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MoreWarhammer40,000storiesfromBlackLibraryTheBeastArises

1:IAMSLAUGHTER2:PREDATOR,PREY

3:THEEMPEROREXPECTS4:THELASTWALL5:THRONEWORLD

6:ECHOESOFTHELONGWAR7:THEHUNTFORVULKAN8:THEBEASTMUSTDIE9:WATCHERSINDEATH

10:THELASTSONOFDORN11:SHADOWOFULLANOR

SpaceMarineBattles

WAROFTHEFANGASpaceMarineBattlesbook,containingthenovellaTheHuntforMagnusandthenovel

BattleoftheFangTHEWORLDENGINEAnAstralKnightsnovel

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CONTENTS

CoverBacklistTitlePageWarhammer40,000ChapterOneChapterTwoChapterThreeChapterFourChapterFiveChapterSixChapterSevenChapterEightChapterNineChapterTenChapterElevenChapterTwelveChapterThirteenChapterFourteenChapterFifteenChapterSixteenChapterSeventeenAbouttheAuthorAnExtractfrom‘Shadowsword’ABlackLibraryPublicationeBooklicense

Warhammer40,000

Firesputters…Theshameofourdeathsandourheresiesisdone.Theyarebehindus,likewretchedphantoms.Thisisanewage,astrongage,anageofImperium.Despiteourlosses,

despitethefallensons,despitetheeternalsilenceoftheEmperor,nowwatchingoverusinspiritinsteadofinperson,wewillendure.Therewillbenomorewaronsuchaperilousscale.Therewillbeanendtowantondestruction.Yes,foeswillcomeandenemieswillarise.Oursecuritywill

bethreatened,butwewillbeready,ourmightyfistsraised.Therewillbenogreatwartochallengeusnow.Wewillnotbebroughttothebrinklikethatagain…

CHAPTERONEDeathtotheBeast!

ThecitizensofTerracrowded the streets in theirmillions.They sangout theirpraises to theEmperorwithtearsintheireyes.Theyroaredtheirapprovaluntiltheywerehoarse.Aftermonthsofterror,therewasvictory.Terra’smostbelovedsonswerecominghome,andtheThroneworldhadfounditsvoice.MaximusThane led theheroesof the Imperium,standing tall in thecupolaof theLandRaiderDorn’sFist.The Imperial Fists marched in tight lockstep, their yellow armour gleaming in the smog-chokedmorningofTerra.TheImperialFistswerenewlygatheredasbrothersstill,andnearlyhalfofthosewhohad takenup theyellowandblack to fightonUllanorhad fallen,but theymarchedasone:Excoriator,Executioner,IronKnight,SoulDrinker,BlackTemplar,CrimsonFistandFistExemplarhadcastofftheirprior identities and subsumed them into the deeper brotherhood of Dorn. Old ties dissolved into therebirthofagreaterpast.Continuationwouldbetheirlegacy,thoughnoneoutsidetheranksoftheAdeptusAstarteswouldeverknowtheImperialFistshadfallen.BehindthereformedImperialFistscamerepresentativesofadozenotherChaptersoftheFirst,SecondandThirdFoundings.Theyweresmallcontingentsinthemain,butinsomeofthemwerecontainedeveryremainingmemberoftheirorders.ThevictoryagainsttheBeasthadcosttheImperiumdear.AfterthemarchingSpaceMarinessnakedatrailofarmouredvehiclestenkilometreslong,allbrightlypaintedinthehonourableheraldriesoftheEmperor’schosen.Behindthemthegroundquakedtothetreadof thousands of Astra Militarum Guardsmen, macroclades of Martian skitarii, and plodding, mightymechanismsoftheLegioCybernetica.Machinesandmenofeveryconceivabletypewalkedproudlypastthe Tortestrian Gate, Ballad Gate, and Bastion Ledge. Overhead soared flights of Navy Aeronauticafighters and Chapter Thunderhawks. Above them, the dim shapes of starships at low anchor coastedacrossthebrownsky,sereneasicebergs.Laud-hailersbornebyfloatingplatformssangtheirpraisetotheEmperor.Servo-skullsandcyberneticconstructswithoutnumberswarmedin thesky.Alongeverystreet, fromeverywindow,frombalconiesandsuspendedwayshundredsofmetresabovegroundlevel,fromburiedhallsandavenueshiddenintheplanet’smetalskin,thepeopleofTerragavethunderousvoicetotheirgratitude.TheprocessionturnedontoVictoryWayandheadedeast.There,tensofmillionsofpallidclerksblinkedin theunaccustomeddaylight.Thecrowdswere thousandsdeep, reducing thekilometre-wideroad toaribbonofrockcrete.Singingpriestsgatheredinhugenumbers.Shriekingherald-seraphim,setfreefromtheir roosts in the great cathedrals, soared on the thermals, chanting the names of the victorious.LightfromTerra’srisingsunpiercedthecloakof industrialfilth thatveiledherfaceandlituponthesonsofDorn, birthing gold from the yellow. The roaring of the crowd intensified. It was overwhelming,deafening.TheeyesofaworldwereuponThane.Thane!Thane!Thane!Theychantedhisname likeaheartbeat.Terrahadreturnedtolife.

ItshouldhavebeenKoorland,thoughtThane,notI.Itishewhodeservesthishonour.If he was saddened his friend’s name was not chanted, he was grateful for the shortness of man’smemory. Soon he too would be forgotten, and another name would take the place of his. How hadKoorlandmanagedtocopewithallthis,hethought.Howcananychildofhumanity?Hishelmet auditory equipment andLyman’s ear struggled tokeep thenoiseof the crowd to tolerablelevels.Therewouldbemortalstherethatdaydeafenedbythecrowd’stumult,hewassure.Theywouldtelltheirgrandchildrenproudlythatthesoundofvictorywasthelastthingtheyheard.Theprocessiongroundon,alreadyhoursintoitspassage.Morehoursofnoiseawaited.VictoryWayopenedupontotheFieldsofWingedVictory,avastspacebuilttoaccommodatethearmiesoftheGreatCrusadesothattheEmperorcouldaddressthem.Giantvid-screenssurroundedit,displayingThane’sfacetotheadoringpopulaceoftheImperialPalace.AseaoffacesturnedtowardshimasDorn’sFistrodeintotheFields,eyesripplingtotheprocession’sentrypointunderneathaskyscrapingtriumphalarch.Arowof twentyTitans formedanaisle to receive theheroesof the Imperium.Theywaitedwiththeirheadsbowed.AseachwarmachinewaspassedbytheprocessiononitswaytowardsthecentreoftheFields, it rose up andgavevoice through itswar-horns, until the groundvibratedwith their bassoprofundosong,themightiestchoraleinthegalaxy.Thane’s destination was an edifice three storeys tall erected specially for the occasion.Dorn’s Fistmountedtherampwindingaroundtheoutside.ItwaslinedwiththeAdeptusCustodes,comeoutatlastfromtheinnerwardsofthePalace.Ateachsharpcorner,Dorn’sFistswungaroundabruptly,untilthelastwas taken, and the marble summit of the platform opened. A pinnacle awaited Thane, topped with asmallerplatformandalectern.Asthecrowdroaredon,thetank’sassaultrampslammeddowntocrackthe fresh, gleaming paving andThane strode out. The ordinarily still, heavy air ofTerra had space tomoveovertheFields,andalightwindteasedhishonourpapersandoathscrips.Heemergedatthetopofthepinnacletoadeafeningcheerthatseemedtolastanage.In frontof the lectern,upona stonebierdecoratedwitha friezeofvictoriousSpaceMarines, lay thecorpse of an immense ork. It was an impressive specimen, twice the height of Thane and clad inbarbarous armour. Every time the vid-screens showed itsmagnified face to themasses, there came ahystericalbooing,wholesectorsof thePalacehissingso that it soundedas ifadesert’sworthof sandspilledupontherockcrete.This ork was not the Beast. The example before Thane had been selected carefully by those adeptsskilled in themanipulation of the human psyche. FabricatorGeneralKubik had offered his bestmagi-genetors for the task. Thane had elected to employGrandMaster Vangorich’s logistaries and TempleVanusagentsinstead.TheBeastcouldnotbetoolarge,foritwouldinstilfearinthepeopleratherthandispellingit,Vangorichinsisted.Norcoulditbetoosmall,forthencontemptfortherulersofTerrawouldseepintotheheartsofhumanitythattheywerebestedrepeatedlybyaweakfoe.ThanewishedtheBeastitselfhadsurvived,forhewastiredofsubterfuge,buttheBeast’sheadandthoseofitsmonstrouscomradeshaddetonatedunderthestressofpsychicfeedback,andtheircorpseswereburiedintheruinsofGorkogrod.Thegleamingofhisarmourputacastoneverythinghesaw,tintingtheredofhiseye-lensesorange.Thecolourwasadeception.HewasnotmadetobeanImperialFist.WhenhefirstputonthecoloursoftheoldLegionhehadexpectedittobetemporary,buttheliehadbecomethetruth;hewasnolongeraFistExemplar.TheImperialFistsweredead,buttheImperialFistsmustbeseenasimmortal.TheDefendersofTerracouldnotfall.Onlymonths before, he had been outraged byUdinMachtUdo’s demand that the fall of the Fists onArdamantuabekeptsecret.HehadprivatelydoubtedKoorland’sjudgementwhenhehadwarriorsofthe

other Chapters masquerade as Imperial Fists during that other, premature victory parade. At last heunderstood.Somewallsmustberebuiltinthenight.Appearanceswereeverything.Thanehadcometoloathepolitics.FarontheothersideoftheFields,onanotherplatform,weretwelvestonethrones.Heuppedthemagnificationofhissensorium.TheHighTwelvewerenotyetpresent,butthestepswerecrowdedwiththousandsoflesserlordsandladies.Thesightofthemmadehisjawclench.Hewaited.InthecrowdedconfinesoftheTerranhives,theFieldswereananomaly,aperfectlysquareclearingoverathousandhectaresinsize.Thousandsofmen,womenandarmouredvehiclesrumbledontothem,takinguppositioninperfectblocksthatshimmeredinahazeofexhaustheat.Thanemarvelledatthedisplay of arms, but not for the first time he was taken aback at how it was dwarfed by theaccomplishmentsofthepast.TheFieldshadroomforhundredsofthousandsmoremen;millionsmore.Kilometresaway,thegreatwallsoftheImperialPalacestoodsentineloverTerra’sscreamingpopulace.Patchesof bare adamantiumgleamedwheregravitic disruptionhad caused their decorations to tumblefree,but thewallsheldfirm.Similarsignsofdevastationwereevidentwhereverhe lookedaroundthecity, and thesewere not superficial. Broken hives, piles of rubble and twistedmetal; gaps in Terra’sclaustrophobic skyline opened by the gravity weapons of the attack moon. The smooth, artfully laidpavingoftheFieldswasbuckledinplaces,hastilyandinexpertlypatchedinothers.Moresignsoftime’serosionoftheachievementsofthepast;onemorestepawayfromthedreamsoftheEmperortowardsthenightmareofendlesswar.For an hour Thane stood to attention as the sun climbed over the towering hives of Terra and theformations of troops andmachinery laid themselves out line by line.The crowdunceasingly sang andshouted. Atmospheric craft and void fighters streaked overhead, releasing bursts of fireworks andscintillatingdisplaysofdirectedenergy.Finally, the last of the heroes took up position and stopped. An army bracketed Thane’s pulpit. Tenthousandtrumpetssounded,overtakenatthelastbythemasssoundingofTitanwar-horns.TheremainingmembersoftheHighTwelveemerged.Theirgreetingfromthecrowdwasmuted.‘PeopleofTerra!’Thaneroared.Hissuit’svox-systemswerereroutedtogiantpublicaddresssystemsand his voice filled theFields louder than the death ofworlds.The crowd shouted back even louder.‘Silence!’hecommanded.Hissinglewordrippledaway,aninfinityofechoescarryinghisvoiceacrossthe planet’s surface.Before the last had died, a hush fell that carried the curiousweight of a hundredbillionbreathswithheld.Thewind thatstirredhisparchmentsand tabardblewharder, thendropped tonothing.Hereachedup,unclaspedhishelmfromitssoftseals,lifteditoff,andbreathedtheunfilteredairofHolyTerra.Itwasstalewithoveruse.‘Icomebeforeyoutodaytoannounceagreattriumph!’hesaid.‘TheorksofUllanoraredefeated.Theirleadersarenomore.Already,theirattackfleetsfalluponeachotherindisarray.TheImperiumissaved!’Avast,howlingcheerroaredfromthemasses.ThewindoftheirbreathbuffetedThaneagain.Heheldupahand,magnifiedandmultipliedoninnumerablevid-screens,andhelditthereuntilthenoiseonceagaindropped.‘Asaspecies,wehavecomeclosetothebrink.HolyTerraitselfwasthreatened.TheEmperorwasatrisk!’ He pointed an accusatory hand in the direction of the Palace, making sure that his gestureencompassedthedistantdomeoftheGreatChamberoftheSenatorumImperialis.LettheHighLordsthinkhemeanttoaccusethem,forhedid.‘TheLordofallMankind,whoraisedhumanitybackupfromthedarkdays ofOldNight,who built this Imperium ofwhichwe are all citizens,who gave all to shieldHisspecies,andwhosits inagonyeternal toprotectusstill–Hewas indanger,Hewas inperil,Hewasfailedbyallofus.Nomore,Isay.Weshallneverallowthistohappenagain!

‘ThisisthesecondtimeinayearthatIhavetakenpartinsuchacelebration,’shoutedThane.‘Thatfirsttime,ninemonthsago,waspremature.Wewerecomplacentevenattheheightofdanger.Thistime,wecelebratetruevictory.’Againthathowlingofaworld,anationofbillionsinecstaticreleasefromfear.Thanestrodefromhispulpit.TheSwordofSebastus,theDornsblade,rangfromitsscabbard.Pollution-taintedTerransunlightsparkledwith renewedpurity along its edge.Theprismatic pommel called forth a rainbow from filth.With a crackle amplified to deific proportions, he swung the blade down. The sword shattered thecreature’scrudegorget,severingtheork’sheadfromitsbullishneck.Withswift,exaggeratedmovements,Thanereversed,cleanedandsheathedtheSwordofSebastusandpickedupthedeadork’sheadinbothhands.Steamrosefromitscauterisedneck.Thedeepchillofmethalonpreservationcooledhisfaceashelifteditoverhishead.‘TheBeastliesdead,theImperiumendures.AveImperator!AllhailthedominionofMan!’MaximusThane,ChapterMasteroftheImperialFists,casttheheadoftheproxyBeastfromthetopofthe spire. Propelled by his augmented strength, it sailed over the edge of the platform and shatteredmessilyonthestoneoftheFieldsofWingedVictoryscoresofmetresbelow.‘ThereignoftheBeastisover!’

CHAPTERTWOLegacyoftheSigillite

GettingtotheSigillite’sRetreatthroughtheImperialPalacewasnoteasy.Ancient,ithadbeenswallowedwholebycenturiesofbuilding.Wienandenjoyedthetortuousroutetothehiddengarden;ithelpedstretchouthermindandhermuscles.Shehadbeen feeling twitchyeversince the thirdattackonUllanor,andrelishedtheexercise.Sheduckedunder an archway spideredwith cracks causedby thebuildingsbearingdownon it fromabove,andcameintotheRetreat.Ithadn’tchangedsinceshewaslastthere–although,shereflected,itprobably hadn’t changed for hundreds of years. It was the same grey, dismal place she had trackedVangorichtomonthsbefore.Veryremote,veryquiet,ithadmanyqualitiesthatrecommendeditasaspotformeditationandclandestinemeetings,butshe’dbeafooltothinktheyweretheonlyonesthatdrewtheMaster of Assassins there. She had no idea if this rough little space had once been frequented byMalcadorhimself,buthisnamecarriedenoughoftheresonanceofhistorywithittomakeitattractivetothoseseekingpower.ShemustbemindfulofVangorich’sambition.Hewasalreadythere,sittingopenlyuponthecrackedwoodofthesplit-trunkbenchatthegarden’sheart.‘RedincenserisesovertheTowerofPhilo.DrakanVangorichwishestoseeme,’shesaidlightly.Herfeetcrunchedonthedustygravelasshemadeherwaytothebench.Terrawassobioticallycompromisedthatinonethousandyearsthetreetrunkhadnotdecayedatall,onlyshrunkinonitselfandtwistedoutofshape.ItwasanaptvisualmetaphorforthestateoftheImperium.Vangorichclosedhisbook,roseandbowed.Hewaswearingthemonkishrobeshe’dtakentobeforetheattackonTerra.Shegavethemanamusedfrown.‘Wienand!’hesaidwithevidentpleasure.‘Iamgladyoucame.’‘IamnotsurehowIfeelaboutyournewlook,Drakan.Whydidyoustarttowearthatridiculoushabit?’Vangorichlookeddownathisrobes.‘These?Theypresentacertaincenobiticair,don’tyouthink?’‘Moreplacestohideweapons,perhaps.Youarenotaholyman.’‘Ihavenoideawhatyoumean,mydearWienand.Iamaimingfordevout.Toomanypeopleseemeasfrivolous.ItistimeIadoptedamoreseriousair.’Shescowled.‘Lessofthe“mydear”,Drakan.Despiteyouroverturesoffriendship,youwouldkillmewithoutamoment’shesitationifyouthoughtitnecessary.Assassinsdon’thavefriends.’‘Youaremyfriend,Wienand.’‘IwishIcouldbelievethat,’shereplied.Vangorich’ssmileslippedforafractionofasecond.‘Soyoudon’tlikemyrobes?’‘Ipreferredthesuit.Don’tdeflectme.Whatisitthatyouwant,Vangorich?’Vangorichgesturedtothebench.Theysattogether.

‘Thewarisover,butthestruggleisyettoberesolved,’beganVangorich.‘Theorkshavebeendrivenback, and for that the worlds of humanity can give praise. However, we both know they are not thegreatestthreattotheImperium.’‘TheHighLords,’saidWienandwearily.‘TheHighLords.Aknottyproblem.Ipreferreddealingwiththeorks.’‘Youareafacetiousman,’saidWienand.‘Thankyou.ThiscrisiscouldhavebeenresolvedsomuchearlierwereitnotforthefragmentednatureofImperialgovernance.TherearebillionsofmenunderarmsintheImperium,hundredsofthousandsofSpaceMarines.TitanLegios.Warfleets.Whereweretheyall?Scattered.Leader less,misdirectedtotheendsofpersonalinterestandagendasothatwhenarealcrisisarosetheywereattackedandeliminatedinisolation.Underlessineffectualdirection,theBeast’srisewouldneverhaveoccurred.Howmanytimesdidwemakethesamemistakes?ThreedirectassaultsonUllanor.I’mnotactician,buttellmethatwaswise.’Wienand lookedup towards theplasteelskyhalfakilometreabove.Windowless towerscrowded thegarden.Whatlittlelightreachedtheretreatwasattenuated,theenvironsmurky.‘Thisplacesuitsyouverywell,’shesaid.‘Soshady.’‘Isupposeso,’saidVangorich,lookingaroundtheretreat’stiredcloisters.‘Orratheritdid.Sinceyouuncoveredit,Ihavetakenagainstcominghere.Idon’tknowwhy.Itwasmyspecialplace,butthethoughtofencounteringsomeone…unexpected,’hesaidwithadeliberatelyunctuousgrin,‘tooktheshineoffit.Ashame,therearesofewplacesIcanbemyself.’Shelaughedatthat.‘Yourselfiswhateveryouneedittobe.’‘You’rehurtingmyfeelings.’‘Sowe’rebackwherewestarted.Makingveiled threatsandaccusationsateachotherwhile the realproblemscontinuetheiridioticreputationalstruggles.’‘Itdoesn’thavetobethatway,’saidVangorich.‘Thenstopit,’shesaidsharply.Shelookedintohiseyesproperlyforthefirsttimesinceshehadarrived.His face softened. ‘Please.We’veprovedgoodallies tooneanother.Let’snot cast it all aside.We’rebetterthanthem.’Vangorichnoddedwithrelief.‘Iwashopingyouweregoingtosaythat.I’msorry,Ihadtocheck.’‘Therewasnoneedtogoadme.’‘Goadingpeopleispartofmycharm,andpartofmyplan.’‘Killingpeopleistheculminationofit,’sheretorted.‘Itakeitthebeheadingoftheorkwasyouridea?’‘Naturally.’‘IamsurprisedyougottheChapterMastertoagreetoit.’Vangorichsmoothedouthishabitandmadeanapologeticnoise.‘PoorThanehaslearnedthatbolterandbladearenottheonlyweaponsofwar,andthatnotallwarsareobvious.’‘Carefulthere,Drakan.Ifyoucontinuehiseducationsoeffectivelyyoumightmakehimdangerous.’‘Perhaps,’saidVangorich.‘Theyareapeculiarbreed,theAdeptusAstartes,sodeadlyinsomerespects,almostchildlikeinothers.ThaneiscannierthanKoorlandwas,lessofanaïf,ifyouwill.Hehasmoreexperience,afterall.IwonderhowthingswouldhavegonehadhebeenthelastImperialFistratherthanKoorland.Wouldthiscrisishavelastedsolong?’‘Koorlandwasmoreeasilyled.Amanneedstobemalleableifyouwouldturnhimintoahero.Hewasrightfortherole.’‘TheEmperorsenthimattherighttime,’saidVangorich.‘NowIknowyoudon’tbelievethat,’scoldedWienand.‘BecarefulwithThane.Youcannotmanipulate

him.Heneedstobecontained.’‘Ah,well,thatmightbealittletricky,’saidVangorich.‘I’veaskedyouherebecauseIthinkweshouldmakehimtheLordGuilliman.’‘What?’saidWienand.‘Heisdangerous,youareright.Moresonowthewarisover.Theenemyisdefeated.SpaceMarinesneedenemies,it’stheirwholereasonforbeing.He’llbelookingformoresoon.’‘Andyouwanttoputhiminaroomwherehehasnobodytolookatbutus?’‘Oh,Ithinkwe’requitesafe,’saidVangorichamiably.‘Hedoesn’ttrustme,buthedoeslisten.Andyou,youhavehisrespect,mydearWienand.Youfoughtbyhisside.Youprovedyourselftohim.Youknow,thosenewscarsyouhaveareveryfetching.’Helookedathermeaningfully.‘You’resuggestingthattheInquisitiontablethemotionthathetakethepost?No,’shesaid.‘Iwasactuallythinkingyoushoulddoit.ButtheInquisition,yes,therighthandoftheEmperorHimself.Whocouldrefusethat?’‘Don’tmockme,Drakan.’‘I’mteasingyou.It’saffectionate.’‘Youcanputteasingonmyfilealongwith“mydear”asthingsnottodotome.’Shegrippedtheedgeofthedesiccatedwood.Itwasashardasstone.Shebowedherheadinthought.‘Verituswillnotagree,’shesaid,‘butIcannotdenythatyourplanisappealing.ThaneinchargeoftheSenatorummightputastoptothesquabbling,atleastforawhile.HeismorethanaSpaceMarine,morethanasonoftheEmperor,heistheslayeroftheBeast.ThesaviouroftheImperium.’‘Heisasymbol,’saidVangorich.‘Seeingaswe’reoutofprimarchs,he’llhavetodo.’Shecouldn’tstopasmileat the thoughtof thereactionsof theothers. ‘Theycouldsaynothingagainsthim.Thanewouldhavethebackingofeveryman,womanandchildinthewholeoftheImperium.’‘You’recomingroundtotheidea,Icantell,’saidVangorich.‘Iamnotsure.Puttingsomuchpowerintothehandsofoneman,attheheightofhispopularity?’‘JustlikeHorus?’‘ThatisexactlywhatVerituswillsay,’shesaid.‘OnlyIcan’timaginesomeonelikeThanegoingbad.Canyou?Tellmetruthfully.’‘Powercorrupts,’saidWienand.‘ThereisareasonwhytheEmperorcreatedtheSenatorumImperialistorule.TheImperiumwastoomuchevenforHimalone.’‘And like so many things since the time of the Great Crusade, it’s worked just marvellously,’ saidVangorich.‘TheEmperorwasnot infallible.Thaneisnoprimarch.Hisrulewon’t lastforever,andtheImperiumneedsasteadyhandforawhile.Weneedreform.Hecanpushitthrough.’‘Reformsyousuggest?’Heshrugged.‘Oryou.Tellmeitmakesnosense,andIwilldroptheissue.Youagreewithmethough,andIknowyoucanhandleVeritus.’Shepaused,andbecamesuspicious.‘Thereissomethingyouarenot tellingme,’shesaid.‘Whatplayareyoumaking,Drakan?’Hebecameserious.‘TheplayIammakingisforstabilityatatimewhenwesodesperatelyneedit.TheBeastnearlyfinishedus,Wienand.NeitheryounorIbelievethingscangobacktothewaytheywere.Youknowthisisn’taboutpersonalpower.Itneverhasbeen.Iamnotmadethatway.IfIwere,IwouldneverhavebeenrecruitedasanAssassin,norwouldIhavebeenelevatedtoGrandMaster.’‘Psychscreeningdoesn’talwayswork.’‘Butyouknowme.’‘I’mafraidIdo,alltoowell.’

Theylookedateachother,neitherwillingtodropeyecontact.Wienandbroketheirsilence.‘VerreaultandLansungwillnotagreetothis,’shesaid.Vangorichsmiled.Shegrittedherteeth.Ifshewasatthepointofmakingindividualobjectionsthatcouldbedealtwithonebyone,she’dlosttheargument.‘I’llhandlethem.Theywillbackyourproposal.SowillI.Zeckwilltoo.Heunderstandsthesituation.AllIhavetodoisconvinceonemoreandwewillhaveamajority.’‘HowcanyoubesureofVerreaultandLansung?Theywillbethebiggestopponentstotheidea.Theyhavethemosttolose.’‘Iamsuretheywillbackyou,’hesaidconfidently.‘DoIwanttoknow?’‘Mmm,Idon’tthinkso,’saidVangorich.Wienandbitherbottomlip.Itwasn’tcleartherewasanyotherway.‘I’llconsiderit,butitwillnotbewithoutcost.’‘Andwhatwouldthatcostbe,InquisitorialRepresentative?’Herfacehardened.‘Don’tbedisingenuous,Drakan.’

Vangorich passed three cowled menial priests on the stairs leading to theMonitus.When he walkedthroughthehighmarblegatehewasgratifiedtoseethathisordershadbeenobeyed.TheMonitus,emptyofallbutdustuntilafewdaysago,hadbeenattractingincreasingnumbersofpilgrimssincethefalloftheBeast.Theyhadallbeenremoved.TherewasbutoneotherlivingbeingintheMonitusthatevening.Surroundedbyhisnobleantecessorsrendered three times life-size in stone, Thane looked entirely in place. He stood at the centre of thesemicircularbalconythatledoutfromthehall,framedagainstthedirtywarmthofTerranskies.Hewasoneoftheheroesofoldcomebacktolifeandsteppeddownfromhisplinthtosurveythemodernagewithsorrowful eyes. Vangorich pitied him. Such was the fate of all heroes, their lives short, their soulscaptured in stone, their reputations used to rebuke generations yet to come. All of them would bedisappointedtoseethedreamtheyhadfoughtfor.‘Vangorich.HighLord,’Thanesaid.Hebowedhishead.‘LordThane,’Vangorichreturnedhiscourtesy.Hepulledoutablockyboxfromunderhisrobes.‘Whatisthat?’saidThane.Vangorichwavedthedevice.‘Anaudiodamper.Nothingsinister.’‘Putyoursilence fieldaway.You’ll talk tomeopenlyornotatall,’ saidThane. ‘I’venoappetite forsubterfuge.’‘Asyouwish,’saidVangorich.Hehadhadtheplacesweptforlisteningdevicesearlierthatday.Hewassurenobodywouldbelistening.Andiftheywere,whattheymightlearnwouldnothelpthem.Neveract,Vangorichheld,untilitistoolateforanybodytodoanythingaboutit.Thanelookedaroundtheranksofheroes.Theywerepaired,backtoback,onelookingdownatthefloor,theotherstaringsternlyatthedomeoftheGreatChamber.Thane’sowneyesfollowedthestonegazeofthestatuesandsettledonthehouseoftheSenatorum,andhehalfturnedawayfromtheGrandMastertosharetheirview.‘Whatisitthatyouwantfromme,LordVangorich?’saidThane.‘Summoningmehere,wheresomuchofimporthasoccurredtheselastmonths,surroundedbythewarriorsofthegreatLegions,youcanonlybehopingtomakesomesortofpoint.’VangorichwenttolookoutoverthevistaofthePalace.Heleanedonamarblebalustradeerodedbythe

corrosiveairanddrummedhisfingers.Thedomelookedsofragile,likeabaldheadreadytobecracked.Onlyfatehadpreserveditfromtheshatteringoftheorkattackmoon.‘Providence played a part in preserving the Great Chamber, don’t you think?’ Vangorich said. ‘TheEmperorwatchedoverit,Iamsure.’‘Iamunconvincedbyyourpiety.’‘Ipraydaily,mylord.’‘Koorland toldme. In theChapelOrdinary. I am sure the common people aremost affected by yourdisplayofhumility.NotI.YoudonotbelieveintheCreed.Icantell.’‘That’saninterestingobservation.’Thanemadeadismissivenoisedeepinhisthroat.‘MykindknewtheEmperorwhenHewalkedamongus.Youarenot so fardivorced in time from the foundersof theOfficioAssassinorumyourself.Therehavebeen,howmany,twentyGrandMasterssinceyourorderwasfounded?’‘Eleven,’saidVangorich.‘WeAssassinsbecomeadeptatstayingalive.’‘Youaretoorationalforfaith.I’llnotplayyourgames,GrandMaster.IamnotKoorland.Thewarisover.ItireofTerra.’‘No,youarenotKoorland,’agreedVangorich.‘ThentellmewhyIamhere.SpeakplainlytomeasThane,notasyourpuppet.Koorlandwasagreathero,butheheededyoutooclosely.Iamweary.TheImperialFists,myChapter,’headded,withatouchtoomuchstress, ‘arebattered.Wemaybebrothers inbloodbutwemust learn tobecomrades. Ihavemuch todoand little time todo it in.’Thanestalked forwards, ceramiteboots scratching theporphyryfloor,tostandoverVangorich.Vangorichrestedonthestonerail.HewasafractionofThane’sarmouredweight,yethewaseasyintheChapterMaster’spresence,apoisonousspiderasdeadlyasthegreatcatinwhoseshadowitlurked.‘Well then, I shallget to thenubof it.YoumightbedonewithTerra,butTerra isnotdonewithyou.WienandisgoingtoproposeyouasLordGuilliman.Youshouldaccept.’Thaneblewoutaprodigioussigh.‘Politics.Iwillnotdoit.’‘Isuspectedyoumightsaythat.That’swhyIcalledyouhere.’‘Iamnotapolitician.AsktheUltramarines.Ibelongonawallfacingoutwardagainstourenemies,notsequesteredinthekeepsurroundedbyvipers.’‘TheUltramarinesmournthelossoftheirmaster.Theyhavetheirownrealmtolookto.’‘Wemournourmastertoo.Iwillnotdoit,Vangorich.’‘Isee.Ashame.Ohwell.’‘Iamgladyoudonotpressit.’Vangorichlookedatthefantastical,miniaturelandscapeofthewornrockandtraceditwithhisfinger.‘Askyourself,whathappenswhentheTraitorscomeforthfromtheEyeofTerroragain,or if theeldarbecomeresurgent?’saidVangorich.‘Soyouaregoingtopressit,’saidThane.‘Whathappens,’saidVangorich,raisinghisvoice,‘Emperorforbid,iftheorksfindanewBeast?Orifanotherxenosthreatarises?Webecamelax.Ullanorshouldhavebeenlevelled,orbetteryet,destroyed.Thesiteofthegreatestvictoryofoursupposedgod,andwhat,weforgetwhereitis?Ourleadersneglectthedefenceofourfrontierinfavourofchasingmorerichesorshinymedalsforthemselves?It’sinsanity,you know it. The Senatorum Imperialis is broken. We need something else while it is restored tosomethingapproachingtheEmperor’svision.’‘Iwillnotplaymedicae toTerra’s illswhen there ismuchwork tobedonebeyond this system.TheEmperorneverintendedthattheAdeptusAstartesruleovercommonhumanity.Ourroleisinitsdefence,

andinfurtheringtheEmperor’sglory.’‘You’regoingtoleave,’statedVangorich.Thane’s blocky transhuman face registered something akin to disdain. ‘You quickly come to thatconclusion?Therearehundredsofworldsinthethralloftheorks.Thousandsoffleets.Dozensofattackmoons. Theymust all be dealtwith. TheBeast is dead, but if onewarlord gains traction a fresh orkcrusadecouldbuild.Initsweakenedstate,theImperiumwillcrumble.Therearemanyarmiesandfleetsscattered across the galaxy. They must be reorganised and motivated to fight back. The campaign tocleansethestarsoforkswilltakedecades,anditmustbedonenow.’‘See,ourfearscoincide!’exclaimedVangorich.‘YouwillbeinabetterplacetodealwithitasaHighLord.YouwillmakeanexcellentLordGuilliman.’‘Icannotaffordthedelay.’‘Whatisafewmoreweeks?Thenyoucanbeonyourway.’‘YouproposethatIassumetheoffice,thendepart?’Thanelookedathiminpuzzlement.‘Thethreatofyourreturnwillbeenoughtokeeptheminline.’‘AfewweekssawusdeliveredofMagneric’sintelligence.Hadwehadthatsooner,thefirstassaultonUllanorwouldhavebeenthelast.Koorlandwouldlive.Manyofmybrotherswouldremaininservice.Afewweeks iseverything,GrandMaster.You, thedelivererof theperfectly timedblade,know this fullwell.’‘Days then,’Vangorichsaidreassuringly. ‘Put thehouse inorder, thenheadout toemployyour talentswheretheyareneeded.TherearemanyhereonTerrawhocouldruleinyoursteadand–’‘Manyas inone?’Thaneclappedhisarmouredhandsslowlytogether.Theclashofmetalrangoff thestatues.‘Whodoyoupropose,Vangorich,yourself?’‘No!No,’Vangorichshookhishead.‘Goodgrief,no.Ibelongintheshadows.Iwasthinking…Veritus?I’dsuggestWienand,butshewouldn’tdoit.Sheislikeyou,chafingtogetbacktoherbusinessnowthecrisisispast.’‘Veritusbecausehewillobjecttomyappointment.’Vangorichgrinned.‘You’vebecomegoodatthis.’‘A SpaceMarinewho cannot judge a battlefield and adapt himself accordingly is not worthy of hisbattleplate,’saidThane.‘TheSenatorumisasdeadlyawarzoneasany.’‘Ofcourse,Wienandwillneedmollifying.Isuspectshemightwanttheroleherself,andifyougivetoitVeritusshemaybeoutraged.Itwasn’tsolongagothattheInquisitorialRepresentativesweretryingtokilleach other. Might I suggest your first act as Lord Guilliman should be to transfer control of theDeathwatchpermanentlytotheInquisition?’‘Iwasthinkingofdisbandingit,’saidThane,‘alongwiththeLastWall.’‘Ahgood,Iwasgoingtobringthatuptoo.Thelatterhastobedone.ButtheDeathwatchhaveproventheirutility.Theyserveverywell inbuildingbondsbetweenyourChapters.Youhavebecomea little,well,estrangedsincetheSecondFounding,andtheThirddidn’thelp.’‘Idonot–’‘Ifyouwouldindulgeme,ChapterMaster,’saidVangorich.‘TheadditionofaChapter-strengthforceofSpaceMarinestotheInquisition’sarsenalwillgreatlyshoreuptheirauthority,andfurtherkeeptheHighLords’mindsfocusedwheretheyshouldbe:onthebusinessofgovernment,andnotontheirownestates.’Thanestareddownathimdubiously.Theirfacesweresoheavy,thoughttheGrandMaster,thatitwastooeasytoseetheAdeptusAstartesasstupid.‘Comenow.Youknowtherulesverywell,’Vangorichwenton.‘ThereformationoftheImperialFistsandthatpresentationtotheHighLordsinthePlazaDecamerata?Masterfulwork.Youalreadyhavethem

inretreat.TakeonthemantleofLordGuillimanandputthemtoflight.TheImperiumneedsyou,MaximusThane.Nowisnottherighttimeforanothermortalmantolead.’‘Andwhatdoyougainfromallthis,MasterofAssassins?’‘Nothing.Igetnothing.Igetnottoassassinateanyone,thatiswhatIget.Keepingthepeaceisalwaysmyfirstintention,ChapterMaster.Iassureyouofthat.’HetappedThane’splastron.‘Athreatlosesitspoweronceitisactedupon.Iamathreat.LikeIsaid,Ibelongintheshadows.’

Terra breathed again. The Great Chamber swarmed with lesser lords. It was even busier than usual,packedoutwithplanetarydelegationsfrombeleagueredworlds.Howquicklytheverminboiloutoftheirhiding places when the storm has passed, Vangorich thought. A short while ago, he had regretted theabsenceof the least lords and all theothers.Nowhe saw in themyetmorepotential for delay.Once,widerdemocracyhadworked,buttheseweredifferenttimes.Nevertheless,todaytheywereneeded.The buildingwas in the throes of repair. Piles of rubble had been cleared away. Collapsed tiers ofseatingwereropedoff,theprocessofdismantlingthemhalfcompleted.Wallsunknowntodaylightforathousand years stood exposed. Scaffolding rose up the sides of the dome, catwalks crisscrossed itsvaultedexpanse.Linesoffresh,paleplastercreptupalongcracks.AllmenialshadbeendismissedwhiletheSenatorumwasinsession,exceptthefrescopainters,whomustworktheirpaintsintothedampplasterbefore it dried. They sent black looks at the gathering lords, as if it were theywho had invaded thepainters’workspaceandnottheotherwayaround.Really, itwouldhavemademore sense to hold a closedmeetingof theHighTwelve in theClaniumLibrary,ortheCerebrium,butafullsessionwasrequired.Vangorichhadspentseveralexhaustingdaysmakingsurethatitoccurred.Otherwise, theGreatChamberremainedasithadbeenbeforethecrisis.Floatingconstructs traversedthewideopen spaceunder thedome.Thedais still rotatedat itsglacialpace.Dorn still glareddownupontheseatsoftheHighLords.Vangorichlookedupattheprimarch’sfacewhiletheothersdealtwiththeir armies of aides and subordinates. He suppressed a smile at the thought of his Temple mastersarriving here andmobbing him. Naturally, he only appeared alone. There were over a dozen Officioagentsinthechamber,severalembeddedintheretinuesofhisfellowHighLords.Heremainedforevergratefulthattheycouldnotbotherhimdirectly.Hewasalonerbyinclination.Everythinghingedonthenextfewhours.HetrustedDorn’sglowerwouldprovesufficientmotivationtohisgene-sontodotherightthing.Thewaitforproceedingstobeginwasthemosttediouspartoftheday.Thousandsoflesserlordsandadeptsfiledintotheintactgalleries.Prefectibythecohort,consulariesbythegross.Vangorichslippedintoameditativetrance,hishearingflickingfromconversationtoconversation.Ekharthwasflustered,aswellamantaskedwithputtingrightthematerialdamagedonetoTerraanditsdomainsmightbe.Lansungwasdefiant,butitwasashell.Verreaultwascowed,spendinghistimebroodingoverhisownfailures.Zeck’saugmeticfacewasunreadable.KubikhadcomebackfromMars,buthisbodywasstill.Theothersbehavedaccordingtotheircharacter.JuskinaTullwasamentalwreck,ablankfaceswampedbyoutrageousfinery.Shehaddevelopedasmall ticaroundherlefteye.Thedefeatof theBeastwouldforcehertoconfrontherfailurewiththeProletarianCrusadesoon.Vangorichdidn’texpectthattoturnoutwell.ReportsfromhisTempleVanusinfocytesindicatedthatherownpeoplethoughtsotoo,andthatastruggleamongtheChartistCaptainswasalreadydeveloping.Shouldshefall,hedoubtedtheorganisationwouldretainitsplaceamongtheHighTwelve.DissentamongtheChartists,andavacuumat thehightable.Moreproblems.Anwar,SarkandGibran

werebecomingcloser,thetwopsykerspullingthePaternovalEnvoyintotheircircle.Theyhadthewarpincommon,afterall.Thislittletriumvirateconcernedhimonlyslightly.Gibranheldrealpower,buttheothertwowerefunctionariesatheart,fiercelydefensiveoftheiradepta’sinfluencesfornogoodreason–boththeAdeptusAstraTelepathicaandtheAstronomicanwereessentialtotheImperium.Neitherofthemposedanyrisk.‘Vangorich.’Thephlegmy,ancientvoiceofVeritusbrokeintohissemi-trance.‘Ah,Veritus,howareyou?’Veritusloomedoverhiminhiscreampowerarmour,soVangorichstood.Veritus’wrinkledfacestaredathimdefiantlyfromitsprotectiveapparatus.Helookedsosmallinthere.‘Thisideaofyours,itcannotbe,’saidVeritus.‘Youareplayingadangeroushand.’‘Wienandtoldyou,didshe?’saidVangorich.‘Sheintendstogothroughwithit,againstmyrecommendation.’‘Apity.Iamsureifyouweretore-examinetheissue,itwouldmakesensetoyou,’saidVangorich.‘ASpaceMarineshouldnotsiton theCouncil.This reformationof theoldLegion isampleevidencewhy.’‘ThefirstLordGuillimanwas,well,LordGuilliman,’offeredVangorich.‘Thereisprecedent.’‘Hewasaprimarch,’saidVeritus.‘Andperhapstheonlyonesuitabletotherole.Horus’betrayaloftheEmperoristhehistoryyoushouldbelookingtohere.DonotinvestaSpaceMarinewithsuchpowerovermortalmen!’Verituswasclose toshouting inhis face,hiswordscarryingover thenumbinghubbubofvoicesfillingthechamber.‘Sorry,butIdon’tagree.Look,acoupleoftheothersarebeginningtopayattentiontoourbusiness.Let’ssaywedebatethisintheproperforum,whenthissessioncommences?Let’sputittoavote.’Veritusglaredathim.‘Youcannotcontrolhim.’‘Veritus!WhywouldIwanttocontrolhim?’‘You’re a liability,’ saidVeritus.His armourwhined as he stepped around the dais to take a seat byWienand.SinceKoorland’sdeath,therewasonefree.‘Ekharth,whenarewegoingtogetstarted?’calledZeck.‘We’ll get started–’ began the master of the Administratum. The thump of ceramite boots on stoneinterruptedhim.‘Now?’suggestedVangorichlightly.MaximusThane strode towards the dais, the crowds parting before him.He came escorted by a fullsquadofImperialFistsFirstCompanyveterans,theirarmourheavywithbattlehonours.CasticonsoftheChapterhungfromchainsontheirpauldrons.Theyellowoftheirarmourwasalmostobscuredbygilding,badgesandemblems.‘ChapterMaster!Goodofyoutojoinus,’calledVangorich.‘What canwedo for you,LordThane?’ saidEkharth.Without aLordGuilliman, hehad assertedhisadeptus’seniorityandappointedhimselftemporarychair.Suchasnivelling,reactivelittlemanordinarily,hehadbecomeswelledwithpomposity,likeatoad.‘IwillspeakwiththeHighLords,’saidThane.Hestoppedbytherotatingdais.‘Impossible,’ said Ekharth. ‘The business of the Senatorum Imperialis is about to commence in fullsession.Youhavenoseathere.Wehavepetitionstohearfromhundredsofworlds.Youmustwaityourturn.’‘Ishallnot,’saidThane.‘Thiswillnotwait.’‘Youmustgo,Thane,’saidEkharth,hisfaceflushingcrimson.Sohehasabackbone,thoughtVangorich.Thatmightproveproblematic.‘Ah,’hesaid.‘Imotionthatwe

bringforwardothermattersfromtheendofthesessiontonow?’‘Wehavenotbegun!’saidLansungexasperatedly.Vangorichshothimawarninglook.TheLordAdmiralseethed.‘Seconded,’saidWienand.AngerbubbledupthroughthecracksinEkharth’smaskofself-importance.‘Thisismostirregular.’Thebackgroundchatterofthecrowdhushedasthelesserlordsandplanetarydelegationscaughtnoticeofthegrowingconfrontation.‘Callavote.WearetheHighLords.Iratherthoughtwecouldconductourbusinessasweseefit.Let’sgetitoutoftheway.’‘Verywell!’saidEkharth.Alongwithhisnewbackbone,hehadacquiredanorbofblackgranitethatheslammedintoacupofthesame.Theclackofthegavelsnappedthroughthechamberlikeacannonshot.Bobbing servo-skulls swung their attention to the dais. The High Lords shooed away their remainingservantsandsubordinates.Theconversationinthechamberdwindledtoabreathysilence.‘IbringthismeetingoftheSenatorumtoorder!Weshallvoteonundertakingotherbusinessfirst.’Vangorichraisedhishand,asdidWienand,Anwar,Zeck,Verreaultand,afteracockedeyebrowfromVangorich,Lansung.‘Carried!’saidEkharthangrily.‘Whatdoyouwanttotable,Vangorich?’‘Notme,’saidVangorich.HeheldoutahandtoWienand.Wienandhesitated.Verituswasstaringathersohardtheblueveinsinhistemplepulsed.‘ImovethatweappointMaximusThanetotheheadofthisSenatorumasLordGuilliman,’shesaid.HerwordsweremetwithresoundingcheersfromthelesserlordsthatalmostdrownedoutVangorich’ssecondingofthemotion,despitethevoxmittersamplifyinghisvoice.Ekharthwent purple.He really has hadno idea, thoughtVangorich. ‘Vote then!’ he said, crackinghissphericalgavelpetulantly.‘For.’Vangorich,Wienand,Zeck,Verreault,LansungandAnwaragainvoted.Afteramoment’sconsultation,sodidGibranandSark.Kubikraisedamechanicalhandinsilence,thenwentbacktowhateveritwasthatreallyinterestedhim.‘Against!’saidEkharth.Heraisedhisownhandquickly,thensnatcheditdown.Hestaredatthetableindefeat.‘Welcome to the Senatorum Imperialis,’ said Vangorich to Thane. He bowed his head. ‘My LordGuilliman.’ThechambershooktothecheersofthemassedlesserlordsasMaximusThanetookhisseatattheheadofthetable.

