“Signal the Righteous Wrath ,” Caspian said. “Code: Mercy .”

Caspian’s own fleet was a shadow of its former glory. The Battle of the Gath Rim had cost him three cruisers. What remained were his flagship, two Lunar-class cruisers ( Valiant and Stalwart ), a squadron of three Sword-class frigates, and the Righteous Wrath —a battered, venerable Gothic-class cruiser whose crew was rumored to still whisper prayers to the God-Emperor through bleeding lips.

“My Lord,” Vance said, his voice tight. “The Righteous Wrath is requesting fire support. They are overrun. Captain Sulla reports… the boarders are using the crew’s own bones as ramming spikes.”