‘I am a servant of the Imperium,’ I said. ‘I take what it provides.’

He nodded. ‘Naturally. But, in His wisdom, the God-Emperor tends to provide the best for those He deems most worthy. I should know.’

He laughed again, the bellows echoing along the corridor. I waited for it to subside, my gaze flickering to my cases. The seer-skulls were mercifully in place, Mizar having had the good sense to join its siblings. I had yet to examine the footage it had captured, as whatever it had uploaded into my head was too disjointed to interpret.

Gradeolous clapped his hand against his knee, taking a seat on one side of the bed, the other lurching alarmingly upwards.

‘Ha!’ he exclaimed one final time, wiping tears from his eyes on his sleeve. ‘But enough banter. I’m here to save you.’

‘Save me?’

‘Yes,’ he said, nodding. ‘It’s no secret that you seek to document the glory of the Aeronautica Imperialis. A worthy goal, but one you will not achieve without a suitable subject.’

He offered a pained smile, as though regretting that circumstances required him to impart this self-evident truth. His hands were spread wide, expression suggesting he expected some response. I nodded, hoping this was sufficient. His smile widened, flashing a set of almost-too-white teeth. It occurred to me an ork performing a similar gesture would be issuing a threat.

‘That’s why I am here,’ he said. ‘Your pict now has its lead.’

I knew not how to respond. His record suggested he was suitable, and he was clearly keen to appear on the pict screen. He was presentable enough, despite his slightly brutish manner.

But I still did not like that smile. Or those cold dead eyes.

‘I am currently collecting footage from a variety of sources, but when time permits, I would be delighted to conduct another interview–’

‘No, that won’t do,’ he said, raising a hand to silence me. ‘No need to be coy. I know of Shard’s attempts to hog the limelight. I’m not surprised, the woman’s ego is legendary, and Prospherous sadly favours her. Did you know I was to fly the Valkyrie on your first foray into the swamps? But she stole my position. That was nothing short of reckless. She was half-cut from the previous night, and her inebriation might have jeopardised the mission.’

‘Perhaps. But it wasn’t her idea, I–’

He was suddenly on his feet, towering over me, his vast frame blocking the sunlight streaming through the window. A weighty hand rested on my shoulder.

‘I know it’s complicated,’ he said. ‘All commanders have their favourites, and she has a certain brashness that some find… appealing. But following that mission I expect any appeal has waned.’

‘Maybe. But at least I had some to start with.’