The Inquisitor
Chapter Eleven
My face met the cold metallic deck once again coming close to shattering bone. Fortify every thought you think is weak to exploit, steel every emotion or risk something else to asunder your very own ability to function naturally apprentice! I heard Tartarus speaking ever so apathetically as months of training in these personal sessions of mental proved to be beyond agonizing. If I'd believed getting bones broken was a peak of agony, I'd never assume so again! Throne I swore even after months of my psyche being shattered systematically, mercilessly being splintered and forcefully wedged apart I couldn't even begin to ignore these lessons.
Snarling instinctively I managed to stand up reflecting away yet another attack from Tartarus's inhumane imagination. Will is your greatest strength and also your greatest weakness. Pressure akin to someone crushing both sides of my skull together were briefly thrown aside as I screamed, "Get! Out!" Thinking of fire to burn away this invading pressure lessen momentarily as a cold slithering response forced both legs to buckle! I cried out again feeling warmth trickle down from where a nose was broken from another impact again, I only had scare seconds before it forcefully got snapped back into place!
The inquisitor who I'd certainly came close to cursing to the Emperor and back had done me a favor. What she was actively doing was merely demonstrating a small reminder of what it meant to attain psychic progression. Seal one physical sense away is key, but your aggression gives away to see another is opened, I'm curious to see if you understand what it means if say...a daemonic entity gained entry to your psyche? I glared lividly refusing to fall into another baited trap since her words were meant to provoke me. They were meant to rile me up as I inhaled rapidly feeling sweat run down my face hotly.
Tartarus sat for once on a comfortably looking chair appearing apathetic to my struggle to seemingly kneel upright. Her eyes were glowing white just slightly to cover pupils as a sharp red outline indicated an ever growing desire of anger to inflict mental trauma. You've grown much more attuned to subtle emotions of those seeking you harm, apprentice. Hone in those details to further prepare for defense! Finally it seems even after months of watching you flail hopelessly, I think my efforts are actually bearing fruits after all.
Blood leaked down a nostril rapidly once I spat a mouthful aside waiting for another attempt. I saw an impeccable smirk uplift itself as a more neutral coloration to gray appeared. I immediately thought of steel walls fearful of a deceptive act, oh throne I thought of flesh scorching fire behind those thick walls and quickly tried to layer those images barricading all anxiety, knowing fear and rage behind! It was coming! I saw that red outline burn around her sitting form so brightly, I braced myself and it wasn't in vain for once.
Her eyes glowered in a scant second as an ever crushing piercing sensation caused me to hiss out, "Stay...stay out!" I gnashed both teeth together clenching each fist so tightly I cracked knuckles involuntarily. Those walls began straining akin to screeching as I switched to believing spikes shooting outward sending Tartarus's modest attempt back. Crude, if not a bit obvious yet it's certainly more progressive then in own your beginning attempts. Empty your mind before I unleash my connection apprentice, or you'll suffer this!
That pressure came back too quickly as an icy like jab to my neck forced breath out. And there's your inability to expect a foe to counter act what your defenses are erected. Whatever you perceive as a defense whether its a physical element like fire, or manifestations like walls an enemy will use something to counter act its very intentions. Your will, imagination and discipline are unfathomable to any psyker who encounter one another in battle. Those words were just idly said as I found myself being hurled backward slamming into a far wall! I croaked out a raspy wad of blood onto the floor as I heaved in air desperately.
I felt that pressure around my throat seeping inwards as an organ called a heart struggled to beat! I gagged openly struggling to stop something crushing it! Sheer nerve ending desperation drove me to scream aloud as I glared hatefully sending an image of a shiv into Tartarus's gut! She didn't expect it as I heard her jerk back hissing aloud while hunching over, "Feel...that one?" I rasped aloud falling to the ground as a gamble of switching to an offensive means to stop. If I couldn't win on defense I had to go on an offensive to stop myself from dying.
Tartarus remained hunched over while sitting yet a single word was stated, "Adequately." I crumbled to the ground rolling onto a side breathing normally again. I couldn't beat you holding back, so I did what I needed to do to live. I thought tiredly as my teacher chucked mirthlessly indicating a lack of anger on her part, "Indeed apprentice. Only a fool utilizes one avenue against the foe who expects you to refrain from reaching out, I'd recommend a more subtle attempt next time." She stood up all too casually brushing off a metaphorical stab to the guts, so much so I came awfully close to believing it was impossible to inflict any sort of pain onto anything at this rate.
Slamming my fist downwards barely suppressed a growing infuriating sense I wasn't able to do any sort of impact! Yet an amused explanation shook me out of those thoughts, "Your mind's decision to switch from one perceived angle whether defending, or invading another mind of a being is what you must do more often." The woman got up to walk towards me while pointing out an interesting fact, "If you had mustered enough of an imagination? I'd dare say projecting a simplistic attack of a knife into someone's torso is far more...ineffective against say we say, in manipulating a heart, or lung to force your enemy to his knees."
I frowned in response since it didn't make sense to me really. How can I do what she does to me? By the throne I can't even think yet alone even dream to play mind games on that scale! Breathing out heavily I shakily got up as Tartarus inspected my battered face. She must have been reading my own thoughts again because her next words were grim, "Experience comes with age as does maturity grows when a child sheds their naivety. I don't expect you to understand yet it is expected of you know these risks, or else you will cease to live."
The inquisitor lazily flicked her hand pulling forward an object settled on a distant table. It seemed proficiency added to a distant gap I had to cover, or learn somehow without dying. Everyday I learned something new and it was starting to pile up, I had to remember whether emotions torn through mental defenses and were exploited by daemons who'd never stop in their attempts to kill me. There were factors including how people could either know, or by Tartarus's admission feel whenever someone probed their minds given how pskyers were viewed with sheer hysteria. But then again I only had my teacher's example to believe the dangers surrounding such individuals.
