The Lunar-class cruiser Lord Hax defected with (nearly) all hands during the Battle of Guytoga. Fleet Captain Victor Kastar, a clever man by half, provides Castor with intelligence and codes pertaining to the 6th circle of Finial - it turns out his ship is part of the strategic reserve for the part of the Imperium. Due to the presence of the 10th Host and other reavers they have never acted upon their role, but they still get updated codes on irregular intervals. A major blunder by the Imperial planners.

Acting quickly the 10th Host strikes out for Valpolicella, the main fleet base for the 6th Circle (and thus the major fleet reserve in Imperial Finial). Barring a few side shows the main action takes place over the heavily fortified planet Valpolicella. In a massive fleet engagement that involves all the ships of the 10th (save the fast attack and support elements) the Imperium is dealt a severe blow. Many ships are destroyed or taken a prize. Losses amongst the 10th is moderate, but many ships have been damaged and it will take months, if not years to get back in fighting shape.

Other targets of opportunity are dealt with by other raider captains - and the 10th swings past an Imperial pleasure planet (controlled by the IN) to 'recruit' a few million able hands that are sorely needed to man all the new ships.

Castor takes the Verbum to go see Reshian, Champion of Tzeentch. Reshian is out on the Scarusian border, containing a confused counter-attack by Imperial forces why are trying to relieve pressure on Finial. With the enemy out of Astronomican range and with mighty sorceries at his disposal the Champion leads the Imperials on a merry chase. Castor persuades Reshian to hand over control of his forge-ship, the Manes est Fundibalus. Reshian sends his apprentice, Gaius the Scourge with Castor, to cement their alliance. Castor sends Uriel and his Iron Warriors to Reshian. Reshian also tells Castor part of the true name of the Maiden - Eisha - and explains that Nurgle cannot be allowed to take her.

The ship is the real reason Castor came out here - looking at his dwindling stockpiles (again) Castor know the time has come for him to control forges of his own, or fail at greatness. With the help of Archmagos Viniz-12 the ship is taken intact and purged of disloyal elements; in doing this Viniz breaks with his forge-masters on Epiphanet (the Reaving's main supply base) and casts his lot with Castor. He also pledges his support for a future Kull campaign.

Meanwhile Imran Dhral has released the bulk of the 10th Host to support Task Tak over Guytoga. The planet is in rebellion (result of infiltration) and the Imperium is acting to stomp it out. There is a great space battle and the Imperial fleet is broken and forced to retreat. Gains for the 10th are moderate, but losses are negligible (the Death Guard is another matter, they take quite the beating), all in accordance with the Warleader's plans.

Acting of his own volition the Warleader also contacts Baphomet when he sees two Fenksworld cruiser squadrons and the mobile battlecruiser reserve deployed to Guytoga. Baphomet immediately strikes at Fenksworld, benefiting greatly from this intelligence. The planet falls and there is much rejoycing (and quite a bit of loot sent Castor's way). Fortunately for Dhral the Apostle approves of both the battle and contacting Baphomet.

Castor takes his host to the planet Zephyr in the 6th Circle of Finial, the very same world he tricked into giving up a few squads of Sisters, years ago. There isn't much of a challenge in space, but the ground battle is quite protracted, and the final assault on the Sister's monastery-fortress costly in terms of lives (especially Daughters and Brethren Warrior and Cult Troops). There is some general looting and the planet is emptied of people - to repopulate Diamantina, which has died due to a visitation of the Tyrant Star.

Castor find proof that this planet was walked by Lorgar, long ago. Long before his other visit to the area in M39, when he started the cults out in the Calixis sector.In addition to some text fragemtns, Castor finds a stately golden cloak and a crown, suitable for a woman (but definitely not an Astartes master). The teenage boy Sigismund is found in the possession of the Sisters. Captain Anaximander (who has infiltrated, acting as a Tiger Argent) prevents Sister Salt's execution order from being carried out.

The 10th attacks, defeats, and pillages the minor hive world of Gunpoint on the spinward fringes of the Hazeroth subsector. This is the attack that transforms the 10th from a ramshackle affair, always short of supplies and spare part, into something akin to a viable long-term raiding force. The loot is divided amongst the fleet, the host, Diamantina and the Consovor base.

Following the battle of Karrik there is a long period during which the 10th and 34th Hosts hang around Diamantina, licking their wounds, repairing, and gathering new forces. There is a lot of stuff going on within the Host and inside Calixis, but it does not involve mighty fleet battles or planetary invasions.

The 34th Host eventually leaves for greener pastures, but new allies appear: Baphomet and a force of Black Legionnaires and Task Tak with his Death Guards. The Death Guards agree to take on the Hazeroth front, the Black Legion the Josian Reach, leaving Castor and the 10th to cover the Markayn Marches, the region closest to both Consovor and Diamantina.