40K Fiction Planet Kil

7/22/2019 40K Fiction Planet Kil

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++Priority Transmission:

Coding/Delta/Rouge++

++Recipient: Loyal Imperial

Commanders as designated

by Commissariat, The

Librarius ta!!, In"uisitor#aptiste $ Canoness %rrea&++

++ub'ect: Traitors and

()ecutions++

++%uthor: %ndrei *itoro crienor-in-attendance to

In"uisitor .iolay

*inogrado++

++Thought !or the Day: To

cheat is both coardly and

dishonourable++


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%ttention all loyal citi0ens

o! the Imperium111

canning o! sacred boos

is a mortal sin1

222222222

3hispered by T0eentch,

Lord o! 4idden 5noledge&

Inspired by laanesh,

6aster o! 7orbidden

Pleasures&

Resist !oul machinations o!


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the Dar 8ods and buy

boos !rom the #lacLibrary&

22222222222

Thought o! the Day: %ll

traitors ill be e)ecuted

ithout mercy and

compassion1

In"uisition is atching9;1

3%R4%66(R


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PLANETKILL

(dited by .ic 5yme $

Lindsey Priestley


5/219

A BLACK LIBRARY PUBLICATIONFirst published in Great Britain in 2! b" BL

Publishin#$ Ga%es &'r(sh'p Ltd)$ &ill'* R'ad$N'ttin#ha%$ NG+ 2&,$ UK)

-. ! + / 0 1 2 -C'3er illustrati'n b" 4'hn Blan5he)

6Ga%es &'r(sh'p Li%ited 2!) All ri#hts reser3ed)Bla5( Librar"$ the Bla5( Librar" l'#'$ BLPublishin#$ Ga%es &'r(sh'p$ the Ga%es

&'r(sh'p l'#' and all ass'5iated %ar(s$ na%es$5hara5ters$ illustrati'ns and i%a#es 7r'% the

&arha%%er 1$ uni3erse are either 8$ T9and:'r5Ga%es &'r(sh'p Ltd 2;2!$ 3ariabl" re#istered in the UK and 'ther 5'untriesar'und the *'rld) All ri#hts reser3ed)

A CIP re5'rd 7'r this b''( is a3ailable 7r'% the British Librar")I,BN-< .+! - !11-/ 00 / I,BN-< - !11-/ 00 +

N' part '7 this publi5ati'n %a" be repr'du5ed$ st'red in a retrie3al s"ste%$ 'r trans%itted in an"7'r% 'r b" an" %eans$ ele5tr'ni5$ %e5hani5al$ ph't'5'p"in#$ re5'rdin# 'r 'ther*ise$ *ith'ut the

pri'r per%issi'n '7 the publishers)This is a *'r( '7 7i5ti'n) All the 5hara5ters and e3ents p'rtra"ed in this b''( are 7i5ti'nal$ and

an" rese%blan5e t' real pe'ple 'r in5idents is purel" 5'in5idental),ee the Bla5( Librar" 'n the Internet at

***)bla5(librar")5'%

Find 'ut %'re ab'ut Ga%es &'r(sh'p and the*'rld '7 &arha%%er 1$ at***)#a%es;*'r(sh'p)5'%

Printed and b'und in the UK)
http://www.blacklibrary.com/http://www.games-workshop.com/http://www.games-workshop.com/http://www.blacklibrary.com/


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ITISTHE1-st %illenniu%) F'r %'re than a hundred 5enturies theE%per'r has sat i%%'bile 'n the G'lden Thr'ne '7 Earth) =e is the%aster '7 %an(ind b" the *ill '7 the #'ds$ and %aster '7 a %illi'n *'rldsb" the %i#ht '7 his ine>haustible ar%ies) =e is a r'ttin# 5ar5ass *rithin#in3isibl" *ith p'*er 7r'% the ?ar( A#e '7 Te5hn'l'#") =e is the Carri'nL'rd '7 the I%periu% 7'r *h'% a th'usand s'uls ar5 sa5ri7i5ed e3er" da"$s' that he %a" ne3er trul" die)

YETEVENINhis deathless state$ the E%per'r 5'ntinues his eternal3i#ilan5e) 9i#ht" battle7leets 5r'ss the dae%'n;in7ested %ias%a '7 the*arp$ the 'nl" r'ute bet*een distant stars$ their *a" lit b" theAstr'n'%i5an) the ps"5hi5 %ani7estati'n '7 the E%per'r@s *ill) astar%ies #i3e battle in =is na%e 'n un5'unted *'rlds) Greatest a%'n#sthis s'ldiers are the Adeptus Astartes) the ,pa5e 9arines$ bi';en#ineeredsuper;*arri'rs) Their 5'%rades in ar%s ar5 le#i'n< the I%perial Guardand 5'untless planetar" de7en5e 7'r5es$ the e3er;3i#ilant Inuisiti'n andthe te5h;priests '7 the Adeptus 9e5hani5us t' na%e 'nl" a 7e*) But 7'rall their %ultitudes$ the" ar5 barel" en'u#h t' h'ld '77 the e3er;presentthreat 7r'% aliens$ hereti5s$ %utants ; and *'rse)

TOBEA%an in su5h ti%es is t' be 'ne a%'n#st unt'ld billi'ns) It is t'li3e in the 5ruellest and %'st bl''d" re#i%e i%a#inable) These are thetales '7 th'se ti%es) F'r#et the p'*er '7 te5hn'l'#" and s5ien5e$ 7'r s'%u5h has been 7'r#'tten$ ne3er t' be re;learned) F'r#et the pr'%ise '7pr'#ress and understandin#$ 7'r in the #ri% dar( 7uture there is 'nl"*ar) There is n' pea5e a%'n#st the stars$ 'nl" an eternit" '7 5arna#eand slau#hter$ and the lau#hter '7 thirstin# #'ds)


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C.T(.T

*oidsongby Henry Zou>

6ortal 7uelby Richard Williams?@

The 4eraclitus (!!ectby Graham McNeill@=?

The (mperor 3eptby Simon Dyton@??

Phobos 3ored in %damantby Robey Jenkins@A?

een *ies o! ;hlguthBs Passingby Matthew Farrer@?

6ercy Runby Steve arker?


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*ID.8=enr" 'u

THEEVENINGCHILLcomes quickly to the mountains ofSiene !imal" Alea#y$ the t%ili&ht ma#e sha#o%'u''ets of the um(lin& )ehicle column$ tansfomin&them into (o*y silhouettes a&ainst an oche (ack#o'"Ca'tain Gonan of the +th Amatine Scout Ca)alyhea)e# himself a(o)e the oll ca&e of his half,tack$'annin& the 'intle,mounte# stu((e acoss the #ee'sha#o%s of #usk" His con)oy %as ollin& thou&h yetanothe ocha# )illa&e" Anothe u'tue# settlementof 'a'e(ak 'a&o#as$ the %alls of sta% ottin& %ithmil#e% an# the oof tiles (ea#e# %ith moss" In some

'laces cutains of o)e&o%n tea ocha# clun& to thefames of em'ty (uil#in&s$ hi#in& any si&n ofsettlement (efoe the Secessionist -as"It %as the tenth )illa&e that the ca'tain.s column ha#'asse# that #ay" Thou&h the smoky ha/e of #usk$(oe#om an# %eainess #ulle# his senses" It %as little%on#e that Gonan #i# not see the amoue# fi&uelukin& %ithin a ou&h (ank of mytle ee#"He ne)e sa% the shot that kille# his #i)e" Thesna''in& hiss of a lasifle %as follo%e# (y a (lossom ofateial (loo# that miste# the %in#shiel#" The #i)e$an ine*'eience# youn& co'oal$ (e&an to sceech inshock an# hysteia$ ammin& #o%n ha# on the (akesof his half,tack" Imme#iately$ the slithein& f#e of a#o/en )ehicles colla'se# into an a%k%a# acco#ion as

tea#s fou&ht fo 'uchase on the mountainous shale"


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A(o)e the shiek of (akes an# tho((in& en&inesGonan (e&an to yell" .Contact0 Enemy at left a*is ofa#)ance0.By then$ the am(ush %as %ell an# tuly s'un&" A

scattein& of lasifles elease# thei shots into thescout ca)aly half,tacks" The A1,23 Hammer Goatsin#i&enous to the Amatine +th %ee t%o,ton (u&&ies%ith ea cate'illa tacks an# 'intle,mounte# hea)ystu((es" Also #u((e# A1,23 Scapegoats (y )itue ofsol#iely cynicism$ they %ee e&a#e# as #eath ta'sfo the t%o,man econnaissance teams that o'eate#

them" Imme#iately$ si* Gua#smen %ee kille# an# t%o)ehicles #isa(le# (efoe they coul# e)en eact"The secon# sal)o of las,shots %as follo%e# (y thethummin& %a cy of fifty %aios eu'tin& fomam(ush" Col# 'anic sei/e# Gonan an# fo a momenthe %as 'aalyse# (y neual o)eloa#" In thei fulle&alia of %a$ the secessionist fi&htes ofSiene !imal %ee an a%esome si&ht to (ehol#" Thee

scoe %ee 4han,Scholas$ tall$ fiece,lookin& men$ cla#in hau(eks of mosaic 5a#e an# ame# %ith all manneof lance an# flak,musket" Anothe #o/en %ee'oun#in& thou&h the un#e&o%th in the tectonicamou of Sym(olists$ thei sal)a&e# lasifles alea#y#isca#e# fo s'ine sa(es" Othes still %ee Bla#eAtisans$ cha&in& %ith thei o(es of em(oi#ee#

ta'esty flae#$ like the %in&s of some &eat huntin&(i#"!an#emonium follo%e#" -hen the line of (ayin&%aios colli#e# a&ainst the left flank of the )ehiclecolumn$ it #i# not in any %ay esem(le the heoic(attle muals so )i)i#ly (oca#e# on Sym(olist o(es"Instea#$ %hat unfol#e# (efoe Gonan %as the messy$u&ly affai of men killin& each othe at close quates"

An Amatine Gua#sman %as sceamin& an# (a((lin&as a 4han,Schola (eat him to #eath %ith the (oken


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hal)es of his lance" A Gua# se&eant &a''le# %ith aBla#e Atisan fo contol of his hal(e# (efoe sinkin&his teeth into the %aio.s neck"Ca'tain Gonan ha# (aely fee# his (ayonet fom the

67,23.s &un ack %hen a 4han,Schola su&e# o)e theco%lin& of his )ehicle" Gonan ha# ne)e seen a moe)icious 'e#ato" The %aio.s mane of thick (lack#ea#locks flo%e# #o%n to his cal)es an# sil)e quills%ee thea#e# thou&h his cheek(ones" Aoun# histoso %as a hau(ek of intelockin& 5a#e scales$ %on(o%n,&een in its antiquity$ an# that %as %hee

Gonan aime# his fi&htin& knife"He thust thity centimetes of steel 5ust (elo% thei(s$ (ut the 4han sim'ly ste''e# into the (lo% %ith acani)oous &ace an# hooke# %ith an o'en 'alm" Thefist stike smeae# Gonan.s nose acoss his i&htcheek in a (ust of (loo# an# mucous" 8efle*i)ely theGua# office sta((e# his (ayonet into his o''onent.ski#ney steel 'unctuin& thou&h the ancient 5a#e" If the

4han felt anythin&$ he #i# not sho% it" The ne*t 'unchfactue# Gonan.s stenum an# slamme# him a&ainstthe oll ca&e of his A1,23"Gonan ha# no #ou(t that in a stai&ht melee$ thesecessionist %oul# #ismantle him 'iece (y 'iece" Thematial sects of Siene em(ace# close com(at as anat fom" He un#estoo# no%$ %hy the Sie,nese

cultue$ so e)eent of at an# liteatue$ %oul#consi#e these fi&htes the &eatest atists of all" 9om&lai)e #ancin& to the %ay of the maulin& han#$ thesemen %ee (utally (eautiful to %atch" It %as suici#e tofi&ht them"Instea# the Gua# office #e% the las'istol fom hischest holste an# em'tie# half a cli' to his font"Gonan #i#n.t kno% %hat ha''ene# ne*t" He may ha)e

(lacke# out tem'oaily$ (ut fo ho% lon& he #i# notkno%" -hen the fo& of concussion e((e# a%ay$ Gonan


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foun# himself on the mesh flat(e# of his )ehicle %ith a#ea# secessionist s'a%le# o)e him" He felt as ifsomeone ha# 5ust un a (attle tank o)e his skull an#fo a moment %as content to sli' into the )el)et (lack

of unconsciousness"But the soun#s of hackin& an# sta((in& soon ouse#his 'ain,ha/e# min#" All aoun# %as the killin&" Lou#an# (utal" Gonan hea)e# the co'se off (efoe 'ullin&himself u' (ehin# the mounte# hea)y stu((e" Le&sstill teetein&$ he colla'se# to his knees (efoe 'ullin&himself u'i&ht a&ain an# ackin& the %ea'on"

