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by ownddwqo

I do not write any of these stories, they were written by someone else, I claim no credit for the story, I just post it here because I am too lazy to actually read them and just listen to them. This is not written by me, this was written by The Plauge Dragon , you can find them on space battles or on Ao3 under the name The Plauge Dragon.

32. Chapter 32

A couple of standard weeks later, I was with Lord Karamazov while he was reading the reports of the investigation. Amberly had given him her notes on whatever those she spoke to had to say about me, but he'd insisted upon doing his own investigation as well. In the two weeks of Lord Karamazov's investigation, I had gotten to know him somewhat beyond his deep well of faith. And I found myself both relieved and confused. Relieved because the Inquisitor was a reasonable and compassionate man. Confused because… well, the Inquisitor was a reasonable and compassionate man! I mean for Throne's sake, from what I'd heard and seen, his 'interrogations', including those with me, were more friendly chats complete with refreshments! Needless to say, he was not what I'd been expecting based upon Amberley's reaction.

Speaking of Amberley, Karamazov had insisted upon her getting some rest shortly after he'd arrived, assuring her that he could handle things and begin his own investigations while she recuperated. From scuttlebutt and my own senses, I knew that she'd slept for two days straight, and spent a third being pampered by Orelius' household staff. When I saw her once more, she was looking much more composed and in better health. Karamazov had politely asked her to begin focusing on the T'au and Genestealer situations while he focused on completing the investigation into myself and the 609th. I could literally feel the relief coming off of her at being able to do something much more familiar than she had been before the Lord Inquisitor's arrival. The two of them met at least once a solar day to compare notes, sometimes 'inviting' me along to get my insights on the investigation into myself. This was one such meeting aboard Orelius' ship, complete with recaf, tanna, and dainty little sandwiches. Honestly, it was more like a meeting between friends at a cafe rather than a meeting between two Inquisitors and their daemonic prisoner. Like I'd said many times before, Karamazov wasn't what I'd been expecting at all.

The man in question sipped at his cup of tanna; apparently he didn't care for it, but had been forcing himself to drink it during his meetings with the Valhallans in order to help with establishing a rapport between himself and them. I can speak from experience that little opens a Valhallan up more to a person than them at least attempting to appreciate their favorite drink. With his interrogations over, now he was weaning himself off of the stuff in preparation to go back to recaf. Karamazov's brow furrowed in thought as he read one of the slates from Amberley's earlier investigations, turning his attention to where she was drinking amasec and having one of the little finger sandwiches. "Interesting. Miss Vail, did you follow up on that lead of the Khornate cultist that entered the Commissariat?" Karamazov asked.

Amberley licked a few crumbs off of her lips, gaining my rapt attention, and washed the bite of the sandwich down with a splash of her amasec. I knew that I'd only known her for two days before revealing myself, but she seemed to be drinking a lot more than she normally did from the impression I'd gotten from her. Of course, dealing with my existence would cause anyone to find comfort in a bottle. Throat cleared, she addressed her nominal superior. "I found some records, yes." She obviously didn't want to say anything more, because she murmured the next bit into her glass. Still, both I and Karamazov heard her. "He was marked as normal."

I wasn't surprised to hear it, but Karamazov blinked several times before scowling and pulling up the data in question. "His records show that he killed anywhere from a fifth to a third of any regiment he was in, and usually had to be transferred within two years for his own safety." His gaze was flinty as he met Amberley's eyes. "That is not 'normal', Miss Vail. Why weren't we called in to investigate earlier?"

Here I stepped in, clearing my throat to draw their attention to where I was sitting at a corner of the table. I shrugged as best I could considering I'd been rechained. Karamazov hadn't demanded it, but requested if I'd be willing to remain confined in order to maintain appearances. Naturally I'd said yes, hoping that my own cooperation would help clear the 609th and everyone else who'd spent time around me. Needless to say the previous chains had been melted down for scrap, and to my understanding one of Karamazov's Acolytes was investigating the priest that had blessed them for Amberley. The Lord Inquisitor's own Confessor had blessed these new ones, and I certainly wasn't getting out of them unaided. It was good to know that a man of such faith had others with equally strong faith following him. Anyway when both Inquisitors had turned their attention to me, I smiled sheepishly and politely corrected the senior Inquisitor, backing up Amberley's findings. "It's a high end count, sir, but not abnormal. Besides, those types don't tend to last that long. The length of his career is the only strange thing about this case in my view."

They both stared at me as if I'd suggested that the Custodes slid around the Imperial Palace on trails of grease wearing nothing but loincloths(1). "Those… types?" Karamaov asked, voice deliberately mild and questioning.

I just gave another shrug, explaining what I suppose only someone raised up within the Commissariat would know. "The true psychopaths. They tend to… ah…" I turned my head to the side and coughed politely as I acknowledged a fact my organization didn't like addressing. "Shall we say, 'die heroically for the Emperor' suspiciously far from the front lines. But in the meantime, before that happens then yes, those types do exist. It really isn't worth making too much fuss over, Lord Inquisitor." After a minute of him just staring blank faced at me, I was thoroughly surprised by the look of frothing indignation on the normally calm Inquisitor's face. Cursing under his breath, he pulled over parchment and quill to angrily write something down. I couldn't help but indulge my curiosity. "What're you writing, sir?"

