I was stalking through a large dark corridor with the silence and purpose of a vengeful ghost. Black scarred walls of sharp metal interspersed with blood red light lined my path, and the air surrounding me was saturated with pain. The atmosphere felt thick with corruption, and my Sight led me forward through numerous turns and bends, driving me onward on my hunt. The white noise of countless tortured memories and lost souls buzzed in a nearly-incoherent roar, and some of the more cohesive spirits here watched me pass with maddened joy. Their presence in this air was so thick that I could almost physically feel them, like gossamer wings of a cloud of insects coalesced out of congealed suffering. They were the memories of the dead ones that had been lost in this cursed space. Battles from long ago that still echoed with death screams so violent that their agonies still rang through time like an impossible church bell. This made the silence loud as I found my way.
They could see me. And they welcomed me, as I had a purpose to be here.
Kill him... they whispered around and through me. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. The son must meet the fate of the father... Destroy him... Obliterate him...
As I silently loped through the labyrinthian halls, an extremely unlucky wandering Astartes managed to stumble upon me. He froze, stunned into stupefied horror at what he was seeing, his red reptilian eyes immediately widening in fear as he gazed up at me. I could even tell that he had urinated himself in terror.
Before he could react in any way, I quickly severed his connection to the infernal gods that had made him strong, making sure he felt everything that I did to him in the stark light of his sudden lucidity. Tell me where he is, and I'll make your death quick, I mentally bludgeoned the petrified beast. I stood before him as his ears, eyes, and nose began to bleed heavily, his flesh beginning to sizzle in response to my light.
Unfortunately, before I could tear the information out of this worthless animal, he began to convulse in metaphysical horror. As my Corona washed over and through him, cutting him away from his gods, he had broken like a piece of dry tinder, and his mind burned. Within a single heartbeat, the traitor's consciousness had dissolved, so I would find nothing from him. Feeling his sentience disintegrate, I allowed myself a grin, and simply walked past the shivering traitor as he fell to his knees in the hallway, hallucinating battles from over ten thousand years ago. Reaching behind, I tore into what remained of his mind as I continued onward, forcing him into eternal silence as he continued to helplessly fall into his own spiritual abyss. He couldn't even scream. Any attempt to discover what had happened to him would end in failure. The others would find him, and not even know what caused this, I thought with a smile.
Madness of that variety was an even worse punishment than death, and within his eviscerated sanity, I knew that he was now experiencing a hundred years of torture within each second of time that passed. The usage of Sight as a weapon was dreadfully effective, as it bent the nature of time and reality around to my will, and I could use it to terrible effectiveness now. The thought of what I had done to the traitor sent a shiver of righteous satisfaction through me. My teeth even began to chatter, and I found that I was smiling widely.
My Sight had grown powerful, and over time, it had remade me into what I was now. I was a glorious force of nature, a literal manifestation of divine retribution that hunted through dark places, burning away corruption and injustice. I had never known what being alive actually meant until I became what I am. I was a living weapon, a sword of justice to be used against the unworthy.
A sudden ignition of my intuition turned me toward a particular direction, and I continued on my way. It was as if the wind had changed. The hallway was long and dark, and I had to somewhat lessen my height to move through here adequately. Distantly, I could now hear that an alarm was blaring somewhere, and I ignored it. My imperative was to find and destroy someone, and so, that's what I was here to accomplish. It was what I was supposed to do.
The alarm became louder, and ahead of me now, there was a black door; it was slick with partially coagulated blood, and wreathed in the heady energy of dark powers. The ward was actually considerably powerful, as I was not immediately able to burn it away, even with Sight.
"I can see it, yes... It hunts you..." a woman's shriveled voice gasped behind the warded door. "The power, the... the..."
"Describe it to me!" An exceptionally resonant and cruel voice charged with daemonic strength hissed impatiently.
My breath caught. This was my prey! This was who I wished to exterminate! My quarry was right behind this warded door! All I had to do was burn it down, and I could annihilate him! Many human prayers would be answered!
"I see... I see..." the woman moaned, psychically searching for what I was.
The alarm around me became louder still. My imperative drove me onward. I pulled deep within myself, conjuring as much of my power as I could, and began to sear away the Chaotic enchantments on this door like a wall of gold fire. A flush of radiant heat washed over me, and I felt a dull ache within my chest. The enchantments before me were substantial, and actually offered some resistance. But, to me, a little resistance made my hunt so much more exciting. An enemy of mine had once said that to me, and I had discovered the sentiment to be true.
"A woman... The little sister..."
"What?!" my prey hissed in surprise. The alarm around me was now becoming distracting, and I felt myself begin to dissipate. I just needed to get through this barrier, and I could obliterate him!
"She's here," the crone whispered as the warded door ahead of me disintegrated away to nothing like burned paper under my willpower. "She's come."
