Shadow of a Doubt
Chapter 21
The Kilo Zeta broke out of the warp in a gentle wave, the strike cruisers shielding protecting its occupants as well as its own body while the stealth shieldings still held. It made its way towards the galaxy system in which Gothyr IX held. Gothyr I to VIII were mining worlds producing rich resources for the actual processing plant of Gothyr IX. The ship itself would float quietly like a ghost closer to the planet, making it past the orbital defence platforms without a single problem. Of course there was not that many to begin with, although Gothyr IX was a forge world, it oddly did not produce much military grade equipment. Kyreg looked over at the map of the planet and nodded, Sergeant Yingr standing beside him and marking out various locations of interest. It had been more than a year since they had set out for the planet, the warp being as fickle and unpredictable as always.
"Right there, underneath the main spire, that is where the vault will be located, it will be set deep down in a vault that will not have been used." Kyreg nodded as he examined the structure carefully and grunted lightly in acknowledgement. "This seems like a standard deployment then. Stealth spear to infiltrate and render the defences useless and then Assault spear to land the killing blow." Kyreg said as he zoomed in on the map and looked over the various features on the map. There were hive locations where the indentured citizens basically lived and then there were the actual forges. The Mechanicus solid black structure that seemed to be their central control building for the planet was only two stories up in the air. However, it also meant that it would be difficult to ascertain just how many levels were underneath.
"I can state with confidence that the vault is at least ten kilometers underneath the surface. It could be more if they did terraforming or less if they had dug in." Yingr offered while Kyreg nodded. The bridge doors would open and Adept Kretis walked in with a waggle of one of his mechanical tentacles. "Ah Commander Kyreg, how wonderful it is to see you face to face again." The tech renegade spoke out with a surprisingly human voice as opposed to a mechanical tone. "Kretis, what do you want?" Kyreg asked with a slight hint of dread; when Kretis still worked at the Marauder Station, he was a tough nut to deal with on the best of days. "Well since we will be attacking a forge world, I believe that my assistance would be required. And of course nothing in this world is free so I believe I shall pay for my lodging on board with knowledge." Kyreg tilted his head with curiosity, and beckoned for the Adept to go on.
"Well you are attacking a forge world that although tactically not as significant as a world that may produce bolter shells or power armour, it is still a world that is of some significance to Mars. It produces valuable processed ingots and the like to be used in creation of greater and more complex blessings of the Omnissiah. However fighting against them can be a difficult task, especially as they are able to form strategies almost instantly with their ability to control and direct the Skitarii troops." The rogue Adept would smile with his mechanical mouth and clapped his hands together for effect. "In order to best fight the Adept, the uses of electronic disruptors may prove most crucial to you. Things such as EMPs, and viruses. Of course I am more than glad to offer you the use of viruses, you do carry or should carry EMP shells for your bombardment cannon on board."
Kyreg nodded as he listened to the adept, and nodded again at the mention of EMP shells. "Yes that has been taken into consideration already." The tech adept smiled a little and chuckled. "No offence Lord Astarte, but I highly doubt you have proper and powerful enough viruses on board to use. I however, can produce many." Kyreg looked at him and shook his head slightly with amusement. "Tell me then rogue adept. What would you like in return. Aside from simply room and board. I'm sure that you have already calculated the precise kcal you require and then measured a nutrient gruel in just the right amount to sustain you for the month."
Kretis smiled and bowed his head slightly. "You are ever a shrewd negotiator as ever. I simply propose that I be permitted to have some specific processed ingots and materials scavenged from the planet so that I may produce things that I require, as well as develop blessings of war that may be of some not insignificant benefit to you, Commander." Kyreg thought about this for a few moments before nodding. "Very well, so be it. Make a list of your requirements, and you can accompany us down to the surface as well." Kretis bowed again with a smile and exited the bridge. Yingr looked over at Kyreg and tilted his head. "Are you sure that's wise Commander?" The Commander shrugged slightly. "Resources are required by everyone, and if his plan is sound then so be it. If it is not then we can simply eliminate him."
