Chapter VII
The ballroom was in panic; the nobles were making for the only two exits, one leading to the elevators and staircases, the other to the corridor from which Seth and Mandrake just came. Mandrake was almost carried away by the storm and ended up seeking cover behind a pillar, until he could fight his way through. It was easier for Seth, who had little inhibition and simply pushed people in his way aside. Some nobles gave him outraged looks, but were quickly swept along before they could protest. Still, Seth soon had enough and fired into the air. The nobles ducked and screamed, now also trying to get away from the Acolyte. A bodyguard, who had kept close to his boss, drew his weapon.
"Hold your fire, Imperial Inquisition." Mandrake bellowed over the crowd, holding up a badge with the inquisitorial "I". To his relieve the bodyguard heard him and stayed his weapon. "What his going on in the ballroom?"
"Intruders under the crest of House Demetio have started a firefight with the Governor's guard." The bodyguard replied rushing past the Interrogator, keeping close to a woman in a golden dress.
Seth and Mandrake exchanged looks. "I contact Jane."
…
Jane's hand reached for the Laspistol, which didn't go unnoticed by Lady Nazahah. "Is it the Brood?"
She never got her answer from Jane, who raised her pistol, swung it up and fired. It wasn't a smart move, to fire at one of the most powerful men in the sector, but one of his guard got in the way, catching the round with his chest. The remaining four guards drew their weapons.
"Imperial Inquisition, stand down!" Jane ordered, still aiming at Lord Demetio.
"What do you think you're doing?" The sister hadn't heard, what Mandrake had hastily attempted to explain and was understandably shocked, but Jane would require her support to keep the guard from taking her down.
"Saving your Governor."
Inquisitor Nicomedo and his chosen Astartes had just entered the basement below, leaving the others to prepare a defense. Tullius took position behind the trapdoor, giving him the best view over the entire chapel interior and allowing him to use the remnants of the throne as cover, as well as quickly respond to anything coming from the basement that wasn't human. At the top stairs, Quintus took cover behind a collapsed pillar, along with two of the Storm Troopers, while Cyrus, since the stairs were mostly gone, had climbed up to a balcony, formerly reserved for nobles and other wealthy citizens.
Meanwhile, another of the Storm Troopers let his eyes wander over the dead Hybrids scattered across the floor; in the chapel alone about thirty had died, though only a handful of them were Genestealers. Most of them wore rugs, except for a few in long purple robes, who additionally looked far more human than their brethren. Finally his eyes rested on a small symbol, noting that it could be found on every robe including the Magus'. He waved one of his fellow Storm Troopers over to him. "Marcus, doesn't this symbol look familiar?"
His friend regarded it for a moment. "It's a coat of arms; a white labrys on a magenta shield. Doesn't that belong to house Demetio?"
"Is it a house on Victoria Primus?" Both Storm Troopers turned around to see Apothecary Seneca, who had gotten interested into their conversation.
"Yes, Milord. They even reside in the Spire Obsaepio, directly above us."
Beneath his helmet the Astartes lifted an eyebrow. "And the Inquisitor has not investigated?"
"The House Demetio is not the only one with a presence in this Spire, Sir." Marcus reminded him, his eyes shortly glimpsing at the Narthecium, which to him held no resemblance to a medical tool at all and was still covered in blood.
The Apothecary didn't respond, only lifted his head, as if he was examining the ceiling and Marcus briefly wondered if he'd said something wrong, or in a way that was considered impolite. "Take your positions." Lord Seneca ordered. "They're almost here." And the following sounds of countless marching footsteps soon came to support his claim.
...
The basement was small, which meant the three Astartes had to crouch slightly in the hallway they found themselves in. Only Nicomedo and Taylor stood upright, though even their hair sometimes touched the ceiling and let sand rain down on them. Other than the chapel there weren't sporadic fireplaces, but like the tunnels it was swallowed by complete darkness. Taylor actually didn't mind; his night sight had proven somewhat problematic whenever Cornelius had fired his flamer. To their sides where several doors, all which Nicomedo ignored. He stopped at the last on straight ahead.
"They're waiting for us."
