Tales of the Amber Vipers Chapter 240

"Explain it again, slowly," Jordig stated with cold disdain.

Treya looked up at the towering Primaris Marine and replied, "I already told you, I have discovered evidence that Ruuka plots against the designs of Archmagos Cawl. He has a scheme to bypass Pycelo and claim a prospective relic for himself."

"But you do not know what it is, where it lies or who else is involved," Jordig scoffed.

"Well no, but I know Ruuka, he is up to something."

Kerubim fought to keep his eyes from rolling as the conversation went in circles. Shortly after leaving Brontes and Cawl to their discussions they had received a summons from the Famulous. Jordig had made haste to the data-archives, and Kerubim tagged along for want of anything better to do. They had found the Famulous in a state of distress, fretting over supposed treachery by her comrade Ruuka. Kerubim found the accusation alarming, to imagine one of their own could be seeking to betray them. Yet Jordig didn't sound so convinced.

The Techmarine folded both arms over his chest and his lip curled in derision as he espoused, "I know the Mechanicus well, I know the factionalism and infighting that lurks in every corner. Whatever game you are playing, I will not be part of it."

"Please," Treya urged, "A subversive in our ranks cannot be ignored."

"If you truly thought that you would be speaking to Pycelo. I know when I am being played."

Kerubim interrupted, "Jordig, surely we must take the threat seriously. If rebellion has wormed its way into the heart of one soul, they could threaten us all."

But Jordig snorted, "I don't think so. Spend another century in the company of Tech-Priests and you won't know a tenth of their schemes. I've seen factions fight to the death over a scrip of doctrine, sell out bosom comrades to advance in their byzantine hierarchies. This is just some elaborate ruse to seek advantage and I will have no part in it. Whatever plot you have against your comrade; you can do it without me."

Treya's eyes teared as she sobbed, "You don't believe me, I alone discover treachery and when I try to tell someone they don't believe me! I have no one else to turn to, how can I stand alone against this calamity if you won't help me?!"

Kerubim had no idea how Jordig could be so heartless as to refuse her and yet the Techmarine snorted, "You're good, every aspect of you is shaped to manipulate. Posture, vocal tone, inflexion, facial expression... but your pheromones, I can smell the chemical triggers you are pumping out and they stink of deception."

To Kerubim's shock the Famulous stopped crying and straightened up. Like shrugging off an old coat she shed her mannerisms and took on a new persona. Cold, arrogant and disdainful as she muttered, "Damned your VIth Legion nose."

Kerubim gulped, "What... but... you just... You were playing us?!"

"Naturally, it's what I'm made for," Treya snorted, "But the threat is real, I have discovered treachery, Ruuka plots to overthrow Pycelo."

"Not my problem," Jordig grunted, "Come Kerubim."

They turned to leave but Treya cried, "Will you turn a blind eye to Chaos?!"

"Chaos?!" Jordig snarled as he whipped around, "What does Chaos have to do with this?!"

Treya replied smoothly, "Ruuka spoke of power to overthrow the galaxy, to claim the stars themselves. There is one only force that makes such boasts, only one who dares to dream so perilously. I fear the scope of his treachery may be greater than you know."

Kerubim scoffed, "You just admitted lying to us and think we..."

He was cut off by Jordig's raised hand and curt, "You invoke the threat of Chaos, but you understand the consequences if you lie to me?"

"I do," Treya uttered.

"Then I will investigate."

Kerubim blinked in surprise, "But she just said..."

"Chaos is a threat too dire to ignore, even a hint of corruption cannot be allowed to pass unopposed. One traitor can spawn a heresy that dooms worlds. If Ruuka is tainted then we must find and destroy him, if not we must have surety he is pure. Truly it is written, better a million innocents die than one guilty soul goes free."

Treya nodded, "I am glad to hear it, we can start by..."

"I will track him, you follow," Jordig stated as he turned on his heel. The Primaris strode to the door and then stood still, eyes closed as he breathed deep. The others stood silent as they watched him inhale deeply, over and over, then declare, "Between mouldy pipes, decomposing servitors, burnt incense, stale unguents and static discharge I can pick out anguish and chem-sweat. Ruuka went that way."

"You can track his scent?!" Treya started in amazement.

"VIth Legion nose," Kerubim snorted in mirth.

"Demeaning but effective," Jordig growled, "Breathe a word of this to anyone and ill beat you within an inch of your life, Famulous or no. Play me false and I will rip out your larynx."

Jordig took off and the pair followed, moving through the corridors of the ship. Their pace was slow and they had to negotiate passing Enginseers and teams of servitors. Their path was winding and oft Jordig had to stop and scour passages and turns, carefully tracking the scent. Once they passed through a busy thoroughfare and Jordig nearly lost the trail, but after investigating several corridors he picked up the scent again. Kerubim could only marvel at the keenness of his senses, better than an auspex, but he was also aware of how slowly they were moving. Ruuka's trail led a winding course, perhaps a deft evasion or more likely he was meeting people on the way, that boded ill.