The plan was quite simple. The orbital defences would be bypassed, and stealth teams would be dispatched to eliminate the massive communication tower next to the main station as well as sentries on stationary artillery. Then assault spear would take the main station through violence of action and hold until stealth spear has recovered the assets. Commander Kyreg checked his ammunition load out and gave everyone a nod as Stormeagles and Stormbirds were powered up. Thunderhawks were also warmed up and kept on battle readiness so as to act as recovery. Like they have done many times before, the transport gunships kept their shielding on and coasted down towards the surface, their presence undetected by the enemy until the very last minute. That was the way of the Legion, even with the addition now of the XVI and the XII Legionnaires that acted as their assault force.
The Stormeagle finally touched down and Kyreg was first down the ramp with his combi-stalker bolter held at the ready. Behind him, his team followed him in a tightly drilled formation that was one of the hallmarks of veteran units. The Stormeagle quickly powered down as the crew draped cameoline netting over it, covering it up until extraction was needed. The planet was almost barren, nothing but rocky stone steppes and Mechanicus structures that dotted the land scape. Kyreg quickly gestured for an advance and Xythos moved forward expertly over rocky terrain. Their cameoline cloaks fluttered slightly from their movements while their speed was kept down in order to allow the active camouflage ample time to hide themselves. Their ammunition this time was much more specialised, especially when their enemies were half if not more made up of machines. Diamantine tips found in normal bolter rounds were screwed onto a full melta charge core, the ability to destroy and melt down the metallic innards of their opponents just as important as armour piercing capabilities. Kretis was travelling with Asgeir squad, their objectives were the main Skitarii barracks just south of the main stationhouse. Gungnir was dispatched to eliminate stationary guns along with Anpa. The communication relay was all for Xythos to take out. Kyreg had made sure that the data chip that Kretis had programmed and given to him was stored safely in his armour before they had departed, Kretis had laughed when he had asked what was in the chip. Suffice to say, it was something that would be utterly disruptive to the Martian tech adepts on the planet.
As he got closer, he could see that there were indeed a unit of Skitarii that were there guarding the massive communications relay. At the base of the massive structure was a building which seemed to house the security controls and structural command center, as well as housed the tech guard patrolling the perimeter. In order to ensure that they did not fight the entire number all at once, Kyreg led his squad towards the flanks and the legionnaires quickly formed a skirmish line, their suppressed bolters at the ready. They advanced slowly but steadily, their armoured boots making not a single sound even over the hard stony surfaces. Kyreg and his squad quickly activated the jammer on their power armours, a device installed previously during the Great Crusade when technocratic worlds needed to be brought into compliance and the Legionnaires of the XX Legion needed a way to kill communication between advanced techno warlords and their heavily augmented troops.
Stepping in slowly towards one of the tech guards manning a large heavy bolter, Kyreg slammed his power dagger into the machine warriors head stabbed the razor sharp blade all the way through down to his spinal cords, paralyzing him as well as disabling the half machine soldiers still biological brain. Just to be on the safe side, he would slice the head off as an afterthought. Around him, members of Xythos were doing the same, their jammers keeping any communication from reaching anyone inside. Then with carefully practiced eyes, they would open fire after getting to the base of the communication structure, the Ronin pattern bolter rounds piercing through the helmets and plates of the Skitarii while the melta charge core incinerated their augmentations as well as their remaining biological organs. They engaged quickly but silently, with three round bursts aimed at the chest as well as the heads of the sentries outside. As they got to the door, Kyreg examined it and gestured for Thobor to open it. Closing his eyes for a moment, the psyker legionnaire placed an armoured gauntlet on the double doors locks and concentrated, his mind unlocking the door with a slight click even as his psyker powers sent frost over a portion of the door. Opening the door slowly, Kyreg would be greeted by the sight of two other sentries, his quick reaction sending a single three round burst into each of his targets. The bolter rounds would penetrate through the simple steel alloy armour they wore and the melta charges detonated with rapid soft hisses, turning metal into slag and flesh into ash as the two sentries dropped to the ground, their stub carbines thudding on the floor. However the sound of the two heavy firearms hitting the ground caused others to investigate. A full squad of Skitarii fanned out and opened fire from inside the command center, their hellguns screaming as they opened up. Kyreg only laughed slightly before opening fire, his squad following him as they fired on the move while charging towards the Skitarii warriors. Hellgun bolts were easily absorbed by the artificer power armours worn by the veteran legionnaires, their bolt guns giving no forgiveness as the melta charges turned the machine cult soldiers into puddles of slag and burnt flesh.
