Table of Contents - img.fireden.net · Table of Contents Cover ... But his true enemy is Chaos, a ... VENERABLE ATRAX, Contemptor Dreadnought, 111th Clan-Company KHALYBUS, Captain

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

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