As the Magos had told her, the journey took nearly three months' time to reach the space Hulk. Luckily the construct hadn't drifted too far from its estimated course when the found it. It was precisely as Viola had hoped. In that time she had spent the majority with Reginald as they roomed together in her private quarters. Though she had not but met him so short ago, his company was well liked, preferable to the dreadful loneliness of her position. They had also spent many nights in private 'discussion' as she explained to her bridge crew, and what she had hoped to pass had come to effect. As safety, these periods always took place out of the warp. Soon enough, she would be able to retire. Still, she had to maintain command of the ship, else it fall into disarray and had discussed much with the Arch Magos of the Dark Anvil Exploritor ship. Though he preferred to talk with Reginald, as was fine by her. He told her all she needed to know, so nothing was lost on her. Still, she grew frustrated with the Magos repeated refusal to have a face to face conversation aboard her ship, not that he had one in the traditional sense. Regardless, she had been far more passive towards her crew as well, and it bothered her that she did not punish them as often as she used to. The fear she instilled in them of failure seemed to work fine on its own without her it seemed, but even then, at moments she would get glimpses of the crew's utter shock at her merciful attitude as of late. Perhaps she would have to be more rigid once more. As for her companions Emile and Eli, she had quite the conversation and relief from Elis exploit. The girl was not a psyker after all, and though she made sure to press hard with her psychic screenings, she showed no signs of corruption. Certainly would have been easier had she died, but as Eli seemed to be happy with the outcome she did not say anything. May the Emperor bless her bleeding heart! But, seeing as the girl proved to be no more useful than even the servitors aboard the vessel, and Emile's insistence that she be 'cared for' she decided to relent and allow the girl to board within the officers sector of the ship. There were several spare rooms she had intended to fill, so for now she would remain there. She was on constant surveillance of course, just for precaution, but hardly had she left her room. Perhaps she would give her a visit later, and give her a scare for some amusement if the coming proceedings with the Magos proved… aggravating.
Reginald enjoyed his time with Viola as well. It was a far cry from the rigidity of his Houses traditions, though he knew he would have to return soon. Hopefully, he would not return alone, and he suspected that Viola intended the same. He enjoyed their intensive conversations, and their battles played out with words. The ability to talk without being above the people who spoke to him was refreshing. They were far more interesting than many he had had, and far more challenging as well. She was his equal after all. Though, in his off time he made sure to check in on his Knight house with the dreadful astropaths provided to him. Much to his expectations, they reported in that they had quickly completed conquest of the feudal world that was promised to them. It seemed Lord Hektor made quite the impression as well, as he quickly rose in fame amongst his knights. This pleased him greatly, and it was joyous to his ears that they promised him that the planet would be completely fit for their Knightly House upon his arrival. Though he kept his meetings with the Magos secret, save from his favored Knight Varus and Lord Hektor. He wanted to surprise the rest of his house with a well-deserved reward upon his return. With luck, they would be able to regrow their numbers and add at least a hundred precepts into the house by the next Terran year.
As for his diplomatic meetings with the Magos of the Black Anvil, they went surprisingly well. The Magos, as expected, was more than eager to be able to work with a Knightly House, as they should. What surprised him was that the Magos never requested that he or his house turn fealty to the Omnisiah, but he did not question it. It was likely they were a sect away from the main cult. The Magos and him talked very poignantly, and did not sway from the discussion of trade and production of suits. His one and only ire, was that he had to disclose his houses long running secret. He had not wanted to originally, and his pride almost made him foolish by not doing so. He had to concede that they were unable to do anything with the several STCs that detailed how to construct each variant of the Imperial Knights used by House Valor, a treasure held so high and secret, only he and he alone knew of their existence. As every High Lord of House Valor did. They were stored safely aboard their ship, maintained with the upmost of care. He could still recall the first time he saw them, shortly after their escape from their crumbling home world. His father knew of the coming cataclysm and had already moved the sacred STCs into the ship. Such precious artifacts, yet wasted in containment if they were not used, and Reginald knew his sacristans could expertly repair the Knights, but none had the skill or the resources to construct the holy machines. Few likely knew how they worked, and only through their rituals were able to perform the rights which allowed intensive repairs.
