The Red Path (Warhammer 40,000) by Chris Dows

Author:Chris Dows [Dows, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Disciples of Khârn

It was difficult for Locq not to smile. He was about to succeed in his mission, and would use it to press home his value to Abaddon, to present himself a worthy equal – or even successor – to Urkanthos. When the two additional ships sent by the Lord Purgator to join the Malevolent Shade had arrived alongside the captured and desecrated Wings of the Eagle, Locq had seen it as a clear reminder of Urkanthos’ superiority. He had not gone so far as to have him replaced as commander, which was perhaps surprising given Locq’s heavy losses during the White Scars attack and the costly encounter on the abandoned moon. Urkanthos’ reasons were not known to Locq and he knew there was nothing to be gained in trying to divine them. The Chaos Lord had been right to say any failure on Locq’s part would end his own service to Abaddon. What Locq had to do was make sure that the glory of victory reflected solely on him.

And so, as Locq stood on the blackened hangar deck of the Skulltaker, he felt supremely confident. Of course, it would have been easy for Khârn to raise that enormous chainaxe of his and charge at the boarding party, but with the numerical superiority Locq held both out in space and here on this wrecked ship, the berzerker would be doomed to failure. With his helmet removed, it was clear to Locq that Khârn was struggling to contain himself, but given the number of guns currently trained on the Chosen of Khorne, the captain felt sure he would be far more willing to listen to his terms this time around.

‘Once again, Khârn, I bring a message from the great Warmaster Abaddon.’

Khârn did nothing more than glower at him. To his left, a berzerker growled something. Locq recognised him from the battle on the moon or, at least, the helmet with the broken horn he rested on one arm. A dozen of his motley warband stood in a ragged line behind their leader, but all had the good sense to keep their weapons trained towards the deck. Locq knew there were scores more throughout the smashed vessel, but he had informed the Skulltaker’s shipmaster that if any more than a dozen turned up to greet them, their ship would be annihilated. Locq had selected fifty Hounds to accompany him; he wanted odds of at least four-to-one just in case Khârn decided to sacrifice himself and everyone else to the Blood God. Growling over the whirring chainswords behind him, Locq continued, relishing every word.

‘He commands you to his presence, and you will heed the call.’

Khârn shifted his weight slightly and looked past Locq to his contingent. His face remained impassive, which was more than could be said of his second. The champion with the half-horned helmet was twitching as if he had been hit with a bolt of energy.

‘We both know, captain, that if you do not… persuade me, you will die for your miserable failure,’ Khârn snarled.

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