.9iin& no%0. Gonan sceame#$ )oice hoase"It %as as if a secessionist chose that )ey moment toi)al Gonan.s %anin& %ith the thick a)alanche of hiso%n %a cy" Thun#ein& o)e the 67,23.s %in#shiel#$the secessionist (an#ishe# his s'ine sa(e" Tackin& to meet hisa''oach$ Gonan thum(e# the fiin& stu# on the stu((e.s (utteflyti&&e" The steam of hi&h )elocity oun#s hit his ta&et so ha# that the%aio sna''e# (ack%a#s an# his sa(e s'un the othe %ay"-ithout 'ause$ Gonan e,si&hte# the hea)y stu((e #o%n the column of

his con)oy an# fie# a&ain" A lon& enfila#e (ust this time" 1osaic amoue*'lo#e# into chi's an# s'lintes as Gonan hose# lam(ent tace into a#ense maul of 4han,Scholas not moe than ten metes to his )ehicle.sea":es'ite the #e)astation %ou&ht (y a hea)y %ea'on at 'oint (lankan&e$ it %as too late to tun the assault" Ei&ht of the A1,23 HammeGoats %ee %ecks$ thei occu'ants #a&&e# out an# (utchee# (y theoa#si#e" By his estimate$ Gonan #i#n.t ha)e moe than si* men left$ toofe% to mount any meanin&ful esistance" So he #i# %hat any Im'eialoffice shoul# ha)e #one$ he 5uice# out the last oun#s of his 'intle

%ea'on$ #e% his las'istol an# sta&&ee# off his )ehicle to%a# thekillin&"

BYTHETI1EIm'eial 'atols came acoss Gonan.s %aylai# con)oy$ it%as %ell into mi#ni&ht" They foun# the (o#y of Ca'tain Saul Gonanhoi(ly #esecate# an# stake# u'i&ht on a lance$ his men lai# out in aneat o% (efoe him" They ha# (een sti''e# of thei (oots an# ifles$ yetCa'tain Gonan still &i''e# an em'tie# las'istol in his fist" His eyes %eestill o'en"It %as a scene all too common acoss the %oun#e# lan#sca'e of Selene!imal" Im'eial an# Secessionist foces alike %ee &uilty of inflictin& an

almost theatical (a(aity to%a#s one anothe" Entie Gua# (attalions%ee cucifie# %hile )illa&es an# efu&ee cam's %oul# (e shelle# in


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e'isal$ fuellin& a cycle of (itte conflict" :es'ite this$ Im'eial histoianslate a&ue# that e)ents %hich unfol#e# to%a# the latte sta&es of the%a %oul# en#e the atocities of the Secessionist Cam'ai&n uttelyinconsequential"

THE1O;NTAINS-E8Eteacheous at this time of yea"

The 'ola equino* %as at an en#$ an# the ice ca's%ee meltin&$ sluicin& &eat sheets of %ate an# ice#o%n the mountain 'aths" Thousan#s of 'eo'le %eemi&atin& that #ay" The nao% #efiles %ee s%ollen%ith caa)ans$ (a&&a&e mules an# the cush of toilin&(o#ies" Ho#es of efu&ees$ the emnants ofhaemoha&e# )illa&es an# cities$ an# (an#s of %eay

secessionists %ee toilin& o)e the icy s'ines of thosemountains"It %as hee that Inquisito O(o#iah 8oth foun# himself$%ell into the fouth yea of the &ueilla %a" He ha#come hee on #is'atch fom the O#o Heeticus" Thecase itself %as no matte of si&nificance" The oi&inal(iefin& fom the O#o ha# ea# , mild psychicdisturbances emanating from

Sirene Primal, priority - minor. It ha# ne)e seeme#like much to (e&in %ith"Initial #istu(ances ha# fist occue# ei&ht monthsa&o" Sanctione# 'sykes of the Im'eial %a fleet ha#sense# a ston& 'sychic flu* fom the 'lanet itself"

Then e'ots fom the nei&h(ouin& Omei Su(secto(e&an to suface" Asto'aths of a missionay out'ost

on the tun#as of Ali'sia Secun#us ha# slashe# theithoats$ %itin& the name of the 'lanet in (loo#$ an#silently mouthin& Sirene Primal until #eath claime#them"

The 'henomena ha# initially (een #ismisse# as the'sychic (acklash of Siene !imal.s %a" It %asuncommon (ut not unhea# of$ fo the an&uish of(illions in suffein& to cause to coalesce into 'sychic

#istu(ance" Scholas ha# name# it aplanetaryswansong. 8e&a#less$ senio mem(es of the O#o ha# #eeme# the


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matte %othy of futhe in)esti&ation$ an o'en an# shut affai 'efect fo%ettin& the noses of )i&in inquisitos" O so it ha# seeme#"Siene !imal ha# not al%ays (een like this" Set a#ift on the Easten9in&es of the Im'eium$ it floate# like a mute# 'eal %ithin the oceanic#akness of the uni)ese" The last of the ancients ha# #ie# aeons a&o$

thei ossifie# emains fomin& mountains of colossal s'ines an# 'lates";'on them$ Sienese achitects ha# aise# the colonna#es an# flo%e,#a'e# monoliths of thei /i&&uat,&a#ens"It %as a )ey #iffeent %ol# no%" Stan#in& on a 5a&&e# tusk of ock$ 8oth%atche# the menacin& sha'es of Vultue &unshi's$ 'o%lin& acoss theSe'ha#i !eaks as they hunte# fo ta&ets" Hi&he u' amon&st the clou#)aults$ Im'eial 1aau#e #estoyes hutle# like knife 'oints thou&h thesky"Beneath him$ the mountainous slo'es s%e't into a ocky s'u" Amon&the scee an# u((le coul# (e seen the &lint of shell casin&s$ an# e)en

the o## helmet" 9uthe #o%n the 'ass$ the uste# cacass of a (attletank coul# (e seen$ su(me&e# in a &lacial melt" The col# ai %as cut%ith the smell of fuel":es'ite the icy chill$ 8oth ha# suite# u' in S'athean fi&htin& 'late" Thefom,fittin& chome %as coate# %ith a hoa of fost that (le# )a'oousculs into the ai" O)e this he fame# a ta(a# of tessellatin& o(si#ian"

The tiny 'anes of 'si,eacti)e &lass$ althou&h a 'otent 'si,#am'ene$ #i#little to insulate him a&ainst the tem'eatue" He %as col# an#thoou&hly misea(le"

Yet his shi)ein& con#ition %as 5ust anothe iitation on his lon& list of

simmein& an*ieties" He ha# (een on,%ol# fo close to a month no% an#no amount of in)esti&ation$ eseach o coss,efeencin& ha# yiel#e#any clue as to the cause of the 'sychic #istu(ances" -hile millionssuffee#$ he %as mousin& a(out %ith the nuisances of some 'sychicie&ulaity that no one in the O#o eally cae# a(out" He felt tie#$#aine# an# ho'eless" It %as$ he thou&ht %ith #y umination$ not a &oo#stat to his caee".They.e at it a&ain$ sie". A )oice$ sten an# 'atician$ 5ostle# 8oth out ofhis (oo#in&"

The man %ho ha# s'oken %as Bastiel Sil)estein" One of 8oth.s (est$ a

*enos &ame,hunte fom the a(oeous foests of Veske'ine$ Sil)estein%as i&ht of couse" A huntsman %ith au&mente# (iosco'e lenses %assel#om %on& a(out such thin&s" Alea#y the ta&et eticles oscillatin& onthe 'u'ils of his eyes ha# locke# on the 1aau#e #estoyes s%oo'in& inthe #istance"Beneath the (ankin& aicaft$ s'heical eu'tions of fie an# ash %eeaccom'anie# (y the unmistakea(le um(le of e*'losi)es$ #ee' an##istant" E)en %ithout Sil)estein.s o'tic enhancements$ he coul# see thatthe Im'eial Na)y %as (om(in& south,%est of them"8oth s%oe tei(ly"

Thee %oul# (e moe killin& to#ay" Not the flattenin& of Chaos Le&ions$ othe e'ic (anishment of #aemon 'inces that 8oth ha# ea# a(out in theScholam,Li(aies of the !o&enium" No" It %oul# (e the killin& of moe


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#es'eate$ scae# an# malnouishe# efu&ees" The (om(s %oul# fall$'eo'le %oul# #ie$ an# (y sunset$ the %a %oul# (e no close to finishin&an# 8oth %oul# (e no close to cleain& his #amn case"As if to em'hasis his thou&hts$ the keenin& hum of #istant en&ines (e&anto (uil# sonic 'essue" Lookin& u' 8oth s'otte# a Vultue &unshi'

oain& #o%n fom a (a of clou#s$ t%o kilometes u' an# #i)in& stee'ly"8oth.s (loo# an col#e" He coul# almost antici'ate %hat %as a(out tooccu"9om the su&e of 'anic amon&st the efu&ees #o%n slo'e$ they #i# too"No moe than one hun#e# 'aces a%ay fom him the mountain #efile %ascon&este# %ith a sea of malnouishe# faces lookin& sky%a# in mutefea" 1ost of the nati)e Sienese #i# not kno% %hat a Vultue &unshi'%as$ (ut they kne% that the ominous sha'e in the #istance %as shiekin&to%a#s them"His man Sil)estein ho%e)e$ sco'e# it clealy$ com'lete %ith a statistical

ea#,out that scolle# #o%n in the u''e left cone of his )ision" +++Obex-Pattern ulture gunship, !O" sub-atmospheric combat aircraft.Organic weapon systems# $ose-mounted hea%y bolter - Optional wing-mounted autocannons - Pod-rac&ed double missile systems. +++

Sil)estein looke# to 8oth$ clealy concene#"The inquisito tune# to his com'anion an# mouthe#the %o# .%ait."

The &unshi' (lue# 'ast thei 5uttin& fist of ock$snotin& 5et e*haust" It sha'ly aeste# its #escentfoty metes a(o)e the e*o#us$ 'i)otin& on the fulcumof its tail" Thee it ho)ee# on the monstous tu(inesof )ecto thust en&ines"9om his )anta&e 'oint u' the slo'e$ 8oth %as almostat eye,le)el %ith the &unshi'" He %atche# %ith&o%in& te'i#ation as half a #o/en ten#ils of o'euncoile# fom the (elly of its hol#$ eachin& out like the

tentacles of a %aitin& (east" Too's$ (ulky %ith com(at&ea$ (e&an to a''el #o%n the steel ca(les"8oth eco&ni/e# them imme#iately as men of the


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He ha# (een im'esse#$ yeas (efoe$ %hen he ha#fist stu#ie# the elite mountain too's in the Schola!o&enium" Thei en&ineein& of tenches$ fiel#fotifications an# (i#&es %as eno%ne#"

Amon&st the #eath mashes of Cetsh%ayo in1>3?"1


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.I kno%0 I kno%0 ust let me consi#e my o'tions,. he(e&an".Thee aen.t any o'tions0 ust #o somethin&0.Sil)estein %as i&ht" He %oul# ha)e to im'o)ise" Of

couse$ makin& it u' on the un %as one of theu#imentay lessons tau&ht to all Inquisitoial acolytes"His mastes ha# calle# it aptitudinal adroitness, (ut itamounte# to much of the same thin&"Ban#ishin& his Inquisitoial si&net in an u'thust han#$8oth (oke into a un" The mountain se#iment sli''e#an# sli# (eneath him$ 'itchin& his un into a )iolent

#escent" He sli# half of the #istance an# slamme# hisknees an# el(o%s into the shale se)eal times fo &oo#measue" 8oth en#e# his skittein& 'lummet %ith aflyin& lea' o)e the scee (ank$ flailin& (iefly in the ai(efoe lan#in& %ith a shu##ein& im'act" He %as i&htin the thick of it no%".Cease fie0 Cease fie0. he oae#"

To the ce#it of the Gua#smen$ thei %ell,#ille# fie

#isci'line sho%e# thou&h" The %hickein& fusilla#e#ie# out$ (ut they #i#n.t lo%e thei steamin& mu//les"8oth %as su##enly )ey a%ae of nine lasca(inestaine# on him".Lo%e you %ea'ons$ I am O(o#iah 8oth of the'n(uisition.) 8oth stesse# the si&nificance of his last%o#$ thustin& his (a#&e of office to%a#s the too's"

As all sol#ies %oul# ha)e #one$ they looke# to theise&eant$ a &i//ly (east %ith the %ell,nouishe# (uil#of a lum(e5ack" The se&eant$ le)ellin& his &a/e on8oth$ #i#n.t mo)e".:on.t listen to him la#s$. snale# Gi//ly"8oth (eathe# #ee'ly" The still ai %as no% hea)y %iththe smell of (unt o/one" The &a'in& ma%s of nine las,%ea'ons fille# his )ision" He #i#n.t ealise %hen

e*actly the Sienese (ehin# him ha# sto''e#sceamin&$ (ut they #i#n.t utte a soun# no%" He coul#


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tell the se&eant %as stain& at the stout chome,'late# 'lasma 'istol in his shoul#e i&$ #ain& him tomake a mo)e" 8oth #e% it".Lo%e" You" -ea'ons". 8oth e'eate#"

.:on.t (e stu'i# no%" -e %oul#n.t %ant thee to (eany acci#ents (et%een us$. e'lie# Gi//ly$ his tonecol# an# e)en".I ha)e the authoity..An# I ha)e my o#es$ inquisito" This isn.t you %a".8oth.s 'ulse felt like a %a #um" He coul# tell they%ee not &oin& to see eason" They %ee focin& him to

'lay his final han# an# 8oth ha# ho'e# it %oul#n.tcome to this" The inquisito clenche# his 5a% an#'ointe# u' the mountain slo'e".Se&eant" ;' thee$ thee hun#e# 'aces (ehin# you$is a huntsman %ith a Vin#icae,#ass E*itus ifle" :on.t(othe lookin&$ he.s %ell hi##en" -hat I can tell you$ isthat he %as taine# (y the lo#&e,mastes of Veske'inean# I.)e seen him shoot the eyes off an aeo,a'to in

mi# fli&ht" Gi)e him fou secon#s$ he.ll 'ut #o%n halfyou squa#" It.s you call Se&eant"..You.e (luffin&$. sai# Gi//ly$ (ut his )oice %asn.t socalm" This %asn.t his &ame anymoe".If you say so".

