The Inquisitor
Chapter One
I groaned when I tried to move my hands to my face, all I felt was pain. Pain that seemingly wanted to lick its familiar feeling at my nerves and all I could do was blink blearily. Why did it hurt to breathe and why did my mouth feel so dry that I couldn't feel my own tongue? I felt like a lead weight and all I could do was grovel like some grox waiting to get slaughtered. Just what happened to me to make me feel like this? I hadn't felt like this since forever.
Well not since Jane...
My eyes snapped open wide as I suddenly bolted upwards to inhale deeply, "Jane! That bastard and his job offer to pay us! She was ripped apart and I screamed, unable to do anything to help her! I ran and I left her to die there."
I coughed violently trying to breath heavily as my eyes blinked several times to get the incrustation out from the corners. I usually got that from sleeping too long and I had to fight down tears. Jane was dead and I had no one to blame but myself! I prayed to the Emperor for forgiveness because I was a coward to to see her die! I watched her spine being torn out and all I could do was scream in horror. To watch that nightmare player over and over again because I was unable to do a damned thing! I wanted to punch something senseless and just scream until I was done.
Biting my lips as tears were forming when I looked up to see a metal wall.
And I promptly looked around in confusion.
"Where am I? This isn't the sub-hive, none of the beggars live in a place clean as this and none of the crime men work here. So where the feck am I?"
I found myself wrapped up in sheets on a bed within a small metallic room, I saw some sort of clock above my doorway and it seemingly had the time for some planet. It was the time I was used to seeing back down in the Hives and had to guess based on the sun that was barely visible in the mucky cloud clover in the upper tiers of the city. I clenched my fingers to see several pillows bracing my head or what were pillows. They seemed to be stuffed cases but it was so much comfortable than using boxes to sleep under at night.
Especially when the rain hurt your skin.
Apart from that several switches for lights were on the wall leading into a shower room? I didn't know what to make of that and it was small, but large enough for me to believe it'd be amazing to have running water. I felt so thirsty that it hurt to think of anything else as I rushed out of the bed into the small room to see a sink of some kind. I couldn't help but press the button to have water gushing out in a clear form and it wasn't saturated with dirt! I smiled for a moment before cupping my hands to start drinking feverishly and it took me several moments to be sated.
I witnessed a cloth of some kind hanging next to the wall and I used it to wipe my face dry. It felt so good to taste water without chemicals or dirt being laced in my teeth, I had to breathe a few moments to have my fast beating heart to calm down and I relaxed.
Really I had to continuously ask myself where was I?
All I remembered apart from Jane was myself running...
"Running into a lady? She wore a hat and a coat, then it was hot. It hurt yet it felt good while it was hot." My head started to throb painfully and I winced at the pressure being exerted in my mind. I wanted to fall to my knees when I tried to ignore this sensation but it only got worse. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop any screams as I gnashed my teeth together to start walking towards the bed again. Why did it hurt? Why did my head hurt this much and just why in the feck did my eyes feel hotter than a fire in a barrel?
I couldn't help what came next in a tidal wave of fire and voices.
"Inquisitor's orders to keep this room under guard."
I gasped out in shock to hear some man's voice in my head and it came from beyond the wall with the clock hanging on the door. Why did it sound like this person wasn't trying to hurt me yet I could hear him like he was talking right next to me? All I felt was a sense of ease or confidence knowing that he was watching over me? What was happening to me? I was hearing voices clearly not my own and I knew for a damned moment, I hadn't heard them beforehand!
"We'll be traveling to another system, Emperor willing it won't effect our Warp-Drive."
Warp?
What did that word mean? I had never heard of it and I could only blink uncomprehendingly at the voices entering my head. It hurt to listen and it hurt to understand things I didn't ever hear of, it honestly made me want to scream so much to make it stop! I wanted it to stop and I had grit my teeth together so hard that it hurt. My fists clenched when I heard screams coming next and it only served to get me angrier more so than I what I had ever felt. What in the name of the Emperor was happening to me?
Screams of pain?
Joy?
Surprise?
I heard them all in one influx of noise and I wanted to cry so much, it hurt to understand why I was hearing all this now. It was so quiet before and I liked it, so quiet to look around to know where I was in the first place. I snarled inwardly doing what I could to block my ears to stop these voices, it barely did anything other than make things louder and I started to have tears drop to the cold metal floor. I wanted it to stop, it hurt to listen to so many things and I didn't have a clue as to what I was actually hearing. It got worse as the influx of voices seemingly overran my mind, I could hear so many yet unable to recognize what was what!
