WARHAMMER40,000

ITISTHE41STMILLENNIUM.FORMORETHANAHUNDREDCENTURIESTHEEMPERORHASSATIMMOBILEONTHEGOLDENTHRONEOFEARTH.HEISTHEMASTEROFMANKINDBYTHEWILLOFTHEGODS,ANDMASTEROFAMILLIONWORLDSBYTHEMIGHTOFHISINEXHAUSTIBLEARMIES.HE

ISAROTTINGCARCASSWRITHINGINVISIBLYWITHPOWERFROMTHEDARKAGEOFTECHNOLOGY.HEISTHECARRIONLORDOFTHEIMPERIUMFORWHOMATHOUSANDSOULSARESACRIFICED

EVERYDAY,SOTHATHEMAYNEVERTRULYDIE.

YETEVENINHISDEATHLESSSTATE,THEEMPERORCONTINUESHISETERNALVIGILANCE.MIGHTY

BATTLEFLEETSCROSSTHEDAEMON-INFESTEDMIASMAOFTHEWARP,THEONLYROUTEBETWEEN

DISTANTSTARS,THEIRWAYLITBYTHEASTRONOMICAN,THEPSYCHICMANIFESTATIONOFTHEEMPEROR’SWILL.VASTARMIESGIVEBATTLEINHISNAMEONUNCOUNTEDWORLDS.GREATEST

AMONGSTHISSOLDIERSARETHEADEPTUSASTARTES,THESPACEMARINES,BIO-ENGINEEREDSUPER-WARRIORS.THEIRCOMRADESINARMSARELEGION:THEIMPERIALGUARDANDCOUNTLESSPLANETARYDEFENCEFORCES,THEEVER-VIGILANTINQUISITIONANDTHETECH-PRIESTSOFTHE

ADEPTUSMECHANICUSTONAMEONLYAFEW.BUTFORALLTHEIRMULTITUDES,THEYAREBARELYENOUGHTOHOLDOFFTHEEVER-PRESENTTHREATFROMALIENS,HERETICS,MUTANTS-ANDWORSE.

TOBEAMANINSUCHTIMESISTOBEONEAMONGSTUNTOLDBILLIONS.ITISTOLIVEINTHECRUELLESTANDMOSTBLOODYREGIMEIMAGINABLE.THESEARETHETALESOFTHOSETIMES.

FORGETTHEPOWEROFTECHNOLOGYANDSCIENCE,FORSOMUCHHASBEENFORGOTTEN,NEVERTOBERE-LEARNED.FORGETTHEPROMISEOFPROGRESSANDUNDERSTANDING,FORINTHEGRIMDARK

FUTURETHEREISONLYWAR.THEREISNOPEACEAMONGSTTHESTARS,ONLYANETERNITYOFCARNAGEANDSLAUGHTER,ANDTHELAUGHTEROFTHIRSTINGGODS.

PROLOGUETransmission

Therewon’tbetimetobroadcastagain,sothisisit.We’veheldoutforaslongaswecan,butthey’llbreachwithinthehour,andthisarray,theonlyrealhopewehad,willbelosttous.Thereisn’ttimetoscuttleitproperly.SergeantPraeteswantsustoleaveimmediately.Thegreenskinartillerybarrageiscreepingcloserbythesecond.They’vealreadyobliteratedthegovernmentbuildingsandthecollegium,andneitherofthoseisfarfromhere.ButIhavetotry,justonelastmessagebeforewepulloutforgood.Ifwe’relucky,theorkswillreducethisfacilitytorubblebehindus,notrecognisingitsvalue.I’vealreadystartedmovingthelastoftheLammasiansquadsoutofthenorth

gate.I’llretreatwiththerearguardassoonasthisissent.Thefinalpartyofciviliansandwoundedtroopersleftyesterdaywithanescortofable-bodiedmenfromthe18thMordian.Therearen’tmanyleft.Thatgoesforciviliansandsoldiersboth.I’mdowntoahandfulofcombatplatoonscobbledtogetherfromwhat’sleftofthreeshatteredregiments.Ithasfallentometoleadthem.Sixdaysago,Iassumedoverallcommand,

andnotbychoice.Theentirecadreofseniorofficerswaswipedoutinsomekindofgreenskinstealthattack.Thatmightsoundimplausiblegiventhenatureofthefoe,butonmyhonour,theywereinandoutlikeghosts,leavingaroomfullofheadlesscorpsesbehindthem.Isupposetheywantedmorefoultrophies,thoughEmperorknows,theyshouldhaveenoughofthembynow.Myownheadwouldbehangingfromthebeltofsomegreenskinsavageright

nowwereitnotformyduties.Iwasexecutingatriooffaithlessdesertersatthetime.IseetheEmperor’shandinthat.Myownfaith,thefuelbywhichIcontinuetofight,tellsmethatHemustbe

watchingoverme.AllthingsarepartofHisgreatplan.Iwillnotallowmyselftofallintoadeadlydespair.IknowthatRynn’sWorldisnotfarfromhere,barelytwoweeks’travelasthewarpflows.IftheEmperorwillsit,theCrimsonFistsmayhavereceivedwordofourplightalready.LordofMankind,grantthattheyareenrouteevenasIspeak.Itisnotanunreasonablesupposition.Wehavebeentransmittingsteadily,

everyhour,onthehour,sincethefirstofthegreenskinassaultshipscutacrossthesky.Surelysomeonehasheardourcall.

(Soundofmuffledartilleryfireandexplosiveimpacts.)

Damnthefilthyxenos!Theirshellsaredefinitelygettingcloser.Itwon’tbelongnow.I…Icanstillbarelycomprehendthenumbersweface.Theorbitaldefencegridwasoverstretchedfromthestart.Theskywentdarkwiththeirships.Ishouldhaveexecutedsomeoneforthat;accordingtorecords,themissileandplasmadefencebatterieshadn’tbeeninspectedbyatech-priestinoverthreehundredyears!Attheveryleast,thereshouldhavebeensomekindofwarning.Whywasthere

nowordfromtherelaystationonDagoth?Icanonlyimaginethattheorksstrucktherefirst,andwithsuchspeedthattherewasnotimetoalerttherestofthesector.NowBadlandingpaystheprice.Ifanyonereceivesthis–itdoesn’tmatterwhoyouare–youmustsendwordto

theCrimsonFists.Donottrytoaidusalone.OnlytheAdeptusAstartescanhelpusnow.Thisisnofightforalesserforce.Anorkincursionofthismagnitude…ithastobeaWaaagh!And,ifitisn’tcheckedhere,itwillgrow.ByThrone,willitgrow.LordofMankind,don’tletitbetoolate.TotheSpaceMarinesoftheCrimsonFists,Isaythis:ifyoureceivethis

messageintimetoofferusanyhopeofrescue,knowthatwehaveabandonedKrugerportforthecavenetworksbeneaththeScratchMountainsjustnorthofthecity.We’lldiginthereforaslongaswecan.Thereisnootherrefugelefttous.Oursuppliesareexpectedtolastanotherweek,perhapstwoifwe–

(Soundofdistantstubber-fireansweredimmediatelybythecloser,loudercrackoflas-weapons.Urgentshoutingfrommultiple

individualsatonce.)

Theartilleryhasceased.They’remakinganinfantrypush!We’repullingout.I’msendingthiswithoutencryption.InthenameoftheImmortalSaviour,Ipraythatsomeonehearsit.Hurry!GetthismessagetoRynn’sWorld!Ifwearetodieheresothatothers

mightbewarned,thensobeit.Butletourdeathsnotbeinvain.ThisisCommissarAlhausBaldursigningoff.

MunitorumIdenticode(verified):CM41656-18FTimestamp(IST):17:44:013015989.M41

PARTONE

‘Whenamandiesbeforehistime,howmuchistrulylost?Morethanjustalife,certainly.Abranchwithersandbearsnomorefruit.

Futuresareerased.Pathsclosethatcanneverbere-opened.Wouldhisoffspringhavebeensaints?Killers?Both?Whenamandiesbeforehistime,theanswersgowithhim.Thisbegsthequestion:shouldnotallmenbesaved?’

Extract:DiaryofaSurvivorViscountNiloVanaderIsopho

(936.M41-991.M41)

ONEArxTyrannus,HellbladeMountains

‘Upheaval,’saidRuthioTerraro,staringdownatthecardshehadpulledfromthedeck.TheylayinthepatternknownasTheBurningStar,adarkomeninitself.Hedidnotremembertouchingasingleone,norhadheconsciouslychosentheirarrangement,buttheabsenceofthosememoriesdidnotsurprisehim.Thedeeptrancewasalwaysthesame.Sowastheawakening.Likeavividdreamoffallingtoone’sdeath,italwaysendedwithashoutandashudderandagaspingforbreath.ThathestillemergedfromthetrancethiswayangeredTerraro,foritwasthe

markofaLibrarianyettofullymasterhisgifts,andtheotherCodiciershadalreadymovedbeyondit.ButifitbotheredthegiantfigureonTerraro’sright,therewasnoindication.‘Upheaval,’echoedthegiant.‘Goon,mybrother.’‘Astruggleagainstgreatodds,’Terrarocontinued,turningfromthecards.

‘Oceansofblood.Stormclouds,darkandheavywithimpendingviolence.Belowthem,aforkintheroad,signifyingchoice.Twopaths,oneleadingtoday,theothertonight.Soithasbeenthelastfourtimes,honouredbrother,andwithonlythemostminorvariations.Doyouwishmetotryagain?’Thegiant,EustaceMendoza,MasteroftheLibrarius,movedtotheCodicier’s

shoulderandstoodoverhim,glaringdownwithdark,hoodedeyesattheancientcards.Theirstylisedimagesseemedtomove,todanceintheglowfromthegoldencandelabras,whiletherestofthechamberremainedthickwithshadow.‘No,Ruthio,’hesaid,hisvoiceadeepbaritone.‘Thatwillnotbenecessary.

YourinterpretationcorroboratesBrotherDeguerro’svisions.Thecurrentsoftimeandtheimmateriumwillrevealnothingmoretoustonight.TheEpistolariesandIwilldiscussthematteratthenextcouncil.Fornow,youmustreturnto

yourquartersandhavetheChosenattendyou.Fullplateandarms,doyouunderstand?Wemustlookourfinest.Firstlightwillbreakinfourhours,andtheDayofFoundationshallbeuponus.Thereisagreatdealofceremonytoobserve.’Withanod,Terrarogathereduphiscards,pushedhischairbackfromthe

broadoakdesk,androsetohisfeet.Standingtwometrestall,hewasstillaheadshorterthantheMasteroftheLibrarius,butequallybroadacrosstheshoulders.Ononeofthoseshoulders,hismasternowplacedabigcallousedhandand,together,theywalkedfromtheroom.‘Untilthecomingdayisover,’EustaceMendozatoldTerraroastheypassed

intotheechoing,lamplitcorridorbeyond,‘thefuturewillhavetowait.’

AlessioCortez,whobyhisownconfessionlackedtheslightestinterestinthemusicalarts,foundhimselfdeeplymovedbythehymnthatnowechoedfromtheReclusiam’sdarkstonewalls.Itwasasmournfulasitwasancient,itseverybeautifulnoteaheart-rendinglamenttothebattle-brotherstheChapterhadlost,notjustinthelasthundredyears,butinallthelongmillenniasinceitsgloriousinception.Cortezhadheardthehymnjustthreetimesinhislife,foritwasonlysungon

theDayofFoundation,buthisperfectrecallofthoseprevioustimesdidnothingtodullitseffectnow.Allthosedeaths,alltheone-sidedfarewells,theycamebacktohim,justastheyweremeantto.Thiswasthetimetomournproperly.Thiswasthetimetorememberthesacrificehisnoblebrothershadmade,andhisheartwasheavywiththesorrowofit.Moreimportantly,itwasalsofilledwithpride.Therewasnoguilttodampenthatfeeling.Hehadsurvivedthreeandahalf

centuriesofwar,andhewaslongpastsurvivor’sguilt.AnAstarteslivedordiedbyhisskillsandattributes,histeamwork,hisunendingdedicationtoperfectingtheartofwarandtotheoathsofhonourableservicehehadmade.Deathwasinevitable,evenforaSpaceMarine.Itwasjustamatteroftime.ImmortalitywastheprovinceoftheEmperoralone,regardlessofwhatanyoneelsesaid.HelookedacrosstheReclusiamtotheoppositearmofthetransept,studying

theservitor-choirfromwhichthehymncontinuedtopourforth.Whatpitifulcreaturestheywere!Theirskinny,limblessbodieswerefixedtoshortpillarsofblackmarblewhichconcealedthemechanicalworkingsthatkeptthemhalf-alive.Everyeye-socketwasboltedoverwithironplate.Fromeverymouth,ablackvox-ampgrilleprotruded,andfromeachpale,hairlesshead,ribbedcables

extended,linkingthemtogetherinperfectsynchronicity,theirrudimentaryintellectsunitedandfocussedonlyonthesong.OnthegallerytoCortez’sright,highabovetheReclusiam’sentrance,yet

anotherservitorsat,hardwiredintoamassivemechanicalsteamorganthatboomedoutdourmusicalaccompaniment.Wretchesall,thoughtCortez.Butperhapsitisbettertheysingoursadnessfor

usthanthatwetrytosingitforourselves.Healmostgrinned,thinkingthathisownroughvoice,ifforcedintosong,

woulddonohonourtothedead.Infact,itwasmorelikelytocauseinsult.Thiswasnotanoriginalthought.Hemadethesamejoketohimselfevery

century,andletitpassjustasquickly.MatterswhichdidnotinvolvethekillingoftheChapter’smanyfoesseldomheldCortez’sattentionformorethanafewseconds.Pedrowasalwayschastisinghimforthat.Thehymncametoanendnow,itsfinalsorrowfulnotereverberatinginthe

mindsofthecongregationformomentsafterthesounditselfhadceased.Cortezletitgo,feelingunburdenedsomehow,andturnedhisattentiontowardstheapse,toanaltarofgilt-edgedblackmarblewhereHighChaplainTomasinowsteppedforwardsandbeganrecitingwordsofremembrancefromtheBookofDorn.Hewasanimpressivefigure,MarqolTomasi.AsHighChaplain,heneededto

be,forhewasoftenrequiredtocommandtheabsoluteattentionoflargecongregationssuchasthis.Therewasnoroomforself-doubtordiffidenceinamanofhisstation.Itwashisduty,andthedutyofhissubordinateChaplains,tosafeguardthefaithandobedienceofeverylastbattle-brotherandserfintheserviceoftheChapter.Whenhespoke,othershadtolisten,hadtobelieveinhimandinthereligiousstricturesheespoused.CortezrespectedTomasiagreatdeal,perhapsevenlikedhimalittle.TheHigh

Chaplainwasaferociousclose-quartersfighterwithalmostasmanyhigh-profilekillstohisnameasCortezhimselfclaimed.But,morethanthis,theysharedacertainoutlookonlife,characterisedbyitselegantsimplicity.TheenemiesoftheEmperormustbesundered,andthehonouroftheChaptermaintained.Withthesetwothingstakencareof,allelsewasmoot.Whatmorecouldtherebe?WhydidPedroconcernhimselfwithsecondaryandtertiarymatters,liketheannualpetitioners,orplanetarylawreforms,orpan-sectortraderelations?WhatdidanyofthatmattertoaSpaceMarine?Afterafewminutes,TomasistoppedreadingaloudfromtheBookofDorn,

andsteppedaroundtothefrontofthegoldenlecternonwhichitrested.His

armourwasutterlyblack,polishedtosuchasheenthatitgleamedlikeadarkmirrorinthelightfromthewallsconcesandthethousandsofvotivecandlesoneithersideoftheapse.Hisceramitebreastplateandpauldronswereadornedwiththegleamingbonesoffallenfoesandwithwax-and-parchmentpurityseals,eachdelineatedwithablessingwritteninblood.Hishelmet,withitsdistinctivefaceplate–anextremelydetailedrenditionofaskullcastinflawless,polishedgold–wasclippedtohisbelt,leavinghisharsh,deeply-linedfeaturesinplainview.EvenamongtheCrimsonFists,fewdaredtoholdthatfearsomegazeforlong.ThiswasthepartoftheservicewhereTomasicalledouttotheEmperorandto

thePrimarchRogalDorntolookdownonthecongregationandblesstheminallthebloodyworkahead.HespokeoftheChapter’shatedenemiesandoftheslaughtertheysoughttoperpetrate,therapeofworlds,thesubjugationordestructionofallmankind.Hiswordstooktheirintendedeffect,graduallychargingtheairasifan

electricalstormwerebuilding.Cortezfeltsomethingrisewithinhimandknewitwashate,pureandpowerfulandalwaysthere,hisconstantcompanion,fuelforthefirethatburnedinside.Everycentury,scoresofCrimsonFistsgavetheirlivesinbattletoprotectthe

Imperiumfromthefoulmaladiesthatinfectedit.Fromtheoutside,stabbinginwardswithinexplicablehatredandbarbarity,myriadalienracessoughttoundoallthattheImperiumhadstruggledfortenthousandyearstobuild.Fromtheinside,perhapsthemostcontemptibleofall,cametheunforgivablecorruptionandmadnessofthetraitor,themutantandthefoul,ungratefulheretic.Aye,damnthemall,Cortezcursed,fistsclenchedathisside.Therewillbeno

mercyforthem,noquartergiven.Theirbloodwillturntheverystarsred.Tomasiwasamasteratthis.Onceeverycentury,withthewholeChapter

gatheredhereatArxTyrannus,heturnedtheirbrotherlygriefintosomethingfarmorepotent,farmorevaluableanddeadly.Cortezknewthisfeelingbetterthanmost;hehadlivedwithitlonger,andhadembraceditwithoutreserve.Onalltoomanyoccasionsduringalifetimefilledwithviolenceandslaughter,hehadlainbrokenandbleedinginabunkerorinthebackofaRhinotransport,andhadheardtheApothecariesmutterthathewouldnotsurvivehisinjuriesthistime.Everysingletime,hisbodyhadfoughtthroughthemosthorrificdamagetomocktheirpronouncements,foundthestrengthsomewheretohealitselfandriseagainandcarriedhimbacktowartoexecutetheChapter’snever-endingduties.Heknewexactlywherethatstrengthcamefrom,andhehopedhis4th

Companywouldlearntoembracetheirhatredashehad.Notjustinwordordeed,butdeeper,inthecoreoftheirsouls,whereitwouldbringthemthroughhorrorstheywouldotherwisenotsurvive.Thinkingofthebattle-brothersunderhiscommandcausedhimtoaverthis

gazefromthealtar.Helookedoutalongthecentralsectionofthegreatnave.Inall,exactlyninehundredandforty-fourSpaceMarinesstoodthere,everylastonedressedinfullbattle-plate,eachpauldronandvambracepolishedtoperfectionforthismostimportantofdays.Theylookedglorious,assembledtogetherintheirperfectorderedrows,facingthealtarwiththeireyesfixedonTomasiasheliftedabeautifullycraftedbolteroverhisheadandgavethankstotheEmperorandtotheforgesofMarsfortheChapter’slong-servingweaponsofwar.Amongalltheblue-armouredforms,Cortezpickedouthisowncompany,

easilyidentifiedbythedeepgreentrimontheirpauldrons.Underhisleadership,thename4thCompanyhadbecomesynonymouswith

thekindofdecisive,all-or-nothinggambitswhichCortezhadalwaysfavoured.Soothersthoughtthemrecklessandbrash–whatofit?Thesurfacesoftheirarmourwereacid-etchedwithmoreglories,decoratedwithmorehonoursthananyothercompanysavetheCrusadeCompany,theelite1stCompanyoftheCrimsonFists.Asasergeant,Cortezhadoncebeenapartofthatgloriouselite.Allcompany

captainsearnedtheircommandthatway,provingthemselvesworthythroughyearsofexactingserviceundertheChapterMaster’simmediatepersonalcommand.Butitwasamonghisbeloved4thCompanythatCortezknewhebelonged,commandingsomeofthefinestbattle-brotherswithwhomhehadevermarchedintobattle.Iamad,Benedictus,Cabrero,oldone-eyedSilesi,vicious,unrelentingVesdar.Theywereallbornkillers.Hisfocusrestedmomentarilyoneachofthem,andheallowedhimselfthe

smallestofnods.Finediscipline.Heexpectednoless.Notoneofthemmoved.Notonespoke.Allwereutterlyfixatedonthesolemnceremonyasitcame,now,toitsclose.HighChaplainTomasifinallyloweredthevenerablegold-chasedbolterfrom

abovehisheadandboomed,‘Foreachdropofourbloodthatisspilled,maycrimsonfloodsspillforthfromthewoundsofourenemies.Foreachscratchonoursacredarmour,maytheirfleshandbonebecleavedapartbyourblades,pulverisedandshatteredbyourfists.TheImperiumwillendure.ThisChapterwillendure.Eachofyoushallendure.Thisweprayinthenameoftheprimarch

whoshapedus,andinthenameoftheEmperorwhomadeus.’‘ForDornandtheEmperor,’theassemblyintoned.‘Forthegloryandhonour

oftheCrimsonFists.’Cortezlentthefullpowerofhisvoicetotheresponse.Standingbesidehimin

thewesterntransept,theothermembersoftheChapterCouncildidlikewise.‘Sowepray,’addedtheHighChaplain,moresubduednow.‘Soshallitbe.’Tomasiturnedandnoddedtoatoweringfigurestandinginashadowedalcove

tohisleft,thenretreatedfromthealtartothereliquaryattherearoftheReclusiam,theretoreturnthemagnificentrelicshehadusedduringtheservicetotheirrightfulplace.Thetallfigureontheleftemergedfromtheshadowsnow,stridingforwardon

longlegstotakecentrestageinfrontofthealtar.Revealedinallhissplendour,hewasabreathtakingsighttobehold.Lightglitteredfromhisgem-encrustedbreastplateandfromtheshimmeringgoldenhalobehindhishead.Goldenskullsandbeautifullyembossedeaglesgracedhisgorget,knee-platesandgreaves.Fromhisarmouredwaist,atabardofredsilkhung,proudlydisplayingtheChaptericon,aclenchedredfistonacircularfieldofblack.Theancientpuritysealsthathungfromhispauldronsflutteredashecametoastop.Immediately,withtheexceptionofthemembersoftheChapterCouncil,the

congregationdroppedtooneknee.Cortezandhiscouncilbrotherssimplybowedtheirheads,aprivilegeoftheir

rank,andwaitedforthefiguretospeak.Thevoice,whenitcame,wasstronganddeep,warmlikethecurrentsoftheSouthAdacean,agreatbassrumblethatwasimpossibletoignore.‘Stand,brothers.Please.’Cortezhadspentmostofhislifelisteningtothatvoice,doingasit

commandedand,onnosmallnumberofoccasions,debatingfiercelywithit.Itwasthevoiceofhisclosestfriend,butalsoofhislordandleader.ItbelongedtoPedroKantor,twenty-ninthChapterMasteroftheCrimsonFists,and,barringperhapstheeightmightyDreadnoughtswhostoodwiththeirenginesidlingatthebackofthenave,byfarthemostimpressivefigureintheReclusiamthatday.‘Wehaveobservedremembrance,’saidtheChapterMaster,‘forallthose

honouredbrotherslosttousinthelasthundredyears.TheirnameshavebeeninscribedonthewallsofMonumentHall,andtherecordsoftheirdeedshavebeencommittedtotheBookofHonour.AnyofyouwishingtopaypersonaltributeaftertodaymayapproachoneoftheChaplainsatasuitabletimeandrequesttheproperprayersandofferings.ThisIstronglyencourageyoutodo,as

isourtradition,asisourobligation.’HiseyesscannedtherowsofsilentSpaceMarines.‘WearetheCrimsonFists,’hetoldthem.‘Wedonotforgive,andwedonotforget.Thedeadliveoninourmemoriesandthroughtheprogenoid,andourdeedsmustalways–always–servetohonourthem.’Insalutetothefallen,theChapterMasterballedhisrightgauntletintoafist

andclasheditthreetimesagainstthesculptedleftpectoralofhisexquisitelycraftedcuirass.Hewatchedtheassembledwarriorsmirrorhim.‘Wesalutethefallen,’they

intonedasone.‘Wehonourthedead.’TheChapterMasterwaitedfortheechotofinishricochetingfromthe

shadowedraftershighabove,thensaid,‘Inamomentyourcaptainswillleadyouout.WeshallassembleontheProtheoBastion,theretowitnesstheMiracleoftheBloodandreceivethefirstoftheday’sbattle-blessings.Therewillbenorepastthisday.TheDayofFoundationrequiresustofast,andyouwillallholdtothat.AfterreceivingourblessingsontheProtheoBastion,weshallreturnherefortheinitiationsandtheSteeping.’WasitCortez’simagination?Forasplitsecond,hewassuretheChapter

Masterhadflickedadiscreetglanceinhisdirectionbeforehecontinued,saying,‘WeshallbejoinedtodaybymembersoftheUpperRynnhouse,whoaretravellingfromNewRynnCitytopaytheirrespectstoourChapteranditstraditions,andtocelebratetheanniversaryofourFoundingwithus.Someofyouhavemadeyourobjectionsknownregardingthis,andtotheseIsaythis;donotunderestimatetheimportanceofourrelationshipwiththeRynnitenobility.Inacceptingthegreatresponsibilityofthisstarsystem’spoliticalgovernance,theyhaveliftedfromourshouldersallthoseburdenswhichdonotbefitmenofwar.’Hepausedbrieflybeforeadding,‘Seethevalueinthat,asIdo.Theyshallbe

landingatTarvoPeakshortlyandareherebymyinvitation.Inalllikelihood,youwillnotneedtospeaktothem,but,ifyoudo,youwillshowtoleranceandcourtesy.Remember,inagalaxysuchasthis,theyarebutchildren,andwearetheirprotectors.’Cortezfrowned,certain,now,thatmuchofthiswasdirectedhisway.Heand

Kantorhadlockedhornsoverpermittingthespoiled,self-indulgentaristocratsinsidethesacredwallsofthefortress-monastery,buttheChapterMaster’swordwaslaw.Withlittlechoice,Cortezhadultimatelybackeddown,stalkingofftoventhisfrustrationsonacombatdroneinthetrainingpits.Cortezbelieveditwasfarbettertobefearedthanloved.HeknewTomasi

wouldhaveagreed.Bettertomaintainasmuchdistanceaspossiblefromthe

weaklingmasses.Theshamelesswaytheythrewthemselvesintoutterdependenceonthosestrongerthanthemselvessickenedhim.Andwhatdidinbred,soft-belliedsocialitesknowofthemeaningofsacrifice?WhatdidtheImperiummeantothem,savethesecurity,comfortandpersonalprofititbrought?EventhoserarenobleswhooptedtospendafewyearsintheRynnsguardonlydidsofortherighttowearadressuniformonfestivaldays.Theirtermsofso-calledactiveservicewerefamouslyshortandwithoutincident.TheChapterMasterresumedspeaking,abruptlycuttingacrossCortez’strain

ofthought.‘MybrotherAstartes,’hesaid.‘Thisserviceisended.Gowithhonour,with

courageandwiththeEmperor’sblessing,rememberingalwaysyoursacredduty.’‘Byyourcommand,’repliedtheranks.Theincense-thickairoftheReclusiamsoonshookwiththesoundofarmoured

bootsonstoneaseachofthecaptainsledtheircompaniesthroughthesanctum’svastbronzedoors.Cortez’sturncame,andhemovedoutofthetranseptanddownthecentralaisle,leavingonlyCaptainsAshorDrakkenandDrigoAlveztofollow.Cortezthrewtheservitorchoiralastbrief,disdainfullookasheleft,noting

thattheyhadalreadybeenpowereddown.Intheirstationarysilence,theynowseemedlittlemorethanarowofhideousalabasterbusts.Atanod,4thCompanyfellinbehindhim.Ashemarchedthemunderthegreatarchedportalandoutintothewide,snow-

carpetedcourtyardbeyond,Cortezlookedtothesky.Twohoursago,whentheservicehadstarted,ithadbeenastarless,midnightblack.Sincethen,morninghadbrokenovertheHellbladeMountains,bringingsnowfallandacrisp,icyairthatrefreshedhim,purgingtheunpleasantlyrichincensefromhisnostrils.Ashemarched,hewonderedif,bythenextDayofFoundation,hisownname

wouldbeetchedonthewallsofMonumentHall.Hehadneverfeareddeath,alwaysthrowinghimselfheadlongintoeventhemosthopelessofbattleswithfarmorethoughtfortheobjectivethanforhisownsurvival.Perhaps,coupledwithhisbottomlessreserveofhatredfortheenemy,thatwasexactlywhyhealwayssurvived.Tofightwithoutfearofdeathwasliberating.Notthathewasfoolishenoughtobelievethemythsthathadsprunguparoundhim,ofcourse–mythsinwhichthemenofhiscompany,marchinginunisonbehindhim,seemedtotakeagreatandobviousdelight.CorteztheImmortal,theycalledhimoutofearshot.

Hewascertainlynotimmortal,despitepopularspeculation.Oneday,heknew,hewouldmeethismatch,andthepreposterousrumourswouldbeprovenfalse.Apartofhimalmostlookedforwardtothat.Ifnothingelse,itwouldbeamostmemorablefight.Whenthatdayfinallyarrived,hewantedonlytwothingsfromit.Thefirstwastodiewell,tosellhislifedearwithpowerfistsmashingthrough

armourandbone,pistolbarkinginhishandandabloodcurdlingbattlecryonhislips.Thesecondwasthatthebrotherswhoreceivedorgansculturedfromhis

progenoidglandswouldhonourhimwiththeirdeeds,onedaybecomingheroesoftheChapterthemselves.ItpleasedAlessioCorteztoimaginesuchthings.Neitherhopeseemedparticularlyunreasonable.Whenheandhismenwerehalfwayacrossthecourtyard,hisattentionwas

suddenlydiverted.Asmall,robedfigureburstfromastonearchwaytotheright,stumbled,andfellface-downinthesnow.Hegotupimmediately,ignoringtheclodsofwhitethatnowcakedhim,andcontinuedhisruninthedirectionoftheReclusiam’smainentrance.ThecogsymbolonhisleftbreastidentifiedhimasaserfbelongingtoJavierAdon’sTechnicarum.TherunesunderneathitshowedthatheservedinthetowerknownastheCommunicatus.‘Youthere!’Cortezbarked.‘Halt!’Theman’slegsfrozebeforehismindevenhadtimetoprocessthewords,such

wastherazor-sharpedgeofauthorityinCortez’svoice.‘Areyousoeagertodie,Chosen?’askedCortez,glaringoverathim.‘You

mustknowwhatwillhappenifyoustepbeyondthosedoors.’Themenof4thCompanycametoasmarthaltbehindtheircaptain.They,too,

stoodfacingthelonefigure.Ifthelittlemansetonefootwithinthesanctum’swalls,hewasasgoodas

dead.Thestricturesprohibitedit.WiththeexceptionoftherareindividualswhoservedtheSacratium,andservitors,onlyafull-bloodedAstartescouldentertheReclusiamandlive.ThemanbowedlowtoCortez,thenonceagaintothebattle-brothersbehind

him,andsaid,‘Honouredlord,IamimprintedwithamessagefortheChapterMaster.ItsurgencywasdeeplyimpresseduponmebytheMonitor.I…Iamorderedtodeliveritnomattertheconsequencestomyperson.’HeindicatedtheReclusiam’swideentrance.‘IthoughtperhapstocatchLordKantorasheleaves.’

‘Hewillnotcomeoutthatway,’saidCortez,punctuatingtheremarkwithasmallthrustofhischininthedirectionofthegreatbronzeportal.‘AndDurlanCholoknowsbetterthantobotherourlordontheChapter’sDayofFoundation.Whatkindofmessagewarrantssuchurgency,Iwonder?’TheserffixedhisgazeonthegroundatCortez’sfeetandreplied,‘Iwas

placedintrancefortheimprinting,lord,sothecontentisunknowntome.IknowonlywhattheMonitortoldme.HewasmostinsistentthatMasterKantorhearitatonce.’Cortezmovedcloser,hisarmouredbootscrunchingvirginsnow,untilhestood

lookingdownonthelittlemanfromonlyafewmetresaway.‘Relaythemessagetome,’hesaid.‘IwillgobackinsideimmediatelyandpassittoHisLordshiponyourbehalf.’Theserfweighedtheofferforonlyaheartbeat.Anylongerwouldhavebeena

graveinsult,foreverylivingsoulinArxTyrannusknewthatPedroKantorlovedandtrustedAlessioCortezaboveallothers.ToCortez’sknowledge,therewerenosecretsbetweenthetwoofthem.Hisdecisionmade,theserfsmiledgratefullyanddippedhishead.‘The

famouscaptainisbothkindandwise.Ishallsigntheactivationcodetoyounow.Speakitbacktome,lord,andIwillautomaticallyrecountthemessage.’Corteznoddedandwatchedcloselyastheserf’sfingersfluttered,makinga

seriesofrapidsymbolsontheair.‘Ihaveit,’saidCortez.‘FifteenThetaCerberus.‘Theserf’sbodyimmediatelystiffenedasifithadjustreceivedamassive

electricshock.Hisheadrolledtooneside,hiseyesglazedover,andhebeganspeakinginavoicethatborenoresemblancewhatsoevertotheonehehadusedonlymomentsbefore.‘EmergencycommunicationfromImperialcommercialtransportvessel

Videnhaus.Omega-levelencoding.Relayofdeepspacepulse-burstsignaltransmittedbyCommissarAlhausBaldur.Identicodeverified.Messagecontentfollows…’Thevoicechangedagain,dramatically.Cortezfeltafloodofmixedemotionswashoverhimashelistenedtothelittle

serfreplaythewordsofthedesperateCommissarBaldur,wordsthathadbeenflungoutintodeepspaceweeksago.Themessagehadtakenitstime,butithadatlastreacheditsdestination.TheoddsthattherewereanydefendersleftaliveonBadlandingwereslim,tosaytheleast.ThencamementionoftheorkWaaagh.

Cortezfelthispulsequicken.Heheardbloodrushinginhisears.Restlessenergywelledupinsidehim,charginghismuscles,readyinghimforcombatonthestrengthofthewordsalone.AWaaagh!Yes,thiswassomethingPedroKantorhadtohearatonce,regardlessof

ceremony,regardlessofeverythingthisdaysignified.Theorkswouldn’twait.Ceremonyandtraditionmeantnothingtothem.Therewerefewthingsinthegalaxymorelethalanddestructivethanafull-scaleWaaagh.Evennow,thegreenskinsmightbeforcingtheirwayfurtherintotheLokiSector,smashingasideunpreparednavalpatrolsandplanetarydefenceforces.Badlandingwouldbeanidealbeachhead.Theserfcametotheendofhismessageandreturnedtofullconsciousness

withastart.Foramoment,Cortezthoughtthemanwouldfalloverinthesnowandhavesomekindofseizure,buthesteadiedhimselfandlookedupmeekly.‘Ifmylordwishesmetorepeat…’Cortezshookhishead.‘Whatisyourname,Chosen?’heasked.‘Ha-Hammond,mylord,’saidtheman,clearlyflatteredtobeasked.

‘Hammond,ifitpleaseyou.’‘ReturntotheCommunicatus,Hammond,’saidCortez,‘andtellCholo…tell

theMonitorthatCaptainCortezsendshisgratitude.Youhavefulfilledyourdutywithdistinction.Onmyhonour,IgonowtorelayyourwordstotheChapterMaster.’Hammond’seyesstartedtoglistenasthecomplimentregistered.Withsome

effort,hemanagedtoholdbacktearsofjoyandpridewhilestillunderCortez’sgaze.Hebowedlowonceagain,thenmadethesignoftheaquilauponhischestandsaid,‘Mylord’sinterventionhassparedthisunworthylife.Heisasmunificentasheisskilledinwar.Truly,maytheEmperor’sgloriouslightevershineuponhim.’Cortezsilentlyprayedthathismunificenceandhisskillinwarwerenotequal.

Hewouldbedeadmanytimesoveriftheywere.HedismissedHammondwithanodtowardsthestonearchwaythroughwhich

theserfhadcome,thenturnedandwalkedbacktowardstheReclusiam’sentrance.Overhisshoulder,hecalledout,‘SergeantCabrero,leadthementoProtheoBastionandwaitformethere.Iwilljoinyoumomentarily.’‘Atonce,yourmunificence,’saidCabrero,almostmanagingtosuppressa

grin.Cortezgrinnedback.Hisspirits,herealised,hadbeenliftedbythevery

thoughtofgoingtowar,andnotjustagainstanyoldopponent,butagainstthesavage,filth-eatingorks.Nowtherewasanenemywhoknewhowtofight!‘You’llfindouthowmunificentIamtomorrowonthetrainingfields,’hetold

Cabrero.Thesergeantlookedalotlessjovialatthisprospect.Hesalutedstiffly,right

fisttobreastplate,andled4thCompanyawayasinstructed.Cortezwalkedbackthewayhehadcame,bootsretracingthetrailheandhis

menhadjustcutinthesnow.AshorDrakkenwasemergingfromtheshadowsoftheReclusiam’sgranite

portico,leadinghis3rdCompanyoutintothewintryair.AsCortezmarchedinhisdirection,Drakkenremarkeddryly,‘Aren’tyougoingthewrongway,brother?’Cortezslowedonlyalittleashepassedhisfellowcaptain.‘Thiscannotwait,

Ashor.Bereadytoattendcouncil.Asessionwillsurelybecalled.’‘Nottoday,’saidDrakken,voiceedgedwitharrogantcertainty.Cortezsaidnomore.Grinninglikeawolf,heturned,strodeonand

disappearedthroughthesanctum’sdoors.

TWOTarvoPeak,HellbladeMountains

RamirSavalesforcedhimselftostraightenup.Themountainairheldanicychillthisearlyinthemorning,particularlynowthatPrimagiddus,theMonthofFirstCold,washere,andherealisedhehadbeenhunchingovertoprotecthimselffromitsbite.Thatwouldn’tdo.OnedidnotmeettheplanetarygovernorandthemembersoftheUpperRynnhousestandingstoopedlikeanoldman,whateverone’sactualage.Pullingabatteredbrasschronometerfromhishippocket,hecheckedthetime.

Theshuttlestillhadafewmoreminutestogobeforeitcouldrightlybecalledlate.Hesaw,too,thathisfingerswerereddish-pink,rawwiththecold,andtriedtorubsomewarmthintothem.Everyyear,thewinterwasgettingmarginallyworse,orsoitseemedtohim.

LifeintheHellbladeMountainsbecamethatlittlebitharder,andtheMonthofFirstWarmthallthemorewelcomewhenitcame.Butheknewitwasn’ttheclimatethatwaschanging.Notreally.Itwashisbody,plainandsimple.Hisbestyearswerewellbehindhim.Soon,hewouldhavetoapproachthemasteraboutselectinganapprentice.Prideandsimplestubbornnesshaddelayedthatparticularconversationforfartoolongalready.Hehadbeenwaitingforalmostanhournow,standingontheperipheryofthe

TarvoPeaklandingpad,justbeyondthethickyellowlinethatmarkedtheedgeofthesafetyzone.Thepadwasabroadcircleaboutahundredmetresacross,projectingslightlyoutwardfromthegentlelowerslopeofthemountainlikeanoversizeddiscus,supportedfromunderneathbymassiveironstanchionsasthickasanyofthelimlattreesthatgrewinthefarnorth.Tinyredlightswinkedinunisonallalongitscircumferenceand,paintedintheverycentrewithitswingsspreadwide,wasamassivewhiteicon–astylisedeaglewithtwoheads.Hehad

supervisedtherepaintingofithimselflastsummer.Itslineswerestillfineandsharp,thoughtheday’ssnowfallwasjuststartingtocoverthem.Abovethemountains,thecloudswerethecolourofwetslate.Bright,fat

snowflakesspiralleddownontotheshouldersofhisall-weathergreatcoat.Underneaththecoat,Savalesworeaformaldresstunic,midnight-bluelikethe

armourofhislordsanddecoratedatthebreastwiththeiconoftheChapter.Itwasagreathonourtowearthaticon,butthetunicwasn’tdoingmuchtokeephimwarm.Idly,hewonderedhowmuchmorecomfortablehemighthavebeenintherobesheusuallyworeaboutthefortress.Hiswinterset,wovenfromthickraumaswool,wasmuchmoresuitableforthisweather.Hedonnedthedressuniformonlyonceortwiceayear,andwasthankfulthatmostofthoseoccasionsfellwithinthespringandsummerseasons.Afreezinggustofwindfromtheslopebehindhimcutthroughhiscoatand

madehimcurseoutloud.Heturnedtolookoverhisshoulder,butneitherthewindnorthecurseseemedtobotherthesilent,stationaryfiguresstandinginalongdoublerowbehindhim.Servitors.Nothingbotheredthem.Theypatientlyawaitedhiscommand,each

pairholdingalacqueredblackpalanquinbetweenthem.Savalesfacedfrontagain,mutteringtohimself.Damnit,heswore,haveIreallybecomesofragile?Tothinkthathehadoncebeenanaspirant,hadevenpassedtheTrialofthe

BloodiedHand.Hemighthavebeenabattle-brothernow,practicallyimpervioustopainanddiscomfort,butthecriticalimplantprocesshadfailed.Withoutthesacredimplants,nomatterhowgoodafighterhewas,hewasstilljustaman,andhisdestinywastoliveanddieasone,andtofeelthecoldinhisachingoldbones.TheseventeensacredimplantsthatwouldhavemadehimaCrimsonFist…HehadbeenonlyfourteensummersoldwhentheChapter’sApothecarieshad

attemptedthefirstprocedure,andhewouldhavegivenanything,anythingatall,forittohavesucceeded.Howcruelthefateshadbeen!Howmanynightssincethenhadhedreamtofthelifehemighthaveled,

sharinginthestrengthandgloryofthearmouredgiantswhohadtraversedthegulfbetweenstarstofindhimandtesthim?Howmanynightshadheawoken,cheeksdampwithtears,weepingquietlyintothedarksilenceofhisroom,lamentingallthatmighthavebeen?Hehadpassedeverytestadministered,masteredeverytaskset.Deathhad

doneitsbesttostophim,andhadtakenallbutoneofhisrivals,butithadnotbeenabletoreapthesoulofRamirSavales.Hehadsurvived,andhehadearnedhisrightfulplaceamongthemightywhiletheotherboys,allbutUlmarTeves,layparalysed,drowningorbleedingtodeathinthestinkingblackmarsh-watersoftheirhomeworld.Thelasttesthadbeenthehardest.Theviciousstingofthebloatedbarb-dragon

hadalmostpiercedhisskin.Justonemicrogramofitsburningvenomwouldhavebroughthimunbearableagony,thenmadness,thenfinallydeath.Threetimesthatlethalbarbhadalmostprickedhiswristsashegrappledwiththenoxiouscreature,buthehadwonoutintheend.Hehadearnedhisplace.Noone,leastofallSavaleshimself,hadimaginedthathisownbody,hisownblastedflesh,wouldundoallhisdreams.Withthecoldmomentarilyforgotten,hisfacetwistedatthethought.Fifty-

sevenyearshadpassed,andhecouldstillhearthewordsofthehard-eyedApothecarywhohadleanedoverthetabletowhichhehadbeenstrapped–wordsthathadallbutcrushedhissoul:Itisnottobe,youngone.Yourbodyrebels.Theimplantswillnottake.Youarenotdestinedtoserveaswedo.YouwillneverbeAstartes.Itstunghimevennow,awoundthathadneverfullyhealed,thoughithad

dulledsignificantlyoverthelongyears.Backthen,hehadwishedfordeathtotakehim,toendtheagonyofhisdisappointment.Itwouldhavebeentheultimatekindness.Insteadofdeath,anotherkindofsalvationpresenteditself,andithadcomefromanunexpectedquarter.PedroKantor,MasteroftheChapter,LordHellbladehimself,hadcometotheteenageSavalesinpersonastheboysatweepinginthesolitudeofadarkstonecelldeepbelowthesurfaceoftheChapter’smountainhome.Themasterhadspokenoftheworthhesawinthebroken-heartedyouth,of

potentialthatshouldnotbewasted.SoSavaleswasnottobeanAstartes,themasterhadsaid.Regrettable,certainly,butperhapstheEmperorhadanotherdestinylaidoutforhim.TheChapterdidnotsurvivebythebloodofitsSpaceMarinesalone.Inhiswisdom,PedroKantorhadofferedthefailedneophyteanothermeansbywhichtoserve.TheyoungSavaleshadbeenapprenticedtothelord’sageingmajor-domo,

ArgolKondris,eventuallyreplacinghimwhentheoldermanpassedaway.OrdinatoroftheHouse,themaster’sseneschal,highestrankingofallthe

Chosen–itwasasgrandadestinyasanymeremortalhadtherighttohopefor,

anhonourbeyondwords.SavaleshadgiventhankstotheEmperorandHissaintseverysingledaysince,justashehadprayedforthesafetyandlonglifeoftheonewhohadgivenhimhisglorioussecondchance,theveryonewhohadchargedhimwithgreetingtheRynnitenoblesouthereonthisbitterwintermorning.Yes,hethought,itisonthemaster’sbehalfthatIstandherenow.Itismyduty,

andthatdutyisagreatblessing.Sotohellwiththeblastedcold!MouthingSaintSerpico’sNinthLitanyofResilience,heliftedhiseyestothe

skyoncemoreandtriedtopiercetheveilsoffallingsnowforsignofanapproachingcraft.Nothing.Hisbrowfurrowed.Hewasabouttocheckhischronometeragainwhenhe

heard,eversofaintly,thedistant,throatyhumofpowerfulturbineengines.Thenoisegrewsteadilylouderand,secondslater,ablackbulkresolveditselfinthedistance,justashadowatfirst,butgrowingmoresolid,moredetailed,asitclosedthegap.Soitbegins,thoughtSavales.Atleasttheyareontime.Withinminutes,theroaroftheshuttlebecamedeafening.Asitswunginforits

descent,verticalthrustersscorchingthesurfaceofthepad,itsundersideblottedoutagoodportionofthesky,andSavalesallowedhimselfamomentinwhichtobeimpressed.ThePeregrinewasafinecraft,almostthirtymetreslong,hejudged,andperhapsfifteeninheight,withawingspantomatch.Itsprowwasdecoratedwithagleamingeaglesculptedfromsolidgold.Unliketheiconpaintedonthelandingpad,thisoneboastedonlyasinglehead.Thecraft’ssleekgunmetalflanksborethecrestsoftheplanetarygovernmentandeachofthefamiliesthatruledthenineprovinces,allbeautifullyrenderedingemsandpreciousmetals.Astheenginespowereddown,shiftingfromarib-shakingroartoagentle

purr,Savalesadjustedthelapelsofhiscoat,smoothedhisthinninggreyhair,tuggedhissleevesdown,andsteppedforward.Hecouldfeelwelcomeheatradiatingfromthemassiveturbinesandwilledhisbodytosoakitin.Then,ashestoodthereintheshadowofthelong,pointedprow,heheardanewsound–thewhineofelectricmotors.Theshuttle’sbellyeasedopen,formingarampdownwhichtwomenmarchedinthebright,cream-colouredliveryoftheRynnsguard.Atthebottomoftheramp,eachsteppedaside,onetotheleft,theothertotheright,andrestedhighly-polishedlasgunsagainsttheirrightshoulders.Theydidnotmakeeyecontactwithhim.

Savalesfeltasmiletwitchthecornersofhismouth.Overgrownpageboys,hethoughtwithaprivatechuckle.Theywouldn’tlasthalfadaybackonBlackwater.Thedrechnidaewouldeatthemalive,ifthemarsh-wallocsdidn’tgetthemfirst.Butthatwasunfair,andhefeltamomentarystabofguilt.LordKantorhad

taughthimbetterthanthat.Theplanetarydefenceforcesdidhavearoletoplay.Thenoblesneededtheirbodyguards,andtherewerealwayssomesegmentsofthepopulacethatneededtobekeptinline,evenhereonRynn’sWorld,bothofwhichweredutiesfarbeneaththenoticeofthelegendaryAdeptusAstartes.Morefootstepsrangonthepolishedmetalplatesoftherampnow,andapair

ofslenderanklesappearedatthetop,soonjoinedbymoreastheplanetarygovernorandherentouragebegandescendingtowardsSavales.Hetookadeepbreath,straightenedhisshoulders,andreadiedhimselftogreet

themostpowerfulbureaucratsontheplanet,hopingtoHolyTerrathattheywouldn’tdoanythingstupidwhiletheywerehere.

LadyMaiaCagliestra’spalanquinwaswellcushioned,buttheridewasroughandthemountainroadwasoftensteepanduneven.Still,nothingcoulddampenherspiritsonthismostauspiciousofdays.Shehadwaitedallherlifeforthis.ToimaginethatshewouldfinallyenterArxTyrannus.Shealmostfeltlikesinging.Onlydecadesofwell-practicedrestraint,ofrigidlyadheringtotherulesofconductherlatemotherhadsosadisticallyimpressedonher,keptherfromexternallyexpressingherjoy.Ninety-sevenyearsold–thoughanyoneaskedtoguesswouldhavewageredherastrikinglybeautifulforty–yetshefeltasgiddyasachildonthemorningoftheHarvestEndfestival.Eventheicyairandthedarkvistaofthebroodingblackcragstoeithersideof

theroadmerelyservedtoheightentheexperience.TheseweretheHellbladeMountains,thedomainofthelegendaryCrimsonFists.Hewashere.Shehadwaitedsevenyearsjusttoseehimagain,andsoonhewouldbebefore

her,resplendentasalwaysinhisceramiteplateofblueandredandgold.AtasignalfromthemanwhohadintroducedhimselfasOrdinatorSavales,the

hoodedservitorscarryingherconveyancecametoacompletestop.Theconvoyhadreachedtheendofthemountainroad.Leaningoutofherpalanquin’sleftaperture,shesawthatthecolumnstoodontheprecipiceofayawningblackchasmwhichseparatedthemfromtheirdestination.TheOrdinatorwalkedbacktothesideofthegovernor’scarriage,and,bowing

slightly,saidtoher,‘We’vereachedthemaingates,ma’am.Ithoughtyoumightliketowatchthebridgeextend.’Fromthepalanquin’sshadowedinterior,Maiasmiledupathimandheldout

herhand.Herseniorsecretary,whomsheaffectionatelycalledLittleMylos,wasalreadyhurryingforwardfromtherearofthecolumntoattendtoher,buthewastoolate.Savalesgentlyhelpedhertoherfeet.Asshegraspedtheseneschal’sforearmforsupport,sheremarkedtoherselfontheropeyhardnessofhismuscles.Hemusthavebeenafinespecimenonce,shethought.Iwonderhowoldheis.Onceshewasstanding,OrdinatorSavalesgesturedtohisleft,andMaiaturned

hereyestofollow.Therebeforeher,toweringabovethefarlipofthechasm,werethegreatoutergatesofthefortress-monasteryArxTyrannus.Forafewseconds,MaiaCagliestraforgottobreathe.‘BytheGoldenThrone,’shegaspedatlast.Noneofthepictographsinherextensivelibrarycouldhopetodothesight

justice.Thegateswereatleastahundredmetrestall.Asachild,soverylongago,shehadreadallaboutthem.Sheknewthattheyhadoncecomprisedtheprowarmourofthelegendarystarship,RutilusTyrannus,theoriginalspacefaringhomeoftheChapterinthelongmillenniabeforetheCrimsonFistshadbeengivendomainoverRynn’sWorld.Eventoday,theheritageofthosegateswasunmistakable.Theystillborethevastshiningaquiladesignthathaddecoratedthefrontofthemightycraft.Thegatesweresetbetweentwomassive,square-cuttowersthatbristledwith

artilleryandmissilebatteries,allpointedupwardsatthedarkgreysky,readytofendoffathreatthatMaiacouldn’timagineeverdaringtoapproach.Eventhefoulestandmostviolentofthexenosracessurelyweren’tfoolishenoughtoattackaSpaceMarinehomeworld.Extendingfromeithersideofthetowerswerethefortress-monastery’s

gargantuanramparts,thrustingupatsharpanglesfromtheblackrock,astimelessandimmovableasthemountainsthemselves,asifthey,too,hadbeenformedinsomedistant,pre-historicage.Thewalls,likethegates,hadbeenbuiltfromthestuffofRutilusTyrannus,andwerestuddedallalongtheirlengthwithdevastatinglong-rangeweaponry,muchofwhichhadnodoubtoncegracedtheportandstarboardbatteriesoftheship.Howmanyenemycrafthadthosegunsobliteratedintheirbattlesbetweenthe

stars,Maiawondered?Highontheslopesofnearbypeaks,shesawotherstructures,smallerbut

similarlyfortifiedagainstattack.Theappearanceofmostofthesegavelittleclueastotheirpurpose,butoneborelargearraysofdeep-spacereceiversandtransmitters,andsherecogniseditfromherbooksastheCommunicatus.Asshelooked,abulkyThunderhawkgunshiphoveintoviewjustbelowthecloudline,arrivingfromthenorth-westandslowingtolandontheroofofalargecylindricalbuildingthatjuttedfromahazardous-lookingslopetothenorth.SheheardSavalessaysomething–shedidn’tquitecatchit–andturnedto

lookathim.Hehadonefingerpressedtoasmallmechanicaldevicethatencircledhisleftear.‘I’msorry,Ordinator,’shesaid.‘Wereyoutalkingtome?’Savalesdidn’tanswerimmediately.Anywordswouldhavebeendrownedout

bythetremendousmetallicgroanthatnowissuedfromthefarsideofthechasm.Maiaturnedandwatched,hermouthslightlyagape,asthegatesofArx

Tyrannuscreakedslowlyopenand,fromabroadhorizontalhousingintherockbelowthem,ametalbridgeextended.Itwasalmostfourminutesbeforethenoisefinallystopped.Whenitdid,the

bridgewasfirmlylockedintoplace,spanningthewidthofthechasm,andthegateswerethrownaswideastheywouldgo.Onthefarside,Maiasawlargehumanoidfiguresmarchingouttomeetthem.

Herheartleapt.SurelythesewerethefirstCrimsonFistsshewouldlayeyesontoday.Astheymovedoutfromtheshadowsofthegatesshesawinsteadthattheywerehulkinggun-servitorsledbyoneoftheChapter’sseniorserfs.Theytookuppositionsoneithersideofthebridge,facinginwardlikestatuesliningalonghall.Theydidnotlookinthedirectionofthenobles.PerhapsreadingdisappointmentonMaia’sface,OrdinatorSavalessaid,‘Itisa

rareoccasionthatnoAstartesmansthegates,buttodayisjustsuchanoccasion,mylady.OntheDayofFoundation,everybattle-brotherwhoisableisrequiredtoattendtheceremonies.’HegesturedtoMaia’spalanquin.‘Shallweproceed?’Maiawasstillalittleoverwhelmedbythecold,darkgrandeurofArx

Tyrannusanddidn’ttrustherselftospeak,butshenoddedandacceptedtheOrdinator’shelpinreturningtoherseat,absentlynotinghisquietstrengthforthesecondtime.Momentslater,asthepalanquinspassedbeforethedull,expressionlesseyesofthegun-servitors,Maiafeltachillthatevenherthickfurscoulddonothingtoabate.Thiswasmostdefinitelynotthewarmwelcomeshehadimagined.Oneithersideofthebridge,thelobotomisedlivingweaponstrackedthepalanquinsastheypassed.Theirweaponswerepoweredup.Maiacouldhearthehumofdeadly,constrainedenergies.Herskinprickledandher

breathbecametightinherchest.Noonehadeveraimedaweaponatherbefore,atleastnotovertly.Therehadbeenafewfailedassassinationattemptsovertheyears,butshehadonlylearnedofthoseafterthefact.Now,sheforcedhereyesforwards,willingherheartbeattoslowbackdown.Itdidn’treturntoitsregularrhythmuntilshewasbeyondthegates.

THREEArxTyrannus,HellbladeMountains

Fromhighatoptheblackstonewallsofthecentralkeep,bannersofblue,crimsonandgoldrippledandsnappedinacoldwind,eachbeautifullydecoratedwiththeproudheraldryoftheChapter’stencompaniesandtheiconographyofathousandgloriouscrusades.Onthespacious,snow-dustedgroundsoftheProtheoBastion,ahundred

metresbelowthosebanners,theSpaceMarinesoftheCrimsonFistsstoodinperfectformation,eacharmouredwarriorametreapartfromthebattle-brotherstoeitherside,allarrangedaccordingtocompany,squadandseniority.Trailsofsteamybreathandexhaustfumesrolledintotheairfromtheventsin

theirhelmetsandbackpacks.Theirbroad-barrelledboltgunswereheldrigidlyinfrontofthem,grippedingauntletedhands,muzzlespointingskyward.BehindtheSpaceMarinesstoodoversixthousandoftheChosen,allrobedin

bluetomatchthearmouroftheirmasters,allwithhoodedheadsbowed.Noone,neitherSpaceMarinenorserf,turnedorgaveevenaflickerofnotice

asOrdinatorSavalesledLadyMaiaandherpartybeneaththevastsouth-westernarchwayandoutontothegrounds.FromthelineofnoblesfollowinginSavales’swake,therecameajumbleof

gaspsandsuitablyhushedexclamations.Savalesletthemomentpassofitsownaccordandkeptwalking,anxiousthathischargesbeseatedoutofthewayasquicklyaspossible.Tothatend,heledthemnorthalongthebaseofthetoweringinnerwall,thirtymetresbackfromtheclosestrowofCrimsonFists,guidingthenoblesstraighttowardsasmallwoodenterracethathadbeenconstructedbytheChosenspecificallyforthepurposeoftheirvisit.Despitethebriskpacehesetatthefrontoftheline,hesuddenlyfoundhimself

addressedbythegovernor.Shehadcomeupalongsidehim,matchinghisstride

easilywithherlongslenderlegs.‘They’reincredible,Ordinator,’shebreathed,makingnoefforttodisguisethedepthofherawe.‘Imean,I’veseenthembeforeinthecapital,butneverlikethis.Neveralltogetherlikethis.I…Idon’tthinkI’veeverfelttheEmperor’spresenceassurelyasIdorightnow.’Savalesglancedather,intendingtoexpresshisagreementinthebriefest

possibleterms,butthewordsdiedonhislipsthemomenthesawthatthegovernorwasactuallyweeping.Tearswererunningintwoglisteningtracksdownhersoft,powderedcheeks.Heandthegovernorcamefromdifferentworlds,bothliterallyandfiguratively

speaking,buthere,inherreactiontothegreatspectaclebeforeher,wassomethinghecouldtrulyidentifywith.TheassembledAstarteswereasighttostirtheheartofanyImperialloyalist.Hedidn’tslowhispace,buthisvoicewaskindasheanswered,‘Noonehas

seentheChaptertogetherlikethisforahundredyears,ma’am.NotevenI.Itisindeedamagnificentsight,asyourightlysay.Myheartisgladdenedthatitaffectsyouso.’Thegovernorsmiledalittleself-consciouslyatthat,thenquietlydroppedback

besidehersecretary,whoofferedherasmallsquareofsilkwithwhichtodabatherface.IfthenearestoftheSpaceMarineshadheardtheexchange–andofcourse

theyhad,fortheirpowersofhearingwentfarbeyondthoseofanormalman–theyshowednosignofinterest.BoththeyandtheChosenremainedasstillasmarblesculptures,awaitingthearrivaloftheChaplainsandthemembersoftheChapterCouncil.Savalesandhiswealthychargessoonreachedasetofshallowwoodenstairs

thatledupintothesmallterrace.TheOrdinatorstoppedbesidethemandhelpedLadyMaiaupthefirstfewsteps,moreoutofproprietythananythingelse.Theladyclearlyhadnoneedofaman’ssteadyingarm,buttookitanyway,nodoubtasapointofetiquette.‘Yourpartyshallhaveanexcellentviewoftheproceedingsfromhere,

ma’am,’saidSavalestoherbackasshesteppedthroughthedoorwayatthetop.Anditwillkeepyouallpennedinverynicely,hethoughttohimself.Noone

mustinterferewiththeprocession.Oncethelastoftheentouragefromthecapitalhadclimbedthestairs,Savales

ascendedthemhimselfandfoundmostofthenoblesalreadyseatedinthewell-cushionedebonwoodchairsthathadbeenlaidoutforthem.AhandfuloftheChapter’smostjuniorserfsstoodsilentlyintheshadowsattheback,awaiting

anycommandSavalesmightdeigntogive.Ashelookedalongthefrontrow,SavalessawthatthechairclosesttoLadyMaiaremainedcuriouslyempty.Standinginfrontofit,lookingslightlyputout,wasViscountIsopho,MinisterofTrade,seniorrepresentativefortheProvinceofDorado.‘Idon’tunderstand,Maia,’hesaid,absentmindedlyaddressingherasifnoone

elsewerewithinearshot.‘Itisquiteclearlymyseat.Whyinblazes–’LadyMaiathrewhimthekindofsmilethatSavalesjudgedshemusthave

usedcountlesstimestogetherownway.Itwasdazzlingandabsolutelyfilledwithpromise.‘Mydear,gallantNilo,’shesaid.‘Yourclosecompanyisalwaysagreatblessing,asI’veexpressedbefore.ButIhadhopedOrdinatorSavalesmightsitbesidemetoday,unlessyoufeelthatyoucanexplainthevariouselementsoftheprocessionbetterthanhe.’Theviscount,aslim,dapper,thickly-moustachedmaninhismid-fifties,threw

Savalesabrief,hardglance.Hewasobviouslyincensedthatthegovernorwishedhimtodefertosomeonewhowasstill,technically,amemberofthepeasantclass,nomatterwhatSavales’sstatuswithinthesehallowedwallsmightbe.Afterafewsecondstheviscountmusteredafairlyconvincingsmileofhisown,bowedtothelady,andsaid,‘Asyouwish,ofcourse.’ThenheturnedtowardsSavales,walkeddowntherowofseatstowardshim,andsaid,‘Mightoneofyourpeoplebringanotherchair,Ordinator?’SecretaryMylos,whowasseatedatthenearendofthefrontrow,leapttohis

feet.‘There’snoneedforthat,sir,’hesaid.‘Please,takemine.I’llbequitecontenttositwiththeotheraidesinthesecondrow.’IsophomutteredsomethingvaguelyappreciativetoMylos,anddropped

himselfintotheseat,droppinghissmileatthesametime.SavalesnoticedLadyMaiagesturingtohimand,withsomereluctance,forhe

hadnowishtotalkduringtheprocession,tooktheprofferedseatnexttoher.OnhisrightsatMargravineLyotsaofMacarroProvince,aslightlyplumpwomanwhowasbeamingwithenthusiasmforthewholeaffair.‘DoyouthinktheChapterMastermightwavetousashepasses?’sheaskedSavales.Itwasapreposterousquestion,andSavalesfoughttoholdbackasharpretort.

Didthewomanthinkthissomekindofcarnival?Instead,hefeignedanapologetictoneandanswered,‘Ishouldn’tthinkso,mylady.Intruth,theDayofFoundationisatimeofgreatsolemnityandreflection,notcelebration.AsItriedtoimpressonyourhonouredpersonageduringthejourneyhere,wewhobaskinthegloryoftheCrimsonFiststhisdaymustmakeourselvesallbutinvisibleduringtheirobservances.Todrawundueattention,tointerfereineventhe

smallestofways,somuchasawell-meaningwaveofyourhand,forexample,wouldbeaverygraveinsulttothehonourofourprotectors.WemustconductourselvesjustasifwewereintheGreatBasilica.OnerefrainsfromcallingouttoArchbishopGalendaduringhisfamoussermons,doesonenot?’Themargravinelookedhorrifiedatthethought.‘BytheGoldenThrone,’she

huffed,‘Iwouldnever…Yourpointiswelltaken,Ordinator.Ishallbeasinvisibleasmycountenanceallows.’Savaleswasn’tsurewhatshemeant,butithardlymattered.Hewaspleasedto

seetheexpressiononherroundfacesettleintosomethingmoreappropriatetothesolemnityoftheoccasion.ItwasthenthathefeltthelightesttouchoffingertipsonthebackofhislefthandandturnedtofaceLadyMaiaagain.‘Howlongwilltheystandimmobilelikethis?’thegovernoraskedhim,

lookingoutattherigidSpaceMarines.‘Notoneofthemhassomuchastwitchedamusclesincewearrived.Ifnotfortheirbreathontheair,Iwouldswearthosesuitsofarmourwereempty.’AsSavaleslistenedtoher,heeasedtheoldbrasschronometerfromhispocket

andstaredatitsfaceinconfusion.Itmustbebroken,hethought.Thiscannotbecorrect.Butno,onehandwasstilltickingoffthesecondsassteadilyasithadalways

done.Thechronometerwasanancientpiece,inheritedfromoldKondris,andithadnotdroppedasecondinalltheyearsSavaleshadownedit.Whatitselegantmetalhandstoldhimnowwasthatsomethingmustbewrong.Hewatchedmoresecondstickoff,filledwithamountingsenseofunease.Themorningprocessionshouldhavestartedbynow.AndLordKantor,as

RamirSavalesknewbetterthananyoneelse,wasneverlate.

ThegreatdomedandpillaredhalloftheStrategiumwasquiet,butitwasfarfromempty.Onlytwooftheheavy,square-cutonyxchairsarrangedaroundthemassivecrystaltableatitscentreremainedunoccupied.Wherethedevilarethey,thoughtCortez?Hehadbeenthethirdmemberofthe

counciltoarrive,andnowhewasbecomingrestless.HehadpassedHammond’smessagetotheChapterMasterinthenaveofthe

Reclusiam,andhadwatchedthewordstakeeffect.TheChapterMasterhadreactedexactlyasCortezhadknownhewould:calm,controlled,onlytheslightnarrowingofhiseyesbetrayingahintofangerthatnewsoftheattackonBadlandingshouldreachArxTyrannusnow,onthisofalldays.Inconvenient,yes,butnonewhohadfacedthemightofthegreenskinsbeforeandsurvived

woulddaretotakesuchnewslightly.Themessage’ssignificancecouldnotbeignored.Likeathunderstormgatheringonthehorizon,itschargebuildingonthewind,itseemedthethreatofamajorwarhereintheLokiSectorwascloserthanithadbeeninoveramillennium.Orks!Giveortakeadozenlight-years,Badlandingessentiallylayonastraightline

betweentheRynnstarsystemandthedomainofCharadon,astarclusterthatwasabsolutelyinfestedwiththesavagebeasts.Ifthetransmissionfromthestrugglingcommissarwastobebelieved,andaWaaaghwasindeedgainingmomentumonthefringesofthesector,thentheCrimsonFistsweretheonlyforcewithinayear’swarptravelthathadachanceofreactingintimeandwiththeappropriatelevelofforce.FoundingDayornot,actioninthefaceofamajorWaaaghcouldnotbepostponed.Sowhereinblazesareyou,Pedro,thoughtCortez?Hedrummedhisgauntletedfingersonthetable,thesoundcuttingsharply

acrossatensesilence.Afewoftheothercouncilmembersglaredoverathiminirritation.‘What?’hesaidinachallengingtone,buthestoppeddrumming.Afteranotherminuteofsilence,hesaid,‘IfwehavetowaitmuchlongerI

thinkI’llchairthemeetingmyself.’RaphaelAcastus,MasterofSiege,Captainofthe9thCompany,snortedouta

laugh.Noonetookthecommentseriously.Cortezwasfamouslyimpatientandrarelydisinclinedtoexpressit.ButDrigoAlvez,MasteroftheShield,Captainof2ndCompany,sawachancetoknockCortezdownapeg.Hemethisgazeandsaid,‘Actually,Alessio,thatdutywouldfalltome.Still,Icommendyourenthusiasm.Ifonlyyoucouldchannelitintosittingstill…’Afewoftheothercaptainsraisedhalf-smilesatthis.Cortezgrunted.Heand

Alvezhadnogreatloveofeachother.The2ndCompanycaptainwasasdourandover-starchedaSpaceMarineasCortezhadevermet,unimaginativeintheextreme,butitwastheseveryqualitiesthatapparentlyinspiredtheChapterMaster’sconfidenceinhim.Besides,Alvezwaswrong.Itwas,infact,EustaceMendoza,MasteroftheLibrarius,whowouldpresideovertheStrategiumintheeventoftheChapterMaster’sabsence.AndifMendozawereabsent,thedutywouldfalltoHighChaplainTomasi.Foramoment,Cortezconsideredpointingthisout,butbeforehespoke,his

eyesflickedtowardstheoldLibrarian,andhenoticedthatMendozawaslookingstraightbackathim.TheLibrarianheldhisgaze,givingabarelyperceptible

shakeofhishead.InCortez’smind,thepowerfulpsykerplacedthreewords.Leaveit,brother.Cortezrespondedwithatinyshrugandresumeddrumminghisfingersonthe

tabletop,onceagaindrawingtheeyesoftheotherstowardshim.IshmaelIcario,MasterofShadows,Captainofthe10thCompany,laughed

aloud.‘Alessio,’hesaid,‘ofeverybattle-brotherIhaveeverknown,noneareasrestlessasyou.ChapterMasterTraegussaiditbest,Ithink.Onlyintheabsolutestillnessofthebodyandthecompletesilencingofthevoicecanwehearthetruthofourinnerthoughts,andsohearing,knowourselvesthatmuchthebetter.’CortezthrewIcarioadangerouslook.AlgernonTraegushadbeenthecontroversialsixteenthChapterMasterofthe

CrimsonFists,aparticularfavouriteofIcario’s,judgingbythefrequencywithwhichtheScoutcaptainquotedthelateMaster’swritings.ManyoftheoldermembersoftheChapterwerewaryofTraegus’steachings.ItwasTraeguswhohadinitiatedthecontroversialbreedingprogrammes–programmesbywhichtheChapter’sfailedaspirants,thosewhohadsurvivedthetrialsandhadnotbeenrenderedsterile,werebredwithwomenofsuitablegeneticstockinthehopeofcreatingmaleoffspringstrongenoughtoswelltheranksoftheChapteronedayasfullAstartes.Unfortunately,theresultshadbeenunpredictableanddisappointing.Uponhisaccession,theseventeenthChapterMaster,KledeSargo,had

immediatelyhaltedhispredecessor’splan,andnoChapterMasterhadattemptedtoreviveitsince.RespondingtoIcario,Cortezsaid,‘Icanhearmyinnervoicefine,brother.It

speakswiththevolumeofathunderstorm,andrightnow,ittellsmetherearexenostokill.Thesoonerweengagethem,thebetter.’‘Andsoweshall,’answeredasonorousvoicefromthefarsideofthehall.The

wordsechoedforamoment,bouncingbackfromthefrescoedinnersurfaceofthedome.TheseatedAstartestwistedandsawPedroKantorclosingtwomassiveebonwooddoors.TheyrosetotheirfeetastheChapterMasterturnedanddescendedthestepsofthemainaisle,walkingbetweensteeplytieredrowsofwhitemarblebenches,downontotheStrategiumfloor.Withalong,easystride,asifhisheavypowerarmourweighedlittlemorethancloth,hecrossedtotheonyxthroneattheheadofthetableandseatedhimself,gesturingfortheotherstodolikewise.Thechairbeneathhimdetectedhisweightashesat,and

gearassembliessunkintothefloorgroanedandrattledastheypulledhimintowardsthetable’sedge.TheChapterMasterrestedhisheavyvambracesonthegentlyglowingcrystal

surface,meshedhisarmouredfingerstogetherandleanedforward.‘Myapologies,brothers,forkeepingyouwaitingtheseextramoments.IwishedtotalktotheMonitordirectly,andtosendwordtoOrdinatorSavalesthattherewouldbeaslightdelaytotheday’sproceedings.Youallknowbynowthereasonthisimpromptusessionhasbeencalled.’CaptainAcastusstaredpointedlyattheonlyonyxchairwhichremained

empty.‘ShalltheHighChaplainnotbejoiningus,mylord?Shouldwenotwaitforhim?’KantorangledhisheadtowardsAcastus,andsaid,‘Thegreatmajorityofthis

day’sresponsibilitiesfallonTomasi’sshoulders,certainlyfarmorethanfallonmine.HecannotbedistractedbeforetheMiracleoftheBlood.Iwillapprisehimlaterofwhatissaidhere,butwewillhearBrotherAdon’sreportwithouthim.’Havingsaidthis,Kantornoddedtoamemberoftheassemblywho,on

appearancealone,trulystoodoutamongtherest.ThiswastheForgemaster,JavierAdon,MasteroftheTechnicarum,theChapter’ssupremeTechmarine.Hisgreataffinitywiththemachine-spiritswasalltooevidentintheclashofmeatandmetalthathehadbecome.HisarmourboretheiconographyofboththeChapterandtheAdeptusMechanicus,andthepowerfulservo-armswhichsproutedfromhisbackgavehimsomethingoftheaspectofamightymechanicalarachnid.Whenhespoke,thesoundreverberatedfromagrillethatmaskedthelowerhalfofhisface,andhiswordsemergedinarasping,gratingmechanicalbuzzwithouttoneorinflection.‘Assembledbrothers,’hebegan.‘At07:58hrsonthisDayofFoundation,our

near-spacecommunicationsarrayreceivedanddecodedapulse-burstsignalwithanOmega-levelImperialencryptionkey.Thesignalwasbroadcastrepeatedlyatfifteen-secondintervals,originatingfromacommercialtransportthatslidfromthewarptwoastronomicalunitsoutsidetheorbitofPhraecos.’OneofAdon’smechanicalappendagesswungupandoverhisrightshoulder

withawhirringsound.Itslottedathick,digit-mounteddataplugintoasocketsetinthetable’srimandpressedithomewithanaudibleclick.Atonce,thequartztabletopbegantoglowbrighter,topulsatewithlight,andaghostlyhololithicviewofthelocalstarsystemmanifestedintheairaboveit.TheassembledAstartesraisedtheireyes.‘Thetransmittingvessel’sidenticodehasbeenverified,’Adoncontinued.‘The

shipisknownastheVidenhausandisproperlyregistered.Thereisnoreasontodoubttheveracityofhertransmission,thoughtheencryptionwasaddedlaterbytheship’scaptain.Theoriginalmessage,wenowknow,wastransmittedrawfromtheplanetBadlanding.’‘Andthecontentofthattransmission?’askedAshorDrakken,Captainof3rd

Company,MasteroftheLine.Therewasashortburstofstatic,andthevoiceofCommissarAlhausBaldur

filledtheair.‘Therewon’tbetimetobroadcastagain,’saidthevoice,‘sothisisit…’ForgemasterAdonplayedthemessageinitsentiretywhiletheotherslistened

withraptattention.Bytheendofit,Cortezcouldbarelysitstill.Hearingitforthesecondtime,hefoundhisurgetoshipoutforBadlandingwasevenstronger.Battlebeckonedhim.‘Thatisall,’saidAdonwhenthecommissar’svoicestopped.‘Thereisno

more.’‘Itisenoughinanycase,’saidCortez.HelockedeyeswithKantor.‘Sendmy

FourthCompany,lord.Badlandingwillbepurgedofthegreenskintaint.Wewilldescendonthemlikeholyfire.’‘SendtheSeventh,’saidCaldimusOrtiz,MasteroftheGates,withequal

passion.‘Ifnotalone,theninsupportofBrother-CaptainCortez.’Kantorunlockedhisfingersandraisedbothhandsintotheair,callingfor

calm.Thecaptainsalwaysviedwitheachotherforthehonourofdeployment.Heexpectednoless,buthisdecisionwould,asalways,bebasedontacticalanalysis.Hedidnotplayfavourites,despitehisfriendshipwithAlessioCortez.‘Forgemaster,showusBadlandinginrelationtoRynn’sWorld.Andgiveme

anestimateoftraveltime,bothbest-andworst-casescenarios.’JavierAdonremainedstill,butabovethetabletheghostlyviewofthe

RynnstarsystemzoomedoutwithdizzyingspeedtoshowtherelativepositionsofbothRynnstarandFreiya,theK-typestararoundwhichBadlandingorbited.Figuresbegantoscrolldownpasteachofthetinyflickeringpointsoflight.Afteramoment,thefiguresstoppedscrolling,andAdonsaid,‘Ifthewarpis

calm,andthetidesandeddiesfavourus,oneofourcruiserscouldreachhighorbitaroundthetargetplanetinapproximatelythreehundredandsixty-eightstandardhours.’‘That’salmosttwoweeks,’growledCortez.‘Thegreenskinsmighthave

movedonbythen.Weshouldmobiliseatonce!’‘Ifthewarpisturbulent,’Adoncontinued,‘andthetidesareagainstus,the

journeycouldtakemanytimeslonger.Aworst-casescenarioisbeyondmyabilitytoaccuratelycalculatewiththeinformationIcurrentlyhave.PerhapstheMasteroftheLibrariuswouldoffercomment.’EustaceMendozaangledhisheadtowardsPedroKantor.‘Localwarpflow

appearsrelativelyuntroubledatthistime.TheLibrariushasdetectednosignificantdisturbancesthatwouldpresentaproblemtotravel.’Ashewatchedandlistened,CortezhadthefeelingthatMendozawas

preoccupiedwithsomethingelse,anditwasn’tjusttheDayofFoundation.Intheshadowedcorridorsofthefortress-monastery,itwascautiouslywhisperedthatsomeoftheotherLibrarianshadbeenreportingdarkomenswithincreasingfrequency.Wasthemasterpsykerholdingsomethingback?AnimpressivefigureseatedontheChapterMaster’simmediaterightcleared

histhroat,drawingalleyesinhisdirection.Hispowerarmourwashighlyornate,andhisleftpauldron,ratherthanbearinganyformofcompany-centriciconography,wasfashionedintoagreatsilvereaglewithtwoheads.ThiswasCevalRanparre,MasteroftheFleet,HeroofHesperidon.‘Twoweeksthen,’hesaid.‘Trustme,ChapterMaster,asyouhavealways

done.IcangetaforcetoBadlandinginthattime,illtidesorotherwise.Ifyouwillpermitit,IshallsendTheCrusader.Ofallourfleet,sheisthemostreliablewhenaswiftwarptransitisoftheessence.’Kantoracceptedthesuggestionwithanod.‘ThenIshallfocusmyattentionon

whoistogo.’‘TheFourth,’saidCortezagain.‘Thereisnotimetodebateit,notifweareto

makeanykindofdifferencetoCommissarBaldurandhisremainingmen.’DrigoAlvezsnortedderisivelyatthis.Cortezknewaswellasanyonethatthe

ImperialforcesonBadlandingwerealmostcertainlydeadtoaman.Kantorcasthiseyesaroundtheassembledleaders.Helaidhispalmsflaton

thetableandpushedhimselftohisfeet.Withhisweightnolongerontheblackthrone,theservosjerkedintoactionagainandmovedthechairoutfromunderthetable.Standingtherelikeavisionofancientglory,anechooftheprimarchrememberedfromthetimeoftheGreatCrusade,theChapterMastertoweredovertherestofthecouncil.‘Letusberealistic,brothers.Thiswillbenorescuemission.Thosemenare

dead.OurpriorityatthispointmustbetogatherintelligenceonthethreatofthisallegedWaaagh.Wehaveputdownmanysignificantorkincursionsovertheyears,andthecostinAstartesliveshaseverbeengreat.IfthereisawaytorobthisWaaaghofitsmomentumbeforeitthreatenstherestofthesector,Iwantit

foundandexploited.’Asone,thefiguresaroundthetablerosetotheirfeetandclashedtheirfists

againsttheirceramitecuirasses.‘Intheprimarch’sname,’theyintoned.Kantornodded,thenturnedfromthetableandbeganstridingbackupthe

broadstepstowardstheStrategium’sdoubledoors.Atthetop,hestopped,lookedbackatthecouncilmembers,andsaid,‘Ranparre,issuepreparationorderstothecrewofTheCrusaderassoonastheMiracleoftheBloodisover.ForgemasterAdon,havetheTechmarinesreadyweaponsandequipmentforacompany-strengthforce.’‘Aye,mylord,’buzzedAdon.Kantorpausedwithonehandontheheavybronzeringofadoorhandle,and

added,‘Theprocessionwillbegininfifteenminutes.Theritesmustbeproperlyobserved.Makesureyouareallinplacebeforeitstarts.Asformydecisionregardingwhichcaptainshallhavethehonourofthistask,IwillletyouknowaftertheSteeping.’Therewasagroanofironhinges,thentheheavywoodendoorscrashedshut

behindtheChapterMaster’sback.InthesunkencircleoftheStrategiumfloor,thecouncilmemberssalutedeach

otheranddisbanded,eachcaptainhopingthatthehonourofbattleintheEmperor’snamewouldfalltohim.

‘Theprocessionisstarting,’saidSavales,reliefevidentinhisvoice.Twentyminutesearlier,amessagefromLordKantorhadarrived.Ashort

emergencysessionoftheChapterCouncilhadbeencalled.TheOrdinatorhadbeenonedgeeversince.Whatcouldbesograveastointerruptthisholiestofdays?Hisknuckleshadbeenwhite,fingersclenchedtightlyaroundhischronometeruntil,now,atlast,heplacedtheoldheirloombackinhispocket.‘Itisstarting,ma’am,’hesaidagain.Maialeanedforwardinherchairanddrewanexcited,tremblingbreath.Atall,darkfigureappeared,stridingthroughatwenty-metrearchwaytothefar

leftofthebastiongrounds.AlltheChosenstandinginlinebehindtheirAstartesmastersimmediatelydroppedtotheirknees.Maia’sheartleapt.Itwashimatlast!Shefeltlikeshewouldburstatthesight

ofhim.Hewasshiningwithanincrediblelight,resplendentinarmoursopolishedthatitwasalmosttooglorioustobehold.ShehadwaitedalongtimetolayeyesonPedroKantoragain.Ithadbeen

sevenyearssinceshehadlastspentthirtyall-too-briefminutesincouncilwith

himatthecapital.Hehadseenmanybattlessincethen,but,ifhisarmourhadbeendamagedinthefighting,itshowednosignofitnow.TheChapter’sartificerswereunequalledintheirskill.Hewaseverybitthevisionofstrengthandhonoursherecalled.Asifreadinghermind,OrdinatorSavaleswhispered,‘Heisanunforgettable

sight,isn’the?Andlook,herecomesHighChaplainTomasiandthemembersoftheSacratium.Doyouseethecrystalsceptre?’Maianodded.Shecouldhardlymissit,amassofsculptedgoldandlas-cut

crystalthatsurelyweighedtwicewhatsheherselfdid.Forallitsweight,theterrifyingfigureoftheHighChaplaincarrieditwithdeceptiveease.TheMiracleoftheBlood.Maia’sfatherhadspokenofitonlyonce.Itwas,hehadtoldher,athingtoo

great,toopowerfulandsignificant,tobesharedthroughamediumaslimitedaslanguage.Hehaddiedhopingshewouldseeitforherselfoneday.Now,watchingHighChaplainTomasimarchgravelydowntheavenue

betweentheAstartesranks,achillranupMaia’sspine.TheChaplainwasthestuffofnightmares,avisionofdeath,andsheforcedhereyestostayonthebeautifulsceptreitself,ratherthangazeintotheblackhollowsofhisskull-helm’seyesocketsforanylengthoftime.Bycontrast,thesceptre’sheadwaslikeashimmeringgoldensunburst.Raysofmetalsurroundedaperfectsphereoftransparentcrystal,andthatspherewashalf-filledwithwhatappearedtobedriedblood.AsTomasitookstepaftermeasuredstep,followingtheChapterMaster’sexact

path,heswungtheheadofthesceptreslowlyfromlefttorightabovehim.BehindhimcameascoreofotherChaplains,alsodressedinblackarmour,faceslikewiseencasedinleeringceramiteskulls.Someofthesewerehooded,theliplesslowerjawsoftheirdeath-masksprotrudingfromdeepshadow.Otherswerenot.Allcarrieditemsofholysignificance.Forsome,itwascensersthatswunglikependulums,fillingtheairwithstrongly-scentedbluesmoke.Forothers,itwasancienttomes,theleathercoversofwhichwereembossedwiththeImperialaquilaandthefistsymboloftheChapter.Otherscarriedancientweapons,nodoubtpricelessbeyondmeasureandsurelyoncebelongingtoheroeslonggonebutnotforgotten.Allchantedblessingsastheymoved,theirvoicesmerging,blendinginalow

hypnotichum.‘Watchthesceptre,’Savalestoldher.Maiafixedhereyesonit,followingitleftandright,leftandright.Gradually,

sherealisedthatsomethingwashappening.Achangewastakingplacewithinthecrystalsphereatthetop.‘Theblood,’shebreathed.AstheHighChaplainpassed,stillswingingtheheadofthesceptreintime

withhissteps,thedriedbloodvisiblewithinthespherebegantoreverttoliquid.Maiagasped,unsureofwhathereyeswerereporting,butSavales’shushed

voiceconfirmedit.‘ThecrystalsphereholdsthebloodofRogalDornhimself,’hesaid.‘Imagine

that,mylady.Wearewitnessingthebloodoftheprimarchrevertingtoliquidform,tenthousandyearsafteritwassealedinside!Atruemiracle!ThatbloodwaspreservedbyanApothecaryaftertheprimarchwaswoundedinthedefenceofHolyTerra.Toseeitchangebeforeusnow…’Maiafeltfaint,dizzy.Thoughshelookedyoung,shewasnot.Shebecame

afraidthatherheartwouldbetrayher,thatthiswasallsimplytoomuch.ThebloodofRogalDorn,sonoftheEmperorHimself…Hermindspunwiththesignificanceofit.ShecouldoffertheOrdinatornoresponse.Theothernobles,too,weredeeplyaffectedbythechangeinthecrystalsphere.

TheyhadheardSavales’swhisperedexplanation,andtheysatstunned.Someweptquietly,theirfaithintheImperialCreedsomehowfinallyvindicatedbythisoneinexplicableevent.MaiaheardViscountIsopho,hisvoicelowandreverent,ask,‘Butwhatdoesit

mean,Ordinator?’Savaleskepthisunblinkingeyesonthesceptreasheanswered.‘Itmeansthattheprimarchisstillwithus,viscount.Hestillwatchesoverthe

CrimsonFists.Mankindisnotalone,evennow,evenaftertenthousandyearsofwaranddarknessandceaselessslaughter.Andiftheprimarchiswithus,thentheEmperoris,too.’Maiafeltthehairsriseonthebackofherneck.Shebelievedit,everythingthe

Ordinatorwassaying.TheMiracleoftheBloodwaslikenothingshehadeverknown.ArchbishopGalendraconstantlyinsistedthatfaithwasitsownreward.Buthere…herewasproof!Shesatstunned,herbodynumbthroughouttherestoftheprocession.Forthreewholedaysafterherreturntothecapital,sherefusedtoseeorspeak

toanyone,suchwastheeffectofwhatshehadseen.Ithadshakenher,shakenthewaysheviewedsomanythings.Shefeltlostatfirst,needingtounderstandherplaceintheImperiumunderthisnewlight.Whenshefinallyreturnedtoherofficialduties,itwaswithadedicationandcommitmentthatevenhergreatest

detractorscouldnotdeny.Herfaithblazedinsideher.Otherssawitinhereyes.MaiaCagliestradidnotknowitthen,ofcourse,butshewouldneedeverylast

bitofthatfaithinthegrim,blood-soddendaystocome.

