"So we need to move fast to reach these swamplands," Clara put in, "but that will be hard to do if the way is littered with bands of natives packing las guns." As usual her analysis was tactical, direct and to the point.

"We don't know there are more las gunners," Selenica objected, "it could just be an isolated group." Lazarus made a sound that was part throat clearing, part binaric exhalation.

"Analysis of serial numbers as well Emmaline's ... surprisingly precisent cultural analysis, suggests that these weapons are likely in the hands of bands of tribesmen between here and the swamps," Lazarus admitted. I sat up, my face astonished.

"Did you just... compliment me?" I demaned in shock. In all the months I had known him, I had never heard the Mechanicus Adept express a single positive thought about me. Lazarus emitted another Binaric grunt.

"I merely stated that your analysis was correct," he grudgingly hedged.

"We can punch through rustics with fancy rifles surely," Selenica asked, "we have a space marine for Throne's sake."

"As we get closer to the swamps, the tribesmen will be more densely packed, and they will converge on us," Clara objected. I glanced back towards the vehicle where Lucius Raj was leaning against one of the tracks. He never actually slept so far as I could tell, he merely seemed drowsy and distant. Texts I had read suggested this was some sort of a precursor form of the way Astartes could rest a portion of their brain at a time. I doubted there was anyone in the Imperium who understood it, other than perhaps the Apocetheria of the Astartes themelves, and they were famously close lipped.

"I don't know that we can depend on Lucius," I admitted, the words drawing all eyes. I started into the fire, watching the damp wood crackle and pop.

"His rage is growing faster than anticipated, a few days of combat and he might go unrecoverabley berserk," I explained. I needed time to work on his mental architecture, but that wasn't something I could do in a few hours in the backwoods. Selenica glanced nervously towards Lucius, suddenly aware that we had a Carandon by the tail.

"So where does that leave us?" Clara asked, "We can't move fast and we can't move slow."

"There might be a way," I interjected, feeling my chest tighten at what I was about to suggest. "When the Archaeor's surveyed this area they noted a valley about ... well a little bit west of here."

"Apparently it is a funerary site, and runs for a hundred or so kilometers. It is taboo to go there except for burials, and those tend to be during the dry season," I explained, dredging my mind for the information culled from tedious reports.

"If we take the valley, we might be able to move far enough south in time to avoid the ill-omened nights, perhaps we could stash the vehicles and move stealthily once we reach the end near the swamps?"