Shaking my head I screamed so loudly I swore it shook the entire room, "STOP IT! STOP TALKING!"
Breathing violently through my nose I had to do something other than hear those voices, they grew in tempo as I fell flat onto the floor. My ears were on fire as people were speaking to me almost as if they were on top of me and I begged to the God Emperor to please spare my mind from torment. I knew of the Emperor who sat eternally on his Golden Throne on Holy Terra but I was never an advert believer in that creed thing the others were into. It seemed like my ears were going to burst as I heard more voices etch themselves onto my skull. It was like my brain was being crushed from the inside out, I wanted to scream so loudly that I'd tear my own throat up in the process!
I distantly heard foot steps, but was it merely my imagination now?
"Find a stim and get him to the infirmary! He's going to rupture the hull if things get anymore violent!"
I swore I heard someone screaming as I curled into a fetal position to ward off the agony inside my head, I wanted to die and just let go. It hurt to think and I had nothing but my heart thundering as my eyes were squeezed shut. Tears came down my face in hot rivulets of water, it hurt so badly to even think and I wanted to scream again to shut out the voices. It only got worse when I tried to shake my head in a futile attempt to stop them.
"Stand aside. Now!"
Vibrations rang in my ears since I was flat against the cold metallic floor.
"Boy."
My eyes cracked open when a calm yet stern voice of a woman entered my hearing. I felt my body seemingly react in a manner when Jane had a comforting thing to say, I desperately ignored every single voice repeating themselves into my head. Why did it hurt so much to listen? Why did it hurt to fecking breathe every second I tried to resist the sounds? I could stand this much noise and every second only echoed their tones to make get an agonizing headache. My head started to throb in where it hurt, I begged anything since I wanted it to stop so badly now!
"The more you get worked up, the more potent your thoughts become when picking up on those not like yourself. If you want to stop hearing those voices, do what I tell you. Now!"
I whimpered agreeing to do whatever the woman wanted me to do, I just wanted to hear normally for Emperor's sake!
"I need you to think of anything to calm yourself down, it can be whatever you need it to be. Just listen to my voice and understand, the calmer you are than the voices can be blocked out as long as you remain in control of your emotions."
I thought of the tavern I used to go when I went with Jane, the lower hive wards were filled with people laughing and smiling as I remembered every detail. The sweet smell of cooked grox, the tangy taste of drinks that always made my stomach tingle warmly and I always remembered the nice man who gave me scarps of food, when I helped him work. I took in every detail as I held my eyes so tight that it hurt to even open them now, I wanted to stop the voices and I obeyed what I was told to do. It took me seemingly forever to do what I had been told, the woman who I heard seemingly held a firm tone to inspire me.
"That's it. Use your mind as one who uses a bolter, learn it and once you master the weapon, then you as the master will become more effective as it's wielder. Continue to think of that calming picture, do not become frightened or scared when you start to hear the voices come back. For they are merely projections of minds that are not as keen as yours. Do you understand?"
I shivered when the woman told me that the voices were coming back, but I had to trust her to seemingly know what was happening to me. I exhaled deeply trying to calm the shaking inside my chest, but all it did was seemingly entice the woman to chuckle. I was scared, I was scared so badly and I had no idea what in the Emperor's name was happening to me! This was completely unreal that it was almost impossible for me to accept as the whispers came back. It was faint like they were far away but they were receding into a silent serenity once again.
Voices that were muted but still around me, "Emperor's blood! The kid's calmed down."
My eyes snapped open when I heard that person speak, a hand was on my shoulder gripping me tightly enough to warrant my gaze and when I did look over at who was exactly touching me. I had to blink in shock, really I couldn't believe what I was seeing and it merely made my mouth drop as I witnessed someone I'd had never seen before at all.
A female voice stated rather straight forwardly, "I see you've regained your senses. I will not be as understanding next time, little one."
The woman who spoke held a powerful stance that I couldn't help but tremble when her eyes trailed over my quivering form. Eyes that were nearly blue yet greenish in nature, it seemed almost like a polished mirror as she adjusted her coat and I noticed a carapace armor of sorts. It formed around her body as some sort of belt with skull like seals were laced within its surface. Honestly I felt uneasy staring at that skull if I were to say anything to anyone. Not to mention a chained book of sorts hitched itself onto her hips with a weapon, a pistol of some-kind and it didn't look friendly in the least.
