas,marchingtowardsthetoweringshuttersoftheembarkationdeckattheheadofacommand squad of twentyCadianGuardsmen, andnot a single battle tank to be seen.ArchmagosKotov wasn’t about to let him negotiate with Abrehem Locke without a show of force from theMechanicus,andthusMagosDahanandthreeCataphractbattlerobotsmarchedwithhim.

Anders wished the archmagos had despatched someone else. Dahan was twitchy and full ofblisteringindignationatthisstrike,justthesortofmindsetthatcouldturnthisnegotiationintoafull-blown firefight. Bringing three hulking battle robots didn’t exactly display awillingness to reach apeacefulsolution.

SergeantTannaandawarriornamedVardawerealsopartof thedetachment,butwereat leastkeepingalowprofiletothebackofthisdetachment–oraslowaprofileastwoSpaceMarinescouldkeep.Anders’soriginalplanofkeepingahumanfaceonthenegotiationswasstartingtolooklessandless convincing, but he’d extracted oaths from both Dahan and Tanna that they would make noaggressivemoves.Besidehim,CaptainHawkinsfoughttokeephishandsfromreachingtowardshispistolandsword.

‘Steady,captain,’saidAndersastheyreachedtheembarkationdeck. ‘Wedon’twanttoupsetthenatives,nowdowe?’

‘Sorry,sir,’repliedHawkins,conspicuouslyforcinghishandstohissides.‘Forceofhabit.’‘Understandable, but Iwant it absolutely clear that there is tobenoweapondrawnwithoutmy

expressorder.Idon’tevenwantbadlanguageorunkindthoughts,youunderstand?’‘Absolutely,sir,’saidHawkins. ‘I’vepassedtheword,andanyonethatmessesupwillhaveRaeto

answerto.’‘IthinkLieutenantRaewillbetheleastofanyone’sworriesifthisgoestohell.’‘Rightenough,sir,’saidHawkinsastheshutterbegantogrinditswayaside,accompaniedbythe

wheezingclatterofgearsandprotestingservos.‘Herewego,’whisperedAnders,marchingintotheembarkationdeck.‘OncemoreintotheEye.’The cavernous space beyond the shutters should have been filledwith industrious labour; with

servitors, bondsmen and Mechanicus logisters co-ordinating deck operations to Kryptaestrex’sdetailed resupplyplans.Adozen recently-arrived cargohaulers sat before the shimmering integrityfieldattheopeningtothevoid,theirhullsicyandsealedshut.Stevedore-servitorsstooddumblyatthecargo doors, unmoving and rendered uncooperative by whatever power Abrehem Locke’s restoredservitorhadexercisedoverthem.

Ready tomeet themwere around fiftymen in thedirty red coveralls ofMechanicusbondsmen.Anderssawthousandsmorebehindthem,loungingonstackedcrates,millinginconspiratorialgroupsorsprawledon thedeckasleep.Toseemenasleepwhile theclock tickeddowntoextinctionalmostbeggaredbelief,butAndershadlongsince learnedthathumanbeingswerecapableofthestrangestbehaviourintimesofcrisis.

Theirwelcomingcommitteehad ripped the sleeves from theiruniformsorotherwisedisfiguredtheminanobviousattemptatvisibly throwingoff theshacklesof theirperceivedoppressors.Everyoneof themwasarmed, eitherwithaheavy lengthof steelpipingorabuzzingpower toolof somedescription.Andersrecognisedtheleaderofthisgroupimmediately;JuliusHawke,anex-Guardsmanandadie-hardmalingereraccordingtohisfile.Hecarriedarustedlas-lock,anddespitealonglistofdisciplinaryinfractionsandpoorperformanceevaluations,itwasclearheknewhowtouseit.

‘YouAnders?’askedHawke.‘IamColonelVenHoratiuAnders,Colonelofthe71stCadianRegimentofHellhounds.Whyaren’t

youinuniformanymore,GuardsmanHawke?’‘Beena longtimesinceanyone’scalledmethat,’ laughedHawke,asourbarkthatspokeofyears

spentunderminingauthorityandmockinghisbetters.Despitewhathe’dsaidtoHawkins,Andersfeltastrongdesiretodrawhissabreandrunthisaffronttosoldierythrough.‘I’mjustHawkenow,andI

aminuniform.Thisistheuniformoftheain’tgoingtotakeanymoreshitregiment.’‘IamheretospeakwithAbrehemLocke,’saidAnders.‘SoI’dbeobligedifyou’dtakemetohim.’Hawkeshookhishead.‘Idon’tthinkso.’Theman’stonewasinfuriatingandAndersbitbackanangryretort.‘Iwastoldhewouldbehere.’‘Yeah,he is,butwedidn’t saynothingaboutbringing threebloodybattle robotsandacoupleof

SpaceMarineshidingattheback,’saidHawke.‘Youthinkwe’restupid?’Andersdearlywantedtogivetheanswerheknewheshouldn’t,butcontentedhimselfbysaying,

‘Everysecondofmytimeyouwastebringsthisshipclosertodestruction.Youtellmeifthat’sstupid.’‘I’veseenyoursortbefore,’saidHawke.‘Thinkthey’rebetterthantherestofusgrunts.Youknow,I

knewanofficercalledAndersoncebefore.Acocksurebastard, that’s for sure.GothimselfkilledonHydraCordatus.’

‘Ah,yes,’saidAnders. ‘Ireadyourstatementonthewayhere.DuringasupposedattackbySpaceMarinesoftheArchenemy,wasn’tit?’

Hawkenodded.‘Yeah,that’stheone.’‘Onadeadworldofnomaterialorstrategicsignificance,’saidAnders.‘AnattackboththeAdeptus

MechanicusandAdeptusAstartesclaimneverhappened.’‘That’swhattheMechanicuswantyoutobelieve,’sneeredHawke,asthoughAnderswerethevery

modelofgullibility. ‘Coursethey’renotgoingtoadmittherewasafortressthereandthattheenemycameandtookitoffthemlikecoinsfromadrunk.’

‘CanyoutakemetoBondsmanLockeornot?’askedAnders,tiringofHawke’srambling.‘Yeah,Ican,butjustyou.’CaptainHawkinssteppedforwardsandsaid,‘That’snotgoingtohappen.’‘Nowwho’swastingtime?’askedHawke.AnderswavedHawkinsback.‘Ifthat’swhatittakestoendthis.’‘Sir,youcan’tjust–’‘Captain,remainherewiththemen,’saidAnders.‘Sir,Ican’tletyouwalkintherealone,’insistedHawkins.Anders ignored Hawkins’s protests and said, ‘I will be quite safe, I assure you. I need you to

maintaindisciplineandkeeptheranksstraight.Oh,andifI’mnotbackintwentyminutes…’‘Sir?’‘Youhavemypermissiontokilleveryoneonthisdeck.’AndersturnedbacktoHawke,whosefacewasapictureinstunnedshock.‘Rightthen,BondsmanHawke,’saidAnders.‘Takemetoyourleader.’

Makingherway through theguts of thehumans’ starshipwas childishly easy. Its gloomy corridorsweredrapedinshadowsandthreadedwithpassagewaysevenitscrewappearedtohaveforgotten.Thesepulchral gloom masked Bielanna’s ascent from the depths of the ship as she slid through theshadowsoftoweringmachinesthathadnotmovedforcenturiesandalongabandonedpassageways

ankle-deepinrat-infestedwater.Toweringmetallicskull-on-cogiconsstareddownatherateveryturn,nestlingcheekbyjowlwith

frettedstonegargoylesandgleamingmachineryofbrutishcomplexity:allpneumaticgears,clankingchainsandsmoke-belchingpistons.Thehumans’starshipwasamassofcontradictions:anightmarishtemplewhere inhumanmachinerywasveneratedandabreedinggroundfor the teemingmassesofhumanitywhocrewedit.

Bielannawouldneverunderstandthemon-keigh,aracesonumerousandwantonly fecundthattheyoutnumberedthestars.Buttheunimaginablescaleoftheirspeciesdidnotgivethemsolace,butrather filled themwith fearanddrove themtostampoutany formof lifeandworship thatdidnotmatch their own. Such unthinking hatred could only ever breed hatred in return, but the humanscouldnotseethatbytheirownactionsweretheydamningthemselvestoaneternityofstrife.

ThemoreBielannasawofthehumansaboardthisship,the lessshethoughtofthemassentientbeingsatall.Theywerelivinggreaseinagrindingmechanicalengine,corpusclesshuntedfromplacetoplace in service of thegreatmachine’s continuance.How they couldnot see that theywere littlebetterthanmicrobescrawlingwithinthebodyofalargerbeastwasbeyondher.

‘They are not worshipping you,’ she whispered, pausing beneath one of the half-machine, half-humanskullsstampedonasheetsteelwall.‘Youenslavethemandtheybelievethemselvesblessed.’

Theskullbelchedagoutofflameandsmokefromitsemptyeyesocket,andBielannaslidawayintothedarkness,followingthethreadsoffatethathadledhertoriskmovingintotheoccupiedareasoftheship.

Thevisionhadcomesuddenly,staggeringherwithitspotency.Agatheringofhumansinoneofthevastchambersusedtobringtheiruglycargoshipsaboard.Themeetingofawarriorandamanreluctantlyfatedtobebothasaviourandadestroyer.Most human lives were so ephemeral that their influence on the skein was microscopic, so

infinitesimal that they were virtually an irrelevance, but whoever these two men were, they wereworthyofnotice,menwhoseactionscouldactuallyhaveanimpactonthefuture.

Ariganna’simpatiencehadmadethemeetingofthesemeninevitable,afixedlocusupontheskeinaroundwhichamilliontimesabillionpossibilitiesrevolved.Theexarchhadgrowntiredofskulkinginthe depths of the starship and given in to her war-mask’s urge to kill. Where she had previouslyconfinedherslayingstothosemon-keighthatunwittinglyenteredtheirshadowylair,nowsheactivelyhuntedtheupperdecksasalonepredatorofunparalleledsavageryandlimit-lesscruelty.BielannahadseenArigannakillthemagoscontrollingthelethallyvolatileenginereactors,abewilderinglycomplexwebofinfinitepossibilityexplodedbeforehereyes.

AsBielannahadhoped,herconnectiontotheskeinhadbecomestrongerwitheverypassingdayandeverylightyeartheshiptravelledfromtherebornstarsystem.Butinsteadofcoheringhersightofthe future, that strengthening had only made her interpretations more ambiguous. Entwinedmemoriesofthepastandvisionsofthefuture’sinfinitevarietyfilledhereverywakingmoment,andBielannafounditalmostimpossibletodistinguishbetweenwhatwasrealandwhatwasimagined.

Yetthevisionofthesetwomenremainedconstantwhenevershelookedintothefuture.Shecameat last to theplacewhere the threadof fateshehadbeenfollowingnowbranchedout

beyondherabilitytotracewithanycertainty,atoweringstained-glasswindowdepictingagrey-steeltempleatoparedmountainthatchurnedoutarmouredvehiclesandsmokeinequalmeasure.Oneofthe window’s lower panes was broken, and Bielanna eased herself through, emerging onto astoneworkledgeoverlookingavastdeckspacewithanenormousopeningonitsfarwallthatlookedontothevoid.

Thousands of the mon-keigh were gathered below her, flickering embers of life and fleetingexistence.Someembersburnedbrighter thanothers,andshe flinchedat theradiancecomingfromtwoblack-armouredgiants,kintothewarriortheavatarofKaelaMenshaKhainehadkilled.Shehadseen the fate-lines of Space Marines before, and they burned with a directness that was almostpitiable,butthefatesofthesewarriorsfeltsomehowfamiliar,asthoughshehadflownthefuturestheytoowouldwalk.

Simmeringaggressionfilledthedecklikeasickness,andBielannaneedednopsychicsensitivitytofeeltheripplingundercurrentsoffearandimminentviolenceoozingintotheatmosphere.

Thatwasgood.Shecoulduseonetoprovoketheother.Leeringcherubswithrebreathers insteadoffaceshadbeencarvedoneithersideofthewindow,

andasshekneltatthecorneroftheledge,themetallicskullofthenearestrolledamechanisedeyeinherdirection.Bielannaignoredit,feelinghergazedrawntotheflickeringenergyfieldthatkeptthedeckpressurised.Shefeltamomentarytremorofuneaseatthesightofunknownstarsthatshouldnotexist.

Sheshookoffthesensationofbeingwatchedbytheseghoulishstarsandtookabreathofpollutedairashersenseseasedintotheflickeringfate-linesofthemon-keigh.Shesoughttheonewhosefearwas thegreatestandmosteasilymoulded, findinghimeasilyamongthemassofslaveworkersandshroudinghismindwithemanationsofhisdarkestnightmares.

Thefuturewasbewilderinglycomplexandinconstant,butonethingwascertain.ThehumansknownasAndersandLockecouldnotbeallowedtosettletheirdifferences.

Anders satona shippingcrateon the far sideof theembarkationdeck.HeandAbrehemLocke satoppositeoneanother,ringedbyalaageroftrackedMechanicusearth-movingmachinery.Andershadtoadmit to feelinga little letdownby thesightof the firebrandwhoserhetoricof insurrectionhadechoedfromoneendoftheSperanzatotheother.

Hollowcheekedandshavenheaded,withmetallicglintsatthecornersofhiseyes,AbrehemLockedidnotlookorsoundlikearevolutionary,andhisaugmeticarmwasn’tparticularlyimpressiveeitherwithout weapons or any form of combat attachments. He looked exactly like what he was; aMechanicusbondsmanonthevergeofstarvation,exhaustionandmentalbreakdown.

Anderscouldalmostsympathise.Thearco-flagellant,however,wasanothermatter.Thecybernetickillerstaredwithanundisguised

urge tokillhim,butAndersdismissed it. If itattackedhim,hewouldbedeadbeforeheevenhadachancetoreact,sotherewasnopointwastingtimeworryingaboutit.

‘Yourealisethatifwefailtoreachagreement,wealldie,’saidAnders.‘I’mawareofthat,’repliedLocke.‘ThentellmewhatIcandotoendthis.’‘YoucangetArchmagosKotovtoreleasethebondsmen,’saidLocke.‘I’daskfortheservitorstobe

reverseengineeredifIdidn’tthinktheiatrogenicshockwouldkillthem.’Andersnodded. ‘Youknowhe’snotgoingtoagreetothat.EspeciallyafteryouhadtheMasterof

Engineskilled.’Locke’seyesnarrowedandhisshoulderssquaredinirritation.‘Saiixekisdead?’‘Ibelievethatwashisname,yes.’‘Saiixekwas the firstmagos I sawwhen I came aboard theSperanza,’ said Locke. ‘Heworked a

hundredmentodeathbeforewe’devenbrokenJoura’sorbit,hundredsmorejusttoreachthegalacticedge. Iwon’tshedasingle tear for thatbastard,butwedidn’tkillhim.UnlikeMagosKotov, Idon’thavebloodonmyhands.’

‘We all have blood on our hands, my friend,’ said Anders, surprised to find that he believedAbrehem.‘AllservicetotheEmperorrequiressacrifice.’

‘I’dprefermyownsacrificeintheEmperor’snametobeawillingone,’saidLocke,liftinghisbionicarmbywayofexample.‘That’swhatKotovfailstounderstand.Thisshipisamachinetohim,andallwearetohimishumanfueltokeepitgoing,tobespentandusedupatwill.’

‘YoushouldtrylifeintheImperialGuard,’saidAnders.Lockeshookhishead. ‘No,youmisunderstandme,ColonelAnders.Iknowtherealitiesof life in

theImperium.Everyoneserves,whethertheywanttoornot.Sure,maybewedidn’tallsignupforthis,butwe’reherenowandwehave a job todo. Treatus like slaves and all he’ll get is resentment andrevolt.Treatuslikehumanbeingsworthyofrespectandeverythingchanges.’

‘DoyouthinktheMechanicusarecapableofthat?’‘Theycanlearn,’saidLocke,leaningforwards.‘Afterall,it’sintheirbestinterest.Whichwouldyou

ratherleadintobattle,aregimentofwillingsoldierswhoknowyou’regoingtodoyourdamnedesttokeepthemalive,orabunchofconscriptswhocouldn’tgiveashitforyourwarorwhowonit?’

‘I’mCadian,soyoualreadyknowtheanswertothat,butrhetoricalquestionsaren’tgoingtosolvethis,’saidAnders,noddingtothecyborg-killeratAbrehem’sshoulder. ‘Sinceyouseemkeentopointouthypocrisy, isn’t itabitrichthatyoukeepthatarco-flagellantaround?He’sbio-imprintedtoyounow,aslavetoyoureverycommand.Doyouwanthimtobefreedtoo?Thearchmagostellsmethere’sno file on who he was before his transmogrification, but he would have been a monster. A childmurdererorrapistoraheretic.Orsomethingevenworse.’

Locke appeared genuinely disturbed at Anders’s words, as though the provenance of the arco-flagellanthadneveroccurredtohim;orheknewsomethingofthearco-flagellant’spreviousexistencehewishedhedidn’t.GivenwhatwasrumouredofAbrehemLocke’snature,thelatterseemedamorelikelyexplanation.

‘You’reright,ofcourse,’saidAbrehemwithafixedexpression.‘ButrightnowalittlehypocrisyisapriceI’mwillingtopaytogetwhatIwant.’

‘Alittleevilinserviceofagreatergood,isthatit?’

‘That’sanegativewayofputtingit.’‘I don’t see another,’ said Anders. ‘Listen, Abrehem, you can’t sit there on your high horse,

demanding freedomand claiming tohold themoralhighground, thenadmit that you’rewilling toacceptalittlebitofslaveryifitachievesyouraims.’

‘Idon’thaveachoice,colonel,’saidLocke,andonceagainAnderssawpastthehectoringrebeltothe desperately tiredmanwhom circumstances had forced into the role of a leader; a role he wasmanifestlyunsuitedtofilling.‘Thisistheonlyway.’

Andersfoldedhisarmsandsaid,‘Youstrikemeasanintelligentman,Abrehem,notasuicidalone.Youmusthavesome levelatwhichyou’rewilling tocompromise.Wecouldsithereandhaggleandposture till we reach that level, but as I’m sure you know, we don’t have the luxury of time.WithSaiixek’sdeathandservitorsrefusingtowork,theSperanza’sgoingdown.Verysoon,we’llallbedeadunlessyouandIcanagree.’

‘AtleastthiswayitwillbebyourhandinsteadoftheMechanicus.’‘Andwhatabouteveryoneelse?’askedAnders,lettingameasureofhisangershow.‘Whataboutall

mysoldiers?Themenials,thevoid-born,andall theotherthousandsofsoulsaboardthisvessel?Areyouwillingtomurderthemalloveraprinciple?Idon’tthinkso.’

Locke’s eyes flashed defiance, but it was hollow bravado and the fire went out of him.Hewasangry,yes,buthewasn’twillingtomurderanentireshiptoachievehisgoals.

Andersknewhe’dwonandfelttheknotoftensioninhisgutrelax.BeforehecouldtakesolaceinLocke’sbackingdown,thesharpcrackofagunshotechoedfromthe

othersideofthelaagerofvehicles.Andersrecognisedthesoundwithasinkingheart.M36Kantrael-patternlasrifle.Cadianissue…

OfallthemanoeuvresEmilNaderhadattemptedinhislongyearsspentatthehelmofastarship,thishad to rank as one of the stupidest. He’d made emergency warp jumps before he’d reached theMandevillepoint,runthegauntletofgreenskinroksandnavigatedtheheartofanasteroidbelt,butthiswasjustinsane.

Thepanel infrontofhimwas litwithrepeatedcallsforhimtoreturntotheship,callsthatonlyservedtohighlightthebone-headedliteralnessoftheMechanicusperfectly.

‘Demand:vesselRenard,yourlaunchisunauthorised,’saidagratingmechanicalvoiceoverthevox.‘YouaretoreturntotheSperanzaimmediatelyandshutdownyourengines.’

Emildidn’twastebreathinreplying,knowingtherewouldbenopoint.‘Repeateddemand:vesselRenard,yourlaunchisunauthorised.Youareto–’MagosPavelka interrupted. ‘While it is truethatwedonothaveclearancetodepart theforward

embarkation deck, we are of the opinion that remaining aboard is not the safest option since theSperanzaisinimminentdangerofbreakingupintheplanet’satmosphere.’

‘Couldn’thaveput itbettermyself,’ saidEmil,shuttingoff thevox-feedfromtheSperanza’sdeckmagos.‘We’llmakeascoundreloutofyouyet,Ilanna.’

Pavelkasatacrossfromhimintheco-pilot’sseat,whileSylkwoodwasdownintheenginespaces,tryingtokeeptheRenard’sengineshotenoughtomakethemanoeuvrepossiblewithoutturningtheflanksoftheSperanzatomoltenslag.

‘I do not flout Mechanicus protocols lightly, Mister Nader,’ said Pavelka, feeding as muchnavigational data as she could to Emil’s station. ‘The deckmagoswill enforce proper chastisementuponourreturntotheSperanza.’

