Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousand

soulsaresacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperor’swill.Vastarmiesgivebattleinhisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongstHissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesinarmsarelegion:theAstraMilitarumandcountlessplanetarydefenceforces,theever-vigilantInquisitionandthetech-priestsofthe

AdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreatfromaliens,heretics,mutants–andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,forinthegrimdarkfuturethereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,

onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

‘Oh,Ixoi,Ixoi.Howcruelisourfate,tobedeniedbydistance!Youpullfromabove,Iswellfrombelow,butnever,itseems,mayweembrace.Mustweonlybecontenttogazeatoneanother;you,myfattenedwarrior,andI,yourGoddessoftheBrine?’

–CantosContinuous,M41

CHAPTERONE

TheShelsistshaddonewelltohidethemselves.Theyheldtheirprofanegatheringinthedeeprecessesofaruinedlibrarium,wherethethickwallswouldmuffletheirchantsandhymns.Theyhaddrapedathickcurtainofdriedseaweedacrosstheonlyentrancesoastohidethelightfromtheirtorches.Theyhadspreadalgaeflowersinthedirttoconcealtheirfootprints.Tothecasualobserver,therewasnothingamissinthedeadandsilentcity.TheCanonessknewbetter.Shestoodatopashatteredcolumn,scanningtheareabeforeher.Lysios’s

moonhung,asever,hugeinthesky.Itwasn’tevenatitsfullestyet,butsoplentifulwasthedullredlightitcastoverthelandthatshecouldhavereadfromthePrimeEdicts.Buttherewasnoneed;shehadmemorisedthewordsoftheHolySynoddecadesago.‘Whenthepeopleforgettheirduty,’sherecitedinawhisper,‘theyarenolongerhumanandbecome

somethinglessthanbeasts.TheyhavenoplaceinthebosomofhumanitynorintheheartoftheEmperor.Letthemdieandbeforgotten.’Sheraisedherrighthandandmadeaflickingmotion.TherestoftheSistersmoveduptojoinher,silent

exceptfortherustlingofheavyrobesandthecreakingofpoweredarmour.Whentheyreachedthebaseofthecolumn,theyknelt.TheCanonessturnedandsurveyedthem.Theywoulddotheirduty,astheyhadsomanytimesbeforeon

thisforsaken,delugedworld.ButtheseworshippersoftheBrineGoddesswereunusualforheretics.Theyborenoneofthefourtraditionalevilmarks.Theydidnotflagellatethemselvesorsevertheirdigits.Rather,theywereallbutindistinguishablefromthebulkoftheplanet’scitizenry.Sheworriedthatbecauseofthis,herchargesmightharbourregretstowardstheirduty.TheSistersofBattleweredefendersofthefaith,afterall,notwantonmurderers.Shedecidedthatarousinghomilywasneeded.‘TheEmperorgaveupHislifeasaransomsothathumanitymightlive,sogreatisHislovefor

mankind.ThefaithfulrepayHimwithdailythanksandprayer,andtheyserveHimwithalltheirheart,soul,andstrength.’Bowedheadsnoddedinagreement.‘ButtherearethoseonthisworldwhorenouncetheEmperor’slove,whocheapenHisgiftbyoffering

theirallegianceanddevotiontofalsedeities.WhatshouldHethendo?Ignorethisinsult?Condonesuchbehaviour?Orrather,shouldHeadministerpunishmentandcorrection,asalovingfatherwouldtohiswaywardchildren?’

Shepauseddramatically,justlongenoughtoletherlistenersconsiderthequestionandreachaunifiedconclusion.‘TheworshippersofShelsearedevious,yes.Theyhidetheirheresywell,buttheEmperorseesthe

wickednesswithintheirhearts.Heisnotfooledbyoutwardappearancesandneither,dearSisters,mustwebe.WeareHischosen;Hetasksustopurgetheuncleansothatthefaithfulmaythrive.Withboltandbladeandflame,wemustmakeexamplesofallwhowouldspurnHim.‘SuperiorTarsha!’Oneheadamongeightsnappedup.‘Yes,CanonessGrace?’‘Canyouvouchforthededicationofthosewhoservebeneathyou?’Theyoungwomansmiled.‘Yes,ofcourse.Wearereadytotreadthepathofrighteousness.’‘ThenprepareyourSisters.’Tarshastoodandspreadherarmswide.AsshebegantorecitetheAdeptaSororitasbattle-prayer,

CanonessGraceturnedbacktowardsthelibrariumentrance.Formonthsnow,shehadledacontinuingseriesofpogromsagainstthenativereligionsofLysios.The

Shelsists,however,weretheworst.Nosoonerhadsheputdownoneenclaveofthem,thananotherwouldestablishitself.Theirrefusaltobeeradicatedwasmaddeningenough,butwhatGracetrulyhatedwastheromanticismoftheirsect.ThelitaniesoftheShelsistswereanunendingseriesofcrudepoems.Eachwaspurportedtocomefrom

thegoddessofthesea,andnoneofthem,theCanonessthought,wasparticularlywell-written.Shehadcomeacrosshundredsoftheminherquest,andeachonecontainedthesameawful,wistfultone.Theauthormightaswellhavebeenabesottedteenagegirlasanoceandeity.Still,somethingintheunrequitedlovestorybetweentheseaandthemoonstruckachordwithcertainpeopleonLysios.TheworshipandvenerationofShelsehadpenetratedeverylevelofsociety,fromthelowestkelpharvestertothehighestnobility.Eventheplanetarygovernor,itwassaid,hadsubmittedhimselftotheirheresy.WhyelsewouldhehavegoneintohidingassoonastheCanonesshadbegunputtingtheunfaithfultothefire?SuperiorTarshacompletedtheprayerbyaskingtheEmperortocondemnHisenemiestoeternaldeath

anddamnation.‘ThatThouwouldstbringthemonlydeath,thatThoushouldstsparenone,thatThoushouldstpardonnone,webeseechThee,destroythem.’Inunison,theSisterstouchedtheirforeheads,theirchestsandfinallytheirweapons,signifyingfaithin

mind,heart,anddeed.Thentheyrosesilently,andwaitedfortheirleader.TheCanonessjumpeddownfromthecolumn,herfeetmakingdeepimpressionsinthepebbly,seashell-

litteredground.Shepulledabulkypistolfromtheholsteronherhip.‘Ishalllead.Flamerandheavybolteronmyflanks.’WhiletheSistersassembledthemselvesintoformation,SuperiorTarshadashedforwardandtoredown

theseaweedcurtain.Beyondwasalongandpartiallycollapsedpassageway.ThelightfromIxoiilluminatedonlythearchway.Theinteriorwasverydark.‘Braziers,’Graceordered.MountedoneachoftheCanoness’sshoulderswasametalcagefilledwithcoalssoakedinconsecrated

oil.Tarshareachedupfrombehindherandlitthem.Thecoalsburstintoflame,andawaveringyellowlightsurroundedtheCanoness.Eerieshadowsdancedallaround.Theyhadproceededonlyashortdistancewhentheycametoacurvingstairwaythatdescendedintothe

catacombs.Thestonewallswereencrustedwithwhiteresidueandglistenedinthefirelight.Gracetouchedthemasshewent.Thefingersofherglovecameawaywet.Raisingthemtoherlips,shewasunsurprisedtotastesalt.Sheignoredtheseveralsidepassagestheycameto.Thechambersbeyondwerelifelessandfilledwith

damp,rottingwoodenshelvesandheapsofmushthathadoncebeenbooksandscrolls.Therewasafaintechoingofvoicesfrombelow.TheCanonesssignalledfortheotherstofreeze,and

peeredaroundthecurvingwall.Eightmen,largeandbulkyacrosstheshoulders,werestandingatthebaseofthestairs.Theirarmourappearedtobemadeofweightyironplatesfastenedtoarubberundersuitwithrivetsandpiecesofthickrope.Halfofthemwerearmedwithatypeoflarge,cartridge-fedspearguncommonlyusedbythelocalfisherman.Twoofthemhadshocknets.Alowfireburnedinanemptyfueldrumandtheremainingtwomenwerewarmingthemselvesbyit.TheirbacksweretotheCanoness.Gracefrowned.Thusfar,theShelsistshadbeenpoorlyorganisedandalmostpatheticallyarmed.The

presenceofthesemenseemedtomarkachangeinallthat.Theywerewearingmodifieddivingsuits,sherealised;heavyandpotentiallybulletproof.Additionally,shehadseenthekindsofcreaturesthemarinersofLysioswenttoseafor.Theirspeargunsweredesignedtopunctureblubberyhidesandbulletproofshells.Theirnetsweremadeofmetalcablingandcouldbeelectrifiedbeforebeingthrown.TheCanonessglancedattheSistersonherflanks.Cairista,theflamewielder,wasonherright.Sister

Fayhew,shewhowieldedtheblessedheavybolter,waitedontheleft.Wheneachofthemsignalledtheirreadiness,CanonessGracesweptaroundthecurvedwallwithboltandfireonherwings.Whenfiredonanopenbattlefield,aheavybolterwasloud.Intheconfinesofthelibrariumbasement,it

wastrulydeafening.Twooftheguardswerehitbyshellsaslargeasaclosedfist.Theironplatesoftheirsuitscouldprovidenoprotection.Theywerethrownbackwardsintothefirebarrel,whichtumbledoverontoitsside.Gracesentaboltofwhite-hotplasmathroughthechestofoneofthespearguncarriers.Hecollapsed,andportionsofhischestplateformedmoltenpoolsonthefloor.Cairistacoveredtheremainingfivemeninawaveofflames.Twomoreoftheguardswentdownscreaming.Thestairwaywasfilledwithacridsmokethatstankofburningrubberandcharredflesh.Thethreeremainingmenwereengulfedinfire,buttotheCanoness’ssurprisetheyseemedtotakeno

heed.Twoofthemraisedtheirspeargunsandfired.Gracewashitintheupperchest.Herarmourheldfirm,butthesheerforceoftheimpactwasenoughtosendherstaggering.ThespearthatstruckSisterFayhewreboundedoffherpauldronhardenoughtoleaveadent.ThethirdguardtossedhisnetatCairista,whoduckedswiftlyoutoftheway.SisterFayhewbaredherteeth,andsqueezedtheheavybolter’sfiringlever.Themenwereknocked

aboutlikeragdollsastheshellstorethemapart.Whentheywerenothingbutbrokencorpses,shereleasedthetrigger.TheotherSisterswerenowracingdownthestairswithheavyfootfalls.TheCanonessraisedahand,

andtheyslowed.‘Weareunhurt,’shereassuredthem.SheindicatedthedentonSisterFayhew’sshoulderarmour.‘Butit

wouldseemthattheShelsistshavebecomemoredangerousthaneverbefore.’‘Canoness,overhere!’Cairistacalled.Shehadmovedpastthedeadguardsandtothebackofthesmall

cellar.Therewasagapingholeinthefloor,wideenoughtofittwogrownadults.TheotherSistersgatheredaround.TheCanonessleanedoverthehole.Bythelightofherbraziers,she

couldjustbarelyseethebaseoftheladder.‘Theywereguardingthis?’SuperiorTarshaasked.‘Itwouldseemso,’Gracereplied.‘Wheredoesitlead?’Cairistaasked.‘Canoness,’Tarshasaid,‘Ivolunteertofindout.’Graceconsideredforamoment,andthenconsented.Tarshagraspedherboltguntightly,andjumpedthroughthehole.Withaloudsplash,shelandedinblack

liquiduptoherknees.Theairreekedofbrine.

Shepeeredabouther.Shewasinacavernthatmighthavebeenabletohold,atmost,tenpeople.Therockwallswereroughandwet.Ashereyesadjustedtothegloom,shewasabletomakeoutadoorway,coveredwithacurtainorheavyblanketofsomekind.Arounditsedgesleakedadimlight.Shewaitedforseveralseconds.Theonlysoundswerethetrickleofwateronrock,andthecrackling

firesaboveher.Shesloshedforward,andtoredownthecoveringwithherlefthand.Itwasindeedablanket,woollenandwet.Beforeherwasatunnelcarvedoutoftherock.Lumenshadbeenstrungalongonewallinadroopingchain.Shethrewtheblanketdown.Assheenteredthemouthofthetunnel,shecalleduptotheCanoness.‘The

baseoftheladderisclear.I’mmoving–’Somethingsnappedbeneathherboot.Tarshafrozeandlookeddowntoseetinybubblesrisingaround

herlegs.Shehadjustenoughtimetorealisethatshehadtriggeredsomekindoftrap,andthentherewasagurglingboom.Tarshawashurledupintotheairinasprayofseawater.Shefeltherselfstriketheroofofthecavern,andthenfallbackintothepool.Shetriedtostandup,butfoundthatshecouldnot.Sheflailedherarms,butcouldn’tbreakabovethesurfaceofthewater.Secondstickedbylikehours.Then,atlast,shefeltthestronghandsofhersistersgrabbingholdofherandliftingherup.Tarshablinkedandstrainedtohear.SisterLygiaandSisterKarynhadsetheronarock.Theothers

weretalkingexcitedlyandpointingather,buttheirvoicesweremuffled.ThelightfromtheCanoness’sshouldersmadethechamberseemsurreal.Hercalvesfelthotanditchy.Thatwasstrange,shethought,becauseherpowerarmourwasinternallycooled.Shereachedahanddowntoscratchthem,andfeltnothingbutair.Confused,shelookeddowntoseethatherlegsweremissingfromthekneesdown.Bloodwasspurtingfromthemangledstumpsinhotstreams.Sheshookherheadindisbelief.Dimly,sherememberedsteppingonsomethinghiddenbeneaththe

wateratthemouthofthetunnel.Shetriedtospeak,towarntheothersthattheShelsistshadlaidtrapsforthem,buthertonguecouldnolongerformwords.Shefeltverythirsty,whichstruckherasfunny,sinceLysioswasaworlddominatedbyitssingularocean.Shelaughedattheirony.Hersistersallturnedtolookather,theirfacesetchedwithworry.TheCanonesshadkneltdownin

frontofherandwassayingsomething,butTarshacouldn’thearproperly.Apieceofancientrhyme,somethingaboutwatereverywhereandshrinkingboards,driftedthroughherhead.Shelaughedoncemore,anddied.TheCanonesstouchedTarsha’sforeheadandfinishedspeakingtheMartyr’sRites.‘Befavourableand

gracioustoYourfallendaughter,mightyEmperor,andbepleasedwithhersacrificeofrighteousness.’TheotherSistersmurmuredanaffirmation.Graceroseandwipedafistbeneathhernose.Asa

Canoness,shewasmorethanjustamilitaryleadertothewomenservingunderher.Shewasateacher,ashepherd,amother.Tarshahadbeenlikeadaughtertoher,stronginfaithandverycapable.GracehadbeencertainthatsomedayshewouldbecomeaCanonessinherownright.Butnolonger.Theairwasstifledandwet,andforaterriblemoment,GracewasremindedofdeadSistersinthe

sewersbeneaththecapitalcityofDessecran.Onthatfar-awayworld,fivedecadespast,shehadstalkedmonsters,evenasthey,inturn,hadstalkedher.Sheshookherhead.Therewerenotyranidmonstrositiesinthesetunnels;nobeingsfromthevoidcometoharvestherforfoodstuffs.Therewereonlyhumans,andfalsedoctrine.‘Wehaveinflictedgreatdamageuponthiscult,’shesaid,‘anditisobviousthattheynowknowandfear

us.Thisisgood,mySisters.ThepeopleshouldknowwhentheyhavedoneevilintheEmperor’ssight,andtheyshouldrightlyfearHiswrath.’TheCanonessdrewherswordfromitsscabbard.Itsbladewashighlypolishedsilver,thecrossguardfashionedtolooklikeawreathofblackflowers.Theyfollowedthelumensandmoveddownthetunnelatabriskpace.TheCanonesstookthelead,

carefullywatchingforadditionaltrapsorexplosives.IthadbeennohomespunbombthathadkilledTarsha.Ithadbeenamilitary-gradelandmine.WheretheShelsistshadfoundsuchathing,orwhohadprovidedittothem,sheknewnot.Butshevowednevertoletithappenagain.Theyturnedsharplytotheright,andemergedintoalargecave.Totheirrightwasapoolofwaterthat

lappedagainsttherock.Stalactiteshunglikegiantfangsfromtheceiling.Partsofthegroundhadbeencoveredwithrustedgrating.Pilesofrubblewereheapedupalongthewalls.Atthebackofthecavernwasaraisedareapiledhighwithstoragecrates.OntherockfaceaboveitwasafrescoshowingLysios’smoonhoveringoveratidalwave.Bizarrecreatureswereemergingfromthewave.Asmallarmyofstickfigureswelcomedthemwithopenarms.TheShelsistswerewaitingforthem.Theyhadflippedoverrustedmetaltablesandchairs,andwere

takingcoverbehindthem.Theywerearmednotonlywithharpoons,nets,andspearguns,butalsowithacollectionofclumsy-lookingkineticrifles:acrudetechnology,butoneresilienttoLysios’scyclicalflooding.Therewasahoodedfigureatoptherockledge.Hecarriedatorchinonehand,andastrangestaffinthe

other.Hecriedout,andahailofsmall-calibreprojectilespummelledtheSisters.Theyricochetedofftheirpowerarmourandtoregapingholesintheirvestments.Thestonewallsbehindthemshatteredintofragments.TheCanonessthrewherarmacrossherface,andfeltatleastoneofthebulletsmushroomoffher

vambrace.Spearswhistledpasther,orclatteredaroundherfeet.Somewheretoherleft,therewasawetsmackandagurglingsound.SheglancedovertoseeSisterKarynslumptotheground.Shehadbeenpiercedthroughthechestbyaharpoonthesizeofherarm.‘Abominabletraitors!’Gracecried.Shechargedforward,firingherpistolasshewent.Thechestof

oneofthenearestShelsistsvaporisedasshefoundhermark.Theotherwomencoveredtheirleader’scharge.Boltscrashedintothecultistsandpunchedthrough

theirmakeshiftbarricades.Cairistapaintedtheroomwithwhite-hotpromethiumflames.ThecultistsdirectlyblockingtheCanoness’spathwereconsumedinfire.Theirweaponsdischarged

aimlesslyastheyscreamedandflailed.TwoofthebulletsstruckGrace’schestplateandbouncedharmlesslyaway.Shevaultedoverthetablebehindwhichthecultistswerecowering,andmercifullydroveherswordthroughtheheartofthemanwrithingatherfeet.Theothersshelefttotheirsins.Beneaththefresco,thehoodedfigurewaspointingtowardstheCanonessandscreaming.Grace

couldn’tmakethewordsoutoverthecacophonyoftheheavybolter,butshecouldeasilyguessthathewascallingforhermurder.HalfadozenShelsistssurroundedhim.Twoofthemwerereloadingaharpoonlauncherrippedfromthebowofawhalingship.Theotherscarriedtheclumsyautogunsoftheirforefathers.Gracewasfairlycertainthattheriflesposedlittledangertoher,buttheballistahadfelledpoorKaryn;itwasobviouslystrongenoughtopuncturepoweredarmour,andthereforehadtobedestroyed.Shehadtakenonlyafewstepstowardstheirpositionwhentheyfireduponher.Therewasnowherefor

hertohide,andnothingnearbytotakecoverbehind.So,shesimplywheeledaroundandloweredherhead.Bulletsfruitlesslystruckherbackandlegs.Theharpoonletflywithasharptwang.Itimpactedherspinewithenoughforcetoknockthebreathfromherlungs,butotherwise,herarmourheldtrue.Astheypepperedherwithbullets,theCanonessholsteredherpistol.Fromherbelt,shepulledagolden

spherecrownedwithadouble-headedeagle.Shetoretheeagleoffwithherteeth,whirledaround,andlobbedthesphereintothecultists’midst.Itdetonatedamongtheminacloudofsmokeandbitingmetalfragments.TheShelsistsjerked

backwardsandducked.Theirarmouredsuitsprotectedthemforthemostpart,buttheCanonessseized

upontheirconfusion.Shecrossedthedistancebetweentheminafewlongstridesandleaptuptotheledge.Shegraspedherswordwithbothhandsandswung,foreverseparatingonecultistandhisleftarm.Thentheotherswereuponher,beatingwiththebuttsoftheirriflesandstabbingwithbayonets.She

managedtoparrymostofthem.Therestskitteredacrossherarmourharmlessly.‘FortheEmperor!’theCanonessscreamed.Shecarvedanotherwidearc,andtwoofherattackerswere

slicedcleanthrough.Shewhirledaroundandthrustatthemanbehindher.Theswordburieditselfthroughhischestuntilthegarlandcrosspiecetouchedhisribs.TheremainingtwoShelsistscontinuedtostrikeather,butwhateverblowstheymanagedtoland

seemedtohavenoeffectonGrace.TheCanonesswithdrewherswordassheslammedaspikedelbowplateintooneoftheirfaces.Thelastofherattackershadhisheadseparatedfromhisneckinasingle,deftstroke.Shefacedtherobedfigure.No,shesaw,itwasn’tarobe.Notassuch.Itwasasheetofwaterprooftarpaulintiedaroundthewaist

withrope.Thesleeveswerelongandthecowllefthisfaceasapitofblack.Hethrewdownhistorchandgraspedhisstaffinbothhands.Itwasthickandknotted,andlookedtobemadeofalabasterstone.‘Murderess!’hecried.Hisvoicewasdeepandstrange,asifhisthroatwasfilledwithphlegm.‘Look

whatyouhavedone.’TheCanonesscastaquickglanceoverhershoulder.Shesawthattheremainingcultistswereeither

deadordying.Charredhusksthathadoncebeenhereticslayscatteredeverywhere.Thecrispingoftheirfleshandtighteningoftheirmuscleshaddrawneachofthemupintothefoetalposition.SisterFayhewstoodbeforeaconsiderablenumberoffallenmenandwomenwholayinawidecrescent,limbstwistedandbroken.Eachhadsomekindofimprovisedweaponintheirhands.TheyhadtriedtochargetheSisters’position,Gracesaw,andhadfailedmiserably.SomeoftheotherSisterswerecutorbleeding,buttheystoodtogether,boltgunspointedtowardstherockyledge.‘ItisnolessthanyoudeserveforrejectingtheEmperor,’theCanonesssaidfiercely.Shelevelledthe

tipofherswordattheblackabyssofhiscowl.‘Now,foulness,tellmewhereyoufoundtheseweapons.Tellmewhyyourdamnedcultrefusestodie.’‘Donotaskusanything,’themangroaned.‘Theanswerswillbebeyondyou.’InHighGothic,andusingherbestpulpitvoiceGraceroared,‘Iwilldemandofthee,andanswerthou

me.Ifyouchannelaspirit,Iwouldconfrontit.’‘Whatneedhaveweforspirits?’themansaid.‘Wehaveagoddess.’WithaspeedthatsurprisedtheCanoness,themanintherobestruckherwiththeendofhisstaff.

