TableofContents

Cover

TitlePage

TheHorusHeresy

DramatisPersonae

Prologue

PartOne–ThePromisedLand

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

PartTwo–ToothAndClaw

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

PartThree–TheMidnightRevel

Seveteen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Afterword

Acknowledgements

AbouttheAuthor

Legal

eBooklicense

Itisatimeoflegend.

Thegalaxyisinflames.TheEmperor’sgloriousvisionforhumanityisinruins.Hisfavouredson,Horus,hasturnedfromhisfather’slightandembracedChaos.

Hisarmies,themightyandredoubtableSpaceMarines,arelockedinabrutalcivilwar.Once,theseultimatewarriorsfoughtsidebysideasbrothers,protectingthegalaxyand

bringingmankindbackintotheEmperor’slight.Nowtheyaredivided.

SomeremainloyaltotheEmperor,whilstothershavesidedwiththeWarmaster.Pre-eminentamongstthem,theleadersoftheirthousands-strongLegionsaretheprimarchs.Magnificent,superhumanbeings,theyarethecrowningachievementoftheEmperor’s

geneticscience.Thrustintobattleagainstoneanother,victoryisuncertainforeitherside.

Worldsareburning.AtIsstvanV,HorusdealtaviciousblowandthreeloyalLegionswereallbutdestroyed.Warwasbegun,aconflictthatwillengulfallmankindinfire.Treacheryandbetrayalhaveusurpedhonourandnobility.Assassinslurkineveryshadow.Armiesare

gathering.Allmustchooseasideordie.

Horusmustershisarmada,Terraitselftheobjectofhiswrath.SeatedupontheGoldenThrone,theEmperorwaitsforhiswaywardsontoreturn.ButhistrueenemyisChaos,a

primordialforcethatseekstoenslavemankindtoitscapriciouswhims.

Thescreamsoftheinnocent,thepleasoftherighteousresoundtothecruellaughterofDarkGods.SufferinganddamnationawaitallshouldtheEmperorfailandthewarbelost.

Theageofknowledgeandenlightenmenthasended.

TheAgeofDarknesshasbegun.

~DRAMATISPERSONAE~

TheXLegion,‘IronHands’

DURUNATTICUS,Captain,111thClan-Company,commanderoftheVeritasFerrumAULUS,Sergeant,111thClan-Company,actingMasterofAuspexoftheVeritasFerrumANTONGALBA,Sergeant,111thClan-CompanyCREVTHER,Sergeant,111thClan-CompanyDARRAS,Sergeant,111thClan-CompanyLACERTUS,Sergeant,111thClan-CompanyCAMNUS,Techmarine,111thClan-CompanyVEKTUS,Apothecary,111thClan-CompanyACHAICUS,Battle-brother,111thClan-CompanyCATIGERNUS,Battle-brother,111thClan-CompanyECDURUS,Battle-brother,111thClan-CompanyENNIUS,Battle-brother,111thClan-CompanyEUTROPIUS,Battle-brother,111thClan-CompanyVENERABLEATRAX,ContemptorDreadnought,111thClan-Company

KHALYBUS,CaptainSABINUS,CaptainPLIENUS,Captain

RHYDIAEREPHREN,MistressofAstropathsBHALIFSTRASSNY,NavigatorJERUNEKANSHELL,LegionserfAGNESTANAURA,LegionserfGEORGPAERT,Legionserf

TheXVIIILegion,‘Salamanders’

KHI’DEM,Sergeant,139thCompany

TheXIXLegion,‘RavenGuard’

INACHUSPTERO,VeteranJUDEX,Battle-brother

TheIIILegion,‘Emperor’sChildren’

KLEOS,Captain,MasteroftheCallidoraCURVAL,Ancient

ColonistsofPythos

TSIREKH,HighPriestSKEVRIS,Priestess-novitiate

TheAdeptusTerra

EMILJEDDAH,AstropathMEHYAVOGT,ScribeHELMARGALEEN,Administrator

PROLOGUEThefleshofmercy.Thebloodofhope.Thesplinteredbonesofjoy.Itwouldhavethisfeast.Itwouldhavethetasteinitsmouth.Itsjawswouldchewthroughgristle.Itsclawswouldfeelthesensual,despairingripofopeningwounds.Itwouldrevelinallthesedarkglories,andsoon.Itknewthis.Ithadfaith.Andwhatdiditmean,forabeingsuchasitself,tohavefaith?Whatdiditmeanforatimelessentity

tobeintheserviceofpatrons?Therewassomuchopportunitytoponderthesequestionsintheflowofmeltingtimeandchurningspacethatwastherealmofthegods.Somuchopportunitytoexploretheirshapes,totangleintheircontradictions,tosavourintheirperversities.Toomuchopportunity.Becausetherewasalwaystheimpatience,theneed,thehunger.Theywereneveranswered,never

satisfied.Howcouldtheybe?Theyweretheverymatterofthismaelstrom,thesinewofthemonster’sexistence.Butthoughthepassionswereall-consuming,theyleftroomforthequestionsandspeculations,becausethesewerethefuelforthebeast’sneeds.Theywerethewhetstonesforthebladeofitsintent.Butwhatdiditmeanthatithadfaith?Howcouldtheconcepthavemeaning,herewheremeaning

itselfwastorturedtodeath,andwherethemurderousexistenceofthegodswasnotaquestionofbelief?Theanswerwassimpleinexpression,acomplexandexquisiteagonyinitsfullmanifestation.Tohavefaithwastotrustinthepromiseoftherevel.Tobelievethatthetimeoffeedingwasdrawing

near.Thefeastwouldbeginonthisplanet.Thebarrierstotheuniverseofmatterandfleshwerethinhere,

andgrowingragged.Theentitypushedagainstthem,eagernessandfrustrationtwinningandentwining,becomingagrowl.Andthisgrowlcoiledthroughthewarptosinkintothemindsofthosekeenenoughtohearit,bringingthemnightmares,bringingthemmadness.Thebarriersheld,butonlyjust.Thething’sconsciousnessseepedout.Itmovedoverthefaceofthewaters,whereunthinkable

leviathanshunted,anditsawthatthisworldwasgood.Itreachedtheland,wherenaturewasgivenovertoacarnivalofpredation,andthis,too,itsawwasgood.Itsawaworldthatknewnothingbutfangs,aworldwherelifeitselfexistedonlytobuilddeath’sgreatkingdom.Itexperiencedsomethingverylikejoy.Itlaughed,andthislaughskitteredacrossthegalaxy,throughthedreamsofthesensitive,andthosewhobeganscreamingwouldneverstop.Itsmindrangedovertheserpentworld.Ittravelledjunglesofendlessnight.Itsoaredovermountain

rangesasbarrenofhopeasthelightfromdeadstars.Itlearnedthethreatsthatlivedhere.Itlearnedthepromisesthatkilledhere.Itsawthattherewasnodifferencebetweenthetwo.Itborewitnesstoaplanetthatwas,initsmonstrosity,theworthyimageofthewarpitself.Thethingamuseditselfforadayandanightwiththeconceptofhome.Thenitgrewrestless.Tolookwasnotenough.Tohavethematerialworld,thecanvasfortheartist

ofpain,soclose,yetstilloutofthereachofclaws,wasmaddening.Wherewasthepromisedfeast?Theplanetwrithedinthegripofitsownhorror.Itwasexistenceascarnivore,aspredator.Buttheentitywasnotaguestatthetable.Itcoulddonothingbutwatch.Whatwasmore,theplanetwasawastedparadise.Wherewasthesentientlife?Withoutintelligence,therecouldbenotrueinnocence,notruevictims.Withoutvictims,therewasnotruehorror.Theworldwasamassive,unrealisedpotential.Thoughtheentityhadfaith,andthoughitwasaloyalservant,itwasalsoimpatient.Itmade

towithdrawitsmindfromtheplanet.Butitcouldnot.Itstruggledbriefly,butthepowersitservedtolditno.Theyhelditinplace,andunderstanding

dawned.Ithadbeendrawnherebysomethingmorethanapromise.Itbrushedoncemoreagainstthefrayedveil.Itreadthecurrentsofthewarp,andagainitlaughed,andagainitsnarled.Itfoundthenecessarypatience.Theplanetwasbutastage.Noactorsstrutteduponityet,buttheywouldnotbelongincoming.Thebeastwouldwaitbehindthecurtain,anditsmomentwouldcome.Itwhispereditspraise.Allarounditcameansweringwhispers,itsfellowsheretodoitsbidding,heretoworship,hereto

joinintherevel.Themomentwascomingforallofthem.Themomentwhentheywouldatlastbefreetospreadtheirslaveringtruthoverthebreadthofashriekinggalaxy.Theypressedforward,strainingtotastethefleshofthereal.Thewhispersbuiltupononeanother,desirefeedingdesireuntiltheimmateriumechoedwithraginghunger.Thebeastcalledforsilence.Itsensedsomethingmomentouswastranspiring.Itlookedawayfrom

theplanet.Itwaslikestaringupfromthedepthsofawell,forthisworldhadbecomeaprison,thegravitationalforceofdestinyholdingthebeastheresothatitmightfulfilarole.Itstrainedthelimitsofitsperceptionsofthematerialworld.Attheveryedgeofitsknowledgeandawareness,therewasmovement,likeaflytouchingtheoutermoststrandsofaweb.Thepromisehadbeenkept.Thestarswereright.Someonewascoming.

ONEScarred

RolemodelsCells

‘Scarsareathingoftheflesh,’DurunAtticushadoncesaid.‘Theyarethemarkofaweakmaterialthattearseasilyandisrepairedimperfectly.Ifthefleshisscarred,itshouldbeexcised,andreplacedwithamoreperfectsubstance.’Didhestillthinkso?AntonGalbawondered.Thecaptainhadmadethisspeech,Galbaremembered,intheaftermathoftheDiasporexcampaign,

duringthoselastdaysofillusion,whentheshadowoftreacherywasalreadyfallingovertheImperium,buttheIronHandsstillbelievedthatwhentheyfoughtatthesideoftheEmperor’sChildren,theywereamongstbrothers.Therehadbeenmanywoundstakeninthatbattle.TheFistofIronhadsufferedtheworstofthedamage,butthestrikecruiserVeritasFerrumhadbeenfarfromunscathed.Anenergyweaponsalvohadstruckthebridge.Criticalsystemshadcontinuedtofunction,butAtticus,unwaveringonthecommandthrone,hadbeenbadlyburned.Thevesselhadbeenrepaired.Atticushadbeen,also.Hehadreturned,ithadseemed,notfromthe

apothecarion,butfromtheforge.Therewerenoscarsonhim.Andverylittleflesh.Thatwaswhenhehadmadethespeech.Galba,whoboreplentyofscarsonafacethatwasstillmostlyflesh,understoodthatAtticuswasspeakinginmetaphoricalterms,indulginginthehyperbolethatwasoneoftherewardsofvictory.TheFistofIronalsocarrieditsbrandsfromthebattle,buttheywouldbeexpungedinduecourse.SoAtticushadmaintained.Sotheyhadallthought.AndthenhadcometheCallinedescampaign.Andthebetrayal.Thecripplingofthefleet.TheX

Legion’sdarkestmoment.Sotheyhadallthought.ButCallinedeshadbeennothingmorethanaprologue.Itsnamehadbeensupplantedinthepantheonof

infamy.WhocouldbroodoverCallinedesIVwhentherewasIsstvanV?Isstvan.Thewordwasahissandabladetothespine.Itwasatoxicsibilancethatwouldneverdie.It

wasawoundthatwouldfesteruntilthegalaxy’slaststarsflickeredout.Itwasascar.Notasurfaceonethatmarkedwhathadbeenhealed.Itwasadeepone,thesiteofpain

thatwouldneverbesoothed,ofragethatwouldneverbequenched.Isthisweakness?Galbaaskedthememory-Atticus.Howcanweexcisethistornflesh?Thewoundreachestooursouls.Heglancedbackandupathiscaptain.Atticusstoodbeforethecommandthrone,atthefrontofthelectern,armsfolded.Hewasmotionless,

hiseyesfixedontheforwardoculus.Hisfaceborenoexpression.IthadnotsincetheCarollisSystemandthebattlewiththeDiasporex.Atticus’saugmeticreconstructionhadreplacedmostofhisskull.Ofallofthe111thCompany’swarriors,hewastheonewhohadcomeclosesttoacompleteconversiontothemachine.Insidethecaptain’smetalshell,Galbaknew,bloodstillflowedandheartsstillbeat.ButtheexteriorwasthesamedarkgreyastheLegion’sarmour.Theprofilewashuman,butalmostwithoutfeatures.Atticuswasmoreironsculpturethanlivingbeingnow:unyielding,withoutmercy,withoutwarmth.Butnotwithoutpassion.Asstillasthecaptainwas,Galbacouldsensehisrage,andnotjustbecausehe

feltthesamefurysmoulderinginhisveins.Atticus’slefteyewasorganic.Galbadidnotknowwhyhehadkeptit.Havinglostorreplacedsomuchoftheweaklingflesh,whykeepanytraceofit?Hehadnotasked.Butthatlastremnantofthehumanwasallthemoreexpressiveforbeingisolated.Itglaredatthevoid,rarelyblinking,barelymoving.Itwasrageitself.GalbahadseenAtticusinfull,moltenwrath.Butinthismoment,theragewasfrozen,colderthanthevoiditreflected.Itwasaragethatwentasdeepasthewound,anditansweredGalba’squestion.TherewasonlyonewaytohealtheXLegion:byexterminatingthetraitors.Everysingleone.Galbafacedforwardsagain.Hislefthand,bionic,wasstill,impassive,butthefingersofhisright

curledinfrustration.ThatwhichwouldhealtheIronHandswasbeyondreach.Noamountofdisciplineorskillinwarfarecouldchangethatfact.Isstvanhadseentothat.Horushadsmashedthem,ashehadtheSalamandersandtheRavenGuard.Theywereshadowsnow,allofthem.Weareghosts,Galbathought.Wethirstforvengeance,butwehavenosubstance.Hewasnotbeingdefeatist.Hewasnotbeingdisloyal.Hewasbeingtruthful.Onlyfragmentsremained

ofthethreeloyalistLegionsthathadbeenonIsstvan.Theywerescattered.Theirforcesweresmall.TheVeritasFerrum’sescapefromtheIsstvanSystemwasmiraculous.Tostillhaveanoperationalstrikecruiserwasnosmallthing.Butinanothersense,itwasveryinsignificant.TheVeritaswasoneship.Whatcoulditdoagainstfleets?Something,Atticushadpromised.Wewilldosomething.‘Captain,’AuspexMasterAuluscalled.‘NavigatorStrassnyreportswehavereachedourdestination.

MistressErephrenasksthatweproceednofurther.’‘Verywell,’Atticusanswered.‘Wehold.’Arockymassthesizeofamountainpassedbeforetheoculus.TheVeritas’spositionwasjustoutside

thePandoraxSystem.Theouteredgeofthesystemwasmarkedbyanasteroidbeltofunusualdensity.Astheplanetoidtumbledawayintothenight,Galbacouldseeanotherfartoport,amovingpatchofgreyinthereflectedlightofPandorax.TheVeritas’ssensorswerepickingupdozensoftargetsinthenearvicinity,allofthemmassiveenoughtowreckthecruiserintheeventofacollision.Thesewerenottheremnantsofanaccretiondisc.Theywerenotchunksoficeanddust.Theywererock

andmetal.Therehadoncebeensomethingelsehere,Galbadeduced.Somethinghuge.Somethinggrand?Thethoughtwasinvoluntary,aproductofhismood.Herealisedthatitwasimportantheholdontightly

tohisanger.Itwaskeepinghimfromdespair.Heshovedawaydarkmeditationsaboutdestroyedmagnificence.Buttherewasstillthequestionoftheasteroidbelt.Hewaslookingatwreckage.Somethinghadbeenhere,andithadbeendestroyed.Bywhat?TostarboardwasthedirtybrownorboftheplanetGaea.Itsorbitwasdeeplyeccentric,atasteepangle

totheecliptic.ItcrossedtheorbitofKylix,thenextplanetin,and,overthecourseofitsyear,brieflypassedbeyondtheasteroidbelt.Atthistime,itwasstillwithinthebelt.Itssurfacewaspockmarkedbyoverlappingcraters,itsthinatmospherefilledwithdustfromthelatestimpact.ThepossibilityofaplanetarycollisioncrossedGalba’smind.Butno,Gaeacouldpassforalargemoon.Perhapsithadevenbeenone,spinningoffonitsbizarrepathafterthedestructionofitsparent.Therehadbeenacataclysmhere,butitsnaturewasunknown.Sowaswhathadbeenlost.Despite

himself,Galbafeltthetemptationtoseeomensinthewreckage-strewndoorwaytoPandorax.Hefoughtitback.Theimpulsewasdangerouslyclosetosuperstition,andsuchanindulgencewasabetrayalofwhathestoodfor.Therehadbeenmorethanenoughbetrayalsoflate.Doyouwanttoseealessonhere?heaskedhimself.Thenlearnthisone:whatwasherehasbeenshattered,butitisstilldangerous.

‘Anywordfromourbrothers?’Atticusasked.‘Theastropathicchoirreportsnoneasyet,’Aulusanswered.Thedoortothebridgeopened.Twowarriorsentered,neitherofthemIronHands.Thearmourofone

wasthedarkgreenoftheSalamanders.Khi’dem,asergeant.TheotherworethesolemnblackandwhiteoftheRavenGuard.Hewastheveteran,InachusPtero.Attheirarrival,theatmosphereonthebridgechanged.Totherage,frustrationandsorrowwasaddedathreadofresentment.Atticusturnedhishead.Themovementwassocold,itwasasifhehadtrainedabolteronthetwo

SpaceMarines.‘Whatisit?’hesnapped.TheonyxfeaturesofKhi’demseemedtodarkenfurther.‘Theveryquestionweweregoingtoaskyou,

captain,’hesaid.‘Wewouldliketoknowwhatyourpurposehereis.’Atticuswaitedafewsecondsbeforeanswering,andthatbeatwasconcentratedanger.‘Yourrankdoes

notgrantyouleavetoquestionme,sergeant.’‘IspeakfortheEighteenthLegionasitexistsonthisvessel,’Khi’demanswered,calmbutfirm,‘as

doesVeteranPterofortheNineteenthLegion.Wearethereforeowedthecourtesyofbeinginformedabouttheprosecutionofthewar.’‘Legions?’Atticusspat.Thesoundofemotionbeingexpressedbyhisbioniclarynxwasaneerieone.

Thelarynxwascapableofvariationsofintonationandvolume,anditsoundednotunlikeAtticushadwhenhisvoicehadbeenentirelyhisown.Now,though,therewasahintoftheuncanny,asthoughAtticusweremimickinghimselfandnotquitesucceeding.‘Legions,’herepeated.‘Combined,yournumbersarenotmuchmorethanadozen.Thoseare–’‘Captain,’Galbasaid,preferringtheriskofinterruptingAtticustothatofhiscommanderspeaking

wordsthatcouldneverbewithdrawn,‘withyourpermission.’‘Yes,sergeant?’TherewasnopausebeforeAtticus’sresponse,buttherewasashadelessvenom,asif

hewerehalf-willingtobestopped.‘PerhapsIcanaddressourbrothers’questions.’Atticusfavouredhimwithalonglook.‘Elsewhere,’hesaid,hisvoicesoftwithangerbarelyand

provisionallycontained.Galbanodded.ToKhi’demandPterohesaid,‘Willyouwalkwithme?’Tohisrelief,theydidwithout

sayinganythingfurther.Galbaledthewayfromthebridge,throughcorridorsofironandgranite,backtowardsthebarracks,

wheretherewassomuchspace.Toomuchspace.Pterosaid,‘Areyoutryingtostoreusaway?’Heshookhishead.‘Iamtryingtokeepthepeace.’‘SoInoticed,’Khi’demsaid.‘Youinterruptedyourcaptain.Whatwasheabouttosay?’‘Iamnotprivytohisthoughts.’‘Icanguess,’Pteroputin.‘ThosearenotLegions.Thoseareruins.’Galbawincedatthetruth.‘Asarewe,’hesaid.Andtheywere.TheIronHandsnumberedinthe

hundredsontheVeritasinsteadofthethousands.Theywereashadowoftheirformerstrength.‘Yourhonestydoesyouhonour,’saidPtero.‘Butwewouldstilllikeouranswers.’Galbabitbackhisownexasperation.‘Youwillhavethemoncethereareanswerstogive.’‘Thereisnocampaignplan?’‘Weareheretolearnit.’Pterosighed.‘Wouldithavedoneyourcaptainaninsurmountableinjurytotellusthatmuch?’Galbathoughtaboutwhathehadtosaynext.Therewasnoeasywayofdoingit.Nodiplomaticway,

either,thoughifhewashonestwithhimself,hewasnotthatinterestedinpursuingone.Itwasenoughthat

hehadmovedthediscussionawayfromthebridge.Therewasmuchlesslikelihoodofirrevocableviolenceoccurringawayfromthecommandthrone.‘CaptainAtticus,’hesaid,‘isnotinclinedtoshareoperationalinformation.’‘Withanyone?Orsimplywithus?’Therewasnoescapingthismoment.‘Withyou.’‘Why?’theSalamanderasked.‘BecauseofIsstvanFive.’Theywantedtoknow?Good.Hewouldtellthem.Hewouldtellthemofhis

ownanger.Hestoppedwalkingandfacedthem.‘Whataboutit?’Khi’demasked.‘Weallsufferedourtragediesthere.’‘Becauseyouturnedyourbacksonourprimarch.’‘FerrusManusledachargeintomadness,’Khi’demanswered.‘Wemightaswellsaythatheabandoned

us.’‘HehadHorusinfullretreat.Hecouldhaveendedthewarthereandthen.’Khi’demwasshakinghisheadslowly.‘Heranintoatrap.Wewereallcaughtinit.Hejustplunged

furtherintoitsmawandmadetheroutthatmuchworse.’‘Together,thethreeLegionswouldhavebeenstrongenough,’Galbainsisted.‘IfManushadstayed,’Pterosaid,hisvoicenotangrybutsadandsurprisinglygentle,‘doyouthinkwe

couldhavetakenbackthedropsitefromfourarmiesfreshtothebattlefield?’Galbawantedtoanswerintheaffirmative.Hewantedtoinsistthatvictorywouldhavebeenpossible.‘ThreeLegions,butagainsteight,’Khi’demsaidbeforeGalbacouldanswer.‘Withthethreecaught

betweenhammerandanvil.Therewasneveranotherpossibleoutcome.Theonlydishonourlieswiththeactoftreachery.’Khi’dem’slogicwasrigorous.Butitwasnotenough.TheangerthatwassouringGalba’sblood,the

angerthathesharedwitheverywarrioroftheIronHands,wasaslargeasthetragedyengulfingtheImperium.Itwastoodeep,toocomplextobesoothedbyasimplerecitationofreality.ThefactsthatKhi’dempresentedonlymadethingsworse.Therageranupagainstmaddeningimpotence,builtup,andlashedoutatevermoretargets.GalbaknewKhi’demwasright.TheRavenGuardandtheSalamandershadbeenbadlybloodiedbythefirstphasesofthefighting.Theirtacticshadbeensoundinseekingthereinforcementsatthedropsite.ButFerrusManushadsmashedhardintoHorus’sforces.TorturecamefromthethoughtthatwiththeadditionalforceoftwofurtherLegions,perhapstheblowwouldhavebeenmassiveenoughtocrackopentheWarmaster’splan.Andbeyondtactics,beyondstrategy,therewastheprinciple:theIronHandshadcalledouttotheirbrotherLegions,andbeendenied.Inthewakeofdefeatandthelossoftheirprimarch,howcouldtheynotseethatabandonmentasanotherformofbetrayal?TherewasonlyonethingthatkeptGalbafromlashingoutatthewarriorsbeforehim.Itwasthe

recognitionoftheotherfacetoftheanger:self-loathing.TheIronHandshadfailed,andforthistheycouldneverforgivethemselves.TheyhadfacedthemostcrucialtestinthehistoryoftheirLegion,andtheyhadbeenfoundwanting.Excisetheweakness?Galbawantedtoconsignhisfailedfleshtooblivion,replaceitwiththemachinicinfallible,andcrushtheskullofeverytraitorinhisfists.Hewasconsciousofthiswish,though,andofitsfutility,andofitsorigin.Heknewthathewasseeingtheworldthroughthefilterofhisself-directedanger.Sohedidnottrusthisimpulses.Heforcedhimselftowaitabeatbeforeanyresponse.Heforcedhimselftothink.ButwhatofAtticus?Whatofthewarriorwhohadnofleshlefttocondemn?Hefelttheangerinallits

forms.Ofthat,Galbawascertain.ButwasAtticusawareofitstoxicity?Washeconsciousofitsshapingnature?Thesergeantdidnotknow.Heknewthis:asbrutalisedastheIronHandshadbeenonIsstvanV,evenfewerSalamandersand

RavenGuardhadsurvived.Andheknewthatifthehopeofvictorywastosurvive,itwouldnotbethroughreachingforthethroatsofotherloyalists.Itwaspossiblethatthefatalmistakeshadbeenmadelongbeforetheengagement.HisbloodchilledwhenhethoughtofhowthefleetoftheXLegionhadbeendivided,thefastershipsleavingtheVeritasFerrumandothersbehindintheracetotheIsstvanSystem.Andmaybeeventhatdecisionhadnotmadethedifference.MaybetherehadbeentoomanyforcesarrayedagainsttheEmperor’sfaithful.Therewastalkamongtheastropathsaboutagenciesotherthanthetraitorsatwork.Somanypossibilities,somanyerrorsandcoincidencesandtreacheriesbecomingthedrip,drip,dripofbloodyfate.Allthatwaspast.Forthefuture,heknewonemorething:theloyalists,howeverfewtheywere,must

worktogether.Ifhecouldensureeventhatsmallemberofhope,thenhewouldfanit.Hesighed,exchangingalookwithPteroandKhi’dem.Hemanagedtosummonawrygrimace.Itwas

theclosesthecouldcometoasmile.‘Whatarewedoing?’Pteroaskedquietly.Theveteranwasnottalkingaboutstrategy.Galbashookhisheadinsorrowfulagreement.‘Iwillkeepyoubriefed,’hesaid.‘Inreturn,willyoudo

methisfavour?Approachmeratherthanmycaptain.’Werepositionsreversed,hethoughthemightwellconsidertherequestagiganticinsult.ButKhi’dem

noddedinunderstanding.‘Icanseethatwouldbeforthebest.’‘Thankyou.’Hestartedbacktothebridge.Pterocaughthisarm.‘TheIronHandsarenotalone,’hesaid.‘Don’tmakethemistakeoffightingasif

youwere.’

JeruneKanshellhadjustfinishedcleaningGalba’sarmingchamberwhenheheardtheheavystepsofthesergeantapproaching.Hegrabbedhisbucketandcloths,hurriedout,andstoodtoonesideoftheentrance,eyestrainedonthefloor.Galbapausedinthedoorway.‘Afinejobasalways,Jerune,’hesaid.‘Thankyou.’‘Thankyou,lord,’theserfanswered.Galba’sacknowledgementwasnotunusual.Itwaswhathesaid

everytimehereturnedandKanshellhappenedtostillbepresent.Evenso,Kanshellfeltarushofpride,lessforhisworkitselfthanforhavingbeenspokentobyhismaster.Hisdutieshereweresimple.Hewasnottotouchanythingofrealimportance:armour,weapons,trophies,oathsofmoment.Itfelltohimtocleanthearmourrack,tomopupthespillsofoilfromGalba’sowncleaningsessions.Theyweretasksaservitorcouldperform.Butaservitorcouldnotunderstandthehonourthatcamewiththisduty.Hedid.Galbadrummedapensiverhythmagainstthedoorwaywithhisfingers.‘Jerune,’hesaid.Startledbythisdeparturefromthenorm,Kanshellraisedhishead.Galbawaslookingdownathim.The

sergeanthadametallowerjaw.Hewasbald,andwarhadburnedandslashedhisfaceuntilitwasamassofscored,hardenedtissue.Itwastheforbiddingfaceofabeingslowlymovingfurtherandfurtherawayfromthehuman,yetitwasnotunkind.‘Mylord?’Kanshellasked.‘Iknowthattheserfquarterstookseriousdamageduringthebattle.Howaretheconditions?’‘Wearemakinggoodprogresswiththerepairs,lord.’‘Thatisn’twhatIasked.’Kanshellswallowedhardashisthroatclosedinshame.Heshouldknowbetterthantodissemble

beforeawarrioroftheLegionesAstartes.Hehadspokenfromanexcessofpride.HewantedthegodbeforehimtoknowthateventhehumblestinhabitantsoftheVeritaswerefightingthegoodfight.Hewantedtosay,We’redoingourpart,butcouldnotbringhimselftoutterwordssopresumptuous.Buthe

didspeakthetruth.‘Theconditionsarehard,’headmitted.‘Butwefighton.’Galbanodded.‘Isee,’hesaid.‘Thankyoufortellingme.’Hisupperlipflattenedout,andKanshell

realisedthatwashowthesergeantnowsmiled.‘Andthankyouforfightingon.’Kanshellbowed,hispridenowasoverwhelmingashisshamehadbeenamomentbefore.Hemustbe

glowing,hethought.SurelyhisskinwasshiningwiththelightofrenewedpurposeanddeterminationgrantedtohimbythosesimplewordsfromGalba.Andindeed,ashemadehiswaybackdownthedecks,itseemedtohimthathispathwasmorebrightlylitthanithadbeenearlier.Heknewtheimpressionwasanillusion,butitwasahelpfulillusion.Itgavehimstrength.Heneededitwhenhereachedtheserfquarters.Thehumanswhocleanedtheship,preparedthefoodandperformedallthemiscellaneoustaskstoo

complex,toounpredictableortoovariedforservitors,livedononeofthelowestdecksoftheVeritasFerrum.Therewerethousandsofthem,andtheirhomewassomethingmorethanbarracks,butlessthanacommunity.BeforethenightmareofIsstvanV,thishadbeenaspaceofregimentalorder.Avast,vaultedhallranthelengthoftheship’sspine.Fromit,accesstoalltheotherdeckswasadirect,simplematter,thoughfarfrombeingquick,giventhethousandsofmetresoffoot-travelrequired.Thehallwaswideenoughtosupportanydegreeofserftraffic.OverthecourseoftheGreatCrusade,becauseitwastheonespacewhereallcouldbepresent,ithadgraduallytakenonthequalitiesofmarket,feastinghallandmeetingplace.However,thoseaspectsalwaysgavewaybeforedisciplineandtheefficientmovementofpersonnel,andsotherewasalwaysasteady,unimpededflowofserfscuttingthrougheverygathering,mealortradingbazaar.Runningoffthegreathall,oneitherside,werethelivingquarters:primarilydormitoria,eachsleepingonehundred,buttherewerealsomodestprivatequartersforthemorevaluablemenials.ThecultureofMedusawassingle-mindedinitsobsessionwithstrengthandcondemnationofweakness.

TheIronHandshadtakentheanimatingspiritoftheirhomeplanettoitsfurthestconclusion,despisingtheweaknessofthefleshtothepointthattobehumanatallseemedaregrettableflaw.Anythingthatdidnotcontributetotheforgingofperfectstrengthwasapointlessdistraction.FerrusManushadresentedtheimpositionofremembrancersonhis52ndExpeditionaryFleet,andthoseirritating,unnecessarycivilianshadbeenleftbehindintheCallinedesSystemastheIronHandshadrushedtoconfrontHorus.Kanshellhadbeengladtoseethebackofthem.Ashumbleashisworkwas,ithadapurposeinthegreatworkthatwastheIronHands’machineofwar.ButthoseothercitizensoftheImperiumwhobelievedtheIronHandstobewithoutart,orasenseofaesthetics,werewrong.Artmusthaveaclear,forcefulpurpose,thatwasall.KanshellhadheardwhispersofthemarvellousweaponsManushadpossessedaboardtheFistofIron.Hebelievedthestories.Theideaofthestrongest,deadliestinstrumentsalsobeingthemostbeautifullywroughtwasutterlyright.ItwasinlinewitheverythingthatlifeonMedusahadtaughthimaboutthebrutalwaysoftheuniverse.Strengthofwillcouldbegivenaphysicalshape,onethatcouldbeusedtobringthesavageuniversetoheel.TheideaofManus’sweaponswasalsoinkeepingwiththeartonthewallsoftheVeritasFerrum.And,

unlikehersistervessel,theFerrum,therewasarthere.Kanshellhadbeensurroundedbymajestyforeverymomentofhisexistenceonthestrikecruiser.Tomovethroughthegreataccesshallwastopassbetweenreliefsculpturesofgiants.Theheroicfigureswererenderedinsimple,boldlines.Therewasnotasinglesuperfluousdetail,buttherewasnothingcrudeabouttherepresentations,either.Theyweredirect.Theywerecolossal.Theywereinspiring.TheystruggledandwonagainstmythicbeaststhatsymbolisedtheunforgivingvolcanoesandiceofMedusa.Theyshowedthewaytostrength.Weaknesswasforeigntothem,andtheywerethespiritthateventhelowestserfwasduty-boundtoembody.Butthiswasallmemorynow.ThiswasallasKanshell’sworldhadbeenbeforeIsstvanV.Thiswas

beforetheterribleshattering.TheVeritasFerrumhadbeenbadlydamagedinthevoidwar.Theshieldshadgonedownontheportflank,towardsthestern.Firehadsweptthroughthatendoftheserfquartersuntilanentiresectoroftheshiphadbeensealedandvented.Therehadbeenfurthertorpedostrikes,catastrophichitstoportagainjustpriortotheleapintotheempyrean.Thegreatestwoundhadbeentotheupperdecks,killingoverahundredlegionaries.Evenso,therehadbeenfurtherdestructionatthislevel.Morecollapsingbulkheads,morefire,andthen,whenthetearintheship’sflankhadbecomedeepenough,moreoftheterribleabsenceandcoldthatquenchedfire,endedstruggles,andpurgedthecorridorsoflife.AtleasttheGellerfieldhadheld.Atleastthevoyagethroughthewarphadnotbledtheshipevenmore.Thehullhadbeenrepaired,butintheinterioroftheVeritas,entiredeckswerestillstrewnwith

wreckage.Someregionshadbecomeentirelyinaccessible.Kanshellwasgladthattherewerenowoundedinthoseareas,nodesperatesurvivorswaitingforrescuesthatwouldneverarrive.Hehadnoreasontoventuredowntheblockedpaths,sohedidnothavetothinkaboutthem.Buttherewereplentyofscarsintheserfquarters.Plentyofremindersoffailureanddefeat.Thesternendofthegreathallwasstillsealed.Theserfswhosedutiestookthemtothatendoftheship

hadtotravelamazeofbywaystoreachtheirposts.Elsewhereinthehall,firehadscorchedthewalls,defacingtheart.Someofthedormitoriachambershadbeendestroyed,andthelinesofthehallhadbeenruinedbybuckledandtornmetal.Thefloorwasrippled,uneven.Kanshellhadtoleapoverhalfadozenfissuresashemadehiswaytothemidshipsregionofthehall.Thespacewasstillathoroughfare,theservantsoftheIronHandsstillmakingtheirwayatallhours

fromoneendoftheshiptotheother,butitscharacterhadchanged.Thetransformationwasmorethansimplyphysical.Thespiritofitsinhabitantshadbeenaltered.ThepeopleofMedusawerenostrangerstohardshipanddeath.Thoseweretheperpetualfactsofexistenceonthatplanet.ButthecomingofFerrusManushadbeenthedawnofsomethingnewfortheclansofMedusa:hope.Itwasnotaweakling’shopethatabetter,easierfuturelayjustoverthehorizon.Itwashopethattooktheformofbeliefinthestrengthtocarveoutthatfuture.TheIronHandsweretherealisationofthathope.Theirvictoriesweretriumphs,notjustintheEmperor’sname,butforMedusaitself.NowManuswasgone.TheXLegionwasgutted.TheVeritasFerrumjourneyedon,butnooneknewto

where.Thoughitwasnottheserfs’placetoknowtheirdestination,Kanshellhadheardsomewhispersthatthelegionariesdidnotknowtheirgoaleither.Thewhisperswerefew,andthewhispererswereterrified,notangry,andmorethanalittleashamedtobeentertainingsuchthoughts.Noamountofguiltchangedthefactthatthethoughtshadbeenspokenandnowhadtheirownlife.Kanshellwouldnotbelievethewhispers.Buthavingheardthem,hecouldnotescapethequestion.Kanshellslowedasheapproachedthecentreofthehall.Straightahead,therewasagatheringofafew

dozenpeople.Theystoodclosetogether,formingatightcircle,theirfacestowardsitscentre,theirheadsbowed.Theduty-boundserfsflowedbyoneithersideofthegroup,likeastreamaroundastone.Everyfewmoments,onepasser-byoranotherstoppedforamomenttojoininthecommunion.Othersglancedatthecirclewithundisguisedcontempt.GeorgPaert,awallofamanwhoworkedintheenginarium,snortedashewalkedpast.HegrinnedatKanshellwhenhedrewnear.‘Don’tletthemputyouoffyourappetite,’hesaid.‘I’lldomybest,’Kanshellmuttered,butPaerthadalreadymovedon.ThegroupwasbetweenKanshellandthemesstables.Hethoughtabouthangingbackuntilthemeeting

wasfinished,buthewasfamished,andhewasdueonarepairdetailinafewminutes.Hebegantomoveacrossthewidthofthehall,cuttingacrossthetraffictomakeawidearcaroundthegroup.Hehadonlytakenafewstepswhenheheardhisnamecalledout.Hegrimacedandturnedaround.AgnesTanaurahad

movedawayfromtheclusterandwasgesturinghimover.Kanshellsighed.Mightaswellgetthisdone.Bettermeetwithhernow,whenhehadagoodreasontomakethisshort,thentohavehercornerhimlaterwhenhecameoffhisshift.Hejoinedherattheline-uptothemessservice.Heatedrationsweredistributedbyadispensaryinthe

middleofthehall.Itwassurroundedbylong,highirontables.Therewerenobenches.Peopleatequicklywhilestanding,thenmovedon.‘Isawyouwatchingus,Jerune,’Tanaurasaid.‘Yousawmeseeingyou.There’sadifference.’‘Justlikethere’sadifferencebetweenlookingatsomethingfromtheoutside,andbeingpartofit.’Kanshellsuppressedagroan.Tanaurawashardlybeingsubtle.Shewaswatchinghimintently,asshe

alwaysdid.EventhemostcasualconversationwithTanaurafeltlikeaninterrogation.Hereyeswereatranslucentgrey,thesameshadeashershorthair.Theyshonewithapredatorycare.ShewasoneoftheolderserfsontheVeritasFerrum.Kanshellwasnotsureofherpreciseage.Thelifewasahardone,andusedupthebodyquickly.Kanshellhadfriendshehadgrownupwith,buttheyhaddrawndutiesofsuchrigourthattheylookedmorelikehisparentsthanhispeers.Tanauracamebyherleatheredskinhonestly.AsfarasKanshellandanyoneofhisacquaintanceknew,shehadalwaysbeenhere.Shehadtakenontheroleofcollectivemother,whetherheruncountablefosterchildrenwelcomedherattentionsornot.‘Agnes,’Kanshellsaid,‘we’vealreadyhadthisconversation.’Sheclaspedhisupperarm.‘Andwe’llkeephavingit.Youneedit,evenifyoudon’tthinkso.’Hegentlyremovedherhand.‘WhatIneednowissomefood,andthenIneedtobeaboutmyduties.’‘Yes,thereismuchworktodo.Thereissomuchtorebuild.Notallofitcanbeforgedbytoolsand

hands.Ourstrengthneedstoberebuilt,too.’Kanshellgrunted.Histemperwasslipping.AfterhisencounterwithGalba,hehadlittlepatiencefor

Tanaura,andhefeltstrongenoughtoconfronther.Hetookhistrayoffood:aslabofprocessedproteinandasquareofcompressedvegetablematter.Thebasicnecessitiestokeepthehumanmechanismviableandcontributing,initsturn,totheXLegion’swarmachine.Kanshellmovedtoatableandputhistraydownwithaclatter.Hebegantoteartherationsintostrips.‘DoyouseewhatI’mdoing?’hesaid.Hechewedandswallowed.‘I’mrebuildingmystrength.’HemetTanaura’sgazeand,pleasedwithhisfortitude,refusedtoblinkfirst.‘Mytrue,valuablestrength.Turningtosuperstitionisaweakness.’‘You’resowrong.Realisingthatwehavelimits,andthatwehaveweaknesses,takescourage.Ittakes

strength.WehavetoacceptthatwemustturntotheFatherofMankindforhisaid.TheLectitioDivinitatusteachesus–’‘TogoagainsttheveryteachingsoftheEmperor,evenasitpurportstoworshiphim.Thelogicis

ridiculous,anditisforbidden.’‘Youdon’tunderstand.TheEmperor’sdenialofHisdivinityisatest.Itremindsustorejectallfalse

gods.Butwhenwehavedoneso,castingdownalltheidolswhoclaimtobedivine,theonetruegodremains.Wehavetoseethroughtheparadoxhehasgivenus.Whenyoureachtheotherside,thereissuchcomfort.’‘Iamnotlookingforcomfort,’Kanshellspat.‘Noneofusshould.Thatisunworthyofwhoweare.’‘Youreallydon’tunderstand.IfIcouldshowyouthestrengthneededtocommittofaith,youwouldsee

howwrongyouare.’Kanshellfinishedeating.‘Thatisn’tabouttohappen,isit?’‘Itcould.’Fromapocketinherworntunic,Tanauraproducedawornbook.Sheplaceditagainst

Kanshell’schest.‘Pleasereadthis.’Kanshellshovedthebookawayasifburned.‘Wheredidyougetthat?’

‘I’vehaditforyears.ItwasgiventomebyaserfoftheWordBearers.’‘WhobetrayedusatIsstvan!Whatareyouthinking?’‘Ithinkitisatragedythatthosewhofirstknewthetruthhaveturnedawayfromit.AndIthinkitwould

beanothertragedyifwedidtoo.’Kanshellshookhishead.‘No.Iwon’thaveanythingtodowiththiscult,andIwantyoutoleaveme

alone.’Heglancedbackatthecircleofworshippers.Theywerestilldeepinprayer.‘Don’tyourealisetheriskyou’retaking,carryingonlikethisoutintheopen?’‘Thetruthshouldnotbekepttotheshadows.’‘Andifanyofthelegionariesseesthis?IfCaptainAtticusfindsout?’Tanaurawasinchargeofthe

upkeepofAtticus’squarters.Kanshellcouldnotunderstandwhyshewouldjeopardisesuchanhonour.TheonlyreasonhecouldthinkofwhynothinghadbeendoneaboutthegrowingcultwasthattheIronHandshadfarmorepressingmatterstoconcernthemselveswiththantheoff-dutyactivitiesoftheserfs.‘Wearen’tinterferingwithnecessarywork.Wedon’tspeaktoanyonewhodoesn’twanttolisten.’Kanshellgaveashortbarkoflaughter.‘Whatdoyoucallthis,then?’Thatintensegaze,amixofecstaticrevelationandadeterminationofsteel.‘BecauseIcanseeyour

need,Jerune.Youwanttolisten.’Hebackedawayfromher,shakinghishead.‘Youcouldnotbemorewrong.Nowplease,leaveme

alone.’‘ThinkaboutwhatI’vesaid.’‘Iwillnot,’heshotoverhisshoulderashemarchedaway.

Hemadehiswaytowardthestern.Amassive,closedbulkheadsealedoffthedamagebeyondfromtherestoftheship.There,Kanshellreceivedhisassignmentandworkedhiswayintothetwisted,fracturedcorridorstojoinotherserfsandrepairservitorsintheslowprocessofrestoringrationality,orderandmechanicalprecisiontotheinterioroftheVeritas.Hisgroupworkedtoclearacorridoroftangledmetal.Thepassagewayhadruninastraightline,butnowitresembledafracturedbone.Therewasasharpcleavageinthefloor,withthesectionrunningtoportnowraisedhalfametreabovetherest.Therewasnowaytobringthehalvesofthecorridorbackintoalignment,butthedisfigurementcouldbealleviatedwitharamp.Theworkwascrampedandstifling.Kanshellhadnewcutsandburnswithinminutes.Hewelcomedthe

strain.Hewelcomedthepain.ItsearedawayTanaura’ssuperstitiousfancies.Moreimportantly,itputherinsinuationsabouthimtothetorch.Shewaswrongabouthim.Hedidnotdenythatheneededtodrawstrengthfromsomewhereoutsidehimself.Heknewhehadlimits,andheknewthesedarkdayshadpushedhimtothem.ButhewoulddrawhisstrengthfromtheobjectlessonsofthelegionariesoftheIronHands.HevowedunswervingloyaltytotheEmperorandtohisteachings.Oneimpliedtheother.Itwasthat

simple.Everythingheneededtoknowaboutstrength,hecouldseeforhimselfintheceramite-cladgiantsheserved.HehadnoneedforagrubbyoctavothatsoughttoundermineeverythingtheImperiumandtheGreatCrusadehadbroughtabout.Andforjustafewmoments,cocoonedinthesweat-boxdarknesslitonlybythepainfulglareof

solderingtools,hewasabletohidefromtheknowledgeofwhathadhappenedtotheGreatCrusade,andwhatwashappeningtotheImperium.Thenthefloorcollapsed.Itsremainingstrengthhadbeenalie.Withsnapsandshrieksoftorturedmetal,

severalmetresofdeckingfellintothelowerdepthsofthevessel.Mostoftheworkdetailplungedwithit.Kanshellfelttheterrifyingjerkandgivebeneathhisfeetandthrewhimselfbackwards.Hecaughtajaggedcorneroftornwallwithhislefthand.Hisfeetscrabbledforpurchaseandhewassuddenly

holdingalmosthisfullweightwithonehand.Themetalcutadeepgashintohispalm.Bloodslickedhisfingers.Hisgripbegantoslip.Heflailedwithhisrighthand,graspingair.Hisfleshtingledasthechasmbeforehimdrewnearer.Thenhisheelcaughtaridgeinthedecking.Hesteadied,andfoundahangingpipeonhisright.Hetook

acarefulstepbackontolevelfloor.Therewasnogive,nocreakoftreacherousmetal.Hecollapsedonallfours,gaspingforbreath,andcrawledawayfromthehole.Inthelightofgutteringflamesandsparkingcables,hestaredatthehungrydarkness,madedizzybytheactofchancethathadsparedhim.Hisearswerefilledwiththeechoesofsettlingwreckage,buttherewerenoscreamsoftheinjured.Thesilenceofthedeadwasdeafening.

Thehololithicghostsofhisthreebrotherswerefragile.Theykeptdissolvingintojaggedflickers,theirwordsdisappearingintostatic.Severaltimes,Atticushadtoasktheotherthreecaptainstorepeatthemselves.Andgivenhowoftenhehadtodothesameforthem,histransmissionwasnobetterthanhisreception.Therewaslittleoftheillusionofpresenceinthelithocastchamber.Assentencesfragmentedandfaceslostdefinition,whatAtticusfeltinsteadwasthereminderofabsence.Thecandle-flamebrittlenessofthehololithswasthehealthofhisLegion,whatwasleftofitsstrength.TheVeritasFerrum’slithocastsystemwashumblecomparedtothoseontheflagshipsoftheLegions.It

wasalsomoreprivate.Ratherthanbeingintegratedintothebridge,itoccupiedachambernexttoAtticus’squarters.Thelithocastplatewasinthecentreofthespace,surroundedbythree-metre-highpanelsthatactedassoundbaffles.Thelithocastoperators’stationsoccupiedtheperipheryofthechamber.Atticus’sisolationduringthelithocastswasnotamatterofsecrecy,butofefficiency.Thepanelsweretheretokeepsoundout,allowingthecaptaintoturnhisundividedattentiontohisdistantvisitors.Theoperationofthesystemwasenergyintensive.Itwasnotusedlightly.Theconferencesthattook

placethroughitsagencywerealwaysonmattersofgreatimport.Inthepast,theyhadalmostalwaysbeeninitiatedbyFerrusManushimself.Inthepast.Atticussuppressedthatthought,becausebehinditlurkedaworseonethatherefusedto

countenance:Neveragain.‘Whatareyourauspexscansshowing?’Khalybusasked.‘Theyaren’tshowinganythingunusual.Weareexperiencingtheexpectederraticbehaviourthiscloseto

theMaelstrom,andithasbeengrowingworseasweenterthePandoraxSystem.Buttheycan’tpinpointasourceofinterferencethemselves.’‘Butsomethingelsecan,’Sabinusdeduced.Atticusnodded.‘Themistressofourastropathicchoirthinksshecanfindit.’Sabinusgrunted.‘NotyourNavigator?’‘Igrantthisisodd.Butno.ThoughMistressErephrenisworkingwithNavigatorStrassnytotranslate

whatsheisreadingfromtheempyreanintoactualcoordinates.’‘Whatissheexperiencing?’Plienusasked.IttookhimthreeattemptsbeforeAtticuscouldmakeout

whathewassaying.‘Shesaysherperceptionisreachingaclarityandrangeshehasneverknownbefore.’‘Iamsurprised,’Plienusresponded.‘Mychoirsarefindingyourmessagesharderandharderto

transcribe.’Theothertwocaptainswerenoddinginagreement.‘Thatappearstobetheotherfacetofthephenomenon,’Atticussaid.‘Themoreclearlythechoirs

receive,themoredifficultitisforthemtosend.’Khalybussaidsomethingthatwaslostinascrapingwhineofinterference.Whenthesoundclearedfora

moment,hesaid,‘Wheredoesthislead,brother?Tototalawarenessandabsolutesilence?’‘HowcanIknow?Perhaps.’‘Areyousureofthewisdomofyourcourse?’‘AmIsureoftheendresultofthisventure?Ofcoursenot.AmIsureofitsnecessity?Withoutadoubt.’

Atticuspausedforamoment.‘Brothers,ourrealityishard,andwemustfacetruthsjustasunforgiving.Wecannotprosecutethiswarinourtraditionalmanner,andwecannotreachTerra.’Whathedidnotadd,buttheyallunderstood,wasthattheywouldnotmakeforTerraeveniftheycould.TheywouldreturnasasmashedLegion,onetobeabsorbed,itscultureforgotten,intotheothers.Therehadbeentoomanyhumiliationsalready.Therewasnoreasontowillinglysubmittothisfinalone.‘Wehaveagreed,’hecontinued,‘tofighttheenemyusingwhatmeanswehavetothefullest.Wehavenofleet.Butwestillhaveships,andthisregionfavourstheindividualpredator.Thereremainsthequestionoftrackingtheprey.’‘Youthinkyouhavefoundawayofdoingso?’Plienusasked.‘Iseethepossibilityofagreatdealofusefulintelligence.’Sabinuswasnotconvinced.‘Thatissupposition.’‘OnethatIbelieveisworthactingon.’Allthreeghostsdissolvedintoaflashingphantasmagoria.Soundbecameawailingelectronicwind.In

themidstofthestorm,Atticushadamomentaryimpressionofsomethingdistinctemergingfromthestatic.Itwasasifanewvoicescrapedpasthisear,whisperingsyllablesbothconcreteandincomprehensible.Ashetriedtolistenmoreintently,thestormpassed,andhisbrothersstoodbeforehimagain.‘…yourealise?’Sabinuswassaying.WhenAtticusaskedhimtorepeathimself,hesaid,‘Iwasasking

ifyouarefullyawareofwhatthelossofasingleshipnowmeanstotheLegion.’‘OfcourseIdo.JustasIknowthevitalnecessityofanytacticaladvantage.’‘Thereislittlepointinarguing,’Khalybusputin.‘CaptainAtticusiscorrectabouttherealitieswe

face.Whateveranyofusthinksofthewisdomofhisstrategy,itishisdecisiontomake.Byrankandbynecessity,wewilleachbefightingourownwar.’Therewasapause.Itwasasilencewithoutstatic.Atticusfeltanewweightpressingdownonhim,as

heknewitwasonhisbrothers.Itwasnottheresponsibilityofcommand.Itwassomethingakintoisolation,onlymuchmorepowerful,muchmoreprofound.Itwasloss.TheIronHandsfoughton,buttheXLegionwasnomore.ThecollectivebodyofwhichAtticushadbeenapartforcenturieshadbeendismembered.AtticusrefusedtobelieveinthedeathofFerrusManus.Suchamonstrousimpossibilitycouldnotbe,notinanyuniverse,nomatterhowinsane.Didironyetbendinthebreeze?No?ThenManuswasnotdead.Sometruthswerethatsimple.Theyhadtobe,ifthereweretobesuchathingastruthatall.ButManuswasnothere.Hewaslosttohissons,andthegreatwarmachinehehadforgedhadbeen

smashedtoafewscatteredcomponents.AsifspeakingAtticus’sthoughts,Sabinussaid,‘ThebodyofourLegionisgone.’Ofthefour,Sabinus

wastheleasttransformed.Hiswasthevoicethatcouldstillexpressthedepthsofgriefandangerforthemall.‘Andourbloodisadulterated.’TheVeritasFerrumwasnotaloneincarryingsurvivingSalamandersandRavenGuard.TheothercaptainsalsohadtolookupontheallieswhohadfailedtheirLegion.Atticusheldupahand.Hemadeitintoafist.Itwasunarmoured,butitcouldstillpunchthroughsteel.

Sabinuswascorrect–thecollectivebeingoftheLegionwasshattered,buthecouldrelyonhisownforce,andthatofthelegionariesunderhiscommand,tocrushtheskullsoftraitorstodust.‘No,’hesaid,andherevelledintheinhuman,fleshlessraspofhisownvoice.‘Weareitsbodyyet.If

wecannolongerstrikewithahammerblow,weshallerodeourenemieslikeacancer.Weareintheirdomain.Theywillthinkthemselvessafehere,buttheyaremistaken.Wearetoosmalltofind,butwearehere.Wewillharrythem,andbleedthem,andiftheyshouldbeluckyenoughtodestroyoneofus,what

then?Willthataffecttheoperationsoftherest?No.Oneblowdestroyedthegreaterpartofourforces.Itwilltakemoreblowsthantheenemycancounttokilltherest.Wehaveastrength,brothers.Wehavebuttorecogniseit.’Theytalkedforafewmoreminutesafterthat.Atticusheardabouttheoperationsthattheothercaptains

planned,andhowtheyhopedtotracktheirtargets.Helistened.Hecommittedtheinformationtomemory.Butheknewhowlittlethatknowledgemattered.TheVeritasFerrumwasonherown.Thelithocastended.Theghostsvanished.Yetforamoment,theisolationvanishedtoo.Atticuswas

seizedbythecertaintythatifhespunaround,hewouldseesomethingelsestandingwithhimonthelithocastplate.Hequelledtheurgetoturnandwalkedforwardsofftheplate.Thesenseofapresenceevaporated,ashehadknownitwould.NomatterhowmuchoftheweakfleshhesacrificedtotheApothecary’sknife,hismindremainedhuman,andsubjecttoitsperversitiesandcompulsionstodeceiveitself.Thekeywastorecognisethisvulnerability,andtocounteritwiththeempiricalrationalitytaughtbyhisprimarchandhisEmperor.Butwhenhereturnedtothebridge,andstoodinthecommandlectern,andgaveordersthattheVeritas

FerrumcrosstheboundaryoftheasteroidbeltandventureintothePandoraxSystem,onemorethinghappened.Itwasbrief,sobriefitshouldhavebeeninstantlydismissed.Andhediddismissit.Itwasfaint,sofaintheshouldhavebeenabletoignoreit.Andhedidignoreit.Whathedismissed,whatheignored,wasanirrationalphantom.Itwasastrivialasahairinfrontofan

eye.Itwasaspreciseasaclawcaressingthecerebralcortex.Itwasawelcome.

TWOMistressofthesongAgeofwondersAverdantland

Fearwasthenormalconditionwhentouchingthecurrentofthewarp.Itwasalsothenecessaryone.RhydiaErephrenhelditclosetoherbeing.Shemadeitherconstantcompanion.Itwasthefriendshecouldcounton.Shehadeventrainedherselftorespondwithterrorshouldthefeareverdiminish,becausethatwouldbethesignshewasdroppingherguardandingreatestdanger.ErephrenbelievedinthesecularuniversepromulgatedbytheEmperor.Shecelebratedthetopplingof

allgods.Theextirpationoftheirrationalfromthehumanracewasagloriousquest,andshebelievedinitsnecessitywithallofherstrengthandallofheryearning.DespiteherbedrockloyaltytothepreceptsoftheImperium,orperhapsbecauseofit,shealsoexperiencedawe,andknewitintheformofsacredhorror.Thatwasthepowerofthewarp.ItwaseverythingtheImperiumstoodagainst,yetitwasthepreconditiontothespreadoftheEmperor’slight.Itwastheimpossiblegivenanon-existentreality.Itwasthedenialofplacethatwasalsothesuprememeansoftravel.Itseducedinordertodestroy.Onthisday,thewarpwasseductiveasshehadneverexperienceditbefore,anditwasgrowingmore

persuasivebythesecond.Itbeckonedherwithclarity,droppingoneveilafteranother,fillingherheadwithknowledgeofthenearsystems,andpromisingmore.Ithintedthatomnisciencewasjustoverthehorizon.Itwouldbehers,ifsheandtheVeritaswouldcomeabitnearertoacertainspotinthePandoraxSystem.CometoPythos,itmurmured.Itpromisedsomanysightstoparadeforherbehindherblindeyes,somanysecretstowhisper.Asshestoodatherpulpitinthechancel,leadingtheastropathicchoir,thegrowingclaritybecameakindofecstasy.Abrilliantdawnwasfloodingthenightofthewarp.Turningtofindthesunwasnotdifficult.Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhertodootherwise.Thechallengecameinnotlosingherself.Itwouldhavebeeneasytoletherconsciousnessdrowninthelightofknowing.Disciplineheldherback.Discipline,fealtyandwill.ShewasanastropathoftheIronHands,andshe

hadawartowage.

‘Thisisararesight,’Darrassaidunderhisbreathasthebridgedoorsopened.GalbaglancedattheotherTacticalsquadsergeant,tryingtoreadhistone.Thatwasnevereasywith

Darras.Thelegionarywasforeverdeadpan.HedidnothaveabionicvoiceboxlikeAtticus.Hejustspokewithoutexpression,machine-likeinhissoul.Hisface,Galbahadlongthought,wasthatofacorpse,asifitwereafleshmaskhangingoffametalskull.Hewas,likealltheotherlegionariesaboardtheVeritasFerrum,fromtheUngavarrclanofnorthernMedusa.ButDarraswasmorevisiblyaproductoftheglaciersthanhisbrothers.Hewasbeyondpale.Hisskinwassallow,hishairsparse.Wereheanon-genhancedhuman,hewouldhaveseemedsickly.Buthisthick,cordedneckandthebunchedmuscleofhispatesaidotherwise.Hewasthedeathofhisenemies,andhelookedthepart.Hewasalsothedeathofthepolitelieandthemeaninglessturnofphrase.Forunfortunateemissaries

fromtheAdministratumofTerrawhocrossedhispath,hewasthedeathofdiplomacy.Inthepast,GalbahadlaughedattheirdiscomfiturewhenDarrashadpuncturedtheirunctuouspatter.Onthisday,though,giventhebalancingactinwhichhewasengaging,hewasnervousabouthisfriend’smood.‘Whatdoyoumean?’heasked.

ToGalba’srelief,Darrasnoddedatthedoorway.RhydiaErephrenandBhalifStrassnyhadarrivedonthebridgetogether.ItwasunusualtoseeeitherofthemawayfromchanceloroutofthenutrienttankwhiletheVeritasFerrumwasonactiveduty.Thetwoofthempresentatthesametimewasunheardof.Atticuswasstandingbeforetheprimaryoculus.‘MistressErephren,NavigatorStrassny,’hesaid.

‘Pleasejoinme.’Thetwohumanscrossedthefloorofthebridge.GalbawassurprisedtoseeErephrenwalkaheadof

Strassny,unguided,herstepsure.Inherlefthand,shecarriedthetwo-metre-highstaffofheroffice.Thehaftwasofawoodsodarkitwasblack.Itwastoppedwithanornate,bronzeastrolabe.Herrighthandwieldedacaneofsilveredsteel,itsheadtheImperialaquila.Itstipwassharpenoughthatshecouldhaveusedthecaneasasword.Therhythmasshetappedthedeckingbeforeherwassosubtle,itseemedimpossibletoGalbathatshewasusingittofindherway.Strassny,twopacesbehindher,wasslumped,andlookedlikeheneededacanemorethanshedid.TheywerebothTerran-raised.Strassnywasbornthere,amemberofoneofthesecond-tierHousesof

theNavisNobilite.Hislonghair,pulledbackandbraidedinthehelixfashionofhisfamily,wasbothlankandsofinethatstraystrandsfloatedaroundhisheadlikesmoke.Hisfeatureswereasfragileasthinporcelain.HewastheresultofcenturiesofHouseStrassny’sintermarriage.ThebloodthatmadehimasuperbNavigatoralsomadehimsoweakaphysicalspecimen,ittookaconsciouseffortonGalba’spartnottoregardhimwithuntemperedrevulsion.Erephrenwasadifferentcase.ShehadbeenbroughttoTerrainaBlackShipwhilestillaninfant.No

one,herselfincluded,knewtheplanetofherbirth.Herrobesborenofamilymarkings,butwererichintheawardsofservice.Abronzereceivingplaque,engravedwiththeemblemoftheAstraTelepathica,wasembeddedinthetopofherbaldskull.Thesoul-bindingritualhadrobbedherofhersight,andalteredhereyesinamannerthatGalbahadneverencounteredinanyotherastropath.Hehadseenmanywhoseeyeshadbecomeclouded,somesomilkyitwasasiftheyhadturnedintopearls.Butherswereutterlytransparent.Theywereimmaculate,crystallineorbswithnothinginside.Viewedface-on,theywereinvisible;Erephren’seyelidstheopendoorwaystosunkenhollowsoftissueanddarkness.Blastedbyconstantexposuretothewarp,sheappearedtobeinherlate-seventies,almosttwiceherrealage.Thoughhewascenturiesolderthanshewas,Galbafounditimpossiblenottoseeherasavenerablefigure.Shehadpaidforeverymessagereceivedandtransmittedwithapieceofherlife.Strassny’sweaknesshadbeenhisfrombirth.Erephren’sinfirmityhadbeenacquiredintheperformanceofduty.Therewashonourinthat.YetErephrencarriedherselfasiftherewerenoinfirmity.Herposturewaspitilesslystraight,herstride

sure,andherrobestheblack-and-greyschemeoftheLegionsheserved.Shewasregal.ShedeservedGalba’srespect,butshealsocommandedit.‘Anunusualday,’GalbasaidtoDarras,agreeingwithhisfirstassessment.‘Foryouespecially,’Darrassaid.Galbakepthisfaceneutral.‘Yes,’hesaid.SoDarrashadbeendiggingathimafterall.Hehadreached

thebridgeonlyafewmomentsbeforeErephrenandStrassny,andhehadnotcomealone.Khi’demandPterohadaccompaniedhim.Theynowstoodattherearofthebridge,neartheentrance.Theywereoutoftheway,buttheystoodwitharmsfolded,theirbodylanguageassertingtheirrighttobethere.‘Shouldn’tyoubekeepingyournewfriendscompany?’Darrasasked.‘I’vecometorelieveyou.’Darrashadbeenmanninghisstation,monitoringthescrollinghololithsthat

trackedthevessel’shealth.‘Noneed.Ibelieveyourservicesasdiplomatarestillrequired.’‘Youdomeaninjustice.’Galbamanagedtokeephisvoicesteady,doinghisbesttorefuseDarras’s

bait.DiplomatwasatermofimmensederisionamongtheIronHands.‘DoI?Thenenlightenme,brother.Whatisit,exactly,thatyouaredoing?’Galbaalmostsaid,Tryingtokeepthepeace.Hecaughthimself.‘Alackofunitywillnothelpourwar

effort,’hesaid.Darrassnorted.‘Iwillnotfightalongsidethem.’‘Thenyou’reafool,’Galbasnapped.‘Youspeakasiftherewereachoice.’‘Thereisalwaysachoice.’‘No,thereisnot,unlessyouseefailureasachoice.Idonot.Oursituationiswhatitis,brother,andif

youthinkwecandispensewithallies,thenyouarerefusingtoseeclearly.’Darraspaused,thennodded,once,inbitteracceptance.‘Thesearecurseddays,’hemuttered,venom

drippingfromeachclippedsyllable.‘Theyare.’‘Thecaptaindoesn’tseemtobeobjectingtothepresenceofourguests.’‘HeknewIwasbringingthem.’Darrasopenedhismouthslightly.Itwaswhatpassedforalaughwithhim.‘Howdidyoumanagethat?’‘IsaidmuchthesamethingstohimasIdidtoyou.Itoldhimthatwemustnotturnfromreality.’‘Youdidn’t.’ItwasGalba’sturntolaugh.Hewasgladforthefamiliarityofbanter.‘Notinsomanywords,perhaps.

Ididsay“reality”atonepoint.Irememberthatbecauseitseemedtostrikeachord.’Darrasraisedaneyebrow.‘Youdetectedfacialexpressionsinthecaptain?’‘No.ButafterIusedtheword,heagreedtomyrequest.’‘Thenweareinforadayofwonders.’GalbaturnedwithhimtowatchAtticusspeaktoErephrenandStrassny.TheNavigatorsaidlittle,

contentinghimselfwithbriefassertionsinsupportoftheastropath.FillingtheviewfromtheoculuswasPythos,theinnermostplanetofthePandoraxSystem.‘Thisworldisthesourceoftheanomalouswarpeffect?’Atticusasked.‘Thesourceliesonit,’Erephrencorrected.Atticuscontemplatedtheplanet.‘Couldsuchathingbenatural?’‘Icannotconceiveofhowitcouldbe.Whydoyouask,captain?’‘Thereisnocivilisationhere.’TheVeritasFerrumwasinorbitabovetheterminator.Thenightsideof

theplanetwasutterlydark.Therewerenolightsofcitiesbelow.Thedaysiderevealedblueoceansandgreenlandmasses.Galbawaslookingatagardenworld.Hethoughtaboutalltheplanetshehadfoughtonoverthe

centuriesoftheGreatCrusade.Theyhadallbornethedisfigurementsbroughtbyintelligentlife.Whatturnedbelowwaspristine.Itdidnotknowthemachine,anditsorderandstrength.Heknewwhatallthatgreenmeant:organiclifeinfullriot,undisciplined,chaotic.Hislipcurledindisgust.‘Icannotexplainwhatyouareseeing,captain,’Erephrensaid.‘Butwhatweseekisthere.Iknowthis

assurelyasIbreathe.’Atticusdidnotmove.Hehadsocompletelygivenhisphysicalselftothereignofmetalthathisstillness

wasabsolute.Hestoodasastatue,aninanimatethingthatwouldspringtoterrifyinglifeifconfronted.Hefacedthesightintheoculusasifitwereanopponent.Ironchallengedthegarden.‘Canyoupinpointthelocationmoreprecisely?’‘IbelieveIcan.Thecloserwecome,themoreintenselyIexperienceitseffects.Ifwepassoverit,Iam

convincedthatIwillknowwehavedoneso.’‘Then,withyourguidance,thatiswhatweshalldo.’

TheVeritasFerrumbeganasloworbitofPythos,levelwiththeequator,movingwiththerotation.Strassnyleftthebridge,returningtohistank.Erephrenremainedatthefore,standingbesideAtticus,facingtheoculusasifshecouldseetheobjectofherscrutiny.Shecalledoutdirectionswiththecertaintyofsomeonewhocouldseesomething,andseeitmoreclearlywitheverypassingsecond.Thecloserthestrikecruisercametothesourceofthephenomenonshewasexperiencing,themoreit

seemedtoGalbathatshewaslosingherself.Thereservethathadalwaysbeenherarmourcrumbled.Hervoicegrewlouder,moreferocious.Whenthesearchbegan,shehadsimplyspokenquietlytoAtticustotellhiminwhichdirectionstheshipshouldgo.Butnowshegesturedwithstaffandcaneasifconductinganinvisibleorchestrathesizeoftheplanet.Arhythmenteredhermovements.Theybecamehypnotic.Galbahadtroublelookingaway.Hervoicechanged,too.Thefuriouspowerwasstillthere,butshewasnotshoutinganymore.Shewaschanting.Galbawasseizedbytheimpressionthatsheheldtheentireshipinherwill,movingitsmillionsoftonnesasshemovedhercane.Hetriedtoshaketheillusionaway,butitwaspersistent.Itclungwiththetenacityofsomethingthatwasperilouslyclosetothetruth.Andthen,‘There,’shegasped.‘There,there,there.’‘Fullstop!’Atticusordered.‘There.’Erephrenpointedwithhercanewithsuchferocityandprecisionthatsurelyitwasimpossible

thatshewasstillblind.Shewasmotionlessforseveralseconds,asstillasthelegionaryatherside.Somethingimmensepassedthroughthebridge.Thethinnestofbarriersblockedawhisper.Therewere

terriblewordsthatwantedtomakethemselvesheard.Themomentpassed.Galbablinked,disturbedthathehadallowedhimselfsuchanexcessof

imagination.Erephrenloweredhercaneandslumped,usingthestaffnowtosupportherself.Shebreathedheavily,andtherewasarattleinherchest.Thenshestraightened,onceagaincladdingherselfinthearmourofherreserve.Sheshiveredonce,andthenshewascalm.‘Areyouwell,MistressErephren?’Atticusasked.‘Iamnow,captain.Thankyou.’Buttherewasanewstraininhervoice.‘Imusttellyou,though,that

thisisaplaceofincredibletemptationforthelikesofme.’‘Whatkindoftemptation?’‘Everykind.’Atticusmadenocomment,andturnedbacktotheoculus.Galbafrowned.Erephren’schoiceofwords

wasdisturbing.Therewassomethingofthesuperstitiousaboutthem.Atticussaid,‘Isitpossibletopinpointthelocationmoreprecisely?’‘Takemetothesurface.’Atticusmadeagestureofsurprise.‘Anastropathinthefield?’‘Iwillserveinwhatevermannerisnecessary.Thisisnecessary.’Thecaptainnodded.‘MasteroftheAuspex,’hecalled.‘Iwantadeepscanoftheregionbelowus.

Whateverisaffectingthewarp,ithasalocation,soitmusthaveaphysicalmanifestation.Wemaybecloseenoughtofindsomethingnow.’ToErephren,hesaid,‘Wemayhaveothermeans.’Theastropathpursedherlips,doubtonherface.‘Commencingscan,’Aulusconfirmed.Severalminuteselapsed.Thecompanyonthebridgestoodby,theonlysoundthemurmuringof

cogitators.ThespectacleoftheIronHandswaitingwasavistaofstillness.Menwhohadbeenturnedintoenginesofwarpaused,inert,untilthesignalforactionwouldunleashthem.‘Allreturnsnegative,’Aulusreported.‘Auspexbanksfindnothing–’Hestopped.‘Onemoment.There

isanirregularityinthisarea.’Athiscommand,alarge-scalehololithofPythoswasprojectedtothecentreofthebridge.Apointinthenorthernhemisphere,ontheeastcoastofthecontinentvisiblefromthe

oculus,begantoflash.‘Stilltoowideanarea,’Atticussaid.‘Narrowitdown.’‘Captain.’Erephren’stonewasawarning.Aulusleanedclosertohisscreens.‘Thereissomething,’hesaid.‘Letmefocusthebeamtothis–’Thelightsofthebridgewentdown.ThePythoshololithvanished.Darrasgrunted.Galbaglanceddown,

andsawthathisreadoutshadgonedead.Theauspexbankexploded.TheframeworklauncheditselfatAulusinatornecstasyofmetal.Afireball

engulfedhim,anditwasthecolourofincandescentflesh.Kaleidoscopiclightningcrackledupthewalls.Itsinfectionrandownthespineofthevault,joltedopenthedoorandshotdownthecorridor,spreadinganelectrichowltotherestoftheship.TheVeritasFerrumshook.Thetremorcamefromthecore,adeep,powerfulthrumthatalmostthrewGalbaoffhisfeet.Itwasthejerkofthealreadywoundedvesselbeingstabbedwithanassassin’sblade.GalbaandDarrasracedtoAulus’spost.Atticuswastherefirst,reachingthestrickenlegionaryjustas

thefireballdissipated.Flamesquiveredalongtheperimeteroftheexplosion.Theydidnotcrackle.Instead,theymadeanoisethatsoundedtoGalbalikesighs.Achoirofthousandspressedagainstaweakeningwallwithdesireandhatredandlaughter.Andthentheflamesdied,takingwiththemthesighsandGalba’sbeliefinwhathehadheard.Thedecksteadied.Thebridge’slumen-stripsbrightenedagain.Smokecoiledthroughthespace,filling

Galba’snostrilswiththesmellofburnedgraves.Auluswaslyingmotionless.Thesavageanglesoftheauspexframehadplungedthroughhisarmourinhalfadozenplaces.Itlookedasifametaltalonhadseizedhim.Oneclawhadgoneallthewaythroughhisthroat,impalinghimtothedeck.Anotherhadpunchedthebridgeofhisnoseoutthebackofhisskull.Atticuswrenchedthetwistedframeworkawayfromthebody.Darrasbegantosay,‘TheApothecary–’Atticuscuthimoff.‘Thereisnothingtorecover.’Hewasright,Galbasaw.ThewoundshaddestroyedAulus’sprogenoidglands.Therewouldbeno

preservinghisgeneticlegacyforthefutureoftheIronHands.TheshapeoftheruinedauspexbotheredGalba.ThetalondeclaredthatAulushadnotbeenthevictimofanaccident.Hehadbeenattacked.Theideawasludicrous.Galbaknewheshouldnotbeentertainingit.Hewasdoinganinjusticetohis

fallenbrothertoengageinirrationalfantasiesabouthisdemise.Onceagain,hepushedtheimpossibleaway.Herefusedtothinkabouthowoftenhewashavingtokeepsuchideasatbay.‘Whatisthestatusoftheship?’Atticusasked.Galbaranbacktohispost.Withastutteringflicker,thehololithicdisplaycamebacktolife.He

surveyedthereadings.‘Nofurtherdamage,’hereported.Hiswordsrangfalseinhisears.Therewerenofiresburninganywherebeyondthebridge.Theintegrityofthehullhadnotbeencompromised.Alllifesupportsystemswerefunctioning.Shieldswereup.Theauspexwasdestroyed,andabattle-brotherwasdead.Otherwise,theshipwasunharmed.OnlyGalbaknewthiswasnottrue.Thiswasnotamatterofirrationalintuition.Hehadwitnesseddestructiveenergyarriveandpassthroughthevessel.Itcouldnothavepassedwithouteffect.Hedidnotbelievethatithad.HecouldfeeladifferenceintheVeritas,eveninthedeckbeneathhisfeet.Theshiphadlostsomethingessential,andithadacquiredanew,distressingquality:brittleness.Galbawilledhisimpressionstobefalse.Butwhenhelookedup,andsawtheexpressiononErephren’s

face,heknew,withasinkinginhisgut,thattheyweretrue.

TheVeritasFerrummovedintoalowgeosynchronousorbitoverPythos.Theshiphadbeenhit.An

enemyonPythoshaddrawnfirstblood.Andsothestrikecruiserunleashedwarintotheskiesoftheplanet.RetaliationdescendedtothesurfaceonthewingsofThunderhawks.WiththeVeritasstrategicallyblinduntilitsMechanicumadeptscouldrepairtheauspexsystem,Atticushadtorelyonpict-capturesofthesurface.Theyshowednoclearsignoftheanomaly,buttheydidofferafewlandingzonesintheareaAulushaddesignatedbeforehisdeath.Threegunshipstookpartintheplanetfall.Twoofthem,UnbendingandIronFlame,carriedErephren

andsixtyIronHandsforareconnaissanceinforce.ThethirdwasHammerblow,anditwasaSalamandercraft.Itwasoneofthetworecovered,atterriblecost,fromtheloworbitofIsstvanVbeforethesavagedVeritashadmadeitsescapefromthehopelessvoidwar.HammerblowandCindarahadbeenamongtheveryfewshipsofanykindtosurvivethemassacreontheplanet’ssurface.Khi’dem’sSalamandershadmanagedtogatherafewRavenGuardduringtheirfightingretreattothegunships,alongwithsomeIronHandswhohadbeentoobadlywoundedduringtheinitialphaseofthebattletoadvancewiththeirprimarchintothejawsofHorus’strap.SeatedinUnbending,DarrasglancedouttheviewingblockatHammerblowasitflewlevelwiththem.

‘Well,’hesaidtoGalba,‘willtheyfightwithustotheend,doyouthink?’Galbashrugged.‘IfyouthinkIfindthisconversationinvigorating,youaremistaken.’AtticusemergedfromthecockpitandopenedthesidehatchoftheThunderhawk.Windwhippedthrough

thetroopcompartment.Galbafreedhimselffromhisgrav-harnessandjoinedthecaptain.Helookeddownatthelandscaperushingpastbelow.Theywereflyingoverasolidcanopyofjungle.Thewindwasthick,hot,ablastofsteam.Galba’sneuroglottisparsedacornucopiaofscentsandtastes.Thesensoryfloodwasdizzying.Pollensfromathousanddifferentspeciesfoughtwiththestenchofaloamthatmusthavebeenmetresdeepwithrottingorganicmatter.Andtherewasblood.Hiddenbeneaththegreenwascrimson,streamsofcrimson,anoceanofcrimson.Thetasteofthebloodwasacorruptedamasec.Thereweretoomanyflavours,toomanybeings.Noneofitwashuman.Unbendingwasflyingabovea

primordialfieldofcombat.Galbathoughtaboutthedifferencebetweenhishomeworldandwhathewasrushingtowardshere.Lifewasviolenceonbothplanets.ButonMedusa,lifehadtostrugglesimplytoexist.Medusawasaworldthatrejectedtheorganic.Itwasatest,andonlythestrongestformsfoundapurchaseonitssurface.Pythos,though,wasmonstrousinitsall-encompassingwelcome.Lifehadexplodedhere.Lifepiledonlife.Theonlyshortagewasspace,andthatwasenoughtoigniteawarofallagainstall.Medusaforgedunityandsteadfastness.GalbawasnotsurprisedthatnocivilisationawaitedtheIron

HandsonPythos.Therewas,hewassure,noorderpossibleinthisplaceoforgiasticgrowth.Ahead,notfarfromthewesternedgeofthetargetzone,thelandrose,andarockypromontorybroke

freeofthecanopy.Atticuspointed.‘Welandthere.’Thepeakofthepromontorywasbareandlevel,abouthalfakilometreonaside.Tothenorth,westand

south,itendedinsteepcliffs.Totheeast,theslopewasagradualdescentbacktothefloorofthejungle.Thetreelinewasabouttenmetresdownfromthepeak.TheThunderhawkscircledtheareaonce,thenlanded.Theassaultrampsslammeddown,andthelegionariesmarchedontothesurfaceofPythos.Theyspreadoutwardsfromthegunships,formingaceramitebarriertotheeast.GalbahadbeentaskedwithensuringthesafetyofRhydiaErephren.Themembersofhissquad

surroundedher,andtheymeasuredtheirpace.Hewassurprisedbyhowquicklyshemovedincompletelyunknownterritory.ShestoodstillforamomentaftershewalkedawayfromUnbending.Shefrownedasiflistening.Galbasawaveininherforeheadpulserapidly,theonesignofthestrainshewasexperiencing.Thensheturnedandmadefortheeasternline.HerstridewasalmostasassuredasontheVeritas.

Atticuswaswaiting.‘Well,MistressErephren?’heasked.‘Theanomalyisalreadypowerfulhere,captain,butthisisnotyetthesource.Icanfeelthecurrentofits

presence,though,muchmoresharplydefined.Itliesinthatdirection.’Shepointedeast.‘Verywell,’Atticussaid.‘Weshallburnourwaythroughthejungleifnecessary.Iwilltakepoint.

