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Title:
The Last Psyker
Series: Warhammer 40K: Astra
Militarum
Author: Shawna Lawless
Rating:
3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages:
35
Words: 11K
Publish: 2025
Now
this was a good short story. A planet has supposedly been cleared of
Chaos Cultists and it’s up to a small group of soldiers, along with
a Psyker, to make sure the city is truly clear. Surprise, surprise,
the cultists are alive and well and the most powerful of them wants
to open a gateway to Chaos and invite a Demon into the world. She
plans to use the Imperial Psyker as a host, to save herself. Nothing
goes right for anybody and only one soldier survives while none of
the cultists do. The demon is free however and inhabits the lone
survivor.
And that is the Warhammer 40,000 universe in a nutshell. No matter what you do, you’re screwed over. By the enemy, by your own side, by some completely unknown.
When I’m in a good emotional space, I can handle that and not only handle it, but like it. It’s the redheaded step-brother of Cosmic Horror and I’ve talked about my relationship with THAT genre enough. The same applies to WH40K. Today was a good day so I liked this :-)
★★★✬☆
From the Publisher:
The average soldier is wary of psykers, having been told since birth they are dangerous and unpredictable. One such primaris psyker is tempted to turn his back on a regiment of fellow warriors who despise him.
READ IT BECAUSE
The relationship between primaris psykers and the regiments they're attached to is nearly always strained. This story takes a closer look at just how tenuous it can be.
THE STORY
Karleth, a primaris psyker, is despised and feared by the troopers he accompanies into battle. Only the pragmatic Captain Ollana seems to value his function. When their regiment is sent to investigate a planet evacuated during the outbreak of the Great Rift, Karleth is targeted by forces more appreciative of his gifts…
