"And so I become Variks, the Kell. House Judgment envoy to the Eliksni people." - Variks, Kell of House Judgement

Prologue: Chapter Three

Location: Aboard Varik's Skiff, Somewhere in the Kuiper Belt, Sol System

Variks had spent months working to gather the remnants of the Fallen houses under his banner. It was not enough. Those who remembered House Judgement were simply too few, and with too little power. He could not yet count even a singe Ketch to his name, let alone enough Fallen to crew one.

What he needed was leverage, something to entice the Fallen diaspora. They were not interested in technology or secrets. They wanted things of material value; weapons, armor, supplies, ships. More than anything, though, they wanted Ether. What he needed was a Prime Servitor, but how could he get one? Where could he find one, or the resources to build one?

He was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of someone walking up to the cockpit. Before they reached the door, he croaked "Enter quickly. Have not all day, yes?" with mild amusement at his own inside joke. He had nothing but time these days.

"Kell, I bring news from Crows, from Last City. An invitation, addressed to you, delivered by Hidden. From Calus. To Leviathan Palace," offered a Vandal - for his crew had no Dregs - somewhat hesitantly.

"Delivered by Hidden?" That meant his Crows in the Last City had been uncovered. Why then, were they still alive? Finally, Variks allowed his mind to process the last bit. "Calus has invited me, by name? To his Leviathan?" It took all his self-control not to shout.

"Indeed," replied the Vandal.

"Were instructions included? Transponder codes? Timeframe?" asked Variks quickly.

"Indeed," replied the Vandal.

"To all?" demanded Variks.

"Indeed," replied the Vandal, before procuring a data storage device from a pouch and handing it to Variks.

Variks inserted it into his hand terminal and his mind devoured the contents in a flash.

"Tell crew: Preparing to meet Emperor. Play nice. Behave, yes?" Variks ordered as calmly as he could, before turning sharply and seating himself at the flight controls.

Within seconds, their course was set, and transponder codes pre-loaded into the computer and programmed to switch over the instant the ship entered the Leviathan's Restricted Space.


He had known the Leviathan was large, but seeing it in person made him realize words like "large" and "huge" could never do it justice. Unfortunately, the only other words he knew for something bigger were "massive" and "gargantuan," and he had already used "gargantuan" to describe Oryx's Dreadnought to himself. Looks like "massive" would have to do.

So, it was massive. It was also gold. Very, very, very gold. Not his style, but one couldn't argue its effect. Its ventral side shone from the light of the twin miniature suns orbiting around the tallest point of the spire jutting out above the palace above the "nose" of the vessel, and given how it was oriented its dorsal side no doubt shone from the light of Sol. Brilliant gold from every angle, and seven hundred kilometers long, this was most certainly a vessel fit for an Emperor.

He was close now, could begin to make out details, individual buildings. Then, as he slowed down for final approach, he could even make out throngs of Cabal and even smaller figures in the streets. Finally, he landed.

He summoned his honor guard before making his way through his ship, down to the disembarking ramp, and out to the Leviathan itself. He led his group past the Royal Guard standing vigil, up over a kilometer of stairs, through the Castellum, and finally, to the throne room itself.

Now, bathed in the literal glory of the Emperor, a warmth which seemed to radiate directly from Calus, it was all Variks could do but bow in the ancient House Judgement tradition: eyes up, hands on the floor.

Suddenly there was laughter. Deep, booming laughter which seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"You may rise, Variks the Most Loyal, Keeper of Secrets, Kell of House Judgement. Your gesture is appreciated and accepted."

Deciding to dispense with the theatrics with which he normally conducted himself, Variks spoke in perfect English: "Many thanks, Emperor Calus. You desired my presence, sought me out. Why, if I may ask?"

"Why of course. You see, I know your Fallen, those who were once the noble Eliksni. I know how glorious your people were. I know how when the end came, you fought. I know how the Great Machine that you so adored, which had uplifted you like it had so many others before you, fled in the face of the coming end. And more than anything, I know your desperation. The desperation to survive, yes, but more than that: to live.

I have been there myself. I too once lost everything, and even I spent time wallowing in despair and self-pity. Then, at the black edge of the universe, I saw the end, the end of everything, and my eyes were opened. You see, what is life, but the living of it? All things end, even the universe itself. What could possibly matter more, ultimately, than making the most of the time you have?

What I promise you is life. Not just survival, but life itself," he says as he spreads his arms wide as if he were a merchant displaying his wares. Suddenly, a Prime Servitor appears before him in royal purple, with resplendent gold highlights. As he closes them again, he finishes with "In return, I simply reserve the right to be the last, and for that I will need the strongest at my side."

"This servitor, how did you make it?" asked Variks, trying not to let his astonishment blind him.

"Did you think the Traveler was the only source of life? Of light? There is more to the universe than light and dark. Would you like me to show you?" said Calus, the mirth in his voice growing with every word.

"I would," replied Variks. Calus laughed once more, even more heartily than before, and then Variks' eyes were opened.


A/N: Well, some of you asked about the Fallen. Here they are.

Also, for those of you who don't know, I've started a companion story to this, An Empire Reborn: Codex. It's exactly what it says on the tin, Codex entries for this story. If you're confused by anything or want to know more about something, go there and read through it. If it's something I've not gotten to in that, leave a review over there and I'll incorporate your feedback as soon as I can.