An infinitesimally small moment passed as I made eye contact with the creature I hunted. They prey looked back at me before immediately lunging forward with sword that glowed of everlasting hate. But, by then, the moment was gone; I was pulled back to myself, and back to my body.
I woke up with a cry on my bed in Evna, absolutely covered in cold sweat, and my Corona bright and hot around my entire body. I felt like I was on fire, and leapt out of bed as I began to reflexively strip off the clothes I had slept in, which were now completely soaked through with sweat. The nightmare-alarm was still audible, I thought in a panic until I realized that the noise was actually my ringing vox phone device.
I sat back down on my bed. Closing my eyes, I ordered myself to calm down. Shivering, I continued to remind myself that it was just another dream. My heart began to ache under the Key, which was hot against my skin. Wait, was this a nightmare or a vision? Did that actually happen somewhere?
A knock at my door which caused me to jump up again. "My leader? Are you well? May I enter?"
I took two deep breaths before I said, "Just a nightmare. I'm fine." Who had I seen? Who was the man I was hunting? I tried to dip into what I remembered, but found that I could only remember his eyes. They were bright gold, almost like mine, but saturated with negative energy. I wasn't actually hunting anyone in real life, so I had no idea what this meant!
My phone was still ringing, and I grabbed it with shaking fingers as I continued to get my bearings. Through the partially closed drapes, the indigo twilight of predawn was visible. It was morning, but the sun had not yet risen. I pressed a button, and placed the device to my ear.
"Good morning, Inheritor. This is Magos Nimmie Amee. You met my remote representative yesterday," the woman on the other end said. The reception was filled with static, and was very poor.
"Where is Null?" I bellowed as I immediately assumed the worst.
"H-he's right here. Apologies on the poor reception. We needed to use a signal booster to get through at all. So, we're both processing the crime report concerning, um, well..." she trailed off. There was a pause.
"Hello, y-yes, I'm right here. I spent the night at the T-tower of Reason, and now I am at Port Aubergine," Null's voice responded to me, a tremor of fear in his words. I could barely hear him over the distortion. "I'm g-glad you're awake early. There's been an incident."
"Oh," I said, again as I took a deep breath. Okay, calm down. I'm in my hotel room, and not hunting a random evil guy with gold eyes through some metal Chaos maze.
Blearily, I noticed that I was tightly clutching the blanket with my other hand, and I was now aware that my nose was bleeding when a drop of blood met my upper lip. I reached for a tissue on the nightstand to blot my nosebleed, and then, nervously put my hand through my hair. I then discovered that my laurels were not on my head! In an immediate reactionary panic, I nearly flew out of bed again, only to find that my laurel crown had been placed neatly on my nightstand.
Null had apparently been talking this entire time. "...and the Sinclairs have also been notified. We'd like to send a shuttle down to pick you up for your inspection. I would like to..."
Nothing that Null was saying to me was actually registering. Still feeling overheated, I sat back down on my bed. I was completely soaked through with sweat. Distantly, I now realized that my memories of the previous night were somewhat fuzzy. From what I could remember, a daemon had possessed the Catachan beastmaster lady, and then, she got her head blown off by Tzeentch. I strained to remember what had transpired, and failed. Meanwhile, Null was still speaking. I interrupted him, and said, "Sorry, Null. Could you repeat all that?" I replied. "I... I had a vision or a nightmare or something. I don't know. I just woke up from it."
"All the more reason for you to come down to Port Aubergine immediately. Do not speak of such visions openly. There's been an incident with the Divine Retribution."
Before I could get even more upset at hearing those words, I reached over to grab my laurel crown, and placed it behind my head. Immediately, it fastened itself to me, and with a brief bright flash of my Corona, I then felt somewhat more temperate. Much better. I took another deep breath before I inquired, "What happened?" A trickle of blood ran down the side of my neck, and I could now tell that my left ear was also bleeding.
The phone crackled and buzzed in response to my energy, and I withdrew my light.
"Er, so..." Null began, intimidated. "The ship is fine. Don't worry. There is no problem with it whatsoever. However, during the night, we believe some enterprising ruffians attempted to break into the vessel."
"So, do they have a video of the crime or something that we could see?" I asked, feeling myself greatly calm down. These laurels were great. They were very effective in regulating and tempering my strength so I wasn't overwhelmed all the time by my power.
"Well, ah," the Tech-priest began to awkwardly explain through the static. "We're still trying to repair the security camera recordings, if that's what you're asking. We also think that someone attempted to use a frequency scrambler on Port Aubergine last night so that no alert systems could be triggered, and no Wheelers could be sent. It also jammed some of the communication relays in that region, so it's all just a mess. Only by using this booster could we get through to you. Magos Nimmie only realized what had happened within the last thirty minutes, and as soon as we got here, we set to work contacting you."
"But the ship's okay so..." I fuzzily trailed off as I began to strip the rest of my sweaty clothes. I definitely needed a shower.