Karamazov looked up from his writing to us both, scowl etched on his face and the Emperor's own fire in his eyes (figuratively)."Orders to find those within the Commissariat who kill too many of their men without adequate justification, and to interrogate them to make sure that there isn't any corruption. If this sort of action was overlooked and seen as anything REMOTELY normal… I hesitate to tell you how your organization should be run, Mister Cain, but this can NOT be allowed to go without closer inspection(2)."

Yet again, I was completely surprised by Lord Karamazov's deeply held beliefs and attitudes, most of which ran counter to what you'd expect from those I'd referred to as The Emperor's Pet Psychopaths. If Amberley and Karamazov were any indication of what Inquisitors were actually like, I may have maligned the organization with that comment(3). But that begged the question, why had Amberley been so concerned and wondering if the Inquisition was overreacting when she learned they were sending Karamazov? From her reactions, I'd expected a bloodthirsty Emperor-bothering loon that made even other Inquisitors look sane in comparison. Yet Karamazov had never been anything less than pleasant or concerned for even the lowliest member of the 609th during these past weeks. It was a rather jarring disconnect, and I couldn't help but to say as much. "Begging your pardon Lord Karamazov, but from the looks I saw on Amberley's face when she learned you were coming here…"

At this he snorted, usual good humor restored as he grinned at me with a sparkle in his eye. "I am considered a madman in the Inquisition, yes." Karamazov replied mischievously. "My colleagues take offense at my style of clothing, for instance. How utterly ridiculous. Why wear so much gold when a simple robe is much more comfortable and inexpensive? I besmirch the honor of the Emperor's Most Holy Inquisition they claim, making them all look bad. They loathe my ways of sniffing out heresy, saying it's far too soft." At this he straightened, the light of a zealot proclaiming his cause gleaming in his eyes. " Well, I happen to take pride in my work(4). The others just go after the symptoms, burning a heretic here or there and calling the job done. Meanwhile, I go directly for the sources of strife and heresy. A Nurglite cult shrivels to dust after the water pipes are fixed and proper sanitation observed. A Slaaneshi cult fades when there's more time for recreation and the ability to enjoy simple pleasures. A Tzeentchian cult withers and turns upon itself when the paperwork is smoothed out and the bureaucracy functions well. And a Khornate cult implodes when there's no more gangs to fight or injustice causing fury within the citizenry."

"Great, you got him going." Amberley groaned as her superior continued preaching. Evidently he'd spoken to her about this while I wasn't present, and she'd heard all of this before. I could feel the fading disbelief within her, as if she wasn't yet certain that this was all real rather than some fever dream. Which didn't solve the matter of my confusion. So I politely interrupted the Lord Inquisitor's rant about the stupidity of his colleagues and how most problems he had to fix were caused by the incompetence of Imperial authorities.

"But… My lord, forgive me for failing to understand. If you really act with such care and consideration, why was Amberley… Er, I'm sorry, I meant Inquisitor Vail, so concerned at your coming? Even I have heard tales of a mad Inquisitor whose physical description matches your features. How could someone like you ever be considered mad by the common man?"

At this he sighed, a heavy and much put upon sound. "Because I am in the minority in the Inquisition, Ciaphas. And they see me as a threat. The Inquisition does not all march to the same hymns, as it were. There are countless factions, belief systems, and power blocs within it, all engaged with constant infighting. I've had more attempts on my life from fellow Inquisitors than I have from actual Heretics. All but a few of them are firmly set against me. Yet despite them, I am still here, and I have climbed the ranks without playing their petty games. So if they cannot kill or eliminate me, then they seek to isolate and minimize me. They spread rumors and slander, accusing me of atrocities, calling me mad, saying all sorts of vile untruths about me. At least five Exterminatuses have been carried out supposedly at my orders, even though I was a sector away at the time and had never even been given the task of investigating the world in question. I've arrived at planets only to find them in ruins and told that Inquisitorial forces had already carried out purges there; naturally I help them rebuild, but I still get unwanted credit for having been there in the aftermath of an atrocity. This keeps likeminded Inquisitors and other Agents of the Throne from calling upon me, believing me to be as mad as they say. It's all I can do to keep my most vocal critics contained and from waging outright war to further discredit me."

My mouth went dry and my stomach clenched at the hard truths he was telling me. Dear Throne, were the Imperium's watch dogs really that petty and spiteful that they'd harm the empire they supposedly served just to minimize the influence of a good man trying his best to protect the Emperor's people? No wonder the thought of corruption so infuriated the man. Licking parched lips, I hesitantly asked another question I'd been wondering about. "And what of the… Lamenters, sir?" At this, Karamazov's fists clenched so hard that he was shaking and the look of disgusted fury upon his face doubled.

