‘One other thing, captain. We have managed to break down the star base’s ident signal,’ Oloris added. ‘It is called Leshk Station. Imperial Navy channel.’

‘Pass that to Lieutenant Nem­etus. It might give him what he needs to identify the system from the records data we have aboard.’

Oloris nodded and withdrew from the console, leaving the controls free for Aeschelus. The captain looked at the broadcast data that scrolled across an identifier screen. The line of numerals and symbols was meaningless, just standard datascript. The only thing it told him was that the signal used an Imperial carrier wave. It repeated, indicating an automated broadcast of some kind. That was little reassurance. The most basic of subterfuges could be used to mask a xenos origin, or the transmitter might physically be in enemy hands.

With a deep breath, Aeschelus accepted the signal code, transferring the message to the voxmitter in the console itself. A woman’s voice crackled from the speaker.

‘This is Sister-Chatelain Aures speaking on behalf of Imperial Commander Kaleb Monfrottine Lowensten, ruler by appointment and divine right of the Imperial Territories of Orestes under the auspices of the Adepts of Terra and the Master of Mankind. On behalf of said territories, Commander Lowensten offers immediate and unconditional surrender. We are powerless against this assault, and to preserve against unnecessary casualties the Imperial Commander grants you free passage to his worlds but for the sovereign territory of the Orestes Orbital Palaces. These grounds are to remain inviolate. There will be no aggression towards your occupation of the system. All force will be deployed to defend the household of the Imperial commander.’

The message hissed and began a new loop. Aeschelus shut down the speaker with a growl, the contents of the transmission like acid on his nerves.

‘Cowards.’ He turned to find the shipmaster still on hand. ‘Capitulation in the face of the enemy is a heresy against the Emperor.’

‘Indeed, captain, a very grave crime. The signal is still broadcasting, so I would wager that either the Imperial commander is dead, or the enemy have not accepted the surrender.’

‘If he is not dead, he will wish he was when we get to him,’ said Aeschelus, returning to his command throne. ‘Also, you can tell Nem­etus that he need not spend any more time with star charts and records. Orestes System. I saw it when we were calculating our last jump. About six light years short of Casparill. We were not too short of our target.’

‘I have never heard of a Sister-Chatelain before, captain. She did not sound pleased with the message she was relating.’