Mistress,youwillremainintherearlinesundertheprotectionofSergeantGalba.Shouldwedeviatefromthecorrectpath,informusimmediately.’‘Asyousay,captain.’TheIronHandsplungedintothejungle.TheSalamandersandRavenGuardfollowedbehind,thetrue

rearguardeventhoughAtticusbarelyacknowledgedtheirpresence.Withinahundredmetres,thelegionariesweredeepintoagreennight.Theskyvanishedbehindtheunbrokenshieldofintertwiningbranches.TheocculobesoftheSpaceMarinescompensatedforthedimlight,andthelegionariesmarchedonasifinbroadday.Theairgrewthickeryet,andGalbawonderedhowlongErephrenwouldbeabletofunction.Alreadyhecouldhearaliquidrattleinherbreathing,butshedidnotslow.Thetreesweregigantic,risingthirtymetresormore.Galbasawafewleafedvarieties,butmostwere

coniferswithneedleslikecurvedclaws.Almostascommonweregrowthsthatturnedoutnottobetreesatall,butimmenseferns.Vinestwistedfromtrunktotrunk,theirstemsthickascables,thebladesoftheirleavessosharplyangular,GalbafoundhimselfthinkingofrazorwiredesignedforDreadnoughts.Thelowertrunksandjunglefloorwerecoveredbycarpetsofmoss.Itwassodeepandwrinkledthatitcamouflagedroots,andonseveraloccasionsGalbawasabouttowarnErephrenofahazardatherfeet,butshesteppedovertheobstacleeachtime.‘Youaresure-footed,’hetoldher.‘Thankyou.’‘Howdoyousenseyoursurroundings?’‘Youmisunderstandmyabilities,sergeant.Idonothaveanimageofwhatisbeforeme,exceptwhatmy

imaginationreconstructsafterthefact.Iammakinguseoftheknowledgethatflowstomefromtheimmaterium.IreceivethemessagessentbymybrothersandsistersoftheAstraTelepathica,andIhavegrownaccustomedtoretrievingotherinformationaswell,suchaswhatmovementsIshouldmake.IdonotknowwhyImustmovetotheright,’andshedid,avoidingthetrunkthatstoodinherway.‘PerhapsIamsensingtheeddiesinthewarpcausedbythephysicalrealm,andthisismynewsight.Idoknowthatlisteningtothesepromptingsservesmewell.’‘Clearly,’saidGalba.Hethoughtforamoment.‘Whathappenedonthebridge…’hebegan.Erephrengaveherheadasolemnshake.‘Iknownomorethanyou.’‘ButyoutriedtowarnCaptainAtticus.’‘Thebarriertotheempyreanisverythinhere.Theforcesatworkareverypowerful.Ifeltasurge,but

whywasitcausedbySergeantAulus’sscan?Andwhydidittaketheformthatitdid?Ihavenoanswers.’‘Iamnotjustconcernedwithwhyittookthatform,’Galbasaid.‘Iwanttounderstandwhatthatform

was.I’veneverwitnessedthelike.’‘Thewarpdefiesunderstanding,sergeant.Thatisitsnature.Idonotbelieveweneedtolookanymore

deeplythanthat.’Shemadeherlastsentenceveryemphatic.ItwasonthetipofGalba’stonguetoaskifthetruthwasthat

shedidnotwanttobelieveintheneedtolookmoreclosely.Hestoppedhimself.Hecouldseethestraininherface.Theastropathwasalwayslinkedtothewarp.Herconsciousnesswasalwaysdivided,herselfshapedbytwoinimicalconceptionsofexistence.Hecouldnotbegintounderstandtheriskssheraneverysecondaftereternalsecond.Iftherewerepathsthatsherecoiledfromtreading,hewouldrespectherwishes.

ThenErephrenspokeagain,startlingGalbawithherconfidingtone.‘IhaveagreatadmirationforthetenetsofthisLegion,sergeant,’shesaid.‘Iamnotanativeofyourworld.IservetheIronHands,butIdonotflattermyselfthatIamofyournumber.Butyoushouldknowhowimportantwhatyourepresentisforme.’Shetappedherlegoncewithhercane.‘Thisbodyisweak.Itisabarelyadequatevehicle.Thatisthecostofmygiftandmyservice.Ipayitgladly,andseekmystrengthelsewhere,whereIneeditmost,inmywillandmysenseofidentity.’Shepausedasshenegotiatedarootalmostashighasherknee.‘TheIronHandsarewithoutcompromise.Youdonottolerateweakness.Youexpungeitfromyourselvesandfromothers.Thisrigourmeansyoumustmakehardchoices,andengageinharshactions.’‘Harsh?’Hewastakenaback.WasshequestioningthehonourofhisLegion?TheIronHandshadnever

actedwithanythinglessthanjusticeontheirside.Anypunishmentmetedoutwasdeserved.‘Youmisunderstandme.Thewordisatermofpraise.Thegalaxyisaharshplace,andmustbe

answeredinkind.Youarethatanswer.Therehavebeenseveraloccasions,sergeant,duringourGreatCrusade,whendutyhasrequiredthatyouculltheentirehumanpopulationsofnon-compliantworlds.’‘Thatisso.Sometimesthexenostaintistoogreat,theresistancetoreasontooentrenched.’‘DoyouknowwhatIhearduringthosepurges?Doyourealisethatthosedeathsaremarkedinthewarp

astheyareinthematerium?’‘No.’Hehadnotknown.‘Youcannotimaginethehorror,’shesaid.‘ButIcanstandit,becauseIknowyouenforcetheEmperor’s

will,andifyouhavethestrengthtodothehardthing,thenitismydutytofindthestrengthtobearwitnesstoit.Youdespisetheflesh,andbecomeiron.ItellmyselfthatImustdothesame.Youaremodels,sergeant,forthemortalswhoserveyouandfollowyou.Wearenotaspowerful,norasresilient.Butwecanaspiretobebetterthanweare,becauseyouarebetterthanweare.’Shepausedagain,andwassilentforsolongthatGalbabegantothinkshehadsaidherpiece.Butthen

shespoke,andhecouldheareachwordchosenwithcare.‘Thisisadifficulttime.TheIronHandsare…’‘Wehavesufferedadefeat,mistress,’Galbasaid.‘Donotdisguisethetruth.’‘Butyouarenotdefeated.Andyoumustnotbe.’‘Itseemstomethatyouwishtoturnawayfromsomethingyoufearwouldhavethebestofus.Closing

one’seyestotheenemyisnotadefence,anditdoesnotspeakwellofyourfaithinus.’‘IdonotthinkthatiswhatIamdoing.IbelieveIamactingforthesakeofreasonandlight.What

happenedonthebridgewasaneruptionoftheirrational.Toinvestigateitsdepthsinvitesthesleepofreason.Onedoesnotengageinadialoguewithinsanity,justasonedoesnotacceptataintedpeopleintotheImperium’sembrace.Whatiscalledforisquarantine.Andthenexcision.Doyouunderstand?’‘IthinkIdo,’hesaid.‘Butareyousurethisfinereasoningisn’tbeingshapedbyyourfear?’‘No,’sheansweredveryquietly.‘Iamnotsure.’Thejunglebecamemoreandmoredensethefurtherthelegionariesdescendedtheslope.Theyhacked

throughthechokingvegetationwithchainswords.Sometimes,alltraceofapathwasswallowedup,andanewtrailwascreatedwiththeflamers.Vinesandmossburnedwheretoucheddirectlybythepromethium,butthehumiditywassohighthatthefiresdiedoutwithinseconds.Galbachafedagainsttheslowprogress.Heresentedanymarchwhosemomentumbledaway,butonewheretheonlyenemywasthelandscapewasgalling.Therestofthereconnaissanceforcesnakedawaybeforehim,black-and-steeldust-greyvanishingintotheemeraldgloom.Itwasimpossibletoseemorethanadozenmetresaheadthroughtheundergrowth.Themossbecameeventhicker.Itwassoyielding,andwentdownsofar,itwasliketrampingoverdeepsnow.Galbawasstartledwhenonelegsankalmosttotheknee.Hisbootrestedonathickroot.Itfeltdisconcertinglylikestandingonamuscle.Hehauledhimselfoutofthedepressionandfoundfirmerground.

Hisvox-beadcrackled.‘Clearingahead,’Atticusreported.‘Auspexindicatesmultiplelargecontacts.’GalbaandhissquadmovedforwardswithErephren.Atticuswaswaitingforthemwherethepath

openedintotheclearing.Theotherlegionarieshadspreadouttoeitherside,formingoncemorethedefensivewalltheyhadestablishedatthelandingsite.‘Whatisourcourse?’heaskedErephren.‘Straightahead.’‘ThatiswhatIthought.’Theclearingwasaroughcircleaboutakilometreindiameter.Asmallstreamranthroughthecentre,

crossingthepathoftheadvance.Gatherednotfarfromitwasalargegroupofquadrupedsaurians.Galbaguessedtheirnumbersatahundred.Theystoodaboutthreemetreshighattheshoulder,andwereabouttwicethatinlength.Theirtailsstoppedjustshortoftheground,andendedintwinbonyhooks.Rowsofforward-curvingspikescoveredtheirbacks.Theirlegswerethick,massivetrunks,evolvedtosupportweight,notrun.Theirheadsweredown,turnedawayfromtheSpaceMarines.‘Aspeciesofgrox,doyouthink?’Galbaasked.‘Theyappeartobegrazing.’Khi’demandhispariahshadarrived.‘Grazingonwhat?’Pteropointedout.Thegroundhadbeentrampledintohardclay.Underthestinkofthemassiveanimals,Galbacaughttheotherstench.‘There’sbloodthere,’hesaid.

‘Lotsofit.’‘Ridmysightofthem,’Atticusordered.Evenashespoke,theanimalscaughtthescentoftheintruders.Theyturnedfromthecarcassestheyhad

beendevouring.Theirheadsweremassive,boxy,withenormousjawslikepowerclaws.Theyroared,revealingteethsojaggedandnarrow,theyseemedtobetheweaponsofatorturerinsteadofthetoolsofapredator.‘Theyshouldbeherbivores,’Pterosaid,andGalbathoughtheheardaweintheRavenGuard’svoice.Galbaraisedhisbolterandtookaim.‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Theshapeoftheirbodies,theirheads.Howcantheybeeffectivepredators?Theymustbetooslow.’Theherdcharged.Theearthshook.‘Theyseemtobemanaging,’Galbasaid,andopenedfire.ThelineofIronHandsunleashedacontinuousbarrageofbolterfireintothesaurians.Themass-

reactiveroundspunchedintothehideofthebeastsandblewoutchunksoffleshandbone.Roarsbecameshrieksofagonisedrage.Theleadingmonsterscollapsedwiththethunderofgranite.Galbaslammedhalfadozenshotsintotheforelegsofhistarget.Thesaurian’sjointsexploded,severingthelimbsintwo.Theanimalsmashedtotheground,rollingandhowling.TwootherslostinterestintheSpaceMarinesandsetupontheirfallenkin.Theytoreopenitsexposedbellywithclawsandteeth.Withinmoments,theywerecoveredinfratricidalgore.Theirvictimwasgutted,flapsofskinlikefallensailsoneithersideofitstorso.Itwasstillalive,itsstumpstwitching,hindlegsflailing.Itwasakeening,writhingmassofbutcheredmeat.Adozensauriansdowned.Halfagainasmanyfightingovertheircorpses.Andstilltheavalanchewith

teethcameon,itsmomentumunchecked.Unblinking,theSpaceMarineskeptfiring.Moreofthepredatorsfell,theshorterrangemakingthe

woundsevenmorecatastrophic.Theclearingbecameagiant’sabattoir.ThestenchofbloodfilledGalba’snostrils.Itwashot,clammyandsuffocating,asweat-slickedfist.Itwasalsothesmelloffallingenemies,thefirstkillsthelegionariesoftheVeritasFerrumhadclaimedsinceIsstvanV.Alow,vibratingrumblecametoGalba’searsovertheshatteringroarofthesaurianassault,anditwasamomentbeforeherealisedhewashearinghisowngrowls.Theyweretheexpressionofhisfuryatbetrayal,andtheyweretheprimitivesatisfactionthatcamewiththereleaseofslaughter.Eachrecoilofhisbolterwasanother

blowstruckatthehumiliationthathadbeenvisitedupontheXLegion.Thesauriansfell,andfell,andfell.Theirnumberswerecutinhalfinthetimeittookthemtoclosewith

theIronHands.Theywerestillanavalanche.Andnowtheyhit.‘Flankandcrush!’Atticuscommandedinthefinalsecondsbeforeimpact.Thelegionariespartedtothe

leftandright,armouredmightsprintingupthesidesoftheherd,andturningtocatchtheanimalsinacrossfire.Theymovedwithspeedandprecision.Theyweretheindividualgearsofaterriblemechanism,jawsofceramiteandsteelthatwouldrendallthefleshthatpassedbetweenthem.Butthesaurianswerefast,too.TheleadingbeastscoopeditsheaddownandsnatchedoneofDarras’s

menupinitsmaw.Itbitdown,andceramitecrackedlikebone.Galbaheardthecryofthelegionaryoverthecompanyvox-channel.Itwasahowlofoutragelikethoseofthebeasts,draggedfromaperfectkiller.Thesaurianbitharder.Thistimethesnappingwasbone.ThelowerhalfoftheSpaceMarinefelltotheground.Thereptileraiseditsheadandchokedthelegionary’sheadanduppertorsodownitsgullet.Atticushadnotbeencloseenoughtoaidthefallenman,buthewasthefirsttoreachhiskiller.Still

pouringfireintotherampagingbeasts,Galbawatched,outofthecornerofhiseye,astheIronHandscaptainleaptatthesaurian.Hehadmag-lockedhisbolterandwaswieldinghischainaxewithbothhands.Atticussaidnothingasheattacked.Heswungtheaxeattheanimal’sthroat.Hismovementshadamechanicalperfectionandgrace.Theweaponwasmassive,butinhishands,itseemedtohavetheweightandspeedofarapier.Itssnarlingheadchewedthroughthemonster’shide.Machineandanimalshrieked,oneinhighgear,theothergraspedbydeath’spain.Awaterfallofvitaeburstfromthesaurian’sneck,slickingAtticusfromheadtotoe.Theanimal’sheadlolled,half-severed.Thebodyremainedstandingforafullfivesecondsafterithaddied.Thenitfellover.TheIronHandspressedin,constrictingtheherdbetweenwallsoffire.Themortificationtheywrought

onthefleshatlasttookitstoll.Thelandscapeturnedintoapanoramaofbleedingmeatandsplinteredbone.Theirchargebroken,thesaurianscircledinconfusionandpain,lashingoutateachotheraswellastheSpaceMarines.Onelungedclearofthepack,bulkandmomentumpropellingitthroughGalba’sbolter-rounds.Galba

shovedErephrenfurtherback.Bloodpouringfromcratersinitsbody,thesauriansmashedintohim,knockinghimontohisback.Amassivepawpressedagainsthischestandcrushedhimintotheclay.Hisbolterlandedahand’swidthaway.Itmightaswellhavebeenthenextcontinentover.Erephrencouldhavereacheddownforit,butshedidnotknowitwasthere,andshetookmorestepsbackfromtheslaveringroars.Thesaurian’srasping,foetidbreathwashedoverGalba.Thejawsopenedwide,acavecomingto

engulfhishead.Helashedoutwithhisfist,strikingthebeast’slowerjaw,shatteringit,sendingshardsofteethintoitspalate.Thesaurianshriekedandstaggeredtotheside.Galbarolledaway,snatchedhisbolterandcameupfiring.Thereptile’sheadexploded.Afterthat,combatended,replacedbysimplebutcher’sworkasthelastofthesaurianswerecutdown.

Thenitwasdone,thefinalkrumpoftheboltersmuffledbythesurroundingjungle.Thegroundwasslickwithblood.Theclayhadturnedtodark,clottedmuck.Thiswasnolongeraclearing.Itwasaswamp.GalbarejoinedErephren,andthegroundmadesuckingnoisesastheymadetheirwayovertowherethelegionariesweremustering.Pterowasstandingoveroneofthemoreintactcarcasses,hishelmetangleddownashestaredatthe

creature.‘It’sdead,’Galbasaid.‘Ishouldn’tletittroubleyouanyfurther.’‘Butyoumustadmitthisisallwrong,’theRavenGuardinsisted.‘Theseanimalsarebuiltlike

herbivores.Youcanseethat,can’tyou?’‘Yes,buttheyaren’therbivores,andthere’sanendtothematter.’

‘Idisagree,brother.Wewouldbewrongtodismissthisaberrationasinsignificant,whenthisiswhatwemustfight.’‘Andwhatdoyoucallthisaberration,then?’Darrascalled.Hewasstandingafewmetresclosertothe

upslopesideoftheclearing.He,too,wasstaringdownwards,butnotatacarcass.‘Whatisit?’Galbaasked.‘Lookattheblood.’Galbadid.Therewerecurrentsinthepuddles.Thebloodwasdrainingaway.Itwasflowinguphill.‘Captain,’Galbavoxed,‘thereissomethingdrawingthe–’Anearthtremorcuthimoff.Itwasshallowbutwidespread.Itwaslikethemovementofmusclebeneath

skin.Galbaflashedonwhathehadsteppedoninthedeepmoss.HegrabbedErephrenbythearm.‘Quickly,’hehissed,andhebegantorun.Healreadyknewthatwhatwascomingcouldnotbefought.Aheadofthem,theothersquadswerealreadymovingatforcedmarchspeedoutoftheclearing.Thegrounderupted.Foramoment,Galbathoughttentacleswereburstingfromtheclay.Thenhesaw

thattheywereroots.Thickashisarm,dozensofmetreslong,theytangledlikeanet,andreachedoutliketalons.Clodsofearthrainedbackdownastherootsystemtwistedandflexed,blindserpentsseekingprey.AtendrilstruckoneofKhi’dem’sSalamanders.Itcoiledaroundhisarm.Therootswhippedtothelegionary’slocation.Inmoments,hewascocoonedandimmobilised.Hefell.Khi’demandanotheroftheSalamanderstoreattheroots,butmorecamefaster.Galbahesitated.TherestoftheSalamanderswererushingtohelp,buthewascloser.Hecursed,then

leftErephrenwiththerestofhissquad.‘Keephersafe,’hesaidtoVektus,hisApothecary,andranback.Khi’dem’sothersquadmatewascaughtnow,too.ArootloopedaroundKhi’dem’sgauntlet,buthe

yankedandtorethetendril,thensidesteppedtheothersthatcamehuntingforhim.Galbarevvedhischainswordandturneditsteethagainsttherootsenvelopingthefirstvictim.Ashe

did,Atticus’svoicecrackledoverthevox-channel.‘Leavethem.’‘Brother-captain?’‘Now.’Hehesitated,thefirstofthemonstrousrootsjustbeginningtopartbeneathhisblade.Andthentheentire

spiralaroundtheSalamandercontractedwithajerk.ThemovementwassoviolentthatGalbastumbledbackastep.Blood,underimmensepressure,spurtedfrombetweenthecoilsoftheroots.Itwasasifafisthadcrushedanegg.Asecondlater,astheotherSalamandersreachedhisposition,theothercocoonunderwentthesametraumaticconstriction.Moreblood,anaggressivespray,andnothingmorethanabriefgruntofterminalpainfromthelegionaryasaforceofunimaginablepressuresmashedceramitetobitsandabodytopulp.Therootsystemtwitchedandthrummed.Itwasfeeding,andGalbahadtheghastlyimpressionofsatisfactionradiatingfromthevegetation.Andthenthethingbeingfedbytherootsinvaded.Itrushedinfromtheupslopetreeline.Firsttherewas

greenfleshracingalongtheroots,butthiswasonlyaharbinger.Behinditcameagreenwave,awrithingtidethreemetreshigh.Itwasthemoss,Galbasaw,swollenwithbloodandfrenziedwiththethirstformore.Itwasgrowing,spreadinglikeaplague,butwiththespeedandrelentlessadvanceofastormsurge.Itwasalsomoving,draggedforwardsbythetangling,swellingroots.Itwashungergivenbeing.Itwantedtheworld.

THREESixseconds

UnnaturalselectionThecallinthewild

FewerthanfivesecondshadelapsedsinceAtticus’sorder.Galba’sdelaywasalreadyunforgivable.Itmightyetbefatal.Therewasnothingtoshoothere,nothingtostab,nothingtofight.Perhapsthemosscouldburn,andtwooftheSalamanderswerebringingflamerstobear.Buttheraveningmosswasawallaswideastheclearing.ItwouldtakeaheavyflamermountedonaLandRaidertostopit.‘Leaveit!’Galbayelled.Anothersecondpassed.HesawthefrustratedrageinKhi’dem’sposture.Theideaofflightfromso

mindlessafoe,andwiththedeathofbattle-brothersunavenged,wasobscene.Butanyotheractionwasinsane.‘Retreat,brothers,’Khi’demvoxed,andeverytoxicsyllablewaschokedwithbitterness.Theyran,andGalbasharedtheSalamanders’fury.TheywereLegionesAstartes,andretreatwas

unthinkable,buttheyran,andbehindthem,anemeraldstormraged.Thewavegrewhigheryet.Ashadowfilledtheclearing.Itstretchedoverthejungleahead.Thesoundwasmoreterriblethanallthepredatorroarsthathadprecededit.Itwasthesibilant,monsterexhalation,ahhhhssssssiiiiihhhhhhhhhofahurricane-tossedforest,buttherewasnowind.Theairmoved,though.Therewasthebreathofamonster,adisplacementcausedbythemarchofthejungleflooritself.Immensityheaved,andtherewaseagerness–ablind,mindless,butall-consumingdesire,anditreachedforwardstosmashallfleshandsmotherallhope.Itwascalledbyblood,andithadcome,unquenchable,inanswer.ThegroundrippledbeneathGalba’sfeetashelefttheclearing.Hepoundeddowntheslope,hopingthe

treeswouldslowthetideofmoss,butwonderinghowlargethegrowthtrulywas,andwhethertheywereallmerelyrunningintoitsenvelopingembrace.Thevoxchattercomingfromtherestoftheforceswasachorusofoverlappingurgency,buttherewerenocallsofcasualtiesorstruggle.‘Yourposition,SergeantGalba?’cameAtticusagain,thebionicvoiceascoldandpreciseasever,but

itsraspsomehowencodingasharpedgeofrage.‘Approachingrapidly,captain.Canyouseewhatisbehindus?’‘Enoughofit.Wewillcontinuemovingatspeed.Catchup.’Theykeptrunning.Thewayforwardwasmadeeasierbythepassageoftheothers.Brushwastrampled,

vinesandlow-hangingbrancheschoppedaway.Therewasmosshere,butitwasdormant.Themilliontinydeathsthatweretheconstantrealityofajunglewerenotenoughtorouseitintofrenzy.AndnowGalbaheardthegreenwavecrashintothetrees.Itwasthesoundofamassivesurfandheavyrock,softwithbodies,strongwithserpents.Hepicturedthemossflowingbetweenthegigantictrunks,thetideturningintoathirstingstream.Thehissing,rustlingandsnappingpursued.Butthetremorsinthegrounddiminished.Theywereputtingdistancebetweenthemselvesandthehunger.Itsblood-fuelledrunwasslowing.Thencamethefalloncemoreintoquiescence.Therecouldbenotruesilenceinthejungle.Therewas

theperpetualwhineofinsects.Galbahadseennobirdsyet,buthecouldhearthedistantsnarlsandshrieksofhuntersandprey.Therewastherustleoftheunseen.Butwhenthepursuitceased,thecalmthatdescendedwasasoppressiveaslead.Thehungersubsidedbackintotheearth,unsatisfied.Theknowledgeofitsexistencespreadoverthe

land.EverywhereGalbalookednow,hesawthepotentialforitsre-emergence.HethoughtwithregretofthelethalityofMedusa.Helongedforthepurityofitscoldindifference.Pythoswasunclean.Itwasanythingbutindifferent.Itwasdesireatitsmostnakedandinchoate.Suchobscenityoftheorganicdeservedbutonething:flame.Herejoinedtheothersquadsatthebottomoftheslope.Underbrushandmosshadbeenburnedaway.

Therewasnothingbutashbetweenthetreeshere,aspaceinthejunglecarvedontheIronHands’terms.Therewasachancenowtoregroup.Atticuswaswaitingattheendofthepath.Galbawonderedagainhowabsolutestillnesscouldbeso

expressive.Astheyapproached,thecaptainpivotedononefoot,asifhewerethesteeldoorofafortressgateopening.Hewas,Galbathought,formidableenoughtobeone.Hewasacolossusofwar,abeingnomoretobemovedbythoughtsofmercythanaFellbladetank.Thosewhopassedhimdidsoonlyonhissufferance.Knowingwhatwascoming,Galbasloweddown,lettingtheSalamandersgofirst.Khi’demnoddedbrieflytotheIronHands’commander.Atticusmadenoresponse.Galbadrewabreastwithhimandstopped.Heopenedaprivatevox-channel.‘Captain,’hesaid.‘Sergeant.’Nobrother.Andthensilence.Atleast,Galbathought,hehadrespondedonthesame

channel.Whateverwasabouttotranspire,itwouldbebetweenthemalone.Thesilencecontinued.Galbafoundhimselfcountingtheseconds.Hebegantoseeapainfulmeaningin

theirnumber.‘Sixseconds,’Atticussaid.‘Thatisanoticeableperiodoftime,isitnot?’‘Yes,itis.’‘WhenIissueanorder,Idonotsimplyexpectimmediatecompliance.Idemandit.’‘Yes,mylord.’‘IsthereanythingIhavesaidthatislessthanclear?Lessthanprecise?Opentointerpretation?’Thelastwordwasespeciallydamning.Interpretationandalltheotherluxuriesofartisticcontemplation

werethedomainoftheEmperor’sChildren.Whathadbeenthesubjectofplayfulbanterandfraternaljestshad,sincetheCallinedesbetrayal,becomeasymptomofcorruption.Interpretationandlieswerethesamething.Thatwhichhadmorethanoneunarguablemeaninghadclearlybeencreatedwithdeceptionatitsheart.‘No,brother-captain,’Galbareplied.‘Youarebeingveryclear.’Atticusturnedtogo.‘Idonothavethetimeorresourcestowasteondisciplinaryaction,’hesaid.‘But

donotfailmeagain.’Thetenorofthemechanicalvoicewasclear.Galbawasnotbeinggivenasecondchance.Hewasbeinggivenanultimatum.‘Ishallnot.’Atticuslookedbackathim.‘Iamnotinthehabitofexplainingmyorders.’Galbawastakenaback.‘Norshouldyoube,mylord.’‘Ishall,however,seekclarityfromyouononepoint.Youbelieve,doyounot,thatIcommandedyouto

abandontheSalamanderstotheirfate.YoubelievethatIwasmotivatedbyspite,ratherthanstrategy.’‘No,brother-captain.’Hewasshakinghishead,horrified.‘Ibelievenothingofthekind.’‘Thenwhydidyouhesitate?’Heshouldhavehadananswer.Heshouldhavehadareason.Heshouldnothavemetthequestionwith

ghastlysilence.Galbafeltavoidgapeinhischest,anabyssinwhichmightlurkthemostperniciousdoubt,andintowhichhewasrefusingtogaze.YetAtticuswasforcinghimuptoitsedge.Theawfulsecondstickedawayoncemore,andGalbahadnoanswertogive.Instead,hiscaptain’stoxicquestionsbredothers,justaspoisonous.Galbalookedatthelegionarythatstoodbeforehim,atthebeingwhohadexterminatedhisfleshtothe

pointthattherewasverylittletodistinguishthearmourfromtheformbeneathit.Hethoughtaboutthatonehumaneyethatstillgazedfromthemetalskull,anditseemedtohim,inthismoment,thatAtticus’sremainingconcessionstohumanitywerenothingmorethanexpressionsofscorn.Wormingitswayoutofthedarkwasadeepquestion,neverarticulatedbefore,butexpressedperhapsinthemoderationofhisownbionicenhancements.Ifthefullrejectionofthefleshwasthegoal,whyhadFerrusManusnevercompletedthatjourney?Theprimarch’ssilver-metalarmshadbeenthelimitofhismetamorphosis.WhatdiditmeanthatAtticushadgonesomuchfurther?Sixseconds.Galbablinked.Herejectedtheabsurdityofthistrainofthought.Ifhecontinuedtofollow

it,hewouldbebroughttodoubtthemostfundamentaltenetsoftheIronHands.Andhedidnotdoubtthem.Ifanything,thedisgusting,chaoticexplosionoftheorganichehadjustwitnessedonlyreinforcedthesaneandorderedvirtuesofthemachine.Asrationalityreturnedtohim,hefelthisanswercometohim.Itwasasimpleadmissionofshame.Butbeforehecouldexpressit,Atticusspokeagain.‘Didyouaccomplishanythinginyourdelay?Wasa

singlewarrior,ofwhateverLegion,saved?’‘No,mylord.’‘Whatpurposewasservedbyanyoneremainingonthatfieldforanothersixseconds?’‘None.’‘AndwhatwouldhavebeentheresultifMistressErephrenhadcometoharmasaresultofyour

choices?’‘Disaster.’Hedidnottrytoexculpatehimselfwiththesorryexcusethathehadconfidedhersafetyto

thecareofasubordinate.Hesoughtnoforgivenessforhispastactions.Hewouldseekredemptioninhisfutureones.Atticusnoddedwiththesmoothup-and-downmotionofaturret.‘None,’herepeated.‘Ifeelnogreat

warmthforourbrothersfromtheotherLegions,Galba.ButIactfortheEmperor.Always.AndwhatIcommandiswhatIbelievewillbringusvictory.Always.AmIclear?’‘Yes,brother-captain.’‘Good.ThenletusseewhatMistressErephrencantellusnextaboutourquestthroughthisobscenity.’TheastropathwasstandingwithVektus.‘Ourthanks,brother,’Atticussaid.‘Myduty,brother-captain,’Vektussaid,pleased,andwithdrew.GalbawasgratefulforAtticus’simplicationthatVektushadbeenactingunderordersflowingdowna

unifiedchainofcommand.Thehumanegestureinthecaptain’schoiceofwordssurprisedhim,andhissurpriseshamedhim.Hehurledhisdoubtsbackintothepit,anddeclareditsealed.Erephren’sposturewasasrigidasever,butstrainhadetcheddeeperfurrowsintoherbrow.Anarrow

trickleofbloodfellfromherlefteye.‘Weareclose,’shesaid.Hervoicewasflat.Itwasnotweak,butitwasdiminished,asthoughherpresencewereanillusion,andshewascallingtothemfromagreatdistance.‘Thewarpistakingyoufromus,’Atticussaid.‘Itisattemptingto,’sheagreed.‘Butitwillnotsucceed.Havenofear,captain.’Shesmiled,looking

likeanancienticonofdeath.‘Butthen,youdon’t,doyou?’‘Ihavefullconfidenceinyourstrength,mistress,’Atticusreplied,theembodimentofmetaladdressing

thetriumphofdeterminationovertheflesh.‘Showustheway.’Shepointed,andAtticusledthewayforwards.Dueeaststill,deeperintothejungle.Thegroundwas

level.Therewerenofeaturestodistinguishthisdirectionfromanyother.Thetrees,evenmoredensethanontheslope,surroundedtheIronHandsinagreenprison.‘BrotherGalba,’Khi’demvoxed.‘Iknowthehelpyoutriedtogiveuscameatacost.’

Galbadidnotanswer.Hewasnotinterested.Thefieldofbloodandgreenwasbehindhim.‘Iwouldhaveyouknow,’Khi’demcontinued,‘thatthoughyourorderswerecorrect,youractions

were,too.’Thenheclickedoff,sparingtheIronHandslegionarytheneedtorespond.GalbawantedtodenyKhi’dem’sassertion.Hewantedtoregardwhathehaddoneasalingering

weaknessoftheflesh,onethathemust,intime,shedwithalltheothers.Buthedidnot.

‘I’msorrywewerenotcloseenoughtohelp,’Pterosaid.HeandKhi’demweremarchingtogether.Theirtwosquadsfollowedbehind.Pteroheldnoofficialrank

overhisfellows.Buthewasaveteran,andinthechaosofIsstvan,hisgreaterexperiencehadmadethedifferenceinsavingevenafewofhisbattle-brothers.Unitcohesiondemandedleadership,andthesurvivorshaddeferredtohim.Khi’demwonderediftheweightofPtero’snewresponsibilitydraggedathisshoulderinthesamewayashisownrankdid.Tobeasergeantofsuchareducedsquadwasaconstantreminderoffailure.Heshookhishead.‘Nohelpwaspossible,’hetoldPtero.‘Weshouldhaveretreatedmorequickly,

but…’Hemovedhishandinagestureoftiredfrustration.‘Noonesawthatcoming,brother.’‘Thatmoss,perhapsnot,butyousensedsomethingwaswrong.Thosebeastsdisturbedyou.’‘Theydid,’theRavenGuardagreed.‘Thoseanimalsmadenosense.Everythingaboutthem,fromtheir

herdinginstincttotheirbuild,announcedthemasplant-eaters.’‘Apartfromthefactthattheywerenot.’‘Exactly.Ourexperienceofthisplanet’slifeisstilllimited,buthaveyounoticedthepattern?’Khi’demsawwherehewasheading.‘Everythingiscarnivorous.’‘Eventheplants.’‘Thatshouldnotbesustainable.’HethoughtaboutthepunishinggeologicalcyclesonNocturne,andof

howtenuouslife’sgripwasonhishomeworld.Nocturneboastedmanydangerousspecies,buttherewasalsoabalancebetweenpredatorandprey.Withoutit,Nocturnewouldhavenoecosystematall.‘It’sworsethanthat,’Pterosaid.HishelmetturnedtofaceKhi’dem.‘Howdidthiscometobe?’Theimplicationwasobvious.‘Notthroughnaturalprocesses.’‘No.’‘YouthinkwemighthaveasentientenemyonPythos?’Pterohadreturnedhisgazetothejungle.Khi’demcouldalmostseethewheelsturninginthetactician’s

mindashescannedforthreats.‘Idonotknow,’Pterosaid.‘Ourinformationissuggestiveenoughforconcern,buttooincompletetobeofuse.TheIronHandsfoundnosignofacivilisation,orevenofitsruins,sothatisencouraging.Butitisnotconclusive.’Thelandbegantoriseagain.Theslopewasfarmoregentlethanthedescentfromthepromontoryhad

been.Itwasconsistent,though.Theelevationincreasedstepbystep.ThelineofSpaceMarinesdetouredaroundamassivefern,itstrunkthickasaflagship’scannon.Itsenormousfrondshunglowovertheirheads.Theymovedbackandforth,theirbladespassingovereachother,creatingshifting,interlockingpatterns.Theywerethehandsofamesmerist,summoningthegaze,luringthemind.Pteroslashedatthemwithhislightningclaws.‘Dangerous?’Khi’demasked,watchinggreenshredsfluttertotheground.‘Perhaps,’Pteroanswered.Hegavethetrunkapartinggougeastheypassed.‘Youarefrustrated,brother.’‘Iam.’

‘Youdoubtthewisdomofthismission?’Ptero’ssighwasacrackleofstaticoverthevox.‘Ihopeitsucceeds.Thepotentialforvaluable

intelligenceisgreat,andgiventhelosswehavesuffered,wehaveveryfewcrediblemeansofstrikingbackopentous.’‘But?’‘Iamtroubledbywhatwearefightinghere.Thehostilityofthisplanetissomethingmorethanferal.

Thereisanenemyhere,butIdonotknowhowtofightit.’‘NeitherdoI.’ThecombatphilosophiesoftheSalamandersandtheRavenGuardwerepolesapart.

Neithertheunbreakablelinenorthelightningstrikewouldservehere,though.Whenthelanditselfwashostile,therewasnogroundtohold,andnoterraintoexploit.Asthelandcontinueditsslowrise,thejungleunveiledvariationsinitscharacter.Thelegionaries

passedthroughareaswherethetreeshadbeentoppled.Somehadbeenuprooted.Thetrunksofmanyothershadbeensnappedintwo,orhadtheirtophalvesshearedaway.Khi’demsawaclusterofconifersthatlookedasiftheyhadbeenflattenedintosplinters,andatleastonetreesuspendedbythebranchesofothersagoodtenmetresofftheground,asifithadflownthere.Thecloudsweredark,angrybruisesvisiblethroughtheraggedwoundinthecanopy.Theslopelevelledoff.Theterrainwasflatforseveralhundredmetres,thenbeganadescentasgradual

astheascenthadbeen.Theyhadbeenmoving,Khi’demrealised,overalowplateau,itsfeaturesroundedbyerosionandaccumulatedvegetation.Theyhaddescended,hejudged,abouttwo-thirdsofthewaybacktowardsthejunglefloorwhenAtticusspokeontheopenvox-channel.‘MistressErephrensaysweareveryclose,’hesaid.AndPteropaused,headcocked,andsaid,‘Wearebeinghunted.’

Galbacouldseetheskyagain.Hecouldalsohearthepoundofsurf.Theywerelessthanakilometrefromthecoast.Thetreesaheadweredead.Theirbranchestangledwitheachother,creatingaweboftalons.Lightfiltereddownfromabove,brokenintoharshfragments,likestainedglassinacathedralofpredation.Thetrunksweremorespreadouthere,andtherewasnounderbrush.Thegroundwascoveredindesiccatedvegetablematter,sobrittleitturnedtodustunderthetreadofthelegionaries.Butthen,aboutfiftymetresahead,therewasaclusteroftreesthathadgrowntogethersoclosely,theyformedawall.Theyweredead,too.Theyweretheskeletonsofgiants,pressinginagainsteachothertohidethesecretthathadkilledthem.Erephrenhadbeenwalkingfasterduringthelastfewminutes.Herfacewasetchedbycanyonsof

exhaustion.Herskin,alreadyableached,unhealthypale,hadturnedthegreyofcrumblingbones.Butshemovedasifhauledforwardbyaterriblegravitationalforce.WhenGalbaspoketoher,heranswerswerebrief,distracted.Itseemedtohimthatherconsciousnesshadalreadyreachedtheirdestination,andnowherbodywashurryingtocatchup.Therewasastripofopengroundjustbeforethetreecluster.Atticusorderedastopatitsborder.Galba

hadtorestrainErephrenfromchargingacross.‘It’sthere,’shegasped,pointingandreaching.Theemptyorbsofhereyeswerefixedonthetrees.‘I

havetobethere.’‘Youwill,’saidAtticus.‘OnceIknowwhatthosetreesconceal.’HeturnedtoCamnus,theTechmarine.

‘Auspex?’‘Nothingorganic,brother-captain.Nothingsensible,either.’ThenGalbawashearingfromPtero.‘Sir,’thesergeantsaid.‘Wehaveanattackapproachingfromthe

rearlines.Multiplelargecontacts,movingtosurround.’

‘Confirmed!’saidCamnus.‘Closinginfromdownslopeaswell.’Atticuscursed.‘Darras,takethosetreesdown.Therestofus,testudoformation.’Hepointedat

Erephren.‘Youwillbeinthecentre,andyouwillfindthestrengthtoresistthecall,oryouwillbeofnousetothisLegion.’Hestoodinfrontofherashespoke,betweenherandhergoal.GalbaknewthatErephrencouldseeneitherAtticusnorthetrees,butshereactedasifshecould.Hernear-madnessdiminished,thedriveforwardsbreakinglikesurfagainsttheimmovablethingofwarbeforeher.‘Soordered,’sheresponded.Darraschargedforwardswithademolitionsteam.Whiletheysetexplosivecharges,theothersquads

cametogetherinatightbox.Theywereshouldertoshoulder,gunsfacingoutonallsides.Therewasnospacebetweenthem.Theywereamassofceramite,amovingfortress,everybolteraturrettocutdownanyfoethatdaredapproach.Therewasamomentoftension,briefbutreal,overtheroleoftheSalamanders.Khi’demmadenorequestofAtticus.Evenso,withacurtnod,thecaptainoftheIronHandsindicatedtheyshouldjointheformation.TheRavenGuardpreferredspeedandflexibility,andremainedagroupapart,movinginparallelwiththemainforce.Inthefewsecondsthathadpassedsincethewarninghadbeengiven,theapproachingenemyhadcome

closeenoughtobeheard.Snarlsechoedinthegreendarkness.Branchessnappedbeforethepassageofheavybodies.Theformationbeganitsadvanceacrosstheopenareatothecluster.‘Darras,’Atticussaid.‘Status?’‘Atyourcommand.’‘Doit.’Aseriesofexplosionsblewapartthebasesofthetrunks.Thetreeswavered,then,withdeafening

cracks,pulledawayfromeachother’sembraceandfell.Theycamedownlikethehatchesofanimmensedroppod.Fromhispositionontherightflank,Galbawatchedtheirdescent,notworriedthattheywouldfallontheformation.Darraswasamasterofthephysicsofdemolition.Thegroundshudderedwiththeimpactofthehugetrunksoneithersideofthelegionaries.Thetreeshadconcealedacolumnofblackstone.Thecolourwasdeepasobsidian,buttherewasno

sheen,noreflection.Itseemedtoabsorblight,spreadingahaloofshadows.Itwastwisted,curvingawayfromtheverticalasitreareduplikeastrikingserpent.Itspeakwassplitintothreehookshapes,likeanopentalon.Itssurfacewascrackedandlined,anditseemedtoGalbathattherewasapatterntheretosee.Buthisgazekeptslippingaway.Hecouldnotfocusonasinglespotonthecolumn.Atfirstglance,hehadassumedthestructurewasartificial,buttherewasalsoasuggestionofflowtotherock,asifithaderuptedmoltenfromtheearthandcooledintothisshape.Hisguttoldhimthatsomehowbothpossibilitieswerewrongandcorrect.TheIronHandswereonlyafewmetresfromthecolumnwhenthehuntersarrived.Theyemergedfrom

thejungleonallsides.Theyhesitatedforamoment,sniffingtheairandstaringattheirprey,choosingtheangleoftheirattack.‘BrotherPtero,’Galbavoxed,‘Ihopeyoudon’tobjecttothebiologyofthesebeasts.’‘No,’Pteroreplied.‘Thoseareflesh-eaters.Withoutadoubt.’

TheIronHandsbattlethemonstersofPythos

Theywerebipedalsaurians,perhapseightmetrestall.Forcreaturesthatsize,theirbuildwassurprisinglylithe.Theirforearmswerelong,andendedinfive-fingeredhandswhosethumbswereblade-shapedclawsthesizeofchainswords.Theirneckswerelongandsinuous,accountingforalmostathirdoftheirheight.Theirjaws,filledwithgladius-sizedteeth,hungopenastheypanted.Theylookedliketheyweresmiling.Galbacountedtwentythatwerevisible.Hecouldhearmoreinthejunglebehindthefrontlines.The

individualmergedintoasinglecollectivegrowlthatresonatedinGalba’schest.Itwasacarnivoroussong,achoirofanimalhateandeagerness.Thesauriansbegantoadvance.‘Fire,’Atticussaid.Hisraspoverthevoxwasjustaspredatory.Forthefirstfewseconds,thetranshumanhunterscontrolledthefield.Theirweaponstoretheleading

sauriansapart,blastingheads,severinglimbsandnecks,shootingtorsostopieces.Then,withlethalagility,thereptilesretaliated.Theycouldleap.Thesecondlineexplodedfromthetreecover,vaultingoverthetwitchingcarcassesoftheirfallen.Galba’sshotsweresuddenlytoolowasacreaturesoaredtwometresabovetheground,comingstraightforhim.Itlandedjustinfrontofhim,smashingintothegroundwithsuchforcethatthetremoralmostknockedhimfromhisfeet.Thebeastslashedathimwiththumb-blades.Heparriedwithhisbolter.Thesaurianarcheditsneck

overhisdefencesandclampeditsjawsoverhishead.Heheardteethshatteragainstceramite,buthealsofeltothersdigintohisgorget,stabbingforhisthroat.Hefiredblind.Theimpactfromtheshellstorethemonsteraway,knockingitbackastep.Roaringpainandrage,itsribsvisiblethroughtheholesinitstorso,itlungedathimstraighton.Hecrouched,firingupthroughthesaurian’sjaws,andblewoutthetopofitsskull.Ashestraightened,aglancingblowtohisleftmadehimstumble.Anotherreptilehadlandedfullonthe

brotherathisside.Thebeastwascrushingthelegionary,tonnesofboneandfleshsmashinghisarmouropenlikeaneggshell.Galbastitchedfireupthebeast’sflankandthroughitsneck.Itsfrenzyrefusedtoletitdie.Beforeitfell,itrakeditsclawsthroughthebodyofitsvictim,rippinghimopen.OtherIronHandswereslaughteredbythesaurians,andtheformationcontracted,anever-tighterfist.

Thewarriorsadjustedtheirfire.Nolongertakenbysurprisebytheagileleapingofthemonsters,theykilledmoreofthematadistance.Yetthesaurianskeptcoming.Thebloodintheairwascallingthehuntingpacks,andthenumbersweregrowing.Theformationreachedthecolumn.‘MistressErephren,’Atticussaid.‘Dowhatyoumust.Brothers,

conserveyourammunition.Ourjourneyisonlyhalfdone.’Galbaswitchedtohischainsword.Thebattleturnedintoamelee.Thesaurianscrowdedin,fighting

andclawingateachotherforachanceattheprey.TheIronHandsweresurroundedbyawallofhideandfangsandclaws.Galba’schainswordwhined,thebladebitingthroughmuscleandbonewitheveryswing.Itwasimpossibletomiss,buttheattackswerealmostashardtoavoid.Theblowsraineddownwithmassiveanimalfury.Thecolumnwasathisbacknow.Hewasnopsyker,buthefeltsomethingemanatingfromthestoneand

seepingintohisconsciousness.Itwasvibration,itwasheat,itwasinsinuation.Foramoment,hethoughtheheardlaughter,butthenadroolingmawwasfillinghissight,andtherewasonlyroaringinhisears,andheansweredwithhisownroarsofwarandofblade.OverthevoxcameErephren’sgasp.Bothhandsonhischainsword,reptilianbloodcascadingoverhim,

Galbakepthisgazeforward,survivingsecondbysecond.Butheknewthattheastropathhadtouchedthecolumn.Hefelthershockasajaggedcutintheuncannypresenceofthestone.Heheardgruntsofsurpriseoverthevox,andknewthatthemomenthadresonatedovertheentireformation.‘MistressErephren?’Atticussaid,thestrainofcombatcomingthroughevenhismechanicaltones.

‘Yes,captain.’Erephren’sstrainwasdifferentinkindanddegree.Galbawasastonishedthatshecouldspeakatall.Hervoicewasbrittleasancientpaper,faintastheshadowofhope,itsmereexistenceanactofextraordinarywill.‘Wecango,’shecroaked.‘Wemustgo.’‘Bolters,’Atticusordered.‘Fireatwill.’Galbabroughtthechainsworddowninalethalarc,guttingthesaurianbeforehim.Hemag-lockedthe

chainswordtohissideandpulleduphisbolterinasinglefluidmotion.Hepulledthetriggeratthesamemomentashisbattle-brothers.Theblastofpoint-blankmass-reactiveshellshitthesaurianslikeanartillerybarrage.Theanimalsscreamed,thesoundhighandgurgling,andcutshort.Carcassesblownwideopen,theywerepropelledbackwardsintotheironcomingkin.‘Punchthrough,’saidAtticus.Theformationturnedintoawedge.Withthecaptainatthefront,theIronHandsandSalamandersbroke

thelineofpredators,abluntarrowheadtearingthroughthebarrierofragingflesh.TheRavenGuardhadbeenharryingtherearofthesaurianpacks,underminingtheirsiegeofthelargerformation.Nowtheyconcentratedtheirattacksonthereptilesattackingfromupslope.Thesaurianswerecaughtbetweenthetwogroupsoflegionaries,andtheattackfaltered.Thewedgepickedupspeed.Theweaponsfirewascontinuous,andatlastthenumbersofsauriansbegantodrop.Nomorepackswerejoiningthehunt,andthesurvivorsbegantohangback.Bythetimethelegionariesreachedthetopoftheplateau,thereptileshadgivenupthepursuit.They

contentedthemselveswiththecorpsesthatsurroundedthecolumn.Galbacouldhearthemsnarlandsquabbleoverthespoils.Heknewthereweremanyoftheirownkindforthereptilestofeastupon.Hetriednottothinkabouttheotherbodiesleftbehind.ButthenheheardVektus’slow,steadycursing.TheApothecarywastwomenupfromGalba’sposition.‘Notaone,’Vektuswassaying.‘Notasolitaryonerecovered.’Hewasfurious.Galbawinced.MorelossestheIronHandscouldnotafford.Moregene-seedgoneforever,andsothe

futureoftheLegionimpoverishedbyjustthatmuch.Morebrothersdeniedthemostbasicdignityindeath.Andnowhecouldnotstopthinkingaboutwhatwasbeingdevouredintheshadowofthecolumn.

FOURFoothold

NothingtofearSynaesthesia

Thebasewasestablishedatthelandingsite.Itcouldonlybeapproachedbylandfromtheeast,butAtticusstillorderedwallsconstructedalongtheentireperimeterofthepromontory’slevelpeak.ModularfortificationsandhousingwerebroughtdownbylighterfromtheVeritasFerrum,alongwiththeconstructionteamsofLegionserfs.Reinforcementscametoo.Bynightfall,afortresshadrisenonPythos.Itwasanironripostetotheplanet’ssavagery.IfthejunglehadtriedtoscourtheIronHandsfromPythos’ssurface,ithadfailed.Theywouldbehereforaslongastheychosetobe.Erephrenwasawareofthestrongholdcomingintobeingaroundher.Thoughshecouldnotseeit,she

feltitsweight.Shewasresponsibleforthecomingofthewalls,thecommandpost,thedormitorium,thesupplydepotandmore.Thebasewas,innosmallmeasure,hercreation.Itwasherquestthathaddriventhelegionariesthroughthejungle,andthathadexactedaheavytoll.Itwasherdecisiontohavethebaseconstructedhere,ratherthanatthesiteofthecolumn,andshewasgratefultohavebeenabletomakethatchoice.‘Areyoucertain?’Atticushadaskedherwhentheyhadreturnedtothelandingsite.‘Wewilltakethe

landaroundthecolumn,ifyouneedthatlevelofproximity.’‘Captain,’shehadreplied,‘thatterrainisindefensible.’Shewasstillhorrifiedbythethoughtofthe

livesnecessarytoseizeandholdthatlow-lyingsectionofthejungle.Shewasterrifiedbytheprospectofremainingthatclosetothecolumn.‘Thereisnoterrainthatcannotbetaken,’Atticushadsaid.‘Ifthatiswhatisrequired,thatiswhatwe

shalldo.’‘No,theinitialcontactwasenough,captain.Thisdegreeofproximitywillsuffice.Icandowhatmust

bedonefromhere.’Insidethecommandblock,therewasasmall,windowlessroom,barelylargeenoughforherastropath’s

throne.Hereshesat,andastheconstructioncarriedonoutside,sheopenedhermind’seyetothecolumn,afewthousandmetresinthedistance.ShehadnottoldAtticuswhatshehadexperiencedwhenshetouchedthecolumn.Inthatinstant,the

warphadunfoldedbeforeherlikeasuddenblossom.Revelationuponrevelationhadpouredintoherconsciousness,vistasofmadnessandimmensitiesoftheimpossiblecascadingovereachother.Justbeforeshehadpulledaway,shehadcaughtaglimpseofthingsjustoverthehorizonofherknowledge.Apalace,afortress,amazeandagarden.Theimpressionswereludicrous,sheknew.Theyweremerelyherinterpretationofformlessness,hermind’sneedforpatternsimposingthemwherenoneexisted,likeseeingshapesintheclouds.Thatwasalltheywere.Theycouldbenothingelse.Yetherterrorattheprospectoftheirunveilinghadjoltedherhandawayfromthecolumn.Shedidnotliketothinkaboutwhatshehadwitnessed,butshehadnochoice.Itwasthesingularity

nestledatthecentreofhermind,andallherthoughtsnowcircledit.Shecouldnotescapeitspull,butshefearedtheannihilationofherselfifshegaveintoitsspirallingfascination.Thatfear,shehoped,alongwiththephysicaldistance,wouldgiveherthestrengthsheneededtoreadtheunfoldingofthewarpwithoutdisappearingintoit.Andreaditshemust,becauseshehadcaughtaglimpseofsomethingelseinthosemomentsofcontact.

Shehadseenafleet.

NightfellonPythos,andwasitsownsortofpredator.Thecloudcoverwasthick,nottobepiercedbystarormoon,andsothedarknesswascomplete.Itwasasmotheringobscurity.JeruneKanshellfoundithardtobreathe.Thetoo-richscentsofthejungle,carriedonahumidityhecouldalmosttouch,wrappedthemselvesaroundhisheadandsqueezed.Ittookarealeffortnottogasp.Ifhebeganthatfutilestruggleforcleanerair,hewouldnotbeabletostop.Hehadalreadyseenseveraloftheotherserfswhohadcomedownwithhimsuccumbingtohitching,desperategulps.Theyfoundnorelief,andhecouldseepanicgrowingintheireyes.Sohekepthisbreathingsteady.Thedarkhadotherweapons,too.Thesoundsofthejungleseemedtogrowlouder.Kanshellhadnot

beenabletoseemorethanafewmetresintothetreeswhenhehadarrivedinthedaylighthours.Thewallshadbeencompletedbeforetwilight.Hisdutiesdidnottakehimtotheramparts,sohenolongersawanythingofthejungle,andhadnotforseveralhours.Butwhenthelastofthelightintheskyhadfaded,thecallsandcriesofthelandhadgrowninintensityandfrequency.Hewassureofit.Helistenedwithdreadastheoverlappingsnarlsofperpetualwarhadtakenonanawfulkinshiptoachoir.Pythoswassinging,anditssongwasmurder.Theserfdormitoriumwasalarge,rectangularstructurenearthenorthernwall.Hisconstructionshift

done,hewalkedacrossthecompound,hisshadowajagged,angularthingintheharsharclighting.Heslowedasheapproachedthedoorway.AgnesTanaurawassittingonthegroundbesideit.Shewasstaringupintothevoidofthesky.Therewasnothingbeatificinherfacetonight.Sheseemedworried.Shelookeddownandsawhim.Shemusthavenoticedhisreluctantpace,becauseshesaid,‘I’mnot

goingtopreachtoyoutonight,Jerune.Nothere.’‘Worriedyou’llbecaught?’Hewasnotinateasingmood.Buttheweightofthenightwasoppressive,

thecriesofthejungleasnappingofjawsagainsthispsyche.TauntingTanaurawasnothingmorethanbravado.‘No,’sheanswered,notrisingtohisbait.Eithershesawthroughit,orshedidnotcare.‘Ineedallmy

faithformyselftonight,’shesaid.‘I’msorry.’Shewasgenuinelyashamed.‘Don’tbe,’hesaid,feelingtheflushofhisownshame.‘Bestrong,’hesaid,notsurewhyhedidso,but

answeringaneedforsolidarity.Confused,nervous,heavoidedlookingatherasheenteredthebarracks.Theinteriorwasasingleopenspacefilledwithrowsofbunksstackedfivehigh.Kanshellmadehiswaybetweenthem,followingthedimlumen-stripsonthefloortohisbillettowardstherear.Mostoftheotherswereoccupied.Thedormitoriumwasquiet,andthesilencemadehisskincrawl.Therewasnosnoring.Everyserfhepassedwaslyingstill,fullyawake.Thebreathingheheardwasshallow,hesitant.Hewassurroundedbypeoplewhowerewatchful,waiting,strainingtohear.Theeffortwascontagious.Whenheclimbedaladdertohistopbunkandlaydown,hetoobegantolisten.Hewaslisteningforsomethinghedidnotwanttohear.Hedidnotknowwhatitwouldbe.Itwas

somethingbeyondthegrowlsofbeasts.Itwassomethingthatcoiledbehindthenight.Realitywasamembrane.Itwastoothin,andstretchingthinnerasitfoughttocontainwhatpressedagainstit.Hepressedhispalmsagainsthiseyes.Wherewashefindingtheseideas?Theywerenonsense.They

wererelicsofadark,superstitiousage.TheyhadnoplaceintheenlightenedImperium.Tanauraandhercroniescouldpreachwhattheywantedaboutdivinity,butheknewtheImperialTruth,andsohealsoknewwhatithadtosayabouttheseirrationalterrors.‘That’senough,’hewhispered,barelyloudenoughtohearhisownwords.‘Enough,enough,enough.’

Thewordswerebrittle.Theycrumbledlikecharredpaper,flakingintoash.Whentheyweregone,thefalsesilenceinthedarkslitheredcloser.Heheldhimselfrigid,tendonspoppingwiththeeffortofdenial.

Hetriedtowhisperagain.Hetriedtosay,‘Thereisnothingthere.’Thewordsdiedbeforehecouldspeakthem.Whatiftheypreventedhimfromhearingwhathefearedtohear?Whatifhedidnotknowitwasuponhim?Onallsideswererowuponrowofmenandwomenlyingjustasstill,justasterrifiedashewas.

Anticipationwasturningintomadness.Withinminutesoflyingdown,Kanshellwasnolongertryingtotalkhimselfoutofhisfear.Hewasconsumedbyit.Andstillheheardnothingandsawnothing.Nothingtohear.Nothingtosee.Nothingtofear.Nothing,nothing,nothing.Butthenothingwasfragile.It

wouldtakelittletoshatterit.Andwhenthathappened,whatwouldcome?Hisimaginationranriotatthethought.Itcouldnotconjureananswer,soitsubjectedhimtoanavalancheofshapelessterrors,malformeddeathsandcreeping,dreadfulintangibility.Hewassuffocating.Hishandscurledintoclaws.Hewantedtoriptheairsohecouldbreatheagain.Hischestbegantohitchwithsilentgasps.Hismouthopenedwide.Thescreamwassilent.Soundwasforbidden,becauseofwhatitmightconceal.Andstilltherewasnothing.Until,likeinsectsattheedgeofhisvision,therewassomething.

DarrassawKhi’demheadingtowardstherampart.Hemovedforwardstointercept.‘Areyoulookingforsomething,sonofVulkan?’heasked.Hecongratulatedhimselfonkeepinghistonepolite,butfirm.Hehadnotgivenintohisinstincttoopenwithhostilities.HewalkedafewstepsaheadoftheotherSpaceMarineandthenstopped,facinghim.Khi’demdidnotforcetheissue.Hestoppedtoo.‘Iwasgoingtowalkalongthewall,’hesaid.‘Youthinkwemighthavebeennegligentinourdefences?’‘Notatall.’‘ThenIdon’tseewhythistourofyourswouldbenecessary.’‘Areyouforbiddingmeaccess?’Khi’demasked.Darraswasimpressedinspiteofhimself.TheSalamanderhadeveryrighttobeinablindrage,buthe

wascalm.Thequestionsoundedmorelikeanhonestenquirythanachallenge.‘No,’hesaid.‘ButIamsuggestingyougoelsewhere.’‘Why?’‘Ourcaptainisupthere.SoisBrother-SergeantGalba.’‘Isee.’‘Doyou?DoyouunderstandtheharmyoudoGalbainourcaptain’seyeswheneveryouareseeninthe

sergeant’spresence?’‘Ah,’saidKhi’dem.‘IthinkIdonow.Thankyouforspeakingtome,SergeantDarras.Iwilldoasyou

suggest.’DarraswaitedwhileKhi’demwalkedaway.Goon,hethought.Makeyourselfusefulandstayoutof

ourway.HecouldseethelogicbehindGalba’speacemakingefforts,buthesawnothingtobegainedbythem.TherecouldbenorelyingontheSalamandersandtheRavenGuard.Galbawasgivingintoanindulgenceifhethoughtotherwise,onethatcouldhurthisownreliabilityinthefield.Darrashopedhecouldmakehimseesense.

Thenighttastedwrong.Galbastoodontheeasternrampartofthebase,watchingthejungle.Hehadstoodthereforhalfanhour,

tryingtoidentifywhatwasbotheringhim.ItwasmorethanthedarknessthatcloakedPythos’scarnivores.Herealisedwhatitwasjustashebecameawareofaloomingpresencetohisright.Heturnedtoseehis

captainstridinghisway.Atticuswastherationalembodied.Whatwasnotgenhancedwasbionic.Hisexistencewasthetriumphofscience.Illogicalthoughtbrokeapartashewalked.Atticusdemandeddisciplineofreasonaswellasstrategy,andhewouldhaveboth.Evenso,thenighttastedwrong.‘Brother-sergeant,’Atticusgreetedhim.‘Captain.’‘Youarewatchingforsomething.Whatisit?’Galbachosehiswordscarefully,anddoingsowasduty,notevasion.Hewouldneverdissemblefrom

thecaptain.Butnorwouldhebeimprecise,andhewaswrestlingwithafrustratingvagueness.‘Iamnotsure,’hesaid.‘ThereisatasteintheairthatIcannotidentify.’‘Weareinajungle,SergeantGalba.Giventhesheerabundanceoflife,someconfusionofscentsand

tasteswouldhardlybesurprising,evenwithoursenses.’Hehadnotmentionedscents.‘Youareexperiencingsomethingsimilar,captain?’‘NothingIwouldnotexpect.’Atticusspokewithouthesitation,asifthiswassomethinghehadalready

debatedonhisown.Galbahesitated,thendecidedhecouldnotacceptthisexplanationtooreadily.‘Thereisbloodinthe

air,’hesaid.‘Ofcoursethereis.Wehaveseentheferalnatureofthisplanet.’‘Butthereissomethingunderneaththattaste,’Galbainsisted,‘andIhaveneverencountereditbefore.’Atticuswassilentforamoment.Thenhesaid,‘Describeit.’‘IwishIcould.’Heclosedhiseyesandtookadeepbreathofthefoetidnight.Heconcentratedonthe

workofhisneuroglottisasitanalysedtheodoursatanear-molecularlevel.‘Thetastemakesnosense,’hesaid.‘Itdoesn’ttastelikeanything.’Hestopped.Thatwaswrong.Whatwastherebeneath,beyondtheblood,yetlinkedtoit,didhaveataste.Ittastedof…Hestaggered.Hebrokethroughthesensorycamouflageandplungedintoanabyssofimpossibility.‘It

tastesofshadow,’hegasped,andtheshadowsfilledhisthroat.Hecoughed,tryingtoexpelthem.Buttheywereknowntohimnow,andhecouldnotshedtheknowledge.‘Brother-sergeant?’Atticusasked.Galbacouldbarelyhearhim.‘Ismellwhispers,’hesaid.Hedidnotknowifhehadspokenaloud.The

shadowsandwhisperswerethewholeworld.Theywereasynaesthetichell.Gaggingonthewet,clingingsmokeoftheshadows,hecouldnotseewhatcastthemordiscerntheirshape.Becausehedidnothearthewhispers,hecouldnotunderstandthem.Hesensedthecontoursofwords,andthemalevolentstenchofalanguagethatmustneverbeunderstoodbyanythingsane.Meaninghoveredjustoutsidehisawareness.Ithadashape,ashapethatsoundedlikethelaughterofpreyandthescreamofastar.Atticuscaughthimbythearmashiskneesbegantobuckle.Astrangenoisebuzzedandechoedaround

him.Itseemedtobecomingfromthecaptainhimself.Itkeptrepeating.Afteranage,Galbarealisedthatitwashisnamehewashearing.Hegrabbedontothathandholdofrationalityandusedittoclimbbacktosteady,logicalground.Realitybecamesolidoncemore.Hissensesrightedthemselves.Hestraightened.‘Idon’tunderstandwhathashappened,’hesaid.‘Iamnotapsyker.’Hedislikedhisdefensivetone.Atticus’sremainingorganiceyefixedhimwithapurposefulglare.‘Rememberwhereweare,’hesaid.

‘Thebarrierbetweenrealityandthewarpisthinhere.Wecannotbesurprisedbyeffectscausedbyintrusionsoftheempyrean.Itwouldbestrangeifwedidnotexperiencesomekindofhallucination.’‘Thiswasmorethanahallucination.Thewhispers–’Atticuscuthimoff.‘Theywerenotwhispers.Thatishowyouinterpretedwhatyouexperienced.I

heardnothing.’

Becauseyouchosenottolisten,Galbathought.Thenhepushedthethoughtaway.Atticuswasright.HewasreactingasifhehadneverheardoftheImperialTruth.Therehadbeennowhispers.Therehadbeennoshadowsunderhistongue.Mostimportantly,therehadbeennobrushwithamalignintelligence.‘NeitherdidI,’hesaid,agreeingwiththecaptainandfindingthatwhathesaidwastrue.Hehadheardnothing.Thensomeonestartedscreaming.

Foramoment,Kanshellthoughtthescreamswerehisown.Hismouthwasstillwideopen.Hehadhishandspressedagainsthisears,hiseyesshuttightagainstthemovingdark.Butstillhecouldsensetherustlingflowofamillioninsects.Hecouldfeelthebreathofliplessmouthsshapingwordsofobscenity.Soofcoursetherewasscreaming.Butitwasnothis.Histhroatwaslockedtightbytheterrorofthealmost-seen.Hefeltthevisitation

passoverhim.Itwasnomoresubstantialthanathought.Perhapsthatwasallitwas.Butanideacouldbedangerous.Itwasthoughtsandnothingmorethathadreducedhimtoparalysis.Thethoughtranaclawdownhisflesh.Itscrapedhisheartwithice.Anditwasnothisthought.Itwasnotthethoughtofanyhuman,yetithadcomefromsomethingthatknewthefearsofmenandwomen,knewtheireveryshapeandnuanceandflavour,knewthemasifitwereforgedofthoseveryfears.Kanshell’sbreathwheezedoutofhistautthroatwithatiny,high-pitchedwhine.Theideahoveredover

himforamoment,andthenitmovedon.Hedidnotknowwhereithadgone,onlythatitwasnolongertryingtotempthimtoopenhiseyesandletthemadnesstakehold.Butsomeonewaslooking,becausesomeonewasscreaming.Someonehadlookeduponthethingthat

didnotexist,exceptasaconcept,andthathadbeenenough.Thevoicewasmale.Itwashittingregistersmoreanimalthanhuman.Themanshriekedwithoutstoppingforbreath.ThenKanshellheardrunningfeet.Thethoughtfaded.Withitwentthefear.Initsplacecameashamethatwasalmostwelcome.He

loweredhishandsandopenedhiseyes.Therewasnothinglurkingbytheceiling.Thedormitoriumwasasithadbeenearlier,onlynowtherewasstirringinthebunks.Thescreamingbouncedoffthewalls,tearingatKanshellwithitspainandhorror.Hisshameforcedhimintoaction.Hejumpeddownfromhisbillet,landedawkwardly,andstumbleddowntheaisle.Thescreamswerecomingfromthemesshallattachedtothedormitorium.Heranforthedoorway,racingaheadoftheshame.HisterrorofnothinghadputalietohisfaithintheImperialTruth,andhewouldredeemhimselfbybringingcomfortandreasontothetormentedman.Ashereachedtheentrancetothemesshall,thequalityofthescreamschanged.Theybecameragged.A

terriblewetretchingchokedthemoffforamoment,andthentheystartedupagain,atahigherpitch.ItsoundedtoKanshellasifthereweretwovoicesnow,thescreamsentwininginachoralhelixofdespair.Heburstthoughtheplasteeldoor.GeorgPaertstoodinthecentreofthehallwithhisbacktoKanshell.

Hewasalone.Hisshoulderswereshaking.Hisarmswereup,elbowsout,asifhishandswereathisface.Bothscreamswerecomingfromhim.Kanshellmadehiswaybetweenthemetaltablestowardstheenginariumserf.‘Georg?’hesaid,trying

tokeephisownvoicesteadyandcalm,yetloudenoughforPaerttohearoverhisshrieks.Ashedrewnear,hesawthatPaertwasstandinginaspreadingpoolofblood.‘Georg?’hesaidagain.Calmandpurposeweredesertinghim.Theterrorwasreturning.Paertturnedaround.Kanshellrecoiled.Theotherserfhadtornhisownthroatapart.Fleshandmuscle

hungliketatteredcurtains.BloodsoakedPaert’stunicandhands.Hismouthhungopen,butnosoundwouldevercomefromitagain.Yetstilltherewasscreaming,stillthetwovoicescamefromoneman,andnowthescreamsformed

contrapuntalsyllables:MAAAAAAAA,DAAAAAAIIIL.Theycreatedasingleword,andthewordwasblood,anditwasmadness,anditwasdespair.Anditwasaprayer.Paertfelltohisknees,hislifegushingfromhisbody.Heraisedhishandstohiseyesandplungedhis

fingersintothem.Hedugdeeplyandpulled,asifwrenchingchoicemeatfromacarcass.Hishandsfullofjelliedruin,hecollapsed.Kanshellsteppedbackwards,hisvisionstillfilledwiththeworsthorror,whichhadnotbeenPaert’s

suicide.Theworsthorrorlatchedontohisreasonlikeacancer.Heheardthetreadofceramitebootsbehindhim,andheturnedtoseeGalbaandAtticus.Thegodsof

reasonhadarrivedtoolate.Therewouldbenoreassuranceforhimnow.Theawehehadalwaysfeltintheirpresencewasdrownedbytheworsthorror.HestaredattheIronHands,andhegavewordstotheworsthorror.‘Hiseyes,’hecroaked.‘Hiseyeswerescreaming.’

FIVETheprizeHamartiaPerfection

‘Weknewtherewouldbehallucinations,’Atticustoldhisassembledofficers.Theywerestandinginthecommandmoduleofthebase.Thechamberwasasparseone,reducedtothebaretactical.Avoxsystemoccupiedonewall,andinthecentreoftheroomwasacircularhololithtable.Thatwasall.Atticusstoodbeforethetable.HehadRhydiaErephrenathisside.Thehololithprojectorwaspoweredup,butAtticushadnotturnedthedisplayonyet.Hewasdisposingofadistractionfirst.‘Weknewwhatwouldcome,’Atticuswenton,‘anditcame.Thissystemandthisplanetaredangerous

fortheweak-minded.’‘Hemeansyou,’DarraswhisperedtoGalba.Theywerepositionednearthemodule’souterwall.Galbadidnotanswer.Hethoughtoftheruinedcorpse,andofthelookofsurpassingterroron

Kanshell’sface.Itwasawonderthathisserfwasstillsane.‘Thesearetherisksandcostsofthismission,’Atticussaid.‘Pythosishostiletofleshandtoreason.

Thesearethesimplefactsofthisterrain.Itswildlifeisdangerous,andthewarpisclosetothesurface.’‘Didwelosemanyserfs?’Vektusasked.‘Onedead,’AtticustoldtheApothecary.‘Fourothersaredemented,theirprognosisuncertain.Theone

whodiedwasunaccompaniedwhenthesuicidalfitcameuponhim.Oneofhisfellowsreachedhimtoolate.Ihavethereforeissuedastandingorderforbiddinganyserftobealone,fornomatterhowbriefaperiod.Solitudeisfertilegroundformadness.’Galbafrowned.Atticus’sresponsesmackedofexpediencyratherthanconviction.Itwastruethatthe

deadserfhadhadsometimealone.ButKanshell’saccount,totheextentthatitwascoherent,suggestedthatthevictimhadbeeninthedormitorium,farfromalone,whenreasonhaddesertedhim.Galba’ssensesstillcarriedthetracesofhisownexperience.HeknewthatAtticus’sexplanationforwhathadstruckhimwascorrect.Therewasnoroom,inthegalaxyoftheEmperor’ssingularvision,foranyotherpossibility.Heknewthis.Buthefeltthecontrary,andthisirrationalinstincttroubledhim.IthadnoplaceinalegionaryoftheIronHands.Butitwaspowerfulenoughtoassailhimwithquestionshecouldnotanswer.‘Therehavebeensacrifices,’saidAtticus.‘Therewillbemore.Theywillnotbeinvain.’Heturnedto

theastropath.‘Enlightenus,MistressErephren.’‘Ihavebeentrackingafleet,’shesaid.‘TheshipsbelongtotheEmperor’sChildren.’Thesoundofhatredcouldbedeadsilence.Galbadiscoveredthatnow.Hisdoubtsevaporated.He

sharedintherage.Itspurityburnedawayweakness.Itforgedunforgivingmetal.‘Goon,’saidAtticus.Therewasmorethanhateinthosetwosyllables.Therewaseagerness.The

captainoftheVeritasFerrumhadpreyinhiscrushinggrasp.‘Asmallersquadronhasdetacheditselffromthemaingroup.Therearethreeships.Theirdestinationis

hereintheDemeterSector.TheHamartiaSystem.’‘Tellthemthenamesoftheships,’Atticussaid.‘ThetwoescortsaretheInfiniteSublimeandtheGoldenMean.Thereisalsoabattle-barge,the

Callidora.’Galba’seyeswidened.Besidehim,Darraswasastudyinastonishment.Itwasimpossiblethat

Erephrenshouldknowsuchdetailedinformation.Yetshespokewithunwaveringauthority.Andthe

Callidora…NowhetrulyunderstoodthefireinAtticus’sorganiceye.TheVeritasFerrumhadfollowedthebattle-bargeonjointmissionsbetweentheIIIandXLegion.Itwasashipallpresentknewwell.Ithadoncelitthevoidwiththejewelledglowofbrotherhood.IthadfiredupontheminthevoidwaroverIsstvanV.‘Doyouknowwhenthey’llreachtheirdestination?’Darrasasked.‘Ido.’‘Wewillbetherefirst,’saidAtticus.‘Captain,’Galbaspokeup.‘MyfaithintheVeritasFerrumisunwavering.Butitiswounded.Itwould

beoutnumbered…’‘Andwhatmadnesswouldpossessustoassaultabattle-barge?’Atticusfinishedforhim.‘Iwouldnothavesaidmadness.’Thoughhemighthavethoughtit,andhopedtobeprovenwrong.He

watchedthecaptainclosely.Galbawouldhavesworntheexpressionlessfacewassmiling.‘Brother-sergeantGalbaisrighttovoicehisdoubts,’Atticusannouncedtotheassembledlegionaries.

‘WithouttheknowledgeMistressErephrenhasacquired,whatIproposewouldbeworsethaninsanity.Itwouldbecriminal.Butweknowtheenemy.Weknowhisdisposition.Weknowwherehewillbeandwhen.Heknowsnothingofus.Andheshallremainignorant,untilhefeelsourbladeinhishearts.’

TheHamartiaSystemwasmadeforambushes.Itsonlyinhabitedplanet,anditsinnermost,wasTydeus.Theforgeworldwasasmall,densefurnaceofaplace.Hab-domedmanufactoraecovereditssurfacelikefungi.BeyondTydeuswasnothingbutaseriesofgasgiants.Thelargest,Polynices,wasalsothefurthestfromthestar,anditsgravitationalforcehadalongreach.Theouterbodiesofthecrowdedscattereddiscsufferedunderitstyranny.Orbitswerewildlyeccentric.Planetoidsandchunksoffrozenvolatileswereinconstantcollision.Thezonewasadisorderedwebofshiftingtrajectories.Forhelmsmenandnavigators,itwasafoulplace.ItwasalsothelocationofHamartia’sMandevillepoint.Thiswaswhereshipstravellingtheempyreanwouldtransitionintothesystem.Thepointwasa

difficultonetonegotiate.Manyinexperiencedpilots,andmorethanoneveteran,hadexitedthewarponlytodrivetheirvesselsintoachunkoficethesizeofacity.NosuchaccidentcouldbefallashipoftheLegionesAstartes,buteventheircrewshadtoproceedwithcaution.Theirfocuswouldbeontheknownnaturalhazardsofthesystem.Theywouldnot,Atticushadsaid,beexpecting,orbereadyfor,anattack.Nothere,sodeepwithintheirownlines.OnthebridgeoftheVeritasFerrum,Atticusstoodinthecommandpulpitandrevealedtohis

legionariesthemechanicsofthecomingwar.Opaqueshieldingcoveredtheforwardoculus,shuttingoutthetoxicsightoftheempyreanasthestrikecruisertravelleditscurrents,makingforHamartia.Thewarpwasinstorm.TurbulenceandnavigationalanomaliesweretobeexpectedthisclosetotheMaelstrom,butthedegreeofviolencewasunprecedented.TherewasalsothedisturbingnewsabouttheAstronomican.Locatingitwasdifficult.Navigatingbyitwasimpossible.ButBhalifStrassnyhadfoundanalternative,andwasguidingtheVeritasFerrumwithassurance.TheanomalyonPythoswassostrong,itwasaspowerfulabeaconfortheDemeterSectorastheAstronomicanwasforthegalaxy.Theimplicationsweredark.Atticusignoredthem.Theircontemplationwouldnothelphimwiththe

mission.Atticustouchedthecontrolpanelbeforehim,andtheoculusactedasagiantscreen,projectingthe

schematicsoftheCallidora,theInfiniteSublimeandtheGoldenMean.CamnushadretrievedtheinformationfromthemassivedatabanksoftheVeritas’scogitators.TheIronHands’preyappearedbeforethemwitheverysecretexposed.CamnusandhisfellowTechmarineshadanalysedtheschematics,and

theirworknowdisplayedsomethingmorevitalthansecrets:weaknesses.‘Thereiswherewewillstrikethem,’Atticussaid.‘Theescortsmustbeeliminatedintheopening

momentsoftheoperation.Whenweremovethemfromthebattlefield,theCallidorawillbeours.’Hespokeincertainties.Hehadnodoubtsaboutthisengagement.Hedidnotpretendtohimselfthathewasapproachingitwithdispassion.Thoughhistonewasmeasured,therewasasearingheatinhischest,andithadaname:vengeance.Hewantedtofindhimselfknee-deepinthebloodoftheEmperor’sChildren.Beneathhisboots,hewouldhearthecrunchoftheskullsofthoseaesthetes.Therewouldbenothingbutfuryinthewarhewasbringingtothetraitors.Buthehadgoneovertheplanofattackwithacold,unforgivingeyeforflaws.Heexactedthesamedisciplinefromhimselfashedidfromthemenunderhiscommand.Heknewnoplanwasperfect.Heknewhisprimarchhadgonedowntodefeatwhileconsumedbytheneedforvengeanceaboveall

things.Healsoknewthathewouldsucceed.ThedatathatErephrenhadgivenhimwassodetailed,soprecise,

thatonlytheworstfoolcouldfailwithitinhand.Andthis,too,Atticusknew:hewasnofool.HechangedthedisplaytoamapoftheregionaroundHamartia’sMandevillepoint.‘Andthis,’hesaid,

‘ishowweshallstrikethem.’Hecouldalreadytastetheblood.