Thee %as a 'ause" Then the se&eant looke# to hismen an# no##e# eluctantly" Nine lasca(ines %ee

lo%ee# to the &oun#" 9a u' the slo'e$ a co' of slateock an# &ose %ee# 5u##ee# then mo)e#" BastielSil)estein$ in a fitte# coat of #ak &een 'ianha&atohi#e unfule# himself fom concealment" In his han#s%as a ifle$ lon& an# lean" 8oth flashe# his man thehan# si&nal fo stay alert an# tune# his attention (ackon the se&eant" .Se&eant"""..Se&eant Clais e##a$ n# (attalion Ai(one Sa''es

of the


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.Se&eant e##a". 8oth e'eate#$ lettin& the name han&hea)ily in the ai (efoe continuin&" .-hat the hell aeyou an# you men #oin&..Cleain& a 'ath$ until you &ot in the %ayD he e'lie#$

still #efiant"A 'ath to %hee..;&ent 'ioity mission" On o#es fom my (attalioncolonel" It.s none of you concen$ inquisito"..You ma#e it my concen$ se&eant" If you tell menothin&$ I %ill cha&e (oth you an# you colonel focollusion of ciminal acti)ity" He %oul# (e )ey

#is'lease#$ #on.t you think. 8oth ha# conee# him"He kne% e##a %as the ty'e of sol#ie %ho %oul#athe isk ie fom the Inquisition than the %ath of hiscomman#in& office".Thee.s nothin& ciminal hee" These 'eo'le ae all'otential theats" T%o #ays a&o %e lost a 'atol of!ionees on thei %ay to an AOI" Gone" -i'e# out" I.mnot takin& any chances %ith my (oys".

AOI" Gua# teminolo&y fo area of interest. 8oth aise# aneye(o%$ .-hat aea of inteest$ se&eant.An off,%ol# lan#in& caft" A fou,man 'atol 'icke# u' si&ns of a la&emetallic o(5ect in an ice ca)en t%o kilometes %est of hee" Thei lasttansmission confime# it %as a lan#e$ fo/en soli# %ith sno%" 1ust ha)e(een i&ht un#e ou noses since (efoe the %inte months".8oth %as #efinitely inteeste# no%" The sno% entom(ment meant it mustha)e sli''e# 'ast the 'lanetay (locka#e at least si* o se)en monthsa&o" !eha's it %as linke# to the 'sychic #istu(ances$ 'eha's not$

eithe %ay he %oul# nee# to kno% moe".Se&eant e##a" You %ill cease teoisin& these 'eo'le imme#iately"9uthemoe$ you %ill not fie at all$ unless 'emission is &ante#"..!emission""". he %as eally cau&ht off &ua# no%".Yes se&eant" !emission fom me" I.m comin& %ith you".

THESHI!-ASa mechant unne$ entom(e# un#e aton&ue of &lacial ice" The (unt se'ia of its 'ainte# hulla''eae# incan#escent un#e the stiate# ice$ almosta&lo% %ith lam(ent ene&y" A ca)en fome# its

ca#le$ %hee it slum(ee# in the thoat of a fostyma%$ fame# (y fan&s of icicles"


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The shi' itself %as a (lunt,nose# cuise a(out t%ohun#e# 'aces lon&$ the hammehea# of its 'o%'ockmake# %ith the scas of asteoi# collision" 8othsumise# (y its squat (o*y fame that it %as a (lock,

a#e unne$ simila to the ty'e fa)oue# (y illicitsmu&&les an# eant o&ue ta#es"8oth an# his team a''oache# the ice ca)e #o%n anao% &o&e$ a#)ancin& slo%ly #o%n the ock seam"

The inquisito le# the %ay$ aus'e* 'uin& in his &i'"Behin# him$ Sil)estein an# the 1ontai&h Gua#smenfome# a sta&&ee# file %ith %ea'ons co)ein& e)ey

an&le of a''oach" They eache# no futhe than thesha#o% of the ca)e entance %hen the aus'e* chime#thee %anin& tones" A solitay ta&et flashe# on the#is'lay$ half a kilomete fom thei 'osition$ almosti&ht on to' of the (eache# cuise"8oth si&nalle# fo a halt an# lo%e" Sinkin& to a %aycouch$ he squinte# into the ca)en %ith his 'lasma'istol 'ime#" He took in the )astness of the ca)e$ its

immensity #%afin& the colossal #ockin& han&as ofIm'eial (attleshi's" Befoe him$ to%ein& colonna#esof ice (uttesse# a )ault ceilin& of shimmein& %hite,(lue" Aoyos of melt %ate eache# like )eins acossthe ca)en floo an# foke# thou&h the &oo)es ofsno% #unes" 8oth coul#n.t see a #amn thin&".Bastiel$. he hisse#$ almost at a %his'e" The huntsman

huie# to him$ kee'in& lo% to the &oun#".Sie$ %hat #i# you fin#..Nothin&" That.s the 'o(lem" See %hat you can makeof this". 8oth sho%e# the huntsman his chimin&aus'e*"Sil)estein lo%ee# his E*itus ifle an# scanne# theca)e$ o'tisco'ic eyes %hiin& an# fee#in& #ata" Heachie)e# a lock,on almost instantly" +++Solitary

target, stationary. Height *. metres. ass densityapprox. -&g. !arget identification# /emale, human


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012 - /emale, xenos 32 -Humanoid, other 452.!arget distance# 601.44 metres. Status temperature -7"'8+++ .Sie$ I.m ea#in& %hat a''eas to (e a la#y sittin& on asno% #une$ a(out thee hun#e#

metes to ou font" -hat %oul# you like me to #o. Sil)estein aske#".Nothin& yet" Goo# 5o( Bastiel". 8oth then tune# aoun# to face Se&eantClais e##a an# clicke# once fo his attention" .Se&eant$ %ee thee any%omen in the 'atol %hich %as lost hee.

The se&eant shook his hea#" .Thee aen.t any %omen in the Assault!ionees$ sah".8oth che%e# his li'$ a ne)ous ha(it he ha# ne)e quite shaken off"9inally$ he stoo# u' an# &a)e the han# si&nal fo his team to #o like%ise".Bastiel$ %e.e &oin& to 'ess on as (efoe$ (ut I %ant you to co)e thatta&et %ith you ifle" 1ake sue it ne)e lea)es you si&hts an# tell me

%hat you see" Clea..Clea$ sie".-ith that$ the team esume# its cautious a#)ance$ 'o##in& thou&h thesno%" The shi'.s ice mesa loome# close an# so #i# the lone fi&ue at its(ase".Sie$ it.s #efinitely a %oman" She.s seen us too an# she has stoo# u'".

They %ee less than t%o hun#e# an# fifty metes a%ay no%"-hat #o you see Bastiel Tell me %hat you see"..She.s youn&@ I.# say no moe than thity stan#a#" She has a %ea'ontoo" Some sot of 'oleam" Coul# (e a secessionist$ sie".

T%o hun#e# metes an# closin&" 8oth.s eyes #ate# acoss the icesca'e$seein& a 'ossi(le am(ush (ehin# e)ey cest$ e)ey i#&e" :es'ite theelentless col#$ 8oth %as su##enly )ey &la# fo the fictionless tauma,'lates that hu&&e# his (o#y".She.s lookin& stai&ht at me sie$. e'ote# Sil)estein"

They %ee %ithin one hun#e# metes no% an# 8oth no lon&e nee#e#Sil)estein.s elay to see the youn& %oman on the sno% #une" He coul#tell she %as slim$ ma#e slimme (y the (oca#e# sa''hie silks thatcasca#e# #o%n he fame" -hee the (oa# 'ainte# slee)es en#e#$ hefoeams %ee tattooe# %ith )ese afte )ese of %a,litanies" She %as

unmistaka(ly a Bla#e Atisan".4ill he0. u&e# Se&eant e##a".No0 Stan# #o%n0. 8oth tune# an# sna''e# feociously at the Gua#squa#"Ahea#$ on the cest of the #une$ the Bla#e Atisan ha# anchoe# he%ea'on in the sno% if not a si&n of 'eace$ then at least a &estue ofamistice" The %ea'on %as as e*actly lon& as she %as tall" It %as a thin&lai)e$ half of it leathe,(oun# staff$ half of it stai&ht (la#e".Come foth an# announce youself$. she comman#e# fimly"8oth %as %ay (ut eco&ni/e# #i'lomacy as the &eatest faculty at his

#is'osal" He emulate# he &estue (y insetin& his 'lasma 'istol (ackonto its shoul#e i&"


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.I am Inquisito O(o#iah 8oth of the O#o Heeticus$ an# these,$. he sai#$&estuin& to the men (ehin# him$ .,ae se)ants of the Go#,Em'eo".

Tea# li&htly$ inquisito" I am Bekaela of the Bla#e an# this shi' is mine to&ua#"..-as it you %ho sle% the sol#ies$ %ho came hee t%o #ays 'ast.

.Ntil" The shi' kille# them".At this e'ly$ 8oth hea# the thum of lasca(ines as the Gua#smenacke# thei %ea'ons off safety"

Thei (loo# %as u' an# unless 8oth coul# e*tact some stai&ht ans%essoon$ the situation %oul# (e out of his han#s".Bla#e Atisan$ these men %ill shoot you soon$ unless you tell us %hatha''ene#".Bekaela #i# not seem at all #aunte# (y his %anin&" .Shoot then$ if you%ish" But I ha)e foes%on my oath to the Siene 1onach" I ha)e noquael %ith you sol#ies".

Vey %ell then" -hat lies in that shi'..Nothin&" E)eythin&" Si*teen moons a&o$ they came hee to Siene an#claime# to (e the 1onach.s chil#en , his scions".It %as not an ans%e he ha# (een e*'ectin&" The Siene 1onach$ 8othkne%$ ha# (een a cultual fi&uehea# of Siene$ a ta#ition that hake#(ack to the 'e,Im'eial histoy of the 'lanet" It ha# (een the Siene1onach %ho ha# enounce# Im'eial #ominion an# ouste# Lo#!lanetay Go)eno Van#t" !e,%a eco#s ha# sho%n that %hen theisolate# Im'eial out'osts an# missions ha# (een o)eun$ the nati)escetainly ha# no access to inte'lanetay ta)el an# thee ha# ne)e

(een mention of the 1onach.s offs'in&".Scions. 8oth aske#"Bekaela no##e#" .Yes$ his chil#en came in this shi'$ si*teen moons a&o"

The 1onach em(ace# his chil#en an# %elcome# them home" It ha#(een a &an# ceemony@ many clan,fi&htes ha# feaste# thee" I kno%(ecause I %as thee too".

The Siene 1onach has (een in hi#in& e)e since the %a (e&an$ if not#ea#$. 8oth countee#" He coul# sense somethin& 'oisonous %as at %okon this 'lanet an# 'at of him #i# not %ant to (elie)e it".He is not #ea#" I kno% %hee he hi#es$. Bekaela sai#"

That %as almost too much infomation to #i&est at once" Since the(e&innin& of the cam'ai&n$ Im'eial foces ha# (een #i)en in elentless'usuit of the fu&iti)e 1onach$ slate# as the s'iitual lea#eshi' of the&ueilla insu&ency" Hun#e#s of aeial (om(in& uns$ thousan#s ofinfanty 'atols ha# all amounte# to nothin&" But no% this".-hy %oul# you &i)e us this infomation. 8oth 'esse#".Because$ I.)e seen %hat lies in that shi' an# if they ae the 1onach.s(loo#line$ then he is no 1onach of mine0. she 'oclaime#"It only #a%ne# on 8oth then$ that Bekaela %as not &ua#in& the shi'fom intu#es" She %as &ua#in& a&ainst %hate)e lay %ithin fom

&ettin& out"


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Se&eant e##a$ ho%e)e$ %as not one to (e con)ince#" .It.s a ta'" That%itch 'o(a(ly &a)e my (oys the same s'eech (efoe they &ot off #$. he&o%le#" His men chouse# in assent"8oth %as not so quick to make his conclusion" The si&nificance of hestoy$ if tue$ %as fa too monumental to #ismiss" His #uty as an

inquisito com'elle# him to in)esti&ate #ee'e" Ste''in& fo%a#$ sli&htlya%ay fom his team$ 8oth summone# a su(tle %is' of min# foce an#&ently 'o(e# he min#" Bekaela tense# )isi(ly fom the intusion".-hat #i# you 5ust #o0. she hisse#".I %as testin& you intentions"..:on.t #o that a&ain$ o I.ll kill you an# make it 'ainful".8oth no##e# sinceely" He %oul# not" Besi#es$ he alea#y kne% all thathe nee#e# to kno%" She %as tellin& the tuth$ on (oth accounts".1y team an# I$ %e must e*'loe this shi'"..Then I %ill come %ith you$. she sai#" He tone (okee# no a&ument"

.So you ae %illin& to ai# us. 8oth muse#" .As an ally.

