The negotiation
Tervantias is clever. the Rogue Trader had to admit. The xenodevice is of insignificant value to him. But by giving it freely to Idira, he had bound her life to his. And his services… well, they are not going to be cheap at all.
"You all understand, of course" the haemonculus continued, as he addressed the whole room "that any threats to my person, whether perceived or real, would negatively impact this delicate surgery. My hand could...slip. It happens even to the best of us."
A threat. No, an empty threat. Tervantias has already admitted that he is willing to negotiate. An appeasement offer would be a mistake. His words are only meant to raise the price.
"And what would it take to devolve your full attention to this surgery?" the Rogue Trader asked, not willing to give a single inch more than necessary to the vile Xeno.
"I want my samples. My equipment. I want more test subjects, and I want guarantees of safe passage." he listed "Above all, I want that foolish Inquisitor of yours who made a mockery of my craft!"
What?
That last request came unexpected. If the Inquisition was somehow involved with the Xenos… No, no point in speculating. In his outburst, Tervantias had disclosed secret information. Dangerous information. Was it also heretical? Most likely. The Rogue Trader would have to press him for answers.
"Are you acquainted with Lord Inquisitor Calcazar? What is your relationship with him?"
The haemonculus' visage contorted with outrage "He sought to construct a weapon, commissioned MY work, perverted it with his obscene sorcery, and killed the emissaries I sent to collect payment!" he spat.
By the Emperor, the charges of heresy are getting heavier by the minute. There was plenty of bad blood between Tervantias and Calcazar, that much was obvious. But covertly working with Xenos as dangerous as these… what was he trying to achieve?
Meanwhile, Argenta was glaring daggers at Henrix. "Interrogator? Care to explain why your master is sullying his hands with xenotech and forbidden sorcery?"
No. No. No! We can't just admit that we are completely in the dark! Henrix, make her stop!
"My apologies, Sister Argenta." he replied with detatchement "Lord Inquisitor Calcazar has not made me aware of such a dealing with the black covens. Operational security. I hope you understand."
Knowing Argenta, she was going to be anything but understanding. No doubt there was going to be a reckoning once the matter at hand had been solved.
"You companions seem surprised at this latest development, dear patron." Tervantias noted.
"My retinue is not privy to all that happens between the stars." the Rogue Trader lied smoothly "Delicate matters require a chirurgeon's hand, as you would say."
Tervantias accepted the explanation without questions. "Of course. I assume you are familiar with the specifics of this commission?"
"Broadly speaking." the Rogue Trader replied noncommittally "Calcazar once mentioned he was having…difficulties with one of his projects. He came to me with the plans. Unfortunately, not even my best Tech-Priests were able to assist him. I see now that he has decided to outsource the labor to more capable hands."
There. A flattery to keep him talking.
"These very hands will be his undoing. I no longer care about his payment. But I can not overlook his disrespect towards my creation."
"Believe me, Calcazar's callousness has raised more than a few eyebrows. Many would claim his methods to be of questionable purity, if not outright heretical."
The Rogue Trader considered his next words carefully. The Warrant of Trade granted a number of rights to the bearer, and what he was about to say was well beyond his prerogatives. No doubt Henrix was going to have a fit.
"Tervantias. I am willing to sell you Inquisitor Calcazar."
To Henrix's credit, not only he betrayed no hint of anger. He even supported the Rogue Trader's offer. "The accusations you are moving against Lord Inquisitor Calcazar are grave, Xeno. Normally, his interrogation and execution would be handled internally under the imperial law."
He took a brief pause, as if he were considering whether or not it was opportune to commit blasphemy. "But given these extraordinary circumstances...if Calcazar is indeed guilty of heresy as you claim, we will refrain from passing our judgment, and will surrender him to you. This is the best and only deal the Inquisition is willing to offer."
Marvelous. Henrix has played his part perfectly. Calcazar's position has become so precarious that he can now be quietly removed from the table. There will be no formal investigation, no trial behind closed doors, and everyone involved will save their face. The Rogue Trader offered a nod of gratitude to the Interrogator.
"A reasonable compromise." Tervantias conceded "I am certain of my accusations."
"Have you already delivered the weapon to Calcazar?" the Rogue Trader asked.
"Regrettably, I have. Calcazar requested me to deliver it to that great forge of his."
A great forge? Is he talking about a Forge-World? Hmm, there are only two Forge-Worlds in the Koronus Expanse: Kiava Gamma, which I own, and Eufrates II. I need to take a gamble.
"Ah. Yes. Eufrates II. A cozy hideout for the Inquisition's dirty work, I must say. Which, of course, by the time we are having this conversation, he has already left."
"Indeed. Calcazar is a fool, but even he must have known I would be after him. So far he has managed to elude my grasp. But if he were to be approached by a prominent member of his own kind…"
"...we would be able to corner him." the Rogue Trader concluded.
There is only one issue, though. Eufrates II is no longer in imperial hands. Was letting it fall to the Archenemy also part of Calcazar's plan? That would have been an extreme, if effective, way to burn his own traces. Or even worse, were they actually aware of the weapon hidden upon the Forge-World?
We need to finish our business on Quetza Temer quickly, the Rogue Trader decided. Eufrates II is the key to Calcazar's machinations, and we need to get there with haste.
Tervantias had revealed much, but he was starting to get impatient "Now. I believe I have made my terms clear. Do we have an agreement?"
"That is not for me to decide. Idira, what says you?"