"Hold out your hand." She ordered me as I raised my right limb simply to see a plain bracelet latch itself tightly. Tingling sensations ran up my arm forcefully making me exhale sharply, "Try to focus your mental defenses." I immediately thought of steel walls surrounded by scorching flames as layers upon layers of barriers formulated an attempt of an impenetrable fortress! Focusing so intently I felt a pleasant sensation of warmth going down my spinal cord as I looked up feeling a distant nudge against something previously so fragile.
Do you notice the difference apprentice? Tartarus's voice rang out simply as I blinked owlishly due to not feeling immense agony, or mind shattering force. My gaze shifted to what appeared to a gray bracelet at first, "Its...its glowing?" I questioned tiredly seeing yellowish runes in high-gothic seemingly burning every time I maintained the constant stream of projecting fortified thoughts. In fact I felt subtle tugging sensations to focus on where it came from as a means to ignore an encroaching pain and I finally relented to look up into an apathetic face again, "What is this Tartarus?"
That faint smirk appeared ever so bemused, "Another tool and lesson meant for those in your position to hone themselves." The pressure lifted due to her probing attack ceasing itself giving me an indicator our weekly lesson was over. Usually every week, or so I had to return to her quarters for these mind shattering encounters to harden myself for foes in future endeavors. At least I felt confident knowing something, or someone would try to rip my thoughts out now as opposed to going mad like I did months ago. I still had vivid nightmares every other night, or so as we were traveling through the warp to another destination I believed.
"Psykers are not your typical human, nor are we so mundane to not improve ourselves." My teacher stated by lightly tapping the metallic bracelet which returned to a dull gray again, "Focus is needed for your strength to endure. It'll help your growth, so here's your task to accomplish until we reach our destination in the future." I stood at attention knowingly prepared if I hadn't done so, I'd have met the floor and having an arm twisted crookedly. The inquisitor I'd come to loathe without effort, cautiously respect and to inevitably fear maintained an iron discipline to get across I had to listen to her at all times.
It seemed I had an objective to accomplish while being away from this room again. My inquisitorial teacher spoke clearly, "I want you to conduct an inquiry into an individual on this ship." If I wasn't startled beforehand I'd say now was appropriate as she gauged my reaction, "Rest assured your life won't be in any unnecessary danger considering our location. Although I'd advise caution regardless due of your circumstances. Think of what I ask of you as an opportunity to test your ability to gather information about a target, to spot details and possibly utilize resources at your disposal to accomplish your mission."
Questions arose primary around what this individual looked like, or if there was a name attached to it. Tartarus's voice internally resonated loudly within my skull as a face appeared followed by words carefully selected. But they still sounded sinister in hindsight. This man is someone who has failed to report to me, I need you to find him to gauge why, do so at your discretion and if it is necessary eliminate him for testing my leniency. Consider this your first task to undertake as an apprentice, Marcos.
Killing someone wasn't anything alien for myself to experience, or really do based on what I'd done so far. Yet a nagging urge to garner more information about this person caused me to frown. Quietly I questioned aloud, "What does he do for you?" An inquisitor merely tipped her head off to the side replying equally just as quiet, "This person was a contact of mine keeping tabs those aboard my vessel. Occasionally a few of this ship's populace tends to unfortunately...stray from our God Emperor's blessings as per most of humanity, as such it has been a standard month since I last heard from this individual who knows of my impatience and I'm finally out of said patience."
Oddly enough I didn't want to press her for anymore questions since it wasn't likely going to help me. This was yet another damned test, I knew it as a means to an end and I had to accept it. Am I allowed to ask others for assistance finding this guy? Thinking intently I wasn't keen on knowing this vessel deck by deck, or remotely people friendly with those living onboard. More so if this person knew Tartarus, it meant a person capable to garner my teacher's attention and I had to expect said individual capable of killing me at least.
"Your mission is to seek out and judge your target by any manner you deem necessary." The inquisitor stated plainly walking past me to an exit as I knew certainly it was a positive answer. Grabbing where my coat on a table I quickly got out of this room in favor to start working. Without prompting a door opened leading back to Tartarus's main quarter where servo skulls hovered, or moved in cataloging whatever they'd been programmed to accomplish. It was here where I retained my own assistance of Skit's unwavering loyalty.
My teacher seemingly disappeared once I turned around yet she'd gone to another section to do Emperor knew what. All the information I knew for certain the face and name of my newly minted person of interest. It's still strange having someone implant information into your head though! Feels far too natural for me to not think otherwise. So it all boiled down to who I'd be able to assist me finding one person on aboard ship housing thousands upon thousands of bodies, if anything that was a fairly low amount I assumed.
"Let's go, Skit!" I spoke loud enough to see his bionic like eye glow red in response, "Acknowledged acolyte Eius." Walking past both doors I swept past the two armed storm troopers who hadn't twitched at my presence. There weren't many people who I'd be able to outright convince to help me finding this man, I needed an expert who knew this ship inside and out. It'd be similar to times when I was living in the under-hives on my home planet, if we as a gang needed information we'd spot favors and get a guy leading us away from trouble.
Yet an overly sardonic smile appeared on my face, "Trouble is who to trust to not get you a shiv in the gut, or shot in the head." Another issue standing out would be how many people to bring on this mission from Tartarus? Subtly lay not in numbers but in quality, if my lessons were anything to go by and yet I wasn't any good at it. But looking for one person an entire ship of this size wasn't going to be done by one, or two pairs of eyes. So it came down to one conclusion that would start this entire task up.
I needed to seek out advice from another teacher of mine who wasn't as sociable as the inquisitor I'd been dismissed from. Anora, or Theresa won't be able to help me either since they don't know this ship that well either. Finding sub-passages, or barely known locations for hangouts won't show up in schematics if they're up to date. It's like back home, I need experience and someone whose been on this vessel for years. Being severely limited I had to go to a place where my instructor in firearm marksmanship, need to know knife combat to kill a man and of other such hand to hand education presently lived at.