.No" I hate you" But I %ill hel' my 'eo'le" They #o not kno% %hat I kno%"I.)e (een in that shi'". .-hat.s in thee. 8oth aske#" .You %ill see$. %asthe ans%e"

THESHI!-ASali)e"O at least that %as %hat 8oth fist thou&ht" -et o'es of muscle an#'ulsin& ateies &o'e# an# t%iste# alon& the %alls an# mesh #eckin& ofthe #omant shi'" The ai %as nauseatin&ly %am an# humi#" It %as as ifsomethin& infinitely )iulent an# sha'eless %as incu(atin& %ithin thecuise.s metal chassis"

8oth.s team ha# entee# )ia a (each in the shi'.s hull an# foun#themsel)es in a #isuse# maintenance (ay" Banks of %ok(enches line#the %alls %hee a% ten#ils of flesh ha# (e&un to cee' o)e them" Inthe u''e,left cone of the ceilin&$ an enomous (alloon of 'uffy fleshe*'an#e# an# contacte# hythmically like a monstous lun&"9uthe e*'loation of the shi'.s coi#os$ #eck an# com'atmente)eale# only moe of its 'ulsatin& inna#s" The #ee'e into the heat ofthe cuise they 'o&esse#$ the thicke the infestation" The %alk%ay thatle# to the shi'.s (i#&e funnelle# into an oifice of i#&e# catila&e" Theycoul# see no futhe$ as a 'ink mem(ane of tissue e*'an#e# o)e the

entance".:o you kno% %hee %e ae. 8oth aske# Bekaela".Niil" I ha)e ne)e (een (eyon# the fist com'atment" This 'lace iscuse#$ it.s all (a# follo%in&".8oth %as not sue the Bla#e Atisan.s 'o&nosis %as the coect one$ (utit %as a't enou&h" He mo)e# to%a# the mem(ane$ caeful not to ste'in the 'ools of semi,)iscous liqui# that collecte# on the #eck 'latin&" Heholstee# his 'istol an# %as in the act of &in&ely eachin& out to touchthe o&anic mem(ane %hen all thee aus'e*es in his team chime#simultaneously" 8oth fo/e"

.-hat.s the ea#in&. he aske#"


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.I.m &ettin& multi'le a'i# mo)ements con)e&in& on this coi#ointesection$. one of the assault 'ionees e'ote#".Yes si$ I.m &ettin& the same ea#in&s$. anothe too'e echoe#"8oth a(out tune#$ #e% his 'istol an# taine# it on the inflame# fleshca)ity that %as once a t,5unction"

.8ea#in&s ae too fast" I sus'ect %e.e 5ust 'ickin& u' latent electicalcuents fom the shi'.s cicuity$. a thi# too'e a##e#" They %aite# intense silence"

Too'e -essel$ #ou(le time ten 'aces (ack an# &et me a ne% ea#in&"-e coul# (e stan#in& un#e an electical hu($. Se&eant e##a (ake#"-ith his eyes on the aus'e* an# ca(ine ha# a&ainst the shoul#e$

Too'e -essel a''oache# the intesection" He 'eee# into the &loom$s%ee'in& his aus'e* a(out to &et a (ette ea#in&"

The thin& slashe# out of the #akness so fast it se)ee# -essel.s s'inean# (oun#e# off his co'se" Steakin& thou&h the ai in a sho%e of

(loo#$ it lan#e# on anothe too'e couche# %ithin the coi#o an#e)isceate# him too" An eu'tion of %il# las,fie ca/e# the s'ot %heethe thin& ha# (een$ (ut it %as mo)in& a&ain".-hat the hell is that. 8oth shoute# at Sil)estein as his 'lasma 'istolunleashe# a mini,no)a of ene&y #o%n the coi#o"

The huntsman tie# to &et a lock on the ceatue as it slamme# into itsthi# )ictim" He (aely e&istee# the 'ofile of its (luin& outline"

+++!arget analysis# 9enos, Hormagaunt. Subspecies#:n&nown. Origin# :n&nown. Hi%efleet# :n&nown -

;ata Source# :ltramar


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eco&nise# the thony fame of sine% an# 'latehutlin& to%a#s him an# fo/e in shocke# a%e"It %as a &enesteale (oo#lo# an# it %as on him sofast he ha# no time to eact" The only thin& that sa)e#

him %as Bekaela.s &lai)e sin&in& thou&h the ai tointece't the (east" The Bla#e Atisan 'iouette# %itha t%ilin& #o%n%a# stoke that se)ee# one of themonstosity.s u''e lim(s" In e'ly$ the tyani#s'eae# he into the %all %ith a (attein& am of'sychic foce"8oth %aste# no time in en&a&in& the (oo#lo#" He

acti)ate# his Tan&,-a 'atten 'o%e &auntlet an#mo)e# insi#e the (oo#lo#.s &ua# %ith a thun#eousi&ht,hook" The ceatue snake# (ack its toso %ithse'entine &ace$ e)a#in& the (lo% an# s%e't in %ithits thee emainin& hook,scythes" 8oth #ucke#$ feelin&an o&anic (la#e ski' a&ainst the fictionless shoul#e'late of his amou"

They fou&ht on t%o se'aate 'lanes" -hile thei (o#ies

a&e#$ so too %ee thei min#s locke# in a 'sychic#uel" The tyani# %as much ston&e$ its min# a ti#al%a)e of a%$ seethin& foce" 8oth %as not a 'otent'syke$ (ut %hat a(ility he ha#$ he utilise# %ell$sha'enin& an# ti&htenin& his %ill into a 'oi&na# of#eli)eance" Althou&h the (oo#lo#.s min# %as likethe sta&&ein& foce of a (lin# a)alanche$ 8oth.s %as

the clean min#,s'ikes an# mental i'ostes of a!o&enium,taine# 'sychic #uellist" It %as like a #eathstu&&le (et%een the kaken an# the s%o#fish"On the 'hysical 'lane$ Bekaela stuck a&ain" She %as(aely conscious an# fou&ht 'uely fom musclememoy" S'innin& he &lai)e like a laiat she ho'e#she %as aimin& fo the i&ht ta&et" The 'a'e,thin(la#e slice# #ee' into the (oo#lo#.s flank$ sna''in&

thou&h the co#e# muscle" The ceatue shieke# at a#eci(el so hi&h$ the shi' qua)ee# in em'athy"


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It %as e*actly the #istaction 8oth nee#e#" Sensin& thesu##en &a' in the &enesteale.s mental #efences$ 8othti&htene# his %ill into an atom of focus an# su&e#thou&h the sli' in its 'sychic (aie" Once thou&h$ he

e*'lo#e# into a (illion sli)ee# nee#les$ e*'an#in&infinitesimally out%a#s"

The (oo#lo# #ie# quickly" -ith it$ the last of thehoma&aunts in the coi#o lost all syna'tic contolan# %ee liteally #isassem(le# (y &unfie" Yet as ite*'ie#$ the (oo#lo#.s mental shell colla'se#$'lun&in& 8oth into its min#$ like a s'eaman (eakin&

thou&h a shiel# %all hea#lon& thou&h the othe si#e"8oth %as uttely un'e'ae# fo %hat ha''ene# ne*t"He sa% a hi)e fleet$ at the futhest e#&es of his min#.seye" He sa% it loomin& la&e$ so a)enous an# hun&y"He felt$ no$ hea# the 'sychic son& that %as #a%in& itclose$ like a 'ulse$ like #o'lets of (loo# i''lin&out%a#s in the ocean" The son& %as comin& fomSiene !imal$ a 'oisonous u&ly soun# that #o)e

s'ikes into his 'syke min#" A s%anson&" All at once$ itfell into 'lace like a cystal fa&mentin& in e%in#" Hesa% the shi'$ an# its &enesteale (oo#$ the chil#en ofthe Siene 1onach" He sa% thei min#s 'ulsin& inunison$ callin& to thei hi)e$ callin& fo sal)ation" The'sychic )acuum shut #o%n his ne)ous system an#8oth.s heat sto''e# (eatin&"

.Sie0 Can you hea me0.The )oice %enche# 8oth (ack into consciousness$%enchin& him to the suface like a #o%nin& man" Thefist thin& he sa% %as Sil)estein$ the yello% 'u'ils ofhis (iosco'e im'lants %i#e %ith concen" Ha# it not(een fo the huntsman.s )oice$ he %oul# ha)e #ie#stan#in& u'".Sie You look (loo#less$. sai# the huntsman eachin&

fo%a# to stea#y 8oth" The inquisito$ in a #a/e$


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(ushe# Sil)estein off an# fell a&ainst the catila&etunnel$ sli#in& #o%n to his knees".4ill it""" kill him" 9in# him" 4ill him$. he mumue#%eakly"

.4ill %ho.

.4ill the 1onach$. 8oth calle#$ a little lou#e as he'ulle# himself u'" The 1onach" 9athe of the (oo#".BEYON:THESE!HA8:Ian&es$ Im'eial atilley %as'oun#in& the mountains to u((le an# the u((le to#ust" The stea#y &rang &rang &rang of the (atteiessoun#e# like thousan# tonne sla(s of ockete in

collision" In the tom(,)aults (elo% the mountains$ #ee'%ithin the ateial la(yinth$ (illions of ancestalcaskets temoe# un#e the (utal (om(a#ment"9inally$ #o%n amon&st thei #ea#$ the Siene1onach.s hi##en le&ions %oul# make ea#y fo theilast (attle"

The assault on the Siene tom(,)aults ha# state#(efoe #a%n" To thei ce#it$ Im'eial hi&h comman#

ha# (een quick to eact$ %ith Lo# 1ashal Cam(ia'esonally o)eseein& the mo(ili/ation of a quickeaction foce %ithin si* hous" Inquisito 8oth.s#isco)ey ha# hammee# a Shock%a)e thou&h thecam'ai&n.s %a,'lannes an# they %ee ea&e to sei/ethe initiati)e" The stalemate$ it seeme#$ %as a(out to(e (oken"

By the time the Sienese sunise ha# tin&e# the ni&htsky a (uise# oan&e$ Assault !ionees of the 1ontai&h


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%ee 'e,en&a&e#" Le# (y Inquisito 8oth an# &ui#e#(y Bekaela of the Bla#e$ a 'latoon of 1ontai&h


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The kill,team (oke into a un no%$ cuttin& fo thethone cham(e that lay (eyon#"9allin& in ste' (ehin# 8oth %as Bastiel Sil)estein" Heto&&le# the ta&et lock of his huntin& coss(o% to

acti)e an# loa#e# a 'ey,seeke missile" The li&ht'olyme sleekness of a Veske'ine arcuballista %as i#ealfo tunnel assault" 8unnin& 'oint %as Bekaela$ %ho %as no% #esse# inthe Sienese e&alia of )en&eance" He face %as 'ainte# a leein& maskof %hite an# cimson$ sym(olisin& the %itch,&hosts %ho claime# the#ea#" He sa''hie o(es %ee cinche# ti&ht (y a %aist (elt$ %o)en fomthe hai of slain enemies an# a flak,musket %as slun& o)e he shoul#e"8acin& #o%n the thousan#,mete %alk%ay$ 8oth.s etinue finallyeme&e# into the Siene thone cham(e" The oom %as )ast$ hum(lin&

e)en the im'essi)e scale of the antecham(e" Basalt %alls an# 'illas ofthickly )eine# ma(le soae# u' into the hea)ens$ the ceilin& com'letelylost fom si&ht" A 'ath of 5a#e flo%e# #o%n the cente of the thone oom$flanke# on eithe si#e (y le&ions of %ate(eain& )essels" Once a&ain$8oth note# thee %as %ate e)ey%hee" He #i#n.t ha)e time to askBekaela %hy".The 'atient cout of the Siene 1onach (i#s you %elcome$. a smoothan#o&ynous )oice announce#" The souce of the )oice came fom'o%eful )o*,castes set into the ams of the 1onach.s 5a#e thone";'on that thone sat the 1onach himself"

He %oe a hi&h,collae# &o%n of u(y e# silk$ the hem an# slee)ess'illin& out fo se)eal metes fom his thone" His han#s$ fol#e##emuely u'on his la'$ %ee ca''e# %ith lon& nee#les of sil)e" Nonecoul# look u'on his face fo a )eil of 'eals shimmee# #o%n his onion,#ome# co%n" The 1onach.s ten #o/en scions %ee aaye# (elo% histhone in seate# ties$ a chillin& calm instille# (y thei im'assi)e staes"

