‘Make your report, assault command,’ barked the captain. ‘What in the pri­march’s name are you doing, Nem­etus?’

‘It is a trap, company command.’ Nem­etus’ communication came in clipped bursts. ‘Too obvious. Too easy. A false flank.’

It was not unreasonable to think that the enemy were aware of their parlous situation and expecting a boarding attack rather than a bombardment execution. If that was the case there would be anomalous energy readings around the original target point.

‘Augur control, display the directed surveyor data from the attack zone,’ Aeschelus announced, his gaze roaming the command deck until it fell upon Lerok. The surveyor officer seemed startled by the request.

‘Sorry, captain, there is no directed surveyor data.’

‘The oversight’s mine, brother-captain,’ Praxa­medes said quickly, stepping in front of her. ‘I followed boarding protocol, but it didn’t occur to me to order a direct scan. To do so would have compromised our ship-wide augur sweep to locate a boarding point or brought a significant delay to the action. It was made clear that speed was the greatest priority in launching the assault.’

Aeschelus frowned but could not fault the lieutenant’s answer. There was something curious about his behaviour, and the reaction of Lerok, but now was not the time to ponder it.

‘Assessment?’ he demanded, looking at Praxa­medes.

‘Lieutenant Nem­etus is assault command. He’s best placed to judge the matter and I accept his premise.’

‘Glad to hear that, brother-lieutenant,’ came Nem­etus’ voice over the vox.

His tone was flippant but the situation was far from casual, aggravating Aeschelus’ sense of unease. Initiative was well and good to a point, but a well-ordered and prepared battle plan was the underpinning of far more victories than individual acts.

‘Can we re-plot firing solutions to assist?’ Aeschelus asked.

‘Not unless the assault group breaks away and then commences a fresh approach,’ replied Praxa­medes.

‘Negative, company command,’ added Nem­etus. ‘If we take too long the enemy will just relocate their defence. If we strike now, we shall turn the ruse against the foe and catch them out of position.’

‘Accepted, assault command,’ said Aeschelus. ‘What do you require?’

‘Nothing, company command, everything is in hand. We are twenty seconds from target.’

Aeschelus stared at the videolith but there was nothing he could do from the strategium that would make any palpable difference to the mission. Not for the first time he wished he was aboard the gunship instead of Nem­etus, but that was not his primary role. Orders from the lord pri­march to the new Primaris cohort had been to risk less and learn more – the loss of experience for Fleet Quintus had been almost as damaging as the lost warriors.

‘Assault command, proceed as you see fit. For the Emperor!’