Gaunt took a deep breath. The windows were still quivering in their frames, and the sound of munition strikes and airbursts was now very distinct.
‘The inner circle,’ he said. ‘It’s not well liked…’
Van Voytz raised his eyebrows.
‘What’s the matter, Bram? Afraid you’re going to be tarnished by association? Afraid you’ll catch lice lying down with the bad boys?’
‘I am concerned with the calibre of some of your co-conspirators,’ said Gaunt.
‘Oh! “Co-conspirators” now, is it?’
‘You know what I mean,’ Gaunt growled. ‘Lugo is a paper general. He’s never been better than barely competent–’
‘Screw Lugo,’ replied Van Voytz. ‘He’s a rat’s arse. But we need him, because he’s connected. He has strong links with the Ecclesiarchy in this sector and Khulan Sector. We need the approval of the Adeptus Ministorum and he brings that. A move like this slips down a damn sight easier with the church backing us. They’ll bring over the sector lord and the Imperial court. We need him, so we tolerate him.’
Gaunt didn’t reply.
‘As soon as Blackwood gets here, we’re calling the circle together,’ said Van Voytz. ‘And then we’re pushing the button. An hour or two. Now, are you with us?’
‘Give me two hours, sir,’ said Gaunt.
‘What? Why?’
‘I need to issue direct instructions to the Ghosts. I owe them that much. I’m not leaving their feet in the fire like this.’
‘All right, but after that?’
‘I’ll give you my answer in two hours.’
Van Voytz stared at him for a moment, as if trying to read his thoughts in his face. Gaunt’s eyes, their impenetrable blue a result of Van Voytz’s own command calls, made that impossible.
‘Two hours, then,’ Van Voytz said.
Gaunt snapped a salute. Van Voytz was already turning back to the strategium table where Cybon was yelling instruction to his juniors.
Gaunt looked over at Daur and Bonin.
‘With me,’ he said.
Beltayn was in the vox-centre on the gallery below. He’d taken command of one of the high-gain voxcaster units, ordering the vox-men aside so he could operate it himself.
‘Linked to Tanith First, sir,’ he reported, handing a headset to Gaunt.
Gaunt took off his cap and put the headset on.
‘This is Gaunt.’
‘Reading you, sir,’ came the reply. He recognised the voice of Oysten, Rawne’s new adjutant.
‘I need Kolea or Hark,’ said Gaunt.
‘I’m sorry, sir,’ Oysten’s crackling reply came back. ‘Neither one is here.’
‘How can they…? Never mind. Baskevyl, then. And quickly.’
‘Sir, Major Baskevyl is not on-site either.’
‘Feth me, Oysten! What’s going on?’
‘One moment, sir.’
There was a muffled thump from the other end of the connection, then a new voice came on.
‘Gaunt?’
‘Rawne? What the hell is happening?’
‘The explanation will take some time, and it will annoy you,’ said Rawne. ‘Do you really want to hear it right now?’
‘No. Dammit, I was about to promote Kolea to brevet colonel to get the regiment together.’
‘Well, Gol’s not present, and I don’t think a brevet promotion is going to do him much good right now.’
‘All right. Rawne, looks like you got the job after all.’
Silence, a crackle.
‘You still there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are we going to have that argument again?’
‘I don’t know. Shall we?’
‘Does this seem like a good time, Rawne?’ Gaunt snapped. ‘Are you the senior officer present or not?’
‘I am.’
‘Then you’re in charge. I can’t get there. The palace is locked down. What’s the situation?’
‘We’re at secondary order, and ready to move. I was anticipating marching orders.’
‘Yes? Well, here they come. You’re moving south, to the Tulkar Batteries. The enemy is advancing from the south and south west. Garrison forces are moving in to cover the line. How fast can you get there?’
‘Hold on… Checking the charts… Fifty minutes if we leave now.’
‘Make it fast. Rapid transfer, and expect to hit the ground running when you arrive. The enemy may already be there. Orders are to hold the batteries and hold that line. I’ll get any supplementary data I can find relayed via the war room. Munitions?’
‘Adequate, but we’ll need more before long.’
‘Munitorum is aware. I think you may get some armour support in another ninety minutes, but you’ll probably be on station first.’
‘What about the retinue?’
‘Permission’s been granted to transfer all non-coms to the palace precinct. Transport will be despatched, but it will be a while. The retinue will have to remain at the billet site until the raid’s over and the shield’s down. Suggest you–’
‘Leave a couple of companies to protect them, got it,’ said Rawne.
‘Good. Get on with it. Rapid deploy. Do you need a brevet rank?’
‘No, I fething don’t.’
‘You’ve got it anyway, Colonel Rawne. You are primary order as of now. Get moving. The Emperor protects.’
‘Understood.’
‘Are my orders clear and comprehended, colonel?’
‘They are. They are… my lord militant.’
‘Straight silver, Rawne. I’ll make contact again as soon as I can.’
‘Understood. Rawne out.’
The connection dropped. Gaunt handed the headset back to Beltayn.
‘Colonel Rawne?’ asked Daur.
‘Seems so,’ said Gaunt.
‘What happens now, sir?’ asked Beltayn.
‘We have to pay a visit,’ said Gaunt.
‘In the middle of this?’ asked Daur.
‘It’s important,’ said Gaunt. He looked at Bonin.
‘Think you can lead me to the east wing of this place?’ he asked.
Twenty-One: Lice
Rawne walked out of the K700 billet buildings into the yard. Rain was still coming down hard.
‘Listen up!’ he yelled. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the constant drumming and rumbling of the raid. On the dismal skyline, the Great Hill was lit up, strobing with flashes and fizzles of light as the enemy aircraft assaulted the shield and the lower slopes.
The officers, adjutants and seniors gathered in.
‘Primary order,’ said Rawne. ‘We’re moving in force towards the Tulkar Batteries. Expect enemy contact at that site. Be prepared to engage the enemy before we reach the batteries. We’re moving in five. Rapid deploy.’
‘Is this from the top?’ asked Kolosim.
‘No,’ said Rawne sarcastically. ‘I’m making it all up. Five minutes, are we clear?’
There was general assent.
‘Sergeant Mkoll?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘I want the approaches to the batteries scouted in advance, so your boys will tip the spear.’
Mkoll nodded.
‘Do we have street plans?’ he asked.