Byzantium Inquisitorial Records

Name: Nathaniel Eugene Clark

Age: 56 With Warp travel/Looks 18 after rejuvenation

Ordo: Xenos

Rank: Inquisitor Lord

Homeworld: Mantanya

Social Origin: Rancher

Classification: Former Agri world, currently Orkoid

Expertise: Dark Eldar (Specialty), Craftworld Eldar, Necrons-Horkhesh, Tau Empire, Minor Xenos powers

Assignment Level: High Delta/Low Gamma

Specialties: Telepathy (Primary) Biomancy (Secondary) Telekinesis (Tertiary)

Combat Proficiencies: Tianese Martial Arts, Alban Brawling, Farseer Singing Spear (Sanctioned), Plasma Pistol

Philosophy: Puritan/Ardentite-Less concerned with chasing miracles and more concerned with protecting humanity until it finishes its evolution into a psychically mature species by the will of the Emperor.

Reputation: In the Byzantine Conclave he is a polarizing figure. He completes his missions efficiently and thoroughly, though he can be a bit excessive at times. His hatred of the Xenos, to the point where he won't even work with them in the face of a common enemy, has earned him the contempt of more pragmatic Inquisitors. He also has a rebellious anti-authority attitude, especially when planetary nobility and Administratum bureaucrats are concerned. His vocal support for Crusades against the Paratain Craftworld, Horkhesh Dynasty, and Tau Empire even though the Imperium doesn't want to waste resources on what they consider to be irrelevant targets at this point in time has annoyed many and has had them worry about how far he will go in instigating a war with these powers.

Operational Methods: Prefers subtle infiltration of planet, doesn't like to make his presence known to planetary authorities if it can be helped. Disguises himself to blend in with the populace, visits persons of interests to discover what he needs to know. If there is a xenos presence or xenos contact, he brings down his forces quickly to handle the threat, dealing with any traitors as necessary.

Physical Description: 6ft 6 inches, large frame and well muscled, scars covering body, brown hair and icy stone gray eyes. Normally wrinkled with gray hair he has recently undergone a rejuvenation treatment removing these. When he isn't in the field he is often seen in a formal suit or traditional Tianese clothing. In the suit he sports rough and dependable clothing under his carapace armor and trench coat. A common trend for his outfits is his Mantanyan cowboy hat.

Bio: Born into a humble ranching family on the world of Mantanya, he had a fairly uneventful childhood till the age of eight. In the face of an Ork invasion he and his sister were abandoned by their parents and the Tau, they were captured by Orks, and finally sold into slavery with the Bleeding Heart Kabal of Dark Eldar. After ten years of captivity a daemon possession gave him the opportunity to escape. He managed to exorcise the daemon on the world of Tian where he was taken in by Inquisitor Huian Wei. Taken in as her adopted son he was groomed to become her successor and quickly showed a talent for the life. During the incursion of the Horkhesh Dynasty the disgraced Inquisitor Wei was lost to the Necrons and her retinue was destroyed. Nathaniel was raised to the rank of full Inquisitor and set out to put together a retinue. During this time he has saved many Imperial worlds and citizens from Xenos tyranny and has brought about the destruction of seven different Xenos races.

Personality: As previously stated, Nathaniel has issues with figures of authority, unless they have earned his respect. It doesn't help matters that as an Inquisitor he has jurisdiction over most Imperial officials, only his fellow Inquisitors manage to keep him in check. He is extremely independent and free willed, even for an Inquisitor. He hates most planetary nobility and has no use for the Administratum. He has a soft spot for the poor and downtrodden, and for his retinue who he considers to be his family. His hatred of the Xenos is fanatical even by Imperial standards, and many measures are put in place to make sure he doesn't interfere with Imperial dealings with the Xenos. He has a dry wit and keen intellect, combined with his rebelliousness making him insufferable at times for his fellow Inquisitors. He has a love for various human cultures and is an avid collector of unique cultural items from every world he visits. He has a particular soft spot for the Tianese culture of his adopted mother Inquisitor Wei. Despite his knowledge, he likes to feign ignorance of other cultures, mostly as an odd running joke of his. He also has a more scholarly bent and has written many informational articles and journals about various Xenos for the Inquisition and other Imperial forces to use.

Nathaniel leaves Inquisitor O'Peak's office with his head whirling with thought. After so many years, he has finally found Aun'sal and their vile abomination of an offspring, but he had to move cautiously, one false step and his entire career would be destroyed with his life forfeit. Before he heads off to the rejuvenation chamber, he remembers that he needs to put in an order for a Callidus assassin, so he heads over to the Ordo Sicarius representative. The Ordo Sicarius is in charge of overseeing the assassins, and making sure they don't kill all the High Lords, again. Being so far from Terra it was kind of hard to get in contact with the temples, so the Ordo Sicarius always liked to place a representative of theirs at Byzantium to ease the acquirement, usually an older Inquisitor of their Ordo who couldn't do the job anymore. Inquisitor Gregory was a relic of a previous era, kind of senile and in no shape to continue his duties in the field, he simply wasn't that observant anymore. Ever lonely, he peeks up when he see's Nathaniel enter his office.