Her hat hid blond strands of hair, Jane had hair like that and that made me wince in silent grief. I nearly missed out on what this woman said next, "Do not cover before my gaze boy. It'd be a disgrace to have an Acolyte of the Ordos Malleus cower before his teacher, so wouldn't you agree?" Her tone left no room for me to interpret the amusement yet that wasn't what bothered me. I grew up in the under-city of the hive towers, so what in the Emperor's name did that mean? Half of those words were completely foreign to me and I wasn't an idiot like some of the beggars back home on the streets.
I blinked dumbfounded when I thought, "What does that mean? Ordos? Acolyte?"
"It means what it states, boy. I did not use you merely from my good will, as rare as I do allow it, yet there is a purpose that you will now serve. A purpose worthy of this little awakening of your mind and I have all the right to conscript a tool." Instinctively I flinched at the sudden voice that resonated within my head, it seemed like an echo of sorts and it freaking me out!
Where in the living abyss did that come from? Before I realized I was looking at the person front of me. This was the woman I was looking at as her eyes were staring at me lazily now. She seemingly wasn't fascinated with my own shock at how casual in how she addressed me, I had no idea such a thing was possible and it was scary. Really it was scary as I shuddered unconsciously as the woman let a small smirk etch itself onto her face. I guess she found my thought of her funny or something, I had no clue.
"Many have called me fearsome boy, but none have claimed to stare me in the eye and say that. However time is short before my ship enters the Warp, so on your feet, now." She pulled me by the shoulder as I winced from the tenderness my body still held. Her grip wasn't gentle although I knew it wasn't rough because I knew that it could have been worse. I'd say she just did it so intently enough to get my attention and I tried to speak, I got stopped immediately when the woman waved her hand.
"Save your questions until our first lesson, for now just shut up and follow me, you need more suitable clothes for an Acolyte." The woman easily moved away, I had to take a few seconds to honestly realize what exactly was happening to me here. It wasn't easy to just accept whatever I knew was over, which was much to be fair but, it just sucked for a better lack of a word. My hand rubbed my forehead as I watched the lady simply move towards a door that slid over to the side. Her eyes looked back at me expectantly and without a care in the world.
I guess it was my motivation to move, I had no choice in that senses either. In the end I just muttered a simple, "Yes, mam."
Her eyes were amused for whatever reason I knew not, she held the door open for me as I walked next to her and I realized my head was only at her hip. I felt short, shorter then necessary but I didn't have the gourmet foods that the upper hive folks had at their tables, plus having greasy grox or substitutes made eating daily hard. I waited with a dull yet resigned expression, the woman easily moved down a hall of sorts and I followed without much choice yet again.
Although I almost tripped myself when I saw half a dozen black clothed and armored soldiers of some kind. They wore respirator like masks and helmets whose eyes were watching me intently. I felt really smaller then necessary as they all had weapons that were more intimidating then that sawed off shotgun I had. There was no sense of friendlessness or even remote happiness radiating from these people. I had to blink back my tears knowing I was being forced to do something that I had never seen or heard of in my entire life, so far.
But the odd thing here was that...
Why were all these people were glowing?
I stopped briefly to inspect one of the soldiers who was looking at me intently. I felt my stomach churn when I noticed something wrong, "His body has an outline? That's so weird, I've never seen that on a person and it's gray? What in the Emperor's name does that even mean and... Holy Throne of Terra! I'm going mad or am I already?" Each one of the black suited soldiers held a different outline of coloration, one had a reddish tint as I noted his weapon twitched as my eyes brushed over. Emotions akin to anger, distrust and suspicion washed over me, it made me shudder briefly to understand how I was able to understand this sensation and how much it scared me. My heart thundered inside my chest when my mind willed my feet to keep up with the woman.
She had been staring at me for some time.
I felt a bit embarrassed although her expression was more calculative if I had to guess.
"Madness has no purpose in what you perceive child, but to answer your own question: no. You are not going mad, you are seeing what was not previously known to you and now you are adjusting to what your kind can foresee in beings." The woman stated this merely as her strides were easily making me force to lightly job to keep up as her eyes remained focused ahead of us. Several black suited soldiers were behind us, roughly five meters or so to keep a respectful distance for some reason or another. Although I was more interested in what this person knew in what I witnessed, I wanted answers!
Answer because for all intensive purposes since nearly having my head split open!
We passed by other junctions of hallways leading to other places, I couldn't imagine where they lead but I had a feeling of dread pass by me several times. I felt someone beyond what these metallic walls were concealing, I felt strange like something was watching me for whatever reason and I didn't understand where the danger was at! It was like doing a job for a gang and knowing you were in enemy territory doing something you weren't supposed to do. So anxiety claimed my heart for a moment when I shivered when a wasp of cold air hit me above my head.