CHAPTERTHREEExemplarsoftheImperium

Zerberynranattheorkblockingthecompanionwaydowntotheenginarium,bowlingitovertherailingandintothechurningmachinerybelow.Hefiredintothefaceoftheonebehind,blastingthebackofitsskullapart.Vaultingoveritstumblingcorpse,heburiedhischainswordintheheadofathird.Aburstofheavyboltershotsfelledthreebiggerorkscomingupthesteps.‘Thereitis!’voxedSergeantSolomonTorr.‘Ihavethexenosmechanicianinsight.’RunesflickeredoverZerberyn’sfaceplate.Aredsignumdotpulsedontheminiaturecartographofthespaceship’s interior. The ork commander was in a large room suspended above the thundering ship’sengines.‘SquadTorr,follow!’heordered.Squealing ork slaves scattered before him.He did notwaste his ammunition on them, and they diedunderhisboots.Heroundedacornertoseeaheavyblastdoorgrindingintoplace.Hishandwenttohisbeltandcameawayempty.Hislastmeltabombhadbeenspentthreebulkheadsback.‘Melta!’hecalled.SpaceMarinesclattereddownthestairsbehindhim,takingupfirepositionsalongthericketysafetyrail.Theirweaponspannedbackandforth,lasertargetersgleaminginthedark.‘Melta!’Zerberyncalledagain,hispatiencegone.BrotherRosdane shovedhiswaydown the stairs, banging into thebacksofhisbrothers inhishaste.‘Here, First Captain.’ His plain, unmarked armour was covered in dark ork blood, bright groovesscratchedintothesurfacewhereenemyfirehadbeendeflected.‘Burnusawayin,’Zerberynordered.‘SquadTorr,firinglines!’HetookastepbackasRosdaneadjustedthefocallengthofthemeltaandlevelledtheslottedmuzzleofthegunatthedoor.Therestofhissquadformedup,bolterslevel.Thefoetidatmosphereoftheorkhulkshimmeredinfrontofthemeltagun,thenwithawhooshingroarthedoorburstintoflame.Thickgobbetsofburningsteelranfromthebreach,draininginlethaldripsthroughthemeshofthecatwalk.Thebrightspotofheatspread,until thewholeof thedoorglowedwhite.Allofasudden, itcollapsedwetly,sprayingsparksanddropletsofmoltenmetal.‘Fire!’shoutedZerberyn.His warriors let loose together, sending a barrage of bolts through the door before the smoke of itsdestructionhadcleared.Zerberynleaptthrough.‘FollowtheFirstCaptain!’shoutedSergeantTorr.Theyemergedintoastormofbullets.RoundsscreamedoffZerberyn’sarmourinablazeofsparks.Orkscame out of the smoke and dark, and he cut them down. Behind them was a huge, squat-bodied orkengineer,themockeryofaSpaceMarine’sservo-harnessattachedtoitsback.Boltgunsbarkedaroundhim,fellingthexenos,asZerberynchargedtoattack.Thisfleet’sstrangevesselsandbizarreweaponrywerethecreationsof thismonster.Hewasthelordofthearmada.Killhim,and

whatlittlecohesiontheforcehadwouldcollapse.Therewasnopoint,Zerberyn realised.Theyhadchasedhimfromhisbridge,hewascornered.Theycouldhavesetthechargesandleft.Theorkslackedtheorganisationtheyhadshownonlyweeksago.Buthewantedtokillit.Heneededto.Itraisedablockypistolandfired.AroundasbigasahumanfistpunchedafreshdentintoZerberyn’splastronandknockedhimoffhis feet.A tall ork rearedoverhim, agrowlingchainaxe raisedover itshead.Beforeitcouldstrikeitschestblewoutanditfelldowndead.Zerberynrecoveredandgotbacktohisfeet,boltpistolspitting.Hisroundssmackedintoanenergyfieldsurroundingtheorkengineerandexplodedharmlessly.Itbareditsmassiveyellowfangsathimandraiseditsweapon.Zerberyndodged,takingahitonthegreaveashedivedaside.Thestrengthoftheweaponwassogreattheplatebuckled.Onhisfaceplate,awarningruneblinked.Atinyschematicofhisarmourflickeredup,hislowerleftlegglowingamber.Theorkmechanicroared.Thelastofitsbodyguarddied,blownapartbysevensimultaneousbolthits.SquadTorr trained theirweaponson theengineer, advancingon it as they fired.Thecreature’senergyshieldflaredunderthestrainandgaveoutwithabang.Zerberynjumpedatit,hisswordswinging.Theorkroaredandhammereddownwiththewhirringattachmentsofitsharness.Zerberynparriedonewiththeflatofhisbladeandshearedtheotheraway.Blackoilpumpedfromtheharness’hydraulics.The ork swung its pistol around. Like so many of its monstrous kind its strength was undone bysluggishness,andZerberynchoppedhard,separatingitshandfromitsbody.Howlinginoutrage,theorkthrewitselfatZerberyn,bearingthembothtothefloor.Zerberyn’sboltgunwasknockedfromhisgrasp.Hischainswordwasnouseandhedroppedittograpplewiththemonster.Hiseye-lensesfilledwiththeslavering jaws of the ork as it bit furiously at his face. His fingers slipped on waxy skin. The thinggrabbedhimaround the throatandsqueezed.Thepressurewas immense,crushinghisneck throughhissoftseal.Zerberynscrabbledforhiscombatknife.Heunsheathedit,foughtitpasttheork’sflailingstump.Theorkbattedathishand.Ivoryfangssnappedonhisforearm.Withmuscle-crackingeffort,Zerberynbuckedunderthecreature,shiftingitenoughtodrivethepointofhisbladeintoitseye.Theorkmechaniciancontinuedtoroarforasecond.Zerberynsawhisdeathinitsface,butthenthelightwentoutinitsremainingeye,anditslumped.Hisbrothersheavedthedeadbeastoffhim.SergeantTorrextendedahand.‘Haveyouworkedoutyouranger,brother-captain?’hesaid.‘Watchyourtone,brother,’saidZerberyn.Heallowedhimselftobehauledbackup.‘Perhapsyouarestillinneedofbattle,’saidTorr.‘Butwearedonehereandshouldleave.’‘Ithankyouforlettingmeslaythebeastalone,’hesaid.‘Aworthyopponent,’saidTorr.‘Yourorder,FirstCaptain?’‘Crippletheengine.Krak,meltagun,anythingwehaveleft.’ZerberynopenedalinetotheotherFistsExemplarupontheship.Hescrolledthroughtheiconsofthefivesquads.Mostweregreen,acouple tending toamber.Casualtieswere light. ‘Theship’scaptain isdead. All squads fall back to extraction point. Hail Shipmaster Marcarian. We are returning to theDantalion.’Zerberynranintotheorkhangar,awidemetalholehaphazardlyflooredbyweldedplates,shieldedfromthevoidwithabuzzingyellowintegrityfield.TwosquadswaitedbytheThunderhawksAegisofAlcazarandPrideofOriax,snappingoffdisciplinedvolleysoffireintothecorridorsleadingintothebay.Thetransportsfacedinward,awayfromthefreedomofspace,theirfrontandrearrampsdown.Theircheek-mountedheavybolters twitched, lestanyorkbe foolishenough tocomearound their fronts.Orks firedsporadicallyfromthegallerycirclingthebay,buttheywerefewandquicklyfelltogrenadesandmissiles

whentheyshowedtheirfaces.Moundsofgreenskindeadchokedthehangardoors.Hiswarriors’gunszeroedinonZerberynashethunderedbackintothebayfollowedbySquadsTorrandNubius,heldamoment,thentrackedawaytofindothertargets.‘Odrazar,we leave as soon as theothers joinus,’Zerberynorderedhis pilot. ‘Beginpreparations todepartnow!’AssoonastheorderwasgiventheThunderhawkscametolife,theirenginesthrumminginanticipationofflight.Thedeckvibratedattheirawakening.Communicationscrackledinthroughhishelmetvox.SquadEscobanreportedthattheshieldgeneratorshadbeendestroyed,SquadRodrianthatthemainreactorwasriggedtoexplode.Zerberynandhissquadsjoinedthefiringlineoftheraidingpartyrearguardandawaitedtheircomrades.Theycamesoon,SquadEscobanfirst:twobrothershaulingtheirwoundedsergeantbetweenthem,fourmorecoveringeachother inpairs.Fire, retreat,cover, fire, retreat,cover, fire.Zerberynselected theirsquadiconinhissuit’sfaceplate.Itwastendingfromgreentoamber.Itexpanded,pushingoutsquadleveldetailfortherestofhistaskforceandlistingthebrothersindividually.Ninehadsetout,sevenreturned.Rodriancamenext.Theirsquadmarkerwasred.Onlyfourofeightremained.Allwerewounded.‘Boardthetransports!’shoutedZerberyn.Thenineteenwarriorsalreadywithhimraisedtheirweapons.SquadsRodrianandEscobanranpast,SergeantEscobandraggeduptherampleavingatrailofrapidlyclottingblood.Theorkscameafter them.Thereweredozensasopposedtohundreds, theirnumbersthinned,but theywerestilldangerous.Manywerelesservarietiesoftheorktechnicalclass,whileothersworemassiveharnessescovered inanunlikelyarrayofguns.Theyfloodedonto thedeck,brandishingbizarreenergyweapons that theywasted no time in using. A beam of searing ruby light pulsed out, neatly bisectingBrotherIrken.Anotherdead.Twelvewarriorslostinthisbattlealone.‘Kill them all!’ roared Zerberyn. He needn’t have expended his breath – his brothers were alreadyresponding, riddling theorkcrewwithmass-reactive fire.TheThunderhawks’anti-personnelweaponsopenedup,stitchingsomanylinesoflightacrossthehangarthatZerberynfoundithardtoseePrideofOriax fromhis position at the foot ofAegis ofAlcazar’s front ramp.Somanyorkswere hit that theiratomisedfleshmistedtheair.Thewallswererepainteddarkred.‘SquadTorr,board!’orderedZerberyn.TorrledhismenaboardPrideofOriax,twoofthemcoveringthe rest as they thundered around to the front of their craft and up the assault ramp. Beams of barelyfocusedlightandsmall,hissingrocketsscoredthehullasthedoorswungshut.Oneimpactedinside.Aflash,andajetoffiresuppressant,thenthehatchwasshutandthePrideofOriaxwasliftingoff,enginesinrocketmode,blastingoutbladesofblue-whitefire. Itsblunt rearpenetrated thecrude integrityfieldwithanelectriccrackleanditwasawayintothevoid,swingingabout,allenginesengaging,andracingawayfromtheflagship.The orks fell back, sniping at the Fists Exemplar from the doorways and gallery. A lascannon blastslammedinto theroofof theAegisofAlcazar,bringingdownashowerofmoltenceramiteandcallingforth the voice of a tocsin from inside. Another of Zerberyn’s brothers fell, a smoking hole punchedthroughhisface.Theothersborethehailofbulletsandmicro-missilesstoically,firingcalmlyback.‘Evacuate!’ orderedZerberyn.Hismenbroke their line and pounded up the ramp.Zerberynwas lastaboard, still firing outward as theThunderhawk’s ramp closed.Hiswarriors set themselves into theirflight restraints. Zerberyn pushed past them, up into the rear compartment and on into the flight deck.Odrazar and his co-pilotwere strobed by the light of gunfire flashing through the canopy.Bolt-roundscontinuedtochugfromtheforwardmounts,dismemberingorksfoolishenoughtochancethebayagain.‘Captain,’OdrazaracknowledgedZerberyn.

‘Brother.Timetoleave.’AegisofAlcazarrearedupandback.Theroaroftheenginesoutdidthecrackleandboomoftheorks’strangeweaponry.Sailingbackwards, itbreachedthe integrityfieldandturnedaway,runningalongthesideoftheorkship.Gunfireblastedfrommultiplemounts,forcingOdrazartojinkbetweentheirstreamsofshellsandenergy.Allwassilent.Thevoidbroughtpeace.Theorkshipventeditsfuryvoicelessly.Therumbleofthecraftandthequietconversationsofactivemachinesfilledthecockpit.Odrazarbankedaroundandopeneduptheenginestomaximum,andtheflagshipfellawaybehindthem.Burrok’sWorldrolledintoview,itsmarbledcloudsandseasstainedwiththeblacksmokeofworldwidefire. Burrok’s World was yet another nowhere planet beset by the greenskins. They attackedindiscriminately, invading whatever place they happened across. The world had little strategicsignificance for eitherorksorhumans,butZerberynwouldgladly fight themwherever theywere.Theopportunity for resupply thebattlepresentedwasasecondaryconsideration tohim.Hewishedonly toslayorks.‘Thereisanenergyspikeontheorkflagship,captain,’theThunderhawk’sco-pilotsaid.Zerberynwenttotheship’soperationsdesk.Withhisbackpackon,hecouldnotsitinitsemptychair,buthekeyedthedisplay,selectingtheThunderhawk’saftaugurs.Theorkflagshipwasabruteofathing,withaprowasbluntasanork’sjawweldedtoalong,ricketybodythatgaveittheoverallappearanceofapredatoryoceaniclifeform.WhentheFistsExemplarhadtackleditinitially,itwaspowerfulandproud,protectedbyanenergyfieldthatSpaceMarineordnancewaspowerlesstopenetrate.Nowtheprojectionvaneswerewilting,thefieldtheygeneratedwasoutandtheshipsufferedunderthebombardmentoftheSpaceMarinefleet.Slowly, thecraftbegantofall towardsBurrok’sWorld.Zerberynsmiledasfire likesolarflaresburstfromthehaphazardarrayofventsandexhaustportsaroundtheenginestack,anditturned,presentedhalfitsbellytohisinspection.Explosionsrippledfromgundecksandfighterbays,catchingthesmallercraftfleeing it in their fires. In typical orkish fashion, the guns continued firing to the very last, butmadly,targetingnothing.Themindlessbitingofawoundedanimal.Thevoidsheetedwhiteas themechanician-admiral’s junkshipexplodedintoamaelstromofspinningdebris tortured by crackling green lightning. A weak shockwave of expanding gases tilted theThunderhawk.Thehullpinkedandtinkledwithahundredmicro-impacts.Whentheviewscreen’simagereturned, in the flagship’s place was a crowd of fizzing sparks that went out one by one. Burningwreckagehurtledawayintothevoidorscorchedfierytrailsintotheupperatmosphereoftheplanet.Inmomentstherewasnosigntheorkshiphadeverexisted.ZerberynremainedintheThunderhawk’scockpitasitcrossedthevoidtowardstheDantalion.Theorkfleetwaswellintotheprocessoftransformationintoadebrisfield.Withtheiradmiraldead,theflotillabrokeinalldirections.Lightstormsflashedasthefleeingorkshipswerepickedoffonebyone.Enginestacksblewintogreasy,roilingballsoffire.A victory, but another costly one. The Guilliman moved sluggishly, half its engines lightless. TheExcelsiorwasdead,herbrokenhullshiningwithshort-livedfiresandthedeparturethrustsoflifeboats.Hecalledupthecasualtylistsinhisfaceplatefromthetaskforcenoosphere.Twenty-ninedeadbrothersand thousandsof serfs.Heunfocusedhiseyes from the list,but left it scrollingacrosshisviewof thedisintegratingorkships.Ableepinginterruptedhisthoughts.‘FirstCaptain,wehaveanincomingmessagefromthesurface,’saidOdrazar.‘Survivors?’

‘Yes,mylord.’Zerberynstoodtaller.‘Excellentnews!Turnusabout.Weareinnodangernow.Letusdescendtothesurfaceandseethesepeopleourbloodhassaved.’

TheThunderhawksoftheIronWarriorsandtheFistsExemplarlandedtogetherupontheshatteredlandingfields of Turos port. Zerberyn,Honorius, Reoch and five others stepped out into a landscape of utterdevastation.The spaceportwas in ruins, substantial terminalbuildings andhangar spacesbroken intountidyheapsofrubble.Beyondtherockcreteapronsthevegetationwasburnedbacktoash.Columnsofsmoke held up a sky of black clouds. The light of the sunwas obscured, the horizon stained red andorangewiththefiresofburningcities.Againsttheodds,mankindhadsurvivedtheorksthere.Adelegationofadozenbattered,dirtysoldierswaitedfor theSpaceMarineswhen theywalkeddowntheassault ramp.Theywerestreakedwithsootandoldblood,theiruniformstattered.Severalwerenotsoldiers,butcivilianguerillasbearingweaponsof the dead. Their leader wore a necklace of large orkish teeth. In him the light of defiance burnedbrightest.‘Mylord,’hesaid,andkneltwithfearfulreverence.‘Itisyouwhodestroyedtheorkfleet?’‘Itwas.Mybrothersrunthelastfewoutofthesystemaswespeak.’Thereweremorefigures twohundredmetresaway,asmallcrowdwatchingnervously in the leeofahalf-burnedwarehouse.‘Rise.Donotkneel.’Zerberynlookedaroundattheruinedlandscape.‘Youarethisarmy’sgeneral?’‘Lieutenant,mylord.Thegeneralsarealldead.’‘Lookatme.Whatisyourname?’‘Cadraig,my lord.’ Theman lifted his head.He lookedZerberyn unflinchingly in the eye-lenses, butremained kneeling. Hewas scared; Zerberyn could practically taste his fear. ‘I was an officer in themilitia.Youhavesavedus.’‘Yousavedyourselves,’saidZerberyn.‘Howdidyouprevail?’‘Wedidnot prevail.Wewerenear defeat. It is threemonths since theorks came, andwehavebeenfightingall thewhile.They…they tookmostofus.Therearenotsomanyofus left,but those thatarealivestilltookanoathnottolaydownourarmsuntilwewerealldead.Wesworenottoletasingleotherpersonbetaken.WeoweitalltoPenderyn.Heraisedourspiritswhenourwillwasbroken.Herousedustofightbackwhentheregimentsofourdefenceforcewerecrushed.Athiscommandwestruckatthemfrom hidden places.We bled their supply lines.We didwhatwe could. Itwas not enough.’ Themanbowedhishead.‘Youhavedonemorethanmost,’saidZerberyn.‘WhereisthisPenderyn?Iwouldspeakwithhim.’‘Heisdead,mylord.’‘Ashame.Butyouhavedonewell.Youarefreenow.Raiseamonumenttohimandbethankful.’ZerberynlookedtoKalkator’scraft.Thewarsmithhadyettoemerge.Anuneasyfeelingpassedthroughhim.‘Mylord,mightIbegtoaskaquestionofyou?’‘Yes.Byallmeans.Youhaveearnedmyattention.’‘Whywerewelefttofightalone?Notasingleoneofourrequestsforaidwentanswered.WehadlostfaithintheEmperor.WethoughtHehadabandonedus,untilnow.’‘Thegalaxyburns,’saidZerberyn.‘Yourworldisoneofathousandassailed.’Hewouldhavesaidmore.Theman’splightmovedhim.For the first time inmonthshesawahumanbeing who had not lost his wits, or thrown his lot in with the orks, or allowed himself to be made

livestock,butwhohadfoughtbravely,andnearlywon.The ramp to Kalkator’s Thunderhawk descended, hissing compressed gases. The lieutenant watchedKalkatorasheapproachedoverthepittedlandingapron.ThewarsmithstampeddowntheramptostandnexttoZerberyn.‘Yourprayershavebeenanswered.Wehavecome,butfreedomdoesnotcomecheap.’‘Mylord?’saidCadraiguneasily.HiseyesshiftedfromKalkatortoZerberynandbackagain,thefearinthemgrowing.Withasuddenchill,ZerberynrealisedthatCadraiglookedatheandKalkatorthesameway.Fearandawe. There was no difference in his regard. And why should there be? Their metallic liveries werestainedwithsootandblood,withnomarkingscleartotellthemapart.InCadraig’seyestheylookedthesame.‘Aidsuchasoursrequirespayment.Ourfleetsarebattered,oursupplieslow,’saidKalkator.‘Ofcourse,mylord,’saidCadraig.‘Youarewelcometoresthere.Wewillgiveyouwhatwecan.’‘Youwillgiveuseverything,’saidKalkatormenacingly.‘Food.Water.Munitions.Allofit.’Cadraiggotfalteringlytohisfeet.Themenbehindhimlookedupuncertainly.‘Wehavesolittle.Weshallstarve.’‘Ifyoudonotgiveuswhatwedemand,weshalltakeit,’saidKalkator.‘Aretherechildrenamongyou?’‘Mylord!’saidCadraiginalarm.‘Wesworenottoletanymoreofourpeoplebetaken.’OneofCadraig’smencaressedthefiringmechanismofhisgun.Kalkatorcaughtthetinymovementandturnedtoaddresshim.‘Iwouldnotadviseresistance.Wewilltakeonehundredofyourstrongestboys.Now.Wedoyouagreathonour.Wearenotorks.Weshallnoteat them,butraisethemabovethefragilestateofbasehumanity.YoursonswillbeLegionesAstartes.’‘Legiones?’ said Cadraig. A dawning realisation crossed his face.Weapons were raised. ‘Who areyou?’hesaidsuspiciously.‘We are members of the Fists Exemplar Chapter of SpaceMarines,’ said Zerberyn. He took a stepforward.‘WeareloyalservantsofTerra.’‘Youare.Iamnot.’Kalkatorpluckedhispistolfromhisbelt.Cadraig’smenraisedtheirweaponsfully.Kalkator trained his gun upon Cadraig. Servo-motors whined in the cheeks of the Iron WarriorsThunderhawk,bringingheavyboltersponsonstobear.‘Onehundredyouths,’saidKalkator.‘Asmuchfoodasyoucangather.Bringitheretomorrowmorning,orweshallrainfiredownuponthisworldthatshallmakeyourengagementwiththeorksappeartrivial.Nowgo!’Thelastwordsheamplifiedtogodlikelevels,andthemenflinchedandturned,andranaway.Thecrowdbytheruinedterminalbuildinglookedonnervously.Reochlaugheddrily.‘Brother,’KalkatorsaidtoZerberyn.Hisuseofthewordhadlostitsironicedge.‘Why?’saidZerberyn.‘Whydowehavetotakeeverything?Theywouldhavesupplieduswellwithoutcomplaint.’‘Youknowwhy,’saidKalkator,holsteringhispistol.‘MyGreatCompanyisafifththesizeitwasbeforethisbegan.Ihavelostallmyholdings.Threeworldswereminetocommand,andnowIhavebutone.Asinglefurthersetback,andIshallbereducedtothestatusofawanderingbeggar.Ihavelostmostofmyfleet,manyofmymachines.Wearelowonstoresandmunitions.Ineedrecruits,Ineedfoodtofeedthem,ormybrotherhoodwilldie.’‘Thereisnoneed.Theywouldhavegiventoyoufreely.’‘Noteverything.NowIgetitall.’

‘Youtaketheirchildren!Youareasgoodaskillingthem.’‘Iamnotkillingthem.Shootingthemwouldbekillingthem.Whatdoyoucare,Zerberyn?’saidKalkator,turningtolookontheExemplarfully.‘Theexpressionofdisdainforcommonhumanityhasstampeditselfinto your face so deeply your own serfs have begun to fear you.Howmanyhavewe seen reduced tolivestock,orturnedferalundertheinfluenceoftheGreenRoar?Onepocketofdefianceandyourresolvecrumbles.’‘Whenman isathisbest, itputsus inourproperplace,’saidZerberyn. ‘Iwasmade todefend them.WhenIdefendthosewhoareworthyofmyefforts,IseewhoIam.Thesepeopledeserveourrespect.’‘Theyhavemyrespect,’saidKalkator.‘Humankindisn’toftenatitsbest.Notenough.Youwillcometounderstand that, ifyouhavenotalready.Lookat them,grovellingat the feetof the idolsofamanwhoprofessednottobeagod,thenallowedhimselftobeworshippedasone.WearesavingthemfromtheperniciouscreedoftheEmperor’slies.Ifhumanityistosurviveitmusthelpitself.TheEmperorisdeaftothepleasofhisfaithful,butthereareothergodswhoanswerprayers.Mankindwillnotendureasthesefeebleexamples,butaslegionaries.Thepeopleofthisworldhaveprovedthemselvesfinewarriors.WedothemagreathonourintakingthemintoourLegions,brother.’‘Iamnotalegionary!’saidZerberyn.‘Areyousure?’saidKalkatorslyly.‘YourintentionwastocleansethesystemsaroundImmitis.WhyhavewecomesofarbackintoImperialspace?’‘You would prefer it if we didn’t hunt orks?’ Kalkator said. His voice, rich and sardonic, madeZerberyn’smusclestense.‘Whyareyousoangry,brother?Doyouthinkyourloyalistbrotherstreattheirchargesanybetter?Bethankful.Ifitwerenotforyourmoderatinginfluence,wewouldhavetakentheirchildrenandkilledthemall.Youremindedmethatalittlemercycanbeuseful.Someofthosewretchesmaylive.Theyfoughtwellagainsttheorks,formortals.Letthemtoil,letthestruggletosurvivehardenthemfurther,andthenletthemraisenewoffspring.Itwillbeworthourwhilerevisitingthisplaceinfiftyyearsorso.Yes,agoodresult.Thiswillbeafinerecruitingworld.Thankyou,Zerberyn,foryourwisecounsel.’Kalkator strodeback tohisgunship, laughing.Zerberyn staredat the raggedcrowdat the edgeof thefield.SomeofthemenfromCadraig’sgroupwereshoutingandpointing.Heconsideredgoingtothem,calling his ships and having them blast the Palimodes from the sky. The Iron Warriors ship wasoutnumbered four to one. The endwould be quick.Numerous scenarios ran through his head.Victorywouldbeassured,butsurvivalwouldnotbe.HecouldnotturnonKalkator.NotuntiltheBeastwasdeadandtheorksdrivenback.Untilthatcametopass,heneededtheIronWarriors.Itwasassimpleasthat;thiswasthelesserevil.Teethclenched,heturnedonhisheelandascendedtherampoftheThunderhawk.Much as itmade him seethe,Kalkatorwas right. The Fists Exemplar required supplies and recruits.Zerberynhadagreedtosetthemonthiscourseofaction.Hehadevaluatedit,testedit,anddecideditwasthecorrectsolution.Therewereorkseverywhere.Sincethat lastdesperatemessagefromEuclydeasoftheSoulDrinkers,hehadheardnothingmorefromtheLastWall.Hehadtoworkwithwhathehad.Forthetimebeing,thatmeantKalkator.AFistExemplarwasneverwrong.

CHAPTERFOURThecrusadeofiron

ThePhalanx defied description.Ship was not a big enoughword for the home of the Imperial Fists.Fortressmadenoallowanceforitsgraceandabilitytotravelbetweenthestars.Itcouldbedefinedinseveral ways: as fortress-monastery, temple, relic, the single biggest warp-capable object in all theImperium,asymbolofImperialmight,battle-fortress.Butnoneadequatelycapturedtherealityinwords.Humanspeechwastoolimited.Phalanx’smass blotted out the stars.On the sunward side its spires and towerswere lit in brilliantsunlight. The muzzles of thousands of guns protruded from weapons ports. The broad rectangles ofhangars and flightbayspatterned its decksbetweenenormous effigiesofheroic ImperialFists.On thedarksideitsshadowswereabsolute,itsbulwarksrimedwithvoidfrost.Noneknewitsorigins.LegendshaditthatDornhimselfhadbuiltthefortressastheultimateexpressionofhisskill,orthathehadfound,adriftinspace,arelicoftheDarkAgeofTechnology.WhetherbuiltbytheprimarchorancientengineersithadbeenDorn’s,andthemarksofhisartificewerealloverit.ThestationhadtakendamageduringthefinalattackonUllanor,butitwassohugethatthesignsofitswoundingwerenotapparenttothenakedeye.Phalanxremainedoneofthemostimpressivesightsinallthedominionsofman,adefiantstatementagainstthecoldhorrorsofvoidandwarp.TheHighLordscommunicatedlittleastheyandtheirretinuesflewtowardsPhalanxaboardthePotusTerrae.Theykept to their quarters, eachbroodingon their own summons.The time for schemingwaspast. Theymust play thewaiting game.Until the last half-dayPhalanx grew slowly, then suddenly itexpandedinsizeuntilitbecameawallacrossthesky.VangorichreceivedoverturesfromseveraloftheotherLords,but ignoredthemuntil,onlyafewhoursoutfromtheImperialFistsfortress-monastery,hesentwordtotheInquisitorialRepresentativestojoinhimforrefreshmentsintheobservationdeck.VeritusandWienandwerealreadypresentwhenVangoricharrived.Theylookedoutwardsat thegiantforedecks of Phalanx obliterating half the sky. Cyber-constructs buzzed around, augur attachmentsblinking, sniffing the air. Articulated instruments capable of detecting toxins at one part per hundredmillionintheship’sgasmixflickeredinandoutoftheirhousingsliketongues.Therewerestormtroopersin Inquisitorialblackat everydoorandevery thirtypacesalong the lengthyplasteel and stonegallery.Vangorich didn’t have a single agent among them. Veritus wore his power armour as usual.Wienandlookedstriking ina tightdoubletandbreeches,her irongrey,croppedhaircolouredsilver in thestarksunlight.‘Theideawastoenjoyaquietmomenttogetherbeforethebickeringbeginsagain,’saidVangorich.‘Iseeyoupreferredaparty.’Veritusswungabout,hisarmourwhining.Apuffoflife-extendinggashissedfromaroundhisneckseal.‘Cautionisourwatchword,’hesaid.‘Whataboutmistrust?’saidVangorich.

‘Don’tbaitVeritus,’saidWienand.‘Theseareonlyprecautions.’Vangorichtookatrayofthreegobletsfromamenialwhoseeyes,mouthandearswerebandedoverbyconstricting iron.Beneath the implants, theorgansof sight, speechandhearingwereexcised, replacedwithcrudeaugmentsthatgavesuchunreliableperceptionsoftheworldthattheservantcouldneverhavedescribedwhathehadseenandheard,evenhadhebeencapable.Therewereanumberofsuchmutilatedmenialsattendingtheparty.Noservitors,fortheirprogrammingwastooeasytocompromise.Ifhethoughtabout it, and he sometimes did, Vangorich found their deliberate disablement distasteful. But it wasnecessary.Hestoppedbeforeanotherservantwhofilledthegobletswithdarkwine.Hecarriedthemovertotheinquisitors,setthetrayonanornatetableandhelduponegoblettoVeritus.Theinquisitorcurledhislip.‘DoIlooklikeafool?’‘You don’t, Lastan, and I would not take you for one, therefore this wine is safe. I am sure yourconstructsherewoulddetectanyattemptonmyparttopoisonyou.’‘Iwillnotdrinkwithyou,Drakan,’saidVeritus.‘Therearepoisonsnodevicecanfind.’‘Fairenough.Wienand?Youstilltrustme,don’tyou?’‘DidIevertrustyou,Vangorich?’shesaiddistantly.‘Apparentlynot,orwewouldn’thavesomuchcompany.Youarehurtingmyfeelings.Thisisveryfinewine.Venusian.Veryrare.’‘Iwilldrink,butI’lltakethatonethere,’saidWienand,pickinguponeofthegobletsstillonthetableandbiddingtheserfpouragain.‘Thankyou.Ifeelalittlelessoffended.’HeraisedthegoblethehadofferedtoVeritusandknockeditagainstWienand’s.Veritussnorted.‘Whyhaveyoucalledus?’saidVeritus.‘AreyouattemptingtoshoreupyourpowerbeforewegointoseetheLordGuilliman?I’dexpectthatsortofbehaviourfromEkharthorLansung,notyou.’‘Didtheysendyoumessagestoo?Theysentmemessages.Ididn’tanswerthem,’saidVangorich.‘Theydid.Wedidn’t,’saidWienand.‘Now, I thoughtyoumight say that.So, you answeredmymessage.That suggests tome thatwehavesomecommonground,’saidVangorich.‘Maybe,’concededVeritus.‘Butyouarebecomingevermoreslippery,GrandMaster.YourschemestoputThaneinLordGuilliman’sthronewereovertandsloppy.Weonlywentalongwithit–’‘Becauseyouagreed?’interruptedVangorich.‘Morecommongroundthen.’Veritusgroanedslightlyandsankintohisarmour.‘Whatisityouwant?’saidWienand.‘It’simpressive,isn’tit?’saidVangorich.‘Phalanx,Imean.’‘Youarechangingthesubject,’saidWienand.‘Iam,butasismyusualwayIwillgettothepoint.’‘Whichis?’saidVeritus.‘Humourme,’saidVangorich.‘That’snotmypoint,obviously.JustlookatPhalanx.Huge,magnificent,terrifying,butlikesomanyotherImperialworks,itsinitialimpressionhidesasorrytruth.Nosuchthingcanbebuiltnowin theImperium.Phalanx isvast,andyet it isnot so largeas thesmallestof theorkattackmoons.LikesomanyofthesupposedlyoverpoweringweaponsourImperiumpossesses,formuchof thewar it was absent, kept in deep space betweenVenus and Earth. Do you know, it was deniedparticipation in thebattle overTerra because itsmasswouldhaveproved its ownworst enemywhenconfrontedwith the gravity lashes of the orks? Thane risked it in the Third Battle for Ullanor whereKoorlandwouldnot,andlookatthedamageithassustained.Oneonlyhastolookatwhatbecameofthe

Throneworld’s orbital defences to see howuseless large ships or stationswere against the orks.Andthereisafurtherthing.’HesteppedclosertoWienandandpointedwithhiswine.‘Thosedockingpiers, therearehundredsofthem.TheyholdspaceforthebattlefleetsofscoresofChapters.ButthedozenbelongingtotheImperialFists looklostamidthosesoaringtowers.Thehallswithinwillbesimilarlyempty.Attheirheight, theLegionesAstarteseachhadtensofthousandsofSpaceMarines.Thehalfathousandthatcomprisetoday’sImperialFistswouldbeswallowedupbythatfortressahundredtimesover.Therewasatermusedinancienttimes:apapertiger.Now,atigerwas–’‘Iknowwhatatigerwas,Vangorich!’saidVeritus.‘Wellthen.Soyousee,thisgiantweaponwasnodangertotheorks.Howdoyousupposeourenemiesseeusnow?WelookatPhalanx,atourarmiesandourSpaceMarineChapters,andweseethegloriouspast.Butwedonotliveinthepast.Welivenow.Ourenemies–thexenos,thefollowersofthedark,oldgods– they lookatusand theyseeweakness.’Hestampedhis footupon thedeck. ‘Down there is thecauseofthatweakness.Wecannotletthishappenagain.’‘Youaredriftingclose to treason,’ saidVeritus. ‘Wewillnotbecomplicit in theexterminationof theHighLordsofTerra.Attemptsuchanact,andtheInquisitionwillbeforcedtomoveagainstyou.’‘Yousee?Straightawayyouthreatenme.Iamproposingnosuchthingasassassination.Iamperformingmyrole,LordInquisitor,asabalance.AllIaskisthatwethreeworktogethertomakesurethatwhateverit isThane asks of us, theSenatorumdoes it correctly.We cannot afford to squabble.Look at us!WecannotbuildanotherPhalanx.Wenolongerunderstandourownscience.WenolongerevenunderstandwhatourownEmperorwantedfromus.TheImperialTruth?TheImperialCreed?Whichisright?’Veritus’lipsthinnedatthat.‘WereourancestorstocomefromoutofthepastoftheDarkAges,iftheypenetratedtheveilsofOldNightandsteppedintothepresent,theywouldlaughatus.Ourenemieslaughatus.Soontheywillstop,andthefeastingwillbegin.Workwithme.KeeptheImperiumalive.’VeritusandWienandlookedatoneanother.WienandraisedhereyebrowsatVeritus.‘Verywell,’hesaidreluctantly.‘Ouralliancecontinues.Butwearebuttwovotesbetweenthethree.’‘It’sallweneed,’saidVangorich.Atocsinstartedupafranticbleeping.‘Warning, atmospheric pressure dropping. Vacate the observation gallery. Vacate the observationgallery,’saidadroningvoice.‘Thereweare,asifinevidence.Eventhisshipisoldandwornout,’saidVangorich.Aservicedoorclankedupwards,releasingaspider-leggedservitorfromitscradlewithagushofgas.Its organics jiggled horribly to the march of its mechanical legs as it clambered up the gallery walltowardsthesourceoftheleak.‘Stabilisingatmosphere,’saidthedroningvoice.VeritusstaredatVangorichsuspiciously.‘Probe93/4A,scanforintroducedtoxins.’Aservo-skullsweptoverthem,speedingfromoneendofthelonggallerytoanother.‘Nonedetected,’itsaidwithitssynthesisedvoice.‘See?’saidVangorich.‘Verywell,’saidVeritus.‘Ourallianceholds,fornow.’Theinquisitorsdeparted,theirwarriorsmarchingoutbehindthem.ItamusedVangorichthatfourofthemretreatedbackwards,coveringtheGrandMasterallthewayuntiltheywereoutofthedoor.Hesalutedthemwithhisgoblet.Vangorich remained with the deaf, dumb and blind servants, drinking up the wine, until Phalanx

swallowedthePotusTerraeinitscavernousforedeck.PotusTerraewasnotasmallship,butthesizeofalightcruiser.Thespaceitflewintohadberthsforadozenmoreofsimilarsize.Theywereallempty.Vangorich stood deep in thought for a fewminutes, then took an anti-intoxicant and hurried away topreparehimself.

Priests,savants,servantsandhousehold troopsaccompanied theHighLords ingreatnumber.Theymettogetherinthegrandatriumoftheshipbythemaindockingportal.Theornatepanelswerealreadyflungwideandagloriouslydecorateddockingcorridorwas lockedon to the sideof the ship.Adelaywasincurredbysquabblingoverprecedence, inwhichorder theLordsshoulddepart theshipandhead theprocessiontomeetwiththeLordGuilliman.AnhourofcloseargumentconcludedwithasmugEkharthbeinggiventheleadposition.FlankedbylinesofLuciferBlacks,hisentouragestrodedownthedockingtunnelandoutintothemainconcourse.Vangorich,predictably,hadbeengiventhelastpositionintheparade,whichsuitedhimfine,evenifitdidonlyintensifyhisopinionthattheHighLordswerebeneathhiscontempt.Hehadnoattendantssoheemerged alone from the tunnel to find the rest of the High Lords blinking idiotically on the dockingconcourse.PotusTerraewaslavishlyappointed.DuringhiscareerVangorichhadhadoccasiontovisitsomeoftherichesthallsonTerraandmanyotherworlds.Inshort,hewasnostrangertoluxury–buttheinteriorofPhalanxgavehimpause.The domed ceilingwas over a hundredmetres high, split into panels painted in exacting detailwithmuralsofthevictoriesoftheImperialFistsChapteranditsfatherLegion.Thedividersweredecoratedwithgoldandpreciousstonesfromacrossthegalaxy,andthedomewascrownedwithadazzlinglightcarvedfromasingleenormousdiamondthirtymetresacross.Itshard,geometricfacetssplitthesunlightintodozensofintersectingrainbows,creatingaprismaticdisplaythatdelightedandconfusedtheeyeinequal measure. Four docking tunnels exited into the hall besides the one the High Lords had used.Betweenthemwerebroadreliefscarvedinalienmarbles,depictingheroesofDorn’slineinaction.Thefloorwasanexerciseinmagnificence,ahugemosaicofinterlockingswirlsatwhosecentrewasinlaidagiantVII.Anhonourguardof ImperialFistsveterans awaited theHighLords around theVII in anopencircle.Theirarmourwasflawlessandlappedtoahighshine,theirweaponsgleaming;puritysealsandhonourscrisp,redstripesontheirhelmetsandredaquilasontheirchests.InthePlazaDecamerataVangorichhadbeen impressedbyThane’sdisplay.Nowmore thaneverherealised that theImperialFistsweremorethanthebrothersinthearmour.Theywerethearmour,thecolours,theweaponryandtherelics.Themeninsidewereirrelevant; that theywereallofDorn’slinewasall thatmattered.TheImperialFists livedagain. As long asPhalanx remained, or there was a single brother gifted with Rogal Dorn’s geneticlegacy, theycouldneverdie.Theywerenotawall tobreak theenemiesofhumanity,but the ideaofawall:awallthatwouldneverfall,couldneverbetorndown,andthatwouldforeverbemanned.Ideascannotdie.Theveterans’captainsteppedforwardandundidhishelm,revealingabatteredfacecriss-crossedwithscars.Atattooofagothiccrosscoveredhisforehead.ABlackTemplaronce,nowanImperialFist.‘My lords, I amFirstCaptainBerengard. TheLordGuilliman,ChapterMaster of the Imperial Fists,MaximusThanebidsyouwelcometoPhalanx!’‘Wearereadytoseehim,’declaredLansungpompously.‘Whereishe?’‘Heawaitsyou,mylords.Thisway.’Inperfectsynchronicity,theImperialFiststurnedaboutface.Thetwoendsofthecirclewoundpasteach

otherandtheSpaceMarinesformedasquare,theircaptainatitshead,andbegantomarch.TheLuciferBlacks,NavalarmsmenoftheRoyalBarque,skitariiofMarsandothertroopsoftheHighLordsfellinbehind the Adeptus Astartes with admirable smoothness. Less smooth was the rearrangement of theremainder of theHighLords’ retinues.Ekharth’s staffmade anundignified scramble for leadposition,tanglingthemselveswithJuskinaTull’sstaffwho,beingvoidsmenandwomen,hadwanderedalittlewaytoadmire thismostmassiveofvessels.TheEcclesiarchyentourage to theHighLords lackeddirectionnow the Ecclesiarch was not on the Council, and got under everyone’s feet. By the time it was allarranged,thewarriorsoftheImperiumwerehalfwayoutofthehall,exitingthroughamonumentalarchcrowdedwithstern-facedSpaceMarinesandthefallenenemiesofmankind.Theyascendedastaircasewiderthananexpressway,litonlybybaroquelumenglobesheldupongoldenpillars.Inthedarknessabove,finelyfinishedstoneechoedtothecallsofairbornecreaturesroostingamidhalf-glimpsedstatues.Despitethelifeforms,thestepsandstairwellwereunsoiled.VangorichlacedhisfingersbehindhisbackandsauntereduptojointheInquisitorialdelegation.Therewere only half a dozenmen and women serving the two inquisitors, allWienand’s. His Inquisitorialconvocation aside, put together with the express purpose of eliminatingWienand and disbanded soonafter, Veritus was never accompanied. Vangorich nodded at Raznick and Rendenstein, Wienand’sbodyguards.Theacknowledgementmadetheyoungerinquisitorredden.RaznickhadfaredpoorlyagainstVangorich’steamonMars.‘Isallthisfortresssoornate?’Vangorichaskedconversationally.‘It’smoreofapalacethanacastle.’‘Theprimarchwasabeingofgreatartistryinmanyareas.Whatdidyouexpect?’saidVeritus.‘Oh,Idon’tknow,’saidVangorich.‘Somethingdraughtier.’Thestairsledintoahallkilometreslong.Arrayedalongitscloisteredsideswerethearms,armourandthemortalremainsofextinctxenosspeciesandsubjugatedhumancultures.Wornplaquesofbrassovereach cabinet detailed the time of their earning. Those nearest the stairs bore dates from before theAscensionoftheEmperorandweremarkedwithcompliancedesignationsfromtheGreatCrusade.The Imperial Fists marched them more than a kilometre along this hall, past a seemingly endlesssuccessionofmementos.Models,fragmentsofmetal,capturedvehicles,stuffedalienbeastswentbyuntilevenVangorichstruggledtoassimilateit.TheSpaceMarinestookanabruptleft-handturnthroughanotherarchway.Thetrophycorridorcontinuedonpastthisexitsofarthatitsendwaslosttoperspective.Ashortcorridor led themtoasecondstaircase,smallerbut justasgrand indecoration, thatswitchedbackandforthuponitself.TheHighLordswentondoggedly.Morethanafewofthemwereoldbeyondthenaturalspanofmen,keptalivebyanti-geronticdrugsandaugmentations.Lansungwasafightingman,butoutofshape.Vangorichfounditnotrouble,nordidWienand.Kubik’srobesbrushedtheground;heseemed to hover along above the floor,which, thoughtVangorich, he couldwell bedoing.Tull strodeforwardsyetstillseemedhesitant,asifshemighttripatanymoment.Sark,AnwarandEkharthstruggled.Zeckprojectedtensionthatsuggestedhewantedtobreakintoarun.Verreaultkeptmarching,hisfacegrimasheattemptedtocontrolhislimp.FortheancientVeritusitwasatrial.Thoughhisarmouredlegsroseandfellwithoutslowing,hisfacepaledandsweatcollectedonhislip.Foranhourandahalftheywalkedupstairsanddowncorridorsuntiltheywerehopelesslydisoriented.AtnotimedidtheyseeanysignofhumanlifeaboardthePhalanxexceptthoseSpaceMarinesthatledthem.Somewhere,therewouldbeservitors,menials,Chapterserfsbythethousand.Thanehadkeptthemoutof sight.Hepresented thePhalanx as aghost ship, amausoleumwhere thepastdecayed, atombyatom,underitslayersofpolish.They went into a corridor whose roof was glazed with armourglass. In this part they saw damage,

sectionswheretheglasshadbeenbrokenandthebattleshuttersleftclosed.Inoneplacethemarblefacinghadgone, and the less noble stone revealedbehindwas cracked andhalfmelted.The floor therewasrivenbyachasmbridgedoverwithplasteelplating.They stopped before a gate that, though immense in scale, was modest compared to some they hadpassedthrough.‘LordGuilliman Thane is within,’ said First Captain Berengard. Two veterans took the handles andpushedwidethedoors.‘Yourretinueswillwait.Wehaveahallpreparedwithrefreshmentsforthem.’‘Mymenwill accompanyme!’ insistedEkharth,hisprotestation ridiculous in the faceof the scarred,much-decoratedcaptain.‘Theywillwait,andberefreshed,’insistedBerengard.‘Let thembe,Ekharth,’ calledVangorich. ‘As if these soldierswithus could stop theSpaceMarinesshouldtheydecidetokillus,whichIamsureLordThanedoesnotintend.Allowyourmentheirleisure–theyhavemarchedadmirablyanddeservearestfromourtediousdebates.’TheotherHighLordssplitinreaction into thosewho laughedatEkharth, and thosewhowereoutragedatVangorich’sdisregard fordecorum.‘Ifthebusinessofgovernmentboresyou,GrandMaster,perhapsyoushouldnothavedonesomuchtoinvolveyourselfinit!’blusteredEkharth.‘Itisnotboringtome,Ifindeverythingyousayinparticulartobemostfascinating.Ithinkonlyofthoseofuswhoareforcedtolistenandnottakepart.’‘YouareonPhalanx,mylords,’saidBerengard.‘Thereisnowheresafer.TheLordGuillimanwishestoconductthismostsensitiveofbusinessintotalprivacy.’‘Youwillbeallowedtolisten,Iamsure.PrivatebutfortheearsoftheAdeptusAstartes!’saidGibran.‘Not at all, my lord. Only the Lord Guilliman will remain, I assure you, High Lords. Now,’ saidBerengard,holdinguphishandtodirectthem.‘Pleaseproceedwithin.TheChapterMasteriswaiting.’Forthefirsttime,VangorichsawthemortalservantsoftheImperialFistsuponPhalanx.Dozensofthemissuedfromhiddenservants’doors,garbedinyellow,shaven-headedandbearingatattooedfistontheirleftcheeks.Fifteenofthemwerearmedandarmouredindarkyellowcarapace.Warriorserfs.‘Please,thisway,’saidtheserfs’spokesman.Alargedoorwasopeneddownthehall.Tantalisingsmellswaftedout.TheHighLordsstoodfirm,however,lookingateachotheruneasily.‘FortheloveofTerra,arewegoingtostandhereallday?’growledZeck.‘I shall dismiss my men. I have nothing to fear from the keepers of Terra’s walls,’ said Verreaulteventually.‘I too,’ saidLansung.TheLordCommanderMilitantand theLordHighAdmiralpurposefullydidnotlookatVangorich.‘Verywellthen!’saidEkharthshrilly.‘Ishalldismissmyservants.’There was some tension from those others attending upon the High Lords, and they left their lordsunwillingly. Wienand dismissed her entourage with a curt nod. Raznick left with several backwardglances,Rendensteinwithnotaone.ThesoldiersandNavalarmsmensalutedandcrisplymanoeuvred.Ifonly the High Lords would behave so well, thought Vangorich. There was more muffled debate andpointedlooks.‘Wearehardlycoveringourselveswithgloryhere,’Wienandwhisperedtohim.‘AllhailthemightyHighLordsofTerra,’Vangorichmurmuredback.Finally, theHighLordsarranged themselves intoagroup thatsuitedeveryoneandwalked through thedoor.Vangorichwent at the back, awolf shepherding sheep.He gaveBerengard a broad smile as hepassed.TheFirstCaptainfrownedback.Heknewathreatwhenhesawone.