TheEmperor’sChildrensquadrontranslatedoutofthewarpafulltwenty-fourhoursaftertheVeritasFerrumhadreachedthesameMandevillepoint.TherewasnodelaybetweenthearrivalofthetraitorforcesandthelaunchingoftheIronHands’strike.Withashriekofcancerouscolours,ableedingemanationfromtheimmateriumwheretherehadbeenonlythevoid,therewerethreeships.Thesuddenpresenceoftheirenormousmassestriggeredtheminefieldthathadbeenwaitingforthem.Thetrapwasprimitiveinitssimplicity.Theusualconfigurationofaminefieldwasdesignedtointerdictawideareawiththeriskofalethalcollision,theminesalurkingpossibility.ButAtticusknewwherehisenemywouldbe.Hismineswerenotabarrier.Theywerehisclosingfist.Thepassiveauspexofeachminereactedtotheshipsandtheexplosivesflewtowardsthemonumentsofironandsteelthathadarrivedintheirmidst.Theydescendedontheshipslikeswarmsofterribleinsects.Theirstingslitthevoidwithdozensofflashes.Fireballsrippledalongthelengthsofhulls.TheInfiniteSublimewashitbyaclusterofminesamidships.Blastbuiltuponblast.Thevoidshields

collapsed,theirenergysparkingovertheshiplikejaggedaurora.Theblowscontinued,punchingthroughthestarboardplating,reachingintothecoreoftheship,snappingitsspine.TheInfiniteSublime’sammunitiondepotsfeltthekissofflameanderupted.Theshipbrokeinhalf.Ithungthereforamoment,itsshapebisectedbutstilldistinct,theprideofitsspiresandthechallengeofitsprowuntouched,asifthememoryofcenturiesofvictorieswouldknitthevesselbacktogether.Thenitwasswallowedbyitsdeath,araging,squallingnewbornsunburstingfromtheheartofitsengines.BurningplasmabathedtheeternalnightofHamartia’scoldfrontier.Itwashedovertherestofthesquadron.Flamefollowedthepressurewave,overwhelmingthereelingdefencesoftheGoldenMean.Theother

escortshiphadbegunaturnassoonasthemineshadstruck.IthadbeenhitbyalmostasmanyastheInfiniteSublime,buttheywerelessconcentrated,spreadingtheirwoundslikeaplagueofboilsoverthefulllengthoftheship’sbody.WhenthedeathcryoftheInfiniteSublimehitit,theGoldenMeanshuddered,anditsengineflaredied.Itsturncontinued,themovementclumsyandslow,thestaggerofawoundedanimal.ThestaggertookitbroadsidebeforethesightsofthewaitingVeritasFerrum.Thestrikecruiser

announceditspresence.Itslanceturretsandbatteriesopenedup.Energybeamsshotacrossthevoid.TheyannihilatedtheGoldenMean’sweakeningvoidshields.Theycuttheshipopen,slicingthroughitsplating.Thentheshellsarrived,deliveringdevastatingblowsofhighexplosives.Thebarragewascontinuous.Itwasajudgementlateincoming,ananswerforthehumiliationofIsstvan.Hellcametothecorridorsoftheescort.Awallofpurgingflameraceddowntheirlengths,consuming

legionary,helotandservitor.Allwerereducedtoash.TheGoldenMeanneverreturnedfire.Anironfistsmasheditintosubmission,intosilence,intooblivion.Itsdeathwasnotanexultationoffire.Itwasafalltoruin.Withinminutes,theonlylightontheshipwasfromthedyingflames.Abatteredhulksankintoeternalnight.Itshedwreckageasitdriftedoffinaslow,tumblingspin,justanotherdeadchunkofflotsamenteringitswanderingorbitarounddistantHamartia.ThatlefttheCallidora.Thebattle-bargewasaleviathan.Itwassocoveredinweaponryitresembleda

spinedcreatureoftheoceans.Butitwasalsoabrilliant,crystallinecity.Itwasavioletjewel,malevolent,illuminatingthevoidwithanarroganceoflight.Itwasacelebrationofexcess.Itssuperabundanceofgunswasmatchedbyabaroqueprofusionofornamentation.Thelinebetweenweaponandartwaserased.Statuesreachedouttoembracethestarswitharmsthatwerecannons.Lanceswereincorporatedintonon-representationalsculpturesthatresembledfrozenexplosions,orembodiedtheconceptsofecstasy,ofextremity,ofsensation.TheminesstrucktheCallidoratoo.Thebattle-bargerodeouttheattack.Itstitanicsilhouetteshrugged

offthedamage.Fourtimeslargerthanitsescorts,twicethesizeoftheVeritasFerrum,itwouldnotbehumbledbysuchpettymeans.TheIronHandsvesselbombardedit,butthatwouldnotbeenough,either.TheCallidoracouldbehurt,butitcouldnotbekilledbytheweaponryavailabletotheVeritas.Notbeforeitsownretaliatoryfirereducedthestrikecruisertoscrap.Atticusdidnotexpecttheminesorlancefiretokillhisprey.Hedidnotexpectthebattle-bargetobe

crippled.Hedidnotevenhopeforaseriousblow.Heplannedonamomentofblindness,ofdistraction.Therewasonewaytheforcesoftheweaker,smaller,batteredVeritasFerrumcouldkilltheCallidora.Decapitation.Atthemomentofthesquadron’stranslation,theVeritaslaunchedanotherbarrage.Thisonetravelled

moreslowly.ItwasstillsomedistancefromitstargetasthedeathoftheInfiniteSublimebrokeovertheCallidora.Itapproachedfromthestarboardsideofthebow,intheleeofthebattle-bargeasthegreatshipwasrockedbytheincineratingwave.Ontheportside,thebristlingspineswereshearedawaybytheblast.Energysurgedoverthehull.Thejewelflashedagreaterbrilliance,thenflickered,menacedbyeclipse.Itsvoidshieldsdidnotdie,buttheyfaltered,creatingtheopeningforAtticus’sstrike.TheswarmofprojectilesclosedwiththeCallidora.Theywereboardingtorpedoes.Dozens.They

crossedthevoidlikemetalsharks.Theywerethedark,blunt,directviolenceagainsttheshining,exuberantgloryoftheEmperor’sChildren.TheywereAtticus’smessagetothetraitorswhohadoncebeentheIronHands’closestbrothers.Theywerejustice,andtheywerevengeance,buttheywerealsoalesson.Hewasabouttorepayhumiliationwithhumiliation,anddosowithinterest.ThetraitorshadtriumphedonIsstvanVthroughtheagencyofsurpriseandvastlygreaternumbers.AtticuswouldshowthemthefataltruththatwastheIronHands’wayofwar.IthadnoneoftheostentationpracticedbytheEmperor’sChildren.Itwasnotadisplay,butitwasnolessprecise,nolessfinelycraftedanart.TheCallidora’slong-distanceordnanceroaredinanswertotheVeritasFerrum.Thestrikecruiser

begantotakedamage,butitwasalreadyinretreat.Itmaintaineditsattack,drawingtherageoftheCallidora.Thebattle-bargepursued,bringingitclosertotherainofboardingtorpedoes.BringingitwithinrangeofanothermoveinAtticus’slesson.Theorbitsofthescattereddiscobjectswereastudyinlethalchanceandunpredictableintersections.

TravelfromtheMandevillepointwasdangerousforanyshipuntilreachingthefrontierclearedofdebrisbytheimmensegravityofPolynices.Thereweretoomanybodies,toomanytrajectoriesthatmightchangethroughrandomcollisions.Therewasalwaystheriskofcatastrophe.Sometimes,riskcouldbeturnedintoacertainty.Wanderingthoughthebattlefieldwasachunkoficethesizeofamountain.Ofirregularshape,and

severalthousandmetreswide,itwaslargeenoughtobeathreattoships,butitwasalsohighlyvisible,eveninthisdarkquarter,shiningadullblue-whiteinthecoldlightofthesun.Itsjourneywasalsoanglingitawayfromthevoidwar.TheCallidorapasseditonthestarboardsideinpursuitoftheVeritasFerrum.Aboardoneoftheleadingtorpedoes,Atticuslookedthroughtheforwardviewingblock.Hesawthe

blindingamethystoftheCallidoraputthedimpearlofthedebristoshame.Hethought,Now.Asifobeyingtheorder,thefusionchargesplantedontheicechunkwentoff.Searinglightflashed.The

explosionbrokethebodyinhalf.Onepiecewentspinningoffintotheblack.TheotherwaspropelledtowardstheCallidora.Thefrozenfistwasathirdoftheship’ssize.Thebattle-barge’senginesflaredwiththeurgencyofitsmanoeuvre.Thebowliftedasthevesseltriedtoclimboutofthethreat’spath.Thestarboardweaponswerebroughttobear,stabbingattheoncomingmountainwithlanceandcannonandtorpedo.Theferocityofthebombardmentpunchedcratersintotheiceandboiledthesurface.Debrisandvapourstreamedoffitinatail.Ashipwouldhavebeendestroyed,itscrewincinerated.Buttherewasnocrew,andthiswasasolidmass.Itscoursewasunalterable.TheCallidoradidnothingexceptturnitintoacomet.Thecometstruckthebow.Thehitwasnotdirect,andtheshipwasstrong.Evenso,theicecrumpledthe

forwardplatinglikeparchment.Itcrushedtheprow,obliteratingthegolden-wingedemblem.Weaponssystemsvomitedarcedplasmaaurorasastheydied.Theexplosionsengulfedathousandmetresoftheship’slength.Ahundredspiresdisintegrated.Forafewmoments,thebattle-bargeresembledatorch,drivingintoitsownflame.TheCallidorawentintoaforcedspin.Thesurgefromtheenginesonlypusheditfurtheroutofcontrol.Thelightsflickered.Forthelengthofafullrevolution,theglitteringarroganceoftheEmperor’sChildrenwentdark.Theboardingtorpedoeswereonfinalapproach.AtticuswatchedtheCallidora’sslowtumble.Theship

wassohuge,itshelplessnessseemedimpossible.Itwaslikeseeingacontinentknockedadrift.Hedrankintheviewofhisenemyturnedbrieflyintodeadmetalframedbytheglowofitspain.Onefullturn,bereftofallpowerandcontrol.Thenthepowerreturned.ThevoidwaslitoncemorebytheCallidora’spride.Theshiparresteditsspin.Itcamearoundtoitspursuitheading.Itwaswounded.Itwasstilltremblingwithsecondaryexplosions.Itwasalsoangry,anditwasseekingthetargetofitsfury.Thetorpedoespassedovertheshattered,smoulderingbow.Theyflewoverthelengthofthebattle-

barge.Belowthemwasajewelledcityoftowers,anartist’stoolsofdestruction.Aheadwasthecommandisland,amassive,crownedstructurebuiltupoverthestern.Andnow,onlynow,theveilwasliftedfromtheeyesoftheEmperor’sChildren,andtheyrealisedthetruethreat.Turretschangedorientation.Cannonstrainedtheirfireontheboardingtorpedoes.Somewerehit.Atticussawfireballsheknewtobethepyresoflegionaries.Buthedidnotseemany.Theattackrippedthroughapaltrydefensivenet.Inthelastsecondsbeforeimpact,Atticusspokeoverthevoxtoallthetorpedoes.‘TheEmperor’s

Childrenworshipperfection.Letthembeholdourgifttothem,brothers.Wearebringingthesetraitorstheperfectionofwar.’

SIXPhilosophyintheabattoir

DecapitationCreon

Theboardingtorpedoeshitthecommandislandandboredtheirwayintoit.Theyweremultiplestabwounds,gladiusjabsintothethroatoftheCallidora.Atticus’sdecapitationstrategycalledforthetorpedoestostriketheupperquadrantofthestructureinwhatamountedtoacluster.TheywouldoverwhelmthedefencesbyhittingtheEmperor’sChildrenwithtoomanyattackvectors.Andtheywouldbecloseenoughtoeachotherthatthesquadscouldlinkupquickly.Atticuswasnotinterestedintheseizingoftheenginariumorthehangars.Hewantedthebridge.Thegoalsofthemissionweresimplicityitself,whichwasitsownformofperfection:killeveryone,destroyeverything.Galba’storpedocheweditswaythroughtheCallidora’splateonelevelbelowmostoftheothers.Its

hatchhissedopenand,pastthedrillheadheatedalmosttoincandescencebytheviolenceithadinflicted,theIronHandspouredout.WiththemwereKhi’demandPtero.AtticushadbentthisfartoallowtheSalamandersandRavenGuardameasureofrestoredhonour.Butnofurther:onlyonerepresentativeofeachLegionhadbeengrantedpassagetothefieldofvengeance.ThespacethatGalbaledthewaythroughwasagallery.Itwaslitwiththesameamethystglowasthe

exterioroftheship.Nowthathewassurroundedbythelight,itseemedtohimthatthehuewaslessthatofapreciousstone,andmorethatofabruise.Themarbleofthedeckingwascarpeted,andthematerialfeltstrangebeneathGalba’sfeet.Therewassomethingwrongwiththetexture.Thegalleryrantoport.Itwastwentymetreswideandoverathousandlong.Itwasdesignedtohold

visitorsbythehundreds,thatthewondersondisplayshouldbeseenbyasmanyeyesaspossible.Twomassivebronzedoors,fourtimestheheightofaSpaceMarine,stoodatthefarend.Thesquadmovedtowardsthem,passingbeneathbannershangingfromtheceilingandtapestriesdrapedonthewalls.Focusedonthedoors,alertforincomingthreats,Galbagavetheartonlythesmallestsplinterofhisattention.Heregistereditspresence,nothingmore.TheEmperor’sChildren’smaniaforpainting,sculpture,music,theatreandliteraturedidnotinteresthim.InthedaysofbrotherhoodwiththeIIILegion–howlongago?Weeks?Aneternity?–GalbahadspentsometimeaboardthevesselsofFulgrim’slegionaries.Hehadalwaysfoundtheopulencesuffocating.Everywherehehadlooked,therehadbeensomemasterpiececallingforhisattention.Ithadbeentoomuch,aclamouringofsensationsthatwasathreattotheclarityofthought.ItwasonthoseoccasionsthathehadcomeclosesttounderstandingAtticus’ssystematicstrippingawayofallthatmadehimhuman.Therewasapuritytothemachinic.ItwasabracingtonicagainsttheindulgenceoftheEmperor’sChildren.Inthosedays,Galbahadthoughtofthedifferenceaslittlemorethananaestheticpartingoftheways.

Nowhefeltaninstinctivedistastefortheartaroundhim,andherefuseditnotice.Butthecarpetstillfeltwrong.‘Brother-sergeant,’Vektussaid.‘Doyouseewhatthetraitorshavewrought?’Sohelooked.Hesaw.Hehadsupposedthebannerstobecommemorationsofbattlefieldtriumphs.

Theywereemblemsofakind,buttherewerenoflags,coatsofarmsorsymbolsofanykindthatherecognised.Runesproliferated,theirshapesandanglesalientohim,theirmeaningbeyondcomprehension,yetsquirmingjustbeneaththethiniceofreasonanddenial.Twoconfigurationskeptrepeating.Oneresembledagroupofspearscrossingtoformaneight-pointedstar.Theotherresembleda

pendulumcrownedbysickleblades.ItmadeGalbagrimaceindistaste.Hecouldnotputasidethesensationthatthesymbolwassmilingathim,anddoingsowiththemostobsceneeagerness.Itwasanabstractionofperversity,andallfleshthatfellbeneaththecurveofitsgrinwassoiled.Galbawasseizedbythewishtopurgeallthathestillpossessedoftheorganic.Onlythenwouldheberidofthetaintthattriedtocreepdeeperintohisbeing.Herippedhisgazeawayfromthebanners.Stillmovingforwards,hetookinthetruthoftherestofthe

art.TheIronHandswererunningdownagallerydevotedtocorruption,delirium,tortureandthemostexquisiteartistry.Thetapestrieswerenarrativesofbutcheryrenderedastheluxuryofthesenses.Figuresthatmightoncehavehadarelationtothehumansankfingersintotheorgansoftheirvictims,andintotheirown.Theydevouredlivingskulls.Theybathedinbloodasthoughitwereloveitself.Worsethanwhatthetapestriesportrayedwaswhattheywere.Theyweresilkandskininterwoven.Theyweretheverycrimestheycelebrated.Theywerehundredsofvictimsturnedintotheillustrationsoftheirowndeaths.AndnowGalbaunderstoodwhythecarpetfeltwrong.Itwasakindredatrocitytothetapestries.Flesh,

muscle,sinewandtendonshadbeenturned,byahandasgiftedasitwasmonstrous,intotextile.Thepilewasdeep.Whatshouldhavefeltliketannedleatherhadbeenrendered,thankstotheadditionofhair,sofinethatithadthesoftgiveofcotton,yetitretainedthewet-silksmoothnessoftissue.Itspatternwasabstract,itsshadesandflowssuggestingmusicthatwastheoriginofallscreams.Itwastheworkofmanyhands,andGalbahadnodoubtthattheownersofthosehandshadbeen,onebyone,incorporatedintotheirwork.Theirbodieshadbecometheultimatesignature.Theseartistswouldbeforeverpresentwiththeirmasterpiece.Surelythedeadcouldnotfeelpain.Sowhydiditseem,astheIronHandsthunderedalongthelengthof

thegallery,thatthecarpetwrithed?Itwasthematerial,Galbatoldhimself.Itwastheterriblegeniusofthecraftsmanship.Anyotherexplanationwasimpossible,asignofreasonbeingcontaminatedbyfantasy.Hewouldgivethetraitorsandtheirshipnosuchvictory.Instead,hebroughtannihilation.Heandhisbrotherswouldendthisviolencewithanother:the

cleansing,pureviolenceofthemachine.Hisbionicarmfeltlikeabulwarkagainstaplagueofinsanity.Hisbolterwasmorethananextensionofhisbody.Itwasthelodestoneofhisjourney,pullinghimtowardsbecomingthemostperfectweaponofwar.ForhisEmperor,forhisprimarch,hiseveryactonboardthisshipwouldbethepromiseofthat

perfection.Acleanperfection,untouchedbytheinsanityoftheflesharoundhim.AperfectionthatwoulddestroytheillusionworshippedbytheEmperor’sChildren.‘WhathappenedtothisLegion?’Vektuswondered.‘Nothingcomparedtowhatweareabouttodotoit,’Galbaanswered.‘Wecannotignorethis,’Khi’demputin.‘Ihaveneverseensuchmadness.Thereismorethansimple

treacheryatwork.’‘Thereisnothingsimpleabouttreachery,’Galbasnapped.‘Andthereisnogreatercrime.’‘WhatImean,’Khi’demsaid,‘isthatthereareterribleimplicationsinwhatweareseeing.Your

brotherisrighttoaskwhathappened.Somethingdid.Weturnfromthatquestionatourperil.’‘Oncewehavekilledthemall,therewillbeallthetimeyouwouldlikeforquestions,’Galbasaid.His

answerranghollowandinsufficientinhisears.Theywerenowonlyafewhundredmetresfromthebronzedoors.Thereliefworkwascominginto

focus.Evenfromthisdistance,itwasclearthatitwascomposedofbodiesthathadbeencoveredinmoltenmetal.Fromtheothersideofthedoorscamethesoundsofbattle:thedeepdrummingofbolterfire,thebone-sawingshriekandgrowlofchainblades,andthecriesofrageofclashinglegionaries.Risingabovethewhitenoiseofshoutscamealouder,hectoringvoice,thoughitswordswerestill

indistinct.Thenthevolumeoftheroarroselikeacrestingwave,andthedoorsopenedwithadeafeningboom.TheEmperor’sChildrenrushedthroughthedoorway.Theywereheretorepelthetransgressorsoftheirdomain.TheyranheadlongintoGalba’swelcome.Thesergeantwasattheheadofthearrowheadrush.Thegallerywaswideenoughfortheentiresquad

tospreadout,givingeverybattle-brotheraclearfieldoffire.Theyopenedupwiththeirboltersbeforethedoorshadfinishedopening.TheEmperor’sChildrencharged.Theywerenotwearinghelmets;whetherthrougharroganceorsurprise,Galbaneitherknewnorcared.Theskullsofthefront-rankwarriorsexplodedlikeoverripefruitwhenhitbythemass-reactiveshells.Thelegionarieswhofollowedonhadtheirownweaponsup.Theyreturnedfire,breakingthemomentumoftheIronHands’advance.‘Evade,’Galbavoxed.‘Butkeepclosing.’Therewasnocover.Theonlywaytoavoidaslaughterwas

toreachwiththeenemyandsmashhiminclosequarters.Thewedgelostitscleansymmetryasthelegionariesbegantozigzagatrandom.Theyranforwards

still,jerkingleftandrighttodenytheenemyacleanshot.Theyfiredtosuppress.Therewasnowayoftargetingwithanyprecisionintheseconditions.Butthesprayofroundswasstilldeadly.Galbasawanotherenemychokeashisthroatdisappeared.TheIronHands’fireboughtthemafewprecioussecondsandseveralmoremetres.Theywerethat

muchclosertothefoewhenthereturnfirebeganinearnest.ButtheEmperor’sChildrenseemedjustaseagerfortheviolenceofmelee.Theydidnotstoptoaim.Theycharged,andtheirvoiceswereraisedinshoutsofdelightasmuchastheywereinhowlsofrage.Thetwoforcesclosedwitheachother,andGalbacouldseethefacesofthetraitorsmoreclearly.The

transformationhisformerbrothershadundergonewasatleastasdisturbingasthearttheynowcelebrated.Theyhadattackedtheirownflesh.Galbasawrunesmadeofwounds.Hesawscalpsturnedintoflaps,pulledawayfromskullsbymetalarmatures.Spikes,barbedwire,twistedbitsofsculptureandotherpainfuldetritusofadepravedimaginationdisfiguredthelegionaries.Theywerelaughingattheirownpain.RushingtowardsGalbawasagrimmockeryofhisownLegion’sfusionwiththeinorganic.Wherethe

IronHandsreplacedtheweakfleshwiththestrengthofmetal,theEmperor’sChildrenusedeachtoruintheother.TheIronHandssoughtpurity.Thesecreatureswerelostinahellishrevel.Therewasnoreasonhere.Therewasonlysensation,moreandmoreandmoresensation.Toresorttothesemutilations,toexultinagony,couldonlymeanahungerthatcouldneverbeappeased.TheEmperor’sChildrennowworshippedsensation,anditsabsoluteconditiontormentedthembyremainingjustoutofreach.ThesethoughtsflickeredthroughGalba’smindashestormedtowardsthekilling.Theywerenot

consciousreflections.Theywereinstinctive,recoilingknowledge,anatavisticresponsethattheappearanceoftheEmperor’sChildrensummonedfromdepthsthatanearlier,benightedtimewouldhavecalledhissoul.Totherageofbetrayalwasaddeddisgust.Honourdemandedtheslaughterofthetraitors.Somethinglessrationalneededalltraceofthemexpunged.Forafewmoreseconds,bolterfirecriss-crossedthespacebetweenthetwoforces.Legionarieson

eithersidestaggered.GalbasawtwomoreoftheEmperor’sChildrenfalltohead-shots.Allofhisownbrotherswerestillathisside,thefistofvengeanceunbroken.ThenthewarriorsofthetwoLegionsmet.Theyweretwowavessmashingintoeachother.Thegalleryresoundedwiththunderbuiltofarmouragainstarmour,bladeagainstblade,fistagainstbone,andthethroat-tearingroarsofgiantsatwar.Inthelastmomentbeforethecollision,Galbamag-lockedhisboltertohisthighandtookuphis

chainsword.Heswungitoverhisheadwithbothhands,bringingitdownwithallthemomentumofhischarge.ThenearestofFulgrim’ssonstriedtocountertheattack.Toocaughtupintheecstasyoftherushto

battle,hehadnotyetswitchedtoameleeweapon.HisbolterwasapoordefenceagainsttheforceofGalba’sblow.Theteethofthechainwhinedastheswordswattedthebarrelaside.Thechunkofthebladediggingintotheskullofthetraitorwaswet,grinding,satisfying.Galbadrewhisfirstbloodofthewar.ThedebthadbeenowedhimsincetheCallinedesbetrayal.Atlasthecouldstrikewithhisownhandsinthenameofhisfallenprimarch.Hesawhisenemy’seyeswideninagony.Buttheyalsoshonewithexcitementattheextremityofthe

experienceasGalbasawedthelegionary’sheadintwo.Thentheeyesdulledwithdeath,andthatwasallthattrulymattered.GalbayankedhischainswordfreeofthecorpseandparriedastrikebytheSpaceMarinewholeaptoverhisfallencomrade’sbody,swinginghisownrevvingbladeforGalba’sthroat.Galbaduckedlowandbarrelledintothetraitor,knockinghimoffbalance.Galbafollowedupwiththechainswordagainstthefoe’scuirass,cuttingdeep.IronHandsandEmperor’sChildrentoreateachother.Galbawassubmergedinamaelstromof

clashingceramiteandgoutingblood.Hisconsciousnessshranktothescaleofmereseconds.Heknewnothingexcepttheneedofeachmoment.Hemovedforwardsstepbystep,killbykill.Hisarmourwasgougedbydozensofblows,butheshruggedthemoffandstruckhomeagainandagain.Hepulverisedfacestoslurry.Hehackedhiswaythrougharmourandreinforcedribcagestoblack,beatinghearts,andhesilencedthem.Anewnoisegrewinvolume,cuttingthroughthethunder,demandinghisattention.Itwasavoice,

amplifiedbyvox-castertodeafeninglevels.Thevoicewasthatofamachine.Therewasnothinghumaninitsrigid,unchanginginflection,yetitwaspreaching,anditswordsconveyedaghastlypassion.‘Therearenolimits,’itdeclared.‘Livethetruthofthesenses.Theirreachmustbeinfinite.Extendyour

owngrasp,brothers.Plungeitdeepintotheperverse.Allsensationisthefuelofperfection.Themoreextremethesensation,thecloserwecometoperfection.Themoredebasedtheact,thegreaterthesensation.Whatisthecommand?Thateverythingispermitted?No!Everythingiscompulsory!’Thevolumespikedonthelastword.‘Whatthepallidwouldforbid,wemustembracetotheend.LivethewordsoftheprophetSaad!Theonlygoodisexcess!Theonlytrueknowledgeliesinsensation!’Thevoicelaunchedintoalitanyofobscenities.Itseemedtobereachingforthegreatestatrocitythatcouldbecommittedbywordsalone.Itdrewcloser,andsodidasteady,hammeringbeatofagreatweightslammingagainstthedeck.Whenheheardtheboom,boom,boomclosingin,Galbarealisedwhatwascoming.ADreadnought.Galbahadbeenconfusedbythevoice’spreaching.Therewasahungerinthewords,anextollingofthe

fleshinalltheworstcontortionsthathewouldneverhaveimaginedaDreadnoughtuttering.Thevoicewentonandon,urgingitselftoeverdeeperabyssesofdepravity.Withhisphysicalselfallbutannihilated,theDreadnoughthadonlylanguageandthoughtasthemeansbywhichhecouldjoinhisbrothers’frenzy,andsoherantedasifhemightarticulatetheultimateperfectionofviolation,andsofindthesupreme,transcendentexperience.ThepressofEmperor’sChildrensuddenlydiminished.Theirranksparted.Galbaknewbetterthanto

pressforwards.Ahead,thedoorwaywasfilledbyacolossalshape.TheDreadnoughthadarrived.Headvancedwithwordstodamagethemind.Fortheflesh,hehadmanymoretools.Therewastheweightofhistread,thegraspofhisclawandthefinalilluminationofhistwinlascannons.TheAncientmoveddownthegallerytowardstheIronHands,neverpausinginhisblackgospel.Goldfiligreehadspreadoverthevioletofhisarmourlikeadisease.Itsarabesquesthreatenedmeaning.Theytwistedintoshapeswhosetrailingendsseemedtomovewiththepulsingofveins.Evenwiththenew,grotesqueornamentation,Galbarecognisedthefigure.AncientCurval.Hehadonce

beenaphilosopherofthewar,onewhospokeofperfectionandlossinequalmeasure.Nowhisvox-castersgreetedtheIronHandswithgrating,monotonehunger.Hehadbecomeawalkingaltar,aniconofdementedworship.‘Iseektheboonofyourextremity,’hesaid,andfired.ThecrushofthemeleehadpushedtheIronHandsclosetogetheragain.Theyallsawthedangerassoon

asitappeared,andthrewthemselvestoeitherside.Thesquadescapedextinctionbylascannonbarrage,butonthecommanddisplayofGalba’shelmetlenses,therunesofthreebrothersflashedredandvanished.Flankedbyhisfellowlegionaries,Curvalmarchedforwards.Hestrafedthegallerylefttorighttoleft

withasteadyfire.Thefoultapestriesandcarpetvanished,searedtoash.Galbadroppedandrolled,thebarragepassingjustoverhim,charringthetopofhispowerpack.Anotherbattle-brotherwasincinerated.TheydidnothavethenumbersortheweaponstofightCurvalhead-on.Galbahadtoremovehimfrom

thebattlefield.Fromhisbeltclip,hegrabbedameltachargeandhurleditattheDreadnought’sfeet.‘Drophim,’hevoxed.Thesquadrespondedbeforehehadfinishedhisorder.Thewarriorsofhiscommandhadseenwhathe

wasdoing,andunderstood.Theywereallthelethalcomponentsofasingleengineofwar.FourmoregrenadeslandedbeforeCurvalwithinasecondofGalba’s.TheDreadnoughtslowed,tryingtoarresthisnextstep.Hepausedwithonefootsuspendedintheair.ShuttersdroppedbeforeGalba’seyesasthegrenadeswentoff.Theflarewasalightsobrightitmadeeverythingvanishforaninstant.Theheatwassointense,itmadethedeckvanishforever.Stoneandsteelturnedmolten,andagaptwometreswideopenedinfrontofCurval.TheDreadnoughtfoughtgravityandmomentum.Helost.Hisfootcamedownovernothing.Hepitched

forwardsandvanished,droppingtwentymetrestothedeckbelow.Helandedwiththecrashofameteor.Hishowlofragehadthesameflattoneashissermon.AhandfuloftheEmperor’sChildrenfellwithhim.‘Thefleshisweak!’Galbaroaredasherosetohisfeetandcharged.Thebattle-cryoftheIronHands

wasaripostetothedebasedecstasiesofthefoe.Galba’ssquadracedforwardstoeithersideofthehole.Curvalwasfiringwildlyupwards,blastingfurtherchunksoutofthedeck.Astheypassedthegap,Pterodroppedanothermeltacharge.Inthehissingblastthatfollowed,Curval’sragingcutoffwithanelectronicsqueal.Hisfiringbecameevenmoreerratic,thelashingoutofawoundedbeast.TheEmperor’sChildrentriedtoregroup.Theirlineswerebroken,andtheycouldnotmaintaina

defensivepositionwiththerandomdestructionslashingupwardthroughthegalleryfromtheirtormentedAncient.TheIronHandshadspeedwiththem.Itbecameforce.Theyreforgedthewedgeontheothersideofthegapandrammedtheirwaythroughtheraggeddefenceofthetraitors.Galbatoreintothefoe.Warriorsfellbeforehim.Corruptastheyhadbecome,theywerestillLegionesAstartesinformandstrength.ButGalba’sarmstruckwiththemightofjustice,ofvengeance.Thepurityofthemachinedevastatedthemonstrosityoftheflesh.Battered,reduced,defiant,hissquadpunchedthroughandemergedfromthegallery.Beyonditwasa

widespace,aradialnodeforhalfadozenothermajorarterialpassagesthroughthebattle-barge.Atthecentrewasawidespiralstaircase.Therewasmoremarblehere,veinedwiththepurpleoftheEmperor’sChildren.ItmadeGalbathinkofrotten,aristocraticbloodshowingthroughpaleskin.Legionariesbattledupanddownitsupperhalf.TheCallidora’sdefenderswereattemptingtoreachthenextleveltorepeltheinvadersgatheredthere.Galbaledhiswarriorsup,takingthestepsthreeatatime.Withtheirbrothersabove,theytrappedthe

Emperor’sChildreninavice.Thestaircasewaswideenoughfortwolegionariestostandabreast.Galbastoppedafewstepsawayfromtheenemy.HeandVektuscrouchedoutofthelineoffireofthewarriorsbehindthem.Theirboltershammeredtheenemywithconcentratedhell.

Theviceclosed.

Mostoftheboardingtorpedoeshaddrilledintothedeckimmediatelybeneaththebridge.Galba’ssquadwasoneofthelasttojoinupwiththegatheredforce.Bythen,thedemolitionchargeshadbeenset.Asthesiegeofthebridgebegan,theexplosiveswentoff.Corridorsandstairwellscollapsed,sealingoffthetopdecks,buyingtimefortheIronHands.Forthemoment,theyhadthenumericalsuperiority.Throughouttheship,thereweremanyhundredsmoreoftheEmperor’sChildren.Butifthereinforcements’accesscouldbeblocked,eventemporarily,thenumberswouldbecomeirrelevant.Aftertheblasts,theboardingtorpedothathadcarriedGalbaandhisbrotherswasinaccessible.So

werethreeothers.Thosenumbers,too,theIronHandsknew,wereirrelevant.Thegrindingtruthofwarwasitspowertocull.Manylegionarieshadalreadybeenlost.Therewouldbemorethanenoughroominthetorpedoesthatwerestillreachable.Whiletwosquadsremainedtoguardtheexitpoint,thedoortothebridgewasbreached.Galbajoined

inthepushtotheinterior.Therewasnotimeforanythingexceptagreatstormofanassault.AstheEmperor’sChildrenhadrushedthegallery,sotheIronHandstookthebridge.Theirswasthegreaterfury,andtheyattackedwiththelargestpartoftheirforces.ThevitalheartoftheCallidorawaswelldefended.TheEmperor’sChildrenfoughthard.Theyfought

withskill.Theyfoughtwithdesperation,knowingwhatdefeatherewouldmean.Andtheirstrugglewasfutile.Atticushadcometokilltheirship.Theycouldnotstophim.Nothingcould.Hewasanengineoffate.AsGalbafought,emptyinghisbolterclipintothetraitorsbeforehim,hesawAtticustaketheupper

levelofthebridge.Thecaptainmovedwithlethaleconomy.Heswunghischainaxewithagracethatshouldhavebeenforeigntotheweapon.InAtticus’shands,thebladewasnotthemessybutcher’stooloftheWorldEaters.ThemasteroftheVeritasFerrumcarvedtheairasifhewereconductinganorchestra.Swingandblowflowedintooneanother.Chainsnarling,theweaponneverpaused.Evenwhenitwascuttingthrougharmourandbone,itdidnotseemtostutterinitsgracefularcfromkilltokill.Itwasanextensionofthemachine-warriorwhowieldedit,asmuchapartofhisarmashishands.Andthoughtherewastheperfectionofartinitsdeath-dealing,therewasnotasinglesuperfluousmovement.Therewasnodisplay.Therewasthemurderousregularityofapiston.Atticusdestroyedinthenameofhisprimarch.Hefoughtasiron,andfleshwasineclipse.ThecaptainoftheCallidorametAtticusatthepulpit.Galba’speripheralvisioncaughtflashesofthe

duel.ThecaptainwasnamedKleos.Thenoblewarriorofrefinedtastesnowhad,drapedoverhisarmour,robesofhumansilk.Hisfacewasanintricatecross-hatchingofburnsanddeepcutsheldopensotheywouldnotheal.HeattackedAtticuswithacharnabalsabre.Theweaponwasarttransmutedintopure,press-foldedsteel.InKleos’shands,itcouldalmostdrawbloodfromtheair.Thecaptainstruckwithsuchspeed,thebladewasinvisible.Atticusdidnotblockit.Itslicedthroughtheseamofhisarmourbeneathhisleftarm.Kleospausedfora

momentbeforethelackofblood.Hisblowhadbeenforabeingofflesh,butthisfoewasmetalandwar.Atticusturnedintothecut,forcingthebladedeeper,trappingthesabreagainsthisribcage.Kleostriedtotugtheswordfree.Atticusbroughtthechainaxedownonhisskull.Theslaughteronthebridgelastedlessthanfiveminutes.TheIronHandsfellupontheEmperor’s

Childrenlikeamovingwallandcrushedthem.Whenthelastofthetraitorsfell,therewasamomentofsilence.Galbalethimselfsavourthehumiliationoftheenemy.Thenthenextphaseoftheexecutionbegan.Atticusmountedtothecommandpulpit.Withasnarl,hesmasheditsornamentation.‘Getmethecoordinates,’heordered.

WhileTechmarineCamnustookthehelm,Galbaconsultedthevox.‘Amessagehasbeensent,’hereported.‘Acryforhelp,nodoubt,’saidAtticus.‘Hastherebeenaresponse?’‘Yes.’‘Thenwewillnottarry.BrotherCamnus?’‘Itwillbevisibleinamoment,captain.’Galbalookedoutthroughtheforwardoculus.Thedebrisofthescattereddiscfloatedpast,thelarger

chunksoficeafaintgreyinthevoid,thecloserpiecespickingupthevioletglowoftheCallidora.‘There,’Camnussaid.Inthecentreoftheoculus,therewasasphereofconcentrateddarkness.‘Good.’Thesinglesyllablewasthetollofabell.Camnusneedednofurtherorders.Galbawatchedtheballofnightbegintogrowcloser.Hewasseeing

oneofthefewrockyplanetoidsofthescattereddisc.Itwaslargeenoughtohaveaname:Creon.Barelyathousandkilometresindiameter,itwasanairlessworldofeternalnight.Itwasatomb.Anditawaiteditscharge.ThedeckvibratedastheCallidora’senginessurged.‘Fullahead,’Camnusannounced.‘Coordinateslocked.’‘Good.’Atticussaidagain.‘Now,brothers,putanendtothisobscenevessel.’Theyturnedtheirweaponsontheconsoles,screens,cogitatorsandcontrolsoftheship.Inseconds,the

bridgewasinruins.TheCallidora’sfatewasunalterable.‘Doyoufeelthat,brothers?’Atticusaskedashedescendedfromtheshatteredpulpit.‘Thereisa

stillnessbeneaththevibrationoftheengines.Itisdeath.Thisshipisalreadydead,andourenemyknowsit.’TherewasnothingtheEmperor’sChildrencoulddotopreventwhatwascoming.Buttheytried.Atticus

ledhislegionariesbacktotheboardingtorpedoes,andastheypassedtheinterdictedtunnels,theycouldhearthefranticsoundsofthetraitorstryingtobreakthrough.Thefirstofthetorpedoesdrewintosight,itsdrillprojectingthroughthehullanddeepintotheaccessway,whenthewarriorsoftheCallidoraresortedtodesperatemeasures.Thebreacherchargewaspowerful.Itvaporisedthemetalblockingoneoftheprimaryarteriesleading

tothebridge.ItwasdirectlybehindtheIronHands.Itwasasifasolarflarefilledtheaccessway.Aheatbeyondflameincineratedtherearguard.Theyfelltothetwisteddeck,theirarmourchangedintoblackened,moltensarcophagi.Galbawasnearthefrontoftheline,andhewasstillthrownagainsttheinnerwallbytheforceoftheblast.Hisauto-senseslenseslitupwithwarningrunes.Hekeptmoving,buthecouldfeelhisarmour’sactuatorscatchandhesitate,breakingthecadenceofhisrun.HeheardVektuscursing.Theywerehavingtoabandonstillmorebodiesoftheirbrothers,theirprogenoidglandsunrecovered.Theroaroftheexplosionfaded.Nowcamethesoundofboots.Anarmywasinpursuit.Theinstincttostopandfightwasstrong.ThenAtticusspokeoverthevox.‘Thereisnoneedtoconfront

theenemy,’hesaid.‘Thetraitorshavealreadylost.Theyarealreadydead.Humiliatethembyleavingherealive.’TheIronHandsobeyed,andtheyran.Theywereracingwiththeirownvictory,Galbanowrealised.

ThedoomedmassesoftheEmperor’sChildrenwereinfutilepursuit,stillunawareoftheexecutioner’sbladedescendinguponthem.ThewarriorsoftheXLegionboardedthetorpedoes.Enginespulledthevehiclesoutofthefleshofthe

Callidora.Theyleftgapingholesbehind.Atmosphererushedintothevoid,thegalecarryingtraitorswith

ituntilbulkheadssealed.Thehullbreacheswereneutralised.Thelivesofthoseaboardwerepreservedforanotherminute.Butnotmuchmore.

Atticuswatchedthebattle-bargeastheboardingtorpedoesmovedaway.Thedeparturewasslow.Thetorpedoes’propulsionsystemswerenotdesignedforspeed.Theyservedtomanoeuvrethevesselstoarecoverypoint,andlittlemore.Thetorpedoescouldnotperformevasiveaction,andtheywerevulnerabletotheCallidora’sarmaments.Theirpresencewasnosecretnow.TheCallidorahadhundredsofcannons,turretsandmissilelaunchers.Mostofitscrewwasstillalive.Thedamagetotheshipwasminimal.TheEmperor’sChildrencouldhavevaporisedthetorpedoes,erasingtheblemishfromtheperfectionofthevoid.ButforthefirstmomentsoftheretreatfromtheCallidora,theIronHandsstillhadthebenefitof

surprise.Theyhadsowndisorderontheship.Theenemywasscramblingtocatchup.Andwhenthesurprisewasnolongerafactor,theIronHandswerenolongerofinteresttotheEmperor’sChildren.Creonwas.TheCallidoraapproachedtheplanetoid,bringinglighttoitsdarkness.Itscoursewasdirect,andit

wouldnotbechanged.Everyweapononthebattle-bargefiredatCreon.Bombardmentcannonspummelledthecrustwithmagmabombs.Thatwasanactofdefiance,adefacingofanuncaringenemywhosetrajectorywouldnotbechangedevenbysodevastatingaweapon.Everyturret,torpedobayandlancewasalsounleashed.Thesewereactsofdesperation.Theycouldaddnothingtotheblowsofthecannons.ThentheEmperor’sChildrenlaunchedcyclonictorpedoes,andthiswasanactofmadness.Whatwere

theydreaming?Atticuswondered.Didtheyimaginetheplanetoidvaporisingbeforethem,withtheCallidorasailingsafelythroughacloudofdebris?Hadthetraitorsreallyfallenthatfarintoutterdementia?Whattheythoughtdidnotmatter,hedecided.Inthismoment,theonlyactionthatmatteredwashisown.

Everythingnowhappeningwasaconsequenceofhiswill,andtherewasnothingthatcouldalteritsedict.TheCallidorapoureddestructionuponCreon,andallitwasdoingwasstokingthefiresofitsdestinedhell.TheCallidora’sbowwastrainedonthecentreoftheplanetoid.Creon’ssurfaceturnedmoltenunder

thefuryofthebombardment.Theepicentreofdestructionglowedwhite,aterribleeyeopeningintherock.Theincandescencespreadwider.Itbecameamaelstromofflowingstonehundredsofkilometresin

diameter.Theplanetoidconvulsed.Thedeadworldofcoldanddarknessscreamed,illuminatedbypain.Afterbillionsofyearsofquiescence,Creonunderwentatectonicawakening.FountainsoflavashotuptocelebratethearrivaloftheCallidora.Theshipdidnotslow,anditscoursedidnotfalter.ItflewonthestrengthofAtticus’swillintotheheartofthefire.Itsbowplungedintobrilliance.TheCallidorawasstillacceleratingwhenithitCreon.ItvanishedfromAtticus’ssight,anarrogant

violettearswallowedbytheinferno.Momentslater,thecoresoftheplasmadriveswerebreached.Theflashfilledthevoidwithday.TheshockwaveracedaroundCreon,anditkilledtheplanetoid.Itsplitintwo.Thehalvestumbledawayfromeachotherandtherageofdestruction,fallingbackintofrozennight.‘Perfection,’Atticusmuttered.

SEVENThespiritoftheageTheabandonedhallJourney’ssolitude

‘Wehaveplentyofminesleft,’Darrassaid.‘Andtheyhaveplentyofships,’Galbacountered.AtticusstoodabovetheminthecommandpulpitoftheVeritasFerrum.Theclean,impersonallinesof

thebridgeweresoothingaftertheornateperversitiesoftheCallidora.Erephren,calledawayonceagainfromtherestoftheastropathicchoir,wasjustbehindhim.‘Mistress?’Atticusasked.Erephrenshookherhead.‘I’msorry,captain.Theclarityofmysightisaproductofmyproximitytothe

anomaly.IcantellyouthesizeofthefleetthatIsawbeforeourjourneyhere.Astohowmanyofthoseshipsareontheirwayhere...’Sheraisedherlefthand,palmup,knowledgeflyingawayfromhergrasp.‘Icannotsay.’‘Butsomethingiscoming.’‘Disturbancesinthewarpsuggestasmuch.’‘Howmuchtimedowehave?’‘Thattoo,Icannotsay.’‘Brother-captain,’GalbaandDarrasbegantogether.Atticusheldupahand.‘Youarebothcorrect,’hetoldhissergeants.Theicymetalfacelookedat

Darras.‘DonotthinkIamunmindfulofourstrategicadvantageshere.Iknowthatthisvictoryhasonlysharpenedourthirstforrevenge.Butwehaveourlimits.Thoughwedonotliketoadmitthistruth,ifitwerenotso,wewouldhavetriumphedonIsstvanFive.Wewillquitthefield.’Heleanedforwards.‘Imakeyouapromise,brother-sergeant,’hesaid.Hisvoiceboxstruggledtoconveyhistone.Hisvoiceraspedoverthebridge.ItsoundedtoGalbaliketheangryhissofagreat,electronicserpent.Itspromiseofdoomfilledhimwithjoy.‘WewilllearnmoreonPythos.Wewillstrikeagain.Andagain.WewillawakentheEmperor’sChildrentotheideaoffear.Wewillteachthemtohavenightmares.’HeswivelledhisheadtolookatGalba.‘Youarecorrect,sergeant.Wemustchooseourbattles.AndIchoosetoleavethefoeonemoregiftbeforewedepart.Onemorelesson.’

TheVeritasFerrumdidnothaveunlimitedsupplies.HerstoreshadnotbeenreplenishedsincebeforetheCallinedespacification.TheIronHandsmightfindrawmaterialsonPythos,buteventuallytheship’smanufacturingplantswouldnolongerbeabletochurnoutordnance.Unlessthetideoffortunechanged,thetimewouldcomewhentheVeritaswouldnolongerbeabletowagewar.Thattimehadnotyetcome.Andmineswereplentiful.TheVeritasFerrumcrossedandrecrossedthecloseneighbourhoodoftheMandevillepoint.Itlefta

trailofminesbehindit.ItsroutewasagradualweavingashelmsmanEutropiusguidedtheshippastthescattereddiscdebris.Notallofthedeadbodieswereiceandrocknow.ThereweresmalltracesoftheInfiniteSublime,largeronesoftheGoldenMean.Theywerethetearsofdefeat,Galbathought.Thestrikecruiserpassedanumberoflargerbodies.Somewerebigenoughtodamageavessel.Others

couldsmashacapitalshiptodust.Galbaglancedbackandforthbetweentheoculusandthecaptain.

Atticuswatchedthemajordebrisgoby.Theonlysignofhishungerwasaslightshiftingofhisgriponthepulpit.Darraspickeduponit,too.‘Captain,’hebegan.‘Iknow,brother-sergeant.Iknow.I’llthankyounottotemptme.Thereisnotime.’ThetrapwiththeminedicechunkhadworkedbeforebecausetheVeritasFerrumhadbeenthereto

controlthemomentofdetonationandusethebodyasamissile.Itscontinuedpresencenowwastacticalmadness.TheIronHandswouldhavetorelyonchancetoinflictharmonthearrivingfleet.Theycouldhelpchancealongwiththemines,buttheyhadnoalchemythatcouldtransmutethechanceintoacertainty.TherandomnesswasanoffencetotheLegion’sphilosophyofwar.Thepromiseofthemachinewasthepromiseofthereproducible,theunderstandable,theunbending.Itwasthepromiseofcontrol.ButtheywereadifferentLegionnow.Theircontrolofthebattlefieldwasdoomedtobeatransitory

thing.Strikeandfade,strikeandfade.Wasthat,Galbawondered,tobethenewpistonmovementoftheIronFists’warmachine?Ifitkepttheminthefight,andithurttheenemy,thenhecouldacceptit,hedecided.Thelimitsofthe

strategyweretheevidenceofhisLegion’sgreatwound.Buthecouldadapt.HeglancedagainatAtticus.Thecaptainhadreturnedtohispreternaturalstillness.Theironstatuewasimpossibletoread.Howwasheadaptingtothisreality?Washe?AgainhewonderedwhetherAtticushadshedtoomuchofthehuman.ThatheshouldthinkalongtheselinesrattledGalba.Thefleshisweak:thatwasafoundationaltenetof

theIronHands.Oncemore,hethoughtofhowlittleFerrusManushadchanged.PerhapsitwasGalba’sownlimitedjourneytothepurityofthemachinethatlayattherootofthesedoubts.Perhapsdoubtwasinherenttothefleshitself.Butperhapssowasadaptability.HewantedtohurttheEmperor’sChildrenasmuchasanylegionaryaboardtheship.Helookedforward

tothenexttimetheircravenbloodslickedhisarmour.Healsobelievedthatfoolishriskswouldbringanendtovengeance.Perhapsthemine-layingwasamanagedrisk.Hejustwasnotsurehowmuchthehopeofaccomplishingsomethingwasreal,andhowmuchtheactionwasaflareofanger.Howmanyshipscouldtheykillthisway?Howmanyfutureactionsofrealworthweretheyriskingbytarryinghere?‘Youdisapprove,SergeantGalba,’Atticussaid.Galbaturnedandlookedup.‘Itisnotmyplacetoquestionyourorders,captain.’‘Andyetyoudo.Icanseeitinthewayyouarestanding.Yourdispleasureisobvious.’‘Iapologise,mylord.Imeannodisrespect.’‘Iamactingonabalanceofprobabilities,’Atticustoldhim.‘Youdonotneedtojustify–’Atticusraisedafinger,silencinghim.‘Wearemorelikelytocauseinjurythanwearetobeinjured.Is

thatnotso?’Galbanodded.Hewasnotsurethatitwas,buthecouldnotprovethecontrary.‘Thisisanactofreason,sergeant.Everythingwedointhisnewwarwillhaveanelementofdesperate

riskthatisunpleasantlynoveltous.Wehavealwaysbeenstrong.Westillare.Whatwearenolongerisanoverwhelmingforce.Weareassassins.Wearesaboteurs.Wemustthinklikethem.’Thenweshouldhavemeltedaway.Galbasaidnothing.Hetriedtoshifthisstancetosomethingmore

neutral,buthedidnotknowwhatthatwouldbe.Atticuswatchedhimafewsecondslonger.Therewasacoldglintinhisunblinkinghumaneye.UnwelcomerevelationcreptuponGalba:thatglintwasthelightofAtticus’srage.Thefuryhadbeen

kindledoverCallinedesIV.IthadbeenstokedtoaholocaustintheIsstvanSystem.PerhapsAtticusbelievedhehaddampedittoacontrolled,imperiousanger.ButhiseyebetrayedhimasGalba’sbody

languagehad.Atticushadnotmasteredhisrage.Ithadmasteredhim.Itdidmorethandistorthisthoughts:itshapedhisreason.Itdeterminedhisexistence.Atticushad,overtime,removedallbutthemostvestigialtracesofhumanityfromhisbeing.Hewasa

weapon,onlyaweapon,andaweapondirectedbythemasterpassionofrage.ItoccurredtoGalbathatAtticusmightagreewiththisjudgement.Hemighteventakeacertainpridein

it,shouldtheragegranttheprideroomenoughtoexist.Hewouldconsiderhimselfagun,aimedattheheartoftheenemy.Butbombswereweaponstoo.Galbafeltsick.Hewantedtolookaway.Hewantedtodenyhisinsight.Hewantedtoscrapethehuman

fromhisownidentity,thehumanthatwasrespondingtoitsnear-totallackinthemassivewarriorloomingabove.Whatgoodwasthisepiphany?None.Yetitfilledhisconsciousness.Hehadnochoicebuttoacceptit,justashehadtoaccepthowpointlessitwas.Therewasnothingtobedone.HehadhisownshareofAtticus’srage.Thecaptainstraightened,returninghisattentiontotheoculus.Galbafacedforwardsagain.Helookedat

hisbattle-brothers.Hesawtherageinallofthem.Itwasafreezingpassion.Ittookhope,compassion,thedreamofajustgalaxy,andeventhedesireforsuchathing.Itmadethembrittle,fragile.Itturnedthemintothethinnestofice,thenshatteredthem.Galba’sgazesettledonDarras.Therewasmoreofthehumaninhisface.ItrevealedmoreofwhattheimmobileimpassivityofAtticus’sfeaturesconcealed.Itshowedtherage-fashionedhunger.ThedestructionoftheCallidorahaddonenothingtoappeasethathunger.IthadgiventheIronHands

theirfirsttasteofrevenge.ItwasasensationasnewtotheLegionasdefeat.Bornofthatdefeat,thehungerwasasineradicableastheanger,theshame,thehatred.Itwasmorethanasymptom.Itwasmorethanadevelopingcharactertrait.Galbaknewwhatitwas,andhewishedhedidnot.Hewishedtobewrong.HewishedthathewasstillcapableofwantingsomethingmorethanthebrutaldeathsofthebetrayersoftheImperium.Hecouldnot.Hewasnotwrong.Thisthingthatpermeatedtheairofthebridge,andthreadedthroughhisheartsandbones,andthrummed

inthedecksandwallsoftheship,thisrage,itwasthenewspiritoftheLegion.This,Galbathought,iswhowearenow.Hewashumanenoughtofeelregret.Hewasdistantenoughfromthehumanconditiontoknowthefeelingwouldpass.WhentwohundredmineshadbeensowninthenightofHamartia,Atticusdeclaredthemission

complete.‘Takeusdownthesafechannel,’hetoldEutropius.‘Getusuptospeedforthetranslation.’‘Soordered,’saidthehelmsman.TheVeritasFerrumaccelerated.Thewarpenginespoweredup.Whentheurgentsignalcamefromthe

astropathicchoir,Galbawasnotsurprised.Neither,hesuspected,wasAtticus.Noonewas.‘Captain,’Erephren’svoiceemergedfromtheprimaryvox-casterinthecentreofthebridge.‘Thereis

amassivedisplacementinthewarp.Itisverynear.’‘Thankyou,’Atticussaid.‘Navigator,weareinyourhands.Asinterestinganexperimentasamid-

translationcollisionwouldbe,Iwouldprefernottosubjectmyshiptoit.’‘Understood,captain,’Strassnybroadcast.Hewasfloatinginhistankofnutrients,deprivedofall

sensoryinput,inablisteratthepeakofthestrikecruiser’scommandisland.Theblackplasteeldomethatcoveredhimwasshapedlikeanechoofhispsychiceye.SolongattunedtotheAstronomican,thateyewouldbeseekingtheanchorofthePythosanomaly.Rightnow,itsquestwasanentryintothenexusoftheMandevillepointthatwasnotabouttodisgorgeanenemyfleet.

EutropiusrespondedtothecoordinatesrelayedbyStrassny.TheVeritasFerrumpickedupspeed,leavingtheminefieldatitsstern.‘Waitformyword,’Atticussaid.Thehololithicscreensoneithersideofthecommandpulpitdisplayed

thevoidontheship’sflanks.‘SergeantDarras,Iwanttoknowthemomentyoureceivesignoftheenemy’spresence.’‘Understood,captain.’Darrasdidnotlookupfromtherepairedauspexbank.Ithinkwe’llallknow,Galbamused.Hewasright.Thefleshofthevoidtoreopennotfartoportofthebow.Nightmareunlightflashedfrom

therent.Coloursthatweresoundsandideasthatwerebloodpouredout.Behindthemcametheships.Thetranslationwasendless.Vesselaftervesselenteredthesystem.ThevioletoftheEmperor’sChildrenspreadinalldirections,amiasmaofexcess,asthoughtheshipswereformingtheirowndiseasedsun.‘Go,’saidAtticus.Thedeckvibratedwiththefamiliarrumbleofthewarpdriveenergiesbuildingtothecriticalpoint.The

jumptocsinssounded.TheforwardelementsofthefleetbegantoturninthedirectionoftheIronHands,buttheywouldtravelmanylengthsyetbeforetheycouldcompletetheturnandengageinpursuit.Bythen,theywouldbeintheminefield.‘Iregretthatwecannotlingertoseethefruitsofourlabour,’Atticussaid.Thenasecondwound

opened,reality’sagonyfillingthespanoftheoculus,andtheVeritasFerrumplungedintotheempyrean.

‘Thequestion,’InachusPterosaid,‘isnotwhethertheEmperor’sChildrenhavefollowedus.Ofcoursetheyhave.Thequestioniswhethertheywillbeabletokeeptrackingus.’Khi’demgrunted.Theywerewalkingthelengthofareviewinghall.Ithadbeenbuilttoholdthousands:

thefullcomplementofthecompanyalongwithanyvisitingsquadsfromotherLegions.IthadnotbeenusedsinceCallinedes.Khi’demdoubtediteverwouldbeagain.TheVeritasFerrumhadlosttoomuchofitscomplement–firstallofitsveteransandseniorofficerstoFerrusManusasheracedoffwiththeeliteofeverycompanytotheconfrontationwithHorus,thentocatastrophicdamageandtheventingofentiresectionsoftheshipduringthebattleintheIsstvanSystem.Anygatheringinthisspacewouldbedwarfedbythevastnessandrenderedsolemnbytheechoesofabsence.Accordingtotheship’shorologs,ithadonlybeenafewweekssincethedisasterofIsstvanV,butthehallalreadyhadthestalenessofdisuse.Thesteelchandeliersdescendingfromthevaultedceilingwereextinguished.Theonlylightwasfromparallellumen-stripsformingawidealleydownthelengthofthemarblefloor.Thebannersoftriumphshunginshadows.SoonaftertheirarrivalontheVeritas,thetwolegionarieshadfoundthattheyandtherestofthehandfuloftheirsurvivingbattle-brotherscouldwalkandconversehereattheirleisure.Khi’demhadnotseenasingleoneoftheIronHandssetfootinthehall.‘SergeantGalbatellsmethattheNavigatorhasplottedaconvolutedroutethroughtheimmaterium,’

Khi’demtoldtheRavenGuard.Hisvoicebouncedaroundthewalls,thesoundhollow.‘Unlesstheenemyisalsousingtheanomalyasaguide,whichseemsunlikely,weshouldlosethem.’Pterothoughtaboutthisforamoment,thensaid,‘Thetacticseemssound.’‘Agreed.Butthatisnottheonlyquestion,isit?’‘No.Weremainedin-systemtoolong,andwithoutgoodreason.’‘Wedidnot,’Khi’demcorrected.‘Theychosetodoso.YouandIarebarelytoleratedpassengers.’Pteroutteredashort,bitterlaugh.‘Doyouthinkourparticipationonthisraidwasintendedasafavour

oraninsult?’‘Both,Isuspect.ItwoulddependonthemomentyouaskedCaptainAtticus.’‘Youdon’tbelieveheknowshisownmind.’

Khi’demdeliberatedforadozenstridesbeforeanswering.‘I’mnotsurewhatIbelieveonthatcount,’hesaid.‘NordoI,’Pterosaidsoftly.Hecontinued,‘Regardlessofthesuccessinevadingpursuit,Iamtroubled

bythedecisiontolaythemines.Thattacticwasunsound.AtticusisrightaboutthestrategicadvantageofPythos.Heriskedlosingsomethingofparamountimportanceinordertoengageinthetrivial.’‘Hisneedforrevengeisstrong.ItisforalloftheIronHands.’‘Oursisn’t?’Pterodemanded.Eveninthedimlight,Khi’demcouldseehisfaceturningred.‘Havewe

notlostasmuchastheyhave?’Khi’demremainedcalm.‘Ididnotmeanthat,’hesaid.Theyreachedoneendofthehallandturnedaround.Theymoveddownthecentreofthefloor,thewalls

sodistantthattheyseemedinsubstantial.Pteromasteredhistemper.‘Forgiveme,brother,’hesaid.‘Youarenotthesourceofmyfrustration.’Khi’demwavedofftheapology.‘Yourangerreassuresme,’hesaid.‘Ittellsmethatyourworriesare

mine.’‘Andtheyare?’‘ThattheIronHandshavechangedatafundamentallevel.Thedeathoftheirprimarchhasdone

somethingdangeroustothem.’Heallowedhimselfasorrowfulsmile.‘Perhapsweflatterourselvesthatwewouldnothavemadethesamerecklessdecision.Idon’tthinkwewouldhave.’‘Theirangerisbecomingtoxic.’‘Yes.Tothem.’‘Andtous?’Pteroasked.‘Ourfatesareslavedtotheirs,’Khi’demsaid.‘Theyare,’Pteroagreed.Theywalkedinsilenceforashortwhile.Inthecentreofthehall,wherethey

weremostisolatedbygloomandspace,theRavenGuardspokeagain.‘Sothetruequestioniswhatweshoulddo.’‘Iwouldwelcomeyourthoughts.’Pterolaughedagain,withnomorehumourthanthelasttime.‘AndIyours.Ouroptionsarequite

limited,itseemstome.Thedecisionsthatwillgovernthiscampaignarenotourstomake,butwearesubjecttothem.AndwecanhardlydeposeCaptainAtticus.’Khi’demgavePteroacoldstare.‘Iknowyouarejoking,brother.ButIwillnothaveeventheideaof

treacherydiscussedinmypresence.’Pterosighed.Heclosedhiseyesandpinchedthebridgeofhisnose.Foramoment,Khi’demsawhis

ownexhaustionreflectedintheRavenGuard.‘I’msorry,’Pterosaid.‘Ispokewithoutthinking.Iwaswrong.’Helookedup.‘Wearelivinginstrangetimes,though,brother.Wehavewitnessedtheimpossible.Wehavebeenitsvictims,innosmallpartbecausewhathappenedonIsstvanFivewas,untilthatverymoment,unimaginable.’Heloweredhisvoicetoawhisper.‘Wecannotaffordtoviewanythingasimpossible.Wemustimagineeverything,includingtheworst.Especiallytheworst.’Khi’demraisedhiseyestotheceiling.Thegloomwasalmostphysical.Itclungtothebanners,

obscuringthevictories,castingthemintoameaninglesspast.Theyseemedtohanglimply,madeheavybytheweightoftragedy.HefoundhimselfthinkingofthemonstrousgalleryontheCallidora.IthadbeentheperversionoftheEmperor’sChildrenmadephysical.Thisspace,herealised,wasjustasmetonymicofthedamagetotheIronHands’psyche.SomethingdirehadhappenedtotheXLegion,somethingthatwentfarbeyondamilitarydefeat,beyondgrief,beyondloss.Heknewthoseemotions.Helivedwiththem.Theyhadbeenthepainfulbedrockofhisexistencesincethemassacre.NotknowingthefateofVulkanhadhimtrappedinaneternalpendulumswingbetweenhopeandmourning.

WhatwashappeningtotheIronHandswaswhollyother.Itwasachange.Itwasalso,heworried,permanent.HefacedPteroagain.‘Well?’hesaid.‘Wheredoesthatleaveus?’‘Wewatch.Closely.’‘DoyouthinkAtticus’sstrategyismadness?’‘Doyou?’Khi’demshookhishead.‘Itisrisky,certainly.Idonotagreewithallofhisdecisions.’Heshrugged.

‘Butitisnotmad.’‘Notyet.’‘Notyet.Soitfallstoustotrytobethevoiceofsanity?’‘Ifearso.’NowKhi’demlaughed.Itwaseitherthatordespair.‘Andwhowillhearourvoices?’‘SergeantGalbaforone,Ithink.’‘Hemaywellbetheonlyone.’‘Betterthannone.’Khi’demsighed.Hehadnottrainedforthiskindofwar.Heknewseniorofficerswhohadaninstinct

forthepolitical.Hehadneverpossessedit.Warwaswar,though.Whatevermissionlaybeforehim,hewouldnotshyfromit.‘Atticusmightnotlisten,buthewillhearme,’hesaid.‘Iwillseetoitthathehasnochoice.’Pteronodded.‘Weareagreed,then.’Theystartedwalkingagain,headingforthegreatarchwayofthehall’sentrance.Stillfiftymetresfrom

thedoors,Khi’demcametoasuddenhalt.Hefeltbreathless,asensationhehadnotexperiencedsincehiselevationtotheLegionesAstartes.‘Brother?’Pteroasked.‘Whatisit?’Thefeelingpassed.Hisskinprickledinitswake.‘Nothing,’hesaid.‘It’snothing.’Itcouldnotbe

anything.TheImperialTruthforbadeanyotherpossibility.Therewasnosuchthingasapremonition.

TheVeritasFerrumfollowedaroutethattwistedthroughtheempyrean.Theshipraceddowncurrentsofdementia,shiftingfromonetributarytoanother,neverstayingwithoneflowforlong.Therewasnoreasontoitsmovements.Intherealmwheredirectionshadnomeaning,thestrikecruiserfledasifpanickedandlost.Itwasneither.ThebeacononPythoscalleditback.Theanomalywasinsistent.Itwouldnottoleratean

escape.ForBhalifStrassny,itwasasclearamarkerastheAstronomicanhadeverbeen.Butratherthanalighthousebeam,itwaspresenttohispsychiceyelikeascratchonaretina.Hesawthroughthewarptotheanomaly,muchashewouldtheEmperor’sbeam.Butthiswasnoillumination.Itwasastable,jaggedslashinthewarp.Astheendlessdeathoftherealandcauldronroilofthoughtwashedoverhisconsciousness,theNavigatorexperiencedoneconceptafteranotherclingingbrieflytothemanifestationoftheanomalybeforebeingsweptaway.Atonemomenthewasseeingatrace,andthenacrack,andthenafracture.Once,andonlyonce–andforthishewasgrateful–hesawitasadoor.Itsmeaningwasinperpetualflux,formeaningwasforbiddenbythewarp.Itspresence,though,wassteady,andgreweverstronger.RhydiaErephrenalsoknewitsgrowingstrength.Sheexperienceditasthereturningclarityofherdark

sight.Sheandherchoirbracedthemselvesasbesttheycouldasthewarpunfoldeditsnaturebeforethem.Itseemedtoherthathervisionwasgrowingsharper,andreachingfather,thanontheship’sfirstapproach

tothePandoraxSystem.Somethinglikethewhisperofserpenttonguescaressedhermind.Itinsinuatedthepossibilityofperfectclarity.Itthreatenedabsolutevision.Sheshuddered.Sheacceptedtheknowledgeasshesankdeeperanddeeperintotherazoredriver.Sheworkedonherdefencessothatshewouldnotdrown,soshewouldnotbleed.Thedutyofmissiongrantedherbreath.Shespoketohercharges,reassuringasshecould,imposingdisciplineasnecessary.Inthiswaysheheldtogetheragroupoffragile,tormentedhumans.Notallofthemwereabletograspthestrengthsheoffered.Onemandiedofheartseizure.Afterthegaspsofagony,hisfinalsighsoundedlikethanks.JustbeforetheVeritasreachedPandorax,asecondmanstartedscreaming.Hecouldnotstop.Itwasnecessarytohavehimshot.

Intheserfquarters,AgnesTanaurasensedthisjourneythroughthewarpwasdifferent.Everyonedid.TanaurahadbeengladthatherdutiestothecaptainmeantthatshehadleftPythosbehind.Shewouldhavepreferrednevertoreturn.Therewasawordforthatplanet,awordthatofficiallyhadnoplaceintheImperium,becauseitwasmeaningless.Thewordwasunholy.Shewasnotafraidofusingtheword.Sheknewthatithadagreatdealofmeaning.AcceptingthedivinityoftheEmperormeantacknowledgingtheexistenceofdarkforces.TherealityofagodimpliedtherealityofHisenemies.Ifthesacredexisted,thentherehadtobewordstodescribethatwhichwasutterlyremovedfromthelightoftheEmperor.Unholywasagoodword.Astrongword.Itwasnotjustanepithet.Itwasawarning.ShehadheardthewarningonPythos.Shewishedthedemigodssheservedhadheardit,too.Shehadalwaysfoundthejourneysthroughthewarptroubling.Nomatterhowdeepintheshipshewas,

nomatterhowthoroughlyshieldedfromthemadnessoftheimmaterium,shefeltitstendrils.Evenwhentherewerenostorms,therewasalatentchargetotheship’satmosphere.Thistimewasdifferent.Thetendrilsreacheddeeper.Theywerestronger.Shebelievedsomethinghad

followedthemfromPythos.That,ortheyhadpickedupataintonthatworld.Sheknewsomethingwaswrong.Thevoicesoftheserfsinthegreathallweresubdued.Peoplespokequietly,asthoughtheywerelisteningforsomething.Ortheywereafraidsomethingwouldhearthem.Tanaurawantedtohide.Shewantedtofindasmall,safecornerinwhichtocurlupandclutchherfaith

close.Shealsoknewthatherdutylayelsewhere.Soshewalkedintothecentreofthehall.SheheldtheLectitioDivinitatusinherrighthand.Shespreadherarms,liftedherhead,andsmiled.‘Ihavewordsofhope,’shesaid.‘Ihavewordsofcourage.’Peoplegatheredtohear.

Floatingandtwistinginhistank,Strassnycalledouthisguidance.HelmsmanEutropiusreceivedthedirections,andsteeredtheshipastheNavigatordesired.Eutropiuscouldnotreadthewarp.Hewassuspiciousofanybeingwhocould.ItwasadomainthatmadeamockeryoftheEmperor’sreason.LinkedbymechadendritestothemagnificentmachinicexistencethatwastheVeritasFerrum,heresentedtheabsurdityofthewarp,evenasherelishedthetriumphoverirrationalityrepresentedbytheGellerfield.Eventhoughthewaysoftheempyreanwerearesentedmystery,hecouldtellthatStrassnywastakingthemdownaroutebereftofanylogicalpattern.Itwasthemostlabyrinthinejourneyhehadevertakenthroughthewarp.Heunderstooditstacticalnecessity.HemistrustedthefactthatStrassnymaintainedthattheywerenotlost.HeknewtheNavigatorwasnotlying.Itwasthetruthitselfthathedidnotlike.Ithadimplicationsthatwerebestignored.Ifonlytheycouldbe.Andinthecommandpulpit,Atticusstoodmotionless.Heappearedimpassive.Hewasnot.Hewas

impatienttoreachPythos.HewantedtheknowledgeErephrenwouldfindforhim,sohecouldstrike

again.Frustrationgnawedathim,too.HeburnedtoknowwhatdamagehisminefieldhadcausedtheEmperor’sChildren.Heneededittohavebeenconsiderable.Heneededconfirmationofthevalidityofhisstrategy.Hecould,atwill,sensetheconditionofanycomponentofhisbionicframe.Inthismoment,throughno

choiceofhisown,hewasconsciousofhishumaneyeanditsislandofflesh.Hecouldhavereplacedtheeyeyearsago,andcompletedhisjourneytothemachine.Hehadnot.Hehadnotfeltworthy.Thebody,hebelieved,shouldnotoutstripthemind.Hekepthislastvestigeofthefleshtoremindhimselfofitsweakness,aweaknessthatwasmorethanphysical.Hefeltthatweaknessnow.Thefleshsatagainsthisskull,itselfnowmostlymetal,likeachinkinhispowerarmour.No,hethought.Likeacancer.Thatwaswhatthefleshwas.Itwasacancerthatateatthepurestrength

ofthemachine.Itintroduceddoubtthroughthetoxinsoftheemotions.Hedidnotresenthisrage.Thatwasthenecessarypassion,theonlyjustreactiontothesupremecrimeoftreachery.Itwastheservantofwar.Yetitcouldcloudjudgement,too.HehadseenitscorrosiveworkontheWorldEaters.ThatwasaLegionwhosebetrayal,inretrospect,seemedinevitable.Itsangerwasamadness.Washis?Washeharminghiscompanybyindulginginhiswrath?Hewasnot.Theyhadstruck.Theyhaddrawnblood.TheyhaddonerealharmtotheEmperor’s

Children.ThelossoftheCallidoraalonewouldsitheavily.AndnowtheVeritasFerrumwasfreetostrikeagain.Thiswasalltheproofheneededthathewasrighttofollowtherage.Ifhehadhiswill,hisconsciousnesswouldbereducedtofuryandcalculation.Thefurywouldfuelthedrivetowar.Thecalculationwouldproducethetacticstoprosecuteit.Thestubbornhumanityofthefleshwouldnotrespondtohiswill.Ittaintedtheragewithgriefand

reflexivemistrust.HeresentedeventheawarenessthatthereweremembersofotherLegionsaboard.HefeltthattheIronHandscouldcountonnoonebutthemselves.ThosewhohadnotbetrayedFerrusManushadfailedhim.Thoseweresimplefacts.Universalsuspicionwasthelogical,reasonedresponse.Orsohisinstinctswouldhavehimbelieve.Yetunderthesamerulesoflogic,hecouldnotfindanythingtocondemninthecomportmentoftheSalamandersandRavenGuardhehadrescued.TheyhadfoughtwellonPythos.AndontheCallidora,sohadthetwohehadallowedonthemission.Contradictions.Nodistinguishingtruereasonfromwhathewishedtobelieve.Nowayofpurgingthe

irrationalfrombelief.Andsoanotherpoisonenteredhissystem:doubt.Hisevaluationoftheotherlegionarieswassuspect.Whatelsemightbe?ThelookonGalba’sfaceduringtheminelaying.Theuncertainresult.ThecloseescapeoftheVeritas.

Theshipprolongingitsstayintheimmateriuminordertoevadepursuit.Wherewashisjudgementnow?Eutropiusinterruptedhismusing.‘Captain,’hesaid.‘NavigatorStrassnyinformsmethatweareabout

totranslatebacktorealspace.’‘Thankyou,helmsman.’Therewastheanswerhesought.Hehadfollowedhisangertoalimithis

reasonhadset.Themineshadbeenlaid,andtheywouldplaguethefleetoftheEmperor’sChildren.Withthatconcentrationofships,damagewasinevitable.TheVeritashadescaped.Ithadreturnedtosafeport.Hehadbeencorrect.Hisjudgementwassound.Sohewasabletopurgesomeofthewastefuldoubts.Thiswaswhathetoldhimself.Theshieldspulledbackfromtheoculusastheshipreturnedtothephysicalplane.Atthesamemoment,

thetacticalscreensflashedred.Threatklaxonsbegantosound.‘Battlestations,’Atticusordered,swallowingacurse.TherewasafleetinthePandoraxSystem.Alargeone.

EIGHTTravellers

ThepriceofinnocenceCharity

Therewereoverahundredships.Auspexreadingsweretranslatedintoahololithicprojectioninthecentreofthebridge.Theimageshowedthevesselsclusteredsocloselytogether,theyresembledaswarm.Galbastared.Thegroupingmadenosense.Thenspeedandtonnagedatabegantoarrive.Theypuzzledhimevenmore.‘Captain?’Eutropiusasked.‘Bringuscloser.Iwantabetterlookattheseintruders.’Atticussoundedbaffled.Hehadalreadyhad

theklaxonssilenced.‘Soordered,’thehelmsmansaid.Hesoundedsurprised.‘Doyouintendtoengage?’Galbaasked.‘Thosenumbersarebeyondus,’saidDarras.Evenhisenthusiasmcouldnotchangethehundred-to-one

odds.‘Perhapsnot,’Atticusanswered.‘Silentrunning,’heordered,‘andtheremustbenofireexceptonmy

command.AmIclear?Thatisnotaformation.Itisaconglomeration.Thereisnoorderthere.Iseenothingtactical.Thetonnageoftheseshipsiseccentric.Theyarealsomovingslowly.’TheVeritasFerrummovedinfromtheedgeofthesystem.Itclosedeffortlesslywiththetrailingships.

Thereadingsbecamemoredetailed.Theirnaturewasasvariedastheirindividualmasses.ThoughtherewereafewImperialtransports,therewerenocombatvesselsofanykind.Mostoftheshipswerecivilian,rangingfromsmalltraderstoancient,lumberingcolonisers.Veryfewwereofrecentconstruction.Allofthemwerelimping,patchedcreatures.Someoftheenergybloomsindicatedenginesveryclosetoexplosivefailure.Itwassurprisingsomeofthevesselshadsurvivedtravellinganydistanceatall.Noneofthemappearedwarp-worthy.‘Howdidtheymakeitthisfar?’Galbawondered.‘Thisfarfromwhere?’saidDarras.‘Fromanywhere.Theyaren’tfromin-system.Weknowthatmuch.Ifthesearetheshipsthatsurvived

thejourney,howmanydidtheylosealongtheway?ItwouldhavetakenthemalongtimetoreachPandoraxfromthenearestinhabitedsystem.’Atticussaid,‘Thatdoesnotinterestmehalfasmuchaswhytheyarehere.’Galbamonitoredthevoxtrafficbetweentheships.Itprovidedfewanswers.Thecommunicationswere

primarilyroutinenavigationalmessages.Theyshowedamarkedlackofdisciplineandform.Thepilotswerenotmilitary.Theywerenotevenprofessional.TheyhadstillnotdetectedtheVeritasFerrum.AsthefleetdrewclosertoPythos,thetransmissionsbecamemoreexcited.‘Theirpresencehereisnoaccident,’Galbaconcluded.‘Neitherisours,’saidAtticus.‘Youbelievetheyweredrawnheretoo?’‘Thissystemhaspreciselyonefeaturecapableofdrawingattentionbeyonditsboundaries.’Galbalookedoverthedetailsofthepatchworkfleetagain.Hecouldnotimaginethisraggedgroupof

civiliansfindinganyusefortheanomaly.‘Whatwouldtheywantwithit?’‘Thatisnotmyconcern.’Thecaptain’stonewasflatanddark.‘Myconcernisthattheywantitatall.’

GalbaexchangedalookwithDarras.Theothersergeantseemeduneasy,butkepthissilence.Iamnotthecaptain’sconscience,Galbawantedtoshout.Instead,heaskedthequestionhewishedhadnotoccurredtohim.‘Wecannotattackthem,surely?’Aterriblesilenceensued.Wecan’t,Galbarepeatedtohimself.Thesetravellerswereclearlynon-

combatants.Theyhadcommittednocrime.TheywereImperialsubjects.Nostrategicconsiderationcouldjustifyamassacre.Noapplicationofeventhecoldestarithmeticcouldwashawaythemoraltaintthatwouldfallupontheclan-companyifitcommittedsuchacrime.Thatisnotwhoweare,Galbathought.Thatisnotwhoweare.Wemustnotbecomeourenemy.‘No,’Atticussaidatlast.‘Thatisnotwhoweare.’Galbastarted.Hehadnotspokenhisthoughtsaloud,hadhe?No.Hereleasedthebreathhehadbeen

holding.Hefeltthefirstmomentofpeacehehadexperiencedsincethebeginningofthewar.Withthatonesentence,AtticushadreaffirmedthatthehonouroftheXLegionstillextendedfurtherthanabattlefieldvictory.‘Wefollow,’Atticusordered.‘Weobserve.Fornow,thatisall.’WhenthefleetreachedPythos,thelargestshipsanchoredingeostationaryorbitabovetheanomaly.The

smalleronesbegantheirdescenttothesurface.Lightersbegantoshuttlebackandforth,transportingpassengersfromtheshipsincapableofmakingplanetfall.Therewereaccidents.TheVeritas’sauspexbankspickeduptheheatsignaturesofexplosionsfromthoselandingsthatendedindisaster.Theindividualtragediesdidnothingtodampentheenthusiasmcomingfromtheever-moreexcitedvoxtraffic.Galbaheardtheword‘home’becomearefrain.Hedoubtedthatmostoftheshipsmakingalandingwouldeverbeabletoleaveagain.‘Theyhavecometostay,’hesaid.Atticusmadenoreply.

TheThunderhawkgunshipIronFlameleftthebaseandflewlowoverthejungle.Thetreecanopywasasopaquefromaboveasitwasbelow.Atfirst,therewaslittleofthegroundthatAtticusandhissergeantscouldseefromtheair.Evenso,therewasstillmoreopentotheirgazethanduringtheinitialforay.Duringtheconstructionofthebase,flightsofThunderhawksandStormEaglesdroppeddozensofpayloadsofincendiarybombsalongtheroutefromthepromontorytothecolumn.Thejunglewasputtothetorch.Thewaycleared,Vindicatorsfinishedthejob.Theircannonsblastedintobloodymistanysaurianswhoventuredwithinrange.Thehugesiegeshieldsscrapedthesmoulderinggroundrawandflat.Therewasnowascartwentymetreswideleadingtotheanomaly.Thestreamhadbeenbulldozedunderground.Theswampwasdryingmud.Themosswasash.Already,thejunglewasgnawingattheedgesoftheroute,seekingtoreclaimitsdomain.Itwouldbea

matterofweeks,Galbathought,beforethebombingwouldhavetorecommence.HewonderedhowlongtheIronHands’storeofincendiarymunitionswouldholdout.ThestateofthegroundroutewasnottheconcernofthelegionariesinIronFlame.Theyhadcometo

seethefateofPythos’snewarrivals.Thecivilianshadlandedoveranareaofseveralsquarekilometres,withthecolumnattheroughcentre.