"They were almost to be sent on a Penitent Crusade for having been deceived by another Astartes Chapter which later went Heretic. Yet despite this, once they realized their error they surrendered themselves for judgement. They didn't run or go renegade to save themselves, they maintained their loyalty to the Emperor. I read their history. Their deeds. Of how they have continuously sacrificed themselves to save the citizens and common folk of the Imperium. Of how they are constantly beset by misfortune yet endure in the Emperor's name. They seek not glory or honours, but simply to save as many lives as they can. And despite this nobility, they are spat upon and considered cursed. By the Throne, one so-called 'loyal' Chapter of Astartes turned their backs and left a world barely defended in the face of a Black Crusade rather than fight beside the Lamenters! Yet these sons of the blessed Primarch Sanguinius stayed and died against insurmountable odds rather than abandon the Emperor's people. If anyone deserved mercy, it was them!" Here the Lord Inquisitor paused, catching his breath before continuing with a look of solemn pride on his face. "So I co-opted their crusade. For around a hundred years, they are to serve me, and only by my permission can they recruit." Karamazov grinned once more, a beaming smile that showed he'd gotten one over his rivals. "Needless to say, they are at full strength, with as much equipment and vessels as I could arrange for them. And their luck has been improving for some time(5)."

I was stunned yet again, and wondering when Fyodor Karamazov might stop surprising me. "So you're seen as crazy because…"

"Because I spend every hour of every day making sure that I am the complete opposite of the stereotypical Inquisitor." Karamazov replied passionately. "I recently asked an Oathsworn what would have happened had I decided to follow my mentor into Amalathianism. The sobbing in the fetal position only affirmed that this was the right path." His smile became soft and gentle, eyes tender and caring once more. "That and Kyrus became distraught at what that future held. The poor child couldn't sleep that night, and I had to sit at his bedside until he nodded off into slumber."

…What?

"You have a child?" Amberley asked, echoing my own surprise. I wouldn't have thought an Inquisitor as dedicated as Lord Karamazov would have had time for a family, nor would he be willing to risk his enemies using them against him.

"He's a part of my retinue." Karamazov explained, a solemn look on his face. "I couldn't just leave him for the Black Ships after finding him."

"A Psyker that young?!" Amberley exclaimed, again echoing my own thoughts. Everyone knew that when they were young was when a Psyker was at their most dangerous. For Lord Karamazov to take on the responsibility for one rather than leaving them for the Black Ships equipped to deal with them… It showed either madness or compassion on his part, and I wasn't certain which it was.

The Lord Inquisitor nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "He's incredibly powerful, and seemingly protected from the Warp." He frowned slightly then, and my stomach dropped at his next words. "Though he does have a strange mark on his shoulder…"

Frak. Time to face the consequences of another of my sins.

"...I think that may have been my doing," I admitted shamefully after clearing my throat to get both Inquisitors' attention. "When… When I was ferrying souls to the Golden Throne for the first time, I came across daemons attacking a child. I drove them off and then accidentally pierced his defenses. I couldn't leave him without a defense against daemonic possession in place, so I declared him to be under my protection. After I did so, I noticed a mark upon him before leaving."

Amberley stared wide-eyed at this tale while Karamazov just gave me an utterly flat look. "You really ARE Slaanesh's most Favored, aren't you?"

I could sense the amusement behind his words, but they didn't make sense to me so I gave voice to my confusion. "I beg your pardon?"

The elder Inquisitor snorted, amusement becoming more apparent. "Do you know just how powerful Kyrus is, Ciaphas?"

Well, I knew that Psykers were more sought-after by daemons the greater the power they could draw upon was. Obviously the child had some strength within the Warp if the Nurglite daemons had been willing to stand up to me over him, but considering how easily I'd breached Kyrus' defenses he couldn't be that powerful, right? "...Delta?" I guessed, hedging my bets so I wouldn't seem completely ignorant.

It seemed that was a failure as the Lord Inquisitor's eyes bulged out in disbelief at my answer. "Delta- pft!" Karamazov snorted and chortled for nearly a minute, before grinning at me. "Higher than that, Ciaphas."

Oh great, a guessing game. Well I'd already embarrassed myself, so I'd go for the next rank of Psyker I knew of. "Gamma?"

The grin just got wider, the gleaming white of Karamazov's teeth a contrast to the white of his moustache and beard. "Higher."

Holy Throne! Only the most skilled and powerful of Sanctioned Psykers within the Guard were given the next rank! My voice rose in disbelief with my next guess. "BETA?!"

Were I not a daemon, I might have had a heart attack when Karamazov's smirk persisted and he raised his hand upwards in response. "Higher."

"You have an Alpha psyker?! You really are insane!" Amberley declared with her eyes as wild as they'd been at the time of my Unveiling. I was glad she said it, because my normally silver tongue had failed me and I couldn't manage to utter a single word.

At this the grin faded and Karamazov shook his head lightly. "No, I don't have an Alpha level Psyker within my retinue."

At this Amberley seemed to relax, seeming to think it a joke on Karamazov's part. "Thank the Emperor." Then she seemed to have another thought, and I was certain that her lovely eyes would fall out of their sockets with how they widened. "Wait… It can't be…"

Here the grin returned with a vengeance and he nodded in confirmation of whatever thought his junior colleague had. "I have an Alpha Plus Psyker." Karamazov said smugly, leaning back in his simple yet well made chair. Amberley seemed to be going through what Felecia called a 'bluescreen', but I was confused again. I'd never even heard of that rank of Psyker before.

"...What's Alpha Plus?" I asked while Amberley recovered, and then just screamed into her hands. I think another spa day with Orelius' servants was in order, as her blood pressure had likely spiked again. Lord Karamazov's amusement faded, and he became solemn as he started to explain.