Taylor and the Inquisitor moved aside as much as they could, to let Nadim and Cornelius pass. They kicked open the door and fired, two streams of fire illuminating and burning everything in their path, forcing the Untouchable to close his eyes. Only after they stopped, he opened them again blinking several times with white flashes in his vision. The two Astartes moved in, their heads turning everywhere to scan their surroundings. It was another hall, much smaller than the chapel, but at least the Space Marines could stay upright. Two rows, each consisting of twenty pillars, made up a corridor, but still left space between them and the side walls. At the far side was another throne, much like the one upstairs, though to this one's side were two additional smaller versions as well. It was then Taylor noticed that the room was apparently empty. Here the Genestealers had definitely the advantage; it was small and concealed, the pillars offered cover, allowing them to close in unseen. Up in the central chamber there had been too much open space for them, to really to play on their strengths. Cornelius shot another time, but revealed nothing.
"Taylor." The Inquisitor addressed him. "I'm afraid you will have to deactivate your inhibitor sooner than I've hoped."
"Of course…just don't hesitate to tell me when your eyeballs start bleeding." Beneath the mask, Taylor couldn't see his face, but he had a feeling Nicomedo wasn't in the mood for jokes. Nicomedo stepped back a little, as the limiter was turned off, flinching at the painful sensation. Somewhere from the hall came a low hiss.
"Third pillar, left." Cornelius said, moving slowly behind the pillar row. Maccius followed through the corridor, Nadim behind him, though his attention was kept at the other side to prevent an ambush. Both Nicomedo and Taylor kept close, constantly keeping an eye out for other Genestealers; the Untouchable counted many claw marks at pillars, walls and ceiling alike. Very slowly it seemed, they reached the third pillar, but from what they had seen, nothing had moved. Suddenly Cornelius fired, a flame roared, clinging to the stone, turning it black. With a scream the Genestealer detached from the ceiling. Cornelius had been too close and couldn´t lift his flamer in time, the alien landing on his chest. Maccius came to help, as the pillar exploded, rocks throwing the Raven Guard to ground. The Patriarch launched himself at the Astartes with a snarl. It was huge, probably even taller than the Space Marines and looked somewhat bloated, with six limbs and elongated head with a snout full of razor-sharp teeth. Four more Genestealers joined the attack, keeping Nadim and the Untouchable occupied. The Salamander managed to hold two of them off with several shots from his Melta. One Genestealer lost an arm in the process, but none of them got killed, since they could easily evade the flames, leaping from ceiling to wall or pillars.
Taylor meanwhile jumped behind one of those, the round from his shotguns only scratching the Genestealer that went after him. In the same manner the alien missed him, a claw only slicing his coat. Perplexed Taylor watched it slam head first into the sidewall, though glad his properties were somewhat effective. Not wasting any time, he shot again, the round blowing up the fast turning head, the body collapsing and still spilling blood from the neck for a second or two.
Taylor had lost track of the fourth Genestealer, Nadim was occupied with his two, while Maccius and Nicomedo fought the Patriarch, its chitin skeleton covered with barley bleeding cuts. It was Cornelius who was engaged by the fourth. The Crimson Fist had let go of his Flamer, instead he'd ripped off a limb of the first xenos he'd encountered with one hand; the alien retaliated with a strike to the head. Cornelius screamed from the pain, though it sounded just as much as a roar of anger. The claws dug into his chest armor, blood beginning to run over them. The Larraman Cells didn't even get a chance to close it. His right hand went for his destroyed helmet, pulled it off, before slamming it against the Genestealer. Though making his wounds even larger, he got rid of it. It was then, when Cornelius reached for his Flamer that the other Genestealer Taylor had been looking for appeared, landed on his back. Its teeth buried into his neck. The Astartes tried to reach out, when a large part of flesh was ripped off his neck. The other alien, crippled but still alive finished its work, tearing a huge whole into the chest plate and a second later his ribcage.
It was at this point Taylor reached them and shot, killing the crippled one, while the other snarled, shaking its head and retreating somewhere into the shadows out of his view. Cornelius body fell, a hand twitching once, as he lay on the ground.
…
Everything around Nadim had been scared by the heat of his Melta, the grey stone now black and smoking. From across the room he heard Taylor's shotgun and further down the hall, Maccius was thrown back, blocking a vicious strike from the Patriarch. A scratching noise to his left got Nadim's attention and he swung his Melta around just in time to see one of the Genestealers attack him. It was in midair when he shot, the heat of his Melta melting a whole through the Tyranid's chitin. The second one landed on his back and Nadim immediately threw himself backwards against a pillar. It snarled in pain, lashing out violently, cutting further into the ceramit armour. The Salamander growled, when a claw slashed into his arm. He reached for his enemy's head, which fangs bit deeply into his hand, before he grabbed the skull and with his enhanced strength crushed it. He pulled the dead body off his back and regarded his aching hand. The little finger was missing, with every heartbeat; more blood came rushing through the wound before it was sealed.
