[IC] The Gregorian - Imperium (Warhammer 50K RP, The Shape of the Nightmare to Come)

[Wraithblade6]

Captain Leal sat in his designated seat, his squad members taking formation behind and beside him. The space marines stood perfectly still in their massive power suits, silent, like intimidating grey statues as voices bounced around the open chamber. The red light from Leal's optics flickered ever so subtly from the slits in his helmet as he listened to what was said. In response to the Captain of the Black Dragons, Lattore gave an acknowledging nod. Any battle brother, especially a captain of another chapter was due immediate respect when speaking, but a more fulfilling response was yet to be given.

As soon as the declared new emperor opened the floor, a banter began. Although communication was desparately needed to unify the broken shards of the Imperium, Lattore questioned whether or not it was the wisest move their prospective leader could have made at this meeting to begin with unstructured verbal free for all. It wasn't long before Enyo's declaration of distrust left a broken window of akward silence, and Leal saw the need to stand up and take the reigns of this spiraling chaos.

The captain rose and stepped forward, the action itself a request for the floor. The very sight of a space marine struck a nostalgic chord with any human present, strangely moving them to silence. The Adeptus Astartes had never been officially involved in government, and for good reason, yet it was they who had come to its' rescue more than once in the past when tyranny had claimed it and driven it wayward from the Emperor's will. Space marines were designed for war, but they were also superhuman, and designed to be good at everything, even if that meant serving as part of a council.

At last, Leal spoke, "Citizens of the Imperium, Lord Astamov, gathered allies. Be warned, I will speak plainly. I see here amongst this council a desperate cry for order. Our new imperium has no chance of launching a successful expansion crusade if we do not first establish order amongst ourselves. Lord Gregori Astamov, I must begin with you. There is much debate over whether or not you embody any essence of the Emperor. Yet, your devotion, intelligence, and aptitude for leadership are undeniably necessary for reunification under a single banner, that of the Imperium of Man. Your bravery and determination are an inspiration worthy of recognition and perhaps loyalty. But I cannot call you my emperor. No mortal man is capable of the tasks which He alone had done for us. He is deeply mourned by us all, and his title can never be shared.

Even though the true Emperor may never return, we yet remain, and we, as humans, are his legacy. It was been said in the Tome of Truths Foretold that "Without the Emperor there is nothing and we would have no purpose," but I say no to this, for the Emperor himself had a duty. We must fight and die for him, yes, butfight and die for what HE fought for. ... It was for us. And as long as we remember that, The Emperor did not fail his species. ...But I digress.

I propose that we call you Highlord Astamov, and that you appoint a new Senatorum Imperialis. A single man is too easy a target for the forces of chaos to influence, but a council is far more resistant. We must avoid another Goge Vandire or any wayward self-proclaimed emperor seizing power and driving the Imperium into collapse. In this room we have representatives of the Imperial Guard, Inquisition, and the Ecclisiarchy. Let us establish our roles. As for the Adeptus Astartes, our duty is to serve mankind, not to rule it. Thus, and I believe I speak for Captain Tyro as well when I say, we will continue to follow the Codex Astartes and look to the lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard and any 'Lord Solar' he should appoint for the duration of any crusade in this new Imperium. That is as it was and should continue to be. I expect that any and all other human systems or fleets we encounter are to be unified under our common flag and incorporated peacefully if at all possible. Thus shall we grow.

"Captain Tyro." Leal could feel the concern burning within his comrad and other kin in the room. The depth of his voice belied the burden he was so tired of carrying. "I too share your concerns about the dangers of the warp. Not a moment passes that I nor any of my chapter may waiver in our vigilance against these relics. It is for this reason, as it is for all of us, that I feel we are in such need of the services of the Inquisition. I implore Highlord Astamov to continue it, as it was in the time before the emperor's passing. We Relictors will submit to psychic screening and any tests of our purity of heart as deemed necessary. However, I would like the opportunity to argue the case for the weapons we Relictors have used in battle. They are tools for the Imperium, yet each one is capable of turning the tide of a battle in an instant. Their value must be taken into consideration." Leal stopped himself. It was a battle for a later time. "Forgive me."

Leal hadn't really addressed the xenos in the room, since his focus was strictly on human affairs. As far as Astartes chapters, the Relictors were primarily focused on fighting warp entities and daemon. Perhaps the new Highlord would relegate relations with outsiders to an ordo of the Inquisition or to another government branch entirely. Either way, Leal was hoping to soon get back to glorious battle to promote the late Emperor's vision for mankind.

"We Relictors above all else understand our duty, and it has not changed. I ask each of you, do you know yours?" Leal let that thought sink in and bring focus as he awaited a response from Gregori.

[Switch]

Syvarrus had remained passively quiet and contemplative throughout the discussion, up until the most recent addition to the conversation. The Eldar didn't recognize the chapter heraldry of this imposing Space Marine, but he did recognize the threat posed by the vile weapons he and his brothers carried. So it was with great interest, and no small amount of skepticism that he listened, hawkish eyes narrowing to slits as the Captain spoke. When the giant superhuman finished speaking, Syvarrus stepped forward, thinking it prudent that he speak his peace in response to the Captain's address.

"I, too, will speak plainly. I have walked the galaxy for centuries. I have seen the machinations of Tzeentch, played along with the schemes of the Laughing God, seen empires rise and fall by the exchanging of a few simple sentences. I say this not to boast, but to convey the full gravity of the coming advice."

As he spoke, his hand drifted fluidly to rest on the hilt of his sheathed power sword. He had no idea how well this would go over considering present company, and did not intend to be caught off-guard by a power-armoured fist to his jaw for the words to come.

"I would start by saying that, on one very crucial point, I agree with you, Captain. Our Gregori is no God-Emperor. He hasn't worked any miracles, hasn't performed any feats of amazing psychic power. He is a mere man, a fact that no one beyond this room need know. Indeed, should the commoners of the younger races of his burgeoning empire see their honoured Adeptas Astartes treating their Emperor as a common feudal Lord, their respects would shift. I suspect the common folk would come to revere you and your ilk more than Amastov. This seems to me like the setup for the perfect coup. If this suggestion offends, I make no apology. I have my own reasons for wanting this new Empire to succeed, and I would see any potential threats neutralized before they grow too dangerous, or in your case, Captain, influential.

By the time Syvarrus had finished, his hand grasped the hilt of his power sword tightly at his hip, his knuckles whitening as he squeezed the handle in anticipation of some horrible and swift battle in the opulant meeting-chamber.

[Evil Snowman]

Canoness Ishitta Thamus

@Wraithblade6@Switch

Ishitta sat and watched as Inquisitor Alexius's offer was rejected, by the other one. Glancing at her aid as he wrote quickly trying to jot down everything the other Inquisitor spoke. Worried about the punishment Ishitta would inflict on him should he fail. The order not taking kindly to those that fail their duty and given he was an outsider. Ishitta would much harsher on him then if it was one of her sisters.
When the other Inquisitor had finished declining the offer made to him. Ishitta demanded the notes her aid was making. Them reading over the quickly as silence filled the chamber. Nodding in approval at choice the other Inquisitor made able to see his reasons why and respected the choice. Even if he needed to learn to be more respectful of those already appointed to power by the Embodiment. Handing the notes back to her aid she demanded a note be made to watch that other Inquisitor closely.

