When the first wave of black Constructs seeped into the ship's interior like viscous oil through ventilation ducts, cable trays, and even seams in the deck, they did not attack immediately.
These flowing masses of metal shared a single will. At its command, they rapidly gathered on the cold metal deck, then transformed, reshaping their bodies.
Within seconds, Constructs with fixed forms appeared in the passageway, each as large as a giant wolf, with sleek bodies possessed of a predator's beauty and heads resembling those of Hounds.
They were pitch-black and eyeless, with only an ominous glow flickering where their heads should have been. Like creeping phantoms, they silently formed up to attack.
"The enemy has breached the inner defenses! They're inside!" The sentry's shout echoed through the communications channel.
"All personnel! Defensive formation! Energy weapons forward! Bottle them up in the passageway!" The sergeant responsible for defending this area spoke calmly, with unquestionable resolve.
At the end of the passageway, the Space Marines of the Word Bearers were already braced behind a makeshift defensive line of sandbags, temporary alloy plating, and emplaced heavy weapons.
Even the recruits who had yet to undergo all nineteen organ implantation procedures displayed remarkable discipline.
They gripped their Bolters or the comparatively lightweight Shotguns issued to recruits, fingers on triggers, breathing steady and eyes sharp. Movements repeated thousands of times on the training grounds had become instinctive reactions.
Heavy breathing echoed inside their helmets, mingling with the distant scrape of metal.
"Here they come!"
The low shout served as a signal. At the far end of the passageway, the silent mass of black Constructs suddenly surged into motion!
They did not roar. There was only the dense, unnerving metallic clatter of claws striking the deck, like a countdown.
The first Construct leaped clear of