Thedoorsswungclosed.TheSenatorumImperialiswasinsession.

Thane awaited them in a circular chamberwalled formuchof its circumferencewith sweeping, plainglass.Therewasasinglemullioninthecentre,astatueofaSpaceMarine,hishandsclaspedaroundhissword. The art required tomake such broad expanses of glassteel sufficiently strong towithstand thevoid,letalonebattle,wasgreatindeed.Intheelegantsimplicityofit,VangorichsawthehandofRogalDornhimself.Thechamberwasattheedgeofacliffandthecarvedexpansesofstoneandmetalsrecededintothedistanceoneitherside.Spiresandweaponsbatteriesclutteredtheviewforward.IncontrasttomanyofthechamberstheyhadseeninPhalanx,thiswasneitherlargenorornate.Afine-grainedblackstonemadeupthefloors,ceilingandthosepartsofthewallsnotfashionedfromglass.Alarge,circulartablemadeofthesamestonefilledhalftheinternalspace.Lumenssetintothewallandthecentreoftheceilingstruckangularreflectionsfromthestone’sfinish.Twelvechairssizedforunalteredhumanbeingsweresetatthetable,thesemadeofblackwood.AsinglechairmadeforaSpaceMarinebrought the number up to thirteen. Thane occupied it. Hewas fully armoured, his helmet and boltgunrestingonthetableinfrontofhim.Therewasnorawerstatementofpower.‘Lords.WelcometoPhalanx.Please,sit.’Heheldouthishandtoindicatethechairs.TheHighLordstooktheirseats,approximatingtheirpositionsbackonTerra.VerreaultandLansungsattogether,VerreaulthesitatingbeforetakingaplacebytheLordGuilliman.Zeckwasanuneasysatellitetotheir alliance, drawn in by their adepta’s collective employment of forcemore than personal commoncause.Ekharthsoughtreinforcement tohiswordsthroughproximitytoZeck.Tullsatnext toGibranfortheirmutualinterestinthevoid.Vangorich,whosatwherehepleasedoutsidetheGreatChamber,upsetSarkandAnwarbyseatinghimselfbetweenthemandZeck.WienandtookaseatbyAnwar.VeritussatbetweenherandThane,evenhispower-armouredbodymadesmallbythepresenceofthetranshuman.‘Itrustyouwillforgivemefortheextrachair,butIthoughtitimpolitetomakeVeritusstandagain,’saidThane.Nooneanswered.‘WearemeetingheresothatyouareundernoillusionthatwhatIdictateshallbemadelaw.’‘Mylord…’beganAnwar.‘Youwillwait,LordAstropath.IthoughtKoorlandrashtoenterthehighpoliticsofTerra.Ihavebeenconvincedotherwise.Letmemakemyselfclear,itisyourself-interestthatmadethisdisasterpossible.’‘Howdareyou,ChapterMaster.Whatdoyouknowofgovernment?Youareawarrior,’saidVerreault.‘NowIamaHighLord.Explaintome,asamannewtopolitics,exactlywherewerethearmiesoftheImperiumwhentheorksdevastatedworlds,Verreault?’‘Heth’sresponsibility!’saidVerreault.‘Andyours,oncehewaskilled.Hisfailureswerecompoundedbyyours.AtleastHethdiedhonourably.Morethancanbesaidforyou,Lansung.Youshowedcourage.Youfought,butofalloftheLordshere,youbearthemostculpability.Yourfleetsshouldhavebroughtwordofthegatheringoftheorks.Theyshouldhaveactedinconcert.Instead,youspentyouryearspolitickingtoreplaceUdinMachtUdo.ThedebacleatPortSanctus is but the least ofyour errors.You,my lord,were chasingglory at the expenseofourspecies.’‘Howdareyouimpugnmyhonour?’exclaimedLansung.‘Andhowdareyousuggestyouhaveany!’shoutedThane.TheHighLordsfellquiet. ‘TheonlysenseyoushowedwastoholdbackyourflagshipfromthedisastrousProletarianCrusade.Youareafinenavaltactician,Lansung,andagoodstrategist.Bothabilitiesdesertedyouwhenyouputyourselffirst.Youaremanythings,butagoodpoliticianisnotoneofthem.’

AsmuchasVangorichhadenjoyedwatchingLansungsquirminthepast,hetooklittlepleasureinitthen.Lansunghadlostweight.Hiscomplexionhadoncebeenruddy,nowhewasgrey,hisbellicositybledoutofhimalongwithhisfat.Hewasabeatenman.SurelyThanecouldseethathehadlosthisconfidenceandthatheshouldbereplaced.SuchamanwasnotsuitabletoleadthenaviesoftheImperium.Lansungwouldbecomehesitantwhenheshouldbebold,andrashwhenheshouldbecautious.Everysuccessfullarge-scaleengagementwouldonlybeanothersteptowardscatastrophe.Thane turnedhisattentionuponTullnext. ‘And thatcrusade…Afinesentiment, thedesire to fightnomattertheodds.Buttheoddswouldhavebeensomuchbetter,hadanyofyouhadthesensetoconsolidatetheImperium’scoreworldsandwithdrawareasonableforcetoTerratodefendit.Abillionarmedmencouldhavebeenwithin theSolSystem indays.Thatwasnot the action taken. Instead,what?Scribes.Functionaries.Menials.Anarmyofinnocentssenttotheslaughter.Thelevelofineptitudeondisplayheredefiesalllogic.’‘ThemoonwasoverthePalace,itcouldhavestruckatanymoment.Wehadnochoice,’saidTull.Shespokequietly;herheartwasn’tinherobjection.‘Youwouldhave,hadLansungherenotsquanderedhalftheImperium’swarfleetsinpointlesstit-for-tatactions.Koorlandwasrighttoblockadethemoon.Heactedwell,youactedwithoutthought.Ourentirespecies could have been enslaved. “As you excel in war, so shall you excel in peace,” RobouteGuilliman,thefirsttoholdthisoffice,saidofweAdeptusAstartes.FormostofmylifeIhavethoughthimwrong.Thereisnopeace.Thereisonlywar.IthoughttherewasnoneedforSpaceMarinestoinvolvethemselvesintherulingoftheImperium.Iwaswrong.Withpowerleftinthehandsofmenandwomensuchasyou,disasterwillbefallusall.’TheHighLordslookedaghast.Lansungswallowedhard.‘Whatareyouproposing?’hesaid.‘Acoup?’‘YouareHorusreturned!’saidZeck.‘Hedoesnotintendtoeliminateus,’saidSark.‘Iwouldsenseit.’Anwarsmiled,aghoulishexpressiononhisemaciated,eyelessface.‘Elimination? I propose nothing of the sort,’ Thane said in disgust. ‘This system of governancewasdevisedbytheEmperorHimself.Iamnotsoarrogantastoproposeitbeundone.Whereithasfailed,ithasfailedbecauseithasnotbeenadheredtoproperly.TheSenatorumImperialishasmetinsecretfortoolong.Thisismyfirstdecree,thattheGreatChambershallbebroughtbackintousepermanently.Nomoremeetings in closure.There are not sufficient checks upon the ambitions of individuals among theHighTwelvewithoutinvolvementoftheotherHighLordsandthelesserlords.Toomucheffortisexpendedbythemastersoflowerordos,adeptaandofficiosinseekingthepatronageoftheHighTwelve.WhiletheHighTwelvethemselvesarewithoutthescrutinyofthewidergovernment,theyarefreetoneglecttheirdutytotheImperiuminfavourofdutytotheiradepta,orworse,theirownpersonalglory.’‘Closedsessionswereonlyintroduced,mylord,tospeedthedecision-makingprocessinthewakeoftheFirstBlackCrusade,’saidEkharthtremulously.‘Six hundred years ago and more. Extraordinary measures have a habit of becoming ordinary,’ saidThane.‘ThisdecreewillensureamoreproperadherencetotheintentionsoftheEmperor.’‘You said decrees, Lord Guilliman,’ said Kubik. ‘Enumerate them for our edification.’ He chose aplacating,humanvoiceforthis,surprisingVangorich.Kubikhadonlyeverusedhisharsh,machinevoiceintheGrandMaster’shearing.‘Ifyoucouldlayoutthecontentsofthismeetingforus,thenweshallbebetterequippedtoproceedandenactyourwishes,highestofLords.’ThanegavetheFabricatorGeneralaconsideredlook.Kubik’sowngameshadplayedtheirpartintheImperium’sneardownfall.‘Ihavebutthreeintotal.Oncetheyaredone,theyarebinding.Afterthat,we

shallmoveon to thebusinessof rebuilding.New fleets need tobe commissioned, newarmies raised.Terra’sfortificationsmustberebuilt.Thousandsofworldsareruined.Allmustberestored.Thiswillbeyour life’swork from now on. Service to the Emperor and the Imperium shall be restitution for yourcrimesofvanity.Isthatclear?’TheHighLordslookedathimwordlessly.‘Thesethen,aremyotherdecrees.MysecondisthatthereshallbeaFourthFoundingofSpaceMarineChapters.We are too few to effectively defend the Imperium. A thousand years after the Heresy, ournumbersarea fractionofwhat theyoncewere.Toallayyourconcerns, I swear that Idonot intend toreformtheLegions.TheLastWallwillbedisbanded.Somuchpowercannotbeoneman’stocommand,Ithinkwecanallagreewiththat.Instead,weshallraiseasmanynewChaptersaswehavegene-seedinthe great vaults of Terra to sustain. This must be done swiftly. I shall issue a proclamation as LordGuillimanandastheChapterMasteroftheImperialFiststhatallChaptersshallreleaseaportionoftheirveteranstoprovidetheinitialbasisforthisfounding,thegreatestsincetheFirst.Gene-seedtithingwillbe doubled for the next century to replenish the vaults. When it is done, there will be hundreds ofChapterstoringtheImperiuminadamantiumandceramiteinsteadofdozens.’‘Cansuchathingbeaccomplished?’askedEkharth.‘If the genetic material exists, then yes. As a pledge of our continued fealty to Terra, the AdeptusMechanicusshallundertake tooutfitallnewChapterswith fullarmoriumsandwarfleets, I sosubmit,’saidKubiksilkily.‘Yourofferisappreciated,’saidThane.‘IampleasedIdidnothavetodemand.’‘ThedefenceofTerraisthedefenceofMars,LordGuilliman,’saidKubik.‘Areweallagreed?’askedVerreault.‘Wemustnot rush into this,’ saidVeritus. ‘Wemust,wemust…’Hedrew inahugebreath,hisentirebodyshudderingwiththeeffort.‘Areyouallright?’askedWienand.Veritusheldupahandandshookhishead.‘Leavemebe!’‘Dowe have any choice, Lord Inquisitor?’ askedGibran. ‘Ifwe do not agree,what of it? TheLordGuillimandecrees!’‘Whywouldwenotagree?’saidZeck. ‘This is theplainestsense.MoreSpaceMarinesmeangreatersecurity.’‘Butwhoshalltheyanswerto,’gaspedoutVeritus.‘Arethereanymoreobjections?’askedEkharth.Therewerenot.‘Thenitisdone.LordThane?’‘Mythird,andfinaldecree,’saidThane.‘Iwillbeacrusadinglord.TheImperialFistsshallnolongerstanduponawallandlookoutonourenemiesanddefythemtocometous.Weshallbeamobilefortress,movingeverforwardtocrushthosewhowouldspurnthewilloftheEmperor,whethertheybeknownorunknown.Dangers cannot bewaited upon, butmust be rooted out and destroyed ere they pose a risk.NeveragainshallanenemyoftheImperiumentertheorbitofHolyTerra.Thisweswear!Forwhatuseisawallifallthelandsaboutitarelaidwasteandoccupiedbythehatefulfoe?Nolongerwillwestandinone place.No longerwillwe takewall-names, butwe shall become awall for thewhole Imperium.Phalanxwillleavebeforetheendoftheweek,andIwillbetakingtheImperialFistswithme.’Immediateuproargreetedthisstatement.‘YouarethedefendersofTerra!ItisyourChapterworld!’exclaimedAnwar,hisheadswingingtoandfroasifhewouldcaptureThaneinhisemptyeyesockets.‘Youdefyconvention,andthewishesoftheEmperor,’saidEkharth.‘ImperialFistshavestooduponthe

wallsofthePalacesincetheHeresy!’‘Andweshallnolonger,’saidThane.Heplacedhishand,palmflat,onthetable.ThegentlestclickofceramiteuponstonesilencedtheHighLordsmoreeffectivelythanabolt-shot.‘Listentome,mylords.’‘The traditions and obligations of your Chapter aside, you are the Lord Guilliman,’ said Verreaultharshly.‘Youcannotsimplyabandonyourresponsibilities.’‘As you Lords abandoned yours?’ said Thane. ‘I am mindful of the need for direction within theSenatorum.AweakLordGuillimanisabiggerdangerthanthemostself-interestedofHighLords,andanabsent lord is the weakest lord of all. But I shall bringmy strength and authority to the beleagueredworlds of the Imperium, to free them from alien tyranny, and speed their reconstruction. Therefore, Irequirearepresentativeamongyou,whomIshallraiseovertheothersandinvestwithmyauthoritytoactuponmybehalf.ShouldTerrabethreatened,weshallreturn.ButIexpectmylabourstobelong.ImayneverseetheThroneworldagain.’Vangorichlookedforwardtosinkingbackintotheshadowsagain.‘DrakanVangorich,GrandMasteroftheOfficioAssassinorum,shallbemyvoiceandmyhand.Iherebyinvesthimwithallmyauthority.Heistobeheededandtreatedwithasifheweremyself.’Ah,thoughtVangorich.‘Anyofyouwhohavemisgivings,donotfear.’ThanegaveVangorichasteelylook.ItwasnothingtothepoisonousglareWienandgavehim.‘Thethreatofmyreturnwillbeenoughtoensurehisgoodbehaviour.’

Fivedaysofintensedebatefollowed.TheHighLordsweregivenchambersneartothesmallconferenceroom.TheirentourageswerethinnedtothebareminimumandtheirliveswereruntotheharshscheduleoftheAdeptusAstartes.Isolated,keptfromtheirservantsandwhollyatthemercyofMaximusThane,thenegotiations were concluded quickly. When the High Lords emerged dazed and exhausted from theirdiscussions, many matters had been decided. The details of Terra’s rebuilding, the raising of newregiments, an Imperium-wide survey ofwhat remained after the attacks of the orks, a pledge from theInquisition to reorder itself, and not least the beginning of the Fourth Founding, allwere examined indepth.Whatwouldoncehavetakenmonths,ifitwerefinishedatall,wasconcludedbeforetheweekwasout.A day’s feasting followed.The Imperial Fistswere as exacting in their leisure as theywere in theirbusiness.ThebottomlessstoresofPhalanxwereopened,finevictualsfromthelengthandbreadthoftheImperiumwereserved,whilethenewlyreconstitutedImperialFistsdeepenedtheirbondsofbrotherhoodandentertainedthelordsofTerrawithdazzlingdisplaysofgladiatorialskill.Allwasdone.Phalanx readied todepart.The lordsof theotherChapters thatmadeup theLastWallcameandwent.Whole fleetshung in thevoidby thegiant star fortwhile theirmastersconferredwithThane. The flotillas of the Space Marines were greatly diminished. Some Chapters were down to ahandfulofships,buttheywereproud,andtheywereready.Over the course of the next few days, the LordGuilliman broke from his arranging of theChapters’deploymenttospeakwitheachoftheHighLordsalone.Kubikwasfirst,andwhenhisconferencewasdoneheleftaloneaboardaswiftMechanicuspentere.Zeck insistedhebenextbecausehewasneededonTerra.Thane indulgedhim,andhedepartedaftertheirmeetingalso,asdidWienandandVeritus.LansunghadtheshipsofthereformingSegmentumSolarfleetparadepastPhalanxbeforejoiningthemonhisflagship,AutocephalaxEternal.OnlyafewoftheHigh Lords remained behind after their conferences. Ekharth and Gibran sought constantly to winVangorichoverwithhoneyedwords.Theothersavoidedhim.Finally, Vangorich was summoned. Thane had left him to last, with a sufficient space between the

previousmeetingandhisowntoupsetalesserman’sease.Vangorichwasnotbotheredintheleast.It happened so.Vangorichwas exploring an enormous library of rare textswhen three Imperial Fistsmarchedhimupahundredstairswithoutsayingawordbesides‘Thanewillseeyounow.’‘NowIknowhowacondemnedmanfeels,’Vangorichsaid,glancingbacklonginglyatthebooks.TheSpaceMarinesignoredhim.TheChapterMasterwasinaprivatestrategiumatoponeofthecentraltowersofPhalanx.ItssweepingviewsputVangorichinmindoftheCerebriumonTerra.Outbeyondthecountlessgunbarrelsanddockingpiers, shipsmoved in number. Itwas almost enough to persuadeVangorich that the Imperium retainedsomestrength.Vangorichannouncedhimselfwithacough.Thanewouldhaveheardhimalready,buttheChapterMasterwasmaking a point of studying thepile of papers onhis desk and themultiple hololithic star systemshangingateyelevelintheroom.‘Youwantedtoseeme,LordGuilliman?’Vangorichasked.Thane looked up, and Vangorich reconsidered his opinion. The Lord Guilliman looked genuinelydistracted.‘Youarehere.Good.Iwillnotkeepyoulong,LordProtector,andIapologiseforyourlongwait.Groundmustbepreparedbeforetacticsarediscussed.’‘Iamyourtactic?’Vangorichsaidmildly.‘Youareawareofthat.You’renottheonlygameplayeronTerra,GrandMaster.Itistimetoshowyourmettle.’‘Idoloveachallenge,’saidVangorich.Helookedaboutforachair,butallofthemweresizedforSpaceMarines.‘Kubik.Youmustwatchhimclosely,’Thanesaidbluntly.‘I had intended to,’ said Vangorich. ‘His empire within an empire has shown alarming separatisttendencies.ButheisthemostpowerfulofalltheHighLords,andhismostannoyingcharacteristicisthatweneedhimmorethanheneedsus.’Thanegruntedinaffirmation.‘That’swhyyoudidnotpubliclydresshimdownasyoudidtheothers,’saidVangorich.‘Youaregettinggoodatthis.’‘DiplomacyisanartIamhavingtolearnfast.TheAdeptusMechanicusarenotcompletelyapartoftheImperium,althoughwetreatthemasiftheyare.AndthoughKubikhonouredtheancientalliancebetweenMarsandTerratowardstheend,thatwasnotinevitable.’‘Heonlydiditwhenhehadbeenfoundout.Ifhehadnotbeenfoundout,though?’‘Youseemyconcerns.’‘Oh,LordThane, I share them!’ exclaimedVangorich. ‘Still, thepriestsofMarshavegaineda lotofknowledgefromthexenos.Itmightbethattheyaresatisfiedwithwhattheyhavelearned.’‘Ortheychangedtheirmindswhentheyrealisedthattheycouldnotsurviveontheirown,’Thanesaid.‘Forthetimebeing,ourtworealmsremaininterdependent,butIdonottrusttheFabricatorGeneral.ThisnewknowledgemustnotbekeptfromtheImperium,theyhoardtoomuchtothemselvesalready.HehasagreedtodeploythexenostechinthedestructionofUllanor.’‘You’veaskedhimtodestroyit?’‘It lies too far from our current borders to be watched effectively,’ said Thane. ‘I will not have itforgottenagain.Iftheorksreturnedonce,theycoulddosointhefuture.Ullanorshallbewipedfromthegalaxy.’‘I am amazed you convincedKubik to do that,’ saidVangorich. ‘I am impressed, as amatter of fact.Thereisalotofxenotechupontheplanethewoulddearlylovetopossess.’‘ThepriestsofMarscannotbeallowedtohavemoreoftheorks’devices.Itisnotonlybecausetheir

powermustbeheldincheck.Theyriskcorruption.Thereisapsychicmarkonthemachinesoftheork.On Ullanor, the Beast reached out into the minds of our warriors and destroyed their reason. MyLibrariansfearavestigeoftheBeast’sragemaytainttheirartefactsforever.Allowingsuchintothehandsof theAdeptsofMars isunacceptable.Kubikmight see thesense in ridding thegalaxyofUllanor,butwhetherhedoesordoesn’t,destroyingitwillbeatestofhisloyalty,’Thanewenton.‘Hewillbeforcedtousehisnewdevicesinplainsight.’‘IdoubtKubikdoesanythinghedoesnotwishto.Orthatdoesnotbenefithim.’Thane lookeddown atVangorich. ‘Make sure he complies. If there is any deviation from the plan todestroytheworld,contactmeimmediatelyandIshallreturntodealwithhim.’‘SowarwithMarsisstillapossibility,’saidVangorich.‘Idon’tsupposeIneedtotellyouwecannotaffordit.’‘IshalltrustintheEmperorthatitdoesnotcometothat.Kubikwillcomply.IhavemadeitcleartohimthathisloyaltytotheEmperorisunderquestion.IfhewerewillingtoriskadirectconfrontationbetweenMarsandTerra,itwouldhaveoccurredbynow.Theyhaveweighedtheoptions,seentheconsequences,and found the status quo to be the better choice. But still, stay aware of whatever schemes hemightconcoct.’‘Asyouwish,myLordGuilliman.Ishallgladlydoasyoucommand,’saidVangorich.‘Tomorrow,youshallwieldapowerneitherofuswantedinmyname.’‘Youhavehadsimilar,mylord,intheLastWall.ThepoweryouwieldasLordGuillimanisnodifferenttothat.’‘Idisagree.Itisentirelydifferent,’saidThane.‘Idomybesttoridmyselfofboth.IhavedispatchedthesonsofDorntoscourthegalaxy.Manyreturntotheirhomeworldstobegintheireffortsthere.BesidesthenewChapters,allexistingAdeptusAstartes forceshavesufferedcasualtiesandmust replenishand re-arm.Wearenodifferent.Three thousandpotentialneophytesareenroute toPhalanx fromTerra.Thismassmethodofselectionisunusual,butitwillserve.Phalanxisamplyequippedwithtestinggrounds,sotheywillundergo trialsas soonaswecommenceour journey.There ismuch tobedone.TheChapterMasterswillrallywhattroopstheycanneartheirhomesystemsandbeginreconquestandrebuilding.’‘IimagineVerreaultchokedonhismoustachewhenyoutoldhimthat.’‘Damnhimandhispredecessor,’saidThanedarkly.‘Thedisorganisationthatledtothisdebacleisover.Verreaultcanwatchandapprove,orhecanbereplaced.’‘IhavebeeninformedoftheintentionsoftheCrimsonFists,Excoriators,theremainingIronKnightsandtherest,butwherewillyougo,mylord?’Thane smiledadmonishinglyatVangorich. ‘Youarenot stupid,Vangorich. I suspectyouhavealreadyguessed.AlthoughIamnolongeraFistExemplar,IoweanhonourdebttoseethattheChapterdoesnotdie.WegotoEidolicaonefinaltime.Itisasgoodaplacetostartmycrusadeasany.’‘Areyousureitisthebestcourseofaction,mylord?Therearesystemsofhigherstrategicvaluenearerandingreaterneed.’‘ThesonsofDorndonotabandoneachotherandtheydonotneglecttheirlegacy.Ihaveanobligation.Idonotexpectyoutounderstand.’Vangorichlacedhishandstogetherinthedeepsleevesofhisrobes.Hewastreadingdangerousground.‘SomightIask,mylord,haveyouhadanywordfromyourbrothersoftheFistsExemplar?’ThatmadeThaneuncomfortable.Hisfistsclenched.‘None.TheywerelastseenattheVandisSystem.Iguessyouropinion,LordProtector.Yousuggesttheyaredead,butIsawthemmaketheMandevillepointmyself,andsoIcannotacceptthatFirstCaptainZerberyn’sforceisdestroyeduntilitispresentedtomeasasolidfact.Theyareunawareofit,buttheyaretheFistsExemplarnow.Itwouldbeatragicironyif

myresurrectionoftheImperialFistsdoomedmyoriginalordertoextinction.ThatisapossibilitythatIhave to consider. If so, a new brotherhood shall take Eidolica as its home. If one Chapter can beresurrected,somightothers.’‘Iunderstand.Ifmoreofusshowedsuchsolidaritythenmaybethiswouldnothavehappened.’Vangorichstoodalittletaller,presentinganaspectofhimselfheusuallyhidbycarefulpostureandbodylanguage.MaximusThaneknewVangorichwasdangerous,but foramomenthesawclearlywhohewasdealingwith:anintelligent,carefulman,theworstkindofkiller.‘IwilloverseetherebuildingofTerra.Ishallensureyourwishesareadheredto,mylord.’Thane lookedout through thearmourglassover thespiresandpeaksofPhalanx. ‘Iamtrustingyou tomake thiswork,Vangorich.Youhave impliedmany times that onemanmightmake a better ruler thantwelveLords.IhonestlyhavenoideaifyoutrulywishedVeritustobethatman.Itdoesnotmatter.Nowisyourchancetoprovetheory.Leadthemwisely,andrememberKubikisnottheonlyHighLordIwouldreturntoTerratoreplace.’

CHAPTERFIVEThefateofUllanor

Mariazet Isolde wore the shape of a shuffling Adeptus Mechanicus menial priest convincingly. Shehobbledherwaythroughred-litdeckscrammedwithservitorcrew,herfalseimplantbroadcastingforgedAdeptusMechanicus identification codes.ShehadYendl to thank for those.Without theTempleVanusinfocyte,thecellwouldhavebeendiscoveredalongtimeago.Isoldemissedherexpertise;operatingonMarshadbecomedifficultsinceYendl’sdeath.Shewasn’tconfidentshecouldmaintainthepretence,butherdeathdidnotmatter.Onlythemissiondid.ShewastobearwitnesstothedestructionofUllanorfromwithintheMechanicusship.TheArkMajestywas immense,ahuge invertedpyramidstaffedbyhundredsof thousandsofAdeptusMechanicus tech-priests and their lobotomised slaves. No one paid her any attention. She went at ameasuredpace,notwishingtobringattentiontoherselfasashirkerorsomeoneinanunusualhurry.Thecommanddeckwashergoal. Isoldewascircumspect inherwork,andshewasonherhighest levelofalert.Clankingmen-machineslumberedpasther,wheezingasepticbreath.Choirsoflowlyadeptssanghymnsto placate the spirit of the Ark Majesty’s many machines while higher-ranking priests conductedinscrutablerituals.Isoldewalkedby.She took the least-usedways upward, transit tubes usedmainly by servitors.Their blank-eyed starespassedoverherwithnomoreinterestthanifshe’dbeenanemptyfuelcanister.Hercodes,markingherasamemberofKubik’spersonalhousehold,gaveheraccesstomostareasoftheship,exceptthecommanddeck.Gettingintherewasthedifficulty.The fabric of theArkMajesty thrummed to the song of titanic energies as the AdeptusMechanicusprepared for the conclusionof theirGrandExperiment.Not, as secretly planned, the removal ofMarsfromtheSolSystem,butthedestructionoftheorks’capital,afittingtestofthenewandterrifyingmatterdisplacement technologiesplunderedfromthegreenskins.Oddwhoopsandgrowlssoundedfromventsandshaftsasshepassedthem.Thevibrationsoftheshipchangedinfrequencyandviolenceasthevastbanksoftele portersgraftedtotheArkMajesty’sframewerecycledupanddowninrepetitivetestruns.She neared the centre of the vesselwhere the commanddeckwas situated.TheAdeptusMechanicusfavoured burying their command sections deep in their craft for maximum survivability. There was apaucityofwindowsonanarkvessel.Allsightwasprovidedremotely,bythegraceoftheMachine-God.Acorridorwithapronounceddeclivityleddowntothecradlehousingthecommanddecks.Sheslowed.Heridentitywouldtakehernofurther.Streamsofadeptswenttoandfro,passingfromsideroomsandenginehallstojointheceaselessflowofaugmentedhumanity.Thenumberofservitorcrewdeclinedasthenumberofadeptsincreased,untilcloseto the great reinforced blast doors of the command deck the tech-priests outnumbered the mindlesscyberneticconstructsthreetoone.Thoseservitorsthatwerepresentstampedpastinlargegroupsheaded

by genetors-primus. A few others were heavy combat drones stationed at strategic points. Thesecomprisedthetorsosofdismemberedmenpluggeddirectlyintotrackunits,theirarmsreplacedbypotentweaponry.Shescannedthecrowdsuntilshefoundwhatshewaslookingfor.Amiddle-rankingmagosmetallicustransmechanicwithafaceofflesh.Itwascrucialhermarkhavenoobviousfacialaugments;thatwouldbetoohardtomimic.Onastarshipthemetallicus’principaldutieswereconfinedtorepairs.Abusymaninabattle,buttodayhewouldhavelittletodo.Heheadedwithpurposedownanarrowgangway.Isoldefollowed,stridingafterhimasifshehadalwaysintendedtogothatway.The gangway opened up into a large, tiered hall. On each level the walls were studdedwith heavycopperhandgripssetinpairs.Asshefollowedthemagos,atroopofelectro-priestscamemarchingintothehall,singingdevotionalcanttotheBodyElectricandtheMotiveForce.Theyfiledin,takingupstationbythecontactsandgraspingthemwithbothhands.Accidentalelectricaldischargebuzzedandfilledthespacewiththesmellofsharpozone.Themagosmetallicusstrodeonthroughanother,evenbiggerspace,filledtowithinhalfametreofthewallswith a giganticmachine fromwhose depthsmultiple lights shone. Tech-priestsmoved painfullyaround the outside, sometimes on their knees,mechadendrites and ancillary limbs snakingout tomakeminute adjustments. Past this, the magos metallicus turned into a vestibule sandwiched between thecorridorandathirdchamber.ThroughthedoorwayintothisfurtherhallIsoldeglimpsedtallplasmacoilswreathed in crackling loops of green energy, and she had the notion that she looked upon technologyengineeredfromthegreenskins’.Thetech-priestwentintoasmalldoorsetintothewallofthevestibule.Isoldeduckedthroughandfoundherselfinasmallstoreroomhangingwithneatlybunchedcableslabelledcarefullyinlingua-technis.Shemovedsoquietlythatthemandidnotnoticeheratfirst.Whenheselectedacable,turnedroundandsawher,thefleshofherfacewasalreadytransformingitselfintoapassingresemblanceofhisown.Shecastherhoodbacksohecouldseeherfeaturesrun.Heletoutasurprisedelectronicburblefromavox-boximplantedinhisneckatthesightofher.Isoldecursedinwardly,shehadnotseenthataugmentation.Mostofthetech-priestshadsuchthingstoallowthemtospeakthemachinelanguage,buttheywerenotalwayssoobvious.Shekilledhimquickly,herexoticswordspringingout fromitshousingon thebackofherarmand takinghimthrough theeye.Ignoringthecrawlingfeelingasherfacerearrangeditself,shestrippedthemagos’outergarmentsoffandreplaced themwithherown, then,kneeling,pulledouta sharpknifeandbegan tocut.His intelligencecorewas easy to find in his skull,whichwas a small blessing, for the cybernetics of theMechanicusfollowednostandardpatternanditcouldaseasilyhavebeenimplantedinhislegashishead.Shewipedthe blood off her hand, sheathed her knife and paused.He still held the cable in his dead hand.He’devidentlygotitforsomething,andsoshespentavaluablemomentdebatingwhethertotakethecableornot.Intheend,shedecidedtoleaveitbehind.Shecheckedherunitwasbroadcasting thedeadmagos’codes,opened thedoorandsteppedout.Sheallowedthedoortoslideshutandfrieditslockingmechanism,thensetoutforthecommanddeck.

Fabricator General Kubik surveyed the command deck of theArkMajesty. Here was his kingdom inmicrocosm,andhewaswellpleasedwithitsefficiency.Men,machinesandblendsofthetwoperformedtheirdutiestotheninety-fifthpercentileofperfection.‘Providemark.SynchronisetimebetweentargetsystemandUllanorSystem,’hecommanded.‘Yes, prime of primes,’ intoned a crowd of tech-adepts. Tasks ordinarily performed by hard-wiredservitors were being undertaken by adepts. This was an operation too important to be trusted to the

monotasked.Anenormousbrass-handedchronotickeddowntozero.‘ArtisanTrajectoraeVanAuken,prepareforplanetarytele portation,’saidKubik.‘Thetimeofprojectionisclosing.’VanAukenhadbeenalargemanbeforehisnumerousaugmentations–withthem,hisappearanceevokedamechanicalbear.‘Thecorpuscariiareready,FabricatorGeneral.TheystandpreparedtounleashtheirlifeforceintheserviceoftheOmnissiah,’heansweredwithexaggeratedhumility.Kubikfavouredhimwithanod.IthadbeenVanAukenwhohituponusingthecultsofelectro-priests.Their intuitive manipulations of the Motive Force had stabilised the meshing of Imperial and orkishtechnology.Thisoneideahadcastdownallremainingbarrierstosuccess.Theirrecenttrialshadworkedperfectly.TheGrandExperimentwasanexperimentnomore.TheAdeptusMechanicuswerereadytomoveaplanet.Thechrono’shandsshiftedclosertotheinstantofsuccess.A grand flotilla of ships crowded the command deck’s hololith. An endless stream of data pouredthroughKubik’smultipleintelligencecores,fillinghimtothebrimwithdeliciousknowledge.Mostofitwasephemeral,pointless,addingnothingtothegrandstoreofknowledgetheAdeptusMechanicushad.The gravitic perturbations inflicted upon the ships by close proximity to each other could easily becalculatedusingexisting formulae, as could theenergyoutputof thecombinedenginesof the fleet, theeffectsontheremainingastronomicalbodiesofthesystemonceUllanorwasremovedandamillionotherreadings.Assuch,itwasalluseless,butitwouldneverbeforgotten.ForthetimebeingKubikenjoyedtherushofit,thewayamanofmoreusualformenjoysthepleasureofhotwaterpouringfromacascade.‘ImperialFleetshallbeatsafedistanceinsixhundredhectoseconds,primeofprimes,’saidthecraft’sArtisanof theVox.Halfofwhatwassaidaboardwas twitteredquickly inbinharic, the rest in lingua-technis.‘Planetaryteleportationbeamispowering,’saidVanAuken.‘Cut vox-traffic with Imperial craft,’ ordered Kubik. ‘Artisan of the Vox, you are our line ofcommunicationwiththegreaterfleet.LetnoeventorworddistractusfromtheOmnissiah’sholywork!’The adept did as hewas ordered, but the change in noisewithin the command deckwas negligible.‘ChosinandUllanorwillbeatoptimumalignmentintwohundredhectoseconds.’‘Fleetatsafedistanceinonehundredhectoseconds.’‘Preparetoengageveridianplasmaengines.Electro-priestmanualregulatorarraysonstandby,’saidVanAuken.‘Fleetatsafedistance.LordProtectorVangorichismakingaspeech,primeofprimes,’saidtheArtisanoftheVox.KubikhunchedatthementionofVangorich’sname,hismechanicalappendagesthrashing.‘Idonotwishtohearit.Hisspeechiswithoutpurpose.Thesymbolicactivitiesofthenon-believerhavenointerestforme.Record it.Archive it.Addit to thesumtotalofallknowledge.Wehaveworkofourown.Extendmattercollapsebeamemitter.’The ship quaked.Rumbling clanks echoed throughout.Displays ran red andgreenwith swift lines ofdatacode.Afinal,echoingclunkreverberateddullyaroundtheship.‘Beamemitterextended,’camethereport.Kubiktensed.Inresponse,hisgravitychairroseafewcentimetresfromthedeck.Successdependedontiming.Ullanorhadtobemovedatexactlytherightmomenttodisplacetheexistingfourthworldinthetargetsystem.Everydatumhepossessedpredictedthattheoriginalfourthplanet,Chosin,wouldenterintoadisruptiveorbitthatwouldstabiliseovertime,allowingUllanortotakeitsoriginalorbitaltrack.Itwas

animmenselycomplexundertakinganditscalculationhadrequiredtheeffortsofthousandsofmagilogis.ThepossibilityofdestroyingChosincompletelyhadbeenraisedasasimpleralternative,butdiscarded.Its destructionwouldhave resulted in an asteroid fieldof hugedestructivepotential right inUllanor’spatharounditsnewstar.Everyvariablehadtobecorrect.Ullanor’svelocitywouldnotchangewhenitwasteleported,thereforeithadtomoveatpreciselytherighttimesothatitwouldfallintoorbitarounditsnewstar,andpasscloseenough toChosin toknock it asidewithouthitting it. If a single calculationwerewrongandUllanor’ssurvivalwasdetected,civilwarwasthelikelyoutcome.Theriskhadbeencalculatedasacceptable.Kubikwantedtheworldforhimself.Ullanorwasrichwithunclaimedalientechnology.Theacquisitionofknowledgesupersededallotherconsiderations.‘Preparetofire,’saidKubik.‘Imperialforcessignallingtheirreadiness,’reportedtheArtisanoftheVox.‘Engageallreactors.Relinquishingtheholyflowtoelectro-priests,’saidVanAuken.Thelargechronocounteddowntozero,itsthreegreathandscomingtogetherandstoppingwithafinal,metallicclunk.‘LettheImperialfleetseeusbringarmageddondownonUllanor!’orderedKubik.Theshiphummedwiththesongsofpraiseof itsmyriadcrew.Greenlightpulsedfromthehololith.Awaveringbeamofbrightgreenenergyslashedacrossspace,stabbingintoUllanor’ssmoulderingequator.Itspreadacrosstheorkishcapitalworld,consumingitwithbrightfire.‘Atomicdecouplingmatrixstabilising.Subspacetransportationinfortyhectoseconds,’saidVanAuken.Thechatterofmachinesbecamesynchronisedas tech-priests input thebewilderingresultsof themagilogis’calculations.A risinghowlbuilt from the teleportationengines. In theirgalleries,electro-priestschantedmelodiccanttoswellthepresenceoftheholyMotiveForce.TheArkMajestytrembledwiththepowerbuildingwithinit.‘Quantumdisassociationachieved.Matterpotentialneutral.Engagingsubspaceteleportconduits,’saidanother.Dozensofhandsandmechanicalappendagesdepressedleverssimultaneously,thesingingofalgebraicalhymnsroseinvolume,lingua-technisbassoverlaidwithahighregisterofbinharicinformationalpulses.The ship’s trembling became a quaking.A deepmetallic hum joined the noise ofmachinery and tech-priestsasthefabricofthevesselresonatedinharmonytotheprayersofitscrewandtheexertionsofitsdevices.‘Transmit,’ commanded Van Auken in lingua-technis, Gothic and binharic simultaneously. Hismechadendritesspearedfromhisbroadbackintoadozenportsarrayedaroundandabovehim.Theshipvibratedwithmorethantheunleashingofpower;realitytrembled,pushingopenatearnotintothewarp,butintosubspace,thatstrange,ephemeralrealmthatexistedbetweentheuniverseofenergyandthe universe ofmatter.A burst of sparks shot out from an overloaded console.A number of hololithsblinkedandwentout.Lumensburst.Cablesruptured,sendingfatalarcsofelectricityintoadozentech-priestsastheMotiveForceburstfree.Bangssoundedfromalloverthedeckasmachinesfailed.Tocsinsrang,buttheiralarmswerelostintheroaroftheimpossiblescienceoftheGrandExperiment.Amightythrummingvibratedthroughthebonesandbondedendoskeletalaugmentsofeveryoneaboard.Thetumultceasedabruptly,passedoverandthroughtheshiplikeanoceanbreakermovingoverareef.The whine of machines quieted. The vibrating faded away into ever decreasing, unpredictableaftershocks.On the last functioning hololith, space flashed with green lightning that faded slowly. When it did,Ullanorhadgone.

‘Simpleandelegant,’saidVanAuken.‘Successisassured.’Servitorsthumpedforwardtoremovethecorpsesofthosetech-priestswhohadgiventheirlivesintheserviceoftheMachine-God.‘Contact Lord Vangorich. Inform him that the planet has been cast into the heart of the nearest bluesupergiant hyper-star. Ullanor is nomore,’ saidKubik. ‘Preparemy private pentere. Hewill wish tocongratulateme personally. VanAuken, you shall accompanyme as architect of this great endeavour.Haveourastropathssignaltheexploratorteams.Ullanoristobestrippedtothecoreofusefultechnology,commencingimmediately.Notraceoftheorkishpresenceupontheworldcanbeleft.Themotiveenginesthatmovedthecrustmustbedismantled.Iftheworldisexploredorsettled,thereshallbenoindicationthattheorkswereeverthere.Isocommandit.’‘Asyoucommand,primeofprimes,’intonedhiscrew.‘AllhailtheOmnissiah,HethatgivethknowledgesothatwemightperformmiraclesinHisname,’saidKubik.Hepoweredhisgravchairandascendedthroughaportalintheceiling.TherewasnocelebrationfromthecrewoftheArkMajesty.Theyworkedonwithoutcomment.Successwasitsownreward.Atthebackoftheroom,Isoldeheadedforthedoor.

Isoldeshedhermagosmetallicusdisguiseassoonasshewasable.ReassumingtheroleofoneofKubik’shouseholdadepts,sheheadedofftodecksunusedbythinkingbeings.Servitorscongregatedthereintheirmultitudes, but Isolde passed them unchallenged, her cowled form hidden by the soft red light of thelumens.Life supportwas at theminimum required to keep the servitors’ organic components alive. Shewasshiveringbythetimeshefoundadataconduitsizedforhumanstoaccessandcrawledinside.Withnumbfingers she searched through a tangle of copper cables and shining fibre-optics until she found anunshieldedline.Herdataspikeslidintoiteasilyenough,andonceshehadcheckedthecrawlspacebothwaysforMechanicusrepairvermin,shecontactedtheGrandMaster.A black screen appeared on her palm-sized data-slate, the coat of arms of theAssassinorumbold inwhiteuponit.‘RedHaven,MariazetIsolde,TempleCallidus,’shesaid.‘Confirm.’‘Identityconfirmed.Linechecked.Linesecure,’saidtheslate.Vangorich’sfaceappearedasecondlateringrainymonochrome.‘Isolde,goodtoseeyou.Tellmenow,canIbelievewhatIjustsaw?’‘Regretfullyno,GrandMaster,’shesaid.‘Theylied.They’vemovedit,notdestroyedit.They’regoingtoplunderit.’Vangorichlookedaway.‘Stupid,’hesaid.Whenhelookedbackhiseyeswerehard.‘WhereisUllanornow?’‘I don’t exactly know. I’vegot thename and the stellar signifier.The codeputs it on the edgeof theSegmentumSolar,andifit’snamedit’llbeonachartsomewhere.Itdidhavenineworlds,orbitingamainsequenceyellowstarnotunlikeSol.Thecodeisforanuninhabitedsystemmarkedforcolonisation.TheygotquiteagitatedaboutmovingUllanoratexactlytherightmomenttodisplacetheexistingfourthworldsafely,aplacecalledChosin,soIdon’tknowifthat’sofanyworthasaplanet.Ican’ttellyouanymorethanwhat Igleaned througheavesdropping.This shiphas itsdatacoreencrypted soheavily it’d takeaVanusacolyteaweektogetintoit.Idon’thavetheskills.Ican’texloadtoyou.Verbalreportonly.’‘Givemethecodeandname.’‘Yes, GrandMaster,’ she said. ‘PL-SS042002-9001. The prime-assumptive world is Pelucidar. Thesystemmustbenamedforit.’

‘Pelucidar?Neverheardofit,’saidVangorich.‘Goodwork,Isolde.Severingcontactnow.’Thescreenblinkedout.Isoldestowedherdata-slate,checkedoutside,andslippedaway.

CHAPTERSIXHolyordos

ThereweregardensundertheiceandrockoftheAntarctic;therecreatedhabitatsofathousandworldsgraced the deepest catacombs of the Inquisitorial Fortress. Most were small, places for the study ofdangerousenvironmentsorthepharmacologicalbenefitstobewrestedfrompromisingspecies,buttherewerethosesetasideformeditation.TheInquisitionunderstoodwelltheneedforcalmandclarity.The Park of Oak was one of those places, forty hectares of vibrant green caged by skies of blackAntarcticrock.VeritusmetWienandunderthegnarledbranchesofanancienttreethathadneverseenthesun.Itsleavesrustledintheunvaryingbreezeofventilationducts,otherwisetheforestwassilent;nobirdorbeastlivedthere.The deep quiet sharply defined the crackling of leaves under her feet and the hiss andwhirr ofVeritus’lifesupportsystem.‘Wienand,’saidVeritus.Hewashaggard,hisskinlooserandpalerthannormal.Sheattributedittotheconclusion of thewar against theBeast. The closure of amission often had the same effect on her –monthsofhighactivityandadrenalinewerefollowedbydeferredexhaustion.‘IsittimeforustoresumeourstrugglefortheseatofInquisitorialRepresentative?’sheasked.‘Ihopenot,’saidVeritus.Heappeareddisappointedthatshehadbroughtitup.Herestedanarmouredhanduponthetrunkofthetree.‘Therearemorepressingconcerns.’‘Let’s get this oneout of theway, then. I’vemademydecision. Iwill relinquish the seat to you.Myconcernwasthealienthreat,andthatisnowdone.Itisyourturn.’Verituswas takenoffguard,butcomposedhimselfbeforeanexpressionofsurprisecould takeshape.‘Youhavemygratitude.’‘Youhavemine,’shesaid.‘I’vesatintheSenatorumtoolong.Ihavetothinkofthefuture.ItistimeIbegantotrainasuccessor.’Veritusbecamethoughtful.‘SomethingIhaveneglected.Ineverhadtimetoplanforthatfuture,andyetthe future iswhywe are here.You know thatTerrawas once an oceanworld, inhabited by a trilliondifferentspeciesoflife?’‘I cannot really imagine it, Terra is so… dead,’ she said. ‘Although I have seen other oceans, it isimpossibletopicturethemhere.’‘Itwasalongtimeago.Iamveryold,Wienand,buteveninmyyouthTerralookedmuchthesameasitdoesnow.Butonce,itwasrichinlife,’saidVeritus.‘Ourancestors,foralltheirmight,didnottakecareforthefuture.’‘Ihavebeenlecturedaboutthatmorethanoncebytheeldar,’saidWienand.‘Hypocrisyistheirmostaggravatingcharacteristic.Thefalloftheirempiresterilisedcountlessworlds,’hesaid.‘Youputtoomuchfaithinthem.’‘Andyoutoolittle,’shesaid.‘TheyareimplacablyopposedtoChaos,andhavehelpedmemanytimes.’

