The Perfect Communication Machine, Surpassing All the Empire's Machines and Star-language Communication

Nykona Sharrowkyn of the Raven Guard lay in the shadows and activated the new Scanner Array of his Raptor-pattern armor.

Defense turrets, interlocking fields of fire, visual scanners, motion sensors—

Nykona mapped out a safe route through the Razor Mines. He could avoid the motion detectors' blind spots and cross the laser traps.

He quietly opened his communicator and selected the ultra-high-power channel. Based on Nephilim vocal-range research, it was a channel exclusive to the Shadow of Order.

"I've found Kryptos. Come quickly!"

Nykona could infiltrate and sabotage the Machine Temple, but he could not seize all the spoils for the Black Emperor.

He had learned the importance of restraint in Deliverance's underground tunnels.

He was the Black Emperor's favored one, but he could not rely on the True God's blessings to act recklessly.

"Three hours and ten minutes." The voice of Ullach Brandon, the Iron Captain of the 65th Company of the Iron Hands, came through, cold as steel burning without flame.

"My kinsman, what are you waiting for?"

Nykona walked around the perimeter wall, observing the Iron Worms' patrol routes while considering his reply.

His gaze fell on the bulky body that emitted mechanical roars. Its teeth clicked and chattered.

"I'm afraid of those Iron Worms. They even eat steel."

"They only eat scrap metal."

Another gentle voice entered his mind. "Don't be afraid, my young kinsman."

Nykona leaped onto a tilted tower and gazed inside the perimeter.

Between the perimeter wall and the Forge Temple stood relay towers, their faint whispers drifting through the air.

Nykona closed his eyes and focused completely on "listening."

"Tell the Warmaster that Golden Lorgar is ready. He will launch an assault on Sotha and extinguish the beacons lit by the galaxy."

"I've deciphered the secret communications of the Solar Titan Legion.