Grimm sat in his office, swirling a glass of Vortian wine procured from the "war seizure" supplies. The finer things for the higher ups. Better than letting it go to waste. He was waiting for a response at his terminal, a video call to none other than Invader Nossa. The Invader was released from the medical bay of the General Krad and sent to Devastis to recuperate for a short while before dispatching her to her next assignment.
But Grimm had a special side mission for her in the interim…
The vid screen of his terminal remained a constant, fizziling static background with a brightly-colored, bold "CONNECTING…" message displayed. After some time, the scrambled background snapped into clarity and focus of the pristine, orderly quarters belonging to the Invader in question.
Her debatable loss to the Vylatian Alpha Queen did not leave her unscathed. Fresh, healing scars aplenty over her visage with new artificial limbs replacing what was damaged or destroyed by the insectoid warrior. Most catching of all was her facial implants.
From chin to temple where the Vylatian leader tore her face and devoured the shredded mass, cybernetics like her limbs were on full display. An ocular implant, obsidian black display, rimmed in bronze like her hands and digits. Rather than match her blazing orange eye color, a crimson targeting reticle followed her movements with actuation shutters mimicking eyelids. Equal parts uncanny as it was impressive to impersonate organic constructs in a disturbing fashion. Despite this drastic change of appearance and disfigurement, the Invader wore it as a badge of pride, standing against the Empire's enemies and all they could muster, failing to kill her.
Snapping to attention with a crisp salute, she gave Grimm her undivided attention.
"Supreme Commander Grimm, Sir! Reporting as ordered, Sir!"
Grimm returned her salute. "Invader Nossa, just the most loyal Invader I wish to speak to. I'm glad to see that such a prized asset to the Empire is still alive. Albeit with some new additions to your person. Your reputation of being hard to kill holds true as ever. How is your recovery?"
Salute returned, Nossa shifted to stand at-ease with pride at Grimm's praise.
"According to expectations, Supreme Commander. It is going to take far more than a disgusting oversized cockroach to be the end of me. My only regret is I was unable to return the gesture inside her wretched den before an audience of her children as I tore her limb-from-limb."
"You may have your chance in the future. We will return to Vylat with a new battle plan at some point and we will see the bugs squashed under boot. I will be certain to reserve you for that." He paused to sip his wine, a decadent red, dark as could be. "Tell me, Nossa, I have seen in your record that your loyalty to the Empire is unparalleled. That even those in Internal Affairs would envy your devotion to the cause. How far are you willing to go for the Empire?"
The Invader's posture or expression did not change in the slightest, nor was there hesitation.
"I would lay the bodies of the Empire's enemies at my Almighty Tallest's feet, no matter their stature. Including yours if need be, Sir."
Grimm grinned at her response. "I have an important mission for you. One I hope you will accept as I highly suspect the security of the Empire is at risk." The Supreme Commander paused to take another sip from his glass of wine as he collected his thoughts.
"Your boss, Vaukt, the man is very cagey. I have a very strong suspicion that he's planning some subterfuge in a political power play. The High Marshal of Internal Affairs agrees with this sentiment; she believes the man is building a cult of personality around him. Though, as you know, Internal Affairs is not allowed to pry into the affairs of Special Operations. How can they uncover a plot if they cannot investigate it? You see the conundrum we are dealing with, yes?"
The amalgamated Invader gave pause, processing what Grimm revealed to her. A plot…within her own branch, involving her commanding officer? Vaukt was…eccentric, certainly, but a traitor? Hardly. His craft saw many an Imperial victory. Even so, another member of High Command wouldn't so casually approach her without substance.
"I presume you have evidence supporting these claims, Supreme Commander. It is not my place to question, but these are serious accusations. None of which I have personally seen, Sir."
Grimm placed an audio device on his desk and hit the play button.
"Oy, ya hear the word from Clan Turo?"
"Nah, what?"
"We ain't gonna be this way for long."
"Chief of Turo's got it on good authority that they ain't long for keepin' us down. We gonna rise, they gonna arm us, we gonna take it to the Empire."
"Irken against Irken?"
"T'at's tha idea."
Grimm hit the stop button.
"Granted, these are just rumors going around Orenk. Pirates and mercenaries, you know how much trouble they have keeping their mouths shut when they get enough alcohol in their system. However, it's enough to give me some probable cause. IIA's been trying to poke at this and their agents have been threatened with arrest for violating protocols. We need more solid proof. You know we can't move against someone as high as Vaukt without solid evidence, or it'll be my head and Xilch's."
"Which is where my cooperation comes in." Nossa summarized, connecting the proverbial dots together where Grimm was leading her. "Assuming that audio you played is authentic, Sir…that is deeply concerning if it has anything to do with General Vaukt's handling of affairs. Has the investigation thus far not produced anything worthwhile?"
