The primary forge of Diamat, Xanthos. Archmagos Archoi wore the heavy robes of a Archmagos Intendant.
The robes were woven with gold and platinum threads, their patterns as complex as integrated circuits.
His sleeves were wide, extending just to the elbow, displaying the intricate craftsmanship of the Archmagos's bionic arms. A pair of mechanical eyes set into the muscle above them flickered with faint blue light, fixed on Pell Koscheny, Chapter Master of the Eleventh of the Shadows of Order.
"The Titan Forge is a vital asset of the Mechanicum. Your attack will be regarded as an affront to the Omnissiah."
"Cease your attack immediately and return our assets, or I will immediately lodge a complaint with the Council of Terra"
Pell gazed at Archoi. "Archoi, how did Archmagos Intendant Veturus die?"
"The Archmagos Intendant Veturus was killed thirteen point nine hours ago, while he was coordinating the forge's defense efforts," Archoi said.
His plan was hastily conceived. He had learned from his former master Veturus's mouth that just as the Sons of Horus were about to capture the forge world, and just before he was to take over Diamat, the Shadows of Order had arrived in the planet's orbit.
He decided to act immediately, to take over the forge world by his own strength and then complete the Warmaster's orders.
All of Veturus's servants had been killed by the Skitarii loyal to him. It was impossible for anyone to know the truth.
"Do not think that the Archmagos Intendant's death gives you free rein to act as you please."
"As the surviving veteran member of Veturus's council, I am now the acting Archmagos Intendant of Diamat."
The data cables and coolant tubes on both sides of Archoi's steel throat trembled as he muttered a binary syllable.
The surrounding Skitarii had just raised their arms when the Honor Guard pulled their triggers first. Bolts shattered the Skitarii's bionic limbs, spraying hissing steam.
The Skitarii's multi-barreled machine guns hammered away, striking the black surface of the Cataphractii Terminators with a series of sharp flashes.
The Archmagos took the opportunity to mount his Magos's Throne. The disc spun with a roar, opening the distance between him and Pell.
He pointed his staff at Pell. "Foolish Shadows of Order, today is the day you die."
Amid a series of roars, massive machine-beasts charged out.
The signal activated predetermined combat protocols, injecting lethal combat drugs into the Skitarii's bloodstream.
Their modified bodies contained almost no flesh and blood. They were taller and more robust than ordinary Skitarii, even taller than the "Bribers" wearing Cataphractii Terminator armor.
The Skitarii's bodies instantly went rigid, from one heartbeat to the next.
The multispectral augur nodes densely covering their ears, noses, and mouths flickered with crimson light, locking onto the Shadows of Order.
Bedrock-pattern boltguns roared, dense barrages crashing down upon them.
Diamond-tipped bolt heads struck the armor, blasting bionic joints and synthetic muscle into scattered debris.
The massive Skitarii's adrenal shunters roared into operation. Flame hammers on their right arms burst with trails of fiery light as they charged at the Shadows of Order at astonishing speed.
Archoi's drugs would begin eroding their muscle tissue within fifteen minutes, as if eating them alive.
However, before they died, they were immune to almost all damage.
They had become frenzied killing machines.
The "Bribers'" helmet displays flashed urgent red. Following the prompts of their spiritual intuition, they raised their arms, channeled spiritual energy, and fired bolts.
Dense barrages exploded against the Skitarii's bodies. Although the attacks caused no actual damage, the figures swinging flame hammers gradually slowed, clearly captured by obsidian-dark eyes.
One Skitarii raised his left arm. Three massive curved fingers plated with diamond glittered like mirrors.
He swung his claws, swiping at a Cataphractii Terminator.
The "Briber" raised his arm, a shining blade meeting the massive claws.
Boom!
Amid the explosion, the "weakened" Skitarii was blasted backward.
The "Briber" spun his blade, striking with a sword form from the 23rd form of the Otsberg-Vaya, tearing open the sturdy armor and cleaving into the Skitarii's adrenal shunter.
The Skitarii's steel body convulsed violently, bionic joints exploding with a thunderous crash.
Pell crashed into the Skitarii. The "Mentor of Disorder's" arm swung, eerily bypassing the flame-wreathed heavy hammer to seize a Skitarii by the throat.
His arm lifted the metal beast off the ground. With a slight exertion of his fingers, he crushed the Skitarii's metal spine.
The "Mentor of Disorder" stared at Archoi. "You think your treachery against Veturus is unknown to anyone."
"You have long been secretly in league with Horus. You intend to present the grand cannon to him."
"How did you-" Archoi suddenly felt the flesh and blood components of his body slough away.
Bang!
Archoi's flesh exploded with a thunderous blast, blood and gore splattering everywhere.
Mechanical parts sparked and crackled with electric discharges.
After killing Archoi with the "Disorder" the "Mentor of Disorder" led the Honor Guard to annihilate Archoi's modified Skitarii.
At the same moment, Sanchez, Lord of the Seventh Chapter, found the Imperium's Governor of Diamat, Taddeus Kulik.
Normally, the Imperium's forge worlds were entirely under the administration of the Mechanicum but Diamat was one of the few forge worlds where the Imperium held a degree of power.
It was also a thorn in the side of Fabricator General Kelbor-Hal, as were worlds like Nareth's garrison world of Incaladion, Valia-Maximal, and the Ramilies-class starfort in the Xana orbit.
Sanchez's gaze swept over Kulik. He was advanced in years, wearing battered armor of the exact same pattern as the surrounding Tannagran Dragoons, like an ordinary warrior.
A grimy bandage was wrapped around his left arm. A surgeon from the Governor's Palace and a medical orderly stood at a cautious safe distance.
His pale gray eyes were bright, hiding pain and fatigue. His shoulders were taut, and an ancient sword hung at his waist.
"We are extremely grateful for your arrival." Kulik gazed at the terrifying wolf helm.
"The rebels destroyed all the towns from orbit. I am not even sure how many people are still alive."
"I have no time to count all the corpses, let alone bury them."
"I hope you can throw yourselves into battle immediately. The Tannagran Dragoons can no longer hold back the Sons of Horus's assault."
Sanchez stared at Governor Kulik's stiff face. "Your enemies are not only the Sons of Horus, but also a more hidden enemy."
"Alpha Legionaries."
"Alpha?" Kulik frowned deeply.
"We have not suffered any attacks identified as Alpha Legionaries."
"They have turned traitor? Followed the Warmaster in rebellion?"
"Correct," Sanchez said.
"I need all the data on Diamat, especially the most detailed maps."
"I also need all reports, both previous and subsequent."
Kulik shifted his injured left arm uneasily. Although he had few men left, he knew he had to send people to organize the data.
Defending against the rebel attacks led by the Sons of Horus was already difficult to sustain. It was impossible to also fight another Legion's Astartes.
"I will authorize it. Open the data vaults immediately."
Sanchez gestured for the Techmarine to step forward. "He will duplicate all the necessary data."
"The Fourth Chapter has already entered battle, launching strikes against the Sons of Horus. You can rest now."
"Governor!" An Lieutenant ran up at a stride, blood seeping through the bandage on his forehead.
"Our armored regiment position at C-6 has been breached by the rebels, , "
"What?" Kulik took a great stride, about to rush outside.
"Drop pods fell from the sky, crashing into the rebel lines." The lieutenant saw Sanchez's terrifying helmet and immediately looked away.
"The Shadows of Order have repelled the rebels."
....
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