It was soon assured that the Command Deck was set back into order, as those aboard collected themselves enough. Though they were all veterans in their field, never had any of them experienced such a traumatic escape from a warp jump, and many had feared they were doomed. But as the captain had threatened them all with death, they figured they were relatively safe as each of them knew full and well he had not the stomach to actually do it. He wasn't as foolish as to waste their lives when they knew how to run the ship.
"Yes Captain!"
Verdun returned to the place he originally stood, at the back of the command deck and looked ahead. He watched every member with intense scrutiny lest any error come from their actions. The Machine Spirit of the great vessel was anxious, as it deserved to be. The astropaths had to work quickly, otherwise upon the Inquisitors return to the command deck, they might not have any.
At this time, Ervin, the one who was unfortunately chosen to get the Inquisitor came to the large wooden door's that separated her audience hall and the rest of the ship. He was uncontrollably paranoid by the imposing doors, as he shakily reached out a hand to touch them. The Inquisitor disliked being interrupted whenever she was alone. There were rumors and gruesome tales of those who were in his current predicament. There had been incredibly severe punishments before for disobeying such orders. This time however, she had a guest, and Emperor save his soul, Ervin did not want to know what would become of him now.
Still, he did not fancy becoming a servitor in the thrall of that tech-priest either. He had to face it, he was likely doomed to die. So, bravely, he pushed open the wooden doors with a loud creak that echoed throughout the room. He looked inside to see the primary lights had been turned off, save for the few ambient lights that made it at least visible. At the far back of the room, across a wooden table lined with food Ervin could only have dreamed of, was another door that led directly to the Inquisitors personal quarters. If she wasn't here, then she was in there. So he walked, slowly and with purpose in each step as he inched towards the door. Barely had he managed to squeak a call.
"I-Inquisitor?"
Once he came to the table of food however, he could not help but stare at it. His eyes drawn to the delicacies of which he had never seen. Things that smelled oh, so good. Such an assortment of things he had never seen before, so much more than the usual scrap he was fed…
He felt his mouth water at the thought. All of this was just left out. And here he was, about to give a message to the woman who would likely kill him.
If he was destined to die…
He looked around, at the silence of the room. No-one would notice. Still the paranoid thought that perhaps it was all a trap made him hesitate. Yet he made it this far, and no sign of her. Before he knew it, his hand reached out to grab a strange food, shaped similar to a green orb, with a brown stick that seemed to grow out the top. His hand almost touched it too, when he heard a small crash sound from the heavy door behind him, which instantly made him jump away from the table. His heart easily skipped several beats, and years of his likely short life were gone, but such didn't compare to the next sound he heard.
The door to the Inquisitors personal quarters opened. She stepped out, covered almost entirely by a white bedsheet. The look on her face so rife with frustration and anger that Ervin was positive his fate was sealed.
"What business have you to wake me? For once in the entire time I have been here, I have slept soundly, and then, I awake to finding a voidsman in my audience hall! When I specifically said that I was not to be disturbed! And so, I will give you exactly one response to give me a reason that will not result in your immediate execution. Understood?"
Ervin fell to his knees and bowed, in a desperate bid to pay respect.
"Y-Yes, I was sent by the Techpriest to fetch you because we were pulled out of the warp, and now we're off course and I truly do not want to die, Lady Inquisitor I promise I'll do whatever is necessary, please forgive this offence!"
Viola calmed herself down as she took a deep breath. Well, at least it was something that mattered. This actually was a cause for urgency, and she would have to make sure the ship's crew hadn't gone lax without her. As for this voidsman, she felt merciful today.
"Fine. You are dismissed, voidmsan."
Ervin almost cried on the spot. He was free?
"Y-yes, Inquisitor. Thank you."
He stood up and slowly backed out of the room, as the door shut behind him. In a bow the whole way, not even a glance in her direction. The poor sod. Viola smirked as she shook her head. Next time she needed a boarding crew for a space hulk or something similarly deadly, she had her fist member already 'volunteered'. But for now, she needed to settle things.
She was surprised as Reginald came from behind her and held her softly around her waist.