When the representative of the Heretical Adeptus Astartes. Ishitta frowned. Listening to the Heretics words with a look of disgust plastered on her face. This Astartes was challenging, the embodiment right to rule. Ishitta finding the words made her blood boil, the expression on her face starting to darken. How she wished she could purge the heretical Astartes. It was only by the will emperor of the Embodiment of his will. Had Ishitta remained seat had actually not interrupted and told the Astartes to be silent. It didn't stop her blood from reaching boiling point and when the Astartes finished speaking Ishitta slammed her fists into the table in front of her. The Cannoness rose from her seat and glared at Relictors representative, then at the Eldar Ishitta's guards again shifting. After expecting the order to attack the Xeno.

"Forgive me Embodiment, but I will not sit here and let some heretical Astartes and foul Xeno try to question your right to rule your Impreium! To question my duty! The duty of my order! To speak complete and utter heresy! By your generosity, they will not meet my blade. As difficult as it prove to keep it sheathed. I will obey your command to not cause a fight for it is my duty to obey the one who embodies HIS will. However, I will not continue to listen in silence." Ishissta said anger lining her words. Her hands shaking slightly rage.
"You Astartes you question my duty! My duty it to serve the one who Embodies the late god-emperors will! You dare question that! Unlike you! I know my duty and I know my place. It is not my or your place to question, it is to serve faithfully without question.
NEXT TIME YOU DARE QUESTION THAT OR THE EMBODIMENT! I will put you down, like the heretical dog you are! A questioning servant is more dangerous than an ignorant heretic. So tell me which are you Astartes? For there is only one solution to deal with both." Ishitta spoke turning her gaze to the Eldar. Glaring at the Xeno for a moment. Huffing before sitting back down.

"Do not speak of the embodiment like that again filthy Xeno. Otherwise, the first chance I get I will purge you. Although it would be a mercy." Ishitta merely stated sounding almost claim, her voice carrying undertones of her anger and disgust. Having spoken Ishitta was content to listen again and endure whatever punishment the Embodiment felt like giving her. Ishitta knowing she overstepped her bounds. So was expecting some sort of punishment, it what she'd of dne if her underlings overstepped. No matter the reason.

[NecroKnight]

@Wraithblade6

"ENOUGH!" spoke the voice of Captain Tyros. He hated seeing such a bare Imperium torn apart, before it had time to fully be created at that. He disliked how the various factions were already at eachother' throats at that.

"Brother. Considering the objects, you use - perhaps it best, you stick to merely using it to fight our enemies. Less you say something, that might offend our other individuals," he spoke, as he crossed his arms and stood up.

@Switch

"I have also known of your kind...Eldar. During the Times of the Imperium, you weren't know much for your trust either. I will watch over you, as I do over our other Chapter," he spoke - treating the Eldar as they usually did. At a distance and with intelligent care. Only a fool would ignore the danger of the Eldar, as he likely could kill half of the people in here.

@Evil Snowman

"And you Sister," he spoke, looking at Ishitta. "An ignorant heretic, is not as much dangerous - as an over-zealous servant. I for one, had fought during the Time of the Emperor. I had seen the bravery of the simple Guardsman, the force of the Imperial Navy and the fury of the Adeptus Sororitas."

His eyes then focused behind his helmet. "I have also seen what has happened, when the Servant of the Emperor, has taken Authority into his own hands," he looked at her, his eyes staring into her soul. "Have you Sister, felt the loss of an entire world to the fire of Exterminatus - because some Lord Admiral or Inquisitor, thought or believed Xenos or Heretics on a pure world? I have."

"I have seen many worlds burn, Loyalist Chapters excommunicated and forced to serve Chaos - because, they didn't believe the same as the man - a human, who held power at the moment. Innocent, executed by the millions, cause a Commissar saw Chaos were there was none," he added. "Such acts had wasted the resources of the Imperium, as much as any Chaos incursion."

"And you would do well - to respect the strength of those, you threaten. Blind faith doesn't shield you against a bolter nor a plasma blast," he added. "The Eldar could kill you before you move. Learn to use your mind, Sister. Gregori and this Imperium, still needs you. I hope you do best, to not waste yourself Canoness Ishitta Thamus or your Sisters, in some suicidal pursuit. The God-Emperor helped those, who help themselves. And this Imperium is still in need of you and your strength. There are horrors in this Galaxy more dangerous and lethal, then the ones sitting in this table." With that notion, Captain Tyros sat down once more - finished in his speech.

[TemplarKnight07]

Master Alexius listened intently to the speeches of both the Relictor Captain Lattore and Eldar. They were both incredibly sharp of mind, which was expected of the Eldar, but he was surprised of it from the Astartes. He made a mental note to speak with Captain Lattore after the meeting, he may even make voice it in front of everyone in light of the content of the current increasingly heated discussion. The Eldar maybe as well, but a meeting with him was not as urgent.

Captain Tyros's loud declaration may be enough to restore order, but Alexius thought it not necessarily to be his place to be the one to do that. Well-intentioned though he was, this was a test for Gregori more than anyone else here. All the same, he made note of the Captain's words.

Alexius' eyes flicked silently over to Gregori who was sitting quietly to his right in spite of all this talk. He had quietly hoped that this issue would not have been brought up in the room, especially since he predicted the Cannoness' reaction, and who knows what Lord-Militant Corbec, and Inquisitor Consulve might be thinking of the subject. Or even what the one other completely silent element in the room, the Xeno Merchant clad in rags with his vat-mutant henchmen as wordless as him. Alexius silently thought that the diminutive creature was merely intently listening to all that was going on, as its stature revealed nothing else.

When he and Gregori had first met, they had had the prudence to air out these "facts of reality" in private between the two of them. He knew Gregori was not one of The Sensei, but he knew better than to throw away this opportunity merely on what was basically a technicality, especially since the Sensei, by what he scarcely knew of them, may not exactly make the best leaders anyway if one even could be found. Better to keep old traditions alive for the fearful to cling to in these times until the great fear had passed than to strip them away and invite chaos.

And while this in theory, was just an extension of what Gregori and Alexius had done themselves, it had worked between them because he and Gregori thought alike on the subject, which was obviously not the case in a room full of more than two people of vastly different experiences and dispositions.

Alexius said nothing though, he merely kept the serious expression he had since talking with Enyo as his gaze shifted to the various figures around the room, while his left hand silently formed a fist on the table, and his right fingers tapped lightly on his right thigh beneath the table, within reach of his Lamarck Thousander within a moment if need be. His eyes looked over to Gregori's again for what he would do in lieu of this increasingly tense and potentially volatile situation.

[thewizardguy]

- K'Vari, Saint's Chariot -

As the tension in the room shot up, K'Vari was seemingly the only one to maintain a cheerful disposition, although few of the others could have been counted cheerful when the meeting begun. As opinions were flung here and there he simply sat back and smiled. For one who counted knowledge as at least as valuable as any material gain, such a heated debate was like Christmas. There were few ways to measure humans as well as by how they conducted themselves in a crisis, and K'Vari committed to memory the acts and words of those gathered here. Overall this simply reinforced his previously held beliefs, although some small things did stand out. The assassin was dangerously perceptive, but he demonstrated the Eldar folly of arrogance, somehow believing he could take on six elite Space Marines wielding some of the most dangerous weapons in the galaxy. The Relictors Captain was stunningly blunt and, while loyal, also rather sensible, a trait rarely found in the super soldiers of the Imperium. He would definitely need to look into that. The canoness was predictable as always, immediately leaping aboard the heresy train without rhyme or reason. If not kept in check she would indeed destroy this imperium. And the black-armoured Space Marine seemed more tolerant than he had previously believed, very level-headed. A useful trait. Most notable was the Inquisitor, Alexius.