The Untouchable appeared next to him. "Lord Cornelius is dead." He told grimly.
"Emperor keep his soul. The Genestealers?"
"I got two, so I guess that means one still remains aside from the Patriarch."
Nadim nodded. "I will search for it; you help the Inquisitor and Brother Maccius."
…
Maccius was thrown back, leaving Nicomedo a moment alone with the Tyranid, which towered over the Inquisitor. Its hungry eyes looked at him with more intelligent than its appearance would suggest. It also was much quicker. Nicomedo barely managed to block a claw coming from his right, the impact shaking his entire body and almost shattering the bones of his arms, when another slash came down upon him. He jumped back, but not fast enough, the claws cutting through his right gauntlet, rendering the arm useless. With a yell of pure pain, the Inquisitor backed off further, holding the humming Power Sword with only his left hand now. The other arm was horribly injured and bleeding vigorously, yet thankfully still attached. Maccius got between him and the Patriarch, attempting a counter offensive. Giving this little time, Nicomedo called upon his own psychic abilities, grateful that Taylor was right now busy somewhere behind him, far enough to not hinder his efforts. The bleeding slowly stopped, the pain dulled, but the arm would remain inoperable until Jane could take care of it.
Nicomedo turned his attention back to the fight just to see Maccius being pinned down by his enemy. With all four limb immobilized, the Raven Guard tried to free himself, without success. There was no time to lose; Nicomedo dropped the sword and drew his Bolt Pistol and fired. He cursed himself for his inaccuracy, but he'd been never very good with his left hand and it cost him much concentration to keep his wounds close. It wasn't like he didn't hit, the rounds found their target, though they didn't deal the killing blow, only annoyed the Patriarch. A sharp pain ran through his head, and from the corner of an eye, the Inquisitor saw Taylor rushing past him, firing once to prevent the Tyranids from tearing Maccius apart. When the Untouchable got close enough, the Patriarch staggered, ever so slightly. Maccius took this opportunity, freed his arms and thrusted his Lightning Claws into the Patriarch's chest. It wanted to scream, but due to its pierced lung no sound came from its throat.
"To be purged; that is the fate of the Xenos!" Summoning all his strength, Maccius pulled his arms away from each other, breaking the Tyranid's ribcage apart, chitin and bones cracking loudly. The dark blood spat from the lethal injury, as the Patriarch died, bathing the Astartes in it. It twitched and fought, Taylor shot another round into its head. Maccius threw the beast off and rose; he was a bit staggering himself and would need a new Power Armor, since his was cracked and broken so badly, Nicomedo was sure it could have made a Techmarine cry.
Somewhere at the far end, a Melta was fired and Nadim returned. "I see you have killed Patriarch. The Genestealer suddenly fell off the wall as if it had been paralyzed."
"I assume a temporary effect before their feral instincts take over. Without a leader the Brood will turn on each other until a purii takes his place." Nicomedo explained. "But it would be foolish to take on the Brood without reinforcements and without the Patriarch and the Magus we no longer need to worry about sleeper-agents among our forces."
"So, we go to the Governor then?" Taylor guessed, now with his Inhibitor turned on again.
"Yes, it's time for a proper introduction."
The guards didn't seem to acknowledge her order and Jane felt increasingly uncomfortable with four firearms aimed at her. Lord Lazzaro look shocked and had taken a step away from Demetio, who raised an eyebrow at her, as if attempted murder was more of a temporary annoyance than a threat. "House Demetio has been infiltrated and is now part of the Brood."
Lady Nazahah looked at her in disbelieve. "Are you certain?"
"The shots we've heard were fired by Demetio soldiers, as Mandrake just informed me."
Lord Demetio listened to her, clearly displeased, before he turned to the so far speechless as well as stunned Governor. His eyes seemed to glow brighter for a second and Lord Lazzaro collapsed as if every bone in his body had been removed. One of the blue robed guards suddenly stood straight, walked with strangely stiff and mechanical movements over to the lifeless body and picked it up. Quickly Jane grabbed her Ladyship by the arm and pulled her into cover behind the door frame, when the remaining guards opened fire, las rounds breaking of pieces of the frame. The Medicae shot back, blindly at first, only exposing her hand and pistol to the fire. She could hear the guards move aside to evade the sporadic shots, allowing her to take a glimpse around the corner and aim. The next round destroyed a helmets visor and the face behind it, before a red light impacted just centimeters from her face at the wall and retreated again.
