Chapter 9: Reunited At Last.
"Voidshield chambers have been partially reclaimed by 106th forces and are now being repaired. Location of several missing cargo has been identified. Strange energy readings have been detected in the far north. 106th Thunderbirds, designation: 12th Squad, has been located in a mountainous region directly southeast of the Clad in Ire. Vox communications have detailed their defense of a high priority recovery. Excavation team has been sent to recover Mjölnir's Tempest and supply it with its missing Stormlord crew." —Voxlog report from TE-61.
The cool grasslands were a welcome change from the local environment. It was much better than trudging through the muck, or dealing with local hazards such as planetary wildlife. They were incredibly fascinating to Delta 71 and made their journey across the wastelands much more tolerable—and longer.
Delta's group was nearby a river, taking samples of both the local fauna and examining the safety of the water. Where there was water, life bloomed; where life bloomed, research was to be made.
Her complaints had decreased by approximately 34.55 repeating after this and were estimated to continue decreasing.
Delta was enamored by one creature she had encountered by the river, a crustacean of some sort with four legs and two enormous claws. It had tried to eat them after an unfortunate skitarii prodded it a little too much. Skitarii number 134-6692-0015 had lost a hand to it for the sake of valuable research, but it was ultimately something they could repair later.
She made sure to kill it in the least damaging way possible. Delta opened the creature's internals with her mechanical tail, with many of her other mechadendrites using a scalpel's precision as she sliced into it, dissecting it alive. She ignored its gurgled hisses as she continued to take it apart, with a surgeon's precision not being accurate enough to describe her meticulousness in the effort.
Magos Delta had enjoyed taking a break in this form of a brief autopsy report. She had concluded it died from exsanguination, demonstrating further by taking apart the animal and lecturing her group all about its inner workings; Some took notes in noospheric cant and solar-charged dataslates, while others, like Rho-Q 22/4, were more interested in researching their surroundings. But they were all close by, gathering information to their heart's content.
This creature had armored skin, with large amounts of muscles directed into its sharp, bestial claws. The tail also held quite the amount of meat, with a stringy heart stored in there just under the hard shell. Intestines lead up to the main chest cavity just below that, with eaten fish being inside the cut open stomach, still squirming. The gills were located just under the brain, which Octavia was digging more into with a secondary arm.
Delta smiled slightly, as her repaired servo skull now fulfilled its duties once more. The little drone's machine spirit seemed eager to be back in working condition, even excited to be digging into a recently made carcass.
"Mistress Delta, a moment of your time?" Rho-Q called out, causing Delta to finish up her work, letting the other cohorts experiment and conclude their findings on their own.
Delta slithered up to Rho-Q, "Yes Rho-Q, I was in the middle…" Delta trailed off upon seeing Rho-Q pointing at a creature sluggishly moving in the underbrush. "Ooh, how fascinating!" Delta squealed, her red ocular zooming in to scan more data.
This creature had a blue undercoat of slimy skin and a sleek, round shell with what seemed to be the same material as those black crystals dotted around the planet's surface. It crawled around like a snail on a singular foot, simply munching on grass. In her opinion, it was… cute.
"It appears harmless. Shall I add a deceased designation to its parameters?"
"Negative, I have a better plan!" Delta vehemently exclaimed, crawling up to the slug as speedily as possible.
The slug paused its chewing, turning to face Delta, and cowered in sheer terror at the rapidly approaching Magos. It tried to move further into the underbrush, but was unfortunately scooped up by the pouncing tech-priest.
"I simply must keep this creature for further examination!"
"Of course you would…" Rho-Q grumbled, facepalming.
"You're just jealous you did not have a xenos animal to study of your own!" Delta huffed, hugging the squirming slug in her embrace. Octavia zoomed around to the front of Delta, pointing at the slug, then at itself with its needle.
"No, I am not replacing you 8-CT4V, I am merely adding it to my collection of study material. Unless, of course, you wish to study it with me as well. Ah, but no sudden dissections. I would like to study this one's behavior alive."
Rho-Q left the bickering fool of a Magos and her servoskull, using her three claws to push her forward to the main cohort. She stopped in her tracks, seeing a dust cloud kicking up in the distance. Her lens zoomed in, seeing what was definitely a reassuring sight. In the distance were Imperial vehicles kicking up dust, who hadn't yet noticed their group. Rho-Q fixed that problem by firing a flare high into the air, the red smoke trailing into the sky, leaving a beacon as it exploded.