As they approached the entrance to the command center, Kyreg gave a quick signal and Kraken magazines were loaded while each Legionnaire activated their prey sight targeters. Figures appeared inside in a mixture of blue and red heat signatures and they began firing through the walls. The Kraken bolt rounds easily penetrated the concrete wall and flew in where the heavy shells made quick work of any signatures inside. Before they entered, a melta bomb was activated and thrown inside where after a loud explosion, Xythos entered with Kyreg leading them through to see just the damage they had caused. Body parts both biological and mechanical lay everywhere and the melta bomb seemed to have done the rest. Finding an intact command console, he inserted the data chip and let the automated program run by itself. A few moments later, a series of machine binary codes were sent out across the entire planet, entire networks shut down by the virus and the various servitors as well as the higher ranking tech priests were forced into involuntary shut down mode as well as signals were disabled.
Sergeant Daygis strode through the smoking wrecks of the heavy weapon emplacements, his stalker bolter smoking from the end of the suppressor as the rest of his men planted charges at each corner of the barracks building before retreating to safe distances. A single press of a detonator button and the entire structure collapsed in on itself. "Casualties?" He quickly called out across the squad vox. "Nothing lethal Sergeant." Peredur responded even as he gave a quick injection of a stronger blood clotting agent to Aslan, one of Asgeir's heavy weapon specialists. Daygis nodded as he drove his unit forward, Kretis following behind them armed with an ancient plasma pistol in one hand and a grenade launcher in another. The fight had been brutal, Asgeir having to resort to close quarter assault in order to demolish the heavy weapon systems after careful reconnaissance of the barracks perimeter. Not that Daygis truly minded, surprise assaults being one of the specialties of the veteran assault troops.
Sergeant Rythor acknowledged the report sent by Tarquin, the Thousand Son stealth squad having plotted out and mapped out each of the massive guns that lined around the main station. Instead of engaging directly, Sergeant Rythor and Sergeant Tarquin compiled and sent a burst of encrypted data containing pinpoint coordinates for each of the heavy guns.
"Requesting fire mission, coordinates sent through. Target, enemy heavy artillery. Three rounds each, target destruction requested."
The reply came back after a few seconds. "Zeta Flight, targets received. Splash down in ten." A few kilometers away, the two Fire Raptors split away as their Hellstrike missile systems armed. A series of Hellstrike missiles were fired and sent on their way towards their targets where ten seconds later, a series of explosions ringed around the command station of the entire planet. "Solid hit on targets. Thanks for the assist Zeta." The two Fire Raptors quickly rejoined the Stormhawks flying above the toxic cloud cover a few moments after their ground support missions were completed with laser precision. The legionnaires quickly surrounded the place as more tech guard would exit the command station with their weapons blazing. Of course tech guards were no match for veteran Legionnaires who responded with a withering wave of bolter fire, the virus on the communication center crippling the combat capability of the Skitarii troops. Officers were targeted and eliminated quickly while the twin-bolters of the Anpa legionnaires raked punishing fusillades through the ranks of the half machine warriors that proved incapable of operating on their own without their officer's guidance. "Objective is red. Sector is a green." Sergeant Tarquin voxed even as he held down the trigger on his volkite charger and sent the red beam through multiple targets, the powerful volkite beam detonating any of the Skitarii soldiers they hit.
High up over the cloud cover, their radar signatures disguised by both their stealth fields as well as the pollution that was ever present scattered in the atmosphere of forge worlds, the single Stormbird powered up its engines and dove down towards their objective. Following it was a single Stormeagle, its Hellfire missiles trailing down and detonated into the sides of the command building, shredding open glass and sending shrapnel through the halls and cutting apart numerous enemies. Following the action of its much smaller cousin, the Stormbird would hover just above ground and fire its own Hellfire missiles through the gaping hole created by the previous missile strikes. These missiles would detonate inside the command structure, disabling security features as well as shredding apart enemy reinforcements. As the Stormbird touched down, its heavy bolter batteries would fire in support as Captain Ikanis leapt out of the ramp even before it touched the ground.
"Kanis, take the bridgehead. Icarius, form the spear around our brothers. Ladon, ensure the spearhead is not sullied by the fire of enemy gun emplacements." The assault spear units responded with affirmatives as Sergeant Fratis quickly directed the XX Legionnaires to advance the Rapiers forward, the laser destroyers on the mobile weapon platforms sending bright red beams of fire into any muzzle flashes they saw, the weapon platforms working in conjunction with the auto-targeters of their power armour helmets.