‘Theeldararepridefulandconceited,practicallyblindtotheirownfaults.’Hesmiledtiredly.‘Listentous.Youaretheonewhochampionsdefenceagainstthealien,butworkswiththemagainstChaos.IamtheonewhofearsChaosaboveallthings,butlecturesyouaboutthexenosthreat.Maybewearebothright.Theeldararerightaboutonething,wemustthinkofthefuture.TheInquisitionmustchange.’‘SoyoupromisedThane,’saidWienandguardedly.‘Didyouhavetherighttodecidethatalone?Whoistosaytheotherswillagree?’‘Theywillagree,’saidVeritus.‘Myquestionis,doyou?’‘Ifyouareconfidentyoucanimposechange,whydoyouneedmyopinionatall?’shesaid.‘BecauseyouarestilltheInquisitorialRepresentativealongsideme.Wewereopposed,nowweworkinunity.Aunifieddecisionfromuswillcarrymuchmoreweight.’‘Soyouarenotconfidentofchange.’‘Withoutyou,’ saidVeritus, ‘no.’Hisbreathwheezed. ‘I amuncommonly tired.Walkwithmeaway,thereisabenchnotfar.’Heledthewaydownanarrowpathofchippedbark.Throughitandthelitteroftheforestfloorpatchesofgrowthmeshwerevisible,twistedupbytheactionsofthetrees’roots.Themoreshelooked,thelessnaturaltheforestbecame.‘IfIamtotrustyou,thentherecanbenomoresecretsbetweenus,’shesaid.‘Agreed,’saidVeritus.Thoughtheywentatnogreatpace,hewasbreathingheavily.‘ThentellmemoreoftheSpaceMarineChapterstationedonTitanthatnobody,exceptyou,appearstobeawareof.’Veritusgraspedatbranchesastheywenton,onlylightly,asifhewereseekingapprovalfromthem.Theycame toa clearing in the trees.Awoodenbenchmadeof a split tree trunkoccupied thecentre.Waterpipes and a blinking environmental control station at the edge of the glade further undermined thenominallynaturalfeeloftheforest.‘Theyareanimportantpartofthereorganisation,andameanstoconvincetheotherinquisitorstoagreetoourplan.’‘Itisyourplan,Veritus,andIstilldonotknowwhatitis.’Veritushadtroubleloweringhimselftosit.HeleantonWienandandshesaggedunderthepressureofhisarmouredgripashesat.Whenheletgo,itwasasiftheweightoftheworldhadcomeoffhershoulders.Shesatbesidehim.‘TheyarecalledtheGreyKnights,’saidVeritus.‘Theyareaforceofwarriorswithoutpeer,engineeredfromgene-seedtakenfromtheEmperorHimselfathousandyearsago.Alast,partinggiftfromourgodbeforeHewastakenfromustosituponHisGoldenThrone.’‘TheyareAdeptusCustodesthen?’Wienandrubbedherhandalongthewood.WhereasthebenchintheSigillite’sRetreatwassmoothanddry,thegrainofthiswoodwasroughunderhertouch,thestrandsofligninstillswollenwithmoisture.Althoughdead,itsmeltfresh;asenseoflifestillclungtoit.‘TheyaregreaterthantheAdeptusCustodes,’saidVeritus.‘Eachoneisapotentpsyker.Theirstrengthisintheirbrotherhood.Astheendapproached,theEmperorforesawaneedforwarriorswhocouldstandagainst Chaos, incorruptible and mighty, and He made them so, the mightiest warriors beside theprimarchsHeevercreated.Forthem,thedaemonholdsnofear.Ibelievethat,intime,theEmperorhopedmankindwouldrealiseitspsychicpotential,avoidthecatastrophethatstrucktheeldar,andendthethreatofChaosforever.IntheGreyKnights,Iseehopeforthefuture.Theyarethepinnacleofwhatwecouldbe.’‘Theeldararepsychicbynature.Fromwhattheyhavehinted,thatspedtheirdestruction.Theytellmethatwehavealreadyfallen.TheDarkAgeofTechnologywasoureraofmight,andeventhenwecould

notmatchtheirempireofold.Theypersistedformillionsofyears,weformerethousandsandnowweslowlydie.’ShethoughtoftheSigillite’sRetreatasshesaidthat.‘Weroseagain,andwecanriseathirdtime.Theyarethespentforce,notus,’saidVeritus.‘Wemustbelievethis,orwearedoomed.WhenyouseetheGreyKnights,youwillunderstandthatthereishope.’Hewastrembling.Hisbreathwasshallow,andheperspired.Wienandlookedathimwithconcern.‘Areyouill,Veritus?’‘Ihave feltbetter. I shall rest later.First,hearmeout.Therewereonce fourofuswhoknewof thisChapter.Thesecrethasbeenminealonetokeepforyears.Idonotshareitlightly.’Veritusbecamegrim.‘Assassination,execution,thesehavebeenthesentriestothisknowledge.IhavebeenforcedtoemployExterminatusonthreeoccasionstokeepthemhidden.Thatishowdelicatethematteroftheirexistenceis.Icouldnotcallthemintofighttheorks.Theirpsychicabilitieswouldhaveproveduseful,butthoughtheyaremighty,theywouldhavefallen,andwewouldhavelostavaluableweaponagainstChaos.’‘Weneededallthewarriorswecouldget,’saidWienand.‘Theywouldnothavetippedthebalance.Wewouldhavewonorlostwithorwithoutthem.Weaponsshouldbeappliedtotheappropriatethreat.’Heclenchedhisfistsonhiskneesandturnedtoher.‘Andweagreetherearetwothreats.’‘OfthealienandChaos,’shesaid.‘Thealiensofthisgalaxyposeadanger.IfIhadnotbelieveditbefore,thenthiswaragainsttheBeastwould have convinced me. But we cannot ignore Chaos. Dealing with both is impossible under ourcurrentorganisation.IbelievethattheremitoftheInquisitionistoodiffuse.Weneedtospecialisesothatoureffortscanbebetterfocused.Thisismyproposal,thattheInquisitionadoptabicameralnature.TheOrdo Xenos shall concentrate its affairs upon alien threats. The Ordo Malleus shall devote itself torootingoutChaoswhereveritshowsitself.WiththeGreyKnightsastheChamberMilitantoftheOrdoMalleus, and theDeathwatchproviding a similar role to theOrdoXenos, bothordoswill be equal inpower.TheInquisitionwillbebetterabletocombatthreatsmundaneandsupernatural.’‘Whatofthoseinquisitorswhohavenodesiretospecialise?’askedWienand.‘Therearesome,butmostyouandIknowhavetheirownparticularareasofinterest.Inanycase,thereare other dangers facing the Imperium, these two are just the largest. I am not suggesting an absolutedivision.Thenatureofthesethreatsisthatsometimestheyareintertwined.Individualinquisitorswillbefreetomovebetweenthem.Othersmightstayfreeofboth.’‘Whatifsomeoftheotherstaketoyourideaandsuggesttheneedformoreordos?’saidWienand.‘Then they can be constituted as andwhen they are needed.With themodel of these two in place, Iwouldimagineitwouldbeeasiertodoso.Forthetimebeing,twowillsuffice.Wienand,Iamspeakingof creating a framework which can support inquisitors, give them access to specialist equipment andpersonnel, and an army touse if required. I amnot speakingof imposing an absolutehierarchyon theInquisition.’‘Butthiswillintroducehierarchy.Itmust,byitsnature.Withhierarchycomesoversight,’shesaid.‘Ourcomradesdonotliketoworkwithotherslookingovertheirshoulders.’‘Nobodyisimmunetocorruption.Oversightisneeded.Arogueinquisitorcandosomuchharm.’Wienand’smouth twisted. ‘This change is greater than specialisation.You are suggesting a hierarchywherenoneexists.ThereisnorulingcouncilfortheInquisition.’‘Iamnotproposingabindinghierarchy.Ourfreedomtoactasweseefit isourgreateststrength.It istimetheorganisationwedohaveisformalised,thatisall.Wecannotrelyonadhocquorumstoguideourfate.TheremustbeacouncilofthemosthighInquisitoriallords.’Wienandlaughedsoftly.‘TheSenatorumImperialishasexhaustedmypatiencewithcouncils.’

‘Ours shall be smaller, and uneven in number so that deadlock can be avoided. Until now, I haveassigned theGreyKnights where I see fit.Wemust decide a newmechanism for their deployment. Icannotliveforever.Wouldyouputthatpowerintothehandsofanother?’Shegavehimalook.‘Youtrustyourself,evidently.’‘Therewereoncefourofus,’heremindedher.There were four founding members of the Inquisition, thought Wienand, but his being one wasimpossible.Evenso,hemusthavebeenheirtothatline,andthesystemofthefourlordswaslongdefunct.‘You’reolderthanIthought.’‘Mucholder,’hesaid.‘I…’Heblinked.‘I…Wienand?’‘Veritus?Areyouallright?’Hegaveherapuzzledlook,thenhiseyesrolledbackinhisheadandhefellfromthebenchtothethin,artificialsoil.Wienandkneltbyhim.Veritus’facewaspressedintotheground,sealingshuthisnoseandmouth.Shetuggedandtuggedathisarmour,butcouldnotrighthim,sosherockedhimbackandforthuntilshecouldgettohisheadandturnittooneside.Whenhewasbreathingagain,shespokeurgently.‘Vox-bead,activate.’Herwristchimed.‘ThisisWienand.I’mintheBotanicum,theParkofOak.Ihaveamedicalemergency.Veritusisdown.’

CHAPTERSEVENTheopeningofthewarp

DeepinthefortressoftheIronWarriorswastheAstropathicum.ThenameborenorelationtothemeaningofthewordasZerberynunderstoodit.Imperialastropathicstationswereverydifferentincharacter.TheIronWarriors’soletelepathhunginheruprightcoffin,imprisonedbycablestrailingfromherskulllikeashockofthickhair.Serfsfrombothbrotherhoodsworkedaroundher,adjustingthepowerfeedfromthecablesandmonitoringhervitalsigns.Thewomanwasnotatrueastropath,butawitchborntakenfromtheirslavestock,anaturalpsyker,unblessedandunprotectedbytheEmperor.Shewasnaked,emaciatedandfilthy,butdeadly.Thebanksofcracklingmachineryaroundherweretheretocontainherpowers.‘Green,green,nomoreseen,’shewhimpered.‘Theroargoeson,andon.Loudly,quietly.Twobrothersceasetheirfightforatime,exhausted.Redstarsforeyes,twoapiece.’Shegiggled.Zerberyn’sastropathsweredead.Shewasall theyhad,not thatshewasmuchuse; theIronWarriors’witchhadnotmadeanysenseinallthetimetheyhadbeenonthemoonofImmitis.Zerberynlistenedtothewitch’sbabble.Shestillmadenosense,butthefortresswaschangingaroundher.FreshferrocretecoveredscarsinflictedonthecomplexbythecyclicaltidaltuggingofImmitisVII,thegasgiantthemoonorbited.Zerberynfeltthatpullhimselfwhenthegiantplanetrose,fourtimesaday.Newmachinerysalvagedfromravagedworldsandshipshadbeen integratedwith theancientsystems.Thehallshummedwiththequietworkoftechnology.Airfiltrationmeanttheairwaspurer,andthiswasonly one of a hundred small alterations that was changing the fort from a semi-derelict to somethingresemblingaChapterfortress.Zerberynwasbeginningtofeelathomethere,surroundedbyTraitors.Hesawthemnowasmorethanjustdespicablefoes.Theywerecapablewarriorsandbuilders,andthoughthereweremethodstheIronWarriorsemployedthathewouldneverhavedreamtofusinghimself,hewasbeginningtoseetheirutility.Thatconcernedhim.Someonedrewnear,andhisthoughtsfledlikecloudsbeforethewind.Epistolary Honorius’ psychic presence filled the room, pushing at the crazed, fluctuating gifts of thewitchasafortresswallopposestheair.Hisphysicalpresencewasbarelylessimposing.TheLibrarianwasneveroutofhisTerminatorbattleplate.Awiseprecaution,thoughtZerberyn.TheIronWarriorscouldgrowtiredoftheirallianceatanytime.‘FirstCaptain,youcalledforme?’TheLibrarius serfs genuflected to theirmaster andwentback to theirwork.Thewoman sobbed, hermetal-facedhandlershockedherwiththesavagethrowofaswitch,andshescreamed.‘Brother-Epistolary.Awordinprivate.’BlackeyesgazedimpassivelyfromHonorius’ageless,snow-palefaceashesweptthemovertheserfs.‘Leaveus!’hecalled.Immediately the serfs began to shut down the equipment. They bowed and departed. The psyker’soverseer,oneofKalkator’screatures,remained.

‘Youtoo,’saidHonorius.Hisvoicewassepulchral,hislipspermanentlydownturned.‘Begone.’‘Mymastertoldmenoonewastobealonewiththewitch.’‘Go,’saidHonorius,withapowerthatcouldnotbedenied.Theoverseerhesitated,thenleft,coweringundertheLibrarian’sdisapproval.‘Arewealone?’askedZerberyn.TheEpistolary’seyesclosed.Eidolicabredmenwithpaleskin,Honoriuswasamongthepalest.Therewasthemeresthintofpinktohislips;withoutthathecouldhavebeenamarblefigureonatomb.‘Noonehearsus,’hesaiddolefully.Zerberynpointedatthewitch,moaninginherrestraintsandrollingherhead.‘TheGreenRoarabates.Thewitchspeaksnonsensestill,butIbelievethatiswhatsheistryingtosay.Isthisnotso?’Honoriusinclinedhisheadbutonce.‘Itis,FirstCaptain.’‘Somethinghashappenedinthewiderwar.Victorymustbeclosetohand.HaveweanywordfromtheLastWall?’‘Noneintelligible,FirstCaptain.MyLibrariansarenotastropaths,butwesensesomething,ashiftinthewarp. They receive fragments of messages where before there was nothing. Communication becomesclearerbythehour.’‘Wewillbeabletosendourownmessagessoon?’‘Yes,brother-captain.IfthebrothersoftheLibrariusworktogether,itcanbedonewithinadayortwo,nomore.’Zerberyn turned back to look at the witch. His eyes narrowed. ‘And canwe do so without it beingintercepted?’‘YouintendtobetraytheIronWarriors?’saidHonorius.‘Iintendtobecautious,Brother-Librarian.Doyoudisapprove?’‘YouaretheFirstCaptain.Iwilldowhateveryoucommand,’saidHonorius.‘Themessagewillnotbeintercepted.’Honoriusbowedandmadetodepart.Zerberynhaltedhim.‘Honorius,youknewOriaxDantalion.’‘Idid,’saidHonorius.‘Whatwouldhehavemadeofourallies?’‘Dantalionwasaninflexibleandfuriousman,’saidHonorius.‘HewouldhavehatedtheIronWarriors,astheenemiesoftheLegionandtraitorstothedreamsoftheEmperor.’‘Andwhatdoyoumakeofthem,brother?’HonoriuslookedsidelongatZerberyn.‘IthinkthattheIronWarriorsareuseful,mylord.’Zerberynnodded.‘Iconcur.Perhapstheycanbesaved,turnedbackontotherighteouspath.Prepareamessage.Assoonasyouareable,sendit.InformtheLastWallofourlocation,tellthemtocomeinpeaceandbearingthemarkersoftruce.Itistimewereadiedourselvestoreturnhome.’

CHAPTEREIGHTVangorichdecided

The final timeWienand went to meet Vangorich at the Sigillite’s Retreat, she abandoned the code ofcolouredsmokesandcontactedhimopenly.Andshewentarmed.Although she had refrained from voxing him until she was a few hundredmetres from the forgottengarden,shehadnochancetolayanambush,forwhenshearrivedVangorichwassittingonthebench.Hesmiledsadly,shuthisbook–thesameonehehadbeenreadingthelasttimetheymet–andsetitdown.‘Wewon’tbeabletousethisplaceagain,’hesaid,ignoringthelaspistolshewaspointingathishead.‘Isupposeyouknewthat,contactingmeonopenvoxlikethat.Everyonewillknowaboutit.Suchashame,ittookmeyearstofindit.It’sapieceofhistoryIsharedwithnobodybutyou.Nevermind.ItistimeIcameoutfromtheshadowsalittle.IalwaysthoughttheCerebriumwouldmakeafinepersonaloffice.Iwilltakeiton;itisabeautifulroom.Ifnooneobjects,ofcourse.’Heseemedtofocusonherproperlyforthefirsttime.‘Youractions,andthatgun,suggestyouarelessthanpleasedwithme.’‘WhatdidyoudotoVeritus?’Hefeignedsurprise,andthatenragedher.Herfingertwitchedonthetrigger,anditwasallshecoulddonottoshoothiminthefacethenandthere.‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Stopit,Drakan!’sheshouted.Shecircled,searchingfortrapsandAssassins,wishingthatshe’dthoughtmorecalmlyandorderedakill-teamtoaccompanyher.Insteadshe’drushedtotheInquistorialFortress’spaceportandtakenthefirstcraftshe’dseentogethere.Sheregrettedherhaste.‘He’sdying.’‘Iamsosorrytohearthat,’hesaid,andlookedlikehemeantit.‘Heisalittlestiff,butagoodmaninthemostfundamentalofways.Itisnowonderthatyoutwohavebecomequiteclose,whichisamusingreally,seeing as he tried to kill you. And now you’re here, threatening to kill me for allegedly killing him.Honestly,thecontradictionsofthislifeneverfailtoentertainme.’‘Dropyouract,Drakan!’Heshookhishead.‘Thisisnoact,’hesaidalmostregretfully.‘ThisistrulywhoIam.’‘Givemetheantidote,’shesaid.Shechancedasteptowardshim.Vangorichsatinnocentlyinhislifelessgarden in the ossified heart of the Imperium. She thought of the synthetic forest in the InquisitorialFortress.Aspaleareflectionofthepastasitwas,itwasstillalive.IntheSigillite’sRetreattherewasonlydeath.‘Iamafraidthereisnoantidote,’hesaid.‘Notifhehasalreadycollapsed.Itwillbeamatteroftimenow.Iamsorry.’‘Youadmitit,then.’‘IbelieveIjustdid,yes,’hesaidwithalittleshrug.‘Whydidyoudoit?Thecrisisisover.Theorksaredone.Weshouldberebuilding.’‘Andwewill,’hesaid.‘WhichispreciselywhyIhadtodoit.Verituswouldneveragreewithme,you

see.Iwantedthepoisontobeaninsurancepolicy, thewayIdidwithMesring.Youspoilt thatforme,remember?Youmightagreewithmethough,’hesaidspeculatively.Acold, sinkingfeelingclutchedatWienand.Herpistolwavered inherhand.TheHighLords.WhereweretheotherHighLords,rightnow?‘Whatdoyoumean,Vangorich?’‘TheOfficioAssassinorumisacheckonthefolliesofempire,’saidVangorich.‘Iknowwhatitcando,whatanabuseofpoweritcouldbetouseitastheEmperorintendedit tobeused.ThatiswhyIhaveavoidedacting.Untilnow.IwashopingVerituscouldbecontrolled–notlikeMesring,youunderstand,Ineverhadanyrespectforhim.I justneededenoughleverage toconvinceVerituswhatwearedoingisright.’‘YouareLordProtector.Whydoyouneedhimunderyourcontrol?’‘IdidnotwanttobeLordProtector.IwantedVeritusintherole,Ireallydid.IthoughtVerituswoulddoamuchbetterjobofitthanme,thoughofcourseIneededsomecontrol.Thaneflushedmeout,andI’vehadtoact.’‘Youweregoingtogivehimanantidote,butinsmalldoses.’‘Yes.ButIhaven’t,becausethere’snoneednow.It’sgonetoofar.’Vangorichmadeanapologeticface,likeascholamchildcaughtstealingsweettreats.‘DoyouthinkthatsquabblingrabbleintheSenatorumwouldactuallymakethingsbetter,whenallthey’vedoneforathousandyearsisstufftheirgreedyfaceswiththewealthoftheImperium?Ididn’twantthis,Wienand.Ihadnochoice.’‘Oh,Vangorich!’shesaidindespair.‘Whathaveyoudone?’‘Onlywhatneedstobedone.Thanesawthattoo,Ithink.IfIlookatitinacertainway,ImightevensaythatIhavehistacitpermission.Don’tyousee?TheImperiumisaspetrifiedasthewoodofthisbench.’Hepattedthewoodsoundlessly.‘Ifitistocomeintoleafagain,theoldwoodmustbedisposedof,andthenewgivenchancetogerminate.TrytoseeitasIdo:wehavetheopportunitytoinstigateaneweraformankind!’‘YouarenottheEmperor,you’renottheSigillite.’‘Oneofthosepeoplecandonothing,theotherisdeadsolongIamsurehisabilitiesandwisdomhavebeenexaggeratedgreatly.Youknowwhattimeandlegendcandotoaman’sreputation.Wecanneverliveuptothepastbecauseweinventittopunishourselves.Itwasprobablynobetterorworsethanourownera.’‘Ican’tletyoudoit,’shesaid.‘You’dkillme?Thenwhowouldbetheassassin?’hesaid.Hishumourwastingedwithsadness.‘Bestleavethatsortofthingtome.ItiswhatIam,afterall.Iamtrying,Wienand,notlikethosefoolsintheHighTwelve.Iaspiretothegreatnessofthepast–they’resimplyoverawedbyit.Vulkan,asonoftheEmperorHimself,denouncedtheCouncil.KoorlandkilledMesring.ThanemademeLordProtector.Itallmakessense.Theyhavetodie.Ithoughtyouofallpeoplewouldunderstandthat.’Vangorich stating his murderous design out loud released something savage in Wienand. She fired,puttingalas-boltthroughVangorich’sforehead.Vangorich flickered.Heblinked sympatheticallyather.Sheopenedup,puttingbeamsof light throughevery part of the Grand Master, but they passed harmlessly through him. The wood of the benchsmouldered.Shelookedaroundfor the loopsandprojectorsofahololithunit,butcouldseenone.Theillusionwastotallyconvincing,thebestshehadeverseen,lackingtheghost-likequalitythemajorityofprojectionspossessed.‘A shame,’ sighed Vangorich’s projection. ‘I thought you would probably react like that, but I washoldingouthopeyouwouldnot.Wereallyshouldworktogether.NowitseemsI’vesomeworktowinyouover.Nomatter,you’llseethelight.’

Wienandhelduphervox-buttontohermouth.‘It’stoolate,Wienand,youcan’tsavethem,’saidVangorich.‘Theorderisgiven.TheHighLordsdietoday.’

CHAPTERNINEThebeheading

Longbeforedawn,AbduliasAnwarrosefromhisbedinanunlitcell.ThereweregranderapartmentsintheSilentMansions,butAnwareschewedthem.TheterriblelossestheBeasthadinflictedhadimpelledhimtowardshumility.Allastropathswereblind,butveryfewofthemweresightless.Somepiecedtogetherapatchworkworldgatheredfromforeseenevents,apprehendingtheirsurroundingsthroughanticipation.Themorepowerfulmightseethroughtheeyesofotherpeople.Somesawtheworldasablindingvistaofsoul-light,afewsensedtheechoesofthepastthatwovethemselvespsychicallyintothefabricoftheuniverse.Theirswasasadfate,constantlysubjectedtotheghostlyreplaysofemotionalevents,manyofgreathorror.AstheheadoftheAdeptusAstraTelepathica,AbduliasAnwarwasatelepathofextraordinaryability.Thehumanmindwasanopenbooktohim,ifitwerenotcarefullywarded.Hisworldwasoneofphantomshapes,avisionofsorts thatwovethesoulsof livingbeings intoamapofenergy.Ithadbeenso longsince Anwar had seen a face the memory had faded into the depths of his extraordinarily long life.Physicalbeautywasmeaningless tohim.Whathedidseewasspiritualbeauty.Thesoulsof the livingshone.Eachpersonwasanetworkoffibres,alivewiththepulseofthought.Thesoulsofgoodmenwerewhite, those of less noble tendency red.Blue indicatedgreat sorrow, those burdenedwith their dutiesshowedadullyellow,andsooninamillionhues.Nomanorwomanwasasingleshade,saveararefew.Mostweresubtleblendingsthatchangedfrommomenttomoment.Fromthereflectedspiritlightofhumanity,Anwarcoulddiscerntheshapesofthematerialworld,albeitdully,apsychicfalse-colourrenderinginbluesandblacks.Behindthislurkedtheeverpresentmaelstromofthewarp.NotalltelepathshadthedreadcosmictruthinfrontofthemallthetimelikeAnwardid,buthehadbeenluckierthanothersandhadlearnedtomaskitspresence.AboveitallwasthelightoftheAstronomican,aconstantbeaconthatshonethroughtheinterveningrockofTerraasifitweresmoke,thebonfireofsoulsthatboundtheImperiumintoonecoherententity.Whenhewasyounger,theundyingblazehadkepthimfromsleeping.Whatitrepresentedhadterrifiedhim.Asheagedithadbecomehisgreatestcomfort.Onlyhisownsoullitthewayforhim,thelightofitcoaxingmeaningfromthesurroundingmatterofhisdomicile.Therewerenoservantstotendtohiminthemorningsanymore.Aspartofhispenancehehaddismissedthem.Hehalfsaw,halffelthiswaytohiswashbasinwhereheplungedhisfaceintofreezingwater.Itfilledhisemptyeyesockets,chillinghisskull.Thediscomfortwasgood.Hepattedaroundforhistowelanddriedhisface.Thenhewashedhimselfgaspingly,andwenttopray.The arcane patterns of hexagrammaticwards glimmered all around him, defining the corridors of theSilentMansions.Through themurkof the solidwallsbehind thewards,he saw thedistantglimmerofsoulshine.Psychichumanswereflaringbeacons,themoremundanesortstillbrightandgloriousintheirownway.Closertohislocationtherewerethedim,barely-thereflickersofservitorsslumberingintheir

alcoves.Anwarhadhearditsaidthatmind-wipingwasnoworsethanexecution.Thepeoplewhosaidsuchthingswerewrong:thesoulsoftheservitorsweretrappedinbodiesofdeadfleshandmetal.Itwasafateworseeventhantheoceanofsoulsthatawaitedthetrulydead.His long staff tocked as hemade hisway to theMaster’s Chapel. This roomwas the biggest in theMansions,fullofartworkscreatedwithpsychicallyactivesubstancesofimmensecostthatonlytheblindcouldsee.AnwarwentbeforethegreatstatueoftheEmperorResplendentandknelt.Bynature,Anwarwasaspiritualman.Hisearlylifehadbeenoneofwonder,asaworldnooneelsecouldseehadopenedtohim.TheBlackShipshadtakenthatworldawayfromhimandgivenhimanothermoreprofound,whenhehadlosthissightinexchangeforthetouchofagod.ThattheEmperorwasdivinewasbeyonddoubt.AnwarhadseenHim,ablazingsoulthatdrownedallotherswithitslight.Thestatueshe had seen as a youth captured not the tiniest truth ofHis essence. For that one glimpse,Anwar felthimselftrulyblessed.Hewascontentinallthathehaddone,hehadservedtothebestofhisabilityandrisenasfarasanymanofhisstationmightgo.HehadagoodfriendinSark.SarkwasmorepowerfulthanAnwar, strong enough to keep his eyes. Sark had lived a full-blooded life before he took high office,Anwaroneofmonkishself-denial.ButAnwardidnotresenthim.Hewaslongpastanysortofenvy.HehadbeensatisfiedwiththeroletheEmperorhadchosenforhim,andheworkeddiligentlytofulfilthatrolewhenimmersedinthemadhouseoftheGreatChamber.HehadwatchedtheridiculouspowerstruggleswithintheHighLordswithaspeciesofdetachedbewilderment,bandingtogetherwithSarkandGibranfornootherreasonthantopreservehissanity.Heleftpoliticstotheothers,takingprideinkeepinghisadeptusinorder,andhehadbeencontent.Hegavepraiseforhisblessing,whisperingmantrasofthanksoverandover.Butheshouldhavedonemore.Heshouldhavebeenmorevigilant.Foryears,Anwarhadalsobeencomplacent.Latelyanguishreplacedhiscontentment.Hewondered,inthedeadofnight,ifhecouldhaveforeseentheriseoftheBeast.TheGreenRoarhadbuiltslowly,givingalltheappearanceofbeingasimpledisturbanceinthewarplikesomanyinthepast.Thesortofstormthatmightlastanightoramillennium,bearablenonetheless.Butithadbeendifferent.Heshouldhaveputresourcesintodiviningitssource.ItstruenaturehadbecomeapparentonlywhentheBeastattacked,andthenthebestialhowlingoftheorkshadoverwhelmedsomanyofhisadepts.Communicationshadfallenintochaos.Nowthewarpwasstillingagain.Theroaringoftheorkhadnotdisappeared,butrecededintothedistancelikethethunderofapassingstorm.Anwarwasfearful.Likeastorm,theBeastcouldreturnagain.‘I should have seen it coming, my Lord. I swear I will next time,’ he whispered. ‘I will be morevigilant.’He pulled down his hood and unlaced the top of his robes. Anwar had ceased to wear the ornategarmentsofaHighLord,revertingtotheplaingreenastropath’sgarb.Hepulledhisskinnyarmsfromthesleevesandpushedtherobedowntohiswaist.Hetookupaswitch,madeofrarebirchwoodgrowninhallowedarboreta.Itwaspriceless,hissoleremainingindulgence.Thiswashisfirstpenance.‘Forfailinginmyduty,IbegYourforgiveness,’hemurmured.Thecrackofthinwoodonfleshechoedoffthechapelwalls.Anwarsuppressedacryofpain.‘For failing in my duty, I beg Your forgiveness.’ He switched sides, whipping himself over the leftshoulder.Every day, his back burning from his flagellation, he forced himself from the SilentMansions to theastrotelepathicumoftheImperialPalace.Therehespenthoursinthereceivingcouches,parsingmessagesfromallover theImperium.Themajorityof themweredegradedbytheturmoil in thewarp.Disruptedchronologieswerecommon.

Anwarwasgiftedstill.Thepassingofyearshaddulledhisabilitieslittle.Hedecodedmoremessagesthantheyoungestandbest,andhemadehimselfdoit.Storyafterstoryofruination,horrorandsavagery.Thisworkwashissecondpenanceforhisinaction.HeprayeditwouldbeenoughtoearntheEmperor’sforgiveness.Heknewinhisheartitwasnot.‘Forfailinginmyduty,IbegYourforgiveness!’hesaidlouder,hispaperyvoicefillingwithpower.Hehithimselfharder.‘Forfailinginmyduty–’Thegentlestscuffofafootondustystonebrokehischant.Ablindmanhearsnobetterthanaseeingman,buthedoespayattentionmorecloselytowhathisearstellhim.‘Who’sthere?’hesaidandturned.Thenearestsoullightwasmanyroomsdistant.Therewasnobodyinthechapelwithhim.Stillhewascompelledtoshoutout.‘ThisistheChapeloftheMasteroftheAdeptusAstraTelepathica!Whoisthere?’Silence.Therewasnobodythere.Therecouldbenoonetherewithouthisseeing.Whythendidtheironhandofdreadsqueezehisheart?Hegroped forhis staff and stood, robesdanglingaroundhiswaist.Sightless eyespannedaround theroom.Fargreatersensesthansightshowedhimnothing.Thehexagramsandpsychicpaintingsonthewallglowed,disapprovingfacesstaringdown.He froze. There, there was a disturbance in his second sight, a warping of a ward-tapestry’s silverthreads.Hedrewinafrightenedbreath.Thedistortionmoved,comingcloser.Asitapproacheditbecameasuckingblackvoidthatdrewalllighttowardsit,banishingitutterly.‘Traitor,’saidavoiceinalowwhisperthatpulledattheweftofAnwar’ssoul.‘No,wait.Iamnotraitor.IamaloyalservantoftheEmperor!’saidAnwar.Hestumbledbackwards,untilhisbackconnectedpainfullywiththeedgeofthealtar.‘WearetheEmperor’sjustice.WearetheEmperor’sjudgement.’Awhirringraspofmachinerycame,thatofametalirisopening.ThewhiningriseofweaponryspoolinguptofullpowervibratedAnwar’steethpainfully.Therewasonlyonebeingthiscouldbe.ACulexusAssassin:acreatureliketheSistersofSilence,bornwithoutasoul,taken,trained,honedintoakillerofpsykers,anabominationwhichcouldextinguishthelightofasoulaseasilyassnuffingacandle. ‘Iknowyourkind!WhydidVangorichnotreleaseyoutofight the orks? Why do you only show yourself now? You call me disloyal? What about the GrandMaster!’A darker point of light appeared in the air at head height, totally black, the absence of everything –space, time and soul. Anwar felt his very being tugged towards it. The sensation was excruciating.Absoluteterrorfloodedhisagedheart.‘Please!Please,’hesobbed. ‘Iknow. I…Iknow. Icouldhavedonemore. I shall! Ihave learnedmylesson.ItisnotenoughtofulfiltheEmperor’swishes.Onemustalwaysstrivetoexceedthem.Iknowthisnow,’saidAnwar.Heslippeddownthealtartokneelonthecoldfloor.‘TelltheGrandMaster,IknowIhavebeenremiss.Iamsorry.Iamashamed.’Buthiseyescouldnotcry,andnotearscame.‘Youareguilty,’saidthepariah.AbeamofblacknesscutacrossAnwar’sspiritsightandconnectedwithhisforehead.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hewastrulyblind.Allgoodsensationwasdrivenoutofhim,leavingnothingbutthepainashissoulwaspulledslowlyfromhisbody,singinglikearaw,stretchednerve.Withhismouth,andwithhismind,Anwarscreamed.Hislastpsychicshoutblastedoutfromthechapel,stunningeveryoneittouchedforfivehundredmetresineverydirection.His souldissipated intonothing.TheCulexusshutoffheranimusspeculum.Anwar’sbody fell to the

groundalive,butAbduliasAnwarhadfoundafatefarworsethandeath.By the time his aides and guards reached the chapel, the Culexus Assassin had long gone. She hadanotherpsykertovisitthatnight.

TheNavigators’Quarterwasaworlddistinct from the restofTerra.Though itwassurroundedby thehivesofstandardhumans,itwaswalledofffromthemabsolutely.TobeapartwastheconditionoftheNavigators,onastarshiporon theground.Within theQuarter’swallswere thegreatestpalaces in thehumangalaxy,butnonormalmanmightvisitthesegildedprisonsfortheNavisNobilite.Fromhislighter,HeladGibranlookedglumlydownoverthesoaringspiresoftheNavigatorialestates,eachhouseattemptingtooutdotheotherwiththeheightandsplendourofitsdemesne.GlitteringpinnaclesandgardenswerecutthroughbybroadwaterwaysandlakesprotectedfromthepollutedairofTerrabyornate domes. Near the centre was the greatest edifice of all, the Paternoval Palace. Currently inpossessionofHouseGibran.Itwasallsobeautiful,soexcessiveandsoclaustrophobic.ThelighterpilotzeroedinonthemaindockinghallofthePaternovalPalace.Itsoutrageouslydecoratedspiressoaredoverhead,embracingGibranintheirshadows.Heshuddered.Gibranwasnotpleasedtobehome.After they landed he rushed through the ritual greeting offered him byHouse Gibran servants in thehangar,andhurriedtoamechalandau.Heinstructeditssimplemachine-spirit totakehimtohisprivatequartersasquicklyaspossible.‘Asyouwish,Navigator,’itsunpleasantvoiceburbled.Itlurchedtoitssixfeetandcanteredoffdownthelabyrinthinecorridorsofthepalace,carryinghimpastlessermembersofHouseGibranabouterrandsof their own. It was late, and he passed only one other of themechanical transports.He returned thegreetingofLordNavisOrtoGibranasheapproached,declinedhisoffertotalkandtakewine,andspedon.Thelandaudepositedhimintheentrancevestibuletohisapartments,ahighporchandstepssetintoatallwindowofglassthatlookedoutontojunglegardens.Rainjettinginregimentedburstsfromsprinklershighintheartificialskyrattledonthewindow,anincongruouslynaturalsoundinthosedeepsofsteelandstone.Themomenthewasthroughthedoor,hismajordomoErdaciancametogreethim.‘Youhavebeengonelong,mylord,’hesaid.ErdacianwasaNavigator,likeallintheQuarter.HisthirdeyewascoveredoverwithastrapmarkedwiththesigilofHouseGibran.‘Iwishitwerewanderingthroughthestars,Erdacian,’saidHeladGibran.‘I’vewanderedonlysofarastheVenusianLagrange.’‘Mylord,’saidErdacian,anddippedhishead.‘ShallIorderdinnerprepared?’SilentservantscametotakeHeladGibran’soutergarments,washhishandsandfeet,andsprayhimwithperfumes.Gibranputupwiththeirministrationsimpatiently.‘Yes,andcallmycompanions.Iwishtotalkofotherthingsthanpoliticsforawhile.’‘Thereisadealofworkforyouinyouropusarium.’Gibransighedwithdispleasure.‘Iwilllookitoverquickly.Dinner.Onehour.Icommandit.’‘Asyouwish,mylord.’Gibran shookoff the lastofhis servants andmade for the large stairwaycurlingaround theglassteelatriumofhisapartments.Erdacianfollowedhimtothefootofthestairs.‘WhatofmyLadyMossaBelisarius-Gibran?’‘Schedulebreakfastforustomorrow.Ishallseeherthen,notbefore.’‘Shewasmostinsistentshespeaktoyouassoonasyouarrive,mylord.’

‘Tomorrow,Erdacian!’Gibran called down from the balcony. ‘Iwish to look over the gardens for awhile.InformthePater nova’sMasterofAdmissionsthatIhavereturned.Ifhewillmeetwithmeintheafternoon,thenIamhumblyathisdisposal.’‘Mylord.’Gibranwentintohisopusariumandshutthedoorbehindhim.Herestedagainstthesmoothwood,closedhiseyesandletoutalong,wearybreath.TheHighLordshecouldhandle,eventhePaternovahimself,butspeakingtohiswifetonightwasonetasktoofar.Hestood.Thelightswereoff.Soothinggreenlightreflectedoffthejunglethroughtheroom’slargerosewindow.On the far side of the roomwas a set of upholstered doors.Beyond themwere his bed, hisconcubinesandhiscollectionoffineoff-worldwines.Hewasin themoodtoenjoyall three.First,hewishedtolookonhisgarden,acollectionofancientTerranplantswhichexistednowhereelse.Buttolookoverthegarden,hemuststandbyhisdesk.Histreacherouseyesweredraggedtothepilesofworkatopit.Itwasalargedesk,butnotascrapofitssurfacecouldbeseen,buriedunderapileofdata-slates,documentsandflimsiesametrehigh.Hisshoulderssagged.Helookedtotheexit.Hecouldwalkawayandpretendhehadnotseen.Hetookastepforward,hishandreachingupinvoluntarilyforthedoorandthepleasuresbeyond.He stopped. The stacks of work waited. His warp eye throbbed. He was a fool to come this way.Sentimental,wantingtolookuponthegardens.Therewerenopurepleasuresinthisworldthatdutycouldnotspoil.‘Warptakeitall,’hesaid.Hepressedthebuttononhisvox-cuff.‘Erdacian.Ishallbelatefordinner.’‘Yes,yourgrace.’Gibransatdownwithaheavysigh.Withawaveofhishandhedecreasedtheopacityof thewindowuntilitwastotallyclear.Artificialrainlashedagainstit,makingthejunglefoliagebobwithitspounding.Atleasthemighttakesomepleasureinthat.The work was consuming. It never stopped. If it was not the business of the Imperium, it was thebusiness of his House. He was not the Novator, but he was responsible for ratifying the breedingprogrammes of his own closest relations. A good quarter of the documents concerned matches andmarriagecontracts.ManymorewerereportsfromGibranNavigatorsscatteredacrossspacebythewaragainst theBeast.Thesaddestwas theshortest, a listofknownandprobable losses forhisandalliedHouses.Heheldtheslateforfarlongerthanittooktoreadit.Theraindrummedhardonthewindow.Ontheothersideofthedomeencompassingthegarden,Solwasslippingoutofthesmoggysky.Therewasaknockatthedoor.‘Damnit!Erdacian!Erdacian!Whoeverthatis,sendhimaway!’Gibranbellowed.‘I’vegotastackofworkherethatstretchestoCypraMundiandback!Erdacian?’Cursing,heputtheslatebackonthedeskandsworeashechasedhisvox-linkaroundhiswrist.Whenhepressed it, therewasnoanswer to itsmusicalchime.‘Erdacian,whereareyou?’Thedooropenedacrack,slashingthecarpetwithaspearofyellowlumenlightfromthelanding.‘Erdacian?’Gibran’s hand strayed for the pistol under his desk. His fingers were brushing the holster, when afamiliarvoicestayedhishand.‘Heisnothere,cousin,’saidhisvisitor.‘DovrianOfar,isthatyou?’hesaidwithrelief.Herelaxed.‘ItisI.’‘Whydidyounotannounceyourself?’

‘Iwaspassing.Iheardyou’dcomebackand,youknow,stoppedbytosurpriseyou.’Dovrianshrugged.‘Irangandrangthebell,butErdacianwasnowheretobeseen.Ibringyourefreshmentwhereyourlaxservanthasfailed.’Gibransnappedonhisdesklumen.DovrianwasGibran’sfifthcousin,threetimesremoved,theproductofthreegenerationsofmarriageplanningthathadbroughtaboutafruitfulalliancebetweenHouseGibranandHouseOfar.CarefulbreedmatchesmeanthisgeneticcodewaspredominatelythatofHouseOfar,andassuchwouldhave lookedfreakish tostandardhumaneyes.Spindle-limbedandwillowy-tall,hisskinhadabluishcastandanuncomfortabletranslucencythathintedatthesquirmingsofthemusclesbeneath.Histhirdeyewasboundwithredcloth,aswasHouseOfar’scustom.Discreethydrauliccalipersaidedhismovement,fortheOfarswerevoid-adapted,force-bredforserviceonRogueTraderships,ultra-lightpacketshipsandotherfar-rangingvessels.TheOfarpalaceswereinanorbitalhabitataroundJupiter,andtheyseldomventuredanywherethathadmorethanone-quarterTerrangravity,includingthemanneddecksofthevesselstheyguided.DovrianwasreckonedofuncommonstrengthamonghisclanforthefacthecouldwalkonTerraatall.ItwasthisphysicalattributethattheGibranbloodhadcontributed,andasplanned,itwasalsowhyhehadbeenchosenastheOfarnAmbassadortotheCourtofthePaternova.TheplanhadbeentocreateanOfarwhowasofGibrandescent to supportHouseGibran in thebyzantinepoliticsof theQuarter,butgoodbreedingonlywentsofar indeterminingthetraitsofanindividualNavigator.Inasocietyfondofhighlivinganddisplaysofwealth,DovrianOfarhadareputationasarake,andsoteeteredalarminglyontheknifebladebetweenassetandliability.Hewas,however,goodcompany,andheknewhisdrink.InhishandhecarriedanoctagonalbottleofEuropansaltbrandy,aparticularfavouriteofGibran’s.‘Agifttowelcomeyouhome.’‘IwillnotbestayinglongintheQuarter,’saidGibran.‘Thereistoomuchtodo.’Hewavedhisover-largehandatthepilesofdocumentsonhisdesk.‘I can see.’Dovrian’s exoskeletonhissed as he came closer. ‘May I?Terra’s pull is a burdenonmylimbsIhaven’tyetgrownaccustomedto.’Gibrannodded.Dovriandraggedoverachairandsat.‘Thatisbetter.Imissthevoid.’‘Mealso,andmyyearningsgrowdeeperoflate.’Gibranfetchedtwoglassesandsetthemdowninfrontofhiscousin.‘Comeonthen,pour.WhenIdonotcompletethiswork,Icanblameyou.’‘Ah, I knew I had a use.’ Dovrian uncorked the brandy and poured it. The sharp, briny smell of itprickledGibran’stastebuds.‘Toyourhealth.’Dovrianraisedhisglassinsalutation.Gibrandrank.Thebrandywasfine,veryfieryandsalty.DovrianputhisownglassdownuntouchedandtoppedupGibran’sglass.‘Drinkup,cousin,youneverknowwhichwillbeyourlastday.Thesehavebeentestingtimesforusall.’‘PraisetheEmperortothat!’saidGibran.Hedownedthebrandyinonegulpandgaspedappreciatively,adelightfultremortravellinguphisspinefromhisstomachtohisshoulders.‘Anydaytheselastmonthscouldhavebeenyourlast,mylast,thelastdayforeveryone.’Dovriangaveamirthless chuckle. ‘We came this close.’Heheld uphis long,mutant’s fingers, thumb and forefinger ahair’sbreadthapart.Hesmiledagain,equallywithouthumour.‘Youarenotdrinking?’saidGibran.‘No.Iamnotdrinking.’Hepushedtheglassawayfromhimwithhislongfingers.‘Helad,’hesaidaftermoment,‘thePaternovaisdispleased.’TheglasspausedatGibran’slips.‘Howdispleased?’

Thedelightfultremordidnotstop,butincreasedandturnedpainful.Gibran’sshouldershook.Hesettheglassdownonthedesk.Hishandstrembledsomuchheknockeditover.Itfellwithamuffledthudonthethickcarpet,stainingitwiththestickyliquid.‘Youhavepoisonedme!’‘Ihave,’saidDovrian.‘But,butyoucannottakemyplace.’‘Ican,andIwill.LordVangorichhasmadeapactwiththePaternova.Itissettled.’‘How…howdidhespeakwithhimwithoutgoingthroughme?’Gibransaid.Sevenhundredyearsoflifeanddecadesofstaringintothewarphadrenderedhimimmunetofear,sohethought.Hehadbeenwrong.Dovrianspreadhishandsapologetically.‘Iprovidedtheconduit.Itwasarisktometoevenattemptit,butyourperformancehasbeensowoefulIwasconfidentofsuccess.Thepriceformyascensionisyourdeath.Iamsorry.Iamfondofyou.Itisnothingpersonal.’‘You traitor, you…’Gibran reached under his deskwithweak hands for his pistol. The holsterwasempty.Histhroatconstricted.Hestood,hislegsalmostbuckling.‘Why?’hecroaked.‘Yourstrainisnotevengravityadapted.Livingherewillkillyou.’‘Youaregravityadapted,butlifeherehasstillkilledyou.’‘Youreverydaywillbeagony.’‘Perhaps,butIammaroonedhereanyway.Youmademetosuffer.Powerwilldullmypain.’Gibransplutteredandchoked.Hecouldbarelybreathe.‘Erdacian.Erdacian!’Hisvoicewasapainfulwhisper.With the last of his strength he stumbled drunkenly towards the doors, forcing them open by fallingagainstthem.Hestaggeredoutontothebalcony.Itwasempty.Hisservantshaddesertedhim.Chokingonfrothingsputumthattastedofblood,HeladGibranfelltothefloor.Dovrianstoodoverhim.Gibrantuggedwithnervelessfingersathiswarpeyecover,hopingtorevealitandblastDovrianwiththefellenergiesitcontained.Butthescarfwouldnotcomeloose,andhishandceasedtoobeyhisbrain.Heslidtothefloor,hislimbslooseasstring.‘IamnowthePaternovalEnvoytotheSenatorumImperialis,’saidDovrian.‘Theyoungestinallhistory.Canyouimagine?’Gibranwaspasthearing.Dovriansteppedoverhistwitchingcorpse.Anewworldorderwasdawning.

JuskinaTullsatlimplyinherbedchamberasherhandmaidAnastaybrushedherhair.Shenolongertookpleasure in the murals on her walls. Representing four-fifths of Imperial territory, they were hugespacescapes,thenebulaeandplanetarysystemsonthemgleamingbycunningmeans,eachcelestialbodyshiftingasthehoursofthedaypassedtorepresenttheirpositionintheheavensrelativetooneanother.WhereperspectiveandpositioningpermittedaviewofthestarsastheywereseenfromTerra,fancifulbeastscurledaroundthepointsof light,drawnfromthedozensofzodiacsdreamedupacrosstheages.Humanityhadalwayslookedtothestarsanddreamed,evenintheworstoftimes.Atnight,whenshelayinbed,themuralsmadeitseemasifshefloatedthroughspace.Ithadbeenamarvellousfeeling.If shewished, she could call up the positions of Chartist ships in the areas depicted, so themuralsservedapurposepartwaybetweenartandstrategictool.Shehadalwayspreferredthemasart,spendinglong hours staring into abyssal depths, picking out the stars of theworlds she had visited. Itwas hermeditation,herwayofpurgingthecaresofthedayandfocusingonwhatshewas,themistressofthefreemerchantfleetsoftheImperium.Now theygaveheronly shame.Thedarkbetween thepinpricksofdistant sunsheldanunquenchableterror,andyetstillshecouldnotstoplooking.

