Quick note from the Author: I apologies for the lack of updates, kind of hard pressed to find time to re write everything the 3 times I try to do, added to that I'm going to be away for the computer for a few weeks, so writing will have to be done the old-fashioned way then typed up, if you're enjoying this feel free to message me with any thoughts or criticisms as they're much appreciated. OK Onwards with Jastilus's misadventure.
Soft light illuminated the Inquisitors private chamber, shadows fell from the ceiling twisting around the soft glow provided by candles adorning the walls. The flickering shapes danced as they were cast upon the walls, winding their way among bizarre artifacts, trophies taken from numerous worlds. Vast tomes of knowledge filled an exquisite bookcase, aged leather binding books adorned with purity seals, the varnished wood gleaming in the half-light, an Aquila of beaten gold sat atop it, the ornate metalwork forged with care long ago, the great pride and craftsmanship lavished upon this symbol of the Imperium served as a reminder to the authority the Inquisitor bore.
Kasteel was studying a vast mound of documents, hunching over a small desk mind searching for meaning within the papers, hoping to glean an insight into his mission, every detail analyzed from wording to the authors penmanship, their mission, his mission was of the up-most severity, nothing could be overlooked, nothing could be assumed. The half-light of the candles flickered briefly as his three most trusted retainers assembled before him, waiting for his command, he rose from his stoop, turning to face his cadre, briefly glancing over them individual before addressing them.
"Our latest acquisition is proving himself adequate I take it?" the Inquisitor voice commanded the absolute attention of those before him.
"We're still test him my lord, but no problems have arisen so far."
"Who is testing him now?"
"Troopers Charus and Weylend Sir, combat drills are in progress" The Sergeant's reply earned a raised eyebrow.
"They are my best Sir, despite their...Interesting approach to problems"
"I do not question their skills Sergeant, I simply wondered whether he deserves being left with those two"
Their was a faint but unmistakable current of amusement in the Inquisitors tone, Sergeant Nixios maintained a neutral expression, long years of service had rendered him with a muted sense of humour. Nixios had been divided as to whether Troopers Charus and Weylend were suitable trainers for Jastilus, Nixios had full confidence in their technical abilities, however their people skills were somewhat suspect at best. They could be trusted to hold ground against overwhelming odds, destroy enemy strong points and armour, even perform counter insurgency and target elimination. Whether they could train a young noble, inexperienced and naïve without killing him or driving him as insane as themselves was another question.
"So, formalities aside, what is the consensus on Jastilus Havlock? Does anyone care to comment? It's been several days since he awoke, is he finding his place? Kasteel's voice lacked its usual edge, he trusted his retinue enough after years of service, Kasteel felt no need to present his usual hardened visage.
"I will update you when Tac-reports are in, he's a bloody pampered noble, but it doesn't appear Havlock is a bad lad, he's sharp too, he may well take to all this" Sgt Nixios replied, having nothing further to add.
"He has little in the way of martial skill, but I agree with the Sgt, he has a quick mind, he should prove useful if he can overcome his inexperience." Nihla added thoughtfully, the Callidus assassin stood with a one arm folded, her free hand gently brushing her chin as if deep in contemplation.
"I like him, unlike the rest of you he can actually hold a conversation which makes a change," Solaria grinned.
" Oh, are we not entertaining enough for you Solaria? I'm heartbroken," Even the Inquisitor could not resist smiling at the words of the young woman, he suspected even Nihla may have smirked under her synthetic mask.
"Update me when he's finished with the assessments, until then you are all dismissed, enjoy your free time, we will have much work to do soon enough." With a nod, the room emptied leaving the inquisitor to his work. His mind had not stopped racing since he had found Jastilus within the warehouse, the Emperor's Tarot had been vague at best, but the puzzle was nearing completion all the Inquisitor needed was to find his enemy, when he knew where they stood he would fall upon them with righteous fury leaving none alive. Kasteel knew his duty yet unease clawed at the back of his mind, something felt severely wrong with his mission, almost as if things were too simple.
It had been almost a week since the Inquisitor had slept, his eyes sore through ceaseless nights spent toiling away at his desk, hours spent reading the vast assortment of literature he had acquired, hoping that somewhere buried within the endless pages would be the answers he longed for. He sighed deeply, massaging his temples with a gloved hand, sleep tempted the Inquisitor with a velvet whisper, tempting him away from his studies, but Kasteel resisted, taking solace within the old armchair of his mentor, a heavy bound leather book sat within his lap, cover aged and wrinkled. Written millennia ago its author nameless and lost to time, pages turned and dissected intently, the Inquisitor would not be satisfied until he had an answer.
Hours passed with the Inquisitor motionless, the chamber almost silent were it not for the soft turning of pages, and the occasional crackle from a candle wick sputtering, yet the Inquisitor read on, attention so focused upon his research that he almost didn't notice the spectre who had entered silently. Almost, but this was hardly an unusual occurrence for the inquisitor.
