Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousand

soulsaresacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperor’swill.Vastarmiesgivebattleinhisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongstHissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesinarmsarelegion:theAstraMilitarumandcountlessplanetarydefenceforces,theever-vigilantInquisitionandthetech-priestsofthe

AdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreatfromaliens,heretics,mutants–andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,forinthegrimdarkfuturethereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,

onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

PROLOGUEAsphodex,CryptusSystem,RedScarSector,UltimaSegmentum

TheblackfleshofthevoidwastornasunderbyasuddeneruptionofredasBladeofVengeance,flagshipoftheBloodAngelsfleet,thunderedintorealspace,weaponsbatteriesroaringoutabrutalannouncementofarrival.Moreshipsfollowed,plungingoutofthewarplikecoursinghounds.Themassedbatteriesofthefleetjoinedthoseoftheflagshipinadull,pulsingwar-hymn.TheburningremainsoftheCryptusSystem’sdefencemonitorsweresweptasidebythesong,thedetritusoftheirfinalheroicstandagainsttheenemywashedawaybyvolleyaftervolleyofhigh-poweredenergybeams.Theaudienceforwhomthissuddenperformancewasintendedwasnotappreciative.Thevastshapesof

theoutlyingbio-shipsofthetyranidhivefleet,theirbloated,shimmeringformsfaintlyreflectingthedeadlyredlightofCryptus’stwinsuns,reeledandshudderedlikewoundedanimalsasthefusilladecrackedtheirshellsandrupturedthesoftcontents.TheBloodAngelsfleetsweptforwardswithslowdeliberation,bombardmentcannonssweepingaside

theswarmsofescortdroneswhichleaptfromtheflanksofthemassivebio-shipsandspiralledintodeathwithunseemlyeagerness.SuchwastheconsideredopinionofCaptainKarlaen,ashewatchedtheperformanceunfoldthroughthe

massivevista-portoftheflagship.Shipsmovedacrosshisvision,pummellingoneanotherinagranddanceoflifeanddeath,dutyandinstinct,honourandabomination.Thearched,cathedral-likespaceofthevessel’stacticum-vaultsechoedwiththerelentlesssongofwar.Karlaencouldfeeltheroarofeverycannonadethroughthedeck-platesbeneathhisfeetandintheflickerofeveryhololithdisplayasenemyvolleysspatteredacrossthebattle-barge’svoidshields.ThisbattlewasmerelyamicrocosmofagreaterengagementwhichnowspreadacrosstheCryptus

SystemandtheRedScarSector.ThemonstrousshadowofHiveFleetLeviathan,astheOrdoXenoshadclassifiedthisparticularxenosincursion,stretchedacrosscountlessworlds,beingenvelopingSegmentumsUltima,TempestusandSolar.WorldswerebeingscouredcleanbytheGreatDevourer,andeventhemostsacredsitesoftheImperiumwereunderthreat,includingBaal,homeworldoftheBloodAngels.Whenthebow-waveofHiveFleetLeviathanwashedacrosstheCryptusSystem,theImperiumhadmet

itwithallofthestrengththattheAstraMilitarum,AdeptaSororitasandthehouseholdtroopsoftherulingFlaxianDynastycouldmuster.Butorbitaldefencesandmassedgun-lineshadprovenunequaltothetask.

Withinacycle,tyrannicsporesweredarkeningtheskiesofeverymajorworldwithintheCryptusSystem.Andnow,atlast,theBloodAngelsandFleshTearersSpaceMarineChaptershadarrivedtodeprivethemonsterofitsfeast.Thoughthesystemwaslost,theycouldatleastdiminishthebiomassthatthehivefleetmightrecycleanduseagainstBaal.AllofthispassedacrossKarlaen’smindashewatchedtheBloodAngelsfleetengagetheenemy.Battle

wasathingofvividcolourandriotousfury,eveninthecold,airlessvoidofspace,andhefeltsomethinginhimstirasheconsideredit–likeapersistent,redhumdeepbelowthesurfaceofhisthoughts.IthadbeenwithhimsincethedayofhisSanguination,butfamiliaritydidnotbreedaffection.Hisreflectionstaredbackathimfromwithintheslightlyshimmeringsurfaceofthevista-port.Abatteredface,bluntandsquareandlackingallbutatraceofitsformergoodlooks–acidscarspittedhischeeksandjaw;hishairwasagrizzledgoldenstubblethatclungstubbornlytohisscalpandhisnosehadbeenshatteredandrebuiltmorethanonce.Abioniceyeoccupiedoneruinedsocket,andthemagna-lensoftheprostheticorbwhirredtolifeasheexaminedhisreflection,seekingoutsomenigglingimperfectionthathecouldnotname.Hewasclad,aswashisrightandhonourascommanderoftheFirstCompany,intheblessedplateof

Terminatorarmour.ItwasthetoughestandmostpowerfulformofpersonalarmoureverdevelopedbytheImperiumofMan:aheavyblood-redshellofceramite-bondedplates,chasedwithgildingandbrass,reinforcedbysectionsofplasteelandadamantiumandallofitpoweredbythickbundlesofelectricalfibresandinternalsuspensor-plates.Ithadtakentwentyred-robedChapterserfsanddull,cog-brainedservitorstoencasehimwithinit,

hoursearlier,whentheprospectofaboardingactionfirstreareditshead–theyhadworkedfeverishly,connectingfibrebundlestonodesusingspidery,mechanicallimbswhichpossessedtheinhumandexterityrequiredforsuchaprecisetask.Othershadclearedairandbuild-upfromthepistonsandpneumaticservo-musclesthatenabledhimtomove,whiletheseniorserfs,theirgildedmasksbetrayingnoemotion,polishedtheceramitewithsweetsmellingunguentsandblessedoils,awakeningtheprimitivesouloftheancientrelic,stirringittowrathfulwaking.Thearmourwasheavyandpowerful,and,inthosemomentswhenhesuccumbedtothelureofpoetry,KarlaenthoughtthatitmightbetheclosestthinggoingtotheWordoftheGod-Emperormadeharshreality.Karlaenraisedahand,hisfingerstracingtheoutlineoftheCruxTerminatusonhisleftshoulderplate.It

wassaidthatthesymbolcontainedashardoftheEmperor’sownTerminatorarmour,whichhadbeenshatteredinthatfinal,catastrophicduelwiththeArch-Traitorinagespast.Atthethought,Karlaen’sbreathhitchedinhisthroat,andhisvisionblurred,astheredhumgrewlouder,nowpoundingwhereithadpulsed,asifathousandhammerswerebeatingonthewallsofhisskull,fightingtobefree.Foramoment,hisvisionblurred,andhesawadifferentface,nothisownfamiliarbatteredfeatures,butahandsomeandradiantfacewhichherecognisedbutcouldnotname,twistedinlossandpainthelikesofwhichnomortalcouldbear,andheheardthesnapofgreatwings,andfelttherushofheatandpainandhisfingerstouchedthesurfaceofthevoid-hardenedglass.Heclosedhiseyes.Swallowedthickly.Openedhiseyes.Helookedupatthestainedglasswhich

markedthecircumferenceofthevista-port.ItshowedscenesfromImperialhistory–thediscoveryofSanguiniusonBaalSecundusbytheEmperor;Sanguinius,angel-wingedandradiant,takingcommandoftheNinthLegion;otherscenes,dozens,hundreds,alldepictingtheglorioushistoryoftheBloodAngels,ahistorywhichhadshapedKarlaen,andmadehimwhohewastoday.IamKarlaen,hethought.IamCaptainoftheFirst,theShieldofBaal,andIamtruetomyself.Iamnotflesh,tobesweptupintheblood-dimmedtide,butstone.Andstonedoesnotmoveoryieldtothoseredwaters,nomatterhowtheycrash.Thehumfaded,hammerblowsbecomingtaps,andthepressureretreatedasitalwayshad.

Irritatedwithhimself,heconcentratedontheworldbeyondthecurtainofvoidwar.Asphodex–itwasaninelegantwordforaninelegantworld.Beyondtheshifting,shimmeringdistortion

ofthebattle-barge’svoidshield,behindthebloatedshapesofthebio-shipswhichclusteredaboutitsatmospherelikefeedingticks,Asphodexroiledinitsdeaththroes.Themagna-lensofKarlaen’sbioniceyewhirredtoitsnextsetting,bringingtheworldintostarkrelief.Theheavygreycloudswhichshroudedtheatmospherewereshotthroughwithinfected-lookingstrandsofpurple,eachonesquirmingwithbillionsoftinyshapes.Thelensclickedagain,focusingonthebio-shipsclusteredabouttheworld’spoles.Astheymovedacrosstheatmosphere,hecouldseecorrespondingdisturbancesintheclouds.Someonejoinedhimatthevista-port.‘Theyarefeeding,’Karlaensaid,outloud.‘Yes,’SanguinaryHighPriestCorbulosaidsoftly.Cladincrimsonpowerarmouredgedwithwhite,he

wasthespittingimageofthefacewhichhauntedtheblackdreamsandredmemoriesofKarlaenandeverySpaceMarineoftheBloodAngelsChapter.Hisvoice,too,throbbedattherootsofKarlaen’smind,stirringtolifeancientthoughtswhichwerenothisown.Corbulowasaghost,thoughwhetheroftheChapter’spastoritsfuture,nonecouldsay.‘Thatiswhattheydo,captain.’‘Theywillstriptheplanetofalllifesoon,’Karlaencontinued.Hehadseenplanetscaughtinthegripof

theGreatDevourerbefore,andhadcalculatedAsphodex’schancesofsurvivalonanidlewhim.Theplanetwasdoomed.HelookedatCorbulo.‘WhyamIhere,MasterCorbulo?Ishouldbemakingreadyto–’‘Towhat,CaptainKarlaen?’Corbuloasked.Hisvoicewasgentle,butresonant,likethecrashofwaves

againstadistantshore.HelookedatKarlaen,andhiseyescaughtandheldKarlaen’sown.Theyweredeepandpaleandpowerful,andKarlaenfelttheredhuminhisheadgrowinstrength.Helookedaway.‘Youareexactlywhereyoushouldbe,captain.’CorbulospokewithsuchsuretythatKarlaencouldnothelpbutfeelanatavisticthrillcoursethroughhim.‘Asyousay,master,’Karlaensaid.Hekepthisfacestiffandstill.Corbulosmiled,asifhecouldsenseKarlaen’sreluctance.‘Icannothelpbutfeelasifyoudoubtme,

brother,’hesaid.‘Detectingdoubt–orworry,anger,oranyotheremotionforthatmatter–onKarlaen’sfaceisaskill

akintothedetectionofgeologicalshiftsonBaal,Corbulo.Onemustknowwheretolookforcracksinthestone.Isn’tthatright,brother?’BothKarlaenandCorbuloturnedasCommanderDante,ChapterMasteroftheBloodAngels,strode

towardsthem,hisgoldenartificerarmourgleaminginthereflectedlightofthehololithsthatstuddedthetacticum-vaults.Hisfeatureswerehidden,asever,behindthegoldenmaskwhichwassaidtohavebeenmodelledonthefeaturesofSanguiniushimself.Karlaeninclinedhishead.‘Asyousay,commander.’DantelookedatCorbulo.HegesturedtoKarlaen.‘Yousee?Stone,’hesaid.‘Karlaenistherockupon

whichtheFirstCompanystands.’HelookedatKarlaen,hisgazetakingineverythingandmissingnothing.Karlaen,forhispart,couldonlyholdhissuperior’sstareforafewmomentsbeforeitbecameunbearable.DantewastheoldestlivingSpaceMarineintheImperiumwhocouldstillfunctionoutsideofthesarcophagusofaDreadnought,andhecarriedwithhimtheweightofhistorywhereverhewent.LikeCorbulo,hisverypresencestirredtheredhuminKarlaen’sheadtofretfulagitation.Karlaenmadetosinktooneknee,butDantegesturedirritably.‘No,’hesaid.‘No,Iaminnomoodfor

suchgesturestoday,captain.’Stung,Karlaenstraightened,thejointsofhisarmourwheezingandhissinginprotest.Dantecrossedhis

armsandgazedupatthevista-port.Theflagshipshiveredslightlyaroundthem,andthevoidshieldwrithedasitwasstruck.Dantesaid,‘Report,captain.’

Onfirmergroundnow,Karlaenclearedhisthroat.‘ThefirstwaveoftheassaultispreparingfortheirdescenttoPhodia,’hesaid,referringtotheprincipalcityofAsphodex.Hedidnotthinkittactfultomentionthat,asCaptainoftheFirstCompany,heshouldhavebeenoverseeingthosepreparations.‘Youarewonderingwhyyouarehere,ratherthanthere,’Dantesaid.Itwasnotaquestion.Karlaen

lookedatCorbulo.‘Yousee,heistoodisciplinedtoask,thoughIhavenodoubtthatcuriosityiseatingathim.’‘Disciplineisthearmourofaman’ssoul,’Corbulosaid.Karlaenlookedbackandforthbetweenthem,vaguelyconcerned.Whenthesummonshadcome,hehad

notknownwhattoexpect.Wasthehonourofleadingthevanguardtobetakenfromhim?Thequestionwouldnothaveoccurredtohim,onceuponatime.Butnow,after…Hismindshiedawayfromthethought.Shadowsclusteredattheedgesofhismemory,andvoicesdemandedtobeheard.Heclosedhiseyeandshookhishead,banishingshadowsandvoicesboth.Whenhelookedup,herealisedthatbothDanteandCorbulowerewatchinghim.Corbuloreachedoutandclappedahandtohisarm.‘Ihearthemaswell,brother.Doyouwishtoknowwhattheysay?’heasked,hisvoicebarelyabovea

whisper,andhiseyesfullofquietcontemplation.KarlaenignoredtheSanguinaryPriestandlookedatDante.‘Iwishonlytoknowwhatisrequiredof

me,mylord.IamtheShieldofBaal,andIwouldserveasyouseefit.’Dantewassilentforamoment.Then,hesaid,‘Youarestillleadingtheassault,captain.AndPhodiais

stillyourtarget.ButIrequiremorethansimplebattlefieldlogisticsfromyouthistime.’HelookedatCorbulo.TheSanguinaryHighPriestsaid,‘AugustusFlax.’Karlaenblinked.‘TheGovernorofAsphodex.’PartofhisresponsibilitiesasCaptainoftheFirstwas

toknoweverythingtherewastoknowaboutpotentialbattlefields–everythingfromweatherpatternstoculturaldialectswasofpotentialimportancewhenplanningforwar,andKarlaenhadstudiedandsynthesisedallofit.HekneweverythingtherewastoknowabouttheFlaxianDynasty,anditscurrenthead.AugustusFlax

hadassumedthegubernatorialseatatthetenderageofseventeenstandardTerranyears,afterhisfather,thepreviousofficeholder,hadbeenmurderedbyseparatistsinacivilwarwhichhadbriefly,thoughbloodily,rockedtheCryptusSystem.Flaxwasanoldmannow,andhisreignhadbeenanunmitigatedsuccess,asfarasthesethingswereconcerned.Karlaenfeltasmallstabofpityfortheman–thesystemhehadreportedlyfoughtsohardtoretaincontrolofandholdtogetherwasnowbeingdevouredoutfromunderhim.‘Yes.I–we–needhimfound,brother.’Corbulolookedtowardsthevista-port.Silentexplosions

cascadedacrossthefaceofthevoid,asshipscontinuedtheirduel.Karlaencockedhishead.Questionsfilledhismind,butheclampeddownonthem.Hiswasnottoquestion,merelytoserve.‘ThenIwillfindhim,MasterCorbulo,’hesaid.‘Heorhischildrenwilldo,’Corbulosaid.‘Failingthat,asampleoftheirblood.’Morequestionsarose,butKarlaenignoredthem.IfCorbulowashere,andthismissionwasbeing

undertakenathiscounsel,thentherecouldbeonlyonereasonforit.Corbulo’soverridingpassionwasnosecret.TheSanguinaryHighPriesthadonedesireaboveallothers:theeliminationofthetwinplagueswhichafflictedthesonsofSanguinius,whethertheywereBloodAngels,FleshTearersorAngelsEncarmine.CorbulohaddedicatedhislifetounravellingthesecretsoftheRedThirstandtheBlackRage,andhadspentcenturiesonthehuntforanythingwhichmightalleviatethesufferingofSanguinius’schildren.Karlaenbowed.‘Itwillbedone,onmyhonourandthehonouroftheFirstCompany.OrelseIshalldie

intheattempt.’Hestraightened.‘Iwillneedtorequisitionagunship,oradroppod…’‘Speedisoftheessence,brother,’Dantesaid.‘Timegrowsshort,andAsphodexdiesevenaswespeak.

Thisworldwillbeconsumedbythebeast,andwedonothavetimeforyouandyourArchangelstoattemptanentryfromorbit,’hesaid.‘Reporttotheteleportarium.Yourmenwillbewaitingforyouthere.’‘Teleportation,’Karlaensaid.Hegrimaced.Therewerefewthingsthatcouldstirtheembersoffearin

Karlaen’sheart,butteleportationwasoneofthem.Therewassomethingwrongwithit,withhowitworked.Therewasnocontrol,noprecision,onlyblindluck.Heshookhimselfslightly.HeknewthatDantewouldnothaveauthoriseditifitwerenotnecessary.Countlessbattleshadbeenwonwithjustsuchastrategy,andKarlaenreassuredhimselfthatthistimewouldbenodifferent.HelookedatDante.‘Asyoucommand,mylord.Iwillnotfailyou.’‘Youneverhave,captain,’Dantesaid.Karlaenturnedawayandtookonelastlookatthewar-tornheavensandthedyingworld.Therewas

nothingbutbloodanddeathlurkingbeneaththosegreyclouds.IfAugustusFlax,oranyofhiskin,stilllived,itwouldnotbeforlong.Yethisorderswereclear.ItwashisdutytofindAugustusFlax,andtheShieldofBaalwouldseeitdone.

ONEPhodia,Asphodex

Theairofthecontinent-sizedcityhadbeenthickwithblacktoxicity,evenbeforethearrivalofthetyranids.Beneaththechokingdarknessandroilingclouds,billionshadslavedanddiedinmanufactorumsandvapour-farmsatthebehestofthecity’soverlords.Now,whereman’sindustryhadonceclaimedandpoisonedtheairandground,newmasterssettheirmark.Aliengrowthscoiledandcrawledaboutthebattle-scarredruinsofthePlanetaryGovernor’spalace,andhundredsoffume-spewingspore-chimneyshadthrustupthroughthecrackedandbrokensurfaceoftheground,maskingthefadedgrandeurofthecityskylineinaforestofmonstrousgrowth.Amongtherubble,clickingfeeder-beastsfeasteduponthehillocksofcorpseswhichlaylikeathick

carpetthroughoutthestructure.Many-limbedshadowsmovedthroughtheupperreachesoftheruins,andalienvoicesstutteredandwarbledinasongofending.Thesongceasedabruptly,astheairbecamegreasyandmetallic.Therewasasoundlikethunder,andarcinglightingofanunnaturalhuesparkedandsnappedtosuddenlife.Thefeeder-beastsscatteredwithfrustratedsquealsandprotestsasthelightningswirled,flashedandfaded,revealingheavy,crimsonfigures.TheArchangelshadarrived.Twentycarmine-armouredTerminatorsstoodonapatchofscorchedstone.Theywereamongthe

greatestwarriorsofaChapterrepletewithsuch,andeachofthemhadparticipatedindozensofgruellingdefencesandsurgicalstrikes,againsttyranidsaswellasorksandeveryotherenemythathaddaredtestthemightoftheImperium.Karlaenhadchosenfromamongthemostbattle-testedforthismission,andeachofthemhadstoodwithhimatBalor’sHope,aswellasparticipatinginthedestructionofthespacehulksDivinePurgatoryandTwilightAegis.‘Well,isn’tthispleasant?’oneoftheTerminatorssaid,thevox-amplifiersofhishelmettransforming

hisvoiceintoacracklinggrowl.BrotherAphrae,Karlaenknew,recognisedtheTerminatorbyhisvox-signatureandthedelicatecoilingscriptflowingacrossthescrollstretchedacrossthefrontofhischestplate.Aphraehadapassionforcalligraphy,aswellasaninabilitytoproperlyobservevoxprotocols.‘No,’Karlaensaid.‘Fanoutandestablishaperimeter–Iwantdetailedaugurscansandvox-channel

analysisbeforewemoveout.’Long-rangeauspexechoestakenbythefleethadprovendisappointinglyvague,andteleportationwasnotanexactscience.HeneededtobecertainthattheywerewheretheyweresupposedtobeintheTribuneDistrict,andthatmeanttriangulatingtheirexactpositionviavoxsignalsand

augurreadings.‘Alphaeus–youknowwhattodo,’hesaid,lookingtotheclosestTerminator.‘Whenhasiteverbeenotherwise?’Alphaeusrumbled,droppingonegauntlettothepommelofthe

powerswordsheathedonhiship.TheTerminatorsergeanthadservedwithKarlaenlongerthananyotherSpaceMarine,andfamiliarityhadbredacongenialdeferencethatKarlaenstillfoundslightlydisconcerting.HehadchosenAlphaeusashissecond-in-commandforgoodreason.AmongthewarriorsoftheFirst

Company,therewerenone,savehimself,withgreaterexperienceinbattlingthescuttlingminionsoftheGreatDevourerthanAlphaeusandhissquad–jocularAphrae,taciturnBartelo,andthetwins,DamarisandLeonos.ThelatterpairsnappedtoattentionasAlphaeusorderedthemtoscoutahead,andthenturnedtorelayorderstotheothersquads.SatisfiedthatAlphaeuswouldseetothings,Karlaenscannedtheirsurroundings.Thecitywasalreadybeingconsumed;thepresenceofthefeeder-beastsandthespore-chimneyswere

proofenoughofthat.Hehadseensimilarsightsoftenenough,butitneverfailedtoawakenathrillofrevulsioninhimtoseehumanityandallofitsartificereducedtoaslurryofproteinandbio-matter.Deathwasonething,butthetyranidstookevenwhatlittledignityremainedafterwards.Hisfingerstightenedonthereinforcedhaftofthemaster-craftedthunderhammerhecarried.The

HammerofBaalwasoneofthemostexquisiterelicspossessedbytheBloodAngelsChapter;ithadbeenforgedbymasterartisansmillenniaago,andentrustedintoKarlaen’scarebyDantehimself,uponhisascensiontotherankofCaptainoftheFirstCompany.Theweaponhummedwithbarelyrestrainedpower.Itwasmuchlikeitswielderinthatregard.Karlaenliftedtheancientweaponandresteditagainsthisshoulderplate.Heturned,hisbioniceyewhirringandmagnifyingthelandscape.Rottingcorpsesandtheburning

wreckageofbattletanksstretchedasfarastheeyecouldsee.Forafewbriefdaystheworldhadbeenabattlefront,andthesoldiersoftheImperiumhadmadethetyranidspayabloodytollforeverypatchofground.Hecheckedhissuit’saugurs,searchingforanylifesignsamongthecarnage.‘Theydiedwell,’Alphaeussaid.Karlaenturned.‘Report,’hesaid.‘We’reprobablyintherightplace.’Thesergeanthadremovedhishelmet,revealingashornscalpanda

permanentlydeterminedexpression.Aservicestudgleamedoverhisrighteye.AsKarlaenwatched,hesuckedinagreatlungfuloftoxicair.‘Paaaah,’Alphaeusgrunted.‘Smellslikehome.Ifhomewasanovergrownsludgepit.’‘Whichitis,’Aphraecalledout,fromwherehestoodexaminingaspore-chimney.Heliftedhis

chainfistinconsideringfashion.Theweapongroanedtolife,andtheteethrotatedwithasnarlthatechoedacrosstheplaza.BeforeKarlaencouldmovetostopAphrae,Alphaeusbarked,‘Aphrae,pleaserefrainfromwhateverit

isyou’replanningtodo.’HelookedbackatKarlaen.‘Wewereabletoscrapetherecordingsfromtheorbitalvox-arrays,butthatinformationisdaysoldatbest.Thislookslikeapalaceforecourt,ifthathelps.’Hegesturedtowardstheimmense,battle-blastedarchwaythatdominatedtheothersideoftheplaza.Greatsteps,eachoneahundredmetreswide,roseuptowardswhathesuspectedweretheremainsofthePhodianGates,theentrancetothepalace.‘Thosestepsaredefinitelypalatial,inmyconsideredopinion.’‘Youknowalotaboutsteps,then?’Karlaenasked,examiningthearchway.‘Iknowaboutarchitecture.Youcantellalotaboutapeoplefromtheirarchitecture.’KarlaenglancedatAlphaeus,whoranhispalmoverhisbarescalpinagestureofcontemplation.‘Icouldbewrong,ofcourse.Whoknowswhatsortofupheavaltheplanethasgonethroughsincethose

vox-arrayswerefunctional?RememberFulcrumSix?Thewholesoutherncontinentfoldeduplikealeafcaughtinablastofheat,’saidAlphaeus.‘Thisisn’tFulcrumSix,’Karlaenreplied,smilingslightly.‘No,andthanktheEmperorforthat.’Alphaeusstampedtheground.‘Idon’tapproveofcontinentalland

massesshiftingunexpectedly.’Helookedaroundsuspiciously.‘Idon’tapproveofthiseither.’‘ThisplaceisanabominationuntotheeyesoftheEmperor,’Bartelosaidglumly,gesturingatthespore-

chimneywiththebarreloftheheavyflamerhecarried.Ittookaspecialsortofwarriortogointobattleequippedwithwhatwasahighlyvolatileamountofpromethiummixturestrappedtothem–onerupturedhose,orcloggedmechanism,andBartelowouldbecookedinsidehisarmourquickerthanhecouldscream.Butheseemedtotakeprideinhispositionasfire-bearerforAlphaeus’ssquad,andhewasskilledatemployingthecleansingflamestogreatesteffect.‘Soiswastingvaluablepromethium.Stayalert,’Alphaeussaid.Heshookhisheadandcockedaneye

upatthedarksky.‘Gargoyles,’hemurmured.Karlaenlookedup.Themagna-lensofhisbioniceyespun,focusinginontheinnumerableswarmsof

wingedbio-beastsswirlingacrossthehorizonlikeavasttornadooffangsandtalons.‘Wherearetheygoing?’hemurmured.‘East,’Alphaeussaid.‘What’seastofhere?’‘Organic–’Damarisbegan.‘–matter,’Leonosfinished.KarlaenlookedatthetwoTerminatorsastheytrudgedtowardshimandthesergeant.Somequirkofthe

Sanguinationprocesshadtakentwounrelatedmenandmadethemreplicasofoneanother,asiftheyhadbeencastfromthesamemould.Eventhroughthevox-link,theirmellifluousvoicessoundedidentical,downtotheslightlystrainedintonation.Withtheirhelmetsoff,theyremindedhimofCorbulo,withtoo-perfectfeaturesthatbelongedontheivy-shroudedstatuesoflong-forgottendeitiesratherthanonmen.‘There’sfightingtotheeast,intheareaaroundthemanufactorums,’Leonossaid.‘Thiswholedistrict

looksasifit’sbeenlefttothefeeder-beasts.’Karlaenquicklyflickedthroughthevox-channels.Mostwerecloudedwithinterferencefromthehive

fleet,buthequicklyhituponcriesforaidandpleasforreinforcement.Justashefoundthem,somethingexplodedinthedistance.Thefronthadmovedeast,theImperialbattlelinesbatteredbackbytheravenoushordesofbio-beasts.‘Thefabricaedistricts,’Alphaeussaid.Hefrowned.‘It’salaststand.’Karlaensaidnothing.Thevoxcrackled,asthescreamsofthesoldiersoftheAstraMilitarumfilledhis

ears.PartofhimyearnedtotakehismenandstrikeoutforthemanufactorumswherethelastdefendersofPhodiaweresellingtheirlivesinthemistakenassumptionthathelpwascoming.Butthosewerenothisorders,andthatwasnotwhattheSonsofSanguiniuswerehereforthisday.Asphodexwasafirebreakandnothingmore.ThewaragainstHiveFleetLeviathanwouldnotbe

decidedhere,orindeedanywhereintheCryptusSystem.Butthistendrilofitwouldbeannihilated.Withinafewstandardhours,theremainderoftheBloodAngelsFirstCompanyandthefullstrengthoftheSecond–supportedbyelementsoftheirsuccessors,theFleshTearers–wouldbemakingplanetfall.Thenthetruewarwouldbegin.Awarofannihilation,awartotaintthewellsandbreakthesupplylinesoftheenemy.AwarthatthechosenofBaalknewwellhowtofight.Butthatwasstillinthefuture.Fornow,Karlaenhadhismission.‘Formupandfanout.Wewill

proceed,’hesaid,shuttingoffthetransmissions.Alphaeusnoddedandpingedthevox,alertingtheothersquadsthatitwastimetomoveout,evenasLeonosandAphraejoinedthem.

Inmoments,alineofcrimson-armouredgiantswasonthemove,marchingacrosstheplazatowardsthegreatarchwaythatwasthePhodianGates.Astheyclimbedthesteps,Karlaentookinthecarnagewhichstretchedupthestepstotheentryplateau.ThecorpsesofImperialGuardsmenwerepiledinmessyheapsamongtumbledsandbagemplacements.Thestinkofalienichorwasstronghere,anddeadtyranidweapon-beastslaywheretheyhadfallen,broughtdownbythegunsoftheAstraMilitarum.Atthetopofthesteps,thebrokencorpseofanImperialGuardofficerboresilentwitnesstothe

approachoftheBloodAngels,hisdeadgazestaringoutatthebattlefielddefiantly.Hestillclutchedaboltpistolinonebloodiedfist.Karlaensankdowntoonekneebesidethecorpse,whichlayproppedupagainstthescorchedand

shatteredarchway.Hestudiedtheslackfeatures,memorisingthemashehaddoneathousandtimesbefore.Hiswarriorsstoodsilently,understandingthatthiswasasacredmoment,andonethattheythemselvesmighthavetoperformoneday.Thisman,Karlaenthought,hadbeenahero,thoughtheydidnotknowhisname.Hehaddiedunsung,

andwouldnotberememberedbyanysavethemselves.Buttheywouldrememberhim.TheBloodAngelsalwaysremembered,evenwhenthememoryprovedburdensome.‘Sleep,soldier,’Karlaenmurmured,thefamiliarwordsescapinghimwithease.‘Laydownyourburden,andreturntotheEmperor’slight.Yourfightisnowours.Andwewillmakethempay,measureformeasure.’Hereachedoutandclosedthestaringeyes.Hestood.‘Come,’hesaid.‘Wehaveagovernortofind.’

Acrosstheplazafromthearmouredgiants,hiddenbythefallenbulkofastatueoftheEmperor,apairofalieneyeswatchedtheBloodAngelsenterthegoverningpalaceoftheFlaxianDynasty.White,vestigiallipspeeledbackfromawallofclenchedfangsastheflat,crimsoneyesofthecreatureoncecalledtheSpawnofCryptusnarrowedinbalefulinterest.AstheBloodAngelsvanishedintotheinteriorofthepalace,thebroodlordpusheditselfupright,its

fourarmsclutchingatthestatue.Itrosetoitsfullheight,tastingtheair.Thefiresofdistantbattlewerereflectedinitspale,shinycarapace.Itcockeditsbulbousskull,listeningtothedistantdrumbeatofbattle.Hundredsofkilometresaway,thedefendersofPhodiawerewagingtheirfinalbattleagainsttheforcesoftheHiveMind,andtheSpawnofCryptuscouldfeeltheebbandflowofthatconflictineveryfibreofitsgrotesquebeing.Itlongedtojointhatdistantfrayandwetitstalonsinthebloodofitsenemies.ThatwaswhattheHive

Mindaskedofit,whisperedtoit,deepinitsskull.ThesongoftheHiveMindfilleditshead,drivingoutallotherthoughtssavethosewhichmovedintimetothecosmicrhapsodyofaeons.Itwasasongofconsumptionandsurvival,ofgranddesignandjoining.Thesongfilleditandwarmedit,drivingoutfearandangerandleavingbehindonlyironpurpose.Thebroodlordshookitslargeheadandgaveasnort.Therewereyetthingstobedone–important

things,moreimportanteventhantheall-consumingsongoftheforcesthathadguideditupoutofthedarknessandintothelight.IthadlivedonAsphodexforyears,longbeforethecomingoftheLeviathanwhoseshadowevennow

layoveritsmonstroussoul.ThepeopleofPhodiahadgivenititsname,andtheraconteursamongthemhadclaimedthatitwasachildoftheirsolargod,senttopunishthemfortheirtransgressions.Thecreaturefoundsomesmallamusementinthat,forthestorytellerswerenotfarwrong.Thatamusementwasnotinevidencenow,asitwatchedtheredgiantsdisturbanddispersethefeeder-

beastsastheytrompedintothedemesnethatithadclaimedasitsown.Ithadneverseensuchbeingsbeforeinalltheyearsofitslonglife,butitknewthemforenemiesevenso.Itcouldtastetheharsh

violenceoftheirthoughts,evenatthisdistance,anditslong,crimsontongueflickedoutfromwithinitsthicketofteethtolashandcurlmomentarily,beforeretreatingbackintoitsmaw.Itdidnotknowwhattheywereafter,andannoyanceburnedacrossthesurfaceofitsbrainlikeablack

comet.Theirmindswereopentoit,anditcouldsmelltheirintenttoenterthepalaceasifitwerethescentofpreycarrieduponthenightwind.Itstalonsdugfrustratedgroovesintothestonesaroundit,andithissedingrowinganger.Forabriefinstant,thesongoftheHiveMindgrewraggedandweak,andtheoldpaincameback,

thunderingtotheforeofitsmind.Itsawfaces,fleshyandsoft,butfamiliar,andawhineofagonyescapedit.Asinglequaveringnoteofloss,swiftlyborneunderanderasedbythesnarlthatfollowed.TheSpawnofCryptusshookitself,sendingthefragmentsofmemoryfleeing.Withasinglefluidmovement,thebeastleaptdownfromitsperchandcreptintotheruins,clawsclicking.Lessercreaturesfledbeforeit,andinreturnforsuchobeisance,itdulyignoredthem.Itwouldgatheritsbrood.ItwaspasttimefortheChildrenofCryptustohavetheirdue.

