lord Guilliman, it is possible that their attacker was heading in the same direction.’
‘A substantial leap of logic, Ultramarine,’ Mhotep countered, unconvinced by Cestus’s impassioned arguments.
‘I cannot believe that the very ship carrying five companies of my battle-brothers and en route to Calth was destroyed before reaching Vangelis in a random art of xenos contrition,’ Cestus reasoned, his need for urgency fuelling his frustration.
‘How are we to find this slayer vessel, then?’ asked Skraal, thumbing the hilt of his chainaxe, the urge for carnage obvious.
‘If what you say is true, and the distress call you received from the vessel is old, the prey will be far from that location.’
Cestus sighed in agitation. He wished dearly that he could make his brothers see what was in his heart, what he knew in his gut. For now, though, he dared not, at least, not until he could make some sense of what he had seen. There was no time for delay.
47
Ben Counter – Battle for the Abyss
‘Our position on Vangelis bisects the route of the Fist of Macragge ; the route it would have taken to Calth. In short, it is ahead of the site of its demise. If we make ready at once, it is possible we may be able to catch the enemy’s trail.’
Silent faces regarded him. Even Brynngar did not look certain of the Ultramarine’s reasoning. Cestus realised that it was not logic that guided him on this course, but instinct and inner belief.
The image of Macragge seen for an instant in the flash of the reactor burned fresh in his mind, and he spoke.
‘I do not need your aid in this venture. I have already sent one of my battle-brothers to commandeer a vessel from this very station and I will take it to the site of the Fist of Macragge ’s last transmission. With luck we can pick up a trail to follow and find whoever is responsible for what happened to it. No, I do not need your aid, but I ask for it, humbly,’ he added, pushing the seat back and kneeling reverently before his fellow Astartes with head bowed.
Antiges was aghast at first, but then he too left the table and kneeled. The other Ultramarines followed his lead, and soon all six of Guilliman’s sons were genuflecting before the rest of the council.
‘The sons of Russ do not refuse an honour debt,’ said Brynngar, getting to his feet and laying Felltooth upon the table. ‘I will join you in this endeavour.’
Skraal stood next and set his chainaxe with the Space Wolf s rune blade.
‘The fury of the World Eaters is at your side.’
‘What say you, son of Magnus?’ Brynngar growled, his savage gaze falling upon Mhotep.
For a moment, the Thousand Son sat in calm reflection, considering his answer. He laid his ornate scimitar with the other weapons, its gilded blade humming with power as he unsheathed it.
‘My ship and I are at your disposal, Ultramarine.’
‘Bah! This council’s greatest opponent; I should like to know why,’ said Brynngar.
48
Ben Counter – Battle for the Abyss
Mhotep smirked with amusement at the Space Wolf’s rancour, but refused to be baited.
‘You all know of the events at Nikaea concerning my primarch and Legion, and the sanctions placed upon us that day,’ the Thousand Son said plainly. ‘I am keen to foster improved relations with my fellow Legions and where better to start than the vaunted sons of Roboute Guilliman.’ Mhotep nodded respectful-ly at the final remark, a deliberately weak attempt to cover the slight.
Cestus cared little for the discord between the two Astartes and arose, Antiges following his example.
‘You do me great service this day,’ Cestus said with genuine humility. ‘We meet at Coralis dock in one hour.’
THE SATURNINE FLEET had existed before the Great Crusade, carving out a miniature empire among the rings of Saturn. Its strength and longevity had been based on a tradition of navigational skill, essential to negotiate the infinitely complex puzzle of the rings. Its rolls of
‘A substantial leap of logic, Ultramarine,’ Mhotep countered, unconvinced by Cestus’s impassioned arguments.
‘I cannot believe that the very ship carrying five companies of my battle-brothers and en route to Calth was destroyed before reaching Vangelis in a random art of xenos contrition,’ Cestus reasoned, his need for urgency fuelling his frustration.
‘How are we to find this slayer vessel, then?’ asked Skraal, thumbing the hilt of his chainaxe, the urge for carnage obvious.
‘If what you say is true, and the distress call you received from the vessel is old, the prey will be far from that location.’
Cestus sighed in agitation. He wished dearly that he could make his brothers see what was in his heart, what he knew in his gut. For now, though, he dared not, at least, not until he could make some sense of what he had seen. There was no time for delay.
47
Ben Counter – Battle for the Abyss
‘Our position on Vangelis bisects the route of the Fist of Macragge ; the route it would have taken to Calth. In short, it is ahead of the site of its demise. If we make ready at once, it is possible we may be able to catch the enemy’s trail.’
Silent faces regarded him. Even Brynngar did not look certain of the Ultramarine’s reasoning. Cestus realised that it was not logic that guided him on this course, but instinct and inner belief.
The image of Macragge seen for an instant in the flash of the reactor burned fresh in his mind, and he spoke.
‘I do not need your aid in this venture. I have already sent one of my battle-brothers to commandeer a vessel from this very station and I will take it to the site of the Fist of Macragge ’s last transmission. With luck we can pick up a trail to follow and find whoever is responsible for what happened to it. No, I do not need your aid, but I ask for it, humbly,’ he added, pushing the seat back and kneeling reverently before his fellow Astartes with head bowed.
Antiges was aghast at first, but then he too left the table and kneeled. The other Ultramarines followed his lead, and soon all six of Guilliman’s sons were genuflecting before the rest of the council.
‘The sons of Russ do not refuse an honour debt,’ said Brynngar, getting to his feet and laying Felltooth upon the table. ‘I will join you in this endeavour.’
Skraal stood next and set his chainaxe with the Space Wolf s rune blade.
‘The fury of the World Eaters is at your side.’
‘What say you, son of Magnus?’ Brynngar growled, his savage gaze falling upon Mhotep.
For a moment, the Thousand Son sat in calm reflection, considering his answer. He laid his ornate scimitar with the other weapons, its gilded blade humming with power as he unsheathed it.
‘My ship and I are at your disposal, Ultramarine.’
‘Bah! This council’s greatest opponent; I should like to know why,’ said Brynngar.
48
Ben Counter – Battle for the Abyss
Mhotep smirked with amusement at the Space Wolf’s rancour, but refused to be baited.
‘You all know of the events at Nikaea concerning my primarch and Legion, and the sanctions placed upon us that day,’ the Thousand Son said plainly. ‘I am keen to foster improved relations with my fellow Legions and where better to start than the vaunted sons of Roboute Guilliman.’ Mhotep nodded respectful-ly at the final remark, a deliberately weak attempt to cover the slight.
Cestus cared little for the discord between the two Astartes and arose, Antiges following his example.
‘You do me great service this day,’ Cestus said with genuine humility. ‘We meet at Coralis dock in one hour.’
THE SATURNINE FLEET had existed before the Great Crusade, carving out a miniature empire among the rings of Saturn. Its strength and longevity had been based on a tradition of navigational skill, essential to negotiate the infinitely complex puzzle of the rings. Its rolls of
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