Governor Colby sat around a large conference table with other high ranking Imperial Officials. Seated here were

representatives Commander Polet from the Imperial Navy, Doctor Kettle from the Ordo Medicae, Colonel Sheefer from

the Deparmento Munitorum, and that elderly clerk from the Adeptus Terra who's name the Governor could not recall.

Together, the group had formed an informal council attempting to settle the system's affairs. While the Colonel and

Commander outranked him, Colby was still the Governor and had used the occasion to take the lead on the briefings,

attempting to steer the policy decisions to his advantage. It seemed to be working so far...

After taking a sip of his synth coffee while reviewing the data slate, the Governor decided to start the meeting off

with what he deemed was a trivial topic.

"So, clerk. I know you are close with that Arbiter, has she decided what she is going to do about that Rogue

Trader?"

The clerk nodded. "Oh Venida you mean? Well she had wanted a swift execution of the fiend, but I persuaded her to

take a ligher approach. Damian has been sentenced to serve two weeks confinement in the brig and his Rogue Trader's

license is suspended indefinitely. His ship will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a standard week's time.

The heretical xenos Tau artifacts however, will be destroyed."

The Governor smirked ever so slightly. "That seems a fitting enough punishment for the fool." After he paused he

turned his attention to the Colonel and Commander. "So, turning to more pressing matters, what do you think of my

proposal to cleanse Saint John's?"

Polet shook his head, frowning. "I'm sorry Colby, but your plan is too risky. I've consulted the Mechanica, and

their assessment is that a low level asteroid impact would not be sufficient to purge the Tyranid gene spores from

the planet's crust. Therefore, your plan to resettle Saint John's would expose the settlers to an unacceptable risk

of Xenos contamination. I'm afraid only a proper exterminatus can ensure the xenos taint is purged from the system

for good. So I am moving forward with outfitting one of the transport ships with exterminatus grade weapons to

finish the job.

Colby had expected the response, and so only nodded grimly.

"Then I suppose this station, out here on a lonely distant moon on the outer edge of the system, and its people are

all that remain of the great heritage of Saint John's. Though I suppose our culture will live on in other worlds

settled by the refugees. Surely the Ordo Medicae will allow my people to leave this system for greener pastures?" He

looked at Doctor Kettle.

The Doctor shifted in his seat nervously before responding. "It is the assessment of the Ordo Medicae that a limited quarantine be put into effect for this system. I'm transmitting the order to your data slates now. As you may already know, contact with tyranid xenos, particularly genestealers, sometimes leads to physical and spiritual contamination of our citizenry. Since physical mutation is a sure sign of the Xenos contamination, all native citizens of this system with even the sligtest defect will need to be confined to this station indefinitely. My staff will conduct the screenings accordingly. Pure citizens without defect will be allowed to board the relief ships and travel to other systems."

Polet nodded. "Colby, I'm sure you can put those mutants to good use aboard this station. I'd like to see the

station's hydrogen refinery output increase significantly in the next year to make up for the loss of agri output

from Saint John's. The fleet could always use more good quality fuel. Do you think you can do that?"

"And also to make up for the PDF that would have been useful guardsman if you hadn't already sent them off with that

Rogue Trader to attack that silly Tau settlement," Coloner Sheefer sneered.

Colby chuckled, ignoring the comment from Sheefer and reasoning to the Commander instead. "Like my father used to

say, with mutant labor, great things can be accomplished in a very short period of time."

Colby clapped his hands together. "So it's all settled then, does anyone else have any business?"

The old clerk raised a hand and then spoke out, his voice decrepid and hoarse.

"Yes, I did have one more item of business to bring up Governor. That is the issue of your resignation."

Colby's jaw dropped. "What? Ah ha, good joke clerk, you had me there for a minute."

The old man smiled. "It's no joke governor. I've interviewed several of your former comrads in the old St. John's PDF, and it now seems that you misrepresented your credentials to the Adeptus Terra and Deparmento Munitorum."

"This is," Colby stammered, but the clerk continued speaking.

"Yes, you supposedly saved the people of St. John's by leading a brave raid to blow up a space station and destroy the tyranid bio ship. In reality, you fled like a coward while your squad was being torn asunder by genestealers. Then, once you were safely back aboard a life boat, you attemted to remote detonate the thermo charges before the rest of your men had returned to safety. Fortunately, a private with a bit more sense about him prevented this from happening."

"That's not. That's a bunch of lies," Colby cried out pathetically.

The clerk smiled. "And what about the abberent mark you've been hiding on your left leg? How could we have a mutant supervise mutant labor on this outpost. That wouldn't seem appropriate either would it?"

Colby got to his feet and turned to the door. "This is outrageous! I!"

"Sit back down Colby!" Thundered the Colonel who was also out of his seat now. He gestured to a nearby guardsman. "Seargent, escort this mutant coward to the Brig!"

Colby found himself being grabbed by two veteran guardsman and hauled away out of the conference room, whining and pleading the whole time.

Beneath his robe, Clerk Anderson smiled.

Epilogue: Two Weeks Later.

Once again, former Rogue Trader Damian Romero walked onto the bridge of the newly refitted Tempest. Kevon was still there ready to greet him, but this time he was also joined by Inquisitor Anderson and Venida, the Arbiter. This time, Anderson had shed his Adeptus Terra robes in favor of a casual and brightly colored set of robes. Damian could see his old and grizzled face now, still very much appearing to be a frail and elderly figure, and yet his eyes betrayed a far deadlier intelligence, one that Damian had already learned to be wray of.

Venida was also dressed in casual plain clothes, though she was sporting a "modern" look, casual cargo pants, tee shirt, and jacket. She still carried her combat shotgun slung across her arm though, always keeping it casually turned in Damian's direction so it was not quite pointing at him. Damian on the other hand was still unarmed as was Kevon. Like it or not this was the Inquisitor's ship now.

"So Anderson, what's the plan for me to get my license back again?"

"Sell the Tau artifacts to the xenos sympathizers. Infiltrate the network, then cleanse," Venida said forcefully.

"But not before we determine how far the network extends. If the Tau already have control of the government, than more aggressive measures will be in order," Anderson interjected.

Venida grinned slightly. "Planning on executing another Imperial Governor Anderson?"

Anderson scoffed. "Another one? This one was only jailed. That doesn't count."

Damian shrugged. "You know, it's not like every Governor is corrupt."

Venida scowled. "Just get on the helm and get to work scum bag."

Damian put his hands up. "Wow, did I mention how excited I was to get this ship underway."

"Kevon, set a course for...Where are we going again?"

"The Jericho Reach Mr. Romero," Anderson responded. Start out in that direction and I will have further directions for your navigator once we get under way."

Damian nodded. "Right, the Jericho Reach. Sounds like a great place to spend a well deserved vacation."

The Inquisitor suppressed a grin as the Tempest disappeared into the warp...