dead men walking - 4chan · gunthar could feel the ring’s dead weight in his pocket, and he was...

TableofContents

CoverTitlePageItisthe41stMillenniumChapterOneChapterTwoChapterThreeChapterFourChapterFiveChapterSixChapterSevenChapterEightChapterNineChapterTenChapterElevenChapterTwelveChapterThirteenChapterFourteenChapterFifteenChapterSixteenChapterSeventeenChapterEighteenChapterNineteenChapterTwentyChapterTwenty-One

ChapterTwenty-TwoChapterTwenty-ThreeChapterTwenty-FourChapterTwenty-FiveChapterTwenty-SixAboutTheAuthorLegaleBooklicense

Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillion

worldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousandsoulsare

sacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthe

daemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperor’swill.VastarmiesgivebattleinHisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongsthissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesin

armsarelegion:theImperialGuardandcountlessPlanetaryDefenceForces,theever-vigilantInquisitionandthetech-priestsofthe

AdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreatfromaliens,

heretics,mutants-andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,for

somuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,forinthegrimdarkfuture

thereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

ChapterOne

GuntharSoresonhadneverbeensoscaredinhislife.Heaskedhimselfwhathisheroeswouldhavedoneinhisplace–those

muscular,square-jawedwarriorswhoseexploitshefollowedinthenewsreels.Wouldtheyhavebeenscaredtoo?Maybe,hethought,butitwouldn’thaveheldthemback.They’dhavedonewhattheyhadtodoandfacedtheconsequences,goodorbad.

Hewantedtobebravelikethem.Hetoldhimselfhecouldbe.Hethrusthishandintohistrouserpocket,beforehecouldchangehismindagain,andhisfingersclosedaroundthecold,hardshapeofthering.

Arexgroaned,‘Ohno.’Guntharstarted,snatchingbackhishandasiftheringhadshockedhim.Had

sheseenhismovementorreadhisintentionsinhisface?HadsheguessedwhatGuntharhadbeenabouttoaskher,andwasthisherreactiontoit?

Shehaddroppedherfork,cuppedahandoverherface.Shewasmakingherselflooksmallinherseat,tryingnottobenoticed.Inastagewhisper,shedirectedGunthar’sgaze:‘Twotablesbehindme.Totheright.No,myright.Thatman,theoneinblue,withthebeardandthebaldspot.Ishelookingthisway?’

Guntharshookhishead.‘No.’‘Ithinkwe’vemet.SomereceptionattheHighSpire.Hewas,Idon’tknow,a

proctorcommissioner,somethinglikethat.Areyousurehe’snotlookingatme?’‘I’msure,’saidGunthar.‘He’sjusteatinghismeal.It’sdarkinhere.That’s

whyIbroughtyouhere,fortheprivacy.Icanhardlymakeouthisface.I’msurehecan’thaverecognisedyou,fromtheback,fromasinglemeeting.’

‘You’reright.I’mimaginingthings.’Arexdaredaglanceoverhershoulder,andherroundfacesoftenedwithrelief.‘Ofcourseit’snothim.Whatwouldamanlikehimbedoingsomewherelikethis?’

SomethinginArex’stone,thederisiveemphasissheputonthosewords,leftGuntharstung.‘You’rehere,’hepointedout.

‘I’mincognito,remember?’shesaid,liftingtheforkagain,twirlingalengthofboranarootaroundit.‘Idon’twanttobefound–andthisisaboutthelastplaceonHieronymousThetaanyonewouldthinktolookfortheGovernor’sniece.’

‘Yes,’saidGuntharwoodenly.‘Iexpectyou’reright.’TheywererightupnearthetopofoneofHieronymousCity’sshortertowers,

ashighasGuntharhadeverclimbed.Theskywaysoutsidehadbeenhardlycrowded,evenatthistimeoftheearlyevening.Hehadsavedforweekstoaffordthebribethathadgothimpastthedoormanofthiseatery.Itwasthefirstplacehehadbeentothatservedrealmeat,notthesyntheticstuff.Therewasroombetweenthetables,andplentyofservitors,attentivetotheircustomers’everyneed.

Still,itwasn’tenough.Arexwasusedtobetterthanthis,betterthanGunthar,evensincehispromotion,couldprovide.

‘I’msorryforbeingsojumpy,’shesaid.‘It’sjustUncleHanrik.IcanonlyimaginewhathemightdoifheknewIwashere,thisfarfromhome.’

‘Iknow,’sighedGunthar.‘Iknow.’Whathadhebeenthinking,makingplans,dreamingofalifewithher?How

couldthathaveworked?Theylivedindifferentworlds–andGuntharwouldneverbewelcomeinArex’sworld,justasshecouldneverbehappyinhis.

Helefttheringinitspocket.

Heinsistedonseeingherhome–asnearashecouldtakeher,anyway.Therewasstillsomuchhewantedtosay,somanyquestionstoaskher.Why

wasshehere?Wasthisonlyagametoher,theseregularmeetings?Athrillingadventureonthelowerfloors.Didsheeverthinkaboutwhereitmightlead?ButGuntharcouldfeelthering’sdeadweightinhispocket,andhewasstillscared,scaredoftheanswersshemightgive.

Theytookanautocabtowardsthegubernatorialsector,butabandoneditafewhab-blocksawaybeforetheproctorscouldshowtoomuchinterestinthem.

TheytalkedaboutGunthar’swork,andhefoundhimselfreelingoffstatistics,tellingArexabouttheannualyieldineachofhisminesuntilhewassurehewasboringher.Notthatsheshowedit.Arexwasanexpertatfeigninginterest.Shehadtobe,someoneinherposition,allthosedullofficialfunctionsshehadtoattend.

Herememberedthefunctionatwhichtheyhadmet,theopeningofarefineryplant.Arex,backlitbytheredglowofapitofmoltenmetal,laughingpolitelyatsomethingashiftmanagerhadsaidtoher.Thetwinkleinhergreeneyes.Her

chestnuthair,bobbingonhershoulders.Herememberedhisfirststumblingwordstoher,howshehadjustsmiledandpretendedhewasmakingperfectsense.

Herememberedstumblingintoheronaswayingmetalgantry,chokingonthehot,dryair,anawkwardmomentdefusedbyArex’sgoodhumourandthatsmileagain.

Wassheonlyfeigninginterestinhim?Theystrolledbetweenplasteelandglasstowersonanexpansiveskyway,

treadingonthewhitechevronsthatmarkedoutthepedestrianlaneasgrimy,bubble-shapedautocabshummedbytoeachsideofthem.Therewerefewerskywaysuphere,butfewerpeopletowalkthemtoo.

‘So,’saidArexsuddenly,‘you’veseenno…trouble?Inthemines,Imean?’‘Trouble?’echoedGunthar,instinctivelyonthealert.‘No,nothing.Nothing

likethat.Mymenworkhard,andyieldsareholdingsteady.Whathaveyouheard?’

‘Nothing,’saidArexquickly.‘Iwasjust…Somethingmyunclesaid,that’sall.Hewastalkingto…well,I’msureitwasnothing,likeyousay.Itdoesn’tmatter.’

Theywereatacrossway,andArexdrewGunthartowardsarowofliftercubicles.Theyfoundoneempty,andsteppedinside.Evenuphere,theliftersstankofhumansweatandexcrement,thelegaciesoftheirjourneysbelow.

‘Ishouldn’t…’Guntharstammered.‘Ifyou’regoingbackuptotheHighSpire,Ishould…ThisisashighasIcanreally…’

‘WhosaidIwasgoingup?’saidArex.Shefingeredtherunepanelinthewall,andthecubicledoorrattledandsquealedshutbehindthem.Amomentlater,theyweredescendingfast,andGuntharthoughtArexmusthaveenteredsomeprivatecodetopreventthelifterfromstoppingformorepassengersattheinterveninglevels.

‘Ialwaysdropafewfloors,thisclosetohome,’shesaid.‘There’saplaceIcanclimbup,notfarfromtheHighSpire,wherenooneeverlooks.It’seasierthantryingtogetpasttheproctorpatrolsandthepictcastersupabove.’

‘We’redroppingmorethanafewfloors,’saidGuntharnervously.‘Don’tbesuchaworrier,’saidArex.‘Ithoughtyouwereborndownhere.’‘Notthisfardown,’squawkedGunthar,butshedidn’tseemtohearhim.Her

eyeswereshiningwithexcitement.Thiswasanadventureforher.Guntharwasrelievedwhenthelifterbroughtthemtoajarringhaltanda

mechanicalvoiceinformedthemthat,shouldtheywishtoproceedfurther,theywouldneedahigh-levelencryptionkeytoreturntothisfloor.

‘Youshouldn’tlistentowhattheysay,’saidArexasthedoorrattledopenand

sheandGuntharemergedontoateemingskywayfardarkeranddirtierthantheoneabove.‘It’snotsobaddownhere,onceyougetusedtoit.It’sashameit’ssolate.Inthedaytime,fromthoserailingsoverthere,youcanseerightdowntotheground.Wemightseeacampfireburningdownthere,evennow,ifyouwanttolook.’

Guntharshookhishead.Therailingsattheedgeofthisskywayweretwisted,breached,andhefearedthatifhewenttooclosehemightbejostledofftheedge.

Theyelbowedtheirwaythroughthecrowds,attractingafewglanceswiththeirfineclothesbutnothingmoresinister,andGuntharstartedtothinkthatArexwasright.Hehadspenthislifetryingtoescapefromplaceslikethis,climbingthosetowers,buthecouldn’tdenyhefeltathomehere,farmoresothanhehadintheeateryabove.Downhere,Guntharwasanonymous,justonemoreface.Noonewaslikelytostophim,toaskhimwhathewasdoingsofarfromhome.Noonewaslikelytorecognisethewomanonhisarm,orbelievetheireyesiftheydid.

Guntharfeltsaferdownhere.

Theemporiumswereclosed,heavyplasteelshuttersslammedovertheirwindows.Agrizzledoldmanwasdolingoutgreyproteinburgersfromafilthy,open-toppedcart.Nearby,theburnt-outshellofanautocablayhalfonitsside,wedgedintotheopeningofanarrowalleyway.Globe-shapedluminatorsdidtheirbesttocompensateforthefadinglight,buttoomanyofthemlayburntoutandbroken.

GuntharandArexhadwitnessedthreefights.Theproctorshadmovedintobreakupone,buttheparticipants,threeyoungwomenandanelderlyman,hadseenthemcomingandmeltedintotheaccommodatingcrowd.

‘Theydon’tletyouseethis,’saidArex,wistfully,‘whenyou’rewiththeGovernor.Theypretenditdoesn’texist,butthis,righthere,isHieronymousTheta.Thisistheworldwelivein.’

‘Iheardtheymightbeconnectingtheskywaysdownhere,’saidGunthar,‘sealingoffthelowerfloorsaltogether.’

‘Buryingourproblems,’saidArex,‘butthey’llstillbehere.Wecankeeponclimbing,untilwereachthesunitself–butwe’vebuiltourtowersonrottenfoundations,andthey’lldragusalldownintime.’

‘Thisisstillanewworld,though,’saidGunthar.‘You’retalkingaboutcenturiesfromnow.Millennia.We’vestillgottime.TheEmperorwillprovide.’

Somethingwashappening.Somethinghadbrokenthepatternsofthecrowd,makingthemfalteringandclumsy.Anuncertainbuzzwasspreading,andbuilding

involume.Anotherfight,thoughtGunthar?No,somethingfarbigger.Arexdidn’tseemtohavenoticedthechangeintheatmosphere–orifshehad,

itdidn’tbotherher.Shewasmarchingonward,leadingGunthartowardswhathenowjudgedtobetheepicentreofthedisturbance.Hecautionedheraboutthis,butdidn’tsaytoomuchbecausehedidn’twanthertothinkofhimasacoward.Heaskedhimselfwhattheheroesofthenewsreelswoulddo.

Thenthecrowdbeforethemparted,andGuntharwasfacedwithamonster.Itwascrouchingwithitsbacktoawidetunnelentrance.Itsshoulderswere

hunched,itsskindryandyellowinglikeoldparchment.Itsspindlyarmsendedingnarledclaws,anditseyeswereabrightandstartlingpink.

Guntharhadseenmutantsbefore,butonlyinpict-captures.Occasionally,onewouldfinditswayintotheminesthatheoversaw.Hehaddreamedofmeetingoneintheflesh,butinthosedreamshehadalwayshadagunorachainsword,andthemutanthadneverbeensobig.Inthosedreams,Guntharhadbeenbrave.

Afewgamecitizenshadarmedthemselveswithsticksandknives.Theyweretauntingthemutant,whichwashissingandspitting,slashingatthem,holdingthematbay.Guntharsawadiscardedstickontheground,andheknewheoughttotakeit,dotheEmperor’swork,beatthisaberrationtoabloodypulp.Beahero.

Then,oneofthetormentorsgottooconfident,steppedtooclose,andthemutantwasuponhimbeforeGuntharcouldblink.Ittoreouthisthroatwithaferalsnarl,showeringitselfinhisblood.Thevictim’slastutteranceinthisworldwasachoked,gurglingscream–as,onebyone,hiserstwhileallieslookedintothemutant’scrazedpinkeyes,lettheirweaponsfallfromtheirnumbedfingersandfled.

Beforeheknewit,Guntharwasrunningtoo,feelingsuddenlyguiltythathehadn’tstoppedtothinkaboutArex,thengratefultofindherrunningalongsidehim.

Theydidn’tgetfar.Notnearlyfarenough.Thecrowdhadbecomeapanickedmob,pullinginalldirections.Gunthar

struggledagainsttheever-shiftingtide,alwaysawareofthehorrorthatmighthavebeenclosingbehindhim,expectingtofeelthoseclawsrakingacrosshisback.Hewantedtoscream,wantedtograbthepeopleinhispathandyellintheirfaces,‘Notthisway!Themonsteristhisway!’Itwasallhecoulddo,though,tokeephisownbalance.Healmostlostittwice,butArexwastheretocatchhim,tosavehislife.Ifeitherofthemfellnow,theywereliabletobetrampledorworse.

Anewsoundjoinedthegeneraldiscord,andGuntharrecognisedthecrackoflasgunfire.Theproctors,atlast,respondingtothethreat.

Thenherealisedthatthesoundwascomingnotfrombehindhim,butfrom

somewhereahead–fromatleasttwodirectionsatonce–andacold,tightknotformedinGunthar’sstomachashethoughtaboutwhatthathadtomean.

HegrabbedArexbythearm,haltingher.‘Therearemoreofthem,’hecried.‘Themutants.They’reeverywhere!’

Theystaredintoeachother’sfrightenedeyes,andsomehowreachedanunspokenconsensus.Theystruckoutinanewdirection,awayfromthescreaming,awayfromthegunfire,andjustprayedtotheEmperorthattheyweren’trushingintomoredanger.Knowingthatsomemutantscouldalmostpassforhuman,Guntharsuspectedeveryonewhocamenearhim,staringatthem,searchingfortheslightesthintofdeformitybeneatheachoftheircoats.

Healmostletoutashriekasayoungwomanstumbledintohim–butitwasn’tanattack,shehadjustbeenknockedsidewaysbyasurgeofpeople.ShescrabbledatGunthar’sbestgreytunic,tryingtokeepherselfupright,andhereachedouttoolate.Thewomanfellbeneathhisfeet,andhecouldnolongerhelpher.

Someonewasshoutingorders,aharshmalevoiceaugmentedanddistortedbyaloudhailer.Almostinstinctively,GuntharandArexmodifiedtheircoursetomakeforthissoundofauthority.GuntharwasflushedwithreliefashesawthescarletandpurpleuniformsofthePlanetaryDefenceForce.Thecrowdwasnowflowinginasingledirection,startingtothinout,andhewasmakingsomeheadwayatlast.

ThehailerwasattachedtoanArmouredResponseVehicle,anARV,broadcastinganappealforacalmandorderlyevacuationofthearea.Thevehiclewasflankedbyascoreoffootsoldiers,itsfuel-burningenginepumpinganoxiouscloudofexhaustgasesoutbehinditasitcrawledupthenarrowskyway.

Arexpulledback,givingGunthar’shandananxioussqueeze.Heknewwhyshewasworried–butatthatmoment,hedidn’tmuchcare.Hewouldrathertheywerebothexposed,ratherlosehisjobandhishomeandwhateverelseGovernorHanrikmightchoosetotakefromhimthanturnbackandfacethehorrorsbehindhim.

‘It’sallright,’hesaid.‘Theyaren’taskingforidentitytags.They’rejustcheckingeveryoneis,youknow,human.Justkeepyourheaddown.They’llletusthrough.’Hewishedhecouldbeassureashesounded.Hedidn’tknowwherethatfalseconfidencehadcomefrom,butwhileitlastedhestartedforward,pullingArexalongbyherhand.

Ahead,twosoldiershadstoppedamiddle-agedcoupleforquestioning.Gunthar’sstomachlurchedwithfear,buthewascommittedtohiscoursenow.Hecouldn’tdecidewhethertomeetthesoldiers’eyesoravoidthem–whichwould

drawtheleastattention?Hewassuddenly,belatedlyawareofhisfinesilkclothing,sooutofplace,untilherealisedhistunichadbeenscuffedandtornandspatteredwithsomethingdarkthatcouldonlyhavebeenadeadman’sblood.

Arex’selegantbluedresshadsufferedsimilarly,andGuntharsawthatshewasnolongerwearingherredamecytenecklace,hermother’slastgifttoher.Hedidn’tknowifshehadconcealeditherself,orifithadbeensnatchedfromher.

Theyweredrawinglevelwiththesoldiersnow.Guntharcouldfeeltheirsharpeyesuponhim,scanninghimforlesions,molesoranythingelsethatmightmarkhimoutasabnormaljustashehadbeenscanningthepeoplearoundhim.Hemusthavepassedtheirinspection,becauseamomentlaterheandArexwerepastthesoldiersandtheARV,ontheoutside–thesafeside,thefreeside–oftheirtighteningcordon.

Gunthardidn’tknowwhattodo,atfirst.Hewasn’taloneinthis.Thereweremanymoreescapeesmillingabout,somelaughing,someweeping,somewanderingdazedorjustsittingatthekerbside,shakingtheirheads.Therewerespectatorstoo,thosewhohadn’tbeeninvolvedintheincidentbutwhohadseenthesoldiersandwerehungryforscandal.Guntharheardsnatchesofconversation,anddiscernedthatfewofthepeopleherehadactuallyseenamutant.Theywereshakenallthesame,reflectingupontheirimaginedclosecalls,startingrumoursthatwouldgrowwitheachretelling.

ArexwasleadingGuntharthroughallthis,andhesawthat,unlikehim,shehadapurposeinmind.Theywaiteduntiltheyhadclearedtheworstofthecrowd,untiltherewerenosoldierswatchingthem.Thenshetookhishandagain,andtheyran.

Theyranashardandasfastastheycouldawayfromthatplace.

Theycametorestinadarkalleyway,andGunthar–whohadthoughttheirflighttobeaimless–wassurprisedtofindthatthiswasexactlywhereArexwantedtobe.

Arustedfireescapeladdersnakeditswayupacrumblingbrickwall,andhesaggedagainstit.Hislegsfeltweakandhislungswereheavingforair.Hewasshaking.

Arexwasdrainedtoo,andneitherofthemspokenormeteachother’seyesforwhatseemedlikeforever.Thenshesaid,inadulledvoice,‘Ishouldgo.UncleHanrikwillbewonderingwhereI’vegotto.Sometimeshesendstheproctorsouttolookforme.’

Sheswungherselfontothebottomrungoftheladder.Guntharlookedup,buthecouldn’tseeitstop.Itwasswallowedbythedarkness.

‘Ishouldcomewithyou,’hesaidreluctantly.‘Alittlefurther,atleast.’‘There’snoneed,’saidArex.‘Really,there’snoneed.There’saheavygoods

lifterontheroofupherethatwilltakememostoftheway.’‘Ifit’sworking,’saidGunthar.‘IcheckedthemaintenancereportsbeforeIcameout.Youshouldbegetting

hometoo.Canyoufindyourwayback,aroundthePDFcordon?’‘OfcourseIcan,’saidGunthar,notatallcertainthathecould.Arexturnedtoleaveagain,andGunthar’sheartgaveafrightenedleap.He

wasn’treadytoseehergojustyet.Hecouldn’tbealone.‘I’msorry,’heblurtedout.

Shefrozewithonefootontheladder,ahandclutchingatahigherrung.‘Ishouldhaveprotectedyou,’hesaid.‘Ishouldhavedonesomething.’‘Don’tbesilly,’saidArex.‘Whatcouldyouhavedone?’‘Idon’tknow,’hesaid.‘Somethingmorethanjust…Iwasuselessbackthere.

IcouldseewhatIwasmeanttodo,Ijustcouldn’t…Icouldn’tdoit.’Arexsteppedofftheladder,tookhisheadinherhands,andgentlybrusheda

curlofdarkhairoutofhisface.‘Lookwhathappenedtothemenwhotriedtofight.’

‘It’sjust,Ialwaysthought,inasituationlikethat,Iwould...’‘Youdidtherightthing,Gunthar.Yougotusoutofthere.’‘IappliedtojointhePDF,youknow,afewyearsback.Iwasseventeen.My

friendshadbeendrafted,andtheyleftmebehind.Ithought,atleastIcouldfightfortheEmperorathome.Theyturnedmedown.Theymusthaveknown…’

‘Ifitwasanyone’sfault,whathappened,’saidArex,‘itwasmine.’‘No.’‘I’mtheonewhobroughtusbothdownhere.’‘Butyoucouldn’thaveexpected…Imean,mutants,thismanyfloorsup!’‘Ithappens,’saidArex,‘moreoftenthanyoumightthink,andthistime…

Didn’tyouwonderhowthePDFgotheresoquickly,insuchnumbers?’Guntharfrowned.‘Youthinkthey...?’‘Ithinktheywerepatrollingtheseskyways.Ithinktheywereexpecting

trouble.Itoldyou,Gunthar,IheardUncleHanriktalkingabout…well,Idon’tknowwhat,butIthinkthere’ssomethingwrong.Something…somethingbelow.Andifthat“something”isdrivingthemutantsuphere…’

Theylookedateachother,andGuntharcouldseethesamethoughts,thesamefears,reflectedinArex’seyesthatwerewhirlingaboutinhisownhead.

‘Theythink,’shesaidsoftly,atlast,‘UncleHanrikandtherestofthem,they

thinkthatwhathappensdownhere,itdoesn’taffectus–butithasto,oneday.’‘WillIseeyouagain?’askedGunthar.Arexsmiled.‘Ofcourseyouwill.Soon.I’llcontactyou.’Sheleanedinclose,

slidherhandsaroundtothebackofhishead,andbeforeheknewittheirlipshadmetandhewasmeltingintoherkiss,breathinginherblossom-scentedperfume,feelingherwarmthinhisarms.

Itendedtoosoon.Arexbrokeaway,andshewasclimbingtheladderagain,outofGunthar’slife,andthistimeheknewhecouldn’tcallherbackbecausethistimetherewasnothinglefttosay.Nothing,herealised,butthemostimportantthing,andhehadleftittoolatenowtosaythat.

Heshouldhavegivenhertheamecytering.

ChapterTwo

HieronymousTheta.Anobscureworld,locatedneartheouterrimoftheSegmentumTempestus.

Arelativelynewworld,CommissarCostellinnoted.Itspopulationstillhoveredjustbelowtheninebillionmark,andathirdofitssurfacehadyettobebuiltover.

Likemanynewworlds,HieronymousThetawasstillrichinmineraldeposits.Itsmajorindustrieswerebasedaroundtheextractionandworkingofthoseminerals.TheplanetpaidagoodproportionofitstithetotheEmperorinadamantiumandplasteel.

HieronymousThetawasashelteredworld,theImperiummaintainingastronggriponthesystemsaroundit.Thumbinghiswaythroughthedata-slateinhishands,Costellinsawthatneithertheworldnoritsclosestneighbourshadbeentouchedbythesmallestrecordedconflict.Itwasperfect,hethought.

‘Willthatbeall,sir?’Costellinlookedup,surprised.HethoughthehaddismissedtheGuardsman

whohadbroughtintheslate.Herecalledthat,infact,hehadonlymadeadismissivemotionwithhishandashehadsettledintohisreading.Heoughttohaveknownbetter.

Costellinhadspentalmostthirtyyears–sincehewasayoungman,barelyoutofhisthirties–assignedtotheDeathKorpsofKrieg.Ifhehadlearnedonethinginthoseyears,itwasthatDeathKorpssoldiers,onthewhole,couldnottakehints.Theydidn’trespondtobodylanguageormoods.Theyneededexplicitorders.

TheGuardsmanstoodrigidlyinfrontofthecommissar’sbroaddesk.Evenhere,inthecontrolledenvironmentofthetroopship,heworefullcombatdress.Hisgreatcoat,trousersandbootswerecharcoalgrey,thecolouroftheKrieg

186thInfantryRegiment–although,asfewDeathKorpsregimentschoseanycolourotherthangreyorblack,thisdidn’texactlydistinguishthemfromthecrowd.

TheGuardsman’shelmet,glovesandbackpackwereallinplace.Hislasgunwasslungathisside.Mostegregiouslyofall,hestillworehisfullfacemask.Alengthofthickrubbertubingconnecteditsmouthpiecetoarebreatherunitinasquare,leathercarryingcaserestingagainsthischest.

Costellindidn’tknowthenameofthisparticularsoldier.Hedidn’tknowthenamesofanyofthem.OnlyafewKriegmenhadnames,anditwasnotcommonpracticewithintheregimenttousethem.Onpaper,theywerejustnumberstohim–asindeedtheyweretothecolonelsandthegeneralswhodeployedtheminbattle.

Inperson,theywerelessthanthat.Krieghadbeenclassifiedadeathworld,itsatmospheretoxic.Costellin

understoodthat,asaconsequence,itspeopleworetheirfiltrationsystemsastheyworetheirskins.Despitethis,beforehistransfertoaKriegregiment,hehadimaginedthemaskswouldhavetocomeoffsometime.Hehadbeenwrong.

Themasksdistancedtheirwearers,evenfromeachother.IncontrasttotheotherregimentswithwhichCostellinhadserved,hehadseenfewstrongbondsformedamongDeathKorpsmen.Theytrained,fought,ate,sleptalongsideeachother,buttherewasnofriendship,notatraceofcamaraderie,betweenthem.Thiswasaregimentofstrangers–and,astheyearshadgoneby,Costellinhadcometosuspectthatthismightjusthavebeenthepoint.

‘Yes,yes,that’sall,’hesaid,wavingthenameless,facelesssoldierawayfromhimagain.TheGuardsmansaluted,pivotedonhisheelandmadeforthedoor.

‘Iwaswondering,’saidCostellin,haltinghiminhistracks,‘howmanyofyourplatoonmightbegoingplanetside.Ididcirculateamemo.It’sjustthatwehavefourregimentsaboardthisship.ItmightbepolitetogivetheHieronymousauthoritiessomewarningifweareabouttodescendupontheminforce.’

TheGuardsmanstaredsilentlyathim,foramomentlongerthanCostellinfeltentirelycomfortablewith.Theround,darkeyepiecesinhismaskshieldedhisthoughtsandlenthimaneerie,hollow-eyedlook.

‘WewillbestayingaboardtheMementoMori,sir,’hesaid.‘Wehaveascheduleofcombatexercisesplannedforthenextsixdays.’

‘We’reallentitledtotimeoff,Guardsman,’saidCostellin.‘Infact,we’reagoodwayoverdue,havingstayedwiththecampaignonDaskaslongaswedid.TheAdministratumhasgonetoagreatdealoftroubletoarrangethislayover.’

‘Yes,sir.’‘Iamsurethat,whateverexercisesyourlieutenanthasplannedforyou,they

arevoluntary.’‘Yes,sir.Weallvolunteered,sir.’‘Ofcourseyoudid,’saidCostellinwithasigh.Afterallthistime,hedidn’t

knowwhyhehadevenbotheredtoask.Inthiscase,ithadprobablybeenoutofembarrassment;hisbrainhadbeenracingtocomeupwithareasonforhavingkeptthemanwaitingaslongashehad.

‘Onemorething,’heremembered,‘aslongasyou’rehere.YoucanconveymycongratulationstoMajorGammaonhisrecentpromotion.TellhimI’llcatchupwithhimassoonasIreturn,andwecangothroughthenewtroopallocationsthen.’

‘MajorGamma,sir?’‘Imean,Colonel186,’Costellincorrectedhimself.‘Although,whileyou’reat

it,youshouldprobablycongratulateMajorGamma–thenewMajorGamma–too.’

‘Yes,sir.’Costellinknewheshouldhavedeliveredthemessagesinperson,butforonce,

hethought,hisdutycouldwait.Itwasn’tasifthegesturewouldhavebeenappreciated–and,asof06.00thismorning,hewasofficiallyonleave.

Hereturnedhisattentiontothedata-slate,butcaughthimselfamomentlaterandlookeduptofindtheGuardsmanstillstandingtoattentioninthedoorway.

‘Thankyou,that’sall,’saidCostellin.‘Dismissed.’TheGuardsmansalutedagain,andthedoorslidshutinfrontofhim.Costellinsuppressedasmallshudder.Hedidn’tknowwhereithadcome

from.Afterall,heshouldhavebeenusedtodealingwiththeDeathKorpsbynow.Sometimes,though,hefoundtheystillgottohim–theirlackofvisibleexpression,ofdiscernibleemotion,ofthesmallesttraceofempathicfeeling.

Heputsuchthoughtsfromhismind.Heskimmedtherestoftheslate,absorbingmoredetailsaboutHieronymousTheta.Itscapital,HieronymousCity,wascurrentlyenjoyingatemperateautumn.Rainfallthisyearhadbeenbelowaverage.

Notthattheweathermatteredmuchtohim.Costellinintendedtospendhissixdays’leaveindoors,inbars,inrestaurants,inentertainmentvenues,revellinginthelong-deniedpleasureofsimplehumancontact.

Andthebestthingbyfar,ifheknewhisregimentatall,wasthattherewouldn’tbeasinglememberoftheDeathKorpsofKriegwithinthirtythousand

kilometresofhim.

Costellinfeltthedeckplatestremblingbeneathhisfeet.HemovedtothesideofthecorridorasaDeathKorpsplatoonroundedthe

bendaheadofhim.Theyhadformedupinthreesandweredoingcircuits,theirheavybootsfallingperfectlyinstepsotheentireshipseemedtoringwitheachimpact.Thewatchmasterattheirheadorderedthemto‘eyesleft’,andthrewacrispsaluteinthecommissar’sdirection.Costellinreturnedit,andwaitedpatientlyfortheremainderoftheplatoontopasshimby.

Sixtypairsofthosehollow,darkeyes,fixinghimwiththeirblankstares.Sometimes,Costellinwonderedwhattheysawwhentheylookedathim:a

silver-haired,beak-nosedoldmanwhohadlivedtoanagefewofthemwouldsee.

Throughaconcavewindow,helookeddownontoacargodeck.Anotherplatoonhadclearedthemselvesasmalltrainingspace,bystackingwoodencratesprecariouslyagainstthewall.Theywerecladinblack,somusthavebelongedtothe42ndorthe81st,hecouldn’tseetheirshoulderflashesfromheretotellwhich.

TheGuardsmenwerebayonetingsandbags,ontowhich,curiously,imagesoftheirownkindhadbeenstencilled.Costellinhadoncequestionedawatchmasteraboutthis,tobetoldinadullbutself-assuredmonotonethatthegreatestpotentialthreattoanyarmycamefromwithinitsownranks.TheMementoMoriwasequippedwithapropergymnasiumandafiringrange,butCostellindidn’tdoubtthatbothofthesewouldbeinuse,andbookedupsolidforthenextsixdays.

Incontrast,thewardroomwasemptybutforoneothercommissar:abaldingmanwithsaggingjowlswhomCostellinhadnotseenbefore.TheKriegofficerstendedtoeatwiththelowerranks,havingrisenthroughthoseranksthemselves.

Costellinpickeduphismealfromthehatchand,becausehefeltheshould,tookaseatacrossfromhisoppositenumber.Heintroducedhimself,andlearnedinreturnthattheothercommissar’snamewasMannheim,freshlypostedtotheKrieg42nd.

Ofcourse,Costellinknewwhatthesubjectoftheirconversationwouldbe.‘IwasonlyonDaskforamonthandahalf,’saidMannheim,‘Ionlysawthe

finalstagesofthecampaignthere,butIcantellyouthismuch–theresolve,thesheergritIsawdisplayedbythosemen…’

‘But?’Costellinprompted.Heknewtherewouldbea‘but’.‘Youmusthaveservedwithotherregimentsbeforeyoucametothisone,’

Mannheimsaidguardedly.

Costellinnodded.‘TheCatachanFourteenth.’‘JungleFighters.’Mannheimwasimpressed.‘I’veheardtheycanbedifficult.’‘Notespecially,’saidCostellincasually,‘ifyouknowhowtodealwiththem.

Iearnedtheirrespectandtheirtrust,andtheymorethanearnedmine.TheDeathKorpsremindmeofthem,insomeways.Theyfightashard,andarejustasunshakeable.Youknow,thecombinedKriegregimentshavethelowestdesertionrateintheImperialGuard.It’sasnearasdamnittozero.’

‘Theycertainlyaren’tafraidofdying,’saidMannheim,mumblingthoughtfullythroughamouthfuloffood.

‘Intherightcause,no.’‘Anddon’tgetmewrong,theyareperfectlyrespectful.WhenIgivetheman

order,theyjumptoit.’‘Youjustdon’tknowhowtorelatetothem,’Costellinguessed.‘WhenItalktothem,it’slike…Igetnothingbackfromthem.Ican’ttellwhat

they’rethinking,howthey’refeeling.Whatisitthatdrivesthem,Costellin?’Costellinsmiledtightly.Hehadaskedhimselfthatquestionmoretimesthanhe

couldcount.Hehadn’tyetfoundtheanswer,notcompletely.ThemenofKriegdidn’tdiscusstheirpast–tothem,itwasasourceofshame

–but,threedecadesago,Costellinhadmadeithisbusinesstolearnallhecouldabouthisnewregiment,andthishadincludedtheirhistory.

Ithadbeenasurprisinglyarduoustask.MuchofwhathadbeenwrittenaboutKrieganditspeoplehadbeenlost–insomecases,hesuspected,deliberatelyexpunged–fromImperialrecords.Onesingle,dreadfulfact,however,wasbeyonddoubt.

Barelyamillenniumandahalfago,Krieghadbeenlainwastebythebloodiestandmostbrutalcivilwareverknowntomankind.

Itbegan,CostellinexplainedtoMannheim,whenthecorruptanddecadentAutocratswhoruledtheplanetdeclaredthemselvesindependentfromtheImperium.‘Ofcourse,’hesaid,‘thecitizenswereoutragedbythisheresy.’

‘Ofcourse,’saidMannheim.‘So,theAutocratssenttheirprivatearmiesoutintothestreetstocrushanyand

allresistance.Theyalmostsucceeded.’ThemancreditedwiththesalvationofKriegwasoneColonelJurten.When

theAutocratsmadetheirmove,JurtenhadbeeninthehivecityofFerrograd,musteringasingleImperialGuardregiment.Hehadactedquickly,seizingcontrolofthatcity,turningitintoarallyingpointfortheresistancemovement.

Ofcourse,Jurtenandhisbravemenhadbeenoutnumberedthousandstoone–

andtheirenemieshadhadfargreaterresourcesthanthey,includingcontroloftheplanetarydefences.TheImperiumcouldn’tgetaforcethroughtheAutocrats’blockadetohelpthestrugglingKriegloyalists.Jurtenwasfightingawarhecouldn’twin–atleast,notthroughconventionalmeans.Then,buriedbeneaththeFerrogradhive,inasecretvaultconstructedbytheAdeptusMechanicus,thecolonelhadfoundacacheofforbiddenweapons,antiquedevicesofdeath,thatwereanythingbutconventional.

‘ThegreatestheroinKrieg’shistory,’saidCostellin,‘isthemanwhodestroyedit.Jurtendecidedthat,iftheEmperorcouldn’thavehisworld,thennobodycould.OntheFeastoftheEmperor’sAscension,hedetonatedthosemissilesintheatmosphere.’

Mannheimhadforgottenhisfood.Pinksludgedribbledofftheedgeofhisspoon.‘Thenthat…that’swhytheaironKriegis…?’

‘Themissilesdestroyedtheecosystem,’Costellinconfirmed.‘Jurtenkilledbillionsofhisownpeople,buthealsoevenedtheoddsagainsthim.Thewarragedonforanotherfivehundredyears,butatlastthevictorsemerged.’

‘TheDeathKorps,’saidMannheim.‘Theywereforgedinthatnuclearfire.’‘HaveyoueverseenKriegyourself?’‘Justonce,’saidCostellin.‘Isetfootonitssurfacejustonce–andIwishto

theGod-EmperorIhadn’t.’Theyateinsilenceforafewminutesmore,Costellingivinghisfellow

commissartimetoabsorballhehadjustheard.Then,inalightertone,hesaid,‘Lookonthebrightside.We’llbothbediningratherbetterthanthistonight.’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidMannheim.‘Idon’tknowifI’llbegoingplanetside.Myregiment,they’vedecidedto–’

‘Combatexercises,’saidCostellin,‘andyoufeelyououghttostaywiththem.’‘Well,yes,yes,Ido.’‘Theydon’tneedyouatthemoment.Takethisopportunitywhileyoucan.It’ll

bealongtimebeforeyougetanotherone,believeme.TheDepartmentoMunitorumhasahabitofforgettingtoapportionleavetoDeathKorpsregiments,andtheDeathKorpsregimentshaveahabitofnotcomplainingaboutit.’

‘Allthesame,’saidMannheim,‘IfeelIshouldspendthetimetogettoknowthesemenalittlebetter,tounderstandwhatmyroleishere.’

‘IfmoraleissohighintheDeathKorpsofKrieg,ifdisciplineisnoproblem,thenyoudon’tunderstandwhytheyneedcommissarsatall.’

‘YoualwaysseemtoknowwhatI’mthinking.’

Costellinsmiled.‘I’mnotyetsoancientthatIdon’trememberthinkingthesamethingsmyself–andyouwillfindtheanswerstothosequestions,someofthematleast.Inthemeantime…’Hepushedbackhischairandpickeduphisemptyplate.‘Inthemeantime,I’llbeheadingforthedrop-shipsassoonaswemakeorbit.I’dadviseyoudothesame.Relax.Bringbacksomerealfood.’

Heturned,andcaughthisbreathashealmostwalkedintoaDeathKorpssoldier,whohadcomeupbehindhimwithoutCostellinhavingheardhim.

TheGuardsmansaluted.‘CommissarsCostellin,Mannheim,’hesaidflatly–andthen,hespoketheverylastwordsthatCostellinhadwishedtohear:‘Yourpresencehasbeenrequestedonthebridge,sirs.’

Thebridgedoorwasadornedwithalargeleeringskull,twometreshigh,butthepaintingwasoldnow,fadingandflaking.CostellincaughtMannheimfrowningatthebleakimage,andhesmiledtohimself.

Theareaaroundthecaptain’schairwascrowded,withtwoblack-coatedKrieggeneralsandallfourregimentalcommandersalreadypresent.Costellinacknowledgedthenewly-appointedColonel186withanod.Amaskedfaceturnedtowardshim,butthecolonelgavenootherindicationthathehadseenthecommissaratall.

Asalways,asmallarmyofservitorsscrabbledaboutthedarkedgesofthecircularchamber,manipulatingthepanelsofrunessetintothecurvedwoodenwalls.Costellinwasjustgladthat,withtheshipoutofwarpspace,itsmutantNavigatorhadpresumablyretiredtoherquarters;herpresencealwaysmadehisnervesitch.Heglancedatthegianthololithicdisplay,butsawonlyafewdistantpointsoflightintheinfiniteblacknessthroughwhichtheywerejourneying.

HeknewCaptainRokan,ofcourse.Theshort,stockyNavymansquirmedaboutinhisseattogreetthenewcomerswithalookofrelief.Costellinexchangedbriefpleasantrieswiththecaptain,andintroducedhimtoMannheim,whiletheyawaitedthecommissarsofthe81standthe103rd.Theirvoicesweretheonlyonestobeheard,andtheyechoedfromthewallsandreturnedtotheirearstooloud.

Assoonasthegatheringwascomplete,oneofthegeneralsspokewithoutpreamble.‘WehavereceivedacommuniquéfromtheDepartmentoMunitorum,’heannounced.‘AsituationisdevelopingonHieronymousThetathatrequiresourattention.’

Costellin’sheartsank,althoughhehadexpectednolessthanthis.ThegenerallookedatRokan,whohesitated,unsureifthiswashiscueto

speak.Hedecidedthatitwas,andbegan,‘ItseemsthePlanetaryGovernorhasbeenhavingsometrouble–riotingonthelowerlevels,thatkindofthing.’

‘Andisthisreallyourconcern?’askedCostellin.‘Iknow,’saidRokanwithashrug.‘Thatwasmyfirstthoughttoo.

HieronymousThetaisanewly-settledworld,relativelypeaceful.Itsyoungmenareaslikelytobecomeminersassoldiers.ItcrossedmymindthattheGovernor–Hanrik–mightjustbepanicking.Thiscouldbethefirsttimehe’shadanyrealproblemswithhisunderclass.Hanrikhasseenservice,though,andthereis–’

‘Thereareindicationsofapossiblexenospresence,’thegeneralinterruptedhim.

‘Justrumourssofar,’stressedRokan,‘orsowe’retold.Idon’tknow.Itseemedtometheremightbesomethingmoretothis,somethingNavalCommanddidn’tquitewanttoputintowords.Therewasmentionofsome…someartefactthathasgotthemallexcited.Icanplaybackthewholemessageforyouifyoulike.’

‘Whatareourorders?’askedColonel103.Itwasthesecondgeneralwhoanswered.‘Asoursisthenearestship,wewill

proceedtoHieronymousThetaasplanned.Allleaveisherebycancelled.Colonel42andhiscommissarwillmeetwiththeGovernoronthegroundtoassessthesituation.’

‘WearescheduledtorendezvouswiththetroopshipDivineJudgementinfifteendays,’addedthefirstgeneral,‘totakeonnewrecruits.Wewillnowrequirethemtocometous,assoonasispracticalforthem.Captain,youwillarrangethis.’

‘Colonel42willreporthisfindingstouswithinoneplanetaryday,’saidthesecondgeneral,‘bywhichtimeallregimentswillbemusteredandreadytodeploy.’

Withthat,thetwogeneralsmarchedoutoftheroom,andthefourcolonelsfollowedthem.CaptainRokanrelaxedinhisseat,evidentlygladtoseethemgo.HecaughtMannheim’seye,andthrewhimacheerfulwink.‘Welcomeaboard!’hesaid.

‘I’mnothappyaboutthis,Costellin,’saidMannheimasthetwocommissarsstrodethroughthecorridorssidebyside.‘Thissecrecy…WhyaretheImperialGuardinvolvedinwhatappearstobeapurelydomesticmatter?’

Costellinhadhadthesamethought.‘Thegeneralswilltelluswhatweneedtoknow,’hesaid,‘whentheydecideweneedtoknowit.Inthemeantime,you

wantedtoknowwhyaDeathKorpsregimentneedsacommissar.You’reabouttofindout.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’askedMannheim.‘Yourmeetingtoday.Noticehowthegeneralssentoneoftheirownwithyou,

theregimentalcommandernoless.Colonel42willtakeahalf-dozenaideswithhimtoHieronymousTheta,maybeamajorortwo.YousawhowCaptainRokanreactedtobeingsurroundedbyKriegofficers,andhe’shadtimetogetusedtothem.’

‘Thisgovernorchap,Hanrik…’Mannheimrealised.‘Hanrikwillbegladtoseeafriendlyface.He’llbegladtoseeafaceatall.

Thisisyourjobfromnowon,Mannheim,atleastthegreaterpartofit.You’readiplomatfirstandforemost.It’suptoyoutomediatebetweentheDeathKorpsandtheplanetarygovernors,betweentheDeathKorpsandthecivilians,theAdeptusMechanicus,sometimeseventherestoftheImperialGuard.’

‘Isee,’saidMannheimthoughtfully,‘tosmooththewaysotheycandotheirjobs.Still,Idon’tunderstandwhytheyhavetobeso…so…Themasksandtheskullmotifs,theatmosphereaboardthisship…’

‘TotheKorps,’saidCostellin,‘deathisawayoflife.’‘Youmakethemsoundpositivelymorbid.’‘It’safact.Asyouhavealreadyobserved,theyhavenofearofdying.Infact,

theywelcomeit.TodieintheEmperor’sserviceistheirlives’solepurpose.It’sanattitudeourleadershavenowishtodiscourage,ofcourse.’

‘Andtheyallfeelthisway?’‘TrytalkingtoaKriegGuardsmansometime.You’llfindhehasnohopes,no

dreams,nodesires,nothingbuthisordersandtheprospectofaviolentend.Asfarasheisconcerned,thereisnothingelse.Heisadeadmanwalking.’

‘Butwhy…?’‘ThemenofKrieg,’explainedCostellin,‘stillbeartheguiltoftheirworld’s

sins.Itisinstilledinthemfromthemomenttheyareborn.Theyaretaughttheymustatonefortheirancestors’rebellion–buttheirworldisaradioactivehellhole.Krieghasnoindustry,noagriculture,withwhichitcanrepayitsthousand-year-olddebttotheEmperor.Ithasnothingbutitschildren,soitgivesthesegladly.’

‘Butsurely,’saidMannheim,‘thosechildrenarethedescendantsoftheheroicColonelJurtenasmuchastheyareoftheAutocrats?’

‘Theyareindeed,’saidCostellin,asthetwomenhaltedatthejunctionatwhichtheywouldparttoreturntotheiroffices,‘andthat’sthesecondpartofour

job,Mannheim.That’stheotherreasonwhytheDeathKorpsofKriegneedspeoplelikeus:becausesometimes,justsometimes,theyneedtobestoppedfromgoingtoofar.’

ChapterThree

Guntharsatbehindhisdesk,waiting.Data-slateswerestrewnacrossthewhiteplasteksurface.Hehadshiftrotasto

signoff,minequotastoadjust,personneltohireandfire,maintenancereportstoread.Hewasalreadywellbehind–spenttoomuchtimeworryingabouthisdatelastnight–andnowhecouldn’tsettletoanyofit.Hestaredatthecomm-linkterminalasifhecouldwillittochime.Hetappedataruneinitsbase,justtohearthestaticsquawkthatwouldreassurehimithadn’tbrokendownagain.

Guntharhadn’tslept.Wheneverhehadtried,hehadseentheglaringpinkeyesofthemutantorheardthedyinggurgleofitsvictim.

Hehadturnedontheholocasterseveraltimes,almosteveryhourthroughoutthelongnight,watchingthelatestreports.Therehadbeennomentionoftheincident.Hehadwonderedhowthatcouldbe–untilherememberedwhatArexhadsaid.

‘Theydon’tletyouseethis…Theypretenditdoesn’texist…Theythinkthat,whathappensdownhere,itdoesn’taffectus.’

Guntharhadtheringinhisfingers,andwasturningitidly.Hedidn’tremembertakingitfromhispocket;hishandmusthavestrayedtoitjustashisthoughtsstrayedtoArex.Yesterday,hehadthoughttheringbeautiful.Now,hewasn’tsosure.

Itwassetwithsixredamecytestones.GuntharhadchosenredbecauseitwasArex’sfavouritecolour.HehadchosenamecytebecauseitwasminedononlyoneplanetintheentireImperium,andthatplanetwasHieronymousTheta.

Elsewhere,aringlikethisonewouldhavecommandedanextravagantprice.OnGunthar’shomeworld,however,amecytewasascommonasglass–and,foramineoverseerabletolayhishandsonrejected,flawedstones,almostasaffordable.

Thecomm-linkchimed,andGuntharstarted.Suddenlyallthumbs,hestuffedtheringbackintohispocketashelungedtotakethecall.‘MrSoreson,’agruffvoicecrackledoverthelink.‘Herriksenhere.Youwantedaword?’

‘Idid,’saidGunthar.Hefumbledacrossthedesk,searchingfortheoneslatehewassurehehadleftrightthere.‘Yousentmeareportafewdaysago,aboutsomething…Yousaidyouhadfoundsomethingdownthere?’

Herriksen’sreplywaslosttoahowlingofstrainedenginesandaclankingofchainsinthebackgroundofthecall,andGuntharhadtoaskhimtorepeatit.

‘…keptdigging,justlikeyouinstructed,butnowwe’veunearthed…’Anotherbarrageofsoundobscuredthenextfewwords.‘…problemdownhere,MrSoreson.LikeIsaidinmyreport,therearethese

weirdrunes…Themendon’tlikethoserunes.They’resaying…’IthadbeenArex’swords,again,thathadpromptedGuntharintospendinghis

morninggoingthroughrecentreportsfromtheminesunderhissupervision.Hehadbeensearchingforsomething,anythinghemighthavemissed,anythingthatmighthaveseemedinsignificantbefore.Hehadalreadycontactedthreemineforemen,questioningthemaboutsmalldropsinyieldsandlossesofworkers.ThenhehadpickeduptheslatecontainingHerriksen’sreport,andhehadremembered.

Hehadhardlyglancedatit,lastweek.Hehadhadsomuchelsetodo,andsowhat,hehadthought,ifsomeminershadfoundachunkofworkedstone.Whydidtheyhavetocomecryingtohimaboutit?Ithadprobablybeenburiedbythemutantsontheground,forsomeunfathomablereason,andworkeditswaydownduringanearthtremor.OrithadbeenleftbehindbyoneoftheprimitivecivilisationsthoughttohaveexistedonHieronymousThetabeforeitscolonisation–whatdifferencediditmake?

HehaddashedoffaquickreplytoHerriksen.Hehadtoldhimthathisfind,whateveritmayprovetobe,wasofnointeresttoanyone.Hehadremindedtheforemanthathisminewasbehindonitsquotas.Hehadtoldhimtokeepdigging.

‘…refusingtoworkinthattunnel.Theysayitmakesthemfeel…’Anhourago,Guntharhadcalledupahololithicdisplayofalltheminetunnels

beneathHieronymousCity.Hehadoverlaiduponthisthelocationsofallthereportedfatalitiesofthepastsixmonths,andhehadfoundasignificantcluster.Aclusterthatwascentredonthenorth-westcornerofHerriksen’smine.

Theforeman’svoicewasbeingdrownedoutagain,butitdidn’tmatter.Guntharhadheardenough.Hestabbedatthe‘transmit’runeonthecomm-link’sbase,andhesaid,‘I’monmywaydownthere.’

Guntharhadworkedinminingsinceleavinghisscholaattheageoffourteen.Mostofhisworld’syoungmendidthesame,thosewhoescapedthedraft.Despitethis,hehadsetfootinanactualmineonlytwicebefore.Hisworkhadalwaysbeenadministrativeinnature,undertakeninwell-litofficesonthehigherfloors.

Themineentrances,ofcourse,wereagoodwayabovethetunnelsthemselves.Still,Guntharhadtodropafewfloorstoreachthem.Thistimeyesterday,thiswouldn’thaveconcernedhim–butthen,thistimeyesterday,hewouldn’thavemadethisjourneyatall.Hefelthisstomachchurningasaheavyliftercarriedhisautocabdown.Hehadtakenpublictransportbecauseofficialcarswerescarceandhehadn’twantedtowaitforone.HewishedArexhadcalledhim,justtosayshehadmadeithome.Ifsomethinghadhappenedtoher,wouldthenewscastershavecensoredthattoo?

Kreuzwasperchedonthecurvedseatbesidehim,hereyesasblankasthedata-slateinherlap.ShewasGunthar’slex-scribe–hequalifiedforhisownlex-scribenow–andshewenteverywherehedid.

Thecabreacheditsprogrammeddestination,andGuntharclimbedout,reassuredtobegreetedbytwoproctorsentries.Heshowedthemhisidentitytag,andheandKreuzsteppedthroughanarchwayintoalarge,darkareafullofnoiseandsteam.Theyweresurroundedbyclatteringtanksandhissingpipes,withpeoplerushingtoandfro.Theairinherewashot,dryandoppressive.

Thiswaswherethemetaloreextractedfromthegroundbelowwassmelteddown.Guntharsawanidlingtruck,waitingtobeloadedupwiththepreciousmaterialsthusobtained.Theywouldbeconveyedtothenearestspaceport,andfromtheretoanImperialforgeworld,tobefashionedintothemachineryofwar.

Guntharinterceptedaburly,ruddy-facedmanashedashedbetweentanks.‘I’mlookingforyourforeman,MrHerriksen,’hesaid.

Theburlymanshookhisheadandpointedtotheyellowearplugshewaswearing.KreuzstencilledthenameHerriksen?onherdata-slate,andthrustitunderhisnose.Henoddedincomprehension,andpointedtoarowofsixlifters,eachcontainedinitsownmetal-meshcage.Thenhemadeaplungingmotionwithhisthumb,andmouthedthewords,‘Downbelow.’

AsGuntharapproachedthecages,heheardascreechingofenginesandchainsandalifterrose,bearingtwominerswithanore-ladenbarrow.Anold,soot-blackenedcomm-linkterminalwassetintothestonewall,andherealisedthatthiswaswhereHerriksenmusthavebeenwhentheyhadspokenearlier.

Hefoundrebreathers,safetyhelmetsandgoggles,slungfromhooksbesidetheliftercages.Thefirstrebreatherhetrieddidn’twork,butasheplacedthesecond

overhismouth,theairtastedcoolerandfresher.GuntharandKreuzsteppedontoalifterplatformanditscagedoorrattledshut,castingacriss-crosspatternofshadowsoverthem.Astheplatformlurchedintomotion,twopaleblueluminatorstripsflaredattheirfeet,buttheleft-handstripimmediatelyfalteredanddied.

Amomentlater,theyweredescendingthrougharough-hewnstoneshaft,insecteyespeeringoutatthemfromdarkcrevices.Itwasalong,slowjourney,anditwasmadealltheslowerbyGunthar’simagination,whichinsistedonpicturingallmanneroftwistedhorrorslurkingbehindthosestonewalls,onthelowerfloorsofthecity.Occasionally,thelifterwouldstallforasecond,asifithadcaughtonsomething,andeachtimethishappenedhefeltthesickeningfearthatitmightnotmoveagain.

Hebegantoaskhimselfwhathewasdoinghere.TryingtoimpressArex?Lookingforachancetomakeupforhisinactionlastnight?Whatmadehimthinkhecould?Whatmadehimthinkthat,givenanotherchancetobeahero,hewouldbeanymoreabletotakeitthanhehadbeenthefirsttime?

Checkinghischrono,hesawthatalittleoverthreeminuteshadpassed.Theyhadtobeundergroundbynow,hethought–andindeed,amomentlater,thestonewallsgavewaytomoremetalmeshandthelifterplatformdroppedintoasecondcage.GuntharandKreuzsteppedoutofthiscageintoanexpansivecavern,well-litbyluminatorglobesstrungfromwoodenmineprops.

Theairherewaschokedwithdust,andGuntharfeltanitchinhiseyesdespitetheprotectivegoggleshewore.Squintingthroughthishaze,hesawdarktunnelopeningsandvastbanksofancient,rustedmachinery.Cogitatorsclickedandgroundtothemselves,asanarmyofminelabourersandservitorsteemedbetweenthem.

Adirt-encrusted,middle-agedmanwithred-rimmedeyesvisiblethroughhisgogglesmovedtogreetthenewarrivals.‘YoumustbeMrSoreson.FromtheOfficioPrimaris?I’mHerriksen.’ThemanseizedGunthar’shandinanuncomfortablystronggrip,andpumpedithard.

‘Iwasexpectingtomeetyouatthemineentrance,’saidGunthar.‘Toomuchtododownhere,MrSoreson.Well,youknowhowitis.Quotasto

meet.Iseeyou’vefoundyourselfarebreather.Thereareacoupleofsparesbytheliftersifitfailsonyou.You’llbewantingtoseethisartefactofours,then?’

‘Ithinkweshould,’agreedGunthar.Justaquicklook,hethought,thenhecouldreturntohiscomfortableofficeanddowhatheshouldhavedoneinthefirstplace:contacttheproctors,or

eventhePDF,andletthemdealwiththeproblem.Atleast,thisway,hewouldhaveataletotellArex.Herriksenledthewayacrossthecavern,callingtothreeotherminerstojoin

themashedidso.ThemenseemedexcitedbyGunthar’spresence,andeagertoseewhathemadeoftheirfind;hesupposedithadbeenatalkingpointforthemtoo.

Theyapproachedatunnelentrance,passingtheabandonedhulkofaclapped-outboringvehicleontheirway.‘Lightson,’instructedHerriksen,andheactivatedhishelmetluminator.Theotherthreeminersfollowedsuitimmediately,butGuntharcouldn’tfindtheruneonhishelmet.Hefumbledwithitforawhilebeforeoneoftheminersreachedoverandperformedthetaskforhim.Alittleembarrassedbythis,GuntharmadeashowofactivatingKreuz’sluminatorinturn.

Thetunnelwaswiderthanhehadexpected,andthefivemenandKreuzproceededalongittwoabreast.TheminersdroppedbacktoallowGunthartotaketheleadbesideHerriksen,acourtesyhecouldhavedonewithout.Evenwiththeirsixluminators,hecouldseeonlyacoupleofmetresaheadofhimthroughtheever-presentdust.Wheneverthetunnelforked,whichitdidacoupleoftimes,healmostwalkedintothewalls.HewasgladofHerriksen’sassuredpresencebyhisside,guidinghim.

Guntharknewtheywerenearingtheirdestinationwhenheheardtheheavyclunksofpickaxesandtheshriekingofdrillsfromahead.Shortly,hisgroup’slittlebubbleoflightmergedwithanother,andinthatlighthesawtheglintofaugmeticbodyparts.

‘IthinkImentionedwhenwespoke,’saidHerriksen,‘thatmostofthemenwon’tworkthistunnelanymore.I’vebeenforcedtorelyontheservitors,andyouknowwhattheycanbelike.IfIdon’twatchoverthemconstantly…’

Guntharnodded,notreallycaring.Thereweretenservitorspresent,semi-humandrones,probablygrowninvats.Littlebetterthanmutants,hethought,thoughatleastthesecreatureswereprogrammedtoservetheImperium.

Asminingservitors,theseparticularcreatureshadalsobeenaugmentedtosuittheconditionsdownhere.Theirrebreatherswerebondedwiththeirflesh,weldedtotheirbones,replacingthebottomhalvesoftheirfaces.Inplaceofarms,theyhadrockdrillsandpiston-drivenhammers,whilemusclestimulantsandgrowthhormoneshadgiventhemstrengthenoughtocopewithback-breakingworkthatwouldhavekilledanormalman.Guntharwascarefultokeephisdistancefromthem.

Hewasmoreinterestedinthecolumn.

Itstoodattheright-handedgeofthetunnel,justametreorsobackfromtheend.Abouttwometrestall–no,alittlelessthanthat,abitshorterthanGunthar.Itwaslikeaminiatureobelisk,withapyramidshapeatitstop,aboutthesizeofGunthar’shead,andasquare,steppedbasestillpartiallyembeddedinthetunnelwall.

Thecolumnwascarvedoutofasmooth,polishedstone–andGuntharcouldn’tbesureinthedustandthedimlight,buthethoughtithadapalegreentint.

‘Whattypeofstoneisthat?’heaskedHerriksen,buttheforemanjustshrugged.‘Andwhatarethosemarkingsonit?’

Kreuzleanedincloser,soherluminatorbeamfellontothecolumn.‘Wethoughtmaybesomekindofwriting,’saidHerriksen.‘Itdoesn’tlooklikeanylanguageIknow,’saidGunthar.Hecouldsee

Herriksen’spoint,though.Therunesdidlooklikesomekindofscript:asequenceofsymbols,thesameonesoftenrepeated.Therewerefourrowsofthem,stretchingaroundthecolumn,andafifthalongitsbase.Manyoftheletters–ifthatwasindeedwhattheywere–werebasedontheshapeofthecircle,butwithtangentialorextendedradiallinesconnectingtheminanintricatepattern.

‘Ithinkit’sstartingagain,’saidoneoftheminersinalow,forebodingvoice.‘What’sstarting?’askedGunthar.Herriksenscowled.‘Nothing,’hesaid.‘It’sjustthemen’simagination.’‘Youcan’tfeelthat?’theminerprotested.‘That…thatpressureinyourhead?

Likeitwasbefore,thelasttimeIlookedatthose…those…’AndGuntharcouldfeelitnow.Likesomethingwasgrowinginsidehisskull,

strainingtogetout–andwiththatthought,hewantedtobesick.Heclosedhiseyes,breatheddeeply,andthesymptomsrecededsomewhat.

Herriksenwasright,hethought.Theminerswereimaginingthings,andhewasreactingtotheirfear,doingthesame.

Helookedagain,intimetoseeKreuzreachingforthecolumn,toolatetoshoutawarningbeforeherfleshmadecontactwiththestone.

Hefeltalittlefoolishasshetracedtheoutlineofaglyphwithherever-presentstencil.Whathadheexpectedtohappen?Theminershaddugthecolumnoutofthewall,hethought,theirhandsmusthavetoucheditathousandtimes.

‘IthinkI’veseenenough,’saidGuntharquickly,hopinghisvoicedidn’tsoundtooweak,tooplaintive.‘Thankyouforbringingthismattertomyattention.I…Letmespeakwithmysuperiorsaboutthis,andI’llletyouknowwhatwedecidetodo.Inthemeantime…Inthemeantime,theartefactisn’tharminganyone,soI

wouldcarryonasyouare,lettheservitorsminethistunnel.Wehaveourquotastokeepup.’

Herriksennodded,andturnedtoleadGuntharbackoutthewaytheyhadcome.Kreuz,forherpart,seemedstrangelyreluctanttoleavethecolumnbehind,butshestraightenedup,madeafinalfewnotesonherslateandfollowedherbossdutifully.

Theyhadbarelytakensixstepsbackupthetunnelwhenoneoftheminersstiffenedandhalted.‘Doyouhearthat?’heasked.‘Tellmeyoucanhearthat.Thathummingnoise.’Theyallstoodinsilence,listening,andGuntharwasabouttoprotestthathecouldn’thearanythingwhenKreuzspoke.

‘Yes,yes,’shesaid,‘Icanhearit.’Herriksenshookhishead.‘Theacousticsinthesetunnelscanplaysomepretty

oddtricksonaman,andwiththeservitorsdrillingdownhere…’‘I’msureyou’reright,’agreedGunthar.‘I’msureit’snothing.’Hestarted

forwardagain–butsuddenly,hecouldhearittoo.Hethoughtitwasamechanicalnoiseatfirst,maybeapieceofmining

equipmentinanadjacenttunnel.Asthehumgrewlouder,however,itbecamehigherinpitchandtookonamoreorganicquality,untilitsoundedlikeachorusofetherealvoices.

Hedidn’twanttoturnaround,didn’twanttoseethestonecolumnagain,buthecouldn’thelphimself.Helookedbackoverhisshoulder,evenasaservitor,unperturbedbytheeventsunfoldingaroundit,liftedabarrelofmetaloreandwheeleditdownthetunneltowardsGuntharandhisparty.

Astheservitorshuffledpastthecolumn,itbrushedthesurfacewithitsleftarm.

Guntharwasblindedbyabrightgreenflash.Hestumbledbackwards,gasping,blinking,hisretinasimprintedwiththeimageofaskeletalsilhouettecrumblingintodustinthatterriblelight.Then,ashisvisionbegantoclear,hesawahalf-meltedaugmeticarmlyinginapoolofslag,butnootherremnantsofthehaplessservitortowhomthearmhadoncebeenattached.

Thehummingwasevenloudernow,andshrilllikethewhiningofthedrills.Herriksenmadethesignoftheaquila,andGuntharboggledastwooftheservitors–thenathird,thenafourth–abandonedtheirworktosinktotheirkneesinfrontofthestonecolumn.Hehadneverseenaservitorbehavethatwaybefore.

‘What…whatjusthappened?’oneoftheminersstammered.‘Whatdowedo?’Kreuzwhimpered.‘MrSoreson,whatdowedo?’‘Nooneistotouchthatthing,’commandedHerriksen,whileGuntharwasstill

tryingtothinkofasinglewordtosay.‘Weneedtobackoutofthistunnelnow,slowlyandcalmly,andweneedtosealitoffuntilthePDFcangethere.’

‘Thecolumn,’criedanotherminer.‘Lookatthecolumn.It’sglowing!’Hewasright.Thestrangestonewaspulsing,impossibly,withaninternallight.

Theglowwasaputridshadeofgreen,andGuntharfeltsickagainatthemeresightofit.Orperhapshisnauseawasfuelledbythethoughtthatthedusthewasinhaling,eventhroughtherebreather,mightwellhavecontainedtracesofthedisintegratedservitor.

TheywerealldoingasHerriksenhadsaid,backingaway.‘Whatifit’sabomb?’venturedoneoftheminers.‘Whatifthatthingisjuicingitselfupreadytoexplode?’

Theyexchangedworriedglancesatthat,allsixofthem.Then,Guntharturnedandranoutofthetunnelasifallthedaemonsofthewarp

wereonhistail–and,intheheart-racingterrorofthatmoment,hedidn’tcarethathemightbethoughtofasacoward,didn’tcarewhatArexwouldthinkwhensheheardaboutthis.Hedidn’tevencarehowmanytimesheranintoarockwallinhishalf-blindflight.AllthatmatteredtoGuntharwasthatheputasmuchdistancebetweenhimselfandthatunholyartefactaswashumanlypossible.

And,apparently,thiswasallthatmatteredtotheotherstoo–because,asGuntharquicklyrealised,theywereallrightbehindhim.

Guntharwasthefirsttoemerge,inaflurryofdirtanddust,intothemaincavern.‘Weneedtoevacuatethismine,’heyelledattheworldingeneral.‘Everyone

needstogetoutofhere.There’sa…There’s…’Wordsfailedhim,butHerriksencametohisrescue.‘Asafetyissuehasarisen

inoneofthetunnels.MrSoresonhereisfromtheOfficioPrimaris,andhehasdecided–’

Guntharnoddedimpatiently.‘Weneedtocontacttheforemenoftheneighbouringminestoo,warnthem–’

‘MrSoreson,’protestedKreuz,‘doyouhavetheauthoritytoorder–?’‘Idon’tcare,’Guntharsnapped,surprisinghimselfwithhisdirectness.‘We’ve

nowayofcontactingtheGovernor’sofficeforpermissionfromdownhere,andbythetimewereachthesurface…’Hisvoicetailedoffashelookedattheliftersandrememberedhowlonghisjourneydownherehadtaken.

Herriksenwasmarshallingtheconfusedminersinthecavern,sendingthemintothetunnelstospreadtheword.HetookGuntharbytheshoulder,andpropelledhimfirmlytothenearestofthemetal-meshcages,Kreuzscuttlingalong

besidethem.GuntharturnedtoHerriksen,andasked,‘Aren’tyoucomingwithus?’Herriksenshookhishead.‘Thereareovertwohundredworkersinthissector

ofthemine,servitorsexcepted,andthelifterswillonlycarryfiveatatime.Itwilltakeoveranhourtocleareverybodyout,andI’mnotleavinganymenbehind.’

Gunthardidn’tknowwhattosay.HewasrelievedwhenHerriksenlethimoffthehook.‘Go,’hesaid.‘Someoneneedstogetupthere,getonthecomm-link,andletpeopleknowwhatwejustsaw.’

Thefirstminerswerebeginningtostreamintothecavernfromthenearesttunnel.HerriksenusheredthreeofthemintothecagewithGuntharandKreuz,thendraggedthedoorshutbehindthemandsentthelifteronitsway.

Theirupwardjourneywasenduredindeathlysilence,anditseemedtotakeforever.

ChapterFour

Arexhadn’tplannedtolisteninonheruncle’sconversation.Shewaspassingbyhisoffice.Sheheardhisvoice,muffledbytheoakdoor,

talkingtosomeoneonthecomm-link.Shewasalmostoutofearshotwhensheheardanamethatmadeherstopandtakenotice.

‘…GuntharSoreson…’Shetiptoedtothedoorandpressedhercheekagainstit.Shecouldn’thear

anythingatfirstforthesoundofherownheartthumpinginherears.‘…can’tignoreusnow,’UncleHanrikwassaying.‘Thistime,it’smorethan

justafewlumpsofmarble.Thisartefact,thiscolumn…’Hewasansweredbyanindistinguishablebuzzfromhiscomm-linkterminal,

whereuponhisvoicegrewlouderandthusclearertotheeavesdropper.‘I’mtalkingaboutthesafetyofmypeople,ofmyentireworld.Iwon’triskhavingaminerdisturbsomethingelsedownthere,notuntiltherehasbeenathoroughinvestigation.’

Thecomm-linkbuzzedagain,andHanrikreplied,‘AsItoldyou,thislatestincidentinvolvedthemineoverseerforthatsector.Ihavehisstatementrighthere.’So,UncleHanrikhadspokenGunthar’sname.Hadsomethinghappenedtohim?

‘Ihavealreadygiventheorder,’saidHanrik.‘EveryminewithinahundredkilometresofHieronymousCityisbeingevacuatedandsealedoff.MiningoperationswillnotresumeuntilIamconvinceditissafeforthemtodoso.’

Morefreneticbuzzingfromthecomm-link.Then,morecalmly,sothatArexhadtostraintocatchhiswordsagain,Hanrikmuttered,‘Well,maybenowtheAdministratumwillappreciatehowserious…somecolonelonhiswayhere…whathehastosayaboutthewholebusiness.’

Arexheardshufflingfootsteps:aservitor,climbingthestaircasefromthe

kitchens.Shejumpedawayfromheruncle’sdoorandproceededalongthehallway,hardlyabletostopherselffrombreakingintoarun.

Somethingwashappening,somethingbig.SomethingtoinjectsomeinterestintotheboringlifeofaGovernor’sniece.ThesortofthingUncleHanrikwouldnormallyhavekeptfromher–only,thistime,Arexhadsomeoneontheinside.

Dinnerwasservedearlythatevening.ArexsatacrossthepolishedtablefromherUncleHanrik,andpickedather

mealwithoutenthusiasmalthoughthelobroshadbeenfreshlycaughtthatmorning.SheaskedHanrikabouthisday,buthegavehisusualvague,dismissiveanswer,shakinghisheaduntilhisdoublechinwobbled.ShewantedtoaskhimaboutGunthar.Shehadtriedtocontacthimathisoffice,buthehadn’tbeenthere.

‘I…heardsomeofthestafftalking,’shesaid,‘aboutsometrouble...inthemines.’

Hanrikfrownedatthis,andgruntedthatitwasnoneofherconcern.‘However,’hesaid,‘wedoneedtotalk.I’mgoingtobebusyforthenextweekortwo.Ihavesomepeoplecomingtonight,andI…It’sbeenawhilesinceyoulastvisitedyouraunt.’

Arexprotested,‘No!’‘Please,Arex,don’targuewithme.Ithinkitwouldbebestforyoutospend

sometimewithyourauntinImperialCove.’Healwaystreatedherlikethis,asifshewereachild.Arexwastwenty-one

now,morethanoldenoughtomakeherowndecisions.Shehadbeentellinghimthat,though,sinceshewasfourteen,andithadn’tworkedsofar.Thatwasthetroublewithhavinganunclewhoruledaplanet.

Hanrikhadhadsonsofhisownonce,threeofthem.TheyhadjoinedupwiththeImperialGuard,and–likehisbrother,Arex’sfather–diedonadistantbattlefield.Inhermoreunderstandingmoments,shecouldseewhyhewassooverprotectiveofher.This,however,wasnotoneofthosemoments.