FOURSpace,Badlanding

Largepict-screensdominatedthecurvingforwardwallofthecommandbridgeaboardTheCrusader,auspexdatapouringacrossthemliketorrentsofglowingraindownahundredblackwindowpanes.Onthelargestandmostcentralofthem,nodataflowedatall.Instead,itspixelsdisplayedtheimageoftheship’sseniorastropath,apale,wizenedmanbythenameofCryxusGloi.Helookedtobewellintohisninthdecadeoflifewhen,infact,hewasamereforty-fouryearsold.Therigoursofhiscallinghadrobbedhimofmuch,includingconventionalsight.Hiseyeshadatrophiedduringthesoul-binding,whenhismindhadbeenreshapedbytheEmperoruntilallthatwasleftweretwodark,hollowsockets,buttheirlossmatteredlittle.Gloihadsightofanother,farmorepotentkind.CaptainAshorDrakkenstoodinfullarmour,staringatGloi’sfaceonthe

screen,fistsclenchedathissides.ThehonourbestowedbyKantoronhisformercompanymustberepaid.Drakkencouldnotallowthemissiontofail.‘Theremustbeaway,’hegrowled.‘MasterKantormustbeapprisedatonce.Ifthismooncanhideusfromtheirscannerarrays,surelyitcancoveranastropathictransmission.’Gloi’sbrowfurrowed.‘Nothing,captain,cancoveranastropathic

transmission.ThemomentIattempttosendanykindofwordout,everyorkpsykeronthoseshipswillknowexactlywhereweare,Ipromiseyou.Ifyouwishmetomanipulatetheetherwithoutalertingourfoes,wemustreturntothefarfringesofthesystemwherewelastexitedthewarp.Fromthere,Imightsafelysendword,butnonearer.Itwouldinviteaship-to-shipconflictthatyouandIbothknowwewouldnotsurvive.’Gloiwasnocoward.HehadservedonTheCrusaderforovertwentyyears,

performinghisdutiesflawlesslyunderbattleconditions,andhadearnedtheright

tospeakplainlytowhomeverheserved.Thosewithoutthewitch-sightseldomunderstoodmuchaboutthewarp.Thesmartonesquicklylearnedtotrustthosewhodid.‘Verywell,Gloi,’saidDrakken.‘Thatisallfornow.’Hedroppedthepict-linkandturnedtohissecondincommand,whostood

patientlybyhisside.‘Comments,Leo?’SergeantLeoxusWernerlookedthoughtful.Hewasnotamantomake

pronouncementslightly.Bothhisgauntletswerecrimson,markinghimasaveteranoftheChapter.Hehadbeendecoratednumeroustimesinhiscenturyandahalfofservice,andrightlyso.Hisfacewasamapofdeep,angryscars,everylastoneatestamenttovictoriesboughtwithblood,toalifespentpurgingthegalaxyofman-hatingalienfiends.ThegreatestmarkofhonourWernerborewasnotonhisface.Itwasonhisleftpauldron.RatherthandisplaytheChapter’sstandardiconographythere,WernerworetheexquisitelycastskullsigilofthelegendaryDeathwatch,chambermilitantoftheHolyInquisition’sOrdoXenos.Hehadservedthataugustbodyforsevenyearsbeforereturningtohis

CrimsonFistbrothers,andeventhen,hecouldtellthemnothingofhistimeaway.Hehadbeensworntosecrecy.Drakkenneveraskedaboutit.HeknewthatWernerwouldhonourhisoathof

non-disclosureuntilthedayhedied.Integritywasthesergeant’sbyword.‘Sixteenorkbattleshipsthatwecansee,’saidWerner,meetinghiscaptain’s

gaze,‘andthat’sjustonthissideoftheplanet.FiveofthoseareequivalentinsizetotheNavy’sEmperor-classships,andeachofthose,knowingthegreenskinpropensityforarmsoverarmour,almostcertainlyhastheedgeinfirepower.IfindmyselfinagreementwithCryxusGloi,brother-captain.Allwehaveinourfavourisourspeedandthefactthattheyhaven’tsniffedusoutyet–twoadvantagesIthinkweoughttoholdonto.Ifweweretogostraightforthem,prowgunsblazing…’Heshookhishead.‘Acudbeardoesn’tpickafightwithfiveswamptigersunlessheknowssomethingtheydon’t.’Drakkenacceptedthiswithanod,butcountered,‘Still,wedidn’tcomeallthe

wayoutheretocountshipsandturnback.AlessioCortezwouldhaveabloodyfielddaywiththat.TheChapterMastergavemefulldiscretiononthisone,andIintendtouseit.’‘Agroundoperation,lord?’CaptainDrakken’snarrowlipscurvedintoacoldsmile.‘Precisely,’hesaid.

‘ThreeThunderhawksgoinontheirblindside.Westaydarkforaslongaswe

can.Oncewehaveourreconnaissance,weunleashhellonthebeasts,doasmuchdamagetothemaswecanandpulloutbeforetheycancoordinateanykindofproperresponse.’‘Ourtargets?’askedthesergeant.Drakkenturnedtowardsoneofthethreelargework-pitssunkintothefloorof

thebridgeandstrodetowardsit.Wernerfollowed.Thepitswerefilledwithamixofservitorsandhumanofficers,allconnectedbycablesandhead-mountedapparatustothebanksofglowingconsolesinfrontofthem.InastationclosetoDrakken’sfeet,ascrawnytech-priestsatinthethickcottonrobesoftheAdeptusMechanicus’sDivisioLinguistica.Hissallowfeatureswerelitbytheflickeringgreenscreenoverwhichhehunched.Amorassofthinmetaltendrilstrailedfromhissocket-pockedskulltothedatatransferportssetintothesidesofhisconsole.‘AdeptOrrimen,’boomedDrakken.‘Havethosecogitator-banksfinishedthe

translationyet?’Thetech-priestspokewithoutturningormovinghisjaw,hiseerievoice

emanatingfromspeakerssetintothesidesofhishead.‘Thetranslationiscomingthroughnow,mylord,’herasped.‘Doyouwishmetorelayitverbatim,orwouldyoupreferasummary?’‘Justgivemesomethingwecanuse.’‘Summary,then,’saidthetech-priest.‘Thebroadcastisamessagespokenina

dialectoftheorkishtongueknowntobeusedamongseveralofthelargestclansintheCharadonSector.ClansusingthisformofthelanguageincludethoselabelledunderOrdoXenosclassificationsystemsasGoths,BloodAxes,Deathskulls,EvilSunsandthirty-threelesserclanssofarrecorded.ThespeakeridentifiesitselfasthewarlordUrzogMagKull,aknownlieutenantofSnagrod,theself-proclaimedArch-ArsonistofCharadon.ThemessageisintendedforallorkpartiescurrentlyactiveinthespinwardsectorsoftheSegmentumTempestusandthetrailwardsectorsoftheUltimaSegmentum.ItinstructsallorkshipsinthesesectorstorallyunderthebanneroftheArch-Arsonist.ItalsodeclaresthatSnagrod’sWaaaghhasbegun,thatitcannotbestopped,andthatitisthedivinewilloftheorkgods,GorkandMork.’Withthat,Orrimenfinishedhisreport,butwhenthesilencebecamedrawnout,

headded,‘Doesthecaptainwishtoquery?’Drakkendidn’tanswer.HeturnedbacktofaceWerner,gesturingwitharaised

eyebrowforthesergeant’scomment.Wernerlookeddarklydismayed.‘SoundslikeCommissarBaldurhaditright.Buthowmanyotherworldshave

theytakeninthetimeittookustogethere?Howmanyotherworldsmightthey

bebroadcastingfrom?’‘Notfromthisoneformuchlonger,’saidDrakken.‘Thatsignalisbeing

boostedbytheships,butit’sdefinitelycomingfromKrugerport.Wewillcutitoffatthesource.Iwanttheirground-basedlong-rangecommunicationsknockedoutforgood.Getourbrothersready,Leo.Wehaveourtarget.Wedeploywithinthehour.’Wernerlockedeyeswithhiscaptainandsaid,‘It’sclearwe’llbefacingtall

oddsdownthere,lord.Lossesarelikely.IfImay,I’dliketorequestthehonourofleadingtheoperationpersonally.’Drakkenfrowned,keenlyawarethatWernerwasattemptingtoprotecthim.‘No,Leo.I’llbeleadingthisonemyself.MasterKantorgavemethishonour.

Heexpectsadetailedreportonmyreturn.IwillseeKrugerportformyself.Ofcourse,ifyoucanthinkofanotherwaytohurtthem,anotherworthytarget…’Wernerthoughtinsilenceforamoment,thensaid,‘Badlandingispracticallya

deadworld.Mostofthewaterthereislethallytoxic,andorksneedpotablewaterjustasmuchasthehumansettlersdid.Krugerporthasasinglelargepurificationfacility.’Drakkennodded.‘Justinsidethecurtainwallofthesouth-easternprecinct.

Yes,Isawitonthemaps.’‘Ithinkit’sfairtoassumethattheorksarestockingtheirshipsfromitin

preparationforthenextphaseoftheirincursion.HittingthecommsarraywillhelptodelaytheWaaagh,but,ifwestrikethepurificationplant,too,wecanforcethemtosupplytheirshipsfromelsewhere.Thatwilldelaythemevenfurther.Itmayevenforcethemtosplittheirforces.’Drakkenthoughtaboutitforonlyamoment.Itmadesolidsense.‘Verywell,’

hesaid.‘AnydelaywecancreatewillgivetheChapterMastermoretimetoalertSegmentumCommand.Congratulations,Leo.Itlookslikeyouwillbecommandingadetachmentafterall.’

FIVEKrugerport,Badlanding

Serviceinthe10thCompany,theChapter’sScoutCompany,wasaboutprovingoneself.Itwasaboutthemasteryofwarandofthebody.AsaScout,onelearnedtoemployhisimplantedorgans,totrustthem,tobecomeonewiththem.Onelearnedtoperfecttheartofthekill.YearsofservicewouldproveaScout’sreadiness,andthenthecallwouldcome.HewouldbeorderedtoreturntoArxTyrannustoattendtheSteeping.Itwasanancientritedatingbacktothetimewhentheprimarchhadwalkedamongthem.Dornhadoncewelcomedbattle-brothersintohisranksbycuttinghispalmandsharinghisblooddirectlywiththem.Nowhisbloodwasaholyrelic,sharingonlyitspresence.TimehadwroughtitschangesontheChapter’srites.Nowadays,aScoutbeingelevatedtofullbattle-brotherstatuswoulddiphislefthandinthebloodofafoehehadslainhimself.Theritualhadchanged,butthemeaningandsignificanceofithadnot.Thefistliterallybecamecrimson.Itwasthefinalstepinbecomingafullbattle-brother,thefinalstepbeforebeingassignedtooneoftheotherninecompanies.Unlikesome,Scout-SergeantEzraMishinawasinnogreatrushtobeelevated.

Hisdutieshadoftencalledforhimtoactasasniper.Longdayswaitingforaperfectkillshothadtaughthimpatience.Hisyearsasasergeant,guidingyoungerandfarlessexperiencedmen,hadreinforcedthelesson.ThecallforhimtoattendtheSteepingwouldcomewhenthetimewasright.Forthemoment,allhecaredaboutwasdoinghisbest,doinghisdutyashewassupposedto.Rightnow,thatmeantservingasforwardeyesandearsforCaptainDrakken’s3rdCompany.MishinahadbeenspeciallyselectedbyCaptainIcariotoaccompanythe3rd

onthismissiontoBadlanding,and,ifhewerebeinghonest,therewasnowhereelsehewouldratherhavebeen.Thiswaswherehebelonged,inthethickblack

shadowsofahostiletown,stalkingaliensentrieswithhissilencedbolt-rifleslungoverhisback,combatknifeinhand,eyesightaugmentedbythesensitiveopticallensesofhisnight-visiongoggles.Already,hehadsilencedthegruntingbreathsofhalfadozenfilthygreenskinscum.Hisbootsandfatigueswerefleckedwiththeirblood.Fivehoursago,withthelocalstar,Freiya,stillbrightintheafternoonsky,the

3rdCompany’sThunderhawkgunshipshadlandedinadeepwadisomethirtykilometrestothesouth-west.Theyhadflowninlowwiththesunattheirbacks,usingitsblindingglaretomaskthetelltaleglowofhotplasmafromtheirthrusters.MishinaandthethreeScoutsunderhiscommandhadthenpushedouttowards

thetown,scouringthelandforthreatswellaheadofthetacticalsquadsthatfollowedbehindthem.Theyhadreachedthetown’sshell-pocked,fire-blackenedcurtainwalljustas

thesunslidbelowthehorizon.Perfecttiming.Theorksherewerecomplacent.ItlookedliketheyhadslaughteredtheImperialGuardforcestoaman.Asfarastheywereconcerned,thefightingwasoverfornow.Thatwasperfect,too.Theyhadneitherpatchednorbarricadedanyofthegapingbreachesthattheirartilleryassaultshadblastedinthehighsandstonewalls.MishinaandhisScoutswaitedfortheverylastofthetwilighttobleedaway,fornighttocloaktheminitsveils.Whenithad,theyslidintothetowninsilence,killingtheorkstheycaughtunawaresbythrustingtheirlongcombatknivesneatlybetweenthethirdandfourthvertebraeastheyhadtrainedsorelentlesslytodo.Withtheirnervebundlesneatlysevered,theorkswentdownquickandquiet,

thetrademarkkillofatrueAstartesScout.Mishinahadtakenmanylivesinthisway.Itwasasinstinctiveaprocessto

himnowasbreathingsilentlyandmovingfromcovertocover,allofwhichhedidwithoutneedforconsciousthought.HewaspleasedwiththeperformanceoftheotherScouts,too,thoughitwasfartooearlytostarthandingoutcompliments.CaptainIcariohadassignedhimsomepromisingmen.Twoofthemhadonlyeverexperiencedtheslaughterofagreenskinthroughthesensorium-linkdownloadsavailableintheChapter’sLibrarium,buttheyhadbloodiedthemselvesforrealthisnight,andtherewasmorekillingtocome.Carefultomakeaslittlenoiseaspossible,Mishinaplacedabootedfootonthe

edgeofanoldwoodencrateandboostedhimselfuptotheflatroofofanabandonedsingle-storeyhab.Fromthere,hesurveyedthelayoutofthetown.Theplanet’ssolitarymoon,intheshadowofwhichTheCrusaderstillheld

stationundetected,hadnotrisenyet,buttheScout-Sergeant’sgogglesshowedhimallheneededtoseewiththeclarityofadull,slightlymuddyafternoon.Asidefromthetown’scurtainwallandasmatteringofprominenttwo-storey

structures,Krugerportwasbuiltlowtotheground,thevastmajorityofitsbuildingstoppingoutataboutfiveorsixmetresinheight.Mostofthestreetswerenarrow,givingthehabstheaspectofshort,blockyfigureshuddledclosetogetheragainstthewind-blowndust.Itwasanuglyplace,andnotjustbecausesomuchofithadbeenblastedtorubble.Therewaslittlesignofartistryhere.Akindofscrappyfunctionalityruled,asifeverythinghadbeenputtogetherasquicklyaspossibleandmaintainedontheveryedgeofworkingcondition.Therewerenoparksormuseums.Mishinahadseentownslikethisbefore.Theywerehastilybuilttoexploit

localresourcesand,whenthoseresourceswerefinallygone,whentheminesorpromethiumfieldsrandryandthewealthdriedupwiththem,thepopulationgraduallydiedtoo,shrinkingtonothinginaremarkablyshortspaceoftime.Thewallsallaroundhimwereplainsandstone.Theymightoncehaveborne

brightposterscallingforfaithintheEmperoranddiligenceinone’sjob,butnowtheyweremarkedonlybythetelltalesignsofheavystreet-fighting,oflasandplasmaburns,andcountlessblackholescutbytheimpactsofsomanysolidmetalrounds.Fromhisnewvantagepoint,Mishinaspottedanumberofsmallmarketsquaresandplazaswhereitlookedlikeafewtokenstatueshadoncestood.Thesewerelittlemorethanrubblenow.MostofthemwouldprobablyhavebeencarvedintheimageoftheEmperorandHissaints,butitwasimpossibletotellthestandardofqualitytowhichtheyhadbeenfinished.Theorkshadsmashedallofthemtorubble,notwiththehate-fuelledmaliceoftraitorsandChaos-taintedscumbut,morelikely,inamindlessexpressionoftheirrawlovefordestructioninallitsforms.Theyweresimplebeasts,thegreenskins.InMishina’seyes,therewaslittle

moretothemthanmuscleandaggression,andthatwasjustaswell.Fromhisperchatopthemodesthab,hecontactedtheotherScoutsandqueried

theirpositions.Aseachreportedin,Mishinafoundhimselfnodding.Nonehadbeenspottedbytheenemy.Noonehadgivenhimselfaway.EachhadpositionedhimselfinthelocationtowhichMishinahadsenthim,andhaddonesoingoodtime.Sofar,sogood.Mishinaorderedthemtoholdpositionandawaitfurtherorders.Tothenorth,almosteightkilometresawayaccordingtothelaserrangefinder

incorporatedintohisgoggles,hesawthetall,rooftop-mounted,wrought-ironlatticeworkthatidentifiedoneparticularbuildingastheKrugerportcommunicationsbunker.Atopthelatticework’seighty-metreheight,hesawaclusterofdishesmountingpowerfulbroadcastingantennae.Nearthebaseofthepylon,theorkshaddecoratedtheirongirderswithsomekindofrustymetalsigil.Paintedred,itwasmadeofironplatesarrangedintheroughlikenessofaleeringalienface.Increasingmagnification,Mishinanotedthefortifiedrooftopssurroundingthe

communicationsbunker.Theircornerswerepiledhighwithsandbags,andtheybristledwithheavyweapons,manyofwhichlookedlikeGuard-issuelascannonsandheavybolters.That’sgoingtomeantroubleiftheygetthedroponus,Mishinathought.Hulkingformsmovedtoandfrobythelightofcookingfires.Theorkshad

spittedmeatoverthese.Ithungroasting,lickedbyorangeflames,andMishinanotedwithrevulsionandangerthatsomeofthosespitscarriedhunksofmeatthatboretheunmistakablesilhouetteofhumanlimbs.Thesmellcorroboratedhisworstsuspicions.Thescentwasclosetothatof

roastedgrox,butsharperinthenostrils.Hehadsmelleditbefore,afuneralpyrestink.Turningawayfromthesight,andzoomingouttonormalmagnificationagain,

hetrackedrightandfoundwhathewaslookingfor.Totheeast,nine-point-sixkilometresaway,heeasilyidentifiedthewaterpurificationplantbyitsbulkyrectangularprofileandbythevastmetaltanksthatstoodarrayedalongitssouthernflank.Mishinaraisedaglovedhandtothecommsrigonhisleftear,keyedthe3rd

Company’scommandchannel,andsaid,‘Brother-Captain,thisisShadowOne.’Drakken’sgravellyvoiceanswered,‘Goahead,ShadowOne.’‘ShadowTeaminplace,mylord.Visualperimeterestablished.We’vemarked

apathforyou.Cleartofollowusinwheneveryou’reready.’‘Understood,ShadowOne.Movingupnow.Keepmeapprisedofmovement.’Drakkenissolid,thoughtMishina.Hisisanamewithmorethanafewlegends

attached.He’snotpronetocarelessmistakes,Iknowthatmuch.Butevenso,Ihavethedamnedestfeeling,likeamentalitch.There’ssomethingIdon’tlikeaboutthis.Perhapsitjustseemstooeasy.Orperhapsit’ssomethingelse.

TryingtomovesilentlyinMkVIIpowerarmour,Drakkenknew,wasliketrying

toreloadabolterwithjustyourteeth–damnednearimpossibleandusuallynotworththebother.Soonerorlater,theorkswouldwakeupto3rdCompany’spresencehere,andwhentheydid,therealwork,therighteousworkhelivedfor,wouldbeginproper.HeledhisAstartesthroughthebreachinthecurtainwallthatMishinaandhis

Scoutshadmarkedoutforthem.Orkswouldn’tseethosemarks.TheScoutsleftlittlesplashesofaliquidthatwasonlyvisibleininfrared.ThehelmetvisorsoftheCrimsonFistspickedupthosesplashesasiftheywereblazingneonlights,andtheSpaceMarinesfollowedthemintothetownofKrugerport,knowingthatthepaththeyfollowedhadbeenclearedforthem.OnceDrakkenandhismenwerebeyondtheouterwalls,thecaptainopeneda

channeltoSergeantWerner,whowasabouttwentymetrestotherear,preparingtoleadhisowngroupinthroughthebreach.Drakkenhadassignedhimcommandofthreeten-mansquads.‘Thisiswherewepart,Leo.FollowtheScouts’markings,andmaytheEmperorwatchoveryou.’‘Ashewatchesoveryou,mylord,’repliedWerner,thenheandhismensplit

offfromthemaingroup,disappearingintotheinkyshadowsofanarrowavenuetotheright.DrakkenwatchedthelastofWerner’sAstartesdisappear,thengavethesignal

tohisownsquadstomoveoutinsinglefile.ThestreetsofKrugerportwere,inthemain,tootightforheavyvehiclesto

negotiate.Insomesettlements,thiswouldhavebeenastrategytopreventenemyarmourmakingheadwayduringanassault.InKrugerport,however,Drakkenhadthefeelingitmerelyrepresentedthehumantendencytoseekclosenesswithotherswheninhostileplaces.Thisplanetwasamercilessrock,itswindschokingeverythingwithcorrosivedust,itschemicalseascapableofeatingthefleshfromaman’sbonesinmoments.Sowhyhadmensettledhereatall?Itwasnogreatmystery.Thereweretwo

thingsinBadlanding’sfavour.First,theatmospherewasbreathable,whichmadeitarelativelyrareandvaluablefindamongthemillionsofworldsmanhaddiscoveredsincethefirstdaysofhisexpansionintospace.DespitethevastsizeoftheImperium,theratioofnaturallyhabitableworldstonon-habitablewasfarbelowonepercent.ThesecondreasonBadlandinghadbeencolonisedwasjustassimple:theScratchMountains,towardswhichCommissarBaldurhadclaimedhewouldleadhissurvivors,wererichinseamsofadamantiumandproteocite,thelatteracompoundusedintheproductionofrareceramite,thematerialfromwhichmuchoftheAstartesbattle-platewasmade.

ThinkingoftheScratchMountainsmadeDrakkenscowl.Hehadbroughteighty-threeSpaceMarineswithhimonthisoperation,nottomentionnumerousserfs,pilots,technicians,communicationsspecialistsandthelike,allofwhichwereabsolutelyessentialtothesmoothoperationoftheCrimsonFists’fleet.Oftheeighty-fourAstartes,hepersonallyledadetachmentofthirty,Wernerledanotherthirty.FourCrimsonFistsfrom10thCompanywereactingasadvancescouts.Eightmorebattle-brothershadbeenassignedlanding-zonepatroldutiesontheperimeterofthebroadwadiinwhichtheThunderhawksrestedwelloutofsight,andanothertenhadbeensentinanarcingpathwelloutfromthetown,skimmingoverthedustdunesinLandSpeeders,racingtothelastknownlocationoftheImperialGuardforces.Whatthatlatterforcehadalreadyreportedmadeforgrimnews.Thecave

complextowhichBaldurhadretreatedwasnownothingbutamassgrave.Desiccatedcorpses,mostwiththeirheadstakenfortrophies,layinheapsatthebackofthetunnels.Therewereanumberoforkdead,too,butnotenoughbyhalf.ItwasclearthatBaldurandtheremnantsofhisforceshadbeenbackedintoacornerandslaughteredtoaman.Theyhadbeencompletelyoverwhelmed.Howtheorksmusthaverevelledinallthatkilling!OnlythefactthatheworehishelmetstoppedDrakkenfromspittingonthe

groundindisgust.Hehatedthegreenskinswithalethalpassion.Throughoutmuchofhislifeasabattle-brother,hehadfoughttopurgeImperialoutpostsandtraderoutesoftheirsavagekind,butyearafteryeartheywouldcomeback,makingfreshincursionsfromfrontierworldsontheperipheryoftheLokiSector.Itseemedanendlesstask.Nomatterhowmanyonekilled,norealheadwaywasevertrulymade.Successwasmeasuredindistance,inhowfarthealienhordeswerekeptfromcivilisedspace.Intwomillennia,Rynn’sWorlditselfhadknownthefootstepsofaliensonly

once,andnotatallsincetheCrimsonFistshadtakenupresidencethere.Inthesubsequentyears,anumberofpotentiallydevastatingWaaaghshadbeenaverted,defusedbysurgicalstrikeswhichhadbeenmasterfullyconceivedbyPedroKantor.Drakkenhadearnedgreathonoursforhispartinthese,buttherealglorybelongedtotheChapterMaster.NowondertheycallhimthesecondcomingofPollux,Drakkenthoughtashe

scannedtheshadowsupaheadfortracesofork.HehadadeepandabidingrespectforKantor,thoughthebondofbrotherhood

wasmoretenuousbetweenthemthanitwasbetweentheChapterMasterandAlessioCortez.Thiswasn’tsomethingthatbotheredDrakkenmuch.Friendship

meantlittletohim,certainlyfarlessthangoodsolidleadership,asitshouldtoanyAstartesworthhissalt.HehadnostrongloveofCortez,thatwasforsure.Themanwasarrogant,

opinionated,noisyandboorish,andhisstatusassomekindofinvincibleherooftheChapterconsistentlygotunderDrakken’sskin.ItistheBlackwaterthing,hethoughttohimselfashemovedoutfromthe

cornerofasandstonehabandsignalledhismentofollow.Thewaytheyallstick–Scout-SergeantMishina’svoicecuthimoffmid-thought.‘Brother-captain,’saidtheScoutoverthelink.‘ThisisShadowOne.Ihave

movementattheobjective.’Drakken’shandwentupimmediately,motioningforhismentomoveback

intocover.‘Details,Mishina.’‘Aconvoyoforklightarmour,brother-captain.It’smovingalongthemain

roadtowardsthecommunicationstower.Theleadmachineshavealreadypulledupintheplazaoutinfront.’‘Numbers?’Mishinawentquietforafewseconds,thenreplied,‘Atleastthirtyvehicles

thatIcansee,anddustcloudsfrommoreattherear.Iftheywakeuptoourpresenceprematurely,mylord,we’regoingtohavetrouble.Alotofit.’

SergeantWernerandhispartymovedeastatthebaseofthecurtainwall,followingtheinfraredsplashesleftbyScoutsVermianandRogar,bothofwhomhadbeentaskedwithreconnoitringtheroutefromthewallbreachtothewaterpurificationplant.Sofar,notasinglebolthadbeenfired.Onasurgicalstrikelikethis,thoughtWerner,thelongeritstaysthatway,the

better.Hehadtoadmirehis10thCompanykinsmen.Everyfewblocks,withhis

visor’snight-visionmodeturninginkynightintomurkyday,hewouldspotthecrumpledbodiesoforksentrieshiddeninburnedoutdoorwaysorstuffedbetweenbullet-riddledbarrelsandcrates.Intheshadows,nothingbeatthequietgoodnightofaknifeintheneck.TheScoutsweregood.Iftheykeptthisup,Wernerandhissquadswouldget

allthewaytothepurificationplantwithoutanyofthealienfilthraisingthealarm.Oncethere,ofcourse,anypretenceatstealthwouldhavetobeabandoned.Thingswouldbecomemoreovert.Themeltachargeswouldseeto

that.Oncetheyweredetonated,thewholedamnedplanetwouldknowthattheCrimsonFistshadcomecallingtodispensedeathanddestructionintheEmperor’sname.Wernerexpectedafiercefirefightonthewayout.Thestreetswouldfillupquicklywiththebestialscum.But,oncetheFistswerebeyondthewallagain,itwouldbeasimplematterofcallingintheThunderhawksforpickupandholdingadefensiveperimeteruntiltheyarrived.Whateverhappenedafterthatwasforpilots,gunnersandNavigatorstoworry

about.Wernerdidn’tconcernhimselfwiththingshecouldn’tinfluence.Itwasn’thisway.HeheardDrakkenhailinghimonthecomm-link.‘Leo,respond.’‘Here,mylord.Goahead.’‘Status?’‘Aboutonekilometreoutfromourobjectivenow.Scoutsmovingintosniping

positions.Orkpresenceminimalsofar,butIdon’tthinkit’llstaythatwayforlong.’‘You’renotwrong,’saidDrakken.‘Thecommstoweriscrawlingwith

greenskinfilth.I’mafraidwehavetoaltertheplanasaresult.’Wernercalledhismentoanimmediatehalt,andtheywentintooverwatch,

theirboltermuzzlesswingingupandaroundtocovereverystreetcorner,doorandalleyway.‘I’mlistening,brother-captain,’saidWerner.‘We’vegotorklightarmourthatjustcameinfromthenorth.I’vechecked

withSergeantSolari.Heisadamantthathisspeedersweren’tspottedandneitherwereanyofhismen.They’rebackaboardtheirThunderhawknow,waitingtoofferusclosesupportshouldweneedit.Listenclosely,Leo,Iknowwediscussedasimultaneousstrike,butourbesthopeofknockingoutthatcommunicationstowernowdependsonyoudrawingsomeofthedefendersaway.Ineedyourteamtostrikefirst,andtomakeasmuchdamnednoiseasyoucan.’Inwardly,Wernercursed.Thecaptain’slogicwassound,ofcourse,the

reasoningfaultless,butitmeantdroppinghismenrightintheheatofthings.Orklightarmourmightlooklikeworthlessjunk,butitcouldmovefastand,whentheyfunctionedproperly,thegreenskins’heavyweaponspackedashardapunchasanythingintheImperialarsenal.Thenarrowstreetswouldprotecthismenforthemostpart,buttheywouldhavetocrossseveralwideroadsontheirwaybacktotherendezvouspoint.Thatmeantadashoveropenground,probablyunder

intensefire.Itcouldn’tbehelped.Ordersfromabrother-captainmightjustaswellbe

ordersfromtheEmperorHimself.Theyweretobeobeyednomatterwhat.WernerwasaSpaceMarine;hewouldwalkstraightintocertaindeathifhissuperiorsorderedit.Howhedieddidn’tbotherhimatall.Itwashowhelivedthatcounted.‘Leaveittous,mylord,’hesaid.‘I’lllightthefacilityupsobrightthedamnedorkswillthinkthesun’scomeupearly.’‘Good.Makeithappen,Leo,’saidDrakken.‘Iwanttoknowtheminuteyou’re

inposition.Command,out.’WernerwavedhisAstarteson,andwithrighteousmurderontheirminds,they

closedinontheirtarget.

Mishinawasaboutascloseashewantedtoget.TherewaslittlemorehecoulddoforCaptainDrakken’spartynow,savecoverthemwithsniperfireandkeepthemapprisedofenemymovements.Therewasnomorequietclearanceworktobedone.Thatphaseoftheoperationwasover.Aftermutteringashortprayerofgratitudetohisdeadlyblade,hesheatheditforwhathesupposedwouldbethelasttimetonight.Ithadclaimedthelivesofsixteenoftheoversizedalienabominations.Notabadtallyforanight’swork,hetoldhimself.Hewonderedhowmanyxenoshissniperriflewouldclaimoncetheshooting

started.Morethansixteen,hehoped.TheotherScoutassignedtoprovideforwardeyesandsnipercoverfor

Drakken’steamwasafairlyfreshinitiatebythenameofJanusKennon.BrotherKennonwasyoung,andMishinahadexpressedconcernstoCaptain

IcariothattheinexperiencedScoutneededmoretrainingbeforeacriticaldeploymentlikethis.ButKennon’sinnateskillshadapparentlymarkedhimoutforgreatthings.Inoverahundredyears,nootherinitiatehadcomeclosetomatchinghisscoresonthepracticerange,eveninthicksimulatedfog.Kennon’saccuracyandtargetingabilitiesborderedonthepreternatural,andMishinagottheimpressionthatCaptainIcariosawapotentialprotégéintheyoungSpaceMarine.Kennonwascurrentlycrouchingonthecornerofadust-coveredrooftopabout

eighthundredmetrestothenorth-westofMishina’scurrentspot,coveringtheorkdefensivepostontopofthecommstowerfromawesternflankingposition.Atleast,thatwaswhereMishinahadtoldKennontogo.Haditbeenanyone

else,Mishinawouldhaveassumedhisorderswerebeingfollowedtotheletter,

butnotsowithKennon.Theboywasfartoosureofhimself.Thecaptain’spraisehadgonetohishead.Mishinacouldn’thelphimself.Forabriefmoment,heturnedhisgoggles

north-westandincreasedmagnification.HesoondetectedKennon’sheatsignature…exactlywhereitwassupposedto

be.MishinafeltthebriefestflashofshamefordoubtingafellowCrimsonFist.Jealous,Ezra,heaskedhimself?Jealousoftheboy’stalent?You’venoreason

todoubthim.Hewentthroughthesamepsycho-indoctrinationprogrammesyoudid.TrustinCaptainIcario’schoice.ThesethoughtshadbarelyfilteredthroughtothefrontofMishina’smind

whenKennon’svoiceaddressedhimoverthecomm-link.‘ShadowFourtoShadowOne.Canyouhearme,sergeant?’‘Ihearyou,brother,’saidMishina.‘Speak.’‘Sergeant,I’mnotsurewhetheryoucanseethisornot,butamonsterofan

orkjustdismountedfromsomekindoftruckinthemiddleoftheplaza.He’sclimbingastaironthewestsideofthebuilding.Itmustbethegreenskinleader.ThebeastisasbroadasBrotherUlis!’Mishinadoubtedthat.UliswasaDreadnought,oneoftheChapter’srevered

OldOnes,andaboutfourmetresacrossfromshouldertoshoulder.ThelargestorkMishinahadeverseeninpersonhadbeenalmostthreemetresacross.IthadtakenadirecthitfromaPredatortanktoslaythatbastard.Mishinasquintedupahead,but,fromthisangle,hecouldn’tseethecreature

Kennonwastalkingabout.HewasabouttomovetoaneighbouringrooftopforabetteranglewhenKennonreported,‘He’sgoinguptotherooftopofthebunker.Ihavehisuglyfacerightinthecentreofmycrosshairs,sergeant.Requestingimmediatepermissiontotaketheshot.’‘Requestdenied,brother,’saidMishina.‘HoldpositionwhileI–’‘Icantakehimout,sergeant,’Kennoninsisted.‘Hemustbetheleader.One

kill-shotcouldputtheirentireforceindisarray.Again,Istronglyrequestpermissiontofire.’Mishina’swordswereashardasboltsthemselves.‘Youwillnottaketheshot

untilCaptainDrakkengivestheorder.Isthatunderstood?’Kennonwassilent.‘Isaidisthatunderstood,brother?’Reluctantly,notbotheringtomaskthecontemptanddisappointmentinhis

voice,theyoungScoutrepliedthatitwas.Mishinaimmediatelycontacted

CaptainDrakkenandsaid,‘ShadowFourreportsthathehaswhathebelievestobetheorkleaderinhiscrosshairs,captain.Heisrequestingpermissiontotaketheshot.’Drakkenbarelyneededtimetothinkaboutit.‘Negative,ShadowOne.Authorisationdenied.SergeantWernerandhis

squadsarepreparingtoassaultthewaterpurificationfacilityaswespeak.Iwantthoseorksdrawnoffbeforewestrikethecommsbunker.Isthatabsolutelyclear?’Itwas.IfBrotherKennontooktheshot–hitormiss–theorksatthecomms

bunkerwoulddeployalltheirlightarmouragainstthemostlocal,mostimmediatethreat.MishinacouldunderstandKennon’seagernesswellenough.Itwasashothe

wouldliketotakehimself,asinglesqueezeofthetrigger,onemuffledcoughfromhisweapon’smuzzlethatwouldgarnerthekindofgloryandhonourfewbrothersin10thCompanywouldeverhaveachancetoclaim.Tothinkthatasingleshotmightdefuse,orattheveryleast,greatlydelayapotentialWaaagh…NotjustatriumphforKennon,thoughtMishina,butsomethingtheentire

companycouldbeproudof.Therewouldbedecorationsforeveryonedeployedhere.Attheverybackofhismind,atinyvoicesaid:Resultscomefirst.LetKennon

taketheshot.Mishinahadheardthatdangerousvoicebefore.Heexpectedtohearitagain

manytimesthroughouthislife.Herespondedtoitnowashealwaysdid.Hecrushedittonothing,justashehadbeentrained,justashismindhadbeenrigorouslyconditionedtodo.Hedrowneditoutwithasilentlitanyofobligation.ThinkoftheChapter,hetoldhimself.Thinkoftheprimarch,oftheEmperor

andTerra.Noneofthesewerebestservedbyindulgingone’ssenseofpersonalpride.A

trueAstarteswasbetterthanthat.Therewasasuddenbrieftransmissiononthecomm-link’smissionchannel.

‘SergeantWerner’sforceisabouttolightupObjectiveTwo,’Drakkenbarked.‘Braceyourselves!’AsuddenclapofthundershooktherooftopunderMishina’sfeet,andagreat

flashofwhitelight,super-novabright,litthewholetownfromthedirectionofthesouth-easternprecinct.Itwasfollowedbythreemoreinrapidsuccession,eachshakingtheentiretownlikethefootfallsofamightyTitan.Mishinascrewedhiseyesshutandturnedhisheadawayfromthedirectionof

theblasts,anxiousnottobetemporarilyblindedbytheglare.SergeantWerner’spartyhadlaunchedtheirattackonthewaterpurificationplantinspectacularstyle.Stealthprotocolswerenolongerineffect.Whenthesoundofthemeltaexplosionshaddroppedtoaringinginhisears,

Mishinaopenedhiseyes.Fromthebuildingsallaroundthecommsbunker,agreatcacophonyoforkishgruntsandroarscouldbeheard,mergingtogetherwiththerevvingofpowerful,fume-spewingengines.Thesoundofdistantgunfireechoedfrombetweenthestreetsandalleys

aroundthewaterpurificationplant.Mishina’ssupremelyhonedearsrecognisedthedistinctivebarkofboltersbeingfiredfromabouttenkilometresaway.Therewasanawfullotoffirebeingtraded.HemutteredaprayertotheEmperorforthesafetyofSergeantWernerandhismen.Fromtheplazainfrontofthecommsbunker,thefirstoftheorkbikesandbuggiesbegantomoveoffinthegeneraldirectionofthegunfight,theirenginesgrowlingandsputteringlikemadanimals.That’sit,youbrainlessmuck-eaters,thoughtMishina.Keepmoving.Goand

seewhatit’sallabout.ItwashappeningexactlyasCaptainDrakkenhadanticipatedand,forthefirst

timesincetheorkvehicleshadshownup,Mishinastartedtofeeltrulyconfidentthateverythingwouldgoaccordingtoplan.ThatwaswhenheheardKennononthecomm-linkagain.‘Thewarlordismoving,sergeant.Ican’twaitanylonger.I’mtakingtheshot!’Mishinaalmostforgothimself.Scoutswerehabituallyquietindividuals.

Shoutingtendedtogiveone’spositionaway.Evenso,healmostyelledoverthecomm-link,‘Holdyourdamnedfire!That’sadirectorder.Ifyoutakethatshot,upstart,I’llseeyouflayedalive,byThrone!DoImakemyselfcl–’Therewasabriefburstofblue-greenlightfromthedirectionofthecomms

bunker.Mishinafelthisprimaryheartskipabeat.Heknewinstinctivelywhattheflashmeant.Kennonhadtakentheshotanyway.HismagnifiedvisionconfirmeditwhenKennonfiredasecondtime,thenathird.AllofKennon’sroundshadbeenrightontarget,buttheyhaddetonatedwithbrief,bright,harmlessflashesonsomekindofinvisibleenergyshield.Zoominginfurther,Mishinacouldseetheshield-generatingapparatus

strappedtothemonster’sback.Nosniperwasgoingtofellthatbeast.Kennonhadjustgivenhimselfawayfornothing.TheorkbossspuninKennon’sdirection,tookagreatlungfulofair,and

bellowedoutabattlecrythatseemedtovibratethefoundationsoftheentire

town.Absently,MishinaregisteredthatKennonhadn’tbeenexaggeratinggreatly

aboutthecreature’ssize.Itwasaformidable-lookingthing,thegreatbulkofitsblockyapparatusonlyaddingtotheeffect.Ahalf-secondafterthisthoughtranthroughhismind,brightlightstabbedinto

Mishina’seyes.Theorksontheroofhadturnedsearchlightsoutintothenight,andtheScout-Sergeant’snightvisiongoggleshadn’tbeenabletoadjusttothesuddenbrightnessquicklyenough.Mishinathrewahandupoverhisface.Stubberandheavyweaponsfirebeginspittingoutinalldirections.Countlessalienthroatsbegancallingoutthreatsandchallengesinwhatpassedfortheirroughalientongue.Anychanceofsplittingupthegreenskinforceatthecommstowerwasnow

lost.‘ShadowOnetoCaptainDrakken,’saidMishinaurgently.‘Don’tbother,sergeant,’snappedCaptainDrakkenontheotherendofthelink.

Theink-darkstreetswheretheorksearchlightscouldn’tpenetratenowbegantostrobewithmuzzleflashesasthebattle-brothersof3rdCompanymovedup,claimingthefirstoftheirkillsearlyintheexchange.‘Ifwelivethroughthis,’continuedafuriousDrakken,‘youcanexplaintotheChapterCouncilwhatindamnationjusthappened.’MishinaloosedabittercurseandpromisedhewouldseeKennonstrungupfor

this.Thenheknockedhisbolt-rifle’ssafetyoff,checkedthattherewasaliveroundinthechamber,andscannedthestreetsbelowhisposition,sectorbysector,eyesalertforanythingthatthreatenedtoflankDrakken’smenastheystormedtowardstheirobjective.Gunfirefrombothsidesrangoutforhoursonend.Thedry,dust-cakedstreetsofKrugerportsoonranred.

‘Astartes,fallback!’bellowedDrakken.Hewasn’tsuretheycouldhearhim,wasn’tsurethemicro-voxcircuitryinhis

gorgetwassendingthemhisvoice.Hishelmethadbeenstruckbysomekindofgreenskinplasmaroundthatburnedrightthrough,crispingthefleshofhisleftcheek.Hisvisorhadgonedead.He’dhadtostriptheruinedhelmfromhisheadina

hurry,enemyroundsrattlinglikehailonhisarmourwhilehewastemporarilyblinded.Now,withorkstubber-fireblazingallaroundhim,shellsrippingontothehabwallsoneithersideofthestreet,hehadtoshouthisorders.

Theenemykeptcoming,spillingfromeverywhere,nomatterhowmuchfireheandhisFistsspatbackatthem.Theyhadfelledscores,perhapshundreds,oftheslab-muscledaliensalready,butthechargescontinued.Theytrampledtheirdeadintotheblood-soakeddirtwithouttheslightestreverence.Afoulodourcamewiththem,anodourDrakkenknewwell,stalesweatandfungalstink,worsethanrottinggarbage.Drawingabeadonthelargest,darkest-skinnedorkhecouldsee,Drakken

pulledthetriggerofhisboltpistol.Nothing.Withoutpauseforthought,heswitchedmagazines,hisarmouredhandsmovinginawell-practicedblur.Hetookaimoncemore.Thebeasthadcoveredtenmoremetres,lumberingforwardsonlegsasthickasaman’storso.Hefired,andaboltthunderedintothecentreofthecreature’sslopingforehead.Itkeptrunning.Orksdidn’tgodowneasily.Asecondlatertheexplodingbolt

blewoutthecreature’sbrain,anditsheavy,headlesscorpsehammeredagainstthedustystreetspoutingthickredblood.Drakkentookasecondtolookdowntheavenuebehindhimandsawthathis

ordershadgottenthrough.Hissquadsweremakingastaggeredretreatinthedirectionofthebreachthroughwhichthey’dcome.SergeantWerner’sgroupwouldrendezvouswiththemthere.Whoeverreachedthegapinthewallfirstwastoholditandwaitfortheothers.Acrossthestreet,intheshadowofanotherhab,Drakkensawoneofhis

Astartes,BrotherCero,layingdowncoverwithaheavybolter.Themassiveweaponchuggedandchattered,throwingitslethalroundsoutingreatscythingarcs,cuttingthefrontranksofthechargingorkstoraggedredpieces.Thedeathtollwassogreatitcausedtheorkchargetomomentarilyfalter,asthoseimmediatelybehindthefallentriedtoturnandforcetheirwaytocover.Drakkentookthisbrieflulltoraceovertheopenstreetandslideintocover

besideCero.‘Cantheothershearmeoverthelink?’heyelledinCero’sear.Therattleoftheheavyboltershouldhavedrownedhimoutcompletely,butthe

Lyman’searimplantcouldfilteroutandseparateeventheslightestofnoises.Ceroheardhiscaptain,andrepliedwithoutturningfromhistargets,‘Theycanhearyou,lord.SergeantWernerhasjustsentwordthathispartyhassecuredthebreach.Theyareholdingit,buttheirScoutsreportxenosmovinginfromallsides.’‘Thenwehavetomovenow.Whyhaven’tyoufallenbackasIordered?’‘Someonehastocoveryourownretreat,lord.’

‘Youcan’tmoveasfastasIcan,’saidDrakken.‘Iwantyoutomakeforthecornerhabtothesouth.Gonow.Iwillfollowonceyou’veestablishedafiringposition.Move!’Ceroloosedalastbriefburstoffire,thendashedoutfromtheshadowofthe

habandrantowardstheendofthestreetwherehisbrotherswereengagingenemyforcesfromtheeast.Asheran,Drakkenleanedoutfromthebullet-chewededgeofthesandstonewall,andbeganpickingofftheclosestgreenskins,hiseveryshottakingonedown,ifnotkillingitoutright.Cero’slegspumpedhard,butthegreatweightoftheheavybolteranditsback-

mountedammunitionslowedhimsignificantly.Hedidn’tseethevastsilhouettedformloomupontherooftohisright.Thefirstheknewofhisattackerwaswhenthebrightbeamofitslascannon–aweaponpilferedfromthefallenImperialGuardforces–slicedthroughbothofhisknees,cuttingbone,fleshandceramitearmourwithease.Cerotumbledtothesurfaceofthestreet,roaringinagony,hiscroppedlegs

gushinghotblood.Drakkenturnedandsawhisbattle-brotherscramblinginthedirt,tryingto

recoverhisweapondespitethepain,desperatetoreturnfireonthebeastthathadmaimedhim.Thebeastinquestionhaddisappearedalready.Itwasnowhereinsight.The

orkstothenorthhadwitnessedtheSpaceMarinegodown.Theysurgedforwards,drivenintoafrenzybythesightoftheirenemy’sfreshbloodandthesoundsofhisagony.‘Getsomesuppressingfireoverhere,’Drakkendemandedoverthelink.HadhebeenabletohearthevoicesofhisfellowAstartes,hewouldhave

realisedtheywerealreadybeingheavilysuppressedthemselves.Theorksswarmedthroughthestreets,theirvehiclescareeningdownthebroaderthoroughfares,pintle-mountedweaponsspewingleadinalldirections.Drakkenpickedoffthreemoreoftheclosestthreats.Ammunitionwasrunning

out.Herippedafragmentationgrenadefromhisbelt,primingitinthesamemovement,andhurleditattheenemy.Thenheranfromcover,straighttowardsCerowherehelayinthemiddleofthestreet.Behindhim,therewasasharpboom,andachorusofalienhowls.HeslidtoahaltatCero’sside.‘Leavetheweapon,brother.Grabmyarm.Quickly!’‘Run,mylord,’saidCero.‘Icanstillcoveryourescape.’Fromadarkalleytotheleft,amassivegreenbrutesurgedoutwithtwin

cleaversraisedforakillingstroke.Drakkensawittoolate.Hedidn’thavetimetoswinghisweaponaround.Theorkopeneditsrazor-toothedmawandscreameditswarcryasitmaderange.Suddenly,itsheadsnappedbackwards,aneatholepunchedinitsrighttemple.

Itfelltoitsknees.Amomentlater,itsheadburstinashowerofredgoreandchipsofbone.Drakkenlookedup,automaticallytriangulatingtheshot,andsawSergeant

Mishinaonthecornerofarooftopnearby,thebuttofhissniperriflepressedtighttohisshoulder.‘Wemustmove,mylord,’Mishinashouteddown.Hefiredfourroundsupthe

street,strikingtargetswithphenomenalprecision.Fourbrasscasingslandedathisfeet.Fourorksdropped,theirmeatycarcassestrippingthoseclosestbehindthem.‘Leavetheweapon,’DrakkenbarkedatCero.CeroreleasedhisheavybolteranddetachedtheammofeedwhileDrakken

uncoupledhisbulkybackpack.‘Holdon,’saidDrakken,grippingCero’swrist,‘Iwilldrag–‘Ablazeofwhitelightcutstraightthroughhiswords.Paineruptedoutofnowhere,afireconsuminghiseverynerve.Hewouldhave

screamed,buthislungswereemptyandwouldn’trefill.Distantly,heheardCeroroaringinprotest,hisshoutsaccompaniedbythesoundsofgunfire.Whywasitallsofaint,sofaraway?Hispainfledsoquicklyandcompletelythatitwasasifhehadonlydreamed

it.Nowitwasreplacedbyasensationoffalling.Heknewhehadstruckthegroundwhenthesensationstopped,butfeltnoimpact.Hisinnervoicespoketohimonelasttime,quieterthanhehadeverknownit.‘Sothisisdeath,’itsaid.‘ItiswarmerthanIexpected.’Scout-SergeantMishinaturnedjustaninstanttoolatetoopenfireonthe

captain’skiller.Hewouldn’thavebeenabletosaveAshorDrakkenanyway.Heonlycaughtthebriefestglimpseoftheorkasitchargedoffdownanotherstreet,lookingforitsnextprey,butitwasenoughtorecogniseit.UrzogMag-Kull.ThehulkingwarlordonwhichKennonhadopenedfire,

precipitatingthiswholedamnedmess.Mishina’sroundswouldhavebouncedoffthemonster’sforce-fieldjustas

Kennon’shaddone.Hewouldhavefiredonitanyway,givenhalfthechance.BrotherCerowasstillalivedownthere,hislowerlegsshornoffattheknee,

unabletoescapewithoutaid.Hecradledthearmouredbodyofhisdeadcaptain

inhisleftarm.Inhisrighthand,hegrippedthecaptain’sboltpistol.Mishinacouldhearhimrepeatingoneword–No!–overandoveragain,

desperatelydenyingthecaptain’sdeath,orperhapswhatheperceivedashisroleinit.Theorkswereclosinginunopposednow,lessthantwohundredmetresaway

fromCero,slowedonlybythefactthatmanyshovedandwrestledamongthemselvestogettothefrontwhereallthekillingwastobedone.‘ThisisShadowOne!’yelledMishinaoverthemissionchannel.‘Captain

Drakkenisdown!Isayagain,CaptainDrakkenisdown!’Hechamberedanotherroundanddroppedtoacrouch,determinedtoholdthis

positionwherehecouldatleasttrytoprotectCeroandholdtheorksbackfromdefilingwhatwasleftofthecaptain’sbody.SergeantWernerresponded,fightingtokeephisvoicelevel,notwantingto

believewhathehadjustheard.Buthehadtobelieveit.ThebrothersoftheCrimsonFistswerenotpronetolie.‘Yourposition,ShadowOne?’Mishinaspokeasheresumedfiring.Thereweresomanytargetsinrangenow

thatitwasimpossibletomiss.‘Twokilometresnorth-eastofyou,’heanswered.‘Hurry!Ican’tholdthemoff

alone.’Fromthecornerofhiseye,hesawmovementtothewest.Hefeltthehab

beneathhisfeetshuddering,sawagreatcloudofdustkickedupbythepassageofheavyvehicles.Theyweretravellingstraighttowardsthebreach,straighttowardstherestoftheAstartesforce.Bythesaints,cursedMishina.ToWerner,hesaid,‘Forgetaboutus,sergeant.I’vejustspottedalargearmour

columnclosinginonyourposition.Takeyoursquadsandgetoutofhere.SomeonehastoreporttotheChapterCouncil.’‘I’mnotleavingthemthecaptain’sbody,damnit!’growledWerner.‘Not

here!’Mishinaknewbetterthantobelievehehadthewordstodissuadethesergeant.

Instead,hesaid,‘Then,forThrone’ssake,callintheThunderhawksrightnow!Ifwedon’tgetairsupport,noneofusaregoingtogetoutofherealive!’

SIXArxTyrannus,HellbladeMountains

‘Again,’saidKantor.‘Iwishtohearitagain.’ItwasfifteendayssincetheengagementatKrugerport.Justsevenhoursago,

TheCrusaderhaddockedatRaxaStation,themainorbitalrefuellingandrearmingstationwhichsathalfwaybetweenRynn’sWorldandherclosestmoon,Dantienne.Onceadequatefuelhadbeentakenaboard,TheCrusader’sbaydoorshadopenedandhertwosurvivingThunderhawkshaddroppedtotheplanet’ssurfacecarryingthebatteredremnantsoftheexpeditionforce.TheChapterMasterhadmetthemonthelandingpadsofArxTyrannuswiththefirstraysofdaylightbreakingoverthepeakstotheeast.HehadrarelyseenanyofhisCrimsonFistsreturntotheirbelovedsanctuaryinsuchmisery.Fromaforceofeighty-fourSpaceMarines,onlytwenty-eightreturnedalive.

Mostofthesehadbeenwounded,butthetwoApothecariesattachedtotheforce,ArvanoRuillusandLyrusVayne,hadworkedhardtopatchthemuponthejourneyback.Astartesbodieshealedfast,butitwouldbeuptotheChaplainsoftheSacratiumtopatchuptheirwoundedspirits.TheThunderhawkshadtoucheddownthreehoursago.Sensoriumscansand

verbaldebriefingshadstartedimmediately.Thefirstofastringofcouncilsessionshadbeencalled.TheChapterhadsufferedadireblowindeed.Allthefortress-monastery’sinhabitants,evendowntothelowliestserf,soonheardaboutThirdandTenthCompanies’losses.ManyoftheChosenweptopenly.VigilswerescheduledintheReclusiam.HereintheStrategium,adark,heavyairhungoverthegreatcrystaltable,centredonDrakken’semptyonyxchair.AshorDrakkendead!Itwasalmostinconceivable.Kantorfeltthelosslikea

gapingwoundinhisownflesh.Notonlyhadhelostatrustedandrespectedwarrior-brotherbutalsomanyoftheThirdwhoKantorhadonceledintobattle.

The3rdCompanycaptainhadbeenamodelAstartes,stoic,braveanddedicated.Propertributewouldbepaidwhentimeallowed.Fornowthelatestorktransmissionhadtotakepriority.Severalraw,uncompressedsignalshadbeenpickedupbyTheCrusader’sdorsalcommsarrayjustbeforetheshiphadescapedfromtheFreiyasystem,transitingintothewarpjustminutesbeforetheorkheavycruiserscouldclosetofiringdistance.OnKantor’scommand,ForgemasterAdonreplayedthetranslationagainfrom

thestart.Underneaththeclipped,mechanicaltonesofthetranslatorunit’ssynthesisedvoice,thegrunting,snortingpseudo-languageoftheoriginalorkspeakercouldjustfaintlybeheard.Thetranslationwasroughandhighlyinterpretive.Theorktonguewas

extremelyunrefinedandemployedlittleactualgrammar.Adon’salgorithmscouldonlydosomuch.‘ListenSnagrod,Arch-ArsonistCharadon.Blue-shelledhumandead.Ork

alive.Thisfight,orkkillblue-shelledhuman.Orkstronger,tougher,bigger.Orkfightblue-shelledhumanagain.Goodfight.Orkattackworldofblue-shelledhuman.Noescape.No-shelledhumanalsodie.Many.Muchfighting.Muchkilling.Orkgrow.Waaagh!grow.Worldofblue-shelledhumanburn.Humanburn.Waaagh!Snagrodnotstop.Comessoon.’Asthesynthesisedvoicewentsilent,Kantorlookedaroundthetable.Every

lastAstartessittingthere,withtheexceptionofthemetal-maskedForgemaster,wasscowlingfuriously.Despitetherudimentarynatureofthelanguage,therewasnomistakingthecoreofthemessage.ThevoicewasSnagrod’s,andhisintentwasalltooclear.CaptainCortezspokebeforeanyoneelsehadthechance.‘Wegobackinwith

asmuchofthefleetaswecan.Wecuttheirshipstopiecesandturnthewholeplanetintoaballofmoltenslag.’HelookedoveratKantorandadded,‘Weshouldhavedonethatinthefirstplace.’DrigoAlvezansweredwithoutglancinginCortez’sdirection.‘Andperhaps

you,myinvinciblebrother,wouldexplaintotheHighLordsofTerrawhyaworldwithabreathableatmosphereandvaluablerawresourceswasmadeworthlesstotheImperium.Iwouldgladlytravelwithyoujusttoseetheirreaction.’‘I’llgoanywhereyoulikeoncethekillingisdone,’Cortezshotback.‘Enough,’saidKantor,raisinghishandstoquietbothofthem.‘Badlandingis

nolongerofstrategicvalueasatarget.Theorkshavehadtwofurtherweekstoplunderit.Theywillhavemovedon.WhatIneedisanassessmentonthe

earliestthisWaaaghcouldstrikeatRynn’sWorld,thekindofnumberswecouldbefacing,andourcurrentcapabilitieswithregardtorepellingafull-scaleassaultfromspace.’‘Anaccurateassessmentisimpossibleatthisstage,mylord,’answeredCeval

Ranparre.AsMasteroftheFleet,suchanassessmentfellunderhisremit.‘AdonandIrantheprojectionsyourequestedbasedonneighbouringorkpopulationsthatmighthaverespondedtotheoriginalgreenskinclarioncall.Giventhepaucityofharddata,theresultsarehighlyquestionable.Still,webothbelievethatwhatwe’veseensofarisbarelyahintoftheforcewearelikelytoface.InthetimeittookTheCrusadertoreturnhere,welostcontactwithelevenoccupiedsystems,alltothefareastofoursector,allwithhistoricalrecordsofpastgreenskinincursion.InthedayssincetheBadlandingincident,therehasbeennowordfromanyofthem,andnosignofanyImperialvesselshavingescaped.NocommunicationfromtheNavalauspexpostsatDagoth,CantatisIII,HeliodorGammaPrecidio,either.Ourentireeasternborderhasgonedark.Evenfactoringinunpredictablewarpcurrents,Iwouldgiveusnomorethantendaystoprepare.Dependingonwhichsystemsarethenexttofall,itcouldbeaslittleassix.’‘Sixdays,’mutteredSeligTorres.‘Wemightbeabletomobiliseintime,but

theRynnsguardandtheSystemDefenceFleetwon’tbe.Notforsomethinglikethis.’RanparremetTorres’sgazeandhelditashereplied,‘Sincetheenemyhas

alreadyexpressedhisplanstocometous,thewarpwillworktoouradvantage.Theorkshipswillhavetotranslatebackintorealspacerelativelyfarfromanysignificantgravitywells,justasourownshipsmust.Thatfactoraloneshouldgiveusbetweenfortyandfifty-fivehoursduringwhichwecantag,trackandanalysetheorkfleetandconfigureourownhighorbitalresponseaccordingly.Asfleetcommander,Iwilldoeverythinginmypowertoseethatnoorksetsfootonthisworld.’‘Idonotdoubtthatforasecond,’saidKantor.‘ButI’llwanteverylast

ground-basedassetatfullcombatreadinessjustthesame.Inpreparationforagrounddefence,wewillsplitourforcesbetweenthefortress-monasteryandthecapital.’‘Whatoftheotherprovinces?’askedOlbynKadena,CaptainoftheSixth,

MasteroftheWatch.Kantorfacedhim,eyeshard,andshookhishead.‘Wecannotriskspreading

ourforcestoothin.IwillsendbrothersfromtheCrusadeCompanytooversee

theirdefensivepreparations,buttheywillbecalledbackbeforethefightingstarts.Wemakeourstandhereandinthecapital.’EightpercentoftheRynnitepopulacelivedinNewRynnCityandthe

surroundingenvirons–oversixteenmillionpeople.Thesecondlargestcityontheplanetwashometolessthanthreemillion.Mostofthosewholivedoutsidethecitieswereindenturedworkersservinginthetensofthousandsofagri-communesthatcoveredthearablelandonthreecontinents.‘TheRynnsguardandtheCivitasauthoritiescandealwithrefugees,’Kantor

continued.‘Oursoleprioritywillbetheeliminationofthexenos.’HeturnedtoCaptainAlvez,andsaid,‘Drigo,I’mputtingyouincommandof

thedetachmentthatwilldefendNewRynnCity.OccupytheCassar.IshallassignanumberofsquadsfromCrusadeCompanytoassistyou.’Alvez’sfacebetrayedthehintofafrown.‘Beatease,brother,’saidKantor,notingthecaptain’sexpression.‘Theywill

beinstructedtofollowyourcommandasifitweremyown.TheCassariswellstockedandtherearefour-hundredChosenalreadystationedthere,butyoushouldprepareanadditionalrequisitionslistformyapproval.’NowKantorreturnedhisattentiontotheMasteroftheFleet.‘Brother

Ranparre,howquicklycanwerecallTheProsperineandTheHadriusfromtheN’goth-Katartraderoute?Thefirepowertheywieldmaybemuchneededbeforethisisover.’‘Dependingonthewarptides,mylord,transitwouldtaketenweeksatbest.

Gettingneworderstothemwouldtakehalfthatagain.’‘Fifteenweeksintotal,’saidKantorsourly.‘No.It’stoolong.Thetraderoutes

mayprovevitaltousifthiswarbecomesprotracted.Weshallleavethoseshipswheretheyarefornow.Howquicklycanwerecalltherestofourfleet?’‘Mostofthefleetiswithinafewdays’warptravel.Inaway,mylord,weare

fortunatethatthiscrisiscomessosoonaftertheDayofFoundation.Ourshipshavenothadtimetodisperseallthatwidely.Mostcanbecalledbackintime.’‘Atleastthat’ssomething,’growledCortezfromacrossthetable.‘Doso,’saidKantor.‘Callthemback,andcoordinatewithlocalnavalforces

toestablishadefensiveperimeterwiththehighestdensityonthesystem’seasternflank.Theorkswillattackusdirectlyfromthespacetheyhavealreadyconquered.Asalways,brother,Ileavecommandofactualfleetoperationstoyou.Iwillpersonallysuperviseoursurface-to-orbitdefencesfromhere.Youwillhavethefullsupportofeveryplasmaandmissilebatteryontheplanet,Ipromiseyouthat.Ifthereisanythingyoubelievecanaidyouinyourfight,contactme

directlyandIwillhaveitseento.Yoursisthefirstlineofdefence,Ceval.Emperorwilling,youaretheonlylineweshallneed.’TheMasteroftheFleetsmiledatthat,butthesmiledidnotreachhisdark

eyes.‘Ifthegreenskinsdaretoenterourspace,Iwillwreakhavoconthem,lord.Beassuredofthat.Unlessyourequiremypresenceforanythingelse,mayItakemyleave?Thereismuchtodo,andIwouldliketogetthingsmoving.’Kantorstood,promptingtheentirecounciltorise.‘Gobrother,’hesaid,‘and

mayDornwatchoveryou,revellingineverykillyoumake.’‘Mayhewatchoverusall,’saidRanparre.Hesaluted,fisttobreastplate,

turnedfromthetableandleftthroughtheStrategium’swestexit.Whiletheywerestillstanding,DrigoAlvezsaid,‘IfIamtoleavesoonfor

NewRynnCity,mylord,thenItoorequestpermissiontobeaboutmypreparations.’Kantor’seyesmetthoseofthecaptain,almosthisequalinheight.‘Youmay

go,Drigo,’hesaid.‘YouandIshallconvenelater.Thereismuchwestillneedtotalkabout.Fornow,though,youhadbestgetstarted.Youaredismissed.’Therefollowedanotherroundofsalutes.Amomentlater,withDrigo’sheavy

footfallsringingthroughtheairofthechamber,Kantormotionedtotheothersandsaid,‘Beseated,brothers.’Thecouncilwasquiet,pensive.EvenCortezseemedunusuallyreluctantto

speak.Finally,Torresasked,‘Howdoyouplantodistributetherestofus?’‘Mostofyouwillcommandyourcompaniesonthewallsofourhomein

accordancewithsiegedefenceprotocols,’saidKantor.‘Iwillcallanothersessionattwenty-threehundredhoursthiseveningtodiscussspecifics.Themomenttheorkshipstranslatefromthewarp,youwillbringyourmentofullcombatreadiness.IbelieveBrotherRanparrewillstopthem.Hehasneverfailedbefore.ButIwouldhaveyouallready,regardless.Notoneorkmustsetfootonthehallowedgroundsofourhome.Iwouldconsiderthatagreatandterriblesacrilege.’‘Sowouldweall,’spatCaldimusOrtiz,CaptainoftheSeventh,Masterofthe

Gates.ThatnoenemyshouldeverbreachArxTyrannuswashisresponsibilityaboveallothers.KantornotedthefireinOrtiz’seyesattheverythoughtofthegreenskins

returningtoRynn’sWorld.Turninghisgazefromfacetoface,hesawthesamedarkdetermination,thecold,hardviolencethatlayjustbelowthesurfaceinallofthem.

Thisso-calledArch-Arsonisthasunderestimatedus,hethought.Wewillpunishhimseverelyforthat.‘Youeachhavepreparationstomake,’saidKantor.‘Tailoralltraining

exercisesaccordingly.Iftherearenofurtherissuestoraise…’‘Mylord,’saidEustaceMendoza.‘Thereisonemorematterbeforewe

dissolvethissession.’KantorturnedtowardstheChiefLibrarian.‘Speakon,myfriend.’‘Forgiveme,brothers,’saidMendoza,‘fordivergingfromourmostpressing

issue,butwehaveyettodecidethefateoftheScout,JanusKennon.’HighChaplainTomasinoddedgrimly.‘BrotherKennonis,atleastinpart,

clearlyresponsibleforthedarklossesourChaptersufferedatKrugerport.DoesCaptainIcariohaveanythingtosayforhim?’Tomasihadremovedhisskull-helmonenteringtheStrategium,aswas

Chapterlaw.Now,heturnedhiscoal-blackeyestowardstheunusuallyquiet10thCompanycaptain.IshmaelIcariocouldnotmeettheHighChaplain’sgaze.Instead,hespoke

downtowardsthetable,asifhisneckwasweightedbyagreatshame.‘FellowsonsofDorn,IdeservenosmallshareinBrotherKennon’sculpability.Inmyrushtoputhimonthebattlefield,totestthetrueextentofhistalents,Iignoredtheconcernsexpressedbymysergeants.Myownpersonalhopescloudedmyjudgement,andforthatIamtrulysorry.Butifheistobepunished,thenItoomustsufferformymistake.’AlessioCortezsnortedandshookhishead.‘Iflightningstrikesatreeand

startsafire,isthatthefaultoftheforest?’Icariolookedup,surprised.‘NowyouarequotingTraegustome,brother?’Cortezforcedagrin,andKantorsawthebeatenlookinIcario’seyesmellow,

butonlyforamoment.‘Nooneblamesyou,Ishmael,’saidtheChapterMaster.‘Howcouldwe?I,

too,hadgreathopesforJanusKennon.Buttalentisnothingwithoutdiscipline.HedidnotbearthetenetsoftheChapterinmind.ASpaceMarinewhodisobeysordershasnotfullyembracedhispsycho-conditioning.HecannotbecalledaSpaceMarine.Iftherewasanyfailinghere,itwasKennon’salone.DidyounotalsoassignSergeantMishinatothemission?Anddidhenotearnhiscompanygreathonour,riskinghislifetoretrieveCaptainDrakken’sbodyfromthebattlefield?’‘Aye,’rumbledHighChaplainTomasiwithaglanceoverattheChapter

Master.‘EzraMishinaisamostworthybrother.’

KantorcouldhardlymissthemeaningbehindtheChaplain’slook.‘Heis,indeed.ItishightimehewasgrantedtheSteeping.HewilljoinThirdCompany,thefirstofmanywhowillbeneededtobringtheirnumbersbackupovertime.Ihopethispleasesyou,Ishmael.’KantorthrewarareandfleetingsmileatCaptainIcarioand,atlast,sawthe

beginningsofareciprocalsmilebreakthroughtheScoutcaptain’sdourexpression.‘LordHellbladehonoursmeandalloftheTenth,’saidIcario,buthepaused,

andthesmilefellawayasheadded,‘Still,thereisthematterofKennon’sfate.’‘Howdoeshebearhisguilt?’askedCortez.‘Poorly,itmustbesaid,’admittedIcario.‘Despiteeverything,hestandsbyhis

decisiontofire,totaketheshotwhilethiswarlord,Mag-Kull,wasinhissights.’TherewasagruntofderisionfromKantor’sleft.MatteoMorrelis,Masterof

Blades,Captainofthe8thCompany,leanedforwardwithhisforearmsonthecrystalsurface.‘Thesensoriumuploadsprovehisculpabilitybeyondanydoubt.Wehaveallseenthem.Ifhecannotrespectthechainofcommand,nomatterthecircumstances,heisunfittowearourcoloursandcallhimselfkin.’KantorwasabouttorespondwhenCortezslammedaroughhandonthetable.

Everyheadturnedsharplyinhisdirection.‘Ifhehadslaintheork,’CortezgrowledoveratMorrelis,‘wewouldbecallinghimahero.’HeturnedtoKantor.‘YouwouldbepromotingKennontoThirdCompany,notMishina.’‘Thisdecisioncanhardlyrestonanif,’barkedCaldimusOrtiz,‘particularly

giventhathedidnotslaytheork,brother.’CortezglaredbackatOrtiz.‘HighChaplain,’saidKantor.‘HaveyouanythingtoaddbeforeImakemy

pronouncement?’Tomasisoundedgenuinelysorrowfulasheanswered.‘Thelossofacaptainis

alwaysagreattragedy,notjustfortheChapter,butforallmankind.Thosetrulyfittoleadareararecommodity.BrotherKennonhas,bydisregardingadirectorder,playedasignificantroleinthedeathofoneofthisChapter’sfinest.AshorDrakkenwasadecoratedherowitharecordofachievementspanningmorethantwocenturies.Thereisprecedentforsuchacaseasthis.Wehavesearchedthearchives.’Here,heindicatedEustaceMendoza,whonoddedoncewitheyesclosed.‘Thepunishmentforprecipitatingthisdisaster,’Tomasicontinued,‘mustbethemostsevereavailabletous.Asmuchasitpainsus,therecanbenootherchoice.’Severalofthecaptainsbowedtheirheadsatthisproclamation.

Kantordidlikewise.Whenheliftedhisheadasecondlater,hesaid,‘Ihavemademydecision.Judgementispassed.JanusKennonshallundergoservitorconversion.’AlessioCortezloosedastringofquietcurses.Mendozanodded.‘TheLibrariuswillbereadytoreceivehimoncehehas

beeninformed.’TurningtoCaptainIcario,headded,‘Theprocessofmind-rippingispainful.Ishallnotlietoyou,mybrother.Butitwillbemercifullyshort.Thismuch,Ipromise.‘IshmaelIcariodidnotanswer.Herestedhisshavedheadinhishands,

allowinghiselbowstosupporthimonthecrystaltabletop.ForgemasterAdoninterjectedincrispmachinemonotone.‘Kennon’sinnate

skillsmaystillbeutilised.Theyneednotbelost.Asagun-servitor,hewillservetheChapterforathousandyearsand,onhisdecommissioning,willperhapshaveexpungedthestainonhishonour.’‘WhetherornothisguiltshallbeexpungedisamatterfortheEmperoralone

todecide,’saidTomasi.‘Ishmael,’saidKantor.‘TakeBrotherKennontotheLibrariumatsunrise

tomorrow.Doitquietlywhiletherestofyourmenareobservingthemorningcombatrituals.Letthemlearnofitafterthefact.Iwouldhavethismatterseentoandputbehindusassoonaspossible.Itmustnotlingertocastitsshadowoverthehonourserviceforthedead.’‘Sunrise,’saidIcariosoftly.‘Iwillseeitdone,lord.’Foramoment,silencedescendedoverthecrystaltableonceagain.Then

Kantorstoodandformallyendedthesession,dismissingthecouncilmembers.Theywouldbebackheresoonenough,heknew.HeandCortezwerethelasttoleave.Astheywalkedtogetherthroughthegloomy,candlelithallwaysofthe

fortress-keep,pastshadowedalcoveswherethestonelikenessesofpastheroesstoodateternalattention,Cortezaskedhisoldfriendandmasteraquestion.‘Thinkingoftheglory,oftheblowitwouldstriketotheenemy,andunaware

ofwhatevertechnologywasshieldingthisMag-Kullbeast,wouldyouyourselfnothavetakentheshot?’TheChapterMasterfrowned.‘Youalreadyknowmyanswertothat,Alessio.’‘IsupposeIdo,’Cortezrepliedheavily,‘ascertainlyasyouknowmine.’‘Indeed.’Theywalkedon,side-by-side,unspeakingforafewmorepaces,untilthey

reachedthejunctioninthecorridorwheretheywouldpart.Kantor’sprivate

chamberswerehighintheuppermostlevelsofthecentralkeepandhehadmanyhundredsofstairstoclimb.Theactofclimbingthemoftenhelpedtoclearhismind,andheknewheneededthatclarityofthoughtnowmorethanhehadneededitinaverylongtime.Beforethetwofriendswentoffindifferentdirections,Kantorplacedahand

onCortez’sshoulderandsaid,‘Inthenameoftheprimarch,Alessio,neverputmeinthatposition.TopassjudgementoveryouasIjustdidoverBrotherKennonwoulddestroyme,brother.’‘No,’saidCortez.‘Itwouldnotdestroyyou,Pedro.Youhavetheright

strengthforsuchthings.Itiswhyyouwerechosentoleadus.’Kantorsmiledbrieflyatthat,butitwashollowandheknewCortezcouldtell.

Therewerenosecretsbetweenthem.Theykneweachotherfartoowellforthat.Hedroppedhishandfromhisfriend’sshoulder,turnedinthedirectionofthe

greatstonestaircaseattheendofthecorridor,andwalkedoff,hopingitwouldbethelasttheyspokeofdisobeyingordersforalongtime.

SEVENNewRynnSpaceport,RynnlandProvince

Thecapitalawoketothedeep,window-shakingroarofsixteenCrimsonFistThunderhawksastheysweptinlowoverthesprawlingslumsthathadgrownuparoundtheplanet’sonlyspaceport.Sturdylandinggearemergedfrommetalhulls.Powerfulturbineschangedpitch,fromaroartoahigh,throbbingwhine.TheThunderhawkssettledonanairstripthathadbeenclearedfortheirarrivalonlytwentyminutesearlier.Itwasn’tthattheNewRynnSpaceportstaffwerelazyordisorganised.They

simplyhadn’tbeentolduntiltheverylastmomentthattheSpaceMarineswerecoming.Thatlackofadequatewarningwasdeliberate.CaptainAlvezdidnotwantthepeopleofthecitytoknow.Hehadnowishtodrivethroughstreetsthrongedwithcheeringcivilians.Theydidnotknowwhattheywerecheeringfor.Hewasborntowagewar.Didtheywishtocelebratehisgiftforslaughter?Didtheywishtocelebratethethousandsofgallonsofbloodhehadspilledyearafteryear?Hedoubtedit.Mostwouldbesickenedbythethingshehadseenanddone.Ifnotsickened,thenterrifiedtothepointofmadness.Thespaceportwasaboutsixtykilometressouth-eastfromtheoutermostofthe

capitalcity’sgreatdefensivewalls,butthenoiseoftheThunderhawks’powerfulturbinescarriedallthewaytothecitycentre,agloriousfortifiedislandsurroundedonbothsidesbythewatersoftheRiverRynn.ThiswastheZonaRegis,oftencalledtheSilverCitadel,homeofthegovernorandsecondaryresidencetoallthemembersoftheUpperRynnhouse.TheCassarlaywithinitstoweringwalls,alargekeepbuiltbytheChapterafterthegreenskininvasionoftwelvehundredyearsagosothatadetachmentofCrimsonFistscouldgarrisonthecapitalifitwereeverthreatenedagain.Itseemedthattimehadcome.

AstheThunderhawkspowereddowntheirengines,thesuncrestedthehorizontotheeast.Mostofthepeoplewhohadheardtheroar,adultsandchildrenalike,werealreadydressingforanotherdayoflabourinthefieldsandmanufactora,theirsweatandtoildedicatedtoanEmperornonewouldeverseesaveinancientcarvingsandfrescoes,orrenderedasfigurinesforsaleonthestallsofthecity’szonaecommercia.Itwasnotuncommonforthecitizensofthecapitaltohearshipscomingand

going,nomatterthetimeofday.Thespaceportoftenplayedhosttofarbigger,noisiercraftthanThunderhawks.Asidefromitsmanyground-levelairstrips,thegargantuanstructureboastedthreevast,thickcylindricaltowers,eachtoppedwithcircularlandingplatessupportedbyanti-gravsuspension.Theycouldprovideberthsforeventhelargesttrans-atmosphericcraft.MostofthecitizenswhoheardthenoiseoftheThunderhawksstoppedwhattheyweredoingandcockedtheirheadstolisten.Therewassomethingdifferentaboutthissound.Onlymilitaryaircrafteverapproachedtogetherandinsuchnumbers.Oncontactingthespaceport’sairtrafficpersonnel,CaptainAlvezhadbeen

adamantthathisforce’sarrivalgounannounced.Hetoldthespaceport’schiefadministratoroverthevox-netthat,iftherewereanychoirsorbands,fanfareofanykind,hewouldkillthemanhimself.Alvezwasnaturallysomewhatangry,then,whenhemarcheddowntheramp

ofhisThunderhawktofindhimselfbeinggreetedbyoverathousandindividualsinimmaculatecream-coloureduniforms.Themomenttheylaideyesonhisbroad,armouredframe,theydroppedtoone

kneeandbowedtheirheads.Aheavy-setofficerwithgoldenshoulder-boardsshoutedoutacommand,andthekneelingtrooperscalledoutasone,‘AllhailtheCrimsonFists,righteoussonsofRogalDorn,handoftheEmperor,saviourofthepeople!’‘Dorn’sblood,’cursedAlvezquietly,eyespanningacrosstherowsofstarched

soldiers.‘Thisisjustperfect.’Behindhim,hisAstarteswerebeginningtodisembark,marchingbrisklydown

Thunderhawkramps,heavybootsstrikingmetalinperfectmilitarycadence.Serfsandservitorsfollowedingreatnumber,heftingammunitioncases,weaponsandsuppliesofeverypossibledescription.Spaceportservitorsshambledforwardtoassist,andtheairstripwasabuzzwith

activity.AlvezstrodeforwardandcalledouttotheRynnsguard,‘Atease,youmen.On

yourfeet.Getup!’

Theunsolicitedwelcomingcommitteerosesmartly.Everylastoneofthemkepthiseyesstraightforward,notdaringtomeettheSpaceMarinecaptain’sicyglare.Itwaspatentlyobvioustheywereatanythingbutease.‘Officerincharge,’bellowedAlvez.‘Makeyourselfknowntome.Now!’Thedeep,harsh,barkingqualityofhisvoicemadesomeoftheRynnsguard

jump.Afteraheartbeat’snervoushesitation,theoverweightofficerwiththeshoulderboardsstrodeforward,armsswingingrigidlyathissides.Hischestglitteredwithbronze,silverandgoldstarburstsand,abovethebrimofhisstarchedcap,therewasabadgeintheshapeofagoldenaquila.Alveznotedthepolishedsilverskullsontheman’stuniccollar,andsaid,

‘Yourname,colonel.’Itwasphrasedasademand.Thecolonelbowedatthewaist,handspressedto

hischestinthestandardImperialsalute.Whenhestoodupright,heremovedhiscap,fixedhisgazeonthecentreofAlvez’sgleamingbreastplate,andsaid,‘PortiusCantrell,mylord,commandingofficeroftheRynnlandSecondGarrisoningRegiment,SoroccanDefensiveOperationsGroup,atyourservice.’Alvezwasn’timpressed.‘IamDrigoAlvez,colonel.IamthecaptainoftheCrimsonFists’Second

Company,MasteroftheShield,andyouwilldomethecourtesyoflookingmeintheeyewhenyouspeaktome.Yourreverencehasbeendulynoted,butIwouldhaveyouaddressmyface,notmyarmour.’Cantrell,who,atonehundredandseventy-eightcentimetres,cameuponlyas

highastheembossedeagleontheAstartescaptain’schest,gulpedandhastilyliftedhiseyes.Alvezglareddownathim,unsmiling.‘Thatisbetter.Nowtellmewhatyou

andyourmenaredoinghere.Iissuedstrictorderstothisfacility’sadministrator.HewaswarnedthatIwouldexecutehimfordisobeying.’Cantrellglanceddownattheferrocretesurfaceofthelandingstriponreflex,

thenhurriedlyreturnedhisgazetoAlvez’sface.‘AirControllerCelembradidnotdisobeyyou,mylord.Heissuednorequestforaformalwelcome.MymenandI,however,werealreadyhereonasecurityrotation.Oneofmylieutenantswasintheairtrafficcontrolcentrewhenyourmessagecamethrough.Hebroughtwordofittome,andItooktheliberty.Forgiveme,lord.Iknowyouweremostspecificaboutfanfare,butIthoughtarespectfulmilitarygreetingwouldbeappropriate.Icouldnot,ingoodconscience,haveletyourarrivalpasswithoutsomeshowofrespect.’Myordersleftroomenoughforthat,Isuppose,thoughtAlvez.

‘ThoughIwasnotadvisedofyourcomingintimetoprepareproperly,’continuedthecolonel,‘mymenandIarehonouredtobeatyourdisposal.Anythingyouneed,anythingatall,andwewillendeavourtoprovideit,inthenameoftheEmperorandofLordHellblade.’Atourdisposal,thoughtAlvezdarkly.You’llsoonlearntherealmeaningof

that,colonel,butnottoday.Lookatyou,sowillingtohaveyourmenreducedtothelevelofservants.Fightingmenshouldhavemorepride.Alvezhateddiffidence,hatedthewaymosthumansfawnedandscrapedin

frontofhim,alwayssodesperatetoearnthefavourandprotectionoftheAstartes.Thesituationwouldgetworse,heknew,oncehisforceswereestablishedinthecityproper.Hehadbeenthroughitallahundredtimesandmoreduringthecourseofhislife.ThepresenceofevenasingleAstartesamongnormalpeoplecausedarangeofoftenextremereactions.Fromsickeningservilitytoabjectterror,hehadseenitall.Inmostcases,itwasstandardoperatingproceduretokeephisforcesasfar

fromthecivilianpopulaceaspossible.Itdidn’tdoforthepeopletogettooclosetotheirprotectors.Fearandavoidancehecouldhandle–infact,inlightofthealternatives,hewelcomedthem–butexcessesofworship,loveandattentionsoonbecameahindrance,withhourlyofferingsofluxuryfoodstuffs,expensivesilks,religioustrinkets,alcohol,narcotics,evenwomen–noneofwhichanAstarteshadanyuseforintheslightest.‘Idonotforeseeusrequiringyourservicesatthemoment,colonel,’said

Alvez.‘Ifthatistochange,restassuredIwillalertyou.Astothereasonforourpresencehere,youwillbefullybriefedwhenIdecideitistime.Fornow,youwillclearyourmenfromthisairstripandreturntoyoursecurityduties.Wehavemuchtounload,andtheremaybeinjuriesifyougetintheway.’Justforasecond,Alvezsawthecolonel’sexpressiongrowrockhardatthe

barelyveiledinsult.Good,hethought.Perhapsthereisafightingmanunderneathallthatdecoration.Weshallfindoutforsurewhenhelearnsofthecomingstorm.ByTerra,it’shightimethesepeoplewereremindedthatthepriceofsurvivalispaidinblood.‘Agooddaytoyou,then,mylord,’saidthecolonel,histoneslightlycolder

thanbefore.Havingbeensobluntlydismissed,hesalutedoncemore,turnedandmarchedbacktohismen.Whenhehadcrossedhalfthedistancetowardsthem,Alvezrelentedandcalledouttohim.‘ColonelCantrell.’TheRynnsguardofficerstoppedandturned.Thistimehiseyeswentstraightto

thetoweringcaptain’sfaceandstayedthere.‘Mylord?’Alvezpaused,then,pitchinghisvoicesothatCantrell’strooperscouldhearit

clearly,hesaid,‘Perhapsyouandyourmencoulddomeaserviceafterall.’Thecolonel’sfacevisiblybrightened,andthechestsoftheRynnsguardtroops

seemedtoinflate.‘Anythingmylordrequires.Anythingatall.’‘Provideacordon,’saidAlvez.‘Keepthepublicandtherestofthespaceport

personnelatarm’slengthwhileweprepareourgroundtransports.WeshallbeleavingfortheCassarassoonaspossible.Haveadirectrouteclearedforus.Setupbarriers,dowhatyoumust.Co-optlocallawenforcementifyoufeelitnecessary,butIwantnothinginourwaybetweenhereandtheZonaRegis.’‘Youwillhaveit,lord,’saidCantrell.‘IstheresomeonewithwhomIcan

coordinate?’‘Coordinatewithmypersonalretainer,’saidAlvez.‘Keepavox-channelclear.

Beta-channel,bandfourwillsuffice.HisnameisMerrin,andhewilltellyouallyouneedtoknow.’Cantrellacceptedthisinformationwithafinalbow,thenturnedtowardshis

menandstartedsnappingoutorders.AlvezwatchedtheRynnsguardmarchoffatdouble-time,thenturnedto

supervisetheunloadingofhisThunderhawks.Hadthepoliticiansheardofhisarrivalbynow?Almostcertainly.Theywould

bescurryingtomakeagreatoccasionofit,eagerforthepeopletoseethembesidetheEmperor’sfinest.Blastedpeacocks!Therewasadeeprumbleandaclankingoftreadsfromhisright,andheturned

toseehisLandRaiderarmouredtransportapproachingtotakehimintothecity.Hewalkedofftowardsthemassivemachine,silentlywonderingjusthowlong

hehadtogetthiscityreadyforthetideoffoulxenosthatwascoming.Somehow,heknewitwouldnotbelongenough.

EIGHTZonaRegis,NewRynnCity

MaiaCagliestracouldn’trecallbeingshakenawakesinceshehadbeenachildoftenyearsold,butthatwasexactlyhowshemettheworldtoday.Groggy,hereyelidsfeelingliketheyhadbeentackedtogether,shestruggledtogetherbearings.‘What…what’sgoingon?’Whensheopenedhereyes,therewasamomentofbrightpain.Golden

sunlightwasalreadyspillingintotheroomfromthesouthwindows.Theheavyvelvetdrapeshadbeenpulledback.Outside,theskywasblueandcloudless,aclearindicationthatthesummerwasonitsway.Herchieflady-in-waitingwasgentlygrippingMaia’sshoulders.Shehad

stoppedshakingthemnow.‘Youneedtowakeup,ma’am.Wemustgetyoureadyatonce.SecretaryMylosisalreadywaitingforyouonthegrandbalcony.Ishallbringyoubreakfastthere.’‘Whattimeisit?’askedMaia.‘Andwhyareyouwakingmelikethis?You’ve

neverdonethatbefore,Shivara.’Shivaratookherhandsawaynow,butherexpressionwassteely.Shewasa

uniqueandformidablewoman,andMaiatrustednoone,notevenMylos,asmuchasshetrustedher.Shivarawastallandbeautifuland,underherform-fittingrobesofwhitesilk,powerfullymuscled,thoughnolessfeminineinappearanceforallthat.FewpeoplerealisedthatShivarawasanoff-worlder,notevenMylos.ThewomanwasasisteroftheAdeptusSororitas,trainedfrombirthtobebodyguardandaidetothosejudgedworthyofsuchprotection.PlanetarygovernorsacrosstheImperiumwereprotectedbythesedeadlyguardians.IfsomethingwasbotheringShivara,Maiaknewthatshe,too,hadamplereasontobeworried.

‘Pleasegetup,ma’am,’saidShivara.‘Somethingunexpectedhashappened.TheCrimsonFistshavecometothecity.’Maiasatboltuprightinherbed,darkhairtumblingdownoverherpale

shoulders,agreatsmilespreadingacrossherface.‘Theyhave?Thisiswonderful.DareIhopetheChapterMasterhimselfisamongthem?’Shivarafrowned.‘Whatisthematterwithyou?’askedMaia,confused.‘Theirpresencebothers

you?’‘Greatly,ma’am.’Maiawasgettingangrynow.Hersmilefellaway.‘Ithinkyouhadbetter

explainyourself.ThesonsoftheEmperorHimselfarehere.Icannotunderstandyourmood.’Shethrewoffhersheets,swungherlegsoverthesideforthefour-posterbed,

slidherfeetintofinewhiteslippers,stoodandstretchedherleanform.Hereyeswentautomatically,astheydideverymorning,tothegreatstatuein

thesouth-westcorneroftheroom.Itwascutfromthepurestwhitemarbleontheplanet.Aurella’sŒdonisinDeath.Amasterpiece.IftheSecretaryoftheTreasuryknewhowmuchMaiahadappropriatedfromthepalacefundsforitspurchase,therewouldbehelltopay.Butshehadbeenunabletoresistwhenthesculptor,IanousAurella,hadfinallyoffereditforsale.Blackmailingtheoldmanhadbeenadifficultandlengthyprocess,butultimatelyworthit.Shivara’sgazefollowedthatofhermistress.Thefigure,Œdonis,wasasbigasanAstartes,andtherewassomethingabout

theface,somesubtlenuanceofexpressionorbonestructure,thatremindedMaiadailyoftheChapterMaster,PedroKantor.‘Whatbothersme,ma’am,’saidShivara,cuttingacrossMaia’sthoughts,‘is

theirnumbers.Theyarehereincompanystrengthatleast.’Shehesitatedabeat.‘Wordfromthespaceporthasitthattheyhavecomepreparedforwar.’Maiatorehergazefromthestatue’sbroadsculptedshoulders.‘Forwar?’she

said.‘Don’tbepreposterous.Therehasn’tbeenawaronRynn’sWorldfor…’‘Onethousandtwohundredandsixty-fouryears,ma’am,’saidShivara

heavily.‘Meaningoneislongoverdue.’