"The ship, as I said, is perfectly well. Not a spot on her. Maybe a few cosmetic spots, but nothing harmful. It is the guilty party that is not well, you see," Null replied. On the other end, I could vaguely hear the sound of a few people darkly laughing.
A vision then flashed through my mind's eye. On the tarmac of the port, a broad splatter of blood and pulverized flesh spread out from one of the Divine Retribution's talons. A small crowd of uniformed people were now standing around and scratching their heads at the scene. A few red-robed Tech-priests were also in attendance at the port, and were also confused. Oh. I began to chuckle. "I think I get it now. The ship stomped on the bad guys?"
Null unexpectedly laughed. "Yes, the 'bad guys' have been 'stomped.' It is being requested that you come down to Port Aubergine as soon as you can. The local port authority also needs you to move the ship so they can clean the stone beneath. Because of this and the damaged communications issues, the city of Evna closed that port until they can get everything fixed and cleaned for their incoming guests."
"I understand," I replied, slowly beginning to feel better. "But first, I need a shower. I woke up bleeding and soaked. Give me like twenty minutes and have a flyer or an air shuttle or something pick me up."
"Understood."
After a quick shower, I threw on a dark knee-length skirt and similarly colored shirt. Luckily, a quick glance in the mirror confirmed that more of my hair had not whitened further, so I was now able to dismiss last night as a nightmare. I was just lacing up my tall boots when I heard a knock at my bedroom door. It was Alberich.
"Are you dressed? There are strange men at the front door. They say they are here for you," he informed me. "They say that they're here to take you to the port." He then added a telepathic, Are you in trouble for last night? These people appear akin to secret police. There are three men outside. Tell me what I should do.
Towel drying my hair and replacing my laurels, I telepathically replied, They're from the city. The Divine Retribution had someone try to mess with it last night, and the ship flattened whoever it was into a paste all over the tarmac. They're here to take me to the port so I can move the ship.
Alberich began to chuckle, and I heard the sound of the front door being opened. "Welcome. She will be out soon," he offered. I could also hear Ennoia and Morai chatting together in Nubuan, quietly planning to dispatch these men if it appeared that they were enemies.
"Can't even get breakfast, huh?" I grumbled as I retrieved the Nemeses Argentum, and placed the scissors in a jacket pocket. Again, I attempted to recall the full details of last night's dream, and failed. I could only very keenly remember the distinctive gold eyes of the stranger I had been hunting. The rest of the details were quickly dimming.
There was only room for one other individual to fly along with me on the shuttle to Port Aubergine along with the team that was sent, so I opted to bring Alberich. After a quick explanation to Ennoia and Morai describing what had happened, we were on our way. The beastman was watching me warily as I stared out the window as we flew through the predawn city. Not only that, the three uniformed officials flying with us seemed to be nervously watching me, and they were unsettled.
"Hey, it's not my fault someone tried to steal my ship," I snapped, causing one of the men to flinch.
You did not cover your laurels in a scarf. They glow slightly, Alberich cautiously informed me in mind. Since last night, perhaps rumors have spread?
Last night? I asked as we flew. Oh. Tell me what happened. I'm actually a little fuzzy on the details.
The beastmaster woman killed the Catachan devil creature by punching right through it. She then walked through to the audience, and straight for you. Pink light swirled around her, and gold around you before the nervous man in the blue cloak you told me to watch walked up to her, and shot her in her head. When this happened, all the lights in the restaurant burnt out, and people began to panic. Ennoia removed her mask and stood to guard you as the other man was then dispatched by security guards.
Alberich briefly paused, the memory obviously disturbing him. Then, your light got brighter, even while in proximity to the unmasked Blank woman, and I watched as you bewitched everyone into placidity. I don't know how you did it, but... The beastman shuddered, and took a deep breath. A curious mixture of fear and awe radiated from him. It seems as if you influenced all the minds around you. This ability was also one that my former charge possessed, and I recognized its effects. Adolph Hitler could bend minds to his will easily, and to see you do such a thing both frightens and inspires me. Alberich ended his psychic explanation with a brief smile and a nod.
And here we go with this Hitler shit again, I internally bristled. I decided that yelling at Alberich about this while in the company of government officials was a bad idea. So I just mentally replied with a Thank you for telling me this.
So, mass hypnosis and suggestive powers were also in my psychic arsenal? When I thought about it, it actually made plenty of sense. After all, I knew that the Emperor had been able to do this sort of thing since he had manipulated everyone into striking away the memories of the lost two Primarchs. Or, whatever he had done, he made it so the entire Imperium couldn't ever talk about them. I couldn't remember exactly, but I did know that he could manipulate conscious and unconscious memories. And now, I guess I could too, although doing this sort of thing wasn't easy on me. Maybe that's why I had that nightmare last night? Since my hair hadn't whitened any further, I should be okay.
"We're about to land. Please prepare yourself for a foul sight. We apologize in advance," one of the men spoke to me. He made eye contact with me for a brief moment before looking away in his intimidation.
