**Author's note: Early update, hurray!**
I shifted on my golden throne as we soared inward toward the inner planets of the Vigaz system. While this whole situation was super sketchy, I was looking forward to sleeping in a bed in a hotel and eating actual food. Ever since eating Nabopolassar's soul and getting possessed by the Emperor, I had begun to manifest more "Empress-y" powers, so I felt a lot less defenseless than before. Lian, Alberich, and Virgil were discussing Tar Vigaz, and the nature of the planet and its inhabitants. Morai and Ennoia had walked up to the bridge, and were now communicating tersely with Null, who didn't seem to want to talk as he busied himself with his personal appearance, polishing his metal and ironing his robe. Their words were now being translated on the large central holographic display, and on Null's smaller screen.
From what Lian described, the world sounded like a sort of space Dubai or Las Vegas that seemed to function like Mos Eisley from Star Wars. You could go on a luxury space cruise, see a theater show, gamble away your life savings, hire mercenaries, drink yourself to death, and hide from the law with relative ease. It even appeared that the Imperium had a small presence there, but its influence was minimal.
"While Evna isn't my sort of fun, I am rather sad that I am limited to remaining onboard here. It would be nice to walk about on a planet," Virgil pouted.
Null was hastily ironing his thinner red replacement robe with a heated mechadendrite, and scoffed, "Oh, you hardly left the ship last time we were here" through his small display.
"I just don't really like Evna that much. Too much noise for me, really."
"We are interested in seeing what a future city would look like," the translated text appeared on the display after the two witnesses spoke up with eager excitement. "It has been many ages since we have seen civilization. We are eager to discover how humanity has developed."
No one said anything in response to the two witnesses, so I reluctantly offered, "Well, it hasn't been a good fifteen thousand years here, I'm afraid. Long story, but the galaxy now is a perpetual war zone with daemons and aliens running amuck. People do the best they can, but it is looking grim for humans."
The two blanks did not seem to mind what I had said. Ennoia warmly offered: "Perhaps this is why you have come down from heaven at this time, blessed Omega, if we may be bold in saying so. Whatever challenge the galaxy offers us, we will fight with truth and loyalty." The two witnesses bowed shortly before us, and behind their placid gold masks, I could see that their pink eyes were smiling. I didn't respond to their words, and gripped my armrests.
Null had apparently not been listening to any of this, and swore as he accidentally tore a small hole in his red robe with a snaking mechadendrite. "Virgil, I admit the city is not perfect, but it suits our needs. And the Imperium still hasn't invaded it so there must be some kind of vested interest in keeping it independent."
"It just isn't my style, that's all," Virgil replied again, placing his hands in his robe. "I would still like to take a walk outside, but alas, I am dead."
"What is there to do?" Alberich interjected with interest. "Tours, perhaps? Maybe even see an opera? Will they accept me as I am?" The beastman reached out with a long finger and touched his black beak.
"They honestly shouldn't," Null sniped, smoothing out a sleeve and quickly mending the tear he had caused. "But they do. From what that young lord said, there is now a population of Tzaangor mutants on Evna. That is most alarming, but I supposed there could have been such things there the last time we visited, but we were just not informed. They take their confidentiality policy seriously."
"How much is three million in script?" I asked as I ate my ration paste packet on my throne. This one tasted like vanilla pudding and gunpowder. It required some willpower to swallow. I was so ready to eat a normal meal that wasn't paste from an Ad Mech packet. "I mean, I don't have any frame of reference. How much would like, a dinner at a nice restaurant be? Not too fancy, but I'd like to eat something that isn't paste."
The Fallen responded to me without turning around. He was gazing out the leftmost eye window, watching space pass by. "If the value of their currency hasn't changed since I was last here six months ago, a good meal at a decent restaurant would cost around two or three thousand script. I did not eat at human establishments, but I accompanied human guests on occasion."
"And they're giving us three million," I said, already getting hungry, and looking forward to enjoying a big grox steak somewhere. "Any suggestions on where to eat, Lian?"
"Publicly frequenting places we were known to visit may be dangerous, if this concerns you, but I trust in you and your judgement."
"That's fair," I said, slurping up the last of my packet. The aftertaste of this one made it taste like I had been shot in the mouth. "We'll figure something out. Maybe the hotel can help us?"
"While I still do not like this, I'm very much looking forward to sleeping in a proper bed," Alberich said with a small grin, watching the map before me as we crossed the border of the third planet of the sun. The mines were now visible somewhat nearby as they floated in space, and when I had the Divine Retribution zoom in on one, we discovered that they looked like large metal beach balls about three meters around. I could see a few blinking green lights on each mine's surface. Marked space buoys that resembled glowing green balloons half the size of small cars also hung in space, marking where we should be flying. To venture outside this green corridor would probably be very dangerous. "I simply have a suspicious feeling about this world, and I can't quite place it."
