Or so it had seemed. Now, in the slower time-reel, Praxa­medes saw the sequence more clearly. The conduits were being shut down as the Ithraca’s Vengeance opened fire, and excess plasma was vented to the void. Not a safety measure, but a deliberate act to recreate the appearance of a reactor breach.

‘If this was faked, that means the whole ruse with the loading gates was part of a bigger plan,’ said Lerok. ‘That’s what I can’t work out. Is it worth the risk of being blown to the abyss and back just to lure aboard a few squads of Space Marines?’

‘Captain!’ Praxa­medes turned away from her, filled with sudden misgiving, and then turned back as thoughts collided with each other and formed a daunting theory. ‘Full augur scan of the plasma trails in the debris field, Officer Catriolis. If the whole engagement has been staged, we have to assume that the location is equally pre-determined.’

‘What is it, Praxa­medes?’ Aeschelus demanded. ‘Nem­etus is about to breach the enemy strategium. This is a critical moment.’

‘We have to pull them out, brother-captain,’ announced Praxa­medes, discarding his usual caution. ‘This entire engagement is an elaborate trap.’

Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

With the heat of recently discharged melta rifles warping the air in front of them, the Eradicators moved up towards the armoured gateway that barred entry to the main strategium. Intercessors were stationed at important entry points around the position, ready to hold against any counter-attack. The two squads of Incursors were further afield, their scouting role now changed to one of roving picket to bring early warning of enemy dispositions.

‘Remember that we need to claim the cogitation banks intact,’ Nem­etus told his warriors as he backed away from the portal. ‘No collateral damage. Mark every target before firing.’

‘Understood, brother-lieutenant,’ replied their sergeant as the squad came to a halt facing the gate. ‘On your command.’

‘Audacity, with me on breach.’ Movement behind Nem­etus drew his eye to Judiciar Admonius, who hefted his executioner’s relic blade in meaningful fashion. ‘Honoured to fight at your side, brother.’

He took a moment to assure himself that all was in order. It had been one of the most straightforward encounters he had known – though his frontline experience was limited. Even now the enemy showed little sign of making a concerted effort to stop them accessing the command bridge. Whatever officer corps or Traitor Astartes had commanded the vessel earlier, there was no sign of them now. It was entirely possible that they had fled while the Ithraca’s Vengeance had closed in. A small gunship or saviour boat could easily evade detection at range, using the energy signature and bulk of the ship itself to mask its exit.