It'd been several months since I'd undergone how to properly handle a blade against an enemy. I still had nightmares when that creature of a former human effortlessly did to me. Only feels like yesterday I woke up in that damned bed, I still feel my bones being crushed and nothing can't make me forget being thrashed around. Spitting a wad of saliva over to the side I made way towards an elevator idly pressing an activation switch. Gears distantly rumbled while subtle rumblings indicated an ascending compartment.
Glancing over my left shoulder seeing Skit hovering ever so obediently I smiled a bit resigned, "You ever wonder by the throne how things happen?" Of course my servo skull didn't understand sarcasm yet he replied regardless, "Apologies acolyte Eius! This unit doesn't understand what you're inquiring specifically, please clarify." The elevator came to a shuddering halt as doors opened sliding aside in a horizontal fashion in allowing me to step inside. Yet I waited for Skit to float inside as I closed the doorway setting a destination in mind to where I had to go.
After several minutes I answered tiredly feeling myself grow wearily amused, "It's me rambling Skit, okay? Don't try to think yourself to death." The humor wasn't exactly appreciated considered the servo skull couldn't process a literal joke. Apart of myself knew resorting to this kind of attempt to starve off a growing sense of exhaustion from months of training. There were few people I'd be able to talk too outside of my growing list of education to learn, to apply and to use whenever a situation like this came up on a whim.
I need to eat whenever I get the chance, I could get down an entire grox now that I think about it! It had been an entire day, or so inside that room typically. Sleep deprived, hunger pangs and immediate desires for thirst took their toll on what made a human body naturally alive. Apparently as a psyker it seemed we processed food quicker due to increase of heat and strain to do inhumane feats beyond natural means. Tartarus had recommended me to always keep up on such dangers once our lessons concluded, or I'd be risking a sudden increased malnutrition episode that would seep in to corrode muscle and bone.
For several minutes I leaned against the elevator's interior wall closing both eyes to finally find relief. Being alone harbored enough kindness to really feel the intended aches and breaks of a body being stressed out. Your enemies will kill you Marcos, so suck it up and fecking deal with it! Daemons don't show mercy, or tire out when they fight. I reminded myself over and over again just to remember what I had encountered as motivation. It certainly worked to keep going despite being battered around helplessly, to feel an arm or leg snap apart and on top of that I'd went through a madman's routine to increase mental fortitude.
"Sleep and food after I get what needs to be done today." I murmured tiredly intent on getting a guide set for tomorrow at least. Technically speaking I wasn't going to officially start my search until I was fully rested. No need to assume an excuse if I make a decision without being at the best condition one could be in my position, I knew the inquisitor wouldn't care if I used some mundane excuse to hinder any choice. Without a doubt I swore in my mind alone Tartarus expected me to meet certain criteria since I was an inquisitorial apprentice who'd have to contend with daemons, so standards were high to be met and achieved.
Lightly banging my head against the interior couldn't help this near insatiable drive to banish daemons. I wanted to rip them apart effortlessly, I wanted to rip apart any of them thinking I was a weakling and easy picking. But more importantly I wanted most was to tear that creature's cooing voice which had brought its servant to break me. I still hear you whispering inside my ears, I hear it inside my nightmares on any given time to sleep and only the Emperor knows how much of it is going to be actually true. I hate being so fecking weak!
What little I cared about kept this drive fresh and damned near impossible to extinguish. It was the only reason I'd been able to get up after the inquisitor's merciless attempts to break my sanity. Tartarus never spoke about what kept driving me yet I had a hunch she wasn't going to bring it up unless it affected me negatively. Progress was progress, results mattered and I knew she'd not give a damn about it until it longer benefited myself. It really didn't matter as long as I kept up, so I did what I needed to do and today wasn't any different. Not so different from surviving on the under hive streets really once I put my mind to it.
The modest sized compartment suddenly slowed down enough for both doors to slide open allowing me to view an extensive corridor. Steel doors locked were individual private quarters for an entire inquisitor's retinue of storm troopers that numbered into possibly hundreds, or so as suitable resources to wield considerable firepower. From what I'd learned about them through Tartarus, Anora or Theresa during some educational lessons I'd asked if they were any different from standard units fielded in on battlefields. Turned out my ignorance got an entire lesson on knife wielding from one particular person who'd served with my inquisitorial teacher for almost an entire decade, or so given the sheer history I'd been told.
Walking past doorways I bypassed several people in various states of clothing. Most only wore standard black uniforms crisp, clean and highly maintained states of uniformed conduct. Men and women either ignored me, or simply stood aside not willing to impede my path. It seemed despite being loyal subordinates of Tartarus, I knew many of these people feared her more then to offer me a courtesy to allow me passage. They were soldiers who knew death was but a thought away, if they thought otherwise was sheer naivety at best. Generally I kept my distance from these people, I tried once but few kept themselves formally because most wouldn't spare an idle conversation since this was their home.
I'm branded as a stranger coldly ignored among people who'd have to give their lives for me, if ordered too. I bitterly recounted how many were killed when I disobeyed my inquisitor. Even though information highly deemed critical was found it still didn't hide the fact. I intentionally disobeyed an order which got these troopers killed and all of them knew. Perhaps being selfish had consequences that my teacher warned me about time and time again, if I wanted to save someone I'd have to sacrifice other lives to pay the price. More often than not I wasn't going to do anything different because I made the choice and if these people hated me for it?
"So be it." I muttered lowly enough noticing people either stepped aside, or flat out refused to acknowledge my existence. It wouldn't have been the first time I'd been treated like I had a plague around people who'd been given an excuse to hope you died. Exhaling sharply I placed those thoughts aside moving past groups of off-duty troopers who either went to a local gathering called a tavern, or simply made their way to the elevator I got off. Some perks of being apart of the Inquisition applied to those who'd die were granted an autonomy to go about the vessel.
