The gunship lifted off and the sounds of war began to fade. Several nearby explosions occurred as the enemy took a few last shots at the fleeing vessel. Fortunately, Sanakhet foresaw that none would do any significant damage, and they were escaping with the craft intact. 

Now he found himself enclosed with a number of Third Legion, a berzerker, and a wounded Word Bearer. Would he survive THEM would be the next question, and his foresight cut out on that one. Predicting other beings behavior was a bit more complicated than predicting ammunition trajectories, and summoning that kine shield to save his life from a plasma blast had taxed him. Nonetheless, Sanakhet would do everything within his power to survive, even if that meant lying, cheating, stealing, treachery, or submission, for he had gained what he had come to Minoa III for. He had uncovered the ancient Eldar writings and now held one of the keys to an elaborate scheme so deep, not even the god of deceit would see it coming. Sanakhet was one small component in an inside conspiracy the likes of which hadn't been tried since the Blades of Magnus. 

But even he didn't know the full depth of it. He couldn't. No one single mind could have contained the entire plan, for it would be too easy for Tzeentch to uncover it that way. No. The mechanisms were spread out in secret, shattered into a million insignificant pieces, all programmed to... destined to... come together at the pinnacle moment, born by the minds that held them. 

Treachery had always lurked in Sanakhet's heart, for it was true human nature. 

As the realization of safety came over them, each of the traitor marines began to turn their heads toward each other. There were only split seconds left before they all turned on each other, the Emperor's Children being the greatest in number. The sorcerer had to prove his usefulness immediately. 

"One of our engines is going to ignite itself before we reach our destination." He broke the tension with a dire announcement. "Unless... One of us must go now to seal a coolant leak, starboard side." 

Was the daft exile lying? He could totally be lying. 

Sanakhet's helm served his stoic facade as he then turned his head slightly toward Ashtor. "I am capable of healing that wound..." His tone almost belied his grin.