"The whole thing is suspicious, but I guess everything in this universe is dangerous and untrustworthy by nature. We need food and supplies, and this was the best place to stop, so we're here, bad vibes or not," I replied to Alberich's concern, leaning back on my throne. When we weren't in the Warp, the "burn" of the soul drain from sitting in this vessel wasn't so terrible now. It basically made me feel a slight restless tingle in my arms and legs, and I got thirsty and hungry more frequently. As long as someone delivered food and water to me, and I had bathroom breaks, I could weather a longer session of navigation. Being in the Warp and operating the Parson Shield was far more taxing, and I realized that I was feeling a measure of fatigue from my earlier Warp jump from Rhadabus.
Alberich turned to me, and smiled warmly again, trying to be optimistic. "And you will receive two tickets to a masquerade ball. Who will you take with you as an escort?"
"Well, I don't know. Don't think this is a date, boys, but who would want to go?"
"I'm entirely disinterested in silly balls. I would prefer not to go," Null replied bluntly. One of his mechadendrites reached around to pick up another rag covered in some kind of polishing solution, and he began to scrub at his own face and animated green eyes.
"It may be that I will be occupied with my brothers with your permission, but if you wish me to escort you, I will do as you command," Lian responded.
I found that I was reluctant to be seen with Lian on this world since Null's worry about being seen with renegade Space Marines was extremely well founded, so I said, "If your brothers need you, then don't worry about it too much."
"I would like to go," Alberich volunteered himself, obviously interested.
"Well, at least you won't need a costume, but I'm fine with that," I snarkily offered. That was probably an issue for me, though. We'd be going to a masquerade ball. Was a costume required? Everything would probably make sense when we docked. Maybe I could turn on my halo and go as a genderbent Emperor? That sort of thing would probably get me in trouble, I thought. Knowing how weird my life is, someone would probably show up as girl Horus and we'd get pressured into some kind of mock confrontation. I laughed at the mental image.
After an hour or so more of flying further into the system, transmission reached us from Shower of Gold ahead of us, and I indicated to put it on screen again. Evring's smiling drunk face appeared, and this time, he was now wearing a robe of gold lamé as if he had just gotten out of the bath. His skin was flushed and damp, and his hair messy. "We're almost there, Ms. Imperial Erika. I'm about to divert to my private spaceport, but it was a delight to meet you, and-" Shouting on board interrupted Evring's words, and the space playboy in the slinky gold robe angrily stood up from his throne, and walked off screen again. "Rose, I swear!" I heard him say before his slurring words became incoherent.
I couldn't help but have a giggle here. This guy was a fucking train wreck. Maybe his party would be fun? We were left looking at an empty chair as indistinct sounds of an argument began to filter through.
The man appears intoxicated, Virgil transmitted mentally to me.
As long as he's not the one flying, who cares? I telepathically replied.
We all waited around for Evring to come back, but before that could happen, another individual appeared on screen. This man was tall, and had hairless, smooth and very pale features. He was clothed in rough but colorful leather robes adorned with various baubles, and he wore a bright red bandana wrapped around his bald forehead like Rambo. In his hand, he held a bottle of liquor, and after taking a big drink, he turned to look at us.
His expression was a mixture of pain and anger, but concealed under both stoicism and copious amounts of alcohol. The man's left grey eye twitched, and I then noticed that he had a long cut on his cheek, which was red and scabbed. It, along with his red bandana and rough robes, made this man look somewhat dangerous and edgy. The stranger said nothing as he stood in front of the throne, drinking directly from his bottle. There was something strangely familiar about this man, but I couldn't quite place it.
That's a Navigator, the Navis Nobilite, those who guide our void ships through the Warp using the light of the Astronomican. Underneath that red sash is his third eye, which he keeps hidden. Virgil whispered to me in telepathy. This one is quite drunk, and appears to be a mercenary, by his rough dress and unprofessional appearance. To have a Navigator wallow in alcoholism to the point of being disrespectful like this demonstrates the class of the owner of this vessel.
I had only half heard Virgil's words when I noticed that the Navigator was now looking directly at me, and he did not look happy. His lips lightly pulled into a scowl, and he drank again. There really was something familiar about this guy, my intuition began to nag me. It was like I had met him before, and his name was on the tip of my tongue, but I still couldn't place him. I couldn't understand this feeling since I had not yet properly met a Navigator in this universe.
"Uh, hi?" I said, pulling my hand away from my throne to wave. I offered a friendly smile. "I'm Erika. Sorry, but you look familiar. Have we met?"
The Navigator did not answer, and continued to glower at me through the display. Just when it started to get too uncomfortable, I heard a shout on the Shower of Gold.
"Ven Tristan! You bothering my new lady friend?"