"Seems we have business to attend to."
Viola blushed.
"Yes, we do. We could not expect play to last forever."
Reginald nodded.
"True. Very well, shall we get dressed then?"
Viola smiled.
"Of course. But aren't you worried about your House?"
Reginald rested his head on her shoulder.
"I am, greatly. But, I choose to have faith, and there is not much I can do now. However, part of being a lord is knowing when to be calm. Though I will need to send a message as soon as possible."
Viola laid her head onto his chest.
"I'll be sure to secure an astropath for you. After all, you are my guest."
"Thank you."
The two of them shared another long and sensual moment together, before they prepared themselves for the coming events. They were each impressed by the others ability to remain calm, even through this. Then again, they weren't the normal chaff. They were more, and as more, it was up to them to lead others through troubling times.
These troubling times all that were in mind as Emile made his way to the apothicarium where Eli and the young psyker girls was. He had to make sure that he was alright, and that nothing else had managed to slip through. Unfortunately, the astropath he was with could not continue on without rest, and so he had to go alone.
He came to the room and entered with a baited anticipation. Much to his relief and surprise, the scene before him had not changed at all since he left. Save for the Stormtroopers around the doors with their weapons raised. Eli still at his place besides the girl as she slept. Upon seeing Emile, Eli stood up and with an enthusiasm that had recently been forgone, he greeted his brother.
"Emile! I am glad to see you. She survived, Emile, she lived through the warp jump. She was not corrupted. Truly… our chapter is correct."
Emile only looked at the girl behind him. As before, she had the same peaceful look upon her face. If the astropath was believed however, she was of no threat. He did not see her in his mind, and in fact, her presence seemed different now. Regardless, it was good to see that Eli had awoken from his slump, and hence he would be back to his full combat readiness within little time.
"I am glad, Eli, that your gamble had paid off. But, I warn you not to put us within such a position again."
Eli keeled back, but he knew he had to expect such strictness from Emile. He had deserved it after all, but for this one occasion, he was happy that he managed what he did.
"Of course, brother. I promise you."
Emile looked at the girl for a long period of time. Eli knew of his gaze, but he stayed enthusiastic about it.
"Eli, now what are we to do with her?"
Eli placed a hand at the brim of his helmet.
"I am not sure Emile. But, if she was able to withstand the perils of warp travel while unconscious, she is clearly a powerful psyker, easily worth the Imperium's time—the inquisitors."
Emile nodded, though he doubted Viola would approve.
"That is true. But she is yet to wake, and so, we will have best wait on any decisions."
Eli then noticed what he should have immediately, but the signs of battle were on Emile's armor. A small scrape alongside the part of his suits armor where he once held his bolter clips. Emile would not go anywhere without being readily armed, and more so, even a simple scratch upon a Space Marines armor warranted serious inspection. It was shameful for him not to have noticed, and worse for missing combat beside his battle brother.
"What had happened, Emile?"
Emile sighed, grateful his young brother resumed his senses.
"There was something aboard this ship, which dragged us out of warpspace. Whether it was of the warp, I know not, but from what the astropath had told me, it was not. I had combated it, but to my shame it managed to escape my grasp."
Eli looked to the floor. He should have been by his brother's side. He could not lose sight of his duties again.
At the far corner of the room, Simmons, the apothecary from before scratched his head as he held onto his data slate. This situation was all wrong. Something was odd, and he expected full and well that the girl should have died. Either she had the Emperor's grace, or something else was going on. He was more than frustrated however, at his humiliation before the space marine, whom he was so assuredly would be wrong in the girls fate. For this reason he said nothing, and remained at the back of the room as a silent observer. Either way, there was still a chance she would simply die, or if he had to, he would end her life to prove himself right.
Just as his thought had ended, the entire room was filled with shock. The girl opened her eyes as she jolted up into a seated position. She turned to face the apothecary, and gave him a look of disgust.
"You attempt to kill me, and I will be sure you know what eternal suffering is."
All of the Stormtroopers turned to face her within seconds, their weapons raised, only stopped from firing as the Space Marines stood between them. Eli and Emile exchanged a glance between one another, and then at the girl.