NINENewRynnCity,RynnlandProvince

SergeantHuronGrimmcouldtellthathissuperiorwasinadarkmood,orrather,adarkermoodthanusual.CaptainAlvezrodeintheleftsidecupolaoftheLandRaider,AegisEternis,refusingeventoglanceatthecheeringcrowdswhichlinedeithersideofCarriageway19.Grimmknewthisbecause,asbefitthecaptain’ssecond-in-command,herodeinthevehicle’srightcupola,apositionofnosmallhonour.Hewasaveteransergeant,along-servingsquadleaderwhohadprovenhimselfinbattleagreatmanytimes.WhenBrotherRomnushadbeenkilledinactionthreeyearsago,AlvezhadchosenGrimmashisnewright-handman,elevatinghimtothe2ndCompany’scommandsquad,adecisiongenerallywellmetbytherestofthecompany.AidingthecaptaindirectlywasadutythatGrimmrelished,thoughthe

relationshipbetweenthetwoSpaceMarinesremainedstrainedatbest.Theirpersonalitieswereanythingbutsimilar.Grimmwoulddowhateverhiscommanderasked,naturally,buthefoundthetallAlveztobeacold,self-isolatingindividual.Perhapsithadnotalwaysbeenso.IthadoccurredtoGrimmmorethanoncethatAlvezmightsimplyhavelosttoomanygoodfriendsalongtheway.SuchahardeningofthesoulwasnotunknownamongAstarteswhooutlivedmanyofthebrotherswithwhomtheyhadstartedservice.GrimmhadpassedtheChapter’sselectiontrialsonehundredandthreeyears

ago.Hehadearnedveteranstatus,andthehonourofpaintinghisrightgauntletred,relativelyearlyinhiscareer,successfullyleadingasquadoftenmenagainstapushbytraitorarmourunitson6-Edinae.Fewbrotherssurvivedtoservetwowholecenturies:heknew,andfromthesethecaptainsweredrawn.Theywerethetrulyexceptionalones:Alvez,Cortez,Kadena,Acastusandthelike,nottomentiontheChapterMasterhimself.

UnlikeAlvez,whoclearlyfoundthepublic’sadulationirritatingintheextreme,Grimmacceptedit.Heallowedhimselftofeelthewarmththatflowedfromthosesmilesandtear-streakedfaces.Theywerelikechildren,thesepeople;theirexperienceslimitedtoshorterlives,theirbodieslimitedbytheirrelativefragility.Despitethis,theImperiumwasnothingwithoutthem.Whatdiditstandforifnottheircontinuedsurvival?ItwaswhytheEmperorhadmadehisSpaceMarinesatall.Youngandold,thecitizensoftheRynnitecapitalgazedupathim,wavingand

cryingoutasAegisEternisrumbledpast,widetreadsgrindingtherockcretesurfaceofthewidelanes.‘HailtheCrimsonFists!Hailtheprotectors!’Womenonbothsidesoftheroad,weepingopenly,barelyheldbackbythe

cordonofstrugglingRynnsguardtroopers,threwgreatarmfulsofredandblueflowersinfrontofthecolumn.Thesweetfloralscentwasstrongontheair,butitquicklybecamemixedwiththepromethiumfumesfromthearmouredvehicles’rumblingexhausts,andbecamealtogetherlesspleasant.Awaste,thoughtGrimm,tospendhard-earnedmoneyonflowers,onlytosee

themcrushedbeneaththetreadsofatank.Itwouldkeeptheflower-sellersinliquorforawhile,hesupposed.BehindAegisEternis,thetrainofarmouredvehiclesstretchedout,each

paintedintheblueoftheChapter,eachproudlybearingtheiconofaredfistinblackcircle.Theirthunderouspassageshookornamentsfromsillsandmantlesasfarasakilometreaway.Longcracksappearedinthewindowsandwallsoftheshining,white-paintedhab-stacks.Thepeopledidn’tnotice.Theymightgrumblelater,butaforcelikethishadn’tvisitedthecapitalindecades.Itwasaspectaclenoonewantedtomiss.Thebarsandinnswouldbefilledwithstoriesforyearstocome:Iwastherewhentheyrodethroughthecity.Isawtheircaptainintheflesh,Idid.Thenthestorieswouldbeembellishedovertime:Thegreatcaptainsingledmeoutandwavedtome,Iswearit.Oneofthemaskedmemyname!Whynot?thoughtGrimm.Whyshouldwarriorsnotbeveneratedalittlenow

andthen?ThefightingmenoftheImperiumdedicatedtheirlivestowarinthenameoftheEmperor.Theybroughtpeacetootherswiththeirsacrifice.SoitwaswiththeImperialGuard,theNavy,theclandestinebutpowerfulforcesoftheHolyInquisition.EventheEcclesiarchyhaditsfighters.

Theirbloodwasthecoinbywhichtherealmsurvived.Waronthefringeskeptthecoresafe.Insuchdark,dangeroustimesasthese,withhumanityconstantlybesiegedbyfiendsoneveryside,peopleneededheroestobelieveinmorethanever.Grimmsawtheimportanceofthat.CouldCaptainAlveznotseeit,too?Ofcourse,theSpaceMarinesrepresentedsomuchmorethanjustamilitary

force.TheyweretheclosestlivinglinktotheDivineEmperorthatthesepeoplewouldseeintheirlifetimes.Allthetoil,alltheworship,allthecopperstheyputinthecollectionplates;thesightofjustoneAstartesmadethelegendsmorerealsomehow.IftheAstarteswerereal,thentheEmperorwas,too.AndiftheEmperorwasreal,humanitycouldstilldaretohopeforitseventualsalvation.HisDivineMajestywouldriseagainandcrushthemyriadfoeand,aftersoverylong,therewouldatlastbepeaceandsecurityinthegalaxy.HoliermenthanHuronGrimmcalleditfaith.Eightdecadesago,duringamissiontohuntdowneldarslavetradersonIaxus

III,ayoungpriest,slashedtoribbonsandlefttodieinaburningImperialchurch,hadcoughedoutwordstothiseffectasGrimmdraggedhimtosafety.Thepriesthadn’tlastedlong,hiswoundsflowingcopiously,butGrimmhadneverforgottenthezealinthedyingman’seyes.Hehadbeenhumbledbyit.EvenaSpaceMarinecouldstilllearnvaluable

lessonsfromordinarymen,heknew.Lookingdownfromthecupola,hisgazepassedoveragaggleofwell-dressed

childrenpracticallyscreamingwithdelightasthegroundbeneaththeirfeetshudderedandshook.Otherswavedfranticallyfromtheshouldersoftheirfathers,desperatetobeacknowledgedbythearmouredgiantstheyrecognisedfromtheirstorybooksandhistorylessons.Some,particularlytheyoungest,wereterrifiedbeyondwords.Grimmsawagoodmanytakerefugeinthefabricoftheirmothers’skirts,leavinglittlesmearsofnasalmucusthere.Atinymalnourishedgirl,herorangeragsmarkingherasanorphanfromone

ofthecity’smanywork-houses,gazedupatGrimmwithwideblueeyes.Shedidn’tscream,orshout.Neitherdidshesmileorevencry.Shesimplygavehimthesmallestandshyestofwaves.Grimmraisedhisowngauntletedhandjustafractionandreturnedthegreeting.Withouttakinghiseyesfromtheroadstraightahead,CaptainAlvezbarked,

‘Don’tencouragethem.’Nothingescapedhisnotice.‘Myapologies,lord,’saidGrimm.Alvezgrunted.‘Idon’tcareifthetwelvelordsofTerraaredownthere.

Acknowledgenoone.Wearenotheretoentertainthesefools.’‘Asyousay,ofcourse.’‘Andtheyarefools,Huron,’Alvezwenton.‘Justlookatthem.Soblindly,

happilyignorant.Notoneofthem,notasingleblastedone,judgingbythegormlesssmilesontheirfaces,hasstoppedforasecondtoquestionwhywearehere.NonehaveconsideredforevenamomentthatthepresenceofsomanySpaceMarinesmustsurelypresagesometerribledanger.Dornaloneknowswhattheythinkwearedoinghere.’Grimmcouldn’targuewiththat.Theywillthinkofit,soonerorlater,hethought.Andthenwe’llhaveapanic

onourhands.Twohundredmillionpeopleonthisworld.Twohundredmillionlivesinthe

balance.He’dseenwhattheorksdidtothehelpless.He’dseenthehorrorstheyperpetrated.Thinkingofthis,heturnedhiseyestolookfortheworkhouseorphanagain,

butsomeonehadshovedhertotherearandshehaddisappearedbehindadenseforestofadultlegs.Animageappearedinhismind,andhisbrowfurrowedinfuriousdenial.He

grittedhisteeth.Intheimage,hesawthegirllookingathimagain,butherblueeyeswerelifeless.Herblondehairburnedashewatched.Hesawherfleshcrispingandrealisedshehadbeenspitted.Shewasbeingcookedoveranopenfire.Hesawamassiveork,ablack-skinnedwarbossofprodigioussize,pullthespitfromtheflamesandsinkhistusksintothemeat,devouringherasifshewerelittlemorethanasnack.Itwasnoidledaydream.Grimmhadseentheevidenceofsuchabominable

crimesalltoooftenonotherork-blightedworlds.‘InDorn’sname,’hegrowledquietly,‘nothere.NotwhileIdrawbreath.’DespitetheroaroftheLandRaider’sengineandtherattleofitswidetreads,

thecaptainhadheardhim.‘Youwishtosaysomething,Huron?’Grimmshookhishead.‘Notreally,mylord,’hereplied,but,afteraheartbeat,headded,‘Onlythat,if

theWaaaghdoescometoRynn’sWorld,IswearIwillturntheAdacianredwithorkblood!’Thecaptainabsorbedthiscommentwithoutturninghiseyesfromtheroad

ahead.ThearmouredcolumnwasapproachingtheOcaroGatenow,itswhitestonetowersrisingtallandproudagainstthedeepeningblueskyofmid-

morning.BeyondthegatelayZona6Industria,theonlymanufacturingzonethroughwhichtheCrimsonFistconvoywouldhavetotraveltoreachtheCassar.Therewouldbefewerpeopleonthestreetsthere.Theindustrialzoneswereforworkingin,notliving.Notunlessyouwantedtodieyoung,riddledwithtoxinsanddisease.‘TheWaaaghwillcome,Huron,’saidAlvezasthemassiveOcaroGate

groanedopentoadmitthem.‘Whenitdoes,knowthatyouandIwillturntheseasredtogether.’

TENRooftopoftheGreatKeep,ArxTyrannus

Kantorgazedoutoveraseaofcloudthroughwhichtheblackpeaksofthesurroundingmountainsroselikeclaws.Theskyabovewasdeepazure,justlikehisarmour,andthesiblingsunswerebright,buttheywerenotwarm.Uphere,ontheroofofthefortress-monastery’stalleststructure,itnevertrulygotwarm.Thetechnicalcrewsservicingtheanti-airbatteriesateachoftherooftop’scornersworetheirthickestraumas-woolrobes.Evensoclothed,theycouldnotworkuphereforlong.Theairwassothinthattheyrequiredrebreathermasksortheywouldpassoutandeventuallydie.ThethinairdidnotbothertheChapterMaster,ofcourse.Nordiditbotherthe

captainathisside,SeligTorresof5thCompany.ThetwoAstartescouldendurelongperiodsupherewithlittlediscomfort.OrdinatorSavaleshadbeenunabletopersuadeTorrestoawaittheChapter

Masterbelow,butKantordidn’tmind.Hereabovetheclouds,withthefreezingwindbuffetingyou,wasasgoodaplaceasanytotalkaboutthedarknessthatapproachedthisworld.TorreshadsoughthimoutbecausehewasinoppositiontothewaytheChapterMasterwashandlingthethreatoftheWaaagh.Hehadmadehisstanceclearatthelastsession.NowhestoodinsilenceatKantor’sshoulder,unsureofhowtobegin.Thatwasunlikehim.Kantorhadknowntheacerbic,outspokencaptainforoveracentury,andknewwellenoughwhenhehadapointtomake.‘Bestspeakfreely,Selig.Donotchangeyourwaysnow.’Torressteppedforwardandturned,anglinghimselftowardstheChapter

Mastersothathecouldlookhimintheeye.Kantorsawthathewasnotsmiling.‘Howsurearewe,mylord,’saidTorres,‘thatthiswillallplayoutas

expected?’

Kantorthoughtaboutthat.Thecouncilsessionlatelastnighthadbeenmoreheatedthananyotherinhismemory.Someofthecaptains,Torresforemostamongthem,werecallingformoreforcestobeputintospacetobeusedasboardingparties.WhatwasthepointofkeepingtheCrimsonFistsontheground,theyargued,iftheorkswouldhavetofighttheirwaypastamajorblockadefirst?SurelythebestuseoftheChapter’swarriorswastosendthemtotheveryfrontlinewheretheycouldassaulttheshipsoftheorkleadersandassassinatethem?TheoldestandmostexperiencedcouncilmembershadsidedwithKantor.No

matterhoweffectivetheblockadeproved,orkswouldsetfootonRynn’sWorld.EvenwithtentimesmoreshipsavailabletotheChapter,thegapsinthedefencegridwouldstillmeasuremanythousandsofkilometresacross.Suchwasthenatureofwarinspace.Theorkswouldgetsomeoftheirshipsthroughand,whenthoseshipslanded,theywouldspillouttheirsavagecargoontolandthathadn’tseensuchbloodshedinoveramillennium.Kantorwasn’tabouttolettheRynnsguardfightthegreenskingroundforcesalone.ItwascriticalthatthetruestrengthoftheChapterremainplanetsidetomeet

theinvaderwhereveritlanded.Anyotherapproachwas,inKantor’seyesatleast,foolishtoconsider,anditbotheredhimthatseveralofthecaptainspresentatthesessionhadarguedsovehemently.Hecouldunderstandtheirdesireforglorywellenough.BoardingactionsweresomeofthemostintenseanddangerousoperationsaSpaceMarinewouldeverfaceandsuccessbroughtgreathonour.Butthisbattlewaslessaboutgloryandhonourthanitwasaboutprotectingtheirhome.ItwasaboutpreservingeverythingtheCrimsonFistsrepresented,bothtothemselvesandtotheirpeople,inthefaceofathreatthelikesofwhichfewotherChaptershadeverknown.‘Youwillhavetotrustme,Selig,’saidKantor.‘YouknowIwouldnotleadour

brothersastray.IfItellyouwemustconcentrateourbrothers’strengthsonaground-basedwar,itisbecauseIhaveconsideredallthealternatives.Theorksmustnotgainanysolidfootholdhere.Theirspores,ifleftunchecked,willspreadonthewindsandblightourworldfordecadestocome.Byorganisingoursquadsintorapid-responseunits…youheardmelastnight.I’llnotrepeatmyself.’Torresnodded,butsaid,‘ItisnotthatIdoubtyou,lord.Yourwordislaw,and

Iwouldfollowyouintothemouthofoblivion,asyousurelyknow.ButIcannotshakemygravereservationsaboutthiscourse.Itassumesacertaindegreeoffailurefromthestart.’

Kantornodded.‘Iamarealist,Selig.Orkswillgetthrough.Howmany,wecannotsay,buttheywill.Evenifwecommittedeverylastbattle-brothertoboardingactions,wecouldnotchangethat.Sowewillfightonbothfronts.Thedecisionismine,andithasbeenmade.’Torreslookedfarfromsatisfied,butheknewwellenoughwhentherewasno

moreroomtomanoeuvre.Changingtack,heasked,‘HavetheThunderhawksreturnedfromNewRynnCityyet?’‘Theywillbeheresoon.’‘AndourbrothersintheCrusadeCompany?Whendoyouintendtocallthem

backfromtheiradvisorymissions?’Kantorlookedoutoverthevistaofendlesswhitecloudashesaid,‘Theywill

becalledbackassoonaswehavefirstsignofthefoe.’Heturnedhiseyesskywards.Highabovetheplanet’ssurface,heknew,the

Chapter’sships,alongwiththeSystemDefenceFleet–anarmadaofwarp-incapablebattleshipsundertheauspicesoftheImperialNavy–wouldbeslowlyshiftingintoplace,formingabattle-linethatmeasuredhundredsofthousandsofkilometres.‘Istillcannotbelieveithascometothis,’saidTorres.‘Tohavealreadylost

AshorDrakken…Andtothinkthatthesameorkswoulddaretostrikeushere,onourownworld…’Kantorwincedalittle.He,too,stillgrievedforDrakken.Soonerorlater,a

successorwouldhavetobenamed,someonefromtheCrusadeCompany,someoneworthyofleadingthe3rdCompanyintobattle.Fornow,thesurvivorsoftheKrugerportfiascohadbeenfusedwithDrigoAlvez’s2ndCompanyandwerestationedwiththeminthecapital,butthesituationwasfarfromideal.The3rdCompanyhadanidentityofitsown,andaproudandglorioustraditiontomaintain.Therejusthadn’tbeentimetonominateanewcaptainbeforethemenhadbeendeployed.Itwouldhavetowaituntilaftertheorkswerebeatenback.‘Ashoriswithusinspirit,Selig.Apropertributewillbecommissionedfor

MonumentHalloncethereisadequateopportunity.AsfortheWaaaghpenetratingsodeepintothissectorsoquickly,Ihavebeenthinkingonthatmyself.IbelieveSnagrod’sforcesareprioritisingcommunicationsrelays.ItexplainswhynowarningoftheWaaaghhascomefromanywhereelsebutBadlanding,andyetweknowtheyhaveovertakenascoreofothersystemsalready.’Torressquinted.‘Youaresuggesting,lord,thatthisSnagrodisemployingan

isolationstrategypriortolaunchinghisattacks?’

‘We’veseenhintsofitfromorkwarbandsbefore,thoughneversowellexecuted,Igrantyou.’AcrosstheImperium,thevastMunitorumpropagandamachinewasrelentless

inpresentingtheorksasinferior,dull-witted,bestialfoeswithonlythemostrudimentaryunderstandingofwhatittooktowinaprotractedwar.Thefilthyxenosweredrivenbyinstinct,theirtinybrainsincapableoftacticalanalysisandresponse.Forthemostpart,thepropagandawasclosetothetruth.Theaverageorkgotbyonmuscle,resilienceandrawsavagery–littleelse.ButSnagrodwasclearlyanythingbutaverage.Hehadalreadyprovedthat.CenturiesoffightingthegreenskinshadtaughtKantornottobehastyinunderestimatingthosethatclimbedtotherankofwarlord.Theforty-firstmillenniumhadseenincreasinglydisturbingproofthat,outthereamongthemillionsofdisparateorktribes,therewereincreasingnumbersofindividualsthatrepresentedathreatunlikeanythingtheImperiumhadfacedsincethedarkdaysoftheHeresy.Oneneedonlyperuserecentbattle-reportsfromArmageddon,akeyImperialhive-worldlocatedintheSegmentumSolar.In949.M41,anorkwarlordhadledanunprecedentedWaaaghagainst

Imperialforcesonthatworld.ThegreenskinleaderwascalledGhazghkullMag-UrukThraka,andsuchwashisrareabilityforstrategicthinkingthathefailedinhisconquestbyonlythenarrowestofmargins.Asfurthertestamenttohisunusualmilitaryintellect,hehadevenmanagedtoaffectamassivegreenskinexoduswhenthetideofbattlehadirrevocablyturnedagainsthim.IfGhazghkullMag-UrukThrakawascapableofeffectivestrategy,thenthe

Arch-ArsonistofCharadonwas,too.Snagrodwasemployinglightning-quicksurpriseassaultsoneverydeep-spacecommunicationsrelayhecameacross.Then,andonlythen,didhesendhisforcesinenmassetoslaughterandpillagetheisolatedworlds.ButhewouldnotdothatonRynn’sWorld.Kantorwouldnotlethim.Snagrod

hadmadeagreatmistakeinhischoiceoftarget,andanotherinannouncinghisintentionssoovertly.Theorkswerecominginforce,andtheirleaderwantedtheCrimsonFiststobeready.Hewantedafighthecouldconsiderworthy,afightthatwouldmakehimalegend,afightthatwouldbringgreenskintribesfromalloverthegalaxyunderonebanner.Ifthebeastsucceededinthat,theWaaaghwouldbeunstoppable.KantorrealisedthatTorreswasstaringathim,facetwistedinconcern.‘Ihaveneverseenyoulikethis,lord.Neverso…dour.’Kantordidnotinsulthisbrother’sintelligencebyaffectingafalsedemeanour.

Torresdeservedmorethanthat,anddeceptionwasnotKantor’sway.Liesrarelyservedhonour.‘Wemustnotunder–’Ahissofstaticonthecomm-linkcuthimoffmid-sentence.Kantorpresseda

fingertothebeadinhisearandsaid,‘Monitor.’Thevoiceontheotherendwasunusuallyfrantic.Kantor’seyeswentwideashelistened.‘Impossible,’hegrowled.‘Checkyourinstruments.Theremustbesome

mistake.’Amomentlater,headded,‘Thentellhimtocheckhisinstruments,damnit!’AsKantorcontinuedtolistentotheMonitorspeak,helockedeyeswith

Torres.Whenthemessageended,heloweredhishandfromhisearandmuttered,

‘Dorn’sblood!’‘Mylord?’KantorgrippedTorres’sarmouredshoulder.‘Theorks,Selig.TheWaaagh!It’s

here.They’realreadyin-system!’Torresshookhishead.‘Impossible,lord.Theycan’tbe.Howfaroutarethey?

Fortyhours?Fifty?’‘That’stheworstofit,’saidKantorthroughgrittedteeth.‘Three.’‘Three?’gaspedTorres.‘Thatwouldmean…’‘It’sinsane.Suicidal.Theirentireforcejustburstfromthewarponlya

hundredandfiftythousandkilometresfromtheplanet.Ourshipsarealreadyturningtoengage.Getyourcompanybrotherstocombatstations.I’mputtingyouinchargeoftheLaculumBastion.CoordinatewiththeTechnicarum.Iwantallmissileandplasmabatteriesatfulloperationalstatusatonce.AndbereadywhenIcallyoutotheStrategium.Therewillbeafinalemergencysessionwhilewestillhavetime.’Heturnedtothetechnicalcrewsfinishinguponthecornerbatteries.‘YouChosen,’hesaid.‘Finishquickly.Youwillbeneededbelow.’Theybowedreverentiallytohim,turnedandattackedtheirworkwithfresh

urgency.TorreswastoostunnedtosaluteasKantorspunawayfromhimandbegan

marchingatspeedbacktowardsthestaircaseattheedgeofthenorthside.Already,sirenscouldbeheardwailingfromtowersallacrosstheexpanseoftheblackfortress.Damnit,thoughtKantorashisceramite-platedbootspoundedflagstones.No

Imperialfleetwouldexitthisclosetoamajorgravitywell.Itwouldtearhalftheshipsapart.

DarehehopethatthesamemightbehappeningtoSnagrod’sshipsevennow?Itwasimpossibletobelievetheywouldcomethroughsucharecklessjumpunharmed.Warpexitswereimpossibletostabilisethisclosetoastar.Howmanywouldmakeitthroughintact?Howmanywouldsurvivetobring

deathandtormentdownonRynn’sWorld?

ELEVENNewRynnCity,RynnlandProvince

GrimmhadbeentoNewRynnCityonlytwiceinhislifeandthelasttimehadbeenforty-twoyearsago.Itwasrareforbattle-brotherstobesentthere.TheArbitesandtheRynnsguardwereenoughtokeepthepeace,andtherewaslittlecallforthewar-masteryoftheSpaceMarinesinacapitalsoobsessivelyfocussedontradeandcommerce.AstheCrimsonFistconvoyrolledon,throughdistrictaftercrowdeddistrict,

hereacquaintedhimselfwiththeplace.Fewthingshadchangedintheouterwards.Thehabswerestillmostlysquatboxesofsandstoneandcorrugatedsteel.Themiddledistrictsthroughwhichhenowtravelled,boastedclustersofmonolithicnewtowersfashionedfromdarkstoneandsteel,builttohousethecity’sburgeoningmiddleclass.Theyrosehighoverthestreets,castingtheminshadow,butneverrisingashighastheshimmeringspiresandminaretsatthecity’scentre.Upahead,anotherofthecity’smanyinterlockingcurtainwallscameinto

view,andanothervastadamantiumgate,itssurfaceetchedwithancientimagesofthecityfounders.ThiswasthePeridionGate,andbeyonditlaytheResidentiaUltris,themostexpensiveandexclusiveresidentialzoneinthecity.ItwasinthisdistrictthatthemembersoftheUpperandLowerHousesmaintainedtheirmansionhomes.Onthefarsideofit,atitsnorthmostextent,theconvoywouldcrosstheFarrioBridge,afour-lanetitaniumandrockcretestructurethatspannedtheRiverRynn.BeyondtheFarrioBridgewastheconvoy’sdestination,theislandonwhichsattheZonaRegis,alsoknownastheSilverCitadel.TheAstarteshadmadereasonabletimefromthespaceport,thoughthe

Rynnsguardtroopersprovidingthecorridorofpassagehadhadtheirhandsfullwiththejubilantcrowds.Therehadbeenmomentswhentheconvoyhadbeen

forcedtostop.Infitsofzeal,anumberofinsanecitizens,seeminglyindifferenttotheriskofbeingcrushed,hadleaptoutfromthecrowdtokneelandofferpraisebeforetherumblingchassisofAegisEternis.Thelocaltroopershadrunforwardandwrestledthemoutoftheway,employingjudiciousviolencewhenforcedto.Butnoonehadbeenkilled.TheRynnsguardwerenottypicallyheavy-handed.Theywerewell-practicedindealingwiththeirownpeople.ThePeridionGategroanedloudlyupaheadasitsvastmetalgearsbegan

turning.Agapappearedbetweenthegate’smassivetitaniumteeth,andawideningzigzagshowedGrimmtheroadandthebuildingsbeyond.Thegateswerehuge,impenetrablethings.Theyhadbeenconstructedafterthelastorkassaultontheplanet,andbuiltwithanothersuchattackinmind.Likewise,theancientcurtainwallshadbeenupgradedbyvaryingdegrees,allwiththeaimofensuringthatthecapitalneverfelltoaninvasionofanykind.Grimmwonderedjusthowsoonthewallsandgateswouldbetested.The

city’soutermostdefensivestructuresweresimplestoneaffairsthatwouldn’tsurviveanykindofsustainedartilleryfire.Butthecloseronegottothecitycentre,thesturdierthewallsbecame.Heknew,forinstance,thatthewallsoftheSilverCitadel,withinwhichlaytheCassar,thegovernor’spalace,andtheparliamentbuildings,employedvoid-shieldslikethoseofArxTyrannus.AndArxTyrannuscouldneverfall.Itwasunassailable.PerhapstheSilverCitadelwasunassailable,too.NodoubtCaptainAlvezwouldordertheTechmarinesattachedtothecompanytodoafullassessment.Onehadtoknowthelimitsofenduranceoftheplaceonewasmeanttodefend.AegisEternisrumbledthroughthearchwayofthePeridionGateandintothe

ResidentiaUltris,andthecontrastwiththeotherzonestheyhaddriventhroughwasimmediate.Onbothsidesofthehighway,exitrampsrosetoofferaccesstoelegantstructuresofwhitemarble,theirwallsandrooftopsadornedwithfinestatuaryandbas-reliefs.Thegardensaroundeachweresoverdant.Grimmturnedhisheadtoeitherside,scanningthetreesandbushesbyhabit,notingtheprofusionofbrightly-colouredblossoms,manyofwhichwerenotindigenoustoRynn’sWorldandwouldhavebeenimportedandculturedatverygreatexpense.Throughgapsinthefoliage,hesawtheshadowsofarmedsecuritypersonnelpatrollingthegroundsofeachestate.CaptainAlvezkepthiseyesforward,utterlydisinterestedinthesestatements

ofwealthandprominence.GrimmwonderedhowthecaptainwoulddealwiththemembersoftheUpper

Rynnhousewhenitcametimetoaddressthem.Theywouldwanttoknowwhy

theFistshadcome,but,whentheyfoundoutabouttheapproachingWaaagh,theywouldwishthey’dneverasked.Stillguidingtherestofthecolumn,AegisEternisrolledovertheFarrio

Bridge,leavingthegleamingwhiteestatesbehindher.Onthefarside,thelastgreatgate,theRegisGateSouth,wasfullyopentowelcomethem.Beyonditthegovernmentbuildingsglistenedlikemercuryinthebrightsunlight,puttingtheestatesoftheResidentiaUltristoshame.ItwasherethatthebusinessofrulingRynn’sWorldwasconducted.HerewastheSpire,atowering,many-turretededificedrippingwiththefinestarchitecturalembellishmentsthatthegreatestartisansinRynnitehistoryhadbeenabletoproduce.Atthetopofthetower,inadomeofpuresyntheticdiamond,satthecouncil

chambersoftheUpperRynnhouse,wheredecisionsweremadethatoftenaffectedcommerceacrosstheentirePerytonCluster.Justwestofit,shorterbyhalf,andnowherenearassplendid,thoughmanytimesasvaluablefortheweapons,ammunitionandsupportsystemsithoused,wastheCassar,asturdykeepmaintainedbytheChosenontheChapter’sbehalf.Onthekeep’sbroadoctagonalrooftop,long-gunsandmissilebatteriessat

pointedtowardsthesky.Grimmhadnodoubtthattheywerealreadyloaded.TheChosenwouldhaveseentothatbynow.HewasdistractedfromthesightoftheCassarbyAlvez.Thecaptainlooseda

stringofcurses,andGrimmturnedhiseyesbacktotheroadaheadtoseewhathadpromptedit.Thereontheshiningroad,blockingitsentirewidth,wasagaggleofRynnite

politicians,diplomats,religiousfiguresandhigh-rankingmilitaryofficers.Theygleamedlikethebuildingsaroundthem,asifeverylastpieceofclothingandadornmentwasabsolutelybrandnew,purchasedonlymomentsagofortheoccasionofgreetingtheCrimsonFistdetachment.‘I’llnotpandertothem,’growledCaptainAlveztohimself.Thecaptainresentedhavingtoputupwithanythingthatdidnotdirectlyrelate

tohisdutiesasaSpaceMarine.Warwashisbusiness.Hehadnoinclinationtomasterthenicetiesofspeechandmannerthatthesefoolsthoughtsoimportant.HerappedaredgauntletontheroofoftheLandRaiderandthedriver,Brother

Agorro,rolledittoasmoothstop,lettingtheengineidleratherthancutitoff.AgorroknewAlvezwellenoughtobeconfidentthatthevehicleswouldbeunderwayagainwithinminutes.AlvezturnedtoGrimm.‘Withme,sergeant,’hesaid,andhauledhimselfout

oftheleftcupola.Hemovedtothesideofthevehicleanddroppedtothe

ground,armouredbootsclashingheavilyonthesurfaceoftheroad.DespitetheirreverencefortheSpaceMarines,Grimmsawsomeofthedignitariesdroptheirsmiles.Itwasimpossibleforthemnottofeelintimidated.TheAstartesweresomuchmorethanhuman,ineveryway.Itwasnotjustthephysiologicaldifferences,thoughtheywere,perhaps,thegreaterpartofit.Psychologicaldifferencesservedtowidenthegap.GrimmdoubtedanyhumancouldimaginewhatitwasliketobeAstartes,save

perhapsindreams.Theoaths,thesacrifice,therelentlessconditioning,inuringoneselftoagonyinallitsmostbrutalforms.No,thesepeoplecouldneverunderstand,andwhattheydidn’tunderstand,theyfeared,thoughitwasoftenallthatstoodbetweenthemandthefinaldarkness.Grimmdismountedjustashiscaptainhaddone,andstrodeforwardtostand

byhisside.Together,thetwohulkingwarriorslookeddownattheiroverdressedwelcomingparty.LadyMaiaCagliestra,whowas,judgingbyherwarm,opensmile,theleast

intimidatedofthegroup,bowedherheadbeforethecaptainandsanktooneknee.‘Mylord,’shesaid.DrigoAlvezlookeddownather,thenturnedhiseyestotheothers.‘Whatisthis?’hedemanded,histoneharsh.‘Onlythegovernorkneels?Are

therestofyouabovesuchobeisance?’Therewasasuddenrushamongthenoblestodroptothegroundandobeythe

order,butsomemovedquickerthanothers.One,askinny,bug-eyedman,seemedparticularlyunwillingtodoasthesituationdemanded.Anolder,chubbierindividualonhisrighttuggedattheskinnyman’ssleeveandhissed,‘Kneel,Eduardo,forThrone’ssake!’‘Iamamarquisandacabinetminister,’thisEduardorepliedchurlishly,but,

witheveryoneelsekneeling,hefinallyrelented,thoughhisdistastewasplainonhisfeatures.Despitebeingangeredbythelittlefool’sinsolence,GrimmhopedCaptainAlvezhadnotregisteredit.But,ofcourse,thecaptainhad.‘You,’boomedAlvez,pointingarigidfingerattheman.‘Standandapproach

me.’Eduardosuddenlylookedalotlessarrogant.Palingvisibly,hegulpedand

pointedtohimselfwithanexpressionthatsaid,‘Who,me?’‘Hesitateasecondlonger,vermin,andIwillrepaintmygauntletswithyour

blood,’Alvezrumbled.TheothernobleskepttheireyesfirmlyfixedontherockcreteasEduardo

steppedforwardascommanded.Adark,wetstainspreaddowntheleftlegofhistrousers.Hisearlierself-assurednesshadvanishedcompletelynow.‘Whoareyou,worm?’Themanseemedgenuinelysurprisedatthequestion,asifsurelythecaptain

shouldknowwhohewas.Didn’teveryone?‘IamEduardoCorda,ofHouseCorda,MarquisofPaletta,ViceMinisterof

Education.’CaptainAlvezloomedoverhimlikeastormcloudabouttounleashitsthunder

onallbelow.‘Education,yousay?PerhapsIshouldeducateyouonthefragilityofyourpatheticlittlelife.Doyouthinkyourstatus,orthehistoryofyourhouse,grantsyouspeciallibertieswithoneoftheEmperor’sownSpaceMarines?’EduardoCordanowlookedreadytoweep.‘Answer!’snappedAlvez,thewordcrackinglikeagunshot.Grimmsuspectedthat,ifthefoolishCordahadnotalreadyemptiedhis

bladder,hewouldhavedonesorightthen.ButperhapsheunderestimatedCorda,forthemarquislickedhislips,tookasteadyingbreath,andstuttered,‘G-greataretheAstartesoftheCrimsonF-fists.Imeantnooffencetoyourlordship,andIapologiseifanywastaken.ButIamamemberoftheUpperHouseofNobles.Itisnotfittingforamanofmystationtotakeaknee.Icomefromanoldandrespectedline.’Alvezthrusthisheadcloser.‘No,’hehissed.‘Youareanidiot.Perhapsyour

linewillendwithyou.Infact,thatsoundsbestallround.’HeturnedtoGrimmandadded,‘Sergeant,pickhimup.’Grimmsteppedforwardimmediatelyandgrippedtheman’scollarwithone

hand,liftinghimeasilyintotheair.Corda’sfeetnowdangledametreabovetheground.ItwasthenthatLadyMaiaspoke.Shewasstillkneeling,butsheraisedherheadtolookAlvezintheeye.‘Ibegyou,lord.Donotkillhim.Heisunworthyofyourforgivenessand,in

offendingyou,hisactionsbringshameontheentireUpperHouse,butheservesaseniormemberofmycabinetandwillbedifficulttoreplace.’Alvezlookedather,silentforamoment.Then,hesaid,‘Donotthinkmeso

eagertokilltheverypeopleIwassentheretoprotect.Forthistransgression,hewillnotdie.ButallmustbowbeforetheCrimsonFists.Therearenoexceptions.Icarenotatallforyourinstitutionsandyournotionsofhighstatus.Thesethingsarelessthannothingtome.Rememberthat.Inthecomingdays,youwillhavemyprotectionbecausetheChapterMastercommandsit.Nootherreasonexists.WereIcommandedtokillyouall,Iwouldcompletemytaskinaheartbeat,

withoutamoment’sremorse,andnothinginthisgalaxysavethewordofPedroKantorcouldstopme.’HeturnedbacktoGrimm,andsaid,‘Themarquishassoiledhimself,sergeant.

Herequiresabath.Seetoit.’Grimmdidn’tneedtoaskwhatthecaptainmeant.‘Atonce,lord,’saidGrimm,andhebeganwalkingbacktowardstheFarrio

Bridge,holdingEduardoCordaoutinfrontofhimasifheweighedlittlemorethanahandfuloftrash.WhenhejudgedhewasfarenoughfromCaptainAlveztoriskmurmured

speech,hesaidtoCorda,‘Youmustnevergonearhimagain.Doyouunderstand,fool?Itwasonlythegovernor’sinterventionthatsparedyoutoday.’Cordawasstiflingsobsasheanswered,‘Amistake,mylord.Iswearit.I

meantnoharm.I…Iinhaledthesmokeoftheceba-leafanhourago.Ihadnoidea…’Foramoment,Grimmfelttheurgetostriketheman.Ceba-leaf.Itcaused

diseaseandmutationinone’schildren.Whythewealthycontinuedtoabuseitwasamysterytohim.Hehadheardalltheexcuses.Theuniversewasadarkandbrutalplace,theysaid,anditwastrue,butotherpoorermenmanagedfinewithouttheself-inflictedcurseofsuchnarcotics.‘Thenyouaredoublyafool,andmuststayoutofmyway,also,lestyouwish

todie.’‘Idon’t,’whinedCorda.‘Idon’twishtodie,byThrone!’‘Canyouswim?’growledGrimm.‘I…what?’‘Canyouswim,oaf?’‘I…yes.Imean,Iswamalittleasachild.I…’Lookingoutbeyondthe

bridge,itsuddenlydawnedonCordawhatwasabouttohappen.‘InTerra’sholyname,please.Don’tdothis.Youdon’thaveto.’Theywereapproachingthewrought-ironbalustradeatthesideofthebridge.A

fewmorestepsandGrimmcameslowlytoahaltrightbesideit.‘Iwillcastyouintotheshallowsclosetothesouthbank.Youwillonlyhavetoswimalittle.Unlessyouareashopelessasyoulook,youwillsurvive.Showproperreverencetoyourbettersnexttime.Ifmylordbelievesyouhavenotlearnedyourlesson,hewillkillyouonsight.’Cordawasopeninghismouth,abouttoreply,whenGrimmleanedback,put

hisconsiderablephysicalpowerintoanoverhandswing,andlaunchedtheViceMinisterofEducationoutoverthewatersoftheRiverRynn.

Asgoodashisword,heputthewhiningnoblefairlyclosetotheshallowsbythebank,butintruth,notascloseashehadplanned.Themanimmediatelybegancoughingandsplashinginagreatpanic,and

Grimmcouldtellthatitwasnoact.Good,hethought.LettheEmperordecidewhetheryouliveordie.Heturnedbacktowardsthecaptainandsawthatthenobleshadbeen

dismissed.AstheybackedawayfromAlvezwiththeirheadsbowed,theylookedextremelydismayed.GrimmmethiscaptainhalfwaybacktotheLandRaider.‘YoutoldthemoftheWaaagh,mylord?’‘Briefly,’saidAlvez.‘Therewasnotimetoelaborate.Wordhasjustcome

throughfromArxTyrannus,Huron.Theorkshipsarealreadyhere.’‘In-system?’askedGrimm.‘Itcannotbe!’‘Itis.’AlvezclamberedupthesideoftheLandRaiderandloweredhimselfdown

intohiscupolaagain.OnceGrimmhaddonethesame,andthevehiclebegantomoveoffinthedirectionofTheCassar,AlvezraisedhisvoiceoverthegrowloftheLandRaider’sengine.‘Beready,sergeant.Thekillingwillsoonbegin.’

TWELVETheBlockade,Rynn’sWorldLocalSpace

‘Bringusaround.Getmeaforward-firingsolution.Iwantourprowbatterieslockedontothatdestroyerbeforeshefiresagain!’CevalRanparresatatophismassivecommandthrone,onadaisthatextended

tothebackwalloftheship’sbridge.Inthework-pitsbelowhim,hissubordinateswerefrantic,athousandvoicestalkingatonce,halfoftheminBinary,themachine-languageoftheAdeptusMechanicus.Anothermassiveimpactshooktheship,thethirdsuchblowinaminute,

scatteringchartsanddatamodulesalloverthemetaldecking.Ranparrefelttheartificialgravityflickerforthebriefestinstant,andknewfromlongexperiencethathisbattle-barge,TheSabreofScaurus,musthavebeenhitamidships,closetowherethecriticalsystemswerelocated.Theship’sshieldingwasheaviestthere,butitcouldn’ttakeimpactslikethatforlong.Thevoidshieldswouldgiveoutsoon.TheAstartesandImperialNavalshipswereoutnumberedahundredtoone,andmoreoftheugly,scrappyorkvesselswerebleedingintothesystemeveryminutethebattleragedon.Weweren’tready,thoughtRanparre.Thelinewasstillforming.Ofallthe

blastedxenosinthegalaxy,onlyorkswouldtryajumpaspsychoticandself-destructiveasthis.Hehadseentheworsteffectsofbreachingrealspacesoclosetotheplanet

already.Atthebeginningoftheengagement,anumberofneatly-severedprowshadtumbledpasthim,bleedingbreathableatmosphereandlifelessalienbodiesintothefreezingvoid.Someofthemwouldimpactontheplanetwithalltheexplosivepowerofalong-range,high-yieldmissile.TherewasnothingRanparreandhiscrewscoulddoaboutthat.Blastingthosewreckstopieceswouldonlyturnonedeadlymassintomany.Besides,everylastbitofoffensivefirepowerat

theircommandwasneededtofightoffthegreaterthreatofthemannedalienvesselsthatweretryingtofighttheirwaythrough.Itwasalreadycleartohimthattheblockadewaspatheticallyinadequate.Suchnumbers!Ranparrehadseveralcenturiesofspacebattleexperiencebehindhim.Under

hiscommand,theshipsoftheCrimsonFistshadsavedoveradozenworldswithouttheneedtodropanytroopsonthesurface.Rebels,traitors,heretics,xenos,evenwarp-filth…Ranparrehadbeatenallkindsofenemycraftinhigh-orbitalanddeep-spacecombat.Buthehadnever,inallhisunnaturallylonglife,facedthekindofnumbersthattheArch-ArsonistofCharadonwasthrowingattheplanetnow.Eveninthegapingblackvastnessofspace,thereseemednoquarterthatwas

notunderassault,filledwithorkcraftscythinginwardsonangrytrailsofglowingplasma.‘OrdertheAuroraandtheVerdetocloseformationwithus.IwanttheAurora

onourleftflank,theVerdeonourright.Allforwardbatteriestotargetthecommandbridgeoftheirflagship.IfthebeastSnagrodisaboardthatvessel,wemaystillhaveachancetoendallthis.’Fromarowofstationssunkintothemetalflooronthebridge’sright,oneof

theweaponscoordinatorscalledout,‘Ihaveyourforward-firingsolution,mylord.Permissiontofireforwardlances?’‘Hold,’saidRanparre.‘Wefiretogetherwiththestrikecruisers.Ifthat

monstrosityhasshields,wemusthopetooverloadthemattheveryleast.’Secondslater,acomms-stationoperatorontheleftreportedthattheAurora

andtheVerdehadplottedtheirfiringsolutionsandwereawaitingRanparre’sordertoengage.‘Givethesignal,’barkedRanparre.‘Allforwardbatteries…openfire!’Thecentraldisplayscreensinfrontofhimcrackledwithblindingwhiteenergy

asthemassiveweaponsloosedtheirfury.Thickspearsoflightburnedacrosstenthousandkilometres.Adozensmallorkfightersandsupportcraftcaughtbetweenthetwoclosingflagshipswereobliterated,simplywipedfromexistence.Thenthelancesstucktheorkflagshipfullinitsgargantuanbeast-likeface.‘Directhit,allbatteries,’theweaponscoordinatorreported.Wecouldhardlymiss,thoughtRanparre.Justhowbigisthatmonster?‘Damageassessmentonenemyvessel,’hedemanded.‘Unclear,mylord,’repliedanothervoicefromthepitontheright.‘Our

forwardauspexarrayhasbeenbadlydamaged.Operatingatfortypercent

efficiency.Preliminaryscanssuggestenemyshieldingabsorbedmostoftheimpact.Enemystilladvancingwithfulloffensivecapabilities.’‘Howlongtillanotherchargebuildsup?’Ranparredemanded.‘Ineedour

forwardgunsonlineagainnow!’‘Doesmylordwishtoissueacallforfurthersupport?’askedoneofthe

comms-operators.‘Thebattle-bargeTiguriusisonlytwentythousandkilometresaway.StrikecruisersHewsonandMaquedaaresixandninethousandkilometresawayrespectively.’Ranparrescannedthetacticaldisplaysinfrontofhim,focussingonthosethat

showedthesituationtoportandstarboard.Whathesawwasutterchaos.TheplanetaryblockadewasfracturingincountlessplacesastheorkvesselsploughedinamongsttheImperialshipsonahundreddifferentassaultvectorsatonce.Betweenthebattle-lineandtheplanet,spacewasglitteringwithshipdebrisandbrightordnanceimpacts.HefoundtheTiguriusquicklyenoughbyitsident-tag.Shewasleakingatmospherefromherportside,listingtostarboard,harriedbyaswarmoforkassaultships,allfarsmallerthanshewas.Theorkcraftbuzzedaroundherlikeangrywasps,pepperinghersideswithexplosiveslugsandenergyweapons.ShewasinnopositiontolendTheSabreofScaurusanykindofassistance.HiseyespickedoutthetagsCF-166andCF-149–theHewsonandthe

Maqueda.Bothwereengagedinheavyfighting.Evenashewatched,theMaqueda‘shullstartedtorupture.Desperatetotakesomeofthefoedownwithhim,hercaptain,DarrusGramedo,musthaveorderedherbroughtaroundandontoafullforward-rammingcourse.Plasmastreamedfromherrearthrusters,andsheploughedheadlongintothesideofanorkheavycruiserthathadbeenlaunchingrelentlessportbroadsidesatherfromhertwo-o’clockposition.AsRanparrewatched,theMaqueda‘ssharpprowbitdeepintothesideofthe

orkship.Thehullsmergedviolently.Therewasarippleofbrightflashes,then,asone,theshipsimploded,collapsinginonthemselves,everylastlightonboardwinkingout.‘We’vejustlosttheMaqueda,’saidavoicefromoneofthepits.RanparreturnedhisattentiontotheHewsonandsawthatshe,atleast,was

doingbetter.Sherolledtoherrightandlaunchedablisteringbroadsidejustasamonstrousorkcraftattemptedtopassbyoverhead.Theenemy’sironbellywaspuncturedinahundredplaces,sheddingthickpiecesofbulkheadintospace.Criticalsystemsoverloaded.Anexplosivechainreactionstarted,rippingtheentirealiencraftapartsecondslater.Asthespacearoundthedyingshipfilled

withspinningfragments,thecaptainoftheHewsonorderedhercrewtoswingaboutforaportsidevolleyagainstthreeorklightcruisersthathadbeenflyinginsupport.Foralltheseworthykills,Ranparresawtoomanygapswheretheorkships

weregettingthrough.Thexenoswerejusttoonumeroustostop,andthebiggestofalltheirshipswasclosingonhisown,secondbysecond,kilometrebykilometre.TheSabreofScauruswouldnothavetheadvantageofrangeandaccuracyformuchlonger.‘Prowbatteriesatmaximumchargeineighty-threeseconds,mylord,’reported

theseniorweaponscoordinator.‘SomeonegetmethecaptainoftheHewson,’barkedRanparre.‘Andgetmea

directlinktoChapterMasterKantoratonce.’‘Asyoucommand,lord,’saidtheclosestofthecomms-operators.Dornhelpus,thoughtRanparreashecontinuedtoprocessthenightmareon

histacticalscreens.Dornhelpus,wearelost.

THIRTEENTheUpperRynnhouse,NewRynnCity

‘Itmustbeamistake,’BaronEtrandocalledout.‘Anauspexglitch,surely.Martiallaw?It’s…it’sunheardof.Preposterous!’MaiacouldbarelyhearhimoverthedintherestoftheUpperRynnhousewas

making.TheSpeakerhadcalledrepeatedlyfororder,buttheplacewasinanuproar.TherewereonehundredandeighteennoblesintheUpperRynnhouse,twenty-sixofwhomweremembersofhercabinet,andeverylastoneseemedintentonexpressinghisorherhorrorordenialattheverysamemoment.JidanEtrandowasonlythreeseatsawayfromMaia.Anyfurtherandhiswords

wouldhavemergedcompletelywiththewallofnoise.‘Thereisnomistake,’shecalledback.‘Thelunartrackingstationson

DantienneandSyphosbothconfirmeditbeforetheywentdead.Theentireorbitaldefencegridisoncombatstanding.Theyarecoming.Thereisnodoubtofthat.’‘Whyhere?’askedayoungministerintherowbehindher.‘Whynow?’MaiahalfturnedandsawthatitwasBuloDacera,Under-SecretaryforMining

andOreProcessing.‘Theyarealiens,Bulo.Wearenotsupposedtounderstandthem.Thefleetwill

stopthembeforetheycanland.’Thosecloseenoughtohearherwentquietnow,andthesilencespreaduntil

thenoiseintheplush,vaultedchamberdiedofftothelevelofamurmur.TheSpeaker,whoseancientbodywasasmuchmachineasmanandwas

permanentlyhard-wiredintothedatasystemsthatservedtheUpperRynnhouse,couldatlastbeheardproperly.‘InthenameoftheEmperor,’heblustered,‘youwillrememberyourselves.Allmatters,evensuchasthis,mustbehandledwiththedecorumthisnobleestablishmentdemands.’Heturnedhissensor-studded

headtowardsMaia.Shefelthiselectroniceyeslockontoherasheadded,‘Ifthegovernorwishes

totakethefloor,shewillsteptotheLecternoftheaquila.’‘Iwilltakethefloor,’saidMaiaformally,androsefromherbench.Hersteps

weremeasured,presentingaconfidenceshedidnotreallyfeel.ThenewsoftheWaaaghhadrockedher.Inhermother’stime,noconflictgreaterthanaprisonbreakouthadeveroccurred.Thesharp-tongued,cold-heartedfemalepoliticofromwhosewombMaiahadsprunghadtaughthermany,manythings,mostofthemthehardway.ButshehadnotpreparedMaiaforthepossibilityofanalieninvasionthatthreatenedthelivesofeveryman,womanandchildontheplanet.Maiawasclingingdesperatelytoherfaith,butavoiceatthebackofhermind

persistedinaskinghowtheEmperorcouldletthishappentopeoplewholovedandhonouredhimso?Shestoppedbehindthelecternandclearedherthroat,thenlookedoutatthe

nobleswatchingherexpectantlyonthebenchestoeithersideofthechamber.TheyareasterrifiedasIam,shethought.Moreso,perhaps.Iwonderhow

manybelievethisispunishmentfortheirsins?Therehadalreadybeenanincidentwithlocallawenforcement.Eighteen

ministershadattemptedtosecureillegaloutwardpassageonafastship.HadCaptainAlveznotgroundedallnon-militarycraftalready,Maiasuspectedshewouldbespeakingtoanemptyroom.Shetoldherselfthatshewouldnothavefled.Situationslikethiswerewhatthe

CrimsonFiststrainedfor,whattheyexcelledat.Toturnbacktheenemiesofman–itwasthereasontheyexistedatall.PedroKantorwouldnotletherdown.Foramoment,sheturnedhereyesheavenwards,staringupattheundersideof

theexquisitediamonddome.Throughitspanels,theskywasdeepblue,thesiblingsunsalreadyhalfwaytowardsthewesternhorizonwherethewatersoftheMedeanwouldswallowthemforthenight.PaintedontheinnersurfaceofthelargestandmostcentralofthediamondpanelswasanimageoftheEmperor,lookingdownontheassemblywithafaceshehadalwaysthoughtsternbutloving,darklocksframinghisgoldenskin.Lendmestrength,shesilentlybeggedhim.‘Fellowmembersofthehouse,’shebegan,hervoiceamplifiedbythevox-mic

concealedintheeagle’sheadthatdecoratedthelectern,‘Wefacesomethingeachofushasonlyeverreadaboutinthearchives.Noonethoughtthegreenskinsfoolishenoughtoreturnhere.Nowtheyhave,andIunderstandyourfears.ButIdonotsharethem.’This,ofcourse,wassomethingofalie.‘Weare

leaders,’shecontinued,‘andwemustactassuch.Itistousthatthecommonmanwilllookforhisexample.TheCrimsonFistsarehereinforce.Surelythereisnogreatersourceofcomfortthanthat.’Onabenchtoherleft,EduardoCordalookedasifhemightdisagree.Hishair

wasstillalittledamp.Theotherfacesturnedtowardsherwerepaleandbeadedwithcoldsweat.

Regardlessofherwords,theystillseemedterrified.OnlyViscountIsopholookedcomposed.Thatshouldn’thavesurprisedher.Asayoungman,hehadbuckedfamilytraditiontoremainintheRynnsguardforacommissiontwiceaslongasanyothernoble,andhadonlyleftduetohisfather’spassing.Byallaccounts,hehadbeenagoodofficer,andtheRynnsguardstillaffordedhimacertainrespecttheydidnotaffordothers.IshouldkeepNiloclose,Maiathought.Hisperspectivemightbeusefulif…‘TheRynnsguard,too,’shewenton,‘assuremethattheywillprotectus.

AdditionalforcesareevennowbeingsentfromTargisFields.Oncetheyarrive,theywillhelptosecurethecity.Thepeopleinthefringesettlementsarebeingbroughtintotheprotectionoftheouterwallevenaswespeak.Wedonotexpectaprotractedsiege,ifindeedtheorksgetthroughatall.Nevertheless,emergencyprovisionsarebeingshippedinbyseaandroad,andallgoodsforexporthavebeenrecalledfromthespaceport.’Presentedwiththesefacts,theministersseemedtocalmalittle,theirminds

latchingontodetailsratherthanvisionsofahideousalienscourgeundoingalltheyhelddear.Onewoman,CountessMaragretto,whimperedfromthebackrowontherightatmentionofasiege,butshemanagedtostifleitquickly.‘Trustinourprotectors,’Maiatoldthem.‘Theyhavetakenanoathtodefend

thisplanet,andsotheyshall.Trust,too,intheCivitasenforcersand,byextension,theAdeptusArbitesthatsupervisethem.TheytoohaveswornasolemnoathbeforetheEmperorandwillnotallowoursocietytodescendintopanicandself-destruction.Acurfewisbeingputintoeffecttofacilitatepropercontrol.Andtrust,aboveallotherssavetheEmperorhimself,themightySpaceMarinesoftheCrimsonFists.Thereinliesoursuresthope.Theywillendthenightmare.Already,theyareaboutit,andmyownfaithinthemisabsolute.Letyourfaithbeasmine,anditwillberewarded.’Shelookedoutatherpeers,reachingformorewordsthatwouldgirdthem,but

therewasnothingmoretosayfornow.Theywouldsimplyhavetowatchandwaitwhileotherstookthefighttothefoe.‘Inowoffertheflooruptoanymemberwhowishestospeak.’

Shesteppedoutfrombehindthelecternand,withthesamemeasuredgrace,returnedtoherbench.Whenshewasseated,theSpeakerrasped,‘Raiseyourhand,youwhowishto

addressthisnobleHouse.’Immediately,ahundredarmswerethrustintotheair,andthechamber

explodedonceagainintothedinofvoicesraisedinabjectpanic.

FOURTEENArxTyrannus,HellbladeMountains

KantorwasstridingrapidlyacrosstheinnercourtyardtowardsthecentralhalloftheStrategiumwhenhesawthefirstsignsofbattleintheskyabove.Theskywasdarkening.FromthepeaksoftheHellbladeMountains,thelast

remnantsofthedayshoneaslittlemorethanasoft,lambentglowbeyondthehorizoninthefarwest,butthesunsetwashiddenfromviewbythehighwallsallaroundhim,notthathewouldhavehadtimetostopandappreciateitanyway.Abovehim,theskywasdarkpurple,shiftingtowardsblack,andthestarswerecomingout.Itwasthere,upamongthefamiliarconstellations,thathesawitallbegin.

Thereweremorestarsthannormaltonight,andmanyofthemmovedrestlesslytowardseachother.Somewereshortlived.EverybrightflashtheChapterMastersawupthererepresentedeithertheblastofpowerfulenergyweapons,orthedyingmomentsofasizablecraft.Foreveryoneofthelatter,howmanyliveswerelostinthoseever-so-briefflares?Hecouldonlyhopethateachmarkedtheviolentendoforklives,nothuman.Otherlights,evenbrighterandmoredistinct,appeared,followingfieryarcs

acrossthesky.Theyglowedwiththeorangeheatofatmosphericentry,andheknewtheworsthadnowbegun.Thelinehadbeenbreached.Orksbegantoraindownontheplanet.Sosoon,hethoughttohimself?Canitreallybe?TheImperialblockadesimplyhadn’thadtimetoorganiseitself.Snagrodmust

haveknownthis,musthaveguessedhisbesthopelayinafull-frontalsurpriseattackthatnohumancommanderwoulddare.Totranslatefromthewarpsoclosetotheplanet…Nohumancommanderwouldhavedared.AndthatiswhyIshouldhaveforeseenthis,Kantorthoughtbitterly.Ishould

nothaveexpectedthebeasttothinkaswedo.Ishouldhaveconsideredthealiennatureoftheorkmind.Thiswasnotimetostandhereandberatehimself.TheChapterCouncil

waited.HeenteredtheStrategium’souterhalls,spedalongthestonecorridors,reachedthebroaddouble-doorsamatterofsecondslater,andflungthemopen.Adozenfaces,alllinedwithdeepconcern,turnedtoregardhim.TheChapter

Councilrosetoitsfeet.Kantortookthecarpetedstepsdowntowardsthecrystaltabletwoatatime.Abovethetablehoveredastatic-riddenhololithicimageofthebattleinorbit.‘Mybrothers,’saidKantorashereachedhisonyxthrone.Hesatdown,and

thethroneacceptedhisweight.Thegearsunderthefloorbegantogrind,andthemechanismwheeledhimforward,stoppingwhenhisbreastplatewashalfametrefromtheedgeofthetableandhisbootedfeetwereunderneathit.‘Sit.’Therewasaclatterofceramiteonstoneastheyobeyed.CatchingKantor’seye,AlessioCortezwasthefirsttosayanything.He

gesturedtothehololithicimageabove.‘Absoluteslaughter,’hemanagedtosaybetweenjawsclenchedtightwithanger.ForgemasterAdonhadopenedalinkintothefleetcommunicationsnetsothat

thecouncilmemberscouldallhearwhatwasgoingonasithappened.Thevoicestheyheardwerefilledwithdesperation,everywordconfirmingtheworst.‘Therewasinsufficienttimetoprepare,’gratedForgemasterAdon.HighChaplainTomasididnotlookupatthehololith.Insteadhelookedathis

hands,thefingersinterlocked,andsaid,‘Somanyofthefaithfulhavealreadymadetheultimatesacrifice.’‘Theyhave,’agreedMateoMorrelis,‘buttheymadeitcount.Thefleet’skill

ratiomustnotbeignored.Ourforcesuptherearefightinglikecorneredlions!’‘Andwesitheretalking,’spatCortez.‘Giveusorders,lord.Sendusout

there.’Kantorglaredathim.‘You’llhaveallthefightingyouwantsoonenough,

Alessio.Theyarelandingtheirdrop-shipsevennow,andwewillgreetthemwithbolterandblade.’HeturnedtoAdon.‘Forgemaster,Iwanteverylastenemyshiptrackedtoitslandingcoordinates.Therewillbeanorbitalbombardmentsoon.Thevoidshieldswillprotectus,butthemomentitisover,wewillsendoutpurgationsquadsinourThunderhawks.IwanttheentireeffortcoordinatedthroughtheCommunicatusandthearmoury.Thosenotselectedtolaunchgroundassaultswillmanoursurface-to-orbitemplacements.Whileevenoneofourshipscontinuestofightinspace,wewilloffereverylastbitof

supportwecan.’‘TheTechnicarumisalreadymonitoringthetrajectoryofeachenemyvessel,

mylord.Therewillbenomistakes.’Kantornodded,andtherewasabriefsilence,brokenwhenhesaid,‘MyFists,

Ididnotimaginethattheorkwarlordwouldriskthestrengthofhisforceinthewayhehas.Hisgamblehaspaidoff.But,incenturieshence,whenmenreadofthisday,whenanalystsatwarcollegesacrosstheImperiumlooktotheirhistoricaltexts,theymustseethatweendured,and,ultimately,thatweturnedthisblowaside.WearetheCrimsonFistsandthisisourhome.Wewilldealwiththeinvadersastheydeservetobedealtwith.’‘WemightmanagetoholdSorocco,’offeredRaphaelAcastus,‘butwhatof

CallionaandtheMagalan?’Kantorhadalreadyconsideredthis.‘TheMonitorwillliaisewithlocal

Rynnsguardforcesonboththosecontinentsandkeepusabreastofdevelopments.ButwemustsecureSoroccofirst.Theoceanswillhelpinconfiningthefoetowherevertheyland.Soroccomustbecleansedfirst.’‘Iftheorkscreateastrongblockadeoftheirown,’saidChiefApothecary

CurienDroga,‘theywillbeabletolandadditionalforceswhereverandwhenevertheylike.’KantorfacedtheoldApothecary.‘Iamnotgivinguponourfleetyet,Curien,’

hesaid.Gesturingupatthespectralbattletakingplaceabovethesurfaceofthetable,hecontinued,‘CevalRanparrehasneverlostanengagementinhislife.Thoughheisgreatlyoutnumbered,hewillfindawaytoturnthisaround.’‘TheeliminationofSnagrod,’saidCortez.‘Butwecannotevenbesureheis

hereinperson.’‘Thebeastishere,’saidEustaceMendoza.‘Iassureyou.’‘Canyoupinpointhim?’askedKantor.‘Ifwecouldguidetheremainderofthe

fleetinonhimbeforehemakesplanetfall–‘Mendozashookhisshavedhead.‘Thewarpisinturmoilallaroundus,torn

opensocloseandinsomanyplaces.Itwilltakedays,perhapsevenweeksbeforewecanreaditsflowsandeddiesagainwithanyaccuracy.IcansenseSnagrod’sfoulauraoutthereamongallthepsychicdeathscreams,butthatisall.’‘Ifthere’sanychangeinwhatyousense,tellmeatonce,brother.’SomethingForgemasterAdonwaslisteningtomadehimlookup.Heturned

hisoptic-lensestowardstheChapterMasterandsaid,‘TheMasteroftheFleethasjustplacedanemergencyrequesttospeaktoyou,mylord.’

Kantorfrowned.‘Letmehearhim,brother.’TherestofthecouncillookedtoKantor,awaitinghisdismissalsothathe

couldconversewiththeMasteroftheFleetinprivate,butKantorshookhisheadandtoldthem,‘WhateverCevalRanparrehastosaymustbeheardbyallofus.Youwillstay.Youwilllistenwithme.’Sotheystayedandtheylistened,andthenewswasnotgood.‘Thesituationisnowdesperate,’crackledthevoiceonthelink.‘Isayagain,

putmethroughtotheChapterMasteratonce.Thereisnotimefordelay.’‘Canhehearme?’KantoraskedAdon.‘Yes,mylord.’‘Ceval,thisisyourChapterMaster.Report.’KantorhadknowntheMasteroftheFleetaverylongtimeand,despite

Ranparre’sbestefforts,hecouldeasilydetectthestraininhisvoice.Itdisturbedhimfarmorethanthewordsthemselves.HehadalwaysbelievedRanparreunflappable.‘Mylord,wehavelostmorethanfifty-sixpercentofourforce,andmoreork

vesselsarestilltranslatingintorealspace.Inolongerbelievethisconflictcanbewoninspace.Youmustprepareforagroundoffensiveofsignificantproportions.’Kantorimaginedhisownexpressionwasreflectedinthedourlookshecould

seeonthefacesofhisfellowcouncilmembers.‘Areyoutellingme,Ceval,thatyoucandonomoreupthere?’Therewasapause.Ranparreseemedtakenabackbythequestion.‘Mylord?

I’mnotsureIunderstandthequestion.Wewillfighttotheverylast,naturally.Everyshipweeliminatemeanslessgreenskinsontheground.’‘ThatisnotwhatIamgettingat,Ceval,’saidKantor.‘Ineedtoknowifyou

feelitwouldbewiserforoursurvivingshipstodisengage.’Again,apause.‘Icannotseeanycircumstances,mylord,’saidRanparreintonesheavywith

emphasis,‘thatwouldcausemetoconsiderdisengaging.Everyshipwehavelostsofarhasaccountedforagreatmanyenemycraft.Itwoulddoourfallenagreatdisservice,andmyselfagreatdishonour,wereItoleavethisfightwithoutclaimingvictoryintheirname.’‘Thereisnodishonourinatacticalwithdrawal,’repliedKantor,‘leastofall

onethatIorder.Icannothavetheentirefleetdestroyed.Thingsarealreadyfarworsethanweanticipated.OrderTheCrusadertoreposition.SheistomakeforSegmentumHeadquartersandsolicitaid.Iwillnotletpridebeourundoing.’

‘Shecannotpossiblyjumpthisclosetoagravitywell,mylord,’saidRanparre.‘Andshewillnotbreakthroughtheorkfleetalone.’Kantorfrowned.Heknewhehadnochoice.‘Thencommitallremainingships

togettingherthrough.Shewillhavetoriskthejump.ManyofSnagrod’sshipssurvivedit.Shecan,too.Thesearemyfinalorderstoyou,brother.AfterTheCrusaderisaway,youmayfightontoaworthyend.Yourlegendwillliveonforever.’RanparrewouldneverknowjusthowhardthathadbeenforKantortosay.He

answered,‘Thankyou,lord.Fightwell.MayDornwatchoveryouall.’ThelinkwenttostaticasRanparrebroketheconnection.‘Farewell,brother,’saidKantorsolemnly,almosttohimself.‘Iwillseeyou

againattheEmperor’sside.’

FIFTEENTheCassar,NewRynnCity

Alvezdidnotsit.Hepacedbackandforthattheheadofthetable,armouredbootsheavyonthegranitefloor.Theotherswatchedhimwordlessly.TheCassarboastedonlyasmallStrategium.UnlikeitsequivalentatArx

Tyrannus,itwassquareandboastednoceilingdome.Thetable,too,wasdifferent–angular,fashionedfromebonwoodratherthancrystal,andasoldasthebuildingitself.ArounditsattwelveCrimsonFists,includingHuronGrimm,EpistolaryDeguerro,andsquadleadersfromboththeCrusade,SecondandThirdCompanies.Thecaptainfinallystopped,turnedtoscantheeyesofhisfellows,andsaid,

‘RynnsguardHighCommandissendinganarmourandinfantrycolumndownfromTargisFields,soIwantCarriageway2heldsecureatallcosts.ThemomentthatarmourpassesthroughtheUmbrisGate,Iwantitsealedandbarricaded.Orkstendtofollowthelayoftheland.ThemountainsoftheAnsharMinorisprotectournorth-westflank,buttheywillalsofunneltheenemydowntowardsthenortherndistricts.I’mexpectingtheUmbrisGatetocomeunderheavyattackintheopeningphasesoftheinvasion.’Hiseyessettledononeoftheveteransergeantsseatedatthefarendofthetable,anarrow-facedAstarteswithasharpchin.‘SergeantDelos,youwillberesponsibleforthatsectionofthewall.TherearefourRynnsguardplatoonsalreadystationedthere.Assumecommandthemomentyouarrive.Makesuretheirseniorofficerunderstandsexactlywhoisincharge.’Delosgaveatinybowofhishead.‘Understood,mylord.’Atlast,Alvezdeignedtosit.Heputonegauntletedhandonthetableand

leanedbackinhischair.‘Webearagreatburden,mybrothers,butwearemorethanequaltothetaskahead.TheChapterMasterisdependingonus.Wordhas

justcomethroughthattheblockadehasfallen.Theorkswillpourdownonuslikemonsoonrains.Ithasalreadybegun.Thecityistobeplacedundermartiallaw.Thosecitizenswhoareablewillbedraftedintomilitias.AllfoodstoresandkeyresourceswillbepooledanddistributedinaccordancewithemergencyMunitorumprotocols.Thesethingsareofperipheralconcerntous,ofcourse.LettheRynnsguardandtheArbitesdealwiththecivilians.Ourroleismuchsimpler.Weareheretowinawar.Tosucceed,weneedonlyremainstandingwhenthelastxenosfalls.’Afewoftheothersnoddedatthis.Othersmurmuredtheirassent,orsatin

silence,asHuronGrimmdid,withdarklooksontheirfaces.‘Thecitywallsaresolid,’Alvezcontinued.‘Theyarestrong,andtheywill

holdifweallownomistakes.Thegatesareevenstronger,andIhavealreadyassignedourheavyarmourtoguardthem.AnybreachwillbemetwithimmediatePredatorandVindicatorfire.TheTechmarinesareontheparapetsaswespeak,readyingtheThunderfirecannonsforoperation.Whilewehaveammunitionandsuppliesequaltothetask,Ihaveabsoluteconfidenceinourabilitytoresistthefoe,atleastonthesurface.Thecityunderworksareanothermatter.IhavenochoicebuttoassignallourTerminatorsquads,withtheexceptionofthosepostedatthespaceport,tothetaskofholdingthetunnels.’Pre-emptingaprotestfromtheCrusadeCompanysergeantsseatedbeforehim,heheldupanarmouredhand.‘Iwouldnotissuethisorderifitwerenotabsolutelynecessary,brothers.Dornknows,Iwouldratherplaceyouatthecitygates,buttheorkswilltrytoinfiltrateourlinesviathetunnels,andtacticalDreadnoughtarmourisbestsuitedtoresistthemthere.Atleastyouwillhaveyourshareofkilling.Wecannotaffordtocollapsethetunnels,sinceatleastsomearepartofthecity’santi-floodingsystem.Otherscarrypowerandcoolanttocriticaldefensiveemplacements.Theymustbesecured.’‘Thentheyshallbe,’saidBarrienGallacus,thesergeantinchargeofthe1st

VanguardSquad.‘Wewillchokethemwithgreenskindead.’‘Seethatyoudo,’saidAlvez.Heleanedforward,eyeingeachAstartesintheroom,aferalgrinonhis

scarredandweatheredfeatures.‘Rejoiceinthebattletocome,brothers,’headded.‘Thisiswhatwelivefor.

Thisiswhatwewereborntodo.Wewillproveourstrengthintheheatofcombat.Wewillbreathevictoryinlikeair.Trustme,legendswillbemadehere.’

SIXTEENArxTyrannus,HellbladeMountains

Theycame.Inlaterdays,thisnightwouldcometobeknownastheNightoftheBurning

Sky,andwellitdeservedthatname.TheentirelengthoftheHellblades,overathousandkilometresofjaggedmountainrange,shookandflashedwithsharpdetonations.Thegreenskinfleet,havingsweptasidethehastilyprepareddefensiveblockade,launchedaplanetarybombardmentthatwouldclaimthelivesofmillions.Snagrod’sshipshadcomepreparedtocarpetthetownsandcitiesinflame.Theydidn’tneedtobeaccurate,notwiththesheeramountofordnanceattheirdisposal.PedroKantorclenchedhisjawashewatchedthedeadlyrainofbombsfall

aroundhim.Behindhim,thebrothersinhisHonourGuardwererestless,uneasy.IntheskyabovetheSerciaBastiononwhichtheystood,alienpayloadsfellwithoutcease.Nonestruckthefortress-monastery.ThosethatshouldhavedoneexplodedharmlesslyahalfakilometreaboveKantor’shead,unabletopenetratethepowerfulvoid-shielddefencesystemthatprotectedArxTyrannus.Everyexplosiveimpactontheshimmeringshieldscausedthelandscapebelow

toflickerbrightasday.Withthevoid-shieldsatfullpower,theairbecamecloseandclammy,almost

oppressive,andtherewasaconstantloudhumintheair,discernibleinthespacesbetweenthethunderoftherelentlessbarrage.KantorcalledOrdinatorSavalestohisside.Theseneschalhadbeenfollowing

hislordatarespectfuldistance,bravingthegreenskinstormincaseKantorshouldneedhimforanything.NowtheChapterMasterwantedSavalessafe.Themomentthebombardmentended,thevoidshieldswouldbeloweredtoallowreturnfire.Keepingtheshieldsupwassafer,butitwouldallowtheorkstoland

wherevertheywantedwithrelativeimpunity,challengedonlybythescatteredplasmadefenceinstallationsoperatedbytheRynnsguard.Athislord’scommand,SavalessteppedforwardandstoodbeforeKantorwith

hisheadbowed.‘Whatdoesmylordwishofme?’hesaid,andlookedup.Kantorsearchedtheman’sexpressionforfear,andwasproudtofindnone.

Savaleswasascomposedasever.Heshouldhavebeenoneofus,thoughtKantor.Hemighthavecarvedafinelegendforhimself.‘Returntothecentralkeep,Ramir.Theshieldswillgodownsoon,andI’llnot

haveyououtintheopen.’Theoldseneschalheldhislord’sgaze.‘Myplaceisbyyourside,lord,

whateverthedanger,toseetoyourneeds.’Therewasnodefianceinhistone.Hesimplystatedthisasplain,inarguablefact.‘Mycurrentneedistohavemyseneschalreturntothekeepasordered,’said

Kantor.‘Thedeadservenoone.GathertheyoungestoftheChosenintheRefectorum.Theywillbefrightened,andyouwillteachthemtodenytheirfear.’Savaleslethisreluctanceshow,butanswered,‘Iwilldoasmylord

commands,ofcourse.Shouldyouneedanythingofme,youneedonlycall,nomatterthecircumstance.’Kantorwasnotpronetosmiling.Itwasnotanexpressionthatcamenaturally

tohislong,solemnfeatures.But,hesmilednow,briefly,atamemorystillcrystalclear.ThoughSavaleslookedfarolderthanhe,Kantorfeltanalmostpaternalaffectionfortheman.HerememberedSavalesasadejectedyouth,rememberedhisfaceashehadsatinthatcellsolongago,believingdeaththeonlyescapefromhisdespairatfailingtobecomeAstartes.Heremembered,too,thechangeinthatfacewhentheboyhadbeenofferedanewandworthypurpose.Savalesboweddeeply,excusedhimself,turnedandstrodeoffinthedirection

ofthemainkeep,hisrobesbillowingbehindhim.Explosionscontinuedtoflowerandboomintheairabove.Onthecomm-link,KantorheardthevoiceoftheMonitor.‘Mylord,wehavejustlostcontactwithScarLakeAirbase.Ihavetriedall

secondaryandtertiaryfrequencies,butthereisnothing.NorcanIcommunicatewiththeRynnsguardforcesstationedatCaltara,Sagarro,Mycea…I-Icannotexplainit,lord.’TheMonitor’sagitationwaswellfounded.Losingcontactwithoneofthe

provincialcapitalswouldhavebeenbadenough,buttheairbaseatScarLakewasheavilydefended.Iftheorkshadalreadyknockedoutthebase’scommunications,itwouldnotbelonguntiltheyoverranthebaseitself.Were

theyevennowmaraudingthroughthestreetsoftheprovincialcapitals,cuttingdownwholefamiliesthatfledbeforethem?‘WhatofNewRynnCity?’Kantoraskedthroughthevoxinhishelmet.‘Thesignalisweak,’reportedtheMonitor.‘Sporadic.Butwearestillin

contact.Thereportsaregrim.Orklandershavebeenspotteddescendingonallsides,agreatmanyinthemarshestothesouth,nearVarduaandPortoKalis.Thecity’sentiredefencegridisstillengagingwithsurface-to-orbitmunitions,butthedensityoftargets…’Yes,thoughtKantor.Andtheywilltrytolandhere,soon.‘Doallyoucantomaintainlinkswiththecapital,’hetoldtheMonitor.‘And

keepmeupdated.’HeturnedtohisHonourGuardandbarked,‘Ourbrothershavethisbastion

wellinhand.WewillproceedtotheProtheoBastionnext.Follow.’Thefive-mansquadbarkedoutaunifiedresponseandfellinbehindhim.As

theywalked,Kantorlookedwestoverthebattlementsandsaw,eventhroughthebrightripplingfireofdetonatingbombs,theentryglowsofalltoomanyxenoscraft.AllacrossRynn’sWorld,ugly,filthy,noisyorkvehicleswouldberollingdownrampsandracingoutoverthehard-packeddirtinsearchofslaughter.Thefarmingcommunitieswillbedevastated,thoughtKantor.Theorkswill

descendonthemlikelocusts,andnothingwillbeleftalive.Thebeastswillhaveabloodlustonthem.Ifonlythedamnedbombardmentwouldceasesowecanstartknockingthemoutofthesky.HisviewfromtheProtheoBastiononlyaddedtohisconcern.Wherethe

mountainsdroppedtothelowhills,andthehillsdroppedtothesteppes,brightfiresstuddedthenight.Theskyboiledwithdescendingcraft,theirtrailscuttingacrosstheblackcanvasoftheskyinlongcurvingarcs.Bombscontinuedtofallfromspace,crateringthemountainswheretheumbrellaofthevoid-shieldsended.Adisaster,thoughtKantor.InthehistoryoftheChapter,mynamewillforever

belinkedwiththisnight.ImustdoallIcantoensurethatitisrememberedwithhonour,notshame.IwillnotbetheChapterMasterwhofalteredonhishomeground.Whenthebombardmentbegantoslacken,asitdidnow,henoticedthechange

immediately.Soon,thefieryburstsabovethefortress-monasterydiedoffcompletely.Itwasasignthattheorkswerecoming.Soon,theywouldtrytolandnearbyandlaunchtheirgroundassaultonArxTyrannus.Hewouldteachthemwhatamistakethatwas!

Onthecomm-link,heopenedachanneltoForgemasterAdon.‘Yes,mylord?’raspedtheoldTechmarine.‘Droptheshields,’Kantorcommanded.‘Itistimetounleashourfury.’‘TheSercia,ProtheoandMarezbatteriesareready,mylord.TheLaculum

batteriesarepoweringupnow.’‘Problems,Javier?’‘Amomentaryglitch,lord.Systemchecksnowreportoptimalstatus.Wehave

targetingsolutionsalreadymapped.Trackingdataforthemissilesisbeinguploadednow.TheLaculumbatterieswillbeonlinewithinthreeminutes.’‘Assoonastheyareready,’saidKantor,‘launcheverythingwehave.Iwant

maximumretaliationonthegreenskinfleet.We’llhonourRanparre,byTerra!Whatistheriskoflarge-scaledebrisimpactingpost-contact?’‘Verysmall,lord.Thelargestoftheorkshipsarelockedinorbitsotheycan

deploytheirlanders.Anyheavyimpactwillpropeldebrisoutwards,awayfromtheplanet.Theprobabilitymarginofcollateralsurfacedestructioniswithinthelowertenthofapercentile.’‘Verywell,’Kantorreplied.‘Youhavemyfullconfidence.Lettheenemiesof

mankindknowourwrath.’‘InDorn’sname,’gratedAdon.Thecomm-linkclickedoff.Overthecommandchannel,Kantoraddressedallhissquadandcompany

commanders.‘Theshieldsaregoingdown,brothers.Theywillbecoming.BlessyourweaponsandhonourtheChapterwithyourkills.’Anothervoice,MarqolTomasi’s,added,‘ThereisonlytheEmperor.’Kantor’svoicejoinedtheothersinthetraditionalresponse.‘Heisourshieldandourprotector.’Sirensbegantowailandredwarninglampsspunintolife.Fromthetopofa

towersixtymetrestoKantor’sright,agreatcloudofsteambillowedupintotheair.Acircularhatchinthetowerroof,onemetrethickandfivemetresacross,hingedopenwithahydraulichiss.Allaroundthefortress-monastery,thesamewashappening,hatchesrisingtorevealthebluntednosesofsurface-to-orbitballisticmissiles,eachequippedwiththemostdevastatingconventionalwarheadsavailable.Thesirenschangedpitchnow,warningofimminentlaunch.TheSpace

Marinesstoppedcheckingeachothers’gearforamomenttoturnandwatchasthefirstflameslickedupfromthetopofthetower-silos.Thegroundbegantoshudder,andtheairfilledwitharumblethatdrownedoutallelse.

SnagrodhadunderestimatedtheCrimsonFistsincominghere.Hewasabouttopayforthatmistake.Thedeafeningroarofplasma-jetrocketsintensifiedinpitch,andthenoseof

themissilenearesttoKantorslowlyroseintoview.Itsaccelerationseemedpainfullyslowatfirst.Itwrestledwithgravity,fightingtoheaveitsbulkintotheair.Moreandmoreofthemissileemergedfromthesilo,anditsspeedcontinued

toincrease.Gravitywaslosing.Themissileburstclearofthesilo,shootingstraightupintotheskywitharoarlikeanangrygod.Itstailofflamewasalmostblindinglybright.Othersfollowed,streakingupwardsonthickcolumnsoffireandsmoke.Watchingthemarctowardstheirdistanttargets,PedroKantorneverimagined,

notevenforaninstant,thataterriblehammerwasabouttofalloneverythingheheldmostdear.TheNightoftheBurningSkyhadonlyjustbegun.

SavalesstoppedinthehalljustoutsidetheRefectorumandimmediatelyperceivedthefearthathungintheair.ThesmoothstonebencheswithinwerecrowdedwiththeyoungestoftheChosen,manyofwhomwerehunchedover,lookingupatthevaultedceilingfrombeneathrumpledbrows.Othershadtheireyesshuttight.Somehuggedthemselvesorrockedbackandforth.Theyoungestwereamereeightyearsold,theoldestclosertofourteen.Nonehadexperiencedanythinglikethisbefore.EvenSavaleswouldhavebetagainsttheorksbeingsobrashastoassaultanAstarteshomeworlddirectly.TheyoungChosenhadbeengatheredheretowaitouttheorbital

bombardment,butalsotokeepthemfromunderthefeetoftheAstartesandtheolderserfs,manyofwhomhaddutiescriticaltothedefenceofthefortress-monastery.Afewadultspacedbetweenthebenches,tellingtheboystobestrong,thatthestormwhichwasshakingtheentiremountainwouldbeoversoonenough.Oneoftheadults,awhip-thinmannamedBernisKalisde,Masterofthe

Refectorum,barkedatsomeoftheboysashepassedclosetothem,causingseveraltojumpandonetocryoutinsurprise.‘Youarepathetic!’hetoldthem.‘Lookatyou,coweringlikebeatendogs.YoubelongtotheChapter.Inyourtimehere,haveyoulearnednothingfromyourbetters?Fearisuselesstoyou.Itholdsyouback.Letgoofit,oritwillhavetobebeatenoutofyou.’SavaleswatchedKalisdefromtheshadowofthewesternentrance.Noonehad

yetnoticedhispresence.Hedidnotliketheman.Kalisdewasquicktocriticiseandloathtohandoutpraisewhereitwaswelldeserved,andhehadnorighttobeatanyonewhodidnotservedirectlyunderhim.SomeoftheseboyswerealreadymarkedtostudyforrolesintheSacratium,ApothecarionandTechnicarumoncetheywereoldenough.IftheMasteroftheRefectorumliftedahandtothem,hewouldfindhimselffacingaveryharshpenance.‘Lookatme,’Kalisdecontinued.‘Doyouseemeshaking?Aremyeyeswet

withtearslikeyours?No.Youareweak,allofyou.Thebombsdonotscaremeatall.I’dbelaughingatyouallifIwasn’tsodisgusted.’SavalessteppedfullyintotheRefectorumnow,walkingstraightforthecentre

ofthehall.Hisrobes,bearingthepersonalheraldryoftheChapterMasteronthebackandbreast,markedhimoutasthesupremeauthorityamongtheChosen.NoothermortalmanhadtherighttobearthatsigiluntilSavalespassediton.OnseeingtheOrdinatorenter,Kalisdestoppedpacinganddrewhimselfupstraight.HeeyedSavaleswithgrudgingrespectasheapproached.‘Lookhere,youboys.OrdinatorSavalesfearsnogreenskinbombs,isthatnot

right,Ordinator?’‘NotsolongasIhavevoidshieldsovermyhead,’saidSavales,stoppingafew

pacesfromKalisdeandsmilingattheboyswholookedupathimfromeitherside.ThenhefixedhiseyesontheMasteroftheRefectorumandsaid,‘Iwilltakethingsfromhere,Bernis.Youandyourstaffarefreetoretirefornow.’Kalisdedidnotlikebeingtoldwhattodoonterritoryheconsideredhisown,

butheknewthepowertheOrdinatorwielded.Hisjawworkedforamomentwhileheconsideredaresponsebut,ifhefoundone,hethoughtbetterofvoicingit.Hegaveacurtnodandmovedofftoanarchinthenorthwallthatwouldtakehimbacktothekitchens.Theotheradultsfollowedinsilence.Savaleslookedattheboysaroundhim.Hecouldn’tfaultKalisdeforwhathe

hadbeentryingtodo,buttherewerebetterwaystodoitthanmakingscaredchildrenfeelguiltyandmiserable.‘Makeroom,’hetoldtwoonhisright.Hesteppedovertheirbenchandsat

downbesidethem.‘Gatherclose,therestofyou,’hecalledout.‘Makesureyoucanallhearme.’Wordlessly,theyoungserfsfromothertablesroseandgatheredaround,their

fellowsmakingroomforthemsothatthebenchesbecamecloselypacked.Therewasacertainprimalcomfortinthisnewproximity.Huddledtogetherlikethis,theshudderingofthemountainlostalittleofitsedge.‘Now,’saidSavales,‘howmanyofyouunderstandwhatishappening

outside?’Noneraisedahand.Theyallknewthatthefortress-monasterywasunder

attackbyorks,ofcourse,butnonehadeverseenone.Alltheyknewofthegreenskinswasthestoriestheolderserfssometimestold,alwaysthirdhand,andwhatevertheycouldgleanfromthefriezesthatdecoratedmanyoftheChaptercorridors,ancientartworkinwhichCrimsonFistheroesweredepictedslayingthickgreenfiguresbythehundreds.‘YouknowthatthealienshopedtosurpriseMasterKantor,yes?Theyhoped

tostrikehardattheChapter’sfoundationsandgainaquickvictory.Well,trytoimaginehowfrustratedthefoolishgreenskinleadermustbefeelingrightnow.Heandhistroopshavespentyearspreparing,maybeevendecades.Hisarmieshavecrossedgreatstretchesofcold,darkspace,intentonobliteratingthesinglegreatestthreattotheirspeciesintheentiresector.Theyriskeddeathbythemillions,exitingthewarpdangerouslyclosetoaplanet,losingmanyoftheirmostpowerfulshipsintheprocess.It’strue.Andnow,havingfinallyreachedtheirgoal,theylaunchtheirpayloads,onlytofindtheirweaponsutterlyuseless.Everylastbombtheydropexplodesharmlesslyonourshields.Afraid?Us?Throne,no!Itisfinecomedy.’Hesawafewfacesbrightenastheylistened,butthewallsstillrumbled.The

bombardmentseemedendlessanditwascleartheyoungstersneededmorefromhim.‘WhenIwasyourage,’hetoldthem,‘Iexperiencedthegreatestfearofmy

life.Doyouknowwhatthatwas?’‘Yousawaxenos,’saidawide-eyedboyofninefromacrossthetable.‘No,’saidSavales.‘Notthat.’‘Adaemon,then?’saidanotherofaboutthesameage.Theothershissedathimandmadewardingsigns,andheshrankbackfrom

them.Savalesfrownedandshookhishead,buthewasnotangry.‘No,notthat.And

wedonotsaythatwordaloud,child.Rememberyourlessons.Well,itseemsnoneofyouwilleverguess,soIwilltellyou.ThegreatestfearofmylifewasthatmychancetoservetheChapterwaslostforever.IwasnotmucholderthanyouarewhenIdiscoveredIwouldneverbeAstartes.Ihadwanteditsomuch.Idoubtedtheworthofanyotherkindoflife.Ithoughtmylifeover.IwassureIwouldbeputtodeath.ButI’velivedabetterlifethanIeverdeserved,andsowilleachofyou.TheChapterneedsus,youknow,andeachofusneedtheChapter.MasterKantorknowsallyournames.HecaresforalltheChosen.In

fact,heoncesaidtome,“Ramir,theChosenarelikethismountain”.“Howso,mylord?”’Iaskedhim.“TheyaretherockonwhichtheChapterstands,”hetoldme.“Itisbytheirlaboursthatthebattle-brothersarealwaysreadyforwar.IonlywishtherestoftheImperiumknewhowmuchofourgloryandhonourrightlybelongstotheoneswhoserveus.”’‘Hereallysaidthat?’askedaboyonSavales’sleft.‘Hedid,’saidSavales.‘Throughoutyourlives,theChapterwillaskmuch

fromeachofyou.Sometimesyouwillbetired,butyoumustgoon.Sometimesyouwillfeelpain,butyoumustovercomeit.Youmustgiveeverythingyouhavetoyourduties.LordHellbladeisdependingonyou.TheChapter’svictoriesareourvictories,too.Donotforgetit.’Hepointedupwardstowardsthehighceilingandraisedhiseyes.‘Whentheorksfinishdroppingtheiruselessbombs,ourmasterswillbegintherealfight,andtheywillfinishit,too.Youwillsee.TheCrimsonFistscannotbeovercome.EventheaccursedScythiansfailedintheendandfledintotheGreatDarktoescapetheChapter’swrath.’TheairintheRefectorumhadbrightenednoticeablynow.Mostoftheboys

hadstraightenedintheirseats.Savalessawprideburninginbrighteyes.Good,hethought.‘IhopeyouallknowGordeau’sNinthLitanyAgainstFear.’Theyoungestlookednervousandguilty,buttheothersnodded.‘Ifyoudon’tknowit,’Savalessaidkindly,‘justlistenanddoyourbest.You

willsoonpickitup.’So,heledtheminthelitany,theirvoicesjoiningtofilltheairandchallenge

thenoiseofthebombs.Theyhardlynoticedwhenthebombsstoppedfalling.Ashorttimelater,whendeathcametotakethemall,thatwashowitfoundthem;unafraid,withprideintheirhearts.Savalesneednothaveworriedabouttheworthofhislife.Hehadliveditwith

greathonour,anditendedintheonlyplaceheevercalledhome.

