CHAPTER 8: First Steps to Vengeance

Alinelle sees Logan lying prone on the bloodstained floor of a metal room. She'd found him! She runs towards him, to hold him, to tell him everything is going to be okay. She is here now.

"Help me!" Logan cries, reaching an arm out.

He is far away, but she is closing the distance.

"Help… me!" He cries again.

Finally, she is almost close enough to grasp his outstretched hand.

"I'm here, my love!" She says, "You're safe now!"

Yet when she tries to grab his hand, her fingers pass through, grasping onto fog.

"Please…" Logan begs, crying.

As Alinelle tries once again to pull Logan in, a familiar figure grabs Logan. She sees his tear-streaked face contort into an expression of pure panic.

"Come, pet," Tazareah says. "You have a job to do."

Alinelle tries to attack the succubus, but her blows pass through Tazareah with no effect. The succubus fits a collar around Logan's neck, and stuffs a gag in his mouth. Alinelle can feel the succubus' void-black eyes staring at her, as she carries Logan away.

"No!" Alinelle shouted, jolting upright in her bed.

This was the third night in a row. Every time, she jolted awake, covered in sweat. The details were not the same every time, but it was always Logan, crying out for help. And always, Tazareah appeared to torment him.

Alinelle held her head in her hands and cried. This had become her morning ritual, and she hated it. She got to her feet, and walked to the washroom. She looked in the mirror. The tear streaks were evident, but at least her eyes weren't puffy and bloodshot. Sighing, she stepped into the shower, and washed herself off.

Once she dried, she donned her robes and walked down the stairs. Tenrys had said he would let her know as soon as he had a set meeting. Alinelle was beginning to lose patience. She hadn't been to the Dome of Seers since she had seen him last - she had barely left her own home. Though she had been given a sliver of hope, there was still a cloud of despair that felt suffocating.

That's when she noticed the note on the floor, slipped under her front door. Alinelle bent down to pick it up, and immediately recognized Tenrys' handwriting as she read it.

Auditorium, after sunset.

Finally, Alinelle thought. Every second counts.

It was still early in the day, so she would need to occupy herself until then. Maybe time outside would do her some good. She opened her front door, and began to walk.

She passed the Dome of Ancient Heroes. The beautiful structure almost glittered in the artificial morning sunlight. The way it reflected the light reminded her of Logan's eyes, whenever he smiled. Shaking her head as if to push away the memory, she moved on.

She reached the Bridge of Radiant Starlight, and stood at the rail. The sight of the rest of the craftworld lay before her. She could see the spaceport, the Dome of Seers, the Dome of Ancient Heroes, and even the towering Viewpoint Spire. Alinelle remembered standing her with Logan, telling him all about the different structures that made Asherital so special. The way he had listened, and expressed admiration for her people and their history had filled her with pride and the warmth of a true companion. Now, the memory only made her sad.

No longer paying attention to where she was going, Alinelle suddenly found herself in the Dome of the Resplendent Garden.

Alinelle glances at Logan, whose jaw drops as he gazes upon the beauty, completely awestruck. She smiles, as he takes in the sight before him. After a few moments, she takes his hand, leading him into the dome.

Together, they walk towards the center of the structure, stopping to admire everything that lay before them. They both smell the flowers, absorbing their sweet aromas. Alinelle glimpses a nearby tree, and plucks a ripe fruit from its branches using her powers. Grinning, she floats it over to Logan. He takes a small bite, and savors the taste, nodding in approval. She brings it to her own mouth, and does the same. It is tart, and incredibly rich. She returns the fruit to Logan, who finishes eating the fruit as they continue their journey.

A wraithbone statue of a farseer, hand outstretched, pointing to the sky, stands tall in the center of an ornately decorated fountain. Jets of water shoot up in the pool around the statue, interrupting the otherwise still surface. Alinelle sits on the edge of the fountain, running one hand through the water. It is cool, but not unpleasantly so, and she enjoys the sensation.

Logan does not sit down, however. He approaches a small bush at the edge of the converging pathways that surround the fountain. Bending over, he plucks one of the large flowers from the plant, and approaches Alinelle. Taking a seat beside her, he holds out the flower, putting it in her hand.

"Here," he offers, sheepishly. "It's not much, but it's the least I can do to thank you for everything you've done for me."

Alinelle takes it, and takes a deep breath, inhaling its scent. It makes her heart flutter. "You don't need to thank me, Logan. Your company and healing is reward enough."

"I know how little everyone seems to take your kindness and generosity for granted," Logan says. "You deserve someone in your life who appreciates everything you do."