Arexpushedherplateaway,stoodupandmarchedoutoftheroom.Outside,sheleantherheadtothewallandtrembledwithfrustration.Sheknew

whatwouldhappennext.Sheknewthat,tomorrowifnottonight,therewouldbeaknockonherdoorandshewouldfindapersonalescortwaitingforherinthehallway.UncleHanrikdidn’ttakenoforananswer.

Sometimes,theirsuiteintheHighSpirefeltlikeaprison.Sometimes,Arexthoughtsheshouldhavelefthomelongago,perhapsacceptedoneofthemanysuitorsherunclehadlinedupforher.Theproblemwas,shehadn’tmuchlikedany

ofthem.Arexdidn’tknowwhathaddrawnhertoGuntharSoreson.Hehadn’teven

beenabletosaytwowordstoherwhenfirsttheyhadmet.Perhapsitwasthatveryshyness,though,thatunassumingnature,thathadmadehimsuchawelcomechangefromtheprivilegedbraggartsheruncletendedtopickoutforher.Theproblemwasthatshecouldn’tforeseeafutureinwhichsheandGuntharcouldbetogether.

Rightnow,though,thatdidn’tmatter.Shewasgoingtofindhim.Shewouldgotohishabfirst.Ifhehadn’treturned

thereyet,shewouldwaitforhim.ShewouldtellGuntharwhatsheshouldhavetoldhimlastnight:thatshelovedhim.

Then,beforeshewaspackedofftoImperialCoveoutofharm’sway,ArexwouldatleastknowwhatUncleHanrikwastryingtoprotectherfromthistime.

Arextookthestairsdowntotheexit,becauseshehadanxiousenergytoexpendanddidn’twanttobecoopedupinalifter.Shetoldthedoormenshewastakingastrollaroundthegardensandwantedtobealone.Assoonasshewasoutoftheirsight,shehoppedoverawallanddroppeddownontoapublicskyway.

Therewasanembarkationpointablockandahalfaway,wheretwoautocabssatwaiting.Arexclimbedintothefirstofthese,swipedheridentitytagthroughthereaderandfoundGunthar’saddressonascrollinghololithiccitymap.Theenginestartedwithajudderandanozonewhiff,andthecabmovedoff.

Almostimmediately,itturnedontoalifterplatformandstoppedagain.Throughitsbroad,curvedwindshield,Arexcouldseetheflattopsoftheshortertowersaroundherforamomentbeforeshewasloweredintotheirmidst.

Thenashriekingsoundturnedhereyesupwards,andshesawanexhausttrailbrightagainstthedarkeningsky.Atroopship,comingintolandatHieronymousPort.Heruncle’svisitors,nodoubt.Atanyothertime,Arexwouldhavestayedathome,eagerforwhatevertitbitsofinformationshecouldoverhearfromthem.Tonight,shehadmoreimportantthingsonhermind.

ArexhadneverbeentoGunthar’shomebefore,soshefollowedherprogressonthemap.Adottedredlineshowedthecab’sintendedroutethroughthecity;ithaddroppedsomewaybelowGunthar’sfloorinsearchoftheclosest-runningskyway.Itwasreducedtocrawlingspeedatthislevel,nuzzlingitswaythroughslow-movingknotsofpeople,toomanyofthemtosticktotheirownlanes.

Thenthehololithblinkedout,andtheautocabcametoagentlehalt.Atfirst,Arexthoughtthevehicleitselfmustbeatfault.Shemutteredadark

oathunderherbreath,cursingtheenginseerswhosejobitwastokeepitrunning.Itoccurredtoher,then,thattheworldhadgrowndarker.Itwasn’tyettimeforthepublicluminatorstocomeon,butamomentagothere

hadbeenlightedwindowsandbusinesssignsoutside.Nowtherewasnothing,noman-madelightatall,andArexwasbeginningtoappreciatejusthowmuchearlierduskcametothelowerfloorsthanitdidtoherHighSpirewindow.

Shestabbedatthedoorrunebyherknee,once,twice,threetimes,tonoavail.Shetwistedaroundinherseatandkickedatthedoorinstead,puttingherfullweightbehindeachblowuntilthelatchgaveway.

Theairoutsidetheautocabwasfarcolderthanithadbeenabove.Amomentago,thestrangersonthisskywayhadbeenmovingwithdirection

andpurpose.Now,theymilleduncertainly,lookingateachotherasifsomebodyelsemighthavetheanswerstheycraved.Arexkeptherheaddown,irrationallyafraidthatifshemadeeyecontactwithanyofthemshemightberecognised.

Murmursreachedherears,certainrepeatedwordsconfirmingwhatshehadalreadybeguntosuspect:‘…poweroutage…wholeoftheneighbourhood,maybebeyond…can’tseeanylightsontheupperfloors…’

Allofasudden,Arexfeltalongwayfromhome.Theautocabsdrewpowerfromtheskywaysthemselves.Iftherewasno

powerinthissector,ifthatmuchwastrue,thentherewerenocabs...andnolifters.Howlongwouldittakehertoclimballthosefloors–evenassumingshecouldfindastaircasethatwasn’tbarricadedfromabove?Shecouldalwaysflagdownaproctor,shethought.Theirvehicleshadindependentpowersources…didn’tthey?Butthen,shewouldhavetoexplaintoUncleHanrikwhatshewasdoingdownhere,andwhateverlieshetoldhimitwouldmakehimsuspiciousenoughtostartdiggingforthetruth.

Shetoldherselftocalmdown.Forallsheknew,thepowercouldberestoredatanymoment.Iftheoutagehadaffectedtheupperfloorstoo,thentheenginseerswouldcertainlybeworkingonit.Inthemeantime,Arexthoughtshecouldrememberthelayoutofthesurroundingtowersfromtheautocab’smap.ShecouldfindherwaytoGunthar’shab,atleast.

Shewrappedhercoatmoretightlyaboutherselfandstartedwalking.Sheknewthat,statisticallyspeaking,thesefloorswererelativelysafe,farsaferthantheonetowhichshehadtakenGuntharlastnight.Still,thedarknessunnervedher.Itcastthefacesaroundherintoshadow,makingitseemlikeeveryoneshepassedwashidingsomemalevolentintent.Itcreatedinkblotshapesinthecorners,inthewindows,inthemouthsofthealleyways,whichunfailinglyremindedArexofthe

pink-eyedmutant.Sheremovedhermother’snecklace,asshehaddonelastnight,concealeditin

hercoatpocket.ShecouldseeGunthar’shab-blockupahead.Shequickenedherpace,thinkingthatinafewminutes’timeshecouldbesafeindoors,inhisarms,andtheseunfoundedfearsofherswouldbeadissipatingmemory.

Butthen,anewshadow–alargerandmoreominousshadow–creptoverher.Ashapewascollectingintheeveningsky:ablackcloud,butlikenocloud

Arexhadseenbefore.Itwastoodense,toolow–itwashoveringbetweentheupperfloorsofthetowersthemselves–anditwasgrowinginsize,billowingeveroutwards.

Then,Arexrealisedwhatthatcloudhadtobe.Itwasaswarm.Aninsectswarm.

Arexstaredinhorrifiedfascinationastheswarmcontinuedtobuild.Therehadtohavebeenthousands,hundredsofthousands,ofbodiesinthat

greatpulsatingmass,andthickblackstreamswererisingfromthelowerfloorstofurtherengorgeit.Shewonderedwhatcouldhavemadethenormallypassiveinsectsofherworldbehavelikethis,andthensherealisedshecouldhearnosoundfromtheswarm,nobuzzing.Shewonderedwhytheinsectsweren’tbuzzing.

ItwasperhapsthatverylackofsoundthatpreventedArexfromseeingthedangershewasin.That,andtheimpossibilityofjudgingthescaleandthedistanceoftheswarminthehalf-light.Itwasn’tuntilthepeoplearoundherbegantoseeit,begantocryoutandtoturnandtorun,toseekshelterinthesurroundinghab-blocks,thatArexgraspedtheawfultruth:thattheswarmwasnolongerhovering,butwasnowmoving.

Itwascomingdirectlytowardsher.Shestartedtobackaway,buthergazewasstillfixedtotheawfulsightabove

her,herbrainstilltryingtoworkoutwhatitwasshewasseeing.Ittookheramomenttoovercomethisdreadfulsemi-paralysis,togetagriponherself,tolookforanescaperoute,andbythenshefeareditmightalreadyhavebeentoolate.

Arexranforthenearesthab-block,findingherwayobstructedbyfear-frozenbystandersandalsobythosewhohadstartedtorunbuthadchosenthedirectionoftheirflightatrandom.Sheforcedherwaythrough,andmadeittothebaseofabroadflightofstonesteps,butwaselbowedasidebeforeshecouldclimbthem.Askirmishbrokeoutatthetopofthesteps,asthosewhohadmadeitthroughthebuilding’sfrontdoorstriedtoclosethemagainstthosestillstrivingtofollowthem.Therewasnorefugeforherinthere.

Shelookedoverhershoulder,andherheartleaptintoherthroat.Theswarmwasalmostuponher,closeenoughnowthatshecouldmakeoutsomeofitsconstituentcomponentsastheypeeledawayfromitsedges.Theinsectslookedlikenospeciesnativetothisworld.Theyweresilverinhue,andfartoolarge.Theywerethesizeofalargerat.No,biggerthanthateven.Theywereflying,butArexcouldseenowings.

Thentheinsectsdescendedupontheirprey,andthescreamingbeganinearnest.

Arexfoundherselfatthecentreofamaelstrom.Theinsectswereeverywhere,aboveher,aroundher.Oneofthemtoreatherclothingasitflewby,andscratchedherskin.Shehadthoughttheswarmsilentbefore,butnowherearswerefilledwiththerustlingofcarapaceuponcarapace.Shethrashedherarmsinavainattempttowardthecreaturesawayfromher.Shefeltherballedfistmakingcontactwithasmall,hardbody,sendingitspinning,buttenmoreoftheinsect’skindappearedtoreplaceit.

Awomanbesideherhowledinagonyasaninsecttoretheskinfromherface.Arexfeltsomethinginherhair,aninsecttangledupinthere,andshepanickedandscreamedandtoreatit,andescapedsomehowwithonlyafewmorescratches.

Shetriedtokeepmoving,asifshemightthroughsomeEmperor-sentmiraclefindherwaytotheswarm’sedgebeforeshebecameatargettoo,butpeopleweredyingallaroundher,fallingovereachother,stumblingintoherpath,andshedidn’tknowwhichwaywaswhich–and,suddenly,shefeltsomethingnew.Arainofdebris,ahalf-brickglancingoffhercheek,bruisingher.

Theswarmwasattackingthetowerstoo.Asizeableflankofithadjustside-swipedthehab-blockinwhichArexhadsoughtshelter.Theinsectshadgougedadeeptrenchinthebrickwork,causingittocontractandcrumble,thewindowstoburst,andtoherhorrorArexrealisedthatthissectionofthetowerwascollapsinginonitself.

Shestartedtorunagain,butinadditiontotheswarmnowshehadtocontendwithanall-engulfingcloudofmasonrydust.Shedidn’tmakeittenmorestepsbeforeherlungsgaveuptheeffort,rattlingandwheezing.Hereyeswerestreaming,hercheekswet,althoughwhetherthiswaswithbloodorwithtearsArexcouldnottell.

Allthepeople,thehundredsofpeople,whomusthavebeeninthathab-block…nottomentionthefloorsofthetowerabovethatshecouldn’tseefromhereandtheskywaysthatwerealmostcertainlyanchoredtothem.Itwasalltoomuch,tooenormousadisaster,forhertotakein.Shecouldonlythinkabout

herselffornow,ashopelessacauseasthatseemedtohertoo.Shefollowedastreamofpeopleheadedfortheedgeoftheskyway,watched

inhopeasscoresofthemclamberedovertheramshacklerailingsandjumpedfortheirlives.Itwasonlywhenshereachedthatprecipiceherselfthatsherealisedtherewasnowheretojumpto,nootherskywaybelowtocatchherasshehadimaginedtheremusthavebeen.Thejumpershadchosen,intheirterror,tobedashedtoabloodysmearonthegroundthousandsofmetresbelowratherthanletthebloodthirstyinsectshavethem.

ItwasallArexcoulddotobackup,tokeepherselffrombeingpushedovertheedgeanywaybythepressofbodiesbehindher.Shewashalf-blind,herheadwasspinningandshewasn’tsurehowmuchbloodshehadweptfromherscratches,butshewasn’treadytodiejustyet.Shecollidedwithasubstantialmetalobject,astallasherchest,widerthanshecouldfeel,andshetraceditsoutlinewithherhands,realisedwhatitwas,anditseemedthattheEmperormusthaveintercededinherfavourafterall.

Anautocab.Theveryautocab,inallprobability,thatArexhadabandonedhereonlyafewminutesago.Yes,yesitwas.Thelatchonthedoorwasstillbrokenfromherkick.Sheyankeditopenandscrambledintothevehicle.Shepulledthedoorshutbehindherand,althoughitdidn’tentirelyblotoutthesoundsofthecarnagewithout,theywereatleastnowmuffledenoughforArextothink,tohope.Forhertowipehereyesonhersleeve,toopenthemandtoseethatshewasn’talone.

Aninsectstillclungtoherarm.Arexsnatchedatit,andittoreachunkofherfleshawaywithit.Shedashedtheinsectintoarunepanel,andfeltthesatisfyingcrackofitscarapacebeneathherfingers,butitwasstillsquirminginhergrip,andatthatmoment,afreshwaveofthecreaturessmackedintothefrontoftheautocabfromwithout.Arexscreamedanddroppedtheinsectshehadbeenholding.

Thewindshieldwascracked,buttoArex’sreliefitheld.Meanwhile,theinsectwithinhaddroppedintoherlap,anditwasglaringupatherwithasinglebalefulgreeneye.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadgottenaproperlookatoneofthesethings.Itresembledacommonbeetle,shethought–albeitanarmouredbeetle,itscarapaceasetofinterlockingsilverplates.Shemighthavethoughtitentirelymechanicalinnaturewereitnotforthesicklygreenichorthathadoozedoutfrombetweenthosecrackedplates,andwhichwassplatteredacrosstherunepanelandthefloorofthecab.

Withashudder,shebattedtheinsecttotheflooranditlandedonitsback,tworowsoftinylegspedallingtorightitself.Arexstampedonituntilitstopped

moving.Thensomethinghugeandheavycrashedintotheautocab’srooffromabove,

andshefearedforamomentthatthevehiclemightjustcrumplearoundher.Thecracksinthewindshieldcrazedandspreadtoformafragileweb.Arexknewthat,ifthewindshieldbroke,shewouldbehelpless,trappedinhere,easyprey.

Then,justlikethat,itwasover.Theswarmhadpassedon,andArexwasleft,pantingandsobbing,aloneinthemangledremainsofthecab.Hercoathadbeenclawedtoshreds,shehadstingingcutsonthepalmsofherhandsthatshedidn’tevenremembersustainingandthehammeringofherheartfeltlikeitwastheonlysoundinthewholeworld.

Arexthoughtshewouldstaythereforever,becauseshecouldn’tfacewhatwaswaitingforheroutside.Whenshedidmusterthewillpowertoreachforthecabdoor,itwasjammedshutandshehadtokickitopenagain,farharderthistime.

Shedraggedherbatteredbodyoutintoasceneofdesolation,chokingonthedustyair.Mostofthetowersweremercifullyintact,butacouplehadfallenandtheskywaywasstrewnwiththeirrubble.Theweightthathadhalf-crushedtheautocabwasaslabofskywayfromovertwentyfloorsaboveArex’shead.

Worstofallwerethebroken,twistedbodiesthatlayeverywhere,mostofthemhalf-buried.Someofthemweretwitching,moving,tryingtodigthemselvesfree.Arexcouldhearweeping,andplaintivecriesforhelp.Shefeltsheshouldanswerthosecalls,butshedidn’tknowwhototurntofirst;andbesides,herheadwasspinningandherlegscouldn’tbearherweight.

Shecrumpledlikeanoldsack,firstfallingtoherkneesandthenloweringherselfontoamattressofrubble.Arex’seyesfeltheavy,andshecouldn’tthinkstraight,couldn’tprocesseverythingshehadjustexperienced,couldn’tthinkaboutthereasonsortheconsequencesofitall.Oblivioncreptoverhershoulders,andshewelcomedit,welcomedthechancetosinkintoadreamlesssleep–and,maybe,bythetimesheawoke,therewouldbesomebodyheretomakeeverythingclearerforher.UncleHanrik,maybe,orthePDF,orGunthar…

Gunthar.ThestraythoughtsentaboltofadrenalinethroughArex’ssystem,joltingherawake,settingherheartbeatpoundingagain.

Gunthar.Thiswaswherehelived,ononeofthesefloorsaboveher.Inoneofthehab-blocksthattheinsectshadattacked.Whatiftheyhaddestroyedhishab-block?Hemightnotevenhaveseenthemcoming,neverhadachancetorun.

Arexcouldn’tforeseeafutureinwhichsheandGuntharcouldbetogether.But,rightnow,shecouldn’tenvisageherfuturewithouthim.

Shedraggedherselftoherfeet,triedtopiercetheveilofdustaroundher,toseepasttherecentdevastation,torememberthisskywayasithadbeen,toregainherbearings.Shehadtoworkoutwhichofthesebuildingswashis.Shehadtofindhim,toknowthathewasokay.Shehadtokeepherselfgoing,forhissake.

ChapterFive

Costellinhadretiredtobedearly.Hefeltwearytohissoul.Hehadn’trealisedhowmuchDaskhadtakenoutof

himuntilhewasfacedwiththeprospectofbeingcatapultedstraightintoanothertheatreofwar.Perhaps,hethought,CaptainRokan’sinitialassessmentthatGovernorHanrikwasworryingovernothingwouldproveaccurate.However,iftherewasanythingtofightonHieronymousTheta,hesuspectedthattheKriegColonel42wouldfindit.

Thecommissarwaswokenbyaklaxonalarmandaninsistentvoice,buzzingoverthevox-speakeroutsidehisquarters.Itwasacalltomuster.Allpersonneltoreporttothedrop-shipsimmediately.Hehadonlyclosedhiseyesforanhourandahalf.

Hetiedonhisarmouredbreastplate,checkedhisplasmapistolandhischainswordbeforeheholsteredthem.Hecouldalreadyfeelthedeckplatesringingbeneathtwentythousandpairsofboots.Sometimes,hewonderediftheDeathKorpsofKriegsleptintheirfacemasksandbackpacks.Sometimes,hewonderediftheysleptatall.

Thedrop-shipassignedtothe186thregimentwascyclingitsenginesintheupperportsidehangarbay.Thecompanycommandersweremarshallingtheirtroopsinthisvast,echoingspace,andMajorAlpha’sfirsttwoplatoonswerealreadymarchinguptheaccessrampintothebellyofthegreatrustedhulk.

Colonel186stooduponagantry,observingtheproceedings,straight-backedandstiffevenintheat-easeposition.Costellinthreadedhiswaythroughthestreamsofnewly-arrivingGuardsmen,andclimbedaladdertojoinhim.

‘What’shappening?’heasked.‘Wehavebeenordereddowntotheplanet,’saidthecolonel.

‘Yes,Irathergatheredthat,butforwhatpurpose?Nobodyhasbriefedme.’‘Ourfourregimentsaretodeployaroundthecapitalcityandsecureits

perimeterfromwithout.’‘Secureitagainstwhat?’‘Idonothavethatinformation.Iwasaskedtoconveythegenerals’apologies

toyoufornotkeepingyouinformed,buttheyfeltthesituationrequiredurgentaction.’

‘Evidently,’saidCostellin.‘HastheDepartmentoMunitorumevenbeenapprisedofthisoperation?Therehardlyseemstohavebeentimeforastropathicmessagestohavebeenexchanged.’

‘Idonothavethatinformation,’saidthecolonel.‘Theymusthavetoldyousomething,’saidCostellin,‘aboutthisthreatthathas

apparentlyemergedfromnowhereinthefourhourssincewemadeorbit.’‘Idonothave–’beganthecolonel.‘Ofcourseyoudon’t,’Costellinsighed,‘andIsupposeIdon’thavetimetogo

andtalktothegeneralsmyself,unlessIwishtodelayourdrop.’Thecolonelturnedhisheadtowardsthecommissarasifdisgustedthathe

wouldentertainsuchathought,althoughofcoursehisexpressionwasunreadablebehindhisever-presentmask.‘Ourordersarequiteclear,’hesaid.

Hesoundedlikehispredecessor.Thecolonelsounded,forthatmatter,likeeveryotherDeathKorpscolonel

withwhomCostellinhadserved.Therehadbeensixofthemnow,orwasitseven?

ThepreviousColonel186haddiedonDask,leadingachargeagainstalegionofNurgle-spawnedmutantsforcontrolofastrategichill.Hehadknownhiswasalikelysuiciderun–thegeneralshaddonetheirsumsandconcludedthatthisparticularobjectivewasworththelossofoverfourhundredmen–buthehadchosentoleadfromthefrontanyway,ashealwayshad.

Theoldcolonelhaddonehisduty.Hehadsurrenderedhislifetothefurnaceblastofanenemy-heldflamer,buthehadwonthemorevaluableprize.Hehadtakenthathill.TheerstwhileMajorGammahadbeenpickedtoreplacehimbyvirtueofhislongservicewiththeregiment.Thatwashow,forthemostpart,promotionswereearnedintheDeathKorpsofKrieg:bysurviving.

‘Isthereanythingelse?’askedCostellin.‘Weareassignedtothewesternwallofthecity,’saidthecolonel.‘Itisclose

tothespaceport,sowecansetupaCommandHQthere.The42ndregimentwillbebasedtothenorth,the81sttotheeastandthe103rdtothesouth,soourtroops

willbethefirstintoposition.Wearethentoawaitfurtherinstructions,unlessofcourseaclearandpresentthreatispresented,inwhichcasewearetorespondasappropriate.’

‘Aclearandpresentthreat,’Costellinrepeatedslowly.‘Idon’tlikethesoundofthis,colonel.IliketoknowwhatitisI’mexpectedtofight.’

‘The81stand103rdregimentswilleachdropagrenadierplatoonbehindthecitywalls,’saidthecolonel.‘Theirmissionistolocatetheenemyandidentifyhim.’

Costellinnoddedquietly,butagnawingfearwasgrowinginhisstomach.HewasbeginningtoformhisownsuspicionsaboutwhatmightbegoingoninHieronymousCity.HejustprayedtotheGod-Emperorthatthosesuspicionswereunfounded.

HieronymousPortwaspackedwithterrifiedcivilians.Theyfilledthespaceportbuildingsandhadspilledoutontothemainrampdespitethebesteffortsofthelocalsecurityforces,whoweresimplytoofewinnumberstomaintaincontrol.

ToCostellin’schagrin–althoughnotentirelyunexpectedly–theappearanceofapeakedcapandhumanfeaturesmadehimthenewbesthopeforathousandpale,imploringfaces.Fromthemomenthesteppedoutofthedrop-ship,hewasswarmedbythem,eachshoutingitsowndesperatequestion,whichthecommissarbrushedasideaspolitelybutfirmlyashecould.‘No,sir,Idon’tknowwhenitwillbesafetoreturntoyourhomes.’‘No,madam,I’mafraidIhaven’tseenyourdaughter.’‘No,sir,thesedrop-shipsarereservedfortheuseofImperialGuardpersonnel.’‘That,madam,wouldbeamatterforyourlocalauthoritiestodealwith.’

Alongtheway,hepickedupalittleinformationforhimself,somebytalkingtotheproctorswhohadcometomeethimandweretryingtoescorthimthroughtherabble,therestbymerelykeepinghisearspeeled.Costellinheardtalkofacitywideblackout,andofdeadlyinsectsswarmingtheskyways.HieronymousCity,itseemed,wasunderanevacuationorder–well,thatwasnosurprise–andmostofthesepeoplehadn’tknownwhereelsetheycouldgo,sotheyhadcomehere,onlyofcoursethespaceportwasadeadendforthem.

Asmallmerchantshipwasjusttakingoff,afewfoolhardysoulsclingingtoitshullasiftheythoughttheycouldholditdownorthatsomehowitcouldcarrythemwithittoanother,saferworld.Theyweresoondislodgedbytheengines’vibrations,tofallhowlingandwailing,yellingtotheunheedingpilottohavepityonthemashisshipleftthespaceport’scircleofblazinglightandwasswallowed

bythenight.Inanothercorneroftheramp,amoreenterprisingmerchantwasholdingan

impromptuauctionfortheremainingseatsaboardhisold,ramshacklefreighter.Costellinhadnodoubtthat,bynow,GovernorHanrikwouldhavecontacted

theImperialNavy,askingforalltherescueshipstheycouldspare.Thebesthecouldhopeforwastosavehimselfandafewhandpickedcronies;themajorityofthewretchesnowtuggingatCostellin’sgreatcoatwouldbeabandonedhere.

Oneoftheotherdrop-shipshadbeatenhistothesurface,andtheKrieg103rdhadalmostcompletedtheirdisembarkation.Theywereunloadingtheirequipmentnow,traileraftertrailerbeingtowedontotherampbyCentaursupportvehicles.TwoKriegGuardsmenwalkedaheadofthefirstofthese,doingwhattheproctorscouldn’t,clearingapaththroughthecrowd.Despitethethreatofthesoldiers’lasguns,somecivilianswerestillslowtoobey,buttheCentaur’sdrivershadnopatiencewiththese.Theywerebulldozedaside,andonemanshriekedinagonyasasix-tonnechassisrolledoverhisfootoncaterpillartracksandreducedittopulp.

BehindtheCentaurscamethemorepowerfulTrojans,draggingheavymortarsandquad-launchersintheirwake–andbehindthesecamethebigguns,massiveEarthshakercannonsandtheolderbutnolessimpressiveMedusas.Costellinnotedthat,upontheemergenceofthese,theclamouraroundhimdroppedtoanoticeablyquieterlevel.Peoplewerestopping,staring,struckdumbbythesightofthesegreatenginesofdestruction.Ifanyofthemhaddoubteditortriedtodenyittothemselvesbefore,theycouldnolongerdoso.Theirworldhadgonetowar.

Costellin’sregimentwasunloadingnowtoo–Colonel186hadbriefedthemonthewaydown,sotheyknewwhatwasexpectedofthem–andthefinaltwodrop-shipswerealsoarriving,theheatoftheirexhaustflameswashingovertherampastheyloweredthemselvesontothelandingplatforms.Costellintookadvantageoftherelativelullinthebedlamtoassertsomeauthority.Hisvoiceringingloudlyandstrongly,heappealedforcalmandaskedfortheramptobecleared.Ayoungproctorlieutenantfollowedhislead,andbegantocorralthewillingintoanearbyhangar,reassuringthemthateverythingwasundercontrol,thatarrangementswerebeingmadeatthehighestpossiblelevelsfortheircontinuedwelfare.

ToCostellin,thelieutenantconfessed,‘Idon’tknowwhatwecando,sir.Wecanholdafewthousandinthehangarsandthewaitingrooms,buttherearemorearrivingallthetime.We’veappealedtothenearbycities,andthey’lltakesomerefugeesbuttheyreallydon’thavemuchspacethemselves,andalotofthese

peopledon’twanttogoanyway.They’reworriedaboutrelativesandfriends,andthey’rehopingtofindthemhere–andthey’reafraidthat,iftheygo,they’llbedumpedonthelowestlevelsofastrangenewcity,tofendforthemselves.’

‘Whichisnodoubtwhatwouldhappen,’remarkedCostellin.‘Someofthem,’saidthelieutenant,loweringhisvoicesignificantly,‘believe

nowhereonthisworldissafenow.’HelookedatCostellin,andthecommissarcouldseetheferventhopeinhiseyes,forareassurancehecouldnotgive.

Overinthecorner,theauctionhadgonebadlyawry.Astampedeoffailedbiddershadflattenedtheenterprisingmerchantagainstthehullofhisfreighter,andtheproctorsweremovinginwithstunbatons.Noneofthem,Costellinsuspected,weregoinganywherefortheforeseeablefuture.

Hespottedapeakedcaplikehisownthroughthecrowd,andhehurriedlyexcusedhimselffromthelieutenant’spresenceandpushedhiswaytowardsit.CommissarMannheimwasbusilyexplainingtoagroupofworriedciviliansthat,no,asfarashewasawaretheairhadnotbeenpoisonedandthearrivingsoldierswerewearinggasmasksandrebreatherunitspurelyasaprecaution.Nosoonerhadhemadethispoint,however,thanagrenadierplatoonmarchedbyintheirhulkingcarapacearmourandmetalskullmasks,andthequestioningbegananew.

Costellintookhisfellowcommissarbythearmandbustledhimintoarelativelyquietcorner.‘Youmadeitdownhere,then,’saidMannheim,statingtheobvious.

‘Ididn’thavemuchchoice,’saidCostellin.‘Oneminute,Iwasinmybed,dreamingofsixdays’leave,waitingforyouandyourcoloneltoreportonrumoursofcivilunrestandmysteriousartefacts.Thenext…’Hewavedhishandtoencompassthehecticscenearoundthem.‘What’sgoingon,Mannheim?’

‘IwishIknew,’saidMannheim.Helookedtired.‘ItrulywishIknew.WewereatGovernorHanrik’ssuiteintheHighSpire,Colonel42andI,whenthelightswentout.Hismenflewusbackhere,toourshuttle,tovoxthetroopship,andthen…Wewereintheflyer,Costellin,whenthereportsstartedtocomein.Beetles.Flyingmetalbeetles,causingthemostincredibledevastation.OnePDFchapwasreportinginwhenhewasswarmedbythem.Hewasdeadwithintenseconds.’

‘Beetles,’repeatedCostellinnumbly.‘Well,thatmusthavebeenwhenHanrikgavetheordertoevacuate.Asit

happens,thatwasthegenerals’wishtoo,butbythetimewehadspokentothem…Bythattime,thefirstoftheevacueeswerefetchinguphere,thosefromthelowerlevels.Theliftersinthecityaren’tworking,yousee.Theonlywayoutisonfoot,

throughtheoldgatesontheground,throughthemutantsandtheunderclass.’‘IstheGovernorhere?’askedCostellin.‘Ihaven’tseenhim,’saidMannheim.‘Theyweresendingaflyerbackforhim,

thelastIheard.’‘Theyknow,’saidCostellinwithquietcertainty.‘Ibegyourpardon?’‘Thegenerals,’saidCostellin,‘theyknow.Theysuspect,atleast.Youtellme,

Mannheim,doesitseematallcredibletoyouthattheyshouldhaveorganisedallthis,besosurethereisathreattothisworldworthyoftheattentionoffourImperialGuardregiments,withouttheirhavingtheslightestideaofwhatthatthreatmightbe?’

‘Nothinghasbeenestablishedforsure,’saidMannheim.‘Theyknow,’saidCostellinagain.‘Youknowittoo,Mannheim.You’vebeen

intheservicelongenoughtohaveheardstorieslikethisonebefore.’Mannheimnoddedcautiously.‘Unexplainedpowerdrains.’‘Xenosartefacts,burieddeepinthegroundasiftherewassomebodyonthis

worldbeforeus.Tellme,havethegeneralsseenthemarkingsonthoseartefacts?’‘Isawthem,’saidMannheim.‘Hanrikshowedushololithsoffragmentsof

stone–beforetheblackout,Imean.Heshowedustracingsofglyphs,fromacolumnthatwasdiscoveredinthemines,andI…IswearIhaveneverseenanythinglikethembefore.Itmademyeyesitchjusttolookattheimagesofthem.’

‘Andthebeetles,’promptedCostellin.‘Themetalbeetles.’‘Thetroopshipcaptain,Rokan,’Mannheimremembered,‘hesaidhethought

NavalCommandwereholdingsomethingbackfromhim.’‘Andourgeneralswilldothesame,’saidCostellin.‘Untiltheyhave

undeniableproof,theywillkeeptheirsuspicionstothemselves,whilepreparingfortheworst.Theywon’tdarespeakthosewords.Theywon’tbethefirsttocrynecron.’

‘Commissar.’Costellinturned.Hehadthoughthimselfaloneinthispartofthedrop-ship,in

thevacatedtroopcompartment,hisfootstepsresoundingfromthecurvedwallsashepacedbackandforth.HewonderedifColonel186hadbeenstandingthereallalong,orifhehadjustseenhiscommissarreturningtotheshipandfollowedhim.

‘CanIhelpyou?’askedthecolonel,blandly.Costellinshookhishead.‘Justgatheringmythoughts.’‘Itmaybewisetogatherthemelsewhere.Ihaveinstructedtheservitorsthat,

oncewehaveunloaded,theyaretoreturntothetroopship.’‘Can’tthatwait?Ineedtousethisship’scomms.’‘Idon’twantthedrop-shipsremaininginport,’saidthecolonel.‘Theyarea

temptationtothestrandedrefugees,andwecan’tsparethementoguardthem.’‘Ineedtotalkwiththegenerals,’saidCostellin.‘Istillhavequestions.’‘Wearesettingupcommunicationsontheground,’saidthecolonel.‘The

generalswillbeabletocontactusshouldourorderschange.’‘Itmaybetoolatebythen.Haveyouheardofthenecrons,colonel?No,of

courseyouhaven’t.Fewlivingmenhave.Mostofthosewhohaveencounteredthem,iftheyhavesurvivedtheexperience,havebeendriveninsanebyit.’

‘Necrons,’repeatedthecolonel,rollingthewordonhistongueasifherelishedthefreshtasteofit,theprospectofanewenemytofight.

‘BackwhenIwasayoungman,’saidCostellin,‘itwasforbiddentoevenspeakofthem.Still,therumourspersisted.Itwassaidthenecronsareanancientrace,thattheywerealreadydyingwhentheeldarwereyoung–andthat,tosavethemselves,theysealedthemselvesintogreatundergroundtombsandslept.Itwassaidthatthenecronshavesleptformillionsofyears,andthatnowtheyareawakening.’

‘Yoususpecttherearenecronsonthisworld?’Costellinsankintooneoftheemptyflightseats.‘Look,colonel,’hesaid,‘I

knowyou’renewlypromoted,Iknowthisisthefirsttimewehaveworkedtogether–’

‘Wehavefoughtsidebysidebefore.WesharedatrenchfouryearsagoonAnakreosIIIfortwomonths.IwasalieutenantinGammaCompanyatthetime.’

‘Right.WhatIamtryingtosayisthat,inapositionlikemine,you…hearthings;thingsthat,perhaps,itmighthavebeenbestnottohear.Ihaveheardtalesofworldsonwhichnecrontombshavebeendiscovered,andoftheinevitablefatesofthoseworlds.’

‘Whateverthethreattothisworld,’saidthecolonel,‘mymenwillmeetit.’‘Perhaps,’saidCostellin,‘withanarmysuchaswehadonDask–butweare

fourregiments,colonel,anddepletedregimentsatthat.Ijustwonder,ifwhatIsuspectistrue,ifdirectconfrontationisourbeststrategyinthissituation.Wemightbebetteradvisedto,ifyou’llpardonmylanguage,gettheGoldenThroneoutofhere!’

‘ReinforcementsareenroutefromKrieg,’saidthecolonel.‘Isuspectit’snotgroundtroopsweneed,’saidCostellin,‘butratherabattery

ofcyclonictorpedoesthatcanblastthiswholedamnedplanettospacedust.But,

ofcourse,HieronymousThetaisrichinminerals,avaluableresourcetotheImperium.’

‘Youhavestillnotexplainedwhyyouwishtospeakwiththegenerals.’Costellinsighed,resignedly.Hesawnopointinsayinganymore.HeknewthemenofKriegwellenoughbynowtounderstandhowtheirminds

worked.Heknewthat,undernormalcircumstances,theKrieggeneralswouldneverhavepittedtheirregimentsagainstanecronforce,aforcewhosenumbersandcapabilitieswerevirtuallyunknown.Theywouldhaveruntheirbattlefieldprojectionsandconcludedthattheriskofdefeat,ofdestruction,wasfartoogreat.

Butthen,thesecircumstanceswereunusual.BytheEmperor’sgrace,theMementoMorihadbeencloseathandwhenthe

situationonHieronymousThetahadbeenreported.Theyhadararechancehere,torespondtoanecronincursion–ifsuchthisprovedtobe–initsearlieststages.Theyweregamblingthattheirtroopscouldcontainthatincursionbeforeittookhold,beforeitcouldspreadtoengulfthisworldandperhapsmanyothers.Theyweregamblingonachancetostrikeadecisiveblow,perhapsthefirstdecisiveblow,againstanenemytheImperiumhadonlyjustbeencompelledtoacknowledge,oneithadn’tevenbeguntoworkouthowtocounter.

Andthestakesofthatgambleweresometwentythousandmen.‘YouknowIwillfightfortheEmperortomydyingbreath,’saidCostellin.‘I

justfearthatthemissionweareembarkinguponheremaybeinvain.’‘OurlivesareHistodowithasHepleases,’saidColonel186.Hereallydidsoundjustlikehispredecessors.

Theyweresettingupmakeshifttentsonthehillaroundthespaceport,buildingarefugeecampthatwasswellingbytheminute.AnendlessconvoyofImperialsupportvehiclesgrounditswaydownthathill,fillingtheairwiththenoxiousfumesoftwohundredgrumblingengines.Thepinpricksofthevehicles’headlightsnowstretchedtothecity’sfortresswalls,builttokeepthelowerlevelscontained,andtheywerespreadingaroundthemineachdirection.

Costellin’seyelinewasaboutlevelwiththetopsofthosewalls.Risingabovethem,HieronymousCitywasadark,broodingshapeagainstthecloudedmoonlight.Heregardeditsdisconsolatetowers,thecriss-crossstrutsoftheconnectingskyways,andhesearchedinvainforasignofmovement,oflife,ofhope.

Hundredsofthousands,millions,ofpeopleweretrappedinthosetowers,onthoseskyways,behindthosewalls.Theyweretrappedbyalackoftransport,by

concernforlovedones,orsimplybecausetheycouldn’tleavealltheyknewbehind.Theycouldn’thaveknownityet,butfromthisvantagepointitwasperfectlyclear:thecitywasalreadydead.Costellinonlyprayedthatthesamecouldnotbesaidforthisworld,andforthesoldierswhowereabouttofightsoblindlytoprotectit.

Hethoughtaboutabackwaterbaronabackwaterworld,andawell-lubricatedinquisitorspeakinginhintsandwhispersofthehorrorshehadreadaboutinthemostsecretarchives,talesofthedeadcomebacktolifeandcladinlivingmetal.

Hethoughtaboutadecoratedveteranofadistinguishedregiment,confinedtoasecuresanatoriumwing,babblinglikealunaticaboutweaponsthatcouldstripamandowntohisimmortalsoul,onelayeratatime.

Hethoughtaboutareporthehadonceread,filedbythelegendaryCiaphasCain,concerningacampaignfoughtonthefrozenworldofSimiaOrichalcae.Thereporthadbeenredacted,ofcourse,thethreatfacedbyCainleftunnamed,buttwofactshadimpressedthemselvesuponCostellin’smind:thatsaidthreathademergedfromtheplanet’sminetunnels,andthatSimiaOrichalcaehadultimatelybeendestroyedtocontainit.

Hethoughtaboutmetalbeetles,andrunesthatmadeacommissar’seyesitch.AndhethoughtabouttherecentlyconcludedwaronDask,whereatleasthe

hadknownwhathisregimentwasfighting,andtowhatend.Hefelttheyhadaccomplishedsomethingthere,shonetheEmperor’slightonthatbenightedworld,buteventhisgreatvictoryhadnotbeenwithoutcost.

TheyhadlostsomanymenonDask,almostathirdoftheircomplement.Costellinwassotired–sotiredofbeingtheonlyonewhocared.

ChapterSix

Guntharhadnoideawherehewas.Hehadneverstrayedthisfarfromhomebefore.

Itwastoodarkforhimtoseemuch,anyway.Hewasjustfollowingthepeopleinfrontofhim,whointurnwerefollowingthepeopleinfrontofthem,whointurnwerefollowingtheluminatorbeamsofasquadofsoldiers.

Tobeginwith,Guntharhadfeltastrappedbythepressofbodiesaroundhimashehadduringthemutantattacklastnight.Thiswasalmostworse,infact,becausehedidn’tknowwhathewasrunningfromthistime.Hehadnoideawhenorhoworfromwhichdirectionathreatmightcome,letalonehowhemightavoiditifitdid.

Bynow,however,hehadsettledintotherhythmofputtingonefootinfrontoftheother,andhisnerveshadbeennumbedbytedium.Hehadn’theardanyexplosionsorscreamsforalmostanhour.WhateverwashappeninginHieronymousCity,hopefullytheworstofitwasover.Guntharwonderedhowmuchfurtheritwastothecitywalls,andthenoverthemtothespaceport.

Ithadalreadybeenalongday.Hehadspenttheafternoonwithoneproctorofficialafteranother,thenwithacoupleofPDFofficers.Hehadrelatedthestoryoftheartefactintheminetunneloverandoveragain,omittingthepartwherehehadfledlikeacoward.Returningtohisoffice,hehadreceivedacallfromtheGovernorhimselfandhadtoldthestoryonemoretime.Hehadfeltimportantforawhile,thecentreofallthisattention.Thenhehadjustfelttired.

Hehadspenttheeveningorganisingthemineshutdown,astheGovernorhadinstructed.Eachofhisforemenhadhadquestions,butGuntharhadbeentoldtosayaslittleaspossiblesoasnottopanicthem.‘Iknowaboutasmuchasyoudo,’hehadassuredthem,‘butI’msurethisisjustaprecautionarymeasure.’

HehadsentKreuzhome.Aloneathisdeskandundisturbedbythechimingof

thecomm-linkterminal,Guntharhadfelthiseyelidsgrowingheavyandrememberedthathehadn’tsleptinthirty-sixhours.Thenextthingherecalledwaswakinginapitchblackroom,tothesoundofamplifiedvoicesfromoutside.

Hehadhadtogropehiswaytothestairwell,knockinghisankleandskinninghiskneeintheprocess.Hehadclimbedtwofloorstothenearestskyway,wherePDFsoldiershadinstructedhimtojoinaguidedhumanconvoy,tenpeoplewideandmorethansixtydeep.Thewholeofthecitywasbeingevacuatedbut,whenGuntharhadaskedwhy,hehadbeentold:‘Iknowaboutasmuchasyoudo,sir.I’msurethisisjustaprecautionarymeasure.’

Progressthusfarhadbeenpainfullyslow.Theconvoystoppedateverytowerforthesoldierstoemploytheirloudhailersandwaitformorebewilderedrefugeestojointhem.Somewereunhappyaboutbeingherdedfromtheirhomesinthemiddleofthenight,andtherewerequestionsandargumentstodealwith.Nevertheless,fewpeopleweregametobeleftbehind.Theconvoyhadmorethandoubledinsize,untilGuntharcouldnolongerseehowfarbehindhimitstretched.

Heheardatroopertalkingonhisvox-handset,andwaspleasedthatatleasttheyweren’ttotallycutofffromtherestoftheworld.Thetroopergavetheconvoy’sposition,andreceiveddirectionsinreturn.Itseemedtheywouldhavetotakeadiversion,because…Guntharwasn’tsureifhehadheardthatright.Askywaydown?Whatdidthatmean?Howwasthatevenpossible?

Thenocturnalcoldhadsunkintohisbones.Herubbedhisarmsthroughthefabricofhisgreyworktunic,butitdidn’thelpmuch.Hewishedhehadputonacoatthatmorning,butthenhecouldhardlyhaveknownthedaywouldendlikethis.Forthatmatter,therewereseveralthingshewishedhecouldhavecollectedfromhishabbefore…Hesuppressedthatthought.Everythingwouldbeallright,Gunthartoldhimself.TheEmperorwouldprovide.

Theconvoyhadmadeasharpleftturn,trudgedpastanumberofemptyhab-blocks,andnowitturnedsharpright.Guntharfelthisfoottouchingsomething,whichturnedouttobealumpofplascrete.Amomentlater,hekickedanother,thenanother,andsoonhewasclamberingoveraheapofrubble.Hethoughtaboutthevoiceonthevoxandthedistantexplosionshehadheard,andhisnervesbegantojangleagain.

Perhapstheartefacthadbeenabomb,afterall.Perhapsithadnotbeentheonlyone.Andperhapstherewerestillmoreconcealedaboutthecity.

AbrickslidbeneathGunthar’sfoot,andhelandedheavilyononeknee,butfoundtheimpactcushionedbysomethingsoftandsquishy.Hewasappalledto

findhewaskneelinginthespilledgutsofahalf-buriedcorpse.Gagging,hepushedhimselftohisfeetandstumbledon,buthesoonsawanotherpalehandprotrudingfromthewreckage.Fromsomewherebehindhim,totheright,heheardashriekandthenamutterofcomfortingvoices,assomeoneelsepresumablymadeasimilardiscovery.

Hewonderedhowmanypeoplelaydeadbeneathhim.Manyofthemwouldjusthavebeensittingintheirhomes,hethought,maybeevenasleepintheirbeds.Hadtheyevenhadtimetobeafraid,orhadtheirworldsendedinaflashbeforetheyknewwhatwashappeningtothem?

‘Overhere,’somebodyyelled.‘There’ssomebodymovingdownhere.He’salive!’

ThevoicecamefromjustafewrowsinfrontofGunthar.Asthecrowdpressedforward,acoupleofthemwieldinglow-poweredluminatorsoftheirown,hesawtwomendiggingthroughthedebris,castingbricksaside,andbetweenthemhesawawiryfigure,littlemorethanasilhouettetohim,attemptingtostand.Thefigurewasbloodied,hunchedover,evidentlyhurt,andifonlyGuntharhadbeenclosertothisperson,thisbravecasualty,hewouldhaveadvisedhimtoliestill,nottoriskexacerbatinghisinjuries,towaitforthesoldierstoreachhimwiththeirmedi-packs.

Then,thefigurestraightenedtoitsfullheight,andGunthar’ssenseswarnedhim–beforehisbraincouldworkoutthereasonwhy–thatsomethingwaswrong.

Anotherscreamdistractedhim,andanother–onefromclosebehindhim,onefromalongerwayinfront–andsuddenlyGuntharknewthatwhathehadseenwasnotafigmentofhisimagination,noratrickoftheshiftinglight.Heknewthatthefigurebeforehimwasnothuman.

Otherswereseeingittoo,notleastamongthemthemenwhohadcrouchedtohelp.Itwastoolateforthem.Thefigure,thecreature,flexeditsshoulders,andthetwomenjerkedandgaspedanddied.IttookGuntharasecondtorealisewhatthecreaturehaddone,thatitsclawshadstabbedeachofthemthroughtheheart–and,asapocketluminatorfellfromascreaminggirl’shands,itslightglintedoffthoseclawsandGuntharsawthattheyweremetal-likeknives,eachalmostametreinlength.

Thecreaturelopedforward,andthoseterribleclawsfoundathirdandafourthvictim.Guntharcouldseemoreclearlynow,seethecreature’smetallicskullfaceandthetattersoffleshthatclung,rotting,toitsskeletalform.

No,itwasworsethanthat,herealisedasaputridstenchwashedoverhimandturnedhisstomach.Thefleshwasnotthecreature’sown,justacloakitwas

wearing.Itmusthaveflayedtheskinoffoneofthecorpsesforthepurposeofdisguisingitself.Thisghoulhadbeenwaitinginthegroundforsomeonetofindit,toreachouttohelpit.

Guntharhadneverseensuchagruesomesightbefore.Themutantlastnightdidn’tevencomeclose.Norhadanyofthenewsreelspreparedhimforthis,forthefactthattheuniversecouldspawnsuchnightmares.Hewantedtorun,wanteditmorethanhehadthoughtitpossibletowantanything,buthislegswerelikeleadandhisgazewasrivetedtotheghoul’sdeadmetalface.

Wherecouldhehaverunto,anyway?Theghoulwasn’talone.Thescreamshadalreadytoldhimasmuch–andnow,itseemedtoGunthar’scold-deadenedearsthatthewholeofthecrowdwasscreaming.

Twotroopersappeared,theirlasgunsraised,andGuntharbegantomutteragratefulprayerbutfalteredhalfwaythrough.Thefirstofthetrooperswaswhitewithfear,hishandstremblingsohardthathecouldn’tsqueezehistrigger.Thesecondloosedofftwoshots,buttheybothwentwild.Itwasenoughfortheghoultotakenotice,topivotwithsurprisingagilityandspeedtofaceitsattackers.Guntharfeltashamedofhimselfforbeingsorelievedthatitwasn’tcomingforhimanymore.

Theghouladvanced,slicingofftheheadsoftwomorecivilianswhocouldn’tgetoutofitsway.Thesecondtroopergotoffanothershot,whichstrucktheghoulsquarelyinitsshoulder.Theimpactofthelas-beammadeitflinch,haltingitforasecond,andGuntharheldhisbreath.

Theghoulpouncedonthetrooper,whoscreamedasitsbladedclawsflashedandwhirledabouthim.Itwasn’tjustkillinghim,Guntharrealised;itwasflensingtheskinfromhisbody.Thetroopercollapsed,aredrawlumpofmeat,stillaliveforthemoment,staringinabjecthorrorwitheyeshecouldnolongerclose.Itwasalltoomuchforhiscomrade,whoturnedandran,theghoulhardonhisheels.

Asitheadedawayfromhim,Guntharwasreleasedfromhisparalysis.Thecrowdwasdispersinginalldirections,andhefollowedsuit,choosingthedirectionthattookhimdirectlyawayfromtheghoul.Itonlyoccurredtohimtoolatethathewasrunningbackthewayhehadcome,backintothecity,whenheshouldhavebeentryingtogetoutofit.

Twomoretrooperswerecominghisway,fallingbackbeforeanotheroftheskull-faced,skin-cladnightmares.Thissecondcreaturelashedoutwithitsblades,andslashedthroughanarmouredchestplateasifitweremadeofpaper.ItsvictimstaggeredbackwardsintoGunthar,andleftatrailofblooddownhisclothesasheslidtotheground,dead.Thesurvivingtroopersethislasguntoautomaticand

firedwildly.Atleasttwoofhisboltsstruckandinjuredcivilians,butenoughthuddedintohistargettosenditreeling.AsGuntharwatchedwithanotherprayeronhislips,theghoulfellandlaytwitching.Thetrooperputhislasguntoitsheadandblewoutitsbrains–ifindeedithadhadbrainsinsidethatghastlymetalskull.Guntharcouldalmosthavecheered.

Then,thetrooperstiffened,hiseyesbulging,bloodpouringfromhismouth,andGuntharsawthatablade-clawedhandhadstruckupfrombeneathhim,andefficientlydisembowelledhim.Anothercreaturewasrisingfromtherubble.

Guntharran,andwasgladtoleavethedemolishedsiteandfeelfirmgroundunderhisfeetagain.Heran,andahundredotherpeopleranwithhim,buttheysoonbegantopeelaway,intoalleyways,aroundcorners,intoemptiedhab-blocksiftheycould.Guntharran,virtuallyblindbecausethemoonhaddisappearedbehindacloudandtherewerenolongeranyluminatorsaroundhim.Heran,andhewonderedhowhislifehadcomesoquicklytothis,oneterrifiedflightafteranother.

Heshouldhavepickedupthedeadsoldier’slasgun.Heonlyrealisedthatnow.Ithadn’toccurredtohimbefore.Yesterday,itwouldhavedone.Hewouldhavethoughtaboutit,atleast.Hewouldhaveseenhimselfwithbarrelblazing,takingdownthatlastfoulcreaturebeforeitcouldstand.Achancetobetheherohehaddreamedofbeing.Butthatwasyesterday,beforethemutantsandtheartefact,beforeGuntharSoresonhadlearnedthattherewasnoheroinsideofhim,afterall.

Thatwasbeforehehadwitnessedthefateofheroes.

Guntharroundedacorner,sawanabandonedautocabalmosttoolatetoavoidit,trippedoveraflightofstepsandlandedsprawlingontheground,lackingtheenergytogetupagain.Helayonhisstomachinthenear-silentdarknessforminutes,untilhisbreathingbegantosettlebackintoitsnormalrhythm.

Hefelttheamecyteringinhispocket,diggingintohisleg,andhethoughtaboutArex.Hehadn’tbeenworriedaboutherbefore–asamemberoftheGovernor’sfamily,shewasoneofthebest-protectedpeopleinthecity–butwhocouldprotectherfromwhatGuntharhadjustseen?

HewantedtogototheHighSpire,tofindher,buthewashopelesslylost.Hehadmadesomanyrandomtwistsandturnsthathedidn’tevenknowwhichwaythecitywallswereanymore.Theknowledgewouldn’thavehelpedhim,anyway.Theghoulswerebetweenhimandthosewalls–andamoment’sthoughttoldhimthattheHighSpirewouldlikelybeadeadendtoo.Arexwouldhavebeen

evacuatedfromtherelongsince,probablyinamotorvehicle.Shewasprobablywaitingforhimatthespaceport,wonderingwherehewas.ItseemedtoGuntharthat,whicheverwayhewentfromhere,hecouldonly

makehissituationworse.Hisbestbet,then,wastostaywherehewas,tofindshelterfortheremainderofthenight,andperhapsinthemorningthingswouldlookbetter.Atleast,inthedaylight,hecouldgethisbearings.Atleast,inthedaylight,hewouldbeabletoseethemonsterscoming.

Heclimbedthestepsoverwhichhehadfloundered,andtriedthedoorattheirheadbutfounditlocked.Hecouldhavekickeditdown,hesupposed,butthatwouldhavemadetoomuchnoise.Hemovedonalongtheskyway,andtriedthreemoredoorsuntilhefoundonewithabrokenlock.

Hisfirsttentativepushmetwithsomeresistancefromsomethingbehindthedoor.Guntharpushedharder,andwincedattheresoundingsoundoffallingcrates.Thedoorstuckhalfway,andhehadtosqueezethroughthegapintoadark,dustyhallway.Habdoorsstretchedalongthelefthandwall,awoodenstaircasealongtherightleadingbothupanddown.

Ashadowmovedonthatstaircaseand,beforeGuntharcouldreact,somethingleaptathim:asnarling,spittingsomething.Hewasthrownoff-balance,backintothefrontdoor,whichslammedshutbehindhim.Hecouldn’tseeathingnow,couldjustfeelaflurryoflimbsswipingandslashingandkickingathim.Instinctively,hethrewuphisarmstoprotecthisface,andaflailingelbowcaughthisattackerinthethroat.

Themanfellbackwithagroanofpain,andashestumbledintothehalf-lightcastbyamurkystairwindow,Guntharsawhisfaceandsawthat,contrarytohisworstimaginings,hewasjustaman.Amiddle-agedmanwithathatchofblackhairandathickbeard.Throwinguphishands,Guntharcried,‘It’sallright.It’sallright.I’mhuman,likeyou.Iwasjust…Iwaslookingforaplacetohide.’

Themancouldn’tspeak,hewasstilltryingtogethisbreathback,buthehadcalmeddownalittle.Hewasstillcautious,though,keepinghisdistance.

‘Doyoulivehere?’askedGunthar.‘Inthishab-block?’Themanshookhishead.‘Ithoughtyou...’hepanted,‘Ithoughtyouwereone

ofthosecreatures.’‘Yousawthemtoo?’saidGunthar.‘Youwereoutontherubble?’‘Theystankofdeath,’saidtheman.‘Therewassomuchblood,andthat

smell…I’mafraidIran.Ijustsawanopening,andIwentforit.Iwastryingtobarricadethisdoorbehindme,whenyou…Ithoughttheymusthavefollowedme.’

‘Idon’tthinkso,’saidGunthar.‘Iwasoutsidealongtime,andIdidn’tsee…Idon’tthinktheyfollowedus.’

‘Whatwerethosethings?AndwhereintheEmperor’snamedidtheycomefrom?’

‘Idon’tknow.IwishIdid,but…Whatdowedonow?Dowestayhere?Wouldthatbesafest,doyouthink?Wecouldbuildupthecratesagain.’

‘No.Wejustsawhowmuchgoodtheywere.Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinking.Ifanyonesawthem,they’dknowforsuretherewassomebodyinhere.Anyway,they’redestroyingthetowers,you’veseenthewreckage.Iwanttobeableto…Idon’twanttobetrappedinthishab-blockif…’

Guntharhadn’tconsideredthat,andthethoughtwasasoberingone.‘I’mWeber,’saidtheman,composednowandsteppingforwardwithahand

outstretched.Gunthartookit,andintroducedhimself.‘Irunthe201stFloorEmporium,’said

Weber.‘Usedtorunit,Ishouldsay.Isupposeweall“usedto”dosomethingnow.Usedtohavejobs.Usedtohaveplacestolive.’

‘Thingsaren’tthatbad,’saidGunthar.‘Theycan’tbe.ThePDFareoutthere.They’lldealwiththis,andeverythingwillgetbacktonormal.’

Webergaveaderisivelaugh.‘Youobviouslydidn’tseewhatIsaw.Thosesoldierboysweregoingdownfasterthanthecivilianswere.Halfofthemcouldn’tgettheirbrainsingeartoevenfiretheirguns.’

‘Thatwasjustonesquad,afewmen.Youwaittilltheybringinthetanksandthemortars,and…andifthat’snotenough,theycancallinreinforcements,theImperialGuardor…We’retoo…ThisworldistoovaluabletotheEmperor,andwe’vebeenloyal,wehaveservedHimwell.Hewillsaveus.’

‘Youwatchtoomanynewsreels,kid,’grumbledWeber.Hestarteddownthehallway,tryingdoors.‘Iwastalkingtoafellowoutthere,before...Hewasupon204,toldmehewasattackedbyaswarmofmetalinsects.Theywereknockingdownbuildings,justtakingslicesoutofthemlike–’

‘204?’echoedGunthar.Theaddresswasclosetohisownhome,tooclose.‘Isuggest,’saidWeber,‘wefindourselvesanemptyhab,onewherethe

tenantsleftinahurrywithoutlockingup,andwelaylowforthenight.’

Theyfoundaroomonthenextfloorup.ItwaslaidoutexactlylikeGunthar’sroom,likealltheroomshehadlivedin:abasininonecorner,astoveinanother,asinglebedinacurtainedalcove.Theadvantageofthisparticularroom,however,wasthatitoverlookedtheskywayinfrontofitshab-block.

‘Weshouldtakeitinturnstosleep,’saidWeber,‘whiletheotheronestaysonwatch.’Guntharagreedandvolunteeredtotakethefirstshift,althoughprivatelyhewonderedwhathecouldpossiblydoifhesawtroublecoming.

Hewastookeyeduptosleep,though,asmuchasheneededto.Withinminutes,Weberwassparkoutonthebed,snoring.Guntharpacedthe

hab,tryingtokeepwarm.Eventually,hethoughttocheckthecupboards,andfoundaheavygrox-hidecoathanginginawardrobe.Hewrappeditabouthimselfgratefully,andsettledbythewindow.

Thewarmthofhisbreathcreatedfleetingpatternsontheglass.Weber’ssnoring,anirritantatfirst,becamesofterandsettledintoaregular,almostsoothingrhythm.Guntharwasalmosttoohotinhisborrowedcoat,andhethoughtabouttakingitoffbutthatwouldhavemeantclimbingoutofhiscomfortablechair.

Helethiseyesrestforamoment,andthenextthingheknewtherewasaflickeringlightandhestartedandsatboltupright.

Howlonghadheslept?Notlong,hehoped.Itwasstilldarkoutside.Weberwasstillsnoringonthebed.Buttherewassomethingelse.

Therewerefiguresontheskywaybelow,proceedingalongitinatightformation.Nineortenofthem.ItmusthavebeentheirluminatorsthathadplayedacrossGunthar’swindow,wakinghim.Hethoughttheyweresoldiers,atfirst.Theymovedlikesoldiers,notwiththestooped,bestialgaitoftheskull-facedghoulsbutwithasenseofpurpose.HewonderedifheshouldwakeWeber,ormaybebangonthewindowandgetthesoldiers’attention.Hedidn’tmuchfancysteppingoutintothecoldnightagain,butwhatifthesoldiersknewasaferouteoutofthecity?Theymightevenhaveavehiclenearby.

Thenaluminatorbeamcaughtoneofthem,andGunthardrewinasharpbreath.

Thefigurewasdressedlikeasoldier–blackgreatcoat,helmet,backpack,heavyarmour–anditcarriedagun,butitsfacewaslikethefacesofthecreatures,ablank-eyed,impassive,metalskull.Atubesnakedoutfrombeneathitsmouthtoitspack,asiftheveryairofthishumanworldwaspoisontoitskind.

Gunthardroppedtothefloorbeneaththewindowsill,andcursedhimselffornothavingdonesoatonce.Whatifhehadalreadybeenseen?Webermusthaveheardthemovement,orsensedsomething,becausesuddenlyhewasawake,craninghisnecktofindhisfellowrefugeeinthedark.‘Whatisit?’hewhisperedsharply.

‘Something…somethingoutthere.’‘Theghouls?Havetheghoulscomeback?’

Guntharshookhishead.‘Nottheghouls,’hewhispered.‘Thisissomethingworse.’

ChapterSeven

GovernorHanrikstoodatopHieronymousCity’stallesttower,hishome,andsurveyedhisdomainforwhathefearedwouldbethefinaltime.

Hiscitywaswreathedinsmoke,greatplumesofitrisingfromthelowerfloors.Aminuteago,hehadseenanothertowercrumblingbeforehiseyes.Hehadbeeninnohurrytoleavebeforethen;thedangerhadseemedalongwayawayfromhim.Now,hesquirmedwithimpatienceasaflyerorienteditselfabovehislandingpad,thedowndraughtfromitsenginesrufflinghisthinninghair.HeknewtheHighSpirecouldbenexttofall.Itmightalreadybeunderattacksomewherebelow,andthefirstHanrikwouldknowofitwouldbewhenitdroppedoutfrombeneathhim.

Astheflyertoucheddown,Hanrikdashedforwardandclamberedintoitsrear,hisbodyguardsseatingthemselvestoeachsideofhim.Theflyerwheezedandgroanedasitfoughttoescapethepullofgravityagain.Hanrikdidn’tunderstandhowitsponderous,blockyformcouldflyatall,butitwasenoughforhimthatitdid.Hefeltarushofrelieftobesafelyintheair,butitwassoondisplacedbyadeepacheofregret.

Hesawheadlightscrawlingalongtheskywaybelow,aproctortruckintowhichtheGovernor’sstaffhadloadedallthethingsprecioustohim:hismedalsandhispersonalhololiths,alongwithafewwell-chosenantiquesandpaintingsandhisfavouritechair.Therewereenginseersworkingontheexternallifters,riggingupapowersourcesothat,withsomeluck,thetruckcouldbeloweredoverthecitywalls.Evenso,hewasleavingsomuchbehind.

Hehadearnedhisposition,damnit,andthestandardoflivingthatcamewithit.Hedidn’twanttohavetostartagainsomewhereelse.Hedidn’twanttobetheGovernorwhohadlosthisworld–andhewouldn’tbe,heswore.

Heturnedtothemanonhisleft.‘GetmeCalderagain,’heinstructed.‘Iwant

toknowwhat’shappening.’Thetrooperobedientlyputoutthecall–and,aninterminabletenseconds

later,SergeantCalder’sclippedtonescamecracklingoverhisvox-handset.‘StillproceedingalongLevel204,’saidthesergeant.‘Someoftheskywaysareout,sowe’rehavingtofindawayaroundthem.’

‘Whataboutthetracker?’askedHanrik.‘Isitstill…Isshestill…?’‘Stillonthemove,sir.Aboutfifteenblocksawaynow,andclosing.Will

reportinassoonaswehavesightedher.’Hanrikslumpedbackinhisseat,rubbinghiswearyeyes.WhyhadArexhadto

choosetodayofalldaystodefyhim?Whyhadn’tsheheededhiswarnings?Hisniecehadalwaysbeenheadstrong,buthehadn’tthoughthersostubbornastoendangerherselftospitehim.Hecouldn’timaginewhathadluredhersofarfromtheHighSpire,somanyfloorsdown.

Atleastshewasstillmoving.HethankedtheEmperorforthetrackingdeviceinhernecklace,theonehermotherhadgivenher.Thankstohisforesightininstallingit,thePDFcouldstillfindher.Theyhadto.

‘WhataboutGeneralTrenchard?’heaskedthetrooperbesidehim.‘Idon’tsupposethere’snews?’

‘No,sir.Itseemsthegeneralmighthavebeenathomewhenhishab-block…whentheinsectswarm…Heislistedasmissing,presumeddead.ColonelBraunisfillinginforhimuntil…Wejustdon’tknowforsure.’

Hanrikhadbeenhearingthatalotlately.Itseemedthat,suddenly,nobodywassureofanything.Theycouldn’tbesure,forexample,whatwashappeningatthecity’smaingeneratorum.Hehaddespatchedproctorstoinvestigate,andthePDFhadsentsquadstoo,buttheyhadn’treportedback.AndArex…

Heforcedhimselftoputheroutofhismind.HehadtotrustthePDFtobringherbacktohim.Inthemeantime,hecouldseethering-shapededificeofHieronymousPortapproaching;hewasalmostblindedbythelightsthatstreamedoutfromthecentreofthatring,sobrightaftersolonginthedark.Theflyerwasmanoeuvringtolandamidthoselights,itsbellyalmostscrapingthecrenellationsofthespaceportwall,andthismeantthatHanrikhadajobtodo.Aworldtosave.

Ofcourse,hewasrecognised.Ashemarchedthroughthemainspaceportterminal,Hanrikwassurrounded

bydesperatecivilians,jostlingtogettohim,tohavetheirpleasheardbyhim.Hisescortdrewtheirlasguns,andtheimplicitthreatwasenoughtokeepthecrowdsat

bay.Forhisownpart,Hanrikkepthiseyesfixedahead,ignoringthem,concernedwithmoreimportantmattersthantheirpettygrievances.

Hehadaskedaproctortotakehimtothemanincharge.Hewasledupaflightofstairstoacarpetedcorridor,whichwasmercifullyfreefromrefugees.Itwas,however,teemingwithKriegsoldiers,ferryingequipmentandfurniturebetweenthespaceport’sadministrativeoffices.Thenear-totalsilenceinwhichtheycarriedouttheirdutiesunnervedhim;itremindedhimofthesub-humanservitors.

‘Colonel,’hesaid,recognisingtherankinsigniaoftheofficerinchargeoftheoperation,‘caretobringmeuptospeed?’

ThecolonelturnedandregardedHanrikforalongmomentthroughthedarkeyepiecesofhisall-concealingmask.‘Idon’tknowyou,’hesaid.

Hanrikfrowned,thennoticedtheregimentalnumberontheKriegofficer’sshoulderflashes.‘Iapologise,’hesaid,‘ImistookyouforColonel42.Wemetearlier.YoumustbeColonel…186,Itakeit.MynameisHanrik.IamthePlanetaryGovernor.’

‘Isee,’saidthecolonelbrusquely.‘Thenitismydutytoinformyou,GovernorHanrik,thatHieronymousThetaisundermartiallaw.Youareherebyrelievedofyourposition.’Heturnedandmarchedintothenearestoffice,leavingHanrikslack-jawed.

‘Now,holdonaminute,’heblustered.Hemadefortheopendoor,butafiguresteppedintohispath:alean,silver-

hairedmaninhisseventies,wholoomedoverHanrik’sshorter,rounderform.‘CommissarCostellin,’themanintroducedhimself.‘PerhapsIcanansweryourquestions.’

Hanrikthrewonelast,disgruntledlookaftertheKriegcolonel,whowasnowdirectingasmallgroupofhisGuardsmenintheassemblyofacommunicationsconsole.Thenheshookthecommissar’sprofferedhand,andallowedhimselftobeusheredawayfromthere,albeitwithascowlonhisface.

Costellinhadcommandeeredasmallofficeattheendofthecorridor.Hehadalreadyprocuredforhimselfasmalljugofrecaf,whichsatwarmingonaplateonhisdesk.Hanrikdeclinedtheofferofacup,withanimpatientwave,thenregretteditbecauseahotdoseofstimulantswasjustwhatheneededrightnow.

AsCostellinsettledintohischair,hisexpressiongrewgrave.‘Wehaveaserioussituationdevelopinghere,’hesaid,‘perhapsmoresothanyouknow.Ourtroopsinthecapitalcityreportthat–’

‘Youhavesenttroopsintomycity?’splutteredHanrik.

‘Justacoupleofplatoonsfornow.Theobjectiveisto–’‘Idon’tcarewhattheirobjectiveis,IamstilltheImperialGovernorofthis

world,nomatterwhatyourdeath-maskedcolonelouttheremightsay.Iamresponsibleforthewelfareofitspeople,andIinsistonbeingconsultedbefore–’

‘Idoappreciateyourposition,GovernorHanrik,’saidthecommissarcalmly,‘andIamawarethatColonel186doeshaveratherabluntmanner.’

‘I’dcallthatanunderstatement,’Hanrikmuttered.‘Icanassureyou,however,’saidCostellin,‘thatthecolonelisactingsolelyin

thebestinterestsofthisworldanditspeople.’‘Inwhathejudgestobeourbestinterests,’Hanrikcorrectedhim,‘andsurelyI

ammorequalifiedthanheistodecidethat.’‘Asthecolonelhasexplainedtoyou,Governor,thisisamilitaryoperation,

andtimeisverymuchoftheessence.Wehavehadtomakesomedifficultdecisionsandmakethemquickly,andifsometimesthatmeans–’

‘Goonthen,’snappedHanrikimpatiently,‘tellmetheworstofit.’So,Costellintoldhim.Hetalkedaboutthemetalinsects,aboutwhichHanrik

hadalreadyheard,andaboutghoul-likecreatureslurkinginthewreckageofHieronymousCity’stowers,aboutwhichhehadnot.Heexplainedthat,accordingtoscansrunbyhisorbitingtroopship,overahundredtowershadlostatleasttheirtopfortystoreys–farmoreeventhantheGovernorhadfeared.

‘Oneofourplatoonscameunderattack,’saidCostellin.‘FiftyKrieggrenadiers,aboutaquarterofthemarmedwithmeltaguns,againsthalfasmanyghouls,andeventheytookalmostthirtypercentcasualties.’

‘Buttheywon?’saidHanrikhopefully.‘Indeed,’saidCostellin.‘Unfortunately,wesuspectthatthesecreaturesare

onlythevanguardofafarlargernecronforce.’Hanrikhadneverheardofthenecronbefore,andyetsomehowtheverysound

ofthewordchilledhissoul.‘Youthinkthere…there’snohope?’‘IthinkyoushouldgetontoNavalCommandagain,’saidCostellin,seeifyou

cangetarushonthoserescueships.’Asthecommissartookasipofhisrecaf,theominousrumblingofdistantguns

shookthewallsofhisofficeandsentplasterflakescascadingfromtheceilingintohiscup.Hanrikfeltnumb.Hegrippedthearmsofhischairuntilhisknucklesturnedwhite.‘Whatareyoudoingaboutthis,Costellin?’hedemanded.

‘Youmusthaveseen,asyoucameoutofthecity,thatwehaveitsurrounded.Theintentionistosealofftheexits,andcontainthenecronswithin–’

‘Youcan’t!’criedHanrik.‘Therearemillionsofciviliansstilltrappedin

there.’Arex,hethought.‘Ofcourse,’saidCostellin,‘wewillallowmoretimefortheevacuationto

proceed.Wewillsaveasmanypeopleaswecan.However,wemustalsoconsiderthelivesofthosethousandswhohavealreadyfledthecity,andthebillionswholiveonthisworldoutsideofit.Wecan’ttaketheriskthat–’

‘You’llabandonthem,’saidHanrik,‘thosewhocan’tmakeitoutintime.They’llbesacrificedforthesakeoftherestofus.’

