Byzantium Inquisitorial Records

Name: Tsubaki Clark (Adopted by Inquisitor Clark)

Age: 12

Ordo: Xenos

Rank: Apprentice

Homeworld: New Kyoto

Social Origin: Shinobi (A group of covert operatives that serve the same function the Adeptus Arbites serves, but in a more subtle manner.)

Classification: Feudal World

Expertise: Shinobi Techniques

Assignment Level: Kappa

Specialties: Infiltration, Reconnaissance, Combat

Combat Proficiencies: Shinobi Weapons, Poisons, Kyotoan Martial Arts

Philosophy: Yet to be determined

Reputation: None

Operational Methods: Yet to be determined

Physical Description: A young Kyotoan girl with brown eyes and long black hair. She has been seen wearing a kimono; it can be assumed that she wears her Shinobi outfit when out in the field. It is still too early to define a standard wardrobe for her.

Bio: Born and raised among the Shinobi of New Kyoto, she was trained from birth by her grandma while her parents did their work, only meeting a few times in her life. After her parents death her grandmother asked Inquisitor Clark to take her on as apprentice, and her service has just begun.

Personality: Not much is known at this time, but she appears to have an inquisitive personality, wanting to understand the lifestyle she is now a part of. She is patient and obedient, trying to learn from the experience of those around her.

Storming through the halls of Byzantium with Tsubaki in tow, Melissa was on a mission to find her master. He had been gone the entire night without telling anyone, and now when they were ready to leave he didn't even bother to show up. Learning that he had been spending time at the lounge it had become quite clear to her that he had gotten drunk and passed out at a friend's room. Nathaniel had very few vices, but he did have a weakness for alcohol, especially when surrounded by friends. Fortunately she had gotten the necessary info on what room to find him in. Reaching the door she pulls it open ready to give him a piece of her mind, only to be stopped in her tracks. Tsubaki watches as Melissa's face turns bright red and she shuts the door.

"What's wrong, is there a problem?" Tsubaki is genuinely wondering what is going on.

Melissa, still with a bright red face, turns to her young compatriot, "Well, it turns out that the rejuvenation process went well, he looks like he is eighteen years old, and apparently he has been celebrating."

Not wanting to press it further Tsubaki leaves it at that. Melissa knocks on the door to give a final message. "Master, I am heading back to the ship, please finish up and return to us as quickly as possible, we are resupplied with provisions and storm troopers." Melissa heads back to the ship with her face still bright red, with Tsubaki still wondering what she saw.

A few minutes later both Nathaniel and Jun are fully dressed with Nathaniel getting ready to head out.

"I am terribly sorry about that Jun; I probably should have informed my retinue about my whereabouts."

"It's alright, that little moment of embarrassment is nothing compared to the fun we had last night." Jun's face blushes a little after saying this. "You will stay in contact with me, right?"

"Of course we'll keep in contact, I oversee you don't I. I would also like to have a long term relationship with you."

Jun's face lights up at this, "Really".

"Yes, we may have just met last night but I feel like we share something special. But for the moment I think we should keep our relationship a secret, life in the Inquisition is dangerous and we don't want our enemies to exploit our feelings for each other, granted I have many more enemies than you so you would probably be the one put in the most danger by our relationship."

"I understand Inquisitor." She has a sad look on her face as this reality sinks in.

Nathaniel moves on over to her and kisses her, letting go he decides to give her some comfort. "You are a beautiful and talented young Inquisitor, I am happy that I have met you and I hope that we have a long and happy future together, but that dream cannot be realized until I have dealt with a few more enemies of mine."

"I look forward to that day Inquisitor."

Back on the ship, Nathaniel finally shows up. His retinue is giving him the stink eye with the exception of Margaret who is giving him a thumbs up and a smile. Tsubaki is still oblivious to what has happened. "Ladies, I don't want to hear anything, I am a grown man and your employer, I can do what I want with who I want, as long as they consent of course."

"I just hope you know what you are doing, you have too many enemies to have a successful love life, and you are putting her in great danger with your relationship." Jasmine, never being one to hold back a good criticism, lets him have it.

"Which is why we will be keeping it a secret?"

"You don't just have external xenos enemies, but also enemies in the Inquisition that are gunning for you. And let's not forget that you are her boss, this is a major conflict of interest. Also, have you considered that she may be working with one of your opponents against you, this wouldn't be the first time a great man was brought down by a pretty face with a knife hidden behind her back." As usual, Deepal was analyzing everything.

"I love her, she makes me happy, can't any of you stand me finding true love and being happy?"

"You just met this woman; you can't love her this much right away." It was Amara's turn to chime in.

"Don't we make you happy?" Melissa delivers the finishing blow.

"Of course you guys make me happy, but she gives me a different kind of happiness." Nathaniel is ignoring the love comment.

"I don't know why they are so upset, I say good for you; as long as you don't hurt us go for it." Margaret is uncharacteristically supportive.

"What about you Toni, do you have anything to contribute?" Nathaniel wants to consult the senior members of his retinue.

"Truth be told, I don't understand these sentimental relationships, as long as you know what you are doing, go for it."

"Regardless of your feelings, we need to get going to the border with the Tau Empire, we have work to do. I just know that the Tau are preparing for another offensive, we have done nothing but show continual weakness. If I can get the information I need, we will be able to gather a crusade that will sweep away the Tau once and for all."

