Archaeology

"Look at all the open areas!" Sanguinius said cheerfully as the Thunderhawk descended from the Imperator Somnium.
"We can race!" Corvus said, equally excited. "Once we're done investigating that is."
"True," Sanguinius said. "But that's alright. Who knows what we'll find?"
"Bones," Angron said.
"Beyond that," Sanguinius said with a slight eye roll.
"Old bones," Angron clarified with a smirk.
"And snakes," Malcador grumbled. "Most likely."
"We'll keep the snakes away from you, Uncle Malcador," Magnus said. "You might not even notice any if we find interesting artifacts."
"I hope there are some," Malcador said, his mood perking up a bit at the prospect.
They were investigating a newly discovered planet that peliminary reports suggested could have been a failed human colony. The researchers who had been assigned had sent an astropathic message calling for the Emperor and Malcador to come to the planet. The invitation hadn't specifically mentioned the Primarchs, but the Emperor had brought them anyway.
"You could also race when we're on breaks," Vulkan suggested. That cheered Corvus up a bit.
"What do we know of this colony?" Perturabo asked.
"Not much," the Emperor replied. "They are having problems trying to translate the writing they've found."
"Is that why they called for you and Malcador?" Lorgar asked.
"Yes," the Emperor said. "They also have a few other projects that they would like assistance with."
"Like what?" Omegon asked.
"There seem to be some tricky excavations that they are trying for," the Emperor said. "There's also a structure that they want to try and re-create."
"That sounds like fun!" Rogal said. "May I help with that?"
"Of course," the Emperor said with a chuckle.
"Is that why you brought us?" Magnus asked. "To help with these other projects?"
"And because I thought you would like it," the Emperor said. "Especially since we just saw Indiana Jones."
"That's true," Magnus said with a laugh.
"But Valdor hasn't seen Indiana Jones," Fulgrim pointed out.
"Are you sure about that?" Valdor asked.
"You hadn't known that I had seen Star Wars," Malcador said with a chuckle.
"I guess," Fulgrim said.
"I have seen the movies," Valdor said. "Though I do believe that Malcador preferred them."
"I think it gives a skewed version of how things actually work," Malcador said. "However, they were very enjoyable."
"There's all the strange stuff that shouldn't have been happening," Magnus said.
"Like the Ark?" Lorgar asked. "Wasn't that supposed to be the power of a god?"
"Yes," the Emperor said. "However, it wouldn't have worked that way."
"True," Lorgar said. "It would have at least changed something about the box."
"Most likely," Magnus said.
The Thunderhawk landed near a city sunk into the ground. The researchers had managed to recreate the streets of the city. It helped them find their way to the researchers. Malcador looked appreciatively around at the work that had already been done. A woman appeared in a dirty coverall. She had wiry red hair with traces of silver in it.
"Hello!" she called out. She seemed immune to the usual reaction to being in the Emperor's presence, or at least very resilient to it. "This way, please."
They followed the woman, who did seem very excited at the situation. She chatted about some of the discoveries they had made about the civilization. Malcador was rapid-firing questions and she seemed delighted to answer them.
"This is our main camp," she said. "It's not a hotel or anything, but it works for us."
"We'll make do here," the Emperor said. There was the option of sleeping on the Imperator Somnium, but a quick glance told him that Malcador would rather sleep in the dirt than travel every morning and every evening.
"Are you sure, my lord?" she asked.
"Yes," the Emperor said. "We have some supplies in the Thunderhawk."
"If you're certain," she said, sounding dubious.
"We are," Malcador said. He was well aware what she was concerned about. "I want to stay close."
"Very well then," she said.
"We haven't heard your name yet, mamzel," Roboute said.
"Oh! How forgetful of me," she said. "I'm Rhea. Lord Malcador had so many questions, it just slipped my mind."
"It's alright, Mamzel Rhea," Roboute said.
"I was asking quite a few questions," Malcador added.
"That you were, lord," Rhea said. A man appeared from deeper in the camp. He didn't appear as immune to the Emperor as Rhea had been.
"My lords," he said as he bowed deeply. "What do you think of our site?"
"It looks interesting," the Emperor said.
"We are working on expanding the southern facing," the man said. "It is there that we found the writing."
"Let's go then," Malcador said eagerly.
"Alright," the Emperor said.
"Where's the structure that you want to rebuild?" Rogal asked as they followed the man.
"That's to the southeast of the writings, lord," the man said. "I'll point it out when we get closer."
"Alright," Rogal said.
"Leno!" a voice called, their guide turned. "We have something!"
A young man ran up and skidded to an abrupt halt. He looked between the Emperor and Leno with his mouth hanging open. Leno chuckled a bit, clearly trying to put his colleague at ease.
"Close your mouth before something crawls in, Viar" Leno said. "What have you found?"
"More writing," Viar said. "This time there's pictures. They seem to be creatures of some sort."
"This is good," Leno said. "Beastiary or children's book?"
"Not sure," Viar said. "Yet that is. We're hoping that it can give us words though."
"It could give us that," Leno said. "I was just taking our guests to see the other writings that we've found."
"I would like to see this new writing, if that's alright," Malcador said.
"I'll continue on to the older writings," the Emperor said.
"That works just fine for me," Leno said. "Viar can take you to the new stuff, Lord Malcador."
"Can I come with, Uncle Malcador?" Magnus asked.
"Can I as well?" the Lion asked. "In case it's a beastiary, I can check out what's around."
"I don't have a problem with that," Malcador said. "Let's go."
"A-a-alright," Viar stammered. "This way." Waving his hand he lead the three off.
"Oh, while we're stopped," Leno said. "I assume you have gear in your flyer?"
"Yes," the Emperor said.
"We could send some servitors to retrieve it if you would like," Leno offered.
"That would be appreciated," the Emperor said. "I originally was going to go back before it got dark."
"This means that we can stay with the writings longer," Perturabo said. He seemed excited by that.
"That's true," the Emperor said with a chuckle. "Shall we?"
"Yes, my lord," Leno said and took off again. "It'd be great if Viar's find gives us headway. Even knowing animal names might be nice."
"Unless it's a children's book," Roboute said.
"That will give us something as well," Leno said, getting excited at the prospect. "Children's books are often set up to teach the language and about the world."
"That is true," Roboute said.

*******************************

"Here we are," Viar said as the four approached a structure. "Let me get ahead and warn the rest of the team."

"That's sensible," Malcador said. Viar nodded and then disappeared inside.

"Do you think it's a children's book?" Magnus asked the Lion.

"I don't know," the Lion said. "Even if it is, there could be a lot of information about the animals of this planet."

"Also the culture of the people who once lived here," Malcador said.

"That too," the Lion said. Viar's head peaked out from the doorway and waved the three in. Inside there was a short man with sandy colored hair and a tall woman with dark hair. Viar's hair was red, just like Rhea's was. The woman was holding an ancient looking book like it would disintegrate at any moment.

"That it?" Malcador asked excitedly.

"Y-yes," the woman said, a bit startled that Malcador was addressing her directly.

"Let's see what we have then," Malcador said. "Mind if I sit?" 

"Not at all," Viar said, gesturing towards a camp chair that was in the structure. "We thought we'd cleared this place out."

"Then were did this come from?" Magnus asked, indicating the book.

"I found a removable panel," the man answered. "The book was behind it."

"That's an odd place for a book," the Lion said. "Unless it was very valuable."

"Or considered taboo," Magnus said. "Whoever put it there could have been hiding the book."

"That implies you thinks it's a beastiary," the Lion said, now more interested in the book. "Valuable allows for more options as to its nature."

"It doesn't have to be a beastiary," Magnus said. "There have been recovered religious texts that had pictures. If it was an unaccepted religion, then they would have had to hide it."

"Lorgar's rubbing off on you," the Lion said.

"It's just a thought," Magnus said with a bit of a huff. "This society could have had religion. It existed before the Imperium did."

"Wouldn't it be funny if it was an owner's manual or something?" the Lion suggested. "And they left it there so that they wouldn't lose it?"

"An owner's manual for what though?" Magnus asked in return.

"It's not an owner's manual," Malcador declared. "It looks like a cautionary tale."

"That's interesting," the other man said.

"So it's a form of warning?" the dark haired lady asked.

"It seems that way to me," Malcador answered. 

"A warning about what though?" the Lion asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Malcador said. "I'll have to keep reading. It might be a minute."

*****************************

Leno brought them up to another building. Another researcher came out. She had frizzy blonde hair. She could have easily been related to Leno. There was a pause where she bowed and then gave the sign of the aquila.

"Arrianna," Leno said. "Do you mind showing the Lord Primarchs the writings you found? I'll show the Emperor and Lord Valdor the first writings we found."

"A-alright, Leno," she said hesitantly. Leno nodded and then lead the Emperor and Valdor away.

"Apologies for separating the Lord Primarchs from us," Leno said after a moment. "We are having issues with raiders from off-planet. They've been intercepting our astropathic calls for help."

"That would explain the way you got me here," the Emperor said. Valdor frowned, he didn't like the deception.

"Indeed," Leno said. "Apologies for the deception. However, we knew that you would come and that Lord Malcador would want to see what we have found here."

"What have they been taking?" the Emperor asked.

"They take artifacts," Leno said. "Typically things that have crystals in them."

"What kind of raiders?" Valdor asked. "Aeldari?"

"We haven't seen their faces," Leno admitted. "However, they don't match Dark Eldar. I've seen them before. They are xenos though."

"Interesting," Valdor said. "What kind of weapons do they use?"

"We aren't sure," Leno said. "They seem to be some form of disrupter weapon. I've never heard of the like before."

"Some form of energy weapon?" Valdor asked.

"I believe so," Leno said. 

"I think so as well," the Emperor said. "How frequently do they appear?"

"They show up every couple of weeks," Leno said. "It isn't consistent when they show up."

"How long ago was the last visit?" Valdor asked. The Primarchs didn't have their armor with them. Malcador didn't have power armor at all. This left them exposed if the raiders showed up.

"Nearly two weeks ago," Leno said. "We actually hoped they'd be early so you would be safe. We are rather expecting them any day now."

"Is there any consistency as to what time of day they attack?" Valdor asked. 

"None," Leno said. "They came at noon last time. It seems like they land as soon as they arrive."

"Interesting," the Emperor said. His eyes were far away. Leno glanced at the Emperor and then turned to Valdor.

"Will you help us?" Leno asked.

"He already is," Valdor said gesturing to the Emperor. "We will."

"Thank you, lord," Leno said. "Shall we actually look at that writing now?"

"Yes," the Emperor said, attention switching back to the present. "You were going to show us the first writings you found?"

"Just over here," Leno said, gesturing to a room next to the one they were in. Inside was an ancient looking book. "We think it might be a journal."

"What makes you think that?" the Emperor asked as he sat. Valdor went outside to make sure the Primarchs weren't overwhelming Arrianna.  He heard what sounded like someone in distress, and turned towards the sound. It didn't take him long to find Rhea, backed into a corner by Freki and Geri. The wolves were clearly just trying to get attention, but it was just as clear that Rhea was terrified of them.

"Freki, Geri," Valdor called. "Come." The pups glanced over at him, then back to Rhea. Freki headed towards Valdor with Geri falling in a few seconds later. 

"Thank you, lord," Rhea said. "I don't know why they were interested in me."

"They were just looking for attention," Valdor explained. 

"Oh," Rhea said. "I was just confusing them, wasn't I?"

"Possibly," Valdor said. "They aren't aware that they scare people. They're quite young still."

"I see," Rhea said. "They are the Lord Primarchs pets?"

"They are Lord Russ's wolf brothers," Valdor said. "He doesn't think of them as pets, rather like more brothers."

"I thought he had plenty of brothers," Rhea said with a bit of a chuckle.

"One might think," Valdor agreed. "However, Lord Russ thinks differently."

"I'll try to remember not to call them pets," Rhea said a bit more seriously. 

"That would be for the best," Valdor said.

"Where is Lord Russ then?" Rhea asked. "Shouldn't they be with him?"

"They should be," Valdor said. As if summoned by their conversation, Leman came out of a building.

"There you are!" Leman said to Freki and Geri. "I wondered where you had gotten to. Did they bother you, Mamzel Rhea?"

"A little, lord," Rhea said quietly. She didn't want to lie to them, but she didn't want to upset a Primarch either.

"They were trying to get attention from her," Valdor said. "And being rather persistent about it."

"Bad wolves," Leman said. "Sorry, Mamzel Rhea, I've been trying to teach them to leave people alone more."

"It's not their fault, Lord Russ," Rhea said. "They couldn't have known that I'm afraid of canines. Had one try to bite me when I was younger."

"It's true, they wouldn't know that," Leman said. "They still aren't good at listening to anyone beyond me or Allfather."