Passing around another corner I spotted one particular large opening leading into an opened up area. It was once a storage hanger that'd been converted into some kind of hub of armories, offices and housing units. It was here training exercises were conducted every several days ranging from firearms, to close quarters combat and other such lessons instilled to keep the inquisitorial troopers fresh for assignment on long prolonged passages. A journey that took months like this present situation going to Emperor knew where in this galaxy. I hadn't been privy to knowing our next location yet I knew Tartarus would reveal when it was prudent.
Soon enough I came to one of the more cleared out sections where dozens of troopers fought each other in mock duels. A few overseers kept order before one, or two combatants got out of hand. Yet there was a subtle feeling of aggression being exerted as though each fighter had grievances to air out. Some fights were brutal based on a nose cavity, or two being smashed in by an overly enraged fist. But I soon spotted one particular individual who was leaning against a railing surrounded by several other troopers in dark clothing. Almost all of them who were there just effortlessly noticed me.
I wasn't looking forward to this conversation yet Skit's hovering frame got a little too close once heat prompted me to move. Several pairs of eyes coldly followed every step I took as I looked up to see an elder man smoking a lho-stick idly. He had several distinct scars across his jaw while nothing else seemed peculiar given the appearance. Yet I wasn't fooled by such a seemingly normalized exterior when this man had probably killed hundreds. It was only after several minutes did he grace my senses to speak up sounding bored.
"Why are you down here? You know the inquisitor hasn't said anything about your next drills." The man's brown eyes took in several of his own troopers grappling nearby. Others next to him glared either irritably at my presence, or wisely kept their tongues silent. None of them dared to garner a negative opinion if I had to report back to Tartarus in the future. It just spoke volumes of how much they either respected, or feared her while knowing their supposed leader had basically known I was only visiting on my own will.
I didn't waste anytime knowing I was on borrowed time, "One of Tartarus's contacts on the ship hasn't reported in for a month. Told me to go investigate why." The man hummed in response finding that I wasn't lying considering I prioritized getting something done. He and I both knew I'd have been at the chapel located at another location on board the Glowing Sabre. All knowingly these troopers knew that their local Adepta Sororita weren't known for their long standing tolerance of those harming they considered as a friend.
"You got a name?" The clipped question followed by an exhale of smoke made me reply back, "Jov Varild." In hindsight I should have been very aware whenever my teacher dropped a name for myself to investigate. That name made a pair of brown eyes sharply look down, "I thought I misheard you! Who did you say exactly?" The lho-stick was taken out by an awfully keen gesture as all eyes in the immediate vicinity took an interest when I said that name initially.
My face hardly twitched when I said it very slowly, "Jov Varild." I further explained a bit more information hoping he'd see why I asked, "He's one of Tartarus's eyes and ears aboard her ship, or so I've been told to know." As highest ranking trooper among those stationed underneath Tartarus's employ I knew this person had a lot of clout with those nearby. But what he said next made several people chortle sardonically making my own blood freeze, "What did you do this time to piss her off, kid?"
Was I supposed to know something everyone else apparently knew? I just knew the man's name and what he looked like. Yet I resisted an urge to snark out a response, "What do you know about him? And how can I find him onboard?" They were questions straight to the point without trying to prolong a conversation, or incline to deceive someone's intentions. I just wanted information as much as I knew about someone everyone else was aware of certainly.
"He's a well known murderer who was once a master of arms for this vessel. Crew members were told to apprehend him few years ago, I remember why." The man mused openly scoffing before glancing at myself rather attentively, "Throne! Now I know why the ships captain is at odds with our lady inquisitor! That guy's got a real thing for cutting up mutants especially those looking human, I think he tortured some young girls once who were working on the sixty nines."
The Glowing Sabre had a huge population on board even without people seeking refugee underneath an inquisitor. Sixty nines is a nice way to say an entire deck of the ship as a cesspool of sex, drugs and all the rotten fecking people who'd stab you in the back! Reminds me of home, if I had to say. Although I thought optimistically while trying to avoid scowling since it'd make sense why I'd be chosen to do it. This was as close as simulating another hive city without going onto a planet involving unforeseen risks.
"Know anyone whose familiar with that place? Besides you?" I asked mainly out of a desire to get away from this group of people. Again another round of chuckling this time bordering amusement got me wary as the man retorted, "Besides me? Oh yeah I got someone in mind and you'll get along so splendidly, you'd think it'd be a favor if it gets you away from here." It wasn't exactly a secret most of his subordinates didn't have that fond opinion my friends held. Then again leaving them to die wasn't exactly speaking well about their characters either.
That lho-stick burned steadily as an exhale of bliss met my ears, "When do you want your guide to give you an idea where to find him?" By the end of today I'd know every single trooper on board would know something I wouldn't about this so called guide. But then again I wasn't going to fecking be picky about going to a place where one shiv to the back was everyday life. As long as I ignored people they'd ignore me hopefully.
"Tomorrow." I told him flatly not even humoring a desire to go down there currently, "Tartarus almost drove me literally mad today. Sleep and food tend to make a person not act like a piece of shit." My gaze drifted to stare at several smirking faces who found an opinion mutual. I wasn't going to be intimidated by a bunch of so called soldiers. If they didn't like me then I could live with that, but I would send it right back at them for good measure.
A singular warning told me to play nice at least, "Watch your mouth, kid." The man took a few moments considering what to do next as I remained quiet. Skit occasionally hovered from one shoulder to drift over to the other idly. Yet I still refused to cower to snark back, "Watch your people." I could see faint red lines around them indicating an ever growing anger despite them having schooled expressions. I believe they didn't think I couldn't sense their emotions but Tartarus's unrelenting lessons had borne some results.
These people will never let go their disdain for me, I know the types. The man stared pointedly when I adjusted my arm to reveal a metallic band. His eyes narrowed slightly enough before saying, "I'll have someone who knows the area come to your quarters. I'm making it clear down there it is on your ass and head to do what the inquisitor told you to accomplish. Am I understood?" I nodded before turning around all too eagerly and happier to leave this place as I felt gazes glare right into my spine. There was no need to pretend we'd be friendly.