"No, my lord," the Navigator said in a hoarse voice. He narrowed his eyes at me, and turned away. "I was just curious." Ven Tristan then walked away from Shower of Gold's throne
I felt something else then. It was unexpected and striking to my senses, but I sensed it with very clean clarity to my Sight, the sensation sharp and piercing like a dagger to the gut. It caused me to feel unsettled, and I couldn't understand why this particular man felt this way.
This strange Navigator absolutely hated me, and I had no idea why. I felt as if I was missing something obvious, but I didn't want to utilize my psyker senses right now to figure it out because if I got emotional, that would risk my Corona igniting. I didn't want to have to explain to drunk Evring or the local PDF why I had a gold halo, so I just tried to relax.
Evring walked back to his seat, and sat down. The playboy crossed his legs as he settled in on his throne, nearly accidentally exposing himself to me in the process. "Anyway, love, I'm about ready to head off to my spaceport, but it was very nice to meet you. After your flyby, I'll arrange for your invitations and script to be delivered to you at your port. You're staying in one of my hotels, Sinclair Plaza, and I'm putting you up in the penthouse. You can thank me and think I'm amazing when you see me at my party! Oh, and start thinking about a costume, love! I'll have someone connect you to a costumer in Evna if you need one."
"We ready?" a different man said beside Evring, who nodded.
"See you later, intriguing lady caption!" the drunk playboy said as he blew a kiss my way. The screen then went back to the map. We were now crossing the orbit of one of Tar Vigaz's moons, and the planet was getting larger below us.
"Everyone ready?" I asked my crewmembers. "I've got to do this flyover, but it you guys want to look out the windows while I fly and enjoy the view, go right ahead."
"I've got a slight issue with heights, so no thank you," Virgil replied. Alberich stood near the right eye in front of his throne, watching as the planet grew larger. Lian stood with his back to me looking out of the left eye, still quiet. Ennoia and Morai walked up to the vertical center eye, and with excitement, began pointing outside.
A flicker on my screen, and the PDF officer I had seen before appeared. "Divine Retribution, are you ready for your flyover of Evna? We are about to release our guide drones, and we are disarming anti-aircraft defensive systems."
Woah, this planet really was super armed, I thought. "Yeah, ready when you are." I brought up the wireframe map of the final approach to the world. The buoys that marked the flight path to the planet made getting there easy. I took a look outside as the world ahead of us started to fill our display.
Tar Vigaz was an earthlike world, but it seemed to have less green and more brown and tan than my home reality's earth. The proportion of land to ocean was about 60/40, which meant that this world had large amounts of desert, which didn't thrill me. I was getting tired of desert worlds, but at least this world appeared to have large areas of green space, and swirling fluffy clouds in the atmosphere. The planet appeared mostly empty with the exception of a few very dense cities, and one very large megapolis which I assumed was the capitol. I took a moment to appreciate again just how cool flying around in space was. This was still a very novel activity for me here in this universe. I didn't even have a car when I lived in New Jersey, but here, I was a magical psyker space captain! As the first licks of the upper atmosphere began to tickle my wings, I couldn't help but be excited. Flying felt amazing!
"Follow the buoys onward to Evna, Divine Retribution," the officer instructed me. Behind him in what appeared to be a control room, I could see all the screens were now focused on my craft, and people watched my ship with interest.
Small green glowing balloons were lit before me, guiding a path further into the upper atmosphere. After a short time of descending, I realized that we had actually entered quite far away from Evna, and were being instructed on a leisurely descent, like we were a big slow airplane. Maybe they didn't think we were all that maneuverable because of our size? From what I felt, we were at least twice the length of a football field, and with an even larger wingspan. The Divine Retribution could easily land in atmosphere as if it were a natural eagle, and it didn't need much clearance. I wasn't about to complain about the long descent, so I just continued along my way, enjoying my flight.
More time passed, and we were instructed to slow down to sub-sonic speeds, which we did as we approached Evna. Ahead, and with my very keen distant sight, I was momentarily surprised by a swarm of glowing white flying things that appeared to be organizing themselves in the sky above a city center covered in towering skyscrapers. I assumed that these were the drones that would be leading us around Evna, and my assumption was proven correct when I saw the lights orient themselves in curved lines over the distant city.
Far away, I was now able to use the Divine Retribution's sight to examine where we were going. Evna was massive! While not quite a hive city, it was certainly large and sprawling, with many interestingly shaped buildings. It definitely reminded me of a surreal futuristic Las Vegas. There were pyramids, large domes lit with rainbow light, tall thin towers, and even what appeared to be a roller coaster that was currently zipping around a building that resembled a unicorns' horn that reached far into the sky. The sprawl of the city branched outward for many kilometers in a radial pattern, and the ship helpfully started to plot a map of the massive shiny megapolis. At the edge of the city on one side, I saw what appeared to be an ivory palace with glittering spires adorned with gold-topped cupolas. That must be where the planetary governor lives, I deduced.