"And now, Mistress Delta, we are saved." All underlings, group up and cease your research protocols; prepare for standard greeting procedures."
Many of the skitarii jolted, returning to their appropriate positioning around their tech-priests.
"Huh?" Delta turned around as she sat upon her coils, leaning forward and holding a hand above her singular orange eye and ocular lens. Was that…
It was!
Lucky 12, along with a Tauros Venator, were now speeding directly towards them. Delta immediately tapped into Faust's vox frequency on his helmet, boosting herself upward to be as tall as she could. She towered above most of her compatriots by doing this, being just under a Sydonian's stilted legs in terms of height.
"OVER HERE, FAUST!" she yelled, waving both her hands in the air. Meanwhile, a few mechadendrites held her depressed slug, which had given up its attempts at escape.
The Taurox seemed to swerve for a moment in the distance after her ear-splitting proclamation, before correcting its course to be more relaxed.
"Argh! Delta, haven't I asked you to not yell on my vox system?" Spoke the very missed voice of Faust, somewhat annoyed at her yell. "You'll make me deaf at this rate…"
"My sincere apologies," Delta politely replied, calming down, "I am merely excited to see you again."
"Yes, yes, I think I can see you waving your arms around. It's… a much needed sight to see you. I'll meet you momentarily."
Lucky 12 and its escort slowed down its approach in roughly twelve minutes—along with Brogg yelling, "Nice ta see ya 'Elta!" while waving vibrantly upon seeing them. The vehicle appeared to be in top condition, only having a few scratches on the front grill and hood.
Delta's group gathered into an automated formation, Rho-Q by her right and Octavia floating just above to her left. The few tech-priests alongside their original crash landing each stood flawlessly still, clutching their omnissian axes or hid their hands under their flowing Phaereston-violet or Martian-red robes. The small skitarii cohort that was with them had their weapons lowered, relaxed, but perfectly ready to shoot hostile ambushers.
Finally, Lucky 12 parked a few meters away, crushing the brown grass as it drove over the landscape.
Out came Faust, helmetless and cloaked, his expertly groomed ink-like hair and his warm smile melted Delta's inner circuitry. That is, until she snapped out of it, dropped her Omnissian axe, and slithered over to tackle him.
Faust didn't have time to react from the speed as he was held aloft in her arms and coils of mechadendrites, making him the second victim to her admiration. Faust glanced at the slug, still wrapped in the same way, also bearing the same expression of humorous discomfort.
The rest of Faust's entourage exited the vehicle, but Delta paid them zero attention at the moment except for Brogg, who received an automated wave from her servo-arm.
Faust grunted from her many mechanical appendages snaking around him, tightening their grip affectionately, "Is this really… necessary?"
Delta nodded firmly, looking deeply into his eyes, "Yes."
The honorable Lord-Captain sighed, "I'll allow you five more minutes… I see you've taken an animal of some sort."
Delta smiled, showing him the slug as she brought it to her hands, "Oh yes! Isn't it a charming little thing? Rho-Q had found it and I just had to snatch it for myself! It will make a fine research subject!"
The shelled slug didn't even squirm in her grip, its small, blue eyestalks silently pleading with Faust. He managed to ignore its distress in favor of his own.
"It's… unique, I suppose."
"Mhm! I'll need a terrarium for its enclosure, among the others." Delta loosened her wrap around Faust, giving him some breathing room. "How was your travels here?" Delta looked at one of Faust's men, who was barely functioning to stand, much less use his lasgun, "My conclusion is an imperfect status, from the way your men are injured." With a single input in the noosphere, Delta commanded a random Skitarii, TI-Vom, to both research the guardsman's current status and apply medicae to some of the dissolved tissue. TI-Vom made his way over, doing his job after a second of inefficient delay. "We had some rough patches, something we can discuss in further detail later."
She frowned, before her ocular lens detected an abnormality causing her to light up in both surprise and excitement. Delta soon loomed over a woman who had ears of a different species on her head, putting Faust down to further inquire about her. The woman cowered slightly with wide eyes, as Delta was now slithering around her in a predatory manner.
"Now, what have we here?" Delta ominously giggled to herself, scanning the girl as her interest was piqued, "What an interesting specimen; you always did have a penchant for picking up a vagabond, Faust, but this one seems to be more than the standard."
The woman frowned, speaking in a foreign language before the Elucidator in her hand translated it. Delta transferred the translated language from the noosphere, withdrawing the linguistic information to be used in both Lingua-technica and Low Gothic for later usage.