‘Seriously?’‘Ofcourse,’saidPavelka.‘Asisonlyrightandproper.’‘Assumingwedon’tdieouthere.’‘Assumingwedonotdie,’agreedPavelka.‘Icalculatetheoddsofoursuccessas–’‘No,no,no…’saidEmil.‘Idon’twanttoknow,you’lljinxme.’Pavelka lookedasthoughshewasabouttorisetothatparticularmorsel,butsimplynoddedand

carried on feeding him information on the gravimetric field enveloping the Ark Mechanicus. TheancientmachinerygeneratingtheSperanza’s internalgravity, coupledwith its sheermass, createdasquallingregionofturbulencethatmadejustflyinginastraightlineadauntingchallenge.

Thiswaswherethee-magtetherhadstrandedtheRenard’sshuttle.‘Youareaware,ofcourse,thatthelastcaptaintoattemptamanoeuvresuchasthiswaskilledand

hisshiplostwithallhands?’saidPavelka.‘Yeah, I’m aware of that,’ he said. ‘In fact I saw it, but Raynerwas crazy and he had dozens of

tyranidbio-parasitesclampedtohishull.Evenifhe’dpulleditoff,everyoneonthatshipwouldhavedied.Trustme,comparedtowhathetried,this’llbeeasy.’

‘ThenyouandIdifferonthedefinitionofeasy.’Emil grinned and thumbed the brass-topped switch connecting him to the engineering spaces

below.‘Sylkwood,youaboutready?’Evenoverthevox,theenginseer’sabrasivetoneswereclear.‘Yeah,we’reready,butdon’texpectthistobeasmoothride.’‘Justsolongasit’soneweallsurvive.’‘I’mnotpromisinganything,’ saidSylkwood. ‘We’regoing to losesomeof themanoeuvring jets,

andthestructure’snotratedforthistightaturn.’‘ButtheRenard’satougholdbird,yeah?She’llholdtogether,won’tshe?’‘Tellheryouloveher,thenpromiseyou’llnevermakeherflylikethisagainandshemight.’Emilnoddedandflexedhisfingersontheship’scontrolmechanisms.Ordinarily,ashipthesizeof

theRenard would rarely be flownmanually, operating instead via a series of inputted commands,movingbetweenpre-configuredwaypointsandautomatedflightprofiles.

‘IsthereanythingIcouldsaythatwouldpersuadeyoutolettheonboarddata-enginenavigateusto the shuttle?’ asked Pavelka. ‘You cannot hope to process the sheer amount of variables in theSperanza’sgravitationalenvelope.’

‘Ifyou’renotwillingtotrustyourownskillsovertheonboardsystemsthenyoudon’tdeservetocallyourselfapilot,’answeredEmil.‘IlearnedeverythingaboutstarshipsintheatmosphereofEspandor,andIknowhowtoflytheRenardbetterthananymachine.Iknowherticksandhereveryquirk.She

andIhavebeenthroughmorescrapesthanIcaretoremember.SheknowsmeandIknowher.Itakecare of her, and she’s looked after us all for years. She’s not about to let us down now, not whenRoboute’sintrouble.’

PavelkareachedoverandlaidahandonEmil’sshoulder.‘TheRenardisafineship,oneofthebestIhaveknown,’shesaid.‘AndforallthatIbelieveyoutobe

needlesslyantagonistictowardsmyorder,youareafinepilot.Youmightnotwishtoknowtheoddsofthisventuresucceeding,butIamfullyawareofthelikelihoodofsuccess.’

‘Isthatagoodthing?’‘OfallthebaselinehumansIknow,Iwouldhavenootherpilotingthisshiprightnow,Emil.’Pavelka’suncharacteristicallyhumanwordstouchedhim,asdidheruseofhisgivenname.‘Thenlet’sgogetourcaptain,’saidEmil.

Microcontent17

CaptainHawkinsthrewhimselfatGuardsmanManos,knockinghimtothedeckbeforehecouldfireagain,but thedamagehadalreadybeendone.The firstbondsmandiedwithaneat las-burndrilledthroughthecentreofhisskullandhisbrainsflash-burnedtovapour.NosoonerhadhecollapsedthanManosswitchedtargets,killinganothersevenbondsmenonfull-autobeforeHawkinsreachedhim.

‘Standdown!’shoutedHawkins,fightingtopinManosdown.‘That’sanorder,soldier!’Manosscreamedandthrashedinterror,hisfacetwistedinhorror.‘They’remonsters,captain!’screamedManos.‘Letmeuporthey’llkillusall!’Hawkins lockedhiselbowaroundthestrugglingGuardsman’sneckas thecriesofoutrage from

thebondsmenintensified.Anymomenttheyweregoingtolookforpayback.‘ThemonstersfromtheEye!’shoutedManos.‘Can’tyouseethem?They’regoingtokillus!’‘Manos,shutthehellup,’orderedHawkins,tighteninghisgrip.‘You’renotmakinganysense.’‘I sawthem,’ sobbedManos,hiswordsslurringasHawkins’s sleeperhold tookeffect. ‘They look

likepeople,buttheirdisguisesslippedandIsawthem…They’rebeastsstraightoutoftheEyeandwehavetokillthemall…please…’

ThebondsmenwereyellingforbloodnowandmovingtowardstheCadianline.Manos’sstrugglesceasedasheslipped intounconsciousness,andHawkinssprangtohis feetas

themanColonelAndershadidentifiedasHawkesuppliedthefinalpushovertheclifftothissituation.‘Theycameheretokillus,lads!’shoutedHawke.‘Getthembeforetheygetus!’Thebondsmenthrewthemselvesat theCadian line,brandishingpower toolsandheavysparsof

metal.Hawkinsdidn’tfail tonoticethatHawkewasn’t leadingthecharge,buthangingbackbehindsomeofthelargerbondsmen.

‘Noshooting!’shoutedHawkinsasthebondsmenslammedintotheCadianranks.Amanwithafull-facialtattooofaspidercameathim,swingingaheavypieceofironpipework.

Hawkinsduckedtheswingandslammedtheheelofhispalmintotheman’ssolarplexus.Hesteppedbackasthemandroppedwithawhooshofexpelledairandbroughthisownriflearoundtouseasacudgel.ThreemeninfadedredcoverallsattackedandHawkinsstaggeredasaclubbingfistsmashedintothesideofhishead.

Instinctive training responses took over and he swung his rifle out in a sweeping arc thatconnectedwithhisattacker’sstomachanddoubledhimover.Hedroppedthesecondmanwithajabofthelasgun’sbutttotheheadandshookoffthedizzinessofhisownhurt.Hefelthandsdragginghisshouldersandspunaround,slammedhisrifleintothechestofhisattacker.

HisriflebuttsplitalongitslengthagainstSergeantTanna’sbreastplate.TheSpaceMarinedidn’tsomuchasflinchattheimpact.Tannahauledhimbackintothelineoffighting,liftinghimasthoughheweighednomorethana

child.Tannaswepthisarmsout,knockingbackhalfadozenbondsmenwitheveryblow.Manyof themenfellwithbrokenbones,butHawkinsknewtheywere lucky tobealive.Anyone

thatattackedawarrioroftheAdeptusAstarteswascourtingdeath,andtherestraintinTanna’sblowswasclear.

‘Stayinghereisfutile,’saidTanna.‘Wemustwithdraw.’‘We’renotleavingwithoutthecolonel,’repliedHawkins.‘Thenlethalforceisouronlyoption.’‘No,we’renotkillinganymoreofthesemen!’‘Wemaynothaveachoice,’saidTanna.Thebondsmenhadthemsurrounded,punching,kickingandscreamingattheminfury.Hawkins’s

Guardsmenhadformedanimpromptushieldwall,fightingtokeepthebondsmenbackwithviciousblows of rifle butts. Dahan fought with the bulbous pod at the base of his halberd, which wasthankfully deactivated. The battle robotswere currently inactive, but itwouldn’t take this situationlongtoescalatetoalevelwhereDahanfelthehadnochoicebuttobringtheirterrifyinglydestructivegunstobear.

The Space Marines fought without weapons, bludgeoning the bondsmen back with blows thatweredeliveredwithafinessethatwasaspreciseasitwasbone-crunching.WhereverHawkinslooked,hesawCadiansandbondsmenlockedinviciousbrawls.Disciplinewaspayingoffagainstanger,astherawfuryofthebondsmenwasnomatchforCadiantraining.EverymaninHawkins’scommandwasfightingaspartofaunit,eachdefendingtheirfellowsoldiers’backsandexpectingthesameinreturn.Living in the shadow of the Eye of Terror demanded a dedication tomartial brotherhood that fewotherregimentscouldmatch.

Hawkins struggled to see if there was any way they could reach the circle of earth-movingmachineswhere the colonel had gone to negotiatewith Abrehem Locke. The deckwas awashwithbondsmen–therewasnowaytheycouldmakeheadwaythroughsomanymen.Atleastnotwithoutusingtheirweapons,andeventhenitwasdoubtful.Gettingtothecolonellookedhopeless,butthenHawkinssawtheex-Guardsman,Hawke.Themanwasdoinghisbest toavoid the fighting,but thesheerpressofbodieshadforcedhimtothefront.

‘You’remine,’saidHawkins,shoulderinghiswaythroughthefighting.Hawkesawhimcoming,buttherewasnowhereforhimtogo.ThetwoofthemslammedtogetherandHawkinspistonedhisfistintotheman’sface.Hawkehadn’t survived theGuard foryearswithout learninghowto takeapunch,andherolled

with theblow,duckingandslamminghisownfistup intoHawkins’sgut.Theex-Guardsmanwasa

brawler, and a dirty fighter to boot. The two of them scrapped and grappled each other withoutfinesse,clawing,gougingandhammeringatoneanotherlikedrunkenpugilistsatapunchbag.

Hawkefoughtwitheveryfoultrickinthegutter-fighter’sarsenal,butCadianskneweverybelowthebelttrick.Hawkinssawthenextblowcoming,akneetothegroin,andliftedhisownlegtoblockit.Hedroppedandswunghisriflearound,slammingthecrackedbuttagainstthesideofHawke’sthigh.Themanhowledinpain,butHawkinswasn’tabouttoletuphisassault.

HeslammedarightcrossintoHawke’scheekandfollowedthatupwiththeoppositeelbowtothetemple.ThemancollapsedandHawkinsdroppedontohischest,pummellinghimwithrightandlefthooksuntilhisfacewasamaskofblood.

Hehauledthemanuprightandshoutedinhisface.‘Stopthisnowbeforesomeonegetskilled!’heshouted.Hawkespatamouthfulofbloodandeventhroughhismangledfeatures,hewasgrinning.‘Youbastardsstartedthis,’hecoughed.‘Yourmanshotoneofours.’‘Idon’tknowwhatthatwasabout,butifyoudon’tcallyourmenoff,peoplearegoingtodie.’‘Too late for that,’ saidHawke,asa figureclad inblackandsilver landednext tooneofDahan’s

battlerobots.Silverthreshinglimbssweptoutandtherobot’srightarmwasseveredcleanlyfromitschassis.Anotherwhippingblowanditsheadspunawayfromitsneckasthoughithadbeenpunchedoffbyanogryn.

Asecondrobotwasfelledasitsleftlegwasshearedoffatthehip,anditcrashedtothedeckwithitsmotorsscreechinganditsaugmittersblaring inmachinepain.HawkinsreleasedHawkeandstaredintotheflickeringredeyesofacybernetickiller.

The arco-flagellant knelt in the ruin of the two Cataphracts, the gleaming silver electro-flailssparkingwithelectricaldischargeastheoilylifebloodoftherobotsburnedaway.

‘Kill.Maim.Destroy,’itsaid.

TheRenard’s keelmeasured justunder threekilometres,whichmeant that itsnormal turningcirclewas correspondingly large. A starship’s hull and internal structure was designed to withstand thestresses of the void and vast forces of acceleration, but no human shipwright had ever designed avesselofsuchdisplacementtobenimble.

ButthatwasjustwhatEmilNaderwasaskingofitnow.TheywereclearoftheSperanza,andwithalastnodtowardsIlannaPavelka,hehauledthecontrols

around and fired a sequenced burn ofmanoeuvring rockets along the length of the hull. Vectoredthrustfromthestarboardprowjetsfiredatmaximumthrust,whiletheport-sidejetsontheship’srearanddorsalsectionsprovidedcounter-thrusttocompletethepivotingturn.

Emil felt himself pressed into his seat as local gravity within the Renard increased. Thesuperstructure groaned as torsion forces tried to buckle structural ribs and twist the keel intounnaturalshapes.

‘Lambdadeckbreached,’saidPavelka.‘Hullstressesthirtypercentpastrecommendedtolerances.Enginecontainmentfieldstrengthdiminishing.’

Emil didn’t answer.Whatwould be the point?He’d always known thismanoeuvrewouldn’t bepossiblewithoutsuffering.Hecouldfeeltheship’spain,butforcedhimselftoignoreit.Tohalttheirmanoeuvrenowwouldbe justasdangerous.He firedanother sequencedblastof thrust, rolling theRenardontoitsbackrelativetotheSperanza.Helettheturncontinueuntilthetwovesselswerefacingone another, before firing the main engines with a corrective burn on the vectored thrusters tostabilisetheiryaw.

The Renard was shaking itself apart as conflicting thrusts placed intolerable loads on itssuperstructure. Steel girders the thickness of Titan legs were twisting like heated plastic, andprecision-machined panels were bursting from their settings as the ship warped under stressesbeyondwhateventhemostexactinginspectormightdemand.

‘LateraldistancetoSperanza isclosing,’saidPavelka. ‘Remember,she’sinadownwardspiralandourclosurerateisincreasing.’

‘Compensating,’ said Emil, his fingertips dancing over the control panel to apply an insistentthrusttokeepthemamoreorlessconstantdistancefromtheArkMechanicus.ThemountainousbulkoftheSperanzabeganshiftingovertheRenardas thesmallershipslidpastbelow.ThecontrolswerefightinghimallthewayastheroguegravitationalforcessurroundingthemightyvesselslammedintotheRenard.

Scadsof theupperatmosphereshimmeredaroundtheRenard,evidenceofthedescendingspiraltrackoftheSperanza.StriatedbandsofgaseouscolourswerebleedingintotheblackofspaceandEmilreadasuddenandalarmingspikeofheatontheRenard’sventralsurfacesashewasforcedtofactoratmosphericfrictionintohiscoursecorrections.GravityhadtheSperanzainitsgrip,anditwouldn’tbelongbeforethatgripbecameunbreakable.

Emil dragged his eyes from the view through the canopy.What hewas seeing out there didn’tmatter fornow. Instead,hekepthisgaze focusedon the slender routehehadmapped towards theRenard’s shuttle, a hair-fine parabola that only a lunaticmight think was possible. He wasn’t evenawareoftheadjustmentshewasmakingtotheircourse,aninnateskillandfeelforthemotionofastarship informing his every action. The structure of the Speranza flew over them, titanicmanufactoriesandenormousprocessingplantsslippingpastsilentlyasthetwoshipspassedatwhatwas,inspatialterms,point-blankrange.

Thegravityfieldssoughttopullthetwoshipstogether,butEmilkeptthemapartwithdeftflaresfromthedorsalvectorsandanunimaginablydelicatehandonthecontrols.Atsuchdifferentialspeedsandatsuchcloserange,evenminutealterationsinpitchmeantkilometresofspacebetweenthetwoshipswouldvanishinseconds.

‘There,upahead,’saidPavelka.Emilriskedaquickglancethroughthecanopyandsawaglintofreflectedlightfromtheshuttle’s

hull. The term shuttle wasmisleading, as that vessel was itself over two hundredmetres long andthirtywide.Thetetherholdingitinplacewasinvisible,butthattheshuttlewasn’tbeingbuffetedfromside to side by the Speranza’s gravity envelope was enough to tell Emil it was there. Its perceivedmotionwascausedbytheRenard’serraticmovement,which–minuteasitwasinrelativeterms–wasstillhundredsofmetrestoeitherside.

AllofwhichwouldmakescoopingtheshuttleupintheRenard’sforwardcargobay…tricky.‘Captain,’saidEmil.‘Weseeyouandareclosingonyourposition.’‘Understood,’cameRoboute’svoiceoverthevox.‘Youstillreckonyoucanmakethiswork?’‘Please.Thisismeyou’retalkingto.It’llbe likethreadinganeedlefromthebackofaracingland

speederwhileblindfolded,’saidEmil.‘Easymoneyifyoufancyawager.’‘YouthinkI’dbetagainstyou?’askedRoboute.‘You’reasinsaneasRayner.’‘Raynercouldn’twipehisownarsewithoutamapandaservitor,’saidEmil.‘Nowshutupandfire

therig’sdriveswhenIgiveyoutheword.’The shuttle steadily grew in size through the canopy, becoming a vaguely rectangular smear of

light,thenanidentifiablesilhouetteofatrans-orbitalship,andfinallyauniquevessel.EmilfoughttokeepthebuffetingmovementoftheRenard toaminimum,knowingthateventhetiniestmovementoutofplacewouldseebothshipstornapartbyacollisionattoweringclosurespeeds.

‘Emergencydepressurisationoffrontalcargohold,’saidPavelka.‘Openingfrontalcargodoors.’Emil felt the change in the Renard’s flight profile instantly. Aerodynamic properties that were

irrelevant in space were suddenly of vital importance now that they were skimming the upperatmosphere.Awinkinglightchimedonthepanel.

‘Now,captain,’saidEmil.‘Firethoseenginesforallthey’reworth.’

The evacuation of Brontissa had been a nightmarish race against time, a countdown to extinctionfaced by billions of peoplewith no clue as to the horror ofwhat awaited them. A trading hub in aprosperous arc of the Melenian Dust Belt, Brontissa squatted at a confluence of trade routes andmilitary channels, supplying both staple and exotic goods to the surrounding sectors, as well asprovidingahavenforwearycaptainstorestandrecuperatewhileseekingoutfreshcontractsastheirfleetswererefittedintheweboforbitaldockyards.

The full horror of the tyranid racewasnot yet appreciated by the people of the Imperium. FewcouldbelievethatsuchanunimaginablethreatcouldexistwithintheEmperor’sdominion,andfewerstill had heard anythingmore than scare stories told third or fourth hand.Onlywhen planet afterplanet of the Dust Belt went dark was something of the terrifying nature of these extra-galacticpredatorsunderstood.

Systemmonitorssenttoinvestigatewereneverheardfromagain,andonlywhenademi-fleetledbyanageingApocalypse-classbattleshipencounteredthevanguardofthetyranidswasthescaleofthethreat understood. Only two ships escaped to bringwarning back to Brontissa, but by then it wasalreadytoolateforthemajorityofthepopulace.RegimentsofImperialGuardfromadjacentsystemsand in-transit forces of Space Marines from the Exorcists, Silver Spectres and Blood Angels weredivertedtobluntthethreat.

AnentireTitanLegionwalkedthesurfaceofBrontissa,andasthemilitarymightoftheImperiumassembled,itspopulacefledintheirbillionsasworldwidepanicfinallytookhold.Everyshipthatcouldbe lifted into orbit took flight, their holds and corridorspackedwith refugees, and thousandswerekilledinthestampedetofleetheirdoomedworld.ManymorediedastheskiesaboveBrontissafilled

withcollidingshipsattemptingtothreadapaththroughtheorbitalarchitecturewithoutheedorcare.A screaming horde of starships blasted into high orbit, but the tyranids were not somemono-

directionalmass ofunthinkingdrones.Theyhaddevoured Imperialworlds before andhad learnedfromeachslaughter.ThevolumeofspacearoundBrontissawasseededwithbillionsuponbillionsofbio-organisms. Somewere lethally intelligent hunter-killer creatures as vast as Imperial battleshipsand formed like frond-mouthed conches. Others were littlemore than organicmines, billowing indense,spore-likecloudstocripplefleeingcrafttobedevouredatleisure.

SpacearoundBrontissabecameanorbital graveyard, a spinning,metallicwastelandof crippledstarships. The fortunate ones died swiftly when their ships lost atmosphere and oxygen, but somesurvivedlongenoughtobeboardedandoverrunbychitteringhostsofflesh-eatingmonsters.

RoboutehadbroughttheRenardtoBrontissatorefreshhiscontactsinoneofthesystemcartels,adiverse organisation that ran everything from absurdly overpriced luxuries to illegal narcotics andundergroundrelicsofdubiousprovenance.Hekepthisdealingswithitspotentatestoaminimum,buttherehadbeenapassingofalong-livedpatriarch,andtheproperobeisanceneededtobemadetothenewlyappointedscion.

Ithadbeenanexcruciatingweekofenforcedformalityandoverblowntheatrics,butRoboutehadendured it for the sake of the vast sums these particular clients brought to his coffers. But whenrumoursoftheimpendingalienthreatbegancirculating,Robouteknewbetterthananyonethetruthofthisrapaciousxenosbreed.EveryoneinUltramarknewofthetyranidsandtheunimaginablescaleofthedevastationtheycouldwreak.

Warningeveryoneheknewto leaveBrontissa, theRenard liftedfromtheplanet’ssurfaceamidapanickedarmada,survivingseveralnear-missesandoncebeingclippedbythevoidarrayofasystemmonitorinblatantcontraventionofshippingrightsofway.Ithadbeenadangerousescaperequiringsome deft flying from both Roboute and Emil, but they had broken into open space before theunsuspectedenglobementoftheplanetwascomplete.