"Let me paint you a picture, Ciaphas. Imagine a Psyker that can turn a man inside-out with a glance. A Psyker that can snap an Emperor-class Titan in half with a thought. Imagine a Psyker that could cause a Battleship to implode in on itself. Imagine a Psyker so strong that Blanks mean nothing to them save perhaps for those of the Anathema Psykana. That's an Alpha Plus Psyker, a one in a quintillion occurrence, as rare amongst Psykers as Psykers are amongst the regular human population. Or, if you would rather look to some examples from the Imperium's history, the traitor Primarch Magnus the Red and the Emperor's revered right hand Malcador the Hero were believed to be in that tier. Chief Librarian Mephiston of the Blood Angels is either Alpha or Alpha Plus. And these Psykers, these unparalleled conduits to the Warp, are desired by the Dark Gods more than anything. So much so that normally the Ordo Hereticus or Astra Telepathica doesn't bother trying to take them to the Black Ships; instead they are given the Emperor's Peace rather than take the risk. Even an untrained Alpha Plus Psyker could destroy a Black Ship by accident were they not properly contained."

I nervously gulped, knowing that Karamazov's ship was near ours and so was this utterly terrifying witch child I'd unwittingly placed under my protection. The Inquisitor seemed to sense my disquiet, as he proceeded to reassure me.

"Kyrus is completely immune to the perils of the Warp. Whatever you did made him perfectly safe and gave him peace of mind, something for which I am personally grateful. So imagine all of the power I described earlier but completely stable." Here he smirked and chuckled once more, good humor returned. "Well, stable albeit in the habit of filling entire decks full of ice cream up to his waist; at least the lower decks approve and morale hasn't been higher amongst the ship's laborers in some time. He's currently being trained aboard my ship, as an accident that consumes a battleship is far less dangerous to the Imperium than one that consumes Holy Terra. Regardless, the fact that Slaanesh seems to honor your claim over Kyrus despite his value shows just how very Favored you must be."

He turned back to his work, returning to the last dataslate in the pile before he seemed to think of something else. Turning back to Amberley, who had composed herself by this time, Karamazov's tone became curious. "By the way, Miss Vail. How goes your own investigations into the Xenos angle of this situation?"

Amberley straightened and brought up her own dataslate, once more professional. "Well I'm still investigating the Genestealer and Tyranid situation, having sent out feelers to my contacts. But the T'au situation has stabilized with our assurances that we've nearly concluded our investigation into Cia- I mean, into Commissar Cain." Hearing her almost say my given name caused a flutter of hope within my chest, even though I pushed it down knowing that it was foolish at best. Her eyes left the slate and caught my own, a conflicted expression within those lovely orbs despite Amberley's professional exterior.

"We do however know some of the lingering effects of the Commissar's actions. Although his influence upon Gravalax has abated, through continued communication with the T'au ambassador we've learned that the power he used to free the T'au's minds has remained to a lesser degree. Three solar days ago, the regular supply ship for the T'au enclave on Gravalax arrived. From what O'Ran shared with me, the crew immediately began feeling strange upon entering the system. The captain of the vessel contacted their enclave, and O'Ran instructed them to land, quarantine themselves, and to not send any messages to the Empire in case we intercepted the communications. Being an old friend of the ambassador, the captain did as instructed. Six hours…" Both Amberley and I winced at the number, while Karamazov seemed amused yet contemplative. "... After their arrival in the Gravalax system, the crew was completely free of Ethereal influence. It seems that even without the Commissar's direct intervention, this system now acts like a rapid 'detox' for T'au from the Ethereal pheromones. The ambassador has already petitioned for the ship and crew to be granted sanctuary while the Gravalax enclave considers their next steps."

She turned from staring at me to meet Karamazov's gaze. "I'm inclined to grant it, as at least supporting these Freed T'au could lead to a schism amongst one of our enemies, or even lead to another Sanctioned Xenos race for the Imperium." Amberley winced slightly, and I could imagine her picturing all the documentation and paperwork she'd have to file to bring ANOTHER Xenos race into the Imperium. Still, the Oathsworn Eldar had proven their worth in the past year, and having seen their technology I knew I'd much rather have the T'au on our side than the reverse.

The Lord Inquisitor nodded, writing another order on parchment and dripping sealing wax on it before pressing a signet ring to the puddle of red wax. "Granted, by my authority. The T'au upon Gravalax shall be granted sanctuary and support so long as they do not take up arms against the Imperium, and any other vessels coming into the system shall be welcomed so long as they abide by these terms. They will have ten solar years to remain within Imperial territory or until I revoke this order, whichever comes first. Furthermore, I provisionally grant them the protections afforded to envoys; every member of the T'au species upon Gravalax is now considered a diplomat and shall be protected as such." Signing the document with a flourish, he turned to me with a blank expression. "But back to you, Commissar. After two weeks of my own inquiries and going over Inquisitor Vail's notes, my investigation has concluded. I must say, your men are incredibly loyal to you."

He might as well have smacked me with an active powerfist. "A-after all of that?" I stammered, shocked that even after I'd confessed my every sin, the 609th still believed in me. Why?! Why would they risk themselves and show devotion to a frakking Daemon Prince?! I could only hope that Lord Karamazov would be merciful to them.

