The Great Crusade continues. The Imperium of Mankind brings back under its wing worlds that lost contact with Terra long ago. Nurt is one of those worlds. Bringing it to Compliance shouldn’t have been difficult. But the campaign drags on, and the Imperial Army receives help from the Alpha Legion—the most mysterious and covert of the Astartes Legions. Nobody can know what drives these mighty warriors, or what lies behind their often paradoxical actions. Even eldar seers can’t accurately predict the future that Alfarious holds in his hands. Lies and secrecy are his weapons. He will betray the Imperium. And he will remain faithful to the Emperor.