The memory struck her like a blow from a wraithknight. It was so romantic, so spur-of-the-moment. They hadn't confessed their love yet, but she remembered the feeling of just living in the moment with her soulmate. The memory only dampened her spirits, though. The Resplendent Garden lost its beauty without Logan there to appreciate it with her.

Feeling defeated, Alinelle decided to simply go to the auditorium and wait for Tenrys there. At least that way she wouldn't be tormented by memories of the soulmate that Tazareah took from her.

She sat in the auditorium in complete silence, doing everything in her power not to think. Every time she did, it made her feel choked by despair. And she couldn't afford that. Not now. If she was going to rescue Logan, she needed to be strong.

After what felt like an eternity, Tenrys arrived. He raised an eyebrow at seeing her waiting for him, but otherwise was unperturbed. Tenrys gestured for her to follow him, and Alinelle got to her feet.

"The Harlequins are waiting behind the stage," he told Alinelle.

The shadowseer Cethlaine sat on a reclining couch, and Alinelle took a seat herself in a nearby chair.

"You are here to ask us for our help in rescuing the mon'keigh from the drukhari," Cethlaine stated flatly.

"I assume Tenrys told you," Alinelle said, Cethlaine's preemptive statement catching her slightly off guard. "Yes, I am here to ask you for help rescuing Logan, the human, from the vile drukhari succubus Tazareah."

"No," Cethlaine responded. "Tenrys told us nothing more than that he needed us to meet."

Alinelle stayed silent, waiting for the shadowseer to continue.

"All is proceeding as we have sought. You and the mon'keigh recovered the ring, and Logan's capture will ensure he fully develops the powers it has granted him. It is pivotal that he develops these powers, as doing is key to Isha recovering her strength. Naturally, you would come to us for help, as we led you on this path to begin with. The strings of fate were made known to us."

Alinelle was at a loss for words. They knew. They had known the whole time that the drukhari would ambush them. They knew Logan would be captured, and subject to the horrible tortures of the drukhari. Yet they had said nothing. They had simply allowed it to happen, because to them, it was simply necessary, and the fate of a human meant nothing. She felt her blood begin to boil.

"You knew!" Alinelle screamed at the top of her lungs.

She barely registered as the surrounding troupers, and even Tenrys, were forced to cover their ears. All she wanted was to tear the shadowseer limb from limb. She leapt in a flash of motion, her teeth bared in an expression of pure rage. Alinelle landed on the shadowseer, sending them both tumbling onto the ground.

Alinelle heard the troupers scrambling for their weapons, but they weren't fast enough. She cast white-hot lightning from her fingertips, sending them flying across the auditorium. A hundred-foot tall wall of warpfire erupted from the ground, surrounding Alinelle and the shadowseer.

Alinelle slammed her fists into Cethlaine's mask, hard enough to send it flying out into the warpfire, incinerating it. Her face now exposed, Alinelle tasted the surprise, and the fear, the shadowseer felt. She could feel Cethlaine trying to fight back, trying to use her own powers to confuse her, but Alinelle slammed the shadowseer's head into the ground again and again, keeping her too concussed to focus.

"You took him from me!" Alinelle shrieked. "My love is gone, because of your stupid game!"

Now, Alinelle focused all of her psychic powers into fueling her strength. She punched Cethlaine over, and over, and over again, hearing the crunching of breaking bone and the blood gurgling from the harlequin's mouth. Cethlaine tried to raise her miststave, but Alinelle was too strong. With one hand, she grabbed the shadowseer's weapon and wrenched it from her grip, tossing it out of reach.

Now, Cethlaine was using all of her psychic powers to prevent her skull from caving in under the onslaught of blows. But slowly, her strength was waning. Alinelle could feel the defensive field beginning to weaken, until the harlequin was barely conscious.

Alinelle wrapped her hands around Cethlaine's throat, and began to squeeze. She watched as the shadowseer gasped for air, completely in vain as Alinelle began slowly crushing her windpipe. She continued to squeeze, watching Cethlaine's face turn red. Soon, it turned purple as Cethlaine began to suffocate. Alinelle could see the harlequin's eyes beginning to roll back into her skull.

"I…" Cethlaine tried to speak. "Can… help… you… find him!"

Alinelle paused for a few seconds, before she slowly let go, and got to her feet. The warpfire extinguished, and Cethlaine stumbled, trying to find herself a seat. She was unable to stand, and was violently gasping for air.

"Consider yourself extremely lucky, harlequin," Alinelle said. "And choose your words carefully. I may not be so merciful next time."