Althoughheramourwasunaffected,shefeltthereverberationsoftheimpact.Shethrustathim,butthemaneasilyavoidedher.Sheslashedathimtwice.Again,heduckedbeyondtheedgeofherblade.Hejabbedtheendofhisstaffintothecentreofherchest.Herarmourcontinuedtohold,buthetwisted

itupwards,catchingherbeneaththechin.Shebroughthersworddownwardinatightcurve,andcutdeeplyintothefleshabovehisknee.Beforehecouldreact,shelungedanddroveanelbowintohisface.Themanstumbledslightly.Hishoodfellaway,andhisrobepartedenoughforhertoseesomeofwhat

washiddenbeneath.Gracedrewasharpintakeofbreath.Theman’sexposedskinwaspalegreenandhadthetextureofscales.Hisnosehadeithervanishedor

fallenoff,leavingonlytwothinverticalslits.Hislefteyewashugeandsicklyyellow.Smalltentaclessproutedfromhisupperlipandjawline.Mostdisturbing,however,wasthesetofadditionalarmsthatunstuckthemselvesfromhisribcage.Theywerethin,butwiry,andendednotinhandsbutwithwickedlytaperedclaws.‘Mutation!’Gracecried.‘Notmutation,’themansaid,hismouthtentaclestwitching,‘bestowments.’Hissecondaryclaws

slashedather,tearingthroughtheplatesprotectingherforearms.Hisstrengthhadbecomesomethingotherworldly.AlinefromtheCatechismofLeadershipracedthroughhermind:SincetheEmperorsufferstoshieldus,itisablessingtosufferforHiminreturn.Sheimpaledhimthroughhislowerabdomen.Agreatstink,likedeadfish,eruptedfromhisguts.Still,

hedidnotattempttofleethefight.Instead,hewrappedhisclawsaroundherneck.‘Hard-hearted,youare,Murderess.Loveless.Chastebychoice.’TheCanonessfeltherheartandlungsbegintocrumplewithinher.Shefelltoherknees,nearly

droppinghersword.Shecouldn’tbreathe.Theverylifewasbeingsqueezedoutofher.Animageflashedthroughhermindofcrushingtentacles,ghostlywhite,dredgedupfromtheblackestdepthsoftheseawherelighthadnevershone.Itfeltlikedrowning.Hervisiondarkened.Withthelastofherstrength,shebroughtherswordup,andcutoffhisrightleg.Themanhowledashe

felltotheground.Darkichorsplashedeverywhere.Coughing,theCanonessdraggedherselftoherfeet.Themanwasmutteringinhisdeaththroes,repeatingthesamethingoverandover.‘Whatisthatyousay?’Gracedemanded.HesmiledupattheCanonesswithalookofderangedjoy.Bloodseepedthroughthespacesbetween

histeeth.‘Theyarecoming,’hesaid.‘Theyarecomingatlast.Theyarecoming.Theyarecomingatlast.’‘Who?Whoiscoming?’Themanspasmedonce,andsaidnothingmore.Hisfacialtentaclescontinuedtotwitchforseveral

secondsafterhisdeath.TheCanonesstiltedherheadthoughtfullyastheSistersmovedtojoinherontherockledge.Thestakes

hadsuddenlyrisenhereonLysios.ThecultoftheBrineGoddesswasnolongeracollectionofmalcontentsplayingatreligionandmakingupstoriesastheywentalong.Theyweregaininginpower.Theyhadconsiderableweaponsnow.Theyalsohad…bestowments.Yes,Gracethought,thatwasthewordthemutanthadused.Bestowments.Butfromwhom?‘Sister,’shesaidtoCairista,‘thisman’sfleshhasbecomecorrupted.Deliverhimfromit.’Cairistabroughtherweaponupandbathedthemaninpromethium.Theroomfilledwithacridsmoke

andthestenchofmeltedplastek.Later,afterGracehadprayedforthesoulsofTarshaandKaryn,shewouldcompileareportofthis

latestencounterwiththeShelsistsandsendittoTerra.Forthemomentthough,shesimplystoodandwatchedtheBrineGoddess’sfavouredburnuntiltherewasnothingleftofhimbutashes.

‘Ihavelovedyousincethedaythisworldwasdestroyed.Allmylife,itseems,Ihavechasedafteryou.Willyouneverdescendfromyourabodeinthesky?HowIlongtojoinyou.HowIlongtotouchyou…’

–CantosContinuous,M41

CHAPTERTWO

Theinquisitorbeganthedaywithhisregularregimen:onehourofintensivephysicalexercise,followedbythirtyminutesofswordpractice.Breakfastconsistedofaconglomerationofproteinsandaminoacidswhichhedrankgreedilyfromatallglass.Itwasasthickasglueandutterlytasteless,butherefusedtolettherigoursofspacetravelweakenhiminanyway.ThesafetyoftheSolSystemwasparsecsbehindhimnow.Anewworldawaitedhim,andhewouldnotfallvictimtoitonaccountofbeingtoofrailorafractionofasecondtooslow.Sweat-coveredanddressedonlyinalooserobe,hepulleddowntheviewportcoveringandlookedout

intospace.Theshiphademergedfromthewarptwodaysago,andhadbeensteadilydeceleratingeversince.Yesterdayhehadorderedaseriesoftorpedoprobeslaunchedintotheocean,andtheirsignalshadconfirmedhishopes.Withinthehour,heandhisteamwouldbelandingonthesurface.Thenthehuntwouldbegin.Everythingwasproceedingsmoothly.Hisonlyregretwasthathewouldbeachievinggreatnessonsuchanugly-lookingworld.Lysioshadtobethemostdepressingplacehehadeverseen.Itsonlynaturalsatellite,Ixoi,wassohuge,

andorbitedsoclosely,thatitsgravitationalfieldhaddistortedtheplanetintoapermanenteggshape.Thehemisphereoppositethemoonwasriddledwithtectonicinstabilitiesandfissures.Thesideclosesttothemoonwascomprisedentirelyofocean.Itroselikeamountainmadeofwater,kilometrestall.Thecrestsofitswavesscrapedthestratosphere,andformedicebergsthattumbleddowntheleeside.Moreover,thisverticaloceanmoved.IttookIxoiadecadetocompleteasinglerevolutionaroundLysios,butasittravelled,itdraggedtheseaalongwithit.Thus,therewasnoplacethatwasnotsubjectedtoregularfloodingoreventotalsubmersion.ItwasimpossibletothinkthatithadoncebeenconsideredoneoftheNinety-NineWondersoftheSegmentumSolar.Ibetitstinksdownthere,hethought.Likefishandmuck.Hechangedintoafreshsetofclothes,andsurveyedhimselfinthemirror.Whenhewassatisfied,he

openedtheantiquetrunkinwhichhestoredhisweaponsandequipment.Hiscombatarmour,althoughlight,wasexquisitelymade.Hesecuredhisswordbeltaroundhiswaist,andholsteredapistolbeneathhisleftarm.Hedoublecheckedtomakecertainthathisrefractorfieldgeneratorwasfullychargedandoperational.Therewasaknockingonthebulkheadbehindhim.Throughthedoorheheardavoicecallhisname.‘InquisitorUlrich?’

Heknewwhoitwas,ofcourse.Therewasonlyonewomanonboard.Hestrodeacrosstheroomandopenedthedoor.Inthecorridorstoodayoungwomanastallashe.Herhairwasnaturallyplatinumandlongerthanthat

ofanySororitastheinquisitorhadpreviouslydealtwith:atestamenttothefactthatshespentherlifeensconcedinscriptoriaratherthanrollingaroundonfilthybattlefields.Herskinwaspale.Hereyeswerethecolourofjade.Oftherestofherhecouldmakenojudgement,asshewascoveredfromnecktoanklebyathick,redscribe’srobe.‘SisterMargene,’hesaid.Hisnosetwitched.Shesmelledofparchmentandink,whichhedidnot

particularlycarefor.Sheheldoutathinstackofpapers.‘Inquisitor,IhaveareadinessreportfromTempestorChavis.He

andhismenarepreppingthetwogroundtransportstheybroughtwiththem,andawaityourpresenceintheloadingbay.’Ulrichleftherstandinginthecorridorwhilehecrossedtohisdesk.Fromafruitbowl,heselecteda

poperin.Itwassmallandround,anditsskinwasmottledredandgreen.Hecheweditslowlyasheflippedthroughthereport.‘Wouldyouliketolookatit?’‘I’msorry?’Hegesturedtothewindow.‘Lysios.Ithoughtyoumightliketoseeit,especiallyafterallthetime

you’vespentreadingaboutit.’‘Iwould,yes,’shereplied.‘Myquartershavenoviewports.’‘Well,wecan’talltravelinfirstclass,nowcanwe?’Ulrichtookanotherbiteofhisexoticfruit,and

watchedcloselyasMargenecrossedovertothewindow.‘Ihaveneverseenanythinglikeit,’shesaidinanearwhisper.‘Iwouldthinknot,’Ulrichsaid.‘ThisisyourfirsttimeawayfromTerra,yes?’Shedippedherheadinreverenceatthementionofhumanity’ssacredhomeworld,buthereyesnever

leftthestrangeplanetbeforeher.‘Verytrue,’shesaid.‘Thisisnotonlymyfirsttriptoanotherstarsystem,butmyfirsttimebeyondtheConventPriorissincemytrainingbeganasachild.’Sheturnedherheadtolookathim.‘Thankyouonceagainfortheopportunity,inquisitor.Iwillnotfailyou.’‘Iamamanwhoremembershisfriends.Servemewellonthislittleouting,andIpromisethatyouwill

besuitablytakencareof.’Hetossedthereportdown.‘IfIhaveoneregret,it’sthatyourfirstjourneyhadtobetosuchanuglywasteofaworld.’Hehadhopedthattheywouldshareajestattheplanet’sexpense,butshefrowned.‘Ifindnothingwastefulaboutit,inquisitor,’shesaidtartly.‘Infact,thenativeLysitesare,ifanything,

mastersofrecyclingandingenuity.They’vebeenforcedtobecomeso,yousee,becauseoftheocean.The“worldwave”,astheycallit.Thefactthat,atanygiventime,halfoftheplanetissubmergedbeneathkilometresofsaltwaterhasledtothedevelopmentofaveryuniqueculture.‘Everythinghereistiedtotheocean.It’sthesourceofnearlyninety-fivepercentofallfoodstuffs.Itis

alsousedasapowersource,bothviavarioustypesoftidalgeneratorsandasacoolantfornuclearfissionreactors.Itmakestheatmospheresodampandsalinethatallmachinerydemandsconstantupkeep.Mobilityandretrofittingareeverything.Theymustalwaysstayeitherjustaheadorjustbehindtheworldwave,neversettlinginoneplace.‘Takethehab-crawlers,forexample.Therearen’treallyanycitiesonLysiosanymore.NotasyouorI

mightunderstandit.Thereareruins,ofcourse,datingbacktotheonsetoftheenvironmentalcollapsethreemillenniaago,butnoonelivesthere.No,insteadtheymoveaboutasIsaidinmassive,trackedmachines,eachholdingthousandsofpeople.Ourdrop-craft,infact,willbelandingat–’Ulrichtossedthecoreofhispoperinintothebowl,turnedonhisheel,andpromptlyexitedintothe

hallway.Theraisedsolesofhisbootsmadesharpclackingsoundsonthemetaldeckplates.Behindhim,Margenerushedtokeeppace.Silencestretchedoutuntiltheynearedtheirdestination.‘TheScionleader…What’shisnameagain?’‘Chavis,sir,’Margeneanswered.Shewasunsureifthiswasatestofsomekind,orifhehadgenuinely

forgotten.‘TempestorChavis.’‘Yes.Heandhismenhavebeentoldlittleaboutthereasonbehindourcominghereuntilnow.They’rea

very“needtoknowbasis”sort.’‘Butnowtheyneedtoknow.’‘Correct.’‘Youwouldlikemetotellthemaboutthecreature,then?’‘No.I’lldothat.Justrunthemthroughthebasicfacts.’Theyenteredintoacavernousspacecrammedwithstoragecontainersandfueldrums.Alongthewalls

wererackswheremissilesandotherarmamentsweresafelystored.Thecentreoftheroomwasdominatedbyapairofoversizedgroundvehicles.Theirarmourplatingwasblockyandangular.Eachhadalargeturretweaponmountedonitsroof,andslablike,massivelyreinforcedsidehatches.Insteadoftyres,thevehiclessatonquadtrackunits.Exhaustpipesjuttedoutoneithersideofafrontalengine.Eighteenmenbustledaroundthem.Theywerealldressedalike,withheavy,palebluecombatarmour

overbeigeuniforms.Theyweretallandfit,withsharplydefinedfeaturesandsteelyeyes.Oneofthemworeablackberetatophishead,andwhenUlrichstoodinthedoorframeandclearedhisthroat,itwashewhocalledtheotherstoattention.‘Thankyou,tempestor,’Ulrichsaid.‘Beforewebegin,gentlemen,thereisoneformalitytogetoutofthe

way.’Hepulledasilvercylinderfromtheinsideofhiscoat,deftlyopenedthetop,andshookoutarolled-upparchment.ThishehandedtoMargenebeforefoldinghishandsbehindhisback.Margeneunrolledthescroll,andreadaloudinherclearestvoice.‘BytheauthorityoftheImmortalEmperorofMankind,you,theselectedmembersoftheTempestus

Scions55thregiment,alsoknownastheKappicEagles,areherebyrequiredtosubmityourselveswhollyandunquestioninglytoHisservant,InquisitorDamienUlrichforamissiontobedeterminedbytheinquisitorandwhoseobjectivesandimplementationwillbedivulgedbytheinquisitoratatimeandplaceoftheinquisitor’schoosing.‘FailureofanymantocomplyconstitutesheresyagainsttheEcclesiarchy,andwillrendersaidheretic

personanongrataexcommunicatusintheeyesoftheEmperor.‘HerefollowsthesignatureofInquisitorDamienUlrich,dated0712999.M41.’Margeneturnedthescrollaroundsothatthesoldierscouldclearlyseeforthemselvestheelaborate

scrawlacrossthebottom.Apuritysealofredwax,stampedwiththesymboloftheInquisition,restednexttoit.Whentheyhadnoddedtheiracceptance,sherolleditbackupandglancedatUlrich.‘Youhavebeengivenawonderfulopportunity,’hesaid,rockingslightlyonhisheels.‘Veryshortly,we

willdescendtotheplanetLysios.Themissionisquitestraightforward.It’stheenvironmentthatmaycomplicatethings.’Takinghercue,Margenesteppedforward.‘UntilM38,LysioswasapopulousandproductiveImperialworld.Then,forreasonsunknown,the

binarystarsattheheartofthissystembeganaperiodofincreasedactivity.TheenvironmentonLysioschangedradically,andwithinayear,theplanetsufferedaclass-5environmentalcollapse.Bothofitsicecapsmeltedandcreatedanewocean,whichwaspulledintoacentrallocationthankstothegravitationalinfluenceofLysios’ssinglenaturalsatellite,Ixoi.Theoceannowtrailsbehindthemoonasitorbits,completingonerevolutioneverytenlocalyears.Thesurvivingnativepopulationshave,overthepast

threemillennia,developedatrioofhereticalpaganbelief-systemsstemmingfromthiscatastrophe.‘FirstarethefollowersofCryptus.Cryptusisanangryskygod,andaccordingtothosewhobelievein

him,thetwinsunsarehishate-filledeyes.Cryptusburnseverythinghegazesupon,andsmitesthosewhodisrespecthimwithvariouscancers.’Behindher,Ulrichsnorted.‘Inactuality,’Margenecontinued,‘LysiosdoesboastbothaveryhighUVrating,andanabundanceof

gammaparticlesatgroundlevel.Everyoneinvolvedinthismissionhasbeenissuedasupplyofsatyx,ananti-radelixir.Takeitdaily,orfacetheconsequences.‘Secondly,thereisthemoon.Ixoi,asheisknowntothelocals,isawarrior.Healsolovestoeat,as

evidencedbyhisgreatsize.HisworshippersarefewonLysios,butareverydangerous.Theyspendtheirlivesasnomadicraiders,attackinghab-crawlersandmakingoffwithallthefoodsuppliestheycanlaytheirhandson.‘Thirdistheso-called“GoddessoftheBrine”,Shelse.Accordingtothemythos,theoceangoddessis

inlovewiththemoon,andfollowshimeverywhere.ShereachesupashighasshecantowardsIxoi,butisneverabletotouchhim.Thismakesherangry,andsoshecausesstormsandfloods.‘In998.M41,theEcclesiarchybeganamissionofrepatriationonLysios,underthecommandof–’Ulrichcutheroffwithaclapofhishands.‘It’sthethirdoftheseso-calleddeitiesthatconcernsus.The

recordsarespotty,butitwouldseemthatwhenthemoonisatperigee,acreatureofunknownorigincanbeseenrisingupoutoftheworldwave.’‘Whatdoweknowofitscapabilities?’TempestorChavisasked.‘Almostnothing.Therearenoknownpictsofit,noranyvid-pictrecordings.Whatthereareinplenty,

however,arepaintingsanddrawings.Itseemsthepeoplewhoworshipthisthingfindaparticularjoyindepictingit.’‘Ihaveseveralexamplesonfile,’Margeneoffered.‘Iwillofcourseprovidethemtoyou.’Chavispaidhernoheed.‘Howwouldyouliketoproceed,inquisitor?’‘Myplanisthis:theworldwaveiscurrentlypassingthroughtheKephorousmountainrange.Wewill

ascendtothetopofMountLoraz,whoseplateaushouldputusneartheupperthirdofthewave.Wewillestablishabasecamp,andwhenthetidalswellisgreatest,wewilllurethecreaturetoshore.’‘How?’Chavisasked.Theinquisitorsmiledslyly.‘Leavethattome.’Thetempestorrubbedhischininthought.‘Theseworshippersyouspeakof,aretheynumerous?

Dangerous?’MargeneansweredbeforeUlrichcould.‘Therehasbeenaconcentratedefforttoputthemdownfor

nearlyayearnow,’shesaid.‘Itisstillongoing.’Ulrichputhishandsinhiscoatpockets.‘Iwouldn’tworrytoomuchabouttheShelsists.Idoubtthey’re

anymatchfortrainedandproperlyequippedsoldiers.’‘WhatImeantosay,sir,isdoyouexpectthemtoattempttostopus?’‘Stopyoufromdoingwhat?’‘Fromdestroyingthethingtheyrevere.’Shakinghishead,UlrichwalkedslowlyuptoChavis.‘AlthoughIappreciateyourenthusiasm,

tempestor,youandyourmenarenotheretodestroythecreature.Youareheretocaptureit.’