"They responded to Lord Valdor," Rhea said. She surprised herself a bit by supporting the wolves.

"This time," Valdor said with a chuckle. "They also almost didn't."

"Oh, Valdor, Mamzel Arrianna suggested we could check out the tunnel system that runs under the town," Leman said. "Is it alright?"

"I don't have any objections," Valdor said. "Your father will likely not notice. He's looking at the first book they discovered."

Leman smiled, looking excited. Checking to ensure that he had Freki and Geri, Leman trotted off to tell his brothers that they had approval for the tunnels. 

"Are you sure that's safe?" Rhea asked. "That they'll all stay with Arri?"

"I doubt that they will stray too far," Valdor said. "If they do get away from her, we will be able to find them. Besides, I'm not likely to fit in these tunnels."

"That is very true," Rhea said with a laugh. 

"If you will excuse me, mamzel, I was also going to check on Lord Malcador," Valdor said. 

"He's not with the Emperor?" Rhea asked

"No," Valdor said, pausing. "He was distracted by new writings that have just been found."

"Who found them?" 

"I'm not sure. A man named Viar came and told Master Leno. Lord Malcador went to take a look."

"I see," Rhea said. "I'll walk with you. It's easy to get lost in the city."

"Very well," Valdor said after a moment. He didn't need her assistance in navigating the camp, but it seemed that she wanted something. He didn't have to wait long before she asked a question.

"Was it wise to bring the Lord Primarchs?" Rhea asked.

        "They wanted to come," Valdor answered. "The Emperor also likes to bring them so they have a broad experience of life."

        "I see," Rhea said. "Viar's group is over here." She turned down the street that Viar had charged up when the group had passed earlier.

"Is Viar your son?" Valdor asked. 

"My nephew," Rhea said. "Allorie, my sister, wanted to give him a sibling..."

"You've raised him then," Valdor said when Rhea didn't continue.

"Yes," Rhea said. "I'm the only family he has. It wasn't always easy. Children are hard to keep safe on a dig."

"Were you ever worried about losing track of him?" Valdor asked, curious despite himself.

"I did lose him a few times, but someone always found him," Rhea said with a laugh. "Here's his set of buildings. Not sure which one he's in though."

"Have you found any evidence of raiding?" Malcador's voice came from the first building they approached.

"None, lord," Viar replied.

"We could start looking, Uncle Malcador," Magnus suggested. That caused Rhea to smile a bit. She hadn't heard Magnus address Malcador before.

"No," Malcador said. "You and Lion are going to stay here a moment."

"What about you?" Magnus asked.

"I'm going outside to have a chat with Valdor," Malcador said. A moment after he said that, Malcador appeared in the doorway, staff in hand.

"What have you found, Malcador?" Valdor asked.

"Seems this colony was subjected to raids before it's fall," Malcador said. "What have you learned?"

"That the planet is still subject to raiders," Valdor answered.

"Interesting," Malcador said. "What do they take?"

"They're focused on artifacts, lord," Rhea said. "They especially like the ones with crystals in them."

"Aeldari?" Malcador suggested. "They use crystals in place of circuitry, yes?"

"We don't think they are Aeldari," Rhea said. "They're a bit too broad. They seem to be xenos though."

"Interesting," Malcador mused. "Our lord knows of course?"

"Naturally," Valdor said. "Leno told us."

"Do they know?" Rhea asked. "The Lord Primarchs, I mean."

"The ones with the Emperor do not," Valdor said.

"And as of yet, the two with me do not," Malcador said. "Though they will learn eventually."

"What makes you think that?" Rhea asked.

"Because Valdor has a bad poker face," Malcador said simply. "There's a possible threat. They'll know by watching him that something's up."

Rhea didn't seem to know how to respond to that. She looked between the two with obvious shock. Malcador began to chuckle, then stopped abruptly. He turned around, and seemed almost to sniff the air. 

"Magnus," Malcador said. "I believe I told you to stay inside with Viar."

"You did," Magnus said, stepping into the doorway.

"And why aren't you with him?" Malcador asked.

"Because we wanted to know what you and Valdor were talking about," the Lion said, stepping in next to Magnus from the other side of the doorway.

"Well," Malcador said. "Now you know."

"What will we do if they show up?" the Lion asked. 

"I'm sure your father will come up with something," Valdor said. 

"Is that why you came to check on us?" Magnus asked Valdor.

"In part," Valdor said. "I was curious about what you had learned as well."

"There is the question of whether these are related," Malcador said. "Tomb-raiding isn't a new thing. These raiders could be going for things of value."

"Do you know what the other raiders were taking?" Valdor asked.

"Not yet," Malcador said. "The book Viar discovered was a cautionary tale about them. A young reader's treasure."

"So it's possible that these aren't linked raiders," Magnus said. 

"Indeed," Malcador said. 

"Though it doesn't change the problem we are having," Rhea said.

"That is true," Valdor said.

"It would actually be strange if it was the same raiders as before," the Lion said. 

"How so, lord?" Rhea asked. She was curious as to what he thought.

"Was there signs that there were others on this planet between you and the colonists?" the Lion asked in turn.

"None," Rhea said. "Except a few signs from the survey party of course. Those where identified already though."

"Then what happened to the raiders?" the Lion asked. "If the same raiders are bothering you now, what have they been doing while nature reclaimed the ruins of this colony?"

"I don't know," Rhea admitted. "Though that does make it more likely that they aren't the same people."

"Indeed," Malcador said. "Though we do need to remember that this planet was surrounded by warp storms until recently."

"These could still be the descendants of the original raiders," Magnus said.

"True," Malcador said. "Things have changed in the last several thousand years."

"Though we don't know when this planet was cut off by warp storms," Rhea pointed out. "We lost too many records during Old Night."

"That we did," Malcador agreed. Valdor noted that Rhea seemed to smile a bit each time Malcador addressed her. He resolved to talk to Malcador about it later.

"Was the colony's failure related to Old Night?" Magnus asked. "There've been other planets cut off by phenomena that haven't failed."

"True enough," Malcador said. He turned to Rhea, who was more likely to have the answer than him.

"We don't know yet why the colony failed," Rhea said. "We have been assuming that it was related to Old Night though."

"It could be related to the raiders," the Lion said. "We don't know what the original raiders were taking. If they were taking children, then the colony would have died out."

"A good point, Lion," Malcador said approvingly. 

"But that doesn't explain the animal pictures in the book that Viar found," Magnus said. 