Black,oilysmokebillowedskywardsfromnumerouslocations.Thesewerethepyresofdeadships.Somehadbrokenupathighaltitudes,killedbyfailingheatshieldsandweakenedhulls.Othershadslammedintothegroundlikemeteors.Stillothershadmissedthelandentirely,plungingpastthedarkcliffsandintotherestlessocean.Therewerealsothoseshipswhosedeathscouldnotbeexplained.Whetherthroughhumanincompetence,structuralinadequacyorboth,theyexplodedastheyweretouching

down.WhileIronFlamewasbeingpreppedforthemission,Galbahadwatchedthelastoftheorbitaldescents.Hehadlistenedtotheengineroarspunctuatedbytheperiodic,stutteringthunderofdestruction.Hewonderedhowmanyliveshadendedinthosefewminutes.Manyhundreds,certainly.Alossofthatnumberofmortalswasinsignificantonthebattlefield.Foranunopposedlanding,itwasobscene.Still,foreverycrash,thereweretensuccessfullandings.Atleast,thatwaswhatGalbahadguessed

fromwhathecouldobservefromthebase.Now,asthegunshipreachedthelandingregion,hetookinthevolumeofsmokeandfrowned.‘Therearetoomanyfires,’hesaid.‘Whatdoyoumean?’Atticusasked.‘Therehavenotbeenthismanycrashes.’Theskyoverthisregionwaschangingfromfilthygreyto

chokingblack.‘Iseenointactshipsatall,’saidSergeantCrevther.‘There.’Darraspointed.‘Attwoo’clock.’Thevesselwasamid-sizedcolonyship.Itsdesignwasancient,farolderthantheImperium.Thatithad

leftitshomeberthatall,nevermindsurvivedacrossingofthevoidandalandingonhostileterrain,wasmiraculous.ThelastofitspassengerswerestreamingdownitsdisembarkationrampsasIronFlamehoveredoverhead.Theygatheredaroundtheship,clamberingoverthetreesthattheshiphadflattenedonitsdescent.Thetransportwassoold,itsoriginalnamehadbeenerodedaway.Anewone,GreatCalling,wascrudelyemblazonedonthestubbybow.Theshipshudderedlikeastruckbell.Firebillowedfromtheopenbaydoors.Acascadeofexplosions

atthesternbuilttoamassivefireballthatengulfedtheengines.‘They’redancing,’Atticussaid.Hewasstandingattheopenhulldoorofthetroopcompartment.The

windroaredathim.Hisfeetwideapart,armsfolded,hewasassteadyasifweldedtothedeck.Thecrowd,thousandsstrong,wascaperingaroundthestrickenshipasifitwereacommunitybonfire.‘They’remad,’saidDarras.‘Iftheybreachedtheplasmacores…’‘Theyappeartoknowwhatthey’redoing,’Atticussaid.‘Otherwisethatwouldhavehappenedtoat

leastoneoftheships,andthisentireregionwouldbegone.Thesedemolitionsarebeingcarriedoutwithcare.’‘Butwhy?’SergeantLacertusdemanded.‘Becausetheydon’teverplantoleave,’Galbasaid.‘TheykeptreferringtoPythosas“home”intheir

transmissions.Nowitis.Theyaremakingitimpossibletoleave.’Heeyedtheburningcolonyship,andthoughtthatithadremainedtruetoitsfirstpurposeallthewaytotheend.Thesepeoplewerenotjustcivilians.Theywerecolonists.‘Theywanttostayherethatbadly?’askedDarras.‘Thentheyareignorant,stupidormad.Allthree,I

suspect.’‘Theycan’tbeignorant,’saidAtticus.‘Notanymore.’Hepointed.Thesaurianshadcome.Thecallofabundant,easypreyhadgoneouttothemonthebreezesofPythos,

andtheyhadanswered.Theywerearrivinginmuchlargerpacksthanbefore,andthereweremanymorespecies.Theydescendeduponthecolonists.Theytoreintothem.Thedanceended.Thecelebrantsstruggledtodefendthemselves.Theywerecarryingnothing.Theyhad

nofirearms.Theybunchedtogether,andfoughtbackwithpunchesandkicks.Someofthemhadswordsofsomekind.Thebladesonlyenragedtheanimalstheystruck.Thecolonists’defencewasafarceofthemosttragickind.Thesauriansfeastedwell.‘Circlearound,’AtticusvoxedBrotherCatigernus,whowaspilotingIronFlame.TheThunderhawkflewfromlandingsitetolandingsite.Thesamescenewasrepeatedatevery

location.Theshipswereburning.Theclearingscreatedbytheirdescentwerefilledwithcrowds

defendingthemselveswithpoles,improvisedclubs,andmoreofthoseswords.Nowandthen,Galbasawaflashoflasfire.Hedidnotthinktherewasmorethanonerifleforeveryhundredcolonists.ManypeoplehadcongregatedonthelandclearedbytheIronHands.Moreandmorejoinedthem,

fleeingthesteamingslaughterofthelandingsites.Galbafoundithardtogaugenumbers.Therewerepeopleinthetensofthousands,shouldertoshoulderinthespacearoundthecolumnandalongthewidetrailleadingbacktowardthepromontory.Theywereagiantherd.TheywerethetragicrightingoftheecologicalimbalancethatsotroubledPtero.Pythosfinallyhaditsherbivores,andthepredatorsrejoiced.Thefrontlinesoftheherdfoughtdesperately,protectingthosefurtherback.Galbaknewhewaslookingatactsofenormousheroism,butfromabove,allhesawwastheuglinessofthedeaths.Theedgesofthecrowdturnedintoaswampofbloodymudandmutilatedbodies.Morereptileswerearrivingallthetime.Pythoswasunveilingthemonstrousvarietyofitsfauna.Theoutcomeofthestrugglewaspreordained.Itwouldtakedays,butintheend,theroadtothecolumn

wouldbealakeofgore.‘Takeusback,’AtticustoldCatigernus.‘Wearen’tgoingtoopenfire?’Galbaasked.‘Atwhat?’Atticussnapped.Galbadidnotanswer.Atticuswasright.Thegunshipwasabluntweapon.Itsmissilesandgunswould

killmorecoloniststhansaurians.Thereptilekillswouldbeadropintheocean.Theonlyresultwouldbeaspeedingupoftheinevitable.‘Doyouhearthat?’saidDarras,expressingamixtureofdisbelief,bafflementandcontempt.‘Ido.’FromAtticus,therewasonlycontempt.Galbahearditnow.Risingabovethecriesofthedyingandtheroarsofthesaurians,audibleevenover

theroaroftheThunderhawk’sengines,wasthesoundofjoy.Thecrowdwassinging.Thepeoplewereagiganticchoir.Theygavevoicetoatriumph.Evenastheirfellowswerebeingdevoured,theywerecelebratingtheirarrival.Galbacouldnotmakeoutthewords,butthemoodwasunmistakeable.Thetunesoared,acrestofvictoryandstrength.Whateverhappenedtothemnow,thesepeoplefelttheyhadaccomplishedagreattask.Tohavetravelledtothissystemincraftthatlookedrescuedfromthescrapyards,thatwasafeat.To

havelandedmostofthemwas,too.Butwhysuchastruggletoreachthisdeathworld?Galbasuspectedhewouldneverknow.Whenthecelebrationwasover,therewouldbenocelebrantslefttoexplainit.‘Idiots,’Atticusmuttered,dismissingthesong.Hecontinuedtowatch,though,anddidnotlookaway

fromthestrugglingcolonistsuntiltheywereoutofsight.‘Theyfightwithspirit,’Galbaoffered.‘Theirfightispointless.Theycannotwin.Theyaretooweak.Theycameheretodie,andIwillnot

admirethat.’IronFlamereturnedtothebaseandtherestofthecompany.Khi’demandhisfellowSalamandersstood

attheedgeofthelandingpad.TheywalkedforwardsastheIronHandsdisembarkedfromthestarboardaccesshatch.PteroandtheRavenGuardwerepresent,too.Theyadvancedcloseenoughtohearwhatwassaid,butremainedinthebackground.‘Whatcanyoutellus,CaptainAtticus?’Khi’demasked.Toneandwordswererespectful,Galbanoted.

Evenso,therewasanexpectationofconfrontationintheair.‘Thesituationisasanyonewouldexpect.’AtticusdidnotanswerKhi’demdirectly.Hisvoicewas

raised.Hewasspeakingtotheranksofhislegionarieswholinedthelandedpad.‘Thesetravellersareessentiallyunarmed.Theywillnotlastlongagainstthesaurians.’‘Whatdoyouplantodo?’Khi’demwasalmostwhisperingnow.

Atticuscontinuedtoaddressthewiderassembly.‘MistressErephrenisreadingtheimmateriumoncemore.Shewillfindusatarget,andweshallstrikeagain.’‘Whatdoyouplantodoaboutthepeopleofthefleet?’Khi’deminsisted,assoftlyasbefore.AtticusatlastturnedhiscoldgazeonthesonofVulkan.‘Do?’heasked.‘Thereisnothingtodo.’Therewasapause.ThewarrriorsbehindKhi’demstirred.Heblinkedafewtimes,butremainedcalm.

‘Ifindthathardtobelieve.’‘AndIfindyourconfusionsurprising.Withinafewdaysatmost,thesituationwillberesolved.’‘Resolved…’Khi’demrepeated.Hewasunabletokeepthemountinghorrorfromhisvoice.‘Therewilleitherbesomesurvivorswhohavelearnedtofightback,ortherewillbenone.’‘Youdonotbelievetheoutcometobeanyofourconcern?’‘WhyshouldI?’ItwasAtticus’sturntosoundpuzzled.‘Whateverhappens,thesecolonistsarenota

threattoourposition.Theyhavedestroyedtheirmeansofdeparture.Ifthereareanysurvivors,itwillbeasimplemattertostopanycommunicationstheyattempttomakewithelementsoutsidethesystem.ThoughIthinkthatishighlyimprobable.’‘Iwasnotthinkingaboutthismission’sintegrity,’Khi’demsaid.‘Thatisregrettable.’Atticus’svoicewasbecomingalmostasquietasKhi’dem’s.Themoresoftlyhe

spoke,themoreangerhissedfromhisvocaliser.‘Iwasthinking,’Khi’demcontinued,‘aboutourresponsibilitytothecolonists.’‘Wehavenone.’‘Theyarebeingslaughtered.’‘Iamawareofthat,brother.Ihaveseenwhatishappening.Youhavenot.’‘Thenhowcanyoustandbyanddonothing?’‘Theyhavemadetheirdecisions.Theyarecelebratingtheirchosenpathinsongaswespeak.Weare

LegionesAstartes.OurdutyistothedefenceoftheImperium.Itisnotthepolicingofmortalstupidity.’‘Norisnegligencetakentothepointofmurder.’Silencedescended.Itwasthickwithpotentialviolence.Itsmotheredthesoundsofthejungle.Atticus

remainedmotionless.Galbacheckedhisimpulsetoraisehisbolter.AripplespreadthroughtheIronHands.AwordfromAtticus,andthelegionarieswouldavengethehonouroftheircaptain.Hedidnotgivetheword.Whenhespoke,itwasasifhewereshapingthecoldsilenceintowords.

‘Explainyourself,anddoitwell.’Thewarningwasgiven.Feelingsick,Galbabracedforcombat.Withdrawyourinsult,hewilled

Khi’dem.TheymustbesparedthetragedyofbloodshedbetweenloyalistLegions.Withdraw.Withdraw.Khi’demdidnotstanddown.‘Whatarewe,CaptainAtticus,ifwedonotchecktheannihilationofa

populationofcivilians?Whatarewedefending?IfthecitizensoftheImperiumcountfornothing,thenwhatisourpurpose?’‘TheEmperorcreatedustodefeattheenemiesofmankind.Weareweapons,notnursemaids.’Galbabreathedabitmoreeasily.AtticuswasdebatingKhi’dem.Themomentofragehadpassed.The

sergeantwasglad.Khi’dem’swordswereeatingathisconscience.‘Thatismankinddyingoutthere,’Khi’demcried,pointinginthedirectionofthebutchery.‘Here,now,

thoseanimalsaretheenemy.Towhatprincipleareyoubeingloyal,ifnotthat?’‘Theyarenature,’Atticusreplied.‘Theyareatest.Ifthecolonistsarestrong,theywillsurvive.These

arethelessonsofMedusa.HaveyouforgottenthoseofNocturne?’‘No,Ihavenot.ThepeopleofNocturnedonotabandoneachother.DothepeopleofMedusa?’When

Atticuswassilent,Khi’dempressedon.‘Yousaythatthesepeoplehaveembracedtheirlotwithsong.Aretheyfightingback?’

Atticus’shesitationwasnothostilethistime.‘Theyare.’‘Theyarenotsuicidal,then.Theyareinthestruggletotheend.Surelythatisnotdishonourable,evenif,

inyoureyes,theyaremerelyflesh.Therearesomebattlesthatnoamountofwillorabilitycanwin.Youknowthis.Weallknowthis,toourcost.’Silencefollowedthereferencetodefeat.Khi’dempaused.Galbawonderedifhehadoverplayedhis

hand.GalbafoundthathewashopingtheSalamanderwouldswayAtticus.Hedistrustedhisreaction.Itwasfeltratherthanreasoned.Perhapsitwasanotherresultofhisimperfectembraceofthemachine.Itsorigindidnotmatter.Itexisted.Hewasstuckwithhisunwantedempathy.AtticusturnedhisheadawayfromKhi’dem.Helookedinthedirectiontheotherhadpointed.He

seemedtobelisteningforthesong.No,Galbathought.Heisn’t.Youare.‘Thereisalsothecolonists’utilitytothemission,’Khi’demsaid.Atticusturnedbacktohim.‘Whatutility?AllIseeisthewasteofthiscompany’stimeandenergyin

keepingthemalive.’‘Ifyoudothat,thinkwhatitwillmean.Iftheymanagetomakeahomehere,theywillbebringing

stabilitytothisregion.Wedonotknowhowlongwewillbeonthisplanet.Wouldnotsomedegreeofpacificationbeuseful?’Atticusgrunted.‘Perhaps.Perhapsnot.Idonotexpectthistobeapermanentbaseofoperations.’‘No,’Khi’demadmitted.‘Ihopeitwillnotbe.’Hebegantowalkaway.‘Butyoumustdoasyouseefit.

AsmustI.’‘Whereareyougoing?’‘Tohelp.’Atticus’sbioniclarynxmadeashortburstofelectronicnoise.Itcouldhavebeenagrowlaseasilyasa

laugh.‘Andyou,RavenGuard,’hesaidtoPtero.‘Youhavebeensilent.DoyoulettheSalamandersdoallyourspeakingforyou?’‘Wehavesaidnothingbecausewewerelistening,’Pteroreplied.‘Youjudgeus,Atticus.Youtakeour

measure.Aswedoyours.’HeandtherestofhisreducedsquadbeganfollowingtheSalamanders.Atticusmadethenoiseagain.Galbaknewnowthatitwasbothagrowlandalaugh.‘Youseektoshame

us!’hecalledtotheretreatinglegionaries.‘Youthinkhonourwillnotpermitustostandasidewhileyouindulgeyoursentimentality?’‘They’rerighttothinkso,aren’tthey?’Galbaventured.‘Yes,’Atticusanswered,themonotonecoldagain,theemotionsunreachable,undetectable,‘theyare.’

NINESalvationiniron

SkeVrisStorms

ThebattlesonPythoshadbeenskirmishesbefore.Theyhadnotbeenrealwars.Thepowerimbalanceononesideortheotherhadbeentoogreat.Thesaurianshadoutnumberedthereconnaissanceforce.Thedeforestationhadbeenamechanicalexercise.Aftertheairborneimmolation,thefewremainingsaurianshadbeennothreattothetanks.Thistime,thebattlewasreal.Itwouldbeatrueclashofforces.Therewassomethingalmostjoyousin

that,Galbathought.Theinitialstagewasalightningadvancedownthetrailfromthepromontory.TheVenerableAtrax,

111thCompany’sContemptorDreadnought,andtwoVindicators,EngineofFuryandMedusanStrength,ledtheway,theinfantryfollowingbehindatarun.Therewaslittleresistance.ThereptilesonthepathwereblastedapartbytheDreadnought’stwin-linkedheavybolters.Others,tooslowtoflee,wereflattened,thenscrapedapartbythetanks.TheIronHandsreachedthenearestportionofthecrowdlessthananhourafterKhi’demhadcarriedtheday.Themechanisedassaultnowwastwin-pronged.WhileAtraxcontinuedupthecentreofthetrail,the

Vindicatorsmovedtoeitherside.Thejunglebarredthevehicles.Itwashometoshadowsandteeth,andprotecteditsmysteries.Thetanksdidnotcare.EachblastfromtheirDemolishercannonssmashedtrunkstosplinters,topplingthegiants,crushingwhateverstalkedbeneath.Thecannonsweredesignedtobatterdownfortresswalls.Theydevastatedthejungle.Asdestructiveaseachshotwas,thefirewasalsoprecise.Hittingatrunkatthewronganglemightbringthegreattreedownonthecolonists.Overhead,IronFlameflewinsupport,saturatingthedeeperareasofthejunglewithincendiaries,strafingthelargerconcentrationsofsaurianswithitsbattlecannonandthetwin-linkedheavyboltersofitssponsons.Galbawasnearthefrontoftheleft-handcolumn.Hissightdownthepathwasblockedbythemassive

shapeofEngineofFury.Hisearswerefullofenginegrowlandtheslowdoombeatofthecannons.Betweeneachenormouspoundofthedrum,asitsechoesshookthegloweringsky,therecamesplinteringcrashesandanimalscreams.Pythoshadcometofight,anditwasbeingtaughtthefoolishnessofitsaction.Thedinofreptileandartillerywassogreat,Galbacouldbarelyhearthecolonists.Thesongwasstill

there,though,stillstrong,itstriumphuntouchedbythedepredationsofthesaurians.AndnowthemightoftheLegionesAstartesstruckthemonstersofPythos,givingtruthtothehymnofvictory.TheVindicatorsdrovebetweenthecolonistsandthepredators.Moresaurianswentdownunderthe

massivetreads.Thecannonsfiredpoint-blankattherampagingmonsters,drenchingthevegetationinredmist.Inthewakeofthetanks,theIronHandsrakedthejunglewithbolterfire,pushingthereptilesfurtherback,wheremanymorefellunderthewitheringattacksoftheThunderhawk.Theshockoftheinitialattackstaggeredthesaurians.Agapopenedbetweenthemortalsandthehunters.

TheIronHandsrushedtofillit.Astheadvancemovedfurthertowardstheanomaly,thelegionariesformedaceramitechainalongthesidesofthetrail.EachSpaceMarinewasalink,holdingseveralmetresoneithersideofhim.Theycreatedanavenueofsanctuary.StandinginthehatchofEngineofFury,Atticusaddressedthecolonists.Hevox-casthiscommandson

allspeakers.Whenhespoke,hewasthemachineincarnate,asifIronFlameandtheVindicatorsthemselveshadfoundtheirvoice.

‘CitizensoftheImperium!Yourvalourdoesyouhonour!Butnowisthehourofyoursalvation.Followtheroutewehavecreatedforyou.Downthatpathliessafety.Movenowordiewhereyoustand.’Asheriddledpredatorswithboltershells,stillfollowingtheVindicator,Galbanoddedtohimself.

Atticus’swordsweremercyreinforcedbydisciplineandsteel.TheIronHandshadcometorescuethesepeople.Theywouldnotcoddlethem.Ifthecolonistswastedtheopportunitywithfoolishness,thentheytrulywereweakanddeservednoconsideration.GalbarealisedhewashavingamentaldebatewithKhi’dem.Hesilencedtheinternalvoicesand

focusedonthekilling.Thecolonistsbegantomoveuphill.Atticusurgedthemon,andtheybegantorun.Theystreamed

betweenthelegionaries.TheSalamandersandRavenGuardranattheheadofthecrowd,holdingoffthesauriansthatabandonedthepacksandtriedtofollowthefleeingprey.ThemissionwasthelargestplanetarydeploymentoftheVeritasFerrum’swarriorssincethe

Callinedesoffensive.Galbaglancedbackattheunwaveringlineoflegionaries.The111thClan-CompanyoftheXLegionwasashadowofitsformerself.Yetstillthecompanynumbereditswarriorsinthehundreds.StillthefistofAtticuscamedownwiththeforceofanasteroidstrike.TheLegionwasinjured,buttheLegionfoughton.TheLegionwashere,now,anditsmajestyofwarwasterribletobehold.Galba’schestswelledwithpride.Hisheartspumpedwiththeneedforcombat.‘Nowletthisplanetknowourtruemeasure!’Atticuscalled.‘Letitknowthatwehavecome!Letit

knowourwrath!Andsoletitknowfear!’ThecloserthefrontoftheIronHands’advancecametotheepicentreoftheanomaly,thebiggerthe

crowdgrew,andthemoreferociouslythesauriansattacked.AsGalbadrewneartherockcolumn,thereptilianassaultreachedsuchafrenzythatitwasasifthejunglehadbeenreplacedbyavortexofsnappingjaws.Galbawasfightingasolidwallofmuscle,clawsandteeth.Mostoftheanimalswerethebipedsthathadattackedwhenthecolumnhadfirstbeendiscovered.Butthequadrupedswereheretoo,aswereseveralotherspecies.Therewereafewwhostoodout,huntingasindividualsinsteadofinpacks.Theseweremonsters,tenmetrestallandtwentymetreslong.Theyhadlong,powerfulforelimbs,andarowofbonyspikesrunningfromtheirforeheads,downtheirspines,andalongthelengthoftheirarms.Theyshoulderedthroughtheirsmallerkin,usingthemassivespikesontheirelbowstostabrivalsoutoftheway.AquadrupedchargedatGalba,onlytoshriekandfallwrithingtothegroundwhenaspikeaslongasa

chainswordjabbedintoitseye.ThemassivekillermadeawidesweepofitsarmasitlungedforGalba.Heducked.Arowofdeathpassedoverhishead.ThereachofthesaurianwassogreatthattheblowconnectedwiththelegionarybehindGalba.Theforceofthehitshatteredhisbreastplate.Thespikesslammedhomethroughhischest.Thewarriorgurgledashislungsandheartswerepunctured.Thesaurianliftedhim,impaled,toitsmouth.BluntjawswithteeththelengthofGalba’shandsnappeddownonthelegionary’storso,severingitintwo.Shoutinginarticulatecurses,Galbastitchedthecreaturewithboltershellsfrombellytoneck.Blood

slickedthesaurian’storso.Theanimalroared,deepbassthundermixedwithanoutragedshriekofagony.Itlungeditsheadforwards.TheforeheadspikesmashedintoGalba’sshoulder.Ceramitecracked.Muscletore.Hewasthrowntotheground.Themonsterraisedaclawedfoottocrushhim.Herolledtotheside,firingagain.Theearthtrembledasthesaurianstamped.ThenGalba’sshotspunchedupthroughitslowerjaw.Thefronthalfofthemonster’sheaddisappeared.Galbathoughttheshriekwouldtearthecloudsfromthesky.Thesaurianstaggered,itsclawsgraspingattheairwhereitsjawshadbeen.Thenitcollapsedwitharesonantcrash.Clamberingoveritsbodycamemoreofthesmallerbipeds.Themonstershadbeendeprivedoftheir

easy,plentifulprey,andtheywereangry.TheywerecomingtokilltheSpaceMarines,topunishthemfordaringtoinvadetheirterritoryandthwarttheirdesire.Theirinsensatefurywassofocused,hecouldalmostbelieveevilwaspossibleinananimal.Thesaurianswererelentless.Asbefore,theirnumbersseemedinexhaustible.ButtheIronHandshad

numbersnow,too.Andtanks.Andagunship.Theincendiariesstillfell.TheDemolishercannonsboomed.Thejunglewasshreddedandburned.Manyreptilesdiedbeforetheycouldreachtheobjectsoftheirhatred.Theotherswerebroughtdownbyendless,unwaveringbolterfire.TheIronHandswereholdingtheline.Theywoulddosountilthemissionwascomplete.Ortheyranoutofmunitions.Galbadroppedanothersaurianandcheckedhisammoclips.Hehadlearnedfromhisfirstexperience

here.Theyallhad.Theyhadbroughtplentyofrounds.Butnotaninfinitesupply.Galbahadalreadyusedhalfofhis.Thebattlecouldnotgoonindefinitely.‘Run!’Atticuscommandedthecolonists.Hespokeevenashisstreamoffiredecapitatedtwoofthe

long-neckedbipedsnearesthim.‘Wedonotwaituponyourpleasure.Runnowandlive.Wait,andyoushowyourselvesunworthyofourefforts.Earnourhelp.Ifyoudonot,youwilldie.’Thecolonistsran.Galbacouldfeelthesizeofthecrowdathisbackdiminishing.Therewasmovement

happening.Theywereclearingthethousandsawayfromthecolumn,movingthemtowardssafety.Thecolonistswerestillsinging.Thesound,mixedwiththesnarlingandthebutcheryandthebarkingofguns,wasgrotesque.Galba’sadmirationforthesepeopleevaporated.Theirimpermeablejoywasinsane.Weretheystupid?Didtheyhavenorespectforthebattle-brothersfightinganddyingontheirbehalf?Whoarewesaving?hewondered.Hesteppedback.Massivejawssnappedtogetherahair’sbreadth

fromthefrontofhishelmet.Heshotthequadrupedthroughtheeyes.Arethesepeopleworthsaving?HecouldguesswhatKhi’dem’sanswerwouldbe.TheSalamanderwouldsaythattheacthaditsown

value.Itdidnotmatterforwhomitwasdone.Iftheyweredefenceless,iftheyneededhelp,thenyes,theywereworthsaving.Tohisright,abraceofquadrupedsdescendedonalegionary.Hedidnothavetimetoswitchfrom

boltertochainswordbeforetheybroughthimdownwithsheertonnage.TheycrushedhisskullbeforeEngineofFuryfired,blastingthemfromexistence.Anotherbrothergone.Theloyalistcampaignweakenedbyjustthatmuch.Inexchangeforwhat?Was

thereanythingthesecolonistsofferedinthewarthathadengulfedtheImperium?HowmanyoftheirliveswarrantedoneoftheIronHands?Aninnervoicethatsoundedlikehiscaptain’ssaid,Allofthemwouldbeinsufficient.YetAtticuswasthere,fightingforthelivesofthemortalswithasmuchpurposeandbrutalgraceason

theCallidora.HehadcometoagreewithKhi’dem.Agreeenough.Agree,atleast,thatprotectingwhatitmeanttobetheXLegionwasworththelosses.Backatthebase,Galbahadbeenpleasedbythedecision.Butnowthesonggrated.Thecelebration

soundedlikemockery.Henowpreferredthehonestsavageryoftheanimalshefought.Hechannelledhisangerthroughhisbolter,intothefleshhedestroyed.Ashekilledanotherbehemoth,hethoughtofthepridehehadfelttoseethefullmightofthecompanyunleashed.Tofightanimals,saidabittertruth.Thesepeople.Aretheyworthit?Worthyornot,thecolonistswereherdeduptheslope.Theyweretoonumerousforallofthemtotake

refugewithinthebase’swalls.Thewoundedandtheweakwereprotectedthere,alongwiththefirsttoarrive.Theothersgatheredontheplateau,theirnumbersspillingdowntheslope.Butthepositionwasdefensible.TheVindicatorstookupstationsbelowthemortalsandpummelledthejungle.IronFlame

flewoverwatch.Moreofthejunglewasburnedaway,anditbecamepossibletoholdtheupperreachesofthepromontorywitharelativelysmallcontingent.Eveningfell,andthebombardmentcontinued.ThewildlifeofPythosrefusedtosurrenderitsprize.

Individualsaurians,feralrageoverwhelmingself-preservation,attackedeveryfewminutes.Theywereannihilated.Andtheykeptcoming,graduallyeatingawayattheammunitionsupplies.

Standingnexttothearmoury,KanshellwatchedAtticusspeakingwithasmallgroupofcolonists.Theywerestandingonthelandingpad,visibletoall.Theyappearedtobeofawarriorcaste.Theyworerudimentaryarmour.Itwasnotquitepatchwork.Kanshellcouldsee,ontheindividualsnearbywhoworeit,evidenceofmetalworkinthedesignsoftheshoulderguards.Someofthewarriors,menandwomen,carriedspearsorswordswithelaborateengravings.Perhapstherewasanofficerclass,too.Oneofthepartyonthelandingpadappearedtobealeader.Hewaspowerfullybuilt,andhisarmourwasmoreostentatious.Kanshellwishedthathewerecloseenoughtoheartheconversation.Thecrowdbeforehimwastoo

densetopushthrough.ItwasmostlymadeupofPythos’snewarrivals.ThereweresomeLegionserfsmixedinwiththem,though.Kanshellhopedsomeoneheknewwouldbecloseenoughtolearnwhatwasbeingdecided.‘Heisaskingustoleave,’saidawomanatKanshell’srightshoulder.Theserftwisted,startled.Thewoman,liketheothercolonists,wasverytallandwiry.Herhairwasdark,unkemptandthick.Her

featureswereflattened,almostsimian,butherfacewaslong,andtherewasanoddgracetoherbearing,asifsheweredancingwhilestandingstill.Herclothingwashideandfur,thetracesofthecreaturesstilleasytosee.Anecklaceofanimalteethhungaroundherneck.Itwasstrangeattiretoseeonsomeonewhohadjustarrivedin-system.Thewomanseemedlikeaprimitive,Kanshellthought.Shedidnotlooklikethememberofaculturethatcouldoperatevoidships.Shebowed.Themovementwasliquid.‘MynameisSkeVris.’‘JeruneKanshell.’Henoddedinreturn.‘Youweremadtocomehere,’hesaid.‘Youshouldleave.’Thewomansmiled.‘Wecannot.Ourshipsaregone.’Hersmilewasbeatific.Sotherumoursthathadracedthroughthecompoundweretrue.‘Whywouldyoudosuchathing?’‘Wenolongerhadneedofthem.’‘Butyouseewhattheconditionsonthisplanetarelike!Youcan’tmeantomakethisyourhome.’‘Home,’SkeVrisrepeated.Sheclosedhereyesasshesaiditagain:‘Home.’Shewassavouringthe

word.Sheopenedhereyes.Theyshonewithaprofoundjoy.Kanshellfeltastabofenvy.Thewomanstandingbeforehimhadfoundherlife’smission,andhadanswereditscall.Kanshellhadoncethoughtthathewasdoingthesame.Butnowuncertaintywashiscompanionthroughdisturbingdaysandsleeplessnights.‘Whereisyourhome?’SkeVrisasked.WasitMedusa?No,notanylonger.Theplanetofhisbirthwastoodistantamemory.‘Theship,’he

answered.‘TheVeritasFerrum.’Whenhesaidthename,hestartledhimselfbypronouncingthewordsasifhewerepraying.‘HowwouldIconvinceyoutoabandonit?’‘Youcouldnot.’Theideawasoffensive.‘Precisely.’‘Butyouhaveneverbeenherebefore,’Kanshellprotested.Thenhehesitated.‘Haveyou?’Couldthis

bealostpeoplereturningtoitspointofdeparture?‘No,’SkeVrisanswered.‘Noneofmykindhaseversetfoothere.’

‘Thenhowcanthisbehome?’‘Itwasforetold.’Thesmileagain.Itbespokeacertaintysoabsolute,itwouldbemoredifficultto

uprootthanamountain.‘Whydidyounotcomeherebeforenow?’‘Thetimewasnotright.Nowitis.’‘Howdoyouknow?’‘Wecouldnotbeginourjourneyuntilwewereforcedto.Warcametotheworldwherewewereliving

andbroughtanendtoit.Soweleft,gladtobeofthegenerationtoseetheprophecyfulfilled.’Kanshellfrowned.SkeVris’slanguageofprophecyandforetellingwaslightyearsfromtheorthodoxy

oftheImperialTruth.Itmadehimuncomfortable.Partlybecausehedisapproved.Partlybecausehewantedthewoman’sserenity.Henoticednow,scatteredaboutthecrowd,colonistswearinghoodedrobes.Aspeoplemilled,they

loweredtheirheadsiftheycrossedpathswithoneoftherobed.TherewasnodoubtinKanshell’smind:superstitionhadanactiveroleinthisculture.Howisolatedhadthiscivilisationbeen?Forhowlong?Haditneverbeenmadecompliant?HadtheIronHandsencounteredoneofhumanity’sforgottentribesjustaseverythingteeteredonthebrinkofcollapse?‘Wheredidyoucomefrom?’heasked.‘Theworldislostnow,’SkeVrisanswered.‘Soisitsname.Thatiswell.Itwasafalsehome.Itdid

nottestus.’‘YouthinkthatiswhatPythosisdoing?’SkeVrisnodded,hersmilehuge.‘Itwelcomeduswithfury,asweknewitwould.Wemustearnour

homehere.Wewillbetestedeveryday.Thisisright.Thisisthewayoffaith.’Faith.Thewordhauntedhim.ItroseeverywhereKanshellturned.SincethefirstnightonPythos,ithad

becomeharderforhimtodismissitasheknewheshould.TanaurahadofferedhimitsreassuranceafterthedeathofGeorgPaert.Heknewheshouldacceptthathehadhallucinated.Thatwastobeexpectedinaregionwheretheboundarywiththeimmateriumwasragged.Buttheinsistentrealityofwhathehadseenrefusedtobebanished.Andinthepresenceofevilmiracles,whatrecoursewasthere,Tanaurahadaskedhim,butfaith?Didhethinkthesimpleapplicationofforce,nomatterhowgreat,wasthesolution?Faith.Hereitwasagain.HelookedintotheradiantfaceofSkeVris.Hefeltadesperatehunger.This

womanhadlosthundredsofherfellowsoverthecourseofthisday,yetshewasstaringtowardsthefuturewithsomethingmuchstrongerthanhope:confidence.Kanshellwonderedwhatitwouldtaketoshakethisbeing.Nothing,hesuspected.Hewaslookingatawomanwhosefaithwasanimperviousshield.Perhapsit

wasevenstrongerthanTanaura’s.Shewasfrightened,whereasSkeVriswasglowingfromtheeventsoftheday.‘Why?’Kanshellasked.‘Whyisitnecessarythatyoubetested?’‘Tobemadestrong.Wehavetobestrongtocompleteourwork.’‘Whatworkisthat?’SkeVrislookeduptothesealedheavens.Sheraisedherarmshighinwelcome.‘Thatrevelationisyet

tocome.’Shepaused,baskingintheineffable.Sheloweredherarmsandhereyesweresomehowevenmorejoyfulthanbefore.‘Itwillcomehere,’shesaid.‘Soon.Somymastersays.’‘Yourmaster?’SkeVrispointedtooneoftherobedfigures.Hewasnearthelandingpad,observingthedebate

betweenAtticusandthecolonists’representative.Eveninthefallingnight,hewaseasytopickout.Hestoodatleastaheadtallerthanmostofhisfellows,whokeptarespectfuldistancefromhim.

‘Whatishisname?’Kanshellasked.‘Ihaveyettoearntherighttospeakit.’KanshelllookedatSkeVris’sattireagain.Thewoman’stunicwaslongerthanthosewornbymostof

theothercolonists.Italsohadashorthood.Kanshellsawalinkbetweenitandthedarkrobes.‘Youareareligiousapprentice?’heasked.‘Anovitiate.Yes.’Kanshellhesitatedbeforespeaking.Thenherealisedthathemust.Ifhedidnot,hewouldbeadmitting

thedefeatofwhatheknewtobethetruth.‘Youarewrongtostay,’hesaid.‘Youhavebeenledherebyadelusion.Thereisnothingtoworship.Therearenogods.’SkeVris’ssmiledidnotfalter.‘Youthinkso?Areyousure?’‘Iam.’‘Howdoyoucomebythiscertainty?’‘TheEmperorhasrevealedthetruthtoallmankind.’Andthatincludesyou,doesn’tit?‘Whatisarevealedtruthexceptagiftfromthedivine?’SkeVrisasked.‘No,’Kanshellstammered.‘No,thatisn’tright.It…I…’hetrailedoff.Hiswilltobuttresshisposition

leakedaway.‘Yes?’SkeVrisprompted.‘Nothing.You’rewrong,though.’Kanshellcouldhearhowweakhisargumentsounded.Hisdistressmusthavebeenvisible.SkeVrisgraspedhisshoulderinagestureofsolidarity.‘Ithinkwe

willhavemoretosaytooneanotherinthedaysahead,myfriend.’‘Youreallyplantostay.’SkeVrislaughed.‘Itisnotaquestionofplanning.Thisishome!Thisisdestiny!’

Darraswatchedthespectacleonthelandingpad.Thisistheatre,hethought,disgusted.Thehumansweredoneupforshow.Theywereragged,buttherewaspompandceremonyandprideintheirmotley.Theyshouldhavebeenhumble,butthoughtheyexpressedgratitude,theyradiatedentitlement,asiftheIronHandsweretheoneswhohadjustarrivedandwerebeingwelcomedasgueststoPythos.Theanswershehadreceivedtothequestionshehadputtooveradozenoftherefugeesonlyreinforcedthatimpression.GalbajoinedhimbesideUnbending.‘Anyluck?’Darrasgaveashortbarkofalaugh.‘Iaskwhotheyare,theytellmethey’repilgrims.Pilgrimsfrom

where?Fromlies,comingtotruth.Fromwhichplanet?Theyhavecrossedintotherealmofthetruth,andsothepast,likealllies,nolongerexistsforthem.AndwhenIaskhowtheygothere…’‘Theyweretransportedonthewingsoffaith,’Galbafinished.‘Exactly.’Darrassnorted.‘Nonsense.’‘Nonsensethattheyappeartobelieve.’‘Well,that’sallright,then.Werescuedfoolsinsteadofliars.Iconsiderthedaywellspent.’Hewaved

hisarm,takinginthebaseandthecrowdedslopebeyond.‘Theseareyourworks,too,brother.Lookuponthem.’‘Ididn’tadvocateforthis.’‘No,youdidn’t,’heconceded.‘Butareyoudisappointed?’HewatchedGalbacarefully.Hewasnot

surprisedwhentheothersergeantshookhishead.Galbawasbeinghonestwithbothofthem,andthatwasgood.ButitbotheredDarrashowmuchinfluencetheRavenGuardandtheSalamanders,Khi’deminparticular,werehavingonGalba.Hisbattle-brotherwasdriftingfromthemachinicpath.‘Youthinkwedidtherightthing,don’tyou?’‘Ido.’

‘Whereistheworthinthiscarnival?’‘Thathasyettobeseen.Butthehonourablechoiceisnotnecessarilyautilitarianone.’‘Norisitnecessarilytherightone.Ididn’taskifyouthoughtwehadchosenthehonourablepath.We

did,withoutquestion.Butthereismorethanoneformofhonour.Today,wehonouredtheflesh.IsourLegioninthehabitofdoingso?’‘Idon’tneedtobeinstructedinourtenets.’Darraspretendedhehadnotheard.‘Thefleshisweak,brother.’Heleftunspokenthefactthatsolittle

ofGalba’shadbeenparedaway.‘Itmakesbadchoices.Itiscorruptible.’‘Iknow,’Galbasaidsoftly.‘Ithinkyouarelisteningtoyourstoomuch.’WhenGalbasaidnothing,Darrascontinued.‘Strategyand

reasonarethepathsthathonourthemachine.Whenreasonisabandoned,betrayalfollows.’Galba’seyesflaredwithanger.Good.‘Areyouaccusingmeofsomething?’‘No.Justremindingyouofwhoweare.’

Sheknewwhohadenteredherchamber.Theinsanityofthewarpfilledherworldtothepointthatshebarelyhadanyawarenessofherownbody.Butthepresencethathadarrivedwaspowerful.Itshard,unforgivingrealitycounteredtheblandishmentsoftheimmaterium.‘Hello,captain,’Erephrensaid.‘MistressErephren.’‘Theyaren’tleaving,arethey?’‘Theyarenot.’‘Howcouldthey,eveniftheywantedto?’‘Somerepairsmightbepossible.TheplanetKylixisjustcapableofsupportinglife.Itisaharshworld,

butnotamadone.Wecouldtransportthemtotheemptyshipsinorbit.’‘ThatdoesnotsoundlikeafitdutyfortheIronHands.’Theelectronicgratingwaseloquentwiththecaptain’sdisgust.‘Itdoesnot.Norisplayingnursemaidto

thesefools.Ihopeyouwillprovidemysalvation.’‘How?’‘Givemeatarget,mistress.Findusamission.’Shesighed.‘IwishIcould.’‘Yoursightisfailingyou?’‘No.Theproblemisthewarp.Ihaveneverseensuchstorms.Wecannottravelit.Noonecan.’‘Whendidthisbegin?’‘Justafterourreturn.Wearetrappedhereuntilthestormssubside.’Thepresencewassilent.‘Lord?’Erephrenasked.‘Iwasthinking,’Atticussaid,‘howmuchIdistrustcoincidences.’‘Cantheenemyhavethepowertocausewarpstorms?’‘No.No.Thatisimpossible.’Therewasthesoundofhisheavybootsteps.‘Dowhatyoucan,’hesaid.‘ThemomentIseeapathforustotake,Iwillletyouknow.’‘Icanasknomore.’Thepresencebegantowithdraw,takingitsrealityaway.‘Captain,’Erephrencalled.‘Yes?’‘Iwanttothankyou,’shesaid.‘Theconfidenceyouplaceinmeisagreathonour.’‘Itisonlyright,’heanswered.‘Wefindourselvesinuniquecircumstances.Wemustrelyuponeach

other.Wearemorealikethanyourealise,mistress.’

‘Idonotunderstand.’‘Wearetools,youandI.Wehavebeenmoulded.Toaccomplishourdutiestothefullest,wehave

surrenderedalmosteverythingthatoncemadeushuman.Wehavebecomeweapons,andnothingmore.Weareunfitforanythingelse.Thatisourprice,andthatisourgreathonour.’‘Thankyou,’shesaid.Renewedstrengthofdutyfloodedhersystem.

Thebombardmentwassporadic,butitdidnotend.TheVindicatorslitthejunglewithaslow,emphaticbeatoffire.GalbafoundKhi’demstandingbesideMedusanStrength.‘Areyoupleasedwithyourself?’heasked.‘Iamgratefultoyourcompany,’Khi’demanswered.‘Iamgladtherightthingwasdone.Iamnot

gloating,ifthat’swhatyoumean.’‘Ihopeyouarerightthatthiswasnecessary.’‘Howcanyoudoubtit?’‘Thecost.’‘Imournthelosses.Idonottakethemlightly.Ournumbershavebeenreducedstillfurtheraswell.’‘Andwhathasthispriceboughtus?’‘TherighttocallourselvesdefendersoftheImperium.Brother-sergeant,ifyouweightodayonlyby

militarygain,youaremakingamistake.’Galbalaughedsoftly.‘Iknewyouweregoingtosaythat.’‘Thenyouknewthetruth.Youfeltit.’‘Perhaps.’Galbadoubtedit.Therefrainofaretheyworthit?stilltroubledhim.‘Andwhatisthenew

truth?Whatdowedowiththesepeoplenowthatwehavesavedthem?’‘Weareresponsibleforthem.’‘Youarebeingvague.’‘Idonotcommandthiscompany.’‘Don’tyou?’Galbadidnottrytohidehisbitterness.MedusanStrengththunderedagain.Galbapointed

tothesuddenglowofdestructioninthetrees.‘Lookuponyourworks,brother.’HewasconsciousofechoingDarras.Washeshiftingblame?Wasthereblameatall?Hedidnotknow.‘Everyexpenditureofashellisinanswertoyourdesire.’‘No.Itistheexpressionofyourchoice.Thecorrectone.’‘Thenyouarepleased.’‘Iamrelieved.’Galbasnorted.‘Asyouwill.YourreliefwillnodoubtbebuttressedbythenewsIbring.’‘Whichis?’‘Aswearesaddledwiththeresponsibilityofthesemortals,webeginconstructionofamorepermanent

settlementtomorrow.’Khi’demwassilent.Afteramoment,Galbanoticedhewasshaking.‘Issomethingwrong?’heasked.Khi’demshookhishead,thenburstintolaughter.‘I’msorry,brother,’hegaspedout.‘Doenlightenme.’Khi’demmasteredhimself,butwhenhespoke,Galbacouldhearthelaughforcingitselftosurface

again.‘IhavelivedtoseetheIronHandsbuildavillage.Thisisindeedarareday.’Thenthefitwasuponhimagain.Galbaknewheshouldbeoffended.Hefoundhecouldnotsummontheindignation.Instead,hesawthe

irony,andthecornerofhismouthbegantotwitchup.Whenhadtherelastbeenlaughterinthecompany?Hecouldnotremember.Laughterhadbeendrainedfromthegalaxy.ButKhi’demhadsummonedit.The

noisewasdefiancehurledintothenight,andnowGalbajoinedin,anditfeltright.Thereasonwasunimportant.Theworthwasintheactitself.

Twomoreserfsdiedduringthenight.Oneranintothejungle.Hisdevouredremainswerefoundastheworkbegan.Theotherlaybehindthearmoury.Hehadinsertedhishandsbetweenhisjaws.Hehadfoundthestrengthtopullhisownheadapart.

TENThetouchofthenuminous

NotacrusadeIntelligence

Theconstructionbeganwithmoredestruction.Thelowplateaunearthesiteofthecolumnwaschosenasthesiteofthesettlement.Thecolonistsclamouredforthatspot.Atticusagreedthatitwasthemostdefensibleposition.Itwasalsostrategicallyuseful.Fromthislocation,itwouldbepossibletoextendthepacifiedzonetotheanomalyitself.‘TheSalamandersmayhavebeenrightaboutstability,’DarrassaidtoGalbaastheyorganisedthework

details.‘Theyknowhowtoholdground,’Galbaadmitted.TheplateauwasclearedbymorefirebombingbyIronFlame.Thebombardmentwasintense.Thefires

rosehighenoughtobevisiblefromthebase.Theyglowedandflickeredbeneathacloudofsmokethatspreadbeneaththeclouds,turningthegreyofPythos’sskytoadirtyblack.Thegunshipcircledtheplateau,usingcannonsandmissilestogougeanencirclingtrench.Astripoftreeswasleftstandingbetweenthetrenchandthetopoftheplateau.Thisnarrow,circularforestwouldbethesourceofrawmaterial.Whenthefiresdied,theIronHandsescortedagroupofcolonists,afewhundredstrong,backtheway

theyhadcomeonlythedaybefore.Thepilgrimagewasmoreorganised,lessofapell-mellflight.Thegroupwaslimitedtoasizethatwaseasilydefended.Evenso,therewerecasualties.Threemorebattle-brothersandfifteencolonistsdiedonthewaythere.Anotherfivemortalsweretakenbypredatorsthatdaredtoventureontothetopoftheplateau.TemporarybarricadeswerebroughtdownfromtheVeritasFerrum.Theywereusedtocreateasecure

zoneonthewestendoftheplateau.Inthatzone,thefellingofthetreesbegan.Themassivetrunkswerecutintouniformsections,andtheerectionofapermanentpalisadebegan.TheIronHandsprovidedsecurity.Theyblasteddownthelargestofthetrees.Theconstructionofthe

settlementitselfwasentirelyinthehandsofthecolonists,butalargecontingentofserfswastaskedtoaidtheprocess.Theserfshadtheskillsneededtobuildastrongholdquickly.Theyhadtherecentexperience.Theyneededtobekeptoccupied.

Kanshellwasamongthosesenttotheplateau.Hehad,withGalba’spermission,volunteered.HehadbeenaboardtheVeritasinHarmartia.HehadbeensparedseveralnightsonPythos.Thejourneybackthroughthewarphadbeenabadone,filledwithnightmares.Hehadputthatdowntohisfearofreturningtotheplanet.Thefirstnightbackhadbeentolerable,perhapsbecauseoftheovercrowdingonthebase.Thesheernumberswereasourceofreassurance.Andyetthedeathshadoccurred.Twopeoplehadsomehowfoundawaytobealoneandmeetthe

terror.Poorjudgementhadleftthemvulnerabletohallucinations,andtheyhadkilledthemselves.Thiswas

clearlyexplainedtoall.KanshellthoughtofGeorgPaert,andoftheeyesthatscreamed.Andhedoubted.Tanauratriedtospeakwithhim.Kanshellbrushedheroff.HewasclingingtotheImperialTruthwith

alltherationalforcethatremainedtohim.Hedidnotwantherunderminingthat.Soheaskedforthework.Back-breakinglabour,hehoped,wouldexhausthimtothepointofinstant,dreamlesssleepcomethenight.Nosunbrokethroughtheclouds.Therewasnothingbywhichhecouldmonitorthepassingoftheday

exceptthegradualtemperingofthelight.Heimagineditwasfailingfasterthanitwas.Hetriedtowillittobeslowerthanitwas.Hethrewhimselfintothework,haulinglogs,lashingthemtogether,raisingthewall.Heworkedasifhisbodywoulduseuptheenergyhismindneededtoworry.Hecouldtellthathewasnottheonlyonewhohadtakenthisquest.Thefacesoftheotherserfsmirroredhisdetermination.Theireyeswerehaunted.Theirjawswereset,thetendonsoftheirnecksstandingoutwithtension.Thecolonists,bycontrast,werecelebrating.Theyhadbegunsingingagainastheyhadduringthemarch

fromthebase.Unlikethedaybefore,therewasmorethanonemelodyintheair.Kanshellthoughtthesongswerematchedtoparticularactivities–forwalking,forthehewingofwood,forbuilding.Thewordswereunintelligible,butthetonewasclearenough.Itwasalwaystriumphant.Kanshellsuspectedthesongswerehymnsofpraise.Thecolonistsweremorejoyfulthanwasrational.Theywerebeingbuoyedbythewingsofsuperstitiousbelief.Hedisapproved.Heenvied.Alongthecircumferenceoftheplateauwereanumberoflowmounds.Theyhadbeeninvisiblepriorto

thedeforestation.Theyweresetbackabouttwentymetresfromtheedgeandwerenomorethanaboutfourmetreshigh.Thetopsofthemoundswerelevel,roughcirclestenmetresindiameter.Onewascontainedwithintheinitialsecurezone.Thecolonistsnotworkingonthewallwerebusyconstructingaframeworkonthetopofthemound.Thestructurewentupquickly.Itwassquare,withapeakedroof.Kanshellpausedinhisworkofhackingalogintoaspikedshaft.Hewatchedacolonistclamberupto

thetopofthebuilding’sroof.Inthecentre,thewomanfixedoneoftheornatestaffsofthepriestcaste.SkeVrisstoodatthebaseofthemound,callingencouragementandapprovalasthewomanfinishedherwork.Sheclimbedbackdowntoherapplause.AmassivefigurepassedinfrontofKanshellandmarchedovertoSkeVris.ItwasDarras.Thesergeant

toweredoverthenovitiate,wholookedupathimwithasmile.Kanshellwatchedthemspeak.Theirwordsdidnotreachhimoverthenoiseoftheconstruction.SkeVrislistenedtothelegionary,thenshookherhead,stillsmiling.Shepointedtothestructure,thenspokeforafewmoments.Hergestureswereexpansive.Shefinishedwithherarmsspreadwideenoughtoembracetheworld.Shebowed,invitingDarrastoprecedehertothedoorway.Darrasstrodeuptherise.Heduckedtolookinsidethedoor.Thenheturnedandwalkedaway,hishandgesturetoSkeVrisasdismissiveasashrug.ThecolonistremainedatahalfbowbeforeDarras’sretreatingback.KanshellleanedhisaxeagainstthelogandmadehiswaytoSkeVris.‘WhatdidSergeantDarras

want?’heasked.SkeVrisstraightenedandclappedKanshell’sshoulderinwelcome.‘Hewasaskingaboutthenatureof

whatwehavebuilt.’‘It’satemple,isn’tit?’Hewasstunnedbythecolonists’foolishness.TheIronHandswouldnever

permitsuchaflagrantviolationoftheImperialTruth.SkeVrischuckled.‘Therearenogodsinthere,’shesaid.‘Thenwhatisit?Ashelter?’

SergeantDarrasdemandstoknowthebuilding'spurpose

‘Wewilluseitinthatwayatfirst,yes.Butitismorethanthat.Itisagatheringplace.Thereiswherewediscusstheconcernsofourcommunity.Itiswhereweexperienceandreaffirmourbondsoffellowship.Itisalodge.’‘Butyoudon’tdenythatyouengageinworship.’‘IwillnotrenouncewhatIsaidtoyouyesterday,no.Butwewillnotoffendthegreatwarriorswho

havegivenusaid.Wetakeourbondswiththemveryseriously,too.’Kanshellgrunted.‘Idoubtthattheyfeelthesamewayaboutyou.’‘Intime,theywill.Wehaveacommondestiny.Whyelsewouldweallfindourselvesonthisworldin

thesedaysofwar?’Thateternalsmilewastherestill.Thewoman’spleasureintheworldwashardtodismiss.TheenvytightenedKanshell’schest.SkeVristouchedhisarm.‘Comeinside,myfriend.Youlabourandareheavilyladen.Wewillgiveyou

rest.’Loyaltytotherationalistcreedbadehimrefuse.Butnightwascoming.SohefollowedSkeVrisupthe

slightrisetotheentrance.Hewasnotcommittingtoanything,hetoldhimself.Hewasjustcurious.Therewasnoharmintakingalook.Hewasstruck,ashenearedthebuilding,bythecarethathadgoneintoitsconstruction.Thelogsthat

madeupitswallshadbeencutintoshapeveryquickly,andtheirdimensionswereirregular.Evenso,thejoinslookedsolidenoughtoweatheryearsanddecades.Henoticedthattherewasnodaubingtofillthegapswherethelengthsofthelogsdidnotmeet.‘Whatareyougoingtouseforweatherproofing?’heasked.‘Nothing,’SkeVrisanswered.‘Nothing?’‘Istheworknotbeautiful?’Itwas.Thegapshadaserendipitouspatterntothemthatgavethesimplearchitectureacomplexitythat

wasinvisiblefromafar,butdissolvedintoindividualfragmentswhentooclose.‘Thiswillmakeapoorshelterfromthefirstwind,’Kanshellcommented.‘Lookinside,’SkeVrisurged.Kanshelldid.Therewerenowindows,buttherewaslight.TheperpetualovercastofPythoswasstill

enoughtoshinethroughthegapsinthewalls.ThepatternKanshellhadseenoutsidewasmultipliedintheinterior.Itseemedtohimthattheambientexteriorlightwassharpenedasitpassedthrougheachslit,creatinganinterlockingoverlapoflightonlight.Hetriedtoseethepattern’sprecisecontours,butcouldnot.Thelightwastoodiffuse.Hewasnotseeingbeamscrossingeachother.Rather,hewasexperiencingthelayeringofshadesandtonalities.Thiswasaplayoflightthatwasfeltinsteadofseen.Theeffectwasextraordinary.‘How…’Kanshellbegan.Hissentencetrailedoff,besetbytoomanyquestions.Howhadthecolonists

donethisworksofast?Howhadtheydoneitwithsuchcrudematerial?Howdidtheydoitatall?SkeVrisbrushedpasthimandwalkedtothecentreofthespace.‘Joinme,’shesaid.‘Comeandseethe

touchofthenuminous.’Kanshelltookastepforwards.Thelightwebintensifiedasheenteredthelodge.Itdancedoverhis

nerveendings.Hisskinbrokeoutinelectricgooseflesh.Thehaironhisarmsstoodonend.Thespacedidnotgrowbrighter,buthecouldseemoreclearly.Hewasonthevergeofmakingoutthedetailsofthe

pattern.IfhejoinedSkeVrisinthecentreoftheweb,hewouldsurelyseeitthen.Therewouldbeclarity.Hewouldunderstandthemeaningofthepattern.AndSkeVrispromisedtherevelationofthedivine.No.Thepromiseofcomfortwasgreat.Itwouldbeeasytosurrendertohisinstincts.Hismindandhis

heartwereexhaustedfromtheeffortofclingingtorationality.Buthispridewouldnotyetadmitdefeat.Hewantedtobelievethatloyaltywasurginghissteadfastness,butthatargumentranghollow.TherewasnoquestioningTanaura’sloyalty.Shewouldtellhimtowalkforwards.‘No,’hesaidtoSkeVris,toTanaura,tohimself.‘Thankyou,butno.Ihavetogetbacktowork.’He

backedoutofthelodge.‘Anothertime,then,’SkeVriscalledafterhim.‘Thereisnodoorhere.Onlyadoorway.Crossitwhen

youareready.’

Theserfswerereturnedtothebasebeforenightfall.Thecolonistskeptworking.Thelabourwouldnotcease,theysaid,untilitwasdone.Moreoftheirnumberhadbeenescortedtotheplateauduringtheday.Closetohalftheirtotalnumberswerenowatworkonthesettlement.Thewallwasspreadingitsreachbythehour.BetweenitandthebarriersfromtheVeritasFerrum,therewasenoughprotectionthatonlyonesquadofIronHands,underthecommandofSergeantLacertus,stoodsentrythatnight.‘Themoraleofthesepeopleishigh,’hetoldGalbaandDarrasastheywereabouttoheadbacktothe

base.‘It’ssickeninglyhigh.’Theatmospherewasdifferentatthebase.Therewasenoughroom,now,tosheltertheremaining

colonistswithinitswalls.Thegroundswerecrowdedwiththem.Mostofthemwereasleep.Thosestillawakeweresingingsoftly.Themelodywasalow,tenor,backgroundhum,theslowsweepofitsphraseslikethemurmursofwaveletsofalakeattwilight.‘Ithinkthey’vebuiltatemple,’DarrassaidtoGalbaastheycrossedthebase’splasteelgate.‘Thatstructuredoeslooklikeone,’Galbaadmitted.‘Youmadeinquiries?’‘Theydenyitisanysuchthing.“Therearenogodsthere.”That’swhatIwastold.Itisonlyagathering

place.’‘Wereyoubeingliedto?’Darrashesitated.‘Thecuriousthingis,Idon’tthinkIwas.Andyet…’Hegestured,takingintheresting

colonistsandtheirsong.‘Yes,’Galbaagreed.‘Superstitionhasdeeprootsinthem.Ithasnotbeeneradicated.’TheyfoundAtticusstandingoutsidethecommandunit.Atfirst,Galbathoughthewassurveyingthe

colonists.Butastheyapproached,hesawthatthecaptain’sgazewaselevated.Heseemedtobewatchingforsomething.‘Well?’heasked.Darrasbriefedhimontheplateauandthelodge.‘Shouldwedemolishthatstructure?’Galbaasked.‘No,’Atticussaidafteramoment.‘NotunlessthereisadirectviolationofImperialLaw.Therearea

numberofpacifiedworldswhoseculturaltraditionsareveryclosetotheedgeoftheism,buthave,forstrategicreasons,beenallowedaprovisionalmeasureoftolerance.Wehavetakenonmorethanenoughwiththesewretchedmortalsalready.Wearenotengagedinacrusade.WearefightingforthelifeoftheImperium.IftheSalamanderswishtospendtheirtimeeducatingthesavages,letthem.Fornow,ifthesepeoplecanbeofanytacticalusetousinstabilisingthisregion,thenIwouldhavethemdoso.Iwillnotspendanymoretimeandresourcesonthemthanisabsolutelynecessary.Yousaytheplateauisbecomingsecure?’‘Itis,’Galbaconfirmed.

‘Isourpresencerequiredatall?’‘Minimally,fornow,’saidDarras.‘Theyshouldbeabletofendforthemselves,properlyequipped,

withinafewdays.Somecontinuedlossesaretobeexpected,but…’‘Theyhavethenumberstosustainthat.Good.’‘HasMistressErephrenfoundanothertarget?’Galbaasked.Heunderstoodhiscaptain’sfrustration.

EverydayspentonPythoswasanothersmallvictoryhandedtothetraitors.‘No,’Atticusgrated.‘Thewarpstormscontinuetointensify.ButIwillhaveusreadytodepartthe

momentactionagainsttheenemybecomespossible.Thenallthisflesh,’hewavedhishandincontempt,‘canlearnitsstrengthorweaknessonitsown.’

Galbawaswalkingpasttheserfbarracks,headingforthewall,whenhesawKanshellhoveringbythedoor.‘Lord,’Kanshellsaid,bowinglow.‘Hello,Jerune.Youshouldnotbealone.’Kanshellglancedbackintothedormitorium.‘I’mnot.’Hisvoiceshook.‘Wereyouwatchingforme?’Theserfnodded.‘Forgivemeforpresuming…’hebegan.‘That’sallright.Whatisit?’‘ThosethingsIsawthefirstnight–’‘Thehallucinations.’Kanshellswallowed.Hebegantotremble.Hiseyesreflectedthearclightsofthebase.Theywere

shiningwithterror.‘I’msorry,lord.ItriedtobelievethatIwasseeingthings.Pleasebelieveme.Ihavetriedandtried.ButIknowitwasreal.’Galbashookhishead.‘Thisispreciselywhythewarpissodangerous.Ofcourseitseemedreal.It–’Kanshellfelltohisknees,hishandsclaspedinsupplication.‘Butit’shappeningagain!Now!Right

now!Please,ohplease,inthenameoftheEmperor,tellmeyoucansenseittoo!’Galbawassostartledthathisserfhaddaredtointerruptthathedidnotrespondimmediately.The

hesitationwaslongenoughforhisowncertaintytocrumble.Thememoryofthetasteofshadowsassailedhimwithrenewedvenom,strengthandconviction.Andthenitwasmorethanamemory.Thetastewasthereagain.Theshadowsthatweredarkerthananyabsenceoflightreachedtendrilsintohisbeing.Hetriedtoshakethemoff.Hefoughtthemwithreason.Hewasnotimmunetothementaldepredationsofthewarp.Therewasnothingrealinwhathewasexperiencing.Theshadowsgrippedharder,sankdeeper.Theyinsistedontheirreality.TheytookAtticus’s

declarationsofrationalismandshatteredthem,leavingGalbaexposedtotheirblacktruth.Kanshellsuddenlyputhishandsoverhisears.‘Nononono,’hewhimpered.‘Canyouhear?Canyou

hearthem?’Galbadid.Thoughtheshadowsweresmotheringhissenses,someperceptionsweresharpened.They

werethealliesoftheshadows,moreclawsofthewarp.Barelyaudiblebeneaththequietchantingofthecolonistscamethesoundsfrominsidetheserfbarracks.Thepeopleinsideweremurmuringintheirsleep.Theirwordswereslurred,inarticulate.Thenoisewasthemumbleofstones,theinsinuationofbreeze,thewhisperofthenightstream.‘Icanhearthem,’Galbasaid.Hisownwordsweremuffled,asifhewerespeakingthroughacloudof

lead.Buttheactofspeakinggavehimsomeagency.Hemovedtowardsthedoorway.Moreshadowswaitedthere,coiling,readytospring.‘Howmany?’heasked.‘Allofthem,’saidKanshell.Itwasabsurd.Everyoneofthehundredsofmortalsasleepintherowsofbunkscouldnotbesleep-

talking.Galbasteppedinside,leavingKanshellatthedoor.Hesawrightawaythatthemanwaswrong.Notalltheserfswerewhispering.Afewwereawake.

Theywereweeping,curledupintoballsofterrorontheircots.Alltheothershadjoinedthenocturnalchoir.Theirwordswereunintelligible,butGalbacouldtellthateachpersonwasrecitingadifferentlitany.Thevoicescametogetherinastruggleofsyncopationandlayering.Thewhisperspiledupontopofeachother,adifferenthissrisingtothesurfacewitheverypassingsecond.Themurmursceasedtobehuman.Theywerenolongertheproductoflipsandvocalcords.Theywereraspingsound-shapesuntothemselves.TheycoiledaroundGalba’shearing.Theywereserpentinefragmentstwiningintoawhole.Theysummonedtheshadowscloser.Thedarknesssqueezed.Galbabegantochoke.Themoaning,rattling,snickeringchoirbecamemoreintense,thoughthevolumeremainedbarelyaboveagrave’ssilence.Thefragmentsjoinedandmoulded,joinedandlaughed.Asbefore,Galbafeltanunveilingloomoversanity’shorizon.Itwasnotenoughthathebeassailedbyatruthmadeofbutcheredmindsanddesecratedcorpses.Itwasnotenoughtofeelthepresenceofthetruthpressingagainsthismindlikeanexpandingtumour.Hemustbeshownthenatureofthetruth.Hemusthearitspeak.Hemustknowwhatithadtoannounce.Hisvisionbegantodarken.Hiseyeswerebeingcoveredbyamembranethatwasinsubstantial,yetit

clung,veinedred,likemuscle.Thetruthslitheredcloser.Hedivineditsshape.Itwasaname.Behindthename,anintelligencelurked.Thenametookshapebehindhiseyes,andtheshapewasMadail.Itsrhythmwasthebeatofareptilianheart.Itforceditswayuphisthroat.Itwouldhavehimspeakit.Andthenitwouldclaimhimasitsown.MADAIL,MADAIL,MADAIL.Galbaroared.Hereleasedhisangerfreeofallform,ofallwords.Itwasablastofuntaintedfury,andit

torethroughthemembrane.Itrippedthenightintwo.Thewhisperingfaltered.Galbagrabbedhischainsword.Heraisedithighandletitssnarlshredthewhispering.‘Awake!’heshouted.‘InthenameoftheEmperor,awake!’Thewhisperingstopped.Theshadowswithdrew.Hecouldbreatheagain.Theserfswereconscious

now,sittingupandstaringathim.Theywerefrightened,butnotofhim.Theydidnotlookconfused.Hesaw,ontheirfaces,themarkofacollectivenightmare.Heturnedonhisheelandmarchedoutofthebarracks.Kanshellwasstillonhisknees.Hewaslimp,

whetherwithexhaustionorrelief,Galbawasnotsure.‘Keepeveryoneawake,’hetoldtheserf.HegavetheordersoKanshellwouldhaveapurpose.Hedidnotthinkanyonewaslikelytosleepnow.Thesingingofthecolonistshadstopped.Theatmosphereofthebasewastense,asthoughastorm,

insteadofhavingpassed,wasabouttobreak.Galbastrodetowardsthecommandpost.Hewasnottheonlyone.Manyofhisbattle-brotherswereconvergingonthebase’snervecentre.Hefelteyesonhim.Hehadexpectedthat.Hehadraisedanalarm.Notallthelegionarieswerelookingathim.Theirfaces,inthehardilluminationofthebase,weregrim.

Theyhadthelooksofmenwhoknewtheywereatwar,butdidnotunderstandthefoe.Hehadnotbeenalone,Galbasaw.Somepart,atleast,ofwhathadattackedhimhadalsotouchedthem.Thiswasnohallucination.HebracedhimselffortheconfrontationwithAtticus.Thecaptainwouldnot

bereceptivetothosewords.Galbahimselfdidnotwanttospeakthem.Theyraisedtoomanyquestions.Theyattackedthefoundationsofreality.Theyunderminedtheregimeoftruthunderwhichtheyalllived.Buttheymustbespoken.Theymustbeconfronted.Atticuswasoutsidethecommandpost,asifhehadnotmovedsinceGalbaandDarrashadlefthim

there.Hestoodwithhislegsspread,hisarmsfolded.Hewasasimmovableasthecolumnofstone.Hewasnotwearinghishelmet.Hissinglehumaneyeshonewithaflameascoldasthevoid.Hewasstaringintothenightwithapure,machinichatred.Galba’swordsdiedonhislipsashedrewnear.

Therewasnothingtosay.Atticusknew.Thecaptainof111thClan-Company,XLegion,turnedhisterriblegazeontheIronHands.‘Wehavean

enemyonthisplanet,’hesaid.‘Itattacksfromtheshadows.Bringitintothelight.’Heuncrossedhisarms,openinghandsthathadbeendesignedtodonothingbutdestroy.‘AndIwillannihilateit.’

Andatdawn,somethingrosetothesurface.

ELEVENThechosengroundBeneaththesurfaceTheneedforcomfort

TheshadowscameforErephrenduringthenight.Theattackwassudden,andtookherbysurprise.Allofherdefencesweredirectedtowardstheempyreanitself.Theywerethefiltersthroughwhichshelookedatthemadness.Theydidnothingtoprotectherfromthepowerbehindtheshadows.Ithadahalf-presenceontheplanet.Itsinfluencewasleakingthroughthebarriers.Realitybegantosufferdistortions.ThemadnessofthewarpwasacquiringanempiricalsubstanceonPythos.Itdidnotyetwalkunfetteredonthesurfaceoftheplanet.Butthemadnesswascoming.Itsadvanceguardwasalreadystrong.Erephrenwaswatching,withgrowingdismay,thecourseofthewarpstorms.Aseaofperpetual

turbulencehadrouseditselfintoagalesomonstrous,sheriskedeverythingincontemplatingit.ThesourceofthetempestwastheMaelstrom.Hungry,ragingwithasuddeninfluxofpower,itspreaditsreachtoinfinitehorizons.Erephrensawsomeloyalistshipsthathaddaredtoventureintothecauldron.Theyfoundered.Someweredestroyed,andshesaweverydetailoftheiragony.Othersdisappearedintotheheavingwavesofunreality.Shedidnotliketothinkwhatwouldbeleftofthemindsofthoseonboard,shouldthosevesselseverreappear.ShesearchedinvainfortheechoesoftheAstronomican.Therewasnofailureinhervision.Thewaves

hadsubmergedthegreatlight.Anditwasasshegazeduponthestormthattheattackcame.Itinvadedherchamber.Shesensedthenot-

quite-presenceassoonasitarrived.Shewasstrong.Shewasquick.Sheshutherpsychicsensestothewarpandwithdrewherconsciousnessfromitsclutches.Shesnappedhershieldup.Speed,strengthandtrainingdidhernogood.Shewasreadyevenforsuchhorrorsasbredinthezones

ofweakboundaries.Butthedangersforwhichshewaspreparedwereinchoate.Theydidnothavevolition.Theywerenotsentient.Theshadowssmashedhershield.Theylaughed,andthelaughterwasthescrapeofrazorsoverherskin.

Theyroared,andtheywerethevoiceofaword:damnation.Thevoicesmashedherintooblivion.Whenshewoke,itwastotrueblindnessforthefirsttimeinherlife.Shegasped,fightingasmothering

panicintheabsolutewinterofhersenses.Shefelttheexpansionofherchest,andthatgaveherbackherbody.Sheflexedherfingers.Theyscratchedagainstametalfloor.Soshehadfallenfromherthrone.Herneckandthebackofherheadweresore;thebrassantennaeandmechadendritesthathelpedtunehermindtothewarphadbeentornfromherwhenshefell.Bitbybit,sheacquiredtheknowledgeofherlocationandcondition.Hersensesawokefromtheir

paralysis.Shegatheredheridentityandhuggeditclose.Aterribleshameenvelopedher.Shehadbeenweak.Shehadnoideahowlongshehadlainunconscious,derelictinherduties.Worsewasherknowledgeofwhathadhappened.Shehadbeenattacked.Therehadbeenanattacker.Shepushedherselfupoffthefloor.Herawarenessofhersurroundingsreturnedtoher,butimperfectly,

asiftheywereadegradedhololithtransmission.Shereachedforherstaff.Itwaswhereitshouldbe,restingagainstthethrone.Sheclutchedit,steadiedherstance,thenbracedhermind.Cautiously,shereachedouttothewarp.Shegruntedinpain.Warmtearsofbloodtrickledfromthecornersofhereyes.Harsh,jagged,silver

staticdisruptedherperceptionoftheempyrean.Itstabbedathermind.Itwasclawsandbrokenglass,

absencesintheshapeofpain,distortionsthatweremadnesslayeredonmadness.Shewithdrewbeforeshecollapsedagain.Shewipedthebloodfromhercheeks.Shesteadiedherself,foundhercoreofstrengthandleftherdark

chamber.ShehadtospeaktoAtticus.Yesterday,shehadassumedthewarpstormsweretheinevitableresultofrandomprocessesinthatrealm.Theattackchangedthat.Theimplicationsweretooimmenseforhertoaccept.Thedirectiondownwhichherthoughtswereflowinghadtobemistaken.Butsomethinghadattackedher,andthatmustbereported.Therewasverylittlesoundinthecommandblock.Erephrenpassedafewserfs,butsheencounteredno

presenceoftheIronHands.AssheapproachedthedoortoAtticus’squarters,awomanemergedfromthem.‘MistressErephren,’theserfsaid.‘I’msorry,butLordAtticusisnothere.’Erephrensensedtheotherwoman’sdeepbow.‘Whereishe?’sheasked.‘Heandagreatmanyofthelegionarieshavegonetothesettlement.’‘Why?’Therewasahesitation.‘Idonothavethehonouroftheconfidence–’thewomanbegan.‘Youhaveenoughofthecaptain’sconfidencetobegiventhedutyofcaringforhischamber,’the

astropathinterrupted.‘Serfslisten,observeandtalkamongthemselves.Nowyouwillenlightenme.Whataretherumours?’‘Theysaythatsomethinghasbeenfoundthere.’‘Andthatis?’‘Idonotknow,mistress.’Erephrenthoughtforamoment.Theattack;theinterferencewithherconnectiontothewarp;this

discovery,whateveritwas,thathadsummonedawaytheleadershipofthecompany:thesethingswerelinked.ShehadtoinformAtticusaboutwhathadhappenedtoher.‘Ineedavoxoperator,’shetoldthewoman.‘Iwillsummonone,’theserfanswered.Butshedidnotleaveimmediately.Erephrenheardanintakeof

breath,thesoundofsomeonegatheringcouragetospeakagain.‘Whatisyourname?’Erephrenasked.‘AgnesTanaura,mistress.’‘Youwishtoaskmesomething,Agnes?’‘Youdonotbelievethatwhathappenedlastnightwasasimplewarpeffect,doyou?’‘Idonot.’‘Doyouknowwhatitwas?’‘No,’shesaid.Shewasabouttoaddthatshewouldnotengageinspeculation,butthenrealisedthat

Tanauradidnotexpecthertohaveananswer.Theserfhadoneofherown.Whetherpresumptionorcouragewaspushingthewomantotalk,eitherwasimpressiveenoughtomakeErephrenlisten.‘Doyou?’sheasked.‘Notexactly,’Tanaurasaid.‘WhatIknowisthatitwassomethingunholy.’‘Unholy,’Erephrenrepeated,bitterlydisappointed.‘Youareriskingseveresanction,usingsucha

benightedterm.’‘Forgiveme,mistress,butImustspeakthetruth,anditisthetruth.Youweretouchedbythisevilinthe

night.Icanseeit.’TherewasarustleasTanauratookastepforwards.‘Wearenotaloneinourfight,though,’shesaid.‘Thereiscomfort.Thereishope.Thereisasacred–’Erephrenheldupahand.‘Stop,’shesaid.‘Youareblithering,andIdonothavetimefornonsense.’‘TheEmperor,’Tanaurahurriedon.‘InHisdivinity,Hewillsaveus,butwemustacceptHimbeforeit

istoolate.’Erephrenfeltatugonherrobe.Theserfwasdaringtoclutchather.‘Pleaselistentome,’

Tanaurabegged.‘Pleaselistentowhatyoumustknow,inyourheart,tobetrue.Thelegionarieswilllistentoyou.Theymust.Oh,theymust.’Shewasonthevergeofweeping.ErephrenpulledherrobefromTanaura’sgrasp.‘Mustthey?’Theflushofcontemptshefeltwasarelief.

Shewasalmostgratefultothiswomanandherforbiddensuperstition.Shewasbeingremindedofhertrueresponsibilities,andjoltedawayfromthetemptationsofirrationalitythathadloomedlargesincetheattack.‘Whyisitsoimportantthattheylisten?’‘Becausewemustleavethisplace,’Tanaurasaid,hervoiceverysmall.Erephrensnorted.‘Thatistheextentofyourfaith?Youbelieve,againstHisexplicitteachings,thatthe

Emperorisagod,butthatHeistooweaktobeofaidtous?’‘That…Thatisn’twhatImean…’‘Thenmakeyourselfclear,anddosoquickly.’‘Wemaynothavechosenthebattlegroundwisely–’‘We?’Erephrendemanded,enragedbythewoman’sarrogance.Tanaurastumbledbackwards.‘Ididnotintendtosuggest–’‘Asyouvalueyourlife,Ihopeyoudidnot!’Erephrentightenedhergriponherstaff.Shewasnotcruel.

Buttherewerelimitsbeforeeffronterymustbepunished.‘Pleaseunderstand,’Tanaurabegged.‘Notallbattlescanbewon.Wealreadyknowthis.Perhapswe

faceanotherIsstvanhere.Perhapsthetruestruggleiselsewhere.’Erephren’sragesubsidedassheheardtheagonisedhopeintheserf’svoice.Thewomanwasno

coward.Shewasactingasherconceptionofherdutydictated.Whentheastropathspokeagain,shekeptthethreatfromhertone.Butsheremainedfirm.‘Youmaythinkso.Butyourworshipisadelusion,anditisonlybyanactofmercythatIdonothave

yousilenced.’Shepausedforamoment,lettingTanaurarealisehernearescape.Shewenton,‘Andadelusionisnotaweapon.Itisaweakness.IfollowtheEmperor’steachings,andIusetheforceofreasonagainstourfoe.UntilsuchtimeasCaptainAtticusdeclaresotherwise,Pythosisours.ItisthekeytotheTenthLegion’sabilitytostrikebackatthetraitors,andIwillnotturnfromit,unlessourcommandingofficersoorders.’SheleanedtowardsTanaura,andthepresenceoftheserfshrankbeforeher.‘Thisismybattle.Here.Iwillnotretreat.Ihavebeenattacked,andIwillmaketheenemy,whateveritis,ruethedayitcrossedmypath.’Asshespoke,shefeltthetruthofherwordsgatheriron.Theterrorofthenighthadevaporated,leaving

aprecipitateofcoldrage.‘Doyouunderstandme?’shedemandedoftheserf.‘Ido,mistress.’‘Nowsummonthevoxoperator.Thereisworktobedone.’

Atticuswalkedtheedgeofthepit.GalbaandDarrasfollowed.Afewhundredmetresaway,Lacertusandhissquadmountedguardoverasecondsubsidence.‘Andthecolonistshavedonenoworkonthis?’thecaptainasked.‘Theysaytheyhavenot,’Galbaconfirmed.Helookeddownintothedeepchasm.‘Idonotseehowthey

couldhave.’Thepithadopenedupinfrontofthemoundonwhichthelodgewasbuilt.Itwasfortymetreswideandtenacross.Itsdepthwashardtoguess.Itfellintodarknessafteraboutahundredmetres.‘Thoughtheyhavebeenindustrious,’saidDarras.Itwastrue.Duringthenight,thewallhadbeenextendedalonghalftheperimeteroftheplateau.The

securezonewastwicewhatithadbeenwhenGalbaandDarrashadlefttheeveningbefore.‘Hundredsofpeopleworkingwithoutcease,’Galbaanswered.‘Whattheyaccomplishedwiththewall

iswellwithinthepossible.Thispitisnot.AndLacertussawnosignofexplosivesbeingused.Thegroundcollapsed.Thatisall.’‘Couldtheconstructionoftheirmeetingplaceshavebeenafactor?’Darraswondered.Asecondlodge

wasnearingcompletiononthemoundbeforethesecondpit.‘No,’saidAtticus.‘Ifthegroundwerethatunstable,wewouldhaveknown.Ibelievewhatcausedthe

subsidenceisasymptomofourproblem,andnotthecause.’Hepaused,cockinghisheadtoonesideashelistenedtohisearbead.Thenheturnedtothesergeants.‘NewsfromMistressErephren,’hetoldthem.‘Shehadherownbattlelastnight,andtheattackcontinues.Herabilitytoreadthewarpisbeingsabotaged.’Helookedintothepit.‘Thesubsidenceisnotourconcern,’heemphasised.‘Thatis.’Hepointedatwhatwasrevealedinthepit.Beneaththecolonists’lodgewasamassivestonestructure.Themoundwasnothingmorethanthepeak

ofthesquatdomeofthebuilding.Itappearedtobemadeofthesamesortofstoneasthestructureattheepicentreoftheanomaly.Butthatcolumnremainedanambiguity,neitherclearlynaturalnorartificial.Therewasnosuchambivalencebeforethemnow.Evenso,whatwasvisibleofthecyclopeanstructurehadadisturbinglyseamlessquality.Galbacouldseenojoins,nomortar,nohintthattheedificehadnotbeencarvedfromasinglemassofblackrock.Itwasasifanentireclifffacehadflowedintothisshape,andthenbeenburiedbythepassageofthousandsofmillennia.Asimilarstructurewasvisibleatthesiteofthesecondsubsidence.Galbasaid,‘Ifthisiswhatliesbeneathtwoofthemounds…’‘Yes,’Atticusreplied,turningaroundinaslowcircle.‘Isitalsotrueoftheothermounds?’GalbafollowedAtticus’sexample.Herealisednowhowevenlyspacedthefourmoundswere.

Diagonallinesconnectingthemwouldmeetinthecentreoftheplateau.‘Why,’hewondered,‘hastherebeennosubsidenceattheothertwolocations?Ithasonlyhappenedwherethecolonistshavebeenbuilding.’‘Theremustbeaconnection,’saidDarras.‘Wejustcan’tseeityet.’‘Ifthereis,weshallfindit,’Atticusdeclared.‘Whatisimportantisthatourenemybeginstoshowhis

hand,andsobecomesvulnerabletocounter-attack.’Galbafrowned.‘Howdoyoumean?’Atticuspointedtothexenosstructure.‘Nosaurianbuiltthat.Itisdirectevidenceofintelligentlifeon

Pythos.’HeturnedhisgazeonGalba.‘Noghostbuiltthis,either.’Galbarefusedtobecowed.‘Howlongwouldittakefornaturalprocessestoburysomethinglikethis?

Whatevidencedowehavethattheracethatconstructeditisstillwithus?’‘Thefactofitsreturnisevidence.Whoelsewouldhaveaninterestinit?Beyondthat,Icarelittlefor

thenatureofourenemybesidesthebestwaytodestroyit.TheinterferenceMistressErephrenisexperiencingwillstymieourwareffort.Ourfoe’spsychologicalattacksarealsoprovingcostly.’‘Whatareyourorders?’Darrasasked.Atticuswalkedtotheedgeofthechasm.‘Weexposethetruth,’hesaid.‘Andwedescendintotheheart

ofthelie.’

