Corporal Maraad of the Iron Warriors entered the dimly lit passageways of the bowels of the ship as the instructions said. There was a strangeness in the air, he couldn't place why. The hair on his neck stood on end as he walked towards the empty storage area room.

"Welcome brother" a voice rang out behind him. Startled, he swung round and by habit had a hand on his bolter holster before he could stop himself.

Warsmith Forrix of the Trident was there. Maraad took his hand off his bolter. "No need for that here. I suppose that's what I get for surprising a veteran in a dark corner", Forrix chuckled.

"Why am I here sir?" Maraad asked.

Forrix answered "You're here because i've persuaded the Primarch that you deserved a second chance. That and your replacement is making a right pig's ear out your former command."

Maraad's mouth opened before he could stop again. "Why me my lord? Im not in your regiment? Why do you take interest in me?"

Forrix replied "I hate wasting good potential; besides I know you are a warrior and only want to serve your Primarch, not compete for positions and politic the whole time like your superiors do even though they do not deserve their positions. The Primarch could use more men like you"

Maraad was insulted but he hit the mark, also he did not want to jeopardise the chance he would never get again so gritted his teeth.

"Understood. Thank you for indulging me, my lord" Maraad managed with a respectful tone

"I'll get straight to it. You will all be given additional orders from the Primarch on the mission's departure tomorrow. Obey them and survive, and you will get your position back. Fail to obey and you will die along with the traitors. Astor has been given orders too. If he succeeds in bringing you back, he gets a promotion. If not, he gets to kill his hated rival such as you. Don't worry he wants the promotion more. Politics runs this legion after all and it was the only way to make it happen" Forrix explained

"I see. Very well I shall obey the orders, my lord" Maraad announced and he saluted.

"Good man. Dismissed" Forrix said sharply

Maraad walked off wondering what in the Galaxy was he going to be asked to do….

After he had left another voice emerged from the darkness….

"Reckon he'll do it? You had better hope so, you've cashed in all your political chips you won following your help in getting the entire legion onboard" Perturabo, Lord of Iron and Primarch of the Fourth Legion said after coming out the dark corner of the room

*Well most of those that were unworthy had been purged shortly after his demotion of Maraad. Lord Perturabo had seen to that. Also, Forrix had urged him to save Maraad as he didn't have a political rival with a fine warrior like him and frankly, the man was a good Lieutenant, rather than the disappointment his replacement had turned out to be. Perturabo should've never left it with the Trident to find a suitable Lieutenant. He should've done it himself. Also, Maraad's stubbornness in the Crucible reminded him somewhat of his sister Calliphone and he still regretted his actions that day on Olympia. But Forrix didn't need to know that*

"I'm sure. If not, well at least I have a blunt instrument in Astor. But if Maraad suceeds however, I am vindicated that Maraad, my first choice for the vacant Warsmith replacement should've been voted for and we'll have known all the Emperor loving dogs have indeed been purged from the legion"

"If. If he succeeds" Perturabo corrected

"He will my lord!" Forrix said at once

*How like a trained dog he responds for shits sake. For his sake you'd better hope Maraad delivers...* Perturabo thought.

"For the Warmaster" The Primarch said quietly instead.

"For the Warmaster" Forrix replied.