"Company, how wonderful, would you like some tea."

"No, but thank you for the offer, I am here to put in a request for a Callidus assassin."

"Okay, may I have your name, Ordo, rank, and target to be impersonated. I will also need to see your seal." The Inquisitor pulls out a sheet of paper to take down this information.

Nathaniel pulls out his Inquisitorial seal to confirm his authority. "I am Inquisitor Nathaniel Clark of the Ordo Xenos, Inquisitor Lord, and I plan to infiltrate the Tau Empire, the assassin will need to be familiar with Tau society and especially the water caste who she will be impersonating."

"Hmmm, I am sure the assassin will need to be briefed while on her trip here but they are all quite clever girls, all quick learners, I guarantee she will not fail."

"Wonderful news, hope to hear from you then." Nathaniel left the room and headed to the rejuvenation chamber.

Meanwhile Melissa takes Tsubaki to registration to get her into the records. It was important to get this over with as quickly as possible. The clerk herself appeared to be helpful. "Alright my dear, may I have your full name?" This is basic procedure for the bureaucrat.

"Tsubaki"

"Just Tsubaki, no family or middle name, or is it Tsu Ba Ki?"

"Tsubaki is all one name; the actions my family undertook for the sake of the Emperor prevented us from taking a family name to bring shame upon."

"Well I need a family name, the records need a family name, and the records will be incomplete without a family name. What is your master's family name?"

"My master is Inquisitor Lord Nathaniel Clark."

"Very well, Tsubaki Clark it is, I am sure he won't mind if you share his name. Would you like a middle name while we're at it?"

"Do I need a middle name?"

"Not really know, but if you choose to take a middle name you will need to fill out the proper paperwork. Now stick out your hand." The clerk pulls out a long metallic cylinder and places it up against Tsubaki's thumb. A needle quickly punches her thumb and grabs a blood sample, Tsubaki jumps a little but isn't really hurt. "DNA samples are very important for identification. The sensors already analyzed you as you walked in so there is no need for that. Oh, how old are you and what planet are you from, along with social class."

"I am twelve years old; I am a Shinobi from New Kyoto."

"Alright, that's all I need for now, we can fill out the rest of this information as you get older, have a nice day." They head out of the room and down the hall, on their trip, Tsubaki decides to asks a question."

"I know I have been with you guys for a short time, but I have wondered, what kind of Inquisitor is Inquisitor Clark? On New Kyoto we heard some terrifying stories about the Inquisition."

Melissa decides that it is time to enlighten her. "Inquisitor Clark has had a hard life, what he has endured has hardened him. He has mercy and compassion for his fellow man, but for the Xenos, his ruthlessness and cruelty can shock even the harshest of Inquisitors. This is best demonstrated in his destruction of the Farseer Marltona, which was actually my first assignment with him. Even though I was at a safe distance during the confrontation, he has not been shy sharing the details, I share this story with you so that you may understand our master better, and gain a better understanding of both his resolve and his hatred.

Meanwhile Nathaniel had entered the rejuvenation chamber. Byzantium's rejuvenation chamber was different than some other, it took longer but was far more effective. As the process began, he decided to recollect about his fateful battle with Farseer Marltona.

Five years ago

On the Eldar maiden world of Barasul, Nathaniel waited. Craftworld Paratain had tried to establish a colony here, hoping to begin the rebuilding of the Eldar Empire. Nathaniel had caught wind of this and had descended upon the colony with his retinue and a force of Stormtroopers, apparently the Farseers had dropped the ball because the inhabitants were completely defenseless. Right now, Nathaniel sat in the burning ruins of their settlement with a pile of 350 spirits stones by his side, the settlers of the colony. Their corpses still littered the village but they not his concern at the moment, she had come. Nathaniel knew that Marltona would want to face him alone, so he had sent his forces away to an observation distance. Nathaniel was gripped by apprehension as he saw Marltona emerge through the flames, a look of pure disgust on her face.

"I should have dealt with you personally years ago, boy. You have been nothing but a spanner in the works for my plans, messing with every single prediction I make. It was foolish of me to hope that the Tyranids or the Necrons would deal with you."

"I have often wondered about the disastrous fall of Tian, and the reports of crippling depression and fear that overtook the Imperial lines at exactly the right moments for the Tyranids. Then I remembered the specialty of your Craftworld is empathetic abilities, or sharing emotions with others. You even have an entire aspect shrine dedicated to this."

Marltona puts a smile on her face. "You always were a clever Mon'keigh, never as naïve nor as trusting as your mistress. I did value her friendship for awhile, but when the time was right to dispose of her I did not hesitate. It was like putting down an old dog that couldn't go on anymore, an act of loving mercy for an inferior beast, at least it would have been if you had not interfered and messed up my plans."