"Guess I'm getting used to all this horribleness," I mumbled my reply, which was mostly to myself.
The flyer landed just outside the port, and the doors opened.
We had landed to the side of one of the terminals, and we now stood in a wide flat space. A group of red-robed Tech-priests of various shapes and sizes were milling about and speaking with one another. One particularly tall and multiple-armed Tech-priest began to walk toward us even before I could depart the shuttle. Beside this individual, I recognized Null's animated eyes and gold left arm. His green eyes were smiling.
"Ah, good, here you are," Null said as Alberich and I stepped out of the flyer. "Firstly, I'd like to introduce to you Magos Nimmie Amee. She is the Tower Master at the Tower of Reason, and she is the one who organizes the forces of Wheeler battle servitors patrolling Evna."
She? I looked up at this red-robed metal arachnid of a woman. Alberich backed up, intimidated by her. This Magos even had eight multi-colored animated eyes, and right now, they all looked down on me with a somewhat happy expression. Magos Amee was far more intimidating than Null was, and she loomed over everyone at a hunched height of about two and a half meters. Eight thin metal arms with multiple joints branched from her lengthened red-robed torso, which made her reminiscent of some kind of monstrous metal humanoid spider. Her buzzing voice was somewhat whispery and sibilant, and I actually found it very pleasant to listen to. "Null has explained to me who and what you are, Inheritor. I would like to apologize for my insulting behavior earlier," she said before lowering herself in a very deep bow. "Ignorance can affect the best of us."
Behind Null and the spider Magos, I could see a presumably malfunctioning Wheeler that was rolling around in a small circle. Two adepts were taking notes on tablets as they watched the servitor. The Wheeler then actually started to madly laugh, and within a moment, it fell to the ground in a heap. Nimmie did not seem to notice this as she rose from her bow.
Around us, other Tech-priests had noticed the meeting between the Magos and myself, and were whispering with one another. This spider Magos lady was in charge of all of them, and she just bowed to me.
Oh, I thought, reaching up to touch my laurels, which were now very obviously displayed on my head. Right, I had forgotten to wear my scarf. Oh well. I felt better with this crown on anyway. And I had to admit that it made me look cool.
"I am assuming Null has told you about the little issue concerning your parked vessel," Magos Amee's warm whispery voice asked me.
"Yeah," I confirmed her assumption as the Magos gestured for us to follow her. Null walked alongside the spider priestess as we followed her onto the tarmac that stood beside the terminal building. She was leading us along a wide wall. "Some thieves got squashed, and you guys want to hose them off the pavement. Is that right?"
Near us, I could hear the group of following Tech-priests chuckle with amusement as they had overheard what I had said. "To put it plainly, yes. And, I apologize on behalf of all of Evna for troubling you with this. Firstly, it is being requested of you to move your vessel so that the port can be appropriately cleaned before other priority guests arrive here. Once this has been accomplished, we will also begin our delivery to you of essential supplies that you will need on your long journey," she said as we turned a corner, and emerged onto the main tarmac/runway area. "And, unfortunately, another issue has surfaced just surfaced within the last few minutes. One that I will need to speak with you in private later, along with another concerned party here in Evna. This issue has made herself unwelcomely present this morning, and will not leave."
Before us, the Divine Retribution stood gleaming in the first rays of the rising sun, as beautiful as always. I noticed that from here, I could actually see the silhouette of the Am'Erika statue distantly reaching into the sky with a tall gold sword, which glowed in the dawn's early light. A small group of uniformed officials and Tech-priests stood some distance before the vessel itself. They were mostly huddled together, deep in some kind of discussion. A few individuals, including a Tech-priest, were pointing at what appeared to be a dark river of oil streaming from underneath the Divine Retribution.
No, wait, I realized as I walked further ahead. That was blood. Blood, bits of crushed bone, and macerated flesh. There was even a somewhat comical splatter pattern under one of the Retribution's giant gold talons. I honestly loved that this ship could defend itself like this now that it was juiced up with power.
"What's going on here?" I asked, confidently walking ahead to the group of chatting people, my back straight. "So, looks like someone tried to break into a ship that didn't belong to them? Absolutely smashing, I'd say," I lightly joked.
The group parted before me, and I was very disappointed to see a certain someone.
It was Raula White, and with her, the stout woman reporter I had seen her speak with on the newscast! Beside the reporter stood a cameraman holding a very fancy camera on his shoulder. Both the cameraman and the reporter were wearing lanyards that marked them as members of Sinclair News Network. I immediately stopped, sensing danger as Raula smiled my way. Her smile dipped for a split second when she saw my laurel crown, but she immediately recovered. The leader of the Family of Liberty was wearing a magenta, aqua, and white fashion disaster of a pantsuit, along with glittery red high heel shoes with pointed tips that made her look like a witch. Which she was, after all.
