Sleep eluded Jastilus as he lay resting on his side, he had spent several hours fruitlessly pursing rest and now frustration raced through his mind. Blankly he gazed round his quarters, noting the sparse utilitarian designs with distaste, a far cry from his previous life of wealth and splendor. His bunk was less than half the span of his former feather down mattress, with covers that he doubted had ever seen softener, yet it had proved a haven of solace after long days training. The finely polished wood of a simple wardrobe stood across from his bed, ambient light from a data-slate illuminating the twilight. The slate sat atop a small steel desk tucked into the corner of the room, similar nights without sleep saw Jastilus bury himself deep within the archives of the ship deep in research, though of reading was not appetising.
Jastilus uttered a silent thanks in knowledge that he would soon be able to requisition some new surroundings, the cramped tunnels and sterile rooms of the ship we're an uncomfortable change. Thankfully there were little restrictions on adding items to the room, and Hermina Secondus was a reknown trading center, for someone of wealth such as himself purchasing some more comfortable replacements wouldn't be a problem. The selfishness at his thoughts caused a pang of chastisement, the mission however vague at this point, was his primary concern, Kasteel had chosen him for a reason, letting down the Inquisitor or worse sullying the name of his house was unthinkable.
Night cycle was in place aboard the Tear, and while more experienced crew had little trouble sleeping through the perils and dangerous expanse that was warp travel, Jastilus shared no such comfort, he had heard the horror stories of demons ripping crews to shreds or worse if the Geller field so much as flickered, how anyone slept through this was incomprehensible. Not to mention the time distortion, the ships rating had told stories of ships arrive years later than they intended, any point to their journey gone, or perhaps stranger; arriving before they had even begun their journey, the concept twisted through Jastilus's mind leading him further him from sleep.
Dragging himself from the warmth of his bed Jastilus dressed himself in night-clothes and boots before opening the to door to the deck, if natural sleep was impossible Jastilus wagered he could at least drink himself unconscious, failing that it he could at least numb the anxiety clawing at his chest.
Following the dark corridors toward the lounge voices could be heard emanating from the quarters shared by his stormtrooper instructors, the two peculiar individuals he had already grown to find amusing and loathe in equal measure for their blase attitude to his well-being. From the rapid and fearful tone It sounded as if Weylend was reliving some traumatic event, Jastilus guessed some previous mission on some Emperor forsaken world, muffled through the door he could just about make out names moaned by the trooper, mixed with garbled orders, the words "Genestealers" and "Casualties" were said with a frequency that made Jastilus uncomfortable, remembering stories told to him by his beloved Uncle Otto of the various Xeno horrors he had encountered during his years as an officer in the Guard. Between the increasingly disheartening rambling, Charus's attempts to wake and reassure his comrade could be heard, the futile attempts followed by what sounded suspiciously like a painful slap across the face to Jastilus, though it succeed in rousing the haunted Weylend.
"You were having a Warp terror, it's OK mate, we're OK." came the surprisingly compassionate reassurance from Charus.
"Man, I was having the worst dream, we were back on the Hulk, those frakking Genestealers," Weylend spoke with a voice full of pain.
"I know buddy, It was a shit hole"
"Then we were Inducted by some crazy Inquisitor, and did some weird stuff, at least, at least it was just a dream." Weylend's dreamy reply caused Jastilus to choke back laughter.
"Mate, that did happen" compassion faded to annoyance in Charus's voice, exasperated at his comrades suspect memory.
Deciding that spending his night eavesdropping was probably a waste of time Jastilus, entered the crew lounge noting the lighting was slightly lighter, slightly warmer and much more comfortable than the miserable dullness of the corridor
"Doesn't anyone here sleep?" Jastilus shot the question towards the seated form of Solaria, hunched over some mechanical device disassembled across the table failing to notice him enter.
"Where would the fun in that be? Besides Warp trave, remember?l" the usual cheerfulness of Solaria seemed untouched by the same fatigue Jastilus suffered.
"Yeah, Warp travel seems to have that effect on people, wait do you Techpriests even sleep?" The thought hadn't even crossed his mind until now.
"Long story, and a boring one at that," Solaria turned and smiled at the acolyte, gesturing towards the seat opposite which Jastilus gratefully accepted, along with a cup of Caffeine produced from the inbuilt dispenser.
"Not exactly pressed for time are we?" Jastilus yawned sleepily, thinking it would be ironic to fall asleep now after failing to in his own room.
"I sleep, but not often. Story Done" Solaria answered, eyes still fixed on the device dissembled in front of her.
"Know much about Hermenia Secondus? Apart from the technical stuff I mean," Jastilus knew much about the planet, but he was eager to keep talking, and the subject was fairly relevant considering.
"No actually, just the basic information, climate, population, Why? Have you been there before?" Solaria's looked up from her work, interest piqued.
"Sort of," Jastilus replied with a wry grin, enjoying feeling knowledgeable for a change.
"What sort of answer is that?" Solaria's nose wrinkled with frustration, clearly eager to learn about the world they would soon arrive at.
"How about a deal? I'll tell you what I know if you do something for me" The wry smile stretched into grin of sly superiority.
"And what pray tell are you suggesting Jastilus Havelock?" Solaria coyly responded, clearly enjoy the exchange.
"I was going to suggest you could tell me more about the Inquisitor, or how you ended up working for him?"
"You underwhelm me, Jastilus," Solaria said shaking her head in mock disappointment.
"Fine then, but it's quite boring."