"Now Inquisitor Wei has merged with a Necron Phaeron, was that what you had planned as well?"

"I am not omnipotent, it certainly came as a surprise and my Craftworld as suffered greatly for my attempted hands off approach, but no more, today I will be rid of you once and for all. I have a fitting punishment in store for you, a technique so controversial that it would be banned by my people if it ever became common knowledge."

"And what technique is that?"

"I will drag your soul out of my body and imprison it in my spirit stone. Once there your soul will not be able to join with your weakling seer's soul in the warp. Your spirit will forever be at my mercy suffering spiritual tortures unimaginable by my debased kin. And when I crystallize alongside my forbearers, you will be at their mercy as well. We will keep you like that till the day when the Eldar race is reborn and we are all reincarnated into new bodies. Then I shall inflict the greatest punishment upon you imaginable, I shall wipe your memories and have you reborn into an Eldar body as well. Spending the rest of your existence as a being you once despised so much will be the greatest vengeance for my people against you." Marltona has a mad look in her eye.

"That is the most incoherent, unlikely, and idiotic thing I have ever heard. I would need a book to detail everything wrong and impractical about that plan of yours. I knew that Eldar were sometimes given to flights of fancy but you have gone over the cliff with this plan of yours. Your biggest mistake however is your misguided belief that your race has a future, and that you can beat me in combat."

"You say that now, but your day of reckoning is upon you."

Nathaniel looks at her and smiles smugly, picking up a spirit stone from the pile. "While I was waiting for you, I took some time to learn about a few of my victims by contacting their spirits in these stones. It wasn't that difficult for me; in this pitiful state their defenses were quite pathetic. This one right here belonged to a little Eldar girl; she wanted her first path to be the path of motherhood, followed by becoming a Howling Banshee." Nathaniel uses his telekinetic powers to shatter the spirit stone; a look of fury appears on Marltona's face.

"How dare you, you monster, you would condemn innocent life so callously, sending the spirit of a scared and defenseless girl to She Who Thirsts?" Marltona is shaking in uncontrollable rage.

"Don't give me that, how many human lives have you callously thrown away, how many dreams have you destroyed, how many souls have you damned? There is room alone in this galaxy for one race, and it isn't the Eldar."

"I am going to enjoy this more than I should." She unleashes all powers in a blue beam of right that hits Nathaniel in the face, trying to suck out his soul. Nathaniel easily fights back and breaks her technique.

"Did you really think it was going to be that easy to take me down, you will need to fight me first if you want your plan to succeed?"

With inhuman speed, Marltona charges Nathaniel with her spear. Nathaniel does catch her off guard by grabbing her spear as she lunges in and slamming her against the wall, using her own force against her. While she is disoriented he lands a fist directly into her face sending her staggering backwards. Not wanting to lose this advantage, he jump kicks her in the chest knocking the wind out of her and sending her to the ground. Standing over her waiting to deliver the final blow she finds enough strength to sweep his feet and knock him to the ground. Before he has a chance to get up she jumps in the air and lands on his stomach with both of her feet, making him lose his breath. She lunges her spear into his shoulder, pinning him to the ground, and begins the process again, this time sure she will be successful. Nathaniel summon all of his mental strength for one last telekinetic attack, not on the Farseer but on the spirit stones, breaking them all. The shock of so many lost Eldar souls is enough to distract Marltona as she cries out in agony. This gives Nathaniel enough time to toss her off, pull the spear out of his shoulder, and stab her in throat with the tip. Triumphant, Nathaniel leans over the dying Marltona as she begins to cough up blood.

"Now listen to me, you foul witch, and listen good, the future belongs to the human race. I won't destroy your spirit stone, oh no, I intend to keep you as a trophy. And when I destroy your Craftworld and slaughter every single last one of you foul manipulators and break every single spirit stone, I will leave you in the ruins, alone for all time with your failure in your dead Craftworld. I give you my word as an Inquisitor of the Imperium that this shall come to pass." As the light leaves Marltona's eyes, the last thing she sees before going into her spirit stone is Nathaniel smiling cruelly down at her. Nathaniel left her lifeless body there, her body covered with the ruins of 350 shattered spirit stones. He had taken her armor and clothes as trophies alongside her spirit stone. All in all, it had been a good day. One foul xenos enemy gone, three more to go, Nathaniel would have his vengeance against them all.

Tsubaki has a look of shock on her face as Melissa finishes the story, and Melissa tries to comfort her. "Inquisitor Clark is not a bad man, but he isn't a nice man either. Everything he does he does for the human race and the Imperium of Man. It is not our place to judge him when we think he has been cruel, for we can never truly understand what he has been through. One day I am sure he will share with you the same memories he has shared with me, but even then you will never truly understand him or the horrors he faced."

Nathaniel smiled as the rejuvenation process began. Farseer Marltona and Archon Taelbeirt were now dead, that only left Aun'sal and Phaeron Cleandra Wei. One way or another, Nathaniel would have his vengeance.