CHAPTERTHREE

Theinquisitorandhisretinuedescendedtotheplanet’ssurfaceinaboxylandingcraft.MargeneandtheScionswerecrammedintothecargoholdalongwiththepairofarmouredvehicles.ChavisandUlrichoccupiedthecockpit.Astheypassedthroughthecloudlayer,theinquisitordrewanundecoratedblackhandkerchieffromtheinsidepocketofhiscoat.Carefully,heunfoldedthecorners.Wrappedinsidewasastackofseventy-eightcrystallinewafersthatresembledadeckofcardsetchedinglowingglass.Ulrichshiftedthedecktohisotherhand,andbegantoshuffleit.Ulrichhadalwaysaspiredtobesomeoneofgreatimport.Hehadworkedferociouslytogainthe

attentionoftheInquisition,andoncehehadit,hepushedhimselfevenhardertogainentranceintotheirranks.Theauthorityhenowheldwasvast.Still,itdidnotentirelysatisfy,forwithintheInquisitionitself,therewerehierarchies.Foryears,hehadtriedeverythinghecouldthinkoftopromotehimself,towinfavour,tobeinductedintotheranksoftheInquisitorLords.Hehadfailed.Thenhediscoveredthereports.Ithadhappenedquitebyaccident.UlrichhadbeeninavaultoftheOrdoXenos,theImperialagency

taskedwithidentifyingandcounteringthethreatofthealien,desperatelysearchingforahint,aclue,anythingthatmightlethimdiscoveranentirelynewxenoslifeform.HeenvisioneddraggingthecarcassofsometitanicbeastbacktoTerra,throwingitdownintriumphbeforehismasters,anddefyingthemtodiscounthimanylonger.Unfortunately,itseemedthateverythinghadalreadybeendiscoveredorexterminated.Hewasclosetodespair,whenhehappenedtocomeacrossaseriesofdata-slates.Toacasualobserver,theywerenothing:aseriesoffieldreportsfromaBattleSisterCanonessontheplanetLysioswhowasapparentlyhavingtroubleeliminatingacultofheretics.Printedintothemargins,however,wereannotationswritteninaperfect,almostdaintyhand.Itwastheexcellenceofthepenmanshipwhichcaughthisattention,andtheircontentwhichheldit.Thesidenotesproposedthatthehereticsmightbeinfluencedbyanactualcreatureofunknownoralien

origin.Ulrichtrackeddownthecommentator,anddiscoveredSisterMargene.Shewasaloneandworkingbycandlelightinavaultfilledtooverflowingwithbooksandfiles.Shewasonlytoohappytoexpounduponhertheories,andshowedtheinquisitorlegendsandobservationsdatingbackthreethousandyears.Ulrichbecameconvincedthathehadfinallyfoundameanstopromotion.Hestoppedshufflingandheldthecrystalcardsfacedown.Hisfingershoveredoverthedeck.‘WillIfindwhatIamsearchingforhereonLysios?’hewhispered.

Heflippedthetopmostwafer,andsmiled.DepictedonthereversesidewastheEmperor,seatedlikeamummifiedcorpseuponHisGoldenThrone,screamingsilentlyforallthegalaxytohear.‘Warptravel,discovery,andhopeamongstthestars,’Ulrichsaid,takingittobeagoodomen.He

placedthecardback,flippedtheentiredeckover,andbegantowrapitbackupinitsprotectivecloth.Hepausedforamoment.Thecardonthebottomshowedaplanet,crackedapartlikeanegg.Chunksof

itweretumblingoffintothevoidofspace.Itwasnumberfifty-twointheEmperor’sTarot:theShatteredWorld.Itsignifiedmonumentalevents,conflictonanenormousscale.Isthisaportent?hewondered.TempestorChavis’svoicecrackledthroughvox-speakersthroughoutthelander.‘Standby,Scions,we

areonfinalapproach.’Thelanderbeganbankinginalongcurve.Ulrichcranedhishead.Theywerethroughthecloudsnow.

Thelandstretchedawaybarrenandbrowninnearlyeverydirection.Tothewest,thehorizonlurchedverticallyinawallofdarkblue.Directlybelowwaswhatappearedtobealargetown.Itwassquareandflat,withlowbuildingsthecolourofrust.WhenUlrichhadfinishedwrappinguphiscards,hereturnedthebundletoitsrestingplaceabovehis

heart.Ifthetarotwastryingtowarnhimofsomething,hedecided,itwastobewaretheuglinessoftheworldoutsidethewindow.Hepusheduphisleftsleeve.Wrappedaroundhisarmwasadatadisplayofexquisitequality.Aseries

ofnumbersflashedonitsemeraldscreen.Henoddedinapproval.Thedatafromthetorpedoprobeshadn’tchanged.Theyhaddeliveredtheirradioactivepayloadintotheworldwave,andithadbeenabsorbedbysomethingbig.Thecreaturewasrealallright,andnow,hewouldbeabletofindherwithease.Ulrichpushedhissleevebackdown.Hecheckedhisfadedreflectioninthewindow,adjustedhis

cravat,andthenmadehiswaydowntothelander’smaindeck.Theshuttlecraftlurchedandcametorest.Ulrichwasthefirsttoexit,followedcloselybyMargene.

Behindthem,theinquisitorcouldhearChavisbarkingordersforhismentobegindeployingthemselves.Thefirstthingthatstruckhimwasnotthesmell,ashehadthought,butthelight.Itwasearlyafternoon

onthispartofLysios.Everythingwasbathedinoversaturated,crimsonhues.Hesquintedandmadeashadewithhisrighthand.Purpleandyellowspotsformedinhisvision,andheblinkedtoclearthem.Thelandersatinthecentreofasquareareabarelylargeenoughtocontainit.Threesideswerehedgedinbystoragebuildingswithonlythevaguestmemoriesofhavingoncebeenpainted.Inonecornerwasafour-storeytowerwithlargeglasswindowsonthetopfloorandasatellitedishmountedontheroof.Achain-linkfencecordonedofftheremainingside.Throughthehaze,Ulrichcouldmakeoutthesilhouettesofpeoplethere.‘Angrysungodindeed,yes?’hequipped,turningtoMargene.‘Sir?’Theyoungwomanwasunaffectedbytheblindingdoublesuns.She’dhadtheforethoughttobring

apairoftintedgoggles.‘Nothing.’Ulrichsighed.Helookeddownathisboots.‘Isthegroundvibrating?’‘It’sthecrawlertreads,inquisitor.Thisentiresettlementismoving,ifyourecall.’‘Anditdoesthisallthetime?’‘Constantly,albeitveryslowly.Ittakeseachcrawlertenyearstocircumnavigatetheplanet.Ifitstayed

still,itwouldeventuallybesweptawaybytheworldwave.’‘Howannoying.’Helookedabout.‘Whereisourreception?’Hedroppedhishandandbegantowalktowardsthefence.Hisswordbangedagainsthisleg.Hiscoat

tailsruffledbehindhim.Hewashalfwaytohisdestinationwhenasectionofthefencedrewback.He

stopped.MarchingtowardshimwasagroupofBattleSisters.Theyworewhitepowerarmourandblackcloaks.Theywereledbyanintimidatingmiddle-agedwomanwhosemostdistinguishingfeaturewasthescarthatrandownonesideofherface.Pursinghislipsandfrowning,hemuttered,‘Andwhathavewehere?’‘Inquisitor?’thewomancalledout.Hervoicewasasloudandasclearasachapelbell.Margenegaveanaudibleintakeofbreath.‘Iam,’Ulrichsaid.Herestedhishandsonthepommelofhissword,andshiftedhisweightontoone

leg.‘Whomightyoube?’TheBattleSisterscametohalt.‘IamMagdaGrace,aCanonessfortheSistersoftheSacredRose.’‘YoumayaddressmeasInquisitorUlrich.ThisisSisterMargene.She’llbeactingasmydialogus.’Margenenoddedcurtly.‘Verygood,’theCanonesssaidapprovingly.‘InquisitorUlrich,itfallstometobidyouwelcometo

Lysios.’‘Fallstoyou?Why?Whereistheplanetarygovernor?’‘GovernorStrachmanhasabandonedhispost,’theCanonesssaid.‘Areyoucertain?’Ulrichasked.‘Iwasn’tawareofanysuchproblemswhenIleftTerra.’CanonessGracewassteadfast.‘Icanassureyou,sir,thatGovernorStrachmanandeveryoneattachedto

himhavebeeninabsentiaforquitesometime.NotlongafterwebeganourcampaignagainsttheShelsists,hevanishedandhasnotbeenseensince.Theonlyconclusioncanbethatheisaheretic,andthathechosetofleeourwrath.’‘Isee.Wellthen,whereisthecommanderofthelocalmilitaryforces?’Margeneleanedforwardagain.‘Inquisitor,Lysioshasnoindigenousregiment.’‘What?’‘Therehasn’tbeenanImperialGuardunitonthisworldinthreethousandyears,inquisitor.Notsince

theenvironmentalcollapse.’‘GovernorStrachmanhadafewunitsofprofessionalsoldierswhoactedashispersonalguard,’

CanonessGraceoffered,‘buttheywentintohidingwithhim.Untilsuchtimeasheandhispeoplearefoundanddealtwith,youmayconsiderLysiostobeundermycontrol.’Ulrichstaredather.‘So,youandadozenSororitasaretheonlyImperialauthorityonthisworld?’‘MyselfandseveralthousandBattleSisters,yes,’thecanonesssaid,emphasisingthetruenumber.Foramoment,theonlysoundsonthelandingfieldwerethewhistlingofthewindandthedistantsounds

oftheScions’transportsrumblingslowlyoutofthebellyofthelander.Ulrichsqueezedhiseyestightly,butwhenheopenedthemagain,hestillfeltblinded.‘Youwillgetusedtothelighthere,’CanonessGraceoffered.‘Thankyou,butIwon’tbestayingthatlong.Infact,Imustbeaboutmybusiness.’‘Youshouldbemadeaware,then,thatmySororitasareheavilyinvolvedincombatingthethreelocal

hereticalcults.IfyouplantoconscriptsomeofthemundertheauthorityoftheImmortalEmperorofMankind,thenouroveralleffortstorestorethisplanetwillsuffer.’‘IhavenointentionoftakingyourSistersawayfromtheirduties.IhaveTempestusScionstoassistme

inmymission.’‘Scions?Isitnotawasteoftheirparticularskillsetstousethemonlytoferretoutanddestroyheretical

cultists?’‘Whatareyoutalkingabout?’‘TheShelsists,ofcourse.’‘Whatofthem?’

TheCanonessfrowned.‘IpresumedthatasanofficeroftheOrdoHereticus,youwereheretoofferusyourassistanceinpurgingthem.’‘No,notatall,’Ulrichsaid.‘TheinquisitorisoftheOrdoXenos,Canoness,’Margenesaidquietly.‘Xenos?’TempestorChavishadmadehiswaytowardsthegroup.Hestoppedbehindtheinquisitor,stampedthe

ground,andsaluted.‘Sir,allmenandmaterielaresafelygroundside.Tauroxtransportsarearmedandready,andawaiting

yourorders.’‘Verywell.SisterMargeneandIwilltravelwithyouintheleadvehicle.I’lldecodeourdestination

coordinatesonceweareunderway,’Ulrichsaid.Hegaveaslightbowatthewaist.‘Canoness,I’lltakemyleave.’‘Onecannottakewhatissofreelygiven,’theCanonesssaid.Ulrichnarrowedhiseyes.Herwordssoundedlikeaquotationofsomekind.Uncertainastowhetheror

nothehadactuallybeeninsultedbythewoman,hesimplygaveheraslightbow.Hetookfourstepstowardsthelandingcraft,andthenspunbackaround.‘Oh,actually,thereisoneareainwhichyouandyourchargesmightbeofassistancetome.’‘Yes,inquisitor?’Ulrichpointedtowardsthefence,whereanumberofcuriousonlookersweregathering.‘Keepthelocal

riff-raffawayfromthisship.Setupaperimeter,orsomesuch.’CanonessGrace’seyeswentwidewithincredulity.‘Guardduty?YouwanttousemyBattleSistersfor

guardduty?’‘TheEmperor’sInquisitionistaskingyouwithsecuringavaluablelocation,’Ulrichsaid.Hewatched

herclenchherjaw.Itcouldbeadangerousthing,heknew,trumpingsomeone’spersonalpridewithInquisitorialpower.Butdamnifitwasn’tsatisfying.‘YourlanderwillbeaccordedthesamelevelofsecurityasthatofanyImperialvisitortothisworld,’

theCanonessgrowled.TheinquisitorreturnedtotheScionswithChavis.MargenebowedtoCanonessGraceinagestureof

respectmingledwithawe.‘Itwasanhonourtomeetyouatlast,Canoness.’TheCanonessgaveheraquizzicallook.‘IamstationedattheConventPrioris,onHolyTerra.Ihavebeentherecipientofyourprogressreports.

IknowallaboutyourstruggleshereonLysios,particularlyagainsttheShelsists.’‘Butit’snotthemthatbroughtyouhere.’Margeneseemedtorn.‘I…Icannotspeakoftheinquisitor’smission.Iamboundbyanoathof

servitudeandsecrecy.Weallare.’‘Ofcourse.Iunderstand.’‘ButIcansaythatIthinkoureffortswillaidyougreatly.Ifwearesuccessful,thatis.’Margenebackedaway,andthenrantocatchupwithUlrichandChavis.CanonessGracereturnedtothe

otherSisters.‘SuperiorCairista,wehaveneworders.Thisfieldistobesecuredandguardeduntiltheinquisitor

returns.Noonegoesnearthatlandingcraft,andwearetokeepanyandallcitizensawayfromtheentryway.Seetoit.’‘Atonce,Canoness,’Cairistareplied.Aspartofherpromotion,shehadtradedinherflamerfora

boltgunwithasmallfirelaunchermountedbeneathit.Shehoisteditupoverhershoulderandbegantoissuecommandstotheotherwomen.

GracewatchedfromadistanceastheScions,UlrichandSisterMargeneclimbedintothetwotransportsandrumbledawayfromthetinyspaceport.Overhead,theblazingeyesofCryptusbecameobscuredbywispsofbluecloud.Acoolbreezeruffledhercloak.CanonessGraceranherfingersalongthebeadsoftherosariusthathungaroundherneck,prayingasshe

didso.‘Emperor,ifitbeYourwill,watchoveroursister,Margene.Grantherstrength,andcourage,andtheconvictiontodoYourwillinallthings.’Shetouchedherforehead,chest,andswordhilt,andthenmovedtosupervisetheestablishmentofthesecurityperimeter.SheandMargenewouldneverseeeachotherinpersonagain.

‘IamtheBrine.Everythingthatliveswithinme,Ihavemadeapartofme.Sinceyouspurnme,Ixoi,thecreaturesofLysioswillsuffermywrath.Iwilldevourthem,andgreatly.Thethingsthatliveinmewillfeastuponthethingsthatliveoutsideofme,becausewithoutyou,Iamcraven.’

–CantosContinuous,M41

CHAPTERFOUR

Chaviswasnothisoriginalname.Ithadbeengiventohimtwentyyearspreviously,byadrillabbotwhoselecteditfromalonglistofpossibilities.Hehadbeentwelveyearsoldatthetime,thevictimofadisasterhecouldn’trecallwhichhadtakenplaceonahomeworldhecouldnolongerremember.OneofahundredboysbroughtbeforetheScholaProgeniumthatday,hehadbeensprayedwithahose,deloused,andtoldtoforgeteverythingabouthispast.Thisincludedhisname.HisnamewasChavisnow.‘Youshouldbeproud,’theyhadtoldhim.‘Eachofthenamesonthislistoncebelongedtoagreathero

oftheImperium.Thisman,Chavis,wasknownforhiswisdomandcommitmenttosuccess.Now,it’suptoyoutocarryonhislegacy.’Hedidhisbesttocomply,andhedidfeelproudtohavebeenawardedsuchaname.Heevenenjoyed

thebrutalrigoursoftraining,remainingstoicallysilentthroughachingmusclesandtheoccasionalsnappedbone.SufferingbecamethepricetobepaidforthehonourofbearingthenameofChavis.Hedidnot,however,enjoytheCorrectionThrone.ItwasastandardphaseinthedevelopmentofaTempestusScion.Allofthemwouldgothroughit.He

acceptedthatmuch.Whathewouldneverunderstandwaswhysuchaterriblethingwasgivensuchanelegantname.Hehadimaginedamagnificentchair,liketheonetheEmperorsatin,butwhenhewasatlastbroughtbeforeit,hefoundittobenothingofthekind.TheCorrectionThronewasametalframewithleatherstrapsaroundthearmsandlegs.Suspendedabovewaswhatappearedtobeabowlfilledwithspikes.Hewasforcedintotheseat.Roughhandscinchedthebeltstightlyaroundhislimbs.Thebowlwasplacedoverhishead.Ablockofwoodwasinsertedintohismouthtoensurethathedidn’tbitethroughhistongue.Adeptsinhoodedrobes,lurkinginthedarkcornersoftheroom,mutteredastheyflippedswitchesandturneddials.Then,likeabillionyoungladsbeforehim,hewasmindscaped.Theneedlesdrovethemselvesthrough

thebackofhisskull.Thesoftpathwaysofhisbrainwerefloodedwithaneurochemicaldesignedtowipethemclean.WhenhewasatlastallowedtorisefromtheThrone,hismindwouldbeanemptyvessel,fittobefilledwithalltheterribledoctrinesofwar.Andfillittheydid.Twodecadeslater,Chavisknewhowtoachieveanymissiongiventohim.Heknewwhentotake

ground,andwhentoholdit;whentoactwithcaution,andwhentoriskitall.Andthus,despitetheinquisitor’sunparalleledpowerandauthorityoverhim,Chaviswasunafraidtoquestionhisdecisions.

Fromthehab-crawler,thetwotransportsspedeasilyoverkilometresofbarrenandemptycountry.Abovethem,theskiesdarkened.Thundercouldbeheardeventhroughthethickhull.BythetimetheyenteredthefoothillsoftheKephorousmountains,adelugewascomingdownaroundthem.Rainbeatagainsttheroofandfiringports,andtheTauroxrockedfromsidetosideastheindependenttracksscrabbledoverrocksandcrevasses.‘Isthereaproblem,tempestor?’Margeneasked.Chavis’sheadsnappedup.‘Whydoyouask?’TheinterioroftheTauroxwasdividedintotwosections.Therewasapilotingcompartmentupfront,

withroomenoughfortwopeople.Theremainderwasarectangularspacelargeenoughtoholdeight.ChavisandMargenewereseateddirectlyacrossfromoneanother.‘Thewayyouwerestaringdownatthefloor,’Margenesaid.Herfacewashard.Aboltgunrestedinher

lap,andshedrummedherfingersonitsengravedframe.‘Therainsoundsveryheavy,’Chavissaid.‘I’mconcernedthatitmayaffectourtimetable.’‘StormsarecommononLysios,especiallyasonemovesclosertotheworldwave.Theytendnottolast

long,butcanbeintense.It’sactuallyabitironic,becauserightnow,ontheothersideoftheplanet,there’saterribledrought.’Abruptly,thevehiclecametoahalt.Chavisleanedforwardinhisseatandcalleduptothepiloting

compartment.‘ScionCato,report!’‘Tempestor,’Catorepliedcalmly,‘wehaveapotentialproblem.’Chavisunbuckledhissafetyrestraintsandleanedinbetweenthedriverandforwardpassengerseats.‘Whatisit?’Chavisasked.Catopointedthroughthenarrowwindowslotbeforehim.‘Thereareenvironmentalconcernsthat

shouldbeevaluatedbeforeweproceed,sir.’‘Allright.Let’shavealook.’Chavisactivatedhispersonalvox-unitandcalledtothedriverofthe

secondTaurox.‘Erdon,joinusupfront.’Hereturnedtotherearsection,shovedoneofthesidedoorsopen,andjumpeddownintowaterthat

rosetohisankles.Behindhim,heheardCatoandtheinquisitordolikewise.Rainpeltedhisface.Ittastedvaguelyofsalt.TheywerehalfwayuptheslopeofMountLoraz,followingawindingtrackbarelywideenoughto

accommodatetheirtransports.Ontheleftroseawallofrockandmud.Totherightwasasharpdrop-offthatplungedhundredsofmetresintothechurninggreenishwavesofLysios’socean.Tofallovertheedgewastofallintooblivion.Frombehindthemcamethesoundofsloshingfootsteps.‘ScionErdon,reportingasordered.’ChavisadjustedhisberetandthefourofthemmadetheirwaytothefrontoftheleadTaurox.They

stoodintheglareofthevehicle’sfloodlightsandsurveyedthepathaheadofthem.‘Damn,’Ulrichsaid.Hebeganfishingaboutinsidehiscoat.Ariverofrainwater,ahundredmetreswide,wasgushingfromacrevasseinthemountainside.Itfellin

atorrentacrosstheroadbeforespillingoverthedrop-off.‘Nowaytoknowwhatconditiontheroadisinunderallthat,’ErdonsaidtoCato.‘That’stheconcern.’Chavismovedforwardslowly,testingthegroundwitheverystep.‘Canyoutellhowdeepitgets,sir?’Erdoncalledout.Thewaterwasnowswirlingaroundthe

tempestor’sknees.