‘Therewillcomeatime,’Costellinconfirmed,‘whenthatdecisionmustbemade.’

‘Andwhowillmakethatcall?Whodecideswholivesandwhodies?No,no,don’ttellme,I’msureIcanguess:Colonel186,Ipresume?’

HanrikwaswaitingforColonelBraunashisconvoyofopen-toppedhalf-trackspulledupatthespaceportentrance.TheactingcommandantofthePlanetaryDefenceForcewasaheavyset,mid-fortiesmanwithruddycheeksandabristlingmoustache.Hewasaccompaniedintheleadvehiclebyamajorandtwolieutenants,allofwhomweregluedtotheirvoxes,receivingreportsandbarkingoutorders.

‘We’velostcontactwithalmosthalfoursquadsontheground,’BrauntoldtheGovernorbreathlessly.‘Someofthemhavereportedencounteringcreatures:vile,ghoulishcreatureswithskullfaces.I’veinstructedthemtostartpullingout,but–’

‘Sir,Ican’traiseSquad84,’interruptedoneofthelieutenants.‘Ithinkwemayhavelostthemtoo.Theywerenearingthegeneratorum.Theyreportedthattheskywaysthereseemedquiet,tooquiet.Then…Squad17isenroutetheretoo,afewsectorsawayandfourfloorsup.Icouldsendthemto–’

‘No,’saidHanrik.‘Forgetthegeneratorum.Allsquadsaretofocusontheevacuationeffort.They’retogettheciviliansoutofthere.’

‘Sir,’saidthesecondlieutenant,‘I’mreceivingreportsofafirefightonthegroundlevel,bythenorthgate.Mutants,breakingthroughthecordons.’

ColonelBraunopenedhismouthtoreply,butHanrikbeathimtoitagain.‘Sendreinforcements,anyandallsquadsthatcanreachthem.Wemustnotlosecontrolofthatgate.Itmustremainopenforaslongas…Itmustremainopen.’

‘Sir,Squad15reportsriotingin–’‘–attackingciviliansonLevel82.SergeantKutterwantstoknowif–’‘–strandedupthere.Theycan’tfindastaircase–’‘–lostfivemen,buttheymanagedtokillthat–’‘Sir,anotherambushonLevel204.Squad47engagingfive–no,six–ofthe

creatures.SergeantCalderreportsthat–’Amidthebarrageofinformation,onenamestoodouttoHanrik’searslikea

suddengunshot.Hesnatchedthevox-handsetfromastartledlieutenant,stabbedatthe‘transmit’rune.‘SergeantCalder,thisisHanrik.Yoursquadarenottoengagetheenemy.Youaretowithdrawfromcombat,doyouhearme?Withdraw!’

‘–easiersaidthandone,sir.Pinningusdown.Wecan’t–’‘Listentome,Calder.Yourpriorityistofindandrescuemyniece.You

can’t…Youarenomatchforthosecreatures.’‘–takenonedown,buttheygotReynard,sir,they…Oh,Emperor,they…

they’reskinninghimalive.I…tryingtowithdraw,buttwoofthemen…whentheysawwhathappened,whatthosethingsdid,theytriedtorun,butthecreaturesarefasterthanweare…cutthemdown…comingformenow,Ican’t–’

‘Getoutofthere,Calder.That’sanorder.SergeantCalder!’Therecamenoanswer,onlyvoxstatic.‘Doyoureadme,SergeantCalder?Calder,areyouthere?’ItseemedthateverythingaroundHanrikhadstopped.Theassembledofficers

werestaringathim,takenaback.Herealisedhehadbeenshouting.Hetookadeepbreath,switchedthevoxtoanopenchannelandsaid,inascalmavoiceashecouldmuster,‘AllunitsinthevicinityofLevel204,Sector…Idon’tknow,somewherenearthecentre…wehavelostcontactwithSquad47,repeat,wehavelostcontactwithSquad47.I…Ineedyoutolocatethem.Please.’

Hehandedthehandsetbacktoitsowner,whoimmediatelyreceivedanotherdistresscallandsteppedasidetodealwithit.

Hanrikswallowedhard,pushedArextothebackofhismindagainandturnedtoColonelBraun.‘Allright,’hesaid,‘sowe’velostourbaseinthecity.WeneedtofollowtheImperialGuard’slead,setupafieldHQinthebuildingshere.Getontotheotherbasesworldwide,tellthemtokeepsendingmen,allthementheycanspare.IwantanofficenomorethantwodoorsawayfromColonel186,andIwant…Iwantajugoffreshrecafonmydesk.’

‘Governor,doesthismean…?’‘I’msorry,colonel,thisisnoreflectionuponyourabilities,butIthinkthis

crisisrequiresanexperiencedleader.’Hanrikdidn’tmissthelookofreliefthatBrauntriedtohideatthatstatement.‘AsaformerImperialGuardofficer,andastheGovernorofthisworld,IamassumingcommandofthePDF,effectiveimmediately.’

Hanrikhadhadhisaideslocatethecratecontaininghisoldwargear.Theybusiedthemselvesabouthim,strappinghimintohistime-dulledarmour,polishinghiscapbadge,lubricatinghisboltpistol.Hisoldgreatcoatwastootightabouthisshouldersanditsbuttonswouldn’tfasten,sotheyhadhadtoprocurehimanewone.Hanrikstoodinthemidstofallthisactivity,stockstill,hiseyesopenbutnotreallyseeingthespaceportofficearoundhim,lostinbittersweetmemories.

Hehadthoughtthesedayswerelongbehindhim.Hemarchedalongthecorridor,intothenext-doorofficewithoutknocking.‘Mr

Hanrik,’saidColonel186,sparinghardlyaglanceforhisvisitor,‘Iwouldpreferitifyouaddressedanyfutureconcernstomycommissar.Ibelieveyou’vemet.’

‘That’sGovernorHanrik,’saidHanrik.‘OrGeneralHanrik,ifyou’dprefer.’Ifthecolonelwassurprisedbythat,itshowedonlyintheshortpausehetook

beforededucing,‘YouhavetakencommandofthePlanetaryDefenceForce.’‘Itseemswewillbeworkingtogether,afterall,thetwoofus.’Thecolonelleanedforwardinhisseat.‘AsIunderstandit,yourtroopshave

notprovedespeciallyeffectivesofar.Whatareyourlossestodate?’‘I...don’thavethosefiguresyet,butI’mcertainwecanstillplayapartin–’‘Idon’tdisputethat…general.Anymanwhoispreparedtolaydownhislife

fortheEmperor,nomatterhowableorequipped,isavaluableresourcetous.’‘Um,quite,yes.’‘However,thoseresourcescouldbemoreeffectivelydeployedbyasingle

leader.IsuggestthatIshouldbe–’‘They’remymen,’saidHanrik.‘Theywilltaketheirordersfrommeandfrom

nooneelse,andifyouwishtoarguethatpointwiththeAdministratum–’‘Youwill,ofcourse,beginthedraftimmediately.’TheinterruptionrenderedHanrikmomentarilyspeechless.Hisjawworked

silentlyasthecolonelcontinued,‘Thisspaceportanditsenvirons,GeneralHanrik,arepackedwithable-bodiedrefugees,bereftofpurpose.Whateverfunctionsthosepeopleoncehadinyoursociety,theycannolongerservethem.’

‘Buthow…?Wejustdon’thavetheequipmenttooutfitthem.Ourshasalwaysbeenapeacefulworld,colonel,wehaveneverhadneedofasubstantialarmedforce.’

‘Youagreed,’saidthecolonel,‘thatyourpeoplearearesource,andwemustsurelyutilisealltheresourcesatourdisposal.TheyareloyalsubjectsoftheEmperor?’

‘Ofcourse.Ofcoursetheyareloyal,but–’‘ThentheywillbepleasedtooffertheirlivestoHim.Betterthatthanallowing

ourenemiestoescapethecity,inwhichcasethoseliveswillbelostfornogain.’‘Aboutthat,’saidHanrik.‘Iunderstandyouareplanningtoclosethecity

gates.Asitisprimarilymymenwhoareinsidethecity,itshouldbemydecisionwhento–’

‘Yourmenhaveuntildawn,’saidthecolonel.‘ThentheytooshallbehonouredtogivetheirlivesforthegreatergloryoftheImperium.’

Therefugeecamphadswelledinsize.Fromthetopofthespaceporthill,Hanrikcouldseenewtentsliningtheroads,stretchingalmosttotheneighbouringcities.Hewastalkingintoavox-handset,tryingtohearanotherPDFsergeantthroughfrequentburstsofstaticandovertheconstantchatteroftroubledvoices.

‘…thinkoneoftheladshassomething,sir.Somethingintherubble.It’s…Oh,Emperorpreserveus,it’sabody.Itlookslike…Ithinkit’soneofourssir,it…’

‘Becareful,SergeantFlast,watchyourstepdownthere.’Alongpausefollowed.Hanrikwasonthevergeoftransmittingagainwhenthe

sergeant’svoicereturned,soundingstrainedandnauseous.‘Confirmed,sir.Thebody,it’soneof…foundhislasgun,butthebodyhasbeenstripped…Imean,itsskin,sir,strippedfromthebones…It’s…Idon’tknowwhatcouldhavedonesomethinglike…’

‘Concentrate,Sergeant.Youhavetoholdittogether.Ineedyouto…Canyoumakeanidentification?Isthereanything…?’

‘…foundhisdogtags.Accordingtothese,he’s…TrooperVasor,sir,Squad47.Andthere…there’stwomore…threemore…GoldenThrone,thiswasamassacre!’

‘DoyouseeSergeantCalder?It’simperativeyoufindSergeantCalder.’‘…foundhim,sir.Thesameastheothers.Whateveritwasthatdidthis…’‘Listentome,Flast.Ineedyouto…DoesCalderhaveatrackingdevicewith

him?Itshouldlooklikeavox-handset,butsmaller,black,with–’‘Confirmed,sir.Thetrackerishere,butit…Caldermusthavefallenonthe

machinewhenhe…It’sinpieces,sir,inoperative.We’dneedatech-priesttobeginto…’

Therestofthesergeant’swordswereobscured,butHanrikhadheardenough.Heletthehandsetfallfromhisnumbedfingers;oneofhisguardshastenedto

retrieveit.Ofcourse,HanrikhadknownevenbeforethislatestblowthatArexwaslosttohim.Nottwokilometresawayfromhere,theDeathKorpsofKriegwasbeginningtolaysiegetohiscapitalcity.Theyweresettingupminefields

arounditsedge,layingdemolitionchargestobringdownsomeoftheoutertowers.Theywouldprobablycauseasmuchdevastationastheinsectswarmhaddone–and,liketheinsects,theydidn’tseemtocaremuchhowmanyliveswerelostintheprocess.

Itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtogiveup,then,toleavethiswartoColonel186,toslinkawayinthefirstrescueshiptoarrive.Itwouldhavebeeneasy,anditwouldhavebeensafest,butGovernor-GeneralTalmarHanrikpridedhimselfonhavingthebloodlineofheroes.Aslongastherewasthesmallestgrainofhope,hewouldsoldieron.Hewouldn’tdisgracethememoryofhisfather,hisbrother,orhissons.

So,hereachedfortheloudhailerthatoneofhisguardshadbeencarryingforhim.Hesurveyedtheseaofimploringfacesthathadgatheredbeforetheirleader,andheraisedthemetallicconetohislips,andhespoke:

‘Mycitizens,’hesaid,‘Iknowyouhavequestions;Iknowyouareafraid,andIwillnotlietoyou,ourworldisunderthreat.ThatiswhyI…Ineedyourhelp.Iamaskingallable-bodiedmalesbetweentheagesoffifteenandforty-fivetomakethemselvesknowntoaPDFofficerbymiddaytomorrow.Youhavebeenchosen…WehaveallbeenchosenforthehonourofservingtheGod-Emperor–andaslongasourheartsremainpure,aslongaswefightinHisnameagainsttheforcesthatbesetus,IbelieveHewillnotallowwhatwehavebuiltheretofall.PraisebetotheEmperor!’

ChapterEight

Theskywaslighteningintheeast,andtheshadowsofthenightwerebeingwashedaway.TheskywaysofHieronymousCityseemedunusuallytranquil,paintedinpastelbluesandgreys,andTrooperCarwencouldseehopeatlast.

Hissquadhadreachedtheoutskirtsofthecity–ninewearytroopersandtheindomitableSergeantFlast,alongwithahandfulofcivilianstheyhadpickedupenroute–buttheywerestillalmostahundredfloorsup.Inthedarkness,Carwenhadbeensuretheyhadnochanceofreachinggroundlevelbeforethecitygateswereclosed.Now,inthecleansingpre-dawnlight,anythingseemedpossibletohim.

Thelongnightwasover,atlast.Ifonlythenightmaresithadbroughtalongwithitcouldbesoeasilydispelled.

Carwenwasnineteenyearsold.HehadbeenaPDFtrooperforthreeofthoseyears.Hehadsignedupoutofagenuinedesiretomakehisworldsafer.Hismotherwasalwaysgrumblingthatsomeoneneededtokeepthosefilthymutantsundercontrol,keepthemawayfromdecentfolk,soCarwenhadthought,well,whynothim?Heenjoyedhisjob,andithadgivenhimthemeanstomovehismotherandhimselfupninewholefloors,soshenolongergrumbledasmuch.

And,afterall,HieronymousThetawaswellprotected.ThatwaswhysomanyofCarwen’sfriendshadjoinedtheImperialGuard:tokeeptherealthreatsfrommakingitthisfar.Thatwaswhy,untilnow,hehadhadtofacenothingmorealarmingthanafewangry,unarmedciviliansduringthefoodriotslastyear.

Untilnow…Fourhoursago,Carwenhadturnedoverabloodied,skinlesscorpseinaheap

ofrubble.Hehadlookedintothedead,staringeyesofatrooperasyoungashewas,andneitherpassageoftimenorthenewlightcoulddimthatdreadfulimage.Itwasalwaysthere,waitingbehindhiseyelids,inallitsstarkandgorydetail.

‘Weshouldstarttosearchthesebuildings,’saidSergeantFlast,indicatingthelinesofhab-blockstoeachsideofthem.‘Weneedtofindawaydown.’Carwenhadneverbeenmoregladtoreceiveanorder.

Hemovedtothenearestdoor,andbrokeitslockwithablowfromhislasgunbutt.Ittookamomentforhiseyestoadjusttothegloombeyond,thenhesteppedintoalonghallway,sendingagreyratskitteringandscreechingforcover.

Therewasastaircasehere,butasCarwenhadexpectedthedownwardflighthadbeenblockedfromthisside.Nobodywantedalower-floordwellerclimbinguptotheirroominthenight.Thebarricade,however,wasaflimsyone,justatableandacoupleofchairspiledupmoreinhopethanwithcertainty.

Carwentuggedatachairanditcamefreewithease,andbroughtthetablecrashingdownbehindit.Hehadcreatedagap,now,throughwhichamancouldclimb.Thewaywasclear,atleastdownasfarasthenextskyway.Feelingpleasedwithhimself,heturnedtoreporthisdiscoverytohissergeant.Hehadalmostreachedthedoorwhenthesoundofshoutingandgunshotsfromwithoutfrozehiminhistracks.

Hecouldn’tgoforwards.Everytimehethoughtaboutit,Carwensawtheeyesofthatbloodlesscorpse,andhewantedtobesick.Hewantedtoturnandrun,downthestaircase,buthisconsciencewouldn’tlethimabandonhiscomrades,andbesideshowwouldhismotherfeelifherfirstbornsonwasexecutedfordesertion?

Intheend,itwashisconsciencethatwonout.Heforcedhimselftotakeonesmallstepforwards,thenanother,thenanother–andhereachedthedoorwayatlonglast,andhesummonedupthecouragetolookoutside.

Carwenhadbeenwarnedaboutthemetal-facedghouls.Hehadspentthepastfourhourssearchingtheshadowsforthem,imaginingwhattheymightlooklike.Thereality,however,wasmorehorrificthananythinghecouldhavedreamed.

Theyhadhissquadsurrounded;theyhadappearedateachendoftherowofbuildings,tenoftheminall,andnowtheywereclosingtheirtrap.Inthecentreoftheskyway,SergeantFlastandacoupleoftroopersweretryingtoprotectthecivilians,buttheirlas-beamshardlyseemedtotroubletheencirclingmonsters.

TherestofCarwen’scomradeshadalreadyemergedfromthebuildings,andtheyaddedtothebarrageoflas-fireuntilatlastaghoulwasfelledbyaluckyshot,butbythenitwastoolate.Thehuntersfellupontheirprey,andtheiralreadyblood-cakedflensingbladessetabouttheirgrislywork.

Carwensnappeduphislasgun,buthewastremblingtoohardtoaimitproperly.They’realreadydead,hetoldhimself.SergeantFlast,Tondal,

Garroway,youcan’thurtthemnow,andwiththatthoughtheswitchedhisguntoFullAutoandletitsstaccatobarkdrownoutthesoundsofhiscomrades’screams.

Itdidn’tworkforlong.Thelasgunbleddry,andsuddenlyCarwen’ssightswerefilledbytheheart-freezingsightofaleeringmetallicskull.Theghoulshadfinishedwiththeirvictimsontheskyway;now,theyhadseparatedandwereturningtheirattentionstothesnipers.Withayelp,Carwenleaptbackintothehab-block,feverishlyyankingathisspentpowerpack,slingingitawayandfumblingtoinsertafreshoneintothehousing.HestumbledoverthewordsoftheLitanyofLoading,andthepackfellfromhisjitteryhand.

Theghoulwasinthedoorway.AgraveyardstenchhitCarwenfullinthefaceandmadehimretch.Hegrippedhislasgunstockwithbothhands,determinedtomeethiskillerwithhisbayonetwhenitpounced,knowingitwoulddohimnogood.

Thentheghoulexploded.Therehadbeennowarning,justaburstofflameinwhichthecreature’sskin

coathadbeenvaporised,themetalskeletonbeneathitmelted.Ahazeofacridsmokeaddedtothealreadyoverpoweringstink,andCarwenfelltohishandsandknees,scrabblingforhisdroppedpowerpackandwasviolentlysickonthefloorboards.

Helookedupthroughtearyeyes,sawafigurestandingwheretheghoulhadoncestood.Hecouldalmosthavecriedatthesightofitsface–rather,itsmetalskull.Then,henoticedtheplateattachedtothefrontofthefigure’shelmet,theimageoftheImperialEagleembosseduponit,andhebreathedagain.

Thisskullwasamask,Carwenrealised,beneathwhich……beneathwhichhecouldseeasecond,fabric,maskattachedtoarebreather

unitontheman’sback.Despitehisdisturbingappearance,however,theman’sshoulderflashesidentifiedhimasanImperialGuardsman,andhewascarryingameltagun,withwhichhehadapparentlyjustsavedCarwen’slife.

TheGuardsmanlookeddownatCarwenwithwhatmighthavebeendisdain,beforeturningandmarchingaway,hisweaponflaringoncemore.Ashamedofhisweakness,Carwenreloadedandscurriedafterhim,holdinghisbreathandtryingnottolookatthesimmeringsilverpoolinthedoorwayashesteppedoverit.

Outside,thetidehadwellandtrulyturned.Aplatoonofskull-maskedGuardsmenhadarrivedfromtheeast,outnumberingtheghoulsmorethanthreetoone.Onlyahandfulhadmeltas,buttheremainderwerearmedwithwhatlookedtoCarwenlikehellguns,morepowerfullasgunvariants–hehadhandledoneintraining,butneversince–andthesetoowerehavingsomeeffect.Theghoulswere

keptatbay,unabletoemploytheirclaws.Anothertwowerevaporised,twomorefelledbycrimsonbolts.

Foramoment,Carwenwasoverwhelmedwithreliefforhiscloseescape,andgratitudetowardshissaviours–butthosefeelingswerequicklydissipated.

Heheardawhooshingsound,aconcentratedblastofair,andsuddenlythenumberofghoulsontheskywayhadmorethanquadrupled.Onesecond,theyhadbeendowntofive,nowtherewereovertwentyofthem,andCarwenhadnoideawherethereinforcementshadcomefrom.Theyhadjust...appeared.

Theghoulswerestillpinneddown,butnow,throughsheerweightofnumbers,theywerestartingtogainground.Someofthemhadhoistedupthecorpsesoftheirpreviousvictimsandwereusingthemasshieldsagainsttheskull-maskedGuardsmen’sfire.Carwenhadoneofthecreaturesinhissights,butthisnewtacticgavehimpause.NotsotheGuardsmen,whokeptuptheirbombardmentregardless.

SergeantFlast’sbodywassetalightbyamelta’snear-miss;aghoulhurleditattheGuardsmen’slines,aflamingmissile,forcingthemtoscatter.Carwen’slowerliptrembledwithfrustrationandrage–Flasthadbeenagoodman,agoodleader,hedeservedtorestinpeace–andhesqueezedhistrigger,butfewofhislas-beamsfoundtheirmarkandthosethatdidonlyglancedofftheghouls’metallicbones.

HehadexpectedtheGuardsmentofallback.Instead,theirfrontranksdrewswordbayonetsandcharged,choosinganopponenteach.Carwenadmired,andwasastonishedby,theircourage,moresowhenhesawthattheGuardsmenwereoutclassedbytheghoulsinclosecombat.Theyfoughthard,enduringfarlongerthanFlastandtheothershaddone,buttheghoulswerefaster,stronger,andeachofthemwieldedeightbladestotheGuardsmen’sone.

ThefirstGuardsmanfell,hisheartimpaledbymetalclaws,butbeforehehitthegroundbothheandhisopponentwereengulfedbymeltafire,andCarwenrealisedthatthishadbeentheplanallalong.ThosetenGuardsmenhadofferedtheirlives,withoutamoment’shesitation,tobuytimefortheotherstoregroup.

Anotherghoulwasvaporised,whileathirdwascutdowninacrossfireoflas-beams.Another,toCarwen’samazement,wasrunthroughbyabayonet,collapsingintotheliquidremainsofoneofitskin.Thevictoriousswordsmanturnedinsearchofhisnextkill,andsohadhisbacktohislastas,impossibly,ittwitchedandjerkedandhauleditselfbacktoitsfeet,itstalon-knivespoisedtostrikeafresh.

Carwenmanagedacryof‘Lookout!’,butiftheGuardsmanheardhimhehad

notimetoreact.Hewasflensedtodeathintwoterribleseconds,revengedinthenextbyasalvoofhellgunbolts.Itwashappeningelsewhereonthebattlefieldtoo,supposedlydeadghoulsrisingtofightagain,anditseemedtoCarwennowthattherewasnohope,thatthisnightmarewasnever-ending.

Hecouldseemuzzleflashesinthedoorwaysacrosstheskyway:twoofhisfellowsquadmembers,twoofthefewsurvivors,doingthebesttheycould,doubtlessawarebynowthatthisdidn’tamounttoagreatdeal.Onlythemeltaswerekillingtheghouls,killingthemforgood–andindeed,nowCarwencouldseethattheghoulswereawareofthistooandtheyweretargetingtheholdersofthoseveryweapons.TherestoftheGuardsmenhaddroppedtheirhellguns,fightingwiththeirbayonetstodefendtheirbetter-equippedcomrades–but,asCarwenwatchedhelplessly,aghoulsidesteppedtwoopponentstoclosewithoneofthemeltagun-wielders.Itsclawslashedout,andthemelta’scontainmentchamberwasshearedintwo,immolatingbothghoulandGuardsmaninabriefbutfuriouseruption.

AnotherGuardsmanhadbackeduptotheskyway’sedge,onlymetresawayfromCarwen’sdoorway,aghoulbearingdownonhimhard.TheGuardsmanfiredhismeltaguntwicebutmissed,andCarwentriedtogetabeadonthecreaturehimselfbutfounditsvictiminhisway.Asecondlater,thatproblematleastwassolved,astheGuardsmancollapsedinasprayofarterialblood–butbeforehiskillercouldretrieveitsprize,aPDFtrooper’slasgunstrucktrueatlast,andittoowasslain.

CarwenknewwhattheEmperorrequiredofhimnow,littleashemayhavelikedit.Justafewstridesalongtheskyway,apparentlyforgotteninthetumult,laythedeadGuardsman’sweapon,unattended.Achanceforhimtomakeadifference,saveafewlives,andallhehadtodowaspickupthatgunandmakehimselfatarget.

Hehadnochoice,hetoldhimself.Hecouldn’tthinkabouttheghoulsandtheirbladedclaws,couldn’tthinkaboutskinnedbodiesintherubbleorhissergeant’sburningcorpse.Hehadtotakeinspirationfromtheskull-maskedGuardsmen,hadtoprovehimselfasbraveastheywere,hadtotakethosestrides.

Carwenrantothemeltagun,droppedtoonekneeandpickeditup.Hisheartwasthumpingagainsthisribcage,hispalmssoslickwithsweatthattheweaponalmostslippedfromhisgrasp.Hefoundthefiringmechanismbytouch;hisgazewasheldbythecorpseoftheghouljustametreawayfromhim.Ithadn’tmovedsinceithadfallen–perhapsitwasactually,finallydead–butCarwenwastakingnochances.

Hethoughtthemeltagunhadmisfiredforaninstant,becauseitdidn’thavethekickhehadexpectedandtheonlysounditmadewasaburninghiss,butthenthecorpseoftheghoulignitedwithasatisfyingcrump.Carwenenjoyedamomentofpureexultation,andthenrememberedtheothercreatureswhoseattentionhehaddoubtlessjustdrawn.Heheftedtheguntohisshoulderandprayedthathemightatleasttakeoneofthemdownbeforehedied,twoiftheEmperorwaswithhim.

Findingatargetamidthemeleewasharderthanhehadexpected.Hedidn’ttrusthimselfnottostrikeaGuardsmanbyaccident.Hisfellowgunmenwerenotsoreticent.Friendlyfirehadjustvaporisedanothertwooftheircomrades,albeittakingaghoulwiththem.Nodoubttheyhadreasonedthat,iftheydidn’ttakethoseshots,thenthosemenweredeadanyway.Carwencouldn’tthinklikethat.

Twoghoulswerecomingforhim,outflankingtheGuardsmenineachdirection.Carwendidn’tknowwhichtoaimfor,whichonewouldreachhimfirst,andbythetimehehadchosentheghoulontheleftheknewitwastoolate,thathehadnohopeofstoppingthemboth.Atleasthecouldmakehisoneshotcount,hethought.Heresistedtheurgetoclosehiseyes,toflinchfromtheterrifyingvisageoftheoncomingmonster.Hegrittedhisteethandhefired…

…andmissed,buttheghoulfellanywaytoawell-placedbayonetthrustfrombehind.Itsprawledinfrontofthestill-kneelingCarwenand,shaking,disgusted,hetrainedhissightsuponthemotionlessbodyandsqueezedhistrigger.Hestruckonlyaglancingblow,andtohishorrorthecorpseattemptedtostandalthoughtheleftsideofitsbodywasweepingmoltenmetal.ThecreaturefixedCarwenwithaburning,malevolentglare,evenasaneyesocketelongatedanddribbleddownitsface.Thenitsleftlegbowedunderitsownweight,andtheghoulcrashedbacktothegroundandthrasheditsremaininglimbsimpotentlyuntilitcouldthrashthemnolonger.

Carwenwasn’tdeadyet.Heswunghismeltaguntotheright,expectingtomeetthetalon-knivesofthesecondghoul,buttherewasnosignofit.Panicking,hedroppedhisrighthandtothegroundandpivotedonit,buttheghoulwasn’tsneakingupbehindhimashehadfeared,andnowCarwenrealisedthatthehalf-meltedcorpseinfrontofhimhadgonetoo,andhecouldnolongerhearthehissingdischargesofthemeltasorthesoundsofhisowncomrades’lasguns.Thefightinghadstopped.

Therewerenoghoulsleft,eitherdeadoralive.Theymusthaveblinkedaway,assuddenly,asinexplicably,astheyhadblinkedin,butthatmeant…

Thatmeanttheywouldalmostcertainlybeback.Themetalghoulscouldstrikeagainatanymoment,replenishedandrecharged,andnoonewouldseethem

coming.Hesitantly,Carwenpickedhimselfupandstartedforward,hisfootstepsloud

inthesuddenstillness.Theothersurvivorsofhissquadwereemergingfromtheirdoorways;afewminutesagotheyhadbeenteninnumber,nowtheywerejustfour.

‘Wholeadsyourunit?’IttookCarwenamomenttoworkoutwhohadspoken,tobesurethatthe

questionhadbeendirectedathim.AGuardsmanwiththerankinsigniaofalieutenantloomedoverhim,andCarwenswallowedtocomposehimselfashelookedupintoablank-eyedface.‘SergeantFlast,sir,’hesaid,‘buthe’sdead.Youjustcrematedthebody.’

‘Whatwerehislastorders?’‘Weweremakingourwayoutofthecity.’‘Thatisnolongerpossible.’Asthelieutenantspoke,Carwensawthefirstredfingersofthemorningsun,

feelingtheirwayacrosstheskyway.Thegroundtrembledwiththeforceofanexplosionsomewherebelowhim,andheknewthattheofficerhadspokenthetruth.Theghoulshaddelayedhimtoolong,hethought,histhroatturningdry.

‘Mydesignation,’saidtheskull-maskedofficer,‘isLieutenant4432-9801-2265-Phaesta,officerincommandofthefirstgrenadierplatoonofthe81stKriegInfantryRegiment,BetaCompany.Yourmenwillplacethemselvesatmydisposal.’

Carwencouldn’ttellifthathadbeenarequestoraninstruction.Hestillcouldn’tspeakanyway,sohejustnodded.TrooperParvelwasonthevox,reportinghissquad’ssituation,butCarwenheldoutlittlehopethatColonelBraunortheGovernororwhoeverwasinchargeatthemomentmightspareaflyertoextractfourlowlyPDFtroopersfromthecity.Therehadtobehundredsliketheminthesamepredicament,andlikelyasimilarnumberofmoreimportantpeople.

AnotherKriegGuardsman,tallerandthinnerthanmost,stalkedtheskyway,examiningthefallen,dispensingmedicalcaretoahandfulofsurvivors.Scuttlingabouthimwereapairofservitors,whocarriedsuppliesforhimandwerealsoladendownwithsparehellguns.WhenthemedicfoundaGuardsmaninjuredbeyondhope,hespokeaquietbenedictionoverhimandshothimthroughthehead.ThenhestrippedtheequipmentfromtheGuardsman’scorpseandhandedittotheservitors.TheKriegplatoonhadlostthirteenmen,alltold;theyhadfewerthantwentyleft.

ThemedicstoopedbesideaPDFtrooper,andCarwenfeltabriefflareof

hopethatanotherofhiscomradesmightbesaved.Thefactthathecouldn’tidentifytheflayedandmutilatedbodyshouldhavetoldhimhowslimahopethiswas.Still,themedicproducedasyringeandattachedittothefallentrooper’sarm.

IttookCarwenafewsecondstofullycomprehendwhathewasdoing.‘Stopthat,’heprotested,racingforwards.‘Youcan’tdothattohim!’‘He’sdead,’saidthemedicinaflat,matter-of-facttone.‘Iknowthat,’saidCarwen,‘Icanseethat,but–’‘Wearecutofffromoursupplylines.Wemustmakethemostoftheresources

availabletous.’Thesyringewasfullnow,andthemedicpassedittoaservitor.‘Yourcomradehasnofurtheruseforthisblood,butitcouldsavealifewithwhichtheEmperorcanbeserved.IpresumeyourcomradewouldwishtoservetheEmperor?’

Carwencouldn’targuewiththatlogic,butatthesametimehehadnowishtowatchwhatthemedicwasdoingeither.Whowerethesepeople,hewondered,whotreatedthedeadwithaslittlerespectashadthemetalghoulsthemselves?

Themedicstoodandextendedanexpectanthand.IttookCarwenamomenttorememberthathewasstillcarryingthemeltagun,andhehandeditoverwithsomereluctance.TheweaponwasreallocatedtooneoftheKriegGuardsmen,althoughthemedic–hewasmorethanthat,Carwencouldseenow;theKriegmendeferredtohim,andaddressedhimas‘quartermaster’–madeagesturetohisservitors,andthefourPDFtrooperswereeachissuedwithhellguns,whichwassomethingatleast.

Thelieutenantgatheredhistroopsabouthimself.‘Thecityhasbeensealed,’heinformedthem,‘buttheremaystillbeawayforustoservewithinthesewalls.Ourordersaretogotogrounduntilthatwayismadecleartous.’

Hemusthavebeenincontactwithhissuperiorstoo,althoughCarwenhadn’tseenorheardit.Hehadnoticed,however,thatoneoftheGuardsmencarriedavox-caster,soitseemedprobablethatthelieutenantwaswearingadiscreetcomm-bead.

Carwenwasrelievedwhentheymovedonatlast,awayfromtheskywayanditsbodies–relievedbecauseitseemedlesslikelytohimnowthattheghoulswouldfindthemagain.Reliefsoongaveway,however,toastomach-knottinganxiety,whenCarwentriedtoenvisagehisfateinstead.

Hewasfollowingleadershedidnotknow,menwhomadehimfeeluncomfortable,whohecouldn’tquitebringhimselftotrust.Thegroundshookagainas,presumably,anotherskywayorapartofabuildingwascollapsed

somewherebeneathhim,andCarwenknewthathisdreamsofescape,thedreamsthathadsustainedhimthroughthelongnight,werewellandtrulydead.Asdeadasmostofhiscomrades,hisfriends.

Hewasstillalive,stillmoving,buttowardswhathehadn’tthefaintestidea.Hehadbeenturnedaroundsothat,insteadofexitingthecity,hewasheadingforitscentre–andTrooperCarwenhadthestrongestimpressionthathisnewfoundcomradeswereexpectingtodiethere.

ChapterNine

Guntharwoketosunlight,andtodistantcracksofgunfire.Lookingoutside,hesawanemptyskyway,andnosignatallthatanythinghadhappenedapartfromaloneautocabsittingatanoddangletothetowers.Hischrono,however,readmorning-shiftalready,sotheskywayoughttohavebeenteemingwithpeople.

Weberwasfastasleepinhiswatchpositionbythewindow.Guntharshookhimawake,andtheyhuntedforfood,becausetheywerebothravenousandbecauseitwaseasiertofocusonthisshort-termgoalthantodiscusswhatmighthappennext.Thepastedispenserabovethestovewasdry,soWeberbrokeintoaroomacrossthehallway.Thehab,asitturnedout,wasoccupied:ayoungwomansathuddledinacorner,twochildrenclutchedprotectivelytoherbreast,andallthreeofthemscreamingandcryinginthefaceofthisviolentintrusion.IttookGuntharandWebersomeminutestocalmthingsdown,toexplainthemselves.

Weberaskedthewomantocomewiththem,outofthecity.ItwasnewstoGuntharthattheyweregoinganywhere,buthedidn’tobject.Inthedaylight,hefeltbraverthanhehadlastnight,andthewomanconfirmedthattheywereonlyafewkilometresfromtheirgoal.Withthesuntoguidethem,theycouldreachthecitywallwithinthehour.Therewasonlyoneproblem.

‘Wetriedtoleavelastnightwiththesoldiers,’sniffedthewoman,‘butthelifters,theexternallifters,weren’tworkingandthesoldiers…Icouldn’tdowhattheysaid.Icouldn’ttakemybabies…Notdownthere.Notwherethemutantslive.’

HerwordsdampenedGunthar’soptimism,and,asheandWebergulpeddownscavengedscrapsinthehallway,hesuggestedthatmaybethewomanhadbeenright.‘Maybe,’hesaid,‘itwouldbebesttostayput.’

‘What,andwaittoberescued?’scoffedWeber.‘Goodluckwiththat.They’llsendinthesoldiersfortheGovernor’sdaughterfirst,thenhisfriendsafterher,

thentheGovernor’ssupportersafterthem,andhisloyalcitizensatthebottomofthelist.’

‘I’veneverleftthecitybefore,Ineverrealisedthat…Iftheonlywayoutisdown…Weber,Ithinkthemonsterscamefrom,youknow,downthere.’

‘Butit’squietrightnow,’saidWeber.‘It’sbeenquietallmorning,andIthinkI’drathertakemychancesinthedaylightthenwaitandseewhathappensafterdark.’

Guntharnoddedgloomily,buthewasthinkingaboutthesoldiersthathadpassedhiswindowlastnight.Theyhadn’tbeenlikethebestialghouls,ortheinsectsWeberhaddescribed.Hehadseenfromtheirbearings,fromthewaytheyhadmoved,thattheywereintelligent,andthisscaredhimmorethananythinghehadseenthusfar.Thosesoldiers,Guntharwassure,wouldn’tbesleepingawaytheday,theywouldbeouttheresomewhere,schemingandplanningandsearching…

Weberwasright.Theyweren’tsafehere.Theyweren’tsafeanywhere.‘Isuppose,’saidGunthar,‘aswearesoclose…Wecouldseewhat’sout

there,andmaybe…maybethey’llhavegottheliftersworkingbynow,sowecan…Idon’tknow,maybeweshouldjusttakeitonestepatatime.’

Somehow,thedeclarationhadsoundedmorecertaininhishead.Still,Weberagreedwithhim–and,seeingthereliefinthestorekeeper’seyes,Guntharrealisedthatdespitehisoutwardconfidencehetoohadbeenseekingreassurance.

Theyemergedintothecoolmorningair,andalthoughtheskywaywasstillquiet–almostpreternaturallyso–Guntharfeltallhislogic,allhisbraveresolutions,drainingintohisshoes.Hefeltisolatedouthere,exposed.

Heprayedhewasn’tmakingafatalmistake.

Itdidn’ttakethemlongtofindthescarsoflastnight’sattacks.Guntharsawtheholesintheskylinefirst.Hetriedtobelievetheymight

alwayshavebeenthere,thatthetowersmightsimplyhavebeenbuiltfurtherapartintheseoutskirtsofthecity.Then,turningacorner,heandWebercameuponacollapsedhab-block,perhapsthesameoneonwhichtheyhadtrodbefore,andhecouldlietohimselfnolonger.

Hesawamangledbodyand,althoughhedidn’twanttolook,hecouldn’ttearhiseyesawayfromit.Itdidn’tlooklikeaghoul,butwithoutacloserinspection–andGuntharhadnointentionofgettingcloser–hecouldn’tbesure.Hewasrelievedwhen,throughunspokenconsent,heandWeberturnedandbegantoskirttheruinsratherthanattemptingtocrossthem,althoughthiswouldlengthentheir

journey.Thereweremorebodiesontheskyways.Theylaywheretheyhadfallen,and

somehadbeenstrippedoftheirflesh,theirexposedbloodvesselsglisteninginthesunlight.However,therewaslifeheretoo.GuntharandWeberweren’ttheonlystrandedcitizenstohaveventured,blinking,outintothenewday.

Manyoftheotherswerelikezombies,shufflingshell-shockedthroughthewreckageoftheirlives.Most,Guntharrealised,werewaitingforsomebodytotellthemwhattodo.Occasionally,someonewouldturntohiminhope,seeingthroughthebloodstainsonhisfinegreytunic,evidentlywonderingifhewastheonetoleadthem,andthenGuntharfeltashamedbecausehecouldn’tbethatman.

Evenso,asheandWeberproceeded,theypickedupasmallgroupoffollowers,attractedbytheveryfactthattheyweregoingsomewhere.Weberneitherencouragednordiscouragedthesetag-alongs,hejustploddedoningrimsilence.

TheyfoundaPDFhalf-trackand,litteringtheskywayaroundit,theremainsofaPDFsquad.Theydisturbedawild-eyedyoungmanwhohadbeenintheprocessoflootingoneofthecorpses;helevelledastolenlasgunatthemandtriggereditbyaccident.Fortunatelythebeamhitnoone,butthesoundoftheweapon’sreportechoedalongtheskywaylikeatreacherousalarmcall.Guntharwantedtobackupandgetawayfromtherebut,tohischagrin,Weberwasintentontalkingtheboydownfirst.

Aminutelater,Guntharlearnedthereasonwhy.Weberwantedthesoldiers’weaponsforhimself.Heacquiredalasgun,heftingitinbothhandsthenputtingittohisshoulder,squintingalongitssights,gettingthemeasureofit.WhenGuntharprotestedthathewasmakinghimselfatarget,thestorekeeper,riflinganothersoldier’swebbingforsparepowerpacks,grunted,‘We’retargetsalready,allofus.’

Guntharwasstillconsideringthatwisdomwhenthelastofthegunswasclaimed.Therewerefourofthemnowamongthegroup–afewmorehadbeendestroyed–andhehadtoadmitthattheirpresencemadehimfeelmorecomfortable.Hehadseenoneghoulkilledbylasgunfire,heremindedhimself,itwaspossible,andsurelyeventhatslimchancewasbetterthannone.

Therewassometalkabouttakingthehalf-tracktoo,butnooneknewhowtooperateitand,whenonewomanmanagedtostartitsengine,itsroarwasdeafening.Guntharpointedoutthat,withsomuchdebrisaboutandtheliftersinoperable,thevehiclecouldn’thavetakenthemfaranyway.

Anoldmanwanderedtheskyways,hisvoiceboomingouttoanyonewho

wouldlisten.HewaspreachingthattheEmperorwasdead,thatHieronymousThetahadbeenabandonedtothemercyoftheRuinousPowers.Adayago,maybeevenlessthanthat,hewouldhavebeenspatonforsuchheresy,ifnotsummarilyexecutedbytheproctors.Today,ashismotleygroupresumedtheiruncertainjourney,Guntharcouldn’thavesaidforsurethatthepreacherwaswrong.

Onemoretower.Guntharcouldseejustonemoretower,andbeyondthatnothingbutthesky.Itmighthavebeenaskychokedwithdustandsmoke,andstreakedwithblackfromathousandfuneralpyresburningacrossthecity,butstillitwasawelcomesight.Guntharallowedhishopestorise,buttheyweredashedinaninstant.

Onebyone,themembersofhisgroupstumbledtoahaltastheysawwhatlayaheadofthem.Theskywaythatshouldhavesweptthemtowardsfreedomtookasharpplungeinstead.Itssupportstrutshadbeenblownout,atleastoneofthebuildingstowhichithadbeenanchoreddemolished.Feelingtheskywayflexingandstrainingbeneathhisweight,Guntharedgedforwardasfarashedared.Eveniftheyhadhadropes,iftheycouldhaveclimbeddown,theywouldhavealighteduponacompactedheapofrubblesometwentyfloorsbelow,whichstretchedfurtherthanhecouldsee.

Thatlasttowerwasunreachable.Itwasalongtimebeforeawordwasspoken.ThenWeber,reluctantly

acceptinghisdefactopositionasgroupleader,suggestedtheyturnbackandfindanintactstaircase.Perhaps,hesaid,therewasstillawayout,beneaththedevastatedarea.Hisdefeatedtoneinspirednobody,Guntharleastofall,butthenneitherwerethereanybetterideas.However,asthedispiritedrefugeestrudgedbackthewaytheyhadcome,Guntharnotedthatafewofthemallowedthemselvestobeleftbehind.

Theyweredowntosevenbythetimetheyhadfoundasturdy-lookinghab-block,bythetimetheyhadtorndownaman-madebarricadeandclearedaroutedownward.Fourmen,threewomen,threeweaponsleftbetweenthem.Withtwobodiesaheadofhimandtherestbehind,Guntharfelthemmedinonthenarrow,darkstaircase.Hewishedhehadpickedupalasgunafterall.

Theywalkedforalmostfortyminutes,andGuntharlostcountofthenumberoffloorstheyhaddescended.Theycametoasecondbarricade,andresignedlysetaboutitsdisassembly.Thisonehadbeenreinforcedwithbarbedwire,whichWeberhadtocarefullyuntangle,cursingeveryfewsecondsasabarbtorehisflesh.Gunthar’sfeetachedandhecouldn’treachthebarricadepastWebertohelp,

sohesatonastairandrestedhisheadinhishandsinstead.

Theysoughtfoodandrestinanotherabandonedhab.ItwassmallerthanGuntharwasusedto,asqueezeforthesevenofthem,andthewallswerecoveredinvile,blasphemousgraffiti.Theywereobviouslynearinggroundlevel.

Guntharbracedhimselfforallkindsofhorrorsastheysteppedoutside.Hewassurprisedtobemetbysunlight,relievedtoountilherealisedthatitwasthelossofsomanytowersthathaddispelledtheshadowsdownhere.Theskywaybeforethemwaslitteredwithdebrisandlookedlittledifferenttotheonesabove,wholesaledestructionbeingagreatleveller.Afewshabbily-cladpeoplepickedtheirwaythroughthewreckage,againasabove,butGuntharcouldseenoobvioussignsofmutationonthem.Perhapsthemutantshadescapedthroughthegatealready,hethought,orbetterstillbeendealtwithbythePDF.

Unfortunately,thislevelofferednomorehopethantheother.Barelytenminuteslater,theyfoundtheskywaytheywerefollowingblockedbyrubble.Theysaggedagainstit,toowearytocontemplateafurtherdescent,drainedofallhopethattheriskmightpayoff.‘Wecouldtryanotherdirection,’saidWeberwithoutenthusiasm.‘Theremightbeawaythroughtothenorthorthesouth.Idoubtit,though.Thisisn’trandomvandalism.Someonehasdonethisonpurpose,pennedusinhere.IshouldthinktheonlywayoutofHieronymousCitynowistobeairliftedout–andlikeIsaid,you’dhavetobetheGovernor’sdaughtertomeritaflyer.’

Asiftounderscorehiswords,theskywaytrembledgently.Arailingswayed,andmasonryskittereddowntheheapatGunthar’sback.

‘Hanrikdoesn’thaveadaughter,’hemurmureddistractedly.‘Daughter,niece,’saidWebervaguely,‘whoeverthatwomanwas.’‘What…whichwoman?’‘Isaid,didn’tI?ThefellowItalkedtolastnight,theonewhotoldmeabout

theinsects…Beforetheyappeared,hesaidhesawamemberoftheGovernor’sfamily.’

‘Younevertoldmethat,’saidGunthar,awarethathisvoicewasrising.‘Youdidn’tsayonethingabout–’

Andthentheshootingstarted.Multiplelas-beamsslammedintotherubblebehindGunthar,onestriking

uncomfortablyclosetohisheadsothataricochetingplascreteshardcuthisleftear.Hetriedtopushhimselftohisfeet,locatethesourceofthethreatatthesametime,feltthemountainofrubbleshiftingbeneathhishandsandfloundered.

Fortunately,Weberandoneoftheotherlasgun-holdershadreactedfasterthanGuntharhad,andtheywerereturningfire.

Therewereshadowsattheedgesoftheskyway,stooped,inhumanfigures,anditwasameasureofallGuntharhadbeenthroughinthepasttwodaysthathewasalmostrelievedtoidentifythemasmeremutants.Evidently,thesightofthecityindisarrayhademboldenedthem,andtheywereseizingthischancetoclaimsomequarterofitforthemselves.Theyhadalsoscavengedtwolasguns,atleast.

AnotherbeamstabbedoutinGunthar’sdirectionandstruckapale-faced,puffy-eyedwomanbesidehim,slicingthroughherrightelbow.Shegapeddisbelievinglyatthecauterisedstumpofherarm,thenfainted.OneofWeber’slas-beams,inreturn,punchedthroughamutant’sthroat,anditsquealedanddied.

Guntharwasaneasytargetwherehestood.Hewantedtorun,ashehadalwaysrunbefore,butthistimetherewasnowheretorunto.Hestartedforward,lookingforshelter,andmorefiguresrosebeforehim.Themutantsweremorenumerousthanhehadinitiallyseen;therewereeightornineofthem.Alasgunswivelledhisway,butitsholdercameunderfireandGuntharwasreprievedforasecondortwo.

Hisonly,desperate,hopewastoclosewiththemutants,todenythemtheadvantageoftheirrangedweapons.Itwasaterrifyingplan,butitwasallhehad,soheloweredhisheadandherushedagaunt,foul-smelling,pustule-coveredcreature,hopingthathismomentumwouldlendhimthestrengthheneededtobowlitover.Hecannonedintothemutant,butithadseenhimcoming,setitselfagainsthim,anditabsorbedtheimpactofhischargewithoutgivingafootstep.

Themutanthadthestrengthofanenragedgrox.ItflippedGuntharontohisbackandpinnedhimdownwithabonykneeinhischest.Arancidmouthloomedoverhim,andshoweredhisfacewithspittle.Hewastryingtoholdthemutant’sarmsbackasitscrabbledtogougeouthiseyeswithdirty,callousedfingers.

Hewassavedbyanotherearthtremor,thisonemoreviolentandprotractedthanthefirst.Themutantlostitsbalance,andGuntharkickedandunseateditfromhim.Hecouldn’tmatchitsstrength,sohemadetorun,butthetreacherousquakestolehisfootingandthemutantwasuponhimagain,tacklinghimaroundtheankles.AsGuntharfell,hishandfoundabrickontheskyway.Hesnatcheditup,twistedaround,swungforthemutant’sheadandstrucktrue.Theimpactjarredthebrickfromhisstungfingers,buttheblowhadhadthedesiredeffect.Themutantcrumpled.

Gunthardidn’tknowwhereithadlanded,didn’tknowifitwasstillfightingtoreachhim.Itseemedtheentireworldwasshakingnow,sovigorouslythathewas

seeingdouble.Hecouldn’tstand,couldn’teventry,hecouldonlyhugtheskywayfordearlifeandpraytotheEmperorthatitwouldn’tgiveway.

Theearthquakesubsided;Guntharheardfootstepsandgingerlyraisedhisheadtoseefourmutantsscamperingawayinfright.Helookedfortheonehehadfought,andcaughthisbreathatthesightofitslifelessbodysprawledbesidehim,blackbloodpoolingbeneathitsfracturedskull.Hefoughtwithconflictingemotions.Hefeltproudbecause,thistime,hehadfoughtback,donetheEmperor’sbidding,butatthesametimehewasappalledthathishandshadsnuffedoutalife,evenamutantlife.

Itcouldsoeasilyhavebeenhiminstead,lyingthere,anemptyshell.Guntharheardascufflebehindhim,andturnedtofindhisfellowrefugees

bearingthefinalmutanttotheground,holdingitdownwhileoneputalasgunbarreltoitstemple.Heclosedhiseyessoasnottoseethemomentofthemutant’sdeath,butthesoundofthelas-shotneverthelessevokedtheimagetooclearlyinhismind.

Thenawoman’svoiceshoutedforhelp,andGuntharrealisedthatsomebodywasdown.Thewomanwasoverbytherubbleheap,andGunthar’sheartsankashesawathatchofblackhairandrecognisedWeber’sbodybesideher.

Herantohisnewfoundfriend’sside,althoughhedidn’tknowwhathecoulddoforhim.Weberwasstillbreathing,butraggedly,andtherewasasuckingwoundinhischest.Hisfacewascakedwithsweat,andhispupilshadcontractedasifhewasstaringatsomethingaworldaway.‘Can’tanyonehelphim?’Guntharcried.‘Didn’tanyonetakea…amedi-kitorsomethingfromthesoldiers?’

‘Just…winded,that’sall,’wheezedWeber,andwithasupremeeffortheliftedhisarmandtookGunthar’shandinoneofhisownlarger,rougherones.‘Needamomentto…catchmybreath…’ItwasplaininWeber’sfacethathedidn’tbelievehisownwords.HewasholdingontoGunthar’shandwithabone-crushingferocity,asifhopingtoclingtolifethroughmusclepoweralone,andtherewasadesperateappealinhiseyes,onethatGunthardidn’tknowhowtoanswer.

Hefeltheshouldsaysomething,offersomereassurance,butonlyonethoughtbubbledtothesurfaceofhismind,andthiswashislastchancetoaskaboutit.‘Thiswoman,’hesaid,‘theoneyourfriendsaw,howdidheknow…?’

Weberappearedconsternatedatfirst,thengladtohavesomethingotherthanhisownfatetothinkabout.‘Youmean,’hesaid,‘the…theGovernor’sdaughter?’

‘Hisniece,’saidGunthar.‘TheGovernor’sniece.Wasitdefinitelyher?’‘Thefellow,he…saidherememberedherfromanewsreel,duringthefood

riots.Idon’tknow,itcouldbehewas…maybehewasimaginingthings.’‘Didhesaywhatshelookedlike?Weber,didhesay–?’‘Idon’tknow.Young.Niceclothes.Buthewasprobablymistaken.What

would…whatwouldsomeonelikethatbedoingsofarfromherivorytower?’Weberclosedhiseyes,then,andGuntharfelthisholdweakeningashis

breathingbecameshallower.Hehadnomorewords,sohejustsqueezedWeber’shandashardashecould,toremindhimthathewasn’talone,untilatlast,withonefinal,wrackingbreath,hewasgone,andhisfingerswentlimpinGunthar’sgrip.

‘Whatdowedonow?’askedahollowvoicebehindhim,andGuntharrealisedthattheotherrefugeeswererangedabouthim,lookingtohimtoguidethem.Thewomanwhohadlostherarmwasonherfeetwiththerestofthem,weepingsoftlytoherself.

‘Idon’tknow,’saidGunthar.‘I…Idon’tknow.’‘Dowegoon,’somebodyelseasked,‘maybetryforanothergate?’‘Idon’tknow.’‘Whatifthemutantscomeback?Whatiftheybringreinforcements?’‘Idon’tknow,Idon’tknow,Idon’tknow!’Thislastwasshouted,andtheeffortofforcingoutthewordsbrokeadamin

Gunthar’sthroat,andallowedtearstorisetohiseyes.Hefoughtthemback,swallowinghard,breathingindeeply.‘Ithink,’hesaidatlast,whenhehadcomposedhimself,‘IthinkWeberwasright.There’snowayoutofthecityforus.Ithinkweshould…Weshouldhavestayedwherewewere.Weshouldgobacktotheupperfloors,whereit’ssafe…safer,Imean.Weshouldwait,waitforthegovernorto...well,todosomething.TrustintheEmperor,andHe...Hewillprovide.’

Evenashespokethosewords,Guntharknewthatheandtheotherswouldbepartingcompanysoon.

Hehadn’tthoughtaboutArexallday.Toobusythinkingabouthimself.Now,itseemedthatwhenthelightshadgoneoutshehadn’tbeenathome.Instead,shehadbeenonthe204thfloor,facinganattackbymetalinsects–Webermaynothavebeensureofthis,butGuntharwas,becauseheknewonethingthatWeberhadn’t.

Heknewthatthe204th-floorskywaywastherouteanyautocabwouldtakefromtheHighSpiretohisownmodesthabonthe223rdfloor.

Arexhadcomelookingforhim–andinhisfear,inhisselfishness,Guntharhadturnedhisbackonher.Norwouldshehavetoldherunclewhereshewasgoing,soshewouldhavenoprospectofbeingrescuedbyhimdespiteWeber’sinsinuations.Shewasprobablyalone,possiblyhurt,almostcertainlyshelteringin

Gunthar’shab,wonderingwherehewas,needinghim.Hehadtogetbackthere.Hehadtofindher.HeletgoofWeber’shand,layingitacrossthestorekeeper’schest.Thenhe

reachedacrossthebodyandhepickedupWeber’slasgun.Itwassurprisinglylight.

TheEmperor,itseemed,wantedGuntharSoresontofight,sohehadgivenhimsomething–somethingmorethanhisownlife–tofightfor.Andthatwasokay,hetoldhimself,becausehecouldfightnow,hehadjustprovedthattohimself.

Guntharcouldn’tbeahero,heacceptedthat,buthecouldbeasoldier.Andhewouldbe,hetoldhimself–ifonlybecausehehadnochoiceinthematter.

ChapterTen

ThetremorsreachedasfarasHieronymousPort.Costellinfeltthefirstashestoodbyhisofficewindow,lookingdownontothe

spaceportramp.PDFdrillinstructorsweremarshallinganarmyofnew,rawrecruitsoutthere,recruitswhowerestrugglingtomarchinstepdespitetheirmostearnestefforts.Thefirsttremorbowledahandfulofthemover,andthecommissarsmiledwrylytohimselfatthecommotionthussparked.

Tothetremoritself,hegavelittlethought,assumingittohavebeencausedbyademolitioncharge.Hehadbeenhearingthedistantcrumpsofsuchchargesfromthecityallmorning,thoughtheintervalsbetweenthemhadlengthened.

Thenthesecond,morepowerfulandlonger-lastingquakehit,andhehadtoholdontothewindowsilltomaintainhisfooting.Now,hehadcauseforconcern.

Costellinwasn’tthefirsttoreachColonel186’sdoor.Governor-GeneralHanrikbeathimtoit.Thecolonel’saideswerebusyatthevox-caster,requestingreportsfromhismenonthefrontlineandhiscounterpartsintheotherthreeKriegregiments.‘It’sconfirmed,sir,’saidamaskedlieutenant,heftingapileofdata-slates.‘Accordingtoourtriangulations,theepicentreofbothearthquakeswasrighthere–’Hepointedtoaslatewithastencil.‘–intheheartofHieronymousCityitself.’

Thecolonelnoddedasifhehadexpectednothingelse.TurningtoHanrik,heasked,‘Doesthisregionhaveahistoryofgeologicalinstability?’

Hanrikshookhishead.‘Notatall.Therehasn’tbeensomuchasatremorhereinmylifetime.Eveniftherehadbeen,thetimingofthis–’

‘Thenwemayassume,’thecolonelinterruptedhim,‘thatthenecronsareresponsible.Lieutenant,Iwillneedfreshscansoftheaffectedarea.’

‘Yes,sir.I’llcontactthetroopship,sir.’Therewasnomoretobesaiduntilthosescansarrived,soCostellinaskedto

beinformedwhentheydidandthenleft.Hehadabadfeelingaboutthis,buthekepthisthoughtstohimselfuntiltherewasmoreinformation.Thecolonel,heknew,wouldentertainnogroundlessspeculation.Hanrikfollowedhimout,butCostellinnotedthathepostedaPDFsentryinthecorridorbetweentheiroffices,presumablytoalerthimshouldameetingbeconvenedwithouthim.

Fortyminuteslater,theGovernortookthefurtherprecautionofpayingthecommissaravisit.CostellinwaitedpatientlyasHanriktalkedinconcernedtonesaboutthesituationingeneralandthepossiblecausesoftheearthquakesinparticular,beforeworkinghiswayaroundtohispoint.

‘We’vebeencombingthecity,ofcourse,’hesaid,‘butourlasgunsarenomatchforthosenecronghouls.We’vealreadylosttwosquadsthismorning,andtheflyerstheywerein.Ijustneed…We’restilladdingtothelistofthemissing.I’mtalkingaboutimportantpeople:captainsofindustry,philanthropists,lordseven.Theironyisthat,withtheliftersout,itwasthoseontheupperfloorswhohadtheleastchanceofescape,butIhear…I’vebeenreadingthereports,anditseemstheKrieg–’

‘You’reaskingforourhelp,’saidCostellin.‘Youhaveresources,weapons,thatwejust–’‘YouwantKriegsoldierstoflywithyourmenontheirrescuemissions.Ican

seehowthatwouldbeaboontothem.Icanguesswhatthecolonel’sresponsewillbe,though.Hehasthefinalsayontroopallocations,asI’msureyou’reaware.’

‘Thecolonel.Yes.’Hanrikclearedhisthroat.‘HeandIdidn’texactlygetoffonthebestfoot.Ithoughtmycausemightfindmorefavourwereitto–’

‘You’reaskingmetointercedewiththecolonelonyourbehalf.’Itwasacommonenoughrequest,andnotanunreasonableone.

‘Iunderstand,ofcourse,ifhecan’tsparethemanpower.Ithought,ifwecouldjustlayourhandsonthosemeltaguns…’

‘I’dsaythecolonelismorelikelytoletyouhavethemen,’saidCostellindryly.‘Theweaponsaremorevaluable,andhardertocomeby.Butthere’smoretothisappealthanyou’retellingme,Ithink.Amorepersonalstakethansimplyconcernforyourworld’sgreatandgood?’

Hanrik’shandshadbeenfidgetinginhislap,betrayinghisapprehension.Nowhestiffened,metCostellin’ssteadygazeforamoment,thensighedandnodded.Hereachedintohistunicpocketandproducedadevicethatlookedlikeavox-handset.

‘Myniece,’hesaid.‘HernameisArex.Shewentmissingbeforethepower

cut,butshewearsanamecytenecklacewith…Ihadamachinethatcouldfindher.Welostit.Ithoughtthatwasit,Iknowthere’s…Iknowthere’sonlyasmallchancethatsheisstill…butIspoketoanenginseerandhebuiltthisreplacementmachineforme.Hesaysitwillworkliketheother,hejusthastofindArex’ssignal,buttodothathehastogetclosertoher.’

‘Iunderstand,’saidCostellin.‘Weknowwhereshewaslastnight.Wecansendateamtothatlocation,then

themachinecanleadthemtoher.They’dbestraightinandoutofthecity.’‘Iwillputyourrequesttothecolonel,’saidCostellin.‘IwilldoallIcan.’Hanriknoddedgratefully,thenglancedimpatientlyathischrono.‘Howmuch

longer,doyouthink?Howlongdoesitnormallytakeforoneofthesescans…?’‘Oh,Ishouldthinkthescaniscompletedbynow.TheKrieggeneralsonthe

troopshipwillbeanalysingitaswespeak.’‘Thenwhatarewewaitingfor?Thecolonelpromisedtoconsultus–’‘Hepromisedtokeepusinformed,’saidCostellin.‘Thatisn’tthesamething

atall.Oh,hewillobservetheniceties,letyouhaveyoursay,hemightevenrelayyourthoughtstothegeneralsifhefindstheminsightfulenough–but,bythetimewespeakwithColonel186again,hewillalreadyknowwhathisordersare.’

Anotherhalf-hourlater,theywereseatedbeforethecolonel’sdesk,inspectingatacticalhololith,andHanrikasked,‘WhatexactlyamIlookingathere?’

‘Ipresume,’saidthecolonel,‘youdonotrecognisethatconstruct.Itdidnotshowuponourpreviousscans.’

‘Recogniseit?’echoedHanrik.‘I…I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.Thetowers…Thatareawouldhavebeenpackedwithtowers.It’srightattheheartofthecity.Whathashappenedtothemall?Theycan’thavejust…Theycan’t…’

‘It’sapyramid,’saidCostellin.‘Ablackstonepyramid.Itmustbeabout…’Hethumbedupsomefiguresonthedisplay,andperformedaquickcalculation.‘It’satleasttwohundredstoreyshigh,andalmostakilometrealongeachsideofthebase.’

‘Buttherehasn’tbeentime,’protestedHanrik,‘tobuildsomethinglike…WhereintheEmperor’snamediditcomefrom?’

‘Underground,’saidCostellingravely.‘Itcamefromunderground.Myguesswouldbethatthisconstructisthesourceofallourproblems:thenecrontombitself.’

‘Thenthosetremorswefelt…’‘Theemergenceofthattomb,’confirmedCostellin.

‘Webelieveiteruptedfromtheground,’saidthecolonel,‘withenoughforcetouprootthetowersstillstandingaboveit,andtopulverisethem.’

‘Andwhat…whatisthis?’Hanrikindicatedagreensplotchonthehololith.‘Thatisnotyetknown,’saidthecolonel.‘Anenergysource,’murmuredCostellin,leaningincloserandstudyingthe

runesthatflickeredbesidetheirregularshape,‘emanatingfromtheapexofthepyramid,pulsinggreeninthevisiblespectrumbutalso…isthisright?Thesefiguresseemtoindicatethatmuchoftheenergyisbleedingoffinto…intorealmsunknown.’

‘Likeabeacon,’saidHanrik.‘Likethenecronsare…Doyouthinktheycouldbesendingoutadistresssignal?Callingforhelp?’

‘Letuspraythatisso,’saidthecolonel.‘Itwouldmeanthat,bytheirownanalysis,theylacktheresourcestodefendthemselvesagainstus.’

‘Untiltheirreinforcementsarrive,’addedCostellinquietly.‘Wehaveputourtech-prieststoworkonthisdata,’saidthecolonel,‘andthey

areattemptingtoblockthattransmission.Colonel81alsoadvisesthathehasagrenadierplatooninthecity.Hehassentthemtoexaminethepyramidcloseup.’

‘WhatabouttheInquisition?’askedCostellin.‘Weneedalltheinformationthey’repreparedtogiveus,detailsofpastnecronencounters,theirobservedweaknessesifindeedtheyhaveany.Iknowit’sunlikelytoamounttoverymuch,but–’

‘Acommuniquéhasbeensent,’saidthecolonel.‘Inthemeantime,weknowasmuchasweneedtoknow.Thenecronshaveprovideduswithatarget,atlast.’

‘You’resendingyourmenin?’askedHanrik.‘Notexactly,’saidthecolonel.‘Ourprimaryobjectiveisstillcontainment.We

havecreatedaringofsteelaroundtheenemy.Now,wewillcloseit.Wearegoingtoforcethenecronsbackintothatconstructoftheirs,andwearegoingtoensurethattheydon’temergeagain.HieronymousCitywillbetheirnewtomb.’

Hanrikblanchedvisiblyatthis,doubtlessunderstandingwhatthisplanmeantforhiscapital.Hehadlearnedbetterthantoarguethepoint,though.Hesatquietly,fidgetingwithhishands,asCostellinandthecolonelbrieflydiscussedthefinerpointsofartilleryplacementsandsupplylines.ThenHanrikexcusedhimselfandleft,withameaningfulglanceinthecommissar’sdirection.

Truetohisword,CostellinputtheGovernor’srequesttothecolonelassoonashefoundanappropriatemomenttodoso.Hereceivedtheexpectedanswer.

‘Youmightwishtoreconsider,’hepushedgently.‘Hanrikhaschargeofthe

PlanetaryDefenceForce,andagreatdealofcloutwiththecitizenryofthisworldwhetheryouacknowledgehispositionornot.Thatmeanshecommandsasubstantialamountofresources,notleastanumberofflyers,forwhichIshouldthinkausecouldpresentitself.Thismissiontofindonelostgirlmaynotseemworththetimeortherisktoyou,butitisoftheutmostimportancetohim,andafavourforHanriknowoughttoearnafavourfromhiminthefuture.’

Heknewwhatthecolonelwasthinking.HewasthinkingthatnomanshouldneedabribetodowhattheEmperorwishedofhim.Still,hispredecessorhadlearnedtotrustthecommissar’sjudgementinsuchmatters,anditseemedthatthisnewcolonelwasatleastwillingtoconsiderhiswordstoo.

‘Asyet,’saidCostellin,‘noenemyhasbeensightedatthewalls.Wehavegrenadiersanddeathriderssattwiddlingtheirthumbs,withnotargetfortheirweapons.I’msureafewofthemwouldbegladtoseealittleaction.’

‘Onesquad,’thecolonelrelented.‘IwillturnonesquadovertoGeneralHanrik’scommand,fornolongerthaneighthours.’Costellinthankedhimforhisunderstanding,andlefttodeliverthegoodnewstoHanrik.HetriednottothinkaboutwhatthecolonelmightaskoftheGovernorinreturn,andofhispeople.

Potentially,Costellinhadjustthrownagreatmanyinnocentstothewolvesinexchangeforthelifeofjustone,butthatwassomethingtofretaboutlater.

Thatafternoon,hemadeatourofthetroopemplacements,morebyhabitthananything.Inhispreviousassignments,asightingofanofficeronthefrontlineshadalwaysbeengoodforthemoraleofaregiment,butofcoursetheGuardsmenoftheDeathKorpswereratherlessappreciativeofsuchgestures.

Theirmoralewasprobablyhigherthanhisown,Costellinreflected,ashishalf-trackspedalongtheapproachroadtothecity.Theydidn’tknowwhattheywerefacing,andtheydidn’tmuchcare.Theytrustedintheirgeneralstomaketheirdecisionsforthem,togivethemthechancetomaketheirlivescountfortheEmperor.

Theywerecertainlymakingtheirpresencefelt.Theroarsoftheirgunsdrownedoutthesoundofthehalf-track’senginelongbeforeitreacheditsdestination.TheheavyartilleryoftheKrieg186thwasarrayedbeforethewesternwallofthecity,whatremainedofitafteranhour’ssolidbombardment.TheMedusas,withtheirlimitedrangebutenormousdestructivepower,wereupfrontdoingmostofthework,eachensconcedinitsownshallowdugout,eachspittingoutheavyshellafterheavyshellinadeafeningbarrage.Behindthem,theEarthshakerssquattedontheirstaticplatforms,waitinginpregnantsilencefora

moreenticingtarget.MajorGammaemergedtogreetthecommissarfromthetentthatservedashis

CompanyHQ.Ifhespokeatall,however,betweenthenoiseandthemajor’smouth-concealingmask,Costellincouldn’ttell.HesignalledtotheKriegofficertocarryonashewas,andmovedon.Ashedrewclosertothewall,adustcloudbilloweduparoundhim,tearingathisthroatandhistearducts.Notforthefirsttimeinsuchcircumstances,CostellinfelthewouldhavebeengladofaKriegfacemaskhimself.

DeltaCompany’ssectionofwallwasalreadydown,aswereseveralofthebuildingsandtheskywaysbehindit.Itwastheturnofthefootsoldiersnowtomoveinandtostarttohaulthedebrisaway,toclearapathfortheirenginestoadvance.TheywereconstructingfreshdugoutsfortheMedusas,onlyfiftymetresaheadoftheiroldpositions.Atthisrate,thedemolitionofHieronymousCitywouldbeapainfullyslowprocess,butonethingwasforsure:itwouldbeanexceedinglythoroughone.

Costellinwonderedhowmuchlongerthenecronswouldwait,howmuchclosertheywouldallowtheirattackerstocome,beforetheyrespondedinsomeway.

Theanswercamemoresuddenlythanhehadexpected.Guardsmenwereturningfromtheirwork,staringpastCostellintoapoint

somedistanceabovehishead,reachingfortheirweapons.TheMedusaswerefallingsilentonebyone,andnowthereportsoflas-firereachedthecommissar’sears.Hewhirledaround,snatchinghisplasmapistolfromitsholster.Hefoundhimselffacingagiant,atleasttenmetrestall.ItwashoveringimpossiblyaboveoneoftheMedusas,aboutahundredmetresawayfromwhereCostellinstood.

Itwasaskeletalfigure,itsribcageanditsvertebraeonprouddisplay,butforallthatitwasn’tlackinginbulk.Itsboneswerearmour-plated,orperhapsentirelymetallic.Itwaswrappedinthetatteredremnantsofaroyalbluecloak,anditwieldedanarcanestaffalmostastallasitself,apairofcurvedprongsextendinglikehornsfromthetip.Thegiantworeanornate,blueandgoldenheaddress,beneathwhichgreenfiresburnedintheeyesocketsofanimpassivesilverskull.Itwastranslucent,shiningwithaninternalglow,likeahololithicimage,andtheGuardsmen’slas-beamspassedthroughittodissipateharmlesslyintheair.Costellinwonderedifitwasjustanimage,butsomethingaboutthewaythegianthelditself,thewayitscannedtheamassedranksoftheKriegregimentbeforeitwithafractionalturnofitshead,spoketohimofakeenintelligencelurkingbehindthoseblazingeyes.

Hehadtrainedhisownpistolupontheapparition,butheheldhimselfbackfromsqueezingthetrigger.Afterafewmoreshots,theGuardsmentoostayedtheirfire,conservingtheirpowerpacks.Thegianthadn’tyetmadeamove,seemingcontenttowaitfortheactivityandthenoisetodiedown.Whenatlastitdid,thegiantopeneditsmouth,butitsspeechwaslikenothingCostellinhadheardbefore.