With a roar of challenge, Sergeant Atilius thumbed the activation stud of his power axe and charged across the battlefield even as hard rounds and las shots would be casually deflected by the suit of blue trimmed white power armour. The Warhound veterans were true assault veterans, with Ilham his heavy support gunner keeping up alongside of the blue and white line even as he depressed the firing stud of his massive auto cannon, the powerful weapons sending explosive rounds into the openings that would explode on impact, sending shrapnel throughout the enemies defensive positions. At the same time, Captain Icarius formed his squad behind the charging Warhounds, his squad firing in support even as they drew close quarter weapons in preparation.
In any assault, the first few seconds right after a charge impacts a defensive line is where the tenaciousness of the defenders is pit up against the aggression of the attackers. The Warhounds gave the Skitarii defenders no such time. The scream of chain axes would cut down those that were brave enough to counter attack while the violence of action forced those who would try and fire back to furiously defend themselves against blades wielded by veteran assault troops who gave absolutely no mercy. With a roar, Atilius sliced his power axe through the torso of a Skitarii Alpha who was much more machine than man, the enemy commander collapsing onto the ground in pieces as the veteran Sergeant smashed his power axe through him at least four times before the Alpha could even draw his own power sword in defence. Within moments, the defenses were broken and any survivors were quickly put to the sword with combat blades severing nervous systems from machine.
"Primary objective is green. Sector is green." Captain Ikanis reported over the vox, Commander Kyreg smiling underneath his helmet as he looked over the battlefield from inside his helmet. The ramp of the Stormbird would touch down, the ramp coming down and the XX Commander exiting the gunship. "Excellent work Captain. Now it is time to claim our prize." Kyreg and the other members of Stealth spear began to enter the blown out structure, fire still blazing around and causing flares of heat to appear to any who wore thermal goggles. Xythos lead the advance with Gungnir and Anpa following them down.
The inside of the command station was made up of solid brushed steel with devotional scriptures to the Omnissiah welded onto the walls with metal wires twisted to form the letters. Kyreg kicked over the body of a dead tech adept and grimaced underneath his helmet. The Machine Cult of Mars disgusted him and while he understood the deal made by the Emperor in order to provide the Great Crusade with weapons and material, he still felt disgust at their worship of machines. Out of all those who followed him, even the tech marines understood that machines were not holy, they simply were. He forgave Mordin his eccentrics but the Artificer understood the line that was not to be crossed. Worship lead to the excesses that caused the fall, and his bolt pistol strapped to his right armoured leg would be the only retort he would provide. Anpa quickly checked the command center and began to insert data chips provided into any command consoles that still stood intact. The viruses would begin to infect the system, disabling security features as well as various overrides. Sergeant Tarquin gave a thumb up to the Commander who nodded and shouldered his combi-stalker bolter and began to advance through the structure. There were great halls with displays of technology from the dark ages from simple things such as a mixer for nutrient gruel to the loading chamber meant for large calibre tank cannons. While Xythos advanced forward through the structure slowly, Anpa brought up the rear while Sergeant Rythor led Gungnir in the middle with Adept Kretis examining various devices they saw and taking notes, muttering to himself as his servitor skull would record his comments. Behind Gungnir was Sergeant Daygis who had Asgeir squad armed with their combi twin linked bolters loaded down with Kraken penetrator shells for extra firepower.
As Kyreg looked at a ramp descending downwards, he signalled to Thobor would activated a psyker controlled servitor skull that flew down the ramp as it cloaked quickly, its presence undetected by the group of Skitarii soldiers who were in ad hoc defensive positions, positioned behind plasteel boards raised as armour as well as sandbags holding the armour boards in place. Kyreg saw this through his helmet display as Thobor quickly engaged the live vid feed so that every member of the stealth spear could see it. "We smoke, and then we destroy." Smoke grenades were taken carefully and Asgeir squad threw in a mixture of blind grenades in as well, the grenades rolling down the ramp and in moments, the underground room was covered with smoke as well as the infrared baffling materials mixed in with the smoke. Series of binary codes were sounded back and forth as the tech guards were blinded, Kyreg easily leading the stealth spear past them before Anpa squad moved forward through the smoke, setting down blast charges in front of the plasteel boards before whishing through the smoke. Once the Legionnaires were all behind the enemy, the blast charges were detonated, throwing the defensive line into chaos as the Skitarii opened up, assuming that a frontal charge was happening. Even as machine soldiers were blown into pieces by the blasting charges being detonating in non-sequential patterns, the ranks opened fire and many were cut down by their own las bolts or solid rounds being fired in rapid succession. In the confusion, Kyreg drew his phase sword and the stealth spear cut into the enemy ranks from the rear, blades sending limbs and a mixture of blood and machine oil flinging through the air.