"That answers the question, whether the Governor's staff is infiltrated." She murmured to herself and reached for her radio. "Mandrake, I need you and Seth back here! The guards are all with the Brood and Lord Demetio is a psyker, who has just knocked out the Governor!"
"We're on our way."
Once again Jane turned to fire. The Lord stood just in front of her, the blue veins beneath his pale skin pulsating. "Such a bother." His voice was quiet and cold, but she could hear it in her head. A short rush of panic, she raised her weapon, when all the sudden something like an invisible freight train rammed her, hurling her across the dining room. The world turned to darkness, as her body was slammed against the wall.
Quintus slammed the door shut, dulling the voices and cries of the Brood above. Chaos had descended upon their minds, as they tore each other apart, though he had been watching the forming of small groups. The Astartes and Storm Troopers had given up their position and regrouped with the Inquisitor. The chapel was now crowed with the enemy; luckily the Patriarch had been killed before the majority had launched their attack and only two more Storm Troopers had fallen. Seneca was kneeling down next to Cornelius to remove his Geneseed. Quintus felt a hint of sorrow over the loss of their youngest brother. It was a shame he died on his first mission with the Deathwatch.
Meanwhile, Nadim had torn down a wall behind the thrones, revealing another tunnel. It hadn't been shown completely by the scans and the Inquisitor suspected the Magus had used it to travel between House Demetio property in the upper regions of the spire and the nest. Quintus stepped to Seneca, who'd just finished up, speaking a few words of prayer. The Red Scorpion propped up his fallen brother and met the Apothecary's eyes. "He should not be left to that filth." He simply stated and Seneca nodded, giving him a hand.
The Killteam followed the straight tunnel for about a kilometer, until they reached a dead-end and an elevator under a small neon light, the door shining in bright silver, unrealistically clean so far below. The Inquisitor had raised his gun with his left arm and opened it to find it empty, as the interior lighting came blinking to life.
"How many fit into the elevator?" The Apothecary asked.
"Two Astartes at most." Inquisitor Nicomedo answered.
Seneca nodded in acknowledgement. "Inquisitor, you should go first."
"Then I'd like Lord Cyrus to accompany me."
Quintus turned to the Blood Raven, who very briefly showed mild surprise at the Inquisitor's request. He had watched his brother vigilantly, for his mind might have been tainted by the alien, though there had been no apparent change in his behavior so far. Quintus was a Red Scorpion, zealously devoted to maintain his purity and eliminate even the smallest taint or imperfection, but he was with the Deathwatch and all he could do was voice his concerns. It was troubling that the Inquisitor asked for the company of an unorthodox Blood Raven; maybe Nicomedo could no longer be considered pure.
…
The elevator moved fast, still it would take several minutes before it reached their destination. Nicomedo eyed the Astartes standing beside him; he'd received a few minor wounds along the unprotected part of his arms and legs. The Inquisitor had sensed apprehension from some of the other Astartes and frustration, maybe a hint of bewilderment from the Blood Raven.
"Lord Cyrus, I want you to know that the Magus was one of the most powerful psykers I have ever encountered, far more powerful than myself. Anyone but an Astartes would have shot himself in a matter of seconds, not even realizing they were being manipulated." There was no verbal reply, but the Raven's gaze was almost uncomfortably stern, making even the Inquisitor somewhat uncomfortable. "Taylor told me about the environmental effects of your confrontation; before, I have only seen them in a fight between psykers."
"A Space Marine's conditioning was supposed to strengthen our resolve against the effects of Chaos; and yet faith and will wasn't enough to protect my mind from its influences." Cyrus was not a man who needed to raise his voice to be heard. It just naturally carried a certain weight.
"No guard, no protective measure is ever absolute and it wasn't your will that faulted. The Magus did not, could not trick you, there was no illusion; he was taking control of your body not your mind, a few electric pulses. Besides; even a Librarian requires his Psychic Hood to protect himself." He added. "What has happened will not impair my trust, this mission, your duties or reputation."
…
About fifteen minutes later only three Astartes and Taylor remained in the tunnels. Only a handful of cultists had found their way down there, more on the run than actually attacking. Finally the elevator's door opened again. Nadim turned to Tullius, whose Heavy Bolter had shredded anything coming down that tunnel.
