Ceres had his own reasons for being where he was. He could have returned to the sanctum with the other astropaths. He could have ignored what had transpired before him, denied the Space Marines request. He could have, but he did not. No. He had something to do, and he had to find out who that girl was. What she was. He would confront this girl, whom he knew was no mere human. He felt her presence, ever so subtly, as it probed all around the ship, despite her literal non-presence within the warp. The fact that he was able to find an excuse to be so close to her current dwelling was nothing if not a sign from the Emperor he had to proceed. He would at least be close enough for support, lest the worst came to worst.
He steeled himself as he held onto his rod, and swiftly made his way to the two guards at the door. Before they could say a word, he tapped into their minds and froze them for all but the few moments he needed to leave. Once outside the room, he headed straight for the young girls room. Erina Pendleton.
He raised his hand at the door, and knocked.
After the first one, the door opened and there she was as she stared at him.
"Well… I guess I should have expected you."
Ceres nodded.
"You have spread your probing without much regard after all. Witch."
Erina narrowed her eyes at him, an equal look of disdain towards him.
"Strong words from a filthy psyker."
Ceres closed his eyes for a moment.
"Then, may I come in?"
Erina stepped backwards as she walked to her bed. Ceres took that as a yes and continued inside. He looked at her, and she looked at him. She she sat down on the comfort of her blankets. They stared at one another, both unsure what to say, and who to speak first. This event was inevitable in both their minds, and all that had to come from this was who would come out afterwards.
Erina sighed.
"You are probably the most powerful psyker aboard the ship, right?"
Ceres gave a small nod.
"For an astropath, yes, I am."
Erina rolled her eyes.
"A little out of the cage aren't you? I thought the ship was on lock down."
Ceres clenched his staff tightly.
"Says the woman who opened the door with her mind."
Erina pouted as she turned towards the wall.
"You wouldn't understand the gift I have been given, Psyker."
Ceres didn't think he would want to know. Yet he did not think she would so easily have confessed to such a thing.
"Such gift, is naught but heresy."
Erina shook her head and pointed a hand at him.
"You are naught but heresy. Being a filthy psyker."
Ceres did his best to remain calm. She clearly wanted to aggravate him to action. He would not fall for it. He had tried to see into her mind, but he could not. No matter how hard he tried. Erina knew this of course, and it was part of the reason she expected him to come. She saw how much it pained him.
"Well, you are frustrated when you can't read others, aren't you?"
Ceres stepped back, careful with his minds extension. He did not know the full potential of this girl yet. What she was capable of.
"I just need to know. How are you not present? How can you not be present? You are no blank. You are not a psyker either. So tell me. Who gave you this gift?"
Erina looked at him with dire eyes, and stood from where she sat.
"I wouldn't speak ill of him if I were you. And yes, this is a gift. A true gift from someone you would never hope to understand. And before you jump to such assumptions, no, it was not one of the foul powers. It was something else-someone else. I have been blessed with the removal of my heart from the warp, and I will strive to protect it."
Ceres stood tall. He knew that she was likely being recorded. He had betted in it.
"You know that this has all been recorded, correct?"
Erina smiled smugly.
"If I can open doors, I can shut off the cameras. It isn't hard to do."
Ceres grimaced as he looked at her. So she knew did she?
"I will inform the Inquisitor about this. About you. I am sure then, you will not be so haughty."
Erina shook her head.
"No. I don't think that High Lady Viola will. After all, I allowed you in here because you are dangerous. The one string that could ruin everything for me. My one obstacle to getting what I want."
Ceres eyes opened wide. She planned this? No… she wouldn't dare attempt to kill him here. It would only bring attention to her.
"What do you mean?"
Erina stepped towards him.
"Simple. I have my part to play, and if you stay around, you could manage to prove something. I can't have that."
Ceres gripped his staff tightly.
"What are you going to do? Use these powers of yours to destroy me?"
Erina shook her head.
"No."
She ripped her shirt with a hard pull, as she threw herself backward. All she had to do then, was scream. Scream to the top of her lungs.
