NINETEEN

When my eyes finally adjusted themselves to my surroundings, I couldn't help notice the massive migraine. It was a dizzying pain, and nothing I cared for. Yet, I can't help but shake off the feeling of what I just experienced. It had to be a nightmare. What else could it be? It certainly isn't the Golden Throne, that's for sure. So, the only other option was, realistically, a dream. But it was such a lucid dream. All because of some dodgy tea. Another thing I noticed was Black Canary keeping a tight hold of me. What on Terra's name is going on?! I quietly patted her back, feeling some wetness on my shoulder.

'If I may inquire?' I started, before clearing my throat to try again. 'If I may inquire, what happened?'

'What did you remember?' Black Canary asked, pulling back to get a good look of me.

'I…' Thinking back, I remembered somehow finding myself back in the Imperium; then the weirdness that followed suit; and the horrifying conclusion to it all. 'I remembered dying.'

'Yes, you were.' She nodded, drying her tears. 'You were poisoned back at the mansion.' Oh! Oh, now I remember! The tea tasted off! 'You were the worst off. Your vitals were constantly fluctuating. We weren't sure if you would last the night.' How lucky! 'We had to restart your heart a few times.' I'm sorry, what? 'Manhunter had to physically pump your heart to keep your body pumping.' WHAT?! Okay, I better stop this line of conversation before it stops my heart…again!

'If I may ask, where's Jurgen? Amberley? Felicia?' I asked, sitting up. 'What happened to them? Are they okay? Are they safe?' Why is she looking at me like–and then the coin dropped. 'They are alright, right?'

'Jurgen and Felicia are alright.' She started, almost deliberately. As much as I was glad to hear Jurgen was alright, and Felicia as well, that left only one person unaccountable…

'Amberley!' I felt my face flush and I forced myself off the bed, ignoring her protests as I rushed out. I had to get out of there, to find Amberley. I only stopped when I saw Amberley, my Amberley. She was wearing a hospital gown and lying on a stone altar. Were they trying to sacrifice her to some dark gods?! I pushed past anyone until I was by her side. 'Amberley!'

I had to stop myself from considering violence at that moment, especially when it was Black Canary resting a hand on my shoulder. It was only then did I take a good look around me. I was surrounded by the Team, Batman, Green Arrow, Zatara, and the greenskin martian…and they all just witnessed my lack of decorum. Frak it, I can't salvage this so why bother hiding.

'Commi-no, Ciaphas.' Yes, I'm Ciaphas, Kaldur. 'Ciaphas, I know it is hard to see but we are doing everything we can to wake Amberley up.' Okay, maybe I can salvage some self-respect.

'I know.' I said, trying to make it sound somewhat believable. 'I know this all too well.' I finally spotted Jurgen sleeping on the couch, his breathing easy. 'I'm sure you did your best.' Alright, pull back a bit before they realize I'm taking the piss out of them. 'What's wrong with Amberley?'

'The poison is still in her system.' Batman stated, looking remarkably somber. 'The only way to wake her up is to enter her mind and force her to wake up.'

'If no one does?' I ventured, already having an idea as to what will happen.

'Then she will remain comatosed.' He pressed on, now sounding remarkably somber. 'Until she succumbs to the poison.' I frakking called it. 'I had hoped we would be able to wake her up, but her mental resilience is incredible, even when it was predicted otherwise. The fact that we were able to wake you at all, let alone revive you from cardiac arrest was a miracle.'

'And killing me shocked me enough to wake me up?' I confirmed, earning a nod from Batman. Black Canary, forever my advocate, stepped in.

'Ciaphas, don't!' She insisted, and bless her heart for doing so. 'You've already been through enough. Let the team handle this.' Oh, how I wished she were an Imperial Guard Lord General saying those words to me in my younger years…

'I'm afraid I cannot do that.' I admitted, looking over at Amberley. 'Like it or not, the Team is not ready to face what horrors would lie in Amberley's mind.' Let alone myself, but I like to believe I understand Amberley on a, shall we say, fundamental level. Enough that I think I could navigate through her mind long enough to wake her up. 'It has to be me.'

