Why not just bombard them?' asked Eidolon. The sudden silence that followed his question was deafening.
Loken waited for the Warmaster to reprimand Eidolon for daring to question one of his decisions, but Horus only nodded indulgently. 'Because these people are vermin, and when you stamp out verВmin from afar, some invariably survive. If we are to cut out the problem, we must get our hands dirty and destroy them in one fell swoop. It may not be as elegant as the Emperor's Children would wish, but elegance is not a priority for me, only swift vicВtory,’
'Of course,’ said Eidolon, shaking his head. To think that these fools should be so blind to the realВities of the galaxy,’
'Have no fear, lord commander,’ said Abaddon, descending to stand beside the Warmaster, 'they will be illuminated as to the error of their ways.'
Loken risked a sidelong glance at the first captain, surprised at the respect he heard in his voice. All the previous dealings between the Sons of Horus and Eidolon had led him to believe that Abaddon held the arrogant lord commander in contempt.
What had changed?
'Mortarion,' continued Horus. 'Your objective will be to engage the main force of the Choral City's army. If they are anything like they were when the Raven Guard fought them, they will be professional soldiers and will not break easily, even when conВfronted with Astartes,’
The holo zoomed in to show a map of the Choral City, a handsome conurbation with many and varied buildings that ranged from exquisite mansions and basilica to massive sprawls of housing and tangles of industrial complexes. Artfully formed boulevards and thoroughfares threaded a multi-levelled city of millions, most of whom appeared to be housed in sprawling residential districts, workshops and factories.
The western edge of the city was highlighted, focusing on the scar-like web of defensive trenches and bunkers along the city's outskirts. The opposite side of the Choral City butted up against the sheer cliffs of a mountain range – the natural defences efficiently shielding the city from a conventional land attack.
Unfortunately for the Choral City, the Warmaster clearly wasn't planning a conventional land attack. 'It appears that a sizeable armed force is manning these defences,' said Horus. 'It looks as if they have excellent fortifications and artillery. Many of these defences were added after compliance to protect the seat of Imperial governance on Isstvan, which means they're ours, and they will be strong. It will be ugly work engaging and destroying this force, and there is still much about the Choral City's milВitary we do not know,’
'I welcome this challenge, Warmaster,’ said MorВtarion. This is my Legion's natural battlefield,’
Another location lurched into focus, a spectacular conglomeration of arches and spires, with dozens of labyrinth-like wings and additions surrounding a magnificent central dome faced in polished stone The city's crowning glory, the structure looked like a jewelled brooch set into the twisted mass of the Choral City.
The Precentor's Palace,’ said Eidolon appreciaВtively.
'And your Legion will take it,’ said Horus, 'along with the World Eaters,’
Again, Loken caught Eidolon's glance at Angron, the lord commander unable to conceal the distaste he felt at the thought of fighting alongside such a barbaric Legion. If Angron was aware of Eidolon's scornful glance he gave no sign of it.
The palace is one of Praal's most likely locations,’ said Horus. 'Therefore, the palace is one of our
most important objectives. The palace must be taken, the Choral City's leadership destroyed, and Praal killed. He is a traitor, so I do not expect or wish him to be taken alive.'
Finally, the holo zoomed in on a curious mass of stonework some way east of the Precentor's Palace. To Loken's untutored eye, it looked like a collection of church spires or temples, sacred buildings heaped one on top of one another over the centuries.
'This is the Sirenhold and my Sons of Horus will lead the attack on it,' said Horus. 'Choral City's revolt appears to be religious in nature and the Sirenhold was the spiritual heart of the city. AccordВing to Corax's reports, this was the seat of the old pagan religion that was supposed to have been disВmantled. It is presumed that it still exists and that the leadership of that religion will be found here. This is another likely location for Vardus Praal, so again I do not require prisoners, only destruction.' For the first time, Loken saw the battlefield he would soon be fighting on. The Sirenhold looked like difficult ground to take: massive, complicated structures creating a confusing multi-levelled warВren with plenty of places to hide. Dangerous ground.
That was why the Warmaster had sent his own Legion to take it. He knew they could do it.
The holo zoomed out again to a view of the planet itself.
'Preliminary operations will involve the destrucВtion of the monitoring stations on the seventh
planet of Isstvan Extremis,’ said Horus. 'When the rebels are blind the invasion of Isstvan III will comВmence. The units chosen to lead the first wave will deploy by drop-pod and gunship, with a second wave ready in reserve. I trust you all understand what is required of your Legions,’
'I only have one question, Warmaster,’ said Angron.
'Speak,’ said Horus.
Why do we plan this attack with such precision when a single, massive strike will do the job just as well?'
You object to my plans, Angron?' Horus asked carefully.
'Of course I object,’ spat Angron. We have four Legions, Titans and starships at our disposal, and this is just one city. We should hit it with everything we have and slaughter them in the streets. Then we will see how many on this planet have the stomach to rebel. But no, you would have us kill them one by one and pick off their leaders as if we are here to preserve this world. Rebellion is in the people, Horus. Kill the people and the rebellion ends,’
'Lord Angron,’ said Eidolon reasonably, 'you speak out of turn-'
'Hold your tongue in the presence of your betters,’ snarled Angron. 'I know what you Emperor's ChilВdren think of us, but you mistake our directness for stupidity. Speak to me again without my consent and I will kill you,’
'Angron!'
Horus's voice cut through the building tension and the primarch of the World Eaters turned his murderous attention away from Eidolon.
'You place little value on the lives of your World Eaters,’ said Horus, 'and you believe in the way of war you have made your own, but that does not place you beyond my authority. I am the Warmas-ter, the commander of everyone and everything that falls under the aegis of the Great Crusade. Your Legion will deploy according to the orders I have given you. Is that clear?'
Angron nodded curtly as Horus turned to Eidolon. 'Lord Commander Eidolon, you are not among equals here, and your presence in this war council is dependent upon my good graces, which will be rapidly worn thin should you conВduct yourself as if Fulgrim was here to nursemaid you.'
Eidolon rapidly recovered his composure. 'Of course, my Warmaster, I meant no disrespect. I shall ensure that my Legion is prepared for the assault on Isstvan Extremis and the capture of the Precentor's Palace.'
Horus switched his gaze to Angron, who grunted in assent.
'The World Eaters will be ready, Warmaster,’ said Kharn.
Then this conclave is at an end,’ said Horus. 'Return to your Legions and make ready for war,’
The delegations filed out, Kharn speaking quietly with Angron and Eidolon adopting a swagger as if