The awful woman continued to hone in on me, of course. "Excuse me, miss. Do you know who owns this vessel? Perhaps you can point me to your captain? Where would we find him?" the dead-eyed smiling blonde cult leader brazenly asked in a patronizing tone as I now suddenly found myself facing a Sinclair News Network video camera!
Who the fuck does this lady think she is, I thought angrily as she grinned my way, waiting for my reaction that she would no doubt broadcast all over the entire planet. Wasn't I a guest of the Sinclairs? What the hell was going on here?
"My leader..."Alberich cautioned as he touched my shoulder, knowing that I was now very upset.
"I'll handle this," I whispered my reply.
First, it was definitely time to cause some technical difficulties, I thought, and with a gentle nudge of my Sight, I covertly caused a power malfunction within the camera pointed toward me. The cameraman then lowered the camera, and began adjusting various dials and knobs. Raula did not seem to notice, and continued to smile at me as the reporter held a (now silenced) microphone to my face.
This was super upsetting to put me on the spot like this, and to put me on blast in front of the media, so I couldn't help but feel my presence and voice begin to brighten.
"Correct me if I am wrong here, but it was my understanding that a Writ of Confidentiality provided privacy to those who request it," I said, my voice carrying powerfully across the tarmac while feeling my Corona slightly emerge in a small glow surrounding my head and shoulders. I felt a wave of awe rise from the Tech-priests and the uniformed officials behind me as they silently watched the confrontation. "But, maybe you don't think rules are for you, Raula White? What is the meaning of this?" I pointed toward her mysteriously malfunctioning camera, and pushed the microphone away from my personal space. The reporter woman appeared intimidated by this, and shot Raula a brief look of confusion.
"I'm sorry, but do I know you? I know everyone important in this city, but I just can't seem to recall meeting you," the black-eyed woman actually stood her ground before me. "There is no need to be upset, girl. I simply want to know where I can find your captain. I see that you are here with a white-feathered Tzaangor. Are you both servants? Maybe you are you a concubine of a sort? Are you knowledgeable that this city has been plagued with crime by these aberrant mutants?"
The microphone was held again in my face. Too bad it still wasn't functioning.
I began to roil with anger, causing my Corona to brighten even further, which caused Raula to actually step back.
In my mind, I heard Alberich advise me, This witch is goading you. She wishes for you to misbehave in front of a journalist!
The beastman was right. I watched the reporter lean over to the cameraman, who replied with something that sounded like, "It's busted" under his breath. The cameraman then turned to Raula and made some sort of cutting gesture. She then actually appeared surprised.
"Technical difficulties?" I asked, raising one eyebrow, pulling myself back from wanting to fucking destroy this bitch for pulling this stunt.
Raula turned back to me, and I saw her lip slightly curl. The cameraman and the reporter began to tinker with the camera while exchanging a few words, and after a short time, the reporter turned toward me, her expression suspicious. I cheekily grinned at her as Raula began to speak to me again: "My dear, I'm here under the authority of the planetary governor herself. I'm aiding in the investigation of the local murders of the members of my organization, the Family of Liberty. Last night, a mentally challenged man and his sister were both seen wandering Port Aubergine. Both were harmless, gentle members of our charity group. And it seems that this strange vessel crushed them both under its evil talons. No proper judgement was issued by any security forces, and no investigation was visited by Evna's officials. It is my belief that we have seen a crime committed here, and I wish to find the owner of this dangerous vessel before it hurts more innocent people."
My intuition then let me know that "help" was coming. What kind of help, I had no idea, so I just started laughing. This was all so absurd. Back at home, this situation probably would have terrified me, but now, staring down a cult leader with actual evil powers just felt absurd and funny. "So listen, I just heard a rumor that the security cameras here were all down last night. What a fucking coincidence, right?" I then pointed upward at the Divine Retribution. "That vessel, I happen to know, has a self-defensive protocol. It will squash thieves or assailants like little bugs if it detects bodily damage. Sounds to me like someone planned on breaking into it. Real suspicious, I'd say."
"Mmm, and how do you know this?" Raula pinned her eyes on mine, and I felt a peculiar substantial "push" of filthy and distinctly Slaanesh-flavored psychic energy toward me. A slight shimmer of pink surrounded her head as she actually put effort into breaking into my soul. Haha, really? Really? She was going to do this in front of everyone? The cameraman and the reporter were still desperately trying to fix the camera, but to make this all even funnier, the camera somehow magically (I did it) slipped out of the cameraman's hands, and landed with a crunch on the tarmac. Oh no. What a shame!
In response to Raula's pink glow, my gold Corona then fully emerged. Gasps were heard originating from the group behind me.
I fixed my glowing gold eyes on the cult leader. Do you really want to fuck with me, lady? I psychically boomed inside this woman's fetid mind. She flinched, but remained standing strongly before me. I'm the owner of this vessel, and I think on some level, you know who and what I am. So, go take your little camera crew and go bother someone else before I tear the soul from your body and eat it for breakfast. I chattered my teeth to punctuate what I had just said.
