The momentous Crusade continues. The Imperium of the Society brings back under its wing worlds that, in the distant past, lost contact with Terra. Nurt is one of those worlds. Bringing it into Concord shouldn’t have been difficult. But the campaign drags on, and the support of the Imperial Army is joined by the Alpha Legion — the most enigmatic and covert of the Astartes Legions. No one can know what drives these mighty warriors or what lies behind their often paradoxical actions. Even the Eldar prophets are unable to predict unambiguously the future that Alfarious holds in his hands. Lies and secrecy are his weapons. He will betray the Imperium. And he will remain true to the Emperor.