The aua of etheeal #i&nity %as so &eat$ 8oth notice#$ that some of thetoo's lo%ee# thei &uns an# &a/es in)oluntaily" 8oth$ on the othehan#$ aise# his chin an# stae# #ee' into the 'eal )eil"

The O#o Heeticus is hee to (uy you$. he shoute# in e'ly"

The choi of sons aaye# (elo% the 1onach i''le# %ith shill chotlin&"They %ee e*actly as Bekaela ha# #esci(e# in the 'e,o' (iefin&"Eunuchs$ all of them" Slim an# effete$ all %ee cla# in ankle,len&th &o%nsof 'astel silk$ 'inks an# 'u'les an# ceamy 5a#es" They a''eae# humanenou&h$ (ut e)en at a #istance 8oth coul# see thei coal 'ink skin$ semi,o'aque an# lace# %ith #elicate e# )eins"Cuiously$ all of thei left han#s ha# (een am'utate#" The &ol#,ca''e#stum's of thei foeams %ee attache# to thick ten#ils of silk co#" Thelon& (ai#s fomin& a muscula o'e of fa(ic o)e a mete lon&" Likesome (i/ae 'en#ulum$ at the en# of each len&th inte%o)en knots

fome# a fist,si/e# s'hee of silk"8oth coul# not &au&e the sym(olic si&nificance of these am'utations":imly$ he emem(ee# achi)al files e&a#in& the Tyant of Fuan$ on the


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fin&es of the Tu)alii Su(secto" Such %as his fea of assassination$ theTyant ha# o#ee# all %ho entee# his cout to #on flute# &auntlets of&lass" The flutes of those fa&ile &lo)es ha# (een chase# %ith aci# an#shattee# un#e the sli&htest foce" So &eat %as his 'aanoia the Tyantha# e)en foce# his thee thousan# %i)es to %ea them in his

(e#cham(es" Alas$ 8oth emem(ee# %ith a &limme of #ak humou$those &lo)es #i# not sa)e him fom the mouth #at of a Calli#us assassin"Ho%e)e$ if the 1onach %as offen#e# (y his (a/en theat$ his )eile#)isa&e offee# no si&n" Instea# his soft se*less )oice emitte# thou&h histhone,castes$ emotionless an# measue#".I cannot allo% that$. he state#$ isin& fom his thone"

The ai imme#iately &e% (ittle an# col#" To 8oth.s i&ht$ Bekaela.s&lai)e %ent slack in he &i' an# he eyes &la/e# o)e" To his left$ BastielSil)estein moane# softly".-itchey0. 8oth aise# his 'lasma 'istol a millisecon# too late" A 'sychic

(olt e*'lo#e# fom the 1onach$ %a'in& the ai aoun# it into anoscillatin& cone" It toe thou&h Inquisito 8oth an# the% him thity feet#o%n the i)oy 'ath in a s'ay of (loo# an# (lack &lass" The 'sychicafteshock i''le# thou&h the oom like a stone in a 'on#$ coatin& e)eysuface in a thick ime of fost"

The min# (lo% %oul# ha)e liquefie# any nomal man" But O(o#iah 8othha# a tum' ca#" The &lintin& hau(ek of 'si,eacti)e cystal ha#a(so(e# the (unt of the 'syke.s 'o%e" As sha#s of (lack &lassscattee# in a (li//a# aoun# him$ 8oth ealise# the amou %oul# notsu)i)e anothe 'sychic attack" An# neithe %oul# he" Bloo# an# (ile

oo/e# fom his mouth an# nose in thick stin&s" His hea# s%am an# hecoul# (aely see":imly$ he coul# hea the chatte of &unfie$ as if )ey fa a%ay in the#istance" He coul# hea Sil)estein yellin& (ut he coul#n.t make out the%o#s" The only coheent thou&ht in his min# %as that the 1onach'syke must (e tem'oaily %eakene# fom his temen#ous min# (last"

That &a)e 8oth a fe% secon#s to nullify him (efoe he &athee# thesten&th to finish them all off"He looke# u'$ fi&htin& #o%n the u&e to )omit" The %ol# a''eae# at aslant" The 1onach.s scions ha# fome# a 'halan* aoun# him" As one$

they #i''e# thei lon& silk 'en#ulums into the many %ate )essels in thecham(e$ lettin& the %ate soak into the fa(ic" The innocuous silks'hees instantly (ecome hea)y flails".Sly (asta#s$. 8oth hisse# thou&h a mouthful of (oken teeth" To hisflanks$ the Gua#smen continue# to ake a stea#y steam of las,oun#s atthe 1onach.s scions" .I.ll (et my (alls that they.e %eain& amou un#ethose &o%ns too$. 8oth lau&he# #akly to himself" Some of the scions%ee slamme# off thei feet (y the kinetic foce of the shots$ only to &et(ack u' an# continue cha&in& the inquisito.s team".9i* (ayonets0. someone$ some%hee$ shoute#" The )oice %as %ashe#

%ith #istotion to 8oth.s tauma,shocke# eas"Assault !ionees #i# as comman#e#$ fomin& a sta&&ee# ank of fi&htin&(la#es" The 4uassian Lance,Comman#oes #e% thei seate# shot,


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s%o#s$ ho%lin& an# clashin& the %ea'ons to amoue# chests" To&ethethey met the cha&e of the scions"8oth sta&&ee# to his feet$ fi&htin& to e&ain his (alance as a eunuchstome# #o%n the i)oy 'ath to%a# him" Bastiel Sil)estein.s 'olishe#(oots su##enly fille# 8oth.s )ision$ as the ol# etaine stoo# o)e the

#a/e# inquisito" The *enos &ame hunte aime# his coss(o%" He ha#s%a''e# to a a'i#,fie cati#&e$ #esi&ne# to (in& #o%n s%ift mo)in&&ame" On automatic$ Sil)estein coul# em'ty all t%el)e (olts into hisassailant in thee secon#s" He nee#e# only one" A sal)o of (olts toe outthe eunuch.s face$ the neual to*ins causin& the assailant to s'asm soha# his s'ine (oke" He #o''e# to the floo$ his one han# locke# into afle*in& cla%".Ae you &oo# Ae you &oo#. Sil)estein sceame# at the inquisito"8oth finally foun# his footin& an# no##e# )a&uely".Sto' fussin& o)e me an# sni'e that 'syke (asta# alea#y$. 8oth

mana&e# to &as'".Can.t #a% a (ea#" He.s &ot some sot of foce &eneato" The kill,teamalmost (le# thei ammunition #y tyin& to cack him o'en" -e.ll ha)e to&et in close$. sai# Sil)estein"8oth &imace# an# an a han# o)e his (loo#ie# face" .-ell he.s thou&htof e)eythin& then$ hasn.t he Co)e me". The inquisito shook his hea#once moe to clea it" Thee %as a #ak s'ot in his left fiel# of )ision an#he ho'e# his (ain %asn.t haemoha&in&" Castin& all #ou(t asi#e$ helifte# his i&ht han#" The one cla# in a slim,fittin& &auntlet of (lue steel" A

Tan& -a,'atten 'o%e &auntlet" The %ea'on humme# %ith a #ee'

ma&netic tho($ the #isu'tion fiel# s'akin& like a (lue halo"Beakin& into a un$ he ma#e stai&ht fo the thone" Assailants a''eae#in the cones of his )ision (ut Sil)estein.s co)ein& fie %as lethallyefficient" The steaks of &ey slashe# o)e his shoul#e an# hea#$ one'assin& so close to his face he coul# feel its 'assin& an# hea its )i'e,like hiss" The (olts intece'te# the scions as 8oth an thei #ea#ly&auntlet$ #o%n the i)oy 'ath to%a#s the thone"

The inquisito ke't a mental count of each (olt as they fle% 'ast untilfinally$ he counte# the full t%el)e" Sil)estein %oul# nee# to eloa#" He%as only a scant ten 'aces a%ay fom the thone@ the 1onach still

slum'e# in his seat eco)ein& %hen a eunuch the% himself at him"8oth tune#$ his efle*es still slu&&ish fom his min# thashin&" Ho%lin&$the eunuch %hi''e# the silk flail into his lo%e i(s an# 8oth e*hale# a'ainful 5et of ai" He tie# to (in& his 'lasma 'istol to (ea (ut the flaillashe# in a&ain$ this time sna''in& into his han#" 1y han#.s (oken$ 8oththou&ht num(ly$ a##in& it to his lon& list of in5uies as the 'istol sli''e#fom (oken fin&es"Ea&e fo the kill$ the eunuch 'esse# his a#)anta&e" The silk flail.sta5ectoy ace# to%a# 8oth.s hea#" -ith moe luck than timin&$ theinquisito sli''e# un#e the (lo% an# #o)e his 'o%e fist into the

eunuch.s chest" The &auntlet.s #isu'tion fiel# flae# into a (i&ht coonaof li&ht as he #o)e his han# clean thou&h the Eunuch.s chest" Hisassailant sim'ly #o''e# onto his ea an# slum'e# o)e (ack%a#s"


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4no%in& he ha# no time to s'ae$ 8oth s'un on his heels an# tune# onthe 1onach" The 'syke %as almost at full sten&th" Alea#y he ha#foce# himself onto his feet$ his eyes tunin& into milky o(s as he&athee# his %ill fo anothe 'sychic (olt" The tem'eatue %as #o''in&like a count#o%n time" 8oth ha# all of one secon# to eact (efoe he %as

#ea#".No%0. cie# Inquisito 8oth as he launche# himself at the 'syke"E*ten#in& his 'o%e fist$ he amme# the %ea'on into the 1onach.sin)isi(le foce (u((le" As #isu'tion fiel# met foce fiel# thee %as astatic shiek an# a (lossomin& %all of (lin#in& li&ht" Then the 5a#ethone.s foce &eneato (le% a fuse" The foce fiel# shattee#$ ai fillin&its )oi# %ith a lo% thun#ecla'" 8oth fle% himself flat (efoe the thone"Bastiel Sil)estein em'tie# all t%el)e (olts into the 1onach in theesecon#s flat" At fifty 'aces$ e)ey (olt foun# its mak an# 'inne# the'syke to his thone like a (oken maionette" Almost as an aftethou&ht$

Bekaela.s flak,musket s'at a cone of flechette at the co'se$ stitchin& it%ith smokin& holes"

Then it %as o)e$ as quickly as it ha# (e&un" E*ce't fo the co#ite hiss of&un smoke$ an# the (ayin& of the 4uassian Lance,Comman#oes as theytook the eunuchs a'at$ the (attle %as o)e" The metallic scent of (loo#an# &unfie fille# the cham(e"Inquisito O(o#iah 8oth 'icke# himself u' an# (ushe# himself off" Hecou&he# an# s'at a (loo#y tooth at %hat %as left of the 1onach"Ben#in& #o%n$ he sla''e# the 1onach.s )eile# co%n %ith a (ackhan#"A face of sha' alien an&les stae# (ack at him %ith #ea# eyes" :ea#

#ak *enos eyes" The i#&e# foehea# %as steake# %ith (loo# an# hisslack mouth %as a nest of teeth$ like tanslucent nee#les".Genesteales$. sai# the inquisito"-eaily$ he tune# to his team an# the cana&e (efoe him" :uin& histenue as an inteo&ato$ 8oth ha# su)i)e# a clutch of fiefi&hts" Hismento$ Lis/t Van#e)en$ ha# (een a 'olific fiel# inquisito %ho (elie)e#a ai# %oul# al%ays ea' moe ans%es than clinical in)esti&ation" Befoehis thitieth yea$ 8oth ha# skimishe# %ith half a #o/en heetic cults$an# e)en (esie&e# the com'oun# of a naco,(aon on the #eath %ol# ofSans Ga)iia" But none of that coul# com'ae to the (utality of a close,

quate fieams assault"The thone oom %as a (utche.s hall" 1ost of the (o#ies %ee #esse# in&ossame silks$ tho%n in #isaay like cushe# (utteflies" :o/ens ofimmense %ate )essels ha# (een u'tune# o shot thou&h$ floo#in& thecham(e %ith a 'ane of osy$ (loo#,tinte# %ate" Othe (o#ies scattee#a(out %ee in eithe 1ontai&h o 4uassian (attle#ess" Neaest to 8oth$a 4uassian comman#o ha# #ie# sittin& u'$ the fin&es of his &auntletlocke# aoun# the thoat of an enemy" The Gua#sman ha# (een shoto)e a #o/en times$ (ut he ha# not elease# the chokehol#"Aoun# 8oth$ his kill,team mo)e# quickly fom (o#y to (o#y" It seeme# to

him that they %ee (ut &oin& thou&h the motions$ hi&h,'o%ee#%ea'ons at close 'o*imity aely left su)i)os".Sie , %e ha)e a li)e one sie$. Sil)estein sai#"