"Malcador described it as a young reader's treasure," the Lion said. "A cautionary tale could have allegorical characters."

"Anthopromorphised characters are often used in such stories," Malcador said. "Especially for something that is meant to be scary, it teaches the double lesson of fearing the raiders, and fearing the animals that are dangerous on this planet."

"True," Magnus admitted. 

"I still want to try and find something to fight," the Lion said, seeming excited. "That's not a raider."

"You want to fight one of the animals?" Rhea asked, surprised.

"It's something that he does," Magnus said. "If he can fight it, he will."

"The Emperor has stopped trying to stop him," Valdor said when Rhea turned to him. "As long as he's safe, Lord Jonson can fight what he wants."

"Except the grox," the Lion said.

"That was not a safe situation," Valdor said sternly.

"You also weren't winning," Magnus said. Malcador chuckled, he had heard about the Mechanicum Bull, but hadn't been to see it yet.

"If the Emperor himself is alright with it," Rhea said with resignation. 

"I'll try not to get hurt," the Lion assured her. 

"Even if he does get hurt, it won't be bad," Malcador said. The dark haired woman working Viar poked her head out of the building. 

"Lord Malcador?" she asked, looking at the assembled group.

"Have you found something?" Malcador asked turning towards her.

"Yes," she answered, an excited light coming to her eyes. "The animal used to represent the raiders isn't from this planet."

"This means we have a point for a timeline," Rhea said before Malcador could reply. "Unless it's a Terran animal."

"It's not," Malcador replied, he didn't seem annoyed that Rhea had spoken first. "I think it's local to this region of space though."

"This means that they were in friendly contact with other planets at the time," the other woman said enthusiastically. 

"That it does," Rhea said. "Do we know when the book was made?"

"Yes," Malcador said. "It was a printed book, and they had a printing date in it."

"Does that help us though?" the other woman asked.

"It tells me when it was made," Malcador answered. "I have a passing knowledge of the dating system used in the Golden Age of Technology. The book was printed nearly four thousand years ago."

"Good, good," Rhea said. "We've been able to date the oldest of the buildings as being 4000 years old."

"So they weren't cut off right away," Magnus said. 

"It looks that way," Rhea agreed.

"Valdor," the Emperor's voice came across the vox.

"My king?" Valdor asked.

"I have learned that this planet was subject to raids before the fall of their society," the Emperor said.

"Malcador learned that as well," Valdor said. "Perhaps in a similar vein to Nocturne."

"Why do you say that?" The Emperor asked.

"The book that Viar found was a children's cautionary tale," Malcador said. 

"I see," the Emperor said. 

"Do you know what these earlier raiders took?" Malcador asked. 

"Not yet," the Emperor replied. "The first book that they found was a historical record of the raids. I will have to keep reading to learn more."

"Do you think the current raiders have a connection to the ancient ones?" Valdor asked. He wanted to know more about the ones they were facing. 

"That is unclear," the Emperor answered. "There is the possibility of a connection though." 

"Interesting," Malcador and Rhea said at the same time. Rhea blushed, which caused the Lion and Magnus to share a confused glance with each other. The two turned questioning looks to Valdor who merely shook his head.

"I'll gather the other Primarchs and meet you," the Emperor said. "We will discuss this further after we set up for the night."

"Very well," Valdor said for the group. 

"The others don't know yet," the Lion said. " About the raiders."

"Not yet," Valdor said. "Though Malcador is right, they will learn soon enough."

"Your father will likely tell them on the way over," Malcador said. 

****************************

The Emperor arrived with the other sixteen Primarchs in tow. He held the book that Leno had found in one hand. it was clear that he was still intent on reading it. Viar's companions had come out of the house. They knelt, unprepared for the arrival of the Emperor.

"Rise," the Emperor said. "We should proceed if we want our tents up before it gets dark."

"Indeed," Malcador said, casting a glance towards the sun. 

The Primarchs and the Emperor had brought the tents they had used for their vacation on Pallern. Valdor didn't actually have a tent, he also didn't seem at all worried about it. The Primarchs insisted on setting up Malcador's tent for him, along with the camp bed that he had brought.

Valdor walked the perimeter of the dig site, making sure he was familiar with all of the terrain features. Viar went with him, pointing out the spots where the raiders had landed in the past. 

"I've always thought it a bit strange that they don't always land in the same place," Viar said. "We don't have anything to use against them. Their ships aren't in any danger from us."

"It may be their tactic," Valdor said. "Keep their victims from placing anti-air at a given position."

"Surely that doesn't work on every raid," Viar said.

"Perhaps not every raid," Valdor agreed. "But it will on most raids."

"I guess," Viar said. "This site is also really easy to land at. We think it might have been a port city. It had at least seemed like a planetary trading center before."

"A port is likely," Valdor said. "As we know they weren't cut off until later in the colony's life."

"Aunt Rhea seems to have taken a liking to Lord Malcador," Viar said after a moment's silence.  "Does she have a chance?"

"Not likely," Valdor said truthfully. "Malcador is a very focused person, and that focus is on his work."

"I see," Viar said. "I could hope though. She's never really had the time to find someone herself, not with me around."

"She told me that she raised you," Valdor said. "What of your father though?"

"Father was in the Army," Viar said. "He died before Mother did. Greenskin got him."

"My condolences for your loss," Valdor said.

"I don't really remember either of my parents," Viar said with a shrug. "I was about four when Mother died."

"So that is why you want Rhea to be happy?" Valdor asked.

"Yeah," Viar said. "I kind of feel bad that I messed it up for her. She's always been really nice about it, but I can tell. She wanted to find her own someone."

"I would advise her to look for someone other than Malcador," Valdor stated. "There will be only pain down that path."

"I'll try," Viar said. "However, she's stubborn sometimes."

"All humans are," Valdor said. "Even those who are not truly human."

"Like the Lord Primarchs?" Viar asked. "I thought most of that was because they are children."

Valdor kept silent, he had been thinking of the Emperor when he made that comment. Viar glanced at him, but decided not to ask. They returned to the area where the tents were set up. The Emperor noted their arrival and called the others together.

"What weapons do you have?" Valdor asked once all were present. 

"None, lord," Leno said. "We could use our digging tools, but they aren't meant to be weapons."

"Anything is better than nothing," Valdor said. Leno nodded. 

"We could get weapons from the Imperator Somnium," Horus suggested.

"We don't have our weapons with us though," Angron said. "That limits what we can use."

