Read Online Galaxy in Flames by Ben Counter - Free Book Online

scornful glance he gave no sign of it.
    ‘The palace is one of Praal’s most likely locations,’ said Horus. ‘Therefore, the palace is one of our most important objectives. The palace must be taken, the Choral City’s leadership destroyed, and Praal killed. He is a traitor, so I do not expect or wish him to be taken alive.’
    Finally, the holo zoomed in on a curious mass of stonework some way east of the Precentor’s Palace. To Loken’s untutored eye, it looked like a collection of church spires or temples, sacred buildings heaped one on top of one another over the centuries.
    ‘This is the Sirenhold and my Sons of Horus will lead the attack on it,’ said Horus. ‘Choral City’s revolt appears to be religious in nature and the Sirenhold was the spiritual heart of the city. According to Corax’s reports, this was the seat of the old pagan religion that was supposed to have been dismantled. It is presumed that it still exists and that the leadership of that religion will be found here. This is another likely location for Vardus Praal, so again I do not require prisoners, only destruction.’ For the first time, Loken saw the battlefield he would soon be fighting on. The Sirenhold looked like difficult ground to take: massive, complicated structures creating a confusing multi-levelled warren with plenty of places to hide. Dangerous ground.
    That was why the Warmaster had sent his own Legion to take it. He knew they could do it.
    The holo zoomed out again to a view of the planet itself.
    ‘Preliminary operations will involve the destruction of the monitoring stations on the seventh planet of Isstvan Extremis,’ said Horus. ‘When the rebels are blind the invasion of Isstvan III will commence. The units chosen to lead the first wave will deploy by drop-pod and gunship, with a second wave ready in reserve. I trust you all understand what is required of your Legions.’
    ‘I only have one question, Warmaster,’ said Angron.
    ‘Speak,’ said Horus.
    ‘Why do we plan this attack with such precision when a single, massive strike will do the job just as well?’
    ‘You object to my plans, Angron?’ Horus asked carefully.
    ‘Of course I object,’ spat Angron. ‘We have four Legions, Titans and starships at our disposal, and this is just one city. We should hit it with everything we have and slaughter them in the streets. Then we will see how many on this planet have the stomach to rebel. But no, you would have us kill them one by one and pick off their leaders as if we are here to preserve this world. Rebellion is in the people, Horus. Kill the people and the rebellion ends.’
    ‘Lord Angron,’ said Eidolon reasonably, ‘you speak out of turn—’
    ‘Hold your tongue in the presence of your betters,’ snarled Angron. ‘I know what you Emperor’s Children think of us, but you mistake our directness for stupidity. Speak to me again without my consent and I will kill you.’
    ‘Angron!’
    Horus’s voice cut through the building tension and the primarch of the World Eaters turned his murderous attention away from Eidolon.
    ‘You place little value on the lives of your World Eaters,’ said Horus, ‘and you believe in the way of war you have made your own, but that does not place you beyond my authority. I am the Warmaster, the commander of everyone and everything that falls under the aegis of the Great Crusade. Your Legion will deploy according to the orders I have given you. Is that clear?’
    Angron nodded curtly as Horus turned to Eidolon. ‘Lord Commander Eidolon, you are not among equals here, and your presence in this war council is dependent upon my good graces, which will be rapidly worn thin should you conduct yourself as if Fulgrim was here to nursemaid you.’
    Eidolon rapidly recovered his composure. ‘Of course, my Warmaster, I meant no disrespect. I shall ensure that my Legion is prepared for the assault on Isstvan Extremis and the capture of the Precentor’s Palace.’
    Horus switched