Omni Honore Chapter 18

The Averof was a hive of activity, crewmen rushing to and fro making repairs and restoring functionality. The decks resounded with the hiss of welding and the pounding of jackhammers interspersed with the chanting of Tech-Priests. They paced the decks as they swung censers of blessed incense and sang placating hymns to appease the wounded spirit of the ship. Damaged components were removed with due reverence and carried away on velvet cushions to be interred with solemn grief, meanwhile they stepped over the corpses of dead crewmen with little concern, deeming organic components to be easier to replace than the holy mechanisms.

Hustle and bustle was everywhere, yet high on the spinal access corridor a meeting was taking place. The crew gave a wide berth to three figures conversing by the armourglass windows, no one wanting to interfere with their master's deliberations. One was the ship's captain, the other was Sergeant Toran standing with his face exposed and the third was the floating form of Magos Castabore.

Castabore was speaking, "This is unacceptable, I demand we continue our journey to Mars."

Mandas replied firmly, "Magos we have sustained crippling damage and must return to the docks of Tectum. The convoy has been handed over to Battlefleet Bentus and we have new orders."

"Unacceptable," repeated Castabore irately, "I was guaranteed safe passage to Mars."

Toran stepped in and said, "Magos this attack was intended solely to capture you and your artefacts, clearly the archenemy have identified you as a personage of great importance. We must return you to a secure location before they try again."

Techpriests were supposed to be above vanity but the appeal to her ego seemed to mollify her somewhat. Yet still she said, "Then I will not be able to present my discoveries to the Fabricator General."

Toran replied smoothly, "You are alive and free to make more discoveries, sometimes one must take what victories one can and move on."

Castabore snorted, "Many more 'victories' like this and I will have to re-evaluate our relationship."

Then she spun about and drifted off with a faint hum of anti-gravs. The pair watched her depart and Mandas remarked, "What an odd creature, even for a Techpriest. Tell me did you ever pry out of her what it was Vorshaan stole?"

"She remains silent on the matter," sighed Toran, "I have been unable to get her to release that information."

"Is that not dangerous?" asked Mandas, "We have no idea what the Traitors intend to do with the device."

Toran replied, "I cannot force her to tell us and if there is nothing to be done then there is no point wasting effort worrying about it. But tell me what comes next for you and your ship."

"We are returning to the Fleet Headquarters at Tectum," explained Mandas, "The Averof requires a full refit and the crew must be… taken care of."

Toran raised an eyebrow in puzzlement and Mandas continued sadly, "I have received an Astropathic communique from Lord Admiral Dousmanis himself, he says we must prepare to receive an Inquisitorial delegation before we are allowed to berth. They are coming to inspect the ship and crew."

"Ah," said Toran understanding perfectly. The Averof had felt the touch of the Daemonic and was tainted inside and out. Every deck would have to be ritually cleansed but the mortals aboard would face far sterner judgement. Captain Mandas probably had the rank to survive the coming 'inspection' but anyone else who had seen even a glimpse of the unholy would be mercilessly purged. A great many of those who had seen nothing would be purged as well just to be sure. Toran guessed barely half of the crew would survive the coming of the Inquisition and most those would be the essential crew with valuable skills. He wished he could protest the callous policy but could not. He and Mandas both knew that one corrupted soul could spread the taint to others. Whole stellar systems had been lost due to a single moment of weak pity. Better a thousand die than one Heretic escape to spread his sedition, this was the way of the Imperium and the Emperor's command.

Quietly the pair of them began strolling the corridor, passing rushing crewmen and Mandas asked, "What of your Marines?"

Toran said regretfully, "I lost a proud brother to the foe and have three more in the Medicae suite, Jediah will be remaining in a comas until we return to our Fortress Monastery. Daite and Halis however are climbing the walls; if they don't discharge them soon they will tear that place apart."

"Some good news then," said Mandas, "And what of your other man?"

"Novak?" replied Toran, "Physically he has made a full recovery but he is isolated in a quarantine chamber. Chaplain Wrethan stands guard night and day; he has sworn to continue to do so until our Librarians can screen Novak's soul and declare him sound."

Mandas muttered darkly, "The Inquisition is not so lenient with my crew."

"Space Marines are valuable assets, not to be squandered lightly," Toran stated grimly. It was a brutal dismissal of human life but it was also true and they both knew it.

"Well I cannot fault your Chaplain's dedication," sighed Mandas, "I have to say the Imperial Navy does not have a particularly high regard of your Chapter, we have a turbulent history, but you and your squad have been exceptional."

"The Emperor made us to excel," replied Toran trying to sound humble, "Your crew also performed well, for mortals."

Mandas shook his head and grumbled, "The auxiliary bridge crew fell apart; I must schedule more strenuous drills from now on."

Toran was surprised by the frank assessment and offered, "My squad would happily volunteer our services while on board."

Mandas actually laughed at that and said, "No offence, but if I go about letting Astartes run my bridge I would be hung, drawn and quartered by the Admiralty. No you will remain my honoured guests until we pass by your homeworld and you can return to your Chapter."

The words made Toran pause and he turned to gaze out at the distant stars; Mandas came to stand by him and asked, "Is there something else?"

"It's just that I had hoped to see Terra, just once before I die."

Mandas snorted, "Sergeant I have seen Terra, trust me you are not missing anything."

"You have seen Terra?" Toran asked in astonishment.

"Yes," replied Mandas, "And you will never find a greater cesspit of liars and backstabbers in your life."

Toran was taken aback and retorted, "And yet we are sworn to serve the High Lords and the Emperor."

Mandas waved away the concern and said, "Let them worry about politics and power, all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer by."

Toran found it hard to argue with the sentiment and fell into thoughtful silence. So they stood together, gazing out of the viewportal and watching the distant stars glide by.

The Storm Heralds shall return in Carpe Posterum