"Anything is better than nothing," Horus said. Angron rolled his eyes.

"We can also potentially improvise weapons," Perturabo said. "There's decent natural resources around here."

"They use energy weapons though," Rogal said. "There isn't anything we can make here that would be a good defense against that."

"Good defense is a strong offense?" Perturabo suggested with a smirk.

"Nice try," Rogal muttered.

"You both have points," the Emperor said.

"What of the tunnel system?" Arrianna suggested. "It allows people to move around unseen. It's also a good place for people to hide if they need to."

"A good suggestion," Valdor said. He had his armor to rely on. Viar had shown him an entrance to the tunnel system, just to confirm that he wouldn't fit.

"What about you, Lord Malcador?" Rhea asked.

"Don't worry about me," Malcador said, not unkindly. "I can take care of myself. Besides, if the raiders should show up, at least one Primarch will adhere himself to me as soon as possible."

"That's good to know," Rhea said, relaxing a bit. 

"Those who can arm themselves, should," the Emperor said. "And be prepared for anything."

"Yes, lord," the archaeologists said. The Primarchs nodded, and a few dispersed, looking to see what they could use as weapons should something come up. Malcador turned to Valdor and the Emperor as the archaeologists went to make sure they could find all their tools. 

"Rhea seems quite interested in you," the Emperor observed.

"Indeed," Malcador said. 

"Viar was hopeful that something would come from it," Valdor said. "He feels that he caused her to not find someone for herself."

"How so?" Malcador asked.

"He's her nephew," Valdor said. "Both parents died when he was four. She's raised him."

"Interesting," the Emperor mused.

"I'll have to have a chat with her about this," Malcador sighed. "I'll try and hold off until after the raiders are dealt with."

"Probably for the best," Valdor said. "Though I did advise Viar to discourage her as well."

"That's helpful," Malcador said. They watched as the Primarchs who had gone looking for supplies came back into the camp area.

"We should sleep while we have the chance," the Emperor said. 

*****************************

That night, and the next few days, past without incident. The tension was heavy in the air around the camp. It was palpable to the more potent psykers.

"It's like a massive storm," Magnus said. "I just want it to rain already."

"Me too," Sanguinius said. 

"They'll come eventually," Angron said. 

"We think," Jaghatai said. 

"It's more likely that they'll come than not," Horus said. "They haven't met much resistance here."

"But they know that it's a finite resource," Roboute pointed out.

"That's even more of a draw for them then," Horus said. "They want to have all the supply so they can get good money for it."

"What if their leadership has changed?" Fulgrim asked. "Not every raider is going to be alright with grave-robbing."

"I think people feel a bit different about it when the people have been dead for a few thousand years," Ferrus said.

"Ferrus is probably right," Lorgar said. He detested the idea of grave-robbing more than the others.

"You think they'll come?" Magnus asked Lorgar.

"I think so," Lorgar said. 

"An easy place for decent loot is likely to bring them back," Corvus said. 

"Have any of you seen Lord Malcador?" Rhea asked. She had a pitcher of water with her. There was a pause as the Primarchs all shared glances with each other. 

"I think he went with Leno and Rogal to look at the building they're putting back together," Magnus said.

"And you aren't with him?" Rhea asked. She was getting used to Magnus almost always being around Malcador. 

"I've been working with Father on translating the books you guys have found," Magnus said, holding up a book as proof.

"I see," Rhea said. She headed off towards the reconstruction site.

"Rhea," Sanguinius said suddenly. "Take the tunnels."

"Why?" Rhea asked, casting a quick glance up at the sky. 

"The reconstruction site isn't close," Sanguinius said. "Something's not right."

Rhea thought about it a moment before she nodded to Sanguinius. "You think they'll be here soon?"

"It is the most likely future," Sanguinius said. "Konrad's out with Viar so I can't confirm it."

"I'll take the tunnels then," Rhea assured him. To prove her point she turned and disappeared into the tunnel system. 

"Should we get ready?" Roboute asked. Magnus set his slate aside, preparing to head towards Malcador.

"I'm not sure," Sanguinius said. "I just know they'll be here before the end of the day. My visions aren't always as precise as Konrad's."

"We'll be ready," Horus said with confidence. 

"Where did Viar go today?" Jaghatai asked. 

"They were starting some new excavations near a cave," Magnus said. "To the west of the reconstruction site."

"Konrad's hanging out with the bats?" Fulgrim asked.

"Probably," Ferrus said.

"We'll know when they get here," Angron said. "And, as Horus says, we'll be ready."

"You're always ready for a fight," Fulgrim pointed out. Angron just grinned at that comment.

The Primarchs looked around, trying to locate Valdor. They knew the Emperor was as aware of the proximity of the raiders as they were.  They spotted Valdor, who was watching the skies intently. 

"Father probably told him," Magnus said. 

"Probably," Horus agreed. They headed over to him anyway, wanting to be closer to protection. 

"They'll be here soon," Valdor said by way of greeting as they arrived.

"We know," Sanguinius said. 

"We're ready," Angron announced. The corners of Valdor's mouth tugged upwards in a brief smile at that.

It was almost half an hour before the raiders showed up, their dropships coming in fast towards the dig site. The archaeologists quickly headed into the tunnel system, several of them grabbing items that they didn't want the raiders to find. Malcador stayed out to assure that the others got to safety. 

"Lord Malcador," Rhea called from down in the tunnels. "You should come down here with us."

"Leno!" Malcador called, seeming to ignore Rhea. Leno was the last hold-out. Rogal had grabbed a weapon and followed the streaks of the raiders ships with his eyes. "Come on!"

"Just a moment!" Leno answered. "I can see a relic!"

"Be quick about it," Malcador muttered more to himself than to Leno. "They're here! We need to move!"

"I'm coming!" Leno said, appearing out of the leaning building. The archaeologists suspected it was a church. The first raiders appeared around a corner on the other side of the building.

The raider in front leveled his weapon at Leno. Malcador ran forwards, pushing Leno behind him, and towards the tunnel system.

"Lord Malcador!" Rhea screamed from the tunnels as Leno stumbled in.

"We need to move, Rhea," Leno said sharply. "They know we're in the tunnels now."

"We can't leave without him," Rhea snapped. Leno looked up towards Malcador, who was blocking the energy weapon shots from the raiders with kine shields. It took him a moment to realize that there was one over the entrance to the tunnel they were in.

