'Precisely.’ the Iron-Father said smoothly. The primarch's body was never found. That is the commonly held version of events, but there are a number of different accounts that suggest Ferrus was found, and that he somehow survived. One tale says that his wrecked body was rescued and restored, that he was taken to Mars and that he resides there still.’

'But that is a rumour refuted by our Chapter, put about by certain factions among the Adeptus Mechanicus.’ Melchor declared, outraged.

'I know, brother. But there are other apocryphal writings in the annals of our Chapter, that I have studied, which speak of a similar series of events. These histories refer to Primarch Ferrus Manus as the "Ironclad", in a number of places in the text, and hint at what might have happened to him. In this text its now unknown author says that Ferrus Manus was rescued, on the brink of death, but rather than being taken to "the crucible of Mars by its servants", as the other legend tells, that the primarch was taken by, "the servants of Mars to the Crucible" and that he slept there for an eternity.’

Melchor and Strake looked at Gdolkin, dumbfounded.

'It cannot be.’ the Librarian gasped.

'By Medusa.’ the captain swore. 'I daren't believe it.'

'What if our primarch awaits us on that world? What if he lies in stasis-sleep on Crucible? What if that is the true prize that awaits Thule? Mighty Ferrus Manus, the Light-Bringer. If so then this is a cause for which I would readily lay down my life.’

The Iron-Father fixed each of the other Iron Hands in turn with his stern gaze.

'It is decided then.’ Iron-Captain Strake said, sounding somewhat distant, as though the revelation he had just heard had not yet had time to sink in.

'It is decided.’ Gdolkin said. Let enter the warp-storm.’

A course was set and strike cruiser Ajax broke orbit around Herod. Within twelve days the vessel had reached the roiling boundaries of the dissipating warpstorm and the Iron Hands, and their guests, felt its effects for the first time.

The Ajax was tossed about like a leaf in a hurricane or a twig trapped within a tempestuous ocean whirlpool. Tendrils of discharging energy, with the force of solar flares, lashed the shields of the ship, draining power levels across the strike cruiser. The craft's ancient engines battled to keep the Ajax on course, flying in the face of the dissipating warpstorm.

It was not only the ship that suffered the effects of the anomaly's death-throes. Not only was there the physical shaking of the ship, something akin to an earthquake, which only Iron-Captain Strake seemed

truly unaffected by, but there were also the biological and mental side effects. Those on board suffered migraines, nosebleeds and an unfortunate few - but none among the more resilient Space Marines - fatal embolisms.

But of those who survived the experience none suffered more greatly than Librarian Melchor.