"I am truly sorry, Alinelle," Cethlaine replied, between ragged breaths.

This caught Alinelle by surprise. Cethlaine continued.

"I acted callously, without regard to the despair and pain these events would cause you and the mon'k-'' Cethlaine began, but stopped herself. "And Logan."

Alinelle sensed the apology was genuine, with no hint of sarcasm or hidden motive. Even more surprising than that, she could sense a seed of guilt sprouting within the shadowseer's soul. Alinelle stood in silence, waiting for Cethlaine to catch her breath. It took some time, but finally, she no longer struggled to breathe.

"As a shadowseer, I am granted free travel throughout Commorragh" Cethlaine explained. "Though I cannot simply retrieve him, I can find his location, and direct you there whenever you are ready."

The reminder of Logan in Commorragh brought Alinelle to tears once again, and she wept, dropping to her knees. After a few seconds, she felt the hand of the shadowseer on her shoulder, trying to offer some consolation. Alinelle violently shrugged the hand away.

Cethlaine knelt beside Alinelle, and sighed gently.

"I give you my vow that I will do everything in my power to find Logan," the shadowseer promised. "And when the time for the assault comes, you will have my troupe to call upon for the attack."

At this, Alinelle got to her feet, wiping the tears from her face. She stood up tall, projecting an aura of power. She looked to Cethlaine, who was now standing.

"Be ready," Alinelle stated.

She did not have to elaborate, as her tone made the meaning clear.

Cethlaine went to her troupers, who were only just starting to get back up, and looked one last time at the farseer.

"I will be in touch, Alinelle," Cethlaine said.

"And I will be waiting," Alinelle replied.

With that, the shadowseer and her troupe departed. Alinelle looked to Tenrys, who had been trying to help the harlequin troupers to get back up.

"I require a ship," Alinelle told him.

It was not a request, and Tenrys got the message.

"We don't have a great deal to spare," Tenrys began, "but there is one ship that I believe is fated for your journey."

"Do tell," Alinelle replied.

"It is an Aconite frigate," Tenrys explained. "The ship's name is Isha's Mercy."

Alinelle snorted in amusement.

"I'll take it."

Alinelle stood in the command bridge, looking out the main viewport. The rest of her assembled host were in the crew quarters. They had enough to occupy themselves for the time being, to keep up their combat prowess for the inevitable violent conflicts that their quest would endure. Alinelle had elected to take the captain's quarters, though she did make regular trips to ensure the rest of the host were as comfortable as possible. She had allowed Nehyn to share the captain's quarters, as it was a trivial matter to ensure there were two separate beds. Nehyn was nearly as devoted to the quest as Alinelle was, and the comfort of someone else so dedicated and determined lifted her spirits.

She had also seen Nehyn spar with some of the other members of the host, and her skills in that regard were formidable. The bonesinger wielded a simple piece of wraithbone; well, simple at first glance. In the blink of an eye, Nehyn would imbue the small block with psychic energy, shaping it into whatever weapon she desired in microseconds. Sometimes, she would be locking swords with a sparring partner, only to change the weapon into a whip that wrapped around the opponent's blade and wrenched it out of their grip, leaving them unarmed against her next strike.

"Where to, farseer?" Nehyn asked, coming up beside her. "I imagine you have some sort of plan."

"Of course I have a plan, bonesinger," Alinelle replied.

In the center of the bridge was a hololithic display. It showed a single-star system, with a single, tiny object highlighted. With a mere gesture, Alinelle zoomed the display in onto the small object, magnifying it so it filled the display. It was a ship, large and brutish in design - typical of Imperial vessels. Unlike the utilitarian design of Imperial Navy or Astartes vessels, this one had clearly been customized to its captain's exact specifications.

"We're going to meet up with an old acquaintance."

Isha's Mercy traveled incredibly quickly, even outside the webway. However, she needed to be careful. The sight of a rapidly-approaching eldar vessel might provoke a hostile response. Though she knew her ship could win if there was a fight, she was here for allies. She had her ship's outward and inward communications set to broadcast on an Imperium frequency, and slowed her approach so she would only appear on their auspex scanners when the message reached the recipient.

"Rogue Trader Kaleb Norstain, this is Alinelle, farseer of Craftworld Asherital. We have met before, as you might recall. I would humbly request a meeting - there is a vital matter I need assistance with, and the opportunity provided by this matter may be of great interest to one such as yourself," Alinelle sent.

All that was left to do was to wait. She had the ship maintain its distance, neither approaching nor fleeing as she waited for a response. When the incoming communications indicator light illuminated, she played the message.