"You are awake…"
The girl smiled as she looked at Eli.
"Thank you, my angel, for protecting me. I will forever hold the Emperors light close to my chest because of your kindness."
Eli knew then she was not corrupted, but genuine. Though he was surprised that she knew his name. Emile on the other hand, opted to remain on his cautious path. Yet he also decided to give the girl the benefit of the doubt.
"Bring in a psyker, and he will know if she is clean."
Eli turned to face his brother once more, but the girl cut him off.
"Do not worry, Eli. It is right for him to be cautious. Bring in a psyker, and you will see I am not possessed or tainted by the warps filth. You will see I am as clean as I can be."
Emile turned to the closest Stormtrooper.
"Go fetch the most available astropath, immediately."
The Stormtrooper acknowledged without a word, and left. Emile only wished he dragged that astropath he was with along with him here when he had the chance. Still... He turned to the girl as she smiled softly at him. He had to know what was different about her.
Such things would have been of great importance to the Inquisitor as well, though she had larger things to worry about. She and Reginald had dressed in their uniforms, and he accompanied her to the command deck. She had ordered an astropath to contact his ship as they made their way, and she fully expected it to be ready by the time they arrived. As the doors to the command deck opened, all of the voidsmen inside froze up for the tense moments they expected after. They were all terrified of her, the only real command figure they actively worried would kill them for insubordination. So it was only fitting they would react this way. Of course, they all did their best to continue their work, because they knew full and well, they would be shot on the spot if any of them stopped in her presence.
Verdun turned to face the Inquisitor and the High lord and pilot of an Imperial Knight, as he gave his obligatory bow.
"Lady Inquisitor. I have maintained the command deck to 90% efficiency while you have been gone. I hope you enjoyed your time away, while I was left in command."
Viola rolled her eyes. She knew that Verdun liked to make his comments.
"Yes, I did. Now, catch me up to everything that has currently occurred."
The techpriest whined from his metal gears turning inside. A sound only made when he was overly frustrated.
"I apologize, Inquisitor. I will refrain from personal references to your time when conducting work. I ask that I be allowed to return to the ships heart, where I may monitor the spirits health. I am certain the Machine Spirit would like to be fully scanned after such a traumatic shock. The captain will be sufficient enough to explain to you what has happened."
Viola stepped onto her chair as she sat down, and crossed a leg over her knee. She was back in command once more and the situation had to be addressed with an iron heel.
"Very well, go on. But, before you go Verdun, where is Emile and Eli?"
Verdun only stared blankly at her for several moments before he turned away again.
"They are dealing with a problem that the captain will fill you in upon request."
Viola only glared at him for several moments, but knew it was best not to push him further. She needed him after all, and if he was in a good mood he would be more productive.
"Fine."
As Verdun passed Reginald, he held out a hand.
"Verdun, might I ask a request of you?"
Verdun turned to face him.
"What is it, High Lord of house Valor?"
Reginald did not like the thought of his Knight being alone through this, and the machine spirit inside would grow restless if it was not tended to. He did not like the thought of allowing this Tech-Preist working extensively on his knight either, as his sacristan was the person he trusted most. Yet he recalled how he had allowed minor repairs while aboard the transport, and his Knights machine spirit did not act out violently. Thus, he had to ask further assistance from this disciple of the mechanicus.
"I require you to begin repairs on my Knight, and to sooth its spirit if it has become restless. Such an event as being violently ripped from the warp has certainly caused it to stir."
Verdun would have smiled if he could, but he could not, and so he could only stare blankly into the eyes of the Knights pilot. This was a chance he would not give up, and time to work on the holy machine only made his emotional receptors release pleasure pheromones.
"Very well, Lord Reginald. I will do as you ask as soon as I check on the ships spirit."
From the other end of the command deck, one of the voidsman hailed out to the others.
"The long range sensors have contacted another ship within the vicinity. It is of the Mechanicus."
Viola stood from her seat. The Mechanicus? Out in the frontier.
"Hail them at once!"