Therewasmoreworkthanever.Therewasurgencytoit,too.Atticushadcommandedthatthefullextentoftheundergroundstructureberevealed.Allofthecolonistshadnowbeenshippedtotheplateau.Everyserfnotessentialtotherunningofthebasehadbeenbroughthere,too.Thecommandwasasimpleone:dig.Kanshelldidaswascommanded.Theequipmentwaslimited.TheVeritasFerrumwasequippedfor

destruction,notcolonisation.Mostofwhatwasavailablehadcomewiththerefugeefleet,andwhathad

beensalvagedfromthelandingsbeforethesaurianonslaughtwasaswornandpatchworkastheshipsthemselves.Therewerenoearthmovers.Therewereshovelsandpicks,andmanyofthosehadbeenassembledfrombitsofwreckage.Thetaskwasimmense.Themeansshouldhavemadeitalmostimpossible.Butthewillandthehandswerethere.Thecolonistswereeagertohelp.Halftheirnumberworkedonthewallandheldoffmaraudingpredators.Forthemoment,thesaurianincursionswereanoccasionalevent,easilyrepulsed.Theotherhalfjoinedtheserfsinattackingthegroundatthebaseofthemounds.Kanshellnolongerheldthehopeofsleepinducedbyexhaustion.Heknewthatthenightwouldbring

screams,andtherewasnothinghecoulddoexcepthopethescreamswerenothisown.Hestillwelcomedthework.Itgavehimfocusduringtheday.Itwassomethinghecouldpretendwasuseful.Overvox-hornsbroadcastingtheentirewidthandbreadthoftheplateau,Atticuspromisedthatwarwasabouttobebroughttotheenemy’shome.Kanshellwantedtobelievehim.Butthemorehedug,themorethatwasuncovered,theshakierhisfaithbecame.Hisfaithwasshakenbecauseofhowquicklytheworkprogressed.Theearthseemedeagertogiveup

itssecrets.Kanshell,alongwithdozensofotherworkers,attackedtheedgesofthesecondpit.Thegroundfellawaywitheveryblow,tumblingdownintothedark,pebblesandclodsstrikingthefaceoftheblackstructure.Moreofitwasvisibleallthetime,thoughitsmysterydeepenedalso.Thescaleofthebuildingbecamemoreapparent.Kanshellwonderedifitmightnotencircletheplateau.Atticushaddirectedotherteamstostartexcavationsatapointequidistantbetweenthefourmounds.Sofar,theyhadnothingbutadeepholetoshowfortheirefforts.Hisfaithwasshakenbecauseofthestructure’smystery.Asitbecameexposedtolight,itmocked

rationality.Thefaçadewasariotofornatesculpture.Therewasnothingrepresentationalabouttheartwork.Thetwistinglinesandbulgesofthestoneworkwereanabstractlanguageofghastlymajesty.WhenKanshelllookedatthecarvingsdirectly,hesawpowerfrozenintostone,andstoneabouttoexplodeaspower.Hecouldnotstarelong.Thedesignshurthishead.Theytriedtostranglehiseyes.Hisskincrawledsomuch,itfeltlikeitwassloughingoffhisbones.Whenheavertedhisgaze,thetormentchangeditsnature.Hisperipheralvisionkeptpickingupmovement.Serpentinebeckoningcalledtohim.Whenhelooked,ofcoursetherewasnomovement.Buttheimmobilitywasamockery,alie.Theterrorgrewthatthenexttimehelooked,thestonewouldsquirm,andthatwouldbethemomentofhisend.Thecolonistssangastheyworked.Theywereascommittedtothedigastheyweretothewall.They

transformedtheirlabourintoanactofworship.Theyshowednofear.Kanshellwassickwithenvy.Onthefacesoftheotherserfs,hesawthereflectionofhisownterrors.Theireyesjumpedandskitteredashisdid.Theywerepale,tautfromlackofsleep.Theenergyoftheiractionswasfuelledbydesperation.Butthereweresome,frightenedthoughtheywere,whoseemedmorecomposed.Theyweredrawingonadeepreserveofinnerstrength.Kanshellsawsomethingdifferentinthem.Theyhadsomethingincommonwiththecolonists.Theyhadbelief.Atticusheldoffthedescentuntiltheexcavationswerewellunderway.Kanshellwatchedhimmarch

fromoneworksitetoanother,evaluating.Thecaptainobservedwiththedispassionofacogitator.Hedidnotrushhislegionariesintothegulfs.Hewasgatheringwhatintelligencecouldbegleaned,thoughKanshellcouldnotguesswhatthecolossuslearnedfromthegradualexposure.Afterthreehours,though,hepreparedtoleadamissionintothelargestchasm,beforethefirstofthelodgesthathadbeenbuilt.Kanshellpausedinhisdiggingtowatchthetwosquadsgatheratthelipofthedrop.Theyanchored

rappellingcablesstrongenoughtosupporttheweightofaSpaceMarinecladinpowerarmour.AgroupoftheRavenGuardjoinedthem.Theywerewearingjumppacks.

‘Youarefrightened,’saidavoice.Itwasdeepasamountainchain.Kanshellturnedandlookedup.Khi’demoftheSalamandersstoodbeforehim.Thoughthelegionaryworehishelmet,Kanshellsensedasternkindnessinhiseyes.ItwassomethinghehadneverfoundinanyoftheIronHands,exceptGalba.‘Iam,lord,’Kanshellsaid.‘Youshouldnotbe.YoushouldhaveconfidenceintheLegionesAstartes.Thereisnoxenosforcethat

canstandbeforeus.’‘Iknow.’Khi’demcockedhishead.‘Mywordsgiveyounocomfort,dothey?’IfanymemberoftheIronTenth,evenGalba,hadaskedthatquestion,Kanshellwouldhaveanswered

honestlybecause,howevermuchhemightbereluctanttoadmitthetruthofhisweakness,hewasmoreterrifiedoflyingtohismachine-likemasters.Now,Kanshellfeltthetruthinvited,ratherthanextracted,fromhim.‘No,’headmitted.‘I’msorry,lord,buttheydonot.’‘Whyisthat?’‘I…’Haditbeennight,hadhebeenringedbytheterrorsthatcamewiththedark,hewouldnothave

hesitated.Thoughtherespiteofthedaywasaweakone,itwasenoughtoholdhimbackfromacriminaladmission.Khi’demtookpityonhim,andprovidedtheanswerhimself.‘Itisbecauseyouthinkthisisanenemyof

averydifferentorder.’Kanshellgavethetiniestnod.‘Thisbeliefisbecomingcommonplaceintheranksoftheserfs.Itisamistakenone.Placeyourbelief

inyourcaptain.I’msurewhatyouhaveexperiencedisterrifying,buttheseareattacks.Ifthiswereallamanifestationofhowthinthebarriertotheimmateriumisonthisplanet,therewouldbelittlewecoulddo.Butanenemycanbefought.Itisthatsimple.’‘Yes,lord,’Kanshellanswered.No,hethought.Itisnotthatsimple.ThesonofVulkanwatchedhimamomentlonger,thenwalkedaway.HeknowsIdon’tbelievehim,Kanshellthought,hisfaceflushingwithshame.Hethrewhimselfbackintohiswork.Hedislodgedmoreclumpsofearththatfellintothedark.The

stripofgroundonwhichhestood,betweenthechasmandtheplateau’sslope,feltlikethinice.Itwasdistressingtorealisehowmuchbeneathhisfeetwashollow.Thedarkbelowwasamawthatwaitedforhim.Hekeptworkingoutofduty,notbelief.Helookedupatonepoint,andsawthatthesquadshadgone

intothechasm.Theirbrothersstoodguardoverthecables.Kanshelllookedaway,tryingtosummontheconfidenceKhi’demhadsaidheshouldfeel.Hefailed.Andthen,soonerthanhewouldhavewished,hisshiftended.EveningwasclosingitsgriponPythos,

andthemomentcametoreturntothebase.Therewasenoughclearlandingspaceatboththebaseandthesettlementforatrooptransporttobe

abletoferrythelargenumbersofserfsbackandforth.WhenKanshellalightedfromthecrowdedhold,hewent,forthefirsttimeinhislife,lookingforTanaura.Hespottedhernearthelandingpad.MoresupplieswerebeingbroughtdownfromtheVeritasFerrum,

andshewasamongthosehaulingplasteelcratesofammunitiontothearmourythatoccupiedthenorth-eastcornerofthebase.Shewaslookingasgrimashefelt.Healmostdespaired,buthehadnowhereelsetoturn,sohefollowedhertothearmoury,andwaitedoutsideitshangardoorforhertoemerge.‘Agnes,’hesaid.Sheturned,surprised.‘Jerune?Whatisit?’

‘Ineedtospeakwithyou.’Shetookatremblingbreath.Shewasmorethanexhaustedandscared.Sheseemeddefeated.‘Why?’

sheasked.Kanshellhesitated.Washerfaithnostrongerthanhis,then?Theevening’sgatheringdarknessrushed

forward.‘I’msorry,’hesaid.‘It’snothing.’Heturnedtogo.‘Wait,’shecaughthisarm.Shehelditwiththeferocityofsudden,desperatehope.‘Tellme.’Herneed

wasatleastasgreatashis.‘Thethingsthathavebeenhappening,’hebegan.‘ThethingsthatI’veseen…’Thiswasmoredifficult

thanhehadexpected.‘Idon’t…’Evennow,withhisoldbeliefstructureinruins,hisloyaltymadeitimpossibletospeakwhathefelt.It

wastoomuchlikebetrayal.Tanaurahelpedhim.‘Thesecularuniversecannotexplainthesethings.’‘That’sright,’hesaid,grateful.Theconstrictionaroundhischestlessened.Thereliefwasminute,butit

wasreal.‘Whatisityou’relookingfor?’sheasked.‘Strength,’heanswered.‘Hope.’Shewassuddenlypossessedbyboth.‘Thereishope,’shesaid.‘Anditwillgrantyoustrength.’‘Willithelpmeagainst…againstthenight?’‘Itwillhelpyoufacethenight.’‘Isthatall?’‘TheEmperorcallsonallofustohavecourage.Anddoesn’tithelptoknowthatthoughtheforcesof

darknessarereal,soistheforceoflight?’Kanshellthoughtaboutthat.‘Perhaps,’hesaid,andthatadmission,thatfirstacceptanceofwhatTanaura

preached,openedadoorinhispsyche.Itopenedadoortothesun.Yes,hethought.Yes.HehadalwayshadfaithintheEmperor,buttoknowHimasagodwastorealisetherewerenobarriersofdistancetoHispower.TheEmperorcouldseehimhere.TheEmperorcouldreachhimhere.Thewarmththatcamewiththeretreatofdespairflowedthroughhisveins.‘Yes,’hesaidaloud.Hesmiled.‘TheEmperorprotects,’Tanaurasaid.‘TheEmperorprotects,’Kanshellrepeated.Thatnight,hewascurledinhisbunk,awaitingthehorrorsthatstalkedthenight.Hewasterrified.The

horrorsarrived,walkingondreamsofshadow.Theymadethesleepersgibberandsing.Theymadethewakingscream.ButKanshellclutchedacopyoftheLectitioDivinitatustohisheart,andhewascomforted.

TWELVEDown

MachineFlood

TheIronHandsrappelleddownthefaçade.TheRavenGuardprecededthemusingtheirjumppacks.ItwasthefirsttimethatPtero’sAssaultsquadhadbroughtitstruecallingtobear.ThetwosquadsfromtheXLegionwereledbyAtticusandGalba.Darrashadacceptedhissquad’spostingasguardsatthemouthofthepitwithillgrace.‘Imeannodisrespect,brother-captain,’hehadsaid,‘butwhy?’‘Becausethisisareconnaissancemission,notaninvasion.AndbecauseSergeantGalbahas,ofallof

us,hadthemostintimatecontactwiththeenemy.Ifthefoeapproachesusbelow,Iwantasmuchwarningaspossible.’HestillbelievesIamsomesortofpsyker,Galbathought.Heresentedtheidea,butifAtticusthought

hecouldbeuseful,sobeit.Heknewhisduty.Hepushedofffromthestonewall.Didittwitchbeneathhisboots?Didhisheelssinkintoitfora

moment,asifitwereflesh?Didheseethereliefworkwrithe,likeanestofserpents?No,noneofthesethingshappened.Hecouldbesure,hehoped,ofthat.Yethefeltanatavisticdisgustasacutelyasiftheyhad.Hedroppedanotherdozenmetres,pushedoffagain,andcamedownonawideledgewhereAtticusand

hissquadwerewaiting.Below,thepitfellawayintodarksilence.Theledgewasakindofterraceoutsideanopeninginthewall.‘Thisistheworkofunhealthyminds,’Atticussaid,eyeingtheentrance.‘Wewillbedoingthegalaxya

servicebyexterminatingthem.’Thearchitectureoftheentrancewasasdisturbingaseveryotheraspectofthefaçade.Galbadidnot

knowifhewasfacingawindoworadoorway.Itrosetoapointedarch,butthesideswereasymmetrical,curvinginandawayfromeachother.Lookedatdirectly,theentrancewasaraggedwoundinstoneflesh.Seenfromthecorneroftheeye,itwasadance.Thearchwasnarrow,andangledslightlyoffthevertical.Itstabbedattheeye,andittookGalbaamomenttorealisethefullextentofitsperversion.‘Thesidesdon’tmeet,’hesaid,pointing.Thearchwasanasymptote.Thesidesclosedwitheachother,

thennarrowedtoarazorline,buttheyneverjoined.Thearchwasalie.‘Thatisn’tpossible,’TechmarineCamnussaid,offended.‘Thatmustbeafissure.’‘No,’saidAtticus.Therewasabarelyaudiblewhirashisbioniceyemovedupthefaceofthebuilding,

adjustingwavelengthstoadapttothelackoflight,magnifyingtheobjectsofhisgaze.‘BrotherGalbaiscorrect.Thedivisionbecomespartoftheornamentation.Itgoesallthewayup.’Camnusturnedhisownartificialeyesonthearch.‘Thebuildingisdividedintotwo?’hewondered.‘Worsethanthat,’saidGalba.Hepointedtotheleft,thenright,atotheropenings.Eachhaditsown

particulardeformation,asifoncefinished,thestructurehadbeguntomelt.Thearchesvisibleinthegloomhadthesameinfinitesimalgap.Thefaçade,whichhadappearedseamlessatfirst,uponcloserinspectionwasaweboftinygaps.Itwasathree-dimensionalmosaic.‘Notpossible,’Camnussaidagain,onlynowhisdenialwasanexpressionofhorror.‘Itwasbuiltintothehillside,thatisall,’Atticussaid.‘Itisbeingheldupbytheearthintowhichitis

sunk.’

Theledgewasatitswidestinfrontofthecentreoftheopening.Atitsedgewasacurved,taperingcylindertwicetheheightofalegionary.Itlookedlikeanenormoustusk,projectingintotheemptyairofthepit.Camnuswalkedthefewstepsovertoexamineit.Hisservo-armshoneabeamovertheblackstone.Helitupthesamefractaldivision.Whatlookedlikeanarabesqueofcracksglowed.Nothingpreventedthetuskfromfallingtopieces,unlessitwasthataestheticshadagravityoftheirown.‘Brother-captain,’Camnussaid,‘Icanthinkofnoplausibleexplanationforwhatweareseeing.’‘Itisaneffectofthewarp,’Atticusreplied.‘Moreoftheleakageinthisregion.Weshouldnotbe

surprisedbyaberrations.’‘Withrespect,theirexistenceisnotwhatistroubling,’Galbaputin.‘Itistheorganisedforminwhich

theyappear.Somethinghasmouldedthestuffofthewarpintothisshape.’‘Ifitcanaffectthematerialworld,itcanbedestroyedbyit,’saidAtticus.TheRavenGuardhadcontinuedfurtherdown,andnowreturnedtotheledge,woundingthedarkness

withtheglarefromtheirjumppacks.‘Well?’Atticusasked.HisacceptanceoftheotherLegionswasasgrudgingasever.Herefusedto

extendmorethanthebarestcourtesy.Buthewasworkingwiththem.Galbawasrelievedthathewasnotbeingcalledontoplaythediplomat.No,saidtheunwelcomevoiceinhishead.Youarenotthediplomatanymore.Youarethepsyker.Pterosaid,‘Thearchitectureismuchthesameasfarasthiscrevassedescends.Someofthestructureis

stillburied,however.Wecannottellhowmuch.’‘Arethereanyopeningsthatappearmoreimportantthantheothers?’‘No.Tothecontrary…’Pterohesitated.‘Eachopeningisdifferentinshapefromalltheothers.ButIam

struckbytheimpressionthattheyarealsocopies.’‘Copies?’‘Idonotwanttosaythatthisbuildingwascreatedthroughreplication.’‘Yetyouhavejustdoneso.’‘Unwillingly,asIsaid.’Atticusmadetheelectronicgruntthatwashisequivalentofasnort.‘Thesearespeculationsthatmight

haveinterestedremembrancers.Theydonothingtoadvanceourcampaign.’Hemarchedtotheopening.Thesquadsfellinbehindhim.Crossingthethresholdfeltlikepenetratingamembrane.Galbaexpectedtofindhimselfinanarrow

tunnel,expectedthewallstocontract,thenspasm,agagreflextoexpeltheintruders.Instead,thesquadswereinavastchamber.Fromwithout,theinteriorhadappearedtobeintotaldarkness.Inside,therewasfaintillumination.Adullredwash,lightfromblood,filledthespace,overwhelmingthefeebleglowfromtheexterior.Theceilingwasadistantvault,supportedbypillarsthatallleanedoffthevertical.Thewallswerehundredsofmetresawaytotheleftandright.Fiftymetresforwardswasablankimpassivity.Thebackwallcorrespondedwiththeriseoftheplateau.Behindthem,thewallwasbrokenupbyrowsofthetwistedarchopenings.‘Auspex,’saidAtticus.‘Nothing,’Camnusanswered.‘Energysources?’‘None.’‘Naturally.Whatcanyoutellme,Techmarine?’‘Captain,eventhisspacedefiesacoherentinterpretation.Thereadingsarecontradictoryandkeep

shifting.’Atticusnodded.‘Whatwastruemomentsagoistruenow.Thewarpisatworkhere.Whatithascreated

isstable,soweshallnavigateituntilwefindtheenemywherehecowersfromouradvance.’Theymovedoff.Straightahead,neartherearwall,arampdescendedtothenextlevel.Itsslopewas

steep.Thesharpdiagonaltookthelegionariesdownintoachamberidenticaltotheoneabove.Therewasaramphere,too,takingthemtoanotherspace,anothertwin.Andthenanotherramp.Thepatternveryquicklybecamedizzying.Ifitwerenotforthevariationsintheanglesofthetwisted

pillars,Galbamighthavestartedtothinktheyweredescendingthroughthesamevastroomoverandoveragain.Therewasaneeriepurposefulnesstothereproductionofthechambers.Therewasmeaninghere,thoughhecouldnotguesswhatitwas.Hewasveryconsciousofthesizeoftherooms.Theywereenclosures,yettheywerevast,andsotheybecameanincarnationoftheideaofspace.Astheyrepeated,theygesturedtowardstheinfinite.Therewasnothingfunctionalaboutthem.Therewasnothingstoredinthem.Buttheydidmeansomething.Therewerevoicesthathadshapedthisstone.Therewasintentthathadbatheditinuniform,shadowlesscrimson.Atticuswasnotinterestedinthevoicesorwhattheyhadtosay.Hisonepurposewastomarchandkill.

HewouldbringtherationaltoPythosintheformofunblinkingdestruction.Galbawasnotsatisfied.Hewantedtounderstand.Iftheydidnotknowwhattheywerefighting,howcouldtheyhopetodestroyit?Perhaps,ifhecouldhearwhatwasbeingsaid,hewouldknowhowtocastthosewordsintosilence.Ifheknewwhatthisbuildingmeant,hemightbeabletoanticipateitsattack.Theyreachedthebottomlevel.Severalfloorsup,theexterioropeningshadbeguntobeblockedby

earthandrock.Thesquadswerenowinthestill-burieddepthsofthestructure.Theglowremainedunaltered.Thisroomwastheclosekintoalltheothersthroughwhichtheyhadpassed,butithadnowindowsatall.Instead,theexteriorwallhadasingle,circularopening,givingontoastonetunnelleadingtowardsthecentreoftheplateau.ItsshapemadeGalbathinkmoreofapipethanapassageway.Itadvancedonlyaboutfifteenmetresbeforeacave-inblockedtheway.Therewerenootherpaths.Theirjourneyendedhere.‘Istillhavenoreadings,’CamnussaidbeforeAtticusasked.Thecaptainsaidnothingforamoment.Hishelmetlensesappearedtoshinewithabrighterred,

piercingtheambientglowwithhisfrustration.‘Thisruinwasuncoveredbymeansthatwerenotnatural.Therewasaforceatwork.Itssourcemustbesomewhere.’‘Butperhapsnothere,’Camnussuggested.‘Theenemycouldbeoperatingatsomedistancefromhere.’‘Where?Towhatend?’Atticusdidnotsoundasifhewereexpectinganswers.Galbalookedatthecurveofthepipe’swalls.Therewassomethingaboutthedesignofthestonework

thatnaggedathim.Heexamineditmoreclosely.Itwasrealbrickworkhere,nottheimpossibleconstructionofthemainruins.Theseamswerealmostinvisible,thestonesmeetinginperfectjoinswithoutneedformortar.Andeachstonewascarvedwiththeimageofaroomliketheonesinwhichhehadjuststood.Therewerethepillars,therowsofwindows,thevastspace,soreducedthattheywerejustabstractlines.Linesthatconnected.Likeacircuit.Thelightdawned.‘Thisisamachine,’Galbasaid.‘Amachine,’Atticusrepeated,asifGalbahadblasphemed.‘Look.’Hepointedtothewalls.‘Wehavebeenseeingsomuchrepetition,andspacesthatmakeno

senseontheirown.Theyaremeanttoworktogether.Likecells.’‘Todowhat?’Camnusasked.‘Idon’tknow,’Galbaadmitted.‘Butwecanseetheenergythatisfillingthem.’‘Iseenothingthatcannotbeexplainedbythevagariesofthewarp,’saidAtticus.‘Ifitisamachine,itis

aninertone,andthisknowledgeisuselesstome.’Hestrodebackdownthepipe,towardsthechamber.‘Infact,thisentireactionhasbeenuseless.Thisstructureisdead.Wemustseekourenemyelsewhere.’Galbahungbackforamoment.Heranagauntletovertherubbleblockingtheway.Itcrumbledtothe

touch,looserthanhehadimagined,thoughshiftingitwouldstillbeamajorundertaking.HenoticedthattheRavenGuardwerealsowaiting.‘Something?’Pteroasked.‘No.’‘Yousensenothing?’Pterohadremovedhishelmet,andwaswatchingGalbaclosely.‘No.’Theotherwarrior’sfocusedstaremadehimuncomfortable.‘Doyou?’‘Idonot.’TheRavenGuard’sanswerseemedincomplete.Galbaheadedofftorejoinhissquad.Hetookthreesteps,andPterospokeagain,completingthe

response.‘Doesn’titseemlikeweshould?’‘No,’Galbatoldhim,morequickly,andwithmoreemphasisthanheintended.No,herepeatedto

himselfashepickeduphispace.No.Asthesquadsclimbedbackupthelastramp,thedenialmatchedtherhythmofthethudsofhisboots

againststone.Itsoundedfarmorehollow.HewasnotsurewhatPterowasimplying.Hehadhissuspicions.Herejectedthemall.Yethealsofeltthat,atalevelneitherofthemunderstood,theRavenGuardwascorrect.Galbashouldsensesomething.Allofthemshould.Atticuswaswrong.Themachinewasnotinert.Itmightbedormant.Galbasuspecteditwaspoised.Therewasenergyherebeyondasickglow.Therehadtobe.Inthisheagreedwithhiscaptain:therevelationofthestructurewasitselfevidenceofgreatpoweratwork.Heandhisbattle-brothersweremovingthroughitsdomain.Theyhadnotfoundtheenemytheyexpected.Perhapstheywereinsideit.Whatwillyoutellthecaptain?heaskedhimself.Howwillyouconvincehimthatthisistheenemy.

WillyoutellhimitisaformofTitan?Isthatwhatyoubelieve?Hedidnotknow.Hewasnotsurewhathebelieved,butastheIronHandsenteredthefirstofthecells

abovethefoundationlevel,hewasfilledwithaterriblesenseofurgency.Therewasathreathere.Atticushadtotakeitwiththeutmostseriousness.HehadsensednothingwhenPterohadspokentohim.Buthefeltitnow.It’scoming,theinnervoice

said.Thewordswereasclearasiftheyhadbeenspokenaloud.Thevoicedidnotsoundlikehisown.Warnthem,itsaid.Itwastheraspofrustedhinges,crumblingskulls,andbitterstone.Warnthem,itsaid,andathingofthoughtsandironmurderparteditslipsinananticipatorygrin.Galba’sdenialevaporated.Thesoundofhisbreathbecamedeafeninginsidehishelmet.Festeringteethgnawedathisconsciousness.Warnthem,saidthewhisper.It’scoming,saidthewhisper,andonceagainhecouldseeit,hoveringjustbehindthecrimsonglow.Thetasteofshadowsfilledhismouth.Looktoyourright.Helooked.Hefacedtheblockedwindows.Therewasnothingtosee.Warnthem.‘Captain!’hecalled.‘Theexteriorwall!Weareunderattack!’Thelegionariesrotatedasasingleunit,boltersready.Therewerefiverowsofarches,tenopeningsin

eachrow.Gunbarrelspannedandtilted,tryingtocoverahugefieldofattack.Nothingshowedintheredwash.Therewasnosound.‘Brother-sergeant?’Atticussaidoverthecombatchannel.‘Whathaveyoudetected?’Galbahesitated.Theurgencywasstillgrowing.Somethingwasrushingatthemlikeamag-levtrain.

‘I…’hesaid,andthatwasall.Hecouldbenomoreprecise.Hecouldnotpinpointthesourceoftheattack.Thesoundarrived.Itwasascrabblingcrunchofstoneandscrapeofearth.Itwasmassive,arogue

waveofgravel.Thechambershookwiththereverberations.Thenrubbleburstinwardfromallthe

arches.Behinditcametheinvadingforce.Thecreaturesresembledmaggots.Theywerepale,thelengthofamanandasthickasanarmouredSpaceMarine.Thoughtheyhadnoeyes,theyhadheadsofakind,andaboveandbeneaththemwerepairsofforcipules,shortlegsangledtowardseachotherandextendingjustbeyondthecircular,saw-toothedmouths.Theysnappedtogetherwiththespeedofafly’sbeatingwings.Theiredgesrubbed,creatinganoiselikethousandsofsabresforeverbeingpulledfromscabbards.Themaggotswereawrithingflood.Theycascadedintothechamber,atorrentofhungerthecolourof

diseasedbone.Overtherustlingofbodieswasthewet,gurglinghissofthemonstersastheyflowedovereachother.Theyrushedforthelegionaries,whoopenedfire.Forafullsecond,IronHandsandRavenGuardpouredshellsintothestormsurgeofdevouringlife.Maggotsexplodedinshowersofblood,butthechambercontinuedtofill.Theonrushofsquirminghorrorswasunending.Thelegionarieswerefiringintoarisingtide.‘Up!’Atticuscommanded.Thesquadspoundeduptheramp,sendingburstsbehindthem,fightingto

delaythefloodbyevenafewmoments.Bringinguptherear,theRavenGuardtossedfraggrenades.Theexplosionsweremuffled.White,tornmuscleflewupinageyser.Theblastspunchedcratersintotheflesh.Thegapsfilledaninstantlater.OneofPtero’sbrotherswasswallowedbytherisingtide.Asthesquadsnearedthetopoftheramp,theyheardthesameslithering,crawlingroarfromabove.The

maggotswerepouringintheretoo.Thelegionariesranstraightintothesuffocatingmass.Firearmswereuseless.Galbabarelyhadtimetoswaphisbolterforhischainswordbeforehewasengulfed.Hefoughtblind.Alllightwasextinguishedbytheoceanofflesh.Thecreaturesroseupoverandaroundhimlikequicksand.Coilswrappedaroundhislegsandtorso.Warningruneslitupasthepressuretestedthelimitsofhisarmour’sstrength.Teethgroundagainstceramite.Hisbladetorethroughthemaggots.Hecouldbarelymovehisarms,butwhatevertouchedtheswordwasshredded,andthatwasjust

enoughtoallowhimtotakeonestepforwards,thenanother.Hewasclutchedbyafist,onewhosefingerstightened,relaxed,andtightenedagain.Bloodcoatedeverything.Hischainswordcoughedasgorethreatenedtoclogit.Thebodiesofthemaggotsonwhichhetrodbecameslippery.Someburstbeneathhisweight,andtheslickmadehisfootingevenmoretreacherous.Ifhefell,deathwouldbeswift.Therewasnothingbutthecrushinggrubs,nothingbutthefistandtheteeth.Galbabutchered,sawed,

shreddedandmovedupwardsonegradualstepafteranother.Hehadnosenseofprogress.Hefoughtalone.Itwasimpossibletolinkupwithhisnearestbrothers.Theonlysignsthattheystillexistedwerehisretinaldisplaysandtheconstantshoutsoverthevox.AndtherewasthepresenceofAtticus.Thecaptain’svoicewastherealways.Hecommanded,he

exhorted,hecursedthefoewithcreativevenom,andhistonenevervariedfromthecalmofimplacable,endlessmurder.Attheheadoftheadvance,hewasthefirsttoreachthenextlevel.Itfelltohimtofindthenextrampbyfeelalone,andcalloutthedirectionstothewarriorswhofollowed.Galbagrowledinfrustrationwhenthathappened,extinguishingthefainthopethatthelevelabovewasclearofmaggots.Hegrowledagain,inanger,whenheheardaseriesofsharp,splinteringcracksandtheidentificationruneofBrotherEnniuspulsedred,thenwinkedout.Threemoreruneswentdarkbeforethesquadsreachedthetopofthenextramp.‘Pushon,brothers,’Atticusordered.‘Therewillbenodefeatforushere.Therecanbenodefeat,

becausewebattletheflesh,andthefleshisweak.Beholdthefleshatitsmostbase.Thisiswhatwehaverisenaboveforever.Themachinecannotbebroughtlowbythisvileexcess.Letthemonsterscome.Letthemfillthischasmtothetop.Theycannotstopus,becausetheyarethatwhichispast,andweareonthejourneytothepurestrengthofthemechanical.’Therewerenopausesinhisspeech.Therewerenogruntsofeffort.Hespokewithametronomictempo.Eachsyllablewasthepunctuationofablow.Everywordwasthedeathofanothergrub.Everysentencewasastepclosertovictory.

Ashelistened,evenasheslippedonatwistingbodyandalmostfell,Galbawasseizedbytheconvictionoftheinevitabilityofvictory.Forhowcouldsuchthingsoffleshpossiblyoverwhelmthewill,forgedandtemperedintoaresiliencebeyondsteel,ofAtticus?Theimpossibilityofsuchaneventgavehimthestrengthheneededtoremainstanding,tosliceawayoncemoreatthecrushingfingersofthefist,andtotakeanotherstep.Everymetrethelegionariesclimbedwasabattle.Andeverymetrewasthesame.Thefistwouldnever

letthemgo.Until,suddenly,itdid.Theyreachedalevelthatwasnotstillburied,andthattherisingtideofinvertebrateshadnotreached.

Galbarippedthroughanothermaggotthathadwrappeditselfaroundhistorso,shovedthebladeupthroughthejawsofanother,andthenhewasout.Hecouldsee.Hehadthefreedomofmovement.Hestayedlongenoughtohelptherestoftherearguard,andthenhewasracingupwardswiththeremainderofthesquads.Wearevictors,hetoldhimself.Wearenotsurvivors.Wearevictors.Behindthemcamethemaggots,thesquirmingfrothofanoverflowingcauldron.TheSpaceMarines

werefaster.Theyputdistancebetweenthemselvesandthehungryflesh.Astheyran,GalbaheardAtticusvoxtoDarras,orderinghimtosenddownmoreclimb-cables.Theyreachedthetoplevelofthechambers,andre-emergedontheledge.Thecableswerenotstrongenoughtosupporttheweightofmorethantwolegionariesatatime,andnowthewaitbegan.‘Weshalldepartlast,’Pterosaid.Atticushesitatedbeforeanswering,visiblygalledbytheprospectofowinganydebttotheother

Legion.ButtheRavenGuardhadtheirjumppacks.Theycouldleaveatthelastsecond.Atticusgaveacurtnod,concedingnecessity.Heorderedtherestofthelegionariesupaheadofhim.Galbastoodathissideatthethresholdtothechamber,alsowaitingtothelast.Hestaredintothecrimson.Therewasnothingtoseeyet,buthecouldheartherisingtideofthemaggots.Thesoundoftheobsceneexcessoflifemadehimregrethisownflesh.Heenviedhiscaptain’snear-totalpurity.Hefeltarenewedloveofthemachine,itsorderanditslogic.Thefleshwasweaknessanddisorder.Itwasathreat,asthemaggotswere,onlythroughgrotesqueoverabundance.HehadwonderedifAtticushadsacrificedtoomuchinhisjourneytowardstheabsolutelymachinic.He

hadwonderediftoomuchofthehumanhadbeencutaway.Inthismoment,hisdoubtsfled.Tobecomethemachinewastobecomeorder.Itwastotakeastandagainsttheperverse.Themaggotswerelifeasittoooftenwas.Atticuswaslifeasitcouldbe:uncompromising,unbending,precise,freeofambiguity.AtticuswasanembodiedfragmentoftheEmperor’sdream.Thatdreamwasindanger.Galbadidnotknowifitsgranddesigncouldbesaved,butportionsofitcouldbe.Thereitwas,standinginvincibleinAtticus.Hisowndutylaybeforehim,crystalline.Hemustwalkthesamepath.He,too,mustbeorder.Hemustbethedream.Theremightbenootherwaytodefeatthenightmares.NowCamnusandthelastoftheIronHandswereclimbing.Anotherfewminutesanditwouldbetime

toleavethiscursedground.Thesquirminghissandrushofthemaggotsdrewcloser.Thestoneofthechamberbegantovibrate.‘Youknew,’Atticussaid.‘Captain?’‘Youwarnedusoftheattack.Beforetherewasanysignofit.Youknew.’‘Ididn’t…Thatis…’‘Howdidyouknow?’

Thewhispers.Thegrin.Thevoicethatcommanded.Revealthesethings,andthenwhat?‘I’mnotsure,’hesaid.Thatwastrue,atleast.‘Thenbesure,’Atticustoldhim.Themaggotsarrived.Theyboileduptheramp,coveringthefloorinaheavingmass.Standingjust

beforethem,thefourremainingRavenGuardsentmorefraggrenadesintothecreatures.Theexplosiveslandedinaline,creatingabarrage.Pteroandhisbrothersfollowedtheblastswithastreamoffire,stemmingtheflowforafewseconds.Butonlyafew.Themaggotscameon,pilingoneontopofeachother,surgingforwardsinagathering

wave.‘CaptainAtticus,’Pterosaid.‘Itistime.’Wordlessly,AtticusturnedhisheadtoGalba.Thesergeanttookastepbackandlookedupthefaçade.

Camnusandtheotherswereclosetothetop.Hewouldbeaddingunduestraintothecable,butPterowasright.Theyhadstayedaslongaspossible.Heslammedhisgauntletstohischestinthesignoftheaquila,andbegantoclimb.HelookeddownandsawAtticusstrideoutontotheledge.Hestoodbesideoneoftheothercables.‘Youhavemythanks,RavenGuard,’thecaptainsaid.‘Yourdutieshereareatanend.’Hestilldidnot

takethecable.Galbapausedandwatched.Theblack-armouredwarriorsoftheXIXLegionshotoutofthestructure.Theexhaustontheirjump

packsflaredastheyroseskyward.OnlythendidAtticusgraspthecableandbegintoclimb.Hisfeetleftthegroundjustasthewavecrashedthroughthearch.Hedidnotlookdown,refusingtogranthisfoeanythingbutthemostsovereigncontempt.Heclimbedhandoverhand,andwassoonlevelwithGalba.Thetwolegionariesmovedupthelines.Galbadidlookdown.Themomentumofthemaggots’rushwassuchthattheyplungedfromtheopenings

inanobscenecataract.Butthenthefallslowedbitbybit,andthenthegrubsbegancrawlingupthefaçade.‘Theyarenotdonewithus,’hesaid.Atticusgrunted.‘Good.BecauseIamnotdonewiththem.’Then,‘SergeantDarras,haveflamersready.’‘Willwehaveenoughpromethium?’Galbaasked.‘Iwillusemyhandsifnecessary.’Beforetheywerehalfwayup,thestrainonthelineseasedastheotherIronHandsreachedthetop.No

longerconcernedwithsnappingthecableswithsuddenjerksandswings,GalbaandAtticusclimbedfaster,gainingafewmoresecondsonthemaggotsthatnowcoveredthefaçadelikeasquirmingveil.Whentheyreachedthelipofthechasm,Darrasandtwootherswerewaitingwithflamers.NowAtticusdidlookdown.Heleanedovertheedge,gaugingthemovementsbelow.‘Standatthe

edge,’heordered.‘Closetogether,andremainvisible.Beprey.Givethematarget.Thatwillkeepthemconcentrated.’TheIronHandsjoinedhim.Hewasright,Galbasaw.Thoughtheyhadnoeyes,themaggotswere

somehowawareoftheirpresence,andgroupedclosertogetherinsteadofspreadingovertheentirefaceofthestructure.Theybecamearippling,palewedge.ThetwilightofPythoswasfalling.Theperpetualcloudcoverpermittednosunset.Therewasonlythe

slowdeathoftheday,alayeringofshroudsuntilallwasblack.Duringthefinalbreathoflight,whenthetorchesthatdottedthewallandtheinfantsettlementwerelitbutdidnotyethavefullnightagainstwhichtostandout,themaggotsreachedthesurface.‘Welcomethem,’Atticussaid.Thelightoftheflamerswassearing.Thestenchoftheburningcreatureswascorrosive.Galbadidnot

mind.Itwasthesmellofretribution,ofpurgation.Itwasevidenceofthecorruptedfleshbeingexcised

fromauniversethatdemandedorder.Darrasandhismenaimedtheirflamersatasteepangle,sendingthewashofburningpromethiumoverlongswathsofthewedge.Themaggotsburnedwell,someofthemswellingandpoppingasnoxiousgasesignitedwithintheirbodies.Writhingandhissing,theyfell,andsetfiretotheirkinastheydropped.TheIronHandslaunchedthelethalstreamsinquickbursts,settingonesectionoftheadvancealight,thenanother,movingthebarrelsbackandforthalonganarc,bringingdeathtotheentirewidthoftheundulatingmass.Thefiresspread,movingquicklybeyondtherangeoftheflamers.Themaggotscameon,drivenbymindlesshunger.Theyrushedtotheirdoom.‘AgunshipcouldlaunchaHellfurystrikeintothegap,’Camnussuggested.‘Wewillbedonesoonenough,’Atticussaid.Inanswertohiswill,theflamesbroadenedtheirreach,embracingthevermin.Asnightfell,theentire

façadewasacurtainoffire.‘Purged,’saidAtticus,echoingGalba’sownthoughts.Heturnedhisbackonthedyingenemyand

steppedawayfromtheedge.‘Sowehavespectators,’hemuttered.Galbaturnedaround.Alargecrowdofthecolonistshadgathered.Theireyesglittered,reflectingthe

flamesthatlickedoutfromthechasm.‘Doyouunderstandwhatyousee?’Atticusaskedthem,hisvoiceaharsh,electronicslashinthenight.

‘YouaresubjectsoftheImperium.YouaresubjecttotheEmperor’swill.Thisisthefateofanything,animal,xenosorman,thatwoulddefythatwill.Workwell,fighthard.Earnourprotection.Oryouwillearnourmercy.’Thelastwordbecameahiss.Galbadidnotblinkatthecontempt.Ashelookedatthecrowdofmortals,

hesawacollectionoftheflesh.Howdifferentwerethey,intheirweakness,fromtheimmolatedinsects?WasKhi’demright,intheend,toseethemasanyrealuse?Unlesstheywereabletoprotectthissettlementontheirown,theywereadrainonpreciousresources.Andheretheywere,watchingwarfromthesidelines.Wasthateagernesshesawontheirfaces?Yes,itwas.‘Doyouhearme?’Atticusdemanded.Hisvoicewasanelectronicwhip,hisbodyamotionless

silhouette,anangrygodofwarbacklitbytheflamesofthehellhehadcalledintobeing.Thepeoplerecoiled.Butwhentheycriedoutthattheyheard,theydidsowithmoreexcitement,andless

fear,thanGalbahadexpected.Hefeltthegulfbetweenhimselfandthemortalvariantofhumanitywiden.Thefleshwasbecomingincomprehensibletohim.ButthenthefaceofKanshellflashedbeforehismind’seye.Hesawtheserf’sundyingloyalty,andhis

mortalterror.Hiscontemptwithered.Hispitybloomed,evenforthesheepbeforehim.Hevacillatedbetweenhatredofthefleshandtheneedtoprotectit,andthenrealisedthatAtticuswasnowlookingathim.‘Aretheremore?’thecaptainasked.Hisvoicewasquiet,forGalba’searsonly.Histonewascold.‘More?’‘Isthereanotherattackimminent?’‘Brother-captain,Idon’tknow.’‘Youknewdownbelow.’‘Yes,’headmitted.‘Butnotwhy.’Atticusleanedintowardshim.‘Listenwell,brother-sergeant.Youwillinformmeofanysuch

informationyouacquire,immediately.’‘Ofcourse,butI–’‘Rememberthis,though.NomatterwhatthestateoftheImperium,thisLegionremainsfaithfultothe

Emperor’scommands.IwillbrooknoviolationoftheEdictofNikaea.Iwilltoleratenosorceryinourmidst.Doyouunderstand?’

‘Iamnotapsyker,captain.Iam–’‘Doyouhearme?’‘Ido,mylord.’Heheardthevoiceofthemachine-warrior.Hewonderedwhatothervoiceshewould

hearagain,andwhattheywouldcosthim.

THIRTEENTakingstock

ThefiresoffaithThedance

‘Thatwasanimpressivespeech,’Khi’demsaid.Pteronodded.‘Perhapsatellingone,too.’Theystoodbeneaththepalisade,watchingthecrowddisperseafterAtticus’sharangue.‘Hehasnoloveformortals,’Khi’demadmitted.‘Thatisnothingnew.Doyouseethisasevidencethat

hisantipathyisbecomingsomethingmoredangerous?’‘No,’Pterosaidafteramoment.‘Notyet.Doyou?’‘Idonot.’Khi’demtoldhimselfthathewasnotbeingfoolishinhisoptimism.Heknewwhatthe

consequencesofignoringdangersignscouldbe.HealsoknewhowlittletheremainingSalamandersandRavenGuardwouldbeabletodoshouldtheworstoccur.Therewerefourofhisbattle-brothersremaining,onemorethanPtero’scontingent.‘HewasexplicitindemandingloyaltytotheEmperor,’hewenton.‘Iheardcontempt.Iwitnessedaleaderwhoisquitewillingtogovernhischargesthroughfear.Butheisdoingnothingcriminal.Idisagreewithhismeans,butIcannotfindfaultwiththegoals.’HegavePteroacrookedsmile.‘PleasetellmethatIamspeakingfromreasonandnotfromhope.’Ptero’slaughwasdryandverybrief.‘Howwillyouknowthatmyreassurancehasabasisthatisany

moresound?’‘Thenweareleftwherewehavealwaysbeen.Wemusthavefaithinourbrother.’‘Faith,’Pteromuttered.‘TheEmperorhastaughtustoregardthatwordwithsuspicion.Perhaps,ifwe

haddonesowithgreaterrigour,theImperiumwouldnothavecometothis.’‘Hecastdownfaithinfalsegods,’Khi’demcorrectedgently.‘Notfaithineachother.Orinthedream

oftheImperium.HehasshownfaithinHischildren.’‘Andthisishowwehaverepaidit.’TherewasnocynicisminPtero’swords.Onlyanenormousgrief.‘Wewillyetproveworthyofit.Wemust.’‘Agreed,’Pterosaid,andtheywatchedthedyingoftheflamesinsilenceforaminute.Khi’demclearedhisthroat.‘I’msorryforthelossofyourbrotherdownthere.’‘Thankyou.Thelifeonthisplanet…’Pteroshookhishead.‘Itsabsolutehostilityshouldnotsurprise

meanylonger,butitdoes.Itmakesnosenseatall.Istillsayitcannotbenatural.’‘Ifitwasengineered,thatgivesfurthercredencetoAtticus’sbeliefthatthereisanenemyintelligence

workingagainstus.’‘Ofthat,Ihavenodoubt.’Khi’demchosehiswordscarefully.‘Youhaveevidence,then,thatmostofuswouldbeunableto

perceive?’Pterosmiled.‘Yes,brother,IwasonceofmyLegion’sLibrarius.ButIhavenotbeenactinginviolation

ofNikaea.’‘Ineverthoughtyouwere.’‘IhavenowishtoconcealwhatIam.Itis,afterall,nolongerrelevantundertheEdict.ButIdidthink

it…politic…nottotrumpetmynaturebeforeAtticus.’‘Mutationsdonotsitwellwithhisunderstandingofaproper,regimenteduniverse,’Khi’dem

concurred.‘I’msureheseesthemasagreatfailing.’

‘Thefleshisunstable.Thereforeitisweak.’‘Quite.Iapplaudyourwisdom.Buttellme,yourbattleagainstthoseinsects…’‘Idonotbelieveitwasadirectedattack.Simplymoreofthisworld’sgeneralmalignity.’‘Youdon’tsoundentirelysure.’Pterogrimaced.‘Notentirely,no.Ourenemy,whoeveritis,usesthepowersoftheimmaterium.That

muchisclearfromtheattacksonourbase.Therehavebeensuchcurrentsinthewarpduringthenights…Keepingmyabilitiesincheckhasbeenpainful.Today,Idetectednomorethanafaintripple.Notenoughtodirectanattackonthatscale.’‘But?’‘ButSergeantGalbawarnedusoftheassaultjustbeforeithappened.Beforetherewastheslightestsign

oftheinsects’approach.’‘Ishe…?’‘Idon’tthinkso.’‘Howisthispossible?’‘Itshouldnotbe.’Eveninthedark,Khi’demcouldseehowtroubledPtero’sfacewas.‘Howthiscame

topassdoesnotworrymeasmuchaswhy.’Thefirewasdone.Therewerenopowergeneratorsinthesettlement,anditsonlylightnowcamefrom

thetorchesscatteredoverthegrounds.Anoily,putrescentsmokedriftedovertheplateaufromthechasm.Itcarriedthestenchofarancidsea.Khi’demthoughtofcancerseatingatdreams,hopeandbrotherhood.‘Allwearedoingiswatchingandwaiting,’hesaid.‘Ifwearenotcareful,wewillwatchandwaituntildoomisinevitable.Webothknowsomethingisgoingverywronghere.Wemusttakeaction.’Evenashespoke,hethought,Grandwords,youpoorfool.Goahead,then.Takeaction.Oh,andwhatactionwouldthatbe,exactly?ButPterowasnodding.‘Thereissorceryatwork.Wemustcounterit.’‘Careful,’Khi’demcautioned.‘IwillnotdisobeytheEmperor’swill.Butthereisoneamonguswhoisasanctionedpsyker,andwho

mightbestrongenoughtodosomegood.’‘Theastropath,’Khi’demsaid.

Thenightwasabadone.Again.Soweretheonesthatfollowed.TerrorhadbeenKanshell’sshadowsincethearrivalonPythos.Hecouldnotshakeit.Itclungtohisheels.Itcaperedathisbackandstretcheditsdarknessbeforehim.Hedidcatchbrokenshardsofsleep,exhaustionplunginghimintounconsciousness,wherehewrestledwithnightmaresthatmirroredtheonesthatslitheredthroughthenightofhiswakinglife.Hewasnotaloneinconfrontingthehorrorsofthedark,butthiswasnocomfort.Thepeoplearoundhim

hadthesamehauntedlook,thesamesunkenfeatures,thesametaut,nervousenergy.Theywouldberunning,ifonlytherewasarefugetowhichtheymightrun.Therewasnocomfort,becausewhenthenightcame,andreachedforthemallwithitsterrors,theycouldnotreachforeachother.Kanshell,likealltheothers,curledintoatighterandtighterball,asifhemightcurlintonothingnessandsoavoidthegazeofthethingthatwalkedbehindthedark.Therewasnowheretohide.Therewasnowaytofight.Therewasnothingtodobuttrembleandwhimperandhopethatthisnightwasnothisturn.Nothingtodobutpraythatthefollowingmorning,hewouldnotbetheonefoundmadordead.Hisprayerswereanswered,yeteachdaysomeoneelse’swerenot.NomatterwhatprecautionsAtticus

ordered,nomatterhowmanyguardswereposted,orhowfrequentthesecuritysweepsthroughthecamp,thedeathscontinued.Alwaysoneortwoserfs,nevermore,butalsowithoutfail.Itwasasifthecursethat

hauntedthecampweretauntingthecaptain,dancingamacabrewaltztoitsowntuneandpayingnoattentiontothefutileeffortsoftheIronHands.Therewasnothingthelegionariescoulddotostemtheslowattrition.Andsothefearspread.Itgrew.It

intensified.Itwasavenomofdeep,complexvintage.ItsvinesgrewfromthetoxicsoilofIsstvanV.Thefactofdefeatformedarichloamandtherefesteredtheanticipationofmoreterrorandgrief.Thenightsdidnotdisappoint.Theyweretheconsummationofdarkexpectation,andeachdawnwasanotherforceddrinkfromthepoisonedchalice.Dayafterday,thechalicefilledhigher.Whenitoverflowed,Kanshellknew,thelikesofhimwoulddrowninthehorror.Therewouldbenothingleftofthemortalpsyches.Thebasewouldbecomeanasylum.Thenasepulchre.IftheIronHandswerehelplessagainstthecancer,whatcoulditsvictimsdo?AllKanshellaskedwas

thechancetofulfilhisduty.Buttherewerenoactionstotakeagainsttheterrors.Thevisitationsstalkedtheshadowsonspiderlimbs.Theybroughttheworstdreamsofmadnesstothesurface,andmadethemreal.Butthevisitoritselfwasnotreal,andsocouldnotbefought.No,notrealyet,aslitheringpromisewhisperedtothebackofKanshell’sneck.Notquiteyet,butoh,

howclose,howvery,veryclose.Alittlemoreeffort.Alittlemorepatience.Sometimes,hethoughtheheardhissingduringtheday.Sometimes,duringthegreynoonofPythos,a

chucklelikethescrapeofaspadeondryskullswouldmakehimstart.Hewouldturnandlook,andtherewouldbenothingthere.Notyet.Notquiteyet.Therewasnothingtodobutpray.Hehadabandonedhisfaithintherational.Itlayinblackenedruins.It

couldnotstanduptothenightsofPythos.Hecoulddrawnostrengthfromit.Hewingtoitwouldbeanactofmortalfoolishness.Hewouldbehangingontoalie,rushingheadlongintothejawsofthecomingevil.Henolongerfeltanyshameinhisapostasy.Andtruly,wasitnotsupremelyrational,whenconfrontedbytheproofofthedaemonic,toturntothedivineforsuccour?HeattendedhisfirstmeetingthemorningafterhespentthenightbehindtheshieldoftheLectitio

Divinitatus.Tanauraledagroupprayerinacornerofthemess,snatchingafewmomentsforcommunalcomfortjustbeforetheserfsplungedintotheirallottedtasks.Kanshellapproachedthegatheringtentatively.Hewasnotsureiftherewereritualsheshouldobserve,oriftheworshipperswereevenawareofhispresence.Heneedn’thaveworried.‘Jerune,’Tanaurasaidashecamenear.‘Joinus.’Thecircleparted,thenembracedhim.Helookedatfacesasravagedbyterrorashisown.Theyalso

shonewithadesperatehope,oneforwhichtheywouldfightandkill.Theirsmileswereastentativeashis,buttheirwelcomewasfervent.Heunderstoodwhyashetookpartintheworship.Tanauratookthemthroughtheprayer.‘FatherofMankind,’shesaid,‘weseekyourguidance.We

beseechyourprotection.’‘TheEmperorprotects,’theotherworshippersresponded,Kanshellamongthem.‘Seeussafelythroughthistimeoftrial.’‘TheEmperorprotects.’‘Inourdespair,wesaythatsurelythedarknessshallcoverus,andthelightaboutusbecomenight.’‘Yeteventhedarknessisnodarknesswiththee,’cametheanswer.‘Andthenightisasclearastheday,’Tanaurafinished.Nowthesmileswerefarlesstentative.Kanshellfeltstronger.Thiswastheglorioustruthhehadnever

knownaboutthesemeetings.Therewaspowerinbrotherhood.Itgavehimcomfortduringtheday,becausehewasnotalone.Noneofthemwere.Theyhadeachother,andtheyhadtheEmperor.Thatnight,therewasnolessterror,buthehadmorestrength.Hewasabletofacethedyingofthelightwithgreater

resolution,andthoughhestilltrembled,thoughhestillcurledintoatight,paralyticknotoffear,hehadthestrengthtowithstandthetrials.Therewashope.Andthenextmorning,withmoreprayer–andacirclegrownalittlelargeryet–therewastherenewalofstrength,theflaringofthatsparkofhope.Theseweretheonlythingsthatsustainedhimasthenightsmarchedon,andthetollrose.Duringtheday,hecontinuedtoworkatthesettlement.Thelabourofserfsandcolonistswasdivided

betweenconstructionandexcavation.Thepalisadewascomplete.Yurtswereappearingnow,scatteredaboutthecentreoftheplateau.Actualshelterhadcometothecolonists.Theyseemedhardlytonotice.Theyurtswereafterthoughts,throwntogetheronlyoncethelodgeswerebuilt.Therewasnowoneoneachofthemoundsthatmarkedtheburiedstructures.Thediggingcarriedonatthebaseofthemounds.Thewedgesoffourdeeppitsnowbitintotheplateau.

Theupperhalvesofthestructureswereexposed.TheIronHandshadventuredintothedepthsthreemoretimes.Theyhadfoundnothing,andtherehadbeennofurtherattacks.Atticuswasnotsatisfied.Therewasstillanenemypresent,andhedeclaredthatitwouldbefound.Rubbleblockedallthetunnelsthatledtowardstheinterioroftheplateau.Atticusordereditcleared.Thecolonistscheeredthecommand.Theyvolunteeredbythehundreds.Farmoresteppedforwardthan

couldbeputtouse.Kanshellwasglad.HeknewthatamonstrousfoestoodagainsttheImperialforces.Hedidnotthinkitwouldbefoundinadenbeneaththeground.Butheheardaboutthevastchambers,thetwistedpillarsandtheglowofrottenblood.Theruinswerethespaceoffurthernightmares.Hewasvisitedbyenough.Hedidnotneedtogolookingformore.Onthethirddayafterthediscoveryoftheruins,hewashelpingraiseanotheryurtwhenhehearda

scream.Itcamefromthenorth-west,whereagatehadbeenbuiltintothepalisade.Halftheconstructionteamwascomposedofcolonists,andtheydroppedthecircularwoodenframeworkoftheyurtandwentrunningtowardsthegate.Kanshellandhisfellowserfsfollowed.Thescreamscontinuedfromtheothersideofthewall.Theywereinterruptedbyreptiliansnarls.Afterafewmoments,theshrieksbecamesoftermoansofagony,thenthose,too,diedaway.Thegrowlsbecamemuffled.Itsmouthisfull,Kanshellthought,aghast.Thereweretearingsounds,andthesnappingofbones.Thenabriefburstoffire,theunmistakeabledeep

staccatoofabolteratwork.Silencefell.Thegroupbeforethegatewaitedmotionless.KanshellspottedSkeVrisatthefore.A

platformranthelengthofthepalisade,ametre-and-a-halfbelowthetipsofthepointedlogsthatmadeupthewall.Colonistguardshadcomerunningalongit,andwerenowwatchingthescenebelowthem.Oneofthemsignalled,andfourcolonistssteppedforwardstopullopentheheavygate.Khi’dem,hishelmetmag-lockedtohisthigh,passedthroughit.Thecorpsehecarriedwasbarelyrecognisableashuman.Itwasabagofbutcheredmeat.Buthehandleditwithdignity,andturneditovertothemenwhoapproachedtoclaimit.Overhisshoulder,hecarriedalasrifle.HeunslungitandpassedittoSkeVris.‘Thisisstillusable,’hesaid.‘Ourthanks,greatlord,’SkeVrissaid.Shebowed.Khi’demsnorted.‘Yourpeoplewouldthankmebetterbyceasingtoengageinsuchfollies.Theserisks

arepointless.’‘Wehavetraditionstouphold,’SkeVrisanswered.‘Wehavedutiesthataresacred.Iamsurethatyou

do,aswell.’‘Beitonyourhead,’thelegionaryanswered,andstrodeoff.Thecolonistswhohadopenedthegatenowwentthroughitthemselves,disappearingdowntheslopeof

theplateau.KanshellwalkeduptoSkeVris.‘Whathappened?’heasked.‘Whywassomeoneoutthere?’‘Hewashunting.’

‘Hunting?’Kanshell’sjawdropped.HumanscouldnotbehavelikepredatorsonPythos.Theywereonlyprey,andsurvivaldependedonrecognisingthatverybasicfact.Therewereenoughsuppliesinthesettlement.Thefoodwasrationsscavengedfromthelandingsites.Itwasnotenticing,butitwouldkeepthepeoplealiveuntiltheconstructionwascompleteandlargehuntingparties,whomightbringindividualanimalsdownwithoutsufferingmassivecasualties,couldbeorganised.Alonemortalventuringbeyondthewallwassuicidal.‘Huntingforwhat?’Kanshelldemanded.SkeVrislookedathimasifheweresimple-minded.‘Forthehomes,ofcourse.’Kanshelllookedoverhisshoulderattheyurts,thenbackatSkeVris,horrified.Saurianhideswere

stretchedoverthewoodenframeworks,creatingthewallsandroofs.Therehadbeennotimetotanandcurethehides.Theywerethefleshofthebeasts,cleanedandstretched.Theskinwassotoughthatitservedthepurpose,thoughKanshellfoundthematerialunpleasanttohandle.Itmadethehomesfartooorganic,asiftheywerealive.Hewouldhavepreferredhutsconstructedoutofsodorlogs.Therewasenoughofthatrawmateriallyingabout,despitetheconstructionneedsofthelodgesandthepalisade.Butthecolonistsinsistedonthenecessityofthisformofshelter.Kanshellhadassumedthatthehidescamefromthemanysaurianskilledduringthepacificationoftheplateau.Hehadbeenwrong.‘Areyoumad?’heasked.SkeVrissmiled.‘Isitmadtolive,andperhapsdie,forone’straditions?Forone’sbeliefs?Areyou

unwillingtomakesuchasacrifice?’‘Ofcoursenot,’Kanshellanswered,heated.‘Butifthosebeliefsareirrational…’‘Yoursarenot?’Hehadnoanswertothat.Hewasstruck,evenashefloundered,bythedistancethatSkeVrisappeared

tomarkbetweenhertraditionsandthoseoftheImperium.Kanshellwonderedagainifthecolonistswerealostpeople,onewhohadneverreceivedthebenefitsoftheImperialpeace.Hepushedthequestionaway.Theissuewasbeyondhisstation.IfAtticuswasnotconcernedwiththeheterodoxyofthecolonists,thenhewouldnotbe,either.HekeptwatchwithSkeVrisbeforetheopengate.Hewasanxious,expectingasauriantocome

chargingthrough.Hecouldhearthepredatorsinthejunglebeyondthepalisade.Theygrewloudereachday.Nonecame,though,andafteraminute,thefourcolonistsreturned,draggingchunksofthebeastthatKhi’demhadkilled.SkeVrisclappedherhandstogetheronceasthegatewasclosed.‘There,’shesaid.‘Meatforfood,hideforshelter.Wehavelost,andwehavegained.’‘I’msorryforthedeathofyourkinsman,’Kanshellsaid.‘Hewillbecommemorated.Hewillliveinourmemoriesandinourwalls,andhediedinthelandof

ourdreams.’SkeVrisspreadherarmswideinajoyousembraceoftheworld.‘Whatistheretoregret?’Kanshelllookedattheopen,shiningpleasureinthewoman’sface.Snatchesofthecolonists’songsas

theyworkeddriftedtohim.Thesepeoplehadnoexperienceofthefearthattormentedthebase.‘Ienvyyou,’hesaid.‘Why?’‘Howcanyoubesohappy?’SkeVriscockedherhead.‘Whywouldn’tIbe?’Theanswercameintheformofahoarseshriekfromabove.Kanshellandthenovitiatebothducked.A

flyingsauriancameinatasharpangle.Clawsextended,itdivedstraightatoneofthewallguards.Ithadawingspanoftenmetres.Itsheadwasalmostalljaw,longerthanaman.Confusedlasfirerosetomeetit.Thebeastwastoofast,thedefendersuntrained.Withasecond,mocking,shriekthereptilesnatchedaguardupinitstalons.Khi’demcamechargingback,butthemonsterhadalreadydroppedfromsightbeforehecouldfire.

Heloweredhisbolter.SkeVrisbowedlow.‘Pleaseacceptourthanksoncemore,lord,’shecalled.Khi’demlookedatthenovitiate.Hisdisgustwasclear.‘Whyareyousmiling?Doyoutakepleasurein

seeingyourpeopledevoured?’‘Notatall,lord.Itissimplythatwewalktheearthofourdestiny.Everymomentisoneoffruition.In

theend,weshallalldiehere,inourhome.Thehopeofcenturieshasbeenrealised.Ourjoyisinvincible.’‘Yourjoyisquiteinsane,’Khi’demmuttered,andleft.Kanshellcheckedtheskyformoreofthewingedhunters.Therewerenone,buthefeltnoconfidencein

themenandwomenpatrollingthewall.Theyhandledtheirrifleslikechildren.Didnoneofthesepeoplehavecombatexperience?Hewasnosoldier,buthecouldnotspendhislifeonastrikecruiserandnotacquiresomebasicknowledgeofmilitarycraft.Hewassurroundedbynaïvefools,butthelion’sshareoftheprotectionofthesettlementfelltothem.TheSalamanderswerefewinnumber.Theyrefusedtoabandonthepeopletotheirfate,buttheycouldnotbeeverywhereatonce.TheIronHandsignoredthesettlement.Atticushadhisforcesmountingguardinthedepthsofthe

structure,andprotectingthebase.Thecolonistshadtoearntheirsurvival.ThoseworkingintheruinswereofdirectusetotheIronHands,sothelegionarieswatchedoverthem.Everysooften,themuffled,hollowechoofgunfirewouldrisefromthechasms.Thereweresporadicattacksbymaggots,butnotonthescaleoftheinitialone.TheIronHandsseemedtohavedecimatedthepopulationoftheundergroundinhabitants.Thecreatureshadswarmedovertheinvadersoftheirdomain,andbeendefeated.Butonthesurface,thewildlifeofPythoswasbecomingbolder.Itseemedtoknowthatthepreywas

morevulnerable.Byonesandtwos,themonstersattackedthewallmoreandmorefrequently.Kanshellwasgratefulnopackhadlaunchedaconcertedassault,butwhenhelistenedtothechorusofsnarlsinthejunglebeyondthepalisade,hegrewsurethatdaywouldnotbelongincoming.SkeVrisstraightened,stillsmilingasshewatchedthedepartingSpaceMarine.‘Whatdoyouthink,my

friend?’sheaskedKanshell.‘Isourjoyinsane?’‘Ithinkyoumightbe.Allofyou.’‘Weareallonthisplanettogether.Werejoiceinourfate.Youclearlyfearyours.Areyoubetterofffor

beingso“sane”?’Therewasafrenziedroar,andthesoundofheavyfeetpoundingtheearth.Amassivebulkslammed

againstthepalisade.Threeguardsrushedintopositionandstartedshooting.Theywerelaughing.Therewassomethinggiddyabouttheirjoy,asiftheywereintoxicatedbybelief.Kanshellwinced.SkeVrislookeddownonhim,hersmileunwavering.Thelas-firecontinueduntiltheroarsturnedintohowls,andthensilence.Thelaughtercontinued.‘Well?’SkeVrisprompted.‘Idon’tknow,’Kanshellwhispered.‘Youseekstrength.’Kanshellnodded.‘Strengthcomesfromfaith,’SkeVristoldhim.‘Yes.SoIamdiscovering.’SkeVrisgrippedhisarm.‘That’swonderful!Perhapsthetimehascomeforustoworshiptogether.’Kanshellglanceduneasilyatthenearestlodge.‘I’mnotsure.’‘Thenbesure.Wewillbecelebratingourfallencomradesshortly.Joinus.’‘Perhaps,’heconceded.‘Youwillbeinspired,’SkeVrispromised.

Kanshellreturnedtotheyurt.Therestofthedaypassed.Thesaurianattackscontinued.Allbutonewererepulsedwithoutfurthercasualties.Aseveningfell,oneoftheguardsoverbalancedandfelloverthewall.Hisscreamsweremercifullyshort.Theycausedbarelyarippleinthedelightoftheothersastheybroughtdownthebeast.Kanshellwonderedwherethelinelaybetweenoptimismandcallousness.Repulsed,hedecidedhewouldnotattendtheservice.Hewould,hetoldhimself,workuntilthetransportbacktothebasearrived.Heheldfasttotheresolutionuntiltheritualbegan.Thesoundofchantingmadehimlookupfromthe

hideshewashelpingstitchtogether.Hundredsofcolonistshadgatheredatthefirstlodge.Theyfilledthespace,andspilleddownthemound.ThesongwasascelebratoryasanyKanshellhadheardfromthesepeople.Buttherewaspowerthere,too.Thesongwastriumphant.Heskirtedthepitandmovedtowardsthelodge.Helistenedtothechantinginawayhehadnotbefore.

Itspoketohim.Itclaimedabondbetweenthem.Untilafewdaysago,hehadlookeddownonthecolonists’songs.Theyweretheproductsofsuperstition.Theywereasignofdelusionalthinking,adenialofthehard,insistentrealitiesoftheuniverse.Sohehadtoldhimself.Nowhethoughtthatthedenialhadbeenhis.Hehadrefusedtohearthetruthinthismusic.Hehadrefusedtohearthepraise,becausehehadnotwantedtobelievetherewasanybeingwhowouldhearandreceivethepraise.Hedrewcloser.Herepentedhisfoolishness.Thesoundofhundredsofvoicesliftedinsongswirled

aroundhim.Hewassweptupbytheneedtoworship.Themelodyopenedupvistasofinfinitepossibility.Itdemandedheacceptthem.Itimposedgreatness.Hisskintingledwiththebrushofundilutedsensation.Hischestswelledwithprideandhumility.Hetookadeepbreath,andwasstartledwhenithitched.Heraisedahandtohischeek.Hisfingerscameawaywet.Thoughhistearsflowed,hisvisionwasclear.Thecrowdpartedforhimashereachedthebaseofthemound.Hewalkedupthecentreasifflowing

downarushingstream.Thesonghadafragrance:thesharp,sweettangofapples.Itbecamehisworld,shuttinghimofffromthemundane.Hecouldnolongerfeelhislegs.Hewasfloating,notwalking.Hewasaconsciousnessonlynow,asoulfreedfromthecorporealvaleoftears.Somewherefarbelow,hisbodywasraisingitsarms,expectingtofloatupward,liftedbythestrengthofthesong.Helaughedatthebody’spresumption,helaughedattheexhilarationofthesenses,andhelaughedatbeingfreeoffearforthefirsttimesinceCallinedes.SkeVriswasstandingbeforehim.Thenovitiatetookholdofhisshoulders.‘Irejoicetoseeyouhere,

brother,’shesaid.ThewordscutthroughKanshell’sjoyoushaze,bringingtheworldbackintofocus.Hewasinandofhis

bodyagain,thoughtheecstasywasjustasstrong.Hefoundthathecouldrememberhowtoformwords.‘Thankyou.’‘Comeforward.’Thelodgewasfilledtobursting,butsomehowthepeoplemaderoom.Apathappearedbefore

Kanshell,leadingtothecentreofthefloor.SkeVrisgestured,invitinghimtoapproachthepriestwhostoodthere.KanshellguessedthiswasSkeVris’smaster,thoughhehadneverseentheman’sface.Evennow,thepriestwashooded.Hewasdancing.Hisstepswerebothsinuousandmartial.Hewasworshipper,andhewaswarrior.Hisstaffwasthesignofhisoffice,anditwastheterrorofhisfoes.Hisrobesswirledashedanced,andthetunicbeneaththemwasthatofasoldier.ThoughmuchsmallerthanaSpaceMarine,hewasagiantamongthesepeople.Otherpriestssurroundedhim,echoinghisdance.They,too,wererobedandhooded.Theywerealmostastallastheheadpriest,thoughtheyweremuchthinner.Theirdancewastheswirlofthemelody;hiswastheforce.Anditwashewhowasthefocusofthelightweb.Thelight.

TheextraordinarypatternsKanshellhadseenwhenthelodgewasemptywereevenmorepronouncednow.Hestaredinwonder.Itwasimpossible.Outsidewasdeeptwilight.Thoughtorchessurroundedthelodge,theycouldnotaccountfortheintensityoftheillumination.LightshonethroughtheslitsinthewallsasifthelodgewereinsidePandoraxitself.Asbefore,thecloserKanshellcametothecentre,themorethewebassumeddefinition,themoreitcametobealanguage.Itwouldspeaktohim,ifheletit.Ithadamessage,onethatthepriesthadheard,andhedanced,rejoicing.Thelightwebinterwovewiththerunesonhisrobe.Kanshellsawcallandresponse,andhesawaconstantexchangeofroles.Thepriestwascallingtothenuminousatonemoment,andansweringadivinesummonsthenext.Now,finally,Kanshellfeltheunderstoodthecolonists.Heunderstoodhowtheyretainedunwavering

hopenomatterhowmanyofthemfelltothejawsofPythos.Itwasinconceivablethattheyshoulddootherwise.Theprieststoppeddancing.Thelightdidnotmove,butsuchwasthecomplexityofthepattern,

Kanshell’sgazedidnotstopthedance.Itsteppednimblyfrompointtoshafttonexus,roundandround,mesmerising,intoxicating.Thepriestheldouthisarms,palmsfacingKanshell.‘Youarewelcome,’hesaid.‘Standwithme.’Hisvoicewasdeep,rough,yetliquid.Aglacierwhisper.Kanshelladvanced.Hehadbeenreluctantbefore.Nowhewaseager.Healmoststumbledinhisjoy.He

rantowardsthepriest.Threestepsfromthecentre,themessagecrystallisingbeforehim,animmensetruthonthecuspof

revelation,hepaused.Heblinked,uncertain.Hisfeetwererooted.‘Whattroublesyou?’thepriestasked.Kanshellswallowed.Hislipsweredry.Histhroatwasparched.Theapplefragrancewasheady,and

hesowishedhecouldslakehisthirst.Buthecouldnot.Hemustn’t.Hehadtowait.‘Something…’hecroaked.Hetriedagain.‘Somethingismissing.’Thepriestcockedhishead.‘Yes?’Kanshelltriedtolookaway.Perhapsifhecouldclosehiseyes,hecouldconcentrateanddiscoverwhat

waswrong.‘Ifeel…’Hetrailedoff,helpless.‘Youarenotyetathome,’thepriestsaid.Kanshellalmostsobbedwithgratitude.‘Yes.’Yes,thatwasit.Hestilldidnotbelonghere,thoughthat

waswhathewished,aspowerfullyashedreadedthenightsonthebase.‘Oursongandthisspacearestillunfamiliar.Youneedreassurance.Youneedasignthatyouarenot

betrayingyourownfaithbysharingwithus.’‘Yes,’Kanshellsaid.Thetearswereflowingagain.‘AndifIsaidthatourfaithswerethesame?’‘Iwanttobelievethat.’Thoughthepriest’sfacewashidden,Kanshellwassurehesmiled.‘Sometimes,proofistheproper

supportforfaith.Youshallhaveproof.Cometousagain,andbringasymbolofyourfaith.Thenyoushallknowthetruth,andwewillrejoicetogether.’‘Thankyou,’Kanshellwhispered.Hetriedtobackaway.Hiskneeshadgoneweak.Ifhetriedtowalk,hewouldcollapse.ButthenSke

Vriswasathisside,takinghisarmoverashoulder.Kanshellleanedagainstherandstaggeredoutofthelodge.Astheyleftitbehind,Kanshellnoticedafewotherserfsattheperipheryofthecrowd,watchingandlistening,theirfaceshungrywithenvy.Thechantingstillfillinghisears,hishearthammeringfromitsbrushwiththepoweroffaithunleashed,Kanshellwasstruckbyavisionofwhatmightbe.Hethoughtaboutthestrengthhegainedfromthemorningprayercircle.Heimaginedhowmuchgreaterthatstrengthwouldbeiftherewereasmanyworshippersastherewereatthelodge.TopraisetheEmperorasHe

shouldbepraised,todosoopenly,todosobythehundreds–thatwould,Kanshellwassure,strikeadeath-blowtothefear.Andwhystopthere?Thevisionsoared.Hepicturedthousands,millions,billionsraisingtheirvoicesto

thegloriesofEmperor.Hisbreathstopped.Hewasnotaviolentman.Hehadneverfought.Hehadcleanedweapons,servicedthem,knewtheirnamesanduses,buthadneverfiredasingleshot.HewasJeruneKanshell,menialserf,aninsignificant,eminentlyreplaceablecoginthemachineoftheXLegion,andnothingmore.Butintheserviceofthisdream,hefeltreadytokill.Theneedandtheglowofthevisiondidnotleavehimasheboardedthetransportbacktothebase.

Whenhedisembarkedonthelandingpad,andheardthenoisesontheothersideofthewalls,helosttheglow.Theneedremained,andheclungtoit,andtothepromiseofstrength,evenasthefearreturned,boastingnewclaws,newteeth,newwaystomurderhope.Theyoungnightechoedwithaverydifferentchant.Itwasthesongofthecarnivore.Kanshell’sears

rangwithanothercallandresponse:theroarofalphapredators,andtheanswersoftheirpacks.Therehadbeenasuddengatheringofsaurianshere.Therehadbeennothinglikethiscacophonyinthemorning.Nowhecouldhearcountlessreptilianvoicesgrowlingchallengestothewalls.Thebeastsweretauntingtheirprey.Kanshellwalkedawayfromthelandingpad.Hewasinnohurrytoreachthedormitorium.Hepausedin

theopenbetweenbuildings,legsstillshaky,thehowlsinthedarkhurtinghimasifjawswerealreadyclosingaroundhishead.HewasstilltherewhenTanaurafoundhim.Shelookedashaggardashefelt,thoughtheironwasstill

thereinthesetofherjaw.‘Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?’heasked.Bolterfirefromthewall.Roarsturningtoshrieksandthensilence.Echoesofthesiegeatthe

settlement.Monsterstestingthedefences.‘Itstartedthismorning,’Tanaurasaid.‘They’vebeengrowingmoreboldallday.’‘Why?’hedemandedtonoone.Thesaurians’actionsherebotheredhimmorethantheassaultsonthe

woodenpalisade.Itsvulnerabilitywasclear.Butthepromontorywasastrongposition.Thebase’swallsweresolid.Itsdefenderswerestrongasgods.Whywouldanimalsstalksuchatarget?Whysuchstubbornness?‘Theycan’thopetobreakthrough.’‘They’reanimals,’Tanaurasaid.‘Theydon’thope.’‘Really?Thenwhatiskeepingthemhere?’Theseanimalscanhope,hethought.Theyhopeforour

blood.Thecrackofsnappedbranches.Thecrashofheavybodiesagainsteachother.Snarlsofrageandpain.

Someofthemonstersweretiredofwaiting,andwerefightingeachother.‘Idon’tknow.’Tanaurashrugged,tryingtobedismissive.‘Perhapstheyhope,buttheydon’treason.

Theywon’tgetin.Thelegionariesmassacrethemassoonastheyapproachthewall.’‘Andwhentherearenomoremunitions?’‘Itwon’tcometothat.’‘Yousoundverysure.’‘ThemissionoftheLegionwillnotdragonlikethat.’Shespokeasifthedecisionwereherstomake.

Kanshellalmostremarkedonherpresumption,butthenhesawhowhereyesburned.Determination,hope,desire,prophecy…Theywereallcombustinginhergaze.Sowasdesperation.‘Thisisnotwherethewarshouldbefought,’shetoldKanshell.‘Butitisbeingfoughthere,’heanswered.Beyondthewall,theroarsgrewlouder.Thesoundwasarisingtide,comingtodrownthemall.It

wouldneverebb.Andinsidethewall,thethoughtsofthedeepnightwaited,eagertotestKanshell’sfaith.

FOURTEENThetighteningnoose

ShadowsagainstshadowsMissionoftheblind

Galbasaid,‘Theplanetisturningagainstus.’‘Thatisanirrationalstatement,’Atticussnapped.‘Ididnotmeantoimplysentience.’‘Youdidnot?Youwerenotspeakingfromahiddenspringofknowledge?’Galbasighed.Unlikethecaptain,hestillhadtheabilitytodoso.‘No,’hesaid.‘Merelyfrom

observation.’Hegesturedtothejunglebeyondthewall,coveringtheeastwardslopeofthepromontory.Thelightsofthebaseilluminatedanarrowbandoffoliageandtrunks,bleachingthegreentosilver.Behindwasonlyhulkingblack,shakenbytheendless,growingrageofthemonstrouslifewithin.‘Youdonotseethoseanimalsasarealisticthreat,’Atticusinformedhim.Thestatementhadthefinality

ofadirectorder.GalbaturnedtoDarrasforhelp.Theothersergeantsaidnothing.Hekepthisgazesteadyonthejungle.

HehadspokenlittletoGalbasincethebattleintheruins.Atticus’ssuspicionshroudedGalbalikeadisease.Therumourwasrunningthroughtheranksofthecompany–oneofitsnumbermightbeusingforbiddenarts,powersdoublyforbiddenforcontraveningthecommandsoftheEmperorandforviolatingthespiritofthemachine.Intuitionwasalmostassuspectassorcery.Sorceryitselfwasbeyondthepale.‘WhatIsee,brother-captain,isachangeinapatternofbehaviour.Asunthinkingasthisenemyis,the

effectofitsactionsarethesameasiftherewereaconcertedcampaign.’‘Iamnotunawareofthat,sergeant.Iamcognisantofeverythingthatplaguesourmission.Butthat,’he

pointedatthejungle,‘isnotourprinciplethreat.’‘No,’Galbaagreed.‘Itisnot.’Theyfellsilent.Behindthem,thesoundsofnocturnalterrorfilteredoutoftheserfbarracks.Noneofthe

IronHandsreacted.Thehowlsofdamnationwereexpected.Therewasnothingtobedoneexceptdealwiththecasualtiescomedawn.Evenso,Galbacouldnotbringhimselftoignorethescreams.Heknewsomethingofwhatthemortalswereexperiencing.Hesympathised,thoughherecognisedtheirsufferingasaweaknessoftheflesh.Atticus,hesuspected,heardonlyareminderoffutility.Galbatriedagain.‘Allthesame,Idothinkthesauriansareathreatthatweshouldnotignore.’‘Whatwouldyouhaveusdo?Burnthejungledown?’‘No.’Theycouldnomoredothatthandraintheocean.Thegreenanditsmonsterswereinfinite.Butthe

wordburnstuckwithhim.Itrattledaroundhismind.Itsuggestedsomething.Itwastheseedofanidea.Itscontourswereuncleartohim,butifhewaspatient,theywouldresolvethemselvesintime.Burn,saidthethought,theechoingrefrain,thenascentobsession.Burn.

Atticusreturnedtothecommandblock.Darras,maintaininghispositiononwatch,waitedforGalbatoheadoffonapatrol.Galbastayedwherehewas.Atlength,hesaid,‘Iamnotapsyker.’Darrasturnedtofacehim.‘Idon’tthinkyou’relyingtome,brother,andthatistheproblem.You’re

lyingtoyourself.’Galbaopenedhismouthtoanswer,butDarrasheldupahand,cuttinghimoff.‘Youarenotfollowingreason.Youarelisteningtowhatyouwanttobelieve.Thatisafailingoftheflesh.’

‘Youdon’ttrustme.’‘No,Idon’t.You’redenyinglogic.You’restrayingfromthepathFerrusManusshowedus,andbreaking

fromtheImperialTruthassurelyasifyouweredeliberatelyexercisingsorcery.Sono,Ican’ttrustyou.Youshouldn’ttrustyourself,oranydecisionyoumake.’Hefacedthejungleonceagain.Rejectinghisbrotherwaspainful,butnecessary.Thebattlefieldwasunforgivinginitsrejectionoferror.‘AndifI’mnotwrong,’saidGalba,‘whatthen?’‘Thentheuniverseisfilledwithterribleirrationality,andthereisnosuchthingasreason.Themadness

isyours,brother.Keepitawayfromme.’