In only moments, the slaughter was complete, even the tech guard of the Mechanicus no match for the XX Legion tactics. With satisfaction, Kyreg ordered the advance deeper down. As he walked further down the massive room that was a stockpile room for different materials and items, he gave the command over the radio. "Blue Ceaser."
Sergeant Yingr exited the Thunderhawk along with Nahun who stood by his side impassively who carried the Umbra Ferrox pattern bolter wordlessly, a massive drum magazine inserted into the relic weapon and gestured for the initiates to advance with them. Dressed in modified carapace armour all painted a dark grey, their only markings for which squad they were destined to join if they succeed a small strip of colour painted on the collar of their carapace plates. These Initiates had been implanted during the long trip in the warp with the geneseed of those who had fallen in battle so far. Carrying suppressed bolters, they formed up behind the veteran Sergeant and his pupil quickly as the Sergeant began to proceed into the darkened structure.
Kyreg pushed the stealth spear forward, leading further down into the structure where tech adepts could be seen fleeing. He put a hand gently, a signal to his force for them to leave them be, their stealth shields disguising them from the panicked lines of tech adepts making their way to the surface to ensure their own survival. Soon, they had reached what seemed to be the end of their journey, the long trek downwards having lead them to a massive basement complex filled with massive loading trays filled with processed ingots, with rarer metals on trays laid out carefully. Servitors stood in the massive room, running on standby mode with minimal power as their masters had already fled for safety. At the end of it was a massive vault door more than twenty feet high and more than fifty feet long. It held no symbol on it except a massive Aquila made of an odd blue metal inlaid into the adamantium door.
Sergeant Yingr trekked down with his Initiates, having also opted to ignore the fleeing tech adepts before standing in front of the Commander and smiling underneath his helmet. The Commander had simply been waiting for him while beside the command console. The veteran Sergeant raised a hand in greeting before punching in the nineteen digit code and a sample of his blood to the access panel before it begin to power on. Bright white lights that had not been turned on in millennia powered on and lit the basement chambers, while the massive ten foot thick door began to open slowly. However the activation process also powered up the vaults guardians. Standing there and powering up slowly were two dusk blue Contemptor pattern Dreadnoughts, each standing up as their ancient suits were powered up and they would step forward in loud thudding steps.
"Who dares enter the sanctum rendered upon the Legios Astartes by the Emperor himself? Speak now or I shall give you death." The first one growled as it powered up its twin-linked auto-cannon, loading mechanisms clinking as ammunition was loaded and the twin autocannons powered up. The second one stepped forward as well with a loud hum as the volkite culverins linked together on its right arm showed a distinctive red glow on the weapons breach as it powered up.
Kyreg stepped forward and took off his helmet, locking his stalker bolter at his side while Sergeant Yingr did the same. "Honoured ancients, I am Yingr. Authorization passcode Forgotten Second and Eleventh." The two dreadnoughts stopped and lowered their weapons. "And who have you brought us then? Who is it that you deem worthy of breaking the Emperor's seal."
"I am Commander Kyreg, of the 8th Harrow. Formerly Captain of the 8th Harrows 1st Shroud." Kyreg responded as he stepped forward, his cameoline cloak fluttering slightly at his movement. One of them stepped forward and seemed to make a grunting sound. "I remember a brand new battle brother named Kyreg. A whelp who one of my brothers tranquilized after he held a recruitment squad at bay with a smuggled in grenade." Those who had known him for long enough chuckled quietly while Kyreg seethed slightly inside. "We are one and the same, Ancient." The other one stepped forward until he was almost stepping on Kyreg and his servos whined slightly as it seemed to look down at the Astartes Commander. "I also remember a Kyreg. But he was an upstart Sergeant who believed himself worthy of leading a 1st Harrow kill team onto Ullanor but found himself at the wrong side of an ork axe and had the honour of at least falling in the sight of the Emperor himself." Kyreg laughed at that and nodded. "Yes, that is me as well." The second dreadnought grunted and righted himself before stepping back. "Well, you finally made Commander. That is disturbing news. Did Commander Olysseium finally bite the bullet?" Kyreg frowned for a moment. "Commander Olysseium was relieved of command by myself." The dreadnought raised his weapon again.