"Help me! Please! Someone!"
Ceres knew then he was played, but far too late in the game.
A very short distance away, Verdun was on his way back to the new command center for the operation with the Techpriest of the Dark Anvil in tow. Call sign 0101020101 was his name, though they called him 02 for short. Much more modified than even he was, 02 stood about a foot higher than himself, and moved around on a series of mechanical legs that pushed his massive frame forward. It was odd then that his face was virtually untouched, save for the quarter that covered his right eye, a full set of auspex jutted from flat metal that peered all around him. His human side incredibly muscular, and his brown hair still intact. The left side of his torso also untouched, his left arm equally as clean from machine, contrasted with his hulking right which was proportionally irregular in size.
He was certainly an eccentric techpriest if Verdun had ever saw one. Though his retinue was equally as strange. He had expected skiitari to have accompanied him, but instead it was four guardsman it seemed, outfitted with mechanicum weaponry. They all had their legs replaced with the metal ones of the Skiitari, and they each wore the same robes, but that was where the similarities ended. They had no other enhancements to their bodies, and the masks they wore were similar to those of the Skiitari as well, but were removable and not nearly as multifaceted. Even their weaponry was more akin to the guard; lasguns, though seemingly retrofitted in design that made them similar to the galvanic rifles of the Skitarii. They gave the appearance of skiitari, but they themselves were not. Apparently, they were a guard provided by the Faceless Legion, both as a show of goodwill and a means to tighten the already strong relationship between the Dark Anvil and the Faceless Legion. The last member of the retinue a tall man who wore a dark grey guardsman's uniform, his right arm long since replaced with a power fist. He donned medals all along the left side of his jacket, and over his face was a mask that from Verduns analysis encased his whole head, though was also frustratingly removable. Two lenses equally apart from one another that allowed him to see outside, with both a vox and a powerful air filter installed inside. A blue hat with the insignia of the eagle adorned on its center, over the top of the helmet. This was a commander among the Faceless Legion, whom was in charge of the detachment which was sent to aid in this mission. Not that he provided his name. Likely, Viola would not be happy that the Magos withheld such information, though 02 refused to elaborate on why it was.
Together they made their way along the hallway, in silence. None had spoken other than the basic trivialities' upon first meeting. Likely, 02 was analyzing him through observation just as he did to him. It would make communication all the easier once they arrived and accomplished their tasks. Then he could begin probing his distant cousin of the Dark Anvil. An hour long walk it was, but they managed to make it to the officers section of the ship, not but a corner away from the false command center. That was when they heard the girl scream.
"Help me! Please! Someone!"
02 raised an arm, and without hesitation the forward guard of his retinue ran forward. His name was Michael, Michael Ver Reich. He hadn't been a legionnaire of the Faceless legion for long, but he took pride in what he did as guard to a tech priest. Though the tech priests rarely talked to him, or the others. He was ashamed when he had his legs blown off in an accident during a training exercise, so he was unable to join the other legionnaires in deployment, and that was why he was transferred to the guard of the Dark Anvil. He had always hoped to protect people, protect humanity from the horrors of the universe, but he rarely had a chance to fight anything as guard. It was never for glory, or for fame, though his family cared much more about such things, but he desired to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. Help others in their time of need, and be as good a legionnaire as he could possibly be in this dreary universe. So when he heard the girl scream, he could not help himself but to charge forward.
As he made it into the room, he found a tall man, bald and holding onto a weird staff, standing over a young woman. She was close to Michaels age. Her shirt ripped open, and a scared look in her eyes that screamed for help. She held a hand over her barren chest as she looked up at the monster in front of her. He wouldn't let this stand. So with a single rush he knocked the man onto the ground. He pushed away the staff he held and forcibly pulled his arms onto his back. With enough force, he managed to crack the bones in one of the man's arms, as he cried out in agony. It wasn't long before the others arrived to this scene.
"Get me restraints."
His fellow guard obliged him, and tossed him a small set of metal bindings. With them, he cuffed the man's arms together, though he pleaded to be let go.