"Vagabond?" She spoke in her harsh accent, tilting her head at the labeling.
"Precisely," Delta said, pointing at her, "Your clothes are nothing more than rags and you are riddled with scars." Delta analyzed the stones growing out of her shoulder, then at her ears, "And a fascinating species to say the least." The xenarite looked to the skitarii designated as Ome 12/33-41, sending a silent request for further information that was retrieved in the noosphere, again. The rest of the varied Adeptus Mechanicus group gathered at the anomaly of a woman, running diagnostics, conclusions, and speaking amongst each other for theories at this new discovery of what was likely an abhuman species. It was the most probable conclusion, seeing as she was both still alive in Faust's hands and the research conclusions Ome 12/33-41 had drawn were intricately designed. The woman seemed overwhelmed to be a subject of research, since she had a slight look of anger and nervousness on her face as she scowled at the other tech-priests—only to be met with further fascination by the admech cohort.
"I recruited her in a prison camp," Faust said, crossing his arms assuredly. "Well, whatever's left of it. She's a local on this planet—if you haven't already received the information from that network you tech-priests have. New-spear, was it?"
"Noosphere," Delta humbly corrected.
"That. Anyway, she has accepted my offer of becoming a backup translator and an eventual diplomat for when I need an introduction to either a culture or knowledge of one. If the need arises, that is. In all honesty, having someone I can speak to about this planet will help for future efforts."
"How useful." Delta turned her head towards the woman, extending a hand for a shake. "What is your name, varlet?"
"Katya…" she grumbled, glaring.
Delta smirked, her mechadendrites quickly extending to grab her, "I shall be borrowing her for but a brief moment, Faust. I don't suppose it will take less time than a Valkyrie needs to land here?"
Katya widened her eyes as she was lifted off the ground by Delta, looking to Faust for help. Faust also didn't seem to mind her distress, "Go ahead, just don't pester her for too long."
"Excellent!" Delta exclaimed, and before Katya could voice her own opinion, she was dragged away, leaving Faust to begin fulfilling his own duties.
"Hey, wait, let go!" Katya's voice echoed through the air as she was forcefully abducted, fiercely battling against the mechanical tendrils that hoisted her into the air. Delta noted that the abhuman's strength was a curiosity, as it was well above standards for a human, and likely needed more testing for a correct conclusion. It was actually causing some stress for Delta's mechadendrites, as they struggled to keep the Ursus in her clutches. The only ones to do that were the occasional Adeptus Astartes, other fellow tech-priests like Rho-Q, or Ogryns. Those were interesting characteristics to investigate at a later date, but for now, the Xenobiologist would have her fun.
Delta finally placed her away from the crowds, seeking privacy. "Here we are, safe and sound and just enough for me to—"
"Now wait just a moment!" Katya yelled, a foot stomping into the ground. "I didn't agree with whatever Faust just signed me up for."
Delta rolled her eye and ocular lens, immediately prodding and examining the Ursus in her own way despite her protests, "Nonsense, a physical examination is in order. I don't wish for my Lord-Captain to contract a disease, especially in your current condition."
Katya tore herself from a few other tendrils, glaring fiercely, "T-That's now how this works! Just because I'm–"
"An Infected that you don't spread Oripathy?" Delta interrupted as she recited the information, coiling around, "Perhaps that is true for your species in this world, but we are not from it, now are we Ursus? And besides that, each planet has its own filths and germs that spread throughout a populus, and it would be wise to make sure you are not afflicted by any."
Katya opened her mouth to say more, finding no rebuttal that could work. There was a hint of suspicion laid bare in her eyes, with a plausible chance at how Delta drew that information.
"I've also concluded you are currently burdened with Rhinorrhea, chilling of the body, and a redness in your eyes." Delta examined, retrieving some of her old research information about diseases from her noosphere. Delta scanned her body a second time, going over a most peculiar subject. The xenarite poked at a scar on her chin, resisting the urge to grab the marred flesh. "More interestingly, some of these scars are healed in ways that are unusual, almost forced in a way to restitch broken tissue. Perhaps you have some insights regarding that?"
Katya widened her eyes, leaning back as much as she could. "W-W-What? How did you…"
Delta smiled, once more holding out her hand, "Former Genetor Xenobiologist, now Magos Explorator Delta 71-002-etc. etc., but most know me as Delta 71 or just Delta. You likely have no idea what I am speaking of, so I shall say that my job is to study Xenos species, much like this one," Delta said, holding out her slug.