‘Deep.ButIshouldn’tthinkthatit’llcomeupovertheroof.’Behindhim,Ulrichhadproducedasquareofpaperlaminatedinplastek.Hebegantounfoldit.‘We

can’tgothroughthis,’hesaid.‘We’llbesweptovertheedgeforcertain.’‘I’vebeenthroughwiderwaterhazards,’Chavissaid.Helookedoutatthedrop-off.‘We’llbefine.’Ulrichloweredthesheetofpaper.Chaviscouldseethatitwasamapofsomekind,possiblypartofan

orbitalsurvey.‘Ibegtodiffer.Lookhere,thisshowsanotherwaytotheplateau.’ThetempestorreturnedtoUlrich’ssideandgraspedoneedgeofthewaterproofedsheet.Aftera

moment’sconsideration,hesaid,‘No.Thatwon’twork.’Ulrichlookedasifhe’dbeenslapped,andChaviswondereddistantlyhowoftentheinquisitor,orany

inquisitorforthatmatter,foundhimselfbeingcontradicted.‘Ibegyourpardon?’‘Respectfully,sir,itwon’twork.Notgivenourtimeconsiderations.’Hetracedalineoverthemapwith

athickfinger,leavingatrailofcondensation.‘Theotherrouteiskilometrestothewest.True,it’snotassteep,butitwouldtakeushalfadaytogetthere.Bythattime,wewillhavemissedouropportunity.’Ulrichlookedunhappy.Hepointedtothewaterpouringdownacrossthetrail.‘You’retellingmethat

youcangetusthroughthat?’‘Sir,Ihavetwentyyearsofservicetomyname.I’veyettoencountertheterrainthatcouldbesta

Taurox.’‘Butiftheroadgiveswaybeneathit…’‘Sir,’Chavisrepeated.‘Ifwewanttocapturethealienspecimen,weneedtosticktoourtimetable.’He

helduphisrightforearm,intowhichwasbuiltasmall,glowingdisplayscreen.Hewipedthebeadsofrainwaterfromit,andtiltedittowardsUlrich.Intheuppercornerofthedisplay,astringofnumberscountedsteadilydowntowardszero.‘Accordingtotheinformationprovidedtomebythedialogus,wehavejustunderfourhoursremaining.Afterthat,thetidalswelloftheworldwavewillhavemovedpastthemountain.’UlrichlookedatCatoandErdon,asifseekingasecondopinion.Hefoundnone.‘Ialsohavemanyyearsofexperience,tempestor,’Ulrichsaid,‘inaprofessionthatrewards

carelessnesswithdeath.’Chavisgavenoreply.TwicehehadstatedhisbeliefthatthetwoTauroxwouldbeabletomakeit

acrosstheragingwater,andthatwasonetimemorethanhewasusedto.Finally,Ulrichrelented.Heshookthewaterfromthemap,andbegantofolditbackup.‘Ifyouhavesomuchfaithinthismachineofyours,thenyouwon’tminddriving.’‘Notatall,sir.However,I’llneedScionCatotositnexttome.’‘Why?’‘Thiscouldbedangerous,sir.NotonlyshouldtherebeaScionreadytotakeoverimmediatelyshould

somethinghappentome,butyouwillbesaferintherearsection.’‘Fine,fine,’Ulrichmuttered.Hisshoulderswerehunchedandhisarmswerewrappedtightlyaroundhis

body.Hishairwasplasteredtohisheadbytherain.Heclimbedupintothepassengercompartment.ChavisandCatomadetheirwaytothefront.AsChavisfastenedhissafetyrestraints,Catosecuredhis

helmetandfaceplate.‘ScionErdon?’Chavissaidoverthevox.‘Readyhere,tempestor.We’llfollowyourlead.’ChavissenttheTauroxforwards.Fourstatuslightsblinkedonthepanelinfrontofhim,oneforeachof

themachine’squadtracks.Themomenttheyenteredthetorrent,thelightschangedfromreassuringgreentocautionaryamber.Watersurgedagainsttheleftsideofthevehicle.TheTauroxbegantolurchupanddownasitmanoeuvredoversubmergedboulders,butitsgriponthefloodedroadwassteady.

Astheynearedthemidpoint,thefrontofthetransportsuddenlypitcheddownsharply.Chavis’sviewingslitsbecamecompletelysubmerged.‘Whatwasthat?’Catosaid.Chavisbaredhisteeth,angrywithhimselffornothavingforeseenthis.‘Atrench,’hesaid.Theconstant

rushofwaterhadcarvedadeepfaultinthemountainpath,andtheywerefallingintoit,nose-first.Erdonwasshoutingoverthevox.‘Tempestor,I’velostyou!’‘Erdon,exerciseextremecaution.ThemiddlesectionhereisfarworsethanIthought.’Chavisflickedaseriesofswitchesonthepanelbesidehim,andtheinteriorlightsintheTauroxwent

outaspowerwastransferredtothetractors.Hepulledbackhardonthecontrols.Fromsomewhereunderfootcamethenoiseofmetalgrinding.TheTauroxshookviolentlyandgroanedbeforeburstinguptothesurfaceagain,sprayingmudeverywhere.Thewaterlevelsdroppedbackdownbelowthefiringslots.Theywerenearlytotheotherside.AsChavislookedagainatthetrackindicators,somethingheavystruckthesideoftheTauroxandrolled

away.Thepassengercompartmentreverberatedwiththesoundofit.Thetempestor’sheadsnappedup.‘Rock,sir,’Catosaid.‘Felldownfromthemountainsideafterwepassedthrough.Ithinkmaybewe–’Throughthevox,Chaviscouldsuddenlyhearaseriesofpingsandbangs.Atfirst,hetookittobe

gunfireofsomekind.‘Tempestor,Ihaveasituation,’Erdonsaid.‘We’rebeingpushedoverthedrop-off.’Catoletoutashort,sharpexpletive.‘Transferadditionalpowertoyourtracks,’Chavisordered.‘They’reatonehundredandtwentypercent,sir.It’snotaquestionofpower.There’snothingleftto

grip.’Ulrichleanedintothecompartmentanddemandedtoknowwhatwashappening.Chaviscuthimoffwitharaisedhand.‘Erdon,’hesaid,‘prepyourrecoverygear.Cato,getoutside,

grabthatlineandsecureit.’‘Yes,sir,’Catosaid.Mountedintohisleftshoulderplatewasacompactvid-lens.Whenheactivatedit,

thelensgloweddarkred.Chavislookeddownathisownforearmdisplay,whichnowshowedtheviewfromCato’svid-link.‘Yourmonoscopedataiscominginfine.Go.’‘Iaskedyoutotellmewhat’shappening,’Ulrichsaid.‘Allofourequipmentisinthatothertransport.If

it’slost–’‘Notnow!’Chavisraisedhisarm.Besidehim,Catoreachedupandunlockedasmallroundhatch.Rainandmuddywaterpouredintohis

lap.Hereacheddownbesidehisseatandpulledhardontheleverthere,andwithasuddenjerk,hischairroseupthroughtheopenhatch.Thewatercomingintothefrontcompartmentslowedtoonlyafewdrops.Onhismonitor,Chaviscouldnowseetheroadahead,aswellasthebarrelsofthebattlecannonmountedontheroofoftheTaurox.ThepictureinchedaroundasCatoclimbedupfromoutoftheturretandmadehiswayonhandsandkneestothebackoftheroof.‘Erdon,’Chaviscalled,‘fireyourcable.’Amomentlater,therewasascrapingsoundontheroof,andCatosaid,‘They’relatchedontous.We’re

goodtogo,tempestor.’Chavispusheddownontheaccelerator,andthetransportlurchedforwards.Overthevox,Chaviscould

hearCatogrunting.Afterseveraltensemoments,Erdonspoke.‘That’sit.Allofmytrackindicatorsarebackonsolidground.’Thetwovehiclesploughedthroughthelastofthewaterandemergedsafelyontheotherside.Theseat

nexttoChavisdroppedbackdownintoplace.Cato,coveredinmudandsoakingwet,removedhishelmet

andfacemask.Heexhaledloudly.‘Thecable’sreleased,sir.’Ulrichwasstaringathim.‘Yourhands,’hesaid.Catohadleftapairofbloodyimprintsoneithersideofhishelmet.Heturnedhisglovesoverto

discoverthatseveralthickmetalsplintershadembeddedthemselvesinhispalms.‘Oh.Musthavegottenthemfromtherecoverycable.’HelookedupatChavis.‘Itgavemeabitoftrouble,sir.’‘Goodwork,Scion,’Chavissaid.‘Getinthebackandgetthosecleanedup.’Catonoddedandsqueezedpasttheinquisitor.‘Ithoughtyousaidthatwewouldn’thaveanyproblems?’Ulrichsaid.Chavisswitchedoffthevid-feedtohismonitor.Thetinyclockreappearedandcontinuedits

countdown.‘No,sir,Isaidthatwewouldmakeit,andwedid.’‘ButIwasright.Theroadwashedout.’‘Theroaddidn’twashout.Themountaincamedown.’Ulrich’smouthtwisted.‘Justgetusuptotheplateau,’hesaidquietly.Heturnedandwentbackintothe

rearcompartment.

CHAPTERFIVE

Bythetimetheyreachedthetopofthemountain,therainhadstopped.Thecloudswerebeginningtothin.Thesunshadsetandthemoon,Ixoi,wasalreadyvisibleintheskyasamassive,round,reddisc.Nearby,thewavesofLysios’sverticaloceanwasheduponthetumbledrocks.Theirsoundwaslikethunder,andthespraytheysentupplumedhighoverhead.ThetwoTauroxhadstoppednearalargeslabofflatrock.Ulrichhadinsistedonbeingthefirsttoexit.Hestoodgazingoutattheoceanwithastrangelookonhisface.MargeneandtheeighteenScionsclimbeddownfromthetransportsandbegantogathernearhim.Thebulkoftheworldwavewastothesouthofthem,adarkwallreachingupintotheclouds.Thedusky

moonlightonlymadeitseemmoresurreal.Theentirehorizonappearedtobendataninety-degreeangle.Ulrichturnedandfacedthemall.Hiseyeswerealightwithexcitement.Thewindwhippedhiscoat

aroundhiscalves.Hehadtoshouttobeheardoverthepoundingsurf.‘ItoldyoumenbeforewelandedthatIhadaplantomakeourtargetcometous.SisterMargene,

accordingtolocallegend,howoftendoestheBrineGoddesscometothesurface?’‘Monthly,sir.Shereachesouttowardsthemoon,andwhenshefindsthatshecan’ttouchhim,she

despairsandcausestidalwavesandstorms.’‘Nonsense,obviously,butitdidgetmetothinking.IftherereallywasaShelselivingintheblackness

oftheocean,whywoulditcomeforthwithsuchregularity?Ibelievethattheansweristhemoon.Well,moonlight,tobemoreexact.Imean,lookaroundyou.’Ulrichswepthisarminahalfcircle.Ixoidominatedthesky,castingeverythinginthereflectionofthe

twosuns.Nostarscouldbeseen.Night-timeonLysioswastheequivalentofduskonmostotherImperialworlds.‘Youbelievethecreatureisattractedtolight?’Margeneasked.‘Lightandgravity,butI’mwillingtowagerthatlightwillbeenough.Tempestor,Iwantyourmento

beginsettingupthesearchlightimmediately.Howlongwillittake?’‘It’sastandardSabreplatform,sir.Routineassemblytimetwenty-fivetothirtyminutes.We’llhaveit

readyinfifteen.’‘Excellent.Inthemeantime,Iwillpreparethecontainmentchamber.Margene,you’rewithme.’Ulrich

begantowalktowardstheTauroxthatErdonhaddriven.Margenehurriedtomatchhislongstrides.ChavisbarkedtotheScions.‘Youheardtheinquisitor.Unpackthatplatform.Getthelightupandrunning.’

TheScionssaluted,andhurriedtotheirwork.FromtherearsectionofthesecondTaurox,theybroughtoutfourmetalstrutsandaseriesofroundfloorplates.Thesewerefollowedbyasquarebracket,andfinally,alightthatwasnearlyaswidearoundasChaviswastall.Margenehadseensuchthingsbefore.Thelighttheyproducedwasblinding,andtheywereusuallymountedontobuildingsorusedforsignallingaircraftatnight.Oncethepiecesofthesearchlightwereoffloaded,theTauroxwasemptysaveforher,Ulrich,andatallcylinder.Itappearedtobemadeofsheetmetal.Thefrontcontainedasinglenarrowdoorwitharoundpaneof

glassinthecentre.‘You’regoingtoputit…inthis?’Margeneasked.‘It’sstrongerthanitlooks,Iassureyou.Heavier,aswell.Takeoneside.’SheshoulderedherboltgunandhelpedUlrichliftthecontaineroutoftheTauroxanddownontothe

ground.TheScionshadnearlyfinishedassemblingtheplatformandthemassivelight.Shehadthoughtperhapsthetempestorhadbeenbraggingwhenhesaidthatheandhismencouldbuilditinhalfthetimeofregularsoldiers.Now,sheconcededthathehadn’t.Thewavesweregrowinginintensityasthetidalswellapproached.Theirbreakingontherockswas

deafening,andwhenthewavesretreated,theyseemedtosucktheveryairouttoseawiththem.Margenelookedinaweattheapproachingworldwave,whensomethingfartherdowntheshorelinecaughtherattention.Inthedistancewasaprocessionofpeople.Theywerecarryingtorches.‘Inquisitor?’shesaid.‘We’renotalone.’Ulrichlookeddownthestrand.‘Whoarethey?’‘Locals,Iwouldpresume,sir.Shouldwedosomethingaboutthem?’Beforehecouldanswer,Chavisapproached.‘We’reready,inquisitor,’hesaid.‘Turniton,then.’Chavisgaveasignaltooneofhismen,andthesearchlightflaredtolife.Itsblindingbeamcutawide

swathdownthebeachandfaroutintotheocean.Anotherwavecrashedovertherocks,dousingeveryonewithdropletsoffreezingwater.Thesearchlightcrackledandhissed.Chavisfrowned.‘Sir,’heaskedUlrich,‘areyoucertainthatwe’rehighenoughabovethewaterline?’‘Ofcourse.’Margenedidnotsharetheinquisitor’sconfidence,especiallynotafteryetanotherwavecrestedthe

rocksandtravelledfarenoughuptheshoretowettheirboots.Greentendrilslikefineseaweed,embeddedwithflecksofsilver,glitteredontheground.Dropletspoppedloudlyastheylandedonthelightandthenvaporised.ScionCatowasthefirsttonoticethatthetorchbearershadalteredtheircourseandwerenowmoving

towardsthem.‘Tempestor!’heshouted.‘Byrdgon,Savdra!’Chavisordered.ThetwoScionsquicklyleftthesearchlighttostandbyErdon.

Fromtheirbacks,thethreemenunhookedbulkylasgunswithtop-mountedscopesandthickbarrels.ThegroupoftorchbearerscametoahaltashortdistancefromtheScions.Theywereledbyawoman

inherlatethirties.Sheworeablue,patchworkrobeandtallboots.Shecarriedastaffthatseemedtobemadefromsomekindofwhitestone.HerskinwasburntandwrinkledfromalifetimeunderthetwinsunsofLysios.‘Youshouldn’tbehere!’sheshouted.‘Whoeveryouare,youmustleave.’Ulrichputhishandsonhiships.‘DoyouhaveanyideawhoIam?’Thewomanstoppedandplantedtheendofherstaffintherockysoil.Somethingaboutthegnarledwhite

polestuckafamiliarchordwithMargene.Itwasn’tstone,sherealised,butahugerodofcoral.‘Thisnightissacred,off-worlder.Youwillnotdefileit.’

‘Whatdidyoucallme?’‘Off-worlder,’shedrawledinathickaccent.‘LiketheMurderess.’Thecrowdbehindhermurmured.Ulrichseemedslightlyamused.‘I’msorry,whoistheMurderess?’‘Theonewholeadsthewomeninwhite.’‘YoumeantheCanoness?Doessheknowyoucallherthat?’Theoceanroared.TheLysitesturned,toseethecrestofanenormouswaverollingtowardsthemina

sprayofwaterandfoam.Strangecreaturesbegantotumbleoutofit.Fishthesizeofsmallchildrenfloppedabout.Moreoftheglitteringseaweedcoveredtheshore.Margeneunslungherbolter.‘Youmustdousethislight!’criedthewomaninthebluerobe.‘OnlyIxoimayshinethisnight!’Ulrichneitherknewnorcaredwhatshewastalkingabout.HewasabouttoordertheScionstochase

theLysitesoffwithavolleyoflas-fire,whenanotherwavepoundedthenearbyrocks.Alargeboulderrolledupontotheshore,andsproutedfourpairsofstocky,segmentedlegs.Aheadshapedlikeahammeruncurledfromsomewherebeneathit.Twoantennaeemergedfromitsneckandtwitchedastheytookinthenight-timeair.OneoftheoldLysitemenbrokefromthegroupandrantowardsitwithallthespeedhecouldmuster.

‘Mefirst,takeme!’heshoutedashewent.‘Orders,sir?’Chavisasked.Theboulder-thingpouncedforward.Margenecaughtaglimpseofafangedmouthonitsunderside.Ulrichdugfuriouslyintohiscoatpocket,andwhippedoutahand-heldauspex.Hepointedittowards

thecreature.Whenitmadeashort,sharpbuzz,hescowled.‘It’snotwhatwe’reafter.Killit.’Chavisbarkedtotwoofhismen.‘Thieus,Brandt,directedfirestorm.’Thepair’shot-shotlasgunslitupthestonybeachwithsearingbeams.Thecreaturewasstruck,anda

sectionofitsrockyshellmeltedinward.Itgaveahighpitchedsqueal,andfelloverdead.Itsinsideswereonfire.Theoldmanwhohadbeenrunningskiddedtoahaltandfelltohiskneesbeforethecarcass.Hestared

indisbelief.Therewasnosoundforamomentexceptthepoundingofthesurf.TheLysiteswereslack-jawedandsilent.Thentheoldmanliftedhisarmsouttowardstheworldwaveandbegantowail.‘Iwasprepared!’hecried.Asiftakingacuefromhisoutburst,thebodyofthedeadcreatureshuddered.Fromsomewhereinsideit

therecameatearingsound.Aswarmoftinythingsfloodedoutfromunderneathitsburningshell,eachacopyoftheparentcreatureinminiature.Theysurgedoverthewailingmanandbeganbitingintohisflesh.Hecollapsedbeneaththem.Margenecouldhaveswornthathiscrieshadchangedfromsorrowtogratitude.Ulrichtookastepbackindisgust.Anothertitanicwavearchedoverthebouldersandcamecrashing

down,soakingeveryoneandleavingmorecreaturesinitswake.Theydraggedthemselvesuptheshoreonapairofrubberyfins,whilebehindthemaflattailwagged.Theirbackswerecoveredinlongspinesthatfacedforward.Theyshookthemselvesoff,sendingacloudofquillsintothecrowd.OneofthedartscaughtUlrichinthetemple,leavingalongscratchthatoozeddarkichor.Hedrewhis

pistolwithimpressivespeedandsentaboltofenergyintothethingthathaddaredtowoundhim.Twomoreoftheboulder-spidersdroppedintothemassofLysites,sendingbodiesflyinginall

directions.Withterriblegrunts,theydisgorgedtheiryoung,whobegantobiteandgnawoneverythingaroundthem.Downthebeach,avariedcollectionofcreatureswerebeingcastashore.Aballofgelatinousmaterialrolledashortdistance,andthencollapsedintoapileofseaweedandfleshyslugswithridgedfins.Theybegancrawlingwithalarmingspeedtowardsthesearchlightandeveryonewho

wasgatheredaroundit.AmemoryflashedthroughMargene’smindofatimeyearsagowhenamothhadsomehowfoundits

wayintothescriptorium.Againandagain,itflewintohercandelabra,untilithadfinallycaughtfireanddied.Ithadbeenheedlessofpainoranywoundsitsuffered,becauseithadbeendrivenmad;madbythebrightlightofhercandles.‘Inquisitor,Ithinkyourbeaconisworkingalittletoowell,’shesaid.ChavispointedtothetwoTaurox.‘Cato,Erdon,getintheturretsandpreparetogiveusfiresupport.’Asthetwomenranforthetransports,thepackofquilledbeaststurnedtheirattentiontotheScions’

firingline.TheirfaceswerecoveredwiththebloodandgoreoftheLysitestheyhadjustfinishedfeastingon.Themonstersshookviolentlyastheyranforward.Byrdgon’srightarmbecamecoveredinquills.Hefiredhisweaponandoneofthecreaturesexplodedintoflamingchunks.TheotherScionsfollowedsuit,lightingupthestonybeachwithlas-fire.‘Keepthemback,’Chavisyelled.‘Don’tletthemgetcloseenoughtofirethosebarbsatyou.’He

glancedathismonitor.Thecountdowntimerwasalmostatzero.‘Inquisitor,we’renearingpeaktide.Whichoftheseisthespecimen?’Ulrichwavedhisauspexbackandforth.‘I’mnot…it’snotanyofthese,’heshouted.Byrdgonstumbledbackwards,andfellfacefirsttotheground.Oneithersideofhim,theScions

continuedpouringlas-fireintothequillcreatures,butitseemedthateveryonetheykilledwasreplacedbytwomore.ChavisdashedtoByrdgonandrolledhimover.Hisrightarmwasswellingvisibly.Blackgelwas

seepingoutfromthebaseofeveryquill.Hetriedtosaysomething,butcouldonlyproducechokingsounds.Thetidecameuponthemwithadeafeningcrash.Waterfloodedaroundthebaseofthesearchlightand