Over the years K'Vari had dealt with many people claiming to be a part of the long dead Inquisitorial orders, often fools and fanatics but occasionally shrewd men. They were above all else united in their sense of self-importance and their devout hatred, a trait inherited from their predecessors. But this figure, who according to rumour truly came from the time before the New Devourer and the Fall of the Imperium, was of a completely different stock. If the Inquisitors of the long-dead Imperium had truly been such people, then that might have been the only thing keeping it's rotting carcass from collapsing in on itself for all those years. For in Alexius K'Vari recognized a very dangerous fellow, a man who was planning far ahead, easily dropping self-importance and zeal as obstacles to whatever course he had set. He could very well be K'Vari's most dangerous adversary in this game. The thought brought a smile to his face, for this would not be the first high stakes game he had won, and he'd been courting danger for all of his long life.

But, all hesitation aside, it was time to make his move. In the silence left by Captain Tyros he stepped forward, calmly marching to the middle of the room flanked by his two immense homegrown bodyguards. He ignored those in the room as inconsequential for the moment, and instead of encouraging the little feud that appeared to be developing in this fledgeling little nation addressed Gregori himself. For now his business was only with the leader - his minions could be talked to later, in more privacy. Gathering the attention yo himself, K'Vari began his little presentation, knowing that by the end he would have played his trump card, and he would need to either ally or kill every person in this room.

"Honoured biped Gregori Amastov. This discussion of divinity is of no importance. It is not gods who decide the fate of your empire, but it is those within this room, and the weapons they wield. We are here to discuss our assistance to you in expanding your empire, not to debate theology, and while I may not be one of your commanders I believe I can be of some assistance on that front." With a smile the Stryxis trader bowed. "The ambition of my race is to gather both knowledge and technology, to hoard the secrets and valuables of the world, and to trade them for ever greater treasure troves. Even as the ambition of you honoured bipeds carried you across the stars and allowed you to take a billion-and-one worlds, the ambition of my own people allowed us to speak to all who would listen, and to exchange goods with races your own Imperium never once encountered, much less learned from. My honoured biped trading partner, I wish to extend an offer that none of my race have ever extended before, to the Imperium I see fit to receive it." Reaching up with one grubby hand, K'Vari snapped his fingers.

At first, nothing seemed to happen. The diminutive figure scanned the expectant faces of those surrounding him, awaiting with anticipation the storm to come. Then, like a wave, alarms and flashing red lights slammed into the room. Navigators, secondary commanders and simple messengers burst into the room as Gregori's vox-caster was suddenly nearly overloaded with messenges. The topic was simple. Out of nowhere, three immense voidships had popped into existence less than a hundred meters away from the Saint's Chariot, flanking it. And while they could be seen with the naked eye and the cameras clearly detected them, even the most powerful of augers found nothing but void when they attempted to scan these ships. It was as if they weren't truly there. The only thing that had stopped them from being immediately fired upon was their careful positioning away from the weapon's batteries, and the fact that all of their weaponry was disabled and powered down, most of it in fact dismantled for the demonstration. Two of the ships once more disappeared as the third remained, taking some more distance as it once again floated away from this impossible display.

When K'Vari was certain that Gregori had been fully informed, he continued. "Allow me to introduce one such secret that we have sequestered away for centuries. You may consider it a far more advanced version of the Eldar Holofield, capable of making entire vessels impossible to detect by any known means. Merely two years ago I used it to escape an Eldar Farseer, and merely a few months ago it saved my life when we were ambushed by a fleet of Chaos vessels. This is a tool my people have never granted to outsiders, but I believe that we might make a deal for it. After all, if you were to recreate the Imperium, I am certain I would stand to benefit greatly." Smiling smugly, the little xenos bowed once again. He knew that if he had pulled such a stunt without reason that he would have been hanged, but the power of the weapon he now offered was too great to ignore. And he judged Gregori an intelligent man. "Others may offer you strength of arms and loyalty, I offer you the simple chance to use my ambition to fuel your own, that we might both grow rich together. And with my ambition I offer many secrets, just one of which would make you the unchallenged ruler of an entire sector. So should you resolve this little squabble between your subordinates, I would proceed to matters of business."

K'Vari looked the human straight in the eye, and there was no fear in his disgusting little face. There was no loyalty. There was no evil, nor good. Only an insurmountable greed, and excitement at the prospect of the deal ahead. "I offer you the galaxy in the palm of my hand, Emperor Gregori Astamov. What are you willing to pay for it?"

[agentmanatee]

'Saint's Chariot', Personal battleship of Emperor Gregori Amastov, Present day

The Emperor sat, brooding. His face had long since gone from smile, to neutral to a shadowed scowl as his generals had begun to quarrel. One by one his generals had started arguing. Luckily, not all were threatening to destroy his Imperium luckily. The Inquisitors, if in a sort of stand-off to some extent, were quietly watching. Alexius shot him a look as Captain Tyros did the Emperor's job for him, stopping the fight before it could have started, This too changed the Emperor's mood... then there was the vile little cretin of a xenos revealed his card, the stealth ships. His captain had his vox blaring on all channels and was about to order battle stations when the Emperor simply told him to stand down. The Emperor slowly stood from his seat, looking about his table he scowled, before turning to his Inquisitors and the Good lord General Corbec, "Lord Corbec, Master Inquisitors. I thank you for maintaining the understanding of a wider picture. Of seeing that the continuation of the Imperium of man goes far above and beyond any other petty issues and maintaining your loyalty.", he spoke clearly and concisely, ensuring all around the table could hear him. He walked around, scowling at each of his more... rowdy council members.

First, he approached Lattore. "Captain Lattore. When you entered my realm with your forces you came in peace. I have wished for you to be a part of humanities return to glory in spite of your former excommunication. Because I believed you had will above that of the average man. I thought you had the will to have survived this long, and the width of thought to see the practical and the pragmatic. After all you wield the weapons of the archenenmy, surely you must have the strength of will to see a bigger picture... perhaps I was wrong. Is it truly so important my title be changed within my realm for your convenience of opinion? That calling myself 'High Lord' and undermining my own power will help so much? Perhaps you are more short sighted and petty than I first thought... or perhaps you are not so unaffected by chaos as I beleived...", he left it at that, and moved on to his assassin.

"Perhaps we must learn not to challenge those who employ you on their titles... especially when they maintain ones pay and patronage old friend... do sit and listen to a wider focus than parry words with a space marine", and again he moved to Captain Tyros.

"Thank you Tyros for stepping in and stopping this... ridiculous argument. But I would prefer next time if I be allowed to deal with my own council.", he gave a smile and moved to the cannonness.

"Ishitta you are zealous and faithful and loyal. you are a servant beholden only to me... then why must you threaten my domain? You have threatened guests invited here by me and under my protection. Threats against them are threats against me... do you intend to threaten the Embodiment? Is that your goal Cannonness?", and with that, he returned to his seath and clicked a button on the large table, a massive hologram of a small solar system appearing in the middle of it, three planets suspended above the council as the Emperor seemed to move on without a seond thought.