Hernightswere fullof thescreamsofdyingmenandwomen,crushedupon theorkattackmoon.Shehadn’tbeenon thesurface,but shecould imagine.During thedayhermindwas troubledby flashesofbloodiedfacesandscreamingorks.ShehadbeenoneofthelesserplayersofthegreatImperialgame,butanenthusiasticone.Nomore.Hermindwasnumbedwithhorror.Shestifledasob.Anastayranthebrushthroughherhair.‘Hush,mistress,bestill,becalm.Wearenearlydone.AmIhurtingyou?’Tullwantedtospeak,butshewasdeepinsorrow.Sheshookherheadmutely.‘Putasideyourcaresthen.’Hiss,hiss,shushshush,wentthebrush.‘Ihavedonesuchaterriblething,’Tullsaidsoftly.‘Hush.Donotdwellonit.’‘Idonotsleep.’‘Heavyaretheburdensofpower,’saidAnastay.TearswelledfromTull’seyesandspilleddownhercheeks.‘Ifailedinmyresponsibility.Ioverreached.Ihaveembarrassedmyadeptus,andcausedthelossofmillionsoflives.Allsothatorkcouldlaughatus,andthathorriblefaceinorbit…’Sheburiedherfaceinherhandsandsobbed.AnastaysetthebrushdownonthetableandcamearoundTull’sfront.ShegrabbedTull’swristsgentlyandpulledthemawayfromherface.Anastaywasveryold.‘Donotbesad,youhavemuchtolivefor.Youshallrecover.Youarestrong,andbeautiful.’Tullsmiledthroughhertears.‘Notnow.’‘Youcouldbeoldlikeme.Bettertostaybeautifulforever.’‘Thatisimpossible.’‘Thenenjoyitnow,beforeitfades.Intime,youwillbeoldandwrinkledasI.’AnastaygentlypushedTull around so that she faced themirror above her dressing table. ‘See, such fine hair, not grey. Suchperfectskinandbonestructure.’Tulllookedintothemirror.Thecontrastbetweentheladyandherservantwasstriking,horriblyso.Sheimagined becoming that repulsive.The truthwas thatTullwas almost certainlymanyyears older thanAnastay,butanti-geronticdrugsandrejuvenattherapiescouldnotstaveoffageforever.‘Myfatherwasaremembrancer,didyouknowthat?’saidAnastay.‘No,Ididn’t,’saidTull.‘Hewasveryfondofancienthistory.Reallyancienthistory, theculturesofRomaandNihonfromthefirstandsecondmillennia.Doyouknow,inancienttimes,whenawarriororofficialfailed,theywouldkillthemselves?Theywouldtaketheirgun,ortheirsword,poison,orarazorandtheywouldendtheirlives,justlikethat.Theymusthavebeenverybravetodothat,Ialwaysthought,tobanishdishonourwiththeirownsacrifice.’‘Yes,theymust.’Hereyesstrayedtoadrawerinhertable.Insidewasherpistol,unwornformanyyearssinceshehadleftactiveservice.Thedrawerwasopenacrack.Shedidn’tremembertakingouthergun.Shehadnotforalongtime.‘My lady,’ saidAnastay, puttingherhandsonTull’s shoulders. ‘It is better tobe strong, to faceyourfailuresandovercomethem,torisetothechallengethatdisgracepresentsus,andproveourselvesbetter.’‘ButIamnotstrong,’saidTull.‘Iwas,butIamnotanymore.’SheputherhandoverAnastay’s.Itwashotandsoft.‘Thenyoumustbebrave,’saidAnastay.ShesqueezedTull’shand.‘Ishalldrawyourbath,mylady.’‘Thankyou,’saidTull.‘Youhavealwaysbeenagreatcomforttome.’Anastaydeparted,leavingTullalonebelowtheshifting,hololithicskies.

Thane,theLordGuilliman,hadaccusedherdirectlyofincompetence.ShehadhadfaithintheEmperor,shehadtrustedHewouldaidherinhercrusade.Hehadnot.Mesringhadhadnofaitheither,andthathaddismayed her. But Thane was no follower of the Imperial Creed. The Adeptus Astartes were grossdeformationsofthehumanform,buttheyweremadebytheEmperorHimself.Howstupidshehadbeen.Thanewasright,hewascloserthanshecouldeverbetotheEmperor.Godscouldnothelpthem,mankindshould help itself. Where she had thought she had faith, she had exhibited a child’s belief in theinfallibilityofherparents,nothingmore.Shelookedatthedrawer.Shewasnaive,foolish.Shehadnothingmoretooffer.Perhapsshehadenoughstrengthleftinhertobebrave.Thedrawerslidouteasily.Herpistollayinacavityfittedperfectlytoitsform.Itwasnothingexotic,asimplelaspistol,butofgreatvaluetoher.Ithadbeenapresentfromherfatherwhenshetookcommandofherfirstship.Thegunwasexpensive,ofcourse,chasedwithiridescentgoldetchedwithloopingpatterns.Her trembling fingersbrushed it.Dishonour, thatwas thewordAnastayhadused.Shepulled thegunfromthedrawer.Thefeelofitsweightinherhandandthesmoothnessoftherosewoodbuttbroughtbackmemories. Most were good, proud moments. All they did was make the shame of the present seemsharper.Shethumbedonthepower.Thebatteryindicatortickedupfromredthroughtogreen.Funny.Herfatheralwaysboughtthebest,butshewouldhavethoughtthebatterywouldhaverunflatduringitstimeinthedrawer.Manyguiltyliveshadbeenclaimedbythepistol.Mutinouscrewmen,pirates,xenosraiders.Whatwasonemore?Themuzzlewascoolonhertemple.Anastaywouldnotheartheshotoverthethunderingofthebathwater.Tull hoped someone else foundher.Thehandmaidhadbeen the closest thing shehad to afriend.Thestarsshiftedabove.Oncemoreshetookpleasureintheirbeauty.Shesmiledbeforeshesqueezedthetrigger.Herskullmuffledthedischarge.Intheablutorialdownthehall,thebathranandranuntilitovertopped,spillingwaterandflowerpetalsuponthefloor.Anastayhadreturnedtohertemple,hermissioncomplete.

The Tower of Autumn was inconspicuous as the spires of Terra went. A bastion swallowed by therebuildingofthecityathousandyearsago,itnolongerservedadefensivepurpose.Beingtoohallowedtobegivenovertootheruses,itremainedasadustymonumenttothesiegeoftheImperialPalace.Verreault grimly looked up from its loopholes. Not far away was the Widdershins Tower, and theCerebriumatitssummit.‘Comeawayfromthewindow,’saidLansung.‘Noonewillseeme.’‘Idon’tlikeit.Idon’tlikeyoustaringupthere.Vangorichhasbeenusingitashispersonallair,Ihear.Skulkingin therewhenhe thinksnoone iswatching.Hehasbeenforsometime.I’llbet it iscrowdedwithlisteningdevicesandvid-captureunits.’‘Probably.Certainly,’saidVerreault.‘Doesitmatter?Didyoueveruseit?’‘No.Mesringdid,Ithink.DoIlooksofoolish?’‘Wehaveallbeenfoolishtoletthatsnakeslitherintoourcompany,’saidVerreault.‘HesatamongusasifhewereamemberoftheHighTwelveuntilhewasactuallymadeone.He’salwaysbeenthere,pokingandprodding.’

‘Imagine ifwe’dhavegivenRosarind,Mendem,Hardimanor anyof theother lesserHighLords thesameaccess.’‘Wewouldn’t,’saidVerreault.TheCerebriumwasfeaturelessthroughtheever-presentsmogofTerra.Facelessasanassassin,hethought.‘Abel,comeawayfromthewindow,please!’saidLansung.Verreault sighed but relented. He limped over to the table where Lansung sat. It wasmade of iron,circledbynineseatstorepresentthenineloyalistprimarchsoftheHeresywar.Noneweredesignedtobesatin.Theywereoversizedandboltedtothegroundtooclosetothetable.Heloweredhimselfintooneanyway,wincingashebenthisbadknee.‘Neitherofusaregettinganyyounger,’saidVerreault.‘Ishouldretire.’‘Iammoreconcernedwithneitherofusgettinganyolder,’saidLansungirritably.‘Retiringwon’tsaveyou fromVangorich’s killers. Inmaking him Lord Protector, Thanemight as well have handed him alicenseforourexecutions.’‘Maybe.’‘Don’tmaybeme,Abel.Youwouldn’tbehereifyouthoughtyourheadsafe.’‘Perhaps.’‘ThisisnottheSenatorum.Wehavenoroomforequivocation.Stopthemaybesandtheperhapses.Youmustcommit.Areyouwithmeorareyounot?’‘Yes,yes.OfcourseIam.’Verreaultgavehisally–friendwastoomuchofastretchforLansung–areassuringnod.‘Keepyourhead,man.’‘Damnit!’Lansungslappedhishatuponthetable;itwasanartisan’scap.Bothofthemweredisguisedascommoners, though theyborearmsnocommonmancouldpossiblypossess.Acloudofdust rose tosparkleinthedirtysunlight.‘Allthis,alltheseyearsofservicetobeaccusedoftreachery.WhatdotheAdeptusAstartesknowofgovernance?Theyarekillers.Itisalltheyknow.’‘WhereisEkharth?’saidVerreault.‘Shouldn’thebeherebynow?’Lansungpulledapocketchronographout.‘Heislate.Iadvisedhimtotakeacircuitousroute.Hewillhavebecomelost.I’veneverseenhimwithoutadozenservants.Theman’shopeless.’‘Vangorichmayhavegottohimalready.’‘He’llbehere,’saidLansung.Theyhadnothingmoretosay.TheraucousnoiseofTerra’strafficandindustryrumbledinthroughtheunglazedloopholes.Thesmelloftheirownfearsettledintheroom.TheAutumnTowerhadseenfiercefighting.Manyheroeshadbeenmadethere.Verreaultofferedaprivateapologytotheirghostsforhisowncowardice.Thedoorcreaked.Lansunghalfleaptfromhischair,hishandonthehiltofhissword.Verreaultdrewhisboltpistol.‘Ekharth?’Thedoorsquealedwide.AbreathlessEkharth,smearedinrustanddust,camethroughit.‘Whyareyoudressedlikethat?’saidLansung,eyeswideningattheMasteroftheAdministratum’sdirtyfinery.‘Whatifyouwerefollowed?’Ekharthlaughedthroughhispantingattheirdisguises.‘Doyouthinkplayingdressupwouldhelpus?’‘Didyoucomealone?’saidVerreault.Hekepthisboltpistolinhishand.‘Idid,Idid.Igotalittlelost,’saidEkharth.‘Oneisnotusedtoarrangingone’sownaffairs.’‘Sit!Welackfortime,’saidLansung.‘Ihaveguessedwhyyouwishtoseeme.’Ekharthsat,equidistantfromtheothertwosotheyformedthepointsofatriangle.

‘Vangorich,’saidVerreault.Hisvoicestrangledonthename.‘Hisappointmentisdangerous,Iagree,’saidEkharth.‘Heforcesourhand,’saidLansung.‘Vangorichseekstogoverninallbutname.Hehasthreatenedustowin our support.Our entourageswere infiltrated.Assassins disguised as our closest bodyguards havebeenatoursidesfortheEmperoraloneknowshowlong.Months.’‘Years,even,Lansung.Weshouldnotunderestimatehim,’saidVerreault.‘Weshouldnot!’saidEkharth.Hepanicked.‘Hashedonethesametome?Aremyfamilyallright?I…Imustgo.’‘Calmdown,Tobris.Stayseated.’‘HewillhavesimilarplantsinalltheHighLords’households.’‘EvenWienand’s,eventheNavigator’s,’saidEkharth.Hiseyesboggled.Sweatbeadedhisface.‘Definitely.Hismenareeverywhere,’saidVerreault.‘Youaresure?’‘Wehaveseenit.Theirfacesmeltedandchangedinfrontofus,’saidLansung.‘Polymorphine.’‘Isawittoo,’saidVerreault.‘Hehasusedthethreatofthemtogarneroursupport.’‘Ihadwonderedwhyyouvotedwithhimrecently,’saidEkharth.‘Whatareyouproposing?’‘Likeanyenemy,hemustdestroyed,’saidLansung.‘Killed,’saidVerreault.‘AssassinatetheAssassin?Areyousure?’saidEkharth.‘Wehavenootherchoice,’saidLansung.‘Ouradeptahavetheirownkillers.Vangorichhasnomonopolyondeath.’Ekharth’sfacechangedinaninstant,frompanictolaughter.Heopenedhismouthwideandlaughedsoloudlythechamberrangwiththesoundofit.‘He’sgoneinsane,’saidVerreault.‘Iknewweshou–’Anoverpoweredlaspistolwentoff,thedisplacementcrackmuffledbyamegathulemodulator.Verreaultfellfaceforwardsontothetable.Ashedied,hisfingerstightened,sendingaboltshootingpastEkharth’shead.Itburieditselfinthewallandexploded,scatteringasprayofhotiron.Ekharthdidnotflinchattheimpact.Lansungshrankinonhimself,handsupraised.Ekharthstood,laspistoltraineduponLansunginarocksteadygrip,thoughafragmentofshrapnelhissedintheskinoverhiseye.‘YouarenotEkharth,’saidLansung.‘My,my.Thepeoplemutteraboutyouridiocy.Ihadthoughtthemwrong,itisthewayoftheruledtorailagainst rulers. Itappears theywerenot.Obviously, IamnotEkharth.Standup.’ThemanwhowasnotEkharthjerkedhisgun.‘Move.Takemyplacehere.’‘AndifIdonot?’‘I’llshootyouandthendragyouhere.Ifyouwanttosurvivethis,Iadviseyoutocomply.Move,LordHighAdmiral.’‘This is treason!Vangorich cannot hope to get awaywith this.’Lansung stoodup, his hands over hishead.‘Ibelievehecan,thoughwhatIthinkdoesn’tmatter.Iamatool.Heistheartist.Nowsit.’TheAssassinwavedLansungintothechair.StillcoveringtheLordHighAdmiral,hewalkedaroundthetable,tookupVerreault’sboltpistolinhislefthandandcroucheddowntothelevelofthetable.WhenhepointedtheboltpistolatLansung,itwassituatedexactlywhereitwouldhavebeenhadVerreaultbeenaliveandstillholdingit.‘Whatareyoudoing?’saidLansung,hisfaceblanching.

‘Fromyourown lipsyoucondemnyourselves.There isnoescape from this.Youare todiea traitor,LordHighAdmiral.’Lansungrosefromthechair.‘YousaidIwouldsurvive!’‘Iimpliedyouwould.Goodbye.’TheAssassinfired.Lansung’sprotestswentunsaid.Thebolt-roundhithimintheheart,obliteratingtheorganandwithit,thelifeofLordHighAdmiralLansung.TheAssassinsprayedthegunswithageneticidethatwipedalltraceofhisuseofthemaway.Hewaitedforthechemicalagenttobecomeinert,thenplacedthegunsintothehandsofthetwodeadHighLords.Thenhepeeledoff the thin layersofflesh-colouredsynskin thatcoveredhisarmsto theelbow,placedthem in a loophole and set them alight with a melta beam, burning them twice so that only fine ashremained.HeblewthisawaytojointherestoftheparticulatemattercloggingTerra’sskies.They’dfindnofycelinedischargeonhimnow,iftheydaredtolook.He ruffled his hair, hyperventilated to redden his face, then keyed his vox-button. Ekharth’s servantswaitedforhimatthefootofthetower.‘Help!Help!’hesaidinEkharth’svoice.‘HighLordsLansungandVerreaulthavemurderedeachother!’

CHAPTERTENKrule’sjudgement

BeastKruleobservedthestreetfromastanchionofamonorail,crushedintothespacebetweenbracketandtrackbedthatallowedtherailtoflexonitspneumaticsuspension,althoughacarefullyplacedblockofadamantiumprevented it fromdoing so for the timebeing.Apart froma slightlybumpy ride for thecommuters riding between theArchiveMenorum and their tribal hab-towers, there was no indicationKrulewas there, down in the underhive of theAntipodeanMinoris region.Hewas shielded from thestreet by the architecture of the transit line and from augurs by the electricity sputtering from themonorail’sfrayingcables.Itwas extremely uncomfortable, but comfort had never been a consideration in anAssassin’s career.Lurkinghadbeenhis lot in life.Evenwhilemonitoring traffic inTashkentHive,hehadbeenwatchingunobserved.If therewasatimeinhis lifewhenhehadn’thidden,hedidn’trememberit.TheVenenumTemplehadbeendark.Whenhehadn’tbeentrainingtofightortopoison,hehadbeentrainingtohide.Thatwashisrole,tohideandstrikeincloseanddepart,andhewasgoodatit.Thelandherehadbeenmountainousbeforeithadbeencoveredover.Ratherthanlevel thepeaks, thearchitects of the hive had simply boxed them in, creating this small underworld. Themetal sky of thehigherlevelspresseddownhardonthemountainstumps.Anangleofstoneandfilthymetaldefinedtheboundary of the underhive.Ancient structures from the dawnofmankind’s history slumped against thegiantsupportingcolumnsofthehiveabove.Rottingrockcreteslumsclosedinhisperceptionstothisonedirtystreet,washedbyeffluentrainandfrequentedbynobodyhewouldliketomeet.Hehadbeenwaitingaverylongtime,andKrulewasgettingnervy.Ordinarily,Kruleaskednoquestionsaboutaparticularplay,beyondthosethatwouldhelphimrefinethemission.Thistimetherewasaquestionthatniggledhimashewaitedinthatnoisomespace.WhydidVangorichwantVernorZeckdead?VangorichconfidedalotinKrule,butnoteverything.Krulehad seen how ineffectual theHigh Lords had become, he understoodVangorich’s frustration. ButwhyZeck?Zeckhadbeennoworsethantheothers,andinKrule’sestimation,hehadbeenasightbetterthanmost of them.Most of the High Lords were either good at running their adepta but not very good atpolitics,or the reverse.Zeckwasamongmaybe threeof theHighTwelve thatweregoodatboth.TheGrandProvostMarshaldidnottakemuchforhimselfinthewayofrichesandprestige.Hedidhisduty,infact, he did more. He took as much interest in the local Arbitrators of Terra as he did in the moreprestigious,star-spanninglawgiversoftheAdeptusArbites.ThefactthatKrulewaswatchingoversomerun-downsub-precinctatthebackendoftheworld,andnotstalkingthehallsofapalace,wasproofofthat.A facility for thecommon touchandan interest inall levelsofhisorganisationmightnotbe theonlyreasonsZeckwas there. It couldalso signify somethingelse; it couldbeproof thatZeckknewhewasbeingwatched.Bettertobeattackedsurroundedbyseasonedurbanwarfarespecialiststhansoftservants

inthehighhives.Ifthatwasthecase,thenKrule’sgambitherewasnotgoingtowork.Hewasgoingtohavetogoinandfinishthejobpersonally.Zeck’s private vehicle waited outside the sub-precinct, protected by four Adeptus Arbites armouredsuppression transports. It had been on the curb for hours. That was the first issue provoking Krule’snerves.The secondwas the inexorable trainof thought that thundered throughhismindasoften as themonorailsshuttlingdead-eyedscribesbetweentheonlytwobuildingsthey’deversee.Itwentlikethis.IfZeckwasjudgedworthyoftermination,afateKrulethoughthedidnotdeserve,thenwhynotalltheHighLords?AndifalltheHighLordswereinlineforassassination,thenthereasonKrulewasheremightbe thathisownspecialisationbestequippedhimtodealwith themassivelyaugmentedGrandProvostMarshal.ButitcouldalsobethatVangorichwantedKruleoutofthewaywhilehisgrandplanplayedout.Thatwasbadnews,becauseitmeantVangorichhadlosthistrustinhisfavouredweapon.Vangorich’strustwasnotsomethingKrulewishedtolose.IfVangorichwasshuttinghimout,itwouldbeashortsteptoshuttinghimdown.Hereturnedhisattentionto themission.Therewasonlythemission,hehadbeentaught thatsincehisearliestyears.TherewasnohigherauthoritythantheGrandMaster.Herepeatedthistohimselfuntil itmadeanonsensicalbabbleinhismind,andyethisdoubtsgrewstronger.WhatifVangorichwantedhimdeadtoo?Thesoundofapoorlymaintaineddoorslidingopendrewhisattentionbacktothesub-precinct.Krulehelduphismagnoculars tohiseyes.AmanwholookedverymuchliketheGrandProvostMarshalgotinto his private transport. A second later, this same man was comprehensively gassed by the toxinmicrodeviceKrulehadsecretedinitschassis.Greenfogbillowedfromthevehicle,corrodingeverythingittouched.AsalarmsblaredthelengthofthestreetandArbitratorsfloodedfromthebuilding,Krulereviewedthepictcaptureofhismagnoculars.Themanwastoobroad,tooshort;onlybymillimetres,butthereitwas.Theheatpatternofhisorganicsdidnotmatchthedatafilescontainedinthemagnoculars.ThatwasnotZeck.Screechingtyressoundeduptheroad.Anarmouredspeedstersentupcloudsofbluesmokeasitburnedsynthrubberonthepotholedhardtop.Someonewaspanicking.‘ThatisZeck,’saidKrule.Heunfoldedhimselffromhishidingplaceanddroppedsixmetrestotheground.Heyankedapieceofscrapplasteelfromthesideofthemonorailpylon,uncoveringahigh-poweredmotorbike.Lessthanasecondlater,hewasinpursuit,Arbitratorsshoutingandfiringineffectuallyasheroaredoffafterthespeedster.The light car raced along the underhive streets at breakneck speed, hurtling down the road, drivingstraightatpilesofgarbageandblastingthemapart.Thespeedstertookaright-angleturndownanarrowlane intoaslum.Filthyshackssquatting in theruinsofdeadcivilisationswere shatteredby thegroundcar’sprow.Thedispossessedscatteredineverydirection.Krulejinkedaroundthemskilfully.Thedriverwasgood,butnoonewasasgoodasKrule.Thespeedsteracceleratedtowardsabridgeoverariver beddryofwaterfordozensofcenturies.Therustingsupportsofthebridgewhippedpast.Totheleftwasanancientseabed,thebraidedmarksofthedead river’s outflow still visible under cluttered piles of junk. A little further out, where the seabedflattened,thehivebottomresteddirectlyonTerra’srock.Awallofplasteelhigherthanacliffhurriedthehorizonnear.DirtywindowslookedoverthestoneandfilthofTerra’strueself.In the bottom of the wall was a neglected transit tunnel edged with dirty hazard striping. PlacardsindicateditledtotheupperlevelsoftheNozaylanthive.Nooneintheunderhivewaswealthyenoughto

ownprivate transportation,andnoone fromabovewouldwant togo there.The roadwasasemptyoftrafficastheriverwasofwater,itstollgatesderelict.Sensingescape, thedriveraccelerated the speedster.Kruleopened the throttleon thebike, sending ithurtlingafterwithananimalroarthatreverberatedaroundthatsmallmetalhell.Thecarapproachedthetube.Kruledepressedabuttononhisbike’shandlebar,sendingacompactrocketstreakingfromthefrontfairing. It hit the car’s rear-right wheel just as it was nearing the tunnel and blasted the wheel free,sendingitburningandbouncingofftheabandonedroadintoaclusterofruinsthatmusthavebeentwentythousandyearsold if theywereaday.Thecarbucked,slewingoff theroad,andimpactedwithafatalcrunchintotheedgeofthetunnel.Kruledecelerated.Hedrewhispistolandleaptoffthebike,leavingitsmachine-spiritautodrivetotakeitawayfromhim.Herolledashelanded,comingupwithbothhandsonthegun.Hissleeveless,skintightmissionsuitwascoveredinfilthfromhiswait.Hishairitched.Krulewasnotinagoodmood.Theflamesofrupturedfuelcellsburstfromthecar’senginecompartment.Apatheticmachinewhiningcamefromitson-boardsystems,thesoundofaterrifiedpreyanimal.Hewenttothedriver’sstationfirst.Thewindowswereopaquefromtheoutside,andhecouldn’tseein.Holdinghispistolinonehand,hepunchedhisadamantium-reinforcedfiststhroughthewindow,grabbedthedoorandrippeditfree.Amanwhocanripacardooroff,hethought,andIwashelplessagainsttheorksofUllanor.Krulerealisedhewasallowinghisfrustrationsofthelastmonthstodistracthim,andthatnearlycosthimhislife.Hewastooslowputtingafrozenneedleoftoxinintotheheadofthedriver.Thereardoorofthecarburstoffinashowerofglass.Kruleturnedasitflewthroughtheairandlandedwith a bang on the road, dragging a trail of sparks from the rough surface. That delay could not beregained. Half a second, but that brief span of time would have enabled him to fill Zeck with toxinneedlesifhehadn’tbeenthinkingaboutorks.Zeck’sbionichandslappedKrule’sgunhard,breaking itandsending itwheeling throughspace tobelostinthedetritusofman’sforgottenpast.‘Krule. The Grand Master’s pet,’ said Zeck. He hauled himself from the wreck of the car and theremnants of his uniform fell burning fromhis body.His torso, exposed, revealed howmuchofVernorZeck’soriginalbodyremained,anditwasalowproportionofthewhole.Allofhisleftsidehadbeenreplacedwithbandedplasteel,frombelowhissternumtothetipsofhisfingers.Hisrightarmpossesseda little more of his birth organics, being augmetic only below the shoulder. Both of his legs weremechanical.Thefewpatchesofskinuncoveredbymetalwerelividwithfreshburns.Zeckappearednottofeelthem.‘Iwillnotfalltothatserpent.’ZeckwrenchedapieceofmetalfromthecarandthrewitatKrule’shead.Kruledodged,puthimselfintoaguardpositionandbackedawayasZeckadvanced.‘Traitor!’roaredZeck.‘YouwouldslayaHighLord?’HechargedatKrule.TheAssassinsidestepped.Zeck’sfistpunchedablowintotherockcreteroadthatwouldhaveshatteredaman’sribcagetomince.‘Ihavebeenorderedtoterminateyou.Mywishesdon’tcomeintoit.’‘Amanwhoobeysorderswithout thought is asmucha traitor asonewho thinks treason forhimself.YourmasterwouldusurptheruleoftheImperium.Youareasculpableashe.’‘I’vebeengivenordersonlytokillyou,’saidKrule.Heshouldn’ttalktohismarks,buthismisgivingswereresurfacing.Zeckswungagain.Kruleduckedtheblow.AgrindingsoundcamefromZeck’sleftknee.Thecrashhaddoneitsdamage.

‘Thensurelyyoumustcareforyourownlifeasmuchasyoudoforyourduty,’saidZeck.‘Vangorichwillendyouoncethisisover.’Krulepaused.ZeckspokeKrule’sownthoughtsaloud.Zeck’sfistpoundedintoKrule’schest.Themetalinhisribsflexed,crackingtheboneitwasbondedto,andhewassentstaggeringback.Zecklaughedanddrewbackhisfist.Krulecaughtitinhisownhands,twisted,straightened theGrandProvostMarshal’sarmintoa lock.Servo-motorswhinedashepushed,butKrule’smusculaturewasasenhancedashisskeleton,andslowlyheforcedZecktotheground.‘Theproblemwiththismodelofaugmeticisthatalthoughitisverystrong,theshoulderattachmentsarequiteweakinthisonedirection,’saidKrule,andslammedtheheelofhishandhardintoZeck’sshoulder.Zeck roared in pain.He swatted at theAssassinwith his free hand, butKrule took the blows, andhepushedharderandharder.Withawrenchingcrack,Zeck’s leftarmbuckledaround the joint.Theplasteel ruptured.Wires fizzedandthearmfell limp.Krulereleasedit.TheProvostMarshalstaggeredtohisfeet,butKrulespunandkickedhardathisweakenedkneejoint,shatteringit,andZeckfelltothegroundagain.‘When I put someone down, they stay down,Zeck.’He lifted hismetal-bonded fists and prepared todeliverthefinalblow.‘Wait!Wait!’criedZeck.‘Youpaused.Youknowhewillkillyou.’‘We’veallgottodiesometime,’saidKrule.‘Butwhylikethis,indishonour?Whatofyouroathsofloyalty?’‘IowemyloyaltytotheGrandMaster,nootherman.’‘Thatisuntrue!YouoweyourloyaltytotheEmperorofMankind,nottoDrakanVangorich.Think,Krule!YourOfficioisacheckontheothers.ButwhereisthecheckontheAssassins?Vangorichhasgonerogue.Isthishowyouwanttospendyourlife?MurderingthosewhodisagreewithVangorich?Hedoesn’tneedtodothis.ThaneappointedhimLordProtector.Hisonlyreasoncanbethathewishestorulealone.’Kruleloweredhishands.‘Youseeit!’Zecksaid,encouraged.Hepulledhimselfup,restingonhisgoodknee.‘You’vegottostophim,Krule.You’retheonlyonewhocangetclosetohim.Therestofusarefinished.Ifhehassentyouafterme,themostloyaloftheEmperor’sservants,thennotoneoftheHighLordswillseetheweekout.’‘Ithinkthat’swhyI’mhere,’saidKrule.‘Hesentmeaway.HeguessedIwouldn’tagree.’‘Andyoudiscoverthisnow?’‘IamnotasintelligentamanasDrakanVangorich,doyouthinkhe’dhavemearoundifIwere?’Angerrose up in him. He shook his head and began to pace. ‘It won’t work. I’m next on his list. I betterdisappear.’‘You’vegottotry.IfhetakesovertheImperium,itwillbeadisaster.Noonemancanrule.FinishhisreignbeforeitbeginsandcallbacktheLordGuilliman.Youwillbeahero.’‘Do you think I care about fame, heroism? Do you think I want a statue?’ Krule laughed. ‘I’m anAssassin!’‘Then think about the futureof thehuman race. If youdon’t care about that, thenwhathaveyoubeenkillingfor?You’renothingbutamonster.’Krule stepped back. The ruined face of Zeck remained awkwardly upturned. Zeck looked like themonster, not he. But truemonstrousnesswasworn on the inside, thewayHorus and his brothers hadhidden their treachery.Krulemightgetawayand livea lifeonsomebackwaterworld,always lookingoverhisshoulder.ThatwouldmakehimnobetterthanVangorich,complicitinhistreacherybyhisrefusaltoact.‘Allright.Allright.Ican’tfacegoingbacktoTashkentanyway.I’llacttheloyalattackdogandthenI’ll

bitehimhard.ButIneedproofIkilledyou.It’stheonlywayhe’llswallowthelieandletmegetneartohim.’‘Takewhatyouneed,’Zecksaid.Thereliefinhisvoicewaspalpable.‘You’renotgoingtolikeit.’Krulepulledoutamonofilamentgarrotefromhisutilitybelt.‘Wait!Stop!Theremustbeanotherway.’‘Iamsorry,’saidKrule,‘butI’mgoingtoneedyourhead.’

CHAPTERELEVENRedHaven

SaskineHaastwalked into thegreat storesof thepalaceof theFabricatorGeneral.Servitors clompedabout,mindlesslyperformingwhateveritwastheywereprogrammedtodo.Whenevershesawanadept,sheduckedoutofsightuntiltheyhadpassed.Theywerenooneofanyconsequence,butsuchlow-rankingpeople tended to be insufferable busybodies, taking such pride in their inconsequentialwork that theywouldreporttheslightestthingoutofplace.TheybemusedHaast.Shecouldunderstanditiftheybehavedsoforfavour,butshehadspentsometimenowamongtheservantsandbondsmenofthepalace,andmostofthemappearedtolackanyiotaofambition.Theyhadbeenextremelyhardtohideamong,andshehadcomeclosetodiscovery.Shecheckedherimpatience.Soclosetobeingfreedfromthetediousrolethathadbeenforceduponher,shewasindangerofmakingamistake.Thepalace’sstorewasimmense,andstockedwithallmannerofthings.Therewerethosetech-priestswhostillate,andsotherewasroomafterroomofhyper-chilledlarders.Themachineaswellasthefleshof such creatures needed sustenance, and so there were also kilometres of shelving taken up withchemicaldrumsandvatsof elixirs, spareparts and rawmaterials.These items for themaintenanceofKubik’s extensive household did not interest her. She needed the deeper stores. Kubik’s personallaboratory was incorporated into the palace and it was served by its own complex of receptaculae.Beyond themwere thecavernouscellae,where treasures fromallover theMartianempirewerekept:raretechnologies,organismsandresources.Butwhatsheneededwasclosertohand.Shefollowedstairsdownintothechemicalstoresofthepalace,passinghugetanksfullofliquidsandsilosofpowder.Shechecked the locationof theobjectonherdata-slate and slowed.Shewasgettingclose.Shehaltedatalongrowofidenticalcylinders,tallerthantwomenandheldinframesofyellowmetalembellishedwithcastingsoftheMachinaOpus.Shesearchedoutthedatastampsatthetopofeachone,thelaserreaderonherslatebippingasitscannedthepatternsofbinariclinesanddots.Theywerefullofpressurisedmethalon,allbutone.‘001100011110,’shesaid,anddouble-checkedthenumbersenttoherbyMariazetIsolde.Thiswasit.The cylinder was sealed and must be cut open. If the information was wrong, she’d be doused insupercooled liquid and suffer an agonising death. She did not hesitate, and produced a lascutter frominsideherstolenrobes.Itwasthen,lascutterinhand,thatshewasinterrupted.‘01-Devore,whatbytheOmnissiahareyoudoingdownhere?’SaskineHaasttensedatthehigh,pipingvoiceofVoridChume,Kubik’ssteward.‘Thisisnotyourdesignatedplaceofservice.Pleasesubmitimmediatesummaryreportastoyourlastmovements.Todayandyesterdaywillsuffice.’‘IregretIcannot,master,’Haastsaidhumbly,secretingthelascutterinhersleeve.‘Hmmm,yourbinharicprojectorisstillnon-functional?’

‘Yes,mymaster.’Chumeglideddowntheaisle,his long,serpentinefingersentwiningwithoneanotheranddisengagingrepetitively. ‘Really, it is twomonths! This ismost irregular. Iwill look into itmyself. Tellme thenverballywhyyouarehere.’‘Iamawaitingadeliveryofreplacementpartsforthemaster’ssomnarium,steward,’shesaid.‘Youwillnotfindthemhere!Youareveryfarfromthecorrectstore.’‘Iamlost,master,’shesaid,feigningembarassment.Chumewasnotdeceived.Hisgreenglassaugmeticeyeswhirredastheyfocusedonherface.‘Youarelying!’hesaid.‘Thisismodusunbecoming.Youshallbereportedanddealtwith.Youareinahighsecurityarea.Thisisanoffencepunishablebymindwipe.Iamsummoningthepalaceguard.’‘Ifyoumust.’Chume let out a shrill squeal as Haast cast off her cloak, revealing a supple, synskin-clad bodyunderneath.SheactivatedthelascutterandslasheditacrossChume’sthroat.Hissquealbecameagurgle,andhefelldown,sprayingartificialbloodandlubricant.Analarmsoundedsomewayoff.‘Throne,’saidHaast.Sheturnedtothecylinderandsettowork.

Tybalt theAbolitiatedwelt indarkness.Hedreamednodreams.Forhim, therewereperiodsofdeathwithpeacefulnothinginbetween.Thetimeforpeacewasover.He came awake, activated by the last of his shouted triggerwords.Warm liquid flushed aroundhim,carryingmethalonsuspensionfluidfromhiscasketoutofdrainsatthebottom.Hisbodytemperaturerosequickly. He flexed his hand. The neurogauntlet’s five claws ticked on glass. He reached for his thighwherehisexecutionerpistolwasholsteredanddrewit.His casket was at an angle. Light from its regulating machinery bathed his skull-masked face,supplementingtheweaklumen-glowadmittedbyagashinametalsurfacewhereatriangleofplasteelhadbeen peeled back.His casketwas in a cylinder.He heard shouting, smelled blood, sensed the deadlyprickleofradiumammunition.Underhisdeath’sheadrictus,Tybaltgrinned.Insanity was the logical end result of a life like Tybalt’s, frenetic violence followed by enforcedsuspension.Anormalmanwouldnothavesurvivedlong,butTybaltwasfarfromnormal.Itwasnotthathisbrainhadbeenaltered,orhisbodypackedwithimplantedtechnology;whatsuitedhimtohisrolewasnotwhathadbeendonetohim,butwhathewas.WhenTybaltwasbornthesenseofempathyhumanfeltforfellowhumanwasmissing.Tybaltcaredonlyforthesufferingofothers,nottheirtearsortheirstories.Nosmilecouldmovehim,onlyterror.Tybalthadbeenborntokill.ItwasatraittheAssassinorumwasonlytoogladtoexploit.Roaringlikeananimal,hedrewbackhisgauntletandthrustitforwards.Thedistancehisfisttravelledwasminimal;theglassshatteredanyway,destroyedbyacombinationofenhancedstrengthandcarefullyinculcatedskill.Rippingandrending,heslicedtheframeofhiscasketaway,leavingitsmachinestodiesmoking.Shearingthroughthemetaloftheemptymethaloncylinder,Tybaltclimbedhowlingintothefray.Hisemergencebroughtamomentof silence.Acladeofelite skitariigatheredateachendofanaislelined by cylinders. Haast was crammed in between two of the storage units. Bodies of cyberneticwarriorsthathadstrayedtoocloselaybrokenoneitherapproach.The targeting unit on Tybalt’s backpack rose up, its glassy eye taking in a 270-degree view of hissurroundings and swivelling about to complete the picture. A miniature cogitator in the backpack

calculatedallattackvectors,rankingtheopposingMartiansinorderofthreat.Targetingreticulesdancedall over the faceplate screen of his skull helm.Combat stimulants pumped into his system inmassivequantities, elevatinghismetabolismandmind to superhumanheights.Thebattle tookamicrosecond toobserve,evaluateandprocess.‘Eversor!’saidoneoftheskitarii.Theirriflesopenedfireagain.Tybaltran.Hewasfast,thelowgravityofMarsmadehimfaster.Aninhumanlyhighleapsenthimcrashingamongthecyborgs.Withhisneurogauntletflashing,Tybaltsetabouthisdeadlywork.

AlarmsblaredalloverKubik’spalace.Thesoundsofbattlegrewnearer.HeavilyarmouredmyrmidonsenclosedtheFabricatorGeneralinaphalanxofsteel-cagedfleshastheyhurriedhimfromhisapartmentstothemaingate,buthewasnotsafe.Lesserpriestscamerunningbehind,shoutingoutstatusreportswithemotionlessefficiency.Therewereadozen Assassins, one said; there are only two, said another. More broadcast frequent updates to thesituationonTerra:theotherHighLordsweredead,andnowVangorichwascomingforhim.Anexplosionrumbledbeneaththeirfeet.Initswake,masonryclattered.Dustblewonachemicalwind.Kubik screeched angry orders in swift binharic, sending his servants scurrying away. He had beenassuredtheremainingAssassinswouldbecaught.Theywerenot,andnowtheywereinhispalace.Thoseresponsibleforthisfailurewouldberendereddowntocomponents,ifhesurvived.‘Prime of primes,we have an armoured transportwaiting at themain gate,’ said themyrmidon lord,Primus-UltraGangovich.Theymarcheddownthegreatstaircaseofthepalace,theweaponsmountsofthemyrmidonsswivellingastheytrackedpotentialambushsites.Bytheopengates,Mechanicustroopsofallkindslookedout,weaponsready.‘TheFabricatorGeneralcomes!’aseneschalshouted.‘HailtheOmnissiah!’More cyberneticMartians joinedKubik’s group, shielding their high priest with their own flesh andmetal. They swept towards the door. On the plaza outside, a clade of Onager Dunecrawlers squattedaroundalegged,armouredtransport,waitingtobearKubikaway.‘Get the prime to the walker!’ orderedGangovich. Heavily armed skitarii poured out of the palace.Kataphronbattleservitorsrolledintopositionaroundtheplaza.Thewalker’sdoordroppedandKubikwashustledtowardsit.When he was ten metres from the door, the walker exploded. Shrapnel scythed out, felling the leadelementsofKubik’sbodyguard.Otherscrowdedaroundhimasashotrangout,strikingdownamyrmidonwho had placed herself in front of Kubik barely in time. Another shot cracked across the plaza, andanothermyrmidondied.Itsheadremoved,itsbodymindlesslystampedaway.Kubik’senhancedmindwentintooverdrive.Thescenewasatotalloss.Skitariiprimesshoutedorders.Weaponsof themost potent sort blazed in everydirection, but the shots kept coming, each a kill.Theshootermovedconstantly.Everytimetheirpositionwaslocated,theyhadgone,andanothershotsounded.Kubik’sbodyguardwerebeingwhittledawayfast.‘Mylord,thisway!’someonesaid.Armsandmechanicalappendagespulledathim,dragginghimbackinto the palace. A shot hit an Onager with an audible plink. A moment later the construct exploded,slaughteringdozensoftheOmnissiah’sfaithful.‘WewilltakeyoutoPortFabricata,’saidGangovich.‘Wemustgetyououtofthepalace.’‘No!’ Kubik managed. They were in the hall again, away from the doors. Outside, the shriekingdischargeofhigh-energyweaponscarriedonunabated.Kubikextricatedhimselffromthemanipulatorsofhiswould-besaviours.‘Iwillgotothechamberofthediagnostiad.Iwillbesafethere.Itisinviolable.’‘Asyouwish,mylord,’Gangovichsaid,andKubikwasagainhustledaway.

Kubik arrived in an antechamber to the diagnostiad by one-man bullet lift, whisked there through adepressurised transit tube. The palace was a long way away, and Kubik began to relax. Outside thediagnostiad,troopsofallMars’manyvarietiesmusteredtoprotecttheapproach.NotonlyKubikneededdefence,butalsothetech-priestchoirwhomadeupthecoreoftheMartianworld-mind.A metre-thick wheel door separated the bullet lift from the diagnostiad. Disgengaging its complexsecurityprotocolscalmedhim.Bythetimethedoorrolledopenagain,hehadbeguntoformulateaplan.Hewentintothegreatsphere,thedoorrumblingclosedafterhim,andwalkedaroundthegiantneedlethathoused theprimary interface throne.Thewhisperingvoicesof thehundredsofmind-linked tech-priestshissedontheair.Quiet.Safety.Withasigh,Kubikstooped.TheweightofMarswasonhimandhemustknowwhatoccurredinthepalace.He attempted to open a datalink fromhismind to theMartian noosphere.Nothing happened. Internaldiagnosticchecksindicatednomalfunctioninhisaugments.Hewenttoaconsoleembeddedinthemaingateway. He bent over it, and inserted a probe into an access socket. Immediately, he uncovered theproblem.Therewasbutoneconduit for theMotiveForceanddataflow inandoutof thechamber. Impossibly,somebodyhadputablockonit.Heretractedhismechadendritefromtheconsoleintohisrobeandmadeforthedoor.TherewasalwaysamemberoftheSynodondutythere,watchingoverthemachines.‘I wouldn’t bother,’ said a voice behind him. ‘I got in here, don’t you think I would have taken theprecautionofisolatingyou?He’sdead.Itisafine,fineplacetohide,thediagnostiad.Onlyacoupleofwaysin,onlyonewayout.Andonlyonedataline.Agoodideaofyourstocomehere,ifonlyIhadn’thavebeenwaiting.’‘DrakanVangorich,’saidKubik.HeturnedtofindtheGrandMasteroftheAssassinorumbehindhim.‘Iamhonoured.Youcameyourself.’‘Well,you’reanimportantman,FabricatorGeneral.’Vangorichwaswearingtherobesofoneofthemutteringcomponentsofthediagnostiad.Kubiksearchedforanemptyalcove.Sureenough,he foundone. InVangorich’shandwasa lightneedlepistolwithanunderslungplasmacaster.ItlookedlikesomethingspecificallydevisedtokillthemasterofMars.‘YouknewIwoulddothis,’saidKubik.‘ThatIwouldcomehere.’‘Knew?’saidVangorich.‘Iplannedit!IamtheGrandMasterofAssassins,afterall.Onewouldhopesuchapersonmightbegoodattheirjob.Butthen,whocantellinthesetryingtimes?Sofewpeopleseemtobefitfortheiroffice.’‘Youcannotkillme,’saidKubik.‘Can’tI?Yourservantsaredistracted,andtheyarelookinginthewrongplace.Wehaveplentyoftime.’‘Gloatingbeforeexecutionistheprimarycauseoffailureofsevenpercentofdespots,’saidKubik.‘I’mnot going to gloat,’ saidVangorich. ‘We’re going to talk.Actually, I’mgoing to talk, andyou’regoingtolisten,butit’snotgloating.‘Youknow,IwasraisedinTempleVenenum.WeareasubtleTemple,notliketheotherswiththeirgunsandalientechnologyandpsychoticsuper-warriors.Oursismoregenteel,wefollowthewayofguile,ofpoison,thoughnotexclusivelyso.TakeKrule,Iamsureyouhaveheardofhim.HeisofmyTemple.Hepreferstousehisfists,butI,Ihavealwayshadanaffectionforpoison.Itissodiscreet.Poisonamanandhewon’tevenknowhe’sbeenmurdered.Youcanchangethecourseofariverwiththecarefulremovalofastone.ThatistheAssassin’stask.Withpoison,nobodyneedeverknowwhomovedit.’‘How apt,’ said Kubik. He was using his emotionless machine voice. ‘You are poison, Vangorich,corruptingeverythingyoutouch.’

