AWARHAMMER40,000NOVEL

NickKyme

ASSAULTONBLACKREACHTHENOVEL

ITISTHE41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousandsoulsaresacrificed

everyday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.YETEVENINhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthe

daemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperorswill.VastarmiesgivebattleinHisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongsthissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesinarmsarclegion:theImperialGuardandcountless

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

fromaliens,heretics,mutants–andworse.TOBEAmaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmost

bloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,

forinthegrimdarkfuturethereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

CONTENTS

PHASEONEPHASETWOPHASETHREEPHASEFOUR

PHASEONEBOMBARDMENT

TERRIBLEBEAUTY.Thatwas howMasterVarkenMathius had described it in the fortress-monastery onMacragge, homeworldoftheUltramarines.‘You’llrememberyourfirstdroppodassault,’he’dsaid,stalkingthelengthofthelectorium,thesoundofbionicsconcealedbeneathhismentor’srobeswhirringashemoved.‘Encasedinaspear-tipofmetal,you’ll descend into aworld of noise. The beat of plasma engineswill resonate inside your skull, thescreechofmetalwill tearatyourresolveandthedeadcertaintythatallwhichstandsbetweenyouandoblivionisathinwallofceramitewillfillyourstomachlikelead.Thedroppodassaultisaweaponofutmostswiftnessandterror,’he’dtoldthem.Tolookuponitistobeholdathingofterriblebeauty.‘Butyouwillendureit,’themasterhadcontinued.‘YouwillendureitbecauseyouareAstartes,thesonsofGuillimanhimself–thereisnonebetteramongstallyourbrotherChapters.Youarethegalaxy’sfinestwarriors.TheUltramarines.’SergeantScipioVorolanusrememberedthesewordswell,standinginhisgrav-harness,theadamantiuminteriorofhisowngunmetalcocoonandnineofhisbattle-brotherssurroundinghim.Overahundredandtwentylongyearshadpassedsincethatday,sincehe’dbeenahumbleneophyte.Hehadbeenjustaboybackthen,acceptingtheexperttutelageofhisbetters,tremulousatthethoughtofdistantbattleamongstthestars. Itwas before the fear had been taken out of him and his rebirth through the gene-science of theImperiumintoawarrior-god.CladintheirfullAstartesbattle-plate,thestylised“U”symboldepictingtheallegianceoftheirChapterprevalent on their armour, thewarriors around Scipio stood unmoving in a circle.Nine pairs of eyesstaredbackat the sergeant, coldandhardbehind theemerald lensesof theirbattlehelms; superhumanbeingsreadyforwar,whogrippedboltersintheirarmouredgauntletslikeholyicons.OnlyScipiowentunhooded.Better thathisbrotherssaw thevehemence inhiseyes,hisdevotionandcourage.Hisclose-croppedheadreflectedthewinkingoperationrunesinsidethedroppod.Theglowingsymbolscast lightonto thehardmetal edgesof thevessel interior intowhich theSpaceMarineswerepacked.Theyalsodisplayed that thedroppod’s inertialdampeningsystemwas ineffect and that theirrapidtrajectorywasbeingguidedbyitsmachine-spiritwithunerringprecision.Thunderechoeddullyfrombelow.Scipiocouldhearitovertheroarofthedroppod’senginesastheyvented.Thelowcrumpofdetonatingplasmawarheadsexplodingplanet-sidewasaconcussivethrobtotheraucouslydisgorging thrusters.Theywererighton theheelsof therainingplasmastorm,screamingfromtheskyinaworldofdeafeningnoiseandflashingfire.Itwasaboldplan,fashionedbytheir liege-lord,CaptainSicariusof2ndCompanyandMasterof theWatch.Theorkhordemustbebroken,andthewillofthegreenskinsamassingontheplanetbelowwastied to a single warlord. The bombardment would draw the beast out, and Sicarius intended hisUltramarinestobetherewhenitdid.Slaythebeast;killthehorde.ThatwasSicarius’smaxim,andwhotherewouldrefutehimsaveforIulus.Butthen“reckless”wasn’taword banded around lightly or obviously where the Captain of the Ultramarines 2nd Company wasconcerned.Thewalls shuddered from the impactof re-entry, forcingScipio’s thoughtsback to thepresent as the

anguishedmetal screeched forhis attention.The rush and roarbuilt to apowerful crescendo.Externaltemperaturereadingsspikedtoincrediblelevelsaswarningrunespulsedinsistently.Scipio ignored them. Instead, he opened his mouth and gave full voice to the Litany of Vengeance,leadinghissquadintheritesofbattle,hiswordswarringwiththedininsidethedroppod.Asone,hiswarriorstookuptherecitalandthelonevoiceofScipiobecameabellowofbrothers.Theyfellfastwithallthepowerofacomet,theprowoftheirdroppodwhite-hotandtrailingfireasitburstthroughBlackReach’satmosphericbarrier.Scipioclosedhiseyesashesang,imaginingthedroppod’sdescentinhismindasclearasifhewereactuallywitnessing it: thehardmetal spear as it ripped through theheavens, its approachangle arrowsharp;contrailsofsmokeandflamepeelingoffthehull;aclusterofbullet-nosedvessels,lituplikefieryteardrops,surgingdownalongsideit.Thesightofthosefallingstarswasaherald,aharbinger.TheAngelsofDeatharedescendingfromonhighandtheyarecoming.Theyarecomingforyou.Theywere close. Seconds to landfall. Scipio jammed on his helmet; its browwas decoratedwith agildedlaurel.Hewouldjustifyagaintheweightofthathonourthisday,measureitingreenskindead.‘SquadVorolanus,makeready!’hebellowedovertheshriekofthedroppod’senginesastheygavetheirlast. ‘Remember who you are,’ he told them. ‘You are Ultramarines. You are the Emperor’s finestwarriors.Thunderbolts,’hesaid,using thesquad’sagnomen. ‘Letuspaint thisday in thebloodofHisenemies.’Asone,Scipio’sbattle-brothersroaredinaffirmation.‘Emperor’sfinest,’herepeated,warninglightsscreaming.‘Courageandhonour!’‘Courageandhonour!’theycried,andthedroppodsmashedintothesurfaceofBlackReach.Astheplasmamissilescontinuedtofalllikethermonuclearrain,theirtitanicimpactsvibratingthroughthe drop pod’s hull as it started to split, Scipio thought for amoment that theymight have to run thegauntletofthebombardmenttoo.HehopedthatIuluswasn’trightandthatSicarius’splanwasn’tindeedreckless…

SpaceMarineStrikeCruiserValin’sRevenge,twoweeksearlier‘YOUKNOWI’Mright,’snarledSergeantFennion.‘I know that Sicarius is High Suzerain, that he earned honours at CrusadeMinor, Dyzanyr and FortTelendrar.ThatiswhatIknow,Iulus,’hissedSergeantManorianinreturn.Scipiohadbeenprivytotheirentirehushedconversation,andknewthatthedebatewasgrowingheatedwhenManorianrevertedtocallingSergeantFennionbyhisfirstname.SergeantPraxorManorianwasthin-facedwithcloseshavensilverhairandasstraight-backedastheycame.Honourandglorywashischiefcredo,so,ifIuluswastobebelieved,hehadmuchincommonwithhiscaptain.Iulus,ontheotherhand,couldnotbemoredifferent.Sacrificingidealismforpragmatism,hewasprimarilyconcernedwithgetting the jobdone.Hehad littleuse for laurelsandmedals, thoughheworehisIronSkull,theinsigniaforallsergeants,proudly.Iulus’s appearancematched his demeanour.He had a flat nose and a square jaw.A pepperwash ofstubble was scattered over his head. His face was about as uncompromising and rigid as a SpaceMarine’scouldget.Scipiohadseenrockswithmorecharacter.ThebluntnessextendedtoIulus’svoicingofopiniontoo;opinionsthathadrousedtheinterestofothers.Forhushedthoughitwas,hisandPraxor’sexchangehadalertedtheattentionoftheirfellowsergeants.Theyallsattogetheraroundawhitetable;it,liketheiconsontheirpowerarmour,wasfashionedinto

theUltramarinesymbol.Theroomitselfwaswelllitbylume-globessetinalcovesalongthethreewalls.TheythrewanazurecastovereverythingandmadetheUltramarines’bluepowerarmourshinewithevengreaterlustre.Thefourthwallwasdominatedbyanimmensedoubleblastdoorcarvedinornatefiligreeand depicting split over the two faces, Chapter Master Marneus Calgar seated upon the throne ofMacragge, the fabled Gauntlets of Ultramar resting on his lap. The rest of the chamber sported littleornamentation.Thebannerof2ndCompanyhungreverentlyuponthewalloppositetheblastdoors.Itsatproudly behind a shimmering integrity field, refracted light from the lume-globes the only clue to thefield’spresence.Itwasapowerfultotem,displayingtheheraldryofthevauntedcompanyalongsidesomeofCaptainSicarius’sveryownmerits.Thenoblecaptain’sentireofficercadreawaitedhiminthestrategium,oneofmanyinthestrikecruiser.Thechamber’sausteritywasonlyexacerbatedbyitssize–therewasroomenoughtoaccommodatehalfthe2ndCompany–andsoundechoedpowerfullywithinitswhitewalls,hencethecurrentinterestinthesergeants’thinly-veiledconversation.‘Idonotdenyhisvalour,Praxor.InthatregardSicariusisbeyondreproach’,snappedIulus,andturnedtofacehisdebatingpartnerdirectly.‘ItishisambitionwhichIquestion,andtherecklessendstowhichhepursuesit.’Praxorsnortedcontemptuously,turningaway.‘YouonlyfearhisfavourwilleclipsethatofAgemman.’‘Andisthatsucharidiculousclaim?WhowouldnotwishtobeattherighthandoftheChapterMaster,tobecometheRegentofUltramar?’LikemanyorganisationswithintheImperium,theUltramarinesChapter,despitebeingastrongly-forgedbrotherhood,had its factions. It functionednotunlikea republic,withCalgar as itspresident. In timesgoneby,Macraggehaditsbattlekings,warrior-monarchswholedandgoverneditspeoples;nowithaddemocracy and solidarity, a republic in many respects with the sergeants within its companies as itssenators.AtleastthiswashowScipiointerpretedit.Therewereseveralpositionsofpowerwithin theChapter.Highestwere thoseofChapterCommand:LordCalgarhimselfandChaplainOrtanCassius,hisMasterofSanctity,andthentheothermasters.Nextcamethecompanycaptainsandofthese,twoinparticularviedforaseatatMarneusCalgar’srighthand.Agemmanheldtheprestigeof leading1stCompany, theveteransof theChapteranditsfinestwarriors;Sicarius,though,wasastarintheascendant,MasteroftheWatchandHighSuzerainoftheUltramarines.Some, the die-hard factionalists that supported Agemman, believed that the Captain of 2nd Companyregardedtheregent’spositionenviously.Iuluswasonesucharch-traditionalist,anditwasawidelyheldbelief that he desired to join 1st Company himself and be at the side ofAgemman. PraxorManorian,however,heldadifferingviewandsawonlySicariusthehero,Sicariusthebattleleader.Likemostofthe2nd,tohimthecaptainwasaboveanyreproach,histacticssoundandbeyondquestion.Allrespectedhisbravery;allveneratedSicariusastheyshouldwithhimastheircaptain.‘Youareveryquiet,Scipio,whatdoyousay?’Scipio groaned inwardly. Iulus had obviously tired of trying to convert Praxor and was turning hisattentionselsewhere.Scipio,though,hadnowishtojointhedebate.Thesergeanthadnotlongjoinedthe2ndandhadnowishtotarnishorevenendangerhisfuturetenurebybeingdrawnintointernalpolitics.Scipioregardedthefacesoftheofficersaroundthetable–sevensergeants,notincludinghimself,IulusandPraxor,fivealongeachcurveofthestylised“U”.Youngandold,scarredandunblemished,shaven-headed–allweresternoffaceandboremultipleservicestudsdrilledintotheirskulls;oneforeverytenyearsofservicetotheChapter.TheseatedsergeantsreturnedScipio’sgazestoically;somenoddinginfraternalcamaraderie,othersjustmeetingitwithsteelintheireyes.OnesuchsergeantwasArcusHelios.Hewasnotofthe2nd;hewasone of Agemman’s chosen, a veteran whose usual attire was the tactical dreadnought armour of the

Terminators.Heeschewedthatsuitoftank-busting,nigh-onindestructibilityforhispowerarmournow;theformerbeingahighlyimpracticalchoice,evengiventheexpansivestrategium.IfHelioshadheardanyofthedebatebetweentheothertwosergeantsandthoughtanythingofit,hedidnotshowit.Therewas another not of 2nd Companywithin the room, and Scipio’s gaze strayed to him next. Hestayed in the shadows at the edge of the chamber, just beyond the glow of the lume-globes. Thoughshrouded in gloom, Scipio’s enhanced vision made out a face framed by a grey-white beard, withpatriciancheekbones.Alongcamo-cloakhungoverthewarrior’sbroadshoulderswhichwerebereftofthepower-armouredpauldronswornbyeveryotherofficerintheroom.Scipiohadnotnoticedhimbefore.Perhapshehadwishednottobenoticed.Heperched–forheseemedinsuchastateofidlereadinessthatitcouldhardlybecalled‘standing’–inabsolutestillness,soinertthat Scipiomight havemistaken him for a statue. This thenwas Telion, Brother-Sergeant of the 10th,master scout, a veteran under three different Chapter Masters and battle-tutor to four of the currentUltramarines’captains.TherewerenotenoughhonoursandservicestudscraftedbytheChapterartisanstofithisbrowandbreast.Telion returned the young sergeant’s gaze, and his eyes were like ice. Scipio looked away despitehimself.‘Well?’Iuluspressed.InhisdesiretobreakvisualcontactwiththeintimidatingTelion,Scipio’seyesfelluponafinalfigure.Armouredinblackceramiterepletewithiconsofdeathandmortality,thisonestoodalone,andhewasnolessthreatening.‘Weare blessed to have two suchnoble heroes in ourmidst,’ Scipio replied at last,mustering somediplomacy.‘AndIalsothinkthatChaplainOradwouldtakeadimviewofthisdebate.’Iulushadclearlyfollowedhisgaze,andstayedsilentbeforethegloweringcountenanceoftheChaplain.Orad had been attached to 2ndCompany formany long years.None amongst the battle-brothers couldeverrecallhimremovinghisskull-maskbattlehelm,atleastnotinpublic.Rumoursaboundedthatmosthisfacehadbeenburnedoff,eatenawaybybio-acid,fightingthetyranidofHiveFleetBehemothoverahundredyearsago.Apocryphalornot,theveryfactthattheChaplaineffectivelyhadableachedskullfora head compounded his already fearsome reputation. He spoke in a harsh, gratingwhisper, his voiceenhancedbyavox-unitbuiltintohisgorgetthatmadeitaudibleandmetallic.Yes,Oradwaseveryinchtheforbiddingspectre.Thesilencethatfellatlastwasshort-lived.Themightyblastdoorstothestrategiumsplitopenandslidapart,andawashofwarmochrelightspilledinfromthecorridorbeyond.Shadowswereimmediatelyrealisedinthepoolofspreadinglight,longandlowastheyreachedintotheroom.Sicarius’scommandsquad,theLionsofMacragge,steppedin,andtheofficercadrestoodasone,turningtofacethem.FirstintotheroomwasDaceus,aveteransergeantwhohadfoughtwiththecaptainineveryoneofhiscampaigns.He’dlostaneyeattheSiegeofZalathras,andthebionicreplacementwhirredandclickedasitsurveyedthestandingofficers.BrothersPrabianandVandiusfollowed,Prabianworehispowerswordand combat shield attached to his belt, while Vandius glanced at the company banner that he usuallycarried,andmutteredanoathofpiety.LastwereVenatio,Apothecaryto the2nd,andBrotherMalcian.TheseAstarteswereheroesall,theirbraveryfillingtheChapter’sarchivesformanyvolumes.Butevencombinedtheycouldnothopetomatchthevalouroftheonewhostrodeinnext.Uprightandimperious,headheldhigh,heseemedtoglowwithinnerglory.Hewasresplendentinhisartificerarmour,craftedby theChapterartisansuponhisappointment toHighSuzerain.Hecradledanornatebattlehelminthecrookofhisarm,thelowcrestrunningfromlefttorighttempleanindicationofhissuperiorityandrank.Anarrayofpterugeshungbeneathabroadloinclothdedicatedwiththestylisedsymbol of the Chapter, and the armoured plastron he wore over his chest was wreathed with honourbrocade.

CatoSicariushadenteredthechamber,andallwithinit,eventhecantankerousIulus,couldnothelpbutbeliftedbyhispresence.MasteroftheWatch,HighSuzerainofUltramar,KnightChampionofMacragge,GrandDukeTalassar:Sicariushadmanytitles,allearnedonthebattlefield,alldispensedforthegloryofhismanygreatdeedsandvictories.Butintruth,hevaluedonlyone:captain.Sicariusstrodeintothestrategium,eyeingeachofhisofficersinturnandgivingaslightnodtoArcusHelios to acknowledge him as a battle-brother from a company other than the 2nd. Chaplain Oradfollowedhiscaptain,andtheLionsofMacraggefellintolinebehindhim.WhenSicariuscametotheapexoftheU-shapedstrategiumtable,hestoodinthevoidwherethetwopointsofthesweepingarcended,andstartedspeaking.‘Welcome, brothers.’ His voice was noble, but filled with inner steel and undeniable confidence.‘Please.Sit,’hetoldthem,andtheofficersobeyed.TheLionsjoinedthematthetipsoftheU,occupyingthelastoftheemptypositions.OnlyOradandthecaptainhimselfremainedstanding.ScipionoticedthatTelionalsoremainedwherehewas,andshowednovisiblesignofdeference.ButsomethinghadpassedbetweentheveteranscoutandSicarius.Inhismarrow,Scipiofeltit.Respect.‘We are twoweeks from the Black Reach system,’ Sicarius began, once his officers were reseated.‘Immortalrenownforthe2nd,theGuardiansoftheTemple,awaitsusthere.’ScipiofeltIulusstiffenslightlyatthecaptain’sapparentvainglory.‘Daceus,’thecaptainadded,noddingtohisbattle-brother.Theveteransergeantrosetohisfeetandsaluted,beforeactivatingaseriesofruniciconsonthefaceofthestrategiumtable.Inthecentralpointof theplatefloor,delineatedbytheU,ahololithflickeredintolife,depictingarevolvinggreenorb.Theplanethadseverallandmassesandwasriddledwiththickwatertributaries,likefatthroughmarbledbeef,runningfromseveralmajoroceans.Awreathofsmallerobjects,adenseasteroidbelt,swarmedaroundit,occasionallyobscuringtheview.‘TheplanetofBlackReach,principleworldoftheBlackReachsector,’Daceusannounced.‘Aminingworld,BlackReachhaslittleobviousvaluetoUltramaryetitistacticallycrucial,’heexplained.Thesergeantpressedanotherruneonthesunkenpanelset into the table.Theplanetary imagezoomedout,displayingtheentiresector.‘Jede’oghandVoldermacht,’hesaid,indicatingtwofurtherworldsthathadbeenrevealedintheimageshift.Theimmenseasteroidfieldswathedallthree.‘Andhere,’Daceusadded,scrollingtheimagetoonesidewithadesultorysweepofhisgauntlet.Aroilingmassofwarpspace,ariftinthelayerofreality,wasrevealedcirculatingatthefringeofthesector.ToScipioitlookedlikeabalefuleye,raggedandtorn,seethingwithincandescentenergy.Despiteitspseudo-incorporealform,itwasvisibleeventhroughthegrainyresolutionoftheholo-capture.‘Jorgund’sEye,’Daceusnamedit.‘ThroughthiswyrmholeamassivehordeofgreenskinshasdescendedonBlackReach.Itisunknowntoushowsuchathingwaspossible,howtheorkcouldhavecaughtusbysurprise.Itmattersnot.Thefactsarethese:thegreenskinshaveinvadedthesystemandevennowwagewarupontheplanetofBlackReach.Shouldtheirassaultprovesuccessful,thealienswillhavegainedafoothold in such closeproximity toUltramar as tomake theChapterMaster nervous.Furthermore, theasteroid belt surrounding the system contains high concentrations of magnetic ore, making long-rangeaugurprobesall-butimpossible.’‘Wecannotaffordtoletthegreenskininfectthissector,’Sicariuscontinuedforhisveteransergeant.‘Iforonehavenodesiretoengageinalengthypurgingcampaignoftheplanetsandalltheirastralbodies.Suchanenterpriseiscostly.Itwouldtakeuscenturiestoexterminatethealienscumiftheywereallowedtocarryonunchecked.Thereisnohonourinthat.’ScipiofeltIulusbristleagain,butheignoredhim.Bycontrast,Praxorwasutterlyenraptbythecaptain’swords.

‘Likeanyhorde,’Sicariuscontinued,‘removetheheadandthebodywilldie.’He smiled grimly. ‘The orks have a head. Awarlord, who, we have learned by vox-monitoring theImperialplanetarycommunicationsbelow,goesbythenameofZanzag.Thiscreaturemustdie.Iwillnotrestuntilitsheadismountedonaspike.Myspike.’SicariusnoddedtoDaceusforhimtocontinue.‘Findingtheorkwarlordwillnotbeeasy,’saidtheveteransergeant.‘Ifreportsfromthesurfacearetobebelieved,thebeasthasengagedinaseriesoflightningraidsthathasleftnineoftheoriginaltwelvehivecitiesinruins,takenbythegreenskins.Suchinexplicablecunningisuncharacteristicfortheork,andwehaveyettodeterminehowsuchanassaultwasevenpossible.’‘Theorkshavelaidwastetothisworld,butitstopshere.Now,’Sicariusdeclared.‘Wewillgoinswiftandhard,viadroppodassault.Priortoourinsertion,theValin’sRevengewillbombardtheplanetfromorbit,launchingplasmatorpedoesintothegreenskinforces.Wewillcomeinthewakeoftheordnance,likehellhoundsontheheelsofitsfierywrath.’Hegrinnedferally.‘Wherevertheorksstandandfight,wewillstrikehardest.Fortherewewillfindourquarry.’‘Launching such an attack directly behind a planetary bombardment – the risks are incredible,’ saidIulus,unabletokeephisdiscontentincheckanylonger.‘IagreewithSergeantFennion,’saidanotherdissentingvoice,SergeantSolinusoftheIndomitable.HewasthebattleleaderofthevauntedwarriorswhotookFortTelendrar.TheywerethefirstAstartesintothebreachafterCaptainSicarius, a feat thathadearned them theVictorexMaxima. ‘Is sucha strategyevenfeasible?’Daceuswasabouttointervene,whenSicariusraisedahandtostophim.‘Brothers,’thecaptainreplied,spreadinghisarmsinagestureofsolidarity.‘Forus,’heshookhishead,givingabelligerentsmile,‘nothingisimpossible.Aswiftassaultwillcatchtheenemyoffguard.Killthehead,andthebodywilldie,’herepeated.‘Ourvictorywillbeassured.Weare2ndCompany.Wearetheslayersofkings,thedestroyersofworlds,bringersofdeathandruinationinallitsforms.ThesethingswedointhenameoftheEmperorandinthedefenceofmankind.Isayletnonestayourwrath.’Scipiocouldnothelpbutfeel theprideinhiscaptain’svoiceandknewtheentireofficercadrefelt ittoo.Praxornoddedwithvehemence,smackinghisfistagainstthecuirassofhispowerarmourinaffirmationandsalute.Theotherofficersfollowedhisexample,evenSergeantSolinus.Iuluswaslastofall,andgaveasinglefirmrapagainsthisarmour.Sicariusheld the truculentsergeant’sgazeforamomentbeforehemovedon.‘Isthereanythingfurther?’heasked.‘WhatImperialforcescanweexpecttofindontheplanetsurface?’repliedSergeantAtavianoftheTitanSlayers.TheDevastatorsquadbattleleadergrowledthewords.Alongscarrandowntheleftsideofhisfaceandterminatedinabioniceye,whichaddedtohisgrimappearance.ItwasDaceuswhoanswered. ‘BlackReachhas itsownImperialGuardgarrison, theSableGunners.They are well stretched across the four continents of the world, marshalling its hive cities and thenumerous aqueducts that feed its reservoirs. Strategium indicates that the beleaguered defenders havebeenfightingtheorksfortwomonths,localtime.Moralewillbelow,andcasualtieshigh.Assuch,anyaidfromthatquarterwillbenegligible.’‘Andthegreenskins,’addedIulus.‘Whatareourestimationsoftheirforces?’The ork are concentrated on the northern continent.’Daceus gesturedwith his gauntlet again, and thehololithzoomedinatarapidrateofmagnification.Alargelandmasswasrevealed,surroundedbyblacktributaries, with two towering spikes that were hives. ‘Their main offensive is dedicated to sackingGhospora,’ he explained, pointing out the largest of the twohive cities displayedon the hololith. ‘We

reckon their numbers to be in the region of fifty thousand, well spread out, with armour and heavyartillery.’‘Againstonehundred,’statedIulus.‘Goododds,brother-sergeant,’CaptainSicariusintervened.‘Indeed, brother-captain,’ Iulus replied, levelly The captain smiled back at him without mirth, andnodded. ‘If there isnothingmore…’Sicarius turned tohisveteran sergeant.Webeginplanetfallhere,’saidDaceus,‘atthenorthwallofGhospora.’

