101. Belisarius Cawl's Illusory Dream (1, 5K)

Angard's understanding of Face-Ripper came entirely from a portion of the information he had received before the expedition began.

In other words, what he knew might not have been much more than Steve and Pedro did, but exchanging intelligence was still necessary. Any intelligence was vital to war, especially in a war against the Orcs.

Although the Orks were not creatures that could be judged by common sense, they were not as utterly unpredictable as the Tyranids. The logic behind Orc behavior could still be understood, even predicted.

Angard said, "Face-Ripper, also known as Gragga. A cunning and vicious Orc with tremendous strength. His temperament is extremely violent, and he is very bloodthirsty. According to Inquisition intelligence, he likes smearing his victims' blood over his body and armor."

Pedro frowned. An Orc with a hobby like that—he could already imagine the suffocating stench.

Steve, however, seemed unmoved. He nodded, then asked, "Are there any records of battles with the Empire?"

"Yes, my lord. Face-Ripper was directly involved in the destruction of the Obsidian Swords Chapter. During an expedition he launched himself, he destroyed the Obsidian Swords' homeworld, Obustilia, and the Obsidian Swords Chapter perished along with their homeworld."

Pedro closed his eyes in pain beside them, while Steve's posture changed without a sound. He straightened his back, and a prickling sense of threat suddenly rose in Angard's heart. He immediately clenched his teeth so he would not lose composure in front of Steve.

"I understand," Steve said slowly. "Glyph Array, maintain full speed."

Their ship silently roared past the edge of the galaxy, grinding over cold rubble and passing lonely stars. Its silver surface reflected the strange vistas of the universe and rays that were difficult for the naked eye to observe, as if it had come from another world.