Vangorichsmiled,pleasedwith thecomparison. ‘Ineverhadyouforadealer inmetaphor,FabricatorGeneral.IdoliketothinkIamsubtle,likepoison,butIamnocorrupter.Iprefertothinkofmyselfasahealer.Manypoisonsaremedicine,onlyattoohighadosearetheydeadly.’Kubikbleeped in indignation. ‘Theremovalof theGrandMaster fromtheHighTwelvewasdoneforsoundreasons.Wewereremisstoallowyourreinstatement.’‘Youwererighttobringmeback.Itshouldhavebeendonesooner.’‘Sothatyoumightinstallyourselfasruler?’‘So that I might prevent the deaths of billions of Imperial citizens,’ said Vangorich. ‘I have notassassinatedverymanypeoplemyselfforalongtime,Kubik.Iamgoingtomakeanexceptionforyou.Ofall the petty, self-serving, childish behaviour I havewitnessed on theSenatorum Imperialis, yours hasbeen theworst by far. Iwaswilling to forget and forgive,move forwardwith theSenatorumand rulecorrectlyaccordingto thewillof theEmperor,howeverhopelessly idealisticHisplanswere.But thenyouhadtodisobeyThaneandmoveUllanor.Thatiswhatsetmeonthiscourseofaction.Inaway,youareresponsibleforthedeathsoftheHighLords.Beforeyoumadeyourlastgreedyerror,Iwasplanningonjustbullyingyoualltoworktogether,butyoumademerealiseI’dbebetteroffwithoutthelotofyou.Idon’tknowwhatIshouldhaveexpected,Isuppose.YoudidwanttosecedefromtheImperium.I’manoptimist,that’smyproblem.’‘Thatwhichisnotapartcannotsecede.’‘Semantics.WithouttheImperium,theEmpireofMarsisdead,andviceversa.Weareonepeople,andthatwillnotchangenomatterhowmanytimesyousayotherwise.YouareaHighLordofTerra,andyoubetrayedyourofficeandyourEmperor-Omnissiahmanytimesover.’‘Youcannotkillmewithimpunity.’‘Ican,’saidVangorich.‘I’mgoingtogiveyouachoice.Poisoncomesinmanyforms,andnotallofitisdeadlytolivingorganisms.Therearepoisonsformachines,too.WhenIsentRedHavenhere,IhadmyinfocyteYendlsecreteadataphageintheMartiannoosphere.Now,thereareformidabledefencesinyourdatavaults,butweofVenenumareclever.Thephagehashadtimetomature,tolearnitsenemy.It’sbeenthereformonths,gatheringinformationtomakeitselfasdeadlyasitpossiblycanbe.Thenoospherehasbecomeahomefromhome.Everylockandkeyhole,windowanddoorisknownintimatelytoit.’Kubik’smechanicallimbstwitched.‘Youwilltoppleanempiretoteachmealesson.Vanity.’‘Ofcoursenot,’snortedVangorich.‘I’moutliningyouroptions.Thefirstisthis.Youdonothing,Ishootyouintheheadwiththisgunwhichcarriesaneurotoxinsopotentitwillburnouteverylastorganicnerveremaininginyourbody,andthenIreleasethephageintotheworld-core.ItmayresultinthedestructionofMars as a functioning civilisation, or it may just destroy billions of terabytes of very valuableinformation.Eitherway,itisacircumstanceyouwillwanttoavoid.’‘Andtheotheralternative?’‘Youvoluntarilyshutdown.Aftergivingmeyourintelligencecore,ofcourse.Thethingis,Idon’twantyouaroundanymore,Kubik,butIwouldratherthateveryoneelsethinksyouarestillincharge.It’llbeeasierforallconcernedthatway.’‘Youwishmetokillmyselfandacquiescetoareplacementwhowilltakemyidentity?’‘That’s it.Youmust ask yourself,what ismore important to you – yourself, as an individual, or thecontinuedexistenceofthousandsofyearsofknowledge?’Kubikmadeastrangesound,aflurryofbleepsandtwittering.IttookVangorichamomenttorealisethattheFabricatorGeneralwaslaughing.‘Youcannotsucceedinthis.Giveyourselfup,Vangorich.IassumeyouhavesucceededindisposingofourcolleaguesontheCouncil.Stophere.Youhaverootedouttherot.Mydeathwillaccomplishnothing.’

‘Itwillmakemefeelalotbetter,’saidVangorich.‘Idosohateatraitor.’Hestraightenedhisgunarm,levellingthepistolatKubik,andheldupadeviceintheother.‘Givemeyourintelligencecore,orIswearIwillkillthisworldwhileyouwatch.’VangorichstaredatKubik,histhumbreadyoverabuttonthatcouldwipeawaytheaccumulatedwisdomofmillennia.‘Youarebluffing.’‘IassureyouIamnot,’saidVangorich.‘AndyoucannotaffordtoassumeIam.’Kubikwilted.‘Youhaveme,’hesaidfinally.‘YouslightmyloyaltytotheImperiumandaskmetoprovemyloyaltytoMars.Hereitis,then,thelastactofatrueservantoftheOmnissiah.’Kubikthrewbackhishood,revealingaheadunderneathmadeentirelyofmetal.Hecastdownhisrodofofficeanddepressedapanelonthesideofhisskull.Afingerwidthcolumnrotatedandwithdrewfromhishead.HepressedoutthecentreofthecolumnandhelditouttoVangorich.‘Myintelligencecore.TheessenceofwhoIamisencodedherein.’Vangorich came forwards and took it.Hepassed it over amachine at his belt that beeped and shonegreen.Vangorichputtheintelligencecoreinhispocket.‘Youarefinallydoingtherightthing.’‘Youwillpayforthis,intime,’saidKubik,hisvoiceslurring.‘MaybeIwill,butyouarepayingforyoursinsfirst.Goodbye,FabricatorGeneral,’saidVangorich.TheindicatorlightsofKubik’saugmentsdimmedandwentout.Hislimbsfoldedinoneachotherandheslidgracefullytothefloor.Whenhewasdown,Vangorichfilledhimwithtoxinneedles.‘Aman’swork isneverdone,’ saidVangorich.He strode from themutteringdiagnostiad into a smallchamber lined with cogitator banks. A single, immovable red glass eye stared out from their centre.Vangorichstoodinfrontofitandleanedin.‘Comeon,Kubik,Iknewabout this lastbolthole.Ican’thaveyouexloadingyourconsciousnessonceI’vegone.’Hetutted.‘Don’tyouknownon-organicintelligenceisforbidden?Thisreallyistheendforyou.’Whistling a jaunty tune, Vangorich got down on his hands and knees and yanked wires out of thecogitatorsuntiltheystoppedworking.Thenhetookoutacompactmeltabombandsetittogooffwheretheconnectionshadbeenthickest.Justtobesure.

CHAPTERTWELVEVoicefromthepast

TheMedicaeHeroumwaseerilyquietandsmelledofunguentandhealingagents.Machineglowlitupthetreatmentbayspunchedintothewall.Ofthetwenty,threewereoccupiedbyinjuredInquisitorialagents.Verituswas situated in thevery last.Wienand trod carefully,waryofdisrupting the calmof theward.Tanksofbrightlycolouredfluidsbubbledindecorativebrackets.Herservo-skullescortfloatedbehindher.Aseconddetacheditselffromanalcoveinthewallandfloatedtothefirst.Wienandpausedasthetwo exchanged security codes. The medicae skull swung about. A compact augur embedded in thepolished bone of its eye socket swept her up and down with a broad beam of red light. An arcane,psychicallysensitivepictunitintheothereyetookasnapshotofhersoul.Amechadendritewhippedoutandjabbedherwithaneedle.Shewincedasitdrankherblood.‘Wienand,MargueretheA,geneticimprintconfirmed,’saidtheskull.‘Auraimprintconfirmed.SecurityclearanceUltimaBlackconfirmed.Welcome,Lady Inquisitor.’ Itsmachine-spirit satisfied, themedicaeservo-skullwithdrewtoitsalcove.Nestledinside,itbecamejustanotherpartoftheroom’sdecoration.TheCoronerGeneraloftheInquisitionhimselftreatedVeritus.Dressedinsevereblackrobes,hewaitedforWienandatthefootofVeritus’bed.‘LadyInquisitor,’saidthecoroner.‘Howishe?’‘Hewillbedeadsoon,’thecoronersaidbaldly.‘Thereisnothingwecando.Vangorichwasthoroughwith his poison. The Inquisitorial Representative’s body is undergoing cellular collapse. I have triedeverysanctionedtechniqueandtreatment,andafewthatarenot.Hedoesnothavelong.Ihaveinterredhiminastasisfieldathisrequest,becausehewishedtospeakwithyoubeforetheend.Alone.Iamsorry,Representative.’TheCoronerGeneralbowedhisheadanddeparted.Throughtheblueshimmerofthestasisfield,Verituslookedimpossiblysmallandfrail.Hisarmourhadbeenremovedandhewasswaddledinbrightwhitesheets.Hesitantlysheshutoffthefield,knowingthatindoingsoshesignedhisdeathwarrant.Wienandhadseenmanypeopledieinthecourseofherduty.Theyhadnevertroubledher.Thisonedeathofamanwhohadtriedtokillherdid.The field vanished like ice froma heatedwindow.Veritus drew in a long rasping breath.Hismouthgapedandhiseyesrolledbeforehesettledhimself.‘Wienand?’‘Iamhere,Veritus.’Agehadhimfirmlynow.Heappearedsoancientthatheshouldnotbealive,hisskinsaggingsomuchhisskullwasvisiblebeneathit.Buthismortalframecontainedlifeyet,andhefixedrheumyeyesonherandsmiled.

‘IhalfexpectedVangorich.’‘Soyouknowitwashim,’shesaid.‘Theconclusiondidnotrequireagreatleapoflogic.HowlonghaveIbeensuspended?’‘Fivedays,’shesaid.‘IcameasquicklyasIcould.Therehavebeencomplications.’‘VangorichhasassassinatedtherestoftheHighLords.’Wienand nodded. ‘Most of them.Lansung andVerreaultwere set up to look like theymurdered eachother.TheirbodieswerediscoveredbyEkharth,butitisprobableheisanOfficioAssassinorumplant.SarkandAnwarhadtheirsoulssuckedoutbyamemberoftheCulexusTemple.GibranwaskilledwithintheNavigators’QuarterinwhatlookslikeaninternalsquabblebetweentheHouses.’‘Vangorich’shandwillhavemixedthatpot.’‘I don’t doubt it. The same can be said of Tull’s death. She killed herself, but I believe she wasencouraged. She had a longstanding servant who vanished the night of her death. Zeckwas killed byKrule.OnlyKubikseemstohaveescaped,andIcannotbesureifhehas.HemayhavestruckadealwithVangorich, thePaternovacertainlydid,butVangorichheldKubikandLansungmost responsible for theork crisis. If I know him, he will have gone after the Fabricator General zealously. And there is, ofcourse,you,’saidWienand.Shelacedherhandsbehindherbackandavertedhereyes,uncomfortableattheemotionshewasshowing.ThensherememberedthatwasaparticularpostureofVangorich’sandputherhandsatherside.‘Imakethefullhouse.Iexpectedhimtomoveagainstme,Iattemptedtopreventit,butIunderestimatedhiscunning,’saidVeritus.‘Thepoison,howdidheadministerittoyou?’‘OnthePotusTerrae, in theobservationgallery.Itwas theonlyopportunityhehad.Myownquarterswerehermeticallysealed.’‘Butyoudranknowinenortookanythingelsefromhishand.’‘Youdid,’saidVeritus,‘andyoulive.Thewinewasnotpoisoned.’‘Thepressureleak,’saidWienand.‘Butourservo-skullsdetectednothinginthegasmixthatshouldhavecausedyouharm,andlikethewine,Iwasexposed.Iamstillfine.Ihavebeenthoroughlyexamined.’Veritusnoddedweakly.Hispaperyskinraspedonthecrispsheets.‘Thegasmixwasnon-toxiconitsown,but it containedan agent that reactedwith the compoundsmy suit produces forme tobreathe.Asinglemolecularbindingalteredmyserumstoaformindistinguishablefromthebenevolentvariety,butenough to turn themdeadly inmy system. It reversedmy anti-geronticmedicines, so they attackedmygeneticcodewheretheyshouldhavepreserved.BythetimeIwasillenoughtonotice,thedamagewasirreparable.Iamtoooldtorecoverfromthis.’Helaugheddrily.‘Vangorichisclever.Heusedwhatwaskeepingmealivetokillme.’‘ThenIamatrisktoo,’saidWienand.Shebegantopace.‘IshouldstayawayfromthePalace.IfItakerefugehereintheInquisitorialFortressIshouldbesafeenough.Fromthere,IcansettheInquisitiontoeliminatinghim.’‘Notyet.Youcannotkillhim.Youmustlethimlive.’‘What?’saidWienand,ceasingherpacinginsurprise.‘Vangorichwillhavecontingencyplans,hewillhaveameans togovern.Wehavenone.Removehimnow,andcivilwarwillengulftheImperium.Hiscover-upsmaylooksloppytous,butthedoubttheywillsowmeansnobodywilltrustanybodyelse.Successionstruggleswillteartheadeptaapart.Atthistimeinhistory,itwillresultinthedissolutionofthedominionofman,andanendtoourspecies.Youmustcometoanarrangementwithhim.’‘Hewillkillme.’

‘Hewillnot.Wienand,hedoesnotwantyoudead.Ihadthewinetested.Itcontainedanantidote.’‘Butthepoisonwastailoredtoyou,Iwasnotatanyrisk.’‘Hewentoutofhiswaytoprotectyou.Wienand,hehasaffectionforyou.Youmustworkwithhim,forthetimebeing.Youarehisweakness.Herespectsyou,buthispersonalfeelingscloudhisjudgement.’‘Iknowhowhefeels,’shesaidsoftly.‘Hewouldkillmeregardless.’‘Hewould.Soyoumustnotgivehimany reason to.Youmustbideyour time.Convincehimyouaresincereinyoursupport,onlythenwillyoubeabletostrike.’‘Thatmighttakeyears,’saidWienand.‘Then so be it. Stability and continuity arewhatwe need now.LetThane have his Founding and theworldsoftheImperiumrebuilt.Onlythroughstrengthcanweresisttyranny,andnowweareweak.’‘Youdon’tagreewithwhathehasdone,doyou?’‘Doyou?’counteredVeritus.‘BothofushavespokenofremovingtheHighLordsinthepast,thoughtheyrulebyfiatoftheEmperorHimself.’Wienandthoughtamoment.‘Icannotagreewithhisactions.Hebehavedunilaterally.ThaneeffectivelymadehimregentoftheImperium.Hedidnotneedtogosofar.’‘Inmy opinion it was Thane’s appointment that emboldened him to do so.’Veritus drew in a sharp,painfulbreath.Hedidnothavelong.Wienandkneltbyhisside.‘HisplanwastohaveyoubeLordProtector,nothe,orsohetoldme.’‘Alieoratruth,itdoesn’tmatter.IfIhadbeenappointed,Vangorichwouldhavedangledanantidotetothepoisoninfrontofme.HewouldhavetakenmeasurestoensureIdidn’trefuseit.Theonlymaterialdifferenceisthatherulesopenlyratherthanmanipulatingeventsasheplanned,andyouareinthepositionIwould have been in, supporting him for fear of somethingworse. I apologise for that, it is a heavyburden.’Veritus paused amoment, coming to a decision.A fresh resolution. ‘Wienand, Imust tell youthingsnowthatnootherpersonaliveknows.’‘Youhavemoresecrets?’shesaid.‘Mysecretshavesecrets,’hesaid,andsmiled.‘VangorichmayhavethebestinterestsoftheImperiumatheart,buthewill fail.Nomancanrule theImperiumalone.Youmustkeep theInquisition independentuntilthisepisodeisover.Remainvigilantagainstcorruption.Nooneisimmune.IhaveseenhowChaoscan take thebestofus. Iwas thereon theVengefulSpiritwhen theLunaWolveswerecorrupted fromwithin.’‘The Vengeful Spirit? The Luna Wolves?’ Wienand frowned. ‘The Warmaster Horus’ ship? That’simpossible!Nostandardhumanhaslivedsolong.’‘Ihave.Idid.Iamoverfifteenhundredyearsold.’Hereachedoutwithhishand.WhenWienandtookit,hesurprisedherwiththepowerofhisgrip.‘Iknewhim,Wienand,IknewtheWarmaster.HorusdidnotbeginasanythingotherthanalovingsonoftheEmperor,buthewasproudandhewasarrogant,andsowhenhewastested,hedidnothavethestrengthtoresist.Doyounotsee?Ifhefell,anyonecan.Thereareholesinthearmourofthemightiestman.TheinfluenceofChaosispernicious,itisaslowpoison.Amanmightthinkhedoesgreatgood,whenhedoesterribleevil.Youmust,youmust…’hetookinaheavingbreath.HiseyeslockedontoWienand’sandheheldherhandsotightlythebonesgroundtogether.Deathhoveredcloseathandandwhenhespokeagain,hedidsoquickly.‘Youmustmake sure the Inquisition does not lose its focus. The threats of thematerial universe arenothingwhensetalongside thedangersofChaos. Itcanstrikeany time,corruptanyheart.The road todamnationistravelledwithsmallstepsandthepavingisengravedwithnobleintentions.Bythetimewelookupfromourfeetwefindourselvesstaringintothefurnacesofdamnation.’‘NooneofanyinfluencelikeHorus’hasfallentoChaossincetheHeresy,’saidWienand.

‘Ourvigilancehasweakened.Therehavebeenothers,planetarygovernorsamongthem,whohaveheardChaos’sirencall.ItisonlyamatteroftimeuntilsomeoneofhigherstationtreadstheinfernaltrailbeatenbytheWarmaster.BewareoftheAdeptusAstartes.Theyareourgreatestdefenders,buttheycanbecomegreater enemies. They are not equipped for failure. I am afraid the end of this crisismay begetmoreterribleproblemsthanwehaveenduredyet.IftheSpaceMarinesfelltoChaosonce,theymightdoagain.TheLunaWolves…they…theyshowedmehowitcanhappen,’hegasped.‘Theywerebroughtlowbyprideandfalsegrievance.TheirturningdamnedtheWarmaster.Alwayslooktothemassesaswellasthefigureheads.Chaosstrikesatboth.’‘Ishall.Iwill!’‘Donot loseheart.The luresofChaosaremanifold,’he said,panting shallowly. ‘Thepowersof theDarkGodsareterrifying,buttheyarenotboundlessintheirmight,andtheyareopposed.Thereislightintheuniverse.Youmusthavefaith.TheImperialCreedisthetruth,Wienand.IhaveseenthepoweroftheEmperoratfirsthand,thewayHeshieldsus.Hewatchesusall,Heprotectsus.Neverforgetthat.Evennow,asHesitsentombedupontheGoldenThrone,Heiswithus.Itakecomfortinthat,althoughIhaveseen somuch thatwould test themost pious.My successor, theoneyouwill choose to lead theOrdoMalleus,theymustbepure.AnyonewhoopposesChaosdirectlyisexposedtoitstemptations.Thefinestsoulcanbeblackened.Theymustbekepthonest,focusednotontheirduty,butwhytheydotheirduty.Doyouunderstandme?’Wienandnodded.‘Ido.’Shelookeddownatthewizenedexampleofhumanityinthebed,soemaciatedandfrailhisbodymadebutawrinkleunderthesheets.Shelookedintohisfacewonderingly.Couldamantrulylive1,500years?‘Now,thereissomethingIhavetogiveyou.Pressyourpalmtomine.Quickly!’She shiftedhergriponhishand.Veritus spoke swiftwordsunderhisbreath.Wienandcriedout as asharppainstabbedintoherpalm,growinghottothepointofagony.‘Holdstill!Bear thepain! Ipass toyou thekey toTitan.Without it,youwillnotbeable toenter themonasterythere.’Thepaingrew.Wienandgrittedherteeth.Itreachedacrescendoandshegasped.‘YoumustgotoTitan,’saidVeritus.‘SeekouttheSupremeGrandMasteroftheGreyKnights.SeekoutJanus!Passontohimourplansandtellhimtheyhavemyblessing.’Hisbreathrattledinhischest.Hiseyesslidclosed.‘Isittrue?’shewhispered.‘DidyoureallyknowHorus?’‘It is thetruth,’saidVeritus.Withalasteffort,hepulledonWienand’shands,hisknuckleswhite,halflifting his frail body. His face lost some of the lines of pain, becoming open and lighter. He smiled,pleasedtosharehisgreatsecretatlast.‘MynamewasKyrilSindermann.IwaschiefiteratortotheSixty-ThirdexpeditionoftheGreatCrusade.IwaspresentwhenHorusabandonedtheloveoftheEmperorfortheliesoftheenemy.IwasthereastheLunaWolveswerecorruptedfromwithin.IwasthereatIsstvanIIIwhenbrotherturnedonbrother.IenduredtheSiegeofTerra,andIknewSaintEuphrati,thefirstofthesaints,asafriend.’Hesankbackintothemattress.‘And…’hegasped.‘And…’Wienandleanedin.Hislastwordswereasaridandhushedaswindblowingoversand.‘AndIwastherethedaytheEmperorslewHorus.’Alast,wheezingbreathpassedfromVeritus’ lungs,followedbya threadofbloodydribble.Hisheartflutteredunderthesheets,thenstilled.Wienandbowedherhead.Onimpulse,sheplantedakissonVeritus’–onSindermann’s–dryforehead.

Asshepulledfreefromthedeadman,shesawanopen,bloodlesswoundinhispalm.Herowntwingedinsympathyandsherubbedatit.Therewasasmallscartransectingthelinesofherhand.Beneathit,shefeltthelumpofanimplanteddevice.ShemustgotoTitan.Butfirst,therewassomeoneshemustsetfree.

CHAPTERTHIRTEENAneworder

Vangorichstoodupfromthehightableandraisedhishands.‘MylordsandladiesoftheAdeptusTerra!’heproclaimed.HisamplifiedvoiceboomedthroughaGreatChamberpackedtocapacity.Everytierofseatingwasfull.Wherethechairshadbeenremoved,menandwomenstood.Helookeduptoaseaofexpectantfaces.‘IampleasedtodaytoaddressyouasthenewLordProtectorofTerra.’Thechambereruptedinuproariouscheers.Vangorichbaskedinthembeforesilencingthecrowdwithadownwardwaveofhishands.‘Thankyouforyourapproval.ItissometimesincethisCouncilhasbeensofortunateastoreignwiththefullbackingoftheestatesoftheImperium.WeareherebeforeyouwithanewHighTwelve.Sadly,ourLordsoftheAdeptusAstraTelepathicaandtheAstronomicanhaveretiredfrompubliclife,thepsychicstrainoftheBeasthavingprovedtoomuchforeventheirpowerfulmindstoencompasssafely.Thelossesofthiswarhavebeengrave,andtheycontinuestill.‘I ask you to join with us in memoriam for Juskina Tull, whose bravery and faith in calling theProletarianCrusadeboughtTerramanyvaluablehoursbeforethearrivaloftheLastWallcoulddealwiththeorkmoonorbitingtheThroneworld.LadyTullhastakenherownlife.Shebelievedherselfafailure,butweshallrememberherasavaliantheroine.‘Thechangesgofurther,myfriends,asyoucanseefromthepeoplearrayedatthistablewithmehere.Youwillnotice theGrandProvostMarshalof theAdeptusArbitesVernorZeckhasalsogone.HehasrelinquishedhispostontheCounciltobetteraidthereconstructioneffortsoftheImperium.LansungandVerreaultarenomore.’Hebecametheatricallysolemn.‘Iwasduetoinstigateaninvestigationintotheiraffairs.AlreadytheAdeptusFidiciushaveuncoveredgraveirregularitiesinLansung’saccountingfortherunningoftheImperialFleet.Atthisstage,wecanonlyassumehearguedwithhispartnerinthesecrimesAbelVerreault,whowill foreverbeknownforhis sluggish response to theorkish threat,and,afteranargument,theykilledeachother.’Hushgreetedthisannouncement.‘Andso,allowmetointroducethenewHighTwelveoftheHighLordsof theSenatorum Imperialis.’Heheld out his hand to amanonhis right, a balding, square-set fellowwhosefacewascrossedwitha lividpurplescar. ‘OskarLowis,newLordCommanderMilitantof theAstraMilitarum.’HeindicatedawomannexttoLowis.‘IryssGelthor,recentlysegmentumcommanderoftheObscurusFleet,nowLordHighAdmiral.WeallknowHektorRosarind,whosepositionasLordofthe Imperial Estates will be invaluable at this time of reconstruction. Lady Wienand remains asInquisitorialRepresentative.’He smiled atWienand. She glared stonily back at him,making no attempt to hide her feelings aboutVangorich’s performance. Doubtless she would challenge him as to whether anyone in the chamberbelievedwhathewassaying.Somewould,therestwouldnotcare.Shedidn’tunderstandpeoplelikehedid.Theydidn’tcareaboutintrigueorthetruth.Theycaredabouttheirownpositions,knowingthattheywereruledandthattheycouldcontinuewiththeirpettypowergamesunmolested.

‘FabricatorGeneralKubikreturnstousfromhisforgesonMars,’hesaid.‘MasteroftheAdministratumTobrisEkharththankfullyreturnsalso,’hewenton,bowingslightlytotheAssassinwhoworeEkharth’sface.‘ThePaternovaoftheNavisNobilitehasblesseduswithanewenvoy,DovrianOfar.InrecognitionofherserviceinthedefenceofTerra,ArbitratorHaasjoinsusasZeck’sdeputy.HenceforthshewillbeaddressedasLadySpeakerfortheGrandProvostMarshal.’VangorichhadhisdoubtsaboutHaas,butshewaspopularwiththemasses;thereweredemandsthatshebesainted,andhecoulduse that.Hewent through the remainingpair.FirstwasEcclesiarchOstulus–calledinfromtheothersideofthegalaxy,hewassufficientlyhumbleathiselevationtoactuallytakehisroleseriously,anddivorcedenoughfromthepoliticsofTerratobeeasilymanipulated.Vangorichcouldnot risk telepaths upon the High Twelve, and so neither the Adeptus Astra Telepathica nor theAstronomicanhadretained their seats. Instead,hegestured to the last figureat the table,amountainofmuscleandarmour,cappedwithatallhelm.‘Captain-GeneralBeyreuthoftheAdeptusCustodes,thefirsttimehisaugustbrotherhoodhavehadasayinthegovernmentofTerra.Itisonlyfittingthatitshouldbeso!’hesaidemphatically.Thunderousapplausegreetedtheannouncement.Vangorichsuppressedasmile.Hecouldgetusedtothis.‘Alas,thereismuchthatneedstobedone.IwillnotboreyoulordsandladieswiththeterriblelaboursweoftheHighTwelvemustendure.Youhaveyourownadeptaandofficiostorun,thecorrectfunctioningofwhichisofinestimableimportancetotherecoveryoftheImperium.Weshallthereforebesubmittingabroadplanofreconstruction, reconquestandreconsolidationofourdevising,’by that,Vangorichmeanthisdevising,‘toyouforapproval.Thenletusshoulderthenumbingdetail.Forthenexteighteenmonths,theSenatorumwillnotmeet in full sessionaswehavebecomeaccustomed to again recently.But restassured,thisispurelyanemergencymeasure.Assoonasthedamageisputright,thentheGreatChamberwillresonatetothevoiceofdemocracyagain!’Thiswaslessenthusiasticallygreeted.Mostofthecrowdscheered,butaproportiondidnot.Knotsofpeopleweredebating,gesturingattheHighTable.Theseweretheseedsofrebellion.Itwasthetimetodrivetherealityofhispowerhome.Vangorichsentasub-vocalsignaltohisassets.‘Mylordsandladies!Afurtherchange,andthenwemustbegintheseriouseffortsofdebateandvoting.The Lucifer Blacks, who so faithfully served this house since the time of the Heresy, have beendisbanded.’Outright shockgreeted thispronouncement.Vangorichploughedon regardless. ‘Their timeofglory ispast.TheirinabilitytostoptheeldarbeforethewarriorsofCaptain-GeneralBeyreuthwereforcedtostepinwas inexcusable. It is thenatureof institutions tooutlive theirusefulness,’hesaidpointedly.‘Letusremember themfor theheroes theywere, andnot the fadedsentries theyhadbecome.Security for thishouseandtheImperialPalaceshallnowrestwiththeOfficioAssassinorum!’heshouted.Ashedid,threehundredAssassinssteppedoutontothebalconiesaroundthehall.Facelessintheircombatmasks,armedwithexoticweapons,theyhadexactlytheeffectVangorichanticipated.Everyonelooked.Fewpeoplespoke.‘I declare this first session of the new Senatorum Imperialis open!’ He stared full into the stony,disapprovingfaceofRogalDorn.‘Let theEmperorandHisprimarchs lookfavourablyonallweshallachieve.’

TheCerebriumwasmercifullyquiet.OutsideitsmanywindowsthelifeofTerrawentonasithadsincetheascensionof theEmperor.Butsomethingfundamentalhadchanged,andVangorichwasitsarchitect.Heneededtimetothink,buthewasn’tabouttogetit.BeastKrulewassittingbehindVangorich’snewdesk,VernorZeck’slifelessheadinfrontofhim.Krule

had his fingers laced above the head, his hands obscuring much of his own face. Krule’s eyes wereunfriendly,thatmuchwasapparent.‘Krule!Whatareyoudoingsittinginthedarkthere?’‘IbroughtZeck’shead.Mymissionisaccomplished,GrandMaster,’hesaid.Vangorichshookhisheadandgrimaced.‘Youareafinefighter,Beast,butyoudon’thideyouropinions.You know, it’s that sort of truculence that had you recommended for TempleVenenum’s close-combatschool.Ican’timagineyouquietlypoisoningfeasts,canyou?’Vangorichapproachedslowly.Kruledidn’tmovefromVangorich’sseat,butwatchedhimwithglitteringeyes.‘Ilistenedtoyourspeech,’saidKrule.‘Oh?’saidVangorich.Hewenttoadrinkscabinetandpouredhimselfaglassofbrandy.Theminiatureaugursembeddedinhisringssampledthevapourcomingofftheliquid.Theydidthisautomatically,overeverythingheateordrank,eventhoughtheGrandMasterpreparedallhisfoodhimself.‘Doyouthinkanyofthemactuallybelievedthat?’saidKrule.‘No.Itdoesn’tmatter,though.’‘AndthosecreaturesofyoursontheCouncil…’‘I’dhardlycallBeyreuthacreature!Comeon,Krule! I’m ratherproudheagreed to join.ConvincingBeyreuthwasamonumentaleffort,theCustodessworesometimeagotoremaindetachedfromanydutybeyond theguardingof theEmperor’smortal remains. I had tovisit him five times and say thewords“eldarbeforetheEternityGate”overandoveragainbeforeheagreedtotaketheseat.’Hereplacedthedecanterinthecabinet.‘Doyouwantadrink?’heasked.‘AssassinsalloverthePalace.Everymanwillknowhimselfwatched,’saidKrule.‘They’vealwaysbeenthere,they’rejustintheopen.They’reasafeguard.’‘Butnowthepeopleknowthey’rethere.That’sadifferentsortofsafeguard.That’sathreat.’‘Soyoudon’twantadrink.Fine.’Vangorichdroppedintoalargechair.‘Dostopspeakingsoslowly.It’sasignyou’rethinking,andrightnowIwouldn’tadvisetoomuchofthat.’Krulelookedaroundtheroom,nevercompletelytakinghiseyesofftheGrandMaster.ThetablethathadaccommodatedtheHighTwelvehadbeenremovedandmuchofthefurniturereplaced.‘Thisisafineplacetorunanempirefrom.Notshowy,modest.You’dneverthinkatyrantworkedhere.’‘I’mamanofsimpletastes,’saidVangorichtestily.‘Krule,Iknowwhyyou’rehere.’‘Youdon’ttrustme.’‘Ofwhich this littledisplay is ampleproof that Iwas rightnot to!’ saidVangorich,wavinghisglasstowardsKrule.Hecalmed.‘Ithoughtthatifyouweren’ttooheavilyinvolved,it’dbetoolateforyoutothinkaboutitandyou’dfallintoline.Evidentlythatdidn’twork.’‘Sothisisasmallfallingout?Don’tpatroniseme,GrandMaster.Whenpeopleloseyourtrust,theydie.CanItrustyounottokillme?’‘Thatalldependsonwhatyoudonext.’Hesethisdrinkdown.‘It’syourmove,Krule,astheoldclichegoes.’‘You’re the one playing regicide, you’ve killed a number of kings.But there’s one left – you.’Krulestood.‘Thisisn’tgoingtobeeasyforme.YouaretheclosestthingIhaveeverhadtoafather.Youshouldhave trustedme. Ifyouhadexplainedyourself, Imighthaveseen it fromyourside.’Krulecrackedhisknucklesandhisneck,andtookupafightingstance.‘Youwouldn’t,’saidVangorichsoftly.Hetoostoodup.‘No,Iwouldn’t.Youknowmebetterthanmost,butIknowyoutoo.Theworstofthisisthatyouknowwhatyouhavedoneiswrong.’‘Whatwouldyouhavedone?’saidVangorich.

‘Reform.Reorganisation.Notthis.’‘Whatdoyouknowofpolitics?’‘Enough.’‘Krule…’‘MynameisEsadWire!’snarledKrule.Vangorichshookhishead.‘It’snot.Itneverhasbeen.TheonethingyouareandwilleverbeisBeastKrule.FromthemomenttheybroughtyoutoTempleVenenum,youwereKrule.EsadWireisadeadman,anillusion.Stripawaythepretence,andallthatisleftisakiller.I’mveryproudofwhatyouare,Krule.YouarethebestIhave.’Vangorichundidhisrobes.Underneathwasthesamedesignofclose-fittingsuithe’dbeenwearingforyears.‘Theserobesareridiculous.Wienandtriedto tellme.Shewasright.’Hefoldedthemandputthemuponthechair.‘Imean,theyareverysillytolookat,anddon’tcapturewhatIwantedintheslightest.Buttheworstofitisthatthey’renogoodforfightingin.’Vangorich’sagewasindeterminate.Sometimesheappearedofmiddleyears,atothertimesold,buthedidnotmovelikeanoldman.HeboundedovertheseatatKrule,drawingaslender-nosedpistolfromnowhere.Kruledodgedthefirstshots.Frozentoxinsliversshatteredonthewoodenpanelling.‘You’reslow,’Krulesaid,asVangorichlandedontheothersideoftheroom.‘IwasoncethebestoftheVenenumAssassins.Ialwayswantedtotestmyselfagainstyou.’‘You’llfallshort,’saidKrule.‘I’mgoingtokillyou.’HechargedatVangorich;hissenseoftimeslowedbydeeplyimplanteddevices,hedodgedthehypertoxinspatoutbytheGrandMaster’sneedler.Vangorichdroppedhisgun.SlappingKrule’sfistsasidehebenthisbodyaroundtheblowsandmovedback.Krulefollowed.‘Youareoneofthebest,theverybest,’saidVangorich.‘Thisismadness.Stop.Joinme.’‘Iamthebest.Youcan’tbeatme,’saidKrule.‘Iwon’thaveto,’saidVangorich.HesidesteppedKrule’sblurringfistsagain.‘Pelagicgambit,’hesaid.Krule stumbled.Heshookhishead.Vangorichdeliveredadevastatingblow to thenerveclusterat thebaseofhisneck.Krulesplutteredandstaggeredtotheside.‘Ordinancekeystroke,’saidVangorich.Withayelpofpain,Krulecrashedtothefloor,hismuscleslockedsolid.Hebalancedonhishead,kneeandoutstretchedfist,stiffasastatuethathadfallenfromitsplinth.‘That’s enough,’ saidVangorich. ‘Amongyour implants is a failsafe system.Obviously, I activated it.Thekeytoregicideistoplanseveralmovesahead.’HecroucheddownbyKrule’shead.TheAssassin’seyeswere locked open, andwatering furiously. Hemade a strangled noise through clamped teeth. ‘Itwould be a shame to waste you,’ continued Vangorich. ‘I preferred you as a free thinker, Krule, youservedVenenumwell thatway,butthereisanotherTemplethatwillmakegooduseofyourtalentsandwhichdoesnotrequirethatcharacteristic.You’regoingtohavealittlesleep.Whenyouwakeupagain,we’llhavenothingtodisagreeabouteveragain,Ipromise.’

CHAPTERFOURTEENFistofiron

ASpaceMarine’ssleepwasshort,butnecessary.EventheEmperorHimselfcouldnotengineeroutthehumanneedforrest.An insistent chimingwokeZerberyn.His enhancedphysiologybroughthim fromdeep slumber to fullawarenessinafractionofasecond.Aredlumenbulb,cagedinbatteredwire,blinkedoverhiscelldoor.AccommodationforofficersandlinewarriorsalikewasbasicinKalkator’sfortress.Zerberyn’ssmelledofdampandfreshferrocrete.‘Whatisit?’hesaid.Thevox-emitterbythedoorcrackled.‘Forgiveme,mylord.ThereisaLibrariumserfheretoseeyou.Hesaysitisurgent,yourcommand.Isworetokillhimifhewaslying,butheinsistsitisthetruth.’Zerberynwasoffhispalletandbythedoorinasinglestride.Thedoorslidbackintothewall.BrotherRantanstoodoveracoweringman.Zerberynsneered.Theserfshadbecomemorecowardlyoflate.‘Mylord,’saidtheserfnervously.‘YoutoldmetocomeandinformyouthemomenttheIronWarriors’witchstartedmakingsense.Well,shehas.’‘Iwillvisitherimmediately.SummonHonoriustotheAstropathicum.’

The witch twitched in her cradle of wires and chains. She spoke rapidly and so quietly the serfstranscribingherramblingshadtoleaninclose.ThetransliteratoroftheDantalion’sastropathicumstoodattheothersideofher,listeningintently.Zerberyn’sLyman’searenabledhimtoapprehendherwords,buthecouldmakenosenseofthemeaning.‘Itisstillgibberish,’saidZerberyn.‘No,my lord!’said theserf. ‘Shespeaks inastandardastrotelepathicmetaphor.You,my lord,wouldnever hear it. Themethod is idiosyncratic to each sender and receiver, but there is a commonality ofpattern.Thisisoneofthesimplest,thefirstmnemonicimage-wordsanastropathlearns.’‘Someonewantsustohearthismessage,’saidHonorius.The minutes trickled by. Eventually the witch’s mumbling became fainter, and she sagged in herrestraints.Thetransliteratorhadtheserfsreadbackwhattheyhadwrittentohim,thenhenodded,tookthescrollstheyhadproducedandapproachedtheFistsExemplar.‘Mylords,’hesaid.‘Thewitchhasspoken.Ihaveamessage.’Thetransliterator’sfacewastwistedindisgustatbeingsoclosetoanunsanctionedpysker,andhekeptturninghisheadbacktowardsher.‘TheBlackTemplarsarecoming.Oursendinggotthrough.’‘Tellmethemessage.Exactly,’saidZerberyn.‘I cannot offer exactness,’ said the transliterator regretfully. ‘But I can convey themeaning.TheLastWallisdisbanded,theBeastisdead.’‘Informtheothers,thisisadayforcelebration!’saidZerberyn.Theserfslosttheirnewlycowednature

foramoment,andstoodtaller.Theirexcitementstimulatedthewitch’smind,andshemoanedinherfugue.Thetransliteratorhelduphishand.‘IfImay,mylord.HighMarshalBohemondhimselfcomeshere.Onepartofthemessageisveryclear,repeatedseveraltimes.’Zerberyn’sgoodhumourvanished.‘Thatis?’‘DeathtothebetrayersoftheImperiumofMan.Praisebe.’‘Adifficultsituation,’saidHonoriusdrily.‘We’vegottogetoutofthisfortress,meettheminthevoid,’saidZerberyn.‘Bohemondwon’tpause.Hewillattackimmediatelyanddestroythecity.CalltheFirstCompanytome,fullarmour.Honorius,musterthe rest of the Fists Exemplar and have them take up position to seize the fortress by force, tell thecaptainstobereadybutnottoact.ThenyouandImustpayavisittothewarsmith.’TheveteransoftheChaptergatheredquickly.TheywererawasSpaceMarineveteranswerereckoned,withmostoftheFirstCompanykilledandreplacedseveraltimesoverinthewaragainsttheBeast,buttheywereformidablenevertheless,andZerberyncouldcountontheirabsoluteloyalty.Theymarchedopenlytothecentreofthefortress.TheIronWarriorsresponded,occupyingstrongpointswheretheycould.Inotherplaces,FistsExemplarandIronWarriorscamefacetoface.Zerberynorderedhissquadstomatchthem,manforman,andleftthemstaringateachother,armamentsready.The fortress’ command hub was deep in the mountainside, a spherical sub-building independentlysuppliedwithpowerandair.Onecorridorapproachedthearmoureddoors,deadstraight, twohundredmetreslong,everysquarecentimetrecoveredbyautomatedturretsandservitor-directedheavyweapons.Themajority of theFirstCompanyhalted at the end.Zerberynmarched right down it, flanked by hiscommandsquad.Gunstrackedhismovement,butdidnotopenfire.He halted beside the door. His standard bearer planted his flag firmly, the clink of the pole on theferrocrete echoing ominously. Every weapon whirred around to cover the First Captain. The doorremainedshut.Ahiddenvox-emitteractivated.‘Atlastouralliancebreaks,’saidKalkator,hisvoicesoundingdownthecorridor.‘Notso,orwewouldalreadybefighting,’saidZerberyn.‘Icomewithnews.HighMarshalBohemondisonhiswaytothissystem.Heintendstokillyou.’‘Heisalreadyhere,’saidKalkator. ‘Hearrivedanhouragoat theMandevillepoint.Theywillbe inorbitofImmitisVIIinlessthanaday.’‘WhywasInotinformed?’Kalkator laughed, his voice taking on that strange doubling it did sometimes. The second voice sentchillsdownZerberyn’slimbs.Itwaswhollyunnatural.‘Becauseofthis?’saidKalkator.‘Theyaretraitorsbynature,’saidBrotherMardath,Zerberyn’smelta-gunner.‘Youaretheoneshereinfullbattlearray!’saidKalkator.‘Iknewofthis,andIcouldhavemurderedyouinyoursleep,andIdidnot.Doyoureallyintendtoslaughteryourallies,afterallwehavebeenthrough?’‘No,’saidZerberyn.‘Thisisaprecaution.Idonotintendtokillyou,buttosaveyou.’‘Reallynow,’saidKalkator.‘Howtouching.’‘Ifyoudonotcomeout,Bohemondwillarriveherewithhiscrusade.Alreadyweoutnumberyou.Ihavetwohundredandfiftybrothersremaining,youbutninety.Weareinyourfortress.Wewillprevail,ifweareforcedtocrossswords.’Silence greeted Zerberyn’s remark. He glanced at Honorius. The ancient Librarian gazed resolutelyahead.‘Whatdoyoupropose?’saidKalkator.

‘ComewithmeontheDantalion.WemustmeetBohemondawayfromthisnamelessmoon,inthevoid.’‘Aneasywaytopresentmyheadtoyourbrother.’‘Iwillspeakwithhim,makehimseesense,’saidZerberyn.‘LeavethePalimodeshereincaseyouneedtoevacuate.Iwillmakemybesteffortstoensurethatdoesnothappen.’‘Itwillhappen.Bohemondisafanatic.’‘HeisanoblesonofDorn!’saidZerberynangrily.‘Hewilllisten.Ifwewait,hewillattack.Ifwemeethiminthevoidyourmenwillhaveachancetoescape.’‘Youaskmetoabandonathirdworld.Idonothaveaninfinitesupplyofplanetaryholdings,yourealise.IfweloseImmitis,myGreatCompanywillbelost.’Zerberynlookedaside,searchingfortherightwords.‘Kalkator,Icanseenoalternative.Youhavefoughthonourablybymyside.IwillnotallowyoutobekilledbyBohemond.Igiveyoumyword.Stayinghereisuntenable.Comewithme.BohemondwillnotopenfireontheDantalion.Youdonothaveachoice.’Aklaxonsoundedonce.Thedoorsslidopen,fourintersectingtrianglessplittingwidetorevealKalkatorwaitingontheotherside,flankedbyhisownveterans.‘Iagree,’hesaid.‘Idonot.’

‘TheAbhorrence approaches,’ said ShipmasterMarcarian.His eyesmovedmore than those of a haleman,dartingaboutintheircageofhalf-deadflesh.Theserf-crewoftheDantalionhad learned to readtheirmotionswell.Acloseviewof theBlackTemplars flared into life in themainhololith.ZerberynwatcheditwithHonoriusandReoch.TheApothecary’spresencediscomfitedhim.AstheirtimewiththeIronWarriorshaddraggedon,Reochhadabandonedhiscivilisedshell,becomingmoresavage.‘Shehas suffered in thewar,’ saidMarcarian, a ribbonofdrool leaking from thecornerofhis semi-paralysed mouth. His hololith officers read his desire, and painted highlight signifiers upon theAbhorrence.‘Graviticlashdamage,massimpacttrauma,’saidtheMasteroftheAugur.‘Theirreactorreadswithafourpercenterraticpulse.’‘Shehasnoattendantvessels,’saidHonorius.‘Shecomestoconfrontusalone.’‘TheBlackTemplarsarerashforsonsofDorn,’saidApothecaryReoch.‘Iwonderhowitwouldbetotestourbloodlinesagainstoneanother.’‘Theirfanaticismoutstripstheirwisdom,’saidKalkator.‘Youwouldwin.’‘Warsmith, I ask you to be quiet. If Bohemond knows you are on board this vessel, then thiscommunicationwillbe shortand the resultsbloody.FistsExemplarnevermakemistakes.Don’tprovethattruthalie.’Kalkator bowed his armoured head in acquiescence. ‘Neither I nor mymen shall say a word, FirstCaptain.’‘Ihavearequestforcommunication,mylords,’saidtheMasteroftheVox.Zerberynsteppedontoanarrow-fieldhololithplate.‘Activate.’Bohemond’sscarredfacematerialisedinthehololithdisplay.‘Zerberyn!Youlive.IfearedtofindanIronWarrioratthehelmoftheDantalion.’‘Iremainincommandofmyownships,HighMarshal.’‘IseetheParagon,theImplicit,theCourageousandtheGuillimanremainoperational.Youhavedonewell.Howmanyofyoustilllive?’‘Twohundredandforty-eightofthefourhundredbrothersIsetoutwithremain.’Zerberynfeltathrillofdisquietatdisclosinghisnumbers.‘I amsorry.Wehaveall sufferedgravely in thiswar.Andyetyour survival is cause forcelebration!