'What about Jurgen?' Batman suggested. 'He seemed to resist the poison at every turn. It defies logic, but he should be enough to wake Amberley up.'

'I'm afraid that would be impossible.' I said. 'If I can postulate, you used warpcraft of some kind to have the Team enter my mind, correct?' I didn't wait for him to nod his head. 'As such, I'm afraid Jurgen is entirely out of the equation.' I looked towards my loyalist friend, who's alive and well. 'After all we've been through together, he deserves a nap without worrying for me.'

'If you're sure about this.' Black Canary trailed off. 'Maybe we should give you some backup and-'

'And we potentially all die.' I replied, firmly interrupting her. 'If she gets even the slightest hint of being cornered, she will react with sudden violence. No, I'll have to go in alone.'

'Very well.' Batman said, gesturing for me to lie down on the altar. 'If you'll please lie down, we can begin.'

'Before that.' I said, walking over to the couch to requisition two pillows, and a blanket. I then quickly shmied it under Amberley's body and-stop laughing Green Arrow-and covered the altar. I then placed a pillow under her head before doing the same for myself. Honestly, if I am going to do this, I may as well be comfortable doing it! 'Alright, I'm ready.'

'Manhunter.' Oh frak, oh frak, no, no, no! Stop touching me!


It was jarring by just how instantaneous it was. In one moment, I was at the cave, lying on the altar. In mere seconds of getting touched by the greenskin, I was…in a very luxurious room. All around me I could see the luxury: the floors were made of marble; the walls were lined with gold; the multiple bust statues of me; and there was even a painting in my likeness…but without my usual commissarial apparel. Fact of the matter is, I find myself bewildered. Why do I look like a planetary governor? Still, at least I am away from the frontlines and living the life I wanted. How considerate of you Amberley. Though, I really should have known it wouldn't last long.

'Governor!' Somebody shouted, barging into my bed chambers. He was armed, dressed gaudily in purple, and a helmet that covered his entire skull and back of his neck and…was that a plump feather on his helmet? What stupid idiot would suggest such a thing? 'Governor! We must leave!'

'Wha-What's happening?' I asked, startled. What's going on?! I didn't even have time to put on my robes before he's dragging me out!

'Run!' He shouted. 'It's the Inquisition! They're here to destroy us!' Seriously?! Amberley, this is what you dream about? 'For the Greater Good, you must escape!' Oh frak, what the hell is going on?! I felt my palms tingle, thumbing it. I didn't know what, but I started to sprint, and the door was just there! Oh, how I wished things were so simple.

I was just about to pass my guard when those doors burst open. 'Stop in the Name of His Majesty's Most Holy Inquisition!' Amberley?! This is what you dream about?! What the hell?! I got so carried away in my shock, I slipped on my own robes, and my pink fluffy slippers flew into the air and smacked flat first against Amberley's face! Well, it has given me enough opportunity to scramble onto my feet. Oh Emperor, please, I don't want to. I opened the door to the laundry chute, and entered it.

'Open fire!' Amberley screeched, already feeling the bolts fly past my head. 'Hurry!' And I threw myself down the laundry chute. Holy! It smells like Jurgen's socks in here! Oh no, it's smelling worse! Ah! I started choking and gagging on the pile of laundry. How could this place stink up so quickly?! Didn't anyone even think to start washing?! At least I'm still alive. I forced myself out of the oversized laundry bin, climbing out and freeing myself. Even found myself the door to leave the room. I took a quick sniff. Ooh. alright, that smells terrible. Better alive though, and I have to escape.

Fortunately, I still have my hiver's instinct to make my way around. Admittedly, I felt rather naked without my laspistol and chain sword, moreso with my carapace armour. Strangely enough, I opened up a random door and found the armoury. How remarkably fortunate! I entered it to collect the carapace armour, laspistol, and chainsword. Though, I can't help but wonder if Amberley likes a challenge. I dismissed it. Amberley's nothing like others of her order, let alone others in His Majesty's Most Holy Psychopaths.

