The landing process was simple and straightforward. It had been done countless times over the course of the ships extensive life. Viola rarely looked forward to such occasions, but this was one of them. She almost felt a spot of pride as she prepared to show her guests the ship she had been in command of since the beginning of her career as an Inquisitor. She still remembered when she had taken it from a local Imperial Guard fleet, the commander of which was furious, but could do nothing to prevent her from doing so. It was one of the few memorable and happy moments she experienced through her service thus far. Still. That was then, and this was now.
The massive cargo doors opened to reveal a large docking bay where the sides of the transports bay door were lined with her voidsmen. They all saluted in her presence as she and her fellows walked out. Reginald decided to leave his Knight within the transport for now, though it displeased him, as a sort of mobile vault that would be closed to prevent any of the crew from 'accidentally' damaging it. Viola did not entirely trust her crew would be the upmost careful with such a machine, due to their easily amazed minds, and she knew some of them might end up doing something they regretted because of it. So, she had propositioned the idea to Reginal. He was very to the point, and accepted such with little argument, but again, the displeasure was there. Ah well, she would make it up to him after all.
As everyone walked out from the transport, Lord Hektor who had gotten back into his armor, walked out with heavy steps much to the amazement of her crew. Though she made sure that would be all they would give the giant as she gave them all the glance she had trained them to fear. With that, they went back to work and about their business. The Guardsmen that were on the transport with them and her companion Space Marines went about to their designated places as was accustomed. Viola ran her ship with as little commands as absolutely required after all, since she expected every member to know their place without such orders. Though, she made a hard glance at Eli who carried the young psyker girl in his hands, Emile close behind, as he rushed with her towards what Viola assumed was the nearest Med Bay. Hopefully the girl would die before she became a problem. Last thing she needed was a psyker that would go mad on her ship. Though, she held faith in Emile's ability to do what needed to be done just in case.
Only her captain, Vince Vernheart and the woman who actually ran the ship, Dianna Richte stood before her and Reginal. Reginald looked up to Lord Hektor and with a wave, he began to move to the ship he had arrived in which had landed on hers not long before. Viola had concocted a plan in her mind as they prepared the landing process, and it was soon to be enacted. Of course, business had to be attended to first.
Viola looked to Vernheart who held a hand to his chest, his oversized hat right over his brow. He always tried to look his most 'esteemed' around her. Not that she didn't know his real lineage as nothing more than merchant traders who acted as if they were of importance. But Viola knew how to play to his ego and so she did not mention such.
"How has the ship handled in my absence, Vernheart?"
Verhnheart coughed into his hand as to clear his throat and flicked his perfectly combed moustache with the movement of his smile.
"Why, Lady Inquisitor, I am happy to report that not a single problem has occurred while you were away. As always, you can count on me, Lady Inquisitor."
Viola rolled her eyes.
"Certainly, Vernheart. Thank you. Now, I think it would be best to return to your station. I expect us to be preparing a warp jump within the hour."
Vernheart tensed up as he realized how far he had to travel to return to the ships command deck. If he was quicker, he would have left immediately.
"O-Of course. Lady Inquisitor. I will be sure to have it done."
Without another word he bowed and then swiftly turned to spirt towards the nearest hallway. Viola smirked. It was one of the few joys that she had aboard this ship to play with her crew. Not that many of them seemed quite her equal, perhaps save Dianna Richte or the Space Marines, but none the less, she had company this time she felt on even ground with and she would not squander it. Especially with what plans she had in store.
She looked to Diana whom only stared on at her, stoic as usual.
"Ah, Dianna. Thank you for waiting. Now, I have a list of—"
Dianna interrupted her as she held onto the small data pad she carried in her arms, and pushed up on her glasses.
"Please, I have already prepared the audience room and the chefs have begun preparation for a feast as you had instructed on your last transmission."
Viola respected this woman because unlike so many others she had met, she was stern and did whatever was required of her, no questions asked, and with a loyalty so unwavering, she dared to interrupt an Inquisitor because she knew how invaluable an asset she was.
"Good. I must say, one of these days I will catch you off guard."
Dianna scoffed.
"I doubt it Lady Inquisitor. Come, this way."