TWOTribuneChamber,FlaxianPalace,Phodia

Theinteriorofthepalacewasjustasmuchasceneofhorrorastheplazaoutside.Thestab-lightsmountedontheTerminators’armourilluminatedsignsofaferociousrunningbattleastheymovedthroughtheimmense,shadowycorridors.Theexquisiteartworkswhichhadoncecoveredthehighwallsweretornandpittedbyacidicbile,lasgunfireandtheheavycratersleftbehindbyshellfire.Thefloorwascarpetedinthedead,bothhumanandotherwise.Andeverywhere,clicking,clatteringripperswarmsworkedtorenderthemangledheapsofbloodandbonedownintosomethingmorepalatable.ThesignsoftheHiveMind’sconsumptionwereeverywhere.Wholesidecorridorsandcathedral-like

foyershadbeengivenovertothebubbling,noxiousdigestionpoolsofthefeeder-beasts.AstheTerminatorspusheddeeperintothedepthsofthepalace,grislyshapesflapped,crawledandscuttledjustoutofsensorrange.WhentheyreachedtheentrancetowhatKarlaenthoughmustbethegovernor’sTribuneChamber,he

raisedhishammer,signallingahalt.‘Wegoourseparatewaysfromhere,brothers,’hesaid.Hesweptthehammerout,indicatingthe

corridorsdivergingfromthecentralhalltheynowstoodin.‘Foursquadscansearchmoreswiftlythanone,andtimeisnotonoursideinthisplace.’Asiftopunctuatethisstatement,thedullboomofdistantexplosionsrolledthroughthecorridors,echoingandre-echoingthroughoutthewide,vaultedspaces.‘Melos,youandyoursquadtakethewesternsector,’Karlaencontinued,gesturingtotheTerminatorin

question.Melosstrokedthegildedskullsetintohisgorgetandnodded.Melos’srelicarmourhadareputation,Karlaenrecalled.HehopedthatitwouldserveMelosbetterthanithadallitsotherowners.‘Joses,theeast,’hecontinued,pushingthethoughtaside.Josesgrunted,andheftedhisstormbolter.LikeAlphaeus,hewasbareheaded,andhehadbattle-scarredfeatures.Karlaenlookedatthelastofhissubordinates.‘Zachreal…’‘Up,’Zachrealrumbled,pointingafingertowardstheupperlevelsofthepalace.Hiscrimsonarmour

wasscoredbyhundredsofgouges,battlescarsearnedoverthecourseofahundred-oddboardingactions,andatrioofsilentlyfuming,goldencensershungfromhischestplate,fillingtheairaroundhimwithavermilionmist.‘Alwayssendsomebodytocleartheupperdecks,captain.’‘Thenthathonourfallstoyou,’Karlaensaid.HelookedatAlphaeus.“I’llaccompanyyoursquad,

Alphaeus,ifyou’llhaveme.We’llkeepmovingforwards,throughtheTribuneChamber,andsweepthe

heartofthepalace.’‘Ifwemust,’Alphaeussaid,smilingslightly.KarlaenignoredtheTerminator’sattemptathumour,andsaid,‘Observevoxprotocol.Thisisno

differentthananyfloatinghulkwe’veboardedinthepast.’‘Exceptthatit’sabuilding,won’tlosegravity,andwedamnwellknowit’sfulloftyranids,ratherthan

merelysuspectingthatsuchisthecase,’Aphraepipedup.Bartelogaveasnortofsourlaughter,andthetwinschuckled.‘Quiet,’Alphaeussnapped.Karlaenignoredtheby-play.HehadfoughtbesideAlphaeusandhissquadoftenenoughtoknowthat

Aphrae’sjocularity,misplacedasitwas,wasasnecessarytotheunit’ssurvivalasthepromethiuminBartelo’stanks.Laughterwasthegatesofthesoul,asdisciplinewasitswalls.‘Ifyoufindanysignofthegovernor,youaretoretrievehim,deadoralive,andfallbacktothePlazaoftheEmperorAscendantforextraction.Theplazawillberallying-pointalphaintheeventofoverwhelmingresistance.Donothesitatetofallback,shoulditbenecessary.Prideismerelytheseedofhubris,anddeathwithoutvictoryiswasted,’hesaid,quotingalinefromthePhilosophiesofRaldoron.Helookedabouthimashespoke,tryingtoimpressthegravityofthesituationuponhismen.‘Eyesopen,sensorson,mybrothers.Maythewingsofourfathershieldyoufromtherainsofbadfortune.’HeturnedbacktoAlphaeusandhissquadastheothersslowlymovedoff,eachtotheirdesignated

sectorofsearch.Thedarkofthechamberswallowedthebobbingstab-lightsoftheothers,untilonlythesixremained,standingbeforetheTribuneChamber.Karlaenhesitatedforamoment,andthensaid,‘Iwilltakepoint.’‘Captain–’Alphaeusbegan.Karlaenignoredhim,andmovedtowardsthebeckoninggloomoftheentryway.Thepassagewas

blockedbythepiledsandbagsofaheavybolteremplacement.Withoutpausing,heshovedhiswaythroughit.Theservosinhisarmourhummedsoftlyashetoppledtheheavygunplatformandsenttheheadlessbodyofthegunnerslumpingtotheground.Amomentlater,hisstab-lightsilluminatedtheinterioroftheTribuneChamber.Inbettertimes,thegovernorwouldhaveheldaudiencewithhisdistrictlordshere.Itwaslargeenough

tolandasquadronoftheChapter’sStormravens.Helethisstab-lightsplayacrossthecurveofthevast,domedceiling,buttheycouldonlypiercetheedgesofthedarknessthatmarkedit.Itwassimplytoohighandwide.Helookedaroundashemovedforwards.Thechamberwasmarkedbytwisteddebrisandtoppled

statues.Wholesectionsoftheupperfloorshadcollapseddown,puncturingthefloor,andamidstthestructuraldevastation,thebodiesofhundredsofImperialcitizenslay,heapedingreat,gorymoundsofmutilatedmeatandshatteredbone.Karlaenhadseenfarworsebutcheryinhistime,butitneverfailedtogivehimpause.Therewasastarkcontrastbetweentheslaughterthathadtakenplaceintheplazaandwhathesaw

beforehim.Theredhumpulsedalongtheundersideofhismind,andhefeltawashofanger.Theyhadbeeninnocents,notsoldiers–civiliansseekingsanctuaryfromthehorrorsthatstalkedtheirworld.Thesoldiersoutsidehaddiedtryingtoprotectthem,andithadallbeenfornothing.No,notnothing,saidasmallvoiceinsidehim.Somegoodmayyetcomeofthis,ifyousucceed.That

waswhatCorbulowouldhavesaid,hadhebeenhere;Karlaengrippedthethoughtasifitwereaholyrelic,anddrewwhatstrengthhecouldfromit.‘Necessityistheshieldoffaith,’hemurmured.ItwasanotherlinefromthePhilosophiesofRaldoron.Thetextwasacomforttohiminmomentsofdoubt.SuchmomentshadbecomefartoocommonforKarlaen,butthewordsoftheEquerrytothePrimarchandfirst

ChapterMasteroftheBloodAngelshadeverbroughthimbacktocertainty.Whilehespoke,theredhumfaded,replacedbyanothersensation–thatofapricklingonthebackofhis

neck.Swiftly,hesweptthechamberwithhisbioniceye,flickingthroughthedifferentsettings,huntingsomethinghecouldnotname.Hewasbeingwatched,thoughhecoulddetectnolifeinthechamber.Theirenemieswereclose.HewavedAlphaeusandtheothersforward.TheTerminatorsfannedout,scanningthemoundsof

corpseswithaugursandeyesalike.‘Searchthedead,’Karlaenordered.‘IfFlaxandhismenfellhere,hisbodymaystillbesalvageable.’‘Andifnot?’Aphraeasked.‘Thenwekeeplooking,’Karlaensaid.‘Whatifhe’snothere?’Aphraepressed.‘Whatifhe’sinthemanufactorumsorintheAgrarianDistrict?

Whatdowedothen?’‘Isupposewe’lljustgiveup,Aphrae.Isthatwhatyou’dliketohear?’Alphaeussaidharshly.‘Would

youliketoinformCommanderDantethatwefailed,orshallIdoit?’‘Iwasjustasking,sergeant,’Aphraesaidjovially.‘Justtryingtoestablishmissionparameters.’‘Itcouldbeworse,’Bartelosaidmorosely.‘Andhow,praytell,ohsourone,coulditbeworse?’Aphraesaid.‘Wecouldbewaist-deepincorpses,ratherthanjustknee-deep,’Bartelosaid,pushingoverapileof

bodieswiththebarrelofhisheavyflamer.‘Quiet,allofyou,’Karlaensaid.Heshovedthebrokencorpseofamanasidewithagentletapfromhis

hammerandactivatedthebionicaugur-lensinhisprostheticeye,seekinganysignofhumanlifeorofthespecificgeneticcodewhichhehadbeentaskedtoretrieve.Italwayscomesbacktoblood,withus,hethought.WithCorbulo,especially,oflate.TherewasaflawintheSonsofSanguinius,aflawwhichspreaddownthroughtheirsuccessorslikeacrackinmarble,growingwiderandmoreobviousthefurtherdownitspread.AndCorbulowasdeterminedtorepairthatflawbyanymeansnecessary.Evenifitmeantsendingwarriorstodigthroughaworldturnedcharnelpit.Hetossedasideanotherbody,andpaused.Throughahazeofauspexdata,hehadcaughtaglimmerof

something–aghost-reading,snakingthroughthelinesofcodeandreadouts,slitheringtowardshimbeneaththeblanketofcorpses.Evenasheregisteredthis,hecaughtawhiffofafamiliar,acridodour–almostinsect-like,butnotquite.Heturnedhisheadslowly,lettingthebio-augurplayacrosshisimmediatearea.Moreghost-signals,slidinghiddenbeneaththecharneldetritus,zeroinginonhimandhismenwithdeadlysurety.Thesoundofhimreadyinghisstormbolterwasloudinthestultifyingsilenceofthechamber.Alphaeus

lookedathim.Karlaennodded,once,tersely.Alphaeusliftedhisownstormbolter.Karlaenturnedbacktothepileofcorpsesbeforehim.Thedeadshifted,slightly.Hetookonestepback,narrowlyavoidingasprayofgoreasthebodiesexplodedoutwardsassomethinglarge,withfartoomanyarmsandteeth,lungedforhimoutofconcealment.Thestormbolterinhishandthundered,andthegenestealerwasreducedtopurplemistandragged

tattersofalienflesh.Butthereweremorewhereithadcomefrom,andtheymadethemselvesknownamicrosecondlater.Allaroundhim,throughoutthevastchamber,theheapsofthedeadburstlikefoulseedpods,disgorgingmulti-limbedmonstrosities.GenestealersscuttledtowardstheTerminatorsfromeveryshadowedrecessandhillockofrottingremains,jawsagapeandclawsclicking.

Thebroodlordhungsuspendedfarabovetheheadsofitschosenprey,clingingtoafire-blastedshankofsupportgirderwithfourofitssixlimbs.Itrotateditshead,followingthemassive,redformsofthe

invadersastheyenteredtheTribuneChamber.Therewereonlysixofthemnow–theothershadsplit,formingsmallerpacks.ThispleasedtheSpawnofCryptus.Dividedpreywaseasyprey,asithadlearnedinitsinfancydown

inthebowelsofPhodia’ssubstructure.Ithadhuntedgangersandslavesinthosedark,crampedtunnels,growingstrongontheirfleshandfear.Ithadonlytakenwhatwasitsbyrightofblood,asithadwhenithadoverseenthetakingofthispalace–itspalace.Itsflat,redeyesnarrowedanditsheadthrobbedasitreachedoutwithitssingularwillandtouchedthegestaltmindofitsfellowtyranids,scatteredthroughoutthepalace.Itinhaledsharply,suddenlyabletosee…everything.Throughtheeyesofitskin,itwatchedastheother

armouredgiantsmadetheirponderouswaythroughtheeasternsectorofthepalace,andthewestern,andthehighgardenswhichmarkedtheupperlevels.Itsawthemall,fromdozensofangles,heightsandpositions,anditshookitselfslightlyasitfoughttocontrolthesheerflowofsensoryinformationthatfloodeditsmind.Thebroodlordhadalwayshadthepowertocloudthemindsofitsprey,andtofeelthethoughtsofits

childrenastheywentaboutitsbusiness.ButsincethecomingoftheLeviathan,thosepowershadgrownexponentially,somuchsothattheirusenowpaineditslightly.Sendingoutitsthoughtstolancethroughthemindsofthenearbytyranidswasakintostretchingalimbtothebreakingpointandholdingitthereuntiljustonthecuspofagony.Butwhereonceithadonlybeenabletoinfluence,itcouldnowcompel.Itshudderedonitsperchasitfeltthewetscrapingofmovementfromitschildrenandtheirkin,whohad

cometoAsphodexinthebellyofthebeastbutwhosemindstastedoffamiliarthings.Itsthoughtspulsedoutward,spreadinglikeripplesinapuddle,touchinghundredsofbestialminds.Silently,itstirredthemtowakefulness,andthenintoakillingfury,fillingtheirprimitiveskullswithitsownboilingrage.ThegiantshadcometointerfereintheHiveMind’splanssomehowanditwouldnotallowthat.After

everythingithaddone,aftereverythingithadendured,itwasowedthismoment.Agurglinghissescapedit,asitleaptfromitsperchanddroppedtowardstheshadowsbelow.Phodiabelongedtoit.Thecityandeverythinginitwasitsbyright.Andnored-shelledinvaderwould

preventitfromtakingitsfairdueinthetimeAsphodexhadleft.

THREE

‘Backtoback,brothers.Don’tletthemisolateus,’Alphaeusroared,shoutingtobeheardoverthenoiseofthestormbolters.Karlaenbackedaway,stillfiring.Foreverybeastheputdown,twomoreseemedtotakeitsplace,boundingoutofthedark.ThegenestealerscameattheembattledTerminatorsfromeverydirection,flingingthemselvesinto

battle.Normally,genestealerswerecanny,craftybeings,buttheseseemedtohavebeengoadedintoafury.KarlaenknewfromexperiencethatsuchberserktacticswerenothinglessthantheinfluenceoftheHiveMindatwork.Hetwisted,avoidingaslashingclaw.Genestealerscouldpeelopenbattletankswithease;Terminatorarmour,whiletough,waslittleobstacletothem.Agenestealercameathim,dartinginandoutofhisreach,tryingtofindaweakpoint.Hesteppedback,andsomethingsquelchedbeneathhim.Servoswhinedashefoughtthemomentaryimbalance.Thegenestealerlunged.Karlaenspunhishammerandcaughtthecreatureontheupswing,smashingitsbottomjawupthroughthetopofitsskullandsendingitstwitchingcarcassflippingbackwards.‘Somehow,Igettheimpressiontheywerewaitingforus,brothers,’Aphraesaid.Hischainfistlicked

out,andtherotatingteethbitintothecarapaceofasquealinggenestealer.Heliftedthesquallingxenos,anditsweightcausedittosplitintwoalongeithersideofthewhirringblade.‘Howthoughtfulofthemtosendusawelcomingcommittee.Itisconsiderationslikethatwhichtrulydenotesacivilisedrace,don’tyouagree,Bartelo?’‘I’msorrybrother–what?You’llforgivemefornotlisteningtoyouprattle.Iwasbusydoingthe

Emperor’swork,’Bartelosaid,sweepingthebarrelofhisheavyflameracrossarowofcharginggenestealers.‘Burn,filth.Burnanddie,inHisname,’hespat,asthexenosturnedintoshriekingpillarsoffire,thelightoftheirdemisereflectedintheopticlensesofhishelmet.Karlaenpulpedtheheadofaleapinggenestealerashereachedtheothers.LeonosandDamarisfought

sidebyside,movinglikemirrorimages.Theirstormboltersthunderedinunisonandtheirpowerfistsshotoutlikepistons,eachgauntletwreathedinanimbusofcracklingazureenergywhichcausedalienfleshtosizzleandburstlikeoverripefruitwheretheytouched.Thetwinsturnedinaslowcircle,coveringoneanotherwithaninhumanprecisionthatKarlaencouldnothelpbutenvy.Nearby,Alphaeus’sswordflickeredoutandagenestealerfell,grotesqueskullsplit.Hepivotedandcut

thelegsoutfromonethatsoughttododgepasthim.Asthebeastfell,hetrodonit,reducingitsheadtoamessyresidue.‘Backtoback,’heroaredoutagain.‘JustlikethattimeaboardtheCharnelHorizon.’

‘There’srathermoreofthemthistime,sergeant,’Aphraesaid.Agenestealersprangforhim,andheextendedhischainfist,rammingthebladedownthecreature’sgullet.Heheftedthetwitchingbulkandslungitatanotherxenos,knockingitoutoftheairasitdovetowardsLeonos.‘Morealienfilthjustmeansmoretargets,’Bartelorasped.Smokecurledfromthenozzleofhisheavy

flamerashestrokedthetrigger.Firespurtedinquickbursts,drivingbackgenestealers.‘Moretargetsmeans–’Damarisbegan.‘–moreammunitionexpended,’Leonosfinished.Asiftolendemphasistohiswords,heejectedtheclip

fromhisstormbolterasDamariscoveredhim.Hewasfiringassoonasanotherclipwasinplace,coveringDamaris,asthelatterreloadedhisownweapon.‘Thetwinsareright,sergeant,’Karlaensaid.Hewhirledasaproximityalarmblaredinhisearand

shovedhishammerforwardlikeaspear,usingtheflatofitsheadtopinagenestealeragainstashatteredstatue.Thecreaturehissedandspat,clawingathim.Hepressedthehammerforward,crackedthemonster’ssternumandsquasheditsheart.‘They’retryingtooverwhelmus.Atthisrate,we’lluseupourammunitioninafewminutes.Timetoadaptourtactics.’Karlaenscannedthechamber,andcaughtsightofoneofthemanyornatelydecoratedentrancestothesidecorridorsthathethoughtmustrunparalleltotheTribuneChamber.Hegesturedwithhishammer.‘There,we’llnarrowthefieldabit.Givethemlessroomtorunaboutin.Fallback,’hesaid.‘Bartelo,Aphrae,coveringfire.’‘Ourpleasure,’Aphraesaid.Bartelogruntedandsteppedforwards,flamerroaring.Asthetwo

Terminatorslaiddowncoveringfire,Karlaenledtheotherstowardsthearchwayhehadindicated.Hecycledthroughvoxfrequencies,tryingtocontactZachrealandtheothers,buthisscansfoundonlythedisturbinghumofwhitenoise.‘Theothers?’Alphaeusmuttered.‘We’reonourownfornow,’Karlaensaid.Thesquadcontinuedtofallback,theirretreatharriedbyhissinggenestealers,whodartedinandoutof

reach,attackingandscuttlingawaybeforeablowcouldbestruckinreturn.ThoughmanyfelltothecoveringfireofAphraeandBartelo,orwerecaughtbyaluckyblowfromahammer,powerfistorsword,theycontinuedtoattack.Thesquadhadalmostreachedthedubioussafetyofthesidecorridorwhenagenestealerslipped

beneathAphrae’sguardandtoreopenthebackofhisleginasprayofbloodandmachineoil.Aphraesankdowntoonekneewithagrunt.KarlaenrealisedthattheTerminatorwasnotwiththemwhenBartelomadetogotohisaid.Theothershadreachedtheentrywayandwerefiringatthehordethatclosedinonthemfromallsides.KarlaenknewthatinmeremomentstherewouldbenoreachingAphrae.‘No,’hesaid,decisionmade.‘Weneedyourflamertoclearusapath.Iwillgethim.’Bartelolookedathim,andnoddedonce.ThenhetookaimandsprayedthehissinggenestealersthatstoodbetweentheBloodAngelsandtheirfallencomrade,burningacorridorforthecaptaintomovealong.Karlaenstartedforwards.Aphraeswunghischainfistoutanddecapitatedhisattacker.Moremovedto

takeitsplace.Aphraefiredhisstormbolterattheoncomingwaveofchitin,ichorandfangs,emptyingtheweapon.Hetriedtoleverhimselftohisfeet,buthiswoundedlegwasunabletobearhisweight.Karlaenfiredhisweaponandlaidabouthimwithhishammer,tryingtoclearhimselfapathtogototheotherBloodAngel’said.Barteloandtheotherslenttheirownfirepowertohisefforts,andsoonhewasbullingthroughtheenemytowardsAphraeasthexenosfelltoscythingbolterfireandcurlingflames.GenestealerscrawledoverAphrae,attemptingtopryhimoutofhisarmour.Hewasunabletoregain

enoughbalancetothrowthemoff,anditwasallhecoulddotocatchholdofthosewhogotwithinreachandcrushtheirlimbsorbeheadthemwithhisstillwhirringchainfist.Hosesandbundlesoffibreweretornloosefromtheirhousingsandhesaggedforwards,slappinghisfreehanddowntocatchhimself.One

ofthexenosclamberedupontoAphrae’sshouldersandbegantotwistandfumbleathishelmet.KarlaenreachedtheembattledTerminatorandswattedthegenestealerfromitsperch,sendingit

careeningthroughtheair,overtheheadsofitsfellows.‘Canyouwalk?’Karlaensaid,tryingtohaulAphraetohisfeet.TheBloodAngel’sarmourresponded

sluggishlytohismovements,andKarlaensuspectedthatitsinternalworkingshadbeendamaged.‘No,leg’samess.I’mfairlycertainit’sonlystillattachedbyaligament–singular–atthispoint,’

Aphraegrunted.Hecouldbarelystand,evenwithKarlaen’shelp,andKarlaencouldhearthepainintheotherBloodAngel’svoice.Asnovices,theyweretaughthowtoblockandchannelpain,evenforgrievousinjuries.Whereanormalhumanwouldalreadyhavediedofbloodloss,ifnotshock,Aphraewasstillcapableoffighting.Unfortunately,hedidnotappeartobecapableofmoving.‘Leanonme,Ican…’Karlaenbegan,buthiswordsdiedinhisthroatastheaircamealivewitha

cacophonyofhissing.Hiseyesweredrawnupwards,towardsthegreatdomedroofofthechamber,wheretheshadowshadsuddenlybecomealivewithhundredsofwrithingshapes.‘BythebloodoftheAngel,’hemuttered,aswhathehadtakenfortheshadowedreachesofasoliddomewassuddenlyrevealedtobeamassofgenestealerspressedclosetotheundersideofthechamber’sglassceiling.‘Itakeitback,’Aphraemumbled,followingKarlaen’sgaze.‘That’sthewelcomingcommittee.’Above

them,thegenestealersbegantofall.ThecreatureshurtleddowntowardsthetwoTerminators,withobviousanddeadlyintent.‘Getclear,captain,’Aphraerasped,lurchingforwardstosmashKarlaenoutofthewayoftheplummetinggenestealers.Offbalance,KarlaenstaggeredbackasthetideofalienkillersswarmedoverAphrae,bitingand

tearing.Aphraetoretheheadfromagenestealerandsentitspinningawaywithabackhandedblowand,foramoment,thewaywasclear.KarlaenmettheotherBloodAngel’seyes,andsaid,‘Aphrae–’‘Go,captain.Iwouldonlyslowyoudown,andyousaidityourself–we’rerunninglowontime.I’ll

makethembleed,andbuyyouabitofitback.’Aphraeturnedandcaughtacreaturebythethroatwithhisfreehand;atthesametime,heswepthiswhirringchainfistoutinawidearc,fillingtheairwithstinkingichor.Hestaggeredasgenestealersslammedintohimandswarmedoverhim.‘Go!InSanguinius’sname–go!’Karlaenhesitated,butthenturnedandpressedbacktowardstheothers,cursinghimselfwhilehedidso.

HeheardAphrae’schainfiststutterandgrowlasthewarriorfoughton,butalltoosoonitfellsilent,andallhecouldhearwasacacophonyofscreeches,hissesandclicks.AsheclearedthearchwayandjoinedAlphaeusandtheothers,helookedback,butsawonlyaseethingtideofxenoshorrorshurryingtowardshim.Aphraewasgone.Andiftheydidnotmovefast,Karlaenknewthattherestofthesquadwouldsharehisfate.

Thebroodlordstalkedthroughthemoundsofhumancorpsesandthebodiesofitsfallenchildren.Thosebodiesgaveitpause,thoughitcouldnotsaywhy.TherewasnoroomforsentimentalityinthegestaltmechanismoftheHiveMind–allwereoneandonewasall.Nonetheless,thebroodlordhadbeentheleaderofapacklongbeforeithadbeensubsumedbythegreat,calmingsongoftheHiveMind’ssingularwill,anditsankdownbesidethebodyofoneofitschildren.Ithesitated,thenreachedouttowardstheruinedcarcasswithaclaw.Gently,itstrokedthebody.Allthingsdied.Allthingsweremattertobeconsumed,masstobeaddedtothewhole,reshaped,

reforgedandrepurposed.Itknewthisanditacceptedit,foritcouldnotdootherwise.Butstill,therelingeredinitsblightedsoulsomeshardofsomethingitcouldnotname,amemoryofanothertime,andofotherdeadwhichwerenotrepurposedbutwereinsteadtakenawaytobeinterredinsilenceanddarkness.Memoriesroseslowlyoverthegestalthum,floweringandspreadingandquicklyfading,beforeitcould

fullyexaminethem.Itsawfaces,andheardnames,butnolongertrulyunderstood.Nordiditcareto.Itrosetoitsfeetandsteppedoverthebody.Thewaveofdeathwhichhadaccompaniedtheattackon

theinvadershadonlyservedtostoketheragethatbubbledwithinthecreature.Thisambushhadnotgoneaswellastheothers,anditsquarrywereescapingdeeperintotheruinsofthepalace,bloodiedbutunbowed.Itsmassiveclawsclenchedandrelaxedconstantlyasitpacedtowardsthestrugglingknotofgenestealers.Thered-armouredwarriorwhofoughtthemdidsoeventhoughhissituationwashopeless.Hisweapons

weregoneoruseless,andhisarmourhadbeenrentandtorn,itspowercablesseveredandtheexoskeletontwistedoutofshape.Stillhestruggledagainstthechurningmassofmulti-limbedhorrorsthatswarmedabouthim.Thebroodlordcouldnotconceiveofsuchanemotionasadmiration,butitfeltsomefaintstirringofsomethingakintoitnonethelessasithunkereddownacrossfromthestrickeninvader.Itscrapedthegroundgentlyasitstudieditsenemy;aflurryofimagesfromtheotherambushesflowed

throughitsmind,anditcloseditseyesforamoment,indulginginthepleasurethoseimagesbrought.Aroaring,black-hairedgiantfiredhisweaponuntilitrandry,andthenwasswarmedunder;another,wreathedinpungentsmokeemanatingfromgildedcensers,wasattackedfromallsides.Onandonthetideofimagesrolled,andwhenthebroodlordatlastopeneditseyes,itdidsowithahissoffulfilment.Theambushesithadorganisedweregoingwell,andthoughmanyofitschildrenhaddied,theenemywasscatteredandbloodied.Itschildrenhadmanagedtowrestthewarrior’shelmetoff,andruinedhosesspurtedrecycledairasthe

hunkofmetalwastossedaside.Itcaughtupthehelmasitrolledpastandheldit,turningitoverinitsclaws.Itlookedatthewarrior,andcrushedthehelmetwithasingleflexofitssegmentedlimbs.Themetalbuckledandpoppedwithashrillcry.Thewarriorspatandsaidsomething.Thebroodlorddidnotbothertolistentohiswords.Instead,it

focusedonhisthoughts,pluckingthemouttoexamineonebyone,asiftheywerethepetalsofsomecolourfulflower.Itneededtoknowwhytheyhadcome.Whatdidtheyseek,here,initsterritory?Everythoughttasteddifferent,andasitconsumedthem,namesswamthroughitsmind…Bartelo…

Alphaeus…Karlaen.Thenamesofthesurvivinginvaders.Nameswereuseful,itknew.Nameswerelikekeystothelocksofthemind.Withaname,itcouldpryawaythewillandstrengthofitsenemyandrenderthemhelplessbeforethestrengthoftheHiveMind.ThatwashowithadmadeAsphodexreadyforconsumption,thoughithadnotbeenawareofthetrue

reasonforitsactionsatthetime.Ithadweededoutthestrongestmindsfromamongtheplanetaryaristocracy,andusedthenameithadbeengivenbythefearfulunder-dwellerstostriketerrorintotheveryheartofPhodia.Andithaddonesogladly,fortheyweretraitors,oneandall.Yes,betrayal.Thatwasthewordforwhatithadfelt,somanycyclesago,beforeithadheardthesong

oftheLeviathanandfounditstruepurpose.Ithadbeenbetrayed,andnow,itwouldexacttheblood-priceforthattreachery.Asphodexwouldburn,aswouldeveryworldthattheFlaxianDynastyhadpresumedtocontrol.Theywouldburnandbeconsumed.Ithissedingrowingfrustration.Thewarrior’smindrefusedtogiveuptheonethingitneededtoknow

aboveallothers.Itlungedforwardsandgraspedthestrugglingman’sheadbetweenitsclaws.Theothergenestealersreleasedtheirgriponthecaptiveandscuttledbackasthebroodlordloomedoveritswoundedfoe.Itstareddownintohiseyes,searching,ashepoundeduselessfistsagainstitscarapace.Therewasanothernamethere,beneaththesurfaceofitscaptive’sthoughts.Itcouldtastehisdefiance,hisblood-lustand…somethingelse.Somestrongdesire…No,notadesire.Hope.Hopewhichwasattachedtoonelastname.Itseyesbulgedinfuryasitcaughtawhiffofthatname.Alienmuscletwitchedandswelled,and

geneticallyaugmentedbonecrackedandshatteredbeneathasudden,inexorablepressure.Thedeadmanslidoutofitsgrip,andhisarmourclankedloudlyasitstrucktheground.Thebroodlord’sthroatsacsbulgedandtwitchedasbarelyusedvocalcordsswelled,andasoundthatmighthavebeenanameslippedfrombetweenitsjawsasitthrewbackitsheadandscreameditsangertothedyingsky.

FOUR

Karlaenheardthescreamasitechoedthroughthepalace.Heknewnohumanthroathadmadethatsound,andsomethinginhimcouldnothelpbutshudder.Itwasaraw,animalcry,ofsomethingdrivenfarbeyondthelimitsoffrustration.Whateveritwas,partofhimhopedthatAphraehaddiedbeforecomingfacetofacewithit.‘Whateveritis–’Leonosbegan.‘–itsoundsangry,’Damarisfinished.Karlaenlookedbackatthetwins.Likethemalltheircrimsonarmourwascakedingore,andmanyof

theheavyceramiteplateshadbeencrackedandscoredbytheclawsofthegenestealers.Thebarrelsoftheirstormboltersstillglowedhot.Neitherappearedtobewoundedhowever,whichwasarelief.Astheymoveddownthecorridorhelookedaround,takingstockoftheirsurroundingsastheyput

distancebetweenthemselvesandtheTribuneChamber.Thegenestealershadnotfollowedthemdirectlyintothespaciousprocessionalcorridorsbeyondthechamber,butKarlaencouldmakeouttheirshapesmovingthroughtheinkydarknessoftheruinsaroundthem,andhissensorspingedrelentlessly,alertinghimtothepresenceofunseenfoes.Occasionally,theywouldmakeasiftorushtheslowlymovingsquadofTerminators,butwoulddartbackintothedarknessastheBloodAngelslevelledtheirweapons.Thecorridorswerewiderthanhehadanticipated,shatteredbythebattlethathadguttedthepalace

hoursearlier.Wholesectionsofthedividingwallweremissing,tornoutbyalienacidsorheavyweaponsfire.Ancientartworks,createdbygenerationsofPhodiancraftsmen,andnowreducedtoscattereddebris,crunchedbeneaththesteadytreadofSquadAlphaeus.‘Aphraeisdead,’Bartelosaid,softly.Itwasthefirstthinghehadsaidsincethey’dlefttheTribune

Chamberbehind.Karlaenglancedathiminsurprise.Bartelowastaciturnatthebestoftimes,unlessAphraewasproddinghim.‘HediedastheEmperorwilled,’Karlaensaid.Thewordsdidnotsoundascomfortingaloudasthey

hadinhishead,andhefellsilent.DeathwasthecompanionofeverySpaceMarine,forweretheynottheEmperor’sAngelsofDeath?Yet,evenso,theChapterwasdiminishedbyeverydeath,andthelossofevenoneoftheirowncastapalloverthesurvivors.ForKarlaen,particularly,thatfeelingwaslikeanoldcompanion,andonewhosecompanyhedidnot

welcome.Foramoment,hewassomewhereelse,notonaworld,butwithinthevibratinginnardsofaspace-goinghulk,andhecouldhearthescreamsofthemenwhohadfollowedhimintothedarknessas

theydied.Heclosedhisorganiceyeandtriedtobanishthememories.Butinsteadoffading,theyclamouredmore

loudly,andhisearsfilledwitharedhum.HewantedtoreturntotheTribuneChamberandkillandkillandkilluntiltherewasnothingleftalive.Foramoment,thedesireoverwhelmedhim.Then,Bartelo’svoicepiercedthehazeandhewasoncemorehimself.‘Wewereinductedtogether,heandI,’Bartelosaid.Hespokesteadily,asifineulogy.‘Wejourneyedto

thePalaceofChallengetogether,acrossthedesert,andfoughtbacktobackinthegladiatorialcontestswhichawaitedusthere.Hewasuncouth,eventhen.Therewastoomuchlaughterinhim.’HelookedatKarlaen.‘Captain,washelaughingashedied?Iwasnotcloseenoughtohear.’‘No,’Karlaensaid.‘Hewasnot.’Bartelowassilentforamoment.Thenhenodded.‘Good.Itismeetthatamanshoulddiewithdignity.

Laughterwouldonlysullythemoment.’Hesoundedquietlypleased.KarlaenlookedattheotherTerminatorforamoment,andthenaway.ThereweremanyintheChapter

likeBartelo–grim,unswervingandlackinginmirth.ThatheandAphraehadbeenfriends,ofasort,wasobvious,butevenso,almostinexplicable.Karlaenknewasmuchaboutthewarriorsunderhiscommandasaproperleaderought,butevenso,somesubtletiesescapedhim.HewantedtospeakwordsofcomforttoBartelo,butwasuncertainastohowtogoaboutit.Whatwastheretosay?‘Orders,captain?’Alphaeussaid,interruptinghistrainofthought.‘Wekeepmoving.Accordingtotheaugurscans,thereshouldbeasecurityhubsomewhereaheadofus,’

Karlaensaid,gratefultoturnhisthoughtstohisduty.‘Whenwereachit,wemightbeabletousethesecuritylogstotrackdownourquarry.’‘Good,’Alphaeussaid.‘Thesoonerwe’reoutofhere,thebetter.Listentothatracket–thisruinis

crawlingwithtyranids.’Hesmiledhumourlessly.‘IfIwantedtowadeintothatsortofmess,I’dhavejoinedthemainassault.’‘Ididnotforceyoutocome,brother,’Karlaensaid.‘No,butwho’llkeepyououtoftroubleifnotme?’Alphaeussaid.Karlaensnorted.Thoughhewouldnotsayitoutloud,hefoundthesergeant’shumourreassuring.‘Keep

moving,andkeepaneyeonyoursensors.They’vehadatasteofourbloodandIintendtoseethattheygetnomorethanthat.’Heledthemon,followingthewhispersoftheaugurreadingstowardsthesecurityhub.Morethanonce

theywereforcedtostopandformupaslean,monstrousshapesfloodedtowardsthemfromoutofsidecorridors,orplungedthroughthegapingholesintheclose-setcorridorwalls.Butasbefore,thegenestealerswouldalwaysretreatjustbeforeinitiatingcontact,asiftheirharryingoftheBloodAngelswerenomorethansomedementedchild’sgame.Thentheywouldstalkaboveandbelowthesquad,testingthelimitsoftheTerminators’patiencebeforeattackingagain.Intruth,Karlaensuspectedthatthebeastswereattemptingtoenticethemintowastingammunition.

Twice,hewasforcedtoholdBartelobackfromsimplyfillingasidepassagewithfire.Whilethepromethiumreservesofaheavyflamerweresubstantial,theywerenotlimitless,andthegenestealersseemedtoknowthat.Sotheyattackedagainandagain,heedlessofcasualties,tryingtoforcetheTerminatorstoexpendvaluableresources.Asuicidalstratagem,butonethatworkedalltoowell.ToKarlaen,thatmeantonlyonething:therewasasynapsecreaturecloseby–acommanderofbugs

andbio-beasts,acentralnodeoftheabominablewillthatguidedHiveFleetLeviathan.Tyranidswerelikeanyotherferalanimal,actingoninstinct.Butasynapsecreaturecouldturnthosemindlessbeastsintoadedicatedarmywithbutathought.Thatwaswhattheywerenowfacing–anenemythatwouldsacrificeahundredforonewithoutblinking,andseemedfullycommittedtodoingso.