'Finally found you!' That isn't Amberley. I whipped around to see some random juve girl levelling a laspistol at me.'Surrender, Arch Heretic!' Arch Heretic? The frak does that mean? Also, platinum blonde in a bob cut and the lower half her face covered up by a mask? Seriously? Who would dye their hair that–and then the coin dropped, and I only just realized her laspistol is actually a hand flamer. Oh Frak me. When did Amberley enlist the use of Sister of Battle novitiates?! She then pressed the trigger and let a gust of flames shoot towards me.

I panicked. I won't lie, I panicked and…and I slipped on my own feet and narrowly avoided it. I think this is becoming a theme in these dreams. Still, with no other choice, I scrambled up to my feet when I felt the heat die down. She ran out of ammo. Probably why the sisters use proper flamers instead of those stupid hand flamers. I bulldozed through her, pushing her out of the way and buggered off. Stepping out of the armoury and into the hallway, I saw more novitiates, all armed with autoguns. Where is their Sister Superior?! 'FIRE!' Oh bollocks.

I ran the other way, finding hot slugs fly and whizz pass my head. How could their aim be so terrible? Obviously their Sister Superior is an awful mistress! She hadn't taught them anything at all! Shameful! Maybe she's a repentia, but even then, how in the Name of the Golden Throne was she allowed to teach? Then a slug hit the ground just before my feet, which was enough to make me jump. To my great fortune, it was enough to make the man at the corner to swing prematurely, thus allowing me to riposte and disarm him. I then body check the man with my shoulder. Much to his misfortune, he tried to duck, and his face met my shoulder, and was slammed into the floor. Better him than me, and I continued running. Come on, there has to be a landing port somewhere?! Admittedly, I took a look out the glass window, witnessing for myself the utter insanity of Amberley's mind. By the Emperor, what insanity had the Inquisition filled her mind?!

I managed to finally reach the landing pad, and a shuttle was there for me…and the pilot was right beside it. Even better news, she was wearing purple. As this dreamscape has told me, purple equals my friend. 'Start that frakking shuttle!' I shouted at her, causing her to stop whatever she was doing and hopping into the cockpit. I got in shortly thereafter, and just in time too since the crazed lunatics started shooting at my shuttle. 'Good job pilot. Take me out of here.'

'Yes governor!' She said, and was taking us into orbit. I didn't think anything of it, but my palms started to tingle. Then the autopilot turned on. What in His name–? Bloody hell! The pilot then threw a knife at me! 'Finally, it's just you and me.' Oh Frak, it's Amberley.

'N-Now Inquisitor.' I tried, attempting to calm her down…though I highly doubt it'd do anything. 'Let's just talk about this.'

'Oh, I think I heard enough of your talking.' She spat out as if I were just a bug to be crushed under her heel. 'Governor Delaney!'

'I'm sorry, who?' What the frak?! Who the frak is Delaney?!

'Don't play dumb, traitor. Oh how I dreamed of doing this.' Amberley swore, eyes crazed. 'After all those nights, the murder of His loyal; the countless times you tried to evade my suspicions; and when you kicked that slipper at my face.' Oi! That was not purposeful! 'Now? Now it is time you die! In the name of His Holy majesty, the God Emperor of Man–' Oh hell no! Then I proceeded to slip again, and my second slipper flew into Amberley's face. I keep forgetting I'm barefoot. Must be the adrenaline. 'I SENTENCE YOU TO DEATH!'

'You're just angry that you got the wrong man!' I retorted, finally fed up trying to play nice. I have to wake her up now before she kills me. That, and I really don't want to entertain her dreams of what must be her first kill.

'You are resilient, I will give you that." She snarled, aiming her finger at–Uh oh! I ducked, the digitized weapon barely missing my head, and I ended up tackling her. To my surprise, I managed to pin her to the floor of the shuttle so that we were now eye to eye.

'Alright, Amberley–' She tried to headbutt me. Rude.

'How do you know my name?!' She sneered, interrupting me again.

