The second of Steve Parker’s Deathwatch short stories following the exploits of Talon Squad, Exhumed sees Karras and his adopted brothers – accompanied by the Dreadnought Chyron – sent to an abandoned Exodite world where the Adeptus Mechanicus are on the brink of unearthing something ancient from deep beneath the surface. Inevitably that turns out to be something horrifyingly dangerous, and Talon Squad are called upon to protect the interests of their mysterious inquisitorial handler, Sigma. Quickly embroiled in a battle it seems impossible for them to win, Karras fears this might be the day he finally loses one of his squad.
If you’ve read Headhunted then you’ll know what to expect here – it’s paced a little differently, and features quite a different enemy, but in terms of how it explores the relationships between these kickass characters, it’s more of the same…just with the stakes ramped up a little further. Once again it’s great fun to watch Karras and co. in action – and Lamenter Chyron is very cool – although this time they clash a little more with the unusual methods of Sigma, and Karras has time to dwell upon the realities of life in the Deathwatch. It’s not groundbreaking, but it isn’t trying to be – it’s just great fun.