"This, is system Revelius. There are two habitable worlds. From our records they were led by despots who were commonly at one anothers throats before the fall of the astronomicon and most likely became broiled in conflict. They are not our concern", he zoomed in on the smallest of the planets, no more than a mere moon.

"This is the Forge moon Amatheus. If we can take this without damaging it my Magos assure me we can increase our manufacturing output exponentially and possibly may even contain ancient STC's. We must take this moon without destroying it. It is currently unknown if the Lord Magos is still in charge or the mechanicus at all. If they are I have been assured diplomacy is enitirely possible. If not... we must take it without destroying or crippling it. We will arrive in the system in a months time using surface warp travel, as my navigators have assured me. That is all. Master trader K'Vari I would like to discuss businees amongst a council more suited for it. I ask you wait a short while. I will call you. All of you but Master Alexius, Master Enyo and General Corbec as the holders of the largest part of my armies remain to discuss some preliminary strategy. The rest of you are dismissed. If you wish to speak privately leave it with my Captain and I wiull ensure we speak before arrival. Our next meeting will be strategical in nature once we know what we are dealing with.", With that the Emperor waited for his council to largely leave. His face a mask of uncaring neutrality.

[Wraithblade6]

Captain Lattore had remained standing while his blunt honesty brought a rain of ire upon him. He gave no reply to the firey Cannoness after her razing, nor to the Eldar after his accusations of treachery, nor even to Captain Tyro who had basically told him to shutup and stick to the battlefield, which was ironically exactly what Leal wished he could do. There was no bad blood here, for all their fears were valid and needed to be addressed. Leal was at least appreciative of knowing where he stood.

Despite the occasional touching of a powersword or white knuckling over a weapon, Leal did not yet feel there was any actual threat to react to and so made no threatening gestures. He was very mechanical in his demeanor. That was, until 3 ships appeared to uncloak practically on top of Saint's Chariot. As alarms blared, Leal was triggered, yet with the apparent enemy outside and no knowledge of the ship's defenses, he was helpless. He grit his teeth. Fortunately, K'Vari quickly revealed that the whole thing had been a show, a display of an incredible xeno technology that was for sale. ... Thank you for the adrenaline rush, K'Vari.

It was fortunate that Gregori did not overreact to the situation. Leal was admittedly impressed by the present ruler-of-indeterminant-title of the new Imperium's calm. Perhaps... there was true potential in him.

"Stand down." Lattore ordered to his four Relictors who all instantly had their ranged weapons trained on K'Vari. They lowered them obediently and returned their firearms. Leal's voice carried a hint of his disappointment at them for being so rash.

Gregori then approached and addressed Leal directly. "Is it truly so important my title be changed within my realm for your convenience of opinion? That calling myself 'High Lord' and undermining my own power will help so much? Perhaps you are more short sighted and petty than I first thought..."

Again, Leal said nothing. His brow furrowed in consternation as Gregori walked by and addressed the others. He knew that this was a critical moment, that any action, any words he spoke, would be heavily scrutinized by these members of the new Imperium. Did it matter what title he was given? His role would be the same. Certainly it could lead to much confusion among the uneducated, yet it was correct for his rank. Leal struggled.

Then, Lord Gregori grabbed everyone by the nose and in one smooth motion directed their focus onto their first mission, the Forge moon Amatheus. Leal half-turned to see the holograms. Who could deny the necessity of a foothold here? This, was what everyone wanted, a purpose, growth, hope, or perhaps a battle. So, Gregori already had plans and was already leading them. The draw to move forward was strong. Leal felt it. Bickering would only hurt their survival at this critical stage. Besides, even the former Imperium had its flaws. Certainly, moving forward was far more important. Another point for Gregori.

"All of you but Master Alexius, Master Enyo and General Corbec as the holders of the largest part of my armies remain to discuss some preliminary strategy. The rest of you are dismissed."

Leal turned from the holograms back to Gregori. The others began filing out. He paused but for a moment, then brought his hands up over his chest in the sign of the aquila, thumbs interlocked in the symbol of the two-headed eagle. It was the formal salute. "Emperor." Leal spoke in acknowledgement, holding for a moment, before also turning to leave. He had given in.

After a few steps he stopped again and turned. "General Corbec." Leal got Gabriel's attention. "Lord-Militant." Leal corrected to the proper term, as the Lord Militant would be first in charge after Emperor Gregori in war. "You have my company of Relictor space marines at your disposal aboard the Imperium Immemoriam, the Ramilies-class starfort in orbit around Arexia Prime. I will be awaiting your orders there. Praise be to the Emperor." Again, Captain Lattore began to depart. He trusted that the issues of the newly formed government would work themselves out in time. It was not his place to question...

[TemplarKnight07]

The alien K'Vari's gambit momentarily surprised Alexius, until his brain processed its meaning. K'Vari had come here under a banner of peace, and even it would respect it as a merchant, therefore its goal was impressions rather than action. Shock and awe at its finest, in this case, trying to awe Gregori and shock everyone else, or perhaps a little of both for everyone, including every Imperium Reborn citizen within sight of the vessels.

Alexius had utilized some Xeno tech in his own fleet and had spear-headed the push towards incorporating Xenos into his forces beyond merely taking in civilians. He was even wearing some prize pieces offered to him by a Jokaero clan as a gift. But nothing he had yet seen had compared to the power which K'Vari was potentially offering to Gregori.

But K'Vari was a merchant, and had proposed them as part of a deal, not charity. Such great power, if K'Vari was even being completely honest in his pitch, would not come for cheap. What price the small alien would ask of the new Emperor for their potential partnership he was left to wonder at for now.

As for Gregori himself, Alexius sat back as the self-titled Emperor re-asserted control of the room, and his wider ship thanks to K'Vari's stunt, and then proceeded to outline their first course of action. A Forge-World would be a mighty prize indeed for the fledging Imperium if they could successfully obtain it without severe damage. Such an asset could not be allowed to fall into the hands of a rival, or needlessly destroyed.

But he would discuss their general course of action on those matters shortly, more immediate matters pressed his attention.

@Wraithblade6

As per Gregori's request, Alexius stayed behind, but as he saw Captain Lattore begin to file out from the Council meeting among the others, he stood up from his seat and shouted to the Relictor Captain as he turned to leave.

"Captain Lattore, I would ask, nay, state that in short order you hold an audience with me aboard my battleship. It concerns matters of faith, if you understand my meaning. Once my affairs are sorted here, I anticipate your arrival sooner rather than later aboard The Wandering Chronos."

Alexius had considered invoking his Inquisitorial Edict to force the Captain to attend, but he figured it unnecessary. If he was as sharp as Alexius suspected, he would understand its meaning in its current form as much as everyone else without such blatant brandishes of authority.

He sat back down in his seat after saying this, watching the others as they left the room to him and the others Gregori requested stay.

[Dannyrulx]

Ritske, in a move thoroughly unlike her, had been standing to one side, barely hiding a laugh as the various members of this ramshackle council bickered and argued among each other. Each member made her worried in different ways, from the Eldar to the Cannoness, although perhaps those two would hate her equally for the same reason. She lit a lho-stick as Gregori showed the worlds, paying close attention to the forge moon. It was needed captured intact, no machinery destroyed. Slaneesh cared not about mindless destruction, but in joy, and she took no joy in smashing random bits of machinery. She grinned as she realised her expertise could be most useful in the upcoming situation, before clearing her throat and talking to Lord Gregori.