Incredibly, Raula managed to hold her ground, but her eyes then began to bleed all over her fancy pantsuit. She didn't look so camera-ready anymore. She began to sneer in hatred, and we both remained staring at each other, neither one of us backing off.
My leader, do not let her goad you! Alberich telepathically warned me, a pinch of desperation in his tone.
Before anything could escalate, I sensed a figure pushing his way through the group of gathered Tech-priests and port officials that stood behind me watching this confrontation. An official-looking man in a black formal military uniform appeared. He walked ahead of me and stood between Raula and myself. The stranger politely bowed before the cult leader as she stood before me. Her pink halo still hung about her even as this man was here. This newcomer was an average man in his mid-forties, and had short salt-and-pepper hair along with a similarly-colored beard. He shook his head, and seemed slightly winded as he appeared to address Raula, as if he had run a distance before coming here.
"Raula White, Matriarch of the Family of Liberty, you've hereby been summoned to appear before Grand Advisor Grigori," he said, catching his breath. "Immediately," he added in a serious tone.
I let my Corona fall as I smiled, and Raula's pink halo lingered for a few seconds more before she dropped it. She took a deep breath, and walked to the man in the black uniform, the news crew following her while carrying the broken video camera. When the reporter woman passed me, she politely smiled and covertly slipped me her business card, which made me laugh again. As Raula walked by, she telepathically sniped, This isn't over, whore. I know who you are! I will conquer you for the glory of Am'Erika the Beautiful!
Hearing this didn't even surprise me, and I snorted.
The last Slaanesh person to threaten me like that was the Daemon Prince that I ended up annihilating, so watch your back, bitch. I will fucking destroy you, I telepathically screamed to the back of her head as she was hastily led away from the port. Audibly, I then cheerfully shouted out in a sweet polite voice, "It was great meeting you, Raula! You're one classy lady!" as I watched her be led away and down around the terminal building. She was then gone. I took a deep breath and calmed myself. All this before breakfast. Man, this was going to be one hell of a day!
A feeling of relief washed through the Tech-priests and port officials like a gentle breeze, and Magos Amee walked toward me once again with Null by her side, who was now visibly trembling. The large spidery Magos appeared greatly relieved, and she bowed slightly again before speaking to me. "The Family of Liberty is not in good relations with the Tower of Reason, if it was not obvious. We're working toward the reconstruction of the security records here, but, I will just say that what Raula said was most certainly a lie, as we found the remains of an arc torch near one of the talons of your vessel. And, you have a Writ of Confidentiality that Raula attempted to defy. What she just did was a grave offense of Evna laws, and Omnissiah willing, she will be punished. I find it greatly disturbing that she has the ear of the governor, and seems to be under special protection."
"Am I going to get in trouble for my halo?" I asked.
Magos Amee shook her head. "Certainly not. You, as all my adepts have clearly seen, have acted in self-defense against a hostile foe. We will need to discuss some issues in private, as you can probably ascertain. But, other urgencies are upon us now, as we need to get this port cleaned and reopened."
"Alright, no problem," I replied. Alberich and Null were currently discussing something in furtive tones, and I heard the word "Slaanesh" spoken. Alberich then pointed at the distant Statue of Libertine, his face filled with anger.
Taking a moment to center myself, I swept my gaze across the gathered people of Port Aubergine. About ten red-robed adepts of various sizes and alterations were speaking to one another, and others were now taking photographs of the crime scene.
I took a few deep breaths, and realized that I was slightly dizzy. This had already been an eventful morning, and I hadn't even had breakfast yet. I could really go for some eggs, I started thinking until my eyes caught a puddle of yellow human fat on the tarmac. My appetite was then gone, and I began to walk toward the Divine Retribution, avoiding the splatter zone.
With an easy command, I opened the vessel to an awestruck crowd of adepts and port officials, its gangway pouring out of it in liquid gold as it kneeled. Maybe I could drop off the souls in the Key since I was here, I thought. Alberich then appeared beside me, and we both began to walk up the gangway. Behind the beastman, I turned, and saw Null scurrying up the stairs with Magos Amee in tow.
"Inheritor," Null quietly addressed me now when I was halfway up. "Pardon me, but I request a visitor aboard."
I turned around. Nimmie Amee grasped her hands together in an almost childlike expression of wonder as she stood at the base of the stairs. I shrugged. "If you trust her, that's fine. And, what's with this whole 'Inheritor' thing all the sudden?"
"It... it is the proper terminology. The term 'Inheritor', I have learned, is the correct title for you. Permission to call you 'Inheritor' from now on?"
"Alright fine, I don't care," I said, feeling slightly woozy from my lack of food and heavy use of my abilities. "Come on up. Tell your people to stay well out of the way of the range of the talons, though. I'm going to move the ship."
