Void Stalker by Aaron Dembski-Bowden Read Free Book Online Page B

colourless eyes.
    ‘I am pleased that we understand one another,’ finished Talos. ‘Now, Deltrian, please continue.’
    Deltrian reactivated the hololithic image. It bred a ghostly gleam across the dark armour-plating of the gathered warriors. ‘Tsagualsa is as lightly defended as most Imperial frontier worlds. We have no data on the frequency or size of Naval patrols in the subsector, but given the location, viable projections indicate minimal and irregular presence of the Imperial war machine. Three Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes are known to hold protectorates in approximate regions. Each of these claims descent from Thirteenth Legion gene stock. Each of these was also present in the year–’
    Talos cleared his throat. ‘The vital details, please, honoured adept.’
    Deltrian repressed a blurt of irritated binary. ‘The world is undefended from orbit, as is common among frontier worlds, with the exception of any Imperial void patrols that are willing to risk venturing this far from the Astronomican. Without the Emperor’s warp beacon to guide their Navigators, destruction within the Sea of Souls is a significant threat. I struggle to process the reasons the Imperium would even establish a colony this far into the Eastern Fringe. The cities on the surface are likely to be self-sustaining society-states, almost certainly adapted to depend on global resources rather than the infrequent imports from the wider Imperium.’
    ‘What of military movements upon the surface?’ asked one of the warriors.
    ‘Analysing,’ Deltrian said. He turned his hand as though turning a key in a lock. The neural interface link clicked in the console, and the hololithic stuttered, several sections of the world now flashing red. ‘We have monitored satellite vox-traffic for the last sixteen hours, since arrival. It was initially remarkable in that so little communication takes place at all. The world is almost silent, suggesting devolution and/or a primitive grasp of technology.’
    ‘Easy prey,’ another Legionary grinned across the chamber.
    Cease interrupting, Deltrian thought. ‘Three point one per cent of planetary vox communication was military in nature – or could be interpreted as such, in matters of city-state security and law enforcement – suggesting two things: firstly, that this world maintains a minor – perhaps infinitesimal – garrison of conscripts for planetary defence. Secondly, it suggests that despite its reasonable population statistics by the standards of Apex Degree frontier worlds, it levies no regiments for service in the Imperial Guard.’
    ‘Is that unusual?’ asked Xarl.
    Cyrion chuckled. ‘What does he look like, an Imperial recruiter?’
    Deltrian ignored the misguided attempt at wit. ‘Twenty-five million souls could sustain an Imperial Guard Founding, but frontier worlds seem to be marked for other tithes. The remote location of Tsagualsa makes it increasingly unfavourable and unlikely for Guard recruitment. It should be noted that the planet’s inhospitability renders it detrimental – almost hostile – to human life. Auspex readings indicate settlements capable of sustaining the stated numbers, but actual populations are likely to be lower.’
    ‘How much lower?’ another warrior asked.
    ‘Conjecture is useless. We will see for ourselves soon enough. The world is undefended.’
    ‘In short,’ Talos said, ‘this world is ours, brothers. We need only to reach out our claws and take it. We will divide before planetfall,’ Talos explained. ‘Each C law will take a section of the city, to do with as they please.’
    ‘Why?’
    All eyes turned to Deltrian. ‘You have something to say?’ Talos asked him.
    The tech-adept took a fraction of a second to frame his thoughts into a verbal formation and tone calculated to offer the least offence.
    ‘I would ask, lord, why you seek to make planetfall here at all. What does this defenceless world offer us?’
    Talos didn’t look away.