With my business concluded and solidified for tomorrow I'd found myself having spare time after all. It wouldn't hurt to seek advice pertaining to a task, or probably try to ignore until I had too. Skit followed behind yet I briefly thought a bright red flashed from one of his mechanical eye sockets. It was too quick but I ignored it to move to an elevator's panel. It'd be nice to see how those who I considered friends were doing plus it wouldn't hurt to go to an open prayer. Getting spiritual strength could do wonders for someone like myself.
"For we all walk in His immortal shadow! Praise be to the faithful and never lose our God Emperor's light." I sat there with my head bowed along with several dozen occupants in the chapels main are was meant for open prayer. By the time I had arrived an open service was underway, so I wisely found a spot and listened for several hours of hymnal being dedicated to the Emperor. Occasionally several others joined creating a harmonic attempt of blessed faithful singing, I kept myself ideally quiet since I had no talent to try.
An individual wearing white clothing with the doubled headed aquila displayed on their chest proceeded to dismiss this daily call for prayer. Sitting up I made my way towards the person wearing a hood covering their face yet I saw white hair traditionally let down for such ceremonies to those faith to the Emperor. I waited patiently eyeing the mass of people making their way out as most had either grayish, or yellow outlines indicating an indifference. None were red, or black outlines that I'd been honing to find as a means to an end. Day by day I rigidly kept up routines to constantly feel out for anything negative, or rather hostile to me just to get familiar whenever I needed to be aware off this ship.
"Marcos!" I looked up expectantly realizing it wasn't Anora, or Theresa who'd been normally leading open mass. It took me several moments to place the face before I lowered my head, "Sister Alicia!" Her hair wasn't bound normally and as such it long length fell past the white hood. I kept myself apologetic because I'd been running late to this open mass of faith, "I apologize for my tardiness to open call. The inquisitor's lessons took priority for me to accomplish so I wasn't allowed to leave for most of today, if you'd forgive me."
The woman's form shimmered from a dull blue into faint white briefly as she smiled understandably. She'd been one of the Sororitas I'd assisted in getting out of that chapel, I'd been fortunate enough to learn her recovery went well. It was strange seeing how they acted considering their order's tendency to burn psykers alive, or so what I read later on. Still exceptions were made regardless in times of trail that tested faith and of a heart's will to endure. But it felt strange knowing these people wouldn't ever be opposed to help me if I asked.
"There's no need to apologize since you assisted me in handing out data slats to those not blessed to read our holy language to our Emperor." I may have been late to open call's opening ceremony yet I was the only volunteer willing to hand out data slats to those unable to read low gothic. Not many wished to move from their seats, "And we're well aware of your education. It will only benefit yourself as time passes to learn from our lady inquisitor. But still I have to thank you for helping as this was my first day leading open call to our faithful, so it made it memorable."
The elder woman looked grateful if not outright pleased as I nodded respectfully in return. It'd been a routine I'd been establishing to cope with what I had to contend with mainly. Coming frequently to the chapel during most open prayers gave me confidence, or enough sense to know faith went a long way. Truth be told I knew none of the sisters, or myself had expected I'd take vested interest in the faith of the Emperor so thoroughly. Even Tartarus mentioned the Emperor's divinity strikes fear in those entities living in the Warp, so learning prayers and educating myself wasn't exactly disapproval from her really.
My mind drifted endlessly into a storm of uneasy thoughts and apparent questions in the bid to rid myself of these doubts. Banishing daemons was but one piece of the larger picture, if Tartarus's own admissions were iron clad. It wouldn't be enough to contend with them given they seemingly were already beyond any mortal means of will and strength. Yet I needed to start from somewhere if order to confront them, or I was risking more than my own life in this process. More so to identify heretics who'd be possible on board this vessel, so I needed both a guide for searching and an expert on maintain faith when confronted with it all.
"Marcos!" My name was suddenly invoked as I looked up seeing Alicia's expression turn slightly concerned. Apparently I'd been staring towards a distant wall in my musings as she all too surely asked, "Tell me what is troubling you? Do not attempt to lie to me as I can clearly see you're not being yourself at all." She had knelt down to place a hand on my shoulder comfortingly yet I stared right at the taller woman blinking due to obviously noticing an ever growing coloration white seeping off her entirety.
The urge to reflexively deny such a claim wasn't wisely considered as I exhaled tiredly. Even if they can't exactly help me, I can trust them and Tartarus was clear I'd be able to utilize whatever resources to accomplish her task. Maybe having ample enough people helping would make things easier in the sixty-nines, I doubt anyone in their right mind is going to deny or pretend a full fledged Sister of Battle is something to ignore. Decisions had to be made, or considered as I finally relented to at least garner some sort of advice from my closet confidants. Alicia was one of my teachers, friends and she trusted me to say the truth without doubt.
"I've been given a task by Tartarus personally, Alicia." I explained slowly coming to terms tomorrow would mark a long day of searching, "Someone whose supposed to report to her on this ship hasn't been and it's on me to find out why. She made it clear what their fate was to be was in my hands, and it gives me experience to do work." I gave an overly tired shrug near the end finding my inquisitor's reasoning ever so enigmatic.
Alicia merely inquired to gently squeeze my shoulder, "Do you know who and where to find them?" I nodded once smiling a bit reluctantly, "The person supposed to be in the sixty-nines. So I got someone off Tartarus's troopers to guide me around down there, to find and eventually decide on this person's fate." I knew in the back of my mind this was where I had to end it by simply accepting as it was meant too. There really wasn't anything left to doubt based on what my teacher instructed me to do, I had to get the job done.
"Such a vile, sinful and dirtied pit of heresy that you have to enter." She muttered all knowing of what that particular deck was infested end to end with, "And to trust one of those kind of men? Perhaps the Emperor's light and teachings can be spread!" I had a gut feeling as an angry red briefly surged around Alicia's form yet it settled to a more passive whitish coloration. It seemed having friends would be paying off.