"This is Raberta Pyrien of the Pride of Reason. Since we have had dealings before, the venerable Rogue Trader is willing to meet with you, though should there be any xenos deception detected, we will immediately open fire. We will send a boarding vessel to collect you, and to bring you here. If you would do a favor and indulge his curiosity, he may be more inclined to consider whatever proposition you have. He wishes to know if Logan is with you," the message played.

At the mention of his name, Alinelle felt herself choke up slightly.

"That is actually the very matter I came to discuss," Alinelle said, a slight tremble in her voice.

It took roughly an hour for the Rogue Trader's shuttle to dock with the ship, and Alinelle was waiting by the airlock. The hatch opened with a loud hiss, and Alinelle stepped into the small vessel. Across from her sat the same dark-skinned woman with the braided hair who had been there when she'd first met the Rogue Trader. With Logan. She tried not to think about it, and sat in silence until the shuttle docked with the Pride of Reason.

One of the vile cybernetic servitors stood outside the shuttle when they arrived. It looked to her. How she hated those things. She kept her thoughts to herself as it spoke through a vox-encoder implanted into its throat.

"The honorable Rogue Trader has set a designated location to meet. Follow me," the servitor stated, turning and heading deeper into the ship.

Alinelle obeyed, and found herself walking the same familiar path as she had a year ago. As before, the wooden doors opened, and when she entered, they shut behind her. The Rogue Trader was trying to demonstrate his status by making her wait. I'll play his little game, Alinelle thought, for now.

It felt like an age before the doors finally opened and the Rogue Trader entered.

Unlike their previous encounter, where he had become jovial upon seeing Logan, now his face was inscrutable. She decided not to bother trying to read thoughts - he probably had some sort of technology protecting them anyway, and it would put her off to a bad start.

"Farseer," the Rogue Trader said flatly. "I admit, I am curious; what have you come to me to arrange?"

Alinelle sighed, composing herself. The Rogue Trader tapped his foot impatiently.

"Logan has been captured by the dark eldar, and taken to Commorragh," she stated.

She went into more detail, including the name of the succubus and her cult, the planet Endeon Quintus. She even confessed to her strong bond with Logan, though she did not go into any detail about how deep that bond was. The Rogue Trader tried to suppress an expression of grief. It worked, mostly. But Alinelle picked up on it.

"That is indeed a great shame," Kaleb replied. "Logan was a good man, with a good soul. The galaxy is worse off without him."

"I need allies to join me, to rescue him and bring him back," Alinelle explained, "and your ship and personnel are clearly well-trained and well-equipped. You would make for powerful allies indeed."

She made sure to stroke Kaleb's ego - it wasn't so different from dealing with a higher-ranking aeldari, really. The Rogue Trader stroked his chin, as if in deep thought.

"While what happened to Logan is a tragedy of high order," Kaleb said, "I did not get as wealthy as I am by doing free favors. I would love to assist where I can, but I need some form of compensation."

Alinelle knew this was coming. Luckily, she had the perfect thing to offer.

"If you join our forces when we make our attack, you are free to take any weapons, armor, artifacts, or technology you find in Commorragh. I believe such items would be highly valuable, yes?" Alinelle enticed.

Kaleb raised an eyebrow, and a brief, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face. Yet, he avoided showing overt excitement at the opportunity. He was a shrewd negotiator, but Alinelle could read microexpressions well enough to tell that she had almost certainly won him over.

"I see…" The Rogue Trader began.

"You will not be alone, so the drukhari will not be able to focus fire upon you," Alinelle continued. "Though we will need contributions from your available militia, a single human and small retinue is unlikely to have much trouble getting around relatively unnoticed during the firefight."

At this, Kaleb began stroking his chin again. She knew what he was going to ask, but she would not preempt him. Diplomacy with humans was a delicate game.

"Your conditions are acceptable. However, do not take me for a fool. I have had enough experience with the drukhari to know their city is one of the most heavily-guarded in the galaxy. If you expect me to commit to an attack with the current strength of our 'combined' forces, you will find yourself quite disappointed indeed," the Rogue Trader stated.

"Of course, honorable Rogue Trader," Alinelle said with a wry smile. "My fleet is going to grow."

"It is settled, then," Kaleb replied, brushing off his embroidered formal jacket. "I will join your forces in your strike against Commorragh, upon the condition that your fleet is at a strength I deem sufficient."