We still had a little while to go since we weren't allowed to go at a faster speed, so I started absently observing the land below. Right now, we were soaring over a forest of tall trees in an undeveloped area, but that was making way for a wide desert interspersed with scrubland and rocky boulders of many earthy colors. This planet appeared quite beautiful.
I was interrupted by my admiration of Tar Vigaz by hearing Null gasp on the screen below, and I put my attention on the tech-priest. Null had frozen, and was holding his gold arm to his face in an expression of shock. His animated green eyes displayed great distress. "What is it?" I asked him. "Everything okay down there?"
He shook his head as if too stunned to speak for a moment, and then, gathering his wits, he said, "I've been watching the landscape as we fly, examining any changes in this world since my last visit. Not much has changed, but, I do see something that gives me... ah... pause for concern."
Shut off the com, just in case, Virgil warned me. Good thinking. While I couldn't see the PDF officers right this moment, I made sure that they couldn't just pop up in the next few minutes if I discovered something disturbing. I didn't want them to catch me looking horrified or disgusted at their planet. Dread filled me, and the astropath stood nearby, waiting for Null to elaborate on what had upset him. I glanced at Lian, who hadn't reacted in any way that suggested anything was wrong. Maybe he couldn't see what it was from that eye? The Fallen continued gazing outside, seemingly lost in thought. Now curious, Alberich turned away from his window, and walked to me to see what had caused Null's shock.
"Can you do anything to show me what you see?" I asked Null.
"Certainly," the tech-priest replied, and I heard a few taps. He then rattled off a series of coordinates. "Direct your vision to where I have indicated, and brace yourself."
I swallowed heavily. Of course, there was something wrong with this planet, I thought with a huff. Couldn't just have an easy resupply and vacation visit. Gotta make things grim and dark to be proper. I willed the Divine Retribution to focus on where Null had indicated, and a separate screen emerged on the coordinates the tech-priest had offered.
What I saw made my jaw drop in horrible recognition. "Oh. Oh no..." I whispered. Beside me, I heard Alberich also gasp.
It was another gold Statue of Liberty!
It was just like the one that had come alive on Levant and chased after me. The same one I had rammed with my ship! This one appeared similar to the last Statue of Liberty, and held a sword aloft into the sky, the setting sun reflecting brilliantly off her metal robes as she stood in the desert. Holy shit! This one had areas of scaffolding surrounding her, which gave me the impression that this statue was still under construction. From this image, I could tell that she was about fifty kilometers outside Evna, and about 500 meters in height. From that distance, she'd be visible from many parts of the capitol. Wide roads presumably used by construction crews led from the statue into Evna, and other areas. Did... did these people know what this statue actually was? This was too close to be a coincidence!
"Null," I strangled my reply, too disturbed to speak. I watched the statue as we slowly advanced into Evna, my heart in my throat, and my Corona alight again in my distress.
"My... my leader?" Alberich hesitantly asked as he watched the display, recognizing what he saw. His ears were down like a scared dog's, and his eyes filled with alarm. "Do you see it?"
"Yeah, I know, I know. No one bring this up with the Vigaz people. In fact, don't talk about it at all right now or in public. We will speak of this later in private."
Alberich nodded, and went back to looking out the rightmost window, his white head and neck feathers ruffled.
"What is the problem?" Morai asked me, her tone soft and filled with concern as she walked to me.
"That statue might hold a powerful evil spirit," I said, indicating toward the area of my holographic screen that displayed the gold Statue of Liberty. "Don't talk about it right now. I'll explain when we're somewhere private later."
The two sisters bowed in understanding.
I saw a green light flashing on my display before me, and I felt as if there was a transmission incoming. With another deep breath, I guttered my gold emotion-borne halo, and accepted the incoming message.
"Divine Retribution, we'd prefer you keep your com open. You're entering highly restricted space," the officer spoke to me.
"I'm sorry. We'll keep it open the rest of the way. Everything else alright down there?" I smiled nervously.
Everything is fine, Erika. Don't be stupid, I chastised myself. I banished the greater daemon Am'Erika on Levant, so I've got nothing to worry about. That's just an empty statue, and not a Keeper of Secrets looking to hunt me down, steal my Key, and eat me.
Wait, did I actually banish her? Am'Erika was obviously still around, as Grikk'ahn had referenced her when we were on Nubua. Maybe I had actually just maimed the greater daemon, which had pissed her off, and now, she is intending to possess this statue next?
I kept smiling nervously, and consciously suppressing my halo. I didn't want to have to explain both my weird gold aura and my suspicions of the Am'Erika daemon right now.