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8oth sna''e# out of his 'ost,conflict #a/e an# ealise# Sil)estein ha#(een stan#in& at the (ase of the thone fo some time$ callin& e'eate#lyHe follo%e# the huntsman$ sloshin& thou&h the 'ink %ate to%a#s ahu##le of Gua#smen %ith thei %ea'ons aise#" As the cicle 'ate# fothe inquisito$ they e)eale# a scion sittin& %oun#e# on the cham(e

floo"It %as &enetically moe man than *enos$ 8oth eco&ni/e# thatimme#iately" Yet nestle# %ithin the (o% of its o(e# foehea#$ its eyes%ee like ii#escent 'ools of (lack oil #e)oi# of any human quality" 1oststatlin& of all %as the ceatue.s 'ao#y of sym(iote %ea'ons" ;' close$the silk flail$ #am' an# &listenin& %as not unlike a muscle# macea''en#a&e" Its i&ht slee)e %as ton$ un)eilin& a han# fuse# to ano(solete machine 'istol$ (o%n %ith %ell,%oke# &ease" The flesh an#fin&es %ee smeae# like %a* into the hea)y cali(e 'istol$ %hethe (ycoinci#ence o #esi&n to esem(le some o&anic (iomo'h"

.It can talk$ sie$. sai# Sil)estein$ no##in& to%a#s the ceatue"The scion ha# taken the stay oun# of a 4uassian shot&un" Its left le&%as 'e''ee# %ith (lee#in& 'efoations an# 'ockmake# %ith 'o%#e(uns" It looke# u'$ met 8oth.s &a/e an# smile# mockin&ly$ e)ealin&clustes of quill,like teeth"!eha's if 8oth ha# (een ol#e$ %ise an# moe 'atient he coul# ha)e#ealt %ith the matte (y moe tactful means" But as it %as$ 8oth %asnone of those thin&s" The inquisito sim'ly 'oun#e# fo%a# an# sna&&e#the scion.s colla in his fist".Ho% lon& has this 'lanet (een infecte#0. 8oth sceame# into the

ceatue.s face".-hy #oes it matte. the scion e'lie#$ his )ocal co#s cut %ith a coasealien inflection".Because I aske# you0. shoute# 8oth" He haule# #o%n on the scion.sem(oi#ee# colla$ slammin& its hea# into the ma(le floo" The ceatuecame u' snotin& %ate out of its nostil slits an# state# to lau&h$ athille# hamonic 'eal that (ounce# aoun# the cham(e %alls"Bekaela a''eae# (y 8oth.s si#e an# lai# a han# on his shoul#e" .4illhim" ust kill him an# (e #one$. she sai#".Not until it ans%es me0. hisse# 8oth" Still ti&ht in his clinch$ he

manhan#le# the ceatue$ 5ekin& the scion fom its seate# 'osition an#focin& it #o%n on its %oun#e# si#e" The action elicite# a shu##ein&e*halation of a&ony" Satisfie#$ 8oth e'eate# the question a&ain" .Ho%#i# it stat.

Thee &eneations a&o$. the scion snale# thou&h its teeth" .Ou fathescame to Siene as missionaies to s'ea# the see# of the &eat familyan# his (lesse# chil#en".In tuth$ the a#mission #i# not su'ise 8oth" It %as almost elementay"Siene %as a fontie %ol# an# missionaies ha# (een the only tueIm'eial out'osts on the 'lanet" Inci#entally$ those cleics an#

ecclesiaches %ee also the only ones to access %a',ca'a(le )essels"


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.It %as 'efect$. coone# the scion" .By se)en %intes of equino*$ Siene.sfist(on 'ince %as of (lesse# (loo#" He %as the fathe of fathes" -henHe ascen#e# the thone$ this %ol# %as ous fo the takin&"..-hen #i# the taint s'ea# to the est of Siene. 8oth aske# thou&h&itte# teeth"

.!atience$ 'atience" I.m &ettin& to that$. chotle# the ceatue" It %asclealy en5oyin& the naati)e$ #a%in& itself u' theatically" .-e #i# notnee# to$ you see" The matial sects ha# al%ays chafe# un#e Im'eialoccu'ation an# %hen ou 1onach #eclae# e(ellion$ they %ee ou he#an# %e thei she'he#" -ith the sect %aios un#e ou (anne$ the estof the Sienese follo%e# quietly enou&h".-e set a(out 'u&in& all Im'eial influence fom this ealm" Sect,Chieftains %ho %ee esistant quickly (ecame silent %hen thei %i)es%ee 'oisone# an# #enounce# as cons'iatos" Thee %ee a thousan#'u(lic e*ecutions of Im'eial loyalists each #ay fo many yeas" The

Siene enaissance %as en#emic"The !:9 #i# not e)en ty to fi&ht (ut %e cleanse# them any%ay" Soft an#i#le$ they %ee ci)ic militia #a%n fom the anks of 'oets$ scul'tos an#mechants$ fo no sect fi&hte %oul# e)e #e(ase himself (y #e)otion tothe Im'eium" Any Sienese in the !:9 unifom of tan (oca#es an#&il#e# tall,helm %as a taito" -hen the e*ecutions state#$ they (aelykne% ho% to o'eate thei autoifles" 1ost of thei %ea'ons %ee still%a''e# in the soft 'lastic co)es they %ee #eli)ee# in"

They #ie# so quickly" On the Isles of 4hy(e the (lesse# chil#en kille# anentie #i)ision of them in one #ay" Can you (elie)e it T%el)e thousan#

loyalists line# u' an# (uie# ali)e" Oh$ it %as a &ol#en a&e".At this Bekeala inte5ecte#$ he eyes e# an# %atey %ith a&e$ .Enou&h0-e #o not nee# to hea this" Let me kill him0..One moe thin&$. &o%le# 8oth as he 'ulle# the scion.s &innin& )isa&eclose to his face" The 'sychic (acklash$ the 'lanetay s%anson&" You(oo# is es'onsi(le"""..I am su'ise# you (elittle youself (y askin&$. it sai# smu&ly"8oth elease# the scion an# took a ste' (ack" He let the ans%e settlehea)ily on his chest an# sink into the 'it of his stomach" Like the finalstoke of an oile# (ush$ the 'aintin& %as com'lete" He ha# esol)e# the

matte fo the o#o$ (ut it %oul# (e a 'yhic )ictoy" It %as alea#y toolate fo Siene !imal".A(solutely coect 'syke" It is fa too late" Ou choi has (een sin&in& tothe family$ callin& out to the %a' an# the family ans%ee# ou call".Lookin& #o%n$ 8oth #e% his si#eam in an&e" He ha# slackene# his&ua# an# the *enos (ee# ha# &leane# his suface thou&hts" .Ho% lono %e ha)e. aske# 8oth$ eassetin& his question %ith an octa)e of'sychic am'lification"

The scion sim'ly olle# (ack his hea# an# lau&he#" His lau&hte came in&eat shiekin& (usts$ esonatin& %ith the thun#eous acoustics of a

cyclo'ean hall" It %as all too much" 8oth took aim %ith his 'istol" Hisfin&e sli''e# insi#e the ti&&e" Yet (efoe he a''lie# 'essue$ thescion.s face the% out a &eat cest of (loo#"


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8oth lo%ee# his %ea'on$ (eathin& hea)ily" Bekaela %as (y his si#e$ hesil)e &lai)e steake# %ith stin&s of cimson &oe" She %as teifyin&"

The 'aint on he face smeae# %ith s%eat an# fuy$ a #aemonic )isa&emeltin& #o%n he cheeks" At he feet the scion lay$ a clou# of (i&ht e#ha/in& the %ate an# fomin& a halo aoun# its skull"

But the lau&hte #i# not a(ate" Lon& afte the scion %as #ea#$ thelau&hte continue# to toll thou&h the cham(e"

THEANNALSO9Im'eial histoy %oul# not (e kin# to Siene !imal" It%as eco#e# in 1+>>"1


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6RT%L 7;(LRi5hard &illia%s

THE!AT8IA8CH-ATCHE:as the youn& man name# As'ha %as(ou&ht in" He 'ause# fo a moment at the theshol#@ the 'atiach coul#see him quickly assess his suoun#in&s" This one %as not caeless"Goo#$ &oo#$ the 'atiach thou&ht$ they ha# chosen %ell %ith this one"He motione# fo the youth to sit (y the funace" As'ha #i# so$ hea#

lo%ee# in es'ect" The 'atiach smile#$ this one #i# not lack faitheithe" -hen As'ha finally &lance# u'$ the li&ht fom the funace (une#in his eyes" Yes$ the 'atiach conclu#e#$ this one %oul# #o" But fist$(efoe he coul# (e ea#y$ he ha# to un#estan# %hy".-hen ou ancestos %ee fist (ou&ht hee$. the 'atiach (e&an$ .theysa% this %ol# fom s'ace an# they name# it Bahani$ meanin& Blue" 9o%hen they came hee the #esets %ee oceans$ the%in#s %ee soft an# the lan# s%elle# %ith fuit an# &ain" Ou 'eo'lethou&ht this %as the &eat e%a# fom the Em'eo$ an# so they hel'e#the mastes$ the Im'eial men$ to (uil# thei to%es an# thei factoies"

-e se)e# them %illin&ly$ ne)e kno%in& that they %oul# clou# the skies$(oil a%ay the seas an# tun the ai to smoke"..No%$ all %e eat is (ou&ht in cates fom othe %ol#s" All %e make istaken a%ay" Ou %ol# has (een stolen fom us$ shi'ment (y shi'ment$an# %e hel'e# them #estoy us at e)ey ste'" That is ou sin$ the sin fo%hich you must (e ou a(solution" So that the Em'eo may tun to usonce moe an# &ant ou 'eo'le life$ e)en afte this %ol# has #ie#"..-ill you #o so -ill you (e one of the s%o#s of ou a(solution..On my life" On my soul$. As'ha s%oe"

Then hee is you 'ath""".

1I:SHI!1AN1A8CHE8SF;INTE:into the %in#" It ha#(lo%n u' quickly$ quicke than anyone in the lan#in&'aty fom the >elentless ha# e*'ecte#" It ha# onlytaken a fe% minutes afte the tans'ot lan#e# to o'enthe ailock$ (ut in that time the %in# ha# s%e't u'fom a (luste to a full foce &ale" They ha# lan#e# atthe )ey e#&e of one of the cities on Bahani.s %esten

continent$ on to' of a an&e of cliffs o)elookin& anksof stuctues on the 'lain (elo%" If he shoul# fall off the


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cliff$ it %oul# (e a 'ematue en# to his caee" He tookanothe ste' to%a#s the contol s'ie ahea# of himan# stum(le#$ (lo%n (ack se)eal 'aces (y the %in#".Em'eo.s ase0. he cuse#$ an# then s'luttee# as the

&it in the ai (le% into his mouth"The )o* cackle# in his ea$ (ut he coul#n.t make outthe tansmission" !o(a(ly Lieutenant 8oche$ sittin&safe (ack on the tans'ot" 1ache kne% he %assu''ose# to es'ect his su'eios$ (ut that one ne)e'ut himself in the least isk if he coul# a)oi# it" That%as not the (eha)iou 1ache e*'ecte# fom an

office" 1ache sat u' an# 'eee# into the stom" Heha# &otten himself tune# aoun#" The sha#o%s of(uil#in&s loome# all aoun# him$ &iant$ lon& (uil#in&s$channellin& the #ust so that it (uffete# him fom e)eysi#e" In one #iection thou&h thee %as mo)ement" It%as a man$ his cloak %a''e# aoun# him ti&ht$comin& to his ai#" He 'ulle# 1ache to his feet an#&ui#e# him stea#ily into the lee of one of the (uil#in&s"

1ache shook the %ost of the #ust off his unifom"The man olle# #o%n the cloth acoss his face" He %asa Bahani$ (ut he (oe Im'eial ank,tattoos" Afoeman$ most likely$ 'o(a(ly 'omise# a seat on the#e'atin& con)oy in etun fo his loyalty"

Tensions %ee hi&h (et%een the hun#e#s ofA#ministatum officials in the 'ocess of

#ecommissionin& the Im'eium.s assets an# themillions of in#entue# %okes that they %ee to lea)e(ehin#" It meant an en# to the tithes@ no lon&e %oul#they ha)e to la(ou %ithin the me&a,'ocessin& 'lantso on the )a'ou,shi's e)a'oatin& sea%ate to e*tactthe mineals it hel#" They %oul# (e fee$ o at least asfee as any man coul# (e in this #ak &ala*y" But$moe than anythin& else$ theis %oul# also (e the

fee#om to sta)e$ to fi&ht an# to #ie" E)ey in#ustyon Bahani %as #e)ote# to the e*taction of a%


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mateials that othe %ol#s ca)e# an# theA#ministatum an# thei in#entue# %okes ha#systematically (oile# the seas an# e)isceate# thelan# o)e the millennia of thei occu'ation" No%$ the

Im'eium ha# taken all it coul# an# %as mo)in& on@the %okes ha# only 5ust ealise# that the Im'eium.s'lans$ thou&h$ #i# not inclu#e them" Thee ha# (een'otests$ fi&htin&$ e)en assassinations".The stoms hee alon& the coast$ they %hi' u' quick$(ut they ne)e last lon&$. the foeman sai#" .Listen$they alea#y #o''in&".

.Coast. 1ache aske#$ su'ise#" Ae %e on thecoast I #i#n.t see the ocean %hen %e %ee lan#in&".