Just before breaking through the closing trap of bio-organic ships and orbital spore mines,RoboutehadwitnessedCaptainMakrusRayneroftheInfiniteTerraattemptarescueofabeleagueredvesselhebelievedwascarryinghiswifeanddaughter.RobouteknewMakrusonly tangentially,asaconveyor of goods thrice removed, but he had liked the man’s spirit and his willingness to flyanywhere.

Alreadytrailingahull’sworthofparasiticpolymerfrondsfromadetonatedsporemine,theInfiniteTerrawasinnostatetomanoeuvre.Itsvectoredengineswerecloggedwithfrothingbiomass,anditsvoid arrays were snapped after the impact of dozens of burrowing beetle-creatures with teeth likeundergrounddrillingrigs.TheshipRaynerbelievedhisfamilytobeaboardwasmuchsmaller,acargolighter that could just about break orbit, but little else. Without inter-system capability or warpengines,therewasnowayitcouldescapethedarting,bullet-noseddevourerbeastsonitstail–Raynerknewit.

With his forward cargo bay wide open, he’d flown through the upper reaches of Brontissa’satmosphere – already turbulent with insidious tyranid micro-organisms that were consuming theoxygenandnitrogenintheair–andattemptedtoscoopupthecargolighter.Withbothshipsmoving

atorbit-breakingspeedstheresultantexplosionwasvisiblefromtheplanet’ssurface,flaringbrieflyasaminiaturesunbeforefadingintothedistortingcolourspectrumoftheatmosphere.

The shockwave had swatted away a number of organisms turning their rudimentary sensestowardstheRenard,andthoughRoboutehadnotknownRaynerwell,heowedhisfellowspacefareradebtofgratitude.

RoboutelaterlearnedthatRayner’sfamilywereonadifferentshipaltogether,onethatescapedtheterrorof theevacuationandhadsought themout topassontheheroicmannerof theman’sdeath.Rayner’sdaughterhadreturnedtoAnohkinwithRoboute,enteringintoamutuallybeneficialbusinessarrangementthatlasteduntilhershipbroughtbacktheTomioka’ssaviourpodandRoboutehadseenthepossibilityofalifebeyondtheboundariesoftheImperium.

ThinkingbacktothemomenthehadseentheInfiniteTerravanishinasearingnuclearfireballandwatchingtheapproachingformoftheRenard,hewonderedifhe’dmadeagraveerrorinhavingEmilattemptthesamemanoeuvre.Probably,butitwastoolatetochangeanythingnow.

Robouteflippedopentheship-widevox.‘Everyoneholdontosomething,’hesaid.‘Thismightgetalittlerough…’Watchinghisownshipapproachatspeedwhilehewastetheredinplacewaslikewatchingavast

mega-organismapproachingthroughthedepthsofthedarkestocean,itsjawswidetodevourthetinymorselbeforeitwithoutevenrealisingitwasthere.Thiswasgoingtobelikeabulletflyingbackdownthebarrelofagunandwasjustasriskyasthatsounded.

Emil’s voice cameover the vox from theRenard: ‘Now, captain, fire those engines for all they’reworth.’

Roboute slammed the thrust controls out to theirmaximumdeployment, applying a dangerousamountofenergywithinsuchcloseproximity toanothercraft.Theshuttle lurchedandthe internalgravity wallowed as brutal acceleration strained to throw off the e-mag tether holding it in place.Roboute looked back through the rear-facing hull picters and experienced a moment of bowel-churningterrorasthevastmawoftheRenardfilledthedistortion-hazedscreenandthepummellingbowwaveofdisplacedneutronflowslammedintotheshuttle’shull.

TheimagevanishedinaflurryofstaticastheRenardswallowedtheshuttleinitsforwardhold.Roboute fought to keep the controls steady as the vast bulk of theRenard snapped the shuttle’s

tetherandsentasquallingburstoffeedbackintotheSperanza’shull.Theresultingexplosionwaslosttosightalmostinstantly.Theshuttle’senginesfilledtheRenard’scargoholdwithaseethingmassofplasma fire, and everything the servitor crews hadn’t removed was instantly incinerated. Only theinstantaneousdeployment of fire suppression systems kept the fire fromburning through the rearbulkheadsandguttingtherestoftheship.

Thosesamesystemswerethemselvesincineratedbytheplasma,butbythentheyhaddonetheirjob. The shuttle slammed into the rear bulkhead of the cargo compartment, and the heat-softenedmetalbuckledlikemeltedwaxbeforetheforwardmomentumoftheRenardcrushedtheenginesandemptyrearcompartmentsoftheshuttle,foldingthemuplikeaconcertinaingbulkheaddoor.Flamesbillowed from ruptured fuel lines, andwhat little air hadn’t already been vented from the systemscaught light and pinprick fires burned phosphor bright for seconds until oxygen starvation killed

them.Roboute,pinnedinplacebytheforceoftheimpact,justbarelymanagedtoslamhisfistdownon

theexplosive releaseboltsholding the shuttle’s crewcompartment rig to thecargospaces.The rig’smanoeuvring boosters fired and the g-forces holding Roboute in place lessened as the absurdlypowerfulenginesfiredwithshort-burnforce.

Ahead of him,Roboute saw the flame-wreathed outline of theRenard’s cargo bay and fought tokeep the tapered prow of the rig aimed at its centre. Burning the boosters with such power wasdepletingtheirfuelcellsatanalarmingrate,butthemouthofthecargobaywasnowracingtowardsRoboute and he let out awildwhoop as the smaller rig roared from inside theRenard, its forwardvelocitybeginningtooutstripthelargervessel.

‘Therig’sloose!’shoutedRoboute.‘Cutyourspeed,Emil!’SuddenlyallthatwasaroundRoboutewasemptyspaceandthewhippingbandsofvapourinthe

upper strataof theatmosphere.Hekept theengines sun-hotuntilheestimated thatanyprojectingportionsoftheRenard’sprowwerenowbehindhimbeforehaulingthecontrolcolumnupandtotheside.

‘Come on, come on!’ said Roboute through gritted teeth. Silent acres of azure steel andadamantium slid by beneath him as theRenard ploughed onwards, trailing a halo of fire from itsbatteredfrontalsections.Hisshiphadneverlookedsobeautiful.

‘HolyTerra,Ican’tbelievethatworked!’shoutedEmil.‘You’realive?Really?Wedidn’tblowupandthisisalljustmylastmomentsinslowmotion?’

‘Wemade it,Emil,’ saidRoboute, lettingoutwhat felt like ten lungfulsofbreathandfeelinghisheartrateslowfromitscurrenttriphammerspeed.‘Wait.Youdidn’tthinkwe’dmakeit?’

‘Sure,yeah,IalwaysknewIcoulddoit,’saidEmil.‘Ijustdidn’tknowifyoucould.’‘Your faith in my piloting skills is touching,’ said Roboute, turning the rig back towards the

Speranza.ThesheerscarpofitshullloomedbeforeRobouteandthesmallcraftwasslammedbackandforthbyroguegravitywavesthrownoffbytheenormousstarship.

‘Iseewhyshipsneedane-magtethernow,’hemuttered,findingthenearestembarkationdeck’slodestarsignal.Hisvoxandavionicspanelslitupwithwarningsigilsandblaringbinarycodewavinghimoff,butRobouteshutthemalldownandangledhiscoursetowardstheSperanza.

‘Holdon,Linya,’whisperedRoboute.

Tannathrewhimselfatthearco-flagellant,hisfistarcingtowardsitsskull.Theblowconnected,butinsteadoftearingthearco-flagellant’sheadfromitsshoulders,itmerely

rockedthecyborgkillerbackonitsheels.Tannafollowedupwithathunderouspunch,butthearco-flagellantswayedasideandslashedoutwithitsgleamingelectro-flailarms.ThestrikewouldhavecutTannaintwo,butVarda’sblack-bladedswordsweptoutandinterceptedthe lethalwhipsandslicedthemfromitswrist.

Vardafiredhispistolatthearco-flagellantatpoint-blankrange,theboltblastingachunkofmeatfrom the killer’s side, but, incredibly, it stayed upright as chem-stimms blocked out the pain and

spurreditshyper-acceleratedmetabolismtohealitself.Freshflailsextrudedfromthearco-flagellant’sgauntlets as it threw itself at the two Space Marines. The red circle at its forehead pulsed like aheartbeat,anditsgleamingfangswerebaredasthoughitwasrelishingthischancetofightopponentscapableofharmingit.

Varda backed away, using the Black Sword to keep the arco-flagellant from getting too close.Tannadrewhisownswordnowthathehadafoehecouldlegitimatelykill.HecameatthecyborgkillerfromtheoppositesidetoVarda,slashinglowforitslegs.Thecreatureleapedoverhisblade,slammingafistintothesideofTanna’shelm.Hefeltbonecrackandwasdriventoonekneebytheforceoftheblow. He threw his left arm up in time to block another fist, but he was powerless to prevent theslamminghead-buttcrashingfullintohisvisor.Theimpactwasmonstrousandwouldhavecavedtheskull of a mortal man. Tanna rocked back, his nose shattered and one eye filled with blood as hetoppledtothedeck.

Tannaknewtherewasascrumofdesperatefightinggoingonallaroundhim,buthecouldhearnothingbeyondtheringinginhisearsandhisraggedbreathing.Hisrighteyelenswasacrackedandstatic-filledmess. He felt the surge of power from his armour as the spinal plug blocked his painreceptorsandreleasedaburstofcombat-enhancingstimms.Herolled,expectingafollow-upattack,butVardawasslashinghisswordatthearco-flagellant’sneck.

Except the killer was no longer there, moving with preternatural speed thanks to the volatileconcoctionofpotentandhighlydangerousdrugscoursingthroughitshyper-stimulatedmetabolism.The arco-flagellant ducked beneath Varda’s blade and spun around him to ram suddenly ramrod-straight flail-talons into the Emperor’s Champion’s side. The energised spikes punched throughVarda’splateandheloosedagutturalroarofpain.

But rather than let that painmaster him, Varda turned into the arco-flagellant and put a bolt-roundstraightintoitschestatarangeofcentimetres.Theboltpunchedintothekiller’schestandtheexplosivewarheaddetonatedmicrosecondsafter,explodingfromitsbackinabloodyexitwound.

Butstillitrefusedtodie.Itselectro-flailscrackledwithpowerandVardacriedoutastheshockwasdeliveredstraighttohis

nervous system. The Emperor’s Champion dropped to his knees, and Tanna cried out as the BlackSword fell from his grip. The arco-flagellant wrenched its arm in Varda’s side, but the Emperor’sChampionhadhishandwrappedaroundthewrithingsteelembeddedinhisbody,holdingitfasttohisflesh.

TannathenrealisedthatVardahadnotdroppedhissword,butreleaseditdeliberately.Andnowswungitonthefresh-forgedchainTannahadcrafted.The strike was as horrendous as it was unexpected, the blade slicing into the arco-flagellant’s

shoulder. It ricocheted from the bone and tore into themeat and steel of its skull. Sparks and oil-infusedbloodsprayedfromthewoundasthearco-flagellantstaggeredawayfromVarda.Ithowledinamixtureofrageandpain,onearmhanginglimplyatitssideasthoughthesynapticconnectionstothelimbhadbeensevered.

‘Finishit!’commandedVarda.Tannasurgedtohisfeetandswepthisbolterfromthemag-lockathisthigh.

Theaimingreticulewasuselessinthesmashedvisor,butTannadidn’tneedit.Butbeforehecouldsqueezethetrigger,theintegrityfieldattheopeningoftheembarkationdeck

blew inwards with the sudden passage of a damaged cargo rig. Given the unexpected andunauthorisedarrivalofthisship,noneofthepressurisationdifferentialprotocolsorenergydampinggeneratorshadbeen initiated to receive an incoming vessel. Ice-cold air blew into the embarkationdeckwithhurricaneforceastheintegrityfieldwasbreachedforthebriefestsecondandthebatteredrigslammedtothedeckwithashriekoftearingmetal.

Itleftacascadeoffatorangesparksinitswakeasitskiddedacrossthedecklikearampagingbull-grox, smashingcargocontainersasideand rippingupa rowof loadergurneys in itsheadlong rushacross the deck space. Bondsmen and Cadians scattered like ants as they fought to get out of itspathway.

The violated integrity field snapped back into place, and a concussive e-mag pulse slammedthroughthedeckandtoppledthosefewmenstillstandinglikeafisttotheguts.

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TheSperanzapulledoutofitsdescendingspiralintotheatmosphereofHypatiawithlessthanthirteenminutes remaining before breaking orbitwould have become impossible. The violent arrival of theRenard’sshuttlerigprovidedthenecessarymomentofcalmforColonelAndersandAbrehemLocketoimposeacessationofhostilitiesandrestoreasemblanceoforder.

Itwasafragileceasefire,onethatcouldflaretoviolenceinaheartbeatandmighthavedonesohadit not been for the sobering sight of Roboute Surcouf leading a sterile gurney from the crewcompartmentoftheshuttle.BorneuponthegurneywasthegrievouslyinjuredLinyaTychon,andthesight of the horrificallywoundedmagos had instantly quelled every thought of conflict. Both sideswithdrewtolicktheirwoundsand,inAbrehemLocke’scase,vanishoncemoreintothelabyrinthinestructureoftheArkMechanicus.

As a Mechanicus bio-trauma squad encased Linya in a stasis-capsule, Roboute paused beforeleavingtheembarkationdeck,staringupatoneofthevaultedchamber’stoweringlancetwindows;avividlystained-glasswindowdepictingasprawlingLemanRussmanufactorumatopOlympusMons.One of thewindow’s lower paneswas broken, and Roboute stared at it for severalminuteswith acuriousexpressiononhisface,likeamantryingtorecallahalf-remembereddream,beforefollowingLinyaandherfathertothemedicaedecks.

Moments later,servitorsthroughouttheSperanza returnedtotheirnormalworkingpatterns,re-implantingthemselvesintotheship’svitalsystemsand,moreimportantly,re-establishingcontrolofthe overloading reactors in the enginarium decks. With dedicated binaric choirs appeasing theenragedspiritsoftheplasmacores,therunawayreactionswithintheirnuclearheartswerecooledandnormaloperationrestored,allowingtheSperanzatopulloutofitsself-destructivedescent.

Mechanicus clean-up crews arrived to salvage Roboute Surcouf’s shuttle and return theembarkationdecktofunctionalityintimetoreceivetheflotillasofcargo-haulersfromthesurfaceofHypatia.With orbit restored, the resupply operation continued as before, though at a substantiallyincreasedaltitudeandmeasuredpace.

Notracecouldbefoundof thearco-flagellant; ithadvanishedascomprehensivelyas itsmaster,thoughindicationswerethatBrother-SergeantTannaandEmperor’sChampionVardahadseriously

damaged its biological components. Both Space Marines had suffered injury at the hands of thecyborgiseddestroyer,butwithouttheministrationsofanApothecary,theywereforcedtorelyonbasicmedicaetreatmentintendedforbaselinehumanoidanatomy,whichcouldpatchupthesurfacehurt,butdonothingforanyunderlyingdamagethearco-flagellant’sflailshadcaused.

No-one beyond the first victims of Guardsman Manos’s opening salvo had been killed in thefighting,whichinitselfwassomethingofamiracle,butthemedicaedeckswerefilledwithbondsmenandCadianssportingbrokenlimbs,deepcuts,fracturedskullsandheftyconcussions.Manoshimselfwasnowconfined to theSperanza’sbrig,abrokenmanwithnomemoryofwhathaddrivenhimtoopenfire.

All the subsequent deep neural trawls could establish was that sometime around the shooting,synaptic activity inManos’s amygdala, themass of nuclei buried deep in the temporal lobes of thebrain,hadincreasedtenfold.Thissectionofthebrain,oftenneuteredduringasenioradept’spassagethrough theupperechelonsof theCultMechanicus,housed thebody’s controlmechanisms for fearand rage,which– togetherwith themurderofMagosSaiixek– led somemagi to speculate thatanoutsideagencyhadexertedsomeformofpsychic influenceover theGuardsman.What thatoutsideagencymightbe,noonewassaying,butbelowthewaterlinespeculationwasrife,withtalkofxenosboarders,warpcreaturesandaroguepsykeramongthecrew.

ThecoffinshipsofLegioSiriusreturnedthemortally-woundedcarcassofAmaroktotheSperanza,andthoughtherewasno love lostbetweenEliasHärkinandGunnarVintras,VilkahadescortedthefallenremainsofitsfellowWarhoundtoMagosTurentek’srepaircradles.AprocessionofMechanicusmourners marched alongside the fallen engine, and spirit-singers encoded memories of its lostmachine-soulwithintheManifoldtohonouritssacrifice.TheOmnissiahwouldrevealtheWarhound’snewspiritingoodtime,readyforwhenitsphysicalformwasreadytowalkagain.

Withthecurrentcrisisaverted,andtopreventanotherrevolutionbelowdecks,ArchmagosKotovhadbeenforcedtoagreetoseveralofAbrehem’sdemands.Atfirsthehaddemandedanothermilitaryresponse, but after consultationswith his seniormagi and receiving counsel onmortal psychologyfromVenAndersandRobouteSurcouf,hehadbeenbroughtroundtotheideaofnegotiation.

Theendresultsofthosenegotiationsweresweepingchangesinthedutyrostersofthebondsmen’sshift patterns, implemented on a ship-wide basis, together with an improvement in the quality ofnutritional foodstuffs served in the feedinghalls.Retroactively-appliedmaximum lengthsof servicewereaddedtotheservitudecovenantsbetweenArchmagosKotovandtheSperanza’sbondsmen,andacharterofworkers’rightswastobedrawnupthatbetteroutlinedtheexactdutiesandresponsibilitiesofthestarship’screw.

Allofwhichhadservedtoenragethemasterofthefleettothepointofapoplexyandafullsystem-purge.BeingdictatedtobymenialswasunheardofintheannalsoftheAdeptusMechanicus,andthethought of such present humiliation was only barely outweighed by the thought of future glory.Between them, Surcouf and Anders finally persuaded the archmagos to agree to the principles ofAbrehem Locke’s terms – though both harboured doubts as to how long he would abide by theagreementwhentheSperanzareturnedtoImperialspace.

The ArkMechanicus remained in orbit aroundHypatia for another five days, ferrying fleets of

haulers from the surface to restock the depleted supply holds and carrying out swathes of badly-neededrepairwork.WhileBlaylockstudied the temporal implicationsof theregressingworld,bothKryptaestrexandTurentekpetitionedforanotherweektofullyreplenishtheirstockofrawmaterials.KotovrefusedtheserequestsandorderedAzuramagellitoresumetheircoursetowardstheunnamedforgeworlduponwhichhebelievedArchmagosTelokcouldbefound.

AstheSperanzasetsail,Kotovsatuponhiscommandthroneandoncemoreturnedhisgazeuponthegeometricarrangementofstarsattheheartofthisquestintotheunknown.

‘Youstillbelievethisventurecansucceed?’askedGalatea,easingintopositionatKotov’sside.‘Ido,’repliedKotov,unwillingtowastewordsonthemachineintelligence.Thesilver-eyedproxybodywavedanadmonishingfinger.‘Wearenotsosure,’itsaidwithathroaty,augmeticlaugh.‘Youareaservanttolesserbeingsnow.

Nolongermasterofyourownvessel.’‘Myvessel,’spatKotov,shakinghishead.‘Yousaidsoyourself;thisisyourvesselnow.’

Itwascold,alwayscold.MarkoKoskinenshiveredinthefreezingchill,eventhoughhewasswathedinfursandthermallayers.Theblackandsilvermountainwaslongbehindhim,itsfrigidwindsandice-lockedslopesadistantmemory,buthereevokedinthefreezingtemperatureofthepack-meet.Breathmistedbeforeeveryassembledcrewmanof theLegio, from itsgun-servitors– temporarily removedfromtheirweaponmounts–throughitsmoderatiandallthewaytoitsprinceps.

MagosHyrdrithhademptiedthespaceofheat,aneasytaskonastarshiptravellingthevoid,andcracklingwebs of frost patterned the glass and steel of the forgotten chamber.No-one knewwhatpurposeithadonceserved,andaftertoday,noonewouldknowwhatpurposeitwasservingnow.

Ahundredsouls stood in two longranks, facingeachotheracrossa centralpathway toa raisedrostrumuponwhichsatthelife-supportenginesoftheLegio’sseniorprinceps.

TheWintersun occupied the centre of the rostrum, his bio-support cradle surrounded by grey-robed adepts with canine pelts of fur and claw draped around their shoulders and skull masksobscuringtheirhalf-human,half-machinefaces.Theprinceps’struncatedwraith-formdriftedinthemilky grey suspension, his sutured eyes and implant-plugged torso regarding proceedings like awitheredmonarch.

Besidehim, theMoonsorrowoccupiedthepositionofTyrannos,a rankofgreatsignificance thatgrantedabsoluteauthorityintheabsenceofthealpha,atitlerecentlybestoweduponEryksSkálmöldin recognition of his honoured status and a clear symbol of his right of succession. Elias Härkin,encased inhiswheezing,pneumaticexo-harness, stoodat thebaseof the rostrum,honoured inhisproximitytotheseniorprinceps,butstillsubservienttotheirwill.

