Space Sharks Only Obeys Lord Nimrod

In orbit above the Ocean World Naktis, Alkahas Phall strode out from the command deck of the Kraken and onto a platform overlooking the tiered decks.

Above his head, Servo-skulls operated and maintained by Tech Sergeants cast down green light.

Alkahas swept a glance over the circling Servo-skulls. They projected his image onto every warship in the fleet, onto every holographic screen.

Clad in a suit forged from the finest Leijin Alloy, he walked to the edge of the platform and gripped the railing hard with both hands.

Alkahas looked down over the battle-brothers on the tiered decks, their armor painted dark gray.

On the right pauldron of every battle-brother was painted the white emblem of their Chapter—a finned Migratory Shark.

Alkahas activated the Sonic Array amplifier and said in a low voice, "I think you have all been confused during this time. After our Primarch returned, we left alone."

"Some of you know the reason. Some of you have guessed it. Now I will tell everyone the cruel truth."

"The Primarch ordered us to leave Imperial space, to head for the frontier of the Imperium, and to search out and annihilate the enemies of mankind without cease."

He paused for a moment, then stressed in an even heavier tone, "Without cease!"

"This is not the pioneering and reconnaissance carried out by the 5th Legion. We are to be stalkers of the Dark Outer Rim."

Alkahas deliberately fell silent, giving the Astartes time to think.

His voice echoed between the decks. The Warriors in dark-gray armor grew ever paler.

Exile!

They had been exiled by their Primarch!

Bewilderment brimmed in their eyes.

Why had their Primarch exiled them?

They had given everything for the Imperium.

The entire fleet sank into silence. In the oppressive atmosphere, the crew did not