Thesoundremindedhimofmachine-cant,ahigh-pitchedsqueal,butwithahateful,raucousedgetoit.Itgrewtoadeafeningvolume,hammeringinsidethecommissar’shead,andhethrewhishandstohisearsbuthecouldn’tblockoutthesound.

Then,suddenly,thegiantwasgoneandablessedsilencefell.

AsCostellinsteppedoutofhishalf-trackatthespaceport,heonceagainbecameatargetfortherefugeesthere,mostlywomenandchildrenandthelameafterHanrik’sPDFdraft.Itseemedthattheyhadheardthenecrons’voicetoo.

HecollaredaKrieglieutenant,whoconfirmedthattheimageofthegianthadappearedfloatingabovethespaceportrampevenasCostellinhadencounteredasimilarimagesometenkilometresaway.Furthermore,reportsfromtheotherKriegregimentssuggestedthatmoreimageshadbeensightedtothenorth,tothesouthandtotheeastofthecitysimultaneously,witheachgroupofobserversconvincedthattheeyesofthegianthadbeentraineduponthemspecifically.

Anhourlater,CostellinwasseatedoncemorebeforeColonel186’sdesk,whileHanrikhoveredbyhiswindow,gazingoutatthecontinuingactivityontheramp.Enginseershadbeenatworkrunningtranslationmatricesoverthenecrongiant’smessage,andColonel186wasnowabletoplaytheresultsbacktohisfellowofficersonanarchaicrecordingdevice.Thewordsemergedinaflat,mechanicalmonotone,inperfectlyaccentedGothic:‘Thisworldismine,’theysaid.‘Iamitslordandmaster.Mypeopletrodthissoilmillenniabeforeyourupstartracewasborn.Youbuiltyourcitiesoveroursasweslept,butwehavewokennowtoreclaimwhatwasours.Leavethisworldnow,orwewilldestroyyou.’

‘Ofcourse,’saidthecolonel,breakingthelongsilencethatfollowed,‘theDeathKorpsofKriegwillnotbowtothisovertdisplayofaggression.’

‘Ofcourse,’saidCostellin,‘andIconcurthat,inthiscase,intimidationwastheobjectoftheexercise.Idoubtwe’reexpectedtotakemuchnoteofthecontentofthismessage.Thedeliverywasall.’

‘Theclearestindicationyetthatthenecronsfearus.’Costellinwasn’tsosureaboutthat,buthechosenottoargue.Hanrik,

however,turnedfromthewindow,lookingevenmoreflusteredthanheusuallydid.‘Pardonme,’hesaid,‘butdidn’tyoujusttellmeyesterdaythatthechancesofsavingHieronymousThetaarenegligible?’

‘Theoddsareunknown,’saidthecolonel.‘Neverbeforehavewebeeninapositiontomeetanecronforcebefore–’

‘“GetontoNavalCommand,”yousaid.’HanrikjabbedanaccusatoryfingerinCostellin’sdirection.‘“Getarushonthoserescueships.”Onlyyouknowhowlongthattakes,andwehaveapopulationofalmostninebillionpeoplehere.’

Colonel186clenchedhisfists.‘Whatareyousuggesting,general?’‘I…I’mjustsayingthatperhapsweshouldconsiderallouroptions.This…

thisnecronlordhastoldustoleave.Perhaps,ifwewereto–’‘Wewillmakenodealswiththeenemy.’‘GoldenThrone,no,Iwasn’tsuggesting…Ofcoursewecan’t…Butitseems,

Idon’tknowifyou’reawareofthis,butthatmessagewasheardinatleastsixothercities,andpeople…peopleareafraid.Theproctorsarereportingriotingworldwide.’

‘Thatishardlymyconcern,’saidthecolonel.‘AndthePDFtoo…Therehavebeenoverahundreddesertionsinthepast

houralone–thatweknowof,it’simpossibletokeeptrackunderthesecircumstances.’

‘ThenItrustyouhavemadeanexampleofthosehundred.’‘WhatIamsaying,colonel,isthatalotofthosepeople,thoseninebillion

people,theyareaskingwhywecan’t…Therearesofewrescueshipsavailable.Ijustthink,ifwecouldbuyalittlemoretime,timetosaveafewmoreofthem…’

‘Wewillbuythattime,’saidCostellin,‘bykeepingthenecronscontained.’Itwasn’tthathedidn’tsympathisewiththeGovernor’sposition.Perhapshe

wasevenright,ifthenecronssawthatafull-scaleevacuationofHieronymousThetawasunderway,thenperhapsthiswouldsatisfythem.Itcouldmeanthesalvationofsomeninebillionsouls,andtherewasalwaystheoptionofscorchingtheplanetoncetheexoduswasdone,asindeedCostellinhadinitiallycounselled,sothenecronswouldn’thavegainedanything.Itwasanattractiveproposition.

Heknew,however,thatneithertheKriegcolonelnorhisgeneralswouldseethingsthatway.Evenifsuchanexoduscouldhavebeenorganised,theywouldconsiderthepricetobepaidforthoseninebillionsoulstoohigh–and,muchtohisregret,Costellincouldn’tdisagreewiththem.Hanrik’scausewasalostone–and,ifhecontinuedtoadvanceit,heriskedColonel186shootinghimonthespot.

‘Ibelieve,’saidthecolonel,‘thatthefirstofyourrescueshipsisduetoenter

thesolarsystemwithinthehour.Howgoesyourmissiontofind…Arex,wasit?’‘It’s…I’mwaitingforareport,’saidHanrik,wrong-footedbythechangeof

subject.‘Theflyeronlyleftaboutfifteenminutesago,itwon’tyethave…Thankyou,bytheway,fortheloanofyourgrenadiers.I’msuretheywillmakeallthedifference.’

‘Yourniececouldbesafelyoffthisplanetbynightfall,GeneralHanrik,’saidthecolonel,‘ascouldyou.’

‘No,’saidHanrikfirmly.‘No,IthoughtIhadmadethiscleartoyou,colonel,Iamnotgoinganywhereuntilthisfightisdone.’

‘Itisreassuringtohearyousaythat,’saidthecolonelquietly.‘Ihadbeguntoquestionyourcommitmenttothisoperation.’

HanrikregardedtheKriegofficerthroughnarrowedeyes,evidentlyunsurehowtointerpretthatcomment.Fromwherehewasstanding,hecouldn’tseewhatCostellincould:thatthecolonelhadmovedhishandtorestlightlyuponthebuttofhisholsteredplasmapistol.

ChapterEleven

Theclimbbackuptothehigherfloorswasslowerandmoretaxingthanthedescenthadbeen.However,thethoughtofArex,thefearthatshemightbeindanger,hadkeptGuntharmovingevenwhenithadmeantleavinghisfellowrefugeesbehind.

Hehadtofindher.Nothingelsemattered,hejusthadtofindher.Hewasstillclimbingwhenheheardthenoise,muffledbythestaircasewalls.

Hethoughttherewassomethinginthishab-blockwithhimatfirst,andhefroze,sizinguphisescaperoutes,untilherealisedthatthenoisewasdistant,amplified.Voxfeedback,hethoughthopefully?Theemergencybroadcastingsystem?WasitpossiblethatpowerhadbeenrestoredtoHieronymousCity?

No,ifthathadbeenthecase,thestaircasewouldhavebeenlit.Arescueflyer,then?OraconvoyofImperialtankswithloudhailerstoroundupstrandedcivilians?

Heracedalongahallway,threwopenawindow,andwincedasthenoisedrilledintohisskullanddrovehimtohisknees.Itseemedtogoonforever,butthenGuntharrealisedthat,infact,ithadstopped,leavingonlyahorribleechoofitselfinsidehishead.Notahopeofrescue,then,butonlyfurtherevidenceofhisworld’sdamnation.

Deadbeat,helaidhisforeheadonthecoolwindowsillandhisborrowedlasgunonthefloorboardsbesidehim,andhewallowedindespairuntilthethoughtofArexpromptedhimtopullhimselftogether.Nothinghadchanged,Gunthartoldhimself.Shewasouttheresomewhere,hisreasonforgoingon.

Hesteppedoutontoaskyway,andretracedhisstepstowardsthePDFhalf-trackhehadseenearlier.Hehaddecidedtotakeitafterall,totakethatriskforachanceoffindingArexbeforenightfall.Heknewsomethingwaswrongwhenheheardshoutingandglassbreakingandsawsmokedriftingalongtheskyway

junctionaheadofhim.Hethoughtaboutturningback,buthisprizewassoclose…Hecreptforward,falteringatthesoundofasmallexplosionsomewheretohisright,butfinallyreachingthecornerandpeeringcautiouslyaroundit.

Therewasariotinprogress.Itmusthavebeenthenoisethathadsparkedit.Thezombiesofthismorningwerenowvandalsandlootersandarsonists,railingagainsttheinjusticeoftheirfatebystrikingattheonlytargetstheyhad,theirownhomesandeachother.Guntharcouldseethehalf-track,ashortdashawayfromhim,butitlaywithitswheelsupturned,itsengineburning.

Therewasonlyonethingtodo.Grippinghislasguntightly,bendingalmostdouble,hehurriedacrossthejunction.Hereachedthefarcorner,tremblingandpanting,butrelievednottohavebeenspotted.Then,focusinghismindonwhatwasimportanttohim,picturingArex’sface,Guntharcontinuedonhisway,onfoot.

Ashemoveddeeperintothecity,hefoundmoretowersstillstanding,moreskywaysintact.Hefollowedastraightcoursealongonesuchskyway,and,withoutthediversionsanddelaysofhisoutwardjourneywiththePDFconvoy,hemadebettertimethanhehadexpected.Hedidencountermoreriotersbut,withtheexceptionofonetorch-wieldingmobthatpursuedGuntharforthreeblocks,fewofthemshowedanyinterestinhimandhebecamequiteadeptatavoidingthem.

Hewashungryandthirsty,buthecouldn’tsparethetimetoscavengeforfoodandwater.Hewaschasingthedaylight.Thesun,however,wassinkinginthewest,and,nothavingyetseenalandmarkherecognised,Guntharresignedhimselftotheencroachingnight.Tomakemattersworse,hewasstartingtoseenewgapsintheskyline,evidencethatthedestructionhadn’tbeenconfinedtothecity’soutskirts.Soon,hefoundhimselfonceagaintreadingcarefullythroughaworldofrubbleandholeswherehab-blockshadoncestoodandskywaysthatledtonowhere.

Anditwasshortlyafterthisthatheencounteredthemonstersagain.Theywerethreefloorsbelowhim,stridingalongaskywaythatloopedunder

his.Therewerefourofthem:cadaversforgedfrommetal,liketheghoulsintherubble,butthesecreatureswalkedfullyuprightandtheydidn’tweartheghouls’macabreskincloaks.Intheirbearings,intheirmovements,theyweremorelikethesoldiershehadseenlastnight,intelligent–and,likethesoldiers,theywerearmed.

Theirgunswerehuge,unwieldy,requiringtwohandstoliftthem.Unholyenergiesroiledintheirtransparentchambers,glowingwiththesameputridshade

ofgreenashadthestonecolumnintheminetunnel.Gunthardroppedontohisstomachandwaitedforthecadaverstopassbelow

him,prayingthattheyhadn’tseenhim.Hewaitedforaminuteortwo,thenheraisedhisheadtentativelyuntilhecouldseethroughtherailingsbesidehim.Tohisrelief,theskywaybelowwasempty.However,hisheartflutteredatthesightofasigndownthere,asignhehadn’tnoticedbefore.AnobscenesloganhadbeendaubedacrosstheproudimageoftheImperialEagle,butbeneaththis,inboldblackletters,werestilldisplayedthefamiliarwords201stFloorEmporium.

Guntharknewwherehewasnow:tooclosetohisgoal,toArex,tosurrenderwhatevertheobstaclesinhispath.So,hepushedhimselftohisfeet,raisedhislasgundeterminedlyinfrontofhim,andstartedwalkingagain.Then,assoonashecould,heslippedintoanetworkofalleyways,whichheknewhecouldfollowaroundtotherearofhisownhab-block,remainingmostlyconcealedintheprocess.

Thatwasthetheory,atleast.Inpractice,asGuntharturnedasharpcorner,thewallstoeachsideofhimdroppedawayandhestoodontheedgeofaprecipice.

Hecouldn’tbelieveit,atfirst.Hehadbeensoworriedaboutthecreatures,hehadneverstoppedtothinkaboutthis…Heclungtotheslimhopethathemightbewrong,thathistowermighthavebeenoneofthosefewstillstanding;fromthisvantagepoint,withoutthereferencepointsofthesurroundingtowerstoguidehim,hecouldn’tbeentirelysure…butithadtobeso,hethoughtstubbornlybecauseifitwasn’t…

Heturnedandpeltedbacktotheskyway,needingtoknow.Inhishaste,hedidn’tseethefourcadaversuntilhehadalmostrunintothem.Theyturnedtheirexpressionlessskullfacestowardshim,broughtuptheir

green-glowingguns,andGuntharraisedhisweaponinreturn,buthefumbledwiththegripanditflewoutofhishandsandclatteredawayfromhim.Hedroppedtohiskneesandfumbledafterit,butitwastoolatenow,sohejustcoveredhisheadasbesthecouldwithhishandsandhewhimperedandhewaitedtodie.

Guntharwasstillwaitingsometwentysecondslaterwhenatlasthedaredopenhiseyesandlookup,toseethecadaversstalkingawayfromhim.Theyhadsparedhislife.No,morehumiliatingthanthat,theyhadignoredhim,likehewasnothingtothem:aworm,unworthyoftheeffortofcrushingbeneaththeirheels.

Hereachedforthelasgun,buthesitated.Ifhehadn’tdroppedit,ifthecadavershadjudgedhimtobeathreattothem…No,hetoldhimselfsternly,hecouldn’tthinkaboutthatnow,couldn’tlethimselfbeparalysedbythethoughtofwhatmighthavebeen.Hepickedupthegunandhestartedforward,buthedidn’t

getfar.Hecoulddenyitnolonger.Theskywaystretchedaheadofhimasitalways

had,butthetowersthathadlinedit,mostofthem,hadcrumbled.Whathadoncebeenaroadwasnowanunstablebridge,andGuntharrecognisedthewhitesignfortheautocabembarkationpointthathadstoodoutsidehisdoor,nowteeteringonthebrinkoftheabyss,twistinginasoftbreeze.

Arex,hethought.WhatdidthismeanforArex?Hehadbeensosurehewouldfindherhere,butifshehadbeen…No,hethought.Shemusthaveescapedintime.Hismindsimplywouldn’tacceptanyotherpossibility.Arexcouldn’thavebeeninsidehishab-blockwhen…Butthen,whatwouldshehavedonenext,whenshecouldn’tfindhim?Wherewouldshehavegone?Gunthardidn’tknow,hecouldn’tguess.

Hesurrenderedtofatigue,then,andsatdownontheskyway,hiskneespulleduptohischest.Hethoughthemightcry,buthistearductsproveddry.Hehadgonebeyondmeremisery.Hefeltdesolated.Hehadspentadaygraspingathopes,andnowthelastofthosehopeshadtrickledthroughhisfingers.Hehadnopurpose,noreasontomovefromhiscurrentposition,sohesatwherehewasbeneaththedarkeningsky,andifthepatrollingcadaversortheghoulshadreturnedanddecidedthat,thistime,theywouldsnuffouthismeaninglesslife,thenGuntharwouldalmosthavewelcomedthem.

Thedroningofanengineprickedhimoutofhistorpor.Hehadbeenhearingthesoundforsomeminutes,herealised,andnowaharsh,whitelightplayedoverhisface.Guntharsquintedupwards,sawthesquat,blackshapeofaPDFflyerlowabovehim,butbythetimehethoughtaboutsignallingtoit,thevehicleanditssearchlightbeamhadpassedon.Whywouldithavestoppedforhim,anyway?

Guntharwascold.Hehadn’tfeltitbefore,hadn’tnoticedasthenighthadwellandtrulytakenholdaroundhim,butnowhestartedtothinkaboutfindingshelter.

Thenightwasgreen,anotherthinghehadn’tregistereduntilnow.Hethoughthiseyeswereplayingtricksonhim,stillscarredbythesearchlight,butwhenhelookeduphecouldseeit:astrobinggreenlightintheskytothenorth-north-east.Greenliketheartefactintheminetunnel,greenlikethecadaverouscreatures’guns.Hedidn’twanttothinkaboutwhatthatmightmean.

Thesoundoftheflyerwasgrowinglouderagain.Ithadbankedaroundandwasreturning,evenlowerthanithadbeenbefore–andasitpassedoverGunthar’sheadforasecondtime,herealisedthatsomethinginexplicablewashappening.

Itwascominginforalanding.

Theflyersetdown,atlast,abouttwohundredmetresawayfromGunthar,backalongtheskyway,andhewasrunningtowardsitbeforeitsengineshadpowereddown.

Thenthefirstsoldiersemergedfromthetroopcompartment,andhecametoastartledhalt.Theywereskull-facedcreatures,liketheoneshehadseenthroughthewindowlastnight,withtheirblackgreatcoatsandbreathingtubes.Butthen,thoughtGunthar,whatweretheydoinginaPDFvehicle?

Theywerefanningoutasiftheywerelookingforsomething,andamongthemasquat,dark-skinnedmanwithanegg-shapedheadporedoverasmallblackhandsetandappearedtobedirectingthemintheirsearch.HeworetheredrobesoftheMartianPriesthood,andasturdyservo-armprotrudedfromhisspineandarchedoverhisshoulder,itsclawfingerstwitching.Anenginseer,then.

ThesoldierswerecomingGunthar’sway,andhebarelyhadtimetothinkaboutrunningforcoverbeforeoneofthemcalledtohim,‘WearelookingforaCaucasianfemale,approximatelyonepointsevenmetrestall,withbrownhairandgreeneyes.’

‘Arex!’Guntharexclaimed.‘YoumeanArex?’Thedescriptioncouldhavefittedanynumberofwomen,butsomehowhejustknewithadreferredtoher.

Thesoldierhadreachedhim,andGuntharsawwhathehadmissedinthedark,lastnight,fromabove:theflashesonhisgreatcoatshoulders,theaquilasymbolonhishelmet.‘You…you’reImperialGuard,’hestammered.‘You’rehuman?’

‘WearesearchingforLadyHanrik.Haveyouseenher?’‘No,I…Iheardshemighthavebeenhere,butIhaven’t…Ithoughtyouwere

them.Thosemasksyouwear,Ithoughtyouwerethecreatures.’TheGuardsmanwasn’tlistening.Hecockedhisheadasifinresponsetoa

voicethatGuntharcouldn’thear,thenheturnedandstrodeaway,butGuntharhadtoknowmore.HelungedaftertheGuardsman,andtookhimbytheshoulder.‘Wait,’hecried,‘howdidyouknow…IsLadyHanrikstillalive?Hasshebeenintouch?Hasshe–?’

Aflashofgreenlight,andhiswordswereswallowedbyaninvoluntaryscream.

TheGuardsmanhaddisintegrated,liketheservitorintheminetunnelhadbeendisintegrated,layerbylayerinafractionofasecond.Guntharhadbeenlookingintotheemptyeyesofhismetallicskullmask,thenathiscrumblingskeletonandinbetween,asearing,flash-frameimageofahumanface,asexpressionlessasthe

maskhadbeen,itsmusclesonlyjustbeginningtocontractinpainandhorror.Thecadaverswereback,andtheyweremarchingupontheGuardsmen,their

heavyweaponsspittingoutjaggedforksofgreenenergy.TheGuardsmenreturnedfireinstantly.Theirlas-beamsglancedofftheirattackers,butafewofthemwerearmedwithbiggergunsandtheseprovedfarmoreeffective.Twoofthefourcadaverswerevaporised,asGuntharsawtheenginseerscuttlingforthecoveroftheflyeranddidlikewise.HeblunderedintoaGuardsman’ssights,andwaspushedasideroughly.‘Wheredoyouthinkyou’rerunningto?’theGuardsmangrowled.‘Youhaveaweaponinyourhands,don’tyou?FortheEmperor’ssake,useit!’

ThelastthingGuntharwantedtodowastousehislasgun,callattentiontohimself,butcowedbytheGuardsman’swordshecrouchedbesidetheflyer’slandingstruts,steadiedtheweapon’sbuttagainsthisshoulderandrestedhisfingeronitstrigger.

Thegunwasshakingtoomuch,tobeginwith,forhimtofindanythingthroughitssights.Hetookadeepbreath,heldit,andtriedtosteadyhimself.Secretly,hehoped–andexpected–thatthefightingwouldbeoverbeforehecouldgetoffashot.Thecadaverswereoutnumbered,afterall,anddowntohalfstrengthalready.Surveyingthebattlefield,Guntharsawathirdofthemincinerated,afourth,and…

Moreofthem.Hedidn’tknowwheretheyhadcomefrom,hadn’tseenthemarriving,butatleastthreemore…no,four,andtheGuardsmanthathadsnappedathimwasthenexttobestruckbytheiremeraldbeams,todieatGunthar’sside,thestinkofozoneandburntfleshfillinghisnostrils.

Oneofthecadaversturnedhiswayand,unexpectedly,adeadcalmsettledoverhim.

Hehadbeeninthissituationathousandtimesbefore,inhisdreams.Heknewexactlywhattodo,whattheEmperorexpectedofhim,andnolongerwasthereanyfearattachedtothatproposition.Gunthar’soldlifeseemedalongwaybehindhim,asifithadbeenlivedbysomebodyelse.Hishome,hisjob,Arex:allgone.Hislocalbar,theemporium,theeaterytowhichhehadtakenher…

Theimageofthelex-scribe,Kreuz,poppedunbiddenintoGunthar’shead.Hewouldprobablyneverseeheragaineither.Hehopedshehadmadeittosafety.

Everythinghehaddone,everythinghehadeverstrivedfor,thefloorshehadclimbed,itallamountedtonothing.Thelasguninhishandsandtheenemyinhissights,theywereallthatmatterednow,theywerehislife.Hehadnothinglefttolose.

So,hesqueezedhistriggerand,althoughhisfirstshotmissed,hefiredagain

andagainandagain.ThenherememberedfromthenewsreelsthatlasgunshadaFullAutosettingandfoundtherelevantswitch,thumbingitover.Hepepperedthecadaverouscreatureswithlas-beamsuntilatlasttheybegantofall–andalthoughGuntharcouldn’ttellifhisowneffortswerecontributingatalltothatoutcome,hetookacertaingrimsatisfactioninbeingthere,intakingpart,infightingback.

Suddenlyhislasgunletoutaplaintivewhineanddiedonhim;hewasleftpurposelessandafraidagain.Herattledthepowerpack,pulleditfromitshousing,thrustitbackin,triedtocoaxafewextrabeamsoutofit,allinvain.Hecouldhavehowledwithfrustration.Whyhadn’thethoughttotakeWeber’ssparepacks?

Fortunately,onlyoneofthecadaversremainedstanding,andnow,withafierceinrushofair,itdisappearedandtookthebodiesoftheothers–thosethathadnotbeenmelted–alongwithit.Guntharwasatoncerelievedtoseethemgo,andappalledatthisfurtherdisplayoftheirpower.Hewasn’tsurehowmanyGuardsmenhadperishedinthebriefcombat–thegreengunshadleftbehindnocorpsestocount–buttherewereonlyfivesurvivors,notcountingtheenginseerandtheflyerpilot,aboggle-eyedservitorthatwasjustemergingfrombeneathitsseat.

TheGuardsmenwastednotimegettingtheirbreathback.Theyresumedtheirsearchoftheskyway,andthemanwhomGunthartooktobetheirsergeantmotionedtotheenginseertojointhem,whichhedid.Hehadtakenouthishandsetagain,andGuntharsawnowthatawireranfromitandwaspluggeddirectlyintotheenginseer’seye.

Littlemorethanaminutelater,theGuardsmenconvergeduponaparticularspot,andsiftedthroughtherubbleuntiloneofthemrecoveredsomethingsmallandred.Heshowedthistotheenginseer,whonoddedgrimly.Thenthesergeantgaveanorder,andthesoldierscametrampingbacktowardsGuntharatdouble-time.

‘Idon’tunderstand,’hesaid,‘where’sArex?Ithoughtyouwerelookingforher.’

‘LadyHanrikisnothere,’saidthesergeant.‘Howcanyoubesosure?Shecouldbehidinginoneofthesebuildings.’‘Sheisnothere.’Theflyer’sengineswerestartingtowhineagain.ThelastoftheGuardsmen

disappearedintoitsrear,andthesergeantmadetofollow.‘Wait,’saidGunthar.‘Takemewithyou.Please,takemewithyou.’Thesergeantregardedhimforanintolerablemoment,andGuntharfeltsurehisrequestwouldberefused.

Thenheheardafamiliarinrushofair,andhewhirledaroundtofindthecadaversreturninginforce.Therewerefourmoredirectlyinfrontofhim,anotherfourappearingalongtheskyway,moreemergingfromtheremainingbuildings.Guntharbroughtuphislasgun,thoughheknewitwasuseless,butfoundhimselfgrabbedfrombehind,yankedoffhisfeetandbundledintotheflyer.Theairoutsidecrackledgreenasthesergeantleaptafterhim,screamingatthepilottotakeoff.

Astheflyerliftedsluggishlyintotheair,somethingslammedintoitsside,throwingtheGuardsmenofftheirwoodenbenchesandGuntharintothemidstofthem.Thevehiclelisted,itsenginessplutteringandgroaning.Guntharthoughtitmightcrash,butthenitpulledupwardsandaway.

‘Wewerelucky,’saidtheenginseer.‘Thatwasjustaglancingblow.Ifthosegaussbeamshadstrucktheengines,theywouldhavetornrightthroughthem.’

Guntharperchedontheendofabench,andsquirmedbeneaththeblankstaresoffourskull-maskedGuardsmen,eachofthemdoubtlesswonderingwhathewasdoinghereintheplaceofoneoftheirfallencomrades.Hedidn’tdarequestionthemabouttheirmission,althoughheachedfornewsofArex.Thenhesawthattheenginseerwasholdinginhislaparedamecytenecklace–theobjectfromtherubble–andherecogniseditatonce.‘Wheredidyougetthat?’hedemanded.‘ThatwasArex’snecklace.Itwasagiftfromherlatemother,shealwaysworeit.’

‘Thisiswhatweweresentheretofind,’saidtheenginseer.‘There’satrackingdeviceinsideoneofthesegemstones,whichthegovernorhopedmightleadustohisniece.Unfortunately,asyoucansee,sheisn’twearingitnow.Wefoundthenecklaceontheskyway.Itsclaspwasbroken.’

‘Thenshewashere!’criedGunthar.‘Don’tyousee?Thismeansshewashere,andshe…Shecan’thavegonefar.Wehavetoturnback.Wecanstillfindher.’

Thesergeantshookhisheadfirmly.‘Evenifthegirlhassurvived–’‘She’salive.Shehastobe.I’dhavefeltitif…Trustme,Arexisalive.’‘Evenifshehassurvived,’thesergeantrepeated,‘ithasbeenalmosttwenty

hourssinceherpositionwaslastverified.Shecouldhavereachedalmostanypointinthecityinthattime.Wedonothavetheresourcestolocateher,andtherisk–’

‘Takemebackdownthere,’saidGunthar.‘It’ssafeforme,thecreatureswereignoringme.Icansearchthebuildingsuntil…Justtakemebackdown!’

Hewasbeingunreasonable,heknewthat,andthesergeantchosenottodignifyhispleadingswitharesponse.Still,Guntharachedwiththeknowledgethathehad

beensoclosetothewomanhelovedonlytohaveturnedhisbackonher.Hehadbeentested,hethought,andhisfaithandhiscouragefoundwanting.Hehadfailedher.

Heheldtighttothelasguninhislap,clenchedhisteethand,astheflyercarriedhimawayfromthecitythathadoncebeenhishome,furtherandfurtherawayfromArex,hemadeasilentvowtoher,tohimself,totheEmperor.

Hesworethat,somehow,someday,hewouldreturn.

ChapterTwelve

Theywereclosetothesourceofthegreenlightnow.Everytimeitpulsedoverthem,TrooperCarwenfeltastrongwaveofnausea.

Hecouldseefromthegrimacesofhisthreeremainingsquadmatesthattheyfeltittoo.ThemaskedKrieggrenadiers,however,gaveawaynothingasalways.

Theyhadholedupinanemptyhab-blockformostofthemorning.Carwenhadn’tbeenabletosleepfornightmares,andwhenhehaddozedoffforanhourortwo,hehadbeenwokenbyapowerfulearthtremorthathadshakentheplasteroffthewalls.Shortlyafterthis,theKrieglieutenanthadreceivedneworders.

Hisbriefinghadbeenshortandtothepoint.Theplatoonanditsfournewrecruitsweretoinvestigatereportsofanewnecronconstructattheheartofthecity.Outnumberedastheywere,theyweretoavoidengagementwiththeenemy.

Theybeganbyclimbingtothehighestfloortheycould.IntelligencegatheredbytheirCommandHQfromPDFsquadsonthegroundhadsuggestedthatthenecronswereconcentratedonthelowerfloorsandaroundthecentralsector,sotheyhadbeenabletomoverelativelyfreelythroughouttheday.

Asnighthadfallen,however,progresshadbecomeslower.Thegrenadiershadsentscoutsaheadofthemand,whenanecronpatrolhadbeensighted,theyhadmeltedintonooksandshadowsandwaiteduntilthewaywasclearagain.Theyhadrestedjustonceduringthistime,forlessthantwentyminutes,andCarwenwasfootsoreandlight-headedwithexhaustionbuthedidn’tdarecomplain.

Avoicebuzzedthroughthecomm-beadthequartermasterhadprovidedforhim:asub-vocalisedreporttotheplatoonfromtheircurrentscout.‘Icanseeit,’’hesaid.

Aminutelater,theyreachedtheendoftheskywaytheyhadbeenfollowing,andarowofsixliftercageswithplatformsinsidethreeofthem.Thewaiting

scoutindicatedthecageswithaflickofhishellgun,thoughitwasalreadyapparenttoCarwenthatthegreenlightemanatedfrombeyondthese.Thesoldierscrowdedontotheplatformstolookdownthroughthemetalmeshbehindthem,andnowCarwenreallydidwanttovomit,hiseyestearingashesuppressedthereflex.

Hecouldhardlytakeinthescaleofwhathewasseeing.Thepyramidwasatleastakilometreawayfromhim,laterallyspeaking,butitssheersizemadeitappearfarcloser.Itwasprobablyastallasthecity’sshortertowers,thoughitwasdifficulttoestimateitsheightwithanyaccuracybecausethetowersaroundithadbeenrazed.Inthegreenlight,Carwencouldseeallthewaydowntotheground,andtothecolossalheapsofrubblestackedaroundthepyramid’sbase.

Thepyramidwasfashionedfromasmooth,blackstone,apparentlyunweatheredbyitsmillenniaunderground.Itsfourwallsdidn’tquitemeetattheirapex,providinginsteadasquarehollowforaballofgreenflame,fromwhichintermittentsparkslashedouttoignitethedarksky.StampedintotheelevationfacingCarwenwasanenormousgoldsymbol,acirclewithlinesemanatingfromitsradius,akintoastyliseddrawingofasun,andbeneaththistherewasanopening,agatewayintheblackwall,throughwhichburntmoreofthathatefulgreenlight.

Therewerefiguresmovingbeforethegateway,toodistantforCarwentoidentify.Theyswarmedovertherubbleandappearedtobeclearingitaway,haulingmuchofitintothepyramidinbarrows.

Hehadtoturnaway,turnhisbacktothelight.Hewasrelievedwhen,amomentbehindhim,therestoftheplatoonpulledbacktoo.‘I’vereportedourfindingstoCommandHQ,’camethelieutenant’svoicethroughCarwen’scomm-bead.‘Theywantthebeaconatopthepyramiddestroyed.Ihaveadvisedthatitisbeyondtherangeofourweapons,andIseenoobviouswayofclimbinguptoit.’Carwenwasgladtohearit.Thelastthinghewantedwastogetanyclosertothatmonstrousconstruct.Thenthelieutenantcontinued:‘Weareleft,therefore,withasingleoption:tofindawayupfromtheinside.’

Theytrudgedbackthewaytheyhadcomeforacoupleofkilometresbeforetheybrokeintoaluxury-habthatmusthavebelongedtoalord.Hehadlefthisfurnishingsbehindwhenheleft,andasCarwensankintoabedintheservants’quartershereflectedironicallythathehadneverexperiencedsuchcomfort.Hedidn’texpecttobeabletosleep,butexhaustionsoonclaimedhim.Evenso,hisdreamswerehauntedbyglowinggreenghouls.

Hewaswokenlateinthemorningforwatchduty.Forthreehours,hewas

stationedbehindtheblown-outwindowofaneateryacrosstheskyway,hisorderstoleadanytoo-curiousnecronsawayfromtheluxury-habentrance.This,heknew,wouldhavecosthimhislife,soCarwenwasrelievedtoreachtheendofhisshiftwithoutincident.

Theyplannedtoheadoutatsunset,sothatnightwouldcoverthemastheyheadeddownwards,deeperintothenecrons’heartland.CarwenandtheotherthreePDFmenpassedtheremainderoftheafternoon,anddistractedtheirminds,withafewhandsofcards.Theyinvitedthegrenadierstojointhem,buteachofthemdeclined.

Carwenhadexpectedthat,bynow,hewouldhaveknownthemenofKriegalittlebetter,establishedabondwiththem,buthefeltasuneasyaroundthemasheeverhad.Theydidn’tmakesmalltalk;theyhardlyspokeatall.Theyatebysmugglingrationbarsbeneaththeirskullmasks,sothatafteralmosttwodayswiththemCarwenstillhadn’tseentheirfaces.Hedidn’tevenknowtheirnames.

Toosoon,theywereonthemoveagain,descendingintothebowelsofthecity.Fortyfloorsdown,theydisturbedahandfulofdeformedfiguresthatskitteredoffintothenight,buttwogrenadiershunteddowntheslowestofthemandconfirmedthatitwasn’tanecron,justafrightenedmutantthathadbeenclimbingthistowertoescapeaworsehorrorthanitself.Thelieutenantsatisfiedhimselfthatthemutanthadnoinformationworthknowingbeforeheshotitdead,buttheincidentleftCarwenmoreapprehensivethanever.

Themutantshaddoneonefavourforthesoldiers:intheirdesperation,theyhadbrokenthroughthebarriersonthestaircasethatwouldnormallyhavekeptthembelow.Evenso,Carwenknewwhenhewassteppingintomutantterritory.Arottenstenchpervadedtheair,andthewallswerethickwithgraffiti,muchofitscrawledinbloodorfaeces.Afterafewflights,hewasbreathingshallowlythroughhishands,envyingtheKriegmentheirrebreatherunits.

Anhourorsolater,theyleftthestaircaseandmovedintoarowofsmall,shabbyhabs.Mostofthewindowswereboardedup,buttheyfoundonewhereacornerofthewoodhadrottedawayanditwaspossibletoseethroughtheshatteredpanetothepyramidbelow.Thelieutenantdesignatedthisashisplatoon’ssentrypointand,fortherestofthenightandthefollowingday,theytookturnstoobservetheactivityatthepyramid’sentrance.Carwenwassparedthisduty,andsonevergottoseewhatwasoutsidethewindow.However,lyingonaflea-bittenbunkafewroomsdown,hecouldheartheunceasingsoundsofactivityfromoutsideandheimaginedthenecronswererightbesidehim,rightontheother

sideofathinouterwall.

Theconclusionofthesentrieswasdisappointing.Theyhadbeenunabletodiscernapatterntothenecrons’movements,andcertainlytherehadbeennotimeinthepasttwenty-fivehourswhenthegatewayhadbeenleftunattended.Moreover,thenecrons’numbershadbeenswelledbyanarmyofmutantslaves.Theirpurposewasunclear–noonecouldunderstandwhatthenecronswouldwantwiththosefilthyaberrations–butitaddedtotheoddsagainsttheKriegmenandtheiralliesallthesame.

IfCarwenhadhoped,however,thatthelieutenantwouldreportthisfacttoCommandHQ,thatthisinsaneoperationwouldbecalledoff,thenhewastobedisappointedtoo.‘Wewilldivideintoourthreesquads,’theKriegofficerdecreed,addressinghisplatooninthecrampedconfinesofthehallwayoutsidetheirrooms,‘twotoattackthenecronssimultaneouslyfromoppositedirections,todivertasmanyofthemastheycanfromthetomb.Oncethishasbeenachieved,Iwillleadmycommandsquadthroughthemiddle,andwewillattempttopenetratethegateway.’

Carwenhadbeenassignedtoasquadthreedaysago,buthecouldn’ttelltheirwatchmasters–theKriegequivalentofsergeants–apart,soitwasonlywhenoneofthemsnappedhisnamethatheknewwhotoassemblewith.Parvelfollowedhim,whiletheothertwoPDFtrooperswenttothefarendofthehallway.Thecommandsquad,leftstandinginthemiddle,wasKriegonly,alittlelargerthantheothers,andithadthelieutenant,thequartermasterandthemajorityofthemeltaguns.

ItwasonlynowthatCarwenrealisedhisseven-mansquad’struepurpose.Theywerelikethemenwiththebayonetsinthecombatwiththeghouls.Thelieutenantexpectedthemtodie,andtheKrieggrenadierswerecertainlyawareofthis,butasCarwenhadcometoexpectbynowtheyhadnothingtosayonthesubject.

Theyweretoapproachthepyramidfromthenorth.Theyretracedtheirstepsupseveralflightsofstairsuntiltheyfoundaskyway–moreadilapidatedbridge–thatwouldtakethemtowheretheyneededtobe.

Thebridgeranparalleltothepyramid’snorthernelevation,and,althoughthegrenadierskepttheirheadsdownastheycrossedit,Carwencouldn’tresistaglanceupwards.Heregrettedhiscuriosityimmediatelybecause,impressiveasthepyramidhadbeenfromabove,itwasafarmoreintimidatingsightfrombelow.Hehadtocranehisnecktofinditsupperreaches.Itblottedoutthesky,and

seemedtosuckthepalemoonlightintoitself,spewingoutitsownhellishgreenlightinstead.

Carwenhadhopedthat,somewhere,theremightbeaskywayintact,lowandcloseenoughtothepyramidforhissquadtosnipeatitsnecronguardiansfromabove.Itwasnowclear,however,thatnosuchskywayhadsurvived,ifonehadeverexisted.Theonlywaytoapproachthenecrons’tombwasalongtheground.

Soitwas,then,thatCarwenfirstsetfootinaworldhehadprayedhewouldneversee,aworldthatthroughouthischildhoodhadbeensynonymouswiththeworstofallmythicalhells.ThePDFhadforsakenthisworld,ashadtheproctorsandthecityadministrators,andnowonder.Itsroadswereankle-deepwithsewage,whichbubbledupthroughmetalgratingsfromapipesystemlongsinceoutgrown.Therewasn’tawallherethathadn’tbeenscorchedbyfire,andthestinkofthemutantwaseverywhere.Thiswastheworldthat,behindthewallsofhisPDFbase,Carwenhadincreasinglyheardreferredtoas‘theundercity’,theworldtheauthoritieshadtalkedofplascretingover.Thiswashisworld,hethoughtwithashiver.ThiswaswhatHieronymousThetalookedlikefromtheground,whatitstowerswerebuiltupon.

Thefirstroadthesquadtookwascompletelyblockedbydebris.Theyhadtobackupandcircleablock,butatlasttheyfoundthemselveswithinsightofthepyramid’ssidewall,lessthanahundredmetresfromitsnorth-westcorner.Therewasnosignoflifehere,butstilltheyadvancedstealthily,onebyone,throughtoweringheapsofrubble.Theircautionpaidoffas,withoutwarning,twonecronsroundedthecorneraheadofthem.Thewatchmastersignalledhismentostaydown,waiteduntilthenecronshadpassedtheirhidingplaceby,thensteppedoutbehindthemandvaporisedbothwithasingleshotfromthesquad’sonlymeltagun.

Theywaited,then,foravoxtoconfirmthattheseconddistractionsquadwasalsoinposition.Oncetheyhadreceivedit,thewatchmasterorderedthemforwards.Carwenhadhalfexpectedthat,assoonastheyroundedthefrontcornerofthepyramid,theywouldcomeunderfirefromthenecronsatthegateway,butofcoursethatgatewaywasstillsomewaydistantandshieldedfromtheirviewbytheheapsofrubble.

Forthefirsttime,theyoungtroopermissedhislasgun.Thehellgunmayhavebeenmorepowerful,butthetrade-offforthiswasafarshorterrange.Ifhissquadwasgoingtoworrythenecrons,theywouldhavetogetclosetothem,alotcloserthanCarwenwasremotelycomfortablewith.

Asithappened,thefirstenemytheyencounteredwasamutant.Itwasscavengingthroughtherubble,andsteppedintotheirmidstbeforeithadseenthem.Carwenbroughtuphisgunbutheardthewatchmaster’svoiceinhisear,orderinghismentostaytheirfire.Twogrenadiersseizedtheterrifiedcreatureandbrokeitsscrawnyneckbeforeitcouldletoutawarningcry.Thentheywaitedintensesilencetolearnifthescufflehadattractedattentiontotheirposition.

Barelyhadtheystartedforwardagainwhenthefightingbeganinearnest.ThereportsofalienweaponsechoedaroundCarwen,andhedroppedtohis

haunchesandlookedaroundinfrightfortheirsource.Bythetimethetruthhaddawneduponhim–thatitwasn’thissquadthathadcomeunderfire–thewatchmasterwasscreamingathismen,outloudratherthanthroughthecomm-beads,toattack.

So,Carwenfollowedagrenadieraroundarubbleheap,andhesawthem:thenecrons.Threeorfourscoreofthem,morethantherehadappearedtobefromabove,butwhatmostsurprisedhimwasthattherewerealmostasmanymutantslaves.Histhroatdriedattherealisationofjusthowbadlyhisplatoonwasoutnumbered.

Twothingsworkedintheirfavour,thefirstthatalargespacehadbeenclearedinfrontofthepyramid’sgatewaysotheKriegsquadswerebothshootingintoawideopenarenafromcover.Thesecondwasthattheothersquadhadbeendiscoveredfirst,andsomostofthenecronshadturnedtofacethem.Carwen’sKriegcomradesmadefulluseofthetargetsthuspresentedtothem,andavolleyofhellgunbeamsfoundtheirmarks,strikingbetweenmetallicshoulderblades.

ToCarwen’sdismay,noneofthenecronsfell.Hewasn’tsureifthiswasbecausetheyweretoofarawayforthefullstrengthofthebeamstoreachthem.Asthenecronsturned,however,astheyunleashedforksofgreenlightninguponthissecondfront,hewasleftinnodoubtaboutoneunpalatablefact:thatthenecrons’greatgunswereblessedwithbothpowerandrange.

Agrenadierdiedinaflashofbrightgreen,andCarwenduckedbehindarubbleheapbutcouldfeelbeamsslammingintoitsfarside,blastingawayathiscover.‘That’sit,’camethecalmvoiceofthewatchmasterinhisear,‘we’vegottheirattention.Nowstarttopullback,butkeepfiring.Drawthenecronsawayfromthegateway.’

Carwenpeeredaroundtheedgeoftherubble,andhisheartleaptatthesightofarowoffournecronsmarchingunhurriedlytowardshim.Theyherdedsixmutantsaheadofthem,aslivingshields,anditwasclearfromtheterrorinthoseaberrations’eyesthattheyweren’twillingvolunteers.

Carwenloosedoffsixshots,pickingofftwomutants,andthreemorewereslainbythegrenadiersaswasoneoftheircadaverousmasters.Theremainingnecronswerenowtoocloseforcomfort,andCarwenlookedforasaferpositiontofallbackto.Hesprintedforagapbetweentworubbleheaps,butgreenlightningcutacrosshispathand,althoughagrenadierbesidehimkeptrunningandmadeittohisgoal,Carwenshiedaway,backtowherehehadstarted.

Thenecronswerealmostuponhim,wereabouttoroundtherubbleheapandfindhimexposedunlesshegotoutofsight,andtheonlywayhecouldseetodothiswastoduckbehindthatsameheap,tokeepitbetweenhimandthem.Itmeantgettingclosertothepyramid,butCarwendidn’thavetimetobeworriedaboutthatnow.Thenecronsappearedbeforehecouldfullyconcealhimself.Hecroucheddown,holdinghisbreath,expectingthemtoturnandfindhimatanymoment.

Thankfully,theyweredistractedbyhellgunfire,andtheystompedoffinpursuitofCarwen’scomrades.Onlynowdidtheyoungtrooperstoptoconsiderthathehadallowedthenecronstocutoffhisescaperoute,suchasithadbeen,tosurroundhim.Hetookafewdeepbreathstocalmthequeasyfeelinginhisstomach,andremindedhimselfthathehadneverexpectedtosurvivethisdayanyway.

Morevoicesspokeinhiscomm-bead,andCarwenfeltnumbastwofurthercasualtieswerereported,oneofthemTrooperParvel,buttherewassomegoodnews.Thewatchmasterhadwaitedforthenecronstoclosetomeltarange;now,hesprunganambushuponthem.Itsoundedasifhewasholdinghisfoesatbay,destroyingmorethanhisfairshare,hismainconcernthatthereweren’tenoughofthem.

‘We’veluredthirteenorfourteennecronsawayfromthegatewaysofar.Weneedtodoublethatnumber,forthecommandsquadtostandafightingchance.’

Carwenknewwhathehadtodo.‘Thenecrons,’hesub-vocalised,‘I’ve…managedtoslipbehindthem.I’m

goingtotry…I’mgoingtogetcloseruptothepyramid,fireonthemagain.Maybe,ifIcanmovefastenoughandstayoutoftheirsight,Icanconvincethemthere’smorethan…thatthere’sathirdsquadattackingthem,andthenmaybetheymight…’

‘TheEmperorbewithyou,TrooperCarwen,’saidthewatchmasterbrusquely.

Hehaddrawnasclosetothegatewayashedared.Hewaspracticallyinthenecrons’midstnow;hecouldhearthemlabouringintherubblejustmetresaway

fromhim,apparentlysoconfidentintheirfellows’abilitytorepulsetheDeathKorps’two-prongedattackuponthemthattheyhadsimplyreturnedtotheirwork.

Hewastooclose,hethought.Therewasnowayhecouldshootatanecronwithoutbeingseen.Thenitoccurredtohimthathehadnoneedto.

Heaimedhishellgunattheedgeofarubbleheapandfired,hopingtheimpactwoulddrownoutthegun’sreport,confusethenecronsintobelievingthattheshothadoriginatedfromoverthere.Anothertwowildshotsintheoppositedirection,thentwointotheair,thenCarwenwasrunning,andagreenbeamcrackledpasthisearandhedidn’tdarestoptoseehowmanymorenecronshistacticshaddrawnout.

‘Thewatchmaster’sdown!’cameavoiceinhiscomm-bead.‘Repeat,thewatchmasterisdown.I’mtheonlyoneleft.It’suptoyounow,Lieutenant,wehavedoneallwecan,andmaytheEmperorhavemercyonourworthless–’

Carwenroundedarubbleheap,foundafigureinfrontofhim,snappeduphisgun,realisedthatitwasjustaman:adishevelled,frightenedman,hisworkers’smockintatters,staggeringbeneaththeweightofahunkofplascrete.Anecronslave,evidently,likethemutants,lookingatthesoldierwithadesperateappealinhiseyes.

‘Ican’thelpyou,’hesaidwretchedly.‘I’msorry,butyoushouldgetasfarawayfrommeasyoucan.Thenecronsarebehindme,andyoudon’twantthemthinking…’

Themanwasrootedtothespot.Carwensteppedforward,madetogivehimanencouragingpushintherightdirection–theman’seyesflashedand,withagutturalsnarl,hesmashedhisplascretehunkintothesideofCarwen’shead.

Hewaslyingonthegroundwithnomemoryofhavingfallen.Hisheadwasnumband,whenhishandbrushedagainstit,itcameawaytacky.Hehaddroppedhishellgunandcouldn’traisehisheadtofindit,hisneckmusclesfeltlikesponges…andthenecronswerehere,theirmetallicfeettrampingdowntherubblebesidehim.

AnecronskullloomedoverCarwen;hewasstaringhelplesslyintoitsgunbarrel,andhesworehecouldseethegreenlightningsparkinginitsdepths,ormaybeitwasjustthelightpatternsinhiseyes.Thenthenecronturned,stalkedawayfromhim,andCarwen’sstomachshookwithsilent,giddylaughterandhethankedtheEmperorbecauseintheendhehadbeenoneoftheluckyones,hewasn’tgoingtodielikethat.

Hiscomm-beadwasspittingstatic.Carwen’seyesclosed,andfromthedirectionofthepyramidhecouldhearthecommandsquad’shellgunsandmeltas,

andtheansweringreportsofthenecrons’guns,likethetearingofcloth,andhethoughtatfirstthatthelattersoundswereoutnumberedbytheformer,butthehellgunsandthemeltaswerefallingsilentonebyone,whilethenecrongunsonlyseemedtoincreaseinnumberuntiltheyweretheonlyonesleftfiring.

Thelastthingheheardwasavoiceinhisear,thevoiceofthehumanslavethathadlaidCarwenlow.‘TheEmperorisdead,’thevoicehissed.‘Wehavenewgodsnow.’

ChapterThirteen

Forthetwenty-thirdtime,CostellinwoketothesoundofexplosionsfromHieronymousCity.Healmostdidn’tregisteritatfirst,havinggrownwellusedtotheconstantpercussiverumbling.Heclimbedoutofthecampbedthat,withdueregardforthelackofbilletsatthespaceport,hehadsetupinhisoffice.Sunlightstreamedinthroughhiswindow,andHanrik’sPDFdrafteeswerealreadytrainingontheramp.

Fortyminuteslater,washed,shavedandkittedoutinthecleanuniformthatanaidehadlaidoutforhim,hereportedtoColonel186’sofficeforwhathadbecometheirregularmorningbriefing.Governor-GeneralHanrikwastheretoo,havinglearnedofthesebriefingstwoweeksagoandinvitedhimselftothem.

Thecolonelwasfieldingabarrageofreportsfromhisaidesatthevox-caster,anditwassometimebeforehecouldgivehisfellowofficershisfullattention,althoughbythenCostellinhadgleanedmuchabouttheeventsofthenightanyway.

‘Itakeittheskirmishtothenorthisconcluded,’hesaid.Thecolonelnodded.‘Thenecronsretreatedat05.19,orrather–’‘Orrather,theydisappearedagain.’‘Nevertheless,’saidthecolonel,‘necroncasualtieswereparticularlyheavyin

thelasthouroffighting.IhavecongratulatedColonel42onabattlewellwon.’‘Whataboutourside?’askedHanrik.‘Whatcasualtiesdidwetake?’‘Thosefiguresarenotyetavailable,’saidthecolonel.‘Bestestimate?’Costellinproddedhim.‘Welostsomethingintheregionofeighteenhundredmen.’Costellinwhistledthroughhisteeth.‘Morethanathirdofthe42nd’sremaining

complement.Isuggestwepraythenecronsdon’treturninahurry.’Thecolonelwasunfoldingabrittle,yellowedpapermapofthecity,layingit

outonhisdeskbetweenthem.‘Thegeneralsconsiderthatunlikely,’hesaid.‘This

necronforcewasthelargestwehaveseenyet,andthedefeathandedtothemadecisiveone.Wemusthaveexhaustedagoodproportionoftheirresourcestoo.’

‘Yousaidthesameafterlastweek’sattacktotheeast.’‘Theimportantthingisthat,ineachcase,thelinewasheldagainstanenemy

thatwasclearlydesperatetobreakthrough.Ourstrategyisprovingsound.’‘Perhaps,’concededCostellin.‘Thequestionis,whatproportionoftheir

resourcescanthenecronsreplenish?Theirbeaconisstilltransmittingdespiteourtech-priests’moststrenuousattemptstoblockthesignal.’

‘Perhapsyouhaveforgotten,CommissarCostellin,’saidthecolonel,‘thatourownreinforcementsarescheduledtoarriveintwodays.’

‘Ihaven’tforgotten,’saidCostellin.‘Wewillhavetoreviseourplannedtroopallocations,however.Iexpectthat,afterlastnight,thegeneralswillbeassigningmoreofthenewrecruitstothe42ndregiment.’

‘WestillhavethePDF,’offeredHanrik.‘Recruitmentandtrainingisgoingwell.Icanspareeighteen,maybetwentyplatoons.Wecansendthemtobolsterthe42ndintheshortterm,andalsostarttoextendthedrafttoothercities.Theonlyproblem,asI’vementionedbefore,isequipmentforthenewerrecruits.Wedon’thavethe–’

‘Sendyourmen,’saidthecolonel.‘Thequartermastersofthe42ndwilldowhattheycantoequipthem.’

‘Unfortunately,’saidCostellin,‘thenecrons’gaussweaponrydoesn’tleaveagreatdealbehind.Whenweloseaman,wetendtoloseeverythinghewascarrying.’

‘TheEmperorwillprovide,’saidthecolonel.Costellinwasn’tsosure,butthenhewasalsoawarethat,increasingly,hewas

soundinglikethevoiceofdoomatthesemeetings–andperhaps,hethought,thecolonelwasright.TheDeathKorpshadmadegoodprogressthesepastweeks,closingtheirringofsteelaboutthecity,andalthoughhisownregimenthadnotyetseencombat,boththe42ndandthe81sthadwonimpressivevictories.Hewouldn’thavedreameditpossible,butitdidseemthenecronswereonthebackfoot.Still,hefeltthatsomebodyhadtosoundanoteofcaution.SomebodyhadtorememberthattheywerestillfacingperhapsthegreatestthreatknowntotheImperium.

EvenHanrikhadcomeroundsomewhattothecolonel’swayofthinking.Sincethelossofhisniece,hehadcertainlybeenmorewillingtoofferhiscitizens,thepeoplehehadoncebeensodesperatetoprotect,assacrificesinthecauseofwinningthiswar.

‘IamawaitingsightofColonel42’sreport,’saidthecolonel,‘intotheenemy’stacticsinthislatestencounter.Inparticular,Iaminterestedinfreshinsightsintothenatureofthisnewnecronbreedandhowtheirabilitiesmightbecountered.’

Hanriklookedblank,soCostellinexplainedtohim,‘Theyappearedonthebattlefieldlatelastnight:likehalf-formednecronswithnolowerbodies,onlyspinalcolumns,buttheycanhoverlikeghostsandbecomeinsubstantiallikeghoststoo–untiltheygetcloseenoughtousethesurgicalbladestheyhaveinplaceoftheirhands,andthentheyareonlytoocorporeal.’

‘Isuggestweadjournthismeetingfornow,’saidthecolonel,‘andreconvenewhenthatreportisavailable.’

ItwasalittleovertwohourslaterthatCostellinheardafamiliarinsistentknockingathisdoor,andHanriklethimselfin.‘I’mnotdisturbingyou?’presumedthegovernor-general,alreadyhelpinghimselftoaseat.

‘Iwasabouttotakeastrollalongthefrontlines,’saidCostellin,‘spreadthenewsofourglorioustriumphlastnight.IbelieveIhavecollectedsufficientanecdotalevidenceofremarkableheroismagainstoverwhelmingodds.’

‘Hmm,yes.ThatiswhatIwishedtodiscusswithyou,inaway.’Costellinraisedaninquisitiveeyebrow,invitingHanriktocontinue.‘Lastnight.Iwasthinkingaboutthenecronattack,andIwondered,whythere?

Whyattempttobreakoutofthecitytothenorthwhentheregimenttotheeast,the81st,wasstilldepletedfromtheirpreviousattempt?Thecolonelsaidithimself,thiswasthelargestnecronforcewehaveseen.Iftheyhadsentthatforceagainstthe81stregiment,wemaynothavebeencelebratingavictorynow.’

‘Youhaveatheory?’askedCostellin.‘Ofcourse,itcouldjustbethatthenecrons’intelligencewasdefective.’‘Indeed.Foralltheyknew,wecouldhavebeenexpectingasecondattackto

theeastandbuiltupourforcesthere.’‘ButI’vebeenlookingatsomeoldschematics,andI’dliketohearwhatyou

makeofthisbeforeItakeittothecolonel.’HanrikhandedamemoryspooltoCostellin,wholoadeditintohisdesk’s

hololithprojector.Amomentlater,agrainyimageflickeredtolifebetweenthem:anarchitect’splanofHieronymousCity’supperskyways.Hanrikmanipulatedthecontrols,scrollingthroughseveralmoresuchimagesuntilhefoundtherightone.

‘This,’hesaid,describingalineacrossitwithafleshythumb,‘isasfarasthe81stregimenthadreachedwhenthenecronsmadetheirmoveagainstthem,and

this–’Hescrolledtoanotherplan.‘–thisiswheretheyattackedthe42nd.’Heflickedbackandforthbetweenthetwoplans,andaskedifCostellinhadnoticedanythingaboutthem.Costellinshookhishead,soHanrikzoomedtoaparticularbuildingonthefirst,andnowthecommissarleanedforward,astounded,inhisseat.

‘Itcouldbeacoincidence,ofcourse,’saidHanrik.‘Itcould,’agreedCostellin,‘butifitisn’t…Ithinkyou’reright,Hanrik.Ithink

weshouldtakethisinformationtothecolonelimmediately,becauseIthink…Ithinkyoumayjusthavefoundthenecrons’weakness.’

Colonel186’sofficewasfilledalmosttoburstingpoint.Crowdedaroundhisdeskwerenumerousaides,hisfourcompanycommandersandacoupleoftech-priests.Hanrik,too,wasflankedbyasmallcontingentofPDFofficers,andinthemidstofallthisstoodasolitaryyoungtrooper,arecentrecruittojudgebythethrown-togetherlookofhisscarletandpurpleuniform.

‘Ofcourse,’Hanrikwassaying,hischestswellingwithimportanceasheheldthefloor,‘assoonasthepowerwentout,Idespatchedmentothemaingeneratorum.’

‘Noneofthemmadeitthere,’saidthecolonel,‘butuntilnowitwasassumedthat,incommonwithnumerousotherPDFsquadsinsidethecity,theyhadbeenambushed.Thatassumptionwaschallengedthismorning.’

Hanriktookupthecommentary,keentoexplainthecircumstancesofhisvitaldiscovery,untilthecolonelgrewimpatientwithhimandinterruptedagain.

‘Itseems,’hesaid,‘thatboththe42ndandthe81stregimentswereattackedastheynearedthesitesofthecity’ssecondarygeneratorums.’

‘Wethought,’saidHanrik,‘thatthepowercutwasanactofsabotageintendedtopanicthecivilianpopulaceandhamperourevacuationefforts,butwhatifitwasmorethanthat?Whatifourpowerisbeingdrainedforapurpose?’

‘Eachtimewehaveencounteredthenecrons,’saidthecolonel,‘theirnumbershavegrown.Wedon’tknowiftherearestillmoreasleepinthattomboftheirsoriftheyarepullinginreinforcementsfromfurtherafieldsomehow.Eitherway–’

‘Eitherway,’saidHanrik,‘whatiftheyareusingourownpowertoachieveit?Whatiftheycan’twaketheirtroopsor…oroperatetheirbeaconwithoutit?’

‘Forthatmatter,’saidoneofthetech-priests,‘wehaveallbeenfrustratedbythenecrons’abilitytoregeneratethemselvesafteralmostanywound.Itcouldbethatthepowertodothistooemanatesnotfromwithintheirtombbutfromwithout.’

ThecolonelcalledupthehololithicplansthatCostellinhadseenbefore.‘Therearethreeremaininggeneratorumsinthecity,’heannounced,gesturingwithapointer.

‘And,giventhedestructionthenecronshavewrought,’Costellinputin,‘thefactthatallthreearestillstandingissuggestiveinitself.’

‘Attheircurrentrateofprogress,the103rdshouldflattenthissite,tothesouth,inapproximatelythreeandahalfdays,whileourownregimentwillreachtheoneherealittleovertwodaysafter.Thatleavesonlythecentral-mostandlargestinstallation,locatedhere.’Thecolonelindicatedasitemuchdeeperintothecity.

‘MayIpresume,sir,’spokeuponeofthecompanycommanders,‘thattheintentionistosendinateamtotakeoutthatgeneratorum?Ifso,Iwouldliketovolunteermycompanytoundertakethatmission,andmyselftoleadit.’

‘Thankyou,MajorAlpha,’saidthecolonel.‘Thatisindeedtheplan,andthegeneralshaveaskedthisregimenttoexecuteit.However,ourprimaryconcernisstillthemaintenanceofourcordonaboutthecity,andIwillneedallmyseniorofficerstodefendagainstalikelyattackaswenearthewest-sidegeneratorum.’

‘Thebrightsideofthat,Isuppose,’musedCostellin,‘isthatitshouldkeepthebulkofthenecronarmyoccupied.Evenso,itwillbedifficulttoslipaforceofanyusefulsizepastthem.TheyhaveshotdownmostofHanrik’sflyersalready.’

‘That,’saidHanrikwithameasureofself-satisfaction,‘iswhereTrooperSoresoncomesin.’Alleyesturnedtowardstheyoungtrooper,wholookeduncomfortablewiththeattention.‘AsquadofgrenadiersundermycommandextractedSoresonfromthecitythreeweeksago.Hewasfightingbackagainstthenecronssingle-handed.Asyoucansee,weimmediatelysignedhimupforthePlanetaryDefenceForce.Beforeourcurrenttroubles,however,MrSoresonwasamineoverseer.’

‘HieronymousCity,’saidthecolonel,‘standsaboveanextensivenetworkofminetunnels.TrooperSoresoncanguideourinfiltrationteamthroughthese.’

‘Rightunderthenecrons’feet,’saidCostellinapprovingly.‘Letusjustpraythat,whentheirtombemerged,noneofthemremainedunderground.’

‘Thereisamineentrancelessthantwoblocksawayfromthemaingeneratorum,sir,’saidSoreson.‘Ifwecanreachthat…’

‘Unfortunately,’saidHanrik,‘wehavenoup-to-dateplansofthetunnelsystem,suchinformationwaslostintheevacuation.Asyouhavejustheard,

however,TrooperSoresonknowsthosetunnelslikeheknowsthebackofhishand.’

Soreson,forhispart,seemedalotlesssureofthisthantheGovernor-Generalwas.‘Thetunnelsdon’talllinkup,though,’hevolunteered.‘Toreachthatmineentrance,wewouldhavetobreakthroughtwo,maybethreewalls.’

‘Thinwalls,’Hanrikaddedquickly.‘We’vebeenminingthisgroundforgenerations.Evenwherethetunnelsdon’tquiteconnect,theydorunclosetoeachother.’

‘Ibelieve,sir,westillhaveanoldburrowingvehicleaboardtheMementoMori,’offeredthesecondtech-priest.

‘ATermite,’recalledCostellin,‘butitsenginesmakeoneGoldenThroneofaracket.IfthesetunnelsdorunasclosetoeachotherastheGovernor-Generalsuggests,thenahandfulofminingchargesmayberathermorediscreet.’

‘HavetheTermitebroughtdown,’thecolonelinstructedanaide,‘incaseofneed.Inthemeantime,GeneralHanrik,ifyoucouldfindmesomeminingchargesandhaveTrooperSoresonupdateyourmostrecentplanofthosetunnels…MajorAlpha,Iwilltakeyouuponthatofferoftroops,Ithink:agrenadierplatoonfromyou,andalsoonefromGammaCompany,tobeledby…’

Costellinstiffenedasherealisedthatthecolonelhadturnedhisgazeuponhim.‘Commissar,IknowIcannotorderyoutodothis,butsinceourlossesonDask

youaretheregiment’smostexperiencedofficer.’Itwashardlyanunprecedentedrequest,andCostellinwascertainlynotoneto

hidebehindadeskwhenthefightingstarted.However,hewasusedtochoosinghisownbattles,andwithconsiderablymoreregardforhisownsafetythantheDeathKorpsofficerstendedtodisplayfortheirs.Hehadcertainlyneverfacednecronsbefore.

Momentarily,hewonderedifthecolonelwasdoingthisonpurpose,riddinghimselfofacommissardeterminedtoquestionhiseveryutterance.Heseemedtohaveplacedanunduestressontheword‘experienced’,asifinjudgementofCostellin’slongevity,asuggestionthatabravermanthanhewouldhavebeenlongsincedeadbynow.

‘Itgoeswithoutsaying,ofcourse,’saidthecolonel,‘thatyouwouldbedoingtheEmperoraconsiderableservice.’

‘Whenyouputitlikethat,’saidCostellin,tight-lipped,resentingthealmosttangibleexpectationsoftheofficersaroundhim,‘thenhowcanIpossiblydecline?’

Thefollowingmorning’sbriefingwasatenseaffair,atleastsoitseemedtoCostellin.

Theydiscussedthetimingofhismission,andagreed–orrather,Colonel186decreed–thathewouldsetofftwodayshenceatwhichpoint,ifthenecronsrantruetoform,theywouldbebusydefendingthegeneratorumtothesouthfromtheartilleryoftheKrieg103rd.Costellin’steamwouldgoasfarastheminetunnelswouldtakethem,thenawaitthecolonel’ssignal.

Theirattackwouldbetimedtocoincidewiththebombardmentofthewest-sidegeneratorum.Costellinhadtoadmitittohimself:thecolonelwasgivinghimeverychancehecouldtosucceed.WiththeEmperor’sfavour,itwaspossiblehemightjustmakeitinandoutofthecitywithoutencounteringasinglenecron.

Possible,Costellinthought,butalmostvanishinglyunlikely.TheyweretakingtheTermite,afterall.Hanrikdidn’tyethaveTrooper

Soreson’supdatedmapand,whenpressed,heconfessedwhatCostellinhadsuspectedfromthestart,thattheformermineoverseer’smemorywasnotasdependableastheGovernor-Generalhadboasted.TheTermitewouldgivethemmoreoptions,shouldtheytakethewrongturning,thoughitcouldn’tcarrymorethantenpassengerssomostofthemenwouldhavetofollowinthevehicle’swakeonfoot.

Twogrenadierplatoonshadbeenselectedtoaccompanythecommissar,andthecolonelhadfixedatimethateveningforapreliminarybriefing.Costellinspentthebestpartoftheafternoonplanninganupliftingspeechthatheknewwashardlyrequiredashestrippeddownhischainswordandplasmapistol,cleanedandoiledthemandsaidtherequisitelitaniestoplacatethemachine-spiritsinsidethem.

Thenextmorning,hestoodoutontherampandpreparedtowelcomethenewrecruits.Theymarchedoutoftheirdrop-ships,perfectlydrilled,indistinguishableintheirgreatcoatsandfacemasksfromanyDeathKorpsGuardsmanthatCostellinhadeverservedwith.Asalwayswhenashiplanded,therewereproblemswiththerefugeesonthehillside,incitedbythesuspicionthatmorelordsandcouncillorswouldjumpthequeuetobeevacuatedaheadofthem.However,thenewrecruitscametothestrugglingproctors’aid,andtheinsurgentswerebrutallyputdown.

‘Magnificent,aren’tthey?’CommissarMannheimwasatCostellin’sshoulder.‘Yes,Iexpecttheyare,’Costellinconceded,‘ifyou’reablenottothinkabout

whattheyhavebeenthroughtogethere.’‘Ibegyourpardon?’saidMannheim,butCostellindidn’tanswerhim.Hewas

rememberinghissolevisittotheKrieghomeworldnineteenyearsbefore.Hehadthoughtitagoodideaatthetime,ameanstoabetterunderstandingofhischarges.Donningamaskandarebreatherunit,hehadsteppedoutintoabarren,frigidlandscape,oneinimicaltoallkindsoflife.Yetsomehowlifehadenduredthere.

CostellinhadbeentoldthatthewaronKriegwaslongended,hadexpecteditsecospherewouldhavebeguntorecoverbynow.Ashetravelledunderhisneutralflag,however,maskedfaceshadpeeredoutathimfromtrenchesthatranlikebloodyscarsacrosstheplanet’ssurface.Explodingmortarshadgougednewholesintheblastedground,andsentgreatplumesofashupintothealreadychokingair.

ThemenofKriegwerestillwarring,nolongertoresolvetheirideologicaldifferencesbuteachnowtoprovehimselfworthyofdyingfortheEmperor.

‘Youshouldhaveseenthemlastnight,’enthusedMannheim.‘The42nd,Imean,myregiment.Itdidn’tmatterwhatthenecronsthrewatthem,theykeptgoing.Theywereindefatigable.EvenI…WhenIsawthoseghouls,itsentachilldownmyspine,Icantellyou,buttheDeathKorps,theyneverfaltered,theyneverflinched.’

‘Andeighteenhundredofthemweremassacred,’Costellinpointedout.‘Well,yes.Yes,theywere,butourprojectionssuggested–’‘Youexpectedtolosemore.Youthoughtyou’dlosethreethousand,four

thousand,butthatwasallrightaslongasthebattlewaswon.Acceptablecasualties.Ithappenssoonerthanyouthink,doesn’tit?Istilldoitmyselfsometimes.’

‘Dowhat?’‘Starttoseethemasnumbers.Starttosharethetotallackofregardthatthe

menofKrieghavefortheirownlives.Emperorknows,itiseasierthatway.’‘Idon’tthinkthat’sfair,’saidMannheim.‘Thenecronsareathreat,notjustto

thisworldbuttothewholeoftheImperium.Theyhavetobefought.’‘Lookatthem,Mannheim.Lookatthosesoldiers,trytoseepasttheirmasks.

They’refreshfromKrieg,doyouknowwhatthatmeans?Itmeanstheyarefourteenorfifteenyearsold,mostofthem,andalreadytheyhaveknownalifetimeofconflict.’

‘It’sthesameonmanyworlds,’arguedMannheim.‘Ofcourse,conditionsareharsheronKriegthanmost,andthatbreedsacertaintypeofindividual.’

‘No,’saidCostellinquietly,‘itiswewhodothat.’Thefirstandsmallestcontingentofthenewly-arrivedGuardsmen,those

whoselightergreycoatsmarkedthemoutasbeingdestinedforthe103rd

regiment,hadformedupnowandwerebeingmarchedawaybytheirnewofficers.‘MaybeyoushoulddowhatIdid,’saidCostellin,‘visitKriegforyourselfand

you’llsee.You’llseethatitspeoplearen’tinhuman,justdehumanised.’‘I’mnotsureIgetthedistinction,’saidMannheim,butCostellin’sthoughtshad

driftedbackagain,thistimetoabricktunnelandthestaleodourofinfinitelyrecycledair.Neverbeforeorsincehadheseensomanypeoplepackedintosoconfinedaspace.Mosthadbeenwomen,mostwithchild,andallofthemshufflingthroughtheirlivesinachemicalstupor.Therehadbeennoneedformasks,inthatsubterraneanlabyrinth,butthecitizensofKriegmayaswellhavebeenwearingthemanyway.

‘Perhaps,’hesighed,‘ifIhadspokenup…butno,I’mascertainnowasIwasbackthenthatnobodywouldhavewantedtohearme.Itoldyou,Mannheim,Itoldyouonthetroopship,thattheDeathKorpsofKriegareavaluableresourcetotheImperium,theperfectsoldiers.Thequestion,Isuppose,ishowmuchshouldwebepreparedtosacrificeforthatideal?Tohowmanyhorrorsmustweblindourselves?’

‘I’msureitisnotourplacetoquestion,’saidMannheimstiffly.‘Butifnotus,thenwho?Whowillsaywhenthingshavegonetoofar?’‘Idon’tlikewhereyou’regoingwiththis,Costellin.Iknowyoudidn’twantto

fightthiswar,butwhatwasthealternative?Ifwehaddoneasyouwished,ifwehaddestroyedthisplanet,thenpeoplewouldstillhavedied.Wecouldneverhavecarriedoutafullevacuationinthetimewehad.’