Nimmie vociferated the instruction to a group of Tech-priests that stood behind her, and they immediately began to instruct the others to back away, along with the port officials. After that was done, the giant metal spider Magos walked giddily onboard the ship behind Alberich and Null.
I yawned as I felt the ship psychically acknowledge when we were all inside. "Okay, close up, Divine Retribution," I instructed, and the ship closed.
Nimmie Amee was overjoyed as she observed the plated metal walls of the interior of this ship, and Null was now explaining that his gold arm was actually made of the same living gold as this vessel. They sounded like two kids excitedly talking about their favorite television shows, and it was sort of cute.
"I'm going to the bridge. You can come with me if you want," I said, finding the stairway.
"Oh, yes! I would love to see this! The last two days have been the most exciting in many years!" she said, clapping two pairs of her thin metal hands.
Upstairs, I waited for everyone else to file into the bridge, and there, I smiled as Null and Nimmie chattered like two excited children again, buzzing about how incredible this archaeotech was. I sat on my throne, but before I could hook myself up, Virgil appeared before me in a sudden smear of light, his face very concerned. "You're back! Thank the Emperor!" he said desperately. His expression then gaped in surprise as he saw both my gold laurels, and the guest we had aboard.
"That's Null's Magos friend. And, you like my new headgear?" I asked brightly as I pointed to my laurels. "Psychic modulator, but not the Emperor's crown, so don't worry. Some mystery admirer sent it to me!"
"You look, you look..." Virgil blinked repeatedly as he tried not to say that I looked like an Empress, and I smiled to hear his loud thought.
"Just call me Inheritor. Null says that that's actually the proper term, and I like how it sounds."
"Very well, Inheritor," the hologram said with a nod.
I could now overhear Null explaining to Nimmie that Virgil was now a sentient hologram, and existed as a part of the ship. Nimmie had apparently briefly met him a thousand years ago. Virgil cleared his throat and began to speak tensely. "Inheritor, the ship moved when you were away! I felt it! I tried to contact you, but the line would not connect! Is there a problem?"
"Not anymore, Virg. Someone tried to break into the ship, but it defended itself. Everything is fine. I'm just moving it now so the people in the port can clean the blood off the tarmac, and then I'm going right back out," I said to the hologram as I willed the ship to attach itself to me. I sighed as I felt my psychic presence expand and magnify. I now had majestic wings, and the strength of the divine flowing through my veins. Like me, the ship also wanted breakfast, so I willed it to absorb the souls that I had collected.
The mad street girl's name had been "Alice", and she had been a mild psyker. Her willing sacrifice caused me to feel a wave of strength. Only tiny shreds of "Thallia" remained, who had been the daemon-possessed beastmaster that had been killed last night. Finally, the soul of a Tzeentch-worshipping madman simply named "Blue" alighted through me. The ship, while able to consume the more tainted souls, did so reluctantly, and was only able to get a smaller amount of power from the last two. It reminded me of trying to eat toast with burnt crusts, or a steak that had too much gristle. While it still offered nourishment, it wasn't the best.
"Get ready, everyone. I'm going to step to the side," I replied to the bridge with my eyes closed. I pushed my consciousness ahead and into the body of the Divine Retribution, and turned my head to regard the tiny figures milling around near my feet. My right talon was standing on something sticky, so I simply gingerly stepped a few meters to the left. I felt waves of delightful awe from all the souls watching me do this, and that brought me satisfaction. Yes, I am majestic, little creatures!
I then detached myself from the ship, and heard Nimmie Amee's happy exultations. She was absolutely thrilled to be here, and as I continued to watch Null and the Magos interact, it then became obvious to me that these two had a history with each other, which was actually somewhat sweet. Aww, was she his girlfriend?
After opening the ship and walking back outside, my thoughts were back on eating as I stepped down the gangway once again. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned around to see a very happy Magos Amee, all eight of her multicolored eyes shining in happiness. She had her four sets of hands folded together in praise before me. "Thank you ever so much for allowing me to see within this vessel! It is a legend! To see such a divine machine, oh I cannot even express how happy this makes me!"
"Thank you, Magos," I replied to her earnest thanks as I watched port officials drag over what appeared to be a water hose onto the tarmac. The people here were now all smiles, and making jokes about how "flat" the Family of Liberty's message was to the rest of them. The red-robed Tech-priests were now in small huddles as they held data slates while puzzling over the signal interference.
Nimmie then turned to me again. "And now, I invite you to a very special place. Would you care to attend a private meal with some associates of mine? We of the Tower of Reason have been contacted by another group that is having, shall we say, 'problems' with the Family of Liberty. They wish to host you for a meal, and afterward, my adepts and their men will begin delivery of your supplies. We already have a supply of one year's worth of various foodstuffs, raw materials, and even household items typical to fleshier individuals such as yourself. The cost to you is nothing, as both we and another party are happy to help you on your perilous journey."