The taller woman beckoned me to follow, "I cannot allow such a diligent son and pure follower of our God Emperor to enter such heretical grounds...alone." She said that last word slowly as I replied a bit humbly, "You don't have to come with me down there, Alicia. I used to live in such a place, so I'm fairly familiar with it!" Considering that said level was even more cleaner, lively and wealthier then where I'd grown up from birth was oddly demeaning. The sixty-nines was a place anyone with money, or wanting someone to disappear made it reality.
However my factual statement was met with an amused expression, "And do you believe you're the sole person whose familiar with such places?" Both my eyebrows went up disbelieving once I caught an intended personal detail, "I thought you were brought up through the Sisterhood itself? Unless you were an orphan like me, or something of that extent?" I questioned mainly curious as Alicia walked up to where the door to her Order's inner sanctum lay. It slide aside after a faint red light scanned her face allowing access.
"The Sisterhood comes all walks of life in our Emperor's Imperium, Marcos." She told me warmly amused as I raised an eyebrow following her down, "From what I know about you, I'd say with our Emperor's blessings you and I aren't so different in our origins." Again raised an eyebrow while tilting my head a bit unable to see how, or Emperor willing why such an event mattered. I wasn't too keen on learning because it wasn't any of my business, or rather not wanting to learn too much due to a fact it'd bring up memories I'd been trying to put to rest.
Alicia waved me forward as I did so to have her smile warmly, "We've both endured that darkened place where few of the holy and righteous stand to rise up. Whether through choice of will, or purity of soul you and I were surrounded in that world of thievery, murder and heretical influences to come to where we are today." I wasn't going to imagine myself believing I'd be safer, or living a happier life back in that under hive yet to say what I'd been doing now was a healthy improvement? Even I'd dare not provoke the God Emperor's displeasure to say I wasn't thankful, or rather not tempt what I'd done so far.
"No place of life is meant to be easy." I muttered absently to warrant a hand to cup my face tenderly sparking an amused expression, "Wise words coming from you is a blessing I'd say." The elder woman rubbed me affectionately before moving downwards into a spiraling staircase and so I shook it off to follow her down into their inner sanctum. I can't be distracted by what-if's, I have a job to do and Tartarus will no doubt be watching my every move. It's always a fecking test when it comes to anything I have to do.
Coming down after several winding and descending levels I came to where the main sanctum connected with numerous rooms. Several of the more healed sisters were kneeling diligently in silent prayer and I kept quiet in favor to look over towards Alicia. She motioned to follow towards their personal quarters where most either rested from wounds, or needed to naturally build up strength to begin slowly learn to walk on their own will. It'd take time but they'd be back to fighting prowess within another fortnight, or so what the apothecaries stated to them. Unfortunately I'd been subjected to higher quality care and it wasn't without expense of luxury to know every painful minute underneath my so called 'expert' of a doctor.
"How's everyone holding up?" I inquired softly in being respectful and equally fearful of interrupting a prayer inside their personal quarters. I'd been educated enough to know, if they'd been interrupted a flaying would be ideally merciful given my position. But fortunately the elder woman closed their doorway to speak just as quiet, "Most will take another few days to walk and move around again. Theresea is most...grudgingly impatient to do so so yet she'll be pleased to know your visit, I'd think she'd be interested to know of your task sent by the lady-inquisitor."
The lower portions of Tartarus's ship weren't known to be kind to those drawing attention. Those decks where I'd have to track down a single person was either going to be absolutely maddening, or coming close to outright potential for a fight. If it were anything like an under-hive it'd have to be if someone wanted to disappear, they'd hide until someone gave them up and that required enough force to break jaws until an answer sung to the golden throne itself. Throne I have nothing except for a guide from some pissed off storm troopers who'd see my guts hanging, a servo skull who doesn't have any weaponry and my damned self! Not like it isn't a challenge!
"You don't have to come with me." I spoke tiredly trying to at least negate another unnecessary danger to Alicia who merely smiled, "Do you think so little of us?" My expression gave enough to have a gentle land lay itself on the closest shoulder to voice unwavering faith. I wasn't in any mood to get people who I'd consider friends come close to potentially being wounded, or dying if it proved to showcase my ability to get a job done. Tartarus would be keeping tabs on what I did, on how I'd get it done and I wasn't going to believe she'd find ways to make any advantage become my worst nightmare come to life.
Alicia placed the meager tributes to their chapel aside to once again kneel before myself. I hadn't had the art to look away as she knowingly told me, "Have faith in us as we do to you, Marcos. The Emperor is smiling upon you for your valor, a rarity most your age cannot hope to achieve without venturing to understand what many sins lie inside a man's soul." Apart of me was well aware of what lower hives meant for one to live, or survive everyday. It'd be just like home where say the wrong thing, or do something odd enough it'd get a shiv stuck in your back immediately.
"Then you should know why I'm asking you." I said firmly to which her smile widened considerably finding it sufficient, "And I'm telling you it'll be another test of faith. Your insistent humbleness to safeguard those in the Emperor's light is both your strength and ultimate folly of convincing those who are your friends. You cannot lie to those who you've found to replace the ones you have lost before being apart of the Emperor's divine to fight the darkness ahead." I stared openly very uneasy in how she'd just found that reasoning and it made me incredibly self-aware of a tingling sensation of warning to think others noticed too.
The sister merely closed my partial mouth closed to an eerily similar smile, "I've lost my loved ones too." I felt shame thinking I'd have been selfish yet what she said next put aside that misery, "And then I found those to keep my faith. You'll learn in time whether as an agent of the Emperor, or see to others who you'll be in their eyes." She stood up with a warm expression to beckon me towards an inner sanctum of rooms where Theresea lay in recovery, dimly aware of heat behind my back did I look over my right shoulder just to see Skit hovering ever so diligently yet his internal mechanical eye was glowering a bright red.