Ventilation shafts were shifting cool air occasionally, I just now started to be aware of those.
"Don't be alarmed, allow your mind to wander but do not fear what is there. Nothing has surfaced on this ship, at least nothing powerful and we have yet to enter the Warp." I looked up at the woman who seemed bored now, her eyes were occasionally glancing at the walls and she didn't seem to care for my nervousness. I started to wonder where exactly I was, I mean I wanted to know who this woman was and what exactly was I going to do now? I felt numb in a way like my mind was automatically trying to will my own body. It wasn't hard but I felt empty for a better lack of a word.
Empty knowing my closest friend was dead. Jane was dead, because I was too much of a coward to not do a thing to stop that monster! My fists clenched tightly cracking knuckles even though I was sore, I wanted to destroy that things face, over and over again! I wanted to destroy it and never again have to feel that pain of loss, I wanted to get back at more of them! I hated it, I hated everyone who promised us coin and I'd never would forgive the bastards that killed her in that fecking room!
A lazy command within my mind told me simply, "Calm yourself, boy."
My eyes blinked for a moment before I adhered to that suggestion, well order if I had to gauge the speed of that mental reply. It seemed really awkward for someone to know what I was thinking, or maybe that wasn't really the case. What if I was loudly projecting my feelings when I got angry, it'd make sense for a moment if I was that angry for this woman next to me, to actually pick up on what I'm thinking. So the more worked up I got, as she had said earlier, the more likely that she could tell I what I could be potentially thinking. It was strange yet at the same it made sense and that alone made me shiver.
What in the name of God-Emperor was I becoming?
The woman spoke up completely bemused now, her eyes glancing down at me. "You have a fascinating theory to uphold, although unless you are properly trained to defend your mind, its futile. As a result you can't hide your thoughts from me, little one." I swore the way she naturally spoke that statement like it was like she had a right to invade my mind! A justified sense for whatever reason and it only served to make her seemingly content. I wasn't the smartest blade in the locker, but I knew taunting when I heard it!
A common occurrence within the gangs that ran the hive sub levels sadly.
"I can't decide whether you're intentionally messing with me, or you're just trying to make me less afraid."
She tipped her hat as the action concealed a smirk, "Or perhaps I'm doing neither."
With that said I didn't say a word for a bit, I followed her without question and seemingly explored my surroundings. The walls were dark metal, no sense of life or anything of that sort as it gave off a cold vibe for what it was worth. It must have been a long time for me to picture anything remotely cheerful as our foot steps echoed in the silent halls, so it begged myself to ask a question. A question that was obvious as it was, but an important one to always consider when being led by a stranger.
Where in the living abyss were we going?
I swore we must have passed through a dozen rooms or something, hell some of the doorways were double in number and I had the impression that they held important things behind them. It just seemed way too silent for my liking, I was used to the everyday life and insanity of a hive city over my head. So I had to stop myself from being completely paranoid. Then again I was somewhere in which I had no clue as to where exactly I was at, it just terrified me going to new places without knowing how I got there in the first place!
"Cease your rambling thoughts, we're here at my private study." Those words stopped me cold, I had to glance up at the woman who merely gave me a look to not question her. I had to stop myself from flinching when I noticed her coat slid back to reveal a bolt pistol, one that certainly I was familiar with. It wasn't hard to forget limbs being blown off while hearing the said weapon in your ear and I almost felt uneasy. I had that impression she'd probably clobber me with that thing to get a point across, or my compliance. I didn't imagine the specifics or what not in the short term of things.
We came to a doorway of sorts and I happened to notice that same skull akin to the thing the woman wore next to me, I watched as its eyes lit up red to deliver a laser like scanner. I almost flinched away when the red line traced over my frame, but the woman didn't even flinch when a locking mechanism switched over to swing the door inwards. That was probably one of the most high tech looking doors I'd ever see in my life, heck nothing came close to the life underneath the hive city and I rarely saw such things when I was younger.
I barely remembered sleeping with a blanket and pillow on a street side.
Too many nights were like that and it never got easier to accept it.
"If you have questions, I will answer them inside and I will explain what becomes of you. In the mean time keep your mind calm and remained focused." I only nodded meekly while absently I was rubbing my shoulder in an attempt to stay somewhat calm. I stepped into the room the coat of the person in front of me concealed whatever movements she was doing, I heard a snapping hiss of a belt being undone. The woman seemingly folded the small chained tome book in chains and leather before placing it on a table.
I had to take a moment to realize exactly what I was seeing.