'Right, anyways.' I tried again. 'My name is Ciaphas Cain. Y'know, your-'

'Nice try traitor!' And she punched me in the face. 'Think you can deceive me again?' Wait, hold on a tick. Again?! Ow…STOP PUNCHING ME AMBERLEY! And then she threw me off.

'Amberley, seriously. It's me! Ciaphas!' I tried, managing to avoid another of her attempts to give me brain damage. 'Will you stop and frakking listen to me?'

'Stop ruining my immersion and die, psyker!' Wait, what?!

'Amberley, what the-' Frak, not my face!

'I think not. I must admit, the poisoning at the dining table was quite clever.' She said, as if she had all the points. 'Weaken my body, thereby weakening my mind to launch your invasions upon me.' Another punch, pushing me back and on the floor. 'But you underestimate the resolve of His Majesty's Most Holy Inquisition.' She levelled a laspistol at me, and the last thing I saw was a brilliant light.


I shot up from the altar, the cold sweat on my face as I unconsciously patted my body for any marks. Frak, that was scary. I looked at Amberley, and she was still in a coma. I won't lie when I say that it was a hell of a mind trip. I mean, I heard that the Attilan Rough Riders has these hallucinogenics that can lead them into dreamscapes and say the Emperor was talking to them…though, I highly suspect they were talking out of their arses and were just enjoying the feeling of lifelessness. No, this one was just terrifying. At least the dream was tamer than what I pictured of being hunted down by an angry Inquisitor, especially one that is Amberley.

'Ciaphas!' Black Canary wrapped a blanket over my shoulder. 'Are you okay?'

'I'll admit, it was a surreal experience.' I admitted, finding a touch of honesty let's their mind overthink and make them believe I suffered in there.

'I can imagine.' Black Canary softly said. 'Even Martian Manhunter was having trouble.'

'Well, I best go wake up Jurgen before trying again.' I played up my heroic act, hopefully getting her to dissuade me and let others take over.

'Oh no, you have to rest.' Ah, if only there were more like her as Lord General. 'You were in there for a good eight hours.'

'Pull the other one.' I chuckled, hoping I didn't overplay my hand. Unfortunately, her face and eyes told me she was telling the truth. I coughed into my hand. 'Perhaps I should get something to eat.' Black Canary chuckled, patting my back.

'Some tea, Commissar?' Ah, Jurgen. Wonderful. And you brought some sandwiches too.

'Thank you Jurgen.' I accepted it. "Oh, and do get some for yourself.'

'Very good sir.' He then paused a bit. How unlike him. 'Permission to speak freely sir?'

'Of course Jurgen.' I cheered, taking a sip of the tea.

'Sir, I had feared the worse when you went under. I thought you were done in after the first few times your heart stopped, but I knew you'd pull through. You survived a lot worse than poison and I knew you'd live.' He said, and I couldn't help but feel touched once again by Jurgen's faith in me. He has been with me through many campaigns and quiet times I sometimes were afforded.

'Thank you, Jurgen, for your faith in me.' I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Mainly to console his adamant belief in me more so than my faith in myself. 'Without your support, I wouldn't know how far I'd go.' And isn't that the truth.

'I'm sure you'd go pretty far sir.' He smiled, pouring me another cup of tanna tea.

'Ciaphas!' And Felicia jumped on me, catching me in a hug. 'Oh, thank the Omnissiah you're okay!'

'Yes, yes. I'm fine Felicia.' I said, trying to sound more cheerful than what my body could handle. Mechandendrites hurts when they perform a Vsotroyan bearhug. 'I'm okay.'

'I was worried, you frustrating man!' She exclaimed, but what shocked me the most was the fact she was crying. 'I'm just glad you're okay now.' I patted her back. Damnation, I better hop off and get out of here before I get swarmed by the Team.

'Nonetheless, Felicia, thank you.' I said. 'Thank you for your care.' I managed to get at least a few metres off the altar before Kaldur greeted me. So close.

'How are you feeling?' He asked, walking beside me.