‘Iknowthat,Mannheim,’saidCostellinquietly.‘Ijustworry,sometimes,aboutus.Iworrythatwearebecomingasdehumanisedastheyare,toousedtodealingin“acceptablecasualties”,innumbers.Weforgetthatbehindeachofthosenumbersisalife–anabused,joylesslifeperhaps,butalifeallthesame.Untilthedaycomeswhenthatlife,thatnumber,isourown–andwhowillbelefttocareaboutus,then?’

ChapterFourteen

Howlonghaditbeennow?ItfeltlikemonthssincetheIronGodshadcome.Itfeltlikeforever.Thetime

beforewasafadingmemory,alreadysodistantthatitwashardlymissed,whilethefuture…

Thefuturewasendlessdayslikethisone:backbreaking,fourteen-hourshiftsintheruinsofthecity,eating,sleeping,risingforworkagain.Itwasremarkablehowroutinethishadbecome,howquicklythehumanbodyadaptedtotheachesandstrains,andthemind–forfearofgoingmad–totheconfinesofthehereandnow.

Arex’spickaxehadcometofeellikeanextensionofherarms.Shewasbarelyawareofthecallusesonheronce-softhands,beneathitswoodenhandle.

Sometimes,however,hermindcouldstillslipitschainsanddrifttoawhite-carpetedbedroomintheHighSpireoranillicitliaisoninadownmarketeatery,tothebrushofalovedone’slips,andthenshewasstaggeredbythepainofallshehadlost.

Arexsanktoherkneesandwept,drawingtheattentionofagrizzledoverseerwhoscreamedathertoresumeherworkandproddedherwithaproctor’sbaton.Shetriedtoobeyhim,shehonestlydid,butthehunkofplascreteshehadliftedwithoutthinkingaboutitamomentagonowseemedasheavyastheworlditself.

Theoverseeractivatedthebaton’sstuncharge,andArexcringed,waitingforthejolttoslamthroughherashadhappenedmanytimesbefore.Instead,sheheardangryvoices,ascuffle,andshepeeredthroughhertearstoseethatafellowslavehadcometoherdefence.Aruggedlyhandsomeman,shethought,likeallofthemgrimyfromthemorning’sexertions.Hehadwrestedthebatonfromthecoweringoverseer,andheseemedalmostangryenoughtouseittoo.Thencommonsensedampenedthefireinhiseyes,andhecasttheweaponscornfullytotheground

instead.‘She’stired,’hegrowled,‘that’sall.We’realltiredandhungry,and

brutalisingthisyoungwomanisn’tgoingtochangethat.’HeliftedArextoherfeet,putawaterbottletoherlips.Theoverseerhad

recoveredhisbaton,andhisnerves,andwasragingimpotently:‘You’reonhalfrationsforthreedays,Tylar,andI’mreportingthisincidenttoAmareth,doyouhearme?’

‘Youshouldn’thavedonethat,’saidArexregretfully,astheoverseerstompedawaytomakegoodonhisthreat.‘Youshouldn’thavegotyourselfintroubleforme.’

Hersaviour,Tylar,shookhishead.‘I’vebeenintroubleforonethingoranothersinceIgothere.Atleast,thistime,itwasinthebestofcauses.’

‘I’llsharemyrationswithyou,’shepromised.‘Iwon’tseeyougohungry.’‘You’lldonothingofthesort,’saidTylar.‘Youmustkeepyourstrengthup.

Youknowwhattheydotopeoplewhocan’tserve.Don’tworryaboutme,Arex,I’llgetby–onsheerstubbornnessifneedsbe.Iwouldn’tgivethatgoonthesatisfactionofbreakingme.’

‘Youknowmyname?ButIhaven’t–’‘Youdon’trecogniseme,doyou?’Arexlookedupintohisface,andtriedtoseepastthedirt,pasttheuntidy,

overgrownstrawberryblondhair,triedtopeelbacktheyears.‘I…Idoknowyou,’sherealised.‘Tylar.Ofcourse.Wasn’tyourfatheranadmiral?’

‘Alordadmiral,’saidTylar.‘Highupenough,anyway,torescuemefromthedraftandsetmeupwithacushyadministrator’sjob.Well,youmustrememberthat.Ionlymentioneditaboutathousandtimes,Ithink,duringourdate,tryingtoimpressyou.’

‘I…I’msorry,’saidArex.‘It’sjust,myuncle,he–’‘Iknow.’Tylarsmiledwarmlyather.‘YoutalkedalotaboutGovernorHanrik

too,asIrecall.Youcertainlydidn’tapproveofhischoiceofsuitorsforyou.’‘Wewerebothsoyoung,’sighedArex,‘andthethingswecaredaboutback

then…’‘Theydon’tmeansomuchnow,dothey?’Tylareasedhimselfawayfromher,andimmediatelyshemissedthereassuring

pressofhisbody.Ithadbeencomfortingtoreturntothepast,forhowevershortatime,withoutregret,tolearnthatevenatinypartofithadsurvived.Ithadgivenherhope.Butnow,theemptypresentbeckonedtoArexoncemore.

‘Weshouldgetbacktoit,’saidTylar,‘beforethatoverseerreturnswithhis

goonfriends.Here,I’llhelpyouclearthispile.Ifyoufeelweakagain,youcanleanonme.’

‘Iwill,’saidArexgratefully.

ThepointoftheworkwastosiftformaterialstheIronGodscoulduse.Anythingwithmetalcontentwastobeputtooneside;gemstonesand

jewellerytoo.Everyhalf-hourorso,ArexandTylartookturnstowheelabarrowfullofuselessmasonryintothesilentsmeltery.Hearrangedherloadssothattheywerelighterthanhis,thoughtheylookedassubstantial.Shewouldemptyherbarrowdownoneoftheliftershafts,whileagroupofoverseersplayedcardsatanearbytable.

ItmadeArexangrysometimesthattheoverseers–mostlyAmareth’sfriendsfrombefore–didlessworkthanshedid,andyetgotmorefood.Shewonderediftheyhadfeltthesamewayabouther,livingintheHighSpire,wantingfornothingallthoseyears,whiletheyhadlivedtheirlivesofdrudgery.Now,theIronGodshadelevatedanewrulingclassinHieronymousCity,andperhapsshedeservedthispenance.

Shesleptonacold,hardfloornowinahabhalfthesizeofheroldbathroom,sharedwithfourotherslaves.Theyhadshutteredthewindow,butstillthegreenlightfromthepyramidclaweditswayaroundtheedgesofthewood.

‘Don’tyouthinkit’sodd,’Tylarsaidtoheroneday,‘thatweneverseetheIronGodsthemselves?Noranysignthatthefruitsofourlabourarebeingtakentothem?’

Arexshrugged.‘Iftheydon’twantthemetal,’shesaid,‘thenwhyaskforit?’‘WehaveonlythewordofAmareththattheyhave.’Sheletthepickaxefallidleinherhands,temptingtheoverseers’wrath.She

staredatTylar.‘What…whatareyousaying?Whywouldwebedoingallthis,ifnot…?’

‘Howdidyoucometobehere?’heasked.‘Tojointhisworkgroup?’‘Ididn’tknowwhatelseto…Icouldn’tgobackhome.Imetpeoplewhohad

beentothecitygates,andtheysaidtheyhadbeenclosed.ThenIsaw…Isawothersworkingintheruins,andIaskedthemwhy,andtheytoldme…’

‘Theyfoundme,’saidTylar,‘andtheytoldmethat,ifIdidn’tjointhem,servetheIronGods,itwastheirdutytoseethatIwaspunishedforit.Evenso…’

‘Evenso,’breathedArex,‘itisacomforttoknow…tobelievethatwearenotentirelyhelplessbeforethisterribleforce,thatthereissomewaywecan…’

‘Butwhat,’whisperedTylar,‘ifthereisnoway?WhatiftheIronGodsdonot

careintheslightestifweservethemornot?Whatifwehavebeenliedto?’

Theybegantoscorewhatlittlevictoriestheycould.Theyhidmetalscrapsatthebottomofthebarrowandtippedthemdownthemineshaftssotheoverseerscouldn’thavethem.Theythoughtitsafetodothisbecausenoonewasreallywatching,untilacollectionofcutleryinArex’sfourthloadshiftedwithatreacherousclankandcaughtthelightofaburningbrazier,andtheoverseerssurroundedherandquestionedher.

Theyweremenintheirforties,mostofthem,ex-minerswithunshavenfacesthatlookedliketheycouldn’teverhavebeenclean.OneofthemaskedArexforhername,andsheansweredtruthfullybecauseshecouldn’tbeartheburdenofanotherlie.Theoverseerlookedcloselyather,rememberedherfacefromanewsreelhehadseenonce,andthatwasit,hercoverwasblown.

Theywereevenmoreinterestedinherthen.TheywantedtoknowifshewasaspyfortheGovernor,anaccusationshedeniedangrily.Theyaskedherwhyshehadn’tbeenflownoutofthecitywithhim,andtheypickedatherflimsyexcusesuntilsheconfessedthatshehadbeenlookingforherboyfriend.Arexburstintotears,then,partlythroughhavinghadherdeepestsecretdraggedoutofherandpartlyatthememoryofstumblingthroughthewreckage,findingGunthar’sblockrazedbytheinsectswarm,findingherselfforthefirsttimeinherlifealone.

Theoverseersaffectedtofindthisstoryhilarious.Theywantedtoknowmoreaboutthislower-floordwellerwhohadwontheheartofalady.TheymadevulgarsuggestionsaboutwhatArexmighthaveseeninGunthar,andtheylaughedalltheharderwhensheinsistedhewasthesweetestmanintheworld.

‘Whereishenow,’theytauntedher,‘thissweetloveofyours?’‘He’slookingforme,’shesaidstubbornly.‘Guntharislookingformeandhe

won’tstopuntilwehavefoundeachother.’Butshereachedforhernecklace,hercomforter,asshespoke,forgettingforamomentthatshehadlostthistoo,founditgonefromhercoatpocketsometimeaftertheinsects.Shehadgonebacktosearchforit,invain.

‘Whatdoyouthink?’askedoneoftheoverseersofhisfellows.‘DowetakehertoAmareth?I’msurehe’dliketoknowwehavearoyalvisitor.’

Thecruel,mockinglaughteroftheotherssignalledtheiragreement.

ThesunwassettingasArexwashalf-pushed,half-draggedalongtheskywaybyasix-strongescort.ShesawTylarstartingtowardsher,butdiscouragedhimwithafirmshakeofherhead.Therewasnothinghecoulddotohelpher.

Shewassurprisedtobeledintoamustyoldschola,downseveralfloorsandoutintoanintactcourtyarddominatedbyasinglegrandbuildingatitsfarend.AbroadflightofmarblestepssweptuptoadoorwaythatcouldeasilyhaveaccommodatedavisitorthreetimesArex’sheight.Thespirestoeachsideofthesestepscouldhavebelongedtonothingbutatemple,anddespitehersituationshefeltaswellofoptimisminherheart,untilshelookeduptowheretheImperialEagleshouldhavebeendisplayedabovethetemple’sdoortofindittherenolonger.

Theeaglehadbeenchippedaway.Arexcouldstillseetheoutlineofitssplayedwings,darkagainsttheweatheredbrickwork,butacrossthishadbeenpainted,insilver,alopsidedimageofaleeringskull.

Inside,likewise,allImperialsymbolshadbeenremovedordefaced.Greendrapeshadbeenhung,blackcandleslit.Attheendofthenave,atallstained-glasswindowhadbeensmashedandabedsheetpinnedoverit,ontowhichanotherskullhadbeendaubed,apparentlybythesameclumsyhandresponsiblefortheoneoutside.Perchedatoptheblack-shroudedaltarwasasmallpyramidcarvedfromwood,andtheoverseersapproachedthisreverently,theirfootstepsechoingfromthegalleries.

Anemerald-cloakedattendantloomedalongthetransept,andArexwasrevoltedtoseexenossigilspaintedonhercheeksandherforeheadinash.Shethoughtacoupleofherescortsappeareduneasywiththistoo,butshecouldn’ttellforsure.

Ashort,whisperedconversationensuedbeforetheattendantnoddedandsweptaway.Severalminutespassed,thenmorefootstepssounded,ascendingtothepulpit.Theoverseerskneltinawe,butArexremainedstanding,untilasharpbatonblowtothebackofherkneesstoleherchoiceinthematter.

Hereyesloweredforfearofbeingstruckagain,sheheardhernamespokeninarich,resonatingvoice.‘LadyHanrik,Ibelieve.Youmaygazeuponmyperson.’

Arexlookedupandcaughtherbreath.ShehadglimpsedAmarethjustonetimebefore,acrossthesmelteryfloor,givingorderstohisoverseers.Shehadthoughthelookedlikeanyordinaryman:perhapsalittletallerthanmost,inhismid-thirties,withaslickofblackhairandprotrudingears.Now,hetoweredaboveher,aspectrewrappedinroyalblue,hisfaceconcealedbyametalskullmask,whichlookedlikeonetheoverseershadbeenparadingacoupleofweeksago.Themask,apparently,hadbeentakenfromthecorpseofanImperialGuardsman,althoughArexcouldn’timagineamemberoftheEmperor’sarmywearingsuchathing.

Amarethheldastaffwithmouldedplasteelprongs,amakeshiftapproximationoftheonewieldedbythegiantgodthathadwalkedtheskiesinhololithicform.‘So,’herumbled,‘thenieceofourformerGovernorhasbeendeliveredtomychurch.WhatclearersigncouldtherebethatwearethefavouredoftheIronGods?’

‘ItwasIwhorecognisedher,lord,’spokeuponeoftheoverseers.‘Tellme,mylady,’saidAmareth,‘howcameyoutobeguidedtous?’So,Arextoldhertale,inasfewwordsasshecould,andAmarethlistened,

then,whenshehadfinished,henoddedsagelyandsaid,‘Itwasnotthroughcapriciousfatethatyouweresparedtheravagesoftheinsectswarm.ThegodsmustsurelyhaveapurposeinmindfortheGovernor’skin.’

‘ButI…’sheprotested,tongue-tied.‘Thatwasbefore.Myfamily’swealthmeansnothingnow.I’mjustliketherestof…likeeverybodyelse.’

Amarethletoutadeep-throatedchuckle.‘Ohno,mylady,youarenotliketheothers.Notwhileyouruncle’sforceslaysiegetothegods’owndomain.’

‘Tothecity,youmean?They’restillfightingforus?Ididn’tknow.’Arexhadhoped,though,especiallyaftertherumoursoftheImperialGuard’s

presence,andherdelightinhavingthathoperealisedmusthavesoundedinhervoice,becauseanoverseerathersidegrumbled,‘Theyarewastingtheirammunition.Theymusthaveheardthevoiceofthegods,aswealldid.Theyknowtheirpower.’

‘Indeed,’agreedAmareth,‘andyetTalmarHanrikhaschosentostakeallourlivesonafutileactofdefiance.’

‘He’stryingtosaveus!’protestedArex.‘Wehavenoneedofhissalvation.TheIronGodsprotectthosewhoserve

them.Isn’tthatwhyyouchosetojoinus,LadyHanrik?’‘IjoinedyoubecauseIthought…Whendidtheyspeaktoyou?Whendidthey

tellyoutheydesiredourservice?Youspeakoftheirvoice,andyetIheardthattoo,andnoonecouldhavefoundanymeaninginthatnoise.Howdoyouknow–?’

‘Now,’continuedAmareth,ignoringher,‘wehavethemeanstoproveourworth.Wehaveyou,LadyHanrik–and,onceyouhavebeenpresentedtotheIronGods–’

‘You’reinsane!’Arexfeltabatonprodtoherribs,andanoverseerwarnedheraboutspeakingto‘LordAmareth’thatway.Undeterred,shewenton,‘Youthinkyoucanusemeasahostage?Youcan’timaginethatwillwork!Myunclewill–’

‘AsmuchasGovernorHanrikmightdisdaintherestofus,hemustcertainly

valuehispreciousniece’slife.Hewillhavenochoicebutto–’‘Lookaroundyou,’criedArex.‘Openyoureyes,allofyou,andlook!Your

“IronGods”havedestroyedourhomes,they’vekilledourfriends,andyou…youthinkyoucandealwiththem?Youthinkyoucanbuytheirfavour?They–’Thistime,thebatonprodwasbackedupbyastuncharge.Arex’slegsgaveway,andshewouldhavefallenhadtheoverseersnotcaughther,holdingherlikearagdoll.

‘Leaveme,’instructedAmareth.‘Iwillcommunewiththegods,prayforguidanceinthismatter,andforthisImusthavesolitude.’

‘Youweren’tappointedbythem,wereyou?TheIronGodshaveneverspokentoyouexceptinyourownhead.’Amarethhadturnedtoleave,butArex’sweakvoicepulledhimback.Sheknewshewastemptinganothershockorworse,butshedidn’tmuchcare.Oncetheyhadmarchedherintothatgreen-glowingpyramid,itwouldbetoolateforwords.‘Don’tyousee?Youwererightaboutme.I’mafraidofthem,asweallare.Ican’tfightthosehorrors,soIthought…Ithought,atleast,ifIdidastheywanted,Iwouldn’tbeharmed.Iunderstandhowyoufeel,whyyou’redoingallthis,butifthere’sstillhope,iftheEmperor’sforcesarefightingforus–’

‘Leaveme,’repeatedAmareth,‘butensurethattwooverseershavesightofLadyHanrikatalltimes.Sheistobequarteredintheschola.Infact,itistimewebroughttherestofmyflockintothebuildingsaroundthiscourtyard.Letthemseethenewhomeswehavepreparedforthem,andtheirnewhouseofworship.’

Andhedidturnandleavethen,disappearingbackbeneaththepulpit’slip,buthiscommandingvoicecarriedbackoverhisshoulder:

‘Servicesbeginatdawntomorrow.’

Thelectorumhadbeenclearedofdesksandchairs.Abroadwindowoverlookedthenewlyreappointedtemple,andtherewereafewsurprisedwhispersastheotherslavesnoticeditssilver-paintedskull,luminousinthemoonlight.

Arex,forherpart,wasjustrelievedtoshrugherheavymattressoffherback,letithitthefloorboardsinacloudofdust.ShewasgladderstillthatTylarhadfoundhiswaytoher.Twooverseersstoodsentryinthedoorway,thefurthesttheyhadstrayedfromhersideallnight,soatlastshehadachancetoconfideinhernewfriendfreely.

‘Amarethismad,’shedeclaimed,‘completelyandutterlymad.HethinkshecanbargainwithhisIronGods,andhe’swillingtobetraytheEmperorHimselftodoit.’

‘So,itseemswewererightafterall,’saidTylar,shakinghisheadindespair.

‘Amarethtellsushecanheartheirvoices,andwe…sodesperateareweforaslimthreadofhope,forsomeonetoguideus,thatwebelievehim.Wedeludeourselves.’

‘Hecanseeanewordercoming,’saidArex,‘andheisseizingthechance–thefantasy–tobemorethanheoncewas.I’veheardtheoverseerstalking.Thereareotherworkgroupslikethisone–otherchurches,Ishouldsay–acrossthecity.’

Tylarnodded.‘Theyboastthatthisisthelargestofthem,overahundredslaves,asifitwereacompetition.’

‘Itis,’saidArex.‘Amarethwantsthischurch,hischurch,tobetheonlyone,withhimselfinstalledasitsHighPriest,andhethinks–’

‘Now,hethinkshehassomethinghisgodswant,andhethinkshecanbarteritfortheirrecognition–forreal,thistime.’

‘Hedoesn’tunderstand,doesn’tseethatwearenothingtothem!’Arexsankdownontohermattress,pulledherkneesuptoherchest.Theroom

wasquietingdownastheotherslavesfinishedlayingouttheirmeagrebelongingsandrestedtheirwearybodies.ShewasthinkingofherUncleHanrik;allthoseyearshehadspenttryingtoprotecther,almostsmotheringher.

Shehadbeensoungratefultohim,forthelifehehadgivenher.Ifshehadn’tbeensearching,likeAmareth,forsomethingmore,shewouldn’thavebeeninthispredicamentnow.Shehadfoundheradventure,atlast,andtherewasnothingexcitingaboutit–andtheworstofitwasthat,intheIronGods’clutches,shewouldbeendangeringmorelivesthanherown,andperhapsHanrikhadforeseenthis.

HehadservedintheImperialGuard,Arexremembered.Hehadsenthisthreesonsofftowar.Doubtlesshehadknown,farbetterthanshedid,whatlurkedintheshadowsbeyondtheGod-Emperor’sblindinglight.

Tylarleanedinclosertoher,whisperedinherear,‘Doyoustillhavefaith?’‘IntheEmperor?OfcourseIdo,butIknowIhavefailedHim.Inmyfearand

confusion,Ihavekneltbeforetheprophetofafalsegod.IhaveassistedHisfoes.’‘WecanstillserveHim,’Tylarinsisted.‘Hehasshownustheway.’‘Youmean…?’‘Amarethcan’tbeallowedtocarryouthisplan.TheImperiumisstillfighting

forus,andiftheGovernor’sresolveisweakenedbyhisactions–’‘Butwhatcanwedo?’‘Wecanescape,’saidTylar.‘Wecangetyouawayfromhere.’‘Butthecity,’protestedArex,‘thecityhasbeensealed.Howcanwe–?’

‘Thereareplentyofplaceswecanhide.AslongaswecankeepyououtofAmareth’shands,thatisthemainthing.ThenweonlyhavetowaituntiltheseIronGodshavebeenvanquished,astheysurelywillbe,andourworldreclaimed.’

‘Ifonlyitweresoeasy,’lamentedArex,‘butAmarethwon’tletmego.Youknowhehashismenwatchingme,andevenifweweretoevadethem,theywouldneverceasesearchingforme.FarbetterifIhadnevercomehere,ifIhadbeenkilledbytheinsectswarm.Farbetter,infact,ifIweretodierightnow.’

‘Youmustn’tthinklikethat,’hissedTylar,andheputhisstrongarmaroundArex’sshoulder,heldher.‘Afterallyouhavebeenthrough,andsurvived,youshouldhavenodoubtthattheEmperorwantsyoutolive.Hewantsyou–Hewantsusboth–tofightforHim,andfightforHimweshall…somehow.’

ChapterFifteen

Guntharhadbeenissuedwithashavingkit,atlast.Ithadarrivedthreemorningsago,alongwithhisbodyarmour.Themorningof

hismeetingwiththeGovernorandtheseniorofficers,althoughhehadn’tquestionedthecoincidence.Hescrapedshavingfoamfromhischin,splashedhisfacewithfreezingcoldwaterfromthecrackedwhitebasininthecornerofthebunkroomandcarefullycleanedandstowedhisdisposablerazorsoastopreserveitsedge.

Asheturnedfromthebasin,heglimpsedafacehedidnotknowinthemirror,andthesightofitcausedhimtohesitate.Drawingclosertotheglass,Guntharwipedawayastraysmearofsoapandinspectedthevisagebeforehim.

Histousledblackhair,ofcourse,hehadlostonhisfirstdayofservice.Heworeamilitarybuzz-cutnow,whichchanged,orratherexposed,theshapeofhishead.Hehadshedsomeweight,too,andhischeekshadahollowlooktothem.Alividpurplebruisebeneathhislefteyefurtherdistortedtheimagefromthefamiliar.

Itwasmorethanthatthough.

Heremembered:Arounder,fresherface,amorenaïveface,reflectedintheblankeyepiecesof

aDeathKorpswatchmaster.TheenginesofthePDFflyerwhining,sendingvibrationsthroughthetroopcompartmentandthroughthebenchonwhichGuntharsat,rattlinghisbones.ThewatchmasterhadaskedwhatheknewofArex’swhereabouts.HehadconfessedonlytowhatWeberhadtoldhim,pretendednottoknowher,buthehadfearedtheKriegmancouldseethroughhislies.

Hehadhalf-expectedtheGovernortomeetthemonthespaceportramp,hadwonderedifhecouldlietohimtoo,butthebadnewshadbeenvoxedahead,

Hanrikwasgrievingforhisnieceinprivate,andsuddenlynobodyhadtimetospareforGuntharanymore,hewasjustonemorerefugeeamongsomanythousands.

Heremembered:HehaddecidedtojointhePlanetaryDefenceForce.Well,rather,hehad

almostmadeuphismindtojoinwhenanuptightlieutenanthadcollaredhimanddemandedtoknowwhyhewasoutofuniform.Hehadhadtoexplainthathehadonlyjustarrived,hadn’tknownaboutthedraftbuthadfullyintendedtospeaktosomeoneaboutitsoon.Thenextthingheknew,aheavysetsergeantwastakingarazortohishair,andhewasbeingkittedoutinbootstoosmallforhimandatunictoolarge.

Itwasonthatdaythat,toallintentsandpurposes,hehadceasedtobemineoverseerGuntharandhadbecomeTrooperSoresoninstead,buthehadn’tmournedthelossofthatpartofhimself,notthen.Hehadrememberedhisvowtoreturntothecity,andhadfeltlikethiswasthefirststeptowardsthatgoal.Hehadfeltempowered.

Heremembered:Ablurofpush-upsandpull-ups,four-kilometrerunsandten-kilometre

marches.Drillinstructorsscreamingthemselveshoarse,butrarelyathim.Guntharhadfeltacertainprideinthefactthat,contrarytotheexpectationsofafatrecruitmentsergeantsixyearsago,hewasconsideredoneofthemorepromisingtrainees.Perhapsthiswasbecause,unlikemostoftheothers,heknewwhathewasdoinghere.

Helearnedmilitarycodesofconduct,vehicleandweaponrecognition,basicfirstaid,survivalskillsandhowtomakeuphisbunk.Hepractisedwithalasgun–thoughhehadn’tyetbeenissuedwithhisown–untilhecouldstripitdownandreassembleitinlessthantwominutes.Hismarksmanshipwaspoortobeginwith,butGuntharpractisedonthemakeshiftrangeatthefootofthespaceporthilluntilhecouldatleasthittheplasterboardtargetwithtwoshotsoutofthree.

Heremembered:ThefirsttimeaKriegofficerhadobservedadrillsessionontheramp,coldly,

inscrutably.Hehadsoonpivotedonhisheelandleft,butreturnedthenextdaywithacomrade.Twodaysafterthat,aKriegwatchmasterhadassistedwiththe

trainingregime,justofferingtheoccasionalsuggestiontobeginwithbut,byevening,givingtheorders.Quiteclearly,thePDFinstructorsresentedthisencroachmentupontheirterritory,butitseemedtherewaslittletheycoulddoaboutit.

Thenextmorning,therehadbeenawatchmastersupervisingattherange,anothertakingmorninginspection,andbytheendoftheweekGuntharhadhadasmanyKrieginstructorsashehadhadnon-Kriegones.

Thatwaswhentheten-kilometremarchesbecametwenty,thetrainees’backpacksfilledwithstonestosimulatetheweightofequipmenttheydidn’thave.Firstmusterwasbroughtforwardanhour,thenanother,evidentlytothesurpriseofsomePDFsergeants,whoturnedupbleary-eyed,late.Exercisesfrequentlyenduredbeyondsunset,andGuntharbecameusedtosubsistingonfourhours’sleeppernight.Heneverjoinedinthegrumblingthatwentoninthebunkroombeforelightsout,butevenhecouldn’talwaysmeettheexactingnewstandardsrequiredofhim.

TheKriegmenneverraisedtheirvoicesinanger.Theyspokeinquiet,measuredtones,ladenwiththreat,andwerequicktodispenseextradutiestorecruitswhodisappointedthem.‘Youaren’ttrainingtofightoldladiesandcrippledmutantsanymore,’amaskedGuardsmangrowledinGunthar’searonce.‘YouaretrainingtofightwiththeDeathKorpsofKrieg,andIintendtomakesureyouareworthyofthathonour,elseyouwillbewastingthelifeyouhavebeengiven.’

Anotherinstructor,addressingGunthar’swholeplatoon,toldhowattheageoftwelvehehadbeengivenalasgunandsentintoarad-zonetohuntdownmutants,amissionfromwhichathirdofhissquadhadnotreturnedandtheleastofthosemenhadbeenmoreable,morededicatedtohiscause,thananyoftheseweak,apatheticwastesofgeneticmaterialthatcurrentlycoweredbeforehim.

Inthebunkroomonemorning,awatchmasterdemandedfortypush-upsfromatraineewhosebootsweren’tsufficientlypolished.Thetraineewasaburlyminerinhismid-thirties,moreablethanmosttocopewiththephysicaldemandsplaceduponhim,butlackofsleephadmadehimincreasinglyfractious–hehadbeenthefirsttocomplaineachnightaboutthedepredationsoftheday–andthiswasthefinalstraw.

Hehadrefusedtheorder.Hehadscreamedinthewatchmaster’sface,demandingtoknowwhohethoughthewas,remindinghimthatthiswasn’thisworld.And,withoutawarning,withoutaword,thewatchmasterhaddrawnhislaspistolandexecutedhim.

Therewassomeexpectationoffalloutfromthatincident,rumoursthatcomplaintshadbeentakentotheGovernor-Generalhimself,andforafewdaysitdidseemtherewerefewerKriegfacemasksaroundthantherehadbeen.ThenColonelBraunhadaddressedthetrainees,informedthemstifflythatthewatchmasterhadactedbythebook,andthatwasthat.Thefacemasksreturnedinforce,andeverythingwasasithadbeenbefore,exceptthatGunthar’sbunkroomwasnowveryquietatnight.

Heremembered:Lectorumsessionshadbeentransformedtoo.Now,thegreaterpartofeach

wasdevotedtothelearningbyroteandcommunalrecitaloftheEmperor’sbenedictions.GuntharwastaughtthathisofficersweretheEmperor,asfarashewasconcerned,andthattoquestionalawfulorderwasthefoulestkindofblasphemy.

Traineeswereaddressedonlyasnumbersnow,punishedforthemerestmentionsoftheiroldnames.Guntharwasmadetorunaroundthespaceportthreetimeswithhisrock-filledbackpackforcarelesslyreferringtohimselfas‘I’insteadofas‘thistrooper’,andreceivedanadditionallapforbeingtooslow.Itwasdecreedthatsomeofthetraineeshadbecometoocomfortablewitheachother,sotheplatoonswerereformedtosplitupoldfriendsandnewcomradesalike.

ThatwashowGuntharhadceasedtobeTrooperSoresonandbecomeTrooper1419instead,buthehadn’treallymindedthiseither.Hefelthewasbeginningtounderstandwhatitmeanttobeasoldier,andheshoulderedthatburden,acceptedhisnewidentity,becauseheknewthatasoldierwaswhatArexneededhimtobe.

Heremembered:Afrost-sprinkledfield,theaircrispwiththethreatofapproachingwinter.

Gunthar’splatoonhadbeenmarchedtoTheloniusCityandmostofthewaybackandtheywereexpectingamealbreak.Instead,theirinstructor,aseniorKriegGuardsman,separatedthemintotwogroupsandtoldthemtofighteachother.

Thetraineeswerereluctantatfirst,butafewgrowledwarnings,atwitchofahandtowardsalasgunholster,andtheybegantograpplehalf-heartedly.Apromiseofadditionalrationsforthewinningteam,tobetakenfromthelosers’allocation,stirredalittlemorepassioninthem,andGunthar’slegswerekickedoutfrombeneathhimbyadough-facedcolossusofamantwicehisage.

Beforehecouldstand,beforehecouldfightback,theinstructorcalledahalt

totheproceedings.Hehadafewwordstosay,naturally,onthesubjectofthetrainees’efforts,beforedecidingthatademonstrationwasinorder.Hehauledayoungmanoutoftheranksandorderedhimtoputuphisfists.Thetraineedidsowithacertainreticence,andtheinstructorcameathimlikeaLemanRussDemolisher.

Guntharwincedastheinstructorhammeredpunchafterpunchintothetrainee’schinand,whenhebroughtuphishandstoprotectthis,intohisstomach.Hesnarledatthemantodefendhimself,toforgethisassailant’srankandfightback,butthetraineewasslowtorespondand,althoughhedideventuallymakeaspiritedattempttowrestletheinstructortotheground,bythenhewasalreadytoodazed,toobruisedtofighteffectively.Anelbowthrustintothetrainee’slegdislocatedhiskneecap,andthetraineewasonthegroundbutthemaskedinstructorcontinuedtobeathim,methodically,dispassionately,untilhewasbleedingandunconscious.

‘Andthat,’heannounced,hardlyoutofbreath,‘isthelevelofcommitmentIexpecttoseefromeachofyou,unlessyouwishtosparwithme.’

Thistime,whenthefightingbegan,Guntharlookedforthedough-facedman,andfoundhimengagedinascruminwhichGunthar’steam-mateswereoutnumbered.Hegrippedhisadversary’sshoulderfrombehind,spinninghimaroundasheyankedhimfromthefray,andhepunchedhim,butnothardenough,stillholdingback.Aflailingarmcaughthimintheface.Hedoubledover,andthedough-facedmanrushedhim,usinghissuperiorweighttobearGunthartothecold,hardgroundagain.

‘Don’tbesqueamishaboutstrikingfrombehind,’bellowedtheinstructor,perhapsatGuntharhimself.‘Thisisnotajoustingtournament,thisiswar!’

Hewasright,andGuntharfeltangrywithhimselfforhismistake,angrytooatthedough-facedmanfortakingadvantageofit.Thatmaynothavebeenfairofhim,butitwassurprisinghoweasyitwastohatethisman,thiscomradeofafewminutesearlier,forembarrassinghim,forstandingbetweenGuntharandhislife’sonlygoal.

‘Leavehim!’theinstructorbarked,thoughatwhomGuntharcouldn’tsee.‘Hehasamedi-pack,hecantakecareofhimself,andifhecan’t…’

Hedidn’tneedtofinishthesentence.Ifatroopercan’ttakecareofhimself,heisuselesstous.Guntharwaspinneddown,apodgyfistraisedtohammerintohishead,butthememoryofArexgavehimstrengthtowrenchahandfreeandtolashout.Takenbysurprise,thedough-facedmanwasunbalanced,andGuntharheavedhimaway,rollednimblytohisfeetandduckedaretaliatorylunge.

‘Ifyouaren’ttryingtokilleachother,youaren’ttryinghardenough.’TwotraineesseizedGuntharfrombehind,holdinghimasthedough-facedman

cameinforanotherattack.Insteadoftryingtoevadehim,thistimeGuntharmethimwithfeetfirmlyplantedandheadlowered.Hebuttedthedough-facedmaninthejaw,theimpactsendingbothofthemreelingbutsurprisingoneofGunthar’scaptorsenoughtoshakehisgrip.Grittinghisteeth,focusingthroughacrowdofblotchesinhisvision,Guntharthrustanelbowbackwardsintohisothercaptor’sstomachanddroppedtooneknee,throwingthestartled,grey-hairedrecruitoverhisshoulder.

Hesurrenderedtothemoment,then,unabletostop,tothink,toplaninthemidstofanincreasinglyfiercemelee,justrespondingtoeachthreatasitpresenteditself,defendinghisallieswhenhecould.Atonepoint,herammedanopponentshoulder-first,atthesamemomentthathewassimilarlyattackedfromtheoppositedirection,andGuntharfeltthesnapofhisvictim’sclavicleashefellwithashriekofpain.

Itwassomucheasier,hethought,whenhedidn’tknowtheirnames.Hewasbarelyawareofthemeleethinningoutabouthim.Whentheinstructor

blewhiswhistle,Guntharswayedonhisfeetandsaw,numbly,thatonlyheandthreeofhisteam-matesremainedstanding.Thefieldwasfilledwiththegroansofthewoundedand,astheadrenalinedrainedoutofhissystem,hedidn’tknowwhethertofeelashamedorproudofhimself.Hesettledonfeelingneither,becausehehadonlydonewhathehadbeeninstructedtodo.Guntharwasbecomingthemanhehadtobe,andifonlyhehadbeenthatmanbefore,Arexwouldhavebeensavedbynow.

Nor,ofcourse,washecomplimentedonhisachievement.TheKrieginstructortouredthefield,anddeliveredswiftkickstothoseawakeand,inhisview,capableofrisingwhohadnotyetdoneso.Hehadtheplatoonimprovisestretchersfortherest,severalofwhomwouldcertainlybeinnofitstatetofightforamonthortwo.

Theymusthavepresentedamotleysightastheylimpedbacktothespaceport,becauseatraineesquadontheshootingrange,aclusterofrefugeesonthehill,anon-Krieglieutenanttakingdrillontheramp,allturnedtogapeatthem.Gunthardidn’tdoubtthatquestionswouldbeaskedabouttoday’seventsbehindcloseddoors,justashefeltheknewwhattheanswerswouldbe.

Hewenttobedwithabuzzingheadthatnight,andhisribsweresoreforafewdaysafter,butneveroncediditoccurtohimtocomplainabouthistreatment.

Hehadlearnedagreatdeal,thatdayinthe

frost-coatedfield,morehefeltthanonallthepreviousdaysofhistrainingintotal.Hehadfoundsomethinginsideofhimself,andtoGuntharthatdiscoverywaswellworthafewtemporaryachesandpains.

Itwasn’tonthatdaythathislefteyehadcomebyitspurplebruise.

Heremembered:Hehadn’tenjoyedthemeetinginthecolonel’soffice.Hehadfeltprivileged,atfirst,tobeinvited,thenuncomfortablebecauseithad

beentheoldGunthartheyhadwanted,notTrooper1419,andbeingmadetorememberhisoldlifehadonlyfilledhimwithregret.Still,themeetinghadbroughthimagoodstepclosertohisgoal.Afewmoredaysnow.

Hewasexcusedfromtrainingforaday,givenasmalldeskinacorneroftheGovernor-General’sofficeandapileofdata-slatescontainingoldmapsoftheminetunnels.Hetriedtocasthismindback,toremembertheupdatedmapsinhisoffice,buthecouldn’tseemtomakehisdrawingsmatchthevagueshapesinhishead.Itdidn’thelpthatHanrikfussedabouthimso,andGuntharwasrelievedwhenColonelBraunappearedandaskedtoseehiscommandingofficerinprivate.

Guntharrosetoleave,butHanrikwavedhimbackintohisseat;heandthecolonelwouldstepoutsidetotalkinstead.ThegestureweighedonGunthar’sshoulders,impressinguponhimhowvitalhistaskwas,andheredoubledhisefforts.Hecouldn’thelpbutbedistracted,however,byHanrikandBraun’svoices,intermittentlyaudibletohimthroughthehalf-opendoor.

‘–thirdplatoonthisweek.Thistime–fightingwithsticks.Iknowwehavediscussedthisbefore,sir,butIworrythat–’

‘–appreciateyourconcerns,colonel,butmyhandsare–’‘–fourteenmoretroopersinthemedicae–next,Iaskyou?Liveammunition?’‘–discussedthisseveraltimeswithColonel186,andheisoftheopinion–’‘–respect,sir,Iunderstoodthatyouretainedcommandofthe–’‘–toworkwiththesepeople.’Hanriksoundedflustered.‘Weneedthem.We

needtheirresources,their…theircommitment,theirexperienceof–’BraunmumbledsomethingthenthatGunthardidn’tcatch.Hanrik’startreply,

however,wasperfectlyclear.‘Wearefightingawar,ColonelBraun,’hesaid,‘and,inwar,certainsacrificeshavetobemade.’Ashereturnedtohisdesk,however,theGovernor-Generallookedanythingbutresoluteonthispoint,buryinghisfaceinhishandsuntilherememberedthathewasn’talone,atwhichpointhestraightenedhisbackandfoundsomeslateworktopretendtobedoing.

Gunthar’sreportdidnothingtoimproveHanrik’smood.Hisnewplanofthe

minetunnelswasstrewnwithapologeticnotestoindicatewhichoftherevisionshewasunsureof:mostofthem,asithappened.‘HowcanIshowthistotheKriegcolonel?’Hanrikcarped.‘He’llthinkweare…Youtoldmeyoucoulddothis,Soreson.Iputmyneckonthelineforyou,andyou…You’vefailedme!’

TheoldGuntharwantedtoprotest.Notonlyhadhedonehisbest,hehadbeenhonestwithHanrikfromthestartabouthisdoubts,onlytohavethembrushedaside.Trooper1419,however,juststoodtoattentionandsaid,‘Yes,sir.Sorry,sir.’

‘Ineedthisdoingagain,’snappedHanrik,thrustingthedata-slateintoGunthar’sstomach.‘Ican’tsendahundredmenundergroundonthebasisofthisguesswork.I’msure,ifyouwereoneofthosemen,youwouldn’tbetoo–’

‘Excuseme,sir,’stammeredGunthar.‘Ithought…Thatistosay,thistrooperhadhopedhewould…IhadassumedIwouldbejoiningCommissarCostellin’steam.’

Hanrikshookhishead.‘Idon’tthinkso,’hesaid.‘You’reanadministrator,Soreson,anditseemsyoucan’tevendothatjobwell.Howmanytimeshaveyouevenbeendownamine?’

‘Three,sir.Justthree.ButI…’Guntharfeltpanicwellingupinsidehim.‘Ihavetogoback,sir.IsworeIwouldgoback.Forher.’

‘Isee,’saidHanrikgruffly,andalightseemedtodiminhiseyes.‘Weallfeelthatway,Soreson.We’vealllostsomeone,butthechancesof…’Heswallowed.‘You’llgetyourchance,whenyourtrainingiscomplete.Tofightforthiswoman…Inthemeantime…Inthemeantime,IthinkweshouldleavethismissiontotheKrieg.Theyseemtoknowwhatthey’redoing,andI…Ithink…’

‘It’sArex,sir,’Guntharblurtedout,becauseinthatdesperatemomenthetrulythoughtitwouldmakeadifference.‘It’syourniece.IsworeIwouldgobackforher.Shewasatmyhab-block,lookingforme.Ihavetofindher!’

Hanrik’sexpressionfrozeonhisface.Hisruddycheekspaled.‘How…howdoyouknowmy…?’hestammered,andGuntharknewhehadsaidtoomuch.

Ittookamomentforthetruthtosinkinwiththegovernor-general,forhimtobesure.Then,Hanrik’seyesflashed,andhecurledhisrighthandintoafistanddroveananger-fuelledpunchintoGunthar’slefteye,snappinghisheadaround.Stillstandingtoattention,Guntharhadseentheblowcomingbuthadn’ttriedtoavoidit.

Hanrikturnedawayfromhim,hisheadbowed,breathingdeeplytocalmhimself,nursinghisskinnedknuckles,andforanendlessminute,nofurtherwordswerespoken.Then,withoutturning,Hanriksaidquietly,‘Perhapsyoucouldtrack

downsomeofthemineforemen,seeifanyofthemsurvived.’‘Yes,sir.’‘Showthemtheplansyouhavedrawnupsofar,andseewhattheycanaddto

them.’‘Yes,sir,’saidGunthar.‘Thankyou,sir.’

ThebunkroomwaswakingbehindGunthar,traineesscramblingtopreparetheirbunks,theiruniforms,themselves,forinspection.Allofthemneedingthesinglebasin,shoutingforhimtogetamoveon.

ThesecondmorningsincehisencounterwithHanrik.Twonightsinarow,GuntharhadexpectedKriegsoldierstoburstin,todraghimfromhisbed,forcehimtohiskneesandshoothiminthehead.ButitlookedasifHanrikwasn’tgoingtopresscharges,perhapsforArex’ssake.Perhapsbecausehehadbiggerworries.

Arex…CommissarCostellin’steamwouldbeheadingintothecitytoday,followinga

mapthatGuntharhadprepared,buthewouldn’tbegoingwiththem.Itdidn’tmatter,hetoldhimself.Therewouldbeotherchances,asHanrikhadsaid.Hewascertainofthatnow,andthatcertaintywasacold,hardglintinhisdull,greyeyes.

Andthatwasit,herealised:thegreatestchangeinthatreflectedface,hisface.Itwasn’tthehair,northecheeks,northebruisefromtheGovernor’sknuckles.Itwasthosegreyeyes,sofullaftersoshortatimeofhard-wonexperience,ofmemories.

MineoverseerGuntharSoresonwaslookingintotheeyesofastranger.Theeyes,hethoughtwithanervoustingle,ofasoldier.

ChapterSixteen

Theexpectednecronattacktothesouthhadn’tmaterialised.ThismeantthatCostellinhadnodistractiontocoverhissubterraneanmission.

Italsocalledthepurposeofsaidmissionintoquestion.AsthecommissarsaidtoColonel186,‘Whatifthenecronshavenoneedforourpower,andthetimingsofthepreviousattackswerecoincidenceafterall?’

Hehadplannedtodepartatnoon.Instead,heputhisteamonstandbyandwaitedathisdesk,tenselymonitoringvox-trafficuntilColonel103reportedthatitwasover,thesouth-sidegeneratorumrazedandnotasightingoftheenemy.

Hanrik,however,wasreluctanttoabandontheplanhisgeniushadinspired.‘Itcouldbe,’heconjecturedastheseniorofficersgatheredoncemore,‘thatthenecronsarestillweak,andhavechosennottofightabattletheycan’twin.’

‘Themissionwillproceed,’Colonel186decided.‘Wecan’toverlookthechancethatouroriginalthesisiscorrect,thatthedestructionofthecity’smaingeneratorumcouldgiveusadecisiveadvantageinthiswar,andevenifwearewrong…’

‘Then,whatarewerisking?’concludedCostellin,tight-lipped.‘Indeed,’saidthecolonel,oblivioustotheironyinthecommissar’swords.‘Ofcourse,’saidCostellin,‘ifthenecronshaveindeedreprioritisedtheir

objectives,thentheymighthavechosentodefendtheprimarygeneratorumattheexpenseofthesmallerones.Wecouldfindourselveswalkingintoanambush.’

Thecolonelnodded.‘Atleast,inthatcase,wewillhaveconfirmationthatthegeneratorumsareimportanttothem,andwecanstrategiseaccordingly.WiththeEmperor’sfavour,however,thenecronswon’thaveanticipatedasneakattacksuchasthisone,andwillonlyhavepostedatokendefence.’

‘Perhapsso,’Costellinconceded,‘thoughthatwouldratherinvitethequestion,wheremighttherestoftheirforcebe?’

ThewesternedgeofHieronymousCitywasagooddistancefurtherfromthespaceportthanithadbeen.Costellin’shalf-trackcarefullytraversedacanyonbetweenloomingheapsofrubble,almosttowheretheDeathKorps’siegeengineswerestillgrindingouttheirdestructivecharges,edginginexorablyforwards.

Here,anoldmineshafthadbeenuncovered,aspaceclearedaroundit.TheTermiteboringvehiclerequisitionedfromthetroopshiphadalreadybeenloweredintothepit,ataskthathadrequiredafullplatoonofGuardsmenandajury-riggedpulleysystemtoperform.TheTermitecouldhavedrilleditsownwaydown,ofcourse,butinsodoingitcouldeasilyhavecollapsedtheminetunnelsbeneathitself.

Costellinwasanhourearly,butstillonegrenadierplatoonhadarrivedbeforehim,andthesecondnowapproachedinaconvoyofCentaurs.Hehadbroughtalongatech-priestnamedLomax,askinnymanwithwateryeyes,whobristledwithsomanymechadendritesthathelookedalmostlikeagiganticmetalspider.Lomaxwasherefortworeasons,thefirstandlesserofthembeingthatCostellindidn’ttrusttheancientTermitenottofailonhim.

Heformeduphistroops,andgavethemacursorypeptalk,ahundredskullmasksstaringdispassionatelybackathim.HeknewthatKrieggrenadiersweretheeliteoftheelite,thebestpossiblementohaveathisback,butithadlongbeensaidthat,whenaGuardsmanwaspromotedtotheirillustriousranks,itwasbecausehehadlivedtoolong.GrenadiersquadshadabrutalmortalityrateevenfortheDeathKorps,andtheskullstheyworeovertheirregulationrebreathermaskswereasymbolthattheyaccepted,andwerehonouredby,theirimpendingmartyrdom.

Whenthespeechwasdone,thegrenadiersbegantolowerthemselvesintothemineshaftonropes,twoatatime.Onceenoughofthemweredowntosecurethecavernbelow,Costellinsentthedesignatedtwo-mancrewoftheTermitetojointhemandtogetafeelfortheirvehiclewhiletheothersdescended.

Histurncame,atlast,andalthoughaGuardsmanrespectfullyofferedtowinchhimdownwiththestill-extantpulleysystem,Costellinfollowedhismen’sexampleandswarmeddowntheropeunderhisownstrength.Heregrettedhisvanityasageingmusclesstruggledtosupporthisweight.Hepersevered,however,anddroppedintoaliftercage,thegateofwhichhadbeenwrenchedopen.Concealinghisbreathlessness,hesteppedfromthisintoafrigid,high-roofedcavern,darkbutforthepaleglowsoffortyorsolamp-packs.

Heactivatedhisownlightandstudiedadata-slateinitsbeam,orientinghimselfwiththemapprogrammedintoit.Heidentifiedthetunneldownwhichhe

neededtoproceedandsentapairofscoutsahead,ensuringfirstthattheircomm-beadswereoperational.CostellincursedunderhisbreathastheTermite’senginecaughtwitharaucousroar;iftherewerenecronsanywhereinthesemines,thenhefearedtheywouldbeontheirwayherebynow.

IttookthesquatTermiteafewattemptstoalignitselfwiththetunnelmouthbeforeitcouldheaveitselfforwards.Itsetasteadywalkingpace,crushinglooserocksbeneathitscaterpillartracks,sothelastofthegrenadiershadplentyoftimetodescendtheshaftandcatchupwithit.Theyhadtotrailalongbehindthevehiclebecause,apartfromafewplaceswherethetunnelbrieflywidened,therewasnoroomtopassit:aproblemforthescouts,Costellinnoted,shouldtheyrunintotroubleahead;aproblemforeveryoneelseshoulditcreepupbehindthem.

Hekepthiseyeonthemap,voxingdirectionsaheadofhim.Fortunately,theminetunnelstendedtobranchratherthanturn,andonlyoncedidtheTermitehavetoemployitsheavy,roof-mounteddrillinordertowidenajunctionandeaseitspassage.Lessthanninetyminuteslater,however,thetunneltheywerefollowingmadeasharpnorthwardcurve,awayfromtheirobjective.

‘Thisisit,’Costellinvoxed,inspectingthemap.‘Righthere.Weneedtogothroughthatwallatanangleofeitherfifteenorthirty-fivedegreestothedirectionofthetunnel–ourcartographerisn’tquitesurewhich.Isuggestwetryfifteentobeginwith,andadownwardslopeofabout,oh,ten,andifwedon’thitanothertunnelwithinfivehundredmetres,pulloutandwe’lltryanalternativetrajectory.’

TheTermite’sdrillbegantospin,itsbackendrisingonrustyhydraulics,andasthebitmadecontactwiththerockwall,anear-piercingshriekmadeCostellinwince.

Theywerelucky,thistime.OnlyafewminutesaftertheTermite’sbackendhadvanishedintoaholeofitsownmaking,itscrewreportedthattheyhadfoundtheadjoiningtunnel.Unfortunately,theyhadbrokenintoitfromabove,requiringthemtoreversesomewayandthenincreasetheirangleofdescentforasecondattempt.Theconsequenceofthiswasalargerconnectingtunnelthanplanned,andofcourseitcollapsedalmostatonce.

Costellinretreatedfromathickcloudofdustanddirt.Themaskedgrenadiers,however,wentstraighttoworkontheinstructionsoftheirwatchmasters,onesquadretrievingentrenchingtoolsfromtheirbackpackswhileanothercollectedminepropsfromsidetunnels.Theydidn’thavetodigtoofarasmuchofthetunnelwasstillpassable,albeitbyclamberingovermoundsofrubbleorbysqueezingthroughsnake-thingapsbetweenthem.Evenso,itwasanhourormorebeforethefirstofthememergedintothesecondmineatlast,wheretheTermitesatwaiting

forthem.Itwasthenthattheirproblemsreallybegan.Themapofthesecondminewashopelesslyinaccurate,leadingthemin

circles.Costellincheckedeverytunnelwithacompass,pacedoutitslengthandmarkedamendmentsonhisslate,butitwasimpossibletotellwhichoftwowallshehadtobreakthroughnext.Hisfirstchoiceprovedtobethewrongoneand,asclosetonecronterritoryastheynowhadtobe,heruedthewasteduseofthatdeafeningdrill.

Thesecondwall,however,yieldedwithsurprisingspeed,andtheTermite’sshort,straighttunnelhelduplongenoughforeveryonetorushthroughintothethirdand,solongasthemapwascorrectonthispoint,finalmine.TheyhadnofurtherneedoftheTermitenow,soCostellintooksomepleasureinhavingitsenginestilled,thoughittookalmostafullminuteforthegrumblingechoestosubside.

Itwaslargelywiththisnexttaskinmindthathehadrequisitionedthetech-priest.Lomaxsteppedforward,duckedunderthebackendoftheTermite’sdrillandopenedacompartmentthere.Heflexedhisfingers,thenplungedthemintothevehicle’sexposedarcaneworkings,allthetimespeakinglitaniesandprayerstotheGod-EmperorinhisaspectoftheDeusMechanicus.Costellincouldn’thopetounderstandthetech-priest’sesotericrituals,buthewatchedallthesame,untilLomaxsteppedbackfromtheTermite,havingextractedfromitarustedgreyboxinatangleofwires,whichheheldreverentlyaservo-arm’slengthawayfromhimself.

Theymovedonthen,andthistimethemapbroughtthemsoonenoughtoasizeablecavern,similartotheoneintowhichtheyhadfirstdropped.Sixliftercagesstoodsilentlyinitscentre,andCostellinpointedLomaxtowardstheseandaskedifhecouldbringthemtolife.Thetech-priestconfirmedthat,withenoughtimeandpeace,hecould,bylashingtheTermite’spowersourceuptotheirmechanisms.

Inthemeantime,atCostellin’ssuggestion,thegrenadiersunravelledbedrollsandstoleacoupleofhours’sleep,intheirmasks,althougheachplatoonleftaten-mansquadonwatch.Costellincheckedhischrono.Afteralltheirtribulations,theyhadactuallymadegoodtimeforapre-dawnassaultonthegeneratorumabovethem.

Hedidn’tsleephimself.HeusedthisquiettimetocommunewiththeEmperor,tomakewhathesuspectedwouldbehisfinalpeacewithHim.

Thetech-priest’sriteshadbeensuccessful.Withaclashingofmetal,abrightblueglowandanozonestink,thelifterslurchedintolife.Onlyfourplatformswerepresentbut,afterafewminutes,theremainingtwodroppedintotheirmetal-meshcages.Costellinwasrelievedtoseethem.Iftheliftershaftshadbeenblocked,thentheirmissionwouldhaveendedrightthereandthen.

Bynow,thegrenadierswereallontheirfeet,bedrollspackedaway,andCostellinmarshalledthreesquadsintothecagesandsentthemsurface-ward,alongwithalieutenantfromGammaCompany.Twentyminuteslater,avoxfromthelieutenantconfirmedthatthemineentrancewassecure,thattherewasnosignofnecronsinthevicinityandthathehadsenttheliftersbacktocollectanotherload.

HewasinterruptedbyColonel186,cuttinginonthecommandchannel.Herequestedanupdate,whichCostellingave,thenthecoloneladvisedthattherehadbeenadevelopmentathisendtoo.‘Thenecronsareamassingaforce,’hesaid,‘evenlargerthantheonetheysentnorth.Scanssuggestitisheadingourway.’

‘Justasyouapproachthewest-sidegeneratorum,’Costellinbreathed.‘Hanrikwasright.’

‘Thisisgoodnews,Costellin.Itmeanstheydocareaboutthegeneratorums.YouaredoingtheEmperor’sworkinthere.’

‘Theymusthavechosentosacrificethesouth-sidefacilityratherthandividetheirforcesandrisklosingboth.But,colonel,howmany…?’

‘Ihaverequestedreinforcementsfromtheotherthreeregiments,butofcoursetheyareunder-strengthtoo,andtheyeachhavetheirownlinetohold.’

‘The42ndbarelymanagedtoholdoffthenecronslastweek.Iftheirarmyhasgrownsincethen…Eighteenhundredmen,colonel.Welosteighteenhundredmen.’

‘Butthoselossestaughtusmuchabouttheenemy’sabilities.Thegeneralshaverunthenumbers,Costellin.Theysaywecanprevailevenagainsttheseincreasedodds.Wecanbeatthosehorrorsbackintothegroundwheretheycamefrom.’

Costellinsighed.‘Iprayyou’reright,’hesaid.‘MaytheEmperorbewithyou.’

‘Andwithyou,’returnedthecolonel.Costellinturnedtogivethe‘goodnews’tohisteam,openingavox-channelso

thatthoseonthesurfacecouldhearittoo.Hefocusedonthefactthat,withthenecronarmyheadingwest,theyhadbeengiventheirhoped-fordistractionafterall.‘Wehaveachance,’hesaid,‘tostrikearesoundingblowagainst–’

Henevergottofinishspeaking.Nightmarishfiguresloomedinthedimglowofthegrenadiers’lights,andCostellinwhirledtofindthattheywerebehindhimtoo,streamingfromthewallsofthecavern.Likeghosts,hethought,andimmediatelyheknewwhathewasfacing,rememberingthedescriptionsofthesehalf-formedcreatureshehadheardaftertheirattackuponthe42ndregiment.

Theywereevenmoregruesome,morehorrifying,intheflesh–inthemetal,rather–thanthecommissarcouldeverhaveimaginedtheywouldbe.TheydescendedupontheDeathKorpsgrenadiers,theirelongatedspinalcordssnappingaroundtodeliverlethalelectricstings,butwhenthegrenadiersfiredupontheminreturn,theirlas-beamspassedthroughthenecronghosts’semi-transparentforms.

Costellindrewbothhisweapons,theplasmapistoltodiscouragethecreaturesfromclosingwithhim,thechainswordtocombatthemwhen,giventheiruniqueabilities,theyinevitablydid.Hewascomfortedtofeelthevibrationsofthelatter,tremblingthroughthebonesofhishand,andhearthebuzzofitswhirlingbladeslikethatofanenragedswarmofCatachanbloodwasps.

‘Rememberyourbriefing,’hevoxedtohisteam.‘Thesethingscanbecomeintangibleatwill.Waituntiltheyattackandfireatthemwhilethey’resolid.’

AghosthomedinonaKriegwatchmaster,longarmslashingoutlikewhipstowardshisface.Itsscalpelledfingersburrowedintohismaskandgougedoutthickstreamsofbloodfromhiseyes,butthewatchmaster’ssquadfollowedCostellin’sordersandchosethatmomenttopepperitwithhellgunbeams.Thenecronflinchedwitheachstrikebutrecovered,untilonegoodshot–andCostellinwishedhecouldhavetoldwhichoneitwas,couldhaveworkedoutwherethisthing’sweakspotswere,ifindeedithadany–knockeditoutoftheairtolandinacoiledheap,inert.

AnotherghostwasflyingatCostellin,andhegreeteditwithaboltofsuper-heatedplasma,whichpassedstraightthroughit.Havinganticipatedthis,heswunghischainswordatthemomentitreachedforhim,andparteditsmetalskullfromitsshoulders.Thenextattackcamefrombehind,andCostellindidn’thavetimetoswinghisswordaroundtodefendhimself;hecouldonlyleapforcoverasaghostsailedoverhishead,bringinguphispistolasitwheeledaroundandmadeaseconddiveforhim.Agrenadierbeathimtothepunch,andhisattackerwasliquefiedinaburstofmeltafire,theperipheryofwhichwashedoverCostellinandlefthischeeksfeelingsunburnt,theodourofhisownsingedeyebrowsinhisnostrils.

Itwasnouse.Thereweretoomanyofthesecreatures,atleastthirtyofthem,

andtheirintangibilitygavethemadistinctadvantageovertheadmittedlymorenumerousgrenadiers.Notonlythat,buttheirfallenwererisingagain.Temporarilyunmolested,Costellinfiredfromthesidelinesinsupportofhismen,butalthoughhisaimwasmoreoftentruethannot,atleasttwointhreeofhisshotspassedharmlesslythroughtheirtargets,andthegrenadierswerefallingonebyone,stunnedbythosespine-tailsorbutcheredbymetallicfingers.

ThevoiceoftheremainingKrieglieutenanthissedoverCostellin’scomm-bead.Evenhehadacceptedthehopelessnessofthesituation,andhissuggestionwasthattheyevacuatethirtymoremeninthenow-returnedlifters,forthegoodoftheoverallmission.‘Youshouldgowiththem,’hesaid.‘I’llstayhere,buyyouasmuchtimeasIamable.’Hewasright,andindeedCostellinhadcometothesameconclusionhimself.Still,hehesitatedforasecondbeforeheapprovedthelieutenant’sself-sacrificialgesture,becausehewasstillhuman.

Then,anewsoundwasaddedtothehubbubaroundhim:arustlingsound,likeamillionleavesblownonastronggale.Suddenly,fromthetunnelopeningsaroundthecavernwalls,eruptedgreathordesofflyingmetalinsects,eachoneofthemlargerthanoneofCostellin’shands.

Therewasnotimetolosenow.Thelieutenantorderedtheclosestgrenadiersintotheliftercages,andCostellinbackedintoonetoo.Hispistolwasstillflaringand,gratifyingly,itsplasmaburstsconsumedwholeareasoftheswarm,butalwaysthegapsweresoonfilledasmoreinsectsstreamedinwardfromthetunnels.Thegrenadiers’meltaguns–thefewtheyhadbetweenthem–werehavingasimilareffect,whiletheirhellgunsdestroyedwhattheyhit,buttheirfocusedbeamscouldonlytakeouttwoorthreeoftheirscoresoftargetsatatime.

Anothermanfell,bornedownbysixsmallerbodies.Costellinthoughthemighthavebeensuffocatedbythem,butasthevictoriousinsectstookflightoncemore,hesawthattheirvictimwasbleedingfromahundredshallowcuts.

Thenecronghosts,ofcourse,couldpassthroughtheinsectswarmwithimpunitytoblindsidethegrenadiers.Theywerecuttingdownvictimaftervictim,almostbeforeanyofthemcouldreact.Costellin’sliftercagewasnowfull,fourgrenadierscrowdedontotheplatformbesidehim,stillshootingbackintothemelee,andheholsteredhischainswordandsmackedhispalmintotheglowingactivationrune.Aphalanxoftheswarmcamesurgingtowardshim,asifsomegestaltmindhadsensedhisattempttoescape,andthegateofthecagewasheavingandrattling,slidingtooslowlyshut.Butitmadeitacrossandthelatchslidhomeattheexactmomentthatthefirstoftheinsectsslammedintoitwithsledgehammerforce.Theywereclingingtothemetalmesh,strainingtheirclaws

invain,toofattosqueezetheirbodiesthroughthegaps,butitwouldn’tbelongbeforetheytorethatmetalmeshapart.Andinthemeantime,ofcourse,thenecronghostswerefacedwithnosuchobstacle.

Theplatformjuddered,heavedandbegantorise,leavingthescrabblinginsectsbehindit,and,toCostellin’sright,asecondlifterhadstartedonitswaytoo.Turningtohisleft,however,hewashorrifiedtoseetwonecronghostsswoopingunhinderedthroughtheliftercagethere,andefficientlydissectingitsfiveoccupantswho,insuchcrampedconfines,couldn’tevenbringtheirhellgunstobearontheirkillers.

CostellinsawLomaxtoo,hammeringontheclosedgateofafourthcage,wrenchingthegatefromitshingeseventhoughtheplatformwithinwasalreadyfullandrisingawayfromhim.Necronsswoopeduponthetech-priestfromeachside,butevenastheyreachedhimCostellinwascarriedthroughthecavernroofandintoadarkstoneshaft,andthereforedoubtlesssparedanothergrislyimagetoaddtohisnightmares.

Hewasn’tsafeyet.Heorderedthegrenadiersbacktotheplatform’sedges.Therewaslittleroom

tospare,buttheydidmanagetoclearatinyspacebetweenthem,uponwhichCostellinhadthemtraintheirweapons.Aminutepassed,andhebegantofeeltheprecautionhadnotbeennecessary.Then,anecronghostcamescreamingupthroughthefloor,andfourhellgunsbarked–Costellin’splasmapistolwouldhaveburntoffthefeetofallpresent–andthefoulthingdied,thentwitchedbacktolife,thendiedagainbeneathasecondsalvooflas-beams.

Anotherminuteandahalfwentby,theweightofthedeadnecron’sskullagainstCostellin’sfootmakinghisfleshcrawl.Therewerenofurtherintruders,however,andhebegantothinktheyhadsurvivedtheworstofthisencounter.

Thentheplatformshudderedtoahalt,andthebluelightsalongitsedgesblinkedout.‘GoldenThrone!’hecursed.‘TheymusthavedestroyedthepowersourcefromtheTermite.We’retrappeddownhere!’

‘Wecanclimb,sir,’agrenadiersuggested,indicatingthefourrustedbutstoutchainsthathadbeenpullingthemupwards.Costellindidn’tmuchcareforthatprospect,andhetriedtovoxthelieutenantonthesurface,hopingtheremightbeamanualwinchupthereforuseinjustsuchanemergency.Hereceivednoreply,and,switchingtoageneralchannel,pickeduponlystatic.Frustrated,hetorethecomm-beadfromhisear.Ontopofeverythingelse,nowtheyhadlostthevox-castertoo.

‘Allright,’hesaidresignedly.‘Climbingitis,andwehadbestbequick.We

don’tknowhowmuchlongerourcomradesbelowuscanholdout.Therecouldbemoreofthosecreaturessnappingatourheelsatanymoment.Worse,theycouldhavereportedourpositiontotheirmainforce.TherecouldbeanarmyofnecronsheadingforthetopofthisshaftasIspeak,andiftheyreachitbeforewedo…’Hedidn’thavetospellouttheconsequencesofsuchadisaster.

Twogrenadiershadalreadytakenachaineach.Theybracedtheirfeetagainstthesideoftheliftershaftandhauledthemselvesupwards,theirlamp-packsattachedtothebayonetsoftheirhellgunsandbobbingaroundlikefirefliesinthedark.Theothertwofollowedamomentlater,whichleftonlyCostellinhimself.

Hetuggedatachain,andhisglovescameawayslickwithoil.Hedidn’tknowhowmuchfurtherthisshaftran,didn’tknowif,lackingtheyouthfulstrengthofthegrenadiers,hecouldmakeitup,butwhatchoicedidhehaveotherthantotry?

Hebegantoclimb.

ChapterSeventeen

Anotherday,likethesameday.Anothertwelvehoursoflabouringintherubble,tryingnottothink.Theonlyrecentvariationwasthatworkshiftshadbeenshortenedtoaccommodateactsofworship,ofwhichAmarethledthreeperdayatdawn,noonandsunset.Bythis,thethirdday,Arexhadbecome,ifnotexactlycomfortablewiththese,thenatleastmoretolerantofthem.Shewasgratefulfortherespitetheyofferedherfromherworkandfortheprotectionofthetemplebuildingfromthebuddingcoldofwinter.Shewonderedifthismadeherasinner.

Duringthefirstservice,twomenhadleaptupinprotest,andArexhadwishedfortheircourage…untilAmarethhadhadthembroughtforward,putalaserpistoltotheirheadsanddespatchedthem‘totheIronGods’mercy’.Therehadbeennomoreobjectionssincethen.

Thetemplebellsbegantopealnow,andArexlaiddownhershovelandjoinedtheshufflinglineofslavesbeingherdedtowardsthesound.Shehadn’trealisedthemorninghadgrownsoold.ShelookedforTylar,herstomachknottingwhenshecouldn’tseehim.Whatifhehadlosttrackofthetimetoo,andwasn’tbackyet?

WhatifAmarethhadchosentodaytotakehertothepyramid?‘He’safraid,’Tylarhadwhisperedtoherlastnight,astheyhadlaintogetherin

thedarknessofthelectorum.‘Amarethisafraidthat,whenhegoestohisgods,they’llrejecthimorworse.Heisdesperatefortheirendorsementbut,inordertohavethat,firsthemustriskeverythinghehasgained,riskhisverylife.’

‘Thenhemightnotdoit?’Arexhadbreathed.‘Hemightnotdareto.’‘Hewilldoit,’Tylarhadansweredgrimly.‘Amarethisinsecure,desirousof

thepowerandthestatushebelievestheIronGodscangivehim.Heknowstherisk,thatiswhyheisholdingback–buthewilltakeitsoon.’

Thismorning,hehadleftArextoworkalone,andshehadscoldedherselffor

missinghimsomuch.Hehadbecomesoimportanttoherinsoshortatime.Herlifeline,herhope.Theyhadhadnochoice,though.Tylarhadtomakeplans,andhecouldn’tdothataroundher.Shewasbeingtoocloselymonitored.

Shetrudgedintothetemple,thepaintedskullaboveitsdoorsnolongerevengivingherpause.Thecongregationfilledonlythefrontfewpews,butstillthiswasanincreaseonyesterday’sattendance.Amarethhadordainedseveralofhisoverseers,elevatingfavouredslavestoreplacethem.Hehadsenthisnewpriestsoutto‘spreadtheword’,andtheyhadreturnedwithnumerousgratefulrefugees.

Arexcranedherneck,lookingforTylaramidthethrongbutnotfindinghim.‘Ithinktheoverseersaregettingcomplacent,’hehadsaidlastnight,‘andsome

ofthemarenewtothejobandenjoyingtheopportunitytolorditovertherestofusbutdoinglittleelse.Addedtothat,they’rehavingtofollowyouaroundwhereveryougo.Ithink,ifItimeitright,Icanslipaway.’

Perhapshehaddonejustthat,Arexthought.Perhapshehadescapedand,despitehisbestintentions,hehadseenthefutilityofreturningforheranddecidedtosavehimself.Shewouldn’thaveblamedhim.

Manyoftheslaveshadpaintedtheirfacesinemulationofthepriests.Themostpopulardesignwasasunsymbolontheforehead.Itseemedthat,witheachnewday,Arexwasbeingdraggedfurtherintoapitofmadness,andshefearedshedidn’thavethestrengthtoremainafloatmuchlonger.

Shehalf-listenedtoanotherpioussermonfromAmareth,sitting,standing,kneelingasinstructed,allthetimesandwichedbetweentwooverseers.Shemouthedthewordsofthenew,hereticalcatechismsbutrefusedtogivethemvoice.WhenheadswerebowedinprayertotheIronGods,ArexentreatedsilentlywiththeEmperorinstead.ShementionedGunthar,asshedideveryday,buttodayshealsoprayedforTylar.SheaskedtheEmperortokeephimsafe,whereverhemightbe.

Sheoughttohaveknown,bynow,whatHisanswerwouldbe.Theservicewasover,thecongregationfilingout,whentwooverseers

appeared,pushingagainstthetide.Theycarriedathirdfigurebetweenthem,hisfeetdraggingbehindhim,hisfaceamassofbruises.Hehadobviouslybeenbeaten.

‘Wehavefoundhim,LordAmareth,’crowedoneoftheescorts.‘Wehavefoundthedeserter,theheretic!’

‘IamloyaltotheGod-EmperorofMankind,’spattheprisoner.‘Iamnottheheretichere.’ItwasTylar,ofcourse,andArex’shandflewtohermouthindismayashewashauledalongthenave,pastherrowofpews.Herlegsfeltweakandshe

madetositdown,butheroverseerguardshauledheruprightagain.‘HisnameisTylar,mylord.Hewasabsentfromworkdetailthismorning,and

discoveredneartheHighTemple.’TylarhadreachedtheloomingfigureofAmarethnow,andwasforcedtohis

kneesbeforehim.TheHighPriest’sexpressionwasunreadablebehindhisskullmaskand,whenhespoke,hisbaritonevoicewaslikewisedevoidofemotion.‘Youhavesoughttodefythegods,’heproclaimed,andArexcouldn’ttellifhewasdisappointed,angryorperhapsevengladofthisexcusetoflaunthisnewfoundpower.‘Havetheynotpreached,throughme,thattodosoistobringdowntheirjusticeuponusall?’

