To his surprise, it takes a whole week for the first of the inquisition's spies to slip into his halls, and less than an hour for the woman in question to be caught.
She is marched, or rather dragged, fighting tooth and nail, into his hall by Captain Agis of the Second Company and flanked by a pair of battle-brothers of the same. Neither of the marines are at all pleased at having to guard a mortal spy, and he can feel the irritation Agis is radiating at being forced to interrupt a midnight logistics briefing to deal with their unexpected guest. Doubly so when their entrance sends everyone capable of doing so reaching for their weapons, and the woman takes the opportunity to make a break for it. That seems to be the last straw for Agis's patience. The marine catches the spy around the waist and slings her under his arm, then approaches his stasis chamber, utterly ignoring his struggling burden as she hammers fruitlessly at his plate.
"What happened?" he asks Deciman, torn between annoyance and laughter, despite the seriousness of the situation. The Librarian hides a smile of his own, then shakes his head and relays the question to his brother.
"We caught her in the 2nd's Tertiary Armory, Sir," Agis reports with a curl of his lip, as he drops the woman to the floor. "Wiring det-charges to the ammunition stores. The explosion would have been substantial."
'But not substantial enough to do any real or lasting damage' is left unsaid, but every marine in his hall knows it. The woman looks vaguely insulted by the insinuation.
Malcador's successors have clearly not lived up to their predecessor's high standards.
"Was she?" he sends, all mirth fled. "And I am to gather she is one of the fanatics currently besieging our planet?"
Agis's answering smile is a bearing of teeth as he flourishes a small golden badge, ignoring the woman's angry cursing that accompanies the act.
It is a deceptively simple thing. A High Gothic "I" fashioned from gold and inlaid with obsidian, decorated with intricate carvings and a grinning skull. He recognizes it without surprise, Malcador's sigil, the symbol of the Inquisition. "We found this on her, Sir," the captain informs him. "She tried to fight to keep it, would have triggered the det-charges to keep it from us if we'd let her."
There is a struggle as the prisoner in question bursts forward. "You have no right to it, Traitor!" She cries, face flushed and fists clenched, as she glares at his sons. You defile all that is holy! As a true servant of the Golden Throne, I defy you! Now and for always!"
"Be silent," Deciman snarls, as his gauntleted fist darts out, catching the woman by the throat and easily lifting her slight frame off the floor. "In the presence of your betters."
"Betters? Heretic!" She chokes, her feet kicking futilely against his battle plate. "Bastard, you spit on your father's memory!"
Every marine in the chamber bristles at that, anger coursing around the room like lighting. Deciman's fist is beginning to squeeze and warp lighting is crackling around his stave, causing the spy's eyes to bulge as she falls silent, too busy fighting for air to make a retort. She still fights for all she is worth.
He's impressed at her bravery if nothing else.
But still, something's wrong.
The mission couldn't have done enough damage to be worth sacrificing an agent. The agent in question was openly carrying a symbol of her allegiance, not to mention the fact that she's still alive. That alone is damning. The Sigillate would never have allowed his agents to be captured alive as this one has been. There should have been a "convenient accident" long before someone arrested her or a "tragic weapons malfunction" when she was forced into the room. There wasn't. Fanatics or not, Malcador's successors can't have lost all semblance of competence their predecessors possessed.
There is something more at play here, more than simply blowing up an armory and by Terra, he has no patience for the spy games the twins are…were so fond of.
"Enough!" he snaps, flaring every scrap of his newfound power; demanding their attention before they can leap to the defense of his honor. As much as he may dislike it, he needs that woman alive and capable of talking if he is to figure this mess out. "Let her breathe."
The room stills, all eyes fixed on his static chamber, and he is keenly aware of how his father's sword has suddenly been lit with leaping psychic flames. Its light casting their faces into sharp relief.
There is a split second of hesitation, the Deciman drops the woman as if glad to be rid of her. She sprawls, gagging, on his marble floors and he mentally apologizes to the unlucky serf who will have to clean up her mess.
"My Lord Guilliman! Oh, thank the God Emperor! The Miracle was true!" she gasps when she has the breath to spare. Relief and rapturous joy flooding over her face as she gazes up at his stasis chamber.
The Miracle? Oh hell.
"Holy Primarch," she continues, oblivious to his disgust as she prostrates herself at his feet. "If you can hear me, I am Interrogator Aila Rupsh of the Ordo Hereticus. A true Representative of the God Emperor's Holy Inquisition! I bear grave warnings! Your sons have fallen to Heresy and Damnation! They have disobeyed your commands and forsaken your father's divine light!"
Agis growls as he takes a step forward. The captain's bolt pistol is already aimed at the woman's head, and it isn't alone. She speaks faster as if desperate to relay her message. "They have profaned their oaths and have abandoned the true faith! They are Heretics! Please, My Lord, for the sake of the Holy Imperium, I beg you to listen! You must trust me, the lives of the Faithful depend on it! You are all that can save the Realm!"
Well, he can't say that he expected that reaction.
My Lord High Inquisitor,
The mission is progressing well, and contact has been made. God Emperor willing, the Avenging Son will believe me. God Emperor willing, he will understand the Heresies his sons have committed in his absence. God Emperor willing, he will be able to aid us in this, our darkest hour.
May the Golden Throne Watch over you,
A
Author's Notes:
Says the next chapter will be out in 1-2 weeks, gets it out in 4...heh, sorry about that. I really tried to get it out on time, but life decided that wouldn't happen.
Big Thanks to everyone who commented/followed/faved. You're all amazing and your support and encouragement mean so much, especially when life is awful. Not sure what it says about me that I'm getting my validation from strangers on the internet, but y'all have got me through some really tough times and nasty people. I'm sorry I was gone so long, and I'll try to update this more frequently. Y'all deserve that much at least.
Special thanks to Supermushu and Bloodnaught for yelling at me until I published this chapter. Keep up the good work.
Please try to keep in mind that I'm still very much a novice when it comes to writing, so any constructive criticism/critique is welcome (and let's be honest, desperately needed).
Last but certainly not least, a massive thanks to my wonderful beta Spooky-Cadet!