Within the Vaults of Terra:
The Alpha Primus stalks the halls, pacing and constantly racked with searing pain. It glances sideways almost in accusation at the Crawl Inferiors who scurry around like like cloaked octopuses while his master stands motionless once more.
“Is it time already my master? Surely we are not yet ready, there is not enough! Not nearly enough to stem the tide of the Silent King!”
Crawl, yet to acknowledge him continues to stand motionless in front of the near-infinite rows of cryostasis capsules stretching out into the gloom of the vaults. The lighting is dim perpetuating a sickening twilight that even the hyperbright console displays fail to alter, the constant whine and hue of the mechanical ventilation drowns even the dull sloshing of the coolant pumps themselves. It drowns out everything except Crawl..
“Everything is nearly ready my Alpha Primus, do you doubt us in the hour of reinforcement? The unnumbered sons will be awakened within a week, they will have the finest armour and the best weaponry that Mars can provide and more.”
“More?”
“He is ready? How do you know? The Corona Nox was, a difficult process was it not? What can you hope to achieve through him?”
“Justice” said the first Crawl Inferior.
“Mercy” said the second Crawl Inferior.
“Righteousness” said the third Crawl Inferior.
“The Emperor’s forgiveness” intoned the fourth nearest.
All turned towards him in an instant and at that moment Alpha Primus caught a glimpse of something else flicker across their faces, something he knew should be impossible and probably downright heresy in itself: Emotion.