The study seemingly looked like a Libarium of some kinds, books were aligned on shelves leading into a circular shape around a desk that held a terminal of some kind on its surface. Chairs were sparingly around in small intervals of two or three meters, although no more than five I could see were within the main room itself and I looked up. A chandelier of gold or steel hung above with ornaments of the rosette skull, I realized they were active. As more than a few were glowing red in their eye sockets or orange for whatever reason. I'd say it was pending if they shifted when I found my eyes glancing over them all.
Over to my right I noticed a staircase leading downwards into another part of this woman's place, I dimly noted that a series of lights were flicking near the end of that hallway. Also to my left was another hallway leading towards a bedded area, one that seemingly held tomes and papers piled on another desk of sorts, I couldn't be sure as to what they were. Overall this place seemed more to be a home than whatever I thought it'd be. Then again I wasn't ever sure as to what a home looked like at times.
"You'd be right, this is merely my quarters for myself to sleep and to work on personal projects. If you're seeking answers about weaponry, I have another room for such tendencies." The woman spoke out loud removing her hat to place it on her desk with a casual movement. I watched her slip off her cloak and place it around the chair in where she sat down comfortably while logging into the terminal on the said desk. I heard several keys and a small ding as a red scanner hitting her eyes and all the components came to life within moments.
Then she gestured to a chair nearest to her desk as I got the message to sit it in.
I promptly did in what was offered because of how nerve wracking this seemed now. I got myself comfortable as best as I could, but I felt anxious and completely intimidated because of this place. I swore those skulls above me were glowing ever so slightly when I stared at them, so I shuddered involuntarily. "No doubt you are frightened, it is understandable but for the sake of the Imperium and to the Emperor, your feelings are merely a moot point for myself to consider. So I'll introduce myself, I am Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus of the Ordos Malleus, you are aboard my ship the Glowing Sabre and from today onwards you are an Acolyte of the Inquisition."
I blinked owlishly while she told me that, "What the feck is the Inquisition?"
Tartarus merely raised an eyebrow, "Your language aside, the Inquisition is a Holy Order created by the Emperor for agents such as myself to seek out and destroy any threats to the Imperium itself. Particularly the Ordos you're apart of is the Ordos Malleus. We are who seek to search out for the enemy beyond." The Inquisitor didn't even remotely pause in her words as I tried to take in what they meant, shockingly I had no idea or else Emperor willing, I'd have nodded confidently. This was just way too much for me take in! To be very blunt with my own sense of sanity, I honestly had no idea where to start.
So sadly all I did was stare at her uneasily, "What do you want from me? I'm just another orphan and a nameless person in the hive city, so why me? I already avenged Jane..." I muttered that last to myself as Tartarus merely hummed in thought, her expression was more curious than wary. I glanced right at here feeling a sinking sensation inside my stomach. For some reason I didn't like the way she was staring at me and I had no idea what in the golden throne she was thinking.
"And that is the answer to the question you asked, what do I want from you? You banished a daemon, partly due to my push, but the fact remains it was your own power that did such a thing. Psykers generally are more capable to accomplish feats that are beyond the normalcy of humanity." I jumped yet again at her voice inside my head, I witnessed her expression as perfectly neutral.
Although her lips twitched into a smile, "Normally I'd have ignored such a person's plight, but perhaps the Emperor ordained yourself to banish a daemon through your rage and I will not overlook a useful resource. As such you're to be an Acolyte under my guidance until you're ready to be a full agent of the Ordos Malleus, it's common practice for Inquisitors such as myself to conscript capable tools." I stared at her trying to comprehend what was being said, I was apart of this Inquisition for what reason? Did the Emperor work in mysterious ways because I didn't deserve anything less, I was just another hiver trying to make ends meat when the times came and I hardly felt special. Special or whatever the heck Tartarus said to me.
I just didn't see it, nor did I ever feel remotely comfortable in doing this to begin with.
But...
Did I really want to go back to that city, to remember Jane's face around every corner and continue living like an animal essentially? It seemed maddening that I wanted to actually learn from this woman, who by all rights did save me and in turn helped me avenge my closest friend. If anything I'd have to humor what I'd be stepping into here, this wasn't like the weekend cage fights to earn a few bits of money to actually get fried Grox burgers. "I don't suppose I have a choice, do I?" I said that with a resigned tone that reflected a bitter smile on my face.
In response to that question Tartarus only looked at me amused. Amused at how resigned, or rather scared I felt within my mind and heart alike. "You already made your choice in following my words, boy. Although if you wish to understand what I could do to you, I'd say certain Black Ships of my Order would pick you up and deliver you to Holy Terra to see the Emperor, personally at a cost."