The man who held my fate and that of my regiment in his hands smiled widely, eyes sparkling. Glad at least one of us was amused by this farce. "Yes, actually. They seem to think that your… escapades were the result of The Emperor's Will, and that you're too hard on yourself(6). Now, the only hint of taint I could sniff out was a bit of Khornate corruption, and that was by proxy for the survivors of the 12th. The Valhallan 609th Regiment is cleared of any and all charges of corruption, taint, or heresy." Thank the Emperor, he was being as lenient as I'd hoped with the regiment despite their stubbornness! My mood instantly sobered at his next words. "Now comes your own judgment." Karamazov stood up, eyes flashing with righteous judgement as the terrible weight of his authority seemed to bear down upon me. Even Amberley stood still and silent, equally affected by the man's sheer presence. The Lord Inquisitor's gaze was stony as he breathed in, preparing to speak.

Here it came. My judgment. My rightful verdict of guilt, of heresy.

But before the words could be said, a deep and booming voice like that of an Earthshaker cannon cut through the profound silence and resonated through the room.

"HALT, INQUISITOR!"

Suddenly the door was kicked open by a massive golden boot. The three of us turned to the door, and immediately we all knelt in reverence and shock, even myself chained though I was. Ducking down in order to get through a doorway built to accommodate Astartes, was a member of the Adeptus Custodes, the God-Emperor's own Guardians and Voice. What the frak was one doing here?! The towering figure clad in resplendent, intricately decorated golden armor of the finest artifice and clasping a gleaming spear in one hand rose to their full height, and the crimson plume radiating from the top of their helmet brushed some of the dust off of the room's lower hanging rafters. Here stood a living and breathing symbol of the God-Emperor's divine authority and power, and only before He On Terra Himself have I ever felt smaller. The masculine voice thrummed with His authority and might as the Custodes continued to speak.

"The Emperor's Will has already been… OH! Hello Karamazov!" As if a switch had been flipped, the Custodes' voice suddenly got a bit higher and much friendlier. Before our astonished eyes, the golden giant reached back and rubbed the back of his helmeted head sheepishly. "Erm… I had this whole speech written out about how The Emperor had made His ruling already. That there was no need for any further investigation, and so on and so forth. But since you're like, the only one in that sick parody of Malcador's legacy that The Emperor actually likes and fully approves of- no offense, Miss Vail-… Well, He said that if you were in charge, He would trust your judgment."

Now it was Karmazov's turn to look like he'd been smacked with a powerfist, mouth gaping open as he stammered. "I- what? H-Honored Custodes… I… I am pleasing to The Most Holy Emperor?"

Like an eager Schola student, the Custodes rapidly nodded his head, thoroughly dusting the rafters as he did so. "Oh definitely! When He can speak, which isn't often unfortunately…" At this the golden demigod mumbled to himself before speaking up again, though considering that even his murmurs were thunderous we could all hear him. "Can't seem to find the STC for a text-to-speech device that can work with psychic powers... Anyway! He does mention you as a welcome breath of fresh air, Lord Karamazov, and says that He's happy you got the memo; whatever that means."

Again, the aged Inquisitor seemed taken aback, eyes wide in revelation. "The Nightmares really were from Him." Karamazov spoke in divine realization, before promptly turning green and holding a hand to his mouth. "Excuse me for a moment." He raced off to the attached restroom, and I could hear the sound of him retching for nearly a minute straight(7). Eventually, the older man came back, looking pale and staring at the Custodes with what looked like desperation. Whatever these 'Nightmares' were, they had badly shaken a man who hadn't even been phased by the idea of a daemon that was loyal to the Throne. There was a tremor in his voice as he spoke, and I saw not an Inquisitor but a humble old servant who craved the validation of his master's approval. "Honored Custodes… Does… Does He truly trust me so?"

The answering nod was slow and solemn, and Karamazov broke out weeping as the Custodes spoke. "We both know your answer already, Fyodor Karamazov. He has touched and guided you, and you have heeded His instruction. His message for you is thus; 'Well done, good and faithful servant'." Then the solemn moment was over as the Custodes became bashful once more. "Though I must apologize to the crew of my ship, as I may have had them push the engines a bit too hard after we exited that Webway Gate the Oathsworn let us use. Heh, heh…"

The disconnect of this gleaming paragon of Humanity and the God-Emperor's Will being contrite over his hasty actions was enough to shake Karamazov from his daze, and he cleared his throat as he regained his stoic composure. "Then, with the Emperor's Blessing, my Judgement is thus. Ciaphas Cain, Commissar of the Valhallan 609th. Daemon Prince of Slaanesh. You have been accused of heresy and of consorting with the Ruinous Powers. By my authority as a Lord Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus, I, Fyodor Karamazov, declare you…." He breathed in and I braced myself for what was coming. "CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES!" He boomed out, causing me to stumble in shock and knowing I must have somehow misheard him, but the stunned look on Amberley's face let me know that I hadn't heard him wrong.

"What?! B-but my lord! You just said-"

A sharply raised hand and Karmazov's intense gaze cut my protest off. His voice was quiet, but in the silence of that chamber it may as well have been a bolter shot. "That you're a Daemon Prince? Tell me truly, Ciaphas. Do you worship Him on Terra?"