That,intheend,wasthegreatestweaponattheHiveMind’sdisposal.Everyworldconsumedonlyaddedtotheincalculablenumberofbio-organismsthatthehivefleetcouldemployinbattle.Everyfallenwarriorwassimplyabitmoremasstobeaddedtothebio-vats.Andasthehivefleetswelled,moreworldsfellbeneathitsexpandingshadow.Asthatbleakthoughthungheavyinhismind,hecycledoncemorethroughthevoxsignals,hopingto

contactoneoftheothersquads,orevenelementsoftheforwardinvasionforce.Heknew,withanunerringinstincthonedinathousandconfrontationswiththetyranids,thatheandtheotherswouldnotbeabletocompletetheirmissionwithoutsignificantreinforcement.Tothinkotherwisewashubris.Unfortunately,theonlythinghecouldhearoverthetransmitterwasthehissofstaticandalienwhispers.Theypressedon,movingmorequicklynow.Thepalaceoccasionallyshook,asifinsympathywith

distantexplosions,andthesoundoftalonsscratchingonwallsandfloorswasomnipresent.Thebio-sensorsscreamedwarningsaboutfoesthattheTerminatorscouldnotsee.Timewasgrowingshort.‘Soundslikeeverybeastinthispartofthecityisfloodingintotheseruins,’Alphaeusmurmured.‘Good,’Bartelosaid.Heheftedhisheavyflamer.‘Morebodiesforthepyre.’‘Saveyourfuel,’Karlaensaid.Hepointedatthereinforcedsecurityportcullisthatblockedthecorridor

aheadwithhishammer.‘We’rehere.’Hedidn’tstop,butbulledintotheportcullis,whichwascoveredinhundredsoftalonmarks.Themetalsquealedashepeeleditopenwithhishands.Whenhehadcreatedenoughofagap,heusedhishammerasaleverandforceditfullyopen.Hissensorsshowedthatthechamberbeyondcontainedonlyonelifeform,ifitcouldbecalledthat.Itwasweakandthready,butKarlaenwasdeterminedtofindit.‘Survivors?’Alphaeusasked.‘Idon’tthinkso.Atleast,notthekindyou’rethinkingof,’Karlaensaid.‘Come.’Heforcedhisway

throughthedamageddoorandintothesecurityhub,followedbytheothers.Thespacebeyondthedoorwaswideandfilledwithdebris.Ithadseenhardfighting,despitethereinforceddoor.Thewallsandceilingwerebadlydamaged,andKarlaentooknoteofthetoppledpilesofsandbagsandhastilyerectedbarricadesthatmarkedportionsofthechamber.Twoparallelrowsofstatuesmarkedthemaindragofthechamber,andalmostallhadbeenknockedfromtheirpedestalsandshatteredintounrecognisablelumpsofmarble.‘Theymadeastandhere,’Alphaeussaid,indicatingthespentlasgunpowercellsandbloodstains.He

kickedatacrawlingfeeder-beastandsentitscuttlingthroughaholeinthewall.Hewrinkledhisnoseindisgust.‘Theseblastedbeastshavealreadybrokendownthecorpses.Icansmelloneofthosedigestivepoolsnearby.’‘Notallofthecorpses.’Karlaenheavedaheavychunkoffallendebrisasidetorevealthetwitching

formofaservitor.Themindlessdroneofmeatandmetalfloppedandsparked,itsbodybrokenbeyondrepair.Karlaensawimmediatelywhathadbefallenit.Ithadbeencaughtbythedebrisandsmashedtotheground,itslimbsandspinepulped.Hesankdownbesideit.Therewassomethingpitiableaboutthedull-eyedthing,andforamoment,he

allowedhimselftowonderwhoorwhatithadbeenbeforeithadbeenconvertedtothemindlesshuskitnowwas.Theruinedmouthtriedtospeak,andsparksflaredfromitsburstlarynx,spatteringthefrontofKarlaen’sarmour.‘It’snotacombatservitor,’Alphaeussaid.‘Itisaholomat,’Karlaensaid.‘Amessenger.Anditwaslikelyonitswaytodeliveramessagewhenit

wascaughtintheattack.’Hetappedafingeragainstthecurvedmarkthathadbeenetchedintotheservitor’spaleexpanseofforehead.Hetookthedamagedservitor’sheadinbothhandsandtoreitloosefromthedamagedchassiswithan

effortlesstwist.Holdinguptheheadbyitscables,heexamineditforamomenttomakesureitwasundamaged.Thenheattachedittohisbelt.‘I’llextractthedatawhenwehavefoundamoredefensiblelocation.Fornow,weshould–’Hebrokeoffasalean,alienshapeleaptoverthegapabovehim,andKarlaenlookedup.Theothers

followedhisgaze.ProximitysensorsbegantoblarewarningstoeveryTerminatorinthechamber.Hereadiedhimselfforanattackfromabove.Instead,theattackcamefromasectionofacid-chewedwall,andtargetednothimself,butBartelo,who

turnedasDamaris,theclosesttohim,shoutedawarning.SomethingcrystallinestreakedoutofthedarknessandcaughtBarteloasheturned,knockinghimfromhisfeetwithabrightburstofheatandlightthatmomentarilyilluminatedthearea,revealingfallenstatuesandshattereddebris.Karlaenandtheothersmovedtoaidtheirdownedcomradeashisattackersmovedintotheglareofthestab-lights.Threelong-leggedshapes,tallerthananyTerminatorandjustasbroad,lopedintoviewinarattleof

chitinplatesandbio-armour.Thetriooftyranidwarriorsweremonstrousparodiesofthehumanform,stretchedanddistortedintosomethingnightmarish.ThebeastschargedtowardstheTerminatorsonflat,heavyhooves,smashingthroughtherubbleastheycame.Theywieldedbio-whipsandbonebladeswithaprecise,inhumangraceandfilledtheairwithsub-sonichuntingcallsastheylungedtotheattack.

FIVE

Karlaenlevelledhisstormbolterandpumpedshotaftershotintothechargingmonstrosities.Alphaeusandtheothersdidthesame,asBartelobegantostruggletohisfeet,asmokingrentinhisarmour.Thetyranidwarriorssplitup,movingswiftly.Theywerebigbeasts,withbroad,wedge-shapedskullsandfourarms.Powerful,jointedlegspropelledthemforwardsandacidicbilestreamedfromtheirtoothymawsastheyexposedtheirfangsinanticipation.Karlaenshouted,‘GetBarteloonhisfeet.’Then,hammerinhand,hemovedtointercepttheclosestof

theirattackers.Thecreatureswerethesynapticfootsoldiersofthehivefleet,andKarlaenwonderedifthesewerethesourceofthemalignwillbehindthesuicidalattacksofthegenestealers.Theywerepowerfulanddeadlycreatures,andamatchforanySpaceMarine,evenonecladinTerminatorarmour.Therewouldbemoreontheway,aswell.Wheretherewasonebrood,thereweremany.Theclosestofthetyranidsleaptfromthegroundontoastatuetoppledonitsside,scalingitswiftly.It

clasheditsbonebladestogetherinwhatmighthavebeenachallengeasitdivedfromitsperchtomeetKarlaen.Fourdeadlylengthsofsharpenedbonesweptdowntowardshim.Hetwistedaside,lettingtheedgesglanceoffhisarmourwithasoundlikeascream.Hejabbedhishammerforwardlikeaspear,catchingthecreatureinitssegmentedgut.Itbentdoublewithacoughingroar,andhesmoothlyalteredthehammer’scoursetomeetitsdescendingskull.Therewasacrackleofenergy,andthetyranidwarriorstaggeredback,jawburnedandbroken.Its

bladesscissoredforhimwildly.Hesteppedbackandsmashedtheboneswordsaside,beforestrikinghisopponentinthechest.Chitincrackedandburst,andathickichorrandownthearmourplatesasthethingscreeched.Beforeitcouldattackagain,heshovedthebarrelofhisstormbolteragainsttheshatteredareaofitsthoraxandpulledthetrigger.Thecreaturejerkedwildlyandtoppledtowardshim,itsswordsandclawsseekingtopullhimdownintothedarknesswithitevenasitdied.Heforceditaway,wincingasthetipofaboneswordskiddedoffhischeek.Ithitthegroundandlaystill.Withthehighercastesoftyranidwarrior-beasts,itwasbesttokillthemasquicklyaspossible.They

couldfightondespiteincrediblewounds,easilywithstandingthesortofdamagewhichwouldtestevenanork’svigour.Luckily,Karlaenhadmorethanacenturyofexperienceinkillingsuchcreatures,whetheronthebattlefieldorinthecloseconfinesofaspacehulk.Heturned,narrowlyavoidingthestinginglashofabio-whip.Thesecondbeastwasduellingwith

DamarisandLeonos,keepingtheirpowerfistsatbaywithwidesweepsofitsboneswordandasnapof

theotherbio-whipitwielded.Karlaenfiredhisstormbolter,distractingthebeast.Ittwistedtowardshiminstinctivelyandopened

itselfupforLeonos,whoclampedonearmaroundtwoofitsown,pinningbladeandwhip.ThetyranidshrilledinrageandtriedtoflingtheTerminatoroff.ItsstrengthwassogreatthatitjerkedLeonosfromhisfeetandswunghimaboutaseasilyasitdiditswhips.Damarisrushedinandcaughtoneofitstworemainingfreehandsinhispowerfist.Heshovedhisstormbolteragainstthespotwherethelimbmetitsbodyandfired.Thelimb,andthebio-whipitclutched,camefreewithawet,tearingsound,asacidicichorspattered

thefloor.ItsremainingboneswordflashedoutandcaughtDamarisontheside,carvingalonggougeinhisarmour.Hestaggered,andKarlaensteppedpasthim,hammerdescendingonthesideofthetyranid’sskull.Chitincrumpledandthexenossanktooneknee.Karlaenstruckitagain,withmoreforcethistime,andhisblowcrusheditsskull.Evenso,itcontinuedtostruggle.Leonossethimselfandliftedaboottobraceagainsttheuncrushedsideofthealienwarrior’sskull.Withagrunt,hetoreitsarmsfreeoftheirsockets.Thetyranidmadeawailingsquealandfloppedontotheground.Damarisfinisheditoffquickly,crushingwhatwasleftofitsheadbeneathhisboot.Evenasthecreaturewrithedinitsdeaththroes,Karlaenwasstridingpast,towardswhereAlphaeus

soughttohaulBartelotohisfeet,whilefendingofftheremainingtyranid’sblisteringfuryofattacks.Alphaeusparriedblowafterblow,wieldinghispowerswordwithaneleganceandspeedbefittingoneoftheChapter’sforemostswordsmen.ThetyranidslammeditsfourbladesdownonthelengthofAlphaeus’soneandloomedoverhim,trying

todrivehimtohisknees.Itthrewbackitsheadandapowerfulscreamrippedfromitsthroatsacs,nearlydeafeningKarlaen.Thescreamechoed,redoublinginstrength,andKarlaenwincedashefeltsomethingscrabblealongtheundersideofhismind.Thecreature’sscreamhadnotbeenmerelyacryoffrustration,butasummonstowar.Astheechoesfaded,anewsoundtooktheirplace–claws,scrabblingonstoneandsteel.Karlaen

staggeredasthegroundbeneathhimshiftedandtheneruptedinatangledthicketofflailingclawsandsnappingjaws.Momentarilyoffbalance,heswunghisstormbolterdownandfireduntilitwasdry.Hefellheavily,butmanagedtodraghimselfforwards,awayfromthegrowinghole.Throughthesmokeanddust,genestealersclamberedafterhim.Herolledontohisbackandlashedoutwithhishammer,pulverisingthefirsttoleap.DamarisandLeonosmovedtohisaid.Heheardashrillcry,andsawafloodofxenossquirmingthroughtheshatteredportcullis.Thetwins

turnedtheirweaponsonthesenewfoes,butnotforlong.Astheirweaponsstutteredtosilence,theywereforcedtodefendthemselveswithoutthebenefitofbolterfire.Karlaenpushedhimselfawkwardlytohisfeet,backhandingagenestealerwithhisstormbolterintheprocess.Therewasnotimetoreload.HelaidabouthimwiththeancientrelicofhisChapter,splittingskullsandcrackingcarapaces.ThencamearoarofheatandincandescentlightasBartelo,stillononeknee,firedhisheavyflamer,

consumingthewhole,scrabblingpackofcreaturesclimbingthroughtheportcullis.‘Stepaside,captain.LetmelighttheirwaytotheEmperor’sjudgement,’Bartelorasped.KarlaenfoughthiswayclearofhisenemiesasBartelodirectedhisflamestowardstheholeinthefloor.

Genestealersscreamedastheyburned,theirscreamsechoedbythefinaltyranidwarrior.Toolate,KarlaensawthatAlphaeushadbeensentsprawlingbythebeast.Itlungedoverthesergeant,anditsbladessmashedhome,eruptingfromBartelo’schestinagoryspray.Barteloslidoffthebladesandsmashedtotheground,unmoving.Alphaeuswasonhisfeetamomentlater,hisfacecontortedinanexpressionthatKarlaenrecognisedall

toowell.Hispowerswordhummedasitcaughtthetyranidintheneck,beheadingitasitturnedto

confronthim.ItfellandAlphaeusdrovehisbladedownintoitsbodyagainandagain,untilKarlaen’shandonhisshouldershookhimfromhisrage.KarlaenlookedatLeonos,whocrouchedbesideBartelo.‘Status?’heaskedsoftly,eventhoughhe

knew.Therewastoomuchblood,andBartelowastoostill.Leonosstood.Thatwasanswerenough.Karlaenclosedhiseyes.Theinsideofhisheaditchedwith

red,creepingthoughtsthathepushedasidewithdifficulty.Twicetheyhadmadecontactwiththeenemy,andtwicetheyhadlostabrother.Therewouldbenothirdtime,notifhecouldhelpit.Buthecouldseetheirsituationplainly:iftheystayedwheretheywere,ortriedtopressforward,theywouldbeoverwhelmed.Already,theproximitysensorsinhisarmourwerealertinghimtomovementinthecorridorsbeyondthem.AndwithoutBartelo’sheavyflamer,theywouldbeatevenmoreofadisadvantagethanbefore.‘Adaptandpersevere,’hemuttered,eyeingthechamberwalls.Hisbioniceyeclickedandwhirredas

hescannedthroughsettingsandlensesuntilhecametothegeo-imager.Beforehiseyes,aholographicgridmapofthepalaceformed.Outsidethechamber,thesoundofclatteringclawsgrewlouder.Alphaeusfiredhisstormbolterdownintotheholeinthefloor.Bartelohadonlygiventhehordeoutsidemomentarypause.‘Orders,captain?’Alphaeusasked.Hesoundeddeceptivelycalm,andhisfacemightaswellhave

belongedtooneofthetoppledstatues.‘HowmuchpromethiumisleftinBartelo’stanks?’Karlaensaid,studyingthegrid.‘Notmuch,’Leonossaid.‘Asingle,concentratedburst.’‘Enoughtoclearthepassage,’Damarisadded.‘Piercethem,’Karlaensaid.‘Andgetreadytomove.’HeplottedthequickestalternateroutetothePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant.Whilepartofhimwas

disgustedwiththeideaofretreatsosoonaftermakingcontact,thismissionwasnotaboutbattle.Theyhadaduty,anditwasuptohimtoseethatitwasfulfilled.Ifthatmeantswallowingabitofprideandfallingbacktoapositionwheretheycouldmakemoreeffectiveuseoftheirremainingfirepower,sobeit.Also,itwaspossiblethatonceclearofthepalacewalls,hisvoxsignalswouldreachZachrealandtheothers.Reinforced,theycouldmakeaconcentratedpush.‘What?But–’Alphaeusbegan.Then,rememberinghisplace,henoddedcrisply.Helookedatthetwins.

‘Doit.Hisarmourwillsurvivethefire,butwhateveriscomingforuswon’t.’HelookedatKarlaen.‘Whateveryou’replanning,brother,I’dmakeitquick–I’mpickingupmassedbio-readingsinalldirections.They’reclosinginonus.’‘That’stheidea,Alphaeus,’Karlaensaid.Hestrodetowardstheclosestwall.‘Iwantasmanyofthem

inhereaspossible,beforeweleave.’‘Whatareyouthinking?’Alphaeussaid,followinghim.‘DoyourememberthattimeaboardtheSeraglioofAbomination?’Karlaensaid.Heraisedhishammer.

‘They’reexpectingustopressforwards,ortryandescapebackthewaywecame.Solet’ssurprisethem,eh?’Hetookaleisurelypracticeswing,hisbioniceyegaugingthewall’sweakestpoint.‘Ifyou’rethinkingofdoingwhatIthink,Ifeelitismydutytoremindyouthatitdidn’tworkaswellas

youhopedthattime,’Alphaeussaid.‘Youactasifyoudidn’tenjoyseeingallthosegenestealersgospillingoutintothevoid,sergeant.’‘Giventhatwewerespillingoutintosaidvoidalongsidethem,you’llforgivemeforbeingsomewhat

distractedatthetime,’Alphaeussaid.Thesoundofclawsgrewlouder,fillingthechamberwitharelentlessclickingoftalonsonmetal.‘Well,there’snovoidtoworryyouthistime,’Karlaensaid.Thetangofpromethiumfumesreached

him.Heglancedbackatthetwins.‘Status,brothers,’hecalledout,overhisshoulder.‘Promethiumtanks–’Damarisbegan.‘–punctured,captain,’Leonosfinished.‘Good.Fallback,andtakeupflankingpositions,’Karlaensaid.Ashespoke,genestealersspilledinto

thechamber,heraldedbyacacophonyofscreeching.Asbefore,theychargedwithrecklessabandon,drivenberserkbywhateversynapticimpulsecommandedthem.Alphaeusbarkedanorder,andthreestormbolterswerereadiedtoroaroutinreplytothealienshrieking.Buttheywouldnotfireyet.Notuntilthelastpossiblemoment.KarlaenswungtheHammerofBaalinawidearc.Thewallburstoutwardatthepointofimpact,filling

thepromethium-ladenairwithdust.Karlaenbulledthrough,pickingupspeedasheracedthroughtowardsthenextwalloppositehim.Behindhim,heheardtheroarofstormboltersfollowedbyacracklingthunderandthenhisarmour’ssensorsscreamedathimasawaveofheatwashedoverhim,floodingthroughtheholehehadmade.Heheardtheheavytreadoftheothersfollowinghimandsmiledinsatisfactionashetorethroughthe

nextwall.Thefumesfromthespilledpromethiumhadturnedthesecurityhubintoaninferno,andwhateverhadbeeninsideatthemomentoftheexplosionwasnolongersomethingtheyhadtoworryabout.Roombyroom,corridorbycorridor,thefourTerminatorssmashedandfoughttheirwaythroughthe

ruins.Neverstopping,pausingonlytokillanytyranidunluckyenoughtogetintheirway.TheBloodAngelsleftbehindthematrailofshatteredwreckageandbrokenxenosbodies.Then,withonefinalblowofhishammer,KarlaenledhismenoutintothePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant.AshesteppedoutintotheredAsphodexlight,hisvoxcamealive,freeofinterference.Heheard

Zachreal’svoice,andJoses’sroar,asloudlyandasclearlyasiftheyhadbeenbesidehim.Heheardthebarkofstormbolterfire,andalienscreamsaswell,andknewthenwhathehadonlysuspectedbefore.Theambushhadnotbeenbyrandomchance;ratheritwastheworkofanoverarchingwill.TheothershadnotyetfoundanysignofFlax.Alphaeusmethisgaze,andKarlaenknewhehadheardthesignalsaswell.‘We’reonourown,brothers,’Karlaensaid.Heturnedandsawthefallenstatueafterwhichtheplaza

wasnamed,depictingtheEmperorinallofhisglory,wingswide,faceupliftedtowardstheboilingredsky.Thestatuehadbeensearedbyfire,burnedbyichorandsmotheredincreepingstrandsoffleshybio-matter,buttherewasnoindicationastowhathadfelleditintheend.KarlaenstareddownintothemarblefaceoftheMasterofMankindandfeltsomethingstirwithinhim.Notthehumthistime,butablack,broodingangerthatbroughtwithittheimagesofAphraegoingdownbeneaththeenemy,andBartelobeingrippedopen,andothers,fromagreaterdistance–faces,names,dyingscreamsfromthatoneredmoment.TheSonsofSanguiniushadalwaysbeenbetteratdyingthantheirbrotherSpaceMarines.Martyrdom

wasintheirblood,andforaBloodAngel,therewasnogreaterglorythandeathinagoodcause.Butthatfiercesenseofselflessnesswhichsentthemrushingheadlongintothejawsofdeathalltoooftenfloweredintoobsession.Hecouldfeelthempressinginfromallaroundhim,theghostsofallofthosewhohadfollowedhimanddied.Foramoment,barelytheblinkofaneye,theplazawasfullofpale,carmineshapes,facingtheenemy,andhecouldhearavoicelikefireandsmoothstoneandthecrackofgreatwingsashisFatherspokeandthenthegenestealerswereboilingoutoftheholehehadcreatedinthewalllikeantsoutofananthill.Hetorehisgazefromthestatueandshoveddownthetideofrageandblackmemories.Heraisedhis

stormbolter.‘Iwantinterlockingfieldsoffire.Gotopatternepsilon,’hegrated.‘Combatprotocolsigma.’Theothersfannedoutaroundhimasthegenestealersscuttledtowardsthemthroughtheruinsand

debristhatdottedtheopenplaza.Karlaenglancedatthestatueonelasttime.Then,heturnedtofacetheenemy.‘TheEmperorwatches,brothers.Donotfailhim.’Then,witharoarofstormbolters,thebattlecommenced.

SIXPlazaoftheEmperorAscendant,FlaxianPalace,Phodia

Interlockingfirepatternsandclosecombatprotocolswerethemortarofvictory,orsoKarlaen’steachershadalwaysclaimed.Now,severalcenturiesonfromhisdaysasanaspirant,eagertosupontheaccumulatedknowledgeofhismasters,hewaswillingtoadmitthattherewassometruthtothesaying.Thestormbolterbuckedinhishand,thereverberationofitsvoicecausinghisexoskeletontotremble

slightly.Thebarrelglowedwhite-hot,andhisheadachedfromthetargetinginformationfedintoitbyhisbioniceye.Butpainwasthepricepaidforvictory.Thetyranidsmadeassaultafterassault,cominginwavesastheyhadbefore,butnowtheywere

chargingdirectlyintotheteethofanorganisedgun-line.Before,theTerminatorshadbeenscatteredorcramped,unabletotakefulladvantageoftheirfirepowerduetotheirsurroundingsandeachother.Now,outintheopen,thebattlewastheirsbeforethefirstgenestealerdartedfromcover.Thathadeverbeenthewayofit,inKarlaen’sexperience.OneofthemoresuccessfulstrategiestheFirstCompanyhadlearnedincenturiesofgruellingwarfarewasthatanenemythatreliedonnumberscouldbedrawnintoasituationwherethosenumbersrapidlybecameadisadvantage.Suchwasthecasenow.Eachassaultwasrepelled,andatsignificantrange.Onlyoncedidatyranid

warriorgetcloseenoughtoengagetheTerminators,andAlphaeusswiftlyputitdownwithtwohardsweepsofhispowersword.Finally,theattacksebbedaway,untiltherewasonlythesoftpingofcoolinggunbarrelsandthe

drippingoftyranidichortobeheardintheplaza.Ahazeofsmokehungheavyintheairoverthemoundsofxenoscorpsesasaneeriequietdescended.Karlaenwaited,countingmomentsinhishead.Then,withagruntofsatisfaction,heloweredhisstormbolter.‘They’vefallenback,likelytoplantheirnextmove,’hesaid.‘Andlikeasnot,we’rebeingwatched,’Alphaeussaid,ashereloadedhisstormbolter.‘Icanfeelit,

scurryingaroundinmyhead.’‘Thenwe’dbesttakeadvantageofthetimewe’veboughtforourselves,’Karlaensaid.Heunhookedthe

headoftheservitorfromhisbeltandhelditup.‘We’llstartwiththis.’Deftly,heextractedthecontactnodesofseveralpowercablesfromhisarmourandpluggedthemintothenodeshiddenwithinthedrippingstumpofthehead.Almostimmediately,theservitor’smouthopened,anditseyeswidenedastheinfluxofrawpowerjump-starteditsfunctions.

Adelugeofmeaninglesscodeburstfromtheservitor’sbloodylips,followedbyahollow,mechanicalvoice.‘Warning.Warning.Plazadefencescompromised.Warning.SecurityhubJ-7compromised.Warning.TribuneChambercompromised.Warning.SecurityhubJ-8compromised.Warning.UnittoreportongoingsituationtoGovernorFlax.Warning.’Morewarningsfollowed,averitablerollcalloffaileddefencesandcounter-attacks.Connectedtotheservitor’smemorybanksviahisarmour’ssystems,heslowlypeeledbackthelayers

ofitsprogramming,andfoundthatthedronehadbeenheadingtodeliveritsreporttoFlaxinpersonwhenithadbeencaughtintherubble.HelookedatAlphaeus.‘ItwasFlax’senvoy.Hesentitouttotakestockofthepalacedefencesandthenreportbacktohim,whereverhe’shiding.’‘Doyouthinkitcanleadustohim?’Alphaeusasked.Hesatdownonatoppledpillarandsankhis

swordintotheground,pointfirst,beforehim.Karlaendidnotreply.Instead,hecontinuedhisexplorationoftheservitor’smemorybanks,takingnote

ofthevariousroutesandpassagesitheldmapsof.Theservitorhadasignal-lockonFlax’sbio-signature,aswellasallrelevantsecurityinformation–IDcodes,crypto-keysandsystemoverrides–toreachhim.Karlaenblinked.HelookedatAlphaeus.‘There’sanundercity.That’swhereFlaxis.’Alphaeusgrimaced.‘Thatmeanstunnels.Andwe’venoheavyflamertocleanthemout.’‘Accordingtoourfriendhere,thetunnelsarestillsealed.Thetyranidshaven’tfoundthemyet,’Karlaen

said.Hefrowned.‘Ortheyhadn’t,accordingtothedrone’slastsensorsweep.’Heunhookedtheheadfromhisarmour,anditseyesglazedoverasitsmouthwentslack.Ifitwasattachedtohisarmour’spowersourcefortoolong,therewasachancethefragilemechanismsintheheadwouldburnout,andhestillhaduseforit.‘Wasthatbeforeorafteritwaspinnedundertherubble?’Alphaeusasked.WhenKarlaendidnotreply,

hesighedandnodded.‘Italwayscomesbacktothecrampedandthedark,doesn’tit?WhatIwouldn’tgiveforanotherstand-upfight.’‘Wedowhatwemust,brother,forthegoodoftheChapter,’Karlaensaid,placingthenow-silent

servitorheadbackonhisbelt.Helookedup,gaugingthetime.Thechronometerinhiseyetickedover.Itwasjustpastmidnight.Ithadtakenhimlongertofiltertheinformationcontainedintheheadthanhehadthought.ThedullcrumpofdistantexplosionstoldhimthatthebattleforPhodiawasnotyetover.Atendrilof

guiltsquirmedthroughhim,asheturnedhisthoughtstothoseembattledsurvivors.Theirfightwouldsoonbeover,andnotforthebetter.Theywerechaffbeforethescythe,lefttodulltheenemy’sbladewiththeirmeatandbone.Asphodexwouldbeerased,andherpeoplewithit.Youhavenoheart,onlyfire,hethought,tryingtobanishsuchthoughts.Guilt,doubt,fear–allfuelfor

thefiresofdetermination.Allmendied,whetherheroorcoward,mortalorSpaceMarine.Butiftheirdeathmeantsomething,thenitwasnokindofdeathatall,buttranscendence.Theroadtoabetterworldwaspavedwiththebonesofbravemen.HadtheAngel’sdeathnotprovidedtheEmperorwithachanceforvictoryagainsttheArch-Traitor?Sotoowoulditbehere.ThedeadofPhodia,ofAsphodex,oftheCryptusSystem,werethefoundationonwhichBaal’ssurvivalwouldbebuilt.Heturnedandwatchedthefiresonthehorizon.Karlaenknewitwastrue,thatallofthiswasnecessary.

Butthatdidnotmeanhehadtolikeit.Heclosedhiseyes,feelingbandsofredandblacktightenabouthismindandheart.Heopenedthemandmetthecalm,blankgazeofthestatueoftheEmperor,andletoutthebreathhehadnotevenrealisedthathehadbeenholding.‘Itistime,brothers.Wemustmoveout.Iftheothersweregoingtoreachus,theywouldhavebynow.’Helookedtowardsthepalace.‘Itistimetofindourquarry.Andthistime,wewillnotstopuntilweachievevictory,ordeath.’‘Let’shopeit’stheone,ratherthantheother,’Alphaeussaid,uprootinghisswordfromwherehehad

drivenitintothecrackedground.Thesquadbegantomovebacktowardsthepalace,acrosstheblastedlandscapeofbrokenalienbodies.

Theymovedslowly,pickingtheirwayforwardswithcare,sensesstrainingtocatchanysignoftheenemythattheyallknewwasnotfaraway.Astheymoved,Karlaencouldfeeleyesonthem,peeringoutfromthegloomthatsurroundedthem.Alphaeushadbeencorrect–theywerebeingwatched.Hecouldfeelithimselfnow,scratchinggentlyathismind.Theaugur-lensofhisbioniceyescannedthedarknessthatcreptacrosstheruinedplaza,butnothingrevealeditself.Thatdidn’tmeanthatitwasn’tthere,simplythatitwasverygoodathiding.

Thebroodlordhadalwaysbeengoodathiding.Ithadaninstinctfordark,crampedplacesandwideshadowsthathadkeptitaliveforthosefirstfewweeksafter…Ithissedandsqueezeditseyesshut.Whenitopenedthem,itglaredattheinvaders,gaugingtheirnumbersandstrength.Itcouldfeelthe

gatheredmindsofitschildrenmassingarounditintheshadowsoftheruins.Itwouldsacrificethemall,inthenameofvictory,thoughitlovedthem.Yes,thatwastheword…love.Itloveditschildren,evenastheHiveMindlovedit,anditwouldsendahundredofthemtotheirdeathswithouthesitationifitmeantpullingdownjustoneofthered-armouredgiantsstridingthroughtheplaza.Itsplaza.Itssuddenspurtofangerwaspassedtoitschildrenthroughthesynapticlinkthattheyshared,andit

heardarippleofsoftsnarlsandcreakingchitin.Itforceditselftoremaincalm,andallowedthesongoftheLeviathantodulltheedgesofitsanger.Itopenedupthelinkbetweenitselfanditschildren,allowingthemtoglimpsetheunfetteredgloryoftheforcetheynowserved.Snatchesofwordsflutteredthroughitsmind,carriedbythevoicesofthoselongdead:elegant,descriptivephraseswhichmightdescribetheheaving,coilingpresencethatroseoveritanditschildrenandspreadfromhorizontohorizonlikeahungrysun.Itfeltitsmindandwillfrayattheedgesasthesongsweptthroughitandaroundit.Somepartofit

longedtobeonewiththeLeviathan,afterbeingaloneforsolong.Anditwouldbe,soonenough.ThatwasthefateofeverylivingthinginPhodia–tobemeatforthegreatbeastthatslitheredthroughthevoid,followingthelightofadistantstar.Butnotyet.ItsmindslammedshuttothevoiceoftheHiveMind,cuttingoffthesong,anddisturbingits

children.Theclosestgenestealersnuffledandclickedinterrogatively,andthebroodlordgruntedinaplacatoryfashion.Itfocusedontheinvadersagain.Itcouldsensetherestoftheirnumberdrawingnear,justastheonesbelowmovedtowardsthepalacesteps.Soon,therewouldbemoreofthem.Fartoomany,inoneplace.Itsatbackonitshaunches,considering.No,itcouldnotriskit.Itwouldkillasmanyasitcouldnowandthintheirnumbersbeforeitconsidered

itsnextmove.Itslouchedforwards,reachingoutwithitsmind,feelingfortheburningsparksoftheinvaders’consciousness.Willingasitwastosacrificeitschildreninpursuitofitsgoals,itsawnoreasonnottoemployeveryadvantageitpossessed.Itwouldshowthemthebeautifulthingwhichawaitedthemall.

‘Contact,gridtwelve,’Alphaeussaid.Karlaencheckedhissensors,andsawtheflareofredthatmeantanapproachingbio-signature.‘Contact,grideight,nine,eleven–’Leonosbegan,onlytobeinterruptedbyhistwin.‘–contactonmultiplegrids,’Damarissaidurgently.‘They’vedecidedtostophiding,’Karlaensaid,ashistargetinglenswhirredandfocusedinonthe

shapesscuttlingthroughthedarknessallaroundthem.Therewasmoresubtletytothegenestealers’actionsnow,astheycreptthroughthedarkness,stayingclosetocoveratalltimes.Inthegleamofhisstab-lightshecaughtsightofaroundedskulloraflashofchitin,butthatwasit.‘Formup.Iftheyrushus,wewilldrivethemback.Whateverelsehappens,wewillnotbedrivenbackagain.Wewillgoforward.’Hecheckedhissensorsagain,notingthepositioningoftheenemy.Theywerecutoffinalldirections,as

ifwhatevermindwasdirectingthexenoshadseenandlearnedfromhisearlierstrategy,andwasnowattemptingtoblockoffanyavenuesofescape.Andyet,theydidnotattack.Karlaenstaredoutintothedarknessandtriedtodiscernthemotivationsofhisunseenenemy.Whatwasitwaitingfor?Theanswercameamomentlater,whenhismindsuddenlyconvulsed,wrackedwithstingingwebsof

malignthought.Karlaengruntedandbentforwards,clutchingathishead.Theothersmadesimilarmotions,twitchingasanunheraldedpaintorethroughtheirthoughts,savagingthemfromwithin.Ahazeofreddescendedoverhiseyes,butnottheonewithwhichhewasalltoofamiliar.Thiswasa

sicklyhaze,suchasmightovercomeadyinganimal’slastmoments.Hegroanedasalienthoughtswormedintohisown,boringthroughthewallsofdisciplineandhypno-conditioningtohookintothekernelofhumanitywithin.Oldmemories,longburiedundernew,wereuprootedfromthemurkandbroughtforthscreamingintothelight.Hecouldrecallthedarknessofthesarcophagushehadbeenentombedinasanaspirant,onlybarelyawareofthepassageoftimeasthebloodoftheprimarchchangedhimintosomethingotherthantheyouthhehadbeen.Thedarkhadsqueezedandcrushedhim,andeveninhisalmostcomatosestatehehadscreamedhimselfrawforthosefirstfewweeks.Morememoriescame,draggedupbytheinhumanwillwhichassaultedhim–hefelttheheatof

weaponswhichhadalmostclaimedhislife,andfeltthesourshadowwhichthreatenedtoriseupinhiminhisdarkestmoments.Hismindshudderedandsquirmedinthegripofhisenemy,andthememoriesbegantochange,becomingmorehorribleandutterlyalien.HefeltthediscordantsongoftheHiveMindasitthunderedthroughhim,washingwhatwashimawayandleavingonlysmoothpurpose–toconsume.Thesewerenothisthoughts,butthoseoftheenemy.Hehadfoughttyranidsoftenenoughtoknowthatwheremostattackedwithclaws,poisonandacidicbile,somecoulduseaman’sownthoughtsagainsthim.Andyet,therewassomethingelse.Somethingthat,eveninhisagony,Karlaencouldsee…Aflawin

thatsmooth,remorselesswallofgestalthungerthatthreatenedtooverwhelmhim.Ahungerthatwasnotmerelyforbio-matter,butforsomethingelse.Somethingmorehumaninscope.Whateveritwas,itwasaweakness,andheknewwhattodowithanenemy’sweakness,physicalorotherwise.Hefocusedonit,bringingeveryiotaofhiswillontoit,asifhisthoughtswerethehammerwhichhung,forgotten,inhishand.Hesawunfamiliarfaces–amanandwoman,aboy–andfeltasurgeofangerthatwasatoncebestialandalltoohuman,tingedasitwaswithgrief,orperhapsmadness.Hefeltthequiverofsurprisegothroughtheinvader,astartledroarechoinginhisheadandfromthedarkness,ashismindbuckedinitsgrip.Thehazewhichafflictedhisvisionbegantoclear,andhecouldseethesavageshapesofgenestealers

rushingtowardsthem.Teethgrittedagainstthewhipsofpainwhichstilllashedhismind,heswunghisstormbolterupandfired.Agenestealerpitchedforwards,itsheadawetruin.Asifthesoundofhisshothadbeenasignal,Alphaeusandtheothersjoinedhim.Thedarkwaslitupbyflashesofbolterfire,andgenestealersfellintheirdozens.Buttherewerestillmorebehindthem,hundredsperhaps.Theacheinhismindbegantolessenandhescannedthedarknessbehindtheleaping,shriekingshapes

oftheenemy,searchingforthethingwhichcommandedthem.Itwashere,somewhere,scrabblingintheirmindstomakethemeasypreyfortheothers.Theaugur-lensonhisbioniceyeflashedasitfocusedinonashapecrouchedatoponeofthefewstill-standingstatueswhichdottedtheplaza.

