Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s Flesh Tearers short story At Gaius Point was originally published in the Legends of the Space Marines anthology, and is one of his earliest Black Library contributions. In the aftermath of a Thunderhawk crash in which most of his squad is killed, Zavien sets off through the jungles of Armageddon in pursuit of one brother who’s lost not to injury but to the Black Rage. If he can’t find and stop his brother, there’s no telling what damage might be done to the human defenders of Armageddon, and the already tarnished name of his Chapter.
As you might expect from Dembski-Bowden this is a dark and heavy story which sees its characters – in this case Zavien and his delusional, rage-filled brother Jarl – put through absolute hell as it explores the way in which the rest of mankind views the Flesh Tearers. It’s also somewhat unconventional, flicking back and forth between first and third person perspectives in an occasionally confusing manner which does, however, lend itself to some evocative writing and help keep the momentum up nicely. It’s really grim stuff but typically fascinating, a close focus look at an intriguing Chapter by way of a tight, satisfying and appropriately brutal narrative.
Click here to buy At Gaius Point.
Click here to buy War For Armageddon, which features this story amongst many others.