I didn't look very eager to know what those Black Ships meant, nor that cost seemed appealing for me to understand. It took me to breathe a few breaths to know I had only one choice, to stay with this Inquisitor and try to do some good in my life. I failed Jane in that regard, it pained my heart and my head to see her face in horrid agony from that daemon. My fists clenched as a hot sensation of fire rushed through my veins, I couldn't help but stare directly at the Inquisitor who seemingly held an aura of lofty amusement.
She found my struggles funny, or whatever the feck she thought.
"The more your emotions become stronger, the more likely it is for me to pick out your thoughts and I find them very simple. At least form a consciousness shell around yourself, Psykers can have amazing abilities and can become very powerful, if they have control over themselves." She revealed to me almost bored yet managed to keep her gaze concentrated on my own.
I glared at her, "If you know what I'm thinking, why don't you say my name? I haven't have the slightest fecking clue in what a Psyker is!"
In response she just shrugged nonchalantly, "I do not pry into personal affairs of others that often and it's rather simple to pick up your outlying emotions, which in turn give me a clear window as to what you're thinking. But for the sake of establishing a productive environment, you can introduce yourself which is defined as common courtesy, Inquisition Agents care to meet the needs to garner results for the Emperor and the Imperium." I really wanted to bash my head against a wall, I had no idea in what I was even supposed to do? Better thought process was the fact I had next to nothing in my life to compare to what this woman wanted from me, an Acolyte I could guess meant for me to learn something but what?
Even that word Pskyer bugged me considerably, so I had to pray to the Emperor for a bit of a sign and for the sake of whatever the flying feck Tartarus said.
But she had a point through my own panicking, I never gave her my name.
Scowling off to the side, I briefly muttered, "Marcos Eius. That's my name, I can't say I know if its my real one because..." I had to trail off to ward off that particular day, it wasn't in my best way to consider it a happy memory. Being called a number without a name, I cried endlessly that night and Jane had comforted me to tell me a name. Her last name was Eius for sure, I knew it in her voice when she gave me that last name but my first name was something else.
"Because you were assigned a number as a baby, a common practice in the Imperium due to the high vestiges of human lives. Hive-worlds tend to use that system more often then you think, Marcos." Tartarus said simply, I had to glare at her to see that she held no sort of lying in her eyes. She looked bored for a better lack of a word, I really wanted to punch her for some reason but I withheld that urge. Trying to focus on other details, I looked up to see the floating skulls scanning certain portions of the libarium's tomes or whatever they were called.
"Servo Skulls, they're cataloging data and other such things for my personal interests. More so in sorting out effective methods for Psyker training, I have little experience in teaching others, Marcos." Tartarus explained briefly while focusing her eyes on the console on her desk, she was idly tapping keys and what not for her own reasons. I just wanted to figure out why she was casually explaining things to me for no reason. I had a feeling she wanted to mess around with me, I had been used to being mess around with but with strangers in general, I had nothing to say I knew what she'd be up too.
And apparently my thoughts made her eyes wander back to me.
She smiled almost amused, "Paranoia is but your mind creating delusions for your own self-induced mistrust of myself. Again your emotions are merely making my attempts to pick up your intentions all the more easier, Marcos if you wish to stop myself from answering then simply calm down." I fidgeted inside my seat to the point where I wanted to bolt to the doorway, I felt very uncomfortable. Exhaling sharply I figured to at least do what she said, calm down and find out all I could in what the feck was going to happen from now on. I owed it to Jane, to myself and to my own apparent future to do something useful in my life for once.
I took a breath to ask, "So I'm going to be like you? An Inquisitor, right? For this Order thing?" I guess she found this question to be funny because she smirked again. I shivered when her words echoed down my back, it wasn't a good feeling. "If you survive and prove to be resilient, then yes."
I stared at her without as so much as blinking, I didn't like this at all. I wanted to ask something personally, but I managed to think about another detail in life that hit me hard. What in the name of Holy Terra and the Emperor was I going to use against those things that killed Jane? Those things that were called daemons, I didn't know the proper name to call them and I asked the Inquisitor who was sitting contently in her seat.
"These daemons that you said I banished, how do you kill them or even make sure they'll never come back? How can I do what you said I could as apart of this Ordos thing." My eyes didn't want to look away as Tartarus merely hummed thoughtfully. I felt nervous asking this woman for what I wanted to know, I knew I should have been scared but for the sake of it all, I wanted to know why. I wanted to know if I could really do this in what she said.