Itwasabroodlord,andlargerthananyhehadeverhadthemisfortunetoencounterbefore.Agenestealeralmostthreetimesthesizeofthosenowassaultinghimandhismen,withtalonsthatwouldputeventhelargesttyranidbio-beasttoshame.Redeyesmethis,andhefeltthecreature’shideousthoughtsbegintoreassertthemselvesinhismind.It

tookeveryounceofwillandpsycho-conditioninghepossessedtoholditback.Ithadsurprisedhimonce;itwouldnotdosoagain.Heraisedhisstormbolterandaflashofpain,likeacidonflesh,rippedthroughhim.Heignoredthepainandhisfingertightenedonthetriggerashistargetingsigilflashedred.Thecreaturereareduponitsperch,spreadingitsfourupperlimbsasifininvitation,andhecouldsenseitsamusement.Then,itwasgone.Thetargetinglockceasedtoflash,andhecursed.Thecreaturehadnotmoved;ithad

simplyvanishedasifhadneverbeen.Anotherpsyker’strick,hethoughtangrily.Whereveritwas,ithadn’tgonefar.Hecouldstillfeelitsthoughts,lurkingontheundersideofhisconsciousness.Itwasalmostasifitwasspeakingtohim,notinwords,butinimpressions.Thoughitsfirstattackhadbeenparried,theduelwasnotyetdone.‘Captain,toyourleft,’Alphaeusroaredsuddenly,shockingKarlaenbacktoattention.Heturnedand

sawthegaping,fang-studdedmawofagenestealerclosinginonhim.Karlaensweptthegenestealerasidewithathrustofhishammerandstartedtowardsthespotwherehehadlastseenthebroodlord.Ifhecouldcatchitandkillit,heandtheothersmightyetsurvivethismission.Ifnot,well,betterdeaththantheignominyoffailure.Heactivatedthevoxandsaid,‘Alphaeus,holdthelineuntilIreturn.IfIdon’t,attempttocontacttheothersandrequestextraction.’‘Whereareyougoing?’Alphaeusdemanded,shoutingtobeheardoverthedin.‘Hunting,’Karlaensaid,ashechargedintothedarkness.

SEVEN

Karlaenknewthatrushingoffalone,outoftheline,wasnotaparticularlysounddecision,strategically.Tactically,however,itmadeperfectsense.Behindhim,hisbrotherswerewagingadesperatebattleagainstoverwhelmingodds,abattleinwhich,underdifferentcircumstances,hehadnodoubtthattheywouldtriumph.Butnow,theywerenotfightingthescuttlinghordesoftheHiveMindalone,butthebrutalpsychicdominationofthebroodlordaswell.Andthatwasabattletheycouldnothopetowin.Notunlesshecouldfindit,andkillit.Heusedhisbulktopushthroughthehorde,smashinggenestealerswithhishammer,shouldersandfeet.

Thexenosdidnotswarmhim,asheexpected,butinsteadbrokeandflowedaroundhim,asifgivenorderstoavoidhimatallcosts.Hekilledthosethatcamewithinreach,buttookadvantageofthelulltopressforwards,towardsthestatuehehadseenthebroodlordperchedon.Ifthecreaturewantedtomeethim,hewouldobligeit.Whilethebroodlordwasoccupiedwithhim,itwouldhavenoattentiontospareforAlphaeusandtheothers,orforcommandingtheothergenestealers.Alphaeusandtheotherscouldbreaktheirenemy,whileKarlaenhuntedhis.Anditwashisenemy.Whathenowstalkedthroughtheshadow-hauntedplaza,awayfromthebellicose

furyofthebattlebehindhim,wasthecentralintelligencewhichhaddoggedthemsincetheyhadarrivedonPhodiaseveralhoursbefore.Hefeltitinhisgut.Ithadharriedthemandslaintwoofthem,andhewasdeterminedtoseethatitstallygrewnolarger.Despitehisdetermination,hefeltaflickerofdisquiet.Hisbioniceyeclickedandshiftedinitssocket

ofsteel,tryingtopinpointthecreatureasthehissofalienwhispersfilledhisheadanew.Butitwasnowheretobeseen.Itwasasifithadbeenerasedfromhisperceptions.Hecouldnotsmellit,tasteitonthesmoke-cloggedairorseeit.Itmightaswellhavebeenafigmentofhisimagination.Youcanhidefromme,butnotthemachine-spirits,beast,hethoughtasheactivatedthedata-capture

spiritswithinhisaugur-lens.Almostimmediately,ahazeofblinkingafter-imagesonaone-seconddelayshowedhimthebroodlordstillcrouchedonthestatue,thenitsleap,andthearcofitstrajectoryasithurtledtowardshim.Asthefirstimageregisteredwithhim,hereroutedthedatafromhisaugur-lenstohisstormbolter’sopti-scope,allowinghisarmour’stargetingsystemtolockontothedescendingshapeofthebroodlord.Hefiredalongburst,hopingtocutthecreatureintwobeforeitreachedhim.Throughtheaugur-lens,he

sawittwistoutofthewayinmid-airandcrashdownintotherubbleseparatingthem.Thebroodlord

rolledtoitsfeetinacloudofdustandroseupoverhim.Ittoweredabovehisnotinconsiderableheight,andwaseasilyofasizewiththetyranidwarriorshehadfacedearlier.Foraninstant,theystaredatoneanother.Thentheycametogetherwithacrashofchitinonceramite.

Talonstorejaggedgroovesinarmouredplates,andpalefleshdarkenedwherethehammer’senergyfieldtouched.Theybrokeapart,butonlyforamoment.Karlaenspunhishammerinatightcircle,parryingaseriesofblindingclawstrikesasthebroodlordcameathimagain.Suchwasitsspeed,thecreaturecaughthimmorethanonce,leavingraggedfurrowsinhisarmour.Evenhisgenhancedreflexeswerenomatchforthesheer,unnaturalspeedofthebeast.Itwouldwearhimdown,oneviciousstrikeatatime.Heswungthehammeroutinawide,loopingblow.Thebroodlordflippedbackwards,avoidingthe

blowandlandingonallfoursoutofreach.Karlaensnarledandfiredhisstormbolter.Thebeastbegantorun,andhetrackedit,firingallthewhile.Itleaptfromfallenstatuetowreckagepile,stayingjustaheadoftheexplosiveroundsuntilhewasforcedtoturn,anditleaptontohim.Hestaggered,hisarmour’sstabilisersandservoswhiningastheycompensatedfortheadditionalweight.Itscrambledupontohim,onefootplantedonhisshoulderplateasithookeditsclawsintothearmour

aroundhisheadinasplashofsparks.Ahosewastornloose,spittingahissofair.Herolledwithit,andsmashedbothhissideandthecreatureintoafire-blackenedcolumn.Chipsofmarblespatteredhisfaceasthebroodlordwassentflying.Ithitthegroundandsliduntilitsclawsthuddeddown,anchoringitinplace.Thebroodlordshoveditselfuprightashechargedtowardsit,roaringoutanoathtoSanguiniusandthe

Emperorboth.Itleaptstraightupashishammerslammeddown,crackingtheground.Itsfeetstruckthetopofhisarmourandthenitwaslostintheshadowsagain,circlinghimjustoutofsight.Hewhirled,tryingtocatchaglimpseofit.Butitwasnotrelyingonmentaltrickerythistime,justitsownspeedandstealth.Karlaenturnedinaslowcircle.Hisvox-linkwasstillopen,andhecouldhearthevoicesofhismenas

theyfoughton.Hecouldhearothervoicesaswell,thoseofZachrealandtheothersastheymettheirownenemiesinbattle.Thesceneinwhichhefoundhimselfwasbeingplayedoutacrossthevaststretchofpalatialruins,inoneformoranother.Thegenestealersandthetyranidwarriorswerebutpiecesonaboardforthebeasthenowconfronted–

itcouldmovethemintopositionwithanerrantthought,anddrivethemberserkwithequalease.Itcouldfloodthepalacewithfeeder-beastsandripperswarms,ordrowntheminbio-beasts,ifitwished.Butitdidnot.Heknewitandcouldfeelit.Itwantedsomething,anditwasdelayingtheconsumptionof

thisplaceuntilitgotit.Whatabominablepurposewasitseekingtofulfil?Thequestionlodgeditselfinhismindlikeasplinter.Overhead,theroiling,redskywassplitbysporesstreakingtotheplanet’ssurfacefromthetyranid

vesselsfarabove.Theymovedalmostgracefully,likesentientcreaturesratherthanobscenetumoursofbio-matter.Hisarmour’ssensorstrackedthem,recordingtheirdescentandrelayingittotheChapterfleetaboveautomatically.Moreandmoresporesfelltoearth,andthegroundshookbeneathhim.Asphodexwasdying;timewasrunningout,bothforhismissionandthebeastwhichglaredathimfromtheshadows.Hecouldfeelitsfrustrationboilacrossthesurfaceofhisthoughts,andhesmiled.‘Iknowyoucanhearme,beast,’hesaidaloud.‘Iknowthatyouunderstandme,thoughIdonotknow

how.Iwillspeakslowly,regardless,foryourbenefit.’Karlaencouldnotsaywhyhebotheredtospeak,savethatinthatinstantwhenhismindhadtouchedthatofhisenemy,hehadfeltsomethinghuman…orsomethingthathadoncebeenhuman.Thethoughtwasnotapleasantone,andhefeltachill,deepinhisbones,asitoccurredtohim.‘Youcannotwin.Wewillcomeforyou,withfireandsword,andwewilloverturnyournestsandscour

everytraceofyourvilespeciesfromthisworld,evenifwemustcrackitscrustanddrownitinmagmatodoso.Asphodexwillnotfalltoyou.Wewillburnittoashbeforeweallowyoutoclaimdominion.’Atfirst,hedidnotthinkthathiswordshadhadanyeffectonthebeast.Thencameabubbling,liquid

snarlofpuremalice,andwithit,atorturousfloodofmentalimagery.Thisstabbedintohismind,againandagain,andhetookastepback,almostoverwhelmedbythesheermalignancyofit.Thebroodlorddartedfromconcealmentandpouncedonhimashereeled.Itslowersetofclawsdug

intohischeeksasitbentoverhim,itsfeetdiggingintohisbelly,itslargertalonssunkintohisarmourlikeanchor-hooks.Hestaggeredbeneathitsweight,asbefore,andasitlungedtosinkitsfangsintohisface,herammedthehaftofhishammerbetweenitsteeth.Burningdribletsofsalivahissedandsmokedwheretheytouchedhisarmourasthebeaststruggledto

bitethroughtheweapon.Itseyesbulgedobscenelyintheirsocketsasitflungitsthoughtsathim.Heclosedhismind,throwingupmentalwalls,ashehadbeentaughtduringhisdaysasanaspirant.Butasfastasheraisedthem,thebeastknockedthemdown.Itwasmorepowerfulthananysuchcreaturehehadhadthemisfortunetoencounter.‘Whatareyou?’hegrunted.Imagesflappedagainsthismindlikethewingsofinsectsagainstthebulbofastab-light.Hesawthe

TribuneChamber,fulloflifeandsound,andonthethronethathadoncestoodatthefarend,amansat.No,notaman…somethingelse.Disgustwelledinhim,ashebegantounderstand.Asifsensinghisrevulsion,thebroodlordutteredamuffledshriekofragearoundthehaftofhisweapon.Aclawslidbetweentheplatesofhisarmourandhefeltastabofpain.Hismindwaveredasthecreature’sthoughtsrodethepainintothedepthsofhim.Butthediscordant

pulseoftheHiveMindwasmetbytheredhumthatcrouchedsealedawayinhissubconscious.Itrose,likeacrimsontide,fillinghimanddrivingallotherthoughtbeforeit.Angerflaredinhim,andmorethananger.Hewantedtosmashthisthing,tostrikeituntilitwasnomorethanpulpandmemory.Withagroanofservos,Karlaenforcedthebeastup,untilitwasbarelyholdingontohim.Then,witha

roar,hehurledthecreaturetowardsthestatueithadbeencrouchedupon.Itstruckthebaseoftheplinthwithacrackandtumbleddown,limpandunmoving.Theagonyinhismindbegantofadeandheshookhishead,tryingtoclearit.Theworldhadgoneredaroundhim,andallhecouldseewasthething–hisenemy–lyingthere,helpless.Karlaenswunghishammerupandcharged.Hewouldendithereandnow.Hewouldseehismission

accomplished.Nomoreofhisbrotherswoulddie.Theredhumfilledhismind,carryinghimforward.TheHammerofBaalsnappedout,wreathedinsnappingstrandsofbluelightning.Thebroodlord––moved.Atthelastmoment,justbeforehishammerstruckhome,thecreatureopenedoneeyeandflungitself

aside.Whetherithadbeenplayingdead,orhadactuallybeenstunned,hecouldnotsay.Itrolledawayfromtheblow,whichcontinuedontostrikethestatue.Thehammersmashedthroughthelowersectionofthestatueinanexplosionofdustandstonesplinters,andKarlaenallowedtheforceoftheblowtospinhimaround.Heswunghisstormbolterupashistargetingarraylockedontothebroodlordwhereitcrouched,asif

waitingforhim.Karlaenheardthesoundofstonegrinding.Hisarmour’sproximitysensorsblaredawarning,andhelookedup,thefurydrainingfromhimasherealisedhismistake.Thestatuecrasheddownatophim.Itsimmenseweightknockedhimflatandpinnedhimtotheground.Sensorsblaredwarningsintohisearsashisexoskeletongroanedandcreaked.Theplazacracked

beneathhishandsashetriedtoshovehimselfupright.Armourplatesbuckledatthepointofimpact,andtheancientsuitofarmourseemedtosagabouthimindefeatashetriedandfailedtoheavethestatueoff

himself.Aslowhissofsatisfactionescapedhisopponent.Thebroodlordwatchedhisstruggleswithaflat,red

gaze,itslong,sinuoustongueflickeringouttotastetheair.Then,whenitwascertainthathewasnotgoingtoescape,itbegantocrawltowardshim.Itseyesneverlefthisasitdrewcloserandcloser,andheknewitwastakingpleasurefromhispredicament.Trapped,barelyabletomove,Karlaencouldonlywatchasthebroodlordcrepttowardshim,its

hideousfacesplitintowhatcouldonlybealeeroftriumph.

EIGHT

Thebroodlordmovedslowly,savouringitsmoment.Karlaenstruggledagainstthestatue’sweight,tryingtopullhisarmfree.Ifhecouldjustextricatehisstormbolter,hemightstandachance.Buthedidnotthinkthecreaturewasgoingtogivehimthetimetodoso.Theragethathadheldhim,theredfurythathaddrivenhimtorashness,hadbeensnuffedoutlikeafiredousedinwater.Nowhewasleftwithonlycoldcertainty–hehadbeenfoolhardy,andnowhewaspayingtheprice.‘Comeonthen,beast,’hespat.‘Comeon.’Heshifted,tryingonelasttimetoheavethestatueaside.

‘Takeyourdue,ifyouwould,butitwillbethelasttime,Isweartoyou.’Thebroodlordpausedandexaminedhim,asifinamusement.Thenitstartedforwardsagain,eyes

lockedonhisface.Karlaencontinuedtostruggle.Evenifitwerehopeless,evenifhediedhere,pinnedbeneathastatue,hewouldnotgiveup.Hewouldnotresignhimselftothemonsterthatcrawledevercloser.That,intheend,waswhatitmeanttobeofthebloodofSanguinius–evenifyourfatewerewovenintotheuniversalskein,evenifyourdoomwasinyourveryblood,youwouldnotsurrender.Deathinthenameofdutywasnotdefeat.‘Comeon,’herasped.‘Comeandhaveyourtaste,vermin.Come,hurry!’Ifitgotcloseenough,hemight

beabletoblindit,withthehelpofthepoisoncreatedbytheBetcher’sglandimplantedinhishardpalate.Itwouldnotbemuchofavictory,butitwouldbesatisfying.Asifsensinghisthoughts,itpausedandeyedhimsuspiciously.Itextendedaclaw,buthesitated.Hefelt

itsthoughtsbrushacrosshisown,thoughwithouttheurgencyorferocityofitsearlierattempts.Itwasasifitwere…curious.Hisgazecaughtsomethingoverthecreature’shunchedform.Beyondit,highintheredsky,whichwas

beginningtolightenasdawnapproached,darkshapesfelltowardsthecity.Atfirst,hethoughtthattheyweremorespores,thenherealisedthattheyweredroppods.ThewarriorsoftheChapterhadarrivedatlast,beginningthefinalcleansingofAsphodex.Asthedroppodsdrewcloser,hecouldseethatmingledamongthemwereblack-armouredwarriors,ridingonwingsofflame.Achillcoursedthroughhimasherealisedwhathadbeenunleashedupontheworld.TheDeathCompanyhadbeenlooseduponPhodia,andnotyranidwouldbeabletostaytheirwrath.As

ifpluckingthethoughtfromhishead,thebroodlordtensedandtwistedabouttowatchtheinvasionforcedescendthroughtheroilingclouds.OrbitalbombardmentfromthefleetaboveAsphodexstruckthecontinent-spanningcity,coveringtheBloodAngelsintheirdescent.Thenewcomershurtledcloser,so

closenowthathecouldmakeouttheredmarksontheirebonypowerarmour,andKarlaenwincedashisvoxspatamangledflurryofgibberish.Heglareddefiantlyatthebroodlord.‘Yourdeathiscoming,beast.Ifnotbymyhands,thenbytheirs.Scuttlebacktowhateverholeyoucrawledoutof,ifyouwouldseeanotherdawn.’Itwasadesperategambit,butitworkedallthesame.Thebroodlordturnedbacktohim,cockedits

head,andthensnorted.Ithadapparentlyunderstoodhim.Itturnedaway,asiftoleave.Karlaenseizedthemoment.Hehadbeenreroutingpowertohisexoskeletonforonelastgamble,andnowwasthetime.Withagrindingroar,heforcedhimselfup.Dustanddebriscascadedoverhimasheforcedhisarmourtotheutterlimitsofitsloadcapacityandshiftedthestatuejustenoughtocauseittorollaside.Servoswhining,helungedforthebeast,evenasitwhirledtomeethim.Itavoidedhisawkwardblowandslashedathim,drivinghimbackagainstthestatue.Beforehecould

pushawayfromit,thebroodlordshotforwards,fasterthanhiseyes,organicandbionicalike,couldfollow.Aclawsankintohischest,puncturinganarmourplateanddiggingintothemeatwithin.Karlaengruntedinpain.Thebroodlordjerkeditsclawfreeandleaptback,outofrangeofanyretaliatorystrike.Iteyedhimasitslongtongueflickeredouttolickthebloodfromitsclaw.Thenitwasgone,vanishedintothepre-dawngloom.Karlaenstaggeredforward,pressingahandtohiswound,ashevainlysoughtsomesignofthebeast.

Hissuperhumanenhancementswerealreadystemmingtheflowofbloodandsealingthewound.Thevoxpoppedandcrackledinhisear.Hecouldheartheothers,andknewfromthetenoroftheirvoicesthattheywereonthecuspofbeingoverrun.Hisgambithadfailed,butdisastercouldstillbeaverted.Hepushedasidehispainandbegantomovebacktowardsthebattle,pickingupspeedashewent.‘Iam

coming,brothers,’hesaid,overthevox.‘Didyoukillit?’Alphaeusaskedoverthecracklinglink.‘No,’Karlaensaid,reluctantly.Hedidnotelaborate,andAlphaeusdidnotpresshim.Hecaughtsight

ofthesquadashemadehiswaythroughtherubble.TheyhadfallenbacktothestatueoftheEmperoroncemore,puttingtheirbackstoitastheswarmofalienhorrorssoughttodragthemdownthroughsheerweightofnumbers.Thevoxpoppedandheheardfamiliarvoices.Heturned,andsawZachrealonthestepsthatledintothe

palace,thestormboltersofhissurvivingsquad-matesopeningapathinthehorde.KarlaensawMelosandJosesaswell,thoughthey,likeZachreal,wereleadingthedepletedremnantsoftheirsquadstotheaidofAlphaeusandtheothers.OfthetwentyTerminatorswhohadteleportedtothesurface,barelyhalfthatnumberremained,andthesurvivorslookedasiftheyhadwadedthroughtheriversofdamnation.Karlaen’sguttwistedatthethought.Justlikelasttime,hethought.Heforcedthememoryasideandkeptmoving.Therewouldbetimeforself-recriminationlater.Atyranidwarriorroseupbeforehim,itsboneswordsswingingdowntowardshim.Thecreaturewas

riddledwithwounds,leakingichorfromeveryjoint,butevenhalf-deaditwasdangerous.Heblockedtheblow,grimacingasthemovementcausedhiswoundtopullpainfully,andshotoneofitslegsoff.Thecreaturefellwithascream,whichhecutshortwithaswiftblowfromhishammer.Theplazawasfullofhissing,clawedshapes.Thereweregenestealersclingingtoeverysurface,

perchedoneverystatueandtumbledcolumn.TheyswarmedupthefallenlengthofthestatueoftheEmperorAscendant,surroundingtheembattledremnantsofSquadAlphaeusonallsides.Firedisciplinehadkeptthehordeatbayforabrieftime,butnowitwasthewetworkofswordandfists.KarlaenheardthecrackleofZachreal’svoiceinhisearandhesaid,‘Allunits,convergeonSquadAlphaeus’stranspondersignal.Wemustpushthecreaturesback.Wemustnotfail–’‘–theEmperor!’Anewvoice,harshandraw,intrudedonthevox-link.Theairwasfilledwiththe

soundofthrustersandthegrindinghowlofchainswords.Blackshapes,daubedinred,hurtledthroughtheairovertheplazaonwingsofflame.‘Takeheart,brothers.WeshallshowthesetraitorshowtheSonsofSanguiniusdealwiththosewhowoulddefileTerra.’Agenestealer’sheadwassentspinningfromitsnecktobounceoffKarlaen’sarmourwithawetthump

astheDeathCompanyspedpast.Wheretheblack-armouredberserkerspassed,xenosdied.Karlaenwasfrozenwithshock,andsomerevulsion,ashewatchedthenewcomersdescendontheplazawitheagercries.Theyspokegibberish,challenginginvisiblefoesandcallingouttofriendswholivedonlyinmemory.TheyweretheDeathCompany,andtheywereirretrievablymad–victimsoftheBlackRagethatlurkedintheheartofeachandeveryBloodAngel.Karlaenhadfeltithimselfmorethanonce,ridingtheedgeofhisanger,thoughhehadneversuccumbed.TheDeathCompanywasthedoomoftheirChaptermademanifest.ItwasthesavageryoftheRed

Thirst,mingledwiththeinescapablemadnessthatcameuponsomewarriorswhentheywereconsumedbythefiresofanancientstruggleandbecamelostintheshadowofgreatwings,onlytobereborninaworldofrage,hatredandnothingelse.Karlaenhadheardthatthosewhoweresoconsumedwereovercomebyvisionsandancientmemories,

andcouldnottellthepastfromthepresent.Theyfoughttheshadowsofenemiespast,andbelievedthemselvestobeonHolyTerra,fightingtheforcesoftheArch-Traitor.Despitethis,theywerewarriorswithoutequal;itwasasif,intheirmadness,theyhadbeengiftedwithsomesmallpartofSanguinius’sownstrength.ThewarriorsoftheDeathCompanywouldfightuntiltheydied,andonlydeathcouldquiettheirrage.CorbulowishedtoeradicatethescourgeoftheBlackRagefromtheChapter,andKarlaenknewthathis

missionherewastiedintothatdesire.ButseeingtheenragedSpaceMarinesinactiononlypushedhometheimportanceoffindingAugustusFlaxassoonaspossible.MoreandmorebrothersfelltotheBlackRagewitheverypassingcentury,andifitwerenotchecked,theBloodAngelsmightvanishintomadnessanddespair,leavingonlytheechoesofwhatmighthavebeentomarktheirpassing.KarlaencaughtsightoftheleaderoftheDeathCompanysquad–orsoheguessedbythemarkingson

thewarrior’sarmour–wieldingawide-headedthunderhammer.ThenewcomerbankedandcircledthefallenstatueoftheEmperor.TheSpaceMarine’sbodyshudderedandtwitchedashedroppedfromtheair.Thepavingstonesoftheplazacrackedbeneathhimashelanded,andtheheadofhishammerwassurroundedbyanimbusofcracklingenergyashesweptitout,drivingthegenestealersback.TherestoftheDeathCompanyfollowedsuit,droppingfromtheairtocrashdownamongthe

genestealerslikethewrathoftheEmperorgivenform.Evenastheylanded,theyattacked,fillingtheairwithgorewherevertheymoved.Theadamantiumteethofchainswordsgnawedapartchitinasfistsandhammerspulverisedthealienbone.Thebrutalityofthegenestealerspaledincomparisontothefuryofthebattle-maddenedBloodAngels.TheDeathCompanyfoughtwithoutdiscipline,eachwarriorawhirlwindofdeath,butdespitethis,the

genestealersbegantowaverbeforethem.Withtheabsenceofthebroodlord,Karlaenknewthegenestealerswerepreytotheirowninstincts.Theywerenotcreaturesofopenbattle,likethetyranidwarrior-broods,butbeastsofshadowsandcrampedspaces.Itwasintheirnaturetoretreatinsuchsituations.Karlaenwhirledashisvoxcrackledinwarning,andhesmashedaleapinggenestealeroutoftheair.He

sawZachrealandtheothershurryingtowardshim.TheTerminatorswerelikeablood-redwedgedrivenintothemassofalienbodies,Zachreal,MelosandJosesinthelead.Theblack-hairedJoseswasbloodyfaced,theleftsideofhisjawbareofflesh,boneshowingthrough.Oneeyewasaredruin,buthestillfoughton,hisstormbolterhammering.Melos’sarmourwasblackenedandstained,withonlytheskullset

intoitsfrontfreeofcharring,andZachreal’sarmourwascoveredinhundredsofdeepscoremarks.‘Captain,Ihavemadeasuccessfulinvestigationoftheupperdecks,’Zachrealrumbledasheblewa

holeinthecentreofagenestealer’storso.‘Andyourreport?’Karlaensaid,smashingaxenostotheground.‘Fullofgenestealers,’Zachrealsaid.Helaughed,agreatboomingnoisethatechoedoverthetumultof

battle.Josesignoredhisfellowsergeant’smirth.Agenestealerleapttowardshim,andhecaughtthecreature

aroundthechest.Asitsnappedathim,Joses’sheadsnappedforwards,catchingthecreaturefullintheface.Bonecrunched,andJosesletthedeadcreaturefall.Ichorstainedhisfeatures,butKarlaencouldseethathewasgrinningmirthlessly.Joseshadalwaysbeensomethingofasavage,herecalled.WhilemostBloodAngelssoughttodistancethemselvesfromtheirbruteoriginsbyrefiningtheiraestheticsenses,afewremainedtruetotheprimitivecodesofthepure-bloodedtribesofBaalanditsmoons.‘Zachreal’sdubiousattemptsatjocularityaside,captain,weareatadisadvantage,’Melossaid.‘We

arefacingnothinglessthananarmy.’Hepivoted,firingatthegenestealersthatsoughttopullhimdown.Slowlybutsurely,theTerminatorswerepushingtheirwaytoSquadAlphaeus’sside.‘Yes,butthatarmyis,forthemoment,leaderlessanddisorganised,’Karlaensaid.Hemadenomention

ofhowheknewthis,andtotheircredit,theydidnotaskhim.‘Wemustreachtheothers.Together,wecandrivethemback.’Hejoinedthem,takingthepointofthewedge.Together,theymovedtowardsthefallenstatueofthe

Emperor.Alphaeusandthetwinswerelikeanislandchaininaswirlingsea,justbarelyholdingthemselvesabovethewaterline.AsKarlaenandtheothersdrewcloser,however,thegenestealersbegantoscuttleaway,fleeingtheplaza.Alphaeushackeddownoneoftheslowerxenos,andhisseamedfacetwistedinasmileashecaught

sightofKarlaen.Heextendedhisarm,andKarlaencaughthisforearminawarrior’sclasp.‘Iwasworriedyouweren’tcomingback.IwouldhatetohavetoexplaintoCommanderDantehowIletyougetyourselfkilled,’hesaid.‘Youmightstillhaveto.Thismissionisn’toveryet,’Karlaensaid.‘Atleastwe’vegotreinforcements,’Alphaeussaid,gesturingwithhissword.Karlaenturned,andsaw

thattheDeathCompanyhadformeduparoundtheirnominalleaderinaroughapproximationofunitformation.Theyboundedacrosstheplaza,hurdlingpilesofdeadxenos,theirchainswordslickingouttolopofflimbsandsnarlingheadsasboltpistolsbarked.Theblack-armouredwarriorsweredrivingthebulkofthegenestealersbeforethem.Thescuttling

beastsscrambledupthestepsandintothepalace,seeminglyfleeingbeforetheDeathCompany.Thehammer-wieldingsergeantleaptoveradyinggenestealer,activatinghisjumppackashedidso,andcareenedtowardsashriekingtyranidwarrior.Thebeastspreaditsarmswide,asifininvitation,andtheSpaceMarinesmashedintoit–thenonthroughit,tearingthecreatureinhalfatthepointofimpact.‘Veryeffectivereinforcements,’Karlaenmurmured.Hemarvelledatthesuddenchangeintheir

situation.Onlyashorttimeago,theBloodAngelshadbeensettomakeafinalstand.Nowitwasthetyranidswhowerebeingpushedbackintotheruins.‘Butuncontrollable,’Melosmurmuredgravely.‘WhywouldDantesendthemhere,unless…’Hefell

silent.Karlaenknewwhathemeant,butsaidnothing.IfDantehadsenttheDeathCompanytoreinforcethem,ithadbeenbecausetheywereexpendable.Onlydeathcouldendtheirtorment,andtheruinsofthepalaceheldplentyofthat.‘Itdoesn’tmatter,’Karlaensaidharshly.‘Theyarehere,andwemustemployeveryweaponremaining

toustoachieveourgoal.Thetyranidswanttokeepusout,brothers,sowemustgoin,ifonlytoteach

themthefollyofsuchhubris.’Beforeanyonecouldreply,adeafeningbellowechoedacrosstheplaza,andKarlaenrealisedthatthe

genestealershad,perhaps,hadotherreasonsforretreatingthanjustthearrivaloftheDeathCompany.Oneoftheruinedstructuresontheothersideoftheplazafromthepalacestepsexplodedoutward,asifstruckbyamortar.Chunksofstoneandshrapnelfilledtheairforamoment,heraldingthearrivalofahulkingshape.Asecondbellow,louderthanthefirst,echoedoutacrosstheplaza.Armedwithrazor-sharptalonseasilythesizeofamanandamassivebio-cannonbeneathitsheavy

amethystcarapace,thecarnifexstrodeintotheplaza.Bitsofrubbleslidfromitasitstompedforwards.Itsheavy,wedge-shapedskulloscillatedslowlyasiftakingstockofthearmouredfiguresbeforeit.Thenitreareduptoitsfullimpressiveheight,andletlooseacryofchallenge,beforeitthunderedforwards,thegroundtremblingwitheverystepittook.

NINE

Thecarnifexstampedforwards,itsenormousclawsswattingasidebrokenstatues,itsweightcausingthestonesquaresoftheplazatocrackandbuckle.Theimmensebio-beastlevelleditsbio-cannonattheclosestmembersoftheDeathCompany,whospiralledtowardsitontailsofflame,roaringoutchallengesinthenameoftheEmperor.Theorganicartillerypiecetensedandspatalivinground,itsbarrelventinggasfromthegillslitswhichopenedinitslengthasitdidso.TheprojectileexplodedintoaconstrictingtangleofthornyvinesthatlashedoutandcaughttheSpace

Marines,draggingthemtotheground.Theyhackedatthevinestonoavail,andthecarnifexignoredtheirstrugglesasitstormedpast,intentongettingtogripswiththerestofitsenemies.ItstinyeyesfixedontheheavyshapesoftheTerminators,anditemittedanotherroarofchallenge.‘Well,nowit’saparty,’Josesgrunted.‘Lookatthesizeofhim.’Heraisedhispowerswordin

readiness.‘He’lltakesomeworktobringdown.’‘Workandtime,’Karlaensaid.‘Andwedon’thaveenoughofthelatter.’Heraisedhishammer.‘Form

up,phalanx-patternsigma.Overlappingfieldsoffire,holdnothingback.Ifitgetstous…’‘I’llhandleit,’Josessaid,swinginghisswordexperimentally.‘Seethatyoudo,’Karlaensaid.Therewasnotimetoargue.Thebeastwaschargingtowardsthem

fasterthananycreaturethatsizeoughttohavebeenabletomove.AnotherDeathCompanywarriorchargedtointerceptthecreature,hischainswordheldinbothhands.Thecarnifexswungitsmonstrousheadtowardshim,andtheairarounditsjawsbegantoshimmerwithagreasylight.Therecamearoarofboilingplasma,andinaflashofsuperheatedbile,theblack-armouredwarriorwasvaporisedinmid-leap.Thecarnifexcontinuedon,lumberingthroughthesmokeofthewarrior’spassing.Itsbio-cannonswung

about,vomitingmorestranglingthornsacrosstheplaza,anditsscythingtalonsswungoutindeadlyarcs,sendingDeathCompanyberserkerscrashingtothegroundincloudsofbloodandentrails,theirpowerarmourcrackedopenandtheirtormentended.Itspatplasma,incineratinganythingthatdaredstayitsprogress.Andwhennoneofthoseweaponssufficed,itsimplycrashedthroughtheopposition,beitalivingwarriororanunfeelingstatue.Itwasunstoppable,anditwasheadingrightforKarlaenandtheothers.Asone,theTerminatorsfired.Thecarnifexshruggedofftheexplosiveshellsandcontinuedtobull

forwards.Itwouldnotstop,Karlaenknew,untilitwasdead,oruntilsomethingevenbiggerdecidedto

getinitsway.Nevertheless,hecontinuedtofire,histargetingarraytryingtofindsomeweakpointinitscarapace.Thegroundshookbeneathhisfeetasthecarnifexclosedin.Josesreadiedhimselftomeetit,hisfacesplitbyawide,feralgrin.Karlaencouldsmelltheincipientblood-lustintheotherBloodAngel’ssweat,andseeitbuildinginhiseyes.Hehesitated,wonderingifheshouldorderthesergeanttostepback.Wouldthatstophim?Wouldhelisten?Orwashealreadytoofargone?Beforethequestioncouldbeanswered,somethingblacksmashedintothechargingcarnifexfromthe

sideandsentitslewingthroughacolumn.Thecarnifexrolledtoitsfeetinacloudofdust,butitsattackerwasonitbeforeitcouldmove.Metaltalons,eachaslongasaswordblade,flashedout,carvingbloodytracksinthecarnifex’sflesh.Thealienrearedback,screaminginrage.Itscrywasansweredbyitsopponent.‘Come,traitor.CometoCassor.Comeandfight,comeanddie,butcomeallthesame,’thevox-

speakersmountedintheDreadnought’shullcrackled.‘Comeandmeetthydoom,dogsofabomination.Comeandfeeltheangel’swrath,cursofAngron.Comescreamingorinsilence,butcomesothatCassormightlaythyheartsatSanguinius’sfeet.ThewallsofthePalacestand,theEternityGateremainsbarredandCassorwillbreakthycrookedspinesacrosshisknee.’TheDreadnought,hullpaintedblackanddaubedinred,setitselfasthecarnifexchargedtowardsit.