What the feck? I narrowed my gaze once it returned to a normal hue of red again. I felt uneasy again but I made my way towards Alicia who guided me further. Since when does Skit's eyes glow bright red? I know it isn't normal, but why? I've seen that before, or anytime really so what's that supposed to mean? I'll ask him, or that tech priest if I can find him again.
Following my guide towards what seemed to be an infirmary of sorts with various iconography of the Emperor and Saints did we reach our destination. Alicia stood off to the side as I saw the scarred form of their senior sisterhood head who was reading passages out of a tome of sorts. It was in High-Gothic given the wording and runes sealed along it. Garbed in simple white gowns meant for healing and purity I went rigid waiting to be addressed. Again I'd dare not interrupt any of these people in prayer in risk of sacrilege, or be flayed several times over.
Several other Sororitas that I noted were either resting, or doing similar activities given their silence alone. Soon they'll be on their feet to purge and burn the Emperor's enemies. You did the best you could have Marcos, so don't regret what you did! I told myself due to the fact several of their number had fallen on that cursed world I'd grown to despise. It was only natural to hate a place from what I gathered in losing friends, or doing so much to think otherwise. I hated that world more so because it revealed what would hunt me eternally it seemed.
"Your weekly lesson isn't due for several days, acolyte." I heard my instructor state simply before bowing her head to close a holy tome for their order's eyes and ears. The woman appeared stoic as always but I saw a faint whitish outline along her entire exterior. I smiled barely lowering my head briefly, "It's good to see you getting better, Sister Theresea." Her eyes merely narrowed due to seeing Alicia gracefully place herself at the side awaiting to be addressed. Despite what had transpired I kept my lessons instilled as a properly educated scribe.
The scarred face freshly healed of wounds that would have broken any normal man, or woman hadn't destroyed her stern outlook. I'd dare say she'd come out stronger to ask without delay, "What is your purpose here today?" I noticed a flicker of red around her body giving a not so subtle indicator she'd tolerate my hesitation. Unwillingly I remembered what was said to me on that planet from Sabitheiel of all people ever so teasingly.
It almost seemed she'd been standing behind me whispering,"Maidens of an order who'll burn you alive child, as much as I, for sure they'll 'purify' you in holy flame in that corpse's name as it's righteously adhered when discovering witches." I shuddered involuntarily making Theresea narrow her gaze briefly yet I spoke up not denying some intended aid, "Tartarus assigned me to track down a person on the lower sixty-nines. I hadn't intentionally come here for help but I wouldn't deny it, if you'd be willing. I wouldn't ask any of you to do this by an order."
The sister superior stared considerably at my unease for several moments. Alicia stood by not perturbed by what she couldn't see radiating off Theresa's frame. Perhaps there's a shred of truth in that statement, I should be scared yet I can't afford to linger on such things. But it doesn't make it any easier knowing she'd do so. I began to wonder whether my sanity died on my home world, or merely went into the warp of all I knew.
"What is this target's name?" I didn't hesitate to say it aloud, "Jov Varild." Immediately all of the sisters who heard that name either stiffened, scowled or quite simply stopped what they were doing once it became aloud. Theresa inhaled sharply to say merely, "Our holy father has granted us both a blessing to purge out that heathen of a disgrace. You're not aware of what that miscreant of a leech has done have you?"
I shook my head negatively just knowing the basics of him being some sort of scum. It wasn't anything I'd not seen in my earlier years. Yet for everyone on a ship of this size to know him? I had a hunch it wasn't pleasant by any means. But still inevitably I asked, "Just enough to know he used to be on of Tartarus's ears on this ship. No one's said much about him except he's either scum, or some piece of shit I'd guess."
An overt smile appeared to make me guarded as the elder woman stated, "If you mean by serial rapist, torturer, murderer and given immunity to do what he pleases? Then...yes." I remained rooted to hear a further in-depth history that made me cringe internally, "The most vile of men and he personally stained our purity by abducting one of our earlier converts to our mission. Our entire contingent here mobilized to burn everything on that miserable existence of a deck yet the lady inquisitor forbade us from doing so, or we'd risk...alienating the Holy Father's agent of his will."
I stared hard unable to get that entire information done before I understood. A useful tool which was allowed to continue it's usefulness. What kind of mad woman is Tartarus to allow that kind of person to live and prey upon the holy subjects of the Emperor? Now I understood what my other mentor said by asking in what I did to anger the Inquisitor. The sheer weight of what I'd been ordered to undertake was literally slammed in front of my very eyes.
"I can't guarantee he'll live if we do help you, acolyte." I allowed a wary smirk to appear since I didn't have any standing orders to let him live, "Tartarus only wanted to know why he stopped reporting back to her. She never did state to me he had to live, or not." There was a considerable pause between those listening and our conversation. It was true so I had no reason to lie, or manipulate anything except having an extra body of power armor to deter any potential threats.
Alicia sounded extremely interested given how I heard it, "I'd like to volunteer and aid a holy son of our Emperor to do what is right." Somehow I got a distinct impression she wouldn't be the only one asking Theresa to purge a clear degenerate not destined to live. Others murmured their own willingness off to my right side as I remained staring at the eldest sister refusing to show any kind of relief, or concern. By all rights I could have ordered them yet I wanted them to do so willingly, if anything the Emperor would grant such a blessing.
"You're sure of your task?" I was asked mainly curious as I nodded confidently, "I got an impression Tartarus wasn't too happy, or keen to let someone who's sole purpose to be an informant be granted leniency. So I'll make that decision until something else is said." She'd been clear on that aspect so it definitely wasn't a stretch I'd enact judgment, or maybe those seeking a traditionally sought out demand for retribution. I didn't doubt my teacher's motives to believe this was another damned test of sorts to say absolutely.
The woman smiled coldly to only approve of my request for their aid, "The Holy Father's servants dare not risk his wrath of sending a heretic into damnation. Who am I to deny a son of his faith to not deliver divine justice?" Looking towards my rear did her voice sharply invoke names to accompany both Alicia and I. Three names were invoked to make my heart race as I realized how excessive things would get unfortunately, "Anora! Helena and Kaitlin!"