"SpecOps threatening to arrest IIA agents themselves, SpecOps calling IIA agents to arrest other IIA agents for poking around in things they're not supposed to, High Marshal Zha also knows nothing of the man's affairs. It's a very frustrating search yielding only frustration. The veil of secrecy SpecOps hides behind is nigh impossible to pierce from the outside. He certainly covers his tracks extremely well. But if he is planning something, the more he grows his plot, the more leaks he's sure to have as it were. He can cover himself and his most loyal troops but he certainly can't corral everyone."
A pause as Grimm shot her a sly smirk. "However, if we can make a connection with someone on the opposite side of the veil…"
"No need to pierce the veil if you are already beneath it." The Invader concluded his insinuations. "Authentic claims or not, this is an unwanted distraction from Impending Doom II. I, personally, do not want to be at-risk of failure because my support and superiors are bickering like smeets over inane nonsense. Proving this false and clearing the air would be beneficial for all. Proving this true, well…you already know, Supreme Commander."
"Of course. If I am wrong, I am wrong and this is just the ranting of some aliens with delusions of grandeur. However, if I am right in my hunch, I do not want to be caught unaware. Either outcome benefits us and the Empire at large. If you would be willing to dig into this matter until you reach the bottom of the pot, the Empire at large would greatly appreciate this service you'd render in an area we can't usually pry into because of current protocols in place."
Nossa bowed her head, palm across her chest.
"I would be honored to uphold the Imperial Standard and the wishes of my Almighty Tallest, Supreme Commander. None are above the Imperial Standard and all must be held accountable. Am I to notify you or High Marshal Xilch should I discover anything…peculiar?"
"Contact me…the Warmaster has seen fit that I stay on Irk until I can prove I won't turn more Elites into bug food. I am close enough to Xilch that I can send this information to her and she can decide the best course of action. Now, not just the Empire, but I greatly appreciate your service, Invader Nossa. You're a credit to all Invaders and they should aspire to follow in your exemplary path."
"You humble me, Supreme Commander. I am doing my duty and meeting expectations. Nothing more. Glory to the Almighty Tallest. Glory to the Empire."
"Glory to the Empire and the Almighty Tallest. Grimm out." With that he cut the transmission and took yet another sip, a grin on the man's face. He had done it. Xilch would have her mole and she would be a most satisfied woman indeed. A knock at his door interrupted the enjoyment of his victory. Sitting up, he set his wine glass down and tapped a button at his desk to open the door.
The High Marshal of Internal Affairs herself stood on the other side, stepping through once permitted. Grimm's mood did not go unnoticed as the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"You seem to be in awfully high spirits for someone under my watchful eye until further notice." She mused, semi-seriously as she casually approached. "Receive good news from the front?"
"Actually," Grimm reached into his desk to produce another glass and poured some Vortian wine into it, "you're going to be far happier as well."
"Oh? What gifts do you bear this time?" Xilch responded, bypassing the chairs before the Supreme Commander's desk to sit on the edge to his right and taking up the offered wine glass with a swirl and sample.
"I've secured the services of Nossa to be our mole into Special Operations."
The news gave her pause as she processed. Teal-blue eyes fell upon the seated Supreme Commander questioningly. Was he being authentic? The confidence in his tone and relaxed posture seemed to suggest so.
"Well, then…a toast to good fortune then." She offered her glass.
"May we sniff out whatever is brewing behind a veil of secrecy." Their glasses met with a clang and he took a sip,smugly satisfied as ever. "She was just as I assumed she would be. More than willing to work to uphold the Imperial Standard. Perhaps you should meet her in person when she completes this for you. She would be a fine asset over the long term."
"To be expected of one of the finest active Invaders in the Empire." Xilch concurred, adjusting her posture to better face Grimm. "I have read her personnel file front-to-back. She is beyond capable and will find success where there is only failure to be found for others. That being said, now the battle plan of exposing whatever is possibly afoot. Assigning Invader Nossa near or around Vaukt too closely will make him suspicious of his own. Too coincidental in the timing…"
She paused, studying her wine briefly before looking back to the seated Supreme Commander.
"What would you suggest? You've more interaction and experience in dealing with the man. How would you outsmart and outplay him? I'm genuinely curious to what the Butcher of Blorch would do in this situation."
"She can likely gather evidence from afar. She's in a unique position to access systems, listen in on talk. She knows how to covertly gather intelligence without notice. I can expect she's going to do what she does best."
"You conveniently failed to answer my queries, Supreme Commander." Xilch mused in good nature before taking another sip of wine, "but, you are correct in that assessment. Her experience and judgment will be enough to garner the information I seek. Suppose my gratitude is in order for your efforts."
"Perhaps it is." Grimm smirked as he leaned closer to her across his own desk. "And just how might you show your gratitude?"
The High Marshal settled for another sampling of wine as her unoccupied hand retrieved her dataslate from its pouch at her waist. Unlocking the device, she placed it on Grimm's desk. Turning it to face him, she slid it before him to inspect.