thetreadsofthenearestTaurox.Thepackofquillcreaturesseemedtobeinvigoratedbyit,andsurgedahead.TheyleaptupontheScionsandunleashedaflurryofbiting,scratchingattacks.Chavispulledaserratedcombatknifefromhisbeltandfilledtheholeintheline.Tohisleftandright,

theScionswerebeatingatthemonsterswiththeirriflesuntiltheywentdown,andthenstampingtheirheadsflattoensuretheystayedthatway.Therewerealotofthem,headmitted,buttheirmainthreatseemedtobetheirpoisonousquills,whichwererendereduselessinclosequarters.Hewasquiteconfidentthat,solongastheyweren’tallowedtogettooclose,heandhismenwouldquicklyemergeasthevictorsinthisfight.Then,bythesearchlight’sglare,Chavissawthatlargercreatureswereemergingfromthesurf.They

wereslightlytallerthanaman,anddraggedthemselvesforwardonapairoffat,chitin-platedclaws.Theirbodieswerevaguelyserpentine.Smallboltsofelectricitycrackledaroundthem.Theychargedinanodd,scrabblingmotion,bowlingthroughtheremainingquillcreaturesandimpacting

againsttheScions.Chavisfelthiswholebodyshiveruncontrollablyasthethingsdischargedamassiveelectricalshock.Hismusclesrefusedtoobeyhimforamoment,andhedroppedhisknife.Thenextthingheknewhewasonhisback,clawstryingtotearawayhisarmour.Therewasasharpandterriblepaininhisthigh.Withgreateffort,Chavisdughisfingersintothething’sside,grabbedafistfulofblubber,andpulled.A

gristlyholeopenedup,dumpingreekingfluidsalloverhim.Thecreaturegaveahighsquealandcollapsed.Chavisshoveditsdeadweightoffhimandscrambledbacktohisfeet,ignoringthepaininhisupperleg

wherehe’dbeenwounded.Hismonitorstartedflashingavarietyoftelltales;yellowforScionswhowereinjuredbutrecoverable,redforthosewhowerebeyondsaving.HealsonotedthatMargenehadthrown

herselfintothefray.Shehadattachedanoversizedbayonettotheendofherboltgun,andwasusingittochopthroughthebodiesoftheattackingcreatures.Ulrichfiredhispistolintoyetanothergroupofaquatichorrorsthatwereshamblingandslitheringtheir

waytowardsthesearchlight.Itseemedasifeverylivingthingintheworldwavewerecomingashorewiththeintenttofeastonthem.‘Firesupportonthewaterline!’Chavisyelledintohisvox.AtopbothoftheTauroxwerecannonsdesignedtoblowapartlightvehiclesandheavilyarmoured

infantry.ErdonandCatobegantoshellthebeachwiththem.Witheachexplosion,aconeofgravelandwaterrocketedupwards.Chunksofshellandfattytissueraineddown.AnotheroftheclawedcreaturesleapttowardsChavis.Hedrewhispistolandshotthethingdead

beforeitcouldshockhim.Theoceanwasallaroundthemnow,completelycoveringthefallenanddrenchingthosestillstandingalmosttotheirwaists.Sparksshotfromthesearchlight,andinaninstant,itwentout.TheruddylightofIxoicamefloodingback.Ulrich’sswordglintedinthemoonlightasheslashedandthrust.Hiscoatwastornattheshoulderand

onesideofhisfacewasdistorted.Thebodiesofdeadthingsfloatedallaroundhim.Margenewasthefirsttoseeit.Shehadjustfinishedchoppingoneofthequillcreaturesinhalf,andwas

standingbacktobackwithoneoftheScions.Hishelmetwasgoneandoneofhishandshadbeenbadlymangled.Ashadowfellacrossthem,andshelookeduptoseewhereithadcomefrom.Outoftheworldwaveroseatree.Atleast,thatwasherinitialimpression:atreewhosevasttrunkwas

sheathedinbarkthecolourofdriedscabs.Itshundredsofcream-colouredbranchescurledandtwitchedastheystretchedacrossthefaceofthemoon.SomeofthemweretippedwithclawsaslargeastheTaurox.Herbodyshookinvoluntarilyasthetruthdawnedonher.Itwasn’tatree.Itwasanenormoustentacle.

Infact,itwasatentaclethatwassproutingamyriadofothertentacles.Onebyone,Chavis,UlrichandtheremainingScionscaughtaglimpseofit,anddespitetheirvaried

backgrounds,allofthemwerestruckdumb.TheScionspausedforonlyafractionofasecondbeforeregainingtheirfocusandcontinuingtofightofftheirattackers.Ulrichhowever,despitehistrainingandexperience,foundhimselfstandingslack-jawedand

speechless.ThisisShelse,hethoughtdimly.No,worse:thisisonlyaportionofShelse.Hispreconceptionscrumbledwithinhim,andweresupplantedbysheerterror.Gonewasanynotionhemighthaveonceheldthatthecreaturewouldbecapturedinitsentirety.Allhecaredaboutforthemomentwassurviving.Arushingsoundfilledtheair,andthefullextentofthetidalswellcameuponthem.Awave,largerthan

anythathadcomebeforeit,wascurlingupfromthebodyofLysios’socean.ThewaterlookedpurpleinIxoi’sredglare.Whitecapsglintedalongitsedge.‘Emperor,saveus,’Margenewhispered.Thewavereacheditspeak,andbegantocrumble.Itstruckthebouldersalongtheshorelinewith

hurricaneforce,submergingthemeasily.Awallofwaterrolledtowardsthem,andfromitsfoamingcrestcameamonster.Itwasathingdraggedupfromthedeepestdepths,withrubbery,ghostly-whiteskin.Itsheadwasshapedlikethatofsomegiganticfish.Itsmouthwasfilledwithteeththesizeofswords.Itseyesglowedbrightyellow,andaridgeofspinesrandownthelengthofitsback.Whereitended,noonecouldtell;thething’sbodytrailedbackintothechurningocean.‘AllScions,’Chavisyelledintohisvox,‘eliminationprotocol!’ErdonandCatocontinuedtorainshellsupontheshoreline.Thegiantthingbellowedasitwasstruck.

Oneofitseyesexploded,showeringthelandscapeinjelly.Wrigglingthespinesonitsback,itswam

forwardswiththeforceofarunawaytrain.ItswallowedtwoScionswhole,andknockedthesearchlightintothewaterbeforeitfinallyrammeditsbulbousheadintothesideofCato’sTaurox.Thesidedoorcavedincompletely.Thevehiclerocked,butdidnottipover.Margene,Ulrich,andChavisbeganshootingatit,butnoneoftheweaponstheycarriedseemedtohave

anyeffect.Erdonhititwithanothershellfromhisbattlecannon.Aholeopenedhalfwaydownthelengthofitsbody,andgreasybloodgushedout.Inresponse,themonsterraiseditselfuplikeacobrapreparingtostrike,andthenslammeditsentire

weightdownontotheroofofChavis’stransport.Thedriver’ssectioncrumpledandthefronttrackssaggedinonthemselves.Overthevox,theScionscouldhearCatoscreaminginagony.Themonsterraiseditselfupagain.Itclampedtheentirefronthalfofthetransportinitsmouth,and

shookitwildly.Metalplatingandbitsofmachineryflewinalldirections.Thenthemonster,satisfiedwithitscatch,begantoretractitselfbackintotheocean,takingtheflattenedTauroxwithit.‘Killit!Killit!’Chaviswasscreaming.Inresponse,Erdonfiredthreemoreshellsatthemonsterasitretreated.Twoofthemfoundtheirmark,

andopenedyetmoregapingwoundsinitshide.Withasplash,itvanishedbackintotheocean.ScionCato’sincoherentcriesbecametheterriblesoundsofamandrowning.Thankfullyforallwho

couldhear,hisstruggleswereshortlived.MargeneandChaviskickedasideamyriadofdeadcreatures.FourScionsgottotheirfeet.Therest

wereeitherdeadorgone,thebodieswashedouttosea.Nowthatthebeaconwasdestroyed,thenumberofcreaturestumblingoutoftheoceanbecamegreatly

reduced.Wavescontinuedtocrestovertheboulders,butthesetoowereshrinkinginmagnitude.Still,itwasnotyetover.Theremainingquillbeastslaunchedanothervolleyofpoisonedbarbs,whichbouncedharmlesslyoff

theScions’armour.Chavisshotthreeofthem.Hislastfourmenjoinedhimathisside,andbeganfiringtheirlasgunsintothepack.Margenequicklyinsertedafreshclipintoherbolter,andfired.Twomoreoftheclawedthingsblew

apartintorubberypieces.Whenahalf-deadquillbeastattemptedtobiteherleg,shestampedittodeathbeneathherheel.Erdon’scannonshellshadtransformedthewaterlineintoapockmarkedmoonscape.Thecratersfilled

withseawaterandmangledpiecesofmeat.Atlast,heceasedfiring,fortherewasnothingleftonthebeachtoshootat.Chaviswatchedhismentorchthelastofthequillcreatureswithlas-fire.Heholsteredhisboltpistol

andspokeintohisvox.‘Erdon,theareaisclear.Grabamedi-kitandgetouthere.’Ulrichwasstandingfartherdowntheshore,wherethewaterwasstillknee-high.Hewasstaringout

pasttheboulders.Nomorecreatureswerecomingashore.Thecutonhisfaceburnedwithamixtureofpoisonandsalt.Byhisquickestimation,tenorelevenmenhadbeenkilled,leavinghimwithonlyhalfadozenScionsandthedialogus.Theyweredowntoonetransport,andhisequipmentwasalldamaged,orutterlydestroyed.Butworsethanallthis,Shelsewasnowheretobeseen.Theworldwavewasmovingon,passingtheplateauinitsunstoppablecircumnavigationofLysios.Ulrichbegantoshake.Hisknucklesturnedwhiteashegrippedhissword.Heletlooseascreamthat

echoedofftherocks.‘Tenyears!’Thetempestortrudgedupbehindtheinquisitor.Awavebrokeovertherocks.‘Theworldwavewon’tpassthisplateauagainfortenyears.Allmyplanning…thiswholetrip…It’s

allbeenawaste!’Hestumbledafewstepstowardstheocean.‘Awaste,’Chavisrepeated.

Ulrichspunaround.‘Thisisnotmyfault!’‘Ineverimpliedthatitwas,sir,’Chavissaid,‘butwhatareyourordersnow?’Ulrich’sfacetwistedashefuriouslytriedtothinkofsomemeanstosalvagethisoperation.Nothing

came.Hesighed.‘Returntothespaceport,andgohome.’Hegavetheworldwaveonefinal,longinglook,andthenstartedwalkingbackupthebeach.Chavislefttoseetohismenwithoutsayinganotherword.TheyheardMargeneyelling.‘Inquisitor!Tempestor!Overhere!’Thetwomenbrokeintoarun,passingErdonasheopenedamedi-kitandbegantendingtothesurviving

Scions.TheyfoundMargeneneartheplacewheretheLysiteshadtriedtoconfrontthem.OneoftheTauroxcannonshellshadfallenhere,litteringtheareawithhumanbodypartsanddeadseacreatures.Inthemiddleofthescenewasawide,butshallowcrater.Atthebottom,submergedinsaltwaterandpinnedbeneaththehalf-corpseofoneoftheboulder-spiders,laythewomanwiththebluerobe.‘Iheardsomeonecalling,’Margenesaid,‘andIfoundthis.’Sheleaptdownintothecrater,andyanked

backthewoman’statteredrobe.Belowherneck,thewoman’sskinwasdarkpurpleandcoveredinoverlappingplates.Asecondaryset

ofarmssproutedfromthemiddleofherribcage.Margenelevelledherboltgunatthewoman.‘You.Mutant.Confessyoursins,andIwillconsiderthem.

Whoareyou?Whatwereyoudoingouthere?’Thewomancoughedupbloodandsaid,‘It’sIxoi’sNight…’‘WhenLysios’smoonisatperigee,’Margeneclarified.‘Yes…Weescortthosewho…offerthemselvesastribute.’‘TotheBrineGoddess?’‘Yes.ToShelse.She…shesendstheThingsThatLiveWithinHer…tosatisfyherhunger.’Herhead

floppedbackandherbreathingbecameragged.‘Iwilldevourthem,andgreatly.’‘Enough!’RecitingfromherownlitanyMargenesaid,‘FromthescourgeoftheKraken,OurEmperor,

deliverus.FromtheblasphemyoftheFallen,OurEmperor,deliverus.’Margenepulledthetriggerandthewoman’sentireupperhalfflewapart.Shelookedup,butUlrichwas

gone.Sheclimbedupfromoutofthecrater,andfoundhimkneelingnearby.Hepulledapairoflongglovesfromhisbeltandbegantodonthemhurriedly.‘Getthecontainment

chamber,Chavis,’heyelled,‘andbringithere.Now!’MargenecalledtoUlrich,andreceivednoresponse.Shepeeredoverhisshouldertoseewhatwas

holdinghisattentionsoraptly.Asegmentedpieceoftentaclewaslyinginashallowdepressionintheground.Itwasroughlythesizeofherarm.Tenormoresmallerciliasproutedfromitlikeelongatedfingerstippedwithblacktalons,andtherewerebitsofredshellnearthebottomofit.Itrolledandtwisted,madlytryingtoescapefromthehole.‘Isthat–’Margenebegan.ShewasinterruptedbyChavisandErdonrushingpasther,carryingtheheavycylinder.Theysetitdown

nexttoUlrich.Chavisopenedthedoorandwaited.Ulrichfinishedputtingonhisgloves.Hesethisjaw,andthenwrappedbothhandsaroundthetentacle

piece.Itimmediatelybeganthrashingabout.Theinquisitorhadtofighttomaintainhisgriponit.Withagrunt,hethrewitintothecylinder.Chavisslammedthedoorshut.Thetentaclehammeredattheinsideofthecontainer.Ulrichwasslightlyshortofbreathashesaid,‘Getitaboardthetransportimmediately.’ChavisandErdonliftedthecontainmentchamberup,andstartedbacktotheremainingTaurox.Ulrich

peeledoffhisglovesandputthembackintohiscoat.Helookedather,hisfacebeaming,andfollowed

afterthetwoScions.‘Inquisitor,’Margenesaidasshecamealongsidehim.‘ThereisobviouslymoretranspiringonLysios

thanmeetstheeye.WeshouldsendamessagetotheCanoness.’‘No,Ithinknot.’Margenepointedbacktothecrater.‘Thereisheresyhere.’‘Thereisheresyeverywhere,butIwillnothavethatwomanrampagingallaroundandgettinginmy

way.No,I’mafraidthattheCanoness’srighteousfurywillhavetowaituntilmyworkhereiscomplete.’‘Inquisitor,Ihaveadutytoreportreligioussedition.Ipromiseyou,Iwillmakenomentionofthat…

thinginthestoragecontainer.’‘Communicationsblackout,’Ulrichspat.‘Thatmeansyoudon’ttalktoanyone,aboutanything,unlessI

sayso.’‘Iunderstand,inquisitor,butsurely–’‘Thisconversationisover.Foryoursake,weshouldneverhavetorepeatit.’HeclimbedupintotheTaurox.Margenestoodaloneforamoment,tryingtodampenherfury.Somehow,sheknew,shehadtocontact

theCanoness.Somethingonthisworldwascomingtoahead,andithadtobestoppedbeforeitwastoolate.Sheclimbedaboard,slammingthehatchshutbehindher.TheTaurox’sengineroaredtolife,andthe

transportspedaway.Thebeachwasdeserted.Onlythedeadwerepresenttowitnessthetitanicshapethatonceagainbroke

throughthesurfaceoftheworldwave.Itclawedatthemoon,piningforitsunreachableloveandcallingcursesdownonallofthosewhoopposedit.

‘Whatwillourlivesbelike,mylove,whenweareatlastunited?Willyoudescendforeverandjoinme,orwillyouscoopmeupinyourarms,andcarrymebacktoyourabodeinthesky?Promiseme,O,promiseme,we’llbetogethersoon.Thestarsbegintofall,andthiseradrawstoaclose…’

–CantosContinuous,M41

CHAPTERSIX

Themoonwasbeginningtoset.Itwasasdarkasnight-timegotonLysios.Tooneside,themountainwasawallofsoakingwetrock.Ontheotherwastherecedingswelloftheworldwave.Erdonwatchedtheroadcarefullyashedrove.Itwasfarrougherthanithadbeenwhentheyhadusedittoascendthemountainearlier.Thepassingtidehadheaveduprocksandcovereditwithathickcarpetofweedsandmud.Onatleastthreeoccasions,warningindicatorsflashedonthedashboarddisplaytellinghimthattheTauroxwaslosingtraction.Thatalonespoketothetreacherousnessoftheirroute.Chavissatinthecommandseatnexttohim,alsokeepingawatchfuleyeontheroadconditions.Both

mensawtheproblematthesametime.ErdonbroughttheTauroxtoastop.‘Stayhere,’Chavissaid.‘I’lltakeacloserlook.’Hegotoutofhisseat,grabbedhishelmetfroma

compartmentonthebulkhead,andmadehiswaytoasidehatch.IntherearoftheTaurox,Margenesatwithherheaddown.Ulrichwassittingonthefloornexttothecontainmentcylinder.Thetinyobservationwindowwasfoggedover,anddropsofcondensationrandownthesides.Thetentaclecreaturehadstoppeditsmadconvulsingwithinthefirsthourofthetrip.BesidesErdon,hehadfourotherScionsremaining.FiveifheincludedByrdgon,whowaslyingina

nearcomatosestateacrossthreeseats.Hisarmwasclearlyinfectedbeyondthecapabilityofanyfieldmedicine.Darklineshadbeguntospreadacrosshisneckandchest.Theothers,Brandt,Thieus,Savdra,andDevries,hadbeenpatchedupwithsuppliesfromtheScion’s‘Martyr’sGift’medi-kit,includingproteinhealingsalves,suturetape,andinThieus’scase,atemporarybionichand.Asheopenedthehatch,Margene’sheadsnappedup.‘What’swrong?’sheasked.‘Theroadaheadofuslooksverybad.I’mgoingouttoseeifit’spassable.’Shewasonherfeetatonce.‘I’llcomewithyou.’Chavisjumpeddown.Hiswoundedleggaveadistantcryofpainthathestoicallyignored.Theairwas

coolandwet.ThickmudandweedsmadesuckingsoundsbeneathhisfeetashewalkedaroundtothefrontoftheTaurox.Thenightbecameasbrightasdaythankstotheamplifyinglensesinhishelmetandhissuspicionswereconfirmed.Theyhadcometotheplacewhere,earlier,themountainsidehadcrumbledandnearlysweptErdon’s

Tauroxovertheedgeandintotheseabelow.Theroadwasnowcompletelygone.Wallsofrockandmudhadcomeslidingdownfromsomewhereabove,andthetrenchtheyhadfoughttotraversewasnowayawningabyss.

‘Erdon?’hesaidintohisvox.‘Here,tempestor.’‘Thisisnogood.NotevenaTauroxcouldgetacrossachasmthiswide.We’llhavetofindanotherway

backtothehab-crawler.’‘Thesecondaryroutetothewest?’‘Mythoughtsexactly.’ChavisturnedaroundtogobacktotheTaurox,onlytofindMargeneblockinghisway.‘Tempestor,Ineedtoaskyousomething.’‘Yes?’Margeneconsideredhimforamoment.‘Hewhoallowsthealientolivesharesinthecrimeofits

existence,’shesaidatlast.‘Wouldyouagreewiththatstatement?’Chavis’sanswerwasimmediate.‘Yes.’‘Ofcourseyoudo.Anysanepersonwould.Butifthatisso,thenwhyistheinquisitorbringingthat

thingback?Whyarewelettinghim?’‘Wearen’tlettinghimdoanything.Hedoesnotanswertous.’‘Doesn’titbotheryoutohavethatthingonboard?’Margenejerkedathumbtowardstherear

compartment.Chavisconsideredthequestionforamoment.‘It’sirrelevant.Mymissionistoensuretheinquisitor’s

safety,andreturnhimtothatlandingship.’Withthat,hewalkedpastherandbackintothetransport.‘WhatifItoldyouthatit’sstillalive?Wouldthatchangeyouropinion?’Chavisstopped.‘Imanagedtostealaglanceovertheinquisitor’sshoulderawhileago,andI’malmostcertainthatI

couldseeitmovingaroundinsidethatcylinder.’‘Almostcertain?’‘Well…itwashardtotell,but–’‘Doyoubelievethecreaturerepresentsanimmediatedangertoeitheryourselforanymemberofthe

team?’‘No,’shesaidhesitantly.‘Idon’t…Idon’tknow.’‘Thenwecannottakeanyactionthatwouldcontradictourorders.’Margenescowled.‘Whenittriestokillme,though,youwillmakecertaintoavengeme?’‘Ofcourse,’Chavisreplied.HeclimbedbackintotheTaurox.‘Sir,’hecalledtoUlrich,‘Ineedtoinformyouthattherouteweusedtogettotheplateauhasbecome

totallyimpassable.However,thereisanotherwaybackthatshouldseeusarrivebylateafternoon.’Ulrichshookhishead,butdidnotturnhisattentionawayfromthecontainmentchamber.‘It’ssimply

onedelayafteranother.’‘Icouldusethatmapofyours.’‘Fine.Justgetmebacktothelanderandoffthisplanet.’Hepulledthewaterproofedpaperfromhisbelt

andtosseditoverhisshoulder.Chaviscaughtitinonehand.‘Asquicklyaspossible,sir.’ChavisreturnedtotheseatbesideErdon.Margeneclimbedupandslammedthehatchshut.Wordlessly,shedroppedintothenearestseatand

staredintospace.Ittooksometimetogetthetransportturnedaround.Bythetimetheywereunderway,thesunswerebeginningtocrestthehorizon,andthedialogushadfallenintoanexhaustedsleep.

