Making contact with the Ynnari was surprisingly easy; they had been a little odd but friendly enough. As I come back to the meeting chamber I see that the room has devolved into a chaotic mess of yelling. I sigh, half of the room is yelling at Anvial who is sitting placidly in his chair with his eyes closed, and the other half is just yelling at one another. Sergeant Silvanus has gotten almost uncomfortable close to the farseer. My first thought was to use the room's communications and loudly blare something to get everyone to quiet down. My second thought was that Delta-A3 had a flashbang I could use. But Baldos is right here. I send a message to Master Doll and everyone else, warning them of the impending noise. "Baldos, it's a bit loud would you mind?" I ask him softly. "Silence!" His speakers blare out, drowning out everyone and making half the room that hadn't gotten Nicole's digital warning flinch. "What has gotten you all so riled up?" I ask once the room quiets down and everyone looks over at me. "Princeps, your earlier comment indicates you knew my Primarch has returned?" Silvanus asks in his voice tense. "Yup, Primarch Roboute Guilliman, he was friends with my dad. I think he even gave my dad his nickname. It's exciting news but I'm not sure it's worth getting riled up for. After all, it's not like it affects us here. In case any of you forgot, he's on the Imperium Sanctus side of the galaxy and we're on the Imperium Nihilus and no passages have been discovered to traverse the rift yet." I pointedly look around the room making eye contact with as many individuals as possible, most of which have the good grace to look chastised. "With that. I believe it is time I take my leave. Princeps I will have the token representing your payments prepared as soon as it is feasible to do so." Anvial says as he stands up looking a little worn out but otherwise alright. "Inquisitor, Astartes, I believe this concludes your delivery. Your… restraint and hospitality was adequate." He departs the chamber promptly. "I believe it might be best if everyone took some time to calm down. If the open discussions have concluded. Perhaps the retinues can go enjoy the party for a bit to cool their heads?" I suggest. The room clears out quickly after the Inquisitor and Master Doll both politely encourage a majority of the individuals to depart for now. Once the room is clear I notice the Deathwatch are preparing to depart "Brother Eradicus I would speak with you for a moment." The Techmarine pauses "Princeps we may need to talk at another time now that our mission has been concluded." "Ah, my apologies. That was not a request." I say with a smile earning me incredulous looks from both the Inquisitor and the Astartes. "Princeps, it is not your remit to give orders to my Brothers. Inquisitor, with your permission we will be going." Silvanus says. I glance over to Master Doll exchanging my intentions in a fraction of a second and when he gives me his tacit approval. I sigh and reach out just as the Deathwatch are preparing to leave and politely ask the machine spirits in their armours to lock up. The oldest suit is on Scalprum but the spirit can tell I mean no harm to its wielder and complies. "What is the meaning of this!? What did you do?!" Silvanus grunts as he halts in place. "I asked your armour to stop you. The matter I need to discuss is of grave importance." I say with a small huff. "You should listen, whelps. For your own good." Baldos adds with a deep rumbling chuckle. "Inquisitor, before we get to the matter at hand. I want to be certain you still wish to know the main issue of importance we have recently uncovered. It is also imperative that you understand we will not be surrendering custody under any circumstance." Master doll says, his eyes glowing faintly. "Explain, Archmagos." The Inquisitor growls out looking around as Lord Drakios and the guards make no move to deny Master Doll's words. "As you wish. Princeps Nicole Cavalerio has been assigned the strategic value of Absolute." Master Doll informs the individuals remaining in the room. Agatha frowns, her eyes darting between Doll and I. "What does this have to do with the Man of Iron?" "Everything." Master Doll says with a smile. "Nicole is the one responsible for the defeat of the Man of Iron. The testimony of which has confirmed some of our speculations." "You trust the testimony of such an abomination? You let it live?" Agatha asks, aware she is missing context. "PR-103 can't lie. Not to me." I say softly. "How familiar are you with Ancient History, Inquisitor? Specifically the Age of Strife." Master Doll inquires. "I am educated on the topic." Agatha admits as she pays close attention. "I will be candid with you Inquisitor. Nicole is a transhuman designed to end the Cybernetic Revolt. She was, however, not finished before the project was discovered. The Cavalerio house discovered the remains of a derelict void station housing this project and were successful in their efforts at finishing the project. Nicole