‘Yourgodsareevil,’spatTylar.‘Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyoudo,howyoutrytopleasethem.Theywilldestroyyouastheyhavedestroyedallelsetheyhavetouched.’

‘Thatwillbethelastblasphemyyouutter,’saidAmareth,perfectlycalmly,andatearcaughtinArex’sthroatashedrewhispistoloutfrombeneathhisvestments.

‘Idon’tthinkitwill,’saidTylar,‘becauseyousee,“LordAmareth”,youaren’ttheonlyonewhocanfindafallensoldierintheseruins.Youaren’ttheonlyonewhocanscavengehisequipment.Ihadtogoallthewaytothexenospyramidtocollectthisprize,butIthinkitwaswellworththetrip.’

Theslaveswhohadstartedtoleavehadreturned,hadbeguntoedgeforward,ghoulishlyeagertowitnessthisheretic’sfate.Now,asusurranthorrorspreadthroughthemandtheydrewbackagain.Tylarclimbedtohisfeet,unimpededbytheoverseerstoeachsideofhim,andevenAmarethhimselfwassuddenlydeflated.

Tylarwasholdingsomething,andatlastArexcouldmakeitout:ared,ovoidshape,stampedwiththestarkblackimageofaskullandcrossbones.‘This,’saidTylar,‘isakrakgrenade.It’sdesignedtoblowthroughtankarmour,soitsblastisfarstrongerandmoreconcentratedthanthatofthemorefamiliarfraggrenade.IfIweretopullthispinnow,trustme,therewouldbenochanceofanyofussurvivingwithshrapnelwounds,leastofallourself-appointed,self-servingHighPriesthere.’

‘TheIronGodswillprotectme,’saidAmareth,buthesoundedlessthansureofthis.

‘What…whatdoyouwant?’stammeredoneoftheoverseers.‘WhatIwant,’saidTylar,‘morethanalmostanythingelseatthismoment,isto

doit,toputanendtothislunaticcult.Iwanttobringdownthisroof,andIwould

givemylifeforitproudly,butIwon’t,becausethiswasahouseoftheEmperoronceandIhavefaiththatitwillbeagain.’HehadmovedaroundbehindAmarethashespoke,andnowheslippedanarmaroundhisthroat.‘So,instead,theHighPriestandIaregoingtowalkoutofhere,alongwithanyofthesepeople,theseslaves,whowishtocomewithus,anyonewhowishestobefree.’

‘Andthenwhat?’sneeredAmareth.‘Youtalkoffreedom,butpeoplelikeus,wehaveneverbeenfree.Wehaveonlyhaddifferentmasters.’

‘Youdon’thavetolistentohim,’Tylaraddressedthecrowd.‘Amarethclaimstospeakforhisgods,butyoumustknowbynowheonlyspeaksforhimself.’

‘Walkoutofthistempleifyouwill,’challengedAmareth,hisconfidenceregained,hisvoiceaquietwarningthatcarriednonethelesstoeverycorner.‘Fightthegodsifyoubelievetheycanbeovercome.Tempttheirwrathifyoudare.’

Therewassilencethen,along,terriblesilenceinwhichArexfeltshecouldalmosthavebeencrushedbythepalpablelongingsandthefearsofthisdowntroddenflock,andshesharedthoseconflictingemotions,herfeetlikeplascrete,weightedtothefloor.Sheneededsomebodyelsetomakethatfirstmove,butnobodywasgame.Shewantedtoscreamatthem,Whatareyouwaitingfor?Thisisyourchance!

ThenTylarreachedouttoher,andArexwasreleased.Asshestartedtowardshim,anoverseerblockedherpath,thensawthethreat

inTylar’seyesandgaveway.‘We’releavingnow,’saidTylar,‘andtakingAmarethwithus.Assoonaswe’reclear,andsurethatnooneisfollowingus,I’llreleasehim,youhavemywordonthat,andyouarewelcometohim.Ifanybodydoescomeafterus,however,ifevenonepersonstepsoutofthisbuilding...’

Theymadeforaclumsyprocession,thethreeofthem,stumblingtowardsthedoors,TylarbundlingAmarethaheadofhimwhilemaintaininghisholdonthepinofthekrakgrenade,Arexbehindthem,terrifiedthatsomeonemightcalltheirbluff,evenmoreafraidthatTylarmightnotbebluffing.Ifanyonedidhaveplanstoimpedethem,however,theywerequashedbytheHighPriesthimself.

‘Doastheysay,’instructedAmareth.‘Thegodswilltakecareofthem.Thereisnowheretheycanrunto.’

‘Wedon’thavetorun,’scoffedTylar.‘Weneedonlyhideandwait,fortheEmperor’sgloriousarmiestodestroyyourso-calledgods.’

Thentheywereoutside,andoverseersandpriestswerecrowdingthedoorwaybehindthembutcarefulnottocrossthethreshold,andArexhadhopesthatmaybe,justmaybe,theycouldmakeitafterall;thisdesperateplanmightactuallysucceed.

Then,inhisstruggletomanoeuvrehishostagedownthemarblesteps,TylarslippedandAmarethseizedhismoment.HesquirmedfreeofTylar’sholdandlungedforhiswrist,sendingthegrenadespinningoutofhishand.Itbounced,aheart-joltingtwo,three,fourtimes,onitswayacrossthepavedcourtyard,andonlyafterithadrolledtoahaltinthechokedguttercouldArexthinkagain,moveagain.

Tylarwasyellingathertograbthegrenade,asheandAmarethwrestled.Sheranforit,butoverseerswereonherheelsandArexhowledinanguishastheyfelluponher,boreherdown.Shehittheplascrete,heroutstretchedhandjustafewcentimetresshortofhertarget.Shestrainedhershoulder,herarm,herfingers,butthegrenadewasscoopedup,whiskedoutofherreach.Inthemeantime,TylarhaddisappearedbeneathaheavingmoundofattackersfromwhichAmarethnowgracefullyextractedhimself,adjustinghisskullmask,andjustlikethattheyhadfailed.Itwasover.

Arextriedtostandbutsheonlygotasfarasherknees.Ajeeringcrowdwasformingaroundher;herhandswerepulledbehindherbackandsecuredwithproctorhandcuffs.ShewasjoinedbyTylar,whowassimilarlymanacled,andthecrowdwerebayingforthebloodofthemboth,butsilencedescendedasAmarethmarchedthroughthem.Ashestoppedbeforehisprisoners,ashecalledforthepistolhehaddroppedinthechurch.Anervousoverseerscuttledforwardwiththekrakgrenadeandaskedwhatheshoulddowithit,andarecoilingAmarethorderedhimtodisarmit,somewherefarawayfromhere,andwavedawayhisprotestationsthathedidn’tknowhow.

‘Dowhatyoulikewithme,’pleadedTylar,‘butIbegofyou,ifthereisacompassionatefeelingleftinyou,spareArex.Shebearsnoblameformyactions.Sheonlycamewithmebecause…becausewearebetrothed.’

Arex’sheartgavealurchatthat.Sheknewithadbeenadesperatebluff,butstillshefeltshewasbetrayingGuntharsomehowbyallowingthewordstostand.

‘Youneedn’tconcernyourself,’saidAmarethand,althoughArexcouldn’tseehisface,shecouldhearthesmirkinhisvoice.‘Thegirlwillnotdie,atleastnotyet,notbymyhand.Itsohappensthat,whenIcommunedwiththeIronGodsbutanhourago,theymadetheirintentionsforLadyHanrikperfectlycleartome.’

AneagerpriestjoggedupbehindAmarethandhandedhimhisweapon,whichhelevelledatTylar’sheadoncemore.Tylarclosedhiseyes,waitedtodie,butthenthegunwaslowered.‘Thetwoofyouarebetrothed?’Amarethrepeated.‘Thenwehavebeendoublyblessed,tobesenttwomembersofourformerGovernor’sspoiltbrood.IwillpresentyoubothtotheIronGods,todowithas

theywill.’Hiswordswereunderscoredbythecrumpofanexplosionfromsomewhere

behindtheschola.Thenervousoverseer,itseemed,hadnotbeenunderstatinghisbombdisposalskills,butArexwastoowrappedupinherself,toonumb,eventoreacttothesound.Tylar’sliehadboughthimtime,andkeptthetwoofthemtogether,andforbothofthesethingsshewasgrateful.Shecouldn’thelpbutfear,though,thatsoontheymightbothwishtheyhadbeengrantedaswiftdeath.

AmarethhadwhistledupaPDFtruck,initselfevidenceofhisgrowinginfluence.ArexandTylarwerebundledintoitsrear,cuffedandsurroundedbyascoreofemerald-cloakedpriests.The‘HighTemple’wasn’tfar–Tylarhadmadethereturntriponfootthismorning–butAmarethwishedtotravelinwhatnowpassedforstyle.

Arex’sfirstglimpseoftheblackpyramidwasacrossaskywayrailing,itssheerstonefaceblottingoutthegapbetweentwolonelytowers,anditseemedtoherthatitwassuckingalllight,allhope,fromtheworld.

EvenAmarethcouldn’tmaketheliftersworkwithoutpower,sotheyfacedalongslogdownahab-blockstaircase.Severaltimes,Arexstumbled,herboundhandsthrowingheroff-balance,andonceshemanagedtotopplefourpriestslikedominoes.Wheneverthishappened,theycursedandmadethreatstowardsher,orjustgloatedaboutherlikelyfateoncetheIronGodshadher.TylarjumpedtoArex’sdefenceeachtime,butshedidn’thavethespirittoargueforherselfanymore.

Theysloshedthroughthefilthoftheundercity,andArexrememberedatime,notsolongago,whenshehadleanedoverarailingandgazeddownintothisalienworldwithathrillinherheart.Shehaddreamedaboutseeingthesestreetscloseup,butneverlikethis.Shewasawareofmutanteyes,watchingherfromtheshadows,buttheymaintainedtheirdistance.PerhapsitwasAmareth’sskullmaskandsceptrethatkeptthematbay.Itseemedthattheytoorecognisedtheirmasters.

Theyfoundmoremutants,andafewhumanbeings,labouringintherubbleastheslavesdidabove.Arexdidn’tknowwhethertofeelsorryforthemordespisethem.Asshewrestledwiththisdilemma,shealmostwalkedintoacreaturefromanightmare.

Sheflinchedfromit,catchingherbreath.Shehadonlyseenthesecadaveroushorrorsfromadistancebefore.Animpassivemetalskullswungaroundtofaceher,pinpointsofgreenlightflaringinitseyeholes,andArexfoundhersoultransfixedbyanimageofdeathmadechillinglyincarnate.Shetriedtobackaway

fromit,butAmareth’spriestsbarredherpath.Evidently,however,sheheldnointerestforthecreature,anditturnedandproceededonitsway,thepriestspartingobsequiouslyforit.

‘Lastchancetobackoutofthis,Amareth,’mutteredTylarastheynearedtheirobjective.Inthegreenlightthatspilledoutfromthepyramid’sinnards,manymoreofthemetalcadaversscurriedtoandfro,somewheelingbarrowsfullofdebris,theirworkconductedineeriesilence,thepurposeoftheirtoilsunknowable.

‘Youthinkthey’llthankyouforbringingustothem?’Tylarwenton.‘Youthinkthey’llpatyouonthebackandmakeyoutheirfavouritepet?Ithinkyou’renomorethananuisancetothem,Amareth,aninsectbuzzingabouttheirheads,andiftheyacknowledgeyourexistenceatallitwillonlybetoswatyou.’TheHighPriestmarchedondoggedly,butneitherhenorhishenchmenrosetoTylar’sbait,perhapsbecausetheyhadnoanswerstohischarge.

ThenAmarethhaltedbeforeasmallgroupofthecadavers,andhispriestscollectedbehindhim,andpushedArexandTylartothefrontofthem.

Amarethwaitedtobenoticed.Whenthisdidn’thappen,whenindeedapairofhisIronGodsdetachedthemselvesfromthegroupandpassedhimbywithoutsomuchasaglanceinhisdirection,heclearedhisthroatimpatiently.Hisgodsignoredthistoo,soAmarethrepeatedthemannerism,andthenlaunchedintoapreparedspeech.

‘Mylords,’hebegan,‘IamAmareth,yourHighPriest.Iamsureyouknowme.’

Hisvoicewasquieter,lessassuredthannormal.Still,itgainedthecreatures’attention.Someofthemturnedsilentlytoregardhim,andAmarethfalteredbeforetheirgreen-lit,hollow-eyedstares.Withasuddenrushofself-consciousness,heremovedhismasktorevealhissallow,too-humanfeatures,blackhairplasteredtohisscalpbynervoussweat.

‘I…Ihavebroughtanofferingtoyou,’hesaid.‘Thesepeople,thiswomanandthismanhere,theyarerelatedtoour…totheformerGovernorofthisworld.He…Hanrikishisname,hevaluestheirlives.Ithoughtyoucould…’Hetrailedoff,nonplussedinthefaceofhisgods’indifference.Heglancedoverhisshoulder,sawhispriestswatchinghimkeenlyand,asfarasArexcouldtell,wasspurredonbythegrowingdisillusionmentwritplainintheirfaces.

‘Wewantedyoutoknow,’hesaid,‘thatwehaveheardyourvoice,andthatthemenwhoarewagingwaruponyou,menlikeGovernorHanrik,theynolongerrepresentus.Wewelcomeyoutothisworld,andwestandreadytoserveyou.’Heloweredhimselftohisknees,andhispriestsdidthesame.Arexalmostfollowed

suit,afraidofcallingattentiontoherselfbydissenting,butTylarstoodsteadfastbesideher.

TheIronGodsturnedaway,uncaringly,leavingtheself-styledHighPriestandhisfollowersgenuflectingtonoone.ItwasamomentbeforeAmarethdaredstandagain,theothersfollowinghisleadbuthesitantly.Hewasclearlyshaken,butnotyetreadytogiveuponhismaddreamsofpower.

HeseizedArexbythearm,wavedhislaserpistolinherface,andgaveherapushtowardstheentrancewaytothepyramid.‘No,’sheprotested,‘no!’Butthepriestswerebehindheragain,withtheirstunbatonsinherback,proddingheronward.

Asthegatewaygrewbeforeher,shewasblindedbythegreenlightbehindit,hadtoaverthereyesfromit.ShelongedtolinkherarmwithTylar’s,todrawonhisstrengthagain,buttheirhandcuffsmadethisimpossible.‘Remember,’Tylarwhisperedtoher,‘theEmperorhasdecreedthatyoushouldlive.WemustkeepfightingforHim.’

Suddenly,theIronGodswerestirring,noticingthestrangersintheirmidstasifforthefirsttime,andmovingtosurroundthem.AsoneofthecreaturesblockedAmareth’swaytothepyramid,hepleadeddesperately,‘Butyoucan’t…Didn’tyouhearwhatIsaid?IamyourHighPriest.Ihavebuiltachurchinyourname,andnowIbringyouthemeanstodefeatyourenemies.Whywon’tyourecogniseme?’

Thecreaturesdidn’tmove.Amarethglaredatthemforamomentlonger,thenloweredhisshoulders,triedtopushhiswaypastthem–andfourofthemraisedtheirgreatgunsinunison,andvaporisedhiminacataclysmicoutpouringofemeraldforce.

WhereAmarethhadoncestood,nowawispofsteamcurledupwardsfromtheground,andArextooknopleasureinthisdownfallofanenemy,thisconfirmationofeverythingthatTylarhadsaidtohim.Shejustfeltsick.

Halfthepriestswereontheirkneesagain,howlinginanguish,wantingtoknowwhytheirgodshadturnedagainstthem,whattheyhadtodotoappeasethem.Therestwererunningfortheirlives.TheIronGodsfiredafterthislattergroup,claimingfourmorekillsintheblinkofaneye.Thentheyturnedtheirattentiontothesupplicantsbeforethem,andsetaboutdestroyingthesetoo.

Arexmadetorunafterthefewescapees,butTylarpulledherback.Sherealisedwherehewasguidingher,andshecriedoutinprotest,buttherewasnootherway.Therewerenoeyesuponthemforthemoment,butthatwouldchange,andtherewasnowhereelseforthemtohide,noothershelterwithintheirreach.

So,Arextookadeepbreath.Sheclosedhereyesandshetrustedhercompaniontoguideher–and,astheycrossedthethresholdoftheblackpyramid,theIronGods’HighTemple,Arexcouldfeelasoul-numbingcoldenvelopingher,andthathatefulgreenlightburningthroughhereyelids.

ChapterEighteen

Ithadbeguntorain.Fat,freezingdropsofwaterspatteredoffGuntharSoreson’scheeksandtrickleddownhisneck.Hehadbeenstandinghere,hemmedinbytherestofhisplatoon,foranage.Torefocushismind,hepractisedtraininghisgunuponselectedpointsintherockfaceaheadofhim.Hewasreadytodohisduty.

Hehadbeenissuedwiththelasgunthatmorning:theKriegLucius-patternvariant,morepowerfulthanthelocalPDFmodelbutconsequentlyagreedierconsumerofpower.Guntharhadbeenwarnedthateachofhisthreepowerpackswasgoodforonlytwenty-fiveshots.However,hismainconcernwasthathehadn’thadachancetofirethisnewweaponyet,getafeelforit.

Thelasgun,ithadbeenimpresseduponhim,wasonloanfromtheKrieg103rdregiment,whoexpecteditsreturn.‘Whenyouknowit’syourtimetodie,’thequartermasterhadsaid,‘whenyou’restaringdownthebarrelofagaussflayer,thelastthingyoudois,yousavethatgunbyhurlingitasfarawayfromyouasyoucan.’

Thereweren’tenoughvehiclestotransporteveryone,soalmosttwothousandtroopershadbeenmarcheddownthespaceporthill,alongtheapproachroadtothecity.Theirroutehadbeenlinedwithrefugees,somecheeringthemon,othersnear-hysterical,allplacingtheirhopesintheseinexperiencedmeninill-fittinguniforms.

Guntharhadheardafewgrumblesfromthediehardcomplainersthattheyhadn’thadtimetorest,topreparethemselves.He,however,hadsleptsoundlyanddreamlesslylastnight,feltaspreparedashecouldbe,andtimetorest,forhim,wouldhavebeenunwelcometimetothink.

Thewesternedgeofthecitywasblockedbyamountainofdebris,astallasitswallshadoncebeen.Alargespacehadbeenclearedbeforethis,intowhichsoldiershadbeenpouringallmorning.Guntharhadadmiredtheprecisionofthe

DeathKorpsGuardsmenarrivingfromthenorthandthesouth,theirdisciplineputtingthatofhisownservicetoshame.HehadchosennottoquestionthedisproportionateplacementofPDFtroopersamongtheforemostranks.

Thiswasn’thowhehadpicturedthisday.Eventhroughtheearlystagesofhistraining,Guntharhadenvisagedadaringrescuemission,snatchingArexfromthenecronsbeforetheycouldlooseoffmorethanafewbadly-aimedshotsathim.SinceCommissarCostellin’steamhadleftwithouthim,andhadreportedlybeenlosttovoxcontact,hehadbeenforcedtorethinkthoseexpectations.

TheImperialforcesoutnumberedtheirfoes,Guntharhadbeentold,soifhecouldjustkillonenecronhewouldhaveplayedhispart.Itdidn’tseemlikemuchtoaskofhim.WiththeLucius-forgedlasguninhishands,hefelthecoulddoalotbetter.

Apairofflyershadbeencirclingabove,stayingwelloutofrangeofthenecrons’guns.Now,theypeeledoff,backtowardsthespaceport,andaPDFlieutenantbarkedoutfrombehindGunthar,‘Thisisit,MPlatoon.They’rehere.Frontrank,kneel!’Thesameorderwasechoedtohisleftandhisright,andthreehundredtroopersdroppedandraisedtheirweapons.Guntharraisedhistoo,althoughwithfourranksinfrontofhim,heknewitcouldbesometimebeforehehadacleartargettoaimat.

‘Rememberyourtraining,’thelieutenantinstructed.‘Standyourgroundatallcosts.Thosewhocan,switchyourgunstoFullAutoandgivethosewalkingcadaversallyou’vegot.Whenanecronfalls,keepfiringatit.I’mreceivingamessagefromthegovernor-general;heisgratefulforthesacrificewearemaking,andhewishestheblessingsoftheGod-Emperoruponusall.’

Almostassoonhehadfinishedspeaking,therockpiletrembledwithasuccessionofheavyimpactstoitsfarside.FromtherearoftheImperialformationcametheansweringroarsoftheDeathKorps’ownbigguns,Earthshakershellssailingacrossthecrumblingbarricadeintheblindexpectationoffindingtargetsbeyondit.

Theenemydidn’twaittobemassacred.Necronghostscamepouringthroughtherock,andthroughastutteringvolleyoflas-firefromthefronttwoPDFranks.Theyhadbeenbriefedaboutthesehorrors,preparedasbesttheycouldhavebeen.Still,therealitywastoomuchformanyofthem,androokiesandveteransalikeattemptedtofleebutwereheldbythecrushofbodiesbehindthem.ToGunthar’sleft,asubstantialpartofNPlatoonwascollapsedbythosecowardsintheirmidst.

Hearingmoregunshotsbehindhim,heglancedtofindthenecrons’skin-coated

ghoulsalreadyintheheartoftheDeathKorps’ranks.TheGuardsmen,ofcourse,hadbeenexpectingjustsuchanambush,andtheywereblastingtheirattackerstothegroundbeforetheirtalon-knivescouldbebroughttobear.Guntharrecalledhisfirstencounterwiththoseghouls,inthedeadofalong-gonenight,anotherlife.Herememberedhowafraidhehadbeenofthemthen,butallhefeltnowwashatred.

Thesituationinfrontofhimwasratherlesshopeful.Thewould-bedesertershadbeenralliedbytheharryingscreamsoftheirsergeantsorjustbytherealisationthattheycouldn’tretreatandsomightaswelldefendthemselves.Theairwassizzlingwithalatticeworkoflas-beams,butthenecronghostsweresoaringthroughthiswithease,andwhenoneofthemwasstruckithardlyseemedtobehurtatall.

Fortunately,DeathKorpsgrenadierswereinsnipingpositions,smallmoundsofrubblegivingthemheighttofireovertheheadsofthetroopersintheirway.Theirmeltagunshissedand,althoughsomeoftheghostssaileduntouchedthroughtheblasts,moreofthemweredestroyed.Still,thesurvivorswererelentless,scythingtheirwaythroughscoresofmenand,beforeGuntharknewit,therankinfrontofhimwaskneelinganditwastimeforhimtostepup.

HisKrieggunhadnoFullAutosetting.‘Onewell-aimedboltfromthiswillsuffice,’thequartermasterhadtoldhim.‘Thereisnoneedforwaste.’Ofcourse,hehadbeentakingthewielder’seyeforgrantedinthatequation,forGunthar’sfirsttwoshotswenthopelesslyastray.Histhirdhewedclosertothepathhehadenvisagedforit,thefourthandfifthcloserstill,buthewaslosingpreciousseconds.Anecronswoopedinfrontofhisface,andGuntharthoughtitwascomingforhim,couldn’ttargetitintime,butinsteaditdroppedontothekneelingtrooperinfrontofhim.

Thetrooperswunghislasgun,triedtobathisattackeraway,andtheghostwasindeeddislodgedbutittookitsvictim’sfacewithit.Thetrooperthrewuphishandsbutrecoiledfromhisowntouch,sprawlingbackwardsintoGunthar,andforaterriblemomenttheirgazesmet.Thetrooper’seyeswerefilledwithraw,uncomprehendinghorror,whiteagainstabloodiedmassofexposedsinew.Feelingasurgeoffury,Guntharunleashedavengefulfusilladeintheescapingghost’sdirection.

Thelasttwoofhisbeamsweredeadontarget,andhecouldhaveweptwithfrustrationastheypassedthroughtheirintangibletarget.

Hislieutenantbellowedagainand,withanumbdisbelief,Gunthardiscernedthecommandforhisownrank,thenewfrontrank,tokneel.Histimewasalmostup,andhehadn’tyetscoredhissinglekill,thebesthecouldhopefornow.He

forcedhisthoughtsawayfromthetrooperswhohaddiedwantingofthatgoal,didn’tdareconsiderwhatthatmightmeanfortheoutcomeofthiswar.

Gunthar’snoviceregimenthadbeengiventwospeechesthismorning.Thesecond,fromColonelBraunwiththegovernor-generalinattendance,hadbeenastirringorationonthesubjectsofhonourandgloryanddevotiontotheEmperor.TheKriegdrillinstructors,however,hadgottherefirstwithatreatiseondeath,andeventhenGuntharhadknownwhichofthemwasbeingthemorehonest.

Aghostcamestreamingtowardshimandhefocusedonhisaim,letthevileapparitiongrowinhissights,refusingtoletithurryhim.Onewell-aimedbolt.Itstabbedintoaneyesocket,extinguishedthegreenlightinthere,sentthecreaturespinninghelplesslyheadovertail.Gunthar’sfirstblood,ifonlymetaphoricallyinthecaseofthesebloodlesshorrors.Hisfirstunequivocalkill.

Hecouldhaveleapttothisfeetandcheeredatthatmoment,couldhavediedwithasmileonhisface,hadahandnotgrippedhimbytheankle,hadhenotlookeddown,alarmed,intotheimploringeyesofthefacelesstrooper,stillalivethoughhemusthavebeeninunendurablepain.ApartofGunthar’soldself,hiscompassion,welledinsidehim,andhealmostgavethemanwhathesoclearlywanted,themercyofalas-beamthroughthebrain,butthevoiceofaKrieginstructorinsidehisheadberatedhimfortakinghiseyeofftheenemy,andforthepotentialwasteofammunition.

Onthatfirstscore,atleast,thephantomvoicehadapoint.Themiddlesectionoftherockbarricadewasblownout,thetopsection

collapsingintothegapandslip-sliding.AsolidwaveofdebrisflowedinGunthar’sdirection,blessinghisdeadcomradeswithanunexpectedburial,threateningthesameforhim.

Thenextheknew,hewasflounderingonhisstomach,hisheadhurtingbuthedidn’tknowwhy.Hetriedtopushhimselfup,andagobbetofbloodsplashedontothebackofhishand.Hemusthavebeencut,hethought,byasplinterofrock,renderedinsensateforamoment.Ofallthewayshehadimaginedfallingtoday…Notthisway,hethought.Heraisedhimselftohishandsandknees,droppedagainasgunfireignitedtheairabovehim.

Heraisedhishead,tentatively,andpeeredthroughtheblurofwhathadnowbecomeasteadydrizzleofrain,andhesawthem.Forthefirsttime,hesawexactlywhattheImperialforcesonHieronymousThetawerefacing.

Thecadaverousfootsoldiers,ofcourse,Guntharhadencounteredbefore,andtheyhadbeenghastlyenoughinsmallnumbers.Theystalkedtowardshimnowintheirhundreds,theirthousands,andthesightoftheiridentical,expressionless

skullfacesalmostfrozehisheartinhischest.Theirlong-barrelledgunsvomitedbeamafterbeamofgreenlightningintotheImperialranks;wherethatlightningstruck,goodmenwerereducedtoashes.Butthefootsoldiersweren’ttheworstofit.

Arrayedbehindthesewereevenlargerfigures,withlarger,twin-barrelledguns,whichbelchedoutstreamsofemeraldenergyoverthefootsoldiers’heads–andflankingthesemonsterswerenecronsthatappearedtohavebeenbutcheredliketheghosts,thelowerhalvesoftheirbodiesremovedandtheupperhalvesfusedtoheavilyarmouredflyingskimmers.Theirrightarmshadbeenreplacedbybulkygausscannons,therightsidesoftheirskullsbytargetingauspexes.

Framingthisnightmarearmywerethenecrontanks.Gunthar’sdrillinstructorshadspokenofthese,ofthedamagetheycoulddo.Theywerepyramidalinshape,fashionedfromadarkgreenmetal–techno-sorcerousmetal,Guntharhadheard,which,likethenecronsthemselves,couldregeneratefromalmostanywound–andtheyhoveredafewmetresofftheground.Stampedingoldupontheirsideswereprofanesymbols,andgreenlightningflaredwithintheirenclosedturrets.Theybristledwithweapons,mercifullysilentfornow,butGuntharknewinstinctivelythathewantedtobesomewhereelsebeforethosegunscamewithinfiringrangeofhim.

Fornow,however,hewastrappedwherehewas,betweentheclawing,slashingghoulsbehindhimandthelightningweaponsofthefootsoldiersahead,andforamoment,hesawnohope.Thenecronshadtobeunstoppable.HehadreckonedwithouttheDeathKorpsofKrieg.

TheKriegGuardsmen,themajorityofthem,werenobetterarmedthanGuntharwas,thanmanyofhiscomradeshadbeen.Thedifferencewasthattheyknewhowtousetheirweaponsformaximumeffect.Theyexhibitedflawlessteamwork,squadsofGuardsmenfocusingtheirfireupononefoeatatimeuntilitfell–andtheKorps’heavyordnancewasbeginningtomakeitsmarktoo.ThenecronsweretooclosefortheEarthshakerstobringtheircannonstobear,butthesmallerMedusasweremorethantakinguptheslack,consumingwholeclustersoftheoncomingforceswitheachexplosiveshelltheyspatout.

SomethingthuddedintothegroundbesideGunthar,half-buryingitself.Asecondlater,hewaspeltedbyflamingscrapsofmetalandherealisedthatthefirstobjecthadnotbeenashellashehadfirstfeared,butanecronskull.Hescrambledout,revolted,frombeneaththecreature’sfragmentedremains,onlytofindthemcrawling,slithering,acrosstherubble,piecingthemselvesbacktogether.Thegreenlightsnappedonintheskull’seyesockets,andGuntharrememberedhisgun.

Hejammeditsbarrelintothenecron’srighteye,andhepulledthetrigger.Hissecondkillwaslesscatharticthanthefirst.ForlongsecondsGunthar

couldn’ttearhisgazeawayfromthatmetalskull,fearingthatassoonasheturnedhisbackitseyesmightflareintolifeoncemore.Hisheadwasbeginningtoclear,enoughforhimtowonderwhyhewasn’tdeadyet.Thenecronshadoverlookedhim,downhereontheground,butheknewthiswouldn’tlastoncehestartedfiringatthemagain.

Hepushedhimselfbackwardswithhiselbows,rolledbehindasmallmoundofdebris.Itwouldgranthimsomecoverfromthenecronsinfrontofhim;theonesbehind,hewouldjusthavetopraykepttheirsightsforward.Heclearedalittlehollowatopthemoundforhisgunbarrel,usedittosteadyhisaim.

KriegGuardsmenwereclosingwiththenecronfootsoldiersoneonone,keepingthemfromemployingtheirguns.Invariably,thisledtothedeathofthebraveGuardsmaninquestion,ifnotatthehandsofhischosenopponentthendealtbytheremainingghoststhatstillcircledthebattlefield.EachKriegsoldierthatfell,however,wasreplacedbyanother,andthenecrons,pepperedwithlas-fireandtheoccasionalmeltablastandunabletofireback,werefallingatthegreaterrate.

Thenthefirstofthosenecrontanksenteredthefray,thelightningfromitsturretlashingoutinfocusedbeamsthatblewgreat,gapingholesintheImperialdefences.TheMedusasroundedonit,andafortuitousseriesofdirecthitsblastedthefloatingdreadnoughtapart.Itdroppedtotheground,smokecurlingfrombeneathitsdarkgreenplating,butmorevehicleslikeitwerealreadyedgingforwards.

Guntharkeptfiring,targetingthefootsoldiersbecauseheknewhislasguncouldbeeffectiveagainstthem,countinghisshotsuntilhereachedtwenty-fivethenreplacinghispowerpackandfiringagain.Hescoredseveralglancinghits,butonlyonetargetfell,andthisroseagainwithinseconds.Suddenly,theclusterofnecronsintowhichhehadbeenshootingwaswipedoutbyaMedusashell,andhewonderedwhattheuseofhisbeingherewas,whatdifferencehewasmaking.HeknewhowtheDeathKorpssoldiers,anyofthem,wouldhaveansweredthatquestion.

Theywerelikeaforceofnature,waveafterwaveofthemsurgingtowardstheirenemies,tobedashedagainstthemlikethetideagainstacliffface.EachoftheirlivesboughtnomorethanafewsecondsfortheMedusastoreload,andyetstilltheskull-maskedsoldierskeptoncoming,erodingawayatthatcliff.

Thenecronswerenotwithouttacticsoftheirown.Guntharrealisedthatthey

hadfocusedtheireffortsupononepointintheKriegline,andnow,suddenly,theybrokethroughthere.Ascoreofgaussgunsflaredinunison,andgreenenergycoruscatedaroundaMedusaand,incredibly,strippedthearmourfromitsframeasifithadbeenmerefleshonbone.Inthemeantime,apairofnecrontanksnudgedintotheDeathKorpsranks,andtheirmanifoldgunsdischargedgreatlightningarcsthatcouldfellfivemenatonce.WhiletheImperialforceswereindisarray,lookingtoregroupbeforethislatestthreat,aflankofskimmer-mountednecronsdivedovertheirheadstomakeshortworkofasecondMedusa.

ThenGuntharheardanewsoundbehindhim,athunderingofhoofbeats,andinaninstantthetidewasturnedoncemore.

Kriegdeathriderscamesweepinginfromtwodirectionsandsetabouttheoutflankednecrons,surprisingthemwiththespeedoftheirarrival.Theirhuntinglancesweretippedwithexplosives,powerfulenoughtoblowanecronfootsoldierapart.Thenecronsrespondedbytargetingtheriders’mounts,unawarethatthesewerenocommonplacehorses.Theywerebred,liketheDeathKorpsthemselves,intheundergroundhivesofKrieg,bio-sculptedtocopewithitssurfaceconditions.Theyhadbeengiftedwithsub-dermalarmourandadruginjectionsystemthatkeptthemstimulated,aggressiveandimmunetoallbutthemostcripplingpain.

Ofcourse,theywerestillnomatchforthegreenlightning,buttheyattackedwithsuchviolence,suchfrenzy,thatfewnecronshadthechancetobringtheirgunstobearbeforetheywereknockedofftheirfeetandtrampledbyuncaringhooves.Incontrast,theskilledridersaimedtheirlances,andfiredlaspistols,withuncannyprecisiondespitetheirmounts’buckingandrearing.Theirgas-maskedfaces,peeringoutfrombeneaththeirhelmets,gavetheimpressionthatthishorsemanshipcameeffortlesslytothem,andtheyflewtheirskull-emblazonedpendantsproudly.

Givensomerespite,theMedusasbarkedagainandtwomorenecrontankswentupinflames.Themeltagunsnipershadpickedoffmostoftheremainingghostsandsomeskimmers,andevenGunthardespatchedanotherfootsoldierasitbroughtitsguntobearuponamountedridemaster.ThequartermastersmovedintopatchupthefallenandevensomeGuardsmenwiththemosthorrificinjurieswererising,necron-like,tofightagain.

AKriegplatoonhadpinneddownasmallergroupoffootsoldiersbut,asGuntharlookedforashot,thebeleaguerednecronsvanishedenmasse.Wasthatit,hewondered?Wasitoveratlast?Hisothersensestoldhimthatitwasn’t.Seekinganewtarget,hiseyesalighteduponahoveringtankevenasitbegantobelchouta

streamofgleamingreinforcements.Newnecrons,hewondered,ortheoldonesrestored?Eitherway,thisbattlewasfarfromdoneyet.

Gunthar’sthirdpowerpackhaddried.Hisorders,inthissituation,weretofindaquartermasterandrequestmoreammunition,butthecorpseofaPDFcomrade–hisformersergeant,herealised–laycloser,lyingwherethequartermasterscouldn’tgettoit.Itwasscarredbyclawmarksbutintactandstillgrippingitslasgun.Hewouldhavetobreakcovertoreachit,butwhatchoicedidhehave?

Hewasexpectedtodietoday,anyway.Hehadbeentoldthismoretimesthanhecouldcountthesepastweeks.He

thoughthehadacceptedit,butherealisednow,assailedbytheclamourandthestinkofthebattlefield,apawnatthemercyofthedestructiveforcesabouthim,thathehadn’taccepteditatall.Apartofhimhadclungtotheimageofwarpresentedbythenewsreels,hadexpectedtobucktheoddsagainsthimandreturntothespaceportsteepedinglory.Hehadbeenoneofthemorepromisingtrainees,afterall.

Hesawnowthat,onthefrontlinesofawarsuchasthisone,noamountoftrainingcouldguaranteesurvival,norhardlyimprovethoseodds.Survivalwasn’tamatterofseeingthegaussbeamscoming,orofdodgingtheexplosions,becauseneitherofthesethingswerehumanlypossible.Survivalwasamatterofstandingintherightplace,notafractionforwardsortotheleft,ofnotbeingthepersonbesideyou.Itwasamatterofchance,blindchance,andoftheEmperor’swhim,andbycomingtounderstandthisGuntharfelthehadfinallyridhimselfofhislastvestigesoffear,ofdread.

Hewasgoingtodie,ifnottodaythentomorrow,ortheweekafter.Itwouldhappen,mostlikely,intheblinkofaneyewithouthisknowinghiskiller.So,allthatcouldpossiblymattertohimnowwashowmuchhecouldaccomplishinthemeantime.

Hecouldn’tpictureArex’sfaceanymore.Hehadbeendoingthisforher,onlyforher,butatsomepoint,withoutanyawarenessofitonhispart,hehadgivenupthehopeoftheireverbeingtogetheragain.Itwasbetterthatway,Guntharthought.Themanshehadknown–themanshehadlovedandwhohadlovedherinreturn–thatmanwasgone.Perhaps,oneday,shewouldhearhisnameagain,evenvisithisgraveifhehadone,andremembertheshorttimetheyhadhadtogetherwithfondness.

PerhapsshewouldbetoldhowGuntharhadfoughtforher,diedforher.Ifso,thenheintendedtomakeherproudofhim.Judging,asbesthecould,that

alleyeswereelsewhere,heranforthesergeant’sbody,droppedbesideit,swappeditslasgunforhisown.Then,inemulationoftheDeathKorpsGuardsmen,withwhomhenowfeltagreaterkinshipthanhehadeverdreamedpossible,heranattheenemy.

Yes,GuntharSoresonwasexpectedtodietoday.Buthewasn’tdeadyet.

ChapterNineteen

BythetimeHanrikfoundColonel186,hehadworkedhimselfintoasweat.Hehadtakenthestairsthreeatatime,fast-walkedthroughthespaceportterminaluntilhischestached.Hepushedhiswaythroughtherefugeesonthehillside.Theystoodinthefreezingrain,facingeastward,andHanrikfollowedtheirsilentstares.

Hehadn’tbeenouthere,hadn’tlooked,inoveraweek.Inthattime,hiscityhadshrunkfurtherthanhecouldhaveimagined,becomeaskeletonofitsformerself.Itsdepletedskylinewasalternatelylitbyflashesoffireandobscuredbyplumesofsmoke,andHanrikknewhewasalreadytoolate.

Thecolonelstoodinthebackofahalf-track,surveyingthescenethroughapairofmagnoculars.HefailedtoreacttotheGovernor-General’sinsistencethattheyneededtotalk,soHanriktalkedanyway.Flusteredashewas,hedidn’tmakeagreatdealofsense,buthedidgetthecolonel’sattention.

‘Youagreed,’saidthecolonelwithoutloweringthemagnoculars,‘insisted,infact,thatthePlanetaryDefenceForceplayafullpartinthisconflict.’

‘Apart,yes,’saidHanrik,‘butnotlikethis.Not–’‘Youleftthedetailsoftheirdeploymenttomycompanycommanders.’‘Cannonfodder!’Hanrikburstout.‘Youusedmymenascannonfodder,put

themonthefrontlinestobeslaughtered.I’vebeenlisteningtothereports,andthey…It’samassacreoutthere!’

‘Theyaresoldiers,GeneralHanrik.Theyknewwhattoexpect.’‘Butthey’re…Somanyofthem,themajorityofthem,theyonlyjust…They

onlyhadthreeweekstotrain.Eventheexperiencedonesamongthem,theyhaven’tfacedanythinglikethisbefore,andthey’reunder-equipped…’

Thecolonelturnedthen,toregardHanrikblanklythroughtheeyepiecesofhisgasmask.‘That,’hesaid,‘ispreciselywhytheirvalueislimited.’

‘They’reexpendable,youmean,’saidHanrikbitterly.

‘Ifyouprefer.Youshouldbeproudofyourmen,GeneralHanrik.Myofficersonthegroundreportthattheydidtheirduty.Theyimpededthenecronadvanceforalmostaminutelongerthanweexpected.Acredittoyourtraining.’

‘Youtalkaboutthemasiftheywerejust…Theywerepeople,damnit,withlivesandjobsandfamilies.Lookaroundyou,colonel.Lookatthefacesaroundyou,everyoneofthemprayingforsomeonetheyknow,someonetheylove.Justoneofyour…yournumbersmeanseverythingtothem,andI…HowdoIexplaintothemthatmostoftheirbrothers,theirsonsaren’tcomingback?’

Herememberedbeingtoldthathisownsonsweren’tcomingback.Threeseparatemessages,eighteenmonthsapart,butHanrikhadn’tforgottenasinglewordofthem.

Thecolonelsaiddismissively,‘Thecitizensofyourworldhavegrownsoft.TheyhaveforgottentheirdebttotheEmperor.’

ThatwaslikeablowtoHanrik’sface,andhelashedoutverbally,‘Ishouldhaveknownyouwouldn’tunderstand.You’reincapableofhumanfeeling,afraidtoevenshowyourface.Whodoyoucareabout,colonel?Whoistheretomissyou?’

TheKriegmanturnedhisbackandraisedhismagnoculars,furtherincensingHanrik.‘I’mtalkingtoyou,colonel,’hesnapped,‘andforonceyouaregoingtolistentome.Wemayserveindifferentforces,buttechnicallyIstilloutrankyou.I’veaskedaround,Iknowyou’veonlycommandedyourregimentforfiveminutes,whereasI–’

‘WouldyouratherithadbeenmyGuardsmenwhohaddied?’ThesuddenquestiontookHanrikaback.‘Wouldyouratherwehadsacrificedthem,leftthedefenceofthisworldto

yourunder-equippedtrainees?Becausethat,GeneralHanrik,isborderingontreason.’

‘OfcourseIdon’t…OfcourseIwouldn’t…IvaluetheirlivesasmuchasIdoanylife.Ijustthinkyourmenwereperhapsbetterablethanmineto–’

‘IfyouhaveawishtoseeKriegblood,Hanrik,youonlyhavetowaitafewmorehours.Wearedyingasyouspeak.’

‘Iknowthat,colonel,andI’msorry,Ididn’tmeantoimply…’Hanrikwasstillstumblingthroughanapologywhenthecolonelwrenchedhis

magnocularsaroundtooverlookthenorthendofthecity.Hewasn’tlisteninganymore.Hehadacomm-beadinhisear,andevidentlyithadjustrelayedbadnews.‘What’shappening?’askedHanrik.‘What’swrong?’

‘Spiders,’saidthecolonelgrimly.‘Mechanicalspiders,flyingoutofthe

necrontanks.They’retearingourGuardsmenapart.’‘Thenthatconfirmswhatwefeared,’saidHanrik.‘Thenecronarmyisstill

growing.Itseemsthat,everytimewefacethem,theyaresendingnew,morepowerfulcreaturesontothebattlefield.Colonel,wethoughtweoutnumberedthem,butwhatif…?’

‘We’refightingback,’saidthecolonel.Hepausedandlistenedtohiscomm-beadagain.‘TheMedusasaretargetingthespiders,tryingtofindtheirweakspots.Oneofthemjust…I’mhearingthatitcrawledawayfromamortarstrike.They’retough!But…but,wait,itiswounded.I’mhearingthatthespideriswounded.’

Thecolonelhoppedabruptlyoutofthehalf-trackandmarchedtowardsthespaceport,twoaidestrailingalongbehindhim.Hanrikhastenedtokeepstepwiththem.‘I’mreturningtomyoffice,’saidthecolonel,whenpressed,‘tovoxrequeststothe42ndandthe103rdregimentsforfurtherreinforcements.’

‘Youthinkweneedthem?Are…arewelosing?’‘Thenecrons’resourcesmustbefinite.Ithinkthespidersaretheirlastlineof

defence,elsewhyweretheynotemployedinearlierbattles?Weareclosetowinningthewar,Hanrik,butfirstwehavetowinthisbattle,andrightnowit’spoisedonaknifeedge.Isuggestyouthinkaboutthatinsteadofindulgingyourhurtfeelings.’

Hanrikopenedhismouthtoprotest,butdidn’tknowwhattosaysoheletthecoloneloutpacehim.Helookedbackatthecity,thoughtofallthepeoplewhohaddiedthere,weredyingtherestill,andhewonderedifhecouldhavesavedthem.

Thetruthwasthat,afterhehadlostArex,hehadgivenuptrying.Heoughttohavedonewhathehadintendedfromthestart:contacttheDepartmentoMunitorumandcomplaininthestrongestpossibletermsabouttheDeathKorps’conductonhisworld.

Tohavetakensuchanextremestep,however,hewouldhavehadtohavebeenverycertainofhisground–andthecolonelhadawayofshakinghiscertainties.

Hereturnedtohisoffice,deflated,andreachedforthevox-castertohearthelatestreportsbuthesitated,decidedtositinsilenceforawhileandthink.

Inevitably,hefoundhishandstrayingtohistunicpocket,hisfingersclosingaroundthecold,hardshapeofthedata-slatehehadbeenkeepinginthere,theoneonwhichhehadtranscribedthemessage.

IthadcomeinthismorningonthePDFcommandchannel,encryptedwithakeythathadbeencycledoutofuseeightyearsago.Onlyahandfulofofficers

knewaboutthemessageatall,andonlyHanrikknewwhatitsaid.Ithadtakenhimtwohours,searchinghismemory,scratchingawaywithhisstencil,beforehehadbeenabletodecodethesequenceofelectricalpulses.Justthirteenwords,buthehadreadthemahundredtimes:Hanrik.Wehaveyourfamily.Calloffyourattack.Youhaveoneday.

Hesatbackinhisseatandrubbedhiswearyeyes.HewishedCostellinwerehere,buttherehadstillbeennowordfromhim.Hehadcometotrustthecommissar’swiseadvice,andhisdiscretion.Thelastthinghewantedtodowastakethemessagetothecolonel,becauseheknewwhatthecolonelwouldsay.

Thecolonelwashere.Hewasstandinginthedoorway,andHanrikstartedandbundledtheslateawayguiltily.Howlonghadhebeenthere,watching?

‘How…howdidyougeton?’hestammered.‘Withthereinforcements,Imean.’

‘Wehavetenmoreplatoons–fewerthanIhadhoped,butitmaysuffice.The103rdisalsosendingsixMedusas.Ifyouhaveanymorementospare,however–’

‘Idon’t,’saidHanrik,alittlemoreforcefullythanhehadintended.‘Thatistosay,ifIhadthem,youcould…Theonlyrecruitsstillhereinport,theonlymalesoffightingageatall,arethesickandthosewhowereinjuredduringtraining.’

‘Thereareothercitiesonthisworld.’‘Theyhavesentthebesttheyhave.Evenifitweren’tfortheunrest…Evenif

wecouldraiseanewforceintime,wehavenothingtoarmthemwith.Wehadtobeg,borrowandstealthelasgunswehave.Icouldn’tswearwedidn’tsendahandfuloftroopersouttherewithnothingbutknives.’

Thecolonelnoddedandseemedtoacceptthis.Hetappedthebuttofhisboltpistolinitsholster.‘ThereisnothingmoreIcandohere,’hesaid,‘soIamgoingtothefront.Youwilljoinme?’

‘No,’saidHanrikhastily.‘I…You’reright,maybethereismoreIcoulddo.IthoughtImightvoxaroundthecityadministratorsagain,putsomepressureonthem.Theremightbeoldstorehousestheyhaveforgottenabout,or–’

‘Theequipment,’saidthecolonel,‘islessimportantthanthementocarryit.Oncethisbattleisover,wewillhaveequipmenttospare.’

‘IwilldowhatIcan,’saidHanrik.Afterthecolonelhadleft,however,heburiedhisfaceinhishands,thoughtaboutthewholenewmassofasyetfacelesscitizenshehadjustagreedtocondemntodeath,andheaskedhimselfhowitwasthatyetagainhehadbeenmanoeuvredintodoingexactlywhattheKriegmanhadwanted.

ItwasdarkinHanrik’soffice,buthedidn’thavetheenergytostirhimself,toswitchonthelight.Thespaceportwaseerilyquietbutforthebuzzofvoicesfromhisvox-casterunit.Hanrikwasalone,andlonely.Hisofficersweremeanttobekeepinghimupdatedbut,althoughtheywerestationedwellbackfromtheaction,theywerestilltooclosefortheirowncomfort.Hanrikwasluckyif,betweenthecursesandthescreamedorders,theyfoundamomenttofeedhimanyinformationatall.

Thenews,however,whatnewstherewas,waspromising.Aconcertedpushbythedeathridershadforcedthenecronsbackagoodfiftymetres.Themajorityoftheirfootsoldiersweredown,theircorpses–thosethathadnotbeenmelted–dissipatedtothewinds.ThenewMedusasarrivingfromthesouthhadmadeadifference,bombardingthepyramid-shapedtanksandthemechanicalspidersforlong,preciousminutesbeforetheskimmer-mountednecronshadreachedthem.

‘Theycan’ttakethemeltasoutofplay,’ColonelBraunreported,soundingalmostoptimisticforthefirsttime.‘Evenwhenthenecronscantargetagrenadier,heisusuallyabletothrowhisweapontoacomradebeforeheisobliterated.’

Hanrikreadthetranscriptonhisslateagain.Oneday…Itwasalmostdawn.Hedidn’tthinkthemessagehadcomefromthenecrons,althoughhehadflirted

withthatdreadfulthoughtatfirst.Fromsomeoneinthecity,then,althoughthatwasalmostworse.TothinkthathisownpeoplecouldhavebetrayedtheEmperor,collaborated…

Areturncallcameinfromagrouchycityadministrator,wokenfromhisbedandnursingagrudgethataseatonarescueshiphadn’tyetbeenfoundforhim.Hanrikconveyedthecolonel’srequestformoreresourcesand,forthefifthtimethatnight,wassubjectedtoatiradeofprotestationsincludingalistofincidentswithwhichtheoverstretchedauthoritieswerealreadydealing.Hewaitedforthistosubsidebeforeaddingthatmedicalsupplieswerealsourgentlyrequired.

Finally,itwasallover.TheconfirmationcamefromabreathlessPDFmajor,astonishedthattheremainingnecronshadvanishedbeforehiseyes.Switchingtotheopenchannel,Hanrikheardthecolonelorderingagrenadiersquadforwardtothegeneratorumwithdemolitioncharges.Thereweremanyrequestsformedicalassistance,butheswitchedoffthevox-casterbeforethebodiescouldbecounted.Hewouldhavetofacethatfinaltallysoonenough,hereasoned.

Hesatforashortwhilelongerinthedarkness,inthesilence,composinghimself.ForGovernor-GeneralHanrik,therealworkwasabouttobegin.

Thesunwasup,thoughtheskywasstillgrey.Hanrikhadn’tsleptinalmosttwenty-fivehours,hadn’teatenforlonger.Hedidn’tfeellikedoingeitherrightnow,butheneededabreak,emotionallymorethanphysically.

Hehadspokensomanywordsofcondolencethattheyhadbeguntosoundhollow,meaninglesstohim.Hehadvisitedtroopersinthebunkroomsthatnowservedasmedicaewards,hadthankedthemfortheirserviceandassuredthemthat,throughtheirefforts,agloriousvictoryhadbeenwon.HehadarguedwithaKriegquartermasterreluctanttoexpendresourcesonpatientsliabletodieanyway.

Sofewofhismenhadcomeback.Norwerethereanycelebrations.TheKriegreturneeswereevenfewerinnumber,andcomprisedonlythemost

wounded.Ofcourse,theystillhadalinetohold,andsomostofthemhadremainedatthecity’sedge.Theyhadco-optedafewPDFmentoassistthem,adecisionaboutwhichHanrikhadbeenneitherconsultednorinformed.Thismadeitdifficulttocompilealistofthedeadandofferedfalsehopetonumerousgrievingrelatives.

Hanrikjoinedatableofwearyofficersinthetemporarymesshall.Hefilledadishwithunappetisingpaste,whichhepushedaroundlistlesslywithaspoon.ItwasColonelBraunwhofirstsaidwhattheywereallthinking.

‘Iwonder,’hesaid,‘Idon’tmeantosounddisloyal,butIwonderifitmighthavebeenbetter,iftheEmperormighthavebeenbestserved,by,well…’

‘Youmeanbyleavingwhenthenecronsdemandedit,’saidHanrik.‘Ifwehadbeengiventheresourcestofightthem,’saidBraun,frustrated.‘If

theDepartmentoMunitorumhadsentalargerforce,morethanfourregiments…We’vebeensendingcivilianstothefrontline,fortheEmperor’ssake!’

‘Wehavelostsomanymen,’lamentedtheyoung,olive-skinnedMajorHawke,‘butthesenecrons,theyhavetobefought,Ithink.’

‘Fought,yes,’saidColonelBraun,‘butlikethis?’‘I’mbeginningtothinkCostellinhadtherightidea,’saidHanrik.

‘Exterminatus!We’dhavelosttheplanet,andEmperorknowswealldetestedthethoughtofthattobeginwith,butwecouldhavewipedoutthenecronsinastroke,withoutthelossofasinglelife–assuming,thatis,thatwecouldhaveevacuatedeveryone.’

‘Therewouldn’thavebeenenoughships,’anotheryoungmajorpointedout,‘andwherewouldwehavegone?’

‘Weshouldhavedemandedtheships,’saidHanrik,poundingthetablewithhisfist,‘andacolonyworldtosettleon.Iblamemyself.IallowedtheDepartmento

Munitorum–no,IallowedtheDeathKorpsofKrieg–touseusasanexperiment.’

‘Andwhatif,’saidacoldvoicebehindhim,‘inthetimeittookforanevacuationtobeorganised,thenecronshadwokentheirforcesandescapedfromus?’

Onceagain,Hanrikhadn’theardColonel186’sapproach.Nevertheless,bolsteredbyhisofficers’support,nolongerfeelingsoisolated,hestoodandsquareduptohim.‘Andwhathaveweachieved,’heasked,‘fightingthiswaryourway?Whatdidourpeoplediefortoday?Thedestructionofonesecondarygeneratorum,andwhatuseisthatifCostellinfailedtoreachtheprimaryfacility?’

‘Wehavedealtthenecronsablowfromwhichthey–’‘That’swhatyousaidafterthe42ndfoughtthem,buttheycamebackstronger.

Thetruthofitis,wedon’tknowthelimitsofthenecrons’self-repaircapabilities.Wedon’tknowhowmanymoresoldierstheycanwakeor…orfashionorbringinfromelsewhere,butyoudon’tcareaboutthat,doyou,colonel?Yousawthesmallestchanceofglory,andthehumancostofitmeantnothingtoyou.’

‘Whatwouldyouhavemedo?Withdrawmytroops?Leavethenecronstoyou?Thenthemenwhohavegiventheirlivessofarwillhavedonesofornothing.’

‘Ijustwantyouto…I’mtheGovernorofthisworld,andeversinceyoucamehere,youhaveignoredme,belittledme,riddenroughshodovermyconcerns.’

‘Youplacetoomuchvalueonindividuallives,Hanrik,thosetowhichyoucanattachanameandaface.Iamfightingformorethanthat,forthebillionsthreatenedbythenecrons’existence.Ifyoucan’tacceptthis,ifyouwishtofileacomplaintaboutmyconductonthisworld…that,ofcourse,isyourright.’

‘Iwilldothat,’saidHanrikbelligerently.‘That’sexactlywhatI’mgoingtodo,asIshouldhavedonefromthebeginning.’

‘Justbecareful,’thecolonelgrowled,‘thatourenemiesdonotuseyourweaknessagainstyou–andbewarnedthatIwillnotallowthattohappen.’

Hanrikhadsentthemessage.Hehadhadnochoiceintheend.Hehadn’tbeenabletositbyanddonothing,

couldn’thavelivedwiththeregret.Still,hefeltsicktohisstomach.Hesatwithhisheadinhishands,elbowsonhisdesk,barelykeepinghiseyesopenbutknowingthatnow,morethanever,hehadnochanceofsleeping.Notuntilhereceivedareply.

Itcamesoonerthanhehadexpected.

Therewasacurtraponhisofficedoor,and,withoutwaitingtobeinvited,Colonel186entered.Immediately,itwasclearthatsomethingwaswrong.ThecolonelwasflankedbytwoKriegmajors,whotookuppositions,standingtoattention,againstthebackwall.‘Whatisit?’askedHanrik,rising.

‘Wehavereasontosuspect,’saidthecolonel,‘thatthereisatraitoramongus.’‘No.Imean,Ican’tbelievethat.Who…?’‘Youcamestraighttothisofficeafterwespokeinthemesshall?’‘Yes.Well,almost.Iwaswaylaidbysomeone.Amother.Hersonwasfifteen

yearsoldwhenwesenthimtowar.Hewascaughtintheblastofoneofourown–’

‘Youhavenotleftthisroominthepastninetyminutes?’‘No,Ihaven’t.Whyareyouaskingmethesequestions?Whatareyou–?’‘Didyousendanymessagesduringthattime?’‘Imighthave.Yes,IspoketotheTheloniusCityadministrator.Hesaidthe

situationthereisworsening.Therehavebeen…Somepeople,lower-floordwellers,they’veturnedawayfromtheEmperor.Theyhavestartedtoworshipthenecrons,canyoubelievethat?Ofcourse,Iinstructedthattheybesummarily–’

‘Anythingelse?’growledthecolonel.‘Ihaven’t…No.Nothingelse.Ididn’t…Ineversentthatcomplaint,ifthat’s

whatyoumean.Ithought,perhapsIwasbeingalittlehasty,andperhaps…perhapswecantalkaboutitlater,tomorrow,whenthingsaren’tso…whenwearen’tsotired.’

‘Myvoxoperatordetectedatransmission,’saidthecolonel,‘originatingfromthisroom.’Hanrikjustgapedathim.Hecouldn’thaveknown…couldhe?

‘Itwassent,’continuedthecolonel,‘overthePDFcommandchannel.’‘That’s…Thatchannel,’splutteredHanrik,‘isforprivatecommunications

betweenmyofficersandmyself.Youhavenorightto–’‘AsIinformedyouwhenwefirstmet,Hanrik,thisworldisundermartiallaw.

Mylaw.Thatmakeseverythingthathappensheremybusiness.Itgivesmetheright.’

Heproducedadata-slateandHanriktookit,thoughitalmostslidoutofhisnervoushands.Heexaminedtheslate’scontents,andapallofdreadsettledoverhim.Thewordsofthemessagewerefamiliartohim,buthereadthemanyway,thenreadthemagainasadelayingtactic.‘Iaminformed,’thecolonelpromptedhim,‘thatthismessagewassentat09.13thismorning,inresponsetotheonereceivedat09.46yesterday.’

‘Youknewaboutthat?How…?Youwerewaiting,weren’tyou?Waitingto

seewhatI’ddo.But…thecodeinwhichIsentthismessage…Youshouldn’thavebeenabletodecryptthatcode.HowonHolyTerra…?’

‘Thatishardlytheissuehere,Hanrik.’‘No.Isupposeyou’reright.’Hanriksighed,defeated,sinkingbackintohis

chair.‘Isupposeyouwantmetoexplain…Youmustunderstand,colonel.Trytounderstand,please.ArexistheonlyfamilyIhave.Ihavedevotedmylifeto…WhatuseistheImperium,whatuseallourarmies,ifwecan’tprotectonegirl?’

‘TheImperiumcanonlyenduresolongaswestandtogether.Thatiswhytherearerulesaboutcollaboratingwith–’

‘Collaborating?’criedHanrik.‘No,youcan’taccusemeof…You’vereadthismessage,Iwasjust…Iwasplayingfortime.Icouldn’tcallofftheattackifIwantedto,youknowthatmorethananyonedoes.Ijustthought,ifIcouldmakethesepeoplethink…ifIcouldimplythatadealcouldbereached,thenperhaps…Icouldn’tjustleavehertodie.She’smyniece,colonel.Whatwouldyouhavedone?’

Assoonasthosewordslefthismouth,herealisedhismistake.Colonel186drewhisboltpistol,levelleditattheGovernor-General’shead.

‘Igaveyoufairwarning,’hesaidquietly,andthelastthingTalmarHanriksawinthisworldwastheflashofthatboltpistol’smuzzle.

ChapterTwenty

Costellinwoketounexpectedwarmthandsoftness,andforamomenthecouldn’timaginewherehecouldbe.

Hadhebeentakencaptive?Itseemedunlikely,andanyway,thenecronswouldhardlyhaverelievedhimofhispeakedcap,greatcoatandbootsandsethimtorestinacomfortablebed.Hetriedtomove,butfeltasharppaininhisrightsideandthepullofapatchofsynth-skin.Thesensationremindedhimofarecent,harsherpain,butthememorieswerejumbled.Herememberedtheclimbupthemineshaft,straininghimselftohislimit,findinghimselfwanting.Herememberedstaringintotheabyss,beingcaughtfromabovebyapairofglovedhands,hauledupintothelight.

Then,adesperatechase…Hewasinahab,littlebiggerthanhisofficeatthespaceport.Hecouldseethe

gutteringflamesofcandles,shadowsagainstthewall.Rainbeatagainstthewindowshutters.Heliftedhishead,laboriously,tofindtwofigures,elderlywomendressedinrags,dozinginarmchairs.Sittingbesidethebed,watchinghimimpassively,wasaskull-maskedgrenadier.

‘Didwedoit?’heaskedweakly.‘Destroythegeneratorum?’Thegrenadiershookhishead,andCostellingroanedandsankbackintohis

pillows.Unconsciousnesstriedtoreclaimhim,butheresistedit.Herememberedthespiders,withtheirgreeneyes…

‘Howmany?’heasked.‘Howmanyofusmadeit?’‘Twoofus,’saidthegrenadier,andCostellinrealisedthathiseyeshad

closed,thatthesoldier’svoicewascomingtohimasiffromtheendofalongtunnel.‘Youandme,sir.Wearetheonlysurvivors.’

Thesecondtimehewoke,oneoftheoldwomenwasbathinghisbrow.Shehada

round,matronlyfaceandpockmarkedskin.Costellintriedtothankher,buthisthroatwastoodrytospeak.Sheheardhimcroaking,andbroughthimamugofcoldwater.

Theyhadrunthroughthecity,heandhisgrenadiers,separatingintofivesquadsinthehopeofeludingtheirpursuers:skimmer-mountednecrons.TheyhadbeenfasterthantheKriegmen,glidingunhinderedacrossthecloggedskyways,theircannonarmsflaring.Almostfiftygrenadiershadsetoutfromthemineentrance.Lessthanthirtyhadmadeittothegeneratorum,wheretheyhadfoundworsewaitingforthem.

Inhisnightmares,heremembered:Mechanicalspiders,thesizeofsmalltanks,scuttlingoutfromthegeneratorum

building.Likethepursuingnecrons,theyhadfloatedabovetheground,buttheirmovementshadbeenslower,moreponderous.Despitethis,theyhadshruggedoffthegrenadiers’hellgunfireandbeenonthemtoosoon.

ThethirdtimeCostellinwoke,therainhadstoppedandtheshutterswereopenacracktoallowinthedaylight.Hecouldn’tseeanyone,butheheardhushedvoices.‘–takingadreadfulchance,’saidthevoiceofhisround-facednursemaid.‘Theyhaveleftusalonesofar,butiftheylearnweareshelteringtheirenemies–’

‘Youcan’tmean–’Anotherfemalevoice,unfamiliartoCostellin,sopresumablybelongingtothenursemaid’ssharp-featuredfriend.

‘MaytheEmperorstrikemedeadforthinkingit,but–’‘Youheardwhattheoneinthemasksaid.Theyareheretofightthenecrons.’‘Twoofthem,alone?IfIthoughttheyhadaprayer–’‘Doyouthink…?Thepastewehavefoundwon’tlastforever.Doyouthink,if

wepleasethem,theymightfeedus?’

‘Iremember,’saidCostellin.Hewassittingupinbed,sippingfromthemug.‘Thesoldierinfrontofme…Aspiderrippedouthisthroat.Mypistolpunchedagreatholethroughitscarapace.Ithoughtitwouldfall,but…’

‘What are your orders, sir?’ The surviving grenadierwas standing besidehim.

Costellinshookhishead,triedtodispeltheimageofthosemulti-facetedgreeneyesswivellinghisway.Hissideached.‘Idon’tknow,’hesaid.‘It’sevidentthatourmissionhereisdone.Perhapsweshouldjust–’

‘Withrespect,sir,isthatreallythecase?Thenecronsdon’tknowwearealive,elsetheywouldhavefoundusbynow.Itonlytakesonemantomakeitpastthem,withenoughdemolitionchargesto–’

‘You’restillcarryingcharges?’‘Nosir,elseIwouldhavecontinuedtofight.’‘IsupposeIshouldbethankfulyoudidn’t.Yougotmeoutofthere,Iassume?’‘Youwerewounded,delirious.Sir,Irealisetheoddsareagainstus,butifwe

don’tdothis,ifwecan’tdestroythatgeneratorum,thenwhocan?’Hehadapointthere.Certainly,thenecronswouldbereadyforanother

approachthroughtheminetunnels.Evenso,fortwomentoattemptwhatahundredhadalreadyfailedtodo…‘Wecan’tdoanything,’saidCostellin,‘withoutthosecharges.Maybe,ifwecouldretrievethem…’

Thegrenadiershookhishead.‘Itried,sir,beforedawn.IgotasclosetothegeneratorumasIcould,butmostofourcomradesweredestroyedbygaussweaponry.Ifoundonlyafewoftheirbodiesintact,andunfortunately–’

‘Theyweren’ttheoneswiththebombs,’Costellinguessed.‘Ididretrievesomethingofvalue,’saidthegrenadier,andCostellinlookedup

hopefully.ThentheKriegmanproducedasmallwoodenboxfromthefoldsofhischarcoalgreatcoat,andthecommissarknewwhatitmustcontainbeforeitwasopened.‘Now,ourfallencomradeswillalwaysbewithus,’saidthegrenadier,displayingacollectionofbonefragments.‘Theirspiritswillshareinourvictory.’

‘Thewomen,’saidCostellinsuddenly.‘WhenI…ThefirstfewtimesIwokeup,thereweretwowomenhere.’

‘Theytookusin,sir.Theyaretoofrailtofighttheoccupiers,buttheyareresistingintheirownway.Theyhavebeenhidingoutinthisroomsince–’

‘Wherearetheynow?’‘Theywentinsearchoffoodforus.Theysaythenecronsaremostlyignoring

thehumansurvivors,whichtallieswithwhatwe–’Costellinlookedattheshelvesabovethetinystoveinthecorner,sawthem

brimmingwithtubesoffoodpaste.‘Wehavetogetoutofhere,’hesaidurgently.

Theyrandowneightflightsofstairsbeforecomingtoabarricadethattheycouldn’tshift.Costellinneededarestanyway,havingexertedhimselftoosoon.Hesatonastepandstudiedtheplanoftheminetunnelsonhisdata-slate.‘Obviously,’hesaid,‘wecan’tgobacktotheentrancewecameoutof,butthereareseveralmoremarkedonhere,andeachmusthaveitsownstoreofminingcharges.’

‘Canwefindthem?’askedthegrenadier.‘Maybe.Aswe’velearnedtoourcost,thismapishardlyaccurate,andit

certainlyisn’ttoscale.Wemayhavetorelyonthewisdomofthenatives,and

prayofcoursethatthenecronshaveleftsomeofthesebuildingsstanding.’‘Theoldladiesspokeofinformantsamongthecivilianpopulace.’‘I’llbettheydid,’saidCostellin.‘Evenifthatweren’tthecase,wemayhave

agreatdealofgroundtocover.’Hewasalreadysheddinghisgreatcoatandcap.‘IthinkthisisonemissionbestundertakensansthebenefactionoftheImperialaquila.’

Thegrenadierstaredathiminuncomprehendingsilence.‘Theuniform,Guardsman.Yousaidityourself,thenecronsareonthelookout

forsoldiers,butciviliansarebeneaththeirnotice.Ifwewantthefreedomtoroamthiscity,andtoaskquestionsofitspeople,thenwecannotbesoldiersanylonger.’

So,theysearchedarowofhabsforclothes,findinglongcoatstoconcealtheirbodyarmourandweaponsholsters.Costellinswappedhismilitary-issuebootsforapairofshoes,butdidn’tinsistthathisKriegcomradedothesame.Hischainsword,hereluctantlyleftbehindbecauseitcreatedtoodistinctiveabulge,thoughheconcealeditbeneathafloorboardalongsidehiscapinthesmallhopeofreturningforboth.

Thegrenadierkeptasmuchofhisequipmentashecould,tryingatfirsttodonhiscoatoverhisbackpack.Hecrammedhispocketswithfraggrenades,medicalsupplies,hislasgunmaintenancekit,evenhissparebootlacesandpersonalgroomingkit.Hisbulkyhellgunwasaproblem,butasthealternativewastoleavehimdefenceless,theywouldjusthavetohopethatnoonelookedtoocloselyathisrightleg.

Thelastthingstogowerethemaskandtherebreatherunit.Costellinwassurprised,thoughheshouldn’thavebeen,attheyouthoftheface

thusrevealed.OnlythemostexperiencedDeathKorpsGuardsmenwereassignedtogrenadierplatoons,butthisGuardsmancouldn’thavebeenmorethannineteen.Hispalecheekswerestuddedwithacne,hishairlankandgreasyandhispurple-rimmedeyesasdeadasthelensesthat,forthegreaterpartofhislife,hadconcealedthem.

Theywereready,atlast,andtheysteppedoutintothecoldafternoon,CostellinmurmuringashortprayertotheEmperor.Theyheadedforthesecondnearestmineentrance,thenearestbeingtowardsthecitycentreandthustowardsthenecrontomb.Theyconsultedthemapasinfrequentlyastheycould.Best,theythought,toappearasiftheirwanderingswerewithoutpurpose.

Theyencounteredfewpeople,althoughmorethanoncetheyheardskitteringsoundsandsawshadowsflittingawayfromthem.Astheafternoondrewon,and

theirmapreachedthelimitsofitsusefulness,theytooktosearchingahab-block.Theykickedopendoorsuntiltheycorneredafrightened,scraggly-beardedmanwhothreatenedthemwithaknife.Costellincalmedhimdownlongenoughtorequestdirectionsbuthisreplywasincoherent.Furtherdownthesamehallway,apregnantteenagegirlpleadedwiththemtotakeherawayfromhere.Sheconfirmedthattheminewascloseby,ontheskywayabovethisoneormaybetheoneabovethat.

Outside,theysawapatroloffournecrons,toolatetohidefromthem.Theyshrankintoanemporiumdoorwayandthecreaturesmarchedbywithoutaglanceintheirdirection.Costellincouldfeeltheyounggrenadiertensing,reachinginsidehiscoatforhishellgun,andhewarnedhimquietlytostanddown.