Her hands went to the terminal for a few seconds and she absently replied, "Daemons are not destroyed fully, less so in the physical plane Marcos, they are merely pushed back into the Immaterium from whence they formed in pieces and possibly could take centuries to reform again. Methods vary to radical achievements to more traditional planning, I for one do not care for how it is done but when a daemon is banished. It is banished for a long time." She explained to me carefully, I noticed her eyes look at my face for a moment before typing several more words onto the terminal. I had an instinct that I was being judged through some shape or form, I just knew it inside my gut.
"So when do I start to learn to spot daemons, I mean are they around us even now?" I asked hesitantly much to the woman smirking at question itself. She began a small lecture, "Everything in the Warp itself has a reflection of the physical realm. Daemons cannot cross over unless sacrificial rituals are used to entice a small gate, but even then they are not at full strength. They need hosts to survive upon and have their souls anchored to garner their strength. However there is another alternative to banishing a daemon Marcos, an alternative that is radical in itself but all the more rewarding if you can conquer the risks."
Despite my nerves flailing around I wanted to know more, I really wanted to know if I could stop a daemon and not have someone go through what I did.
I didn't want anyone to feel what I was feeling because my best friend was gone.
I still felt so bad to know I'd never hear her again.
The Inquisitor snorted bemused at something much to my confusion, "It is speculated that all daemons of various ranks and powers have a true name to be uttered by another whose a psyker. In theory you can command that very daemon to your will, it could bind itself to you in exchange for a service if it's true name were ever to be discovered or you could destroy it. Before you ask me why, I do not care for bounded daemons unless they cannot be controlled. I have no patience or time for unstable variables in my line of work, so be aware once you continue your training will that option be made to you." She finished her explanation with a rather dismissive wave of her hand. I found that to be a bit odd but nonetheless nodded at some sort of an answer.
"Is there a difference in banishing them, or controlling them?" I asked a bit warily as the woman raised her eyebrow at my cautious prodding. "No more different then having a bolter wielded by your own hand but at the expense of said weapon trying to kill you. Either way the result would be the same, the daemon is managed and you yourself must find that danger in order to achieve was it tasked in your duties." I wanted to press for more knowledge yet I had to calm myself down. If daemons were dealt with one way or another, then the means from what she told me were what mattered to the end. With that in mind I figured to at least do myself a favor to remain steady.
"So what am I going to be learning now?" My question came out uneasily as the Inquisitor in front of me smiled all the more amused. "So eager to learn about what can kill you Marcos?"
I didn't tremble under her gaze as I retorted almost a little too hotly, "Don't you mean what you'll be the one eager enough to try and kill me? Clearly you're stating that I'll put into danger and you did force me to come here, so should I be afraid to learn more about things that killed my best friend?" My accusation didn't offend the woman who clearly found my backbone apparently suitable. Her voice attached itself into my mind with a keen sense of approval yet it held a warning, "Fear is what you must strive to overcome and that includes myself. Never allow it to claim your mind yet do not press that line for which you must find my dear Acolyte." I nodded a bit uneasy at how casually her hand had shifted over to the small book on her best, I had to be careful for sure and that was that easier part to be fair.
"So now what?" Honestly I didn't have anymore questions pertaining to the daemons. In time I learn more about them, to learn under this Inquisitor and I wasn't escaping anywhere. I was on a ship, a ship that had confined me to this new life. A new life that I'd do what I could to make sure many people would never go through what I did. If there was ever a time in which I had to stand up in a fighter, well learning to destroy daemons came up as sufficient enough, plus what was the harm in learning about an enemy you needed your mind to fight?
"Be mindful that knowledge is indeed power yet you must ask yourself. At what is cost of the said power Marcos." Her voice echoed inside my head, I looked up at that little grave piece of advice. I wanted to know more but she cut me off verbally as if to disregard that line of questioning for another day. In fact she even told me in what I'd be doing in the mean time until the warp jump to wherever we were going now.
"Don't be alarmed, that subject is for another day, a day in which you'll be able to handle what is required for you to foresee the dangers. In the mean time you'll need a physical trainer, a religious adviser on the arts of holy weaponry and I myself will be whatever is suitable for your progress. Fortunately you are indeed a child Marcos, a gifted one, which is your saving grace to adapt to what I must use in store your own considerations." Tartarus explained to me almost as if it were a common occurrence, I personally just had to deal with the fact that I had been taken from my home. A home while crude, disgusting and ever more cut-throat with the hive gangs, so I did feel a lingering sickness to leave such a place.
But at the same time a happiness to never be reminded of Jane, I couldn't forget that nightmare...
