Treacheries of the Space Marines (Anthology)
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Treacheries of the Space Marines is a Black Library anthology, edited by Christian Dunn and featuring stories by Anthony Reynolds, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Matthew Farrer, and Sarah Cawkwell, among others. It was published on September 25, 2012.
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Cover Description
The Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes are the defenders of mankind, the ultimate superhuman brotherhood standing against the evils of the galaxy. But even among their hallowed ranks, there are those who would turn their backs on their brothers and follow the path of the traitor. Gathered within these pages, you will find tales from the dark side of the Imperium – remember, that which can defend, can also betray...
The Masters, Bidding
Liberator
The Carrion Anthem
We Are One
By John French
Vox Dominus
The Long War
by Andy Hoare
The Bitter End
Even the Tyrant of Badab needs to bargain sometimes; when there is something he wants, but cannot simply take for himself, Lufgt Huron puts aside his hordes of warriors and ships, and relies on his charisma and cunning - neither of which were diminished by the near-destruction of his body. In fact, some among the Red Corsairs whisper that it was such a pact, with the Ruinous Powers, that allowed Huron to survive the catastrophic wounds he suffered at the Fall of Badab.
Such an agreement brings Blackheart to an unnamed Dead World, to negotiate with Dengesha, the leader of the Heterodox, a powerful band of Chaos Sorcerers. Dengesha senses the presence of Huron's Hamadrya (his familiar), and Huron explains that he needs to capture and bind a powerful soul to sustain it for whenever he ventures outside the warp-saturated boundaries of the Maelstrom. He has already located a suitable candidate - Canoness Brigitta of the Order of the Iron Rose - but he needs Dengesha to perform the binding for him. Do this, Huron promises, and the Sororitas' world will be given to the Heterodox, to do with as they please.
The Red Corsairs' attack on the convent is furious and unstoppable. The Sisters of Battle are quickly overwhelmed, and Huron enters the fray only to subdue Brigitta, and bring her to the ritual site.
But when Dengesha performs the ritual, he finds his own soul being bound into the vessel prepared by Huron's Librarians. Helpless, he can only listen as Huron explains that he was the soul identified as perfect for Huron's needs; as for the Heterodox, they have agreed to join the Corsairs, and so the planet will become theirs, and Huron's. Brigitta, her faith unshaken, offers thanks to the Emperor for avoiding Dengesha's fate, before Huron dispatches her with his Claw.
In his headquarters, Huron congratulates Armenneus Valthex, the creator of the vessel which entrapped Dengesha's soul. After the Tyrant is gone, however, Valthex reflects uneasily that he also had to make a bargain to carry out his lord's will, and one day his patron will come to collect.
Throne of Lies
Torturer's Thirst
by Andy Smillie
The creed of the Flesh Tearers is put to the test when Chaplain Appollus is captured by the twisted servants of the vile Chaos God Tzeentch. Tortured and forced to reveal Imperial secrets, Appollus holds tightly to the deepest mystery of his Chapter, the secret shame that beats in the heart of all sons of Sanguinius – but will the true nature of the Death Company withstand his torturer’s thirst?
