'I think I might like to.'

That's good. You'll be given a medal to cany, just as a token. And if anyone asks you about any lodge confidence, the answer is "I can't say". There's nothing else really'

'I've misjudged this thing,' Loken said. 'I made it quite a daemon in my head, imagining the worst.’

'I understand. Particularly given the matter of poor Jubal. And given your own staunch character.’

'Am I... to replace Jubal?'

'It's not a matter of replacement.’ Litde Horns said, 'and anyway, no. Jubal was a member, though he hadn't attended any meetings in years. That's why we forgot to palm away his medal before your inspection. There's your danger sign, Garvi. Not that Jubal was a member, but that he was a member and had seldom attended. We didn't know what was going on in his head. If he'd come to us and shared, we might have pre-empted the horror you endured at the Whisperheads.’

'But you told me I was to replace someone.’ Loken said.

Yes. Udon. We miss him.’

'Udon was a lodge member?'

Aximand nodded. 'A long-time brother, and, by the way, go easy on Vipus.’

Loken went over to where Nero Vipus was sitting, beside the canister fire. The lively yellow flames jumped

into the dark air and sent stray sparks oscillating away into the black. Vipus looked uncomfortable, toying with the heal-seam of his new hand.

'Nero?'

'Garviel. I was bracing myself for this.’

Wiy?'

'Because you... because you didn't want anyone in your command to...'

'As I understand it.’ Loken said, 'and forgive me if I'm wrong, because I'm new to this, but as I understand it, the lodge is a place for free speech and openness. Not discomfort.’

Nero smiled and nodded. 'I was a member of the lodge long before I came into your command. I respected your wishes, but I couldn't leave the brotherhood. I kept it hidden. Sometimes, I thought about asking you to join, but I knew you'd hate me for it.’

You're the best friend I have.’ Loken said. 'I couldn't hate you for anything.’

The medal though. Jubal's medal. When you found it, you wouldn't let the matter go.’

'And all you said was "I can't say". Spoken like a true lodge member.’

Nero sniggered.

'By the way.’ Loken said. 'It was you, wasn't it?'

ЛУ1Ш?'

4Vho took Jubal's medal.’

'I told Captain Aximand about your interest, just so he knew, but no, Garvi. I didn't take the medal.’

WHEN THE MEETING closed, Loken walked away along one of the vast service tunnels that ran the length of the ship's bilges. Water dripped from the rusted roof, and oil rainbows shone on the dirty lakes across the deck.

Torgaddon ran to catch up with him.

'Well?' he asked.

'I was surprised to see you there.’ said Loken.

'I was surprised to see you there.’ Torgaddon replied. 'A starch-arse like you?'

Loken laughed. Torgaddon ran ahead and leapt up to slap his palm against a pipe high overhead. He landed with a splash.

Loken chuckled, shook his head, and did the same, slapping higher than Torgaddon had managed.

The pipe clang echoed away from them down the tunnel.

'Under the engineerium.’ Torgaddon said, 'the ducts are twice as high, but I can touch them.’

'You lie.’

'I'll prove it.’

'We'll see.’

They walked on for a while. Torgaddon whistled the Legion March loudly and tunelessly.

'Nothing to say?' he asked at length.

'About what?'

'Well, about that.’

'I was misinformed. I understand better now.’

'And?'

Loken stopped and looked at Torgaddon. 'I have only one worry.’ he said. 'The lodge meets in secret, so, logically, it is good at keeping itself secret. I have a problem with secrets.’

'Which is?'

'If you get good at keeping them, who knows what kind you'll end up keeping.’

Torgaddon maintained a straight face for as long as possible and then exploded in laughter. 'No good.’ he spluttered. 'I can't help it. You're so straight up and down.’

Loken smiled, but his voice was serious. 'So you keep telling me, but I mean it, Tarik. The lodge hides itself so well. It's become used to hiding things. Imagine what it could hide if it wanted to.’

The fact that you're a starch-arse?' Torgaddon asked. 'I think that's common knowledge.’ 'It is. It so is!' Torgaddon chuckled. He paused. 'So... will you attend again?' 'I can't say.’ Loken replied.

Chosen instrument

Rare picts

The Emperor protects

FOUR FULL COMPANIES of the Luna Wolves had dropped into the clearing, and the megarachnid forces had perished beneath their rapacious onslaught, those that had not fled back into the shivering forests. A block of smoke, as black and vast as a mountainside, hung over the battlefield in the cold night air. Xenos bodies covered the ground, curled and shrivelled like metal shavings.

'Captain Torgaddon.’ the Luna Wolf said, introducing himself formally and making the sign of the aquila.

'Captain Tarvitz.’ Tarvitz responded. 'My thanks and respect for your intervention.'

The honour's mine, Tarvitz.’ Torgaddon said. He glanced around the smouldering field. 'Did you really assault here with only six men?'

'It was the only workable option in the circumstances.’ Tarvitz replied.

Nearby, Bulle was freeing Lucius from the wad of megarachnid cement.

'Are you alive?' Torgaddon asked, looking over.

Lucius nodded sullenly, and set himself apart while he picked die scabs of cement off his perfect armour. Torgaddon regarded him for a moment, then turned his attention to the vox intel.

'How many with you?' Tarvitz asked.

'A speartip.’ said Torgaddon. 'Four companies. A moment, please. Second Company, form up on me! Luc, secure the perimeter. Bring up the heavies. Serghar, cover the left flank! Verulam... I'm waiting! Front up the right wing.’

The vox crackled back.

'Who's the commander here?' a voice demanded.

'I am.’ said Torgaddon, swinging round. Flanked by a dozen of the Emperor's Children, the tall, proud figure of Lord Eidolon crunched towards them across the fuming white slag.

'I am Eidolon.’ he said, facing Torgaddon.

Torgaddon.’

'Under the circumstances.’ Eidolon said, 'I'll understand if you don't bow.’

'I can't for the life of me imagine any circumstances in which I would.’ Torgaddon replied.

Eidolon's bodyguards wrenched out their combat blades.

'What did you say?' demanded one.

'I said you boys should put those pig sticks away before I hurt somebody with them.’

Eidolon raised his hand and the men sheathed their swords. 'I appreciate your intervention, Torgaddon, for the situation was grave. Also, I understand that the Luna Wolves are not bred like proper men, with proper manners. So I'll overlook your comment.’

'That's Captain Torgaddon.’ Torgaddon replied. 'If I insulted you, in any way, let me assure you, I meant to.’

'Face to face with me.’ Eidolon growled, and tore off his helm, forcing his genhanced biology to cope with the atmosphere and the radioactive wind. Torgaddon did the same. They stared into each other's eyes.

Tarvitz watched the confrontation in mounting disbelief. He'd never seen anyone stand up to Lord Eidolon.

The pair were chest-plate to chest-plate, Eidolon slighdy taller. Torgaddon seemed to be smirking.

'How would you like this to go, Eidolon?' Torgaddon inquired. 'Would you, perhaps, like to go home with your head stuck up your arse?'

Той are a base-born cur.’ Eidolon hissed.

'Just so you know.’ replied Torgaddon, 'you'll have to do an awful lot better than that. I'm a base-born cur and proud of it. You know what that is?'

He pointed up at one of the stars above them.

A star?' asked Eidolon, momentarily wrong-footed.