"You don't understand! Let me go!"
Ha! Such was the rambling of a filthy monster. Michael stood up and with a hefty kick, knocked the man across the floor into the wall. Then he turned his attention to the girl who looked up at him. He knelt down beside her.
"I apologize for my lateness. Did he hurt you?"
The woman shook her head.
"Thank you for saving me… he… he said he was going to…"
Tears built up behind her eyes as she looked away and held her hands tightly over her chest. How could anyone try to harm someone in such a way?
He pulled a blanket from the bed as he gave it to her.
"Here. Don't worry. I'll stand by you. I promise, everything will be ok."
She looked up at him, a small smile on her face as several tears ran down her cheek.
"Thank you."
She wrapped herself in the blanket so as to cover up the part that was wrongfully exposed. He turned back to see as a new figure come into the room, as she brushed past one of his fellow guards. A fancifully dressed woman who wore a black uniform. A hat similar to the commanders over her hair, save this one had an I instead of the eagle.
"What's going on here?"
Michael was about to say something, but Viola assumed the situation from what she saw. Something that irritated her beyond her current annoyance with the Dark Anvils games.
"I thought I had stamped out such behavior from my ship. I will not let this stand, astropath. I should shoot you myself! And to do this under the guise of assisting in this important operation. You sicken me."
The man tried to speak, but Michael shoved his head onto the floor.
Viola took a deep breath.
"Eject him from the ship. Let him drift in space till he dies or goes insane. I don't have the time to deal with this filth."
As she turned towards 02, she gave a single nod.
"It took you long enough to arrive. You and Verdun begin setting up whatever equipment you need. And…"
She then looked at the other new face, whom she presumed was a commander of sorts.
"Well then. It seems we have another guest. Welcome. I assure you, that this is not a common occurrence aboard my vessel."
The commander gave a nod.
"It is unfortunate, the psyker must have gone mad from his dismissal. Soldiers, do as the Inquisitor says. Take him out to the nearest ejection bay and chuck him outside. Don't give him a moments rest to think, otherwise he might use his foul powers against you. If he resists put an end to him immediately, but do try to save him for his torment."
The other guards rushed into the room, picked him off of the floor and rushed him outside. Michael was about to follow him, but the commander held out his power fist.
"You stay with the girl, Michael. Give her comfort."
Michael stood in attention.
"Yes sir."
With that, Viola the techpriests, and the commander all went into the command room. His fellow guards dragged away the filth, and Michael remained with the poor girl.
He turned to her, and let out his hand.
"Here, let me help you up."
She smiled, wiped the tears away, and took his hand.
"Thank you… truly."
As she stood up, she wobbled forward, and Michael was quick to catch her. She pressed onto him, happy to play the loved victim for once. Still, this Michael was what she would call a good person. From the brief flash of his memories she saw, he was good. It also made her feel… warm inside, when he appeared the way he did. Sure, it was into a set up situation, but he didn't know that. He genuinely cared, and she was all the happy for it.
"Please… don't leave me."
Michael was uncertain what to do, but he knew he wanted to help her calm down. After all, nobody should have to go through such a terrible event. Such was the worst of crimes punishable by death by torture by the Faceless Legion, given their emphasis on the lives of their forces. But he was still a soldier, and knew little how to react. Gently with his hand, he patted her back, the only thing he could think to do.
"I promise."
Such event was the start of something new, a step forward in a plan long set in motion, and something that would have greatly perturbed Emile had he known what transpired. It was he who had asked the psyker Ceres to investigate the girl further, a doubt still within his mind that refused to let go. But where he was, he would not know. All he knew in the current moment was what was immediately in front of him, and that was the massive door that remained in their way.
He took several short breathes between each glimpse along the hallway. Thus far, no fowl creature had come to assault their position. Let alone a sound that permeated along the ancient halls. The only thing that seemed to move was the one who fielded the Vox; Ervin, if he recalled correctly. His nervous chatter was a minor distraction, but in the utter silence of the hulk, it was more than noticeable. Not that he could completely blame him for his fear, a man who likely rarely saw the outside of the ship, thrust into this hell. No matter, as things had gone smoothly thus far, Emile wanted to remain as vigilant as possible. Not even a moment given to the thought that perhaps the rest of the mission would proceed so easily.