The crew began to work, and Verdun, while interested in the new development, had better things to work upon. He would meet his fellow disciples of the Omnisiah if he so required it.
The Astropath that was requested for Reginald soon arrived with guards, and he was pulled aside to one of the consoles along the command deck. Sternly Reginald instructed the message that was to be sent. Other messages from the other ships began to pour into the other communication arrays as well, and the command deck was nothing but abuzz with activity.
When the mechanicus ship entered range, the large screen in front of Violas Chair flashed to life. The reception was foggy at first, but soon evened out as it revealed the figure of what was clearly a Magos within the Mechanicus. Strapped into a large pillar through several hoses that protruded from its black cloak, he was hutched over and massive in size. The bottom trim of his black cloak white as it flowed freely downwards. A color scheme that was a stark difference from that of the common red. Its face was nothing but entirely metal, five green omnispecs in a row along the center of its smoothed face, and a sixth single large one above them. A large cylinder hat over its head, also colored black as metal obstructions broke from its cloth. The rest of its body hidden underneath the cloak, save for the several servo arms that swayed freely besides it.
The Magos spoke softly, the metallic hum of its voice made surprisingly pleasant. A clearly male one at that, though the distinction barely noticeable when in tandem with the rest of him.
"What reason does an Inquisitor have to contact our ship?"
Viola knew she needed to assert herself with the mechanicus, and so disregarded the question. She was already more than interested about what they were doing here.
"Of what forgeworld are you?"
The Magos many eyes clicked open and closed.
"Very well, Inquisitor, it seems you do not wish to answer questions. We are an expeditionary ship of the Dark Anvil. Our forge world has recently been constructed around the sector of Schola Prime sector. And before you follow your inquiry up, we are considered, a branch, of the main Mechanicas. Something unique to this section of space."
Viola grinned. From his words she deciphered who they were. The Dark Anvil. This was perfect, especially to know the emergence of a forgeworld within the sector they were en-route to. Viola had heard of this sub group of the Mechanicus, though she had never interacted with them before. They were a favorite of some of the other Inquisitors she knew, as unlike the majority of the Mechanicus, they were known to be more… unchained by tradition. Certainly they were within the limits of the Imperium, and in truth, their decreased tradition made it easy for them to mass produce weapons and vehicles of extraordinary quality as well as maintain some manner of progress. Such was considered Heresy by the majority of the Mechanicus of course, but they didn't need to know about them. They were an important resource, and from what she was told, they had been responsible for major breakthroughs in STC recovery, which was more than welcomed by the Inquisition. So, they were kept behind layers of secrecy from the Mechanicus, and as they chose to remain within the frontier of the Imperium, they were rarely interacted with. Time to play diplomacy.
"I am glad to hear of such a forgeworlds creation. As it were, we are headed to that sector currently."
The Magos rested quiet as he no doubt began to calculate many things. A whir of mechanical processes all that was heard for minutes, before he answered.
"And for what reason? I have answered your questions, Inquisitor."
Viola kept her smirk, a hint of frustration behind her cool demeanor. She had almost forgotten the two caveats of the Dark Anvil. They were notoriously kept to themselves, and they were fiercely protective of themselves, their allies, and strangely, their citizenry as well. Perhaps that is why they and the Faceless Legion were so tightly inter-wound. Still, she had a lot more questions to ask, and a few more things to set up.
"So then, might I ask what it is you are expeditioning for?"
The Magos remained silent again as he calculated no doubt. After several clicks, he tilted his head forward, closer to the screen.
"To what end does it interest you, Inquisitor?"
Viola frowned.
"Can I not be curious? Surely, it must be important."
The Magos eyes blinked again, and he tilted his head to the side. One of the few ways most of the robotic bodies of the mechanicus could emote defiance. An act she saw Verdun do many times before.
"Unless you provide us with something in return, I will withhold such answers."
Viola had him where she wanted him.
"Well then, I suppose I could exchange something of much greater value to you. There is an Imperial Knight House which is going to lay claim to the feudal world within your sector. And I am sure, you will want to be on good terms."
