Heavy bolter fire banged out behind him, very close. Felix spun around, ready to fight again, only to see a mud-caked squad of six Genesis Chapter Centurions covering his back. Their guns ceased fire. Four Plague Marines were slipping to the ground, multiple holes in their bodies weeping fluid of unhealthy hue. A meltagun fell into the thick muck in the trench from the hands of the lead traitor.

The sergeant of the Centurion squad saluted Felix, raising his massive powered fist and the underslung heavy weapon to his forehead.

‘You have my thanks,’ said Felix. ‘If you had not intervened, my life would be over.’

‘We are all brothers under our colours, lord tetrarch’ said the sergeant. ‘Every one of us is a son of the primarch. I would brave the jaws of the warp to secure your life, my lord. In your office, the great days are born again. We stand united against the old enemy.’

Felix quickly scanned the scene. Imperial Space Marines were coming over the edge of the trench all along its length. The Land Speeders had completed their mission further behind enemy lines and had turned back to strafe the trenches. His view was restricted; Felix could see no further than the nearest bunker. For the first time since he had reached the trench, he paid attention to his tactical displays and called up a cartograph. Tactical data was being broadcast without interference to the battlegroup. Felix scanned an overlay of the trench system. Small knots of Plague Marines were holding out nearby.

‘Where is your captain?’ asked Felix.

‘We cannot reach him,’ said the sergeant. ‘We became separated from our company in the advance. Tracking their locator beacons in this environment is proving hard.’

‘Exload your identities to me.’

The sergeant did so.

‘You are of the Fifth Company?’

‘Yes, my lord.’

Felix pulled up the location of the Genesis Chapter sergeant’s comrades from the welter of tactical data flooding his helm. His own squads had emerged some distance away. There was a knot of enemies closer, and on the other side the Genesis Chapter’s Fifth Company.

‘I have them,’ he said. ‘Your brothers are that way.’ He pointed. ‘Though the enemy are nearer. Perhaps you would join me in their slaughter before you rejoin your brothers, for the glory of Greater Ultramar, and the Imperium of Man?’

They did not hesitate.

‘We will come with you, and aid you. Our brothers can wait, tetrarch. We all march for Macragge.’

‘As do I.’ Malcades’ giant frame emerged from the other side of the trench works. He shifted to retain his balance on the soft ground.

Felix surveyed the core of his little army. Other Space Marines were moving in his direction, their progress impeded by the condition of the earth. He was relieved to see they were of his command.

‘Onwards,’ he said. ‘For Ultramar.’