is the only successful result. She is anathema to the abominable intelligence, an entity blessed and favored by all machines! She is the one and only Daughter of Silver." Doll declares proudly. Agatha blinks once slowly, her expression goes from pensive to one of frustration. "The Living Relic notation in her profile is literal then?" "Indeed," Master Doll replies. "Alright. Let's say I believe you. What about the Man of Iron?" Agatha asks, rubbing her temple. "Ah, I've placed him in stasis." I say with a small smile "Man of Iron, PR-103, also known as Pride, is an entity that has existed for millennia. He is unable to harm me. However, without my direct presence, his ability to subvert commands and restrictions to harm others is considerable. When fully equipped I would place the likelihood of success in contesting him in open combat if everyone in this room was to attack him at once aside from myself to be less than five percent. He has more than ten million logged combat hours and a hundred times that in simulated combat hours. However, despite that risk, he represents a titanic trove of valuable information, particularly on the location of STCs. I have worked out a deal with PR-103. He will avoid self-terminating and answer my questions. I will in turn attempt to get him destroyed in combat. I plan to do this in the upcoming siege by putting PR-103 in a boarding torpedo." I explain candidly. Agatha is staring at me intensely but she nods "I see. I suppose I can understand that. Could you please release the Deathwatch team? What has all that got to do with them?" "I'll let the spirits unlock your armour. I did not mean for this to upset any of you. Do not worry, it is unlikely anyone else would be capable of a similar feat, your amour spirits only permitted it because they knew I meant you no harm. Brother Eradicus, you were a part of the Ironwing, correct?" I give him a pointed look. "I was." He admits and rolls his shoulders to relax some stiffness. The other Astartes regard me warily. "I would prefer not to divulge your chapter's secrets openly. You are forbidden from getting within two kilometers of the stasis unit containing PR-103 at a minimum." I say giving him my best serious expression. Using a private secure Noosphere connection I add, "Suffice to say PR-103 is the older, smarter, better armed, more dangerous and fully lucid unlobotomized cousin to the Ikaros Contingency. He is aware your Legion has them and if he detects your presence he will do all in his power to end you." His eyes widen and he tenses before nodding, "I understand Princeps. I will do my utmost to follow the restrictions. I thank you for your discretion." He even gives a small bow earning surprised looks from the other four. "Ahh, got me all curious." Sundvek mutters, stroking his chin. I just nod before I look over the other four. "Don't pry. Chapter secrets are meant to be private after all. If you wouldn't be happy discussing yours openly then you should refrain. Sergeant Silvanus I can confirm your Primarch is alive, he has become the Imperial Regent and is either starting or has already started a Crusade on the other side of the rift." "How could you possibly know all that?" He asks of me. "I have recently come to know a great many things. Perhaps in time, I might even share some of them with all of you. However, like your secrets, mine are my own." I say as my silver eyes flare slightly as the glow intensifies for a moment. "What can you tell us then?" He asks regarding me warily. "I can tell you that the heretek Eligael is coming in force and he will not be allowed to leave this system alive." As I turn back towards the table I see Master Doll, Lord Drakios and the rest all looking down at me approvingly. —------------------------------------------------------------- POV: Santar von Hyboras The nightmares were getting worse. He jolted upright in his bed, sweating and shaking as he reached out, finding the other side of the bed empty. It was always worse when she wasn't there. Santar fumbled around and shakily poured himself a large amasec glass before chugging it. Updates are released by novel~fire~net "They're just dreams. Just bad dreams. Everything is fine," he whispered to himself. The dreams had gotten worse ever since he stumbled onto his old diary. It had a plethora of strange sigils dotting the later pages. It was fine until the whispers started. "You're pathetic, Santar, you always were." He heard his father hiss at him. Santar stiffened, his pupils dilating as he looked around the empty room for the voice. "At least your brothers fulfilled their duty. A duty you failed to uphold! A shame on the name Hyboras!" His father yelled in his ears. "No!" He yelped as he fell out of bed and crawled back until he bumped into a wall. "You were only ever good at painting. No, talent for war like your siblings. Even your mother and sisters had some aptitude. They fought and died gloriously for the Warmaster!" His father's specter sneered down at him with contempt. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Santar was hyperventilating at this point, four of his recent canvases sat opposite the room. All of them were of the great rift. To the untrained eye, they were all similar but to his trained eye each work had gotten progressively more chaotic after the first. Just looking at the fourth made him queasy. A fifth blank canvas sat nearby. "You didn't get the red right, Santar. There's only one red that will suffice." His sister whispered into his ear. Santar shuddered and his right hand closed around something. "Go on boy. Paint! Or are you going to continue being such a failure? We'll show you the pattern. All you have to do is paint it." His father pressed eyes smoldering with a mouth full of sharp teeth. "Yes… yes, father… I will paint." Santar whispered in a daze as he slowly stood and raised the knife to his arm. —--------------------------------------------------------------- POV: Lord Arken Drakios Watching Nicole exchange favors with the Eldar was cathartic. Though he doubted other than himself and the Inquisitor knew just how much those two favors were worth. Even Doll wasn't that familiar with the Eldar outside of their capabilities and statistics. Just getting access to the gate network would be a massive boon for their mobility. The confrontation with the Man of Iron and the regaining of some of her memories had certainly emboldened their little Princeps. Having her be more confident was a good thing in his opinion. The document allying his house with hers was now nearly priceless. Nicole was already a little treasure magnet. Arken was practically salivating over the thoughts of what she might end up pulling from the Procession. That was a consideration for later. "Well, you heard the little lady. What can we do to fortify ourselves for our guests?" He asked, glancing around the table. "It is a shame we don't have a mine layer. With only two feasible Mandeville points and one being the obvious egress from the rift, it would make for a warm welcome." Doll said considerately. "A mine layer?" Cornelius spoke up. "Zeta didn't we have a system ship mine layer slated for decommissioning and recycling?" The Magos blinked and cycled through his logs "We do. I am impressed you recalled such a thing, Governor. It's mothballed but it has not yet been fully stripped. It can still serve if we produce the mines." Cornelius chuckled "I will admit I only remembered because it had an amusing nameplate. The Collateral, had my staff tittering for a week after we discovered it was something we acquired due to a noble defaulting on their debts." "We likely won't have time to produce as many mines as I might like but enough to strike a decisive first blow if they bring a large fleet. If you can get it running." the Lord Inquisitor says approvingly. Doll just chuckled wryly. "I believe you are underestimating my faction and the Mechanicus, Inquisitor." "Uhh, Lord Drakios the Eldar have presented my servo skull with a gift. I am wondering if you might be interested in it?" Nicole said looking puzzled. "What sort of gift?" He asked, leaning forward. "It's the head of the former captain… they impaled it on a spike and put his helmet back on." Nicole explained. "Could you show me a visual?" He muttered considerately. Nicole nodded and projected one. "Ooh, that's their former captain? That is a fine trophy. The Eldar preparing it so is an immense sign of respect. Placing it on what is likely one of his Impalers and including the helmet. You are certain you don't want it?" He asked Nicole to be certain. She shook her head "No, they are offering me a second gift more to my liking and less gory." "Then I will happily accept it. It will make a fine addition to the trophy room. Thank you, Nicole." He said earnestly. "If you all will excuse me I need to go retrieve the items. After which I will return to orbit and begin the repairs on the Purest Shadow. I will also require large amounts of Deuterium for the production of the Cyclonic warheads." Nicole says giving a curtsy as she gets up to leave. Baldos and her guards moving to follow. "I believe it may be prudent to reconvene later. I would like to meet with Captain Bolaar and go over the Star Dragon's current strength and capabilities. So we can plan accordingly. You can expect our cooperation." Sergeant Silvanus said as he stood. "That's acceptable." Bolaar said, giving the Ultramarine a nod. "I believe it would be ideal to let the Mechanicus work and give Lord Striker a few days to ensure we have dealt with any lingering heretics." He said as he stood up. "We can avail ourselves of Cornelius's hospitality before we all get to work." He gave the governor a polite nod. "Lord Inquisitor Striker, you are welcome to use the guest quarters we have prepared or return to your vessel. If you require anything I am at your service. Lord Drakios, Archmagos, Lord Bolaar, Lady Princeps, it has been my pleasure hosting you." He said with a bow. His cheeks had reddened thoroughly, likely from