"We are making progress, I believe soon we shall be one step closer to uncovering what conspiracy lurks ahead," In the inquisitor spoke without turning, already knowing who stood behind him.
"This is reassuring news is it not? Yet you speak as if troubled," came a soft reply, voice barely audible despite the silence.
"I fear darkness lies ahead for us all, and I cannot let that happen," The Inquisitor could barely conceal the pain in his voice, few had ever witnessed Kasteel display anything other than certainty, he wondered how his crew would respond if they realized he was far from the stoic figure they knew.
"How long has it been since you slept?"
"Long enough."
"Further nightmares?"
"Correct, they haunt me in my waking hours as well."
"Come, let us discuss them, we may yet find meaning in them"
"They're just dreams, nothing more, I must continue my work before attending..." The Inquisitor's reply was abruptly cut off.
"Tylen, please. Come with me and we shall talk."
Inquisitor Kasteel sighed, he understood the benefits of accepting council, how it was necessary that he be human again for a short while, he placed the ancient text back upon the shelf and rose. The life of an Inquisitor was not an easy one, feared my many, hated by others, friendship was rare, and Tylen Kasteel would not sacrifice those friends he had for anything, he smiled as he turned to exit the room, for a short while at least he would not be an Inquisitor but simply a man, and that was enough comfort for him.
Jastilus felt his lungs burning as he ran the assault course his trainers had assembled over several floors of the ship, his hot breaths tore his chest as he continued onwards down the corridor crossing the finish line that had been laid out with white tape. The last few hours of training had felt like years to the young noble unused to punishing physical activity, several times he thought he was going to pass out or vomit, or both. His Stormtrooper instructors had not pulled any punches in assessing him, pushing him to his maximum to see what he could achieve. Jastilus doubled over, panting with exhaustion at running the course once again, the voices of his teachers drowned out by the blood rushing through his head, the sound of his pulse drowning out all others.
Sweat stung his eyes as it ran down his flushed face, by trying to bush the moisture away he only furthered its spread, cursing as he did, a rough hand grabbed the back of his training shirt, straightening him upright.
"All right, I think we've done enough for now," Came the crisp voice of Trooper Charus.
"Reckon we could make him go faster if I chased him with a tube of grease and a stack of..." Trooper Weylend was quickly cut off by his partner.
"Feth me Weylend! Why do you suggest that for every new frakker that get sent our way, What's wrong with..."
"Hey it was just a suggestion, no need to get jealous, you know you're the only girl for me!" Weylend was grinning at his friends increasingly frustrated expression.
"Seriously! We're supposedly professionals and you're acting like a bloody idiot! How is this going to train the rich kid to not die? Unless it's showing him it's a terrible idea being left with you!"
"Your cute when your angry you know that right?" Weylend seemed encouraged by his friends frustration, grinning splitting his face wider and wider as Charus's gaze grew fiercer.
At this point Jastilus had lost any clue what was going on, over the course of the day he had received weapons training ranging from side-arms to heavy ordnance to mêlée combat, physical and mental assessments challenging his ability to adapt and to investigate, and these had been overseen by two men, two highly trained soldiers that were bickering like children, if he had been anywhere else he would have felt thoroughly confused, but after all that had happened recently, Jastilus was growing accustomed to the unusual.
"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt but do you two need some privacy?" Jastilus croaked through worn-out lungs.
The death glare of Charus answered, accompanied by child-like giggling from his jovial accomplice. Jastilus had been hard pressed to make a good impression upon his new team mates, while Solaria had been easy enough to talk to and Sgt. Nixios and Nihla had proven somewhat unsociable towards the young man, these Stormtroopers were impossible approach with the normal methods of social etiquette taught within his usual circles of work, they seemed completely insane and alien to him.
"Don't start, we've got one more test." Charus's reply came coated in malice.
Without a word to two soldiers grabbed Jastilus and turned him upside down before he could even protest, with stunning speed the Stormtroopers produced an unseen rope with which they lashed Jastilus by his feet to a pipe that ran overhead , leaving him to dangle aimlessly in the middle of the hallway. Jastilus could feel the blood rushing to his head after a few seconds, pressure slowly rising in the back of his eyes.
"What the hell? What am I meant to do now?!" He angrily sputtered.
"Not our problem mate, we're going to lunch!" Weylend's cheerful reply came.
Alone once again, Jastilus looked around, shocked, confused and incensed at his treatment, he let out a dull grunt of annoyance. Looking around for anything that might be of use his eyes locked with the glass case containing a fire extinguisher. Jastilus wondered whether he would be allowed to stab his trainers providing he could cut himself down from his elegant position dangling like a butchers produce. It was unlikely but he entertained himself with this thought as he began to swing himself towards the case mounted to the wall.