BlackReach,northerncontinent,GhosporaHiveCity,twoweekslater.PALELIGHTLIMNED the interiorof thedroppod.Thedoorsslammedopenseconds lateras thevesselopenedlikeagunmetalbloom,ventingsteam,itshullstillsmouldering.TheochresandsofBlackReachhadbeenscorchedtoglasswiththeintenseheatradiationofthedroppod’sarrival.ItcrunchedunderfootasScipioandhisnineAstartescameout,bolterssinging.Thedroppod’sdeathwindmissilelauncherarmamentsjoltedwithexplosiverecoil,apercussivechorustothesteadythrobofbolterfire.Akill-zoneofslainorkswasforgedaroundthelandingsiteinsecondsfromthepunitivebarrage.Itboughtafewmoments’graceforScipiotoseethecauldronofbattle.Theyhaddescended into theeyeof thestorm.Aheadof them,somefivehundredmetresormore, thenorthwallofGhosporaHiveloomedlikeablackbulkheadcliff.ItwassomeeightkilometresacrossandstretchedeightykilometreshighintoBlackReach’spollutant-ladenupperatmosphere.Gunports,bunkersandbattle-towersbristlingwithcannonandlong-rangesensorarrayshugged theextremitiesof thehivecitylikespacedebrisclingingtothehullofadeadstarship.Smokebillowedfromthewreckeddefencesandfiresrageduncheckedalongpartiallydestroyedsectionsoftheouterbastionwall.ItwashereattheforefrontofthegreenskinassaultwheretheImperialGuardSableGunnersweremakingtheirlaststand.Scipio’senhancedvision,cyclingthroughitsvariousfilterstoascertaintheoptimumvisualspectrum,andaugmented by the technology within his battle helm, detected the heat signatures from several heavyweaponemplacements.ThenativesoldieryofBlackReachwereduginaroundbunkersandentrenchmentscrestedwithrazorwire.Evenfromadistance,Scipiocouldtellitwasathinline.Officersbarkedordersdownthelengthofthefracturingwall,charredbannersroseandfell.Mendiedintheirdroves.Averitableseaofgreenskinssurroundedthem,stretchingforkilometresacrossandbackinadarkmass.ThethrashingoceanofalienslappedatthemeagrebulwarksofGhosporaHive,threateningtooverwhelmthem. Ramshackle battle tanks and crudely-fashioned trucks festooned with cannon, rockets and otherordnanceboundedmadlyalongsidethrongingmobsofgreen-skinnedorks,deckedinthickbattlearmourhammeredwithadditionalmetalplatesanddaubed incrudeglyphs.Diminutivegretchincapered in thewakeoftheirlargercousins,swathedinlittlemorethanrags,brandishingover-sizedpistolsorscrapsofbattlefielddebristouseasimprovisedweapons.Hulkingmechanical constructs, the bastardised green-skin equivalent of SpaceMarine dreadnoughts,lumbered in themidst of thehorde in clusters, rendingwith claws and razor-sawsor loosing staccatoburstsofautomaticfireanderrantmissilesalvos.Thoughbrokenupandbatteredfromthestrikecruiserbombardment–withthousandsslainintheinitialbarrage,andsomefleeinginterrororcoweringbeneathwhatlittlebattlefieldcovertherewas–itwasstillavasthorde.AnditstoodbetweenScipioandhisobjective.

‘Thunderbolts formuponme, fire-patternomega,’he said,unleashinghisbolt pistol’swrath into therearguardofthegreenskinranksastheSpaceMarinesstartedtomoveforwards.Asplinterofthehorde,nowevidentlyawareoftheUltramarines’arrival,hadbrokenofffromtherestandswarmedtowardsthedroppods.Orkswerehuge,slab-muscledmonsters.Slopingbrowsandbroadchins,juttingwiththickyellowtusks,gavethemadistinctlyporcineappearance.Theywerebeasts,andlivedonlyforbattle.Survivalof thestrongestwastheironlycreed,andonetheydemonstratedtobrutaleffect.Scipioformedthetipofaspear,ashisbattle-brothersmovedintoformationaroundhim.Atoneflank,BrotherGarrikbracedhismissilelauncher.Droppingtoonekneeforstability,hefired.Aheavywhooshof expelling incendiary blasted over Scipio’s head and an ork truck careening towards the squadwasimmolatedinaballofflame.‘OnefortheThunderbolts!’yelledGarrik,hisvoicegrainythroughthecomm-feedofScipio’shelmet.Theconflagrationspread,belchingoilysmokeanddevouringanyorksandgretchininitspath,butthegreenskinsplintermobwasundeterred.Scipio’sboltpistoljoltedinhisarmouredgrasp,explodingapartanonrushingork’sskull.Thebeastranonheadlessforafewmoresecondsinamacabredisplayoftenacitybeforeitslumpedandfell.A gout of promethium spewed fromBrotherHekor’s flamer on the right flank, engulfing a swathe ofbelligerentgreenskins.Somebarrelledonthroughtheintenseheat,theirbodiesalight.Burstsofsporadicbutcontrolledbolterfireputthemdownbeforetheycouldgetclose.Attheedgeofhisperipheralvision,Scipiosawothersquadsmovingupalongsidehim,adoptingsimilarassault formations as theymade their approach.But thiswas just an advance force, fighting an initialsortietosecurethelandingzoneandgainafootholdonthekillingfield–therealbattlewasstilltocome.Severalwar-bikesand thicklyarmouredbuggiesbouncedalongwith the splintermob,belt-fedheavycannonsbarking,ammocasescascadinglikebrassrainontotheirflatbeds.Themotorcadeofgreenskinvehicles picked up speed, smoke gushing from exhausts, spits of flame bursting from the overchargedengines.AwhistlingcontrailfromakrakmissileweavedoverScipio’sshoulderandtookoutoneofthebuggies,blasting apart its front axle and upending themachine onto its roof. The roll-bar capitulated instantly,crushingthegoggleddriverandtheorksontheflatbed.Arollingfirestormthenengulfedthebuggyanditscrewasthefuelcanisterwentupandburnedthemalltoash.ScipiocommendedBrotherGarrikforhisfineshootingoverthecomm-feed.Furtherexplosionsrippleddownthemakeshiftorklineasbikesandbuggieswererippedapartbyburstsofheavybolterfireorskeweredonlancesoflasorblastsofpromethium.Extendingachoppingarm,Scipiotookoutoneofthebikersasitspedpasthim.Hefeltthegreenskinsnecksnapashemadecontact.Thebikeslewedintoaskid, rammingintoanotherand the twovehiclesexplodedtogetherinafierywreck.Themotorisedvanguardwasdown.TheUltramarines’squadshadbeenefficientinitsdestructionandwereyettotakeacasualty.Nowthey’dmeetthesplinterhordeupclose.Through thecarnage, solid shotprangingoffhispauldronsandgreavesas theorks sought to retaliateagainsttheAstartes’firesuperiority,Scipiosawthemobleader.Themassivebrutebellowedatitswarriors,spittleflyingfromitsmaw.Crudelystitchedscarslaceditsfacelikepatchwork,andmetalringsandbonespuncturedthethickfleshofitsears,lipsandbrow.Itworeafur-trimmedhelmet,crestedbyapairofhorns.An interlockinghauberkof riveted ironplatesbulgedwiththemusculatureofitsimmensebody.Thebeasthowledwith rageas itchargedatScipio,brandishingablood-slickedcleaver inchallenge

andsqueezingoffdesultoryroundsfromafatpistol.Moregreenskinsflankedit,somepitchedfromtheirfeet or staggeredbybolter fire as the rest of theThunderbolts tried to slay them fromadistance.Thebrutishcreaturesbellowedinexultationofthefighttocome.Theywouldn’thavetowaitlong.Scipio thumbed theactivation runeofhischainsword, andwitha throaty roar theweaponchurned tolife.‘ForSicariusandtheprimarch!’hecried,andpreparedtomeethisfoe.Astheyclosed,Scipioheldhisboltpistol’striggerdown.Themuzzle-flarelituptheork’ssnarlingfaceasatraceryofroundsrippedupitsshoulder.Thebeastwasbarelyslowed. It shruggedoff thewoundandsmackedScipio’spistolasidebeforehecouldfireagain.Theorkmobleaderthendroveitscleaverdownward,hopingtoshatterScipio’sclaviclebeneath his power armour. But the sergeant parried the blow with his chainsword, the serrated teethspittingsparksastheygroundagainstmetal.Bladeslockedtogether,theorkpresseditsweightagainsttheblow,andScipiofelthislegsstartingtobuckle.Heswepthisboltpistolaroundagain,buttheorkcaughthiswristandhelditfast.Explosiveroundsbarkedoffineffectuallytooneside,chewingupsand.Bearingdown on him, the ork’s face twisted in what Scipio assumed was a grin. Its beady red eyes, sunkenbeneathitsoverhangingbrow,glitteredwithmalice.In his armour, Scipio stood almost two and a halfmetres tall, yet hewas still dwarfed by the hugegreenskin.Superhumanmusclesflexingwitheveryshredofstrengthhecouldmuster,Scipiopushedback.Theservosinhispowerarmourwhinedwitheffort.Hewassoclosetothebeast’sleeringfacethathecouldsmellthestinkofitsvilebreatheventhroughhishelmet’satmosphericfilters.‘Whatareyousmilingat,ugly?’hesnarledthroughgrittedteethandsmashedabrutalheadbuttintotheork’ssnout.Darkbloodgushedfromitsrupturednoseandtheorksquealedinangerandpain.Therewasamomentaryliftofpressure.Scipioexploitedittothefull.Heheaved,pushedwithhislegsandarmssimultaneously,andthrewthegreenskinoff.Thebeastwasunbalancedforasecond,morethanlongenoughforScipiotoramthechurningbladeofhischainswordintoitsgut.Penetratingarmourplate,hetwistedandturnedtheweaponinsearchofvitalorgans,whiletheorkthrashedandbuckedontheendofitlikeastuckpig.Stillitfought,andwasabouttoswingitscleaveragainwhenScipiobroughtuphisboltpistol,rammedthemuzzleinthegreenskin’sscreamingmawandpulledthetrigger.Theork’sbrainpanpunchedoutofthebackofitshead,amidstashowerofgoreandskullfragments,andatlastitwasdead.Scipiorippedhischainswordfree,deactivatingitbeforereleasesoasnottospitchunksofvisceraoverhisbattle-brothers,andmadearapidtacticalassessmentofthebattlefield.The greenskin rearguard was vanquished. Even now Ultramarines squads moved in staggered battleformationstoclosethegapbetweentheremnantsoftheorkrearechelonandthemainhordebeyond.The landing sitewas secure.Devastator squadsbearing themajority of theAstartes heavy firepowertookuppositionat thebackon thequicklyestablishedUltramarinesbattle-line.Theyadvancedslowlybehindthetacticalsquadvanguard,twoofwhichhadconvergedontheThunderbolts’positioninordertoform one flank of the SpaceMarine battle group. Scipio recognised the squadmarkings of Iulus andPraxoratonce,theImmortalsandtheShieldBearers.‘Roughdeployment,Iulus?’Scipioremarkedthroughthecomm-feedofhisbattlehelm.Iulus’sdroppodhadcrashlanded,threeofitsexitrampsincapacitatedasithaddugitselfintoasandbankandheldfast.Thesergeant’sarmourwasscorchedfromthefirethathadobviouslyensued,aswasthearmourofhissquadastheymovedtotheThunderbolts’right.‘Plasma detonation clipped us,’ he snapped. ‘Got caught in its blast wave. I told you this planwasreckless—’‘You’realive,aren’tyou?’counteredPraxor,hisownsquadforginguponScipio’sleft.

Iulusfedaburstofstaticthroughthefeed,andScipiowincedagainsttheauditoryassault.‘Wehaveouranswer,’saidPraxor,adding‘Onmylead,brothers.’SquadMoranion,theShieldBearers,wasthemostexperiencedofthegroup,havingbeenthevanguardofnumerousChapter-levelassaults,andbothScipioandIulusdeferredtoPraxor.‘Sergeants Tirian and Atavian assure me they’re making us a gap,’ he continued, the three squadsadvancingatpaceacross thescorchedearth.The last few torpedoesof thebombardmenterupteddeepinsidetheorklinesastheymoved,shakingtheearthbeneaththeirbootedfeet.Secondaryeruptionscame frombehind themas the twodevastator squadsPraxorhadmentioned spattorrents of heavy fire. Beams of las and plasma,melta-flare, heavy bolter fire and spirallingmissilesstreakedoverhead.Thebarragewitheredonesectionof thegreenskinline, truckseruptinginexplosiveblossoms.Swathesoforksshreddedandburnedintheviciousfusillade.Withthelandingsiteanchoredbyheavyweaponry,theobjectiveofthemoremobiletacticalsquadswastocutawedgethroughtheorkhordeandreachtheembattledSableGunnerregimentsbehindit.Withthesolid defences of Ghospora at their backs, the Ultramarines would have an excellent staging point atwhichtolaunchacounteroffensive,retakethewallsandfromthereliftthesiege.Thetaskoflocatingtheorkwarlord,Zanzag,felltoSicarius,andtohimalone.Asifhis thoughtshadheraldedit,Scipiolookedskyward.ThearmouredhullofaThunderhawkhoveintoview,descendingthroughbillowingplumesofsmoke,greytendrilsclingingtoitssweepingwings.Dust and ash clouds scudded across the umber plain as it closed, disturbed by the down-thrust of thegunship’smassiveengines.Scipiorecognisedthevessel’smarkingsasitslandingbeamsstrafedtheground.ItwastheGladius,so-namedfortheshortbladewieldedbytheUltramarines’honourguard.Thevesselsurgedforwardlikeasword,cuttingrightintotheheartofthegreenskinsmassingatthenorthwall.Orkbodiesweretossedintotheair intheviolentbackwashofdescentthrusters,crushedbeneathslowlyextendinglandingstanchionsorhosedwithspraysoffirefromtheThunderhawk’sheavybolters.WithinsecondsofcomingtorestahundredmetresfromtheUltramarines’swiftlyadvancingbattle-line,theembarkationrampwasdownandthentherehewas.Sicarius.

PHASETWOTHESTORMINGOFGHOSPORA

CATOSICARIUSSTORMEDoutof theGladius like Invictus reborn,heroof thefirstTyrannicWar,cloakflaringwiththeplasmawindskickedupinthewakeofthebombardment.Heheld aloft his power sword, theTalassarianTempestBlade, andwaded into the greenskin horde.Behindhima forcedisgorged from thebellyof theThunderhawkgunship.TheLionsofMacragge fellupontheorkswithfury,screamingtheprimarch’snameasSicariuspressedhisrelentlessassault.ArcusHelios led a phalanx of Terminators that drove indomitably into the ork ranks, storm bolters roaring.Squad Solinus followed them, the heroes of Telendrar forging a bloody path with bolter and blade.FinallytherecameBrotherUltracius,loomingoverall.HavingfallenonthebattlefieldsofPyraoverathousandyearsago,Ultraciuswasnowentombedinthecryo-sarcophagusofadreadnought.Thebattle-brotherwas,ineffect,amassivearmouredwarmachine.Itwasnobattle-suitUltraciuswore,noraformofabladvearmature;itwaspartofhim.Inthissymbiosisoffleshandmachine,thebattle-brotherdwelledinamnioticslumberwithinthedreadnought’ssarcophagusuntilitwascalledtowar.Onecouldnotexistwithouttheother.Manandmetalwereone.Adamantiumplate reinforcedwith fire-retardant ceramitebulkedout an immense servo-driven frame,whichwasoverfivemetrestall.Thedreadnought’sbrutalweaponmountsandancillarycombatsystemscould be tailored to a particular engagement prior to battlefield deployment. Stylised Ultramarinesiconographyboltedontohisarmouredcarapacedeclaredhisallegianceboldly.RibbedcablesspannedUltracius’sthickmechanicallegsandarmmounts,providingthepowertodrivethem.Theyhummedbelligerently,thesoundanextensionofUltracius’sownwarriorwrath,ashestompeddownthegunship’sembarkationramp.Assault cannon whirring, the dreadnought scythed down greenskins with brutal efficiency. BrotherUltraciuswasasymbol,animmortalwarrioroftheUltramarinesdestinedtobattleoninthenameoftheChapterforever.WithSicariusattheirhead,noorkhordecouldresistthem.‘AllUltramarines…advance!’heroaredintothecomm-feed.‘Thisdayweseegloryordeath.’TheThunderhawkassaultforcecleavedthroughthegreenskinmasseslikeaburningblade.Thecaptain’svoiceinsidehisbattlehelmstirredScipiotogreaterefforts.‘Forward!’ he cried, in unison with Praxor. The three squads broke into a run. Pounding across thebloody sand, leaping over the tangled remains of greenskins slain in the bombardment, the rest of theUltramarinessmashedintotheorkswithrighteousfury.Scipio’schainswordroaredintolifeagain,and,slammingafreshclipintohisboltpistol,hestruckasonewithhisbattle-brothers.Thedeadlypresswasincredible.Scipiochargedanorktothegroundwithhisshoulderbeforedispatchingitwithhischainsword.Hisbladestillwhirringinitscranium,heblastedapart the torsoofanotherwithhisboltpistol.Thegreenskinwasbitingagrenadebetween its teeth insomekindofkamikazeattack.Asitfell,thegrenadeexplodedtakingthreeoftheork’skinwithit.Scipiofelt theheat radiationwashagainsthishelmet.Temperaturereadingsspikedforan instant thenfelltonormalagain.Heandhissquadstrodeonthroughthedyingfirestorm,findingfreshenemytoengageastheykilledinthenameoftheChapter.Scipiolookedrightasheforgedtowardshisnexttarget,andsawIulusandhissquademergingthrougha

showerofearthandshrapnelasanorkwagonexplodednearby.Overhead,Scipioheardthewhip-spinofrotorblades.Shotswerepingingoffhisarmourashetookapartanothergreenskinandlookedup.Aroughsquadron of copter-like ork attack craft buzzed into view, belching missiles. The single passengervehicles flew in an erratic trajectory, thick smoke issuing fromchugging engines.Oneof themachinesbrokeofffromformation,sweepinglowovertheAstartesranksbeforeitdroppedanimmensebombthathadbeenlashedtoitsundercarriage.BolterfirefromSquadOctavianpunctureditsfuelreserveandthecopterexplodedinmid-air,spittingdebris.BrotherCastor–Scipiorememberedhimfromtheirtraininginthescholar-houses–threwhimselfoverthedeadlyordnancetoprotecthisfellowsquadmembers.Asecondlater,thebombdetonated.Scipio was flattened by an immense blast wave, his helmet lenses dampening the magnesium-brightafter-flare. Despite this act of outrageous heroism, battle-brothers from Castor’s squad were flungoutward from the terrible explosion. A fat mushroom cloud billowed up in its wake, and the SpaceMarinescrasheddowntotheearthhard,swathedindustanddebris.Castorwasimmolated,hisraggedbodythrownupandbuoyedbytheblastwave,beforespirallingdownintoabrokenheap.AnotherforApothecaryVenatio,thoughtScipiobitterlyasBrotherHekorhelpedhimup.Thebattlestillragedabove,thoughnowAssaultSquadsStraboandIxion,jumppacksscreamingsoaredto meet the ork death-copters head-on and took them apart in a punishing hail of bolter fire andpromethium.Thevileenginesfelllikewoundedfirefliesintothepackedgreenskins,theirexplosivedeaththroeswreakingstillfurtherhavocintheirownranks.WithanodofacknowledgementtoHekor,Scipioledhissquadon.‘Right flank tactical squads,’ a grit-gravel voice barked through the comm-feed. There could be nomistakingtheiron-hardtimbreofChaplainOrad.‘ConvergeonSecondaryCommand,’orderedtheChaplain.‘WegoinsupportofCaptainSicarius.’Throughthemeleeofblades,boltsandbullets,thesmoke-drenchedskylitbysporadicexplosionsandthestaccatoflashofmuzzle-flares,ScipiosawtheblackpoweramourofOradupahead.Ordersdelivered, the fearsomeChaplainspat litaniesofhateandvengeance into thecomm-feedonabattlegroup-widefrequency,urgingtheUltramarinestosmitethefoewithextremeprejudice.Hisrosariusfieldflickeredasorkbulletspeppereditandfellawaywithoutcausingharm.Stridingintotheheartofthehorde,dispatchingwoundedgreenskinswith indiscriminateblastsofhisplasmapistol,whilstcrackingtheskullsofthemoreable-bodiedwithhiscracklingcroziusmace,the2ndCompanyChaplainwaslikeaforceofnature.Scipio could see the lay of the unfolding battle. Sicarius had almost reached the outer bastionwall.Primary Command – consisting of the captain’s retinue, the Terminators, Squad Solinus and BrotherUltracius–wereengagedinfiercefightingwiththemostbattle-hardenedoftheorkmobs.Thewarlordcouldnotbefar.ChaplainOrad,givenoverallcommandoftheremaininggroundforces,ledasecondgroupwithSquadsVandar and the remnants of Octavian. Scipio’s own battle group, with Iulus and Praxor, was only ahundredmetres away. The devastator squads behind them advanced as a rearguard,whilst the assaultsquadsgavelightningsupportwhereveritwasneeded.TheUltramarinescontrolledthefield.Thiswasthefinalpushtothewalls.‘Onmylead,sergeants,’Praxorsaidthroughthecomm-feed,closingthedistancetoChaplainOradontheleftandslayinganygreenskinsthatgotinhisway.Scipiofollowed,hackingabloodyswathethroughthefoe,withIulusonhisrear.Arowofmakeshiftorkearthworksloomedahead,death-pitsanddensespiralsofrazorwirepatrolled

bycannon-totingbattlewagonsbrimmingwithgreenskins,andheavily-armedtrucksactingasoutriders.ItstoodbetweenthethreesquadsandChaplainOrad.‘Akillingfield,’gruntedIulusthroughhisbattlehelm,therendingsoundofhischainswordmufflingthewords.Scipio saw thatPraxor, just aheadof them,hadbroughtuphis squad’smeltagun. Iulushaddone thesame.‘BrotherHekor,’hesaid,boltpistolroaringinhisgrasp,‘flamerforward.’Praxorand Iuluswould takeout thearmour;Scipiowouldburn the rest.Promethiumexpelled fromaflameratcloserangewasincrediblyhot,hotenoughtoturntheorkrazorwireintomoltenslag.Still,thefortificationswouldbehardtocrack.‘WhereisBrotherTelionwhenyouneedhim,eh?’laughedIulus,dispatchinganothergreenskin.‘Isawnosignofhiminthemuster,perhaps—’AhugeexplosionlituptheorkearthworksbeforeScipiocouldfinish.Oneofthebattlewagonswentup,leaping spectacularly into the air before crashing down on a second vehicle, crushing it. Chaineddetonationsfollowed,rippingupthedeath-pitsandrazorwire,blowingthetruckstosmithereens.‘He’shere,’saidPraxorknowinglyandbellowed,‘SpaceMarines,attack!’Thethreesquadsbarrelledtowardsthebreach,cuttingdownthedisorientatedorksswarmingoffitwithbarksofbolterfireandflashingblades.Out of the carnage appeared Telion. Unhooded, the brother-sergeant stalked amongst the panickedgreenskinranks likea truepredator.Nobattlecriescamefromhis lips.Hewassternandcold,killingswiftly and efficiently. A four-man scout squad followed his lead. Inexplicably, they had managed toemergeinthemidstoftheentrenchments,havingsomehowfoundaclandestineroutethroughtheruggedbattlefieldlandscapetoapproachtheorksunnoticeduntilchoosingtoact.Afewmetresfromtheattack,aStorm-patternlandspeederhoveredupandaway,launchingasalvooffraggrenadesintotheclusteredorkforcestosafeguarditsrapidascent.BythetimeScipioandhisbrother-sergeantshadreachedthedevastatedorkfortifications,Telionandhisscouts were gone, drifting off like ghosts to some other part of the battlefield. Doubtless he too wasmovinginsupportofSicarius.Amissile-strike fromBrotherGarrikwidened thegapingwreckageof theearthworks.Scipioand therestofthesquadspedthroughit,IulusandPraxorsurgingthroughotherbreachesinthebattereddefences.Emergingthroughthesmokeanddust,ametalmonstrosityfilledScipio’svisionasasecondwaveoforkarmourmovedto impedethem.Themachine lumberedonthick,piston-pumpinglegs.Asteel torso,notunlikeametalcanrivetedwithorkglyph-platesandadditionalslabsofarmour,swayedbackandforthasthemachinestompedtowardsthem.Anexhauststuckoutofitsbacklikeaspine,chuggingacridfumes.Itwasnestledalongsideacrudelyfashionedbannerstrungwithbleachedhumanskulls.Theorkdreadnought,afive-metre-highmonstrosity,wasfestoonedwithweapons:ahigh-calibrecannonwas bolted to its hip, a generous ammo feed trailing to the ground from its auto-loader; two long,hydraulic arms ended in a snappingpower clawand a rotator-saw respectively.Agreen targeting eyewhirred and clicked along the dreadnought’s thin vision-slit, through which Scipio detected thebelligerentpresenceofagreenskinhard-wiredintothemachineitself.Itwasnotalone.Asecondmachinestompedintoview,cannonshudderingwithrecoil.TheroundstoreuptheearthnexttoScipio’sfeet,butfailedtofindatarget.Amissilestreakedoverheadin retaliation and blew off the dreadnought’s cannon as well as most of its left side. Scipio saw thegreenskinpilotthroughthecrackedmetalarmourofitscockpit.Itjudderedandshook,thewirespokingoutofitsplatedskullsparkingandonfireastheneurallinktoitsdyingmachinewassevered.

Itspartnercameonundeterred,advancingoverthestrickenorkpilotasitcontinuedtospasm,crushingittopaste.Suppressing bolter fire flicked off the ork dreadnought’s armoured hull, no more a deterrent than astinginginsect,asitsweptitscannonaroundinawidearc.TwoofScipio’sbattle-brotherswentdowninafusilladeofhigh-calibrebullets.Thesergeanthimselftookashotinthepauldronandfeltitbite.Hekordousedtheorkfightingmachinewithpromethiumfromhisflamer.ThethingcaughtalightbrieflybeforethefirediedanditsmashedtheUltramarineasidewithitsmassivearm.Hekorlayproneontheground,awidecrackinhisceramiteplastronoozingblood.Theothertwosquadswerefaringnobetterasmoreorkdreadnoughts,andsomesmallermachineriesofa similar crude design, joined the fray. Scipio saw onemelted down by Iulus’s squad, another blownapartinhisperipheralvisionwithkrakgrenadesbyPraxor’sShieldBearers.Rightnow,though,Scipiohadhisownproblems.‘Garrik,takeitdown!’hecried,asthedreadnoughtcameatthem.‘Onyourorder,sir-arrggh!’Thebattle-brotherfell,abarrageofhigh-calibreshellstearinguphispowerarmourandlayinghimflat.BrotherBrakkiuswenttohaulhimoutofharm’swaybutwaspickedoffbyaflame-thrower attachment on the dreadnought’s main cannon. Tossed around one-eighty degrees, hecollapsedintoasmoulderingheap.Scipiogrittedhisteeth,eyedupthemechanicalmonsterandcharged.Firstduckinganother flame-throwerburst,he thenweavedunderacasualsweepof thedreadnought’srotator-saw, though it caught the sergeant’s banner pole affixed to his back and cut it in half. Scipiorepliedwithaswipeofhischainsword,rippingthroughabunchofhydrauliccablesthatfedpowertotherotator-saw.Theweaponscreechedatfirst,judderingasitsservosprotested,butthenhummedbackintolife.Thebolterfirehadbarelydenteditsarmouredtrunk-likebodyandScipiosearchedforanyadvantage.Hehacked thebarrel off thedreadnought’s stuttering cannon as it swung round, but the chain teethgotstuckthree-quartersthroughthemetal,andtheweaponwaswrenchedaway.Hetriedhisboltpistolagain,aimingforanyweakpoints,buttosseditawaywhenthedreadnoughtbroughtitsrotator-sawdowninapunishingarc.Scipiocaughtittwo-handed.Theimpactresonatedallthewaydownhisarmsandintohisshoulders.Thespinningbladewasstalledjustcentimetresfromhisbattlehelm.Musclesbunching,Scipio’ssecondaryheartkickedinandpumpedbloodmorerapidlyaroundhissystemin order to cope with the sustained exertion. Even though the severed hydraulic cable limited thedreadnought’spower,Scipiostillfelthisbodybeinggrounddownslowlyinthedirt.Therotator-sawwasjustmillimetresfromhishelmet.Heslippedandthebladechewedintothemetal,spittingsparks.TheleftlensofScipio’sbattlehelmcloudedwithstaticasthevisualfeedwascut.Asecondmoreandthebattlehelm disintegrated around his face. Scipio shrugged away thewrecked helm as the greatermovementaffordedbyitsabsenceallowedhimtoleanbackafewmorevitalmillimetres.The battle din, the sights and smells of the bloodied fieldwashed over Scipio in awave as hewasstrippedofhisbrokenhelmetanditssophisticatedfiltrationsystems.Thesensorydisorientationwasonlymomentary;hissuperhumanAstartesphysiologycompensatedatonce.The adjustment didn’t help him in his current predicament. Scipio roared as the rotator-saw edged alittlecloser,determinedtomeethisendwithdefianceinhisheartandthenameoftheChapteronhislips.‘Ultramarines!’hecried, and felt a flashof intenseheatagainsthisbare faceas thedreadnoughtwassmashedaside.Rollingawayfromthemachineandupintoabattle-crouch,Scipiosawthedreadnoughtexplodewithagapingholeofdissolvedmetal in its torso. Its legscrumpledand it fell intoasmokingruin.

‘Rise,BrotherVorolanus!’Scipioturnedatthebooming,automatedvoiceandsawtheimperiousformofBrotherAgnathio.TheSpaceMarinedreadnoughtcastahugeshadowasittoweredoverhisfellowAstartes.Themortally-woundedbattle-brotherentombedwithinitsarmouredsepulchrehadbeenstirredintosentiencewhenthefinal approach to Black Reach had begun. He was a Chapter relic, interred within his dreadnoughtsarcophagusoverfivethousandyearsagoattheFallofChundrabad.Thewarmachine’sadamantiumhullwas girded by ornate layers of ceramite and emblazoned with the stylised iconography of theUltramarines, all wrought by the Chapter’s artificers. Reliquaries weremounted on Agnathio’s broadmachine shoulders, containing the bones of other noblewarriors secured inmicro-stasis fields. Purityseals and sheavesofparchment inscribedwithoathsand litanies swathedhis armoured form likeholyvestments.Thevenerabledreadnought twisted its torsoaroundandfiredasecondpulsatingbeamfromitsmulti-melta.Anotheroftheorkmachineswastornapartinablisteringexplosion.‘Onlyindeath,doesdutyend.’Agnathio’svoice,fedthroughthevox-coderbuiltintohissarcophagus,wasgratingandthunderous.Scipiostood,theearthshakingunderhisfeet,asthedreadnoughtchargedagreenskinwarmachine.ThesergeantmarvelledasAgnathiotorethelastdiminutiveorkdreadnoughtapart.Crushingitscan-likebodywithablowfromitsmassivepowerfist,Agnathiothenwrenchedtheweaponfreebeforethrustingitbackintothecavityhe’dcreatedandchurnedtheorkpilotwithintobloodymulch.‘For theChapter, forward!’ roared the implacable dreadnought, breaking apart a huddle of gretchinclutchingcrudely-madebombswithhispowerfist’sbuilt-instormbolter.‘Thunderboltsregroup,’Scipiobarked,recoveringhischainswordfromwhereithadjammedintheorkdreadnought’scannon.Bereftofhisbattlehelm’scomm-feed,hehadtoshout.Mercifully,theywerestillatfullstrength.GarrikandBrakkiushadrecovered;LargoandOnus,chewedupbythedreadnought’scannon,werealsobattle-ready,albeitwithpuncturedpowerarmour.OnlyHekorstaggered,thejaggedchestwoundhavingclottedthankstotheLarramancellsinhisblood.TheorganthatgeneratedthemwasacrucialpartofaSpaceMarine’sgenetically-enhancedphysiology.Withoutit,Hekorwouldbedead.‘Stillwithus,brother?’askedScipio.‘Onyourlead,SergeantVorolanus,’Hekorreplied,bitingbackthepain,andcradlinghisflameragainsthisruinedchest.Scipionodded.‘TotheChaplain,’heordered.‘FormuponBrotherAgnathio.’THEDENSECRUMPofthegarrison’sartillerywasdeafeningandsentviolenttremorsripplingthroughtheearthwitheverydischarge.Scipio’sLyman’sEarfilteredout thenoise, regulatedit to tolerable levels,andmaintainedhisbalancewitheveryresultingshellquake.ThenorthwallofGhosporaHivewasonlyahundredmetresaway.OnceAgnathio had finishedoff themobof greenskin dreadnoughts, the tactical squads had linkedupwithChaplainOradquickly.LikeScipio,IulusandPraxorhadescapedwithoutsustaininganyfatalities,thoughtheywerebatteredandwar-weary.Using the vox-unit in his gorget like a loud hailer,ChaplainOrad bellowed battle-prayers to lift thespiritsoftheUltramarinesandgalvanisethem.Theywouldneedtobegirded–withtheblackwallsofGhosporaathand,theteethofthegreenskineliteswerenext.Thefightingwasharder thisclose to thehivedefences.Theorksherewereadifferentbreed:bigger,

withheavierarmour;someencasedinentirelymechanicalsuitsrepletewithpowerclawsandmountedheavyweapons.Theirskinwasdarker,almostblack,thickandornerylikeflakarmour.ThiswasZanzag’smob,hisinnercircle,hisclan.‘For Marneus Calgar and the Chapter!’ roared Chaplain Orad, and Scipio echoed his cry as theThunderboltscharged.Hordesof lessergreenskinssurrounded thecoreofZanzag’selite; theUltramarines tore through themwithbolterandblade.Scipiofoughtoneofthescar-facedorkveterans.Thebeastwashuge,cladinthickplate,itsmuscledarmsaugmentedbyacrudearrayofpneumaticpistonstoenhanceitsstrength.Aplumeofflamespilledoutoftheork’sarmattachment,whichwasfendedoffbyScipio’svambracebeforehegotcloseandhackeditoffwithhischainsword.ItwadedinwithasnappingpowerclawthattheUltramarinebarelydodged.Boltpistolroundsexplodedagainstitstorso,butthesmokingarmourshowedonlydentsandchippedpaint.Asecondveteranloomedalongsideit,andScipiosuddenlyfeltoutmatched.A fierce stormof promethium sent it reeling asBrotherHekor cameup in support.But thegreenskinendured,wading through the intense conflagration before letting ripwith some kind of custom cannonmountedononearm.Fatshellsspatfromthemuzzlelikemetalrain,andHekorwastornapart.Theorkgruntedinwhatcouldonlyhavebeencruelmirth.TheUltramarine’spowerarmourwaswrecked;ithadn’tevenslowedthebullets.Scipiotookaninvoluntarystepback,hackingatalessergreenskinthatgottooclose.ThreeofhissquadfiredinunisonatHekor’scacklingslayer.Thesergeantaddedhisownweapontothefusillade,andtheork finallywentdown.Thesecondstomped in, looking forakill,whenChaplainOrad intervenedandcrushedthebeast’sskullwithablowfromhiscrozius.‘Donotfalter,’heroared,plasmapistolblazing.‘WemustreachCaptainSicarius.Letnothingpreventit.In the name ofGuilliman, advance!’A furious barrage of ork fire spattered against his rosarius field.Rounds exploded in front of his skull-faced visage, Orad didn’t even flinch. He forged in again,bellowing litanies of retribution and cleansing. Scipio and the rest of the Ultramarines followed himfurtherintothehorde.ThesergeantcoulddiscernthehulkingformsoftheTerminatorsofSquadHeliosaheadthroughthechaos.Thebattlewasadeadlygrindnow,butZanzag’sofficercadrewasasintractableasthebulwarksthatthey fought to bring down. Every metre gained was a blood-baptised struggle. The custom weaponsfashioned by some inexplicable freak of greenskin science were proving effective, and taking a toll.Powerarmour,itseemed,wasnoproofagainstthem.Inthelastfewminutesalone,Scipiohadseenthreebattle-brothersfalltotheorkveteranswieldingthem.TheUltramarines adapted, concentrating fire on these greenskins to take them down, using the heavyweapons advancing from the rearguard devastator squads to tear up the ork armour.BrotherAgnathioleanthismulti-melta to thebarrage, thesuper-heatedbeamscything through theenemy,beforecrashingforwardthroughthemasstostaveinaveteran’sskullwithhispowerfist.Upahead,ScipiosawagapingcreviceinGhospora’sbastionwallwherethegreenskinshadbreachedit.ScoresofdeadSableGunners,BlackReach’shumangarrison, litteredtherubblearoundit.Corpsespiledhighlikemacabresandbagsasthevaliantbuthopelessdefenderspressedmoremenintothegapinadesperate effort to staunch it. Through the blood-soakedmelee, Scipio caught sight of an even largerbeast,itsarmourandtrappingsmoreimpressiveandostentatiousthantheothergreenskins.Ittoowieldedacustomisedcannonandclutchedaheftyaxe,cracklingwithelectricalenergy,initsothermightyfist.Awall of densely armouredorkwarriors surrounded it, evenmore scarred and leathery than the rest.Abodyguard.Zanzag.Itcouldbenoother.Thesnatchedglimpsewasfleetinglostinthepitchandyawofthefirefight.Scipiodugin,hewingwith

hischainswordasitgrowledforblood.Hiswarriorswerearoundhim,fightinghard;ChaplainOradtoo,hurlingvitriolicrhetoricattheorks.Iftheydidn’tunderstandhiswords,theyfeltthebiteofhisfurywitheverystrokeofhiscrozius.In awashofblood and screamingdeath theyhadbroken through.Scipio foundhimself alongside themassive Terminators of 1st Company as they released an explosive tempest with their storm bolters.Throughthecarnage,thebattledinthrobbinginhisears,thescentofsweatandflamefillinghisnostrils,ScipiothoughthesawArcusHeliosforgingabody-strewnpathwithhisthunderhammer.ThenhesawSicarius.Thecaptainwasat thevanguardof theattack,hisLionsguardinghisflankandrearashepressedaheadof themainbattlegroup, slayingorkswitheveryblow.Facedwithamobofthree greenskin scar-veterans, Sicarius dispatched them with impudent sweeps of his ancient powersword.ThebrutalactofbravuracreatedafewmetresofgroundfortheUltramarinestoexploit,allowingthemtocontestthebreachitself.Sicariusstormedintoitwithoutthought.SquadSolinuswasathisheels,justlikeatFortTelendrar.Thecaptain’siron-hardgazewasfixedahead,Scipiocatchingsnatchedglimpsesofhimthroughthesprayingblood andmuzzle flashes as he fought to keep pace. The sergeant powered into the breach alongsideChaplainOrad,SquadHelios andhis other battle-brothers, determined to cleanse it of greenskins andliberatethehive.Thecaptain,though,hadbutoneenemyinmind.HewantedZanzag,andhemeanttogethimregardlessofthefoesarrayedinhispath.‘Brothers!’Sicariusroared,strafingawhite-hotbeamofplasmafromhispistolintothegreenskinranks.‘Warcalls.Willyouanswer?’HethrusttheTempestBladeintotheairlikeabeacon,the2ndCompanybanner,heldaloftbyBrotherVandius,snappingasitsbackdrop.TheUltramarines roared inunison,Scipioamongst them,redoubling theirefforts.Fusilladesofbolterfireandswathesofpromethiumpoundedintothebreach.ChurningbladesandcracklingpowerweaponsfollowedinthebloodyaftermathastheAstartesclosedagain.WithSicariusleadingthem,theUltramarineswereanunstoppableforce.Victory was near. Scipio could feel the spine of the ork horde slowly breaking as the punishmentinflictedbytheUltramarinesbegantotakeitstoll.Theyjusthadtopressalittleharder.Rushing into a gapmade by the awesome firepower of the dreadnoughts thatwere consolidating theUltramarines’ position, Scipio came within scant metres of the heroic captain. Scipio found his ownprowessenhanced,hiswilllikeironinthereflectedgloryofhisleader.HesawIulusandPraxorcloseby,similarlyaffected.ChaplainOradwas intentonmetingoutdeath, smiting theorkswithshots fromhisplasmapistolandarcingblowsfromhiscrozius.BrotherAgnathio,overtakeninthecharge,waslayingwastetotheremaininggreenskinarmourfromtherear of the Ultramarines’ spearhead contesting the breach. Brother Ultracius fought alongside him,unleashinghellfromhisassaultcannon;twogoliathsventingstormandfury.Throughsheeraggressionand the rateofattritionbeingsufferedby the foeat theirvengefulhand, theUltramarines forced thegreenskinsoutof theGhosporabastiondefences.TheSableGunners swarmedoverrecentlyliberatedpositions,takingupheavyweaponemplacements,pouringlas-fireintothehordefrombehindruinedwallsandshatteredwatchtowers.Scipioadmired theirbravery.Humanswerebrittle,weakeven,compared toanAstartes.Theirmindsandmoreswerecrudeandundeveloped,buttheyhadspirit.Thetideturning,andwiththewallsofGhosporaattheirbacks,Scipioandhisotherbattle-brothersduginforthefinalbattle.Cuttinghisownnameintothepagesofglorywithhischainsword,Scipionoticed

CaptainSicariusfinallycatchsightofhisprey.Theorkwarlord,Zanzag,hadretreatedfromthebreachfurtherdown thewall andwasbellowing loudlyathis troops ina rage, thickwadsof sputumflickingfromhismaw.ThebeastwasthrowingeverythinghehadattheUltramarines,tryingtoretakethewallbyhurlingwavesafterwaveoforksintothemeatgrinder.Zanzag’sdeathwouldenditall.Nogreenskinwasastenaciouswithoutitsleader.Sicariussighteddownhispistol,but theweaponwassmackedfromhisgraspbeforehecouldfirebyanotherscar-veteran.Thecaptaingutteditwithhispowersword,andcried,‘Daceus!’TheveteransergeantofhisLionsreactedinstinctivelyandthrewhisboltertothecaptainwhocaughtitsmoothlyandfiredone-handed.Heroaredas themuzzle-flash lithis face;Scipio thoughthehadneverseenavisagesoterrifying.Theexplosiveroundsrippledthroughtheair,arrestingZanzag’sfrothingtiradeashismawandmostofhistrunk-likeneckwerehit.Scipiosawbloodspurt,andthickchipsoftuskfly,butthebeastdidnotfall.Instead, he retreated, allowing the remnants of his bodyguard to protect him. The other greenskinspressed,too,bulliedintobecomingflesh-shieldsfortheirwarlord’sescape.Thefight,itseemed,hadgoneoutofthem.Theorkswereinfullretreat.Cheers erupted from the Sable Gunners in exultation of their saviours. The scattered cries of thedefenders echoed around empty towers, eclipsing the plaintivemoaning of thewounded. The garrisonwasdowntobarebonesafterthebeatingthey’dbeengiven,buttheycouldstillmustersomeheartinthefaceofunexpectedtriumph.‘VictorisUltra!’bellowedChaplainOrad,liftinghiscroziushigh.TheresultantresponsefromtheUltramarineswasaroarthatresoundedacrossthebattlefield.Ghosporawaswon.

PHASETHREEORKHUNTERS

‘WELLMET, IULUS,’ called Scipio, seeing his fellow sergeant approaching through the ruins of theGhosporabastionwall.Itwasbarelyhalfanhouraftertheorkshadbeendefeated,andengineershadalreadysetaboutrepairingthecavernousbreachmadebythegreenskins.Demolitioncrewsscurriedinpacks,trailingspoolsofwireas they fled behind the still-standing wall sections and pressed down the plungers of their crudeequipmenttosetoffexplosives.AcrushedtowercollapsedafewmetresawayfromIulus,crashingdownintothebreachandpartiallyfillingitin.The shaven-headed sergeant ignored it, ploughing through thedust cloud to reachScipioon theotherside.‘Glad to see you’re still alive, brother.’ Scipio clasped Iulus’s hand in a firm grasp, and his fellowUltramarineclappedhisarminreturn.‘Aye,’growledIulus,wipingabeadofsweatfromhisshinyforehead,‘thoughitlookslikeIshouldbesayingthattoyou.’Hepointedagauntletedfingertowardstheothersergeant’sforehead.Scipio toucheditandfeltagashfromawoundhehadn’trealisedhe’dsustained.Herememberedtheclosecallagainsttheorkdreadnought.‘Justafleshwound,’hereplied.‘Sevendead,’remarkedIulustersely,gazingoutatthekillingfieldbeyondGhospora’snorthwallwhereahostofcorpseslay,predominantlyork.ScipiosawApothecaryVenatiomovingamongstthedeath-smog,poisedwithhisreductortoextractthegene-seedfromthefallensothattheymightfightagain,albeitinanewbodywithadifferentmind,theirlegacypreservedandservingtheChapterevenindeath.ASpaceMarinecombatsquadaccompaniedhim,retrievingthebodiesoftheirdeadbattle-brotherssotheycouldbelaidtorestwithhonourandtheirequipmentsalvagedforre-usebythecompany.‘Fifteenwounded,’Iulusconcluded,ashelookedaway.‘It’sgrimwork,’agreedScipio.‘Hekorwasamongstthefallen,’headdeddarkly.‘HewillservetheChapterindeath,justasweallwill,’offeredIulus,somewhatpragmatically.‘At least victory is ours,’ said Scipio, watching as Chaplain Orad moved through the carnage too,sporadicburstseruptingfromhisplasmapistolasheexecutedanygreenskinsthatstillclungtenaciouslytolife.HewasalsotheretoprovidelastritesforanyfallenAstartesthatcouldnotbesaved.ApothecaryandChaplainworkedintandem.OradkneltbythestrickenbodyofoneofScipio’sbattle-brothers,givingafinalbenedictionbeforeVenatiomovedin.The dreadnoughts Ultracius and Agnathio roved in the distance like terrible avengers, patrolling thedormantwarzoneforlingeringgreenskinforces,addingtothealreadyconsiderabledeathtoll.‘Victory?Itakeityouhavenotheard.’‘Heardwhat?’askedScipio,nonplussed,hisattentionbackonIulus.‘Thecaptain’squarryeludedhim.Wepressforthewastelandsbeyondthehivecity,wheretheorkshavemadetheirtransientcamp.’‘Brothers!’ThevoiceofPraxorforestalledScipio’sresponse.ThesergeantwasjubilantashemadehiswaythroughthebustlinghumansandtheChapter’sTechmarineswiththeirgagglesofmindlessservitors.EveryeffortwasbeingmadetosecureGhosporaHivebeforetheUltramarinesmovedon.

‘ThegloryoftheChapterhasswelledthisday,’hesaid,noddingproudly.‘TofightatSicarius’sside…’headded,shakinghisheadinaweatthememoryofit.‘Didyoufeelhisaura,Scipio?NeverhaveIbeensolifted.Neverhaspistolandbladefeltasrighteous.’‘It was indeed humbling,’ Scipio said, bowing his head in reverence. The sight of Sicarius surgingthroughthehordewasthesubstanceoflegend,andherehehadwitnesseditfirsthand.‘Heroic,I’llconcedethat,’counteredIulus,hisslablikefaceturningtogranite,‘butreckless.Mysquadwasluckytohavereachedthebattlefrontatall,asIdaresayotherswere.Toleadisonething,toleaveyourchargesbehindinthepursuitofpersonalgloryisquiteanother.’Praxor’svoicehardened.Scipiothoughtheheardhisfistsclench.‘StillfightingAgemman’scorner,Isee.’Theglaringsergeant’stonewaseven.‘Ifightnocorner,savethatoftheChapter.’Iulusturned,andwasabouttowalkawaywhenthevoiceofVeteranSergeantDaceusstoppedhim.‘Sergeants,’hegrowled,tononeoftheminparticular.‘Thecaptainrequestsyourpresenceintheprima-factorum.’TheUltramarines,sodividedbyopinion,salutedasoneandfollowedtheLionofMacraggeasheledthemaway.GHOSPORAHIVEWASavastedificeofsprawlingindustry.Muchofthat industrywasnowinruins,butstill the fact and the echo of it remained. Towers surged into the darkness of myriad levels above.Walkwaysandgantriescriss-crossedeachotherlikesomeinfernalmetalliclattice.Habitationblocksandworkertenementsclusteredtogetherinrankslikebedraggledparadetroopershuddlingagainsttheroughelements.Immensehexagonalstacksfromthemineral-miningcomplexesboredintothesublevelsventedsmokeandgasinthickplumes.Cranesarchedoveropen-toppedoresiloslikebrokenfingers.Immensegears,loopingcablesandlengthsoftrack–constituentpartsofthegargantuanminingenginethatenabledBlack Reach to function, export, trade and to live – pervaded over all. So vast, its population oncenumberingbillions,thehivecitywasnowreducedtoabrokenremnantofwhatithadoncebeen.Theareaimmediatelybeyondthewallhadbeenheavilyindustrialisedandcomprisedseveralshatteredfactorumbuildings–boxystructureswithaplain,austereappearance.‘Functional’wasthewordthatenteredScipio’smindastheyfollowedVeteranSergeantDaceusintotheonlybuildingthathadavoidedbeingshelledbythegreenskinsandwasmoreorlessstillstanding.Sodiumlightingboltedupinstripsacrossaferrocreteceilingcastlittleluminescenceintoahexagonalchamber. Debris and scattered refuse had been swept into the edges of the room, and a large metalconference tablewithassortedchairsandstoolsstood in thecentre.Therewereseveralantechambers,some cordoned off by rough sheets of plastek, others drenched in gloom. Soot coated everything anddriftedfromtheceilinginfitfulmotesturningthelightgrainy.Brownishstainsrandownthewallinoneofthecornersfromarupturedwaterpipethathadbeenbandagedbyanoldbullet-riddenflakjacket.Itwasapoorfix,andthesoddenpieceofImperialGuard-issueequipmentdrippedlanguidlyintoamurkypoolbelow.Scipionotedallofthisinthefirstfewsecondsasheenteredthechamber.Allinallitwasarat-infestedpit,barelyfitforserfs.‘My lords—’A human had approached theUltramarines as soon as they had arrived, and prostratedhimselfon thegroundbefore them. ‘Youhavesavedusall thisgloriousday.’Themanwore theblackuniformandsilvercuirassofaSableGunnersofficer.‘IamCorporalVormast,commanderof the81st,23rdand15thSableGunnerregiments.WelcometoGhosporaOperationalHeadquarters.’Struggling to his feet, a clearly awe-struck aide assisting him, Corporal Vormast was a wretched

specimen.Hisarmourwastarnished,hisuniformdirtyandtorn.Thetroopershehadinhischargebehindhimwererawandragged,manyswathedinbandageandgauze.Scipio regarded themenwith pity.They had given their all and stillwould have been bested by thegreenskinshad itnotbeenfor theSpaceMarines’ intervention. Iulusshowedonlycold indifference; tohimthecorporalwasnodifferenttotherockofthewallsorthemetalofthehive’sguns–theywerealljust materiel. Praxor’s expression was one of utter disdain. He looked above the man, or rathermaintainedAstarteseye-level,searchingforthepresenceofhiscaptain,butnonewastobefound.‘CaptainSicariuswillbewithusshortly,’saidDaceus,asifguessingPraxor’sthoughts,walkingpastthe human andhis rednue. ‘CorporalVormast, please join us at the command table,’ he addedwithoutlookingback.Thehumangaveuphisgenuflecting,hisdeferenceonhiatus,andscurriedovertothegiantAstarteswhohadlefthimintheirwake.‘Acorporal,’Scipioremarkedwhenthehumanofficerhadcaughtthemup.‘Thatisalowrankforoneinchargeofthedefenceofanentirehivecity.’‘Yes,’ Vormast replied a little nervously. Scipio thought he looked young for such a post. ‘I am thehighest-ranking officer left,’ the human told them, removing his corporal’s cap and wiping a sweat-drenchedmopofhairbeneathbeforereplacingit.‘Thegreenskinshitushard.’‘I’ll say,’Praxormutteredunderhisbreath,castingacontemptuous lookaround the festeringsinkholethatwasSableGunnerCommand.Alargeblastdooropened,spillingingreylightandtheraucoussoundsofengineersstrivingtorepairthewalldefences.CaptainSicarius strode through the opening.He had his battle helm clasped beneath his arm and hisvoluminouscloakbillowedashewalked.TheTempestBladewascleanedandsheathedathiship.EvenfortheotherAstartes,hewasastirringsight.OnlyIulusappearedunmoved.Twootherwarriors,almostas impressive,accompaniedhim:one, the toweringformofArcusHeliosstomping loudly in his Terminator armour, the otherwasBrother-Sergeant Telion, slighter but no lessdangerousandimposing.‘Brothers,’ said Sicarius upon reaching the table, regarding each of the Ultramarines in turn beforesetting his helmet upon the metal surface. He then lowered his gaze, glowering slightly at CorporalVormast,aloofandinmanywaysasalientothediminutivehumanastheorkwastohim.‘Resteasy,commander,’hesaid,puttingagiantarmouredhandonthecorporal’sshoulder.Themantriedtomustersomepresencedespitehistarnishedsilvercarapaceandrippedbrocade,butheonlycameuptotheedgeoftheSpaceMarine’splastron.Sicariuslookeddownonhimlikeamanregardinganinfant.‘The north wall is secure, the greenskin are broken,’ he continued. ‘Tell me now, where in thewastelandsdoes thewarlordmakehis lair?Answerquickly,’hewarned, ‘mygunships are alreadyontheirwayhere.’Following Zanzag’s escape, Sicarius had immediately ordered three additional gunships – Pilium,SpathaandXiphos–sentfromtheValin’sRevengetoconveythoseelementsofthebattlegroupthathadnotenteredthebattleviadroppodassault.Tothecaptain’smind,timewasnowatapremium.Hewantedtheorkdead,byhishand,andthedeeddonewiththeutmosthaste.TheHighSuzerain’sglory,itseemed,wouldnotwait.Vormast bowed curtly at the Space Marine captain’s command, seemingly unable to speak for themoment, and shuffled around the edge of the command table to a small panel fused to one side.Afterpressingasequenceoficons,anexpanseofplatenglassflickeredtolifeonthetable’ssurface,backlitbysodiumbulbs.

Scipio sawPraxor sneer at the crude technology. Iulus, too, appearedunimpressed, likelywonderinghowGhosporahadn’talreadyfallenbeforetheEmperor’sAngelshadarrivedonstreamsoffirefromthesky.As the image behind the platen glass resolved, a map of Ghospora Hive and the surrounding areaappeared–Sable,thenortherncontinent.Theviewwastop-down,thelandscapeexpressedingradients,contour lines and hues of mineral density. Principally it was a mining chart co-opted for use as acampaignmap.Threehivecitiesstoodout,markedLylith,Sulphoraand,ofcourse,Ghosporaitself.‘Lylith is destroyed,’ muttered Vormast, partially to himself as if in bitter confirmation of the fact,scouringthemapquickly.Scipioabsorbedthedetailsinaninstant,committingthemtoeideticmemory.Ghospora’snearestneighbourwasSulphoraHive to the south, a fewhundredkilometresdistant.Thewasteland that laybetween themwas riddledwith artificial valleys, dredginggullies andmountainoussandbanks, all interwovenby awebof black tributaries –BlackReach’s polluted, carbon-rich rivers.Manycrossedandweavedlikelividveins;otherssprawledandstretchedinthick,darkbelts.Thelargestandwidestoftheriversflowedbetweenbothofthehives,andwasnamedBlackwallowonthemap.One of itsminor tributaries fed into a narrow ravine, ringed by a dense forest, calledBlackGulch.Themightyriverthendroveeastuntilitfelloffasheercliffinawaterfall.Anexpanseofwatertothenortheast,severalthousandkilometresfromGhospora,andfringingthenortherncontinent,wasmarkedtheSableSea.Scipioassumed thiswas the reason theorkshadnotsacked thehivecitysooner. Itwouldhave takentimetocross.TheImperialdefenderswouldlikelyhaveerectedblockades,minedthedeepwatersandsentvesselstoimpedetheattackers.Heimaginedfleetsofburningshipsadriftonanoilysea,guttedandforlorn.Ahopelesssacrificeagainstabrutalandimplacableinvader.‘The greenskins took Cobalt, Kohl and Stygia with almost no warning,’ the corporal explained,surveyingthemapwithadullgaze.Hescrolledthenortherncontinenteast,usingadial–Scipionoticedthe human’s hand shaking; doubtless from shellshock or some other nervous condition he’d developedover the course of Ghospora’s defence – and the other neighbouring continents were revealed on apreviously hidden area of themap. Each had three hive cities. All, barring those on Sable, had beensackedbytheorks.‘Twomonths,ninehives,’saidIulus,partlytohimself,partlytohisbattle-brothers.‘Theorksmusthavestruckquicklyandprecisely.It’snotatacticthey’reknownfor.’‘Anythoughtsonhowthatcouldbepossible,SergeantFennion?’askedSicarius,directly.Iuluskept lookingat themap,as if theanswer to thecaptain’squestioncouldbediscerned there.Hisdemeanourwasiron-hardasever,evenbeneaththeHighSuzerain’sscrutiny.‘Awater-borneshipofsomekind,’hesaid.‘They’dneedafleettocrossthesea.Itwouldhavetobeavessellargeenoughtoferryanentirehorde.It’stheonlywaytheorkscouldhavemarshalledanassaultsoswiftly,possiblyevencoordinatedmultiplestrikes.’‘Youbelievethegreenskincapableofsuchcohesion.’Thebone-hardvoiceofTelionseemedtochilltheroomashespoke.Itwasn’tachallenge,justastatementoffact.EvenIuluspausedastheintimidatingscoutsergeantsteppedintothelight-glarethrownfromtheplatenglass.The slab-facedSergeant IulusmetTelion’s icy gaze in spite of the veteran’s formidable presence. ‘Idon’tknowwhatthey’recapableof,brother-sergeant.They’realien.Whocantrulysaywhatgoesonintheirdepravedminds,whatthoughtprocessesdriveandimpelthem.’‘Soitispossible,then?’

‘Yes,itispossible,’Iulusrepliedatlength.Telionnodded,as ifsatisfied,andScipiofelt the tensionbleedbackoutof theroomandsomeof thewarmthreturn.‘Your watch towers and sentries,’ said Iulus, ‘did they detect any vessels capable of delivering anassaultofthisnature?’‘No,mylord,’repliedCorporalVormast,‘theydidnot.Oncethey’dcrossedtheSableSea,wesawnomoreships.Thegreenskinsjustemergedfromthewaterbanks,swarmingtowardsusintheirthousands.Vox-castsfromColonelNachthausseratArachnisandthenCaptainObenatEusthenosindicatedthesamepattern beforewe lost contact…’The corporal’s voice trailed off, and Scipio imagined the desperatepleasforaid,thegunfireandscreaminginthebackgrounduntilstaticswallowedallsoundsoflife,andtheirrefutabletruththatVormast’ssuperiorsweredeadseepeditswayinsidiouslyintohismarrow.Iulusfellsilent,unawareofthecorporal’sgrief,insteadseeingthreadsofstrategyinhismind’seyeandtryingtounravelthemtogetatthetruthoftheorks’lightningraids.‘Wewould have seen their ships,’ theman said at last. ‘There’s noway they could have concealedthem.’‘Something else then,’ suggestedScipio. ‘Somebastardisedmachinery of ork sciencewehave yet toencounter?’‘Our Techmarines recovered some of the weapons the greenskins used to pierce our slain brothers’powerarmourwithsuchease,’VeteranSergeantDaceusremarked.‘ItsuggeststhisZanzagisnoordinarybeast.’‘Ithassomemechanicalacumen,itwouldseem,’Praxorputin,notwishingtobeleftoutofthestrategicanalysis.‘Doweknowhowthesecrudetechnologiesfareagainsttacticaldreadnoughtarmour?’ArcusHeliosspokeforthefirsttimesinceenteringthechamber.HehadremovedhisTerminatorhelmet.His head, completewith its shaven crest ofwhite hair bifurcating his otherwise smooth skull, lookedabsurdlysmallencasedwithinthemassivearmouredsuitandalmosttouchedthesodiumstriplighting.‘We engaged the greenskin scar-veterans,’ he said, his stentorian voice echoing loudly. His sheerpresenceandenormoussizemadethehumansbalk.‘Ourarmourprovedimpervious.Thecruxterminatusleftusunscathed.’‘Theveryfactthatthewarlordeludedourwrathshowsitisasingularbeast,’Praxorremarked.‘Itshowsitsfortune,itsstrongsurvivalinstinct–thatisall,’saidSicarius.Scipio thought the captain’s clipped and even tone suggested another emotion: his profounddissatisfactionatallowingthecreaturetoescapehim.‘Myspike’–herecalledSicarius’swordsspokenontheValin’sRevenge.‘Andluckwillalwaysrunout,SergeantManorian.’‘Yessir.’Praxorraspedthewordsalittle,clearinghisthroatafterwardsassurreptitiouslyashecould.‘So then, corporal—’ Sicarius concluded, returning his gaze to the slightly cowering human and hisretinue.‘Myquarry?’‘Your scouts—’ said Vormast, mustering his voice again. ‘Your scouts’ reports match our ownintelligence. The few long-range antenna feeds that remain operationalmonitored the greenskin horderetreating to here,’ – the corporal pointed to the wasteland between Ghospora and its other intactneighbour,Sulphora–‘wheretheorkshaveconstructedaseriesoffortressesfromthesalvagetakenfromthesackedhives.’Sicarius’sfacehardened.ScipiothoughthesawabriefglintinhiseyeatthethoughtofcatchinguptoZanzagandexactinghisrevengefortheorkhavingeludedhimthefirsttime.ThedensepitchofThunderhawk turbofansdecelerating to landingspeed resonated loudly through the

cracksintheprima-factorumbuildingandcurtailedfurtheranalysis.Thetransportshadarrivedrightontime.‘Gatheryoursquads,’Sicariusmuttereddarkly,sweepinguphishelmet,‘wedeployforthewastelandatonce.Fullattack.We’llteachthisalienscumwhatitmeanstoincurtheireoftheUltramarines.’‘My lord—’ The Astartes were already walking away when Corporal Vormast spoke up. ‘My owntroopsareseverelyreducedinstrength,ourwallsareintatters,’heimplored.‘Shouldtheorksreturn,wewillbedefenceless.’‘NoservantoftheEmperoriseverdefenceless,corporal,’Sicariustoldhim,deigningtoturnandfacethemanbeforejammingonhishelmet.‘Faithprotectsusall.’‘Ofcourse,myliege,’thecorporalpersisted,lickinghislipsnervously,‘but—’‘Butyou’llfeelbetterwiththemightoftheAstartesatyourback,’Sicariusinterjected,hisvoicetinnyandresonantthroughhishelmetvox.‘ProvisionhasalreadybeenmadetogalvaniseGhospora,corporal.TheUltramarineswillguaranteeyourprotection.’‘Brother-SergeantTelion,’thecaptainadded,turningtothemasterscoutbeforedepartingwiththeotherSpaceMarines.The blast doors were opening already. Scipio saw Sergeant Solinus waiting there with news of theThunderhawks’arrival.‘Brother-SergeantsManorianandFennion.’Telion’svoice stoppedbothAstartes in their tracks. ‘TheShieldBearersandtheImmortalswithSquadTirianwillmanthegarrisonincasetheorksreturn,’hesaidwithoutfurtherexplanation,beforefollowingSicarius.ScipiowatchedPraxor fall intostepbehind themashe leftSableGunnerOperationalCommand.Thesergeantof theShieldBearerswascrestfallen,hisdesire tofindgloryandhonourathiscaptain’ssidepunctured.Itcouldn’thavebeenanyworsehadSicariustakenadaggerandplungeditthroughhisheart,Iulus,ontheotherhand,seemedutterlyunmoved.Hewouldsimplydohisduty,ashealwaysdid.INSECONDSTHE roomwasemptyagain,except forCorporalVormastandhismen.Heporedover thecampaignmap,visualisingthefallenbattlelines,thebrokenfortificationsandthedrovesofdeadtrooperssacrificed to stem theork tide.Howmanymorewould it take to rid themof thegreenskinmenace,hewondered?‘YOUDIDN’TTHINKhewouldleaveyoubehind,didyou,Praxor?’askedIulus.HewaslookingthroughapairofmagnocularsandscouringthesandstormskickedupinthewakeoftheUltramarines’battlegroupleaving Ghospora. Together with his enhanced Astartes eyesight and the magnification offered by thedevice, Iulus could see many kilometres with crystal clarity. The Thunderhawks moved in squadronformation, kicking up plumes of dust as they flew low over the sandy plains. The quartet of deadlygunshipsconveyedthebulkofthesquads,whilstalongsideapairofStorm-variantlandspeederssoaredahead,carryingTelionandhisscoutsonadvancedreconnaissance.Gladius led thewing ofThunderhawks.Like its commander, it seemed eager to closewith the orks.Somewhereamongstthem,though,rodeScipio.‘Fightwell,’mutteredIulus,‘anddon’tgetyourselfkilled.’‘CaptainSicariushasentrusteduswiththisImperialbastion,’PraxorrepliedtoIulus’searlierremark.‘Weshouldbehonouredtoreceivesuchacharge.’Praxordidnotsoundasifhewerehonoured;histonesmackedheavilyofdisappointment.Iulus lowered the magnoculars, passing them to a Sable Gunner sergeant close by. The two SpaceMarineswere standingon theuppermost rampartsof theGhosporabastionwall rightabovewhere the

human engineers, under the guidance of the Techmarines, had patched the breach. Iulus was greatlyexperiencedatsiegedefence,havingtrainedunderCaptainLysanderhimself.Itwasforthisreasonhehadbeen left to organise the Ghosporan defence, though, as his superior, Praxor was still technically incharge. Deeming the breach as the point of greatest vulnerability, Iulus had concentrated the Astartesforcesthere.Above them, stationed in an armour-reinforcedwatchtower, stoodSergeantTirian and his devastatorsquad.Theloftyvantagepointofferedanunparalleledviewoftheopengroundbeyond,akillingfieldforhisheavyweapons.‘Youareabadliar,brother.’Iulus’sglarewaspenetratingasheturneditonPraxor.‘Whatgloryisthereinmindingthehumans,’hesaidatlast,inatonethatonlyIuluscouldhear.‘Sicariusisconcernedforhisgloryalone,’thestone-facedsergeantreplied.‘Hisrashandunconsidereddeployment to the wastelands is an indicator of that.’ Iulus’s attention was abruptly commandedelsewhere.Hiseyesnarrowedashelookedbackoutacrossthesandflats.‘Iwouldn’tworryaboutyourownlaurels,BrotherPraxor,’hesaidafterashortpause.Agrinsplithisfeatures as he turned to the otherUltramarine. Like all SpaceMarines, hewas awarrior forged, andexultedinbattle.‘Theorksarecoming.’Iuluspointednorthwards,towardsaglitteringblackhorizon.Praxorfollowedthelineofthesergeant’sgauntletedfingerandsawthesmokecloudsofamassivehordeoforksheadingtheirway.‘Thewarlordsplithisforces,’hemuttered.‘Drawingoffthebulkofourbattle-brothers,thusemboldeninghislargerreservestorenewtheGhosporaassault,’Iulusconcluded,makingforthewrought-ironstaircasethatledtogroundlevel.‘Courageandhonour,brother,’hesaid,pattingPraxoronthepauldronashepassedhim.‘Courageandhonour,’Praxorreplied,abelligerentcastaffectinghisfaceashefollowed.TheUltramarinessergeantsdescendedtothewallbreachwhereeighteenoftheirbattle-brothersawaitedthem,splitintofourcombatsquads.Soontheywouldbedeployedalongthewall,readytorepeltheorkinvaders.TechmarineLascarwasalsopresent,afinalconcessionfromCaptainSicarius tosecure thehivecity.Theheavilyaugmentedstudentof theAdeptusMechanicusapproachedIulusassoonashehadalightedfromthestairs.‘BlessingsoftheOmnissiah,BrotherFennion,’intonedLascar,invokingthebenedictionoftheMartiantech-aspectoftheEmperorasifbymechanisticrote.IulushadalwaysthoughttherewasanautonomousqualityabouttheTechmarine’svoice,asifwhateverscantemotionshe’dpossessedpriortohislongyearsoftrainingonMarstobeinductedintotheranksoftheMechanicushadlefthimalmostamachinehimself.SergeantFennionwasignorantoftheclandestineritualsoftheMartianadeptsbuttheirinfluenceuponhisbattle-brotherwasplaintosee.Lascar was clad in theMkVII battle plate of his fellowUltramarines, but wore the cog icon of theAdeptusMechanicus on the lower portion of his plastron. The stark device indicated his fealty to theMartian creed. An immense servo-harness was affixed to Lascar’s back, hard-wired into the heftygenerator for his power armour. It consisted of several pneumatic servo-arms, a lifter array, flamerattachment and various esoteric tools attached to the ends of snakingmechadendrites, including a las-torch,plasma-cutterandvibro-saw.Twobent-backedservitorsaccompaniedhim.Thepartiallylobotomisedautomatonswerearmour-cladandheavedslowandclickingbreaths throughmetal respiratormasks.Mono-taskedascombatmodels,eachservitorcarriedaweaponmountaffixedtoitstorsoinplaceofanamputatedarm.Abelt-fedheavybolter whirred up and downwith concealedmotorisation on one; a bulky plasma gun linked up to a

massivegeneratorhummeddullyontheother.Theadeptsof theRedPlanet,worshippersof theMachineGodwhocravedmetalover flesh in theirpursuit of oneness with the Omnissiah, had schooled Lascar, as they had schooled all of AstartesTechmarines, inthewaysof themachine-spiritandtheartofrepairingvehiclesandweapons.Lascar’sknowledge in this regard was without peer amongst the small battle group and Iulus knew theTechmarine’s expertise might well be the difference between victory and death when the greenskinsreachedthewalls.‘Allisinreadiness,’Lascarannounced,mechadendritestwitching,reflectinghisownardencytosmitethegreenskins.‘Andyour tactical assessmentof theGhosporannatives?’ asked Iulus, careful to avoid lookingat theservitors directly. The melding of necrotic flesh and metal felt somehow distasteful, despite his owngenetically-engineeredapotheosis.‘Thegarrisonisatforty-threepercenteffectivestrength.’‘Notmuch,’remarkedPraxor,hisopinionhowlittlethehumanswereworthobvious.‘Itwillhavetobeenough,’growledIulus,crankingaroundintothebreachofhisboltpistol.‘Whatofourordnance?’‘TheThunderfire cannons have been blessed and theRites ofAccuracy and Functioning performed,’Lascarreplied.Behindhim,Iuluscouldseethefirstof theSpaceMarinesupportgunsgrindingintopositionatemptycannon emplacements on thick, armoured tracks. Unlike most other Astartes artillery, the Thunderfirecannonwasdesignedwithstaticdefence inmind.Thebroad,quad-barrelledgunswerepintle-mountedandcapableofunleashingadevastatingbarrageofsurface,airorsubterranean-adaptiveshells.Withinthepackedranksofthegreenskinstheywouldreapbloodyhavoc.Iulussmiledgrimlyatthesightofthemassivecannon.‘Lettheearthtremble,’hesaid.SCIPIOSTAREDBLANKLYoutoftheocculiportoftheXiphos.ThedarksandbanksofBlackReachflickedby in a slowly increasing blur as the gunship picked up speed and increased loft. The ruins of aramshackleorkfortresslayburningintheThunderhawk’swake.Scipiocouldseethesmokecoilingfromitswreckageevenwhentheysoaredtothreehundredmetres.Ithadbeenlittlemorethanashantytown,abrutish amalgam of vehicle husks, wrought-iron plating and crude barricades, a rally point of sorts.SicariushadsackedthreesuchencampmentsontheedgeoftheBlackwallowalready,purgedthemwithcleansing fire and salvos from theThunderhawks’ heavy bolters.Naught but churned earth, blood andgreenskinpyresrewardedhim.Zanzaghadnotbeenamongstthedead.TheThunderhawkgunshipwasasingularvessel.Threepowerfulmotorsfuelledbyanonboardfusionreactor provided speed andmanoeuvrability thatwould rivalmost conventional Imperial fighters, andwithout theneed to compromise firepower.This, thegunshiphad in abundance.Four remote turretsoftwin-linkedheavybolters patrolled the front fuselage andwings, slaved to theSpaceMarinegunner’scontrolpanelontheflightdeck.Atwin-linkedlascannonprotrudedfromtheprowlikealancetotackleheavy armour. Finally, an immense dorsal-mounted turbo-laser on a fixed turret provided seriousdestructivepotential,backedupbyapayloadofsixHellstrikemissiles.Despite the generous amount of munitions and the need to maximise the vessel’s Astartes transportcapacity,therewasstillroomenoughforasmallreclusium,atwo-personshrineannexedfromtheuppertransportholdwherewarriorscouldprayandtaketheiroaths.ItwaswithinthecoolsanctityoftheXiphos’sreclusiumthatScipiofoundhimselfkneelingheadbowed

with his eyes closed. Having seen enough through the occuliport, Scipio had left his battle-brothers,togetherwiththewarriorsofSquadOctavianandthemightyAgnathio,rattlinginhistransitscaffold,intheChamberSanctuarine.Itwastheprincipletransportholdoftheship,wheretheAstarteswouldwaitintheiralcovesfortheordertodeploy.‘A pure and piousmind is one that serves the Emperor,’ a voice like shifting ashes issued from theshadowsinthereclusium.Scipiowaslayingdownhisbolterreverentlywhenhelookedup,incredulousthathehadnotnoticedtheotherfigureinthesmallchamber.‘Yourdevotionistobelauded,BrotherVorolanus,’raspedChaplainOrad,leaningforwardslightlyasiftoofficiallyannouncehispresence.Scipio tried not to react as he regarded him. The Chaplain went unhooded. His skull helmwas setalongsidehimasheknelt.ThesergeantoftheThunderboltssawthesuggestionofthehorrificscarringthatmarredhisvisage.Pinktissueflaredangrilyinthewanlightofvotivecandles.Thefleshwastwisted,andonehalfoftheChaplain’slipwasburnedawayrevealingboneandteeth.Hisleftearwasruined,barelyavoidinthesideofhishead,allformandshapetoiteatenawaybybio-acid.Andtheeye…theeyestaredalways, itscorneabloodshotandglowering, the lid longsinceeroded.Scipiowondered ifOradcouldstillseeoutofit.‘Iwatchedyouasyouentered,brother,’hetoldScipio,hisblightedeyeseemingtoswellwithasuddenchangeinmood.‘Somethingtroublesyou,yes?’Scipioconsideredalie,butdismissedthenotionimmediately;itwouldbedishonourable.Furthermore,ChaplainOradwoulddiscoverthedeceitbeforeitleftScipio’slips.Itwasasifthatred-eyedgazecouldpenetratetheverydepthsofhissoul.Instead,Scipiochosetoremainsilent.‘Would you like to recite a liturgy with me or perhaps one of the Canticles of Hera, the CassiusCatechismmayhap?’‘Youhonourme,Brother-Chaplain,butitisnotnecessary.’‘Youseekyouranswerinsolitude,then?’‘Ido,mybrother.’Oradstaredamomentlonger,thatbalefulredorbstrippingawayScipio’sdefenceslikealaser,beforeheseemedsatisfiedandrelented.TheChaplaindonnedhisskullhelm,muchtoScipio’srelief,andstood,mutteringabenedictionbeforetheImperialeaglesymbolwroughtintothefacingwall.‘Iamhereforyou,myson,’hissedOradasheturnedtoleave.Throughhishelmet,hisvoicereturnedtoitsgratingmetallictimbre.He gripped Scipio’s pauldron as he spoke. The sergeant felt it like the weight of judgement on hisshoulder.‘Youhaveonlytospeak,andIwillheedyou.’OnceOradhaddeparted, his footfalls seeminglyheavier andmore resonant thanhis fellowAstartes,Scipioexhaled.Hehadn’tevenrealisedhewasholdinghisbreath.Confessionwouldhavetowait.Intruth,therewaslittletoconfess,savethathefeltthesmallestkernelofdoubt towards theactionsofhiscaptain.Since thesackingof the thirdorkfort,Scipio, inwhatfewmomentshehadbeen inhispresence,hadwitnessedachange inSicarius.Witheachhour that theorkwarlord continued to evade him, the captain was becoming more driven, more vehement, more…reckless.Scipiorailedathimself.Sicariuswasahero,thebravestofallofthem,perhapsthefinestUltramarineinthe entire Chapter.Why had Iulus’s discontent plagued him so?Was the captain’s eye really fixed onpersonalglory?Didhedesire aplaceat theChapterMaster’s righthandat theexpenseofAgemman?ArcusHelioswasof1stCompany,andheseemedsanguine.

Apresenceatthechapel’sentrancebrokeScipio’sintrospection.Heturnedslowly,fearingforamomentthat Chaplain Orad had returned to sermonise him after all. His mind eased when he saw SergeantOctavian.‘Myapologiesfordisturbingyourorison,brother,butCaptainSicariushasconvenedawarcouncil.Wesetdownintwentyminutes.’Scipionoddedhisthanks,andSergeantOctaviantookitashiscuetoreturntotheChamberSanctuarine.Donning his helmet, Scipio followed him, crushing the slivers of his doubts beneath the heel of hisdevotiontotheChapter.THEFOURTHUNDERHAWKS set down in a sandblasted clearing to the north-west ofBlackGulch.Thedark-veinedravinegushedbelowthemthroughathickcropofpetrifiedtrees.Thegunshipshadlandedinasquare;ablativearmourfacingoutwards,creatingaceramite-walledcorralinwhichtheUltramarinescouldstrategisetheirnextmove.Inaplanetoverrunbyorks,itwasaprudentmeasure.‘Threegreenskinfortsinruins,’Sicariussaidtotheassemblageofofficersstandingaroundtheportablehololithmap.Ahazyrenditionofthesurroundingareainthree-dimensionalformissuedfromthesphericalprojectorspikedintotheground.AllofSicarius’ssergeantsthathadjoinedthebattlegroupwerepresent.ArcusHelios of 1st stood at the back like a giant sentinel, easily towering over his power-armouredbattle-brothers.ScipiorealisedashewasstandingamongsttheofficercadrethathemissedthepresenceofIulusandPraxor.HisfellowbrothersweretheclosestthingtofriendsthathehadintheChapter.Hisbondwiththembothwasverystrong.‘Stillwehavenoword,nosignof thebeast– thisZanzag.’Sicarius scowledat thename,hisnoblecountenancecreasingwithannoyance.‘Thisthornmustbeexcised,’hedetermined.‘Iwilldrawitoutandremove thepoison that infects this planet.Nothingmust stand in thewayof this.BlackReachwill beours.’‘Thenortherncontinentisvastandtheorksswarmoverit.Twomonthsismorethanlongenoughtohaveerectedseveraloutposts,spreadoverhundredsofkilometres,’saidSolinus,takingtheopportunitytoairhis thoughts. ‘Wehavesackedbut three inaweek.Ourprogress is tooslow.The longerwedelay, thelonger the greenskins have to become further entrenched.We are righteouswarriors ofCalgar and theEmperor, but we are one hundred in a sea of thousands.What should be our next course of action?’Solinusaskedofthegroup.‘Aquadrantbyquadrantsearchofthisarea,’offeredSergeantHelios,pointingovertheshouldersofhisbattle-brotherstoanareaonthemapthatdisplayedBlackGulchandthelocationoftheorkfortstheyhadalreadydestroyed. ‘Wego through thewastelandsonegrainata time.Timeconsuming–yes,butwhatother recourse is there?Caverns, ravines, ruins: thegreenskinmusthavemade its lair somewhere.Wehavebuttofindit.’Solinus nodded his approval reluctantly. A painstaking search appeared the only option. ‘I willcommencemappingoutthesearchgridatonce.’‘No,’Sicariusreplied.Thecaptainseemeddistractedasheapproachedthehololithandbegantracinghisfingerdownoneofthelargertributaries.‘Whichriveristhis?’‘Blackwallow,mylord,’answeredScipio,ashetriedtofathomhiscaptain’sthoughtprocesses.‘Ithasthewidestanddeepestofalltheplanet’sriverbasins.’‘Lightning-fast assaults, coordinated and able to disappearwithout trace…’Sicarius regardedScipiodirectly.Thesergeanttriednottoflinchbeforethefaceofthegreathero.‘Wefollowedbutahalfhourafter the greenskins retreated fromGhospora, but found nothing of thewarlord.How is that possible,

brother-sergeant?’‘Theyareusing theriver,’Scipiodecided. ‘Somethingwehaven’tseenyet, something thateluded thewatchstationsoftheGhosporansthemselves,’‘Itfailstonarrowdownthesearchparameters,’observedArcusHelios,deepvoicedandcommanding.‘Wesearchbyquadrants—’‘No…’Sicariusinterjectedcalmly,hisgazeonthehololithagain.ScipiothoughthesawaslightflickerofconsternationcrosstheTerminatorsergeant’sfaceattherebuttal.‘Wearemissingsomething,’Sicariusresumed.He almostmuttered thewords, as if hewere speaking to himself. As if deciding therewasnothingmoretobegainedfromporingoverthemapimage,Sicariuslookedup.Amomentlater,asmilecreptoverhisfaceashismoodchanged.‘Ouransweriscoming.’‘Mylord…’SergeantSolinusbegan.‘Wehavebuttowait,’Sicariustoldthem,lookingoverthesergeant’sheadatthedistanthorizon.Scipiofollowedhisgaze,alongwiththeothersergeants.Alandspeederhoveredintoview.OnboardwereTelionandfourofhisscoutsfromthe10th.The vehicle set down amidst the gathering, its baffled landing thrusters kicking up scuds of dust andpropellingthemintothehololith,makingthedeviceflickerandwhirrnoisily.VeteranSergeantDaceuskneltandswitcheditofftosootheitsagitatedmachinespirit.Telionleaptfromthelandspeeder’sopenhatchbeforeithadtoucheddown,whileitslandinggearwasstill extending. He stalked over to Sicarius through the gritty maelstrom, eyes narrowed as the fineparticlesbillowedaroundhim.Emerging throughthesandstorm,he thumpedhisplastrononce insalutebeforedeliveringhisreport.‘Afourthorkfortliestotheeast,acrossthegulchandfurtheralongtheBlackwallowriver,’hesaid,hisvoiceclippedandwithanicyundercurrent.‘It’sisolatedandwellhidden.Weonlycaughtsightofitbychance,alightrefractionfromthestructure’ssteelsidings.Initialreconnaissanceindicatesthatalargeorkofsimilarbuildandostentationtothewarlordisresidingthere.Itcouldbeyourquarry,brother-captain.’Sicariusnoddedslowly,clappingtheshoulderoftheoldveteran.Scipio saw the underlying agitation vanish, the slightly obsessive demeanour that the captain hadcultivatedinthelastfewhoursdisappearinablink.Thehunterhadhispreyagain.‘Haxis,’Sicarius said into his comm-feed, addressinghis pilot, thoughhis eyeswere still onTelion.‘Engagetheengines,weareleavingimmediately.Brothers,’headded,lookingaroundexpansively,‘wegotohunttheork.’THEGREENSKINSFLED,leavingthebrokenbodiesoftheirkinbehindthem.Thunderboomedintheheavens,butnotfromanystorm.TheSpaceMarinecannonswerespeaking,theirblistering salvos ripping into theork ranks as they scrambleddesperately for the cover offeredby thesparsepetrifiedforestssurroundingGhospora.EachThunderfire cannon,meticulouslydeployedaccording toCaptainSicarius’sprecise instructions,rocked back on its tracks with a relentless, pounding rhythm, the quad barrels spitting out surfacedetonationshellswithunerringregularity.TechmarineLascarhadperformedhisriteswell.Itwas thefifthassault infivedays.Onlyon thefirstdayhad theorksbeen inaposition toattack thebastion wall directly. Sergeant Tirian’s devastator squad, coupled with punitive salvos from theThunderfirecannons,hadended that threatprematurely.After that thegreenskinshadn’tevengotclose,andhadbeenreducedtolong-rangeshellingeversince.

‘Do you think they’ll return?’ Praxor’s voice came through on the comm-feed via Iulus’s gorget. Thesergeantnotedthetoneofhopefulexpectationinhisvoice.Iulus looked out over the smoking carnage, the explosive eruptions ripping up clods of earth andshreddingorkbodiesgrowingevermoredistant.Heraisedhishandtoindicateacessationtothebarrage.‘No,thatlastvolleyhasbrokenthemIthink,’herepliedoncethestormwasover.‘Wecouldswitchtoairbursts and drive them from the trees but itwould be awaste ofmunitions, and at extreme range…needlesslypunitive.’The comm-feedwas still open. Iulus couldhear the ambientnoise from theother sideof the rampartwherePraxorwasstationedwithoneofhiscombatsquads.Somethingwasclearlyonthesergeant’smind.‘Speak,’Iulussaid.Therewasafurthermoment’spause.‘Thereisnogloryinthis,’Praxor’sresponsewasflat.‘Theyare glad of it,’ Iulus replied, referring to the SableGunners. ‘They get to live their short andhurriedlivesadayortwolongeratleast.’‘Whydidheleaveusbehind,Iulus?’‘Astarteswereneededtoholdontowhatwehadalreadygained,orwouldyouhaveleftGhosporatoitsfate?’Praxorloweredhisvoice.Despitethefactthetwosergeantsconversedoveraclosedchannel,hedidnotwishtobeoverheard.‘Itmayhaveheld.Andifnot,itwouldhavebeenanecessarysacrificetofindandkillthewarlord,andsaveallofBlackReach.’‘Andgainanotherlaurelforourbanner?Whatofthebattle-brotherswhodiedinthefirstassault,whatoftheirsacrifice?Wouldyouhavethatbeinvain,Praxor?’‘No!’Praxorsnappedlouder.‘No,’herepeated,loweringhisvoiceagain,‘ofcoursenot…’‘Yourquestion,brother,iswhyheleftyoubehind,isitnot?’Praxor’ssilenceansweredforhim.‘PerhapsitisbecausetheHighSuzerainvaluesyourexperienceinkeepingwhathehasalreadywon.Orperhapshefeltyouneededtogarnerastrongeraffinityforthehumanchargesweprotect.Tometheyarelittlemorethaninstruments,nodifferenttothesteelofthewallsortheshellsintheheavyguns.ButasIvaluethiswallandthoseshells,Ivaluethem.You,mybrother,donot.’Praxormaintainedhissilencealittlelonger.‘I’llcommencesweepsofthewalltoseeifanyoftheorkshaveescapednoticebeneathourguns,’herepliedcurtly,cuttingthecomm-feed.Praxor’s irritationwasobvious.His squadwereexperienced.Theyhad fought inmanyChapter-levelcampaigns,distinguishingthemselveswithhonour,buttheylackedcompassion.Iulusdidtoo,butthatwasduetohispragmaticnature,thewayhedissembledfleshandbloodintomateriel.Unlike Praxor, he was pleased. The defence had gone better than he could have hoped. MinimalcasualtiesamongsttheSableGunners,andnoneoftheAstarteshadbeensomuchaswounded.Sicariushad plannedwell, and prudentiy. In truth, Iulus’s siege expertise had not been needed. He had but toexecutethestrategygiven.Inspiteofhimself,Iuluswasforcedtoacknowledgehisopinionofthecaptainwaschanging.Hewoulddieforhim,obeyhiseverycommandandfulfilittohisutmost–thathadneverbeeninquestion.Butthedoubts he had as to the High Suzerain’s methods, his yearning for renown and standing amongst theChapter,thedesiretosupplantvenerableAgemman:thathadchanged.Twosuchnobleheroesinourmidst…

IulusrecalledScipio’swords.‘Youareeverwithyourquietwisdom,ehbrother?’Iulusmutteredtohimself.Hurriedmovementalong the rampartgothisattention.CorporalVormast’saidewasapproaching.Hisfacewasashen.‘Sire,’hebegan,genuflectingandremovinghishelmetinanactofdeference.‘Donot kneel tome, soldier.Wearebothwarriors in theEmperor’s service,’ Iulus toldhim sternly.‘Andneverremoveyourhelmetonthebattlefield.Itiswornforyourprotection,andnottobetakenofftoserveduedeference.’‘Yes,mylord,’saidtheaidequickly,andstoodup.‘Now,givemeyourreport,SableGunner.’‘Wehavereceiveddistresscalls,’said theaide, lookingupat Iulus inaweandreverencedespite theUltramarine’schastisement.‘Theorksareonthemarch.SulphoraHivewillbeunderattackinamatterofhours.’THEORKFORTburned.Twistedmetalandbrokenbodieslaychewedupintheearth.Gunfireraged.Warcries–alienandAstartes–renttheairinabellicosechorus.Scipioranthroughthecarnage,therestoftheThunderbolts,bereftofHekor,behindhim.Aramshacklehutnear to theirposition, littlemore thanaboxcratefestoonedwitharmourplatesanddaubedglyphs,wasstruckbyaslewofincendiaryandexploded,showeringtheSpaceMarineswithfrag.ThroughthelenscaptureinhisnewAstartesbattlehelm,Scipiosawatrioofgreenskinstotingrocketsandhigh-calibrecannonsstationedontheroofofacrudewatchtower.Tappinghisgorget,Scipiospokeintothecomm-feed.‘Upon the roof,’hebarked,duckingasshell-firestrafedoverheadandanerrant rocket immolatedanalreadyburningorktruck,blastingoutshrapnel.‘North-eastcorridor.’‘Neutralising…’wasthecurtresponsefromDevastatorSquadAtavian.TheforebodingretortofsupportweaponsfromtheTitanSlayersboomedamomentlater,andthewatchtowerwaslituplikeanincandescentcandlebyaballofpromethium.Heavybolterroundspummelledtheblazingorkoidfiguresfallingearthwardfromitsdestruction.When Scipio’s vision adjusted from the actinic blast, he saw that the tower had been reduced to acharredstumpofsmoulderingmetal.Therewasnothingleft.SergeantAtavianwasterseinhisconfirmation.‘Threateliminated.’Thecomm-feedwascutabruptly.‘Threedown,onlyfivehundredtogo,’mutteredScipiocynicallyashegavetheordertomoveupandclosewiththeenemy.Thedensedusteroforkbuildingsthatcomprisedthefourthstrongholdwassurroundedbyadensewallofarmourplateandcorrugatedsiding.Castironbracesreinforcedthewallandwerealsodrivenintothescorchedearthbeyond,criss-crossedandweldedintotanktraps.Theemptyshellsoflargevehiclessatbeyondthecrudeperimeterinsmallgroups,someboltedtogethertoformmakeshiftdwellings.Theorkshadalsoconstructedboxhutsandhangars fromsteel sidingsandscavengedsectionsof theGhosporanbastionwallanditsassociateddefences.Theywererammedtogetherbehindthestronghold’sdelineatingbarrier,overlookedbyganglionwatchtowers,andformedstreets,avenuesandplazasasifinsomecrudemockery of civilisation. Tussocks of razor wire crowned the roof of each and every one; gunemplacements were ubiquitous throughout. Sandbags, ammo crates and stockpiles of naked munitionsfilledingapsandaddedtotheovertlymilitaristicmilieu.