The Magos' prosthetic eyes widened as open as their mechanical limitations allowed. The Magos leaned closely towards the screen, and in the background Viola managed to spot his servo arms begin to take notes.
"This is indeed pleasing news. Is it of the Questor Mechanicus?"
Viola's smirk turned into a grin.
"No, but I am sure you prefer it that way."
The Magos narrowed his bionic eyes at her, though the rigid gesture amused her more than it intimidated.
"Yes. Am I to assume you have had a hand in this development?"
Viola nodded.
"But of course, my fair mechanical friend. And as such, I even have the High Lord of the house aboard my ship. I am sure, you would be more than happy to devise a deal with him. After all, they are going to need a forgeworld to produce their suits, and all that entails."
The Magos took no time to calculate this time. There was no way he would deny such an opportunity.
"Very well, if it would please you, I request—"
Viola snapped a finger as she shook her head.
"My answer first, Magos."
The Magos screeched his gears in frustration.
"Very well, Inquisitor. This is an exploritor ship sent to investigate a small space hulk that is within this sector. It was intended on being a concealed operation, but you have caused an error in this plan."
A space hulk. Viola knew such things were dangerous, and only the most serious of issues would rouse any sect of the imperium to delve into them. This was no different.
"And what exactly do you hope to find?"
The Magos leaned back, knowing he had to play to this situation.
"Perhaps a long lost STC. But further details are unknown. One of the hulks wrecks was identified as a ship from the golden age, and has thus been given maximum priority."
Viola took a deep breath. Maximum priority, he said. That was rich, considering it was meant to be covert.
"Then why was the Inquisition or any of the other branches informed?"
"You know the answer already, Inquisitor. The Mechanicus does not need to report to anyone but the Mechanicus and the Omnisiah."
Viola liked what she heard. Perhaps this deal would be sweeter than she thought.
"Very well then, I offer my ship and my crew as help in this little expedition of yours."
The Magos eyes glowed dark red for but a moment, a loud gush sound followed shortly after, likely from one of the needles implanted into his head to contain aggression.
"I refuse."
Viola shook her head, enjoying this little game.
"Then perhaps, I can convince the Knightly house to station elsewhere."
The Magos only glared, but as he did before, was likely deep in computation.
"Very well. What else do you require?"
Viola rested her arms on her knees, her head on her hands as she leaned toward him.
"Simple. It is beneficial to me that you and House Valor get along well, and if you can come to an agreement, it will be a boon to the Schola Prime Sector. And I am assuming you can open channels to the forces of the Faceless Legion as well, correct?"
The Magos nodded.
"Of course. As predicted, you wish to create a symbiotic relationship between the three forces of Schola Prime. It would certainly prove effective, and both production and output capabilities will enhance greatly. Still, I have not enough information to determine why you wish to come along on this expeditionary voyage. Certainly, it would certainly be more productive to head to the Schola Prime sector and begin full diplomatic talks. So what ulterior motive have you concocted?"
Viola frowned. These techpriests and other members of the mechanicum always were far too good at running their brains, but the least she could do was humor him.
"Fine. Call it a diplomatic voyage in addition to this expeditionary endeavor. I am sure you can settle things with House Valor, and then, upon arrival to the sector talks will go much more smoothly. Of course, the other reason is simply because I want to know if anything is found. Trust me, as an Inquisitor, you learn to be curious of what others seek. Do not be worried however, I will put forth a boarding party and any additional resources that you require to complete your task. And then, once it is done, we will be free to return to the sector as allies, or if we find something, as allies with a common gain in our midst. Does this please you?"
The Magos let out steam from underneath his robes.
"Then it is agreed. May the Omnisiah watch over this pact. I expect we will be seeing more of each other in the coming weeks, Inquisitor. We have nearly a three months journey to reach the hulk, and another two months on return to the Schola Prime sector. So, if you would, I would like to begin talks with the High Lord of House Valor as soon as possible."
Viola grinned.
"Of course, Magos."
Her plan was right on track.