.Coast is 5ust ou name" No ocean hee fo lon& timeno%" Look no%$ thee$ you can see".

The stom ha# nealy #ie# a%ay com'letely" 1achelooke# out o)e the cliffs at the city (elo%$ e*ce't thatit %asn.t a city" Not of (uil#in&s an# 'eo'le at least"

The stuctues he ha# seen %hen they lan#e#$ they

%ee shi's" Hu&e factoy shi's$ ol# an# &utte#$ theihulls 'ock,make# %ith ust" Thee %as ank u'on ankof these hulks$ settle#$ immo)a(le$ u'on the salty'lain".1y &an#fathe$. the %oke continue#$ .he sai# thatthis use# to (e the #ee'est 'at of the Geat -estenSea" That is %hy all the )a'ou,shi's$ they en#e# u'

hee" To finish off the last of it".These cliffs$ these hills$ %ee once islan#s$ an# (efoethat mountains$ (ut hi##en #ee' %ithin the sea" It(aely seeme# 'ossi(le"Anothe cackle of the )o* shocke# 1ache fom thesi&ht" The foeman le# him into the contol s'ie"1ache ste''e# insi#e an# %as hit (y a %all of noise"

The inteio floo ose u' in a &eat s'ial to the to'"

!eo'le %ee e)ey%hee$ %okes mainly"A#ministatum an# 1unitoum officials$ #istincti)e in


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thei unifom$ %ee #otte# aoun# #iectin&$ shoutin&$o#ein&$ enteatin& the %okes to fetch an# cay$loa# an# 'ush" No soone ha# a contolle mo)e# a%ayfom a 'iece of equi'ment then it %as &a((e#$

#ismantle#$ (o*e# an# loa#e# onto the ca&o tolleysollin& #o%n aoun# the fa e#&e"

The foeman 'ointe# 1ache in the #iection of theankin& official$ Go)eno,A#e't 4ai/en$ %ho %as'acin& #o%n aoun# the inne cu)e of the s'ial#a&&in& a tain of human se)itos in his %ake"

Take that" That.s #one". 4ai/en fie# o#es like an

autocannon" .No$ no #elay fo this sche#ule" I.)ea''o)e# this alea#y" No to this" No to this" This isacce'ta(le" This one$ thee is an eo in thecontin&encies$ e%ok it,..Go)eno 4ai/en0. 1ache shoute#$ sti#in& as quicklyas he coul# to kee' 'ace %ith the &o)eno an# hisetinue"

This one is fine" Hal)e the sche#ule fo this$ he al%ays

'a#s his estimates" Get it #one" Get it #one" -ho aeyou..I am 1i#shi'man 1a,..You.e hee fo you ca&o" 9ollo% me" 4ee' u'" 4ee'u'".Go)eno 4ai/en incease# his 'ace as he hea#e##o%n the s'ial futhe" 1ache #eci#e# to let

'o'iety &o han& an# (oke into a tot to kee' u'".1y lieutenant sen#s his com',. 1ache (e&an".I kno% you Na)y men like you fomalities$ (ut I am inthe mi#st of the final #isentan&lement of ou 'esenceon this entie 'lanet" An o'eation of %hich I am thecente$ the coe$ the ne*us$ the o)emin#" So #oe*cuse me the fomalities$ fo I ha)e no time$ no time"..Yes$&o)eno".

.Hee$. 4ai/en sai#$ #a%in& u' to the si#e of a 'it"

.Hee is you ca&o".


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1ache looke# #o%n" A sea of human faces looke#(ack u'".Si&n this". 4ai/en sla''e# a #ata,slate into 1ache.shan#"

.I think the lieutenant shoul# (e,.

.No time" No time" Si&n it". 1ache #i# so" 4ai/en tookthe #ata,slate$ toe off the to' sheet an# han#e# it(ack to 1ache"

That.s yous" Take it" 4ee' it".1ache ea# %hat he ha# si&ne#" It %as a ecuitmento#e" The men in the 'it (elo% ha# 5ust (een fee#

fom thei se)ice to the A#ministatum an# instantly(on#e# once moe$ this time to the Na)y" They %ee tose)e out thei time in the %ok,ce%s on the lo%est#ecks of the >elentless. Con#itions %ee 'oo$motality ates %ee hi&h$ these men %ee to (e themotal fuel the >elentless consume#" An# they %ee)olunteein&" Bette the (o%els of a Battlefleet %ashi'than %hat emaine# fo them on Bahani afte the

Im'eium left"Thee hun#e# men$ Go)eno..Thee hun#e#$ fifty,se)en" 1oe than %e e*'ecte#"1en$ %omen$ some%hee in (et%een$ you ca'tain.sequest #i# not s'ecify"..It %as fom ou fist office$ Comman#e -a#" Ouca'tain #ie# se)eal months a&o".

.Still no e'lacement Slo''y man mana&ement in theBattlefleet$ al%ays sai# so" -oul#n.t (e acce'ta(le inlo&istics" No$ not at all".One of the se)itos$ a )o*,unit (uilt into its hea#$chi'e#" Its eyes unfocuse# an# olle# (ack into itshea# as it o'ene# its mouth to elay a messa&e".Go)eno$ this is a secuity alet" -e ae un#e attack"Locals ae massin& at the main &ate" A )ehicle has

(eache# the southen 'eimete an# is hea#in&stai&ht fo the contol s'ie" .


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.The contol s'ie. 4ai/en sai#$ his )oice isin&" .I.m inthe contol s'ie0 Call out the ese)e squa#s@ I %ante)ey one of them &ua#in& this entance""".1ache %atche# as 4ai/en continue# (akin& o#es

at the 'assi)e se)ito %ho %as faithfully elayin&them to the secuity #etail" 1ache notice#$ ho%e)e$%hat 4ai/en ha#n.t$ that all the %okes aoun# themha# state# to un" They %een.t unnin& fom themain entance$ thou&h$ they %ee unnin& #iectlya%ay fom the Go)eno" 1ache hea# a noise fomoutsi#e$ an en&ine$ oain& close an# close" They

%een.t &oin& fo the entance$ the mi#shi'manealise#$ they %ee comin& stai&ht thou&h the,The )ehicle$ a hea)y loa#e %ei&he# #o%n %ith metal'lates %el#e# on as amou$ cashe# thou&h thes'ie.s %all" 1ache ha# alea#y taken a hol# on theGo)eno an# yanke# him out of the %ay as the loa#e&oun# to a halt$ (uie# un#e the #e(is"Billiant sunli&ht steame# into the &loomy s'ie$ as

Bahani &unmen clam(ee# thou&h the (each in the%all" One of them clam(ee# onto the loa#e.s ca(inan# le)elle# an autoifle at the Go)eno.s se)itosstill millin& aoun# in confusion".I %ill not ha)e this$. 4ai/en com'laine# (eneath1ache" .I %ill not ha)e this o'eation #isu't,.

The shots inteu'te# 4ai/en in mi#,flo%" A se)ito fell

(esi#e them$ its hea# a mess of (loo# an# (one"1ache.s na)y 'istol %as in his han# an# he shot(ack" The hea# of the &unman sna''e# to the si#e an#he fell" Thee %ee shouts fom a(o)e as the &ua#s atthe entance ealise# %hat ha# ha''ene# an# e#e,'loye#" The Bahani &unmen 'ouin& in foun#themsel)es (ein& shot at fom the le)els a(o)e an#(e&an to #uck (ehin# co)e to etun fie" 1ache

#a&&e# 4ai/en futhe fom the fiefi&ht (ehin# the li'


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of the 'it" The co%# of 'eo'le insi#e ha# hea# theshots an# %aile# an# sceame# fo thei o%n li)es"One of the Bahanis sa% them mo)e an# couche# u'$a &ena#e in his han#$ ea#y to tho%" A shot

some%hee a(o)e cau&ht him" Too late" 1ache%atche# as the &ena#e saile# u' into the ai stai&htto%a#s him" Thee %as no time to un@ his min# fo/e$(ut his (o#y mo)e#" He snatche# the #ata,slate fom4ai/en.s unesistin& han# an# took a mi&hty s%in& an#felt the soli# contact as the #ata,slate smacke# the&ena#e a%ay" It fle% (ack out thou&h the (each an#

e*'lo#e# %ith a hea)y &rump. It %as then that 1ache.s min#clicke# in an# he ealise# %hat a stu'en#ously stu'i# thin& that ha# (eento #o" The mee im'act alone mi&ht ha)e set the &ena#e off in his face".-ell #one$ mi#shi'man". 4ai/en 'ulle# 1ache (ack #o%n into co)e".Goo# 5o( 'otectin& you ca&o".4ai/en took the #ata,slate (ack fom 1ache.s unesistin& han# an#'eee# at it" .I.# check them any%ay if I %ee you$ as I (elie)e you.)ein)ali#ate# you ecei't".

THEYO;NGBAHANIname# As'ha &itte# his teeth as the lifte ocketstu&&le# a&ainst the 'lanet.s &a)ity an# the 'essue 'ile# u'on his

(o#y" Thou&h he coul# feel himself (ein& cushe#$ he %as not scae#"They ha# tol# him that this %oul# ha''en" Ha# tol# him to e*'ect it" Heha# not (een scae# %hen they ha# close# the ca&o containe li# u'onhim@ not e)en %hen they ha# taken him to see the 'atiach %ho ha#e*'laine# the mission he %as to un#etake" One of the Bahani.s youn&sta%a,ios$ the 'atiach ha# calle# him@ one %ho %oul# cleanse thesins of all the Bahani 'eo'le in the eyes of the Em'eo (y 'unishin& Hisfalse se)ants" That %as the Im'eial men$ As'ha kne%$ %ho ha# cometo Bahani usin& the Em'eo.s name (ut then ha# #es'oile# His &ift tothem"

The Bahani 'eo'le ha# (een (lin# to it$ the 'atiach ha# e*'laine#$ (utthei eyes ha# (een o'ene# in time" This last shi'ment %as to (e the)ehicle of the Em'eo.s %ath u'on them an# As'ha %as to (e Hisheal#" Then$ %hen thei mission %as com'lete$ the Em'eo %oul# &ui#ethem home as heoes"

They ha# chosen only the (est$ the 'atiach ha# tol# him that" As'ha%as the (est of his class$ the smatest$ the fittest$ the most faithful" It%as no immo#esty to say so@ he e5oice# in the &ifts that the Em'eoha# &i)en him" An# so$ e)en as the lifte ocket theatene# to shake itselfa'at$ he foce# himself to unclench his teeth an# (e&in to 'ay" He

%oul# not (e scae#"


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THE8ELENTLESS$ ALuna,class cuise$ %ashi' of the most,e)ee#Em'eo.s Na)y$ hun& in silent o(it as the Im'eial #e'atue fomBahani continue# a'ace" 9om the ti' of its hea)y 'o%$ %ith amoumetes thick$ to the mi&hty en&ines at its sten it measue# moe thanei&ht kilometes lon& an# o)e a mile hi&h" E)ey cenelation$ e)ey

to%e that festoone# its hull %as unique$ ha)in& (een e'aie# oe'lace# countless times o)e its centuies of se)ice" E)ey cannon an#launche that ma#e u' the (atteies alon& its flanks ha# its name an# a&un,ce% %hose sole 'u'ose %as its se)ice"

The man %ho no% comman#e# those &uns$ 9ist Office -a#$ sat quietlyin his stu#y$ secete# %ithin the suite of ooms that %ee his 'esonalquates" It %as not a la&e cham(e$ an# it felt all the moe co%#e#(ecause of the to'hies that hun& fom e)ey %all" 8ich$ thick fusco)ee# the #ull (attleshi' %alls@ a set of a/o,sha' antles ceste# the#oo%ay$ the hea#s of #ea# animals an# *enos s'ecies %ee co%#e# on

e)ey suface" Each of them$ at one time o anothe$ ha# cosse# 'aths%ith the >elentless.