Itwassoonafterthisthattheycameuponagrizzledscavenger,toointentuponwrestlingashatteredvidcasterfromtherubbletodetecttheirapproach.Heagreedtohelpthem,foraprice,andCostellinhadtostopthegrenadierfromdrawinghisweaponagain.Inreturnforthecommissar’soldchrono,thescavengerpointedthepairtowardstheirgoal,andadvisedthemthattheywouldhavetodroptenfloorsenroute,circumventingafallenskyway,toreachit.

Healsowarnedthemwhattheywouldfindthere.

Theslave’sworkpartyhadlefthimbehind.Hedidn’tseemtohavenoticed.Hekeptondigging,obediently,mechanically,

despitehavingescapedthesightofhisbaton-wieldingmasters.Thegrenadierseizedhimfrombehind,clampedahandoverhismouthbeforehecouldsomuchassquealandhauledhimintoahab-block,wheretheslavekickedandcursedandthreatenedhistwocaptorswithdeificvengeance.

Atthis,theaffrontedgrenadierwentforhisgunagainand,astherewasnoonetoseethistime,Costellindidn’tstayhishand.Cowed,theslaveansweredtheirquestions,butregainedhisdefianceashespokeofaHighPriest,Amareth,soesteemedbythenecrons–theIronGods,hecalledthem–thattheyhadwelcomedhimintotheirHighTemple.‘Hispriestsdrovebacklastnightwiththegloriousnews,’hesaid.

Costellinwasmoreinterestedintheslaves’shiftpatternsand,althoughhedidn’taskdirectlyforfearofbetrayingthequestion’simportance,inlearningwhenthemineentrancearoundwhichtheylabouredmightbeleftunattended.Oncehehadhisanswer,hemetthegrenadier’senquiringgazewithanod,butadded,‘Makeitquiet.’

Theslaveletoutanangryshriekwhenhesawtheknifeblade,andthe

grenadierhadtostiflehimagain.Hestillmanagedtostruggle,moreviolentlythanCostellinhadthoughtpossiblegivenhisscrawnyframe,andtospitmuffledinsultsandthreatsthathisgodswouldrevengethisassaultupontheirservant.Thegrenadiercuttheslave’sthroat,silencinghimforever.Ashelookeddownatthebody,thegrenadier’slipcurledindisgust;theclosestthingtoanemotionthatCostellinhadyetseenonthatyouthfulface.

Theywaiteduntilsunset,then,forthepealingofbellstosummontheremainingslavesandtheirmasters.Costellinwasgladoftherest,ashissidehadbeguntohurtagain.HisKriegcomrade,however,wasquicktopointouttheirdutytoexecuteeverymember,willingornot,ofthisAmareth’shereticalchurch.‘Anyothertime,’saidthecommissar,‘Iwouldagreewithyou,ofcourse.Today,wehavegreaterconcernsandcannotaffordtobesidetracked.’

Thestoragevaultwassituatedtotherearofthesmeltery,pastarowofmetal-meshcagesthattauntedCostellinwiththefalsepromiseofanescaperoute.Evenifhehadhadatech-priesttogetthoseliftersworking,ifhecouldhavebeensurethatnonecronslurkedbelow,theshaftsappearedtohavebeenblocked.

Thevaultdoorborethemarksofnumerousattemptstopryitopen.Costellin’splasmapistolmelteditslocksinaheartbeat,andintheglowofthegrenadier’slamp-packtheyfoundwhattheyhadcomefor:crateaftercrateofsmall,cylindricalexplosives.Theybegantotakeasmanyastheycouldcarry,butthegrenadierwasconcernedaboutleavingtheremainderforthenecronculttofind.

‘Isuggestwedetonatethem,sir,’hesaid,‘blowthisbuildingskyhigh.’‘Toorisky,’saidCostellin.‘Thesechargeshave,what,asixty-secondfuse?

Wecouldn’tgetfarenoughawaybeforethenecronscamepouringdownonus.’‘Icouldsetaboobytrap,sir,wirethechargestotriggerwhenthisdooris

opened.Thatwouldgiveusfortyminutesormoreuntiltheoverseersreturn,andwiththeEmperor’sgracewemightkillthewholedamnedlotof–’

Costellinsilencedhimwitharaisedhand.‘Doyouhearthat?’Thegrenadierlistenedforamoment,beforenodding.‘Acombustionengine.’‘Avehicle,comingourway.Alargeonefromthesoundsofit.Remember

whatourcaptivesaidabouthispriestsdrivingbackfromsomewhere?Yourideaaboutthetrapisagoodone,Guardsman,butIthinkwecandobetter.Ithinkwecantakeeveryoneofthesechargeswithus.’

Thetrucknuzzleditswaythroughthemineentrance,apairofblazingheadlightsblindingCostellintotheshapeofthechassisbehindthem.Hefeltcertainthoselightswouldfindhim,crouchingbehindathickpipe,buttheyplayedoverhimand

lefthimindarknessagain.Amomentlater,theengineceaseditsgrumbling,thoughitsnoxiousfumesstilltickledthecommissar’sthroatandthreatenedtomakehimcough.

Thankstothelights,hehadn’tbeenabletocountthebodiesinsidethetruck,didn’tknowifanyofthemwerearmed,butnowdoorswereslammingandbootswereringingonplascreteandhehadnochoicebuttoactasplanned.Hesprangfromcovertofindthegrenadierhadbeatenhimtoitbyafootstep,emergingfrombehindtheliftercages.Ahellgunbarked,andaplasmapistoljoinedinthechorusonceCostellinhadtakentimetoensurethathisblastswouldn’thitthetruckitself.Theirtargets,shadowsingreencloaks,fellwithgratifyingease–allbutoneofthem.

Suddenly,thoseheadlightsflaredagain,theenginerevved,andCostellinwasstillblinkingawaystarswhenthetruckcamehowlingtowardshim.Hestoodhisgrounduntilthelastpossiblesecond,steadiedhisaim,loosedoffasingleshotthroughthewindscreen,thendivedasthetrucknose-buttedasmeltingtankbehindhim.

Thegrenadierreacheditfirst,yankedthesmoulderingcorpseofthedriverfromhiscabanddiscardedhimlikeasackofrubbish.Thetruck’sfrontendwasmangled,ventingsteam,butitsenginewasstillrunning,albeitthroatily.‘Doyouknowhowtooperatethismachine?’askedthegrenadier.

‘I’veseenitdonemanytimes,’saidCostellin.‘Imightneedafewminutestofamiliarisemyselfwiththecontrolrunes,though.’

‘I’llloaduptheminingcharges.’Intheevent,ittookCostellinalmostfifteenminutestopullthetruckfreefrom

thetangledembraceoftheprotestingtank.Hewasstilltryingtoorientittowardstheexit,tomasterthepedalsbeneathitscontrolwheel,whenthegrenadier,nowoccupyingthepassengerseattohisleft,gruntedawarning.Costellinducked,andalas-beamsizzledoverhisheadtoblastacircularholethroughthepartitionbehindhim.

Theserviceatthetemplemusthaveended,becauseasmallgroupofpriestswassuddenlyframedagainstthenightskyahead.Twomorelas-beamsstabbedintothetruckthroughthemeltedwindscreen,andoneofthemslicedthroughCostellin’srightsleeveandleftapainfulburnonhisshoulder.Hewasmoreconcernedwiththebeamthathadmissedhim:oneaccidentalstriketoasinglechargebehindthatpartition,andtheywouldallbeblastedintoverysmallpieces.

Heletthegrenadierprovidetheansweringfire,whileheconcentratedongettingthemoutofthere.Fortunately,onlytwopriestswerearmedandone

quicklyfell,whiletheotherdroppedhisgunandfledasCostellinstampeddownhardonapedalandthetrucksurgedforwards,breakingathirdpriest’sbodyoveritsbonnet.

Theywereoutside,then,fittingandstartingalongtheskyway,andCostellinwaswrenchingthecontrolwheelbackandforthtoavoidtheworstofthedebris.Inhismirror,hesawapriestracingupbehindthem,flinginghimselfontothetruck’srearaxle,butthecommissar’serraticdrivingshookhimloosewithouthisevenhavingtotry,andthegrenadier’shellgunensuredhestayeddownforgood.

Theyhadcheckedanddouble-checkedthemap,andtheannotationsCostellinhadmadetoit,untiltherewasnoroomfordoubt.Fourteenblocks,straightalongthisskyway.‘Ishouldbetheonetodoit,’saidthegrenadier.‘Itwouldbewastefulforbothofustodie,andyoursisthemorevaluablelife.’

‘Youdon’tknowhowtocontrolthistruck,’saidCostellin.‘Youcanteachme,sir.Onceyouhavesummonedtheengine’sspiritsagain,I

needonlyknowwhichpedaltopressdownon.’‘Thewaywillbeguarded,ofcourse.Ourtargetmaybesixfloorsaboveus,

butthenecronswouldbefoolishnottohaveanticipatedanattackfrombelow.’‘Thisistheonlyway,sir.Wecan’tfightourwaythroughthem,butperhaps…’‘Perhapsasinglevehicle,movingatspeed…Ifthenecronsaren’texpecting

us,iftheyhavebeendepletedenoughbythebattletothewest…’‘Theimpactshouldsetofftheminingcharges,butIwillkeeponebesidemein

caseofneed.Ifthetoweriscollapseddownhere,thenthegeneratorumwillfallwithit.’

‘MaytheEmperorbewithyou,Guardsman,’saidCostellin.Heturnedand,inadvertently,didsomethinghehadn’tdoneinalmostthirtyyears.Hemadeeyecontactwithasoldierunderhiscommand,asoldierabouttodie.

Thegrenadiermusthaveseenthelookinhiseyeand,remarkably,understoodit,becauseheproducedhisossuaryboxagain.‘Ihavemycomradeswithme,’hesaid,‘andIwillbegrantedamorenobledeaththanthiswretchedsouldeserves.’

‘Yoursacrificewillnotbeforgotten,’saidCostellinquietly,andforonceheknewhewasspeakingthetruth.Somethingtuggedatthecornersofthegrenadier’smouth,andthecommissarthoughthemighthavebeentryingtosmile.

Hedidn’tlookbackasthetruckspedawayfromhim.Hecouldn’tbeartowatch.Heplungedhishandsintothepocketsofhisborrowedcoatandlimpedintheoppositedirection,favouringhisinjuredrightside.Heheardthetearing-clothsoundsofgaussgunsandheheldhisbreath.Hewaitedfortheexplosion,worried

atfirstthatitmightcometoosoon,thenthatitmightnotcomeatall.Whenitdidcome,itshooktheskywaybeneathhisfeet,showeredhimwithdebrisevenatthisdistance,butCostellinkeptwalking.Hethoughtaboutthesoldier’seyes,andheprayedthatthetruckhadfounditstargetifonlyso,inthefinalmomentsofhislife,thatyoungmanmightatleasthavehadsomemeasureoffulfilment.

Hetrudgedon,orientinghimselfbythepositionofthecloudedmoon.Heknewthat,eventually,hewouldcomewithinrangeoftheregimentalvox-netandbeabletorequestapickupfromaPDFflyer.Then,oncehewasoutofthisdamnedcity,heintendedtomakeafewchangesinhislife.

Hespentmuchofthatnightthinkingbacktoearlier,happierpostings,postingsinwhichhehadfelthewasmakingadifference.Itseemedalongtimesincehehadfeltthatway.Costellinwasoldandtired,andweariedbythecompromiseshehadmade,theblindeyeshehadturned.HewassurethatColonel186wouldn’tmisshim,anymorethanwouldthegeneralsabovehim.Theywouldmorelikelyquestion,ashequestionednow,theverypointofhispresenceamongthem.

Hehadmadeuphismind.Assoonashewasbackatthespaceport,hewouldvoxtheDepartmentoMunitorum.Hewouldputinforatransfer.

ChapterTwenty-One

Thepassagewaywascold,almostpainfullyso.Itswallswerefashionedfromblackstone,liketheoutsideofthepyramid,andtheairwassuffusedwithafamiliarputridgreenglow,whichprovidedtheonlyillumination.

Arex’shandswerestillcuffedbehindherback,andhershouldersached.Shestumbled,fellagainstthecoldstone,andallowedherselftoslidetothefloor.‘Ican’tgoon,’shewhimpered.‘Ijust…There’snohope,Tylar,noneatall.’

‘Ifeelittoo,’saidTylar,‘likeaphysicalsenseofdespair,butwehaveto–’‘Wedon’t…Eversincethatdoorslidshutbehindus,wedon’tevenknowthe

way.’‘We’realmostoutofhere,I’msureofit.And,Arex,wehaven’tseenanIron

Godin…Idon’tknowhowlongit’sbeen,butmaybethey’resleeping.Ormaybethey’vefoundsomethingotherthanthetwoofustoconcernthemselveswith.’

‘Ijustwanttostayhere,Tylar.Ijustwanttocurlupintoaballand–’‘Iknow,’saidTylar,‘butIthink…Ithinkwe’vewastedenoughtimehiding.

TheEmperorhasgivenusthischance,andwemusttakeit.’HewaitedforArextofindherfaith,tomaketheonlychoiceshecould.When

shedrewinadeepbreath,grittedherteethandmadetostand,usingthewallbehindherforleverage,hesmiled,andthesmilestrengthenedher.‘Iwouldoffertohelp,’hesaid,‘but…’Herattledhisowncuffsruefully.

Heledheronward,thoughshewasdeterredoncemorebyadeep,throbbingsoundemanatingfromsomewhereaheadofthem.Theyfoundthemselvesatthethresholdofacavernouschamber,filledwithominous,darkmachinerywithgreenlightstreamingfromitscontrolsurfaces.Arexfelttheurgetoturnandflee,butfoughtitthistime.ShelookedatTylarimploringly,andreadtheworstinhisdismalexpression.

‘Justalittlefurther,’hewhispered.‘Just…justthroughthisroom.’

Theythreadedtheirwaybetweenthemachines,Arexstrainingtoholdherselfin,nottobrushagainstthemforfearofwhatmighthappenifshetouchedthem.‘What…whatdoyousupposethey’refor?’shewhispered.

‘Idon’tknow,’saidTylar.‘Idon’tdarethinkaboutit.Ifeelthat,ifwecouldevenbegintounderstandthesecontraptions,theknowledgewoulddriveusinsane.’

Atleast,Arextoldherself,theyhadplentyofcoverinhere.Theywerefarlesslikelytobeseenthantheyhadbeeninthepassagewaysoutside.Evenassheformedthatthought,however,shestartedatasoundaboveher.Thechamberhadnoroofthatshecouldsee,itsblackwallsreachingintoinfinitedarkness.Shecouldmakeoutnothingupthere,butshewassuretherewassomething.Somethingwatchingher.

Then,anIronGodcrossedtheirpath.Itwasgonebeforetheycoulddoanythingmorethanfreeze,almostsuddenly

enoughforArextobelieveshemighthavebeenseeingthingsexceptthatTylarhadplainlyseenittoo.Theywaitedforminutesinthegloom,strainingforasoundoffootstepsabovethepervadingmechanicalhumandtheraspingoftheirownbreaths.ThenTylarwhisperedtoArextostayback,hewasgoingaheadtocheckthewaywasclear.Sheshrankbetweentwohulkingconsoles,stillcarefulnottotoucheither,andshepeeredoutafterhimashecreptforward.

ThesecondIronGodsteppedout,assilentlyasthefirsthaddone,betweenthem.Tylarhadhisbacktoit,hadn’tseenityet,butithadseenhim.Asitbroughtupitsgun,Arexshriekedhisnameinwarning,andheduckedbeneaththeemeraldblast.

TheIronGodswungaround,facingArexnow,andshewormedherselfdeeperintoherboltholeandsqueezedoutintoagangwaybehind.

Sheran,notcaringnowifshebrushedthemachines,thinkingonlyofthehorrorbehindher,ofwhatitwoulddoifitcaughther.Sheranuntilshenolongerknewwhichwayshewasgoing,couldn’ttellifshewasrunningawayfromthecadaverouscreatureortowardsit,thenshestoppedandshelookedforahidingplace.Shefoundone,beneathamushroom-shapedconsolealightwithxenosrunes.Barelyhadshesecretedherselfbeneaththiswhensheheardsomething.Notfootsteps,though.Thiswasthesoundfrombefore:ascuttling,scrabblingsound,andashadowwascastonthewall,ofagiganticspiderperchingontheconsoleaboveherhead.

Arexheldherbreath,andforamomentthespiderwasstillandsilenttoo,asiflisteningforherinturn.Thenitjerkedintomotion,andsheheardthethunkofa

leverbeingpushedintoplace.Thenthespiderwasscuttlingaway,acrossthetopsoftheinfernalmachines,andArexbreathedoutwithatearfulshudder.

Sheleveredherselftoherfeetagain,withherboundhands,thestrugglemorefraughtthistimebecauseifanIronGodhadappearednowshewouldhavebeenhelplessbeforeit,floundering.Shedidn’tknowwhereTylarwas,didn’tknowhowtofindhimagainorevenifhewasstillalive,althoughshehadheardnogunfire.

Ashort,verticalstreamofgreenenergyflowedbetweenapairofjuttingprongs,andArexsawachancetoridherselfofhercuffs.Shebackeduptothestream,buthadsecondthoughtsasshefeltherfleshtinglingwithitsmereproximity.Onemillimetreoutofplace,andshewasliabletostripherwristsdowntotheirbones.ShethoughtaboutTylar,andtooktheriskanyway.Arex’shandsparted,andsheslappedherarmstorestoresomecirculationtothem.

Shesensedratherthanheardsomethingstealingupbehindher.Shewhirledaround,butstumbledintheprocess,herflailingelbowjustmissingthedeadlyenergy.

Tylarwasthere,horrifiedbywhathehadalmostmadeherdo.Recoveringherbalanceandhercomposure,Arexsuggestedhefreehimselfasshehaddone,butTylarshookhishead.‘Eitherofthosethingscouldreturnatanymoment,’hewhispered.Helookedhaggard,sickly,butArexcouldn’ttellifitjustwasthegreenlightonhisskinthatmadehimappearthatway.

Theyabandonedtheideaofstealth,toskirtthechamberatahalf-run,theirfootstepsechoingaroundthem.Arex’seyeskeptdriftingupwards,searchingformorespidersaboveher.Atonepoint,shethoughtshedetectedaglimmerofcompoundeyes,butbythetimeshehadpointedthisouttoTylar,ithadbeenextinguished.

Theyemergedintoanotherblack-stonepassageandsawtheentrancewayatlast,greydaylightspillinginthroughit.Arexhadexpectednight,andnowshecouldn’ttellifshehadbeeninthepyramidformorehoursorfewerthanshehadimagined.Itsgreenglowhadscrambledhersenseoftime.

Shecouldalsoheargunfire,andsheheldTylarbackuntilhecouldhearittoo.‘TheImperium?’heaskedhopefully,butArexshookherhead.Shecouldhearonlyonetypeofgun.Whateverwashappeningoutthere,sheopined,thelastthingtheywantedtodowastostepoutintothemiddleofit.

‘I’lltakethatchance,’gruntedTylar,‘togetoutofthisEmperor-forsakencrypt!’

Theywaited,allthesame,untilthesoundsfromwithouthadrecededsomewhat.ThenTylarinsistedonapproachingtheentrancewayfirst,signallingtoArexwhenitwassafeforhertojoinhim,andshedidn’targuewithhim.

Theyslippedoutofthepyramid,Arex’sheartpoundingastheycrossedawideopenspaceanddroppedbehindamoundofrubble.Whenlastshehadbeenhere,whenAmarethhadbroughthertohisimaginedmastersandpaidthepriceforit,thisareahadbeenteemingwithactivity.Now,theIronGodsandtheirslavesweregone,shovelsleftabandonedandhalf-filledbarrowsupturned.

Theycreptfromonerubbleheaptothenext,andinsodoingdisturbedtwofilthy,hunchedfiguresthatmayhavebeenmutants.Thepairbolted,andimmediatelyanIronGodappearedfromnowhere.Itsweaponflaredgreenand,likeAmarethandhispriestsbeforethem,thehaplessfiguresweredestroyedinaneyeblink.Arexhopedtheyhadbeenmutants,becausenomandeservedtodieinsuchpain.

SheandTylarwatchedinfrozenhorror,waitingfortheIronGodtoturntheirway.Itcouldn’thavemissedthemifithad.Fortunately,itkeptwalking,asifthemurdersithadjustcommittedhadbeennomorethanapassingdistractiontoit.Amomentlater,theyheardthetearing-clothsoundofitsgunagain,andasimilarretortfromtheoppositedirection.‘We’resurrounded,’Arexwhispered.

Tylarshookhishead.‘Ithinkthey’respreadingoutwardsfromthepyramid.Ifwestaybehindthem…’Henevergotthechancetocompletethethought.

Asmall,wiryshapecannonedintoTylarfrombehind.Agreen-robedpriest.Arexthoughtsherecognisedhisprotrudingbrowandmisshapennose;hehadbeenoneofAmareth’sill-fatedentourage,evidentlyoneofthehandfulofsurvivors.

Impededbyhiscuffedwrists,Tylarwasknockeddown,andthepriestleaptuponhim.‘Youhavecausedthis,’hescreeched.‘YouhavebroughtthewrathoftheIronGodsdownuponus.Ihavethem,masters.Doyousee?Ihavecapturedyourenemiesforyou.Ihaveservedyouwell,havemercyuponme!’

Inpanic,Arexlookedforthequickestwaytosilencehim.Shefoundit:ahunkofplascrete,whichsheheftedtohershouldersandbroughtdowntwo-handed,splittingthelunatic’sheadwideopen.Hewasbleeding,reeling,butnotfelled,andhisscreamshadattractedmoreunwelcomeattention.AnIronGodappearedfrombetweentworubbleheaps,anditsgunwastraineduponArex.Thepriestteeteredtowardsit,onehandtohiscuthead,theotheroutstretchedinimploration.‘M-master…’hemoaned.

TheIronGodsqueezeditstrigger.Atthesametime,Tylarkickedoutfromthe

ground.Hisfootstruckthepriestbehindhisknees,andpropelledhim,flailing,intothepathoftheemeralddischarge.Hisscreamofagonywascutshortashewasflayedtodeath.ArexhauledTylartohisfeetandtheyranfortheirlives,evenasasecondshotcrackledbetweenthem.

Theykeptonrunning,untiltheycamewithinsightofthenearesttowersofthecity.Thentheyfalteredtoanumbedhalt,unabletobelievewhattheywereseeing.

Therewerecreaturesintheair,skeletalandmetallicliketheIronGodsbutofdifferentshapesandsizes,amenagerieofhorrors.Theywerecircling,swoopingontoskywaysandthroughwindows,lightingtheskywiththegreenoftheirweapons,and,althoughArexandTylarcouldn’tseethemonsters’victimsfromthisdistance,theycouldcertainlyheartheirscreams.

‘They’rehuntingpeopledown,’stammeredArex.‘They’re…Whatifhewasright?Thatpriest,Imean,whenhesaid…Theywereleavingusalone,Tylar.Theywereleavingusalone,untilwe…Whatifthisisallourfault?Whatifwe–?’

Tylarshookhisheadfirmly.‘Itwasalwaysgoingtoendthisway,’hesaid.‘Amarethandhisfollowersweremadtobelieveotherwise.TheIronGodsaren’tinterestedinus,theydon’tcarewhatwedo,andtheyneversaidotherwise.Theywerenevergoingtosharetheirworldwithus.’

‘Butwhynow?Whychoosenowto…toslaughtertheirownfollowers?’‘Idon’tknow,’saidTylar,‘andasfarasthecultistsandthemutantsare

concerned,Idon’tmuchcare.Betterthemthanus,that’sallIcansay.’‘Whatdowedonow?’askedArex.‘Wecan’tgoforwardinto…that.’‘Wecan’tgobackeither,’saidTylar.HecaughtArex’sgaze,andshesawsomethinginhiseyesthatshehadn’tseen

before.Shehadbeenrelyingonhimtokeephergoing,togiveherhope–butnow,forthefirsttime,shesawthathisownhopehadgone.Tylarwasasterrifiedasshewas.

Therewerecreaturescirclingoverhead.Shrinkingintoadoorway,huddlingonitsstep,ArexandTylarwatchedtheiremaciatedshadowsflittingacrosstheground,asArexstruggledtobreakTylar’scuffsopenwithajaggedrock.

Theyhadagreedtogetasfarawayfromthepyramidastheycould.Thatwastheirgoal.Sofar,thishadmeantremainingatgroundlevelratherthanclimbingthetowers,butthatwasokaywithArexbecause,frankly,onefloorfeltassafeasanyothertohernow.Theyhadencounterednomoremutantsanyway,hearingonlytheoccasionalwailfromanearbyhab-blockasonewashunteddownandslain.

TheyhadstuckwithTylar’splan,advancingslowlybehindtheIronGods’line

asthisexpandedoutwardsacrossthecity.Arexwastryingnottothinkaboutwhatwouldhappenoncethecreatureshaddonetheirworstanddecidedtoturnback.

‘Thismustbemyuncle’sdoing,’saidArex.‘Hehastriggeredthis.’Tylarlookedatherquizzically.‘Whatelsecoulditbe?’shesaid.‘Hemusthave…WhentheIronGodsgave

himtheirultimatum,ourlivesforthecity,hemusthave–’‘Theygavehimnoultimatum,’saidTylar.‘Amareth,perhaps,mayhaveplayed

thosegames,thoughttotakehostages,butthesecreatures–’‘Allthesame,’saidArex,‘UncleHanrikknewIwashere,trappedinhere,

andyetstill…Buthedidtherightthing.Iknowhedidtherightthing,and…andwhatifhe’swinning,Tylar?Whatifthat’swhy...?IaskedwhytheIronGodsaredoingthisnow,killingpeoplenowwhentheyhavebeencontenttoignoreusbefore,andperhaps…perhapsitisbecausetheyarelosingthewar.Perhapsthey–’

‘Itcouldmeanthereverse,’saidTylar.‘ItcouldmeantheyhavedefeatedtheImperialforces,andarescouringHieronymousThetaofitsfinalremnantsofhumanlife.Wekeeponrunning,Arex.Forweeks,wehavebeenrunning–butwhatifthereisnowherelefttorunto?Whatifitwouldbebetterforustoacceptourfates?’

‘Whatdidyousee?’askedArexquietly.‘Nothing,’saidTylar.‘Idon’tknowwhatyou–’‘Therewassomething,’saidArex.‘Youwerealwaysso…You’vebeen

different,Tylar,sinceIlostyouintheIronGods’temple,inthatroomofmachines.’

‘Ithinkthoseflyingthingshavegonenow,’saidTylarleadenly.‘Weshouldmoveon.Andweshouldstartclimbingsoon.We’vegainedenoughdistanceonthepyramid.We’dbesafer,lesslikelytobeseen,indoorsnow.WiththeEmperor’sgrace,itjustmightbeenoughtosaveus.Itjustmight.’

Arexagreed,andtheywentontheirway,butTylar’soptimisticwordshadbeenalieandtheybothknewit.

Theyhadbeenwalkingforhours,buthadmadelittleprogress.Theyhadspenttoomuchtimehidingfromshadows,hadclimbedonlythirtyorfortyfloors.Arexwasexhausted,morewiththetensionofherplightthanwiththephysicalstrainofit.

Thentheyheardunholyscreamingfromabovethem,abruptlycurtailed,andtheycoweredinthedreadfulsilencethatfollowed,untilTylarpluckedupthecouragetoclimbtothenextfloor,toemergeintoahab-blockhallway,Arexathis

shoulder.Thewallswerewetwithblood.Lumpsofbloodyredmeatwerestrewn

acrossthehallway’sfloor.Arex’shandflewtohermouthinrevulsion,assherealisedthatthesewerehumancorpses.Beforethemlaytheremainsoftwowomenandthreechildren.Theyhadbeenskinned,dismembered,inonecasedecapitated.

Sheturnedawayfromthemand,asshedidso,shecaughtaflickerofmovementontheedgeofhervisionandsheshrieked.‘Therewassomethingthereinthatcorner,’sheinsistedtotheconcernedTylar,pointingunsteadily.‘Somethingthatjust…Itpassedthroughthatwalllikeaspirit!’Hecalmedherdown,pointingoutthatifindeedtherehadbeensomething,evidentlyithadn’tnoticedthem,andanyway,wasn’titmorelikelythatArex’swearinessandhungerhadinducedafleetinghallucination?

Theyagreed,inanycase,thattheydidn’twanttostayhere,thisinspiteofthelogicalbutunvoicedargumentthattheIronGodshadsearchedthisplaceandwereunlikelytoreturntoit.Theyresumedtheirclimb,butevenmoreslowlynowastheystoppedoneveryfloortosearchthenearbyroomsforfoodanddrink.

Unfortunately,mostofthehabsinthistowerhadbeenpickedclean.Mostofthemhadalsobeenturnedover,andsomeofthembombedorburntout.Arexgrewtiredofpickingherwaythroughdust,ashandsoot,andintheendheronlyrewardforitwasanear-emptytubeoffoodpastefromwhichsheandTylarwereabletosqueezeoutafewtastelessglobs.Arexfeltsickanyway,andsocouldn’thaveeatenmuch.

Afewroomsoverfromthere,theyfoundaserviceablebed,theonlyoff-puttingdetailbeingthatitsformerowners,ayoungcouple,werehangingbytheirnecksfromapairofropesalongsideit.Incontrasttothemutilatedcorpsesafewfloorsbelow,theylookedpeaceful,almostcontent.Theyhadn’tbeendeadlong,becausetheirfleshhadn’thadtimetorotyet.Tylarcutthemdownandrolledthemoutintothehallway,whileArexkickedoffhershoesandsnuggleddownbeneathafilthyblanket.

Tylarsatonthebedbesideher,buthewasshivering,soshefoldedtheblanketaroundhimtoo.Itwasquietinhere,andalthoughtheybothfelttheyhadfurthertogo,neitherofthemwasinanyhurrytoresumetheirfraughtjourney.

Arexlongedforsleep,butherbrainwastoofull,soshelayandstaredsightlesslyattheceilingasthesilencebetweenthemlengthenedanddeepened.

ThenTylartookadeepbreathtosteelhimselfand,avoidinghereyes,hefinallyansweredherquestion.

‘Yousavedmylife,’hesaid.‘Inthemachineroom.Whenyoushoutedthatwarning.Isawthecreaturegoingafteryou,andItriedtofollow.Ilistenedoutforyourfootsteps.Theysoundeddifferentfromthecreature’s.IronGodsdon’trun.Theyhavenoneedto.Ilostyounearthewall.Iguessed,Iprayed,youhadhidden,butIcouldn’tcallouttoyouwithoutthemhearing.Ifollowedthewallaround,prayingyouwouldseeme.AndIcametoadoorway.’

Hefalteredthen,swallowed,andcontinuedinasomewhatsmallervoice.‘Therewasanotherchamberthroughthere,evenlargerthanthemachineroom.Theywereinthere,Arex,scoresofcreatures,IronGods.Theyhadtheirbackstome,watchingsomemannerofconstruct:pylons,curvedpylons,likeclaws,holding…Idon’tknowhowtodescribeit.Likeaballofflame,greenflame.No,notaball,adisc,anuprightdisc,perfectlyflat,andthen…Steppingoutoftheflame,theycame,marchinginfourbyfour,untiltheyalmostfilledthatgreatchamber.’

‘Moreofthem?’Arexbreathed.‘Butwherecouldtheyhave–?’‘Idon’tknow,’saidTylar.‘Idon’tknowwheretheycamefrom.Ionlyknow

that…Doyouseenow?DoyouunderstandwhyI–?’‘Theydon’tknowwhatthey’refacing,theImperialforces.IftheIronGods

havethepowerto…Iftheycanbringinreinforcementslikethat–’‘Aninfinitenumberofthem,’saidTylar.‘Ifwecouldonlysendmyuncleawarning...’‘Butwecan’tleavethecity,weknowthat,andeverydaymoremortarsfall.

Everyday,thecitywillshrinkfurther,drivingusback,backtowardsthehorrorsatitsheart.Youwereright,Arex,inthepyramid.Weshouldhavestayedput.Allthateffort,theriskswetook,andwe’renosaferoutherethanwewereinthere.’

Shecouldbeartohearnomore,soshehuggedhimtightly.Hesurrenderedtoherarms,andforthefirsttimeArexfeltthat,insteadofherdrawingfromhisstrength,theyweredrawingoneachother’s,sharingalltheyhad.Shepulledhimgentlydownuntilhisheadrestedonthepillowbesidehers,andforamomenteverythingwasallright,shewaswarmandprotected.

ThenanimageofGuntharcameintohermind,unbidden,andshepulledawayfromTylar,feelingguilty.‘It’sokay,’hesaidsoftly.‘Really,it’sokay.’

‘Ididn’tmeanto…’shesaid.‘Ihadn’tthoughtabouthiminsolong.Ihadn’tdaredto,becauseIknew…IknowIshan’teverseeGunthar–hisnamewasGunthar–again.IwishIknewifhehadescapedfromthecity,orif…That’stheworstpartofit,Ibelieve,thenotknowing.’

‘Hewasaluckyman,’saidTylar,andArexallowedherselftorelaxintotheir

embraceagain.Itwasn’tthatshelovedhim,atleastshedidn’tthinkshedid.Rightnow,however,sheneededsomeone,neededhim,andheneededhertoo,andwhat,shethought,couldbewrongwiththat?Whatwaswrongwiththeirfinding,inthemidstofallthismadness,acrumbofsimplehumancomfort,andintakingit?

Whatwaswronginherholdinghimandbeingheldbyhim,intheirbodiesmeltingintoeachotherforthisonelonelynight?

ChapterTwenty-Two

Theordershadcomedownthatmorning.ThebombardmentofHieronymousCitywastoceaseforthwith.Notthatthere

wasmuchlefttobombard.Thecitywasafractionofitsformersize,reducedtofewerthanfourhundredforlorntowersstandinginanexpansivefieldofdebris.GuntharSoresonhadlongsincestoppedthinkingofitashisformerhome.Itwashardtobelievethatoncethecityhadbeenalive,vital,aproudsymbolofeverythinggoodabouttheImperium.Itwasanemptyshellnow.Worse,itwasrotten,decayedfromwithin,acanceruponthisworldthatneededtobeexcised.

Itwouldbe,soon.IthadbeenalmostthreeweekssinceGuntharhadseencombat.He

rememberedthemoment,almostunreal,whenthenecronforcehadvanishedbeforehiseyes.Ithadtakenhimaminutetoadjust,tounderstandwhathadhappened;tobesurethemonstersweren’tcomingback.Ithadtakenhimlongertoacceptthatavictoryhadbeenwon,andhehadlivedtoseeit.Hehadfeltoddlybereft,lackinginpurpose.But,ofcourse,onebattle,nomatterhowgrand,didnotawarmake,andtherewasmuchmoreyettobedone.

Tendaysago,abandofmutantshadtriedtoblasttheirwayoutofthecity,havingsomehowmanagedtolaytheirhandsonapileofdemolitioncharges.Ahandfulofthemhadhadlasguns,andthesewerethefirstshotdownbythewaitingPDFtroopersandGuardsmen.Guntharhadkilledonehimself,almostsurprisedwhenthevilecreaturehadsuccumbedtoasinglehellgunbeam.

Theremainingmutants,unarmed,wereconsideredawasteoflas-power,andaDeathKorpsplatoonhadallbutfinishedthemoffwithabayonetcharge.Onehadcomescreeching,wailing,towardsGunthar,tobemetbyhisgunbutt.Itsyellowparchmentskinandstartlingpinkeyeshadremindedhimofsomethinghehadseenalongtimeago.Thecreaturewassowarpedandtwistedthathecouldn’ttellifhe

hadstruckitinthechinortheelbow,buteitherwayitfell,withasatisfyingcrunchofbone,andGunthardrovehisbayonetthroughwhathejudgedtobeitsthroat.

Afternecrons,meremutantswerehardlyathreattohim.Theyhaddumpedthebodiesinaminetunnel,tobeburiedundertonnesof

debris.TheyhadbeenfillinginthetunnelseversinceCommissarCostellinhadusedthemtoinfiltratethecity.Theydidn’twantthenecronsusingthesametrickinreverse.Afewbodies,however,hadbornenovisiblesignsofmutation,andhadbeencladindarkgreencloakstoboot.AGuardsmanhadpointedtonecronsigilsscrawledinashacrossonedeadman’sface,andhadcommentedonthedepravitiestowhichsomepeoplecouldsink,especiallythosewhohadbeenbroughtupnobetter.

Guntharhadagreedwithhim,andfeltshameforthelifehehadoncelived.Officially,hestillservedwiththePlanetaryDefenceForce.Hiscommanding

officerwasColonelBraun.Hehadninesquad-mates,noneofwhosenamesheknew,noneofwhomhadfoughtthenecronsathisside.Increasingly,however,hisorderscamefromaKriegwatchmasterorlieutenant.GuntharworkedalongsidetheKriegGuardsmen,ateanddrankalongsidethem.Moreoftenthannot,healsosleptalongsidethem,eschewinghisspaceportbunkforabedrollinanabandonedsiegeemplacement.

Hespokefewwordstothem,northeytohim,whichsuitedhimwell.Mostofthetime,hehadnothingtosay.Hehadbeeninterrogatedonce,byagroupofKriegmenwhohadheardabouthisdealingswiththedisgracedHanrik.Hebelievedhehadconvincedthemthathedidn’tsharethelateGovernor-General’shereticalviews.Moreover,theyhadseemedimpressedbythepartGuntharhadplayedinCostellin’striumphantsabotagemission.Certainly,sincethen,theyhadtreatedhimasacomrade,nothingmoreorless.

Inthenewsreels,greatwarshadbeenwonwithindays,ifnothours.Threeweeksago,Guntharhadhalf-expectedtheImperialforcestorecovertheirbreaththenchasethenecronsbacktotheirblackpyramid.Instead,theyhadresumedthedailygrindofploughingafewhundredmetresintotheoccupiedcityeachday.TheyhadwaitedforGuardsmentorecoverfromtheirinjuriesandreturntothefront,forvehicleandequipmentrepairsandfornewPDFplatoonstoberaisedanddeployed.Thedelaywasfrustrating,becauseitgavethenecronstimetorecovertheirstrengthtoo,butGuntharacceptedthenecessityofit.

Inthepastfewdays,however,hehadwitnessedamarkedincreaseinthenumberofsoldiersaroundhim.Hehadfelt,evenbeforethismorning’snew

orderswerereadout,thatthewaitingwascomingtoanendatlast.Theywerealmostready.

Theafternoonbroughtafurtherdistraction.Gunthar’ssquadwasoneofeightmarchedtoTheloniusCityinthecompanyof

threeCentaursupportvehicles.Aslifterplatformscrankedthemuptothe110thfloor,theypassedwell-litbarsandeateries,clubsandcasinos,anditfeltasifhewasviewinganalienlandscape.Hehadalwaysbelievedthat,bydoinghisjob,supportingtheminingoperation,hewaspayinghisduestotheEmperor.Heunderstoodnowthathecould,heshould,havebeendoingsomuchmore.

Thetruthofitwasthat,beforethenecrons,hehadfelttoosafe.Thefurthertheymovedintothecity,themoreevidentwereitsscars.Windows

wereboardedup,emporiumsburntoutorlooted.Theskywayswerestrewnwithrefuse,andmorethanonewhiteautocabhadbeenupendedandtorched.Mostshamingofallwerethepro-necronslogansgraffitiedonthewalls.HadGuntharknownnobetter,hecouldhavemistakenthisforalowerfloor,somewhereinthemid-twentiesatmost,andattributedthevandalismtotheusualmutantsuspects.

Heheardtheriotersbeforehesawthem,theirvoicesunitedinanoutpouringoffury.Theproctorscameintoviewfirst.Therewerefourlinesofthem,rangedacrosstheskyway,theirshieldsraisedbutstaggeringbeneathanonslaughtofpurechaos.AtthesightoftheImperialconvoy,theypartedgratefully,andthefirstoftherioterscamefloodingthroughthegap.Whentheysawwhatwaswaitingbeyondit,manyofthemfaltered,triedtoturnback,butfoundtheproctorsmovingtosurroundthem.

Othersweremoregame,orjustoutoftheirminds,andahailofhalf-bricksandpetroleumbombscameGunthar’swaybutshattereduselesslyagainstarmourplatingandflakhelmets.AKriegGuardsman,sittingupintheturretoftheleadingCentaur,squeezedofftenroundsfromhisheavystubberovertherioters’heads,demandingtheirattention.Somedidn’theedthewarning,orperhapsdidn’tthinkitwasserious,andtheysquareduptotheoncomingjuggernaut.Afewhurledthemselvesatit,triedtoclimbitssponsons,buttheywerequicklyseizedbytroopers,wrenchedfromtheirprecariousperchesanddashedtotheground.

OnefellundertheCentaur’stracksandwascrushedtodeath,butGuntharfeltnosympathyforhim.Hecouldalmosthaveforgiventhesepeopletheirpreviousignorance,buttohavelearnedofthenecronsandreactedthisway?Manyofthemweremaleandofdraftage.Theycouldhavebeenfighting.Instead,theirselfishconcernfortheirownliveswasimpedingthewareffort,anaffronttotheEmperor

andathreattoeverythingHehadbuilt.Agoodnumberofthemflewbanners,proclaimingsupportfortheirerstwhileGovernorandoppositiontotheKrieg‘invaders’oftheirworld.Hedidn’trememberHanrikbeingsopopularinlife.

Thetumulthadsubsidedalittle,angryvoicesstruckdumbbyaweanddoubt.ThisgaveaPDFsergeantwithaloudhailerachancetobeheard,whichheusedtoorderallcitizensofftheskyways.ThePDFwereleadingthisoperation,asingleDeathKorpssquadalongtomantheCentaurs:afamiliarpattern.Itwasfelt,Guntharhadheard,thatthepeopleofHieronymousThetaweremorelikelytorespondtotheirownkind,thatthepresenceofaliensoldiersintheirhomeswouldbeafurtherincitementtothem.Personally,hewouldhavesentinthedeathriderstomowdownanyoneintheirway,haditnotbeenfortheneedtoconserveammunition.

Guntharandhiscomradesmovedintothecrowd,displayingtheirgunsalthoughtheydidn’twanttohavetousethem,twoCentaurslurkinginthreatbehindthem.AscrawnyyoungmanattackedthetroopertoGunthar’sright,triedtowresthislasgunawayfromhimbutfoundhimselfimpaledonitsbayonetinstead.Theywerebeginningtogettheirmessageacross,andalotofmakeshiftweaponshadbeendropped,alotoftremblinghandsraised.Dispersalwasaslowprocess,however,witheveryonepennedinastheywere.Suddenly,therewasanupsurgeofactivityaheadofGunthar,andaphalanxofriotersbrokethroughaproctorcordonandstreamedawaydownasidestreet.

ItwasforthisveryreasonthatthethirdCentaurhadpeeledoffminutesearlier,guidedbytheproctorstowardsthenearestheavylifter,twosquadsoftrooperstrailingalongbehindit.Bynow,itwouldbewheelingupbehindthewould-beescapees,readytogivethemanastysurprise–andindeed,amomentlater,Guntharheardthestaccatoretortofitsstubberandwassatisfiedthatanexamplewasbeingmade.

Heclimbedthroughthesmashedwindowofafoodemporium,foundagroupofoldermensettingafireinthereandonefillingaboxwithallthegoodshecouldlayhishandson.StaringdownthebarrelofGunthar’shellgun,theoldthiefturnedpaleandpleaded,‘It’sformywifeandmychildren.Withalltheupheaval,theunrest,themineshavebeenshutdownandIcan’tmakeanhonestliving.’

WhenhesawthatGuntharwasunmovedbyhisplight,hisfacedarkenedandhegrowled,‘I’mentitledtothis.I’veworkedhardfortheEmperorallmylife,andwhatdoIhavetoshowforit?Heabandonedustodiehere!’

Guntharwasdisgustedbyhim,bythewasteofalifeherepresented.Hesqueezedhistrigger,burntaholethroughtheoldthief’sheadandwatched

dispassionatelyashislifelessbodycrumpled.Foramoment,hewonderedifhehadfailedhimself,allowedemotiontocloudhisjudgement.Thenhesawtheexpressionsontheremaininglooters’faces,heardtheirwhimperedapologiesandpromisesoffutureloyaltyastheybackedtowardsthewindow,andheknewthatwordofhissingleshotwouldspreadandprobablygrow,andproveanobjectlessontoanyonewhoheardit.

Hehadusedhisresourceswell.

Ahalf-trackcametomeetthereturningconvoy,pullingupalongsideit.Athin-faced,youngmajorspoketoasergeantandwasdirectedtoanother,whodirectedhiminturntowardsGunthar.‘TrooperSoreson?’askedthemajor,andGuntharblinkedandtookamomenttoconfirmthat,yes,thathadbeenhisname.Ithadbeensolongsincehehadbeenaddressedbyit,hehadalmostforgotten.

Hedidn’tknowwhyhehadbeensingledoutagain.Hedidn’task.HewasdriventothespaceportandtakenupstairstotheofficethathadoncebeenHanrik’s,nowColonelBraun’s.Risingfrombehindhisdesk,BraunmetGuntharwithahandshakeandavapidremarkaboutthecoldweather,asifgreetinganoldfriend.Heofferedthenonplussedtrooperaseat,andregardedhimatlengthwithasmilepresumablymeanttoreassurehimbutdecidedlystrained.

‘Ihearyou’rejustbackfromTheloniusCity,’saidBraun.‘Yessir,’saidGunthar.‘Wequelledtheinsurrectionthere.’‘That’sgood,’murmuredBraun,halftohimself,‘that’sgoodnews.Wehave

beenfindingithardtorecruitfromThelonius,butperhapsnow…’ThecolonelwasflankedbytwoPDFlieutenants,whilethemajorwhohad

fetchedGuntharherehadseatedhimselfbehindthedoor.Itwasasmallergatheringthantheonetowhichhehadlastbeensummonedintheseoffices,withtheKriegColonel186andhisdeputiesbeingtheabsenteesofmostnote,apartfromHanrikofcourse.Still,itwasclearthatsomethingbigwasafoot,ifonlyBraunwouldgettothepoint.

CommissarCostellinwasinfrontofthewindow,leaningagainstthesill.Hisleftarmwasinasling,andhelookedasifhehadagedtenyearsinthepastthreeweeks.

Braunclearedhisthroatandfingeredtheendsofhismoustache.‘Asyoumayhaveinferredfromrecentevents,’hesaid,‘weareabouttoenterthedecisivephaseofthiswarofours.Wehavedriventhenecronsback,corralledthemquitenicelythankyouverymuch,andwe–thatistosay,theKriegofficersandmyself–havebeenmakingplansforonefinalpushagainstthem.’

‘Youmayalsobeaware,’alieutenantputin,‘thattherehasnotbeenanenemysightingsincetheunfortunateeventsofafewweeksago.’

‘Youmean,’saidCostellinquietly,‘sincethenecronsbutcheredthousandsofciviliansconfinedtothecitybyourownactions.’

‘Um,yes,quiteso.’‘Evidently,’saidBraun,‘theyarehidingoutinthattomboftheirs,lickingtheir

wounds.Ourobjective,then,istodestroythattomb,andthenecronsalongwithit.Unfortunately,itscompositionandinternallayoutremainamysterytous,sinceourearlyattempttosendinascoutingpartymetwithfailure.Nevertheless,we–thatistosay,ourtech-priestsandenginseers–considerthatasmallnumberofatomicminingchargesoughttobesufficienttothetask.’

Guntharwasstartingtoseewherethiswasgoing.Costellinspeltitoutforhim:‘Weneedamantodeliverthosecharges.’

‘Thatmanwouldplaynootherpartinthebattle,’saidthelieutenant,‘buttowaitfortheentrancewaytothetombtobecomeclear.Atthatpoint,withtheprotectionofhissquad,hewould,um,conveythechargesinside.’

ColonelBraunadded,‘We–thatistosay,Colonel186–rememberedyourminingexperience,TrooperSoreson,andyourinvaluableassistanceinourearlier,ah…’

Guntharhadheardenough.Hecouldhavementionedthat,tohim,atomicminingchargeswerejustastocknumberonarequisitionform,hehadneveractuallyhandledone,butthatwasnotwhatanyonewantedtohear.‘Iwouldliketovolunteer,sir,’hesaid,andwasrewardedbyhiscommandant’sexpressionofrelief.

Evidently,Braunhadneversentasoldiertohiscertaindeathbefore.‘Youareclear,Ihope,onwhatisbeingaskedofyouhere,’saidCostellin.

‘Thesechargeswillnotbedetonatedremotely,norbyatimedfuse.Eithercircumstancewouldallowthenecronsachancetodeactivatethem.Youwouldbegivingyourlife,TrooperSoreson,aswouldtheotherninemembersofyoursquad.’

‘Whendoweleave,sir?’askedGunthar.ColonelBraunreachedintohisdeskdrawer.‘Ihavesomethingforyou,

TrooperSoreson,’hesaid,‘inrecognitionofyour,ah,yourdedication.IknowyouhaveonlybeenwiththePlanetaryDefenceForceashorttime,butinthattimeyouhaveservedwithdistinction,andwhatwiththelosseswehavesustained…well,Iunderstandyoursquadisshortofasergeantatpresent.’

Hewasholdingoutapairofsergeant’sflashes.Gunthartookthemandthanked

him.Itdidn’tmatterthathedidn’tfeelreadytowearthem.ItwastheEmperor’swill.

‘Iknowitisn’tmuch,’saidBraun.‘Ifitwereuptome…I’vebeenindiscussionwiththeDepartmentoMunitorum,Iwashopingtoarrange…WemaynotbeImperialGuard,butthesepastmonthswehavefoughtalongsidethem,livedalongsidethem,givenasmuchastheyhave,moreeven,andIdon’tseewhy…Ifeelthat,underthecircumstances,theIronAquilashouldn’tbeoutofthequestion.’

Hedidn’tunderstand,thoughtGunthar.

TheywerediggingtheirwayintoHieronymousCity.FourCentaurshadbeenfittedwithdozerbladesandwerebearingthebruntof

thetask.Therewasstillplentyforindividualsoldierstodo,however,armedwithspadesandbarrows,watchingthattherubbledidn’tslideandburythemall.Afinelayerofsnowhadsettledinthenight,makingtheirlaboursmoreprecarious.Guntharhadsleptfortheregulationsixhours–hehadbecomeusedtoclosinghisears,switchingoffhisbrainandtakinghisrestwhenhecould–andwasnowbackonduty.

Hissergeant’sstripesaffectedthewayhiscomradeslookedathim.Heresentedthistobeginwith,resentedthewayinwhichtheyseemedtoexpecthimtothinkforthemnow.Hepreferredtheanonymityhehadenjoyedbefore.Hesoonlearned,however,thatlittlehadchangedreally.Theofficersstillmadethedecisions,gavetheorders,andallGuntharhadtodowasoverseetheirimplementation,ensurethateveryoneunderstoodandperformedthefunctionsassignedtothem.

Thatafternoon,GuardsmenandtroopersalikeformedupforabriefingfromColonel186,whoarrivedwithhisusualentourageofKriegofficersandasmatteringofPDFones,Braunamongthem.Analmosttangiblesenseofanticipationhungintheairasthecoloneldeclaredtheirworkherealmostdone.‘Wewillenterthecityatdawn,’heannounced,‘aswillourfellowregimentstothenorth,eastandsouth,converginguponthenecronedifice,wherethefinalbattleofthiswarwillbefoughtandwon.’

Thenheoutlinedtheplantodestroythenecrontomb,andrevealedthatthehonourofstrikingthatblowwouldfalltoaPDFsquadbutdidn’tsaywhichone.HereferredtoGunthar,butcalledhim‘Sergeant1419’,anappellationthatfewwerelikelytorecognise.Anumberoftroopersglancednervouslyabout,ateachother,ortriedtomakeoutthedigitsstampedintotheirsergeants’dogtags,to

reassurethemselvesthattheyweren’tthechosenmartyrs.Theydidn’tunderstandeither.

‘WhydoesithavetobeaPDFsquad?’heheardonetroopercomplainingastheyreturnedtotheirwork,aftertheKriegofficershaddeparted.‘Whycan’tthatfacelessbastardsendhisownmentodieforachange?’Guntharremindedhimsharplythathewastalkingaboutasuperiorofficer,andthereforeabouttheEmperor,andthetrooperscowledathimbutwassilenced.

Hewasfarfromtheonlymalcontent,however.Guntharheardthemmutteringwhereverheturned:

‘–thinktheirlivesaremorevaluablethanours,buttheydon’teven–’‘–Braunshouldstanduptothem,tellthemwewon’ttakeit.Hanrikwould

have–’‘–abouttherestofus,that’swhatI’dliketoknow.Whenthatblastgoesoff–’‘–gottheirrebreatherunitstoprotectthemfromtheradiation,whilewe–’Heconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthatmostofthecomplainantswere

recentdraftees.TheirtrainingperiodhadbeenevenmorecursorythanGunthar’shadbeen,andnoneofthemhadexperiencedrealcombatyet.Theyhadn’tseenthenecrons.

Ittookfortyminutesforoneofthemtoapproachhim:asandy-haired,freckle-facedyouth,sixteenorseventeenyearsold,fromhisownsquad.‘Someofuswerewondering,sergeant,’hesaid,‘ifthetroopersthatareto…thesquadtheyaresendingintothetomb…Sergeant,wouldbethatoursquad?’

‘Yes,trooper,itwouldbe,’saidGunthar,andtheboy’sfaceturnedashen.Anhourlater,aKriegwatchmasterinformedGuntharthatoneofhismenhad

beencaughtattemptingtodesertandshotdead.Hefeltashamed,andangrywithhimself.Hefeltheoughttohaveforeseenthatoccurrenceandactedtopreventit.

BythetimeLieutenantHarker,theplatooncommander,assembledGunthar’ssquadanddrewthemtooneside,therewasnobodyleftwithmuchdoubtaboutwhathemighthavetosaytothem.Thelieutenantspokeaboutthegreathonourthathadbeenconferreduponthesetenmen–ninenow,hecorrectedhimself.Hetoldthemthattheiractionstomorrowwouldmakethemheroes,andthen,toGunthar’ssurprise,hegaveeachofthemachoice:atransfertoanothersquad,shouldtheywishtoacceptit.

Threeofthemdidso,hesitantlyatfirst,perhapssuspectingatrick.Guntharwasdisappointedinthem,butproudofthefivethatremained–andhetookheartinthefactthat,oncewordwentout,therewasnoshortageofvolunteerstoreplacethem.

Itwasn’tthewayhewouldhavehandledthesituation,buthehadtoadmittohimselfthatithadbeeneffective.Hehadninemenagain,allofwhomhecouldtrust.Theywoulddowhattheyhadtodo,dietoensurethathecoulddeliverhiscrucialpayload,becausetheyallthoughtashedid.

Theybelievedinacause,andtheyneedednomoremotivationthanthat,nopromotionsormedals,tofightforit.Itwasenoughtoknowthattheirliveswouldmakeadifference,andinthissensetheywereluckierthanthementheyhadreplaced.Thosemenwouldmostlikelydietomorrowanyway,morecheaplyandinfear.

TherewasnofearforGuntharandhissquad,becausethefutureforthemwasset.Theyweredeadmenwalking,allofthem–butnowtheyhadthecomfortofknowingexactlyhowandwhentheywoulddrop.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Costellinwaspacking.Hedidn’twanttoleaveittotheservitors,didn’ttrustthemwiththeitems

importanttohim.Notthattherewasmuch.Hololithsofhisfourgrandsonsattheirpassing-outparades.Hisfirstsetofdogtags.Anold,crackeddata-slateinsidewhichwerelockedthefondmemoriesofaparticularfour-yearperiodofhislife.Hewrappedthemallcarefullyinhisspareuniform,loweredthemintoazipcase.

Theroomlookedempty,asithadwhenCostellinhadfirstwalkedintoitalmosttwomonthsago.Itwasfunnyhow,insoshortatime,ithadbecomehisroom,hishome.Hewouldn’tmissHieronymousThetawhenheleftit,butasmallpartofhimselfwouldremaininthisroom,asithadinalltheotherrooms,themanyotherrooms,onthemanyotherworldsbeforethisone.

Openingthebottomdeskdrawer,hewasstartledtofindapairofKriegeyepiecesstaringupathim.Hehadforgottenhehadputthemaskandrebreatherunitinthere,forgottenhehadretrievedthemfromthehabinthecity.Hehadgonebackforhischainswordandcap,liftedthefloorboardbeneathwhichhehadstowedthemtobetransfixedbyadeadman’seyes.

Hehadrememberedhispromisetothatdeadman.Heshouldhaveleftthemaskwhereitlay.Ithadbeenamistaketocarryextra

weightwithhim,woundedashehadbeen.Nevertheless,carryitCostellinhad.Amementomori.HewasgettingasbadastheGuardsmenwithwhomheserved.Yetonemorereason,hethought,whythetimehadcome.

‘Ihearyouareleavingus.’Colonel186wasinthedoorway.Costellinwassurprisedtoseehim,andalso

alittleguilty.Heoughttohavebrokenthenewstohisfellowofficerinperson.Hehadbeenputtingoffthatordeal,tellinghimselfthecolonelwouldn’tcareanyway.

‘Oncethiscampaignisover,’heconfirmed.‘IhaveacceptedapostingtoaRoyalValidianregiment.’

‘Iwillbesorrytoloseyou,’saidthecolonel.Willyou?thoughtCostellinuncharitably.‘Yourservicewithushasbeenlonganddistinguished,andinparticularthemissionyouledintotheoccupiedcity–’

‘Icantakenocreditforthatoutcome,’saidCostellin.‘Itwasoneofyourmenwhoplannedandimplementedtheattackonthegeneratorum.AllIdidwassurvive.’

‘Ihope…’saidthecolonel,withuncharacteristicreticence.‘ItrustitwasnothingIsaidthat–’

Costellinshookhishead.‘Iknowwehavehadourdifferencessinceyourappointment,butno,colonel,myleavinghasnothingtodowithyou.Youhaveperformedyourdutiesasyousawthem,efficientlyandlogically,andassuchyouhavemorethanliveduptothestandardssetbyyourpredecessors.’

‘Youdid,however,disagreewiththedecisiontakenbymysuperiorofficers,toengagethenecronforce.’

‘Idid.Ifeltthat…Idon’tknow,colonel.WhenIlookatwhatwehave–whatyouhave–achievedhere...Icouldn’thaveimagineditonlytwomonthsago,butwehavethenecronsontherun.Wearebeatingthem,weareactuallybeatingthem!’

‘Thenyouhaverevisedyouropinion?’‘Ithinkthat,ifallgoeswelltomorrow,ifthattombisdestroyedandthisworld

saved,thenthevalueofthattotheImperium…andyet…Ikeepthinkingaboutthecost.Idon’tknow,colonel.Ijustdon’tknow,andperhapsthatistheproblem.PerhapsIamsimplytooold.Ihaveseentoomuch.’

‘Itislikely,’saidthecolonel,‘that,aftertomorrow,theKrieg186thInfantryRegimentwillnolongerexist.Ourlosseshavebeensuchthatwewillprobablybemergedwiththeotherregimentsonthisworld.Iwouldbeproudtoknowthatoursacrificewasworthwhile,thatitwillberemembered.’

‘AndKrieg’sdebttotheEmperor?Willitberepaidthen?’Thecoloneldidn’tanswerthat,asindeedCostellinhadn’texpectedhimto.

Instead,heobserved,‘Youhavetakentheslingoffyourarm.’‘Thequartermasterinformsmethatthenervedamageishealed,’said

Costellin.‘Myrightshoulderisalittlestiff,butapartfromthat…’‘Thenyouwillbefightingwithustomorrow?’‘Ofcourse.TheleastIcando,beforeIbeginmynewassignment,istoseethis

onethroughtoitsbitterend.’Thecolonelnoddedhisapproval,andtoldCostellinthat,thisbeingthecase,

hewouldseehimatdawn.Thenhepivotedsmartlyandleft,andthecommissar

stoodaloneinthoughtforamomentbeforeheopenedthedeskdraweragain.Hehadpusheditshutwithhislegwhenthecolonelhadappeared,

unaccountablyembarrassedbyitscontents.Hesteeledhimselftodowhatheoughttohavedonethreeweeksago.Hetookthemaskandtherebreatherunitdowntothespaceportproper,andhandedthemtothefirstquartermasterhesaw.

‘Findagooduseforthem,’heinstructed.‘Thelastmanwhoworethatfacemaskdiedahero.’

Thecolonelhadonefinalsurpriseuphissleeve.Ashebriefedhistroopsinthepre-dawncold,hereachedintohisgreatcoat

andproducedasmall,transparentcubeofsomeyellow-tintedsubstance.Suspendedinthatcubewasanoff-white,irregularshape,longerthanitwaswide,taperingtoapointlikeatiny,primitiveblade.

‘Suchwillbethemagnitudeofouractionsheretoday,suchthefaithourgeneralshaveplacedinthisunworthyregiment,thattheyhaveobtainedforusthis…’and,atthis,thecolonel’svoicebecamehushed,reverent,‘…thisfragmentofbonefromtheskullofColonelJurten.’

AcollectivemurmurwentupfromtheKriegGuardsmen,themosthumanreactionCostellinhadeverheardfromthem.

‘Icanthinkofnomanmorequalifiedtocarrythisforus,’saidthecolonel,‘todirectitsholylightuponourhumbleendeavours,thanourcommissar.’

Takenbysurprise,Costellinacceptedthecube.Hecradleditinhispalms,admireditfromallangles,andalthoughapartofhisheartremainedhardenedtoit–hewonderedhowmanymoreoftheserelicshadbeenconvenientlyconjured,iftheotherthreeregimentsonHieronymousThetahadthemtoo–hecouldfeelhowitspresencetouchedtheuntouchablemenbeforehim,howitliftedtheircynicalspirits,andheknewthatthismadeitarareandpreciousthingindeed.

Hehadnowords,buteveryonewaswaitingtohearhim.So,Costellinclearedhisthroat,recalledhistrainingofalifetimeagoandlaunchedintoaspeechthat,whilehaltingatfirst,soonbecamemoreconfidentintone,morepassionate,andultimatelyproved,inthecommissar’sownopinion,tobethefinest,themostinspiringspeechhehadmadeinthewholeofhisdecades-longcareer.

Then,abloatedredsunrosebehindtheshellofthecity,andthetimeforwordswasdone.Colonel186gavetheordertomoveout,andtheairwassoonfilledwiththegrumblingofreticentengines,thickenedbyexhaustfumes.

ThreegreatarmouredGorgonsledthewayforward,eachwithanentireplatooncrammedintoitsopen-toppedhold.Weighingmorethantwohundred

tonnesapiece,theselumberinggiantspulverisedtheremainsoffallenhab-blocksbeneaththeirtracks,whiletheirreinforcedprowscombinedtoshieldnotonlythemselvesbutthestragglersintheirwell-trampledwake.

Ofcourse,therewasnotenoughtransportforeveryone,andsobetweenthetroop-carryingCentaursandtheartillery-heavingTrojanscamethefootsoldiers,approximatelyonehalfDeathKorpsofKriegandonehalfPlanetaryDefenceForce.Theircoloursclashed,theirequipmentwasragtagandmanyofthemwereinjured.Therewerehalfasmanyofthemastherehadbeenthreeweeksago,therewouldbefewerstilltomorrow,butstilltheyliftedtheirchinswithpride.

CostellinrodewiththecolonelandhiscommandsquadinaCentaur,hisviewoftheoutsideworldblockedassoonasthehatchcamedown.Hefollowedtheprogressoftheirarmyonthevox-net,butfeltdistancedfromitinhisowncramped,noisylittlebubble.Theyfollowedthemostdirectpathtowardsthecitycentre,asindicatedbythemostrecenttacticalscans,andforatime,allwasquiet.

Then,Costellin’sCentaurwasrockedbyanexplosion.Thecolonel,ofcourse,wasstraightonthevox,demandingreports,whicharrivedinstantly:‘–roadwasmined,sir.Itlookslikethechargeswereburiedintherubble.’‘–theyrolledrightover–’‘Noseriousinjuries,sir,theprowabsorbedthebruntofit,buttheengines–’‘Nosignofanyhostiles.’‘–appeartohavebeenminingcharges,buttohavecreatedablastthatsizetheremusthavebeen–’‘–tech-priestisinspectingthedamagenow,sir,butIthinkwe’velosttheGorgon.’

Theyproceededmorecautiouslyafterthat,andsentasquadaheadofthemonfoot.Ofcourse,ifmoreexplosiveswereburiedasdeeplyasthefirstlothadbeen,thenthescoutswereunlikelytodetectthem;still,theycouldkeepaneyeoutforsignsoflifeintheotherwisedeadcity.Itwasn’tlongbeforetheyfoundthem.

‘Hostilesupahead,sir.Wetookthembysurprise,firedonthembeforetheysawus.Fourdown,buttheresthaveseparated,takencover.’

‘Howmany,watchmaster?’askedthecolonel.‘Unknown,sir.Therearemorehidinginthebuildings.Eight,atleast,but

therecouldbemanymore.’‘Define“hostiles”,’Costellinvoxed.‘Necrons?’‘Nosir,humans.’‘Thenhowdoyouknow…?Havetheyfiredonyou?’‘Sir,ourorderswereto–’‘Havetheythreatenedyouinanyway?’Thecolonelinterceded,‘Keepthempinneddown,watchmaster,butdonot

advance.Allunits,holdyourpositionsandawaitinstructions.’ToCostellin,

aloud,hesaid,‘Idon’tbelieveitwasnecronswholaidthattrapbackthere.’‘Agreed,’saidthecommissar.‘Thatwasn’ttheirstyle.Morelikely,itwasthe

workofoneofthesetreacherouscultswekeephearingabout.Evenso–’‘Threeweeksago,’saidthecolonel,‘thenecronspurgedthiscityofeverylast

humansoultheycouldhuntdown.Wehavetoassumethatanysurvivors–’‘–areprobablycold,hungryandfrightened,’Costellinargued,‘andIdoubtthat

beingshotathasdonemuchtoreassurethem.Youdon’thavemuchfaithinhumanity,doyou,colonel?MustIremindyouthat,withouttheveryhumanmembersofthisworld’sPDF,withouttheirloyalty–’

‘Whatdoyousuggestwedo?’askedthecolonel.‘I’mgoingoutthere,’saidCostellin.‘I’mgoingtotalktothem.’

Heclamberedthroughthehatchanddroppedtotheground,afewdriftingsnowflakesstinginghischeeks.ThecoloneldisembarkedfromtheCentaurbehindhim,andtogethertheyconsideredthelineofidlingvehiclesstretchingbeforethem.

‘I’vestudiedthemaps,’saidCostellin.‘Theroadstotheimmediatenorthandsouthofthisoneareimpassable.Thereareotherroutesthrough,butwewouldhavetobackupagoodwaytofollowthem.’

‘They’vepickedtheperfectspotforanambush,’thecolonelgrumbled.‘Ifthatisindeedwhatthisis.Istillthink–’‘Themostexpedientwaytodealwiththisistoshellthosetowers.’‘Andriskbringingthemdown,blockingourpath?Andwhatifyou’reright,

andthosepeopleuptheredomeanusharm?Canyouguaranteethatafewindiscriminatelytossedshellswillendtheirthreat?Wearecarryingatomicbombs,colonel.Asinglesurvivor,afortuitouslyplacedminingcharge,andthisregimentwillgooutinitsblazeofgloryafewhoursaheadofschedule.’

‘ThenwesendtheGorgonsforward.’‘I’msurprisedatyou.You’drisklosinganotherGorgontoapotential

minefield,andperhapsthistimeitsoccupantstoo,ratherthanasinglelife?’‘Thehostileshaveusedupagreatmanycharges.Theodds,Ibelieve,are

againsttheirhavingasmanyremaining.Yourplanmayentailalowerstakethanmine,butasitschancesofsuccessarenegligible–’

‘Idisagreewiththatassessment,’saidCostellin,‘andasmylifeistheonetobestaked,Ibelieveitmyrighttodoso.Icangetthroughtothesepeople,colonel.Eveniftheyhaveturnedtothenecrons,itisonlyindespair.Icangivethemhope!Atleast,Icandrawthemout,establishthetrueextentoftheirresources.’

Thecolonelconsideredforamoment,thennoddedhisassent.Hevoxedthewaitingscoutsahead,toldthemthecommissarwasonhiswayandthattheyshouldkeeptheirdistancebutcoverhimasbesttheycould.

Costellinmarchedpastthewatchingsoldiers,pasttheCentaursandtheGorgons,hisconfidencefadingashefoundhimselfalonebutfortheoccasionalglimpseofamaskedGuardsmancrouchinginadoorwayorlyingflatbehindastep.

Hekepthishandsraised,hisgazefixedahead,andkeptwalkinguntilhisperipheralvisiondetectedmovementinafirstfloorwindow.Thenhecametoahalt,introducedhimselfinaloud,clearvoiceandannouncedthathewantedtotalk.

Theechoesofhiswordsdieddownbefore,fromthewindow,heheardtheunmistakableclickofapowerpackbeingpushedintoplace,thenafemalevoice:‘Myhusbandhasyouinhissights.Laydownyourweapons,allofthem.’

Hedidashewasbade.Then,atthevoice’surging,hetooktenpacesbackwardsandwaited.Adooropened,andasmall,darkfigurescurriedout,keepinghisheaddown.HeretrievedCostellin’splasmapistol,butstruggledwiththechainswordanddecidedtoleaveit.Thepistol,helevelledinexpertlyashemotionedtothecommissartofollowhimbackinside.Thebodyofayoungwomanlayslumpedinthedoorway,andCostellintookamomenttoexamineher,concludingtohischagrinbutnottohissurprisethatshewaslongbeyondhelping.

Aricketystaircaseledhimuptoalarge,openfloor,ascatteringofflea-bittensheetsandthestinkoffaecestellinghimthatthishadbeenamutantflophouse.Hecountedsixpeoplehuddledingloomycorners.

Hewasmetbyamiddle-agedcouple,themanbeardedandbalding,wieldingalasgun.Theyoungermanwhohadbroughthimheretookrefugebehindthispair,stillbrandishingCostellin’spistol.

‘You’reImperium,’saidthewoman,glaringattheaquilaonthecommissar’scapthroughnarrowed,suspiciouseyes.‘Whyshouldwetrustyou?’

‘Icangetyououtofthiscity,’saidCostellin.‘Andoffthisworld?’‘WiththeEmperor’sgrace,thatwillnotbenecessary.Iamtakinganarmyto

fighttheinvaders.Webelievewecan–’‘Don’tlistentohim,’themanhissed.‘It’sjustwords,that’sall.Wherewashis

Emperorwhentheinvaderscame?Whycouldn’thisarmysaveusthen?’‘Iknowitmustseemthatway,likeyouwereforgotten,but–’‘Sealedupinthishell,’saidthewoman,‘abandonedtotheslaughter!’Shewas

brimmingwithtears.‘Wethoughtwewouldnever…’‘Theattacktookusallbysurprise,’saidCostellin.‘Wedidwhatwecould.

We’refightingbacknow.Youwereneverabandoned.’‘It’sbeensolong.Thepriests,theytoldus…’‘Iknowwhattheytoldyou,butyoumustseenowtheyweremistaken.You

wereright,you’vebeenlivinginhell,anditmustbehardsometimestolookupatthesky,butthereisstillaworldoutsideofthiscity,andpeoplewaitingforyou.’

Areportrangout,alas-beamsizzledpasthisear,andavoiceroared,‘Dissembler!’Costellinwhirledaroundtofindthatashort,stockymanhadsteppedintotheroombehindhim.Heworethewhitevestmentsofapriest,buttheyhadbeendefaced,holyrunesobliteratedbyasmearofpaintoratouchofflame.