"Looking good on our end, Divine Retribution. The drones are finalizing their positions around Evna. Just follow the lights and your map, and you should be... golden." The officer then lightly chuckled. "Sorry, just a little gold joke. Your vessel's hull is highly reflective, and we're all sitting down here wondering who built it. It is very beautiful. Anyway, keep the com open, and enjoy your flight."
The rest of us were tensely silent as we continued flying. Fuck, I hoped that Am'Erika didn't have a presence here. What was curious was that Lian didn't even seem surprised, and had occupied himself with gazing out the left window as we made our final approach, his back turned to me as I piloted. It was like his mind was somewhere else. Maybe that Statue of Liberty had been under construction for years, so he didn't think twice about seeing it? We would have to inform him about the whole Am'Erika situation later. How long had they been building that terrible corrupt thing, I wondered?
I felt an itch along the leading edges on my wings as I remembered my last confrontation with that Keeper of Secrets. If that statue came alive and started fucking with me again, would Tzeentch show up and Deus Ex Machina the situation to help me again? Probably not, I thought.
We approached the outskirts of Evna, and the first of the guide drones appeared before us. The display ahead of me switched to overlay the wireframe map of where we were to go for the flyby, with each guide drone clearly indicated. They were being very careful, and that was understandable, considering all these huge buildings reaching into the sky.
"Okay everyone, I'm putting my consciousness deeper into the ship so I can guide it more easily. Just yell at me if you need me. I want to make sure this flight goes perfectly. Alberich, I want you to hook into the ship and answer for the Vigaz PDF if they come calling, alright?"
"Understood," Alberich replied, walking reluctantly to his throne. The rest of my crewmembers silently acknowledged my instructions. The beastman sat down on his throne, and I felt his consciousness meld into the ship along with me.
I closed my eyes, and pushed my consciousness further into the ship, willing myself to perceive myself fully as the Divine Retribution itself.
The feeling of being a titanic eagle flying through the sky was addictive. I enjoyed the feeling the wind over my wings. Immaterium or Materium, and I absolutely loved flying. The sun's rays warmed my hull, and the colors of the sunset painted a glorious portrait before me in the sky. I am the enigmatic majesty of the divine, and my heart echoes with the song of creation, I thought as I caressed the emotional currents of the multitudinous mortal souls below me.
Slowly, I began to turn my body to the left, causing my right wing to rise as I started my broad flyover of the city center. Down below, I could now hear and sense awe filtering up from the many beings as they witnessed my glorious gold form. People stopped and pointed upward, and said "Look at that!" all across the city. Interestingly, a few sensitive souls privately whispered to themselves, "Just like my dream! Just like my dream!" My unique transcendent relationship to the Immaterium (and even more mysterious places) meant that I rippled the ocean of the collective unconscious wherever I traveled. Dreams, nightmares, and prophecies would be my heralds, and they would be spoken of even before my direct passage. Time, to me, was somewhat strange, after all.
My eye was summoned to one particularly bright soul who was watching from a hidden rooftop somewhere below. He spoke in furtive tones to his shadowy companion, an undercurrent of veiled excitement passing through his voice: "It is true. Brother Lian has the Inheritor. The Inheritor flies once again." His similarly bright companion replied with, "And so the turning of the wheel begins once again." The large souls then briefly placed their fists over their hearts as I flew overhead in a salute. Both creatures were now absolutely certain in their anticipation, and one even became so emotional as my Sight passed gently over him that a single minuscule tear escaped his eye, the first in a century.
This was only natural, as I am who I am.
Another bright soul drew my attention, and now, I received an especially clear scene of an event occurring below me. I beheld a maddened blonde-haired human woman wearing a suit of gaudy clashing colors. She was preaching something on a bright street corner, neon advertisements lighting her angular, strange features and black eyes. She reached up and screamed, "Behold!" just as I passed overhead. Many people gasped in fright, their eyes drawn skyward.
"Raula was right!" a soul cried out in similar madness to the gaudy woman.
A mild sense of deja vu hit me, almost as if I had seen that particular scene before. With a dismissive nudge of my consciousness, I decided to not bother myself with the fleeting troubles of the small souls right now. I simply wanted to enjoy my flight.
I continued turning in a wide slow turn over the city of Evna, listening to declarations of my beauty and majesty waft up from below like warm steam. The emotional quotient of it actually gave me a bit of a lift, and I found one of my minds smiling on my throne.
Brief physical chatter somewhere within me interrupted my reverie, and I decided to distance myself from the Divine Retribution's consciousness. What was going on? I centered myself on my throne, and consciously willed more of my awareness into being Erika again, but still keeping the bulk of myself as the godly vessel. It felt so amazing and so good to meld with this machine spirit, I thought.
I now knew that Alberich was communicating with the PDF officer, and as I flew, I heard his voice in my mind as I continued my flyby. They compliment us, and thank us for our cooperation. They say they are arranging transportation for us from Port Aubergine. They ask if this is all going well on our end.