@Agentmanatee"Ahem. My lord. If the Forge Moon needs to be taken intact, then I am sure that I am more than up for the job. You saw what happened when I graced the planet of Caravin VI. Food stockpiles left unlooted, machinery intact, not a single thing damaged by my group, just an..." she had to pick her words very carefully here. "a precise strike. Not a defender left alive, although I admit we may have been a little... Overzealous in the killing of noncombatants." She was praying that Gregori had only heard what had gotten out; that a number of smaller holdouts filled with noncombatants were destroyed, and not the truth, which had been an orgy of violence against anyone vaugley connected to the soldiers who had fought against them.

"The only problem is that my...Warband has been decimated. I still have my flagship, as well as a number of smaller ones that make up my 'fleet,'" she knew that compared to Gregori, or even the Inquisitors, the few ships that she had orbiting were nothing, but nonetheless they were ships, and jump-ready ships at that. "If it wouldn't bother you, a small detachment of soldiers would be most welcome. I can also, perhaps, see if anyone on the planet below would like to trade a life down there for a life plying the stars, and we certainly have enough weaponry that we can supply them with the basics." the implication was, of course, that anyone coming along would most likely end up corrupted by the constant chaotic presence, but nobody, not even Gregori, knew of her worship.

@TemplarKnight07 "As well as this, I need to speak with you, preferably in private about a matter that has come to my attention Inquisitor Alexius. It involves me and some of my... Less savoury attitudes. Apparently a rumour has been spreading among your crew and I would like to clear it up in private. No need to air my laundry out in front of all these people, if you catch my meaning." She smiled at him and brushed a strand of hair aside, trying to look casual. She had no idea how the people on that fucking flagship had started thinking she was worshipping Slaneesh, but she needed to clear it up. The Inquisitor as well, she had heard, was surprisingly lenient when it came to the ruinious powers, but that was to be seen.

[Evil Snowman]

Canoness Ishitta Thamus

As the representative, to the other Adeptus Astartes spoke to Ishitta. The Canoness scowled at him. His words falling of deaf ears. Ishitta not interested in listening to the Astartes words. He was lucky she was the Canoness, given her predecessor would have tried to purge him for speaking to her like that. Even if she had been ordered not to. Ishitta giving the Astartes a dismissive wave of her hand, to show she wasn't interested in listening to him or continuing this argument. Although Ishitta's aid wrote down every word spoke the Astartes spoke to his mistress, just in case she wanted it later.

It was then the little Xeno moved the center of the room and spoke Ending its words with a snap of its fingers. Ishitta looking at the Xeno with a raised eyebrow. Wondering what the little Xeno was up to. Her guards eyeing the alien. Then out of nowhere alarms filled the room. Ishitta's Celestian guard, raising her bolter taking aim at the alien. While her Repentia Mistress draw a pair neural whips. Ishitta however, didn't move. Her instincts telling her the Xeno wouldn't dare attack and bring down the rather of everyone here with only two guards.
"Standdown." Ishitta commanded and her guards obeying going back to their previous stance. The Canoness thinking whatever was going on would most likely have alarmed those in the hanger and her Palatine. Who was commanding the Redeemer while Ishitta was off ship. Ishitta knewing her Palatine would be keeping a close eye on the Embodiments flagship while Ishitta was on it.
"One of you, find out what going on. Ensure everyone there is no cause for alarm." Ishitta order quietly as the little Xeno started speaking. Ishitta's guards looking at each other in silence. Before nodding to each other. The Celestian slowly walking out of the chamber. Doing her best to not interrupt what was going on.

The moment the Embodiment stood up, Ishitta was unsure what to expect. Watching the Embodiment closely, as he went around the room speaking to each of those that had been involved with the petty argument. Ishitta lowering her head as the Embodiment came to her last. Ask her a question that Ishitta only had one answer to.
"No, I would never ..." she muttered quietly trailing off. Her voice barely loud enough to be heard by the Embodiment before he walked off. Ishitta feeling like a fool for letting her temper and zeal get the better of her. She'd need to watch herself more in the future. Otherwise, her tongue and temper might get her into trouble. Having spoken with that were involved in the little argument. Ishitta watching as the Embodiment moved the meeting on to the topic. Seeing a hologram of a the Revelius system listening to the Embodiment as he started to explain the first target of the expansion crusade. Watching as the hologram zoom in on the what was explained to be the Forge moon Amatheus.

Listening to the Embodiment Ishitta made a mental note to start double combat drills. Given the order haven't seen a real battle in many months. She'd needed to make sure they were ready. Just in case the order was called to battle. When told she was dismissed, Ishitta wasted no time in leaving. Being one of the frist out of the room. She headed back to her lander and moment later was in transit back to the Redeemer of Worlds. Which was remaining close to Saint's Chariot. So the trip was short.

Once aboard she summoned a meeting of the uppermost members of the Order. Ishitta wanting to discuss with them in making sure all sections of the Order were ready for whatever the Embodiment called them to do. That meeting quick and once it was over Ishitta went to one of the Redeemers many shrines to the Emporer the sisters had set up. There she knelt before the shine to and started to mutter prayers softly.

[Hecticlord]

Gabriel Corbec

Gabriel couldn't help but grimace as his fellows started arguing. The campaign had even started and already the bickering had begun. Gabriel was a bit used to this from the Imperium of old, but had hoped that it would not trouble this Imperium for awhile at least. Though as in the Imperium of old he kept his head down and kept out of it, the Imperial Guard existed to serve not to cause more problems.

As the smaller Xeno, K'vari he thought it was, stepped forward Gabriel looked at him with some interest hoping he wasn't going to continue the bickering that several others had fallen into. As he snapped his fingers Gabriel could only look at him with curiosity wondering what he was doing. At least until the alarms started blaring. As he stood wiht his hand on his sword he started listening to the reports coming in as he glared at the Xeno. Though as the reports started coming in, Gabriel couldn't help but sit back down in shock. A stealth ship. WHile Gabriel was no Imperial Navy captain even he understood the signficance of that. Though he couldn't help but also wonder what K'vari would charge for this.

Gabriel was still in deep thought as Gregori walked around and snapped out of it once the hologram of the Forge Moon popped up. Instantly Gabriel's mind started racing about what he could afford to bring to take it. As he put more and more thought into it he couldn't help but scowl as it didn't seem like this would be at all easy. Though as he thought he made sure to tell one of his Kasrkins to send a message to his commanders to start preparing the men for urban combat. As Ritske spoke up he started factoring a mercenary band thrown in before discard that idea when she mentioned the killing of noncombatants. In this case those noncombatants were as important as the world itself. As he put more thought into it he was dimly aware of Gregori dismissing the rest of the council but telling him and the inquisitors to stay. Though he snapped out of it when the Astartes approached him. "Do not worry Captain Lattore I will make good use of you and your men." Gabriel then turned to Gregori, "My Emperor I would like to request all the information that you have on the system the Forge Moon resides in. I would like to know everything that we know before I start planning this."