Themothwasflutteringagainstthecandelabrum.ShelookedupfromherdeskwhereshehadbeensteadfastlycopyingOnward,Emperor’sDaughters,oneofherfavouritehymns,toseethelittleinsect’s

wingscatchfire.‘Whydidyoudothat?’sheaskedit.‘Youshouldknowbetter.Nowyou’regoingtodie.’Shedippedherquillintheinkpot,andreturnedtohercalligraphy.Somewhereintheconventaboveher,

shecouldhearthechoirsingingeachstanzaasshewroteitout,whichwasodd,becausethewallsinthescriptoriumweresothickthatnormallyshecouldn’thearanythingatall.Themothcontinuedtobeatitswingsfuriouslyagainstthecandles,eventhoughitwasnownothingbuta

burntlittlehusk.Shedidherbesttoignoreit,anddippedherquillagain.However,nowherlovelyfeatherhadbecomeoneofthesharp,poisonedspinesthatshehadhelpedpulloutofScionByrdgon.Theinkwellwasfilledwithwater.Itbegantobubbleup,spillingalloverherparchment.Thebeautifullinessmearedandrandownthepage.Thedeadmothfinallysucceededinblowingoutthecandles.Shestooduptofindataperandrelight

them.Thefloorwascoveredinwater.Stumblingaboutinthedark,shewasunabletofindeitherlightorthedoor.Thewatercontinuedtorise.Somethingwrappeditselfaroundherlegs.Therewasanexplosionofpain.Shecouldnotseeit,but

somehowsheknewthatbeneaththerisingwater,cream-colouredtentacleswereburrowingintoherflesh.Asshefloateduptotherafters,moreandmoretentaclesreachedupfromthedepthstodevourher.Shestruggledagainstthem,buttheywereimmenselystrong.Thewatercoveredherface,andshediscoveredthatitwassalty.Aboveherthechoirwasstillsinging,butthelyricshadchanged.‘Promiseme,O,promiseme,we’llbetogethersoon…’theysang.Herlungsburnedasshetriedtoprolongherfinalbreath.Thetentacleshadnowproducedrazor-sharp

claws,andwerebeginningtosliceherlegsopen.Tiny,unseenmouthsweretakingbitesoutofherabdomenandneck.Atlast,shecouldstandtheagonynomore.Herdyingscreamcameoutasastreamofmuffledbubbles,andthentheroomshookviolently.

Margenestartledawakeandstaredabouther.Thieus,theScionwiththereplacementhand,wassittingacrossfromher.‘Whathappened?’shegasped.‘Wejustdroveoversomethinglarge,that’sall.’Sheranahandthroughherhair,andlookeddownthelengthofthecompartment.Nooneappearedto

havemovedverymuch.Ulrichwasstillseatedbyhispreciousspecimen,althoughhisheadwobbledasifhewereontheedgeofsleep.ScionByrdgon’sbreathcameinraggedgasps.Hisbodyhadbeguntoemitarankodour.Therewasasuddenboom.TheTauroxshookasifsomegiant,petulanthandhadpickeditupandthen

thrownitbackdown.Margenetumbledtothefloor.Sheheardthecontainmentcylindertoppleoverandstrikesomething.Everythingskewedtotheleft,andsherealisedthattheywerespinning.WhentheTauroxfinallycametorest,theairwasfilledwithpungentsmoke.Margeneheldherhandstohernose.Bloodwaspouringoutfrombetweenherfingers.Ulrichwasclamberingtohisfeet,cursingloudly.Heworkeddesperatelytosetthespecimencontainer

uprightagain.‘Anotherrock?’Margeneasked.Thieusshookhishead.Chaviswheeledaroundinhischair.‘Itsoundedlikeamine.Scions,gearupanddisembark.’

Momentslater,Chavis,Erdon,andtheothersstoodoutsidebeneaththeblisteringtwinsuns.Erdonhaddonnedapairofinsulatedglovesthatcameuptohisshouldersandbroughtoutalargemetalcasefilled

withtools.Theothershadtheirlasgunsattheready.TheTauroxhadcometorestalongtheperimeterofacircularplaza.Adarkblastpatternradiatedfrom

therearlefttreadassembly.Otherwise,thegroundwascoveredwithadensebedofdriedseaweedandfishbones.Patchesoflichenbloomedineverynookandcranny.Everythingwasstainedwiththepowderywhiteresidueofdriedsalt.Thestreetswerechokedwithweedsandtumbledblocksofmasonry.TheyhadcomedownfromMountLorazandwoundtheirwaythroughaseriesofwidecanyons.The

rockwallshadbeenetchedwithchalkywhitehorizontalstripes,evidenceofpastwaterlevels.Chavishadbeencautiousatfirst.Thewallsofrockmadeforshortsight-lines,anddangercouldbearoundanyturn.Bymid-morning,however,theyhadyettoencounterasinglesoul,andhisalertnessleveldecreased.ThispartofLysioswasapparentlyuninhabited.Perhapsabandonedwasabetterword.Theyhadbeguntoencounterancientbuildings:afewatfirst,but

thengrowinginnumberanddensity.Chavischeckedtheinquisitor’smap.Theywerepassingalongtheedgeofasmallcity.Whatevernameitmighthaveoncegonebyhadbeendrownedandlostthreethousandyearsago.Itsoncemightyrockcretetowersandwallswerenowjustaseriesofcrumblingfoundationsandrubblepiles,wornsmoothbysomanypassingfloods.ErdonsquatteddownnexttotheTaurox.Withonehand,hegropedbehindthedamagedsection.

‘Pressure-sensitivemine,allright.’‘Homebuilt?’Chavisasked.Erdonshookhishead.‘No.Thiswasmilitary.’‘Whowouldplantexplosivesoutinthemiddleofnowherelikethis?’Devriesasked.‘Anexcellentquestion,’Chavissaid.‘Onewedon’thavetimetoanswer,’Ulrichsaid.Hewasstandingatthetopoftherearboardingramp.

‘Let’smoveon.’Erdonwithdrewhishand.Hisglovewasstainedwithsomedarkliquid.Hesniffedit,andthenheldit

aloft.‘Tempestor,that’sfuel.’Chavisloweredhisheadandexhaledslowly.‘Repairable?’Erdonstoodup.‘Patchable,yes,sir.Enoughtogetusbacktothehab-crawler.Butifwe’velosttoo

muchfuel…’‘Iknow.Gettoit.’Ulrichthrewhishandsintheair,andreturnedtotheinsideofthetransport.Erdoncrawledbeneaththe

Tauroxwhiletheotherskeptwatch.Heworkedfornearlyhalfanhourbeforefinallyemerging.‘I’vemanagedtopatchit,sir,’hetoldChavis,‘butthere’safairamountofshrapneldamage

underneath.’‘Dowehaveenoughfueltomakeitback?’Erdonshookhishead.‘We’llneedtoconsulttheinquisitor,then.’‘Consulthimaboutwhat,exactly?’Ulrichcalled.Hehadbeensittingjustinsidetherearramp.‘Aboutournextmove,sir.Iwouldrecommend,sinceourtransportnolongerhasenoughfueltomakeit

backtothelander,thatwecontacttheBattleSistersandrequestanevacuation.’Ulrichstoodupandmarcheddowntheramp.‘Absolutelynot.’‘Sir,thealternativesare–’‘Tempestor!’Brandtcried.Hehadperchedhimselfontopofahighmoundofmoss-coveredbricks.He

wavedahandintheair,signallingthatsomethingwasapproachingtheirposition.‘Scions,’Chavisbarked.Devries,Savdra,andThieushoistedtheirgunstotheirshoulders.Erdonquicklydroppedhisinsulated

glovesandgrabbedhisvolleygun.Thesoundofenginesdriftedonthewind.Withsquealingtyres,atrioofgroundcarscametearing

aroundthecornerofaruinedbuilding.Eachonehadsixwheelsandnoroof.Theywerepackedwithmeninuniformsthecolouroffadedsandstone,withdarkbluepipingalongtheseamsoftheirtrousers.Theirbootsandarmourwerescuffedandweathered.Themajorityoftheirweaponsappearedtobelarge-calibreprojectilerifles,butChaviscountedatleastthreeserviceable-lookinggrenadelaunchers.Noneofthemworeanykindofhatorhelmet.Theirhandsandfacesweresunburntandblistered,andeachofthemlookedasifithadbeenmonthssincetheirlastgoodmeal.‘Autonomousfiresanctioned!’Chavisyelled.Thegroundcarsspunwildly,andthemenaboardthemopenedfire.Bulletsricochetedoffpilesofrock

andthearmouroftheScions.Twooftheuniformedmenhoistedaportablerocketlauncherbetweenthem.ThemissiletheyletlooseslammedintothesideoftheTauroxinathunderingballoffire.ChavisandtheScionsreturnedfirewitheverythingtheyhad.Thefoursoldiersintheleadgroundcar

wereallstruckinthecentreoftheirtorsos.Theheatofthelas-boltsmeltedtheirbodyarmourandsettheirclothingonfire.Erdonhadfinishedreadyingthevolleygun.Hestrucktheircarwithahowlingsalvooflas-firethattorecleanthroughthearmourplatingaroundtheengine.Thevehiclewentupinapillarofsmokeandflame.ThesoldiersintheothertwovehiclessprayedtheScionswithbullets.SavdraandBrandtkilledtwoof

themfortheirefforts.Devriesjerkedandfellontohisback.Heclutchedathisleftarmwhereabullethadpiercedhimthroughagapinhisarmour.‘I’mallright,’heshouted.Thegroundcarswheeledaround,andbegantofleedownanotherstreet.Erdonfiredthevolleygun

again.Steambegantorisefromitsheavycasing.Mostoftheshotsstruckthestreetandwalls,leavingpoolsofglassintheirwake.Oneofthegroundcars,however,tookadirecthittoitsrearandexploded.Thebodiesofitsoccupantsflewupintotheairandcrashedontheweed-coveredpavement.Thethirdgroundcarroaredaway.Chaviscuttheairwithaflattenedhand.‘Holdyourfire.Moveupandholdyourfire.’TheScionssprintedtowherethefirstwrecksatsmouldering,andtookupapositionagainsta

crumblingwall.Chavisgrabbedadeadman’sbootandpulledhiminsideadoorway.Thetempestorrolledtheman’sfacefromsidetoside,andconsideredhisapparel.‘Professional-gradecloth,’hesaid.‘Andthisflakarmourisn’tsomethingthattheaverageLysitehas

accessto.’‘Hisweapon’sindecentshapetoo.’Erdonpointedtoalargepatchonthecorpse’sleftshoulder.It

depictedseveralbrightwhitestarsagainstafieldofdarkblue.Thenumber‘99’wasemblazonedacrossitinfadedyellow.‘Whataboutthis?’‘Aunitinsigniaofsomekind.Idon’trecogniseit.’Ashadowfellacrossthemandavoicesaid,‘That’sbecauseithasn’tbeenusedforquitesometime.’ErdonandChavislookeduptoUlrichstandinginthedoorway.Margenewasbehindhim.‘Onlyninety-nineworldsreceivedsuchemblemsfortheirsoldiers,andbelieveitornot,atonetime,

Lysioswasamongthem.ThismanwasamemberoftheLysiosHomeGuard.’Behindhim,Margenegaveaslightgasp.‘Inquisitor,’Chavissaid,gettingtohisfeet,‘youshouldremainintheTaurox.Thisisstillanactive

zone.’Ulrichwavedahanddismissively.‘Thosemenweredrivinggroundcars.Thatmeanstheymusthave

somekindoffuel,yes?Fuelwecantakeanduse?’

Chavisnodded.‘Yes,sir.Ihadthesamethought.’‘Inquisitor,’Margenesaid,‘TherewasonlyoneunitoftrainedsoldiersonLysios,andtheywereall

attachedtotheplanetarygovernor.Ifthesemenarehere,thenthegovernormustbesomewherenearby.Wehavetofindhim.’‘You’dthinkso,’Ulrichsaid,‘butinpointoffact,wedon’t.’‘ThenletmecontactCanonessGrace,andgiveherthecoordinatesforthisplace.TheSistershavebeen

searchingforthegovernor–’Ulrichcutheroffsharply.‘Itoldyoubefore:weareunderacommunicationsblackout.Wewillspeak

tonoone,becausenooneistobeinformedofourmissionhere.’Margeneglaredattheinquisitor.‘Why?’Ulrichgavehernoanswer.‘Tempestor,let’sgofindwherethesemenhavegottenthemselvesto.’‘Verygood,sir.Devries?’‘Yes,tempestor?’‘Iwantyoutostaybehind.SealuptheTaurox,andmanthecannon.Ifanymoreofthesemenshow

up…’‘Iunderstand.’‘Therestofyou,preparetomoveout.Thisisasearch-and-destroyscenario,sigmadelta.’‘Sigmadelta?’Margeneaskedquietly.Hereyesremainedfixedontheinquisitor.Chavisremovedtheammocliponhisboltpistolandinspectedthefirstround.‘Urbancombat

environment,multipletargets.’

CHAPTERSEVEN

Chavisledthewaydowntheruinedstreet.Thetyretracksweresimpleenoughtofollowamongtheseaweedandalgaedrifts,andittookthemonlyafewminutestoencounteranotherattackgroup.Chaviscouldhearthemfussingwithsomethingthatsoundedlargeandheavy.Hemotionedforeveryonetostop,andcarefullypeeredaroundthecorner.Beyondwasasmallsquare,hedgedinonallsidesbytallruins.Chavissawagroupofsoldiers

gatheredaroundthecrackedbaseofanancientfountain.‘Mustbeacheckpoint.Icounttwomenwithrifles,onewithagrenadelauncher,andwhatlookslikea

commandingofficer,’hewhisperedoverhisvox.‘Thelasttwohavesetupacrew-servedheavyweapon.LookslikeanAgrippina-patternautocannon.’‘Onlysixofthem?’Ulrichscoffed.‘Thisshouldbeeasy.’Chaviswasnostrangertotheperilsofurbancombat.Yearsofexperiencehadtaughthimthat,within

theconfinesofacity,nothingwaseasy.Andifitappearedtobeso,itwasusuallyatrap.‘No,’hesaid,‘weshouldbypassthis.’‘What?’‘Aset-uplikethisisdesignedtodrawusintoanynumberofhazards.Thatsquarecouldbemined.

Couldbetargetedbysnipers.Therecouldbesentrygunshiddenontheperimeter.Trustme,sir,whenItellyouthatthere’ssomethingamisshere.’Chavisexpectedanargumentfromtheinquisitor,andwassurprisedwhenhegotnone.‘Allrightthen,

we’llgoaround.’Chavisledthegroupacrossashatteredcrossstreetandintoalowbuilding,gesturingeveryonetokeep

down.Throughtheemptywindowsandtheholesinthewalls,theycouldcatchglimpsesofthesquareandthecheckpoint.Thetempestorpickedupthegroundcartracksagainoneblocktothenorth.Theyturnedsharplyand

vanisheddownanaccesstunnelbelowthestreet.Thetunnelentrancewasheavilyguarded.Chaviscountedthreeplatoonsofsolders,andatleastasmanyheavylascannons.Alltold,therewerenearlyfortymenblockingtheirpath.‘There’snoavoidingthisone,Itakeit?’Ulrichaskedknowingly.‘Thatdepends,sir.Areyoustilladamantthatyouwillnotcontactanyonetocomeandevacuateus?’Ulrichstaredatthetempestor.

‘Then,no,there’snogoingaroundthis.’Chaviswishedbrieflythathehadmoremen.Buthedidnot.Thesefourwouldhavetosuffice.HemovedinbetweenSavdraandMargene.‘Adirectchargewillseeusallkilled,’hesaid.‘Wehavetohitthemonaflank,sothattheywon’tbeabletoturntheirtotalfirepoweronus.Erdon,whenwegetintorange,yourjobistoslagthoselascannons.‘Savdra,IwantyoutostayherewithSisterMargene.Yourjobistoprovidedistractionfire.Makealot

ofnoise.Keepthemfocusedhere.Iftheytrytogettooclosetoyou,givethemsomegrenades.‘ThieusandBrandt,you’rewithme.WecoverErdonuntilhegetsthevolleyguninrange,thenweclose

thedistanceandfinishthemoff.’ChavislookedatUlrichandrememberedwhichofthemwasactuallyinchargeofthemission.‘Isthat

acceptable,sir?’‘Withoneexception.I’mcomingwithyou.’Minuteslater,Chavis,Ulrich,andtheothershadmadetheirwayaroundtothesideoftheunderground

entrance.ThesoundofMargene’sboltguncouldnotbemissedandtheguardsbegantoreturnfire,thelascannonsblowingholesthroughtherockcretearoundherandSavdra.UlrichandChavisbrokefromtheircover,followedbyBrandtandThieus.Erdon,intherearwiththe

volleygun,firedaquartetofsearinglas-beamsintothenearestplatoon.Threemenwereblownapartinstantly.BrandtandThieus,astheysprintedforwards,eachmanagedtodowntwomorebeforetheelementofsurprisewasexhausted.Threeoftheremainingfivemenwheeledaroundandfiredtheirrifles.Mostofthebulletsimpactedinthestreetorricochetedoffintotheruins.OnemushroomedoffUlrich’srefractorfield,millimetresinfrontofhisneck.Thetwomenmanningtheplatoon’slascannondesperatelytriedtoturnit,butbythetimetheydidso,Chaviswaslobbingagrenadeintotheirmidst.Itbouncedfarpastitsintendedtarget,anddetonatedinacloudofburningshrapnel.Ulrichwasthefirsttoleapintothemelee.Hisswordcleavedtheairabovethesoldiers’headsasthey

duckedtoavoidhisblows.Chavisclosedtopoint-blankrangeandshottheclosestmanthroughtheheartwithhisboltpistol.Brandt,Thieus,andErdonrushedupbehindtheirtempestorandbegansavagelybeatingwhoevergotintheirway.MargeneandSavdrakeptuptheirfirefromacrossthestreet,butthesecondplatoonofmenwereno

longerfooled.Theycamechargingforwardtohelptheircomrades.Ulrichswepthisbladedownward,andcutcleanthroughthetwomenwhohadavoidedhimseconds

before.Chavisputanotherboltthroughthearmourofasoldier,whilebesidehim,Thieussmashedthebuttofhislasgunintoanopponent’sface.ThegroupthathadrushedtoreinforcetheirfellowspunchedandkickedatChavis’stinyassaultgroup

foralltheywereworth.Theinquisitorabsorbedthemajorityoftheirblows,lettingthembounceharmlesslyoffeitherhisrefractorfieldorhisornatearmour.ThethirdlascannonmissedstrikingMargenebyonlytheslimmestofmargins.Sheduckedbackdown

behindthewallsheandSavdrawereusingforcoverasthebeampunchedcleanthrough.Savdrawashittwiceinthechestbybullets,buthisarmourheldfirm.MargeneandSavdrathinnedtheremainingplatoonwhileUlrichcontinuedhismurderousspree.Two

moresoldiersdiedonhisblade.Thenthreemore.Beforelong,thedeadandseverelywoundedwerepilinguparoundhim.Whenthelastofthegovernor’sguardsattemptedtofallbackintothetunnel,Ulrichledthechargethatcutthemdown.Silencesweptbackintotheruinedcity.MargeneandSavdraemergedfromtheshatteredbuilding

coveredwithamultitudeofsmallcutsandthedustofvaporisedrockcrete.Brandthadlosthishelmetandwasbleedingfromadeepgashonhischin.Chavis’slegwoundhadopenedupagain.Hetoreabluesashfromoneofthedeadsoldiers,andtiedittightlyoverhisthigh.

Theinquisitorseemedcompletelyunharmed.Morethanthat,Chavisthought,heseemedinvigorated.Helookeddownintothetunnelentrance.‘Weshouldkeepmoving.Whoknowswhatmightbewaitingforus?’Chavistooktheleadonceagain.Thegroupmovedunderground,pastalong-abandonedrailplatform.

