Lion engages in behind-enemy-lines operations against the Traitors. Goal is to bleed the enemy and force him to bind his forces chasing the raiders instead of focusing on the main push towards Terra.

But as it is always case with Lion and the 1st Legion motives are not clear (I especially liked one of the "quotes" at the start of the chapters in which Alpharius says he could never read and predict Lion El'jonson).

Since Lion enjoys the complete mystery and wants to keep the situation totally compartmentalized rift slowly shows up in the 1st Legion forces he commands - while some want to move towards Terra, others are solely interested in survival of Caliban. Everybody misses crucial part of the puzzle [except the Lion] and this stress starts to show up because nobody knows what is supposed to be a correct move. Lion expertly plays on the 1st Legion's finely tuned "distrust everyone and everything" instinct in a way that nobody questions any of his decision [even when he turns against his allies from Mechanicum].

As it is always case these read-my-mind approaches to management and leadership leads to big troubles. Especially in cases when any voice questioning or against the Lion's decision might bring decapitation into play. As can be expected due to this people tend to get hesitant to voice their opinions.

Good novella, showing that Lion is loyal to the Emperor, but first and foremost he is loyal to himself and to secrets he harbors. In comparison Alpharius is very transparent. Watchers in the dark are equally frustrated because they cannot make the Dark Angels act - whatever they say 1st legion treats as half-truths or even lies because they are fed half-truths and conflicting information themselves all the time. I guess that after a while one starts to consider every information as incomplete and then just follows on with the majority.

I hope we get more (full novel size) stories about the 1st very soon. They are truly interesting force.

Highly recommended to all fans of Warhammer 40k and Horus Heresy. ( )