"Wait, so we don't have to pay for the supplies? Who are these other people?" I asked cautiously. "If they're giving us free stuff then I'd like to know why. I don't want to seem ungrateful but we've already seen a lot of danger."
"The payment for your supplies partially comes from the compensation you would've been given as a wronged party of the crime of having someone attempting to break into your ship. As an independent world, Tar Vigaz takes its security very seriously, and the guilty parties will certainly be dealt with in time. This system has functioned well for over two thousand years now. Another part of this funding originates from a different party that wishes to see you succeed on your travels, and has offered to help. You may be familiar with them, as one of them is known to be one of your crewmembers, Inheritor."
"Lian," I observed quietly. The Fallen had said that they wanted to meet with me this morning. Null was quiet as he stood next to Nimmie, and nodded in response. He still didn't like that I was talking to these renegade marines.
"Yes," Nimmie replied, confirming this. "They wish to host you for a meal in their hidden space in Evna. Many of their number witnessed the Divine Retribution in dreams even before your arrival, and they are eager to meet its Inheritor captain."
"We are going to see Lian's people?" Alberich asked, interested. "The ones that were witnessed directly after we landed? The Space Marines?"
"My apologies to you, but the offer is only for the Inheritor and I alone because of my station, but I will arrange transportation for the rest of you back to your hotel if that is to your liking," Nimmie replied.
"I'd rather stay on the Divine Retribution," Null interjected. "The hotel does not interest me, honestly, and I cannot concentrate on my work there. I have battle servitors of my own, so I will be safe. The vessel responds to me as a crewmember, and while I cannot pilot it, I can open and close it. With your authorization, of course, Inheritor."
"Sure, whatever you want," I replied. I was becoming very hungry.
"I can't come along?" Alberich acted slightly disappointed, but did not object. "If so, I will go back to the hotel. I can handle myself. There are two warrior women that travel with us as well, and their presences subdue psychic powers. One more thing, Magos Amee: Erika and I have an invitation to the planetary governor's costume ball this evening. Will all be safe for us, considering what has happened?"
"In the past, visiting Imperial Commissars dined with xenos mercenaries. Langwidere's balls are strict in their suppression of violence, and she takes them very seriously. Rivalries are ordered to be put to rest in her palace. And, you should not be using the Inheritor's first name any longer. Her title is that of Inheritor."
Alberich pulled a face of slight irritation as turned toward me, and psychically whispered, You will be dressed as the Empress of Mankind. How will this cause this Chaotic woman to react? And why does everyone call you Inheritor now?
They call me Inheritor because that's what their old myths say I am supposed to be called. And you have a point there about my costume... I cringed at the prospect of showing up as a big gold Empress in a palace that was likely a den of corruption. "So, I'm sorry, but maybe I shouldn't be going to this ball at all? I mean, I don't think Raula seems all that willing to be peaceful," I spoke cautiously.
Nimmie made a sad sound, and when she began speaking again, she lowered her voice gravely. "I happen to have knowledge of your agreement with the younger Justinian Sinclair, Evring. It would not be a good idea to leave a party you promised you would go to. It wouldn't be just a social faux pas. The Sinclairs may take that as an insult, and they might even arm the minefield around this planet if you try to run without delivering on your promise of going to that party for the money that was given to you."
Oh man. I couldn't actually get out of going to this party now, I thought. As powerful as the Divine Retribution was, I wasn't sure that it could escape a thick space minefield. No wonder everything here sounded too good to be true. It was. Well, great. Looks like this party was going to be a real shit show.
Exhaling in concession, I shook my head. "Okay, fine. I'll be at the party. I just need to be back to my hotel by the afternoon for my final fitting and costuming. I'll go with you to meet Lian's brothers too."
"Excellent," Nimmie responded. She turned toward the beastman again, who did not look happy with his black beak drawn into a frown. "Alberich, I will drop you off at your hotel with my personal shuttle. Null, you stay here of your own choosing. And Inheritor, if it pleases you, you and I will venture to Angel's Respite, one of the most hidden places of Evna. There are many loyal strong warriors who wish to meet you, and no doubt, knowing them will help you on your long and perilous journey."
I nodded, still a little dizzy. My heart ached after the effort of lambasting Raula, and from the traumatic memories of that lingering nightmare. This was at least pretty exciting, though, I had to admit. Nothing in my life was boring anymore.
We were then flying through the air on Nimmie's shuttle. After dropping Alberich off at the hotel, I was going to meet an entire nest of Fallen Dark Angels, and we were getting an entire year of supplies! Because I was a little metaphysically charged up from processing souls, I realized strangely that I was actually looking forward to the rest of today. I was off to meet some edgy renegade Astartes! Most Space Marine stuff was never really my thing, but Cypher was kind of cool, so I had followed the lore of the Dark Angels, somewhat. I wondered if I would meet that famous marine at some point? My future seemed very dangerous, but at least it was somewhat colorful, I thought with a shrug.