"Are you certain you wish to stay? You are wounded, brother."
"Nadim, you may have one or two rounds left. I will hold this position." The Salamander had previously tried to convince Tullius to leave before him; a futile endeavor.
Nadim followed Seneca into the elevator, but addressed a few words to Taylor before the door closed again. "Keep an eye on him." He could have sworn Tullius gave him a brief glare, but the elevator was already set in motion.
…
A few minutes later, sounds emerged from the darkness, more numerous than before. Taylor had ten rounds remaining and already turned off the limiter as a precaution.
"Nervous?" The Ultramarine asked, eyes scanning the tunnel for movement.
"No, however I am not keen of getting slaughtered."
He heard a chuckle. "We should move closer to elevator. There is no reason to remain here any longer than necessary."
Slowly they stepped up to the silver door, when Tullius fired the first round. They hit and the dead body of a Genestealer slid over the ground stopping only a meter or two away from the Astartes. The night vision allowed Taylor to see a few moving shades, growing in number and his eyes shortly wandered over to the door to his right. Hopefully it would open soon. Tullius brought down about a handful, while the Untouchable got just one. Abruptly the Heavy Bolter stopped.
"I'm out." Tullius growled, drawing a Boltpistol, a larger version than Nicomedo's, and a combat knife, the blade about as long as Taylor's upper arm.
"Come on, elevator." Taylor could hear himself whisper.
A Genestealer leaped onto Tullius from the front, receiving a bolt round into the chest and the knife through the mouth. Another was shot by Taylor, when already two more attacked the Astartes. One was hit by a backhand slash as bit into the left gauntlet, avoiding the armor-piercing bullets though. Tullius' wound in his flank started bleeding again, as he lifted the Genestealer attached to his arm to block a third alien from above. Taylor killed the one, injured from the knife, as out of nowhere he was thrown of his feet by the latest arrival. He would have slammed his head at the door, which slid open only two seconds before impact. The Genestealer buried his teeth into his right lower leg, as if trying to pull him out again. He cried out as his bones broke between the jaws' pressure and fired his shotgun. The round hit both his leg and the xenos and slammed him backwards, this time all the way into the elevator. A second shot killed the alien. Meanwhile Tullius was torn apart; his left arm was completely useless, now four Genestealers were bringing him down, gashing huge slashes and holes into the black Power Armor. Taylor breathed heavily through the pain, aiming, as Tullius screamed over the sound of battle. "Get out!"
He didn't argue, dragged himself to the buttons on the wall and watched the door closing, as he faded into blissful darkness.
Dim light filled her vision, as sensation returned to her body. Something was shaking her; the feeling was distance, as was the voice reaching her hears. At first she couldn't make out what it said, until she recognized Seth's voice. "Jane, wake up!"
"Urgh, Seth? What happened?" Then she realized something. "The Governor!"
She was about to leap to her feet, but her fellow Acolyte held her back. "Easy. The Governor is gone; Demetio must have taken him with him."
"He fled?" Jane felt dizzy and she reached for the back of her head. There was blood on her fingertips.
"Yes, Mandrake and I were in pursued, but his followers kept us occupied and he escaped. The nobles on the other hand are still here, one floor above us." He pointed at the Interrogator behind him, working on a radio unit she'd seen were used by the Governor's staff. "Mandrake's trying to figure out how many guards we can count on and where they're entrenched. Those in the Ballroom got wiped out." Jane looked around, still rubbing her head. Not far from her lay Lady Nazahah and Seth got a somber expression. "She hit the wall as well, but landed the wrong way. Neck's broken, she is dead."
Seth helped the medicae to stand up again and gave her back the Laspistol she'd lost, when the psychic attack had hit her. The distant noise of voices came rustling from the damaged unit and finally Mandrake turned his attention towards the others. "They're holding out on this level; guardroom."
"Alright then." Seth responded, drawing his Hellpistol. "Lead the way."
…
The former Storm Trooper peeked around the corner into another corridor, using a piece of glass from a fallen chandelier as a mirror. The hallway went straight to the guardroom, about fifteen meters ahead and Seth counted nine men, most garbed with Demetio's crest on their uniforms. Only two seemed to have belonged to Governor Lazzaro's guard. Without cover they made easy targets, the shields were all facing the guardroom.
"Leave one of them alive." Mandrake ordered, and checked the charge of his pistols one final time.