Thane has reconstituted the Imperial Fists from the Successors. You and your warriors are the FistsExemplar.’Zerberynbowedhishead.‘First,theTraitorsmustbecrushed,’wentonBohemond,‘thenyoumayjoinwithusonThane’scrusadeto slaughter the remaining ork hordes and restore the Imperium to peace. Praise be to the Lord ofMankind!’ZerberynfeltKalkator’seyesonthebackofhisneck.Hecouldnotreply.‘Brother?’saidtheHighMarshal.‘Icannot,’saidZerberyntightly.‘Explainyourself,’saidBohemonddangerously.‘Throughout thiswar, the IronWarriorshave foughtalongsideus.Without their support andaccess totheirintelligence,supplies,andbases,theFistsExemplarwouldhavebeenannihilatedweeksago.’‘Thenstandaside.Weshalldothejobforyou,ifyoulacktheheart,’saidBohemondscornfully.‘ThatIcannotdoeither.Ihaveswornanoathtopreservethelifeofthewarsmithandhismen.Depart,andweshalljoinyouatarendezvousofyourchoosing.ButtheIronWarriorswillbepermittedtoleave.’AsavagesmileturnedBohemond’sruinedfaceevenuglier.‘IsthatathreatofactionagainsttheBlackTemplars,FistExemplar?Becarefulwithyourwords.’‘Itiswhatitis.Ihavenowishtofightyou.Allowmetofulfilmyoath,andallwillbewell.’‘Allowing Traitors free?’ said Bohemond. ‘That is far from well! To associate with Traitors is tobecomeaTraitor.Prepare tobeboarded. Iwilldetainyou.You shallbe returned toTerra to face thejudgementoftheInquisition.Theyshalldetermineyourfate.Ishallpraythattheyaremercifulandofferyouaquickdeath.Contactyourdaemon-worshippingfriendsandtellthemthat,Bohemondcomesfortheirheads!’Bohemondsteppedbackfromtheprojector.Itsfocusingloopsretrainedthemselvesonthebackground.Zerberyncaughtaglimpseofarmouredpodsandflatprojectionplatforms.‘He’sontheteleportdeck,’hebreathed.‘Mylord!TheAbhorrenceispoweringitsmainweaponsarray,’calledoutaserf.‘They’veraisedtheirshields!’‘Damn him!’ snarled Zerberyn. ‘He came in expecting to fight. Prepare for combat. All ships raiseshieldsandprimeweapons.’Tocsins sounded.Marcarian gave out a calm string of orders.The deck crewwent into swift action,bringingtheDantalion ready.‘Activatepsychicshielding,’heconcluded.TheLibrariumserfsbegantosingintheiralcoves,weavingasubtlefieldofprotectionaroundthecommanddeck.ZerberynlookedhelplesslyonastheAbhorrencepoweredforwards.Bohemondmeanttopassintothemiddleofhisfleet.‘WehavemultiplelaunchtubescomingonlineaboardtheAbhorrence,’saidaserf.‘They’relockingontoourweaponsbatteriesandengines,’saidanother.Aclamourofinformationfilledthedeck,drowningoutthewardingsongsofthechoir.‘CaptainArcosoftheFourthdemandstospeakwithyou,’saidtheMasteroftheVox.‘Demands?’saidKalkator.‘Youarelosingcontrolofyourwarriors,FirstCaptain.’Zerberynignoredthejibe.‘Givemehololith.’‘Whatareyoudoing?’saidArcoswithoutpreamble.‘IwillnotattackafellowAdeptusAstartes,haveyoulostyourmind?’‘Youwillfolloworders!’saidZerberyn.‘IdonotfollowordersfromTraitors.IwillcontactBohemond.Thishasgonefarenough.Istandwith

him.’Arcoscutthehololithicfeed.‘My lord, I have amessage fromFirst SergeantRost aboardParagon querying your orders. They’rebreakingformation,’saidtheMasteroftheVox.‘Holdfire!’shoutedZerberyn.Thesituationwasslippingfromhisgrasp.‘TheBlackTemplarsarefiringonus,’saidtheMasteroftheAugur.Through thevastoculus, they saw theAbhorrence’sweapons flash in sequencealongboth flanks anddownitsspine.Themainhololithdisplayfilledwithblinkingiconsdenotingincomingordnance.‘ShallIreturnfire?’askedMarcarian.‘No!’shoutedZerberyn.‘Braceforimpact.HailBohemondagain!’‘Massiveenergyspike,amidshipsoftheAbhorrence.’Honoriusheldupanarmouredhandtohisbareface.‘Thewarpisdisturbed,theyarecoming.’Shapesofflickeringmistcoalescedtowardsthecommanddeckblastdoors.Twelvehugeshapesbegantoform.Thechoirssanglouder,andhalfoftheBlackTemplars’emergingformsrippled,thehelmetsofthewarriorstwistingandmeltingintotheunderlyingflesh.Threedisappearedaltogethertothesoundofghostly screams. The others affected crashed to the deck in a mess of steamingmetal and flesh. Theremainderarrivedfiring.‘SoyoubringyourTraitor friendsaboardyourownship?’boomedBohemondwhenhesawKalkatorbehindZerberyn.Hemarchedforwards,hismassiveTerminatorsuitdentingthedeckplating,hisweaponblastingserfsapart.WhetheritwastheIronWarriorsortheFistsExemplarwhoreturnedfirefirst,theresultwasthesame.Boltsfilledtheairfromallthreesides,thebangingoftheirreleaseandexplosiondrowningoutthecriesof terrified serfs. Marcarian, unable to move, was reduced to bloody rags of flesh hanging from hisexoskeleton. The numerous weapons built into the bridge’s walls and ceiling opened up at his death,catchingtheBlackTemplarsinamurderouscrossfire.Boltsspangedofftheirthickarmour,butthereweremorepotentweaponsonthebridge.Honoriusravagedthemwithpsychicfire,andonebyonetheybegantofall.‘Stop!Stop!’shoutedZerberyn.HemovedtointerceptBohemondashemarchedtowardsKalkator,buttheHighMarshal slappedhimaside.Hispower fist ruptured theplastronofZerberyn’sarmour, liftinghimhighandslamminghimintoaserf’sstation.‘Youshalldiethetraitor’sdeath,Kalkator!’‘Youwillhavetocatchmefirst,’saidthewarsmith.‘Iwillgladlykillyouhere,ifthatiswhattheEmperordemands!’Bohemondemptiedhisstormbolterintothewarsmith’schest,butKalkatorweatheredthestorm,hisarmour’ssuperiorconstructionprotectinghim.Bohemondletoutathunderouswarcry.‘Nomercy!Noremorse!Nofear!’Helumberedintoacharge.Kalkatorwas ready.With impossible strengthhe slammed theHighMarshal in thehead,breaking theadamantiumandceramiteofhisarmour,andsenthimtopplingbackwards.Bohemondcametorestonthefloor,strugglingtogetbacktohisfeet.Kalkatoradvancedonhim,gunout.Bohemondgotontohisknees,wrenchedoffhishelmetandcastitaside.‘See,Zerberyn,’ saidBohemond. ‘Seewhatyouallyyourselfwith.This IronWarrior ispossessedofunnatural vigour!Hehas givenhimself over to fell powers tomakehimselfmightier.Youhave sorelydisappointedme,Zerberyn.Haveyoualsoembracedhissorcery?Youdisruptedthetransitofmymen.IshouldhaveblastedyoufromthevoidthemomentIsawyou.’Zerberynheavedhimselfoutofatangleofbrokencomponentsandmetal.Hisarmourleakedgasfromits

ruptures, frothing ceramite gels bubbling around the cracks. The sounds of fighting diminished andstoppedasthelastofBohemond’sBlackTemplarsdied.TheFistsExemplartrainedtheirgunsontheIronWarriors.Atensesilencefell,toothicktobebrokenbythegroansofthewoundedandthedying.TheshiprockedandrumbledunderthebombardmentoftheAbhorrence,buttheshieldsheld.‘Itisnosorcery.ThisvesselwasmodifiedtowithstandtheworsttheRubicanteFluxcouldmarshal.TheLibrariumchoirsconfoundcross-warpteleportaseasilyastheydothedaemon.YouaccuseamanwhohasspenthisentirelifefightingChaos.’‘YouwillburnforalltimeinthefiresoftheEmperor’sjudgement,’saidBohemond.‘Callofftheattack,’saidZerberyn.‘Thisendsnow.’‘Never!’spatBohemond.‘IwouldratherdiefightingthanoffersuccourtotheTraitorLegions.TheyareanabominationintheholysightoftheEmperor.Theymustbepurged.Ifyouwillnotdoit,thenIwill,thoughIdieintheattempt.’‘See him throw his life away! Is this what you want to serve, Zerberyn? This frothing zealot? TheEmperorhimselfdenouncedhisownworship,’saidKalkator.‘HescoldedtheWordBearersforseeinghimasagod.Andyetyouwilllistentothewordsofthisman,whowithhisidolatoryspitsinthefaceoftheEmperoryoupurporttofollow.’‘TheEmperorisnotagod,’saidZerberyn.‘Itisyouwhoshouldbecensured,notI.’‘There isanotherpossibility,Zerberyn,’saidKalkator. ‘Horus,Perturaboandtheotherswerecorrect.TheEmperor lied tousall,hedenied the truthof thewarpnot toprotectus,but tokeep its secrets tohimself.When it appeared his sonswere stumbling too close to the truth of it, he forbade the use ofLibrarians.He intendedall along tobeagod, andheused thehuman race tomake ithappen.Hewasstoppedjustintime.’‘Lies,’saidBohemond.‘TheEmperorisdivine.TheEmperorprotects!’‘Whichisitthen,Bohemond?’saidKalkator.‘TheEmperorspokethetruth,andheisnotagod,andyouarewrong,orheisagod,andyouareright,whichmakeshimaliar?Doyounotsee?Hedoesnotcareabouthumanity,thewholepurposeofhiscrusadewastofurtherhisowngoalsofascendance.Hedidn’twishtoopposetheGodsofChaos,hewantedtobecomeone!’‘Lies,lies!’saidBohemond.‘Endhim,Zerberyn.Turnyourbridgeweaponryonhimandwipehisstainfromthegalaxy.’‘Would you do that, Zerberyn?’ said Kalkator. ‘We are the true champions of mankind. We serveourselves,butindoingsowepreservehumanity.Mightisright.Tosaveourspecieswemustembracethepowers of this universe, the great Gods of Chaos.We do not do this because we are evil, we do itbecausewemust.Whatareyou,Zerberyn?WhataretheFistsExemplar?’Oilyswirlsoflightplayedthroughtheoculusasavoidshieldcollapsed.‘WeareawallthatdefendstheImperium,’hesaiddully.Hisheartwasbreaking.‘Youareabastioninafortressoflies,andthiswarrior,thisBlackTemplar,whowearshisfanaticismsoopenly,isitscastellan.Killhim!’urgedKalkator.‘Theywillkillyoutoo,Zerberyn,oncetheyaredonewithme,’saidBohemond.‘Wehavefoughtalongsideyouformonths,brother,’saidKalkator.‘Wherewerethey?’ZerberynlookedfromBohemondtoKalkator.‘Callofftheattack,’Zerberynsaidonelast,hopelesstimetoBohemond.‘Never,’saidBohemond.Asingleshotwasallittook.Bohemond’sheaddisappearedinamistofblood,hisbodylockedinplacebyhisarmour.Zerberynblinkedstupidlyattheboltpistolinhishand.Hehadnorecollectionofdrawing

it. The little litany he had for theweaponwent through his head. It wasUmbra-pattern. It lacked therefinementofpost-Heresymodels,butitwasgoodatwhatitwasmadeforandalwayswouldbe.Puritythroughutility:thatwashowoneproofedoneselfagainsttheunknowablesofthegalaxy.Withoutthinking,hehadmadehisdecision.Hehaddamnedhimself.‘Allships,openfire.DestroytheAbhorrence,’heordered.Facespalerthanlackofsunlightcouldexplainlookedbackathim.‘Now!’The crew moved into action. Corpses were heaved aside by repair teams. Where needed, backupstationswerebroughtintooperation.Freshserfswereadmittedontothebridge.ZerberynwalkedtothecommanddaisandstoodbyMarcarian’scorpse.‘My lord.Courageous and Implicit are breaking from attack,’ said theMaster of theAugur. ‘I havereportsoffightingbreakingoutaboardtheGuilliman.’‘TellCaptainVenthryntocontainitoritwillbehishead.Courageous,Implicit,comeabout.OpenfireontheAbhorrenceorbedeclaredenemiesoftheChapter.’Arcos’horrifiedfaceflickeredintoview.‘Thenweareenemies,’saidArcos.‘Youbetrayyouroaths!’‘Weaponsbatteries,openfireon theCourageousand the Implicit,’ saidZerberyncoldly. ‘That is thepriceoftheirdisloyalty.’The void erupted with chaotic firing as the Fists Exemplar Chapter fell apart. The Implicit took apunishingbroadsideas it attempted to turnand flee,wrecking its enginesand leaving itdriftingoutofcontrol.TheCourageoustookadifferenttack,comingdirectlyattheDantalionwithallweaponsblazing.TheAbhorrence’sfireredoubled,encouragedbythesplitintheFistsExemplar.‘Courageousisbuildingtorammingspeed!’shoutedtheMasteroftheAugur.‘Hemeanstotakeuswithhim,’saidZerberyn.‘Concentrateallfireforward!’The Courageous came down towards them, void shields flaring as they shunted the power ofDantalion’sfuryintothewarp.Atadistanceofmetres,itskimmedpasttheDantalion,closeenoughforprotrudingspiresonbothvessels tobe shearedoffby thepass.TheDantalion shudderedviolently asCourageousburneditsenginesatmaximum,andpoweredpast.‘TheCourageousisescaping!’‘Ignoreit!DestroytheAbhorrence,’saidZerberyn.The Black Templars battle-barge was beset on all sides, fire from theParagon,Guilliman and theDantalionbringingdownoneshieldafteranother.Withalowpurplelight,itsfinalvoidshieldgaveout,andthecombinedbarrageofthethreeFistsExemplarshipsslammedintoit.TheAbhorrencecameapartinashoweroffire.ApothecaryReochcackledlikeachildatavictorydisplay.Honoriusstoodsilently,hisfacelitbytheexplosion.‘We are fortunate. If Bohemond had commanded theEternal Crusader, we would all be dead,’ theLibrariansaidquietly.Kalkator’sguncameuptoZerberyn’sface.Hepressedit lightlyagainstZerberyn’stemple.Itsmuzzlewasstillwarmfromfiring.‘Whoareyou,FirstCaptainZerberyn?AreyouaFistExemplar still?Will you slaymeasyou slewBohemond?Wasallthisfratricideaterriblemistake?’Zerberyn turned. Kalkator’s boltgun slid around his face until it was in the centre of his forehead.ZerberynpressedhisfaceagainstitandstaredintoKalkator’seye-lenses.‘AFistExemplarisnevermistaken,’hesaid.Heknelt.Behindhim,thecrewandSpaceMarinesoftheDantalionfollowedhisexample.

‘Ironwithin,ironwithout,’hesaid.

OncefreeoftheImmitisSystem,communicationsbecamepossibleagain.ThelastvestigesoftheGreenRoarclunghardtotheIronWarriors’home,andArcos,captainoftheFourthCompany,lastloyalofficerof theFistsExemplar,suspectedthatwasnotchance.Havinghauledoveratanisolatedminingcolony,Arcos spent some time communicating with other members of the Last Wall. By these means, hediscoveredthatMaximusThanewasatEidolica,oncehomeworldoftheFistsExemplar.Assoonasthisinformation was known,Courageous made all speed there to find Phalanx in high anchor over theAlcazarAstra.Itcouldhavehidinthenightsideoftheworld,butinashowofmachinicsympathywiththedowned star fort,Dorn’s citadel stood in the full light of the blazingEidolican sun. The choice liftedArcos’batteredspirit.ThejoythatgreetedtheCourageous’arrivalatPhalanxturnedsombreasitbecameapparentthattherewere no more ships coming, and there were only twenty-two surviving Fists Exemplar. The batteredcruiserwasescortedinwithfullpomp.ButwhenArcosexitedhisvesselgrim-facedanddemandedtobeconveyedtotheChapterMasterimmediately,thelastsmilesdiedonlipsthatmovedwithmanyquestions.ArcoswouldprovideanswerstonoonebutThane.AtArcos’request,Thanedismissedhishonourguardandadvisers,leavingArcosandhealone.ThaneoccupiedthethroneofInwit,ahighseatinamassivedomedevoidofanyotherfurniture.Bathedinashaftof diamond white light so bright it seemed distilled from the system’s deadly sun, Thane listened infurioussilencetoArcos’report.Arcosknelttodeliverit,hiseyesfixedfirmlyonthefloor.‘Bohemondisdead,’Thanesaid,whenArcoshadfinished.‘AndZerberynturned.’Hisvoicecaughtinhis throat.Zerberynhad always been impetuous, creative in interpreting his orders, but he hadbeen awarriorofuncommonvalour.‘Honoriustoo.’‘Yes,mylord.WespenttoolongwiththeIronWarriors.Someoftheirevilmusthavewormeditswayintohisheart.ApothecaryReochiswithhim,andsometwohundredothers.’Arcoslookedup.‘Allowmetoatone.LetmerebuildtheFistsExemplarandIswearweshallbecomeabywordforoppositiontotheTraitors.WeshallreturntotheRubicanteFluxandhuntforthemthroughthereefsoftheimmaterium.Weshallbedauntless,andneverrest.Thisshallbemyoath.’Thanegrippedthearmrestsofthehisthrone.Theshaftoflightshininghardfromabovecasthisfaceintocraggyshadow.‘Youhaveswornmanyoaths,CaptainArcos.Youhavedishonouredthemall.’‘Mylord,IdonotknowwhatIcansay.’‘Youcansaynothing.’TheangerofThane’svoicewasawfulforitscalmness.‘YouhaveconsortedwithTraitors,andfailedtopreventthegreatestshametobefalltheAdeptusAstartessincetheHeresywar.’‘Pleaseletmeatone.’‘No.TheFistsExemplarwillnotbereconstituted.YouandyourwarriorswillsubmityourselvestotheMasterofRecruits,andyoushallbeinductedintotheImperialFists.AnewChaptershallberaised,andtakeAlcazarAstraastheirhome.’‘IfwearetoobscurethemetalofourarmourwiththeyellowoftheImperialFists,therewillbenomoreFistsExemplarleft.TheChapterwilldie.Pleaseletmesavethememoryofourpredecessors.Donotletonemomentofmadnessundoamillenniumofloyalservice.’‘Therewillbenomemory.Nomonumentsorsongs.ThenameoftheFistsExemplarshallbestruckfromImperial records.Everymention, everyhonour, every report shall behunteddownand expunged fromhistory.ItisourshamethatoursisthefirstChaptertofalltoChaossincetheHeresy.Wedonotdeservetoberemembered.’Arcosstoodindisbelief.‘Mylord,wemustbeallowedtosalvagethehonourofOriaxDantalion.We

cannotlethislegacydiehere.’‘Thereisnohonourleft!’shoutedThane,suddenlywrathful.Hisarmouredfistslammedintothethronearm.‘Stubborn,prideful,convincedofourownrectitude.SoarrogantweremainedthatwhenourstarfortfellwewouldnotaskforaidfromtheAdeptusMechanicus.Ratherdefythewrathofastar,thanadmittoanywrongdoing! Those were the gifts of Dantalion to our Chapter. They have served us poorly. Ourrecordshallbeerased.’‘Yes,mylord,’saidArcos.Hebowedhishead.‘Youshouldhaveacted,youshouldspokenup.ThereisnosituationsodireastorenderanalliancewiththeTraitors expedient, and the IronWarriors no less.As penance, you shall descend toEidolica.Youshalloverseethedestructionoftherecordsof theFistsExemplar.Yourtearswillwet therelicsofourorderasyouconsignthemtooblivion.AsyouwatchourhistoryburntoashesIprayyouremember:theTraitorcanneverbecalledfriend.’‘Mylord,’saidArcos.‘Weshallseeitdone.’‘Ournameshallbeforgotten.Letnonespeakofitevermore.WearetheImperialFistsnowandforever,letthatbeourlegacy.Itisapureone,’saidChapterMasterThane.NomentionoftheFistsExemplarpassedThane’slipsagaininhislonglife,andhewouldnottoleratethenamebeingsaidinhishearinguntilthedayhedied.

CHAPTERFIFTEENWarriorsofTitan

Therewas a shift in the cutter’s centreofgravity, a lurch in its smooth acceleration asmassdetacheditself. In the cramped quarters of the cutter’s command deck, Lady Inquisitor Wienand watched theinfiltrationcraftspeedawayuponahololithicdisplay.Itsmatt-blackhullwaslosttosightquickly.Whenitengageditssophisticatedbafflesandaugur-blindsitwinkedoutofexistence,arippleonthestars,andthenitwasgone.ShemadeasilentprayertotheEmperor,askingifshehaddonetherightthing.LhaerialReypilotedtheinfiltrator.TheImperiumneededallies.Shehopedtheharlequinmightbeone,sometimeinthefuture.WienandhadnodoubtatallthatshewouldgetawayfromSol.There were three crew on the bridge: a shipmaster pilot, an augur and weapons operative, and atransmechanicmagos.AllofthemworetheInquisitorialbarredIasmuchintheirmindsastheydidontheirclothes.Theyknewbetterthantoaskquestions.Wienand retreated to her quarters. She fell into a deep and dreamless sleep of the kind she onlyexperiencedinthevoid,untilRendensteincameandwokehergently.‘Lady,weapproachSaturn.Ithoughtyoumightliketosee.’‘Thankyou.’WienandtouchedRendenstein’shandwhereitrestedonhershoulder.ThetwoofthemhaddriftedapartphysicallyoverthelongmonthsofthewaragainsttheBeast.Havinghertherestillbroughtcomfort.ShehopedRendensteinunderstood.Wienand had felt better. Her teeth were furred and her breath stank. She needed to stop, soon. Sheconsidered stimms to carry her through, but that road ended badly for many. She needed to becometougher.Therewaspreciouslittlerestinthelifeofaninquisitor.Therewouldbenoneforher,notwhileVangorichreignedinallbutname.Sherinsedhermouthoutwithwaterwarmfromthevessel’srecyclingsystemsandtaintedwithiron.Rendenstein fell into step with her as she left her quarters. These were relatively large and wellappointed.Theship,thoughsmall,wasdesignedtocarryonlyasingleinquisitorandtheirretinue.Raznickwaitedoutside.He toofell inwithher,walkingather leftshoulder,Rendensteinatherright.Thecutterwastwohundredmetreslongintotal,thehabitablesectionconsiderablyless.Theywereonthecommanddeckinseconds.Wienandstoppedatthethresholdofthedoor.ThroughtheoculusoftheshipSaturnturnedserenely,itsringsshininginthesunlightoverastriatedbodythecolourofrecaffmixedwithdairyfats.Itsmanymoonsparaded round it like pearls.Wienand had been all over the galaxy, but this world had always beenspecialtoher,ifonlybecauseSaturnwasforbidden.UnlikeitsbrotherJupiter,Saturnwasnotringedbyorbital habitats.Remnants of those predating the Imperium added to its flock ofmoons, but therewasnothinginhabited,nominingplatforms,nogasextractionorresearchstations.Comparedtotherestoftheover-exploitedsolarsystem,Saturnwaspristine.

The cutter flew around the gas giant, skimming the rings at distances as little as twenty thousandkilometres.Acaramelorbrosefromtheshoulderofthegiant,massiveasaplanet,dwarfingitsbrotherandsistermoons.‘Titan,mylady,’saidthecaptain.Headjustedhiscourse,pointingthesharpnoseofthecutterdirectlyatthehazyworld.Redlightsandalarmsflashedovereverydisplay.‘Halt,andturnback.ThisworldisperditabyorderoftheHolyInquisitionoftheEmperorofMankind.Turnbackorbedestroyed.Halt,’beganamessage,andthenrepeatedonaloop.‘InquisitorWienand,Marguerethe,A.IdentcodeSigmaFiveFullBlackDelta.Requestingpermissiontoland.’‘Codenotaccepted.Halt,andturnback.Thisworld isperditabyorderof theHolyInquisitionof theEmperorofMankind,’ said themessageagain.Warningsbleeped.Theship’smasterofaugurandarmsspoke.‘They’relockingontous.Notmuch,butit’llfinishusiftheyfire.’Wienand flexed her hand. The implant that had burrowed into her flesh from Veritus hampered hermovement,grindingagainsthertarsalbones.Sheyankedoffherglove.‘Givemeadatareader,keyitintothevox.Broadcastittothesourceofthatmessage.’‘Yes,mylady.Inwhatformisthedatatoberead?’‘Idon’tknow,trythemall,’shesaid.Morealarmswentoff.‘Halt,andturnback.ThisworldisperditabyorderoftheHolyInquisitionoftheEmperorofMankind.Turnbackorbedestroyed,’saidthemessage.Themasterofaugurandarmsindicatedagreenpanel.Sheflexedherhandagainandspreaditovertheglass.Themachine triedeverywavelength in theelectromagneticspectrumbeforeswitching toaudiblebands.Finally,thethinginherpalmvibratedandthedevicechimed.‘Halt,and–’Themessagestopped.Thevoxshifted.Ahumanvoicereplacedthemachine’s.‘Veritusisdead,’itsaid.‘Heisdead,’saidWienand.‘IamtheInquisitorialRepresentativetotheSenatorumImperialis,oneoftheHighTwelveoftheHighLordsofTerra.VeritusnominatedmeashissuccessorasliaisonbetweentheInquisition and theGreyKnights Chapter,AdeptusAstartes, number six, six, six. Iwish tomeetwithSupremeGrandMasterJanus.’Thereplywasimmediate.‘Haveyourshipfollowthesecoordinatestohighanchor.LadyInquisitor,youmaybreakorbitanddescend,butonlyyou.Failtoobeythesetwoinstructionsoranyfurtherforthcoming,andyourvesselwillbedestroyed.’The voice snapped off. The master of augur and arms attempted to raise them again, but the voidremainedsilent.‘Friendly,aren’tthey?’saidRaznick.‘Weshouldcomewithyou,’saidRendenstein.‘I’llgoalone,’saidWienand.‘Ishouldbesafeenough.’Butshedidn’tbelieveit.

Wienand’sshipdroppedthroughtheupperlayersofTitan’shazygasenvelope.Thevoidwaslosttosight.Saturn’sdomineeringpresencewasvisibleforafewsecondslongerasabrowndiskinthehaze,andthenthattoowasgoneandshewasenclosedbyyelloworganonitrogenmurk.Hands awkward in the gauntlets of her void suit rested lightly on the shuttle’s sticks as the roar ofatmospheric entry built around the craft. Augur pulses showed nothing dangerous around her, but she

scanned the closehorizon through the cockpit automatically, tensely searching forhazards she couldn’tpossiblysee.Reflectionsonthevisorofhersuitlimitedwhatshecouldseeasmuchastheorganicsoupof theair.Flyingblind, shewas relianton thecraft’s suiteof sensors.Thealtimeter rolleddown.Thehull’stemperaturerose.Abriefperiodofturbulencemarkedhertransitionfromtheupperatmospheretothe lower. The haze thinned, becoming clouds. Through the auspex of the ship she received visualrepresentationsofthegroundbelow,andfleetingvisible-lightglimpsesofthelandscape.Shefiredtheship’srockets,increasedgaintoitsgravsystems.Inquisitorialcraftwereoutfittedwiththepinnacle ofAdeptusMechanicus technology, and the approachwas smoother than a lesser ship’s.Thecraft levelled out. She banked round, flying in broad circles in search of a beacon. The hull’s outertemperatureplummetednowre-entryfrictionhadstopped.Downthethermalgaugewent,impossiblylow;Titanwasbeyondcold.Wienanddroppedlower,skimmingoveravolcanospewingammonia-waterice.Thick,greasysnowflakesofmethane-ethanesplattedonthecockpit.Lakesofoilyhydrocarbonspassedundertheship’skeel,fedbylazyrivers.Aroundshewentagain.Various indicatorsblinkedamberon theship’s flightboards.The temperatureandatmospheretaxeditssystems.‘Whereareyou,’shesaid.‘Whereareyou?’Anavbeaconlituponhermaindisplay,pulsingbrightyellowinatangleofcontourlines.Breathingaprayer of relief, she swung the ship around and locked on to the location, relinquishing control to theship’s machine-spirits. The craft flew over more of the strange, mottled landscape. Titan appearedhabitablewhenviewedfromsafety.Itwasalie.Ifshesteppedoutsidewithouthersuitshe’ddie.Shehadseenairlessworldsanddeathplanets,andworldsconsumedperpetuallybyfire,butneverhadshehadcausetocomesomewhereascoldasthis.TitanexceededallparametersTerranlifehadsetitself.ItwashardtoimagineSpaceMarineslivingthere.Jaggedpeaksof iceappearedahead.Atsuch temperatures,water took theplaceof rock.Lowgravityallowedtectonicupthrusttomakethemoddlytall.Theywerefairypeaks,somethingfromachild’stale.Theshipflewrightatthem.Wienandlookedlongattheapproachvector,describedonaglassscreenasatunnelofboxesrushingovertherepresentationoftheship.Shelookedbackatthemountains,seeingnosign of any structure. Perhaps this was how the Grey Knights dealt with unwanted visitors. Stagedaccidentswereeasiertobrushawaythanunexplainedweaponsdischarge.An ice cliff cameather, blackasnight andharder thangranite.Sheheldherbreath.At fivehundredmetres,greenlightshonefromnodiscerniblesource,illuminatingagateofplainplasteelforlessthanasecondbeforeblinkingout.Thegatevanishedagain,thecliffbecomingtotallyblackinthehydrocarbonsnow.Wienandlettheshipflyrightatit, trustingthelighttobeaninvitationtoanopenway,andnotaquickroutetodeath.The gate was open. Her lighter’s beams shone into a small, rectangular space, big enough toaccommodateasingleSpaceMarinegunship,nomore.Shesworeloudlyandslammedonthefrontjetstofullburn.A smooth icewall rushedather, then she stoppedabruptly, slammingpainfully intoher seatrestraints.Aflashinglightdrewherattentiontoadatascreen.Hershiphadbeencaughtinagravityslinglikeaballinaglove.‘Land,’saidavoicethroughthevox.Sheactivatedtheship’slandingcycleandtheslingshutoff.Herlightertoucheddownonametalfloor.Amomentlater itbegantosinkdownashaft.Hardenedplasteelrunnerswereembeddeddirectlyintotherock-ice.Everythirtymetresdimyellowlumenspunctuatedtheshaft,theonlylightsbesidesthoseofhership.

The elevator came out into a huge cave. The platform touched down and rotated. Metallic clankssoundedunderneathher,andtheshipwasconveyedsideways, thenbackwards,andbrought torest inadockingbaycarvedfromtheiceofthemoon.Thereweremanyofthesestalls,eachoneoccupiedbyaThunderhawkinabluish-silverlivery.Wienandwaited inher restraints for further instruction. ‘Hello?’shesaid into thevox. ‘Whatdo Idonow?’Receivingnoreply,shedecidedtoleave.Thegaugeshowedthetemperatureinthehangartobeminus-fiftydegrees,warmerthanthesurface,stillultimatelydeadly.Theship’srampopened.Shepunchedopenherbeltlocksandexitedintothehangar.Itglowedwithsoftblue light under which the Thunderhawks slept, glittering with carbon frost. Water ice furred theirheraldryofabooktransfixedbyasword.Therewereotherwaysintothehangar,shesaw,andotherkindsofship.Abroadrampledlowerintotheicybedrock,markedwiththeimprintsoftanktreads.Sheturnedaround,seekingawayout.Seeingnone,shewenttothecavewallwhereshefoundadoor,hiddenbyanaturalcamouflageoffrost.‘This is Inquisitor Wienand, I have done as instructed. Are you going to leave me here?’ Theimperiousnessofhervoiceinthesilentchamberabashedher.Lightsblinkedoverthedoor.Withasighinggroan,itcrackedopen,sheddingplatesoficeandshowersofhoarfrostuponthethreshold.BeyondthedoorstoodaSpaceMarineunlikeanyothershehadevermet.HewasagelessinthewayoftheAdeptusAstartes,butcarriedanairofgreatvenerabilitythatoutmatchedeventhatofVeritus.Hisfacewasleathery,tannedbythelightofmyriadsuns,andwrinkledwithfinelines.Theskinwasfoldedwithageoverhiseyes,oneofwhichhadapronouncedsquint–themarkofanoldinjury,perhaps–andhisforeheadwasamassoflong-servicestuds.Inthedeadlycoldhewasbarefootandworesimplerobes.Plumesofsteamblewfromhisnostrilswitheach steady breath. Despite his great age he was tall and proud, his physiology distorted by hisenhancement,neuralplugsglintinginthegrotesquemusculatureofhisarms,butitwashispsychicpotencythattookheraback.Wienandwasnopsyker,althoughmanyinquisitorswere,butstillshecouldfeelhispower emanating from his eyes. A nimbus of light from some internal source shone around his head.Wienandwasoverwhelmedbyasenseoftheholy;thiswasawarriorsaint.ShewasonestepfromtheEmperorHimself,andshefoughttheurgetoprostrateherselfbeforehim.‘IamSupremeGrandMasterJanusoftheGreyKnights,’hesaid.Helookedonher.Shefeltthetouchofhismindonhersandsheshivered.‘IamInquisitorWienand.Ibringyounewsofareorganisationwithinourordos,andtheformationofanorderofspecificrelevancetoyourbrotherhood.’‘Sindermanntoldmethisdaywouldcome.Igrieveforhispassing.Hewasanoldfriendandwillbemissed.But it isbestnot todwellonthepast.Whathasgonecannotbehelped,onlythefuturemaybesaved.Isensenowisthetimefornewfriendships.’Hestoodaside,andheldopenhisarmsinwelcome.‘Youmayenter,LadyInquisitorWienand.Come,wehavemuchtodiscuss.’

CHAPTERSIXTEENFuryoftheSpaceMarines

FourhundredSpaceMarinescametoTerra.AcompanyeachfromtwoofthenewlyfoundedChapters,theHaloBrethren and the Sable Swords. Flyingwith themwere two hundred Imperial Fists of the First,FourthandFifthCompanies.Thistime,thecrowdswerenotouttomeetthem.‘Ithankyouforthehonourofleadingthisexpedition,LordThane.’Unhelmeted, Qublicus Amar, lord of the Sable Swords, was forced to shout over the noise of theThunderhawkasitbattleditswaydownthroughTerra’satmosphere.‘Ithasbeensaidthatyoushouldleadit.TheImperialFistshaveaccruedmanybattlehonourssincethefalloftheBeast.’‘NotI,’saidThane.Hedidwearhishelmet,andhisvox-grilleboostedhisvoice.‘Vangorichwasmyerror.Ihavecometoputitright,butIshouldnotbetheonetolead.MyjudgementregardingtheGrandMasteriscompromised.’Amarresettledhimselfinhisdropcradle.TheThunderhawkbangedandleaptasitencounteredapocketofrisingwarmair.‘It isoveracenturysinceyoulast trodtheThroneworld’ssurface,youcouldnothavepredictedwhathappened. A new golden age approaches, Thane, and your efforts are to thank. Beyond Terra, theImperium has recovered. Hundreds of worlds have been reclaimed and rebuilt. The armies of theImperiumare largerandbetterorganised.Newfleetsply thestarsand thewarp,while theeyesof theInquisition are everywhere alert tonew threats. Itwill soonbe time to crusade again, andexpandourbordersinthenameoftheEmperor.’‘Allyousayistrue.ButTerraitself,andmanyotherworldshavesuffered.Thatisonme.Icannotleadthisexpedition.’Thanewouldspeaknomoreofit,andAmarlethimbetocheckhisequipmentonefinaltime.Thanehadexpectedafight,butthetaskforcedidnotgetone.KubikgreetedthemcordiallyfromMars.Nofirewas loosedat thembystar fortsorsolardefenceships.Theneworbital fortressesgreeted theSpaceMarinesandofferedtheirfleetberths.SeveraltensehoursensuedafterthefleetputintohighorbitoverTerra.ApartyofHighLordsmetwithThaneandAmaraboardtheHighWall,anewGoliath-classstarfortinorbitoverthePalace.Afterswiftnegotiation,twentyThunderhawksflewtothesurface.ThanesuggestedAmarhavethegunshipsputdowninaringintheFieldsofWingedVictory.Itseemedaptsomehow.Thepavingwasdirtyandcracked,thespiressurroundingittarnishedandinillrepair.Thanehadafeelingthisneglectwasonlyatasteofwhattherewastocome.Unopposed,ThaneandAmarwalkeddowntherampofthegunshipandontoTerra’shallowedsurface.SquadsofSpaceMarinesspreadoutindefensiveorder.LandSpeedersdroppedfrompassingtransportsmadecontrolleddescentstothesurfacethenracedoffintothePalace.‘MylordsChapterMaster,’saidCaptainEthratan,SecondCaptainoftheSableSwords.‘Thereareno

signsofanenemyanywhere.’Thane looked around the Fields. They were a good place to land, so big ambush was impossible.‘EveryonewantsVangorich gone.We’ll suffer no attention from theAdeptusMilitarum,Arbitrators orAdeptusCustodes,’hesaid toEthratanandAmar.‘But therewillbeopposition.Vangorich’sAssassinsareloyaltohim,andhehasexpandedhisofficiosinceIwaslasthere.Becareful.Watchtheshadows.Thiswillnotbeaneasyfight.’‘Understood,mylord,’saidAmar.Dissatisfied,ThanewatchedAmarheadout;Amarshouldhavemoreconfidence.Themembersof thenewerChaptersweretoodeferentialtohim,anditmadehimuncomfortable.Warriorsthatadulatedtheirheroescouldbeledastraybythewrongleader.If thelikesofEthratanorAmarknewthattheImperialFistshadbrieflyfallen,theymightnotbesoworshipful.A Thunderhawk transporter came down slowly, engines roaring,Dorn’s Fist slung in its cradle. Itreleaseditscargoclawsthreemetresabovetheground,droppingtheLandRaiderontotheFields.TheassembledforcesofthethreeChaptersspreadoutingroups,headingintothedeathlyquietcity.Dorn’sFistwas theveryLandRaider inwhichThanehad arrived in triumphat theFields a centurybefore.Heboarded thegreatvehicle.Reversing thecoursehe tookon thatday,heheaded forBastionGateandrodefortheWiddershinsTower.

Theypassed throughwithout incident, theBastionGate’s bristlingweapons arrays inactive.The lightswereout in thewall tunnel, andbeyond.Therewerenopeopleon thestreets.Therewasanexpectantquieteverywhere.TerrawantedridofVangorich,butitirkedThanethattheworthiesoftheThroneworldweretoospinelesstodoitthemselves.The buildings of the Palacewere in various states of disrepair. Some still bore the scars of the orkattack. Insteadof proper reconstruction, vast sumsofmoneyhadbeen spent ongreatmonuments, fromwhosehalf-finishededificeshungthecorpsesofthosewhohaddispleasedtheLordProtector.Thedeadweremoreevidentthantheliving.Tallinformationalpostersadornedeverymajorintersectionandtransitstation, layingout theduties of theTerran citizen.Thepenalties for failing to complywere invariablydeath.TheGreatChamber’sdomedroofrosepregnantlyfromthesurroundingblocksandspires.Stilltheysawnoone.It was as Thane neared theWiddershins Tower that the first shot was fired. A vox-chime, ultimatepriority,ranginhishelmet.‘LordThane!ChapterMasterAmarisdead!’‘Report.’‘AnexitusroundtookhimasweweredeployingtosearchtheGreatChamber.We’reunderheavyfire.Therearenumeroushostilecontacts.’‘Fallbackintocover,’heordered.‘Ishallassumecommand.’Thane’sfurygrew.Thefirstcasualty,anditwasaChapterMaster.ItappearedhewastoberesponsibleforVangorich’soverthrowafterall.HeorderedaugursweepsandairstrikesontheareasaroundtheGreatChambertoclearthewayfortheSableSwords.Andthenhellbrokeloose.

Thaneleanedaroundacornerandletoffaquickburstofthreebolts.Hereceivedapunishingexitusroundinhispauldronthatshattereditsautoreactivemechanismsinexchange.‘Getamissilelauncheruphere!’hecommanded.Hisfaceplatewasfullofflashingrunes.ImperialFistswarriorswereembattledallaroundtheWiddershinsTower.VindicareAssassinsshotdownatthemfrom

therooftopswithvirtualimpunity.Callidusoperativesattackedinfree-flowingsquadsofthree,slashingtheir phase swords throughpower armour anddartingback into coverbefore they couldbe cut down.Thanehadpenetratedintothefoyerofthetower.Theliftswerealldead,nopowerwaswithin.Theentryhadtherun-down,neglectedfeelthathadbeenreportedfromalloverthecity.Thane retreated a fewmetres, rotated his arm and grimaced. Themechanisms in his armour groundhorribly.ThreeotherSpaceMarinestookhisplaceandfiredupthestairs.Onewasdownedafterfiringonlytwice,smokingholesdrilledthrougheachofhishearts.‘Missileapproaching.’SpaceMarinesmovedoutoftheway,makingasmuchuseofthelimitedcoveraswaspossible.Everyexposedstabilisationnozzle,elboworfootdrewashot.‘Make way for him!’ commanded Thane. The missile launcher bearer, Brother Arkhis, crouched byThane’sfeet.‘Onthree,’saidThane.‘Weshallfillthisstairwaywithbolts.Youmustaimtrue,brother.’‘IhavealockontheAssassin’sposition,mylord,’saidArkhis.‘Verygood.Makeitcount.Onthree,two,one.’Thane and four others leaned out, sending out awall of bolts.Arkhis stepped into themiddle of thestairs,activatedhisstabilisersandfired.Themissileroaredoff, lightingthedarkstairwithitsexhaustflare.Aballofflamerolledbackdowntowardsthemasitdetonatedoverthetarget.Bitsofdebrisrattledofftheirarmour.Arkhisremainedwherehewas.‘Heisdead,’hesaid.Thane looked up, his sensorium overlay settling on a corpse torn in half some hundred steps up thestaircase.‘Heis,’saidtheChapterMaster.Heslappedthewarriorontheshoulder.‘Agoodshot,bravelydone.’‘Mylord!’calledArkhisasThaneheadedoffupthestairs.‘Perhapsyoushouldnotgofirst?’‘IfIfall,thereareotherswhowillkilltheGrandMasterforme.Vangorichskulksbehindothers.Thatisnotmyway.’Sosaying,Thaneboundedupthesteps.

ThreemoreAssassins fell beforeThanemade it to the top of the tower. The antechamber outside theCerebrium was quiet, the sounds of the combat going on at every level of the buildings around theWiddershinsTowermuted.Inbattle-stainedarmour,Thanetrodathickcarpetpastdisplaysoffloweringplants.Helookedbacktothewarriorsfollowinghim,threeImperialFistsandtwoSableSwords,heldafingertohisvisorgrilleandtappedatthehousingsofhisvox-pickup,thenshookhishead.TherewerepreciousfewwhocouldbreaktheencryptionofSpaceMarinesquadcommunication.Vangorichwasoneofthem.BybattlesignThanehadhiswarriorsarraythemselvesaroundtheCerebrium’spricelesswoodendoors.Itseemedashametokickthemin.The doors flew back under the blow from Thane’s boot. The Cerebriumwas beyond, outfitted as aprivateofficeforsomeonewholovedbooks.Theylinedeverywall,hidingthewoodenpanelling.Behindthelargedesk,herbacktothewindow,wasInquisitorWienand.‘Wienand,’saidThane.‘WhereisVangorich?’Thane lookedmuch the same as he had a century ago.Wienand was unrecognisable. The handsomewomanThanehadlastseenhadbecomewrinkled,herfeaturesdistortedbyharshanti-geronticsandthehardshipsofaninquisitor’slife.Hereyesweresunkenandringedwithbrownflesh.Ascarranacrossherfacefromher left temple toherchin,cuttingthroughhernoseandlips.Herhair,onceirongrey,wasabrilliantwhite.She smiled. ‘I have become old,’ she said, apologetically. ‘I’ll bet under that helmet you have not

changedatall.’Thanemadetocomeforwards,hisbolterup.‘Stop!’shesaid. ‘Drakanassumedyouwouldcomehere, tohisoffice this lastcentury. It is rigged toexplodeassoonasanyoneattemptstoleaveit.’Thanestoppedatthethreshold.‘Youarewithin.’‘Ineededawaytoconvinceyouofmysincerity.Iwillnotlivepasttheendofthehour–whetherIamkilledbyyourhandorbyVangorich’s,itmakesnodifference.Doyouthinkmeatraitor,ChapterMaster?’‘Yes,’ said Thane. ‘Vangorich executed the High Twelve, he left you alive and in office. When heinstalledpuppetsanddoppelgangerstodohisbidding,youandKubikremainedinpower.WhentheytoofailedtobebiddableandhedissolvedtheCouncil,youandKubikweresetfree.’‘Notfree,notcompletely,’shesaid.‘AndKubikisdead.Hehasbeenforahundredyears.’‘ThenwithwhomwasIspeakingwhenweputinatMars?’‘EldonUrquidex,’shesaid.Shepickedupabookandturneditoverinherhands.Fourboltgunsweretraineduponher.Thane raisedhishandandgesturedhismenback. ‘Vangorich tookKubik’sdatacore,implanted it inUrquidexandconvincedhim to impersonateKubik,althoughhe’sbeendoing it so longnowIthinkhe’sforgottenwhohewas.Fromacertainpointofview,UrquidexisKubik.’‘Itdoesn’tmatterwhoheis.HesupportedVangorich.Youarebothtraitors,’saidThane.‘Youarenotblameless,’saidWienand.‘YoumadeVangorichLordProtector.Youhavebeenabsentforacentury, crusading so zealously it blindedyou towhatwashappeningonTerra.Youmust haveknownVangorichhadexecutedtheHighLords,thoughhetriedtokeepitfromyou.Itriedtotellyouoftenenoughmyself.Youmusthavereceivedsomeofmymessages,butyoudidnotreturntoputanendtohisreign.Isthatnotanactoftreachery?’Thaneshrugged.Hisdamagedpauldronhitched. ‘Hewasdoinga reasonable jobof rulingTerra, so Ibelieved.Hehasoutlivedhisusefulness,andthatismyfault,butitismydutytokillyounevertheless.’‘Iamnotatraitor,Thane.Noonestandsagainstyou,theAssassinorumaside,becauseIhaveworkedforweekstobringtogethertheadeptaofTerra.Beforethat,whileyouwereoffwashingyourfailuresawaywithblood,IhavebeenatDrakan’ssidemoderatinghisworstexcesses.Iwasallfortryingtobringhimdown,butVeritusconvincedmenotto.HesaidthatVangorichhadoutplayedusall,andthatremovinghimwouldbeworsethanthealternativeoflettinghimrule.Asinglevoicesingsclearerthananunharmoniouschorus,andtherewasnochorusasunharmoniousas theBeast-eraHighLords.Wehaven’tdonebadly.WerestoredTerra,andrefortifiedit.Wehaveseendozensoftheworldsravagedbytheorksrebuiltandreincorporated.MarsworksinunitywiththeImperiumagain,andhedidnotinterferewithyourFourthFounding.ThearmiesofmanarestrongerthanatanytimesincetheHeresy.’‘ThatiswhyIdidnotreturn.’‘Thenitisyourfault.Theselasttwentyyearshavebeendifferent.Hisedictshavebecomebizarre.Therehavebeenneedlessmassacres.Populationrelocationfornoreason.Appointmentofunsuitablecandidatestoplanetarygovernorship.Worldsstarveasheredirectsresourceshereforvainworks.Terrawasrebuilt,but hewould turn it into a baublewhile its real needsgountended.’She smiledbitterly. ‘ThebiggeststatuesheerectedareofyouandKoorland.’‘Idonotcareforstatues.Hemustgo.TheHighLordsmustreignoncemore.’‘Theymust,’Wienandsaid.Sheturnedthebookoveragain,runningslenderfingersoveritspageedges.‘Vangorichdidnotwishtobeatyrant.Hesetoutwiththebestofintentions.ThepressureofrunningtheImperiumhasdrivenhimquitemad,Ifear.ItdidnothelphimthatInevercouldreturntheaffectionhehadforme.SomaybeIamasresponsibleforhisexcessesasyou.’Thanesaidnothing.Mattersoftheheartwereamysterytohim.

‘This book,’ she said, holding it up. It had a grubby, blue canvas cover. ‘He used to read it in theSigillite’sRetreat.ItistheSayingsoftheSigillite,withnotesontheapocrypha.’‘Whatofit?’Shesetitdown.‘Imerelyunderlinemypoint.Hesetouttodowhathecould,’shesaid.‘Whereishe,Wienand?’‘HehasfledtoTempleEversorintheAktick.Heiswaitingforyouthere.’‘Isthisatrap?’‘NotoneIamsetting,ifthatiswhatyouaresuggesting.Istayedheretotellyouthisinformationsoyou’dbe forewarned.HeknowsIwould tellyou this.Fromhispointofview, it isa trapwhetheryougo inblindlyorwithyoureyesopen.Heknowsyouwillgothere,nomatterwhatIsay.’‘WehaveseennoEversoracolyteshere.Wherearethey?’saidThane.‘Theyarewithhim.Allofthem.Thatisthetrap.’Shesmiledonelasttime.‘Goodbye,MaximusThane.’Thaneplacedhisfistonhischest,bowed,andleft.Whenhewashalfwaydownthestairs,theCerebriumexploded.