[TemplarKnight07]

@Dannyrulx

Alexius' brow furrowed for a second at Ritsuke' remarks before resuming their normal posture in a quiet gesture of understanding, he smiled gently at her from his seat. He reminded himself to do a thorough check of his ship when he got back, he was not surprised to find that there were leaks in his attempt at an air-tight vessel of a ship that was his own, but obviously he had grown lax if she had managed to find out even this fragment of private discussion among his Ordo.

"By all means, Lady Ritske. Like the good Captain Lattore, you're welcome to meet me aboard The Wandering Chronos as soon as I return."

[Wraithblade6]

- Captain Leal Lattore-

Leal watched as Ishitta and her entourage stormed toward their lander. The Cannoness and her sisters were strong headed, a trait that Leal found to be perpetuated by this ambiguity that was religion. Certainly blind faith had its risks, but there was nothing heretical about mere love for the Emperor itself. Leal himself practiced meditation and had chanted the mantras of the space marines as oft as anyone of them. Perhaps was his form of prayer. Still, regardless of how worshipful he may have felt at times, he preferred to remain practical and grounded. The Emperor had been material, not a god, and although he had been exorbitantly powerful, even He was limited, as had been unfortunately proven by his final death. It was merely a human flaw to stretch perception into fantasy, to think the Emperor had been a God, although when it came to the warp, unbelievable things were possible. Leal considered how well founded the sisters beliefs were when ascribed to the new emperor. There were certainly no gods here now, yet she defended him like one. Sadly, Leal decided that Ishitta had displaced her devotion in her grief, like so many others would, yet he did not know what should be done about this.

On that heavy note, Leal progressed to leave, but was halted again by Alexius' call. He turned, then bowed cordially. It seemed ages in exile hadn't tarnished his mannors. Captain Lattore readily gave a confidant reply, "It shall be as you command, Inquisitor. I would be most humbled and honored to convene with you. I will teleport aboard shortly." The grey-clad space marine seemed strangely, almost eager to hold this audience with the time-warped remnants of the original Inquisition. Alexius felt a faint psychic echo of something... vengeful? A test of wills? The exact details of this distant memory were uncertain, but it seemed to come from Lattore.

Aboard the Imperium Immemoriam, the captain discoursed with his marines. Being commanded by simple, unaltered humans was easily accepted as all good and just as intended by the Emperor originally. Referring to someone else as emperor was a bit of a stretch, but stretch it did as Leal explained the logic in it. "It is simply the way it must be. It is how the Imperium of Man has always functioned. Emperor Amastov is obviously not THE Emperor, and there is a council before him. He is neither a blasphemous impersonator nor a warped tyrant, but a sole hero bravely uniting our shattered elements under our own flag. He needs our loyalty, the Imperium needs our loyalty..."

And so it was the best of speeches he could muster, full of hope and inspiration. The Relictors were for the most part in agreement. Belief in the cause was important for morale on the battlefield, and Leal was determined to maintain that.

The daemonweapons, all except the captain's, were locked away on the starfort to limit their malific influence until they would inevitably be needed again. Leal's weapon however, was of a different character, a polar-opposite psychic energy. He specifically intended to take it with him aboard the Wandering Chronos.

Not too long after orders on the Starfort were given, Leal teleported over to the Inquisitor's battleship. Blackness and blue lights washed over his vision to reveal the boarding platform where Leal hailed Alexius' men. He came alone, the strange relicblade quiet by his side adorned with delicate silver chains and wrapped with several reels of prayer scripts. The irony being of course that they were a mere formality. The angel blade was actually unaffected. Lifting his gauntlets aside his head, Leal removed his helm, revealing a light-skinned man with long, silver hair and cold blue eyes. He looked young for an old man, which was strange to say the least. It seemed that the shear strength of his spirit alone was keeping him in such vibrant condition, like death itself had refused to touch him until his force of will backed off first. "I am here for Inquisitor Commenus."

[thewizardguy]

- K'Vari, Saint's Chariot -

Nodding, K'Vari accepted the self-proclaimed Emperor's statement. Unfortunately he had not been able to draw more of a reaction from him, but from what he had seen of the faces in the room, many of Gregori's subcommanders had realized the value of his little contribution. His price would be steep, but they would pay it, knowing what it could deliver to them. And when he had his foot in the door he would begin making the changes he saw fit to make, and removing those who got in his way. When he was done here he would have hoarded every last scrap of value in this place, and made a lot of enemies. When he set out he planned to move with the largest caravan he had acquired yet, laden with goods and trinkets and little technological secrets, a vast treasure hoard which would also provide him with the means to build up a trade empire, one greater in both scope and purpose than these petty little Miniperiums spread across the galaxy like a handful of acorns.

But first, to consolidate his position. With a little bow and a wave at his two inhuman bodyguards he set off, marching through the double doors and to the looted Thunderhawk that had brought him on board. Within moments he was off, not bothering to overhear the conversation that would follow his departure as he was already engrossed in matters of intrigue. There were three primary fronts he needed to work on.

First, he would need to gain manpower. This could be relatively easily achieved by enslaving the less savoury sorts on Gregori's captured Hive Worlds. While there was no doubt Gregori would notice, as long as he didn't touch the more respectable citizens there was nothing much that could be done about it. K'Vari would simply deny all accusations, and Gregori didn't have the manpower to spare on better policing, not while preparing for such an important invasion. And even if he should step up security, K'Vari could just take people from different worlds. Already this fledgeling little Imperium was running into the problems of their predecessor, spread too thin to properly police each individual planet.

Secondly, he would need to cultivate allies. First among them would be the mercenary, whom's loyalty could be bought. Second would be the mysterious Eldar, who would not doubt catch on to K'Vari pretty much instantly. Third would be either the Space Marine Relictors Captain, or the self-centred violent Inquisitor. He couldn't be certain of acquiring their loyalty, but at least one of them would prove pliable in one way or another. Having now arrived on his own ship the Star Breaker, a stolen Space Marine battle barge, he wandered through the halls shouting orders at the wide variety of slaves and meat loyally awaiting his commands. He would set his plans in motion now, and eliminate any resistance even before it could occur.

Through a series of highly guarded corridors he marched, passing dozens of his most dangerous creations. Powerful warriors armed with a variety of equally lethal weaponry, ranging from several Bolters to an Eldar Shuriken Canon. This space was completely off-limits, and any who attempted to win entrance by means of force or stealth would find themselves facing nearly impossible odds. The ship itself accepted to vessels other than those personally authorised by K'Vari, an authorisation that was practically impossible to fake. It also used advanced Stryxis anti-auger technology to be practically invisible to sensors, although obvious to the naked eye, making it untargetable for most long-ranged attacks and hard to keep track of. Such and many more security measures guarded what might be the cunning trader's greatest treasure trove of secrets and technology. Those slaves that served him here would live out their lives here, bound by extensive chemical therapy and augmentation to his will, for one in five of the secrets on their lips would have him killed instantly.

Opening a large reinforced door and deactivating a multi-layered forcefield with a variety of codes and tests, K'Vari made his way into one of the highly advanced fleshcrafting stations spread throughout this ship. The mysterious arcane science facilities in which his kind forged their own, custom-built warriors. As a Master Fleshcrafter he was one of the greatest Stryxis in the galaxy when it came to this art, and his biowarriors certainly reflected this expertise. But what lay before him was certainly one of his favoured projects, a challenge that he had been engrossed in since the very day he had arrived in this foreign little corner of the Imperium. And now it was done, ready to be deployed as he saw fit. His very greatest, or very worst, gambit.