It was then that the door behind him started to vibrate violently. He turned around, bolter in hand as did the rest of the rear guard of their defensive formation. A large red streak burned across the middle of the enormous doors, as something clearly cut its way through. Fortunately, communications came to explain before any of the others jumped to conclusions. Violas voice both inquisitive and annoyed.
"Emile, have the Mechanicus begun opening the door?"
Emile watched as the streak began a downward arc.
"Yes. We should meet with the mechanics forces very shortly."
"Good. When you do, you and Eli must find the Dominus in charge of the ground forces. From there we should be able to more accurately coordinate ourselves. The others are to remain on good basis with the rest of the Mechanicus troops and not cause any disruptions."
Emile found himself in contemplation of the last part of her sentence. The mechanics troops, the Skiitari as far as he had interacted with, were more machine than human. They often functioned emotionally little more than servitors, and he had yet to meet any whom had a semblance of their humanity left. He also doubted any of the forces they currently had would interact, let alone make trouble, with the Skiitari. Particularly since the Stormtroopers were hardly any more cognitive themselves.
"Is there something different about this Mechanicus force?"
Viola sighed.
"There's a lot, Emile. But, this can be used to our advantage. They have several detachments of guard from the Faceless Legion, modified and outfitted with Mechanicus equipment."
The door was nearly cut through in its entirety as the red streak almost hit the ground. Though Emile was more focused on the peculiarity of their allies. They truly were very different than the majority of the machine cult if they were so tightly linked with the Faceless Legion.
"I have never seen the mechanicus so willingly share technology, especially with the guard. Even an Inquisitor has an incredibly difficult time acquiring the most base of assets."
Viola replied quickly, but sternly.
"It is not in our place to judge. After all, they are our current allies and likely our future ones as well. I should also inform you that they do also have several detachments of the more usual skiitari as well. Though given their unusual nature, perhaps they aren't what you would expect either."
Emile took a deep breath. She was right, he was not to judge others of the Imperium unless they were immediate and major threats. It did not matter in what way they went about serving the Imperium, as long as they did so dutifully. To judge those whom do so, simply because of traditional or cultural differences, was beyond foolish. Such often led to tragedy, rebellion and betrayal down the line. Such a severe waste of valuable resources.
The red streak came to a stop and Emile knew that the path was finally about to be opened for them. He had to meet those on the other side as diplomatically as possible, and thus his current conversation had to come to a close.
"It seems they have finished. I promise you, I will make sure all is well and coordinate ourselves accordingly. The others will be sure to remain in check. Any last orders until we can reconvene?"
Viola was silent for a moment before she came up with a response.
"No. Thank you, Emile."
Emile could not help as a smile came onto his face. Such were words rarely afforded to any in her service.
"Of course, lady Viola."
The vox link cut off, and he looked on ahead as the carved section of door fell down. After the dust and ruble cleared, several Skiitari dressed in white robes with black trims, trotted over it. A single, tall figure in the center of them who was the only one not to have a mask. His body almost entirely flesh save for his arms and legs, replaced with mechanical counterparts. A bundle of servo arms arched along his back from where they protruded from his spine. His right eye now a green optic which spun in and out to clarify the area around him. He also had hair, thick brown hair which was combed upwards and clearly well cared for. A smirk on the man's face as he rolled his mechanical shoulders, an action clearly pointless for one so heavily modified. He held out his robotic hand, in a single elegant bow towards Emile.
"Ah, finally we meet. I am Vargos, the Techpriest Dominus in charge of this mission. Shall we?"
Emile paused only for a moment to size up this dominus. He was an unusual sight indeed. Most techpriests far more machine than man, who barely had human features. This Vargo was quite different in that regard. Perhaps that is why he was a dominus and not anything higher.
"It is good to finally meet you."
Argos pulled back his hand.