KoskinenbelievedtheLegiohadbeengiftedafreshstartwiththeWintersunre-establishingtheproperhierarchyofdominanceuponhisandtheMoonsorrow’sreturnfromtheManifold.

Andnowthis.Koskinen and Joakim Baldur flanked Gunnar Vintras as they stood at the opposite end of the

chambertotheWintersun.TheWarhoundprinceps’sshavenheadwasbowedandhisshoulderswere

hunched,makinghimseemanutterlypatheticfigure.KoskinenwantedtodespiseVintrasforwhathehadallowedtohappentoAmarok,butthesightofthebrokenprincepstoldhimthatnorebukehecouldofferwouldmatchtheloathingthemanhadforhimself.

VintrasworehisfullTitanicusdressuniform:whiteandsilver,withthetwincanidaepinspickedoutingoldonthelapelsofhiscrimson-edgedfrockcoat.Withoutfurs,Vintraswouldbechilledtothebone,buttohiscreditheletnoneofthatdiscomfortshowonhishollow-cheekedface.

‘Let’sgetthisoverwith,’saidVintras,lookingoveratKoskinen.Koskinendidn’treply–itwasforbiddentospeaktoanomegawithoutthealpha’spermission–and

lookedoveratJoakimBaldur.Hisfellowmoderatinodded,andtheyeachtookholdofVintrasbytheupperarmsandallbutdraggedhimtowardstherostrum.ThetwomenmarchedbetweenthepairedranksofLegiopersonnel;whoturnedawayfromthedisgracedprincepsastheypassed,directingtheirattentiontowardstheWintersun.

Thecoldattherostrumseemedsharperandmoredangerous,likeasuddenfreezewasimminent.HeandBaldurpresentedVintrastotheWintersun,whodriftedtothefrontofhis tankwithhis

unseeingeyesfasteneduponhisdisgracedpack-warrior.HiselongatedandbulbousskullnoddedonceandEliasHärkintookaclattering,mechanisedstepforwards.

‘Gunnar Vintras, warrior of Lokabrenna and scion of the black and silvermountain, you comebeforeusasprincepsofLegioSirius.’

ThenasaldistortionofHärkin’spathogen-ravagedvocalchordswasunpleasanttohear,butwhathehadtosaynextwasevenmoreso.

‘Asprincepswereyouentrustedwiththelifeandhonourofthewar-engine,Amarok?’‘Iwas,’answeredVintras.‘Andhaveyoufailedinthatduty?’‘Ihave,’saidVintras. ‘Myenginewasmortallywoundedanditsmachine-spiritextinguished.No-

onebutIbearstheshameofthat.’HärkinlookedbacktotheWintersun,whofloatedbackintotheoccludingviscosityofhiscasket.

ThiswasadutyfortheMoonsorrowtoperform,tofullycementhispositionaspackTyrannos.+Amachine-spirit is never extinguished,+ said theMoonsorrow. +It returns to theOmnissiah’s

light.Bodiesoffleshandbloodcanneveroutliveabodyofsteelandstone,asoulofironandfire.+‘Iacceptwhateverpunishmentyouseefittoimpose,Moonsorrow,’saidVintras.+YoudonotgettocallmeMoonsorrow.Onlypackusesthatnameandyouarenolongerpack.You

areomega.+Vintrasnodded.‘Sobeit,’hesaid,liftinghisheadandbaringhisneck.+Begin,Härkin,+saidtheMoonsorrow.+Spillhisblood.+Härkin nodded and removed a long-bladed knife with a bone handle from a kidskin sheath

attachedtohislegcalliper.Knowingwhatwasrequired,KoskinenandBalduronceagainheldVintrasbyhisarms.Härkintookhisknifeandmadetwoquickslashes,oneacrosseachofVintras’scheeks.Asdropletsofbloodrandownhisface,Härkinplacedtheknifeagainsttheprinceps’sthroat,drawingthebladeovertheskin;hardenoughtodrawblood,butnotsodeepastoendhislife.

Aprinceps,evenadisgracedone,wastoovaluableanindividualtobesocasuallythrownaway.

The required mental and physical demands of commanding a titanic war-engine were soenormousastoexcludevirtuallytheentirehumanrace.OnlytrulyexceptionalindividualscouldeventraintobecomeaTitanprinceps,letalonebecomeone.Butcensurehadtobegivenandbeseentobegiven.Vintraswouldforeverbeartheritualscaroffailureuponhisthroat.

HärkincleanedhisbladeonthefabricofVintras’suniformandsheatheditbeforereachinguptoremovehiscanidaerankpins.HesteppedbacktohisassignedpositionatthefootoftherostrumandnoddedtoKoskinenandBaldur.

Piecebypiece,theystrippedtheTitanicusuniformfromVintras,lettingeachitemofclothingfallathisfeetlikediscardedragsuntilhestoodnakedbeforetheLegio.Hisbodywasmuscularandheavilytattooed,marked by honour scars and ritual brandingmarks indicating engine kills and campaignrecords.Theskinbeneaththeinkingwasmarble-paleandnotevenVintras’sstoicdemeanourcouldpreventthecoldfromfinallyimpactingonhim.Heshiveredinthefreezingtemperature,nakedandvulnerableandbroughtlowbeforehisLegio.

+NowyoutrulyaretheSkinwalker,+saidtheMoonsorrow.

Vitalihadbeenadvisedagainstsiringanheir.Thelikelihoodofemotionalattachmentwouldbehigh,hisfellowmagitoldhim.Therisktohisresearcheswouldbeincalculableinthetimeitwouldtaketoraiseanoffspring,forsurelyhewouldwishtoobservethedevelopmentofhisclonefirst-hand.Hehadignored them all, desiring a willing apprentice to continue his work after he had gone. Thearrangement was to be purely functional, for Vitali was aman obsessed with the workings of theuniverseandhisconcernswerecosmological,notbiological.

ButallthathadchangedwhenaoneintentrillionrandomfluctuationinthegeneticsequencingofhisclonehadspontaneouslymutateditscodeandtransformedwhatshouldhavebeenageneticcopyofVitaliintoadistinctindividual.Adaughter.

LinyahadsurpassedhiseveryexpectationinabilityandVitalihadgrownto loveherasmuchasany celestialphenomenon, evengoingas far as tonameher afterwhatmanybelievedwas the truenameof thedaughter –o r sister,nooneknew for certain –of the composerofHonovere. Invasiveaugmentationofdevelopingbraincellsduringherhothousedgestationperiodintheironwombhadgivenheranenhancedintellectandgrowthspeedsfrombirth.

Withinherfirstyearof lifeLinyawasalreadyactingashisassistant,herenhancedmindhousedwithin the equivalent bodyshape of a six-year-old child. Her physical growth had assumed amoretraditional pattern soon after, but her mind had never stopped developing, and soon she wasoutstrippingmagiwithdecadesmoreexperienceinmappingtheheavens.

Traditionaleducationhadprovedtoostultifyingforherquickenedintellect,andshehadfledoneMechanicusscholamafteranother,alwaysfindingherwaybacktotheorbitalgalleriestostudywithherfather.Andsohehadtrainedherinthemysteriesoftheuniverse,andshetookherplaceathissideashisapprenticeashehadalwayshoped,thoughwithabondofmutualrespectandloveasopposedtothefunctionalarrangementhehadanticipated.

Manypitiedhimorshooktheirheadsathisfoolishness,lamentingwhathemighthavediscovered

orotherwiseturnedhisintellecttowardswereitnotforthedistractinginfluenceofflesh-kintokeephimfromhisdutytotheOmnissiah.

Theywerewrong,knewVitali.AnylosstothesumofknowledgeheldbytheMechanicushadbeenVitali’sgain.Linyawasgoingtosurpassthemall,shewasgoingtorewritehumanunderstandingofthestars

andtheiraeons-longexistence.ThenameofLinyaTychonwouldbementionedinthesamebreathasthosegreatpioneerswhohadchampionedthefirsttranshumanismexperiments;Fyodorov,Moravec,HaldaynandthevitrifiedenigmaofFM-2030.

AllthisVitalihadknownwithasuretyinhisbonesthathenowunderstoodwassimplevanity.Linyawashiscreation,andshewasgoingtooutlasthimandexceedhimineveryway.Howverybiologicalofhim.Sittingbyhisdaughter’s sideas she layunmovingwithina sterile containment field,Vitalinow

sawhowfoolishhehadbeen.ThetreatmentLinyahadreceivedwassecondtonone,theverybesttheSperanzahadtooffer.SeniormedicaeandMedicusBiologishadspentthelastthirteendaysbendingtheir every effort into restoring her body, managing her pain with precisely modulated synapticdiversionsandreclothinghersurvivinglimbswithsynth-grownskin.

Theyhaddoneallthatcouldbedone.Winningthefightforlifewasnowuptoher.Linya’s future hung in the balance, and no one could predict onwhich side the coin of her life

mightturn.Vitali’s brainhadbeenaugmented, rewiredand surgically conditioned in somanyways that its

processesresembledthoseofabaselinehumaninonlythemostsuperficialways.Hethoughtfasterand on multiple levels at once. His powers of lateral thinking and complex, multi-dimensionalvisualisationwerebeyondtheabilitiesofevengiftedhumanpolymathstocomprehend.

Yethewasascrushedbyguiltandgriefasanyfatheratthesightofhischildinpain.Heknewhecouldhavesparedhimselfthispainhadhenotbeentooproud,toostubbornandtoo

bloody-minded to listen to his peers and forego the siring of a successor. If he had been properMechanicushecouldhaveneatlysidesteppedthishorrorandsimplychosenanapprentice fromthemostpromisingofhismanyacolytes.

ButthenhewouldhavedeniedhimselfthejoyofLinya’sexistence,thepleasureofhergrowthandlearning, thewonderofherpersonality shining through,nomatterhow steeped in thewaysof theMartianpriesthood she became. ThoughCultMechanicus to her bones, Linyahad a very rare, verybright spark of humanity that refused to be extinguished nomatter what replacement cyberneticswereimplantedwithinherbiologicalvolume.

ArchmagosKotovandeveryoneoftheseniormagihadcometopaytheirrespectstohisdaughter,each expressing ameasure of regret thatwas surprising in some, downrightmiraculous in others.MagosBlaylockhadvisitedLinya’sbedsideonnumerousoccasions,eachtimedisplayinganempathyVitalihadhithertonotbelievedhimcapableofexhibiting.

Roboute Surcouf had been a regular visitor, and his grief was a depthless well of regret thatreminded Vitali of the time he had spent with the eldar. Clearly something of that xenos species’capacity forextremesofemotionhadbeenpassedto theroguetraderduringhis timespentaboard

theircity-ship.Vitali hadno capacitywithwhich to shed tears, having long ago sacrificed even that tiny space

within his skull for extra ocular-cybernetic hardware. Instead, he extended a sterilemechadendriteinto the counterseptic field surroundingLinya and rested its callipers onher shoulder, hoping thatsomemeasureofhispresencewouldsomehowbetranslatedtohersedatedbody.

Theaugmentedmindwasacomplexorgan,anddespitetheir loftyclaimsandinterventions,noteven the highest ranked genetors of the magi biologis truly understood the subtleties of its innerworkings.Mechanicusrecordswererepletewithapocryphalaccountsofthegrievouslywoundedandthose insupposedlyvegetativecomasbeingbroughtbackfromthebrinkofdeathbythewordsofalovedone.Andrightatthismoment,Vitaliwaswillingtoclutchatanystraw,nomatterhowslenderorunsubstantiated.

HereadfromoneofLinya’sarchaicbooks;ararecollectionofpoemsfromOldEarth,monographsoncelestialmechanicsandthebiographiesofmanyoftheearliestastronomersevertomakethestarsshine brighter by bringing them within reach of their earthbound brethren. The first stanzas hetransmittedviathenoosphereandbinariccodeblurts,butwhenhecametoLinya’sfavouritepassage,heswitchedtohisflesh-voice.

‘Iamaninstrumentintheshapeofawoman,tryingtotranslatepulsationsintoimagesforthereliefofthebodyandthereconstructionofthemind.’

ThepoemwassaidtodatefromanepochbeforetheAgeofStrife,thoughthatseemedunlikelygiventhedevastationwroughtinthatcataclysmicera;butithadnotbeenitsclearantiquitythatLinyaliked,ratherthefactthatitacknowledgedtheroleofawomanintheearliestageofgalacticexploration.

Vitalihadnorealappreciationforpoetry,butheknewbeautywhenhesawit.Spacewasavastwonderland,atapestryofuniversalmagnificencethatanywitheyestoseecould

witness.Itwasthedesiretobreathethatwonderintoothersthathaddrivenhimtogalactictelescopes,andthatsamewonderlayattheheartofLinya’screation.

He would not sacrifice the pain he was feeling now and forego the joy of having known hisdaughterandwatchedhergrow.

‘Doyoubelieveshecanhearyou?’Vitaliturned,expectingtoseeanotherMechanicusvisitor,buthislipcurledincontemptashesaw

Galateasquattingatthearchedentrancetothemedicaechamber.ItssquatbodywasloweredalmosttofloorlevelandissilvereyesweretrainedonLinya.

Vitalifelthisloathingforthis…thingreachnewheights.Whyshouldthisabominationgettoexistwhilehisdaughter’slifehunginthebalance?Heforcedbackthevenominhisthroatandturnedbacktothebed.‘Idonotknow,’saidVitali. ‘Ihopeso.PerhapsifshehearsthatIamwithheritwillgiveherthe

strengthtofightforherlife.’

‘Averybiologicalconceit,’saidGalatea.‘Weknowofnoempiricalevidencetosupportthecapacityforperceptionwhileinamedicatedstate.’

‘Idonotcarewhatyouknowordonotknow,’snappedVitali. ‘Iamreadingtomydaughter,andnothingyoucansaywillconvincemeIamwrongtodoso.’

Galatea entered the medicae chamber, its mismatched limbs clattering on the tiled floor. TheozonestinkofitsbodyandtheflickeringlightofitsbrainjarsreflectedfromthebrushedsteelofthemachinerykeepingLinyaalive.

‘We do notwish to do so,’ saidGalatea, extending amanipulator arm and resting it onVitali’sshoulder. ‘We come to offer you our sympathy, such as it can exist for a biological entity.We hadgrownfondofMistressTychoninthetimewehadknownher.’

‘Mydaughter is not dead,’ saidVitali, fighting to hide his surprise at themachine’s unexpectedsentiment.‘Shemayyetrecover.Linyaisafighter,andshewillnotletthisfinishher…Iknowit.’

Vitali’svoicetrailedoffandGalateamovedtotheothersideofLinya’sbed.‘Wesincerelyhopeso,’itsaid.‘Sheistooprecioustobetakenawaybysuchill-fortune.’‘Ididn’tknowyouhadinteractedthatmuchwithLinya.’‘Indeed,yes,’saidGalatea.‘WhenwetookovertheexloadfromtheTomioka’scogitators,welinked

withhermindandsawjusthowexceptionalabeingsheis.’‘Exceptional,’saidVitaliwithahopefulsmile.‘Yes,that’sexactlywhatsheis.’

Abrehem sat on ametal-legged stool before Rasselas X-42 and folded his arms. The arco-flagellantreclined on its throne-gurneywith the articulated arm and leg restraints splayed, rendering it likesomeancientanatomicaldiagram.ThewoundsithadsufferedatthehandsoftheSpaceMarineswereextensive, enough to have slain a bondsmanmany times over. Only its superlative artificiality andacceleratedmetabolicaugmentationhadkept italive, though thoseselfsamebiologicalmechanismshadkeptitinastateofregenerativedormancysincethen.

TheaftermathoftheabortiverevolutionontheembarkationdeckhadgivenAbrehemagreatdealto consider, particularly his continued usage of the arco-flagellant. In the confused days after theSperanza had pulled out of her death dive over Hypatia, his time had been spent in secretive andnoospherically-conductednegotiationswithArchmagosKotov,hammeringoutameansbywhichthefleetcouldcontinueitsmissionofexplorationandtreatitsworkerswithrespect.

It had been a protracted and often thorny maze to negotiate, but a peace of sorts had beenachieved.Theservitorsandbondsmenwentback toworkandAbrehemhadsentHawkeandCoynewith them.He too had been offered amnesty, but knowing how easily his capturemight allow thearchmagostorenegeonhispromises,Abrehem,IsmaelandTothaMu-32hadremainedinhiding.

TheoverseerhadpatchedRasselasX-42’shorrificinjuriesasbesthecould,butevenwithinloadedmedicaedatabasestocallupon,thesheerincomprehensibilityanddensityofthebiologicalhardwarewithin X-42’s body rendered every attempt to restore function akin to little more than educatedguesswork.

Thebolterwoundinthearco-flagellant’ssidehadhealeditself,formingagauzeofsyntheticskin

thatovertimehadbondedwithhishardenedskinshelltoleaveaglossycarapaceofscartissue.TothaMu-32hadremovedovereighty-sevenindividualshardsofboltcasingfromthearco-flagellant’sbackbeforepackingthatwoundwithsynth-fleshandapplyingacountersepticdressing.

Asgrievousasthebolterwoundswere,itwastheBlackTemplar’sswordblowthatwasofgreaterconcern.Numerouschem-shuntssituatedinthehollowsbetweenX-42’sshoulderandcollarbonehadruptured,spreadingadistilledcocktailofpotentdrugsdesignedtoinitiatecombatreflexes,statesofdormancy, healing and self-immolation.Mixed together, the effect had been to plungeX-42 into adelirious state of feverish nightmares that only the immediate engagement of high-level devotionprotocolsinitspacifierhelmcouldquell.

ButeventhatwasoflesserconcernthanthedamagethepoweredbladehadcausedasitrippedupthesideofX-42’sskull.Themetalliccowlencasingtheleftsideofitsheadhadbeencutawaycleanly,exposingpanelsofcircuitrythatwerebeyondanylivingmagi’sabilitytorestore.Whattheirfunctionmighthavebeenwasamystery,butthattheywere,onsomelevel,stilloperative–albeitinanaberrantway–wasobviousfromthetwitchesandconvulsionswrackingX-42’sbody.

Abrehem thought back to Ven Anders’s words as they’d spoken in the moments before thingsturnedbloody.Heknewhehadbeenmanipulatedbyamanwhocouldconvinceothermen towalkintohails of gunfire and then thankhim for the opportunity, but thatdidn’t alter the fundamentaltruthofwhathehadsaidregardingRasselasX-42.

Abrehemwasasgoodaskeepingaslave,justasArchmagosKotovwaskeepingthebondsmenandservitorsinbondage.HowcouldhedemandbasichumanrightsfortheenslavedworkersthroughouttheSperanzaifhewasn’twillingtoliveuptothesamestandard?

Thatquestionhaddrivenhimtotakethiscourseofaction,acourseofactionthatTothaMu-32hadroundlycondemnedasanactofillogicalfoolishness.Ismaelhaddisagreedandbothstoodbehindhimreadytostepinatamoment’snoticeshouldsomethinggohideouslywrong.

Ismaelappearedathissideandtookhisorganichand.Abrehemhardly recognisedhis former shift overseer anymore. The vain, arrogant, self-entitled

shit who’dmade his life hell on Joura had vanished utterly and been replaced by a figure of suchserenityandpeacethatitwaslikelookingintothefaceofoneoftheEmperor’ssaintspaintedontoatemplumfresco.

‘YouwillseeterriblethingswithinX-42’smind,Abrehem,’saidIsmael,hismetal-cowledheadsolikethatofthearco-flagellant,andyetsodifferent.‘Thisisaverybravethingyouaredoing.’

‘Itisafoolishactofself-indulgence,’saidTothaMu-32.‘YouwillfindnothingwithinX-42’smindbutvileness.DoyouthinkthatupstandingcitizenswholovetheirchildrenandworshiptheEmperoreverydayareturnedintoarco-flagellants?’

TothaMu-32 gestured towards the twitching arco-flagellant and said, ‘They are theworst scumimaginable; thedregsof society, themaladjusted, the insaneand the irredeemable.That iswhothiswas,andtothinkotherwisewouldbeaterriblemistake.HeisnowaservantoftheEmperorandtheOmnissiah,andthatisallhewilleverbe.’

AbrehemnoddedtowardsIsmael.‘JustasamindlessservitorwasallIsmaelcouldeverbe?’‘That isverydifferent,’ saidTothaMu-32. ‘What Ismaelhasbecome isadivinegift,but Icannot

acceptthattheOmnissiahwouldworkthroughawretchlikeX-42.’‘That’spridespeaking,’saidAbrehem.‘Saiixekaccusedyouofthesamething,remember?Thatyou

claimed toknow thewillof theMachine-God.Yousaid it yourself,X-42wasamonster.Now he is aservantof theEmperorandtheOmnissiah,andIneedtoknowif there isanyhumanity leftwithinhim,anylastshredofgoodnesswecansalvage.’

