‘Numbers are building to the north and the south-east, brother-lieutenant.’ Vayoz pointed with his bolt pistol as he spoke. ‘We intercepted a fair number, but at least a company-strength formation at each. Warrior constructs, gravitic skimmers and those three-legged bastards. Support creatures too. A few thousand altogether, I would say.’

‘It seems they have learned the virtue of patience,’ said Nem­etus. ‘No more piecemeal attacks. Gathering for a concerted assault.’

‘We can cover one or the other, brother, but not both,’ said Vayoz. ‘The northern contingent seems bigger.’

The lieutenant considered his position, and asked himself what Praxa­medes would do in the same situation. Whether intended or not, Nem­etus was now responsible for the defence of the planet. A wrong choice – an ill-considered moment of rashness – threatened utter defeat. The thought troubled him more than any news about the massing enemy.

‘No, there is not much else we can do to prepare even if we have advance warning of the attack. We are ready. Resume patrol route alpha and pick off any stragglers you come across. They have been scattered and listless since we destroyed their command ship. There are bound to be more isolated pockets of enemies out there.’

‘So why are they getting organised now, lieutenant?’

It was a question to which Nem­etus had no answer to give.

‘Praise the lord pri­march,’ he said instead. ‘For Guilliman and the Emperor!’

‘For Guilliman and the Emperor!’ the outriders chorused before leaving in plumes of smoke and dust.

Nem­etus activated his armour’s vox-booster, hoping the Ithraca’s Vengeance was in orbit above. They had been shuttling soldiers and supplies along with a few remaining system craft, using the lifter facility to bring the troopers down to the surface. Several thousand had bolstered the defence in the last six hours.

‘Ship command, this is surface command. The enemy are delaying their approach and forming up for a more coordinated massed attack. Request disruptive bombardment.’

After a few seconds the vox hissed in response. Praxa­medes’ voice came through slightly muffled.

‘This is ship command. Surface bombardment is not possible at this time. We are detecting multiple incoming void signals, approaching at speed. Offloading last of our embarked troops so that we can manoeuvre and respond.’

‘The necron fleet is coming back?’

‘They’ll be on us within the hour, brother. Expect a concurrent assault on the surface.’

‘We are ready,’ said Nem­etus. ‘What is the captain’s plan?’

‘To protect orbital approach and keep your position secure. The necrons seem more focused on the planet than the orbital palaces for some reason. If we can keep them from landing more troops, you should be able to hold off what has already been deployed.’

‘I have a feeling that they are going to be harder to kill once the fleet comes back,’ said Nem­etus.

‘Is your sword arm tired, brother?’