Thetalonsmountedontheendsofthepiston-likearmsrotatedandflexed.Thenonerose,revealingastormboltermountedbeneaththeclaw.Thestormbolterspat,andthecarnifexshudderedasitsalreadyabusedfleshreceivednewpunishment.ItcrashedintotheDreadnoughtanddroveitbackintoastatue.TheDreadnoughtshruggedofftheblowandrammeditselfintothecarnifex’sgut,liftingthebeastintotheairmomentarilybeforesmashingitdownontotheground.‘BythewingsoftheAngel,it’sCassor,’Alphaeusbreathedashewatchedthebattleunfoldbeforethem.

KarlaendidnotaskhimhowherecognisedtheDreadnought,fortherewasonlyoneCassor.CassortheChained,CassortheMad,CassortheDamned–whatevernamehewasknownby,hehad

beenoneofthegreatestwarriorseverproducedbytheBloodAngels,evenbeforehehadbeeninterredinaDreadnoughtsarcophagus,toriseandfightagainafterhisdeathonsomefar-flungbattlefield.Hewasalsoawarning,atestamenttothedarktruththateventhedeadwerenottrulysafefromthe

cursewhichafflictedtheSonsofSanguinius.Foralmostthreecenturiesafterhisdeath,CassorhadservedtheBloodAngelsfromthewarmachine’ssarcophagus,untilthatfinal,fatefuldayatLowfang.Intheearlyhoursofthebattle,hismindhadshattered,thoughnoonecouldsaywhy.SomesworethatitwastheshadowsofthewingsoftheSanguinaryGuardfallingonhimastheypassedoverhead.Karlaensuspectedthattherewasmoretoitthanthat.Whateverthereason,however,CassornowbelongedtotheDeathCompanyandwasfartoodangeroustobeunleashedwithoutcause.Hecouldbarelytellfriendfromfoe,andhewas,inhisownway,asmonstrousasthetyranidcreaturehewasnowfighting.‘TheDamnedOne,’Zachrealmurmured,ashewatchedthebattle.HelookedatKarlaen.‘Truly,our

missionmustbeimportantifCommanderDantehasunleashedhimtoaidus,captain.’‘Wereyoueverinanydoubt?’Karlaensaid,watchingastheblack-hulledDreadnoughtcrashedintothe

carnifexagain.Thetwomaddenedbeasts,onemetal,oneflesh,cametogetherlikerivalbovids.Thestonesoftheplazawerecrushedandchurnedtorubbleastheystroveagainstoneanother.‘Ho,traitor,striveandstrainallyouwish,youwillneverconquerCassor.WhileCassorstandsbefore

thegatesofHolyTerra,noneshallpass.Shriek,daemon.Screamoutyourprayerstothegodsofwronganglesandshatteredskies.Summonthem.TheyshallnotdefeatCassor.Itcannotbedone.’Cassor’semotionless,raspingmonotoneechoedacrosstheplaza,drowningouttheshrieksofthe

carnifex.ThecarnifexrippedattheDreadnoughtwithitshugeclaws,scoringtheancientarmourbutfailingtopierceit.Cassorslashedatthebeastwithhisowntalons.

XenosandDreadnoughtreeledacrosstheplaza,brawlingthroughtheruins,thecarnifexhowlingoutbestialchallengesasCassorroaredoutgibberishinreply.Suddenly,aceramiteplatebuckled,andoneofthecarnifex’sclawslanceddownintothenestofgrav-platesandfibrebundlesthatmadeuptheDreadnought’sinnards.Theclawcrasheddownthroughthewarmachineandonintotheground,pinningCassorinplace.‘Pinned.Inconceivable.Cassorshallnotstandforthis,puppetoffalsegods.Releaseme,sothatImight

wipethystainfromtheearth,’Cassorrumbled.Inreply,thecarnifexopeneditsmawwide.Agreasyballofplasmabegantoformbetweenitsjaws.‘Sorcery.Youdare?Suffernotthewitchtolive,sosaysCassor.’Oneheavymechanicalclawclosed

aroundthecarnifex’sthroat,holdingitinplace.Thebeast,asifunderstandingwhatCassorhadplanned,begantostruggle,buttonoavail.AssurelyasithadtheDreadnoughtpinned,Cassorhaditheldfast.Beforethemonstercouldreleasetheburstofbileithadprepared,theDreadnoughtbroughtuphiswrist-mountedmeltagunandshovedthebarrelbetweenthecreature’sjaws.Withadullhiss,thebackofthebeast’sskullvanishedinacloudofsuperheatedgas.Thecarnifextoppledsideways,freeingCassorintheprocess.Thewarmachineshovedhimselfupright.

Hischassisrotated,astheopticaugursmountedinthehullscannedtheplazaformoreenemies.‘Listen,traitors.HearCassor’swords:Istillstand.TheEmperor’shandisuponmyshoulder.Iamdeathincarnate!’Thewordsechoedoutoverthearea.Butnonewchallengersappeared.Then,withagrindingofunseengearsandawhineofservos,CassortheDamnedstalkedtowardsthepalace,insearchofnewfoestoslay.Intheaftermathofthecarnifex’sdeath,silencedescendedontheplaza.Thegore-spatteredsurvivorsof

theDeathCompanyhadclearedtheplazaandenteredtheruinsofthepalace,followedbyCassor.Karlaencouldhearthesoundsofbattleechoingfromthegapingdoorsofthepalace,andknewthatsomeofthegenestealers,atleast,hadnotmadeacleanescape.Helookedabout,takingstock.Alphaeusandtheothersjoinedhim.Karlaenclaspedthesergeantontheshoulderforabriefmoment,

andthenturnedtolookattheothers.‘Westillhaveamissiontocomplete,brothers.Ourenemywillsoonturnitsgazehere,andthefullmightoftheHiveMindwillfallonus.Ifwearetosucceed,wemustmoveandswiftly.’‘Wedon’tevenknowwheretheyare.Oursearchesrevealednothing,’Melossaid,hisfingersplaying

acrossthecurveoftheskullsetintohisarmour.‘Yours,perhaps,butourswasmoresuccessful,’Karlaensaid.Hepattedtheservitorheaddangling

fromhisbelt.‘IknowwhereFlaxis,andIknowhowtogettohim.’Hesmiledslightly.‘Wewererightontopofhimthewholetime.’‘What?’Melosasked.‘Easiertoshowyouthanexplain,’Karlaensaid.Hestartedtowardsthepalace.‘Come.Letusgoclaim

Corbulo’sprize.’

TEN

Astheyenteredtheruinsofthepalace,theycouldseethehandiworkoftheDeathCompanyallaboutthem.Thebroken,ruinedcorpsesofgenestealersandtyranidwarriorslayeverywhere,reekinginthedustandgloom.KarlaenledhismenbacktotheTribuneChamber,pastthefire-blackenedruinsthatmarkedBartelo’sfinalpassing.Silencedescendedonthemastheyfollowedthetrailofcarnage.Thevoxpoppedandhummed,butno

voicesbrokethestreamofstatic.Outsidethepalace,theconsumptionofAsphodexhadentereditsfinalstages.Partsoftheplanet’scrustwerealreadybeingscouredofeverytraceoforganicmatter,fromcoweringhumansurvivorstothemouldclingingtotherocksinthedeepestcaves.Soon,theoceanswouldbedrained,andtheairmadetoxic.ButthewarriorsoftheBloodAngelsandFleshTearerswouldtearuptherootsofthehivefleetbeforethen,ifallwentaccordingtoplan.Aneeriesightwaswaitingfortheminthechamber.TheremainsofAphraelaybrokeninthecentreof

theTribuneChamber,armsflungouttoeitherside,hisruinedfeaturesstaringupwardstowardstheshatteredglassofthedomeabove.ThesurvivorsoftheDeathCompanysurroundedthecorpse,staringdownatitincompletesilencewithsomethingthatmighthavebeenreverence.Theirsilencewaseerieafterthebrutal,snarlingcriesthathadfilledtheairupontheirarrival.TheDeathCompanysergeantkneltbesideAphrae,onehandonhischest,headbowed.Hishelmetsatonthegroundbesidehim,andKarlaenstoppedashecaughtsightoftheotherSpaceMarine’storturedfeatures.‘Raphen,’hemurmured.Sadnessfilledhim,dousinghismomentarysenseoftriumph.Raphen’shead

turned,asifhehadheardKarlaen,andheroseslowlytohisfeet.TheothermembersoftheDeathCompanyturned,weaponsraised.Madnessandviolencebledoffthem,andKarlaenfeltpityanddisgustinequalmeasureashegazedattheirtwitching,shudderingforms.This,then,waswhatawaitedhim–whatawaitedthemall–ifhefailedhere.Hecouldnotbeartolookatthem,athisbrothers,sodistortedbyragethattheywerenolongerproudsonsoftheImperium,butinsteadbattle-frenziedbeasts.‘Raphen,’Alphaeuswhispered.‘Youwereaspirantstogether,wereyounot?’‘Wewere,’Karlaensaidsoftly.Memoriesofanotheryoungaspirant,thescarsofbattlefreshonhis

body,sittingacrossfromhiminthethree-dayvigilthatfollowedtheirselection.HerememberedfightingbesideRaphenonahundredworlds,battlingtheChapter’senemies.Buthehadtakenonepath,andRaphenanotherandnow…heretheywere.Therewasacrashfrombehindthem,andKarlaen,shockedfromhisreverie,spun,raisinghisweapon.

Theothersfollowedsuit,onlyahalf-secondmoreslowly.Cassorlumberedtowardsthemfromtheothersideofthechamber,hullpaintedwithsteamingichor.TheDreadnoughtraisedhisstormboltertalon.‘Whocomes?Friendorfoe?Announceyourselvesortastemyfury.’‘Hold,gentleCassor,’Raphencroaked.Hisvoicehadtherawtingeofonewhohadscreamedhimself

hoarse.‘Canyounotseethattheseareourbrothers?TheywearthecoloursoftheLegion.Whatword,brothers?DoestheEternityGatestillstand?Whatoftheprimarch?’Therewasaterribledesperationinhiswords,likethoseofatormentedchildseekingcomfort.Raphenshovedpasttheotherblack-armouredwarriorsinhishastetomeetthem.‘HastheKhancometorelieveus,ashepromised?Speak,brothers.’Karlaenhesitated,uncertainhowtoanswer.ThethingsofwhichRaphenspokehadtakenplace

millenniaago,whenSanguiniusstillwalkedamongthem.Hewaspossessedbyancientmemorieswhichwerenothisown,relivingbattleshehadneverfought.HewasmadandbrokenandKarlaen,forthelifeofhim,couldnotthinkwhattosay.Hestaredintothecold,blueeyesofthemanhehadoncecalledafriendandsaid,‘Doyouknowme,

sergeant?’‘I…cannotsay,’Raphensaid.Insanitydancedbehindhiseyes,andhisfacecontortedasifhewere

seekingtowrestlehismemoriesintosomesemblanceofcoherency.‘DidwefightonthewallsofthePalacetogether?Didwe…AreweembarkingfortheVengefulSpirit,brother?HastheEmperorassembledhisstrikeforce?IsittimetosmitetheArch-Traitor,coweringaboardhisbattle-barge?’Hereachedout,asiftotouchKarlaen’sarmour.HisfingerscurledintoafistbeforetheyreachedKarlaen,andfell.‘Sayyes,brother.SaythattheAngelsaretobethepointofthespear,’hegrowled,half-pleadingly.KarlaenstaredatRaphen,pitywrestlingagainstnecessitywithinhim.Thenheclosedhiseyesandsaid,

‘Yes.’Heheardasoft,communalsighrisefromtheDeathCompany.HelookedatRaphen.‘Thehonourofleadingtheadvanceisyours,brother.Youandyourmenwillformthetipofourspear,asweseekouttheonewehavecometofind.’‘AndwhatofCassor,brother?Istherehonourhereformeaswell?’Cassorrumbled.Hisgreatclaws

snappedtogetherineagerness.‘Aretheretraitorstobeslain?Ifso,Cassorwillslaythem.’‘Therearetraitorshere,mightyCassor,’Karlaensaid.‘Youwillaccompanyus,andraindownyour

wrathonthosewhowouldseektoblockourway.’Hepulledtheservitor’sheadfromhisbelt.‘Butfirst,wemustfindthem.’HedirectedAlphaeusandtheotherstothecentreofthechamber,wheretheyswiftlyclearedaway

manyofthebodiesfromacirculararea.Itwasaseeminglyinnocuouspatchoffloor,buttheinformationhehadgleanedfromtheservitor’smemoryshowedhimthatthiswastheentrancetotheundercityofPhodia.Hesanktohishaunchesanduprootedthestonethathidthecrypt-lock.Heloweredtheservitorhead,tiltingitsothatitseyewasinlinewiththelock’ssensors.Therewasaclick,then,withawhirr,asectionoftheflooririsedopen.Bodiestumbledintothegapinasuddenavalanche.Damarisexaminedtheaperture.TheTerminatorglancedathistwin,andthensaid,‘Tunnels,captain.’

HesteppedbackastheDeathCompanymovedquicklypasthimandintothedarkness.Raphen,hishelmetinplaceoncemore,ledthem.Cassorfollowed,mechanismswheezing.Karlaenwatchedthemdescend,theservitorheaddanglingfromhisgrip.Alphaeuscameupbesidehim.‘Thatiswhattheyareherefor,captain,’hesaid.‘Andhowlonguntilsomeonesaysthesameofus,Alphaeus?’Karlaensaid,bitterly.‘Hopefullynever,’Alphaeussaid.Karlaenshookhishead.‘SometimesIwonderifthatisourtruecurse–hope.Hopethatwecanescape

thefatethatbefellourbrothers.Hopethatwecanchangetheinevitable.’HelookedatAlphaeus.‘Ihear

it,brother.It’slikeamelodyIcan’thelpbuthear,asongfromanunrememberedpast.IhearditwhenIwokeforthefirsttime,aftermySanguination,andI’llhearitwhenIclosemyeyesforthelast,’Karlaensaidsoftly.‘Weallhearit,captain…brother,’Alphaeussaid.Heraisedahand,asiftoplaceitonKarlaen’sarm.

Butinstead,hedroppedit.‘Allthatmattersiswhetheryouchoosetofollowit.’Karlaenjerkedhischintowardstheloping,black-armouredshapesoftheDeathCompany.‘Idon’tthink

theyhadachoice,Alphaeus.Idon’tthinkanyofusdo.’Alphaeussaidnothing.Karlaendidnotlookathim.‘Come.Westillhaveagovernortofind,’hesaid,

placingtheheadbackonhisbeltandheftingtheHammerofBaal.Then,weaponinhand,heledhisbrothersdownintothedark.

TheSpawnofCryptuswatcheditsenemiesdescendintothedepthsoftheundercity.ItclungtothedomeoftheTribuneChamber’sroof,hiddenbytheshadowsanditspsychicabilities.Theenemyrankshadswelled,butitscarefullylaidoutambusheshadthinnedtheherd,asithoped.Itdidnotwishthemdead.Notyet.Notuntiltheyhadfounditsquarryforit.Thebroodlordcrawledalongthecurveofthedome,itseyesontheopenaccesshatch.Ithadknownof

itsexistence,buthadbeenunabletobreachit,evenwiththeaidofthelargerbio-beaststheHiveMindhadprovided.Alessercreature,onewhosewillwascompletelysubsumedintheshadowoftheLeviathan,wouldsimplyhaveallowedtheripperswarmsandfeeder-beaststoferretoutwhatopeningstheycouldfind,andleftthecoweringremnantsoftheFlaxianDynastytoastiflingdeathinthedepthsoftheirself-madetomb.Butitswillwasnotalesserone.Itneverhadbeen,andthoughthebroodlordcouldnotdefythe

Leviathan,itcouldsubvertanddistractit.Ithadkeptbacktheswarmsoftunnellinghorrorsandcrushingbeasts,shieldingthepalacewithitswillasitsetitschildrenthetaskofferretingoutawayintothedepths.Ithadbeenenraged,atfirst,whenitlearnedthereasonforthepresenceoftheinvaders.Thattheyhad

cometotakethatwhichithadsoughtforsolonghaddrivenitintoamurderousfrenzy.Butwhenthefrenzyabated,itsmindhadbeguntowork.Itwasnotabeast,andithadoncehadteacherswhohadtutoredittothelimitsoftheirability.Itknewsomanythingsthatitsmindsometimesachedwiththeweightofthatknowledge.Itpausedinitsdescent,waitingpatientlyforthelastglimmeroflightfromitsenemiestofadeintothe

darkness.Thatthereweredepthswhichevenithadnotknownofwasfrustrating,tosaytheleast.Butthen,itsquarryhadalwaysbeenmorecunningthanitseemed;cunningandtreacherous.Astabofangerelicitedagurglingsnarl,anditsmusclestensed.Rockcretecrumbledbeneathitstalonsasitpushedawayfromthewallanddroppedtothefloorofthechamber.Itrosetoitsfullheight,armsdangling,andlookedaroundthechamber.Itseyesscannedthegreat

murals–nowruinedbyblood,ashandimpactcraters–whichcoveredthewalls.Itcouldrememberthem,howtheyhadbeenbefore.Onmorethanonenight,itsbellybloatedwiththemeatofitsprey,ithadcomehere,creepingthroughtheshadows,tositandstudythem.Theywereitshistory,asmuchasthatofitsquarry.ThehistoryofPhodia,ofAsphodex,ofCryptusandtheFlaxianDynasty.Thebroodlordwenttotheclosestwall,talonsextended,andtracedthefacespaintedthere.Ithadbeen

toldthenamesthatwentwiththosefaces,onceuponatime,butitcouldnotrecallthem.Itcouldnotrecallmanythingsnow.TheweightoftheLeviathan’sshadowpresseddownonitsmindmoreeachday,erasingthosethingswhichtheHiveMindhadnousefor.Soon,itwouldnotbewhatitwas,saveinform.Itsmind

wouldbesmootherandlesscomplex.Itwouldbeatpeace.Ittracedthefacesonthemuralandtriedtorememberjustonename.Justone,tosatisfyitselfthatitwas

stillwhatithadbeen.Itsclawsdugdeeperanddeeperintothepainted,blood-spatteredsurface,destroyingwhatremainedasittriedtoremember.ItdidnotfearthesongoftheLeviathan,orthecompletesublimationofitswillandindividualimpulses

intothegestaltoftheHiveMind.Butitdidfearthatitwouldoccurtoosoon,andtakewithitthedreamswhichhaddrivenitforsomanyyears.Thedesirewhichhadkeptitaliveinthedank,darkaccesstunnelsbelowPhodia,afterithadbeenbetrayedandafter…Thebroodlord’seyesclosed.Faces,voices,scentsallroseupinitsmind,likeashesstirredfroma

dyingfire.Itheardsnatchesofmusic,andfeltthecomfortingtouchofonewhohadadoredit.Itheardtheechoofboominglaughter,andthestrokeofaclothacrossitsmuzzle,asbloodandoffalwerewipedfromjawsnotyetdextrousenoughtochewunaided.Thefireinitsheadwasnolongerdying,andthesongoftheLeviathanfadedintoacomfortingbackgroundhumasitsragewasstoked.Itswungbackfromthewall,spreadingitsclaws,andscreamed.Thescreamwasatonceasummons

andawarning,fullofheatanddemand.Itsclawsloopedforwards,strikingthewall,strikingthefacesitwouldsoonforget,andtoregreatgougesinthem,obliteratingthem.Itturned,asitheardandfeltthearrivalofitssurvivingchildren.Theyswarmeddownthewallsor

lopedacrossthefloor,surroundingit.Itfelttheirmindsriseupbelowitsownandittilteditshead,lettingoutaslowhissofsatisfaction.Thewaywasopen.Itsquarry,trapped.Therewasnothingnow,savetheend.Andthen,itcouldforget,andloseitselfforeverintheshadowofsomethinggreater.

ELEVENTheUndercity,FlaxianPalace,Phodia

Karlaenhelduptheservitor’shead.Thedrone’smouthtwitchedintomotion,andababbleofbinarywhispersfleditsvox-unit.TheheavyplasteelblastdoorbeforeKarlaengroundopenwithagroanoftorturedmetal.Theturretedautocannonsmountedtoeithersideofthedoorloweredtheirbarrelsandslidbackintotheirsecurity-niches.ItwastheseventhsuchdoortheBloodAngelshadcometosincedescendingintothedarknessofthe

undercitywelloveranhourbefore.Theundercitywasamassofruins,canalsandtunnelsbeneatharoofofgridworkandpipes.Waterdrippeddownconstantly,somewhereoutinthedark,strikingmetal.Thesoundofitechoedthroughthevaststretchoftheundercity,bouncingfromonehardsurfacetothenext,untilthepointoforiginwasimpossibletodetermine,evenforonewiththeenhancedsensesofaSpaceMarine.Whentheblastdoorhadfullyopened,Karlaensteppedaside,allowingtheDeathCompanytoenter

beyondfirst.Itgalledhimtodoso,butAlphaeuswasright.Theblack-armouredwarriorswerehereforonereasonandonereasononly–sothatbytheirdeathhismissionmightprovesuccessful.Nonetheless,thethoughtofittoreathim,evenasitdrovehimon.Ifheweresuccessful,thenRaphenandhiswarriorsmightbeamongthelastsuchdoomedberserkers.Itwastoolateforthem,andforCassor,lurchingintheirwake,butnotfortherestoftheChapter.HefollowedtheDeathCompanythroughtheblastdoor,alongwiththeotherTerminators.Thevoxwas

silent;noisedisciplinewasbeingenforcednow.Helmetshadbeenretrievedandnofleshwasvisible,toguardagainstpossiblechemicalattacks.TheTerminatorsmovedwithoutspeaking,theirattentionsfixedfirmlyontheirsensors.Theundercitywasthesortofbattlefieldwithwhichtheywereallpainfullyfamiliar–crampedand

crowded,fullofshadowsandnoise.Thegroundvibratedwiththehumofthehiddengeneratorswhichpoweredtheundercityandkepttheaircirculating,andrupturedpipesspatsteamintothedampair.Alienmouldwasalreadygrowinginthenooksandcrannies,andinplacesthefloorhadbuckled,allowingthefirst,paleshootsofnewbornspore-chimneystopeekthroughintothedim,artificiallight.TheDeathCompanywerewaitingontheothersideoftheblastdoorwhenKarlaenpassedoverthe

threshold.Theymurmuredtooneanotherunintelligiblyorstaredaheadwithfixedintensity,theirpowerfulframestwitchingwithimpatience.Thereasonforthiswasreadilyapparent–theirpathforwardwas

blockedbyavastvacuum-lockportcullis,itscog-toothedblastdoormarkedbythesealoftheFlaxianDynasty.Therewerenosentry-weaponsondisplayorcombat-servitorsstandingguard.Karlaenhesitated,

considering.Hisarmour’ssensorsscannedthedoorandtheimmediatearea,tryingtodiscernsometraporpitfall.Whennonewasforthcoming,heheftedtheservitor’sheadandsteppedforwardsashehadbefore.Theservitortwitchedinhisgrip,itsjawsunhingingtoadisturbingdegreeasmultiplevox-unitsmountedinitsthroatsprangtolifeandspatduellingglossolaliaofwhatmighthavebeencode,prayersorsomethingelseentirely.Withahissofescapingair,themassiveportculliscycledopen.Afterthegloomofthesub-city,ittook

Karlaen’ssensestimetoadjusttothesplendourwhichwasrevealedbehindthesecondaryblastdoor.Outsideandabove,thecityofPhodiawasarain-soakedruin,hunchedbeneathsporeclouds,thestreetsthickwithsignsofalieninfestation.Theundercitywasnotmuchbetter–long-neglectedareascollapsedinonthemselves,whileoverhead,thedullglowofilluminatorsflickeredandgrewweakerwitheverypassinghour.Butheretherewasnosignofpowerfailureortyranidinfestation.Emptybuildingslinedbrokenstreets,

beneathahummingsolarilluminatorthatcastitsradianceacrossthevaultedreachesofthisprotectedenclave.Karlaentookinthefadedgrandeurofthecity-within-a-cityataglance.Theservitorheadsquawkedandfellsilent.Throughhisarmour’sconnectiontothedecapitatedhead,hecouldseethattheyhadfoundtheobjectoftheirsearchatlast.Hequicklyunhookedtheservitorandre-attachedittohisbelt.Itstillhadsomeuseleftinit–specifically,plottingthequickestcourseoutoftheundercity.‘Whatisthisplace?’Alphaeusmuttered.‘Ahideaway,’Karlaensaid.‘Ahomeawayfromhome,intheeventofaplanetarydisaster.Orsoour

friendtoldme.’Hepattedtheservitor’shead.‘Bigforahideaway,’Alphaeussaid.‘It’smeanttohouseasignificantportionofPhodia’snecessarypopulation.Iwonderedwhysomanyof

themsoughtsanctuaryintheTribuneChamber.’Karlaenlookedaround.‘Thetyranidsbreachedthepalace’sdefencesbeforetheyhadachancetoevacuate,Iexpect.’‘Orheleftthemtodie,’Alphaeussaid.Karlaenmadetoreply,butfellsilent.Thatwasalltoolikely.Differentmenreacteddifferentlyin

momentsofdangerandloss.Somefoundwellspringsofcourageundreamtof,whileotherscoweredbeneaththebodiesofbravermenandhopedtorideoutthestorm.WasFlaxhiddenawaydownhere,hewondered,whileabove,hispeoplefoughttothelastagainstanindefatigableenemy?Whatevertheanswerwas,Karlaendidnotintendtoleaveuntilhefoundout.Hemadetoordertheadvance,butwasbeatentothepunch.‘Thecityissilent,brothers.Thetraitorsawait.Letushunt,’Cassorrumbled,andstartedforwards,

clawssnappingtogetherinbarelyrestrainedfury.TheDeathCompanyfellinaroundtheDreadnought,lopingthroughthewindingstreets,theirraspingmuttersandunintelligiblecriesspreadingthroughthestaleair.KarlaenheldtheTerminatorsback,justforamoment.Intheopennow,someoftheDeathCompanyhadbeguntohackandhewatimaginaryenemies.Heknew,withsickeningcertainty,itwouldnotdotogettooclosetothem,notnow.‘Eyesopen,brothers.Sensorstofullextension,withgeosynchronouspositioning.Iwantthishideaway

ofFlax’smappedandrecorded,justincaseahastyexitiscalledfor.’Karlaenstartedforwards,Alphaeus,LeonosandDamarisfanningoutaroundhim.Theothersquadsdidthesame,untilaroughlineofcrimson-armouredgiantswasmovingsteadilythroughtheseeminglyabandonedcity.Beforetheyhadmovedveryfar,however,KarlaensawRaphenstop.TheDeathCompanysergeant

trembledlikeadogcatchingascent,hisheadcocked.Then,withashout,hebegantoboundthroughtheruins.Hiswarriorsfollowed,andCassorlumberedintheirwake,pistonswheezingashepickedupspeed.‘Whatdidthey–’Alphaeusbegan.Karlaenheldupahand.‘Listen,’hesaid.‘Music.’Herecognisedthehauntingmelodywhichhadattractedtheattentionofthe

DeathCompany.IthadbeenpartoftheinitialbriefingonAsphodexandtheCryptusSystem.TheBloodAngelsalwaysincludedsuchitemsofculturalrelevanceinbriefings;apeople’sculturewasawindowintothewaytheythought.ThesongwasanodetothegloriesoftheFlaxianDynasty,ahymntotheirwisdom,forbearanceandcourage.Karlaendidnotfinditstrangethatitshouldbeplayinghereandnow;humansoftensoughtcomfortinthepastwhenthefutureprovedtoofrightening.Indeed,themusicgavehimheart–ifitwerestillplaying,therewasagoodchancethatFlax,oroneofhisfamily,stilllived.Hemovedquickly,followingtheDeathCompany.IfthemaddenedSpaceMarinesreachedthesourceof

themusicfirst,therewasnotellingwhatmighthappen.Alphaeusandtheothersfollowed.TheTerminatorstrudgedthroughthetight,windingstreetsuntiltheyreachedacentralplaza,widerthanthePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant,andfilledwithlifeandsound.Theplazawasoccupiedbyamassivegarden.Wiltedalienflowersgaveoffariotofstrange,cloyingscentswhichdidlittletomasktheodourofexcessrisingfromtheoccupantsoftheplaza.Everywhere,noblemenandwomen,thescionsofAsphodex’sgreatestnoblehouses,laysenseless,or

asgoodas,inthegrass.Bottlesofrareintoxicants,somebannedbyImperiallaw,laystrewnabout,andbillowingobscuracenserspumpedhazyvapoursintotheperfumedair.Inthecentreofthissceneofdecadence,surroundedbyattentiveslave-servitors,anancientmanreclinedfeeblyonafloatingbedofsilksandcushions.AsKarlaenlookedattheoldman,awarninglightflashedinhishelmet,alertinghimtotheproximityofthegeneticsequencehehadbeensenttoclaim.Beforehecouldact,however,therewasacreakfromthenetworkofpipes,gratesandilluminators

above.Proximitywarningsflashedandhelookedup,expectingtoseegenestealerscrawlingalongtheroofofthehiddencity.Instead,hecaughtaflashofmetal,asanumberofcombat-servitorsdroppedfromtherooftointerposethemselvesbetweenthenewcomersandthearistocraticloungers.Theservitorswererepulsivethings,madetoorder,andshapedmorelikethetyranidstheywereon

guardagainstthanthehumanstheywereprotecting.Jointedlimbsstuckoutfromserpentinebodiescomposedofsegmented,armouredsections,andhumanfacesglaredoutfromwithincobra-hoodsofceramite.Karlaensnatchedtheservitorheadfromhisbelt,hopingthatitcouldgetthempastthecombat-servitorswithoutviolence.TheywerelittlethreattotheBloodAngels,buttherewaseverychancethatthemantheyhadcometo

findmightbecaughtinthecrossfire.Luckily,thedronesdidnotseemtobearmedwithanythingmorethanblades.Theywerealastlineofdefence,ratherthanproperweapons-servitors;bodyguardswhoseonlygoalwastoseethattheirmastersremainedundisturbedinthefinalhoursoftheirexistence.Beforehecouldpresentthehead,RaphengaveashoutandtheDeathCompanyboundedforwards,

weaponsready.Thecombat-servitorsmovedforwardtomeetthemwitheeriegrace,bladedlimbswhirring.Raphenduckedunderthelungeoftheleadservitorandroseupbeneathit,catchingitwithhisshoulderandflippingitoverhisback.Astheservitortriedtorightitself,Raphensnappedaroundanddrovehishammerintothedrone’shead,crushingitwithoneblow.Theserpentinebodyspasmedandthenfellstill.TheDeathCompanyswarmedovertherestofthemarble-flesheddroneslikeants,hackingand

shooting.Theservitorsfoughtwithsingle-mindedintensity,buttheywerenomatchfortheirattackers.The

lastofthebrass-limbedmonstrositiesfelltoCassor,whocrusheditsskullinhisclawandslungthetwitchingremainsaside.TheycrasheddownatKarlaen’sfeetasheincreasedthevolumeofhisvox-unitandroaredout,‘Hold!’Raphen,thunderhammerraised,readytospillthebrainsofaprostratenoble,turned.Karlaenmethis

gazeandseveraltensemomentspassedbeforethesergeantloweredhisweapon.Hiswarriorsfollowedsuit,albeitreluctantly.Thecombat-servitorshadraisedtheireoftheDeathCompany,andtheywereeagertoshedbloodinthenameoftheEmperor.‘Whyarewenotkillingthesedegeneratesybarites,brothers?Whatpurposedotheyserve?Cassorcan

smellthePhoenician’sstenchonthisplace,andhewouldcleanseit.’Cassorturnedslowly,bladesclickingimpatiently.‘Staythywrath,mightyCassor.Therewillbetimeenoughforkillingbeforewearedonehere,Ifear,’

Karlaensaidcalmly.TheDreadnoughttwistedtofacehim,andKarlaenforcedhimselftoremainwherehewas.Theblood-

redopticlensesmountedontheblackhullwhirredandfocusedinonhim.Cassorextendedatalontowardshim.Thetipofoneofthebladestouchedhischestplatewithasoftting.‘Iknowyou.’Despitetheemotionlessbassorumblethewordsweredeliveredin,Karlaencouldheartheuncertainty

there.Hesteeledhimselfandsaid,‘AndIknowyou,mightyCassor,heroofLowfangandDemeter’sFall.IknowthatyouareatruesonofSanguinius.’‘I…Iamatrueson.IheartheAngel’svoice,brother.Iseehisface,inyours.I…Iwillstaymywrath,

brother.Fornow.’Cassorloweredhisclawandturnedaway.Karlaenletoutaslowbreath.HeturnedbacktoAlphaeusandmotionedforhissecond-in-commandtofollowhim.Theintoxicatednobleshadnotreactedtothebriefmelee,andtheydidnotreactwhenKarlaenand

AlphaeusmovedthroughthemtowardsFlax.TheoldmanremainedasinsensateashisfollowersuntilKarlaenwasloomingoverhim.WhenFlaxregisteredfirsttheshadowandthenthegrizzled,golden-hairedgiantwhocastit,hisrheumyeyeswidenedinsuddenpanic.HebegantobabbleinfearasKarlaendrewclose.‘GovernorFlax,Ipresume,’Karlaensaid.‘IamCaptainKarlaenoftheBloodAngelsChapterandthe

BaalExpeditionaryForce.Ihavebeenorderedtoseetoyourimmediateevacuation.Ifyouwillcomewithus,wewillgetyoutosafety.’Flax’seyesnarrowed.Thefearwasgone,replacedbysomethingelse.Resignation,perhaps,or

exhaustion.Theoldmanshookhisheadandslumpedbackintohiscushions.‘IamFlax,aye.Andyourordersmeannothingtome,captain.’Theoldmansmiledmirthlessly.‘Yousee,ifyouarehere,thenIamalreadydamned.’

TWELVE

‘Damned?’Karlaensaid,slightlystartledbytheoldman’smatter-of-factdismissal.Humans,evenpoliticallypowerfulones,werewonttobeslightlyinaweofthewarriorsoftheAdeptusAstartes.TheyweretheEmperor’swordgivenform,andfewwerethemenbraveenoughtomatchtheirgazeandnotquailbackfromthem.Flaxdidnotseemtobeabraveman.Perhapsitwassimplythatfearhadbeenburnedoutofhim.‘Ohyes,andnotamomenttoosoon,’Flaxsaid,lollingamonghiscushions.‘Ihalffearedyouwerehim,

atfirst.NowIseethathisgamehasbeeninterrupted.Hewillblameme,ofcourse,ashealwayshas,andhewillhavenochoicebuttobringanendtoit.’Hesmiled.‘Forthat,Imustthankyou,captain.’‘Whois“he”?Whoareyoutalkingabout?’Karlaenasked,knowingtheanswerevenasthewordsleft

hismouth.‘Thebeast,captain.You’veseenit–foughtit.Icantell.’Flaxreachedoutwithawithered,liver-

spottedhandasiftotraceoneofthemanylonggougesinKarlaen’sarmour.Hisfingersstoppedshort,however,andhepulledhishandbacktoclutchitagainsthischest.Hesmiledwearily.‘Astellingasasignature,thosemarks.I’veseentheirlikemoretimesthanIcaretoadmitinmylife.Ondoorsandwallsand,aye,onthebodiesofmypeople.’KarlaentouchedthemarkashegazedatFlax.‘ThebroodlordhasbeenonAsphodexforsometime,

then.’Itwasnotunheardof–creatureslikethebroodlordhadbeenreportedonmanyworldsjustbeforethoseplanetscameunderthreatfromonetendriloranotherofahivefleet.Thecreaturesseemedtoactasabeaconforthehiveships.Theywouldlurkunseenforyears,decadeseven,waitingfortherighttimetosummontheirhungrykinacrossthebleakstarstofeastonthebio-matteroftheirchosenhuntingground.‘Broodlord–isthatwhatyoucallit?’Flaxchuckled.‘MypeoplecalledittheSpawnofCryptus,asif

itwereacurseonthewholesystemratherthanjustthisworld.’Hissmilefaded.‘Maybeitwas–asignoftheEmperor’sdispleasurewithusifthereeverwasone.’‘TheEmperorhadnothingtodowiththatcreature,’Karlaensaid.Flaxgesturedmorosely.‘Oh,tobesure.Iknowfullwellwherethefaultlies,captain.’Hegrinned

crookedlyandpattedhissunkenchest.‘Withus,withthedynastyofFlax.Wearedamned,captain,andrightlyso,forthatthing,thatbeast,isourburden.Itisoursinmademanifest.’Theoldmanjerkedforwardstocoughintoaclenchedfist.Karlaen,alarmed,immediatelyranasensorscanoftheoldman.Humanswereastonishinglyfragile,andifFlaxwerebrokenorill,itwouldhampertheextractioneffort.