"He was a traitor to the Emperor. Almost our entire Legion is, ancient." Kyreg continued even as the twin barrels of the volkite culverins were aimed at his head. He continued on, telling them of the Horus Heresy, of what had transpired and what had led them here. After he finished, the dreadnought lowered his weapon and grunted again. "We bear the colours of shame then, Commander. Tell me then, who are you for? Who do you follow?" Kyreg raised his head just a little bit and replied. "I follow the Emperor, as the XX should have from the start. I follow the last legal command given, which was to bring his Great Crusade to the stars and destroy the enemies of mankind." The dreadnoughts chuckled as they stepped forward again.
"Who would have thought that a young whelp that once held grenades at some of the first Astartes would have the balls to resist the path of the Genefather. Very well then Commander, we deem you worthy, and we will serve under your command." They both seemed to bow slightly as they lowered their front servos. Kyreg nodded in thanks. "We have those like us, those of the XVI, the XII and the XV. We require the geneseeds and the armour here, as well as the weaponry here as we seek to expand our force. "Very well then. We will allow it under one condition." Kyreg bowed slightly. "Yes honoured ones. Tell me of your condition."
"We will allow it if you were to take every container of geneseed, every suit of armour and every weapon in this vault from the most treasured of bolters to the smallest combat knives and then bring us with you so that we may always guard them." Kyreg nodded in agreement. "It will be as you said then, honoured ones."
Kretis would walk forward and made a series of binary codes, the servitors inside the basement powering up. "Condition Azure." Kyreg stated over the vox, his command reaching the Thunderhawks floating above in the atmosphere as every single transport and gunship vessel flew down towards the surface. Servitors were taken over by Kretis from all over the building and sent down as suits of power armour were taken, as well as geneseeds. Chief Apothecary Armand came down himself to inspect the geneseeds, as they were reverently taken and set in mobile stasis tanks and taken on board for transport. It took more than nine hours without rest or respite but finally, every item was transported on board with multiple flights of Thunderhawks and Stormbirds. The initiates were detailed as well, loading up crates with weapons and the like so that the servitors may take them up to the surface faster.
Kyreg stepped forward and bowed towards the two dreadnoughts. "I would ask you of your names, honoured ones." The one with the volkite culverin walked forward followed by the one with the twin autocannons. "I am Haeseler and this is Arcadius." Kyreg laughed and went down on a knee for the two. "I remember you as Sergeant Haeseler and Sergeant Arcadius of the 1st Harrow, those responsible for inducting me as well as many others into the Legion." Haeseler laughed through the external vox cast. "And I did not think to see the day that a grenade toting pup would hold Commanders accolades upon his armour. I have perhaps underestimated you." Arcadius seemed to snort. "I always knew he would become a Commander. He was always headstrong, reminded me more of the Wolves or even an Imperial Fist rather than one of us." Kyreg smiled as he would walk up to the two after getting up and placed a hand on the dusk blue armour on them. "I am truly gladdened, honoured ones. I am reminded of a time when the colours of the XX Legion were hidden not out of shame but out of duty to the Emperor."
"Well young Commander, now you will take us on board and we will continue our vigil. The task was given to us by the Emperor himself and we must follow through." Kyreg nodded as he led the two ancient dreadnoughts outside. "Of course. I insist however, that your bodies are examined by our tech marines. It has been a very long time and your components require maintenance." Haeseler laughed through his external vox even as he slowly stomped on board a waiting Thunderhawk. "I told you Haeseler, he's already busy giving orders. We should have drowned him." Arcadius stated as he chuckled and climbed on board as well. Kyreg shook his head as the ramp closed but smiled underneath his helmet. He was quite glad to see the two again, it was quite easy to forget at the times now the brotherhood that used to exist in Legion strength.