‘Marig,’thewomangasped,‘wethoughtyouwere...You’re…’Thenewcomerstrodeforward,jabbedanaccusingfingerinCostellin’sface.

‘Thismanliestoyou.Hepromisesfreedom,whilehissoldiersarepoisedtodestroyus.’

‘No,’saidCostellin,‘thatisn’t–’‘Theirgunshaveslainfourofourbrethren.Theytriedtosilencemetoo,but

myfaithintheIronGodsshieldedme.’Costellinfelthistriggerfingertwitchingatthesewords.Inanyothercircumstances,hewouldhaveexecutedthishereticonthespot.

‘Therearesomanyofthem,Marig,’pleadedthebeardedman,‘andwehaveonlythesetwoweapons,thesethreenow.Shouldn’twe…?’

Hiswifecompletedthethought:‘Surrendertothem,throwourselvesontheirmercy.Theyknowwhatwehavebeenthrough,theymustunderstand.’

‘TheirEmperorunderstandsnothing.Hehasnomercy.Don’tyousee?Iknowhowtheywork.Theywillkillustoprotectthemselvesfromthetruthswehavelearned.’

‘Andhowmanyhavethenecronskilled?’Costellinaskedquietly.Hiswordswereostensiblydirectedatthepriest,buthemeantthemfortheothers.Marigwasbeyondreason.Hewasnofool,however.HeextendedahandtowardsCostellin’serstwhileguide,tooktheplasmapistolfromhim,swappingitforhislasgun.Heexaminedtheunfamiliarweapon,andsmiledinapproval,thenthesmilehardenedasMarigraisedthepistolandpressedittoCostellin’stemple.

‘Ourlordspokeclearlytous,althoughfewchosetounderstand.HewarnedthatresistancewouldincurHiswrath,andsoitcametopass.However,byseekingoutHisenemies,sendingthemtoHisjudgement,wecanshowHimthat–’

Costellinmadeagrabforthegun.Hisfingertipsbrusheditsstock,butMarigrecoiledtooquickly,accidentallyunleashingaplasmaboltintheprocess.TheotherrefugeesdivedforcoverasCostellincursedhisage-slowedreflexes,pushedthepriestawayfromhimandran.Hevaultedthestaircaserail,landingwithabone-jarringthudthatloosenedaprecariousstepandalmostpitchedhimtherestofthewaydownthestairsheadfirst.Ashehitthegroundfloor,asecondboltwhooshedoverhisheadandexplodedagainstthewall,searingandblindinghimwithitsbackwash.Costellincouldheartheheavy,runningfootstepsofthederangedpriestinpursuit.

Hisvisionfilledwithminiaturesupernovae,Costellinfumbledhiswaythroughthedoor.Hestumbledintheroad,scrapinghishands,andfeltforhisdroppedchainsword.Hefounditevenashiseyesightcleared,thumbedtheactivationstudinitsgrip,andtheenginesplutteredbutfailedtocatch.

Marigseizedhimfrombehind,chokinghim,twistinghiswristuntilthechainswordfell,thepistolbarrelatCostellin’sheadagain.‘Stayback,’thepriestscreamed,‘stayback!’andCostellinsawtheshapesofDeathKorpsGuardsmenedgingforwardthroughtheshadows,sawtheglintsoftheirlasgunsights.

‘Isawnineofthem,’hesub-vocalisedintohiscomm-bead,‘buttherecouldbemoreintheotherbuildings.Thepriestistheirleader.Takehimout,andtherestwillalmostcertainlyfleeorsurrender.Inanycase,theyhaveonlytwolasgunsbetweenthem,andnoexplosivesasfarasIcanascertain.’

‘Wehaveyourofficer,’Marigyelled.‘Onemorestepforward,andIwillkillhim,IsweartotheIronGodsIwill.Turnback!Leaveusbe,ifyouvaluehislife.’

Obviously,hedidn’tknowtheDeathKorpsofKrieg.

Costellinhadn’tfeltthelas-beamthathadkilledhim.Hecouldn’tfeelmuchofanything.Hehadfallen,allthesame,andcouldn’t

standagainfortheinvisibleweightrestingonhischest.Hecouldhearbootedfootstepstrampingabouthishead,theapproaching

enginesoftheGorgons,butnogunfire.Hehadbeenright;withthedeathofthepriest–Marig’scorpsewassplayedoutintheroadalongsidehim–hisfollowershadabandonedthefight.TheKriegarmywasfreetoadvance.

AfacemaskloomedinCostellin’sblurredvision.‘Colonel?’hesaid.Thenthemaskdrewcloserasitswearerkneltbesidehim,andhesawa

quartermaster’sshoulderflashes.‘Tellmetheworst,’hewheezed,tryingtomakelightofhisfate,toholdtheparalysingdreadatbay.‘Canyoufixme?WillIlive?’

Thequartermastershookhishead.

Hewassearchingthroughthecommissar’sgreatcoat,forwhatreasonCostellincouldn’tguessuntilthequartermasterlocatedhisprizeinaninsidepocket:theholyrelic,thebonefragmentinitscube.Heextracteditwithduedeference,transferredittohisowncoat,andonlythenturnedhisattentiontohishumancharge.

Hismaskedfacelookedlikeaskull,likeaharbingerofdeathitself.ThelastsightthatsomanyKriegeyeshadseen.Somehow,Costellinhadneverthoughtthesamewouldbetrueofhim,neverthoughthewouldcometothisplace.

Asayoungman,hehadthoughthewoulddieonthebattlefield.Oflate,hehadbeguntoanticipateamorepeacefulpassing,ataripeoldageinhisbed.Ithadnevercrossedhismindthat,intheend,hewouldbegunneddownbyhisownmen.Hecouldalmosthavelaughedattheignominyofhisfate.

‘Letyoursoulbeatrestnow,’saidthequartermaster,‘andknowthattheEmperorispleasedwithyoursacrifice.Yourlifewasworthwhile.’

Thenhepassedaglovedhandoverthecommissar’seyelids,andclosedthem.ThelastthingCostellinfeltbeforehesurrenderedtothedarknesswasthe

quartermastereasinghischainswordoutfromunderhishand.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Therehadbeennosignofnecronscoutsonthewayintothecity,nospycraftglimpsedoverhead.Still,thenecronswerepreparedandwaitingfortheirattackers,arrayedbeforetheirnight-blacktomb,andtheirnumbershadgrownagainastheDeathKorps’generalshadexpectedtheywould.

Whatthegeneralshadnotanticipatedwasthatthenecronarmywouldhavegrowntooutnumbertheirown,atleastthisregimentofit.Whenhesawtheoddsagainstthem,aPDFofficerletslipwithacurseoveranopenvox-channel.

ThenecronsconcentratedtheirinitialfireupontheremainingGorgons.Gaussblastsscythedthrougharmourplating,heavystubbersspittingbackwhiletheycould.TheGorgonsenduredlongenoughtodisgorgetheirpassengers,whoadvancedwithhellgunsblazing.Asbefore,ghoulsburrowedintotheheartoftheDeathKorps’ranks,andasbeforetheDeathKorpswasreadyforthem.Thistime,however,themelta-wieldinggrenadiersweretheprimarytargetsoftheghouls’blade-claws,threeofthemflensedtodeathbeforeafullminutehadpassed.

Guntharfollowedallthisoverthevox-net,strugglingtosiftthroughoverlapping,freneticreportstobuildapictureofthebattlefieldinhishead.HisCentaurwasfittedwithaperiscopeintheco-driver’sside,butsofarthishadbeenoflittleuse,hewastoofarfromtheaction.Hecouldseethevastfaceofthenecronpyramid,buthecouldn’tworkoutwherethegatewayintoitmightbe.

Hisgunner,anon-loanKriegGuardsman,hadabetteroverviewfromhisturret,andhisupdateswereinvaluable.ToGunthar’sright,acivilianfarmer,moreusedtohandlingtractorsthantanks,heldthesteeringwheelinawhite-knuckledgrip.Hisfoursquadmates–theremainingfivehadbeenpackedintoanothervehicle–werealmostastense.Theycouldn’ttaketheireyesofftheirsergeant,offthedeadlypayloadthatwasstrappedtohischest.

Theydidn’tlooklikemuch,theminingcharges:fourbatons,eachwrappedin

yellowandblacktapestampedwithwarningsandskullsymbols,butGuntharrememberedthecarehehadbeenmandatedtotakewhenarrangingtransportfortheminhisoverseer’srole.Hehadcertainlysleptmoresoundlyforthefactthatthechargeswereconveyedinunmarkedtrucks,alonglower-levelskyways,alongwayfromhisbed.

Hehadsanctionedtheirusejustonce,toblastthroughstubbornbedrockinamineinwhichyieldshadbeendownforalmostayear.Tothisday,thosetunnelscouldnotbeenteredwithoutarad-suit,otherthanbytheexpendableservitors.

NoofficershadaccompaniedhimtoTheloniusCitytocollectthechargesfromastoragedepot.Agrizzledex-minerhadliftedthelidfromalead-linedcrate,andathisfirstsightofitscontents,Guntharhadtakenaninvoluntary–andentirelyfutile–stepawayfromthem.Sincethechargeshadbeenattachedtohim,hehadbeenafraidtowalk,tositdown,tomakeanymovementatalllesthesetthemoff.

Heorderedhisdrivertoedgeforward.Nowthattheghoulshadbeendeployed,theirpositionsknown,itwasprobablysafetodoso.TheKrieggunnerreportednecronsskimmingtowardsthem,andforamomentGuntharthoughthisheartwouldstop,butthentheywereinterceptedbyasquadofdeathriders,heldatbay.

Thegunnerhadaskedforpermission,morethanonce,tocutloosewithhisstubber.Itwasimperative,however,thattheCentaurdrewnoattentiontoitself.Itwasuptotherestoftheregimenttodrawthenecronsawayfromit,andawayfromthatgateway.Untiltheycoulddoso,Guntharcouldonlysitandwatch,helpless.

Hesquintedthroughtheperiscopeagain,sawablurofghostsdroppinguponagrenadierplatoon,anexplosionofhellgunsgreetingthem,cuttingthroughsomeofthem.HeheardthefamiliarvoiceofColonel186,promisingreinforcements.Itseemedthatthe42ndand103rdregimentshadmetwithonlytokenresistancetothenorthandsouthofthetomb,sothebulkoftheirforceswereenroute.The81stregimenttotheeast,almostthreekilometresaway,weretakingadifferenttack,sendingforththeircannonstobreakthroughthepyramid’sbackwall.

Guntharrelayedthisnewstohismen,wholackedthebenefitofcomm-beadswithwhichtohaveheardit.Onemiddle-agedrookieopinedthattheDeathKorpscouldswitchtodefensivetacticsnow,keepthenecronsoccupieduntiltheirfellowregimentsarrived,atwhichpointitwouldallbeover.Guntharsethimstraight.Therookiehadn’tseenthenecronsupclose,hadn’tseenthat,againsttheirarmour-piercinggaussweaponry,theonlypossibledefencewasafierceoffence.

Theywaited.

Thereinforcementswerehere,buttheyhadn’tturnedthetablesascompletelyasGuntharhadprayedtheymight.Bothregimentshadarrivedinunison,capturingthebesiegednecronsinapincermovement,takingoutscoresofthembeforetheycouldbegintodefendthemselves,andyet…

Andyet,itseemedtoGunthar,watchingthroughhisperiscope,thattherewereasmanynecronsbetweenhimandhisgoalastherehadbeenfromthestart.

Hehadtogettothattomb.Thesourceofthenecrons’powerwasheldinthere.Oncethetombwasdestroyedtheywouldbeunabletoregeneratethemselves,unabletoblinkoutofadifficultspottoappearelsewhere.Atanyrate,thatwasthetheory.

The42ndregimentwasgoinginhardagainstthem,the103rdfallingback,luringthenecronssouth.Gunthardidn’tneedthecolonel’svoiceinhiseartotellhimitwastimetomoveforwardagain,andtocirclearoundtothenorth.

Hisdriverhitthebrakesastheywerebuffetedbyanexplosion,vox-trafficconfirmingthataCentaurhadbeenhitonlytwentymetresfromthem.Guntharswallowednervouslyandagreedtheyshouldstayputforthepresent.

Throughhisperiscope,thetombappearedtantalisinglyclose,butthefiguresfightinginfrontofitprovidedamorerealisticsenseofscaleanddistance,ofhowfarGuntharstillhadtogo.Fromtheturret,thegunnerannouncedthathecouldnowseethegateway,andasGuntharswunghisscopeintheindicateddirection,hecouldseeittoo,seethegreenlightblazingfromit.Therewerestilltoomanynecronsintheway,however,fartoomany,sotheywaited.

Onemoresurgeforward,anotherinterminablewait,thenGuntharmadeuphismind.

Aphalanxofnecronshadjustvanished,andreportssuggestedtheyhadgonetothepyramid’sfarsidetorepeltheinvadersthere.Thewayaheadwasasclearrightnowasitwouldlikelyeverbe,andthisclosetotheenemygunsaCentaurwasasvulnerableasanyfootsoldier.Hissquad,therefore,hadmorechanceofsurvivalastensmalltargetsratherthanridingintwolargerones.Theycouldalsoarrangethemselves,onfoot,sothattheirsergeant,theirhumanbomb,wasthehardestofthosetentargetstohit.SoGunthargavetheordertodisembark,andrelayedthisthroughhiscomm-beadtotheseniortrooperinthesecondCentaur.

Thebattlefieldwasascrowded,aschaotic,ashislastonehadbeen.Hadn’thebeentoldthatthisbattlewouldbeeasier?Hesuppressedanechoofthe

feelingshehadhadbackthen,thefear,theuncertainty.Theywereunworthyofhim.Guntharwasanexperiencedsoldiernow,aleadernoless,andeveryonewascountingonhim.Still,hecouldn’thelpbutfeelexposedandvulnerable,evenmoresothanhehadthefirsttime.Theminingchargesmadehimvulnerable.

TheCentaurrumbledaway,itsgunnermakingupforlosttime.GuntharcrouchedbehindastoutMedusachassisastherestofhissquadformeduparoundhim.Hecouldseethegateway’sgreenlight,diffusedbyamortarsmokehaze,andthereweresoldiersfightinginthatsmokebut,tohishorror,Guntharcouldn’ttellwhichwerenecronsandwhichDeathKorps.

Hehadtogetcloserstill.Hemotionedtohismen–hehadnohopeofmakinghisvoiceheard–andtheytuckedthemselvesinasbesttheycouldbehindanadvancingplatoon,thenracedfortheshelterofarubbleheap.Theywereintheopenfornomorethanasecond,longenoughforaghosttopickoffonelucklesstrooper.Asitopenedhisthroatwithitsblades,asecondtrooperfalteredinhistracks,almostturnedback,untilGunthargrabbedhisarmandhauledhimawayfromthere.Therewasnothinghecouldhavedone,nothinganyofthemcouldhavedone.Onlythreeofthemwereevenarmed,thecolonel’sviewbeingthatlasgunswerestillscarceandthatthemomentGunthar’ssquadneededthemwasthemomenttheyweredeadanyway.

Hepeeredaroundtherubble,sawthatgreenglowcloserthanhehadimagineditwouldbeandthewaycleartoit.Healmostgavetheorder,almoststartedforward,thensmoketendrilspartedtouncovertheshapeofanecrontank,thetombinminiaturewiththatsamedreadfulgreenlightstreamingfromitshatchway.

Itsgunslashedout,andasGunthardroppedhewaspeltedbydebrisandhiscoverreducedtohalfitsheight.Hedaredraisehishead,afteraminute,tofindthetankfloatingawayfromhim.AsquadofKriegGuardsmenrushedit,andalthoughmostweredisintegratedbyitsgreenenergywhips,twoleaptforitshatchwayanddraggedthemselvesthrough.Amomentlater,thetankcombusted,blownapart,ifGuntharwasanyjudge,byaconcentrationofkrakgrenadesinitsbelly.TheGuardsmen,ofcourse,didnotreturn,buttheirdeathshadcounted.TheyhaddonewhatGuntharwasstrugglingtodo,grantedonasmallerscale,buttheyhadmadeitlookeasy.

Hecouldseethegatewayagainandheknewthat,thelongerhewaitedtomakehisrunforit,themoreofhiscomradeswouldgivetheirlives,butitwasimpossibletojudgehismoment,topredicttheebbsandflowsofthecombat,andhecouldn’taffordtogetthiswrong.Witheverysecondthatpassed,hebecamemoreanxious,morefearfulthathemighthavemissedhischancealready.

Thedecisionwasmadeforhim.Hedidn’tknowwherethecolonelwas,butpresumablyhehadfoundhimselfa

goodvantagepointorwasincontactwithsomebodywhohad,becausehisvoicewasinGunthar’searagain,screamingathimtomove.Hemoved.

Heracedheadlongintothatchaos,andhekepthiseyesfixedonthegatewayandsworehewouldn’tstopforanything.Hedidn’tstopwhenthegroundexplodedametretohisright,takingouttwoofhisbodyguardsandshoweringhimwithrockfragments.Hedidn’tstopwhenathirdtrooperlosthisnerveandfelltohisknees,hishandsraisedinsurrenderforasecondbeforehisheadexploded,thevictimoffire–fromwhichsideGunthardidn’thavetimetotell.

Hedidn’tstopasthefirstnecronssawhisplanandturnedtheirgunsuponhim.TheDeathKorpsclosedranks,tookthebruntofthegaussbeams,andGuntharwasmorethanhalfwaytohisgoalnow.Thegreenlightwasallhecouldsee,theKriegcolonel’svoiceallhecouldhear,urginghimtorunfaster,everfaster.

‘Onceyou’reinsidethatpyramid,’hisowncolonel,Braun,hadbriefedhim,‘youaretowastenotime.Remember,wedon’tknowwhat’sinthere,andonegaussblastcoulddisintegrateyouandthechargesyoucarrywithoutsettingthemoff.Thatsaid…’HehadavertedhiseyesfromGunthar,awkwardly.‘Thatsaid,ifyoudoseeachance…Thedeeperinyoucanget,themoredamageyou’lldowhen…andthemorewallsyoucanputbetweenyouand…well,themoreprotectionwe’llhave,fromtheblastImeanandfromthefallout.’

Therewassomethingnewinthegateway’sgreenlight.Athousanddarkspots,bubblingtothesurface.Guntharblamedthesmokeatfirst,thenhiseyes.

Thenaswarmofmetalinsectswasbelchedoutfromthegatewaytoengulfhim.

Theyalighteduponhim,scratching,biting.Gunthartriedtoploughonthroughthem,butthecombinedmassoftheirsmallbodiesrepulsedhim.Oneofhisbodyguardswasalreadydown.Aninsectwascrawlingontheminingcharges,andhebrusheditawayfrantically.Thecolonel’svoicesoundedfromsomewhere,distantandtinny,drownedoutbytherustleoftheswarm.TheyhaddislodgedGunthar’scomm-beadfromhisear,sohedidn’tknowifhisordersweretoadvanceorretreat.

Thelatterseemedtobetheonlypracticaloption.Castingabout,hesawanotherrockpileandgesticulatedwildlytowardsit

althoughhedidn’tknowifhisremainingsquadmatescouldseehim.Heran,leapt,andashisfeetleftthegroundhewasliftedfrombehindbyashockwave,carriedfurtherthanhehadintendedtogo.Hejusthadtimetowraphisarmsabout

himself,protectingtheminingcharges,beforehelandedonhisstomach.Herecoveredhisbreath,lookedup.Theinsectswarmhadgone.Nomorethan

ahandfulofaimlessdronesremained,therestincineratedbyawell-placedmortarblast.Well-placed,butinsanelyrisky.Twoofthefourchargeshadbecomedislodged,werehangingfromGunthar’sbruisedbody.Itwasamiracletheywereintact.

Threeofhisbodyguardshadstayedalive,stayedwithhim.Theirfaceswerecut,weepingblood.Thegatewaywaslessthantwohundredmetresaway,butthenecronswerestrafingtheareainfrontofit,keepingthempinneddown.TheKriegsoldierswerefightingtosuppresstheirenemies’fire,toblockitwhereitcouldn’tbesuppressed,togiveGuntharasecondchance,sohewaited.

Thelightinthegatewayflaredagain,andthistimeitwasaveritablelegionoffootsoldiersthatwasdisgorged.Guntharwatchedinhorrorastheairwasfilledwithgreenlightning,andaplatoonofKriegGuardsmenharvestedlikesomanycornstalks.Amomentago,ithadseemedlikehiscomradesweremakingheadway.Now,theirfrontlinehadcollapsed,andthenecronswereclosingonGunthar’sownposition.

Heshouldhavefallenback,buthecouldn’tbearthethoughtoflosingwhatgroundhehadgained.Hehadreinsertedhiscomm-bead,buttheKriegcolonelhadnothingtosaytohim.Evennow,Guntharwaswaiting,watchingforhischance,foranopeningnomatterhowsmall.Thenatroopertuggedathissleeve,pointedwithatremblingfinger,andhelookedatthegateway.

Anothernecronhadappearedthere,moresubstantialthantheothers,tallerthanthetallestofthembyahead,wearingatatteredbluecloak,wieldinganarcanestaff.Guntharhadnotseenitslikebefore.HehadheardbutnotseenthegianthololithicimagesthathadhoveredaboveHieronymousCitytwomonthsago.Hehadheardenoughdescriptions,though,torecognisetheimagemadeincarnate,toknowhewascrouchinglessthantwohundredmetresfromhisenemies’leader.

Thenecronlordflungitsskeletalhandsskyward,andGuntharsawthatcradledinitsleftpalmwasalarge,blackorb.Somethingflashedgreeninthedepthsofthatorb,andhecouldtastemetal,feelthehairsonhisneckstandingtoattention.Hisfleshwastingling,andtheairfeltpregnantasifagreatstormwascoming.

Andthenecronswererising–intheirscores,intheirhundreds,eventhosethathadlaindeadandblastedapartforminutes,andthosefelledbymeltafire.Necronsweren’tsupposedtorecoverfrommeltafire…werethey?

Somethingshifted,slitheringbeneathGunthar’shands,andherecoiledasastreamofmoltenmetalflowedaroundhim,meetingotherstreams,coalescingintotheformofanecronghost,whichimmediatelytookflight.Itwastoomuchforonetrooper,whoranscreaming,buthiscowardiceprovedaboonofsorts:heofferedthecreatureatemptingtarget,anditswoopedafterhimwithoutseeinghishuddledsquadmates,threeofthemremainingnowwheretherehadbeenten.

RevenantghoulscrawledoutfrombeneathaMedusaandsetaboutitwiththeirclaws.Itoughttohavebeenimpossiblebut,wheretheystruck,armourplatingrippledanddistorted,andfellapart.Guntharcouldhardlyprocesswhathewasseeing.Thiswasn’thowitwasmeanttobe.Thenecronsweremeanttobedepleted,deniedtheresourcesofthecity’sgeneratorums,inhiding.Instead,theywerefightingbackwithnewandmorelethalweapons,andtheirnumbersweregrowingstill;therewereasmanyofthemonthebattlefieldnow–no,more–thantherehadbeenatthestartofthisfight.

Thetombwaswellandtrulyguarded,andGunthar’scomradeswereonthebackfoot,toobusydefendingthemselvestoeventhinkaboutchangingthatsituation.Thenecronlordraiseditsstaff,andthreegreatgreenblastseruptedfromitsprongs,findinganddestroyingthreeKriegdeathriders.Flankingtheirlordinthegateway,apairofmechanicalspiderssquatted,waiting,andGuntharknewthen,beforethecolonel’svoiceconfirmedittohim,thattheircausewasalostone.

Allthesame,whentheordertowithdrawcame,herailedinwardlyagainstit.Hehadbeensoclose.Heevenwondered,wherehadtheEmperorbeenwhenHewasneeded,thoughhewasimmediatelyashamedofthatthought,andheaskedhimself:WhatifIjustdidit,blewthechargesnow?Imightstilldamagethetomb,andmoreimportantlyIcouldkillthenecronlord,andifItooktherestofmycomradeswithme,well,wouldn’ttheyunderstand?Wouldn’ttheyconsiderthataworthwhilesacrifice?

Healmostdidit.Hishandwasonthedetonator.Then,hethoughtmaybeheshouldvoxthecolonelfirst,requestsanctionforhisplan,andthenheknewwhatthecolonelwouldsay.Hewouldpointoutthathalfthenecrons,theirleadermostlikelyincluded,wouldtaketheatomicblastandstandupagain,whilethesoldiersoftheDeathKorpswoulddieandremaindead.Itwasn’tworththeprice.

TherewasnothingGuntharcoulddo.

Theprocessofdisengagementwasasdifficultandcostlyasmighthavebeenexpected.Thegrenadiersexhaustedtheirmeltagunslayingdowncoveringfirefor

retreatingGuardsmen.Thenecronsstillpressedthemhard,althoughGuntharnoticedthattheirpartingshotsweremostlyaimedatordnanceandvehicles,reducingtheirenemies’capacitytomountanotherattacklikethisone.

Heslippedawaywhenhejudgeditsafesttodoso,hisremainingbodyguardsfallingintostepbehindhim.Theirmissionmighthavebeenaborted,butthechargesatGunthar’scheststillhadtobeprotected.Bothtroopersdiedprovidingthatprotection,shotintheirbacks,anditwasaweary,desolateandsolitaryGuntharwhostumbledoutoftherangeofthenecrongunsatlasttojointhedepartingcolumnofsoldiers.

Indefeat,theDeathKorpsofKriegwereasdisciplined,asregimentedasever,incontrasttotheshuffling,dejectedsurvivorsofthePDF.Theystillnumberedintheirthousands,butthosefewthousand,Guntharrealised,wereallthatremainedofthreeregimentsnow.AcoupleofGuardsmeninthe103rdconfirmedthattheyhadbeenorderedwesttothespaceportratherthansouthbacktotheirdugouts.Thesamewastrueofthe42ndregiment,andthe81st,whohadalsodisengagedfromtheirbattletotheeast,wereplanningtomakeawidehalf-circuitofthecityandfollowthem.

‘Thenwho’sleftguardingthecitywalls?’askedGunthar,buthefearedhealreadyknewtheanswertothatquestion.

HefoundColonel186marchingwiththelowerranks.Hemusthavelosthistransport–or,tojudgebyhisdrawnboltpistolandthelimphesported,leftittotakeamoreactiveroleinthefighting.‘I’msorry,sir,’saidGunthar.‘Itried.Ijustcouldn’tseeanopening,butnexttime…Givemeanotherchance,andI’msureIcan…’

Thecolonelstaredathimasifhedidn’thaveacluewhohewas.‘Sergeant1419,sir.Iwas–Iam–carryingtheminingcharges.’ThecolonelshiftedhisgazetoGunthar’schest,andimmediatelysummoneda

quartermastertohisside.‘Removetheexplosivedevices,’heinstructed,‘andmakesuretheyarestoredsafely.’Thequartermasterproducedaknifeandbegantoslicethroughthickstrapsandlayersoftape.Thecolonel,inthemeantime,strodeonwithoutanotherglanceatGunthar,leavinghimfeelingwretchedandworthless.

‘Ididn’tknowwhattodo,’heconfessedasthequartermasterextricatedthefirstofthebatonsfromitswrappingsandlowereditgingerlyintoareinforcedbox.

‘Ourordersweretowithdraw,’saidthequartermaster.‘Iknow.Iknowtheywere,but…’Guntharwastongue-tiedagain.Hehadn’t

beentongue-tiedinsolong.Hedidn’tfeellikeasoldieranymore.‘Ijustneverimagined…Ithoughtitwouldbeoverbynow.IthoughttheDeathKorpsofKriegalwaysfoughttotheend.Whatdowedonow?Howdowefightthenecronsnow?’

‘Wedon’t.’Thequartermasterhaddetachedthelastoftheatomicminingcharges,andhekneltbytheboxnow,secureditslidwithaseriesoflatchesandhandedittoaservitortocarry.‘Thiswarisover,’hetoldGuntharbluntly.‘Thenecronshavewon.’

ChapterTwenty-Five

Thedayhadbegunlikeanyotherday.Arexhadbeenwokenbyatouchofsunlightthroughill-fittingshutters.Shehadsatboltupright,searchingfortheintrudersshehadsensedinherdreams.Skeletalhands,reachingforherassheslept…Thehab,thelatestinalonglineofidentikitrooms,hadbeenempty,therestofthenightmarealltooreal.Arexhadalmostbeendisappointed.

Sheknewthedreamwouldcometrueoneday,andthiswaitingwasaformofslowtortureforher.Inthedream,shehadwelcomedtheskeletalhands’touch.

Somethingwasdifferenttoday:distantsoundsfromtheoutside,below.Arexstrainedtomakeoutthetrampingofboots,theroaringofengines.Toonoisyfortheinvaders.Shehadslippedoutofbed,creptuptothewindow,puthereyetothecrackbetweenshuttersandframe,andshehadseenthemostwonderfulsightofherlife:

Anarmy,unmistakablymarchingtowar.TheImperialGuard,behindabannerdepictingawhite,eagle-wingedskullagainstblack.Aconvoyofsiegeenginescrawlinginitswake.ShehadshakenthesleepingTylar,excitedly,toldhimthegoodnews.TheEmperorhadn’tabandonedthem,afterall.

HerUncleHanrikhadn’tfailedher.Shewasallforrunningrightoutthere,butTylarhadcounselledcaution.The

soldierswouldbelonggonebeforetheycouldreachthem.Theytooktheirtime,gotdressed,Arex’shandsshakingsomuchthatTylarhadtofastenherscavengedtopforher.Theyatethelastofthefoodpaste.Theyhadbeentryingtomakeitlast,todelaythedaywhentheywouldhavetoventureintotheoutsideagain.Theyhuggedeachotherforcourage,thentheyopenedthedoor.

Ithadtakenthemdaystoclimbasfarastheyhad,minutestodescendtothegroundlevelagain.Theyhadfoundthestreetsempty,asTylarhadpredictedtheywould.Fromtheeast,however,theyheardsoundsofapitchedbattle,whichArex

hadfoundreassuring.‘Whatdowedo?’sheasked.‘Waitforthemtocomeback?’‘Maybe,’saidTylar,‘wedon’thaveto.Ifthesoldierscameintothecitythis

way…’‘Wecanretracetheirsteps,’Arexrealised.‘Wecanleave!’Evenasshehadspokenthewords,shehaddoubtedthem.Ithadseemed

impossible,afterallthistime,everythingshehadbeenthrough,thehopesshehadseendashed,thatitcouldbesoeasy.Shekeptwaitingforsomethingtogowrong,fortheinvaderstospringanambush,orperhapstowakeandfindherselfbackinthatsqualidlittleroomonadaylikealltheotherdays.

Whatshehadnotexpectedwasthat,assheandTylarnearedtheoutermostsurvivingtower,astheyclimbedaheapofrubbleintheirpath,justasshehadbeguntoentertainthefaintesthopeagain,totastefreedom,theywouldcomeunderlasgunfire.

Theyduckedintoadoorway.Arexcouldsmellburnthair,andwasafraiditwasprobablyhers.‘Lasguns,’shewhisperedtoTylar.‘Theinvadersdon’tuselasguns.’

‘Probablycultists,’hegrowled.‘AfewofAmareth’sbunchsurvivedthepurges,ortheymightbelongtooneoftheotherchurches.’

‘Ithink,’saidArex,‘IthinkIglimpsedaredandpurpletunic.Ithinkthey’rePDF,Tylar.Theymustthink…Theymustthinkwearethecultists.’

Tylarcranedforward,triedtosee,andanotherlas-beamnearlyslicedoffhisnose.‘Don’tshoot,’heyelled,‘don’tshoot!Wearen’twhoyouthinkweare.We’reonyourside.PraisebetotheEmperor!’

‘Ican’tletyouthrough,’cameanervousvoiceinresponse.‘Goback!’‘Youcan’t!’criedArex.‘Youcan’tmakeus…We’vebeenkidnapped,shotat,

almostsacrificed,andwejustwantto…Please,letusoutofhere!’‘Ihavethegovernor’sniecewithme,’calledTylar.Therewassilenceforamoment,thenthevoicereturned,uncertainly:‘Lady

Hanrik?Isthatreallyyou?’Negotiationshadproceededswiftlyafterthat.Theownerofthevoice,a

LieutenantSmitt,claimedtohavemetArexatseveralfunctions,soshehadpretendedtorememberhimand,fortunately,hadrecalledoneofthosefunctionsinenoughdetailtoconvincehimofheridentity.SheandTylarhademergedcautiouslyfromhiding,tofindasinglePDFsquadwaitingforthem,themajorityofthemunarmedandteenaged.Smitt,incontrast,wasgrey-hairedandwizened,andwalkedwiththeaidofacane.Hehadbeenretired,heexplained,buthadreturnedtodutytohelpoutasbesthecouldinthecurrentcrisis.

Hehaddirectedthemtothespaceport,apologeticthathehadnovehiclestotakethemthere.Tylarhadsaiditwasokay,theyhadbecomewellusedtowalking.SmitthadkeptlookingatArexwithtearsshininginhiseyes,andrepeatingthatthiswasamiracle,theyhadneverexpectedtofindheralive.Itwasn’tuntillaterthatshehadlearnedwhatthosetearswerefor.

Tylarhadtakenherhand,then,andtheyhadsetoffalongtheroadtogether.Theyhadwalkedoutoftheruinedcity,atlast,intoaworldtheyhadalmostforgotten.OnadaythatArexwouldalwaysrememberasbeinglikenoother.

Theysatinthewarmmesshallatthespaceport,alonebutforawoundedtrooperslumpedatacornertable.Theynursedtheirfirsthotdrinksintwomonths,butArexhadnoappetiteforhers.

‘Thisisn’t…’sheventuredhaltingly.‘Ihadapictureofthismoment.EvenwhenthingswereattheirmosthopelessandIthoughtIwouldnevergethere,Ialways…’

Tylarreachedacrossthetable,tookherhandsinhis.‘Ididthesame.Iimaginedthat,outside,everythingwouldbe…normal,Isuppose.Asitwasbefore.’

Shehadbeenrecognisedonthehillside.Refugeeshadflockedtoher,wantingtolaytheirhandsuponher.Mostofthemhadprobablyneverheardhernamebefore,butnowtheyweresayingherreturnfromcertaindeathwasasignfromtheEmperor,agoodaugurfortheoutcomeofthewar.Shehadflinchedfromtheirtouches.Howcouldshebetheirsaviourwhenshehadcomeinsuchdireneedofsalvationherself?

Therehadbeenonenameonalltheirlips,andfromthemArexhadheardwhattheagedSmitthadbeentoocowardlytotellher.

‘Heshouldhaveleftonarescueship,’shesaidbitterly,‘whenhehadthechance.Hemusthavestayedformysake,andInevereven…’

‘Youdon’tthink,’saidTylarcarefully,‘hecouldreallyhavedonewhattheysay?’

‘UncleHanrikwasnotraitor,’shesaidfiercely.‘Hemusthavehadsomereasonforsendingthatmessage,andwehaveonlythisKriegcolonel’swordforitanyway.’Arexgroaned,andranherfingersthroughhertangledhair.‘Ijustexpectedthat,ofallpeople,hewouldbe…I’velosteverythingelse,andEmperorknowsIneverthoughtIwouldseehimagain,butIalwayssupposed…Ithoughthewouldbeokay.’

‘Wecouldaskaround.Wecouldfindoutabout…Gunthar,wasit?’

Arexshookherhead.‘Ifhewashere,he’dhavefoundmebynow.Yousawhowwordofourarrivalspread.He’sgone,Tylar.Guntharisgone.’

Tylargaveherhandsacomfortingsqueeze.‘TheIronGods,the…thenecrons,theyhavedestroyedonecityoutofmany,notaworld.’

‘It’sonlyamatteroftime,’saidArex.‘Wethought…WhenIsawthesoldiersthismorning,Ithoughttherewasstillhope.Iwasforgetting…Whatyousaw,Tylar,insidethepyramid.Thegreenportal.Thenecronscannotbedefeated.’

Theycouldhearastirringinthecorridors,runningfootstepsandraisedvoices.Ablack-uniformedproctorskiddedtoahaltinthedoorwayandannouncedexcitedly,‘They’recomingback!Thesoldiers,they’recomingback!’

Thewoundedtrooperleapttohisfeetwithsurprisingspryness,tofollowtheproctoroutofthereataneagerrun.Tylarwasstandingtoo,butArexremainedwhereshewas,innohurrytohearthenews.Everyoneelsewasprayingforamiracle–theirsecondoftheday–buttheyhadn’tseenwhatshehadseen.Arexcouldn’tbringherselftosharetheiroptimism,muchasshewouldhavelikedto.Herstomachfeltheavywithdread,andshehadgivenupprayingalongtimeago.

Colonel186’sofficewasafrenzyofactivity.Kriegsoldiersweredisassemblingacommunicationsconsole,packingitawayintocrates.Thecolonelhimselfstooduntouchedintheeyeofthemaelstrom.IttookArexthreeattemptstofindawaythroughtohim.Heturnedtoher,andshetriedtomeetandholdhisgazebutfoundonlyherowneyesreflectedinhisfacemask’slenses.Theimagewouldhavegivenherpausehadshebeenlessdeterminedthanshewas.

‘MynameisArexHanrik,’shesaid,imitatingtheimperioustonesherunclehadusedwhendealingwithauthority.Ithadworkedtwicesofar,gothertothisroom.‘Iamtheniece–thelastsurvivingrelative–ofGovernorTalmarHanrik,andI–’

‘Iexplainedtoyouruncleattheoutset,’saidthecolonel,turningawayfromher,movingtohisdesk,‘thatthisworldisundermartiallaw.Thatmeans–’

‘I’mawareofwhatitmeans.Ijustwanttoknowwhat’s…Thepeopleoutthere,theywanttoknowwhatishappening.Ithinktheleastyoucando,colonel,theveryleastyouowethem,isanexplanation.’

‘WeareleavingHieronymousTheta,’saidthecolonel.‘Thenit’strue,whattheysay.Youarepullingout.You’re…givingup.’‘Thefirstofthedrop-shipswillarriveinthirtyminutes.’‘ButtheIron…Imean,thenecrons!’‘Inthejudgementofourgenerals,thereisnomorewecandohere.Therehas

beenanorkuprisingonaworldcalled…’Thecolonelpulledadata-slateacrosshisdesk,glancedatit.‘Djangalla.Wearescheduledtoarrivethereineightdays’time.’

‘Whataboutus?Aren’tthey…?Aretheysendingsomeoneelse?’‘Wedidallwecould.Wealmostdestroyedthenecrons’tomb,butwe

expendedthemajorityofourresourcesintheattemptandwefailed.’‘Thenacquiremoreresources.GetontotheDepartmentoMunitorum,demand

theysendmoretroops.Iknowhowtheywork,Iheardmyunclearguingwiththemoftenenough.Youhavetokeeponatthem.’

‘Itappears,’saidthecolonel,‘thatsomeassumptionswemadeaboutourenemiesweremistaken.Ouronlycertaintyatthispointisthatfurtherengagementwiththemwouldbealongandcostlyprocess,withlittlechanceofapositiveoutcome.’

‘Thenyou’rejust…You’releavingustotheirmercy?Colonel,thereare–therewere–ninebillionpeopleonthisworld.’

‘Evenso,LadyHanrik,thenumbersjustdon’taddup.’‘Iwon’tacceptthat.Ican’tbelieveyoucouldbeso…myopic.Whathappens

whenthenecronsarefinishedwithus?Whentheysettheirsightsonthenextworld,andtheoneafterthat?Whathappenswhentheyspreadtoyourworld,colonel?Kriegisonlyafewsystemsawayfromhere,asIrecall.Ifthesemonstersaren’tstoppednow…’Arex’svoicetrailedoff.Thecolonelwasjustsitting,staringblanklyather,butalthoughhismaskexpressednothingasalways,hissilencespokevolumes.

Shesankintoaseatherself.‘Theywon’tletthathappen,willthey?’shesaid.‘Ishouldhaveseenitat

once.’‘TheImperialNavyhasbeencontacted,’saidthecolonel.‘Thenecessary

authoritieshavealreadybeengranted.AnExterminatusorderisunderpreparation.’

‘Howlong…?’‘Thesethingstaketime,asIamsureyou’reaware.Ourcommissarshave

askedformorerescueshipstobesent,andIbelievethatsomeof–’‘Ihearthelastshipleftoveramonthago,’saidArex.‘WherehasNaval

Commandbeensincethen?No,letmeguess.Solongastheybelievedwehadachance,solongastheythoughtyoumightactuallybeatthenecrons,weweren’tconsideredahighenoughpriority,andnow…now,it’stoolate.’

‘Ibelieve,’thecolonelrepeated,‘thatsomeofyourcityadministratorshave

alsomadestrongrepresentations.Sixshipshavebeendespatched,withmore–’‘Thatisn’tenough,’protestedArex.‘Sixshipsisn’tnearlyenoughandyou

knowaswellasIdo,colonel,thatsomeofthemwon’tevenarriveintimeto…tohelpus.’

‘Thatisnotmyconcern,’saidthecolonel.‘Isuggestyoucontact–’Arexflaredupathim.‘Itmightnotbeyourconcern,butdon’tyouevencare?

UncleHanrikwasrightaboutyou.I’vebeentalkingtothepeople,totherefugees,tothefewremainingmembersofthePlanetaryDefenceForce,anddoyouwanttoknowwhatthey’vebeensayingabouthim?Aboutwhatyoudidtohim?’

‘Governor-GeneralHanrik,’snappedthecolonel,‘madecontactwithanecroncult.Heintimatedthathewaspreparedtonegotiatewiththem.’

‘Formysake!’criedArex.‘Hewastryingtohelpme!Hewouldn’treallyhave…andyou…youkilledhimandforwhat?Yousaidityourself,colonel.Youtriedtodealwiththenecronsyourway,andyoufailed.Youlostourworldtothemanyway.’Shewasfillingupwithtears.Sheturnedawayfromthecolonel,triedtohideit.Shehadsworntoherselfthatshewouldn’tcryinfrontofhim.

‘ThetroopshipMementoMori,’hesaidquietly,‘hasquartersandprovisionsforsomethirtythousandmen.Ournumbers,thoseofourfourregimentscombined,havebeenreducedtosomewhereintheregionoffivethousand.’

‘You’resayingyoumight…?’Arexsniffed.‘Wehavebeenasked,’saidthecolonel,‘totakesomerefugees.Youwillhave

tojourneytoDjangallawithus.However,oncethere,youshouldbeabletoarrangeforshuttlestoconveyyoutothenearestappropriatecolonisedworld.’

‘That…that’sverygenerousofyou.Thankyou.’‘Ifitwereuptome,’saidthecolonel,‘wewouldfillthespacewehavewith

allthevehiclesandtheusefulmachinerywecansalvagefromthisworld.AsImentioned,however,yourcityadministratorshavebeenmakingstrongrepresentations.’

‘I…see,’saidArex.‘Thequartermasterswillliaisewithyou,toproducealistofthosetobe–’‘No!’shesaidhastily.‘Idon’tthinkIcould…Icouldn’tdothat.’‘Werequirealist,’saidthecoloneladamantly.‘Thepeoplewesavemustat

leastbethosewiththegreatestpotentialvaluetotheImperium.’‘Andyoufeelqualifiedtojudgethat?BecauseIcertainlydon’t.’‘Iassume,however,thatyouwouldwishaplacereservedforyourself.’Arexhesitatedbeforesheansweredthat.Sheknewwithallherheartwhather

answerwouldbe,butshefeltshewasbeingunbearablyselfish.Twenty-five

thousandpeople,shethought,againstthepopulationofaworld.Itwasalmostnothing,lessthannothing,andwhatentitledhertobeoneoftheprivilegedonesagain?

UncleHanrikhadsaidno,shethought.Whenthefirstshipshadleft.Hehadstayedbehindtohelphispeople,tofindher.Hewasdeadnow.

‘Twoplaces,’shesaid,staringatherhands,avoidingthecolonel’sblankeyes.‘Ineedtwoplaces,oneformeandoneformy…’SherememberedTylar’sliefromthetemple,thoughtitmighthelp.‘Mybetrothed,’shesaid.‘Tylarismybetrothed,soyouseeheisapartoftheGovernor’sfamilytoo,andI…colonel,Ineedhim.’

‘Asyousay,’saidthecolonel.‘Astotherestofyourlist,’saidArex,‘letoneoftheothersdoit.Oneofthe

administrators.Theywillpickyournamesforyou,andbeonlytoogladto,Isuspect.Infact,I’dbesurprisedif,betweenthem,theyhadn’tdrawnupalistalready.’

Drop-shipshadbeensenttothreespaceportsaroundtheglobe.Evenso,somepeoplehadbeencutfromtherescuelistbecausetheycouldn’treachanyofthoseportsintime.ArexhadlistenedtoCommissarMannheimoftheKrieg42nd,arguingoveracomm-linkterminalwithanindignantnoblemanwhohadhisownlandingpadanddidn’tseewhyheandhisfamilycouldn’tbepickedupfromthere.

Everythinghadbeendoneinsucharush.TheKrieggeneralswouldn’tdelaythedepartureoftheirtroopshipevenforanhour.Mannheimhadmumbledsomethingabouttheirgenerosityinagreeingtotakeaboardrefugeesinthefirstplace,butArexknewthatsuchfinerfeelingshadnothingtodowithit.

Theyhadbeensenttoadisusedofficetowait,sheandTylar,withMannheimlookinginonthemwhenhecould.Thewindowlookedoutoverthespaceportramp,andtheywatchedastwodrop-shipswereloadedupwithvehiclesandequipmentincluding,accordingtoMannheim,acrateoftheGovernor’sbelongingssalvagedfromtheHighSpire.Thecommissarsidledupbehindthem,followedtheirgazes,andsighed.‘Wearrivedinfour,’helamented.

TroublebrokeoutassoonasthefirstproctorandPDFvehiclesweresighted.ArexheardtheswellofangryvoicesfromoutsideandknewwhatwashappeningbeforethenewshadreachedMannheim’scomm-bead.‘Apparently,’hereported,‘thecrowdoutthereisstillgrowing.We’veissuedwarnings,askedthemtostayathome,toldthemwecan’tdoanythingforthemhere,buttheykeeponcoming.’

‘Canyoublamethem?’saidArex.‘Isupposenot,’Mannheimconceded,‘buttherearen’tenoughofyourproctors

tocope,anditsoundslike…’Hecockedhishead,listeningtoanothertransmission.

‘Andwhataboutthosewhohavelosttheirhomes?’‘Someoftheproctorsareevenjoiningtherioters.Don’tworry,I’msurewe

can...’‘They’vebeenwaitingformonthstobehelped.’‘Colonel103hassentoutacoupleofplatoons.Thatoughttodefusethe

situation.’Thesoundoflas-firemadeArexwince.Lessthanfiveminuteslater,however,

thefirstPDFtruckcamerollingintotheport,accompaniedbyanescortofmaskedGuardsmenand,surginginitswake,awaveofdispossessedhumanity.AnotherKriegplatoonmovedforward,formedalinetoblockthelatter,partingonlytoallowasecondtruckthrough,thenathirdandafourth.Thevehiclesmountedthefirstdrop-ship’sloadingramp,intendingtodisgorgetheirpassengersinsidethebellyofthatmetalhulkratherthanexposingthemtothemobwithout.

‘We’llbejustlikethem,’saidArexquietly,‘onthenextworld.They’llhavetheirownlordsthere.Ourfathers’names,andtherankstheyheld,won’tmeanallthatmuchanymore.We’lljustbetwomorerefugees,twomoremouthstofeed,andiftheycanfindahomeforusatall,itwillsurelybeononeofthelowestfloors.’

Tylarputhisarmaroundher,drewherclosetohim.‘We’llsurvive,’hesaid.Moretruckswerearrivingbelow,andnowMannheimclearedhisthroat

politelyandArexandTylarturnedtofindfourGuardsmenwaitingforthematthedoor.Itwastimeforthemtoleavetoo.

Arexhesitated,glancingbackatthewindow,andMannheimrushedtoassurehershewouldbewellprotecteddownthere,thatthedrop-shipwasonlyaveryshortwalkaway,butthatwasn’twhatwasbotheringher.‘There’llbemoreships,’Tylarsaidtoher,andArexforcedabravesmileontoherfaceandchosetobelievehim.

Astheycrossedtheroom,herfootstruckanopenzipcase,upsettingitscontents.Lookingdown,shesawahandfulofhololithspeekingoutfromastackofclothing.Fouryoungmen,resplendentindressuniforms.Shewonderedwhotheywere.

WatchingthebedlamonthespaceportrampfromafarhadnotpreparedArexfortheshockofbeingthrustintoit.Shecouldn’tseewhereshewasgoing,couldn’t

heartheinstructionsthatwereshoutedtoher.Shecouldonlykeepherheaddown,keepasclosetoTylarasshecould,trustintheKriegGuardsmentoformaprotectiveshellaroundherasshestumbledalongbetweenthem.

ShealmostwishedshehadacceptedMannheim’ssuggestionofcoveringherselfwithablanket,concealingheridentity.Thismorning,shehadbeenhailedasahero,asasymbolofhope.Now,shewasadeserter,atraitor.Shewouldhavefeltdishonest,however,fleeingunderacloakofanonymity.Shewouldhavefeltcowardly.

Theywerethroughthehostilecrowdatlast,andthroughtheDeathKorps’cordon,arampextendedinvitinglybeforethem.Astheyclimbedit,something–aplastekcontainer–struckArexonthebackofthehead,andTylarlookedaround,scowling,fortheculpritashebrushedfoodpastefromherhair.

Shefalteredonthethresholdofthedrop-ship’sloadingbay,turnedback,couldn’tleavelikethat.Shewantedtosaysomething,feltsheoughttoexplainherself.Shewasgreetedbyaseaofathousandenragedfaces,andsheknewnoonewouldwanttohearherwords.Tylarslippedanarmabouthershouldersagainandgaveherstrengthashealwaysdid,coaxedheroutofthatdreadfulmoment.

Arexgaveafinal,tearfulsigh,andsheallowedhimtoguideherawayfromthere,awayfromtheonlylifeshehadeverknown,towardsanuncertainnewone.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Thenecronswereonthemoveagain.Guntharwaswokenbythenewsbeingshoutedaroundthespaceport.

Reactionsranthefullrangefromhystericalscreamingtoweepingtosilentacceptance.Itwasn’tasifnobodyhadknownthiswascoming.Howlonghadtheybeenwaitingnow?

Guntharfeltcold,andwrappedhisthreadbareblankettighterabouthimself.Hedidn’tknowhowlonghehadslept,sittinguprightagainstahangarwall,hiskneesdrawnuptohischestleavingroomforanotherrefugeetosprawlathisfeet.Hisneckmuscleshadbecomeaccustomedtothispositionandnolongerachedsomuch.

Howlonghaditbeensincethesoldiershadleft?Weeks?Months?Hehadstoppedcountingthedays.Theriseandfallofthesunmeantnothingtohim,adevicetoimposesomestructureuponalifethatnolongerhadauseforone.Guntharsleptwhenhehadtonow,whenhisexhaustedbodyhadnooptionbuttoshutdown.Hedidn’tdreamthatway.Heatewhenhecouldfindfood,whichwasn’toften.

Hedidhisbestnottopictureherface.Herememberedthatlastday,foolinghimselfhestillhadapurpose,helping

withcrowdcontrol,keepingtherefugeesfromthedrop-ships,atleasttryingto.Hisuniform,hisrank,hadceasedtomeanmuchinthatfraughtsituation.Hehadhadnogun,sohehadbeentryingtomakehisvoiceheardinvain.

Hehadheardhername,andthesoundofithadbeenajolttohisheart.Hehadthoughthimselfmistakenatfirst,untilhehadhearditagain,spokenwithvenom,andhehadrealisedthen...Shehadbeensoclose,allthistime,oneoftheveryevacueeshehadbeenstrivingtoprotect,andGuntharhadn’tknown,hadn’tevenwondered.

Hehadelbowedhiswaytothefrontofthecrowd,allthoughtsofdutyforgotten,andhehadseenherthere.Forthefirsttimeinalifetime,hehadseenher.

Arex.Shewasclimbingtheramptotherescueship,surroundedbyKriegGuardsmen,andhecriedouttoherbutshedidn’thearhim.Shewaswalkingawayfromhim,twofootstepsawayfromwalkingoutofhislifeforever,buttheEmperormusthaveheardhisprayersbecauseshestopped.Sheturned.ShelookeddirectlyatGunthar,andshelookedexactlyasherememberedher,herroundface,greeneyesandchestnutbrownhair.Hestartedtowardsher,foundhimselfblockedbytheKriegcordon.Hetriedtoexplainhimself,pleadedwiththem,buttheywouldn’tlistentohim.Eighthoursago,theyhadbeenhisallies.Theywerestrangersnow.

Arexwasn’talone.Guntharhadn’tnoticedbefore,butnowablond,muscularmanwasbrushingherhair,puttinghisarmaroundher,andshehadn’tseenGuntharatall.Shehadeyesonlyforthisnewman,thismanwhowastakingherawayfromhim.Hewatchedthemgo,disappearingintothedrop-ship,andhethoughtthatperhapsitwasbestthatway.Hewaspleased,hetoldhimself.Againstallodds,hehadachievedhislife’sonlygoal.Arexwassafe.Shewouldbehappy.

Theycouldneverhavebeentogetheranyway.Theyhadalwaysknownit.Everyonehadsupposedthespaceporttobethenecrons’nexttarget.Manyhad

fled,triedtogetasfarfromHieronymousCityastheycould,todelaytheinevitable.Evenastheyhadleft,morepeoplehadarrivedtoreplacethem,stillprayingforarescuebutlessferventlysowitheachnewdayandeachfreshdisappointment.Guntharknewthetruth:thatitdidn’tmatterwhattheydid,whichpaththeychose.

Herestedhisheadonthewallagain,closedhiseyes,wonderedifhewouldhavethewillpowertokeepthemclosedwhentheslaughterbegan.Hedidn’tneedtoseedeathcoming.Hecouldn’tclosehisears,however,andfatedealthimonefinalsurpriseintheformofarumourthatbeganasawhisperbutgrewintoashout.Thenecrons,heheardthroughthehubbubaroundhim,weren’tcominghereafterall.

Theywereskirtingthehill,followingtheroadaroundtoricherpickings.Thousandsofthem.No,tensofthousands.Guntharfounditincrediblethattheycouldeverhavebeencontained,evenforashorttime.Theywerefreenowthough.

Itwasnight-time–insidetheelectric-litport,hehadn’tknown–butthe

necronarmywasbathedinasicklygreenglow.Itemanatedfromthechambersoftheirguns,thehatchwaysandtheturretsoftheirtanks,andthesinglepinprickeyesofthemetalinsectsthatswarmedaboutthem.

Hefollowedtheirprogressfromthehillside,alongwitheverybodyelse.Hedidn’tknowwhathadbroughthimouthere.Hehadseenthistragedyplayedoutoncealready,upclose,buthecouldn’tresistwatchingitagain.Hewonderedifthesightmightmakehimfeelsomething.

ThenecronsfelluponTheloniusCityandbegantosackit.Thehushedonlookerscouldseeandhearlittlefromthisdistance,justgreenflashesinthenightskyandtheoccasionalrumbleorsuggestionofascreamonthebreeze,buttheirmind’seyesweremorethancapableofcompletingthepicture.Theycaughttheirbreathsasthefirsttowercrumbled,wreathingitsproudfellowsindustandsmoke.

Theloniushadbeenhometomillionsofpeople.Guntharknewwhattheyweregoingthrough,everyoneofthem,buthecouldn’tallowhimselftocare.Asecondtowerfell,thenhesawthefirstescapees,someinvehicles,manywalking,beingloweredbytheexternalliftersasifthereweresomewheretogo,somewheretheycouldbesafe.Twentyminutesafterthat,thecity’slightswentoutforthefinaltime.

Gunthar’seyeswereheavy,andhesatdownonthegrasstorestthem.IntheaftermathoftheKriegwithdrawal,thePlanetaryDefenceForcehad

fallenapart.Mostoftheseniorofficershadleftwhentheycould,ColonelBraunamongthem,andmanyofthelowerrankshaddeserted.Guntharhadstayed.Hewasasoldier,afterall,butasoldiernowwithnoorderstofollow.

Threemorerescueshipshadcome,andtherehadbeenrumoursofotherssenttootherports.Everytimeonehadlanded,thetruckshadreturnedwiththeirquotaoftheprivilegedtofillthoseships.Theyhadrunoutofsoldierstoguardthem,sothewould-beevacueeshadhadtoarmthemselves.Theangerofthespaceportrefugeesatbeingleftbehindagainhadreachedboilingpointand,bythetimeofthefinalship’sarrival,gunshadnolongerbeensufficienttocowthem.

Severalofthemhaddiedintheattempt,buttheyhadwrestedthegunsfromtheirinexperiencedwielders.Theyhadcommandeeredtherescueship,butithadn’tbeenlargeenoughtoholdallofthem,notnearly,somorefightinghadbrokenoutoverwhichofthemgottoboardit.Theshiphaddeparted,intheend,withafractionofitspassengercapacity,andleftmuchwailingandhowlingbehindit.

Guntharhadwatchedthefighting,buthadn’tjoinedeitherside.Thehijackers

hadthoughttheycouldoutrundeath.Theywouldsoonlearntheirmistake,whentheImperialNavycaughtupwiththem.Therewasnoescapeforthem.

ColonelBraun’sreplacement,anidealisticyoungmajorwhohadgenuinelytriedtopulleveryonetogetherforallofthreedays,shouldhavebeenonthatship.Guntharhadn’tseenhimsincethen,butrumourhadithehadputaguntohisownhead,thathisbodylayatthefootofthehillwithalltheothers.

DaylightstreamedthroughGunthar’seyelids.Hehaddriftedofftosleep,wakingnowtofindhisleftcheekfrozentotheground.Dewhadseepedintohistunic,andsomethingsmallandhardwasdiggingintohisleg.Thehillsidewaslesspackedthanithadbeen,manyofhisfellowspectatorshavingreturnedtotheirtentsortotherelativewarmthofthespaceportbuildings.Plentyremained,however,tocontinuetheirsilentvigiloverTheloniusCityalthoughtherewaslittlenewtosee.

Diggingintoaholeinhistrouserpocket,Guntharfoundsomethinginthelining.Heextracteditcarefully,almostdidn’trecogniseit.Ithadbeensolongsincehehadeventhoughtaboutit.Agoldring,setwithsixamecytestones.Itwasthecolourofthosestones,morethananything,thatremindedhim.RedwasArex’sfavouritecolour.

Heoughttohavethrowntheringaway.Itwasworthlessnow.Hereturnedittohispocketinstead.Aconnectiontoalifeoncelivedandlost.Amementomori.

Itwashardtobelievehowpettyhisconcernshadbeeninthatlife,howdifferenthisgoalsandthefuturehehadimaginedforhimself,butatleast,hethought,hehadhadgoalsthen.HerecalledhisdrillinstructorsintheDeathKorpsofKrieg,andheknewwhattheywouldhavesaidtohim,howtheywouldhavediagnosedhisproblem.Theywouldhavetoldhimhehadlivedtoolong.

HisDeathKorpscomradeshadabandonedhimhere,gonetofindanewpurposetotheirliveselsewhere.ItwastimeGunthardidthesame.

Hehadlivedhereonce.HieronymousCity.Afieldofrubble,now,mostofit.Guntharhadmarched

throughthatfieldproudlyonhiswaytowar,trudgedbackthroughitindefeat,buthehadn’treallylooked,hadn’tthoughtaboutwhateachofthemoundsaroundhimrepresented.Herememberednow,thetowersandtheskyways,theemporiumsandtheeateries.

Herememberedthepeople.Somany,manypeople.Thequeuesfortheautocabseachmorning,thethrongsofadministratorsaboveandminersbelow.Sometimes,hehadthoughttheskywaysmightcollapsebeneaththeweightofthem

all.Whenhelooked,reallylooked,attheheapsofrubble,hecouldseethose

people,theremnantsoftheirlives:strewnclothing,ornamentsoncecherishednowshatteredandforgotten,hololithsincrackedframes.Worstofall,hecouldmakeoutafoothere,agreyhandthere,protrudingforlornly.Thisplacewasagraveyard.

Hesawascrapofscarletandpurple,andscrabbledtouncoveraPDFtrooper’scorpse.Theboyhadfallenfoulofanecronghoul,probablyduringthefirstwaveofattackstojudgebyhisstateofdecomposition.Theghoulmusthavebeendistracted,though,astherewasstillsomefleshonthetrooper’sbones.Muchgoodithaddonehim.HemusthavelainundiscoveredforweeksuntiltheDeathKorps’gunshadcollapsedtheskywaybeneathhimandgivenhimasemblanceofaburial.

Gunthartookhislasgunandthecleaningagentsforit.Hebegantostripdowntheweapon,butsawitwasburntout,useless.Hekeptitanyway.Itcouldstilldeteramutantoracultistfromattackinghim,ifindeedtherewereanysurvivorsofeitherbreed.Hesearchedthetrooper’sbackpackforgrenades,oranythingelsehecoulduse,foundonlyamangledbutserviceableluminator.

ThesunwasgoingdownasGuntharreachedtheclearedareainwhichanarmyhadonceassembled.Hepausedhereandtriedtoseepastthatfresh,starkmemory,torecallwhatthisplacehadbeenbeforethen.Hecouldn’thavebeentoofarfromhome.Hisoldhome,thatwas.Hescannedthefewremainingtowersaheadofhim,searchingforareferencepoint,butsawnothinghecouldrecognise.

Heneededtogetcloser,climbhigher.HefollowedtheDeathKorps’routeintotheheartofthecity,andsoonfoundbuildingsrisingaroundhim,skywaysrunningoverhishead,neitherasubiquitousastheyhadbeenbutstillprovidingsomesmallmeasureoffamiliarity.Helookedforastaircaseandbegantomakehiswayupwards.Hecountedthefloorscarefully,andemergedon204.Henearlysteppedintoanabyss,hadtograbontothedoorandhaulhimselfbackoverthethreshold.

The204th-floorskywaywasgone.Therewasnothingleftofit.Whatthenecronshadbegun,theDeathKorpsofKrieghadfinished–andtojudgebythebrokenwindows,thegraffitiedwallsandtheburnt-outhabsGuntharcouldseeacrossthegulf,hisownpeoplehadbeenonlytooeagertoabetthem.

HestaredatthedefacedimageoftheImperialaquila,displayedoverthedoorwayofwhatlookedlikeithadbeenarecordsoffice.Hadhepassedthatbuildingonhisjourneytoworkeachday?Hecouldn’tbesure.Heretreatedinto

thetower,foundaroomtosleepin.Itlookedlikehisoldroom,thesamelayout,butpretendashemightheknewbetterthantotrusttheillusion.Hetriedtofillacupwithcoldwater,butallthatcameoutofthetapwasatrickleofbrownsludge.Hedrankthisanyway.

Hedidn’tknowwhathewaslookingfor,butheknewhehadn’tfoundityet.

Healmostreachedtheeatery.Theexclusiveone,theoneforwhichhehadpurchasedthering.Itwasonanadjacentskyway,soclose,buthecouldseenowayacrosstoit.

Thenighthaddrawnin,asullenhalf-moononlyintermittentlyvisiblethroughdriftingclouds,soGuntharwasfindinghiswaybyluminatorlight.Heshonehisbeamtowardstheeaterywindow;sawonlydebrisstackedupbehindit.Theinternalwallshadcollapsed.Evenifhecouldhavemadeittothedoor,hecouldn’thavegotinside,andwhywouldhe,hethought?Thosedoorshadalwaysbeenclosedtothelikesofhimbefore.Hewouldrecoverfewmemoriesfrominthere.

Hecouldusethepositionoftheeatery,however,toorienthimself.Heknewhowmanyfloorstodropnow,howmanymoreblockstowalk,beforehecametothestatue.Ithadbeenvandalised,ofcourse,cutoffattheknees,butsitsfeetwerestillplascretedtoitslayeredplinthandGuntharcouldsitonthatplinthinthesamespothehadsatbefore.Hedidso,tentatively,closedhiseyesandtriedtoimaginethatnothinghadchangedsincethen,thatthebodyofthestatuestillrosebehindhim,thattheofficesaroundthispublicsquarewereintactandonlyshutteredforthenight.

HetriedtoimagineArexwasbesidehim,thathecouldsmellherblossom-scentedperfume,seethesadnessinhereyesasshelookedupatthatstatue:oneofhundredscommissionedbysuccessiveGovernorstohonourthosetheyhadsentofftofight,thosewhohadn’treturned.AgravenimageofArex’sfather.

Whathadtheydonebeforethat?Heremembered.Thenewsreels.HehadtakenArextoseethem.Theyhadmadeheruncomfortable,allthattalkofbloodshed,butGuntharhadsaiditwasokaybecausetheImperiumalwayswon.Arexhadsuggestedtheysnatchproteinburgersfromacart,surprisingGuntharwhohadbeensavinghiscreditsforsomewhatfinerfare.Hehadlovedthatabouther,theabsenceofanyairsorgraces.

Theyhadsatbesidethestatueasthecityhadclosedaroundthem.Aperfectsummerevening,untilGuntharhadspoiledit,hisinsecuritiesbubblingupastheyalwayshad.

‘Let’snottalkaboutthefuture,’Arexhadsaid,tearinghergazefromthestatue,lookingintohiseyesinstead.Hervoicecameascleartohimnowasithadbeenbackthen.‘Idon’tcareaboutthefuturerightnow.Wehavethismoment,andweshouldenjoyitandnotthinkaboutmyuncleoryourjoboranyoftherestofit.Thefuturewillhappenregardless,andprobablynotinthewayanyofusexpect,sowhyworry?’

Hehadopenedhismouthtoargue,andArexhadleanedinandtouchedherlipstohis.Theirfirstkiss.Hehadthought,atfirst,shewasdoingittosilencehim.Thenhehadceasedtocareifshewasorshewasn’t,justlosthimselfinthatblissfulmoment.

Hehadn’tforgottenasingledetail.Arexbrokeoffthecontact,slippedthroughGunthar’sarms,lefthimwreathed

inamelancholichaze.Onanimpulse,hesnatchedtheringfromhispocket,extendedittowardsher,beggedhertotakeitbeforeitwastoolate.Ofcourse,shecouldn’tanswerhim.Shewasonlyaghost,and,whenGuntharopenedhiseyes,shewasgone.

Thepastwasgone.Hewasweeping,withouthavingfeltthetearscoming,andoncethatdamhad

bursthefoundhecouldn’trebuildit.Hewasdoubledover,convulsedbywrackingsobs,atthestonefeetofArex’sheroicfather,howlinghisanguishatallhehadlosttotheuncaringskyandhedidn’tcarewhoorwhatmighthaveheardhim.

Inthechilloftheearlymorning,hefoundwhathehadbeenseeking.Hehadhadtoventurecloserthanplannedtothenecrontomb,returningto

groundleveltodoso.Thiswaswherethemajorityofhiscomradeshaddied,afterall.Fortunately,therewerefewnecronsabout,thebulkofthemdoubtlessstilloccupiedinThelonius,andGuntharhadonlyhadtoconcealhimselftwicefromtheirpatrols.Fewcorpseshadsurvivedthegaussgunsintact,andthosethathadhadbeenstrippedofanythingusefulbytheDeathKorpsquartermasters.However,Guntharfoundacorpsethequartermastershadoverlooked,andstrucklucky.Itwasagrenadier,whichmeanthewaslikelybetterequippedthantheaverageGuardsman.

Hewaslyingintheopen.Thegreenlightfromthepyramidwashedoverhiminsickeningwaves,albeitdiffusedbydaylight.Guntharbentlow,scurriedoverthere,relievedthebodyofitspossessionsasrapidlyashecould.Ashewrestledwithitsbackpack,heknockedthefacemaskloose.Ofcourse,herecalled,unlike

theotherKriegmen,thegrenadierscarriedtheirrebreatherunitsontheirbacks,allowingroomformorearmouratthefront.Hehadnotimetountangletheconnectinghose,sohebundledthewholeassemblytogether,takingeverything,armourandall.

Heclosedthefallensoldier’seyesasamarkofrespect,butdidn’tstoptomournhim.Hehadpurgedthelastofhishumanfeelingsinfrontofthatstatue.

Heretreatedtoabolthole:adormitoryseveralblocksawayandafewfloorsup,wherehelaidouthishaulforinspection.Ahellgunwithtwosparepowerpacks.Sixfraggrenadesheldwithinpouchesinthegrenadier’sbelt,whichGuntharnowdonned.Therationsandthemedi-pack,hedidn’tneed.Hewaslikewiseabouttolaytherebreathertoonesidewhenhehesitated,staredintotheblankeyepiecesofthatmask.

Heturneditaround,liftedittohisface.Thefabricfeltscratchyagainsthischeeksandthemaskrestrictedhisperipheralvision.Still,therewassomethingalmostreassuringaboutlookingattheworldlikethis,throughKriegeyes.Itmadehimfeelonestepremovedfromitall,lookinginonlifebutnopartofit.Theonlysoundhecouldhearwasthatofhisownbreathingashesuckedindry,filteredairthroughthehose.Itfeltgood.Itfeltright–and,whenGuntharcaughtsightofhisreflectioninanunbrokenwindow,itlookedrighttoo.Itseemedfitting.So,insteadofremovingthemask,hepickeduptherebreatherunit,pushedhisarmsthroughitswornstrapsandhefteditontohisback.Itwasheavy,butheboreitsweightgladly.

Hefastenedthegrenadier’sshoulderguards,chestplate,shinandkneeguardstohimself.Thehelmetwasalittletoolargeforhim,butheworethistoo,andpulledonthecharcoalgreygreatcoatforgoodmeasure.Hewasreadynow.

Hesteppedoutintothestreetagain,hellguninhands.Hehadcleaneditthoroughly,familiarisedhimselfwithit,knewitwasagoodweapon.

Heknewhecoulddolittlealone,hewasn’tfoolinghimself.GuntharhadhearditsaidthattheEmperorwouldrazeHieronymousThetaratherthanallowhisenemiestokeepit.Hebelievedthis,buthealsobelievedthatifanyoneoranythingcouldsurviveaplanetarycataclysm,thenecronscould.Theywouldflockfromheretoanotherworld,beginthecycleofdestructionalloveragain.

Hemarchedtowardstheirtomb,hisbackstraight,hisheadupright,noattemptatstealthmadethistime.Letthenecronsseeme,hethought,letthemcome.Whatcouldtheydotohim,afterall?Whatmorecouldtheytakefromhim?

GuntharSoresonwasdead,alongwitheverythinghehadvaluedinhismeaninglesslife.Inhisplace,inhabitinghisflesh,wasasoldier.Asoldierwith

noordersbutnowpossessedofanewsenseofpurpose,theonlypurposeasoldiereverreallyhad.

Herememberedwhathisinstructorshadtoldhimbeforehisfirstbattle:thatifhecouldtakedownjustonefoe,hewouldhavejustifiedhislife.Hehadalreadydonemorethanthat.Hewasfightingfortheothersnow,forthosecomradesofhiswhohadnotbeenasluckyashehadbeen,forthosewhohaddiedunfulfilled.Hehadnonameanymore,noface.Herepresentedallofthem,andhecarriedtheirsoulswithhim.

Hewasgoingtobeahero.

AbouttheAuthor

SteveLyonshaswrittennovels,shortstories,radioplaysandcomicstripsforcharactersincludingtheX-Men,DoctorWho,StrontiumDogandSapphire&Steel.FortheBlackLibrary,heisknownfortheImperialGuardbooks,DeathWorldandIceGuard,andtheaudiodrama,WaitingDeath.Hehasalsowrittenseveralnon-fictionbooksabouttelevision

shows,andcontributedtomanymagazines.

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