Theorkscamesoonafterthefirstoftheship-killerswerelaunched.Theycameinuncountablenumbers,withtanksandbikesandweaponsthatbeggareddescription,spewingforthfromfattransportsthatbravedthefortress-monastery’smid-andclose-rangedefencestolandanddisgorgethem.Theyswarmedupthemountainsides,heedlessofthefirethatspilledouttomeetthem.AlessioCortezfeltnofear.Ithadbeensolong,henolongerknewwhattrue

fearfeltlike.Whenthecallwentupthatorkshadbeenspottedontheslopes,hefeltonlythefamiliar,welcomeheatofbattle-rush.Hisbloodsurgedthroughhis

veins,floodinghismuscleswitheverythingtheywouldneedfortheimminentcombat.Hefeltthecardiovasculardrumbeatinhisgauntletedfingerswheretheygrippedhistrustyboltpistol.Nowthey’llsee,hethought.Nowthey’llpayfortheirarrogance.HeandhiscompanyhadbeenchargedwithdefendingtheProtheoBastion

fromthelowerrampartsand,asthealienhordechargedintoview,theybeganpouringfiredownontothesnorting,roaringfrontlines.Theorks,usuallydisinclinedtowardsnightattacks,whentheirpooreyesightwasrenderedevenpoorer,carriedflamingtorchesthatmadethemalltooeasytotarget.Theyhadlittlechanceofbreachingthewesternwall.Thechasmhelpedpreventthat.Buttheyhadbroughtheavyarmourwiththem,greatlumberingartillerypieceswithunbelievablywidemuzzleand,ifthesewerebroughtwithinrange,theywouldbeabletolobtheirbarrel-sizedshellsoverthewalls.The4thCompanywasnotabouttoallowthat.Bolter-firesputteredout,splittingapartthenight,brightmuzzleflaresstrobing

acrossthewalls.Lascannonscrackedlikelightning,ionisingtheair,lancingintouglyenemytanksandcuttingthemapartassoonastheycameintoview.Explosionsonceagainrockedthemountainside.‘Forglory,brothers!’shoutedCortezashefiredagainandagain.Behindhimheheardanothervoiceboomout,‘Forglory,captain!’Cortezglancedroundforthebriefestinstantandsawawhiteskull.He

recognisedthevoice,oneofTomasi’sChaplains,BrotherRhava,withtwoblack-robedSacratiumacolytesintow.Eachacolytesilentlycarriedatrayofextraammunitionandchargepacks.RhavacameforwardandjoinedCortezattheparapet,raisedaglowingplasma

pistol,andbeganfiringburstafterflesh-searingburstoutintothecrowdedgreenskinrankswheretheywereforcedtohaltatthechasm’slip.Manyhadalreadyplungedover,struckbythefireoftheSpaceMarines,orpushedtotheirdeathsbyovereagercomrades.‘Howgoesthedefence,brother-captain?’theChaplainaskedCortezbetween

rounds.Cortez’scliprandry.Asheslidanotherfromhisbelt,heanswered,‘Thereis

littlesportinthis,holyone.Theycan’tgaingroundhere.Thisassaultismasssuicide.’‘Andyet,’saidRhavabetweenhisownshots,‘sportornot,youseemtobe

revellinginit.’Cortezgrinnedbeneathhishelm.‘Tellmeyoufindthisachore.’

‘Itneveris,’saidRhava.Anotherofhisblindingplasma-boltsstruckanorkfullinthechest.Itsanktoitsknees,itschestlittlemorenowthanagapingcraterofburnedflesh.Theendsofribspokedfromthesideofthewoundlikestubbyteeth.Therewasagreatroaringnoisejusttothenorth,andCortezglancedthatway

toseeanothership-killeremergingfromitssilo-tower,flamesandsmokebillowinguparoundit.‘Ihaveheard,’saidRhava,alsonotingthemissile’semergence,‘thatThe

Crusaderescapedsuccessfully.’Cortez’seyesfollowedthemissile’sburningpath.Thepowerofsuchweapons

wasastounding.Partofhimwishedhecouldflywithit,toseetherawdestructionitwreakedonwhicheverwarp-damnedenemyshipitstruck.‘Ranparregaveeverythingtomakeitso,’hesaid.‘Wewillturnthisaroundin

hishonour.Nowthatwe–’Heneverfinishedthatsentence.Somethingwaswrong.Oneofthemissilesfromtheothersideofthefortress-

monasteryhadsuddenlychangedvector.Noonewouldeverknowwhatcausedthatchange.Wasitasimple

malfunction?Sabotage?Thewillofmaliciousgods?Noanswerwouldevercomeforth,buttheresultswouldberememberedintheImperialhistorybooksforalltime.RhavafollowedCortez’sgaze.‘ByDorn–’ThemissilecorkscrewedintheairabovetheArxTyrannusforabriefmoment.

TimeseemedtoslowdownforCortezashewatched,helplesstodoanything.Thenthemissileplungeddeepintothemountainside,itspowerfulthrustersforcingthatarmour-piercingnose-conethroughmetreaftermetreofrock.Themountainshook.CortezandRhavawerethrownfromtheirfeet.Shoutsofalarmreplacedthestutterofgunfireontheair.Whenthemissilereachedadepthoftwo-hundredmetresbeneaththerockon

whichArxTyrannusstood,itdetonated,ignitingtheChapter’sancientundergroundmunitionsstoresoneafteranother.Therewasnotimetoshieldoneself,notimetorun,noreventocurse.Whitefireengulfedall,andburnedtoembersthehopesofanentireworld.

PARTTWO

‘TheseweredayssodarktheyhadbeenrivalledonlyonceinthehistoryoftheChapter,anddarkerstillwereyettocome.Butdarknessisnotathinginandofitself.Ithasnoform,nosubstance.Itismerelytheabsenceoflight,andwherelightenters,darknessalwaysrecedes.Thesmallestmostephemeralsparkcangrowtoburnlikeamightysun.Itrequiresnaughtbuttherightkindoffuel.Snagrodgaveusallthefuelweneeded.’

–Brother-CodicierRuthioTerrarooftheLibrarius,CrimsonFistsChapter,AdeptusAstartes

ONETheGorrionWall,NewRynnCity

Theconceptofpatiencewasasalientotheorksastheythemselvesweretotheraceofman.Theydidnothesitate,didnotcongregatearoundfirestoholdwarcouncilsortoassessthesuccessoftheirlanding.Theysimplyswarmed,andtheouterfringesoftheplanetarycapital,thosepoorestofdistrictsthatfelloutwiththecity’sgranddefensivewalls,wereengulfedinfireandraw,rampantdestruction.AlvezandGrimmhadbeenoutonthesouth-westernrampartsoftheGorrion

Wallforhours,overseeingthedeploymentofCrimsonFistresourcestothosesectionsofthecity’soutermostdefencesthatwerejudgedtobeweakest.Therestofthecity’sperimeter,inparticularthosesectionsthatwereexpectedtoholdlongest,wereassignedtocompaniesofnervous-lookingRynnsguard.Alvezdeemedthisbestfornow,thoughastout,high-rankingofficercalledGeneralSaedusMirprotestedasvocallyashisrespectfortheAstarteswouldallow,adamantthathismenwouldprovetheequalofanyblastedaliens.Thefirsthourofbattle,Alvezknew,wouldseparatetherealfightersfromthecowards.HewouldpayparticularattentiontohowtheRynnsguardhandledtheirwallsections.OnlythenwouldhehaveanaccurateideaofjustwhatGeneralMir’sforceswerecapableof.Thenightskywascriss-crossedineverydirectionwitharcsoforangelightas

orkcraftpoureddownthroughtheatmospherefromtheirwarp-capablecruisersanddestroyers.Thecity’sfixeddefencesweretaxedbeyondcapacity,firingalmostnon-stop,andtheconcussivewavesofnoisefromeachshotshooktheairallaround.Alvezsawagoodnumberoftheclumsilyfashionedgreenskinlandersfallfromtheskyasburningjunk,butthereweresimplyfartoomanyofthemforittomakeanyrealdifference.

SquadronsofImperialfightersandbombersscreamedinoverheadtoengagethosethatgotthrough,buttheRynnitepilotswerewoefullyoutnumbered.Thoughtheykilledagreatmanywiththeirsuperiorflyingskillsandlethalweaponry,thesheernumberofgreenskinfightersintheskysoonoverwhelmedthem.TheywouldneverreturntothehangarsatTargisFields,neverpaintthosewell-earnedkill-signsontheirfuselages.Ashewatchedtheaerialbattlesturninfavouroftheinvaders,Alvezsaida

grimprayerforthesoulsofthedoomedRynnsguardpilots.Iftheinfantryandtankcrewswereanywherenearasbrave,hedecided,theymightyetsurprisehim.‘Youknewitwouldcometothis,’saidSergeantGrimm,standingathisside.Alvez,dressedforbattleinamassivesuitofTacticalDreadnoughtArmour–

betterknownamongtheAstartesasTerminatorarmour–fingeredthetriggerofhistwin-barrelledstorm-bolter.Theweaponwaslarge,muchlargerthanastandardbolter,andfittedwithaheavyboxmagazine.Theymadeanastymessoforganictargetsanditsoversizedboltscouldripthroughthesideofatankiftheyhadto.‘Itwasalwaysgoingtobethisway,Huron.OnerarelystopsaWaaaghin

space.Youseeallthesecraft?Theyarebutthebeginningofthegreentide.Bydawn,thelandbeyondthesewallswillbeseethingwithalienfilthandtheirmachines.’‘I’mgladyouconsentedtoevacuatingtheouterboroughs,mylord.Iknowit

wasariskwiththeenemyalreadylanding,butitwas…therightchoice.’Alvezsneeredbeneathhiscoldmetalfaceplate.‘Youmeanitwasthemoral

choice,Huron.Donotconfusethetwo.Iamnotawastefulman.Thissiegewillnotbeoverquickly.Wehavelostcontroloflocalspace.Theenemylandindroves.Soonerorlater,everyman,woman,andperhapsevenchild,willbecalledupontofightforsurvival.Ifevacuationsavedthepeopleoftheouterboroughstonight,itwasonlytopostponetheirdeathstotomorrow,orthenextday.Beundernoillusion.Agreatmanysacrificeswillbemadehere.ButtheCrimsonFistswillremainstanding.’Anorktrooptransportwithametalsnoutcraftedtolooklikeafang-filled

mawroaredinlowoverhead,andRynnsguardtroopersonaneighbouringsectionofthewallinstinctivelyducked.Thegrowlofitsjetswasdeafening,andtherewasawashofheatafteritpassed.NeitherAlveznorGrimmmovedexcepttotrackthecraftwiththeireyes.Twopowerfullaser-defencetowershummednoisilyastheylockedontoit.

Brightlancesoflightflashedout,rippingintothetransport’shull.Thestrickencraftblossomedwithbrightburstsoforangefireandlistedtostarboard,butitsmomentumkeptitsoaringthroughtheairuntil,secondslater,itsmashedprow-firstintoahuddleofstocky,flat-roofedhabs.Theexplosionlitthesurroundingstreetslikeaflare.Byitslight,Alvezcouldseethousandoforkschargingalongeverystreetandalleyway,roaringinsanelywithbattlelustandwavingallmannerofkillingimplementsabovetheirugly,misshapedheads.‘Readyyourself,’thecaptainsaidtohissecond.‘Theymustnotsetfootonthe

ramparts,norbreachthegates.’HeorderedtherestoftheAstartesontheGorrionWalltoreadytheirweapons

and,allalongitslength,bolterswerecocked,fatroundsslidingintoemptychambers.HesentashortmessagetoGeneralMir,authorisingtheRynnsguardtobeginthefirstEarthshakerbarrage,andwasrewardedsecondslaterwiththeflashandboomofmightylong-gunsastheyclaimedthefirstaliencasualtiesoftheopeningbattle.TwosquadsofCrusadeCompanyTerminators,SquadsZarranandValdeus,

hadbeentaskedwithholdingNewRynnSpaceportwithafullregimentofRynnsguardinsupport.Alvezcheckedinwiththemnow,andlearnedthatthefightingaroundthespaceport,sixtykilometresaway,wasalreadyintense.SergeantZarranhadlocalcommand.HereportedtoAlvezthatthespaceport’santi-airdefenceshadclaimedagreatmanyenemyships,butthatenemyarmourandinfantryweremassingingreatnumbers.Despitethisdarknews,therewasadistinctivetoneinZarran’svoice.ItwasatoneAlvezknewwell:thatofamaninlovewithhiswork.Zarranwaslookingforwardtotheslaughtertocome.Asheshould,thoughttheAlvez.Thepurgingofxenosisrighteouswork.Thegreenhordeboilingthroughthestreetsbelowtherampartswerealmostin

bolterrangenow.Thecaptainsteppedforwardtotheveryedgeoftherampart,pistonshissingastheypoweredthemovementofhismassiveform.Heraisedhisrighthandandaimedthebarrelsofhisstorm-bolterdownatthechargingfrontranks.‘Come,sergeant,’hesaidtoHuronGrimm.‘YouspokeofturningtheAdacian

red.Nowthatworkbegins.’Grimmjoinedhimatthewalland,togetherwiththeforcesstationedallalong

itsmanykilometresoflength,theyopenedfireonthesavageinvaders.Inalltheflashinglightandsmokeandnoise,neitherSpaceMarinenoticedthe

brief,suddenbrighteningoftheskyfartotheeast.Thefirsttheyknewofanycatastrophewaswhenfrenziedvoicesburstover

thecomm-linkonadozendifferentchannels,allrelayingthesameinformation.TheLibrariansweredown.Allofthem.Thecaptaincursed.‘InTerra’sholyname,whatisgoingon?’

TWOArxTyrannus,HellbladeMountains

PainwokePedroKantor.Somethingwasyankinghardonhisleftarm,alongthelengthofwhichadozenfracturesweretryingtomend.Hisnervessentfieryproteststohisbrain,demandingthatheremainstillwhilehisbodywasaboutthebusinessofhealingitself.Heheardahigh-pitchedgrowloffrustration,andtheyankingtookonamorefranticedge.Kantoropenedhiseyes.Therewereredwarningglyphsattheedgesofvisor

display,butheignoredthem,focussinginsteadonthecauseofthetuggingsensation.Ashort,sinewyformsquattedonhisleft,itswrinkledgreenfleshnakedbutforaloinclothofpoorlycuredanimalskin.Sharpteethjuttedfromamouthabovewhichextendedalong,hookednose.Itsbeadyredeyesburnedwithfrustration.Itwasagretchin,anditclearlythoughtKantordead.Itwastryingtotake

Dorn’sArrow,buttherelicstorm-bolterwasfixedtighttothebackofKantor’sleftgauntlet,andtheuglylittlexenoswasn’tmakinganyprogress.Despitethefractures,Kantor’sarmmovedasfastasastrikingsnake.He

wrenchedhiswristfromthecreature’slong-fingeredhandsandgraspeditbyitsscrawnythroat,digginghisfingersdeepintoitsflesh.Thegretchinbegantoflailinpanicandtriedtocallouttoitsfellows,butthe

vicearounditsthroatpermittedbreathinorout.Kantorsqueezedharder,piercingtheskin,feelingthetendonstearbeneathit.

Rivuletsofalienbloodspilledoutoverhishand.Thegretchin’seyesrolledupintoitsheadanditstonguefloppedout.Itsflailingceased.Kantorfeltvertebraesnapunderhisfingersandknewthecreaturewasdead.Hethrewthebodyaside.Wherewashe?Whathadhappened?OnemomenthehadbeenfiringdownfromtheupperrampartsoftheProtheo

Bastion,thenext,theworldhadturnedwhite.HerememberedJavierAdonfranticallycallingtohimoverthecomm-link,butafterthat…Heturnedandpushedhimselftohisfeet.Hissuitregisteredelevated

backgroundradiationandseveralweaknessesinhiscoolingsystems–nothingcritical,butthelatterwouldrequiretheattentionoftheTechmarineseventually.Dawnwasbreaking,butitwasadawnunlikeanyhe’dseenonRynn’sWorld.

Theskywasanangryred.Rynnstarandhersister,Eloix,werehiddenfromviewbygreatveilsofsmokeandash.Allaroundhim,brightcindersdancedandcavortedontheupdrafts.Instincttoldhimhewasfacingwestwiththefortress-monasteryathisback.Heturnedtolookeast……andalmostdroppedtohisknees.Utterdevastation.Eventhroughthethickveils,hecouldseethatthedestructionofhisbeloved

homewasalmosttotal.Hestoodonthefarsideofthewesternchasm,closetoitsedge,andbeheldascenehisminddesperatelywishedtodeny.SomethinghadwipedArxTyrannusfromthefaceoftheplanet.Whateverhaddonesohadpresumablythrownhimclearacrossthechasmandontothemountain’swesternslope.Gustingwindsmomentarilydrewtheveilsofashaside,andKantorsawthat

thewalls,thegates,thebastions,towerandkeeps,allwerenomore.ArxTyrannushadbeenreducedtojaggedspursofsteelandstone,juttingfromtherubblelikesomanybrokenteeth.Hereandthere,hespottedfamiliarthingsinunfamiliarstates,theremainsofgloriousworksreducedtowreckage.Hesawagreatstoneblockstandingtallamongitsshatteredneighbours,itssurfaceembossedwithapatternofcarvedskulls.Ithadbeenpartofthetoweringnorth-westernarchway.Nowitwaspartofnothing.Totherightofit,hesawafigureinblackmarble,slumpedawkwardlyamidtumbledironbeams,itshandsandheadshornoff.Herecogniseditbythedetailsonitschest.ItwasthestatueofIsseusCoredo,aCrimsonFistscaptainwhohadgivenhislifeinbattletwohundredyearsbeforeKantorhadbeenborn.ThestatuehadstoodinMemorialHall,surroundedbyworthycompany.Nowithadnone,alonelysymbolthatembodiedloss,asymbol,Kantorrealised,ofhisowndisgrace.IamtheChapterMaster,hethought.Itwasmyroletopreventthis.Dorn,

forgiveme.Curtainsofashandsmokeclosedovertheview,andKantorwasalmostglad

ofit.Hisheartsached,andhislimbswerenumbwithsorrowanddisbelief.Whatwasitthathadstruckthemsohard?Hadtheorkfleetheldsometerribleweapon

inreserve,knowingthatthevoid-shieldswouldfallwhentheFistsbelievedtheorbitalbombardmentover?Suchquestionswerequicklyputasidewhenheheardgruntingandshuffling

behindhim.Hespuntofacethesourceofthenoise,raisingDorn’sArrowashemoved.Visibilitywasextremelypoor,thelightofthesunsinteractingwiththeash-filledairtocastlittlemorethanadimredglow,butKantorknewwhathefacedbytheirsilhouettesalone.Threesturdyfiguresadvancedtowardshim,largehandsgrippingheavypistolsandblades.Hedidn’twaitforthemtoseehim.Atasinglethoughtimpulse,Dorn’sArrow

barked,andthesilhouetteinthecentrespunandfell,bringingayellofsurprisefromthethroatsoftheothertwo.TheyhadseenKantor’smuzzleflashthroughthesmoke,andtheyracedforwards,weaponsraised,firingroundsthatbuzzedpasthisheadlikefuriousinsects.Kantorfiredagain,targetingcentremass,catchingtheorkontherighttwicein

thetorso.Theroundsdetonatedandsplitthecreature’sbodyapart.Thelastofthegreenskintrioputonaburstofspeed,racingoutofthesmokedirectlyatKantor,eagertoengageinclosecombatwheretheprodigiousstrengthofitsracewouldgiveitthegreatestadvantage.Orsoitthought.Rawstrengthwassomuchlesswhenwieldedwithoutskill.Theork’sfirst

wildswing–alateralstrokeintendedtobeheadtheChapterMasterwithitslarge,chippedhatchet–waseasyenoughtoduck.ThebladewhistledoverKantor’shead.Theinstantitpassed,hesteppedforward,activatingtheenergyfieldofthepowerfistonhisrighthand,andlaunchedalethaluppercutthatcoredthexenosbeastlikeanapple.Itshollowedformcollapsedtotherockyground,steamrisingfromthegaping

cavityinitschest.Howmanymoreofthemwereouthereontheslopes?TheyhadbeenassaultingArxTyrannusingreatnumber.Hadthecataclysm

devastatedthem,too?Hadanyofhisbrotherssurvived?Kantortriedtoopenacomm-channel,unencrypted,desperatetoreachanyone

atall,buthisvisordisplayreportedtoomuchinterferencefromtheresidualenergiesofthegreatexplosion.Heremovedhishelmet,consideringwhetherornottocallout.Iftheorkswerestillhereinnumber,theywouldmakestraightforhimwithmurderontheirminds.Letthemcome,hethought.

Hewouldtakewhatevertemporarycomforthecouldindispensingdeathtothem.Clippinghishelmettohisbelt,hetookagreatlungfulofairandwasaboutto

calloutwhenheheardthedistinctivesoundofbolter-firejustofftothenorth.Withouthesitation,hefollowedit.Wasoneofhisbrothersalive,orhadsomegreenskinmaraudersimplysalvagedaboltgunandwasfiringitatrandomintotheair?AsKantormovednorthalongthelipofthechasm,hesawagreatmanyshapes

ontheground.Mostwereorks,theirheavybodiesburnedblackorpulverisedbylargeblocksofstonethrownoutintheblast,buttherewasafarsaddersightamongthem.Withincreasingfrequency,KantorcameacrossthestillformsofCrimsonFistslyingamongthexenosdead.They,too,hadbeenthrownfromthefortress-monastery’srampartstolandhere,theirbodiesbrokenbeyondtheirabilitytoheal.Hewantedtostop,tocheckeachforsignsoflife,butthesoundoftheboltgunwasclosernow,andhecouldseemuzzleflarethroughthesmokeupahead.Steppingoverthedead,readytojointhecombat,Kantorhurriedtowardsit.‘More!’yelledafamiliarvoice.‘Comeandmeetyourdeath,filthyscum.

You’vewonnothing,doyouhearme?AslongasIlive,yourkindwillhavereasontofear.’Kantorsawanuglyshapeloomuponthespeaker’sleftand,beforethefurious

battle-brothercouldturnhisboltpistolonthecreature,hefired,twoboltspunchingwoundsinthemonster’sside.Itsanktotheground,deadand,foramoment,theareawasclearofthreats.

Thedeterminedbattle-brotherturned.‘Youthere!’hebarked.‘Wellmet.Nownameyourself,brother!’Despiteeverything,Kantorgrinned.Ofallthevoiceshecouldhaveheardat

thatmoment,herewastheveryonehewouldhavewishedformost.Hesteppedtowardsthefigure,presentinghimself,andanswered,‘YouoncecalledmePolluxreborn,brother,butyouwereinerrorthen.’Theotherstoodstunned,thensurgedforwardtoplacehishandsonKantor’s

shoulders.‘Pedro!Byalltheworlds…You’realive!’Kantorreturnedhisoldfriend’sembrace.‘Unlesswehavedied,Alessio,and

ourspiritswanderanightmare…yes,Iamalive.’Theyreleasedeachotherandsteppedback,eachstudyingtheother’sface.

AlessioCortezwassmiling,butitwasimpossibletomissthepaininhiseyes.

Kantorknewhisfriendfeltthelossofsomucheverybitaskeenlyashedid.‘Others?’heasked.‘NonethatIhavefoundsofar,’answeredCortezquietly.‘Ihavecheckeda

greatmanybodies,brother.But,no.None,yet.’‘Doyouknow…?’Cortezscowled.‘Oneofourownmissiles,Pedro.Bytheblastedbonesofthe

Scythians,itwasoneofourowndamnedmissiles!RhavaandIsawitjustbeforeithit.Ithammeredstraightintothemountainside.’Kantorshookhishead.‘TheForgemastersaidtherewereproblemswiththe

Laculumbatteries,butthefollow-upscansshowedeverythinginorder.’‘Adonwouldnothavefiredotherwise.’Itwastrue.TheChapterMastercouldnotbelievethatJavierAdonhadbeenat

faulthere.Haditsimplybeenanaccident?Abillion-to-onequirkofillfate?Ifnot,hadsabotagebeenthecause?Eachoftheseexplanationswasequallydifficulttoswallow.‘Aship-killercouldn’thavewreakedsomuchdevastationonitsown,’Cortez

offered.‘Itmusthavedetonatedourundergroundmunitionsstores.Amassivechainreactionistheonlythingthatwouldexplainsucha…catastrophe.’Kantorwasabouttorespondwhenthereportofaboltersoundedfromthe

west,alittlefurtherdownthemountain.Alookbetweenthemwasallthatwasneeded.ThetwoAstartesturnedand

beganracinginthedirectionofthenoise.Astheyranside-by-sidepastthesmokingruinsoforkmachinesandtheheapedbodiesofthegreenskindead,Kantorsaid,‘Ifthereareanswerstobehadhere,brother,wewillhavethemonedaybutourdestinylieselsewhere.Wemustgathertogetheranyonethatlivesandmovefromhere.Moreorkswillbecoming.’

Followingthesoundsofbolter-fire,KantorandCortezweresoonreunitedwithasergeantbythenameofViejo.Whentheyfoundhim,hewasstandingoverabodyinblackarmour,cuttingdownasmallmobofgreenskinfilthhehaddiscoveredtryingtolootit.Viejo’sjoyatseeinghistwosuperiorswastemperedbythehorrorofallthat

hadhappened.ThebodyinblackwasthatofChaplainRhava.Cortezkneltbesideitandofferedashortprayer.AroundRhava’snecktherehungathickgoldandrubypendant,itsauraofpowerpalpable.Itwasarosarius,aprotectiveamuletgiventoallChaplainsonfullacceptanceintotheSacratium.Inthesetimes,itsancienttechnologywasonlybarelyunderstood.Cortezremovedit

gently,mutteringtothecorpse,‘Ifyouwillpermitme,holybrother,IwillcarrythisuntilImightreturnittoanotherofyourorder.Itbelongswiththem.’Hedidnotpresumetohangtherosariusaroundhisneck.Onlyanother

Chaplainmightwearitinsuchamanner.Instead,Cortezfixedthependanttohisbelt,notingastrangeprickingsensationonhisskinashedidso.Thenherose,swearingrevenge.Continuingthesearch,Kantor,CortezandViejomovedoff,maintainingaten-

metregapbetweenthem.Timeandagain,theyturnedoverthebodiesoftheirbrotherstofindthearmourcrumpledorsplit,andthefleshwithincoldanddead.Buttheydidnotgiveup,andtheirdeterminationsoonpaidoff.Halfanhourlater,thethreehadbecomenine.Anhourafterthat,sixteen.

Thoughtheycontinuedtoscourthearea,killinganygreenskinsthatstumbledontotheirpath,theirnumberrosenohigher.SixteenCrimsonFistshadsurvivedfromaforceofoversixhundred.Ofmost

ofthosewhohadperished,therewerenoremainstobefound.Theexplosionthathaddestroyedtheirancienthomehadobliteratedalltraceofthem.SoitwaswiththethousandsofChosenwhohadbelievedthemselvesrelativelysafewithinthefortress-monastery’swalls.AfewoftheChapter’sserfslayhereontheslopesamongtheAstartesandthe

aliens,butnotmany.Theirtwisted,brokenformswouldhavebeenhardtorecognisebutforthedistinctiverobesinwhichthey’ddied.EverylastonehepassedmadeKantorthinkofhisloyalOrdinator.Theknowledgethattheoldmanwouldneveragainbringhimspicedfruitsandfreshwaterinhischambers,norstayawhiletoshareinthejoysoffriendlydiscussion,waslikeaknifeinhisside.HewouldmissSavales’shonest,openfaceandhiskindways.Itsoonbecameclearthatanyfurthersearchingwasfutile.Itwastimetothink

aboutsettingsomeobjectives.Therewasonlyoneplacetogo,Kantorknew–NewRynnCity.ThanktheEmperorandtheprimarchthatagoodnumberoftheCrimsonFistshadbeentherewhenthemissilestruck.‘Weapons,’hetoldthesomewhatbattered-lookingAstartesthatstoodinfront

ofhim.‘Wewillneedsupplies.Grenades,ammunition,water,nutricaps,blades,anythingyoucanfind.Straponasmuchasyoucan.We’vealonganddifficultpathaheadofus.’Cortezcameinclose,andsaidinanundertone,‘Whatofourfallen?Wecan’t

justleavethemoutherelikecarrion.’Kantorknewexactlyhowtheorkswouldtreatthedead.Theywouldstripthe

sacredarmourfromthemandbastardiseittosuittheirownends.Thenthey

woulddefilethecorpses,hackingoffheadsandhandstowearassickeningtrophies.Heshookhishead,asmuchtoridhimselfofthatimageastorejectwhat

Cortezwassuggesting.‘Iwishwecouldhonourourbrothersproperly,Alessio,butwehavelingered

herelongenough.Moreorkswillbecoming,andinforce.Theywillwanttogloatoverthis.Thereisnotimetoburyanyone.’‘IfImay,lord,’saidabrothercalledGalica,amemberof5thCompany.‘We

couldperhapsburnthem.Someofthedeadxenoswerecarryingcrudeflamers.Apyrewoulddenythemtheirsacrilege.’Kantorfeltfifteenpairsofeyesonhim,awaitinghispronouncement.Hecould

readtheirfaces.Ifhedeniedthemthis,hewassure,theywouldfollowhim,butnonewouldbehappyaboutleavingthedeadthisway.Inhisheartofhearts,heknewhewouldn’tbe,either.‘Verywell,’hetoldthem.‘Galica,OlveroandTeveswillgatherthexenos

flamers.Lookforfuelcanisters,too.Theorksmayhavebeencarryingextraammunitionforthem.Therestofuswillgatherourdead.Workquickly.’Sotheydid,andsoontherewasamoundoffiguresindarkbluearmour.

Amongthemwereothercolourinlessernumber–Chaplainsinblack,Rhavaamongthem,Techmarinesinred,Apothecariesinwhite.Kantorparticularlylamentedthefactthatnoneofthelatterhadsurvived.An

Apothecarycouldhaverecoveredpricelessgene-seedfromthedead.Thatgene-seedwasneedednowmorethanever,acriticalresourceinbringingtheChapterbackuptostrengthinthefuture…iftheChapterwastohaveafuture.Theworkofensuringitdid,Kantorknew,fellsquarelyonhisshoulders.HeprayedtoPolluxthathewasequaltothetask.BrothersGalica,TevesandOlverolitthepyre,whitefiregushingandspitting

fromthenozzlesofthealienweapons.Then,whenthefuelcanisterswerespent,theythrewtheweaponsasideandjoinedtheothersinafinalsalute.Asthefireclaimedthebodiesofthedead,Kantorfoundhimselfwishingthat

HighChaplainTomasiwerehere,forhisspiritualstrengthasmuchasforhisknowledgeoftheappropriaterites.Heofferedwordsofhisownastheflamescrackledandsnapped,but,thoughhisbrothersappearedmovedbythem,hefelttheywereapoorsubstitute.TomasihadbeenministeringtothesoulsofhisfellowCrimsonFistssince

longbeforeeitherKantororCortezwereevenborn–almostfivehundredyearsofunswervingloyaltyandhonour.Andthen,inaneye-blink,hehadbeenwiped

fromexistence.Oneofthelargest,mostforcefulpersonalitiesKantorhadeverknown,snuffedoutinaninstantwiththosehetended,anotherlegendcutshortwithoutfittingglorytopunctuateit.IthadbeenTomasiwhohadoverseentheRitesofSuccessionthatsawultimateauthoritypassfromthelateChapterMasterVisidartoKantor.Whowouldoverseethoseritesnow?WhoamongtheChaplainsinthecapitalwasfittotakeTomasi’splace?HereachedoutandputahandonCortez’sshoulder.‘Enough,’hesaid.‘We

havedoneallwecanhere.NewRynnCityisoverathousandkilometresaway,andthelandthatseparatesusfromourgoalwillbeseethingwiththefoe.Snagrodmeanstoobliterateusentirely.Hemaythinkitataskalreadyaccomplished,buthewillsendforcestomakesure.Gettheothersreadytoleave.’Cortezdidn’tmove.Hestoodstaringintotheflames.‘WhenIlayeyesonthe

vilebastard,Pedro…’Therewasashoutfromtheothersideofthefire.KantorleftCortezwherehe

wasandstrodearoundit,alreadycertainitwouldnotbegoodnews.Hewasright.BrotherAlcadorwasstaringoutoverthevastexpanseoftheArcalanBasinto

thewest,eyesfixedonapointinthesky.‘Wehaveaircraftinbound,mylord,’hesaid.‘Andtheyarenotours!’Kantorfollowedthebattle-brother’sgaze.Hesawthemnow,aclusterofdarkshapesinthedistance,farawaybut

movingswiftly.Iftheydidn’tchangevector,theywouldbeontopoftheFists’positioninamatterofminutes.Theyflewinwhatcouldonlylooselybecalledformation.Thesmallercraft

rolledandswoopeddangerouslyclosetoaknotoflarger,bulkiermachines.Theirrecklessnesswasunmistakeable.‘Damnthem,’spatKantor.Cortezhadfollowedhimaroundthefire,andwasnowtrackingthedark

objectsinthedistance,too.‘Thisisagift,brother.’Heliftedhisboltpistolinfrontofhisbreastplatetoemphasisehispoint.‘Wecanbeginourvengeancenow!’‘IwillnotriskthelivesoftheFistsIhaveleft,’snappedKantor.‘Howdoyou

proposetofighttheirjetswithoutanti-airweaponry?’Theapproachingorkaircraftmightbecarryinghigh-yieldbombs,air-to-

groundmissilesandThrone-knew-what-else.Todiehere,bombedfromtheairbythefilthysavages…No.Theirchanceforjustice,forrevenge,wouldvanish

likesmokeonthewind.‘Wepullout,’saidKantor.‘Now!’Cortezglaredathimasifheweremad.‘Run,Pedro?Youcannotmeanthat.Letthemland.Wecanambushthem.If

weallowourselvestofeardeathnow,wearenotworthytosurvive.Surelyyouseethat.Honourwillonlybeservedbytakingthefighttothem.ItistheAstartesway.Itistheonlyway.’Kantor’seyesboredintoCortez’s.‘Thisisnotabouthonourorpride,damn

you.ThisisaboutthesurvivalofourChapter.Nothingelse.NewRynnCityisouronlyhope.WemustreunitewithAlvez’sforce.Nowmovethesebattle-brothersout,captain.WewillfollowtheYannaGorge.Itwillgiveusgoodcoveruntilwereachthesteppes.’Cortezcursedandspatonthegroundand,justforthebriefestinstant,Kantor

foundhimselffuriousathisinsolence.Theywerefriends,yes,andhehadalwaysaffordedCortezcertainlibertiesbecauseofthat.Buthewastakingthemtoofarnow.Ranksupersededallelse.Thecaptainclearlyneededreminding.Kantor’svoicewasdangerouslyquietashesaid,‘Understandme,Alessio.

Thesearemyorders.Orders,brother!Youhavedebatedthemcountlesstimesbefore,butyouhaveneverdisobeyedthem.YouwillnotdosonowwhenIneedyourstrengthmost.’Cortez’seyeswerewild.Missilemalfunctionornot,hissoulburnedwitha

need,acompulsion,toevisceratethosewhohadcometoRynn’sWorldwiththeintentionofdoinghisbrothersharm.Hishomewasgone,hisproud4thCompanyobliteratedwithhetheonlymemberleft.Hestruggledwithhimself,theeffortplainonhisscarredface.Hewastornbetweendoingashismasterorderedanddoingwhathisheartdemanded.AsKantorwatchedhim,hesawthepsycho-conditioningwinthrough.Cortez’sfacebecamegraduallylessferal,thecurledupperlipslidingbackdownoverclenchedteeth.‘Iwilldoasmylordasks,’Cortezgrowledatlast,‘butIdon’thavetolikeit.’Kantorletthatpass.Cortezwoulddoasordered.Despitetheirwordsinthe

corridorafterjudgementhadbeenpassedonJanusKennon,hecouldnotdisobey.AtrueAstartesembracedhispsychologicalaugmentationutterly.Cortez’smoodwouldremainfouluntilhisarmourwasslickwiththebloodofthefoe,butthatmomentwouldcomesoonenoughofitsownaccord.Theblackshapesintheskyweregrowingcloser,visibleinmoredetail.Fighter-bombersandtroopcarriers,thoughtKantor.Theorkscontrolour

airspace.Howeasyitwasforthem.Wewerecomplacent.Iwascomplacent,and

itmustneverhappenagain.Raucousjetenginescouldbeheardclearlynow,theirnoiseechoingupfrom

theplainsbelow.KantorsteppedpastCortez,intentongettinghispartymovingquickly.Wordlessly,Cortezfellinbehindhim.DoyouthinkIwanttopunishthexenosanylessthanyoudo,Alessio,Kantor

silentlyraged?Iwouldslaughtereverylastoneofthem.IwouldlookintotheirredeyesasItwistedmyblade,andsteepbothmyhandsintheirblood.ButIwillwaituntilthetimeisright,andsowillyou.Myorderswillbefollowed.WeareAstartes.SpaceMarines.Wearetheshieldagainstthedarkness,yes.Butwithoutdiscipline,wearenothingatall.

THREETheCassar,NewRynnCity

Dawnatthecapitalbroughtnorelief.Infact,withthecomingofthelight,itbroughtmorehorroranddespairthanthenightcouldeverhave.Theextentoftheinvasionwasrevealed,andmanywhogazedoutoverahorizonliterallyfilledwithhostilealienmonstrositieslostallhope.Inthatfirstmorning,therewereoverfourhundredsuicidesontheGorrionWallalone.MostofthesewereRynnsguard,menwhoshouldhaveknownbetter,menwhoshouldhavebeentrainedtoselltheirlivesdear,whowereexpectedtofight,nomatterwhat,forthesakeofallthatdependedonthem.Butmosthadjoinedupneverexpectingtoseecombat.Theyjoinedfortheuniform,theattentionofloosewomen,forthemoneytofeedfamilies.Astheygazedoutoverwhathadoncebeenteemingsuburbsbuilttohousethe

city’scheap,uneducatedlabourforce,alltheysawwasdeath.Deathwasgreen.Deathcarriedstrange,shoddylookingweaponryandroared

aroundinnoisy,fume-spewingjunk-heaps.Anddeathwaseverywhere,bellowingcurses,promisingslaughter,andtryingtogetinsidethegates.AlvezhadgiventemporarycommandoftheGorrionWalltoaveteran

sergeantfrom3rdCompany,DremirSoto,whileheandGrimmsoughtoutthemostsenioroftheLibrarians.Allthereportslistedthesamephenomena–Librarianseverywhereacrossthedefensivelinesuddenlyhowlinginpainandcrashingtotheirknees.Theyhadbeeneitherunableorunwillingtotalktoanyonesince.Alvezsuspectedaconcentratedpsychicassaultofsomekind,perpetratedbytheorkshamansinSnagrod’sarmy.Hewasnotpreparedforthetruth.HeandGrimmfoundtheseniorEpistolary,DelevanDeguerro,kneelingin

silencebeforethealtarintheCassar’ssmallbutadequateReclusiam.Imagesof

DornandtheEmperorgazeddownimpassivelyfromtheintricatestained-glasswindows.AlvezcouldtellbytheLibrarian’sposturethatsomethingwasgravelywrong.Deguerrohadalwayscutsuchapowerful,confidentfigure.Nowhelooked,notlikeamightysonofthegreatestprimarchwhohadeverlived,butbeaten,strickenasifbyanillnessthatrobbedhimofallstrength.IfDeguerroheardhistwobattle-brothersapproach–andhecouldhardlyhave

missedthefloor-shudderingfootfallsofthecaptain’sTerminatorarmour–heshowednosign.Hedidnotlookupfromthecoldstonefloor.‘Librarian,’saidAlvez,hisvoicekeptlowoutofrespectforthesacrednature

oftheplace.Deguerrodidnotturn.Alvezraisedhisvoicefurther,‘Deguerro,Iamtalkingtoyou!’Again,therewasnoreaction.HuronGrimmsteppedforwardandlaidahand

ontheLibrarian’srightpauldron,withjustenoughpressuretoturnhimslightly.‘Brother,’hesaid.‘Thisisnotimeforsilence.Wemustknowwhatailsyou.OurentireLibrariuscontingenthasbeenstruckdumb.Ifyoucannotspeak,thenshowusinAstartesbattle-sign.’Deguerro’svoice,whenitsounded,wasscratchyandlow.‘Thisisexactlythe

timeforsilence.’Heturnedtofacethematlastand,whenAlvezlookedintohiseyes,hisfirst

thoughtwasofhowhollowtheyseemed.Nolightglimmeredthere.‘Somuchglory,somuchnobility,bravery,pride…Somuchlost,’Deguerro

murmured.‘Lostforever,brothers.’AlvezandGrimmexchangedlooks.‘Elaborate,’saidAlvez.‘Itwasthistragedy,’saidDeguerro,‘thisthatwesenseddrawingnear.Ifonly

theportentshadbeenclearer…’Heturnedbacktothealtar,apparentlydonewithexplanations,andAlvezlet

outagrowl.Enough!Howcouldhehopetoaddresstheproblemifnoonewouldtellhimwhatitwas?HegraspedtheLibrarianandwrenchedhimbackaround,somethingfewotherswouldhavedared.‘Iamincommandhere,Epistolary.TheChapterMasterassignedyoutomyservice,andyouwillrespectthatassignment.Youwilltellmeinplainlanguagewhatiswrongwithyou,or,sohelpme,EustaceMendozawillhearofit.’DeguerrostruckAlvez’shandaside.‘EustaceMendozaisdead,captain!Is

thatplainenoughforyou?Theyallare.Allwhostayedtodefendourhomehaveperished.ArxTyrannusisgone!’Thatmadenosense.ArxTyrannus,gone?Ofcourseitwasn’tgone.Itwas

impregnable,unassailable.Itwouldbethereatopitsmountainseatuntiltheplanetitselfmeltedfromtheheatofitsdyingsunsfifteenbillionyearsfromnow.‘NotsincetheSiegeofBarenthalhavesomanybrothersfallentogether,’

mutteredDeguerro.Hisangerhadmeltedawayagain,thewatersofhisgriefrisingtosubmergeit.Alvezwashavinggreatdifficultyprocessingwhathehadjustheard.Deguerro

wasnofool,nodeceiver.Surely,then,hewasmistaken.Buttherewasnodenyingthepainhewasin,thesorrowcarvedinthefleshofhisface.‘Youareconfused,’Alvezinsisted.‘Atrickoftheorkpsykers.’‘Iwishitwere,brother,’saidDeguerrowithoutturning.‘Lastnight,a

catastrophestruckourhome.Ourbrothersdiedinsearingwhiteflames.Iheardit,feltit.Wealldid,asifwe,too,weredying.Thepsychicshockwavethreatenedtoripawayoursouls.’‘Whatstoppedit?’askedSergeantGrimm,hisvoicekinderthanthecaptain’s.Deguerrolookedupandsnorted,butitwasanemptysound,withoutreal

humour.‘Theorks,’hesaidsimply.AlvezlookatGrimm,facebetrayinghisconfusion.‘Theorks?’hesaiddubiously.‘Theorkpsykers,’saidDeguerro.‘Theyhavebeenlaunchingpsychicassaults

sincetheylanded.Nothingwecouldn’thandle,thoughthereareagreatmanyofthemwiththeWaaagh.Combined,theirpowerissuchthatwecannotbroadcastmessagesthroughthewarp.Notwhiletheyarehereinsuchforce.Theirunfocusedthoughtscreateachokingpsychicfog.Begladyoucannotperceiveit,brothers.Itisasmothering,suffocatingthing.’‘Istilldonotunderstand,’saidGrimm.‘Yousaidthepresenceoftheork

psykerssavedyou?’‘Idid,’saidDeguerro,nodding.‘Wearesurroundedbythem.Theyareamong

thehordesoneveryside,enoughofthemtobufferusagainstthefullblastofthepsychicdeath-scream.Yousee,likeenergyinallitsforms,psychicenergydissipatesoverdistance,andmuchfasterwhereitmeetsresistance.Theorkshamansstruggledtosurvivetheblast.Hadtheynot,wemayhavelosteverylastLibrarianinthiscity.Inthat,ifnothingelse,wewerelucky.’AlvezstaredupatthestylisedglassimageofRogalDorn,resplendentin

armourofshimmeringgold.‘Itcannotbe,’hemutteredtohimself.‘ArxTyrannus?PedroKantor?IwillnotbelieveituntilIseeitwithmyowneyes.Whenwewinthiswar,wewillreturntotheHellblades,andyouwillseefor

yourself,Deguerro.’HestaredhardatthebackoftheLibrarian’shead.‘Youwillseethatyouarewrong.’TheLibrarianmadenoresponse.‘Reporttothewallswithinthehour,’thecaptaincommanded,hisvoiceharsh.

‘YouandallyourLibrariusbrothers.Therewillbenomoreofthis.YouarestillaCrimsonFist,byThrone,andyouwilldoyourdutywithhonour,nomatterthecircumstances.‘Sosaying,heturnedandthunderedfromtheReclusiam,hisstepsshaking

standsofdevotionalcandlesashewent.Grimmwasleftbehind,lookingdownonabrotherwhosesufferinghedidnot

knowhowtoease.Withnootherchoice,heturnedandmadehiswaytothedoorsofthesmallReclusiam.Beforehepassedbetweenthemheturnedandsaid,‘Ibelieveyou,brother,thoughIwishIdidnot.Still,thecaptainisright.Thisdespair,thishopelessness…’Heshookhishead.‘YouknowaswellasIthatitisnotourway.WeareAstartes.EustaceMendozawouldexpectyoutofight.’ThenGrimm,too,leftthenave,andsilencereturned.Alongminutelater,Deguerropushedhimselftohisfeet.Helookedupatthe

imageoftheEmperor,atHisnoblefeaturescastinamberglass,andsaidquietly,‘IamaSpaceMarine.OfcourseIwillfight.’

CaptainAlvezwasalreadybeyondthewallsoftheCassarwhenGrimmcaughtuptohim.Infact,hehadalmostcrossedthebridgebetweentheZonaRegisandtheResidentiaPrimaris.EveninhisTerminatorarmour,thetirelesscaptaincoveredgroundquickly,andtherewasanewurgencyinhisstride.Grimmcouldseeitclearlyasheclosedthedistance.HefellintostepwiththecaptainjustastheypassedbeneaththearchoftheornateOcaroGatehouse.‘Itistrue,’saidGrimm.‘Youcanseeitinhiseyes.’Alvezgruntedsomethingunintelligible.‘Youwillhavetotelltheothers.Theyknowsomethingisdeeplywronghere.’Thecaptaindidn’tslow.‘Andifitistrue?’heboomed.‘Canwedoanything

aboutitnow?Canwesomehowgobackintimeandundoit?Wedon’tevenknowwhathappened.’‘Butyoudobelievehim,’saidGrimm.‘IwishIdidnot,’repliedAlvez.‘Iamfightingtokeepthefullimplicationsof

itatbay,butIhavemyorders,andeventhiscanhardlychangethem.WearedefendingacityfromasiegethelikesofwhichIhaveneverknown.IfourChapterhassufferedthisterribleblow,wemustensurethatwe,atleast,survive.

Idon’tknowaboutyou,Huron,butIdidn’tplanondyingatthehandsofsomecack-eatingxenosanyway,soitchangesnothing.’Grimfoundhehadnoanswerforthat.‘Actually,’saidAlvezwhentheyhadgoneadozenmoremetres,‘thereisone

thingIcandoaboutit.I’minitiatingtheCeresProtocol.’Grimmlookedupinsurprise.TheCeresProtocolhadn’tbeenemployedsince

ithadfirstbeenputtoparchmentallthosecenturiesagointheyearsaftertheblastedScythianracehadreducedtheChaptertoahandfulofsquads.Itsstrictureswereclear:noCrimsonFistwaspermittedtodieinbattleforanyothercausethanthesavingofhisbattle-brothers.ThestrengthoftheChapterwaseverything.Thatmeantnobattle-brotherslostforthesakeofprotectinghumansormaterielofanykind.‘Areyousurethat’snecessary,mylord?’askedGrimm.Alvezkepthiseyesontheroadahead.‘I’mputtingitinplaceanyway.’Eighteenminuteslater,theypassedintoalower-classhabzonecalledthe

DeltoroResidentia.Thestreetswerenarrowhere,anduntidy,andthelop-sidedhabsloomedoverthemasiftheymighttoppleatanymoment.Manyofthebuildingslookedasiftheyhadbeenbuiltinahurry,thenaddedtolittlebylittleovertheyears,sothatthestoneworkoftheupperstorieswasseldomthesamecolourortoneasthatofthelower.ThecontrastwiththeZonaRegisandthenobleestateswasstark.Here,the

shadowedsidealleyswerestrewnwithheapsofwasteandtheoccasional,fly-coveredremainsofadeadcanidorfelis.Theairsmelledstronglyofchemicalcompoundsdriftingoverfromthenearbymanufacturingzone.Toliveinsuchsurroundings,orworse,wasthelotofthevastmajorityincitiesallacrosstheImperium.IfNewRynnCitywasanydifferent,itwasnotevidentamongthepeopleoftheso-calledPoorQuarters.Whatthesepeoplelackedinmaterialriches,theyclearlymadeupforinfaith.

ThesignoftheImperialaquilawaseverywhere,aswerestreet-cornershrinestomyriadsaintsandotherassortedreligiousfigures.Incontrasttoallelse,thesewereimmaculate.Theyborenosignsofdamageorgraffiti.GrimmeyedthemasheandAlvezcontinuedtheirbriskmarchbacktothe

rampartsoftheGorrionWall.Notfaroff,hecouldhearthethumpofartilleryandthemuffledcrackandrattleofthecity’shugegun-towers.Thoughwailingsirenshad,forthemostpart,clearedthestreetsofpeople,it

didn’ttakelongforAlvezandGrimmtobespotted.Thelocalspeeredoutfrombehindwoodenshuttersatthesoundoftheirbootsonthecobbles.

‘ItistheCrimsonFists!’calledone.Grimmheardtheshoutbeingtakenupallalongthestreets.‘Damn,’saidCaptainAlvez.Doorswereflungopenandpeoplepouredoutintothelightofdaytothrow

themselvesontothegroundbeforethetwoAstartes.Theairfilledwiththesoundofpleadingvoices.Shabbywomenelbowedtheirwayforward,holdingtheirscreamingbabiesouttobeblessed.Theoldandthesickbeggedtobetouchedonthehead,believing,perhaps,thatthisalonemightcurethemofalltheirpainsandailments,orjustbringthemalittleclosertotheEmperorsomehow.Othersoffereduptheirmostprizedpossessions,hopingtowinfavour.Here,acurvedknife,badlychipped,withasmallredgem–almostcertainlyjustcolouredglass–setinitstarnishedhilt.There,akynid’s-toothstatueofSaintClariooftheBlazingLancewithitslefthandmissing,brokenoffmanyyearsbefore.Noneofthese,noranyofahundredothers,wouldhavefetchedmorethanasingleImperialcentimatmarket,buttheyclearlymeantagreatdealtotheirpossessors.Thesepeopleweredesperatethattheirdistrictbesavedfromtheorks.Theywereusedtofindingthemselvesandtheirneighbourhoodlowontheladderofthepoliticians’priorities.AlvezandGrimmfoundtheirpathutterlyblocked.Topushthroughwould

leavemanyinjured,perhapsevendead.‘Fools,’cursedAlvezquietly,soquiet,infact,thatonlyGrimm’ssuperior

hearingcouldpickitup.‘DoIlooklikeablastedChaplain?’Abent-backedoldwomaninamoth-eatenredshawlpushedherselfupfrom

herkneesandshambledtowardsthem,cradlingsomethingpreciousinhertinywitheredhands.Grimmsawthatshewasweeping.Hecouldnotidentifywithheremotion,norwiththeemotionsofthepeopleallaroundthem,buthehadseenitslikeenoughtimestoknowthatsuchapotenteffectonthefaithfulwasoneoftheburdensofbeingaSpaceMarine.Inalllikelihood,thesepeoplehadneverbeenasclosetoalivingsymboloftheEmperor’slightastheywerenow.Hecouldseethezealintheireyes.Itwasrighttherealongsidetheirjoy.TheoldwomanlimpedstraighttowardsAlvez,and,mumblingsomething

indecipherable,raisedherhands,offeringherpersonaltreasuretohim.Grimmknewinstinctivelythatthingswereabouttotakeaturnfortheworst.‘InDorn’sname,’thecaptainsnarled,‘getoutofourwayatonce.Allofyou,

getbacktoyourhomes.Thiscityisundermartiallaw.Wedonothavetimeforthis.’Inanger,hebattedtheoldwoman’shandsaside,andthelittletreasureshe

offeredwentflyingfromher.Shecollapsedtotherockcretesurfaceoftheroad,cradlingherbrokenwrists,mewlingsoftly.Thecrowdgaspedandshuffledbackwards,stillontheirknees.Somepressedtheirforeheadstothegroundinuttersubmission.Nonespoke.‘Makeway,’Alvezcommandedthroughthevox-ampinhishelmet.Hisvoice

reverberatedalongthestreet,shakingdustandgritfromthesillsandledgesofthebuildings.‘Weareatwar.DonotseekblessingsfromanyofmyAstartesagain.Isthatunderstood?Wearenotpriests,wearewarriors.Moveaside,damnyou!’Whenthepeopleleapttoobey,clearingtheroadsotheAstartescouldpass

easily,Grimmsawthatfearhadreplacedthejoyintheireyes.Thatwasregrettable.DidCaptainAlveztrulythinksolittleofthepeople’sloveandrespect?Soonerorlater,Grimmbelieved,theseverypeoplewouldbecalledontofight,togivetheirlivesinabattlenoneofthemhadevertrainedasingledayfor.Theywoulddietoholdbackthefoejustalittlelonger.WouldtheynotfightthatmuchharderinspiredbytheirAstartesbetters,ratherthanterrifiedbythem?Alvezwasalreadythunderingoffdownthestreet,notdeigningtoglanceatthe

rowsofpeoplebowingandbegginghisforgivenessfromeithersideofthestreet.Grimmturnedtotheoldwomanontheroadand,gently,liftedhertoasitting

position.Shegazedupathimandsmiledatoothlesssmile.Thoughherboneswerebrokenanditmusthavecausedhergreatpain,sheliftedalimphandtothefaceplateofhishelmetandbrusheditwithherfingertips,mumblingsomethingGrimmcouldnotmakeout.Inhereyeshesawadorationandjoy,asifCaptainAlvezhadnotstruckher

downatall.Heglancedupandcalledouttoamiddle-agedcoupleonhisleft,‘Youthere!

Willyoutakecareofthiswoman?Sherequiresamedicae.Takehertothenearestfacility.Icommandit.’Thecouple,anoverweightmaninbrightquiltedtrousersandhiswaif-like

wife,bowedexcessively,andmovedforwardtohelptheoldwomantoherfeet.Grimmliftedherintotheman’sarms,marvellingathowimpossiblylightherfrailbodyseemed.Hewasgladhewouldneverknowsuchweaknesshimself.Itwasacrueltythattimeinflictedonmostlivingthings,but,buriedsomewhereinthemysteriesoftheAstartesgene-seedwasthesecrettobeatingit.NoSpaceMarinewouldeverwitherawaylikethat.TheEmperorhadsparedhissonsthatfate.Heturned,searchingforsomethingand,afterthebriefestinstant,hisenhanced

eyesightlocatedit.Hecrossedtothefrontofasmallhab,andthepeopleinhiswayinstantlymovedaside.Therebeneathafilthywindow,hebentoverandretrievedtheoldwoman’streasure.Itwasreallythesimplestoftokens:asmallwoodenaquilaonalengthofcord,acharmintendedtobewornaroundtheneck,thoughitwouldbarelyreacharoundanAstartes’wrist.Ithadoncebeenbeautifullypainted,butitwasveryoldnow,thecolourscrackedandflaking.Whenheturnedbacktotheoldwomanandtriedtogiveitbacktoher,she

becameagitatedandexpressedsomethingtothefatmancarryingher.Heshushedher,andhiswifehissed,‘Don’tbefoolish,oldmother.Thegreatonehasnoneedofit.’‘Explain,’saidGrimm.Thefatmangulped,histhroatbobbing,andsaid,‘Shewouldlikeyoutohave

it,mylord.I’mafraidsheissenile.Shedoesn’tunderstand…’HiseyesflickedbrieflytothevisorinGrimm’sfaceplate,thenreturnedtothegroundathisfeet.Grimmlookedatthelittleaquila,sominuteinthepalmofhisredgauntlet.He

couldnotacceptthegiftpersonally.OnacceptanceintotheChapter,theAstartesoftheCrimsonFistssworeanunbreakablevowofnon-possession.Itwasconsideredweakandunworthytocovetorcollectmaterialobjects.One’sarmour,one’sweapons,eventhetrophiesonegatheredfromthebattlefield–alloftheseandmorebelonged,nottotheindividual,buttotheChapter.TheChapter,then,couldaccepthersimplegift.Grimmaddressedherdirectly,thoughhewasunsureshewouldunderstand

him.‘Ithankyouforyouroffering,oldmother,notformyself–itisagainstourways–butonbehalfofmyChapter.MaytheEmperorsmileonyou…’and,here,heturnedhisgazetothefatmanandhiswife,andaddedpointedly,‘…andonallthosewhodoyoukindness.’Therewasasuddenharshbarkoverthecomm-link.‘Sergeant,youarewasting

time.’CaptainAlvezwasalreadyahundredmetresaway.Withthelittlewoodenaquilainhislefthand,Grimmstrodepasttheold

womanandthecouple,andmadehiswaytowardshisincreasinglyimpatientsuperior.Onbothsidesofthestreet,thepeopleboweddeeply.Grimmofferedtheslightestofnodsinreturnashepassed,thinkingtohimself

that,nomatterthestrengthoftheirfaithintheEmperororinthepoweroftheAdeptusAstartes,verysoon,thesepeoplewouldbehomeless…justlikehim.TheDeltoroResidentiawouldbeswallowedupbythefighting.Howmanyofthesepeoplewouldbedeadbyseason’send?

HehadalmostcaughtupwithCaptainAlvezwhenagreatmetallicscreamsoundedfromthesky.Abroadblackshadowflittedbetweenthestreetandthesun.Grimmlookedupandsawtheundersideofanuglyorktroop-transporterbleedingblacksmokeandflamefromarentatitsrear.Thecraftwasoutofcontrol.Itwasgoingdownfast,anditwouldcrashinoneofthewardsnearby.CaptainAlvezwasalreadymakingforastonestairwaythatledupontoahab

roof.Hisheavyfootfallscrackedthesteps,rainingdustandrockypiecesdownonthegroundbelow.Grimmfollowedhimupand,together,theystoodatopthehabandwatchedtheorkcraftcutasmokyblackarcacrossthecity.Itstruckandshatteredamassivestonecylinderfartallerthanthewallthat

separatedtheneighbouringdistricts,andfellfromsight.Grimmknewthecylinder,oratleastwhatitrepresented.Itwasachimney,oneofmanythatsproutedfromtheroofsofthecapital’sMechanicus-controlledmanufactora.‘Zona6Industria,’hesaid.Alvezwasalreadyonthecomm-link.‘Allsquadsinzonesix.ThisisCaptain

Alvez.Wehaveabreach.Anorktransportjustwentdown.Ineedanimmediatepurge.LeavesectionsthreeandfouroftheGorrionWalltotheRynnsguard.Thisisaprioritycommand.Irepeat,wehaveabreach.EliminateallorksintheZona6Industria.’Whilethecaptainhadbeenissuingtheorder,Grimmhadbeencheckingthe

chargeinhisplasmapistolandwarminguptheflexorsofhispowerfist.Hisownsquad,whichhehadleftunderthecommandofBrotherSantanos,wasoneofthesquadsincloseproximitytothecrashsite.Ifthecaptainallowedit,Grimmwouldgotothemandleadthemintheireliminationofthegreenskinintruders.Howmanywouldhavebeenonthatcraft?Howmanywouldhavesurvivedimpact?Iftheorksgotafootholdthere,acriticalresourcewouldbelostalltooearlyintheconflict.Themanufactorawereessentialforammunitionre-supply.Itwouldbeadisaster.Withhisordersgiven,Alvezcheckedhisownweapons,oneamaster-crafted

powersword,theotheramassivestorm-bolter,bothChapterrelicsawardedtohimonhisascensiontothecaptaincy,bothexquisitelydecoratedwithfinegoldenscrollworkanddetailedchasings.Weaponchecksandabriefprayercompleted,thecaptainturnedhisheadtowardsGrimmandsaid,‘Wearenearenoughtoofferassistance,sergeant.Followme.’Alvezdidnotbotherwiththestaircaseforhisdescent.Hesteppedstraightoff

theroofandplungedtothepavement,adropoffourmetres,landingsohardthathisbootsshatteredtheflagstones.Grimmfollowed,theimpactofhisownboots

markedlyless.ThenthetwoCrimsonFistswereoff,poweringdownthestreettowardsthegatethatlinkedtheresidentialzonetotheindustrial.Grimmhopedatleastafewofthegreenskinshadsurvived.IfwhatEpistolary

Deguerrohadsaidwastrue,hewouldrevelinextractingpayback.Hisarmour,heswore,wouldbecakedinxenosgorebytheendoftheday.

FOURTheWesternSlopes,TheHellbladeMountains

Kantorandhisfifteenbattle-brothersmovedatspeeddownaslopingdefile,loosestonesskitteringoutinfrontofthem.TheChapterMasterwasconfidentthattheorkpilotshadn’tspottedthem.Noneoftheugly,heavy-lookingfightershadpeeledofffromthemaingroup,notyet,butthenoiseoftheirengineswaslouderbythesecond.Kantorhopedthesiteoftheruinedfortress-monastery,allthatbody-strewn

rubble,wouldholdtheorks’attentionawayfromYannaGorge.Buthewasn’ttakinganychances.HepressedhisSpaceMarineshard.SergeantSegala’smakeshiftsquadwereoutinfront,providingforwardeyes.Viejo’ssquadwereattherear,alertastheymoved,readytowarnoforkpursuit.CortezandhissquadmovedwithKantor.Communicationwasbriefandinfrequentastheypushedon.Thatsuited

Kantorfine.Therewaslittletosay.Betterthateachmanbelefttohisownprivatethoughtsfornow,eachrememberingthebrothersthathadmeantmosttohim.Hestillwrestledwithhisowngrief,ofcourse,but,astheleader,hedidn’thavetheluxuryoflettingitdominatehismind.HehadtogethisFistsawayfromhere.Soon,theywouldreachthefoothills.Therewouldbelesscoverthere.Treesweresparse.Onlyhardydry-grassesandthornyshrubsflourished.Iftheorkpilotsoptedtosweeptheregionlookingforfreshtargets,itwouldbeonthefoothillsthatKantorandhismenwouldbeseen,outintheopenwithnowheretorun.Cortezmovedupbesidehim,fellintostep,and,afteramoment,said,‘No

timetocoverourtracks.Theywillfollowussoonerorlater.’Cortez’shelmhidhisexpression,butKantorcouldhearhisoldfriend’sinner

thoughtsclearenoughinhisvoice:Iwantthemtofindus.

‘Itcannotbehelped,Alessio,’saidKantor.‘Thebestwecandoistohideournumbers.Keeptothetracksofourforwardsquad.’Cortezlookednorth-west,eyesfollowingthelineofthegorge.Upahead,

Segala’ssquadweremovingquickly,eyesscanningthelandforsignsofanyground-basedfoe.HeturnedbacktoKantorandsaid,‘Youhaveusscurryingawaylikemice,Pedro,whenIwouldhaveusturnandfightlikelions.’Kantorfrownedunderhisfaceplate.‘Thewaysofthemousesuitourpurpose,

brother.Heisasurvivor.Thetimeforbattlewillcome,butwewillreunitewithourbrothersinthecapitalbeforethat.Itistheonlylogicalpath.’‘Logic,’repeatedCortez,buthespokeitlikeacurseword.‘Asktheorkswhat

theythinkof–’Kantorraisedahandtohushhim,hisearspickingupanewsoundontheair.

Cortezlistened,andheardit,too.Beneaththesplutterandthroboftheorkengines,somethingelsewasrising,faintbutgrowingsteadilystronger.Itwasasmoothersound,morerhythmic,morefinelytuned.‘Lightnings,’saidKantor,hisLyman’searimplantfilteringandenhancingthe

noise.‘They’recominginfromthesouth-west.Threeofthem.ItmustbeafighterwingoutofScarLake.’Corteztiltedhishead.‘Closingfast.Theymust’veseentheorks.’Helookedto

therockyslopeonhisleft,thenbackatKantor.‘Go,’saidKantor.‘Reportwhatyousee.’Aroundhim,theotherAstartesstoppedtoawaithiscommand,boltersrisingto

thereadypositionbyforceofhabit.‘Allsquads,holdposition,’Kantororderedoverthelink.Cortezsprinteduptheslope,hisheavybootscrushingsmallrockstopowder

beneathhimandcausingaminiaturelandslideofdirtandpebbles.Justbelowtheridgeline,mindfulofhissilhouette,hestopped,crouched,andpeeredover.‘Youwereright,lord,’hereported.‘ThreeLightningsvectoringintowardsthe

mountains.Theorkshaveseenthem.Theirfightersarebreakingofftoengage.Idon’tlikethelookofit.ThoseLightningsareoutnumberedthreetoone.’Orkflyingmachinesmightlookclumsy,nose-heavy,andjustaboutas

aerodynamicasaDreadnought,butthereinlaythetrick.Despiteappearances,theywereoftenlethallyeffective.NoRynnsguardairunitinactiveservicehadeverfacedorksbefore.ImperialLightnings,armedwithautocannonandlascannonasstandard,werecraftedforperformance,notdurability.Andorkpilotswereasliabletoramthemhead-onastofireonthem.‘Theymusthavebeensentheretoinvestigatetheexplosion,’saidKantor.

Itmadesense.TheblastthathadobliteratedArxTyrannuswouldhavebeenvisibleacrossalmosttheentirecontinent.ContactwithScarLakeAirbasehadbeenlosthoursago,duringthefirstorkstrikesontheplanet,buttheappearanceoftheLightningssuggestedaslimpossibilitytheairbaseitselfwasstillunderRynnsguardcontrol.Kantorhopedso,buttherewaslittlehecoulddoaboutiteitherway.ToCortez,hesaid,‘Wecannotaidthemfromhere,Alessio.Notwiththe

weaponswehave.Keepmoving.Theirarrivalwillbuyustimetoputmoregroundunderourfeet.Hurry.’Thoughreluctanttoturnhiseyesfromtheimminentdogfight,Cortezleftthe

ridgeandhalf-skidded,half-strodebacktoKantor’sposition.‘Allsquads,moveout,’orderedtheChapterMaster.‘Emperorbewiththem,’saidCortezashefellintostep.

FIVEThreethousandmetresabovetheHellbladeMountains

‘FalconOne,thisisFalconThree,’saidLieutenantKeanosoverthevox.‘Ihavealock.’‘FalconThree,youarecleartofire,’camethereply.‘Falconsquadron,engage,

engage!’Keanosflippedtheredtoggleonhisstickandthumbedthefirebutton.Froma

pylonunderhisrightwing,whitefireflashedandracedoff,paintinganarcofsmokethatcurvedintowardshisstill-distanttarget.Twosecondslater,alittleballoffirebloomedinthedistance.Blacktrailsfell

fromittowardstheground.‘That’sakill,’saidthevoiceonthevox.‘FirstbloodtoFalconThree.’Keanosfeltasurgeofelation.Hehadjustdestroyedanalienaircraft.Inallhis

tenyearsasaRynnsguardpilot,hehadneveractuallyimaginedhewouldseerealcombat.Mostoftheflighttimehehadloggedwasroutinepatrolorwargames.Hecouldn’twaittotellhiswife,Azela,andtheirson,Oric,aboutthis.Itwouldhavetowaituntilafterthewar,ofcourse,whentheycouldbetogetheragain.Hewouldhavetoembellishthetellingalittle,mindyou.ItwastheAF-9

Airstrikemissilethathaddonemostoftherealwork.Hehadoneleft,slungunderhisleftwing,andhehopedtogainanotherkillwithitbeforetheskirmishwasover.Theorkshadn’topenedfireyet,soitlookedliketheydidn’thavemissileswiththekindofrangetheAirstrikeshad.Buttherewerestilleightofthemleftaccordingtohisforwardauspex.EvenifheandtherestofFalconsquadmadeakillwitheverymissileattheirdisposal,therewouldstillbethreeorkfighterswhichtheywouldhavetoeliminateingunrange,andthatwasanotherkindofcombataltogether.

Upahead,theorkfighterswerebankingtofacehimnow.Thenumbersonhisauspex’srangefinderdisplayweredroppingfast,fartoofastforcomfort.TheorksweremakingabeelinedirectlyfortheImperialFighters.AfamiliaralarmsoundedinKeanos’scockpit.Keanosspokeoverthevox.‘FalconOne,Ihaveanotherlock.Alpha-Six.Irepeat,IhavealockontargetAlpha-Six.’Ashespoke,hesawtwowhitetrailsstreakouttowardstheorks,onefrom

eachoftheLightningsoneithersideofhim.Keanoshopedtheyhadn’tfiredatAlpha-Six.Hewantedthekillforhimself.Oneofthemissiletrailsstartedcorkscrewingasecondbeforeitplunged

towardstheground.Afrustratedvoiceannounced,‘ThisisFalconOne.Missilemalfunction.Nohit.Nohit.FalconThree,clearedtofire.Lighthimup.’KeanoshitthebuttononhisstickandfeltthelastAirstrikedropawayfrom

belowhisleftwing.Thewhitetrailcurvedoffaheadand,asecondlater,achurningballofredfireandblacksmokestarteddroppingfromthesky.‘That’stwofortwo,FalconThree,’saidthesquadronleader.Keanoswantedtojumpupanddown.SecondonlytoOric’sbirth,thiswas

turningintooneofthebestdaysofhislife.Twokills!Howmanymorewouldhemakebytheendofthewar?Withhismainordnancespent,heswitchedhistargetingsystemsoverto

manual.Lookingathisdisplay,hesawthatbothhisautocannonandlascannonwereprimedandready,ammocountersatmax.Upahead,therestoftheorkfighterswerealmostingun-range.Comeon,youalienbastards,hethought.I’llbeanaceforsure.

SIXZona6Industria,NewRynnCity

ThefightinginthestreetsaroundthedamagedmanufactorumwasalreadyheavywhenAlvezandGrimmarrivedbehindthehastilyerectedbarricades.Themomentthecaptainarrived,thosenotengagedindirectfireturnedandthrewhimshort,sharpsalutes.Henodded,butdidnotsaluteback.Thoughhewasarigidtraditionalist,heknew,too,thattherewasatimeandaplacetoreinforceproperconductanddiscipline,andhere,underheavyfirefromalarge,confidentwarband,wasnotthattime.SolidslugswhinedoverhisheadashestrodeacrosstoSquadAntowherethey

werehunkereddownbehindthicksectionsofAegispre-fabricatedwalls.AfellowBlackwaterite,FaradisAntohadservedunderAlvezformorethana

century.HewasrelativelyshortforaCrimsonFist,buthehadaquickmind,andwasknownforbeingdecisive.AlvezhadonceconsideredAntoforGrimm’sposition,butAntoandthecaptainweretoosimilarinmanyways.HuronGrimmwasacontrast,andAlvezhadoptedforthebalancethattheirdynamicallowed,thoughhehadneversaidsotoGrimm.Sofar,he’dhadnocausetoregretthatchoice.AsheapproachedAnto,hetoldGrimm,‘Go,sergeant.Commandyoursquad,

butkeepthischannelopenshouldIneedyou.’‘Mylord,’saidGrimm.HeturnedfromAlvez,andcrossedtogreethissquad

brotherswheretheyshelteredbehindtheconcretecornerofaprocessingmillthatwasbeingpepperedbyorkstubber-fire.AntosalutedAlvez.‘Itisgoodtoseeyou,lord.’‘Statusreport,Faradis.’‘Thetransportwaslargeandveryfull.Agreatdealofdamagewasdonetothe

manufactorum,butthesuperstructureremainsintact.Thereareorksholedup

inside.Weestimatetheirnumbertobebetweensixtyandeighty.Othersareusingthewreckageoftheircraftascover.Stillmorearemovingthroughthestreets,killingalltheyfind.Theyhaveattemptedtoflankusonthissideofthedistricttwice,butwehaveturnedthembackbothtimes.Ifwearetodislodgethem,wewillneedtostormtheirpositionswithafullfrontalassault.’Here,Antopaused,beforeadding,‘Itcouldbecostly,mylord.Theorkstaking

coverinthewreckageandthemanufactorumhavesignificantfirepower.ScoutsfromSquadBariaxareactingasourforwardeyes.Theyhavereportedsignsoflasandplasmaanalogues,andanumberofxenosweapontypes.Theorksarehighlyalert,too.SergeantBariaxandhismenattemptedtoinfiltratethemanufactorumelevenminutesago.Itwashopedheandhissquadmightbeabletoeliminatethewarbossandthrowtheentrenchedforcesintoconfusion.I’mafraiditdidnotwork,mylord.’‘Losses?’askedAlvez.‘TwoScouts,goodmenI’mtold.’Notgoodenough,thoughtAlvez.Wecan’taffordtoloseanyone,notifweare

allthatisleftoftheChapter.Hestillhadn’tmadeDeguerro’sdarkrevelationcommonknowledge,partly

becausehehopeditcouldstillprovetobefalse,partlybecausetherehadbeennotime.‘Dowehaveschematicsforthearea?’heasked.‘Weneedanaccessplan.’Therewasatremendouspoundingfrombehindthem,likeagodhammering

onavastdoor,andAlvezandAntoturnedtolookforthesource.Theycouldhardlyhavemissedit.Therebeforethemstoodagargantuanfigure,hiseveryangularsurfaceetchedwiththedeedsandgloriesofhispast.Ontherightsideofhismassivearmouredcarapace,heboretheChaptericonsetwithinthestonecrossofaCruxTerminatus,asymbolpermittedonlytothosewhohadearnedtheirplaceintheCrusadeCompany.Betweenhispiston-likelegs,awhitetabardrippledinthebreeze,decoratedwithanaquilaembroideredingoldthread.Andonhisleftleg,heworeasculptedarcofsilverlaurelleavessurroundingagoldenskull,yetanotherofthegreathonourshehadgainedthroughouthissixcenturiesasamemberoftheCrimsonFists.HewasaDreadnought.HisnamewasBrotherJerianand,whenhespoke,his

modulatedvoicewassodeep,likethebellowofamassivebullbrachiodont,thattheairaroundhimtrembled.‘Youneednoaccessplans,honouredcaptain.’Heraisedhisleftarmintotheairandspunhismonstrousmetalpowerfist

throughthreehundredandsixtydegrees.

‘Whereyourequireadoorway,Ishallmakeone.’Now,heraisedhisrightarm,andtheairfilledwithamechanicalwhineashe

cycledtheclusteredbarrelsofhisauto-cannon.‘Whereyourequiredeath,Ishalldispenseit.’Alvezlookedupattheancientwarrior.Insidethewalkingmetalsarcophagus,

therewasabattle-brothermuchlikehimself.Orrather,hehadbeenonce.JerianhadbeenaherooftheChapterbeforeAlvezhadknownlife.ButtheherohadfallenintheBattleforEmeraldSands,hisbodyeatenawayalmosttonothingbytheconcentratedbio-acidsofthedespicabletyranidrace.Itwasaslow,painfuldeath,nodeathforaSpaceMarine.TheApothecarieshadsavedwhattheycouldofhim,andtheTechmarineshadinterredhiminthisvenerableandancientapparatus.Ifdeathevertriedtoclaimhimagain,itwouldfindhimahardtarget.Alvezwassureofthat.EverybrotherintheChapterknewthetalesofJerian‘svictoriesandheroics.

Clearly,theDreadnoughtsoughttoaddtothatlistnow.Alvezwalkedtowardstheboxymetalgiant,stoppingfivemetresinfrontof

himandfixinghiseyesontherectangularvisionslitcuthighonthehulkingframe.‘Verywell,BrotherJerian,’hesaid.‘Youwillprovideourheavysupport.We

willpushindirectlyandslaughterthefoewheretheystand.Obeymyorders.ThiswillunfoldasIcommandit.Nootherway.’Alvezfeltwrongaddressingsuchalegendaryfigureinthismanner,buthehad

tobesurethatall,evenJerian,recognisedhisauthorityhereasabsolute.IfPedroKantorisgone,hetoldhimself,thefutureoftheChapterisinmy

hands.Thethoughtwassour.Itgavehimnopride.‘Youunderstand,OldOne?’hesaidtotheDreadnought.‘Wewilldothismy

way.’‘Wemaydothisanywayyouplease,’rumbledJerian,‘solongasIgettokill

orks.’

SEVENTheWesternFoothills,HellbladeMountains

KantorandhisFistsemergedfromYannaGorgeontoashallowslopethatwounditswaybetweenthelastofthefoothills.TheEasternSteppesspreadoutbeforethem,brightandglaringinthemiddaysunlight.Tothewest,smokefromathousandfiresroseintotheair.Theroilingblackpillarsweresolarge,theAstartescouldseethemfromahundredkilometresaway,risingjustbeyondthecurveofthehorizon.Theydidnotknowifthesmokerepresentedcrashedorkcraftorburningtownships.Kantorhopeditwastheformer.AsheorderedhisAstartestocontinuenorth-westacrossthesteppes,heheard

explosionsbehindhim.Heturned,buthisviewwasblockedbythebentbacksofthehills.HehopedtheexplosionwasnotthedeathrattleofaLightningfighter.Totheeast,backthewaytheyhadcome,theHellbladesroseuplikeawallof

jaggedtusks,theirsharppeaksbonewhite,theirrootsandridgesalmostblack.Hehadknownthesemountainsalmostallhislife.Whydidhefeelthathewassayinggoodbyetothem?ArxTyrannuswasgone,butthemountainswouldendure.Hecouldn’texplainthefeeling.Cortez’ssquadhadmovedup,akilometreahead,totakeitsturnastheparty’s

forwardeyes.SergeantSegalaandhissquadhadfallenbacktomarchbesideKantor,butthemenkeptarespectfuldistance.TheydidnotwanttobothertheirChapterMaster,perhapsrecognisingtheburdenhenowbore.Theyknewhewouldcallthemtohimwhenandifheneededthem.TherewasasuddenscreamofrocketenginesasoneoftheLightningsstreaked

bybarelyahundredmetresaboveKantor’shead.Sixteenpairsofvisoredeyeswhippeduptofollowit.Aheavy-lookingorkfighterroaredpastjustasecondlater,spewingahailofleadandlas-firefromabristleofforwardguns.KantorsawtheLightningdancefromrighttoleft,tryingtoshakeitspursuer,buttheork

wasstucktoitstail.TheLightningpilottriedtoswerveleft,followingthegradientofthelanddownwards,buttheorkmusthaveanticipatedthemove.TheLightningturneddirectlyintoastreamofshellsthatrippeditsmetalbodyapart.IthitthegroundnorthofCortez’sposition.Theorkfighterpeeledoff.Intheheatofbattle,itspilotfailedtonoticetheline

ofSpaceMarinesonthegroundbelow,orsoKantorhoped.‘Pedro,’saidCortezoverthecomm-link.Hedidn’tneedtosayanymore.‘Go,Alessio,’saidtheChapterMaster.‘Therestofuswillfollow.’

Thelandwasstrewnwithshiningpiecesofmetal.TheLightninghadcutagreatfurrowinthegroundandhadcometorestwithitsnosehalf-buried.Cortezcrouchedbythebodyofthepilotandreadthenametagunderthe

wingedskullpatchonhischest.‘Keanos,’hesaid.‘That’syourname?IamCaptainCortezoftheCrimson

Fists.Ifyoucanhearme,Keanos,speakyourfirstname.’Thewoundedmanstirred.Hisflight-suitwassoakedwithblood.Thesmellof

itwasthickontheair,mixingwiththeacridstinkofburntmetal.‘Galen,’hesaidatlast.‘Mynameis…Galen…K-Keanos.’Cortezliftedacanteentotheman’slips.‘Canyoudrink,GalenKeanos?Itis

water.’Keanosmanagedasip,butasecondstartedhimcoughing,andthecoughing

wasagonytohim,soCortezremovedthecanteen,stopperedit,andstoweditonhisbelt.Heavyfootstepscrunchedthedirtandrockbehindhim,andheknew

instinctivelythattheChapterMasterwasthere.Withoutturning,Cortezsaid,‘Heisinabadway,Pedro.Hewillnotlastlong.Letmegivehimfinalmercy.’KantorloweredintoacrouchbesidetheRynnitepilotandgesturedforCortez

tomovebackalittle.‘Wemusthaveinformationfirst.’‘HisnameisGalenKeanos,’saidCortez.‘Galen,’saidtheChapterMasterwithanod.Thenheturnedhiseyestothe

dyingmanandsaid,‘Galen,canyouhearme?’Keanoslookedupinthedirectionofthevoice,buthiseyeswereunfocussed.‘IamPedroKantor,LordHellblade,ChapterMasteroftheCrimsonFists.’‘My…mylord,’gaspedKeanos.Hestruggled,asiftryingtorise.‘No,Galen,’saidKantor,placinghisrighthandgentlyonKeanos’sshoulder.

‘Lieback.Youmustnotmove.Yourpainwillendsoon,butifyouhonourme,

andifyouhonourtheEmperor,youmustbearitalittlelonger.Weneedinformation.’‘Iwilltryto…answer,lord.’‘DidyouflyfromScarLake?’‘Yes.My…mysquadronwassenttoinvestigatealightinthemountains.We

thoughtitwasoverArxTyrannus,butlong-rangecommsweredown.Theorkshitour…ourvox-mastsinthefirstwave.Weneededhelp,buttherewasnowayto…Mywifeandchild…wereevacuatedsouth.Oric.MyOric.’‘He’sfading,’saidCortez.‘Therewillbeamedicalpackinthecockpit,Alessio.Getitquickly.’Cortezshookhishead.‘IcheckedafterIpulledhimout.Itwasshredded.The

wholecockpitwasshottopieces.’‘Galen,’saidKantor,‘isScarLakestilloperational?Isitstillresisting?’Keanoscoughed,andbloodfleckedthecornersofhismouth.‘The…orks

attackedtheperimeterbut…we…weturnedthembacktwice.ThenGeneralMaziuswas…killed.’‘Whataboutthecities?Whatwordfromthecapital?FromCaltara,or

Sagarro?’TheywaitedforKeanos’sanswer,buttheman’sfacewasslacknow.Hiseyes

nolongerblinked.‘Heisgone,’saidCortez.‘ScarLakemusthavefallenbynow.’‘Almostcertainly,’saidKantor,stilllookingdownatthedeadman.‘Nothing

Snagrodhasdonesofarseemstoberandom.It’salmost…systematic.’‘Wecan’tknowthatyet,’protestedCortez.Kantorlockedeyeswithhim.‘No,Alessio?Thedeep-spacerelaystation

strikes,theconcentratedassaultsonoursurfacecommunicationsarrays,theimmediatetargetingofmilitaryinstallations.Thisoneisn’twagingwarlikeanork.HeisfightingliketheImperium.ThisSnagrodhaslearnedfromus.’Corteznarrowedhiseyes,unsurewhethertobelievethatornot.Long

experiencehadtaughthimthatwhattheorksboastedinstrength,theymorethanlackedinbrains.Theirlowintelligencewaswhatreallykeptthemincheck,nottheforcesarrayedagainstthem.Smartorks–thekindofsmartthatKantorwassuggesting–wereafoeofadifferentorderaltogether,afoethatperhapsnoonecouldhopetostop.‘Wemustpushon,’saidtheChapterMaster.‘Thatorkpilotmissedusthefirst

time,butitmightnotmissusonanotherpass.Therewillbeascavengerpartyonitswaytosalvagescrapfromthekill.’Anticipatinghisfriend’snextwords,he

added,‘No,Alessio.Wewillnotwaittoambushthem.’TheChapterMasterturnedandbegantowalkaway,callingforthebattle-

brothersguardingtheperimeterofthedownedLightningtofallinbehindhim.HewasfivemetresfromCortezwhenhehalf-turnedandsaidoverhisshoulder,‘Youmayrigthewreckagewithsomeofourmeltacharges,brother.I’msuretheorkswillappreciatethesurprise.’That,atleast,madeCortezgrin.Minuteslater,itwasdone.Heandhissquad

hurriedtorejointherestofthegroup,takingtheirplacenowasrearguard.Theymarchedhard.Thelandunderfootchanged,becominggreenerby

degreesuntil,hourslater,theyfoundthemselvescrossinglushgrassyplains.Theyhaddescendedthousandsofmetressinceleavingtheruinoftheirhome.Somuchclosertosealevel,thelandseemedtobeenjoyingadifferentseasonaltogetherfromthewintryheightsofthemountains.Theairwaswarmer,itspressureandhumidityhigher.Asthesiblingsunsbegantosetinthewest,castingeverythinginhuesofred

andgold,therecameagreatboomthatechoedoffthemountainsandoutovertheplains.Lookingbackthewayhehadcome,Cortezsquinted,andmadeoutacolumn

ofsmokerisingfromthefinalrestingplaceofGalenKeanos.Heresumedhismarch,wonderinghowmanystinkingxenoshehadjustkilled

andswearingtohimselfthathewasjustgettingstarted.