Flax’scoughingfadedintoawetwheeze,andheshookhishead.‘Oursin,’hesaidagain.‘Mineandmyparents’,captain.AsinIallowedtostayburied,hopingthattheshadowsandyearswouldswallowit.Thatitwouldcrawlintothedepthsanddie.Butnoteverythingdiesinthedark…Somethingstakerootandflourish.’Helookeduptowardsthepipesandgratingthatmadeuptheroof.‘AndnowhereIam,coweringunderground.Fullcircle,’hemuttered.‘Whatareyoutalkingabout?’Karlaensaid.Somethingabouttheoldman’swordshadprickedhis

curiosity.Hewasafraid,buthisfearwasnotofthetyranids,Karlaenthought.Flaxlookedathim.‘Mybrother,’theoldmansaid,simply.‘Mybrother,CaptainKarlaen.Youmethim,briefly.’He

gesturedtotheclawmarkonKarlaen’sarmour.‘Andhemadequitetheimpression.’Flax’seyesclosedandhehunchedforwardsagain,fistspressedtohiseyes.‘MyEmperor-be-damnedthrice-cursedbrother,whosethroneItookforthebenefitofmypeople,muchgoodasithasdonethem.’Hestiffened,andlookedupagain,eyesbulging.‘DoyouhearmeTiberius,youganglingmonstrosity?’hesnarled,shakinghisfistaimlessly.‘Iknowyou’relistening,littlebrother.ItookyourthroneandI’ddoitagain,athousandtimesover,nomattertheconsequences.’Karlaenreachedouttosteadytheoldman.AsFlaxwasovercomebyanothercoughingfit,Karlaen

sharedalookwithAlphaeus,whofrownedandtappedthesideofhishead.KarlaenlookeddownatFlaxagain,thenshookhishead.No,Flaxwasnotinsane.Karlaensuspectedtherewasahorridtruthtotheoldman’sranting;hehadseenitbefore,thoughonlyrarely.Itwasasabominableaheresyasanywhichexisted.Wheezing,Flaxsaid,‘Satys,captain,that’swhereitbegan.Iwasaboyatthetime,learningmylimits

hereinthecentreofourpower,whenmyparentsleftonatrademission.’Flax’sfacecontorted.‘Whentheyfinallyreturned,theyweren’tmyparentsanymore.Everyoneknew,everyonecouldsee…somethinghadchanged.Mymotherwas…pregnant,andthechildwastobethenewheir.’Hespatthewordslikebullets.‘IwassetasideasifIwerenothingmorethanaplaceholder.’Wrinkledhandscurledintotremblingfists.‘Setasideforachildyetunborn.’Farabove,somethingclangedhard–metalstrikingmetal.Karlaenlookedup.Hisbioniceyescanned

theroofoftheundercity,buttherewasnothingtosee.HeglancedatAlphaeus,whonoddedandgesturedtoZachreal,whostoodsomedistanceawaywiththeothers.TheTerminatormadehiswaytowardsthem,gentlyshooingdrunkennoblesfromhispath.Alphaeusmovedtomeethim.KarlaenturnedbacktoFlax,confidentthatAlphaeuswouldknowwhattodo.‘Andwhenitwasborn?’heasked.‘Itwasnothuman,’Flaxhissed.Hiseyeswereglassy,ashismindwanderedbackintomemory.‘He

wasamonsterfromthefirst,amutant,Ithought,buthe–it–wassomethingfarworse.Oh,theydotedonhim,though.Theylovedhimastheyhadoncelovedme.’Hisvoicebecameasavagerasp.‘Afterthefirstassassinationattempt,theyhidTiberiusaway,belowthepalace…Here,infact.Thiswashisworldforsomanyyears,’Flaxsaid,raisinghisskinnyarmstoindicatetheirsurroundings.‘Hisplaymateswereservitors,andhisfewvisitors…Well,theyneverleft.’Flaxdroppedhishandsintohislapandstaredatthem.‘Dissidentsandcriminals,mostly.ThoughI

knowfather,inhisinfinitefoolishness,triedtoarrangeamarriageforhim.Theyfoundthegirl’sbodyfloatinginasumppipesomemonthslater.’Flaxsmirked.‘Thatwasthemomentthenobilityralliedaroundme.Iwasoldenoughthentoknowwhichwaythewindwasblowing,andsincemyparentshadseenfittoabandonme,well…Itwaseasytoreciprocate.’Hissmirkfadedandhetwitchednervously,assomethingranghollowly,faraboveamongthepipes.KarlaensawZachrealandtwoothersmovingoff,awayfromthegroup,weaponsready.Theywouldinvestigateandreportbackanysignoftheenemy.Karlaencouldfeeltheirpresence,thoughthesensorsshowednosignofthem.Therewerethousandsof

kilometresoftunnels,ductsandpipesbetweenwheretheynowstoodandthepalaceabove.Itwas

inconceivabletohimthatthegenestealershadnotfoundaroutedownhereatsomepointandtime,regardlessofFlax’sassumptionthathisdefenceshadkeptthematbay.Helookedbackattheoldman.‘Youbecamegovernor,’heprompted.Itwasnotcuriositynowwhichdrovehislineofquestioning,buttheneedforinformation.Itwason

SatysthatCorbulohaddiscoveredthesecretsoftheFlaxianbloodline,anddevelopedhistheorythattheymightholdthekeytofreeingtheBloodAngelsoftheirtwincurses.AnditwasonSatysthatthismonstrositywhonowdoggedhisstepshadoriginated.Itwaspossiblethatitwasacoincidence.ItwasalsopossiblethatwhateverfactormadetheFlaxiangeneticstructuresovaluabletoCorbulohadalsoplayedapartinthecorruptionofFlax’sparents.AndbeforeheescortedFlaxfromtheashesofhiskingdom,Karlaenintendedtofindoutwhichitwas.‘Yessss,’Flaxsaid,drawingthewordout.‘Anorderlytransitionofpower,backedbythenobility,

whosesonsanddaughtersnowlollinsensateherewithmeinmyfinalhours.ItistheleastIcoulddoforthem,forservicesrendered.’Hecoughedagainandthenlaughed.‘Makenomistake,captain,theydidnothelpmeoutofthegoodnessoftheirshrivelled,ambitioushearts–no,theywerefrightened.CanyouimaginethenightmarethatwouldhavefollowedTiberius’scoronation?Thepeoplewouldhaverisenup,therewouldhavebeenacivilwar,andallthegoodtheFlaxianDynastyhaddonewouldhavebeenunmadeinaneyeblink.’Therewasacertainamountofsensethere,Karlaenknew.Genestealersunderminedsocietiesfrom

within,damagingthesocialandpoliticalstructureaswellascorruptingthebodiesandsoulsofthepopulace.Theywereavirus,unleashedonworldsandsectorsinordertomakethemripeforthecomingofthehivefleet.‘Youkilledyourownparents,’Alphaeussaid,speakingupforthefirsttime.Therewasahintof

revulsioninhisvoice.Flaxnoticedit,andhislipspeeledbackfromhisteethinaferalgrimace.‘Notwillingly,Iassureyou,’herasped.Hiseyesclosedandheleanedback,hishandsflexing

uselessly,asiftheyyearnedtogripsomeone’sthroat.‘Istilllovedthem,eventhen.Youshouldhaveknownthemintheirprime,captain.Myfatherwithhisboomingvoiceandheartylaugh.Mymother,quietandstern–theperfectmatchforhim,thebladetohisbludgeon.Betweenthem,theybroughtthissectortoheelinawaynootherFlaxhadevermanaged.Andintheend,theywerereducedtoruinbytheirloveforafoul,unfeelingbeast.’Hegruntedandshiftedhisweightonhisbed.‘Ihadtokillthem–therewasnootherway.ItwasTiberius.Theywereprotectinghim,protectinghimfromme,theirtrueson.’Hiswordscamefastnow,trippingovereachother.Flaxpoundedhischest.‘Iwastheirson.Me!Iwastheheir,nothim.Notthatsqualling,shrieking

thing.’HeglaredatKarlaen.‘Imagineit,captain.Imaginesharingyourlife,yourparents,yourworld,withaparasite…withathingthatcreepsintoyourchamberatnight,andstrokesyourfaceinaparodyofbrotherlyaffection.Athingthatfollowsyouthroughtheventsofthepalace,alwayswatchingyou,alwayssnufflingatyourheels,asifitwerearealchildandnotsomestar-bornabominationcometostealeverything.Doyouhearme,Tiberius?Areyoulistening,SpawnofCryptus?Itwasmine.Allofit,andourparents–myparents–deserveddeathforwhattheyallowedyoutomakeofthem,’heshrieked.Hesaggedbackintohiscushions.‘AndIdeserveittoo.Forwhatyoumadeofme,brother,’he

muttered.HelookedatKarlaen.‘WhenIhad…Whenitwasdone,Ifoundthathewasgone.EscapedintotheundercityofPhodia.’Theilluminatorsoverheadflickered.Thevoxclickedandcrackled.KarlaenturnedandsawZachreal

andtheothershehadleftwithhurryingbacktowardsthegroup.Somewhere,pipesrattled.Alphaeusdrewhispowersword.‘Wemustgo,captain.Itispasttime,andtherestofhisstorycanwait

forlater.’

AflickerofasmilecrossedFlax’sage-ravagedfeatures.‘Hewillnotletmego,captain.Hehasspentdecadesremindingmeofmycrime,hauntingmycapitalandbreedingmoreofhisfilthykindinthedarkplaces.Hewaseverjustoutofthecornerofmyeye,oneturnbehind,trailingmedownthroughtheyears.Myfathertaughthimhowtohunt,andmymothertaughthimpatience.Andnow,attheendofallthings,hewantstoenjoythekill.’Theslave-servitorsarrangedaroundFlax’sbedsuddenlystiffened.Asone,theirmouthsopenedanda

hollow,mechanicalmonotonesaid,‘Void-gateepsilonopen–void-gategammaopen–westerndefencegridoffline.’Then,withaharshcrackle,thelightswentoutacrosstheundercity.

THIRTEEN

Thestab-lightsontheTerminators’armourimmediatelyhummedtolife,asdidthespotlightsmountedonCassor’shull.Thedarknesswaspiercedbydozensofshaftsoflight,andinthatlight,familiar,bestialshapesracedforward.‘Contact,gridsseven,ten,twelve,fifteen,’Zachrealrumbled.Similarstatementsfollowedasthe

Terminatorsformedthemselvesintoawedge.Stormboltersroared,andthegenestealersretreated,fadingawayintothedarklikeghosts.AlphaeuslookedatKarlaen.‘Timetogo,captain.Gatherourprize.’KarlaenpluckedFlaxfromhisbedwithoutceremony.Theoldmansquawked,butdidnotresist.‘No,don’tyouunderstand,’hebabbled.‘He’scoming.

There’snoescape.’‘Lethimcome,’Karlaensaid.Hefelttheheatofhisragebuildinginhim.HerememberedAphrae

vanishingbeneathatideofchitin,andBartelotopplingforwards,hisflameextinguished.Herememberedothers,morethanhecaredtocount,warriorswhohadfollowedhimintothedark,againsttheenemyhenowfacedhereonAsphodex,andhaddiedbecauseofhim.HehadthoughttocarrythelightoftheChapterintothedarkestrecessesofthegalaxy,andhehadpaidthepriceforhishubris.Comebeast,hethought,withsavagelonging.Comeandpayyourdebt,forAphraeandBarteloandalloftheotherswhosebloodstainsyourclaws.‘Cowards!ThedarkshallnothideyoufromtheEmperor’slight.Comeoutandfight,ordieinthedark.

Makeyourchoice,’Cassorroared,asifechoinghisthoughts.TheDreadnoughthurledhiswordsintothedarklikeartilleryfireandclashedhisclawstogether.‘Come,dogsofChemos.ComeverminofNostramo.FightCassorthemightyorbedamnedforyourtimidity.’RaphenandtherestoftheDeathCompanysharedtheDreadnought’seagerness.Theyfannedout,

weaponsattheready,formingabarrierbetweentheTerminatorsandtheenemythatlurkedinthedark.SoontheairwasfullofthegrowlingofchainswordsandthebarkofboltpistolsastheDeathCompanyfiredatdartingshadows.Theintoxicatednobleswerebeginningtosoberup,Karlaensaw.Hefeltaflashofregretashepressed

forward,shovingsomeofthemasidewithforce.Theycouldnotbeallowedtodetainhimorhisbattle-brothers.Menandwomenscreamedashetrodonthem,orswattedthemfromhispath.Flaxrailedathim,poundingwitheredfistsonhisarmour.Karlaenignoredthescreamsandcursesbothas,holdingFlaxto

hischest,hemovedtowardstheotherTerminators,Alphaeusfollowingclosebehind.‘Brothers,wemustwithdrawtotheentrance,’Karlaensaidashemoved.‘Formationbeta-ten,squadbysquad.Coveringfire,concentrateontheflanks.LetRaphenandtheDeathCompanyhandletherest.Joses,takepoint.WemakeforthePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant.’‘Gladly,captain,’Josesgrowled.Bladeinhand,thedark-hairedBloodAngelmovedtothetipofthe

wedgeandbegantostridetowardstheentrance.Genestealerscameoutofthedark,andfelltoJoses’sbladeorthestormboltersoftheothers.Aboveitall,Karlaennoticedthatthegrindingmetalsoundhehadnotedearliergrowinginvolume.Theairgrewdamp,andhisarmour’ssensorsflashedinwarning.Helookedup,hisbioniceyefocusinginatlastonthesourceofthenoiseandwater.Farabove,thegreatsewersluicegateswhichranfromthecityabovegroundopen,unleashingboth

alieninvadersandatorrentoffilthywaterontothestreetsbelow.WaterfallsofrainslammeddownhardenoughtorupturethestreetandsweepseveralDeathCompanywarriorsfromtheirfeet.Weakredlightfiltereddownfromabove,illuminatingthedarkallaroundthem,astheundercitybegantoslowlyflood.Heavyshapesdescended,droppingdownfromthesluicegatestocrashontothestreet,causingittocrackandshudder.Karlaenfeltatremorofalarmashesawthefamiliar,hulkingshapeofacarnifexrisetoitsfullheightamidsttheunceasingdownpour.Thelensesofhiseyecycledandclicked,bringingthelumberingmonsterintoclearfocus.Itsskullwas

discolouredbyaruinous,newlyhealedwound,butitmovedasquicklyasherecalled.‘Isthat…?’Alphaeusasked.‘Itdoesn’tmatter,’Karlaengrunted.‘We’llkillitagain,ifwehaveto.We’llkillthemasmanytimesas

ittakes.’Aswaterthundereddownaroundthem,theBloodAngelsmadereadytoreceivetheirenemy.

GenestealerssprintedthroughtheranksoftheDeathCompanyastyranidwarriorsandthenewlyarrivedcarnifexcrashedintotheberserkers.Themulti-limbedaliensslewedthroughtherisingwater,boundingtotheattackand,insomecases,onpasttheTerminatorstowardseasierprey.Karlaenheardthescreamsbehindhim.Hehesitated,temptedtoturnback,totryandsavesomeone,anyone.Alphaeuscaughthisshoulder.‘Youcan’t,captain.Wehaveourorders.Flaxbroughtthemdownhereto

die,andthat’swhatthey’redoing.ThelongerthegenestealersareoccupiedchewingonPhodia’suppercrust,thelongerwe’vegottogetFlaxtotheplazaandoffthisdyinghunkofrock.’Hiswordswereharsh,butnotunfeeling.KarlaenknewthatAlphaeusandtheotherswerewrestlingwiththesameurgetogoback,toprotectthosemenandwomentheyhadleftbehind.Buttodosowouldbetocondemntheirmissiontofailure.Theyhadwhattheyhadcomefor,andnowitwastimetoleave.Karlaentrudgedon,ignoringthescreamsofthedyingandthedamned.Aheadofhim,hesawRaphen

spiralthroughtheair,propelledbyhisjumppack,hiscracklingthunderhammerlashingouttocrushandmaimtheenemy.Severalofhismenfollowedsuit,hurtlingovertheirfellowstolandamidstthegenestealersbriefly,killingandthenmovingon.TheBloodAngelspressedon,creatingabloodypaththroughanygenestealerortyranidthattriedto

stopthem.Butthecreaturescameonregardlessofhowmanyfell.KarlaencouldfeeltheitchinhisbrainthatsaidFlax’sabominablesiblingwasnearby,drivingitsservantstotheattack.Betweenthedarknessandthewaterpouringdownfromaboveitwouldbenexttoimpossibletopinpointthebeast,evenifhehadbeentemptedtodoso.Thewoundinhischestachedatthethought.Ithadalreadysealeditself,butthememoryoftheclaw

punchingintohimwashardtoshake.Hehadbeenwoundedbefore,andmanytimes,overthecourseofhisservicetotheChapter,butthisonewasdifferent.Itwasalmostpersonal,asifthebroodlordhadwantedtoleavehimsomethingtorememberitby.Hetouchedthepuncturedspotonhisarmourwiththe

tipofhishammer,andfeltatuggingathismind.ThenFlaxwasscreaminginhisearandhecamebacktohimself,knee-deepinwater,asgenestealers

explodedupwards,clawsreachingforhim.Karlaenswunghishammerwitharoar,bashingoneofhisattackersoffitsfeet,buttheothersslammedintohim,grabbinghislegsandhisarm,tryingtopullhimdown.‘Captain,’Alphaeusshouted,turningtowardshim.Thesergeanthammeredhispowersworddownon

thebackofonebeast’sskull,killingitinstantly.TheothersswarmedoverKarlaen,dragginghimtoonekneethroughsheerweightofnumbers.Flax

screamedastalonssoughthiswitheredflesh.Thinkingquickly,KarlaenheftedtheoldmanandtossedhimtowardsAlphaeus.Thesergeantcaughthimashebeheadedaleapinggenestealerwithasweepofhisblade.‘Keepgoing,’Karlaensnarled,tryingtofighthiswaytohisfeet.Hetoretheservitorheadfromhisbelt

andsentitsailingafterFlax.‘Takethis–go,brother.IwilljoinyouwhenIcan.’Alphaeusdidnotprotest.HecaughttheheadandshoveditintoFlax’stremblinghands.Then,witha

grimaceoffrustration,heturnedandbeganmakingfortheexit.KarlaensawtheclosestTerminatorsformuparoundhimlikeaphalanx,cordoninghimoff.Thentheywerelostfromsightasgenestealersclosedinaroundhim.Karlaenrammedthehaftofhishammerintoone’sgutandflungitoffhim.Hesurgedtohisfeetastheothersclosedin,hisstormbolterrising.Theweaponroared,andalienbodiesburstlikeoverripefruitashesweptthestormbolterinaline.Suddenly,therewasashriek,andabulkyformslidthroughthewater,smashingasidegenestealers.

Karlaensidesteppedthebleeding,reekinghulkasitslowedandcametoastop.Thecarnifexwhineddeepinitsmangledthroatasitsoughttoheaveitselfuprighttocontinuethefray,butitslimbswerenothingbutdeadweightnow,brokenandpulledoutofshape.Aheavyshapestompedtowardsit,andwithagrumblinghiss,Cassor’smeltaguncarvedablackenedtunnelthroughthebeast’sheadforasecondtime.TheDreadnoughtwascoveredinichorandbattlescars.HosesflappedfreeasCassorspunbackand

forth,firinghisweaponsinawidearc.Somethingsparkedinsidehischassis,andKarlaencouldsmellburningpromethiumandscorchedmetal.TheDreadnought’slimbsgroanedandwheezed,buthefoughton.‘Come,comeandmeetdeath,traitors.Comeandfeelthebiteofmyblade.’Cassortwisted,backhandingagenestealerinmid-leapandsendingitflyingintoanearbybuildingwith

enoughforcetopulverisethebeast.MoreleaptandclawedattheDreadnought,scramblingoverhiminawaveoftalonsandteeth.Cassorroaredandslashedatthelivingwave,killinggenestealerswitheveryflickofhistalons.Buttherewerealwaysmore,andsoontheDreadnoughtwaslosttosight,envelopedinatideofchitin.Karlaenswepthishammeroutinawidearc,sendingtheclosestoftheDreadnought’sattackersflying.

Hefiredhisstormbolteratthosethatgotpasthim,andalmostpaidthepriceforhisinattentiveness.Onlythescreechofhisarmour’ssensorsandhisowncombat-honedinstinctswarnedhimintimetoavoidhavinghisskullsplitlikeamelon.Atyranidwarriorsprangoutofthestreamingwater,itsboneswordsslicingathim.Heavoidedthefirstblow,butthesecondcaughthimhighontheshoulder.Theforceofitstaggeredhim,andhenearlyfell.Thetyranidseizedtheopportunityandcameathim,allfourbladeshammeringdowninacruelrhythm.Hestumbledback,caughtoffbalanceandunabletoretaliate.Thetyranidcontinueditsattack,driving

himsteadilyback.Genestealersscuttledoutofreach,likewolveswaitingfortheirpreytotireitselfout.Thetyranidshriekedandblockedhisawkwardattempttopushitaway.Karlaencursedhimselfforafoolandtriedtoregainhisfooting.Agenestealerdartedin,andhefeltaslashofpaincrawlupthebackofhisleg.Momentarilyweakened,hesankdowntooneknee.Thetyranidkickedoutwithonebonyhoofand

caughthimintheside,knockinghimontohisbackintherisingwater.Karlaenflounderedforamomentwhichseemedtostretchforaneternity.Betterwarriorsthanhimhad

diedinworseways,andmorefoolish,butthatwassmallcomfort.Ifhedied,thefailureofhismissionwasalmostcertain.Ragebuiltinhim,andhisthoughtsweredrownedinapersistenthumofred.Thetyranidstabbeddownathim,fourbladesangledtopiercetwohearts.Ithadseemedsofastbefore,butnow,inthered,itwasslow.Hecouldseethedropletsofwatercrawlingalongthelengthoftheblades,andhearthesoundtheymadeastheypiercedtheairintheirdescent.TheHammerofBaalrosefromthewaterandwhippedout.Fourbonebladesshattered.Thetyranid

warrior,over-extended,leanedforward.Karlaen’shandshotup,catchingitslowermandible.Servoshissedandhewrenchedthecreature’sjawfromitsskull.Itrearedbackinpainandsurprise,andheshovedhimselftohisfeet,claspinghishammerinbothhandsashebroughtitaroundforanotherblow.Therewasnothoughtoftacticsorstrategynow,onlyaboilingneedtoseetheichorofhisfoespillintothemurkywatersthatrosearoundthem.Karlaenbatteredthecreature,knockingitonewayandthenthenext,untilfinallyitsanktoitsknees,its

carapacecoveredinscorchedcratersandspider-webbedcracks.Heraisedhishammerandbroughtitdownwithasnarl,cavinginthetyranid’sskull.Asitfell,heturned,ragenotyetsated,tolookfornewenemies.Thegenestealerswhichhadbeenharryinghimwereonlytoohappytooblige.Theycameinarush,

dartinginathimfromallsides,movingtoofastforhimtofollow,distractedashewas.Clawspuncturedhisarmourinplaces,openingfreshwounds,andheroared.Ashefought,hestruggledtoswimfreeofthecrimsonmurkwhichhadsettledoverhismind.HewasnotyetlosttotheRedThirst,andheforcedhimselftoconcentrateonthepain,usingittocentrehimselfoncemore.Tolosehimselfnowwouldbetoloseeverything.Asifsensinghisnewfocus,thegenestealersredoubledtheirattack,pilingontohimwithoutheedto

casualties.Foreveryoneheswattedfromhim,twomoreclawedathim,tryingtopullhimdownoffhisfeetagain,wherehewouldbeeasyprey.Throughthehazeofbattleandthesprayofmurkywater,hesawthatAlphaeushadreachedthegateat

last,DamarisandLeonostoeithersideofhim.Thebarrelsofthetwins’stormboltersglowedwhite-hotastheyheldbackthetide.TherestoftheTerminatorswereequallybeset,fightingfortheirlivesagainsttyranidsandgenestealersalike.Nonetheless,Alphaeushadreachedthegate.Relieffloodedthroughhim,onlytobestoleninamoment.AsAlphaeusliftedtheservitorheadtoopentheblastdoors,ashapedarteddownthegreatstonewall

whichhousedtheexit.Karlaenvoxedawarningandraisedhisstormbolter.Hefired,histargetingarrayfightingtokeepalockontheshape.Bolterroundschewedthewallaroundthebeastasitmoved.AbandoflightcaughtitandKarlaenfeltachillasherecognisedthebroodlord.Ithadbeenwaitingforthem.Ithadalloweditskintoharrythem,drivethemtodistraction,sothatitmightclaimitsprize.Ashewatched,thebroodlorddroppeddownamongtheTerminators,itsclawsflashingouttovivisect

oneunluckywarrior.Ancientarmour,arelicofagoldenage,torelikepaperbeneathitsclaws,andbloodfilledtheair.TheTerminatorfell,andthebroodlordvaultedoverthetumblingbodytoreachAlphaeus.Karlaenchargedforwards,bowlingoverahissinggenestealer,knowingthatashedidsohewouldnot

beintime.Josesmovedtointerceptthecreature,hisbladeflashingout,carvingsparksfromthewallasthebroodlordweavedbeneaththeblow.FourtalonsshotforwardsandpunchedthroughtheTerminator’schestplate.Josescoughedbloodandsaggedagainsthiskiller.ThebroodlordheavedthedyingBloodAngelbackwards,slamminghisdeadweightintoAlphaeus.Thesergeantstaggered,andthebroodlordwasonhimamomentlater.Thecreaturepluckeda

screamingFlaxfromAlphaeus’sgripandboundedintothedarknessontheothersideoftheblastdoorsastheycycledopenatlast.Evenasthebroodlordvanished,itschildrentookitsplace,boilingthroughtheopenblastdoorsandwashingovertheTerminators.Stormboltersfiredandpowerweaponshummed,buttheBloodAngelswerepinnedinplacebytheirattackers,unabletofollowthebroodlord.Karlaen,stillchargingtowardstheexit,paidnoheedtothecreatureswhichpursuedhim,andhewas

knockedtothegroundbythemjustbeforehereachedtheothers.Thegenestealersswarmedoverhim,pinninghisarmsandtearingathisarmour.Hethrashed,tryingtohurlthemoff,butthereweretoomany.Oneraisedaclawoverhishead,readytoendhim.TheRedThirstpoundedinhisskull,andhisthoughtsjangledincoherentlyashefacedhisdeath.‘No,brother.Thydoomisnotwritthisday.NosonofBaalshallperishsoingloriously,notaslongas

Cassorstands.’Cassorloomedoverhim,scatteringgenestealerswithagesture.TheDreadnought’sclawssnappedout

andsankintoagenestealer’sbody.ThecreaturescreechedinagonyasCassorpluckeditfromKarlaen’schestandlifteditintotheair.‘Heedmywords,yetraitors.ThycauseisdustandCassorshallcastdownthychampions.’TheDreadnoughtspun,hurlingthegenestealerataknotofitsfellowsandbowlingthemover.Thestorm

boltermountedbeneathCassor’sclawroared,andthestunnedxenoswerereducedtobloodytatters.CassorturnedbacktoKarlaen.‘Up,brother.Cassorshallholdtheenemy.Finishthymission.Cassorshallseetotheslaughterhere.’Karlaenpushedhimselftohisfeet,hisragefading.Hepickeduphishammerand,withonelastglance

attheDreadnought,chargedtowardsthegate.Hehadclearedhimselfapathinmoments,ashisbrothersformedacordonaroundhim,holdingbacksnarling,hissingwould-beobstacles.Theblastdoorshadbeguntocycleclosedashereachedthem,butheplungedthroughthesteadilyshrinkinggapwithouthesitation.Astheblastdoorsclangedshutbehindhim,Karlaenfollowedhisenemyintothedark.

FOURTEEN

Karlaenmarchedalonethroughthelabyrinthinetunnelsunderthepalace.Theshadowyfoundationsroseuparoundhimlikeasecondcity.Itwasadamp,darkreflectionoftheoneabove,andafittingplaceforabeastsuchastheSpawnofCryptus.Hecouldhearwaterrushingallabouthim,throughpipesandculverts,throughthesewersofPhodia.Evennow,thisclosetotheend,thecity’sservitorskeptthewaterrunning,astheyhadbeenprogrammedtodo.Theywoulddotheirdutyuntiltheend.Karlaensmiledgrimly.Insomeways,therewasnodifferencebetweenhimselfandthosemindlessdrones.Theyweremerelydifferentlyshapedcogsinthesamegreatmachine,programmedtofulfilanecessary

function–theirs,toseetothesanitationnetworkofPhodia,andhis,tokilltheenemiesofmankind.Itwasacoretruth,andoneithadtakenhimdecadestoaccept–decadesofarroganceandhubris,offierywarandbloodyslaughter.Oncehehadthoughthimselfspecial.Aprinceofwar,bestowedwithdivinegiftstobringthegalaxytoheelonbehalfofhisChapterandtheEmperor.Butagehadwornthatpurposetoalethal,killingedge.Now,heknewthathewasbutonewarrioramongbillions,allofthemstrivingagainstthesamehungrydarkness.Asthatdarknessclosedaroundhim,onethoughtfilledKarlaen’smind,onerepeatedhammerblowof

memorywhichhecouldneitherescapenorburyanylongerbeneaththoughtsofdutyandnecessity.Hecouldhearthemashemoved,likeaghostsignalonanopenvox-link–thevoicesofhisdeadbrothers,murmuringsoftlytohiminthedark.Hehadfailedthemagain.Alphaeusandtheotherswouldpaythepriceforhisfailuretoconsiderallof

theanglesandtoprepareforallpossibilities.Oncebefore,hehadledhisbrothersintothedark,andtheyhaddiedbecausehispragmatismandpracticalityhadfailedthem.Nowitwashappeningalloveragain.Thememoryofthatlast,doomedstandroseupinhimagain,throughthered.Theyhadgonetomeettheenemy,andtheyhadtriumphed,butatgreatcost.Ithadbeenanecessary

thing,athingwhichhadtobedone,butthedoingofithadtarnishedhim.Inhisquietmomentsofcontemplation,whichwerethankfullyfewandfarbetween,heknewthathewasnotworthyofthetitleDantehadbestowedonhim–forwhatsortofshieldcouldnotprotectthosewhostoodbehindit?Karlaensawfacesswirlabouthiminthedark,andheardvoicesinthedripofwater,orthescrapeof

chitinonstone.Heheardthethunderofgunsandthecriesofthedyinginhisears,asloudlyashehadthatday.Evennow,thedeaddidnotcursehim.Evennow,theirunderstandingwasmorepainfulthananywoundhehadyetsustained.Theyhadtrustedhimtoleadthemoutofthedark,andhehadallowedtheir

lighttobesnuffedout.HewonderedwhetherAlphaeusstilllived.Joseswasdead,likeBarteloandtheothers.Thattheyhad

dieddoingtheirdutywassmallcomforttohimnow,inthismoment.Here,inthedark,hewasalonewiththeweightoftheirlivespressinghimdown.HetriedtorecallsomesnippetofwisdomfromleaderspastoftheChapter,fromRaldoron,Thorosandothersthatmightalleviatethatweight,butthewordsthatcameseemedhollowandunfitting.Karlaenhaddoneashethoughtbest,forthegoodoftheChapter,andmenhaddied.LikeFlax,he

thought.Grimamusementflashedthroughhim.NowbothheandFlaxwerepayingthepriceforbloodynecessitiespast.Menhaddiedunderhisaegis,andnowhewouldmakecertainthattheirdeathswerenotinvain.Hekeyedoffhisstab-lights.Asthedarkrushedin,heactivatedtheaugur-lensofhisbioniceye.The

lightswouldbeoflittleuse,savetomarkhispositionfortheenemyevennowcreepingabouthim.Hewasapproachingthenextinthelineofblastdoors,hisarmour’ssensorslockedonFlax’sbio-signature.Whereverthebroodlordtookhiscaptive,Karlaenwouldfollow,evenifitmeantdescendingintothebowelsofAsphodex.Somehow,hedidnotthinkthatwouldbethecase–no,thebeastwantedareckoning.Bothwithitsbrother,andwithKarlaenhimself.Hebrushedhishandagainsttheholeinhisarmour.Heknewitwasnoidletheoryonhispart.The

broodlordhadasgoodaschallengedhim,andKarlaenthoughtheunderstoodwhy.Thecreaturewantedwhatitcouldneverhave,yetitwasdeterminedtobestanywhochallengeditsrighttothethroneofthisdyingworld.WhyelsehadthefullmightoftheHiveMindnotyetdescendedonthepalace?WhyelsewouldthecreatureendangeritselftogetatFlax?Ithadamission,justasKarlaendid.Throughthehazeoftheaugur-lens,hesawghostlyshapesdancingandsquirmingattheedgeofhis

vision.Noguilt-bredfigmentsthese,butenemies.Hepaused,scanninghissurroundings.Theshapesseemedtoflowacrossthefoundations,stayingjustoutofsight.Hecheckedhisstormbolter.Lessthanhalfaclipofammunitionremained,andhehadnomorereplacements.Hefrownedandloweredtheweapon.Heheftedhishammerandswungitexperimentally.Ithadseenhimthroughthusfar.Hehopeditwouldnotfailhimnow.Hestartedforwardsagain,watersplashingacrosshisarmourashewalked.Thewholesub-section

wouldsoonbeflooded.Whenhereachedtheblastdoors,herealisedthattheywerenotgoingtoopen.Gene-lockedastheyhadbeen,heneededasampleofFlaxianDNAorasuitablesubstitute,liketheservitor’shead,toopenthem.Hecursed.Hehadnotthoughttograbthehead,norhadtheforesighttotakeabloodsamplefromFlax.Karlaenclosedhiseyeandpushedthroughthetideofself-recrimination.Hiseyeopened,andfixedonthedoor’scontrolpanel.Hisbioniceyewhirred,focusingin.Theblast

doorshadbeenoldwhenPhodiawasyoung.Theyweresimplethings.Thegeneticsignatureactivatedtheelectro-pneumaticimpulseswhichcontrolledthedoor’sfunctions.Hesteppedback,andreadiedhishammer.Ifhecouldidentifyaweakpoint,hemightbeabletoopenahole.Itwasnotmuchofaplan,butitwasallhehad.Beforehecouldsomuchasswinghisweapon,however,heheardahissfromhisleft.Heturned,and

sawtheshapeswhichhadkeptpacewithhimdownthecorridorspringintomotion.Thereweretwoofthem,hesawnow,movingtoeithersideofhim.Karlaensmiledasathoughtoccurredtohim.Thecreatureswerethebroodlord’schildren,createdbyit;anarmyraisedinsecret.Therewasareasonthatthebroodlordcouldpassthroughtheblastdoorswithouthelp–itwasasmuchapartoftheFlaxianDynastyasthegovernorhimself,thoughitwasamonstrous,degeneratepart.Andthatmeantthatitschildrenwereaswell.Thegenestealersreachedhimamomentlater,coursingdownthelengthofthewallwithinhumanspeed.