Reginald smiled as he saw the way that Viola carried herself. She was nothing less than the Nobles who ruled within House Valor. She truly did interest him, increasingly, as he learned more about her. Still, he had some business that needed to be done first.
"Has Lord Hektors craft been prepared?"
Dianna nodded, slanted in a half bow.
"Of course High Lord Reginal."
She stood back up again and pushed on her glasses to keep them on her face.
"Lord Hektors ship and all those aboard have been well taken care of and they are ready to depart to your ship as soon as Canis Rex is loaded onto it."
Reginald only gave her a nod and that was sufficient for Dianna who turned away from them. She barked orders as several of the crewman in the docking bay who jolted to work. Then she turned to Viola and him once more.
"Come this way Lady Inquisitor, Lord Reginald. I will show you to the audience room."
Viola held out a hand to Reginal.
"Shall we?"
Reginald took her hand with a soft press from his still armored by his suit.
"Of course."
Together they walked off behind Dianna, and made their way into the nicest part of the ship, Violas quarters. Not everyone had such a luxury however, as Emile and Eli both found themselves in one of the darkest and dismal places aboard the massive confines of the cruiser. One of its medical bays, run by the ever vigilant Apothecaries who worked tirelessly to repair the broken and battered of the ship's crew. It was not uncommon for accidents to occur within such a massive vessel, and every solar day, there were easily a hundred or so patients that came in and out of every apothicarium aboard. In space however, medical supplies were worth more than any credit, and supply had to be harshly preserved by those in charge of its distribution. Because of this, surgery was done without anesthetics, sickness was fought by the most minimal of doses, and it was often easier to replace a broken limb with a mechanical prosthetic than to fix it. For these reasons and more, the screams of pain and agony could be heard throughout the lesser medical bays of this ship. The only bay which was always stocked, always manned with the most qualified individuals, in the far center of the ship used only for those whose lives were deemed worthy enough to maintain. Eli could not bring the girl he had rescued to that place. She would not survive the trip.
So it was that Eli and Emile sat over the young girl as she rested on a white infirmary bed, several hoses strapped to her arm that maintained her blood and nutrient intakes. The other beds filled with hurt crewmen, many bandaged or sleeping as they waited for their turn as the understaffed apothecaries made their way to each of them. For all accounts however, the girl was stable. Though it certainly helped that upon arrival, Eli's demands set fire to the Apothecaries work as they quickly took to securing the young girl.
Eli knew that in doing so, many of the other voidsman who were hurt were looked away from. Some may have had their condition worsened because of it, but this girl's health became an obsession. Something he could not fully grasp, as her health pulled at him. It had become less of her however, and this Eli knew, Emile knew it too. It was, in Eli's mind, a proof–a test to see through his chapter's ideals for himself, that if the girl survived he would have fulfilled his duty as a Space Marine of the Oath Marines Chapter. She had to survive, otherwise, Eli feared, he might begin to doubt, and such thoughts could lead to very dangerous places.
Emile knew this well. He knew all that ran through the mind of the young brother before him, but he was all but helpless now to reach him. All the advice in the world could not help his young brother, and Emile knew this was a trial he would have to endure himself. He was no Chaplain, no Captain or Leader, he was but a veteran Brother of a tactical squad. He did not yet know how best to further approach the problems within his brothers mind. All he could do was maintain his resolve, and do what was required to do if the time called for it.
It was then that an Apothecary, a young maned named Simmons, came towards them. He was a stern man who had clearly seen his share of blood and gore. Not even then noble space marines before him dissuaded his stoic eyes.
"My lieges, I am happy to inform you that your charge will make a full recovery, as long as she remains resting here. However, I cannot say how she will fare during the coming warp jump. Though I cannot do anything for the mutatious disease she came aboard with, if she is a psyker as you say. Regardless, if she is a Psyker, she was likely not trained to endure such trauma. Thus, it is in my belief that she be put down before she succumbs to the ruinous powers."
Eli would not hear any of this. He stood, angry, something that was very uncommon among the Oath Marines who prided themselves on calm demeanors, but Eli was still young.
"Do not speak of such things with me, Apothecary. I will have no such thoughts as putting an innocent girl down, merely on a whim. Her life means far more than you would understand."
The apothecary frowned intensively, his brow pushed down to their maximum.
"Forgive me, my liege, but I will not tolerate such a risk within my apothicarium. The life of one girl means nothing in the face of a daemon incursion!"
Eli was prepared to say something else, but Emile held him by his shoulder.
"I apologize for my brother's actions, Apothecary. But, I will not allow such action either. If such comes to pass, be certain, that he will be the one to end her life if it comes."
The Apothecary seemed to calm from his words, and so without saying any of his own, turned away. He took several steps before he stopped. Despite the two Space Marines in his presence, it did not stop him from giving a final remark.
"Very well then. Just in case, I will request a small detachment of Stormtroopers to be deployed outside."
Without any more argument he left to his work. However, Eli was left with the knowledge of what was expected of him, come time his desire for her to live did not pass. He looked up, into the metal ceiling above them.
God Emperor, if truly you are such, all I ask is that you show to me. Prove that this is not in vain. Let her live, so that it can be proven that humanity still has a chance to do more than simply survive. But to be something desirable. Something to be protected. These thoughts—this prayer—ran through his head, something he had not done in a very long time.
Very different thoughts were being had in a far section of the ship, within the Inquisitors audience hall. The most secure and distant place within the entire vessel. So separate from the metal hulk around it, that one would imagine they were within a castle on some feudal world. The walls made of stone, a traditional fireplace at the far back of the room which was lit aflame with logs. Tapestries of various worlds and regiments hung along the walls, columns that maintained the weight of the wooden roof held fast on both ends of the room. A long wooden table that stretched between them, with the Inquisitorial I engraved in its center. Its surface now covered with a feast fit for a high officer of the adminstratum, but only shared between the two people who presently sat about the table. A sight few of its crew would ever hope of seeing within their lifetimes of service.
Viola sat on the far end of the table, a leg crossed over the other underneath the purple dress she wore. As it was not uncommon for her to have guests in this room, she had decided to change into something more appropriate. She also made sure that no one would so much as dare disturb them during their meal. After all, business had to be discussed.
Reginald sat opposite her, dressed in a formal suit akin to those he wore on his home world. As it turned out, he carried around with him cloths for such an occasion. He was a smart man for it after all, since decorum was something highly praised by the higher brass in most worlds. Still, it amused her to know that he expected diplomatic relations as well as war, to carry such vestments within his Imperial Knight at all times.
Reginald smiled as he held up a glass of her finest wine.
"Well, I am impressed Viola. I did not expect such lavishness within the center of your ship."
Viola took a small sip of her wine.
"Oh, you flatter me, but I wasn't the one who had such a thing constructed. After all, this ship was, 'requisitioned' shall we say?"
Reginald sat straight, his posture and form neigh perfect, as was expected of the leader of a Knightly house. Still, Viola knew she could break that shell, given enough time.
Reginald set his glass gently on the table as he took a bite of the freshly prepared meat from some rare animal or another from a world she had visited previously. Though he had found it delicious, his expression gave nothing away.
"That was quite good. Now, shall we get to business?"
Viola grinned as she leaned an elbow onto the table, her chin gently pressed against her palm.
"So soon? Oh, I was just starting to enjoy myself."
Reginald liked this woman's spirit. She was a strong woman worthy of his respect, and he would show her the honor she deserved. House Valor praised itself on how it treated others, and being respectable in return. Still, perhaps he could press further with this one. Unlike many within his house, few women would treat him as equal, many believing themselves inferior. Something he did not admire at all. No, he wished to have someone whom he could call an equal, an ally he could depend upon and someone who would not back down when they had a thought to be shared. Unfortunately, before such could be done, he had to secure what he originally came for first. He had to secure his house first and foremost as his highest priority, as was the responsibility held on him by virtue of his title.
"Trust me, it is as dull to me as it is for you. But, it is of vital importance to me and my House that we establish our reward. As I'm sure you have already thought, I would be more than obliged lest my House is provided a planet from which we can rebuild. Besides, after all is said and done, we could continue our 'banter'."
Viola picked up and held her wine glass in a single quick motion.