Everything is fine, I said to Alberich, smiling on my throne. Hearing people sing my praises below felt spectacular. We're almost done. We should be on the ground in about ten minutes, I informed the beastman, who I felt acknowledge me.
The wide flyover was now just about finished. I had enjoyed myself so much that I had nearly forgotten that there was a statue of a greater daemon of Slaanesh sitting in the desert outside this megapolis. Following the line of drones as they guided me along, I dropped my talons as I fixed my keen eyes on my port, which was a fair distance away from the city center.
"It even has talons like an eagle!" a man said below me as he pointed upward. I kept smiling.
After passing over some more industrial buildings, the drones were now directing me toward what appeared to be an airport, complete with runways, resting aircraft of many shapes and sizes, ground transportation, and round landing pads for more vertically oriented craft. Alberich then asked me, They ask if we need a runway, or if we can land vertically.
We don't need a runway, and we can just land vertically, no problem. Those circular landing pads should be good for us.
A short pause, and I now saw the drones begin to direct me to a very large flat circular landing pad at the end of the airport. This place was now lit in preparation for our landing, and I felt that that was where they wanted us to go. We'd be the biggest ship parked there.
"Look at that!" I heard someone say in what appeared to be an airport lounge. "Who do you think owns that? Wonder if they'd sell?"
"Is that an eagle, or a hawk, do you think?"
"Hawk. You can tell because..."
"Damn Imperials, always showing off."
"...obsessed with putting damn eagles and gold everywhere! Tired of Imperials!"
Hearing these little snippets of conversation was very entertaining, I thought, aligning myself to land.
I glided easily to the landing pad, and extended one of my taloned feet and dipped my fanned tail in preparation to touch down, just like a natural bird of prey would. With a short drop, and my talons had found purchase on the center of the landing pad, and I settled down.
I exhaled, and reluctantly summoned myself back to full awareness in my body. Alberich was talking with the PDF guy again on the display. The officer seemed to be explaining something about Tzaangors. "Oh, she's back," the beastman said.
"Whew! That was a nice flight!" I explained, stretching my arms and limbs as I remained sitting. "One of the best so far."
"So, your vessel can be flown using a psyker bonded to it? Fascinating! A shame you have the Writ. We'd love to formally discuss you with the rest of the Conglomeration of Ev, but we hold your visit in confidence, my lady," the officer said warmly to me. "We have a concern. Your copilot is what he says is a Tzaangor, and so thusly, he will need to undergo a brief cognition test at the port. We recently experienced a mutant rebellion here at Evna, and both taint and sanity must be tested before we let him wander freely and not under your care."
"I've agreed to it," Alberich said. "It does not trouble me. I am used to purity tests, as I experienced them in my country of origin."
"Okay," I said. "So, what do you want us to do now?"
"We have transmitted to you a short introduction video detailing general rules and regulations concerning our fair capitol city, and when you are ready, you will disembark, and your mutant will submit to a test within the port. It will not take long. After that, meet your transportation. You will be escorted to your hotel." The officer then touched the com bead in his ear. "Before I go, the Port Authority is asking me where your vessel's entryway is."
The Divine Retribution was now in its standing "parked" position, so with a thought, I willed the vessel to outline its main door on its chest. "There, but they can't get in from outside. We have to open it from inside."
"They see it now, thank you. After you review our rules and regulations, disembark, and thank you for choosing Tar Vigaz for your destination, my lady. May your luck never run out!" the officer then vanished from the screen.
I took a deep breath, and with another expenditure of will, I cut off the com again since we weren't flying anymore. Lian walked away from the window, and stood before me. He saluted me with his fist on his chest, and said, "My brothers are already here. They wait outside, and they watch us. I have seen them."
I nodded, and I realized that I was still smiling. The flight had put me in an excellent mood, at least, correcting the terrible dread that I had experienced after seeing the Am'Erika statue again. "So, let's see these rules and get going. I'm looking forward to a bed with sheets and a good meal."
"Lucky us. We get to see the Evna welcome video. I wonder if it has evolved away from its past foolishness," Null said through the display. The tech-priest was now cleaned up, polished, and ready to go.
I mentally willed whatever had been transferred to us to appear onscreen, and easily, it did. Bright emerald green words written in cursive splashed a "WELCOME TO EVNA" across the screen.
A soothing male voice began speaking: "Welcome to Evna, planetary capitol of Tar Vigaz! We hope you enjoy your stay! Please watch this short film demonstrating our rules and regulations, and may your luck never run out!"
Before us, illustrations of various guns, knives, chainswords, and even something that looked suspiciously like a Noise Marine's sonic blaster came into view. A large red "X" then struck through the illustration of these weapons, and the soothing male voice began to speak again:
"No unlicensed weapons permitted in the city center with the exception of those with proper permits. Evna is a peaceful city devoted to fun and leisure, so if duels involving weapons are to be settled, please engage in your battles either outside the city limits, or by using our "Honor Guard" service and make for one of our many orbiting stations for your martial needs."