As always, there were other plans that were in much the same vain. In the apothecarium, Eli and Emile waited with the girl, whom they had finally learned was named Erina Pendleton, for the astropath to come. The Stormtroopers as usual kept watch, and the apothecary sweated heavily with frustration and anxiety. The girl had read his thoughts, and though he had seen psykers before, he had not done something to deserve their scorn as he had to her. They were able to do such horrid things to the body if it suited them, and he had known even low level psykers to be able to easily kill a normal human. His only chance was for the astropath to deem her unsafe and be swiftly executed, but even then…
He looked to her as she looked back at him with a smile. A smile for Emperor's sake! What was this girl? He had never seen someone so serene in his apothecarium, especially after an event such as the one she had gone through; barely escaping a plague ridden world. Emperor be damned if he was—
Erina tilted her head.
"Tsk, tsk, you shouldn't take the Emperors name in vain, Simmons."
Simmons, shrieked as he held onto his head. He had lived this long, and he was damned if he would die this early! Humans should have to live far longer than this.
Erina frowned.
"You are crazy, aren't you? And I thought I would go crazy."
Emile looked at her carefully from behind his mask. He had no idea that she was this powerful of a psyker, yet, something was wrong. There was not the horrible feeling that exuded from the mere presence of all psykers. There was not the nervousness of possession that seemed to hang over all psykers. This girl seemed to be content, almost what one could call happy. This was not the normal behavior for a psyker, and it troubled him greatly. From such a diminutive state to this confident face, he was uncertain if this was even the same girl. And so he watched.
Erina could read all of this from him of course, and she was happy that she could. She hadn't changed at all, but rather, her eyes were opened. She gave up the thing that made her a psyker, and she accepted the gifts provided by whatever the figure she saw was. It did not hurt, and it was in all but a moment, but she felt free for the first time in her life. It was only right that she be happy, that she be able to express something that wasn't dread or fear. She had a new master now, though the figure outright refused to let her call him that. She would forever be grateful to him. He shared with her the plans he had, and she would do anything in her power to ensure that it came to pass. Certainly, there would be some problems she was sure, there always was, but what he told her made sense. He had good intentions, and she would stay true to them, even if she couldn't live to see the fruits of her labor. She would lay the seeds for the plan to fall into place, and in return he promised her a happy life in this world, and a promise for a greater one for her descendants. Not that she could have ever dreamed or even planned for such things before.
Her attention drifted as the astropath came into the room, and the mood around her was clearly tense. What bothered her however, and the figure told her it would, was that the only person whom she could not read was the dirty Psyker, whom still connected himself so strongly to that foul thing that was the warp.
The astropath was Ceres, the same from before whom had assisted Emile. He was the first found by the Stormtrooper sent to fetch one, despite his shoulder wound. Thankfully it was a minor wound, though it still stung deep in his flesh, but he could return to usefulness. When he entered, he was shocked to recognize Erina's face as the one in his vision. Yet he was all but confounded on something else.
"This girl… she…"
The entire room looked to him in anticipation of what he was going to say. He knew he could not say it. Despite his hesitance to do so, he did.
"She's no psyker. She has barely a prescence in the warp at all."
As he looked at her, it was as if she was a wisp, a playful ghost, yet at the same time something was there. A soul still clearly existed, but it seemed young-new almost-very nearly entirely separated from the warp. This was madness. Absolute madness! What this meant, he did not know, but he knew it was up to him to figure it out.
"What are you?"
Erina frowned.
"I am Erina Pendleton, and no I am not a psyker. I… don't know what happened to me. Please, sir Astropath… tell me what happened."
She lied. Something she would have never dared do before. Truly, this was a blessing.
Emile looked to Ceres, and then to Eli who was just as confounded, and then to the Stormtroopers who merely stood by as they were trained to do. They did not think after all, but merely did as told. The apothecary however, had the last straw as he started to walk forward.
"What the bloody 'ell is this! Huh? She… she knew what I was thinking, I swear to you! If she wasn't a… a mad Psyker, then… then…"
He shook his head and clenched his fists.
"Fine! Blast it. I will take this into my own hands!"
