'But we cannot dismiss the fact that any Imperial territories bordering the Eye of Terror could come under attack by the rampaging Chaos hordes and our world itself will face a full frontal attack, simply because of the threat it poses to the enemy due to the presence here of an Adeptus Astartes Chapter.’

'There is nothing the enemy desires more than to be revenged upon those who remained loyal to the Emperor during the Heresy.’ Axagoras rumbled.

Then I take it that the defence of Medusa is our prime concern in this coming conflict.’ Gdolkin stated. What mission would you have me undertake to further this goal?'

'You are correct, of course. The defence of Medusa is our prime concern at this time.’ Dozeph Imanol confirmed.

'But the role you must fulfil in the coming conflict cannot be here on Medusa.’ Iron-Commander Pelles stated firmly, no hint of appeasement in his tone or his expression. This was just how it was going to be.

Gdolkin felt a melange of shock, surprise, anger and confusion vie for control within him. Was he to be denied the honour, nay the very right, to defend his own homeworld? The Iron Hands were nothing without Medusa, their mother world. It was she who formed them to become the strongest and most inde-fatiguable of all the Adeptus Astartes Chapters, just as the harsh planet had shaped Ferrus Manus, their pri-march. 'But my lords-' Gdolkin began, composing himself. There are strategies in place to defend our world.’ the warleader said, ignoring Gdolkin's protests, his voice sounding even more artificial than the voxpon-der-distorted ones of the dreadnoughts. 'You have a part to play elsewhere.’ Gdolkin said nothing.

Now it was Brother Avidan's turn to speak. 'We have received an astropathic message from the Adeptus Mechanicus based on the forge world of Fornax Orbis Majoris. The Chaos forces have already made devastating advances in their initial push throughout the Achilles subsector. The forge world is besieged by traitors from within the billions-strong indentured workforce on the planet as well as by the traitor brethren of the corrupted Death Guard. The Adeptus Mechanicus there have requested our aid for what they describe as a vital mission.’ Avidan offered this information as if by way of explanation even though Gdolkin had asked for none.

'Regiments of the Imperial Guard have been deployed on Fornax Orbis Majoris.’ Imanol added, his tone almost scoffing, 'but unsurprisingly the servants of the Machine God there tell us that their position is becoming untenable. They need the aid of true warriors, the Emperor's finest, the Adeptus Astartes.’

'So, what is this mission?' Gdolkin asked coldly.

'Ever suspicious and clandestine about their affairs, at this time the Adeptus Mechanicus have not yet revealed the details of the mission to us. However.’ Avidan went on, 'in their correspondence with our Chapter the tech-magi have made use of highly secret passwords and called on ancient oaths made between the Iron Hands and their organisation in ages past. What they have revealed to us is that the success of this mission could make all the difference regarding the Imperium's retaliation against the Despoiler's thirteenth Black Crusade.’