"He's buying us time," Leno realized. "The best thing we can do now is try and get to safety." With that, he grabbed Rhea by the arm and began to drag her down the tunnel to catch up with the others.

Aware that they had left, Malcador relaxed the kine shield around the tunnel entrance. He turned his full attention to the raiders in front of him. They had stopped their advance, seemingly unsure of how to handle Malcador.

"A witch!" one of the raiders snarled. One of the raiders towards the back came forward, his armor was very different from the others. The new raider stepped between the leader and Malcador before pressing some buttons on his gear. Malcador staggered as the amplified force of a blank washed over him. 

"Malcador!" Rogal called out. Malcador turned slightly as Rogal came around a corner, with a staff in hand.

"Stay back, Rogal," Malcador said through gritted teeth. "Pariah."

 Valdor arrived with his group. Sanguinius grabbed Magnus before the other Primarch could rush for Malcador. Valdor raised his guardian spear, and shot the blank. The raider's armor was thicker than expected, but the amplifier was destroyed. Magnus ran to Malcador and escorted him behind Valdor.

"Get to safety, Magnus," Valdor said. He didn't have to tell Magnus to take Malcador as well.

"I'm coming," Malcador said as he followed Magnus into the tunnels. 

"Are you alright?" Magnus asked as they moved away. Malcador seemed in discomfort.

"I'll be fine," Malcador said with a reassuring smile. "That amplifier caught me off guard."

"That's good," Magnus said. "I had hoped that Valdor had killed him."

"I almost thought that too," Malcador said. 

"Lord Malcador?" Rhea's voice carried down the tunnel. She herself came around a turn a second later. She ran forward, barely noticing Magnus, and stopped awkwardly in front of Malcador.  

They proceeded down the tunnel system. They paused when they heard footsteps in front of them. It became obvious quickly that the footsteps didn't belong to the other archaeologists. 

"Get behind me," Malcador said. "Magnus, stay with Rhea, if things get bad, get her out of here."

"What about you, Uncle Malcador?" Magnus asked. 

"I'll be alright," Malcador asserted. "In all likelihood, I'll be right behind you."

Three raiders came around the corner. Magnus ducked behind Malcador, keeping close to Rhea. The narrowness of the tunnels turned the numbers of the raiders against them. However, it also hemmed in the movement of Malcador's staff. 

"Why are you here?" Malcador asked.

"We were here before," one of the raiders responded.

"Before the colonists," Malcador said. The raider didn't respond.

"You are invaders, and must be punished," a different raider called out.

"There you are wrong," Malcador said. "Humanity has claimed this planet, I am human."

"You are a weak old man," the second raider said.

"Am I?" Malcador asked. "Your companions on the surface didn't think so."

"That was on the surface," the first raider snarled and charged.

Malcador blocked the raider with his staff, slamming it into the raider's chest. With a shove, Malcador threw the raider back at his companions. It was then that they seemed to realize the nature of the flames on his staff.

"You're a witch," one of the raiders said.

"Indeed," Malcador said. "Are you the reason this colony failed?"

"You demand a lot of information, witch," the first raider growled. 

"I wish to learn," Malcador said. "You have the answers to the questions I have."

"Why not ask the ones from the surface?" the second raider asked.

"I'm down here talking to you," Malcador answered. "Besides, I strongly suspect that the ones I saw on the surface are dead now."

"Did you kill them, witch?" the first raider demanded.

"Not I," Malcador said. "A friend of mine though."

"Though that leaves you friendless," the second raider sneered.

"Not so," Magnus said, stepping forward. Rhea tried to snatch him back, but failed.

"You are a child," the first raider said dismissively. "Nothing more."

"A cripple child," the second raider sniffed. Instead of bowing to their level, Magnus simply drained the power packs for the energy weapons. A simple trick that Malcador had taught him. 

The third raider pulled out his weapon, unaware of Magnus's sabotage, and tried to shoot him. The man checked his gun, and swore seeing that he had no power. He then changed power packs, and tried again. 

"I think you'll find that none of your power packs have a charge," Malcador said with a bit of amusement in his eyes. 

"They're both witches!" the second man shouted. This caused the raiders to toss aside their weapons, and charge again. This time all three ran at the two psykers.

"This is pointless," Malcador said as he raised his hand and forced all of them against the side of the hall, holding them there.

"Shall we just kill them, Uncle Malcador?" Magnus asked, his own eye glowing with power.

"No," Malcador said. "A prisoner would have been nice, but I don't think they'll talk to us."

"Lion or Konrad could make them talk," Magnus suggested.

"Lion, maybe," Malcador said. "He at least understands the idea of keeping them alive to answer questions."

"Fair enough," Magnus said. "So, are we keeping one?"

"No," Malcador said. "I'm positive someone will come up with a prisoner."

"Alright," Magnus said. "You or I?"

"I have them," Malcador said. With that, he twisted his hand and all three raiders were rendered unconscious.

There was silence for a moment, Rhea wasn't sure how to react the current events. Malcador looked around, making sure that Magnus and Rhea were alright.

"Rhea, where are the others?" Malcador asked.

"This way," Rhea said quietly. She lead them around a few corners before a light showed up coming the other way. Malcador waved the other two behind him, lowering his staff so that the light went farther.

"Lord Malcador?" Leno asked. "Is Rhea with you?"

"Yes, to both," Malcador said, relaxing. 

"That's good," Leno said as he came up to them.

"There are raiders in the tunnels," Malcador said. "Is everyone else safe?"

"Yes," Leno said as he turned and began to lead them to the rest of the archaeologists. "We found a secondary cellar under a house we've been hiding in."

"We're close," Rhea added.

"Good," Malcador said. "I'll contact the Emperor once we get there."

They entered the sub-cellar to find the other 15 archaeologists. Viar looked relieved when Rhea entered. Konrad looked a bit surprised that Magnus was there. Malcador proceeded to a back corner to be away from the others.

"I thought you were back by the camp site," Konrad said to Magnus.

"I went with Valdor when the raiders arrived," Magnus answered. "They have amplifying tech for blanks."

"Like the Sisters of Silence?" Konrad asked. Magnus nodded. "So where's Rogal?"

"Probably with Valdor," Magnus said. "I grabbed Uncle Malcador and went into the tunnels. Valdor told me to get us to safety."

"Makes sense," Konrad said. "Rogal probably dug in, he was at the reconstruction site. Lots of material for him to use."

"No," Magnus said. "He was holding back though."

        "Because I told him to," Malcador said, joining the pair.

"Did you speak to Father?" Magnus asked.