The Magos on the other hand was the head of an entire forge world, and he would have the capabilities to produce the suits on mass. They already proceeded in the construction of the mighty BaneBlades and Doomhammers for their allies The Faceless Legion. So they would likely have the facilities to create a Knight foundry as well. It was a difficult decision despite this, but he had little choice if he wished his house to prosper once more and so revealed the existence of the STC's. As expected the Magos was overwhelmed with excitement, such an odd sight from one more man than machine. Soon after, most everything he asked for was accepted as long as they were allowed to use the STC's. Of course, he made sure to make it clear that in handing them over, the only house they would ever supply would be House Valor, and their secret would stay between them and only them. The Magos didn't hesitate and signed what he called, a Contract Permina, which was somehow written into his mechanical form which would kill him should he ever betray the contract. Though Reginald did not take this as complete truth, and maintained that if it ever came that they betrayed his trust, he would wipe out the forgeworld itself. For extra protection, he also insisted that a selection of his knights, his most trusted knights, be the ones to protect the forges and maintain a presence among the forgeworld. This seemed, fortunately, an unlikely outcome. But Reginald would forever be cautious with those of the Mechanics, for though they loved all machines, he knew their curiosity was an even larger driving force.
Still, he had secured a stable trade of food production to the forgeworld in exchange for the resources to fortify House Valors new world, a tithe of Imperial Knights to be created and sent to his keep, munitions, adepts to be trained by his sacristans in the ways of repairing the knights and several techpriests who would assist in the repairs and holy rights of them. All in all, his house was secured, but he knew he gave away a large asset to do so. He would not regret this decision however, and would instead do whatever necessary to maintain this new symbiotic relationship his house formed with this Dark Anvil. There was no out to this.
The others aboard the ship lived out their daily lives in relative normalcy, including Eli and Emile who returned to their daily regimen of training and tradition. They had not seen Erina since Viola allowed her to remain within the officers sector aboard the ship, and Emile was all the more content for it as Eli returned to his normal self. Still, he remained in contact with the Astropath whom he had helped, as he periodically searched for any signs of the entity which attacked him during their first warp transit. Eli assisted in this, and together scoured the ship for any signs of it, but none were found. Troubling indeed.
Erina on the other hand lived happily as she lazed around her massive room. It was large enough that she could stand straight, her hands extended, and not even touch the ceiling. She had a bed which was so soft, she imagined it was what the clouds of home were like, and would fall asleep without a care. She had books, real tangible books that were laid on a small desk. Food was brought to her daily, and it was so delicious it would send her to tears. None of things had she had before on her cursed world. None. Truly she was blessed, and for fact she knew she was. Sure, she was constantly being watched, but it did not matter to her. She was able to live in such leisure, in such comfort she would never have imagined before. All thanks to the deal she made, and in repayment she would be certain to fulfill her task.
She had great access to all those around her, and she could freely see their thoughts. It was fluid, free and unimpeded as she traversed them without the need of that vile warp. She even learned to read from this power she had. She could hardly contain her glee as she picked up one of the books in her room and read the first page, a manifesto of the Imperial truth. Still, she was told to maintain her kind soul, and so she would. She had to humble herself, and she would not let all that has happened to her corrupt her sense of virtue. Her masters promise that she would be severely punished, and everything taken lest she become corrupted by her powers and position, kept her grounded and calm. After all, she simply wanted to live the rest of her life in comfort, raise a family like she dreamed as a child before it was crushed by her mother, and die peacefully. That was all that she wanted.