"What information do you seek that will convince the Imperium to move against what they consider to be an insignificant threat?" Deepal is skeptical as usual.

"The Tau have been interbreeding with humans, creating a hybrid race and defiling the sacred human form."

All in his retinue have a shocked look on their face at this revelation.

"If this is true, the Imperium would displace space and time in their rush to end this abomination, the Ecclesiarchy would rush in with a righteous fury sweeping away all in their path." Jasmine as usual see's the big picture right away.

"Exactly, as of right now the High Lords are too concerned with more blatant threats to realize the long term threat of the Tau. This world filled with abominations, this blatant threat to the racial purity of the human race will inflame not only our Conclave, but all of the Imperium. We shall descend, imbued with the wrath of the Emperor and wipe the Tau Empire from the galaxy." Nathaniel is downright manic at this point.

"Very well master, we will head out." Melissa reaffirms her master and together they head out for the border.

Meanwhile on the Craftworld Paratain, Farseer Trianna is smiling as she is looking at her runes. "So Nathaniel has taken my bait, it took awhile to set this up but I am sure it will pay off in the end, my puppet Inquisitor shall be the instrument of my vengeance. Having my ranger son seduce his apprentice will serve as an excellent distraction as my true plan is put into motion, by the time he realizes what has happened, it will be too late."

"Indeed, just don't forget who is responsible for bringing this situation about." A blue and golden avian eye appeared in her chamber and it was talking to her.

"What are you doing contacting me here? Do you know what would happen to me if my people found me consorting with you?"

"Don't worry child, your people won't know about your connection with me until it is too late and their Craftworld is mine."

Trianna becomes quite uncomfortable at that comment.

"Don't forget about our pact child, your vengeance over this boy, total control over your Craftworld, and undreamt of levels of psychic power, enough that your people will never be threatened again. All I ask for in turn are the souls and devotion of you and your people to my master."

Once again, Trianna looks uncomfortable.

"Don't tell me you are getting anxious now child, you have already signed the pact. If you are worried about your people, don't, in time they will see the wisdom of your actions. Your people barely cling to existence, every year more and more of you are lost. Ynnead is nothing more than a false hope, whispered to you to keep you away from powers that could truly bring about the salvation of your people. Slaanesh will never lay a hand on any of your people, I assure you, and in turn your powers will be magnified to even greater levels."

Trianna winces in pain at the mention of the name of She Who Thirsts.

"Come now, it's silly for an intelligent and wise woman like yourself to wince at a simple name that your Craftworld no longer needs to fear."

"My people may eventually be able to accept our pact, but I don't think they shall ever truly forgive me for it. Was it truly my place to make this pact, there are four other Farseers on this Craftworld."

"Geniuses are never appreciated in their time, in the end your people will appreciate what you have done for them, but now I must take my leave, one of your colleagues is coming."

The Daemon eye vanishes as Trianna hears a knock at the door. "Come in." It's her friend and colleague Farseer Selena.

"Trianna they told me you were in here, come on we were going to have lunch today."

"Of course, how could I forget, I was just busy looking into the future."

"Oh, and what have you seen, something good I hope?"

"Oh yes my friend, our future is very bright indeed."

On the world of New Mantanya, or Guela'Tau, Sarah Clark was out star gazing. Then again, Sarah Clark was her human name, her Tau name was Aun'Vre'Commorragh'Eur'ii'J'karra'Ko'vash. She had a human like face, height, and figure, with five fingers and long curly brown hair, but the rest of her was definitely Tau, including the hooves. She was the first of a kind, a human/tau hybrid. In the nightmarish city of Commorragh her parents had both enslaved to a vicious Dark Eldar Archon. Despite the circumstances and their different species, they had grown attached to one another. Normally the Tau did not follow human courtship methods, usually just meeting up to produce a child, but Commorragh brought about the exception of many rules. Her father sacrificed his life so that her mother could escape with her from the crazy Archon. And now, she and her mother were the Ethereals in charge of this world, where human and tau were coming together and becoming one. A new race was emerging, a race that would hopefully be able to bridge the gap between the two races and she had a fundamental job in making this plan come true for the Empire. It was through sheer coincidence that she had discovered her father's parents and younger brother among the humans settled on this world. From them she had learned that both her father and aunt whom she was named after were firm believers in self sacrifice, willingly staying behind so that their parents and baby brother could escape. Despite the Empires best attempts to rescue them, they were sadly kidnapped and taken to Commorragh. Sarah felt great pride in the fact that her father had been a firm believer in self sacrifice for the greater good. Her mother often told her that her father loved her the moment she was born, and that was why he sacrificed everything so that she could be raised outside of the Dark City. The Tau as a rule did not understand love, but she did, and she would never forget his sacrifice for her. Her uncle had been one of the earliest converts to the cause, enthusiastically joining with a member of the water caste, they had been instrumental in creating the fusion of tau/human culture she hoped would be the future. Looking up at the stars one last time, she hoped beyond hope that her father was still alive and that one day they might finally meet. She knew it was a crazy hope, but it was a hope nonetheless. Getting up she heads on home to her house and a good night's sleep.

Methuselah sits on his ship the Miss Liz, ready to enter a meditative state. They were on their way to an Old One outpost where he hoped to find some answers, specifically who was the Old One behind the Tau. He was filled with hope that more of his people had survived, and yet feared who he would eventually have to destroy; no one could stand in the way of mankind's manifest destiny.

(One final bonus chapter, Methuselah focused)