"After a great deal of…persuasion upon the behalf of Internal Affairs, Warmaster Burgg has seen it fit to return you to active duty with a looming, singular stipulation as a means of probation."
He was expecting something else from the High Marshal but he leaned back in his seat as he swept the data slate towards him, looking it over. He paused, putting down the dataslate as he looked across to her.
"It seems the Warmaster desires that you keep an eye on me…very personally I might add."
"He was adamant about keeping you off the frontlines until "folds were added to his brain"," She responded, air-quoting the Warmaster's words. "Certainly, you've had a misstep…or three in recent months, but your service record speaks for itself. Holding one to impossibly high standards sets them up for failure…even you."
Xilch did not delve into the unique nature of his probation. It was her turn to evade questions, it would seem. She settled for a drink, one lengthy leg crossing over the other while leaning against Grimm's opulent desk.
"I suppose it is not bad if I am keeping your company over that of one of your underlings."
"It is difficult to maintain authority whenever they are shorter than you, after all. There are worse punishments. I'm told Dirt is in dire need of Janitorial Drones…"
"Eugh, that would be terrible…"
"Indeed. You are fortunate to have me as your probation officer." Xilch smiled teasingly at him. "We wouldn't want you to be in violation of your terms, now would we?"
"Oh no, I'm certain I'd be chained up in your office and you'd do all sorts of sinister things to me." He spoke semi facetiously as he grinned at her before taking a sip from his own glass. "I could think of far worse company to keep and yours would be greatly enjoyable."
His choice of words and tone alone gave her a momentary pause before polishing the rest of her glass off to gingerly set it near the bottle. Doing so forced her to lean across his desk towards him.
"Hmm…you say this now not knowing what reprimands in my repertoire are at my disposal."
Rather than sit back up, she placed her palms to the edge of the desk for stability. Wrapping her digits to grip, she slid the lower half of her body closer. Where she sat now was well within Grimm's personal space. Were it not for the desk, she may as well had been seated in his lap.
"But…this is all speculation for you are an obedient sort who wouldn't dare tempt fate, aren't you?"
"Not at all, my dear. I am as loyal to the Imperial Standard as Nossa is." He closed the distance, giving the High Marshal a kiss on the lips as he tenderly placed a hand on her cheek. "I would prefer to remain on your good side."
Unlike before in her office, she wasn't caught off-guard. In fact, Xilch guiltily indulged into the affections paid by Grimm with a smirk into their kiss. "Mmmm…I'll be the judge of that. I hope you aren't expecting preferred treatment in this arrangement. I am quite stern."
"I don't think you'd have anything to worry about." He shot her a sly smirk. "You seem to enjoy my company as I am coming to enjoy yours even with the great power you wield."
One of her gloved palms rose to grasp the hand he placed to her cheek, the other idly toying with the fringe of his eppulatte of his shoulder board on his uniform.
"You say you aren't intimidated by it while walking a fine line between brave and foolish." Xilch jokingly mused with a smirk. "All the charm in the universe and whispered sweet-nothings won't save you from my wrath should you be in violation…yet here you are…standing fast before adversity, unwavering. I am beginning to see the traits that made you so successful in your campaigns."
"Even with some of the…unfortunate roadblocks, being as high up as I am requires an iron spooch, a steel resolve, and an unshakable courage in the face of anything. Even standing in front of the head of Internal Affairs herself, I cannot be shaken. The men don't like seeing that."
The High Marshal's shapely brow arched at his declaration.
"Is that so? Are you stating fact or is that an invitation of challenge?" Xilch grinned slyly at him. "You claim to be an immovable object…I am an unstoppable force by duty…"
She let her words hang briefly, using both of her hands to sit up from the desk. Rather than stand upright, she parked her posterior in Grimm's lap, seated side-saddle with a smirk as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"...what happens whenever they collide?"
"Perhaps the universe will be destroyed?" He wrapped his free arm around her as he swirled the remaining contents of his glass as he thought. "Or we are unable to overcome the other that we combine and become something that cannot be overcome." He placed a kiss on the High Marshal's jaw as he paused. "I would not be opposed to the latter."
Grimm's musings elicited a huff from Xilch as she remained content in his lap, leaning further into him and relaxing. "Let's not put the slorrbeast before the cart now…you are still in boiling hot water…but, through my guidance, I believe you can be…rehabilitated back to the path from which you strayed."
"I would not be opposed to that in the slightest my darling. Any excuse to spend more and more time in your company."
"Then you better be on your best behavior. The fewer complaints regarding you, the less work I have to do." Xilch summarized, leaning in for another kiss.
He leaned forward and indulged her, far longer this time, pulling back to catch his breath only to have his lips meet hers once again. The Supreme Commander was quite taken with her. Why not, she was a comforting presence and seemingly on his side. Sure to protect him from those out to get him…