The screen dimmed away, and then, an illustration of what appeared to be an Imperial guardsman punching a black-robed Chaos cultist in the jaw. "In addition to weaponry, fighting is not permitted within our borders. Evna is a city of tolerance and fun for the whole family, so put away your need for physical conflict while within city limits!" An image of the same Imperial Guardsman and Chaos cultist appeared, but this time, they were shaking hands and offering peace signs. I choked a laugh. "Fun for the whole family?" Really? Are you kidding me?
Next, we saw a drawing of what appeared to be a Space Marine Librarian (who appeared to be an Ultramarine) using his psychic powers to fry tentacled monsters, causing them to burst into flames. A large "X" was overlayed against this image. "Unfortunately, we do not permit aggressive expression of sorcery and the overt demonstration of any baleful energies. Parlor tricks, cantrips, and minor powers are permitted, but nothing more substantial. For added safety, certain high security areas may be fitted with psychic dampeners for the safety of everyone." The same Space Marine was now illustrated pulling a rabbit out of a hat for a few small children, who were cheering.
The next illustration was even funnier. It depicted a maddened loincloth-clad cultist covered in blood and viscera as he worshipped an eight-pointed star at the center of an altar made of skulls. Thankfully, the big "X" appeared again over this slide. If only it were that easy, I thought, laughing. "We understand and practice freedom of expression of religion, but not when your religion threatens to unleash daemons upon our fair and peaceful streets. The overt worship of Chaos powers is strictly prohibited. In addition, no proselytization of any religion is permitted. We all get along here!" The same cultist was now illustrated sitting at a cafe and reading a book that said "ATHEISM" on its cover. Holy shit, these slides were too funny!
We were now seeing art of what appeared to be a spiky-armored Drukhari warrior yelling at what appeared to be a Black Templar. The "X" did not approve of this. "While many of our visitors may hail from the Imperium of Mankind, Tar Vigaz is an independent world within the frontier, and does not follow the Imperium's proclivities toward racism. You may see an alien within our city, or you might even be an alien! Think twice before harassment toward races unlike your own." The slide changed to illustrate the same Drukhari offering a red rose to the Black Templar in a gift of friendship. These guys have not properly read through their lore, I thought, giggling. Distantly, seeing an illustration of a Drukhari gave me a sinking feeling, as it confirmed the existence of those terrifying aliens in this universe.
Another funny image appeared, this one of what appeared to be a Sister of Battle drinking a bottle of liquor and smoking what appeared to be a glass crack pipe as she stumbled down the street. I started laughing again, and this time, Virgil joined me. The big "X" appeared over this illustration. "Gross public intoxication and indecency is not permitted. While Evna is a carefree city, we keep a sense of propriety for our guests. Feel free to enjoy responsibly!" The illustration changed to show the same Sister of Battle drinking a glass of red wine at a classy nightclub as two hunky handsome Imperial Guardsmen chatted her up.
Another slide, and this art was actually puzzling. It depicted a tall, muscular man covered in a black, skin-tight rubbery suit. He (or it, maybe) had long legs and long arms that gave him a quadrupedal stance. Instead of hands and feet, this creature had metal wheels, and instead of a head, it had what appeared to be an old CRT computer monitor. The computer monitor "head" showed a smiley face, and it held one of its wheel hands up as if in a gesture of greeting. What the fuck was this? "Obey and respect the Wheelers as they keep law and order. If you see a crime happening, please do not hesitate to press one of the many "alert" buttons located on our streets. These will summon one of our Wheeler security forces as they tirelessly patrol the city, keeping our guests safe."
"Specialized battle servitors, this looks like," Null said. "Evna was working on a solution for securities when I last visited. My contact had talked about that they were planning on using an automated and remotely controlled fleet of battle servitors to curb any crime."
Afterward, a cheery illustration of all the aforementioned characters we had just seen rendered appeared waving at the viewer. Even the Black Templar had a huge goofy smile. The voice-over said: "If we can all follow the rules, we can keep Evna great, and make sure that our city is a grand jewel in this distant area of space. Please respect these simple rules, and most of all, enjoy yourselves! What happens in Vigaz, stays in Vigaz, as they say, and may your luck never run out!" The short video ended, and my crewmembers looked at me expectantly.
"So," I said, shifting on my throne. "How about that, huh?"
"Their introduction video is a farce, of course" Lian said as he turned around from his window, and I saw everyone nodding in agreement, even the two witness ladies.
"Yes, it is ridiculous. It was somewhat different when I visited, but the spirit of their so-called rules has not changed," Null agreed from his display. "The rules are rather suggestions here, actually. If you have enough money you can do whatever you want. The laws are for those who have less money and status."