On this particular day however, everyone was active and ready for whatever came their way. Viola and Reginald stood at the helm of the command deck, besides her chair as they looked at the screen before them. Verdun right below them as he glimpsed in awe of the sight. Erina was in her room, for once barred from leaving due to a ship wide lockdown, not that she intended to leave, knowing of the presence of the behemoth of mashed ships before them. Emile and Eli in hanger bay A, where they prepped themselves and a small assortment of the ship's crew for their coming mission. They had come across the space hulk, to which the Magos of the exploratory ship had led them, and whatever lied ahead was uncertain.
Though space hulks were rarely safe, from the distance of their ships they could remain in relative safety. But, Viola knew better than to trust such presumptions around such a precariously volatile thing as a space hulk. They were unpredictable, and though she had never set foot upon them, she had been attached to many groups which had. Few of them returned, and she remembered starkly, several those that did she had to summarily purge out of mercy. She would not risk anything, not now, and so her ship was put under lockdown. The distance between her ship and the space hulk set as far away as the transport range would allow. The Magos' ship did much the same, and within the hour the two ships would be within range to allow a temporary docking between them. The Magos Exploritor ship was small, nearly half the size of hers. Still, it was likely armed to the teeth, and there was certainly a heavy amount of Skiitari and other mechanicus assets held within. Though, as she had promised, she had set together a team from her crew to assist in the boarding of the hulk. By the astropaths predictions, it would likely be another year before the hulk disappeared once more. Viola knew this meant the number was closer to several terran months at the latest and one at the earliest. So, whatever they had come for, they needed to retrieve quickly, and then leave.
Reginald and Viola looked in awe of the hulk through the screen before Violas chair. It was a sight to behold, certainly, in its own twisted way. An amalgamation of ships, debris, and technology lost to time curled into a massive ball akin to that of a moon. As it drifted aimlessly through the abyss of space. In and out of the warp, it would travel with no master at its helm, and held both untold numbers of horrors, as well as treasures within for those persistent enough. For this task, she could not afford but to devote her largest assets, Eli and Emile, to join the boarding group. The others an assortment of her most skilled guardsman and a small assortment of the Stormtroopers she had on hand. This was enough to please the Magos, who promised to dole out an equally as impressive force, as well as the means necessary by which to contain any data that was found.
Verdun knew all of this, as he had paid close attention to the conversations between the Magos and Viola. He had grown intrigued by this Dark Anvil, which Viola appeared to know much about. Though he would not ask her, so as not to overstep her human boundaries. Still, what he heard intrigued him, and this Dark Anvil seemed no less than borderline heretical to the main faith, but in such a way that did not seem wrong to Verdun. The majority of the Mechanicum was likely heretical in some way, and by its very founding was in the eyes of the greater imperium. Yet, this Dark Anvil held to the pursuit of this knowledge, knowing full well the ramifications of an STC aboard a Dark Age ship. He calculated, they would not reveal it to anyone else, and he ran simulation after simulation within his own mind to see if he would either, given similar parameters. In all of them, he decided to keep the STC to himself. So how could he logically blame them for such desires? Technology was a precious and dangerous commodity, a holy virtue bestowed upon them. To tamper was to risk destruction, to deface that which worked was heresy, and to misuse meant naught but death on a scale unimaginable. They could invent, repair and study, but to do such things in a time so fraught with conflict was unthinkable. The Mechanicum at large knew the reality. Technology was a force not to be sought lightly, but to be preciously protected and learned from, so that the knowledge would not teeter and fade away...
So Verdun waited for his chance to speak with the Magos, and as he did so, thought of the possibilities before him. If an STC was truly found, his loyalties would certainly be in question. Both Viola and Reginald had managed to decipher as much from their odd observations of him, but they each had thought of their own ways to use such intentions to their own advantage. After all, the more allies they could muster the greater it was.
At that moment, the screen changed as the one from before shrunk to a fraction of its size and made way for the vox link to the Magos himself. His appearance unchanged from the last time they had seen him.
"Very well, Inquisitor. Are we ready to proceed?"
Viola nodded her head as she stood up from her seat.