EIGHTZona6Industria,NewRynnCity

BrotherJerianwasdeathincarnate,andtherewaslittletheorkscoulddoagainstthefuryofhisweapons.Notatfirst.TherovingorkunitsthathadattemptedtoflanktheCrimsonFistspositionmadeathirdattemptjustminutesafterJerianhadshownupbehindthebarricade,andtheysoonfoundthemselvesfacedwithanenemyutterlyinvulnerabletotheirstubbersandbladedweapons.Jeriandidnotneedcover.Hewascover.Hestompedoutinfullviewoftheroaringalienfilthandbegancyclinghisassaultcannon.Whenhefired,thetorrentofshellswassointense,sodestructive,thatitcut

theorksinhalf.Eventhegreenskinsattheverybackofthechargingmasscouldnotavoidthehailofsharp-nosedslugsastheypunchedthroughbodyafterbodyuntilthestreetwasawashwithbloodandsteamingviscera.Jerianletoutabattlecrythatresonatedoverthewholesouth-easternquarter,

audibleevenabovethedistantboomofBasiliskSPGsandEarthshakerbatteries.Fewalienbattlecriescouldhavematchedit.Asthesoundfaded,Alvezsuspectedsomeoftheorksnearbywouldbe

turningtoflee.Thelargergreenskinswerenottypicallyfearfulofanything,buttheywerehighlysuperstitious,waryoftheunknown,andtheywerenotabovebreakingfromafightinthefaceofobviousdefeat.Itwastheclearestsignofintelligencetheytypicallyshowed.‘Tome!’Jerianroaredashethundereddownthestreetinthedirectionofthe

manufactorumandthecrashedorklander.Strong-smellingsmokewaftedfromthebarrelsofhisassaultcannon.Themassivehydraulicpistonsthatpoweredhislegshissedandclankedashemoved,andoilyblacksmokepouredfromtwolargeexhauststacksonhisbroadmetalback.‘SquadsRectrisandGualan,’saidAlvezoverthecomm-link,‘moveupbehind

BrotherJerian.Coverhisblindspots.SquadsGrimmandUliasflankleft.SquadsAntoandHaleos,youhavetherightflank.Move!’AlvezmarchedwithMaurilloRectrisandhissquad.Greenskinsrushedout

fromcornerstointerceptthem,buttheywerecutdownthemomenttheyshowedtheiruglyflatfaces.Withinminutes,Jerianhadledtheothersclosetothemanufactorum,andahailofstubberandpistol-firebeganpouringoutofshatteredblackwindowshighinthebuilding’ssidewall.TheCrimsonFistsdidnothesitate.Theyraisedtheirbolters,tookaim,and

loosedadeadlytorrentofroundsatthewindows.Jerianaddedhisownfire,therawdestructivepowerofitquicklymakingthewell-aimedburstsofhisbattle-brotherssuperfluous.Themanufactorum’supperwallswerebeingrippedapart.Arainofbrassshellcasingsfellaroundhissturdymetalfeet.Theorkspulledbackfromthewindowsratherthanfacesuchalethalfusillade.‘Jerian,’calledAlvez,buttheDreadnoughteitherdidn’thearhim,ordidn’t

wishto.‘BrotherJerian,’Alvezbarkedagain,thistimewithmoreforce.‘Ceasefire,

now.Moveup.Securethenorthwall.Wewillblowourwayin.’Jerianstoppedfiring,andhisassaultcannoncycleddownwithawhinethat

soundedalmostdisappointed.Helurchedforwardasordered.SquadsRectrisandGualanmovedupquicklytotakepositionalongthenorthwallofthebuilding.Ontheotherside,thesouthside,thespikedhulloftheorktransportstilllayhalf-buriedintumbledbrick,pouringtrailsofthickblacksmokeintotheair.AlvezopenedalinktoHuronGrimm.‘Areyouinposition,sergeant?’‘Weare,mylord,’repliedGrimm.‘Weencounteredsomeresistanceonthe

southaccess,butwehavecoverwithaclearviewofthedownedship.Significantenemyactivitytothenorth-westandwestofus.’‘Holdforfurtherorders,’Alvezcommanded.Then,heopenedalinkto

SergeantAnto.‘Reportyourstatus,brother.’‘Bothsquadsinposition,mylord,awaitingyourcommandtoattack.Thereis

nobreachhere,buttherearefourlargeloadingbaysthroughwhichweareobservingtheorks.TheyareDeathskulls.’Alvezthoughtaboutthis.TheDeathskullclanwerenotoriouslootersandtook

theirobsessionwithscavengingmachinestomurderouslevels.‘IftheyareDeathskulls,’hetoldAnto,‘allthebetter.Theirattentionswillbesplitbetweenusandthemachinesinside.AssoonasRectrisandGualanbreachthenorthwall,Iwantallflankingsquadstogivesuppressingfire.Confirm.’‘Affirmative,lord.Weawaitthesignal.’

Closingthecomm-link,AlvezturnedtoMaurilloRectris,whostoodonhisleft,backpackpressedtighttothemanufactorum’sbrickwall.‘Haveyourmenplantthecharges,sergeant.Twentysecondsshouldbeenough.’‘Mylord,’saidRectris.Hesteppedoutfromthewall,calledtwomembersof

hissquadtohim,andbeganissuingordersofhisown.JustafewmetresawayfromAlvez,BrotherJeriangrowled.‘Youshouldlet

meripthewallopen,captain.’Heflexedhispowerfistrestlessly.‘Ineedagoodcleanbreach,brother,’saidAlvez.‘Itmustbewideand

instantaneous.I’msureyoucouldripthisentireplaceapartsingle-handed,giventime,butIwouldpreferyoufocussedonsmashingorks,notwalls.Justbereadytogoin.Youwillbethefirst.’Jerianstoppedflexinghisfist.‘Inthat,atleast,youshowgreatwisdom.’Alvezdidnotmissthebarbinthecomment.Hefeltaflashofanger,just

briefly,butitsoonsubsided.TheChapter’sOldOnes,astheDreadnoughtswerecollectivelyknown,werewidelyunderstoodtobeagruff,cantankerouslot.Onedidnottrytochangeapersonalityforgedinbattleoversixhundredyears.Notunlessoneenjoyedcourtingfailure.Besides,Jerianandhismachine-entombedfellowshad,bytheirlonghistoryofheroicendeavour,earnedaleveloftoleranceAlvezaccordedfewothers.Therewasahissofstaticonthecomm-link,followedbythevoiceofSergeant

SalvadorUlias.‘Lordcaptain,’hesaid.‘Wehaveorksmovingaroundtheperimeterofthebuilding.Theyareheadingyourway.Twentyofthemwithheavy-stubbersandblades.They’llbeonyousoon.Permissiontoengage?’‘Rectris?’saidAlvez.‘Tenseconds.Settingthelastofthechargesnow.’JudgingbythereportfromUlias,tensecondswastoolong.Alvezraisedhis

storm-bolter.‘Allsquads,fireatwill!’‘ForDornandtheEmperor,’repliedAntooverthecomm.Thesharpcrackandrattleofgunfireeruptedontheotherthreesidesofthe

structure,immediatelyansweredfrominsidebythedeepdrumbeatoforkheavyweaponry.‘Chargesset,’Rectrisannounced.‘Backaway!’SquadsRectrisandGualanpressedthemselvesflatagainstthewall.Brother

Jerianmerelytooktwostepsbackwardsandwaitedfortheblast.Watchinghim,Alveznotedhowfearlesshewas.AnynormalSpaceMarinewouldhaveriskedseriousinjury,perhapsevendeath,standingsoclosetosomuchhighexplosive.

NotsoJerian.Therewasadeep,ear-splittingbangandagushofdustandstone.Jerianwas

obscuredfromAlvez’svision,butthecaptaincouldheartherainofstonechipsbouncingofftheDreadnought’sarmourplate.‘Forward,’Jerianboomed.‘Wearetheirdeath!’ThedustcloudswirledandAlvezknewthatJerianhadchargedinside.He

heardthedistinctivewhineofanassaultcannonasitstrafedtheinterior.‘Killthemall,’Alvezroaredoverthecomm-linkbeforehe,too,charged

throughthegapingwoundinthebricksurface.Hisbattle-brothersfollowedhiminwithouthesitation.Insidethemanufactorum,theorksretaliatedatonce,pouringfiredownonthe

SpaceMarinesfromraisedgantriesofmetalmesh,orfrombehindtheconveyorsofthehugeautomatedassemblylines.Gretchinskitteredfromshadowtoshadow,terrifiedfortheirlives,turningtofiretheirlarge-borepistolsonlywhentheyfoundthesafetyofgoodcover.Theiroversizedkinfoughtwithoutanysuchfear.Scoresofthemchargedmadlyforward,theirchainaxeswhirring,onlytobeblownapartbymass-reactiveexplosiveroundsfromtheboltgunsoftheCrimsonFists.BrotherJerianranoutofammunitionsoonafterentering,butitdidnotslow

him.Hestormedforward,smashingidlemachineryasideinhiseagernesstospillthebloodoftheChapter’sfoes.Thenhewasrightinamongthem,anawesomesighttobehold.Witheverywhistlingarcofhismightymetalfist,hesmashedorkbodiesaside.Movingdeeperintothemassofaliensthatflowedoutoftheshadowstosurroundhim,hisheavyfeetpulpedandcrunchedthebodiesofthefallen.AlvezheardtheDreadnought’smechanicallaughter,andthesoundwasasfar

fromhumanasitcouldpossiblybe.ThreeorksdroppedfromanupperwalkwayrightinfrontofAlvez,nomore

thanthreemetresfromhim,closeenoughtolashoutatonce.ButAlvezwasfast,eveninTerminatorarmour.Hisfingersqueezedthetriggerofhisancientgun,andthelargestofthethreeorksreeledbackwards,struckdirectlyintheforeheadbeforeitcouldtakeitsopeningswing.Theboltdetonated,blowingbrainandskulloutwardsinalldirections,andthecreaturecollapsedtotheflooraslimpasasackofmeat.Theothersdidnotwaittomeetthesamefate.Theclosestofthetwolunged

withalarge,chippedblade,morecleaverthanswordorknife.TheblowstruckAlvez’sstorm-bolteraside,butdidnotknockitfromhisgrip.Thecreature

raiseditsotherweapon,aspikedclubofsolidiron,andbroughtitdownwithblindingspeed,buttheblowbouncedfromAlvez’sceramite-platedshoulderwithaclang.‘Die,’spatthecaptain.Thepowerswordinhislefthandwasaglowingblur.It

crackledandhummedasitslidthroughthebeast’sbelly,cuttingtheorkintwo.EachhalfslappedwetlytothefloorasAlvezturnedtofacethethirdofhis

attackers.Buttherewasnothird.SergeantGualanhadgunnedthecreaturedown,firingintoitsbackatpoint-blankrange.Itschestcavitylayopentotheair,blownoutbyatripleburstofexplosiveboltrounds.Gualan,liketherestofhissquad,wasalreadymovingontootherprey.‘Huron,’saidAlvezoverthelink,‘reportstatus.’‘Thirty-eighttargetsconfirmeddeadonthesouthside,mylord,’saidGrimm.

‘Theorkstakingrefugeinthecrashedshipareseverelydepleted.SuggestsquadsGrimmandUliasmoveinandfinishthejob.’Alvezcouldhearbolterfireoverthelinkasthesergeantspoke,butitsounded

sporadic,asiffoesweregettinghardertocomeby.‘Doit,’Alvezordered.Then,switchingchannels,hesaid,‘Faradis,status.’SergeantAnto’sreportwaslikewisegivenagainstabackgroundoflessening

gunfire.He,too,reportedasignificantreductioninlivetargetsinhissectorand,likeGrimm,requestedpermissiontomovein.Itcameasnosurprise.WhattrueCrimsonFistcouldstandtoholdbackwhentherewereorksincloseproximity?TherewouldbelittlesportforeitherGrimmorAnto.Thefightinsidethemanufactorumwaswellinhand,dueinnosmallparttotheunstoppablefuryofBrotherJerian.‘Requestdenied,Faradis,’saidAlvez,makingaquickassessment.‘Ineedyou

andHaleostoholdtheouterperimeter.Theremayyetbeorkcellsinthisdistrict.SquadsGrimmandUliasarepurgingtheorkwreck.RectrisandGualanhavethefacilityundercontrol.Thisisover.Iamcomingoutside.’Andthatwaswhathedid.Hehandedcommandofthemop-upoperationto

MaurilloRectris,thenemergedbackintothelastofthefadingdaylight.Intheskyabove,orkshipswerestillpaintingdirtyblacktrailsacrossthe

darkeningblue.Pillarsofdensesmokerosehundredsofmetresintotheair.Hecouldseethemtoweringabovethecitywallslikevastghostsslowlyclawingtheirwaytowardstheheavens.Hedidnotknowiftheyrepresenteddeadorksordeadmen,butdeath,certainly.HecaughtsightofSergeantAntoandhissquadsweepingarowoforesilosto

theeastandbeganstridingtowardshim.Hewasabouttohailhimoverthe

comm-linkwhenthegroundunderhisfeettrembled.Heheardthesoundofagreatexplosionoutbeyondthedistrictsdefensivewalls.Antolookedupatthesametime.Aninsistentvoicesoundedinhisear,overridingallotherchannelsontheemergencyband.‘ThisisSquadThanatortoCaptainAlvez,’saidthevoice.‘Irepeat,thisisSquadThanatortoCaptainAlvez.Pleaserespond.’‘Alvez,here.Whatisit,sergeant?’‘Mylord,’saidSergeantThanator,‘anotherorkshipjuststruckthecity.The

damageissevere.’‘Where?’Alvezdemanded.‘Canwecontainthem?’‘Therewillbenocontainingthisone,mylord,’saidThanator,andAlvezcould

tellbythesergeant’stonethatthiswasmorethanjustanothercrash.‘TheyjusttookoutanentiresectionofthePavelisWall!’Dorn’sblood,cursedAlvez.‘Ineedtoknowwhichsection,sergeant.’‘Zona4Commercia,sectiontwo,mylord.They’repouringinlikelocusts.We

needreinforcements.Thesheernumberofthem…’‘HowmanyAstartesdidwelose?’hedemanded.‘None,lord.Ourforcesweremassedaroundthegateitself.Thebreachisa

kilometrewestofit.ButtheRynnsguardlosses…Icanonlyguesstheynumberinthehighhundreds.Thereareoveramillioncitizensinthisdistrict,mylord.Wearedoingeverythingwecan,butwearefew.Thisplaceisacharnelpit!’Alvezhadalreadybegunstridinginthedirectionoftheindustrialzone’s

easterngate.‘Holdfast,Thanator,’hecommanded.‘Youwillhaveyourreinforcements.Iswearit.I’msendingPredatorsandVindicatorstoyourposition.’Alvez’sstridesbecamelonger,faster.Hisfootfallsshookthebuildingsandthe

streetlampsashepassed.HecalledtoSquadAntoashewent,andtheyjoinedhim,marchingwithboltersready.Adarkthoughthadtakenholdofhimanditwouldn’tletgo.Itwasdeliberate!Ithadtobe.Theorkshadstartedusingtheirshipsas

batteringrams.WhatinTerra’sholynamehadtheRynnsguardanti-aircrewsbeendoing?HadheandhisFistsheldZona6Industria,onlytoloseZona4Commercia?Iftheorkskeptthisup–andheknewtheywould–justhowlongwouldNew

RynnCitysurvive?

NINETheEasternSteppes,HellestroProvince

Fewnormalmeneverrealisedjusthowmuchinformationwasallaroundthem.Theairtheybreathedwasfilledwithit,buttheirnoseswerenotattunedtoitinthewayacanid’swas,ortheolfactorysensesofamillionotherkindsofcreature.SpaceMarinesknew.Withintheirbodies,eachofKantor’ssurvivorscarried

anorgancalledtheneuroglottis,orTheDevourer,grownfromthegene-seedoftheirfellowAstartesandimplantedduringthepainfulprocessthatforeverphysicallyseparatedthemfromtheirfellowmen.Theprimaryfunctionoftheneuroglottiswastoallowinstantanalysisofasubstancebytaste.Toxinscouldbeeasilydetected.Organiccompoundscouldbetestedfornutritionalcontent.Andasinglescentmoleculeonabreezecouldgiveawayahiddenfoeortellthedirectioninwhichithadtravelled.Cortezandhissquadwereonceagainonpoint,rangingakilometreaheadof

therestofthegroup.Thecaptainbreathed,andsmelleddeathonthewind.Nighthadfallenthreehoursago,andtheChapterMasterhadordered

everyonetoincreasetheirpace.Hehopedtocrossasmuchdistanceinthedarkaspossible.Tooslowandthedaylightwouldfindhispartyintheopenwiththesunglaringofftheirarmourandweapons.Orkaircrewswouldbeabletospotthemfromasfarasthehorizon.Theyhadtomakethemostofthedarkness.Kantorwasguidingthemnorth-

westtotheplacewheretheEasternSteppesendedandtheAzcalan,theSoroccancontinent’smassiverainforest,began.OncetheCrimsonFistswereinthecoverofthetrees,nightanddaywould

becomeirrelevant.Theywouldmovewithoutrest,andmakethecapitalthat

muchsooner.Rightnow,allCortezcouldthinkaboutwasthefamiliarsmellhehaddetected.Everybreathhetookspoketohimofspilledblood,ofwetvisceraexposedto

theair.Therewereotherscents,too.Oneofthestrongestwasdung,neitherhuman,norork.Cattle,hethought.Kine.That’swhatI’msmelling.Theplanet’sclosestmoon,Dantienne,washighandalmostfull.Hersurface

rockcontainedcobalt,andthedimlightshethrewdownontheplainswasdistinctlyblue.ToCortezandtherestoftheFists,everythinghadagreenishtinge.Theirhelmetvisorsweresettolow-lightmode,furtherbrighteningthegloom.Ashemarchedhissquadonwards,Corteznownoticedlargedarkobjects

slumpedonthegrassyplains.Theywereshapelessblackthings.Asheandhisbattle-brothersdrewclosertothem,thesmellbecamestrongerandstronger.CortezopenedalinktotheChapterMaster.‘Orkshavebeenhere,andrecently.’‘Theykilledallthekine,’repliedKantor,pre-emptingCortez’snextwords.‘I

cansmelltheblood.’Corteztrodovertothenearestofthebodies.Dantienne’slightglistenedonthe

pilesofloopingwetentrailsthathadspilledfromawoundinitsstomach.Whydidn’ttheytakethemeat,hewondered?Iftherewasonethingorkswerenot,itwaswasteful.Everythingwas

scavenged.Butnothere.Thenhesawdeepfurrowsinthedirtandhadhisanswer.‘Warbikes,’hetoldtheChapterMasteroverthelink.‘Ihavetyretrackshere.

Orkridersdidthis.’‘Right,’saidKantor.‘Theywouldn’tstoptostripthecarcasses.Theymust

haveriddenthroughhereslaughteringeverythinginsight,leavingthebodiesforafollow-uppartytoprocess.’Cortezfoundothertracksnow.‘Itlooksliketheyrodeoffinthesame

directionwe’removing.’Hetestedtheairagainwithhisnose.Thereweredefinitetracesoftheork

stinkonthebreezefromthenorth-east.Itwasanacridsmell.Eventhefoulestofunwashed,disease-riddenhumanbeggarscouldn’thopetosmellsooffensiveasthexenos.Cortezdetectedotherscents,too.Onewasdefinitelypromethium.Liquidfuel.Hecouldtellitwasn’tfromalocalsource.TherewasmorecarbonthantherefinedfuelstheImperiumused.

Thebreezechangeddirectionthen,comingtohimnotfromthenorth-west,butfromthenorth,whereagradualriseblockedhisviewofthelandahead.Whathesmelledonitstoppedhiminhistracks.‘Humanblood,’hetoldKantoroverthecomm-link.‘Fresh.It’scomingfrom

thesideofaridgejustnorthofmyposition.’‘Thereisonlyonesmallsettlementinthearea.TheZar-Menendaagri-

commune.Canyouhearanything?’Cortezstrainedhisearsbutthenightwasquiet.Ifthereweresounds,therise

wasblockingthem.‘Ineedtocrosstheridge.’‘Doit,’saidKantor.‘Reconnaissanceprotocols,brother.Understand?Keepme

apprised.Therestofuswillcatchuptoyouonceyouhaveestablishedanobservationpoint.’‘Understood,’repliedCortez.‘Movingout.’

Fieldoperationswithanentirelynewsquadwereneverideal.Corteztriednottothinkaboutthefinebrothershehadlost.WasitreallyonlyweeksagothathehadlookedacrossthenaveoftheReclusiamandfelthischestswellwithpride?WasSilesireallydead?WouldhetrulyneverhearIamad’ssharplaughteragain?Hewasthelastsurvivorof4thCompany.Whywashealwaysthelast?IthadbeenthesameatKalaphaxandagainandGammaVIMonserrat,wholesquadslost,andalwaysAlessioCortezreturnedfromthebattlefieldalone,woundedandweary,butinexplicablyalive.NowKantorhadassignedhimfournewfaces,newtoCortezanyway.Hehad

seenthembefore,ofcourse.Theywerenotnewinthatsense.Inabrotherhoodofapproximatelyonethousandwarriors,therewerefewrealstrangers,andthoughthebrothersofeachcompanymostlykepttotheirown,acertainamountofcross-companyinteractionwasinevitableandactivelyencouraged.TwomembersofCortez’snewsquad–BrothersRapalaandBenizar–had

belongedtoCaldimusOrtiz’s7thCompany,thoughtheyhadservedindifferentsquads.CortezrememberedbothofthemfromawintercombatexerciseheandOrtizhadrunabouttwelveyearsagointhemountainsnorthofArxTyrannus.RapalaandBenizarhadperformedsolidly.Theirscoreshadbeenunremarkable,buttheywerereliablewithgoodskillsacrosstheboard.Theothertwobattle-brothersassignedtoCortez’scommandwerelesswell-

knowntohim.OnewasBrotherFenestra,aquiet,thin-facedBlackwateritefromSeligTorres’s5thCompany.Hehadcold,darkeyesthatneverseemedtoblink.CortezhadthefeelingFenestradidn’tlikehimmuch,thoughtheyhadnever

reallycrossedpathsbeforethecataclysm.Ithardlymattered.Hedidn’tneedpeopletolikehim,justtodoashesaidwhenhesaidit,andtoshowtherightinitiativewhenforcedtoactalone.Thelastofthefourwasalsotheyoungest.BrotherDelgahnhadservedwith

theChapterjusteighteenyears,onlygraduatingfrom10thCompanyto8thCompanyadecadeago.LikeFenestra,heseemedwaryofCortez,neverspeakingunlessspokento,holdingbackontheperipheryunlesscalledforward.‘Staylow,’Corteztoldthemoverthecomm-linkasheledthemuptherise.He

didn’tneedtowhisperforthesakeofstealth.Hishelmet’sexternalvox-ampwasswitchedoffand,withoutit,nosoundleakedfrombeneathhisceramitefaceplate,buthisvoicewasclearandsharponthelink.Itwashardtostaylowinfullbattle-plate,almostashardasitwastostay

quiet.Eveninawelloiledandtreatedsuitofarmour,ceramiteplatesoftenraspedorclangedagainsteachother.Therewastheconstantlowbuzzoftheatomicpower-supply,too.Afterspendingcenturiesinpowerarmour,onetendedtoblockitout,butitwasalwaysthere,alwayspresent,anditcouldgiveyouawayifyouforgotaboutitentirely.Withinseconds,Cortezandhissquadmadethetopoftheriseandpeeredover.

Thenight-timelandscapestretchedoutbeforethem,abroadpatchworkoffieldsandpastures.Indaylight,eachwouldhavebeenadifferentshadeofgreenoryellowdependingonthecropsandgrassesthatgrewthere.Rightnow,viewedthroughtheAstartes’helmetvisors,theywereallvaryingshadesofmuddygreen.Wirefencesandstonewallsseparatedeachand,fromthewestandthenorth-east,twowidedirtroadssnakedtowardsaclusterofbuildingssomeeighthundredmetresaway.ThiswastheZar-Menendafarmingcommuneand,inthemiddleofit,hidden

fromCortez’sdirectviewbyarowoflargemetalgrainsilos,ahugefireburned,throwingitstelltaleorangeglowontheshell-pockedwalls.Therehadbeenfightinghere,orperhapsnotfighting,butslaughter.Whatkind

ofresistancecouldthefarmersandtheirfamilieshaveofferedthebrutishbloodthirstyinvaderswhohadmassacredalltheircattle?Thegreenskinstinkwassharperandstrongernow.Sowasthescentofhuman

blood.Listeninghard,Cortezbegantocatchsoundsofactivityfromthecommune,too.Hisprimaryheartquickened.They’restillhere,hetoldhimselfwithagrin.Automatically,hisfingers

tightenedonthegripofhisboltpistol.

Therewerethirtyofthem,thick-setandgreen,noneweighinglessthantwohundredkilogrammes.Cortezcursedunderhishelm.Ononehand,hewasgladtheyhadn’tpostedanysentries.Ithadmadethefinalapproachtotheagri-communealltooeasy.Ontheotherhand,theirarrogancerankled.Weretheysocomplacentbecausetheybelievedtheyhadalreadywonthiswar?Hewouldteachthemthefollyofthatassumptionsoonenough.Hissquadhungback,cloakedintheshadowsbetweentwovastoctagonal

grainsilos.Thelightfromthemassivefiretheorkshadlitdidn’treachallthewaybackhere.Itwasasgoodanobservationpointasany.Peeringoutfromthoseshadows,Cortezscannedthesceneinfrontofhim.On

theveryfarsideoftheflames,arowofuglyvehicles,barelyrecognisableasbikesandbuggies,satwiththeirenginesswitchedoff.Eachwaspaintedred.Hecouldseethatbythelightofthefire.Eachwaslightlyarmour-platedandfittedwithforward-pointingheavy-stubbers.Fromthefrontarmour,cruelmetalspikesandbladesprotruded.Cortezhadseensuchmachinesinactionbefore,otherconflicts,otherworlds.

Heknewhowmuchorkbikersrevelledinrunningdowntheirprey,shearingthemtopiecesbyrammingthemheadon.Despitetheirappearance,theorkmachinescouldmovefast.Theirhit-and-runtacticsmadethemhardtocounterwithjustinfantry.Itwasimperativethattheseorksdidnotgetbackontheirbikesbeforehehadachancetoputthemdown.Ofthecivilianworkerswhohadoccupiedthefarm,therewaslittlesign.

Cortezzoomedinonablackshapeinthefire,andscowled.Itwasclearlyahumanfoot.Howmanylivingsoulshadtheseorksalreadyburnedtodeath?Therewasascream,andCortezturnedhiseyesleft.Itseemedtheorkswere

notquitedonewithhavingfunyet.Thesoundhadcomefromthethroatofawoman,perhapsthirtyyearsold,

lyinginthedirt.Shewassurroundedbychildren,fiveofthem,ofvaryingages,andshewashuggingthemtoherhard.‘Don’tlook,mybabies!Don’tlook!’shecriedatthem.NowCortezsawwhy.Fromtheothersideofthefire,amanemergedinto

view,walkingbackwardstowardsthewomanandherchildren,hisarmsshakingashetriedtowieldanorkbladethatwasobviouslyfartooheavyforhim.Reflectedfirelightshoneontheteartracksthatmarkedhischeeks.Hewasobviouslyretreatingfromsomething,andthatsomethingnow

appeared.Itwastheorkboss,atowering,yellow-tuskedgiantinalongsleevelesscoat

fashionedfromsomekindofthick,scalyreptoidskin.Onthebeast’sheadtherewasahelmetboastingtwostraighthorns,eachoverametreinlength.Fromitsnosehungagoldring,andfromthebeltatitswaisthungfourhumanskulls,seeminglytinyincontrasttoitstree-thicklegs.Theorkbossmovedslowlyforwardfollowingtheterrifiedmanaroundthe

fire.Itwasunarmed,butthathardlymattered.Eventhoughthefarmerboreablade,hewasoutmatchedineveryway.Thiswasagametotheorks,asickeningcruelgamewithonlyonepossibleoutcome.Theotherorkssatinthedirthootingandhowlingwithbestiallaughter,

watchingtheirbosstormentthelastofthehumans.They,liketheirboss,hadringsthroughtheirnoses.Theirwaistcoatsweremadeofthesamekindofreptoidskinastheirbosses.Ithadn’tcomefromanycreatureonRynn’sWorld.Cortezwassureofthat.Thewomanwasscreamingdirectlyatthemannow.‘Justrun,Aldren,’she

begged.‘Justleaveusandrun!’Iftheman,Aldren,heardher,heshowednosignofit.Hiswide,unblinking

eyeswerelockedonthoseofthemonsterasitclosedthegapwithhim.Heliftedthebladeashighashecould,gruntingwiththeeffort.Theorkbossstoppedforasecondandwatchedhim,redeyesgleamingwithcold,cruelamusement.Thenitsteppedforward.Aldrenlungedandbroughttheorkbladedownashardandasfastashecould,

butitwasapatheticallyinadequatestroke.Theorkbossbattedthebladeaside,anditflewfromAldren’shands.‘We’regoingin,’Corteztoldhissquad.‘Weaponsready.’‘Ithoughtwewereonreconnaissanceprotocolsonly,mylord,’saidBrother

Fenestrauncertainly.‘Wewere.NowI’mputtingyouoncombatprotocols.Lockoutallother

comm-channelsexceptthisoneandencryptitwithanalpha-threekey.TheonlyvoiceyouneedtohearismineuntilItellyouotherwise.’Hesensedtheirhesitation.Theyknewwhathewasdoing.Bylockingout

communicationfromtheChapterMaster,CortezwasdenyingPedroKantorthechancetoissueorders,ordersthatwouldmostcertainlyhavehimfallingbackwithoutdispensingthekindofrighteousvengeancehissouldemanded.Unreachableoverthelink,Cortezcouldthusavoidanychargesofdirectdisobedience.Itwasastrategyhehadusedbefore,andnotjustafewtimes.‘Didyouhearme?’hesnappedathissquad.‘Isaidalpha-three.Doitnow.’HisAstartesdidastheyweretold.Hehadknowntheywould.Hewasstill

AlessioCortezafterall.Despiteeverythingthathadhappened,hislegendstillloomedlargeovertheChapter.Sometimes,hisfameandreputationwereusefulafterall.WheneachofhisAstartesconfirmedthecommslock,hetoldthemwhathe

wantedthemtodoand,inpairs,theymovedoff.BenizarandDelgahnwentleft.RapalaandFenestrawentright.TherewaslittleCortezcoulddountiltheywereinposition.Itwouldn’ttake

themlong.Thecommunewassmall,andthedeepshadowsthrownoutbythefirehittingthebuildingsandsilosofferedsuperbcover.CortezturnedhisattentionbacktothefateofAldren,thewomanandher

children.Theorkbosshadreachedoutitsrighthand,grippedAldrenbythehead,and

liftedhimintotheair.Withthemandangling,hisarmsflailinguselesslyattheork’sarm,hislegskickingandflailing,theorkbossturnedtowardsthefireandbeganwalking,adeep,throatychuckleemergingfromitsthroatasitdidso.Thewoman’sscreamstookonfreshurgencynow.‘Throne,no!’shewailed.

‘Aldren!’Toherchildren,sheyelled,‘Closeyoureyes,mybabies.Closeyoureyesand

don’tlisten!’Corteztightenedhisgriponhisboltpistol.Thefingersofhispowerfistflexed

andclenchedhard.Theycouldhavecrushedsteel.‘Damnit,’hemuttered.‘Hurryup.’ButheknewhisSpaceMarineswouldnotbeinplaceintimetosaveAldren

and,ifhemovedprematurely,hewouldjeopardisethefirstpartofhisplan.Therewasnothinghecoulddo.Theorkbossreachedtheedgeoftheblazenowandbellowedsomethingtoits

fellows.Cortezscowledatthesoundoftheorklanguage.Itwasasuglyasthebeastswerethemselves.Whateverthecreaturesaid,afreshroundofhootingandlaughingbegan,whichseemedtosatisfytheorkboss.ItstretchedoutitsarmandheldAldrenoutoverthefire.Yellowflameslickedhislegsgreedily.Theairfilledwiththeskin-crawlingsoundofagonised,high-pitchedscreams.‘Whereareyou?’CortezdemandedofhisFists,speakingthroughgrittedteeth.

‘Whyaren’tyouinposition?’ItwasBrotherBenizarthatreplied.‘We’reatthevehiclesmylord.We’re

cuttingtheirfuellinesnow.’‘Workfaster,’Cortezsnappedback.

ThefleshofAldren’slegswasblistering.Hekickedandscreamedforallhewasworth,buthewashelplessagainstthestrengthoftheorkboss.Soon,thefleshhadturnedblack,andtheflamescrepthigher,movingtowardshistorso.Theorkswerestillenjoyingtheshow.Thewomanhadturnedaway.Shewas

holdingtheheadsofherchildrendownsotheycouldn’twatchthefinal,tortuousmomentsoftheirfather’slife.‘Done,’reportedBenizaroverthelink.‘Thebikesaren’tgoinganywhere.’‘Getintofiringpositions,now!’Cortezbarked.‘It’stime.’Sosaying,hesteppedoutfromtheshadowofthesilosandintofullviewof

theenemy.Heraisedhisboltpistol,knockedthesafetyoff,andbraceditonthebackofhispowerfist,almostasifhewereabouttotakeacompetitionshotinsometournament.Helinedhissightsupontheorkboss,zeroinginonitsoversizedskull.The

orksstillhadn’tnoticedhim.Theyweretoowrappedupinthetormentofthehuman.Corteztookadeepbreath.Withasinglethought,heactivatedthevox-ampset

intohishelmet.Hisvoiceboomedlikethunder,drowningoutthelastofAldren’sscreams.‘You!Xenosscum!’Therewasamomentwhennoneoftheorksmoved,then,asone,thirty

hideous,red-eyedfacesturnedtoregardhim.Cortezfiredasingleshot.Itcaughttheorkbossinthethroatandexploded,poppinghishelmetedhead

cleanoffhisshoulderswithasprayofbloodsothickitwasalmostblack.ThecreaturedroppedAldrenstraightintotheflames.Itdidn’tmatter.Aldren

wasalreadydead.Thepainhadkilledhimbeforetheflameshadclimbedabovehiswaist.Theheadlessbodyofthebossfelltothegroundlikeadeadtree.Themoment

itcrashedonthedirt,theotherorksleapttotheirfeetandsweptuptheirweapons.Cortezangledhispistol’smuzzlelefttowardstheorksclosesttothewomanandherchildren.Heputthreeroundsinthreemoresnarlingxenosfaces.Morebodiescrashedtotheground.‘SpaceMarines!’heroared.‘Engage!’Bolter-firesoundedfrommultipledirectionsatonce.BrotherDelgahnlitthe

riveroffuelthatleakedfromtheorkbikesandbuggies,andawalloffireleaptintotheair,penningtheorksinjustwhereCortezwantedthem.Hewouldnotletasingleonesurvivethisnight.

Kantorwouldhaveheardthegunfirethemomentitbegan.Hewouldhaveseentheblaze.IfhewastryingtoraiseCortezonthecomm-link,thenhealreadyknewthecaptainhadlockedhimout.Therewouldbehelltopaylater,butCortezcouldlivewiththat.Rightnow,allhecaredaboutwasbloodandfury.

Orkdeadcarpetedtheground.Hatehadbeenserved.‘Takeyourhelmetoff,Alessio,’saidKantor.Histonewasashardasironand

ascoldasthepolarseas.HeandCortezstoodofftotheside,bytheeastwallofoneoftheagri-

commune’sraumasmeatprocessingblocks.Deadxenoslayaroundthem.TheotherCrimsonFistswentamongthebodies,attendingtothegrislybusinessofensuringthatnoneoftheirfallenfoesweremerelywounded.Thequickestwaytoguaranteethexenoswouldn’trisetofightagainwastocrushtheirskullsunderanarmouredboot,butorkskullswereincrediblydense.EvenforanAstartesinfullplate,itoftentookanumberofimpactstoproperlyshatterthethickboneandpulpthepinkishgreytissuebeneath.Cortezliftedhisrighthandtotheclaspsandcablesathisneckanddidashis

lordcommanded.Hepulledhishelmetupoverhisheadandplaceditinthecrookofhisleftarm.Kantor’seyesburnedintohim.‘Wespokeofthisonce,’saidKantor.‘Afterthejudgementwaspassedon

JanusKennon,wespokeofthis.’Corteznodded.‘AndIwashonestwithyouthen.Youknowmebetterthan

anyone.Didyoureallyexpectmetoquellmyrageuntilwereachedthecapital?’‘IexpectedyoutohonourthewaysoftheChapter,captain.Iexpectedyouto

honourme.IfnotasyourChapterMaster,thenasyourfriendandbrother.’‘OfcourseI–’‘Quiet,damnyou!Youwillhearmeout.Icannothaveyoutakinglibertieslike

this.Webothknowhowmanybattle-brotherslooktoyoufortheirexample.Wouldyouhavethemdisrespectmycommandasyouhavedonetonight?Iamyourlordandleader.YouthinkourlossesatArxTyrannuschangeanything?Theychangenothing.TheChapterisminetolead.Youareminetocommand.You,me,allofus…wewillliveordiebythedecisionsImake,and,inDorn’sname,youwillabidebythem,Alessio.Rememberyourplace.BetheSpaceMarineIneedyoutobe,orsohelpme,thingswillchangeforeverbetweenus.’Cortezdidnotwantthat.Hehadalwaysthoughttheirfriendshipaconstantin

anuncertainuniverse.Howmanytimeshadeachsavedtheother’slife?How

manytimesduringthosefirsttwocenturiesofservicehadtheystoodback-to-back,protectingeachotherasfoesassailedthemfromallsides?Cortezmissedthosesimplerdays.Partofhimenviedhislower-rankingbattle-brothers.Commandwasagreathonour,butitwasaburden,too,andithadchangedthingsbetweenthem.HeandKantorwerenolongerequals.Infact,theyhadn’tbeenequalsformorethanacentury,butCortezhadneverfeltthegapaskeenlyashedidnow.Naturally,hefeltnoremorseforthekillingofthegreenskins,butnowhewouldpaythepriceforthesatisfactionofcuttingthemdown.‘Tonight,Iputvengeancebeforemydutytoyou,’hesaid.‘Ihaveangered

you,andforthat,Iamsorry,brother.Iwillacceptwhateverpunishmentyoudeemfit.ButIdonotregretthekillingofthexenos.Istandbymyactions.’Hegesturedatthenearestofthemeatygreencorpses.‘Thisfilthhadtodie.Thesoulsofourfallendemandedit.’Kantorglaredbackinsilenceforamoment,thensaid,‘Thedemandsofthe

livingoutweighthedemandsofthedead.YouledfourofmyCrimsonFistsintoabattlewecouldhaveavoided.I’minitiatingtheCeresProtocol.Therearenotenoughofuslefttorisklosinganymoreinsatisfyingyourdamnedrage.YouwillacceptapenancefromtheChaplainsatthecapitalonceallthisisover.Perhapstheywillhelpyouunderstandyourerror,sinceitseemsIcannot.’HeturnedawayfromCortez.TheotherFists,havingsatisfiedthemselvesthatalltheorksweredead,now

begancarryingtheheavyalienbodiestothefirewheretheythrewthemintothecracklingflames.Itwasstandardpracticetoburngreenskinbodiesaftercombat,andithadtobedonequickly.Orksmultipliedbysheddingspores.Withinhours,theairwouldbefilledwiththem,tinycellularcapsulesdispersingonthebreeze.Mostwouldnotfindsuitableground,butapercentagewouldlandindark,dampplacesandtakeroot.Fungalprotrusionswouldsproutfromtheground,andbelow,anewlife,borntohackabloodypathacrossthegalaxy,wouldbegintotakeform.Slumpedagainstthewhiteplasterwallofoneofthefarm’shab-blocks,the

womanandherfivechildrenhuddledtogether,stillweeping,stillunabletobreakfreeoftheterrorthathadgrippedthem,unsureofwhatwouldhappennext.Theydidnotwatchtheburningofthefoe.Theyhadseenmorethanenoughofburningbodiestonight.‘Daybreakisbutthreehoursaway,’saidKantor.‘Ihadhopedtobemuch

closertotheAzcalanbynow.Telltheothersweleaveassoonasthelastofthebodiesisonthefire.’

Withthis,heleftCortezandstrodetowardsthewomanandherchildren.Cortezwatchedhimgo.

Withtheorkdeadnowcrispingontheblaze,therewasonlyonemoremattertoattend.‘Thewoman’sname,’reportedbroad-facedBrotherGalicaastheChapter

Masterstoppedbesidehim,‘isJilenne.’‘Jilenne,’Kantorrepeatedwithanod.‘Thankyou,brother.Makereadyto

leave.’Galicasaluted,turnedandstrodeofftowardshissquadwhowererunning

quickarmourandweaponschecksinpreparationformovingout.Kantorlookeddownatthecoweringcivilians.Theywerehuddledtogetherinaknot.Galicahadgiventhewomanacanteenofwaterandshewastryingtocoaxherstill-shakingchildrenintotakingsmallsips.Howwretchedtheylooked.Nochildshouldseewhattheyhadseen.No

Rynnitecivilianwassupposedtoendurethis.ItwastheresponsibilityoftheCrimsonFiststoprotectmankind.Howdidthiswomanjudgehim?Hehadfailedinthattask.Herhusbandhadbeenburnedalivenotfivemetresinfrontofher.Theman’sownchildrenhadheardhisscreams.ItseemedimpossibletoKantorthatanyofthis,anyofitatall,wasreallyhappening.Warhadcometohisworlddespiteeverything,despitethefactthathisverypresenceshouldhavepreventedit.Howmuchhadhisowndecisionsprecipitatedthis?Thewomanlookedsosmallandfragile,andyetsheheldherarmsroundher

childrenasifshemightsomehowsparethemfurtherhorrorsbyherownmeagrepower.Shedidnotlookupathim,butwhetherthatwasoutoffearorrespect,hecouldonlyguess.WassheasterrifiedoftheAstartesasshewasoftheorks?HehadremovedhisbattlehelmbeforespeakingwithCortez,andhadleftit

offdeliberatelysoastomakethewomanfeelmoreateasewhiletheyspoke,buthewasn’tsurenowthatitwouldmakeanydifference.Withaconsciousefforttosoftenhisvoice,hesaidtoher,‘Haveyouoryourchildrensufferedanywounds?’Thequestionsoundedfoolishtohimthemomenthesaidit.Ofcoursethey

werewounded,thoughperhapsnotphysically.Intheireyes,theuniversehadchangedforever.Nonightwouldeveragainbringpeaceful,restfulsleep.Visionofgreenhorrorswouldtormenteverylastoneofthemuntilthedaytheydied.TheImperialrecordsspokeforthemselves.Manywhoencounteredalienraceswentmad,nolongerabletobelievetherewasanysafeplaceinagalaxythat

toleratedsuchabominations.Otherscommittedsuicideratherthanfacethegrimtruth.‘Wewillbeleavingyousoon,’hetoldher.‘MyAstartesandIhavefartogo.

Isthereanythingyouneedbeforewedepart?’Thewomanmurmuredtoherchildren,andslowly,reluctantly,theyuntangled

theirarmsfromaroundher.Kantorwatched.Whenherchildrenhaddrawnback,thewomancrawledforwardonherknees

and,sobbingquietly,pressedherforeheadtoKantor’srightboot.‘Yousavedus,lord.BytheGoldenThrone,bytheGod-Emperor’slight,you

savedus.Ibegyou,inthenameofHolyTerra,don’tabandonusnow.Thebeastswillcomeback,won’tthey?’Ididnotsaveyou,thoughtKantor.Alessiodid.Shewasrightabouttheorks.Morewouldcome.Manymore.Itwasas

inevitableasthesunrise.Theorkbikersoftenrodeattheheadofamuchlargercontingent.Whenthatcontingentarrived,therewouldbenosavioursasecondtime.Thewomanandherlittleoneswouldprovideabriefmomentofentertainmentbeforetheywerebutcheredlikethelivestocktheyhadoncedependedon.Butifwetakeresponsibilityforthesepeople,Kantorthoughtbitterly,where

doesitend?Arewetosaveeveryotherman,womanandchildwehappenacross?Theywillslowusdownwhenourgreatestneedistomovequickly.Hegrappledwiththemosthumanpartofhimself,fightingtolockitaway

behindwallsofresolve.Heneededtocrushthesefeelingsofpity.Theywoulddohimnogoodnow.TheChaptermustendure,hetoldhimself,repeatingitlikeamantra.The

Chaptermustendure.Nothingelsecomesclose.Goodintentionswillundous.Theywillleadtoourdestruction.Ifthathappens,wemightaswellhavediedwiththeotherswhenthemissilehit.Itwashardtodo,buthesteppedbackandpulledhisbootfromunderthe

woman’shead.Onlynowdidshelookupathim,andherlargebrowneyes,wetwithtears,soughthis.‘Please,lord!’shecriedout.‘Whathopedowehavealone?’Whathope,indeed,thoughtKantor.Icouldsaythesameformybrothersand

I.WhathopedosixteenhaveagainstaWaaagh?Heturnedfromherandcalledouttohismentomakereadyfortheirdeparture,

thenhemarchedtowardsthefirewherehisthreesquadshadfinishedtheir

checks.Thesoundofherweepingfollowedhim,clawingathisresolve.Heheardhisinnervoicesay,‘Turnfromthosewhoneedyou,andyouwill

loseeverythingthatdefinesyou.’MasterVisidarhadspokenthosewordstohimjustadecadebeforehisdeath.Kantorcursed,knowingthemfortruth.WhenhewastenmetresfromJilenne,heturnedandlookedoverhisshoulder.

Hefelthimselfspeaktoher,heardthewordsinhisearsasiftheyweresomeoneelse’s.Theyseemedtopassfromhislipsautomatically.‘Iwillnotstopyoufromtryingtofollowus,’hetoldher.‘Butyouwillnotbe

abletokeepup.Notforlong.Whileyoucan,however,nogreenskinwilltakeyou,noranyofyourchildren.’Heturnedhiseyesforwardagain,adding,‘ThisisthebestIcandoforyou.’ToJilenne,itwasenough.Thetimbreofhersobschangedfromsorrowand

feartogratitude.Kantorheardherurgeherchildrentostandandfollowasshefellintostep

behindhim.Hecontinuedtowardsthefire,notslowinghispace,butnotincreasingit,either.Allthesame,asheandhisCrimsonFistsleftthefarmingsettlementwiththeir

gaggleofrefugeesintow,Kantorcouldn’tescapeafeelingofdeepforeboding.Hehadcrossedaline.Thewomanwouldsoonrealisehehadgivenherfalsehope.SheandherchildrenwouldtirequicklyandtheAstarteswouldbegintopullaheaduntiltheydisappearedfromviewaltogether.Whatwouldshethinkofhersavioursthen?Andwhatwouldhethinkofhimself?

Theskyturnedfrombluetopurpletoredintheeast.TheHellbladeMountainslookedlikeblacksaw-teethagainstthebackdropofthelambentdawn.Smallpuffsofpinkcloudscuddedoverheadonalightwesterlywind,buttheseasonwaschangingandthecloudswouldbeboiledoffbymid-morning.TheAzcalanrainforesthadbeenbutadarksmearonthefarnorth-western

horizonwhenCortezandtherestofthesurvivorsfromthefortress-monasteryhadsetoffontheirjourneytowardsthecapital.Nowtheywereclosingonitssouth-easternedge.Thelandwasfargreenerhere.Therewerecrowns-of-goldandsnap-thistleseverywhere,andspinycyclacoretreesstoodingroupsoftwosandthrees,alreadystartingtoturntheirblood-redplatestowardstheglowofthenewday.Cortezledtherearguard,followingfivehundredmetresbehindKantorand

SquadSegala,eyesalertforanysignofpursuit.Throughoutthenight,flamingstreakshadcontinuedtocutacrossthesky,aclearsignthattheorkswerestilllandingmoreoftheirnumberwithimpunity.Itseemedtherewasnothinglefttostopthem.Theglobaldefencebatterieswereeitherspentorovercome.TherewasnofurthersignofRynnsguardaircraft.EvenifScarLakehadbeenovertaken,surelythereshouldhavebeensomethingfromthespaceportatthecapital…unlessthattoohadbeenovercome.ThethoughtofitchilledCortez.IfNewRynnSpaceportwaslost,theorks

wouldbelandingforcesdirectlyontheoutskirtsofthecapitalwithoutchallenge.Hecouldn’timagineDrigoAlvezallowingthat,but,ifthespaceportwasstillinfriendlyhands,whereinblazeswastheirairsupport?Wherewerethereconnaissanceflights?SurelyAlvezwouldhavesentsomeonetodiscoverwhyhehadlostallcommunicationwithArxTyrannus?BrotherFenestra’svoicebrokeoverthelink.‘Theyareflaggingbadly,captain.

Weshouldabandonthemnow.’Cortezturnedandlookedbackthewayhehadcome.Tiredfiguresstaggered

afterhim.Thewomanandherchildrenwerefallingfurtherandfurtherbehind.Damnit,Pedro,hethought.Youshouldhaveleftthematthefarm.Buthecouldhardlyabsolvehimself.Itwashisactionsthathaddeniedthema

quickerdeathinthefirstplace.PerhapsPedrohadbeenmistakeningivingthewomanpermissiontofollow,butitwashe,Cortez,whohaddrawnouthersufferinginthefirstplace.Mightitnothavebeenmoremercifultolettheorkwarbosskillherbeforehehadintervened?ShecouldhavefollowedherhusbandintotheEmperor’slight.Itwouldhavesparedherthetormentshewasgoingthroughnow.Hewatchedherforamoment,stumblingonweaklegswhileshedesperately

triedtocarryhertwoyoungestones.Theotherthree,betweentheagesofnineandthirteen,traipsedalonginalineabreastofher,headsbowedwithexhaustion,eyesfixedontheground.Noneofthemspoke.Theyhadnoenergyforthat.InthehourstheyhadtriedtokeepupwiththeCrimsonFists,theyhadbeenforcedtorunforshortperiodstomakeupground,andstilltheyfellbehindbitbybit.Cortezwassurethewomanwouldcollapsesoon.Thechildrenshecarried

weresmall,butevenasmallweighttookitstollonalonghardmarch.Itwasapity.Hefoundthatherespectedheragreatdeal.Herarmsandshouldersmusthavebeenburningwithlacticacid,nottomentionherlegsandthemusclesofherlowerback.Butshekeptputtingonestepoutinfrontoftheother.

Then,justashewasabouttoturnaround,hesawherleftlegcrumpleunderherandshewentdown,turningtoprotectherlittleonesfromimpactwiththegroundevenasshefell.Itlookedlikeherfoothadsnaggedinaclumpofgrass.Herotherchildrenshuffledtohersideandcrouchedthere,urginghertostand.Fenestrahadseenit,too.‘Itisover,then,’hesaid.‘Abouttime.Wecanmove

atspeed.’CortezopenedalinktotheChapterMaster.‘Pedro,it’sme.Thewomanhas

fallen.Idon’tthinkshe’llbegettingup.Ijustwantedtoletyouknow.’TherewasamomentbeforeKantorreplied.‘Shefoughthardtohangon.

Impressivethatshelastedaslongasshedid,isitnot?’‘Itis,’saidCortezafterabeat.‘Butitendshere.Herburdenistoogreatto

continue.’Againhepaused.‘I…Ishouldnothavesavedher,Pedro.Imerelypostponedtheinevitableandprolongedhertorment.PerhapsIshould…’‘…grantherthefinalmercy?’saidKantor,finishingCortez’ssentenceforhim.‘Yes.’TherewassuchalongpausethistimethatCortezstartedtothinktheChapter

Masterhadclearedthelink.Then,finally,Kantorsaid,‘Holdpositionandwaitforme,buttelltherestofyourmentokeepmovingtowardsthetreeline.Iwantoursquadsincoverbeforethesunsarevisible.’Cortezwasunsurewhathisoldfriendwasupto,buthesaid,‘Asyouwish,’

and,asecondlater,clearedthelink.HerelayedtheChapterMaster’sorderstohismen,andtheypushedahead,Fenestrastridingawayfasterthantheothers.Hewatchedthemforamomentuntiltheydisappeareddownashallowdecline.Closetowheretheyvanished,thetallfigureofPedroKantorappeared,walkingbacktowardshim.EventhoughKantor’sarmourwasscratched,chipped,dentedandburned

blackinplaces,hestilllookedlikeafigureoflegend,stilleverythingaChapterMastershouldbe.Hisgoldenhaloshoneinthegrowinglight.WhenhewasthreemetresfromCortez,hestoppedandlookedeast.‘Thesuns

willbeupverysoon,Alessio.Weshouldhavebeeninthecoveroftheforestbynow.Werungreatriskofbeingspottedfromtheair.’Corteznodded.Heknewthehabitsoftheorks,knewtheyseldomflewat

night.Theireyesightwaspoorcomparedtotheirsenseofsmell,anddarknessbroughtakindofmalaisedownonthemwithoutwhichtheymighthavebutcheredeachotherinthedark,soviolentweretheirtendencies.Theyonlyeverlaunchednightattacksbythelightofflamingtorchesorsearchlights,whichwasdoublyfortuitousbecausesuchlightsmadeconvenientmarkersforImperial

artilleryfire.Assoonasthesunswereup,theskywouldfillwithnoisy,uglyflyingmachines.Kantorwasright.Theyhadtogettothecoveroftheforestwithinthenexttenminutes.‘Come,’saidtheChapterMaster,andhestrodeinthedirectionofthechildren

wheretheyhoveredovertheirmother’sunmovingform.ThechildrenheardthetwomassiveSpaceMarinesapproachingand,withfear

apparentontheirfaces,tookafewnervousstepsback,conflictedbetweenfeelingsofconcernfortheirmotherandconcernfortheirownlives.Cortezsawthemeyeinghisweapons,especiallyhispowerfist.Hewonderedwhattheywerethinking.Didtheyreallybelievehewouldcrushthemwithit?Inauniverseascruelasthis,perhapstheydid.Cometothinkofit,whatexactlywerePedro’sintentions?Didheplantoput

theentirebroodoutofitsmisery?Kantorcrouchedatthewoman’ssideandremovedhishelmet.Corteztriedtoreadhisface,butitbetrayednoemotion.‘Jilenne,’saidtheChapterMaster.‘Canyouhearme?’Thewoman’seyeswereclosed,butherlipsparted.Weakly,quietly,shesaid,

‘Theyweresoheavy.Soheavy…’Kantornodded.‘Yes,’hesaid,‘butyoudidwelltobringthemthisfar.’Reachingout,heliftedthetwosmallestchildrenawayfromherandgestured

totheolderchildrentotakethem.Theydidso,andKantorturnedbacktothewoman.TheEmperor’smercy,thoughtCortez.Youshouldnothavetodothis,Pedro.

Itismyfault.Itismysoulthatshouldbearthestain.Beforehecouldcommunicatethis,Kantorspoke.‘Itistime,’hesaid,andhereacheddowntothewomanwithhisgauntleted

hands.‘Timethatsomeonecarriedyounow.’AsCortezwatched,theChapterMasterliftedthewomanandstoodtohisfull

height,cradlingherexhaustedforminhisarms.Shelookedsosmallandfragileagainsthissculptedceramitechest,littlemorethanarag-doll.ThentheChapterMasterturnedtoCortezandsaidoverthelink,‘Onceweare

amongthetrees,theywillhaveabetterchance.TheyarechargesoftheChapternow,andwecannotabandonthem.’Carryingthewomanasifsheweighednothingatall,Kantorbeganstridingfor

thedistanttreeline.Overthelink,headded,‘Helpthechildren,Alessio.Helpthemgettocoverquickly.Thesunswillbeupwithinmoments.’Cortezlookeddownatthechildren.Theirclothesweretornandstainedwith

thedirtoftheirnight-timetrek,but,ineyesofthethreeeldestatleast,hecouldseeafiercesparkandrecogniseditasthewilltolive.Verywell,hethought.Hisownchildhoodhadbeenbrutal,adailystruggletosurviveintheswamps

andmarshesofBlackwater,whereeventhesmallestcreaturerepresentedadeadlythreat,andchildrenoftenkilledotherchildrenovermattersofhuntingterritoryandmaterialpossessions.Thesechildrenwerenotlikehim.Theyhadbeenraisedasfarmers,notkillers.Atleasttheywerehealthyfromworkingtheland.Theywouldnotneedtobecarried.Theywouldmakethetreelineintimeiftheymovedoffnow.‘Donotbeafraid,’hesaidashesteppedforward,bent,andscoopedupthetwo

smallestchildren.‘Yourmotherwillbefine,butwemusthurryandfollowher.Youmustbehungry,allofyou.Therewillbefruitintheforest,andwater.Youcaneatasmuchasyoucanfind,butonlyifyoukeeppacewithme.Isthatclear?’Theoldest,aboyofthirteen,stammeredalittleandcouldn’tbringhimselfto

lookupatthehard,emotionlessmaskofCortez’shelmet,buthemanagedtosay,‘Wecanrestandeatthere,intheforest?’‘Youcan,’saidCortezandheturnedinthedirectionofthetreeline.‘But,asI

said,youmustkeepup.’Hebeganwalkingatafairclip.Thetwosmallchildrenhecarriedwereboth

cryingloudly,aparticularlygratingsound.Behindhim,heheardtheotherspantinghardastheyjoggedtokeepupaswell

astheycould.Thetreesloomedcloserandcloser,andreachedoutcoolshadowyarmstogatherthemin,embracingthemjustasthelargerofRynn’sWorld’stwosunspokeditsheadabovetheknife-likepeaksoftheHellblades.Anewdayhadbegunand,allacrossthecontinent,thesavagehordeswere

stirring.

TENZonaRegis,NewRynnCity

‘Eggsargalatto,’saidapetiteservant,‘slicedmarsh-melon,andpickledvalphidhearts.’Sheplacedthreedishesonthetable.Withabow,sheretreatedfromthebalcony,movedbackintotheshadowsofthemainchamberandstayedthere,outofsightbutcloseenoughtoswiftlyansweranyrequestsherladyshiporhertwoguestsmightmake.Shivara,thegovernor’sbodyguard,stoodthere,too.Thesunswereup,andtheaironthebalconywaswarmingquickly.The

soundsofheavyartilleryfromthecityperimeterhadstartedanhourago,shockingandunwelcomeatfirst,butsoconstant,sounrelenting,thattheyquicklybecamebackgroundnoise.Noscreamsorbattlecriescouldbeheardatthisdistance.Maiawasthankful

forthat.Despitetheboomingoftheguns,shesmiledacrossthetableatherbreakfastguests,ViscountIsophoandGeneralMir,andgesturedatthefood.‘Please,enjoy.’Isophosmiledback,butMirglancedathisfoodwithoutexpression.‘I’msureit’sdivine,mylady,’hesaidwithoutmuchconviction.Perhapsit

wastoorichforhistastes,Maiathought.Hepickeduphisfork,buthedidn’ttakeamouthfuluntilMaiaherselfhaddoneso.AmongtheRynniteupperclasses,nomanatebeforealadyseatedatthesametabletookherfirstbite.Maialiftedasmallforkfuloftheeggsandswallowed,breakingthespell.The

othersbegantoeat.‘Iaskedyoutojoinme,gentlemen,’shesaid,‘becausethereismuchto

discuss,andIwoulddoitherewheretheconstantinterruptionsoftheUpperRynnhousewillnotbotherus.Iwantyoutospeakfranklyaboutoursituation.’‘Whatdoyouwishtoknow,lady?’saidMir,liftingagobletofchilledwater.

‘Theessentialswerealreadycoveredinyesterday’sfinalsession.’‘True,’saidMaia,‘butyou’vehadanighttoreassess.I’dliketohearyour

currentthoughts.’‘ItisastheAstartessaiditwouldbe,’saidMir.‘Thegreenskinassaultseased

offduringthehoursofdarkness.CaptainAlvezhadourartillerytargetingenemylightsourcesclosetothewalls.Wedimourownlights,naturally.Withoutavisibletarget,theorksareunfocussedandhavenothingtoattack.Iflastnightwasanythingtogoby,ourforceswillhaveampletimeforre-armingandrecoverybeforeeachdawn.Thatwillbecrucialifwe’retoholdlongenoughforaidtoarrive.Andwewillhold,butthereisnoroomforcomplacency.TheSpaceMarineScoutsmaintainaconstantvigil,nomatterthehour.OurownScoutsdolikewise,thoughatshorterrange.I’veheardthatasubsetofthegreenskinhordeutilisenight-visionequipmentandstealthtactics,buttheyareatinyminority.Iftheyseektoinfiltratethecity,wewillrespondwithlethalforce.’Maianodded.‘Thenitisthehoursofdaylightwemustworryabout.Hasour

anti-airdefencebeenstrengthenedinaccordancewiththecaptain’sdecree?’‘Tothebestofourability,yes,’saidMir,gulpingdownamouthfulofvalphid

heartbeforecontinuing.‘OurHydrasandmissilebatterieshavebeenrepositionedtocounterthegreatestareasofthreat,butitleavescertainothersectionsofthewallatrisk,mostlytotheeast,westandnorth-west.Ofcourse,theShieldRangeoffersusameasureofcoveronthelatter.Themountainsarerelativelyfreeofthefoe.’‘Surelywecan’taffordanyweakpointsatall?’saidIsopho.Mirturnedtohim.‘I’mafraidourtacticalchoicesareratherlimited,viscount.

Wefacegreatestpressurefromthesouthandsouth-east.Mostoftheorkshipsinthisregionlandedthere.Giventhesizeofthecapital,ourdefencehastobesomewhatreactive.TheCrimsonFistshaveorganisedtheirLandSpeeders,bikesandtransportsintorapidresponseunits.I’vedonethesamewithourSentinelsandChimeras.Theywillmovetoholdanygapstheorkstrytoexploit.Togetherwithourinfantryandartilleryregiments,themainbulkoftheSpaceMarineforcewillholdthewallsandgateswherewefacethemostcontinuouspressure.Weshalldoeverythingwecantomaintaintheterritorywehave.Ionlywishwe’dhadtimetoorganiseatrenchworksontheoutskirtsofthecitybeforethexenoslanded.Wemighthaveheldfarmoregroundthatwaythanwedid.’MaiaraisedhergobletinMir’sdirection.‘Youdidexceptionallywellunder

thecircumstances,general.Butit’simperativewelosenomoreground.BishopGalendavisitedmepersonallyafteryesterday’ssessiontodemandextra

protectionfortheZonaSanctumandthechurchesintheotherdistricts.’‘Heshouldn’tbebringingthattoyou,mylady,’saidIsophowithascowl.Mirnodded.‘IfthebishopwishestodiscussthedefenceoftheGreatBasilica,

sendhimmyway.’Maialookedoutfromthebalconyacrossthecity.Hercity.Inthedistance,

wherethefightingwas,columnsofsmokestoodlikedarktowersagainstthesky.‘HeplanstopetitiontheAstartes,’shesaid.‘ButIdoubthewillfindCaptain

Alvezawillingear.’IsophoandMirsharedalook.‘TheCrimsonFistsarenotaspeoplethinkthem

tobe,’saidIsopho.‘Ourprotectorsareascoldandhardasthearmourtheywear.Isometimeswonderifthereisahumanbeinginsideatall.’‘Theyarenothuman,’saidMaia,returninghereyestoherplateandspearing

anothersliceofmarsh-melon.‘Theyaresomethinggreater,anditmakesthemdistant,yes,butweshouldlovethemallthemoreforthat.Perhapslossofhumanityisthepriceofsuchstrength.’Therewasanunmistakeablesadnessinhertone.Isophoshiftedinhisseatasifsuddenlyuncomfortable.Hehadheardthe

rumoursaboutthestatueinMaia’sroom.HehadheardwhispersofherinfatuationwiththeChapterMaster.Hehadhopeditwasjusttalk,butnowhefeltcertainitwasmorethanthat.‘Idoubtwewilleverunderstandthem,’Maiacontinued,somewhatwistfully,

‘butIknowI’mgladthey’rehere.’GeneralMirvoicedhisagreement.Astheyate,thefightingcontinuedall

alongthedefensiveline.Outthereonthewalls,menandAstartesalikefoughtanddiedtoholdbackthexenoshordes.Itwasstillearly,butalreadymanyhadbeguntoprayfornighttoreturn.

ELEVENTheAzcalanRainforest,RynnlandProvince

‘Somethingiswronghere,lord,’saidSergeantViejototheChapterMaster.Uponreachingtheforest,theCrimsonFistshadpushedinwardsafewhundred

metresandspreadout,establishingasmallperimeter,makingsurethatnosurpriseslurkedinthedenseshadowsunderthethicklyclusteredtrees.Nowtheystoodinacircle,weaponsheldready,eyesoutward,theirlight-

boostingvisorshelpingtopiercetheshadebeneaththedensecanopy.Theforestwasdeathlyquiet,asiftherewerenoanimalsofanykind.With

winterover,thethinshaftsoflightthatpenetratedthecanopyanddappledtheforestfloorshouldhavebeenalivewithcloudsofneedlewingsandscallopbacks,thepredatorsthatfeastedonthem,andalltheotherformsoflifethatflourishedhere.Buttherewerenone.Noornithidscriedoutfromthetreetops.Nobrachiodontsbrayedfromthe

banksoftheRiverRynnthatcutthroughtheforestdeeps.Nokynidsgrowledandspatfromtheirburrowentrancesamongthetangledrootsandvines.Kantordrewadeeplungfulofthecoolairandfocussedhismindon

processingthemolecularmessageswithinit.Someofthescentswerehisown:metal,ceramite,thehotionisedairwhichconstantlyventedfromtheexhaustportsofhisback-mountedgenerator.Onhisarmour,Kantoralsosmelledtracesoftheskinandsweatofthewoman,

Jilenne,whomhehadsetdownagainsttheboleofathicktreeonceitwasclearthattherewasnoimmediatedangerinthearea.Shewasrestingnow,sleepingwithherchildrenafterconsumingsomeoftheforestfruitthatBrotherAlcadorhadfoundforthem.Thescentofvegetationdominated,ofcourse.Kantorcouldsmellthethick

spongybarkofthetrees,theleavesoverhead,theweedsandshootsunderfoot.Thesoilwasrichwithnutrientsandminerals.Andtherewassomethingelse,faintbutfamiliar.Hehadlastsmelleditjust

threehoursago.Ork.TheotherCrimsonFistsdetecteditatalmosttheexactsamemomentKantor

did,theirfingersreadyontriggersastheyscannedthefoliageforthesource.Thoughtheirfaceswerecoveredbytheirhelmets,Kantorcouldreadthesuddentensionintheirmomentseasilyenough.‘Thereisnobreezehere,’saidSergeantSegala.‘Hardtotrackthembyscent

alone.’SergeantViejoconcurred.‘Difficulttopinpoint.There’snosignthattheyhave

passedthisway.Nofootprints.Noblade-marksonthetrees.’Orkswouldnothavepassedthroughherewithouthackingatthetree-trunks

withtheirblades.Suchmindlessdisplaysofaggressionwereasnaturaltothemasbreathing.Theirtinymindsconstantlydrovethemtoexpresstheirviolentnatures.‘West,’saidCortez,removinghishelmettotakeadeeperdraughtoftheair.‘I

cannotbesure,butitseemsslightlystrongerfromthewest.’‘TheTecalaRiveristhatway,’saidKantor.‘Soisthebridgewemustcross.’BrotherDelgahnspokeup,thefirsttimeanyonehadheardhimdososince

theyhadlefttheruinsofArxTyrannusbehind.‘Mylord,permitmethehonourofreconnaissance.Ifthereareorkswestof

here,Iwillfindthem.’NowanotherofCortez’ssquadaddedhisvoice.ItwasBrotherFenestra.

‘Perhapsmylordwillconsenttosendbothofus.’Whatisthis,thoughtKantor?DotheythinkIholdthemresponsibleforthe

battleatthefarm?Idisplayednoangertowardsthem.TheyweremerelyfollowingAlessio.Evenso,Kantordecidedhewouldsendsomeoneelse.Letthemthinkwhat

theywouldofthat.‘Denied,’hesaidflatly.‘SergeantViejo,picktwomembersofyoursquad.

Theywillscoutahead.Iwantthemtosecurethebridgefirst,thenmoveoutfromthere.Havethemreportbacktomewithinthehour.CaptainCortez,yoursquadhasnotrestedsinceseeingcombat.Theywillcleantheirarmourandweapons,thenenterafullsleepstateforonehour.SergeantSegala’ssquadwillpatrolourperimeter.Thatisall.’

‘Teves,Galica,’barkedViejo.‘Forwardeyes.Therestofyouareonoverwatch.’Thetwobattle-brotherschosenbythesergeantsalutedKantor,turned,and

meltedintotheshadowstothewest,movingafewmetresapart,weaponsheldready,fatmuzzlessweepinglefttoright,eachcoveringtheanglesoutsidethearcoftheother.Kantorwatchedthemgo,thenturnedandglancedatJilenneandherchildren

wheretheylaysleepingagainstthetree.Theirmuscleswouldbestiffandpainfulwhentheywoke.Thatwouldnothelptheirspeed.Ihaveturnedmypeerlesswarriorsintochildminders,hethoughtbitterly.And

theenemyissomewherenearby,somewhereinthisforest.Unburdenedandunchallenged,wemighthavemadethecapitalwithinthree,maybefour,days.Howlongwillittakeusnow?Lookingatthesleepingfamily,hefeltamixofemotions.Couldheleavethem

here?Itwasthesmartmove,heknew,therightmove.Therewasfoodintheforest.Waterwasabundant.TheycouldmaketheirownwaytothecapitalbyfollowingthewatersoftheRiverRynn.Therewasachancetheywouldsurvive,solongastheorksdidn’tstumbleacrossthem.HerememberedwordsspokentohimbyHighChaplainTomasiafterthe

BattleofBraxaGorge;frankwords,butwell-meaning,spokenwithararehalfsmilesometwohundredandforty-sevenyearsago.‘Iapplaudyourunbendingsenseofhonour,Pedro,’theHighChaplainhadtold

him.Kantorhadbeenasergeantbackthen.Hehadriskedhislifeandthelivesofhissquadbrothersinholdingthegorgeopenforafinalconvoyofrefugeevehicles.Thousandshadbeensaved.‘Butsometimeshonourablemenmustdodishonourablethings.Whatismorallyrightmustbowbeforewhatistacticallysound.Ifearthestandardsyouimposeonyourselfareimpossiblyhigh.Unlessyougivethemup,theywillbethedeathofyouoneday.’KantorwasgladthosewordshadcomefromtheHighChaplainandnotfrom

theChiefLibrarian.FromEustaceMendoza,hewouldhavetakenthemasdarkprophecy.FromTomasi,theywereadvice.AdviceIneverlearnedtofollow,hethought.

Fromthetreeline,KantorcouldnowseewhatGalicaandTeveshadreportedandthen,athisrequest,haddrawninthedirtwiththeirknives.There,abouttwohundredmetresnorth-westofhisposition,wasthecrumpledhullofanorktransport.Thecrafthadplungedfromthesky,smashingagreatholeinthe

forest,creatingaclearingthatwasnowfilledwiththegreenskinsthathadsurvivedthecrash.Thetreetopcanopyhadbeenrippedwideopen.TheruinedshiplaybellyupwiththeRynnitesunsblazingdownonit.Smashedtreetrunkslayatallanglesontheground.Somehadbeenhackeduptofuelthefiresthatdottedtheclearing.Itwasaroundthesefiresthatknotsofbig,powerfulorkssatgorgingthemselvesonhunksofroastedmeat.Kantorsniffedtheair.Atleastthemeatwasnothuman.Hetrackeditsscent

northandfounditssource,thecorpseofabullbrachiodont,itspalebodyrippedopen,thicksectionsofmusclecutaway,itswoundsblackwithcloudsoffeastingflies.Despitemeasuringovertwelvemetresinlength,thecreaturehadn’tstooda

chanceagainstarmedorks.Neitherhadthepeoplestuffedintocrudecagesonthesouth-westernedgeofthecamp.ThesewerenoRynnsguardsoldiers.Judgingbythecolouroftheirstainedandtornattire,theyweresimplepilgrims.MostlikelytheyhadbeenontheroadtoIvestra’sShrineinthenorth-eastwhentheyhadrunintotheorkinvaders.Nowtheyhuddledtogetherinthetightconfinesoftheircages,whimperingandsoilingthemselves,eachprayingheorshewouldn’tbethenextonepicked.Whathappenedtothosethatwerepickedwasalltooclear.Fromthelower

branchesofnearbytrees,lifelessbodieshung,theirfleshcoveredindeepredgashes,theirclothesreducedtoblood-soakedtatters.Thesewoundswerenottheworstofit.Eachofthedeadhadsufferedafurther,greatercruelty.Theirfaceshadbeenentirelyremoved.Notmessily,notbrutally,butwithchillingsurgicalprecision.Thedeadswayedandturnedintheoccasionallightbreeze,theirrictusgrinstauntingthosethathadyettofollow.‘Allsquadsinposition,’CaptainCortezreportedoverthelink.‘Good,’saidKantor.‘Wegoonmycommand.’Heknewhecouldn’tavoidthis.Atfirst,hehadwishedforanotherway,but

thenhehadseentheslavecages,andhismindhadbeenmadeup.Besides,herationalised,thereareclosetoahundredorkshere.Wecouldn’t

pressonsimplyhopingtheywouldn’tgivechase.Theywouldhavehitusfrombehindthemomenttheypickedupourtrail.Still,hewasanxiousaboutpittingalltheAstarteshehadagainstsonumerous

afoewhenammunitionandsupplieswererunningdangerouslylow.Hisassaultplancalledforonlytheminimumexpenditureofbolterrounds,butitwouldalsoputhisFistsincloserangewiththeorks,somethinghewouldhavepreferredtoavoidgiventhechoice.

Hehadhopedtoidentifythemob’sleader,too,beforelaunchingtheattack,butsofarnoneoftheorksinviewseemedtobeincharge.Nonewerethatmuchlargerordarkerthantheothers,anditwasthesetwosigns,aboveanyother,thatusuallyindicatedwhichgreenskindominated.Kantor’seyesflickedbacktothetwistedwreckageoftheorkcraft.Theleadermustbeinside,hethought,butthefightingwillbringitout.Hekeyedanopencomm-channelandaddressedthethreesquadsathis

disposal.‘CrimsonFists,’hetoldthem.‘Giveventtoyourrage.Domeproud.Openfire!’Fromthetree-lineallaroundtheorkcamp,thebarkofbolter-firesoundedin

short,sharp,tightly-controlledbursts.EachoftheCrimsonFistshadalreadypickedhistargetandlineditupbeforetheorderwasgiven.OnKantor’scommand,thefirstlivesweretaken.Explosiveheadshotssentadozencarcassesslumpingtotheground,bloodpumpingoutingreatfountains.Theotherorks,seeingtheirkinslaughteredinfrontofthem,swepttheir

weaponsupandcockedthem.Theyhadseenthemuzzleflashesfromtheinkyshadowsbeneaththetrees.Nowtheyswungtheirbroadstubbermuzzlesaroundtoopenfire.‘Smoke!’Kantorcommandedoverthelink.SmallmetalcanistersglintedintheRynnitesunlightastheyarcedoutfromthe

treesandintowardsthedensestknotsoforks.Someoftheorksstaredatthemdumblyastheylandedbytheirfeet.Othersopenedfireatthetreeswithtypicallypooraim.Thecanistersbeganhissingandspewingoutathick,chokingblanketofgreysmokethatsooncloggedtheairovertheentireclearing.Itwasimpossibletoseeanythingbutthebrightmuzzleflashesoftheorkgunsastheyfiredmadlyatnothing.‘Switchtothermalsight,’saidKantoroverthelink,simultaneouslysending

thethoughtalongtheneuroconnectorsthatlinkedhisbraintothesystemsofhisarmour.Hishelmet’svisionmodeflickeredtotheappropriatefilter,showinghimanoisygreyimagewithfatwhitesilhouettesfiringwildlyinalldirections.‘Movein!’heordered.Itwentexactlyashehadplanned.Theorkscouldseenothingatall,andcut

downagoodmanyoftheirownnumberwithtorrentsoflethal,undisciplinedfire,whiletheAstartespressedintothesmoke-filledclearing,killingastheywent.Bestialroarsoffrustrationandangerechoedbackfromthetreetrunksonallsides,mergingwiththedeeprattleofsomanyguns.KantorstrodeforwardwithDorn’sArrowraisedatshoulderheight.Every

bellowingxenosshapethatloomedoutofthesmokereceivedtwolethalstorm-bolterroundsinthehead.Hugebodiesdroppedtotheforestfloor,theirweaponsclatteringonrocksandfallentrees.Thegreenskinswereblind,andtheAstarteswerenot,anditwasmoreamassacrethanatruefight.KantorloweredDorn’sArrowandflickedontheenergyfieldofhispowerfist,

feelingitslethalaurapricktheskinofhisarmasitcrackledtolife.Allovertheclearing,hisAstartesweredoingthesameinabidtoconserverounds.Cortez,ViejoandSegalaeachborepowerfistsoftheirown,andtheyemployedthemtodeadlyeffectnow,punchingandrippingatanythingthatcamewithinrange.TheotherFistscarriedlongcombatbladeswithmonomolecularedgesandcruelserrations.Thesetheywieldedwiththecoldefficiencythatmanydecadesofdailypracticehadgiventhem.Theyslashedandstabbedatthearteriesandvitalorgansofenemieswhostillcouldnotseethem.Thecoverofthesmokewouldn’tlastmuchlonger.Therewasaslightbreeze

fromthenorth-eastandtheveilsofgreybegantodissipate.Howmanyoftheorkshadalreadyfallen?Sixty?Seventy?Kantordidn’tknow.Thenatureofthebattlechanged.Thesmokenolongerofferedadequatecover.

Kantorcycledhisvisorbacktostandardvisionmodeandsawahuge,battle-scarredbeastsurgingstraighttowardshimwithironaxesinbothmeatyhands.Thebeastroaredasitcame,madredeyesburningwithbloodlust.Kantorfelthiscenturies-honedcombatinstinctstakeover,movinghimintopositionwithoutconsciousthought.Heslippedtheork’sfirstwhistlingslasheasily,steppedin,andcaughtthesecondonhisleftvambracebeforeitfell.Forjustaninstant,heandthemonsterstoodlockedinthatposition,thecreature’sbreathsourandhotandutterlyfoul,reachingKantor’snosethroughtheductsinhisfaceplate.Therewerethickgobbetsofbrachiodontfleshlodgedbetweenthemonster’steeth,rottingremnantsofitslastmeal.‘Eatthisinstead,’growledKantor.Hethrewhisweightbehindadeadlyrightuppercut,andheardtheenergyfield

ofhispowerfistcracklikeaboltoflightning.Theblowcaughttheorkinthesternumandblewtheentirecontentsofitstorsooutofamassiveexitwoundinitsback.Redeyesrolledbackintheirsockets.Coredlikeanapple,thesuddenlylimpcreaturefellawayfromitskiller,collapsingtothegroundinasplashofwetgore.Kantorsteppedbackandlookedup.Closetothecentreoftheclearing,his

battle-brotherswereworkingtogethertoexterminatethelastoftheorkfighters,cuttingthemdowntwo-orthree-to-one.Movementclosetothejaggedrentin

thehullofthecrashedshipcaughtKantor’seye.Onesquad,hesaw,wasabouttogoinside.Hedidn’thavetochecktoknowwhowasleadingthatsquad.‘Alessio,’hesaidoverthelink.Thefigureatthefrontofthesquadturnedforamoment.‘Letmedothis,’said

Cortez.Kantornodded.‘Go.’Thesquaddisappearedinsidethedownedship,andtheChapterMasterturned

tosurveytherestofthecamp.Manyoftheorkfireshadbeenkickedoverinthefighting.Afewstillburned.Twoofthosesnappedandpoppedastheyconsumedthefleshoforksthathadfallenontopofthem.Kantorturnedhiseyestothecagesinwhichthecapturedpilgrimswere

huddled.Someofthoseclosesttothebars,hesaw,hadbeencaughtinthefirefight,theirbodiesperforatedbystrayshellsfromtheorkstubbers.Heheardthesoundofsobbeddenialsasthoseclosetothemhuggedthebodiesclose,desperatelypleadingwiththeirfallenkinorspousestoholdontolifedespitetheirwounds.Kantorwalkedovertothenearestofthecages.Thepeopleinsideshrunkback

infear,despitethefactthathehadsavedthemandtheysurelyknewwhathewas.‘Standback,’hetoldthem,thoughhehardlyneededto.Hereachedforwardwithhispowerfist,grabbedaholdofthespikedandrusty

ironbars,andrippedthecageopen.Thisdone,helookeddownatthepeopleheandhisAstarteshadjustsaved.‘Exitthecageandgatherinthecentreoftheclearing,’heboomedatthem.‘I

amPedroKantor,LordHellblade,ChapterMasteroftheCrimsonFists.DoasIsay.Youaresafenow.Iwillfreetheothers.’

Thecrashedorkcraftwasnotallthatlarge,butitscorridorsandchambershadbeenbuilttoaccommodatebeingstallerandbroaderthanAlessioCortez,andheandhissquadmovedeasilyalongthem,boltersup,clearingroomafterdimlylitroom.Mostly,theyfoundonlygretchinworkingbusilywithwrenchesandhammersonpiecesofweirdandinexplicablemachinery.Thesetheydispatchedwithknivesorgauntletedhands,runningthemthroughortwistingtheirheadsfromtheirnecksbeforetheycouldscrambleforshelter.Theyfoundonlyafewfull-grownorks.Mostofthelargerbruteshadbeen

outsidewhentheassaulttookplace.Thoseleftwithinwerestrappedtogurneys,

apparentlyrecoveringfromsomekindofbizarresurgery.Itexplainedwhytheyhadn’trushedouttojointhebattle.Oneofthesehadasecondgrotesqueheadgraftedtoitsleftshoulder,thecrudestitchingclearlyvisibleeveninthelowlight.Itappearedtobeunconscious.Cortezjammedhisknifebetweenitsvertebrae,severingthecriticalnerves,makingsureitneverwokeup.Anotheroftheorks,notquiteunconsciousbutstillgroggy,hadanextrapairofthick,musculararmsgraftedontoitships.TheappearanceoftheCrimsonFistsrousedit,anditstruggledagainstitsbondstoriseandengagethem.BrotherBenizarsteppedinandplungedhisknifeintoitsthroat.BrotherRapalajoinedhimand,together,theycutthebeasttopieces.Soon,thecorridortheywerefollowingendedinabroadarchwaythrough

whichbrightlightcouldbeseen.Cortez,outinfrontasusual,heldupahand,andhissquadhalted.‘Listen,’hetoldthemoverthelink.Therewasastrangesoundcomingfromthewell-litchamberupahead.Itwas

asoundthatdidn’tbelonghere,almostahumansound,butissuingfrominhumanlips.Therewassomethingelse,too–thesoundofmuffledcrying,asifsomeonewassobbingthroughagag.Cortezcreptforwardasquietlyaspossibleand,fromthecoverofthearchway,peeredintothechamberbeyond.Cablesandpipeshungfromoverheadingreattangles.Thefloor,whichhad

beentheceilingbeforethecraftlandedonitsback,waslitteredwithbrokensectionsofpipe,metalplates,snappedstanchionsandacollectionofinstruments,thepurposeofwhichCortezcouldn’tbegintoguessat.Andthere,inthecentreofallthis,hesawabizarreandterriblescene.Therewasasingleorkinthemiddleoftheroom,anditwashumminga

tunelessmelodytoitselfasitsharpenedalargescalpelonawhetstone.Itworealongtunicwhichhadperhapsoncebeenwhite,butwhichwasnowsosoakedandstainedwithbloodthatitwasn’teasytobesureanymore.ThebeastlookedlikeatwistedparodyofanImperialmedicae.Perhapsithad

seenmembersofthemedicaeonitstravelsthroughthegalaxyandhadrealisedthattheirattiresymbolisedtheirprofession.Haditsoughttoemulatethem?Perhapsithadsimplypickedthetunicupsomewhereandhaddonneditarbitrarily.Whateverthereason,itwasclearthatthismonsterwasresponsibleforthetwo-headedorkCortezandhissquadhadfoundearlier,nottomentiontheothermonstrosities.Itwasalsoclearthatthisbeastwasresponsibleforthefacelesshumancorpses

thathungfromthebranchesofthetreesoutside.Cortezcouldtellthisimmediatelyfromlookingattheork’sface.WhereanImperialmedicaewould

havewornasurgicalmasktodohiswork,thiscreatureworethefacialfleshofitslastvictim.Theeffectwashorrifying.Thefleshymaskwasstillwetwiththevictim’sblood.Themuffledwhimpersoundedagain,andCortezturnedhiseyestothesource.

Strappedtighttoatableinfrontofthestrangeorksurgeon,ahumanmaleofabouttwentyyearsoldstruggledagainsthisrestraints.Hismouthwasindeedgagged,buthiseyeswerewideastheorkturned,scalpelinhand,andapproachedhim.Cortezturnedfromthesceneandhandedhisboltpistoltothebattle-brother

behindhim.ItwasFenestra.‘Holdthis,’hesaid.‘Iwon’tbeneedingitfornow.’FenestratookthepistolandlookedbackatCortez.‘Whatareyougoingto

do?’Cortezmovedoutfromtheshadowofthearchwayandsteppedintothe

chamber,lettingthebrightelectriclightshowhiminallhislethalglory.Theorkhadbeenabouttomakeitsfirstincisioninthetrappedhuman’sface.

But,withCortezmakinghispresenceknown,itlookedupfromitsworkandgaveasnarloffury.ItabandonedthescalpelforanastylookingbuzzsawandmovedaroundtheoperatingtabletowardsCortez,itsintentionsclear.Cortezdroppedintoacombatstance.‘I’mgoingtoripthisfilthlimbfromlimb,’hetoldFenestra.Andthatwasexactlywhathedid.

CortezemergedfromthehulloftheorktransportandstrodeovertoKantor’ssidewherehestoodtalkingtotheleaderofthepilgrimstheyhadrescuedfromthecages.ThehaggardrefugeeslookedupatCortezinhorror.Drenchedashewasinthe

bloodofhisenemies,helookedlikesomekindofdeathgodfreshfromthepit,andhewouldhaveterrifiedalmostanyone.‘Thecrafthasbeencleared,’hereportedtotheChapterMastercoolly.Kantorglancedoverathisoldfriend,notingthestateofhisarmour,then

merelynodded.BrotherBenizarbroughtthemanCortezhadrescuedfromtheoperatingtable

forward,andawomanrosefromthegroundandracedtowardshimtoembracehim,callinghisnamebetweengreatsobsofrelief.TheSpaceMarinesignoredthejoyfulreunion,butthegratefulwomaninsisted

onthrowingherselfbeforeBenizarandkissingthebackofhisrightgauntlet.FenestraandRapala,whowerejustbehindhim,laughedoutloud,andBenizar

pulledhishandfromthewoman’sgrasp,saying,‘Itisthecaptainyoushouldthank,woman.’HegesturedatCortez,andthewomanturnedeagerlytolavishhergratitudeon

theonewhohadsavedherhusband.But,whenshesawthegore-splashedfiguretowhichBenizarwasreferring,shebalkedandkneltwhereshewas,mutteringherthanksoverandover,notdaringtolifthereyes.Cortezpaidhernoheedwhatsoever.‘This,’saidKantor,addressinghim,‘isMenaleosDasat,theleaderofthis

group.’TheChapterMastergesturedtoaskinnyoldmaninstainedbrownrobes.Despiteallthemanhadclearlybeenthrough,therewassomethingstrongabouthisbearing,ifnothisbody.‘DasatwasguidingthemtotheshrineofSaintIvestra,’continuedKantor,‘followingtheoldpathonfoot,whentheorksambushedthem.Dasat,thisisCaptainAlessioCortez,MasteroftheCharge,commanderoftheCrimsonFistsFourthCompany.’Dasatpressedhisforeheadtotheground,thensatbackonhiscalvesandsaid,

‘Iamunworthyeventokneelbeforeyou,mylord.’Cortezgaveonlythebriefestofnodsbywayofgreeting,thenturnedhiseyes

backtoKantor.‘Weshouldbeawayfromhere.Thereisstillalongwaytogo.’Atthatmoment,SergeantViejoappearedfromtheclearing’seasternedge,

leadingJilennewithherchildrenintow.Priortotheassaultonthecamp,Kantorhadorderedthewomantoremainbehind,shelteringbeneaththerootsofanebonwoodtree.Hehadn’tneededtotellhertwice.SheknewthemomentshesawtheAstartesreadyingtheirweaponsthattherewereorksinthevicinity.Sheandherchildrenhadwaited,scarcelydaringtobreathuntilsomeonecamebacktofetchthem.Viejocarriedthetwosmallestchildreninhisarms.TheChapterMasterturnedDasat’sattentiontowardsthemandsaid,‘This

womanandherchildrenwerealsorescuedfromthexenos.Theyarenotpilgrims,butyouwillshowthemthedepthsofyourkindness.Theyhavesufferedmuchasyouhave.’Dasatbowedagain.‘AllthefaithfulareoneundertheImperialcreed,’hesaid.

‘Wewillembracethemasiftheywereourown,mylord.Tothinkthatchildrensoyoung…’Heletthewordshang.‘Howlongwillittakeyourpeopletogetready,Dasat?’Kantorasked.‘Wecan

wastenotime.Otherorkpartiesmayhaveheardthegunfire.’Thementionofthispossibilityseemedtoputfreshenergyintothetired-

lookingrefugees.‘Wehavenothing,lord,’saidDasat.‘Wearereadytofollowat

yourcommand.Butwehavenoteatensinceourcapture,andthewatertheygaveuswasfoulwiththeirwaste.Wecouldnotdrinkit.I’mafraidweareveryweak.’KantorcalledSergeantSegalaovertohisside.‘Sergeant,howlongwouldittakeyoutofindsomethingthesepeoplecould

eat?’Segalabarelythoughtaboutitforaninstant.‘Therearefruitingtreesnearby.

