Sector Thirteen

Ciaphas Cain #Short Story

by Sandy Mitchell

Ciaphas Cain battles alongside the planet's custodians against the tyranid foe on the agri-world of Keffia.

A short story from the 'Defender of the Imperium' omnibus.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fiction, Short Stories

ebook

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Sandy Mitchell is a pseudonym of Alex Stewart, who has been a full-time writer since the mid nineteen eighties. The majority of his work as Sandy has been tie-in fiction for Games Workshop's Warhammer fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 science fiction lines. The exceptions have been a novelisation of episodes from the high tech thriller series Bugs, for which he also worked as a scriptwriter under his own name, some Warhammer roleplaying game material, and a scattering of short stories and magazine articles.

His hobbies include the martial arts of Aikido and Iaido, miniature wargaming, role-playing games, and pottering about on the family allotment.

He lives in the North Essex village of Earls Colne, with his wife Judith and daughter Hester.

Reviews

[Fairul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories about Cain fighting the Tyranid genestealers.

This is typical Cain story:
Relaxing in some nice place -> suddenly get a frontline mission from the Colonel -> he refused politely.. because he thought the mission is too dangerous -> prefer to do another smallish Commissariat mission -> the said small mission turned out to be a big one -> Cain and the gang suddenly in deep shit -> he prevailed in the end using the might of his humming chainsword and probably with some blessing from the Emperor.

[Luke Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my personal favourite of the short stories involving Ciaphas Cain, serving as something of a prologue to Cain's adventures...

"Stationed on Keffia to put down a minor uprising, Cain finds himself up to his neck in it when what he hoped was a bit of bureaucratic diversion to get out of a military briefing turns into a frantic fight for survival when he inadvertently stumbles onto a xenos nest. Now Cain, Jurgen and the local authorities must fight tooth and nail to hold off their attackers long enough for reinforcements... "

With its usual blend of action and humour, along with some unexpected twists that caught me by surprise, this is another must-read for Warhammer 40,000 fans!

[Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful short from very early in Cain's career, when he's just in his mid-twenties. He's having a relaxing time slowly ridding a planet of a genestealer infestation, until he accidentally happens across a nest of them.
As with all of Cain's adventures this was fun to read. It was also great seeing him without all of the experience he gains over his lengthy career.

[Flávio Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

40k in 4o words: *Sector Thirteen* delivers a tense, atmospheric Warhammer 40K tale where Cain’s wit collides with grim bureaucracy and hidden horrors. Dark humor, unreliable narration, and sharp pacing make it both suspenseful and entertaining—a perfect blend of satire and survival.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little story this one, again showing Cain at his typical best, trying to avoid trouble but getting into worse trouble in the process. Also shows the insidiousness of the Genestealers well :)

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of the Ciaphas Cain Omnibus

[Adrian Sepulveda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even the drunk fight for the emporer

[Ulzeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read.

[Ben Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to the cain series