TothaMu-32saidnothing,hishalf-humanfeaturesunreadablebeneathhiscrimsonhood.‘I’mdoingthis,’saidAbrehem.‘Soeitherhelpmeorgetout.’Ismaeltookastepforwards,keepingholdofAbrehem’shandandreachingouttoliftRasselasX-

42’sscarredandcallusedhand.‘Themomentofconnectionwillbepainful,’saidIsmael.‘Irememberthelasttime,’noddedAbrehem.‘I’mreadythistime.’‘No,’saidIsmael.‘Notforthisyouarenot.’

Microcontent19

Ismaelwas right. Abrehemwasn’t ready for the sudden,wrenching dislocation of having his everysenserippedfromhisbodyandrammedintothemindofanotherlivingbeing.Itwaslikehavingtheinnardsofhisskullscoopedoutandflash-burnedbeforebeingpiecedtogetheragain,flakeofashbyflakeofash.Abrehemfelthis senseof identity slough fromwhatever formofconsciousnesshewasexperiencing,likeaserpentsheddingitsskinandbeingreborn.

OneminutehewasAbrehemLocke,bondsmanaboardtheArkMechanicus,Speranza,thenexthewas…

Hewas…Hehadnoideawhohewas.HewasAbrehemLocke.No,hewas…no,hewasnot.Hewas.Hewassomeoneelse.Hewassomeonewhosethoughtswere likearabiddoginacageof itsownmaking,thephysical

manifestationofanunendingscreamthatwasonlykeptsilentbythecomplexalchemyofnumerouspharmacological inhibitors.Hesat in thecentreofa soulless roomofbarestone, cofferedsteelandbottle-greenceramictiles,facingaheavycog-shapeddoorwayofbronzedsteel.Leatherrestraintsatwrists,anklesandtorsosecuredhimtoacoldsteelthrone-gurney.

Incense fogged the air and heavy machinery, more suited to the interior of a shipwright’sassembly-hangar,satidletoeithersideofthethrone.Feedlinespulsedlikearteries,ventingtinypuffsofoil-richvapourthattastedofbileandhypocrisy.

He tried tomove his head, but clamps drilled into the bone of his skull and jaw prevented anylateral rotation. In his peripheral vision, he could see twin icons stamped on oppositewalls; one asteel-toothedcogofblackandwhitewithanironskullatitscentre,theotheratwo-headedeaglewithoneeyehoodedandblindandtheotherever-watchful.

Bothiconsstaredathimwithimpassiveandunforgivingeyes.He – no, the mind he squatted within – felt nothing but contempt for everything they now

representedtohim.Chem-shuntsburiedintothemeatofhisforearmspumpedhoneyedmusclerelaxantsthroughhis

bloodstream, and neuro-synaptic blockers had been introduced to his spinal fluid. He knew thisbecausethetremblingadeptswho’dstrappedhisdruggedbodyintothethrone-gurneyhadsparednodetailintheirdescriptionsofwhatwasabouttohappen.

Thedooririsedopenandachantinggroupofrobedfiguresmarchedthrough.Theirleaderreadfromaheavybook,itsweighttooenormousforanymortalmantobear.Instead,

itwasborneuponthebackofastuntedfigurewithanexactinglycontouredhunchtoitsspine.Hesawthisarrangementofboneshadbeensurgicallycraftedsimplytobearthebook.Thefigure’slegswereforeshortened stumps of ossified bone and muscle, and he had no doubt its brain had beenreconditionedtooccludeanythoughtbutthebearingofthebook.Everymomentspentinsoawkwardaposturemusthavebroughtconstantpain,butitbelieveditwashonouredtobeallowedtobearthebook,whichhesawwithgrimamusementwastheScripturesofSebastianThor.

Heknewthevolumeonitsbackcouldnotbetheoriginal,ofcourse.Thatsatinastasis-sealedvaultonOpheliaVII,guardedbymillionsofSororitaswarriorsandEcclesiarchytroops,thelikesofwhichhehadonceledintothefiresofbattle.

Thiswas,atbest,atenth-generationcopy,whichstillmadeitaninsanelypreciousartefact.The man reading from the book was dressed in a white and red chimere, with a cincture of

tasselledgoldsecuringitathiswaist.HeworeaPalliumPontifexaroundhisneck,andthesilverskullsstitchedalongitsdrapedlengthwinkedinthehalf-light.Aporcelainskullmaskofpurewhiteveiledhis face, its cheekbones exaggerated and its eyes bulgingmonstrously. The jawwas distended, theteethgleaminginthehalf-lightasthoughDeathwishedtosavourthemortalfearofthecondemnedman. He recognised the lexiconi devotatus the priest spoke; an ornate and complex argot of pietyunknownbeyondthehigherechelonsoftheAdeptusMinistorum.

BehindthepontifexcamethreepriestsoftheMachine-God,cowledinredandblack.Theoutlinesoftheirbodiesweremisshapen,renderedpost-humanbyhulkingaugmeticsandartificiallimbs.Theywalked with unnatural, disjointed movements, each one having transcended humanity to becomesomething more and less at the same time. They had achieved a form of mechanical apotheosis,meaningthattheirbodiesweremoremetalthanmeat,yetthatwasconsideredanhonour.

Finally, awarrior of flesh and bone entered, andwhere the pontifex’s facewas hidden and theMartianswereobjectiveintheirhatred,thismanmadenosecretofhisloathing.Amanofviolence,hewascladinform-fittingblackarmour,glossyandwellcaredfor,butoldandhard-worn.Areflectionoftheman inside,heknew.Aloneof thenewarrivals,his facewentunmasked. Itsdeep-cut linesandflintyeyeswerewithoutcompromise,withoutremorseandutterlywithoutpity.

Heknewthisman.Thismanwasresponsibleforputtinghiminthischair.The tech-priests surrounded him, and though his nervous systemwas all but paralysed and his

bloodstreamchokedwithsoporifics,theywerestillwaryofhim.Whathadhedonetoearnsuchenmityfromthesemen?Thepontifexspokefirst.‘LukaszKról,’hesaid– finallyaname!–hisvoicedistortedbehindtheskullmask. ‘Youhavebeen

sentencedtoarco-flagellationbytheholywritoftheEcclesiarchyyouonceserved.Deathalonewouldbe insufficient punishment for the monstrous heresies you have committed in the guise of the

Emperor’sservant, thusyouwillatoneforyourwretchednessandunnaturalacts inHisholyarmiesuntilsuchtimeasdeathclaimsyou.This,itispronounced,isatrueandjustcommandofEcclesiarchyHelican,enactedthisthirdhourofthehundredandfiftiethdayoftheninehundredandeighty-sixthyearoftheThirty-SixthMillennium.’

ThepontifexsteppedbackandtheMartiansbegantheirwork.Theypluggedthemselvesintothecontrolmechanismssurroundinghimwithsnakingmechadendrites,andthemachinearmstoeitherside of the gurney jumped to life like sleepers suddenly roused towakefulness. Surgical equipmentunsheathed frommetallic cowls – needles, arterial clamps and whining bolt-fitters – and nests ofcomponentsrosefromthefloortoeithersideofhim.

‘Reducethebalmsandbegin,’saidthepontifex,‘Hehastofeeleverymomentofthis.’Fearroseupinasmotheringwave,blottingoutallthoughtandreason.Thisisnotmybody,thisisnotmymind.Butthesensationssurgingthroughhimwerenolessreal,nolessindistinguishablefrominjuries

donetohisowndistantflesh.Hewantedtoscream,butthiswasLukaszKról’smemoryandhewasnotabouttoletthesemenseehimbegorweeporscream.

Piezo-edgedbonesawsextrudedfromthearmsofthethroneandslicedthroughhiswristswithultra-rapid precision. Blood jetted explosively, but even as the agony cut through his diminishingchemical haze, cauterising heat was brought to bear, sealing the stumps with a single pulse ofagonisingheat.Ashorrifyingastheremovalofhishandshadbeen,itwasnothingcomparedtowhatcamenext.

Clickingmachineswithcalliperhandslikethenightmarishclawsofadementedtoymakerbeganstrippingtheskin,muscleandnervetissuefromhisforearmsallthewaytotheelbow.Surgicalflesh-weaverslayeredreplacementnerve-strandsoverthereinforcedboneandgraftedfibre-bundlemuscleinplaceofthediscardedorganictissue.

Hischestheavedandhislimbsthrashedagainsttherestraints.Theysimplytightenedinresponse.Hecouldn’tmove.Hecouldonlywatchashisentirebodywasparedbackandremade.

Sealedcasketsrotatedupfromthefloorandopenedwithpneumatichissesofcondensingair.Themonotonous stream of binaric nonsense the tech-priests were chanting faltered fractionally as thecasketsopenedtorevealtheweaponswithin.

Suchawesometoolsofdestructionrequiredreverence.Throughahazeoftearsandhate,hewatchedtwoofthemachinepriestsstepforwardsandattach

thedevicestohisarmsusingimplantedbolt-drivers,neuralshears,fleshgraftsandsacredunguents.He felt every insertion, every bolt driving down into bone and every screaming horror of exposednerves being spliced together. A burst of power surged through him, and telescoping carbon-steelelectro-flails twitched and danced as ancient, barely-understood circuitry meshed with his crudeorganicfunctionality.

Thegurneytippedbackwards,andthedrills,excisingmachineryandclampswenttoworkonhisskull. Trepanning picks bored through bone and the clicking, mechanised hands inserted neuralcontrolimplantsbeforefinallyremovingtheupperdomeofhisskull.Hefeltthelidofbonecreakingupwardsandthehorrorofhismindbeingexposedwasalmosttoomuchtobear.

Sacred arrangements of sacred oil were dripped into his brain cavity, with each anointingaccompaniedbythesixteennamesofthebinarysaints.Spinningorbswithmechanicalbladelimbsasthinasspiderlegsclickedintoplacebeforehim,whirringwithdementedglee.

No,no,no,no,notmy–Thewhirringorbsstabbedforwardsandpluckedouthiseyes.Thisisnotmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Thisis

notmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Thisisnotmybody!Delicate clamps kept his optic nerves taut as complex targeting arrays, broad-spectrum threat

analysersandvisio-cognitiveorbswereattached inplaceofhiseyesand implanted intohis skull.Acranial cowl that was part devotional feed, part cortical inhibitor and part death-maskwas slottedhome,loweredoverhisslackfeaturesandwiredtothefrontallobesofwhatremainedofhisbrainashymnals blared from unseen augmitters. Like the grinning skull faceplates of the Chaplains of theAdeptusAstartes, itwastherictusagonyoftheEmperor,andall thosewhosedoomedfate itwastolookuponhimwouldknowhehadbeenpunishedbyanagencybeyond thatofmeremen.Detailedschematics of the body-plans of the men before him sprang up on the inner surfaces of his eyes,complete with endurable stresses, violation tolerances and a hundred othermeasures of how theycouldberippedintoscreamingruin.

Theworkcontinuedforanotherhour,agonyuponagony,horroruponhorror,untiltherewaslittlesignthatahumanbeinghadoncesatinthethrone-gurney.ThemortalmeatofLukaszKrólhadbeenscraped away and replacedwith an instrument of death and annihilation.OnlyAbrehem remainedandevenhewasaravagedshell,coredoutbythesameprocessesthathadmadesportofthisman’sflesh.

Yetevenashisconsciousnessweptandwishedforextinction,hefeltthesoaringecstasyofhavingthepoweroflifeanddeath.Forallintentsandpurposes,hewasnolongerhuman,hisbodyenhancedtolethallevelsofkillingpowerandstrippedbacktothemostbasicphysiologicalfunctions.

LukaszKrólhadeffectivelyceasedtoexist,andinhisplacesatsomethingelse.Somethingaltogethermoredangerousandmoreappalling.‘Itisdone,’saidthepontifex,withasolemnnod,steppingforwardsanddippinghisfingersinan

inkhorn of sanctified pigment that a genuflecting tech-priest held out before him. He drew fourparallellinesofcrimsondowntheskullmask.

‘InThor’sBloodareyeanointed.InThor’sBloodshallyeawaken,’saidthepontifex.Rivuletsofpaintsliddownthemaskliketearsofblood,drippingontoachestthatnowbulgedwith

cardio-pulmonaryenhancers,adrenal-slammersanddormantsteroidalcompounds.Spinal implantssnaked down his back in a chain of injectors, and stimm-reservoirs on his shoulders gave him ahulking,over-muscledproportiontohisupperbody.

Hewasakillernow,arenderofflesh,aweaponandanactofretributionallinone.Abrehemrevelledinthisnewincarnation,abeingofalmostunlimitedviolentpotentialtowhom

noatrocitywasbeyondhiscapabilities,noloathsomeactofutmostcrueltybeneathhim.Withallneedformoralpretencetornaway,AbrehemsawthefullhorrorofwhatLukaszKrólhaddone,thetorturepalaces,therapegulagsandtheexperimentationcampswherehehadpersonallyoverseenallmanner

ofunimaginableaffrontstotheEmperor.Thiswasgood.Theythoughttheyhadtakenawayhislifeandmadehimtheirown,buttheywerewrong.Thekillerhadalwaysbeeninhim.All theyhaddonewasstripthemaskofhumanityawaytorebuildhimstrongerandmore lethal

thanever.‘ItakefromyouthenameofLukaszKról,’saidthepontifex,dippinghishandinthepigmentonce

more and drawing another series of four vertical lines down Król’s chest. The ablative polymercoatingsintroducedtohisdermallayersmadetheskinfeelhardandplastic.

Abrehemwatchedthepontifexchecktheserialidentifiercodesontherequisitionformheldoutbyanotherofthetech-priestsandverifythemagainstthenamethedoctrinalabacihadgenerated.‘IdubtheeRasselasX-42,andmaytheEmperorhavemercyonyoursoul.’

‘Bastardslikehimdon’thaveasoul,’saidthemaninblackarmour.‘Weallhavesouls,chastener,’ replied thepontifex. ‘Thewordsof thedivineThor teachus thata

singlemanwithfaithcantriumphoveralegionofthefaithless.Wehaverestoredthisman’sfaith,andhewillrepaythatgiftinthebloodofourenemies.’

The pontifex nodded towards what had once been a psychopathic mass murderer known asCardinalAstralofOpheliaVII,LukaszKról.

‘Eventhedarkestsoulcanfindredemptionandsalvationindeath.’‘I couldn’t give a ship-rat’s fart about his salvation,’ snapped the chastener. ‘I just want him to

sufferforwhathedid.’‘Havenofearofthat,’saidthepontifex.‘Hewillsufferlikenoother.’

Thewrench of dislocation as Abrehemwas dragged back to his own fleshwas no less jarring, butwherehehadplungedheadlongintoanunknownbody,thistimehereturnedtohisown.Thoughitscarcelyfeltlikehis,andtheweaknessthatfilledhimafterthesenseofultimatestrengthwasalmostaspainfulasthesurgeriesundergonebyLukaszKról.

Hetoppledfromthestool,ashelplessasanautomatonwithitspowercellremovedandfellintothecombinedgripofIsmaelandTothaMu-32.Abrehemscreamedlikealunaticasatideofunremittinghorrorwashedoverhim.HiscyberneticarmclawedatTothaMu-32andIsmaelasthoughtheywerewarp-spawned monsters from the bleakest depths of the immaterium. Abrehem fought with thestrengthofthedemented,hystericalanddesperatetoescapetheabhorrentpresenceofRasselasX-42.

Herelivedstolenmemories–decadesofnightmarish,unthinkableabuses,sickenedandrevoltedbyeverygrislydetail.Unnumberedsoulshadbeensentscreamingintooblivion,andAbrehempressedhishandstohisearsasheheadtheirscreamsechoingwithinhisskull.

Tothinkthatonemancouldconceiveofsuchthingswasrepellentenough,buttoknowthatentirecadres of the Ecclesiarchy had been dragged into the maelstrom of his insanity by unquestioningdevotionwasalmosttoomuchtobear.Howmanybillionshaddiedatthehandsoftheveryinstitutionthatproclaimeditsmissionwastoprotectthem?

AbrehembentoverandvomitedthemeagrecontentsofhisstomachoverX-42’sdormischamber,retching and heaving in desgust. He closed his eyes, willing the scenes of torture, murder anddegradationtofadefromhisthoughts.

‘Abrehem,’saidTothaMu-32.‘Abrehem,areyouhurt?’Heshookhisheadandwipedthesleeveofhisrobeoverhisdrippinglips.‘No,I’m…’Hewantedtosay fine,butknowingwhathenowknewofX-42’satrocities,hedoubtedhewould

ever be fine again.With TothaMu-32 and Ismael’s help, he climbed unsteadily to his feet, swiftlyturning andmaking his way from the dormis chamber after checking the arco-flagellant’s pacifierhelmwassecurelyinplace.

‘Didyousee?’askedIsmael.Abrehemnodded.‘Isaw,’hegasped.‘Youknew,didn’tyou?Youknewwhohewas.’‘Idid,butyouhadtoseeforyourself,’saidIsmael.‘AndnowyouknowwhoX-42was,doyoustill

thinkheshouldbereleasedfromhiscondition?Wouldyourestorethemanhewas?’‘Thor’sblood,no!’criedAbrehem.‘LukaszKrólwasamonster.’‘Hewasindeed,’agreedIsmael,‘butLukaszKrólwasonceagoodman,amandrivenbyfaithinthe

Emperor toexcessesofviolenceagainst theenemiesofMankind.Buthebegantoseedevianceandheresyeverywherehelooked,andhisbloodypogromssoonturnedonhisownpeople.’

‘Król?’askedTothaMu-32.‘TheImpalerCardinal?’Abrehemshrugged.‘Idon’tknow,maybe.I’veneverheardoftheImpalerCardinal.’‘Fewhave,’saidTothaMu-32,asheandIsmaelsetAbrehemdownonhiscotbed.‘TheEcclesiarchy

are understandably reluctant to admit to one of their own going insane. Some, like Vandire orBucharis,areimpossibletodeny,butKról’sreignofatrocitywasmercifullyshort-livedandconfinedtoasinglesystem.’

‘Howdoyouknowabouthim?’askedAbrehem.‘Król’s actionswere recorded by theMechanicus personnelwho oversaw the dismantling of his

bloody regime after an army of Adeptus Arbites led by ChastenerMarazion brought him down. Itmakes for unpleasant reading, even to those who can detach themselves from empathy andphysiological responses to revulsion. Now do you accept that no good can come of X-42’semancipation?’

‘Absolutely,’ said Abrehem, pointing a shaking hand towards the dormis chamber. ‘Check thepacifierhelmandsealthatmonsterinthereagain.Wecan’triskthatanyshredofLukaszKrólmightstillbeinthere.’

‘Therewillalwaysbesomethingofhiminthere,’saidIsmael,gently loweringAbrehemtothecotbed.‘Andthatisthegreatesttragedy.’

Adreadfulsadnessandsoul-crushingwearinesssettleduponAbrehem,butthememoriesofKról’satrocitieswerealreadyreceding.Abrehemjusthopedthatintimetheywouldfadecompletely.No-oneneededhorrorslikethatfesteringintheirbrain.

‘Restnow,’saidIsmael.Abrehemnodded,alreadyfeelinghiseyelidsgrowingheavy.Hefeltablanketbeingpulledoverhim

androlledontohisside.Ithadbeenfoolishofhimtoventureintothepsycheofamind-alteredkiller,butatleastheknewthatRasselasX-42wouldneverhurtanyoneeveragain.

‘Shut it down,’ hemurmured as exhaustion smothered him. ‘Shut it down forever and seal thisplaceupsonooneeverfindsitagain.’

‘Iwillseetoit,’TothaMu-32assuredhim.

RoboutehadalwaysknowntheSperanzawasavaststarship,he’dseenitfromspaceanditsinhumanscale was hard to miss. He’d berthed his ship within its cavernous holds, and he knew four god-machines of the Titan Legions, as well as thousands of Imperial Guard and skitarii, were billetedaboard–togetherwiththeirarmouredinventoriesandvehicles.Heknewallthisandmore,thankstoreamsofstatisticsprovidedbyMagosPavelkainawed,reverenttones.

Sowhydidhenowfeelclaustrophobic,likearatinamaze,desperatelyhuntingforawayout?Eversincehe’dbroughttheshuttlebackaboardtheSperanzahe’dhadanunidentifiablesenseof

beingwatched,thattinglingatthebackoftheneckthattellsasoldierasniperhasabeadonthem.Hehadnoevidenceofthis,butintheweekssincetheyhadleftHypatiahe’dfeltlikeahelplessmammalbeingstalkedbyaninvisiblepredatorthatcouldpounceatanytime,butdelayedthemomentofthekillforanticipation’ssake.

He’dtakentocarryinghispistolwithhimatalltimes,evengoingasfarastokeepthesafetyoff,whichcontinuallychafedathisUltramariantraining.HetookAdarawithhimatalltimes,evenwhentraversingwell-populatedareasoftheship.MuchofhistimewasspenthelpingSylkwoodandPavelkarepairthedamagedonetotheSperanzaandtheshuttleorvisitingLinyaTychononthemedicaedecks.

TheSperanzahadalreadypassedtheouterplanetsof theuncannilygeometricsystemandwouldachieveorbitwithinanothertwodaysatmost.No-onehadyetnamedtheirdestination,foriftheLostMagoswasindeedaliveandwellontheforgeworld’ssurface,itwaslikelyhehadalreadydoneso,andArchmagosKotovwasnothingifnotasticklerforthepropertaxonomyofplanetarynomenclature.

