Unsettling Revelations
As the Imperium’s crusade rages on, a distress signal from the Blood Angels’ forces on One-Forty Twenty, also known as “Murder,” reaches the 63rd Expedition Fleet under Horus’ command. A task force from the Emperor’s Children, led by Lord Commander Eidolon, responds quickly, but their hasty drop onto the planet puts them at risk.
Chaos on Murder
Two companies of the Emperor’s Children, commanded by Captains Saul Tarvitz and Lucius, find themselves fighting for survival against the Megarachnids, the planet’s deadly insectoid inhabitants. Electromagnetic storms disrupt communication and scatter the Space Marines across the planet, making coordination nearly impossible.
Loken’s Dilemmas
While en route to Murder, Loken grapples with disturbing discoveries. He finds evidence of Sgt. Jubal’s membership in the secret Warrior Lodges, which have infiltrated several Legions. Loken is torn between his loyalty to the Imperium and his concerns about the lodges’ secrecy and potential sedition.
A Glimpse into the Lodges
Aximand invites Loken to a lodge meeting aboard the Vengeful Spirit, where he encounters Torgaddon, another member. The meeting reveals a surprising aspect of the lodges: they provide a space for Space Marines to bond as equals, without regard to rank or unit. Loken remains uncertain, recognizing both the potential benefits and risks of these clandestine gatherings.
Ominous Portents
Kyril Sindermann’s obsessive research into “Daemons” raises red flags for Loken. The iterator’s fixation on this topic has diminished his focus on spreading the Imperial Truth. Meanwhile, Mersadie Oliton requests Loken’s support for Ignace Karkasy’s work, citing the poet’s ability to convey unvarnished truth.
Euphrati Keeler’s Secret
Loken’s encounter with Euphrati Keeler, who has turned to heavy drinking and promiscuity, takes a dark turn when she reveals images from her picter. The pictures show a daemon wearing Astartes power armor, contradicting the official explanation for the events on 63-19. Keeler entrusts Loken with the picter, hoping he will do the right thing with the evidence.
The War on Murder
The Emperor’s Children regain the initiative on Murder, thanks in part to Saul Tarvitz’s insistence on destroying the planet’s eerie “trees.” The Luna Wolves’ relief force, led by Torgaddon’s company, arrives just as the tide of the war begins to shift. The conflict rages on for months, with the Megarachnids eventually all but exterminated.
An Unexpected Arrival
As the war draws to a close, a strange alien fleet appears, transmitting a musical language that criticizes the Imperial forces for ignoring their warnings. The newcomers identify themselves as the Interex, a human civilization that has been watching the Imperium’s actions with concern.
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