He ha# not &anee# them all himself$ of couse" No$they %ee a ta#ition$ one that each secon#,in,comman# ha# continue# an# (uilt u'on fo&eneations no%" He ha# a##e# his o%n choice 'ieces$thou&h the skull of a ste&a#on$ the chai ma#e fom a#a&on tutle shell$ an# the am of an insectoi# *enos

s'ecies the hea# %as too hi#eous to #is'lay" Thecollection ha# (ecome most im'osin& an# it &a)e hima &eat sense of continuity in its %ay it ke't ali)e allthose &eat men %ho ha# come (efoe him"It ha# (een 5ust that comfot that he ha# sou&ht to#ay"He ha# (ou&ht the shift e'ots (ack %ith him to ea#$(ut they %ee still untouche# in a 'ile u'on the #esk"

Instea#$ he stae# at a haqea&le$ 'ose# %ith %in&ss'ea# an# consi#ee# the am(itions of his secon#$Lieutenant Comman#e Gui"Afte the ol# ca'tain ha# #ie# in such an unfotunatemanne$ the t%o of them ha# a&ee# that it %oul#ha)e (een un%ise to e*'e#ite %o# (ack to thea#mials of Battlefleet Bethes(a (ack at Emco" Theol# ca'tain ha# (een so %ell,lo)e# (y (oth offices an#

ce%$ an# his #eath so su##en$ they easone#$ that toe'lace him quickly %ith a ne%come$ a ca'tain


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un)ese# in the %ays an# ta#itions of the >elentless,coul# #ama&e shi' moale ie)oca(ly" So they ha##elaye# sen#in& the communique as lon& as 'ossi(lean# -a# ha# quietly assume# the es'onsi(ilities of

the ca'taincy"Last shift$ ho%e)e$ Gui ha# aske# out of the (lue%hethe an ackno%le#&ement ha# (een ecei)e# fomBattlefleet" -a# ha# sai# that it ha# not an# Gui$afte a moment$ ha# let the matte #o'" Thatmoment.s 'ause ha# (een tellin&" He ha# checke#%ith his infomants on the u''e #ecks an# they ha#

confime# his sus'icions" His authoity %as (ein&questione#@ the occasional 5oke$ an inflection in acomment$ nothin& moe$ (ut he kne% ho% quickly suchtalk coul# tun seious" !eha's once$ in the &loyyeas of Battlefleet Bethes(a$ the office co's of the>elentless ha# se)e# selflessly$ out of 'i#e an#loyalty to the Em'eo$ (ut no% all that seeme# tomoti)ate them %as 'esonal 'ofit an# a#)ancement"

1uch of his time as fist office ha# (een s'entensuin& the offices staye# in line$ (ut since takin&o)e the onus of the ca'taincy he ha# ha# to #ele&atethat to Gui" !eha's he shoul# not ha)e tuste# himso"-a# e&ette# no% the #ecision to #elay the ne%s ofthe ol# ca'tain.s #eath" He ha# ealise# that they

%oul# not foist an outsi#e u'on them@ they %oul#offe him the 'ost" Thou&h 'omotion to the ca'taincyof a cuise of the line such as the >elentless %oul# (equite a 5um' in ank$ %ho (ette than he to take on the ole An# once he%as confime# as ca'tain his offices %oul# instincti)ely (uckle #o%na&ain"In the meantime$ thou&h$ they ha# &o%n slack$ com'lacent an# they%ee takin& li(eties %ith his authoity" They #i#n.t see him as a 'o'eca'tain" They nee#e# to (e emin#e# of thei 'lace an# the 'o%e he ha#

o)e each of them" An e*am'le nee#e# to (e ma#e" One %hich %oul#(in& his offices (ack to him an# not soli#ify the o''osition" Someone%ho %as easily e'lace#"


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-a# 'icke# u' the sheaf of e'ots a&ain an# state# to flick thou&hthem" One of them ha# cau&ht his eye (efoe" Thee" The e'ot of theinci#ent on the suface (y one 1i#shi'man 1ache"

.AN:so 9O8the heoism in the face of the enemy #is'laye# (y1i#shi'man :al Henik 1ache an# atteste# to (y Go)eno 4ai/en$ he

shall at this time (e acco#e# the ank of su(,lieutenant %ith all the#uties an# 'i)ile&es theeof""".

Those %o#s still an& 'ou#ly %ithin 1ache.s hea# as he stoo# at hisne% 'ost on the comman# #eck" He ha# (een attache# to the Im'eiaO#ina,tus an# %as only a shot #istance a%ay fom %hee the im'osin&maste of o#nance sat suoun#e# (y se)itos$ each one linke# into a(attey of consoles fee#in& them #ata e&a#in& the ea#y con#ition ofthe shi'.s to'e#oes an# smalle caft" In (attle$ this 'osition %oul#esoun# %ith a caco'hony of noises@ fo the moment$ ho%e)e$ it %asquiet" 1oe so than usual e)en" A solemn ceemony %as a(out to (e&in"

1ache looke# u' at the (i#&e %hich fome# an ach acoss the %i#thof the comman# #eck" ;' thee he coul# see the fist office stan#in&calmly u'on the cental #ais an# (esi#e him$ Go)eno 4ai/en$unaccom'anie# fo once (y his etinue" The t%o of them %ee a(out tokill a %ol#"

The quiet in the O#nance station %as (oken (y the cackle of themaste.s )o*" He tune# his hea# sli&htly to hea it (ette an# then(eckone# 1ache o)e".Comman#e -a# equeste# this$. the maste &unte#$ han#in& him a#ata,slate" Take it u' to him".

1ache fo/e .No%$ si. he mana&e#" :istu( him 5ust as the ceemony%as statin&.Of couse no%" Get to it". The maste tune# (ack to his sceens"1ache sto#e as quickly as fomality allo%e# u' the si#e of the (i#&eto the cental #ais" His heat 'oun#e# as he a''oache# the fist office$%ho %as en&a&e# in con)esation (y the Go)eno" 9o a moment1ache hel# (ack$ unsue %hethe he %as to inteu't them$ (ut thenthe fist office tune# an# ackno%le#&e# him"

Thank you$ su(,lieutenant$. he sai#$ takin& the 'a#" .Go)eno$ I (elie)eyou.e alea#y acquainte# %ith ou ne%est commissione# office".

Yes$ of couse". 4ai/en sai#$ concealin& his annoyance at the inteu'tion".Con&atulations$. he sai#$ stu&&lin& fo somethin& else to say" .I.m sueyou.ll #o the Battlefleet 'ou#".

?@es, si$. 1ache e'lie# un(i##en" .I most cetainlyinten# to$ Go)eno$ si".4ai/en &lance# (ack an# 1ache ealise# that he ha#s'oken out of tun" He coul# feel the eyes of e)eyoneon the #ais lookin& at him Commissa Be#ossian

sittin& (ack (esi#e the ca'tain.s chai$ SenioAmsman Vickes stan#in& coolly at ease$ the (i#&e


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offices at thei consoles to the font" Lieutenant 8oche%as one of them$ he ha# half,tune# to %atch" 1achefelt the (loo# ush to his face (ut foce# it (ack %ithan effot of %ill" He %as not a chil# mi#shi'man any

lon&e$ he %as an office an# he %oul# hol# stea#y inthe face of any consequences"-ell sai#$ Su(,Lieutenant 1ache$. the fist officeannounce#" .No%$ Go)eno$ shall %e (e&in.

The Go)eno no##e# an# 1ache$ elie)e#$ (e&an toe#&e a%ay".Su(,Lieutenant$. the fist office continue#$ han#in&

the 'a# (ack to him" .I shall atten# to this once %e ae#one hee" You may as %ell %ait an# o(se)e the'ocee#in&s" It is$ afte all$ an histoic occasion" :on.tyou a&ee$ Go)eno.

The Go)eno no##e# a&ain an# the t%o of them tooku' thei 'ositions at the font of the #ais".I$ Go)eno Hosl 4ai/en$ s'eak fo the A#e'tus Tea"9o this %ol# (efoe us #esi&nate# 2? Tai :$ kno%n

as Bahani$ I hee(y #eclae all tithe,teaties )oi# an##e(ts e*tant cancelle# an# #eclae this %ol# as orbiscassi - of no futhe %oth"..I$ Comman#e Tomias -a#$ fist office of theEm'eo.s %ashi' >elentless, s'eak fo BattlefleetBethes(a" 9o this %ol# (efoe us #esi&nate# 2? Tai:$ I hee(y #eclae this %ol# as orbis ABA conteg-

num. -e entust the #efence of this %ol# (ack to its'eo'le" 1ay they stan# ston& an# faithful in thei ne%a&e of His se)ice".1ache %atche# as Comman#e -a# ste''e# #o%nto the (i#&e )o*,office$ %ho &lance# u'$ %aitin& fohim to confim the o#e".:o it".

The )o*,office ta''e# a sin&le key" In an instant the communique

flashe# fom his sceen to the comman# #eck #ata,ne*us an# fom theefle% thou&h s'ace to stike its inten#e# ta&et one of Bahani.s o(ital(eacons" -ithin the same secon#$ the (eacon #i&este# its contents an#


46/219

ha# taken the necessay action an# 'asse# the same messa&e onto itsfello%s" The messa&e itself %as com'le*$ it ha# taken #ays to 'e'ae%ith the necessay ency'tions$ authoisations an# 'ass%o#s$ (ut itsessence %as sim'le

@ou are no longer a part of the 'mperium.

The 'lanet %oul# (e e*cise# fom the A#minista,tum.s&eat )olumes of the Em'eo.s %ol#s@ if it %eeattacke#$ the Im'eium %oul# not listen to its cies fohel'" Ta#e an# tans'ot outes %oul# (e e#efine#$no lon&e %oul# the mechant fleets that Bahani elie#u'on fo its foo# )entue thee"

The t%el)e million inha(itants of Bahani$ the

in#entue# %okes insufficiently )alua(le to takea%ay$ #i# not kno% it$ (ut thei #oom ha# come" Theimachiney %oul# (eak #o%n an# they %oul# fee/e inthe ni&hts an# (ake in the #ay" 9oo# stoes %oul# (ee*hauste# an# they %oul# ine)ita(ly fi&ht amon&stthemsel)es an# kill to hol# those fe% aeas %heesomethin& coul# still (e &o%n" Thei num(es %oul#(e #e)astate#$ the ci)ilisation they ha# (uilt %oul# (e

e*tin&uishe# an# the fe% %ho su)i)e# %oul# fall 'eyto maau#in& *enos ai#es an# the monstes thatluke# in the #ak"On the (i#&e of the >elentless the )o*,office si&nalle# toComman#e -a# that the communique ha# (een sent an# ecei)e#".-ellD -a# sai#$ tunin& to 4ai/en$ .No% that.s #one$ Go)eno$ %oul#you #ine %ith us (efoe you etun to you shi' I fin# I ha)e quite ana''etite".

T-ELVEHO;8SLATE8$ the Im'eial con)oy (oke o(itan# left Bahani (ehin#" At its cente ta)elle# theGloriana ance, the Ba(ican,class line cayin& theA#ministatum officials an# those )alua(le &oo#s an#machiney #eeme# %othy of emo)al in thee)acuation" In fomation aoun# it %ee the Spur, lllysan# Ony*$ S%o#,class fi&ates assi&ne# as escot"Behin# these taile# thee #o/en ca&o sco%s cayin&

the last shi'ment of 'ocesse# oe that the factoies ofBahani %oul# 'o#uce" At the foe$ #%afin& the


47/219

smalle shi's$ the cuise >elentless ma5estically s%un& intothe lea# 'osition"1ache %atche# the 'lanet ece#e into the #istance fom his 'ost on thecomman# #eck" Ho% #iffeent he felt fom %hen they ha# ai)e#" He ha#isen fast$ he thou&ht %ith no small sense of self,satisfaction$ an# no%

that his a(ilities ha# cau&ht the fist office.s eye that ise %oul# con,tinue"As'ha$ hi##en %ithin a ca&o containe in the #ak hol# of the sco%#esi&nate# Teminus Thee$ felt the chan&e in #iection$ (ut thou&htnothin& of it" He ha# faith that he %oul# see his home soon enou&h"9a a%ay$ hi##en in the #akness of s'ace$ othe eyes %atche# the la#encon)oy #e'at" The souls they ha# a(an#one# on the 'lanet %oul# kee'$(ut hee %as a 'i/e that they coul# not let sli' a%ay" A comman# %as&i)en in an alien ton&ue an# a 'otion of the #akness shifte# to follo%the human fleet"

THE9I8ST;1!of the 5ouney (ack 'asse# %ithoutinci#ent$ thou&h fo the Na)i&atos of the >elentless it%as &in#in&ly slo%" On each occasion they chance# acoss a fa)oua(le%a' cuent that %oul# nomally s'ee# thei 'o&ess they ha# to coss,tack an# #elay to allo% the ca&o sco%s to kee' 'ace" Thanks to theie*haustin& la(ou$ ho%e)e$ all shi's %ee un#ama&e# an# in fomation%hen the fleet eme&e# (ack into eals'ace"Afte allo%in& time fo the %a' en&ines to echa&e$ Comman#e -a#fomally han#e# o)e #efence of the con)oy to Lieutenant Jeath$ com,

man#in& the Spur.The con)oy 5um'e# out@ the >elentless %as finallyfee"

AS!HA8.s HEA8T8ACE:an# his (loo# 'oun#e# in his eas" No%$ he%as scae#" He clutche# the si#es of the containe to ensue they %eestill soli#" He coul# ha)e s%on he sa% them i''le an# flo% #uin& thatlast 5um'" He ha# hea# of %a' 5um's@ they ha# allo%e# the (i&htest ofhis class the 'i)ile&e to talk to one of the ta#es %ho 5ouneye#(et%een the stas" He ha# #iscounte# much of %hat the ta#e ha# sai#of the 5um' into the maelstom as fiction tol# to im'ess chil#en$ (ut allof it %as tue" The soun#s an# si&hts %ee (a# enou&h$ (ut he ha# (een

attle# an# shaken %ithin his little cell as thou&h he %ee a #ie %ithin a&amin& 'ot" He checke# his suit an# helmet a&ain$ an# 'aise# theEm'eo %hen he foun# no teas o cacks in eithe" The ca&o sco%s #i#not (othe kee'in& much atmos'hee %ithin thei h

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