ThanereviewedthecasualtyreportsfromthebattleinthePalace.HalfoftheSpaceMarineshadfallen.Itwashardtocreditthatmortalscouldinflictsuchlosses.TenThunderhawkgunshipslefttheFieldsofWingedVictorywhilethebattleinthePalaceragedon.TheAssassinshadwisely left thegunshipsalone,but in theconfinesof thecity theyweredeadly,and theywereeverywhere.Thanehadnoideahowmanyofthemtherewere,andthefightingspreadoutacrossthewholecentraldistrictofthePalaceandbeyond.Theoretically,theAssassinscouldfightacovertwarforyears; realistically theonlyway tostop themwouldbe tohaveanewGrandMasterorder themto laydowntheirarms.Thoughtheirnumbersdroppedbythehour,theyfoughtoninpockets.Thane was grateful for Wienand’s preparatory efforts to ensure that Vangorich could not rouse thepopulationofTerraagainsthim,andevenmoreglad that theAdeptusCustodeshaddecided to remainneutral.TheAssassinswere troubleenough,andeven thoughpeoplewereoff the streets in thecentraldistricts,Thane’sstrategosserfsandhisownbestguessesputthecasualtiesamongcivilianswellintothethousands.InthemoredistantpartsofthePalaceitwasfarworse,withmanyofthemstillattemptingtogoabout theirbusiness,drivenbydutyandfear toreachtheirplacesofservice.Battlesburst intovastscriptoriawhere thousands laboured.Artisanalworkshops became the sites of brutal firefights. Itwasinevitablepeoplewoulddie.ThaneaddedtheirdeathstothetallyofVangorich’ssinsastheImperialPalacedroppedawayundertheThunderhawk.LayersofbrownsmogcloakedthePalacebutcouldnothidethesheerimmensityofit.ThePalacewasmorethanacity,itcoveredthesiteoftheoldcontinentofEuropafromnorthtosouth,spillingoutintothedryseabeds.Atsixthousandmetres,thelowerportionswerelosttoview,thehighertowersandspiresthrustingupthroughthepollutedairlikeislandsinadirtysea.TheThunderhawksturnedtowardsthepoleandrosehigher.AuspexsweepspingedrepeatedlyinthecockpitbutTerra’ssubstantialanti-orbitalandanti-aircraftfirepowerremainedinactive.Vangorichwascompletelyisolated.AstheyflewoverthePalaceandtowardsthedirtyicefieldsofthenorth,Thanecalledthebattle-bargeStormofMightandorderedScoutteamstolandnearbyandguideorbitalstrikesonthetemple.‘Precisiononly,removeitsairdefences,targetthebarracks.Donotdestroyit,’heconcludedhisorders.‘IwilltakeVangorichalive.Hemustanswerforhiscrimes.’

TheSpaceMarinesputdowninaplazastillsmokingfromastraylancehit.Defencelasertowersburned

atthefourcornersofthetemple.TempleEversoroccupiedtheplaned-offsummitofamountainneartothemagneticpole.Adrearyvistaof exposed seabedandeerily sculpted sailsof icecaked indirt andpollutantsrecededintothedistance.Thetemplestaffweredead.TheirbodieswerescatteredwhereverThanelooked.Afewhadbeenkilledby the Space Marine reconnaissance teams, but most had no visible injuries, but exhibited signs ofpoisoningofadozendifferentkinds.‘Whodidthis?’askedThane’sstandardbearer.‘Hehas.Vangorichslaughteredhisfollowers,’saidThane.‘Heisinsane.’Coldwindblewoverthearidlandscape.Thanemarshalledhisonehundredandfiftywarriors.Themaintemplewasahead.SettingtheScoutteamstoguardtheThunderhawks,thebattle-brothersofthreeChaptersadvanced.Theentrancetothetemplewasdeceptivelysmallandunassuming,but thefirsthallwasasgrandasacathedral.StoneblockswithnovisiblenamesuponthemactedasmemorialstotheunsungheroesoftheImperium.More temple staff laydotted around, their skingreen,mouths thickwith frothed saliva.TheSpaceMarinesspreadout.Ahead,abroadstairwayleddownwardsintothemainpartofthetemple;anextensiveundergroundcomplexof trainingchambers,barracks,surgeries,cells,hypnosariumsandhugemachinerooms.Thanehadhiswarriorscheckthemall,thoughheknewinhisguttheywouldbedesertedbyallbutthedead.Vangorichwaitedfor themin thedepthsof the temple,aspiderat theheartof itsweb.Hewas in thelargesthallofall,dominatedbymonumentalstatuaryandmassiveglassaicwindowswhosecoloursweredulledby theblack rockbehind them.Avaultedceiling stretchedahundredmetres above theirheads,supported on a row of columns running down the walls where they divided the spaces between thewindowsintocylindricalalcoves,fiftyeithersideofthehall.Vangorichsatonthestepsofadaisattheendofthehall,onekneeupraised,hiselbowrestingonitandhishandcuppinghischin.Oncesoneatandwellpresented,hehadbecomefilthyandunkempt.Hisnailswerelongandragged,andhishairlank.Hehadbecomethin,buttherewasstillahintofhisoldstrengthvisibleinthesinewycordsofhisneckandwrist.Thougholdbythestandardsofmortals,hewaswithoutmechanicalaid.Hewasstilldangerous.‘DrakanVangorich,’pronouncedThane.‘IamheretoarrestyouforhightreasontotheImperiumofMan,andgrossabuseofprivilegethatgoesagainstthefundamentalprinciplesofImperialgovernment.’Vangorichyawned.‘Youalwayssaidyou’dcomeback.Hereyouare,makinggoodonyourthreat.’Hisvoicehadanew,wildedge.‘Youtookyourtime.’‘Inever intended thatyou rulealone,’ saidThane.Hesteppedcloser,anddrewhispowersword. Itsfieldglowedfaintlyinthegloom.‘I discovered fairly quickly that it was either rule alone, or not rule at all,’ said Vangorich. ‘TheSenatorumwasungovernable.Ihadtoact.KubikmovedUllanor,that’swhyIhadtokillthem.It’sstilloutthere,nottoofarfromTerra.’‘Whydidyounotrecallme?Whydidyoukillthemall?’‘Becauseyouwouldnothavecomeback,’saidVangorich.Hestoodup,hisstalescentwaftingout toThane.‘Ididmybest.Youshouldhaveruled,Thane,youwouldhavedonebetter.Butyouwantedyourcrusade.Ididn’twanttobeLordProtector.’‘Youdid,’saidThane.‘Youliedforsolongthatyoucannotstop.Youliedeventoyourself.Lookintoyourinnermostself,GrandMaster.Ibelieveyouwillfindthatyouintendedtoruleallalong,andIwasblindnottosee.’Vangorichsmiled,exposingdirtyteeth.Inthesmile,thelinesaroundthemouth,thesetofthehead,there

wasaflashofthemanhehadbeen.‘Givemetime,everythingwillbesettorights.ProtectingtheImperiumandprotectinghumanityarenotalwaysthesame.Iwillmakeitbetter,youwillsee.’ThanelookedatthefilthyVangorich.Hissuaveness,intelligenceandwitweregone.Timewascrueltomortalmen.WhatbitatThanethemostwasthatVangorichwasright,heshouldhavestayed.Hehadsetpersonalhonouroverduty.‘Itistoolate.YoufailedinyourambitionasyoufailedyourEmperor,’saidThane.‘Itistimeforyoutostep down,Vangorich.Come and face judgement.You shall be tried by the newHighLords ofTerra.JusticeservedshallbeawarningtoallthosewhothinkthemselvesmightierthantheEmperor’swill.’Vangorichstoodandlaughed,clappingindelight.Onehundredandfiftyboltgunslideswererackedback.‘Whatamarvellousspeech,’hesaid.‘Butno,Imustdecline.Yousee,’hesaidimpishly,‘youaremakingaterriblemistake.’‘Imademymistakeahundredyearsago,’ saidThane. ‘I shouldhaveheededyour suggestion,and letVeritusleadtheSenatorum.’‘You’remaking another one now,’ saidVangorich.His eyes gleamedwith incipientmadness. ‘And itshallbeyourlast.’Aklaxonblared its rising-fallingsong.Blinking lightsshone in thealcovesalong the templewalls.Ahundredcapsulesrosefromthefloorintothem,rotatingamberlightsontheirtops.Theylockedintoplacewith loud thunks.Swirlinggas filled each, litwithblue light. Inside themwere the indistinct formsofhuman bodies, clad in tight-fitting synskin. In an asynchronous cacophony, the gas vented from thecapsules.‘ThisisTempleEversor,’saidVangorich.‘Allowmetointroduceitsacolytes.’The Space Marines opened fire, shooting at the capsules, but they were made of centimetres-thickarmourglass, and though they cracked and fractured, they did not break.One by one the shapes insidecamealive,twitchinggauntletsrakingagainsttheirprisons.Thedoorsopened,releasingmoremethalonfumesintotheroom.Watervapourcondensedinthechilledair,cloakingeverythingwithadense,freezingfog.ThewarriorsaroundThanedisappearedintocoilsofwhite.Thaneactivatedfalse-colourheatvision.Hesawhismen.TheEversorswereascoldasthegas,andhedidnotseethemcoming.Boltgunswentoffallaroundhim;somewhereheheardVangorich’sinsanelaughter.ThefightthatfollowedwasoneofthehardestofThane’slife.Black-suitedkillersrearedupinthemist,movingtoofastforhimtohiteasily.Theshoutsofbattle-brothersranginhishelmet.SpaceMarinescameintosight,onlytobecutdownbytheflashingfingerbladesofTempleEversor’scrazedkillers.‘Fallbacktothedoor!’orderedThane.‘Defensivecordon!’Hisdwindlingmenformeduparoundtheentrance,back-to-back,boltgunsblazing.AhandfulofEversorsgot behind them, causing great loss before theywere cut down.Casualty screed scrolled endlessly onThane’sfaceplatedisplay.Black,skull-maskedAssassinsdartedinandoutofview,clawingmendown.Intheirturn,theAssassinsdiedmessily,blastedapartbymass-reactivesordetonatedbyuncontrollablebio-feedbackwhentheirheartsstopped.SuchwastheforceoftheirexplosionsthatSpaceMarineswentdown,battleplateholedbyfragmentsofhyper-velocityboneshardsandarmour.‘Keepthemback!’yelledThane.‘Keepthemback!’Executionerpistolsfired,loudbrazenboltgunsonemoment,silenttoxinneedlersthenext.The Eversors pressed nearer. Fighting became close and desperate, and the firing discipline of theAdeptusAstartescollapsed.Thegroupdisintegratedintoindividualsfightingfortheirlivesinmelee.At

closequartersVangorich’skillersexcelled.Thewarriorsfightingathissidebecamefewer,goingfromonehundred,toseventy-five,tofifty,totwenty,toten.Thanebattledon,hispowerswordtheflaringdividinglinebetweenhislifeanddeath.Heparriedandcut,buthisblowscleavedonlythemist.TheAssassinswerefasterthanthewind,nearimpossibletohit.Theyfoughtinafrenzythatappearedatfirsttolackcontrol,butafteratimeThanediscernedapatterntotheircombat,andwasawedbytheirskill.Hisactionsbecamereflexive,timeblurred.OnlyrarelyhadThanefoughtsohard.AsaSpaceMarineheregarded himself as the pinnacle of the transhuman type. The Eversors, though unstable mentally andphysically,challengedthatbelief.Thanefoughtwithadancingmonsterwithabluedeath’sheadforaface.Itleaptaround,howlinglikeananimal.Afterminutesofduelling,Thanespottedaweaknessinitsattacksandbroughthisswordup,hiltfirst, swinging the point up and through the Eversor’s stomach wall and gutting it. Before it died, itslasheddownwithitsneurogauntlet.Monomolecularbladesslicedthroughceramiteandplasteel,bitingintoThane’sflesh.Toxinssurgedfrommicroporesalluptheblades,pumpingintotheChapterMaster’sbody.He roared inagony.Hehadnever felt suchpain.Hestumbledand fell tohisknees,paralysedby thepoison.Whenhisbodyhadpurgedthetoxinssufficientlyforhimtomove,helookedup,hiseyesstreamingwithtears.Themistwasclearing.Heheardafinalroundofgunfire,ascream,andtheclashofpowerarmourfallingtothefloor.AdarkshadowfellacrossThane’sface.AnEversorstoodoverhim,readytodeliverthefinalblow.‘Halt!’calledVangorich.Hewalkedthroughthelastdispersingtendrilsofmist.‘Youhavelost,ChapterMasterThane,anditisyourlifethatisforfeit.’‘No,’ said theEversor, and stood back.Tremblingwith the effort of disobeying its programming, thekillerpulleditsskullmaskfromitsface.Yankingcablesfromitshead,itcastthemaskaside.Mostofthefleshofthefacebeneathhadbeenpeeledaway,replacedwithclose-fittingaugmeticdevices.Elsewheretherewasnaughtbutshining,polishedboneinscribedwithdevotionaltext.ButtherewasjustenoughofthefeaturesleftforThanetorecognisehim.‘Krule!’hesaid.Throughamutilatedmouth,Krulemanagedtospeak.‘MynameisEsadWire,’hesaid.Hestoodaside,leavingThaneaclearshotatVangorich.Thaneraisedhisboltpistol.Vangorich’seyeswidened.Hehelduphishands.‘Wait!DidyoueverhearthestoryoftheendofKonradCurze?’‘Nomorestories,Drakan,’saidThane,andendedVangorich’slifewithasingleboltershell.Swaying, feeling nauseous from the residue of the poison in his blood, Maximus Thane stood. Hegrippedhiswounded arm.Hewas alone amid a carpet of brokenbodies,SpaceMarine andAssassinalike. He called out for survivors, but no voice answered. Relief flooded him when he voxed theThunderhawksandfoundallwaswelloutside.‘SendtheApothecaries.Theyhaveaharvestofsorrowaheadof them,’hesaid.HeturnedawayfromVangorich’sbrokencorpse.Toowearytoraisehissword,hedraggeditacrossthegroundashewalkedunsteadilybacktowardsthestairsandthedaylightbeyond.OfEsadWire,therewasnotrace.

CHAPTERSEVENTEENAmatterofcontrol

To thepsychic sightofEldradUlthran the skeinwasa livingbeing,acomplicatedbraidingof the lifethreadsofevery living thing in thegalaxy.Themainflowof fate resembled thecorded trunkofa tree.From itsmighty sides grew innumerable branches.Most were small, looping back to rejoin themaincourseofdestiny;manymorewitheredanddiedbeforelong,thepotentialchoicesthatpredicatedthemsounlikelytheywouldnevercometobe,orthecreatureintendedtosetthoseeventsinmotionmeetingitsendbefore itcould.Othersbranchedmanytimes intocomplexnetworksofpossibilityall theirown.Afewofthesesplittheskein,formingmightyboughsuponthetreeoffate.Sometimesasinglechoicecoulddictateadifferentfutureentirely.Itwasupon these thatUlthrandwelt ashis bodilessmind flewalong the twistingwaysof the future.Farseerswere consumedutterlyby thedrive topreserve their craftworld,butEldradUlthran’s callingwashigher.Heignoredthefatesofmaidenworlds,croneworlds,truestars,exoditeclans,pirates,darkkinandcraftworlds.Planetsburnedandkindredsweresnuffedout inmyriad futures.Theseextinctionspained him, but theywere only a small part of the game and he could not afford to be distracted.Heplayedatfatebecausehesawagreaterprizethansimplesurvival.EldradUlthranwouldhavethegloriesofoldrestoredandChaos’ influencebanishedfromthematerial realm.Therewasnoothergoalworthaimingfor;allothersledultimatelytodeathanddamnation.Acrackingroarannouncedthesplittingoftheskein.Anewforestofpossibilitiesgrewrapidlyoutfromthetrunk.Familiarashewaswiththeskein,likenootherbeinginthegalaxy,Ulthranrarelysawsuchadramaticreconfigurationofpotentialitybornbeforehimandhefollowediteagerly.Tendrilsofindividualfates,vanishingly small, sprouted from themainpath,growing longwith incrediblevelocity,wrappingaroundeachother,twistingthemselvesintothickerandthickerropesofcomplexinteraction.Thesecametogether,andagain,until thefatesofworldsandsectorswereboundupwithoneanother,allgeneratedfromtheactionsofthegalaxy’suncountablecreatures.Thewave front of possibility and its fronds ofmaybes raced away fromUlthran.Beneath him,morecords were being joined, wrapping around each other in tight embrace until in their coilings Ulthrandescriedthefatesofentirespecies.Amoaningrolledthroughthetimelessspacesoffate.Theotherhalfofthefork,theoriginalfromhisperspective,blackenedanddied,itsunformedmight-besdisintegratingintounrealisedmotesofchanceandfragmentsofunfulfilledcauseandeffect.Hepaused.Turningabout,helookedbackattheskeintowardsthepresent.Hehadoutpacedthenowbysomedays,but theoriginof thesplitwasonlyhoursaheadof thepresent,anditapproachedswiftly,aboilingwall ofyellow light that rushedunstoppably towards the future.When it encountered theWhatMightBe, it solidified it into theglimmeringofWhat Is, amoment so short it couldnotbemeasured.Whenthepresentpassedonbytheskeinwasstillandclearasglass,thedeadtimesofWhatWas.Ulthranlookeddownatwherethesplithadoccurred,nownomorethanaslightkinkin theskein.He

raced downward, into it, passing through the endless threads of individual lives, his powerful mindinadvertently tasting their short-lived joys and lasting pain. Somany billion human existences, twinedmostlywiththeirownkind,buttouchinghereandthereagainstthefatesofothercreaturesincludingtheeldar,oftendisastrously.Hehuntedtofindthecauseofthechange,hispractisedastraleyesdartingfromdeathsandbirthstotheexplosionsofsuns.Therumbleoftheapproachingpresentgrewlouderashelocatedthesourceofthechange.Onethread,onedeath.DrakanVangorich,masteroftheImperium,wasabouttodie.Ulthran rapidlyexaminedallpossible futures for theGrandMaster’s thread,but though theybeganasmany, they all converged on that one point,when a SpaceMarine in yellow armourwould put a boltbetweenVangorich’seyes.Racing back to the surface of the skein entire,Ulthran looked ahead, towhere the ghost of the deadfuturesyetlingeredasadyingswarmofparticulatemaybes.Thathadbeenabadfuture,theslowdeclineofthehumanImperium,theresurgenceofChaos,theprobabledeathoftheeldar,butwoveninamongstthedoom were gleaming threads of salvation. These Ulthran had resolved to pursue, and he had beenconfidentofsuccessdespitethegrimnatureofthepredominatefates.Butallofthathadgone.Behind him the present rushed on.Ulthran looked to the new future. Less certain,more fraught. Thechancesofsurvivalweremorenumerous,theopportunityofrestorationfarmoreremote.Timestretchedawayunbrokenly.Ulthransawhisownfateweavinginandoutofituntilitwaslosttosightamongtheuncountable tomorrows.The roarof thenow thundered,waterfall-loud.Agreat shockhithisbodyandUlthranwasengulfed,carriedalonguponthewaveofactualitytowardsfutureshehadnotyetassimilated.Itwastimetoleave,beforehewasconsumed.EldradUlthranopenedhiseyes.His runesslowed their spinning in theairandsank to thecrystallineflooraroundhim.There,onebyone,theycametoawobblinghalt,fellandclinkedtoastandstill.‘DrakanVangorichisdead,’hesaidaloud.HisvoiceechoedweirdlythroughtheforestofcrystaltreesofUlthwé’sDomeofSeers.Hisdeathwasforeseen,repliedadisembodiedvoice.Theskeinischanged,saidanother.Among the groves of treeswere half a dozen silent, vitreous statues of eldar farseers, those psykerswhosebondtothecraftship’shearthadbecometoomuchtoignore,andwhosespiritfledtheirfleshtojoin the infinity circuit while still alive. Their voices were hard to tease apart. Though they spokeindividually, theirwordsblended intooneanother’s speech.Malevoicesbecame femaleor somethinginbetween. Theymight speak all together, then split as they disagreed. Eldrad Ulthran knew all theirnamesashehadknownthemallinlife,butwithoutjoiningindirectpsychiccommunionwiththemitwasimpossibletoidentifywhichsoulspoke.‘We go on,’ said Ulthran. ‘The mon-keigh are aware of the threat of Chaos, they will continue thestruggle.’Onethousandfivehundredcyclesagoyousoughttheirdestruction,andthroughittheextinguishmentofChaos,saidanothervoice.‘TheCabaldid.Ididnot.Ionlyeversoughtoursurvival,’saidUlthran.TheCabalaregone.TheCabaldidnothavethebestinterestsofthechildrenofEldaneshatheart.Wewereused.Thetreespulsedwithdancingwitchlight,theirboughsracedwiththethoughtsofthedead.‘Yes. The only way our species is to survive is through the support of humanity. Our fates areinextricable.Iftheyfall,soshallwe.’

You chase ever-diminishing possibilities of salvation. We should depart this starwheel and beginanewelsewhere.‘Evenwerethatpossible,andwearenotassuredthatitis,thenwhat?ThePrimordialAnnihilatorknowsnolimits.TimeandspacemeannothingintheOthersea.Ifwetraveltoanotherstarwheel,wewilltakeourdaemonswithus.SheWhoThirstswillbewaitingwhereverwego.Ourfateishere,withthisplace,forgoodorill.Manyfatesarepossible.Ifweguidethemwisely,weshallprevail.’YoudonothavethepoweroftheAcuity.YoudonothavetheforesightoftheCabal.Westandalone.Youractionscoulddoomusall.Themon-keighhaveprovenagainthattheywillnotbemanipulated.Theywillseeusalldeadbeforetheend.Alreadyit istwothousandcyclessincethefall.Everypassbrings us closer to extinction.The lights in the crystal dancedwith agitation.A period of instabilityawaitsthehumans’empire,andtheymaynotrecover.Iftheydo,theyshallhuntustodestruction.‘Notallthreadssaythisisso.’Ulthranpickeduphishelmandhelditunderhisarm.‘Humanityisourbestchance,butit isnottheonlyone.Therearemanymoreworldsofthekrork,’saidUlthran.‘Beastsneverdie,theyareonlybanished.Thecryof“MagUrukThraka”echoesstillintheOthersea.Shouldoneriseagain,thegreenskinsmayyetfulfiltheiroriginalpurpose.Newracesmayevolveintime.Thereishopewhilewelive.’Youarearrogant.Youarebutonealoneagainsteternity.‘Onemindissometimesallittakestochangefate,’Ulthransaiddefiantly.Thelightsdwindled.Thedeadfarseersretreatedintothecoreoftheworldship.Thecrystaldometookonitsdark,marmorealairagain.Othercraftworldshadlighteraspects,butUlthwéneverforgot,foreverinmourningforanempirelost.EldradUlthranwouldnotmourn.Hewouldseethedaysofgreatnessreturn,nomatterhowlongittook.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

GuyHaleyistheauthoroftheSpaceMarineBattlesnovelDeathofIntegrity,theWarhammer40,000novelsValedor,BanebladeandShadowswordandthenovellasTheEternalCrusader,TheLastDaysofEctorandBrokenSword,forDamocles.HehasalsowrittenThroneworldforTheBeastArisesseries.HisenthusiasmforallthingsgreenskinhasalsoledhimtopentheeponymousWarhammernovelSkarsnik,aswellastheEndTimesnovelTheRiseoftheHornedRat.HehasalsowrittenstoriessetintheAgeofSigmar,includedinWarStorm,GhalMarazandCallof

Archaon.HelivesinYorkshirewithhiswifeandson.

AnextractfromShadowsword.

They came always to the droning of priests. The rapturous, augmitter-amplified singing of a hundredAdeptusMinistorumclericspenetratedthedoorstotheGrandHallofMagorwithease.Ahundredyardsaway, on the other side of thickwood clad in bronze reliefs, and stillGovernatriceMissrineHuratalcouldhearthem.Theydidnotstopsingingwhenthegongofaudience,hungoutsidetheHallofMagor,soundedthecustomaryfourtimestorequestadmittance.TheydidnotstopwhileHuratalmadethemwait.Oravan, captain of Magor’s Yellow Guard, looked to her for permission to open the way to thedelegation.Sheignoredhimandbentdowntofussoverhercanids,hercorpulentbodyshiftingpainfullyinathronethatwouldoncehaveswallowedherfourtimesoverwithroomtospare.Thegongsoundedagain.Foursonorousnotes.Sheignoredit.Thecanidsyapped.‘My lady!’ cried Oravan from the gates, hesitant in his concern that she leave the emissaries of theEmperorwaitingsolong.‘Theadeptsdemandadmittance.’FromthefloatingcribbehindHuratal,HeirtheFirstMissrineIIsetuphersqualling.‘Stopyourbellowing,foolishman,’saidMissrine,makingherchinswobble.‘Youdisturbourdaughter.’Therestofthecourt,arrayedinalltheirfinery,stoodinsilence.‘Mother,mother!Thenoise!’squawkedthevat-borninfant.‘Itscaresmeso.’WetnursesscurriedtotheHeirtheFirst’sbed,crooningandfussingoverthethingwithintonoavail.Many in the court looked to the floating crib from the corners of their eyes, their revulsion showingbehindmasksofdeference.Missrine II continuedwithher gurgling, half-humancries.Huratal gaveher clone-daughter’s nurses aglower.Withpanickedfacestheyshushedharder,untilMissrineIIfinallyquieted.Theaudiencegongresonatedtoathirdsetoffournotes.ThemistressofGeratomropluckedupMikki,herfavouritecanid,fromthebarkingmassatherfeet.Shekissedandpettedit.‘Shallweletthemin,dearone?’shesaid.‘Shallwe?’Mikkiyappedpiercingly.Hersistersjoinedin.‘Mylady...’saidOravan.‘Oh,letthemin,’saidMissrinewithaslowwave.Oravan saluted crisply and turned on his heel. At his command the gates were swung wide by theyellow-cloakedguard.Awaveofblueincensesmokeroiledthroughthedoor,thickandsuddenasaseafog.Thusshrouded,theDepartmentoMunitorummissionenteredtheheartofherdomain.Theystrodeuptheaislebetweenthecrowdsofsilentcourtierstothethronedais,expressionssevere,asboldasiftheyownedtheworld.Herworld.Shecurledherlipattheirpresumption.Therewasacrowdlargeenoughto intimidatea lessersoul thanshe.Forall thisshowofstrength, inrealitytherewereonlytwo–BorowikandQuerol–whomatteredoutofthelotofthem.Missrinekepthermindfixedonthat.Shehaddecidednottobecowedlongsince.Borowik and Querol were opposites in every regard. Senior Assessor Borowik behaved like a

conqueringgeneralandnotthepen-pushingparasiteamongabillionsimilarcreaturesthathewas.Alow-gravityupbringingwasapparentdecadesafterhehadbeentakenfromhishome.Hewastallandthintothepointofcadaverousness.Callipershissedonhisarmsandlegs,supportinghisdelicateframeagainstGeratomro’sentirelyaveragepull.TypicaloftheImperium,tosendonesuchashehereratherthantoalow-densityworldororbitalhabitattowhichhemightbebettersuited,thoughtMissrine.TheImperiumwasunthinking,unfeeling,amessofillogicalityandinefficiency.Theytreatedherthesameway,buttherewasnosenseofkinshipatherandBorowik’ssharedmisfortunes;Huratalthoughtonlyofherownpower.Herjawsetharder.Thoughtslikethatweregood.Theysteeledherresolveatwhatshemustdo.HeirtheSecondDostainhadlaiditallouttoherinimpressivedetail.Shehatedtolistentotheboy.Hewasweak-willedandfeeble.Butinthismatterhewasright;therewasnootherchoice.Tithemaster Querol was short, tubby and relatively young to Borowik’s emaciated antiquity. WhereBorowikcarriedametalshakolooselyunderhisarm,Querolclutchedadata-slateastightlyasachildholdsacomfortblanket.Hehurriedalongbesidehismaster, taking twosteps tohiseveryone.WhereBorowik kept his gaze fixed on Huratal, Querol’s went everywhere but the Governatrice, most oftenlightingonBorowikinanobviousneedfortheolderman’sapproval.Borowikstudiouslyignoredhim.An army of black-armoured guards, modified savants, robed functionaries and servitor automatafollowed them – and the damn priests, of course: a clanking, mumbling, wailing parade of Imperialpower.Thescoreofmiddle-rankingAdeptusAdministratumbureaucratsthatafflictedherplanetskulkedinthecentreofthecrowdinapatheticbidforanonymity,foritwastheywhohadsummonedtheassessor,anactofcraven treacherywhichshehadbeenpowerless topunish.Sherecited theirnames toherself.Shewouldforgetnotasingleone.BorowikandQuerolcontinuedtheirmismatchedmarchdowntheaisleoftheHallofMagor,theformerstalking likeabird, the latterscampering in themannerofa rodentbetween themassedassemblageofHuratal’s court. The nobility and officers of her government were numerous, and resplendent in theirplumesandbreastplates,dressesandloftyheadgear,mostofthemlarge,forweightwasasignofstatusuponGeratomro.To themBorowikgavenoattention,whileQuerolstolefurtive,nervyglancesat theirwell-fleshedfaces.Theparadestoppedwithacrescendo,thehymns,chantsandproclamationsceasinginperfecttimewithBorowik’slastfootfall.ThedelegationarrayedthemselvesatthefootofthestairsleadinguptoHuratal’sthrone with practised precision. Servitor power plants puttered in the uneasy silence. Servo-skullswhinedoverhead,sweepingthechamberanditsoccupantswithwide-spreadaugurbeamsforwhoknewwhat purpose.Ameasurement of hats?A survey of powder usage?A cross referencing of tooth size?Mikki yelped asHuratal’s hands tightened aroundher.Thedemandsof theAdeptusAdministratum forpointlessinformationwasoneofthemanythingstheGovernatricewouldnotmiss.Thecourtheraldsteppedforwardstothefootofthedaissteps,hisroundheadlostinthelayeredruffsandlace-trimmedlapelsofhisyellowuniform.‘SeniorAssessorBorowik!’ he proclaimed. ‘TithemasterQuerol!Arrived this day from the deeps ofspaceandtheperilofthewarp,heretotreatwithourmostblessedandwiselady,GovernatriceMissrineHuratal,of theHouseofMagor,of the lineofMagor,planetarygovernorofGeratomro,mistressofallhumansoulswithintheboundsofthesystemofGeratbyholyfiatoftheGod-Emperorofmankind.Queenunderthesun.Ourqueen.’Trumpetsblew.Theheraldrolledhisparchmentandbowedsolowtohisladythattheyellowplumesofhishelmetbrushedthefloor.Hestoodandwaitedtobedismissedwithalookofnervousadoration.Shenodded,generouslyshethought,toshowthathehaddonewell.Borowikwaitedwithstonypatience for theherald to finish,hisunblinking,deep-seteyesnot leaving

Huratal’sfaceonce.Suchimpertinencefromanyothermanwouldbemetwithblinding.Butnothe!No,Borowikthoughthimselfaboveher.Hewouldlearn.‘LadyGovernatrice,yourtitheisoverdue!’Borowiksaid.Hispowerfulvoicecontrastedwithhisweakbody,andHuratal’sdeterminationwavered.WiththeImperialauthorities,itwasalwayswhatyoucouldnotsee thatwas important,andBorowik’svoicewasanuncomfortablereminderof that. ‘Youflout theprimaryandonlyruleofplanetarygovernership.Yourefusethetithe.Releasethemilitaryassetsowedorpaytheconsequences.Thisisyouronlywarning.’Silencebut for the scratchandwhirof theautoscribeembedded in the torsoofBorowik’sKeeperofRecords, and the whisper of creamy paper folding onto the floor, every word recorded. Huratal’smisgivingsburnedupinthefireofheranger.Theautoscribecaughtupandfellquiet.Howdarehe,thisink-staineddrone,threatenher?Huratalmadeadismissivenoiseinherthroat.Sheleveredherhugebulkforwardstobetterglareatherchallengers,dislodgingMikkiandseveralcushions.Grippingthearmrestswithherchubbyhands,shespoke,herchinsripplingwithheranger.‘InthewildsofGeratomro,inthemountainsnearthispalace,infact,’shesaid,‘thereissaidtodwellapuckishcreaturenotallerthanachildandcoveredinhair.’Aservitorpipedashrillwhistleforsilence.Orderingher,inherownthroneroom.‘Ifailtoseetherelevance,’saidBorowik.‘Icomewithbutonecommand–obeytheHighLords,orthelightoftheEmperorwillturnfromyourworld.’‘TheycallittheDevil-in-the-bush,’shecontinued.Borowik’sfingerscurledaroundhishatandhiseyesnarrowed,butheheldhispeace. ‘Nota thingof thisworldoranyother,butperhaps fromsomewhereelse. It is dangerous, as such uncanny things can be, but not to the body. Rarely is it seen by day.Sometimesatnight.Butalmostalwaysbyduskordawn.Itdances,theysay,onthelineofthenightandtheday.‘Thestorygoesthatthosewhomeetthisfiendareofferedachoicebetweentwoseeminglyunconnectedthings,’ she continued. ‘Single words only, usually. Such things as “heartfelt or stones” it might say.“Moneyoreggs”,“timeordeliverance”.Ithasdeepbrowneyeswiserthanthoseofanyhuman,andagrinofdelightplaysacrossitsfacethroughouteveryencounter.Inthelegends–theyareallthesame,sincesuchbeingsalwayshavethewilestoforcetheunwarytoundergotheprescribedcourseofthestory–onecannot look away from those eyes until one chooses. They seem to grow bigger and bigger until theyswallowuptheworld,andthevictim–makenomistake,lordseniorassessor,thosethattheDevil-in-the-bushmeetsareitsvictimsineveryway–feelstheywillbelostinside,andblurtsoutachoicetoavoidthatfate.AtwhichpointtheDevil-in-the-bushlaughs,skipsawayalongthelinebetweenthenightandtheday,andvanishes.“Spiceorlace”,“Earthorsea”,“Matterorvapour”.’‘Heresy!’mutteredapriest.EpiscopeChulux, caught in anunenviablepositionbetweenhisPlanetaryGovernorandoutragedImperialauthority,shushedhimandgaveHuratalaqueasysmile.‘Andwhat is yourmeaning in reciting this charming, if possiblyheretical, folk tale,my lady?’ askedBorowik.‘Amyth,thatisall,’saidHuratalwithdeadlysweetness.‘Astoryaslikelytobefoundonthisworldasonanyother,andmeaningless.’Borowikopenedhismouth.Huratalheldupherhand.‘Wehavenotfinished!Prayletusconcludeourargument.Inscrutablethoughtheysound,thechoicestheDevil-in-the-bushoffersmostdefinitelyhaveabearingonthechooser.Their lifewillbechanged, theycanbeassuredofthat.Forbutafew,averyfortunatefew,oneofthesechoiceswillprecipitateacascadeofeventsthatbringgreatrewardtwinedinextricablywithunbearableloss.Theothermightsimplyseethechooser dead. Either way, the chooser is doomed to sorrow from the outset. The outcome of neither

choice offered is predictable, and very rarely desirable. To we of Geratomro, the legend gives theaphorismof“thedevil’schoice”.Canyouguesswhatthatmightmeantous,mylordassessor?’‘Enlightenme,’saidBorowiktightly.‘Tobegiventhedevil’schoiceistobegivenapairofoptionswhichcannotbechosenbetweeninanygood conscience.You see,we face the devil’s choice today.A choice you give us.’ She sat back andstaredimperiouslyattherepresentativesoftheAdeptusAdministratum.Atthebottomofthedais’twenty-sevenstepstheyseemedsmallandinsignificant.Shewassethighoverthembybirthandcircumstance,aplanetary governor, whereas they were merely functionaries of a remote, half-dead god. They weresurroundedbyherofficials,herofficersandfamily,whoglitteredintheirfinerybrighterthanthestarsofanyfirmament.Thevariouslords-superiorofhercouncilandtheminorlords-civilwereuselesstoherinthischoice.Buttheyoutnumberedthedelegationseveraltimesover,andthatcountedforsomething.ThelocalAdministratumfunctionaries,uncomfortablelookinginthegroup,werethedelegation’sonlyallies,andunreliableonesatthat.However distant the Imperium, however small its agents seemed, its reachwas great.Huratal held aplanetbyherbirth;thesemen,thesescribblers,couldputheroffherthronewiththestrokeofapen.Shewasgamblingeverything.Adevil’schoiceindeed.‘Wedonothavethemen,’shesaid.‘Wecannotcomply.’Threehundrednoblefaceslookedfromhertothevisitingadepts.‘Youproclaimopenrebellion.Towithholdmenfromthe titheof theDepartmentoMunitorumisgrosstreason,Governatrice,’saidBorowik.‘Howmanytimesdowehavetosayit?’shesaid.Herfaceflushed.‘Werelayedthisinformationtoyouvia astropath. Again by direct hololith whilst you were still in orbit. We have been visited by therecruitmentfleetsoftheDepartmentoMunitorumeighttimesinthelastsevenyears.Everyoneofthoseeighttimes,wehavecompliedquicklyandtotheletter.Youalreadyhaveeveryable-bodiedmanwecanspare. This ninth time, we say no! We do not have the men,’ she said, enunciating her words verycarefully.‘Canyoucomprehendwhatwearesaying?’Querol stepped forwards. ‘If... if I may?’ he said apologetically. Borowik nodded. ‘What of yourplanetarygarrison?’Querolsaid.He lickedhis lipsandconsultedhisdata-slate. ‘Ourrecords indicateyou have thirteen regiments under arms.’ He was a small, sweaty man, with a small, sweaty man’sstridulatingvoice.‘Had,TithemasterQuerol,had.Doyounoteouruseofthepasttensethere?Had!Youhavehadyourone-tenthofmen,andthenanother,andanother,andanother.Wehavefewerthanfivehundredthousandmenunder arms to defend thisworld and all its dependencies in our system.Our factories are empty.Thehusbands of ourwives aremissing. The fathers of our children,’ she opened one pudgy hand quickly,‘gone.’‘If you have men, then you must give them, and freely,’ said Borowik. ‘Or you shall suffer theconsequences.’‘No,’shesaid.‘Itisnotenough.Itneverwillbeenoughforyou.’Querol lickedhisfat,purplelipsandtriedaconciliatorysmile.‘This isbuta littlemisunderstanding,seniorassessor.IamsureourladycansparethemforthegreatergloryoftheImperium.TheLordSolarMachariusrequiresmoretroopsifheistoconcludehisgloriousconquests.’With great effort,Huratal heavedherself fromher throne. Scattering cup-sized canids before her, shedescendedthesteps,forcingasidethegaggleofminorheirsshehadtoattendonher,andcametoahaltonly three steps from the bottom. Shock at her descent whispered around the court likewind throughreeds.

‘No!You do not hear, though you have ears.We say again,we cannot spare them.TheLord Solar’scrusadehasbledthisplanetdry.Allsystemsinthissubsectorreportincreasedincidencesofxenosraids.Fivemonths ago, our outermost outpostswere attacked. Theywill be attacked again. The enemies ofmankindsmellbloodinthewater.Ifweareweak,thenwewillperish.’‘Thenraisemoretroops,’saidBorowik.‘Fromwhere?Whowillmanourfactoriesandourfields?’shesaid,hervoicetremblingwithanger.‘Ifwegivemymentoyou,wewillnotbeable topaythedueexacta,a titheas importantasyours,assomanyotherparasiteslikeyouimpressuponus.Ontheonehand,wehavetheDepartmentoExacta,ontheother,theDepartmentoMunitorum.Whoshallgowithout?’‘Thenputyourwomentowork,yourchildren,’saidBorowik.‘Youhaveapopulationofonepointfivebilliononthisworldalone.FourtimesthatmuchintheGeratstarsystem.CogitatorsimulationsuggestsyoucanrearrangeyourworkforcesufficientlytoprovideTerra’sduewithadrop-offofafewtenthsofapercentandfulfil therequirementsof theAstraMilitarumimmediately.Iamsuremycolleaguesof theDepartmentoExactawillbemerciful.’Huratallaughed,sendingherpulseskyrocketingandherchinsjiggling.‘Mercy?Yourkindknowsnothingofmercy.Youhaveinkinyourveins.Whathappenswhenyoureturnagainformoremen?’shesaid.‘Whodowegiveyou?Ourbabes?Ourlivestock?Thisthen,isthedevil’schoicewehave.Giveyouwhatyoudemand, and risk disappointing another coterie of bureaucrats. Neither branch of your organisation istolerantoffailure.Whatwouldyouhaveusdo?’Anervoustittersoundedfromsomewhereinthecourt.Shesilenceditwithaglarethatsweptoutoverherrelativesandvassalslikealas-beam.‘Localgovernanceisnotourconcern,’saidBorowik.‘Thefulfilmentofthetitheis.Everyproblemmustbeovercomeindividually.Thismatterathandcanbeaddressedimmediately.Youchoosenot todoso.Other issues that arise may be dealt with as they emerge. Dozens of worlds fall to the Lord SolarMacharius.TheImperiumexpandsonyourdoorstep.Yoursystemstandstobenefitmuchfromtheincreaseintradeandshippingpassingthroughthissubsectorfromthenewterritories.’‘Pain now, plenty tomorrow?’ she snorted. ‘We have heard that too many times from the mouths ofImperialofficials.WhatdoItellmypeoplewhenthexenoscomeandburntheircities?Wehaveheardthereportsfromnearbysystems.Wearenottheonlyonestorefuse.Genthushasdeclined.’‘Ah,well.Genthushasbeenretaken,anditsgovernorreplaced,’saidQuerolgently.‘Yes. But ifwe decline, and then anotherworld and another, can you retake them all? This level ofrecruitmentisunsustainable.Thesubsectorstrainsunderyourdemands.Wecannotbearit.Wewillnot.Werefuse.Otherswillfollow.’‘IaskyouonemoretimefortheImperialrecord,Governatrice,areyoudenyingusourdue?’Borowiklookeddownhisnose,nostrilsarchedatthesmellofstaleperfumeandsweatcomingoffher.‘Listen to us, you foolishman!’ she bellowed. ‘We are denying you. The line has to be drawn here,beforewerunoutofsandtomark.’Borowik looked around the court, its high ceilings ofmarble, the glittering chandeliers, the gold andstatuaryandothertrappingsofHuratal’swealth.‘Doyou see this,Querol? Such riches.All this glory is not yours,Governatrice.This belongs to theEmperorofMankind.YoubelongtoHim.Wealldo.TodenyourrequestistodefyHisWill.Isayonefinaltime,complywiththetithe.Iwillgiveyounomorechancestoredeemyourself.’Huratalsmiled,anexpressionmadeupofsorrow,bitternessanddespair.‘Wearesurewecancometoanaccommodationtopreventanyunpleasantness.GiveGeratomroafewmoreyears.’‘Wecannot,’saidBorowik.‘Thedatasaysyoucanpay,sopayyoushall.’

‘Thedataiswrong,’saidHuratal,vainlyattemptingtohidethepleainherwords.‘Nevertheless,itsaysyoucanpay.Thereisnonegotiation.’‘Thensobeit!’shesaid.Sheexhaledwithrelief.Therewasnobackingoutnow.‘Ourancestor,Magor,settledthisworldseventhousandyearsago.ForlongperiodswehaveknownnoImperialinterference.Wehavefaredwellenough.Thisisourworldbyright.Takeyouremptythreatsaway.’‘Theyarenotempty.Thinkyou thatweshallcut tiesand letyoudrift, to returnwith theworldon itskneesonceyouhavetastedthepoisonousfruitsofliberty?Geratomroisoftoohighvaluetobeallowedtosecede.Youwillbeinvaded,’saidBorowikunpleasantly,asifhesavouredtheprospect.‘ThereisnoforceinthispartofthesegmentumbigenoughtotakeaplanetlikeGeratomro,unlessyoudivertfleetsandmenfromthecrusade.Withdrawyourdemand,understandourposition.Leaveusbe,andyouwillbeshortfiftythousandmen.Ifyoudonot,thedeficitwillbeeversomuchgreater.‘Mylady,wecannot.ThereisnospacefordiscretionintheworkingsoftheDepartmentoMunitorum.Ifourorderssayfifty thousandmen, thenfifty thousandmenyoumustprovide.Youcourtcensurealreadywiththatthingyouhavebred,’hesaid,lookingtoMissrineII’scrib.‘Successionmustbeassured,’shesaid.‘Anotherduty.’‘Notinthatmanner.Butitshallbeoverlooked,ifyoucomply.’‘Nowyouthreatenourdaughter.Noandnoagain.Itisourfinalanswer.’Borowikbowed.‘Thenyouknowwhatwilloccurnow.’Borowik’sguardsaimedtheirgunsatHuratal.Thecourtbabbledinfear.Huratalraisedherhand.Thecrowdsseethedasyellow-robedwarriorspushedtheirwayout,andraisedtheirownweapons.Alongthegalleriesofthehall,othersemergedfromauspex-shieldedpositionsandpointedtheirgunsdownatthedelegation.‘Unwise,’saidBorowik.TheDepartmentoMunitorum’ssoldieryopenedfire.Afractionofasecondlater,sodidHuratal’smen.Rubybeamsoflas-lightsnappedaroundthechamber,sendingthecourtscattering.Obesenoblesfledinalldirections inanexplosionofyellowandgold.Dozensof themwerecutdownin thecross-fire,butfewerthanmightbeexpected,forthesoldiersinblackweregunningonlyforHuratal.Shestood in theheartofdestruction,ascoreof las-beamsstrikingather.Herconversionfield flaredbrightlywitheveryshot,absorbingandre-emitting theenergyof theweaponsasblinding light.Behindher,Missrine II’scribwobbledas its in-built fielddid thesame.Through the fieldglare shesawmentopple,cutdownbyherpersonalguard’smercilessshots.MostofBorowik’sentouragewereunarmed.Priests died with prayers on their lips. Cyborgs bled blood and oil. Querol ducked behind his gauntmaster,onlytobetakenbyashotfrombehind.Hisdata-slate,thatinstrumentofTerrantyranny,shattereduponthefloor.Morethananyamountofspiltblood,thatgavehersatisfaction.Thelastoftheblack-cladguardsdied.Hopelessdefiance.Theyneverstoodachance.Neveradvanceinto enemy territorywhenyour enemyholds a superior firing position.Huratal had learned that at herfather’sknee.‘Ceasefiring!’bellowedOravan.TheYellowGuardroundedupthefewsurvivors.Huratal’sconversionfieldsparkledandwentout.Shebreathedindeeply,tiredbyherexertions.Behindher,hermonstrouschildwailedinitscrib,butherwetnurseswerealldeadandshewentuncomforted.PickingherwaythroughthecorpsesofherminorheirsHuratalhuffedherwayupthetwenty-sevenstairsandsettledherselfbackintohercushions.Shepluckedoneupthatsmokedwithmultiplelas-burnsandtosseditaside.Canidslappedatbloodypuddles.‘My lady Governatrice,’ said Oravan. ‘Our artillery is ranged against the Adeptus Arbites precincthouse. The ordnance of the polar defence fortress is locked upon Borowik’s ship. Both await yourcommandtofire.’

‘Itisgiven,’shesaid.‘Obliteratethem.Geratomrostandsapart.’‘MyladyGovernatrice,’saidOravan,andbowed.Hemadetogo.Huratalhaltedhim.‘Bewareguilt,captain.Theirprotestationsofcommoncausehidthattheyweretrespassers,foralltheirwrits and parchments that said otherwise,’ said Huratal. ‘Find us the Lord-At-Peace. Tell him he isrelievedofdutywhilehostilitiescontinue.BringustheLord-At-War.Heisneedednow.’‘Yes,myladyGovernatrice,’saidOravan.The survivingmembers of the court crept out from their hidingplaces, aghast at the carnagewroughtupontheirfellows.Hurataldidnotmournthecourt’sthinning;ithadbeengettingunmanageable.‘AndfindusHeirtheSecondDostain,’shesaid.‘Wemusttellhimhewasright.’

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