I dared not look to see familiar expressions of cold expectation surrounding myself. If Theresa's own smile chilled my blood I'd not have any heart, or soul to believe those standing behind me mirror such a thirst of divine purpose. She fixated a gaze worthy to rival Tartarus's shrewd amusement, "As fully fledged Sororitas of our Ordos, I expect you to carry out your duty and faithful purpose to accompany our holy son of our Father to purge out this...filth. On his command will you enact fiery justice and make that twisted scum taste the fires of purification."
Alicia spoke for them readily pleased to accept such a mandate all too joyfully, "By your will Sister Superior." They all lowered their heads readily eager as I spoke up when we'd journey below decks to enact the Emperor's justice, "Tomorrow when my guide appears we'll move out. I don't know how long we'll down there! Honestly I don't expect to find my target quickly, so I'd recommend we rest but I'll do my best to carry out the Emperor's will and Tartarus's instructions." That at least gave me time to mentally prepare and expect all kinds of problems which would manifest given how they held a clear hatred of that deck.
At least no one down there is going to think I'll be a target, or get any ideas. I briefly wondered if four of these sisters would be enough. But I shook myself knowing it'd probably even out any of the lesser sorts of scum I'd been well acquainted due to my home. I wasn't the best of them back in that hive yet I could hold my own if backed into a corner. So I found it sufficient to at least have armed escorts to break a few skulls, or hands if common sense failed of course.
The sound of flesh pealing away as bone white marrow disintegrated into dust once a man died in agony. Numerous corpses melded into matter not known to be natural, or remote to be understood. Yet a pressure of immense lingered inside in an abandoned hanger bay. Those partially alive, or aware screamed in silent terror due to their bodies molding into another shape. Soon only vestiges of humane forms became one as a figure emerged in bile, puss and bone jutting out at unnatural angles to mimic a human form.
"Journey well, cousin?" An overt smug voice asked rather bemused as inhumane groan formed words constrained by dozens of vocal cords shifting into place at once, "These forms are...mundane." Limbs slashed out experimentally testing fleshly constrains before hissing in aggravation. Eyes numerous upon a face blinked in random intervals to mark the crude appearance of a man and bile spewed out from numerous puss openings on a chest.
The smug voice kindly reminded its demented kin of a fact, "It was very difficult to get you past that irritation of a...field." An entire mass hacked up several bone like fingers as if spitting in disgust, "Mortals are so fickle with these fleshy forms of soft tissues! If not for them making up for their devotion to the Plague Father, I'd provide gifts to them." A bulging abdomen released intestine of dozens yet it never past a waist of rotting skulls.
Rotting flesh reached out to grip a hand of the smug speaker shaking it warmly. Despite a lack of lips an overt sense of kindness reached out, "Yet I am happy you are here with me, cousin." Blackened wisps of rotting stench met flesh akin to it's own, "What blessings does our grandfather seek to instill on these deserving humans? You'd not risk exposure unless something of extreme value is within us to be granted as family of our own."
There was no lie when truth came out vile in earnest, "Let us say I've been granted by our father to welcome a new addition. Those foolish pleasure and excessive ones have been riled up, I caught wind and as such it is only natural for us to...intervene." Both chortled gurgling up bile to have it leak onto a metallic deck to have hiss underneath an unseen quality of acid. It began churning as if warping into an unseen landscape were miniature hands arose seeking to push themselves.
"Plagues of pestilence will mark those worthy of our gifts cousin." The smug speaker intoned as its wretched figure of kin molded further into another sickly man, "Others will come given the way is clear and full of those seeking it. May I make our kindness paved to those who'd welcome a family member into his home?" An unspoken request lingered as a foul rotting stenches started upwards into ventilation shafts spreading tiny green like orbs. Fungi of unnatural growth started to spread upon metallic surfaces as though they were vast fields of fertilizer incarnate.
Despite the foulness of air boiling into twisted remedies meant for those unable to live. The two merely dropped their limbs as one parted way to a doorway where numerous cultists started to choke on their very blood. Men, women and children alike were not spared from vile gifts bestowed as screams began when flesh started to flock together. Neither figure dropped their pleased happy smiles due to them chanting as one being together, "Fear not the gifts of our Plague Father! Rejoice as you join our family, our bonds of brothers and sisters, for we are the children of a God who will never shun you as right in the family itself."
Devious chanting of wailing and twisted bliss arose from hundreds who melded into dozens. Similar figures akin to the second of speaking grandly sent out flesh to meld with others of kin. Soon an entire hangar bay filled itself with foul odors that began twisting, melding and even warping a hangar bay into a sickly garden of beautiful disease. They'd been sent by their maker to welcome another who'd lead the vast plagues into glorious rebirth. And they would not rest until that cycle of death would renew itself into pestilence.
End Chapter Eleven
Author's Note: Oh boy! Did you really think things would get easier in this universe as a psyker? I'd been torn on whether to do a Tzeentch cult yet I told myself after several games of Dark Heresy it'd have be something...opposite of Slaanesh. Too much internal rivalries of alignments got me to say, 'Okay what's the worst that could happen in a tightly packed ship on a degenerate style deck full of...questionable hygiene?' This is why I considered several possibilities and well, I hate to say it but having something requiring fire is going to be infectious.
Now someone out there is going to say, 'How is this going to be related to what's coming?' And my response is that even those who aren't too aligned can provide shall we say...trinkets. A minor spoiler yet it's not exactly what I'd consider traditional of this ilk of cousins. But as they say in the Great Game of Gods, if one cannot grant another what it desires then another shall inhibit that goal to make it that much harder. So let's find out next time shall we?
Sisters of Battle, infection and fire! All on a deck loaded with questionable folks who may, or may not be entirely pious to the God Emperor. Oh boy, I think someone out there will have to say this. Bring it out and show me the carnage, so I shall. Have a good day!