the amount of wine he had imbibed throughout the meeting if the empty bottle in front of him was any indication. "Alright. We can reconvene later. This meeting was enlightening." Agatha admitted rising to shake a few hands. "I will see what I can dig up on Eligael and his prospective fleet size after I confirm the data Magos Xor extracted from the head." —--------------------------------------------------- I use the servo skull I sent earlier to let the Ynnari know that the airspace is safe and they can depart. I reach Cycladon in one of the shuttles and find they have departed. I brought along a case to store the head, I end up just putting the whole thing Impaler and all in the box. Just as I am preparing to leave, a small Eldar jet bike swoops down to land nearby. Riding it is the same Eldar I spoke with through the skull. She has an odd-looking wraith bone case with her. Sylenn gives a graceful bow as she dismounts "Princeps, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have returned with your tribute of pistols. You are very small." she says, sounding chipper. "Oh! Thank you, Sylenn." I say with a small smile as she sets the case down in front of me. "Which Pistols did you decide on?" I ask politely, feeling curious as the closed case blocks my Auspex pings. "Given your status as a favored benefactor of the Ynnari, we have elected to gift you one of each. May your foes feel their sting and perish violently. Only pistols, no knives!" Sylenn says with a smile. I give Sylenn a sidelong look hiding my confusion. "I see, I welcome such a gift they will go well with my growing collection. I wish you good fortune in your future endeavors and the upcoming battle." I say politely. "We shall spill their filthy corrupted blood and scatter their souls. There shall be no mercy!" Sylenn declares proudly as she returns to her bike. Giving me a salute before she soars upwards. "Well… that was weird." I mutter, reaching down to pop open the case. True to her word there is an entire set of pistols. A Blast Pistol, a Fusion Pistol, a Shuriken Pistol, both a Shard and a Stinger Pistol, and a Neuro Disruptor. All neatly arrayed in the case along with a few clips for each. I don't think I want to know what sort of awful poison cocktails are in the Splinter or Stinger Pistol. "Back to the Drake! I need to drop these off and then it's straight to the Shadow. That poor ship needs repairs!" I exclaim getting some amused looks from my retinue. —--------------------------------------------------------------------- POV: Idolitrex Magi, Transmaterium Eligael, Calculating Manipulator of the Sundered Forge. Eligael stood on the bridge of his Desecrator Class Battleship, the Prophet of Distortion, gazing out into the armada he had assembled. In the scale of the Black Crusade, it was a meager thing but each vessel, every twisted soul was there at his behest, his call, either a member of his faction or repaying favors owed to his corrupted forge world or him personally. "Glorious." He hissed aloud, admiring the various vessels. The Repulsive Class Grand Cruiser, the Wyrmsblood was the second largest vessel present. The third largest vessel was the Styx Class Heavy Cruiser, the Hive of Woe. The corrupted Lunar Class Mechanicus Cruiser, Blood Moon hung in the center of the fleet providing repairs. The most difficult to entice had been the Astartes Strike Cruiser with a full company of The Scourged, the Malefic Eye, but they had come around eventually. The Inferno Class Cruiser, the Conflagration, and Devastation Class Cruiser, the Wounded Soul had come as a set pair. Two Astartes escorts, one from the Emperor's Children and another from the Black Legion, each with a small war host to contribute. The Hellbringer Class Light Cruiser, the Sky Scourer, the same one that had failed to remove the star Dragons promptly hung in the void nearby, ferrying supplies to the three Iconoclast Class Destroyers. There were nearly twenty Raiders and smaller Escorts which flitted around like a school of fish waiting to depart. The decision to bring a Silver Tower and a Space Hulk which they were towing along to serve as a base of operations and loaded up with supplies had slowed their progress, as had one of the many warp storms kicked up by the great rift. However, that was now at an end. He didn't mind the delays as it gave him more time to divine the fates even if the answers were obscured, garbled, or inconsistent. Whatever the source of interference in the system was, it persisted. In one hour his visions showed total victory, the next hour total defeat. In his mind, The Lord of Change was merely giving him one last trial before his ascension, one he welcomed. "Pierce the veil, onward we sail." "Those who are craven lie in Ur-Haven." "Their futile prevention shall fuel my ascension." "Their fates so strange shall feel the forces of change!" His words were sent out to the fleet. He grinned as the drive cones flared and the fleet pivoted as one ripping holes into the roiling tides of the warp.