His days were filled with reading themyth-cycles of Ultramar to Linya and being hectored byIlannaPavelkaattheterribledamageheandEmilhadwreakedontheship.Whenarmpit-deepinthegutsofanon-functionalmachineor lost in talesof theyoungPrimarchGuilliman,he couldalmostforgetthelingeringpresencethatflittedaroundhimlikeapersistentswampfly.

Eventually,hetiredofwalkingonbrittleiceanddecidedhe’dhadenoughofsittinginthecross-hairs.Iftherewassomeonewatchinghim,itwashightimeheknewwhoitwas.Robouteunbuckledhis pistol belt and laid it on the rosewood surface of his desk before striding from theRenard. Herandomlypickedoneoftheembarkationdeck’sexitarchwaysandbeganwalking.Eachtimehecametoajunctionofpassageways,astairwelloraprocessionalconvergencetemplum,hetookthepathwaythatlookedtheleastinvitingorwhichhadbeenscrubbedofalllocationalidentifiers.

Withinminuteshewashopelessly lostwithin thewarrenofdimly litpassageways,mesh-walledand steel-floored.Steamgathered in theupper reachesof vaulted cloisters, andmeltwater from icefilling the breaches between passageways and chambers partially open to the void ran in metallicgutters.Hewalkedindarkness,inshadowandbythelightofloomingventtowersthatbelchedflame

intotheheatingsystems.Hemarvelled at vast chambers of cog-driven pistons, each larger than aWarlord’s leg, roaring

machineswithconnectorrodsandcouplingsthatscissoredbackandforthlikethearmsofathreshingmachineor theoarsofanancient triremeofMacragge.The fewtech-priestshesaw largely ignoredhim,orsteeredhimawayfromareasofhighradiationorsomeotherdangerofwhichhewasclearlyunaware.

Wanderingthroughrowuponrowoftitaniccylindricaltowerslikegrainsilos,hetastedthegreasytangofbulkfoodstuffs,andrealisedhewas lookingat theSperanza’s foodsupplies.Roboutewalkedalongaraisedwalkwaybetweenthetowers,comingatlasttoachamberfilledwithnoxioussmellsandeye-wateringcausticvapours.Threedozenenormousvats,twohundredmetresacross,stretchedintothe distance, each filled with a grey-brown sludge of reclaimed matter, meat substitutes, proteinpastesandcomplexcarbohydrateadditives.

Servitorsonrepulsordiscs floatedover theviscousmulch,plungingsamplestaves into thedeepstrataorremovingcontaminants.ThesightsickenedRobouteandheleftthechamber,takingturnsatrandomandalwayspickingaroutethathadnomarkingstoindicatewhereitmightlead.

The feeling that there was a target on his back or that a noose was slowly closing on himwasgettingstronger,andhehadtofighttheurgetospinaroundandtrytocatchaglimpseofhispursuer.Whoeverorwhateverhaditseyeonhimwouldmakeitselfknowntohimsoonenough.

He passed shrines to the Omnissiah, to the Emperor and to things he couldn’t identify. SomeappearedtobelittlemorethanvotiveofferingstosomeavatarthatmightcharitablybeconsideredanaspectoftheMachine-God,whileothersweretoodisturbingtobeconnectedtotheCultMechanicus.

Some were clearly intended as little more than petty rebellions, where others were of a moresinisterappearance,withitemshungfromthead-hocarrangementsthatRoboutedidn’twanttolookattooclosely.Othersappearedtobenewly-erectedshrinestoAbrehemLockeandhisapostles:theRedRuin,theAngelReturn’d,BlessedHawkeandCoyneoftheWound.

Robouteshookhisheadattheridiculousnessoftheselattershrines,havingheardVenAndersandCaptain Hawkins tell him the truth about Abrehem Locke’s compatriots. But wherever men andwomen were confined without hope, they would make their own. Even in the darkest times, thehumanmindwascapableoffashioningitsownlight.

He passed beneath a towering lancet archway and entered a long processional nave filledwithstatuary:robedadeptsoftheCultMechanicusarrangedintwofacingrowsrunningthelengthofthechamber.Eachwasaroundtenmetrestallandtheirprojectingsurfaceswerethickwithdust,asweretheinterlinkedhexagonaltilesofthefloor.RobouterememberedwhenhehadfirstcomeaboardtheSperanza,andMagosBlaylockhadescortedthemtoArchmagosKotovintheAdamantCiborium.Thestatues there had been toweringly magnificent, sculptural likenesses of the greatest minds of theMechanicus.

Whowerethesefigures?Weretheymenandwomenwhosecontributionshadbeenoutmodedorsurpassed?A deep sadness filled Roboute as he walked slowly between the statues of the forgotten magi,

wonderingwhythisplacewasnowunvisitedandabandoned.HepausedbesidearobedpriestofMars

andlookedupintotheshadowsbeneaththehood.‘Whowereyou?’askedRoboute, theechoesofhisvoiceswallowedby thecenturiesofdust. ‘And

whatdidyoudo?Someonethoughtyouwereimportantenoughtowarrantastatue.’Thestatuestaredacrossthechamberimpassively,andRoboutekneltbesidethecarvedplaqueon

itsplinthandwipedawaythedust.‘MagosVahihva of Pharses,’ said Roboute. ‘The rest of the shipmay have forgotten you, but I’ll

rememberyou.I’llfindoutwhoyouwereandI’llmakesureIrememberit.IknowtheMechanicussaytheyneverdeleteanything,butnotdeletingsomethingisn’tthesameasrememberingit.’

RoboutestoodandlookedupattheunknowablefaceofMagosVahihvaasanoverwhelmingsenseof calm spread through him.He smiled and ran a hand through his hair, before straightening hisjacketandbrushingstrayparticlesofdustfromhiscuffs.

‘Aboutbloodytimeyoushowedyourself,’hesaid.‘Youwereawareofmypresence?’ saida voicewithabreathy, lyricalqualityhehadn’theard for

manyyears.Heclosedhiseyesasheturnedaround,savouringthecadencesofthevoiceasitdefiedthechamber’sacousticsandresonatedthroughoutitslength.

‘Iwas, but only because I’ve been around your people before,’ saidRoboute, finally opening hiseyes.‘Ihopethisencounterisaspleasantandnon-violentasthelast.’

Awomaninarmourthat lookedtohavebeencraftedfromceramicandalabasterstoodoppositehim.Shewastall,withaleannesstoherframethatwasbothbeguilingandsomehowatoddswithhowhisbraintoldhimawoman’sbodyoughttobeproportioned.Ahelmetwithhornslikeantlerssatontheplinthofthestatuebehindher,andhecouldn’thelpbutnoticethepolishedpistolstrappedtoherthighandthelong,bejewelledswordsheathedathershoulder.

‘Iamnotgoingtokillyou,’shesaid.‘That’s reassuring,’ replied Roboute with what he hoped was his most winning smile. He’d

essentiallyengineeredthismeeting,thoughonlynowdidhetrulyunderstandthetantalisingsenseoffamiliarityhe’dfeltontheembarkationdeck.

Theeldarwoman’sfacewassculpturallyperfect,apleasinglyproportionedovalwithlargeeyesanda tousled mass of scarlet hair entwined with glittering stones and golden beads. Her lips were apleasingshadeofblue,butpursedtogetherinawaythatmadeherseeminordinatelyangry.

Infact,nowthathelookedclosely,hesawherapparentlyexpressionlessfacewasinfacttautwithsuppressed rage, an icy fury that simmered just beneath the surface. Despite her earlier words,Roboutesuddenlydoubtedthewisdomofthiscourseofaction.HetookafalteringstepbacktowardsMagosVahihvaas sheapproachedhimwitha liquid fluidity that leftno traceofherpassing in thedust.

‘YouareRobouteSurcouf,’shesaid,notposingthewordsasaquestion.‘Yes.’‘Andyouhavespenttimeaboardaneldarcraftworld.’‘Yes.’She stopped in front of himas he backedup againstMagosVahihva’s plinth.Her breathwas a

contradictorymixofwarmhoneyandsharplemon.‘Youunderstandhowrareitisforoneofyourkind

tosetfootonacraftworld?’Finally,aquestion.‘YrlandriarofAlaitoctoldmethat,yes.’‘Alaitoc?Yes,thatmakessense,’shesaid,cockingherheadtothesideandlookingathimstrangely,

asthoughsomepartofapuzzlehadjustfallenintoplaceforher.‘Itspeoplehavealwaysbeenfoolishlytrusting.Tooeagertoseekthemiddlegroundinsteadofchoosingadirectcourseofaction.’

‘Youknowme,’saidRoboute,daringaquestionofhisown,‘butwhoareyou?’‘BielannaFaerelle,FarseerofCraftworldBiel-Tan,’shesaid,followingthatwithwhatsoundedlike

theopeningbarsofasonguntilRobouterealisedshewassayingthenameinhernativetongue.Heranthesounds inhisheadagainandcomparedthemto thehumanversionof thenameshe’dsaid,dredgingupmemoriesoffrustratingafternoonsspentinaforestofcrystaltreesthatlookedoddlylikehumanoidfigures.

‘Fairestlightof…distantsuns?’heventured.Hereyeswidenedandhelaughedatthesurpriseinhereyes.‘We’renotallbarbarians,youknow,’hesaid.‘Someofusactuallywashtoo.’Bielannaignoredhissarcasmandsaid,‘DidtheAlaitociiteachyouourlanguage?’‘Yrlandriartaughtmeafewwordshereandthere,’saidRoboutemodestly.Hewasfarfromfluent,

butnorwasheignorantoftherudimentsofeldarlanguage.‘Likeanownerteacheshispetthecommandstositorbeg,’saidBielanna.AngertouchedRoboute.‘Morelikeamasterinstructinganovice,’hesaidinconversationaleldar.She laughed inderision and shookher head. ‘None of your kind canmaster the eldar language

beyondgruntingafewbasicphrases.Andyouranalogyisflawed,it infersthenovicecouldgoontobecomeamaster.Thatisnotthecase.’

‘I’vehearddifferently,’ saidRoboute, tiringofher condescensionanddecidinga changeof tackwasrequired.‘WhydidyouattackourfleetintheHaloScar?’

Herfacechangedinaninstant,herslenderfingerscurledintofists.‘WhatchoicedidIhave?’shesnarled,herporcelaindollfeaturestransformingfromserenebeauty

tobiliousanger inaheartbeat. ‘I flew thepathsof the skeinandsawwhatharmyour foolishquestmightwreak.’

Roboutestruggledtofollowherinternallogic. ‘You’resayingyoukilledourshipsoversomethingwemightdo?’

Bielannashookherheadandletoutavexedhiss.‘Youmon-keigharesoterrifyinglyignorantofthenatureofcausality it isawonderyouhavenotalreadyplunged intospecies-extinction.Youblunderthroughspacelikeawilfulchildwhoscreamsandwailswhentheuniversedoesnotbendtohiswill,turningablindeyetoconsequencesthatdispleaseyou.’

Glitter lightbuilt inhereyesandRobouterememberedYrlandriar tellinghimthat farseerswerepowerfulwar-psykers,asversedintheartsofdeathastheywereintheartsofprognostication.Onceagain,Robouterealisedhehadlettheappearanceofawomanblindhimtothetruththatshewasnotwhatsheseemed.InLinya’scasethathadcosthimalittleembarrassmentandearnedhimameasureofhumility.Hereitcouldkillhim.

‘Whatisityouthinkwearegoingtodo?’heasked.Shesighedandsaid,‘Itwouldbelikeexplainingasymphonytoaptera-squirrel.’‘Tryme,I’mclevererthanIlook.’‘Thisthingthatyouseek,’saidBielanna.‘Itcanreignitedyingstarsandshapeentirestarsystems.

Itspowercanunmaketimeandspaceandmakeamockeryoftheuniversaldance.Doyoureallythinkyourupstartraceofsavagesisreadytobethecustodiansofsuchathing?’

‘Perhapsnot,’saidRoboute. ‘But if it’ssodangerous,whydon’tyou justgoandget ityourselfordestroyitifit’stoodangeroustoexist?’

Herfractionalhesitationwasalltheanswerheneeded.‘AfterthebattleintheHaloScar,theshipmastersthoughtyou’descaped,butyoudidn’t,didyou?’

saidRoboute.‘YourshipmusthavebeendestroyedandyouhadtoboardtheSperanzatoescape.You’retheonesthathavebeenkillingtheworkcrewsbelowthewaterline.’

‘Yourrecklessquestintotheunknownhascosteldarlives,sowhyshouldIcareforthelivesoftheirkillers?Whyshouldmeaninglessflicker-soulsbeofanyconsequencetome,whenyourkindaregoingtomurdermychildrenbeforetheyareborn?’

Robouteenduredhervenomthoughheunderstoodlittlesaveheranger.MuchofitwasthebitterspiteattributedtotheeldarinImperialpropaganda,butherlastwordsstretchedhisunderstandingtobreakingpoint.

‘Killyour…what?’heasked.‘Wehaven’tkilledanychildren.’‘Norwillyou,forthepotentialfortheirbirthisfading,’saidBielanna.‘Witheverysecondyoutravel

towardsthismoraideiinworld,theirlife-threadfromthefuturetothepresentgrowseverfainter.’‘Moraideiin?Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans.YoumeanTelok’sforgeworld?’‘Telok,isheoneofyourmachine-men?’‘Youdon’tknow?’Her face flickered, andon anyhumanexpression itwouldhavebeenmeaningless – amuscular

spasmor anervous tic – but in the face of an eldar itwas tantamount to amurderer’s inadvertentadmissionofguilt.

SuddenlyitmadesensetoRoboute.‘You’reafarseer,butyoudon’thaveanypower,doyou?It’sthiswhole region of space and the Breath of the Gods. Something in what it did to Arcturus Ultra isstoppingyoufromseeingthefuture,isn’tit?’

Shemovedsoquicklyitwaslikeaskippingimageonapicter.Oneminuteshewasstandingbeforehim,thenexthewaspinnedtoMagosVahihva’splinthwithherhandathischestandherswordathisneck.Phosphor-brightwill-o’-the-wispdancedinherovalpupils,andRoboutetastedthebitter,ashen-coldtasteofpsychicenergyinhismouthasitfilledwithcopperysaliva.

‘WillIshowyouwhatpowerIhave?’sheasked,hervoicestrippedofitspreviously lyricalqualityandall themoreterrifyingfor it. ‘ShallIburntheprimitivebraininyourskullorcurseyoursoultowanderthevoidforeternity?WillImeltthefleshfromyourboneswithbalefireorshallIsimplycutyourthroatandwatchyoubleedtodeath?Icanendyourlifeintheblinkofaneye,andyousayIhavenopower?’

RobouteheldhisbreathasBielanna’s eyesbored intohim, thehypnoticallybright sparks inher

eyesswellinguntiltheyshoneliketwinpoolsofstarlight.‘Reveal to me everything you know of this Telok,’ commanded Bielanna, and Roboute felt her

presencewithin his skull like a silk-gloved hand stroking the surface of hismind. ‘Youwill tellmeeverythingregardingthisvoyage.Andthenyouwillreturntoyourfellowmon-keighandforgetthatweeverspoke.’

Roboutenodded,asthoughthiswerethemostsensiblethingshehadsuggested.‘AndwhenIhaveneedofanagaith,youwillbethehiddenbladeinmyhand.’‘Yes,’hesaid.‘Iwill.’

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Anyfearsthat,uponachievinghisgoal,Kotovwouldbedisappointedbywhathefoundattheendofhisquesthadbeenshatteredutterly inthe last threedays.ThefinalapproachtoTelok’s forgeworldhadbeenasensoryoverloadinuniquecelestialphenomena.Notonlywerethestarsystemsaroundtheforge world clustered tighter than any other system-grouping Kotov knew, but the Kuiper belt,planetary bodies and asteroid fields within the central system travelled in orbits as precise as anyengineeredbyanatomicclockmaker.

Thesystem–whichKotovstillinsistedonleavingunnamed–comprisedtwelveplanets,eachoneequidistantfromitsinnerandouterneighbour.AllwereofroughlyTerransizeandcomposition,withthe exception of three gas giants in the system’s central belt, betweenwhich vast fields of asteroiddebrishunginglimmeringcurtainsofejectedmatterandice.

The impression was of rocky fragments on the floor of a sculptor’s workshop, of discardedcomponents fromsomevast, andyetunfinished, engineeringworks.Suchwas theunnaturalorderimposedonthesystemthatevenVitaliTychonhadbeencoaxedfromhisdaughter’ssickbedtoprovidestellaranalysisandplotnewcartographaecharts.ThougheverymomentawayfromLinyachafedthevenerablestargazer,evenhewasheldmesmerisedbythedizzyingramificationsofthissystem.

Thebridgeof theSperanza,normallyaplaceof continualbinaricbackand forth, codedhymnalsandclatteringservitoroperation,wasnowdrapedinreverenthush.ThoughnooneworthyoftherankofCultMechanicusgaveanycredencetothenotionsofanydeitybeyondtheGodofAllMachines,itwashardnotto imaginethehandofadivinecreator inthecelestialarchitectureofthisstaranditsattendantworlds.

Eventhesolarwindwasathingofbeauty.Therushofelectronsandprotonsflaringfromtheupperatmosphereofthestarwasbeingfiltered

throughtheSperanza’saugmitters,andthenormallychaoticinteractionofparticleswasrenderedintoageomagneticsymphony.Itwasacascadeofperfectlymodulated integers that toanunaugmentedearwould sound like soft surf on a beach, but to the superiorMechanicus aural implant became aharmonious interaction of perfect numbers, helicoidal patterns andwaveform sounds thatwere asbeautifulastheywereartificial.

Holographicprojectorsdisplayedthesystem’stwelveworldsinfloatingveilsoflight,togetherwithfleet deployment and the ongoing data inloads from the Speranza’s forward auspex arrays. Theprojectors encoded each of the system’s worlds with differing colours representing the variousatmospheric,geologicalandclimatologicalsystemsatwork.

Attheastrogationplotters,Azuramagellico-ordinatedthemanoeuvresoftheKotovfleettobringtheSperanza into a declining orbital track in a way that maximised its defensive posture withoutappearing to be overtly hostile. Every ship was pulled into close formation, with the fleet’s threeremainingwarshipstuckedinclose-defencepositions.MoonchildandWrathchildhuggedtheSperanza’sflanks,whileMortisVoss trailed in the tail gunnerposition.The rest of theKotov fleet, fuel tenders,supplyshipsandrefinerycraft,werespreadoveritsuppersections,readytoclusterinfordefenceatthefirstsignoftrouble.

VitaliTychonworkedalongsideAzuramagelli,andthoughhisdaughterhadshownupanerrorintheMasterofAstrogation’scalculationsupontheirfirstmeeting,hehadexpressedhisdeepregretatMistressTychon’swounding.

Across from Azuramagelli and Vitali, Kryptaestrex continued to oversee the ongoing ship-widerepairworksfromhisManifoldlinktoMagosTurentek’sprowforges.DespiteKotov’sdeepmistrustregardingtheconcessionshehadbeenforcedtomaketoAbrehemLocke,Kryptaestrexwasreportingthat the new working dynamic between the Mechanicus and its bondsmen was already payingdividendsintermsofproductivityandefficiency.

Magos Blaylock moved amongst the magi and servitors like an anxious scholar at proficiencyexaminations,assessingtheirwork,offeringsuggestionsonsuperioranalyticaltechniqueorrefiningaspects of their binary. Kotovwatched his Fabricatus Locum atwork, seeing somethingmore thansimpledevotiontodutyinhisobservations.

PuttingasideBlaylock’scuriousbehaviour,Kotovturnedhisattentiontotheworldoccupyingthecentral position in the viewing bay. Telok’s forge world was bathed in a purple haze of borealis,beautiful inawaythatonlydevoteesoftheMachinecouldtrulyappreciate.Theshimmeringcoronawasaby-productofinhumanlymassiveenergygenerationonaplanetaryscale.Kotovhadseensuchhazesaroundforgeworldsbefore,butneveronsobrightandconsistentalevel.Thequantityofenergybeing generated was enough to empower the manufactories of at least six Exactis Prima-levelproductionhubs.

The planet was roughly double theMartianmass and boasted an atmosphere capable of beingprocessedbyhumanlungs.Itsgeologywasunknown,aswasanythingelseofitssurfaceconditions.Initial surveys had proved maddeningly inconclusive, with each sweep of the auspex revealingcontradictorydata-streamsthatononepassrevealedaplanetundergoingtraditional– ifsomewhataccelerated–ageing,whileonanotherechoedVitaliTychon’sdatafromHypatia,whichappearedtoindicatesignsofgeologicalregression.Yet,asimpossibleassuchreadingsappearedtobe,Kotovhadalmostbecomeusedtoencounteringtheinexplicable.Afterall,hadnottheBreathoftheGodsremadeArcturus Ultra and transformed it from a dead system into one that would eventually prove to behabitable?

