Presented as a report by an Iron Warrior and excerpts of vox communication between Imperial Fists squads, this audio drama is the story of how the big baddaboom that ended the battle on Tallarn came to be.

Three Imperial Fists recon squad leaders communicate as they infiltrate the macro-carrier, the Eagle's Talon, to stop the ship before it can reach the planet and unleash its deadly cargo. Facing overwhelming defences, the officers face difficult decisions and moral quandaries.

I genuinely appreciated a bit of an original presentation of a story, especially when it works so well. French does a fantastic job of telling a coherent and gripping narrative purely through the dialogue of the reporting Iron Warrior and the Iron Fists vox recordings.

The juxtaposition of the deadly atmosphere of Tallarn, the pitched battle, and the inhuman atrocity of the actions of everyone involved with the incredibly human and emotional conversation is something special. The questions of right morslitu, honour, duty and loss that make up much of the Iron Fists' dialogue is powerful. If I am interpreting it correctly, the final action and sentiments of the Iron Warrior whose report is the framing device for this story also reflect a level of humanity and respect to his enemies.

Astartes are inhuman monsters built for slaughter and it is important for that to be remembered, but this individual isolated moments and reflections on the havoc they wreak and their interactions with one another ate wonderful. As I've said before, grimdark means everything and everyone is awful on macro level, but what the Horus Heresy does so well (most of the time) is to have these individuals and moments who can act and reflect in more complex and emotional ways, in spite of the utter horror. That's what I'm here for baybee! ( )