Theattacksweremoreconcerted.Thedisruptionswereworse.Erephrenfoughtback.Shewasonherguardnow.Shewouldnotbetakenbysurprise.Shestillfelttheangerfromherconfrontationwiththeserf,Tanaura.Itwasnotaimedatthewomanherself.Itwasdirectedatthesurrenderherpositionrepresented.TheXLegionhadsufferedenoughhumiliations.Shehadplayedaroleinrestoringitspride.ThedestructionoftheCallidoraanditsescortwasarealvictory.Shewouldnotlettheenemytheyhadencounteredhererobthemoffurthervengeance.Tanaurahadherfaith.Mayitgrantherameasureofcomfortasthescreamsofthenightbegan.A

delusioncoulddolittlemore.Erephrenhadherfury.Itdrewupontheempirical,insistent,bloodyrealityofwaritself.Sheneededtheanchortocasthermindintotheimmateriumandnotgomad.Sheuseditnowtodefendherselfagainsttheenemy.Thecuttingedgesofdarknessslicedintoherconsciousness.Laughterandjawssurroundedher.Somethingthathadtheveryshapeofterrortriedtoformbeforeher.Sherepulsedit.Itretaliatedbytearingherperceptionofthewarpapart.Shehissed.Herhandswereclumsyandnumb,lightyearsawayfromhermind,butsheworkedthemjust

wellenoughtodisconnectherselffromherthrone.Shestaggeredawayonlegsthatwereasrigidasdeathonemoment,weakasairthenext.Herheadwasfilledwithlightningandbrokenglass.Voicesofhellshriekedather.Shedefiedthem.Thistime,shewouldnotblackout.Sheshutherselfofffromthewarp,choosingblindnessinsteadofbeingthrustintoit.Theintensityofthevoicesdiminished,buttheywerenotsilenced.Sliversoftheunrealfollowedher.Theyweregossamer-thin,fragileasadreamatthemomentofwaking.Buttheyweretoxic,serrated,andtheyclung.Theyleftincandescentscarsonhermind.Farinthedistance,herlipspulledbackinarictus.Herteethclackedtogether.Shetriedtobiteoffthepain.Shewouldhavetornoutthethroatoftheenemywithherteethifithadstoodbeforeher.Coward,shethought,embracingrage.Icannotsee.Icanbarelywalk.Stillyouhide.Youarenothing.

Youarenotworthmytime.Thewhispersshowedtheirpowerbyignoringhertaunts.Theyslitheredaroundher.Theyteasedher

perceptionswiththethreatofsuddenreality.Whenshereachedoutherhandstofindherstaff,shetwitchedawayfromthebrushoftheimminent.Butherlefthandclosedaroundthehaft,andherrightfoundhercane.‘Youarenotreal,’shetoldtheshadows.Notyet,theymurmured.Coming,theypromised.Shesentadispatchtoherarm,anditbangedthetipofhercaneagainstthefloor.Thesoundbelongedto

anotherworld,butitwaspresent.Shebangedagain,again,tappingthebeatofhermarch.Shefeltherwayforward,engulfedinthecoilsofthedark.Theycouldnotholdherback.Whenherhandtouchedthedoor,herheartswelledwithtriumph.Shepusheditopen.Inthecorridor,shesensedahulkingpresence.Itwasmassivelyreal,yetcousintoshadows.Asmuchasshehadclosedherselfoff,shestillsensedwarpcurrentsaffectedbythebeingaheadofher.Shetookastepbackandraisedhercane,bracedforafight.Whatconfrontedherwashuge,andthefractured,painfulchaosofthewarphadcrippledher.Shehadnoillusionsaboutherabilitytowin,butatleastshewouldleavetheenemywithnoneaboutherwillingness

tofight.Thepresencespoke.‘MistressErephren,’itsaid.‘Donotbealarmed.’Sheloweredthecaneandleanedonit,partlyfromrelief,partlyfromthepainthatcrackleddownthe

baseofherskullandspine.ThevoicebelongedtotheRavenGuard,Ptero.Sheheardsomeofherownstraininhistones.‘Youarebeingattacked,too,’shesaid.‘Allofusare.Somemoreacutelythanothers.’‘Thepsykers.’‘Yes,weareamongthespecialtargets.’Shewasstartledandhonouredbyhisopenadmission.Ittookheramomenttonoticehisqualification.

‘Among?’‘Thereareothers,notofournumber,whoareinthefoe’ssights.Forwhatreason,Idonotknow.’Shestraightenedup.PterowasoftheLegionesAstartes,andsheowedhimeveryrespect.Butshe

represented,inthismoment,theXLegion,andshewouldstandtall.Theassaultdidnotend,butitbecameabackgroundsiege.Hershieldswerestrong.Herwillstronger.‘Youwishedtospeaktome?’shesaid.‘Yes.Youwouldagreethatourfoecannotbedefeatedbyforceofarmsalone?’ThoughtheRavenGuardwascarefulinhiswording,Erephrenbristledattheimpliedcriticismof

Atticus.Atthesametime,sheknewPterowascorrect.‘Ido,’shesaid.‘Ibelieveyouhaveacriticalroletoplayagainstthisenemy.’‘Iamanastropath.Nothingmore.’‘Youareanastropathofenormousability.Yourperceptionofthewarpisgreaterthanthatofanyone

elseonthisplanet.Thisisapower.’‘IamboundbytheEmperor’sWill.’Shewonbackagreaterawarenessofherbody,andfeltthe

embraceoftheceremonialmanacleonherankle.Itwasthesymbolofherunbreakablefealty.‘Soareweall,’Pteroremindedher.‘Butyouhavealreadydonemorethantransmitcommunications.’Thiswastrue.‘Whatdoyouwantofme?’‘Theuseofyourgaze.Tolookisnotapassiveact.Itisaggressive.Itcandestroy.Theannihilationof

theCallidorawasasmuchtheworkofyourhandsasitwasthoseofCaptainAtticus.Theenemyseesus.Itknowsus.Itprobesourdefences,learnsourweaknesses.Thissiegecannotcontinue.Iagreewithyourcaptain’sgoalindescendingintotheruins.Wemustseektheenemyout.Wemustfinditonitshomeground,andthenweshallbetheonesbesieging.Butweneedtoknowwheretolook,andweneedtoknowhowtostrike.’‘HaveyouspokentoCaptainAtticus?’‘Idonotthinkhewouldwelcomemysuggestions.ButIknowyouhavehisear.’Shemanagedasmile.‘Andthusyoushapewarfromtheshadows.’‘WeoftheRavenGuardflatterourselvesthatwedoitwell.’

Pterowasright.Atticusdidlisten.Ithelpedthatshehadaspecificstrategytosuggest.Withdawn,theenemyretreated,leavingthefieldto

thestill-growingnumberofsaurians.Hermindclear,Erephrencautiouslyopenedhersensestothewarp.Thevistabeforeherwasstilldisorderedfragmentsandpain.Theonlythingshecouldseewithanyprecisionwasthestorms.Theydefiedhercomprehension.Theyweresovast,theyseemedtomergeintoasingleexpressionofabsolutechaos.Theempyreanroseupinwavesthatdwarfedeventheconceptionofmountains.Lurkingbehindthetempestswastheterriblesuggestionofintention.Theawfulideaformedthathereshesawtheworksofanenemyofinconceivablemaliceandpower.Shelookedawayfromthe

stormsbeforetheideabecameaconviction.ThefoeonPythoswasthreatenough.Sheforcedherselftoengagewiththeinterference.Itshatteredanyattempttoreadthedetailsofthe

warp.Itturnedhervisionintosplinters,shards,jaggedenergy,alldividing,overlapping,collidinginafrenzyofillogic.Itwasatormenttoconsider.Hermindtriedtoflyapart,butshedisciplinedit.Shestoppedtryingtoseepastthedistortion.Shelookedatthedistortionitself.YouarewhatIseek,shetoldit.Youarethesignofthefoe.Youareitstrace.Eventhepainitcausedwasevidence.Sheseizedonherownsuffering.Shemadeitherguide.Shefollowedittoitssource.ThenshespoketoAtticus.Anhourlater,shewasatthesettlement,standingwithanescortofIronHandsattheedgeofthefirstof

thepits.‘You’resuretheinterferencecomesfromhere?’Atticusasked.‘Iam.’Shefoundtheefforttospeakexhausting.Beingthisclosetotheepicentreofthedisruptionmeant

weatheringaconstantassault.Shehadallbutshutherselfdownagain,butthedisorderstillreachedher,strikingthroughthetinyopeningsheleft.Thatwasitsmistake.Thiswashowshecouldreachit.Thiswashowshecouldstrike.Thefoewouldpayfordaringtoconfronther.‘Wehavecombedthestructure,’saidAtticus.‘Thereisnothing.Noone.Thereisaregiontowhichwe

donotyethaveaccess,butthereisnowayinoroutofit.’‘Nevertheless.’‘Youstillinsistondescending?’‘Ido.’Shefelthisevaluatinggazeonher.‘Captain,Iamstrongenoughforthistask.Mypridewillnot

permitmetobeaburdentoyouoryourmen.’‘Ihavemanyburdens,’Atticusgrowled,‘butyouarenotamongthem.Youfoundusatargetbefore.Do

soagain,andIwillbeforeverinyourdebt.’‘MydutytotheLegionistheonlyrewardIseek.’‘Youspeakforusall.’ThevoicewasSergeantGalba’s.Thoughhewasaddressingher,theremark

seemedtobeforAtticus’sbenefit.Erephrendidnotliketheimplicationofdivisionwithintheranksoftheofficers,butsheplacedtheworrytooneside.Itwasnotherconcern.Hermissionwouldrequireallofherconcentration.Shecouldnotrisktheopeningthatadistractionorstrayworrymightgivetheenemy.‘Thisway,then,’Atticussaid.Shefollowedthesoundsofhisfootsteps.Thedullthudhisbootsmadeonearthgavewaytothehollow

knockofwood.‘Becarefulhere.’

CaptainDurunAtticus,commanderoftheVeritasFerrum

‘Thankyou.’Shesteppedontoanarrowplatform.Ifshehadstillhadaccesstothefullscopeofherpsychichalf-vision,shewouldnothaveneededAtticus’scaution.Shewouldhavesensedtheprecisedimensionsoftheplatform,knownhowmanystepsforwardsshecouldtakebeforeplungingovertheedge.Buttheworldwasnolongerconjuredbyspontaneousknowledge.Nowitwastactile.Thetap-tap-tapofhercanegaveherthecontoursofreality.Shecouldnavigate,buthersurroundingswereshadowed.Therewerelargeblanksofignorancearoundher,makingherwalkmoretentatively.Shewasusedtoasovereignauthorityoverthespacesthroughwhichshemoved,onthematerialandimmaterialplanes.Beingreducedtomundanehumanblindnesswasanaffrontshewouldneverforgive.Thecolonistshadbuiltaroughscaffoldingagainstthefaceofthestructure.Thispit,atthebaseofthe

mainlodge,wheretheearthhadfirstcollapsed,waswhereAtticushadcommandedtheprimaryexcavationtakeplace.Secondaryonescontinuedintheotherthreechasms,butwithnoclearadvantageinonelocationoveranother,thebulkoftheeffortwasconcentratedhere.Volunteersmadedowithlinestoclimbupanddownthefaçadeselsewhere.Herethereweresteps.Theywereuneven,crudelyhewn,zigzaggingdownbetweenplatformsthatwerejustasrough.Buttheyweresufficienttotheirtask.Withthehelpofhercane,Erephrenwasabletomakeherownwaydown.Shecould,shethought,indulgeherpridetothatdegree.Thefurthershedescended,themoretheblankspacesoftheworldgrew.Thedisruptionintensified.She

hadtocommitalmostallherpsychicresourcesintoblockingoutthedamage.Shewasleftwithmeretracesofenergytokeepherselfmobileandabletointeractwiththephysicalrealm.Twothingsgaveherthepushsheneededtocontinue:unceasingrage,andtheconsumingdesiretopunish.ShewasawareoftheIronHandsspeakingtoeachother,buttheirvoiceswerereducedtoimpressionist

burstsofmentalstatic.Therewasangerinthetones.Inflectionsofdoubtandsuspicion.Thethoughtcametoherthatherewasanothersignoftheenemy’scampaign:machinicimpassivitywasbeingstolenfromtheIronHands.IsstvanVhaddealtablowthatwasaspsychologicalasitwasmilitary,andthattraumawasbeingworkedon,deepened,shapedintosomethingprofound,somethingthatmightoutlastthestars.Ragehadbecometheheartbeatofthecompany,ragesharpasadagger,yetwideasthegalaxy.Rageinresponsetobetrayal,abetrayalsogreatthatitrevealedthetreacheryinallthings.Sheunderstood,becauseshehadhersmall,mortalshareofthatrage.Howmuchmoreincandescent,howdevastatingtoallaroundthem,wouldbetheangerofthedemigods.Shefoundthatsherejoicedattheidea.Aslongastheragewasnotdirectedinwards.Theanxietyrose,abubbleforminginthecauldronofherpsyche.Itwaswithoutvalue.Itwas

dangerous.Shesuppresseditwiththegreaterforceofanger,andmovedforwards.Downwards.Onestepatatime.Aheadofher,thesoundofAtticus’sheavyfootfallschangedagain.Nowtherewasthehardechoof

stone.‘Weareabouttoentertheruin,’hetoldher.Hehadturnedtotheright.Shethankedhim.Shefollowedhisvoice,felttheplatformgivewaytothesmoothnessofthestructure

itself.Thenshewaspassingthroughthethreshold.Itwasastarkreality,cuttingthroughtheenvelopingblankness.Shesensedthecontoursofthearchasclearlyasifthedisruptionhadabruptlyceased.Butwhenshewasthrough,thescramblingofherperceptionsincreasedahundredfold.Timevanished.Theworldvanished.Therewasonlydisruption.Shehadsteppedinsidetheassault,

anditcameinfromallsides,overwhelmingherbarriers.Shewasdrowninginmalformedenergy.Somethingthatwasnotrandomintruded.Ithadashape.Ithadapurpose.Ithadanexistencein

time,anditsexistencegaveherbackthesuccessionofmoments.Thethingbecameclearer.Itwasavoice.ItwasAtticus,speakinghername.Shegrabbedthefragmentofrealityandstruggledagainstthestreamofmadness.Shereachedashore,andbitbybit,reclaimedthenatureofsounds,oftouch,ofthought.Shewassurprisedtodiscoverthatshewasstillstanding.Atticusasked,‘Canyoucontinue?’‘Yes.’Thewordwasavictory.Itstruthwasagreaterone.‘Captain,yousaidthisbuildingwasinert.It

isnot.’‘Weknowthereisambientwarpenergyatworkhere,butthatisall,’Atticusreplied.‘Auspex?’he

called.‘Nochange.’ThespeakerwastheTechmarine,Camnus.‘Nocoherentwaveforms.’‘Yettheattacksaredirected,’Atticusmused,‘andaregrowingstronger.’‘Thisisamachine,’saidGalba.Atticusgruntedandmovedon.Down,down,deeper.Erephrenwasspirallingintoasearinggale.Thetakingofasinglestepwasawar

initself.Sheclaimedonehardvictoryafteranother,andthegreaterthepain,thegreaterhersensethatshewasclosingwiththeenemy.Timedisintegratedagain.Sheexistedonthefuelofrageandexpectation.Whennextshewasawareoftheworldoutsideherstruggle,shehadstoppedmoving.Atticus’svoicepenetratedthegalvanichaze,atransmissionfromadistantstar.‘Wecangonofurther.’Completeyourmission,shethought.Theefforttospeakbroughthertothepointofcollapse.Dutyheld

herupright.‘Weareveryclose,’shesaid.Shereachedoutwithherlefthand.Herpalmbrushedagainstarockbarrier.‘Whatisthis?’sheasked.‘Thebarrierattheendofthistunnel,’Atticustoldher.‘Theexcavationsherehaveremovedallthe

collapsedstone,butnowthisblocksourpath.Itistoouniformtobenatural.Itispartofthexenosconstructionofthissite.Itspurposeisunclear,andwecanfindnowayaroundit.’‘Oneoftheothertunnels,perhaps…’Darrasbegan.‘No,’shesaid.Sheranherfingersovertherock.Itspresencefilledhermind.‘Thesurfacehasacurve

toit,’sheannounced.‘Thisisasphere.Averylargeone.’‘BrotherCamnus?’saidAtticus.‘Ourreadingsarenonsense,brother-captain.Itisimpossibletosaywithcertainty.Butitisvery

possible,yes.IthinkweshouldtrustwhatMistressErephrendetects.’‘Canyoutellwhatisontheotherside?’Atticusasked.‘Ifwebreakthrough,willwefindourenemy?’Shepushedthroughthetorment.Sheforcedherselftolookmorefullyatthedisruptions,hereinthis

placethatwasmorewarpthanreality.Shebracedfortheworstattackyet.Shewasconvincedthatshewasabouttoencountertheheartofthedisruptivepower.Instead,shefoundnothing.Thespherewashollow.Itwasavastemptiness,avoidthatcrackledwithpotential,buttherewasnoenemy.‘Thereisnothingthere,’Erephrensaid.‘Thissphere…’Ashell?‘Itisthecentreoftheinterference.’‘Thesource?’‘No.Thecentre.’Shetookherhandaway.‘Theentirestructureisthesource.’‘Amachine,’Galbarepeated.‘Theattacksaredeliberate,’Atticussaid.‘Theyarenotjusttheeffectofamechanismatwork.Ifthisis

amachine,someoneisusingit.’‘Yes.’Erephrenagreed.Withnothingmoreforhertosee,shereinforcedherbarriers.Sheretreatedinto

thereliefofblindness.Shecouldnotcloseofftheenergyaltogether.Itwastoostrong.Itleakedin.Herheadranglikeacathedralbell.Shewishedthisconversationwouldwait.‘Butthatsomeoneisnothere.’‘Thenwhere?’

Atticus’squestionwasrhetorical,buttheanswerloomedbeforeErephren.Itwasonesheshouldnotbelieve.Itwasalsooneshecouldnotavoid.Shewaited,though.ShewonderedifGalbahadcometothesameunwanted,insaneconclusion.Hehad.‘Nowhereonthisplane.’‘Yes,’shesaid.Thesilencewasaheavyone.‘Iwillnotcountenanceabsurdities,’Atticusdeclared,hisfuryexpressedincold,mechanicalsyllables.

‘Icannotfightmyths.’‘Captain,’Erephrensaid.‘IwillnottrytoconvinceyouofsomethingthatIwish,withallmyheart,to

beamistake.ButthisIcantellyoubeyondanydoubt–thisstructureisthecauseoftheinterference.Ifyouhaveanyfaithinmyabilities,believemenow.’‘Thenwemustendtheinterference.’Galbasaid,‘Burnit.’

FIFTEENRefrain

CommunionDefiance

Burnit.Theideawashis,wasn’tit?Galbabroodedoverthequestiononthewaybacktothesurface.HewrestledwithitontheUnbending

asitflewtothebase.Atticuskepthiscouncil,perhapsgivingGalbatimetomarshalhisargumentsorrepenthismadness.Hedidnotchangehismind.Theruinsmustbedestroyed.Thatwasself-evident,surely.TheycausedthedisruptionofErephren’sabilitytomonitorthewarp.Eliminatethem,andtheproblemended.Thatwaslogical.ButhehadbeenthinkingburnitbeforeErephren’sdiagnosis.Hetriedtojustifyhisconviction.Hetried

toconstructthatrationalsetofobservationsandconclusionsthathadledtothatidea.Andtothoseveryprecisewords.Burnit.Hefailed.Reasoningbecamerationalisations,andhediscardedtheminshame.Hewashonestwith

himself.Theideahadcometohimduringthenight,andnothingcouldbetrustedinthenightsofPythos.Hefoundthathecouldnoteventrusthisdilemma.HewasevenmoreuncertainwhenAtticustookhim

aside.Theyspokeinthecaptain’squarters,asmallprefabchamberattachedtothecommandcentre.Itwasawindowless,almostfeaturelessspace.Therewasnothingontheplasteelwalls.InthecentreoftheroomwasatableonwhichwerespreadstarchartsandagrowingcollectionofmapsofPythos.Atticushadnotgivenupontheideaoffindinganenemyencampment,andhadbeensendingthegunshipsoutonreconnaissancemissions,surveyingmoreofthecoastalregioneverytime.Theresultsconsistedofcontourmapsofunbrokenjungle.Theparchmentswerecoveredinannotations,almostallofthemcrossedout.Theyweretheleavingsoffrustration.Therewasnowheretositintheroom.Therewasonlythetable.Atticusshutthedoor.Heremovedhis

helmet,placingitonthetable.Hebeganaslow,measuredpacearoundtheroom,andGalbaknewhewasseeinghowthecaptainusedthechamber.Thiswasthespaceofrestlessthought.Atticussaid,‘Soyouwouldhavemeburntheruins?’‘Ifeelverystronglythatyoushould,brother-captain.’Thatwasthepurest,mosthonestanswerhecould

give.Hehopedthecaptainwouldpickuponhischoiceofwords.Hedid.‘Youfeelthis,doyou?’‘Yes.’‘Andwhatdoyouthinkweshoulddo?’‘I’mnotsure.’Atticusstoppedpacing.Fromtheothersideofthetable,hefacedGalba.Hisgazewascold,precise,

anatomising.Galbafelthimselfbeingjudgedbyanintellectasinhumanasacogitator.JustasthelefteyewastheonlyvisibleechoofthefleshleftonAtticus,thelastemotiontolivewithinhisframewasrage.‘Explainyourself,’saidthemonsterofwar.‘Myprimaryimpulseistoburntheruins.Destructionwouldbetheinevitableresultofthisaction.But

myimpulseistoburn.Imusttakethisaction,captain.ItisallIcanthinkabout.But…’

‘Butyoudidnotdeducethatthiswasthewaytoachievedestruction.’‘Thatiscorrect.’Afterafewseconds,Atticusmused,‘Thestrategyisarationalone.Themosteffectivewayof

destroyingthatstructurewouldinvolveoneformoffireoranother.Sergeant,whendidthisdesiretoburnstrikeyou?’‘Lastnight.’‘Isee.Youdidnotcometotheconclusionthattheruinswerethesourceoftheinterferencebefore

MistressErephrendid?’‘Ididnot.’‘Whatmightbethesourceofyourinspiration?’‘Ihavenoidea.’‘Oh?’TherewaslittleinflectioninAtticus’sbionicvoice.Therewerelevelsofvolume,andtherewasthe

lengththathechosetogivehissyllables.Thosevariationswereenoughtoconveyawealthofexpression.Galbahadnodifficultyreadinghisscepticisminthatsingleword.Evenso,thesergeantstoodhisground.‘Idonotknowwhatthesourceis.Idoknowwhatitisnot.Iamnotapsyker.HowwouldIhave

concealedthatfromyou,andfromallofourbrothers,forsolong?Captain,’hepleaded,‘haveIevergivenyouanycausetodoubtmyloyalty?’Attticus’sheadtiltedafractionofadegreetotheright.‘Youhavenot,’headmitted.‘Butsomeofyour

behaviouronthisplanethasbeendifficulttoexplain.’‘Ishareyourpuzzlement.’Theelectronicgruntwasnoncommittal.Itwasnothostile.Norwasitmerciful.‘Understandme,

sergeant.Whateverthenatureoftheweaknessthatassailsyou,theonlyaspectofitthatinterestsmeiswhatconsequencesitmighthaveforourtacticalsituation.Willyouhurtorharmthemission?Willyouhurtorharmthecompany?’‘Iwouldnever–’Atticusheldupahand,cuttinghimoff.‘Ifyoudonotunderstandwhatishappeningtoyou,ifitis

happeningdespiteyourwill,yourintentionsareirrelevant.So,therefore,isyourloyalty.’Galbahadnoanswertothat.Thelogicwasunforgiving.Itwasalsounassailable.‘Whatdoyouintend

todowithme?’heasked.‘Iamnotsure.Idonotlikeuncertainty,brother-sergeant.Iespeciallydespiseitinmyself.Butthisis

ourposition.Whateverthesourceofyourknowledge,youwereabletowarnusabouttheattackbythoseverminintheruins.Thatwasuseful,ifinexplicable.’Hetappedafingeragainstthesurfaceofthetable.‘Describetomeagainexactlywhathappened.’‘Isensedsomethingcoming.’‘Sensedhow?Wasitanintuition?’‘No.’Hepaused.‘Iheardwhispers.’‘Thenightofthefirstattack,yousaidyousmelledwhispers.’Galbanodded.‘Idid.’‘Mydiagnosiswasawarp-inducedhallucination.’Tap-tap-tapwentthefinger.‘Eventspointtothe

inadequacyofthattheory.Whispers,yousaid.Weretheycoherent?’‘Intheruins,theywere.’‘Whatdidtheysay?’‘“Warnthem.It’scoming.Looktoyourright.”’Thetappingstopped.‘Verycoherent.Weretheyinyourvoice?’

‘No,’hesaid.Hebitthewordoffwithdisgust.Thememoryofthatvoice–rust,skulls,stone–grated.‘Andnow?Havethewhispersspokentoyouagain?’‘Notastheydidthen.Buttheneedtoburntheruinsisanarticulatedone.Thewords“burnit”areinmy

head.’Silence.Immobility.Thewarrior-machinedeepinthought.Then,‘Thecoherenceofthesemessagesis

inkeepingwiththepresenceofasentientenemy.Thenatureofthetechnologythatwouldpermittheirtransmissionisbeyondme,butIwillsetthatasidefornow.Thecontentofthemessagesiswhatmustbedealtwith.Andwewerenotharmedbythosewhispersintheruins.Wewereaided.’‘Doyouthinkwehavealliesaswellasenemieshere?’Galbaasked.Theideafeltwrong.‘Iamgrowingwearyofhearingaboutinvisibleentities,’Atticussaid.‘Withrespect,captain,youarenothalfastiredasIamofhearingfromthem.’Nowthesoundthatemergedfromtheexpressionlessskullwasanapproximationofamusement.‘I

shouldimagine,’Atticussaid.Thatsentencebridgedthegulfthathadbeengrowingbetweenthetwolegionaries.Galbafelthis

breathingbecomeeasier.‘Whatactionshouldwetake?’heasked.Atticuswasstillagain.Thenhegavethetableadecisiverapwithhisfist.Thesurfacedented.‘My

misgivingsarelegion.Butthefirstmessageintheruinswasvaluable.Ignoringthesecondmightbefoolish,anditsurgingdoescoincidewithmyownstrategicevaluations.’‘Wearegoingtodestroythestructure?’‘Wewillburnit.’

Kanshellthoughtthatthismightbehislasttimeinthesettlement.Theexcavationoperationshadbeencalledoff.Kanshelldidnotknowwhat,ifanything,hadbeenfoundinthedepths,butitseemedthattheXLegionhadlittlereasontomaintainapresencehereanylonger.Thewordcirculatingamongtheserfswasthatthetimehadcomeforthecoloniststostandontheirown.Thepalisadewassolid.Enoughlasrifleshadbeendistributedforthepeopletodefendthemselves.Nowtheyhadtoshowthattheywereworththeefforttosave.ThiswastheinformationthatfloatedKanshell’swayonthecurrentsofconversationduringthelastfew

hoursofthelastday.Itwassurfacechatter.Belowweretheimportantflows.Thefearsofthenightsonthebasewerenowtangledwiththehopesignitedbytheceremoniesheldinthesettlement.Theserfshadbeencautious,iffascinated,spectators.OnlyKanshellhadsetfootinoneofthelodges.Nowtherewouldbeonelastchancetotakepart.Thecurrentsroiledwithunstatedconfusion,uncertainty,worry.Kanshellsuspectedthatmostoftheserfs,evenfollowersoftheLectitioDivinatus,wouldholdback.ThefearofsovisibleaviolationoftheImperialTruth’ssecularismwastoogreat.KanshellknewwhatTanaurawoulddoifshewerepresent.Hecouldhearhervoiceurgingthecourage

tostandbythetruth,nomatterwhatcensurewouldfollow.Hehadaspiritualdebttoher.Shehadnevergivenuponhim.Hecouldnotbackdown.AndifhetrulyhadfaithintheGod-Emperor,thatfaithcarriedresponsibilities.Hewouldliveuptothem.Eveningcame.Theworkdetailsended,butthetransportshadnotyetarrived.Kanshellcouldseeno

legionariesatall.EventheSalamandershadleftshortlyaftertheIronHandsandtheastropathhademergedfromthedepths.Theindependenceofthesettlementhadbegun.Thejungleroaredasifthesauriansknewthisandrejoiced.Theguardsonthewallsweremorenumerous,andseemedtobegettingbetter,ifonlythroughsheerconcentrationoffire,atfendingoffthebeasts.Evenso,theoccasionalflyingreptilesucceededintakingoffwithashriekingtrophy.Thecolonistsbegantheirceremonies.Theritualswerethelargest,mostenthusiastictodate.Allfour

lodgeswereburstingwithcelebratingcrowds.Thechantsembracedintheairoverthesettlement.Theybecamearound.Kanshellheadedtowardstheprimarylodge.HiscopyoftheLectitiowasinsidehisworkfatigues.Onthisday,hewouldadvancetothecentreofthelightweb.Hewouldacceptthewelcome.Hewouldengageinthefullmeasureofworship.

Inthecommandcentreofthebase,Atticusaddressedhisofficers.TheSalamandersandRavenGuardwerepresent,too.Khi’demwasnotfooledbythecourtesy.Heknewthatthiswasnoconsultation.HewaspresenttohearthedictatesofthecommanderoftheIronHands.Adecisionhadbeenmade.Anoperationofsomescalewasabouttobegin.Khi’demcouldnotimaginewhatitwas.Thewarhadstagnated.HeworriedthatAtticus’sleveloffrustrationmightbereachingthepointwherehewouldplungeintoactionforthesakeofaction.Hewasuneasy,too,aboutleavingthesettlementundefended.Heunderstoodthatthecolonistscouldnot

beprotectedindefinitely.Heagreedthattheymustberesponsiblefortheirownsurvival,oncetheyhadthemeanstodoso.Andheacknowledgedthatperhapstheynowdid.Whathedidnotseewasthatthetacticalsituationhadchangedatall.Hewouldratherfightausefulstruggleatthesettlementthanrotinaholdingpatternonthebase,waitingforamissionthatmightnevercome.Atticusactivatedthehololithtablethatdominatedthecommandcentre.Aprojectionofthesettlement

appeared.Highlightedwasarepresentationoftheruins,basedontheobservableportionsandextrapolationsofthoseregionsstillinaccessible.Amassiveundergroundhemisphereinthecentreoftheplateaushonewiththegreatestbrilliance.Runesappearedindicatingtheestimateddepthfromthesurfaceofthegroundtothetopofthedome.Khi’demfrowned.Anotherdig?Thatdidnotseemworththislevelofbriefing.Hegrewuneasy.Atticussaid,‘WiththehelpofMistressErephren,wehavedeterminedthatthexenosstructureis,in

fact,aweapon.Thoughwehaveyettopinpointourenemy’slocation,weknowthatthisisthetoolheisusingagainstus.Sothetimehascometoremoveitfromthefield.’Hetouchedthetable’scontrols,andamarkeroftheVeritasFerrumappeared,indicatingitsgeosynchronouspositionoverthesettlement.Khi’dem’suneaseturnedintoshock.

Thewelcomewasaswarmasbefore.Kanshellwassweptupintheecstasyofworshipagain.Theexperiencewasevenmoreintense,becausethistimehehadcomewithnohesitation.Hehadcomewithhisownjoy,hisownanticipation.Andhehadcomewiththeobjectthatwouldmarktheeventandtheplacewithpropersanctity.Onceagain,SkeVriswalkedwithhimtowardsthecentreofthelodge.Thewoman’ssmilewasbeyond

joyful.ItseemedtoKanshellhewasnottheonlyoneforwhomtheeventwaschargedwithgreatermeaningthanbefore.SkeVris’sfaceshonewiththetriumphofimmutabledestiny.Thechantingwassupercharged.Thiswasanightofclimax.Perhaps,Kanshellthought,ashesurrenderedhimselftothesensoryoverloadofpraise,hewascompletingsomethingforthesepeopleaswellasforhimself.Perhaps,atsomelevel,theyrealisedthatsomethingwasmissingfromtheirrituals.NowhewasbringingtheEmperortothem,andtheirworshipwouldhaveatruecentre.Thetall,hoodedprieststoodinthesamespot.Hadhedancedagain?Kanshellwasnotsure.Thedetails

ofrealitywereslippingawayfromhim,thematerialfallingbeforethemightofthespiritual.Hesawtheworldinfragments.Ithadbecomeanendlesslyshiftingkaleidoscope,thefragmentsspinningawayinscintillatingburstsofthesublime.Hegraspedenoughtobeabletowalk–hewaswalking,wasn’the?Washefloating?–andheheldcoherentthoughtsjustlongenoughtoknowwhathemustdoineachofthe

momentswherehewasgrantedsomeportionofawareness.Hemoved–flew,walked,floated,swam–forwards,breathbybreath,beatbybeat,measurebymeasure.Hewasalmostatthecentre,whereallthevorticesandlatticesoflightfoundtheirnexus.Herewaswheremeaningdiedandwasreborn,renewed.Thepriestsaid,‘Haveyoubroughtanicon?’Civilisationsroseandfellbeforehefoundhistongue.‘Somethingelse.’HeproducedtheLectitio

Divinitatus.Silence.Theuniversepaused.Kanshellwassuspendedinalimbofilledwithaninfinitepotentialof

meaning.Somethingimmensetranspired.SignificancetoweredoverKanshell,itsextentlostbeyondperception.Hevanishedinitsshadow,andthesilencefilledhimwithcold.Whathadhedone?Hadheoffended?How?Ahandreachedintothelimbo.Theworldcoalescedaroundit.Kanshellcouldseeagain.Time

advanced,butthesilencecontinued.Thepriesttooktheofferedbook.Hehandleditwithreverence.Heliftedittowardstheceilingofthelodge.Hespoke.‘Theword.’Thesilenceendedineruption.Itwasaspowerfulasthecryofavolcano,butitwasthefullest

paroxysmofcelebration.Kanshellweptthathehaddonesowell.Theeffectwasbeyondhisfiercesthope.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,herealisedthatevenhe,themostinsignificantofmenials,hadadestiny,andthathisroleintheEmperor’splanmightwellbefarmoreimportantthanhisstateshouldpermit.Thepriesttookastepback.Heknelt,andplacedtheLectitiointhecentreofthefloor.Thebookwas

battered,dog-eared,curling.Itwashumble.Butitwastransformedinthenexus.Itbecamemorethanwords,morethanteachings,morethanasymbol.Kanshellsawitastheproductandsourceofforcesbeyondhiscomprehension.Thegalaxyturnedontheaxisofthatbook.Whathadbeen,whatwasnow,andwhatwastocomewerereflectedandshapedthere.Hissublimejoywasmixedwithanawejustassublime,andsotherealsocameterror.Hewastoosmall.Themeaningsweretoovast.Ifhelookedclosely,ifheunderstoodall,thenhewouldbeblastedtonothing.Butwouldthatbesoterrible?Wouldthatnotbetheculminationofhislife?Wasthisnotthegreatest

thinghecouldeverhopetoaccomplish?Wasthereanypointinlivingaperpetualanticlimax?Thepriestwasholdingouthishandsagain,invitingKanshelltojointhebook,toknowall,toreceive

thegiftoffullrevelation.Kanshellembracedthemoment.HegavehimselfasanofferingtotheGod-Emperor.Hesteppedforwards.Onlyhedidnot.Hismindsentthecommands.Theimpulsesreachedhislegs.Hisbodyhadlostthe

unityofself,andwasslowtoreact.Inthegulfbetweenhisthoughtandhisact,theshadowfell.Theflowofvoiceswasdisruptedbytheharsh,mercilesscacophonyofmachines.Enginesroared.Heavybootsmarched.Avoicethatheldnoteventheechoofhumanitygavecommands.Thelightwebshattered,wentout.Thesongdied.TheworldclampedbackintoplacearoundKanshell.

Hegaspedattheshock.Hestumbled,firstoutofweakness,andthenagainasthecrowdrushedfromthelodge,pursuedbytheangerofaweaponthatwalkedandjudged.‘Thissuperstitionisatanend,’Atticusdeclared.‘Soismypatience.Soisthissettlement.Itisover.All

ofit.Now.’Kanshellfelltoallfours.Hisheadrangasrunninglegsstruckit.Hecurledintoaball,tryingtoward

offtheblows.Theydidnotlastlong.Eventhemostdevotedofthecolonistshurriedtoobeytheterriblegiantthathadcomeamongthem.OnlythepriestandSkeVriswereunhurried.AsKanshellraisedhishead,hesawthetwowalkpasttheloomingAtticus.SkeVrishadherheadbowedindeference,butthepriest,stillhooded,stoodstraight.Thenthey,too,exitedintothenight.KanshellwasaloneinthelodgewiththecaptainoftheIronHands.‘Mylord,’Kanshellwhispered.Hehaddonenothingwrong.Atthemostimportantlevel,thespiritual

one,heknewthistobetrue.Butintherealmofsecularlaws,andintheeyesofthecoldestoflegionaries,hehadtrespassed.Hedidnotbegforgiveness.Hewouldnotbetraythetruthofhisfaith.Therewerealsobeingsforwhomforgivenesswasanalienconcept.‘Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing,serf?’Atticussaid.Thelowelectronicvoice,barelyaudibleoverthe

rumbleoftransportenginesoutside,wasterrifying.Kanshellopenedhismouth.Nothingcameout.Therewasnothingtosay.Notruth,lieorpleawould

makeadifferencenow.Hiswordswouldbeaswellspenttryingtostopthefallofnight.GalbaenteredthelodgeandcameupbehindAtticus.‘Captain,’hesaid,‘theyaregathered.Ifyouwant

tospeaktothem…’Atticusturnedtothesergeant.‘Idonotwanttospeaktothesefools,’hesaid.‘ButIwilltellthem

wheretheystand.’Heleft.Kanshellwasforgotten.Hewassofarbeneathnoticethathecouldnotretainthelegionary’sattentionformorethanafewseconds.Galbaremainedbehind.Helookeddown.‘Getup,Jerune,’hesaid.Kanshellstruggledtohisfeet.‘Whatwereyoudoinghere?’Galba’squestionwasnotrhetoricalmenace.Hewasgenuinelypuzzled.KanshellhadnotknownthetruemeaningofworshipuntilhehadembracedtheteachingsoftheLectitio

Divinitatus.Buthehadexperienceditssimulacrum,andtheobjectofthatfidelityhadbeenGalba.OfalltheIronHandsoftheVeritasFerrum,hewastheonewhostoopedtoseetheserfs.Heacknowledgedthepresenceoftheweakmortals.Hewascapableofkindness.Heseemed,attimes,tohaveanunderstanding,oratleastaformofsympathy,forthepitifulbeingsthatscurriedabout,fulfillingthemenialtasksofthegreatship.FutilityhadstoppedKanshellfromansweringAtticus.HeknewGalbawouldnotbeanymorereceptivetoKanshell’snewtruththanthecaptain.Healsoknewthathemustbeopenwithhismaster.‘IwasmakinganofferingtotheGod-Emperor,’hesaid.Galbaclosedhiseyesforamoment.KanshellwassurprisedtoseethataSpaceMarinecouldlook

tired.WhenGalbalookedatKanshellagain,heworeapainedexpression.‘Ishouldcensureyou.Attheveryleast,Ishouldexplaintheabsurdityofwhatyouaredoing,andpointoutthatyouareactingindirectviolationoftheEmperor’sdictatesandHiswishes.’‘Yes,sergeant.’‘ButIimaginethatifyouareabletosurmounttheridiculousparadoxofworshippingasagodabeing

whohasforbiddenpreciselythatbelief,thenIwouldbewastingmybreathtopointoutyoursmallerlunacies.’Kanshellsaidnothing.Hebowedhisheadinagreement,inhumilityandindefiance.‘Hasthiscultbecomewidespreadamongtheserfs?’‘Ithas.’Thesergeantgrunted.‘Thenights,Isuppose,’hemuttered,moretohimselfthantoKanshell.‘Irrational

horrorbreedsirrationalhope.’Hislaughwasshort,soft,grim.‘Jerune,ifyouknewhowmuchoftheirrationalthereistogoaround…’Heturnedtogo.‘Ihavenointerestinpunishingyou,’hesaid.Hegesturedwithhisrighthand,takinginthespaceofthelodge.‘Thiswillallbeoverwithsoonenough,anyway.’‘Sergeant?’Kanshellasked,butGalbakeptwalking.Hestartedtofollow,thenrememberedhis

Lectitio.Heranbacktothecentreofthelodge.Thebookwasgone.

Gunshipsandtransportsidled,rampsdown.TheVindicatorshadarrivedatthegatesofthesettlement.EngineofFuryhadadvancedinsidethepalisade,movingbetweenandaheadoftheThunderhawks.The

entirepopulation,thousandsstrong,milledinthecentreoftheplateau,herdedtherebythewarriorsof111thCompany.GalbaeyedthescenewhileAtticusclimbedatopEngineofFury.Itoccurredtohimthatthescenelookedlikeaninvasion.Ataword,theIronHandscouldannihilatethepopulationbeforethem.Atticus’simpatiencehadfoundexpressioninthebrutalefficiencyoftheoperation.Vox-hornsonthevehiclessentthecaptain’svoiceoutoverthecrowd.Itwasaharshrentinthenight

air.Hedidnotgreethislisteners.Hesaid,‘Wehaveenteredanewstageofthewar.Adrasticstepisrequired,whichmakesthisplateauunsafe.Youwillbeevacuatedbacktoourbaseanditsvicinity,untilwefindyouamoresuitablelocation.Thatisall.’Hewasabouttodismountfromthetank,whentheheadpriestapproached.ThemanstoppedwiththebarreloftheVindicatorsoaringoverhishead,pointingtowardshisflock.‘Thislocationismostsuitable,’thepriestsaid.‘Notanylonger.’‘I’msorrytoirritateyou,captain,butwedisagree.Weshallremainhere.’Atticuswasmotionless.Galbawonderedifhemightcrushtheman’sheadforhiseffrontery.Hedidnot.

‘Thedecisionisnotyourstomake,’Atticussaid.‘Ithasbeentaken.Youwillbemovednow.’‘No.’Thesilenceseemedtocutthroughthenoiseoftheengines.‘How,exactly,doyouthinkyoucandefyus?’Atticusasked.‘Simplybydoingso.Wewillnotgo.’Atticusreacheddownfromthetank,grabbedthefrontofthepriest’sarmouredtunicandliftedhimhigh.

Heheldthemanatarm’slength.Thepriestdidnotstruggle.Heheldhisdanglinglegsstill.Galbawasimpressedbyhisself-control,evenashisrevulsionfortheturbulentfleshroseafresh.Atticussaid,‘Doyoudefymestill?’‘Ido.’‘YetIcanmoveyouasIwill.Youareleaving.’‘Wearenot.’Thepriest’svoicewasstrained,butitspridewasuntouched.‘Youwillhavetokillus

first.’‘Youwillbekilledifyouremain.’‘Ithinknot.’‘Youdonotknowwhatiscoming.Youareafool.’‘Ithinknot.’Atticusgrunted.‘No,youreallydon’t,doyou?Sobeit.’Hedroppedthepriest.Themanfellinaheap,

butroseagainwithasinuousmovement.Hestoodashehadbefore,dwarfedbyEngineofFuryandthedarkcolossus.‘Youwishustoleave,’Atticusproclaimed.‘Soweshall.Youdonotwishourhelp.Soyoushallnothaveit.Youwishtostay.So.You.Shall.’Hepronouncedthelastthreewordswiththeslowbeatandterribleemphasisofatollingbell.‘Youare

welcome,ofcourse,tochangeyourminds.Shouldyouchoosetofleeintothejungle,andthrowyourselvesuponthetendermerciesofthesaurians,feelfreetodoso.Wewillnotstopyou.Wewillnotinterfere.Wewillnothelp.Wewillnotbehere.Butyouwillknowofus.Atdawn,thisplateauwillceasetoexist.ThewrathoftheIronHandswillburnitfromalllivingmemory.’ThelastwordsofAtticus’sjudgementechoedacrossthesettlement.Therewasnomurmurfromthe

crowd.Thepriestremainedwherehewas.Hisstillnessrivalledthecaptain’s.‘Legionaries,’Atticussaid,‘wearedonehere.’Theexodusbegan.AsGalbawatchedtheserfsclimbintothetransports,hecaughtsightofKanshell.

Themanlookedmuchworsethanhehadafewminutesbefore.Thenhehadbeenfrightened,dazed,

desperate.Nowhelookedsick,broken.Hisfacewasgrey.Itsaggedwithhorror.Manyoftheothermenials,Galbanowsaw,hadthesamelook.Horror,notterror.Theywerenotdreadingthenightonthebaseandthefearfulthingthatwouldcomeforsomeofthem.Theywereshockedbythefatethatloomedfortheirnewfriends.Galbafeltaflareofsympathy.Hecrushedit.Hehadbeenpushedtotheoutsideofthecompany.Since

hewasnotapsyker,howhadhebeenvulnerable?Hecouldguesstheanswer:theflesh.Hehadnotcarvedawayenoughofit.Itsweaknesshadopenedthedoortotheenemy.Well,hewasbackinAtticus’sconfidenceagain.Hewouldnotbetraythattrust.Hewouldnotallowsentimenttogetinthewayofnecessarystrategy.Theserfslackedthedisciplinetoseetheworldasitwas.TheIronHandsshould,henowrealised,havebeenmorevigilantandmorereadytostampoutthemagicalthinkingthathadinfectedlargenumbersoftheserfs.Heshouldhavebeenmorevigilant.Heshouldhavebeenlesslax.Lesshuman.Burnit.HelookedawayfromtheshockedhumansandwalkedovertoUnbendingwhereAtticusnowwaited.It

wastruethathehadnotimaginedAtticuswouldpunishtherecalcitranceofthecolonistswithsuchfinality.Hecouldallowhimselftheluxuryofbeingsurprised.Buthewaswrongtofeelshock,too,hetoldhimself.Therewasnoalternativetothecurrentaction,hetoldhimself.Andsohestruggledtorestrainhisownmountinghorror.

SIXTEENTheWrath

Khi’demdidnotrestrainhishorroratall.Hestormedintothecommandcentrejustbeforedawn.Atticushadbarredaccesstoanyoneotherthan

hisownofficersuntilthelastfewminutesbeforethestrike.Bythen,theVeritasFerrumwasinposition.HelmsmanEutropiuswasonthevox,waitingforthecommandtounleashitswrath.Galbahadstoodbyduringallthepreparations.HesaidnothingtoswayAtticusfromthiscourseofaction.Heknewheshould.Hewasconvincedheshouldnot.Hecouldnotthink.Insidethecentre,hecouldnothearthescreamsandmoansoftheserfssufferingat

thehandsoftheshadows.Heverylikelywouldnothaveheardthemevenifhehadbeenstandinginthecentreofthedormitorium.Hisheadwastollingwiththeendlesscommandtoburnit,burnit,burnit,burnit.Thetrochaicmetreoftheurgebeatathismindasifithadtakenoverthepulseofhishearts.Hemanagedtoremainatattention.Hewasevenabletopiercethroughthebatteringobsessionwhenhiscaptainspoketohim.Hewasabletolisten.Hewasabletoanswer.Butwithinseconds,hecouldnotrememberwhathehadheardorsaid.Therewasonlythecommand.Hewouldhaveorderedthestrikeinthatinstantifithadbeenlefttohim.ThehourofPythos’smournful,greydawndrewclose.Galbagreeteditwithrelief.Thecompulsion

eased,transformingintoagrimeagerness.Soon,theIronHandswouldact.Soon,theruinswouldbenomore,andthemachinewouldbedestroyed.Soon,thestorminhisskullwouldcease.Soon,soon,soon.Andyet,whenKhi’demarrived,hisfacecontortedwithfury,hisintentionsobvious,Galbawasglad.

ThesonofVulkan’sprotestwasasnecessaryasthestrike.Galba’slipscurledasthecontradictionrippledfromhistempletohisgut.Oncemore,heblamedhisfleshfortrappinghimintheparadox.Hecursedit.Hewisheditgone.Soon.‘Thisismurder,’Khi’demsaid.‘Itisnot,’Atticusreplied,calmandindifferenttotheother’soutrage.‘Weofferedsafety,andwere

refused.Wehavenottrappedanyoneinthetargetarea.Theyarefreetoleave.Theystillhaveafewminutestodoso.’Hespokewithoutmalice.Orpity.‘Youwillbeknowinglyexterminatingacivilianpopulation,whennoenemyispresent.Thisiswrong.

HowcanyoustillclaimtobeanybetterthantheWorldEatersortheNightLords?’Galbatensedattheinsult.Atticusdidnotreact.‘Ridiculous,’wasallhesaid.Heseemedtohave

Khi’dem’smeasure.Anageago,overIsstvanV,thesituationhadbeendifferent.Khi’demhadconvincedAtticustopickuptheescapingThunderhawksbyappealingtosomethinginthecaptainthatwentbeyondthecoldexpediencyofwar.Hewastryingagain,buthiseffortswereslammingintoablankwall.HewasspeakingtosomethinginAtticusthatwasnolongerthere.Atticusleanedoverthehololithtable.TherepresentationoftheVeritasFerrumwasdirectlyabovethe

coordinatesforthesettlement.Thedaggerwasabouttoplungeintotheheartoftheenemy’scampaign.‘BrotherEutropius,’Atticusvoxed.‘Yourwill,captain?’Eutropius’svoicecrackledwithstatic,butitwasclearerthansurface-to-ship

communicationshadbeenfordays.Thewarp’serosionofrealspacearoundPythoscouldnotstopthecomingblow.

‘Onmymark,thecountisfivehundred.’‘Soordered.’‘CaptainAtticus,’Khi’dempleaded,‘pleasethinkabout–’‘Mark,’Atticussaid.‘Thecounthasbegun,’Eutropiusreported.‘Thankyou,helmsman.’Atticusshutthetabledown.Thehololithsvanishedwithaflickerofharsh

snow.‘Whathaveyoudone?’saidKhi’dem.‘DosparemethesentimentofyourLegion.Ifinditofverylittleinterest.’Atticusheadedforthe

commandcentre’sexit.‘Brothers,’hesaid,‘shallwe?’Galbablinked.ThecompulsionhadlefthimthemomentAtticushadissuedthecommand.Hisheadfelt

clearforthefirsttimeindays.Nothingspoketohim.Therewerenowarningsorrefrains.Theabsenceswereaboon.Thereturntoclaritywasasign,hethought.Thestrikewastherightmove.HefollowedAtticusoutside.Theskywasstilldark,butwhentheyclimbedthewallandlookedover

theparapettowardstheeast,inthedirectionofthesettlement,thecontoursofthejunglewerebeginningtodistinguishthemselves.Aglowwasslowlyfilteringinthroughthecloudcover.ThenavigationlightsofUnbendingwerevisibleinthedistance.UnderDarras’scommand,itwasflyingwithinsightoftheplateau.Allalongtheparapet,thewarriorsoftheXLegionhadgatheredtowitnessthegreatfire.The

SalamandersandRavenGuardwerethere,too.Atticusnoddedtothem.GalbasawKhi’demexchangealookwithPtero.‘Doyouagreewiththis?’Khi’demasked.‘Thestructuremustbedestroyed.’Pteroanswered.‘Atthiscost?’Pteroseemedpained.‘Idon’tknow.Isthereanalternative?Ican’tthinkofone.’‘Thisisacrime,’Khi’deminsisted.‘Whatnews,SergeantDarras,’Atticusaskedoverthecompanyvox.‘Thereisagathering,’theanswercameback.‘Attheirlodges?’‘No.Theyhaveformedacirclearoundthetargetsite.’‘Suicidalidiots,’Atticuscommented.‘Thankyou,brother-sergeant.’‘Whatareyougoingtouse?’Khi’demasked,hisvoicedull.‘Cyclonictorpedoes?’‘Fartoodestructive.Wemustpreservethewarp-anomaly.Thestrikemustbeveryprecise.Sergeant

Galba’sinsighthasprovenvital.’‘Ithas?’Khi’demgaveGalbaasharplook.‘Thecaptaingivesmetoomuchcredit,’Galbasaid.‘Yousaidwemustburnit,’Atticussaidtohim,thenturnedbacktoKhi’dem.‘Soweshall.A

concentratedlancesalvo,strongenoughtopunchthroughtheearthanddestroyeverytraceofthestructurebeneath.Wewillcauterisethelandscape.’Khi’demroundedonGalba.‘Thiswasyouridea,then?Ithoughtbetterofyou.’‘Thenyou,also,givemetoomuchcredit,’hemuttered.HewatchedthelightsoftheThunderhawk,and

waitedforthegreatilluminationofthestrike.Hewasfilledwithdisgust.Itwasdirectedathimself,atthecolonists,attheimminentslaughter,andatalltheconfusing,contradictory,maddeningweaknessesoftheflesh.Hewishedthecauterisationwouldextendtohim.‘Thecountapproachesonehundred,’Atticussaid.‘SergeantDarras,letthemortalsknow.Wewilldo

themthecourtesyofgivingthemafinalwarning.’

‘Thereisnoneed,captain,’Darrasresponded.‘Theyknow.’‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Theyarelookingup.Allofthem.Theyarewaitingforit.’‘Thankyou,sergeant.Pullbacktoasafedistance.’ToKhi’dem,Atticussaid,‘Beatpeace,Salamander.

Thisisnotmurder.Itissuicide.’Khi’demglared,butdidnotanswer.Atticuslookeduptothesky.Thecloudcoverwasjustbeginningtobediscernible.‘Wearenot

responsibleforthelunacyoftheweak.Weareswornandduty-boundtocrushtheEmperor’senemies.Thatisourtask.Allelseisluxury.’Thenhesaid,‘Time.’Thewrathpiercedtheclouds.ThelancefirefromtheVeritasFerrumslasheddown.Forseveral

seconds,apillaroffirelinkedearthandsky.Thethunderofitsstrikereachedthebaseafewmomentsafteritslight.Theworldshookwiththecrackleofenergyandthedeepbassrumbleofpurifieddestruction.Thiswaswaratoneremove:theironhandoftheXLegionreachingfromtheheavenstosmitetheweaponoftheenemy.Thesalvoended.Thefirevanished,leavingafadingglarelikealividscaronthedawn.Thethunder,

however,didnotstop.Itbuilt.Thesoundgrewuntilitwasatoweringwave.Galbafrowned.Washehearingthesoundoftheruinscollapsing?No,thesoundwastoobig.Andthecrackleofenergyhadnotceased.Theairbecamesuperchargedwiththesmellofozone.‘Darras?’Atticus’svoicewasclipped,urgent.‘Report?’StaticfromUnbending.Galbacouldseeitslights,though.Itwasstillairborne.Thesoundgrewlouderyet.Thewavecrasheddown.Galbastaggered.Hewasn’twearinghishelmet,

andtherewasnothingtoshieldhissensesfromtheoverload.Thenthelightreturned.Burnit.Fireeruptedfromthejungle,areturnvolleyfromthelocationoftheplateau.Itwasallthedevastating

powerofthelancestrikeconcentrated,transformedandamplifiedintotherealmofthetranscendent.Itwasaretaliationsoimmense,itwasasiftheplanet’smoltencorehadlashedout.Asfocusedandnarrowasitwasintense,theincandescentscreamspearedtheclouds.Theskyglowedferociousorange.Thecloudsboiledwithexultantanger.Then,throughthecover,anotherflash,apointofsupremebrilliance,themessageofaterribleexplosion

beyondtheatmosphere.Galbaknewwhatitwas.Hisframewaswrackedbyasilenthowlofdenial,butheknewwhathehadseen.Thethundercontinuedtocrashoverthebase,anditwasnowthesoundofmockery,thelaughteroftheburningsky.Galbaknew.Heknew.Heknew.Butnonono,hethought,allthestrengthofhiswillpushingback

againstwhathadhappened,againstthesightthatwassuretocome.Somethingscratchedathisear,barelyperceptiblethroughtheroaroftheworld.Atthebackofhismind,heregisteredthatitwashisvox-bead.Therewasavoicethere,thevoiceofhiscaptain,callingtothehelmsmanoftheVeritasFerrum,demandingananswer,demandingarealityotherthantheonethatwasuponthem.Thentherewasanothervoice,Darras,somehowbreakingthroughthestaticlongenoughtoshout,‘Whathaveyoudone?’ThefurytherewasdirectedatGalba,andathimalone.Theblastended,itsworkdone.Therageintheskydimmedtotheredofflamingblood.Thentheclouds

writhedasanimmenseshapedescendedthroughthem.Thepresenceresolveditselfintoseveraldistinctmasses.Theycarriedwiththemthesearingglowofrenewedfire.Nonono,Galbastillthought,buttheirontruthwasdeaftohisentreaty.Theshatteredbulkofthegreat

strikecruisercameintoview.TheVeritasFerrumdroppedlikearainofbrokencathedrals.Theblastedsectionsglowedfromtheheatofre-entryandthemarkofthedismemberingwounds.Theshiphadbeen

smashedintochunkshundredsofmetresinlength.Theyweresohuge,theyseemedtofloattowardstheground.Thesightwassopowerfulinitsmalevolentgrandeur,itparalysedtime.Galbahadlivedthroughpageafterpageofthe111thClan-Company’sblackeninghistory,butthesemomentswerethedarkest.Theywerethedeathofhope.Theywerethefinalfateofthecompanyscrawledacrosstheskyinwordsofmetalandfire.Thefragmentsoftheshipstrucktheearth.Nonefellontheplateauoronthebase,asiftyrantdestiny

haddecreedthatallshouldwitnessthedespairtocome.Theyhitonallsides,thenearestbarelyakilometreaway.Theimpactswerethehammerblowsofdoom,thedrumbeatofajudgementbeyondthewillofanyhuman.Thegroundshook,andkeptshakingwitheachcrateringstrike.Galbacrouchedandgrabbedthetopof

theplasteelparapet.Theworldtriedtohurlhimoffhisfeet.Hurricanewindsblewfromeverydirection.Theyscreamedoverthebase.Theywarredwitheachother.Anyserfcaughtoutsidewasbatteredtotheground.Thelegionarieskepttheirfeetbytuckinglowandholdingon.OnlyAtticusremainedstanding,defyingthefurythattriedtouprootthebase.Hewasimmovable.Eveninthegripofcataclysm,hestoodagainsttheveryideaofdefeat.Thestrikes,thewinds,andnowthefiresandthedust.Acloudwashurledskywardateachimpactsite,

andthedawnfellbackintonight.Wavesofflamerippledoutacrossthejungle.Thepromontorywasanislandrisingaboveablazingocean.ThedeathoftheVeritasFerrumthunderedoninashriekofwindandaroaroffirestorm.Dustandsmokeandashchokedtheair,spreadingacrossthesky,killingdayforeverandslammingdownasarcophaguslidovertheland.Andthroughtheragingclashoftheend,throughgaleandrageandholocaust,reachingintoGalba’shead

withsickleclaws,camethelaughter,anditwaslaughterintheshapeofdamnation,laughterinashroudofwords,laughterthatwasarepeating,monotonous,cacklingchant.Laughterthatwouldbehiseternalcompanion.Burnit.

SEVENTEENReckoningAmiracle

Thefacesoftruth

‘Wewilldiehere,’Atticussaid.Hiswords,Galbaknew,werenotalament.Theywereastatementoffact,onethatstrippedawayall

useless,comfortingillusion.Itwasatruththattheentirecompanymustprocess.Thecaptainstoodonthelandingplatform,beforeUnbending,whichhadmanagedtostayaloftinthe

blastwindsandreturntobase.Hislegionariesstoodatattentioninrowsbeforehim.Diminishedrows.Inthefrontrank,Galbacouldstillfeelthestrengthofbrotherhood,sensethemightofthewallofarmour.ButthememoriesoftheVeritasFerrum’sfullcomplementwerestillvivid.Hecouldpicturetheabsentbrothers,officers,veterans.OftheDreadnoughts,onlytheVenerableAtraxremained.TheIronFatherwasgone.Somanygone.Somanyhundreds.Theirabsencewasaphantomlimb.Itached.Wearestillstrong,hethought.Theywere.ThenthesightoftheshatteredVeritasrosebeforehisinner

eye.Notstrongenough,camethedoubt,andhecouldnotblameitonamalignintelligencewhisperinginhishead.Thethoughtwashisown.Heshookitaway.Forwhateverneedsdoinghere,wearestrongenough.‘Wecannotleavetheplanet,’Atticuswenton.‘Wecannotcommunicatewithanyofourbrothersor

otherImperialforcesoutsidethesystem.Evenifwecould,Iwouldnotcountenancebringingthemhere.Therisksaretoogreat.Therewardsaretoolittle.‘Wewilldiehere.YouareoftheLegionesAstartes,andyouareIronHands,andIknowthatdeath

holdsnofearforyou.Butdefeatcarriesaspecialdread.Wehaveexperienceddefeat.Wehaveexperiencedloss.Wewouldbepoorwarriorstopretendthatwehavenotsufferedattendantconsequences.Hewhoclaimshehasnotbeeninjuredbythedeathofourshiphasnoplaceinmycommand.Isaythistoyousothatwelooktoourdestinywithclear,rationaleyes.‘Wewilldiehere.Evenourgene-seedislost.Ourcompanywillvanishwithouttrace.Ourhistoryisat

anend.Weshallhavenolegacy.Butwewillnotdieinvain.Wewillfindtheenemy.Wewillgrindhimbeneathourboots.Beforewearedust,theenemywillbelessthanamemory.’Atticus’svoiceroseinvolume.‘Wewilldestroyhimwithsuchviolencethatwewilltearhimfromhistory.Hispast,alongwithhispresentandfuture,willbenomore.’CouldGalbabelievewhatwasbeingsaid?Hisheartsswelled.Yes,hecould.HehadseenAtticus

standunbowedbeforetheworstcatastrophethisworldcouldthrowatthem.AtticushadnotmournedtheVeritasFerrum.Hehadsimplybecomepossessedbyarageofchillingrationality.Hewouldnotsurrender.Andnowtherewastrulynothinglefttolose.TheIronHandswouldmarchuntiltheyhadtakentheirfoeintooblivionwiththem.‘Youwillaskhowwewillhurtanenemywecannotfind,’Atticussaid.‘Youwillwonderwhat

madnesspromptsmetoimaginehisdeath,whenwestareatthecatastropheofourlastattempt.Thisismymadness–ifwhatweattemptedtodestroydefendeditselfwithsuchviolence,thenitsimportanceiscritical.Whatwecouldnotdofromadistance,wewilldoatclosequarters.Whatreflectedenergyweaponswillsuccumbtoothermeans,evenifImustsmasheachstoneofthatxenosabominationwithmyfists.’Hepaused,then,loweringhisvoice,andasked,‘Well?Doyousharemymadness,brothers?’Theydid.Galbadid.Heandhisbrothersroared.Theyslammedgauntletagainstbolterinunison.Yes,

theysharedhismadness.Yes,theywouldmarchwithhim.Thefleshisweak,Galbathought.Letitbeconsumedinthismanner.Letmegiveittotheforgeofwar,

thatitmightbeburnedtonothing,andleaveonlytheforceoftheunstoppablemachine.Behindthelegionaries,theserfsweremassed.Theywereexhausted,traumatised.Galbawasuneasy

whenhethoughtoftheirfate.TheydidnothavethepsychologicalconditioningoftheSpaceMarines.Theydidhaveafearofdeath,onethathadbeenintensifiedgreatlyduringthestayonPythos.Withthelossoftheship,theyhadnothingtolookforwardtobutendlessterroruntilahideousfate.Galbacouldhearsobsoverthecracklingofthejunglefires.‘ServantsoftheTenthLegion,’Atticussaidtothem.‘Yourlothasbeenthemostcruel.Butyouhave

swornoaths,andyouremainboundbythem.Iwillnotreleaseyoufromyourservice.Ingratitudeforyourloyalty,Iwilldosomethingelseinstead.Somethingbetter.Iwillarmallofyou.Youwillfightalongsideus.Youwillstrikebackatthatwhichhastormentedyou.Youwillwagewarasbestyoucan.Yourlosseshavebeenimmense.Yoursufferingworse.Butyoushallhavehonouruntiltheend,andthatisnosmallboon.’Anotherpause.‘ServantsoftheTenthLegion!Whatsayyou?’Tothesnarlingmetalraspofthemachine-warrior,theycried,‘Wemarch!’‘Yes,’Atticussaid,loweringhisvoice,fillingtheairwiththeelectronicthrumofvengeance.‘We

march.Wemarchtocrush.’

‘Youwillbemarchingwithoutme,Iimagine,’ErephrensaidtoAtticus.Hehadcometospeaktoherafterhisexhortation.Shehadlistenedtohimfromthedoorwayofthecommandunit,thenretreatedtoherchamber.Shestoodbeforeherthrone,unabletouseit,yetreluctanttoabandonherpost.ShewonderedifStrassny,atleast,hadbelievedhewasbeingusefulinthefinalsecondsofhislife.‘Youmarchonadifferentpath,’Atticusreplied.‘Whatwouldyoudowithalasrifle?’‘Nothingveryuseful,’sheadmitted.‘Youarenowthecompany’ssoleastropath,’heremindedher.‘Thechoirwaslostwiththeship.’‘IamnousetotheLegioninthatrole,either.Theinterferenceisworsethanever.’‘Wemarchforyou.Wewillclearyourpath.’Towhatendnow?shewantedtosay.Shestoppedherself.Shehadnouseforself-pityinanyone,least

ofallherself.Tocryhelplessnesswouldbetoplungeintotheworstindulgence.Atticuswasright.Shehadherownmarchtoundertake.Thelegionarieswereheadingofftofightanenemythathadyettobedefined.Theycouldwellbemarchingtofutility.ButtheywouldnotbepassiveinthefaceofthelossoftheVeritasFerrum.Norwouldshe.The111thClan-CompanycouldnotleavePythos,butshewasanastropath.Itwashergiftandherdutytobridgethevoid,tomakedistancemeaningless.‘Thankyou,captain,’shesaid.‘Marchwell.Iwillwagemyowncampaign.’‘Iknowit.’Hisrespectwasclear.

Halftheserfsandathirdofthelegionaries,underDarras’scommand,remainedtoguardthebase.Therestmoveddowntowardsthesettlement.Vindicatorsatthefront,Thunderhawksoverhead,itwasaslarge-scaleanoperationasthetakingoftheplateau.Itwasbigger,withthearmedserfsfollowinginthewakeoftheIronHands.Itwasalsomorevague,itsobjectivesmoreuncertain.Anditwasfullofdesperaterage.ThelasriflewasturningslickinKanshell’shands.Hehadbrokenintoajoggingruntokeepupwiththe

paceoftheSpaceMarines,buthissweatwasacoldone.HeglancedatTanaura.Hewasjustabletomatchherpace.Hewasbreathinghard.She,mucholder,lookedasifshecouldkeepupherunwavering

gaitfortherestoftheday.‘Idon’tknowifIcanusethis,’hesaidtoher.‘Youknowverywellhowtodoso.We’veallbeentrained.’‘I’veneverbeenincombat.Haveyou?’Shenoddedonce.‘I’mafraidI’llmiss.’‘Takethetimetoaimbeforeyoufire.Anyway,youcan’tmiss.NotanythingonPythos.Lookaround.’Hedid.TheworldhadbeentransformedbythefalloftheVeritasFerrum.Theholocausthad

incineratedthejungle.Forkilometresoneitherside,thelandscapehadbecomeavistaofscorchedearthandsmokingstumps.Gonewastheoppressivenightofgreen.Initsplacewasabrown-greydayofashandsmoke.Therumblinggrowlsofthesauriansweremoredistantthantheyhadbeen.Themonstershadfledtheconflagration.Theywereslowtoemergefromcoverandventureontotheblightedterrain.Someofthelargerpredators,inonesandtwos,weretestingtheground.Theywereinthemiddledistance,movingparallelwiththecompany.Theyissuedtheoccasionalroarofchallenge,butdidnotapproachanycloser.Therewasnowarhereyet.AndTanaurawasright.Therewasnowayofmissingabeastthatwascloseenoughtoattack.Theflameshadwashedupagainsttheplateau,scorchingtheexteriorofthepalisade.Beyondthe

blackeningofthewood,thewallwasintact.Thesettlementseemedtobeuntouched.Kanshellcouldnotseeanyguardsatthetop.Hewonderedifallthecolonistsweredead.Hecouldnotimagineanythinginproximitytothatblasthavingsurvived.Hewassurprisedtoseethepalisadestillstanding.AndastheVindicatorsrolledupthelowslopeoftheplateau,thegateopened.Thecompanymarchedintothesettlement.Ashepassedthroughthegate,Kanshell’seyeswidened.

Therewasnodamage.Thecolonistsstoodashehadseenthenightbefore,asiftheyhadnotmoved.Therewereonlytwosignsoftheevent.Onewastheacridstingoftheair.Theotherwaswhatwaitedatthecentreoftheplateau.Atfirst,Kanshellthoughtitwasacrater.Fromthegate,allhesawwasthecirculardepression.He

drewcloserasthecompanyspreadoutaroundthehole,andsawthathewaswrong.Itwasashaft.Itwasaperfectcircle,anditswallswerevertical.Evenasheprocessedtheshape,hestillimaginedthatithadbeencreatedbythelancefire.Thatwaswrong,too.Tanaurawasprayingunderherbreath.Kanshelldiscoveredthathewas,too.Theshaftwasartificial.Ithadnotbeendug.Ithadbeenrevealed.Therewereengravingsonthewalls.

Theywerehuge,abstractdesigns.Lookedatdirectly,theywereloopsandjaggedlines.Theysuggestedrunes,butneverquitebecamethem.Butinthecornersofhiseyes,Kanshellkeptpickinguponmovement.Thingscoiledasserpentsandsquirmedasinsects.Shadowsfloweduptheshaft,whisperingknowledgeoftheterriblenights.Kanshellsqueezedhiseyesshut.Theengravingsreachedinthroughhislids,becomingsilverlightninginthedark.Theybegantolaugh.Heopenedhiseyesagain.Theworldbeyondtheshaftwasenoughtodimthelaughter.Itdidnotextinguishit.Arampspiralleddownintothedepthsoftheshaft.Itstuckoutfromthewalls,aribbonofstonewide

enoughfortwoSpaceMarinestowalkabreast.Theslopeoftherampwassteep.Kanshellthoughtthatifhesetfootonit,hewouldhurtlealongitspathuntilhislegsoutranhisbalanceandhepitchedovertheedgeintothegloom.Theramplookedsmoothasmarble.Kanshellbackedawayfromtheedge.Helookedatthecolonists,tryingtodecidehowheshould

understandthemiracleoftheirsurvival.Hesawthatalargegrouphadbeguntogatheronceagainattheprimarylodge.HenudgedTanauraandpointed.‘They’regoingtoworshipagain,’hesaid.

‘Whynow?’sheasked.‘Itisn’tevenmidday.Yousaidtheirservicesarealwaysheldintheevening.’‘Becausewe’rehere?’hesuggested.‘Perhapstheyareprayingforus.’Heglancedattheshaft.

‘Becauseofwherewe’reabouttogo.’Tanaurawasstilllookingtowardsthelodge.‘ThatiswhereyoutookyourLectitioDivinitatus?’‘Yes.’‘Iwonderwhyitwastaken.’‘Ineversaiditwas.Justthatitwasgone.’‘Whatelsecouldhavehappened?’Herfacewasgrim.‘Iwouldverymuchliketoknowwhattheywant

withit.’‘Iwishyouhadseentheceremony.’‘SodoI.’Shedidnotsoundwistful.‘Youdon’tunderstand,’Kanshellsaid.‘Iwasintouchwithsomethingdivineinthere.Iwascloserto

theEmperor.’Tanauragrunted,sceptical.‘Whydoyoudoubtme?’heasked.‘Idon’tdoubtyou,orthatyouexperiencedwhatyousaidyoudid.Iworrythatyoumisinterpretedwhat

happened.’‘Why?’‘DidanyofthesepeopleactuallyspeakofworshippingtheEmperor?’‘No,’headmitted.‘Buttheyshouldallbedead,andtheywerespared.Isn’tthatasignoftheEmperor’s

handatwork?’Tanauraturnedawayfromthelodgeandgavehimasignificantlook.‘Isit?’Thenherattentionwas

takenbysomethingoverhisshoulder.Sheloweredherheadinrespect.Kanshellspunaround.GalbaandAtticushadcomeupbehindhim.‘Mylords,’Kanshellsaid,bowing.‘Youhavefriendsamongthesepeople,’saidAtticus.KanshellthoughtofSkeVris.‘Ibelieveso.’‘Inthereligiouscaste?’‘Yes,captain.’ToGalba,Atticussaid,‘Itrustyourjudgement,brother-sergeant.Doasyouproposed.Remainin

constantcommunication.’‘Yes,brother-captain.Andthankyou.’Atticusgavehisofficeracurtnodandmovedofftowardsthetopofthespiralramp.Galbaremained.

Justbehindhimwerethemembersofhissquad.‘Thereissomethingwewouldlikeyoutodo,Jerune,’Galbasaid.

TheThunderhawksoverflewtheplateauintight,circularpatterns.AsUnbendingpassedbeyondthepalisade,theSalamanders’Hammerblowenteredtheairspaceabovethesettlement.TheVindicatorEngineofFuryguardedthegate.MedusanStrengthwaspositionedbythebarrierontheothersideoftheplateau.Atticusdidnottrustthewoodenwalltowithstandatrulyconcertedrushbythesaurians.Anythingthatmanagedtobreakthroughwouldbeblastedtoflecksofbloodandcharredbone.TheDemolishercannonswerefacingoutwards,butitwouldbeasimplemattertore-orientthem,and

unleashtheirmonstrousrageonthesettlement.Atticushadnotleftorderscoveringthiscontingency.Itwasunderstood.NoneoftheIronHandstrustedthemiraclethathadpreservedthecolonists.Mistrustwasuseful,butitdidnotprovideintelligence.Standingatthelipoftheshaft,Galbahadsaid

toAtticus,‘Idon’tthinkweshouldleavethesepeopleunobservedwhilewedescend.’

Thecaptainhadagreed.Adayearlier,theideaofarearguardbeingnecessarywouldhavebeenlaughable.Thecolonistsweremortals,badlyarmed,andbarelycompetentwiththeweaponstheydidhave.Theycouldnotofferathreat.Butadayearlier,theVeritasFerrumhadstillbeeninorbitaroundPythos.Atticusledthebulkof111thCompanydownthexenosramp.TheRavenGuarddescendedtoo,using

theirjumppackstodropquicklyfromleveltolevelofthespiral.Galbastayedatthesurface.Hehadthetanks,thegunships,hissquad,theserfsandsuspicion.AndKhi’dem.WhiletherestofhisbrothersflewoverwatchintheHammerblow,hehadchosentobear

witnessontheground.‘Keepwatchonthepeopleyouhavefoughttopreserve,’Atticushadsaidtohim.‘Seetoitthattheywereworthyofyourefforts.’Galbaorderedtheserfstoarrangethemselvesalongtheperimeterofthesettlement.Facinginwards.

Thecolonistshadsplitintotwogroups.Onewasatthelodge.Itwasabigcrowd,butunlikethelastfewevenings,allofitsmembershadfoundroominsidethebuilding.Theothergroup,byfarthelargest,clusteredtowardsthegate.ThemortalskeptarespectfuldistancebackfromtheEngineofFury.Theywerequietastheymilledabout.Theywere,Galbathought,expectant,asifwaitingfortheirpurposetoarrive.Heandhissquadheadedtowardsthelodge,ananxiousKanshellwalkingbeforethem.Khi’demsaid,

‘Theconfidencethesepeopleshowedintheirsurvivalwaswellfounded.’‘Yes,’Galbareturned.‘Theyseemtobetheonlyonesonthisplanetwhoareneversurprised.’‘True.’‘Areyoupleasedwithourgoodworks?’Galbaspat.Hestillwrithedatthethoughtofhowhehadbeen

manipulated.HewasrelievedthatAtticusdidnotappeartohavelostallfaithinhim,perhapsbecausetheenemyhadcontrivedtomaketheterriblemistakeappearthelogicalcourseofaction.Still,heneededredemption.AndAtticushadagreedsoquicklytohissuggestedcourseofactionthathewonderedifthecaptainsawthisasatest.Orperhaps,hethought,heissendingthetaintedtodealwiththetainted.Heneededtolashout.Hecursedthefleshthathadwithstoodtheimpossible,andsowhosevery

existencewassuspect.Hecursedhisearliermercyforthatflesh,amercythatKhi’demandtheotherSalamandersembodied.Heneededanenemyhecouldkill.Theyalldid.Iftheenemyturnedouttobetheseluck-blessedsavages,thensobeit.‘Idon’tknowthatIampleased,’Khi’demanswered.‘Iremainsatisfiedthatwedidtherightthing.’‘Evenifweweretricked?’‘Weactedinaccordancewithwhatweknew.Ifwehadabandonedthesepeople,wewouldhave

demeanedourselves.Wewouldhaveactedwithouthonour.Thereismoreatstakeinthiswarthansimplemilitaryvictory.’Galbasnorted.‘Ridiculous.’‘Really?Willyoudoanythingtodefeatthetraitors?’‘Iwill.’‘Nomatterhowdebasing?Nomatterhowmuchitdistortswhoweare?YousawthesamethingsIsaw

ontheCallidora.AreyouwillingtobecomethesamesortofabominationastheEmperor’sChildren?’Galbasaidnothing.Theyhadalmostreachedthelodge.HehadnoanswerforKhi’dem.No,theIron

HandswouldneverfollowthepathoftheEmperor’sChildren.Andyetno,thereshouldbenoobstacletoprosecutingthewaragainsttheenemybyanymeansnecessary.Khi’demwasnotdone.‘Thiswarisaboutourveryidentities.Ifwegivethemup,evenifwewinthe

battles,whatwillremainoftheEmperor’sdream?Willwerecognisewhatwewillhavemadeofthe

Imperium?’Galbapausedatthebaseoftherise.Nowhehadananswer.Therewasawayoutoftheimpasseof

needs.‘Wewillembracethemachine,’hesaid.Hehadtoraisehisvoice.Thechantingcomingfromthelodgewasdeafeninginitsenthusiasm.‘Idon’tunderstand.’‘TheEmperor’sChildrenareslavestodesire.Wewillexpungedesirefromourbeings.Ourdecisions

willbedispassionate.Wewillfuseabsoluterationalismwithabsolutewar.’Khi’demlookedmournfulratherthanhorrified.‘Youarejustifyingmyworstsurmises.Whenwemet,

youdidnotrejectyourhumanitytothedegreethatyourcaptaindoes.’‘Ihavelearnedtheerrorofmyways,’Galbareplied.Heputhishelmeton.Neuralconnectorsplugged

intohiscortex,removinghimfurtherfromtheflesh,giftinghimwiththeenhancedvisionandsensesofthemechanicalrealm.Helookedupatthelodgeentrance,andtheritualgoingonbeyondthedoor.Thedivine?hethought.IfyoucouldseeasIdo,youmightknowsomethingaboutthedivine.ItoccurredtohimthattheadeptsonMarswereconnectedtosomethingfarmoresublimethanwhateverdelusionwastheobjectofthecolonists’veneration.Delusion?Somethingrattledlikebonesinadistantwind.Itpriedathisthoughts.Heshookitawayand

turnedtoKanshell.Theserfwasjittery.‘Youareworried,Jerune,’Galbasaid.‘Don’tbe.Youhavedonenothingwrong,andyouwillbe

protected.’KanshellopenedhismouthasifhewereabouttocorrectGalbaonapoint,buthesaidnothing.‘Theywantyoutocelebratewiththem,’Galbawenton.‘Theywillgiveyoudifferentanswersthantheywouldgiveus.Goandtalktothem.Wewillhear,andactasnecessary.’Kanshellswallowed.‘Yes,sergeant.’Hewalkeduptotheentrance.‘Isitpossiblethatthesepeopleareinnocentofanythingmorethanfalsebelief?’Khi’demwondered.

‘Andtheyhadnothingtodowithwhathappened?’‘Theyknew,’Galbareplied.Thatwasenoughtocondemnthem.Kanshelldisappearedinsidethelodge.Itwasasifacurrentpushedhimdeepintothecrowd.Galba

waited,hisLyman’sEarpickingouttheserf’svoicefromtheuproarofsong.Hewastryingtospeaktosomeone.Hisquestionskeptbeingcutoff.Hewasmoving,closer,Galbaguessed,tothecentreofthelodge.Thechantingstopped.Inthesilence,Kanshellwhispered,‘Whatishappening?’‘Why,thetruthishappening,’awoman’svoiceanswered.‘Revelation.’‘That’smybook,’Kanshellsaid.‘Whydidyoutakeit?’‘Forthetruth,’camethereply,withthecadenceofarefrain.‘Truth,’thecongregationechoedwithamassedwhisper.‘That’swhatyouwant,isn’tit?’askedthefirstvoice.‘Ialreadyknowthetruth,’Kanshellprotested.‘Youknowitwithoutknowingit.’Thenewspeakerhaddeeper,harshertones.Galbarecognisedthe

headpriest.‘Youswimatthesurface.Nowyouwillplunge.Allofuswill.’‘All,’saidthewoman,andthechoirwhispered,‘All.’‘Bidthemcome,’thepriestcommanded.‘Thetruthistheirs,too.Andthenyouwilltrulyworshipwith

us.’‘Ican’tbidthem,’Kanshellprotested.‘Oh,Ithinkyoucan,’saidthepriest.Thesilencewasbrokenbythesoundsofastruggle.Inthreestrides,Galbahadreachedtheentrancetothelodge.Followedbyhissquad,hemarchedinside.