Katya looked at the slug, then back at Delta, slowly accepting to shake her hand. "...Why do you have an Orginium Slug?"
Delta's smile viciously widened, looking at her pet, "That's its name? Marvelous! Thank you for the data collection, but that is data retrieval I will create later." Delta looked at the woman before her. "I wish to know everything your brain has learned. Don't fabricate any misinformation, for I shall be a pain in your side should you do so. Now, begin!"
Katya gulped, as the Tech Priest had cornered her in a place where escape was not possible.
"Sah, 'ermission to speak freelee Sah?" Brogg saluted, standing right behind Faust.
"You always have my attention, Brogg," Faust responded, continuing to take inventory on what they had expended and retained from the expedition. Usually, Stazia would be the one to do it, but Faust saw her being dragged along by Otto to do something, so it was up to him to take stock. It was also killing time for the Valkyries to arrive, as a few hours had already passed, which, by all means, he could deal with.
"Ya think this 'orld will be more friendlee than the rest, Sah?"
Faust halted in his work, looking back, "What?"
"Oh ya kno', not as dan– daen– uh, deadly, as the uttah ones?"
"Have you been thinking about the big picture again, Brogg?" Faust asked with a curious gaze, leaning against Lucky 12's backside.
Brogg nodded eagerly, tapping his head, "Me noggins still got some juice left in it, least I think so. 'Ead 'urts some-a-da times, but nothin' some chow won't fix right up!"
Faust scratched his chin, thinking on the answer, "I wouldn't count on it… overgrown animals trying to eat us, humanoids that can break our, err, my limbs easily, and a worldwide plague of rocks that melt human skin. In my opinion, this place has been just as friendly as a Death World. What makes you say otherwise?"
Brogg jerked his head in the direction to where Katya was, who Delta was not only interrogating for information in her own way, but was truly interested in learning more about her. If anything, it seemed more like friendly banter—at least when Katya wasn't having her social battery drained by being swamped by a multitude of questions. Faust smiled fondly on Delta's eagerness and her commitment to her life's work, remembering another memory like it.
Brogg snorted, "I like 'er. She's buddy buddy wit' us. 'arently she's a baker 'fore she got Infe'ted, nevuh woulda known! 'Sides that, if she was just a baker, then don't it mean many of tha people on this world are good people?" Brogg scratched his ear, before speaking one more line, "…I like bakers."
Faust furrowed his brows in contemplation, ignoring the last bit, "That's… certainly one way of looking at this world." Brogg's words had some merit to them, as the planet, Terra, was inhabited by more than one nation vying for power—that is, if Katya's words were true. The settlers of this world likely named it after Holy Terra, or perhaps it was just mere coincidence–though the mere mention of it was... concerning. She had also mentioned the Ursus Empire was where she originated from, a place that was brutal and bloodthirsty, actively garnering interest in the pursuit of war.
They seemed to not like the other nations, as they were rife with aristocrats and militarists who wanted their empire to continue to expand. Now, where had he heard of a similar matter to this before? Honestly, Faust was slightly humored by their attempts at grandeur. It likely came nowhere close to the magnificent might of the Imperium, and on that, he still had a slight distaste for both dogmatic systems. At least the Imperium had some credibility to its methods when everything in the fragging universe wanted to exterminate humanity, be it xenos, the lost and the damned, or whatever else they chanced upon. It made sense, even if he didn't quite like the worst of its rules when others clearly had a more… logical conclusion. Faust didn't even want to comment on their "Emperor" who was no more than wasteless dust compared to the true Master of Mankind.
Yet, a nation composed of people meant that this world had a sustainable, maybe even an enjoyable, life. They'd be harder to convert into the Imperium because of their beliefs, but that wasn't exactly Faust's job. As a Rogue Trader, he only needed to discover and conquer them, not convert. He'd usually let his younger brother, Ivaro, decide what to do—if he even documented this planet in the first place.
"Sah?" Brogg asked, nudging him a bit.
Faust shook his head, "Nothing Brogg, I was just thinking…"
Faust did not have the same conquering spirit his father had, and though he had subjugated many worlds, he was more an explorer at heart. Again, Ivaro was more the governor, as that was the entire reason his brother seceded his claim on the Warrant of Trade. It was a mutual understanding between the two siblings; Faust discovered and claimed planets; Ivaro inhabited and made use of them for their familial House as a whole. They both enjoyed their roles, as Faust wasn't the best at politics, while Ivaro didn't have the heart to explore the unknown.
