A Ciaphas Cain short story A night at the theatre becomes a fight for survival for Commissar Ciaphas Cain as vengeful Genestealer Cultists plot the hero of the Imperium's downfall. READ IT BECAUSE There's nothing like a trip to the theatre – and in this story, you'll discover that's as true for Cain as it is anyone else… albeit for some slightly different reasons. A commissar's job is never done. THE STORY Early in his long and storied career, Commissar Ciaphas Cain enjoys a (mostly) easy assignment on the world of Keffia. After defeating a Genestealer uprising, he's settled into an easy routine – until trouble rears its head again! Invited to a show at the local playhouse – the ill-named Resplendent – Cain becomes the centre of a final act that involves the dark cellars beneath the theatre and surviving members of the xenos-worshipping cult who want vengeance on the hero who defeated their plans.

A Horus Heresy short story A trip to Jupiter's shipyards turns deadly for former Oblivion Knight Amendera Kendel as she seeks out treachery within the Solar system. READ IT BECAUSE Return to a beloved character from earlier in the Horus Heresy in a twisting tale that shows the insidious effects of Chaos even on those close to the Throneworld. THE STORY Amendera Kendel – once an Oblivion Knight of the Silent Sisterhood, now an agent of Malcador the Sigillite – seeks treacherous souls in the heart of the Solar system. Visiting the Jovian shipyards, she is determined to root out whatever nest of Horus' followers lurks there, awaiting the arrival of the Warmaster's armies. Yet what awaits her will test Kendel to her limits… and beyond.

A Warhammer 40,000 story The orks on the space hulk Da Big Mouf love a good fight – but they're not prepared for the latest enemies to invade their warp-borne home. READ IT BECAUSE Danie Ware's written a lot from the perspective of the Adepta Sororitas. Now you can see how her sisters look from an enemy's point of view. THE STORY On the space hulk Da Big Mouf, the Deathskulls reign supreme. Among these bold greenskin lootas, few are as respected as Grimdak – after all, he's one of the biggest AND he has the best shoota. But when invaders board the hulk, Grimdak and his fellow orks find themselves in the fight of their lives. They're facing humies in heavy armour with bolters – but they're not Space Marines. These warriors are something the orks have never seen before… Can Grimdak, his boss, and his boyz survive the holy wrath of the Sisters of Battle?

A Kharadron Overlords story When a Kharadron captain sets out to make a deal with an orruk tribe, danger and treachery await him. READ IT BECAUSE A duardin dealing with orruks? That's never going to go well, surely? Find out just what can go wrong in this new story by Gav Thorpe. THE STORY After a close encounter with a mighty maw-krusha, the skyvessel Night's Daughter is damaged and in need of repair – but the ship's captain, Karazi ‘Fairgold’ Zaynson, has other matters to attend to first. He needs to make a deal with an orruk tribe that could change his fortunes forever – and aid him in his very personal quest to find the wreck of the fabled Night's Gift. Yet, dealings with greenskins are never as easy as the Kharadron Overlords might hope, and danger awaits Fairgold at every turn.

A Warhammer 40,000 story Death awaits Katla Helvintr – but the thread of a Fenrisian jarl is not easily cut, and as Katla dreams, life may yet find a way. READ IT BECAUSE Take ship beneath the stormy skies of Fenris with a tale of a warrior-queen from the frozen death world who is every bit as stubborn as the Space Wolves. THE STORY Beneath the slate-grey skies of Fenris, a mighty jarl lies dying. She is a huntress queen, who has guided her people for many years, and the time for her thread to be cut is near. As those closest to her prepare for her passing, Katla Helvintr dreams. In her mind, she faces once more the great wyrm that laid her low, and if she loses this battle, her time is done. But Katla Helvintr is powerful, and has a wyrd upon her, and her end may not yet have come…

A Cities of Sigmar short story Every year, the people of Breaker's Vale make an offering to the mysterious Grobbi Blackencap. Prepare to discover what happens if they don't… READ IT BECAUSE Andy Clark follows up his magnificently horrific novel Gloomspite with a story that shows some of the sinister goings-on in the dark reaches of the Mortal Realms. THE STORY In the distant reaches of Chamon lies the mining town of Breaker's Vale. Every year, the people of the town make a perilous journey into the dark forests to leave an offering for the mysterious Grobbi Blackencap. When one of those who ventures to the Offering Tree this year questions the practice, it falls to the Elder to tell the tale of what happened when once, many years ago, the offering wasn't made…

An Ahriman short story Seeking supplies deep in the Eye of Terror, Ahriman approaches the mysterious Carrion Thieves in hope of striking a dread bargain. READ IT BECAUSE Discover what Ahriman did next after the climactic events of Ahriman: Unchanged in a brand-new tale of the sinister Thousand Sons sorcerer. THE STORY After his return to the Planet of the Sorcerers in an attempt to reverse the Rubric which decimated the Thousand Sons, Ahriman retreats to the Eye of Terror to scheme anew. Seeking supplies, he delves deep into the heart of that damned realm and beseeches the sinister Carrion Thieves for aid. Low on. items to trade, Ahriman turns to Ctesias, his former disciple and skilled daemonologist, to provide something for barter… at great cost.

A Perturabo short story After the disastrous Battle of Phall, Perturabo sets his legion on a course of destruction that will leave them forever changed. READ IT BECAUSE Get new insights into Perturabo's hatred of Dorn and the Imperial Fists in a tale that fills in what the Iron Warriors primarch did after Phall. THE STORY For many long years, Perturabo has harboured a grudge against his primarch brother Rogal Dorn. With the outset of the Horus Heresy, he has a chance to finally avenge himself against Dorn and his Imperial Fists – but the disastrous Battle of Phall has just embittered him further. Determined to slake his thirst for revenge, Perturabo sets his Iron Warriors on a mission to devastate Dorn's sons… at any cost.

A Gotrek Gurnisson short story When the aelf Maleneth is abducted, Gotrek vows to rescue her – and not all the servants of Nagash will stand in his way… READ IT BECAUSE Explore the deepening relationship between Gotrek and Maleneth, and enjoy a rip-roaring saga of vengeance! THE STORY In Shyish, the dread realm of Death, all must pay the Bone Tithe… but no one has told Gotrek Gurnisson that. When his aelven companion Maleneth is taken to pay Nagash his due, Gotrek swears to seek her captors and rescue her. Woe betide any – living, dead, or in-between – who dare stand in the path of his wrath.

An Officio Assassinorum short story Captivity becomes a chance for vengeance – and redemption – for an Adeptus Mechanicus servant. READ IT BECAUSE See a different way in which the agents of the Officio Assassinorum wage their shadow war against the Imperium's myriad foes. THE STORY The Adeptus Mechanicus vessel Theorem of Castillus has been captured, and its crew are slowly being turned to darker causes. Engine master Jezette Vaal finds a chance to fight back against her captors when a mysterious agent of the Imperium offers her a weapon, and the opportunity to use it.