"Yes, he's suggesting that we stay here for now," Malcador said. "He and the others are meeting up with Valdor. He'll contact me when it is clear to come back up."

"Does he have a prisoner?" Magnus asked.

"He didn't say that he had one," Malcador said. "I did mention that we didn't have one."

"Why do they come here?" Konrad asked.

"They claim to have been here before," Malcador said. "I don't know what they mean by that though."

"Are they actually xenos?" Konrad asked.

"I'm not sure," Malcador admitted. "They are dressed like xenos, but that could have come from being raiders. Their minds did feel more human than xenos."

"But they didn't deny being here before the colonists," Magnus said.

"They didn't confirm it either," Malcador said. "It's possible that they are the descendants of the colonists."

"But why would they raid when their ancestors were the victims of raiding?" Konrad asked.

"They might not have had a choice," Malcador said. 

"How so?" Konrad asked. 

"They could be ones taken by the original raiders," Magnus said. The Emperor had determined two days prior that the original raiders were taking children on occasion. They were also taking vast mineral supplies, including crystals.

"Oh, yeah," Konrad said. He hadn't thought about that.

"It's also possible that they aren't even actually related to the colonists from here," Magnus said. "If the children taken from here took over the raider clan, they could have spread their desire to return home to others in the clan."

"That would be interesting," Malcador said. "We'll have to do some investigating when this is done."

They didn't have to wait long. The Emperor gave Malcador the all clear less than an hour later. It was met with great relief, the sub-cellar was getting overly warm and cramped. There was a pause as they worked out where everyone was going. 

Konrad chose to return to the Emperor with Magnus and Malcador. He was hoping that someone had gotten a prisoner that he could punish. He was well aware that he would have to wait until Malcador or the Emperor was done getting information from any prisoners. They arrived back at the reconstruction site, where the Emperor was waiting with the others.

"Are you alright, Uncle Malcador?" Rogal asked. "I'm sorry I didn't help you when the blank used her amplifier." He looked apologetic. It was also a bit strange for any of the other Primarchs to call Malcador "uncle".

"I told you to stay back," Malcador reminded him. 

        "But I should have done something," Rogal insisted. "You were in pain."

"You only had an improvised weapon," Malcador pointed out. "Without a ranged attack, you didn't have many options."

"I could have thrown rubble at her," Rogal asserted.

"And what good would that have done?" Malcador asked. "That would have gotten the attention of all three raiders. It would have put you at risk."

"They wouldn't have been focused on you," Rogal said. "You could have gotten away."

"You would have been in danger," Malcador said. "I couldn't have left you in that situation."

"You wouldn't have run?" Rogal asked.

"Never," Malcador said. "Besides, the amplifier would have still been working."

"Probably," Rogal said. "So I guess it wouldn't have been helpful."

"Probably not," Malcador said, amused. "So the blank was female?"

"Yes," Rogal said. "We determined that after she died. Angron and I took her armor off. Ferrus is trying to disassemble it and see how it works."

"That would be a good thing to know," Malcador said. "I assume the other two also died."

"Angron was here," Rogal said. That was all the answer he needed to give. Malcador nodded, and then spotted the bodies. Angron was still standing over them, like he was waiting for them to stand up again. They rejoined the rest of the group, finding that the Emperor had indeed captured a prisoner. He had taken a bit of a beating before yielding.

"I see you found someone to question," Malcador said. 

"Indeed," the Emperor said. "Do you want to start?"

"Yes," Malcador said. "I've already asked questions of others, though they are dead, or unconscious now. One of your companions mentioned that we are invaders, how are we invaders?"

"We were here before," the prisoner said stubbornly.

"Another of your friends said that as well," Malcador said. "Here before the colony or before the archaeologists?"

"The ones who defile our dead," the prisoner said, he spat at Malcador's feet. The Lion, who had been near the prisoner, hit him.

"There's no need for that, Lion," Malcador said. "If he causes offense, I can correct him."

"Alright, Malcador," the Lion said, scowling at the prisoner.

"Now," Malcador said. "That didn't answer the question. Which group defiles the dead?"

"Those who are here," the prisoner said.

"Alright," Malcador said. "Are the colonists your dead?"

"Yes," the prisoner said. 

"Why take from your own dead then?" Malcador asked. "That makes little sense."

"We secure that which belongs to the dead," the prisoner said. "Once we have gotten you to leave, we will return them to the dead."

"Interesting," Malcador said. "Your ancestors were taken by raiders, and you have remained raiders, but revere the world your ancestors came from."

"Yes," the prisoner said. "These are the ancestral lands."

"I see," Malcador said, he looked to the Emperor. "What shall we do?"

The Emperor mulled the question for several moments. This claim was hard to prove, it also didn't dismiss the other crimes that this band of raiders might be responsible for. There was also the issue of determining what to do with the archaeologists. Digs were expensive, and they all stood to lose a lot of money if he ended it now. The third consideration was what to do with the planet itself. Now that it wasn't surrounded by warp storms, it could be targeted again by other people.

"Jaghatai," the Emperor said after a moment. "Find Leno for me."

"Yes, Father," Jaghatai said and departed. 

************************

The negotiations went into the night. Malcador took the Primarchs so that they wouldn't be bored. The Emperor insisted on arbitrating this particular negotiation. Malcador found the entire situation to be interesting, but very convoluted. He was actually happy that the Emperor was taking the lead with this.

"I'm curious about the original raiders," Magnus said. Perturabo nodded eagerly. 

"Why were they raiding here?" Horus asked.

"It probably has something to do with the crystals they kept taking," Roboute said.

"Are they valuable though?" Perturabo asked. "Why the focus on the crystals?"

"Black market," Magnus said. "They might have a lot of value."

"Possibly," Vulkan mused. "Isn't there a lot of Dark Eldar activity in this area?"

"There is," Malcador said. "You think the raiders, under the old leadership, might have sold the crystals to the Dark Eldar?"

"The Eldar as a race use crystals for their circuitry," Vulkan said. "It would make at least some sense."

"But those are special crystals," Fulgrim pointed out. "These aren't the same type of crystal."

"Con men?" Corvus suggested. "They took the Eldar's money and gave them bad goods."

"That would be an interesting one," Vulkan said with a chuckle. His feelings about the Dark Eldar were greatly influenced by Nocturne. The planet had been subject to Dark Eldar raids before rediscovery by the Imperium. Vulkan chased the Dark Eldar off, and began to recruit Salamanders from the planet.

