Noriz appeared last, crested helmet under one arm, a long cloak of scarlet trailing from his armour. He seemed very young for a captain to Corax’s eye, his head covered in a short-cropped nest of blond curls, bright blue eyes fixing immediately upon the primarch. The captain swallowed hard and continued to stare at Corax.
‘Is there something amiss, captain?’ asked the primarch.
‘No, not at all,’ said Noriz. ‘We thought… We did not expect to encounter Raven Guard, much less yourself, primarch.’
‘And why would that be?’
Noriz’s discomfort increased.
‘We have received word that you were all dead,’ he said quietly. ‘The Raven Guard, Salamanders and Iron Hands… We, that is Legion command, were told that there had been no survivors from Isstvan.’
‘I am pleased to contradict such rumours in person,’ said Corax. ‘As you can see, the Raven Guard continue to serve the Emperor.’
The captain said nothing in reply. Corax realised that Noriz had to consider an alternative explanation for the Raven Guard’s survival: that they were loyal to Horus.
‘I understand your suspicions, captain,’ said the primarch. ‘When so few have survived such treachery, it is hard to believe we did so without collusion. I would assuage your doubts in any way that I can. Whatever assurances you require, we will provide them.’
‘My apologies for this necessary inspection, primarch,’ said Noriz, eyes averted. ‘I am under standing orders to conduct a search of every vessel entering this quadrant without authorisation.’
‘The Raven Guard will cooperate in any way we can,’ replied Corax. ‘We understand well the need for security at this time. What do you require of us?’
Noriz looked along the line of Raven Guard officers: a row of scarred faces regarding him with distaste bordering on hostility. He sought sanctuary in the more welcoming expression of Corax.
‘We are ordered to conduct a thorough search of the ship and all personnel aboard, primarch.’ He glanced back at his legionaries. ‘We shall conduct our investigation in ten teams, if that is possible. If you would appoint a liaison officer, I can brief him on the details of the process.’
‘I do not wish to be delayed, captain,’ said Corax. ‘I am on my way to an audience with the Emperor.’
‘I am sure that, with your cooperation, we can be thorough and efficient, primarch,’ said Noriz. ‘It should take no longer than a couple of days.’
‘Very well,’ said Corax, though the thought of being kept here for any longer irked the primarch. He pointed to Branne. ‘Commander Branne is captain of this vessel, you may conduct all communication through him. He will make other officers available to assist your inspection. All holds, bays, storage areas, weapons lockers and barracks will be opened to your men. I shall have my Legion prepared for the inspection.’
‘Thank you, primarch,’ said Noriz. He looked as though he was about to say something else, but stopped himself. Corax was not sure, but he had the sense that Noriz had wanted to offer more than just gratitude: sympathy perhaps. ‘We will begin our inspection immediately.’
FIVE
Inspection and Appraisal
Arrival at Terra
Malcador
ALONG WITH THE rest of his company, Alpharius stood to attention in one of the primary cargo bays. The order had gone out across the Avengerfor all squads and crews to make ready for an inspection. In full armour, bearing their weapons, the Raven Guard had turned out en masse, filling the flight bays, storage areas, gun decks and mess chambers with rank upon rank of warriors.
The Alpha Legionnaire waited patiently while an officer in the livery of the Imperial Fists, introduced as Captain Noriz, prowled between the ranks, checking every legionary in turn. Every now and then he would ask a question, probing for some hint that the Raven Guard were traitors.
‘Do they think the rebels are just going to turn up and ask to see the Emperor?’ muttered Doril to his left.
‘Maybe they think we’re on some kind of scouting mission for Horus,’ replied Ordin, standing on Alpharius’s right. ‘They probably have no idea who is friend and foe.’
‘It’d be a pretty brazen Traitor to turn up with just one battle-barge,’ said Doril. ‘If that’s Horus’s strategy this’ll be over in a year. I don’t know why the primarch is allowing this.’
‘Because he has nothing to hide,’ said Alpharius. ‘Every Legion is under suspicion at the moment, and nobody, least of all Dorn, is going to take anyone’s loyalty for granted.’
‘Well, I’ve got a scar on my left arm from a World Eater chainaxe if this jumped-up policeman wants any proof of my loyalty,’ said Ordin.
‘Quiet!’ snapped Sergeant Dor.
They fell silent as Captain Noriz continued his tour through the lines. Alpharius stayed calm as the captain approached from the left and stopped in front of him. His helmet was on his belt, leaving him fully exposed to the scrutiny of the others, but there was nothing outward that would betray his true identity. He met the Imperial Fist’s gaze with an emotionless stare as the captain eyed him closely.
There were no questions. Noriz moved on further down the line. Alpharius quashed the urge to sigh with relief, realising how tense he had become, even though he had kept his exterior utterly placid.
Soon enough, the order to disperse was given and the company broke into squads.
‘What next, sergeant?’ Ordin asked as they filed out of the chamber.
‘The Imperial Palace,’ replied Dor with a grin.
DESPITE FINDING NO hint of suspicious activity on his inspection, Captain Noriz insisted that his orders required the Imperial Fists contingent to remain aboard the Avengeruntil it reached Terra. Not wishing to create more problems, Corax agreed, placing him under the stewardship of Branne. As ship’s captain, it was his responsibility to accommodate the visitor and Branne did his best to be helpful and cordial, if not outright friendly. Noriz did not make the task any easier; he was a tight-lipped warrior, monosyllabic for much of the time, unwilling to shake a certain distrust of his hosts.
The journey from the translation point to Terra would take eleven days, during which time Noriz was invited by the primarch to brief him and his command council on the current intelligence regarding Horus and the situation at Isstvan.
They convened in the command chamber beside the strategium, Corax choosing to stand while the others were sat around the table. As a courtesy, Noriz had brought over some personal stores from his strike cruiser before despatching it to continue on patrol, and so there were several bottles of wine, plates of fresh meat and bowls of ripe fruit for the council to enjoy. Branne would have been grateful for the gesture, had it not been performed in a manner that indicated Noriz believed it his honour-bound duty to offer this gift rather than acting out of genuine comradeship for his fellow legionaries. For all that, the commander showed no hesitation in consuming the fresh provisions with gusto, as did the other commanders.
‘You must be aware that I am not privy to high levels of intelligence,’ Noriz began, casting a worried glance at Corax, who stood a little apart from the rest of them, looming over the group like a shadowy statue.
‘Just tell us what you already know,’ said the primarch.
‘Details are scarce, as you might expect,’ said the Imperial Fist. His uncertainty continued, either from genuine lack of knowledge or reluctance to share what he knew with the Raven Guard. ‘Some of our Legion were sent to Isstvan and are still unaccounted for. The rest are garrisoning Terra and dealing with the Martian situation.’
‘What situation?’ said Solaro. ‘What is happening on Mars?’
‘Insurrection, bordering on civil war,’ replied the captain with a sour expression. ‘It seems Horus has allies within the Mechanicum as well as the Legiones Astartes and Imperial Army.’