He attempted to rush the medical bed, and though he managed to press his hands onto her throat, he was pulled of swiftly by the Stormtroopers and thrown onto the floor. As they knew little restraint, four of them beat him with kicks to his body and knocks by the butt of their weapons. Eli acted swiftly, but even in such short time, as the Stormtroopers stopped and pulled away the apothecary was a bloody mess. He only spouted grumbles on the floor.
"Get him out of here, and into another apothecarium. He will suffer for his crime later."
Two of the Stormtroopers acknowledged and dragged him away, past Ceres, who had been accustomed to seeing such things. Then he turned once more to the girl to see her frowning at the display, but she did not seem to be in any state of discontent either. Almost as if she was disappointed that the man had not died. But he could not be sure, as her thoughts were walled away from him, kept away by some power he did not want to not cross.
Emile had no words for what he had just learned, and though he was relieved of the possibility she was a daemon in disguise, he now had to consider something else. If she was not a psyker, then what was she now?
"Erina. Listen to me, and answer swiftly. You are a Psyker, yes?"
She shook her head and bowed, though her bruised body ached at the movement.
"No, my liege. I am not."
Emile thought to himself and calculated what he could from this. Perhaps they had all viewed this from the wrong angle. They simply assumed she was a psyker, and there was one possibility they had not considered; she was never a psyker at all. They had never confirmed it either way, as she was unconscious through the entire endeavor as they escaped the planet.
"Girl. Why were you lined up with the psykers? Tell me the truth."
He looked to Ceres, who straightened himself as if on instinct.
"You make sure she does, psyker."
Ceres nodded, unwilling to admit that he could not see into her mind.
"O-Of course."
Erina took a deep breath as she thought back to it. She was lined up with…
"It was because my mother was a psyker. We were pulled from the line and dragged out to that part of the courtyard. They said we were all deemed to die. My mum, she… she tried to tell them I wasn't, but the soldiers didn't care. They said it would be a shame to let a daughter go on without her mother, and that they would take no chances. So, here I am…"
Eli took all of her words for truth, and he felt sympathy for her. As much as his space marine physiology would allow, but enough that he deemed what she said true.
"That is a cruel fate indeed."
Emile could only sigh, and as he looked at the Astropath Ceres, who said nothing, he had to assume she was telling the truth. Not that this entirely pleased or displeased him. It still was very much unsettled.
"Very well. I will be sure to find a way to provide for you while aboard this ship, Erina, for all you have been put through. Understand that you may need to speak with the Inquisitor, and she will be far harsher than I. However, I will ensure that you be well cared for."
Erina began to tear up. This was much kinder than she had expected to be received.
"T-Thank you, my liege! I… I know not what to say…"
Emile only looked at her, the uncertainness of her still bothered him. But in truth, he was also humbled by this outcome. Most of which for Eli, who would have been crushed had she been required to be put down after all the effort. Still…
"Now, how did you know what the apothecary thought?"
Erina shook her head profusely as she looked down into the sheets.
"I-I am sorry my liege, I did not meant to cause such problems. I… overheard things while I was unconscious. It was like a dream, and I… I knew he did not like me. I became fearful of him, and when I woke up, I did not wish to remain silent. And I merely wished to play with him because he thought I… I was a psyker. It seemed to scare him, so I…"
Emile watched as tears fell from her eyes, and though he could not feel sad for her, she seemed genuine. Aside, the apothecary was in a mental state that was close to breaking it seemed, given his nervous breakdown, and so it would seem right that she would be able to create panic within it. He also assumed that most regular humans would jump at the chance of holding authority over those who would hurt them or cause them fear. So, he could not entirely blame her. But he would not accept such trickery again.
"Very well then, Erina. Do not do such things again, or you will be punished."
Erina nodded, frightened by his commanding presence.
"Y-Yes my liege."
He then held a hand onto Eli.
"It seems Eli, that in the end, things worked out well. But I expect this to be the last time you do something of this sort. Understood?"
Eli nodded and pat a hand to his chest.
"I swear to you, brother."
"Very well then. Let us finish with our debt to her, and return to duty."
"Right."