"Ah, you are smart aren't you? Very well then. In payment of your valiant actions on the planet Sola, it would be more than an honor to provide you the ownership and deed of a planet in a nearby system. Of course, as I am sure you are aware, the frontier is often forgotten about by the Imperial Administration due to its distant nature. This allows for far too much harm to come in the way of Imperial worlds that would otherwise provide their service to the Emperor in full."
Reginald smiled as he sipped from his wine as well. She knew about why he decided to bring his ship to the frontier, rather than anywhere else within the Imperium. It was a decision he made with little remorse, even if it confused some of the more glory hungry of his court.
"Well, I'm impressed Viola. It would be strange to most that such a powerful force as a Knight House would simply wonder around the Frontier when there are more dire places within the Imperium."
Viola grinned.
"House Valor says it all, really. You care of the Imperial Citizen, and it would be unlike you to simply abandon those who are forgotten. So I give you this chance, to claim the planet known as 'Colony 199957' of the Schola Prime Sector. It's a recently discovered feudal world, recently racked by war with its inhabitants. A good stock as well, and will make good subjects."
Reginald liked the sound of the planet, but all bases had to be covered.
"The name will have to be changed of course."
Viola chuckled.
"Oh, I think it would be a grand name. Certainly unassuming for those foolish enough to attack it. Might be worth the irony."
Reginald maintained an eye lock with her as they stared intently across the table. Neither of them would give way to the other in matters of diplomacy. Such was not to be done in the battlefield of politics after all.
"And what of the planets that surround it?"
Viola replied swiftly.
"There are two nearby worlds within decent warp distance. One of them is a barren world filled with materials, likely looked at by the Adeptus Mechanicus as a place for an upcoming forgeworld. The other is a very unique world, one that I think you would get along with greatly. It is called Solaris, the home world of the Faceless Legion, a little known but highly effective legion of Imperial Guard. They have been the bulk of this sectors defenders, and defenders they have been. The one caveat, as I am sure you no doubt expected, is the Ork presence in the sector which while not nearly as destructive as others found within the Imperium, is still large enough to be a threat. Freebooters as they call themselves, who have claimed several asteroid belts as permanent bases, something unusual for Orks. The Faceless Legion of course, has been superb at holding off these xenos, and with your House added to the sector, the Orks would be all but no threat and the sector can expand into a proper arm of the Imperium."
Reginald thought to himself for several moments. This was a very generous offer, and more than that, it was something that benefited most everyone. Save the Orks of course, but their lives were naught but to be smashed under the heel of the Emperors might. Regardless, he did not suspect any trickery from Viola. Though their time was brief, he felt he understood her enough to know she would not deceive him. He knew what kind of asset an Imperial Knight House posed anywhere, after all.
He raised his glass.
"Very well, it seems you have convinced me, Viola. Congratulations."
Viola gave him a coy smile as she rubbed the rim of her wine glass.
"I'm glad you are satisfied."
She drank another sip of her wine.
"Well then, shall we continue our prior talks?"
Reginald sipped from his own.
"Of course. That's just one thing we've… satisfied, as you put it."
Both of them talked freely from that point on as they slowly drank several bottles of the wine. They discussed many things, from the state of the Imperium to their personal amusements. Though the one topic that eluded them both was that of courtship, not that either had to say a word about such. Viola had already enacted her plan however. She knew she could no long act as Inquisitor, she would no longer be able to effectively complete her task in her softened state. But, leaving such an order was no easy task, as every Inquisitor was expected to serve unto death or be dismissed by a High Inquisitor of duty. She did not intend to die anytime soon however, and the other option would see her stripped of everything, her title, her authority and the lifestyle she had grown accustomed to. This was not what she wanted either. However as she spent time with Reginald, it came to her what would be the way out she desired.
She wouldn't mind living as a noble within a Knightly House, allowed to maintain her elevated lifestyle, maintain the authority she was used to wielding. More than that, as the wife of a Knight Houses High Lord, the Inquisition would be more than wise enough to use such to their advantage. Though she would no longer be an inquisitor, they would have someone on the inside to help convince the Knight house to go where it needed to be. While in such a position, the Inquisition would not be willing or desire to so much as inquire why she abandoned her service as Inquisitor, as angering any Knight House would be foolish beyond belief. Not that many Inquisitors travelled along this region of space, the frontier a place as forgotten as any other. Still, she wanted to cover all her bases, and the life that she would have would be more than comfortable enough for her.
