'Cadmus has gone to great lengths to ensure that these events unfold exactly the way he intends. I find it difficult to believe that he would simply slip away.’ Nathaniel added.
'He wouldn't.’ Torin agreed.
'Yes. He must still be here on Hyades, but where?' Ragnar asked.
'He would need a place where he could plan events without detection, and free from interruption. That means it would not be within the palace compound,' Varnus concluded.
'How can you be so certain?' Haegr asked.
'The compound is heavily monitored by security surveillance skulls.' Ragnar remembered the command centre's monitors, almost every corridor and room under constant scrutiny.
'Yes.’ Varnus confirmed.
'Then he would need to establish his base in a secluded location away from the palace compound.’ Jeremiah added.
'The temple.’ Haegr said, almost shouting.
The silence of the group was deafening as each member of the Wolfblade reached the same conclusion. Haegr was right – the temple would be the best place to begin their search for the treacherous Cadmus. It was secluded, and out of the way.
'Temple?' Jeremiah asked.
'Upon our arrival on Hyades we conducted a search of the jungle around the city. While there, we came upon an ancient temple. It appeared to be abandoned.’ Ragnar explained.
"We just need to find a way to get there without attracting the attention of our brother Space Marines.’ Torin explained.
'I think I can help with that.’ Elijah said as he walked past the group. Jeremiah looked to Nathaniel who
simply shrugged and entered the command centre as well, followed closely by the rest of them.
When they entered the command centre Elijah had pulled several tubes from a plasteel box that rested between the wall and one of the monitoring consoles.
'I saw these when we were in here earlier, I think that they can help.’
Elijah read the label on each tube in turn. 'This one.’ he said, pulling the parchment from the tube and unrolling it across the table.
'It's a city map.’ Elijah said.
The others watched as Elijah began to trace a path from the jungle to the city walls and on to the palace.
'What are you doing?' Torin asked.
'This is the path we used to gain access to the city.’ Jeremiah explained.
'Our insertion went exceptionally well. In fact, I thought at the time that it went too well.’ As he continued, Jeremiah pointed out the key locations along the line on the map. 'We teleported in here and made our way through the jungle to the wall here.’
'That's great, but there's a war going on out there.’ Haegr's words rang true. There were forces throughout the city: forces that they would have to avoid.
'This is correct. We will need to move undetected if possible. Any contact with either side would spell disaster for our mission.’ Nathaniel said.
Varnus looked at the map and then spoke. 'The Dark Angels dropped into the city here, here and here. At first they moved unobstructed towards the palace. Fortunately, the governor's guard report
directly to the governor who dispatched them right away, slowing down their advance.'
'I'm impressed. Defence forces going head-to-head against Astartes.’ Torin commented.
'That was not their mission. Their numbers were too small to mount an actual defence. Their orders were to harass them, slow them down. With the use of mines and explosives charges they were able to topple several buildings in an attempt to slow their advance on the palace. This gave the governor some time to locate and deploy those forces still loyal to him.'
The Astartes warriors watched and listened as the tech-priest pointed out the most current troop and Marine deployments that he had, committing almost every detail to memory.
'These locations are somewhat out of date but they should give you enough information to move through the city, decreasing your chances of encountering any of the forces engaged on Lethe,' Varnus concluded.
Again, Varnus, we are in your debt.' Ragnar placed a hand on the tech-priest's shoulder.
'Once you've departed I will attempt to contact both Adeptus Astartes forces and explain the situation to them. May the Emperor and the Machine-God protect all of us.' Varnus bowed and left the command centre.
'Let's get to it then.’ Ragnar commanded. 'Torin, go to the Chimera and bring it to the parade grounds, where we first discovered the Dark Angels.'
'I'll go with Torin and Jeremiah, just in case,' Nathaniel said.
'Good idea.’ Jeremiah agreed.
The rest of us will proceed to the armoury to re-supply'
. The palace armoury? We need bolter rounds not las-gun power cells.’ said Elijah.
'Haegr, would you be so kind as to lead us to the armoury where the Wolfblade supplies were housed upon our arrival?'
'It would be my pleasure, Ragnar. Right this way. Fortunately we have to go right past the kitchen. One can not be expected to wage war on an empty stomach.'
Ragnar and the others prepared, re-equipping and rearming for the journey ahead. Upon their arrival several stowage crates had been offloaded. The Wolfblade were always on the move, supporting and protecting House Belisarius's interests. Since supplies for a contingent of Space Marines were hard to come by on most worlds, the Wolfblade always brought their own. Once the team was ready they left to rendezvous with Torin and Nathaniel.
Haegr and Elijah were the last to enter the Chimera transport. Elijah moved past the rest towards the front while Haegr took the seats next to the deployment hatch. Chimeras were not designed for Space Marines, especially ones his size.
'I do not know how you expect a man to go to war when all he's had to eat are food packs.’ Haegr grumbled.
Torin looked back from the driver's seat. What's got Haegr's blood up?'
"We stopped by the kitchen on our way here, and all he could find to eat were food packs.’ Elijah said with a grin as he took the tactical seat.
Suspicion and distrust ran through Torin's mind as Elijah sat down, visions of ambush or the Chimera pulling right into a Dark Angels command post flashing in his head. Torin attempted to run a mental checklist of the troop concentrations that Varnus had depicted on the map. He hoped his memory would not fail him.
'I thought I might be able to help with the navigation through the city. I'd hate to round a corner and find we'd entered a Space Wolf command centre,' Elijah said.
'Well said, my friend, we'll keep each other honest,' Torin said with a grin.
'I would hate to have our new alliance severed because I failed in my duties,' Elijah replied with a smile.