The attack had come at night. Eschewing the gate for amore oblique line of assault, Telion and hissaboteurshad crept stealthilypast thewebof searchlights and reached the east-facingwall inunder aminute.FromthereithadtakensixsecondsfortheveteransergeantandhisscoutstoblowaholeinthesidinglargeenoughforaThunderhawk.Fourteensecondsmoreandtheparapetsentriesandtwowatchtowerswereneutralisedintheflareofmonochromaticmuzzleflashes.Twelvemoreandthefirst-strikeassault squadswere through the breach in the ork defences and raising hell in the confusion.Anothereighteensecondsandtheorksstartedtomobilisetheirforces.ThatwaswhentheThunderhawksandtherestoftheAstartesbattlegrouptoreovertheridgethroughthedarkness.LessthantwominutesandtheUltramarineswereinsidethefort,fightingamongsttheavenuesthatwerefillingrapidlywithblood.ScipioheardthethrobofturbofansbehindhimasPiliumscreamedoverhead.ThewhooshandthrustofordnancefolloweditasecondlaterasthecraftdumpedapayloadofHellstrikemissilesintoamassofgreenskinarmourapproachingfromtheeast.Thedetonationwasthunderous,shakingtheearthandtearinga great hole in the blackness. Fire plumes spewed from the immense incendiary and streamed inpyrotechnicgloryastheorkswerethrownintotheairlikeuglydolls,theirmachineriesrenderedtoscrap.‘Driveon!’bellowedVeteranSergeantDaceus,pointingwithhisbulkypowerfisttoacontestedplazabeyond the shelterof thehutswhereScipioandhis squadwerewaiting. ‘Press themback.Herd themtogetherfortheThunderhawks’missiles.’HeledtheLionsofMacraggeforwardintoahordeofclamberingorksworkingtheirwaythroughthewreckagedonebyPilium.Therestofthegunshipscircledoverheadlikecarrion,theirpilotsobservingthebattlefield through long-range sensor arrays,waiting for theorks to clusterbefore theyordered thegunnerstounleashtheirmissiles.Scipiowent inafterDaceus, righton theheelsof theLionswithTacticalSquadsSolinus,VandarandOctavian.Theirboltersbarkedasone,stitchinga lutescentfirestormacross theno-man’s-landbetweentheUltramarinesandtheadvancinggreenskins.Scipio felt and heard bullets whine past his battle helm, shells crump overhead. Something hit hispauldron,butheshruggeditoffandkeptgoing.Abattle-brother,hedidn’tseewho,wentdownalongsidehim–anothervictimoftheorks’customcannons.Thebeastswerewellequipped;thishadtobeZanzag’smob.Afewmetres from theonrushinggreenskins,awaveoforksbearingburn-scarsandwearingweldingmasksemergedfromthehorde.Theirbrutishhandswereswathedinragsorcoveredbythickgloves,andtheytotedcrude-lookingflamethrowers.Ablurofmovementflashedoverhead.WiththescreamofjumppackenginesSquadsStraboandIxionlandedamidsttheorkvanguard,cuttingthemdown.ScipiosawSicariuswiththem,ajumppackstrappedtohisartificerarmour,rendingwiththeTempestBlade.TheorkswereshakenandonthebackfootwhenDaceusandtheothersquadschargedin.Onelightningassaultandthegreenskinswerefallingback.Scipioheardhiscaptainbarkingdownthecomm-feedasthecarnageraged.‘SergeantHelios,areyouinposition?’Hepausedforabeat,awaitingtheTerminator’sanswerbeforereplying.‘Good.Bringittothewestquadrant.Wehavetheplazaandaremovingtherenow.’Clearing the armourwreckagewith frag grenades, the combined battle group advanced, harrying theretreatingorksalltheway.Daceussetupafire-teamwithSquadsVandarandOctaviantoguardthenorthernapproachtotheplazathroughwhichthegreenskinswerefleeing.Hehadnodesiretobeoutflankedbythefoeiftheyfoundtheircourageandcameback.Therewasagreatermassoforkstothewestofthestronghold,thewarriorsofZanzag’sclan.Thebulk

oftheUltramarineswereheadingstraightforit,rightintotheirjaws.THEGREENSKINELITESweregatheredinaveritablejunkyardoftrucks,wagonsandbuggiesinthewestquarterof theork stronghold.Thepintle-mountedarmamentsof thevehicleswere stilloperationalandbeingusedasimprovisedgunemplacements.Stretchinginfrontofthestrongholdwasarollingmassoforksandorkoidarmour.Andthereintheverycentre–overlookinghismobinacrudecrow’snestononeofthemassivewagons–wasZanzag,cursinglikeacrazedpriest.Bolter fire hammered in the inky depths behind themassed greenskins –Helios and hisTerminators,togetherwiththedreadnoughts,forcingZanzagtoseekrefugeinthemiddleofhishorde.Theorkthoughtitwassafesurroundedbyitskin.Ithadnoconceptofthedangeritwasin;Sicariushaditexactlywherehewantedit.‘That’sitArcus,’hegrowledbeneathhisbreath.‘Bringittomyteeth.’‘Intothejawsofhell,then,’remarkedDaceusgrimly,reunitedwithhiscaptainoncemore,ashelookedoutacrosstheendlessgreen.HewasstandingwiththerestoftheLions,takingcoveratthecommencementoftheorkshellingbehinda cluster of barricades. The rest of the Ultramarines had moved into position around them and werereturningtheorkfirewithdetermination.‘Notnecessarily,brother,’Sicariusreturned.‘Wehavebuttoseverthehead,’heremindedhimamidsttheraucousdinofthebolterstorm:theUltramarineswereengaging.‘Yes,mycaptain,’Daceusagreed,‘andtheheadliesthroughthat.’‘Wehavetooutflankthem,strikewerethelineinthinnest,’Sicariustoldhim.‘Holdthecompanyhere.Brother-Chaplain,’ he added, as the skull-faced Orad appeared alongside the command squad. TheChaplain’scracklingcroziusseemedtoechohismood.‘Youwillassumeoperationalcommand.Stymietheorktide.Keepthebeast’seyefixedonyou.’‘Andwherewillyoube,brother-captain?’askedDaceus,evidentlynonplussedbySicarius’sstrategy.A massive explosion rocked the left flank of the ork horde, deep within their lines. The resultingconflagration spread like a hungrywave, incinerating the orks in an ephemeral flame storm. Sporadicbolterfirerippedintothenightinitswakefromconcealedpositions,dullanddistant.Scipiowasat the front lineof thebarricadesalongsideSicariusandhisLions.Theyhadengaged thegreenskinsatlong-range.Hisboltpistolwasuselessatthispointsohewatchedtheorkwarlordinstead,holleringathistroopstoplugtheburningholeintheirrankswhereTelion’sexplosionhadgougedit.‘Iwillbeexploitingthegap,sergeant,’heheardSicariusreply.‘SergeantsStraboandVorolanus,’hecontinued,‘youandyoursquadsarewithme.’Scipio’spostat thebarricadewastakenupbySergeantOctavianandhisSwordsofJudgement,asheand theThunderbolts followedCaptain Sicarius stomping over to the right flankwith Strabo’s assaultsquad.‘Assault squadsare thevanguard,’ saidSicariuscurtlyandefficientlyas theymade theirway throughscattereddebrisandburnedoutbuildingsinordertogetintoanoutflankingposition.‘SergeantVorolanus,youareourback-up.’Scipiowas about to acknowledgebut quickly realised theyweremovingon at speed.His heartwaspoundinginhischest.LedintobattlebytheMasteroftheWatchhimself!‘Thunderboltsformuponmylead,’hesaidintothecomm-feed,tryingtokeeppace.Takinganobliqueroutearoundthemainbattlefront,slayinganygreenskinstragglersastheyfoundthem,

Scipio arrived at an immense hangar. Crossing the threshold a few seconds after Sicarius and SquadStrabo, the sergeant saw a small fleet of wrecked ork bombers. Fire lapped languidly over theirfuselages,thecraftlongdestroyedbyTelionandhissaboteurs.Fartherintherewasmoreevidenceofthescoutsergeant’shandiwork.Deadgreenskinsentries–pilots,mechanicsandgretchinslavesamongstthem–litteredtheground.Mosthadhadtheirthroatsslit,thoughthereweresomewithdeep-borebladewoundstotheireyesandears,orsingle-shotexecutionstotheirhead. Experience fighting the greenskins had taught the Astartes that an ork’s brain was small andcompactedwithinthicklayersofskull.Itmadesuchakill-shotallthemoreimpressive.Sicarius was a glorious leader. He inspired and fought with the courage of Guilliman, even if hismethodswere capricious and unfathomable at times.ButTelionwas something else altogether. Scipiobalkedatthescout’sprowess.Heseemedtobeeverywhereatonce,wreakinghavoc,sowingdiscordlikehe stringed chains of incendiary. “Dangerous” did not begin to describe him, even “lethal” fell awayshort.Scipiohadnotimetoconsideritfurther–theyhadreachedadeadend.Thebackofthevasthangarwasasteel-reinforcedwall.Judgingbythewearandcrudegraffiti,itmusthavebeenoneofthefirststructuresthegreenskinshadbuiltupontouchingdownonBlackReach.Thick,ironstanchionssupporteditfromtheinside,andmetalrebarswerevisiblethroughtheferrocrete.ScipiodoubtedevenBrotherAgnathiocouldsmashthroughit.‘TransmitourcoordinatestotheGladius,’SicariusorderedSergeantStrabo.Thecaptainremovedhishelmetandclaspedittohisbattle-plateasStraborelayedtheirpositiontotheThunderhawk.‘Mylord,whyareyouremovingyourarmour?’askedScipio,brieflyconcernedthatSicarius’sdesiretoslaytheorkwarlordhadsomehowdulledhisgoodsense.Thecaptainsmiledathim.Hiseyesglintedwithinnerfire.‘IwantthebeasttoseemyfaceasIkillit,’heexplained.‘Neverunderestimatetheeffectthishasontheenemy.Itwillseemywrathfirsthand,recognisethatIdonotfearit,andquailbeforeme.’Sicariusthumbedhisgorget,accessingthecomm-feed,onceStrabowasdone.‘BrotherHaxis,weareready,’hesaid,‘Makemeadoor.’Heclosedthecomm-feedandorderedthembacktwentymetres.Scipiocrouchedbehindahalf-demolishedwall,hissquadarrayedaroundhim.‘If he’sdoingwhat I thinkhe’sdoing,’ remarkedBrotherGarrikon a closed channel, ‘then amissilestrikefromagunshipfiringblindwillhaveamarginoferrorofplusorminustwenty-fivemetres.’‘ThenwehadbesthopethatBrotherHaxisfliestrue,andhisgunnerisaccurate,’Scipiorepliedasthethrumofheavyenginesapproachingoverheadrockeddustmotesfromthevaultedhangarceiling.ThescreechfromtheHellstrikemissilecameasecondlater.Asecondafterthatandthehangarwallwasblastedapart.DebriswasstillfallingwhenSicariuswasupandsprintingthroughthegapingholeleftbytheGladius’spreciseattack.Bentrebarsjuttedlikemetalbonesandthestanchionswascrushedandsplitbeforetheconcussiveforceoftheexplosion.Ferrocretelayinchunks;thickdustcascadedlikegreyrain.Scipiobarrelledthroughitall,heandhissquadontheheelsonStrabo.Themassive aperture punched through thewall led out into the heart of the greenskin horde.And asScipio surged through it, killing awestruck orks as he went, he could hear the angered bellowing ofZanzag,andseehimclearlyinthewagon’stower.Sicariushadseenhim,too.

HewasseveralmetresaheadofthechasingUltramarines,layingwastetoanythinginhispath.Reachingamakeshiftbarricadeofheapedtrucksandwagons,Sicariusboundedupit thumbinghis jumppackforextraloft.Scalingtheobstacleinseconds,ignoringthebulletspingingoffhisarmour,heleaptfromtheveryzenithof the crude vehicle tower.Despite their advantageous position, the distance between it and Zanzag’svantagepointwasvast.Analmostimpossiblejump.Scipio whispered the name of Roboute Guilliman as his captain sprang over the churning sea ofgreenskins.Anexplosionblossomedinthedarkness,throwinglightontohisgleamingarmour.Helookedlikeanazureangelsoaringthroughthebullet-riddennight,tracerroundsscreamingaroundhim.Sicariuslandedontheedgeofthewagontower,hisheavybootscrushingthemetalunderfoot.Firingoffa burst from his plasma pistol, the captain seared his enemy’s torso, melting armour plate. Zanzaggrowledinpain,butshruggedofftheblowandswungwithhisaxe.Perchedprecariouslyonthetower,Sicariuswouldhavefallenhadhenotdeflectedtheattackwithhispowersword.Sparksspatfromthebladesinanephemeralelectricalstormastheymetandpartedinseconds.Unperturbed,Zanzagswungagain,onlyforSicariustosmacktheaxedownwiththeflatofhisswordandthentrapitwithhisarmouredboot.Beforethegreenskinwarlordcouldrecover,SicariuslungedwiththeTempestBlade,forcingthepowerswordthroughthebeast’sheavingchest.AgushetofbloodspilledoutasSicariuswithdrewtheweaponbeforethewoundcauterised.AsecondblowtookoffZanzag’shandatthewristastheorkfoughttoreleasehisaxefrombeneathhisfoe’sboot.Thegreenskinhowledinrage,baringitsteethandpromisingretribution.Sicariusmatcheditwithfuryofhisown.Face fixed in a grimaceof belligerence, andwith his enemy stricken andmutilated, theUltramarinescaptainswunghisTempestBladeanddecapitatedthewarlordinonesavagecut.Zanzag’s gruesome head fell from his shoulders and bounced into the thronging orks below. Sicariuskickedthestill-flailingbodydownafteritandroaredhistriumph.Awave of disbelief swept over the orks. Their sudden distresswas almost palpable. The infightingfolloweditimmediatelyasrivalchieftainssoughttofillthepowervoid.Zanzag’sminders,atfirstagogatthesuddenslayingoftheirwarlord,foundtheircomposurequicklyandturned on Sicarius. The scar-veterans levelled their custom cannons, eager for revenge, but wereswarmedbyStraboandhissquad.Scipio was right on the assault sergeant’s heels with the Thunderbolts. Together they encircled thecaptainprotectively,andheldtheorksatbay.ThemainUltramarines forcewas now in full attack.ChaplainOradwas audible over the battle-din,usinghisvox-unitlikealoudhaileragainashespatliturgiesofcleansingandhate-filledcatechisms.From the opposite direction,SergeantHelios pressedwith his inviolableTerminators and themightydreadnoughtsAgnathioandUltracius.Caughtbetweentwodeterminedfoes,andwithTelionandhisscoutscuttingaswathethroughtheheartoftheirranks,theorksbroke.DiscordreignedasthegreenskinsstartedkillingeachotherinadesperatebidtoescapetheAstartes’wrath.Noneshallsurvive.ThatwasSicarius’sdecree.Inthebutcherythatfollowed,thegreenskinswereslaintoanork.ZANZAG’S DEAD EYES stared glassily into the encroaching dawn. Itinerant smoke drifted across thecharnelfieldswheretheheadlay,disturbedbyafitfulbreezecarryingthestenchofdeath.Acombatbladerammedunceremoniouslyintothedecapitatedcranium,andlifteditofftheground.

Telion crouched atop a carpet of strewngreenskin corpses, the slain carcass of thewarlord amongstthem.He’dusedthebodytolocatethehead.SpaceMarinespatrolledthebattlefieldindispersedformations,executinginjuredgreenskins,searchingforthecaptain’sprize.IthadnotbeenwhereSicariushaddispatchedit,havingbeencarriedoffbysomeofitskininsomefinalbizarreactofreverence.ItwaslittlewonderthatTelionhadfounditfirst.Verylittleescapedthemasterscout’snotice.Scipiohadbeenclose,buttheveteransergeanthadbeatenhimtoit.As he lifted the head to examine it, a tic of dissatisfactionmanifested briefly in Telion’s otherwiseimpassiveexpression.CaptainSicarius,havingnoticedthemasterscout’sfind,hadmovedintohisvicinity.‘Thisisnotthebeast,’saidTelion,stoically.Sicarius’seyesnarrowedindispleasure.‘Areyousure?’Itwasanutterlypointlessquestion,askedinhoperatherthanexpectation.‘See here,’ said the veteran sergeant, pulling back the dead ork’s lip. ‘A full set of tusks, no recentwounding.’SicariushadstungthebeastatGhospora,shootingitsneckandjaw.TherewasnoevidenceofsuchaninjuryontheheadTelionheldforthonhisblade.‘Trappings, size,mass – it’s almost a perfect analogue,’ said the scout. ‘Such cunning is rare in thegreenskin.’‘Whatdoyoumean,brother-sergeant?’askedScipio,similarlydrawnbyTelion’sdiscovery.‘Imeanthatthiswasplanned.Theorkscreatedanimperfectdoppelganger.’‘Buttowhatend?Whatpurposecouldsuchathingserve?’Sicarius answered. The hardness in his expression that was there on the sandblasted clearing in thecorralofThunderhawkshadreturned.‘Tolick itswounds,gather thestrengthof itshordeforanotherassault.Thiswaytheywearusdown,takeusawayfromwhereweareneededmost,andthinourranks,’hesaid.‘WeUltramarinesaremorethanamatchforanyork,butournumbersarefewincomparison.Inawarofattrition,thegreenskinholdtheadvantage,’Sicariusconceded.TheBlackwallowflowednearby.Sicariuseyeditdarklyasiftryingtocatchaglimpseofsomethingjustbeyondhisreach.‘Andnowwemustdoitallagain,’hesaid.VeteranSergeantDaceustrampedacrossthekillingfield,hisfacegrimmerthanusual,goodeyeasblankandcoldasthebionic.Hesalutedterselybeforehespoke.‘AmessagehascomeinviatheGladius,mylord,’hesaid.‘TheorksaremovingonSulphoraHive.’The captain clenched his armoured fist, the gauntlet creaking under the stress. ‘Telion, continue thesearchfortheork.Perhapsasubtlerapproachisneededtodrawitout.’TurningtoDaceus,hesaid:‘TherestofthebattlegroupwillheadforSulphora.’Theveteransergeantnoddedandwentofftoorganisethetroops.‘I’mascoutsquaddown,’saidTelion.‘ReinforcementswillbeneededforwhatIhaveinmind.’Sicarius turned to Scipio who was just about to gather the Thunderbolts. ‘Sergeant Vorolanus, yoursquadspecialisesinreconnaissanceanddeep-strikeoperations,yes?’‘Yes,mylord.’‘Pickfourofyourbest,sendtheotherstoDaceustocovercasualtiesintheothersquads.You’rewithBrother-SergeantTelionnow.’‘You wish to break up my squad?’ To question a superior was insubordinate, but Scipio could not

believewhathewashearing.Hemeantnodisrespectbytheremark.‘ForthegoodoftheChapter,selectyourbrothersandDaceuswilltakecareoftherest.’Sicarius’stonemadeitclearhewouldbrooknodebate.‘Yes,brother-captain,’answeredScipio,noddinghisheadinpenanceandrespect.AsSicariusturnedonhisheelandstalkedaway,Scipio’sgazedriftedovertoTelion.Themaster scout’s face was utterly unreadable. ‘Welcome to the 10th, Sergeant Vorolanus,’ he saidwithoutatraceofhumour.Scipiomet the icyglareofTelionwithoneofhisown.He’d lostHekoralready;hisbodywouldbecooling in themortariumaboard theValin’sRevenge.Now,fourmorewerebeing taken in thenameofslayingZanzagandgettingthecaptainhisprize.TheThunderboltshadbeentornapart.Scipio’sresponsewasterse.‘Whatareyourorders,SergeantTelion?’THENIGHTWAS quiet; identical, in fact, to the previous night. The distant retort of heavy guns as thebattle for Sulphora was fought came over on the breeze like thunder. As he stared into the dark,surroundedbyacopseofpetrifiedtreesinthelayoftheBlackwallowRiver,Scipioimaginedthefire-orange explosions, the powder-white smoke plaguing the walls as the defence artillery vented. Hisbrothers,onehalfofhissquad,foughtinthatcombatwhilsthesurveilledaruin.‘South-eastapproachquadrantone,clear,’he spokesoftly into thecomm-beadattached tohisarmourandwhichfedintohisear.Upon selecting his battle-brothers, Scipio and the fourmembers of his squad had been instructed toreport to the Xiphos at once. There, they had been divested of their power armour and clad in thearmoured carapace of the scout company, the former deemed too loud and cumbersome for the covertoperationTelionhad inmind.Theprocesshadbeen swift, even though theThunderhawkhad lingeredlong after the other gunships. It would join the others later at Sulphora. Chaplain Orad had voicedconcernsoverthelackofproperobservanceduringtheremovalofthebattle-brothers’powerarmour,butSicariuswasadamantthatitbedone.Everymeasuremustbetakentofindthebeast,andtakenquickly.In the end,Orad had no choice but to concede.Waiting behindwithXiphos and an honour guard ofSquadOctavian,hegaveacurtblessingandTelion’slatestrecruitsweremadeready.TheunfamiliarsensationofthelighterarmourleftScipiofeelingexposedanduncomfortableasGarrik’sreportcamebackechoinghisown–nomovementinquadranttwo,either.The two five-man squads were widely dispersed around the full perimeter of the wrecked orkstronghold.Everyangleofapproachwascovered.TheAstarteswaitedsilently inconcealedpositions.Telionreasonedthattheorkswouldreturntolootandscavenge.Itwasintheirnature.TheUltramarineshadonlytomakethembelievethattheyhadabandonedtheruinsinfavourofthewarzoneatSulphora.Asofyet,theirpreyhadnotbitten.Aredscorpion,indigenoustoBlackReach,scuttledtowardshim,itsbarbedtailpoisedtostrike.Scipioimpaled it on his combat blade before releasing the stricken insect and crushing it beneath his boot.Frustrationfrominactivitywasstartingtogetthebetterofhim,andforamomenthecaughtaglimpseintotheself-samefeelingsofhiscaptain.‘Howmuchlongermustwewait,coweringinthedark?’Scipiomutteredtohimself.‘Aslongatittakes,brother.’ScipiostartedatthevoiceofTelion,instinctmakinghimreachforhisboltpistol.‘You have fast reactions,’ Telion noted, creeping up alongside him.The veteran sergeantwas utterly