"How long do you think it will take, Malcador?" Jaghatai asked.

"I'm not sure, Jaghatai," Malcador answered. "It's a rather tricky situation."

"How so?" Angron asked. While he enjoyed being the brawler, he did also want to learn.

"The archaeologists are going to want to be able to share their research," Malcador said. "Even if they can't continue it. They've put a lot of effort into learning about this colony. However, the descendants of the colonists have the final word in whether that will be allowed. There's also the question of if Leno and his group can take anything they have uncovered."

"The respect for the dead," Lorgar said.

"Indeed," Malcador said. 

"They've taken pict-captures of the many artifacts," Ferrus said. "They could use those to create hololith projections of what they've found here. That could be an option, nothing leaves the planet."

"A good option, Ferrus," Malcador said. "If the raiders can accept that, it might be what the archaeologists do."

They were a bit surprised when Viar joined them. He looked very frustrated, almost like he had been sent away from the group when he wanted to stay. The conversation halted, they didn't want to make Viar any angrier then he was.

"They won't let us take anything," Viar muttered after a moment of silence. "The Emperor seems to be sided with them."

"Technically it is their planet," Malcador said. "I assume they were able to prove their claim to being descended from the colonists."

"Yes," Viar said. "They allowed for a genetic test from some bones we un-covered. They are the descendants of the children that were taken. It doesn't change the fact that they don't use the planet."

"It is still their planet," Malcador repeated. "The Imperium has grave worlds, why not these raiders?"

"Because they don't bury their dead here," Viar said in a bullish tone.

"We respect ancient graves when we can," Lorgar said. "Graves that are important to the history of the Imperium. These raiders view this planet as important to their history."

"It's not just those important to the history of the Imperium," Malcador added. "We still allow the pyramids to stand, they were important to the history of Terra and all humanity."

"We have still taken things from the pyramids," Viar pointed out. "Archaeologists like myself took things from pyramids and other Gyptian tombs. Is this any different?"

"It is different because we, humanity, are different," Malcador said. "These people do not wish for this to be the case. As they are in fact, human, working with them is better. Have they agreed to join the Imperium?"

"Yes," Viar growled. "They have agreed to join the Imperium and to stop raiding within the borders. They did say they would like to continue working against the Dark Eldar in the area."

"I can believe that the Emperor would agree with that," Malcador said. "It keeps them from interfering with the citizens of the Imperium."

"But it also prevents us from taking things from the planet," Viar exclaimed, exasperated.

"It does," Malcador said. "The artifacts of a world are allowed to be retained by the people who live there."

"We take all the other resources," Viar muttered darkly.

"Be mindful of who you are speaking with," Malcador warned. "We take what the planet can give, that does not usually mean the history of it's people."

"If they've joined the Imperium, does that mean they have to raise an Army regiment?" Roboute asked.

"I think the Emperor is allowing a pass on that as long as they continue to counter-raid the Dark Eldar," Viar said. 

"I like that deal," Vulkan said. Angron nodded his agreement. 

"What about the picts you've taken?" Ferrus said. He still liked his idea of using hololithic displays instead of the physical artifacts. "You could use those instead."

"If they allow it," Viar said. "They are quite stubborn, and might not understand the difference."

"I don't see an issue with it," Ferrus said.

"Unless they are of the mindset that picts capture the essence of the target," Lorgar said. 

"I doubt that," Malcador said. "What we know points to the idea that they weren't that regressed in terms of societal development."

"That's true," Lorgar said. "They might have an insular mind set though that could prove problematic."

"Maybe," Ferrus said. "That is more likely to be the deciding factor than anything else."

The negotiations continued. Viar was slowly calming down from being removed from them. It still annoyed him because he really wanted to take at least a few artifacts from the planet. 

"Time for bed, Primarchs," Malcador said after a moment. "It's late."

"Can we wait for Father?" Horus asked almost instantly. 

"No," Malcador said, shaking his head. Viar chuckled quietly. Horus pouted, but headed off to his tent. 

"You aren't going with them?" Viar asked after the Primarchs had departed. Malcador had turned his attention back towards the negotiations.

"Not yet," Malcador said. "I think I'll wait a few more minutes."

"Yet you deny that to the Lord Primarchs," Viar said.

"Yes," Malcador said with a chuckle. "They have to listen to me for a bit yet."

"A bit?" Viar asked. 

"They are the sons of the Emperor," Malcador said. "I am but an adviser."

"The Emperor's closest adviser," Viar said. "That has to count for something."

"It does," Malcador said. "However, they are also children, it makes things different."

Viar laughed at that. "I can see that," he said. "They seem to listen better than I did at their age." 

"Is that so?" Malcador asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I used to sneak out when Aunt Rhea sent me to bed," Viar said with a chuckle. "Digs at night are quite magical."

"That sounds like something the Primarchs might try," Malcador said.

"Do you think they would get far?" Viar asked, curious.

"Not likely," Malcador said. "Valdor would catch them. It helps that he doesn't need to sleep."

"I thought he was here to protect the Emperor," Viar said, clearly surprised.

"He's here to protect all of us," Malcador said. "His focus is the Emperor, but the Primarchs are also in his purview. I think it's time for me to go to bed myself."

"Good night, Lord Malcador," Viar said with a bow.

"Get some sleep yourself," Malcador suggested. "They may have to call a halt for the night."

*****************************

They did indeed call a halt for the night. It was the next morning before they were able to finalize a formal agreement. It did allow for the use of hololithic projections made from the picts the archaeologists had previously taken. 

"Well, at least we have something," Leno said as they packed up their equipment. "We have learned quite a bit at this site."

"Thank you for helping us, lord," Rhea said. "I'm happy that we came to a peaceful conclusion."

"I also appreciate your assistance, lord," Viar said. He was being very formal to the Emperor. It made the Primarchs wonder if he had somehow offended their father the previous evening.

"Thank you, Great Leader," the chief raider said. More of the raider clan had come down to the planet for negotiations. "You have given us back the ancestral lands."

"You are welcome, Iatar," the Emperor said. 

"You have many children with you," one of the other raiders said. "Why is that?"

"They are my sons, Liain," the Emperor explained. "I brought them with me to teach them of the galaxy."

"Watch your father carefully," Liain said. "He shows great strength."

"We will, mamzel," Horus said. Liain nodded solemnly and left.

"That was a fun trip," Perturabo said as they boarded the Thunderhawk.

"There was a lot to learn," Magnus said.