Theywereforcedtostopatfourseparatejunctionswhereadditionaltunnelsstretchedoffintothegloom.Ateachone,Chavisscouredthefloorforsignsofthegroundcar.Eventually,theyemergedintoatitanicspacefilledwithtrains.Atsomepointinthedistantpast,thisplacehadbeenadepotofsomekind.Now,itwasamuseumto

decay.Highoverheadwasanarchedglassroof,coveredincenturiesofsediment.Thelightthatfilteredthroughwasdimandbutteryyellow.Thelocomotivesandrailcarsweremassive,ornateaffairsthathadonceimpressedallwhowitnessedthem.Nowtheywererustedandencasedinsaltyresidue.Everythingstankofbrineandrot.Nofiresburnedinthetrains’reactors,andnolightsshoneintheircarriages.No,Chavissaw.Thatwasn’tentirelytrue.Hecouldmakeoutlightsnearthecentreofthespace.There

wasstilllifetobefoundhere,belowthedeadcitiesofLysios.Inthemiddleofthetrainyardwasasquat,roundbuildingthreestoreystall.Guardswerepostedon

eithersideofthesingleentryway.Ulrichsurveyedthestructure.‘Isthiswherethey’reholedup?’heasked.Then,withoutwaitingforan

answer,hewalkedtowardsthedoorway.‘Well,comeonthen.’Ulrichshotthetwoguardsbeforetheyhadtimetoreact.AstheScionspressedinbehindhim,hekicked

thedooropen.Thegroundfloorofthebuildingwassetupasasinglelargeroom.Alongonewallwereaseriesofemptyticketkiosks.Tablesandcoucheswerescatteredabout.Apairoflargesignboardsthathadoncehungfromtheceilingnowlaybrokenonthefloor.Inthecentreoftheroomwasawidespiralstaircase.Thuddingdownitcametwentymoresoldiers.Margene,Chavis,andtheScionsburstthroughthedoorandfannedouttoeithersideoftheinquisitor.

Hechargedforward,firinghispistolashewent.Thesoldiersonthestaircasewelcomedhimwithbullets.Ulrich’sentouragereturnedtheoverturewithlas-fireandbolts.HeatpouredoffErdon’svolleygunasitfired.Ulrichreachedthebottomofthestairsandslashedthethroatsoftwomen.Thentherestwereleaping

downathim,hopingtoknockhimbackunderthepressoftheirbodies.Hetwistedandturned.Hisswordtorethroughprotectiveplates.Bodiesbegantofalloffthesidesofthestaircase.Chaviscalledhismenintocloseassault,andthefiveofthempressedinbesideUlrich.Ulrichbeganto

bleedfromacutabovehiseye,buttheinitiativeremainedwiththeinquisitor.Thesoldierstriedtoretreatbacktothesecondfloor.UlrichandChavisswepttheirlegsoutfromunderthem,andkilledthem.Ulrichsheathedhissword.‘Weneedtosearchthisentirebuilding,’hesaid.‘MargeneandIwillstart

downhere,therestofyousecuretheupperfloors.’Chavissalutedwithhisfistoverhisheart,andledhismentotheupstairs.Theyhadonlybeengonea

minuteortwowhenThieuscamechargingbackdown.HepointedatMargene.‘Youneedtoseethis.’MargeneglancedtowardUlrich,buttheinquisitorwasoccupiedwithinoneoftheabandonedkiosks.Shefollowedhimtothethirdfloor.Theceilingwasafilthydomeofstainedglass.Therestoftheroom

wasdominatedbyacarvedmetaldesklargeenoughtoaccommodatehalfadozenmen.Seatedbehinditinahigh-backedchairwaswhatsheatfirstglancetooktobeamummifiedcorpse.Therewasasinglehole,thesizeofabolt,inthecentreofitschest.Itwasaman,orhadbeenatsomepoint.Hisskinwaslikevellum.Therewerestrangemachinesallaroundhim,connectedtohimbytransparenttubes,colouredcables,andsuctionpads.Everywhere,therewaspaper.Reamsandreams,piledinstacksandrolledupintoscrolls.Boxesupon

boxeswerefilledtooverflowingwithsheaves.ItwasmorethanMargenehadseeninherentirelife.AlltheScions,saveChavis,hadtheirweaponslevelledatthemanbehindthedesk.Thetempestor

gesturedtothemachineryandpapermountains.‘Whatisallthis?’Margenepluckedahandfulofsheetsfromtheboxnearesther.Eachpagewasdenselypackedwith

wordswritteninatiny,perfectscript.‘Thiswasdonebymachine,’shesaid.‘Iwouldsaythatallofthishasbeendictatedintoatranscriber.’‘Butwhatisit?’Margeneflippedthroughthepagesshehadinherhand.Alongthetopofeachonewerethesametwo

wordsinboldprint:‘CantosContinuous.’‘What?’‘It’sHighGothic.Itmeans“everlastingsong”.Itseemstobethetitleforallofthis.’Shereadonabit

more.ItquicklybecameobvioustoherthatthesewritingsweresupposedtohavecomefromtheBrineGoddess.Itcouldhardlybecalledpoetry.Itwasmorelikeaseriesofincoherentramblings.‘ThisisShelsistliterature.Allofit.Emperorsaveus.’Shedroppedthepagestothefloor,andcrossedtothedesk.Shenotedthatthetallchairhadobscuredtwoadditionalrooms.Onecontainedalargebedcoveredinmouldysheets.Theotherheldtwosmallerchairsandwhatappearedtobesomekindofveryoldcommunicationsarray.Shepickedupanothersheafandriffledthroughthem.‘Theseseemtobemorerecent,’shesaid,‘but

they’rejustasnonsensical.’Chavisseemedsatisfied.‘Aslongasthere’snodangerhere,weneedtoseeaboutfindingadrumor

twooffuel.’Margenenoddedabsently.‘I’llbefine.Ijustwanttosortthroughsomeofthisbeforewego.’Chavis,Erdon,andThieusleft.Margenebarelynoticed.Hereyeswerefixedontheparchmentsheetinherhand.Printednearthetop,justbelowthetitlebar,

wasyetanotherparagraphwhereinShelsecalledouttoIxoi.WhatfrightenedMargene,however,wasthatshehadhearditbefore.‘Promiseme,O,promiseme,’sheread,‘we’llbetogethersoon.Thestarsbegintofall,andthisera

drawstoaclose…’Itwasn’tpossible.Therewasnowaythatshecouldhavedreamedtheseexactwords.Yetherethey

were.TheShelsistleadershadreceivedthemandtranscribedthem,andshetoohadreceivedthemsomehow.ShethoughtabouttheBrineProphetthattheCanonesshadencounteredmonthsbefore.CanonessGracehadsaidthemanwaspossessed,thathewaschannellinganevilpresence,andspeakingasifonbehalfoftheBrineGoddess.Wasthatwhathadbeenhappeninghere,shewondered?HadtheformerGovernorallowedShelseto

speakthroughhim?Hadhesetdowneveryawfulword,andthenpasseditontothecultatlarge?Verylikely.Butitstilldidn’texplainhowthewordshadcomeintohermind.Shelookedintothecommsroomagain.

Chavis,Erdon,andThieusfoundagarageonelevelbelowthegroundfloor.OnlyoneoftheGovernor’sconvertedgroundcarswasthere,althoughThieuswastheonewhopointedoutthattherewasroomenoughfortwentymoresuchvehicles.Inonecorner,beneathasheetofwaterproofcanvas,theyfoundthreecratesfilledwithspearguns,andtwoemptycasesforexplosives.Theyalsofoundacacheoffueldrums.Theyheftedoneofthebarrelsintothebackofthecar,andErdonstartedtheengineanddroveitupintothedarkenedrailwaytunnels.BrandtandSavdrametthemoutsidethemaindepotbuilding.‘Where’sUlrich?’Chavisaskedthem.

‘Hewenttogetthedialogus,’Savdrareplied.‘Toldustocomeouthereandcoveryou.’Therewasanexplosionfrominsidethemaindepotbuildingandashatteringofglass.Thefivemen

racedinside.Thegroundfloorwasempty,butthesmellofsmokeandburntfleshwafteddowntothemfromabove.Theyemergedatthetopofthestairstofindtheroomonfire.Partofthestained-glassceilinghadbeen

smashedin.Thegiganticdeskwasturnedoveronitsside,andeverywheretheCantosContinuousburned.ThebodiesoffivemoreLysiosHomeGuardlayinheapsamongtheblaze.Chavisfoundtheinquisitoronthefloornearthebed.Heseemeddazed.‘Inquisitor,’heshouted,‘areyouwounded?’‘I’mallright.’Ulrichrefusedhelpashereturnedtostanding.‘Theycameinthroughthere.Tookusby

surprise.’‘Where’sthedialogus?’Thieusranintooneoftheadjacentrooms,andemergeddraggingMargenebeneaththearms.Herskin

wasblackenedandcracked,andjaggedpiecesofshrapneljuttedoutofherarmsandlegs.SheleftatrailofbloodasThieusdraggedher.Shewheezedloudly,turnedherblind,lidlesseyestowardsUlrich,anddied.Thieusloweredhishead.Ulrichkickedsomethingheavyacrossthefloor.Chavissawthatitwasaman-portablegrenadelauncher,andalikelypictureofeventsformedinhis

mind.Anotherunitofthegovernor’sguardshadcomeinthroughtheroof.TheyhadsurprisedtheinquisitorandSisterMargene.Intheensuingfight,someonehadusedexplosivesinaconfinedspace.Theendresultcouldn’tbeanythinglessthandeath.Itwasallveryneat.Heremindedhimselfonceagainthattherewasalmostalwayssomethingmisleadingaboutthingswhich

appearedtobesimple.‘Herbody,’Ulrichsaid.‘Perhapsweshouldtakeitwithus,andreturnittohersisters.’Chavisblinked.ThismissionhadsofarcostthelivesofelevenTempestusScions,andnotoncehad

Ulrichsuggestedthattheircorpsesberecovered.‘Whywouldwedothat,sir?Sentimentisawasteoftimeandresources.Weneedtofocusallour

resourcesongettingyoubacktothehab-crawler.’Ulrichsaidnothingfurther.HesimplywalkedpasttheburningstacksoftheCantosanddownthestairs

tothewaitinggroundcar.

BeforetheyarrivedbackattheTaurox,Chavis’smonitorinformedhimthatByrdgonhaddied.WhileErdonandThieusfilledthetankwiththepilferedfuel,Chavistookamomenttopeerintothecontainmentcylinder.Thetentaclesegmentwaslyingverystill,theciliaflaccid.Hedidnotknowwhy,buthefeltcertainit,initsownway,wasstaringbackathim.‘Let’sbeonourway,tempestor,’Ulrichsaid.‘Leavethexenologytotheexperts.’‘Yes,sir.’Thehatchesclosed,theenginestarted,andthetransportrumbledawayfromthenamelesscity.Above

them,intheclearsky,aflamingobjectfell,trailingblacksmokebehindit.Itwasfollowedshortlybyanother.Thenanother.Thenanother.

‘Thetimehascome,theskydescends!TheMurderessandheragentsmustbedestroyed,sothatanewworldmaybeborn.YourGoddesscommandsit…’

–CantosContinuous,M41

CHAPTEREIGHT

Erdon’srighteyewasblackandswollen,hishandsredandblisteredfromhandlingthevolleygun.Chavishadsmearedhisupperlegwithanauto-cauterisingthermicgel,sealinghiswoundwithathicklayerofscartissue.Ititchedbeneathitsdressing.Neithermancomplained.Infact,neithermanhadsaidanythingsinceleavingtheruinedcity.Behindthem,theotherpassengerswerequietaswell.Ulrichhadgonebacktohisplacebesidethe

containmentchamber.DevrieshadtheMartyr’sGiftmedi-kitopenontheseatnexttohimashedugthebulletoutofhisarmandcoveredtheholewithsuturetape.SavdraandThieussatacrossfromoneanother,helmetsoffandheadsdown.Thesilencewasbrokenwhentheairoutsidewasfilledwithahigh-pitchedscreamingthatgrewin

volume.EveryoneintheTauroxheardit.TheScionssnappedtoastateofalertness,foritsoundedexactlylikeabombfallingfromagreatheight.Thesoundgrewintoaroar.Brandt,Thieus,Devries,andSavdraeachlookedoutofoneoftheviewing

slotsabovetheirheads.Theysawnosignofanymissilecomingtowardsthem,buttheydidseeafireball.Thenucleuswasalarge,darkmass,wreathedinorangeflames.Ittrailedsonicboomsasitpassedoverhead,andtheTauroxrockedfromsidetoside.Thefireballlandedseveralkilometrestothesouthofthem,sendingupatitanicconeofdirtandshakingtheground.‘Justameteor,’Devriessaidashesatbackdown.‘Thatwasactuallyfairlyclose,’Erdonsaid.‘Itwas,’Chavisagreed.‘I’mgoinguptotheturrettotakealook.’Heopenedthehatchabovehishead

andraisedhischair.ThewindthatbatteredChavis’sfacewashotandsmelledofash.Theimpactcratertothesouthsenta

pillarofgreysmokeintotheair.Asidefromthat,however,thelandstretchedoutdeadandflatfromhorizontohorizon.Centuriesofoceanicfloodinghaderasedanyhillsorvalleysthatmighthaveoncebeenhere,andleftthelandsosaltedthatnoteventhehardiestofweedscouldsurvive.Theskyabovewaspaleblueandcloudless,butstainedbymultiplesmokyblacklines.ChavistriedtorecallifLysioswasknownforparticularlyviolentorspectacularmeteorstorms.The

dialoguswouldhaveknown,hethought.Ifonlyshehadn’tdied.Behindhim,theTauroxsentupatallplumeofdustasitspedacrossthewasteland.Itmadetheman

easypotentialtarget.WhileheconsideredorderingErdontoslowdown,henoticedthattheirswasnotthe

onlydustcloudbeinggenerated.HeretractedtheseatbackdowninsidetheTauroxandsealedthehatch.‘It’spossiblethatwe’rebeingfollowed,’hesaid.Ulrichsuddenlylookedworried.‘We’rebeingfollowed?’‘Possibly,Isaid.’‘Bywhom?’‘Ican’ttell.They’requitesomedistancebehindus.’‘Threatlevel?’Erdonasked.Chavisshookhishead.‘Minimal,ifanyatall.Theywon’tcatchup.Whateveritisthey’retravellingin

isn’tnearlyfastenough.’

Themeteorscontinuedtostreakacrossthesky,growinginfrequencywitheverypassinghour.Chavischeckedbehindthemregularlyandtheothervehicles,whomevertheybelongedto,continuedtofollowalong.Shortlyafternoon,thehab-crawlercameintoview.Fromtheground,itappearedasagiganticblockofmachinerythatrumbledalongslowlyonmammothtreads.Thesettlementproperrodeontoplikeacollectionoflowbuildingsbuiltonthebackofaturtle.Accessrampstrailedbehindit.Whentheyhadleftthecrawlerthepreviousday,theserampshadbeenclear.Now,theywerepackedwithricketycartsandhundredsofpeopleonfoot.Men,women,andchildrenwerepushingandshovingoneanother,alltryingtomaketheirwayuptherampsandontothecrawler.‘Reducespeed,tempestor?’Erdonasked.‘Wehaven’tthetime.Ploughthrough.They’llmove.Ornot.’Ulrichhadrisenfromhisseatbesidethecylinderandmadehiswaytothefront.Hepeeredthroughthe

frontwindowslitsatthetumultuouscrowd.‘Useyoursmokelaunchers,’hesaid.‘They’llscatter.’Erdonsaidnothing,butsimplythumbedaseriesofswitchesonthecontrolpanelbeforehim.From

eithersideofthevehicle,therecameasoftchuffingsound.Metalcanistersbouncedintothecrowdandbeganspewingthickcloudsofchokinggreysmoke.Gasping,thepeopledrewback.TheTauroxascendedtheramp,andturnedontothewindingstreetthatledtothelandingfield.Thistoo

wasfilledwithpeople.Theypouredoutfromthepatchworkbuildingsandgatheredonthelowrooftops,pointinguptotheskywherefieryblackstreaksnowfelllikerain.Themobonlyworsenedastheyapproachedthefield.Allaroundthemwerepeopleladenwithbagsand

cases,orbundlesofclothingandprovisionswrappedhastilywithplastekcords.Theywereshoutingandcrying.Manyofthemwerepressedupagainstthemetalfencethatcordonedoffthelandingfieldfromtherestofthehab-crawler.Ontheothersideofthechain-link,theBattleSistershadestablishedtwosemi-circularbarricadeswiththreewomenbehindeach.Anadditionalpairofwomenstoodjustinsidethesingleentryway.ErdondidnotslowtheTauroxatalluntiltheycametothegate.Chavisspiedafewweaponsinthe

crowd:long,barbedpoles,spearguns,andevenafewofthekineticbulletriflesthegovernor’sguardhadused.Hecouldalsohearsomethingofwhatthepeoplewereshouting.TheywerescreamingattheSisterstosavethem,ortodosomething,ortoletthemcomeinandboardtheshuttle.ThetwoSistersrolledthegateopen,andshutitoncemoreastheTauroxpassed.TheCanonessemergedfromthedoorwayofthecontroltower,flankedbytwoBattleSistersarmedwith

stormbolters.ThethreeofthemwalkedwithdeterminedstridesdirectlyintothepathoftheTaurox.ErdonbroughtthevehicletoascreechinghaltjustasthefrontgrilleoftheenginehousingtouchedtheCanoness’schestplate.Shestaredupintothefrontviewingslitswithalookofindignantfury.Ulrichfeltatwingeofanxiety.‘Hereareyourorders,gentlemen,’Ulrichsaid,loudenoughforallofthe

Scionstohear.‘Iwantthecontainmentcylindertakenaboardthelanderatonce.Then,contactourshipin

orbitandtellthemthatwewillbereturningwithinthehour.DonotletCanonessGraceoranyofherSororitasgetinyourway,orattempttoslowyoudown.Thisisourmission.Nottheirs.’Heexitedthroughtherearramp,pausingforamomenttoresthishandonthecylinder.Thetentacle

withinhadlongsincestoppedmoving.Itwasregrettable,hethought.Alivingspecimenwouldhavebeenamuchmoreimpressiveprizethanadeceasedsample.WhenUlrichsteppedontothelandingfield,theCanonessandhertwochargescamearoundthesideof

theTauroxandblockedhispath.‘So,’shesaidsternly,‘Iseeyouhavereturned.’Hereyesflasheddowntotheblackenedmetalplatingbehindtherepairedquadtracks.‘Indeed,Canoness,’Ulrichsaid.Histonewascordialwithatouchofvenom.‘You’llbehappytoknow

thatmymissionwasasuccess.I’msureyou’vebeenprayingforme.’CanonessGracewatchedasThieus,Brandt,SavdraandDevriesexiteddowntherampandfellin

behindUlrich.‘WhereisSisterMargene?’UlrichmettheCanoness’switheringgazeandsaidsimply,‘Shedied.’CanonessGraceliftedherchinslightly.‘How?’‘Heroically.’Ulrichcouldtellthatshewaswaitingforhimtoelaborate,buthesaidnothingmore.

Neitherofthemblinked.Atthegate,thecrowdgrewlouder.Severalmoreofthemeteorsstreakedacrossthesky.ErdonandChavisbegantobringthecontainmentcylinderdown.ThesightofitcausedCanonessGrace

tospeakatlast.‘Whatisthat?’‘That,’Ulrichsaid,‘istheconcernoftheInquisition,andnottheAdeptaSororitas.’Heturnedhisback

toherandwalkedawaytojoinChavisandErdon.‘InquisitorUlrich!’sheshouted.‘IknowthatyouarehereconductingthebusinessoftheOrdoXenos.If

thatcontainerhasanythingtodowithanalienlifeform,Idemandtoknowaboutit!’Ulrichwhirledaround,incredulous.‘Youdemand?DidInotjustsaythatthiswasnobusinessof

yours?’CanonessGracepushedherwaypastthefourScionsbeforeher.‘Everythingthattakesplaceonthis

worldismybusiness.IaminchargeofalloperationsonLysios.’‘ThenIamhappytoinformyouthatIamleavingLysios.’TheCanonessthrustafingeratChavisandErdon.‘Youtwo,openthatcontainerforinspection.’ThetwoScionsexchangedaglance,butdidnotstop.Ulrichcouldn’thelpbutsmilewhenhesawtheCanoness’sfacegolivid.‘Gentlemen,’hecalledto

Savdra,Thieus,Devries,andBrandt,‘timetogo.’ThefourScionsstartedmovingtowardsthelander’sboardingramp.UlrichgavetheCanonessacurt

nod,andturnedhisbacktoheronceagain.TheinquisitorandtheScionswereatthefootofthelanderwhenalleightoftheCanoness’scommand

squadmovedinandblockedtheirway.Theirboltgunswereinpositionsofreadiness.ChavisandErdonstopped,andsetthecylinderdown.UlrichslowedhispaceandturnedaroundtofindCanonessGraceglaringathim.Chaviscaughttheeyesofhismen.Slowly,heloweredhishandtohoverabovethebuttofhisbolt

pistol.Erdonandtheothersgavenodsthatwerealmostimperceptible.Themomentthisdegeneratedintoafirefight,theywouldbeready.‘TellyourSisterstoclearoutofourway,’UlrichsaidtoCanonessGrace.‘Showmewhatyouhaveinthatcanister,’shereplied.Ulrichgraspedthepommelofhissword.‘No.’Chavisheardthesoundofsomethingstrikingametalsurface.Heglancedaround,certainthatoneofthe

BattleSisterswasresponsible.Theywerestandingperfectlystill,filledwithtension.Thenoise,herealised,hadcomefrominsidethecontainmentcylinder.‘Ifyouwon’topenit,’theCanonesssaidtoUlrich,‘thenIwill.’Chavissawmovementbehindtheglass.Heopenedhismouthtospeakwhensuddenly,thetentacle

slammeditselfagainstthecontainer.Ittwitched,anditsciliastartedwaving.ItsskinglowedfromwithinasitdroveitsconsciousnesslikeathunderboltintoCanonessGrace’smind.