"With all my heart." I declared, no lie upon my tongue as I brought my chained hands up to clasp the Aquila as firmly as I could. Karamazov smiled kindly at me, and I thought this must be what having a grandfather felt like.

"Well, that's the charge of Heresy taken care of. And as for consorting with the Ruinous Powers…" He paused, then began ticking points off on his fingers. "Your actions saved a planet from them, and then forced the entire system to remain peaceful; so much so, in fact, that the Adeptus Astra Telepathica is considering opening up a second training area for Psykers in that system. That is basically the opposite of aiding them. And as for the other effects of your actions? Kyrus alone would clear you of that charge, let alone the fact that you willingly allow yourself to be immolated in order to save the souls of the faithful and guide them to the Golden Throne. Or saving Perlia. Or saving Gravalax. Or converting the majority of the Eldar into faithful allies and servants of the God-Emperor. So therefore, you are innocent of all charges." He strode forward with a key, unlocking my chains and letting them fall off of me before turning to Amberley with a stern yet patient look. "Miss Vail? I believe that you owe this man an apology for your rough treatment of him and his regiment."

Amberley looked like she'd bitten into a sour fruit yet nonetheless began opening her mouth to speak before I cut her off. "No." I stated firmly, refusing to let anyone chastise her for having done her job under trying circumstances. "She was acting as she should, ensuring the safety of the Emperor's domain even against those enemies outside of her normal purview." Karamazov and Amberley were both staring at me, as was the Custodes I assume, with the former raising an eyebrow at my assertion. Still I defended Amberley's actions and character, just as fervently as I had defended the 609th. "She did everything right, despite the pressure I could feel emanating from her. She doesn't owe me anything, Lord Karamazov."

There was silence, the older man and the divine soldier staring at me thoughtfully while Amberley looked at me with a conflicted expression and a jumble of emotions that I couldn't parse through. "Very well." Karamazov replied finally, nodding his head in acceptance of my wishes before turning back to the golden pachyderm in the room. "Honored Custodes?"

"Please, call me by the name I have been given by the rest of The Companions; Kitten." The now-named Kitten (Why the FRAK was a Custodes named 'Kitten'(8) of all things!?) stated in a friendly and cheerful manner. "Admittedly, your tour of duty here is not yet done, Karamazov. My orders after ensuring that the Commissar was found innocent were to gather you and your retinue and bring them to Cain, so as to create a new Ordo Minoris; the Ordo Ciaphas."

"The what?" I whispered in stupefied horror. Why the frak was a karkking Inquisitorial Ordo being named after me?! Jovially, the Custodes went on, explaining the reasoning behind this order.

"The Emperor sees that your action may be perceived in a negative light by other Inquisitors, and as such, in His wisdom He determined that there must be an Ordo to watch over you and make sure everything is above board, as it were. As the head of this new Ordo, we'll let Karamazov figure out what cover story you'll use. Anyway, He said that He would have given you a permit that said, and I quote, 'By the Order of The Emperor of Mankind, Ciaphas Cain is allowed to do whatever the frak he wants as long as it doesn't lead to the usual style of Chaos Worship', but He was afraid that such a thing would harm you, or alternatively, and I quote Him again, 'Cause a bum-rush from all of the hot armored women, priests, and kleptomaniacs to never leave you the frak alone'. So He commanded that a new Ordo designed to support you be formed instead." Kitten explained. "After dealing with you and getting the Ordo Ciaphas set up, I was to remain on-world to further support the hopeful integration of the T'au into the Imperium. I must say, from what I've heard of them, their technology is quite excellent, at least on par with what we had during the Great Crusade. I would very much like to meet them and learn more about them(9)."

I was just slack-jawed, blown away by what had just happened. Amberley seemed on the verge of fainting; I suppose it wasn't every day a new Ordo of her organization was formed. Karamazov nodded resolutely, soul blazing with the determination to see the God-Emperor's will be done. "It shall be done, Honored Custodes." He declared.

Kitten nodded in response before delivering another shocking statement that took even Karamazov off guard. "And by the Command and Will of The Emperor, your new Ordo's authority is to supersede that of all other Ordos and other Inquisitorial activities, allowing you to countermand other Inquisitors as regards your duties surrounding Ciaphas Cain and recruit who you will from any other Ordo. Maybe Inquisitor Vail would be interested?" As we were all digesting that statement, he pulled out a sheet of parchment and handed it to Karamazov. Amberley and I crowded around him, and we all read it together.

THIS IS YOUR 'DO WHATEVER' PERMIT. DO NOT LOSE IT.

That was what was written in golden ink, glowing with The Emperor's own power upon the parchment. It was an even more obvious relic than my own Aquila. Karamazov's hands shook as he held the sturdy parchment, eyes wide with shocked awe and voice squeaking out a question.

"He… He wrote this?"

Again, Kitten nodded, shrugging as if he handed out letters of authority written personally by He Upon The Throne every other day. "Yes. It was troubling to see our Lord use His decaying cells to push a quill, but I see that it was of good use."