Hesethisstormbolterontoitsgrav-clampholsteronhiship,andstretchedthefingersofhisfreehand.Hewouldneedtobequick.Hesenthishammershootingout,lettingthehaftslidethroughhisgripwithaprecisionhonedin

hundredsofclose-set,crampedcorridors.Theheadsmashedintotheskullofthefirstofthegenestealers,droppingthestunnedcreaturetotheground.Thesecondlungedforhim,andheflunguphisfreehand,catchingitbythethroat.Itstruggledinhisgrip,itsclawsdrawingsparksfromhisarmour.Heswungitaroundandslammeditheadfirstintothedoor’sgene-lock.Thelockflashedasitreadthestrugglingalien’sgeneticcode,andthedoorbegantocycleopen.Karlaengruntedinsatisfaction.Behindhim,heheardthefirstcreaturescrambletoitsfeet.Hespun,smashingitsfellowintoit,knockingitdownagain.Beforeitcouldriseforasecondtime,he

broughthishammerdownonitschest,pulverisingitinawetcrackleofenergy.Karlaenlookedatthegenestealerhestillheld.Thecreature’sthrashingbecamemoreagitatedashisservo-assistedgriponitsthroatslowlytightened.Then,withawetcrunch,itwentlimp.Carefully,hetwisteditsheadoff.Hewouldneedakey,incaseoffurtherblastdoors.Asthedooropened,heheardthetelltaleclatterofchitinechoingfromtheotherside.Heglancedatthe

bloodyheadinhishandanddroppedit.Itappearedasifhewouldnotneeditafterall.Therewouldbeplentymorewhereitcamefrom.Hammerinhand,theShieldofBaalsteppedthrough,intothedark.

AugustusFlaxlookedaround,bleary-eyed,andthengaveabitterlaugh.‘Oh,Tiberius–really?Isthisthesortofthingthatwhateverpassesforyourmindthinksismeaningful?’HelayproneonthesurfaceoftheintersectionofthefourgreatbridgeswhichmetabovethemainarteryofthePhodiansewers,justbeneaththepalacegardens.Belowhim,waterroaredintothedark,convergingonthegreatdrainfromdozensofsluicegates.Abovehimloomedthetoweringfoundationsofthepalacehehadclaimedinbloodanddeceit.ThatwasthelegacyoftheFlaxianDynasty,wasitnot?Healmostsmiledatthethought.Hehadwonhis

thronewithplentyofboth,tobesure.Hehadturnedhispeopleovertocriminaloverlordsandbrutalmanufactorumbosses,andenrichedhimselfattheirexpense–allinanefforttostymieahiddenfoe.Ithadbeennecessary.Orsohehadconvincedhimself.Muchgoodasithaddonehim,intheend.Thecreaturehaddraggedhimthroughthedark,ignoringhisscreams,onlytodeposithimhere.Nowit

sat,seeminglycontentmerelyto–what?Flaxlookedupathisbrother,whereitcrouchedononeoftheshatteredstatueswhichlinedthefourbridges.Verybigonstatues,theFlaxianDynasty.Evennow,Flaxwasunabletonamewhohalfofthemrepresented.Statuesinasewer.Excess,thynameisFlax,hethoughtbitterly.Eventhecreaturecouldnotescapethatparticularfamilialflaw.‘Acrossroads,Tiberius.Aturningpoint,meanttobesymbolicofoursituation,perhaps?Ithoughtyouateyourliterarytheorytutor,’hespat,glaringupatthecreature.Itwasamonstrousthing,allalienmuscleandseethingmalice.Hecouldfeelitsthoughtsinhis,like

wrigglingwormsofdoubtanddread,atoncefamiliarandrepugnant.Howmanytimeshadhefeltthosesamesharpthoughtsclawingathismindasaboy?Flaxpushedhimselfupright,hisarmsandlegstremblingwiththeeffort.Itwatchedhismovementswithevidentcuriosity.Hewonderedifitweresavouringhisbroken-downstate,orif,perhaps,itweredisappointedinhim.Diditdreamofhim,ofthismoment?‘We’renotchildrenanymore,though,areweTiberius?’hecroaked.‘Iamadecrepitsackofflesh,and

youhavesloughedoffwhateverfrailshellofhumanityyoumighthavepossessedtobecomethemonsterwealwaysknewyoutobe.’

Thebroodlordleaneddownoverthestatue,twistingitsheadsothatitcouldmeethisgaze.Ithissedsoftly.Flaxbentdouble,hisbodywrackedbyacoughingfit.Thebroodlorddrewback,nostrilsflaring.Flaxlookedupandsmiledabloodysmile.‘Havenofear,brother.Iamnotsick.Merelyoldandfeeble,

andbrokenonthealtaroftime.’Heforcedhimselftostraightenandspreadhisarms.‘Well?Whathaveyoutosaytome,hmm?Themomentishere,Tiberius.ThemomentIknewwascomingtheinstantIputdownthebeastsyou’dmadeofmyparents…’Thebroodlordsnarled.Thesoundechoedacrossthewidthofthechasmbelow,risingabovethe

thunderoffallingwater,andFlaxcouldnothelpbutquailback.Thesoundhadneverfailedtostrikefearinhim.Butasurgeofangerstiffenedhisspine.‘Yes,snarlatme,Ideserveit,’hesnapped.‘Itooktheonlycreatureswhoevershowedyouloveandkilledthem.Butwhilemyfingermighthavebeentheonewhichpulledthetrigger,youwereasguiltyasI.Youruinedthem–youalmostdestroyedeverythingthatwehad.’Heshookhishead.‘Isayalmost,asiftheworsthasn’tcometopass.’Helookedatthebroodlord.‘Areyousatisfied,brother?Howlongdoyouthinkyournewmasterswillletyouruletheashheapyou’vemadeofourkingdom,hmm?Howlongbeforeyou’rerendereddownthewaymypeoplehavebeen?’ThebroodlordleaptgracefullyfromthestatueandlandedinacrouchatFlax’sfeet.Theoldman

stumbledback,trippingonthehemofhisrobes.Hefellback,scrapinghiselbowsandbackonthehardstone.Thebroodlordscuttledtowardshim,eyesglinting.‘That’sright,Tiberius–getitoverwith,’Flaxhissed.Fearracedthroughhim,paralysingeverythingbut

hismouth.Hehurledwordsatthecreatureforlackofanyotherdefence.‘Openmeupandfeastonmyheart.Itwon’tsatisfyyou,youknow.Itwon’tbringthemback.’Thebroodlordfroze.Itstaredathim,unblinking.Flaxsmiledweakly.Hehadnotexpectedthebeastto

reactsoobviously.Maybeitwasmorehumanthanhehadsuspected.‘Oh.Ohmy,howridiculousyouare,beast.Tothink,Ihavebeenfrightenedofyouallthistime.’Hissmilefaded.‘Doyouevenknowwhyyou’redoingthis?Isitjustsomeprimitiveimpulse,oristhereactuallyamindinthere?Whatareyou,Tiberius?Manormonster?’Thebroodlordshrieked.Flaxstaredintoitsmaw,fullofjaggedfangsandlashingtongue,andsawhis

answer.Thecreaturelunged,grabbinghisshouldersandslamminghimbackwards.Hefelthisheadcrackagainstthestoneandnauseaflowedthroughhim.PartofhimprayedthattheBloodAngelswouldfindhimintime,butitwasavainhopeatbest.Whentheyhadfirstarrivedintheirbattle-scorchedcrimsonarmour,hehadexperiencedamomentof

hope.Butthattoo,heknew,waspartofthecreature’sdementedgame.Ithadallowedhimtosurvive,toescape,justasithadallowedhimamomentofhope,sothatitcouldsnatchitallaway.Evenashehadsnatchedawayitslife,solongago.Flaxdidnotstruggle.Therewasnoreasontodoso.Hewantedittoend,wantedthebeasttofinish

whatithadbegun.Decadesofslowtorment,dwindlingtotheselastbaremoments.‘Goahead,brother…killme,thewayyoukilledourworld.Killme,andbedamned.’Ashespoke,hefumbledinhisrobesforthehardshapeoftheknifehehadsecretedonhisperson.Hehadintendedtocuthisownthroat,whenthetimecame.Oh,howhe’dgleefullyimaginedthefrustratedlookonthebeast’sfaceasheclaimedhisownlife.Butthatplanwasashesnow.Besides,hewasaFlax,andsuchadeathwasnotforhim.No,betterto

burythebladeinthecreature’ssideandseewhatsortofdeathitboughthim.Letitknowonemoremomentofpainathishands,beforeitfinishedthissaddrama.Thebroodlordstaredathim,asiftryingtounderstandhislackoffear.Asithunchedoverhim,hedrewtheknifeandrammedithome.Thebroodlordrearedbackand

screamed.Hedidn’tthinkthewoundwasmortal,orevendebilitating,butthatwasn’tthepoint.Thecreaturetoretheknifefromitssideandglareddownathim,talonspoisedtostrike,everyabhorrentmusclequiveringwithrepressedneed.Flaxsmiled.‘Theymighthavelovedyouattheend,brother,buttheylovedmefirstandbest.’Withahowl,thebroodlordstruck.

FIFTEEN

Karlaenstompeddownonthelastsquealingbio-beast,squashingit.Theripperswarmhadattackedmomentsago,drawnoutofboreholesintheruinedfoundationsbythescentofhim.Hehaddissuadedthemwithproperapplicationofbootandhammer,buttheyhadlefthimmuchtorememberthemby.Hecouldfeelbloodleakingintothecrevicesofhissuit,andapalloffatiguemuffledhissenses.Thecreatureshadswarmedoverhim,bitingandburrowing,anditwasonlythankstothearmourheworethathehadsurvived.Theripperswerenottheonlythreathehadfaced.Genestealershadattackedhimmorethanonceashe

huntedhisquarrythroughthetomb-likefoundationsofthepalace.Theycameathimintwosandthrees,droppingdownfromthedarknessabove,orlungingoutofcranniesandsidetunnels.Eachtime,hisbioniceyehadtrackedtheirapproach,andeachtime,hehadputthemdown.Buttheattackswereconstant,andeventhesuperhumanphysiologyofaSpaceMarinecouldbeworndownundersuchconditions.Thebio-sensorsinhisarmourmewledwarningsaboutincreasingfatigue-poisonsandtornmuscles.Hisbreathraspedhotandharshinhislungs.Bloodandsweatstunghiseyes.Butstillhepressedon,movingthroughslantedshadows,followingFlax’sgeneticsignaturethroughthedepthsofPhodia.Thevoxcrackledintermittently,assuringhimthatatleastsomeoftheothersstilllived.Bereftofany

otherorders,theywouldmakeforthesurfaceandtherallying-pointasquicklyaspossible.Karlaencouldnotsaywhatwouldbewaitingforthemwhentheygotthere.Thesignsoftheplanet’sconsumptionhadspreadeventothesedepths.Sewerchannelsthathadoncecarriedfilthyrainwaterfromthestreetsfarabovewerenowchokedwith

strange,barbedvegetationandthestillwaterswereoccupiedbyhideous,half-seencreatures.Thefoundationsofthecitywerebeingstrangledbynew,poisonousgrowthswhichgapedandwhinedlikehungryanimalsashetorethemfromhispathorcrushedthemunderfoot.Karlaenhadencounteredtheseoftenenoughtorecognisetheflesh-tubesofthehivefleetwhenhesawthem.Theywerediggingdeep,tofeedonthelife-bloodofAsphodexanddraineventhesoilofnutrients.Thetyranidswereefficient,intheirway,monstrousasitwas.Theybrokeworldsdown,squeezing

everygrainofsustenancefromthem,onemoleculeatatime.Theywastednothing.Eventheairitselfwasstrippedoflife.ThatwastobeAsphodex’sfate–thefateofeveryworldintheCryptusSystem:tobesqueezedanddrainedandleftbarren.Andoncetheywerefinishedhere,HiveFleetLeviathanwouldmoveontothenextcourseinitsgalaxy-spanningmeal–Baal.

Thethoughtstirredtheembersofhisragetolifeoncemore.Hefoughtdowntheinstincttochargeforwardsintowhateverwaitedahead.Heextendedahandandleanedagainstawallcoveredinswelling,breathinggrowthsofalienmatter,tryingtobringhisred-tingedthoughtsbackundercontrol.Angerswelledinhim,andhetriedtochannelitintohisdesiretofindFlax.Hismindwasfilledwithimagesofhisenemy,andhecouldhearitsscreamsashepulleditapart,limbbylimb.Histeethscissoredintohisbottomlip,releasingaspurtofbloodintohismouth,andheswallowedwithoutthinking.Theshockofitstartledhimbacktoawareness.Hisdisciplinewaserodingtheharderhepushedhimself,buthecouldnotaffordtostop.Thiswasthe

razor’sedgewhicheverySonofSanguiniuswalked.Topushthemselvestothelimitofdisciplineandhypno-conditioningwithouttippingoverintothemadnessthatcreptabouttheedgesoftheirpsyche.Toutilisetherageandthestrengththatcamewithit,withoutbeingswallowedbyit.Butthatwaseasiersaidthandone,andthefirecouldonlybestokedforsolongbeforeitragedoutofcontrol.Karlaenshovedhimselfawayfromthewallandstumbled.Hefeltthewallsofhisdisciplinecrumbling,

brickbybrick.Theworldlurchedaroundhimandhefelthisguttwistinlossandpainthelikesofwhichnomortalcouldbear,andheheardthesoundofgreatwingsflappingbrokenly,andfelttherushofheatandpainandsawthefaceofgodtwistedintosomethingbeyondredemptionandhescreamedassomethingsnaggedhisarmandsankcruelbarbsthroughthearmourplates.Karlaenjerkedhisarmback,uprootingthestranglingcreepersfromthestoneofthewall.Theyhad

slitheredabouthimsonoiselessly,soquickly,thathehadbeentakenunawares.Painfloodedhisnervoussystem,drivingbackthemadness.Hewhisperedaquietprayerofthanksashetorethewholemassofalienvegetationfromthewallandextricatedhisarmfromitstendrils.Heflexedhishand,and,satisfiedthathecouldstilluseit,heturnedandpressedon,tryingtoignoretheghostlyfeathersthatflutteredattheedgesofhisvision.Thecorridorendedinasquareofdulllight.Ashesteppedthrough,theomnipresentroarofwater,

muteduntilnow,suddenlyfloweredintoitsfullglory.Hestoppedjustpasttheapertureandtookinthescenebeforehim–thefourintersectingbridges,thegreatsluicegatessethighabovethebridges,waterpouringdownfromthemintothechasmbelow.Andatthecentreofthebridges,theSpawnofCryptuscrouchedoveralimpform.Flaxwasnotdead.Karlaen’ssensorstoldhimthatmuch.Buthewasfading.Thegovernorwastooold

andtoofeebletohandlethesortofstressorshehadbeenexposedto.Karlaencouldheartheerratichammeringoftheoldman’sheart.Hetookastepforward,andthebroodlordlookedup.Thealienmethisgazewithoutreaction.ItreacheddownandgentlystrokedFlax’shair.Thegesturewasalmostaffectionate.WarningsflashedandKarlaenscannedthearea.Therewereothershapeslurkingintheruined

foundationsthatsurroundedthebridges,orhangingfromthesupportstrutsandrailingsofthebridges.Hewonderedhowmanyofthecreaturesremained.HowmanychildrendidtheSpawnofCryptushavelefttothrowathim?Karlaentookanotherstepforwards.Heconsideredtryingforashotwithhisstormbolter,buttherewasachancehemighthitFlax.Eventargetingarrayshadtheirlimits,andbetweenhisfatigue,thedamphazethatobscuredtheairandthebroodlord’smind-tricks,hedidnotwanttoriskit.Helefttheweaponwhereitwas,andraisedhishammer.Ashegrippedit,thebroodlordleanedforwards,asifscentingtheair.Karlaenstartedforwards.Thebroodlordscreamed.Karlaenstaggeredashismindsuddenlyrippled

withpain.Hestumbledandloweredhishammer,usingitshafttokeephimselfuprightasthebroodlordassailedhimpsychically.Wavesofpainrolledoverhim.Shardsofmemory,weaponisedandhonedtolethalitybyanalienpsyche,toreathisdefencesastheyhadbefore.Butthistime,Karlaenwasready.He

stokedtheflamesofhisragetoanewintensity,welcomingtheflushofclarityitbrought.Thebroodlordwasathingofnurturedhateandbestialrage,butthatwasasnothingcomparedtothefuryofonewholivedwiththedyingscreamofademigodlodgedinhismind.Alienwhisperswereshreddedlikesmokebythebeatingofgreat,unseenwings.TheShieldofBaallockedeyeswiththeSpawnofCryptusandpushedhimselftohisfeet.The

broodlord’sexpressionofanimalserenitywavered.Itseyeswidenedinshock,thennarrowedinconsternationasitfounditsgreatestweaponundoneanduseless.Inthespanofhalfadozenheartbeats,thecontestwasdecided.Thecreatureblinked,breakingcontact.Itrearedtoitsfullheightandletlooseashrillcryofcommand.Astheechoesofthatcryrodeacrossthethunderofthewaterandbouncedfromstatuetofoundation

stone,thegenestealerslaunchedthemselvesintomotion.Thecreaturesracedforwardfromalldirections.Karlaenmetthemwithfocusedviolence.Thepowerfieldofhishammercrackledandsparkedasheswungitinwide,precisearcs,drivingthecreaturesback,orkillingtheminmid-lunge.Hereintheopen,hecouldemploytheweapontoitsfullest,andtheHammerofBaalhummedinhishands.Throughitall,hecontinuedhisadvancetowardsthebroodlord,neitherslowingnorstopping.Hehad

cometoofarandenduredtoomuchtoallowhimselftobestymiedhereandnow.Thelasttwogenestealersbetweenhimandhisquarryscrambledalongtheedgeofthebridge,racingtowardshim.Karlaenswattedthefirstoutoftheairwithhishammer,drivingitintothesurfaceofthebridgewitha

resoundingcrack.Thecreaturebarelyhadtimetosquallbeforeitscarapacesplitandburst,anditwasreducedtoawetstain.Asthesecondgenestealersprangtowardshim,Karlaenturned,firinghisstormbolter.Thebeastwaspluckedfromtheairbytheexplosiveboltsandreducedtoadarkmist.Hepivoted,readytofireattheothersthatwereclosinginonhimfrombehind,butthestormbolter

clickedempty.Karlaencursedandslammeditbackontoitsgrav-clamp.Hetookatwo-handedgriponhishammerandmetthefirstofthecreatureswithablowthatsentitsbodyrollingbonelesslyacrossthebridge.Thesecondjoinedit,andthethird.Then,justassuddenlyastheattackhadstarted,itwasdone.KarlaenturnedbacktoseethebroodlordsteppastthepronebodyofFlax,itsfeaturestwistedinwhat

mighthavebeenasneerofcontempt.Then,witharoar,itwasuponhim.Theyduelledforamoment,hammeragainstclaw.Asbefore,Karlaenwasslower,buthewaspreparedforthebeast’sagilitynow,andhefoughtconservatively,blockingandparryingitsblowsratherthansimplyabsorbingthem.Heknewhisenemynow,anditknewhim.Thebroodlordduckedandweaved,avoidingblowsthatwouldhaveendedtheirconflictforgood.It

gavehimnoroomtomanoeuvre,circlingandattackingfromalldirectionsasswiftlyaspossible.Karlaenhadnoopportunitytodeliverthekillingblowheneeded.Finally,thebeastleaptonhim,andfourarmsstrainedagainsttwoastheygrappled.Whateverstrengthhisragehadgivenhimwasflaggingnow.Thecreaturewasfarstrongerthanhim,

builtforthissortofbattle.Hewaspressedback,andsoon,theflatofonekneetouchedthesurfaceofthebridge.Hishammerwasinterposedhorizontallybetweenthem,thehaftcaughtbetweenthecreature’sjaws.Centimetresawayfromhisown,thebroodlord’sflat,redeyesshowednothingofwhatlurkedinitsalienbrain.Karlaentookachance;hedroppedhishandtohisstormbolterandsnatcheditup.Emptyasitwas,it

stillhadheftandweight.Hesmasheditacrossthesideofthebeast’sskull,packingeverybitofforcehecouldmusterintotheblow.Stunned,thebroodlordreleasedhimandjerkedaway.Heshoveditback,awayfromhim.Itscrambledtoitsfeetasheswunghishammerup.Butratherthanstrikingthebeast,heaimedhisblowatthestretchofbridgebeneathitsclaws.Metaland

stonecameapartwithascreamoftorturedsteelasthehammerstruckhome.Awholesectionofthebridge

gaveway,carryingthebeastwithit.Thebroodlordtumbledintothedarknessbelow,itslimbsgraspinginvainforanythingthatmightarrestitsfall.Itsglareneverwaveredasitvanishedintothedark,swirlingwatersbelow.Karlaenstareddownafterit,breathingheavily,hisheartshammeringinhischest.Heshookhimselfand

madehiswayaroundtheedgeoftheholehehadcreatedtoretrieveFlax.Theyhadarendezvoustomake.

SIXTEENPlazaoftheEmperorUnchained,FlaxianPalace,Phodia

Karlaenrearedbackandkickedthesluicegateoutofitsframe.Thesteelgrateflewintothespacebeyond,crashingdownwitharesoundingclang.Ashesteppedoutintotheopenair,Flax’scomatoseformslungoverhisshoulder,hebeheldavisionofcarnagewhichwashorriblyfamiliartoonewhohadmadewaragainsttheservantsoftheHiveMindbefore.Asphodexhadentereditsfinaldeaththroes–theairwasthickwithsmokeandnoise,andbuildingshadbeguntocollapse,addingtoboth.Thecityhadbecomeaninferno–towersofdancingflamerosefromtheruinsandwavesofbillowing

smokefilledthestreetsandchokedtheair.Tyranidorganismsscreamedandshriekedthroughoutthecityastheywerecaughtupintheragingfires.Bio-beastsfled,tramplingoneanotherintheirhastetoescapeobliteration.Inthedistance,Karlaencouldseeshudderingmushroomcloudsrisingabovethetopsofthosebuildings

whichstillstood.Theredskyflashedandquiveredlikeathingalive,andthegreatcloudswhichmarkedtheupperatmospherewereshreddedandreformedbyunseenforces.Thegroundshookbeneathhisfeet,notwiththetremblingofseismicactivity,butasifsomevasttitanweresmashinghisfistdownonAsphodex.TheBloodAngelsfleethadbegunitspreliminaryorbitalbombardmentoftheplanet,inpreparationforthefirstlandingsofDante’smainforce.Timehadalmostrunout.Karlaenquicklytriangulatedhisposition.Hestoodintheeasternplaza–thePlazaoftheEmperor

Unchained.HecalculatedaroutetothePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant.IfAlphaeusoranyoftheothershadsurvivedthebattleintheundercity,thatwaswheretheywouldbe.CradlingFlaxagainsthischestinordertoprotecthimfromtheflames,hemovedthroughtheplaza,forgingapathtotherallying-point.Thevox-netcrackledtolifeasheleftthesluicegatebehind.Voiceshammeredathisears:commands,

warnings,oaths–theroarofaChapter,rousedtofury.Heheardtheredhumrisebehindhisthoughts.ItwasalwaysthiswaywhentheChapterwenttowar;theblacktideofemotionswhicheverywarriorfoughttocontrolbecamestrongerandstrongerasthevibrationsofThunderhawkenginesshooktheirbonesandtheheatofweapons-firewashedoverthem.Betweenbattles,inthecoldstretchofthevoidoronBaal’sblisteredsands,thethirstforbattlecould

beignored,sublimatedintomorenoblepursuits.Karlaenknewmanybattle-brotherswhowereasadeptwithasculptor’schiselorapainter’sbrushastheywerewithbolterandblade.Buthere,now,onthesharpedge,theragewasgivenfullflower.Andiftheywerenotcareful,itcouldsweepthemunderand

intodamnation.Heatwashedacrosstheplaza,witheringthealienvegetationthathadbrieflyclaimeddominion.Without

menorautomatedsystemstocontrolthefirestheyragedoutofcontrol,incineratingtyranidsandanysurvivingImperialdefendersthatwerecaughtinthepathoftheflames.Morethanonce,disorientatedtyranidsburstfromtheburningruinsandspilledthroughtheplaza.SomeattackedKarlaen,andhewasforcedtodefendhimself.HeleftatrailofcrushedcarcassesbehindhimashetrudgedtowardsthePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant.Asyet,thetyranidswereuncoordinated–theywerelittlebetterthanravenousanimals.Butsoonthe

HiveMindwouldbringitsincomprehensibleattentionstobearontheinvaders,anditwouldexertitswillontheswarms,unitingtheminterriblepurpose.BythetimehereachedthePlazaoftheEmperorAscendant,theairabovehimwasfullofthegrotesque

shapesofgargoyles.Theflappingnightmaresspiralledabovethecitylikealivingcloudofteethandclaws.Broodsofgauntscreptthroughthehazethatlayovertheplaza,andKarlaencouldjustmakeoutlargershapesbehindthem.Buttherewasnosignoftheothers.Hescannedthroughthepre-arrangedvoxfrequencies,butonlystaticgreetedhisears.HemovedtowardsthefallenstatueoftheEmperor.Flaxwasstillunconscious,andhebarelystirredasKarlaenhidhiminacrannybeneaththestatue.It

wasasmallmercy;nomanshouldhavetowitnessthedeathofhisworldandpeople,Karlaenthought.Whenhewassatisfiedthatthegovernorwassafe,hestraightenedandbegancyclingthroughthevoxfrequenciesuntilhefoundthemainAdeptusAstartessignal.Thechannelcrackledwithstatic.‘ThisisCaptainKarlaen,oftheFirst,requestingextractionfromtheplanet’ssurface,’Karlaensaid,raisinghisvoicetobeheardthroughthestatic.Momentspassed.Thesignalphasedinandout,andherepeatedhimself.Helookedup,tryingto

imaginethebattleragingfarabovetheplanet.Voidwarfarewasathingofvastdistancesandacuteangles.Upanddownhadnomeaning;therewasnohighgroundtocapture,andprecisecalculationswererequiredtoevencomeclosetostrikingtheenemy.Servitorsslavedtobattle-stations–onepartanalyticalengineandonepartgunner–mannedtargetingcomputersasspeciallytrainedChapterserfsfollowedtheirinstructions,firingatenemiestheycouldnotsee.Karlaenhadonlyexperiencedvoidwarfareafewtimes.Hehadparticipatedinboardingactionsand

repelledthesame,whentheenemydrewcloseacrosstheincalculablegulfthatnormallyseparatedthecombatants.Evennowhecouldrecallthecrushingcoldandinescapablesilencethataccompaniedsuchconflictsasonemovedacrosstheouterhullofavessel.Thewaythemaddeningspiralofstarswhichstretchedintoinfinityineverydirectionimprinteditselfonthemind’seye,nevertofade.Makingplanetfallamidstsuchmadnesswasevenmorenerve-wracking.Mendiedwithouteverseeing

thesurfaceoftheworldtheyhadbeenbroughttoconquer.Theupperreachesofthestratospherewouldbeahellstormoffireandfury.Ashetriedtomakecontactwiththefleet,hescannedthesmokeandhazefortheenemy.Behindtheveil

ofgreyandblack,shapesmoved,somelarge,somesmall,andhecouldhearthetelltaleclickofchitinonstone.Heclaspedhishammerinbothhandsandwaited.Thevoxcrackledinhisear.‘Sayagain?’avoiceasked.Thelinehissedandspatwithstatic.Karlaengruntedinsatisfaction.‘ThisisCaptainKarlaen,requestingextraction,’hebarked.‘Rallying-

pointalpha.’‘Acknowledgedcaptain.Extractioninprocess.Holdpositionuntilarrival.’‘Acknowledged,’Karlaensaid,staringoutattheill-definedshapesslouchingthroughthehaze.He

swunghishammerslowly,stirringthesmoke.‘Comethen,ifyouwill.HereIstand,andIshallnotmove,’hemurmured.Despitehiswords,hehopedthattheywouldkeeptheirdistance.Hewasnotafraidofthem.

Rather,hewasafraidofhimself.Hecouldfeelhiscontrolslippingwitheveryconfrontation.TheRedThirstscrapedatthebackofhisthroatandmemoriesthatwerenothispresseddownonhim.Heknewthesignsaswellasany,forhehadseenmenafflictedwiththemoftenenough.HethoughtofRaphen.Heclosedhiseyes,tryingnottoimaginehowitwouldfeeltobeclaimedbythe

samemadnessthathadtakentheotherSpaceMarine,orCassor.Tobelostanddamnedbyacurseinhisveryblood.Karlaen’seyesopenedandhisgazeflickeredtoFlax,wheretheoldmanlay,breathingshallowly.Doestheanswerrestwithyou?hethought.Areyouoursalvation,asCorbulothinks,orwasthisallfornothing?Heheardascrapeoftalonsonstoneandwhirled,hishammerchoppingouttocatchaleaping

genestealer.Thebrutalblowdrovethegenestealertotheground,leavingitinagore-stainedheap.Karlaenscannedtheplaza,sightingmoremulti-armedshapescreepingtowardshimthroughtheruins.Thevoxcrackledwithstaticashetriedonelasttimetocontacttheothers.AsecondgenestealerlungedathimfromoverthefallenstatueoftheEmperor.Karlaenpivotedandhisblowcaughtthecreatureintheside,smashingitagainstthestatue.Ichor

stainedthescorchedfeaturesoftheEmperorasthebodyslidtotheground.Karlaenturnedbacktoseemoreofthebeastsboundingtowardshimthroughthesmoke.Thenextfewmomentspassedinablurofbloodanddeath.Withhisammunitiondepleted,andan

unconsciousmantoprotect,Karlaenwasforcedontothedefensive.Hishammerwasasmuchshieldasweapon.Heturned,twisted,stompedandslid,neverslowing,alwaysstayinginmotion,forcinghisenemiestocometohim.Finally,hestoodalone,surroundedbythemangledcorpsesoftyranids.Hishammerwasheavyinhis

hand;theChaptersymbolsthatmarkedtheancientrelic-weaponwerehiddenbeneathastickyshroudofsplatteredmeatandalienjuices.Smokehadfilledtheplaza,andhewaspressedtoseeanything.Hebackedtowardsthestatueasembersdrifteddownfromthesky.Hiseyesstungfromtheheatoftheflameswhichdrewevercloseroneithersideofthepalace.Theairwasthickwithpoisonandash.Karlaensquinted.Whatlittlesunlighttherehadbeenwasnowhiddenbehindathickeningveilof

smoke.Hecouldseenothing,hearnothing.Wearinesscreptintohim,onemuscleatatime,andwithitcametheredhum,whichbecamelouderandlouderthemoretiredhegrew.Soonhewouldnotbeabletoresistit,ortochannelit.Hewouldonlybeabletosinkbeneathit.Andthen…Heshiedawayfromthethought,andtriedtomarshalwhatstrengthremainedtohim.Throughthe

downpourofembers,hesawthegenestealersmassingoncemoreamongtheshatteredstatueswhichmarkedtheplaza.Andthenamalignshape,largerthantherest,leaptupfromthehordeandontoaheadlessstatue.TheSpawnofCryptuslookedtheworseforwearafteritstumbleintothedepths.Itscarapacewas

crackedandbefouled;filthdrippedfromit,dryingandflakingawayintheheatofthefire.Yetitstillmovedwiththesameeeriegraceasalways,anditdidnotseemtohavelostanyofitsterriblestrength.Asitcrouchedonthestatue’sshoulders,itsglarewasoneofhatefulpromise.Karlaenshookhishead.‘DeterminationisnottheprovinceoftheEmperor’schosenalone,’he

murmured.AnotherlinefromthePhilosophiesofRaldoron.Raldoronhadbeenreferringtoorks,butthestatementheldtrueforthebroodlordaswell,hethought.Hespatamouthfulofbloodontothegroundbeforehimandraisedhischin.‘Well,beast.Whatareyouwaitingfor?’

Thebroodlordwatcheditspreyreadyhimselfforwhatwastocome,andfeltaflickerofdisquiet.Neverbeforehaditfoughtpreylikethis.Neverbeforehaditmatchedwillswithacreaturethatcouldresistit.

Itdidnotlikethisgame.Itcrouchedonthestatueandexaminedthered-armouredgiantwithdistaste.Theinvaderhadruined

everything,andtherewasnomoretime.ThebroodlordcouldfeeltheweightoftheHiveMind’sattentionsturningtowardsitnow,asthegroundshookandtheskybledfire.Somethingwasridingthecharnelwinddownfromthepitilessstars,andeveryswarmwouldbemusteredtocounterit.Butnotyet.Not…yet.Notwhileitsbrotherwasyetunpunished.Notwhiletheusurperyetbreathed.Its

clawssankintothesurfaceofthestatue,asitimagineddoingthesametohisfragileflesh.Ithadwaitedyears,decades,forthismoment.Thislastrevenge.Toshowhimthefullpriceforhistreachery.Itcouldfeelitsbrother’smind,dimandcloudedbypain.Thatpaingaveitnosatisfaction,thoughit

couldnotsaywhy.Hisfeaturesflashedthroughitsmind,anditwonderedwhyithadnotkilledhimwhenithadhadthechance.Ithadwantedtosobadly,butsomethinghadstayeditshand–otherfaces,othervoices,memoriesitdidnotunderstand,awoman’svoicewhispering:ThisisyourbrotherAugustus.Hewillprotectyou,Tiberius.Buthehadnot.Andthen,itwastoolate.Itcloseditseyes,ignoringthesoundsofitschildrenbelow,ofthedeathoftheworldithadsoughtto

claim.Itfocusedonthememoriesthatswirledthroughitsmindthewayembersswirledthroughtheairabovetheplaza.Itrememberedamanandawoman,andthenFlax,raisingapistol.Itrememberedthemanshouting,andthebloodthatfollowedarumbleofthunder.Theplazashookaroundit.Thebroodlordopeneditseyesandclutchedatitselfaspainshotthroughit.Thefallhadhurtit.Thewatershadseareditslungs,butithadhauleditselfoutandupintothelight,its

strengthbolsteredbyrage.Rageatthethoughtthatitmightnottastethebloodoftheusurper.Ragethatitslong-delayedvengeancemightnevertakeplace.RagethatitsbrotherwouldsurvivewhileitwassubsumedintotheHiveMind.Ragethathemightneverunderstandwhathehadtakenfromit.Onlyhedid,didn’the?Hehadmadethatclearenoughonthebridge.Thebroodlordtouchedthespot

whereFlax’sknifehadbittenintoitsside,stillwetwithichor.No,AugustusFlaxunderstoodalltoowell.AndtheSpawnofCryptuswouldmakehimpay.Nomatterhowmanyredgiantsstoodbetweenthem,no

matterhowmuchfirefellfromthesky,orhowmanycracksopenedintheearth.TheSpawnofCryptusruledAsphodexnow.Theoldorderwouldbesweptaway,andthesongandshadowoftheLeviathanwouldriseinitsplace,stretchingfromstartostar.Thebroodlordstretchedtoitsfullheightonitsperchandspreaditsarms.Itthrewbackitsheadandfor

amomentitgazedupatthefieryrainthathadbeguntofallfromtheroilingcloudsabove.Thenitsheadsnappeddownanditroared.Itschildrenechoeditscry,thenlopedtowardstheirprey.ThefinalbattleforthefateoftheFlaxianDynastyhadbegun.