soundlessashemoved.EvenScipio’sadvancedhearinghadfailedtodetecthisapproach.‘Myapologies,brother-sergeant,’Scipioreplied.Telionmovedalmostimperceptiblyinwhatmighthavebeenashrug.‘It’spatientwork.You’reused to theroarand thrustof thebattlefieldnow.Adjustment isnevereasy.The hardest time for awarrior iswhen he is at rest.’ Telion kept his eyes on theBlackwallow as hespoke, his stalker-pattern boltgunwith its shortened stock and targeter cradled loosely in his lap.Theeffectwasdisarming,butintruth,Scipioknew,Telionwasinastateofabsolutereadiness.Wheneverheadoptedthatveneerofcalmwaswhenthemasterscoutwasathismostdangerous.Silencedescendedforabeat,brokenonlybythegentleflowoftheriver,andthedroningofcicadaandtheotherchitinousnativespeciesofBlackReachskitteringacrossdisplacedsand.‘Youtrainedhim,didn’tyou,’saidScipio,wantingtodispelsomeofthetensionbutalsotrustingTelionenoughtoengagehisopinion.‘I trained many of the captains of the Chapter, as I have done numerous Chapters,’ Telion replied,understandingimmediatelywhatScipiowasdrivingtowards.‘IsawhimatGhospora.Hewasmagnificent.Hisheroismandcourageseemstohavenolimits.’Telionstayedsilent,invitingScipiotocontinue.‘Itwasnodifferentatthefort.Buttherewasamoment…amomentwhenIthoughthubriswouldgetthebetterofhim.’‘Yourefertothebravuraattackthatsingle-handedlybrokethewillofthehorde,’Telioninterjected.‘Isawit,too.’IftherewasanyimplicationinTelion’swordsthenScipiodidnotdetectit.‘Ifhehadfailedthatjump,hewouldlikelybedeadandourvictorywouldnothavebeenaseasy,ifinfactguaranteedat all,’Scipioasserted, trying tochoosehisnextwordscarefully. ‘It seemed…fraughtwithrisk.’Telionwentsilentagainforabeat,asifcontemplating.‘Weareallguiltyofhubris,BrotherVorolanus.Themerefactwecampaignthelengthofthegalaxytoensuremankind’s dominance of it is proof of that.And risk?Risk is only equal to reward, and at thestronghold the reward was great. I have never sought the trappings of glory, though the honoursbequeathedtomebymycaptainsandmyChapterMastersaremany.ButIunderstandtheneedforheroes.Not those thatskulkaroundin thedarkorforge iron-hardwarriorsfromthesoftclayofneophytes,butvisibleheroeswhowillseegloryforwhat it isandseize it.Onsuch thingsare thefoundationsofourChapterbuilt.’NowitwasScipio’sturntofallsilent.Telionwasright,ofcourse.Hiswisdomwascenturiesold,anditshowed.Anyreplyofgratitude,though,wasforestalledbythemasterscout’sraisedhand.Slowly,henoddedtowardsthedormantsurfaceoftheBlackwallow.Scipiofollowedhiseye-line.‘Somethingcomes,’hehissed,andcroucheddownfurtherintothepetrifiedtrees.Scipio followedsuit,watchingasadenseclusterofbubbles rose to thesurfaceof thecloyingwater,discreetatfirstbutthendevelopingrapidlyintoanalmightyemergence.Anarrayofantennasandexhaustsburstfromthechurningdepths,closelyfollowedbyajaggedmetalfinshearingthroughthesurfaceofthewide river. A dense black hull, thick with armour plating and glyphs, emerged after that. Piping andcircularportholespunctuatedthesidesofthevessel’sbulkybody.Dorsalgunmountscascadedwithdarkwaterastheysurfaced.Abrutal-lookingpropulsionmotorsquattedatthevessel’saft,slowingtoastopasit finished blowing ballast in order to rise. Scipio, a veteran ork hunterwho knew something of their

debasedlanguage,readacrudeappellationonitsnearsideinorkglyphscript:Morkilus.Themysterysurroundinghowthegreenskins launchedtheir lightningassaultsanddisappearedwithouttracewassolved–theyhadasubmersible.Afteraperiscopehadprobedthesurroundingareaforpotentialthreats,aseriesofhatchesopenedinthesubmersible’s roof, and a dozen orks and over three times that number of gretchin pooled out. Theygruntedtooneanotherintheirdebasedlanguage.Oneork,hisheadandtorsoprotrudingfromthehatch,worealarge,batteredhatandchewedonacigar.Hecuffedoneofthegretchinaroundtheearforsomeslightbeforedisappearingbackintothelumpenvesselandslammingthehatchshut.Thescoutswaitedpatientlyintheshadowofthetreesuntiltheentiregreenskinlandingpartyhadenteredtheruinsofthestronghold.Onlyapairofgretchinremainedonthesurfaceoutsidethevessel,yankingatthepipeworkandbatteringdownbentarmourplateswithoversizedwrenchesandhammers.Teliongaveasub-vocalcommandover thecomm-bead,signalling for thescouts toholdpositionandmaintainoverwatch.UsingAstartesbattle-sign,hethentoldScipiowhatwouldhappennext.Thesubmersiblehademerged in theirquadrant, thereforeheandTelionwouldprosecute themission.BothSpaceMarinestrodsilentlyfromtheirconcealedpositionsinthepetrifiedtrees,eyesfixedonthebickeringgretchin.As he stalked towards his prey, Scipio lost sight of Telion, the master scout blending into thesurroundingdarkness.Fivemetresfromthegretchincrewandoneof themturned.Scipio’sbloodfrozeandhewasabouttothrowhiscombatbladewhenthediminutivegreenskinjoltedandapuffofcrimsonejectedfromitsear.Itscousinreactedtothesuddenmovement,eyeswidewhenitsawtheUltramarine.Itsmouthwassketchingascreamwhenasilencedthunkcamefromthedark,anditsufferedthesamefateasitskin.Scipiomovedpastthecorpsesatonce.Hisinstructionswereclear,relayedtohimbeforesurveillancehad begun. Reaching the bank of the river, hewaded slowly into thewater. It was chill as it seepedthroughhisfatiguesandarmour.Guidinghimselfaroundthehull,usingthearmourplatingforpurchase,hisbodyflatagainstitsoastolimithisexposure,Scipioworkedhiswaytothenose.Oncethere,heletgooftheplatingandallowedhimself to sinkbeneath the surface.Hismulti-lung lethimbreathe thewater like air, thoughhewasn’tdownintheBlackwallow’sdepthsforlongenoughtoneedit.Feelingforapouchonhiscombatbelt,Scipioproducedasmalltracerandfixedittotheundersideofthehull.Oncehewascertain thedevicewasoperative,heswambackup to thesurface.Thesoundofraucouslootingwascarriedtohimonthebreeze.Theorkswerestillbusy.Ashegottothebankagain,Scipionoticed that thegretchin corpseshad alreadygone.Therewereno tracks, no signof themeverhavingbeenpresent.Itwasasiftheyhadsimplydisappeared.Likelytheorkswouldthinksotoo,iftheyevennoticedtheyweregoneatall.Oncehewasbackinhiding,Scipiosimplywaited.MORNINGSUNSPILLEDoverthesanddunesofBlackReachlikeafieryveil.Thepetrifiedtreescastlongand jagged shadows against its brilliance. The Blackwallow flowed quietly, dormantly – themooredsubmersiblewasgone.Earlierinthenight,theorkshadreturnedfromtheirscavenging,boardedandleft.Hatcheswereslammedshut, thedeadgretchinwerenotmissedandthesubmersiblehadfilleditstanksandplungedbackbeneaththeriver.‘Thetracerbeaconisworking,’saidTelion,standingattheedgeoftheforest.Garrikwasalongsidehimandheldupanauspexfortheveteran-sergeant’sperusal.Scipiostoodwiththemboth.‘Thesignalterminatesattheclifffacewheretheriverreachesitsend,’Telionsaid,afteramoment.

‘HowcanwebesureitwasZanzag’svessel?’Scipioasked.‘Wecan’t,’ admittedTelion, ‘which iswhywehave these.’Heheldup the twodeadgretchinhehadexecutedlikeahunterwithabraceofvermin.‘Weonlyneedone,’headded,droppingagretchintothegroundbeforeorderingGarriktohidetheotherinthetrees.Kneelingnext to thecorpse,Teliondrewhiscombatbladeandmadeadeepincisionin thegretchin’sskull.First,hecutawaytheskinandflesh,thenheusedthecombatblade’spommeltocracktheboneandbreakopen the skull.Hedippedhis fingers through thecrevice, reaching for thegooeymassofmatterencasedwithin.Hethenconsumeditandclosedhiseyes.ASpaceMarine’somophageawassituatedbetweenthethoracicvertebraeandthestomachwall.Forthemorepoeticallyinclined,itwasnamedtheRemembrancer,asitallowedAstarteswhoconsumedthefleshandorgansofanycreaturetoabsorbpartofthatcreature’smemory.Delvingintoanalienpsycheinthiswaywasalwaysdangerous,butgretchinwerenotpossessedwiththesameunpredictableenergyasorks;theexperiencecouldbecontrolled.Telion’s lids flickered, the rapideyemovementbeneathan indication that theprocessof assimilationhadbegun.Afewsecondspassedandthemasterscout’sfacecontortedinagrimace.Hebaredhisteeth,jaw locked in concentration. Images would be flooding his mind, impressions garnered from thegretchin’s primitiveneural pathways.From thismelangeof sensations– sight, sound, smell, touch andtaste – Telion would build a mental picture, using his advanced Astartes physiology to sift and sortmemorystrandsintocognisance,intomeaning.ScipioandtheotherAstarteslookedonstoically,knowingnottointervene,buttolettheprocesstakeitscourse.Inspiteofthat,thetensionwasstillpalpable.Sweatbeadedthemasterscout’sforehead.Telionclenchedhisfistsashecontinuedtoprobe,toransackthegeneticmatterhehadingested,manipulatethechromosomalinformationimplantedthereandconvertitintosomethinghecoulduseandunderstand.Afterwhatseemedlikemanylongminuteshadpassed,butinactualitywasonlyafewseconds,Telionexhaledacalmingbreathandrelaxed.Whenheopenedhiseyesagain,heallowedhimselfararesmile.‘MakecontactwithCaptainSicariusatonce,’hetoldScipio.‘Tellhimwehavefoundthebeast’slair.’

PHASEFOURSLAYTHEBEAST

IULUSCRANKEDAroundintothebreechofhisboltpistolandsmiledgrimlyathisbattle-brothers.His squad, the Immortals, were sitting around their sergeant, secured in their battle-harnesses in thetroopholdofaRhinoAPC.Thebulky,slat-nosedvehiclegroundonthicktracksovertheshiftingBlackReachsandsatfullthrottle.Enginesgunnedtomaximumbellowedthroughthemetalhull,thetroopholdrattling vigorously with the resonance. The Space Marines exhibited no distress, having undertakennumeroussimilarhell-for-leatherdeploymentsbefore.Theyhad leftGhosporaHive fourhourspreviouslyandwerehurtlingat full speedas soonas they’dpassedthegate.OncethemessagethatSulphorawasunderattackhadbeenconveyedtoCaptainSicarius,Iulus andhis squadwereordered to thedefenceofGhospora’s sisterhive immediately.Praxor, as theofficerinchargeandwithallthesiegedeterrentsinplace,wastoremainbehind,muchtothesergeant’schagrin.ItseemedtoIulusthatPraxor’sviewsabouttheircaptainwerechangingtoo.Iulusgavethemnoheed;tohim,onebattlefieldwasmuchthesameasanother.‘Howclosearewetothegate,BrotherGlavius?’heaskedthedriverthroughtheRhino’sinternalcomm-feed.The response was crackly and fraught with static. Glavius sounded slightly preoccupied.‘Approximatelythreethousandmetres,sir.’‘Howfararethegreenskinsfromthewall?’Iuluscontinued,amberstriplightswashinghisbaldpateandlimninghisarmour.‘Approximatelytwothousandthreehundredmetres.’‘Thenwehadbestmakehaste.’‘Yes,sir.’Iulus cut the link and turned to his battle-brothers. ‘Are you ready for hell again,my Immortals?’ heaskedthem.‘Aye!’theresponsewasresoundingandinunison.‘Courageandhonour,’Iulusgrowled,andhiswarriorsechoedhim.Disengaginghisharnesssohecouldstandandreachforthefirepointintheroof,Iulusmuttered,‘Let’sseewhatwe’refacing…’ThesergeantthrewopentheRhino’stophatch,allowinglight,airanddusttofloodin.Squintingashehookeduphisrebreathermask,Iulusstoodupfullyandemergedfromthefirepoint.Overtwokilometresout,Sulphoraloomedlikeajagged,blackkniferammedintothecrustoftheplanet.Thesunwashighinanochreskyandthrewharshredlightontoeveryfacingsurface,castingitinthehueofblood.Defencelasersandbattlecannonsemplacedonthewallsshriekedandboomedinunison, thetremorsreachingtheRhinoall thewayacrossthesandplain.Small-armsfireandheaviersupportgunsrippledalongrampartsandatopwatchtowers.Thoughsmallerthanitsneighbour,SulphorawasalmostacarboncopyofGhosporaHive,flashmouldedintoexistencebyanunimaginativeengineerormason-artisan,pock-markingBlackReach’ssurface justlikealltheothers.Animmensegateloomedahead,starkandprosaic.Theflat,blackslabofbuttressedmetalwasgrindingopenslowlyonimmensegears.TheRhinowouldonlyneedacracktoslipthrough.

‘Magnoculars,’Iulusordered,reachingdownintothetroopholdandcomingupwiththedeviceinhishand.He surveyed the upcoming battle theatre through the scopes. SableGunners regimentswere thinhere,too.Thereweremanygapsalongthewalls,gunemplacementsunmannedandabandoned.Buttherewas something else too; something that Ghospora had not had during its initial time of need – SpaceMarines.ThebrilliantbluearmouroftheUltramarinesshoneastheymovedalongparapets,organisedthenative troopsormade readywithcannonsof theirown. Itwouldbegood to rejoin thecompany, Iulusthought.HehopedtofightalongsideScipioagain.Panning to theeast, Iulussaw the foeatonce.Thegreenskinshadmassedasizeable force, theirownartillery spitting back against the Sulphoran guns. Brutish bikes and ramshacklewagons conveyed thehorde,moreorkdreadnoughtsandtheubiquitousfootsloggersmarchingintheirwake.‘Alienscum,’Iuluscursed.‘Youjustdon’tknowwhenyou’rebeaten.’Thesergeantduckeddownagain,handingbackthemagnoculars,andsealedthefirepointhatch.‘BrotherGlavius…’hesaidintothecomm-feedoncehewasbackinhisbattle-harness.‘Eighthundredmetres,sir.’Iuluscutthelinkagain,addressedhisbattle-brothers.‘Thirtyseconds.’Thirtyseconds,hethought.Itwasgoingtobetight.THERHINOSCREAMEDthroughthegateofSulphoraHiveandslewedtohalt.SmokewasstillissuingoffthetrackaxleswhentherearandsidehatchesopenedandIulusandtheImmortalspiledout.Theheavygatethunderedshutbehindthem,thesentrycrewsworkingdoubletimeonthegearstosealitbeforetheorkassaulthit.Thehive interiorwas franticwithactivity,ammunitioncouriers scurryingbackand forthwithmanualhaulers brimming with shells and belt feeds. Sable Gunner officers shouted orders from ramparts.Regimentsoftroopsmusteredupstairwaysandalongbattlements.Watchtowersandemplacementsweremannedandmadeready.Amidstitall,IuluswatchedasaThunderhawkgunshipdescendedfromthesky,agunmetallandingpadclearingforitsdescent.Iulus approached the vessel while its turbofanswere still whirring to a halt. The embarkation ramploweredandChaplainOradsteppedoutwithSquadOctavian.‘Report to Veteran Sergeant Daceus,’ he barked at Iulus when he saw him, before marching off tomarshalanotherpartofthedefence.‘Brother-Chaplain…’Iulusventured.Oradturnedandfixedthesergeantwithaglarethroughhisskull-helm.ToanyoneotherthanIulus, theeffectwouldhavebeendisconcerting.‘SergeantVorolanus–ishewiththemusteratSulphora?’‘Your brother has been seconded into Brother-Sergeant Telion’s service.’ The Chaplain offered nofurtherexplanadonashecontinuedabouthisbusiness.Atleastheisstillalive,thoughtIulustohimself,andwentoffinsearchofDaceus.‘LOWERQUADRANTWALL,’ saidVeteran-SergeantDaceus, shouting to be heard over the assault. ‘TheSulphorandefendersareweakestthere.’IulussalutedandwasabouttogetonhiswaywhenanurgentmessagecameinthroughDaceus’scomm-feed.Theveteran-sergeanthadafingertohisear,openingthefeed,andcrouchedbehindthebattlementstobetterblockoutthesurroundingclamour.

‘Belaythatorder,SergeantFennion,’hebarked.‘Sir?’‘Conveneatthelandingpadimmediately,’hesaid.‘WearetakingtheGladiusandthePilium.’AlookofbelligerentsatisfactiongrewovertheUltramarine’sfeatures.‘ByGuilliman,Telionhasfoundthebeast’slair.’THEGREENSKINSENTRY struggled and thenwent limpas its life-bloodoozed from its severed jugularvein.Scipio hooked his arms underneath its brawny body and dragged the creature out of sight behind ascatteringofboulders.Flyingtheirlandspeedersinlow,thescoutshadreachedthesubmersible’sdestinationswiftly.Fromtheair, theyhad traced the longoily lineof theBlackwallowuntil reaching its terminusat theedgeof thegranitecliff.Fromtheretheriverpeeledoffintoawideandthrashingwaterfall.Greyfoameruptedwherethe fallingwaterpooled ina shallowbasinbelow,surroundedbyablackboulder fieldwretchedwithharshscrubandotherresilientdesertfoliage.Theclifffaceitselfwasalmostsheer.Therewerefewholdsandtherocksweresmoothandslickwithpressureerosion.Inplacesraggedspikesthrustoutlikerottenteeth,sharpenoughtoshearcarapace.Anyclimbwouldbeperilous.Telion,onhisstomachashehadpeeredovertheedge,hadmappedarouteinlessthanaminute.Onhisadvancereconnaissancehehadalsocountedfoursentrypoints,viewedindetailthroughthemagnoculars,setaroundthebaseofthewaterfall.Theorkswerewellhidden,spreadinpittedcratersandhadscopesoftheirown.Runtishgreenskinslavescarriedmessagesbackandforthacrosstheboulder field like pendulums between them. Telion’s suspicions had been raised when he saw onedisappearbehindtheflowingcurtainofwater,onlytoremergeafewmomentslaterontheotherside.The speeders had touched down a kilometre out, approaching from the south, out of the greenskins’immediate line of sight. The scout squads, one led by Telion, the other by Scipio with half of theThunderbolts,hadtrekkedovertheboulder-strewnsandontwodivergentroutes.They’dreachedtheedgeoftheconcealedorkcampatoppositeendsofthewaterfallandproceededtostalktheirwaythroughtheboulderfield,takingoutthesentriesastheywent.Thegreenskinwarlordhadkepthisouterguardslight.Justthreeorksandsixgretchinoccupiedeachofthefourvantagepoints.Anymorewouldhavebeentoodifficulttoconcealeffectivelyandwouldbemorelikelytoarousesuspicion.Zanzagwascautiousaswellascunning,itseemed.The scouts worked through the sentries systematically, neutralising them covertly with blades andsilencedrounds.Theymovedswiftly,likeshadowsalongthenarrowpassesthroughtherocks.Onlywhentheyreachedtheveryedgeofthefallsandthelastofthesentrypointsdidanorkseethemapproaching.Itwasabouttoalertitskinwhenitrealisedtheywerealreadydead:onechokingonitsownbloodwithacombatbladelodgedinitsneck,theotherfacedowninthedirtwithanoozingheadwound.Telionputaroundthroughitsthroatatfiftymetres,closedandputtwomorethroughitsheadattwentywhilstatarun.Thetwoscoutsquadswerereunitedatthefinalsentrypointbeforetheorkhadhittheground.Nowclosetothebottomofthecliffface,thescoutscouldclearlyseeawidecrevice,largeenoughforanaircraft,concealedbytheblacktorrent.Thecrashofthewaterfallblottedoutsoundaseffectivelyasanenginebaffler,soTelionbattle-signedforthemtoenterinsinglefile.Scipioreciprocatedtheordertohissquadand,withboltpistolreadied, theypenetratedthecurtainofwaterandwentintothegloombeyond.