Groundpearsandaberloc.’‘Good,’saidKantor.‘Dasat,sendsomeofyourpeoplewithSergeantSegala

here.Hewillleadthemtofood.Theymustbringbackenoughforeveryone,andextraforthejourneyahead.’ToSegalahesaid,‘Wecanspareonlyminutesforthis,sergeant.Makehaste.’Segalaclashedafistonhisbreastplate.‘Byyourcommand,lord.’Thenhe

turnedandbeganstridingtowardstheedgeoftheclearing.Dasatcalledoutseveralnames,andfigureshurriedfromthegrouptofollowthemassiveSpaceMarine.Jilenneandherchildrenhadjoinedthegroupnow,andthefemalepilgrims

weremakingagreatfussoverthem.Dasatsmiledashewatched.‘Iwillleaveyoutobecomeacquainted,’saidKantor,turningfromthelittle

man.HegesturedforCorteztowalkwithhim.Behindthem,Dasatpressedhisheadtothegroundagain,thenturnedandrose

tointroducehimselftoJilenne.‘Didyouseeit?’KantoraskedCortez.‘Itisquiteremarkable,yes?’CortezdetectedunexpectedpainintheChapterMaster’svoice.‘I’msorry,

Pedro,’hesaid.‘DidIseewhat?’Kantorangledhisheadtolookathimwhiletheywalked.‘Theresemblance,

Alessio.Theresemblance.Thisman,thisDasat…heremindsmesomuchofRamirthatIhadtolooktwicetobesureIwasn’tseeingthings.’NowCortezunderstoodthepaininhisoldfriend’svoice.‘I’msorry,brother,’hesaid,‘butIdon’tseeit.TheOrdinatorwaseasilytwice

thatman’ssize.’Hepaused.‘AndRamirSavaleswouldhavediedfightingwithhisbarehandsratherthanlettheorkstakehimalive.’Kantorwastakenabackattheangerhedetectedinthatlastsentence.He

stoppedandfacedthecaptain.‘Doyoudetestthem,Alessio?’heasked.‘Doyouhatethembecausethey

clingtolifesodesperately?’‘Idonothatethem,’saidCortez.‘Buttheyareanotherburdenonusnow.I

admitthatthewomanandthechildrenweremydoing,Pedro.Iwishitwereotherwise.Butnowweareshepherdingalmostthirtypeople,noneofwhomareevenarmed.Wherewillyoudrawtheline?’Kantoransweredthroughlipsdrawntight.‘Therewasaline,Alessio.

Rememberthat.Therewasaline,anditwasyouwhocrossedit.Nowweareresponsibleforthesepeople,andyouwillprotectthem.YouwillhonourthenameRogalDorn,andyouwillhonourme.’AsheturnedandstrodeawayfromCortez,hehadonelastthingtosay.‘Getyoursquadready,captain.Youareonpoint.’

MenaleosDasatwasawedandterrifiedatthesametime,buthedarednotshowthelatterforfearofinsultinghissaviours.Allhislife,hehadpreachedtheImperialcreedtoanywhowouldlisten.HewasnoEcclesiarch,justthesonofasimplefarmer,buthisfaithintheEmperorofMankindwasapowerfulthing,andovertheyearshehaddrawnothersabouthim,otherswhoneededmoreintheirlives,neededsomethingtobelievein,somethingtogivetheirlaboursagranderpurpose.Dasathadgrownupinacrop-harvestingsettlementjustnorthofSagarro,on

theprovincialborderbetweenInpharisandRynnland.Inhisearlyyears,hehadoftentravelledtothetownsandcitieswithhisfather.Thetripswereusuallyforthepurposeofnegotiatingwithbuyersandexporters,buthisfatherhadalwaysmadetimetogivepraiseintheImperialtempleswhiletheywerethere.Inthosedays,itseemedthatimagesandstatuaryoftheCrimsonFistswereeverywhere,andtheyoungDasathadmarvelledatthem,findingitdifficulttoimaginewhatsuchbeingswouldbelikeinlife.Nowheknew.Hehadneverimagined,notonceinallhissixty-eightyears,thathewould

speaktotheChapterMaster,LordHellbladehimself.Hehopedhehadcoveredthetremorshehadfeltonaddressingthatgrim,austeregiant.PerhapstheChapterMasterhadtakenitasthepalsiedshuddersofoldage,ratherthanfear.Suchafacethatonehad!Sohardandangular.Andthosedeep-set,hardand

coldlikeamountainwinter.Dasatwasunusedtofear.Hehadalwayslivedsecureintheknowledgethat

theEmperorhadaplan,andallmenwereapartofit.Hehadbelievedhispartwastoliveanddieasafarmerwho,inhisspareevenings,tookthegoodwordwhereveritmightbereceived.WhenhehadbeenapproachedbyagroupofthefaithfulwhowantedhimtoleadapilgrimagetoIvesta’sShrine,hehadbeenflatteredandhadevenseenthehonourashisdueinaway.Thegrouplookedup

tohimwithsuchrespect.Nomancouldhavewalkedawayfromthat.Itwasthegreatestfeelingofhislife…foratime.Thenthenightmarebegan.Beyondthetreetops,thepilgrimshadglimpsed

snatchesofthefiresinthesky.TheyhadheardtheroarfromtheHellbladeMountains,andhadseennightturnedtodaybytheflashintheeast.TheothershadturnedtoDasatforanswers,theirfearalltooplain.Buthehadhadnoanswers,sohetoldthemtheyshouldcontinue.Hadhebeenwrong?No.Thepilgrimagehadbeenaworthyendeavour.Hecouldnothavelivedwithhimselftohavecomesofaronlytoturnbackforcausesunknown.Itwasshortlyafterthat,anhourbeforethepartywasduetostrikecamp,thatthemonstershadexplodedfromtheforest,swarmingonthegroup,butcheringascorebeforeanyoneevenrealisedwhatwasgoingon.Dasathadheardoforks,buthisknowledgewaslimitedtothecontentofthe

traditionalcautionarytaleshisfatherhadtoldhimasaboy.Smallchildrenheardsuchtalesandwereafraid,andtheirparentswouldtellthem,‘PraytotheEmperoreverynight,workhardinHisname,andhewillprotectyou.’Ashehadgrownolder,Dasathadmadethemistakeoftakingsuchstorieslessseriously.Nooneheknewhadeverseenaxenosofanykind.Withoutexperiencetocontradicthim,hehadstartedtothinkman’sdominionoverthegalaxyabsolute.Beingthrowninacageandforcedtowatchmembersofhisflockendure

hideous,sickeningtorturehadquicklydivestedhimofthatmisconception.And,ifevenRynn’sWorldwasnotsafe,thensurelynowherewas.Byamiraclealone,bytheinterventionoftheEmperor,whohadsenthis

warriorsonstodeliverthemfromevil,Dasatandtherestofthepartylived.Butforhowlong?Hewalkedsilently,deepinthought,andtheothersurvivorsfollowedbehind

him.They,too,werequiet,cowedbythefiguresupaheadwhohackedandslashedtheirwaythroughthedenseforestwithouteverrestingortalking.Infact,theirsilenceunsettledDasat.Itseemedalmostasifthesebluegiantscommunicatedmind-to-mind,butmorelikelytheywerejustusingsomekindofcommunicationsysteminstalledintheirhelmets.Theynevertookthosehelmetsoff.Infact,onlytheChapterMasterdidso,andonlywhenaddressingDasatandtherestofthepilgrims,asifitwereimportanttheyseehishumanfeatures.Thentherewasthewoman,Jilenne,andheryoung.TheCrimsonFistshadrescuedherfromafarmingcommunesomewheretothesouth-east,orsoshesaid.Dasatwaspleasedtoseehisflockfussingoverherchildren.Eveninthefaceofalltheyhadseen,theirhumanityendured.Hisheartsankasherememberedthechildrenwho

hadsetoutfromVarduawithhisgroup.Therehadbeennineofthem.Allhadbeentrampledtodeathintheorkattack.Atleasttheyhadbeensparedthehorrorstowhichthesurvivorshadbeensubjected.SurelytheywerewiththeEmperornow.GlancingagainatthebroadbacksoftheCrimsonFistsupahead,Dasat

wonderedthattheyallowedhimandhispartytotagalongatall.Surelytheywouldmakebettertimebyabandoningtheirtiredcharges.HeknewtheywerepushingforNewRynnCity.Atfirsthehadthoughthispartywouldneverbeabletokeepup.HehadevenconsideredsuggestingtotheChapterMasterthatheleavethemallbehind,forsurelynothingwasmoreimportantthanfortheCrimsonFiststoreachtheirgoalandbeginthetaskofrepellingtheinvaders.ButtheideaofaddressingtheChapterMaster,orindeedanyofthesemassive,stonywarriors,filledhimwithcolddread.Theywerenotlikethemuralsorthestatues.Thoseimageshadbeenwarm,gloriousthingswroughtbythehandsofnormalmen.Thesebeingswerelivingbreathingmythscometolife.Theywereangelsof

death,bredtokill.Hecouldnotbegintoimaginewhatwentonintheirminds,thoughhesuspectedheknewwhatafewofthemwerethinking.Thebodylanguageoftwoofthemseemeddownrighthostile.Hadtheynotbeenwearinghelmets,Dasatcouldimaginethemspittingonthegroundindisgustwhenevertheylookedatthehelplessrefugees.Hemadeaspecialefforttokeephisfollowersawayfromthosetwo.Hedidnotwanttogivethemanyexcusetoexpresstheirimpatience.Oneofthemhadbeenintroducedbyname,thefamousCaptainCortez.Hedidnotknowthenameoftheother.IfDasathadimaginedhispeoplewouldslowtheCrimsonFistsdown,hewas

wrong.TheAzcalanwasmanagingthatquitewellenoughand,infact,bypresentingsuchatroublesomeobstacletotheirprogresswest,itallowedthepilgrimstokeepup.TheChapterMasterhadn’texplainedhimself,andDasatdidn’texpecthimto,buthesteeredhisSpaceMarinesawayfromthefewbeatenpathsthatledthroughtheforest.ThesepathsfollowedthecourseoftheRiverRynnforthemostpart,andDasatwonderedifthereasontheCrimsonFistsavoidedthemwasbecausetheorksmightbemakinguseoftheriverandthepathstomovetroops.Itmadesense.AsDasatwasthinkingaboutthis,MolbasMegra,acattle-handinhisthirties

andoneofthemostoutspokenmembersofthegroup,hurriedhispaceuntilhewaswalkingbyDasat’sside.‘TheyarenotasIhadimaginedthem,’hesaidtoDasatinhushedtones.‘Most

ofthewomenareterrifiedofthem,eventhoughtheysavedus.Theyareso…differentfromus.’Youmeanyouareterrified,thoughtDasat.Andofcoursetheyaredifferent.

TheyaretheSpaceMarines,theEmperor’ssons.Megrahadalwaysthoughthimselfbraveandstrong,andhadneverbeenshy

abouttellingothersso,buthehadweptopenlywhenthealienscagedhim.Dasatdidnotjudgehimtooharshlyforthat.Hehadwepthimselfwhenthecagedoorhadclosedonthem,believingalong,painfuldeathwashisimminentfate.‘Thereisahighwayjustsouthofhere,’saidMegra.‘Itrunsallthewaytothe

capital.Whydotheynotleadusdownontotheroad?Surelyitwouldbefasterthanthis.Safer,too,Iimagine.Idon’tthinkweshouldstayintheforest.Doyou?’DasatresistedtheurgetoturnandscowlatMegra.‘Youwouldhaveusall

exposedtotheinvaders?Trustinourlords.Theydidnotsaveusonlytohaveusdieonthejourneytowardsanctuary.’DasatcouldfeelMegra’seyesonhim,staringhard,asharpretortformingon

hislips.Buttheretortnevercame.Fromthethickgreeneryupahead,adeepvoicecalledback,‘Dangerwillfindussoonerorlater,farm-hand.Prayonlythatweseeitbeforeitseesyou.’NowDasatdidturntolookatMegra,andsawthathehadgoneutterlypale.

Thevoicefromthetreesaheaddidnotsoundfriendly.ItwasthevoiceofCaptainCortez.‘H-heheardme?’stammeredMegraindisbelief.Dasatscowled.Ofcourseheheardyou,hethought.Dothelegendsnottellof

howtheirsensesarefarbeyondourown?Nodoubttheycouldseefartherandwithmuchgreateracuity,too.Whatother

featsweretheycapableof?Couldtheyreadmindsafterall?Hehadheardthatsomeofthemcould.Didtheyrealise,then,howafraidhispeoplewere,stumblingthroughthethickjungleinthewakeofdemigodsdedicatedtowar?Megrawasfoolishenoughtovoicehisthoughts,butnoneoftheotherswere.TheylimitedtheirsporadictalktothecomfortingofJilenne’schildren.Perhapstimewillremedyourfear,thoughtDasat.Astheysay,familiaritywith

athingremovesthefearofit.Itwassomethinghehadreadinanoldbookalongtimeagoandhehadtaken

itasgreatwisdombackthen.Nowthelessonseemedpatheticallynaïveandutterlyfalse.Afterall,hewasmorefamiliarwithgreenskinsnow.

Andhisfearofthemhadincreasedahundredfold.

TWELVEZona3Commercia,NewRynnCity

CaptainAlvezstoodontheuppergalleryandlookeddownatthegroundflooroftheMenzilonarcade.Thearcadewasamassivestructure,agreatopenspace,thearchedglassceilingofwhichrosesomefiftymetresabovethecolourfulmosaicofthemarblefloor.Beforethearrivalofthealienhorde,ithadbeenanenclosedmarket,aplacewheretheburgeoningRynnitemiddle-classescametospendtheirtimeandsparecentims.Now,itwasanemergencyrefugeecentre,servingassuchsincetheouterdistrictshadfirstbeenevacuated.Themosaiconthegrandmarblefloorwasbloodstainedinplaces.Elsewhere,itwascoveredwithdirtywhitesheetsbeneathwhichlaythewoundedandthedesperate.Notallthosewhosoughtshelterherehadsufferedinjuries.Manysimplyhadnowhereelsetogo.Theirhomeshadbeenburnedorblastedtorubble.Besidethem,Alvezsawbagsofpossessions,usuallynotverylarge.ThesepeoplehadhadonlymomentstograbwhattheycouldbeforetheRynnsguardherdedthemfromtheunprotected,unwalledoutersettlements.Judgingbytheirwretchedattire,theyprobablyhadn’townedallthatmuchanyway.Therewerechildrenamongthem.Thoseyoungenoughtoremainignorantofthetruethreatchasedeachotheraroundthethickstonepillarsthatsupportedtheceilingandthegalleries.Alvezcouldsmellhumanblood,lotsofit.Hishyper-sharpenedhearingcould

makeouteverymoan,everypleaforwater,forfood,forsomethingtodullthepain.Heheardwomenweeping,cryingoutthenamesoftheirlostsonsanddaughters.Menwept,too,callingouttotheEmperor,askingwhattheyhaddonetooffendhim,whyhehadremovedhisprotectionfromhisfaithfulservants.Fools,thoughtAlvez.TheEmperorhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.Hehas

notforsakenanyone.HecreatedRogalDorn,andtheprimarchcreatedus.Noorkwillovercomeus.Whatevertheodds,theCrimsonFistswillwinoutinthe

end,evenifwearetheonlylivingthingsleftstandingonthisplanet.Wewilltriumph,andwewillreclaimthisworld.Heheardthesoundofheavyfootstepstohisright.AnAstarteswasascending

themarblestairway.AsAlvezwatched,thelaurelledhelmetofasergeantcameintoview.Alvezknewthechipsandscrapesonthathelmetwellenoughtorecogniseitswearer,thoughtherewereafewnewones,itseemed.‘Huron,’hesaid.‘Whatkeptyou?’‘Thegreenskins,naturally,mylord,’saidthesergeant.Hesteppedupontothe

landingandcrossedtoAlvez’sside.‘Andyoursquad?’‘AwaitingusontheVeranowalltothenorth,asperyourorders.Thetrucks

havearrivedtoevacuatethesepeople.’‘Good,’saidAlvez.Grimmlookeddowntowardsthelowerfloor,andsaid,‘Apitifulsight,this.’‘Indeed,’saidAlvez.‘Looktothesouth-eastcornerwherenolightsarelit.

Fromthere,theworstofthestenchemanates.Thatisthedyingplace,forthosebeyondhelp.’Grimmnodded.‘Canthemedicaedonothingforthem?’‘Shortofeuthanisingthem,’saidAlvez,‘no.’‘Thenthatiswhattheyshoulddo,andsparetheirattentionsforthosethatcan

besaved.’Alvezsnorted.‘YouknowthemedicaehealersaswellasI,Huron.Evenwhen

theobviousisrightinfrontofthem,theydonotgiveup,notevenonasinglesoul.OurApothecariesaremuchthesame.’‘IwishtheRynnsguardandthecivilianmilitiaswereasstoic.’Alvezfrowned.‘Thecommissarswillkeeptheminline.Thereweremore

executionsthismorning.Desertionrateswillfallforanotherfewdays,thoughIdoubtitwillaffectthesuiciderate.’‘Theirfearoftheorksissogreatthattheytaketheirownlives.’Grimmshook

hishead.‘Itbewildersme.Iftheywillnotgrittheirteethandstandstrong…‘Helethissentencehangunfinished.Steppingforward,heplacedhishandson

thesculptedbaluster,andleanedoutovertheedge.Beneathhim,hesawminorecclesiarchs,theirbeigecassockstrimmedwithblackandwhitecheck,movingamongthedisplacedandthedesperate,offeringwordsofconsolationfromtheImperialcreedanditsinnumerablesupplementarytomes.‘Aretheyreadytoevacuate,mylord?Thereisnotellinghowlongwewill

have.’

‘Nowthatthetrucksarehere,’saidAlvez,‘theseniormedicaewillstarttheprocess.Thosewiththebestchanceofsurvivalwillbemovedfirst.’Outside,gunfirewasconstant.Theclosestsectionofdefensivewallhadfallen

lessthanthirtyminutesago.TworegimentsofRynnsguardinfantryandacompanyofLemanRusstankswerepunishingtheorksthatwerepouringthroughthebreach,buttheCrimsonFistcaptainknewitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforethedefenderswereforcedintoaretreat.Theorkswouldkeepcoming,aceaselesstidethatgainedgroundlittlebylittle,untiltheentiredistrictfell.Onesectionofthecityatatime,theorkswereslowly,inexorably,pressingtheImperialforcesbacktowardstheSilverCitadel.AlltheCrimsonFistsandtheRynnsguardcoulddoatthisstagewasslowthemdownasmuchaspossible.Retakinglostterritorywasbeyondthem.Thecostinlifeandmaterielwouldbefartoohigh.Asmovementincreasedonthefloordownbelow,andthefirstofthewounded

weretakentothenorthexittoboardthewaitingtrucks,CaptainAlvezfoundhimselfthinkingofCevalRanparre,theMasteroftheFleet.Hadhebeenabletogetashipoutintime?HadanyoftheCrimsonFists’spacecraftescapedintothewarp?Hehopedso.Thoughhisprideprotestedbitterlyagainstsuchthoughts,therealitywasthis:withoutsignificantoutsideintervention,allheandhisCrimsonFistbrotherscouldhopetodowastoholdtheline,tolastoutaslongastheycould.Beyondthat…Fromsomewhereoutsidethearcade,abattle-brothertransmittedanupdateon

thesituationatthebreach.Alvezlistened.ItwasaDevastatorSquadsergeantcalledLician.Thesergeant’ssquadhadbeenchargedwithprovidingheavyfiresupporttotheRynnsguard12thInfantryRegiment.JudgingbyLician’stone,thingswerenotgoingwell.‘Mylord,ColonelCantrellhasorderedhismenintoastaggeredretreat.The

wallislost.Xenosarespillingintothestreetsnow.’Almostasanafterthought,headded,‘Thesemenfoughthard,brother-captain.Wegavethemallthesupportwecould,butI’mafraidtheireventuallosswasinevitable.Thegreenskinsarepouringthroughlikefloodwaters.’‘Werethehabsevacuatedintime?’Alvezasked.‘Manywere,’answeredLician,‘butjustasmanywerenot.Theorksare

torchingeverythingintheirpath.’Hisvoicetookonabittertone.‘Ihaveneverheardsuchscreams.’‘Whatisthepositionofyoursquadnow,brother?’‘WearemovingbackwiththeTwelfthRegiment.Currently,wearethree

kilometreseastof–’Licianstoppedmid-sentence.Alvezcouldhearhimconferringwithanother

battle-brother.Then,addressingthecaptainagain,Liciansaidurgently,‘Mylord.Youneedtogetoutofthearcade!There’sa–’Alvezneverheardtherest.Thefarwallofthearcadeexplodedinwardsina

greatcloudofstone,steelandglass.Deadlydebrisflewinalldirections,andthoseclosesttothesouthwallwerecrushedtodeath.Somethinghugeanddarkrumbledinthegreatcloudofdustthatshroudedhalfthearcadenow.Grimm,stillstandingatthestonebaluster,belloweddowntothefloorbeneath

him.‘Geteveryoneoutofhere!’Eventhoughhishelmet’svox-ampwassettofullvolume,nooneheardhim

overtheroarandsplutterofwhateverhadjustdemolishedhalfthebuilding.Asthecloudofdustthinnedalittle,theshadowwithintookonclearerform.‘Move!’barkedCaptainAlvez,andheshovedGrimmviolentlyasidejustin

time.Therewasthesoundofacannonfiring,andthebalusterwhereGrimmhad

beenstandingonlyasecondagoexplodedinfireandshrapnel.Alvezraisedhisstorm-bolterandfiredattheblackbehemothnowemerging

fromthedust,buthisstorm-boltsrattledoffitsarmour.Enginessplutteredandrumbled,andthethinglurchedoutofthecloud,itsgreattreadscrushingwoundedmenandwomenwhowereunabletorollclear.Itwasamassiveorkbattlewagon,amishmashoflootedtanksandAPCs

weldedtogetheronavasttrack-mountedchassis.Twistedblackspikescovereditsarmour,andfatcannonswivelledfromaclusterofarmouredmantlets.ThosegunsswungtowardsAlveznowand,withastutterofthunder,launched

avolleyofexplosiveshellshisway.HadAlveznotbeenwearingTerminatorarmour,theproximityofthe

detonatingshellswouldhaveblastedhimapart,butitwouldtakenothinglessthanadirecthittofellhim.Underthecoverofthesmokeanddebristhattheexplodingroundshadkicked

up,Alvezretreated,orderingGrimm,whohadnarrowlymissedbeingblastedaparthimself,outofthearcadeinfrontofhim.Outside,allbutoneofthetruckshadleftatspeed,carryingtheRynniteswho

hadmadeitoutalive.Nooneelsewouldemergefromthebuildingnow.Inthedriver’scabinofthelasttruck,aterrifiedmaninRynnsguardfatigueswavedfranticallyatthem.‘Mylord,’heyelledoverthesoundofthearcade’sdestruction.‘Please,hurry.

Getintheback.’Thetruckwasmilitaryissue,abig,toughsix-wheeldriveaffaircapableof

handlingthreetonnesofcargo.Thebackwasunshielded.Alvezlookedatitdubiously.Grimmjumpedupintotherear,andthesuspensioncompressedwithagroan.Alvezfollowedquickly,andthedriverputthetruckingear.Itstruggledtoaccelerateatfirst,butsoontheywereroaringawayfromthearcade,abandonedshopsandhab-blockswhippingbythem.AlvezandGrimmwatchedfromthebackastheMenzilonarcadefinally

collapsedinagreatmushroomingcloudofdustandsmoke.‘Doyouthink,perhaps…?’Grimmasked.‘No,’saidAlvez.‘It’lltakemorethanthattostopit.’Anewsoundwasintrudingonhisthoughts,justaudibleabovetherumbleof

thetruck.Itwasadistantangrybuzzingnoise,anditcamefromthesouth-east.Actually,itwasseveralnoisesmergingtogether.‘Damnit,’cursedthecaptain.‘We’vegotorkcopterscomingin!’Hewasright.Thecoptersswungoutofthesky,gunsblazing,theinsane

greenskinpilotslaughingwithdelight.Stubber-firestitchedthebackofthetruckandrattledoffthearmourofthetwoSpaceMarines.Alveztargetedtheleadcopterandfiredaquickburstfromhisstorm-bolter.Themachinedippedforamoment,butstayedintheair.Asecondlater,whenthepilot’storsoblewoutwards,theshellsinsidehimdetonating,thebuzzingone-mancraftwentintoawildspinandexplodedoncontactwiththecornerofatallhab.Therewerestilltwocopters.Grimmfiredhisbolterandblewoutthegastank

ofthesecond,turningthewholemachineintoablindingyellowfireballthatcrashedontotheroadbehindthem.‘Keepmoving,’Alvezroaredatthedriver.Turningtolookahead,hecouldsee

theVeranowallloomingintoview.Theothertrucksfromthearcadewerealreadywellbeyonditsgreatgates.‘Almostthere,’saidtheRynnsguarddriver.Hespoketoosoon,ofcourse.Thelastoftheorkcoptersdivedtowardsthem

and,beforeeitherGrimmorAlvezcouldopenfire,launchedavolleyofrocketsrightatthem.Mostoftherocketswentwide,butonescreamedstraightinunderthevehicle

andstrucktheground.Theexplosiontossedthetruckintotheair,itsbackendspinningoveritscabin.GrimmandAlvezwerethrownoutandhitthegroundhard,but,savedfromgrievousinjurybythearmour,theyweresoonupandmovingtowardstheVeranoGate.

TheRynnsguarddriverwasnotsolucky.Hisbrokenbodylaystill,soakedinblood,halfin,halfoutofthecrumpledcabin.GrimmwasatAlvez’ssidenow,pacinghim,slowinghisownstepstomatch

thoseofthefarheavierTerminatorsuit.‘Damnthem,’spatAlvez,lookingtohisleftandright.Fromthestreetsoneitherside,atideoforkswasboilingtowardsthem,

weaponsfiring,bladesraised,awallofgreenfleshandsharpenedmetal.ThetwoCrimsonFistsimmediatelyopenedfire,cuttingdowndozensinthefrontranks.‘Getmoving,’growledAlvez.‘Gettothegate,Huron.Youhavetocloseit

beforetheygetthrough.Iwon’tloseanotherdistricttoday.’‘AndIwon’tleaveyourside,’Grimmargued,voiceshakingwiththerecoil

fromhisbolterashefiredburstafterburstatthehorde.Hislefthandflashedtohisbeltandpulledakrakgrenadefree.Heprimeditwithhisthumbandtosseditattheclosestknotofgreenskins.Therewasadeepboom,andthelucklessorksatthefrontexplodedina

showerofredfleshandbrightbone.Grimmtossedanother,killedadozenmoreofthesavages,andthatwasit.Hisgrenadeswerespent.Theroaroftheorkhordewasjoinedbythesoundofenginesnow.Buggies

andbikesrevvednoisily,eagertogetthrough,buttherewasnoroomforthem,thestreetsweresothickwithgreenskininfantry.‘Don’tyoudisobeyme,sergeant,’Alvezbarkedbetweenshots.‘Don’tyou

startthatnow.Ineedthosegatesclosedbeforetheorkspushthrough.YoucangettherealotfasterthanIcan.Startthemechanism.Iwillslipthroughjustbeforetheyshut.We’reoperatingundertheCeresProtocol,remember.I’mnotabouttodieatthehandsofthisfilth.’Hestrafedtheorkstohisleftwithstorm-bolterfireandcutseveralapart,but

thereweresomanyofthem,andtheykeptcoming,stampedingovertheirdead.Grimmhadhisorders.Hedidn’thavetolikethem,buttheywereordersjust

thesame.Firingalastburstfromhisbolter,heturnedandsprintedfortheVeranoGate.Asheran,hetoldhiscaptainoverthelink,‘I’mnotlettingthemcloseuntilyou’rethrough.’Alvezignoredthat.Hewasbusypickinghistargets,walkingbackwards,his

storm-bolterkeepingtheorksatbay.Inhislefthandwasaglowingpowersword,arelicbladecalledRiad.Itsblade,forgedwithtechnologylong-forgotten,couldcutthroughtankarmourwithease.If,no,whentheorksgotwithinrange,Alvezwouldcutthroughthemliketheyweren’teventhere.

Hedidnotfeeleventheslightestfearasthehordeclosedonhim.Glancingback,hesawthatHuronGrimmwasthroughthegatenow,andhehadonlyfiftymetrestogo.Butthedamnedgatewasstillwideopen.‘Grimm?’hebellowedoverthelink.‘WhatinDorn’snameisgoingon?’‘Themechanism,mylord,’Grimmanswered.‘It’sjammed.We’llhaveto

closethegatesmanually.’‘Thendoit,’Alvezsnapped.Theorkswerealmostonhimnow.Hehefted

Riadinhishand,readytoswing.‘Andhurryup!’

Grimmcouldhardlybelievethis.Hewantedsomeonetoblame,someonetoripapartwithhisbarehands.TheRynnsguardtroopersmanningthewallswerefiringdownintotheorkhordethatwasclosingaroundhiscaptain,buttheirlasgunswerepatheticallyinadequate.Onlytheirheavyweapons–theautocannon,lascannonandheavybolterstheyemployed–hadanythingbutanegligibleeffectonthexenosmob,andthereweren’tnearlyenoughofthosetoturntheorksback.Grimm’ssquadmateswereonthewalls,too,andhadbeenfiringinsupportof

him,butthemomenthediscoveredthegatemechanismwasmalfunctioning,hehadcalledthemdownfromthewallstohelphim.Closingthegatemanuallymeantpushingeachofthetwogatesectionstogether.Thickmetalbarsstuckoutfromtherearofeachsectiontomakethispossible,butitwouldhavetakentheRynnsguardmanymenandfartoomuchtimeeventobudgethegateacentimetre.Instead,Grimm’ssquadwenttowork,evenwhile,ontheothersideofthegate,theirbravecaptaincutapathofgorydestructionthroughhisenemies.Grimmheardhimonthelink,breathingharddespitethecapabilitiesofhis

gene-boostedbody.‘Progressreport,sergeant!’Grimmansweredthroughgrittedteethashepushedwithallhisstrength

againstthehandleinfrontofhim,desperatetogetthegatemoving.‘Doingourbest,captain.’Hemanaged,butthatwasall.‘Notgoodenough,’Alvezanswered.‘Workfaster!’Grimmgruntedandputeverythinghehadintopushingthegatesclosed.

Besidehim,twoofhisbrothersalsopushed.Theothertwoworkedtheoppositesection.Thesoundofgunfirewasloudandconstantfromatopthewall.‘Wecan’tkeepthemoffhim!’shoutedaRynnsguardofficer.‘There’stoo

damnedmany!’

Grimmhowledwithrage.Hewantedtobeouttherebesidehiscaptain.Whatintheblastedwarpwashedoinghere,abouttolockDrigoAlvezouttherewiththeenemy?Orders,saidavoiceinhishead.Youcanneverdisobeyyourorders.‘Captain,’Grimmgrunted.‘Howclosetothegateareyou?It’salmostshut.

We’veonlythreemetrestogo!’Itwastrue.TheRynnsguardwouldlatertelloftheSpaceMarines’incredible

strengththatday.Itshouldn’thavebeenpossible.Thegate’ssectionsweighedseveraltonneseachandwereonlyevermeanttobemanuallyclosedwiththeaidofpowerfultrucksthatcouldshuntthemtogether.‘Closethegates,’orderedAlvez.Grimmstoppedpushingimmediately,hissquadbrothersfollowingsuit.‘Mylord–’‘Isaidclosethedamnedgates,sergeant.Areyoudeaf?They’reallaroundme

now.There’sfartoomanyofthemandiftheygetthrough,Dornhelpme,you’llhavedisobeyedadirectorder.You’llnolongerbeAstartes,Ipromiseyou.Iamcommandingyoutosavethatdistrict,andyouwilldoit.Howmanyhundredsofthousandsofpeopleareshelteringbehindthosewalls?Doit,Huron!’TheconsciouspartofGrimm’smindrailedagainstit,buthispsycho-

conditioningwasincrediblydeepand,throughastrangenumbness,hefelthisbodyoncemoreputallitsstrengthintotheeffortofsealingthegate.Again,hissquadbrotherstooktheircuefromhisexample.Beforeheknewit,thetaskwasdone,andhestoodgasping,helmetpressedto

thickmetalsurface.HeorderedhissquadbrothersbackontotherampartstolendtheirRynnsguard

theirfirepower,butheknewitwastoolate.Hefeltthelossinsidehimalready.Amomentlater,BrotherKifahailedhimonthelink,andhistonewasenough

totellGrimmeverything.EvenTerminatorarmourhaditslimits.Againstsuchoverwhelmingnumbers,thecaptaincouldnothavefoughtlongerthanhedid.Hewasgone.Grimmallowedhimselftofalltohisknees.Hehadneverfeltlikethisinall

hislife.Hehopedheneverwouldagain.Hislefthandsoughtsomethingonhisbeltandhetuggeditfreewithasnap,

raisedhishandinfrontofhisvisorandlookedatit.Itwasatinywoodenaquila,thecharmthattheoldRynnitewomanhadtriedto

giveCaptainAlvezastheymarchedthroughherstreet.Grimmstaredatit,therelentlessnoiseofbattleallaroundhimdimmingto

merebackgroundstatic.Thispatheticlittletrinketwassupposedtoprotectpeople.Itwassupposedtohavesomepower,yes?Thewoman,filledwithreverencefortheCrimsonFists,hadwantedthecharmtoprotectDrigoAlvez.Butitwashe,HuronGrimm,thathadcarrieditwithhim.Anditwashewholived.Whatdidthatmean,hewondered?Nothing,answeredavoiceinGrimm’smind.Itsoundedsomuchlikethecaptain’s.Itmeansnothingatall,Huron,thevoicerepeated.Itisjustapieceofwood.

Destroyit!Numbly,automatically,Grimmclosedhisarmouredfistoverthetinyicon,and

crushedittosplinters.Nowgetup,saidthevoice.Getbackinthefight.Honourme.Honourthe

Chapterasyouweretaughttodo.Grimmgotupasthevoicecommanded,slammedafreshmagazineinhis

bolter,climbedtothetopoftheramparts,andwentbacktowar.

THIRTEENTheAzcalanRainforest,RynnlandProvince

Cortez’spistolclickedempty,andtherewasn’ttimetochangethemagazine.Rearingupinfrontofhimwasahugeorkwithskinthecolourofcoal.Ineachclawedhand,theslaveringbeastheldacleaveroverametrelong,eachbladeviciouslyserratedlikethejawsofaMedeankillfish.Therewasablurofmotion.Cortez’sreflexesshiftedhimasteptotheleftbeforehisconsciousmindevenhadtimetoregistertheangleoftheblow,hisresponsetimetheproductofcenturiesofdiligenttraining.Thegreenskinberserker’sbladesbitdeepintothesoilwhereCortezhadbeen

standing.Inthehalf-secondthatthecreaturetooktoreverseitsmomentumandwrenchitsweaponsupagain,Cortez’spowerfistflashedforwardinanarcingblur.Itwasabodyshot,athunderousstriketothemonster’sexposedside,andthecrackoflethalenergiesionisedtheair,givingitasharpmetallicsmell.Theorkhowledandcrumpledtoitsknees,agreatsphericalsectionofitstorsoutterlydestroyed.Gorepouredforth,anditsankforward,butCortezwasn’tfinished.Onedidnotleaveawoundedorkbreathingonthebattlefield.Thesewerehardycreatures,farhardierthananylivingthinghadarighttobe.WoundsthatwouldhavekilledevenaSpaceMarinemightonlycrippleanorkuntilitsincrediblyresilientalgae-infusedsystemcouldputitbacktogether.Hehadseenithappenbefore.Themomentthecreature’sheadstruckthedirt,Cortezraisedhisbootedfoot

andhammereditdownonthebeast’suglyhead.Once,twice,threetimes.Atfirst,theskullresistedthemassiveimpactoftheblows,but,bythethirdstomp,itgaveway,theboneshatteringatlast,thebrainturningtoajelly-likesmear.Therewasnotimetogloryinthevictory.AllaroundCortez,hisbattle-

brotherswereengagedatclosequarters.Itwasheretheorksweremost

dangerous.Itwasheretheyexcelled.Theirrawanimalpowerandsavagerywereincomparableamongallthealienraces,saveperhapsthedisgustingtyranids.IndividualcombatwouldfavourtheAstartes,ofcourse.Nolivingbeingtrainedasrelentlessly,normasteredwartothesamedegree.Buttheorkswerenotfightingasindividuals.Theirstrengthwasintheirnumbers.Hundredspouredforth,asiftheforestwasvomitingthemout,likesomethingpoisonouseatenbymistakeandrejected.‘Standfast!’Cortezbellowed,drawinghiscombatknife.Itsbladewaslongandkeen,sharpenedtothemonomolecularlevel,treatedwithacoatingofsyntheticdiamond,asweretheknivesofalltheCrimsonFists.Theycutthroughthefleshoftheorks,carvinggreathunksofbleedingmeatfromthedenselymuscledbodies.DayshadpassedsincetherescueofDasatandhispilgrimsfromtheslaver

camp,andthiswasthethirdtimesincethenthatthecontingentfromArxTyrannushadrunintowanderingorkmobs.Thetwoprevioustimes,whicheversquadwasonpointhadquicklyeliminatedtheproblem.Thosemobshadbeenrelativelysmall.Thisonewasfarlarger,andtherehadbeennogoingaroundit.Apitchedbattlehadbeeninevitable.CortezheardKantoronthelinkorderingSquadViejotobreaknorthwiththe

refugees,togetthemawayfromtheedgeskirmishasquicklyaspossible.ThentheChapterMasterwasinamongtheorks,awhirlwindofviolence,fellingallthattriedtoswarmonhim.Cortezwouldhaveenjoyedwatchinghisfriend’smartialprowessinaction,

buttwosnarlingorks,marginallysmallerandlighter-skinnedthanthemonsterCortezhadjustslain,lungedathimfrombothsides.Cortezslidbackwardsasinglestep,andthealiens’crudebladescutemptyair.Hedidnotgivethemtimetorecover.Everyblowtheymissedwasanopeninghewasconditionedtoexploit.Lungingtotheright,herammedhiscombatbladedeepintothebellyofone,sodeephefeltitspointcatchontheinnersurfaceofthebeast’svertebrae.Instantly,heyankedbackontheknife’sgrip.Theserrationsonthebackofthebladecaughtonthecreature’sinnards,andrippedthemoutthroughthegapingholeinitsskin.Foraninstant,thecreaturestoodlookingdownatitsownloopedintestines,alookofdumbcuriosityonitsidiotface.Cortezhadalreadyturnedtotheother,kickingatitsleadingknee,hardenoughtosmashthekneecaptopieces.Theorkwentdownonitsotherkneewitharoarofangerandpain.Again,Cortez’spowerfistflashedout.Therewasasharpelectricalcrack,andthecreature’sheadvanishedinaredmist.Thelifeless,headlessbodyfellforwardonitschest,twitchingandgushinghot

blood.Cortezspunandcaughttheotherork,theonehisknifehadjustgutted,onthe

sideofitsheadwithabackhandblow.It,too,collapsedheadlesstothesoil,fallingtorestatopitsownslickviscera.Overthecomm-link,Cortezheardhimselfaddressed.‘Alessio,trytodraw

themwest.CrushthembetweenyoursquadandSegala’s.’Easiersaidthandone,thoughtCortezashispowerfistfelledanothergreen

wretch.Fromthecornerofhiseye,hesawtheChapterMasterfightingonlyadozen

metresfromhisside.FenestraandBenizarwerebesidehim,givingtheirall.Cortezthrewhimselfintothefightevenharder,andbecameablurofbluemotion,slaughteringthebrutishfoeasquicklyastheycouldemergefromthedarkgreenshadows.CortezrelayedtheChapterMaster’sorderstohissquadbetweenblowsand,

together,theybeganmovingwestevenastheyfought.Kantormovedwiththem,growlingoverthelink,‘That’sit.Keepthemcoming.Northalittle.Drawthemon.’Cortez’ssquadlettheorkscometothem,givinggroundmetrebymetreas

theybackedaway.Thefoliagethinnedalittle,coverfortheorksbegantolessen.Targetingthebeastsbecameeasier,andtheywentdowninincreasingnumbers,theirheadsdetonatinginbrightspraysasperfectlyplacedbolterroundsexplodedinsidetheirskulls.Anymomentnow,thoughtCortez.Andthemomentwasright.Theorkstookthebait,andKantororderedSquad

Segalatoswinginfromthewestflankandcutthemdown.Caughtinadeadlycrossfire,thegreenskinswereshreddedtofleshytatters.Thosethatsurvivedfledbackintotheundergrowth,theirgreenbacksmergingwiththejungle.Forthemoment,atleast,theSpaceMarineshadheldthemoff.‘North,’saidKantor.‘We’llbeclosingonthecapitalsoon.Fromhereonin,

wefollowtheRiverRynn.’SquadsCortezandSegalafollowedhim.Cortezgaugedhisremainingammunitionashemoved.Hewasrunning

extremelylownow.Hewouldhavetoasktheothersforextrarounds.TheyhadbetterreachNewRynnCitysoon.

Kantorhadneverintendedforthemtocomethisway.HehadsuspectedfromthebeginningthattheorksmightusetheRiverRynnasaquickroutetothecapital

fromwherevertheirshipscrash-landed.Here-assessedthatdecisionnow.Heandhissurvivorslookedoutoverthefast,coolwatersandsawnosignoforkboatsorrafts.Theydidseehumancorpsesdriftingby,floatingspread-eagle,thewoundedfleshoftheirbacksjustbreakingthesurfaceofthewater.Theywerepeoplewhohadbeenkilledup-river,perhapsmenandwomenfromthesmallsettlementsinthefoothillsandmountainslopeswheretheriverbeganitsjourney.OfthepilgrimsKantorhadwishedsodesperatelytosave,threemorehadbeen

killed,thoughnotthroughwoundsinflicteddirectly,butbyalltheyhadsufferedinthecamp.Thatandthemarchthroughthejunglewerejusttoomuch.Somehow,oldDasatheldon,thoughhelookedweakerbytheday.Kantorguessedthepilgrim’sleaderstillfeltresponsibleforthesafetyofhispeople.Hewouldseethemtothecapital,nomatterwhat.ThislatestbattlewiththeorkswassomethingKantorhaddesperatelywished

toavoid.Everyencountercostthemtime,valuableammunition,andriskedalertingevengreaterenemyforcestotheirpresence.Buthewasproudofthethreemakeshiftsquadswhotravelledwithhim.Withtheirbackstotheproverbialwallsincethedestructionoftheirhome,theyhadfoughtlikeswamp-tigers,leavingcountlessdeadxenosintheirwake.Afteranhour’smarch,Kantorandthetwosquadswithhimfinallycaughtup

toSquadViejoandtherefugeeswhohadalreadyreachedtheriverbank.ViejosalutedwhenhesawtheChapterMasterandgavehimaquickupdate.Noonehadbeeninjured,butsomeofthepilgrimswereinshock,terrifiedbythefighting.DasatwaitedbehindViejountilthesergeanthadfinishedhisreport,then,

whenthesergeantmovedoff,heboweddeepandmadethesignoftheaquilaonhischest.‘PraisetheEmperor,mylord,’saidtheoldman,‘thatthefoedidn’tharmyou.’Kantortookoffhishelmetandlookeddownattheman.‘I’vefacedfarworse,’

hesaid.‘AndIwillagain.’Tearsbegantocoursedowntheoldman’scheeks.‘Youandyourwarriors

continuallyriskyourlivesforours.IcanhardlytellyoutheshameIfeel.I’veneverseensuchselflessbravery,lord.Ourworthlesslivesarenotworththeburdenweplaceonyou.Youhavesomuchelsetocopewith.’Sobsofsorrowandguiltshooktheman’sbonyshoulders.Kantorreachedoutamassivehandandsteadiedhim.‘Enough,Dasat,’herumbledquietly.‘Nolifelivedindedicationtothe

Emperorshouldbecutshortbyfilthy,mindlessxenos.Besides,wearealmostatthecapital.Anotherdaywillseeusthere,ifIhaveitright.ThebankofthisriverwilltakeustoJadeberryHill.Bestrongawhilelonger.Abattleawaitsusthere.Mybrotherswilltrytheirbesttoprotectyou,butyouwillneedyourstrength.Drinkfromtheriver.Findfood.Sleeptillwewakeyou.Itisyourlastchancetodoso.BytheEmperor’sgrace,thisjourneyendssoon.’Dasatnodded.‘I’llprayitendswell,lord.Forallofus.’Kantordecidedthathe,too,wouldpray,notonhiskneeslikethosewho

followedtheImperialcreed,butintheactofcaringforhisarmourandhisweapons.HewouldquietlychanttheholylitaniesoftheChapter,litaniestokeephimstrong,litaniestoinvokethespiritsofthewargearhereliedon.HethoughtoftheEmperor.TheCrimsonFists,likemanyAstartesChapters,didnotreveretheMasterofMankindasagod,perse,butasafather.Still,thegiftedbrothersoftheLibrariushad,sincethedawnoftheChapter’sexistence,alwaysmaintainedthattheEmperorwasever-presentsomehow,ashiningpsychiclight,abeaconofhopethatdidindeedseemstrengthenedbythedevotionofallthosewholabouredinHisname.KantorhopedHewouldhearDasat’sprayers.HemovedofftowardstheriverbankwhereCortezandsomeoftheotherswere

cleaningxenosgorefromtheirarmour.Kantorwadedintotheshallowsbesidethemandscoopedwaterintohishands

withwhichtocleanhisancientsuit.Wearesixteenagainstaworldswarmingwiththefoe,hethought.Andyet,we

sixteenhavesurvivedthisfar.Thereismeaningsomewhereinallthis.MayIlivelongenoughtodiscoverit.

FOURTEENTheCassar,NewRynnCity

‘SergeantGrimmwasthecaptain’ssecond-in-command,’saidFaradisAnto.‘Icanseenoreasonforyourobjectionbutsimplepride,brother.’Grimmhatedthis.HowdiditservethememoryofDrigoAlvezbickeringover

whowastocommandtheforcesthatremained?DidthebrothersassembledherearoundtheebonwoodtableoftheStrategiumthinkhewantedthis?Covetedit?Ifhecouldhavegivenhisownlife,rightthenandthere,tohavethebrother-captainback,hewouldhavetakenhisownbladeandpiercedbothhisheartswithouthesitation.Heconsideredtellingthemthis.‘Youseektooffendme,Anto?’snarledBarrienGallacusdefensively,

dangerously.‘Prideisnofactorinthis.DrigoAlvezwasacaptainandaformerbrotheroftheCrusadeCompany.Itisthelatterthatisimportanthere.Thereisahierarchythatmustbeadheredto.ACrusadeCompanysergeantistheobviouschoice.’‘Andthatwouldbeyou?’askedErdysPhrenotas.PhrenotasledtheCrusadeCompany’sFourthSternguardSquad.Gallacusled

theFirstVanguardSquad.GrimmshookhisheadindespairthemomentPhrenotasopenedhismouth.Theoldrivalrybetweenthetwoelementswouldnowdominatethedebate.Anyhopeofaswiftresolutionhadjustvanished.Orhadit?GallacuswasabouttobeginverballysparringwithPhrenotaswhenthedoors

oftheStrategiumsweptopenandthreemoreAstartesstrodeintotheroom.‘Whatisgoingonhere?’demandedthefigureinthecentreofthetrio.‘Why

areyouwastingtime?Youshouldbeonthewalls,marshallingourforces.Whatisthemeaningofthis?’

Despitetheharshtoneofthevoiceandasuddendarkchangeintheair,Grimmfoundhimselfsuppressingahalf-smile.Herewasaswiftresolutionafterall.ThefigureinthemiddlewasEpistolaryDeguerro.HewasflankedbyCodiciersTerraroandCorda.‘Weareintheprocessofselectingatemporarycommander,’explaineda

VanguardSquadsergeantbythenameofHurienThanator.HethrusthischinatSergeantAnto,andadded,‘ButourbrothersinSecondCompanyseemincapableofrespectingtheproperchainofcommand.’DeguerrostoppedbesideThanator’schairandglareddownathim.‘Justas

well,then,thatIamheretosimplifymattersforyouall.’HelookedoveratGrimm,meetinghiseyes,andsaid,‘Iwillbetaking

temporarycommandofourforces.No!’–heheldupahandtowardsSergeantGallacus,palmout–‘Donotwasteyourbreathattemptingtodebateit.Thereisclearprecedent.YoumaycheckthearchivesintheLibrariumdownstairs.SergeantGallacus,IamplacingyouinchargeofallCrusadeCompanyassets.SergeantGrimm,youwillberesponsibleforSecondandThirdCompanyassets.Bothofyouwillfollowmyorderstotheletter.Isthatclear?’Gallacusworkedthemusclesinhisjawangrily,butheknewwellenoughthat

Deguerrowasright.Intheabsenceofacaptain,aseniormemberoftheLibrariusultimatelyheldhighestrank.Afteramoment,henodded.‘Clear,brother.’‘SergeantGrimm?’saidDeguerro.‘Asyoucommand,brother,’saidGrimm,andhemeantit.‘Excellent,thenthereisnomorecallforyoutolingerhere.Yourbrothersneed

youonthewalls.Gallacus,Brother-CodicierTerrarowillaccompanyyou.Myliaison,ifyouwill.Likewise,Brother-CodicierCordowillassistSergeantGrimm.’TheAstartesseatedaroundthetablerosefromtheirchairsandsalutedwith

fistonbreastplate,somebegrudgingly,otherswithsincerity.Deguerrosalutedback.‘Thankyou,mybrothers.Maytheprimarchgowith

you.’Thesergeantsfiledoutthebroadebonwooddoorsinsilence.Grimmwasabouttojointhem,thelasttoleave,whenahandonhisupperarm

stoppedhim.Heturned.‘Amoment,brother-sergeant,’saidDeguerro,andGrimmnotedtheanxious

lookthathadappearedinhiseyes.‘Doyouwishmetoleave,brother?’askedCodicierCorda.

‘No,’saidDeguerrowithouttakinghiseyesfromGrimm.‘YoualreadyknowwhatIwishtosaytothesergeant.’Cordanoddedandstoodpatiently.Grimmraisedaneyebrowinsilentquery.‘HuronGrimm,’saidDeguerro.‘TherearetwothingsImustaskyoutodo.

Thefirstistotrustme.Thesecondisperhapstheharderofthetwo.Itwillbedangerous,andyoursuccessorfailuremaywellaffectthelivesofallwhohavesurvivedthusfar.’‘Goon,brother,’saidGrimm,notbotheringtocoverhissuddensenseof

apprehension.Thepsykerwouldseethroughanymask.Deguerro’seyeswereintense.‘WeoftheLibrariushavedivinedcertain

possibilities.Potentialities,ifyouwill.Webelieveanumberofstrong…presences…arecomingtoNewRynnCity.Iftheysurvivethefinalstagesoftheirjourney,theirarrivalmayhaveamostsignificantimpactontheoutcomeofthiswar.’‘Youdon’tsoundverysure,’saidGrimm.Deguerrosmiledhumourlessly.‘Thatisthewayofwitch-sight.Itis

frustratinglyvagueattimes.Weknowsomethingisabouttochange.Weareapproachingamajorbranchingpoint,ajunctureintimewherethepathstothefuturedivergeinverydifferentdirections.Wemustdoeverythingwecantoguidethisreality,ourreality,alongthecorrectpath.’GrimmsquintedbackattheLibrarianand,afteramoment,shookhishead.

‘Mattersoftheempyreanarebestleftinyourhands,brother.Ineednoexplanations,onlyyourorders.Tellmewhatyourequireofme,andIpromiseyou,itwillbedone.’

FIFTEENTheAzcalanRainforest,RynnlandProvince

Therivercurvedand,followingitsslipperybank,KantorandhisbatteredfellowsurvivorssawJadeberryHillrisingoverthetreetopsintheneardistance.TheHillwassymbolic,representing,toKantor’smindatleast,thecomingendofajourneythatshouldneverhavetakenplace.Howdifferentwouldthingsnowbehadthefortress-monasterynotbeensundered?HowhardmighttheChapterhavebeenabletostrikebackatthexenos?Hewouldneverknow,justashewouldneverknowexactlyhowasinglemissilefromtheLaculumbatteryhadmanagedtowreaksuchrawdevastationonallhehelddear.Cortez,too,notedtheprofileofthehillasitbecamevisiblearoundthecurve

oftheriverandthetreesonitsbank.OpeningachanneltoKantor,hesaid,‘Weareclosingatlast,Pedro.ButI’llwagerthehardestpartstillliesaheadofus.’‘I’msureyou’reright,’repliedKantor.‘Thelackofcommunicationsbothers

me.Atthisrange,weshouldatleastbeabletohearsomekindoftraffic,evenifitisweakandfragmented.’‘Viejoreportsnothingyet,’saidCortez.SquadViejowereonpoint,ranging

aheadoftherestbyhalfakilometre.‘It’sasifeverywide-areatransmitterontheplanetwastakenoutofcommission.Eitherthat,ortheorksareemployingsomekindofcommunicationssuppressor.Wehaveencounteredthelikebefore.’Kantorlookedupattheskyoverthewideexpanseoftheriver.Itwasamixof

brightgoldanddarkgrey.TheSeasonofRainswouldbeheresoon.Howwouldtheorksrespondtoit?Woulditaltertheirbehavioursomehow?Herealisedtherewasagapinhisknowledge.Documentationontheeffectsofweatherpatternsonthegreenskinracewaspracticallynon-existent.Ifhelivedthroughthis,hewouldcommissionsuchastudybytheAdeptusMechanicus’biologisarm.Suchsciencewastheirexclusivedomain,andforcesthroughouttheImperiumwould

surelybenefitbyit.Acrossthegrey-goldsky,orkcraftstilloccasionallyroared,leavingsmoky

blacktrailslikebannersproclaimingthisworldastheirs.Theverysightofthemsentwavesofangeranddisgustthroughhim.ThethickforestcanopyoftheAzcalanhad,untilnow,keptsuchthingsfromplainview.JadeberryHillloomedcloserbytheminute,itssummittoppedwithclustersof

greymausoleumsandwhitemarbleangels.Theywouldreachitsbasewithinthehour.Peeringatit,Kantorrealisedthattherewasmovementonitssummit.Evenatfullmagnification,itwasnotyetclearwhatwasgoingon,butheknewsignsofafirefightwhenhesawthem,nomatterthedistance.Heopenedageneralchannelandsaid,‘Wemusthurry,brothers.Conflict

ragesupahead.Ourbrothershaveneedofus.Beready.’Allalongthemuddybank,themarchingAstartespreparedtheirweaponsfor

battleonceagain,lockingthelastoftheirmagazinesintotheirtrustyboltersandcockingthem.Theirpaceincreased,andtherefugeesbehindthemhadtohurrytokeepup.Whateverlayahead,Kantorandhisbattle-brotherswouldovercomeit,ordie

trying.Itwastheonlywaytheyknew.

SIXTEENJadeberryHill,NewRynnCity

GrimmhadonlyfoursquadswithwhichtoholdtheJadeberryUnderpass.Itwashere,tothemouthoftheunderpass,thatEpistolaryDuegerrohadsenthim,adamantthatthoseapproaching,whoevertheywere,wouldenterthecitythroughit,ornotatall.Eventhroughthepsychichaze,theroilingcloudsofalienthoughtthatbillowedoutfromthemindsoftheorkpsykers,theCrimsonFistsLibrarianshadreadthismuchclearlyinthecurrentsoftheimmaterialrealm.Deguerrohadnotsaidwhohebelievedtheapproachingpresencestobe,perhapssoasnottoraiseanyone’shopes,butGrimmcouldn’tsuppresshisownferventhopes.SurelyitwasagroupofsurvivorsfromArxTyrannus.SomeoftheCrimsonFistshadtohavesurvived.DarehehopethattheChapterMasterwasamongthem?Fromtheunderpass,thebaseofJadeberryHillwasonlytwohundredmetres

away,justnorth,apale,stonypathsnakingupitsdarksouthernflankleadingtothecemeteryatthetop.Tothenorth-westofthehill,thewatersofthePakomacRiversplitfromthoseoftheRiverRynn.Theymeanderedsouththensouth-west,feedinganetworkofcanalswithinthecitylimitsbeforespreadingouttowardsthefarmlandswheretheyfollowedcountlessirrigationditches.Finally,thePakomacsplitintoathousandsmallertributariesbeforeitmetthemightyMedeanSea.Theorkshadnotlettheriversandcanalsstopthemfromspreadingintothe

regioninforce.Infact,theythrivedwithsuchanabundanceofwater.Theyuseditinthemassivesteam-drivenmachineswhichfilledthefoundriestheyhadhastilyestablished,takingtheircuefromthemanufactoratheyhadalreadyoverrun.Theirpositionwasstrong.Theyhadencircledthecityascompletelyastheycould.

AsGrimmlookedoutfrombehindthebarricadesheandhissquadshaderectedaroundthis,themouthofthelastImperial-heldunderpassthissideoftheriver,hecursedatallthegreenskinshadaccomplishedsofar.Theywereeverybitassavageandviolentastheyhadalwaysbeen,buthe

couldn’tdenyacertainbrutalintelligencebehindalltheyhadachieved.TheireliminationofImperialcommunicationsattheveryearliesthadbeenamasterstroke,astrategyclearlylearnedovertheircountlessclasheswiththeEmperor’sforces.Thestorm-trooperunitsoftheImperialGuardwereregularlydeployedearlyinwartoachieveexactlysuchanobjective.Astartesstrikeforcesexecutedsuchoperationsasamatterofcourse.Someoneshouldhaverealisedthat,soonerorlater,theorkswouldlearnfromthetacticsoftheirenemies.Suchknowledgemayhavetakenalongtimetopermeatethegreenskins’limitedminds,butithadfinallydawnedonthem,andhereweretheresults.Thebarricades–mostlyAegisprefabshield-walls,concrete-filledsteeldrums,

razorwireandsandbags–werethebestheandhismencouldmanageinthetimethey’dhad.Sofar,theyhadheldagainstthelastfourattackwaves,butthatwasasmuchtodowiththegridworkofanti-vehicleandanti-personnelminesGrimmhadorderedplacedonthemainaccessroadasitwasthestrengthoftheAegisplating.Theminefieldwaslargelydepletednow.Howclosewouldthenextwaveget?IftherewereAstartescominginfromtheeast,theywouldsoondiscoverthe

challengetheyfacedenteringthecity.Thetoweringcolumnsofblacksmokeandtheendlessdrumbeatofheavyartillerywouldmakeitclear,longbeforetheywerewithinstrikingdistance,thattheorkscontrolledeverythingoutsidethewalls.Everything,thatis,exceptthislastwayin.ButhowlongdoIwait,Grimmwondered?Heknewtheenemywerealreadymusteringforanotherrunonhisposition.If

hisbrothersfromArxTyrannuswereoutthere,theywouldhavetohurry.HeturnedhiseyesleftanduptothetopofJadeberryHill.Hehadpositioneda

Devastatorsquadthere,theonlyonehe’dbeenassigned.Itwasagoodspotforheavyfiresupport,asthelasttwohourshadproven.TheDevastatorswerefieldingtwolas-cannons,twomissilelaunchersandaplasmacannon.Already,theyhadtakenastaggeringtollonthefoe,rippingtheirvehiclestoburningpiecesfromlongrangeandatomisinghundredsofalieninfantry.Buttheirammunitionwasfinite.Iftheattackscontinuedtointensify,theywouldsoonrunout.TheCeresProtocolwasstillineffect.Deguerrohadn’treversedit,knowing

Alvez’soriginaldecisionwastherightone.Grimmknewhewouldhavetomakeachoicesoon:riskthelivesofallthoseunderhistemporarycommandforthesakeofamerepsychictrace,orfallbackwhenitbecameclearthebarricadeswouldnolongerhold.Hedesperatelywantedtoholdtheunderpasstothelast,givingwhoeverwasoutthereeverychancetheycouldofmakingitbacktothefold,butpayingforitwiththebloodofhisbrotherswassomethinghecouldnotdo.No.Perhaps,ifDeguerrohadbeensure,hadnamedPedroKantororoneofhis

captainsamongtheapproachingparty,itwouldhavebeenaneasierchoice.Grimmwouldhavestayeddespiteeverything.TheforcesinNewRynnCityneededasign,neededoneoftheirleaders,amemberoftheChapterCouncil,toreturntothem.Whatmightthatdoformorale?Butwithoutaname,withoutcertainty,couldhereallyjustifythedeathofany

CrimsonFist?Suchthoughtsresolvedtheissueforhim.IfnoprodigalFistsshowedthemselvesbytheendofthenextattackwave,hewouldpullhisbrothersbackanddestroytheunderpass.Hecouldnotrisktheorksgainingaccesstothecitythatway.Librarianswerenotinfallible.Theywereknowntoerrfromtimetotime,andDeguerrohimselfadmittedthattheywereforcedtoconstantlywrestleagainstthepsychicfogthatemanatedfromtheundisciplinedmindsoftheorkpsykers.StilllookingatthesummitofJadeberryHill,Grimmnoticedsuddenagitated

movementthere.Staticcrackledinhisear,brokenbyavoicethatsaid,‘SergeantGrimm,thexenosaremassingforanotherrunonthebarricades.Theyarebehindtheruinstothesouth-east.’Hepaused.‘Therearemanyofthem,brother.Morethanbefore.’Ofcoursethereare,thoughtGrimmsourly.ThevoicebelongedtoSergeantTirius,formerlyofthelateCaptainDrakken’s

3rdCompany.Thehard-facedTiriusandhissquadhadsurvivedthedebacleatBadlandingonlytofindthemselveshere,appendedtothe2ndCompany,andinafargreatermessthananyhadexpected.Grimmwasgladtohavethem.Tiriuswasstrongandtrue,withlittleegotogetinhisway.‘Armour?’Grimmaskedoverthelink,hopingtheanswerwouldbenone.‘Icountfivetanks,’saidTirius.‘LootedLemanRuss.Theturretshavebeen

modified.Ican’tbegintoguessattheirrangeorpowernow,butiftheygetwithinrangeofourlascannonandmissilelaunchers,wewillrenderthemintoscrap.Youhavemyword.’Grimmwasreassured,butthemerepresenceofthetanksmeantthattheorks

wereescalatingtheireffortstotakethisarea.Itwasthegreenskinway.Theywouldthrowprogressivelyheavierconcentrationsofforcesataproblemuntiltheyovercameitbyvirtueofbruteforce.EventuallytheywouldovercometheAstartesdefenders.Grimmwasnodefeatist.Hemerelyhadtoberealistic.Livesdependedonit.‘Readyyourweapons,brothers,’hecalledoutoverthecomm-link.‘Dorn

watchoverusall.TheyarenomatchforthesonsoftheChapter.Norshalltheyeverbe.’Furtherwordscameunbiddenintohismind,wordshehadheardonascoreof

battlefieldsoutthereamongthestars,thewordssofavouredbytheChaplainsoftheCrimsonFists.ThereisonlytheEmperor,theChaplainswouldintonebeforebattlewas

joined.Heisourshieldandourprotector,therankswouldreply.Grimmspokethatfirstlinetohisbattle-brothersnow,spokeitwithfeeling,

andreceivedanequallyimpassionedresponse.Onhisleftandright,weaponswerecockedandreadied.Hulkingfiguresappearedoverthemoundsofrubbletothesouth-east,great

darkshapeswithhornedhelmsandflappingbannersofflayedhumanskin.Severedheadsbobbedandswungfromtheirbeltsandfromthepolesthatsupportedthosecrudelypaintedbanners.Somewereboxy,angularfigures,weigheddownbythickarmour,butsoimpossiblystrongthattheywerestillfastenoughtoleadthecharge.One,Grimmsaw,wasbyfarthelargest.Thehornsthatsproutedfromeither

sideofhishelmcurvedoutwards,theninwardswithatwist,likethoseofabullraumas,butplatedinsharpenedsteel.Thehornedwarbossraisedamassivegrowlingchainaxeintotheairandroared

longanddeep,abattlecrythatwastakenupbyitsthousandsoffollowers.Theylookedfearlessstandingthere,allthoseorks,andwelltheymight,for

theyfacedonlyforty.Butdidtheyrealisehowmuchfightwasleftinthatforty?EveryCrimsonFistatthebarricadewasreadytofightlikeitwasthelasthourofhislife.Perhapsitwouldbe.Thelootedtanksrumbledintoviewnow,clankingbetweentheskeletonsof

fire-guttedbuildings,turningtheirstoutuglymodifiedturretstowardstheAstartes.Onefiredashot,agreatgoutoffireandsmokeeruptedfromitsbarrel.Theshelllandedahundredmetresshort,packedwithsomuchexplosivethatit

blewacraterintherockcreteroadtwometresdeep.Thiswasthebeginning,thesigntheorkswerewaitingfor.Theycharged

forward,fillingtheairwithwarcries.Theysurgedaroundthetanks,mindfulnottobecrushedbythegrindingtreads.‘Steady!’Grimmordered.‘Makeeveryboltcount!’FromthetopofJadeberryHill,somethingstreakedtowardstheleadingtank

onatrailofwhiteandyellowfire.Itstruckthetankrightonthegunmantlet,punchingdeepintothemetal.Thetankjerkedtoastop.Asecondlater,redfireeruptedfromitshatches.Burningbodiestumbledout,thrashingandscreaming.Onedown,thoughtGrimm.Theorkfootsoldierswerealmostinrange.Grimmcouldseethegleamof

bloodlustintheeyesofthemassivewarboss.Allright,youfoulbastard,cursedthesergeant.You’vegotmyattention.It’s

timeyoutastedthefuryoftheCrimsonFists.‘Openfire!’heyelledoverthelink.Thesuddenrattleofboltersdrownedout

allelse.Battlewasjoined.Ifyouareoutthere,brothers,thoughtGrimmasheloosedshotafterflesh-

searingshotfromhisplasmapistol,theninDorn’sname,hurryup.Becauseitlookslikethisisyourverylastchance.

ThesightthatgreetedAlessioCortezasheexitedfromthetreesoftheAzcalanrainforestwasoneofabsolutemayhem.Thecityburned.Hecouldseeorkshipshalf-buriedintheoutersectionsofcollapsedcitywalls.Artilleryflashedandboomedallalongtheremainingramparts,butfarmoreansweredbackfromtheground,shellsexplodingonthewalls,weakeningthemlittlebylittle,piecebypiece.Themadbeastshadevenbreachedthecitywallsinplacesbyrammingthem

withaircraft!Kantorandtheothersjoinedhimattheforestedge,andfroze.‘InDorn’sname…’gaspedtheChapterMaster.‘There!’exclaimedBrotherFenestra.‘Looktothebaseofthehill.’Cortezsawitatonce.Upahead,agreatorkhordewasracingstraighttowards

arowofImperialbarricades.AzurefiguresleanedoutfrombehindAegisarmourplatingtofiretightburstsattheenemyswarmingallaroundthem.Fivetankslayjusttothesouth-eastofthebarricadedposition,eachreducedtolittlemorethanaburningblackhusk.EvenasCortezregisteredallthis,abrightburst

ofplasmastreakeddownfromthetopofJadeberryHillandturnedagreatknotoforkstosomuchbubblingblackflesh.‘Totheiraid!’barkedKantor,andhebrokeintoarun.Cortezwasonlyasecondbehindhim.‘Charge!’hebellowedathisbattle-

brothers.‘Ourcharges,mylord?’askedSergeantViejo,evenashetooburstfromthe

coverofthetrees.Damnourcharges,cursedCortez.Ourbrothersneedus.‘JadeberryHill,’Kantorsnappedbetweenbreaths.‘They’llbesafeatthetop.’Kantorwasalmostontheorksnow,buttheyhadyettonoticetheimminent

attackfromtheirrear.Tendingtowardstunnel-visioninafight,theyrarelynoticedanythingbutthefoeinfrontofthem.ItwasaweaknesstheCrimsonFistshadexploitedmanytimesthroughouttheirhistoryofviolentencounterswiththem.Kantorreachedstrikingrangeandplungedinamongstthem,alivingstormof

violenceandrevenge.Hispowerfistsmashedhisenemiesaside,pulpingorgansandfleshwhereveritconnected,shatteringbone.Pressedtogetherbytheirsheerweightofnumbers,theorkshardlyknewwhat

hitthem.TheywerestillreelingfromthesuddenattackoftheChapterMasterwhenCortezandtheothersjoinedthefray.Again,Cortezfeltcenturiesofrelentlesstrainingtakeover.Timeseemedtoslowdownaroundhim,asifheexistedinsomekindofbubbleinwhichhissynapsesoperatedthatmuchfasterthaneverythingelse.Surprisedorksturnedtoengagehim,andwererenderedheadlessbeforetheycouldevenraisetheirbladesandgunsinhisdirection.Others,justbeyondthesefirst,didmanagetoslashoutathim,buttheblowsseemedabsurdlyslowtohissuper-chargedsenses,andhealmostlaughedaloudasheparriedthemonhisceramitevambraces.Hispistolbarkedatpoint-blankrange,killingalmostasmessilyashispowerfist.Cortezdidnotturntocheckonhisbrothers.Hetrustedthattheyfoughtashe

did,andhewasright,butnonesaveKantorhimselfcouldmatchthelethalspeedandprowessofthe4thCompanycaptain.BeforeCortezrealisedwhathadhappened,hefoundhimselfontheotherside

oftheorkhorde.Thebarricadeswererightthereinfrontofhim.Hehadcarvedanavenueofdeathstraightthroughthealiens.Heracedforwardandleaptoverthewallofarmourplateandrazorwire,then

turnedbacktofacetheorksandresumedfiringhispistol,everyshotakill,eliminatingcloserangetargetswithaspeedhecouldneverduplicateonamere

trainingrange.Itneededtheenergyofrealbattle,theflowofadrenalinethatonlytrulylife-threateningdangerbroughtforth.Ashefiredagainandagain,hesawPedroKantorwhirlingamongtheranksof

theenemy,severingarterieswithhislong,gold-hiltedblade,sprayingtheairwithcrimsondrops.Wherehissworddidnotcut,hispowerfistobliteratedeverythingittouched.Itspowerwasincredible.Itwasmaster-crafted,asbeautifulasitwasdeadlyand,toCortez’seyes,ithadneverbeenasbeautifulasitwasatthatmoment,employedintheslaughterofthosethathadsogravelywoundedhisChapter.Cortezheardavoiceoverthecomm-link.Itwasanewvoice–newinthatit

wasnotoneofthesixteenotherAstartesvoiceshehadbecomesoaccustomedtooverthelasttenterribledays.‘CaptainCortez!’exclaimedthevoice.‘AndtheChapterMaster,byDorn!

Blessyou,Deguerro.’‘Identifyyourself,brother,’barkedCortezashepickedoffamassiveone-

armedorkthatwaslopingintoengagetheChapterMasterfrombehind.‘IamHuronGrimm,’saidthevoice,‘SergeantoftheSecondCompany’sFirst

TacticalSquad.We…wehavebeenwaitingforyou,captain.’SquadsViejoandSegalafoughttheirwaythroughthehordenow,rallying

aroundKantorandcuttinghimsomeroomtomove.Cortezwonderedwheretherestofhisownsquadwereuntil,throughagap,hesawthemguardingtheChapterMaster’srear.Las-andplasma-firestreakeddownfromthetopofJadeberryHillandripped

intotheorkranks,killingscoresatatime.‘Getbehindthebarricades,’Kantoryelled,andhechargedforwardandleapt

cleanoverthem,landingonhisfeetjustbesideCortez.Themomenthelanded,hespun,andtwinmuzzleflareslickedoutfromthe

barrelsofDorn’sArrow.Massivelymuscledgreenbodiesbrokeapart,eruptingfromtheinsideoutaseachmass-reactiveshelldetonatedinquicksuccession.SomethingwasbotheringCortezevenashefought.‘WhereisBenizar?’he

demandedoverthelink.‘WhereareTeves,SeccoandOlvero?’askedanother.ItsoundedlikeViejo.No,thoughtCortez.Donotletitbe!Theydidnotcomethisfartofallnow.Buttheyhad.Moreplasma-firestreakeddownintothemiddleoftheorks,killingssomany,

burningandmaimingothers,andaspaceclearedinthechurningranks.Throughit,Cortezsawanarmouredmonstrositywithagreathornedhelmliftoneofhis

brothersintotheair,onemassive,blood-slickpowerclawgraspingtheAstartesbytheneck.Itwastheleaderoftheorkassault.DidthecreaturefeelCortez’seyesonhim?

Diditfeelthecaptain’shatestabbingoutatitthroughallthenoiseandthekilling?Perhapsitdid.ItturneditswickedredeyestowardsCortezandasickeningaliengrinsplititsmassive,tusk-filledmaw.WithCortez’seyeslockedtoit,theorksnappedshutthebladesofitspowerclaw.Snikkt!Ablue-armouredbodyfelllifelesstotheblood-soakedground.Foramoment,

theSpaceMarine’shelmet,hisseveredheadstillinside,remainedbalancedonthehugeclaw.Thentheorkbossflickeditaway,asifitweremeregarbage.‘Bastard!’roaredCortez,andheleapedoverthebarricadeoncemore,

barrellingintotheorks,headingstraightforthemurderousabominationinthemiddle.‘Alessio!’shoutedKantoroverthelink,buttherewasnoreachinghim.

Instead,hisfellowFistsconcentratedtheirfirearoundhim,helpingtocuthimapath.Dimly,Cortezregisteredtheiraid.Theorksoneithersideofhimfellwith

greatmelon-sizedwoundsthatexplodedintheirflesh.Fromsomewherehighonhisleft,therewasagreatflashoflight,andhowlsofagonyburstfromalienthroats.Heheardthedistinctiveshriekofamissile,andfeltthegroundunderhimshakeasitstruckthirtymetresaway.Theexplosionsentafountainofbloodandcookedfleshintotheairtoraindownamomentlater.TheCrimsonFistsonthehilltop,herealised,werestillgivingtheirsupport.Thenhewasinfrontoftheblack-armouredbeastwiththehornedhelm.His

target.Thefocusofhisrage.Henoticedtheblackandwhitechecksonthemonster’sbattle-scarredarmour.Henoticedtheicononitsbannerofhumanskin,aredskullshapedlikethatofabullauroch.Andhenoticedthesizedifferencebetweenthem.Theorkbosstoweredoverhim.Evenhunched,thebeastwasatleastametretallerthanhe.‘Keeptheothersoffme,’snarledCortezoverthelink.Butheneedn’thave

bothered.Theorkbossbellowedsomethinginwhatwasjustbarelyalanguage,andtheclosestorkspressedaside,makingspace.‘That’sright,’saidCortez,alupinegrintwistinghisfeatures.‘One-on-one.’He

fingeredthegripofhisknife,flexedthethickdigitsofhispowerfist.‘Let’shaveit,monster!’Thewordsblaredfromhishelmet’svox-ampatmaximumvolume.

Theorkgrowledback,recognisingachallengebyitstone,thoughthewordsthemselvesweremeaninglessnoisetoitsraggedears.Itslongmetalclawssnappedopenandshut,asifitswholerightarmhadamindofitsown,andabeastlikeappetiteforraw,bloodyflesh.Intheotherarm,itheldachainaxenomeremancouldhaveheftedintotheair.

Theweapon’steethwereanangryblur,whirringtoofasttosee.Itwasthisweaponthecreatureraisedfirst,openingthecombatwithablisteringlateralswipethatCortezavoidedbymillimetres,leaningbackonhisrearfootasthebladesweptby.Forallthatarmour,allthatbulk,themonsterwasfast.ButCortezknewhewasfaster.Thefightwason.Therewaslittleanyoftheotherscoulddosavetocontinue

takingtheirowndeadlytollontherestoftheorkband.Theyknewbetterthantointerferedirectly.Honourforbadeit.One-on-one,Cortezhadsaid,andthatwashowitwouldbe.Tothe4thCompanycaptain,theuniverseseemedtoshrink.Therewasnothing

else,onlyheandhisopponentlockedinstruggleoflifeanddeath,thedefinitionofexistence.Soon,therewouldbeonlyone.

Deathsurroundedthemastheirweaponsclashedagainandagain,buttheypaiditnoheed.Theywerewell-matched,andthesoundofblowafterclashingblowresoundedinthedampair.Cortezsnarledashispowerfistwas,onceagain,deflected.Theorkboss‘sgreatsnappingclawwassheathedinapowerfieldofitsown.EverytimethedeadlyclawmettheSpaceMarine’shugeredfist,therewerearcsoflethal,cracklingenergy.Againstthemonster’schainaxe,thecaptain’scombatbladelookedpathetically

small,butitwastheskillwithwhichtheknifewaswieldedthattrulymattered.Everytimethemonsterrippedthroughtheairwithitsaxe,Cortezshiftedjustenoughtoavoidtheblowand,littlebylittle,hisslashing,stabbingcounterattacksbegantotaketheirtoll.Thickorkbloodstartedtostreamfromthegapsinthebeast’sarmour,andCortezwassurethemonster’sblisteringswipeswerebeginningtoslow,justfractionally,perhaps,butenoughtoofferhimtheopeninghewouldneedforakillingstroke.Theorkbossnowseemedtosensethefightwasnotgoingitsway.Itchanged

tactics,feintingwithawideclaw-swipeandbull-rushingCortezwhenthecaptainmovedtoparry.

Itworked.Cortezfoundhimselfgrappling,wrestlingdesperatelytostayonhisfeet.Ifhewenttothegroundunderthebulkofallthatarmourandgreenmuscle,heknewhewouldnotbegettingbackup.Heknewitwouldbetheendofhim.Wasthisthemoment?Wereallthestories,allthelegendsofhisimmortality,

toendhere?Hehadnotthoughtacreaturelikethiswouldclaimthatvictory,butthenagain,evenashestruggled,heconcededagrudgingrespectfortheork’srawcombatprowess.Thecreaturehadsuccessfullyexecutedafeint,somethingnootherorkhadeverdoneincombatwithCortez.Therewasmoregoingoninsidethatthickskullthanhehadgiventhebeastcreditfor.Cortezfoughtforcewithforce,butonlyforamoment.Heknewhewouldnot

winthisfightonthoseterms.Hehaddroppedhisknifeinordertofreehisrighthandforgrappling.Itwaslockedaroundthebeast’sleftwrist,thoughitcouldn’tcloseentirelyoverit.ThatwristwasasthickasCortez’sknee.Hispowerfistwas,likewiselockedaroundthearmouredhousingofthemonster’sgreatmetalclaw,buttheenergyfieldswerereacting,makingthecontactslippery,liketwomagnetsofoppositechargerepellingeachother.Theorkhaddroppeditschainaxetolungeforwardandgrabitsenemy.Itknew

ithadonlytofallonCortezforthebattletobewon.Itpressedallitsweightforward,andtosseditsheadfromsidetoside,tryingtopierceCortez’svisorwithitssharpsteelhorns.Adeep,wetlaughbeganinthecreature’sthroat.Itsensedvictorywasclose.

Soon,itwouldcrushtheSpaceMarinetotheground,sitastridehim,andsnipoffhislimbs,oneafteranother.Itknewthathumansweresoftbeneaththeirshells.Theirfleshpartedaseasilyasthefleshofafruit.Theorklikedthepartingofthatflesh.Itlikedthehotspraysofredthataccompaniedit.Itlikedthenoisesthehumansmade,thehighscreamsandagonisedroarstheyventedintheirfinalmoments.Nowwasthatmoment.Theorkthrustforwardonemoretimewithallits

strength,piston-boostedlegslendingitirresistiblepower.Cortez’slegsstartedtobuckleunderhim,butthiswaswhathehadbeen

waitingfor,theorkabomination’sfinalforwardpush.Thiswasthemomenttheorkwasmostvulnerable.Corteztwistedhard,shiftingthedirectionofhisownenergy,notforward

againstthecreatureasitexpected,butbackwardsandtotheleft,movingwithit,addinghisownmomentumtohisenemy’s.Ithappened.Theorkfounditsmassivebulkoff-balance,withnohopeof

recovery.Itteeteredforwardononetree-thickleg,desperatetoregainits

equilibrium.Cortezwasalreadybehindit.Hekickedoutatthemonster’ssupportingleg,

hisceramitebootconnectingsharplywiththebackofitsknee.Thecreaturewentdownhard,itsarmourcrackingtherockcreteunderneathit.

Itflailed,itsclawslashingbackandforth,franticswipesintendedtosevertheSpaceMarine’slegs.ButCortezdidn’tstaystilllongenoughtogetcaught.Hestampeddownontheork’slowerbackwithhisleftboot,raisedhispowerfistoverhishead,andpunchedstraightdownintothemetalplate,hisknucklespassingthroughintothehot,bloodymeatbeneath.Theorkhowledinpain.Cortezfoundwhathewaslookingfor.Heclosedhismetaldigitsarounditand

yankedhard,thenraisedhisprizeabovehisheadandroaredintriumph.Inhisoversized,blood-drenchedgauntlet,heheldalargesectionofthe

monster’sspine.Otherorksturnedawayfromthebarricades,sensingsomethinghadchanged.

TheysawCortezstandingovertheirfallenleader,thestrongestoftheirtribe.Theysawthemassivebodybeneathhisbootandthegleamingwhiteboneinhisupraisedhand.Ofallthings,orksrecognisedstrengthmostofall,andhereitstoodbeforethem,astrengththeycouldnotovercome.Nothere.Notnow.Themobsplit,turningfromtheImperialbarricadesandracingbacktowards

thecoveroftheruinedbuildingsnearby.Bolter-firechasedthemandascoremorewentdownwithwoundsintheirbacksthesizeofgrapefruit.Cortezwatchedthemgoand,finally,loweredhisarm.Hecasttheorkvertebraetotheground.Someonewascallinghimoverthelink.Thevoiceeasedhimoutofthebattle-

rush,soothinghim,slowinghisprimaryheartbacktoasteadybeatandsendinghissecondaryheartbackintoitssleepingstate.ItwasPedroKantor.‘Wellfought,’hesaidsimply.Cortezcouldheartension,notpride,intheChapterMaster’svoice.Hewas

abouttoreplywhenanothervoicebeathimtoit.‘Armour!’ItwasSergeantTirius.TheDevastatorSquadleaderwasstillontop

ofJadeberryHill.‘SergeantGrimm,orktanksarepressingtowardsusfromthestreetstothesouth.Iseetwenty.We’llnotbeabletoholdthistime.Ourammunitionisalmostout.Willyougivemysquadpermissiontodescend?’GrimmturnedtotheChapterMaster,immediatelydeferringtohim.‘Wehadhumanrefugeeswithus,’KantorsaidtoTirius.‘Theywereorderedto

highgroundduringthefight.Aretheywithyou?’

‘Theyare,lord,’repliedTirius.‘Onediedontheascent.Anoldman.Hisheartgaveout.’Cortezwinced.SurelyitwasDasat.Kantorwouldtakethathard,nodoubt.TheChapterMasterpausedonlybriefly,beforeorderingSquadTiriusto

shepherdtherefugeesdownthesideofthehillatonce.ThenheaddressedSergeantGrimm.‘Icannottellyou,sergeant,whatitmeansthatyouheldthispassageopenforus.Isweartoyouthatyouwillbehonouredproperlywhenthereistime.’Grimmansweredwithouthesitation.‘Yourwordsarehonourenoughfora

dozenlifetimes,mylord.Andseeingyoualiveisarewardevengreater.Wesohopeditwouldbeyou.’‘Howdidyouknowanyonewascomingthisway?’‘TheLibrarians,mylord.Theyfeltit.EpistolaryDeguerroorderedustohold

theunderpassforaslongaswecould.’Cortezwasclimbingoverthebarricadesforafinaltime.‘Deguerro?’hesaid.SergeantGrimmfacedhim.Hisvoicewasheavywithgriefashereplied,

‘CaptainAlveznolongerleadsus.’‘Youcannotmean…’saidtheChapterMaster.‘Mylord,’saidGrimm,‘thecaptaingavehislifeinbattletwodaysago.More

thananything,Iwishhecouldhavelivedtoseeyoureturn.Idon’tthinkheeverreallybelievedyouhadperishedatArxTyrannus.’Thelinkwentsilent.Cortezpushedacoilofrazorwireasideandclimbedover

aclusterofconcrete-filleddrumsbeforecomingtoastopatKantor’sside.‘Drigo,’saidKantorsoftly.‘Dorn’sblood.Nothim,too.’Cortezcouldheartheachingsadnessinhisfriend’svoice.NoonesaidanotherworduntilSquadTiriusandtherefugeesjoinedthemat

themouthoftheunderpassamomentlater.AwomanwithmattedblondehaircrossedtotheChapterMasterandkneltat

hisfeet.TheSpaceMarineslookeddownather.Thedirtonherfacewasstreakedwith

teartracks.‘Mylord,’shesobbed.‘Dasatisdead.’SheglancedfearfullyinthedirectionofSergeantTirius.‘Hewouldnotletusbringthebodydownfromthehill.’Tiriusnoddedtoconfirmthis.‘ThatisJadeberryHill,’Kantortoldthewoman,bendingtolifthertoherfeet.

Shewasasfragileasadoll,herbonesshowingsharplybeneathhermalnourishedflesh.‘IthasbeenaspecialplacesincethedaysRynnhimself

claimedthisworldfortheImperium.LetDasatliethere,atpeace.Whenthiswarisover,hispassingwillbemarkedmoreappropriately,hisandthatofsomanyothers.Fornow,though,wepresson.Ourjourneyisnotquiteover.Youarenotsafeyet.’Noddingobediently,stiflinghersobs,thewomanmovedofftoinstructthe

refugees.Cortezdetectedthefirstsignoftheapproachingtanks,atremorintheground

beneathhisfeet.Kantormusthavefeltitto,becausehegesturedtothecavernousmouthoftheunderpassandsaid,‘Leadtheway,SergeantGrimm.Weshouldhurry.’‘Thisway,mylord,’saidthesergeant,andbeganhisdescentdownintothe

tunnel.Theothersfollowed.Behindthem,therubble-strewnstreetsbegantoshake.

SEVENTEENJadeberryUnderpass,NewRynnCity

PedroKantorwasbone-weary,but,ashemarchedbehindthemenofSquadGrimm,hewasdeterminednottoletitshow.Hesensedtheywereallweary,thebrothersthatsurroundedhim,buthe,morethananyother,hadtokeephisexhaustionatbayawhilelonger.Hewasbackamonghisownnow.Theywouldbelookingtohimforguidance,foranswers,forapathintothefuturethatwouldensurethesurvivaloftheirancientbrotherhood.Itwasuptohimtoprovideallthesethingsandmore,nomatterhowimpossiblethatseemedrightnow.Thetunnelwaspitch-black.Therewerelightsatregularintervalsalongthe

wallsandceilings,buttheirpowercamefromastationoutsidethecitylimits,andithadfallentotheorksearlyintheconflict.TheCrimsonFistsmovedeasilyenoughinthedark,ofcourse,theirvisorsandgene-boostedeyesrevealingeverylastdetailtothem,buttherefugeesneededlightiftheyweretokeepup.Thus,BrotherGalicatravelledattherear,holdingalitflareforthemtofollow.Nowandthen,whentheirpacebecametooslow,heofferedwordsofencouragement,orremindedthemofthegreenskinsattheirbacks.Thelatterneverfailedtospurthemon.Theunderpasswasbroad,perhapsfortymetresacrosswithaceilingtwelve

metresabovethesurfaceoftheroad.Pillarssupportedallthatrockandearth,someofthemsculptedinthelikenessofhoodedfigures,theforty-twoacolyteswhohadassistedthefamedImperialReclamator,SaldanoMalverroRynn.TheeerieredlightfromGalica’sflarecastsharpblackshadowsalongthefoldsoftheirstonerobes.Kantor’seyespickedouttheboxyformsoftwolargetrucksinthegloomup

ahead.‘Mightwenottravelfasterinthose?’heaskedGrimm.‘Theyhaveanotherpurpose,lord,’Grimmreplied.‘Theircarriagesarepacked

withhigh-explosive.Oncewehavepassedatasafedistance,Iwillarmthem.Thefirstorkstoreachthemwilltriggeradetonationthatwillbringtheceiling,andthePakomacRiver,crashingdownontheirheads.’Kantornodded.‘Let’shopetheorksgivechaseinstaggeringnumbers.’Cortezgaveanamusedsnort.‘Idon’tdoubttheywill,’saidGrimm,‘butSnagrodhasnumberstospare.It

shamesmetoadmitit,butwe’velostsomuchgroundtotheenemyalready.’‘Shamebedamned,’repliedKantor.‘Youhavefoughtmorebravelythan

anyonecouldhaveasked.WhoelsecouldhavestoodthislongagainstsuchaWaaagh?I’llnothearyouspeakofshameagain.’‘Asmylordwishes,’Grimmreplied.Turningbacktotheoriginalsubject,he

continued,saying,‘ThisunderpassisthelastopenpathintoImperial-heldterritory.Withthedestructionofthistunnel,weareeffectivelysealingourselvesin.’‘Helpwillcome,’saidKantor.‘TheCrusadergotaway.’‘Thatissomething.Ihopetheybringaidsoon.CaptainAlvezplacedour

forcesundertheCeresProtocol.EpistolaryDeguerroalsofeltitwise.’Grimm’squestionwasimplied.WouldKantor’sfamoussenseofhonourand

hiscompassionfornormalhumanscausehimtooverturnAlvez’sdecree?‘TheCeresProtocolstaysinplace,’saidKantor.‘Drigowasrighttoputthe

survivaloftheChapterfirst.’HethoughtCortezthrewaglancehiswayashesaidthis.‘Ironically,’Grimmcontinued,‘thecaptaingavehisownlifeinviolationofit.

