‘I have researched the records of all the fighter aces currently active in this theatre. Shard, Gradeolous, even young Nocter. But hers was particularly fascinating, as is the entire family. There have been a few passable bio-picts on Horotha and Tazinia, but there is almost nothing of their seven children, despite all of them being prominent servants of the Imperium. I had the honour of working with Commissar Tobia von Shard following the Palatine Crusade, and I briefly met Confessor Maric von Shard in the aftermath of the Gigerian Cleansing. The former was even kind enough to provide a letter of introduction.’

‘If you say so, sir.’

There was something off about his tone. I still did not know the man well, but he was not adept at concealing his feelings.

‘Have I said something amiss, Plient?’

‘No,’ he replied. ‘It’s impressive that you have such a comprehensive knowledge of Flight Commander Shard’s history.’

‘It’s my duty. I have been commissioned to create a pict extolling the might of the Aeronautica Imperialis. The story needs a focal point, a lens through which the viewer can understand your world. Flight Commander Shard would make an excellent subject for my pict. In fact, I would be interested in one day overseeing her full bio-pict. When she eventually retires, of course.’

‘Or is shot down, sir.’

There it was again, that edge to his voice. But it was not anger, or even insubordination. It was more a detachment, as though he sought to part ways with my sentiments without quite refuting them.

‘You think that likely?’

‘She is the best we have, sir. But even the best can miscalculate, or suffer misfortune at a critical juncture.’

‘You sound rather morbid.’

‘I’m a little shaken, sir. That was closer than I wished.’

I realised then my foolishness. I had only seen flashes of the conflict from the pict screen, and that had been sufficient to terrify me. How quickly I forgot my fears once Flight Commander Shard made her appearance. It all felt ordained, like the savage greenskins were lured into a perfect trap. But our escorts were dead. And I would never know how close we had come to joining them.

‘Flight Sergeant Plient, I want to thank you,’ I said. ‘I am no expect on aerial combat, but I suspect if a less skilled pilot was at the helm I would not have survived. I owe you my life.’

‘Thank you, sir. But it was merely my duty.’

‘Still, at the very least I can immortalise you in the pict.’

His laughter was warm and genuine. ‘I thank you, sir. Truly. I will help in whatever way I can, but I am more comfortable viewing the vids than appearing in them.’

‘You enjoy them?’

‘Some of them, sir. I love parades, especially the music. It’s nice to see the Imperium at its best and be reminded of what we are protecting.’