Thecollateraleffectsofsuchdizzyinglycomplexstellarengineeringwereamystery,andthespace

inwhichsuchaneventhadoccurredwasboundtothrowupanomaliesforcenturiestocome.Yetforall that hismindwas just about able to reconcile the cognitive dissonance of physically impossiblespatialanomalies,Kotovcouldn’tquiteshakethefeelingthatsomethingwas, ifnotwrong,perse,atleastnotquiteasrightashewouldlike.

Hepushedthenaggingsentimentaside,feelingamountingexcitementinhisfloodstreamasthenoospheric range counter streamed closer to high orbit. No matter how Kotov conditioned thebiological responses of his brain, he couldn’t suppress the sense that fate had led him here. Herememberedthedarkestmomentsofhisdespairwithshame,whenthesecondofhisforgeworldshadbeendestroyedandhehadcursedtheOmnissiahforforsakinghim.ButoutofthatabjectmiseryhadcomethediscoveryoftheSperanza.

Fromtheashesofhisbrokenhubris,KotovhadrecognisedalastlifelinetoservetheMachine-God,that everything he had sufferedwas a test. Despair became hope and a newfound devotion to theOmnissiah.

Thiswaswhereithadbroughthim,toimpossiblewondersbeyondimagining,areconnectionwiththepastandachancetorebuildthefuture.

AllthatspoiledthisperfectmomentwasthepresenceofGalatea.Thehybridmachineintelligenceprowledthebridgelikeastalkingarachnid,movingbetweenthe

veilsoflightdisplayingthetwelveworldsandstudyingeachone.Eachexaminationwascursory,sawKotov,asthoughitwasalreadyawareofwhatwasdisplayed.AtremorofuneasepassedthroughKotovat the sight ofGalatea’s studiednonchalance, seeing an echo ofBlaylock’s peculiar behaviour in itsperambulations.

Galatea said it wanted to kill Archmagos Telok, but Kotov no longer believed that. For all itspretensionstohumanityandKotov’sincreasingdistancefromhisown,Galatea’slienolongercarriedanyconviction.Someothermotivewasattheheartofthemachineintelligence’sdesiretobereunitedwithTelok,andthatunknownvariablegnawedatKotovlikeperniciousscrapcode.

Magos Blaylock concluded his wanderings through the other magi and returned to his stationbesideKotov’s command throne.Thegaggleof servitordwarfs fussedaroundhis trainofpipeworkandhissingregulators.

‘Isitallyouhopedfor,archmagos?’askedBlaylock.PuttingasidethoughtsofGalatea,Kotovsaid,‘ItismorethanIcouldhavehopedfor,Tarkis.’Blaylocknoddedslowly.‘ImustconfessIdoubtedthewisdomofthisquest.Ibelievedyourreasons

foritsundertakingtobemotivatedbyprideanddesperation,butnowthatwearehere…I…’Kotov turned to facehisFabricatusLocum, surprisedbyhisuncharacteristic loss forwordsand

candidadmissions.HehadlongknownthatBlaylockharboureddoubts,buthadthoughtthemputtorestaftertheirwalkintheProcessionalWay.Blaylock’sfeatureswerenoindicatorofhismentalstatus,having long since been submerged inmechanised implants, but the ripples in his noospheric aurawereclear indicatorsofhis conflicted status, likeamachine stuck inan infinite loopattempting toreconciletwoconflictingdoctrinawafers.

‘Issomethingthematter,Tarkis?’Blaylock didn’t answer, andKotovwas about to repeat the question – though he knew fullwell

Tarkis must have heard him – when he received an answer it was the last answer he might haveexpected.

‘Idonotknow,’saidBlaylockwithdisarminghonesty.‘Youdon’tknow?Hereweare,surroundedbywondersnopriestofMarshasseeninthousandsof

years,onthevergeofreachingthequest’sgoal,andyoudon’tknowifsomethingisthematter?Yousurpriseme,Tarkis.’

‘Thatispartoftheproblem,’saidBlaylock,shakinghishead,asthoughclearingitofsomeirritantcode.‘No-onefromMarshasbeenhereinthousandsofyears,yetIfeelthatthisarrangementofstarsandplanetsissomehowfamiliar.’

‘Youfeeltheyarefamiliar?’askedKotov.‘Apologies, archmagos, but there is no otherword inmy lexicon that fits the situation. I feel as

thoughIhaveseenthesestarsbefore.AndthisisnotthefirsttimeIhavehadthissensation.’‘Whendidyouhaveitbefore?’saidVitaliTychon,approachingfromtheastrogationhub.‘JustbeforetheenergyemissionfromthisplanetreachedtheTomioka,’answeredBlaylock.‘Interesting,’saidVitali. ‘AsIamreadingagreatdealofsimilarityinthisarrangementofplanets

andcelestial/temporalinteractionstoanarchivedmonographonidealisedstellargeometryinloadedbyMagosAlhazenofSinusSabeus.Yourformermentorand, ifIamnotmistaken,somethingofanevangelicaldevoteeofArchmagosTelok.’

Blaylockpausedasheaccessedhisinternaldatabase.‘No, you are mistaken, Magos Tychon,’ he said. ‘I am familiar with every submission made by

MagosAlhazentotheMartianTabulariumMons.Hesubmittednosuchmonograph.’KotovsharedVitali’ssurprisedexpression.As soonasVitalimentioned themonograph,Kotovhad retrieved it fromtheSperanza’sarchives

andinstantlydigesteditscontents.Sureenough,thepostulationsputforwardbyAlhazenwereaclose,andinsomecasesidentical,matchtothestellardatadisplayedonthecommandbridge.

ThatBlaylockseemedunawareofitwasasclosetoimpossibleasKotovcouldimagine.Beforehecouldpursuethematter,everysingleholographicdisplayonthebridgeflickeredandwas

snuffed out by an incoming transmission from the planet below. TheSperanza had been exloadinggenerichailsandMechanicusgreetingprotocolsassoonasithadenteredthesystem’sedge,buttheyhadallbeenignoreduntilnow.

Eachof theholographic hubs filledwith a rotating iconof eight bodies seemingly issuing forthfrommoltenbedrockoraswirlingrushofwhatmightrepresentflames.Kotovhadneverencounteredthe image, but he recognised a Mechanicus hand in its formation, the golden ratio tracing a linethrougheachofthefigures’elbowsandgivingthewholeapleasinglyorderedform.

‘StarshipSperanza,thisisforgeworldExnihlio,’saidanautomatedvox.‘Prepareforinload.’‘Fromoutofnothing,’saidVitali,voicingtheLowGothictranslationofthename.‘Exnihlio,’ saidKotov, rising fromhis command throne. ‘This isArchmagosKotov,HighLordof

Mars and Explorator General of this expedition. Do I have the honour of addressing ArchmagosVettiusTelok?’

Kotovwasabouttorepeathisquestionwhentheimageofthewrithingfigureswasreplacedwith

complex navigational waypoints tracing a narrow transit corridor through the highly-chargedatmosphere.Only a vessel of sufficiently lowdisplacementwouldbe able to fly suchapassage, andeven a cursory parsing of the data indicated that deviating from the prescribed pathwaywould beextremelyhazardous.

‘Landingco-ordinates,’saidAzuramagelli.‘Anolderformat,butthatisonlytobeexpectedfromaworldwithouthexamathicenhancements.’

Kotovnodded,feelingapotentsenseofanticipationatthethoughtofsettingfootonTelok’sforgeworld.Travellingtothefiefdomofanothermagoswasalwaysatimeofgreatimportance,achancetoshare data, pursue new directions in the interpretation of techno-arcana and barter services andinformationtofurthertheQuestforKnowledge.WhatmighthelearnontheworldofanarchmagosunfetteredfromthecensureofhispeersandtherestrictionsofUniversalLaws?

‘Archmagos?’askedBlaylock.‘Whatareyourorders?’‘SendwordtoSergeantTanna,’saidKotov.‘IamgoingtohaveneedoftheBarisan.’

All evidence that human beings had once occupied this space had been removed and the chamberreturnedtoitsformerstateofabandonment.TheremainsofHawke’sstillhadbeenremoved,anditscomponent parts placed in reclamation funnels. The lumen globes recessed in the coffers weredimmedand the imagesof the saintly figureswreathed in shadow. Ismaelhad takenAbrehem toashrinebelowthewaterline,leavingTothaMu-32tocompletetheinternmentofRasselasX-42.

‘Abrehemshouldneverhavefoundyou,’hesaid,circlingtheslumberingkiller.Cladheadto foot inblack, thearco-flagellantsatwith its ironcladheadbowed,a flickering light

stutteringlikeamalfunctioningstrobebeneaththesmoothinnerfaceofitspacifierhelm.ImagesofImperialholymenanddivinevisionsofharmonyplayedoutbeforeX-42,keepingitlockedinastateofperpetualbliss.

GivenwhatTothaMu-32knewoftheImpalerCardinal’sreignofblood,itwasamoremercifulfatethananyhehadaccordedhisvictims.Thearco-flagellant’smusclestwitchedasroguesynapsesflaredandsparkedinitsbrain,theinevitableresultofaswordtotheskull.

‘Iwonderwhateffectsthedamageishavingonthevisionswithinyourskull?’wonderedTothaMu-32.‘Whatevertherepercussions,Ihopetheyhurt.Youdeservetosufferforthethingsyouhavedone.Andoncethischamberissealed,youwillsufferthemuntiltheSperanzafinallyendsitsdays.’

TothaMu-32continuedhiscirclingofthearco-flagellant,checkingthateveryrestraintwasastightasitcouldbemadeandthateverydormancyconnectorwasfirmlyattached.Hecheckedeveryspinalshunt,everycorticalinhibitorandeveryneurologicalblocker.

Satisfiedeverythingwasinorder,heranafinaldiagnosticonthepacifiermechanisms,ensuringthatthemachinerywasfunctioningwithinacceptableoperatingparameters.HookeddirectlyintotheSperanza’spowergridandwithmultiple redundancies, themechanismcouldkeepanarmyof arco-flagellantssedatedforlongerthantheArkMechanicuswaslikelytosurvive.

TothaMu-32backedoutofthechamber,still,despiteeveryprecautionandcheckhehadjustmade,unwillingtoturnhisbackonthecyborgkiller.Hepausedbytheshuttertothedormischamberasa

coldwindsighedfromwithin,likethelastexhalationofaslumberingpredatorwhoisjustwaitingoutthewinterbeforeemergingtohuntoncemore.

RasselasX-42remainedunmoving,ahunchedstatueofcagedmurderandhorror.Evendormant,itexudeddreadfuldanger.Thoughitshouldbeimpossibleforthearco-flagellanttobreakthepsycho-conditioningholdingitfast,TothaMu-32halfexpectedthecreaturetoraiseitsheadonelasttime.

Thearco-flagellanttwitchedandthelightbeneathitshelmflickeredon.Totha Mu-32 swept a hand over the hidden door mechanism and the heavy bulkhead shutter

slammeddowninto the floorwithapercussiveboomofengaging locks.AhandprintofdriedbloodwassmearedinthecentreofthedoorandTothaMu-32placedhisownhandovertheimpressionofwhatheknewwasAbrehem’shand.

This,coupledwithatriggerword,hadcausedthelockstodisengageandbegunX-42’sreactivationsequence.TothaMu-32spatonthebloodstainandrubbedthesleeveofhisrobeovertheflakedblooduntilnothingremainedofit.

Takingalastlookaroundtheemptychamber,TothaMu-32’sgazewasmetbythehundredsofironblackskullssetintothewalls.Parttemple,partprison,partsepulchre;eachinterpretationwasaptforthemonsterentombedwithin.

Aflickerofcodesquirmedthroughthewalls, fragmentarybinarydebrisfromwhateverconduitshadoncepassedthroughthischamberenroutetounknowndestinations.Muchofitwasdegradedtothepointofsimplybecomingsquallinggibberish,andsoonitwouldbeentirelyreabsorbedbackintothenoosphere.

TothaMu-32turnedandstrodefromthechamber,leavingthelumenstogutteranddieasthecodeencirclingthechamberfinallyfadedout.Theemptysocketsofthegrinningskullssetinthebleakwallsglimmeredwiththedyingcode,asthoughtheyalonewerecustodiansofasecrettheywishedtotell,butwereforeversworntokeep.

LikeTothaMu-32,theyknewthatsomedoorswerebestleftunopened.Buttheyalsoknewthatsomedoorscanneverbeshutentirely.

Likethephoenixofmyth,theBarisanhademergedfromtheflamesofitsrebirthstrongerthanever.ThedamageithadsufferedonKatenVeniahadbeenalmostentirelyerasedbytheritualministrationsof Magos Turentek and his army of artificers. The compression fractures in its hull plates wererepaired,theimpacttraumatoitssuperstructurewasundoneandthetorsionstressesinitsspinehadbeenunkinked.

Forall intentsandpurposes, thecraftwasasgoodasnew,asfineastheday its framehadbeenstruckintheTyrrhenusMonsforge-complex.TurentekhadseenthesealoftheFabricatorGeneralandhadbenthiseveryeffort intorestoringtheworkofMars’spre-eminentworkerofmetalsandspirit.TheBarisanhadsufferedgreatlyinthecrash,anditsmachine-spiritwasavicious,corneredbeastofathing, but Turentek had eventually earned its trust with the quality of his workmanship and thedevotionofhisservants.

Tannafeltthegunshiprespondtohiseverycommandasthoughtheyhadbeenflyingtogetherfor

centuries.Itwasn’texactlycompliantperse,andcouldstillshrughimofflikeatinybiologicalirritant,butatleasttherewasameasureofrespectbetweenthemnow.

‘Thegunshiphashealedwell,’saidArchmagosKotov,seatedbesideTannaintheco-pilot’sseat.Tannanoddedterselyandsaid,‘MagosTurentekhasmythanks.’The view through the canopy was a tempestuous melange of lightning-shot cloud banks and

flickering geomagnetic storms that clashed, burst and roared and blazed with tortured energies.Streamersofplasmaandforkingtraceriesofverticallightningshotupfromthesurface,makingitfeelasthoughtheBarisanwasevadingathunderousbarrageofanti-aircraftfire.

‘Itislikeflyingthroughahundredthunderstormsatonce,’saidTannaasaboomingpressurewaveslammedintothegunship’sfuselage.

‘Thisisnotathunderstorm,’saidKotovasTannacorrectedtheirflightpath.‘Thenwhatisit?’‘Theinevitableconsequenceofplanet-widepowergeneration,’saidKotov,gesturingthroughthe

streakedcanopytowhereavastdirigible-likedevicehungmotionlessinthesky.Thebillowinghulloftheobjectwasenglobedinarcsofpurpleandamberlightningthatcoruscateddownathicklengthofmetalliccablinghungfromitsundersideandvanishedintotheroilingbanksofchargedvapourlikeatrailingarrestorhook.

‘What was that?’ asked Tanna as the floating contraption was swallowed by the clouds anddisappearedfromsight.

‘SomesortofenergycollectorIimagine,’saidKotovadmiringly.‘Itseemsvirtuallyeverymachineandtempleonthesurfaceofthisworldisgivenovertopowergeneration,andthatamountofpowercreates allmanner of distortion in theupper atmosphere. I suspectTelokhasunlocked ameans toharnesswhatwouldnormallybeclassifiedaswasteby-products.’

‘TheBreathoftheGodsrequiressuchpower?’Kotovhesitatedbeforeanswering. ‘Itisimpossibletoknowtheenergydemandsofsomethingso

farbeyondourcomprehension,’hesaid. ‘Infact,itamazesmethatoneworldcanprovidethepowerforsomethingcapableofsuchincrediblereorganisationofmatterandenergy.’

AnotherenergydischargerockedtheBarisan,andTannaswungtheprowbackaroundasapairofthegiantdirigibleshove into view through the vapour-slick clouds.This time, the viewwas clearer,and Tanna saw theywere littlemore than vast bladders of a ripplingmetallic fibre constrained bymeshnettingandhungwithcopperandbrassmechanismsthatspunandcrackledwithactivity.

Tannabroughtthegunshiplower,thealtitudespirallingdownashefollowedtheconvolutedroutetothesurface.Hadhenotseentheatmosphericeffectsforhimself,hewouldhavebelievedtheywerebeingleddownadeliberatelycircuitousflightpath.

‘Therehastobeaneasierwaytothesurface,’hesaid,moretohimselfthanKotov.‘Areyoufollowingthewaypointcoordinatescorrectly?’Tannadidn’tevensparehimawitheringglance.‘YouwouldalreadyknowifIwasnot,becauseyou

wouldbescreaming.’‘Pointtaken,brother-sergeant.’‘Thewaypointsareaccurate,butit’swhatwewillfindattheendofthisflightthatworriesme.’

‘Yoususpectdanger?’‘Ialwayssuspectdanger,archmagos,’saidTanna.‘That’swhyIamstillalive.’‘Had Telok wanted us dead, he could have found an easier method than guiding us into a

thunderstorm.’‘Perhapshehasreasonstowishusalivewhenwereachthesurface.’‘Suchas?’‘Idonotknow,’saidTanna.‘YouaretheMechanicushere.Thisisyourexpedition.’‘Wearefellowcrusaders,brother-sergeant,Ithoughtyouunderstoodthat,’Kotovsaid.‘Doyounot

thinkthatIcouldhavetakenanynumberofMechanicustransportsdowntothesurface?IcouldhavepreloadedtherouteTeloksentus,butIchoseyoutoflymedowntothishistoricmeetingbecauseIvaluewhatyourepresent.YouaretheEmperor,andIamtheMechanicus.TwofacetsoftheImperiumworkingtogether.Ourunitystandsastestamenttooursacredpurposeincomingtothisworld.’

‘AnditisneverabadideatohaveasquadofBlackTemplarsatyourbackwhenventuringintotheunknown.’

‘Thattoo,’agreedKotov,andTannacouldalmostsharethemasteroftheexpedition’sexcitement.Despiteeverythingtheyhadsuffered,theyhadactuallyreachedtheirdestinationalive.The atmosphere grew thinner, and blocky shapes loomed from the clouds, vast cooling towers

belchingtoxicfumesfromtheplanet’ssurfaceandsquatfunnelsthatshotplumesofgreenfireintothesky.Arcingstaticcrackledintheairlikefireworksatatriumphalparadeandvirtuallyeveryauspexpanelfizzedwithdistortion.MoreofthedirigiblesdriftedpasttheBarisan,hundredsofthemfloatinglikebloomsofjellyfishinaturgidocean.Thegunshipflewlowerstill,andmoreofthetitanicbuildings–ifbuildingstheywere–emergedfromthebanksofcloud.

Tanna saw towering steel structures wrapped in coils of energy, crackling pylons hundreds ofmetres in diameter and exosphere-scrapingpyramidswhose baseswere thousand ofmileswide. Itwaslikeflyingoveragatheringofhive-citiesthathadforsakentheirindividualityandsimplymergedinto one continuousplanetary crust of steel and caged fire. Tens of thousands ofmetres below theBarisan,tesla-coilskyscrapersjostledforspaceamidvastpowerdomesandimmensecapacitorstacks.

The entire surfacewas a coruscating, reticulated grid of lightning that spat from raised copperorbsaslargeaskrootwarspheresandarcedfromconicaltowersfringedwithhundred-metrespines.Streamersoflightflowedthroughthegnarledmassofenormousstructures,asthoughtheplanetwerean organism with illumination for blood. Warm rain streaked the canopy as Tanna brought thegunship down, following a newly appeared graphic of approachmarkers on the avionics slate. Themargin for errorwasminimal, andTanna realisedhis earlier suspicion that there existedan easierwaytoreachthesurfacewasincorrect.

Hegesturedtovast,funnel-shapedtowersrearinguptoeithersideoftheirflightpathlikeguidepolesonasnow-lockedrunway.Eachwastoppedwithaflangedmawthatdrewingreat lungfulsofthecloudsandvapourbanks.

‘Arethoseatmosphericprocessors?’heasked.Kotovcouldbarelytearhisgazefromthemagnificentspectacleofthecolossal,planet-widecityof

industryandtheinhumanlyvaststructurespassingoneitherside,buthenoddedcurtly.

‘Yes,Ibelievetheyare,’hesaid.‘TheyhavethehallmarkofearlySTCuniversalassemblersandareprobablywhatmakestheairbreathable.Whatofthem?’

‘Thosetowersarecreatingastablecorridorofcalmerairforthegunshiptoflythrough.’‘AgainIask,whatisyourpoint?’‘Thatthisroutewasspecificallycreatedforus,’saidTanna.‘Rightnow,thisistheonlywayanyone

isgettingtothesurface.’‘And?’‘Ifthosemachinesareswitchedoff,wewillhavenowaytogetoffthisplanet.’

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TheBarisansetdownintherainonalandingplatformofelevatedstoneworkinthecentreofanopenplazathatresembledthecivicsquareofanImperialcity.Steelandglassworkspirespiercedtheskyoneveryside,butdominatingtheeasternsideoftheplazawasacolossalhangar-structurewithavaultedsilver-steelroofandglitteringmastsatitsfourcorners.Theskywasapainfullyartificialshadeofblue,striatedwithbandsofdeeperazureandpalestreaksofcyan.

