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The Horus Heresy #Short Story
The Kaban Project
A Horus Heresy short story
In the forges of Lukas Chrom, something sinister has come into being. Rumours abound of forbidden lore and artificial sentience, and a name has been whispered in the dark corners of the Martian data network: 'Kaban'.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a prequel to Mechanicum which explains the origins of the mysterious intelligent machine that causes havoc on Mars...
THE STORY
The Mechanicum priesthood guards its secrets carefully - few of its technological marvels and processes are fully understood by the Imperium, and many more could be deadly if allowed to fall into the wrong hands. However, in the forges of Lukas Chrom, something sinister has come into being. Rumours abound of forbidden lore and artificial sentience, and a name has been whispered in the dark corners of the Martian data network: 'Kaban'.
This story also appears in Shadows of Treachery, book 22 of the Horus Heresy series.
In the forges of Lukas Chrom, something sinister has come into being. Rumours abound of forbidden lore and artificial sentience, and a name has been whispered in the dark corners of the Martian data network: 'Kaban'.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a prequel to Mechanicum which explains the origins of the mysterious intelligent machine that causes havoc on Mars...
THE STORY
The Mechanicum priesthood guards its secrets carefully - few of its technological marvels and processes are fully understood by the Imperium, and many more could be deadly if allowed to fall into the wrong hands. However, in the forges of Lukas Chrom, something sinister has come into being. Rumours abound of forbidden lore and artificial sentience, and a name has been whispered in the dark corners of the Martian data network: 'Kaban'.
This story also appears in Shadows of Treachery, book 22 of the Horus Heresy series.
ebook
First published December 1, 2004
9 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Graham McNeill
343 books939 followersHailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped a career in surveying to work for Games Workshop as a games designer. He has a strong following with his novels Nightbringer, Warriors of Ultramar, Dead Sky, Black Sun and Storm of Iron.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 28, 2023
Ierindota The Horus Heresy sērijā ar kārtas numuru #22, Shadows of Treachery interesantā veidā iekļauj sevī stāstus, kuri norisinās vēl pavisam īsi pēc fakta, kad Horus atklāj visiem, kam rūp, savu nodevību. Kā arī krājumu noslēdzošā novele krietni labāk tematiski iederētos iepriekšējā krājumā šajā sērijā Primarchs, ka gandrīz ir vēlēšanās aplūkot šo krājumu sastādītājus.
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
August 15, 2019
FIRST REVIEW
A tremendously fun read! The Kaban Project gives us great insight into the start of the Mechanicum's civil war, and their insight onto the whole Horus Heresy.
I can definitely see why they would side with Horus, and I really loved the Kaban Machine as a character!
I really hope we see more of him in the series, and that he isn't just a one shot character for this short!
SECOND REVIEW
A Graham McNeill's prequel to the Mechanicum. A fantastic short story that shows us an awesome and terrible glimpse into life on the "Red" Planet during the Great Crusade. It also shows us that the seeds of Horus' Rebellion have taken root and the sort of motivations and machinations happening on Mars at the outbreak of the Heresy.
And just as before, I loved the Kaban Machine. Seriously badass!
A tremendously fun read! The Kaban Project gives us great insight into the start of the Mechanicum's civil war, and their insight onto the whole Horus Heresy.
I can definitely see why they would side with Horus, and I really loved the Kaban Machine as a character!
I really hope we see more of him in the series, and that he isn't just a one shot character for this short!
SECOND REVIEW
A Graham McNeill's prequel to the Mechanicum. A fantastic short story that shows us an awesome and terrible glimpse into life on the "Red" Planet during the Great Crusade. It also shows us that the seeds of Horus' Rebellion have taken root and the sort of motivations and machinations happening on Mars at the outbreak of the Heresy.
And just as before, I loved the Kaban Machine. Seriously badass!
January 1, 2019
"In this Galaxy there are neither punishment nor rewards, Adept Ravachol, only consequences."
The Mechaniucm story arc is off to a really good start.
The Mechaniucm story arc is off to a really good start.
January 31, 2025
6 Stars. Awesome short.
March 13, 2024
March 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IX Omnissiah I Death of Innocence (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
In my head I remembered this being a continuation of the wacky device the Lion was chatting with, but it's actually a brilliant prequel to Mechanicus!
A technician stumbles into an awkward working relationship that they realise isn't right for them or the Imperium and have to run for their life trying to find sanctuary on the red planet.
This is McNeill firing on all cylinders and I don't recall him being creepy or weird.
The depth and detail of life on Mars and a closer look at the religion of the Omnissiah is truly incredible, especially with how naturally they are shown within a gripping narrative. Yes, it's a classic the thing I'm working on is naughty and now that they know that I know it's naughty I have to run for my life story, but it's told really well and just absolutely packed with flavour.
It just kinda is what it is and many of the especially interesting and cool stuff, even in reference, are spoilers so I just don't want to say anything other than this being a wonderful story and, while it's not essential, it does give greater context for Mechanicus and is a glorious jaunt across Mars.
Love it!
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 16.41 Horus Heresy novels, 9 novellas, 43 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 8 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue
In my head I remembered this being a continuation of the wacky device the Lion was chatting with, but it's actually a brilliant prequel to Mechanicus!
A technician stumbles into an awkward working relationship that they realise isn't right for them or the Imperium and have to run for their life trying to find sanctuary on the red planet.