Alinelle bristled at the way he stated those terms, but letting the human feel like he had the upper hand would improve diplomacy in the future. He held out one hand. Such a ritual was common among humans making any sort of pact or deal. She extended hers, and grasped Kaleb's hand firmly. They shook, and Alinelle smiled.

"Take this psychic resonator," Alinelle said, handing over a specially-crafted piece of wraithbone to Kaleb. "It's imbued with my psychic signature and will allow me to contact you when we are ready and preparing for our assault."

Kaleb took the wraithbone piece and held it up to one eye, as if appraising it.

"And like you, I am no fool. If you sell this resonator, I will know. You'll miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime, and I cannot promise that the forces of my craftworld will not seek vengeance."

Alinelle made sure to avoid coming off as too threatening, as she did not want to provoke his ego or bravado. But as she predicted, he laughed, and tucked the resonator in a coat pocket.

"Oh, farseer," he replied, "I wouldn't dream of it. Selling this bauble only to miss out on plundering the legendary dark city of the drukhari? I've not prospered in my trade as much as I have by being short-sighted."

"I am glad we understand each other," Alinelle stated.

The two unclasped their hands, and Kaleb made for the door.

"I will have Raberta shuttle you back to your ship immediately," Kaleb said, waiting for one of his many servitors to open the massive doors for him. "I wish you good luck on your travels. God-Emperor willing, we will rescue Logan and unleash His wrath upon the bastards that took him."

She hoped Kaleb did not notice the tear that formed at the corner of her eye at the mention of Logan's name.

"We will," Alinelle returned, allowing the servitor to lead her back to the shuttle bay. "They will quickly learn the severity of their folly when I exact my vengeance."

Raberta stood waiting for her, and opened the shuttle hatch, following Alinelle in and taking a seat across from her. The woman looked at her, though the cold indifference was replaced with a sort of idle curiosity. Alinelle stayed silent, but ensured her body language conveyed friendliness, or at least non-hostility.

"If I may be so bold," Raberta spoke up. "Why are you going to all this effort for a 'mon'keigh,' as your kind call us?"

Alinelle had not expected such a personal question. She was unsure how much detail she should give in her answer. Should she tell this human woman the truth, that they were in love? She might tell Kaleb, who might change his mind about their alliance. But if she stayed deliberately vague, it could sow mistrust. The decision was a difficult one.

The truth is important; it is the constant deception and manipulation that degraded relationships between aeldari and humans to begin with. The thought was not her own, and Alinelle didn't have to guess where it came from. Who was she to deny a goddess?

So, Alinelle proceeded to tell the story. She told of how she and Logan had developed deep romantic feelings for each other. She told of how she had kept her feelings buried even from herself, until Logan's near-death at the hands of the drukhari brought it to the surface in a way she could no longer deny, and no longer wanted to. She told of Logan's acceptance of the craftworld, his connection to Isha, and how she was growing in power. She told of how Isha seemed intent on fostering trust and peace between aeldari and humanity, and how love could conquer all. Finally, she ended with Logan's capture by the drukhari.

"I don't know if you've ever been truly in love, Miss Pyrien," Alinelle finished. "But if you are, hold on to that with all of your heart and cherish every moment you have together."

Raberta simply sat in stunned silence.

"You've given me a lot to think about, farseer," Raberta finally said. "Thank you."

"Thank you for listening," Alinelle replied. "I hope that my story may inspire others to cast aside their prejudices, both aeldari and human."

With that, the shuttle docked with Isha's Mercy. Alinelle gave a friendly wave goodbye, as the hatch opened. Raberta smiled and waved back as she closed the hatch and began her return journey to the Pride of Reason.

Alinelle found Nehyn waiting for her just outside the shuttle bay, waiting for her.

"How did it go?" Nehyn inquired.

"As well as we'd hoped," Alinelle said. "The Rogue Trader has agreed to join us when we are ready to make our assault."

Nehyn nodded in approval, and walked alongside her as she made her way back to the bridge.

"We are done here," Alinelle told the crew. "It is time we move to the next step of the plan."

Nehyn raised an eyebrow. Alinelle had kept the details of her plan to herself, for now.

"Pull up movements of any active aeldari Corsair fleets in this sector," Alinelle commanded.

The map came alight with markers, showing time-stamped encounters with Corsair fleets. She noted the presence of five independent fleets. Four were small in size, consisting of only a few ships, while the fifth was large - at least for a pirate fleet. Taking all the information in, she began to see the patterns in sightings of one of the smaller fleets. She knew where they would strike next.

"Make way for the Derenvit system," Alinelle ordered. "I think it's time for a reunion with our void-faring brethren."