Besides, Faust was someone who searched the void for adventure, trifled with the monstrous, reclaimed the lost worlds of humanity, and stumbled upon forgotten treasures or new planets. All for mankind's prosperity and his House's sake, not the Imperium's.
He still needed more information to truly decide on what to do with this "Terra," both on the plausibility of going home—or the details surrounding it—and if this world should be taken into the Emperor's light. After all, he still didn't know if they were close to the Imperium. At all. For what good is a claim without the means to support its ambitions?
"Do you think I need a vacation?" Faust mumbled under his breath.
"Wuzzat?"
Faust sighed with exhaustion, but held a deep, reassuring, smile, "Never mind, Brogg, ignore me…"
Delta returned a few minutes after Faust finished recounting the supplies, towing an enervated Katya and Octavia who now rejoined its master. Katya looked like she had gone through more than a simple Warp Storm, whereas Delta was practically prancing as she wormed her way over.
"I have finished!" Delta exclaimed, patting Katya on the back, who staggered at each thump.
"Save me, Faust…" Katya groaned, comically falling forward, sounding exhausted.
Faust looked at his planetary guide on the ground before looking up at Delta. "I take it you ignored me completely, Delta?"
Delta shrugged, "I may have gone a tad overboard—sixty-two percent above standards—but it was well worth it! This one will be most suitable for future expeditions across Terra's landscapes. In my own personal agreement with her, she shall be tested for personal treatments in order to placate her Oripathy status, so long as she agrees to further testing on it. And she has, how exciting!"
Katya grumbled as her only source of agreement on that.
Delta took a deep breath, before bombarding Faust with her passion, "From my brief interro– err, research investigation, she is just under a space marine's strength, but not quite the same level of endurance—still much higher by human physiological standards."
"She is much, much sturdier in terms of physical fitness compared to normal biological standards, enduring harsh weather environs with meager scraps of clothing and the will to survive. Notably, not invincible to everything, such as disease or mental duress."
"Her animalistic physiology both baffles and excites me because they are completely functional, replacing humanoid ears and likely continuing the tailbone with her short tail."
"Her Oripathy is additionally holding her back, as I've noted her internal structures are harmed in the process of growing Originium within organs and the tissue samples. A nasty case that I'm not sure removal would simply cure."
"She is also withholding information, which stems from a lack of established trust and unfamiliarity, but I theorize naturally being yourself shall melt that soon enough. Oh, she is also proficient in using swords from her history of–"
Faust gently shook the Magos by the shoulders, his lips curving in exhausted appreciation. "Calm down, Delta, I can barely hear you when you speak over yourself! I know you're enthusiastic about this, but I need to understand your words first!"
Delta closed her mouth, her cheek turning a warmer color, and squirmed under his grip, "Ooh, my apologies… I got too excited. Shall I continue at another time?"
Faust chuckled, lowering his head, "Yes, and slower please."
Delta messed with her hair slightly, before returning to her professional demeanor, "Octavia, go cure Katya of her minor disease."
Octavia saluted with her medicae needle, before lowering itself, and stabbing Katya right in the neck. Katya yelped in pain and tried to swipe at the Servo-skull as it delivered some of the cerulean solution to her. She was unsuccessful, as it spat garbled binary at her in some form of insult, before hiding behind Delta.
"The hell was that for? What did you just do!" Katya yelled, standing up as she readied her fists.
"That sickness you're suffering shall be dealt with in a manner of seconds. It likely won't have any effect on your Oripathy, but we shall see."
"And what happens if I die because of you sticking random stuff in my blood, huh!"
"You won't!" Delta waved her tail dismissively. "…Probably."
"Delta…" Faust scolded, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"What? She's looking healthier already, see?" Delta pointed, again, using her tail.
"I'm…" Katya trailed off, feeling her pale skin flush and her cold fade away. She gripped her hand in brief intervals, testing her returning rejuvenation out, "...actually feeling better. I swear if I drop dead in a few minutes…"
"Tough like Ogryn, ha!" Brogg bellowed, slapping Katya's back.
She stumbled into the ground from the force, growling, "Hey! Watch it, ya muscle-head!"
Rho-Q approached the group with a calm scuttle, interrupting their small session of bantering. "Lord-Captain," the lead enginseer said, bowing in respect.
Faust sniffed, his professional composure returning faster than a guardsman's when a commisar came around. He straightened his cloak on his armor, "Ah, Rho-Q, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I believe the valkyrie's have just arrived." Rho-Q announced, with the rest of the admech cohort soon gathering around.