'I could be better when Amberley wakes up.' I admitted. 'For now, I am holding my breath.' As much as I don't wish too.

'Have some hope.' He insisted.

'Hope is but the first step on the road to disappointment.' I quoted, though I admit I forgot where it came from beyond the dataslate "Dawn of War" but I figured it appropriate for this situation. 'I would rather not be disappointed.' And heartbroken.

'Surely you can't be this bleak.' He asked, seemingly shocked at me.

'I'd rather not.' I admit, tipping my hat, hoping that it would cover my eyes. 'But I must be prepared for any eventuality.'

'Was this what they trained you to be at your school?' As a matter of fact, yes. I didn't say anything though, and I left to take a nap. Better milk this break for as long as I can.


At least, I got five hours amongst familiar faces. Unfortunately, I was called out again and saw the Team in various states of exhaustion and trauma. Goes to show that brute forcing into an Inquisitor's mind is a non-solution. I was somewhat tempted to ask what happened, but decided to think better of it. Whatever they went through, I do not care to know. Amberley can sure be creative at times. I sighed, finding myself back towards the altar. As I predicted, and I had voiced my thoughts, they needed me to go back in. The Team couldn't even last four hours. I couldn't help but wonder what the frak they were doing for the other hour. So, I was asked by the Justice League leadership into going through Amberley's dreamscape again.

'I would request for the Team to accompany me.' I asked, weighing into what political clout I had with Green Arrow and Black Canary to get Batman to agree. To my surprise, he agreed readily. I thanked him and lied back down again. Waking up in this dreamscape again…oh bloody hell! Amberley, why the frak am I on a battlefield?! What kind of dreams do you think of?! I stood up, only to trip over myself. Looking under my feet, I figured out why. It was a Tau body. Of course she'd think of this.

'Cai!' Artemis. 'You alright?'

'I will be when we wake Amberley up.' I said, picking myself up and looked around. 'I can see that everyone else is alive and well.' It was true. Robin, Kid Flash, the orangeskin, greenskin, super boy, and Kaldur is here. 'Now then, I suggest we get moving.'

'Where?' Super boy queried, which was reasonable and knowing him, I best stay on his good side.

'Anywhere but here.' I admitted. 'Right now, we are too exposed in this battlefield. We'll need to reach Imperial lines. At the very least, we won't be shot at.'

'I don't know about that.' Kid Flash spoke up. 'Last time we tried that, they shot at us.'

'Better Imperial lines than the Tau.' I shot back. Fortunately, Imperial Guard were rushing towards us. 'And we will not have a choice in this matter, Imperial Forces are right here.' I waved at them. 'I say, over here.' My palms started tingling. But why would it when, then the coin dropped. 'Get the frak down!' I shouted, hitting the ground as everyone else did.

'Better imperial lines than the Tau?' Artemis snorted, standing up to let loose a few arrows.

'Never mind that, just shoot them!' I hissed, thankful the familiar feeling of my laspistol is in my hand and fired a few wild shots that somehow hit their intended target. Over all, the engagement lasted mere seconds and I just killed some of Amberley's "soldiers". Damn it all, why does she make things so difficult*345?

'Well, Cai,' Robin drawled. 'What now?'

'With little other choice, we'll have to press on.' I grumbled. 'Knowing the Inquisitor, she'll throw more bodies at us to drown us in the proverbial blood.'

'I always knew the Inquisitor was evil.' Kid Flash proudly state, which I'm going to ignore. 'What person would willingly throw people at a problem and thinking it'll work.' Tell that to the vast majority of the Imperial nobility I had the displeasure of meeting. 'This'll feel cathartic.' Not for me, you aren't the one sleeping with her.

'If you are quite done, let's get cracking.' I said, stopping myself from growling.