Rain hammered the foundry's viewing panes,the torrential downpour endless and unyielding, howling wind tore at the robes of the poor souls unlucky enough to be stationed outside the great forge's labyrinthine structure of endless corridors and cavernous warehouses. The door to the Arch-Magos assembly had been sealed for hours now, red bulb glowing in the half-light signalling conference was in progress. The Mechanicus were in summit to decide the fate of a young and talented adept with a roguish streak, and a penchant for tinkering with forbidden machinery.
Frustration had gripped Solaria for the last few hours, furiously she attempted to circumvent the security protocols preventing her from eavesdropping, unfortunately the data slate's custom algorithms were insufficient to penetrate the firewalls. Reluctantly Solaria admitted defeat, an aura of anger hung above her as she sat perched on the edge of the munitions crate, her disenchantment was palpable. A high-pitched whine of servos turned her attention to a familiar figure, her tutor Tech-Magos D'vinto approached, tracks echoing along the length of the corridor.
"Child, you understand the gravity of your situation" D'vinto's synthetic voice-box made it impossible to discern whether it was a statement or a question.
"I do Magos, I don't agree with it, but I understand." Solaria replied bitterly.
"I am disappointed, though not in you." D'vinto continued, sensing her distress. "You are naturally gifted, the machine spirits speak to you clearly, and you have an innate skill to innovate, which is where the problem lies"
"But why can't I? I haven't done anything wrong! Why am I being punished when I've shown nothing but success?!" anger long-held back finally erupted. "How can we ever expect to win, to achieve anything when all we do is hold ourselves back?! Do they want mankind to fail?!"
The cold electronic eyes of D'vinto were emotionless to the uninitiated, but Solaria had known the man since her had chosen her for the priesthood, she could see the pain he felt for his favoured acolyte.
"I have taught you all I know, all I can teach you with what I have available, and I know your intentions are pure, but there are things in this universe we cannot understand, the dark ages almost destroyed our people, naturally we are cautious as not to retread out previous follies. That being said, there are those who take caution to the point of stagnation. Do you remember when I found you? Solaria?"
"Yes Magos D'vinto, you've...you've been like a father to me." Solaria voice trembled slightly at the painful memories dredged from the back of her mind.
"You had the gift of creation, the spark. Your parents where lowly labourers toiling away in the assembly, by rights you should have joined them, but the accident." D'vinto paused, "Their passing brought you to our attention, you showed remarkable talent from someone of your pedigree, It's why I demanded you be brought into the fold, but now your fate is out of my hands, the penalty for tech-heresy is severe, punishments are not known to be lenient. I will ask the Omnissiah to watch over you."
"What will happen to me master?" Solaria whispered.
Before her tutor could answer light flooded from the meeting room, with a parting glance with her teacher, Solaria entered the conference.
Eyes both organic and artificial followed her, silently judging until she stood before the Arch-Magos of the foundry himself.
"The charges, do you understand them Adept Solaria? Multiple counts of tech-heresy, these are grave accusations, do you have any statements in your defence?"
"There would be no point, you've already reached consensus, and have decided my punishment" Solaria stated flatly, quieting her inner anger at this hearing.
"We have"
"Then let's just hurry up, what is it? Reassignment to waste disposal? Am I being put in charge of repairing the filtration system in the chemical facilities?" Solaria dryly quipped, eager to get on with the session.
"Servitorship" the Arch-Magos emotionally decreed.
"What?! You can't! This isn't right?! I was trying to do my job!" Solaria sputtered, fear now gripped her.
"Servitorship is the designated response to your transgressions" stated another Magos coldly.
"However there is an alternative." the Arch-Magos continued.
"Anything! Please, anything but this." whispered the Techpriestess.
"One of the servants of the Inquisition arrived here yesterday, requisitioning supplies from the depot, he has requested one of our number be seconded to his vessel. You will leave this forge, and serve him, maybe your death will redeem you in the eyes of the Omnissah."
"I accept"
"You did not have a choice."
The Arch-Magos motioned for her to leave the gathering, another door had opened behind her, numbly she walked towards an uncertain fate with an unknown liege, she wondered whether she would be able to retrieve her few meagre possessions, or bid farewell to those within the forge she considered close. Her thoughts drifted to her teacher D'vinto, years he had moulded her into a capable Adept, and she longed to say goodbye to her only family. A long room stretched ahead, shadow shrouded the far end of the room, long view ports lined the side, the eternal deluge drummed an ominous beat as she approached the figure wreathed in darkness.
"Solaria Veyda? Tech Adept of the Adeptus Mechanius?" The figure's voice cut through the silence.
"Correct, what do I call you? Sir? Lord?" Solaria concealed her disdain with feigned ignorance.
The figure stepped from the shadows, clad in impressive plate adorned with unfamiliar imagery, a knowing smirk spread across his jaw.
"So you're the troublemaker? Hmm, from what I've read about you, you're just what I'm looking for. I'm glad I requested you."
"I still require your name, sir"
"Inquisitor Tylen Kasteel of the Ordo Xenos, but let's drop the formalities, I am eager to hear about the incident involving the Tesla coils and the Grox." Smile still firmly entrenched as he spoke.
"You, you know about that?" Solaria started, taken aback by this mans knowledge of her past, this man clearly knew her history, yet he seemed entertained by it unlike the fellows of the Mechanius.
"Oh yes, I must say if you've caused the cog-boys as many problems as they say, the enemies of ours don't stand a chance, but we can talk more about this aboard my ship, if you would be so kind as to accompany me, miss." Grinned the inquisitor with almost child-like glee.
"This is far from what I expected, Inquisitor." Solaria said with bemusement.
" Trust me, you're going to enjoy working with my crew."
The inquisitor left the foundry with his supplies, accompanied by one confused yet slightly exhilarated priestess now eager to see what fate had in store for her.