Lightningcoursedupthesidesofeverystructure,asthoughtheironlypurposewastocreateandchannelenergy,makingtheairtastelikebitingdownhardonacopperrod.KotovmarcheddowntheThunderhawk’s frontalassault rampwithagaggleof scrivener savants inhiswake.Apairof servo-skullswithiron-coghalosdriftedinlazyorbitsabovehim.Hisbodywasapartorganic,partcybernetichybridinthefashionofanancientorderoftheologicwarriorsfromanowlostpeninsulaofTerra,withaflowingcrimsonrobewhoseeveryfibrewasafractal-formedbinaryequation.

He had come armed, as was his right as an archmagos, with the same gold-chased pistol withwhichhehadfoughtGalatea’sabominationsaboardtheValetteManifoldstation.Thevolkiteweaponwasarelicofthedeepestpast,anartefactsopreciousittrulybelongedinastasis-sealedtreasurycaseinoneofthegreatHallsofWonderswithintheDaoVallisrepositories.TwomenialshastilyrobedinMechanicus finery carried the remains of theTomioka’s distress beacon taken from its saviour poduponsatincushions,asymbolicgestureofthepaththathadledthemtothisplace.

AsbefittinganarchmagosoftheAdeptusMechanicus,hehadcomewithanescort;eightskitariiintheirblackandgoldarmourbedeckedwithpoisonousreptilesofOldEarth.VenAndershadchosenasquadofhiseliteveterans,andSergeantTannahadcomewithhisSpaceMarines.Asthemanwhohadbroughthimthelocatorbeacon,RobouteSurcoufhad,ofcourse,beenaccordedaplaceinthelandingparty. He had brought young bodyguard and his ship’s magos, Pavelka, with him. Kotov read thecensurebrandsinhernoosphericaurawithanoteofvaguecuriosity.SurcoufwasnottheonlyoneoftheRenard’screwtohaveflauntedauthority,itseemed.

Kotov stepped from the ramp, setting foot on a forgeworld that had not known the tread of arepresentativeof the ImperiumofMan in thousandsofyears.Hemarched to theedgeof thestoneplatform,whereasetofwidestepsleddowntotheplaza,andsurveyedhissurroundingsforanysign

ofArchmagosTelokorhisagents.Kotovwasnot so vain as to have expected a triumphalwelcomeor amass turnout ofwhatever

workforcelabouredinthepowerplantsandforgesofthisworld,buthehadexpectedsomething.Theyhad crossed the galaxy, endured allmanner of hardships and indignities and sufferedgreat loss toreach this world. A flicker of perturbation danced at the edge of his thoughts at the emptinesssurroundingtheBarisan.

Hisskitariitookuppositiontohisright,whileColonelAndersformedtheCadiansupintworanksontheleft.TannaandhisSpaceMarinesstoodlikegiantscarvedfrombasaltandivoryatthebaseoftheassaultramp;Surcoufandhispeoplejoinedhimatthesteps,whilethemenialtookasubservientposition on his right. Kotov carried a long sceptre of gold and bronze, toppedwith a jet and bonerepresentationof the IconMechanicus.Trailsof incensepleasing to theOmnissiahwafted from itscoal-redeyesockets.

Puttingasidethelackofanydiscernibleformofgreeting,Kotovinsteadturnedhisattentiontotheworlditself,feelingtheperpetualvibrationinitsbedrockthatwascommontoplanetsentirelygivenovertotheworkingsoftheAdeptusMechanicus.

Buttherewasmoretoitthanthat.Kotovfelttheunmistakablepresenceofgranddesigns,ofnewandunimaginedworkingstaking

place here.Deep in the very essence ofwhatmade him an archmagos, he sensed thatmagnificentthings were afoot on this world. Technologies as yet undreamed, research that had stagnatedmillenniaagoandwhichwasnowresurgent,developmentsinarenasofsophisticationthatthemagiofMarscouldnotevenbegintoimagine.

Thiswasaworldthatwasinthepurestsenseoftheword,unique.Anditwasempty.SergeantTannaandColonelAndersapproachedandstoodtoeithersideofhim.‘Werewenotexpected?’askedAnders,cladinhisdressuniform,regaliathatonlyaCadianwould

recogniseasbeinganydifferentfrombattledress.‘We are expected, of course,’ replied Kotov, fighting down a mounting sense of unease. ‘We

receiveddetailedinstructionsforourlanding.’‘Fromanautomatedsource,’pointedoutSurcouf.‘Thatcouldbehundredsofyearsoldormore.’‘No,’saidKotov. ‘Hadthatbeenthecase,thegivenwaypointswouldnothavedeliveredustothe

surface,butseenustornapartinthegeomagneticstormsonourdescent.Theco-ordinatesweweregivenareonlyrelevantatthisprecisemoment.’

‘ThenwhereisTelok?’demandedTanna.‘Hewillbehere,’saidKotov. ‘Theauthenticcatechismsoffirstcommunionwereexchangedwith

thebinaricpurityofgenuineMechanicussignifiers.Weareexpectedandwewillbemet.’‘Ithinkyoumightberight,’saidSurcoufaspreviouslyinvisibleseamsappearedinthefacadeofthe

enormoushangar-structurewiththevaultedsilver-steelroof.Atitanicgatewaywasrevealed,likeoneoftheportalsofferingaccesstothevaultsofarcanabeneathOlympusMons,andfromitmarchedaglitteringbehemoth.

EasilytheequalofanImperatorTitaninheight,butaswideandlongasthe largestMechanicus

bulklander,itwasanimpossiblyhugescorpion-likecreatureofglassandcrystal.Itssegmentedbodywasveinedwithshimmeringlinesofemeraldlightandlow-slungbetweenenormouslegslikefrozenstalactites hewn from the roof of a colossal cave. It moved with the sound of breaking glass andgrindingstone,andnoonecouldmissthesimilaritytothebio-mimeticcrystal-formstheyhadfoughtonKatenVenia.

‘Thronepreserveus,’breathedTanna.‘WhatinthenameofTerraisthat?’hissedAnders.Kotovfoughttoholdbackhisownfear,butthesightofsomonstrousacreationcircumventedhis

rationalneuralpathways.Nothingcouldstandagainstsuchatoweringwar-engine,notthemightofthe Imperial Guard, not a Titan Legion, nor even the awesomely destructive war-engines of theCenturioOrdinatus.Thiswasdeathinfrozen,crystallineform.

‘Nowthatcan’tbegood…’saidSurcouf,backingawaytowardstheBarisan.‘Wehavebeenbroughtheretodie,’saidTanna.‘No,’saidKotov,thoughtheevidencewashardtodeny.‘Thatmakesnosense.’‘Believewhatyouwant,archmagos,butweareleaving!’‘Is it even possible to get back?’ cried Anders over the clashing din of the crystalline beast’s

stamping,seismicapproach.‘It has to be,’ said Tanna. ‘We reverse our course to the surface and hope the stable corridor

throughtheatmosphereisstillopen.’‘You’restakingourlivesonaforlornhope,’saidAnders.‘Betteraforlornhopethannohope,’pointedoutTanna.‘Trueenough,’noddedAnders,wavinghisownmenbacktothegunship.Kotovalonedidnotmove,nordidhisskitariiorhisaides.Hewatchedtheapproachofthecrystal

leviathanwithtransfixedawe.TannashoutedathimtogettotheBarisan,butKotovignoredhim.Betterdeaththantoreturnindisgrace.

ThoughhehadhelpedKotovreachthisworld,VitaliTychonhaddeclinedthechancetoaccompanythearchmagostothesurface.IthadbeenhardenoughtoleavehisdaughterunderthecareofthemedicaestaffforthetimeittooktobeginthecartographaeprotocolsonapproachtoTelok’sforgeworld.

Whatifsheweretowakewhilehewasaway?With hiswork complete on the command bridge, Vitali had ridden themag-lev to themedicae

deckandnowhurriedtowards theburnsunit.Theattendingsurgicaladeptswerequietlyconfidentthat Linya would survive and recover much of her former operational utility. Her legs had beenamputatedatmid-thigh,butaugmeticreplacementshadalreadybeenfashionedbyMagosTurentekthatcloselymimickedtheappearanceofhumanlimbs.

Therestofthedamagehadbeenlargelycosmetic,andthevat-grownskinpatcheswereshowingsignsofrenewedgrowth.Itwouldneverbethesameashumanskin,but itwasascloseascouldbecreated without a clone donor – and Linya had always been adamant that she could never allow

anotherlifetobebroughtintobeingsimplytoactasarepositoryforspareorgans.Thecorridorsof themedicaedeckweredeserted,whichwasunusual,butwith the ship inorbit

aroundTelok’sforgeworld,Vitaliwasnotentirelysurprised.HowoftendidanadeptofMarsgettotravel beyond the edges of the galaxy, let alone witness a forge world established in the depths ofintergalacticspace?

HehopedLinyawouldbeawake.Hewantedtospeaktohisdaughteragain,toholdherhandnowthatshewasnolongeratriskfrominfectionandthecountersepticfieldwasnolongerrequired.Hehadnodoubt that shewouldhave insights into thenatureof thisworld thathadescaped themoretraditionallymindedmagi.

Besides,hecouldusethehelpincataloguingthemanyanomalousreadingshewasdetectingfromthe world below. Much like Hypatia, Telok’s forge world exhibited signs of aberrant senescence,appearingtoexperienceperiodsofhyper-acceleratedageingbalancedoutbyconcomitantperiodsofrenewal.Geologicalpushandpullwereallpartandparcelofaplanet’sexistenceasitsorbittracedanelliptical path around its star, but thiswas somethingmore, something unexplained and, for now,beyondhisabilitytofathom.

Too many inexplicable anomalies that shared this same characteristic were mounting up forVitali’sliking:thereportsoftheroboticguardiansontheTomiokabeinginastateofdecrepitudebutyet still functional; the apparentplanetary youthofHypatia and thepresenceof apre-AgeofStrifemetropolis;andnowthesenonsensicalreadings.

WhateverTelokhadfoundinthewildernessspace,ithadeffectivelyunravelledthefabricofspace-timeandmadeamockeryofthephysicallawsgoverningitsoperation.Vitali’sthinkingwastooliteralandmethodicaltomakesenseofsuchthings;heneededLinya’sabilitytothinkincurvestogalvanisetheircogitations.

Vitaliturnedintotheburnsunitandfollowedthefamiliarroutethroughitssterilecorridors,stillturningovertheproblemsoftrans-dimensionalfracturesinspace-timeandtheircollateraleffectsonuniversalchronometry.

So focusedwasVitali on this largely theoretical and largelyunknownbranchofMechanicus artthatatfirsthedidn’tnoticethebodies.

Hestoppedinhistracksandallthoughtsofquantumtheoremswereforgotten.Thecentralhubchamberoftheburnsunitresembledanuprisinginaslaughterhouse.Corpsesandseveredlimbslayscatteredthroughoutthespacelikeoffal,toomanyandintoomuch

disarraytoevenbegintoguessathowmanydeadbodiessurroundedhim.Horrified,Vitalisawonebodycutinhalfatthewaist,sittinginalakeofoil-sheenedblood,anotherthatwaslittlemorethanatruncated slab ofmeatwithmetallicnubs of boneprotruding from its torn flesh.Mechanical partswerestrewnamongstthehackedupmeat,andVitalisawtherobesofmagi,servitorsandmenials.

Thecarnagehadbeenindiscriminate,theexaltedmurderedalongsidetheenslaved.Worse,therewasclearrelishtakeninthesekillings,asavagejoyinthereductionofhumanflesh

andmachineaugmentationtoruin.Prudence and logic dictated a retreat, but his daughter lay defenceless in one of this deck’s

treatment chambers.Whatevermaniachadperpetrated this senselessmassacremight still behere,

mightstillhavedesignsonkillinganyonehecameacross.Vitaliwas nowarrior and had always eschewed the implantation ofweaponrywithin his body-

plan, but right nowhewould have gladly had an integral beamweapon or energy sword. Steppingaroundtheworstofthebloodanddiscardedbodyparts,VitalipickedhiswaytowardsthepassagethatledtoLinya’sroom.

Scarletdropletshadsprayedthewallshere,asthoughthemurdererhadswunghiskillingbladetospatter the lifeblood of his victims in some perverse act of vandalism.With a sinking heart, Vitalihurriedlyfollowedtheloopingarcslikeatrailofhorridbreadcrumbs.

‘No,please,no,’whisperedVitaliashesawtheblooddrops tracedanunerringcourse toLinya’sroom.‘AveDeusMechanicus,pleaseno.’

ThedoorwasajarandVitaliheardsoundsofmovementfromwithin.Thoughhehadnoabilitytofightbeyondwhatinnatehumannaturehadgiftedhim,Vitalididn’t

hesitateandbargedthroughthedoor.‘Getawayfromher!’heshoutedwithoutknowingwhoorwhatlaywithin.Thegrislytableaubeforehimhaltedhiminhistracksandhesanktohiskneesinabjecthorror.Galatea squatted at the side of Linya’s bed, the silver-eyed tech-priest body hunched over his

daughter like some predatory vampire creature. Blood haloed Linya’s head and Galatea’s arachnidlimbswerewetwhereithadhackeditsvictimsapartinthemedicaehub.

‘MagosTychon,’saidGalatea.‘Wearegladyoucouldbehere.’ThemachineintelligencestraightenedupandVitalirecoiledinhorror.‘AveDeusMechanicus!’wailedVitali.‘Whathaveyoudone?Omnissiahhavemercy,whathaveyou

donetomyLinya?’‘We said your daughterwas exceptional,’ said Galatea, as a web ofmicro-fine connector cables

wormed theirway insideaglass cylinderofbio-conductivegel to infest thenewly-implantedorganwithin.‘Andnowhermindwillbeexceptionalwithinourneuromatrix.’

The crystalline leviathan moved with a hypnotic fluidity that should have been impossible forsomething so enormous. The sheer magnificence of its construction and very conception wasastounding,beyondanythingeventhemostcrazedtechno-hereticsimprisonedbeneaththeBaphyrasCatenadaredtodreamintoexistence.

ItappearedtohavenomovingpartsasanyMechanicusenginseerwouldunderstandthenotion,its joints and segmented body parts seeming tomovewithin and through one another inways hisocularimplantstoldhimoughttobeimpossible;asthoughthebondsbetweenthecrystallinelatticeswithinitsbodywerefluidinwaysnoonehadthoughtpossible.

Tannashoutedathimoncemore,butagainheignoredtheSpaceMarine’swords.Whatfatewouldtherebeforanarchmagoswhoreturnedemptyhandedfromanexpeditionthat

hadsufferedsuchloss?Hewouldbestrippedofhislastholdingsandreducedtohiscomponentpartstobereclaimedintoservitorimplants.HowwouldthatservetheOmnissiah?

Bettertodiewithinsightofhisgoalthantofleetowardsdisgrace.

Theachingblueof theskyand the lightningarcingbetween thegiant tesla-coil towersglitteredfromitsmulti-facetedform.Ithadabeautyallitsown,alethalmajestythathadaperfectsymmetryofformthatstruckKotovasbeingostensiblysimilartoGalatea’sappearance.Thecomparisonwasapoorone; thehybridmachine intelligence’smismatchedbody-planwasatbest a crudeapproximationofthismagnificentcreature’sform.

No.Notanapproximation.Acopy…Three figures appeared at his side and Kotov nodded to Sergeant Tanna, Colonel Anders and

RobouteSurcouf.‘Youarenotleaving?’heasked.‘IleftKulGiladtodieontheAdytum,’saidTanna.‘Iwillnotleaveyoutodiealone.’‘I’vecomethisfar,’saidSurcouf.‘Seemsashametoleavewithoutseeinghowitallends.’Andersnoddedinthedirectionoftheleviathanasitloomedoverhead,atitanicmonsterthatcould

crushthemunderfootwithoutevennoticing.‘Andevenifwegotintotheair,thatthingwouldswatusdowninseconds,’addedAnders.‘AndI’m

mechanisedinfantrythroughandthrough,I’dmuchratherdieonthegroundthaninaburningwreckofaThunderhawk.Nooffencetoyourflyingskills,Tanna.’

Kotovshookhisheadwithanamusedgrin.‘No-oneisdyingheretoday.’Anderslookedsettodisagreewhenthevastplazawassuddenlyfilledwiththesoundofsplintering

glass.Everyoneof the landingpartycraned theirnecksupwardsasamillionspiderwebbingcrackszigzaggedoverthesurfaceofthetoweringscorpioncreature.Itsentirebodybegancomingapart,asthough ithadbeen struckby aprecisely resonanthammerblowat itsmost vulnerablepoint and itsstructurewasrevealedtobenomoresolidthangrainsofpowderedglass.

Cascadesofglitteringshardsfellinarazoreddelugefromitsuppersurfacesastheimmensewar-engine began disintegrating from the top down. First the swaying stinger tail fell apart, droppingthousands of crystalline fragments to the plaza. Its body collapsed into itself, sheddingmass like aruptured sandbag. Its legs followed seconds later, toppling inwards like a row of dyingTitans. Theentirecrystallinemachinewasfallingapart,asthoughwhatevermolecularstructurehadallowedittoretainitsshapewassuddenlyandcatastrophicallyundone.Thenoisewasdeafening,thesharp-edgedsoundechoingfromthesurroundingstructuresandbuildingsinathunderouscrescendoofbreakingglassandsplinteringrock.

Vast drifts of crystalline debris slumped from the implosive ruin of the beast’s dissolution,towering dunes of broken glass spreading out in a tidalwave of lethally-edged shards. The rain ofglassyfragmentsbrokeagainsttheraisedplatforminashatteringtide,spreadingarounditwiththefluidityofliquid.Suchwasthevolumeofthegiantscorpioncreaturethatthescaleofitsdeathfilledtheentireplazawithglitteringdebris.

ThenKotovsawitwasnotdebrisandnotdeath.Itwasdeployment.Themattershedfromthegiantcreaturebegancrackingandsplittingfurther,reorganisingitself

intonewarrangements.Thousandsofcrystal-formsweretakingshapefromtheduneseaofcrystal,

swiftlyacquiringmassfromtheexpelledmatterofthehostcreature.Insteadofonecreature,nowtensofthousandsofcrystal-formssurroundedtheraisedlandingplatform.

‘WhatintheEmperor’sname…?’breathedTanna,turningonthespottoseehowthoroughlytheywereoutnumbered.LikethevastarmyofstatuaryonceassembledbyadespoticrulerofOldEarth,thecrystallinestatueswerearrangedaroundthelandingplatformwithperfectsymmetry,theirranksasserriedasanymassdeploymentofImperialGuardonthemusterfields.

Kotovstudiedthefiguresatthebaseoftheplatform’ssteps.Humanoid in outline, they resembled unfinished sculpts of a race of powerfully built warriors

hailingfromoneoftheImperium’sprimitiveferalworlds.Thecrystallinewarriorsbeforethemturnedwith robotic precision, parting like a crystal sea to form an avenue of approach like the triumphalroutetravelledbyavictoriousLordGeneral.

Emerging fromthearmyofcrystal-formswasabeingofhulkingproportions,a terriblemeldofmetal, glass and steel. Superficially it resembled amalformedpenitent engine, bipedal and roughlyhumanoid, but its legs were brutish, elephantine stumps that displayed none of the unfinishedsimplicityofthecrystal-forms.

Itsmovementswereungainlyandawkward,asthoughitsformwassomehowmisshapenandnotatallwhatitscreatorhadintended.Portionsofitscentralmasswereclearlyformedfromdarkiron,andscrapsofscarletclothdrapedarmsthatwerespinedwithcrystallinegrowthssproutingfromeveryplane of its upper body. Arcs of heavy pipework looped over its shoulders like the cabling of anelectromagnet, and an oil-streaked hood sat in the centre of its chest like the sarcophagus of aDreadnought.

‘Whatisthatthing?’askedAnders,pullinghisrifletighttohisshoulder.It reached the base of the steps and began to climb with a hideous, lopsided motion, the

crystallisingnecrosisofitslimbsmakingeachflexofajointasplinteringnightmare.Itleftpowderedglass in itswake and the closerKotov looked at the partially obscured iconography on themetallicportionsofitsbody,themoreheunderstoodthatthiswasnotathingtobefeared,butrevered.

Slitheringmetallic frondsdrewbackthescarlethoodat thecreature’schestandKotovfoughttoconcealhismountingexcitementashesawahumanfacerevealed,albeitoneravagedbytheeffectsofcrystallisationandextremejuvenattreatments.

Itwas,nevertheless,afaceherecognised.Afacethathadstaredbackathimfromthepagesofcrumblingmanuscriptsanddegradedpict-

capturesforcenturiesofhislife.‘WelcometoExnihlio,’saidthecreature, itswastedfeaturesmovinglikeapoorly-operatedflesh-

puppet. ‘Wehope youwill forgive the theatricality of our introduction, butwehad all but givenuphopeofeverreceivingemissariesfromMars.’

Kotovsteppedforwardsandsaid,‘ArchmagosTelok,Ipresume?’

TobeconcludedinGodsofMars.

AbouttheAuthor

Graham McNeill has written a host of novels for Black Library, including the everpopularUltramarinesandIronWarriorsseries.HisHorusHeresynovel,AThousandSons,wasaNewYorkTimesbestsellerandhisTimeofLegendsnovel,Empire,wonthe2010DavidGemmellLegendAward.Originally hailing fromScotland,Grahamnow lives andworks inNottingham.