After some time walking through the battlefield, I found myself finally in Imperial lines…or to be more precise, behind Imperial lines. Right now, we were in some small town with paved roads and plenty of alleyways. Knowing Amberley, she'd probably be roaming around the most luxurious building. I mean, I never once saw her ever take on a disguise that isn't some noblewoman with more money than sense. Well, except for that one time but I figured she wanted to feel how a Valhallan Uniform felt rather than actually participate in the Imperial Guard. Then again, Amberley also has power armour specifically made for her and I doubt she would give up the protection. I certainly wouldn't.

'My mate?' Oh frak, it's the orangeskin. 'My mate? What is it that we are to be looking for when we face your consort?' I'm going to ignore that.

'What did she do the last time?' I queried, motioning for the others to stay put. Just as I did, a Chimera was rolling past us.

'Your consort had taken to hiding into the shadows like a glurb-forb.' I'm sorry, what? I mean, I get the general idea what the xenos is saying but can she not, for once, speak properly?

'What she meant is that she was pulling a batman.' Robin said, bitterly. 'And she does a good job of it too.'

'Knowing her, she'd probably have power armour on this time to make your deaths permanent.' I commented, sprinting across the street.

'Power armour?' Kid Flash echoed, as if that was the most confusing thing he ever heard. 'You guys have power armour?'

'Only for those within the ranks of the Inquisition, the Astartes, or the Sororitas.' I answered him quickly, navigating the alleyways. 'It's, and for a lack of a better term, powerful. Our best chance is to let super boy handle beating Amberley into a standstill.'

'I could use my water bearers to immobilize her.' Kaldur offered, and I couldn't help but feel glad that he decided to volunteer.

'An astute suggestion.' I said, playing on the compliment a tad. 'I would advise Kid Flash, Robin, Artemis, and…Megan?'

'M'gann.' She corrected, not that I really care to correct myself. A greenskin's a greenskin, after all.

'I advise you two to fight off the Imperial Guard. At the very least, you'll slow down reinforcements.' I said, fully confident they'll last a good thirty seconds before the men and women of the Imperial Guard would do away with them. 'Which will give me an opportunity to…do my duty.'

'You sure you're okay to do this Cai?' Artemis asked, concerned. I'll admit, it's a bit touching. Unfortunately, it'll have to be me. Anyone else, and I don't think it would shock her enough. I told her so, and I was getting looks of pity from them. At the very least, it'll give me some leeway from them. 'You're a brave guy Cai.' Still a bad judge of character, but thank you. It didn't take long before we reached the mansion. Opulence at its finest, with even stone gargoyles at the entrance.

'Yes, this is the place.' I remarked, staring at it. 'There is no way Amberley would pass this up to serve as her headquarters.'

'...Dude, I seriously think the Inquisitor is Batman's daughter from an evil mother.' Kid Flash said, and I couldn't help but scoff at such a ridiculous notion. Robin, however, was indignant. Something about how they are nothing alike or some such. I agree entirely. Amberley is terrifying.

'If that is enough talking.' I coughed to get their attention. I let out a sigh. 'Let's get this over with.' I drew my sword, pointing it at the gates. 'For the Emperor, FORWARD!' No one charged though. I coughed, a tad bit flustered, I will admit. Super boy? Kaldur? Shall we?'

'What is it that I shall be doing, my mate?' The Orangeskin said, her eyes wide and pouting. How the frak should I know?!

'I don't know, go join Artemis.' I said, noncommittal. 'Let us handle the Inquisitor.' I looked at the Team. 'Go? Now? I don't want to stay here longer than I want to.' Oh, now they start sprinting!

I rushed alongside super boy and Kaldur. With any luck, Amberley will come on out and let herself be executed by me so that she can wake up. My palm started to tingle, and I was unconsciously thumbing it. 'Get down!' I barked, and good thing too. Heavy bolter rounds flew over my head. Super boy was not as lucky, taking several hits, but seemed relatively okay. Kaldur was beside me, trying to be as flat to the ground as possible. I followed the traces of the heavy bolts, and Amberley stomped out in her gold power armour, a stormbolter on her power claw.

'I am Inquisitor Amberley Vail, of His Imperial Majesty's Most Holy Inquisition, of the Ordo Xenos.' She declared through the vox-com in her helmet. 'And you will not break me. I shall do my duty!' Oh frak, she's gone bonkers mental!