This is McNeill firing on all cylinders and I don't recall him being creepy or weird.
The depth and detail of life on Mars and a closer look at the religion of the Omnissiah is truly incredible, especially with how naturally they are shown within a gripping narrative. Yes, it's a classic the thing I'm working on is naughty and now that they know that I know it's naughty I have to run for my life story, but it's told really well and just absolutely packed with flavour.
It just kinda is what it is and many of the especially interesting and cool stuff, even in reference, are spoilers so I just don't want to say anything other than this being a wonderful story and, while it's not essential, it does give greater context for Mechanicus and is a glorious jaunt across Mars.
Love it!
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 16.41 Horus Heresy novels, 9 novellas, 43 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 8 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue
November 21, 2021
As someone making its way through the Horus Heresy trilogy, I find it surprising that I have never seen The Kaban Project mentioned in a slightly more authoritative fashion - or at all.
If nothing else, It is the perfect, gentle introduction to the Cult Mechanicus through key events, characters and rich, sweeping depictions of Mars' societal structure, geography, industry, ethics and theology; It even goes as far as tying it in with the overarching narrative of the Isstvan III Atrocity.
If you're just getting into the lore addiction, do yourself a favour and give this one a shot.
If nothing else, It is the perfect, gentle introduction to the Cult Mechanicus through key events, characters and rich, sweeping depictions of Mars' societal structure, geography, industry, ethics and theology; It even goes as far as tying it in with the overarching narrative of the Isstvan III Atrocity.
If you're just getting into the lore addiction, do yourself a favour and give this one a shot.
August 31, 2024
A lovely story about the Mechanicum of Mars about to join the heresy. Story nails something that a lot of 40k books simply do not have; a personal perspective. It is so much easier to immerse yourself with the written world, its politics and social structures when you have fewer, more reliable characters.
April 10, 2025
It might be the fact I'm reading these incredibly quickly but this one just felt put of place. And a bit too techy for me. Which I get is the absolute point but wow. So many words that don't have meaning. A lot of techno-babble.
August 13, 2025
solid adeptus mechanicus story about AI being developed by the soon to be traitorous dark mechanicum. it follows a lowly tech priest and his unfortunate role in the titular named AI. would recc to any ad mech fans.
January 19, 2026
This is a very silly little story where, after being horrified to find out that part of the Mechanicum is betraying the Emperor, the main character hopes to find an ally and friend in someone with the name "Malevolus." McNeill continues to be my least favourite 40k author.
November 18, 2024
Fun and exciting, even if a tad predictable. Well worth the read.
January 25, 2025
If your a fan of the mechanicus then you will probably like this a lot more then me.
Collected in shadows of treachery anthology.
Collected in shadows of treachery anthology.
April 25, 2025
A great grimdark short story that brings you back to the fall of Mars. I really enjoyed this one. The connections to 'Mechanicum' were fun and chilling at the same time.
January 24, 2026
Me gusto como se dan muchos detalles sobre como es Marte muy a lo cyberpunk en manos del Mechanicum, libro imperdible y de preferencia leer antes del Mechanicum!.
January 14, 2026
Really? Right in front of my evil plot twist?
July 31, 2025
A tale of the Mechanicum set shortly before the events of Graham McNeill's "Mechanicum". Some fun little lore tidbits.
December 4, 2021
“What troubles you?” asked the machine.
“It’s you,” said Ravachol sadly, “Your very existence is what troubles me.”
“It’s you,” said Ravachol sadly, “Your very existence is what troubles me.”
November 3, 2015
The Kaban Project is a masterfully handled tale that shows Mars and the Mechanicum in fantastic detail that is breathtaking. As a prequel to the novel Mechanicum, everything - characters and plot are carried over and expanded much to the delight of the reader.
This story set a year or two before the civil war that will later engulf Mars deals with the construction of a devastating weapon of war based upon restricted and outlawed A.I. tech. A tale of intrigue, betrayal and conspiracy, enough space has been very well used to convey plot, description and action that will impress readers.
This story set a year or two before the civil war that will later engulf Mars deals with the construction of a devastating weapon of war based upon restricted and outlawed A.I. tech. A tale of intrigue, betrayal and conspiracy, enough space has been very well used to convey plot, description and action that will impress readers.
February 23, 2015
A prequel to the novel Mechanicum, available as a standalone ebook after previously being released in both Collected Visions and Shadows of Treachery, Graham McNeill’s The Kaban Project is a tale of loyalty and what it means to be human, even amongst the ranks of the Mechanicum. It features Adept Third Class Pallas Ravachol, a low-ranking tech priest on Mars who accidentally strikes up a friendship of sorts with an artificial construct that he fears has broken the Emperor’s ban on the creation of artificial intelligence.
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
March 23, 2022
A short glimpse into what's perhaps my favorite faction of the WH40k world – the Mechanicum; their pact with Terra, relationship with the emperor, and ultimate heresy resulting in the formation of the Dark Mechanicum. I kind of wish I had read this before book #9 Mechanicum, so as to better give life to the Kaban machine, but it was nonetheless interesting to learn more about the customs and culture of the red planet.
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August 13, 2016now that I call Metalheads))
November 2, 2025
Fun story. Not that elaborate or gripping, but still enjoyable.
February 23, 2015
Nice look at a member of the Mechanicum, as he discovers Horus's rebellion.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews