‘Then he shows himself deliberately,’ said Guilliman. ‘Daedallos has little strategic importance. He is seeking to draw you out and put you on guard.’

‘He has done more than that. We have reports of his presence in four of the core systems. Wherever he goes, rebellion follows. Lately, he has changed his approach, and gathered a large fleet to himself. He is holding position in the Macragge system itself. His fleet is too large for defence fleets to directly engage, but too small to attack the Macraggian prime world. Ardium is blockaded, and two of its hives under attack. His presence has led to a wave of unrest across all six planets of the home system. Our people are not immune to the draw of Chaos. We spend much of our time putting down death cults, or dealing with outbreaks of disease. Under the cover of these distractions, he sends in small strike teams to attack crucial infrastructure. I would not say that Macragge is under siege, but it is close to being so.’

‘What is his game, I wonder?’ mused Guilliman to himself, his voice dwindling to a whisper. ‘These attacks,’ he said firmly. ‘They appear random, but they will not be.’

‘My Lord Calgar assumed so. He is yet to determine their intent.’

Guilliman appeared displeased. ‘These are poor tidings,’ said Guilliman. ‘But Espandor is not yet taken?’

‘Espandor stands,’ said Ventris. ‘The enemy has been gradually escalating their attacks on Espandor Prime, but Fifth Captain Phelian has thwarted them all, and they have not been able to make sufficient gains elsewhere that would allow the traitors to concentrate their assets and overwhelm the system. While its supply lines are open, Espandor will not fall.’

‘That is at least something.’

‘My lord, I do not mean to dampen your mood, but Espandor cannot hold out for long. All the system worlds besides the prime are in the hands of the foe, and their ships resupply freely there.’

‘Hmm,’ said Guilliman, once more lapsing into thought. ‘Come with me,’ he said abruptly. The primarch set off alongside the crawler. Sixteen giant wheels lined the side, twice Guilliman’s height, their hard plastek treads caked with sand. ‘What is the composition of the other forces?’

‘A smaller fleet of Death Guard ships terrorises the outer regions,’ replied Ventris. ‘The lead vessel appears to be the Terminus Est. This is the ship of–’

‘Callas Typhon, First Captain of the Death Guard.’

‘That was once his name, so the legends go. He is known as Typhus to us.’

‘Yes, of course,’ said Guilliman.