'Amberley!' I shouted, praying that she hesitates. Fortunately, she does. For a split second, her hand faltered. 'Amberley, it's me. Ciaphas! Stand down!'

'Ciaphas…no, it can't be.' She said, even taking a step back. I was surprised. Was she truly this badly affected by the sight of me? 'TRAITOR!' I'm sorry, what? 'How could you?! How could you turn your back on the Imperium?!'

'I'm sorry, wh-' Before I had a chance, Amberley interrupted me.

'You will be, heretic!' She sneered. Uh oh. 'In the name of His Holy majesty, the God Emperor of Man, I thrice judge thee, Excommunicate Traitoris–by associations, by actions, by beliefs–your sentence is…' She raised her stormbolter again. 'Death!' And was shooting at me. I don't know how I did it, but I managed to escape the barrage of bolts heading my way and…oh frak me, she's purposefully trying to kill me first?! Why?! Kaldur and super boy are bigger threats than I am! Still, leveraging Amberley's stupidity to my advantage*346, Kaldur and super boy managed to close the distance and wrestled Amberley to the ground. Good. I quickly rushed over.

'Take off helmet!' I barked, and Super boy did so. I aimed my laspistol at Amberley, and pressed the trigger. That was it. It was over. All around me, the dream began to collapse until…no, no, this can't be right. I'm the only one here. Me and Amberley, the real one from before we got sent to this crazy version of Terra by the xenos. 'Where am I now?'

'See for yourself, xenos.' She sneered. 'You shot me, and now, I shall do my duty.'

'Amberley, for the Emperor's-' I started, before she started to choke me.

'You do not get to say His Divine Majesty's name!' Amberley snarled, and I was doing my best to stay conscious. 'You may have finally bested me, but I have won. Your attempts to access my mind failed. You lose.'

'What the frak are you talking about?!' I hacked, managing to gain some leverage, thanks to my augmetic fingers.

'Still trying to maintain your cover?' She scoffed. 'I'll give you this, you're persistent. Don't think I'm blind. I figured it out. You poisoned me and Ciaphas at the mansion to weaken our mental defences and probe our minds. Given that you sent so many forces dedicated to me, it only tells me that Ciaphas had perished.' Amberley seemed to be so saddened. It disappeared in less than a moment and she was back to clutching my hands and trying to push me to the ground. 'You murdered him! Too afraid to face him in the battlefield that you used subterfuge and cowardly tactics to murder him! I'll never forgive you.'

'Amberley.' I croaked. 'Please, it's me. It actually is Ciaphas.'

'Stop speaking his name!' She roared, letting go to hit me across the face. 'You do not get to speak his name!' I'll admit, it was heartwarming to know Amberley cares so much for me. Luckily, I managed to catch her next fist. Her eyes were surprised, and she tried to use her other hand. I caught that as well. Oh, I hope this works.

'What are you-' And I brought her into an embrace and kissed her. She struggled in my arms, tried to resist, tried to gag yet, I think it was working. Her strength is going lax, and her guard is finally down. 'Ciaphas. I…I…how?'

'Thank Kaldur.' I said. 'He woke me up from my coma.'

'Ciaphas…I…' I brought a finger to her lips.

'You don't have to say.' I whispered. 'I'm here for you now.'

'I…I…thank you, Ciaphas.' She embraced me tighter. 'The first few attempts in my mind, they were trying to access my recent memories. I couldn't be sure if what I saw you was the real you or just someone taking your appearance to deceive me.'

'I understand.' I replied. 'I'd done the same.' I then wondered. 'About your dreams?'

'Just some random scenarios that my mentor went through with me when I was still an Interrogator.' Amberley waved off.

'I, kinda assumed but, why though?' I pressed. 'Surely you could have thought of something comforting?'

'Who said it wasn't?' I looked at her, and she giggled. 'Kidding. I mainly wanted to give myself as many advantages as possible. I knew these scenarios like the back of my hand. All possible outcomes, adjustments, etc. Intruders wouldn't have stood a chance.'