"Whenever you are, Magos."
The Magos clicked his neck several times, and then raised his metallic hand.
"Then, operation 101010101010110 is ready to begin. Launch all direct drill transports now!"
Viola nodded as she pressed the Vox Button on the side of her chair that linked directly to the comms. system all across her ship.
"Begin Operation Divine Excavation immediately. All penetration transports, finish final preparations and then fire."
The Magos seemed pleased enough by her cooperation thus far, and so relaxed back into whatever was below him, if anything was there.
"Good. All coordinates are set, Inquisitor, and we will convene again in approximately one hour, two minutes and fifty-nine seconds when the transports have breached the hull of the hulk. We will then monitor all progress as it is made through the divine equipment provided to my Skiitari and servitors. The techpriest that I have chosen to further aid and represent myself in this operation will arrive shortly with his contingent. He will be invaluable in our coordination efforts, and as promised, he had signed a Contract Permina that no trickery will be done to your ship. But I will say, that we would ever deign the thought is outright foolish."
Viola smirked, happy that she was in control.
"Of course. But just in case, I have all of my soldiers outfitted with life detectors and cameras as well. I will share the video, of course. And also, of course, I will be sure to provide escort for the techpriest and his contingent when they arrive."
The Magos blinked his robotic eyes several times. He knew that all Inquisitors were cautious, but this one was incredibly so. The matter which was at stake however, warranted such suspicion and he knew that lesser members of the Mechanicus would wipe out entire planets if it meant preserving technology for themselves. For what he hoped to find, they would destroy entire sectors. Thankfully for them, he was not one such heretic, but that did not mean he wished to have his prize stolen away. No, if what they found was what his research has indicated it to be, then it would mean the plan could finally progress.
"Then it is decided. Please, refrain from such base things as sarcasm, Lady Inquisitor. We both know what stakes we hold in this…"
The screen cut from the transmission, and Viola immediately turned to Verdun.
"Verdun, go to the bay where the transports are being prepared. I have need of you to go and assist with the exploration of the ship."
Verdun turned to stare at her as he calculated several paths of reasoning.
"So, this is why you had the Transports stall, when they have been ready for the past two hours. What exactly is it that you require, Lady Inquisitor?"
Viola placed a hand to her chin.
"Simple. You will be in a position to report back to me on any finds, and I am sure you are eager to go on your own."
Verdun whistled as his gears turned. She adored antagonizing him.
"What my human desire is, true, however such is not an optimal course of action. But I am sure you know this. You simply wished to test me and see if I would take the most immediate chance to board the hulk. As much as it would please me, I am bound to do what is required of me. I will not seek to go on my own."
Viola smiled, and Reginald watched her with glee as he knew she had Verdun where she needed him. She had excellent control of her subjects, even the difficult ones. Viola looked back to the screen depicting the hulk before them.
"Well then, I suppose that brain of yours already figured out the other side of our deal. In the hour, we will be receiving a small contingent of their techpriests, and what I really need you for, Verdun, is to provide him company. Find out what you can, and if you see fit, forge an alliance with them. The more allies, the better."
Verdun ran several more computations of the data he had just processed through his mind. There was clearly something else she had planned, otherwise she would not have implied so heavily to seek alignment with the Dark Anvil. He was a member of the Mechanicus, so by default he was already acceptable within their ranks, but for what logical reason she would seek him to find alliance in such an indirect manner, when she would normally give explicit direction, confused his logical systems. This was also likely do to, in part, the majority of such computations being done to find out himself what the Dark Anvil sought. Based off the information and variables he gathered thus far. Either way, he desired to speak with another Tech-Priest of the Dark Anvil regardless, and perhaps give him some deserved communication with those able to keep up with him. From which he has been starved while aboard this ship.
"As your will declares."
Viola was content as she leaned back into her chair.
"Good."