The old man gulped loudly, staring at the document he held with barely contained religious ecstasy. "Miss Vail? I think this should be locked up at all times. There's no telling what others will do for such an artifact." Karamzov said seriously. Amberley nodded, still in shock; I couldn't blame her, I was too. It was then that someone knocked on the door. Karamazov went to open it, revealing a Tempestus Scion in Inquisitorial colors. He saluted Karamazov then handed him a scroll, face grim.

"Sir, urgent request for Ordo Hereticus support from the Reclaimers Chapter. Message reads: 'Planet Viridia under revolt. Governor accused of heresy.'" He then noticed the nine foot tall golden demigod of war, eyes going wide as saucers as he straightened his posture even further.

"I will take my leave, then. Karamazov, before you depart, come and see me. He commanded that I tell you more information you might need to know in order to fulfill your duties. Inquisitor Vail. Commissar Cain." The Custodes stated, giving polite nods to us all before leaving and heading towards wherever his own personal craft might be.

Karamazov bowed as the Custodes left, before turning back to us. "Very well. But first, I must deliver my verdict to the rest of the crew and the 609th Regiment. Miss Vail, please also inform the T'au of our verdict."

Amberley nodded, and we were off to see my troops once more.

Once again, we were in the hangar we'd used for my confession two weeks ago and were on the same stage. The whole regiment was there staring up at us, giving Karamazov various looks of different confused emotions. While he may still be holding me 'prisoner', his unique interrogation style had clearly taken many of them off guard and they didn't know what to make of him. Though the looks they were giving Amberley were still extremely frosty, even for Valhallans. I noticed that none of them had been allowed lasguns for this little assembly. I also noticed that when they looked at me, it was with sympathy, friendliness, and support. I honestly still didn't know what the frak to do with their positive regards for myself, and was relieved when the Lord Inquisitor strode forward and caught their attention.

"Valhallan 609th!" Karamazov bellowed. "Your Commissar has been in Inquisitorial custody for nearly a standard month, first under Inquisitor Vail's authority and then my own! You heard his confessions! You have heard and answered my questions! You have seen our investigations! And I have taken every step necessary to ensure the Emperor's Justice is done! Now, I am ready to render my judgement upon Ciaphas Cain! For the charges of consorting with the Ruinous Powers, I judge him…"

I watched him take a deep breath as the whole room watched him intently. I realized then, as I probably should have before, that Fyodor Karamazov had a penchant for the dramatic.

"NOT GUILTY!" To my utter shock, cheers came up from the regiment, many tossing their uniform caps into the air. Karamazov let them celebrate for a moment before continuing. "And now, to the charge of Heresy! After exhaustive tests, interviews, and personal contact, I judge him… NOT GUILTY! Commissar Cain and the 609th Regiment are cleared of all charges!" The cheers were even greater somehow before Karamazov waved for silence. "And that's not all!" Again he'd gained the troopers' rapt attention; the Lord Inquisitor certainly could give even myself a few lessons in charisma and dramatic speeches.

"Before I could tell Cain my verdict, a member of the Honored Custodes arrived, bearing a message from Him on Terra directly!" At this there were gasps and signs of the aquila made, as the fact that a member of the Custodes themselves had come sank in. Karamazov gave them a moment to take it all in before continuing. "The God-Emperor Himself has declared him Not Guilty of all charges as well, and given him His approval and blessing! He On Terra has even commanded that a new Holy Ordo be formed to guard and support him in his service to the Throne, an Ordo I shall be honored to lead! Look upon your Commissar, soldiers of the Imperium! Gaze upon he who was given everything any servant of the Ruinous Powers could ever desire! The favor of the Dark God that ascended him! Daemonhood! All the power he could ever want! And yet, he serves the God-Emperor with all his heart and soul still! I can find no true fault in him, nor his faith! I say to you all, gaze upon the most perfect Faith in the Emperor I have ever seen! Against all temptations, against all pain, against all offers, Ciaphas Cain stands alone amongst the Galaxy! Never before has such a miracle occurred! Gaze Upon Saint Ciaphas Cain, Daemon-Saint of the Imperium!"

Then Karmazov turned and actually bowed before me to my stupefaction, and the hangar echoed with cheers and shouted prayers; the force feeding of praise, worship, and awe caused me to nearly black out from overfeeding and shock. Then the room went silent when Amberley stepped forward, looking out at the regiment before facing me. Her words were soft and expression vulnerable, yet everyone could see and hear her clearly. I had no idea what she was doing, but I could feel determination swelling within her.

"When I saw what you were, Ciaphas, it broke my heart. I'd become fond of your company already in such a short time, that to think it all a lie was the worst I've felt in my life. And so I lashed out. You claim I owe you no apology, but I do. In my pain and feelings of betrayal, I let my zeal propel myself to cruelties I'd never done before. So to you and your regiment, those who have shown their loyalty beyond any doubt to you, I apologize. I, Inquisitor Amberley Vail, am sorry, and hope to the God-Emperor I can be forgiven for the errors I made in haste."

I was about to reassure her that none of this was necessary when her determination rose even higher, and she met my eyes; the look in those lovely orbs stole my breath away, even more than her next declaration. "And so with humility and repentance in my heart, I hereby dedicate myself as the second member of the Ordo Ciaphas ." Then she too bowed before me, and the shock of it drove me over the edge as I passed out.