'And about your, "I will do my duty" speech.' I asked, getting a sigh.

'Another part of my training.' She answered. 'In the event we are compromised…I assume you get the point.' Yes, I do.

'I suppose you want to get back into the land of the living?' I asked, a hopeful smile on my face. 'At least your secrets are safe.'

'Yes. All the secrets I had are safe, and our operations here can continue on as normal. The enemy have not gotten a fold of it.' She said as my vision returned back to the cave. I turned to my side, and Amberley's eyes fluttered and met mine.

'Good morning Inquisitor Vail.'

'Good morning, Commissar Cain.' She replied, cheekily. 'Thank you.' I sat up first and circled around to help Amberley stand herself. She seemed a tad off balance so I offered my back. Amberley hopped onto it, and I was carrying her. The Team were also getting up, and the Justice League leadership were rushing over with big, gleaming smiles on their faces.

'Ciaphas! Inquisitor!' Black Canary greeted, relief in her eyes. 'I'm glad you two are okay.'

'Thank you' I said with more humility than what I really intended. 'We thank you for your faith in us.'

'Great to see you up again.' Green Arrow added. 'You too Inquisitor.' I thanked him, trying to make my way through.

'We still need a debrief.' Batman said, though not without a fierce glare from Black Canary and Green Arrow. I wonder why…

'That can wait, Batman.' She snarled. 'You have done enough for the last thirty hours.'

'They still need to-' Batman tried, but Green Arrow stepped in.

'No, they don't.' He hissed. 'They already been through enough. After what happened.' I much prefer it that way. Besides, Green Arrow is your colleague…if a tad annoying. 'They don't need any more of this.' As much as I enjoy seeing them tell Batman off, they seem a tad more…impatient with him. Then there was what Amberley told me too. As the Team left to say their good night, with Robin and Kid Flash exiting through the teleportarium, the coin dropped.

'It was you.' I said, looking at him. 'You poisoned us.'

'As I said, the poison was designed to drop mental defences by putting you through a comatose state. When what we gathered from your mind was extracted, we would wake you up. We had predicted that your mental defences would be weakened and bringing you out of your comatose state would be easy.' He replied, pretty much confirming my accusation. Thankfully, Amberley seemed to be sleeping soundly. 'Unfortunately, your mental defences were stronger than anticipated, with your situation deteriorating faster than what I could imagine possible.'

'Commisar–no, Ciaphas–we understand how the Justice League has broken your trust.' Black Canary tried, looking regretful. 'But believe me, this is not going to go under the rug.' She glared at Batman. 'Right?'

'No, it isn't.' He said, unphased like any of Amberley's colleagues. 'The rest of the Justice League is waiting for us.'

'Right, well…' I really had nothing much more to say besides getting the frak out of the coming shouting match and return home to sleep in my bed with Amberley. 'If you don't mind, I'm going.' With any luck, given the sympathy towards me, those in the leadership firmly in my camp would censure Batman. I have little patience playing victim in this tribunal. I may overplay my hand due to the exhaustion I'm feeling. Besides, after the tribunal, I could leverage the new political power towards me to access more resources. Amasec sounds nice.

≡][≡

Editorial Note:

Once again, some kind of corruption in the system has created my neat dialogue recording into–for a lack of better terms–a story format. It is of a third-person perspective from the eyes of the Justice League. I am still trying clean this corruption with cooperation with the Adeptus Mechanicus, but we continue to suffer failure. I have not given up yet, but I am not leaving much hopes.

—FOOTNOTES—

N/A. Bugger off. I am still on vacation. Oh sweet Emperor, right there~ Bloody hell, that knot was bugging me for ages!

345. DIFFICULT?! I AM NOT DIFFICULT–Ah, bugger, that's my shoulder–

346. STUPIDITY?! I was fighting for my life for 28 hours straight!


AN: Sorry for the wait fellas. I've been getting swamped and I really appreciate your continued support and reading through the story. So, thank you.