Floating in the green pod, covered in tubes and measurement apparatus, lay the exact likeness of Gregori Amastov, the Emperor of the Imperium Reborn, and K'Vari's most valued trade partner.

"Yes, this will most certainly do. My child, when you waken, I will give you a life of glory indeed." With a chuckle K'Vari looked over the biped's body, ready for the final adjustments to be made, hundreds of twisted schemes and plans swimming through his mind.

[thewizardguy]

- Unknown, Arexia Prime -

A trio of soot-black swords seemingly stamped onto the wall. A single large black sword in the centre, pointed downwards, with the two smaller swords on either side, pointing upwards and at a slight angle. This was the symbol that had begun popping up all over Gregori's little Imperium Reborn besides groups of slaughtered criminals. Occasionally a quote is found stamped under the symbol of swords, 'Truth is the Sword's Virtue', 'Purified by the Blade', or 'Forgiveness Only in Death'. When the first few such scenes popped up it was believed to merely be a local vigilante gang on their own little crusade against those they perceived as impure. But the killings occurred across the planet's surface, in dozens of locations. Always the killers left their mark, and always their targets were known criminals. Specifically those involved with the drug trade and black market appeared to be targeted, although victims had been found from all castes and forms of crime. On one occasion a judge of a local court had been found killed in his own home, with documents proving his corruption laid across the corpse. Surprisingly, his family had been left untouched.

After a few days the vigilantes became known as the Obsidian Truth, based on the words burned into the flesh of a black-clad warrior who was found at one of the battle scenes. Rumours were abound as to where they had come from, who lead them, and how they managed to perform what most would consider to be impossible feats. They were the ghosts of those wronged by criminals, or a secret organisation created by their government, or an army of assassins lead by a mysterious overlord. Those few black-clad corpses discovered with tattoos of the three swords spoke not a word as to the true nature of this band, leaving questions where answers were sought. But the effect was noticeable, as those of criminal intent fearfully crept back into the shadows. Crime was diminished worldwide and neighborhoods were made safer. And while some citizens saw the Obsidian Truth as a threat, most considered them saviors, vigilante heroes. Even if they were hunted down by the law they were heroes in the eyes of those they saved. And never, across hundreds of battles, was an innocent killed by their hand.

Of course, all of this was a rather stunning and wide-spread ruse. A plot that even the most cynical of civilians would never have thought. For these mystery killers were the oathbound mercenaries and vat-grown monsters of K'Vari, the Stryxis trader. The corpses that had been discovered were slaves, attired and killed just for that purpose, to create this image, the dream of a vigilante army. Most of the actual killings were performed by K'Vari's highly skilled and trained elite. Of course, the goal was simple. By wiping out the black market and specifically the drug trade, he effectively cut off Ritske's supply of recreational drugs. It appeared her favoured contacts died just slightly more than other drug traders, although not by so much that it would appear as a noticeable pattern. Slowly the prices would go up, the supply would dwindle, and Ritske would have to go to ever greater lengths to acquire her kick. Meanwhile new groups took control of what remained of the drug trade, newcomers who stood perfectly poised to fill in the power void left by the dead. Those stubborn groups that refused to back off from the trade under threat of death were pushed out financially, strangled by better financed groups who seemed to have no goal other than to ruin them.

And so K'Vari would establish his foothold. There was no way he could completely shut off the drug trade, of course. There would always be supply, and thus there must always be demand. By instating his own little groups, drug cartels who received support from him, he gained an extensive control over the supply, and the Obsidian Truth allowed him to severely tone down the availability of drugs. Removing Ritske's contacts prevented her from having easy access, and she would need to get at least part of her drug supply from his puppets. Those she dealt with not under his control would be muscled out of the way by new, rival gangs, or annihilated by the Obsidian Truth, until K'Vari was her sole drug dealer. This would perhaps not instantly win her loyalty, and if he played it wrongly might even lead to his untimely demise, but it gave him severe leverage over the Slaaneshi killer and her mercenary company.

Of course, only a fool would invest this much effort into gaining leverage over a single target. The Obsidian Crusade was a far more useful tool than just that, and one of the main tools he would use to engineer his superiority within this Imperium. For by pretending to be the Obsidian Truth he had conjured them into reality, as if by magic. A magic greater than that wielded by any sorceror or psyker. Mere days after the first killings already applicants began to appear. Those who had been wronged by the world's criminal element, the zealous who wished to fight for justice, those whom's lives or livelihoods had been saved by the Obsidian Crusade's brutal justice. Enforcers who wished to have more of an effect, disillusioned soldiers looking for a cause, xenos looking to escape the prejudice that chased them. Little bases would be established across the planet, as more and more flocked to his banner. Slowly he would withdraw his own forces when they had served their cause, although always maintaining control of their leaders. They would truly become an army to fight crime, and he would never be discovered, even should the entire organisation be rooted out and destroyed. More importantly he would have created a private army, provided with weapons and training from his own men, placed all over the prime world of the Empire Reborn. A force that could easily be used to deal with any who opposed him, eventually perhaps even growing strong enough to eliminate the Sisters of Battle from their stronghold, should they receive support from an anonymous mercenary party....

A secondary importance was of course to increase his manpower aboard his ships. While at first extensive killings and showing of force had been necessary, afterwards the concept of Penitence was swiftly introduced. Those criminals that wished to repent for their crimes would not be killed, but would rather be dragged off to one of the Obsidian Truth's headquarters. From there they would be spirited off to his caravan aboard one of the many trade vessels that constantly moved between his assets in space and those on the ground. Supposedly these figures would earn a chance to join the Obsidian Truth, and in a manner this was true. Collared and conditioned they would become slaves, serving K'Vari in his fleet as both labourers and meat for sale. Those that showed an aptitude for battle would be sent back down to serve as one of K'Vari's warriors in the Obsidian Truth, bound by the death-collar to the Truth's cause. So he also expanded both his stock and his army, an immense net profit.

Should the machinations of the Obsidian Truth not be stopped, it might very well be that K'Vari would soon be in control of two incredibly dangerous military forces to assist in his scheming.

[TemplarKnight07]

@Wraithblade6

The Wandering Chronos, High Orbit of Arexia Prime

Alexius' personal battleship was a testament to the baroque and gothic styles of the old Imperium, a dark and imposing vessel, its vastness was as shrouded in mystery as the Ordo whose halls were within it. Nobody entered the vessel without Alexius knowing, or without his permission, though he was usually accommodating to those who asked his permission . . . to an extent.

Crew turn-over on the vessel was historically small, and most underwent a thorough vetting process and even internal investigations in some cases by the Ordo's Inquisitors. Those who were accepted had their whole families were brought aboard, the Chronos having plenty of room aboard for its repurposed owners and crew, and only a handful of people came and went. Supply Crews were outsourced and allowed entrance into the docking bays where personal crews took over, the personal visitors of Inquisitors came and went with their retinues, and black-armoured Stormtroopers and Servitors guarded and waited at the paths further into the ship's organs.

The same awaited at the teleport platform. Alexius kept the platform separate from the docking bays, but even closer security was kept, access was only granted by the acting Inquisitor aboard the ship, which had been granted to Captain Lattore prior to his arrival.