THESCOUTSENTEREDavastnaturaltunnel.Thinrivuletsofdarkliquidflowedalongthegroundbetweenthemastheyhuggedthewallseitherside,usingnaturalalcovesforcover.Nowtheywerefurtherawayfromthewaterfallitwaseasiertodetectnoiseandcommotioncomingfromahead.Lightissuedthrougharoughlyhewnapertureatthetunnel’send.Twolargeorkbodiescradlingcustomcannonswereframedinit.Scipiocouldsmelltheirfoetidstinkontheair.Telion battle-signed for the scouts to stop. They obeyed immediately, keeping to the shadows, asunmovingasstatues.Themasterscoutthenwentahead,treadingsilently.TherewasadistanceoffiftymetresbetweentheorkguardsandthewaitingSpaceMarinescouts.ScipiolostsightofTelionafterfive.Thenexttimehesawhim,themasterscouthadstabbedthefirstgreenskinintheneckandloomedbeforethesecond.UponseeingthevengefulformofTelion,theorkwasabouttocryoutbutwaspreventedbyasavagepunchthatsnappeditshyoidbone.Enraged,thebeastsweptameatyfist at theUltramarine, butTelionghosted from theblow’spath and landedoneof his own to its jaw.Spittingbloodandsputum,oneclawclutching its ruinedneck, theorkwent for itscustomcannon.Themaster scout steppedwithin its reach,disarming it,before reversinghis attackand slippinghisblood-slickcombatblade through thecreature’schinandup into itsbrain. It shudderedoncebeforeslumpingdead.Grimacingwith theeffortofcarrying thebrute,Telion laid theorkdownthenmovedover to theotheranddouble-tappeditwithhissilencedbolterthroughtheskull,justtobesure.Hisworkdone,hebeckonedthescoutsonward.Thetunnelopenedoutinamassivecavern.Therockhere,muchlikethatofthecliff,waswornsmoothbytheconstantlytricklingrivuletsofwaterpeelingdownthesides.Theycollectedonamassivefieldofstalactites protruding from the vaulted ceiling and dripped downwards like reluctant rain. The runoffgathered in craters that pock-marked the raised sedimentary platforms around the edges of the cavern.Ambientlightrefractedfromluminescentmineraldeposits,veiningtheruggedrocklikestreaksofmarble.Scipio could see further mineral strains flashing farther back into the gloom that suggested unseendepths, possibly even a cave system. The cavern was the major organ of that system, its tunnels itsarteries.Anditwasimmense,easilylargeenoughtoholdanentirefightersquadronfromastrikecruiser–largeenough,infact,toholdanarmy.Scipioguessedthatthevastcavernhadbeenformednaturally,drainedovertimeandthenexpandedbyorkishingenuity.TheBlackwallowflowedovertheclifffaceandintothisverychamberbeforewendingeastwardstotheSableSea.Itcollectedinavast,darklagooninfrontofthem.Itwasdeep,muchdeeperthantheAstarteshadfirstrealised.Theorkshaddirecteditintosixparallelchannels, a crude concourse of ferrocrete alongside each one. Scipio balked when he sawwhat wasmooredineachofthechannels:submersibles.Someundergroundchannelmustlinkthelagoontothemainstretchoftheriver,itspervasivetributariesallowingunparalleledandclandestineaccesstomostoftheplanet.A fatpromethium line stretcheddownone sideof thechamberand ranon into theunknowndarknessbeyond. The orks had tapped the subterranean reserve and must be using it to fuel their vehicles. ItappearedthattheMorkiluswasjustasixthofthegreenskins’maritimestrength.Scipiousedhismagnocularstosurveythevesselsmoreclosely.Theywereallofasimilarbasicdesignwiththeusualanarchicflourishesthegreenskinsfavoured.EachonebristledwithgunsandhadnameslikeOrktober,DakBork,Gorkliath,TinteefandSharkywritteninglyphscript.Itappearedtheorkswerecreativeintheirmadness.The half-dozen subs were arrayed in a busy docking station where scores of bent-backed gretchinloadersbustledbackandforthwithtools,drumsandcrates.Scipiopannedthemagnocularsfurtherupthe

cavern, and saw that larger greenskinsmoved amongst the runts, low-slung stubbers drapedover theirbroadshoulders.Scipiorecognisedthecigar-smokingorkfromthepreviousnight’ssurveillance.Itwasinspecting a cache of weapons in a steel ammunition cratemarked with the Imperial eagle: weapons“liberated”fromthedefeatedhivesnodoubt.Beyond thedocking strips, thecavernopenedout still further intoahugeexpanseof ferrocrete.Herewaswherethebulkofthegreenskinsgathered.Therewerethousands:drinking,brawling,gambling;somethrottledtheirruntishcousinsoutofsadisticpleasure,othersdischargedweaponsintotheairseeminglyatrandom,bellowingandroaringwithbestialmirth.Moreracksofweaponsandmunitionscratesstackedat thefringesof theferrocreteplazawerebeingtested and tinkered with by what appeared to be some form of orkoid mechanic or engineer. Thegreenskinswereobviouslyplanningamajoroffensive.Thearchitectofitall,theirgrandwarlordZanzag,satattheveryendofthechamber.Numerous ammo crates and fuel drums had been lashed together to form a makeshift throne. There,Zanzagpresidedoverhischargeslikeaking.Gretchinslaveruntshurriedaroundhim,fulfillinghiseverywhim,whilstanorkinablood-stainedsmockandcarryingafatsyringeperformedsomekindofbrutalsurgery upon thewarlord. The beast’s broad back, criss-crossedwith two black belts festoonedwithknivesandcleavers,obscuredScipio’sview,buttheUltramarinethoughthecaughttheflashofarazor-sawbeforeheloweredthemagnoculars.Crudesodiumlightingrigshadbeenerectedinthechamber,thickcablesloopedfromeachunitpressure-boltedintothevaultedcavernceiling.Theyspatsparksintermittently,andofferedfeebleillumination.Thescoutsusedittotheiradvantage,makingtheirwaystealthilyintothecavern.Silently,theyslidintothelagoon,navigatingaroundtheraisededgessplitintotwosquads.Withjusttheireyesandthetopsoftheirheadsabovethewaterline,thescoutsarrivedatthebusydock,climbedupontotheferrocreteandtookcoveramongsttheclutter.Everyscoutcarriedabeltofsixkrakgrenades.Scipioeyedthenearestsubmersible,theOrktober.They wouldn’t have long before Sicarius and the rest of 2nd Company arrived – they had to workquickly.SCIPIORETURNEDSILENTLYtohishidingplacewithanemptygrenadebelt.Hesecuredatinypalm-sizeddetonator inhiswebbingandwaited.Theork surgeonhad finished itsministrations and, as it steppedback,ScipiosawZanzagclearlyforthefirsttime.Thewarlordwasmassive.Hugearmouredguardsfullof spikes were strapped to his brawny shoulders. A jaw plate was bolted over his maw; the crudestitchingoverlaidoldscar-tissueandwasstillvisiblerunningdownthebeast’sneck.Itsredeyesweresetintoamutilatedfacewretchedwithringsandstuds,andnarrowedwithmalignintelligence.Itappearedthewarlordhadgivenupitspoweraxe,asoneofitsarmswasnowencasedinsomekindofpowerclaw,notunliketheonecarriedbythedreadnoughtScipiohadfoughtonthefieldsofGhospora.Thedevice snapped impatiently, pneumaticshissing, as if eager forblood. Inhisotherhand, thebeastclutchedoneofthecustomisedcannon,thoughthisonewaslargerandmoreunfathomablyelaboratethantheothersScipiohadseen.Thewarlordrestedthegunonhislaplikeafavouredpet,whilstagretchinwithunfeasiblylargeearsheldupapolishedpieceofscraplikeamirrorsothatZanzagcouldinspectthesurgeon’shandiwork.Thewarlordregardeditsreflectionforafewmomentsbeforesnarlingandcuffingtherunttotheground.Zanzagwasabouttokickitwhentheentirecavernstartedtoshake.Clodsofgritandrockcascadedfromtheceilingandthesodiumrigsflickeredintermittentlyasifinwarning.

Zanzag stooped, hoisted the big-eared gretchin by its neck and thrust it forwards, barking someunintelligiblecommand.The creature listened intently, shrugged and opened its mouth to speak when its head exploded,spatteringthewarlordwithgore.Zanzagthrewtheheadlessgretchintotheground,roaringtohisfollowers.Toolate.Gladius surged into the cavern like a blade, hull dripping water from where it had cut through thewaterfall.Heavyboltersspoke,andthewordwasdeath.Rippinguporksastheyclamberedforweaponsand for cover, the gunship launched a payload of Hellstrike missiles. A group of ork dreadnoughtsmobilisingatthebackofthechamberwasdestroyedintheensuingconflagration.Hovering over the lagoon, the down thrust of its engineswhipping thewater into foam, theGladiusscatteredgreenskinswithitsguns,makingalandingzoneononeoftheferrocretestrips.Theorkstrieddesperately to retaliate, firing off their custom cannonswith abandon, but their crude science had notreckonedwiththearmourofaThunderhawk,andtheshotsricochetedawayharmlessly.As if in response, the artillerymountedon the submersibles cranked aroundnoisily, trying todrawabeadonthedeadlyAstartesvessel.Beforeashellwasexpelled,thesixsubmarinewarenginesexploded,thekrakgrenadessecretedabouttheirhullsdetonatedbyScipioandhisunseenbrothers.Themonstrousvehicleswentupinachainofexplosions,spittingshrapnellikehard-edgedraininalldirectionsasfiresweptvoraciouslythroughandoverthem.Confusionpervadedastheorksstruggledtofightafoethatseemedtobeeverywhereatonce.Inafewshort but frenzied seconds, the gunship had landed and its ramp was down. Roaring the name of theChapterMaster, Captain Sicarius surged out of the hold with his Ultramarines, bolters blazing. Theyrushedtheconcourseandgainedaninstantfoothold.Scipioranfromcover,addinghisownshotstotheunfoldingbattle,asmorescoutsemergedfromacrossthecavern.Zanzagwasbellowingmadlyfororder.Thewarlordshotthreefleeingorksdeadbeforetherestgotthemessageandturnedtofight.Hegruntedtohiscaptains,andamobofrocket-totinggreenskinsemergedoutofthethrong.Theirordnancewhooshedoncoal-blackcontrailsandexplodedaroundtheGladius,leavingthe gunship’s hull smouldering. Having disembarked its cargo, the Thunderhawk withdrew out of thecavern.‘Death fromabove, brothers!’ bellowedSicarius as he chargedup the laneof ferrocrete, the burningwrecksofsubmersibleseitherside.FromtheflickeringgloomthewarriorsofStrabodescendedandfellamongst theorkheavyweapons,slayingwithchainswordsandpistols.Thesergeanthimselfguttedonebeastwithhispowersword,whilstshootingintothefaceofanother.Thecorpsesslidofftheconcourseandintotheinkyvoidofthelagoonbelow.With the fallof the rocket launchers,asecondwaveofgreenskinsbullied itswayforward–moreofZanzag’sscar-veteranswiththeircustomcannons.Straboandhiswarriorstookflight,jumppacksplumingfireandsmoke.Throughthegrey-blackmiasmaemergedtheTerminatorsof1stCompany,ledbytheindomitableArcusHelios.‘InthenameofAgemmanandtheChapter,’hebellowedmetallicallythroughhisbattlehelmastheorkslet ripwith theirweapons.TheTerminatorswereengulfed inaveritable stormofbulletsbutemergedunscathed, shotsdeflectingoff their formidable armour like tinhail. In return,SquadHeliosunleashedtheirstormboltersandcutaswathethroughthegreenskins.Theorksdesperatelyincreasedtheirrateoffirebuttonoavail.Bythetimetheyrealisedtheirweaponswereineffectualagainstthethicklyarmoured

Astartes,dozensofgreenskinsweredead.Balkingattheindestructiblewarriors,manyoftheorksbegantoflee.Somedivedintotheblacklagoon;othersranintothegunsoftheirkinastheytriedinvaintosavetheirownmiserablelives.ArcusHeliosandhisbrothersforgedahead,unstoppable.Sicariuspressedtheadvantage.Withmostofthecustomcannonseliminated,hesignalledafullattack.ScipiocaughtaglimpseofIulus,urginghisImmortalsonashejoinedthepushwiththecaptain.Theorkswereshakenbutstillnumerousandmetthechargewithfury.Bloodwashedacrosstheconcourseasthetwobitterenemiesfought,payingforeverymetrewonwithpainanddeath.Scipiofoundhiswaytothefront,chainswordsingingabloodychorusashekilled.‘Youtrulywalkamongstheroes,SergeantVorolanus,’saidafamiliarvoice thatcouldonlybeIulus’s,fromalongsidehim.‘Aye,SergeantFennion,’Scipioreplied,blastinganorkofftheconcoursewithacontrolledburstoffire,‘youamongstthem.’‘Indeed, I am,’ Iulus returned, shredding a kamikaze gretchin in mid-flight with his chainsword andcoatinghisarmourwithitschewedupviscera.‘Andamodestoneatthat.’Overhead,theheavychunkofBrotherUltracius’sassaultcannoncouldbeheardasthedreadnoughttoreupthehaplessgreenskinswithimpunity.Iulus laughed, wiping away a swathe of blood from his face with the back of his gauntlet. ‘For theprimarch!’heroaredsuddenly,inunisonwithhisbattle-brothers.Theorkswerebreaking.Punching through ameagre rearguard, theUltramarines emerged onto the ferrocrete expanse. Isolatedmobsofgreenskinsremained,takingsnapshotsfrombehindcratesanddrums.Ultraciusevisceratedonegroup,tearingaparttheircoverandignitingitinafieryexplosion.AssaultSquadStraboplungedontopof another, crushing runtsbeneath their armouredboots,whilst cleaving theirorkishmasterswith theirboltsandblades.Captain Sicarius was heedless of all of it. He barrelled headlong across the ferrocrete. Solid shotpingedoffhisclankingarmourashemadeforanopeningattherearofthechamber.ScipiofollowedhimwithIulusandhisImmortalsclosebehind.Zanzaghadfledagain,usingthenetworkofcavesatthebackofthevastcaverntomakehisescape.TwicenowthebeasthadeludedtheUltramarinesinonefashionoranother.Therewouldnotbeathird.‘FACEME,BEAST!’ yelled Sicarius, his challenge echoing sternly throughout the subterranean tunnels.‘Comeforthandmeetdeathatthepointofmysword.’Greenskin blood swathed the captain’s noble face, drying slowly and forming a crust that remindedScipioofthetribalmarkingsoftheirforebearsfromtheearliestdaysofMacragge.Theyhadbeensearchingthedarknessofthecavesystemforalmostanhour,butasyettheirquarryhadnot been sighted. Orks lay in ambush – those that hadmanaged to elude Arcus Helios’s vanguard ofTerminators–waitingwithbladesandgunsbehindcornersandinpitch-blackalcoves.Theauto-sensesoftheAstartesalertedthemtoeverydanger.Theirbloodwasup,andthegreenskinswerecutdownbeforetheygotachancetomove.ScipioprobedtheblacknessjustbehindthecaptainandhisLions,Iulusalongsidehim.Thesergeantwastight-lippedandtenseashepannedhisboltpistolslowlyacrossthewidthofthetunnel.BehindthemtherestoftheImmortalsbroughtuptherear,dousingsecondarytunnelswithburstsofpromethiumfromtheir

flamertoburnoutanypotentialambushers.ScipiofeltthecollectiveagitationrisingamongsthisbrothersandknewthatnonefeltitmorekeenlythanSicarius. The longer Zanzag evaded them, the greater the chance the ork warlord would escape theirwrathcompletely.Acracklefromthecomm-feedontheopenchannelreleasedthetension.ItwasSergeantOctavian.‘Brother-Captain,SquadHeliosisreportingsunlightfromtheoppositesideofthe caves, five hundredmetreswest of your position, and they have found a passagewide enough forBrotherUltraciustonegotiate.’‘Musterthebattlegroup,’orderedSicarius,breakingintoarun.‘Doitatonce.’SUNLIGHTSTREAMEDINthroughthewidecleftinthetunnelwall.Sicariusstalkedoutandwasbathedinthegloriousdaylightbeyond.Hisarmourgleameddespite theblood,hisswordbladeshimmeringwithcapturedfire.ThecaptainhadcaughtupwithSquadHeliosswiftly, theTerminators,whowereideallysuitedtotherigours of tunnel fighting, having ventured ahead. Arcus Helios and his warriors arrayed themselvesaroundSicariusandhisLionsastheHighSuzerainemergedfromthecaves.ScipiowasbarelythroughthebreachinthewallwithIuluswhenthebestialcriesofgreenskinsfilledtheair.Zanzagwas herewith the remnants of his shattered force. The orks had gathered at the summit of asloping,steep-sidedravine,baringtheirtusksandbellowingdefiance.Allhiscunning,thetricksandthedecoys had failed thewarlord; now all he had leftwas brute force. In a final gambit, he charged theUltramarinesvanguard,intentontakingdownitsleader.‘Ultramarines,engageanddestroy!’roaredSicarius.A brief volley of bolter fire staggered themob of scar-veterans surging forwardwith theirwarlord,beforebladesweredrawnandthebattlebecamecloseanddirty.A metallic scream of pain hammered Scipio’s senses, and from the corner of his eye he saw aTerminatorfromSquadHeliosfall,slainbyZanzag’spowerclaw.Themassivewarlordsteppedoverthecorpse,grinningmadlyasheclosedonSicarius.Thecaptainrushedin,TempestBladeupraised,Guilliman’snameonhislips.Thebattlerushedbyinablurofblood,steelandsmoke.AcridburningfleshfilledScipio’snoseashefought side-by-side with Iulus; Ultracius venting his flamer to their flank. The dreadnought stompedforward,crushingthestill-burningorkcarcasses,beforeunleashingitsassaultcannon.Greenskinsweremowndownwithterribleburstsoffire,chewedapartintheirarmour.Togetherwiththe fury of ArcusHelios and his warriors, smashing the scar-veterans apart with their power fists inretributionfortheirdeadbattle-brother,thedreadnoughthadgougedaclearinginthehorde.Scipiotookamomentinthebrieflulltogatherhisbearings.Onesightdominatedall:Sicariusfightingtheorkwarlordattheravine’speak.Lightningcrackedoverhead,andthunderrippleddownwardasadrystormbrokeintheheavensasifinempathyofthetitanicstruggleunfoldingbelow.Astartespurityandcouragematchedagainstgreenskinbrutalityandsavagery.Onemustbreakbeforethebattlewasdone.Iulusstormedup the incline insupportofhiscaptainandScipiofollowedhim,boltpistolscreaming.Through the melee, he saw the crackling energy of the Tempest Blade as Sicarius rained blows likechained lightning upon his foe. Zanzag replied, battering the captain’s defences mercilessly with hispowerclaw.Intheend,willpowerprovedthedecidingfactor.ScipiohadovertakenIulus,tearingthrough

thegreenskinswithbrutalefficiency.HisfellowsergeantwasjustbehindhimwhenScipiosawSicariuscutZanzag’spowerclawoffat theshoulder. Itwasamammothblow, two-handed,and left thecaptainopentoacounter.Buttheattackdidn’tcome.Zanzagstaggered,darkbloodgushingfromtheruinedstumpofthepartlycauterisedwound.Sicariussteppedinclose.‘I’vealreadykilledyouonce,beast,’hespat.‘ThistimeI’llmakeitstick.’He rammed theTempestBlade through the creature’s eye-socket and impaled its bestial skullwith agruntofeffort.Withdrawingtheblood-slicksword,SicariuswatchedZanzagkeeloverandliestillinthesun-scorchedsand.Thecaptain’svictoryproveddecisive.Ashappenedatthestronghold,thegreenskinslostallheartwiththedeathoftheirleader.WhatpaltryorkforcesremainedwerequicklyroundedupbytheSpaceMarinesandslaughtered.Sicariustooknofurtherpartinthecombat.Hemerelystoodatopthesummitoftheravineandraisedhisbloodiedswordinsalute.TheUltramarinescheeredasone,raisingweaponsaloft.Scipioaddedhisvoicetothebelligerentchorusandexhaledwithrelief.Zanzagwasdeadatlast.BlackReachhadbeensaved.THECAVERNWASdestroyed.Copiousamountsofchargeswereriggedthroughoutandthreadedalongthetunnelcomplexbeyond.Anygreenskins thatmightstillhavebeen lurking insidewouldbeburiedaliveundertonsofrubble.Sicariuseven instructed theValin’sRevenge tobombard thesite thoroughlywithplasma torpedoes inordertobecertain.Inastrangeway,seeingthosedeadlyfallingstars,itwasasifthecampaignhadcomefullcircle.It had been a great victory, one that would be retold time and again from the prestigious annals ofUltramarines’militaryhistory.Butitwasnotwithoutcost.Manybattle-brothershadlosttheirlivestothegreentide,andtheirlaurelswouldarraythehonourwallbackonthestrikecruiser.Itwouldtakealittletimetoreplenishthedead,thoughApothecaryVenatiohadperformedhisdutywellandnowarriorslainwouldgointothehallsofhonourwithouthisgene-seedpavingthewayforasuccessorfortheChapter.Many amongst the 10th, the brave-hearted scoutswho had infiltrated thewarlord’s lair with Brother-SergeantTelion,wouldearntheirblackcarapacefortheirpart inthecampaignandbecomefullbattle-brothers.WiththedeathofZanzag,theorkshadcapitulated.Otherwarlords,seekingtoexploitthepowervoid,hadsteppedforwardonlytobecrushedbyarelentlessSicariusinaseriesofpunitivestrikesagainsttheremaininggreenskins.Hiswrathhadbeenswiftandmerciless.Inthreeshort,blood-filleddays,theorkshad been all but scoured from the planet and the Ultramarines were recalled to theValin’s Revenge,leaving the Sable Gunners to reclaim the rest of Black Reach from the scattered ork forces that stillremained.SCIPIOWASKNEELINGinthestrikecruiser’sreclusium,headbowedinreverencewithhisbolterlaidoutbeforehim.Itwasgoodtobecladinhispowerarmouragain,tofeelitsheft.Re-sanctifiedbyChaplainOrad,theMkVIIsuitwaspartofhim,avenerableally.Scipiohadmissedit.‘Seekingsolace,brother?’avoiceasked,echoingthroughthedarkness.‘Solace seems in short supplywhenever I venture to the reclusium,’Scipio answered. ‘I am thinkingperhaps it should be renamed the colloquium. Either that or I will perform supplications on theengineeringdeckwiththeserfs.’Iulus’slaughterbetrayedhispositionasheapproachedthroughtheshadows.

‘Myapologies,brother,’hesaidsincerely,hisfacecastinthelightofvotivecandles.IuluslookedtothehonourwallwhereScipiowasgenuflecting.Gilded laurels,awards forvalour,werepinioned there inremembranceofthosewhohadfallenonBlackReach.The granite in his expression softened slightly with a sudden change inmood. ‘A prayer for battleswon?’‘Forbrothers lost,’Scipio replied. ‘Mybenedictionsaredone,anyway,’headded,getting tohis feet.‘Whatnewsofthecompany?HaveyouseenmuchofPraxorsinceourreturntotheship?’‘Heisengrossedinbattledrillsandtraining.Idon’tthinkhehasleftthegymnasiaforsixstraightdays.’‘Theduellingcageswillbebrokenintosubmissionbythetimewevisitthemagain,’Scipioremarked,followingIulusasheledthemoutofthereclusium.‘Hestillfeelsslighted,’heasserted,oncetheywereinthecorridorbeyond.‘Perhaps…’Iulusreplied.‘ButthenPraxorManorianhasalwaysfavouredgloryoverduty.’‘Andwhatorwhomdoyoufavour,brother?’askedScipio.Iulus’sfacedarkened.‘Iwaswrong,’headmitted.‘WhetherornotourcaptainseekstherighthandofCalgar over Agemman, I do not know. In truth, I no longer care. I favour the Chapter and it alone. IwitnessedaherowrestBlackReachfromthosexenosscum.Ahero,Scipio.’Iulusstoppedandfacedhim,brieflyblockingScipio’sviewintothereclusium.‘Tobesmirchhisname,howevermeant,isatoddswiththat.BlackReachwillbeforeverremembered.Itwillgodowninhistoryasagreatvictory.’Scipiomaintainedhissilence.‘Youthinkdifferently?’venturedIulus.Scipiocouldseepastthesergeant’sshoulderandbackthroughthereclusium’sarch.Hisgazefelluponthemanylaurelsonthehonourwall,theposthumousmedalsawardedtothedead.Hekor’sname,aswellasmanyothers,wasamongstthem.Scipio’sfacehardened.‘No.Itwasagreatvictory,brother.’