"Easy enough." With two swift steps, Seth moved to the left-hand corner, while Jane took his prior position. She threw a blind Grenade, which landed between the men with a rather loud metallic "clong". The three Acolytes avoided their eyes before the flash, but when the cries came, started the short lived firefight. With five guns at their side, most were cut down within the first two seconds; one however turned his shield, blocking the las rounds, though the Hellpistol burned a whole through the upper right corner. Jane adjusted her aim and shot him into the exposed foot, while Seth advanced, tackling the guard. The impact threw him off his feet, and Seth's weight kept him trapped beneath his own shield, when a kick to the face knocked him out.
"Please tell me he's still breathing?"
Seth stepped off and removed the shield. "He's fine; bloody nose, but still fine."
Their attention was diverted, when the door was slammed opened, two shields blocking the doorway, with several barrels peering over them. "Identify yourselves." A deep male voice demanded.
"Guess we didn't go unnoticed." The Storm Trooper assumed, as Mandrake stepped forth, holding up his badge.
"Imperial Inquisition, hold your fire."
Seth could hear voices and the barrels were withdrawn. The two men holding the shields moved aside, making room for their commanding officer, dressed similarly to his men, though the right shoulder plate was fashioned as a golden lion head, the arm apparently coming out of its mouth. The other shoulder plate was covered with purity seals, his helmet was also face-concealing, but at mouth height, fangs were engraved to form a lion's snarling snout.
He eyed the badge, before his glare wandered further to the Acolytes. "I'm Captain Pericles of Lord Governor Lazzaros' Guard."
"Interrogator Nathan Mandrake of the Ordo Xenos, serving and acting under the authority of Inquisitor Basil Nicomedo." His head turned to his companions. "These are Acolyte Seth Nelson and medicae Jane Pravin, our orders were to protect the Governor."
"You seem to have failed." Captain Pericles put off his helmet. "And so have I." The Captain was a large man, maybe just because of the armor, with a rather lean, square face. What first appeared to be short stubble of hair, turned out to be tattoos; sacred and divine texts covered his head, though leaving his face free of ink. "I trust you can tell me why half of my men suddenly started firing on us."
There was clear anger in his voice, but Seth was surprised how calm he remained despite the chaos of tonight. Mandrake began to explain curtly the Genestealer cult, how they infiltrated societies and turned people without them remembering or their awareness into sleeper agent, by altering their DNA, to be become puppets of the alien's will, when called upon.
"So House Demetio as allied themselves with xenos. If what you say is true, they shall be purged without question or trail." His men were gathering behind their captain. "First, however, we have to retake the Governor's palace. Most of my men are fighting down below, leaving us to save the nobility trapped up here."
"You know their exact location?"
"Conference room, one level above; according to our motion trackers and radio communications, the cultists' remaining forces are standing sentinel over them, now that you've killed this dispatch."
Suddenly Seth remembered something. "Mandrake, wasn't there a good reason to keep this one alive?" He kicked the body, lying to his feet.
"Ah, yes; information."
Captain Pericles looked greatly displeased by this, as Mandrake kneeled down and put a hand on the cultist's forehead. "I don't think we have time for questioning."
Mandrake had his eyes already closed. "I didn't intent to ask."
Other than the Captain, Seth knew well what the Interrogator was doing; he was a psyker, Mandrake would take the information he wanted from this mind that could no longer resist the intrusion. It would probably destroy the cultist's mind beyond recovery, but Seth doubted anyone present cared. He watched the Interrogator's expression twist in his search. It appeared the enemy's mind wasn't a comfortable place to be in, but thankfully Mandrake found soon was he was looking for.
He stood and fired a crimson shot into the man's head. "They've begun to infect the nobles; they want to turn them into contagii. It would give the Brood complete control over the noble houses of this sector."
"Unless the Patriarch and Magus are killed." Jane reminded him. "You think Nicomedo might have failed?"
"Not necessarily; maybe the attack on the nest has simply forced them to act."
"Regardless." Captain Pericles interrupted. "Would it be possible to cure this infection, before it becomes permanent?"
Even to Seth this seemed rather unlikely and unsurprisingly Jane shook her head. "The Genestealer's DNA is very aggressive and fast working; I do not know how to reverse it, or if it's even possible."
Pericles hid his disappointment and nodded. "Then you must find out who's infected, so we can grant them the Emperor's mercy."
Quae medicamenta non sanant, ferrum sanat, quae ferrum non sanat, ignis sanat
What medicine does not heal, iron heals; what iron does not heal, fire heals.