The bridge of the Purgatory-class Battleship, Vicious Claw.
Nerath Kirin, Chapter Master of the Ashen Claws, stared at the holographic projection before him.
"Omega." He had ended his crusade on the Black Emperor's orders and returned to the Ghoul Stars to await an oracle.
The Black Emperor's oracle had been to cooperate with the Night Lords when both sides reached a stalemate.
But the Shadow of Order had advanced smoothly, and he had never received a summons from the Black Emperor.
Unexpectedly, the one who came looking for him now was Alpha, claiming to be Omega.
He knew from the information granted by the Black Emperor that Omega was not in this war zone. The other party might be Alpharius, or Alpha playing the role of a primarch.
"I have been exiled by Corax. I have no interest in the war between the Imperium and Horus."
If the one who had come were a Night Lord, he might have agreed outright. But the person before him was suspected to be Alpharius, so he could not appear too eager.
"You do not fight for yourself."
"If the Imperium wins, it will firmly control the Ghoul Stars."
"Nimrod's territory will not tolerate a powerful independent force."
"Not enough," Nerath said.
"I will provide you with twelve thousand sets of Mark IV Power Armor, one thousand sets of Tartaros-pattern Terminator armor, one hundred Sicaran Tanks, and fourteen thousand Nemesis-pattern Bolters designed to strike Astartes power armor."
"And thirteen hundred Raven Guard Gene-seeds."
"Fine." Nerath accepted the irresistible terms Alpharius had offered.
Because of the Warmaster's attacks, the Raven Guard had been unable to refit with Mark IV Power Armor and Sicaran Tanks. The exiled Ashen Claws were even less likely to receive supplies.
The Black Emperor had granted supplies to the Ashen Claws,