January year 138 M41, Terra
After the celebration in honour of the Emperor held on convent Prioris, a slim woman, with long black hairs gathered into a single braid, approached Elleden
"Inquisitor Azeal wants to see us both as soon as possible, he said it's of the utmost importance".
It was Morgaine, they knew each other since both were chosen, 3 years ago, to serve as escort to Azeal
"Then we'd better see him. It's never a good idea to make an inquisitor wait", She answered.
As they made their way to the guest-house of the convent, Elleden said:
"When did you come back?".
"Ah, so you did recognize me".
"how could I not, with those big green eyes of yours"
Morgaine giggled "I missed you while I was on Ophelia".
Entering the main hall of the guest-house they found the inquisitor sitting at a table assorted into reading his data-pad. Azeal, a man in his fifty, lifted his head and smiled:
" ah, there you are, I called you here to discuss about an important matter:
I received a few reports from Bladen, a hive-world in the Gothic sector, hinting at the presence of a heretic cult. "
"not a hive-world again. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack"
"yet someone has to do it, Morgaine" Azeal gave her a look full of patience.
"Usually this kind of reports turns out to be just some man who grows envious of his neighbour and decides to play him a trick by denouncing him as heretic".
"May the Emperor bless the noble human spirit"added Ellleden in a sarcastic tone.
"now and always" giggled Azeal
After a pause, Azeal continued: " the problem is that it wasn't just an isolated report and whoever submitted them vanished into nothingness.
Now, this is no small deed and that makes me worry about the size of this cult".
" with all due respect, people disappearing by the hand of chaos cults is no news", replied Morgaine.
"Indeed, butusually they leave some clues behind, maybe, if they're skilled enough, they could fool the Adeptus Arbites, but one of my contacts, which was investigating on the spot, went missing too. He disappeared leaving only his encrypted notebook behind and I assure you he was no fool. As we're speaking some of my contacts are working on decrypting the files. The bits they recovered so far mention quite a few influential figures".
"We'll try to gather some more sisters, if it's bad as it seems, we'll need quite the firepower" Said Elleden.
"Straight to the point, as always, that's why I like working with you. I already asked your canoness the permission to borrow some troops. They should be boarding on the Acaysha. You'd better ready yourselves. We're leaving in three hours" concluded Azeal.
The two sisters took their leave from the inquisitor heading towards the armoury.
As soon as they went out of the room Elleden noticed that Morgaine was a bit strange.
She turned to her:
"You're far too quiet. The Morgaine I'm used to would already be jumping around overjoyed at the thought of her future deeds".
"Stop saying such things. you make it looks like I usually run around screaming like a kid" Morgaine turned her head away pretending to look out of an imaginary window deep into the thick walls of the convent.
"Isn't it true?" said Elleden with a mocking smile
"oh just shut up!" replied Morgaine laughing.
Inside the armoury they were welcomed by one of their battle-sisters who pointed out two stands where a full suite of power armour was resting on each of them as well as a weapons' rack.
Elleden asked the attendant for her weapon of choice: a power-sword modified to resemble a rapier. It was the parting gift her father gave her the day she joined the Sororitas.
The drop-ship took off toward the luna-class cruiser "Acaysha".
Upon landing in the hangar bay an officer of the Astra Militarum approached them:
"Greetings sisters, welcome to the Acaysha. Inquisitor Azeal wanted me to lead you, personally, to your quarters. Please follow me".
He turned around and started walking to the far end of the hangar stopping, after a few steps, to check whether the sisters were following.
The room they were assigned was wide, probably reserved for high ranked officers, a brand was added at the last moment in one of the corners and the absence of windows suggested that its location was central to the ship.
"Should you need anything, one of my men would be out here".
"Thanks, officer..."
"Julick"
He closed the door and left.