Dark Disciple(科幻战争)-第56部分

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could　do　to　stop　himself　from　sprawling　face…first　into　the　already　congealing　pool　of　his　lifeblood。
Anger　swept　through　him。
Marduk　used　the　anger　swelling　through　him　to　give　him　strength；　and　he　pushed　himself　up　off
the　floor。　If　he　was　to　die；　he　would　not　die　scrabbling　on　the　floor　like　a　dog。　Even　as　more　blood
pumped　from　his　neck；　he　retrieved　his　blood…smeared　helmet　from　the　floor　and　shoved　it　back
under　his　arm。
He　blinked；　staring　at　the　pool　of　blood　in　which　he　kneeled。　There　was　so　much　blood　that　he
was　amazed　that　there　was　any　within　him　at　all；　and　his　vision　wavered。
This　is　the　end；　he　thought。
The　mark　of　Lorgar　on　his　forehead　began　to　burn；　smoke　rising　from　his　skin　as　the　searing
rune　blistered　his　flesh。
A　hand　was　placed　against　his　neck；　and　the　wound　was　closed　as　warmth　suffused　him。
“Arise；　Marduk；”　said　the　domineering　voice；　and　Marduk　felt　hands　on　his　shoulders；　helping
him　to　his　feet。　He　was　weak　with　loss　of　blood；　and　did　not　realise　that　he　had　passed　the　final　test；
and　had　received　Lorgar’s　blessing。
Lifting　his　gaze；　he　stared　into　the　impossibly　dark　eyes　of　none　other　than　Erebus；　he　who　had
been　first　Chaplain　of　the　Word　Bearers　when　Horus　had　lived；　he　who　had　brought　the　true　faith　to
so　many。
“Welcome；　brother；”　said　Erebus。
Other　than　Lorgar；　and　arguably　the　Keeper　of　the　Faith；　Kor　Phaeron；　Erebus　was　the　most
powerful；　revered　and　influential　member　of　the　XVII　Legion；　and　at　his　word　countless　millions
had　perished。
Erebus’s　head　was　shaved　smooth；　and　covered　in　intricate　script；　his　flesh　a　living　Book　of
Lorgar；　and　Marduk　stared　at　him　in　confusion　and　wonder；　still　not　understanding　what　was　taking
place。
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The　other　seven　Council　members　stepped　forwards；　surrounding　Marduk；　and　he　gazed　around
at　their　hallowed；　revered　faces　in　awe。　He　knew　them　all　by　name　and　reputation：　the　Dark　Apostle
Ekodas；　the　craggy…faced　holy　leader　of　the　7th　Company　Host；　who　had　led　a　holy　crusade　of
retribution　upon　the　Black　Consuls；　almost　wiping　the　Cursed　Chapter；　a　successor　of　the　hated
Ultramarines；　from　the　galaxy；　at　his　side　was　the　Dark　Apostle　Paristur；　shrewd　and　savage；　who
had　killed　the　Blood　Angels　Chaplain　Aristedes　in　single　combat　on　the　walls　of　the　Emperor’s
palace。　Mighty　heroes　of　legend　all；　the　Council　members　closed　ranks　around　Marduk；　touching
their　fingertips　upon　the　already　congealing　blood　and　daubing　unholy　symbols　upon　his　armoured
plates。　Erebus　dipped　his　thumb　in　the　blood　and　marked　Marduk’s　cheek；　and　he　felt　his　skin
blistering　beneath　the　touch。
One　of　the　Dark　Apostles；　Mothac；　encased　in　ensorcelled　daemon　armour；　a　gift　from　Lorgar；
held　a　thick　book　in　his　arms；　its　weight　immense。　The　book　was　bound　in　the　skin　of　Ultramarines；
and　Marduk　gasped　as　he　looked　upon　it。
“The　Dark　Creed；”　he　murmured；　overcome　with　awe。　These　were　the　holy　writings　of　the
daemon　primarch　of　the　Legion。
Finally；　realisation　dawned　on　him。　He　had　succeeded！
Mothac’s　face　was　solemn；　and　the　Dark　Apostles　gave　him　some　room　as　he　hefted　it　before
him。
“Swear　your　undying　allegiance　upon　the　Dark　Creed　and　you　will　be　one　with　us；　Brother
Marduk；”　said　Erebus。
Marduk　placed　a　bloody　hand　upon　the　hallowed　book；　his　eyes　blazing　with　faith。
“I　swear　it；”　he　intoned。
“Dark　apostle；”　said　Burias；　and　Marduk；　standing　on　the　balcony　overlooking　his　Host；　turned
towards　his　icon　bearer　with　a　smile。
The　newly　appointed　Dark　Apostle　wore　a　cloak　of　flayed　flesh；　and　his　right　hand　leant　upon
the　butt　of　the　mighty　crozius　arcanum　that　had　been　wielded　by　Jarulek　before　him。　It　felt　good　to
wear　the　deadly　weapon；　the　icon　that　represented　his　new…found　position。
“That　will　take　some　getting　used　to；”　he　said。
Burias　smiled　savagely　at　Marduk；　and　inclined　his　head　towards　the　archway　leading　from　the
bone　balcony。
“The　sorcerer　comes；”　said　Burias；　a　note　of　distaste　in　his　voice。
The　archway　led　into　his　private　shrine　within　the　immensity　of　the　Bastion　of　the　Word。　All
Dark　Apostles　had　their　omense　structure。　This　one　had　belonged　to
Jarulek；　and　it　now　belonged　to　him。
With　a　glare　of　warning　to　Burias；　Marduk　turned　to　receive　the　Black　Legion　sorcerer。
Kol　Badar　stood　by　Marduk’s　side；　immense　and　strong；　his　face　unreadable。　Only　the　clenching
and　unclenching　of　his　mighty　power　talons　gave　away　a　hint　of　the　Coryphaus’s　thoughts；　and
Marduk　smiled。　Kol　Badar　had　not　taken　Marduk’s　ascension　well；　but　he　had　knelt　before　Marduk；
as　had　all　of　the　Host；　and　sworn　his　life　and　soul　to　him。
Darioq…Grendh’al　stood　at　his　other　side；　garbed　in　robes　of　black；　his　face　hidden　beneath　a
deep　cowl。　The　fallen　magos　was　still　changing；　though　his　corruption　was　all　but　complete；　and
Marduk　marvelled　at　how　far　he　had　fallen。　He　was　truly　a　creature　of　Chaos；　both　in　body　and　in
spirit；　and　his　mighty　servo…limbs　quivered　as　if　beneath　a　mirage；　their　form　subtly　changing　from
one　second　to　the　next。
Burias　stood　alongside　the　champions　Sabtec　and　Khalaxis。　Burias　was　tense　and　eager　to　be
away；　and　Marduk　sensed　too　that　Khalaxis　was　yearning　to　battle　once　more。　Soon；　he　thought。
Sabtec’s　face　was　set　in　his　usual　stoic　expression。　Marduk　had　been　impressed　by　his　skill；　and
knew　that　he　would　achieve　great　victories　in　his　name。
176
To　the　side；　dwarfing　them　all；　was　the　immense　bulk　of　the　Warmonger；　standing　immobile；　his
heavy　weaponry　held　at　the　ready。
These　are　my　warrior　faithful；　thought　Marduk；　my　officers　and　advisors。　He　knew　they　would
serve　him　well；　and　if　they　didn’t；　he　would　sacrifice　them；　and　none　would　be　able　to　question　his
actions；　for　he　was　their　Dark　Apostle　and　he　held　their　lives　in　the　palm　of　his　hand。
Marduk　turned　his　attention　to　the　new　arrival；　Inshabael　Kharesh；　sorcerer　of　the　Black　Legion。
His　gaze　met　piercing　blue　eyes　that　glinted　with　hidden　secrets　and　knowledge；　and　Marduk
affected　a　feigned　smile　of　welcome。　The　Dark　Apostle　did　not　like　the　man；　for　he　saw　sorcery　as　a
weakness—the　only　true　power　lay　in　faith；　not　conjurer’s　tricks　and　magic—but　he　was　not　one　to
argue　with　the　will　of　the　Council。
“You　will　extend　him　all　the　courtesies　that　such　an　esteemed　envoy　demands　in　the　coming
crusade；”　Lord　Erebus　had　said。　“He　is　the　emissary　of　the　Warmaster；　and　though　Abaddon　is　but　a
pale　shadow　of　Horus；　we　must　show　the　requisite　respect。　This　sorcerer　could　be　a　great　ally　for　the
XVII　Legion。　See　that　he　is　treated　with　courtesy。”
“It　will　be　as　the　Council　demands；　my　lord；”　Marduk　had　replied；　bowing。
“The…　artefact　is　ready　to　be　tested　upon　the　warriors　of　the　false　Emperor？”
“It　is；　my　lord。”
“Do　not　fail　me；　Marduk。　Should　this　crusade　falter　I　will　be　most　displeased；”　said　Erebus；　his
voice　soft；　yet　carrying　a　potent　weight　of　menace。
The　sorcerer　nodded　his　head　in　respect　to　Marduk；　dipping　his　staff；　which　bore　the　unblinking
eye　of　Horus；　low　to　the　ground。
“Welcome；　Inshabael；”　said　Marduk　smoothly。　“I　am　honoured　that　you　will　be　joining　us　for
this　crusade。　It　is　always　good　to　fight　alongside　our　brothers　of　the　Black　Legion；　and　I　am　sure　that
your　wise　council　will　be　invaluable　in　the　coming　days　of　blood。”
“I　extend　my　gratitude　to　you　for　your　kind　words；　Dark　Apostle　Marduk；”　replied　the　sorcerer；
his　Cthonian　accent　harsh。　“The　Warmaster　is　keenly　interested　in　your…　xenos　curio。”
Marduk　bowed　his　head；　a　pale　smile　on　his　lips。　Abaddon　had　clearly　sent　the　sorcerer　to　watch
over　the　Word　Bearers；　but　Marduk　did　not　allow　his　anger　to　be　reflected　on　his　face。
The　sorcerer’s　eyes　drifted　skywards；　towards　where　the　Infidus　Diabolus　hung　in　low　orbit；　and
Marduk　followed　his　gaze。　The　battleship　was　but　one　of　many　there；　hovering　motionless　in　the
burning　skies　of　the　daemon　world。　There　were　thirteen　battleships　in　all；　and　again　Marduk　felt　his
breath　stolen　by　their　awesome　sight。
Thirteen　battleships　of　the　Word　Bearers：　five　full　Hosts；　each　led　by　a　Dark　Apostle。
The　Thunderhawks　and　Stormbirds　of　the　other　Hosts　were　already　flocking　skywards；　each　one
filled　with　bloodthirsty；　zealous　warriors。　Heavier　shuttles　rose　ponderously　towards　the　waiting
battleships；　battle　tanks　and　screaming　daemon　engines　looked　within　their　holds　or　hanging　beneath
them　from　metre…thick　cables　and　locking　clamps。
Immense　transports　lifted　from　the　surface　of　Sicarus；　emerging　from　beneath　the　parade
grounds　around　the　basilica；　which　slid　aside　to　reveal　gaping；　subterranean　crypt…holds　below。　The
giant　tubular　vessels　were　powered　by　roaring　engines　that　scorched　the　buildings　below　them　as
they　rose　into　the　air；　defying　the　powers　of　gravity　that　strained　to　pull　them　back　to　earth。
Kathartes　swirled　around　the　behemoths；　filling　the　air　with　their　piercing　screams；　for　the　daemons
knew　what　was　held　within；　and　were　hungry　for　them　to　be　awoken。　God…machines　worshipped　as
physical　representations　of　the　powers　that　be；　the　titans　of　the　dark　Mechanicus　rose　towards　the
battleships；　and　Marduk　relished　the　time　that　would　soon　come　when　the　demi…legion　of
immeasurably　destructive　war　machines　would　be　unleashed。　Long　had　it　been　since　he　had
marched　to　war　with　the　immense　forms　of　titans　striding　behind　him；　each　step　covering　fifty
metres　of　ground；　and　their　weapons　laying　waste　to　entire　Imperial　cities。
“An　impressive　sight；”　said　the　sorcerer。
177
“Indeed；”　agreed　Marduk；　a　satisfied　smile　on　his　face。　“Once　more　the　Imperium　will　tremble。”
The　Dark　Apostle　lifted　his　skull…faced　helmet　from　under　his　arm　and　pulled　it　over　his　head。　It
connected　with　a　hiss；　and　he　breathed　deeply　of　the　acrid；　recycled　air。
“The　Black　Legion　are　keeping　their　eye　on　us？”　growled　Kol　Badar　in　a　low　voice　across　a
closed　circuit　vox　that　none　bar　Marduk　could　hear。
“Something　like　that；”　said　Marduk；　replying　across　the　closed　circuit。　He　glanced　towards　the
hulking　Coryphaus。
“Don’t　think　for　a　moment　that　I　don’t　know　what　you　tried　to　do；　Kol　Badar：　your　little　attempt
to　usurp　me；”　said　Marduk　mildly；　his　voice　oozing　menace。
The　Coryphaus　stiffened；　but　made　no　response。
“I　am　your　Dark　Apostle；　with　the　full　backing　and　confidence　of　the　Council；”　continued
Marduk　calmly。　“I　will　no　longer　tolerate　or　indulge　any　insubordination。　I　will　warn　you　only
once。”
Then　he　turned　to　his　comrades　and　broke　off　the　closed　communications。
“Come；　my　brothers；”　he　said；　his　voice　booming。　“It　is　time。”
“onger；　its　voice　booming；　sepulchral　and　eager。
“To　war；”　confirmed　Marduk。
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EPILOGUE
Marduk　stood　with　his　arms　folded　across　his　chest　as　he　watched　Darioq…Grendh’al　at　work。
A　series　of　dark　metal　rings；　each　as　tall　as　a　man　and　inscribed　with　Chaotic　runes　of　power；
were　aligned　above　a　pentangle　of　blood；　held　in　mid…air　by　the　servo…arms　of　the　magos。　There
were　three　rings　in　total；　each　fractionally　smaller　than　the　last；　and　they　were　aligned　to　form　a
single；　large　circle。　Mechadendrite　tentacles　steadied　the　rings；　holding　them　motionless　with
snapping；　barbed　claws　and　daemonic　mouths。　Another　tentacle；　black　and　smooth；　emerged　from
within　the　ex…priest　of　the　Machine…God’s　body；　squirming　fr