Faust turned, hearing the roar of the Valkyrie's before ever seeing them and saw three shadows growing, descending from the sky above. Two of them descended, one a Sky Talon for the Tauros Venator, and another in martian red with the cult mechanicus symbol on it for Rho-Q.
But, a third aircraft was also landing, a separately shaped shadow compared to the Valkyrie's. Faust hadn't expected his aircraft to be ready. He was prepared to transport Lucky 12 using a random Spectre-class Valkyrie. However, to his surprise, his choice of flying was in working condition after being recovered in Hangar Bay three. After the vox operator confirmed its status, he called upon its service.
This was his favored transport ship that he had originally salvaged from a Space Hulk on a random jump back to one of the Frontier Worlds of House Decimbrus, Faust's Paradise.
Faust humbly dusted off a piece of dirt on his coat for no reason in particular.
While on the warp jump, Ymmîr had found an anomaly midwarp jump, causing them to warp out and search for the derelict voidship. It was undoubtedly a Strike Cruiser from the Emperor's Angels, but unlike how the Lamenters were easily identified, this ship had no designation whatsoever. Its cogitators were stripped of data and beyond repair, and all identifiable symbols had been corroded far past the point of recognizability. It may have also been because half of it was missing while it floated in derelict space, but Faust wasn't in charge of finding that information out. Yet, within an empty hangar was a single craft, unburdened by the test of time and waiting for its eventual return to service.
The Thunderhawk Transporter, Melior Quam Ambulatio—or Melior because of its mouthful—cast a great darkness as it steadily descended. Katya stared up in awe as she sat up in a kneeling position, watching it land in front of them. Compared to the Valkyries, the much larger air-to-space craft pressed into the ground, its landing gear digging up grass and dirt alike, as well as scattering dust every which way.
The frontal bay doors opened up, with two individuals immediately ready to greet them
TE-61 waited by the gloom of the bay, his stark red robes billowing as he waited for the ramp to fully descend. Beside the skitarii was a sight that slightly warmed Faust's heart, Goethia holding onto the side. Though he was still obviously recovering from his critical condition, fortunately escaping the need for biomechanical replacements on his body, he was in much better shape than when Faust had last seen him.
They both descended the ramp, with the two each going to their respective leaders. TE-61 was completely incomprehensible, speaking in Lingua-technica to his superiors, Rho-Q and Delta, but Goethia was Faust's focus.
"Goethia!" Faust shouted with open arms, "I was afraid you would have climbed into the Emperor's embrace while I was out!"
Goethia chuckled, hobbling over to reach Faust's firm grip, "It'll take more than a crashed voidship to take me out, milord. I heard you replaced me while I was taking my break. I say, you've wounded me."
Faust barked a laugh, waving Stazia over, who nervously brought herself forward, "Ah, you mean Stazia? Yes, she's been a fine aide. Isn't that right?"
"Err… Yes, Lord-Captain," Stazia announced with a proud salute, to which that tidbit finally reached Antoni's and Jarrackus' ears. They looked at each in slight horror for their casual actions and conversation with Faust, confusing Katya on the matter. The Ursus said nothing for now.
"Hm… c'mere lass, let me see what I'm working with…" Goethia said, inspecting her as his wizened eyes looked her up and down. "Oh yes… yes, I have a request, milord."
"And that is?"
"An apprentice."
"Done." The words flew over Stazia's head, as she didn't respond at all, and likely wouldn't for the remainder of the journey. She was frozen in time after the exchange on her fate, like one of the many statues of Faust aboard the Clad in Ire.
"...Does she not wish to be my retainer?" Goethia said, scratching at the hoary stubble on his face, "My, what a difficult lass. I thought I heard her being competent."
Faust rolled his eyes, shrugging, "I've noticed her doing this sometimes. I think it's a defense mechanism, but I'm not sure how useful that is. As I was saying… I believe it's time I return home. Shall we?"
"Right away, milord."
AN: I have committed a grave sin in accidentally thinking it was longer length (~6000 words). I mean it is; for dialogue, but no action. But eh, I did just put out that Side Story, so I think that'll make up for it, right? Roseblade out, see y'all next week.
Edit: FUUUUCK, I'm tired... I forgot about Terra and Holy Terra. Quickly fixed. Faust wouldn't be that shocked, with my reasoning being he's still suspecting not been in the same universe. Thanks Kuku.