A robed Servitor politely bowed to the Captain, and proceeded to guide the Relictor Captain within the maze of the ship. The Captain would notice that he rarely crossed paths in the halls with more than a dozen people in the ten minutes they were walking. A few Stormtrooper patrols, the odd Servitor here or there, a couple young Interrogators in similar robes to the Servitors (these ones branded with the gold Insignia of the Inquisition circumposed on a top of a chronometer's face, the symbol of the Ordo), hurriedly moving through the halls on some errand for their masters, but otherwise not a soul.

The servitor finally stopped in front of a couple of elaborate doors, opening them by hand, they opened into a small square room with several leather seats, a small wooden table, elaborate rugs, and a banners of the Inquisition hanging from the walls. The table had a small glass bowl of simple sweets, a copy of the Lex Imperalis, and a pitcher of water with glasses besides it all neatly arranged. The rugs led towards a second set of doors at the opposite end of the room that looked just like the entrance.

Standing in the room was a man, dressed in a grey coat similar to Alexius' and an Inquisitorial Rosette hanging from his neck, but his age alone marking himself out as being much older than Alexius and having a hood rather than a hat, the hood was kept down revealing messy brown hair but a cleanly shaved face. He made the sign of the Aquila.

"Captain Lattore? Inquisitor Varius Malodrax of the Ordo Chronos, at your service. Master Alexius is currently indisposed, but we are aware of your meeting and so have brought you here for the moment. I am here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have beforehand, and to ensure that you were actually received here adequately."

The servitor that had escorted Lattore quietly whirred out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him and leaving the towering Astartes Captain with the Inquisitor.

"Apologies on the Servitor. Normally such an occasion would have necessitated a . . . living escort . . . and normally persons such as myself would not traditionally be ones to attend visitors, but recent circumstances have compelled an overview of some of our less-privy personnel here and where their loyalties lie, and that a more personal hand is necessary of our Ordo. Rest assured that the matter is being attended to and should not disturb us here. Is there anything you require, Captain?"

[Wraithblade6]

@TemplarKnight07

Leal followed the servitor through the ship, the dull thud of his steps surprisingly muted considering the weight of his power armor. He noticed what seemed to be a paucity of crew, but made no comments. Perhaps he would inquire about this later. For now, he mused over how strange it was to be aboard an Inquisition ship. The prevalent "I" shaped icon was standard throughout the ordos, even though each one gave it specific variance. The Ordo Chronos was no different. But to a Relictor, the inquisitorial icon was the mark of their hunters, mainly the Grey Knights. It was the symbol of their ignorant brethren and the guardians of the Imperium that had threatened them with death should they ever dare return. As the captain and the servitor stopped in front of the elaborate doors, Leal considered the symbolism of passing these gates.

Leal's blue eyes found the man in the grey coat, and he responded to the man's gesture by bringing his right fist across his chest. The left arm of course still held Leal's helm.

The captain replied matter-of-factly, "The reception was adequate."

The servitor left and Leal scanned the contents of the small wooden table. The Book of Law was fitting. He blinked in response to Varius' explanation. The circumstances were unusual, and Leal was indeed curious as to what exactly had happened on Alexius' ship.
Maintaining proper etiquette, he replied with a general truth. "Loyalty means nothing until it is tested. I understand that only the Inquisition can test its own. May the ordo be strengthened by your efforts.

As for what I require, there is nothing, yet I would ask that, in these moments while we await Inquisitor Commenus, you remain and speak to me about the Ordo Chronos. Tell me of the Imperium before the Final Ascension as you knew it. What have been your achievements in your study of time manipulation?" Leal smiled gently. He was afterall, human.

[Dannyrulx]

@TemplarKnight07

Ritske was quietly fuming at being ignored by a fucking servitor of all things, hurried behind the Inquistor, silently impressed by the ship. Hers, the Wandering Spear, was nowhere near as impressive as this gothic beast of a construction, and she was almost certain that the Spear would be blown out of space if this ship so much as turned a gun in her ship's general direction. She watched as the Inquisitor ahead of her was greeted by another member of the ship and politley waited, before quietly slipping next to him, and subsequently in the room with Alexis. She looked around as well, and knew that she would have to find out what happened her as fast as possible, taking a seat on a box near the wall and lighting up a lho stick as the Inquisitors nattered away to one another. If Alexis wanted to show disrespect to her, she would show it right back. Besides, the other bastard didn't need to hear what she said, and if she was right, she really, really, really didn't want him hearing what came next.

[TemplarKnight07]

@Wraithblade6

Inquisitor Varius steppled his fingers together and walked over to pour himself a glass of water, talking as he did.

"Curiosity, an uncommon trait in an Astartes outside of the arts of war. I'll indulge in what I know. Our Ordo was honestly, nothing of significance prior to current circumstances. We were a Ordo Minoris of the Inquisition, tasked with investigating and studying the effects of time manipulation on the Warp. I don't know how or what specifically happened, but our entire Ordo jumped forward in time by many millennia and found ourselves in a crumbling Imperium with foes new and old. That was many centuries ago though, I, and everyone else in the Ordo Chronos are merely descendants of those original time travellers, who trained the next generation of Inquisitors from their own progeny or via adoption into the Ordo, just as we do now to carry on their legacy and teachings. Any rumours of us individuals specifically being shadows out of time left by an Imperium write bold on history have been greatly exaggerated. Not that Alexius cares much to dispel such rumours. He believes . . . they are beneficial to us even though they aren't entirely true. I can speak much of what we have recorded on the Imperium before our ancestors' transition, as they knew it. We took great care to record it for their own legacy as much as ours."

He took a long draught of his drink before walking back, his glass still in hand.

"As for such matters as those Captain, as much as they may be intriguing conversation, I regret that only Master Alexius is able to grant liberty to speak on the matters of what our Ordo studies . . . especially in regards to our more "long-term" studies. You must understand that the power such knowledge holds is not only merely one of raw strength and power, but of will and faith as well. And blessed is the mind too small for doubt . . . Perhaps he will deign to discuss such things with you himself, but what I can tell you is that it has become an incredibly more fickle and difficult thing to study at the present compared to in the past, due to the general state of the Warp, let alone our current status. We've actually set about other priorities as our main focuses for now, particularly with trying to regain our status and position as the new foundation of the Inquisition in this Imperium Reborn."

@Dannyrulx

Inquisitor Varius was surprised to see the mercenary Ritske slip in moments behind Captain Lattore without a servitor escort. The fact that it meant she had merely followed Lattore and his escort through the ship from the teleport to him raised some very serious concerns he'd have to give to Alexius later . . . on top of the other concerns with the fleet. Not to mention the fact it was an embarrassment for the Ordo that could play out badly if not handled carefully, and Alexius would not tolerate being embarrassed by his own Ordo when he got back, not even to a mercenary.

Varius promptly turned to address the Mercenary as she was causally smoking after he finished his initial replies to Lattore's curious questions.

"Lady Ritske, Inquisitor Varius Malodrax, I apologize to you too at the lack of a proper escort. As I was telling the good captain, internal problems are causing some hiccups in the system, so to speak. All the same, I am to attend you both until Master Alexius returns and he can receive you. Is there anything you desire? Or have you any concerns or questions you'd care to discuss here?"