The preparation for the coming mission were already in motion across the ship and in the hanger bay as the four transports provided for the mission were finally ready to be launched. Eli and Emile rested in the furthest back one, with Commander Richell and two of her most trusted guardsmen. An additional man who was not ready, nor likely to survive the excursion, was also brought on board as an 'extra hand'. As designated by himself, he was named Ervin. He was a wreck as he barely managed to hold onto the contents of his stomach, and sat at the edge of the transport doors. He clutched tightly onto the lasgun he was provided, though he had little experience firing such a weapon, not that the others did not know from what they saw of him. The other three transports filled with three ten man squads of Stormtroopers, which were gathered from the reserve guard aboard the ship's crew. Viola knew they weren't to be cheaply spent, but she had to dedicate such useful assets this time around. They each were the embodiment of nearly two to three decades of molding by the Schola which she acquired them from. So their lives were easily above the usual rank and file. But they were still under command, and hell, she knew she might not have a chance to command these Stormtroopers again for a while.
Eli and Emile could not help but feel sorry for the young Ervin as he laid against the transports cold metal. They both knew that he had likely done something to offend Viola, and thus this was his punishment. The possibility of him surviving was all but nothing, and though they would try to keep him alive, he would likely be killed within the first incident of combat. As for the other three aboard with them, Emile was both pleased and sadden by Commander Richells presence. She was one of Violas favored among the crew of her ship, and so Emile knew that her being here spoke to the gravity of this mission. The woman's connection to Viola something that echoed in his head as he looked at her. When asked by Viola, she quickly volunteered for this mission with not even a hint of objection, and even now seemed to maintain her cheeriness. Though Emile was assured by her confidence and willingness for such a task, he could not help but feel that twinge of sadness. Clearly, whatever was aboard the space hulk was important. Though as he contemplated it, his mind only could logically recall the last time he was sent to explore a space hulk. It was he and Eli who survived that mission, and only because they managed to be found by Viola after their chapter no doubt thought them lost within its horrid halls. He would be sure to ensure that such would not happen again on this endeavor.
Commander Richell was ecstatic at her chance to enter a space hulk, on behalf of her dear Inquisitor Viola. She knew the dangers of course, and the stories were all but terrifying. Still, she was overwhelmed by the confidence that Viola had in her and her men. The presence of the Noble Space marines of the Emperor all but strengthened her resolve, and thus she would not fail. Only the cowardly man who rested in the corner and strayed on the verge of sobbing sullied the moment. He should not have been allowed to taint this mission, and if he were one of her own soldiers, he would have been shot for his cowardice. Her two soldiers, first Lt. Jimmy and Lt. John Roe agreed with her, and they kept themselves sat apart from the man. He was soon to die, and they would not let him bring their mission to a halt.
The vox aboard the transport drill opened, and they heard the blaring sirens of the launch deck.
"All transports will begin the operation in 5… 4… 3… 2…1!"
The entirely metal transports suddenly shot forward as they ran along the deployment tracks. These transports unique in their design to be boarding vessels. They were cylindrical, with a massive drill on the front of the ship with no propellant of their own. They would be loaded with the troops to be deployed, and then fired out of a massive cannon within the hanger bay that would propel them towards their target. The drill would then activate, and cut through whatever the opposing vessel was made of until it reached a certain depth and allowed the drill to split apart and unveil the forward and side doors that would allow the troops inside to exit. Crude, and not completely accurate, but for the purpose of ship to ship combat or boarding hulks, they worked exceptionally well.
Within moments, the transports were launched headlong into the space before them as they raced towards the enormous hulk of metal and debris before them. The speed of the transports impeccably fast, as they reached their target within mere minutes. A loud thud, and a heavy crash as they hit the sides of the hulks outer layer, only to begin the drilling descent inside. This lasted all but mere moments as well, and then, they were inside. The transports sealed themselves so that they and the hulk were all but one. The drills popped off, and the doors opened on their own. From here on, there would likely be no reinforcements, and no help would come quickly enough if they needed it. Operation Divine Excavation had begun.