ThousandsofRynnsguardtroopersandcivilianswouldhavediedhadhenotmadethatfinalsacrifice.’‘Hesurprisedyou,’saidKantorperceptively.SomethinginSergeantGrimm’stonesuggestedhewassmilingashe

answered,‘Truly,hedid.’TheFistshadcomeabreastofthetwotrucksnow,andKantorcouldseethat

theywereverydeliberatelyplacedinthegapsbetweenthreethickpillars.Thedestructionofthosepillarswouldunderminetheintegrityofthewholemidsection.Theweightofallthatrockabovewouldpulveriseandburyeventhetoughestorkmachine.Thecrashingwatersthatfollowed,theice-coldPakomac,wouldpoundthexenosfootsoldierstoapulpagainstthewalls,ordrownthem.Eitherway,theyweredead.Thexenosneededoxygenjustasmuchashumansdid.ApartofPedroKantorwishedhecouldseeit,wishedhisconsciousnesscould

hoverheretowitnessthedeadlyreprisalasapsyker’smightdo.Butitwasonlyasmallpart.Thepowersofthewitch-kinwereasmuchacurseasablessing.HeknewalltoowellhowEustaceMendozahadwrestledwiththedaemonsofthewarp,theeffortshehadmadetodeflecttheirmalignintentionseverysingledayofhislonglife.SuchathingwasaburdenKantor’sbroadshoulders,alreadyweigheddownwithsomuch,didnotneed.TheFistspressedon,GrimmapprisinghisChapterMasterandtheothersofall

thathadoccurredinthedayssincethefirstalienshipsmadeplanetfallhere.Inturn,KantorspokeofthetragedyatArxTyrannus.Hispsychologicalwoundswerenobetterforthetellingofthetale,butthebrave2ndCompanysergeantandhismendeservedtohearthetruthfromtheirleader.ThesurvivaloftheChapterwasgravelyuncertain.Therewassolittleofitleft

onwhichtorebuild.Upahead,thelightchanged.Dulldaylightseepedintothedarknessata

shallowangle,finallyannouncingtheendoftheirjourneythroughtheunderpass.Ithadtakenalmosttwohours.SomeoftherefugeeshadslowedsomuchthatKantorhadorderedtheFistsintherearguardtocarrythoseonthevergeofcollapse.Hehadnosoonersethisleftfootontheshallowrampthatledoutofthe

tunnelthanheheardagreatrumblingnoisebehindhim.Airbeganwhooshingpast,escapingupwardsthroughthetunnelmouth.‘Theyhavetriggeredtheexplosives!’calledHuronGrimmovertherising

noise.Therefugeesbeganwhimperinginfear.‘Run!’orderedKantor.‘Bringthosepeople!’TheAstartesscoopeduptheciviliansandbeganpoundinguptheramp

towardstherectangleofdaylight.Therumblebehindthemgrewexponentiallylouder.KantorheardAlessioCortezroaringoverthecomm-linkathisbattle-brothers.‘Move,brothers!Dorndeteststheslow!’Thenoisebehindthemwasdeafeningnow.Anyotherwordswerelostinthe

cacophony.Atthefrontofthegroup,SergeantGrimmputonagreatburstofspeed,inspiringtheotherstodolikewise.Theyburstfromthemouthoftheunderpassjustasagreatspumeofwaterand

looserockexplodedupwardsfrombelow,drenchingthem.Theforceofitknockedsomeofthemfromtheirfeet.Insecondsthemomentumofthewaterwasspent.

KantorturnedtoseehisCrimsonFistsrising,manycradlingthesoaked,shiveringformsoftherefugees.‘Iseveryoneallright?’heasked,scanningthemforsignsofinjury.Onlyafewoftherefugeeswerealittletheworseforwear.KantorsawAlessioCortezgesturingatapointbeyondhim,signallingforhis

ChapterMastertoturnaround.Heturned……andsawasquadofbattle-brothersinheavyTerminatorarmourstomping

mechanicallytowardshimfromthestreetupahead.Adeep,dryvoicehailedhimonthecomm-link.ItwasRogoVicturix.‘WelcometoNewRynnCity!’Therewasnomistakingtheuncharacteristicjubilationinhistone.Hewas

almostlaughingwithjoyashebeheldhisleaderherebeforehim,aliveandwelldespiteeverything.Victurixgestureddownathisbulkyarmour.‘IwouldtakeakneeifIcould,

lord.AndIseeCaptainCortezcontinuestoliveuptohisreputationasunkillable.Heartfeltgreetings,brother.’Corteznoddedonceandclashedafistonhischestinsalute.Beneathhisfaceplate,Kantorfoundhimselfgrinning.Victurixandhissquad

werethefirstlivingmembersofhisCrusadeCompanythathehadseensincethecataclysmintheHellblades.And,byTerra,whatasighttheywere!‘Whatareyoudoinghere,Rogo?Surelyyouareneededonthewalls?’Victurixhaltedhissquadaboutfourmetresinfrontoftheothers.Therefugees

hadneverseenTerminatorarmourbefore.TheyhadthoughttheChapterMasterandhisthreesquadsofsurvivorsmassive,buttheywerenotnearlyasmassiveastheseothers.TheygapedunblinkingatthegreatbluebehemothswhiletheotherCrimson

Fists,thosethathadcarriedthemfromtheunderpass,setthemdownontheirfeet.Nonedaredmove.SergeantVicturixcastaneyeoverthem,thenreturnedhisgazetotheChapter

Master.Histonebecameashadeheavier.‘Thewallswecanholdarebeingheld,mylord,butthisverysectionwillbelosttouspresently,sowecannotdallyhere.Ihavefourtransportswaitinginasquarejusttothewest.Itisonlyafewminutesaway.‘We,’hesaid,spreadinghisarms,‘areyourescort.’

PARTTHREE

‘BeforesuchtheorieswerelabelledheresybytheEcclesiarchyandmadepunishablebydeath,somemenoncebelievedinparalleluniverses,aninfinityofthem,physicalplaceslikeourownuniversewhereallpossibilitieswereplayedout.ThoughIconsidermyselfapragmaticman,itisnotdifficulttoseethe

attractioninherentinsuchbeliefs.Werethoseparalleluniversestoexist,afterall,inmanyofthem,theorkswouldneverhavecometoRynn’sWorld.Everyday,IwishIlivedinsuchauniverse.’

–Extract:WritingsfromtheRamparts:AMemoirColonel(ret.)PortiusCantrell(948.M41-)

ONENewRynnCity,RynnlandProvince

Imperiallibrarieswould,oneday,cometobefilledwithgreatvolumescoveringtheeventsonRynn’sWorld.Millionsofparchmentpageswouldrecordthefeatsofgreatheroismandself-sacrificethattookplace.Thesuicidalchargeofthe16thRynniteWomen’sMilitiaagainsttheorksthatbreachedtheBaradonGatewouldcometoberemembered,aswouldthefurtheractsofbraveryitinspired.Likewise,thebravebutcostlycounterattackprosecutedbytheRynnsguard3rdGarrisonRegimentagainstorkarmouredelementswhichshelledtheZona2Residentiatorubble.Daybyday,thelastfreecitizensofRynn’sWorldclungon,provingtheir

mettle,holdingalwaystothedesperatehopethat,maybetoday,agreatImperialfleetwouldsweepdownfromtheskiesanddecimatethealienbesiegers.EveryhourtheyheldoutagainsttheuncountablehordesoftheArch-Arsonist,Snagrod,wastestamenttotheirstrengthandfaith,theircourageandpassion.Eachhouroflifewasearnedwithbloodandsweat.Forallthefeatsthatwentrecorded,howmanymorewerenot?NoImperial

documentwouldevertellofthenobledeathofSergeantPacalisFilian,amiddle-agedinfantrysquadleaderbornontheislandofCalliona.Heledanightassaultagainstorkforcescampedoutsidehissectionofthewall,knowingtheywouldovercomehissectionthefollowingday.Noneofhismenreturnedalive,buttheytookmorethantheirshareoftheenemydownwiththem.NorwouldanylivingmanorwomanretellthelasthoursofCaptainGolrid

PrinasoftheNinthRynnsguardArtilleryRegiment’s2ndCompany.Prinasandhisloyalgunnerycrewsfoughttothelastmanagainstatideoforkabominationsbeforefinallycallinginanartillerystrikefromanothercompany,guidingtheshellsinontheirownheadswhenitwascleartheywereoverrun.Asdeath

raineddown,Prinasutteredthewords,‘MylifeforRynn’sWorld,gemoftheImperium,secondonlytoTerraherself.’Noonewhoheardthesewordslivedtorecordthem.Thesebravefightersandmillionsmorediedfortheirworld,theirlovedones,

andforthehonouroftheEmperor.Butnonefoughtashard,norastirelessly,selflessly,asthelasttwohundredandeighteenbattle-brothersoftheCrimsonFists.ThoughthegreenskinspushedcloserandclosertotheSilverCitadelandits

lastneighbouringdistricts,theCrimsonFistsextractedahighandbloodypriceforeverycentimetregiven.Thegreenskinadvanceslowedtoacrawl.Wherevertheirarmourappeared,defensivebatteriesblasteditapart.Wherevertheorksattemptedtorigthewallswithexplosives,orcuttheirwaythroughthegateswithhigh-poweredlasandmeltaanalogues,theywereshreddedinahailofboltandplasmafire.Foreveryblowtheorkssoughttostrike,theCrimsonFistsmartialled

everythingattheirdisposalandlaunchedacounterblow.And,slowly,thesiegesettledintoapattern,adeadlyroutinewhereattritionlookedsettodecidethefutureoftheworld.Eventhecycleofseasons,unchangedsincelongbeforeRynn’sWorldhad

knownthefootstepsofman,werenotimmunetotheeffectsoftheWaaagh.BarelyaweekafterChapterMasterKantorarrivedatthecapital,Matiluvia,

theMonthofHammeringRains,beganinearnest,anditwasunlikeanysuchseasoninlivingmemory.BoththePakomacandtheRiverRynnbroketheirbanks,floodingthesurroundinglands,turningtheork-heldouterdistrictsintofilthy,smelly,fly-infestedmires.Orkexcrementmixedwiththefloodwaters,coatingeverything.Whentherainsfinallysubsidedandthehotweathercame,astinkingyellow-brownhazecutvisibilitydowntoonlyfiveorsixkilometres,confoundingtheRynnsguardartilleryspottersandthosemanningtheforwardobservationposts.Summerbroughtotherproblemsforthebeleaguereddefenders.Thoughthe

RiverRynnflowedthroughthecentreofthecityandrenderedfreshdrinkingwateramatteroflittleconcern,theburningsuntookitstollonmany.Guardsmenservinghighonthewallsdayafterdaywerebatteredwithrelentlessheatandglare.ManyreportedtomedicaefacilitieswithmaladiescausedbytheintensityoftheRynnstarsystem’stwinsuns.Otherssimplycollapsedwheretheystood.Howmanyofthosewereshotbytheircommissarsforsleepingonthejob?Howmany,dizzyfromexhaustion,driventocarelessnessbytheprotestsof

theirownbodies,felltoorkfirewhentheymighthavelivedhadtheyonlybeenallowedadequaterest?OnlytheSpaceMarineswereimmunetosuchthings.Therainsdidnotbother

them.Theblazingsunsdidnotaffectthem.Rumoursspread.Freshlegendsgrew.Somesaidtheydidnoteat.Somesaidtheydidnotsleep.Otherssaidthattheycouldnotbekilled,thattheywouldfightonforathousandyearsifneedbe,eveniftherewerenocivilianslefttoprotect.Maybesuchtalkwascomfortingtosome,buttherealitywasaltogetherdarker.

NoteventheAdeptusAstartescouldholdindefinitely.Snagrod’sWaaaghwasgettingstrongerallthetime.Thateachindividualbattle-brotherwasfardeadlierthanatypicalork,nonecouldargue,buttheCrimsonFiststhemselvesknewthetruth.Theysawthattheywerelosing,andtheknowledgeburned.Summerturnedtoautumn.Perhapstheorksfavouredthemilderseasons.

PerhapstheytoohadbeenhamperedbythehardheatoftheRynnitesummer.Whocouldknow?Theywerealien,andseekingtocomprehendtheirwayswasforbiddenbyImperialedicttoallthosewithouttheproperdispensation.Certainly,theautumnseemedtorousethem.Theystrengthenedtheirassaults.Theirnumbersseemedtoincrease,despitetheirdailylosses.Moreandmoreofthemswarmedandflowedalongtheruinedstreetseachday,pillagingthebodiesoftheirfallenkinforequipmentandpullingtheteethfromdeadmouthstouseasakindofcurrency.Itwasinlateautumnthatthealiensbeganconstructingthefirstoftheir

massiveironziggurats.Ayellowpallstillhungintheair,anditwasnoteasytoseetheiractivitiesindetail,butitwascleartheyworkedwithpurpose.Thestructurewasquicklycompleted,andworkbeganonnumerousothers.Firesstillburnedthroughoutthexenos-occupiedterritories,butthoseofdestructionweresoonoutnumberedbythoseofindustry.Pessimistsmurmuredthatthiswasasignofthecomingend.Theorksbuilt

theirfoulconstructsbeyondtherangeoftheBasilisksandEarthshakerbatteries,andthedefenderscouldonlywatch.Thesightofthegreenskins’massivenewfumestacksandconstructionblockshadanimmediatedemoralisingeffect.SuicidesincreasedamongRynniteciviliansandsoldiersalike,despitethewarningsandthreatsofthecommissars.DaretoinsulttheEmperorbykillingyourself,theblack-cladzealotswarnedeveryone,andthoseyouholddearestwillsufferalonger,morepainfuldeathaspunishment.Atfirst,thismerelypromptedhopelessmentoslaughtertheirownfamilies

withmercifulswiftnessbeforeturningtheirweaponsonthemselves.Itwasan

intolerablesituation.Everylastindividualcapableoffiringalasgunhadtobedraftedontothewalls.Fromtheramparts,theysawtheirplanetburn.TheforcesoftheArch-Arsonist

setlighttoeverythingwithinreach.Fieldsblazed.Forestsflaredandcrackled.Nothingwasuntouchedbythehungryflames.Itwasnow,withmanylosingtheirlastvestigesofhope,thatLadyMaiaCagliestramadeadecision.MuchoftheUpperRynnhouserailedagainstit,butthegovernorwouldnotbeswayed.Together,sheandacadreofnobleladieswouldtaketothewallsthemselves,bringinglightandcomfort,shehoped,tothetiredmenwhodefendedthem.ViscountIsophomadeanimpassionedpersonalprotestagainstthis.Maiaplannedtovisitthosesectionsoftheperimeterwherethefightingwasheaviest,sinceitwasthesemen,shejudged,whoneededhersupportmost.Theviscount’spleasachievedlittleatfirst,butMaiafinallyconcededtovisitthewallsonlyatnight,sincethefightingusuallydiedoffthen.Withthetroopersatrest,shewouldhavegreateropportunitytospeakwiththemanddispensefoodandwater.Itbecameherregularroutine.Astwilightcameeachday,sheandherpartyof

ladieswouldmakethemselvesasbeautifulaspossible–‘Togivethemensomethingtofightfor,’shetoldtheotherswhenevertheyasked–beforeheadingoutunderarmedescorttoyetanothersectionofthewall.TheirvisitssoonbecamehighlyanticipatedeventsfortheRynnsguardtroopersandthemilitias,thoughmorethanafewmenwereexecutedbythecommissarsformakinginappropriatecomments.Maiatriedtoignorethat.Shefelt,forthefirsttimesincethewarhadstarted,thatshewasnothidinglikeacowardintheSilverCitadel,doingnothingwhileherpeopledied.Twoweeksaftershebeganhervisitstothewall,ViscountIsophoannounced

thathewasleavinghisseatintheUpperRynnhousetorejointheRynnsguardasacommissionedofficer.Hewould,hesaid,fightonthewallswiththemen,likeatrueRynniteshould.If,byhiswords,hehopedtoshameothermembersofthegovernmentintofollowinghisexample,hewasfoolinghimself.MaiaspokeprivatelywithGeneralMirandmadesurethatIsophowaspostedtooneofthesafersectionsofthewall,evenwhileshepraisedtheviscountforhiscourage.Despiteallthemeasurestocombatit,thedeathtollamongtheRynnsguard,

andthelackofanysignwhatsoeverthataidwascoming,continuedtoeatawayatthedefenders’morale.IndividualCrimsonFistsbeganpatrollingsectionsofthewallonwhichtheyhad,sofar,notbeenseen.ThiswasdoneatthesuggestionofayoungAstartesChaplaincalledArgo,anditworked.Thesightofthegloriousarmouredgiants,radiantandsplendiddespitealltheyhadendured,

stillexertedapowerfuleffectontheordinarypeople.TheAstartesinspiredfaithanddedicationwherevertheywalked.Theyspokeencouragementtothetroopers,andfoughtshoulder-to-shoulderwiththem.Thenumberofsuicidesdropped.Thewallsheld.Snagrodandhisforcesfoundthemselvesatatemporaryimpasse,buttheyhadalreadybegunworkontheweaponsthatwouldendthiswar.Whenwintercame,thewarlordandhissavagelieutenantshadcommittedeven

greaternumberstotheconstructionoftheirfortsandwarfactories.Thehumanforcescouldonlywatchwithmountingfearandapprehensionas,slowlyandinexorably,themightiestenginesofwartheyhadeverseenbegantotakeshape.Mosthadneverheardofagargant.FewmenonRynn’sWorldhadthekindof

clearancethatwouldgrantthemaccesstotheMunitorumarchivesinwhichaccountsofsuchnear-indestructiblemetalmonstrositiescouldbefound.ButthesurvivingRynnsguardcommandersknewwhatwascoming,andsodidtheCrimsonFists.Theyconsideredtheviabilityoflaunchingsurgicalstrikesonthemassive

enginesofdoombeforetheywerecompleted,beforetheycouldbringtheirunstoppableweaponstobearonthegatesandwalls.Consideredthenrejected.Suchastrikewouldriskeverything.Manybattle-brotherswouldbelost.

Forcescriticaltothecontinueddeadlockwouldbefatallydiminished.Theorkswouldonlybeginconstructionagain.Withtherestoftheplanetbeing,toallextentsandpurposes,dominatedbythegreenskinrace,theirresourceswerenearlimitless.ExchangingAstarteslivesforalittlemoretime?ChapterMasterKantorcouldnotsanctionit.Whicheverwayhelookedatit,

thelossesoutweighedthegains.Deepwintercame.Snowwasathingunheardofinthecapital.NewRynnCity

layclosetotheequator,anddidnotsufferwinterlikethemountainregionsdid.Whenthefirstsnowscame,theemaciatedchildrenofthecapitalshuffledout

intothestreetstogazeupattheskyinwonder.Fewrememberedsuchabeautifulsight.Beautiful,yes,butdeadly,too.Withindays,thefirstcasualtiesofthefreakwinterwerereported.Thisseason,initsownway,wasasharshasthebrutalheatofsummerhadbeen,andtookjustasmanylives.Theweakestchildrendiedindroves,leavinggrief-wrackedparentswhowerebarelycapableofstanding,letalonefiringonthefoe.Manyoftheelderlyperished,too.Again,thecommissarsandEcclesiarchswentoutamongthegrievingpeople,threateningorconsolingthem,whicheverwastheirway.

Again,itwasthepresenceoftheSpaceMarinesthatmadethegreaterdifference.Itwasnow,withthingsdarkestofall,thatPedroKantorturnedhiseyesfromthedailycasualtyreportsandtacticalhololiths,andwentoutamongtheordinarypeople.Hesawapopulacebeatentonothing,bothmentallyandphysically,andfelt

theirgriefasifitwerehisown.HecouldnothelpbutrecallthetragedythathadstruckArxTyrannus.Ithadhauntedhimeverydaysince.Italsogavehimakeensenseofempathywiththosewhogatheredaroundhim,allthosewhohadlostthethingstheylovedmost.Hestoodbeforethem,gleaminghelmetunderhisleftarm,andsworetothem

thatthefightwasfarfromover.HetoldthemofTheCrusaderandofherescapethepreviousyear.Warptravelwasunpredictable,buthelpwouldcome,heassuredthem.TheCrusaderwouldnotfail.Theylistened.Theylookedupfromwheretheykneltinfrontofhim,andhe

sawthehopeintheireyes.Theywantedtobelieve,andheletthem.Somewheredeepdown,hestillbelievedithimself.Springcame.Thesnowsmelted.Themorningairbecamecrisp,then

eventuallywarm.ThehopethatKantorspreadwassustainedastheclimatebecamegentleagain.But,beyondthewalls,thingsweredifferent.Anewwaveofexcitement

whippedtheorkstoviolentfrenzy.Soon,thegargantswouldbecomplete.Soontheplanetwouldshudderundertheirmassivefeet.Godsofdeathand

destructionwouldwadetowardsthefinalImperialstronghold,crushingeverythingtopowderbeneaththem.Foralmosteighteenmonths,thedefendersofNewRynnCityhadendured

everythingSnagrod’sfoulorkshadthrownatthem.Buttheywouldnotsurvivethemarchofthegargants.

TWOTheCassar,ZonaRegis,NewRynnCity

Withinthevoid-shieldedwallsoftheSilverCitadel,theCassar,lastfortressstrongholdoftheCrimsonFists,stoodsofarunmarkedbytheravagesofwar.Atopitsroofsandtowers,greatgunbatteriesstood,whirringsmoothlyontheircoggedmountsastheytrackedleftandright,scanningtheskyforaerialthreats.Belowthem,onabroadbalconyfacingsouth,PedroKantorstoodlookingoutatthehaze-shroudedhorizon.Blacksmokebillowedintotheairfromascoreofsitesinork-heldland.Noxiousgreenandbrownfumespouredupwardsfromtoweringcylindricalstacks.Farout,beyondthereachoftheImperialgunsandmissilebatteries,greenskintransportsandaerialwarmachinesbuzzedandrumbled,alwaysaudible,eventhisfaraway.AlessioCortezgrumbledsomethingfromKantor’sleftwherehe,too,stood

surveyingthehorizoninthelightofthemorning.‘Again,brother,’saidKantor.‘I’mafraidIwasnotpayingattention.’‘Isaidthey’veeventurnedtheblastedairagainstus.’Kantornodded.Amonghisreports,hehadseenthoseofthemedicae.Allergic

reactions,breathingdisorders,cancers,deathsbyairbornetoxins,allhadincreasedsincetheendofwinter.Thishadoncebeensuchabeautifulworld,sogreenandfertile,sorichanddiverseinitsanimalandplantlife.Theorkshadrapedit.Theyhadpoisonedandburnedandscarreditsface.

Evenif,bysomemiracle,thexenoswereatlastfullypurged,thelikelihoodthatRynn’sWorldcouldeverberestoredtoitsformerglorywasathingbeyondevenhisabilitytohopefor.Theplanet’sscars,likethebattlescarsonhisownbody,wouldalwaysremain.‘ThenextsessionoftheUpperRynnhousewillbegininanhour,’saidCortez.

‘Haveyouthoughtaboutwhatyouwilltellthem?’

‘Ihaveconsideredyourproposal,Alessio,butI’llnotsendthelastofmyCrimsonFistsouttodie.AsIgrowwearyoftellingyou,theChaptermustendure,nomatterwhat.IwillnotberememberedasthelastmasteroftheCrimsonFists.Ourordermustsurvivethis.’Cortezsnortedderisively.‘Nothingwillsurvivethegargants,andweboth

knowit.They’llmarchsoon.Oncethelastfewdistrictsfall,they’llturntheirgunsontheSilverCitadeland,whenthevoidshieldsfinallyfail,wewillbecorneredandkilled.’Heraisedahand.‘Please,Pedro.Iknowyouthinkaidiscoming,buthowlongarewetositandwait?GrantmethefightIwant,forthesakeofallwe’vebeenthroughtogether.’Kantorlookedawaytotheeast,butthehazewasthicktoday.Hecouldseethe

riverwhereitflowedtowardsthewatersoftheMedean,buthecouldnotseetheoceanitself.‘YouasktooverturntheCeresProtocolsoyoucanleadasuicidecharge,’he

said,hisvoicelowandangry.‘Youaskmetothrowawaymybestfightersforthesakeofamoment’sglory.Didyouhityourhead,Alessio?’Cortezscowledandsteppedforward,grippingthestoneworklipofthebalcony

wall.‘Doyouknowhowmanyofourbrothershaveexpressedtometheirsupportforalastgloriouscharge?’heasked.Kantornodded.‘Almosthalf,’hesaid.‘Andtheyarewrong,allofthem.There

ismoretoconsiderherethananhonourabledeath.’Cortezspun,hiseyesblazing.‘WeareCrimsonFists!Honouriseverything!’Kantormethisfriend’sharshstarewithhisown.Fireandice,hethought.Wewerealwayssodifferent.Fireandice.‘Itellyouourhonourisservedbestinprotectingthepeople.Wouldyouhave

historyrememberusastheChapterthatleftthemtodie?’‘Theywilldieanyway,’hissedCortez.Kantorflashedforward.AsfastasCortezwas,thespeedoftheChapter

Mastersurprisedhim,andhefoundhimselfgrippedtightbyhisupperarms.Foramoment,theystoodthatway,frozen,thetensioncracklinglikestatic

electricitybetweenthem.Kantor’seyesheldthefuryofawinterblizzard,butnowordscamefromhislips.Hecouldnotdenythathishopewasfadingfast.Heknewonlytoowellwhatthefirststepsofthegargantswouldmean,andheknewitwouldstartthemomentthemetalleviathanswerecomplete.Snagrodwouldnotwait.Hehadwaitedlongenoughforthis.Perhapshewasevenbored,alreadyhungeringforfreshbattlesonnewworlds.PerhapshehadonlystayedthislongatallbecausetheCrimsonFistsfought

on,refusingtodie.Atlast,Kantorreleasedhisgrip.Sorrowstoleoverhisface.‘Suchawedge

betweenus,Alessio,’hesaid.‘Inallourcenturies,weneverfoughtquitelikethis.Whathappened,Iwonder?’Hearingthesewords,Cortez’sfurycooledfast,likeaglowing,fresh-forged

bladesuddenlythrustintocoldwater.‘YouaretheChapterMaster,’hereplied.‘Beforethecomingoftheorks,wehadnotservedtogetheronthefieldofbattlesinceItookcommandofFourthCompany.Yougavemethathonour,Pedro,andthelatitudeIneededtoexecuteyourwillinyourabsence.ThebattlesIwonforyouwerefoughtmyway.AndIneverlost.Now,IwantSnagrod’shead…myway.IwantvengeanceforalltheFistshehaskilled.Ifitcostsmemyownlife,itisasmallpricetopayforthehonourofourdead.Everybrotherwhowishestogowithmehasaskedthesamequestionofhimself,andhasfoundthesameanswerinhisheart.Hislifeforvengeance.Weawaitonlyyourblessing.Letusallgooutaswarriorsshould.Leadusoutyourself.Thefuturebedamned!’Kantor’sfeaturesdarkenedagain.Heturnedtogofromthebalcony.Cortezgrippedhimbytherightvambrace,stoppinghimmomentarily.Kantorlookeddownathisoldfriend’shand,thenslowlyturnedhiseyes

upwardswithawarningglare.Cortezreleasedhisgrip.‘IamtheChapter,’saidKantorcoldlyasheturnedawayagain.‘Thehonourof

theCrimsonFistsisservedonlybyservingme.’Hepassedbeyondthebalcony’sarcheddoorsandintotheshadowychamber

beyond.AtthebackofhismindwastheurgetoprayforguidanceintheReclusiambeforethesessionoftheUpperRynnhousebegan.Andtherewassomethingelsehewantedtoprayfor,too.TheverythoughtofAlessioCortez’sdeathchilledhimfardeeperthanthe

thoughtofhisown.CorteztheImmortal,theChapter’sgreatestlivinglegend.Withouthim,howcouldtherebehopeforanyofthem?AstheChapterMaster’sfootstepsechoedalongthetorch-litstonecorridor

aheadofhim,helookedbackonhislife,andsawitdefined,notbyhisstatusormartialachievements,butbythecenturies-longbondofbrotherhoodwiththe4thCompanycaptain.EversincethefallofArxTyrannus,thatbondwastherockhehadclunghardestto,theonlycertaintyhehadinthisnever-endingstormofdeathandloss,andthebreakingofthatbondwassomethingheknewhisheartswouldnotbeabletobear.Asheenteredthequiet,sanctifiedspaceoftheCassar’sReclusiam,hethought

ofthefinaltrialsahead,andknewthereweremanyprayershemustoffertoday.

EpistolaryDeguerro’spersonalserf,UfrienKofax,waitedanxiouslyoutsidetheReclusiamfortheChapterMastertoemerge.Everysecondseemedlikeanhour,butKofaxwouldwaitaslongashehadto.Hecouldnotenter,ofcourse.Thatwouldmeandeath.Instead,heturnedhiseyestotheportal’setchedsurfacesandsawimagesofChapterheroesovercomingallmanneroffoes.Disgustingalienanddaemonicformslayinheapsatthefeetofarmouredgiants.Thegiantsstoodwithweaponsaloft,holylightblazinginstylisedsunburstsfromthehalosencirclingtheirhelmetedheads.Heavyfootstepsannouncedtheapproachofonesuchgiantnow.TheChapter

Master’sprayershadended.Kofaxstraightenedhisrobesandpreparedtogivehismessage.Minuteslater,PedroKantorfoundhimselfseatedonagreatstonechairinthe

speakingchamberoftheLibrarium,listeningtoDeguerroandhisbrothersastheyupdatedhimwitheverythingtheyhadgleanedfromthewarpsofar.Thewordsweresounexpected,souplifting,thattheChapterMaster’sbodyactuallywentnumb.Hope,hethought.Slim,granted,buthopenonetheless.PraiseDornthatwe

stoodagainstthemthislong.‘Agreatmany,mylord,’saidDeguerro,araregrinbrighteninghistypically

dourfeatures.‘Wedetectedthepsychicbowwavesofovertwothousandships.’‘Twothousand?’echoedKantor.‘AndyouarecertaintheseareImperial

ships?’‘Wewerenotcertainatfirst,’saidaLibrariusCodicier.ItwasRuthioTerraro.

‘Atfirstwethoughtitmightbeanotherorkwave,andabigoneatthat,thoughanincreasingnumberoftheirsmallerlong-rangeshipshavebeendetectedleavingthesysteminthelastfewmonths.’Whythismightbethecasehardlyneededvoicingaloud.Theorksbelieved

theyhadwonhere.Snagrodwouldbesendingadvancescoutsoutintothewarptosearchforotherchallengesnow.ThathewassoassuredofhisvictoryherewasfurtherinsulttotheChapterandallitstoodfor.‘Buttheyarenotorks,’saidKantor.Despitetheburgeoninghopeinhischest,

heknewhehadtobeabsolutelysure.‘Youaresureyouarenotmistaken?Couldtheybeotherxenos?Theeldarperhaps?Thosecapriciouscowardshavebeenknowntoobservethebattlesofotherracesfromtheedgeofthecombatzone.’‘Itisnottheeldar,lord,’saidDeguerro.‘Theshipsareindeedhumanand,in

theminutesbeforeyouarrived,wereceivedconfirmationthattheyareloyalists.TheCrusaderisamongthem.DornandtheEmperorhaveansweredourprayers.TheImperiumhascomeatlast.’‘Howdidyoudetectthem?’Kantorasked,craningforward.‘Iwasunderthe

impressionthattheorkpsykersweresonumerousthattheirpresencesomehowsmotheredyour…gifts.’‘True,mylord,’saidDeguerro.‘Theyareperhapsevenmorenumerousnow

thanbefore.ButtherearepowerfulpsykersaboardtheseImperialships,severaldozenofthemregisteredasalpha-class,andtheyaredoingalltheycantoholdthepsychicchannelsopen.ThereareSpaceMarineLibrarianswiththem,too,fromhalfadozenChapters.Theyhavecomewiththeirbattle-brothers,allswearingoathsofsuccourinourtimeofneed.Eventhepsychicnoiseoftheorkscannotentirelydrownoutourcommunicationwiththem.Wehavebeenabletoengageinlimitedtwo-waycommunication.’‘Andwhathavetheytoldyou?’Kantorasked.DeguerronoddedtoaCodiciernamedThracio,whosefingersactivateda

seriesofrunessetinthearmrestofhisownstonechair.Intheairabovethem,ashimmering,ghostlysolarsystemappeared.Itstwosuns,onelargeandyellow,onetinyandwhite,spunslowlyinthecentre.KantorrecognisedRynn’sWorldandhertwomoons,DantienneandEloix.Shewasthethirdplanetout,situatedperfectlyinthemiddleofherstar’slifezone,muchlikeHolyTerraHerself.Hololithicgreentrianglesappearedabovehercloud-maskedsurface.These

weretheorks’shipsatanchorinhighorbit.Therewerestillthousandsofthem.DeguerrodirectedKantor’sattentiontotheorbitalplaneoftheRynnstar

system’soutermostplanet,Phraecos,abarren,moonlessworldwithasurfaceoffrozenmethane.Justwithinthehololithicringoftheplanet’sorbitalpath,aformationofglowingbluetrianglesflickeredintoexistence,attendantstreamsofdigitaldataspoolingthroughtheairbesidethem.‘Twothousandtwohundredandsixteenwarp-capableships,’saidDeguerro,

‘andnothingsmallerthanaDauntless-classlightcruiser.ThereareseveralSpaceMarinebattle-barges,butthemainbulkofthefleet’sfirepoweriscomprisedofthataboardtheImperialNavy’sEmperor-andRetribution-classbattleships.Therearefoureachofthese,asignificantcommitmentfromSegmentumHeadquarters.’Kantorlookedagainattheswarmoftrianglesrepresentingtheorks’fleet

aroundRynn’sWorld.Hethoughtforamoment,thensaid,‘ThisImperialforceisenoughtobreakthroughandlandtroops,butitisnotenoughtoeliminatethe

enemyfleetoutright.’‘True,’saidDeguerro.‘Butwehavebeenassuredthatfurthersupportisonthe

way.’‘Toarrivewhen,exactly?’Kantorasked.TherewasanuncomfortablepausebeforeCodicierThracioanswered,‘We

cannotbesure.Bestestimatessaytwodaysfromnow,butthewarp…’Deguerrogesturedagainattheclusterofbluetrianglesabove.‘Thisfleetis

underthecommandofLordAdmiralPrioceGaltairetheFourth.Hiscombatrecordisexemplary.’‘Iknowofhim,’saidKantor,liftingahandininterruption.‘WhatIwishto

knowiswhetherheintendstokeephisfleetatanchoroutsideorkstrikingrangeuntiltheotherelementsarrive.Ourneedforsupporthereonthegroundisdesperate.’‘Heknowsthis,’saidDeguerro.‘Thefleetismovingin-systemaswespeak.

Naturally,wewishedtoconsultwithyoubeforecoordinatingfurtheraction.’Kantorrosefromhisstonechair,andstoodeyeinghispsychicbrothers.HethoughtofEustaceMendoza,andofhowmuchhemissedhim,ofhow

comfortingthepresenceoftheMasteroftheLibrariuswouldhavebeeninrecentdays.Tomasi,too,shouldhavebeenhere.‘Iregrethowshortwemustcutthis,’saidKantor,‘butImustattendasession

oftheUpperRynnhouse,andIamalreadylate.TheministerswillbeoverjoyedwhenIshareyournews.Spreadwordamongourbrothers.Letthemknowthependulumoffateis,atlast,onthevergeofswingingourwayoncemore.’TheLibrariansstoodasoneandsaluted.‘Byyourcommand,lord,’saidDeguerro.Kantorsmiledbrieflyathim,thenturnedandleft,hispacequick,hisboots

ringingonstone.

THREETheUpperRynnhouse,ZonaRegis,NewRynnCity

Thechambereruptedintocheersandapplause.Onewatchingallthecongratulatorybackslapping,handshakingandevenhuggingcouldeasilyhaveimaginedthatthesiegewasoverandthewarwaswon.Itwasfarfromit.Kantorwatchedthembehindthegoldenlectern.Theministersdidnotseemto

registerthatthefleetwouldstillhavetofightitswaythroughthegreenskins’orbitalblockade.Neitherdidtheyseemtocarethatitwasstillmanyhoursoutfromtheplanet.Heletthemrevelinthemoment,knowingrealitywouldcomedownhardonthemsoonenough.Hehadseenthemerodedoverthelasteighteenmonths,proudnobilityturnedtolifelesshusksconvincedoftheirimpendingdeaths.ItwashewhohadorderedthemtoreleasetheirservantssothattheymightbeconscriptedintotheDefenceForce.Itwashewhohadorderedthenobles’personalstoresandstockhousesraided,andthefoodstuffspooledwiththoseoftherestofthecity,toberationedoutinaccordancewithemergencyMunitorumlaw.Fighterseatfirst.Howtheyhadrailedagainstthat!Thecommissarshadbeenforcedtomakea

fewexamples.Thosewhohadmostopenlyandvocallychallengedmartiallawhadbeenpubliclyflogged.Itwasthefirsttimeanynoblehadreceivedcapitalpunishmentinoversixhundredyears.Kantorhadnotattendedtheflogging,butheapproved.Theseweretimesof

war.Thosewhodidnotadaptweredestinedtodie.Hethoughtofhisowneffortstoadapttoallthathadhappened.Fromleadinga

forceofoverathousandgloriouswarriors,hehadbeenleftwithonlythreehundredandeighteen.SurvivingthetrekfromtheHellbladeMountainsallthe

wayacrossthecontinenttotheplanetarycapital,hehadbeenreunitedwithmuchofhisFirstandSecondCompanies,nottomentionsquadsfromtheNinthandTenthCompaniespresentinsupport.ThewholeChapterhadgonefrombeingalethalinterstellarstrike-forcetoadesperateremnantunderconstantsiege.Howhadheadapted?Hadhe,infact,changedatall?Hewassurehehad,buthislineofthoughtwasabruptlybrokenwhenavoice

burstthroughonhiscomm-link’semergencychannel.ItwasCortez.‘Damnit,Pedro,’herasped.‘Areyouthere?Canyouhearme?’Kantorturnedawayfromthejubilantpoliticiansandpressedafingertothe

vox-beadinhisear.Healwaysworethetinymechanismwhilehishelmetwasremoved.‘Icanhearyou,brother,’hesaid.‘Iheardwordoftheapproachingfleet,’saidCortez.Hisvoicecrackledwith

static,thetransmissionhamperedbythethickwallsofthechamber.‘Buttheuniverseiscruel.Aidcomestoolateforus,oldfriend.’Kantorwasabouttodemandanexplanationwhenhefeltashuddertravelup

throughthechamberfloor.Thenanother.Andanother,slowandrhythmiclikethegroggyfootstepsofanewly-awakenedgod.‘No,’hebreathed.‘I’mafraidso,’saidCortez.‘Thegargantswalk!’‘MeetmeintheStrategium,’Kantorsnapped,thenhecutthelinkandstrode

outfrombehindthepodium,crossingthethickredcarpetofthecentralaisleatspeed.Someofthelordsandladiesmovedtointercepthim,theirfacesstillglowingwithjoy.Kantorscowledatthem,thesnarlonhisfeaturesmakingthemrecoil.‘Move!’hebarked.‘Getoutofmyway.’Hedidnotstoptoexplainhimself.Heleftthemtostare,stunnedintosilence,

eyesfollowinghisarmouredbackashepassedbeyondthewidegoldandebonwooddoors.OnlynowdidthemembersoftheUpperRynnhousenoticetheshiveringand

shakingofthechandeliersabovethem.Theyfeltgrowingvibrationstravelupthroughthefloor,upthroughtheirlegs.Theylookedateachother,joygivingwaytodarkapprehension.Noone

rememberedtheSilverCitadelshakinglikethis.Notever.Theystreamedthroughthedoorsinabrightlycolouredtide,makingforthe

closestantechamberswhichboastedbalconies.Deepdown,theyalreadyknewwhattheywouldsee,oratleasttheysuspected,thoughnonewantedtobelieve

it.Throughthepallofsmokeandairbornepollutants,vastfiguresmovedinthe

distance,figureswithgreatangularshouldersandarmsofclusteredweaponry,figureswithhornedheadsandgreatskirtsofimpenetrablearmour.Theirhugeroundeyesglowedabalefulred,piercingtheairbornemurkthatstillveiledthem.Theairshookwiththenoiseoftheirsputtering,fume-spewingengines.Thereweresixoftheminall,andthewholeplanetseemedtotremblewith

everycrushingsteptheytook.Ministersfainted,bothmenandwomen,fallingtothebalconyflooramongthe

legsoftheirfellows.Otherssanktotheirknees,cryingoutindespair.Othersweretoonumbtoreact.Theystoodfrozen,theirunblinkingeyeslockedtothegargantuanwaddlingfiguresinthedistance.MaiaCagliestrawasoneofthese.Shesawthattheendhadcome.The

ImperialFleetwouldfindonlyruins,iftheymadeitthroughtheblockadeatall.NotevenherbelovedCrimsonFists,inwhomshehadneverlostfaith,coulddoanythingtochangethatnow.Shestoodwiththeotherslookingoutattheirdoom,weepingsilently,nothing

lefttoholdonto.

FOURTheCassar,ZonaRegis,NewRynnCity

KantorenteredtheCassaronlyminutesafterleavingtheUpperRynnhousechambers,buthedidnotgostraighttotheStrategium.First,hemadeadetourtotheLibrariusandorderedthemtoputhimincontactwithLordAdmiralGaltaire’sfleetatonce.Someminuteslater,afragilepsychiclinkwasestablishedandupdateswere

giveninbothdirections.Kantorreportedthemovementofthegargants,impressingtheincreaseddesperationoftheirsituationonthelordadmiral.Ifthefleetdidn’tgetheresoon,therewouldbenooneleftalivetoassist.BrotherDeguerro,lockedintoatrance,featurestwistedpainfullywiththeeffort,transmittedtheChapterMaster’swordswhiletheotherLibrarianslenttheirownpowertomaintainingandsecuringtheconnection.Therecouldbenodoubtthattheorks,too,haddetectedtheImperialfleet.Theenemyshipswerealreadymovingtointercept.IftheImperialfleetcouldoutflankthem,couldjustgetaroundthemsomehow,theymightstillbeabletomakeadifference.LordAdmiralGaltaire,speakingthroughhismostpowerfulastropath,

expressedgravereservations,buthewasnotabouttoletaChapterliketheCrimsonFistsbecomeextinctwhilehisprideandjoy,theflagshipSeptimusAstra,wassoclose.Hesworeanoath,thenandthere,thathewouldsucceedordietrying.Itwouldn’tbeassimpleasslippingaroundtheorkblockade,ofcourse.

Galtaireneededthosealreadyonthegroundtodosomethingforhim,andKantor’sbloodrancoldasheheardwhatitwas.TheCrimsonFistswouldneedtoretakeNewRynnSpaceport.Securingthatfacilitywastheonlychancetheyhad.Itwaslargeenoughon

whichtolandheavycraft,includingcarrier-shuttlesbelongingtotheLegio

Titanicus,closeenoughtofacilitatetheimmediatelaunchofMarauderbomberswhichwouldflytotheaidoftheSilverCitadel,andarmedwithadefencegridcapableofprotectingthereinforcementsastheyflewin…iftheorkshadn’tdismantleditalready.Afteralmosteighteenmonthsofprotectingthecitywalls,ofguardingthe

gatestoanever-dwindlingstronghold,KantorandhisCrimsonFistswouldhavetogooutandfacethehordeafterall.Theywouldhavetocrossorkterritoryfilledwithimpossiblenumbersofenemytroopsandalltheweaponryattheirdisposal.Theywouldhavetoinfiltrateandsecurethespaceport.Theoddsofsuccesswerelaughable,but,iftheydidn’ttry,theyweredead

already.Ofthat,therewasnodoubtinPedroKantor’smind.

TheatmosphereinsidetheStrategiumwaschargedandtense.Cortezhaddoneasordered.HehadgatheredasmanyseniormembersoftheChapteraswereleftwithinthewallsthatprotectedthem.Techmarines,Apothecaries,Librarians,Chaplains,CrusadeCompanyveterans,allwererepresented.Kantorlaidthesituationoutbeforethem.Cortezfelthisbloodsurgeinhisveinsashelistened.Atlast,hethought.Themomenthascome.Bladeagainstblade,fistagainst

fist,armoursplashedwiththebloodofourenemies–ifwe’retodie,byDorn,letitbeaworthyone.I’vewaitedforthis.I’vewantedthissincethedaywegothere.Staticdefencebedamned.Finally,itistimetodowhatwedobest.WithsupportinginformationandtacticalhololithsprovidedbyBrotherAnais,

themostseniorTechmarinepresent,Kantorbriefedthemonexactlywhatwasneededofthem.‘Itmustbedoneasquicklyaswecanmanageit,’hesaid.‘Thefirstobjective,

naturally,willbetocoverthegroundbetweenhereandthespaceportlimits.Itiswellthatthecityunderworkswerenevercollapsed,becausetheyareouronlyhopeofgettingtothespaceportalive.OurTerminatorsquadshaveheldthemformonths,chokingthemwithorkdeadthatsoughttosneakunderourguard.Wewillneedflamerandmeltaunitsupfronttoclearthetunnelsofthexenosdead.Almostsixtykilometresoftunnelbetweenusandthespaceport...Wemayfindourselvesengagedalongtheway.Again,itisourTerminatorsquadsthatarebestsuitedtoleadusthrough.RogoVicturixwillcoordinatethisphaseoftheoperation.’

KantornoddedtotheseniorTechmarine,BrotherAnais,and,asecondlater,theairoverthetableflickeredtoshowanangularnetworkoflong,glowingtubes.Theseweretheunderworks,andeveryFistintheroomcommittedthemtomemorywhiletheChapterMasterlookedovertheebonwoodtableatRogo,whoseeyeswerebrightwithenthusiasmforthetask.‘Speediskey,mybrother,’saidKantor.‘Pushfastandpushhard.ThegargantswilltakebetweenfourandsixhourstoreachtheSilverCitadel,andthevoid-shieldswillholdthepeoplesafeforsometimeafterthat,butwehavenoideaexactlyhowlong.Wehavetoretakethespaceportfast.’‘OurTerminatorsquadsknowtheunderworksbacktofront,lord,’said

Victurix,hisvoiceagravellyrasp.‘Trustinus.’Kantordid.AgainhenoddedtoAnais,andtheTechmarine’sfingersflickeredovera

hololithcontrolpanel.Therewasaburstofgreenstaticabovethetable,andschematicsofthespaceportappeared.Itwasthelargestsinglefacilityontheplanet,capableofaccommodatingthree

massivetrans-orbitalcargoliftersatatime,oneoneachofitsspeciallyconstructedgrav-suspendedlandingplates.Sub-orbitalcraft,bothmilitaryandcivilian,wereservedbyseveraldozenairfieldswithinthespaceport’souterwalls.Itwasacuriousstructureunlikeanyotherbuildinginthecapital.Shrunkdown

totabletophololithsize,itresembledthreeupturnedbowlsclusteredtogetheraroundatriadofslimspikes.Thesespikeshousedthespaceportcontroltowers,includingthecontrolroomsforthecommunicationanddefencesystems.Itwasthese,morethananyotherpartofthespaceport,thatKantorandhisFistsneededtosecure.‘Everyable-bodiedbattle-brotherwehavewillbegoingin,’saidtheChapter

Master,‘withtheexceptionofourDreadnoughtbrothers,whoaresimplytoobigtonegotiatethetunnels.Instead,theywillstayheretoprotecttheSilverCitadel,fightingfromthewallsalongsidetheRynnsguardandthemilitias.Thepeoplewilldrawgreatstrengthandcomfortfromtheirpresence,I’msureofit.’TherewerenoDreadnoughtsintheroomtoarguethepoint,andKantorwas

gladofthat.Hewouldgotothemhimselfandexplainallbeforeheleft.‘Mostofoursquads,’Kantorcontinued,‘willexitthetunnelsclosetotheinner

perimeterofthespaceportgrounds.Theywillretakethefacility’sdefensivewallsandholdthemagainstorkretaliationfromoutside.Therestofuswillfighttosecureeachofthelandingtowers.CaptainCortezandIwillbeleadinga

furthercontingentintothecontroltowerstoreactivatethedefenceandcommsnetworks.Dornwilling,wewillhaveourreinforcementsshortlyafterthat.LordAdmiralGaltaireisconfidentintheforceshebringstoouraid.ThereareentirecompaniesofAstartesfromourbrotherChapterswaitingtojoinusinbattle.TheAdeptusMechanicushavebroughttheirmightyTitanstoripapartthegargantabominations.AndtheNavyhasenoughMarauderstobombthexenosbacktotheAgeofStrife.’Heeyedthemallashespoke,onebyone.‘Butitalldependsonus.’Seriousfacesnoddedbackathim.‘Areyoureadytotakeourworldback,brothers?’heaskedthem.‘FortheChapter!’theyroared.Somepoundedonthetable,thosestanding

clashedaclenchedfistontheirchests.Kantorsmiledahardsmileatthemandstood.‘Thengetreadytomoveout.Takeeverybitofammunitionyoucancarry.

HavetheChaplainsblessyouramourandweapons.IgonowtogiveorderstotheDreadnoughts,andtotellthegovernorandGeneralMirthatweareleaving.’HisFistssalutedhimasheturnedandleft,thentheyturnedtoeachotherand

clappedthosenearesttothemontheshoulders.Roughlaughtersoundedfromsome.Othersgrinned.Theyweregoingbackontheoffensiveaftersolong.Itfeltright.AndnonebelievedthatmoresothanAlessioCortez.

FIVETheUnderworks,NewRynnCity

ThetunnelalongwhichKantor’sassaultgroupmovedwasdarkanddamp,theconcretewallscoveredwithslickalgaeandthickceramicpipesthathadbeenbrokenopeninplaces.EvenintheglareofthelightsmountedontheTerminators’armour,thetunnelfloorwasinvisiblebeneathasoupyblackliquidsometencentimetresdeep.Itwasimpossibletomovequietly,sotheCrimsonFistsdidn’ttry.Theymovedfastinstead,oratleastasfastastheTerminatorsonpoint.Itwasarelativelysmoothjourneyatfirst,notjustforKantor’sgroup,butfor

alltheassaultpartieshehadformedfortheoperation.Rightnow,thereweremorethantwentydetachmentsofCrimsonFistsmakingforthespaceportalongthetunnelnetworks,eachwiththeirveryownTerminatoroutinfront,clearingthewaywithflamerandmeltawhenthexenosbodieswereheapedtoothicktopass.TheorkshadbeenheldbackquitefaroutfromtheSilverCitadel.Overthemonthsofthesiege,theyhadslowlylearnedthatanyeffortstoinfiltrateviaundergroundroutesledtotheirimmediateslaughter.VicturixandtheothersquadsfromCrusadeCompanyhadnotrelaxedforamoment.Therolemayhaveseemedinglorioustoothers,buttheTerminatorsquadsknewitwascriticalallalong.Theyhadnevercomplainedaboutspendingdaysonenddownhereinthedark.Theykilledthousandsofthefoedownhere.Throughouttheentirejourney,thetunnelsshookwiththefootfallsofthe

gargantsoverhead,butitwasonlyaftertwohoursthatthisbecameadanger.Victurixhimself,whohadbeenchargedwithguidingKantor’sassaultgroup,calledbacktotheChapterMasterwhenthetunnel’sshakingwasatitsworst.‘Wemustbedirectlyunderneathoneofthem,mylord,’hebellowedoverthe

comm-link.‘Therearecracksinthetunnelceiling,andtheyaregettingwider.’

Kantorjudgedthesergeant’swordsaccurate.Stepaftermassivestepwasknockingdustandsmallchunksofstonedownontohishelmetandpauldrons.‘Pressonasfastasyoucan,’hetoldVicturix.Dornforgiveusifwe’reburieddownherewithoutevenachancetofight,he

thought.Buttheywerenotburied.Anothertwohourspassed.Theearthshakingpowerofthefootfallsdissipated

astheFistspushedon,furtherandfurtherawayfromthem,andsoonKantorjudgedthatheandhisbrotherswouldsoonbewithintheouterperimeterofthespaceportgrounds.Communicationwasimpossiblewiththeotherassaultgroupswhileeveryone

wasunderground,buttheyhadtheirorders.Theyhadsynchronisedtheirvisor-chronometers.Theywoulddoexactlyashehadaskedofthem.AnotherhourbroughtKantorandhisgrouptothefinaljunctionbeforethey

mustreturnaboveground.Wheretwotunnelsmet,therewasalittlemoreroomtomove,andKantorsteppedtotheforetolookaheadbetweentheshouldersoftheTerminators.Therewasadarkarchwaysetintotheleftofthetunnelaboutthirtymetresfromhim.Cortezcameupandstoodbyhisside.‘Throughthatarchway,’saidKantor,‘isthestonestairthatwilltakeusupinto

thebasementleveloftheCoronadoTower.’‘I’mready,’saidCortez.Behindhim,foursquadsofCrimsonFistsreadiedtheirweapons.‘Youwanttobefirstin,Alessio.’Itwasn’taquestion.Beneathhishelm,Cortezgrinnedwickedly.‘YouknowIdo.’Kantorcheckedthechronometerdisplayonhisvisor.Theotherassaultgroups

wouldbeinpositionwithinfourminutes,explosivesfixedtotheaccesshatchesandmanholecoverstheywouldrushfrom,bolterscockedandreadytoriptheirhatedenemiesapart.Allacrossthespaceportgrounds,theorkswouldn’tknowwhathitthem.‘Let’sgeteveryoneontothestairs,’saidKantor.Hisvisornowtoldhimhehadthirtysecondstogobeforetheassaultbegan.Behindhim,hisbattle-brotherswerecoiled,readytostrike.Hehadbrought

threesquadsinstandardMkVIIaquila-patternpowerarmour,oneinTerminatorarmour,andtwoTechmarines–BrothersAnaisandRuzco.Heknewtheirbloodwasup,allofthem,knewtheywereanxioustobeinamongthefoe,tearingthemtopieces.

Twentyseconds…tenseconds…HelookedatCortezandsaid,‘Whenyougoin,brother,goinhard!’Thecaptainbarkedoutalaugh.‘Ialwaysdo!’Theexplosivechargestheyhadplacedontheinnersurfaceoftheaccesshatch

explodedwithabang,andstonechipsandsmokeblewbackovertheAstartes.Theydidn’twaitforthesmoketoclear.‘Charge,’roaredCortezasheburstforward.Theassaulthadbegun.

Allacrossthespaceportgrounds–inthelowerlevelsofthedefencetowers,inbasementsandhangarsandfuelstoragebuildingsandmore–theCrimsonFistsexplodedupfromthetunnelswitharmourshimmeringandweaponsstuttering.Thespaceporthadbecomeabaseofoperationsfortheorkssincethedaythey

hadovercomethesmallCrimsonFistandRynnsguardcontingentchargedwithdefendingit.Now,thetableswereturned.Theorkswerethedefendersand,intheirconfidencethatthiswarwasalreadywon,theywerecompletelyunprepared.ThousandsofgreenskinsdiedastheSpaceMarinesswarmedtheinnerwalls

andretookthedefencetowers.Outsidethosewalls,theorkswereunawarethatanythingwaswrong.Mostofthealienhordehadtheireyeslockedtothegargantsandwerefollowingthemascloseastheydared.TheydidnotwanttomissthespectacleoftheirmightymetalmonstrositiesobliteratingthefinalImperialstronghold.Thegroupsassaultingthespaceport’smainbuildings–thelandingtowersand

controlspires–haditharder,butnotatfirst.CortezhadburstintothebasementoftheCoronadotowertofindscoresof

sickly-lookinggretchinfacinghim,frozeninfearandconfusionbythesuddenexplosionthathadjustinterruptedtheirwork.Theyhadbeenhaulingcratesofammunitionontoelevatorstobetakentotheloadingbaysabove.Now,mostofthatammunitionlayspilledontheground,theshellsrollingandclinkingtogether.Cortezstartedpickingthemoffwithhisboltpistolimmediately.Thefirstgrisly

deathsenttheothersscurryingforcover,whimperingandshriekingastheyscrambled,butagoodnumberweretooslow.SquadsLicianandSegala,twoofthefoursquadsKantorhadchosentogo

withhim,wererightbehindCortez,andtheirboltersbeganchewingthe

diminutivealiensapart.Thebasementlevelwasasinglebroad,high-ceilingedroomlitteredwith

boxesandheapsofmetaljunk.Theroof-spacewasthickwithcable-bundlesandpipesthatsnakedbetweensteelgirders.Hangingunderneaththemetalsupports,largearclightsthrewoutaharshwhiteglare.Itwasclearthegretchindidn’tlikethoselightsmuch.Theyhadsmashedmorethanhalfofthem.Still,theshadowsofferednosanctuary.MoreCrimsonFistspouredthrough

theaccesshatchnowuntil,finally,VicturixandfourofhisTerminatorbrotherssteppedthrough,shakingthefloorunderneaththeirbootedfeet.‘Clearandhold,’barkedKantor,buthewasgladtoseehisSpaceMarines

alreadyaboutthetask.Moregretchinscreamedasmass-reactiveboltspunchedintotheirbodiesand

blewthemopenaheartbeatlater.Iftherearegretchinhere,thoughtCortezashekilled,thentherewillbean

overseernearby,too.Gretchinweredisinclinedtodoanythingforthegoodoftheirracewithouta

particularlysadisticandviolentbrutestandingoverthemwithaprodorwhip.Sureenough,alertedbythesoundofgunfire,amassiveleatherybrown-

skinnedorkwithoneeyeburstthroughametaldooratthetopofthestairwaythatledtothenextfloorup.SeeingtheSpaceMarinessurroundedbydeadgretchin,thebeastchargedintothefraybellowingatthetopofitsvoice.Ithadn’tgonethreemetresdownthestairswhenanAstartesboltdetonatedinitsbrain,sprayingthemetalstepsdarkredandcausingtheheavybodytotumbledownthem.BrotherGabanofSquadLicianfoundthelastofthegretchinhidingbetween

twotallstacksofmetalcrates.AshortburstofbrightfirefromGaban’sflamerturnedthecreatureintoablazingpuppetthatdancedfranticallyonthespotasitsfleshwasconsumed.‘Up,’shoutedKantortotheothers.‘Theyknowwe’rehere!’Cortezracedforthemetalstairandpoundedupit.SquadDaecorfollowed

rightbehindhim,bootsringingonthemetalsteps.Atthetop,CortezandSergeantDaecortookpositiononeithersideoftheopendoor.TheotherfourmembersofDaecor’ssquadpreparedthemselvestorushthroughit,gunsheldready,safetiesoff.CorteznoddedtoDaecor,andthesergeantorderedhissquadin.Theyrushedforwardthroughthedoorway,weaponsfiringoneverytargetthey

sawastheymoved.Oncethroughthedoorway,theyimmediatelymovedtothe

sides,twoleft,tworight,andlaydownasteadycoveringfireforallthosethatfollowed.‘Go!’Kantorordered,andSquadLicianchargedthroughnext,addingtheir

ownlethalrattleofexplosiverounds.Cortezwasfiringintotheloadingbayfromhispositionbytheframeofthe

door.HeheardBrotherRamos’splasmacannon,itssteadylowhumnowincreasedtoathreateningwhine.Theweapon’sglowingcoilschannelledpowerfulelectromagneticenergiesinpreparationforashot.Momentslater,therewasaroarlikefireasablastofsuperheatedplasmastreakedfromtheweapon.Cortezdidn’tseeit,nordidheseetheresultoftheblast,butheheardanexplosionandthedeephowlingoffull-grownorksinpain.‘Movingin,’saidDaecor,‘keeptocoverbrothers.Oro,watchthegantryabove

you.Greenskins!Padilla,givehimsomesupport,damnit!’CortezflexedhismusclesandpreparedtofollowDaecorin.Hefelthisarmour

respondtoeverytwitchandstretchhemade.Beneaththethickceramiteplateslayaskinofsyntheticfibresthatactedmuchlikehumanmuscle,reactingtoelectricalimpulses,tothemotorcommandssentbyhisbrain.Theresponsetimewasalmostexactlythatofhisownbody,makinghisarmourfeellikepartofhim,andhewaspartofit.Hispowerarmourrespondednolessswiftlynowashesurgedoutfromthe

coverofthedoorwaywithhisboltpistolkickinginhishand.Kantorwasrightbehindhim,Dorn’sArrowspewingatorrentofdeathtowardsatrioofbigorksfiringdownonthemfromametalgalleryabove.‘SegalaandLician,flankandeliminate,’commandedtheChapterMaster.

‘AnaisandRuzcostaybyme.Therestofyou,suppressingfire.’ThiswasLoadingBayEpsilon,themainloadingareasservingCoronado

Tower.ItwasherethatincomingshipmentsofImperialgoodshadoncebeenloadedontotrucksanddrivenoutfordistribution.Therewereorksandgretchinallovertheplace.TheCrimsonFists’assaulthadcaughtinthemiddleofloadingtheiruglyarmouredtrucks.Likethebasement,theceilingherewashighandgirdered.Thehugemetalshuttersinthecurvingnorthwallwereup,andbeyondthemlayavastrockcreteexpanseofroadandrunway.Theorktruckssatidlingnoisily,buteventheirsplutteringenginescouldn’tcompetewiththenoiseofbattle.Cortezsawmovementtohisleft.Fourbarrel-chestedgreenskinswerearming

themselvesfromthebackofoneofthetrucks.Inside,Cortezcouldmakeoutammunitioncratesstackedoneontopoftheother.Heturnedwithhisboltpistol

raisedandloosedatight,three-roundclusterofbolts,firing,notattheorks,butatthecratesjustbehindthem.Forhalf-a-second,hisroundshadnoeffect.Thenthetruckexplodedinablazeoflightandflame.Theorkswereblasted

ontotheirbellies,backsstuddedwithmassiveshardsofhotshrapnel.Secondaryexplosionsliftedthetruckintotheairbeforeitslammedbackdown,nosefirst,intorockcrete.Cortezdidn’tstoptoenjoyhishandiwork.Allaroundhim,theCrimsonFists

slaughteredanythinggreenandanimate.Hecontinuedaddinghisownfire,makingeveryshotakillshot.Thiswaswhathetrainedfor.Henevermissed.Hesawawretched-lookingorkwithamechanicalhanddashtowardsa

doorwayonthemetalplatformtwentymetresaboveSquadDaecor.Nodoubttheuglybrutewasracingtoraisesomekindofgeneralalarm,buttheCrimsonFistscouldnotaffordtogetboggeddowninaheavyfirefighthere.Theirwholeplandependedontheirabilitytostaymobile,andontheorkinabilitytocoordinateaproperreaction.Thespaceportcontroltoweranddefencegridcontrolroomweremanyfloorsabove.TerminatorSquadVicturix,slowerthantheotherlighter-armouredsquads,wouldstayhereandholdthiszone.ChapterMasterKantorwascountingonthemtokeeptheorksonthegroundoccupiedwhilehe,Cortezandtheothersclimbedhighertowardstheirtwomainobjectives.Cortezwasabouttofireontherunningorkwhenaburstoffirefromhisright

rippedthecreaturetowetredpieces.Cortezglancedtowardstheshooter.‘Sorry,brother,’saidBrotherTalazar,oneofVicturix’sTerminators.‘Mykill.’Cortezjustlaughed.KantorwasorderingSquadLician,DaecorandSegalaupontothegantries

overhead.Fromthere,theywouldproceedtowardsthenextroom,wheretheywouldgainaccesstotheupperfloors.‘Standstrong,brother,’saidCorteztoTalazarashelefthisside.‘Andyou,’Talazarboomedafterhim.Barelytwominuteslater,Kantorandtherestofhisforce,minusthe

Terminators,wererunningalongablackmetalgantrytwelvemetresabovethefloor,movingtowardsanarchwayatthefarend.SquadDaecorhadpoint,andtheymusteredoneithersideoftheopening,readytogoinstrong.FerragamosDaecorhadonceservedatermasamemberofaDeathwatchkill-team.Cortezcouldseeitinthesergeant’smovements,inthecoolsuretywithwhichheguidedhisteam.Afterallthis,thoughtCortez,whenwerebuildeverythingwehavelost,I’ll

wagerthatonemakescaptain.Thefightingintheloadingbaybelowwasoverfornow,therattleofthe

Terminators’storm-bolterstemporarilyended,butCortezcouldhearagreatcommotionupahead.ThebrothersofSquadDaecorgrippedtheirweaponstightandreadiedthemselvestosurgeforward.‘Thereshouldbealargeelevatorcageinthecentreofthenextroom,’Kantor

toldeveryone.‘Entrypointsaresouthandeast.Makesureyoucoverthem.Donotdamagethemechanismoftheelevator.Weneedit.Areweclear?’Affirmativeresponsessoundedoverthecomm-link.‘Good,’saidKantor,checkingthebolt-feedforDorn’sArrow,thenreturning

hisattentiontotheopeningahead.‘SquadDaecor,enterandclear.LicianandSegala,followonmycommand.Daecor,go!’Thebattle-brothersofDaecor’ssquadswungoutfromthecoverofthearched

entrywayandsprintedforward.Theyslidbackintothecoverofadozenmetalcratesjustasagreathailofstubber-firecametheirway.‘Heavy-stubbers!’Daecorreportedasshellswhinedpasthimoneitherside.Moreshellssmackedintothefaceofthecratehewascrouchedbehind.‘Keeptocover,’hebarkedathissquad.‘Suppressingfirefrontandcentre.BrotherCassaves,youandIwillflankthem.Donotmoveuntiltheirattentionislockedontheothers.’‘Clear,brother-sergeant,’repliedthegruffCassaves.KantorturnedtoCortezandsaid,‘YouandItakecoveroneithersideofthe

doorway.Supportingfire.Understood?’Corteznodded.Kantordashedfortherightsideofthedoorway,Cortezforthe

left.Theirpauldronshitthewallatthesametime.Cortezleanedoutbrieflyandsurveyedthescenebeforehim.Itonlytookaninstant.Theelevatorcagewasinthecentreofthechamber,justasKantorhadsaidit

wouldbe.Theorksbeyonditwereheavilyarmedanddressedinplatearmour.Cortezdidnotseeanypoweredsuitsamongthem,buttheironplatewouldbethickenoughtostopadirecthitwithabolt.HesawDaecorandCassavesmovingaround,followingthelineofthewallsleftandrightwhiletheothermembersofthesquadkepttheorksbusy,butthetorrentofshellstheorkswerepouringoutpresentedarealproblem.Thegreenskinheavy-stubberswerespittingoutspentbrasslikewaterfromafountain.TheflooraroundthemwasankledeepinshellcasingsalreadyandthecoverbehindwhichtherestofSquadDaecorwasshelteringwasrapidlybeingchewedaway.CortezknewtheFistsgivingDaecorandCassavessuppressingfireneeded

support,somekindofrespite,abreakinthefightingtheycouldusetomoveinto

freshcover.Theyhadtodoitnow,beforeitwastoolate.Cortezpulledakrakgrenadefromthebeltaroundhismiddleandprimedit.

‘SquadDaecor,’hebarkedoverthelink,‘bereadytomovetobettercover.Krakgrenadecomingin.’Withoutwaitingforconfirmation,heleanedoutfromthesideofthedoor,

lockedhiseyesontheorkfiringposition,andhurledhisgrenade.Hedidnotstaytherewithhisheadstickingouttoseewhathappened.Heknewtheexplosivewouldgooffexactlywherehewanteditto.Hesimplylistenedforthesharpboomheknewwascoming.Three…Two…Thefloorbeneathhisbootsshookwiththeblast.Oneoftheorks,woundedbut

notkilledbeganroaringinagony.CortezheardSergeantDaecorshouting,‘Closein!’Theorksthatsurvivedtheblastquicklyopenedfireagain,butCortezcould

hearthedifferenceintherattleoftheirguns.Thereweretwolessofthemnow.Heheardthestutterofonlysixgreenskinguns.Fromtheothersideofthedoorway,Kantorleanedouttofireashortburst

fromDorn’sArrow.Theweapon’sfire-ratewasincrediblyhigh.Kantorhadtobecarefultofireinextremelyshortbursts,otherwisehewouldburnthroughhisback-mountedstoreofammunitioninlessthanaminute,despitethevastamountofshellshecarried.Daecor’svoicewasonthelink.‘Ihavetheirleftflank.Cassaves,areyouin

position?’‘Almostthere,brother-sergeant.’Therewasabriefpause,thenCassavesspokeagain.‘Ihavetheirflank.Givetheword,brother.’Cortezleanedoutandfiredaroundfromhisboltpistol.Itscoredablacklinein

thetopofacrateandricocheted,missingthehideoussnarlingfaceofoneorkbyscantcentimetres.TheorkangledtheheavybarrelofitsweapontowardsCortez’spositionand,withagrowl,loosedafloodofshellshisway.Cortezbothheardandfelttheshellspepperingtheothersideofthewall.‘Now,’saidDaecor.Inthechamber,bolter-firesoundedfromtwonewdirections,anddeepork

screamsfilledtheair.Cortezheardheavy,armouredbodiesfalltothegroundwiththesoundofmetalimpactingonrockcrete.Thenheheardthesoundofmetalclashingagainstmetal.HeleanedoutandsawBrotherCassaveswrestling

desperatelyagainstablack-armouredmonster,tryingtofreehisbolterfromthebeast’sgripsothathecouldfireintoitsfaceatpoint-blankrange.Daecorwasontheothersideofthechamber,forcedtotakecoveragainnowthatothersurvivingorkshadspottedhimandopenedfire.Kantorsawit,too.‘LicianandSegala,moveinandsupportDaecor,’hesnapped.Then,witha

nodatCortez,hesurgedintothechamberhimself,Dorn’sArrowheldstraightoutinfrontofhim,thefoldsofhiscrimsoncloaksnappingbehindhimashemoved.Cortezmoved,too,barelyhalfasecondbehindhisleader.Themomenthe

enteredthechamber,hecentredhispistol’sironsightsonthehelmetedheadoftheorkwrestlingwithCassavesandfiredoffasinglebolt.Itstrucktheorkdeadcentreinthesideofitshead,butthecreature’shelmet

wassolid,atleasttwocentimetresthick,andtherounddetonatedoncontact,snappingtheork’sheadtotheside,stunningitforamoment,butfailingtowoundit.Ofcourse,thathadneverbeenCortez’sintent.Heknewwhathewasdoing.HewasbuyingCassavesthemomentaryadvantageheneeded.AsCortezhadknownhewould,Cassavesseizedonthedistraction.Theork

hadinstinctivelycloseditseyesatthemomentoftheblast,desperatetoprotectthem.ThemomentitsgazewasremovedfromCassaves,theSpaceMarinelethisbolterdropfromhisrighthand,drewhiscombatbladeinaflash,andthrustitstraightforwardintotheork’sthroatwherethebeast’shelmetofferednoprotection.Thetipofthebladeslidin,severingthecriticalnervebundleattheback.Any

normalcreaturewouldhavedroppeddeadrightthen,but,althoughtheorkwastechnicallydeadalready,itsbodycontinuedtowrestleforanothereightseconds.Itsgripwasincrediblypowerful.Evenwhenitsanktothegroundinaheap,BrotherCassaveshadtopryitsthick,clawedfingersoffonebyone.Withonlyoneorkleft,thethreesquadssweptstraightinandclearedtheroom.

SergeantLicianslewtheorkthatwaskeepingDaecor’sheaddown,andsoonthechamberwassilent.Smokecurledfromgunbarrelsandspentcartridges.Someoftheorkbodies,eachofwhichwaseasilythreehundredkilogrammesinweight,twitchedwhiletheirthickbloodpooledaroundthem.Theairwasthickwithsmells;cordite,blood,ionisedair,thepungentstinkofunwashedaliendead.Kantororderedhisbattle-brothersintotheelevatorcage,largeenoughforall

threefive-mansquads,andstoodatthecontrolpanelinside.

Cortezdrewthecage’sgateclosed.Theelevatorfloorshudderedandtherewasasoundofpoweredgearsgrinding

intomotion.Theelevatorrosepasttheceilingandintotheverticalshaftaboveit.Cortezwatchedyellowlightsflickerpast.Theyweresetintothesmoothsteel

wallsatregularintervals,eachmarkinganotherfewmetresthathemovedclosertovictoryordeath.

SIXTheCoronadoTower,NewRynnSpaceport

Anhourandforty-sevenminuteshadpassedsincetheyhadblastedtheirwayoutoftheworktunnelbeneaththespaceport.Thefightinghadbeenalmostconstantsincethen,but,asKantorhadpredicted,thesheersizeofthespaceportandthemazeofitshalls,rooms,loadingbaysandelevatorshaftshadpreventedtheorksfromlaunchinganykindofcoordinatedpurgeagainsttheCrimsonFists’assaultforce.ContactwithSquadVicturixwasdifficultnow,thevoiceoftheTerminator

sergeantfaintonthecomm-link.That,too,hadbeenexpected.Kantor,Cortezandthebrothersaccompanyingthemwerehundredsofmetresabovethepointwheretheyhadenteredthespaceport.Beneaththemweremanyfloorsofthickmetalgirdersandsteel-reinforcedrockcreteandferrocrete.Soonerorlater,contactwiththeTerminatorsholdingthelowerfloorswouldbelostaltogether.Victurixhadalreadyreportedfurthercontactwiththeenemy.Healsorelayedwordfromtheotherassaultgroups.Thebattlefortherestofthespaceportgroundswasongoing.AtleastitseemedthatmostofthetoughestorkswereoutthereamongthehordessurroundingtheSilverCitadel.Theythoughtthatwaswheretheactionwas.Tosomeextent,theywereright.Evenhere,intheupperlevelsofthe

spaceportsomefortykilometressouthofthepositionofthenearestmarchinggargant,thosethunderous,planet-tremblingfootfallscouldstillbefelt,atleasttosensesashighlytrainedasthoseofaSpaceMarine.Silently,Kantorprayedthatthecitadel’svoid-shieldswouldholdoutlong

enoughfortheLegioTitanicustolandsomeoftheirTitans.Thefamedgod-machineswouldmakeshortworkoftheirpoorerork-builtrivals.Butalothadtohappenbeforethatwasevenaremotepossibility.Thespaceporthadtobeutterly

secure.Helookedaround.Momentsago,heandhisbrothershademergedfromanarrowhallwayfilled

withscrapandorkexcrement,intothis,abroad,semi-circularroomthathadoncebeenapassengerlounge.Largewindowsrantheentirelengthofthecurvingouterwall,buteverylastonehadbeensmashed,andawarmwindhowledthroughthem,liftingscrapsofcrumpledpaperfromthefloorandtuggingatthetornedgesofpostersstillhalf-stucktothewalls.SquadsDaecorandLicianwerecoveringtwosetsofdoubledoorsthatledout

oftheroom.SquadSegalawascoveringtherear,thedoorthroughwhichtheyhadjustcome.TheTechmarines,justasKantorhadcommanded,wereathisside.Theirsurvivalwaseverything.Withoutthem,thiswasalostcause.Kantorturnedhishead,surveyingtheroom.Behindhimstoodhisoldfriend,

weaponsholsteredforthemomentashe,too,lookedaround.‘Damnedmess,’saidCortezquietly.ThecaptainhadnotleftKantor’ssidesincetheyhadenteredtheunderworks

backintheSilverCitadel.KantorknewfullwellthatCortezhadsought,perhapsevenexpected,commandofthemission.HeknewCortezhadwantedthisallalong,achancetothrowallcautiontothewindandmarchouttomeetthefoeheadon.Itwashisway.Hewasn’tinterestedinthebiggerpicture.Hewasfocussedonthehereandnow,ontheenemyinfrontofhim,andhegavehisallinfightingthatfoe.Itwasbothhisstrengthandhisweakness.KantorhadmomentarilyconsideredgivingCortezcommand,butwhatwould

hehaveachievedbystayingbackthere?Againstthegargants,therewasnothinghecoulddofromthecitadelwallstomakeadifference.Here,hecouldmakeasignificantdifference.‘We’regettingcloser,’Kantorsaidoverthelink.‘Abovethisloungeisanother

forhigh-rankingdignitaries.Itleadsoutintoalargeatriumand,fromthere,wecanaccessthelandingplateitself.Oncewecrossit,we’llenterthecentralspires.Theairtrafficcontrolanddefencecontrolcentresareinside.’‘Therearethreelandingplates,’saidCortez.‘Whatabouttheothertwo?’‘Firstthingsfirst,’repliedKantor.‘Iamnotinterestedinthelandingplates

untiltheairdefencegridhasbeensecured.Wecanthinkabouteverythingelseoncewehaveairspacecontrol.’Cortezsuddenlyheldupahand.‘Listen!’Kantorhearditnow.Theceilingwasthick,but,alertedbyCortez,hecould

nowhearmovementabove.Therewassomethingveryheavymovingabove

them.Cortezsoundedeager.DidhehopeitwasSnagrodhimself?‘That’snogretchin,’hesaid,halftohimself.‘Wemove,’saidKantor.‘Daecorhaspoint.Beyondthedoors,theatrium

shouldhaveplentyofcover.Iftherearetargets,donotletthemdigin.Theatriumisdominatedbyastaircaseatitscentre.Thelandingatthetopgoeseasttowest.Iwantthatlandingsecured,Daecorontheeastdoors,Licianonthewest.SquadSegalacontinuestoprotecttherear.AnaisandRuzcowithSegala.Allsquads,confirm.’‘Byyourcommand,’saidSergeantDaecor.‘Yourwill,mylord,’saidLodricLician,shortlyfollowedwithasimilar

affirmationfromSegalaandtheTechmarines.KantormovedclosertothedoorSquadDaecorwascovering,Cortezmoving

withhimonhisleft,justafewmetresbehind.Whentheywereinposition,Kantorgavetheorder.‘Go!’Daecorkickedopenthedoor,splinteringthefinelycarvedwoodwithhis

ceramiteboot.Inaflash,hewasthroughit,leadingthechargeintotheCoronadoatrium.Immediately,stubber-fireandthebrightburstofdischargingenergyweaponspoureddownonhimfromagalleryoverhead.Daecorandhissquadsidesteppedintocoveroneithersideofthehall,taking

shelterintheleeofdefacedstatuesthathadoncerepresentedRynnandhisacolytes.‘Dorn’sblood!’spatDaecoroverthelink.KantorbarkedoutorderstoSquadLician,andtheDevastatorsquadmovedup

togivecoveringfire.Thegalleryoverheadwassopackedwithorksthattheywerealmostspillingoverthemarblebaluster.Thereweremoreontheflooroftheatrium,too,half-shelteringbehindthebasesoftheruinedstatuesatthefarend.Othersstoodonthewidesweepofthemarblecentralstair,sprayingfireattheAstartes,brasscasingsfallingtothethickredcarpetandrollingfromthesteps.BrotherMoraiwascarryingaheavybolter.Ofalltheheavyweaponsthe

Devastatorshadbrought,itwasthisthathadthelongestlethalrange.Steppingoutfromcover,Moraiheftedthemassivebarrelofhisguninthedirectionoftheorksonthegalleryandtightenedhisgriponthefiringlever.Theweaponbegantoshudderwithincrediblerecoilasitpouredablisteringtorrentofbolter-shellsontheclusteredknotofxenosfiends.Themarblebalusterwaschewedapart.

Withnothinglefttoresistthepushoftheirfellowsattheback,thebrutishaliensinthefrontrowsfoundthemselvestumblingforwardsintospace,fallingfifteenmetrestothehardmarbleflagstonesbelow.Scoresofthemfell,hittinghard,sustainingseriousinjuries.Butthesewereorks,perhapsthemostresilientspeciesinthegalaxywhenitcametopain.Theyscrambledtotheirfeet,discardingthedentedandtwistedruinsoftheirguns,anddrewcleavers,swords,axesandhammersfromtheloopsontheirthicksquiggoth-hidebelts.Withaunifiedroar,theysurgedforwardstowardstheAstartes.Moraisteppedforwardtomeetthem,strafingthemuzzleofhisweaponleft

andrightinatightarcashemoved.Themuzzleflareofhisweaponliteverythingaroundhiminbrightstrobinglight.Ashowerofbrasspouredfromtheheavybolter’scartridgeejectionport.Theorksatthefrontwerealmostcutinhalfasdozensofmass-reactiveshells

explodedinsidetheirguts.Theywentdownscreaming,spittleflyingfromtheirrazor-toothedmouths.Gorespatteredthefloor,thewalls,thefixtures.TheruinedstatuesofRynnandhisfellowsweredrippingwithblood,thedeep

redstarkagainsttheflawlesswhitemarble.Theorksatthebackofthechargekeptcoming,iron-bootedfeetstompingon

thebodiesoftheirfallenkin,slippingoccasionallyonthespilledbloodandintestines.SergeantLicianorderedMoraitofallback,tosavehisammunition.His

fusilladehadbeenenoughtobuyDaecorandhissquadamomenttoprepare.Theynowleanedoutfromcoverandpouredbolterandplasmafireintotherestofthechargingxenos,cuttingthemdowninthemiddleofthehall.Theorksonthestairandthosebehindcoveratthefarendofthehallcontinuedtopourlarge-calibremetalslugsattheCrimsonFists.AndthenKantorheardanewnoise.Itwasthestompingofhugearmouredfeetand,justbeforeeveryfootfall,the

distinctivehissandclankofpiston-poweredlegs.Thelandingatthetopofthestairshook.Oneofthehanginglightsfixedtotheundersidecamelooseandfelltothefloor,shatteringintomyriadpieces.Theorksonthestairstoppedfiringforlongenoughtolookup,andKantor

thoughthesawhintsoffearontheirslack-jawedfaces.Abattle-roarsodeepitshookthewallssounded,andlastedsolongthat,fora

moment,theChapterMasterwonderedifitwouldeverend.Themomentitdid,theorksonthestairgaveuptheirpositions,boltingdown

tothebottomanddashingforthecoveroftheruinedstatuesatthefarend,thesameplacefromwhichtheirfellowswerefiring.

Daecorandhismendidnotstoptofindoutwhoorwhathaddecidedtojointhebattle.Theykeptpouringfireoutattheorks,killingadozenofthemastheycrossedtheopenhallwayatarun.Then,withatemporarylesseningofenemyfire,theymovedoutandracedtoforwardpositionsthatwouldofferthemabetterlineofsightontheirtargets.KantorandCortezmovedasecondlater,leadingSquadLicianintothecoverthatDaecorandhisbrothershadjustabandoned.Fromhere,KantorbroughtDorn’sArrowtobear.Hehadagoodarcoffireon

theorksstillshootingfromthesecond-floorgallery.Heraisedhislefthand,turnedDorn’sArrowlevelwiththefloor,andfired,rippinghistargetstopieces.Therelicweapon’srateoffirewasalmostasgreatasthatofMorai’sheavy

bolter,anditcutdeepintothemoboforks,itsboltsdetonatingmessilyintheirbellies.Evisceratedbodiesbegantumblingfromtheedgeofthegallery,smackingloudly,wetly,ontheflagstones.Fromtheedgeofhisvision,KantorsawCortezandthemenofSquadLician

givingsuppressingfiretoallowSquadDaecortomovefromcovertocoveronceagain.Thesergeantwasattemptingtogoaroundbehindthegreatstairinthecentreofthehall.Hehopedtoflanktheenemyfromtheleft.JustasDaecorandhisbrothershadbeguntomovetherewasanother

deafeningroar,thistimefromtheverytopofthestair.KantorsawDaecordiveforcover,buttheotherfourbattle-brothersinhissquadwerejustfractionallyslower.Kantorwatchedinhorrorastheywerechewedapartbeforehiseyes.Their

armourshouldhaveprotectedthemagainstgreenskinslugs,evenlarge-calibreones,butthiswasdifferent.Whateverstoodatthetopofthestairswasspewingsomuchfirepowerintheirdirectionthattherewassimplynohope.Ceramiteplatescrackedandshatteredunderthedeadlyhail.Greatgoutsofbloodfountainedintotheair.ToKantor’seyes,itseemedtohappeninslowmotion.Heknewthisfeeling.Hehadfeltitbefore,manytimes.Whydidtimealwaysgrindtoahaltlikethiswhenhewasforcedtowatchgoodbrothersdie?FourbraveCrimsonFistsfelltothefloorlikesomuchdeadmeat.IftheChapterhadafuture,theywouldnotseeitnow.Thentheirkiller,stillblockedfromKantor’sviewbythecurveofthelanding

above,turneditslead-spewingheavyweapononthestatuebehindwhichDaecorwasnowtrapped.Theshellsbeganreducingthestatuetorubblewithterriblespeed.‘Shell-breakers,’saidSergeantLicianonthelink.

Kantorknewthesergeantwasright.Onlyarmour-piercingroundscouldhavedonedamagelikethat.Itwasfortunate,insomerespects,thatonlythehighestrankingorkseverseemedtohaveaccesstothem.KantorheardCortezroaringinragefromjustbehindhim.He,too,had

witnessedthedeathsofhisbrotherAstartesanditwastoomuch.Kantorinstinctivelyknewwhatwasgoingtohappennext.Heputoutahand

tostophisoldfriend,butperhapsheshouldhaveknownbetter.NothingcouldstopAlessioCortezwhenhehadcommittedhimselftoakill.Cortezracedforwards,movingwithincrediblespeed,boltpistolinhisrighthand,hisother,glovedinitsmassivepowerfist,pumpingtheairashesprinted.Orkfirefromthreedirectionspockedthemarbleflagstonesathisfeet,justa

fractionofasecondtoolatetohithim.AsCortezslidintocoverbesideDaecor,heraisedhisboltpistolinthedirectionofthebeastthathadkilledhisbrotherAstartes…andfroze.Kantorheardhiswordsasclearasgunshotsoverthecomm-link.‘Iknowyou!’shoutedCortez.‘YoukilledDrigoAlvez!’Footstepsshookthemarblestairsnow,andKantorsawahugearmouredform

comeintoview.Ashehadsuspectedfromthenoiseofthepiston-poweredlegs,thecreaturewascoveredhead-to-toeinablocky,massively-thicksuitoforkpowerarmour.Onearmendedinahugemulti-barrelledstubberwithtwinammunitionfeeds.Theotherarmendedinthelongglittering,snappingpincersofanorkpowerclawsheathedindeadlyenergies.KantorrealisedthatCortezwasright.Herecognisedthismonsterfromthe

sensoriumuploadsoftheKrugerportsurvivors.ThiswasthebeastthathadendedCaptainDrakken’slife.Itwasrighthere,rightnow,rightinfrontofthem,glaringstraightatAlessioCortez.UrzogMagKull!Thebeastlaughedandclasheditspincers.IthadalreadykilledoneCrimsonFistscaptain.Nowitwantedanother.

SEVENTheUpperLevels,CoronadoTower

CortezwatchedMagKulltakestepafterstair-shudderingstep,itsmassivefeet,encasediniron,almosttoobigforthebroadstairstosupport.Thestonecracked.Foramoment,itevenlookedlikethewholestairwaymightcollapse,butitdidnot.Besidehim,heheardDaecor.‘Thisoneisgoingtobeahandful.’Anunderstatement,thoughtCortez.Thebeastturnedandroaredatitssmallerkin.Theywerestillfiringinthe

directionoftheSpaceMarines.Whentheyheardthemonsterroar,theystopped.ToCortez,themessagecouldn’thavebeenclearer.Liketheorkinfrontofthe

JadeberryHillbarricade,thisonewaslayingdownapersonalchallenge.Decidingtotesthistheory,hesteppedslowly,carefully,outfrombehindthecoverofthestatue’sbase.Afewstubbershellswhinedinhisdirection,andthemassiveorkroaredagain.Nootherfirecamehisway.‘Whatareyoudoing?’hissedDaecor.‘Haveyoulostyourdamnedmind,

brother?’MaybeIhave,thoughtCortez,butitdidn’tchangethecourseofhisactions.Theorkmonstrositywasatthebottomofthestairsnow,anditturnedtoface

him.Cortezspoketotheothers.‘Thisisbetweenmeandthebeast.Doyouhear?

Justgetyourselvesuptotheroof.Timeisrunningout.Gettothedamnedcontrolcentresanddowhatneedsdoing.’TheotherslookedtoKantorforguidance,forasignofconfirmation.They

knewwhathonourdemanded,butsurelynothere,notnow.