Kerubim loathed the idea of treachery and knew well any could fall, yet it seemed hard to reconcile that thought with the memory of Ruuka. The Executor had saved his life in battle, charging to the rescue when all hope was lost. Kerubim hated to think Ruuka had been turned, but then history had proven none were above the taint of Chaos. The Imperium's best and brightest being corrupted time and time again, all the way back to the Primarch Horus. None were above suspicion and if Ruuka had joined that litany of infamy Kerubim would kill him for it. Yet whatever was his plan was it must surely be far advanced, time felt like it was slipping away and their chance to uncover the truth disappearing.

After hours of chasing a wayward scent their path brought them to the spinal macrocannons. Jordig stopped at the base of a capacitor big as a Titan and muttered, "Too much ionisation in the air, I've lost the scent."

"A good place for secret meetings," Kerubim observed.

"A suspicious place," Treya pointed out, "Who would lurk here, if not to plot treachery?!"

"My suspicions grow yet I still require proof," Jordig snapped, "Kerubim and I will probe the darkness, you will go to Pycelo and alert him to the possible danger."

"I don't think..."

"I don't care what you think, what schemes you have cooked up. Something nefarious is in motion, those in authority must be alerted. Get moving, now!"

Treya glared at them sullenly, then turned and walked away. Jordig didn't bother to watch her depart, drawing his plasma-saber as he stared into the darkness under the capacitor. Kerubim took a lead from his comrade and grasped his Adrathic rifle, supremely grateful the Techmarine hadn't confiscated it this time. Together they faced the darkness, steeling themselves to explore the unknown.

"Should we call for reinforcements?" Kerubim asked.

"Not yet, we don't have all the facts. Ruuka may be plotting murder, or there could be an innocent explanation for all this. Treya could be pushing us about like pawns, scheming some way to elevate her position."

"You think she lied and came anyway?"

"There is a small possibility she spoke true, enough to justify investigating. No threat of Chaos is too small to be ignored."

"And if she was lying?"

"Remember when I said I would tear out her larynx?"

"Yes."

"I wasn't lying."

With that Jordig set off into the dark, plasma-saber held ready but not lit. The gloom under the capacitor was no obstacle to Transhuman eyes but countless support struts were obstructing their view. Kerubim was forced to pick his steps, lest he clang into a supporting beam, carefully manoeuvring his bulk around stark metal pillars. The space was barely higher than his head and his hair stood up from ionization, making him feel tingly over his exposed face. With his greater height Jordig had to stoop, but he prowled like a hunting beast on the scent, yellow eyes glinting in the gloom.

They found themselves confronted by a tangle of cooling pipes, thicker than two men laying end to end. Jordig signalled they should split up with a wave of his hand and Kerubim went left, inching through the dark alone. He lost sight of the Techmarine, but proceeded anyway, sensing something ahead. His ears picked out voices and he inched nearer, ghosting from strut to strut, keeping to the dark to hide his presence. His Lyman's ear discerned two voices, muffled by echoes but easy enough to deconstruct and he listened in.

"We are ready?" came a voice that could only be Ruuka's.

"All is set, my agents are in place, all we need is the signal to act."

Kerubim's breathe caught as he recognised the other, Dannye, the Secutor Dominus of the Skitarii. Those two meeting in secret could mean only one thing: treachery. His hearts fell as he grasped Treya had been telling the truth, a conspiracy was afoot. He wanted to leap out and confront them, the instinct to oppose Traitors burning hot, but a cooler head prevailed. They didn't know he was here, so there was a chance to find out what they were up to.

"My comrades are ready," Ruuka said, "I will lure Pycelo off the Tezla, then we strike. We will capture the ship and be away before anyone knows what is happening."

"Meanwhile my agents will sabotage the main drive," Dannye affirmed, "I project total losses of all assets, but they will succeed in crippling Zar-Quaesitor for many hours. We will have a considerable head start to Cippum."

"More than enough," Ruuka confirmed, "I have the loyalty of the Tezla, her crew and your Skitarii will be more than enough to claim the lost relics."

Dannye shifted in the dark as he said, "The ultimate power will be ours; the galactic cleansing will begin."

"They will all see they were wrong to doubt me," Ruuka hissed, "I'll prove her wrong to turn me down."

There was a sudden pause then Dannye spoke, "You... you told someone of our plan?"

"What?" Ruuka started, "No, nothing but a passing fancy. I tried to lure Treya with the promise of a prospect, but I said nothing of Cippum. She thinks I was merely trying to one-up Pycelo."

Dannye didn't sound happy as he growled, "You error 404! If she let slip one word of our plan it could ruin everything!"

"She doesn't know anything!" Ruuka protested, "I assure you..."

Kerubim was enthralled by the conversation and leaned in, eager to hear more. It was a mistake for his rifle banged against a strut, echoing loudly in the confined space like a gunshot. He jumped back, cursing his clumsiness and berating himself, even as he prayed his slip had gone unnoticed. Fortune proved not to favour him for Dannye and Ruuka spun about, weapons in hand and pointing right at his location. He was seen, he was discovered, the Traitors knew they had been exposed and with a cry of outrage Dannye yelled, "He's seen us, kill him!"