SEVENTEEN

Karlaenraisedhishammerandpreparedtosellhislifedearly.Thebroodlord’sscreamrippledoutovertheplaza,andthegenestealersechoeditscryastheylungedforwardasone.Thereweretoomanyofthem,comingtoofast,forhimtoovercome.Hemadethecalculationinstinctively,anditbroughthimnoshametorealisetheinevitabilityofhisposition.Indeed,partofhimlongedforit.Partofhimlongedtogiveintothemadnessanddrinkdeepofthered

watersthatrosebehindhiseyes,tosimplygiveintotheRedThirstassomanyothershad,andtoshedtheburdenofdutyinhisfinalmoments.HethoughtofRaphenandtheDeathCompany,andwonderedwhatitmustbeliketofightastheydid,lostinthepast.Whatwoulditbelike,tobattlealongsideheroeslongdeadandgonetodust?Wasitworthit?WasgivingintomadnessworthseeingthefaceofSanguiniushimself,asthedarkclosedinaroundyouforthelasttime?Hecouldalmostfeeltheprimarch’spresencebesidehim,hisgreatwingsshieldingKarlaenfromthefallingembers.Hecouldalmost…Thethudofhisheartsdrownedoutallothersound.Shadowsmovedthroughtherainoffire;the

flickering,ghostlyoutlineofmemoriesstrugglingtothesurface.Inthepulseofhisheartsheheardthedimdinofvoices,andfeltthereverberationsofbattle.Butnotthisbattle.Heopenedhiseyes.Theworldmightaswellhavebeenapainting.Hecouldmakeoutthegleamofthefirelightreflectedinthetalonsofhisenemies,andsmelltheacridstinkofthem.Andamongthemhecouldseewarriorswhowerenotthere–shadescladinarmourofbrassoramethyst,reekingofincenseandspoiledblood.Heblinked.Thewarriorsrippledandvanished,asiftheywerenomorethanmotesonthesurfaceofhiseye.Karlaensteeledhimself.Heignoredtheredhumandwhatithadstirredtothesurfaceofhimasthe

genestealersboundedtowardshimthroughtheruins,springingfromstatuetostatueorsimplyscuttlingacrosstheopenplaza.Ifhewastodie,itwouldnotbeasamaddenedbeast.Hewouldnotgivein.Hewoulddohisduty,andhewoulddiehereandnow,atthetalonsofthesebeasts,ratherthanbeneaththebladesofenemiespast,ifdiehemust.Helettheheadofthehammerdip.Hismindbegantocalculatethebestwaytousetheirnumbers

againstthem,andtoutilisehiscombatcapabilitiestothefullest.Tyranidswerenotmen,andwoundsthatdidnotkillthemoutrightrarelystoppedthem.ButtheswarmscouldbeshakenfreeoftheHiveMind’scontrolthroughsustainedviolence.Killenoughofthem,andquickly,andthebroodlord’ssynapticcontrolmightslipastheremaindergaveintotheirferalnatureandfled.Theencroachingflameswouldmakethateasier.Likeallanimals,thebio-beastsinstinctivelyfearedfire.

Theclosestgenestealerleapt,andtimeseemedtoslow,themomentdrawingtautlikethestringofabow.Karlaenpinpointedthebestplacetolandhisblowformaximumeffect,andthehaftofhishammerspuninhisgripashebroughtitup.Evenastheblowconnected,hisarmour’ssensorsscreamedawarning.Thegenestealer’sheadburstlikeanoverripefruitand,asitflippedthroughtheair,bolterfirelickedacrossthehorde.ThevoxcrackledtolifeandKarlaencouldnotstifleatriumphantlaughasafamiliarvoicesaid,‘One

wouldthinkyou’dlearnedyourlessonaboutharingoffalone,captain.’‘FeelfreetoreportmetoCommanderDanteoncewe’reoff-planet,sergeant,’Karlaensaid,as

genestealersfell.Terminatorstrompedintotheplazafromoutofthepalaceruins,boltersthundering.Alphaeus,ZachrealandMeloswereinthelead.‘Joses?’Karlaenasked,quietly.Alphaeus’svoicewassombre.‘Heboughtustimetoretreat.Thecreaturespilledhisguts,andhewas

innomoodtofallback.We–I–thoughtitbesttoabidebyhisdecision.’Therewasmuchleftunsaidinthattersestatement.Karlaencouldthinkofnothingtosay.Joseshadalwaysbeenclosetotherededgeofthings.Thetaciturnblack-hairedwarriorhadneverfullyshedhimselfofthelessonsofthedesertandthemountain.Karlaenshookhisheadandsmashedagenestealerasideasitclawedathim.Hewouldmournlater.‘I

havesignalledforextraction.Theyareontheirway.’Hejammedtheendofhishammerintoagenestealer’sspine,shatteringit.‘Whereare–’Beforehecouldfinishthequestion,thewhineofturbinesfilledtheairandblack-armouredshapesdroppedthroughthesmoke.TheDeathCompanyhadarrived.Oratleastwhatwasleftofit.Therewereonlyahandfuloftheberserkersremaining,thoughtheirenthusiasmseemedundimmed.Agenestealerthathadbeenabouttoleaponhimwascrushedbyathunderhammer.Raphenlandeda

momentlaterandjerkedtheheadofhishammerfreefromtheruinofthexenos’stwitchingform.ThecrazedwarriorturnedtoKarlaenandnoddedtersely.‘Thoughttohavethemalltoyourself,ehbrother?Forshame.Thetraitorsoweusalladebtofblood,notjustyou,’herasped,shiveringineagerness.HeclappedatremblinghandtoKarlaen’sshoulderandsaid,‘Weshallstandtogether.HolyTerrashallnotfall.Nottoday.’‘No,nottoday,’Karlaensaid.Hehesitated,butthenclaspedRaphen’sforearminawarrior’sgrip.The

sergeantjerkedonce,asifinsurprise.Histwitchingsubsided.HelookedatKarlaen,andtheeyesbehindthelensesofhishelmetwerelucid.Buttheclaritylastedonlyforamoment.‘Canyouhearhim,brother?Canyoufeeltheheatofhispassage?Weareintheshadowofhiswings,

andhecallstheNinthLegiontohisside,’Raphensnarled.Hespun,crushingagenestealer,thenputtingabolt-roundintothebellyofanother.Thewoundedbeastchargedon.Raphenmadetofireagain,buthisboltpistolclickeduselessly.Hetossedtheweaponaside.Karlaenmovedtofinishoffthewoundedgenestealer,butRaphenbeathimtoit.Hecaughtthecreaturebyitsjawandjerkeditsheadforwardsagainsthisown.Hesmashedhishead

againstthegenestealer’sownagainandagain,untilthexenosstoppedthrashing.HeletthebodyfallandturnedbacktoKarlaen,ichordrippingdownthecontoursofhisfaceplate.‘Theprimarchcallsustobattle,brother,’hewhisperedhoarsely.BeforeKarlaencouldreply,Raphenwhippedbackaround,liftedhishammerandactivatedhisjump

pack,hurlinghimselfintotheseethingranksofthefoe.AsKarlaenwatchedhim,thegroundshookbeneathhisfeet,andaloudvoiceroared,‘Faithiswhatfansthegutteringsparkofmyrage.Witchesandhereticsshallbeconsumedinmyfire.Oneside,brother–thisplazashallbetheirtomb.’Cassorstompedpastthestatue,stormbolterfiring.Genestealersexplodedinmid-leaporwereslappedfromtheairbytheDreadnought’sclaws.

KarlaenfeltasurgeofreliefashewatchedtheDreadnoughtsmashintotheenemy.Hisearliercalculationsfracturedandcameapartashewatchedhisbrothersenterthefray.Theywerestilloutnumberedahundredtoone,buttherewasachancenow,wherebeforetherehadonlybeeninevitability.Heswunghishammerwithrenewedstrength.Alphaeusandtheothersjoinedhim,marchingsteadilyacrosstheplazatotakeupformationaroundthestatueoftheEmperor.Therewasnoneedfororders.Notnow.Withtheextractioncalledfor,everybattle-brotherknewwhat

wasrequiredofhim,andtheywouldfightuntiltheyfell.Therewouldbenofallingback,noformations,onlytheslow,steadygrindofasluggingmatch.Terminatorarmourandstormboltersagainstclaws,fangsandpoisonsacs.KarlaenfoundhimselffightingsidebysidewithLeonosandDamaris,thetwinsprotectinghisflanksasheputhishammertouse.Hewasgladtoseethattheyhadsurvived.Bio-horrorspouredintotheplazafromtheruinssurroundingit.Theydidnotcomeinwavesasbefore,

butasasingle,unceasingflood,attackingasone.Terminatorsweredraggedawayfromtheirfellows,separatedbythesheerpressoftheenemy,thenpulleddown.TheDeathCompanysmashedinandoutofthehordelikeblackcomets,buttheytooweredraggeddownonebyone,sellingtheirlivestobuybreathingroomforthewarriorsoftheFirstCompany.Asthebattleragedon,Karlaentriedtospotthebroodlord,butthecreaturewasnowheretobeseen.Foramoment,hehopedthatithadabandonedthefight.Buthedismissedthethoughtasfastasitoccurredtohim.No,itwasstillouttheresomewhere,waitingforitsmomenttostrike.Tyranidwarrior-broodsboundedthroughtheswirlingmassofgenestealers,scatteringtheirlesserkin

astheysoughttoreachtheBloodAngels.Theytrampledthesmallerbio-beastsintheirhaste,scatteringotherswithwideslashesfromboneswordsorsnapsofbio-whips.TheTerminatorsfocusedonthenewcomers,pouringfirepowerintothesynapsebeasts,butsomegotthroughthegauntletofexplosiveroundsandreachedtheBloodAngelslines.Karlaenfeltsomethingsplashagainsthisarmourandturnedtoseeoneofthetyranidspeltingtowards

him,itsgrotesquebio-cannonraisedforanothershot.‘Lookout–’Damarisbegan.‘–captain,’Leonosfinished.BothTerminatorsturnedtheirstormboltersonthemonstrosityasitboundedoutofthesmoke.The

tyranidwarriorcontortedandflewapartastheexplosiveroundspierceditscarapace.Karlaenturnedtothankthem,buthiswordsturnedtoashinhisthroatasLeonosstaggered,abio-whipwrappedaroundhisthroat.Atyranidperchedontopofhim,haulingbackonthewhip.AstheTerminatorstruggledtofreehimself,thetyranidplungedapairofboneswordsdownthroughthetopofhishelm.HisdeathwassoswiftthatneitherhistwinnorKarlaencouldpreventit.Leonossaggedasthetyranidextricateditsblades.Itdroppedfromtheslumpingbody,buthadnotime

toseekoutnewprey,asDamarisutteredaroaroffuryandslammedintoit,drivingitbackagainstthestatuewithaboomingcrack.ThetyranidsquealedandwrithedforamomentbeforeDamaris’sgropingpowerfistfounditsjawandforceditsheadbackpastthebreakingpoint.Therewasasecondcrack,louderthanthefirst,andthebeastwasstill.Damarisstaggeredback,thebrokenbladesofthetyranid’sswordsstickingfromhischest.Hespun

awkwardlyasathirdtyranidtriedtodartpasthim,bringinghisfistdownonthecreature’sback,snappingitsspine.Asitfell,hebegantoslump.Karlaenrealisedthatthebladeshadnotmerelyslippedthroughhisarmour,buthadpiercedsomethingvitalintheprocess.KarlaenreachedDamarisashesankdownbesidehistwin’scorpse.‘Ihaveyou,brother.I…’Karlaentrailedoff.Damariswasnotlisteningtohim.HesaidsomethingunintelligibleasKarlaenlaidhimdown.Hecoughedwetly,andKarlaenknewthat

thebladeshadreachedhisheartsandlungs.DamarisreachedouttowardsLeonos,buthislifeebbed

beforehishandfoundthatofhiscomrade.Karlaenroseunsteadilytohisfeet,allrationalthoughtburningtoashinasuddenswellofrage.Theworldslowedandstretched,andhecouldseeeverythingallatoncethroughamuddyredhaze.HesawZachrealandAlphaeusfightingbacktoback.HesawMeloscatchingabio-whipinhis

powerfistandwrenchingitswielderoffbalancelongenoughtogetabeadonitwithhisstormbolter.Hesawthesurvivorsoftheothersquadsgatheredaboutthestatueinaraggedformation,pouringtheirremainingammunitionintothehordethatsurgedandswirledaroundthem,sellingtheirlivesonbehalfofhim,andonbehalfofhismission.Hesawred-andblack-armouredbodiesscatteredamongpilesofdeadalienfilth.Allofthishesaw,butnotthetyranidwarriorthatcreptupbehindhim,bio-cannonlevelled.Heheard

thehissofdribblingacidandspun,butnotquicklyenough.Theshotknockedhimoffhisfeetandhecrasheddown,asizzlingpatchonhisarmourmarkingwheretheshothadstruckhome.Herolledontohisbackandgropedblindlyforhishammer.Thetyranidadvancedonhim,eyes

glitteringwithinhumanmalice.Beforeitcouldfireitsweaponagain,however,ablackformhurtledpastandtherewasasoundlikestonestrikingmeat.Thetyranidlurchedbackwardsasoneofitslegswassmashedoutfromunderit.Offbalance,ittoppledbackwardsandsmasheddownontotheground.Raphenlandedonitamomentlater,thesolesofhisbootspulpingitsscreechingfeatures.Raphenspun,hishammerlashingouttocatchagenestealer.Hereachedout,asiftopullKarlaentohis

feet.Karlaensawashadowhurtletowardshim.Heopenedhismouthtoshoutawarning,butwastoolateas

somethingheavypouncedontotheotherBloodAngelandborehimtotheground.BlackarmourtorebeneathrendingclawsasthebroodlordsmashedRaphenagainstthestonesoftheplaza.Hisjumppackwastornfromhisbackandsenthurtlingaside,whereitexploded.Thebeastheftedhimoveritshead.Raphen,dazed,belloweduselesslyasthebroodlordheldhim.ItmetKarlaen’sgaze,andhesawaquestionthere.No,ademand.Hefeltthething’sthoughtsclawat

hisown,strongerthanbefore.Itwasangrynow,andthatangergaveitstrength.Hemetitsglarewithhisown,feelinghisownangerpresshardagainsthisfrayingdiscipline.Whateveritsawinhiseyesseemedtoansweritsquestion,anditscreeched.ThenitbroughtRaphendownacrossitsupraisedknee.‘No!’Karlaenrosetohisfeetand,weaponless,threwhimselfatthebeastasitletRaphendrop.Itleapt

back,avoidinghim,thensprangforastatue,slitheringarounditandoutofsight.KarlaenturnedbacktoRaphen,buttherewasnothingtobedone.LikeBartelo,hehaddiedinstantly,hisspineshatteredandhisneckcrushed.Liketoomanyothers,hehaddiedonKarlaen’sbehalf,attheclawsofacreaturethatshouldnotexist.Karlaenscoopeduphishammerandturnedtoseekhisbrother’skiller.

EIGHTEEN

Karlaen’svoxcrackledwithanunfamiliarvoiceashestalkedthroughthesmokymelee.Somesmallpartofhimnotyetclaimedbytheragethatdrovehimrecogniseditasthevoiceofthepilotsenttoextractthem.Almostagainsthiswill,helookedup,scanningtheredsky.Hisbioniceyecaughtsightofitalmostimmediately,whirringandshiftingtofocusinononeoftheChapter’sStormravengunshipsasittoredownthroughtheswirlingcloudsofharpiesandgargoylesthatsoughttobaritspassage.Thegunship’stwin-linkedassaultcannonsroared,clearingapath.AsKarlaenwatched,thevesseldippeditsbluntnosetowardstheplazaandscreameddowntowardsthem,gunsblazing.Asheturnedtocontinueseekingouthisprey,hefeltitsjaggedclawssinkintohismind.Theworld

turnedupsidedown,andheclutchedathishead.Thepainwasfargreaterthanbefore,andallthemoreintrusiveforcatchinghimunawares.Faces,memories,voices,poundedathimfromallsides…HesawAphrae’sdeathatthehandsofthebroodlord,andtastedthecopperytangofhisbrother’sblood.HefeltRaphen’sspinebreakonhisknee,andascreamrippedfreeofhisthroat.Somethingslammedintohimfromtheside,rockinghimonhisfeet.Helashedoutblindly,andwas

rewardedwithashriekasthecracklingheadofhishammerstruckhome.Hesawthebroodlordrolltoitsfeet.Ratherthandartingawayintothesmoke,however,itchargedrightforhim.Hesnarledandlungedtomeetit.But,withinafewseconds,hefoundhimselfdrivenback.Hisarmourbarelywardedoffitspowerfulblowsasittoreintohim,bodyandmind.Hecouldfeelhiscontrol,alreadytenuous,slippingashefoughttostayfocusedagainstitsmentalattackswhilesimultaneouslyfendingoffitsclaws.Itwasnotjustthecreaturehewasfighting;itwascreepingfatigueaswell.Hedugdown,tryingtofindwhatreservesofenergyremainedtohim,butheknewhisopponentwasnotgoingtogivehimtimetorecover.Before,hehadmerelybeenanimpediment.Now,itwantedhimdead.Hecouldseeitinitseyes,those

madnot-quite-humanorbswhichsparkedwithanalltoofamiliarrage.HewasfightingalosingbattleagainsttheRedThirst,butthiscreaturehadalreadysurrenderedtoitsownformofmadness.Whateverdroveit,itwasnotplanningonstoppinguntiloneofthemwasdead.Aclawpiercedhisguardandopenedhischeektothebone.Hetastedblood.TheRedThirstsurgedupinhim,andhefelthisreasonslip.Heutteredaninarticulatecryandsmashedthebroodlordback,tradingblowforblowasthebattlerolledonaroundthem.Theygrappledthroughthedriftsandpilesofcorpses,tearingatoneanother.Karlaencouldbarely

focus.HeheardthewhineoftheStormraven’sturbinesgrowinglouderandfeltthegroundshudderas

moreandmoretyranidsforcedtheirwayintotheplaza,drivenbythewilloftheHiveMind.Allhecouldseewasthesnarlingmawofhisenemy;allhecouldfeelwastheurgetosmashthebeastdownanderaseitfromsight.Manandbeaststrainedagainstoneanother,thestonescrackingbeneaththeirfeet.Gradually,hewas

beingpushedback,butherefusedtoyield.Itwoulddiehere,now,orhewould.Thebroodlordleanedinclose,jawssnapping.Itsbarbedtonguecaressedhisface,andhecaughtitbetweenhisteeth,champingdown,rippingthehardflesh.Thebroodlordreeled,shrieking,andheshoveditback,breakingthemapart.Asitstaggered,hespatoutthechunkofwrigglingfleshstillcaughtbetweenhisteethandcrashedintoit,knockingittotheground.Itwentdownhard,butrolledasidebeforehishammercouldstrikehome.Heliftedhisweaponforanotherstrike,buttheSpawnleaptonhim,bowlinghimover.Hisarmour

strucksparksfromthestoneasitrodehimtotheground.Hishammerwastornfromhisgrip.Human-likehandssoughthisthroatashemadetoriseandhefoundhimselfpinned.Itsgriptightened,whileitsbladedupperarmsroseoverhim.Itseyesflashed,andinhisheadanimageofhisdeathformed.Behindthebeast,hesawgreatwingsunfurlamidstabloodyradiance.Hefeltstrangelycalm.This,

then,wasagooddeath.Hewoulddiewithhismen,asheshouldhavedonebefore.Hehadfailedhismen,Flax,Corbuloandhimself,buthewouldnotavoidtheconsequences.Hestaredupatthecreature,willingittostrike.Itpaused,asifuncertain,itswoundedtonguelashing,itsfeaturescrinkledinconfusion.Then,ithissedandreadieditselftostrike.Theshadowbehindspread,growinglarger.‘Nobeast.Thyclawsshallnotfindhisheart.SosaysCassor.’TheDreadnought’stalonsrakeddown

acrossthebroodlord’sback.Thecreatureturned,andfounditselfcaughtfastbyasecondclaw.Withagrindingofgears,Cassorhurledthebroodlordaside,sendingitsbodybouncingacrosstherubble.KarlaenstaredupattheDreadnoughtinincomprehension.‘Youmakethisahabit,brother.TwicehasCassorsavedyou.’TheDreadnoughtturned,scanningtheplaza.‘Wherearemybrothers?Theenemyapproaches.’Despitethehazewhichcloudedhisthoughts,Karlaencouldseethattherewasnotasingleblack-

armouredformleftstanding.TheDeathCompanyhadearnedtheirname,andtheirredemption.Cassorstaredatthescuttlinghordethatclamberedoverthebodiesofhisfellowsandrumbled,‘Cassorstandsalone.Sobeit.VengeancemusttakeplaceandCassorshalldealitinredincrements.Cometraitors.Cassoriswaiting.Hehaswaitedallofhislifeforthismoment.’TheDreadnought’sopticsensorsrotateddown,tomeetKarlaen’sstillstunnedgaze.‘IknowthatIamnolongersane.ButIstillserve.Youshallnotfallhere,brother.NotwhileoneflickerofrageremainsinCassor’sheart.Up,commander.Gloryawaits.’TheenemysweptforwardsjustasKarlaenbegantopushhimselftohisfeet.AndthoughCassorstood

alone,aswaveafterwaveofbio-horrorssmashedintohim,notonereachedKarlaen.TheDreadnoughtburned,trampledandcrushedthealiensuntilthestoneswereslickwithichor.Cassorfoughtwithallofthefurythathadearnedhimthehonourofbeingentombedinthesarcophagus

ofaDreadnought.Hisstormbolterroareduntilitsammunitioncylindersweredepletedandhismeltagunturnedtheairblackwithchar.Whenbothweaponswerespent,hecontinuedtoslashandcrushthetyranids.Karlaensurgedtohisfeet,givingintotheredhumthatquiveredthroughhisbrain.Hesmashedhishammerdownonsnarlingmawsandbashedasidescratchingtalons.Thegroundtrembledbeneathhisfeetashefought,andhesawafamiliarshapeploughthroughitslesser

kinwithabellicoseroar.Thecarnifex,itshidepockmarkedwithdeath-scars,chargedtowardsCassorwithundeniableeagerness.TheDreadnoughtturned.‘Againyouseektomatchme,houndofcarnage.Butthyendiscome.’ThecarnifexcrashedintotheDreadnoughtwitharoar,liftinghimupanddrivinghimbackintothe

statueoftheEmperor,shatteringitandsendingTerminatorsscramblingasideasacloudofdustsweptacrosstheplaza.TheDreadnought,offbalance,toppledbackasthecarnifexcontinuedtobulldozeforward.ItsgreathoovesandclawscrushedandpiercedtheblackhullplatesandastrangledscreamexplodedfromCassor’svox.Karlaen,withoutthinking,hurledhimselfatthecarnifex.Hishammerslammeddownagainstits

carapace,crackingit.Thecarnifextwistedaround,jawssnapping.Hestaggeredbackasitsblade-likeclawstorethroughtheairtowardshim.Itstoppedshortofreachinghim,andturned.KarlaenlookedpastitandsawthatCassorwasnotfinishedyet.Hehadreachedouttocatchthebeast’sleginanunyieldinggrip.‘Youshallnottouchmybrother,abomination.IshallendureathousanddeathsbeforeIyield.’Cassor

hauledbackonthecarnifex’shindlimb.ThecarnifextwistedaroundanddroveoneofitsscythingclawsthroughtheDreadnoughtasithadintheirfirstencounter.ButCassorrefusedtoletgo.Thecarnifexflailedandsnapped,itsshrieksrisingabovethebattlefield.Itslammeditsclawsdownagainandagain,untilatlasttheybecamelodgedintherupturedhull.Thecarnifex’sstrugglesbecamemoredesperateasitstrovetofreeitself.ThefallenDreadnoughtrockedbeneaththeblows,butdidnotreleaseit.Karlaen,mindfullofred,stalkedtowardsthecreature.Itwasthelivingmanifestationoftheenemythat

wasconsumingthisworldandthreateninghisown.Inthatmoment,hehateditmorethananyfoehehadeverfaced.Heswunghishammerup.Thecreaturewailed,asifitknewwhatwascoming.Hisfirstblowstunnedit.Hissecondsplititsscarredskull.Histhirdandfourthopenedthatsplit

further,andmangledthethrobbingorganwithin.Hisfifthandsixthshattereditsjawandcrusheditsstaringeyes.Hisseventhnearlytoreitsheadfromitsneck.HesmashedtheHammerofBaaldownagainandagainuntilhecouldnolongerlifttherelic-weaponwithouttremblingfromtheeffort.Then,ragefading,heusedhishammertoleverthecorpseoffCassor’sinertform.‘Brother,doyouyetfunction?’hedemanded,sinkingdownbesidethegreatwarmachine.‘Cassor?

Cassor!’Gearswhinedandservosgratedasthehullshifted.Opticsensorsflickeredandswivelledblindly.

KarlaenfrozeasCassor’sclawrose.Thetipofthetalonsbrushedagainstthecrimsonteardropsetintothecentreofhischestplate.‘Isworetoserveinlifeordeath.ButIfeelhishanduponme.Icannotmove.Myarmour…isbreached.

Ihearhiswings,brother.I…see…’Cassor’srumbleslurredintosilencewithoutrevealingwhatitwashehadseen.Thelightsonhishullblinkedandfaded.Karlaenlaidhishandontheshatteredhull.Theragehaddrainedfromhimwithhisfinalblow,andhecouldfeelhisstrengthebbing.Hepushedhimselftohisfeetandlookedaround.TheStormravenhadscouredtheplazaofalienlifeas

itlanded,buttherewerealwaysmoretyranids.Somethinghissed,andheturnedtoseethebroodlordlimpingbacktowardstheruinsofthepalace.IthadbeenbadlyhurtbyCassor’sattack.Ashewatchedit,heknewhewouldnevergetabetterchancetoendthedangeritposed.Buttherewasnotime.Notifhewantedtoseehismissionthrough.Withthedeathofthecarnifex,thetyranidhordewasdrawingcloseagain:aroilingseaofchitinand

clawsclosinginonthesurvivors.Already,theremainingTerminatorswerefightingtheirwaytowardsthewaitingStormraven,whichcoveredtheirapproachwiththehurricaneboltersmountedonitssponsons.HecouldhearAlphaeuscallingtohim,andhesawwithsomereliefthatZachrealhadFlaxcradledinhisarmsashetrompeduptheboardingrampintotheStormraven’shold.Hehesitated,considering.Itwasworthhislife,wasn’tit?Thebroodlordcouldnotbeallowedto

survive,evenifitmeanthisdeath.Helookedforit,tryingtospotitinthesmoke,butitwasgone,lostinthehazeandintheroilingtideoffrenziedtyranidbeastsnowfloodingintotheplaza.HeheardAlphaeus

callforhimagain,andheturned.Karlaenfoughtapathtothem,hismotionsmechanical.Hewastired,inbodyandsoul.Buthehaddone

hisduty.Andhewasnotreturningalone,ashehadbefore.TheShieldofBaalhadnotfailed,notthistime.Gustsofsuperheatedairwashedacrosstheplazaashereachedtheboardingramp.ThevesselwasalreadystartingtoliftoffasAlphaeusreachedouttohim.Karlaengratefullyacceptedhishelpinclamberingaboard.Belowthem,tyranidsleaptuselesslyattheStormravenasitroseintotheair.Stormstrikemissiles

streakedfromlaunchbaystohammerintotheruins,collapsingthem,andsendingtonguesofflameslickingacrosstheplaza.ThePlazaoftheEmperorAscendantwouldsoonbeacauldron,andanythingleftinitwouldbeconsumedbythefiresnowravagingPhodia.HehopedthattheirnumberwouldincludetheSpawnofCryptus,butsomehowheknewthatwouldnotbethecase.Theuniversewasnotthatkind.Therampbegantoclose.Karlaenstood,watchinguntilthelastmoment,hopingtoseethebeastlurch

fromhiding,wreathedinflame.Hopingthatitwouldmakeafinal,futileassault,andgivehimleavetofinishitoffforgood.Instead,itremainedhidden.Hecouldfeelitwatchinghim,watchingtheStormraven,calculatingthedistanceandtheodds,andheknewthatitwasnotsofoolish.‘Nexttime,beast,’hesaid.ThelastthinghesawbeforetherampclangedshutandtheStormraventookflightweretworedeyes

glaringathimthroughthesmoke.

EPILOGUEPortHelos,Asphodex

TheStormravenreachedPortHelos,thelargestofPhodia’smanyspaceportsandtheonlyonecurrentlyinImperialhands,justasthetwinsunsreachedtheirheight,bathingtheembattledworldindeadlyradiation.ThedesperateImperialdefendershadbuiltamakeshiftmoatbetweentheportandthecity,floodingthe

streetswithmillionsoflitresofpromethiumandlightingit.Nowabarrierofcracklingflame,almostahundredmetreshigh,roseabovethestreets.DantehimselfhadledtheBloodAngelsinsecuringtheportafterasavagebattleinwhichMephiston,

theChapter’sChiefLibrarian,hadcontestedwiththeHiveMinditselfandsurvived.Thoughtheenemyhadbeendrivenback,swarmsoftyranidsmassedoutsidetheflames,waitingforthemtodiedown.TheStormraventoucheddownwithaheavythumpthatwasmuffledbytheroarofartillery.Asthe

boardingrampdescended,thestinkofburningpromethiumandtheomnipresentodourofthebio-swarmswashedoverthepassengers.Karlaensteppeddownfromtherampandontothelandingplatform,afogofexhaustfumescoiling

abouthim.Hesaidnothingastheothersbegantodisembarkbehindhim.Hecarriedhishammerlooselyinonehandand,ashesteppedontothesoftlyvibratingsurfaceoftheplatform,itslidthroughhisgrip.Theheadcrashedagainstthegroundasheclosedhiseyes.Theragehaddwindledtoembers,buthecouldstillfeelitsheatwithinhim.Oncestoked,suchfires

nevertrulydied.Hehadcomefarclosertotheedgethanhecaredtoconsider,butthethoughtlingered.HelongedforthepeaceoftheChapter’sfortress-monastery,andhispursuitsthere.Someplacewherehecouldgotofindanewcentre,anddousethefiresthathadbeenstirredwithinhim.Heheardanintakeofbreath,alongwiththerattleofarmour,andopenedhiseyes.Agoldenfigurewas

approachingthroughthefogofexhaust,andtheothershadalldroppedtotheirknees.Karlaenbegantodothesameinreflex,instincttakingoverforhistoo-wearymind.‘Riseandreport,CaptainoftheFirst,’CommanderDantesaid.Corbulostoodbehindhim,aflockof

Chapterserfsandwhite-armouredSanguinaryPriestsgatheredabouthim.KarlaenbrieflymettheSanguinaryHighPriest’scalmgazeasheroseandremovedhishelm,butsaidnothingtohim.HelookedatDante.‘Missionaccomplished,commander,’herasped,histhroatraw.Inshort,precisesentences,he

explainedwhathadbefallenhimandhismenintheruinsfromthetimeoftheirarrivaltotheirextraction.Hesaidnothingofhisunease,orofhowclosehehadcometonotcomingbackatall.Dantecouldtellregardless.KarlaenknewthathisChapterMastercouldreaditinhisfaceandhearitinhisvoice,buthesaidnothing.‘Thecreature,’Danteasked,whenKarlaenhadfinished,‘isitdead?’‘Idonotknow.’Thewordsrankled.Hewantedtodemandleavetohunttheaberrantbeastdown,and

finishitforgood.Butheheldhistongue.Dantegazedathimforamoment.Thenthegoldenhelmtwitched,andhesaid,‘Youhavedonewell,

ShieldofBaal.AsIknewyouwould.’HereachedoutandclaspedKarlaen’sshoulder,startlinghim.‘Youhaveneverfailedme,brother.IhavesaidthatyouaretherockuponwhichtheFirstisbuilt,butyouaremorethanthat.’HegesturedtothehammerthatKarlaenheld.‘Youaretheaegisthatdefendsus,andyouarethehammerblowwhichcrushesourenemies.ThoughIwouldgiveyoutherespiteIknowyoucrave,Ihaveneedofyoustill.’Karlaenbowedhishead.‘Speakyourwill,mylord,andIwillseeitdone.’Danteloweredhishand.‘Iwill,butnotyet.Rest,regainyourstrength.Thiswarhasonlyjustbegun,I

fear.’HeturnedtolookatCorbulo,whowaswatchingastheChapterserfsledabewilderedandgroggyAugustusFlaxaway.‘Well,Corbulo?’‘Hewilllive.AndmayproveasusefulasIhoped,’Corbulosaid,turningtolookatthem.Karlaen

wantedtoaskaboutFlax’srelationshiptothebeast,butsaidnothing.HehadtoldthemeverythingthatFlaxhadshared.IfCorbulowasdismayedbysuchrevelations,hedidnotshowit.Indeed,heseemedsatisfiedwithhisprize.Dantenoddedbrusquely.HelookedatKarlaen.‘Youwillattendme,whenyouhaverested.’He

hesitated,asifthereweresomethingelsehewantedtosay.Butinstead,heturnedanddeparted.AstheChapterMasterleftthelandingplatform,Alphaeusandtheothersrosetotheirfeet.Karlaenwavedthemaway.Letthemrestwhiletheycould.TheFirst’spartinthiswarwasnotyetover.SoononlyheandCorbuloremainedontheplatform.Crimsoncloudsrolledpast,eddyingandbillowing

aroundtheport.KarlaendidhisbesttoignoretheotherSpaceMarine.Corbulostoodquietly,asifwaitingforaninvitationtospeak.Theystoodinsilenceforsometime.Finally,Corbuloclearedhisthroat.‘Disciplineisthearmourofaman’ssoul,itistrue.Butarmourmustoccasionallyberemoved,sothatitmightbetendedandmadestrongagain.Sotoowithdiscipline.Itmustbetested,andthenstrengthenedwhereitisfoundlacking.’Karlaengrunted.Hedidnotwishtospeakaboutit,andespeciallynotwithCorbulo.Hestaredatthe

cloudsandtriednottoseethefacesofhisfallenbrothersthere.Morenamesaddedtothetallyofhisdebt.Moremendeadbecausetheyhadfollowedhimintobattle.Hisgriponthehammer’shafttightened.Corbulowaited.Whetherhewaswaitingforareply,orsimplywaiting,Karlaencouldn’tsay.Eventually,theSanguinaryHighPriestmadetodepart.‘Iaskedyoubeforeifyouwantedtoknowwhatthosewhispersinyourmindsaidofyou,brother,’

Corbulosaid,asheturnedaway.Karlaensaidnothing.Corbulostopped,thensmiledsadly,hisfacehalf-turnedaway.‘Theysaidthattheyforgiveyou.Butthatyoucannotforgiveyourself,’hesaid.‘Andthatitwillbethedeathofyou.’Karlaendidnotreply.Heturnedaway,andlookedoutbeyondtheportwalls,towardstheburningcity

below.HeheardCorbuloleave,butsaidnothing.Hesimplystaredattheconflagrationfarbelow,andthoughtoftworedeyes,glaringathimfromthe

smoke.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

JoshReynoldsistheauthoroftheWarhammer40,000novellasHunter’sSnareandDante’sCanyon,alongwiththeaudiodramaMasteroftheHunt,allthreefeaturingtheWhiteScars,andtheBloodAngelsnovelDeathstorm.IntheWarhammerWorld,hehaswrittenTheEndTimes:TheReturnofNagash,theGotrek&FelixtalesCharnelCongress,RoadofSkullsandTheSerpentQueen,andthenovelsNeferata,

MasterofDeathandKnightoftheBlazingSun.HelivesandworksinSheffield.

ThemightofhivefleetLeviathanbearsdownontheworldsoftheImperium.Asthexenosthreatapproaches,theelitesoldiersoftheMilitarumTempestusarechargedwithavitalanddeadlymissionby

theagentsoftheInquisition.

Formyfather,whoboughtmemyfirstSpaceMarine

ABLACKLIBRARYPUBLICATION

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