Her cheeks were red as she took another sip of her wine. Strong and potent it was, the strongest she had. Unfortunately, neither of them seemed to be drunk yet. Reginald's face was also red, though he tried to hide how intoxicated he had become. Not that he did not understand what Violas intentions were.
Still, something Viola had long ignored was courtship. She never slept with anyone before, but certainly she would figure it out. She had only provided more to the both of them to ensure such would come to pass. Still, as she thought about it, she became hot.
"Well Reginald, it has been a lovely time."
Reginald nodded.
"Yes it has, Viola."
Viola stood up as she sat on the edge of the table. She slowly pushed down on the part of her dress that covered her chest.
"You're company has been long overdue. I worried I would never meet someone who would stand on my level."
Reginald closed his eyes for a moment. If anyone was fit to be his partner, certainly he found her. After all, soon he would have an entire planet to bring into his Houses name. He would need someone to help him in such an endeavor, someone fit to be his equal.
"I feel much the same, Viola."
Viola blinked her eyes as the heat rose. She pulled on her dress, just enough so that her leg up to her thigh would be revealed.
"Well then, might we, 'retire' to my personal quarters? I promise to be gentle."
Reginald carefully, and as respectfully as he could muster stood from his seat. He walked over to her, where she held out a hand for him to grab. He held it softly and pulled her close to him as their eyes met, face to face as they peered into one another's eyes. Their faces flushed with red as their minds drifted to pleasurable things. The heat steadily rose between both of them, as the warmth of their bodies pressed against one another.
"If it would suit you, Viola, I would not deny such an honor."
She held him tightly as they shared a long kiss between one another. It was only a matter of time then, that they made their way to her quarters, where hours were spent intimately between the both of them. A first time for both of them, shared freely with one another.
In another corner of the ship, another person shared their first time in something they never believed they would do; warp travel. A task so daunting for a psyker, that one could never be sure if they would survive or be unchanged by the time they returned to real space. Not that Erina Pendleton knew where she was, or what entirely occurred around her. Nothing but psychic glimpses that flashed in and out of her mind of her surroundings. The one, single angel that provided her comfortable, the Space Marine an ever present aura around her. Though she could not even hope to reach their mind, and those of the people around her seemed to scream all at once in a wave of voices. It was madness.
What she knew was that she was still alive, and her soul was still clean. Though she was physically hurt in many places, the pain was missing. She was also what seemed to be 'calm' as the warp flickered around her. Poked at the edge of her consciousness as it hung over her like a corpse hung at the tree back home. The Psykers tree as her mother had called it…
She understood some of what was said around her. She did not like it. But she could not blame them. She could not blame the others for despising her, the filth she was. An abhuman of the worst kind. That is why she was to be killed by fellow humans, lined up to be slaughtered in flash of red and torn limb from limb. A mercy she knew, because their home was surrounded by daemons and monsters. Creatures who would do worse things than such an easy death.
Still, her angel saved her. He fought for her. Time and time again, the glorious servant of the Emperor, the Space Marine protected such filth as her. Even when she had dared to plead for her life in his presence. What did he see in her? Why did he care so much? These thoughts were all that ran through her consciousness. She wanted to toss and turn, to shake off this uncomfortable feeling of guilt and sadness, this confusion she felt, but her physical body would not move. It simply laid there as her mind and spirit floated above, slumped in the bed lifeless as one of the Governors dolls. A spot of joy crossed her mind as she thought of the terrible fate that befell the man. He deserved worse she was sure, but even she could tell the fear he felt as that Inquistor killed him. Funny that in what she imagined to be her final moments, she reached out to seek his mind. But what she saw she was content with.
'Well, aren't you full of self-doubt?'
Her mind reeled as she felt another near her. She felt cold, shivered as her body convulsed once to the shock of those around her bed. Something else—someone else was in her mind.