CHAPTERNINE

Dessecranwasanightworld.Fortenmonthsoutoftheyear,thetinyplanetlayintheshadowoftwogasgiants.Fortheotherthreemonths,however,thesunshonebrightandclear.NoneofthismatteredtoMagdaGrace,though,becauseshewasundergroundwherethedaywouldneverbreak.Thesewersranforkilometresinalldirections.Someofthemwerebigenoughtodriveatankthrough,

whileotherscouldbarelyaccommodateasingleperson.Whattheyallhadincommonweretheconstantdripofwater,theflickeringlumensbuiltatevenspacesalongtheirlength,andthemonsters.Gracewasthirty-twoyearsold.ShewasahumbleBattleSister,andherhairwasstillasblackaspitch.

Shestoodankle-deepinrawsewage,butthestenchdidn’tbotherher.Shehadbeendownhereforsolongthatshewasimmunetoitnow.Inherhandsshecradledastormbolterwithdoubleclipsandahalogenlightstrappedtothetop.Eightmoremagazinesdangledfromherbelt.Toherleftandright,thebodiesofnineteenfellowSororitasbobbedinthemire.Shewasthelonesurvivor.Themonstershadarrivedmonthsbefore,rainingdownfromtheskyinbloated,slime-coatedpods.At

first,thepeopleofDessecranhadthoughtthatitwasameteorshower,buttheyweresoonprovedwrong.Thepodscrackedopen,releasingmillionsofhorrorsthatbit,andscratched,andslaughtered,andfed.Dessecranwasbeinginvadedbytyranids.RumourspersistedthattheImperialNavywasonitsway.Anydaynow,peoplesaid,aflotillaof

starshipswouldarriveinorbitandseveralmillionImperialGuardsmenwouldliberatethecities.Thoserumourshadbeencirculatingforeightmonthsnow.Gracedoubtedtheywouldevercometrue.So,thedefenceofDessecranwasleftuptotheSororitasofthelocalconvent.She,andotherslikeher,weretheonlyonesholdingthingstogetheronthisworld.ThecreatureGracewasstalkingwasaspecialisedmemberofthewarriorcaste.Thexenobiologists,

beforetheyhadallbeenkilled,hadcalleditalictor.Thesebeastscouldmoveswiftlyandsoundlesslythroughnearlyanyterrain,andwereexcellentathiding.Theylikedtostalkindividualprey,cornerthem,andthendevourtheirbrains.NooneonDessecranwascertainwhythiswas,butrumourhaditthatbyeatingthebrain,thecreaturestolethememoriesofthepersonbeingkilled.Itwascertainlynotbeyondreason.Thetyranidshaddisplayedallmannerofstrangeandhideousabilitiessincetheyfirstmadeplanetfall.Someofthem,itwassaid,evenusedsleeperagentstocorruptandtakeoverreligiousenclaves.Gracehadbeenpursuingthisparticularcreatureforsometimenow,eversinceithadambushedher

Canonessanddevouredherbrain.Everymemberoftheconventhadswornrevenge.Althoughithadbeenwoundedmanytimes,everySisterwhohadgoneafterthebeastwasnowdead.Shewheeledaroundjustintimetoseethelictordropfromsomewhereupaboveher.Shefiredher

weapon.Aclusterofboltsstruckitschest.Bitsofchitinandsoupyblobsofpusexplodedoutward.Itmadeagibberingsoundthatmighthavebeenacryofagony,andlashedatherwithitsclaws.Gracetriedtomoveaside,butthewaterslowedherdown.Thearmourplatesaroundherrightshoulderwerebrokencleanaway.Ceramitefragmentsflewupintoherface.Shesqueezedhereyesclosed,butwhensheopenedthemagain,hervisionwasobscuredwithblood.Theskinabovehereyeandonhercheekfeltasifitwereonfire.Abovethelictor’sshoulderssproutedapairofsegmented,serratedspikes.Itdrovebothofthemdown

ather.Byallrights,Graceshouldhavebeenrippedintothreeverticalsections.Butherarmourheldfast.ShethankedtheEmperor,andstruckthebeastagaininthefacewithherheftystormbolter.Oncemore,hereffortsseemedinvain.Thelictor’sclawsflashedacrossherchestlikegiantscissors.Gracestaggeredbackwiththeimpact.

Sheglanceddown,expectingtoseehergutspushtheirwayoutofthelacerationsandspilllikediscardedwasteintothesewerwater.Instead,herbreastplatewasbarelyscratched.‘BlessedisHewhoismyshield,’sherecited.‘Truly,theEmperorprotectsthosewhocalluponHim.’Secondswentbywithneitheroneofthemabletoinflictdamageupontheother.Gracebegantogetthe

impressionthatthelictorwasbecomingangryandfrustrated,ifsuchathingwerepossible.Thelictorlungedather.Shetwistedtooneside,andjammedthebarrelofherstormbolterdown

againstthesideofitsface.Shepulledthetrigger.Thesoundwasdeafeningintheenclosedspace.Thedeadbulkofthethingdroppedintothestinkingwet.Shelookeddownatherselfinawe.Herarmourwastorninmultipleplaces,butonlyhershoulderplatehadgivenway.Thesideofherfaceburnedlikehellfire,butsheconsidereditablessing.Fromthisdayforward,aslongasshelived,shewouldveneratetheEmperorwhohadblessedherarmourtosuchadegree,andshewoulderadicatethetyranidthreatwhereveritdaredtoshowitself.

TheCanonessstaggeredbackwards,clutchingherhead.Ittookamomentforhertorememberthatshewasanironwomanofeighty-three,notathirty-twoyearoldnovice,andthatshewasonLysios,notDessecran.Shetouchedthescarthatranalongthesideofherface.Thecreatureinthecontainmentchamberhadusedsomekindofmentalpoweronher,violatingherthoughtsandmemories.Theattackhadtakenonlyaheartbeat,butinthatflickeroftime,theyhadbeenlinked.‘Inquisitor,’shesaid,‘ordertheseScionstostepaside.Thisspecimenofyourshasgottobe

destroyed.’‘I’lldonosuchthing,’Ulrichsaid.Graceexhaled,wellawareofthechainreactionthatshewasabouttostart.Shepulledtheplasma

pistolfromherholsterandaimeditatthecontainmentcylinder.Inablurofmotion,Ulrichhadhisownpistolinhishand,levelledattheCanoness.Chavisdrewhisweapon.TheBattleSistershoistedtheirbolters.ThefiveScionsraisedtheirlasguns.‘Putdownyourweapon,Canoness,’Ulrichsaidslowly.‘Thiscanisteriscomingbackwithmeto

Terra.’Graceblanched.‘ToTerra?Areyoumad?Thatwouldmeantheendofeverything.Don’tyouknow

whatthisthingis?’‘Proofofalegend.Andthestartofanewfutureforme.’‘No.No,Icannotallowthis.’

Justasshebegantosqueezethetrigger,herweaponwasknockedfromherhand.Sheblinked.Theinquisitorhaddashedforwardanddisarmedherfarfasterthanshehadeverexpected.Shedrewhersword.Ulrichjumpedtoavoidthebladeasitleftherscabbard.TheCanonesscharged,duckinglow.SheslammedherentireweightintoUlrich,andsenttheman

tumbling.Hisgunclatteredtotheground.Herolled,andsprangbacktohisfeet.Hisownbladewasout.TheSistersandtheScionsregardedoneanother,andbackedaway.Bysomeunspokenconsensus,they

formedaroughcirclearoundtheirrespectivechampions.BoththeCanonessandtheinquisitorwerewieldingpowerweapons,andbothofthemwerehighlyskilledfighters.Thematterwouldbesettledveryquickly,andwithatleastasemblanceofhonour.Therewasnoneedforthemtobecomeinvolved.UlrichthrustattheCanonessonce,twice,andathirdtime.Shemanagedtoparrythefirsttwoattacks,

butthefinalonegotpasther.Helungedandthenwithdrew.Forasecond,shewasn’tsurethatshe’dbeenwoundedatall.Butashedancedbackwards,swordheldstraightoutbeforehim,Gracecouldseeblooddrippingfromhisblade.Shehadn’tevenfeltitbypassherarmouranditsblessedwards.GraceswungatUlrichagain,hopingtolopoffhislegs.Instead,herbladeedgestoppedmillimetres

awayfromhisflesh,andbouncedaway.Therewasaslightripplingaroundthearea,likesunlightplayingoverwater.Gracescowledathisuseofapersonalforcefield.‘Abitdishonestofyoutousearefractorinaduel,’

shesaid.Ulrichshrugged,andchargedforward.HeandGracecollidedagaininaflurryofslashesandparries.

Sparksflewastheirweaponstouched.Thentheywereapartonceagain,surveyingoneanothercoldly.TheCanonesswaspanting,whichshethoughtodd.Shewasinexcellentshapeforawomanofherage.

SheglanceddownatherselftoseethatUlrichhadrentherarmourjustbelowhercollarbone.Shesnarled.Ulrich,forhispart,shottheCanonessalookofpure,undilutedhatred,andthentoppledtotheground.

Hischestplatewasslashedcleanthroughfromlefttoright,andbloodbegantogushthroughtherent.Hegaveagruntofdisbelief,droppedhissword,andclaspedbothhandsoverthewound.Gracesheathedhersword,andwenttocollecthispistolfromwhereithadfallen.‘Scions,’Ulrichcroaked,‘killthem.’Gracefroze,kneelingoverhergunwithhandoutstretched.Slowly,sheliftedherface.Acrossthelandingfield,thepeoplepressedagainstthefencescreamedandtriedtoscatter.A

groundcarploughedthroughthemattopspeed,sendingbodiesflying,andsmasheditswaythroughthegate.TheScionsrecogniseditsmake.Itwasexactlyliketheonestheyhadencounteredearlierintheday.Thecarbarrelledstraighttowardsthem.Withoutaword,theScionsandtheSistersturnedtheir

weaponsonit.SisterFayhew’sheavybolterspatoutroundafterfist-sizedround.Erdon’svolleyguntorethreeofthepassengersapart.SuperiorCairistaandSisterPaniece,thenewly-promotedbeareroftheflame,covereditwithgoutsofpromethiumflame.Withinseconds,thecarcrumpledunderthecombinedfirepowerandexploded.Flamingpiecesofmetalradiatedoutwards.Throughthecollapsedgate,awaveofbodiesbegantopourontothefield.Gracesawthatmanyofthem

weredressedinthebluerobesandmodifieddivinggearoftheShelsistcult.Gracepickedupherpistol.‘Sisters,killtheheretics!’SheglancedbackatChavis.‘Scions,’heshouted.‘Autonomousfire!Pushthemback!’Erdonandtheothersrushedforward,firingtheirlasguns.TheywerejoinedbytheBattleSisters,who

advancedonthebreachwithastormofbolterfire.Yetthecultistsdidnotbreakorflee.Theyflewapartandcrumpledandturnedtoashes,butonwardtheycame,pouringthroughthebreach.Theirresolvewasinsane.

Twomoreofthedisgracedgovernor’sgroundcarscameflyingthroughthecollapsedgate.Theyskiddedtoahalt,andfromeachofthem,eightfiguresleaptout.Theymighthaveoncebeenhuman,buttheywereobviouslynolongerso.Someofthemhadhandsthatweretippedwithelongatedclaws.Othershadanadditionalsetofarmssproutingfromtheirribcages.Theirskinallshowedvaryingdegreesofmutation,andallofitappearedaquaticinnature:scales,shells,andtentaclescoveredtheminhaphazardplaces.Theybegantosprintforward.Grace’sswordwasinherhand,stillstainedwiththeinquisitor’sblood.Las-fireandboltsflewall

aroundher,glassandflamingdebriscrunchedbeneathherheeledboots.Themutantscameatherwiththeirclawsbared.Withrapidswipes,theycutatherfaceandchest.She

loppedtheheadoffofoneofthem,andimpaledasecondonethroughthecentreofhischest.Theyattemptedtosurroundher,sothatshecouldn’thopetostopthemall,andpounced.Gracekickedandshovedatthem.Somethingstruckheronthetopofherheadandopenedawidegash.Sheflippedherswordaroundandthrustitintothesoftbellyofsomeonebehindher.Thereweretoomanyofthem,sherealised,andtheirawful,hybridnaturemadethemfasterthanshe.

Shecalmlyacceptedthepossibilitythatthiswasgoingtobeherfinalfight.Then,throughthebloodthatsmearedherface,shecouldseethattheScionshadjoinedher.Thesixofthemfoughtwithpowerful,exactingmoves,blockingtheattacksofthemutantsuntiltheyspiedanopeningthattheycouldexploit.Theykicked,andstamped,andusedthebulkoftheirfirearmstobashinskulls.ItwasastyleoffightingcompletelydifferentfromanytheSororitasused,butinthatmoment,Gracewasthankfulforit.Fromtheskycameadeafeningscreech.Afireballplungeddownfromtheheavensandimpactedthe

hab-crawlerveryneartothelandingfield.Theplatesbeneaththeirfeetshookwiththeimpact.‘Meteor,’Chavisyelled.TheCanonessshookherhead.‘Thosearenomererocks.They’reasign.Somethingterribleisaboutto

comeuponus.’Asiftoillustrateherpoint,anotherdarkobjectslammedintotheTauroxwithaterriblevelocity.The

transportcrumpledanddetonated.Theshockwaveknockedeveryonefromtheirfeet.Fireandsmokeobscuredeverything.Theobjectinthecentreoftheflamescrackedalongoneside.Thickmucusgushedout,bubblinginthe

heat.Anothercrackappeared.Oneentiresideofthemassiveegg-shapegaveway,andadozenalienshapesspilledoutontothefield.Throughtheburninghaze,ChavissawthattheCanonesswascorrect.Thethingsfallingfromtheskywerehollowpods,notsolidhunksofrock.Thethingsinsidewerehalfastallasaman,withlongtailsandscythe-liketalonsinplaceofhands.Theirheadswerebulbous,withtooth-crammed,oversizedmouths.Armourplatescoveredtheirbacks.Theystretchedtheirjawswide,andmadeguttural,utterlyinhumannoises.AgroupoftwentyormoreShelsistsseemedtocatchtheirglintingblackeyes.Thecreaturesdartedoff

towardsthecultists,leapinguptoslashthemwiththeirbony,bladedfrontlimbs.Comparedtotheirattackers,theShelsistsreactedwithglacialslowness.Theirspearsandtridentswereknockedasidewithease.Thecreaturespouncedonthem,knockingthemtothegroundwithacombinationofspeedandbodyweight.ThentheyhackedtheShelsiststopiecesandrabidlybegantoeattheremains.Theroarofturbinesdrownedouttheworldasthelander’senginesbegantocycleup.GraceandChavis

simultaneouslylookedattheplacewheretheinquisitorhadbeenlying.Hewasgone,alongwiththecanister.Theenginebellsbegantoglow.Theyhadonlymomentsbeforethelanderlifteditselfskywards,andtheywereallvaporisedbyitsrocketexhaust.‘Getup!’Chavisyelled.‘Allofyou,onyourfeet.’Gracepointedtothecontroltower.SeveraloftheSistersnoddedandstumbledtowardsit.Chavis

helpedErdonandDevries,andthethreeofthemranforthecontroltowerdoorway.Everywherewasmadness.TheShelsistscontinuedtopourthroughthefence.Theyfiredharpoonsand

spearsatthelander.Anothermeteorimpactednearthehab-crawler,destroyingoneofitstreads.Theentirecommunityshudderedandgroundtoahalt.Steampipesandfuellinesburst,spewinggeysersoffireandwaterintotheair.TheScionsandSistersscrambledintothecontroltower.Chavisslammedtheheavyblastdoorshut.

Thespacewassmallandcramped.Astaircasespiralledupwards.Outside,theShelsistswerebeingtorntoribbonsbythescythe-limbedmonstrosities.Secondslater,thelander’senginesignitedandbathedthefieldwithsuper-heatedclouds.Theymadetheirwayupthestairs.Atthetopofthetowerwasacircularcontrolroom.Asingledoor

ledoutontotheroofofanadjacentbuilding.ChavisandtheCanonessranoutthroughit.Thelandingfieldbelowthemwaslitteredwithcorpsesandsmoulderingcraters.Thescythe-limbedalienswerenothingnowbutblackenedhusks.Atthegate,afreshwaveofShelse’sfollowersbeganrunningtowardsthecontroltowerdoor.Intheskyabove,thelandercontinuedtoriseonaplumeofrocketexhaust,takingtheinquisitorwithit.TheSistersandtheScionsjoinedtheirrespectiveleaders.Allaroundthem,theirenemies’numbers

grewandgrew.Thesmallrooftopwasbecominganislandinundatedbyamurderoussea.‘Whatareyourorders,Canoness?’Chavissaid.Gracetouchedherforehead,herchest,andhiltofhersword.TheSororitasmirroredher.‘Wefight,ofcourse,’Gracesaid.Chavisnoddedgrimlyandpointeddownatthemassofcultists,mutants,andrenegadesoldiers.

‘Scions,’heshouted,‘directedfirestormsanctioned!’Graceraisedherbladeaboveherhead.‘Emperor,grantascension!Sisters,strikethemdown!’Togethertheyattackedthehordebeforethemwithlas-fireandbolt,whileallacrossthehab-crawler,

meteorpodscontinuedtoimpact,crackopenandvomitouttheirmurderouscargointothestreetsandbuildings.

CODA

ThecanisterhadbeenaconsiderableloadfortwoTempestusScionstocarrybetweenthem.ItwasnearlyimpossibleforDamienUlrich.Theexertionofdraggingitupthelander’sboardingrampwascausinghimtobleedout,heknew.Hiswoundswerecoveringeverythingwithaslickfilmofblood.Hisvisionbegantoswim.Still,herefusedtogiveup;notwhenvictorywascloseathand.Atlasthemanagedtoreachthetopoftheramp.Heslammedhisfistintothedoorcontrols,and

staggeredtothecockpitastherampslowlyclosedbehindhim.Hesatdownheavilyinthepilot’schair,activatedthelaunchsequence,andthenreachedunderthecontrolboard.Ittookhimtwotriestoopentheemergencymedi-pack.Astheenginesbegantocometolife,hegraspedathickhypodermicinjector,squeezedhiseyesshut,andstabbedhimselfinthestomachwithit.Theelixirwithinthesyringeflowedintohiswoundslikeliquidfire.Hepushedhisheadbackintothe

seat’sdeepcushionsandgaspedwithpain.Outside,thelander’senginesignited.Thelandingfieldwasconsumedincloudsofburninggas.Thelandershookviolentlyallaroundhim.Somethingclippedthelanderasitroseintotheair,sendingitspinningwildly.Ulrich’seyesshotopen,

andforamomenthisagonywasforgotten.Hegraspedthecontrolsandsteadiedthecraft.Outsidetheviewports,theskiesofLysioswerechokedwithdark,misshapenobjects.Theyrained

downsurroundedbywreathsoffire,andimpactedonthesurfacebelow.Ulrichknewexactlywhattheywere.HewasoftheOrdoXenos,afterall.Theatmosphereoutsidebegantothinfrombluetoblack.Ulrichputhisheadbackagain,andgavea

weaklaugh.‘TheShatteredWorld,’hesaidaloud,knowingnowwhattheEmperor’sTarothadbeentryingtotell

him.Asthepainbegantoabate,exhaustiontookover.Well,nomatter,hethought.Verysoon,hewoulddock

withtheshipthathadbroughthimhere,andhecouldrelaxallthewaybacktoTerra.Hischinsankdowntothischest.Hedidnothearthetentaclebangingagainsttheinsideofthecontainmentcylinder,nordidhehearitsmashitswayfree.Hewastoobusydreamingofthefinereceptionthatwouldnodoubtawaithimuponhisreturn,andoftherewardshewassuretoreap.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

BradenCampbellistheauthorofShadowsun:TheLastofKiru’sLineforBlackLibrary,aswellasseveralshortstoriesfeaturingthedarkeldar.Heisaclassicalactorandplaywright,andafreelance

writer,particularlyinthefieldofroleplayinggames.BradenhasenjoyedWarhammer40,000fornearlyadecade,andremainsfiercelydedicatedtohisdarkeldar.

TheelitesoldiersoftheMilitarumTempestusundertakeadaringrescue,farbehindenemylines.

ForHolly,whomissesmewheneverIvanishintothegrimdarknessofthefarfuture.

ABLACKLIBRARYPUBLICATION

FirstpublishedinGreatBritainin2014.

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