A/N: About a half length chapter this week...ended up splitting this chapter into two, next weeks is extra thick!
Mars. The seat of power of the Mechanicus. And, the first time where Amberley would be cutting me loose for an extended period of time.
"You're ditching me." I deadpanned at Vail, earning a scoff from the Inquisitor.
"I'm leaving you your own small army and you have your own retinue of Space Marines following you around. Not to mention you're taking my Tech Priest." Amberley shot back as we entered the Martian orbit. The first order Big E gave us was to haul ass over here, and there wasn't much room to argue.
"In the last two years you've done nothing but tell me that you're gonna keep me on a such a short leash I'd need permission to step out the room." I countered,
"David," Vail starts, letting out a huff "If I were being a 'proper' inquisitor, I would've shot you the day we met. I've seen you grow and harden yourself rapidly in these conflicts. Believe it or not I do trust you, to an extent. Do you honestly think I would let you take command of an entire strike force without some confidence in your abilities?"
She steps forward and flicks my forehead with an exasperated smile.
"You need to work on your Observational skills, David. The Emperor may be looking to restructure the Inquisition, but you're still my Interrogator for now. Learn to accept the silent accolades you've earned, it's improper to simply say 'I'm proud of you'. The rest of the Ordo will think I've grown soft."
"Positive Reinforcement has done wonders for his self-confidence, Amberley." Raya quipped and I shot a glare at her as the two women shared a chuckle.
"Alright, Alright I get it. So, I'm gonna be stuck here until Adumbria? I got to get a Battle Barge back from the brink of death, go through the Pilgrimage of the Martian Priesthood, and start producing multiple production lines of designs from the STC." I steered the conversation back to the task at hand. "In three years and some change."
"Don't forget having the baby." Vail snarked, a smirk on her face.
"Very Important, that one." Raya quipped.
"As if I would ever forget about that." I defended, "I'm just getting clarification before we're thrown to the mechanical wolves. Hell, priority number one is getting the Krata's Master's Quarters back in running condition so that I can have a damn house for the kid."
"And you're certain the Krata will be okay with your residing in it after our destruction of it's previous occupants?" Vail asked.
"I'll put on the ol' Southern Charm. Or I'll swap out enough parts eventually that she'll turn a new tune once she's space worthy again."
"You're awfully confident in your ability to persuade steel, David."
"Well it's a good thing I am, because if I wasn't this would probably never work."


Considering I was going to be accompanied by over two hundred soldiers and four thousand other Adepts of the Mechanicus, the whole Exterminatus had to touch down on the surface. No speedy shuttle ride, no it was an hours long process. Not to help that the closer we got to the surface the more I could hear the machinery.
"Get these fucking candles off of my cabling!"
"Quit with the prayers and just tighten my damn bolts"
"Yesss baby~!More OIL!."
"Raya." I muttered, drawing my wife's attention.
"Hm?"
"Will the Emperor force open my third eye if I tell these guys to pound sand?" I asked, and felt her pat my shoulder in support.
"Indubitably. This is the path of less resistance, I believe." Raya spoke and I let out a sigh.
"I've got my work cut out for me."
It was at this time that Yanbel decided to join Raya and I as we waited for the rest of the Lieutenants.
"My friend, I expect you'll do just fine." The Magos declared, and I turned my gaze towards him.
"You're not hearing a fabricator busting a nut, Yanbel." My dry response it met with a clearing of the Magos' Throat.
"Well…we are at least pleasing to the machine-spirit." Yanbel muttered, turning to face the rest of our gathered forces.
Lieutenant Kent, and the Inquisitorial Misfits. The rag-tag group of those that fell through the cracks. They were going to be shifting straight over to the Krata and get familiar with it's operating systems.
Lieutenant Sulla, and her group of the Valhallan 597th were deciding to stick with us and possibly steal a few upgrades during our stay here on Mars. They would also be shifting to Krata. Its a big ship. We needed bodies.
Boss Keth of the Ubrin 7th's 103rd, they would be learning under me during my work here. Considering my intentions for this place…they were going to either hate me or never want to leave the retinue after.
Lieutenant Hadlen had remained with Vail, which considering where I was and most of Catachan's opinion on the Priesthood, was understandable.
Lieutenant Al'Nagara, however, had dedicated the Maccabian Janissaries' 501st platoon to the service of the Lancebearer.
Finally, topping off my retinue was the Sisters of the Lance. They would be reconsecrating the Krata. Which I was certain would ruffle a few feathers in the Mechanicus.
As the gates to the hangar opened, and the baleful red of the Martian sky shone through, I waked forward into the sands. The next step in this journey.
"Interrogator-Acolyte Foothill. Designation-Speaker. Welcome to Mars." The first voice I heard was vox-tinged. A Tech-Priest, a massive example of what unrestricted self-modification could become. They were the size of a landspeeder, an unholy amalgam of man and machine. "We have a number of duties that are suited to your-"
"I'm going to stop you right there, sir." I cut the Magos off, reaching into my chestplate and drawing out that little trinket I drew out from that ancient machine oh those many months ago. Any retort the Magos may have had died as his lenses locked on the lightly glowing relic in between my fingers.
"A holy fragment…"
"Aye…with at least fifteen different designs that I need to get production lines set up for as soon as possible. It'll take decades to do all of them, but I'm certain that even one of these will serve as payment for the favors owed…and the rest, well I'm certain that my pilgrimage to this sacred place can be a working one." I tucked the fragment back under my breastplate and stood straight, locking eyes with the large Magos.
"...Archmagos Cawl is going to love you, Adept Foothill. I am Byron Cirrus." With the way his tone shifted, I felt a grin grow on my face as the torso of the machine-man shifted in order for the man to look me in the eye.
"What do you need?"