"And there are battle servitors patrolling the streets? These 'Wheeler' things?" I asked nervously.
"Yes, but I would not be terribly worried. The person who had been drafted to design them is my contact, and Nimmie Amee is a brilliant inventive magos. If she is still here, it is likely that she controls them. Magos Amee has a good sense of fairness, and would not unleash her creations to needlessly harm the populace. She had been placed on this remote world as a sort of 'promotion' for her brilliance by Mars, something that I did not agree with. At least, she sees her ideas come to fruition here."
"Will we be going soon?" Lian appeared eager to leave, and was looking expectantly at the bridge exit.
"Hold on," I said, willing myself to disconnect from the throne. "So, everyone ready to go? It seems to be around sunset out here right now, so maybe we can get to our hotel and get some room service soon. I can't wait to eat actual food!"
"Wait, don't leave yet, people," Null instructed us. "I'm gathering a few things I wish to take with me. In addition, I would like to give each of us small personal vox transmitters so that we can remain in communication in case we are separated."
"Why would we be separated?" Alberich asked. "We should all travel together on an unfamiliar planet."
"I may want to meet with Magos Amee alone," Null responded. "She and I have many things to discuss."
"And I may need to speak to my brothers alone as well," the Fallen said, shifting his weight. It was obvious that he was anxious to leave. "They are right outside, waiting for me. I must meet with them."
"Okay, we'll all get our transmitters, pick up what we need to take with us, and go," I replied. "I'm totally ready to be in normal human situations again after all we've been through."
"And no weapons," Null reminded us. "We don't have the status to carry weapons around. No fighting, and no psyker powers. Scion, I would conceal your Corona if you can, as that would attract undue attention." The tech-priest sounded like a parent cautioning a group of schoolchildren on a field trip. "On, and Virgil, could you come down here and help me with something?"
With a quick nod, Virgil teleported away. I could see that the sisters had realized what Null had said about weapons via the translation on the screen, and they appeared very dejected. Their response was translated by the Divine Retribution, and said: "Our daggers are our sacred weapons, symbolic of our need to always be ready to guard against evil."
I stood up from my throne. "I don't make the rules, so we're going to have to play nice with the people here so we can get our supplies and go. I'm sorry. Give me a little bit and I'll meet you down at the gateway." I messaged my temples, now feeling the slight drained "hangover" feeling from piloting the Divine Retribution. A good meal and a good rest would really help with that.
More souls to consume would actually help with that... a strange voice whispered inside my mind. I decided to ignore it.
Lian had begun to walk down the stairway away from the bridge, tired of waiting. Ennoia and Morai followed him after shortly bowing to me. Alberich then approached me. What about Valkyrie? he asked me in mind.
No, probably a bad idea, I said to the beastman. They said no weapons, and on top of that, you might get in trouble for the "no overt religion" rule. Tell the daemon in it to chill out for awhile.
Alberich's feathers ruffled in disappointment, but he did not fight me as he began walking away from the bridge. I was now alone up here, and took a moment to stretch and center myself. I walked over to the central window of the Divine Retribution, and peered outside. From here, I couldn't see much with the exception of the top of the airport terminal, and the tall jagged horizon of Evna looming in the distance like teeth in front of a blood red sunset. I worried again about what I was becoming, and how I uncomfortable I was concerning it. My Corona had begun to manifest more readily and frequently when I became emotional.
I sighed, and tried to relax. An intrusive thought then surfaced as I studied my recent behavior again. After losing my shit and destroying the Ebon Hare, condemning everyone in it to hell, I had gone on to murder an Inquisitor, and then, I terrorized an innocent cowering astropath in order to get information out of him. I realized that I had actually derived satisfaction from those brutal acts of retribution. Once again, I became horrified with myself at my actions.
What was wrong with me, and what was I becoming? Was this who I was in this universe?
Did Sebastian go through all this shit? Had he really just been some random nerd that got lost in this universe, and was then transformed by this vessel into what he had eventually become? How long would the whole transformation process take? Could I keep myself together long enough until I reached Molech, or would I descend into even more violence? In response to my heavy emotions, I let my halo wash around my head and shoulders, not bothering to suppress it. I should probably get this out of my system now before walking around in public while stricken with existential horror and burgeoning gold Empress murder powers.
I was about ready to turn around and descend the stairs, when a chill came over my very being.
"Are you ready for your next chapter, Inheritor?" a familiar otherworldly voice spoke, and I whirled around.
It was the fake-Sebastian I had seen in my bathroom mirror, and he was smiling at me in a way that I suspected the real Sebastian would never smile. Before I could cry out in surprise, he held up his hand, and I felt as if I needed to be silent.
"Be at peace, young lioness. We need to talk," he said in that powerful voice that almost reminded me of the Divine Retribution's inhuman velvet timbre...