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Starstruck – Extract

A Black Library Publication

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STARSTRUCK

Denny Flowers

I was enjoying the sunset when I first spotted the Aquila lander.

Technically it was a planetset too, as Shohi also dipped towards the horizon, the sun framing the planet in a crimson halo. The light bleached a shocking pink as it spread through the sky. I’d never seen the spectacle before, this being my first visit to the covert facility on Shohi’s moon. And most likely my last, given what was coming.

The lander remained on approach, its familiar silhouette distinct: snub-nosed, broad-winged, and crested by a single tail fin. It was in good condition, the hull unmarred by blast or shell. It circled once before descending towards the nearby landing pad. I sighed, turning my back on the blooded sky, and began striding towards the docking vessel. As the crew compartment lowered, I straightened my uniform and smoothed my hair into place. There was little I could do about the blood and ichor stains.

The door slid open, and two Scions emerged. Both, like me, were clad in Inquisitor Atenbach’s beetle-black heraldry. Their weapons were drawn, but I paid that no heed. They too were loyal servants of the Inquisition. If the vessel contained a threat, it had yet to disembark.

Satisfied the site was secure, the Scions snapped to attention. On cue, a third figure emerged. She was clad in an officer’s flight suit, helmet tucked under one arm, eyes hidden by a rather stylish glare visor. Her auburn hair fell to her shoulders, framing a pale and, frankly, rather unwelcoming face. I knew it well, but then these days so did half the sector. It was plastered across virtually every pict screen from here to the Great Rift.

I cleared my throat, snapping off a crisp salute, arms forming the wings of the aquila, head bowed in acknowledgement. ‘Flight Commander Lucille von Shard. Fighter ace extraordinaire, star of the pict screen, and most beloved sister. I humbly greet you on behalf of Inquisitor Otis Atenbach.’

‘Oh, shut up, Rile,’ she replied, pushing past me, her shoulder catching my chest and knocking me off balance. I righted myself, turning to follow as she strode to the viewing railing, seemingly intent on the blushing sky.

‘Awe-inspiring, isn’t it?’ I said, drawing up beside her.

‘It’s certainly gaudy,’ she noted. ‘Tell me, do you know what produces such vivid shades?’

‘I think a combination of atmospheric–’

‘It’s spores, Rile.’

‘Ah. Well, that–’

‘Great thick clouds of xenos spores,’ she continued, cutting me off. ‘They’re already choking the life from Shohi, and soon they’ll swallow this moon too. Terrible for the lungs, I hear. Still, that shouldn’t be a major issue. Long before the concentration becomes lethal, our ribcages will have been torn asunder, the contents devoured by the xenos monstrosities poised to consume us.’

I shrugged. ‘It’s still a nice sunset.’

‘I wonder about you, Rile.’ She frowned, looking me up and down. ‘Were you slammed on the head as an infant? Or is it due to exposure to xenos toxins?’

‘I’m not sure I follow.’

‘That sunset?’ she said, finger stabbing at the sky. ‘It means the world is about to die. This moon too. The Great Devourer is going to strip them both.’

‘True. And regrettable. But, on the positive side, we face but a splinter fleet, a mere tendril of once mighty Leviathan. And a stunted one at that. Our forces will eventually triumph, if not here then on the next world. So until my duties require otherwise, I will enjoy the occasional sunset, whatever it represents.’

‘Deep,’ she murmured, extracting a case of lho-sticks from her lapel pocket. She took one before offering the case.

I shook my head. ‘Filthy habit.’

‘Have you seen the stains on your lapels? Please tell me they were at least from slaying xenos rather than consorting with them?’ She lit up, taking a long draw before exhaling a dark cloud.

‘Are you well?’ I asked. ‘You only smoke when you’re nervous.’

‘Gosh, what could possibly make me nervous? Besides the legion of bio-monsters poised to consume all life in this sector.’

‘Perhaps. But you already had the case with you.’

‘I’m just tired,’ she sighed. ‘Haven’t slept well. Deployments here, reassignment there. As soon as I land, they want me in the air again. Always another mission, always striving for that one vital shot. It never ends.’

‘Ah.’ I nodded. ‘Who did you face in battle?’

‘Battle?’ She frowned. ‘No, I was shooting a morale-boosting pict. Inspiring the loyal and fatuous citizens of the Imperium to enlist against the xenos threat. Of course, as I understood it, that xenos threat was supposed to be hitting the planet orbiting divergently to us.’

‘Jinsi.’

‘Whatever,’ she said, and shrugged. ‘Anyway, suddenly the swarm veers in our direction. And I’m told not to worry, that it will be intercepted, that we will be gone long before it reaches Shohi. Well, here I stand. Watching Shohi being eaten.’

‘I would have thought a hero like yourself would relish the chance to smite the xenos threat in the God-Emperor’s name.’

‘Why?’ Her eyes were hidden by the glare visor, but she sounded genuinely puzzled.

‘For the glory of battle?’ I tried. ‘Serving the Imperium?’

‘There is no glory in exterminating xenos monstrosities. Or being eaten by them,’ she said. ‘And as for the Imperium? I think I serve best as a figurehead and symbol. Why risk such a valuable asset? My propagandist was furious when I was detained. Especially when it transpired that the mission was covert in nature.’

‘And yet a recording device still somehow ended up aboard the lander. The Scions had to dispose of it.’

‘Propagandist Esec is persistent.’

‘Esec? I thought your propagandist’s name was Simlex?’

‘Who?’

‘The one from Bacchus. Used to work with Tobia?’

‘Don’t recall him. Guess he didn’t make an impression,’ she replied flatly. ‘But Esec is pretty good. A parasite, but a broadly beneficial one. She understands my true value. Anyone can kill for the God-Emperor, but my gift is inspiring others to do it on His behalf.’

‘I’m glad you have a calling.’

‘I did until, minutes before I was due to depart the sector, I found myself waylaid by Scions claiming to be in the service of Inquisitor Atenbach.’

‘Ah. I fear I might have had something to do with that.’

‘Obviously.’

‘I had orders. Inquisitor Atenbach requested a pilot. The best I could find at short notice. But the risk is minimal. This isn’t a combat mission. It’s courier work.’

‘A task well suited to the galaxy’s greatest pilot.’

‘An item of great import must be extracted from this facility and transported to a secure location.’

‘What item?’

‘That is not important.’

‘I’d wager it’s pretty important. I suppose we could test it by bringing the wrong thing?’

‘I meant, it is not important that you know.’

‘By the Throne, not this again,’ she sighed. ‘You do so love hoarding those little Inquisitorial secrets, don’t you? It’s just like Governor Dolos all over again. You still haven’t told me what happened to her.’

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A BLACK LIBRARY PUBLICATION

This eBook edition published in 2023 by Black Library, Games Workshop Ltd, Willow Road, Nottingham, NG7 2WS, UK.

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Produced by Games Workshop in Nottingham.
Cover illustration by Jan Drenovec.

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ISBN: 978-1-80407-615-6

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