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However, the bombardment from orbit was unrelenting, smothering the entire planet in a precisely targeted array of overlapping fire plans that ensured that nothing would escape the virus.
Entire kingdoms and vassal states across the surface were obliterated in minutes. Ancient cultures that had survived Old Night and endured the horror of invasion a dozen times over fell without even knowing why, millions dying in screaming agony as
their bodies betrayed them and fell apart, reducing them to rotted, decaying matter.
SINDERMANN WATCHED THE bloom of darkness spread across the slice of the planet visible on the giant pict screens. It spread in a wide black ring, eating its way across the surface of the planet with astonishing speed, leaving grey desolation behind it. Another wave of corruption crept in from another part of the surface, the two dark masses meeting and continuing to spread like the symptom of a horrible disease. 'What... what is it?' whispered Mersadie. 'You have already seen it,’ said Euphrati. 'The Emperor showed you, through me. It is death.'
Sinderma
Sinderma
'You are remembrancers,' said Keeler, a quiet sadness in her voice. 'Both of you. Remember this and pass it on. Someone must know,’
He nodded dumbly, too numbed by what he was seeing to say anything.
'Come on,’ said Euphrati. 'We have to go,’ 'Go?' sobbed Mersadie, her eyes still fixed on the death of a world. 'Go where?'
'Away,’ smiled Euphrati, taking their hands and leading them through the immobile, horrified throng of remembrancers towards the edge of the chamber.
At first, Sinderma
'Euphrati!' he hissed. 'What are you doing? If those Astartes recognise us-' Trust me, Kyril,’ she said. 'I'm counting on that,’ Euphrati led them towards a hulking warrior who stood apart from the others, and Sinderma
The Astartes turned to face them, his face craggy and ancient, worn like old leather.
Euphrati stopped in front of him and said, 'lac-ton. I need your help,’
Iacton Qruze. Sinderma
He was a warrior of the old days, whose voice carried no weight amongst the higher echelons of command. A warrior of the old days...
You need my help?' asked Qruze. Who are you?'
'My name is Euphrati Keeler and this is Mersadie
Oliton,’ said Euphrati, as if her introductions in the
midst of such carnage were the most normal thing in the world, 'and this is Kyril Sinderma
Sinderma
'Loken asked me to look out for you,’ said Qruze.
Token?' asked Mersadie. 'Have you heard from
him?'
Qruze shook his head, but said, 'He asked me to keep you safe while he was gone. I think I know what he meant now.'
'What do you mean?' asked Sinderma
'Never mind,’ said Qruze.
'Iacton,’ commanded Euphrati, her voice laden with quiet authority. 'Look at me,’
The craggy-featured Astartes looked down at the slight form of Euphrati, and Sinderma
'You are the half-heard no longer,’ said Euphrati. 'Now your voice will be heard louder than any other in your Legion. You cling to the old ways and wish them to return with the fond nostalgia of the venerable. Those days are dying here, Iacton, but with your help we can bring them back again,’ 'What are you talking about, woman?' snarled
Qruze.
'I want you to remember Cthonia,’ said Euphrati, and Sinderma
of energy spark from her, as if her very skin was charged.
What do you know of the planet of my birth?' 'Only what I see inside you, Iacton,’ said Euphrati, a soft glow building behind her eyes and filling her words with promise and seduction. The honour and the valour from which the Luna Wolves were forged. You are the only one who remembers, Iacton. You're the only one left that still embodies what it is to be an Astartes,’
You know nothing of me,’ he said, though Sinderma
Your brothers called you the Half-heard, but you do not take them to task for it. I know this is because a Cthonian warrior is honourable and cares not for petty insults. I also know that your counsel is not heard because yours is the voice of a past age, when the Great Crusade was a noble thing, done not for gain, but for the good of all humankind,’
Sinderma
Loyalty to his Legion vied with loyalty to the ideals that had forged it.
At last he smiled ruefully and said, '"Nothing too arduous" he said,’
He looked over towards the Warmaster and Mal-oghurst. 'Come,’ he said. 'Follow me,’
Where to?' asked Sinderma
To safety,' replied Qruze. 'Loken asked me to look out for you and that's what I'm going to do. Now be silent and follow me.'
Qruze turned on his heel and marched towards one of the many doors that led out of the audience chamber. Euphrati followed the warrior and Sinderma
of the guards.
'And I am issuing you new orders,’ said Qruze, a steely determination that Sinderma
officer?' 'No, sir,’ said the warriors, bowing and hauling
open the bronze door.
Qruze nodded to the guards and gestured that the four of them should pass through.
Sinderma
'Now what do we do?' asked Mersadie.
'I get us as far away from the Vengeful Spirit as possible,’ answered Qruze.
'Off the ship?' asked Sinderma
Yes,’ said Qruze. 'It is not safe for your kind now. Not safe at all,’