‘Youkillit,brother,’KantortoldCortez.‘Doyouunderstand?Youkillit,andyoucatchup.That’sanorder.’Corteznoddedonce,eyesnevermovingfromhisnewgreenskinnemesis.Kantoraddressedtheothers.‘Onthecaptain’ssignal,’hesaid,‘webreakfor

thestairandthelandingabove.’‘Mylord…’protestedSergeantLician.‘Bymycommand,brother-sergeant,’snappedKantor.‘Thecaptainwantsthis,

andweneedtobreakthrough.’‘Thengetreadytomovenow,’saidCortez.‘BecauseI’mgoingtoripthis

one’sheadoff!’WhetherUrzogMagKullunderstoodtheactualwordsornot,thebeast

recognisedtheaggressioninCortez’stone.Itspunandsplayeditsarms,onceagaingivingventtoablood-chillingbattlecry.Greatgobsofspitflewfromitsmouth.Cortezholsteredhisboltpistolanddrewhiscombatknife.Heknewtheblade

wouldn’tpiercethebeast’sbrightyellowarmour,buthehadalreadyidentifiedseveralareaswheretheblademightslipintopiercefleshorseverthesuit’scontrolcables.Havingissueditsfinalchallenge,themonsterbegansidesteppingtotheleft,

circlingCortezontheopenflooratthebaseofthestair.Itgnashedthepincersofitspowerclaw,andCortezcaughtaglimmeroflight.Notonlywasthethingcracklingwithanenergyfield,itlookedlikeitmighthavebeentreatedwithsyntheticdiamond,muchlikethebladeofhisownknife.Ifso,thosepincerswouldbeabletocutthroughhisceramitearmourlikeitwaswetpaper.Thisshouldbeinteresting,Corteztoldhimself.Withabattlecryofhisown,hechargedforward,andtheairrangwiththe

clashofbladesandarmouredfists.

Itwasnoteasytoleavehisoldfriendthere,lockedincombatwithabeasttwicehissize,butKantorknewhewouldreceivenothanksforinterfering.Individualcombatwasasacredthing,athingthathadtoberespected.Itseemedevenorkscouldagreeonthat.So,whileblowsrangoutagainandagainintheairoftheatrium,andsparksflashedfromorkandAstartesarmouralike,Kantormadethebestoftheopeninghisfriend’slife-and-deathstrugglehadboughthim.Heandtheothersdashedontothestairsanduptothelandingabove.Stubber-firefromtheorksonthegallerychasedthemastheymoved,and

shellsstruckceramite,buttheywerestandardorkshellsanddidn’tpenetrate.

‘Keepmoving,’KantorsnappedasSquadsLicianandSegalapoundedupthemarblestepsbehindhim.FerragamosDaecorranatKantor’sside,thetwoTechmarinesjustbehindhim.Withouthissquadmates,allofwhichlaydead,henolongerheldacommand.Instead,hehadtakenCortez’splaceastheChapterMaster’ssecond,atleastwhileCortezwasotherwiseengaged.Together,Kantor,Daecor,Anais,Ruzco,andthetwofive-mansquadsfrom

2ndCompanyreachedthetopofthelandingandimmediatelysprintedtotheright.Attheendofthehall,therewasalargearchwayand,beyondit,theslopeofarampthatwouldtakethemuptothefloorabove.Agruntingmoboforkfootsoldiersgavechase,surgingoutfromcoverandupthestairsbehindtheAstartes.SquadSegalastopped,eachbattle-brotherdroppingtoonekneeinatightline,andreturnedfire,puttinganumberofwell-placedroundsintotheskullsofthefastestpursuers.SergeantSegalabarkedoutanorderandthesquadwasupagain,runningtocatchupwithKantorandtheothers.Kantorhadreachedtherampnow,andwasracingupittowardsarectangleof

opensky.Secondslater,heandtheothersemergedintotheopenair,andfoundthemselvesstandingonthevastCoronadoPlate.Itwasaflatdisk,sixhundredandfortymetresindiameter,capableofberthing

shipsuptofivehundredandfiftymetresacross.LikeallofthelandingplatesattheNewRynnSpaceport,itemployedanti-graviticsuspensionsystemsrelatedtothegrav-platesusedonmostspace-faringvessels.Suchpowerfulsuspensionallowedtheplatetoacceptburdensofmillionsoftonneswithoutcompromisingtheintegrityofthestructurebelow.Andtherewasalotofstructurebelow.TheCoronadoPlatewasthreehundredmetrestallandfromitsedge,theviewofthesurroundinglandswasastounding.Kantordidn’thavetimetoappreciatetheviewnow,though.AsheandhisAstartesemergedontotheplate,therewereshoutsandgruntsfromadozenalienthroats.Kantorspuninthedirectionofthesound.Tohisleft,inaroughlinethat

circledaroundallthewaybehindhim,hesawascoreofbrightredorkfighter-bombers.Therewereorkandgretchinground-crewsfittingfreshmunitionstotheirunder-wingpylons.Infrontoftheugly,blunt-nosedcraft,hesawaknotofbiggreenskinsorksinleathercapsandcoats,flightgogglesdanglingaroundtheirnecks.Themomenthelockedeyeswiththem,theystartedforward,drawinglarge-borepistolsfromholstersattheirsides.‘Killthem!’Kantorshouted,andtheairfilledwiththebarkofbolters.LodricLicianspottedatrolleystackedhighwithbombsandmissiles,and

immediatelyorderedBrotherRamostobringhisplasmacannontobear.

Kantorheardtheroarofblazingplasmajustbeforeheblinkedintheblindingflashoflight.Theorkmunitionsexplodedwithsuchforcethattheysenttwoofthefighter-bombersplummetingovertheedgeoftheplate.Othersburstintoflamesand,shortlyafterthat,theirexplodingfueltanksrippedthemapart,showeringtheSpaceMarineswithburningjunk.TheorkpilotswhichhadnotyetbeenkilledbySquadSegalaturnedtolookat

theirbelovedmachinesreducedtowrecks.Greatrollsofblacksmokesweptacrosstheplate.Orangefiresdancedandcrackled.Thegretchinscattered,desperatelylookingforanykindofcoveratall,buttherewasnothingtheycouldreachbeforetheSpaceMarinescutthemdown.DaecorandthemenofSquadSegalapickedoffthelastoftheorkpilotsastheychargedstraightattheAstarteswiththeirpistolsblazing.Thefightlastedonlyseconds.‘Clear,lord,’saidDaecor.Kantorscannedthelandingplate.‘Reloadandfollowme.’Hedirectedtheirattentiontoatightclusterofthreeslim,blacktowerslinked

totheCoronadoPlatebyacoveredbridge.‘Bothourobjectivesareinthere,’hetoldthem.Lightscouldbeseeninthetowerwindows,shiningoutfromroomsona

hundredfloorsthatmayormaynothavebeenoccupiedbythegreenskins.Kantorknewexactlywhereheandhismenhadtogo.Hehopedresistancewouldbeminimal.Despitetheextramagazinesandcharge-packsheandhisassaultforcehadbroughtwiththem,heknewtheirammunitionmustbestartingtorunlow.HecheckedareadoutonhisvisorandsawthatDorn’sArrowstillhadexactlyfourhundredandeighteenroundslefttofirebeforethebeltfeedsrandry.Afterthat,hewouldbedowntohisswordandpowerfist.Close-quarterswouldbetheonlyoption,andtheorkswerefarmoreformidableatthatrange.AsheledhisFiststowardsthebridgethatlinkedtheCoronadoPlatetothe

centraltowers,hetriednottoworryaboutCortez.The4thCompanyCaptainhadn’tjoinedthemyet,butithadbarelybeentwominutes.Kantorglancedbacktochecktheaccessramp.No.Therewasnosignofhim.Eitherhewasstilllockedincombat,orhehadshruggedoffthelegendofhisimmortalityatlast.BytheHolyThrone,thoughtKantor,donotletitbethelatter.Shortofreturningtotheatriumandinterferinginthefight,therewasnothing

hecoulddoforhisoldfriend.Heneededthespaceport.HeneededtheImperialfleet.Theairtrafficcontroltower,hetoldhimself.Thedefencegrid.Ifyoudie,

Alessio,Ipromiseyou,itwillnotbeinvain.AsKantorranforthecoveredbridgeattheedgeofthelandingplate,he

lookedupatthetripletowers.Theouterstoneworkofeachwasstuddedwithgargoyleswhichheldpulsatingredlights,thekindoflightsthatalltallbuildingsemployedtowarnincomingairtrafficoftheirpresence.Theypulsedinsequence,creatingakindofwaveeffectthattravelledtothesummit,thenstartedfromthebottomagain.Kantor’seyesfollowedthewavesforamomentasheran,andhefound

himselflookingupataskyfilledwithstars.Nighthadfallenfast,asitalwaysdidsoneartheequator.Here,threehundredmetresabovegroundlevel,theairwasclearer,lessdominatedbythehazeoforkpollutionandcloudsoffliesattractedbytheiropencesspits.Thestarsweresharpandbright.Andsomeofthemweremoving.Kantorstoppedandheldoutahand.‘Wait,’hetoldtheothers.‘Lookup.’Astheylooked,someofthemovingstarsflashedbrightlyanddisappeared.

Othersshotouthair-thinbeamsofwhiteandbluelight.Someseemedtotravelinformation,othersinrandompatterns.‘Ihopewe’rewinning,’saidSergeantDaecor.Kantorhopedso,too.Hebegantoleadtheminarunagain,andsoontheyreachedthecovered

bridge.

Accesstothecentraltowershadtobefoughtfor.NosoonerhadKantorandhismenreacheditsnearedgethanastreamoforksbeganpouringoutofthedoorsonitsfarside.Thebridgewasnarrow,onlyeightmetresacross.Itforcedtheorkstobunchtogether,afactthatfavouredtheemploymentofSquadLician’sheavyweaponsonceagain.BrotherMoraisteppedforwardontothebridge,heavybolterinhand,andbegancuttingtheorksdownsixatatimewithtightscythingspraysoffire.AnythinghemissedwaspickedoffbythebrothersofSquadSegala,someofwhomsoonreportedthattheyweredowntotheirlastfullmagazine.EvenasMoraicontinuedtoclearthewayahead,Kantorheardbestialshouts

frombehindhim.Theorkfootsoldiersfromtheatriumbeganpouringupontothesurfaceofthelandingplateviatheaccessrampheandhismenhadused.Theycharged,andtheCrimsonFistsfoundthemselvesassaultedfromtwosideswithnocovertospeakof.

Foralltheorks’lackofaccuracy,theymanagedtopeppertheAstartesarmourwithfatmetalslugssimplybyvirtueoffiringsomany.Kantorfelthisarmourstruckagainandagain,eachimpactsendingbriefsparksuparoundhim.Hisarmourhadoncebeenbeautiful,etched,engravedandchasedwithgemsandgolddetailinglikenoother.Now,itwasspatteredwithaliengore,andchippedandblackenedinplacesbytheimpactoftheirbullets.‘Daecor,’shoutedtheChapterMaster.‘YouandIwillcovertherear.’Daecorspunandopenedfirewithhisbolter,sendingtheleadorkstumblingto

theground,headless,agreatredriverspillingoutfromitsneck.KantorbroughtDorn’sArrowlevelwithhisshoulderandwilledtheweapontofire,controllingitbyneuralcommand.Thecommandflasheddownthroughhisnervoussystem,throughthesocketsinhisflesh,alongthecablesthatmadehisbodyandarmourone.Muzzlefireleaptoutfromtherelic’stwinbarrelsandastreamofbrasscasingsbegantopourtotheground.Kantorwatchedtheammunitioncounteronhisvisorfall,cursingasitreachedthreehundredandfiftyrounds,thenthreehundred.Orkscrumpledbeforehim.Everytimetheyrushedupwardsfromtheaccessramp,heangledhisleftfisttowardsthem,andDorn’sArrow,mountedonthebackofit,cutthemintolifeless,blood-soddenchunks.MorewerestillcomingwhenheheardSergeantSegalaonthelink.‘Thebridgeisclear,fornow.’‘Segala,’saidKantor.‘Getyourmenacrossandsecurethefirstroomonthe

otherside.Lician,haveBrotherMoraiandBrotherRamostakepositiononeithersideofthebridgeandcoverSegala’smen.SendBrothersOroandPadillatome.Doitnow.Move.’‘Asyoucommand,lord,’saidLician.‘Youheardhim,brothers.Getmoving!’BrothersMoraiandRamosmovedtotheleftandrightrespectively,andzeroed

theirheavybolterandplasmacannononthedoorsatthefarendofthebridge.Orkbodieslitteredthesmoothmetalsurfacethere.Slicksofbloodreflectedthelightoftheroombeyond,itsinteriorjustvisiblethroughtintedarmaplaswindows.BrothersOroandPadilla,bothwieldingheavymulti-meltas,joggedupto

Kantor’sside.Oro,thetallerandolderofthetwo,said,‘Youwishustocovertherear,mylord?’Theorks,neverparticularlyquicktolearn,hadfinallygrowncautiousintheir

pursuitoftheCrimsonFists.Ratherthanracingheadlongfromtherampwithgunsblazing,theyemergedslowlyandcarefully,pokingtheirheadsupfirsttofindtheopeningsurroundedbythefallenbodiesoftheirxenoskin.Keepingto

covernow,theyfiredtheirstubbersinshortburstsbeforeduckingbackdown.Atriple-burstofshellsrattledoffKantor’srightpauldronasheaddressedOroandPadilla.‘Youwillhavetoholdtheplatealone,brothers,’hesaid,‘buttherampisa

bottleneck,aperfectchokepoint,well-suitedtoyourweapons.Howmuchpowerdoyourmeltashaveleft?’‘Ihavehalfachargeleftonthismodule,mylord,andtwospare,’saidPadilla.‘Andyou?’theChapterMastersaidtoOro.Athisside,SergeantDaecor’sboltgunbarked.Anotherorkslumpeddeadat

thetopoftheramp.‘Almostafullchargeleftonthisone,’saidOro,pattingthepowermodule

currentlyfixedinplaceundertheweapon’sthickmetalframe.‘Ihavenosparesthough.’KantorturnedtoPadillaandsaid,‘Thenyouknowwhattodo.’Padillanodded,unclippedoneoftheheavymodulesfromhisbelt,andhanded

ittoOro,whotookitwithagruntofthanks.‘Withrespect,mylord,’saidOro,turningtofacetheChapterMasteragain.‘I

cancovertherampwellenoughalone.TakeBrotherPadillawithyou.’Hethrusthischininthedirectionofthewinkingtowersontheothersideofthebridge.‘Ihaveafeelingyouwillneedallthefirepoweryoucanmusterinthere.’Kantorhopednot,but,infact,hehadthesamefeeling.‘Verywell,butifthey

managetobreakoutofthere,youfallbackandrejoinus.’Daecor’sbolterbarkedagain.‘Withrespect,mylord,’saidthesergeant,‘the

moretimewespendhere,themoretimetheorksinthetowerhavetoprepareadefence.Onemulti-meltashouldindeedbeenough.’KantorhadalreadyleftCorteztofightalone,anddidnotrelishtheideaof

anotherofhisbrothersbeinglefttodosonow.Thereweresofewleftasitwas.ButbothOroandDaecorwereright.Hecouldn’tsparetwobodieshere.Orowouldholdtheplate.‘Padilla,’hesaid,‘youarewithus.BrotherOro,mayDornwatchoveryou.If

CaptainCortezsurviveshisbattlewiththebeastbelow,donotcookhimbymistakeonhiswayup.’Kantorhadwantedtosaywhen,notif,but,astheminuteswentby,hecould

notdenyhisgrowingdoubts.Theonlygoodsignsofarwasthatthemonstrouswarboss,MagKull,hadnotyetemergedfromthetopoftheramp.Onthelink,theyheardthevoiceofSergeantSegala.‘Wehavesecuredthe

lobbyontheothersideofthebridge.Accesspointsarecovered.Awaitingyour

orders,lord.’KantorsalutedBrotherOro,fisttobreastplate,receivedasharpsalutein

return,andturnedtoleadDaecorandPadillatowardsthebridge.‘Holdtheroom,sergeant,’hetoldSegala.‘Lician,startmovingyourmenacrossnow.’‘Mylord,’saidLician.Kantorhalf-turnedandlookedbackatOro.Agroupoforkswavinglarge

blackcleaverstriedtorushhimfrombelow.Atthetopoftheramp,Orometthemcalmly,settinghisfeetshoulder-widthapartandlevellingthemulti-meltaatthem.Therewasacrackandwhooshofionisedairastheweaponcookedthealiens’bodies,turningeverythingblack,boneandmusclealike.Theorksbarelyhadtimetoscream.Theirarmourandweaponsdroppedtotheground,losingtheirshape,forminglittleheapsofhotslag.Thestenchofcookedfleshbecamestrongontheair,thengustingwindstuggeditaway.Kantorturnedandkeptmoving.HehadfaithinallofhisAstartes.The

trainingprogrammesandpsycho-conditioningtheyhadenduredweresecondtonone.Orowouldholdtheplate.HewouldholdituntilAlessioemerged,bloodyperhaps,butalive.Hehadtobelievethat.Ashisfeettookhimacrossthetitanium-alloyplatesofthebridge,hekepttellinghimselfthatAlessiowouldsurvive.HewasCorteztheImmortal.

EIGHTTheCentralTowers,NewRynnSpaceport

TheChapterMasterandwhatremainedofhisassaultgroupfinallygainedaccesstothetripletowers,withinwhichtheirprimaryandsecondaryobjectiveswaited.Buttherewasbadnewsawaitinghim,too.Kantorhadhopedthatthetowerswouldbeoflittlerealinteresttotheorks.

Therewerenoportableweaponsinside,novehiclestosalvageorcustomise.Ineachoftheroomstheycarefullysweptforthreats,abundantsignsoforkpresencewereeverywhere.Theairstankoforkfilth,almostdrowningoutothersmells.Excrementstainedthewallsandfloors.Manycornerswereheapedwithpilesofdung,armiesoffliesbuzzingnoisily,greedily,aroundthem.Whitebonesprotrudedfromthemess,somerecognisablyhuman,eitherthebonesofpeoplebroughthereasfood,orthoseofthedefendingRynnsguardtrooperswhohadbeenoverwhelmedearlyinthealieninvasion.Thatthoughtledhimtoanotherhelikedevenless.KantorconsideredtheCrusadeCompanybattle-brotherswhohaddiedhere

supportingthePDF.CrusadeCompany.Hiscompany.Twosquads,PhrenotasandGrylinus,hadbeenchargedwithholdingthis

place.Whatkindoffighthadtheyputup?Hehadseenthesignsofbattle,thepockmarkedwalls,thetelltalecratersincementandferrocretethattoldofbolter-roundsfiredinanger.Evennow,somanymonthsaftertheyhadfallen,thereweretracesoftheirpresencethathecouldnotfailtosee.ButtherewerenoAstartesbodies.TherewasnosignoftheTerminatorarmourwithwhichthetwoSternguardsquadshadbeenissued.Wherehadtheyfallen?Wherehadtheymadetheirfinalstand?

Therewereplentyofotherbodiesaround.FromthemomenthehadsteppedontothebridgethatlinkedthecoretowerstotheCoronadoPlate,Kantorhadbeenawareoftheseveredsquiglimbsandthetwistedformsofmurderedgretchinthatlitteredthefloor.ThesewerenotkillsmadebyRynnsguardsoldiersorAstartes.Thiswasthedetritusoftheorks.Gretchin,heknew,wereoftensimplymurderedonawhimbythelargerorks.Andthebulbous,brightlycolouredsquigsformedamajorpartofthegreenskindietfarmoreoftenthantheywereusedfortrackingorwagingwar.Asheledhismenclosertowardsthecentralelevatorsthatwouldcarrythem

uptotheairtrafficcontroltower,theypassedroomswheremachineshadbeenrippedfromthewallsandtheirmechanicalinnardsstrippedassalvage.Silently,heprayedthattheorkshadnotinterferedwiththespaceport’scriticalsystems.Hewondered,too,howSquadVicturixandtheotherswerefaring.Upaheadofhim,halfwaydownanarrowhallinwhicharclightsflickered

fromtheceiling,SergeantSegalahaltedandraisedahand.Onthelink,thesergeantwhispered,‘Occupiedroomsoneitherside.Thedoorsareclosed,butIcanheargreenskinsinsidethem.’Kantorconsideredtheiroptions.HecouldorderhisAstartestostackup

outsidethedoors,thenbreachandclear,roombyroom.Butthesoundoffightingfromthefirstroomtheyassaultedwouldalmostcertainlybringtheothersout.WasSnagrodinoneoftheserooms?Itseemedunlikelytheorkwarlordwashere.Unliketypicalorkwarlords,he

hadnotshownhisface,nottakenhisrightfulplaceatthefrontline.Duringtheeighteenmonthsofthesiege,numerousgreenskinlieutenantshadbeenidentifiedandkilled,thoughstillmorehadsurvivedtocontinuefighting,butSnagrodcontinuedtobroadcasthisgloatingmessagesinthatfoulorkishtongue.KantorhadstartedtosuspectthattheorkwarlordhadneverevensetfootonRynn’sWorld.Someorks,forwhateverreason,feltanattachmenttospaceandthetypeofcombattheycouldenjoythere.Suchorkswererare,freaksperhaps,buttheyexisted.WasSnagroduptherewithhisfleetrightnow,engagingtheImperialshipsthatfoughtevennowforthechancetolandvitalgroundsupportatthisveryfacility?‘Movequietly,’Kantorordered.‘Ifwecanavoidafirefight,wecangettothe

nextelevatorallthesooner.SergeantSegala,continueonpoint.’‘Aye,lord,’saidSegala,andtheFistsbegantomoveagain,carefulnotto

generateunnecessarynoise.

Itwasnoeasymatter,Astartesbattle-platebeingwhatitwas,andorkhearingwasknowntobeacute,perhapstocompensatefortheireyesight.Butwithgreateffort,KantorandhisFistsmanagedtopassfromthishallintoanotherwithoutgainingunwantedattention.Thenexthallranperpendiculartothepreviousone.Atitsfarend,Kantorsaw

broadwoodendouble-doors,oneofwhichwaspartlysmashedandlyingatanangleagainstthewall.Beyondthedoubledoors,therewasabroad,well-litchamberand,inthecentreofthatchamber,hesawtheelevatorhehadbeenlookingfor.‘Keepmoving,’hetoldtheothers.‘Straightahead,asquietlyasyoucan.’Keepingquietwashardest,ofcourse,forthebrothersofSquadLician.Morai,

RamosandPadillacarriedweaponryfarheavierthananyoneelse.Thoughitdidnotslowthemenoughtobeaproblem,itdidmaketheirpassagemoredifficultthanthatoftheirlighter-armedfellows.Thehallwasfilledwithpiecesofscrapandrefuse,andeachstephadtobe

placedcarefully.Therewereroomsofftoeithersideofthehalland,asbefore,thesoundoforkoccupantscouldbeheardthroughsomeofthedoors.Kantorwasgratefulthosedoorsdidnotboastwindows.AsBrotherRamos,thirdfromtherear,passedawaist-highjumbleoftwisted

metalandwires,thepowercablingofhisplasmacannongotsnagged.BeforeRamosknewwhatwashappening,therewasasuddenclatterasthejunklurchedwithhisnextstep,strikinganddislodgingotherdebrisfromanearbyheap.Immediately,theotherFistsbroughttheirbolterstobearonthedoorsateither

side.Theorkvoiceswithinthoseroomshadgonequiet,asifthealienswerestrainingtohearfurthernoisethatmightwarranttheeffortofinvestigation.Kantorwasrightnexttoadoorofslightlydentedblackmetal.Heheard

clumsyfootstepsontheothersideofit,footstepsthatsoundedasiftheyweregettingcloser.Heflexedthefingersofhispowerfistandactivateditsdeadlyenergyfield.Secondslater,thedoorwasyankedhard.Amassivexenoswithablackeye-patchandearlobespiercedwithlengthsofbonestoodstaringoutathim,itsbraintakingamomenttoprocessthemessagesentbyitsoneredeye.ThatmomentwasenoughforKantor.Hedartedstraighttowardsthecreature

andbroughthispowerfistdowninablisteringhammerblow.Theenergyfieldcrackedsharplyandbluearcsoflightflashed.Onemoment,thebeasthadahead,thenext,itwaserased.Twitching,thecorpsefellbackwards.Apistolfellfromitsmeatyrighthand.Themomenttheweaponstrucktheground,ashotrangout.Thefatbullet

strucktheceiling.Thesoundoftheshotseemeddeafeninginthesilence.‘Dorn’sblood!’cursedKantor.Allalongthehall,doorswereflungopen,disgorginggreenskinwarriorsthat

roaredastheycame.TheyclashedwithSquadSegalafirst,attackingwithfuriousforce,bringingtheirhugeaxesandcleaversdownagainandagain.Segalaandhismenwerefarfaster,farbettertrained,andtheyparriedorslippedtheorks’blowsagainandagain,drivingthexenostofightevenharder,fuelledbyangerandfrustration.‘Lician,’barkedKantor,‘covertherear.Daecor,youandImoveupinsupport.

Anais,Ruzco,staybyme.’TheTechmarines,ofcourse,werebynomeanshelpless.Theywielded

massivepoweraxesthatcouldcleaveanorkintwo.Anythingthatcamewithinrangeofthemwoulddie,butKantorwantedthemclosesohecouldpersonallyprotectthem.Hehadalreadydecidedtogivehislifeifitwouldbuytheirsurvivalinplaceofhisown.Onewayoranother,theyhadtoreachthetwocontrolcentres.SergeantDaecorwasalreadymoving,boltpistolhigh,firingintightcontrolled

burstswhereverhiseyesfoundaviabletarget.Kantorsurgedforwardtojointhebattleandfoundhimselfnexttooneof

Segala’smen,BrotherBacar,whofacedanorkeasilytwicehisweight.ThebeasthadanirongriponbothBacar’swristsandwasyankinghimforwards,tryingtodrawhimintoacrushingbear-hugfromwhichhecouldbiteattheSpaceMarine’sless-protectedthroat.Kantor’shandflashedout,powerfistconnectingsolidlywithanothersharp

crackofenergy.Thefarwallwassprayedred.BrotherBacartwistedoutofthedeadork’sgripandkickeditsbodytotheground.‘Mythanks,lord,’hegasped.‘Dobetter,’saidKantor.HesawSegalasurroundedbythreeorkswieldingamixtureofhammersand

axes.Anotherclosedinheftingahugespikedmace.‘Damnit,’cursedKantorasheran,alreadyknowinghewouldarrivetoolate.Segalawasfightinghard,flowingfromdefencetocounter-attackwithallthe

speedandpoweronecouldrightlyexpectofaveteranAstartes.But,inthecloseconfinesofthehall,andwithothersfightingsoclosebehindhim,hedidnothavethespaceheneeded.Kantorsawthesergeantwastryingtouseeachork’smassagainsttheothers,tryingtoanglehimselfsothatheneedonlyfacethemoneatatime,butitwastoolate.Hewassurrounded.EvenasKantorliftedDorn’sArrowtofireinsupport,heheardtheorkwiththemacegruntsomething.

TheorksonSegala’sleftandrightdroppedtheirweaponsandgrabbedSegala’sarmstight.Thesergeantwasextremelystrong–allAstarteswere–butanorkwasstronger,andthestrengthoftwowasimpossibletoresist.Theyboundhisarmsandheldhiminplacewhilethemace-wieldingorkhauledhisweaponintotheair.Kantorfired,andastutterofstorm-bolterroundstooktheleft-sideorkinthe

head,killingitinstantly.Butitsheadlessbodymaintaineditsgrip,itspowerfulhandsobeyingthelastmessagefromitstinysimplebrain.ThemacecrasheddownonSegala’sheadwithhelmet-splinteringforce.A

greatsplashofbloodpaintedthesergeant’sbreastplateandpauldrons.Kantorroaredwithrageandfiredagain,takingtheright-sideorkinthe

shoulderandback,buttheorkwiththemacehadalreadyraiseditsweaponforanotherswing.Evenastheorksoneithersideofthesergeantfinallytoppled,thespikedheadofthemacemadecontactagain,batteringwhatwasleftofthehelmetdowntothegorget.Segala’slegsbuckledandhefelltothefloor,verydefinitelydead.KantorstrodeforwardwithDorn’sArrowblazing,shellsrippingintotheork

warrior’sbodyinahate-filledfusillade.Themacedroppedwithaheavyclang,andthebroad,muscularbodydancedonthespotforamomentastheroundsdetonatinginsideitrippeditapart.Kantorgrowledandspuntofindanewtarget.Hewasspoiledforchoice.Fires

ofhateandangerburningwithinhim,hewadedintothemelee,drawinghisbladefromthesheathatthebaseofhisspine.‘Tearthemapart,mybrothers,’heyelled.‘Bloodforblood.Vengeanceforthefallen.Letnonesurvive.’Helethisemotionsrunthroughhimuncheckednow,drawingfromthem,

allowingthemtotakecontrol.Hemovedtoofast,toosurely,forconsciousthoughttoplayanyrole.Hismovementswerethepurestexpressionofallhistraining,hiswayoflife,ofalltheenhancementsandprocedureshehadendured.Herewasthreehundredandfiftyyearsofmartialmasteryunleashedonthosewhohadalmosttakeneverythingfromhim,thosehenowhatedmostinallthegalaxy.Hekilledwithouthesitation,twinheartspumping,musclesmovinginabsolute

unity.Anyonewhohadseenhimthenwouldhaverealisedsomethingimportantabouthim.TheywouldhaverealisedthatPedroKantorwasnotChapterMasterbyvirtueofhisintelligenceanddemeanouralone.HewasoneofthefinestwarriorstheChapterhadknownintenthousandyears.AlessioCortezwouldhavebeenproudofhim,butnotsurprised.

Hehadalwaysknownittobeso.

SquadSegalanowbecameSquadDaecor.KantorhadlittlechoicebuttoplaceFeraggamosDaecorincommand.Segala’ssquad-brothersacceptedit.Themissionwasallthatmatteredrightnow.Thoughtheirheartsweretornintwoatthelossoftheirsergeant,theywouldmournhimlater,iftheydidnotjoinhimindeath.Despitetheirlosses,whatwasleftoftheassaultforcemanagedtoovercome

theorksinthehall.Bythetimetheyreachedtheairtrafficcontrolcentre,theynumberedonlynine,andoneofthosewastheChapterMaster.SergeantSegalahadfalleninthehallway.So,too,hadBrothersGaban,RamosandMorai,theirheavyweaponsimpairingtheircombatskillsinthemaelstromofclose-quarterscombat.BrotherOroremainedontheCoronadoPlate,orsoKantorhoped.HecouldnotraiseOroonthelink.AndCortez?Well,Alessiohadalwayssaidhewouldmeethismatchoneday.Kantorwas

tryingnottothinkaboutit,butthepossibilitythatthesamecreaturehadnowkilledbothDrigoAlvezandAlessioCortezwaslikeafireinhim.Hehadtofighthimselfnottoturnbackandtrackthemurderousbeastdownwhiletherewasstillfarmorecriticalworktodo.Theairtrafficcontrolcentredominatedanentirefloorofthenorthmostofthe

threenarrowspires.Itwasawidecircularroomwithlongcurvingwindowsthatranalongitsentirecircumference.Therehadbeenorksintheroomwhentheelevatorarrived,twenty-threeinall,butitseemedtheyhadnotbeenexpectinganykindofattack,oratleasthadnotpreparedforit.Perhapstheyweretoobusytopayattentiontoanykindofalarmorwarningtheothershadraised.Whentheelevatordoorsslidopen,Kantorhadseenthemseatedinhigh-

backedchairs,massiveshouldershunchedforward,eachwearingasetofheadphoneslinkedbycoiledcablestothemachineryoftheirconsoles.Theyjabberedintomicrophonesinthatharsh,gutturaltongueoftheirs,barelyalanguageatall.Thereweregretchin,too,dashingbackandforthwithvarioustoolsandinscrutablegadgets.TheysawtheAstartesfirst,andfrozeforasecond,fearrootingthemtothefloor.Kantororderedhismentoopenfire,andthecontrolcentrebecamea

bloodbath.TheorkswiththeheadphonesbarelyhadtimetoturnaroundintheirchairsbeforeDaecorandhismenfired,punchingwetredholesineachmisshapenhead.

Thebodiesslumpedintheirchairs.Someslidforwardtocollapseheavilyonthefloor.‘Clear,’saidDaecor.Blacksmokecoiledupwardsfromthemuzzleofhis

bolter.Kantorcrossedtothewindowsfacingnorth,allsmashed.Thewindhowled

andpulledathimasiftryingtodraghimoutintoadeadlyfreefall.HelookeddownattheCoronadoPlateaboutthreehundredmetresbelow.Itwaspitch-darkoutside.Hecycledthevisionmodesofhishelmet.Visor-basedinfraredwasunreliableatthisrange.Hesettledonlow-lightenhancement.Hecouldmakeouttheruinsoftheorkfighter-bombersdownthere.Thefireshadburnedthemselvesoutnow.Panninghisvisionalittletotherightofthem,hesawtheaccessrampwhichledtotheatrium.Hesawgreenskinbodieslyinginheaps.TherewasnosignofBrotherOro.Kantorknewwhatthatmeant.TheDevastatorwouldnothavelefthispost.Alessiomustbedead,too.Hefeltsomethinginsidehimcomedangerouslyclosetobreaking,something

important,somethingthathadtoholdforjustalittlelonger.Alessio’smemorywouldnotbeservedbysuccumbingtoitnow.ThesurvivaloftheChapterhadtobeassured.Therewasstillachance,aslimchance,thatafutureremained,afutureinwhichtheImperiumcouldstillcallontheCrimsonFistsasithaddonesoofteninthepast.Helookedfurthernorth,beyondtheCoronadoPlate,andsawtheflashand

flickerofartillery-firefaroffbeneaththehorizon.Therewerebrightpulsesofgreenandpurpleenergy,too.Hestrainedhisearsandthoughthecouldjustfaintlydetectthesoundsofthebattleforthecitadel,buthewasnotsure.Sixtykilometreswasalongwayforthosesoundstotravel,andthewindhowlingthroughtheshatteredwindowsdidnotmakeitanyeasierforhim.Howclosewerethegargantstothewalls?Theoddly-colouredflashesoflight

hehadglimpsedsuggestedtheyhadalreadystartedtoemploythegreatclustersofenergyweaponsthatbristledinplaceoftheirarms.Thelastfewdistrictsaroundthecitadelhadalmostcertainlyfallenbynow.Kantorhadleftordersforthemtobeevacuatedbyallbutthedefenders,buttherewereliterallymillionsofcivilianstobemoved,andtheSilverCitadelcouldbarelycontainthemall.Itwasimpossibletopredicthowlongthecitadel’svoid-shieldswouldlast.

Thatalldependedontheforcetheorksbroughttobear.Kantorhadseengargantsinactionbefore.Hehadevenhelpedtobringtwodown,eachofthosemorethanacenturyapart,byleadingboardingpartiesthatmanagedtodestroy

criticalelementsintheirpowercores.Suchboardingactionshadn’tbeenfeasiblethistime.Whenitcamerightdowntoit,securingthespaceportandhopingthatthereinforcementswereenoughwastheonlychancetheyhad,anditwaspatheticallyslim,dependinginlargepartonfactorsbeyondhiscontrol.Perhaps,hethought,butthethingsIcancontrol,Iwill.Helookeddownattheconsoleinfrontofhim.Clearly,theorkshad

recognisedthevalueofnottamperingwithwhattheyhadhere.Someoftheequipmentlookedasifithadbeentakenapart,perhapstoseewhatmadeitwork,butmostofitlookedunaltered,ifnotalittlefilthierthanitnormallywouldhave.BrothersAnaisandRuzcodidn’twaitforanycommands.Theyimmediately

laydowntheirweaponsandbeganacriticalsystemsassessment.Kantorletthemworkwithoutinterruption.Amomentlater,Ruzcocametohis

side,liftedablackcablewithagoldenjackatitsend,andaskedifhemightplugitintotheChapterMaster’sgorget.Therewasanuplinksocketconcealedthere.Kantorconcededatonce,andRuzcopressedthegoldenjackhomewithaclick.Immediately,Kantorheardstaticinsidehishelmet.Ruzcoturnedadialontheconsoleinfrontofhim,andbegancyclingthroughchannels.Therewasnothingatfirst,andKantorbegantosuspectthecommsarrayontopofthetowerhadbeendamagedafterall.But,ifso,thenwhyhadtheorksbeensittingjabberingintotheirmicrophones?Thenheheardit,asnuffling,gruntingtransmissionintheorktongue.He

recognisedthevoice.HehadhearditmanytimessinceTheCrusaderhadreturnedfromBadlandingwithnewsofAshorDrakken’sdeath.ItwastheArch-Arsonist,Snagrod,broadcastinghisboastsandtaunts,asalways.AsKantorlistened,themessageended,thenbeganagain.Itwasbeingplayedonaloop.Themoronicwarlordcontinuedtobroadcastintheorkishlanguage,despitehismessagesbeingclearlymeantfortheearsoftheloyalistforces.Itwouldalmosthavebeenfunnyhadthealienfiendnotbeenpersonallyresponsibleforthesickeningpain,tortureanddeathsofsomany.Ruzcocontinuedadjustingthedialscommsstation.Hewasinthehigher

frequencyrangenow,andKantorwasclosetolosinghope,whenhefinallyheardahumanvoice,orrather,thevoiceofabeingthathadoncebeenhuman,thatmaystillhavebeenpartlyhuman.Itwasthevoiceofacomms-servitorononeoftheImperialshipsfighting

abovetheplanet.KantorliftedahandtohaltRuzco’sadjustments,andlistened,butthestreamofwordsfromtheservitorwasintendedfortheearsofother

servitors.Itwasaconstantbabbleofsystemsstatusreportsandenergyreadings.HewavedRuzcoon,andtheTechmarineturnedthedialtotherightalittlemore.Finally,theyfoundwhattheywerelookingfor.‘Iwantallportsidebatteriesonthatship,’saidaculturedvoiceinHighGothic.

‘Andprimethelancebatteriesforwhenwecomearound.WeshallwanttolendassistancetotheManzarionandtheViragoassoonaswe’reclearoftheirfighters.Seeitdone!’Kantorwaiteduntiltherewasapause,thenhecutin,saying,‘Inthenameof

theEmperor,identifyyourself.’Thewell-spokenmanspluttered.‘Whatthebloodyhellareyoudoingonthis

frequency?DoyouknowthepunishmentforinterferingwithImperialNavalcommunications?Whoisthis?’‘Standby,’saidKantor,‘broadcastingidenticodenow.’TherewasaruneboardontheconsoleinfrontofRuzco.TheTechmarine’s

fingersbeatarapidtattooontherunes.Theresponsewasimmediate.‘That’s…that’sanAstartescode!’stammeredtheImperialcommander.‘Itis,’saidKantor.‘ThisisPedroKantor,LordHellblade,ChapterMasterof

theCrimsonFistsSpaceMarines.Nowidentifyyourselfatonce.’Thenavalcommanderpausedtosteelhimself,thensaid,‘MynameisArvol

Dahan,LordCommanderoftheImperialNavaldestroyerAdaemus.Forgiveme,mylordAstartes,for–’‘Thereisnothingtoforgive,commander,’saidKantor.‘Butyouwillassistme

incontactingLordAdmiralGaltaire.’‘At…atonce,mylord.Galtairemaintainsanopenchannelatalltimes,

monitoredbyhisseniorcommsman.Letmegiveyouthefrequency…’Ruzcoturnedthedialassoonashehadthenumbers.Kantorwaitedforhimto

finish,thenidentifiedhimselftothecommsmanontheotherend,adding,‘ImustspeakwithLordAdmiralGaltaireatonce.’Therewasthebriefestpause,duringwhichKantorassumedhismessagewas

beingrelayedtothelordadmiral.Secondslater,agruffvoicesaid,‘ThisisGaltaire.I’mgladsomeoneisstillalivedownthere.Evengladderthatit’syou,mylord.What’syourstatus?Ican’thelpyouworthadamnwithoutasecureaircorridorandlandingzone.’‘Iamworkingonthat,lordadmiral,’saidKantor.‘Buttimeisrunningout.The

gargantsareassaultingthecitadel.Thevoid-shieldswillholdforawhile,butnoonecanbesurehowlong.’

‘Gargants,’echoedthelordadmiral.‘We’dbestgettheMartianpriestsandtheirmachinesdowntoyouinthefirstwave.I’vegotAstartesherewhoaremosteagertodemonstratetheirskills,too.Iseebytheheaderonyourtransmissionthatyou’rebroadcastingfrominsideNewRynnSpaceport.MayIassumethatthefacilityisnowfirmlybackunderImperialcontrol?’‘Wehaveairtrafficcontrolandcommsnow.Thespaceportdefencegridis

next.I’mleavingthreeofmyAstartesheretoholdcommunicationsopenandkeepthisplacesecure.YourcontactisBrotherRuzco.Keephimapprisedofanychanges.Hewillrelaycriticalupdatestomedirectly.’‘Verywell,lordAstartes,’saidGaltaire.‘MaytheEmperorwatchoveryou

andkeepyousafe.’‘Andyou,’saidKantorbrusquely.‘Weshallspeakagainsoon.’Hepluckedthegoldenjackfromthesocketinhisgorgetandhandeditto

Ruzco.Turningfromtheshatteredwindows,hemarchedtowardstheelevator.HisfellowCrimsonFistseyedhimanxiously,curioustoknowwhatwasgoingon.‘TwoofyouwillstaywithBrotherRuzcoandholdthisroomatallcosts,’he

toldthem.‘Nothing,absolutelynothing,mustbeallowedtocompromiseourcommunicationswiththeImperialFleet.’‘Areyouaskingforvolunteers,mylord?’saidDaecor.‘No,’saidKantor.‘I’mnot.’Hisfingerstabbedtowardstwobrothers,oneof

which,BrotherLucevoofSquadSegala,hadbeenwoundedinthehallwaybattle,hissidebittenbyanorkaxe.TheotherwastheBrotherPadillaofSquadLician.‘Lucevo,Padilla,’saidKantor,‘makeoathstomenowthatyouwilldefend

thisplace,thoughyourverylivesmaybeforfeit.Swearitonyourlefthandsandonthebloodoftheprimarch.’Immediately,bothmendroppedtotheirrightkneeandclenchedtheirleftfists

overtheirbreastplates.Lucevosuckedinahissingbreathashiswoundsang.‘ForthehonouroftheCrimsonFists,theprimarchandtheGoldenThrone,’

theysaidtogether.KantoraskedRuzcoifheneededanythingelse,andwastoldthathedidn’t.He

thenorderedtheothers–Anais,Daecor,Lician,VernaandBacar–intotheelevatorinwhichtheyhadarrived.Heenteredlastandclosedthemetalgate.LucevoandPadillawatchedtheChapterMasterandtheothersdescendoutofsight.Astheelevatorloweredthem,KantortoldhisAstartes,‘Theairdefence

controlroomisinthetowereastofthisone.Thereisawalkwaylinkingthetowersontheforty-eighthfloor.Wecrossthatgantry,takeanotherelevatorsixteenfloorsup,andsecurethatroom.Afterthat…well,allelseisintheEmperor’shands.’‘Weshoulddestroythiselevatoroncewegetoff,’saidDaecor.‘Weshouldcut

thecables.’LodricLicianturnedtolookathim.‘Wehavethreebattle-brothersupthere.

Youthinkweshouldtrapthem?Trustme.BrotherPadillawillnotlettheorksretakethatroom.’‘Itisnotaquestionoftrust,’saidDaecor.Orangelightsflashedpastthem,markingtherapidprogressoftheirdescent.‘Itisamatterofpracticality,’Daecorcontinued.‘Oncethereinforcements

arrive,therewillbetimetoextractRuzco,PadillaandLucevo.Butfornow,allofusarebestservedbycuttingofftheorks’onlyrouteintothatroom.Yes?’Liciangruntedindisapproval,buthecouldnotargueagainstDaecor’slogic.‘Wecutthecables,’saidKantor,endingfurtherdebate.‘Ourbrotherswillbe

safer,andsowillourabilitytocommunicatewiththefleet.’Helookedatnumberschangingontheelevator’ssmallgreendata-screen,and

added,‘Checkyourammunition,allofyou.Blessyourweapons.Thisrideisalmostover.’

Theyemergedintothesamelargecircularchamberwheretheyhadgottenontheelevatorforthejourneyup.Kantorsteppedoutfirst,cautiously,quietly.HiseyespassedoverthedimhallwayinwhichSegalahadfallen.Hecouldjustmakeouttheedgeofadarkbluepauldronamongthexenoscorpses,couldjustseetheuppermostredknucklesoftheiconofhisChapter.Thenpainexplodedinhisarmandtheworldflippedover.Hefoundhimself

flyingthroughtheairandlandedhard,slidingtoastopagainstapillarofwhitestonedecoratedwithfinegold-leaffiligree.Thechamberfilledwiththemostdeafeninginhumanroar,solouditshook

deadleavesfromtheplantsandtreesthathadoncedecoratedtheplace,butnowonlytestifiedfurthertoitsstateofruinanddecay.Kantorlookedupandsomethinghardandheavyhithimdirectlyintheface,

ringingagainsthishelmet.Itfellintohislap,andhelookeddown.Heknewthisthing,ancientandsofamiliar.Itwaspolishedred,chasedwithgold,inlaidwiththefinestgemsandblack

pearls.

Skullsdecorateditsknuckles.Thecrestonthebackwasasinglefistformedfromrubiessetbetweenfeatheredwingsofshininggold.Beneathit,alaurelwreathencircledagrinningskull,thebrowofwhichwasdecoratedwiththetwo-headedeagle,theaquilaoftheImperiumofMan.ItwasAlessioCortez’spersonalcrest,andthiswashispowerfist.Cortez’sseveredarmwasstillinsideit,edgesrawandbloody,whitebone

pokingupthroughthemeat,thecutalmostsurgicallyclean.Kantorwasfrozenforamoment,reeling,desperatelytryingtorallyhimself,to

steerhismindawayfromwhatthismeant.Helookedupandsawthemassiveyellow-armouredwarboss,UrzogMag

Kull,roaringathimintriumph,itsleftsideabsolutelydrenchedinblood.Hesawthatoneofitseyeshadbeengougedout.Agreatflapofgreenfleshhungfromitshead,showingthebrightbonebeneath.Sparksflashedandspatfromrupturedpower-cablesinitsrightleg.Cortezhadpunishedthebeastbeforehehadsuccumbedtoitssuperiorstrength.Itroaredagain,raiseditstwin-linkedheavy-stubbers,pointedthebarrelsatKantorandfired.Therewasaloudclickandthewhineofcyclingammo-feeds,butnoarmour-

piercingroundsleaptout,nodeadlyhail.Kantorglancedattheweaponandsawthatitsbarrelswerebadlycrushedandmangled.Somehow,duringthefight,Cortezhadputtheweaponoutofcommission.Hadhenot,PedroKantormighthavebeentornapartrightthen.‘Xenosfilth!’spattheChapterMaster,pushinghisoldfriend’sarmfromhis

lapandrisingtohisfeet.‘Youwillpay!’Hebrokeintoarun,racingdirectlyforthetoweringtwo-tonnecreature,

pepperingitsarmouredbulkwithtorrentsoffirefromhisstorm-bolterashemoved.Injustoverasecond,hecrossedthegap,andfoundhimselfmeremetresfromit,scowlingupintothatterriblefang-toothedface,powerfistcracklingwithelectricalarcs,diamond-edgedcombatbladeheldreadyinhislefthand.‘Let’shaveyou,wretch!’hehissed,drawingalasthowlofthreatfromthe

beastbeforeitlungedstraightathimwithitsblood-splashedpowerclaw.Despitethecreature’sspeed,theblowwastelegraphed,theorktakinga

fractionofasecondtoshiftitsweightforwardintothelunge.Itwasenough.Kantorslidasidejustastheclawslashedtowardshisabdominalplates.Hestruckattheextendedarmwithhispowerfist.Hadheconnectedproperly,hemightwellhaveshearedstraightthroughthearm,buttheorkwasblisteringlyfast.Itdidnotleaveitsarmextendedlongaftertheblow,butrecoileditasquicklyasastrikingsnakerecoilsitshead.

Kantor’sfistpassedthroughthinair,puttinghimeversoslightlyoff-balanceforaninstant.Thatwaswhentheorkwhippeditsbatteredtwinstubbersathim.Therewasnoevadingtheblow.Instead,Kantorraisedhisleftarm,couchedhisheadagainsthisinnerforearm,andtriedtoabsorbtheimpact.Theforcewasstunning,slammingintohimandhurlinghimfromhisfeet

despitehisbesteffortstoresist.Helandedhardonhisrightsideandslidsixmetresacrossthefloor.Hecursedashepushedhimselfupandtriedtoshakeoffamomentary

dizziness.HesawSergeantDaecor,BrotherVernaandBrotherBacartrytosurroundthe

beast,Daecortauntingitfromthefrontwhiletheothertwoeachtookaflank.Itlookedlikeitwasworking.ThemonsterhurleditselfatDaecor,itsmassiveclawhammeringintothemarbleflooringasthesergeantleaptbackwards.VernaandBacarmovedtheinstanttheblowmissedtheirnewsquadleader.Vernathrusthiscombatbladeintotheworkingsoftheleftlegandyankedbackhard,rippingcablesfromtheirhousingsandsprayinghimselfwithoilandhydraulicfluids.Bacartriedtoleverhisknifeupunderneaththemonster’sarmpitwheremobilitydemandedtherebeagapinitsarmour.Themonster’sremainingeyewasitsrightone,anditsawBacarmoveinits

peripheralvision.Inaflash,itspunonhim,strikinghishelmetedheadwiththebatteredbarrelsofitstwinstubbers.WithBacarmomentarilystunned,handsthrownouttostophimselffromtoppling,thecreaturetorquedtheleftsideofitsbodyandhackedhimintothreewithagreatdiagonalslashofitspowerclaw.Bacar’sbody,powerarmourandall,slidintothreeparts.Hisheadandleftarm

floppedtothefloor.Greatgoutsofbloodgeyseredupwardsfromhisopentorso.ThatwaswhenbrothersLicianandAnaistriedtoenterthefray.‘No!’bellowedKantor.‘BrotherAnais,getbackintheelevator.Lician,defend

himwithyourlife.Wecannotlosehim!’TheChapterMasterracedtowardsthebeastthathadjustkilledanotherofhisbelovedCrimsonFists.HowmanymoredidhehavetolosebeforeUrzogMagKullwoulddie?DaecorhadMagKull’sleftflanknow,but,ashelunged,thebeastturnedand

clippedhisbreastplatewithasavagebackhandblow.Theupwardsangleoftheblowsentthesergeantmetresintotheair.Hecrasheddownonhisback,bolterskitteringawayfromhim.Verna,findinghimselfbehindthebeast,threwhimselfatthebackofitspiston-

poweredkneesandtriedtotakeittothefloor,butitwashopeless.EveninfullAstartesplate,heweighedafractionofwhatMagKulldid.

Hemanagedtoconfusethecreatureforasecond,allowingKantortolaunchhimselfintotheair,powerfistedrighthandheldhighforadeadlydownwardsblow.Foramoment,theChapterMasterliterallyflew,allhisprodigiouspowerand

strength,allhisathleticability,investedintotheattack.MagKullmanagedtokickVernaaway,shatteringthearmouroftheCrimson

Fist’sleftarmintheprocessandbreakingthebonebeneath.ItturnedintimetoseeKantor’sattack,butnotquicklyenoughtoavoidit.Instead,itcouldonlytrytominimisethedamagefromtheblisteringoverhandstrike.Itrolleditsmassivemetalshoulderinfrontofitsfaceatthelastinstant.There

wasamassivecrack,likesharpthunder,asKantor’sfiststruckthebeast’sarmouredplate,shearingstraightthroughthemetalandpulverisingthedenseboneandmusclebeneath.TheforceoftheimpactlaunchedthebeastbackwardsandsentKantorcrashingtotheground.Theorkraged.Thesparksfromitsmalfunctioninglegsignitedtheoilleaking

fromitscables,andfireengulfeditslowerbody.ButitwasnotfinishedwiththeCrimsonFists.Itsrightarm,theonebearingtheuselessheavystubber,nowhungfromitsshoulderbylittlemorethanathinbundleofnervesandsinew.Itslappeduselesslyagainsttheburningmonster’ssideasitstruggledforwardsinKantor’sdirection.Irritated,thebeastraiseditshugepowerclawacrossitsbodyand,withonemotion,snippedtheuselessarmawaycompletely.Theseveredarmfelltothegroundwithaclatterofmetal.Vernalaygroaning,fightingtorallyhimself.Daecor,too,wasstrugglingtoget

tohisfeet.Kantorrose,hiswholebodyaching,damnedifhewasgoingtoletthemonstergetthebetterofhim.Butthecreaturewasunnaturallytough,tougherthananyAstartes.Itwasnotjustthearmour,itwasthenatureoftheorkrace.Painhardlyslowedthem,fearrarelystoppedthemintheirtracks,theywereaddictedtowar,addictedtoslaughter,andtheywouldneverstopcoming.Onburningmetallegs,thecreaturestaggeredtowardshim,gnashingthe

bladesofitsonlyremainingweapon,itsdeadlypowerclaw,asiftheywereasecondsetofjaws.Kantorloosedaburstofboltroundsatit,aimingforthebeast’shead,butthe

massivemetalgorgetoflongtusk-likespikesprotectedthecreature’sface.Theboltsdetonatedonthearmourwithoutpenetrating,thoughtheycertainlyangeredthebeast.Fourmetresawayfromhimnow,itraiseditsmassiveclawintotheair,andhe

readiedtotrytoblockorsliptheblow.Hisentireawarenesswasfocussedon

thatgleamingrazor-edgedweapon,asifitweretheonlythingintheuniverserightnow.So,atfirst,hedidnotunderstandwhathappenednext.Thoughhiseyessawitall,hewasnotsurehecouldbelieveit.Aharshvoicebarkedout,‘Wearenotfinished,xenos!’Anarmouredfigureleaptupfrombehind,throwingitselfonthecreature’s

back,grippingwithonlyitsblue,ceramite-platedlegs.Thefigure’slefthand,itsonlyhand,raisedasmallmetalobject.Themonstertriedtoturntofaceitsnewattacker,but,nomatterhowittriedto

twistandturn,thebluefigurewasalwaysbehindit,holdingfasttoitsbackbylegpoweralone.Thebeastbellowedinfrustrationand,themomentitsmouthwasopenaswide

asitcouldsurelygo,theattackerleanedforwardandplacedthemetalobjectdeepinsidethecreature’smouth.Onreflex,theorkswallowed,confused,notrealisingwhathadjusthappened.Itthrashedagainand,finally,thebluefigurereleaseditsgripandwasflung

backwards,crashingtothegroundandskiddingaway.Themonsterturnedtopursue,butitonlymanagedtwosteps.Itwasaboutto

takeathirdthenthekrakgrenadedetonatedinsideit.Whereitsheadhadpokedoutofitsarmouredshell,afountainofbloodandshatteredboneerupted.Forasecond,thearmourstayedupright,apparentlyundamagedbytheexplosioninthecreature’sbody.Then,slowly,likeafallingebonwoodtree,ittumbledforwardsandsmashedtothefloor.Kantorrealisedhewasbreathinghardandconsciouslytriedtorelaxhisbody.

Hewasstillnotentirelysurewhathadjusthappened.Thenhehearddrylaughtersomewhereofftohisright.AfigureinbatteredCrimsonFistarmoursatup,stillchuckling,coveredinblood,beatenalmostbeyondrecognition.Almost,butnotquite.‘Alessio,’breathedKantor,numbwithrelief.‘Alessio.’ItwasCortez,thoughhewasinaworsestateofrepairthanKantorcould

rememberseeinghimforatleastacentury.‘You’realive!ByDorn,you’realive!’‘I’vealegendtoliveupto,’saidCortez.Hecoughed,andhisfacebetrayeda

hintofhispain.‘Damn,butthatbastardwastough.’Kantorcrossedthefloortohelphisfriendrise.LicianandAnaishademerged

tohelpDaecorandVernatotheirfeet.ReachingdownandofferinghishandtoCortez,theChapterMastergrimaced,

notingtheblood-crustedstumpwhichwasallthatremainedofhisfriend’sright

arm.Cortezreachedupwithhisleft,grippedKantor’shand,andhauledhimselftohisfeet.Throughoutthemovement,Kantorcouldseejusthowbadlyinjuredhisoldfriendwas.Hegruntedinpainashemoved,andhisspeedwasgone.‘What’snext?’saidCortezoncehewasonhisfeet.Heturnedhisheadtolook

acrossattheothers.‘Nothingforyou,’saidKantor.‘You’llrestuntilwecangetanApothecary

here.’‘Notlikely,’protestedCortez.‘I’mstillinthis.I’mfine.’‘No,’Kantorboomed.‘Youlostanarm,Alessio.BythemercyoftheEmperor

alone,you’reluckyyoudidn’tloseyourlife.’CortezgesturedoverKantor’sshoulder.‘Ihaven’tlostanarm,brother.It’s

rightoverthere.’Itwas.Hisseveredarm,stillwearingthegloriouspowerfistthatborehis

personalarms,wasexactlywhereKantorhadleftit,closetothepillaragainstwhichthecreaturehadthrownhim.Kantorshookhishead,bewilderedthathisfriendcouldconsiderthisatimefor

levity.Daecor,Vernaandtheothersstoppedbesidethem.‘Yourlegendgrows,Fourth

captain,’saidDaecorwithasalute.CortezkeptglaringatKantor,buttheChapterMasterturnedtotheothersand

said,‘Daecor,Lician,Anais…weproceedtotheairdefencecontrolcentre.Brother-CaptainCortezandBrotherVernawilltaketheelevatoruptotheairtrafficcontrolroomandwaitwithLucevo,PadillaandRuzco.’‘Withrespect,lord,’saidCortezangrily,‘ItoldyouIcanstillfight.’Kantorshookhishead.‘Threebrothersareholdingtheairtrafficcontrolroom

alone.Itiscriticaltooursuccessthatitremainsheld.Iamgivingyouanorder,andyouwillobeyit.’Ihavegrantedyoufartoomanylibertiesalready,Alessio,Kantorthought,and

thelastwasnearlytheendofyou.Itisenoughfortoday.Cortez’sbodylanguagemanagedtoconveyhisdeepdissatisfactionand

resentmentwithouttheneedforwords,buthedidascommanded.HeturnedandledthelimpingVernatotheelevator.‘Ithoughtweweregoingtocutthecables,’saidDaecortotheChapterMaster.‘Itisjustaswellwedidnot,’repliedKantor.‘Neitherofthemareinanyshape

tofightnow.’‘Incredible,’murmuredDaecor.‘IncrediblethatCortezsurvivedatall.’JustasCortezwasabouttoclosetheelevatorgatebehindhim,Kantorshouted

afterhim.‘WhatofBrotherOro?Didyouseehim?’Thedoorshadbeguntoclose,butCortezthrustouthishandandstopped

them.Heleanedoutoftheelevatorandsaid,‘Hecamebackintotheatriumandtriedtoaidmeinmyfight.Itoldhimnottointerfere,buthewouldn’tlisten.’Hepaused,thenadded,‘Forwhatit’sworth,hediedbravely.’Silencereignedforamoment.Cortezletthedooroftheelevatorslideshut.Secondslater,thewinches

whinedanditbegantoascend.‘Gatherupyourweapons,’saidKantor.HelookedattheremainsofBacar,

nothingmorethanthreegrislypartsclusteredtogetheronthefloortohisright.‘Takehisammunition.Wemayneedit.’Sayingthis,heturnedandbeganwalkingtowardsagrandarchwayonthe

chamber’ssouth-easternside.‘Hurry,’hetoldtheFistsfollowingbehindhim.‘Thegargantsmayevennowhavebrokenthrough.’

NINEAirDefenceTower,NewRynnSpaceport

NothingelsetheyencounteredwasquiteasdeadlyastheorkbossCortezhadfinallykilled.ThoughKantormovedwithsofewofhisbattle-brothersinsupport,theymovedfast,killingtheorkstheycameacrosswithcold,ruthlessefficiency.Inside,thesouth-easttowerwasmuchliketheonetheyhadjustcomefrom.Oncetheyhadcrossedtheconnectingwalkway,andhadnavigatedtheirwaythroughaseriesoffilthyroomsandruinedhallways,theyfoundthemselvesinalargechamberdominatedbyacentralelevatorshaft.Theonlydifferencebetweenthischamberandtheotherseemedtobetheabsenceofdeadfoliagehere.Theairdefencecontrolcentrewasclosetotheverytopofthetower,almosta

fullkilometreabovegroundlevel.Liketheairtrafficcontrolroom,itwasoccupiedbyorksandgretchin.Likethoseintheairtrafficcontrolroom,theywereunpreparedforasuddenanddecisiveassault.Momentsaftertheyemergedfromtheelevator,Kantorandhismakeshiftsquadfoundthemselvespullingruinedbodiesfromthetopsoftheconsoles.Thelayoutoftheroomwassimilartothatoftheairtrafficcontrolcentre,

thoughfewerofthewindowsweresmashed.Despitetheseason,itwascolduphere.Nightleachedtheheataway.Kantorignoredthetemperature.Insidehispowerarmour,itwaswell-regulated,almostconstant.Someofthegretchinbodiesonthefloorworeraumas-woolcoatsandhats,spoilstakenfromthebodiesoftheRynnitedeadwhichmustoncehavelitteredthisplacejustasthegretchinthemselvesdidnow.Theirlargerorkbrethrenworenosuchitems.Theirgreatswollenmusculaturesmadethewearingofhumanclothesimpossible.Oncetheconsoleswerefreeofdeadaliens,BrotherAnaisbeganhissystems

checks.Momentslater,hecrossedtotheChapterMaster’sside.‘Thenewsis

good,lord.Theyseemtohavedonelittleinthewayofirreparabledamage.’‘Howlonguntilwehavefullcontroloverthesurface-to-orbitbatteries?’Anaistappedrunesinfrontofhim.Figuresspooledacrossagreenscreen.‘A

numberofweaponsareoutofcommission.Weshallneedtimetobringthembackonline.Wecanbeginfiringtheotherswithinthehour,perhapsevenless.’‘Andthesuborbitalanti-airbatteries?’Kantorasked.‘Muchthesame,lord,’saidAnais.‘Someappeartohavebeendismantled.

Powerreadoutsarefavourable,however.Theorksdidnotdismantleordisconnecttheon-siteplasmagenerators.’‘Getthesesystemsupandrunningassoonasyoucan,’saidKantor.‘Then

openalinktoourbrothersintheairtrafficcontrolcentre.Iwantyoutocoordinateeverythingwiththem.Themomentweareready,IwantamessagesenttoLordAdmiralGaltaire.Thesoonerhestartsferryingsupportdowntous,thebetter.AndtellRuzcotokeeptryingtoraiseourforcesatthecitadel.Weneedinformation.Thosevoidshieldshadbetterbeholding.’Kantorhadbarelydrawnbreathafterfinishinghissentencewhentherewasa

deeprumblefromoutside,gettinglouder.Itwastheunmistakablesoundofhigh-powerturbinesandtheywereveryclose.Kantorjusthadtimetoshout‘Down!’attheothersbeforesomethingstrafed

thewindowsofthedefencecontrolcentre,blastinginthosethatwerenotalreadyshattered.Shellsrippedintotheroom,notstubbershells,butsomethingfarheavier.Autocannonrounds.TheorksmusthavesalvagedthegunsfromalootedChimeraorHydra.Brokenglassblastedinwards.Consolesandcogitatorbanksagainstthefar

walldisintegrated.Anais,DaecorandLicianhadthrownthemselvestothefloorthemomentKantorhadwarnedthem,andithadsavedtheirlives.ButKantorhimselfwasrightinthelineoffire.Theheavyarmour-piercingshellsbatteredathim,rattlingoffhim,sparksshoweringoutwardswitheveryimpact,buttheydidnodamage.He’dhadonlyafractionofasecondtoactivatethepower-fielddevice

embeddedinthegoldenhalothatjuttedupfromthetopofhisback-mountedgenerator,butthatfractionofasecondhadbeenenough.Allittookwasasingleneuralcommand,athought,andtheso-calledIronHalo,actuallymadeofadamantiumandcoatedwithgold,shieldedhiminitspowerfulenergyfield,turningasidethelethalhailofshells.Thedevicewasalastresort,buthe’dhadnochoice.Activatingthedevicewas

ahugeenergydrain,andthepowerlevelsofhisarmourdroppeddramatically

whileitprotectedhim.Thetemperatureinsidehissuitwentup.Alarmrunesglowedredinhisvisor,butitsavedhislife.Itwasthefirsttimehe’dallowedhimselftorelyonthehaloinhalfacentury.Thehailofshellsstopped,andKantorflickedofftheenergyshieldwitha

thought.Thewarningrunesblinkedoff.Internaltemperatureevenedout.Helookedbeyondtheedgeofthejaggedwindowframes.Hoveringdrunkenlyintheairoutsidethedefencecontrolroom,swayingback

andforthonroaringjetsofblueflame,anungainlyorkgunshipfacedhimdown.Hesawtwogoggledorkpilotslaughinguproariously,theirhideousfaceslitfrombelowbytheglowinginstrumentsoftheircockpit.TheystoppedlaughingwhentheysawKantorstandingthereunharmed,glaringbackatthem,radiatingrawhateandanger.TheChapterMasterexpectedthemtoopenfireagain,butinsteadthepilots

turnedthegunshipninetydegreesandpresenteditsleftside.There,standinginanopenbay-doorinthemiddleofthecraft,wasamassive

figurewithredeyes.ItglaredbackatKantor,andsomethingindefinablepassedbetweenthem.KantorknewinstinctivelyitwasSnagrod.Hehadneverseenalargerork.The

warlordemanatedanauraofincrediblephysicalpower.Nowonderhehadunitedsomanydisparateorktribesunderhisbanner.Dominancewashard-codedintohisgenes.Thebeastroared,throwingitshugejawswide,andpointeddowntowardsthe

landingplatetwohundredmetresbelow:theNolfeasPlate.Kantorunderstood.Thiswasbetweenthetwoofthem,leaderagainstleader.Henodded,andthewarlordbellowedsomethingtothepilots.Thegunshipswungaway.SnagrodandKantorkepttheireyeslockedtoeach

otheruntilthegunshipmovedoutofsight.Kantorturnedtotheothers.‘Anais,’hesaid.‘Didweloseanycriticalsystems?’TheTechmarinewasalreadychecking.Afteramoment,hesaid,‘Nothing

critical,mylord.Icanstillgetninety-sevenpercentoftheremainingdefensivesystemsbackonline.’‘Doit,’saidKantor,andhestrodetowardstheelevator.‘Themomentwehave

thedefencegridback,coordinatewithRuzcoandthefleet.Startbringingthereinforcementsdown.Dornonlyknowshowthecitadelisfaring.’Hesteppedintotheelevatorcage.‘Mylord,’saidDaecor,movingtojoinhim.‘Youcan’tmeantogoalone.’

‘Agreed,’saidLician.‘Takeuswithyou.’Inthecage,Kantorturnedandfacedthetwosergeants.‘Thisismyfight,’hesaid.‘Shoulditbemylast,youwillfollowthe

instructionsIleftwiththeChosenbackattheCassar.’Heclosedtheelevatorgateandpressedtherunetodescend.DaecorandLician

watchedhimgo,reluctant,butknowingtheycoulddonothingtostophim.

TENAtoptheNolfeasTerminal,NewRynnSpaceport

TherewerefeworkflyingmachinesontheNolfeasPlate,andthosetherewere,sittingsilentlyafewdozenmetresfromtheplate’sedge,lookedtobeinbadshape.Theirsideswerepockedwithholes,theirdiameterconsistentwiththedamageHydraroundsinflicted.ThesecrafthadbeenstruckbythegunsoftheImperialdefenders,andhadlimpedbackhereforrepairs.Afewgretchinhoveredaroundthem,but,whentheysawKantorcrossingacoveredwalkwayandsteppingontotheedgeoftheplate,theypanickedanddisappeareddownasmallserviceramp,screechingandchitteringintheircrudealientongue.Abovetheplate,theskywaslightening,turningfromdarkest,star-speckled

bluetopalerose.Withthiscolourshift,Kantorcouldnolongerseethetinylightsthattoldofthebattleinspace.HeprayedtoDornthatLordAdmiralGaltairewasasgoodincombatashisservicerecordattested.Hedidnotlikeitthatsomuchofhisfuture,andthefutureofthewhole

Chapter,restedinthehandsofothers.NoAstartescouldbecomfortablewiththat.ASpaceMarinewasusedtocontrollinghisownfate.Evenintheheatofhismostintensebattles,hehadalwaysknownthat,liveordie,otherswouldfighton.HehadalwaysknownthattheChapterwouldgoonwithouthim.Wouldthecomingdayseethemsavedorobliterated?HecrossedtothecentreoftheNolfeasPlate.Sofar,therewasnosignofthe

orkwarlord,norofthegunship,butKantorwascertainhehadnotmisinterpretedthemassiveork’sintent.Hescannedtheskies,senseshyper-alert……andheardtheroarofjetsjustasecondbeforetheorkgunshipsurged

upwardsoverthelipoftheplateandopenedfireonhim,stitchingtheferrocretewithshellsthattracedalethallinetowardshim.

Hisdivewasalmosttoolate.Chipsofferrocretesmashedagainsthisrightsideasthehailoffirerippedpasthim.Herosetofacethecraft.HetrackeditasitswungleftandloosedaburstfromDorn’sArrow,butthe

cockpitwasheavilyarmoured,andtheburstingbolter-shellsleftonlysmearsofblackonthecleararmaplasbubble.Oneoftheorkpilotsyankedonthecraft’scontrols,andthegunshipswungitsnosearoundtofacehimhead-onagain.Kantorknewonlytoowellthepoweroftheweaponsthatbristledfromunder

thecraft’sstubbywings.Hesawnowthattheywereindeedlootedautocannons.Thereweretwoofthem,fedbythick,heavyammodrumsthatheguessedcontainedtensofthousandsofrounds.Thegunsfiredagain,andagainhenarrowlyavoidedbeingtornapart.

Employinghishaloagainwouldhavecosthimpower,slowinghimdown.Hecouldn’taffordthat.Hehadasensethattheorkpilotsweretoyingwithhim.Snagrodwouldn’tletthemstealthegloryofkillinganAstartesChapterMaster.Hewouldwantthatvictoryforhimself.Thegunshipunleashedathirdripplingvolley,andKantortestedatheory.He

didnotmove.Itwasadeadlygambletotake,but,sureenough,theroundsstitchedapathin

thesurfaceoftheNolfeasPlatethatpassedrightbyhim.Theorkpilotsweresnarlingandcursinghim.Onehauledonhiscontrolsticks,

andthecraftveeredawaymovingtothefaredgeofthelandingplate.Oncethere,itturnedside-on,andagainsawhishugenemesis.Thecraftloweredunsteadilytowardstheplateonitsvectoredjets.Whenit

wasstillsixmetresup,thebeastcalledSnagroddroppedfromthebaydoor,landingsohardandheavythatKantorimaginedhefelttheplatetremble.Ofcourse,thatwasimpossible.TheNolfeasPlateusedanti-graviticsuspensionjustliketheothers.NothingshortofaNavaltransportcouldshakeit.NowthatSnagrodhadlandedontheplate,herosetohisfullheight,andthe

gunshippulledupintotheair,hoveringthere,driftingdrunkenlyfromlefttorightasthepilotstriedtokeepitsteady.Kantor’seyeswereonthewarlord.Snagrodworenosuitofpowerarmourlike

otherwarlordsdid.Hishulking,muscle-boundtorsowasbareofeverythingsavedeepscarsandburns,crudestitchesandripplingveinsasthickasaman’sthumb.ThislackofarmourwasthemostovertsignofpureconfidenceandpowerKantorhadeverseeninanindividualork.Kantorknewthenthathehadneverfacedabeastlikethisinmortalcombat.

Forweaponry,themonsterwieldednopowerclaw,buthegrippedasinglemassiveheavy-stubberinthefingersofitsrighthand,box-fedwithacruellyserratedbayonetslungunderneaththebarrel.Therewereclosecombatweaponsslungonthecreature’sback,too,butKantordidn’thaveagoodviewofthem.Thetwoenemiesglaredateachother,frozenforamoment,eachsilently

assessinghisfoe.FromaroundSnagrod’sthickwaist,acollectionofSpaceMarinehelmetshung,swingingonshortironchainsthatrattledfromasquiggoth-skinbelt.Therewerefourhelmets,eachcoloureddifferently,eachtakenfromabattle-brotherbelongingtoadifferentChapter.Onewasdecoratedwiththegoldlaurelsofaveteransergeant.Insidehisarmour,Kantorflexedhismusclesandfeltbloodrushingthrough

them,bloodandadrenaline.Thelatterwouldmakehimfaster,inurehimtopain,helphimfightfatigueandmakehisopponent’smovementsseemslowerthantheyreallywere.Buthowfastcouldthismonstermove?Unhinderedbytonnesofironplate,likethatwornbyUrzogMagKull,Snagrodwasadifferentprospectaltogether.Themomentbrokesuddenly,likeglass,anditbegan.SnagrodraisedthebarrelofhisgunstraightatKantorandpulledhardonthe

trigger.KantorraisedDorn’sArrowandopenedfireafractionofasecondlater.Shellshammeredthroughtheairinbothdirections…andstrucktheirtargets.KantorhadflickedontheshieldofhisIronHaloagain,justintime.Theork

roundsdancedontheenergyfield,sparkingandricochetingwhilehefiredback.TheboltsfromDorn’sArrowstrucktrue,butSnagrodsufferednodamageat

all.He,too,seemedtobeshieldedbysomekindofpower-field.Itwasanotherreasonhedidn’tneedahulkingmassofmetalplate.Thestormboltsexplodedharmlessly,sendingripplesofstrangegreenenergyoutoverthewarlord’sbody.Theystoodthere,unleashingthefullfuryoftheirweaponsateachother,both

roaringinhateatrageastheydidso.Then,almostsimultaneously,theirrangedweaponsrandry.Kantordeactivatedthehalo’senergyfield.Hisarmour’spowerlevelshad

droppeddangerouslylow.Theyclimbedagainnow,butneverquitereachedoptimum.Heknewhecouldn’trelyonthehaloagain.Ifhecametooclosetooverloadinghisarmour’sgenerator,hissystemswouldlockouttopreventanatomicexplosion.Ammospent,Snagrodthrewhisheavy-stubberasideindisgustandcharged.Damn,buthewasfast!HisimpossiblymuscularlegshalvedthedistancetoKantorinscantseconds.

Kantorloosedabattlecryandracedforwardstomeethim,drawinghisswordleft-handedfromthescabbardathislowerbackandactivatingthepowerfistonhisright.Snagroddrewtheclosecombatweaponsfromtheslingsonhisbroadbackas

heran,twohugechainaxesdecoratedwithroughlypaintedblackandwhitechecks.Theygrowledintomotion,teethblurring.Thetwoenemiesclashedhard,rightinthemiddleoftheNolfeasPlate.Kantor

slippedablisteringblowandstruckatSnagrod’sbellywithhisblade.Greensparksflew.Themonster’senergyshieldwasstillinplay.Wherediditgetitspower?Ithadtocomefromsomewhere,butKantor’seyescouldn’tfindanysignofadevice.IthadtobesomewhereonSnagrod’sbody,buttherewasnotimetosearchinearnestforit.AnotherwhistlingswipealmosttooktheChapterMaster’sheadoff.Thebladeoftheleftchainaxemissedhimbyahair’sbreadth.Kantortriedtostayinclose.Hisreachwasfarshorterthantheork’s.It

wouldn’thelphimtopullback.Ifhestayedhere,hestayedwithinhisownstrikingrange,butwhatgoodwouldthatdohimwhenthemonsterwasstillshielded?Anotherswingofthewarlord’saxesgaveKantorabriefopening,andhis

powerfistflashedforward,adevastatinghookthatwouldhavekilledjustaboutanylivingthing.Thefist’spower-fieldsnappedlikelightning,andSnagrod’spersonalshieldflashedbright,buttheforceoftheblowwasspentontheshield,andthewarlordbarelyevenstumbledbackastep.Kantor’sadrenalinesurgedevenhigher.Hefeltlikeachildbattlingthisthing,

powerlesstohurtit.SnagrodkickedoutwhileKantorwasfocussedontheswingsofthemonster’s

deadlyblades.Thekickcaughthimsquareinthestomachandlaunchedhimtenmetresbackwards,skiddingalongthesurfaceofthelandingplate.Kantorgrunted.Eventhroughhisceramiteplate,theblowhadwindedhim.SnagrodchargedstraightinwhiletheChapterMasterwasstillonhisback.

Thebeastliftedbothchainaxesatonceandputallitsformidablemightintoaverticalkillingstroke.Kantorrolledleft,everyfibreofhisbodycommittedtothemotion,andthe

axesbitdeepintotheplate,lodgingtherehard.Themotorsthatdrovetheweapons’wickedteethwhinedincomplaint.Snagrodroaredandyankedatthem,whileKantorleapttohisfeetandslipped

aroundtothemonster’sside.There,atthewarlord’sback,attachedtothesquiggoth-skinbelt,wasacurious-lookingmodule.

Theshieldmustcomefromthere,thoughtKantor.InthesplitsecondbeforeSnagrodpulledhisaxesfree,Kantor’ssword

stabbedtowardsthemodule,hismovementdeliberatelyslowed.Mostshieldsresistedobjectstravellingathighspeeds,butallowedslowerintrusions.Thiswasnodifferent.ThetipofKantor’sbladepiercedtheenergyfieldandskeweredthemodule.Therewasasnapofionisedairandthegreenshieldflickeredoff.Snagrodfeltitimmediately.Witharoarofrage,heswungandbattedKantor

asidewiththebuttofhisrightaxe.TheblowsentKantorskiddingalongtheplateoncemore,hisrightpauldron

almostentirelyshattered,chunksofceramitespinningawayfromhim.Buthehadachievedmorethanhe’dhoped.Thewarlordwasvulnerablenow,

andallKantor’sfuryandlustforvengeancebubbledup,spillingoverhisself-controllikeatorrentofboilinglava.Hewasonhisfeetinstantly,ignoringallhispain.Hisconsciousmind

retreated,givingwaytoraw,untemperedaggression.Withabattlecrythatrangoutacrossthelandingplate,helaunchedhimselfattheorkwarbossonelasttime.Therewasnoholdingback.Hiskillerinstincttookovereverything.Hewouldripthebeastapartordie.Snagrodloosedaroarofhisownandstormedforwardstomeethim,axes

high.Thewarlordhadbeenundefeatedinbattleforathousandyears,slayingeverylastchallengertohisrule.Nomerehumanwouldchangethat.Theyslammedagainsteachotherlikecrashingtrucks,ceramitearmouragainst

fleshtougherandthickerthanoldleather.Theaxeswhistledthroughtheair,motorsgrowlinggreedilyagain,hungryformeattoripapart.SnagrodtriedtocutKantorinhalfwithascissor-likedoublebackhand,buthecutonlyemptyspace.Kantorslippedunderinablurand,atlast,hadthewarlordrightwherehe

wantedhim.Hisswordthrustdeepintothemonster’ssideandtwisted.Snagrodhowledinpainandanger,andtriedtoknockKantoraway,butthepainrobbedtheblowofspeedandKantorevadedit,stayinginsidethecreature’sguard.Heyankedouthisblade.Hotbloodpouredontothelandingplate.Snagrodswipedagainandstaggeredback,hisrightlegdrenchedinslickcrimson.Kantorfollowedtheork’smovements,pressinghisattack.Helauncheda

savageoverhandblowwithhispowerfist,aimedstraightatthewarlord’shead,butthebeastrolledwiththeblow,catchingitonhishugeshoulder.Thethickdeltoidmuscleexplodedinagrislyspray,revealingtheboneand

sinewbeneath.TheimpactstaggeredSnagrod,droppinghimtooneknee.Kantorleaptathim,kickinghimdownontohisbackandstraddlingthebeast’shugechest.Heraisedthepowerfistagainforakillingblow,butSnagrodcaughtit,fingerswrappingirontightaroundthewrist.Kantor’sreactionwasimmediate.Hebroughthislefthandup,stillgripping

hissword,andstabbeddownatthemonster’sthroat.Snagrod’sleftshoulderwasalmostobliterated,almostuseless,butnotquite.Throughthepain,theorkmanagedtobringhisruinedarmupjustintime.He

caughtthebladeofKantor’sswordinhisrighthand,theedgebitingdeepintohisfingers.Witharoarofpain,thewarlordwrenchedthebladefromKantor’sgrip.Itskitteredawayacrosstheground.Kantorsnarledandlaunchedabarrageofpuncheswithhisgauntletedlefthand

instead.Therewasnodeadlypower-fieldoverthathand,justhardknucklesencasedinarmour.Itwasenough.Thefuryofhisblowswasterrible.Herainedpunchaftersavagepunchonthewarlord’sface,smashingthebeast’stusks,tearingdeepredgougesinitscheeksandbrow,blindingoneofitseyesandbreakingitsmassivejaw.Snagrodscrambledtodefendhimself,but,fromhisback,onearmgreatly

diminishedinstrength,theotherlockedinadeathgriparoundtheChapterMaster’spowerfist,hecoulddolittletoresistKantor’sunrelentingfury.‘Youdestroyedourhome!’Kantoryelledashetorethewarlord’sfaceapart.

‘Youkilledmybrothers.Nowyoupay!’Thewordswerewastedonthewarlord’statteredears,butthemeaningwas

not.Deathwasclose,closerthanithadevercometothegreenskinleaderbefore.Withaninfuriatedroar,Snagrodbridged,thrustinghistorsoupfromthe

groundwiththefullpowerofhisthicklegs.Kantorwasflungoffandscrambledbacktohisfeettocontinuetheattack.Snagroddidn’twaitforthat.Heroseandran,hishugefeetpoundingtheplate,straighttowardstheplacewherethegunshipstillhovered.Kantorgavechase,buttherewasasuddenstutterofautocannonandhehadtoleapbacktoavoidbeingtornapartbytheshells.Snagrodkeptrunning,bloodpouringfromhiswoundsinredrivers,splashing

agreatwettrailontothelandingplateashewent.ThegunshipdippedtowardstheedgeoftheplatejustasSnagrodarrivedthere,andthewarlordleaptintotheopenbay-doorinthesideofthecraft,causingthewholegunshiptoswingunsteadilyforamoment.Kantorroaredinfrustrationashewatchedtheshipdriftawayfromtheedgeon

tonguesofbluefire.Thewarlordwasgoingtoescape!

Therewasarattleoffirefrombehindhim,andapatterofstorm-boltsexplodedonthegunship’scockpitbubble.Thearmaplascrackedunderthehailofshells,butitdidn’tbreak.Still,theorkpilotsweren’tabouttowaitforanothervolleyoffire.Theyswungthegunshiparoundandincreaseditsthrusttomaximum.Astheshiproaredofftowardsthesouth-east,Kantor’seyestrackedit.HesawSnagrodleanoutofthebay-doorandlookbackathim.Incredibly,itlookedlikethemonsterwaslaughing.FivepairsofheavyfootstepsstoppedatKantor’sside.Whentheorkgunshipwasgonefromview,Kantorturned,andmetthevisored

eyesofTerminatorSquadVicturix.ItwasRogoVicturix,thesquadsergeant,whospokefirst.‘Hegotaway.’‘Thistime,’Kantorsnarledback.‘Wehavethespaceportsecure,’saidVicturix.‘Anaishasthedefencegrid

online.Ruzcoisalreadyguidinginthefirstofthelanders.Itisminutesaway.’KantorlookedoutacrosstheNolfeasPlate.Thedamagedorkbomberswere

stillthere.‘Weneedtoclearthetopsofthethreeterminaltowers,’hesaid.Hisvoicewaslow,rasping.Hewascomingdownfromtheadrenalinesurge,

andevenhisAstartesphysiologyfeltwearyafterabattlelikethat.ThepainoftheblowsSnagrodhadlandedbegantopushthroughtohisbrainnowastheadrenalhighseepedaway.VicturixnoddedtohisfellowTerminatorsandsaid,‘Ithinkwecantakecare

ofthat.’Theywouldsimplypushthebombersovertheedgeoftheplate.Together,the

Terminatorshadmorethanenoughcombinedstrengthforthat.TheywouldcleartheareasbelowoftheirbrotherSpaceMarinesfirst,ofcourse.‘Youknow,mylord,’saidVicturix,histonesuggestingawrysmileunderthat

heavyceramitefaceplate,‘youlookterrible.’Kantordidn’thaveitinhimtolaugh,notrightnow.Thewarlordlived.Thesecondarysunwasrising,pokingupjustbeyondthelipoftheeastern

horizon.GoldenbeamsoflightkissedKantor’sbatteredarmour.Heturnedtolook

north,wonderinghowtheSilverCitadelfared.WhatofMaiaCagliestraandherpeople?WhatoftheOldOnes,theDreadnoughtshehadlefttofightonthe

walls.Thevoid-shieldshadprobablyfallenbynow,orwouldbeclosetoit.Inafewminutes,thefirstoftheNavallanderswouldbehere.TheLegioTitanicuswerecoming,butweretheytoolate?HeandhisdauntlessAstarteshaddoneeverythingtheycould.Theyhadseentothethingsthatwerewithintheirpower,andatgreatcost.MuchoftheChapter’sbloodhadbeenspilled.Manybravebrotherswouldbemourned.Whathappenednextlayasmuchinthehandsofothersasitdidinthoseofthe

CrimsonFists.Kantorknewthisforcertain:hisChapterwouldsurvive.TheCrimsonFists

wouldclawthisworldback,provincebyprovince,metrebymetreifnecessary.Everythingwouldbeputright.Ifhedidnothingelseinthislife,hewouldseetothat.HewasLordHellblade,twenty-ninthChapterMasteroftheCrimsonFists,

ScionofDorn,borntowagewarinthenameoftheEmperor.AlessioCortezwouldstandwithhim,andsowouldhisunflinchingbattle-

brothers,warriorslikeDaecor,Victurix,Grimm,Deguerro,allofthem.Darkdecadesstilllayahead,buthewouldendure.TheChapterwouldendure.

EPILOGUERemembrance

‘Itisonlyondaysliketoday,theanniversaryofthedaythetablesfinallyturned,thatIallowthememoriestoresurface,thatItrulydwellonthetotalityofthedestructionwefaced.Despitemyrank,despitemyyearsofpetitioning,Iwasneverabletogainaccesstothecompletetruthofwhathappenedatthespaceport.Iknowonlythis:hadbraveSpaceMarinesnotgiventheirlivesknowingtheywouldneverhearourthanks,notasingleman,womanorchildwouldlivetorememberthewar.‘Thevoid-shieldsoftheZonaRegiswereclosetooverloadwhenthegreenskin

gargantsfinallyturnedtoengagethefreshImperialforcessuddenlyattackingthemfromtherear.Fromtherelativeshelteroftheguntowers,wesawNavylandersdescend,vastarmouredcraftstuddedwithgunsandmissile-pylons,filledtothebrimwithbraveandhardysouls.WesawwingsoffightersandMarauderbombersroaroutoverenemylines,somethingwehadneverthoughttoseeagain,andwatchedthoselinesblazeyellow-whiteasdeadlypayloadshittheirmark.Tiredaswewere,wounded,desperatelyhungry,wecheeredasIknowIwillneverhearmencheeragain.Wewatchedthegreenskininvadersdiebythethousands,thenthetensofthousands,andsomehow,somewhere,wefoundtheenergytoliftourgunsagain,andlendthelastofourstrengthtothefight.‘Tenyearshavepassed.Tenyearstotheday.Aswedoeveryyear,wegathered

onJadeberryHill,veterans,politicians,survivors,topayourrespectstothosethatgaveeverything,menandAstartesboth.‘Thegovernorwasthere.Shehasagedsoquicklysincethewar.Shelooks

haunted,andrumoursaboundthatshewillabdicateinfavourofhergranddaughtersoon.

‘Ofcourse,weareallalittlehaunted.‘Atmidday,theskiesopened.Acoldrainlasheddown.Wetookshelterinthe

memorialbuildingwhereastringquartetplayedGuidollero’sVaspardaetGloris,and,together,westoodandweptinquietgratitudeforthesoulsofallthosemightywarriorsbywhosedeterminationandultimatesacrificeweyetlived,andwho,inthislife,wecouldneverhopetorepay.’

Extract:IntheShadowofGiants:ARetrospectiveGeneralSaedusMir(934.M41-)

ABOUTTHEAUTHORBornandraisedinEdinburgh,Scotland,STEVEPARKERnowlivesandworksinTokyo,Japan.In2005,hisshortfictionstartedappearingin

Americansci-fi/fantasy/horrormagazines,soonfollowedbyacommissiontowriteforBlackLibraryin2006.Hisdebutnovel,RebelWinter,waspublishedin2007,followedin2009byhissecondnovel,Gunheads.Rynn’sWorldishisthirdnovelsetinthedarkfutureof

Warhammer40,000.

Asidefromwriting,hisinterestsincludereading,gaming,movies,bodybuilding,non-traditionalmartialartsandwildlifeconservation.

ToNickKyme,forallthefiresupport!

ABLACKLIBRARYPUBLICATION

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