Emerald light heralded the arrival of the enemy, glowing from eyeplates and flickering bulbs that protruded from their spines. Like giant arthropods, the creatures did not walk but emerged from the tunnel on glimmering banks of anti-gravitic power, spine-like tails swaying as they rose up into the larger corridor. Not one creature but five, following the lead alien like a serpent follows its head, seeming a single foe that suddenly became a handful. Green beams flared and the Bladeguard pushed to the attack, raised shields deflecting the probing rays. Moving with them, Aeschelus felt the weight of the shield not as a physi­cal thing – his physiology and armour more than compensated for its mass – but a mental burden. Never had an award been given with so much expectation attached. A reminder from heroes past that nothing less was required of him in the future.

Bolt-fire from ahead announced that the Incursors were under attack too, the flash of their weapons throwing large shadows along the passage, of something floating and arachnid-like. More of the scarabs burst out of smaller entry ports, lashing at feet and legs, grappling at the Space Marines’ greaves as they tried to charge the apparitions before them. Aeschelus was forced to stop and kick away two of the creatures, shots from the Intercessors behind him blowing them apart as they skittered back to their feet. With the bolt detonations of their companions shrieking from the deck around them, the Bladeguard, captain and Judiciar plunged into the new arrivals, the gleaming blue of their powered blades shimmering into the jade gleam of their foes.

‘Onwards!’ Aeschelus told his battle-brothers. ‘Every heartbeat of delay cedes the momentum to our foes! Give every instant your greatest effort, for anything less will see opportunity relinquished.’

Long claws lashed at Aeschelus, trying to rip his shield from his grip. A faceless head on a serpentine neck craned over its top. Slender beams flickered over his helm’s face as the creature scanned him. He drove his forehead into it, hard ceramite cracking the questing appendage even as his sword rose up and sheared off two of the forelimbs clutching his shield.

‘Brother-captain, we have found some kind of energy source.’ Incursor Sergeant Lato’s report came with gasps of effort and to a backdrop of bolt-round detonations. ‘Clusters of cabling and glowing orbs.’

‘On our way, hold position,’ Aeschelus answered, turning aside another flailing limb with the flat of his blade before plunging the tip into the ribcage-like torso of his attacker. He almost stumbled, his boot finding no purchase as it came down onto a scarab trying to blast at the sole of his foot. He crashed sideways into one of the Bladeguard, who righted him with a shove whilst fending off another necron construct with his shield.