Jalena merely supplied myself with a small condescending piece of optimism. "Every agent, tool or servant of the Emperor has a home to belong to Marcos. Perhaps in time you'll return but not as you are now, I assure you the next time you ever return to this system, you will find it relatively peaceful compared to the rest of the galaxy." She typed in several more keys onto her terminal before one of the Servo-Skulls floated directly down in front of her. It scanned her briefly before floating over towards my right hand side, I looked very uneasy at how menacing that eye gleamed in its eye socket.
"That will be your guide around the ship, I also can send messages via to it and in turn you shall answer the summons that I give out. I'll allow you the freedom to explore this new home, I recommend you rest as much as possible. Tomorrow I'll have one of my troopers start giving you a first hand course in weaponry, hand to hand combat and other such tasks that are apart of the Inquisition." The Servo-Skull scanned my face for a second as I winced from the potency of the red laser. It's robotic tone echoed from its internal mechanisms, "Acolyte Marcos Eius, now recognized under Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus of the Ordos Malleus. Mission slated as guidance and information provider. Acknowledged." I had to admit that sounded a little too inhumane, I shivered at how lifeless such a machine could sound. Not to mention I had ever witnessed such a contraption except on data slates, or even terminal videos provided in the under cities.
Glancing at the floating skull one last time I replied a bit hesitant, "So I'm free to go? Is there any place for me to pass the time, or just learn more about anything?" The Inquisitor merely listed off a few places without a beat, "The Chapel is maintained by a small mission contingent of Adepta Sororitas who are using my vessel for a pilgrimage, so they will offer knowledge on the Imperial Creed and Faith alone. I'd recommend them and the commercial compartments and passenger quarter all have vendor capable of such tasks on a long voyage." I felt uneasy in being on a ship for the first time, I inwardly cringed if got lost and to be fair, I didn't like this Servo-Skull hovering over me like a blasted infected leech.
"Could I ask one of the masked soldiers to stay around me? If it's alright with you or them." The woman raised an eyebrow at my request, if she found it insulting then I'd never know, she did however snort a bit amused. I never got an answer as I figured it was denied for whatever reasons, I just went with it as the Inquisitor spoke to me for the last time today. "The best methods and manners for any who fear the unknown is too approach it on their own, for they are the only ones capable to no longer fear, so take this as your first test Marcos. Explore the ship and do what you must to keep yourself calm."
And with that she waved her hand.
As a means to tell me to do what I was tasked.
Exhaling lightly I nodded with a polite and respectful tone, "Yes mam."
I got up from my seat to move to the doorway, I witnessed the Servo-Skull float just a foot behind me as I shivered uncomfortably. The hatch opened when one of the masked soldiers opened it as the request came from the counsel that my teacher and now master had been on. The soldiers all respectfully gave me room as I walked by them, I could see their outlines shifting from gray to a light coloration that made me feel a bit more welcomed. Shaking my head I figured to ask directions to the place in where most on the ship could relax, or simply waste their time for whatever reasons aside from sleeping.
"Excuse me." I said quietly to one of the guards who looked down at me curiously, I requested the best direction to find the merchant quarter, or whatever this ship had. "What's the fastest route from here to the Chapel and wherever the rest of the people on this ship kill time." The trooper looked to another who shrugged in response as he pointed down a junction opposite of the way we came initially. His mask and synthetic voice sent shivers once more up my spine but not as badly to when I heard the Servo-Skull speak to me just a few minutes ago.
"Head down the corridor and take the second right. There's an elevator lift to get down to sector, press the M on the panel and it'll do the rest." I smiled thankfully at the man as I nodded, "Thank you sir."
And with that I turned down the hall exploring this new place by myself.
Well I did have a servo-skull with me so I technically wasn't alone...
I'd just be the only one alive.
End Chapter One
Author's Note: Please leave a review, I do want to know what people think about this so far and getting feed back never hurts.
So you get to meet the Inquisitor herself, I wanted to at least show the mindset of such an individual before switching over to the main focus of our character. From what I gather, the Inquisition doesn't give a damned about where and why they recruit assets/potential recruits via their standing. Plus the Inquisition in itself is a limitless arm of using the Imperium of Mankind's vast resources, so they can request ships/money/men and etc for whatever reasoning. A lot of the lore indicates these guys just wipe out worlds because they say so at the first signs of an annoying infestation of Chaos or Tyranids in a nut shell. Not that I'd say they were wrong as well.
Personally I'll be reading up more on the Inquisition as a whole, I have the feeling that getting promoted within their ranks aren't exactly normal as well.