Heshoulderedthroughthecolonists,sendingthemflying.Hestoppedafewstepsbeforethecentre.Theprieststoodthere,hooded,facinghim.Besidehim,theassistant,SkeVris,hadKanshell’sarmspinnedbehindhisback.Galbablinkedrapidly,tryingtoclearhisvision.Thelightpatternsinthestructureweretoxicfragments,weakeningthebedrockofreality.Onthefloor,atthenexusoftheweb,satawornbook.‘Releasehim,’Galbasaid.Hewasalmostdisappointedthattheperfidyofthecolonistswasrevealing

itselfsoeasily,andinsuchamundanefashion.‘Ofcourse,’thepriestanswered.SkeVrisletgoofKanshell,whostumbledtotheside.Galbafrowned.Thepriestheldwhatlookedlikeaceremonialdagger,butitwaspointingtothefloor.

NoweaponhadbeenheldonKanshell.Hehadbeenrestrained,nothingmore.‘Youhavecomeatlast,’thepriestsaid.‘Nottoworship,’Galbasnarled.Thepriestcockedhishead.Galbasensedasmilewithintheshadowsofthehood.‘Perhapsnot.Butto

witness,certainly.’SkeVrismovedtooneside,leavingthepriestalone.Themanwasasinglestepawayfromthecentreof

theroom.ThenovitiatewentbesideKanshell,anddrapedanarmaroundhisshoulder,asifreassuringhimthatallwaswell.Thesepeoplehadnotplannedtoharmtheserf,Galbarealised.Theywantedhisconversion.AndtheyhadwantedthepresenceoftheSpaceMarines.Galbaraisedhisbolter.Behindhimcamethechunk-clackofhisbrothersmakingreadywiththeir

weapons.Hescannedthelodge.Thepriestwastheonlyonearmed,andhepresentednothreat.Evenso,Galbafeltthetensionofimminentcombat.Therewasathreathere,thoughhecouldnotseeit.Hekeptthemuzzleofhisguntrainedonthepriest.‘Coverallsides,’Galbaspokeoverthevoxbattlechannel.‘Ihavetheexit,’Khi’demreported.‘Anything?’‘Quiethere.Thelargercrowdisstillconcentratednearthegate.’Tothepriest,Galbasaid,‘Andwhatareweheretowitness?’‘Wehavealreadysaidit.Truth.Revelation.’Heraisedhishandstohishoodandpulleditback.

Scatteredaroundthecongregation,othermembersofthepriestclassdidthesame.Themanbeforehimhadthefaceofbrutal,feralcorruption.Hisblackhairwasaleoninemane.Ritualisticscarsandtattoosringedhishairline.Alowercaninehadbeenfashionedintoafangthatprotrudedoverhisupperlip.Hiseyeswerealiquidcrimson,devoidofpupil.Hisacolyteswerejustasdebased.Somehadfacesthatlivesofviolencehadturnedintomassesofscartissue.Othershadbeenmarkedinmoreprecisefashion,withsinuousrunesrunningacrossforeheadandeyelids.Allboresomekindofinjurylikeabadgeofoffice.Galbasawmissingears,cheekscutinhalf,scalpspeeledbacktotheskull.Andineveryfacewasasick,cancerousjoy.Withthereligiouscasteunmasked,theappearanceoftherestofthepeopleseemedtochange.Thenew

contextalteredGalba’sperceptionoftheothercolonists.Theirglowoffaithnowhadanuglyhue.Theirroughappearancewastheproductofaculturalchoice.Theyhadembracedsomethingdark,andnowtheywaitedforaculminatingevent.ThecultistsstaredbackatGalbawithagloatingtriumph.‘Myname,legionary,isTsiRekh,’saidthepriest.‘IamproudtobeapriestofDavin.Iamproudthat

theGodsofChaosopenedthewarptomeandmyfellowpilgrims,transportingourhumblecrafttothisplacemadesacredintheirhonour.Iamproudtowalkaworldshapedbyotherworshippers,shapedtofinditstruepurposeonthisveryday.AndIamproudtohavereachedthemomentofmydestiny.’Galba’sfingertensedonthetrigger,butTsiRekhdidnotattack.Thecultistsraisedtheirvoicesagain.

Thesonghadnowords.Itwasasustainedcry,risingandfalling,twistingthroughoverlappingchords.It

wasmoanandsigh,howlandmagnificat.TsiRekhdidnotjoinit.Hetookthelaststeptothecentreofthelodge.Hestoodoverthebook.Thelightwebreacted.Galba’sperceptionchangedagain.Thelightbeamsdid

notmove,butthepresenceofthepriestcompletedaportraitpaintedbyjaggedslashesinreality.Wheretherehadbeenapatternofpainfulmadnessthattorturedbyhintingatmeaning,nowthatmeaningwasmademanifest.TsiRekhwasstandinginthemidstofanaltaroflight,alightmadeofwounds.TsiRekhraisedtheknife.Galbafired.Realitytrembled.

EIGHTEENThepriest

TheoffertoryThefeastofallsouls

TheboltershellsstruckTsiRekh.SometorerightthroughmuscleandfleshandflewontokilltheDavinitesintherowstotherearofthelodge.Onestruckthedagger,smashingittoironslivers.Theotherprojectilespunchedintothepriest’sbodyandexploded.Fountainsofbloodburstfromthewounds.Flecksthathadbeenboneshotthroughtheair.Thewoundswereterrible.Theywerecraters.TsiRekh’sformwashammeredtocrimsonmeat.Hissilhouettedisintegrated.Yethestood.TherestofGalba’ssquadfiredlessthananeye-blinkafterthesergeant.TheIronHandsrakedtheranks

ofthecultistswithshells.Theyweremethodical.Theircommandingofficerhadrespondedtoamanifestthreat,andtheywereactinginkind.Therewasnodoubtthatthecultistsweretheenemy.Itdidnotmatterthattheycarriednoweapons.Anattackwasunderway.Galbaknewthistobetrue,evenifthenatureoftheassaultwasstillhiddenfromhim.Thesquadturnedthelodgeintoaslaughterhouse.Theairbecamemoistwithblood.Thebassrattleof

thegunscompetedagainstthewetthchunk-thchunk-thchunkofbodiesbeingrenderedbythedevastatingfirepower.Thefleshwasweak,anditflewintopiecesbeforetheunbendingwarriors.Thecultistsweredecimated,andmorediedwitheveryfractionofasecond.Yetstilltheysang.Thechoirredoubleditscelebration.Therewasnopauseinthehymn.Theawfuljoyrosehigher.Blood

washedoverthefloorofthelodge.ItcoveredKanshell,wholayflat,cowering.ThevitaeofTsiRekh’scongregationmixedathisfeetwithhisown.Hislifecascadeddownhislegs,coatingthebook.Hewasbarelyaformanymore.Yetstillhestood.Andstillhesmiled.Galbastoppedfiring.TsiRekh’sarmouredtunichungintatters.Therewereholesinhistorsowide

enoughforGalbatoseerightthroughhisbody.Thepriestcouldnotbealive.Galbadidnotknowwhatforcewasholdinghimup.Hedidnotquestionit.Heknewonlythathemustbringthefoulthingdown.Hemag-lockedhisboltertohisbeltandbrandishedhischainsword.HewouldcuttheremainsofTsiRekhintopiecesifthatiswhatittook,butthisthingwouldnolongermockhim.Hesteppedforward,revvedhisblade,andraiseditoverhishead.Aroundhim,thekillingwasalmost

done.MostoftheDaviniteslaydead.Afew,amongthemSkeVris,haddroppedtotheground,shelteringbehindruinedcorpses.Theywerenolongersinging.Thatdidnotmatter.Thesongcontinued.Itwascarriedbythelodgeitself,echoingfromtimbersdrenchedingore,thrumminginvibrationsfrombeamsthatGalbanowrealisedonlyappearedtobelight.TsiRekh’snosewasgone.Blackclotsandgreymatteroozedfromthevoidinthemiddleofhisface.

Buthiseyeswerealive.Theirrednessburned.TheystaredatGalbawithsickeningtriumph.Asthechainswordpaused,roaring,beforedescendingonitskillingarc,TsiRekhopenedhismouthwide.Hisjawwashalfshotaway.Histeethweremissingorreducedtojaggedstumps.Hischestwasabroken,pulpedmess.Therewasnothingleftofhislungs.Yetacoughinghissemergedfromhisruinedmouth.Galbahearditoverhischainsword,overthegunsofhisbrothers,overthedreadfulsong.Thepriestwaslaughing.

GalbabroughtthebladedownontoTsiRekh’sskull.Thewhirringteethgroundthroughbone.Theyturnedbrainintopaste,andthentomist.Galbabisectedthepriest’shead.Hisstrikewasfast,violent.TheDavinite’sbodyofferednoresistancetotheweaponortoGalba’sstrength.Thekillingblowtooknotimeatall.Buttimeitselfwastaken.Itwasstretched.Galbamovedagainstathickcurrent,andthesingleact

becameagalleryoffrozenhololiths.Thechainswordtookaneternitytocomedown.Eachstepofthemutilationbecameasculptureinmetalandflesh.Astheskullpartedtoeachside,theeyesdidnotdie.Theyblazedwithvictory.TheyheldGalba’sgaze.Themomentstretchedonandonandon.ItwaitedforGalbatorealiseeverything.Hesaw,then,thefullcanvasofdesolation.Hehadbeenluredintothelodge.Heandhissquadhadbeen

manipulatedintobutcheringthecultists.Heknew,withanawfulcertainty,thattheblowhewasnowstrikingwouldhaveconsequencesasterribleasthelancefirefromtheVeritasFerrum.Bloodeverywhere.Aluxuriousnessofblood.Astinking,dripping,celebrationofblood.Anexaltation

inatemple.Beforeanaltar.Drenchinganiconcreatedbythefirstamongtraitors.Anoffering.Inthismomentofthedeathofillusions,Galbaalsosawthedeathofthereal.Theeyesflared,andtime

resumeditslethalmarch.Thecrimsonlightembracedthedeathbychainsword.Itburstfromtheeyes.Itengulfedtheskull,andthen,asthecorpselaughedonefinaltime,itswallowedtherestofthebody.Itwasanoldlight,rottenasadyingstar,butalsoburningwithstellarforce.Galbayankedhisbladefreeandstaggeredbackwards.Thelightunfurledfromwithinthepriest,yetitwasnottrulylight.Itwaswhathadbeenseepingthroughthepatternoftheweb.Itwasenergy,andnon-matter,andmadness.Itwastherageofthewarp.Thestormburstoverthespaceofthetemple.Galbaheardtheshatteringcracksofwood.Thelodgewas

flyingapart,buthecouldnotseethedestruction.Hecouldseenothingbuttheinsanehowlofblood.Itwasblinding,buthishelmetdidnotrecognisetheglareaslightanddidnotshieldhissensesfromtherage.Thesongbecameevenlouder,deafening.Galbaheardscratchingcomingoverthevox,butcouldnotmakeoutanywords.Hestumbled,buffetedbythefuryofthemonstrousevent.Hewasstandingmetresawayfromatearinthefabricoftheuniverse.Thewoundinrealityopened

widerandGalbacrouched,refusingtofall,unabletodoanythingbutkeephisfooting.Thetempestbuffetedhim,clawingathiseyesandearsandmind.Theworldteeteredontheedgeofdissolution.Instead,somethingelsematerialised.Itgrewfromwithinthestorm.Itstolethestabilityofthephysical

plane,twistingtherawstuffofrealitytoitsownpurposes.Itgatheredintheeyeofthegale,usingthestill-standingremnantsofTsiRekhasacorearoundanduponwhichitconstructedsomethinghuge.Darknesstwisted,gathereddefinition,becameasilhouette.Theshadowbecameaform,takingonmass.Theshapestoppedchanging,thoughthesuggestionofwrithingremainedintheformofviciouscoilsandcurvedspinesbreakingupitsoutline.Thenon-lightfaded,suckedintothebeingthathadtakentheofferingandsteppedoutofnightmareand

intotheworld.Galbacouldseeagain.HesawtheenemytheIronHandshadbeenseeking.‘Daemon!’someonewasscreaming.ItwasKanshell.Hewascurledinaball,hislasrifleforgotten,his

armshidinghisface.‘Daemon!’ThebeingcockeditsheadKanshell’swayforamoment.ItmadeasoundthatGalbaknewwaslaughter,

thoughitfilledhisheadwiththeshrieksofdiseasedinfants.Thenitstrodetowardshim,thelastofthewarp-lighttrailingfromitlikecandleflame.Daemon.Galbacouldnotrejecttheword.Thetruthshehadknownlayinruinsbeforehim.Heknew

somethingaboutthesuperstitionsofthepast.Heknewaboutthemonstersconjuredbythedarknessof

humanignorance.Oneofthosemonstersnowstoodbeforehim,andthemythswerebutpalewhispersnexttotherealityofthething.Itwasimmense.IttoweredoverGalba.Itsheadwouldhavebrokenthroughtheroofofthelodge,had

thebuildingstillbeenstanding.Itwasbipedal,adistortionofthehumanformthatstoppedjustshortofbeingunrecognisable.Itslimbsweregrotesquelylong,butrippledwithtautmuscle.Itspelviswasskeletal,andjustaboveitnestledthecleftskullofTsiRekh.Itschestwasabroadcarapacecoveredinslit-pupilledeyes.Theylookedexactlylikethoseonthearmourofthethrice-cursedtraitorHorus,butthesewerealive.Theyblinked,twitchedandstaredatGalba.Thedaemon’sheadwasallfangedmawsurroundedbyahaloofgiant,twisted,asymmetricalhorns.

Theypointedforwardsandback,sproutingfromtheforeheadandthebaseoftheskull.Twomassiveonescurleddownwardliketusks,almostasfarasthecreature’schest.Itsforkedtongue,longasasnake,whippedandcoiledasifseekingprey,themovementsstrangelyechoingthoseoftheabomination’sjointedtail.Beneathaheavybrow,theeyeswereasblankandfeaturelessasTsiRekh’s.Theyhadtheglowofafire-storm.Galbathoughttheywereblindwithrage,becausetheheadalwaysturnedinthedirectionthechest-eyeswerelooking.Initsrighthand,thedaemonclutchedastaffthatendedinaviciouscollectionofblades.Itlookedlike

nestledtridents,buttherewasalsosomethingceremonialabouttheconfiguration.Therewasartistryintheanglesofthismetalforgedinadelusion’sfurnace.Therewasmeaning.ThedaemonheldthestaffinawaythatremindedGalbaofhowTsiRekhcarriedhis.Theweaponwasamarkofoffice.Theimplicationsofthatideawereashorrificasthebeing’spresence.Itspreaditsarms,welcomingtheworldtoitstoxicembrace.Itopeneditsjawswide.Itsighed,

releasinganaaaahhhhhhhhofunspeakableappetites.Ittilteditsheadback,turningtheblankeyestothevoidabove.Itwasmidday,butdarknessroselikevapourfromthedaemon,formingacanopyofemptyblackthatstretchedovermoreandmoreofthesettlementwitheverypassingsecond.Itwaslikeinkspreadingthroughtheair,yetitwassomethingmoreominousthanthat.Itwasanacidthatdevouredreality,leavingnothinginitsplace.

AttheheightoftheDaviniteritual,Madailissummoned

Thesurvivingcultistswhispered.Thedaemoncockeditshead.Itstonguelickedatthesound,andfounditgood.Themonsterspoke,anditsvoicewastheonethathadbeenGalba’stormentsincethefirstnightonPythos.Thesoundwasthemockeryofeveryprincipleandeveryhope.Itwashugeanddeepandsibilant.Itwasaslitheringofmountains,athunderofserpents.‘Speakmyname,’thedaemonsaid,anditlaugheditsdelightinitsvoice.Itlaughed,andnightmares

echoed.‘Madail,Madail,Madail,’theDaviniteswhispered.Thecrowdbythegatespickedupthechant,and

madeitvast.‘Madail,’thedaemonrepeated.Itsavouredthesyllables,draggingthemout:Madaaaaaaaail.The

secondhalfofthenamebecameanecstaticexhalation.ItwastheshapeofthesynaestheticshadowsGalbahadtasted.Hehadbeenassaultedbypremonitoryechoes,andnow,atlast,herewasthesound,cominginjudgementandnight.Madail.ThedaemongazeddownupontheSpaceMarines.‘Iamtheshepherdoftheflock,’itannounced,

turningthewordsintoobscenity.‘AndIamheretobringmychargestonewpastures.’Madailleanedforwards,itseyesrollingineagerness.‘Throwwidethegates,’itcommanded.‘Now!’SkeVrisyelled.Explosionseruptedatthebaseofthepalisade.Thegatedisappearedinapillarofflame.Anentire

sectionofthewall,ahundredmetreslong,collapsed,openingthesettlementtotheteethofthepredatorsbeyond.TheLegionserfsrecoiledfromtheblasts.Somewerecrushedunderburningtrunks.Buttheyheldtheirranks,andtheybeganfiringatthecultists.TheDavinites,unarmed,didnotretaliate.‘Theoffertory,’saidMadail.TheDavinitesmovedasifpossessedbyasinglemind.Thosenearesttheserfsranintothestreaksof

lasfire,laughingastheywerecutdown.Therestofthecrowdrushedthroughthefallengate.Madailsighedagaininanticipation.‘Andlater,’itsaid,‘thecommunion.’TheIronHandsandSalamandersunleashedthefullfuryoftheirboltersonMadail.Darkichorerupted

fromtheimpacts.Foramoment,thedaemonrevelledinthesensationofbeingstruck.Thenitbroughtthehaftofitsweapondown,strikingthroughthebloodyfloorofthelodge,downtotheearthitself.Awaverippledoutfromthepointofthehit,thegroundsuddenlyasvolatileasalakeinastorm.ItthrewtheSpaceMarinesintotheair.Galbalandedheavilybutrosetohisfeet,firingagain.Madailgestured,itsfreehandclawingattheair,gatheringrealityintoaclusteroffolds.Theshellsfellintothefoldsandvanished.Galbafounditdifficultnowtolookatthedaemon.Madailwasadvancingbehindashieldofdamaged

materium.Thedaemonappearedasthroughacrack-riddledmirror.Itsimagebrokeintooverlappingsegments,andthefracturedlinesbroughttearstoGalba’seyes.Thetearsrandownhisface.Whenhetastedthem,herealisedtheywereblood.‘Brother-captain,’hevoxed.Hecouldseeeachmoveofthecomingseconds,andwhattheendgame

wouldbe.IfhecouldwarnAtticus,perhapsthosesecondswouldnotbefutile.Buttherewasonlystaticonthevoxnetwork.Hecouldbarelymakeoutthetransmissionsofhisownsquadmembers.‘BrotherGalba,’Khi’demsaid.‘Forgiveme.Iwaswrong.’‘Weallwere,’Galbasnarled.Butifthiswashisend,hethought,hewouldmeetitaswasworthyofthe

XLegion.Heswitchedtohischainswordandchargedthedaemon.Thebladeroaredathisside.Hepreparedatwo-handedswing.Attheperipheryofhistunnelvision,hewasawareofhisbrothers

stormingforwardswithhim.HecouldhearthegrowlsofthemanoeuvringVindicators.FromsomewhereabovecametherageoftheThunderhawks.TheIronHandswereclosingonthemonster,andthemachinewouldhurlthisabsurdityfromtherationalworld.ThiswasGalba’svow.Itwasnothishope.Hedidnothopeforanything,notanylonger.Thedaemonwastwostepsaway.Galbawasthepointoftheattack.Thedistortionwouldnotstophim.

Thecracksintherealweretoosmall.Hewasajuggernaut.Hewassheermasspropelledbyrighteousvengeance.Hewasnotflesh.Hewasforceitself.Madailstruckfirst.Thedaemonshotitstridentforward,itsfull,monstrousreachconcealedbythe

collapseofvision.TheweapongloweddarklyandplungedthroughGalba’sarmour.Itshatteredhisblackcarapaceandreinforcedribcage.Itpuncturedhishearts.Thesuddenpainandshockwereeclipsedbysomethingworse:aterminallettinggo.Hisbodylooseneditselffromhiswill.Hisextremitieswentnumb.Hisuselessfingersdroppedhischainsword.Madaillaughedandhoistedhimintotheair.Galba’shelmetreadoutflashedacascadeofcriticalredrunes,thenwentdark.Thedarkstretchedoutfromthewound,wrappingitsfistaroundhisbody.Itwascold.Itwasstrong.

Strongerthanhe.Hewasfleshafterall.

KanshellsawMadailraisetheskeweredGalbahigh.HesawtheSpaceMarine’sstrugglesdiminish,thenstop.Thedaemondidnotpause.Itmovedwithspeedandgrace.Itwasadanceratlastperformingitsgreatworkuponthestage.Itsspeararmtookoutthesergeant,anditslefthandmadeasweepinggesture.Itsclawsopenedraggedtearsinthefabricoftheworld.Itmadeafist,drawingtherealintoatightknot.TherestoftheIronHandssquadclosedwiththedaemon,andtheyseemedtorushfasterasMadaildrewitsfingerstogether.Theyrainedblowsuponit,andthemonsterstaggered.Itsarmsshookwithstrain.Butitsblindheadlaughed,anditsmanyeyeslookeddownuponthelegionarieswithacold,knowingindifference.ThemovementsoftheIronHandswereodd.Theyjerked,andrushed,asifmomentsoftimeweremissing,ortheyweremovingthroughacompacted,foldeduniverse.Madailopeneditsfist,releasingthereal.Themateriumsnappedback.Ashockwaveofbrutalisedphysicstravelledadozenmetresfromthe

epicentreofthedaemon.TheSpaceMarineswerecaughtonthefolds,andastheworldrighted,theyweresuddenlyinseveralplacesatonce.Theyflewintopieces,severedbyimpossibilityasifbywire.Therewasafogofblood.Thelegionariesfell,sectionedlikelogs.Kanshellwantedtoclosehiseyes.Hewantedtoshutoutthesightofthedemigodsbeingcutdown.The

stalkerofthePythosnightshadarrived,anditsrealitywasworsethanallofitsdarkpromises.Nothinglayaheadbutthefulfilmentofaterribledream.Hedidnotclosehiseyes.HesawtheSpaceMarinesfall,andheknewthatifhesurrendered,he

dishonouredtheLegiontowhichhewasdevoted.Hesawhisfellowserfsengagethecultists,andknewwhathemustdo.ThoughheandeveryothermortalwouldbedestroyedtheinstantMadail’sattentionfelltheirway,thatdidnotabsolvehimofhisduty.Andhehadhisfaith.Itwaswithhimmorethanever.Hehadbeforehimtheproofofdivinepowers.If

thedarkoneswalkedinformsoffleshandbone,thenhowcouldhehaveeverdoubtedthedivinityoftheEmperorandHislight?Kanshell’sLectitioDivinitatuswaslost.Hedidnotneedit.Hehadswornhisoath.Hehadadutytwiceover.Hehadbeenshownanexample,andhewouldfollowit.HewoulddieinamannerworthyoftheXLegion,andfightingfortheEmperor.Hestood,hisfeetsquelchinginblood.Hishandswereslick,hishairmatted,andhiseyesgummedhalf-

shut.Hefoundhislasriflebesidetheevisceratedbodyofacultist.Heclutchedit,firedoffashottosee

thatitstillworked,andthenrantowardstheotherserfs.HispathtookhimbehindMadail’sback.ThedaemonwaswhisperingsomethingtothesurvivingSpace

Marinesastheycrawledalongtheground.Kanshelldidnotlisten.Eventhesoundofthecreature’svoiceateawayathissanity.HesawtheVindicatorsrollingforwards.Thegunshipswereoverhead,buthiddenbehindMadail’sshieldofdarkness.Theywouldhavenothingonwhichtotraintheirweapons.Nomatter.EngineofFuryandMedusanStrengthhadclearlinesofsight,andonlythepresenceofcriticallyinjuredbutstill-livingSpaceMarinesdelayedtheirbarrage.Inanotherinstant,thissectionoftheplateauwouldbeobliteratedbyhighexplosives.Theserfsweregivingchasetothecultists.TherewasnothingtobegainedbyconfrontingMadail.But

theDaviniteshadamission,andtheyweremortal.Kanshellhadplentyofevidenceofthat.Atwistedmiraclehadsparedtheirlivesonce,buttherewerenosuchmiraclestoday.Theycouldanddiddie.FindSkeVris,Kanshellthought.Thesimplicityandneedofthemissionkepthimfocusedonit,andnotontheterrorsaroundhim.FindSkeVris.Stopher.Hisdutywouldbehisrevenge.Forabriefsecond,heallowedhimselftothinkthatheknewsomething

morenowoftheheartoftheXLegion.Thenhepushedallthoughtawayanddidnothingbutrun,racingtostayaheadofhisterrorandcatchupwithhisanger.Hejoinedtherearranksoftheserfsastheywentoutbeyondthewalls,andemergedfromtheshieldof

darknessintoaferalday.Thecultistswereracingovertheblastedlandtowardsthebase.Theywerestillchanting.Thesongwasariotofvictoryandabandon.Itwasalsoasummonstothepredators.Thesaurianswereclosinginfrombothsides.Theynolongerfearedtheopenground.Perhapstheyknewthattherivalpredatorsinceramitewerenolongerpresent.Perhapstheirnumbershadreachedthepointthatnothreatcouldholdthemback.Thegroundshookasthemonstersstampededtowardsthepromiseofeasykills.Thehordewasimmense.ButtherewerethousandsofDavinites.Abanquetofplenty.Theserfspausedintheirpursuit.Kanshellsharedinthemassuncertainty.Thecultistswererunning

towardsextinction.Anypoundoffleshthattheserfsexactedwouldbetakenmanytimesovermomentslaterbythesaurians.Iftheywentforwards,theywouldbecomepreythemselves.Butattheirbackwasaworsemonstrosity.Deathahead.Damnationbehind.Dutywasreducedtoachoiceofdooms.Kanshellkeptmovingforwardsonsheermomentum.Headvancedtothefrontranks.Furtherahead,he

sawTanauraholdherrifleaboveherhead.Sheshoutedsomething.HerwordswerelostinthechaosofroarsandthethunderoftheThunderhawksandVindicatorsbeginningtheirbarrage.Butherdefianceandcalltopurposewereclear.Hereyesblazingwithdesperaterage,shepointed.Kanshelllooked,andsawthattheDaviniteswerenotjustthrowingtheirlivesaway.Therewasanordertotheirsacrifice.Theywereforminglinesfacingthesaurians.Thepeopleinthosebarrierslinkedarmsandstoodfast,stillchanting,bracingthemselvesfortheimpact.Betweenthelines,therushtowardsthebasecontinued.ThecultistsweresellingtheirlivessotheirfellowworshipperscouldreachtheIronHands’stronghold.Atthecentreoftheworshippers,KanshellsawSkeVris.ShehadclaimedTsiRekh’sstaff,andwas

leadingtheflockforward.KanshellsawthemirrorofTanaura’szeal.Hevowedtosmashthereflection.Heranforwards.Tanaurawasright.IftheDavinitesstillhadamission,sodidtheservantsoftheIronHands.Iftheycouldstopthecultists,theirowndeathswouldhavemeaning.ThesauriansarrivedastheserfscaughtuptothefirstoftheDavinitelines.Kanshellsawamultitudeof

spinesandhorns,shapessquatandelongated,bipedsandquadrupeds,neckslikemassiveserpents,forelimbswithclawsaslongashisarm,andalwaysthejaws:massive,savage,hungry.Hewasrunningagauntletofmuscleandteeth.

Thesauriansstruck.Thecultistslaughed.Theythrewthemselvesintothejaws.Theslaughterwasenormous.ThemonstersrippedintotheDavinites.Theyburiedmuzzlesintoribcagesanddraggedoutviscera.Theyguttedwithclaws.ThelargestbeastKanshellhadyetseen,aquadrupedtenmetreshighatthewithers,loweredahugeboxyheadalmostthesizeofaDreadnought.Itbittheheadoffacultist.Itswallowedtheskullwhole,then,withasuddendownwardlunge,snappedupthetorsobeforethebodyhittheground.Therewasbloodeverywhere.Itstreamedovertheground.Itfellinshowersfromthevictimsthatwere

hauled,wriggling,intotheair.Kanshellhadfledthesiteofalakeofbloodonlytofindanocean.Andstillthechantingdidnotstop.Thevictimsscreamedastheyweredevoured,buttheshriekshadtheringoftriumph.Kanshellwasbackinthelodge,witnessinganotherdarkconsecration.ThesaurianswereperformingthesameritualisticdutyastheIronHands.Thehandthatbutcheredwasunimportant.Thespillingofbloodwaswhatmattered.Theceremonythathadbeguninthelodgewasnotcomplete.Ithadmovedtoalargercanvas.Kanshellcouldfeeltheweavingofsomethingimmense,andknewjusthowinsignificantheandhiseffortswere,andhowfutile.Killingcultistswouldonlyfeedthecreationofthecominghorror.Buttheywoulddieanyway,andhonourdemandedsomeformofjudgement.KanshellfocusedonthesightofTanaurarunningjustaheadofhim.Herfacewastautwithunwavering

determination.Shewasfiringfromthehip.Shecouldnotmiss,andshewasfellingcultists,searingthemwithlasfire.SkeVris,deepinthecentreofthecrush,wasasyetbeyondreach.Stopher,Kanshellthought.Stopher.Stopitall.Perhapsthelastofthepriestcastewasimportant.

Perhapsthatdeath,thatbitofvengeance,mightmeansomething.Hechosetofollowthatflutterofhope.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hepulledatriggerwiththeintenttokill.HefoundthatTanaurahadbeenright.Whenthetimecame,itwasnotdifficult.Andhedidnotmiss,either.TheserfsburnedawaytherearranksoftheDavinites.Theyrusheduptheavenuecreatedbythewilling

sacrifices.Butthebarrierdidnotholdlong,andthesaurianspouncedonthenewinfluxofprey.Theroadtothebaseturnedintoafeedingfrenzy.

ThelastcommunicationDarrashadreceivedfromthesettlementwasoverhalfanhourold.Thesoundsofbattlewereechoinginthedistance,nowhalf-obscuredbythehowlingofthesaurians.Thelinesofsightfromthetopofthewallweregood.Withthejunglegone,theplateauwasjustvisiblethroughthelow-lyingsmokeandhaze.TheIronHandscouldseethemadnessoftherunningcrowdandthefeastingofthereptiles.AllthiswaspresentedforDarrastowitness.Itwasatapestryofdisaster.‘Securethebase,’heordered.‘Nothinggetsin.’Heeyedthetideofanimalrageheadinguptheslope.

Therewerelimitstowhatthewallscouldresist.‘Saurianorcolonist,killanythingthatleadsachargeourway.’HetriedraisingAtticusonthevoxagain,thenCrevtherintheUnbending.Nothing,butatleasthecould

seethattheThunderhawkswerestillintheair.Heswitchedchannels.Withinthebase,thevoxnetworkfunctioned,thoughnotwell,notsincetheexplosionshadbegunatthesettlement.Hecouldbarelymakeoutthereportsfromthewallontheoppositesideofthebase.AtleasthecouldreachErephreninthecommandcentreclearlyenough.Hedidsonow,andtoldherwhathecouldsee.‘Haveyoudetectedanychanges?’heasked.‘Yes.’Thewordwasspokenbyawarriorinthemidstofheavycombat.‘Theinterferencehaslessened.

Theenemyisnolongerattackingfromthewarp.’Abillowoffireinthedistance.Darrascursedunderhisbreath.‘Theenemyisusingmoredirect

means,’hesaid.‘Thereismore,’Erephrentoldhim.‘Theanomalyisbecomingmuchmorepowerful.’‘Meaning?’‘I’mnotsure,sergeant.Adarkenergyisflowingintoitandbeingstored.’‘Youhavetriedreadingtheanomaly?’‘Ihave…’Shetrailedoff,soundingawedanddrained.‘And?’Shewhispered.‘Ihadtopullaway.Iwasabouttoseeeverything.’Themistressoftheastropathicchoirdidnotstooptoexaggeration.Darrastookheratherword.‘Your

evaluation?’‘Ihavelittletooffer,sergeant.ButIcanthinkofonlyonereasontostoreenergy.’‘Tothenreleaseit,’Darrassaid.‘Ihaveobservedsomethingelse,’Erephrensaid.‘Theenergylevelisbuildingveryquickly.Ithas

beenacceleratingoverthelastfewminutes.’Herdeliverywasmatteroffact,belyingexhaustionandbattle.‘Isee.Thankyou,mistress.’Darraslookedoutatthemassacre.Itwasdrawingcloser.Thesauriansand

colonistswouldbewithinbolterrangeshortly.Darraswasreluctanttopourpreciousroundsintotargetsthatwereabouttodie.Therewouldnolongerbeanyresupply.Ifheletmatterstaketheircourse,themortalswouldbeobliteratedwithinaveryshorttimespan.Withoutprey,thesaurianswoulddisperse.ButErephren’swordsmadehimuneasy.Somethingwaspoweringuptheanomaly.‘Brother-sergeant,’Catigernussaid,‘theyaresinging.’Darraslistened,findingthevoicesofthecolonistsbetweentheroarsofthesaurians.Theother

legionarywascorrect.Andthecriesthatgrewlouderwitheverymomentwerecelebratory.Darras’sreasonrejectedalinkbetweenthespillingofbloodandtheanomaly.Hisinstinctsaidotherwise.Hisoptionsvanished.Bytooth,byclaworbybolter,thecolonistswoulddie,astheyintended.No

otheroutcomewaspossible.Heknewagaintheacidictasteofdefeat,growntoofamiliar.‘Holdyourfire,’heordered,furyturningeverysyllableintoacurse.‘Wemustconserveourammunition.Thereisworsetocome.’Sotherewas.Witheverybeatofhishearts,worsecame.Thelandscapefilledwiththerampageof

death.Thesauriannumbersclimbedbeyondalllogic.Thereweremoreofthemonstersnowthantherewerehumans,andstilltheyarrived,poundingacrossthetorturedearth.Darrassawthereptilesnowaspartofsomegiganticmechanism,aclockworkthatwasbeingwoundturnbyturnuntilitwasready,atlast,toperformitsgreatwork.Heknewthatthefinalturnsofthekeyhadarrived.

Kanshellhadadoptedtunnelvision.Itwastheonlywayhecouldstaysanelongenoughtodowhathemust.Hewassurroundedbyhowlingmonsters.TheDavinite’slineshadcollapsed.Theirrushupthepromontoryhaddisintegratedintoapell-melldash.Strategyhadvanished.Notasinglecultistwouldmakeittothegatesofthebase,butperhaps,Kanshellthought,thathadneverbeenthegoal.Thewallwasonlyahundredmetresaway.Thepredatorswereeverywhere.Thecultists’missionhadbeenachieved.Tunnelvision.Ifheallowedhimselftotakeinthefullcarnivorousmaelstrom,thefearwouldtakehim

again,andhewoulddonothingbutcoweranddie.SohefollowedTanaura,andhewatchedSkeVris.Hetreatedthemassivelegsthatthrashedonallsideslikeaforestinstorm.Theywereobstacles,andhelookedatthemonlylongenoughtoavoidthem.Thebloodthatfellonhisfacefromvictimsliftedandrippedapartoverheadwasjustrain,warmandsalty.Ifdeathcameforhim,hewouldnotknowit.Tanaura

wasfaith,SkeVriswasduty,andnothingelsewasusefultohim.Heweavedinandoutofcrushingmassesinpursuit.Theafternoonlightwasdimmedbythepressof

giantbodies.Thefeedingfrenzywasescalating,thepredatorsturningoneachotherwhentheyranoutofhumanmeat.Thegroundwasamireofbloodandmuck.Kanshellslippedandfell.Heslitheredashetriedtorise.Athree-toedfoot,almostaslongashewas,camedownwithincentimetresofhisface.Herolledaway,chokingongore-drenchedearth,andthenwasupandrunningagain.Hestillheldhislasrifle.HecouldstillseeTanaura.AndhecouldstillseeSkeVris.Hewascatchingup.Hepulledthetriggeragain.Hispowerpackwasclosetodrained,buttherewerestillhalfadozenshots

remaining.‘Stop,’Tanaurashouted,toolate.Kanshellcouldnotaimandrun,andhisshotswentwild.Still,hecouldnotmiss,andhestruckabeast

aheadofhim.Thewoundswereenoughtomakeitstagger.Itsdefencesweredownforamoment,anditwassetuponbytwoothers.Tailsthrashed.Oneendedinaknobofbonethesizeofapowerfist.ItstruckTanauraaglancingblow,andshewentdown.Kanshellstumbledback,andthetailmaceblewbyhischest.Ifithadhit,itwouldhavecavedinhisribs.Tanaura,stunned,triedtoraiseherself.Kanshellpausedtohelpherup.‘Go,’Tanaurahissed.SkeVriswasputtingmoredistancebetweenthem.Kanshellranonthroughthemeatgrinder.SkeVrismovedasifengagedinadance,dodgingaroundthe

monsterswithritualisticgrace.Kanshellgraduallycaughtup,andrealisedthatSkeVriswasdancing.Therewasapurposetoeachmovement.Shewasformingasentence,onethatnotonguecouldspeak,butthateverysoulwouldhear.Andthen,somehow,therewasaclearing,aneyeinthereptilestorm.SkeVrisstopped.Shefaced

Kanshell.Shewascoveredinthebloodofherkin,andhersmileshoneallthebrighter.SheextendedherlefthandtoKanshell.‘Joinintheworship,Jerune,’shesaid.‘YouseetheonlyrealTruth.SingthepraiseofChaos.’Kanshelldidnotanswer.Hebroughtthelasrifleupinstead.Beforehecouldpullthetrigger,SkeVris

lashedoutwiththestaff.Abeamshotoutfromtheornatebladedtip.Itwasadarkenergy,thedeep,rottingvioletofpain.ItknockedtheriflefromKanshell’shandsandthrewhimontohisback.Itspreadoverhislimbs,acracklingslick.Foramoment,hisarmsforgotwhattheywere.Theywantedtochange,tobecomestrange.Thentheenergydissipated.SkeVrisstoodoverhim.Aroundthem,thewarofpredatorsspun.Bloodfellinsheets.‘Areyouconvinced?’theDaviniteasked.‘Canyousee?’Kanshelltriedtorise.Hisarmsandlegswereweak.Thegroundsuckedathim.Hesawthemomentof

hisdeath,andthedeathofallsanity,ofallhope,onPythos.Buthesawnothingtoworship.Hespatbloodyphlegm.SkeVrisshrugged.‘Ashame.Nomatter.Youwereadequatetoyourpurpose.’Sheraisedthestaff.Alas-shotshearedthroughthecultist’sshoulder.Itsentherspinning.SkeVrisgrunted,stumbling.Fist

stillclosedaroundthestaff,herarmfelltotheground.Thestumpsmoked.Bloodtrickleddownherflank,butshedidnotfall.Shebackedawayonclumsylegs.Tanauraenteredtheclearing.Shehadbeenclawed.Threehugediagonalslashesranfromherneckto

lefthip.Sheboretheinjurywithcontempt.Herfacewassetwiththerighteousfuryofthefaithfulconfrontingtheheretic.SkeVrissagged,butstillshesmiled.‘Yes,’shegasped.‘Yes,youunderstand.Youwillappreciate…’Shepaused.Theworldpaused.Thesaurianwarstilledonthelipofagreatprecipice.SkeVrislooked

downatherbloodstrikingtheground.‘Canitbeso?’shewhispered,fullofwonder.‘AmIsoblessed?’Shedroppedtoherknees.SheturnedtoTanaura.‘Yes,’shesaid,beatific.‘Theoffertoryiscomplete.Thecommunionbegins.’Therewasahugeboom,asiftheplanetwereananvilstruckbyahammer.Thenmorebeats,smaller,

butominousbecausetheydidnotstop,andtheywerecomingcloser.Thedayfellintodarkness.

NINETEENTheshaftUnbending

Now

ThefirstsoundsofbattledidnotreachAtticusuntiltheIronHandsarrivedattheirtarget.Buthesawthehandiworkofafoelongbeforethat.Asthecompanyspiralleddeeperintotheearth,helookedatthexenosarchitectureinanewlight.Hisperspectivewasduetomorethantherevelationofanewregionofthestructure.Thiscreationhaddestroyedhisship.Galbahadbeenright:itwasamachine,andithadattacked.Theshaftwasmoreclearlyaweaponthantherestoftheruinshadbeen.Hefeltasthoughhewere

movingdownarifledgunbarrel.Therampwaspartofthescoringoftheweapon,butsoweretherunes.Theywerealsopartofthepowersource.Heacceptedthefactasself-evident.Hewasconsciousoftheireffect.Evenwhenheclosedhishumaneyeandlookedattheworldsolelythroughthefilterofbionics,theystillsquirmedattheperipheryofhisvision,stillwhisperedsubauralobscenities.Hecouldhearthemnow,hearthemasashiftingfogofnightmareimagesbeforehismind’seye.HeknewsomethingnowofwhatGalbahadfaced.Hestillrejectedtheideathatthepowersatwork

couldnotbefoughtbythestrategicapplicationofphysicalforce.Whateverusedweaponscouldalsobedestroyedbythem.Iftheruneswereasourceofenergy,thenhewouldscourthemfromtheshaftwalls.Buthealsoacknowledgedtherewereothertypesofforce.RhydiaErephrenusedone,withperhapsevenmoreaggressionthanshewouldadmittoherself.Galbawasnotapsyker,Atticusacceptedthat,butthesergeantwasmoreattunedtotheseenergiesthanhewas,moreopentoobliquethinking.ThatwaswhyhewantedGalbadealingwiththecolonistsandtheirworship.HecouldnotimaginehowtheyhadplayedaroleinthedeathoftheVeritasFerrum.Buttheyhad.Galbahadabetterchanceofpiercingthatveil.ThethoughtcrossedAtticus’smindthathecouldhaveexplainedtoGalbawhyhewasentrustingthe

legionarywiththisaspectofthemission.Heprocessedtheconsideration,acknowledgeditstruth,thenfileditaway.Halfwaydown,heaskedCamnus,‘Anythoughts,Techmarine?’‘Captain?’‘Thismustbemorethanafixedcannon.’‘Iagree.Icannotguessatitsintendedfunction.’Hisservo-armwavedattheserpentinerunes.‘The

glowtroublesme,’hesaid.‘Wehaveseenitbefore.’‘Theintensityisgreater.Itisclearlyconcentratedintherunes.’‘Whatdoyouconclude?’‘Nothingdefinite.’‘Extrapolate,then.’‘Thatourill-fatedbarragewasnotjustreflected…’‘Isawthatformyself,’Atticussnapped.‘Imeantosaythatitseemstohavebeenabsorbed,too.’‘Madness,’Atticusobjected.Thebeamthathaddownedtheshiphadbeenfarmoreconcentratedthan

thelancefire.‘Agreed,’saidCamnus.‘Nonetheless,Ibelieveittobetrue.Weshouldprepareourselvesforworse.’

Atticuscursedthewarp,cursedtheracethathadfoundthemeansofharnessingitspowersinthephysicalrealm,cursedthismanifestationofarchitectureandmachine.Down,down,intothetwistingofstone.ThedirtylightofPythos’sdaydidnotreachfar.Itwasreplaced

bytheslowthrobbinglightfromtherunes.Whatlayatthebottomoftheshaftcameintoview.Arheumyeyeopened.Beneaththeshaftwasacircularshapeofthesamediameter.Itwasmarkedbyasinglerune,thelargestandmostcomplexoftheentiresystem.Thebeatofthelightwasthepulsefromthissigil.Atticusreturneditsglare.‘That,’heannouncedtothecompany,‘iswhatwehavecometodestroy.’TheRavenGuardhadplungedonahead.Theywaitedonwhatappearedtobethelastspuroftheramp.

‘CaptainAtticus,’Pterovoxed,‘Doyouwishustobeginplacingcharges?’Howverypolitic,Atticusthought.Still,heacceptedthegestureofrespect.‘Atonce,legionary,’hesaid.

‘Mythanks.’Then,bouncingdowntheshaftcametheechoesofweaponsfire.AtticustriedtoraiseGalba.Hefound

nothingbutwhitenoise.‘Wecompletethemission,’hetoldhiswarriors.‘Ourbrothersknowwhattheyareabout.’Andheledthewaydown.Thegiantsigildidnotmarktheendofthedescent.Theshaftopenedupinavasthemisphericalcavern,

almostcompletelyfilledbyarockdome.Thisconstructwaswhatthetunnelsledto,itscurvedsurfacetheirdeadends.Thespiralrampdividedasitlefttheshaft.Itbecameashelfthatranaroundtheentirecircumferenceofthecavern,huggingtheconcavewall.Steepstaircaseszigzaggedofffromitatregularintervals.Thestairsstoppedeverythreemetresatalanding.AglancetoldAtticusthenatureofthestairs’function:theywerewhathadpermittedthexenosarchitectstocarvetherunesintothecavernwall.Thedomeitselfappearedfeaturelessapartfromitsonegreatruneatitspeak.Therestofitwassmoothblackstone.IthadnoseamsthatAtticuscoulddetect.Itwasasifanimmensebubbleofmagmahadcooledintoaformationasblackasobsidianandsmootherthanice.‘Wewereunabletodamagethebaseofthisthing,’Camnuspointedout.‘Thenwewillattemptitsroof,’Atticusreplied.Everythinghasaweakness,hethought.Iwillwagerit

isyoureye.Legionariesleaptfromtheramp,landingwithdullthudsontheroofofthedome.Theybegantoplace

linkedcharges.Theworkhadbarelybegunwhenthesoundsofthewarfromabovechanged.Therewasalull.Thenagreaterfury,onethatgrewinwaves,echoesbuildingonechoes.Thenlight.Comingcloser.

Khi’dem’sleftarmvanishedbelowtheelbow.Theshockofelasticrealityreturningtostableformdisruptedeveryelectricalimpulseofhisarmourandeverysynapseofhisnervoussystem.Forseveralseconds,hislungsforgothowtobreathe,andhisheartsstilled.Hismindstuttered,hisveryidentityrippedfromhim.Breath,pulseandthoughtreturnedtogether.Heblinked,tryingtomakesenseoftherunesthatblinkedcrimsonbeforehiseyesashisarmourrestartedthesystemsthatstillworked.TheLarramancellsofhisbloodwereformingscartissueoverhisstumpbeforehehadfullknowledgeofhismutilation.Inthesefirstmomentsofreality’sreturn,heknewonlyoneimpulse:move.Hedid.Herolledoutofthe

pathofthestridingdaemon.Hetuckedhiskneesunderhischest,shovedagainstthegroundwithhisrightarm,andmadeittohisfeet.Hewassurroundedbythedismemberedpiecesoflegionaries.HesawApothecaryVektus,reducedtoawrithingheadandtorso,gruntinghisfinalcursesbeforehisfallintosilence.ThenKhi’demheardthecomingofastormbeyondthepatchofnightthatfloatedaboveMadail.HemanagedtoputsomedistancebetweenhimselfandthedaemonbeforetheHellfurymissilesstruck.Theforceoftheblastsknockedhimsideways.Hestaggered,butkepthisfeet.Madailstoodinthecentreoftheexplosions,bathedinfire.Theeyesofitschestwereclosed.Itshead

wasfacingup,itsmawwideopeninchillingecstasy.Itjabbeditsstaffupwards.Thefireballreversed,shrankwithathunderclapofdisplacedair,andwasabsorbedintothebladesofthestaff.Thentheflamereturnedinastreamofconcentratedenergy.Itshotthroughtheshieldofdarkness.Khi’demheardtheshriekoftearingmetal,thenanewexplosion.Unbendingfellthroughthedark.Streamingsmoke,onewinggone,itsenginesaflame,itstreakedinlikeacomet.ItpassedoverKhi’dem.Ittouchedearthonce,roseasifdenyingitsfate,andthenslammeddown,diggingamassivefurrow,disintegratingyurts,androaringtowardsthecentreoftheplateau.‘No,’Khi’demwhisperedasherealisedwhatloomed.Behindhim,thedaemonlaughed.The

DemolishercannonsoftheVindicatorsboomed,andthedaemonlaughed.Unbending’snosewascrushedbytheimpact.Thegunship’sspeedbledaway.Itsmomentumlasted

longer,anditbeganaslow,agonisedsomersault.Thefireembracedtherestofthehullassecondaryexplosionstouchedoff.Ithadturnedintoatoweringtorchwhenittoppledintothegreatshaft.

FireandmetalroaredtowardstheIronHands.Atticuslookedupfromwherehewasstandingoverlookingthesigil.Hesawtheburninggunship,andknewitastheheraldofcatastrophe.Noorderswereneeded,andhegavenone.TheSpaceMarinesscrambledforcover.Atticusglaredatwhathurtledhisway,takingafullsecondtoblastthefateswithhishate,andthenhetoomoved.Hethrewhimselftotheright,poundingalongtheperimetershelfbehindhistroops.Thelegionariesonthedomewereleapingforthelowershelves.Thecompanymovedfast.Theblowcamefaster.Unbendingstruckthetopofthedomewiththeforceofdoom.Itsframe

compactedlikeagod’sfist.Theship’spropulsionsystemwasbreached.Theexplosionfilledthecavernwithkillinglight.Behindtheflashcametheflames.Theywashedoverthedome.Theyracedaroundthecavern.Therewasnoshelter.Therewasonlydistancefromtheimmediateblast.Therewasthefortitudeofmetalandthestrengthofarmour.Andtherewasluck.Preciouslittleofit.Thewreckageoftheshipcrushedlegionaries.Theangeroftheexplosionreducedotherstocinders.

Atticus’sauto-sensesshutdown,blockingtheflash.Inthemomentofblindness,hestoppedrunning.Hecrouched,groundinghimselfontheledge,leaningagainstthewall.Theflamesandthewindslammedintohim.Hisarmour’stemperatureshotuptocriticallevels.Agiant’shandsoughttopryhimfromhisperchandhurlhimtothestorm.Heheldfast,andafterthefirstmomentoftheassault,hehadthefirestorm’smeasure.Heroseindefiance.‘Wewillnotfall!’heshouted.Hewassurroundedbyacycloneoffire.Thehowlofthewindswassuch

thathecouldbarelyhearhisvoiceinsidehishelmet.Thevoxwascaughtinitsownstorm,andhedidnotknowifanyofhisbrothersreceivedhiswords.Noneofthismattered.Hestood,andaslongasevenoneoftheIronHandsstilllivedtofight,theLegiondidtoo.Heturnedaround,rejectingtheheatthatreachedthroughtothetracesofthehumanthatstillremained

andremindedhimoftherealityofpain.Heliftedafoot,challengingthewindtodoitsworst,andtookaheavystepforwards,intothegaleoffire.Thereadoutsonhislenseswereblinking,erratic.Hehadnosureknowledgethathewasnotthesolesurvivor.Nomatter.Battlewasengaged.Hewasatwar,andtherewouldbenofurtherretreatsfortheXLegion.Notonemorestep.Andsohewalkedintothefire.Abodystumbledpasthim,propelledtowardstheedgeoftheshelf.Atticussnappedoutanarmand

caughtthelegionarybythewristashestartedtoplummet.Atticusdroppedtoakneeandheldfast.Theotherwarriordangled,thenmanagedtograbontotheledgewithhisotherhandandhaulhimselfup.‘Mythanks,brother-captain,’hesaid.HewasAchaicus,fromtheAssaultsquadcommandedby

Lacertus.

Atticusheardhimclearlyoverthevox.Thestormwasabating.‘Givemeyourthanksinforceofarms,brother,’Atticussaid.Overthecompanychannel,hevoxed,‘Report,IronHands,andregroup.Retaliationcallstous.’Thefireburneditselfout.NothingremainedofUnbendingexceptsmoking,twistedfragments.Looking

downfromtheshelf,Atticussawthemscatteredaroundthebaseofthedome.Theydidnotresemblethebonesofagunship.Theywereshrivelleddetritus.Theywereanothershame,anotherhumiliationthatAtticuswouldcarvefromtheenemy’shide.Thecompanyshookofftheeffectsoftheblast.TheIronHandsacknowledgedAtticus’sorders.There

weregapsintheroll.Fourteenmorebattle-brothershaddiedinthedestruction.Atticuscouldheartherumblingbeatofcombatcomingfromthesurface.Biggunsfiring.TheVindicators.Hecursedhisluck.Heranbacktotheshaftandlookedup.TheThunderhawk’sfallhadsmashedentiresectionsoftheramp.TheRavenGuardandtheIronHands’Assaultsquadcouldmakeitbackup.Notsotherestofthecompany.Atticusgrowled.Helookedatthedome.Itwasuntouched.Theimpactandexplosionhadnotevenscratchedthesigil.Hisfiststightened.HecalledLacertusandtheRavenGuardtohim.Theylookeduptheshaft,andhedidnothaveto

explain.‘Gobacktothesurface,’hetoldthem.‘Providesupport.’‘Whatabouttherestofthecompany?’Lacertusasked.‘Wewillfindaway.’‘How?’‘Wewillpunchhandholdsintothesidesoftheshaftifwehaveto.AllIaskisthatyouleavesomeof

theenemyforustokill.’Armscrossedandgauntletsslammedagainstchestplatesasthesquadsmadethesignoftheaquila.

Atticusturnedawayastheyrodethefireoftheirjumppacksbackuptheshaft.‘Captain?’ItwasCamnus.‘Iorderyoutogivemegoodnews,brother.’‘Imayhavefoundawayforward.’‘Whereareyou?’‘Onthefloorofthecavern.’AtticusorderedarallyatCamnus’sposition,thenmadehiswaydown,leapingfromlandingtolanding

oftheneareststaircase.Hereachedthebaseofthedomeinlessthanaminute.Anumberofhislegionarieshadarrivedfirst,someclearlythrowndownbytheexplosion.Hesawdamagedarmour.Healsosawafewfatalities.Runningfromthebaseofthedomeandbacktowardsthemainbodyoftheruins,preciselyspacedalong

thecardinalpointsofacompass,wererockytubesaboutfourmetresinheight.Camnushadtakenupapositionbesidethenearestone.‘Thesearethetunnels,’hesaid.Atticusnodded.‘And?’‘Theyarenotmadeofthesamerockasthedome.’Hewasright,Atticussaw.Thetube’sbrickworkusedthenaturalrockoftheplateau.Itwasnotthe

deep,glisteningblackofthehemisphere.‘Youthinkwecanbreakthrough,’hesaid.‘Yes.Thenmakeourwaybackupthroughtheruins.’Atticusnodded.‘Doit.’‘Soordered.’Then,astheTechmarinebegantodirecttheplacingofcharges,thegreatblowcame.Ithadnosource,

buttheentirechamberrang.Somethingall-importantchanged.Foramomenthethoughttheworldhadshiftedunderhisfeet.Thenherealisedhehadfeltthebeginningofarip.

Andthen,thelight.Lightfromtheworstofdarkness.

EngineofFuryandMedusanStrengthfiredinunison.ThecolossalshellslandedwithlethalprecisionatMadail’sfeet.Thegrounderupted.Bouldersanddustwerethrowndozensofmetresintotheair.Theyrainedbackdownasthenextsalvoarrived.Foralmostaminute,Khi’demcouldseenothingofthedaemon.Hesawonlytheplateautransformedintoavolcano.Madailreappeared.Chest-eyesstillclosed,headstilltiltedbackinrapture,thedaemonstrodeoutfrom

thegeysersofearth.Aftertwosteps,itopeneditseyesandrantoKhi’dem’sleft,headingforMedusanStrength.TheVindicatorsurgedforwardstomeetit.TheDemolishercannonroaredagain.Thedaemonseemedtowinceinanticipationatthemomentofthebarrelflash.Theshellstrucktheabominationinthechest.HugeasMadailwas,nomassevenitssizecouldsurvivesuchablow.Anymassthatbelongedtothemateriumwouldhavedisintegrated.Thedaemonlaughed.Therewasthehugeflashoftheblast.Therewasthegreatthunderclap.Andthere

wasthelaugh.Khi’demblinked.Theexplosionwasstrangelysanitised,astherewasnodebris.TheblowknockedMadailbackseveralpaces.Thedaemonlaughedagainasitspunonce,recapturingitsmomentumwiththegraceofadancer.Itsdelightintheexperiencewasclear.ItchargedMedusanStrengthagain.Behindit,EngineofFuryclosedin.Itapproachedinanarc,stayingoutofthewayoftheotherVindicator’sfire,andkeepingitsowncannonsilentforfearofstrikingitsbrother.Itsenginehowling,itrushedintosmearthemonsteroverthelandscapewithitssiegeshield.MedusanStrengthfiredoncemore.Asitdid,Madailleapt.Thedaemonsailedhighovertheshotand

camedownontopofthetank.ItlandedhardenoughtodrivetheVindicator’streadsintotheground.MedusanStrengthreareduplikeanenragedanimal.Thelegionaryridinginthehatchfiredupwardwithhiscombi-bolter.Madailplungedthetipofitsweapondown,spearingtheSpaceMarine.Thedaemonpusheddownharder,andthebladesstabbedallthewaythroughthechassisandembeddedthemselvesintheground.Forasurrealmoment,Khi’demsawthetankpinnedlikeaninsecttoaboard.Madailhissedwithpleasuredanticipation,andthestaffglowedanincandescentred.Theheatwas

savage.Khi’demsawthearmournearthestaffturnmolten.Rupturedfuellinesandammunitionignited.Thetankshookwithachainreactionofinternalexplosions.Thenitblewapart.Madailexultedinthecentreoflightandtorturedmetal.Above,thedarknesswasspreading,asifthelongerthedaemonwalkedtheearth,thefurtherthestainof

itsexistencespread.EngineofFuryreachedMadail.Themassivesiegeshieldstruckthebackofthedaemon.Madaildid

notmove.TheVindicatorcametoasuddenhalt.Thetoweringfigurevaultedoverthetankasthecannonfired.Madailleaneddownandstretchedoutitsimmensearms.Itembracedtherearofthevehicle.Itlaughedasthetreadsturnedthegroundintomud,fightinginvaintobreakfreeofitsgrip.Thedaemonwaited.Khi’demheardthesnarloftheotherThunderhawkclosein.Hecouldnotseeit

throughthedarkness.Madailcould.AsteadybarragefromHammerblow’sbattlecannonchewedupthesurfaceoftheplateau,carvingdeep

trenchestowardsthedaemon.Astheshotsstruckit,andKhi’demstaredinhorrifiedwonder,MadailhurledEngineofFuryintotheair.Thetankflewuplikeamissile.Itpassedthroughthedarkness,andKhi’demheardthesickening,crunchingbangsofmassivebodiesincollision.Hammerblowhurtledintoview,lockedinafatalembracewiththeVindicator.Thetwomachinesslammedintotheground,shakingtheplateau.Therewasamomentofrelativecalm.Thesoundsofcracklingflameandsecondaryexplosionswere

theechoesofbattle,thefadinguproarofawarlost.Khi’demlookedaround.Hewastheonlylegionarystanding.ButtheThunderhawkandtankhadnotgoneup.Perhapsthereweresurvivors.Khi’demstumbledtowardsthewreckage.Hewashalfwaytherewhentheexplosionscame,knockinghimdown,robbinghimofthelastofhisbrothers.Madailbestrodethebattlefield,baskinginthegloryofitsgoodworks.‘Afinedance,’itcalledout.In

itsmockery,itsvoicebecamemusical,butitwasthemusicofraggeddreams,thechordsofstrangledhope.‘Istherenooneelse?’itasked.Risingoncemore,Khi’demcouldnotimaginethatthedaemonwasspeakingtohim.Hewas,inthis

moment,beneathnotice.ButhewonderedthatthedaemonspokeinGothic.Therewassomethingdirected,personalaboutthedoomthatwasunfolding,asiftheseawfulmoments,thistragedyofthewarriorsoftheVeritasFerrum,hadbeenwaitingsincethedawnofthegalaxy.‘Ahhhhh,’saidMadail,slickingtheairwithhungrydelight.‘Welcome.’Khi’demsawjump-packedlegionariesrisefromthecentralshaft.Theybeganfiringatthedaemon.It

ignoredtheirshots.‘Welcome,’Madailsaidagain.‘Witnesses.Witnessestothegreatcommunion.’Itadvancedtothe

edgeoftheshaft.Itlookedoutbeyondtheplateau.Itpointedwithitsstaff.‘Servantsofthetoygod,’itcalledout,‘lookwhatyouhavebroughtme.Beholdwhatyouhavewrought.’Khi’demlooked.Theneedtofacetheworstallowedhimnootheroption.HeknewthattheIronHands

andRavenGuardwerelookingtoo.Totheeast,withtheimmense,rumblingcrackofanearthquake,somethingwasrising.Itglowedwitha

malevolentlight,thecrimson-streakeddeeporangeofburningblood.Coilsofenergy,likesolarprominences,flaredanddancedaroundtheobject.TheimpossibilityofthevisionconfusedKhi’dematfirst.Hedidnotknowwhathewasseeing.Thenherealiseditwasthestonepillar,theanomalythathadbeenthenexusofallthestrugglesonPythos.Themonolithclimbedtowardsthesky,anditstruenaturewasrevealed.Thepillarwasmerelythetip

ofacyclopeanstructurethatwasnotacolumnatall.Other,lowercolumnsnowappeared,risinginparallel.Thenthebasesofthecolumns,curvinginwardtowardseachother,joiningtogether.Tohishorror,Khi’demsawagargantuanreplicaofMadail’sstaff.Itwasasymbolandaweapon.Itwasanaeons-oldmonumentthathadbeencreatednotasacommemoration,butinanticipationofthismoment.Apotheosishadarrived.Thebladedstonerosenowtoclawthesky.Itclimbedandclimbed,ahundredmetres,twohundred,threehundred,andstillmore.Itwasatowersoladenwithsignificancethatitthreatenedtoshatterallmeaning.ItroseuntilitloomedoverthePythoslandscape.Notreeorhillforhundredsofkilometresinalldirectionswasitsequal.Themultifoliatetowerreachedhigheryet,andnowtherecameanewsound.Tothegratingofstonewas

addedagreat,rhythmicpounding.Behindtheglareofthemonument’sinfernalenergy,Khi’demsawshifting,hulkingshadows.Hills,hiseyestriedtotellhim.Hillsthatroseandfelltoamassivebeat.Waves,hismindrealised.Wavesahundredmetreshigh.Theoceanhadjoinedinthedarkcelebration,

payingtributetotheterminalevent.Itheaveditselfupagainandagain,risingandfallingtothebeatofsanity’sfuneral,amassivedarknessbeneaththegreysky,itssurfacereflectingtheapocalypsefireofthemonument.Khi’demthoughthesawthingsdisportingthemselvesinthewaves.Monstersofthedeep,forcedupbyinstincttocelebrateastheplanetfulfilleditsdestiny.Thesoundsbecameevermoredeafening,asymphonyofdeepmadness,theendlessgrindingofstone

punctuatedbytheboom,rasp,boom,raspoftheocean.Andunderneath,anotherthemewaspreparingitself.Itwascomingcloser,beatbybeat,momentbymoment,doombydoom.Whenitarrived,itwouldbetheonlysound.Itwouldswalloweverything.Itwouldcrusheverything.

Itwouldbeeverything.Madailmovedtothelipoftheshaft.Itraiseditsarms,holdingthestaffuptowardsitsgargantuan

model.Thelightfromthemonumentwassointenseitdimmedtheday.ItpulsedevenbrighterasKhi’demwatched.Theenergywasbeingfedbysomething.Strandslikeectoplasmicvitaeflowedtoitthroughtheair,theechoesofdistantviolencecomingtoaddtheirdeathstothegrowingtoll.Themomentapproached.Thetowerrosetoitsfullheight.Theenergyreachingthecriticalpoint.

Madailstoodinecstasybeforethesights,apriestwiththepowersofagod.‘Now,’thedaemoncriedout,incommandandprayer.Now.

TWENTYTheendofdayHornofplentyDrumbeats

Inanswertothedaemon,thesoundthathadbeenrisingbeneaththeearthandseaarrived.Itwasasinglebeat,soprofoundthatittorerealityasunder.Thebeatcamefromthemonument.Thesoundwasaripplethatracedfromthatcentretoembracetheworld.Atthesamemoment,theenergyburstfree.Ittooktheformofdirected,cancerouslight.Itshotfromthepointsoftheblackstoneblades,theindividualbeamsjoiningintoonethatdescendedintotheshaft.ThegreatbeatshooktheworldsohardthatitknockedtheIronHandsandRavenGuardoutoftheair.

Theyhadonlyjustrisenfromtheholewhenthebeamstruck.Pterohittheground.Herolledupandwasonhisfeetinaninstant.Hisbrother,Judex,andoneoftheIronHandswerelessfortunate.Theywereclippedbythebeam.Thatwasenough.Wheretheyweretouched,theirarmourandbodyceasedtoexistinthematerialsense.Anexplosionofunrealbeingovertookthem.Madnessgivenformballoonedandcrawledfromtheirwounds.Eyesandfangsandclawedlimbsmultiplied.Thetwolegionariesweredeadbeforetheylandedwithsickeningwetthuds.Theircorpsesdevouredthemselvesuntiltheywerenothingbutasquirming,senselessmassofsnappingentrailsandmoaning,whistlingbonefragments.Theenergyfromthemonumentpoureditselfintotheshaft,andPterofeltthatawfulripwiden.Thetear

was,herealised,morethanashiftinthenatureofallthings.Ithadaspecificlocation.Therewasaplagueabouttobeunleashed,andithadasource,apointinrealitythathadbeensocorruptedthatitwasnowgoingtoburstandspewforthabomination.Already,thediseasewaspropagating.Thestainofnightthathoveredoverthedaemonnowestablished

itsdominion.Tendrilsthatlookedlikevapourbutmovedwiththeslashoflightningrosetothecloudcover.Theyalteredtheclouds.Theblackspreadlikeoiloverwater.ThedayofPythos,nevermorethanasourinsult,diedinagony.Somethingworsethannightstoleoverthefirmament.Theblackwasabsolute,anditwasdeep.Itwas

notaveilthatblockedthelight,beyondwhichthegalaxyremainedsane.Itwasatheft.Theskywasgone.Thestarsweregone.OverPythosnowwasnothing,avoidmadeterriblebytheabsenceofallthatshouldbe,andevenmoreterriblebythesenseofghastlypossibility,ofimminence.Somethingwouldfillthevoid.Somethingthatshouldnotbe.Andfromthebottomoftheshaftcameanoise,anuproar,therisingcacophonyofagreathorror

unleashed.

Thelightstruckthesigilofthedome.Standingatthebase,Atticuscouldnotseetherunereacttothecontact,buthecouldheartheresult.Hecouldfeelit.Heheardahugedooropening,adoorthatwasstoneandironandflesh.Hefeltthedomefillwiththerottenenergy.Theblackstonepulsedwithanabyssallight.Thetearingcontinued,andnowAtticusknewthatthisworstthingwasoccurringinsidethedome.‘Getusintothistunnel,’heorderedCamnus.‘Doitnow.’‘Weareready,brother-captain,’theTechmarinereplied.Thecompanydrewback.Camnussetoffthecharges.Theexplosionsoundedmuffled,drownedbythe

thrummingoftheenergybeam.Butthepoweroftheblastwasmorethanenough.Itpunchedthroughthe

wallofthestonetube,creatingabreachthewidthofthreelegionaries.TheTechmarine’sdemolitionwasskilful:thechargeswerestrongenoughtopulverisethewall,sotherewaslittledebrisinsidethetunnel,butnotsoindiscriminatethattheyweakenedtheceilingandbroughtitdown.Thewayinwasclear.Atticusenteredfirst.Hiswarriorshadacleanrunopentothembacktothesurface,whereheknewwar

awaited.Buthepaused.Hewassurethatwhatwashappeningintheinterioroftheunbreachabledomewascritical.Helookedagainatthedeadend.What,hewondered,wasthepointofthesetunnelsifalltheydidwasrunintoawall?Thexenoscreation–whetherarchitecture,mechanism,orboth–wasperverse,itsfunctionsopaque.Buthewaslearningthattherewasnothingfutileaboutanyofitselements.Thetunnelshadapurpose.Iftheyexisted,itwastobringsomethingtothedome,ortoreleasesomethingfromit.Asthecompanygatheredinthetunnel,Atticusexaminedthedomewalloncemore.‘Somethingischanging,’hesaid.Thepulsingwasmuchfasterherethanovertherestofthehemisphere.

Itwaspainfultoobserve.Itwasablacknessthatstrobed,anenergydetachedfromanyknownconfigurationoftheeletromagneticspectrum.Itwaslight’sdiseasedtwin.TheintensityofthedisturbanceroseevenasAtticusspoke,andasitdid,itcrossedathreshold.Atticusblinked.Eachofhiseyeswasreceivingradicallydifferentdata,andthesplitwasdisruptive,

assaultinghismindwithafusionofmigraineanddigitalfeedback.Heshutoneeye,thentheother.Thehumaneyesawthepulseasaperverseimpossibility.Hisbioniconeregisteredsomethingfarmoreprofound.Itsawaflicker.Thewallwasphasinginandoutofexistenceatthespeedofinsectwings.Atticuspickedupapieceofrubbleandtosseditagainstthewall.Thestonewasatomised.Camnusjoinedhim.‘That,’theTechmarinesaid,‘isagate.’Atticusnodded.‘Anditisopening.’Thepaceoftheflickerincreased.Avibratorythrumfilledthetunnel,shakingdustloosefromitsroof.

Theblackbecamesointense,itwasalmostblinding.‘IronHands,’Atticuscalled.‘Weaponsready.’Aneagercertaintytookholdofhim.‘Weareaboutto

findourenemy.’Thethrumbuilttoapiercingwhine.Thenatureoftheflickerchangedonceagain.Thegate’smomentsin

thematerialrealmbecamefewer,thenshorter,thenirregular.Winningthewarwerethetimefractionswhenthebarrierwasonlyanillusion,amemoryofawall.Thememoryfaded.Withasharpcrackofdissipatingenergy,thegatevanished.Thewayintothedome

wasopen.Aswasthewayout.Atticusdidnotwaitfortheenemytodeclareitself.Hehadbeenforcedintofightingareactivewarever

sincethereturnfromtheHamartiaraid.Nomore.Heenteredthedomewithhisfingeralreadydepressingthetriggerofhisbolter.Thespacewassuffusedwithadirtyglow.Itwasthedilutedformoftheraythathadstruckthesigil.

Thefloorwaslevelandfeatureless,exceptforwhatlookedlikeadais,fiftymetresindiameter,inthecentre.Theinteriorwallswerefestoonedwithrunes,largerandmorecomplexthantheonesonthewalloftheouterchamber.Theywerethesourceofthelight,buttheyfadedasthethinginthecentreofthedomemanifesteditself.Itbeganasathinlineintheair,stretchingfromtheapexofthevaulttothedais.Thelinetwitchedandjerkedlikecapturedlightning.Witheachmovement,itleftacopyofitselfbehind.Withinafewseconds,ablack,jerkingweboccupiedthecentralground.Itspreadfarther,shortersegmentsmultiplying,connecting,theformationbecomingmoreandmorejagged.Atticusscannedquickly,sawthattherewasnoshelter.TheIronHands’armourwouldhavetosuffice.

‘Formanarc,’hecommanded.‘Keepthegateatthecentre.Itisours.Letnothingpass.Preparetoconcentratefireonwhatstandsbeforeus.’

Thepatternfroze.Whenitdid,Atticusrealisedhewasnotlookingataweb,butatapaneofcracked,shatteredreality.Therewastheblastofahorn,longanddeepatfirst,thenrisinginpitchfrommournfulhorrortoshriekingdelight.Thebrokenpanefellinpieces,theedgedfragmentscuttingmorechunksoutofthemateriumastheydropped.Behindthefragilelayerofrealitylaythegreatdepthsofmadness.Andfromthosedepthsanarmycame.Bellowing,braying,laughing,snarling,singing,cursing,gibbering,thehordespouredintothedome.

Theywereacascadeofmonstrosity,afloodoftheperverse:flesh,horns,hooves,jaws,claws,wings,tails,pincers.Armsthatwereblades,bladesthathadeyes,weaponsandarmourandlifemadeindistinguishable.Hidethecrimsonofanger,thepinkofhideousinfants,thegreenofdisease,thewhiteofcorruption.Thefrothing,squirmingswarmofthemaggotswasasnothingtothisonslaught.Themaggotshadbeenameresketch,theplanetrehearsinganideanowterribleinitsblossoming.Atticushadhisenemies,andtheyweredaemons.Perhaps,atalevelhedidnotacknowledgeas

existing,hehadalwaysknownthiswouldbehisfight.Orperhapshesimplyrejoicedathavingsomethingtokill.Hedidnotknowwhatthetruthwas,andhedidnotcare.Headjustedtotherealityoftheimpossiblewithoutapause,andthatwasallthatmattered.‘Killeverything,’hesaid.Heraisedhisvoiceoverthehowlingmobthatracedtowardsthecompany.

Hebecamethemachine.‘Sparenoflesh!’hesnarledastheroundsrakedintothefrontlinesofthemonsters.‘Thisisnothingbuttheendlessspewofweakness.Wehaveabandonedtheflesh,andwillnotbedraggeddownintoitsswamp.Exterminateit!Scourtheplanetofinferiorlife!’Theexplosiveshellsrippedtheirtargetsapart.Someofthedaemonsfell,killedaseasilyasanyother

formofsentience.Othersabsorbedthedamagewithoutslowing.Stillothersunderwentatransformation,writhingandscreaming,musclesandskinandbonerippingandcrackinguntilthereweretwomonsterswheretherehadbeenjustone.Fromthesmashedholeinthereal,themonsterscontinuedtoarrive.Theabyssofthewarpwasfullofdistorted,raveninglife,andthenumberswerebeyondcounting.Legionsweredescendingonthesinglecompany.TheleadingedgeofthedaemonplaguewasalmostupontheIronHands.Monstersweregoingdown,

pulpedandtornbeyondrepairbythelethalhail.Whentheydied,theylosttheirform,fleshrevealingitsessentialflawasitdissolved.Thefloorofthedomewasslickwithdeliquescingbodies.Theadvancedidnotslow.Atitscentre,givingitshape,wasanorderedforceofblood-red,horned,sinewybeastsarmedwithbladesalmostaslongasaman.Theyweresurroundedbyaplagueofmonsterslikeanexplosionoffoamonthecrestofagreatwave.ThereweresomanydaemonsthattheywereclimbingovereachothertoreachtheSpaceMarines.Theshapeswereasvariedasmadness.Somehadjustenoughofthehumanaboutthemtomakethedistortionoftheformallthemoreperverse.Otherswerevaguelycanine,buthorned,armoured,massive.Andstillmorewereofnorecognisablederivationatall.Theywerechaosmadeflesh,acancerofgraspingjawsandtentacles.Atticuscouldseethetruth:thearmyofdamnationwasinfinite.Somuchthebetter.‘Takethem!’heroared.Soordered,theIronHandsdidnotmeetthewaveonthedefensive.Theoffencewasalltheyhadleft,

andsotheytookit.Theyattacked.Ametalbatteringramsurgedforwardstocrashintothedaemonicmultitude.Boltersweremag-locked.Theweaponswerechainblades,powerfistsandflame.Atticusswunghischainaxeintothetwistedvisagesbeforehim.Hefelttheimpactofhisblowupthe

haftoftheaxe,asatisfyingjartohisarms.Perhapsthefleshhedestroyedwasalie,butittoreanddiedaswellasanytruth.Ichorsprayedoverhim.Adaemonraiseditsswordoveritshead,two-handed,andbroughtitdownatAtticus’sface.Hegrabbedthebladewithonegauntletedfistandsnappeditinhalf.

Withhisotherhand,heswungtheaxeinanddecapitatedthedaemonforitseffrontery.Theheadsnarledathimasitarcedawaytobetrampledbythemelee.ThebodyflailedatAtticusforseveralmoresecondsbeforeitcollapsed.Itwassmashedtopulpbeforeitevenhadachancetobegindissolvingbacktotheformlessnessofthewarp.TheIronHandswererelentless.Atticuswassurroundedbyabrotherhoodofdestruction.Heandhis

legionarieswereconfrontedwiththenakedtruthoftheflesh.Itwasataintuponthegalaxy,uponrealityitself,andnowitwasthetimefortheIronHandstosmashit,shredit,burnit.Annihilateit.ThefleshgrappledwithAtticus.Athingrearedupoverhim.Itwaslikeamonstrousslug,an

excrescenceofmuscleandteeth.Itsskinrippled.Pustulesoozedanddripped.Itwasrot,itwasdisease,anditwouldconsumehim.Asitdroppedoverhim,heliftedtheaxe.Itplungedintothecentreofthecreature’smass.Rubberyfilthparted.Atticusforcedtheweaponhigher,bisectingthedaemon.Ithowledidiotpain.Itsblood,ifbloodthiswas,gushedforthinatorrentthatwasthick,viscous,translucentandstreakedwithgreen.Itwasillnessinliquidform.Atticusfeltittugathisboots.Hisarmourwasslickwiththeeffluenceofrenderedmonsters.Itwasabadgeofhonour.Heraisedhisaxealltheway.Whenitpulledfree,thedaemonstoppedscreamingandfellawayontwosides.Overitstwitchingcorpsecamemorehorrors,alwaysmore,floodsuponfloodsoftheenemy.Atticus

swungandpunched,swungandkicked.Hekilledandsmashed.Witheverymove,witheverystep,hesentanotherdaemonoutofthephysicalrealm.HecommandedbutasplinterofwhathadbeentheXLegion,butevenonewarrioroftheLegionesAstartescoulddestroyarmies.TheIronHandspushedhardagainstthewaveofdaemons.Theyhalteditsadvance.Theenemywouldnotpass.ItwouldnotreachthesurfacebygoingthroughtheSpaceMarines.Itwasameaninglessvictory.Hisforceswereonlyblockingoneexit.Therewerethreeothers,andthe

gateswereallopen.Throughamomentarygapinthewallofmonstrosities,Atticussawthestreamsofthemobstampedingthroughtheotheropeningswithragingabandon.Intheceilingofthedome,wherethesigilhadbeen,wasahugeaperture,andthecreatureswithwingswereflappingupthroughitandtotheshaft.‘Captain,’Camnus’svoicecameoverthevox.Atticuswassurroundedagainbytheclawing,slashing

horde,andhecouldnotseetheTechmarine.Hecouldnotseeanyofhisbrothers.‘Yes,brother.’Agruntofeffortonthevox,thenalarge,wetcracktoAtticus’sright.Camnuswasnearby,slayingwell.‘Whatisourgoal?’Andthere,withthequestionbeforehim,Atticushadnoansweratfirst.Hehadbeensofocusedon

locatingtheenemythathehadnotthoughtthroughtheimplicationsnowthathehadfoundit.Therewasnovictorytobehadhere.Thecompanycouldfightuntiltheinevitable,andthatwouldbenothingmorethananotherkindoffutility.Whatisourgoal?Tostopthiswarp-fuelledmachine.Andifthatwerenotpossible,tosomehowuseitspoweragainst

itself.Wereadthewarpthroughitbefore,hethought.Itisvulnerabletous.Wewillfindaweakness.Andforthat,RhydiaErephrenwaskey.‘Wemakeforthesurface,’Atticustoldthecompany.Hewhirledwiththeaxe,slicingthroughamassive

tentaclethathadwrappedaroundhimlikeapython.‘Wemakeforthebase.’Theywouldnotberetreating.Andhevowedthathewouldyettearavictoryfromthethroatofthis

monstrousplanet.

Doommarchedinonaheavy,echoingbeat,theshoutofvolcanoesforcedintoaregularmetre.Itwasas

muchaspectacleasdarkmusic.Darraswatchedtheriseofthemonument.Evenatthisdistance,itwasclearlyhigherthanthepromontory,anditchangedtheshadeoftheday.Thatwasthefirstbeat.Andthenthegreatboom,thegreatestbeat,asthelightstruckdownwards,andDarrasknewthatsomethingfatalhadbeendestroyed.Heknewthisbecausehenowsawdeathtaketheday.Theblackbeyondnight,theblackofending,

spreadoutfromthedirectionofthesettlement.Itswarmedupintothecloudsandswallowedthem.Itrippledoutwards,eatingtheskyandleavingthegreatandendlessnothingbehind.Butthen,astheblackoverheadwascomplete,somethingappearedintheemptyvault.Purevoidpulled

backtorevealasun.Itsatintheskydirectlyabovethemonument.ItwasinthepositionthatthePandoraxstarwouldhaveheld,haditeverbeenvisiblethroughthecloudcover.Therewasnodoubtthatitwasasun.Butitwasstone.Darrasfeltthefoundationsofallcertaintycrumbleawaybeneathhim.Thecelestialbodyseemedclose

enoughtotouch,thedetailsofitsrough,crackedsurfaceasclearasifitwereaplanetoidnomorethanfewhundredkilometresindiameter.Yetitwasastar.Itfilledathirdofthesky.Itradiatedacold,greylight.IthungoverPythos,amassheavywithinfernaljudgement.Itwaswithoutsense,withoutlogic.Ithadnomeaning,andforthatveryreasonwasdreadfulinitssignificance.Itwasmadnessgivenimmense,implacableform.Itwasastoneagainstwhichanysemblanceofrealityandsanitywouldshatter.Stillthebeatscame.Stillthedoom,doom,doommarchofcatastrophe.Thesenewestbeatsweresofter.