"And the same could be said of you. Now, if you would Space Marine, we have an operation to continue."
Emile waved his hand forward as the Stormtroopers marched ahead. Commander Richell and her team not far behind. Ervin given control of all of the vox equipment as he was packed with it. A weight he struggled to carry, but one he did none the less without a complaint. Perhaps there was hope for him yet.
Vargo and his retinue stepped to the side as they allowed their newcomer allies inside the massive chamber. They were set up in the largest one that was located aboard the hulk, and the mechanicus forces managed to breach here through the use of unique boarding craft developed by the Magos himself. Though this they kept secret, and stored the machines far from the view of the Inquisitorial forces. Or at least, as Vargo mused to himself, the former Iquisitorial forces.
Emile and Eli were amazed at the scale of the operation before them. An entire row of walkers, Onnigar Dunecrawlers clambered ahead of them as they surrounded a massive circular vault like door. There were at least a dozen Skorpius Duneriders fully loaded with Skiitari, and a detachment Skorpius disintegrators floated in place as they waited in several lines behind the Dunecrawlers. Large box like forms of metal and steel, painted black to blend in with the darkness of the ship. A servitor armed with two heavy stabbers attached on their rear ends, as it stared emotionlessly waiting for its call to action. Nearly a hundred or so Skiitari and nearly double that of what Emile surmised was the guard detachment that supported them, all around the room in various detachments as they set about a makeshift base of operations. Several large tents, and even rooms of the hulk itself seemingly active once more as they prepared for whatever was behind that door; that vault.
The single most impressive sight above all in the room, massive in scale before them., It was a large and circular door, decorated by thousands of carvings along its side, with hundreds of mechanisms and locks along its length. A single large windowed section in the center, though nothing could be seen behind its glass. The ancient moniker of a long dead language written just above the circular door itself as it arched along the metals frame. Whatever it was, Emile knew instantly that this was no ordinary operation. There was far too many resources poured into this for a standard sweep of the ancient hulk. Even if it contained a ship from the Dark Age of humanity. What they had hoped to gain here was likely much more. Something that Emile settled on immediately discovering for himself.
He contacted Viola through his vox.
"Viola. Explain what this is truly about."
Viola stayed silent for nearly a minute, something she rarely did when she talked with Emile, before she replied.
"I am sure you can guess. What else would drive the Mechanicum to undergo such a large scale undercover operation as this?"
Emile looked at Argo who looked back at him. The same grin on his face as before. He did guess and he wasn't sure if he liked the answer.
"An STC."
Viola let out a sigh.
"Yes. One I hope to use as leverage. A way out, Emile, of this inquisitorial life."
Emile had to take a moment to contemplate. He had known Viola was up to something, but he didn't expect that answer. On one hand, it seemed to please him. No, it alerted that part of the brain that was relief of worry, that part of the brain that was connected still to his heart. He wanted her to leave the capricious life of an Inquisitor behind. But a sense of his duty made such a feeling conflicted. He knew she must have known this as well.
"Are you sure of this course of action, Viola?"
With the same determination she always gave when her mind was made up, she replied.
"Yes."
Emile found himself in a smile again, something so rare that he found himself do. A semblance that he was still at heart human. Had he been separated from his brothers so long? He did not know, but he was here now, and he had to make his decision. He would see this operation through to its end, for Viola.
"I will stand by your decision, Viola. I hope this serves you well."
"Thank you. Emile."
At that he cut the vox channel. An odd feeling about him that warmed his cold heart. One he had to shake off as soon as possible if he were to complete this mission successfully.
The techpriest, Argo, stepped up to him. Closer than most would dare to do so willingly.
"Well then. Do you wish to talk about the specifics? Or shall we stare at one another so very awkwardly?"
Emile let out a deep breath of air that resulted in a low grumble from his helmet.
"Very well, Dominus. Let us coordinate this operation. And trust me. It is best you leave nothing hidden."
Argo rolled his neck to the side, a mechanical whirl that clicked around him, as he peered unfazed into the space marine's visor.
"Of course."
