Nick Kyme

Excellent novella that shows inner workings of the famed Ten Thousand and their coping with the new duties after Guilliman led them back among the stars to directly fight against mankind's enemies. And here on a very edge of Sol system ancient threat comes back to strike again at Terra.

Through four characters - Shadowkeeper, two active Aquilan Shield bearers and one "retired" warrior now acting as Eye of the emperor - we see how different they are from their cousins in Space Marines chapters. They are warriors, fiercely independent but when together they fight as one. For them duty comes first - always.

They are more individual than other gene enhanced warriors of the Imperium and always try to plan and think before any action. They suffer greatly in case of failure and second invasion of the Lion Gate shuddered them considerably. They need to put their inner doubts aside and fight to protect the mankind, Terra and the Emperor himself.

Unlike wolves (Space Marines trained to fight in groups) they are Lions, each a power beyond belief, best of the best.

Highly recommended to all fans of Wrahmmer 40000 and especially fans of Adeptus Custodes.

… (més)

Story consists of two intermingling parts - first showing Vulkan's actions in bringing the renegade human world to compliance and second showing meeting between Emperor and Vulkan and their discussion where Vulkan is to make his mind whether or not to join and follow Emperor in his Great Crusade.

Vulkan and Salamanders are not your standard Space Marines - they feel greatly about the human life and try to save as much as possible from unnecessary death and destruction. This part of Vulkan's personality, his protectiveness of all human life, is what Emperor sees as the most vital difference between Vulkan and his brothers. This is what makes Vulkan invaluable to the Great Crusade.

Excellent short story that sheds light on relations between Emperor and his Primarchs. It is obvious Emperor is not telling them everything and it is also obvious that they are aware of it. But unlike some Vulkan joins the Emperor because he sees there is no other option for humanity if it is to survive among the stars.

Recommended to all fans of Horus Heresy series.… (més)