'Who is that?'
She imagined herself hiding in the furthest reaches of her mind. She did not wish to be taken by a daemon. No. Anything but that! Please… anything… anything!
'Daemon you say? You would have known if I was a daemon. Erina Pendleton.'
She keeled herself into a ball as she suddenly found herself cast in a projected illusion. She sat on what she could only imagine as a real rug, a figure clad in a dark coat opposite her as they rested on a leather chair. She wanted to escape, but she was too weak to shrug their grasp, and was stuck within the mindscape. Yet there was no pull, no crazy inducing trauma, no torture, not yet anyway, something that terrified her.
'Who are you? What are you?'
She felt herself rise as a chair pushed from the nothingness under her and forced her to sit. Just an illusion, but still it felt so real.
The figure let out a long sigh.
'I have no intention of harming you. In fact, I have gone to great lengths to ensure you are unhampered by the warp.'
She remained silent as she tried to discern something of his form, but she knew it was useless. This figure was nothing more than a mental projection.
'What are you…?'
The figure swayed their head to the side.
'I am something outside. Something different than that which you fear so greatly. I am an entity separate you're Emperor, separate the chaos gods. I am, a new player in this game, if you will. One I hope not to play long.'
She was going crazy. She knew it. That was all this was. The warp would soon have her mind in shambles. She held onto her head within the illusion, but felt nothing. No pressure as she tried to squeeze onto her throbbing head.
The figure shook theirs.
'Clearly, this is harder than I thought. Let's just say I am an enigma. Something completely outside the warp, with no ties to it. This connection you feel is entirely between souls, mine and yours. And I have need of you.'
Erina shook her head.
'No! Stay away foul daemon! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!'
The figure placed a hand onto their face, clearly frustrated.
'Erina. I am giving you a chance to become something else. And no, I don't mean a Daemon or whatever hell you've imagined. I have made deals all around this universe of yours. See, unlike literally everything else, I intend on saving what I can. Forgo the endless maw. Break the chain of others past mistakes. I offer you a way out. An escape from this taint you feel as a Psyker. I offer you a life where you can be happy.'
Erina found herself subconsciously acknowledge what he said. Escape this taint?
'What do you mean?'
The figure finally sat straight.
'I have many hopes for you, for many aboard this vessel, and for this sector in its entirety. However, such takes time to prepare. A lot of time. And trust me, I have nothing but pure intentions. I will do what big E failed to do for the people of this sector. But I need assistance.'
Erina remained silent for what felt like hours.
'Are we in the warp?'
The figure shook its head.
'Not exactly. Though the ship you currently traverse in is.'
'Am I going crazy…?'
'I will not make that decision for you.'
'What are you going to do to me…?'
'I will offer you a deal, and if you agree you will become something else.'
'I don't want to be…'
'You will still be human. But you will find yourself different. You won't be a psyker, not exactly, but instead, something else. I will guide you, and I promise, I will never hurt you.'
'Would you add that to your deal?'
'Of course. I promise, I will never hurt you. I will help guide you so that together, we can save many more.'
…
'How do I know you are not a daemon…?'
'This again… A daemon, Erina, would have torn your consciousness into fragments, split your soul and sent its scraps to their master, and only then, would it possess your body. None of which has happened here, has it?'
'No.'
'So then, I will offer my deal now. Will you join me?'
'If I refuse will I die?'
The figure seemed solemn, sincere, in a brief flash of emotion that Erina managed to decipher from them.
'Unfortunately, you'd be thrown back to your body, and without either my gift or my protection, you will be susceptible to the warp. And then you will meet daemons.'
Erina thought again to herself, for what felt like hours. Then she came to her decision. She had little choice regardless, and she knew she already lost the moment they offered to remove the taint of of the warp from her. Something so foolishly naïve to believe, but she did. If she was wrong, she would be overtaken, consumed and turned against those that surround her bed.
But…
But if she wasn't.
What if? What If…? What… If…?
She looked at the figure within her mind, clear in resolve, clear in determination. There would be no going back now. No.
'I accept.'
The figure became warm as they exuded a kindness to her.
'I promise you, you will not regret it. Now we have much to discuss.'
