The anomaly in the hive city

"Commander," Cassius said, a barely perceptible gravity in his voice.

"The method of removal is unknown. Trace organic residue remains at the interfaces. Analysis indicates a highly aberrant protein structure, and it is still active."

Brother Talous patrolled the edge of the corpse pile with his Bolter at the ready. He kicked aside a bionic eye that had rolled to his feet. It burst like rotten fruit, leaking viscous black fluid.

"What caused all this? Xenos? Or some kind of mutant sorcery?" His voice brimmed with suppressed fury.

"Only absolute purification can cleanse such blasphemy!"

Kran did not answer.

His gaze passed over the piled corpses toward the entrance leading from the landing pad into the depths of the hive city, as dark as the gullet of some immense beast.

There was only unfathomable darkness within, and an even stronger stench of decay and death seeping out of it.

The Communications Channel was silent save for the squad's heavy breathing and the low hum of their Power Armour's servo systems.

The words "communications malfunction" in the mission briefing now seemed utterly inadequate.

Kran knew that what had happened here was far more than a malfunction or a simple riot.

Some cold, inhuman, malicious unknown presence lurked in the depths of this silent hive city.

Kran slowly raised his Bolter, aiming into the light-devouring darkness.

"In the Emperor's name," his low voice echoed over the Communications Channel, carrying an unquestionable resolve.

"Advance. Maintain maximum alert. What we face is anything but ordinary."

The others nodded, then continued forward.

Soon, the Word Bearers squad left the nauseating cremation ground on the landing pad in a standard two-column assault formation and stepped onto the grand avenue leading to the hive city's central district.

Marked on the tactical map as the "Glorious Stairway," this