Deliverance Lost

‘We need to resupply,’ said Corax. ‘I’ll shuttle down with an advance guard.’

‘I will send you the coordinates of Beta-Styx platform. It has a fully-stocked victualling yard. You can come down to Lion’s Gate port and I will despatch a delegation to meet you.’

‘A delegation? Too busy to greet your brother in person?’

‘Yes. I will be back at the Imperial Palace within the day.’

‘Understood, brother. I wish our reunion was in much lighter times.’

‘It is not for our kind to meet in peace, brother, you should know that. We will talk more tomorrow; I have something I must attend to urgently.’

With that, the frequency devolved into static once more. A data screen flickered into life, a list of spatial coordinates scrolling across it in yellow lettering and signed with the insignia of the Imperial Fists.

‘Prepare for docking manoeuvres,’ Corax a

A series of affirmatives chorused across the strategium as the primarch walked towards the doors. Corax stopped as they slid open and turned his head.

‘Bra

The commander froze, halfway into the control throne. He stood and looked back at the primarch and saw a lopsided smile on Corax’s face.

‘Yes, lord?’

‘As much as I appreciate your arrival at Isstvan, please stay where I put you this time.’

‘Aye, lord. I will.’

AS THE AVENGERpowered towards the orbital dock, preparations were made for Corax and a small entourage to descend to the surface of Terra. Bra

‘Relax, brother, this is not a combat mission,’ said Bra

‘And all the more dangerous for it,’ replied Agapito. ‘Suspicion surrounds us like a cloud. You saw how Captain Noriz treated us. I expect no warm welcome on the surface.’

‘So it will be up to you to assure our allies that we can be trusted,’ said Bra

Agapito hesitated, and glanced over Bra

‘I’m not the only one that feels it,’ said Agapito, his gaze on the drop-ship, his thoughts clearly on the primarch now aboard. ‘Now is not the time for rash displays of loyalty. I’m worried Lord Corax will promise more than we can currently deliver.’

‘We can’t afford to let the traitors make their preparations without pause,’ said Bra

Leaning closer, Agapito’s voice dropped to a whisper.

‘We were nearly wiped out, brother,’ he said. ‘If we do not tread carefully, the execution Horus pla

Concerned by his brother’s words, Bra

‘What happened on Isstvan is over,’ said Bra

‘“We” survived, brother? I don’t remember you at the dropsite.’

‘Through no fault of my own!’ snapped Bra

‘You misunderstand me, brother,’ said Agapito, with a sorrowful shake of the head. ‘It is not personal, but you can never understand what it was like to be there. I don’t begrudge your absence, I envy it.’

‘You haven’t talked about the dropsite at all, to me or the primarch,’ said Bra

‘No,’ said Agapito, stepping away. He signalled to his warriors to begin boarding as the launch bay lights dimmed in readiness for the main doors to open. Overhead, klaxons sounded the five-minute warning. ‘Some stories are best left untold. You do not want to know what I did at the dropsite.’

Bra

He watched as Agapito stood at the bottom of the ramp, counting off the squads as they ran into the Stormbird amid the thunderous falls of boots on metal. As the last of the legionaries passed him, Bra

‘Sergeant Nestil, a word,’ said the commander.

‘Yes, captain,’ said Nestil, coming to attention in front of Bra

‘What does this mean?’ asked Bra

‘Isstvan veteran, captain,’ replied the sergeant with no hint of reluctance. ‘There was no official campaign badge or honours issued, captain. We thought it would be good to remember the fallen.’

‘You have all taken this on?’ said Bra

‘All of us that fought there, yes, captain, at least in the Talons,’ said Nestil. He glanced towards Agapito, and Bra

‘Whose idea was this?’ asked Bra

‘I’m not sure, captain,’ admitted Nestil. He looked away, glancing again at Agapito. ‘It was just one of those ideas that seemed to catch on.’

‘Sorry to delay you, sergeant,’ said Bra

Not good, thought Bra

STRAPPED INTO HIS berth beside one of the viewing ports, Alpharius had a good view of Terra as the Stormbird dipped away from the Avenger. It had been a fortunate turn to be included in Corax’s honour guard and would provide, he hoped, a good opportunity to see the defences being prepared to welcome Horus. Aside from whatever else he might be asked to do, his role in the Raven Guard was to gather intelligence for the final, inevitable assault on the Emperor’s stronghold. Everything he could learn now would give the Warmaster and his allies a valuable warning of what to expect.

‘What is that?’ one of the legionaries asked from further down the compartment. Alpharius turned to see the other Raven Guard straining at their harnesses to look out of the starboard windows. ‘It’s bigger than a star fort!’

Alpharius could not see clearly from his position but glimpsed a massive vessel in low orbit. It seemed to stretch on and on, a gilded construction shaped like an eagle with outstretched wings, bedecked with fortified gun towers, lance batteries, missile tubes and bombardment ca