I floated in the Warp as my body was brought to the medicae. Karamazov was carrying me along with Kasteen, Illric, and of course Jurgen. No worry was on his face, so obviously he had divined what had happened to me. It was impossible not to keep drinking from such pure Faith and Devotion sent my way. It burned almost as much as The Emperor, but it strengthened me immensely. As I tried to safely expel the power I received so that I wouldn't cause people to start collapsing at my mere presence, I felt it echoing in the Warp.

Hatred. Sheer, burning hatred. A trail of loathing that extended from beyond the system, leading to a world which echoed with pain and death. I could smell the Desire behind that hatred, the sheer breadth and focus of it. It was potent. Too potent if I was any judge. Looking at it in the Warp, I saw that it was a trail, designed to lure in a Daemon. It took great effort to not just follow it to sup upon the depth of built-up emotion; was this a summoning?! I let loose a burst of power, healing every single injury within one light-day, and returned to my body within the medicae's chambers. My mortal eyes snapped open as I looked up at the faces staring down at me in concern, and blurted out the first thing I could think of.

"Inquisitor… I think there's a summoning happening."

Excerpts from 'Shrines to the Saint: The Worlds and Marvels of Ciaphas Cain', from Chapters 21 'Cain Island' and 22 'Saint Cain's Hospital and Sanctum for the Distraught'

A large island off one of the coasts of Gravalax, this landmass was requisitioned by the Ordo Xenos at the behest of the Ordo Ciaphas, and by the Administratum, to process the great numbers of T'au refugees pouring into Gravalax from the hostile T'au Empire following the famed Gravalax Gambit(10). It is here that many T'au begin the process of becoming Imperial Citizens…

… Many of these new T'au citizens, having had their minds freed after a lifetime of subjugation at the hands of the hated Ethereals, have trouble adjusting to the trauma they have experienced. In the example of Saint Cain when he counseled the Great O'Ran Shui'sassai, who went on to guide the Freed(11), the hospital and sanctuary bearing the saint's name is dedicated to rehabilitating those who have suffered exceeding mental and spiritual anguish. There they are guided through counselling, medical assistance, therapy, and prayer on how to best become productive citizens of the Imperium. While it primarily focuses on helping newly Freed T'au, it does also take Human and Oathsworn Eldar patients. While some might claim that the Imperium offering mental healing is a poor joke at best…

DEATHWATCH REPORT

At the direction of Inquisitor Amberley Vail, scout forces and Watch Fortresses have begun searching for the incoming Tyranid Hive Fleet, tentatively labelled 'Kraken'. Deep space probes have detected forward elements. For unknown reasons, forward elements have shifted and are no longer taking the most direct route towards Imperial territory(12). Estimate delay of Tyranid forward elements into Imperial territory by at least a century. The Emperor protects.

1: Based upon my own observations from our time on Holy Terra and within the Imperial Palace, only SOME of them do that.

2: The resultant investigation would remove 8% (Because of course) of all Commissars from their posts, and their lives.

3: He didn't, actually. He really, really didn't.

4: The Karamazov method of removing heresy is surprisingly effective; at least three times as effective, to be precise.

5: The Lamenters have always been seen as Cursed. Strangely, shortly after the Eldar joined us, their alleged curse withered and died. The Ordo Supernovae took this as a good sign, for some reason.

6: Lord Karamazov, it's not going to work.

7: Karamazov told me of his nightmares, the one of Warning. Needless to say, had he followed that path his fraudulent reputation would actually be a massive understatement. I am really, really glad he didn't follow that path.

8: Upon further inquiry, I discovered that the exact name he'd been given by his fellow Custodes was roughly translated from High Gothic as 'Young-Hunting-Cat-Whose-Claws-Remain-Sharp-In-Spite-Of-The-Pleasantness-Of-His-Purrs'. Upon reflection, I see no issue with him having shortened that to 'Kitten'.

9: Through Kitten's… learning experiences, we have learned that T'au are genetically capable of producing viable offspring with humans, and that Custodes can still breed, as Commander Shadowsun found out.

10: The opening salvo in the T'au Civil War, and perhaps one of the greatest acts of military deception and counterintelligence in the history of the Imperium let alone that of the Freed T'au, who commemorate the beginning of the Gravalax Gambit as a holy day.

11: Many historical and religious texts have been written on just how O'Ran with Ciaphas' help achieved this. Needless to say, amongst the Freed he is considered only second to their Vel'na Vesa in degree of reverence, and for good reason.

12: These early reports were our first sign of what is known today as the Gravlax Bulwark. Due to the psychic imprint Ciaphas left upon Gravalax, and the Tyranid Hive Mind's remembered pain from that source, no Tyranid bio-organism will come within a five hundred lightyear radius of the Gravalax system. This has slowed the progress of the encroaching Tyranids significantly, and has shielded countless systems from their touch. It is theorized that so long as Gravalax remains intact, this Bulwark against the Great Devourer shall remain. As such Gravalax has become vital to the Imperium, both for the protection it gives against another front of the Tyranids and as the entry point of Freed T'au into the Imperium. Should Gravalax fall or be destroyed, this protection would fade and the Imperium's interests in the T'au Civil War would be stymied. Needless to say, it has become second only to worlds such as Cadia as far as strategic importance goes.