Graham McNeill - False Gods

'What advantage is that?' asked Maloghurst, exactly on cue.

*We have the advantage of surprise. No one yet sus­pects us of having learned the Emperor's true plan, and in that lies our greatest weapon.

'But what of Magnus?' asked Maloghurst urgently, What happens when Leman Russ returns him to Terra?'

Horus smiled. 'Calm yourself, Mai. I have already con­tacted my brother Russ and illuminated him with the full breadth of Magnus's treacherous use of daemonic spells and conjurations. He was… suitably angry, and I believe I have convinced him that to return Magnus to Terra would be a waste of time and effort,’

Maloghurst returned Horus's smile. 'Magnus will not leave Prospero alive,’

'No,' agreed Horus. 'He will not,’

'What of the other Legions?' asked Regulus. They will not sit idly by while we make war upon the Emperor. How do you propose to negate them?'

'A worthy question, adept,’ said Horus, circling the table to stand at his shoulder. "We are not without allies ourselves. Fulgrim is with us, and he now goes to win Ferrus Manus of the Iron Hands over to our cause.

Lorgar too understands the necessity of what must be done, and both bring the full might of their Legions to my banner.'

'That still leaves many others,’ pointed out Erebus.

'Indeed it does, chaplain, but with your help, others may join us. Under the guise of the Chaplain Edict, we will send emissaries to each of the Legions to promul­gate the formation of warrior lodges within them. From small beginnings we may win many to our cause.'

'That will take time,’ said Erebus.

Horus nodded. 'It will, yes, but it will be worth it in the long term. In the meantime, I have despatched mobilisation orders to those Legions I do not believe we can sway. The Ultramarines will muster at Calth to be attacked by Kor Phaeron of the Word Bearers, and the Blood Angels have been sent to the Signus Cluster, where Sanguinius shall be mired in blood. Then we make a swift, decisive stroke on Terra,’

'That still leaves other Legions,’ said Regulus.

'I know,’ answered Horus, 'but I have a plan that will remove them as a threat to us once and for all. I will lure them into a trap from which none will escape. I will set the Emperor's Imperium ablaze and from the ashes will arise a new Master of Mankind!'

'And where will you set this trap?' asked Maloghurst.

'A place not far from here,’ said Horus. 'The Istvaan sys­tem,’

About the Author

Hailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped

a career in Surveying to join Games Workshop, which,

let's face it, sounds much more exciting. He is one of the

games developers in the Games Workshop Design Studio,

where he's worked for the last six years playing games and

having as much fun as he can before someone notices.

As well as seven novels of carnage and mayhem, Graham's

also written a host of short stories (featuring mayhem and

carnage). He lives in Nottingham, UK, so pop by and say

hello if you see him.