Beyond the Astartes

Abyssal Knight Cleer stared at the warrior in black armor, a short sword in his hand.

She sensed something familiar about the man before her, something like her sisters: the presence of a Soulless.

One of those mysterious warriors under Lord Nimrod.

As a veteran Sister of the Chamber of Oblivion, Cleer had fought Psykers on many fronts and briefly served alongside numerous expeditionary forces.

She had heard that mysterious warriors had appeared under Lord Nimrod's command. They made people instinctively uneasy and possessed extraordinary resistance to Psionic Energy.

Sixteen years ago, Knight-Commander Gentia Kohler had ordered all Sisters of Silence to gather information about them while carrying out their missions.

Five years ago, Cleer had returned to Somnus Citadel on Luna for a joint meeting of the Sisters of Silence, where the Chamber of Vigilance, Chamber of Oblivion, Judgment Hall, and Chamber of Stars shared what they knew.

They confirmed that Lord Nimrod commanded more than a hundred Pariahs.

Every Chapter of the Shadow of Order, as well as departments such as the Librarians, had Pariahs among their ranks.

Every full Sister at the meeting expressed her view through hand signs. In the end, the Canoness Commander announced her decision: they would not make contact yet and would continue gathering information.

Cleer silently studied the Pariah for several seconds, then abruptly turned to look into the distance.

Gripping her greatsword, she sped away without a sound.

Aetsak watched the powerful woman with the greatsword and the five armed women behind her leave. Only then did his taut nerves ease.

He slung the Chainsword, enormous even for his tall Vespid frame, diagonally across his back and picked up his Vostonian-pattern Lasgun.

Aetsak glanced into the distance but did not follow.

Abyssal Knight Cleer led her fellow Sisters toward the source