Theywerenotglobe-ringingstrikesastheunleashingofthemonument’senergyhadbeen.Theywerelessmetaphysical.Theywereconcrete,atruesound.Somethinginthedistancewasstrikingthegroundagainandagainwithslow,relentlessregularity.Comingcloser.Thesoundscamefromthenorthandsouth.Darrasknewthepromontorywascaughtinapincer

movementbeforehesawwhatapproached.Then,bathedinthefrozen,corpse-lightofthestonesun,thethreatsappearedoverthehorizon.Darrasheardtheserfsonthewallwhimperinterror.Hehadnopatiencefortheirweakness,buthe

wouldhavebeensurprisediftheyrespondedotherwise.Mortalswereweak.Theyhadbrittlelimitstotheircourage.Whathadbeensummonedbrokethoselimits.Thethingintheskywasaterror,butitwasalsodistant.Itwasnotanimmediatethreat.Theanimalsthatlumberedtowardsthebasewere.Pythoshadheldbacktheworstofitshorrorsuntilnow.Perhaps,Darrasthought,thesemonsterswould

notappearuntiltherewasasufficientconcentrationofprey.Theywouldneedunimaginablequantitiesofmeattolive.HerememberedPtero’srefusaltoacceptasnaturalthecarnivorousecologyoftheplanet.‘Youarevindicated,RavenGuard,’Darrasmuttered.Therewasnothingnaturalonthisplanet.TheIron

Hands,ofallLegions,shouldhaverecognisedtechnologywhentheyencounteredit.Everything,fromvegetationtoanimallifetomonstrousartefacts,hadbeencreatedforapurpose,andthatpurposewasatlastbeingfulfilled.Thecreaturesnowapproachingwereimmense.TheywerethesizeofBattleTitans.Theywereatleast

fiftymetrestall,perhapsmore.Theirheadswerelong,crocodilian,withforward-pointingtusksatthehingeofthejaws.Conicalspikestheheightofmissileslinedtheirspinesandclusteredattheendoftheirtails,formingflailsthatwouldsmashatankflat.Theywalkedontheirhindlegs,buttheirforelimbswerehuge,reachingdownalmosttothegroundfromshouldersaswideasweaponsplatforms.Nowandthen,theywouldleanforwardsandusetheirarmstopropelthemselvesabitfasterthroughthejungle.Treessplinteredandfellbeforetheiradvance.Thentheywerecrossingtheburnedland,rumblingoverit,asbig

ashills,terribleasmyths.Catigernussaid,‘They’llknockthewalldown.’‘Theywon’thaveto,’Darrastoldhim.‘They’llstepoverit.Idoubtthey’llevennoticeit.’Thegreatbeastsdescendedonthefeast.Theirsmallerbrethrenwerestilldevouringthecolonists.

Therewereenoughmortalslefttokeeptheairfilledwithshrieksandsong.Thegiantsreacheddownwiththeircolossalclawsandscoopeduphandfulsofstrugglingprey.Theirjawsclampeddownonhumansandsauriansalike.Theairfilledwiththesoundofcrackingbones.Themonstersadvancedtoabeatofearthquakes.Theywereonlyafewstridesfromthebase.Theytoweredintotheemptynight,thelightofstonewashingovertheirscales,transformingthemintogargoyleslargerthancathedrals.Theydevouredalllifefromtheland,andsoonwouldturntheirhungerontheLegionemplacement.‘Hereiswhyweconservedourammunition,’Darrasvoxedtothebase’sforces.‘Openfire.’Astormburstfromthewalls.Itwasahurricanewindofmass-reactivedestruction,thelightningoflas-

fireandthethunderofrocketlaunches.Thestormsmashedintothenearestgiant.Itsflankwaslitbyflameandtinygeysersofblood.Itturnedslowly,asifbarelyawareoftheattack,tofacethebasehead-on.Itgrowledinbuildinganger.Thenightshookwiththerumbleofitsthreat.‘Eyes!’Darrascommanded.Thebeastduckeditsheadforwards,jawopeningtoswallowitsattackerswhole.Howvery

cooperative,Darrasthought.Hisshellsfoundthemonster’slefteye.Thesaurianshriekedasajelliedexplosioneruptedoveritsface.Theothereyeburstamomentlater.Themonsterthrashed,armssweepinginhugearcs.‘Throat!’Darrasshouted.Aimingwasdifficult.Thetargetwasbigenough,buttheanimalwasconvulsedinpainandrage.Its

movementshadgonefrommajestictofrenzied.Butamissilestruckitinthethroat.Theblastrippedthroughthefleshandunleashedatorrentofblood.Thehowlsbecameraking,chokinggurgles.Thebeasttriedtoretreat.Itturneditsbackonthewall,butfelltoitsknees.Asitpitchedforwards,itstailsweptovertheparapet.Plasteelcrunchedandfoldedandshattered.Serfswerereducedtobloodysmears.ThreeofDarras’sbattle-brothersdied,theirribcagescrushed,heartspunctured,astheywerestruckbyaspikedbatteringramthesizeofaLandRaider.Darrasthrewhimselfflat.Theflailsmasheddownontheparapetafewmetresfromhim,punchingahugegapinthewall,thenbouncedup,flyingjustoverhimtocomedownagainanarm’slengthfurtheron.Catigernushadtoleaptothegroundtoavoidbeingpulped.Darrasstoodagainasthebeastcollapsed.Theearthshookwithitsdeath.Theotherslookedattheirfallenkin.Twoofthembegantofeastonitsbody.Theothersadvancedupon

thesourceofthethreat.‘SergeantDarras,’Erephrenvoxed.‘Isthisurgent?’Darrasaskedashestartedfiringagain.Perhapstheymightbringonemorebeastdown

beforetherestofthemmarchedoverthebase.Perhaps.‘IbelieveIcanusetheanomaly,’Erephrensaid.‘Thendosonow,’Darrastoldher.‘Ourtimeisbrief.’Hissightofthelifelesssunwasblottedoutby

theapproachingmonsters.TheIronHands’firewasunabating,butthetargetswereontheirguardandattackinginunison.Hewasshootingatamountainchain.Armsgreaterthantreesroseandstruckatthewall.Jawsgapedlikehangardoors.Therewasnothing

weakaboutthisflesh.Themountainsslouchedforward,andthedefencesofthebasecollapsedlikeeggshells.AlegclippedDarrasandsenthimflying.Helandedadozenmetresfromwherethewallhadbeen.Therewasnothingleftbutruinandsavagerynow.Veryfewoftheserfswerestillalive,buttheyfoughton,loyaltytodutyandLegionwinningoutovertheinstinctforfutileflight.

TheIronHandshadbeenscatteredbytheblows.Theyfoughtback,theunalterabledisciplineofthemachinecoordinatingtheirfireevennow.Butthemonstershadbrokentheformation,anditwasnolongerpossibletoconcentratealltheshotsatasingletarget.Aclawedfootcamedownandcrushedtheserfbarracks.VenerableAtraxpouredthefullangerofhistwin-linkedheavyboltersintothemonstrousankle.Heblewawayboneandmuscle,andthesaurianfell.Theimmenseframecollapsedacrossthecamp,levellingstillmorestructures.Theavalanchenarrowlymissedthecommandunit.Atraxhadforeseenthetrajectoryofthefall,andhadaclearshotoftheskull.Beforetheanimalcouldlashout,theDreadnoughthammereditwithastreamoffist-sized,armour-piercingshells.Hesmashedthecreature’sbrain.Thebodytwitchedandwrithed,spreadingmoreruin,thenstilled.Twodead.Theenddelayedbyafewmoreseconds.PerhapsErephrenwouldhavetimetodowhatever

shehadinmind.Inbetweenthedeafeningroars,throughtheunceasingpoundingofbolterfire,Darrasrealisedthe

astropathwasspeakingtohim.‘Sergeant,’shesaid.‘Ihavetried.Icannotacthere.’‘What?’Hechangedaclipandresumedshootingwithbarelyabreakinrhythm.Hekeptmoving.Claws

almostaslargeashewasrakedfurrowsinthegroundwherehehadbeenamomentbefore.‘Theconnectionmustbetotal.’Therewasacalminhertonethatspokeofaterribledecision.Even

throughthefracasofdevastation,hervoicewaschilling.‘Imustbeinphysicalcontactwiththesourceoftheanomaly.’Darrasgrunted,staggeringbackwardsasacolossusreachedforhim,hisdeathglaringfromitseyes.He

blastedafingeroffthehand,forcingamomentofrecoil.‘Doyouunderstandoursituation?Andwhattheanomalyhasbecome?’Hewonderedifherblindnesswasshieldingherfromthefullscopeoftheirfate.‘Bettereventhanyou,sergeant,’sheanswered.Therewasnohopeinherwords.Onlythe

determinationofwar.‘Thenwaitforme,’Darrassaid.Therunwasimpossible.Itwasalsoimperative.‘Iwillmeetyouattheship,’sheanswered.‘What?’Disbelieving,butthenhesawher.Shewasalreadyhalfwayfromthecommandcentretothe

landingpad.Shemovedwiththesamedeterminedassuranceasever,butmorequicklythanhehadeverseen.Sheheldherstaffasthoughshewereabannerbearer.Hercanebarelytouchedtheground.Shedidnotrun,butsheavoidedthegigantic,tramplingstepsofthemonsterswithease,changingdirectioninanticipationofeverymovement.TheSalamanders’secondship,Cindara,hadbeencrushed,buttheIronFlamewasstillintact.Erephrenwasmakingforitinasdirectalineasthedanceofdestructionwouldpermit.Darrasracedafterher.‘Toallwithinreach,’hevoxed.‘WithmeatIronFlame.BrotherCatigernus,we

needapilot.’‘Atyourheels,brother-sergeant.’‘BrotherAtrax…’Darrasbegan.‘Understood,’theDreadnoughtanswered.‘Iwillgiveyouthetimeyouneed.’Darrasrolledbeneaththeswingofatail.Itsmashedthroughthewallofthecommandcentre.‘Thank

you,venerablebrother.Youwillberemembered.’Anoisecameoverthevox,alaughalmostasdivorcedfromthehumanasAtticus’s.‘Noneofusshall

beremembered.Butsweartopunishtheenemy.’‘Iswearit.’Atraxlumberedtowardsthecentreofthebase.Hefiredhisboltersinacircularpattern,strikingthe

threesauriansinthebase,andonestillfeastingonvictimsbeyondthewall.Theyturnedonthesmallcreaturethathadthetemeritytoinjurethem.TheIronHandswhoweretoofarfromIronFlame

convergedonAtraxandaddedtohisfire.Adarkordercoalescedoutofthevortexofthebase.Legionariesreducedtothesizeofantsbesidethesky-highbeastsceasedevasivemanoeuvres.ThecarnivoregodszeroedinonthemandignoredthefewwhoboardedtheThunderhawk.Themonstersdidnotlookastheenginesignitedwitharoar.Inthecockpit,DarrasstoodbehindtheseatedCatigernusandwatchedthefinalcurtainfallonthebase.

Thesaurianspounced.Itwasobscenethatmonstrositiessogargantuancouldmovewithsuchviciousspeed,yettheydid.Thebattlewasoverinseconds,andeventhatlengthwasatestamenttotheforceoftheIronHands’assault.Greatergloryyetcamewhenanotherofthecreaturesfell.Itcrashedontopofthearmoury,theimpactofitstonnessettingoffenoughammunitiontotriggerachainreaction.Thebeast’storsowasconsumedinafireballthatspreadoverhalfthebase.Onecreaturelookedupastheflameswashedpartwayupitsback.Theotherspaidnoattention,

consumedwithdestroyingtheIronHands.Theycrushedthelegionariesbeneaththeirfeet,pickedthemupandtoretheminhalf.AsIronFlamerosefromthelandingpad,oneofthesaurianstwistedandsmashedAtraxwithitstail.TheblowcrushedtheDreadnought.Insidethechassis,theatomanticarc-reactorwentcritical.Catastrophicfailureensued.Foramoment,everythingvanishedfromDarras’ssightinasearingflash.Whenthelightfaded,Atraxhaddisintegrated,andtheexplosionofthereactorhadblownapartthelowerhalfofthesaurian.Themonsterlivedamomentmore,evenasitsvisceraplungedtotheground.Itragedmindlessly,stilltryingtodevouritsprey.Thenitcollapsed.Itwasavictory,ofakind.Butthentheremainingsaurianwasjoinedbyitsbrotherfrombeyondthe

wall,andtherewerestillmoreonthepromontoryslope.FortheIronHandsonthebase,thestolensecondsranout.Thebattleended.Hopedisappearedbeneathclawsandbetweenteeth.Catigernustookthegunshipupinasteepclimb.Hepushedtheengineshard.Hefiredallforward-

facingweaponsatthesametime.Twin-linkedheavyboltersonthefuselage,lascannonsonthewingsandthemassivedorsalcannonopenedup.Themonsterthatrushedatthem,eagertoembracethenewprey,vanishedinatremendouseruptionoffireandblood.IronFlamerosethroughthethickcloudofvitae.Thenitwasclear,risinghigher,flyingfaster.Nothighenough.Notfastenough.Acolossusreachedupwithbotharmsandstruckhome.

TWENTY-ONEThemessageTherevelJuggernaut

Whenthedayfellintoatombandthestonesuncametodrenchthelandinthechillofdeadmarble,KanshelllookedtoTanaura.Shedidnotrespond,astransfixedashewas.Butthenthefootstepsofthegreatsauriansdrewcloser,andtheislandofcalmvanished.Thefrenzyresumed.Tanaurahesitated,lookingfirsttowardsthewall,thendowntheslope.Kanshellfeltthepanicofindecision.Therewasnoclearpath,andnoclearduty,andinmomentstheywouldbetrampledordevoured.Thenewmonstersarrived,creaturessohugethatKanshellfeltthetouchofthesublimeonceagain,and

heweptthatitcouldtakeonformssodreadful.‘Back,’Tanauradecided,andrandowntheslope,makingforabriefgapbetweenbeasts.Luck,orthe

lingeringauraofthefinalstepoftheritual,waswiththem.Theyhadnotcometoanyofthereptiles’notice.Thebeastswereconsumedwithsavagingeachotherandthediminishingcrowdofvoluntarysacrifices.‘Why?’Kanshellshoutedasherushedtokeepup.‘Thebattlehereisover.Itmaynotbeatthesettlement.’Therewasnofurtherspeech,then.Asbefore,therewasthejerking,stop-start-sprint-hideracethrough

legsandpastsnappingjaws.Therewasadifference,though.Earlier,angerhadcoursedthroughKanshell’sblood.TherehadbeentheneedtostrikebackatSkeVris.Hehadhadatargetuponwhichtofocusandblockoutthehorrorsaroundhim.Therewasnosuchgoalnow.Therewasonlyhorror,andtheneedtoescapeitsteethforonemoreheartbeat.HefollowedTanaura,buttosustainhim,hehadbutonething:hisfaithintheEmperor.Itwasenough.Hedidnotdespair.Heknewthateverystephetookintheserviceoffightingtheunholyfoeofthe

Emperorwasanactofrighteousness.Ifhediedinthenextsecond,hewoulddieasoneofthefaithful.Perhapsevenasamartyr,thoughhedidnotimagineanyonewouldeverhearofwhathadtranspiredonPythos.Behindthemcamethesoundofdestructionandwarasthegod-beastsattackedthebase.TheywerewelldowntheslopewhentheyheardthefamiliarenginehowlofaThunderhawk.

Kanshell’sheartsoared.Theroutwasnotcomplete.Thecompanystillhadthemeanstostrikehard.Heheardthefull-throatedrageofIronFlame’sguns.Hehopedpunishmentwouldpounddownthelengthofthehill,puttinganendtotheterriblelifethatsurroundedhim.Hewouldnotminddyinginsuchaconflagration.Hehopedforthedignityofdeathbyweaponovertherendingbyteeth.Therewasthesoundofagreatimpact,andthevoiceoftheenginesbecameastutteringshriek.Theguns

fellsilent.Thecraftpassedoverhead.Itwasstreamingfire,droppinglower.KanshellcaughtonlyaglimpseofitasheandTanaurafledthereptilianmurderonallsides.Then,ahead,aboomandagrindingcrash.Thenightwaslitbythebrighter,warmerglowofanotherdisaster.Tanauraangledherruninthatdirection.Kanshelldidthesame.Hewasnolongerfollowingher.Theywerebothracingtowardsanewgoal.ThefallofIronFlamewasthesiteoftheirbattlefield.Dutysummonedthem.Therewasachangeinthecurrentofthesavagery.Someofthebeastsweremovinginthesame

direction.They,too,werebeingsummoned,butbythecalloflargeandhelplessprey.

Darraskickedatthebuckleddoortothetroopcompartmentuntilitgaveway.Besidehim,Catigernuswasstrugglingtofreehimselffromthemangledcontrols.Thelegionary’srightarmhunguselesslyathisside.IronFlamehadhitthegroundnosefirst,hardenoughtocrumpletheforwardfuselage,andithadcrushedhisarmourononeside.Darraspausedatthebulkhead.‘Doyouneedhelp,brother?’heasked.‘Icanmanage.Seetotheothers.’Seetotheastropath,waswhathemeant.Theirbattle-brotherscouldwithstandworsecrashesthanthis.

Evenwiththeflightcontrolsreducedtoafarce,CatigernushadmanagedtobringtheThunderhawkinatarelativelyshallowangle.Thebulkoftheshipwasstillinasinglepiece.ButDarrassmelledsmoke.Heenteredthetroopcompartment.TheIronHandshadremovedthemselvesfromthegrav-harnesses

andweretakinguppositionsatthesidedoor.Itlookedasthoughitmightstillopenwithoutastruggle.Erephrenwasseated.Shewasnotmoving.Darraswenttoher,cursing.Shestartledhimbyspeaking.‘Iamwell,sergeant.’Herlipsbarelymoved,butherforeheadwaslined

witheffort.Darrassawthatshewaslockedinsomeunseenmentalcombat.‘Howclosearewe?’sheasked.‘Perhapshalfwaythere.Yourconnectionisstronger?’Shenodded,thegestureslightandtense.Butwhenshespoke,itseemedthattheefforttointeractwith

immediaterealityhelpedanchorher.‘Itwantsmetobecomelostinthecontemplationofthewarp’svistas.Itspullisstrong.’‘Idon’tseehowincreasingproximityevenfurtherwillhelp,then.’‘Ihaveastrengthofmyown.’Shewassilentforamoment,aswimmerwrestlingwithasuddenriptide.

Thenshecontinued,‘Asastropaths,ourtrainingislimitedtothepermissibleusesofourabilities.IbelieveIcandosomethingmore.ButIcannotactoveradistance.IfIcantouchtheobject,Icanengagewithitonmyterms.’Shewasspeakingofmattersthatdidnotsoundinkeepingwiththeroleofanobedientandsanctioned

psyker.Darrasfoundhedidnotcare.Thepuritanismhehadembraceduntilnow,thathaddrivenawedgebetweenGalbaandhimself,nolongerhadausefulparttoplayinthiswar.Tothrowawayanypossibleweaponagainsttheforcesthatcouldstealtheskywouldbetoembracedefeat.ThenCatigernuswasathisside.Theotherlegionarywasmovingwellandquickly,shruggingoffthe

lossoftheuseofhisarm.‘Whereisthissmokecomingfrom?’Darrasaskedhim.‘Anumberofsmallfires.Wehavetheoneswecanreachundercontrol.’Catigernuslookedupand

noddedtowardsthedarksmokeemergingfromavent.‘Alotofsmoulderinggoingonwiththeinternalsystems.Nothingwecandoaboutthat.’‘Theengines?’‘Offline,butIdon’tthinkthedamageiscritical.’Darrasgesturedtotheflamesvisibleoutsidetheviewingblocks.‘WhatamIseeingthere?’‘Ijettisonedthemissilesandauxiliaryfueltanksbeforewehit.’Darraswenttothedoorandopenedit.Ahugetrailofflame,theresultoftheexplosivedestructionof

ordnanceandgunshipfuel,ledbackuptheslope.Saurianswerelopingdownthehill,butwerebeingheldbackbythefire.Inthedistance,thegreatmonsterswerejustbeginningtofocustheirattentiononthecrashsite.‘Wedon’thavemuchtime,’hesaid.‘Canweproceedonfoot?’Erephrenasked.‘Toofar,’Darrastoldher.Thereptileswouldbeuponthembeforetheyhadgonefiftymetres.Ata

squad’sstrength,theIronHandscouldholdthebeastsatbayforsometime,buttherewerethousandsof

thesauriansabroad.ThechanceofErephrenbeingkilledbyaluckyattackwastoogreat.Hismissionnowwasseeingthatshesurvivedlongenoughtocompletehers.‘Wecannotstayhere,’sheprotested.‘Wecanholdoutlonger,’hesaid.Theywouldhave,hethought,untilthegod-beastsreachedthem.‘Andthen?’Heturnedtoher.‘Weneedreinforcementsifwearetoreachtheanomaly.WeneedtocontactCaptain

Atticus.Heneedstoknowwhatyouhopetodo.Andthevoxstillcan’tbreakthroughtheinterference.’Hepaused,lettingtheimplicationssinkin.Outside,theflameswerealreadybeginningtodie.ThedeathoftheVeritasFerrumhadconsumedeverythingonthegroundthatcouldburn.Thegrowlsofthesauriansweredrawingcloser.‘Webothknowwhatiscausingtheinterference,’hesaid.‘YouthinkIcanbreakthrough?’‘Iknowyouaretheonlypersonwhohasevenachanceofdoingso.Youareanastropath.Sending

messagesthroughthewarpisyourvocation.’‘Thecaptainhasnoonewithhimwhocouldhearme.’‘Perhapsnot.Butiftheinterferenceisreduced,Icanusethevox.Iunderstandthatyoucannotdefeatthe

anomaly,mistress.Butfightit.Fightitjustenough.’Shenoddedonce,andthrewherselfintothestruggle.Shegrewsostill,shedidnotappeartobe

breathing.Thecreasesonherforeheaddeepened.Herskinpaleduntilitwasthesamepallorasthestonesun.Narrowtrailsofdark,richbloodtrickledagainfromthecornersofhereyes.Outside,theslowdrumbeatofapproachingannihilationbeganoncemore.Itwasjoinedbyanew

sound,comingfromthedirectionofthesettlement.Darras’seyeswidened.Hecouldhearlaughter.

Reachingthesurfacewaslikerisingupfromanocean.Anoceanofblood.Anoceanofmonstrousfleshandhorn.Atticuswasnolongereventhinkingintermsofdestinations.Twicenowhehadfoughthiswayupfromthedepths.Bothtimes,thefoehadcomeinaswarm,andcombathadindeedmeantswimming,agrindingexerciseofbrawnandchainaxe.Therewasnoroomtomove.Theonlywayupwasthroughwarp-flesh.Butthemaggotshadbeen

mindless.Thenewfoewassentient,eager,armed.Tooeager,toonumerous,forthedaemonscouldnotunleashtheirworsteitherinthefrenziedcrush.TheyweretoohungryforthebloodoftheIronHands.Thatwastheirmistake,andtheyshedtheirowninstead,pouringtheirperversionofvitaeoverthewarriorsthatadvancedthroughthem,onestepatatime,neverretreating,oneguttedbodyafteranother,alwaysforwards,alwaysupwards.Alwayskilling.Andthenthesurface.Atticusallowedhimselfasinglemomentofsatisfactionathavingreachedthefirst

goal.Hecouldthinkaheadagain.Hetookstockofthenewbattlefield.Hesawthemonument,theglowingmockeryofreasonhundredsofmetreshigh.Hesawthestonepresenceintheinfinitevoid.Hesawtheairfilledwithflyingdaemons.SomeofthemwereincombatwithLacertus’ssquadandthe

RavenGuard.Thebattlehadtherhythmofaseainstormasthewarriorsoneithersiderosefromtheground,dropped,thenroseagain.Mostofthewingedmonsterswereflyingawayfromthesettlement,cavortingandshriekingingleeastheymadeforsometriumphhecouldnotimagine.Hesawthemutilateddead.TheIronHandshademergedfromthechasmthatopenedatthebaseofthe

moundwheretheprimarylodgehadstood.ThebodiesofcolonistsandSpaceMarineswereeverywhere.Andtherewasaspecialinsult.Inthecentreofwhathadbeenthefloorofthelodge,metaltornfromthe

wreckageoftheVindicatorshadbeenplanted.Itsconfigurationimitatedthatofthetower.Alegionary’sbodywasdrapedandimpaledovertheframework,likeatorn,bloodyscarecrow.ItwasGalba.Atticusconfrontedtheseveredheadofhissergeant.Hefeltangeratthedesecrationofthewarrior’sbody.Headdedtheatrocitytothetallyoftheenemy’scrimes.Inthelowerdepthsofhisidentity,somethingstirred.Itwassomethinghehadstarvedintoatrophy.He

hadmanagedtocutmostofitaway.Itwasahumanresponse,animpulsebornofgenerosityandempathy.Asitfoughttospringbacktolife,itsformbecamemoredefined.Itwasguilt.Itwasregret.Itwasunprofitable.Itwasaluxuryimpermissibleincombat.Anditwasweak.Atticussnuffeditout.Thenheturnedtobeholdhistrueenemy,theshadowhehadbeenhuntingsinceHamartia.Hesawit

strideacrosstheplateau,throughtheflamesandsmokingruinsofyurtsandvehicles.Hehearditsnamechantedbyathousandtwistedthroats.MADAIL!MADAIL!MADAIL!Madailhelditsstaffhigh,laughingwithdelightasitconductedtheinfernalsymphony.Withevery

sweepofitsarms,ahugecurrentofdaemonsrushedforwardsalongthearcofthegestures.Madailwasleadingitsgroundtroopsinthesamedirectionastheaerialdaemons.Itpaused,itsflockstreamingpastitslegs.Itturned.Fromitspositionnearthegate,theeyesonitscheststaredatAtticus.Thedaemon’smouthopenedwide.Itletoutasighofhideouspleasure.‘Ahhhhhhhhhhtticus.Atlast.Youarewelcometotherevel.Willyoujoinus?Thefeastwillnotbecompleteunlessyouwitnessit.’Thedaemongesturedwithahand,andscoresofitslesserkinbrokeofffromthemainflowand

launchedthemselvesattheIronHands.‘Fighthard,’Madailadmonished.‘Fightwell.Earntherewardofmyart.’Itturnedawayand

resumedtheprocessionfromthesettlement.Thenitstoppedagain,cockingitsheadinpuzzlement.Thelightfromthemonumentflickered,aslight

butdistinctcutinterruptingitsradiationofdisease.AndthroughthatfissureinthechaoscameDarras’svoiceoverthevox.Thesergeant’smessagewasquick,clearandconfirmationofAtticus’searlierdetermination.RhydiaErephrenwaskey.Shehadthekey.Theconductofthewarbecamesimple.Atticusdoubtedheheardthevoiceofhope.Heknewthathadbeensilencedlongsince,andwouldbeheardnomorebythe111thClan-Company.Buthehadsomethingmoretangible:amission.‘Forward,legionaries!’hecalled.‘Cutthroughthefoe!Themeanstopunishhimiswithinourgrasp,

andthegripoftheIronHandsisunbreakable!’Theycharged.Theyhadlostmanyoftheirnumberonthelongclimbtothesurface.Theywereall

battered,theirarmourscoredbybladeandacid,slickedwithfilthygore.Therewereonlyafewdozenwarriorsleftofacompanythathadstoodathousandstrong.Theyboreallthesewounds,andyetattackedwithaferocityevengreaterthantheyhadinsidethedome.Theywereamachinethathadbeengivenaprecisegoal,andthatmadethemajuggernaut.Thedaemonsthatrushedforwardstomeetthemwereserpentineandinsectoid,humanandbovine.

Theirbodieswerelongandslendertothepointthattheyseemedtobenothingbutatailwithhead,limbsandstinger.Theirlegswerelong,jointedlikeaninsect’s,elegantlikeahuman’s.Theirmovementshadahideousgrace.Inthedaysbeforemadness,whentheIronHandsventuredaboardthevesselsoftheEmperor’sChildrenasbrothers,Atticushad,outofcourtesy,satthroughsomeoftheremembrancerperformancessobelovedoftheIIILegion.Hesawanechonowofthoseballets.Thedaemonsdanced,andthroughtheirveryart,theyflewoverthegroundwiththespeedofrapiers.Andtheysangtoeachother,weavingasirensongofmelodyanddissonance,beautyandcorruption.Itwasacomplexitythatslicedthereal.Itsummonedthemindtothedance,anddistortedthebody.Atticusfeltthesongtrytoreachintohisform.Itwantedhisbonestobewater.Itwantedhisfleshtobeglass.

Hisflesh.Thatwasthedaemons’mistake.Theyweresingingforbeingsmuchclosertothehumanthanthe

weaponsthatchargedtowardsthem.Atticushadneverknownthesublimeinart,andashehadtravelledfurtherandfurtherdownthemachinicpath,hisperceptionofmusichadbecomethecoldeyeofananatomist.Herejectedthesongandallitsworks.Hisbodygaveitnopurchase.Heslammedintothedaemons,swinginghischainaxeinawide,horizontalarc.Inasinglegesture,he

severedfourlimbs,toeithersideandbeforehim.Heruinedthedance.Hekilledthesongwiththeoutragedshrieksofhistargets.Therestofthecompanyfollowedon,anengineofannihilationthatsavagedthedaemons.NoneofAtticus’sbattle-brotherswereastransformedashewas,butiftheyhadbeeninjuredbythesong,theyshowednosign.Theadvancedidnotslow.Theycutthemonstersdown,tramplingtheobscenitiesundertheirboots.Atticusheardthehowlingofthedaemonscease.Itgavewaytothecrunchingofbone.Doyousee?hewantedtoshoutatMadail.Doyouseewhathappens?Thisisthefatethatawaitsyour

kind.Ifnotonthisplanet,onsomeother,atthehandsofourbrothers.Youwillnotwin.Ashefought,hesawshapesdropontornwings.Lacertus,Pteroandtheotherassaultlegionarieswere

carryingthedayagainsttheflyingdaemons.Othershapesflewawaytorejointhemainswarm.TheIronHandsstormedtotheedgeoftheplateau.Madailsentnoothercontingentsagainstthem.The

daemonscontinuedtopourinanunendingflowfromthechasmsbeforetheruinsofthelodges.ThestreamsskirtedtheIronHands,rushingtothepromisebeingenactedonthePythoslandscape.Forthemoment,thedaemonshadlostinterestinthelegionaries.Atticuspaused.Spreadoutbeforehimwasavistaofmadcarnivalandabsurdwarfare.Thedaemons

andthesauriansmet.Theyweretwowavesofmonstrosity,collidinginastormofperfectdestruction.Thereptilesroaredtheirchallengetothenewenemy.Theirjawspartedinanticipationofnew,unlimitedprey.Thedaemonslaughed.Theyfoughtthesaurians,andtheydancedwiththem.Atticussawtheclashofmonstrousflesh,ofreptileandwarp-born,ofsavageinstinctandperverserefinement.Thelanditselfwasalmostinvisible.Anewforesthadappearedtocoverit.Itwasawrithingforest,theslashing,bleeding,evisceratingforestofmonstersvyingforsupremacy.Moresaurianswerearrivingfromallsidesoftheplateau.Moredaemonsracedfromthedepthstomeet

them.Andinthedistance,fromthedirectionofthebase,Atticussawthegiantscome.Theflyingdaemonswerealreadyswoopingaroundthecolossi.Themonstersswattedatthemasiftheywereinsects.Other,larger,morehulkingdaemonsweremovinguptograpplewiththegiants.Theywerestillsmaller,butthereweremanyofthem.‘Andtheseareourworks,’saidavoicebesideAtticus.Thecaptainturned,andfoundKhi’demstandingbesidehim.ThesonofVulkanhadlostanarm,but

seemednolesssteady,nolessderivedofthebedrockitself,thanAtticushadeverseenhim.‘Whatdoyoumean?’heasked.Khi’demnoddedatthespectacle.‘Wehavebeenmanipulatedeverystepoftheway,CaptainAtticus.

Allofus.Butweallactedinaccordancewithourbeliefs.Idon’tknowifwecouldhavedoneanythingdifferently.Thisresultwasinevitable,givenwhoweare.Andthoughweweretricked,wehavedonethis.Weopenedtheway.’‘Thenwemustatone,’Atticustoldhim.Khi’demnoddedagain.Atticuspointedtothegutteringtrailoffireaboutakilometredistant.‘Weareawaitedthere,’hetoldthe

company.HelookedatKhi’dem.HenolongerfeltanyanimositytowardtheSalamander,thoughhefeltnokinship,either.Therewasnothingleftinhisworldexceptthebattleahead,andthehatredforeverything

hewouldkill.Heasked,‘Youwillfightbesideus?’‘Untiltheend.’‘Idon’tthinkyouwillneedtowaitlong,’Atticustoldhim.TheIronHandsdescendedtheslopeoftheplateau,pickingupspeedastheyplungedintotherampaging

hell.

WhenKanshellsawthattheThunderhawkwasstilllargelyintact,hewassurprised.HewasalsosurprisedthatheandTanaurahadsurvivedtheirjourneythisfar.Hissurprisegavewaytoasickawewhenhesawwhythesaurianshadignoredtheinsectsrunningattheirfeet.Atideofdaemonswasheadingtheirway.Leaping,striding,hopping,flying,theabominationscameon

withachorusofmurderousjoy.Thestonesunlookeddownuponthearmyofitschildren,andthelightwastheblessingofdeath.EveryfragmentofhellthathadhauntedKanshellduringthenightsoftormenthadbecomeafull,monstrousmanifestation.Thescreamingendtohopeandlifewashere.AllthatthedivinerealityoftheEmperorstoodagainsthadbeenunleashed.Hequailed,andclutchedthethreadofhisfaithwithallhisstrength.Hisinstinctwastoclosehiseyesandwaitinterrifiedprayerforhisdoom.ButTanaurawasstillonthemove,runningtothesidedoorofthegunship.Hejoinedher.Theyreachedupandpoundedagainstit.Darrasthrewthedoorback.Helookeddownatthemforamoment,andthen,toKanshell’sshock,he

laughed.‘Ifyoutwoaretheanswertomycall,’thesergeantsaid,‘thentheIronHandshavecometoasorryend,indeed.’Heturnedsombre.‘Getin,’hesaid,assauriananddaemoncametogether.KanshellandTanaurascrambledaboard.Darrasslammedthedoorclosed.Tanauraturnedtothe

viewingportandlookedoutatthewarofmadness.Theearthwasshakingwiththeblowsofmonsters,andtherewasstillthedeeper,slowerboomsoftheapproachinggiants.‘Dowefight?’sheasked.Shesoundedeager.Herwoundswerebleedingfreely,buthereyesshonewiththemissionofherfaith.Inactionwasheresy.‘Wewill,’Darrastoldher,‘ifwemust.Andwewillstrikewhenwehaveapurpose.Untilthen,Iwill

willinglyletourenemiesfighteachother.Ihavenorespectforsuicidedisguisedasbravery.’Tanauralookedathim,herfaceflushedwithindignation,butshehadthesensetobitedownonher

retort.Kanshellfeltarushofsympatheticanger.Darrasdidnotunderstandthenatureoffaith.Thestruggletheywereengagedinwentfarbeyondthematerialworld.Kanshelldidnotwanttodie,butiftherightthingtodowaschargebackoutandclawatthemonsterswithhisbarehands,thenhevowedthathewoulddojustthat.TodiewiththepraiseoftheEmperoronhislipswasnotsuicide.Itwasmartyrdom.DarrasmovedtoErephren.Theastropathlookedghastly.Bloodflowedinaconstantstreamfromthe

empty-lookingorbitsofhereyes.Herskinhadthinnedandtightenedoverherskull.Herbreathrattledlikestones.Shewasafunerarysculpturethathadbeengivenadry,whisperinglife.Butthewillthatanimatedtheframewassofierce,itburned.Kanshellkeptthinkinghesawanaurainhisperipheralvision,aspikyblackcrownofcracklingdetermination.‘Anychanceofclearingthewayagain?’Darrasasked.Atiny,sharpshakeofthehead.‘Ihavethestrengthforonelastbattlewiththeanomaly,sergeant,’

Erephrensaid.‘Icannotsquanderit.’‘Sobeit.’Kanshellclearedhisthroat.WhenDarras’shelmetturnedhisway,hedaredtoask,‘Youhavespoken

withCaptainAtticus?’‘Ihave.Hebringstherestofourforces.Andthen,’henoddedatTanaura,‘youwillbepartofagreat

charge.’Hepaused.Thecompartmentfilledwiththesoundsoftherevel.Hespokeagain,andhewas

addressinghisfellowlegionaries.‘Thisactionwillbeworthyofsong,thoughthosesongsshallneverbewritten.Butbrothers,wewillknowthefullmeasureofourworth.Andcouldweaskforabetterrewardinourfinalmoments?Ithinknot.’Inunison,theotherIronHandsclappedarmstobreastplates,anaccordinactionthatwasmoreeloquent

thananyoath.Andinthenextinstant,theshipwasrockedbyagiganticblow.ItknockedKanshelloffhisfeet.The

blowcameagain.Somethinghugewasslammingagainstthegunship.Darrascheckedouttheviewingport.Theamourglasshadbeenknockedoutoftheframe,andthefoetidairofPythoswascomingin,fillingthecompartmentwiththestenchoftoomuchlife.‘Brace!’Darrasyelled,andtheshipheavedagain.AhornalmostastallasKanshellpunchedthrough

thefuselage.Itwithdrew,thenhitagain,tearingthesideofthegunshipopen.Onemorehit,andtherewasaholelargeenoughforthemonstertostickitsheadinsidethecompartment.Thethinglookedlikeasaurian,butitwascoveredincrimsonmetalplates.Kanshellcouldnottellifit

worearmour,orifthemetalwasthedaemon’shide.Itshingedjawopenedwideandfromitissuedaroarlikethegrindingofimmensegears.Itshookitsheadbackandforth,wideningtheholestillfurther,thethickshieldingofIronFlamegivingwaybeforethedaemon’seagernesstoreachitsvictims.Onitsbackrodeoneofthehorned,sword-wieldinghorrors.Thesmallerdaemonlaughedandurgeditsmountontogreaterviolence.DarrasandtheotherIronHandsretaliated,butthedaemonshruggedofftheirrounds.Kanshellbacked

awayasfarashecouldfromthedaemon.Hefiredhislasrifle,knowingtheactwasfutile,graspingforashredofmeaninginthefactofthegesturealone.Hetriedtohitthejuggernaut’seye.Itwasnotasmalltarget,buthewastoounskilled,andthedaemon’smovementsweretooviolent.Itshoveditsheadfurther.Itwastryingtoforceitsbulkintotheship.ItsjawssnappedinErephren’sdirection.Themonsterhadcometoneutraliseathreat.Catigernuslungedforwards,akrakgrenadeinhand.Whenthedaemon’sjawsopened,hethrewthe

grenadedownthemonster’sthroat.Insteadofrecoiling,itsnappedathim,andseveredhisarmattheelbow.Ashefell,thegrenadewentoffinsidethedaemon.Therewasamuffleddetonation,andthedaemon’sthroatblewout.Somehowthedaemonstillhadavoice,anditsshriekwentsohigh,itclimbedbeyondhearing.Thenitcutoffasnoxiousichor,astewofbloodandoilandvenom,pouredtothedeck.Thedaemonconvulsedsoviolentlythatitsriderfelloff.Whenitrose,tryingtosqueezeintothehole

pastitsagonisedmount,Darrasblewitsheadapartwithboltershells.Thejuggernautrefusedtodie.Itspainanditsfuryweresilent,buttheviolenceofitsactionswaseloquent.Itshookitsheadbackandforth,horntearingtheshipasunder.Itsjawswunglikeabrokenflapandoneofitseyeshadburstoutward,butithadbeenslowedonlyforamoment,andshouldereditswayin,ignoringtheweaponsfire.Itsremainingeyefixedontheastropathicwraith.Shereturneditsstarewithablindgazethatwasalmostasinhuman.AkrakmissilestreakedpastIronFlameandslammedintothesideofthedaemon.Itsrearlegsbuckled,

anditslidfromtheThunderhawk.Itturnedtofaceitsnewattackers.Itwasstruckbyasecondrocketthatreducedthearmouredfleshonitsrightshouldertoslag.Themurderousstreamfromanassaultcannonhititschestandhead.Foramoment,thedaemonleanedintothesalvo.Thenitsformdisintegratedintojaggedwetshrapnel.Kanshellblinkedatthegapwherethedaemonhadbeen.Somedistancefromthegunship,thewarp

spawnandthesauriansstruggled.Butnothingelsewasattackingtheshipinthismoment.Thenmassivesilhouettesappeared.TheyweretheImperium’swayofwargivenform.Atticushadarrived.Thecaptainsteppedupintotheship.HeclaspedforearmswithDarrasingreeting.Atticuswaseven

morefearsomethanwhenKanshellhadseenhimlast.Hewasdrenchedinichor.Hisarmourwasscarred

andgouged.Kanshellcouldhearitsservo-motorswhirringataloudervolumethanwashealthy,andnowandthentherewasastutteringgrind.ThedamagewasnotslowingAtticus,butitstrippedawaystillmoreofhisvestigialhumanity.Hewasanautonomousweapon,pausingfromkillingonlytofindanewtarget.HestoodbeforeErephren.Thebeingofmetalandthebeingofvision.Neitherofthemhadanyusefor

thesadlimitationsoftheflesh.Kanshellshivered,feelinghispunyconditionreducedtopatheticinsignificanceinauniversewhereonlythelikesofAtticusandErephrenmattered.HeclungtotheEmperor’sdivinity.Thatwasatruthbeyondanyother,anditmatteredevenmorethanthemajesticandterrifyinginhumanitybeforehim.TheSpaceMarinespoketotheastropath.‘Wehaveagreatworkaheadofus.’‘Thenwemustbegin,’Erephrenreplied.Outside,thesoundoffrenziedbattleandmassivefootstepsdrewcloser.Thetimeoflastthingshad

come.

TWENTY-TWOResurrectionTothetowerWitness

AtticuswassurprisedtoseeanyoftheLegion’sserfsstillalive.HewouldnothavethoughtanymortalcouldsurvivemorethanafewsecondsofthenewfaceofPythos.HenoddedatTanauraastheforwardelementsofthecompanyformedupwithErephrenattheircentre.‘Youhavedonewell,’hetoldhisserf.‘TheEmperorprotects,’sheanswered.Atticussaidnothing.HerblatantfloutingoftheImperialTruthdidnotsomuchangerasdisappointhim.

HelookedatKanshellandsawthefervourinhiseyes.Superstitionwasgivingbothofthemthestrengthtofighton.Heturnedaway,disgustedbytheirweakness,anddisgustedthattheircrutchwasservingthemwell.Atticustooktheheadoftheformation.ThewreckageofIronFlamewasstillsurroundedbya

diminishingoasisofcalm.Thedaemonsandthesaurianshadnotfinishedtheirdance,thoughtherespitewasalmostover.Thegiantswereahandfulofstridesaway,slowedbytheirconflictswiththelargestdaemons.Atticus’simpressionsofthosewarpmonsterswerefragmentary.TheyhademergedfromtheshaftwhiletheIronHandswerestillfightingtheirwaythroughtheruins,andtheyhadremainedhugeshadowsinthedistance.Therewassomethingdifferentaboutthisvariantofmonstrosity,somethingmorethantheirgreatsize.Theirmovementssuggestedthemechanicalalongwiththeperversityofwarpunlife.Atticusfeltthehintofakinshipthatherejectedevenasherecognisedit.Hechosenottolookmorecloselyatthoseshapes.Therewasnousefulknowledgethatawaitedhim

there.Allthatmatteredwasthedestructionofanythingthatstoodinthepathofthisfinaladvance.‘Wemarch!’heshouted.TheIronHandsmovedforwards.TheyleftIronFlamebehind.Theyheadedbackinthedirectionofthe

plateau,inastraightlinetowardsatangleofwarringmonsters.Thoughthepacewasslowerthanthebloodyrushtothegunship,Erephrenwasfindingthestrengthinsomehiddenreservetowalk.Shestrodelikethewhisperofdeathovertheblastedearth,herstepsprecise.Blind,shewasunmovedbythephantasmagoriaonallsides.Sightedinamoreawfulsense,herfacewassetagainstvisionsAtticuscouldnotimagine.Thetwoserfsranparalleltotheformation.TheyhadnoprotectionfromthewarriorsoftheirLegion,

nordidtheyexpectit.ButKhi’demwalkedwiththem,thelastoftheSalamanders139thCompanystayingtruetohisLegion’smisguidedconcernforpreservingthatwhichwasnotstrongenoughtopreserveitself.Astheycrossedthelastdozenmetresofopenground,alighttothenorthcaughtAtticus’seye.Itwasa

bruisedglow,deepshadesofvioletandblueandredmixingandstaining.Itwasthelightofputrefaction.Itwasgrowingbrighter.Whereitshone,thedaemonshadendedtheircelebratorywarwiththesaurians.Theywerebuildingsomething.Itwashuge.Itwasbeingconstructedofcountlessfragments.No,Atticusrealised,itwasnotbeingconstructed.Itwasbeingsummonedintoexistencebythe

combinedpowersofthousandsoffiends.Hesawjaggedchunksofmetalflyingintoplace,piecesofagargantuanpuzzle.Theywererisingfromthegroundforkilometresineverydirection.Thefragmentswerejustoneoftheelementsoftheassemblage.Therewerealsothebonesandraggedfleshofsaurianandhuman.Andthedaemonsthemselves.Theythrewthemselvesintothecreation,becomingahideous,squirmingmortarthatcementedthefragments,madethemawhole,andgavetheformdefinition.

Theformwasthegreatesthorror.Atticus’svisionswamwitharagethatthreatenedtodevourhisreason,leavingnothingbehindbutahowlingengineofdestruction.Heknewthisshape.Hewaswitnessingaresurrection.TheVeritasFerrumwascomingintobeingoncemore.Buttheproud,soaringlinesofthestrikecruiserwerenowdistorted,bubbling,carrionthings.Formingoveritsprowwasafigureheadhundredsofmetreslong.Itwasathingofhornsandagapingmawfilledwithneedleteeth,anditmoved.Itlived.Ithadeyesthatshonethewhiteoflunacy,anditlaughed.Theshipwascorpse,anditwasscavenger,asreadytofeastonitselfasonanyuncorruptedthingthatcrosseditspath.Itwouldhaveapath,Atticusknew.Theshipwouldtraversethevoidoncemore.Itwasthemeansby

whichthedaemoniclegionswouldleavePythosandspreadtheircursethroughthegalaxy.Sickened,hesawhowutterlytheIronHandshaddancedtoMadail’stune.TheireveryactsincearrivinginthePandoraxSystemhadbeenintheserviceofthismoment.Eventheircominghadbeennobitofhappenstance.Theyhadbeenlured,andthentheyhadbeenmadetocavortfortheamusementofthedaemonicpuppet-master.Asifinanswertohisdespairingfury,themonsterarrived.Madailtravelledonahighmoundofbones

thatmovedoverthelandscapelikeawave.Theremainswerebleachedcleanofallflesh,butshonewithtracesofbloodandtheclearslickofagony.Thedaemon’scoursestoppedadozenmetresfromtheIronHands.Madailmadeanexpansivegesturetowardsthereformingship.‘Beholdtheart,’themonstersaid.Frombehindthecompanycametheboomofthegiantsaurianstakinganotherstridecloser.Atticuskept

moving.TheIronHandsdidnotpause.Madail’shillofbodiesmovedinparallelwiththem.Madail’schest-eyeswerewidewitheagerhunger.‘Themachineandthespirit,’itsaid.‘Thatisyour

goal,thoughIthinkyouwouldturnfromthewords.Yes,yes,Ithinkyouwould.’Thetonguewhippeditslengththroughtheair,tastingthedaemon’sownspeech.‘Come,then.Rejoinyourship.Bethefullexpressionofyourbeing.BecometheundividedvesselsofChaos.’‘No,’Atticussaid.Hespokequietly,tohimselfmorethantoMadail.Hewasdonewiththedance.His

reasoncutthroughthefogofrage,andhesawthedoomthedaemonwastemptinghimtoembrace.TheseductionofMadail’swordswasalie.ThefienddidnotbelievetheIronHandscouldbecorruptedsoquickly.Itdidnotexpecttheirsurrender.Itexpectedtheirfury.Itexpectedtheirfutileattack.Ifthecompanycharged,itwouldfacenotjustthemightofMadail,butthatofathousands-strongdaemonarmyandthealreadysentientobscenityoftheVeritasFerrum.Annihilationwouldbecertain.No,then.No.AndifMadaildesiredthatattacksomuch,perhapsitfearedthealternativetothesamedegree.‘Confoundtheenemy!’Atticusshouted.‘Onwardtoourvictory!’Hetastedhisowneagernessto

exploitthedaemon’smistakeasheincreasedthespeedofthemarch.Heglancedback,sawthatErephrenwaskeepingup.Shewasstridingasifpossessedbytheenergyofdeathitself.Shehadanappointmentwithherfate,anditwasnotinthisplace.Atticusledthewayforwards,ontheoriginalcourse,makingfortheplateauand,beyondit,forthe

towerwhosepowerwouldbewrestedfromhisfoe.‘Youwillstop,’Madailannounced.Atticusignoredhim.Awallofdaemonswaitedjustahead,butitwasathinnerwall.Somanyofthe

abominationswerestillfightingthesauriansorbeingconsumedbytheresurrectionoftheVeritas.Thewallwastoothin.TheIronHandsstruck,sendingbolterfireonaheadoftheiradvance,then

smashingintotheenemy.Theywereabatteringram,unstoppable,andthiswastheirtrueidentity.Thiswaswhattheywere,notthesubmissionofthepurityofthemachinetothecorruptionofthewarp.Withchainbladeandfist,theysmashedthedaemonsdown.Eventheserfsfoughtwithoutfear.Theirweaponswereweak,buttheaccumulationofblowstookitstoll,andtheymovedwithsurprisingagility,

desperationkeepingthemoutofthegraspofclaws,andoffthepointofblades.‘Stop!’Madailshouted,andforthefirsttime,Atticusheardsomethingliketensioninthedaemon’s

voice.Thelegionariespunchedthroughthelineandmarchedfaster.Therouteaheadwasclear.‘Stopthem!’Madailroared.Wavesofdaemonsbrokeofffromthesummoningoftheship.Thecounter-

attackracedforwardsonthewindsofmadness.‘Brothers,’Khi’demsaid,‘YousacrificedmuchfortheremnantsofmyLegion.Youhavemythanks.’He

lefthispositionfromthesideoftheserfsandranbackdownthelengthofthecolumn.‘Whatareyoudoing?’Atticusdemanded.‘Findingtime.’Khi’demstoppedbesideEcdurusandtookthelegionary’srocketlauncher.Heangled

awayfromthecompany,headingstraightforMadail,whoseraisedstaffwasshiningwithabuilding,tremblingglow.Madness,Atticusthought,buttheleadingdaemonswereuponthem.Thecrimson,blade-wielding

horrorsfoughttothefrontofthelineagainstgracefulgrotesqueriesthatmarriedtheillusionofhumanfemininitywithsavageclawsandtalons.‘Intothefiresofbattle,’Khi’demintonedashereachedthebaseofthemovinghill.Hewrestledthe

rocketlauncherontohisshoulderwithonehand.Hefired.Themissilestreakedpastthedaemon.Madaillaughed,ignoringthesingleSpaceMarine,unleashingthebuilt-upenergyofitsstaff.AstherearoftheIronHands’columnwasconsumedbyavioletfirethatmeltedthewarriorstoslag,therocketexplodedagainstitstarget.Khi’demhadnotmissed.Hehadstruckacolossusinthecorneroftheeye.‘Untotheanvilofwar,’he

whisperedoverthevox.Thesauriansnarled,anditturnedtofinditsattacker.Initslineofsightwasthegiantdaemon.Witha

heave,thereptilehurleditsopponentsasideandbroughtitsimmenseangerdownuponMadail.Afootlargerthanatanksmashedthehilltoshards.ItobliteratedKhi’dem,anddroveMadaildownunderhundredsoftonnesofmass.Thedaemonshowled,hurlingthemselvesatthemonsterthathadcommittedsacrilege.Atideofobscene

shapesswarmedupthelegsofthesaurian.Itsbrotherscameroaringtoitsaid.TheassaultontheIronHandsfaltered.Atticushadhistime.Heusedit.Themarchateupmoreground.TheIronHandsreachedtheplateau

beforemorewavesofdaemonscaughtup.Thecompanyrepulsedthem.Thedaemonsattackedagainandagain,theirforcesbeyondcounting.Theirleaderhadnotreturned,wasperhapsdestroyed,andthedaemons’tacticsfellvictimtotheirownchaos.Theirangermadethemreckless.Theyfoughteachotherforsupremacy.Andtheyfailedtostoptheadvance.Buttheirnumbersmadetheresultinevitable.Theyerodedtheformation.DisciplinepreservedtheIron

Hands’cohesion,buttheunitbecamesmallerwitheverymetreofground.Thenthewingeddaemonsarrived.PteroandLacertus’ssquadshadhurtthem,butthey,too,hadinfiniteforcestospare.Theyswoopeddownonthecompanywithscreamssopiercing,Atticussawwoundsopenonthefacesoftheserfs.Thedaemonsflewasswimmingthroughtheair,andindeedtheyresembledcreaturesofthesea.OneexecutedanelegantdiveanddecapitatedTanaura.Herbodyranonforafewstepsasthoughsupportedbyafaiththatpersistedbeyonddeath.ItcollapsedinfrontofKanshell.‘TheEmperor…’Kanshellgasped.‘TheEmperorprotects.’Hefiredupwards,scorchingthebellyof

thedemonwithlas-fire.Itsquealedandflewtotheside,intoastreamofboltershellsfromDarras.Thenitfelltotheground,twitching.‘TheEmperor…’Kanshellkeptrepeating.Hiseyeswerewide,unblinking.‘TheEmperor…The

Emperor…’Atticusrealisedhewashearingaprayer,theonlyoneKanshellhadeitherthebreathorthemental

capacitylefttoutter.Thelittleman’sreligionwaswhatkepthiminthefight.ThereasondisgustedAtticus.WasthistheshapeofmortalfidelitytotheEmperor?AsuperstitiousworshipthatmadeamockeryofthetruthforwhichtheEmperorandtheLegionesAstarteshadsacrificedsomuch?Ifso,whatpointdidanythinghave?Therewasduty.Therewaswar.Therewasthefactofbeingtruetowhatitmeanttobealegionaryof

theIronHands.Iftherewasnothingelse,thatwasstillenough.Overtheplateau,pasttheshaft,throughtheruinsofthesettlement,theadvancecontinued.Thenthe

companywasmovingdownthefinalslope.ThemonumentwaitedforAtticus.Itwasserene,toweringsohighthatitwasaboveanypettyconcernontheground.Itdidnotcare.ItpulsedwiththeglowofChaos’sgreatrevel.Anotherlight,ahugeflashfrombehind,asifatruesunrisehadcometoPythosforthefirsttimeinits

history,asunrisethatcontainednolife,butonlythepromiseofcrematoria.Atticuslookedback.Thelightcamefromoneofthegiantsaurians.Itbisectedthemonster,thenblewitapart.Streakingfromthecentreoftheblast,ridingadarkcomet,cameMadail.TheremnantsoftheAssaultsquadsandtheRavenGuardrosetomeetthedaemon.Madailstruckwith

indifferentimpatience.AbeamfromthestaffcaughtLacertus.Hisashesdriftedtothegroundwhilethedaemonpickedofftherestofhiscommand.Pteroalonereachedtheprophetofthewarp.HelandedonMadail’sneckanddrovehislightningclaws

intothecreature’srighteye,butthechest-eyesneverlosttheirfocusonthetargetsontheground.Thedaemon’sonlyreactionwastoreachupwithitsrighthand.ItmimickedPtero’sattackanddroveitshugeclawsthroughhischestplate.TheRavenGuardshuddered,butstabbedagainatthepuncturedorb.Madail’shandtightenedintoafist.ItyankedtheSpaceMarine’sheartsfreeandsqueezedthemtopulp.Pterofell.Asplitsecondafterhisbodyhittheground,Madaillanded,crushingandburningallwithinafivemetreradius.Camnusexistedasamechanicalsilhouetteforamoment,andthenhe,too,wasgone.Thedaemonspreaddeath,butmisseditstarget.Erephrenran,sprinted,inthelastmomentbeforethe

impact.Shecanseeyoucoming,Atticusthought.Youcannotsurpriseher.Andnowthefinalreckoning.Theyhadreachedthemonument.ErephrenranpastAtticus.‘Time,’she

murmured.Hermovementswerestrange,savagejerks,andAtticusthoughtagainofpuppetry.Erephren’sbody,hesaw,hadbecomethepuppetofherwill.Thedaemonsfelluponthelastfragmentsofthe111thClan-Company.Erephrentouchedthetower.

Theforceswallowedherwithahungerthatsaidgotyou.Erephrenletit.Shefellintotheinfinitedepths.Thevistasofabsoluteinsanitysurroundedher.Butshewasnotamerebitofpsychicflotsamtobeabsorbed.Herphysicality,howeversmall,wasasrealasthetower’s.Sheusedhermaterialityasananchor.Sheshapedheridentityintoanadamantiumkernel.Sheweatheredtheattacks.Fromtheconsumingdelugeofrevelation,sheseizedonafragmentofknowledge:thehulksofdeadshipsaroundtheMandevillepointofHamartia.Themineshaddonegoodwork.Shemadeaweaponofthatsmalltriumph.Sheusedittoforgeherwarsong.Wehavehurtyou.Wewillhurtyou.Iwillhurtyou.Shebecameasinglepurpose.Shebecameavoice.Shewasamessage.Shewasacryofwarning.Thewarpwasinfinity.Itwasalsozero.TherewasnospacebetweenPythosandTerra.Shegatheredherwill,drawingonthefinalsparksofherlife.Sheusedtheperfect,madclarityofthe

anomaly.Shepreparedtosendhershoutacrossthezero.

Thepulseofthecyclopeanstructurestuttered.Madailhowledcurseswhoseshapesnappedthebonesoftheair.ItlungedforErephren.Atticuslaunchedhimselfupwardsfromdaemontodaemon.Hewasclimbinganavalancheofwarp-flesh.Darraswaswithhim,andtheybothrosebeforethegreatdaemon.DarrasswunghisbladeatMadail’schest.Theeyesblinkedshut.Thebladeshattered.MadailsnarledandimpaledDarraswiththestaff.TheweaponwentallthewaythroughthebodyoftheSpaceMarineandstruckthewrithingdaemonsbelow.Madailstruggledtopullitfree.Atticusmadeafinalleap,hurlinghimself,chainaxeraised,atthemonstroushead.Theheadsnappedforwardsandsideways.ThejawscaughtAtticusaroundthetorso.Theysqueezed,

crushing.Thedamagealarmsflashedbeforehisvision.Heignoredthem.Hefeltnopain.Hehadsolittlefleshremaining.Andhehadseenthedaemon’sdefensivereflexes.Whatitprotectedwaswhathemuststrike.Hemadeasiftoswingtheaxeonelasttimeatthedaemon’sblanklefteye.Thechest-eyeslookedupat

himinamusement.Atticusseizedhismoment.Hereversedthechainaxeandbroughtitdownwithterriblespeedatthedaemon’struevision.Hissurprisewastotal.Theaxegrounddeeplyintotheeyes.AcidicjellypoureddownMadail’storso.Thedaemonscreamed,releasingAtticus.Hefellonacarpetofstrugglingabominations.Hetriedto

rise.Hisarmourdidnotrespond.Itwasacoffinenclosingtheinertmetalofhisbody.Deepinsidehisshell,therewasanawful,swimmingmovementwherenoneshouldbe.ButMadailwasstaggeringtoo,forafewmorepreciousseconds.Andthentheglowstoppeditsflicker.

Itbecameasingle,steady,magnificentbeamthatshotupand,foramoment,piercedthroughthenothing,openingawindowtothestars.Onlyforamoment.Thenthelightresumeditsmalignantpulse,andtheabsenceconsolidateditsgrip

aroundtheplanet.Atticusmanagedtoturnhishead.HesawErephrenreleasethetowerandcollapse.Shelayonherside,herfacetowardshis.Hereyesweretheterrible,clearabsencetheyhadalwaysbeen,buthefelthertruegazeonhim.Shenoddedonce,andthenwasstill.AtticuslookedbackatMadail.Thedaemonhadmastereditself.Itsuninjuredeyesregardedhimwitha

perfectrage.‘Youhavenotwon,’Atticusgroundout.Madailadvanced.Feelingallthatwasleftofhimpunctureandbleedout,Atticusuprootedthelastofhishumanityfrom

hisawareness.Themachinerosetohisfeetforonelasttime.Heclosedwiththedaemon.‘Thefleshisweak!’heroared,andmetthedarkness.

Kanshellsawitall.Hesawhisnightmareinjured.Hesawthelightfromthetower.Andhesawthenightmarekillhiscaptain.Thedaemonsignoredhim.Theylethimlive.Theyflowedaroundhim,anoceanofmadness,asthey

feastedonthebodiesoftheIronHands.Theylethimsee.Theylethimseethatthestonesundidnotset.Theylethimseetheslowriseofthe

reborn,daemoniacalVeritasFerrum.Theylethimseethemomentofthenextdarkexodusapproach.Heclutchedthesinglemomentofhopetohisheart.Thewarningwassent,hethought.TheEmperor

willknow.TheEmperorprotects.TheEmperorprotects.HisrefrainfalteredonlywhenMadailloomedoverhimandavile,pustule-riddenhulkwithahorn

whereitseyesshouldbeseizedhisarm.

‘Littlecreatureoffaith,’Madailsaid,‘willyoushowthestrengthofyourbelief?Willyoubearwitness?’Kanshell’slongscreamsbeganashewascarriedtowardstheunholyship.

EPILOGUEAstropathEmilJeddahstiffenedinshock.Hismouthgapedwide,hisfacecontorted.MehyaVogt,hisscribe,sawthatlookcountlesstimeseveryday,andshealwayswincedinsympatheticpain.Howcouldshenot,whensheknewthedamagehewassufferingwitheverymessagehereceived?Thisone,itseemed,hadpiercedhiscortexlikeastilettoofice.Itspreadthroughhisnervoussystem,hijackinghisentirebeingforthelengthofitsreception.Hisblindeyesrolledbackinhishead.Hisjawworked,andhebegantosing.Vogtgrabbedherstylusandtriedtostartthetranscription.ThesoundcomingfromJeddah’sthroatwasplaintive,urgent,agonised,anatonalchantfilledwiththesmokeofdistantwar.Itwasalsolargelyunintelligible.Thesongended.Vogtlookeddownatwhatshehadwrittenonhertablet.Jeddahusedaclothtowipeawaythebloodfromhisnose.‘What…’hebegan,thenstopped.Herubbed

athistemple.Hetriedagain.‘Whatisthemessage?’Vogthesitated.‘Itispriorityextremis,’shesaid.‘I’mawareofitsurgency.’Heranahandoverhisscalp,wipingawaythesweatofpain.‘Ifeltit.’What

hemeant,Vogtknew,wasthathehadsufferedit.Hemeasuredurgencybytheseverityofthepsychicwoundthemessagecaused.‘Butwhatisthecontent?’WhenVogtdidnotanswerrightaway,Jeddahcontinued,‘Icouldn’ttellformyself.Therewastoomuchdistortion.’‘I…Ifindthemessagedisturbing,’Vogtsaidatlast.‘TherewasonlyonewordIcouldpickout,butit

makesnosense,and…’‘Readittome.’Shedid.Thewordwaswrong.IthadnoplaceintheImperium.Whensheshapedthem,thesyllables

werenotjustforeigninhermouth.Theyfeltunclean.Jeddahsatverystill.Hisskin,whiteasmarble,tookonagreytinge.Whenhestood,hedidsogingerly,

asifrealityhadturnedtothinice.‘TakemetoMasterGaleen,’hesaid.‘Bringthetranscription.’VogttookJeddah’sarmandledhimfromhiscell.Theywalkedthehallwayswhosedimlightingwas

barelystrongenoughtoilluminatethewayforthescribes.Mosaicscoveredthewallsoneitherside,buttheirdesignswerelostinthegloom.Thoughshehadtheuseofhereyes,Vogtfeltthatshe,notJeddah,wastheonewhowasblindinthistwilightworld.Shetranscribedmessagesthatshestruggledtounderstand,andmovedthroughendlessshadowonmissionswhoseimportshewasnevertold.Shedidnotunderstandthenatureofthisone,either.ButshesensedJeddah’sworry.

Theyreachedtheprocessingchamber,deepwithintheCityofSight.Itwasavastspace,betterlit,buttheglow-globesweresohighaboveinthedomedceilingthattheirraysfeltweakandthinbythetimetheyreachedtheground.Dominatingthecentreofthechamberwasthemessagerepository.Tensofthousandsofmissiveswereamassedhereinhundredsofstacksfiveandtenandtwentymetrestall.Balconiedgalleriescircledthehall,andfromeachextendedmultipleretractableplatforms.Scribes,administratorsandservitorsusedthemtohaveaccesstotherepository.Sometimes,amessagewasremovedfromthestacks,butatanygivenmoment,dozensmorewereadded.Sheetsofvellumdroppedfromtheupperlevelsofthechamber,fallinglikesnowflakes.Straightahead,atthebaseoftherepository,HelmarGaleen,hunchbacked,facepinchednarrowwith

permanentdisapproval,satathismassivedesk,examiningonemessageafteranother,passingsometo

servitorstoaddtothestacks,tossingothersdownachutethatledtoanincinerator.‘Whatisit,Jeddah?’heaskedwithoutlookingup.‘AmessagefromthePandoraxSystem.Ithoughtyoushouldseeit.’Galeensighed,putdownhisstylus,andheldoutahand.Vogtgavehimthetranscription.The

administratorreadit,thenturnedhiscoldgazefirstonVogt,thenonJeddah.‘WhatamIsupposedtodowiththis?’heasked.‘Ithought–’Jeddahbegan.‘Toannoymewithanarchaicword?’Galeeninterrupted.‘Itmightbemore…relevantthanthat.’‘SoIshouldannouncethecollapseoftherationaltenetsoftheImperialTruthbecauseofthissingle

message?’Vogtwasabouttoretort,butJeddahmusthavefeltthetensionthroughherarm–heplacedawarning

handuponhershoulder.Galeendidnottoleratescribeswhodidnotcowerbeforehim.‘Thattransmissionispriorityextremis,’Jeddahsaid,hisvoicecalm.Galeengaveashortbarkoflaughter.‘Ofcourseitis.Weareatwar.Everymessageispriority

extremis.’Hewavedawearyhandatthestacksbeforehim.‘Mostofthesecontainactualcommunications,oratleastcompleteimagery.Notonetalksaboutmyths.’Aservitorapproached,andGaleenhandeditthemessage.‘Takethistothestacks,’hesaid.HeturnedbacktoJeddah.‘ThepriorityratingistheonlyreasonI’mnotdroppingthatnonsenseintothe

flames.Nowreturntoyourduties.’Jeddahbowed.Theywithdrew.Vogtpausedandlookedbackastheyreachedtheexitfromthechamber.Shewonderedwhyshecared,

whyherhearthadconstrictedinherchestasifshehadlostsomethingorsomeonevital.Themessagewasonlyasingleword.Whatdifferencecoulditmake?‘Canyoustillseeit?’Jeddahwhispered.‘No.’Butbeforetheywalkedon,shelookedbackonemoretime.Shetriedtospottheservitor.Shetriedto

followthemessageasitfellintothestacks.Shefailed.Itwasjustanothersnowflake,anothersnowflakefalling,fallen,buried.Ithadcomeoutofthenight,andnowwasreturnedthere,smotheredinthecontinuousshhh-shhh-shhhofmessagescoveringeachotherintheoblivionofwhitenoise.

AFTERWORDMonsters.Ihavealwayslovedthem.Itis,forme,nosmallpartofthejoyofwritingWarhammer40,000andHorusHeresystoriesthatthisfictionaluniverseisrifewithmonsters,humanandinhuman.SowhenIfoundoutfromNickKymeandLaurieGouldingthatIwouldhavetheopportunitytotellthestoryofPythos,itwouldbeagrossunderstatementtosayIwasexcited.Herewereallthemonstersmyheartcoulddesire,andastageuponwhichtohavethemclashinalltheirvariety.Sowhatkindsofmonstersaretherehere?Obviously,therearethefloraandfaunaofPythositself,and

thedaemonsoftheDamnationCache.ButtheIronHandsaremonstersintheirway,wilfullyso,andIwantedtoexplorethisidea,particularlyinthecharacterofCaptainDurunAtticus.UnlikemybelovedBlackDragons,theIronHandsarenotmonstersoftheflesh.Quitethereverse,in

fact:theirrejectionofthefleshanditsperceivedweaknessispushingthemfurtherandfurtherawayfromtheirremaininghumanity,totheircost.Oneofthe(many)aspectsthatIloveaboutGrahamMcNeill’sFulgrimistheimplicationthatFerrusManushadgravedoubtsaboutthepathhisLegionwasheading,butmethisfateonIsstvanVbeforehecoulddoanythingtoreversethatcourse.ThetragedyofwhathappenstotheIronHandsattheDropsiteMassacreisacompoundedone.NotonlyistheXLegionshattered,buttheverybeliefsitssurvivingfragmentsclingtoarecontrarytowhattheirprimarchwouldhavewished.InAtticus,Ipicturedawarriorwhohastravelledalongwaydownthatroad.Hisrejectionoftheflesh

isalmosttotal,andsotheverythingthatmakeshimanextremeembodimentoftheethosofhisLegionalsomakeshimasymboloftheirtragedy.Thatpersonaltragedyofhis,incidentally,wassomethingItouchedonintheshortaudiodramaVeritasFerrumtoo,whichsprangoutofthewritingofthisnovel,asIworkedouthowthesesurvivingIronHandstravelledfromIsstvanVtothePandoraxSystem.AnotherofthewonderfulthingsabouttheuniverseoftheHorusHeresyisthattheoppositionsare

complexones.IftheIronHandshavechosenaformofinhumanity,sohavetheEmperor’sChildren,onlytheyhaveembracedtheexcessoftheflesh.Isitanywonder,then,thatAtticuswouldfeelevenmorejustifiedinhisbeliefs?ThemonstrousactsoftheEmperor’sChildrenareclearlywrong,butdoesthatmeanwhatAtticuschoosestodoiscorrect?MyhopewastohavesomeofthiscomplexityofoppositionextendtothesituationonPythos.Atticusis

atoneextreme,hisdisgustwiththefleshdiminishinghiscapacityformercyandotherfundamentalhumancharacteristics.Galba,nowherenearastransformed,ismuchmorehumane,andtheSalamandersareevenmoreso,ofcourse.ThequestionIwantedtoask,though,was,‘Whoisright?Orisanyone?’ThemercythattheIronHandsdoextendhascatastrophicconsequences.ButisthealternativeAtticusrepresentsbetter?Musthebecomeamonsterofironandcoldcalculation,athingbarelyrecognisable(ifatall)ashumaninordertobeabletodobattlewithothermonsters?Ifso,whatthen?IthinkthisisoneofthebigquestionsthattheHorusHeresyasks:giventhestakes,giventheterrible

natureofthethreatrepresentedbyChaos,whatextremesarejustifiedinresponse?Idon’tthinkthereisaneasyanswerhere.Idothinkthehardquestionsthemselvesareasinterestingastheyareimportant.Atleast,thatwaswhatIhopedtosuggestinthesepages.Thisdoesn’tmeanthecharactersdon’tseekanswersthemselves,andthoseanswersareofteninthe

formofafaithofonekindoranother,whetherthecharactersacknowledgethisornot.AndsothiswassomethingelseIwantedtoexploreinthebook.TheHorusHeresyissuchaninvitingplaygroundinthisregard,becausewearewitnesssimultaneouslytoamythologicalclashoftitans,echoingeverythingfromtheWarinHeaventoRagnarok,aswellastothebirthofaveryspecificfaith:whatwillbecometheImperialCreed.

Atticushasfaithofakind,thoughitcertainlyisn’tareligiousone.Madailhasafaithtoo,basedontheultimatetriumphoftheRuinousPowers.Butthentherearetheunfortunatemortalssweptupinthewarsofgods.TheserfsaboardtheVeritasFerrumdon’thaveanychoiceabouttheirflesh.Theyarewhattheyare.Sowherecantheyturnforstrengthwhenfacednotonlywithademoralisingmilitarycatastropheandaworldthatwantstoeatthem,butalsoattacksfromforcesbeyondtheircomprehension,ifnottothebeliefthatpromisessalvationfromthoseforces?AndmentionofthoseforcesbringsmetotheDamnationCacheitself,andwhataprivilegeitwastopry

itopen.Thescaleofthedaemonicforceunleashed,andwhattheendresultofthatunleashingwouldbe,wereaninvitationandachallengetobeworthyofthatdarkhost.Ifeltthatoncethedaemonsstartedstruttingtheirstuff,ifIwantedtodothemjustice,Ihadtowriteabookthatwasasmuchaboutfearasitwaswar.If,afterreadingthisbook,you’retempted,evenalittle,tokeepthelightsonatinybitlonger,thanIwillbeahappywriterindeed.Though,iftruthbetold,Iamalreadyahappywriterforhavinghadthechancetoplayinthisworldof

monsters.

DavidAnnandale,February2014

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Iftheactofwritingisasolitaryone,theresultisnonethelessacollaboration,andIoweagreatdealofthankstomyeditorsatBlackLibrary:ChristianDunn,LaurieGoulding,NickKyme,GraemeLyonandLindseyPriestley.ThisbookalsoowesagreatdebttoFulgrim,sothankyoutoGrahamMcNeillforhavingwrittenthatmarvelloustome.AndforMargaux,forherlove,beliefandsupport,Ihavemorethanksthanthewordstoexpressthem.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

DavidAnnandaleistheauthoroftheYarrickseries,consistingofthenovellaChainsofGolgothaandthenovelImperialCreed,aswellastheHorusHeresynovelTheDamnationof

Pythos.FortheSpaceMarineBattlesserieshehaswrittenTheDeathofAntagonisandOverfiend.Heisaprolificwriterofshortfiction,includingthenovellaMephiston:LordofDeathandnumerousshortstoriessetintheHorusHeresyandWarhammer40,000universes.DavidlecturesataCanadianuniversity,onsubjectsrangingfromEnglishliteraturetohorror

filmsandvideogames.

ThecrewofanIronHandswarshipfaceaterriblechoiceastheyemergeintotheIsstvansysteminthewakeofHorus’sbetrayal.

DownloadthisHorusHeresyshortaudiodramaexclusivelyfromblacklibrary.com

TheDamnationofPythosisthe30thnovelinTheHorusHeresyseries–agalaxy-spanningepicofbrotherhood,warandbetrayal.

ForMargaux,withmemoriesofParisinthesnow.

ABLACKLIBRARYPUBLICATION

Publishedin2014byBlackLibrary,GamesWorkshopLtd.,WillowRoad,Nottingham,NG72WS,UK.

CoverillustrationbyNeilRoberts.

InternalillustrationsbyNeilRoberts.

©GamesWorkshopLimited,2014.Allrightsreserved.

BlackLibrary,theBlackLibrarylogo,TheHorusHeresy,TheHorusHeresylogo,TheHorusHeresyeyedevice,SpaceMarineBattles,theSpaceMarineBattleslogo,Warhammer40,000,theWarhammer40,000logo,GamesWorkshop,theGames

Workshoplogoandallassociatedbrands,names,characters,illustrationsandimagesfromtheWarhammer40,000universeareeither®,™and/or©GamesWorkshopLtd2000-

2014,variablyregisteredintheUKandothercountriesaroundtheworld.Allrightsreserved.

ACIPrecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.

ISBN978-1-78251-617-0

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise

exceptasexpresslypermittedunderlicensefromthepublisher.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allthecharactersandeventsportrayedinthisbookarefictional,andanyresemblancetorealpeopleorincidentsispurelycoincidental.

SeeBlackLibraryontheinternetat

blacklibrary.com

FindoutmoreaboutGamesWorkshop’sworldofWarhammerandtheWarhammer40,000universeat

games-workshop.com

eBooklicense

Thislicenseismadebetween:

GamesWorkshopLimitedt/aBlackLibrary,WillowRoad,Lenton,Nottingham,NG72WS,UnitedKingdom(“BlackLibrary”);and

(2)thepurchaserofane-bookproductfromBlackLibrarywebsite(“You/you/Your/your”)

(jointly,“theparties”)

Thesearethetermsandconditionsthatapplywhenyoupurchaseane-book(“e-book”)fromBlackLibrary.Thepartiesagreethatinconsiderationofthefeepaidbyyou,BlackLibrarygrantsyoualicensetousethee-bookonthefollowingterms:

*1.BlackLibrarygrantstoyouapersonal,non-exclusive,non-transferable,royalty-freelicensetousethee-bookinthefollowingways:

o1.1tostorethee-bookonanynumberofelectronicdevicesand/orstoragemedia(including,bywayofexampleonly,personalcomputers,e-bookreaders,mobilephones,portableharddrives,USBflashdrives,CDsorDVDs)whicharepersonallyownedbyyou;

o1.2toaccessthee-bookusinganappropriateelectronicdeviceand/orthroughanyappropriatestoragemedia;and

*2.Fortheavoidanceofdoubt,youareONLYlicensedtousethee-bookasdescribedinparagraph1above.YoumayNOTuseorstorethee-bookinanyotherway.Ifyoudo,BlackLibraryshallbeentitledtoterminatethislicense.

*3.Furthertothegeneralrestrictionatparagraph2,BlackLibraryshallbeentitledtoterminatethislicenseintheeventthatyouuseorstorethee-book(oranypartofit)inanywaynotexpresslylicensed.Thisincludes(butisbynomeanslimitedto)thefollowingcircumstances:

o3.1youprovidethee-booktoanycompany,individualorotherlegalpersonwhodoesnotpossessalicensetouseorstoreit;

o3.2youmakethee-bookavailableonbit-torrentsites,orareotherwisecomplicitin‘seeding’orsharingthee-bookwithanycompany,individualorotherlegalpersonwhodoesnotpossessalicensetouseorstoreit;

o3.3youprintanddistributehardcopiesofthee-booktoanycompany,individualorotherlegalpersonwhodoesnotpossessalicensetouseorstoreit;

o3.4Youattempttoreverseengineer,bypass,alter,amend,removeorotherwisemakeanychangetoanycopyprotectiontechnologywhichmaybeappliedtothee-book.

*4.Bypurchasingane-book,youagreeforthepurposesoftheConsumerProtection(DistanceSelling)Regulations2000thatBlackLibrarymaycommencetheservice(ofprovisionofthee-booktoyou)priortoyourordinarycancellationperiodcomingtoanend,andthatbypurchasingane-book,

yourcancellationrightsshallendimmediatelyuponreceiptofthee-book.

*5.Youacknowledgethatallcopyright,trademarkandotherintellectualpropertyrightsinthee-bookare,shallremain,thesolepropertyofBlackLibrary.

*6.Onterminationofthislicense,howsoevereffected,youshallimmediatelyandpermanentlydeleteallcopiesofthee-bookfromyourcomputersandstoragemedia,andshalldestroyallhardcopiesofthee-bookwhichyouhavederivedfromthee-book.

*7.BlackLibraryshallbeentitledtoamendthesetermsandconditionsfromtimetotimebywrittennoticetoyou.

*8.ThesetermsandconditionsshallbegovernedbyEnglishlaw,andshallbesubjectonlytothejurisdictionoftheCourtsinEnglandandWales.

*9.Ifanypartofthislicenseisillegal,orbecomesillegalasaresultofanychangeinthelaw,thenthatpartshallbedeleted,andreplacedwithwordingthatisasclosetotheoriginalmeaningaspossiblewithoutbeingillegal.

*10.AnyfailurebyBlackLibrarytoexerciseitsrightsunderthislicenseforwhateverreasonshallnotbeinanywaydeemedtobeawaiverofitsrights,andinparticular,BlackLibraryreservestherightatalltimestoterminatethislicenseintheeventthatyoubreachclause2orclause3.