[IC] Justice among the stars

[Flynn]

Aidan flips through the pages, hoping to find the right seance or at least something that might help him. A sudden voice startles him, throwing the book up in the air and letting out a sound of surprise. The book falls on the ground with a bang. But he doesn't notice. He looks at Val with mixture of shock and relief.

How could he be sure if this wasn the Black Widow talking, or his partner? His eyes narrow as he decides to play along for now. "Hey there Val! I... Uh... Don't you remember what happened to you in the tower?" As he awaits an answer, he gets up and starts to pack up the medical supplies. He wasn't quite sure what he'd do -if- it was the Black Widow that was speaking. He wasn't even quite sure when he'd knew. Playing along would be best, yes...

He cleans up the medical stuff, but leaves the candles and incense burning. He sits down and eyes Val up and down. "How... do you feel?"

[Angel Vicky]

"Like a million credits." Val remarked with some jest, but she strained her words as if they were not true, she felt really sick, she swung her legs over the bedside and felt woozy, hanging her head a little. "Um...a little. I remember...the red room." She squinted her eyes and over at him. "And then a dark presence jumped out at you..." She realised he was not harmed. "You're okay. Thank the Gods!" She sighed with relief and broke a smile, finally. Her eyes come over all tired and worn out. Maybe she didn't quite realise it yet that there was this thing inside of her...who knew when it would emerge to the surface and strike?

"I'm glad." She straightened herself up as she sat on the edge of her bed. "I guess you got me out in one piece then." She looked at all the candles and smelled the incense. She furrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with me? You're...doing an exorcism?" She obviously knew more about it and she even knew how to conduct it properly. But the demon inside of her may not allow her to instruct Aidan.

[Flynn]

Aidan looks from the candles and incense back to Val. Still uncertain he decides to... play it otherwise. "Nah. Why would I do that? What is there to exorcise? I was just... Uhm..." He scratches his beard, trying to come up with something believable. "Just trying to... better the mood in your room?", he says with uncertainty. Noticing how stupid that sounded, he quickly gets up.

"Anyhoooow... Uhm, I think it's time we rendezvous with the Blackguard. I think we'll get quick clearance for that Deepcore Charge. I doubt Lunt is interested in knowing how the planet appeared, just that it needs to go. Apparently after we tell him it's home to..." Should he tell her about it? Better not. "A crazy cult." He raises an eyebrow and inspects her body language closely as he continues speaking. "That tower and the rest of the planet will be nothing but ashes. I hope that's not a problem for you?"

[Angel Vicky]

Val looked around at the candles. Better the mood in her room? That didn't sound like Aidan at all, he was up to something. Since when does any straight man with an air of mystery and is also a cold blooded killer at times, care about the ambiance of a woman's room? Especially one of the Inquisition? They had more important things to be doing. Nevertheless she played along with his little white lie.

She stood up but she closed the gap between the two rapidly with one stride. "Not. A. Problem. At all. Aidan." She placed a single index finger against his chin, such a strong jawline. Was it that she found him alluring naturally or all the more now something was inside her heightening what was already there?

She left him standing there as she walked away and slid her finger from his chin lastly as it leaving her arm in a trail behind her. And she made her way to the cockpit to begin operations.

[Flynn]

Aidan his eyebrows raise as Val walks off. That was definitely not the Val he knew, right? He shakes it off for now and heads for the cockpit. The engines roar to live as he sits down in his chair and flicks them on. The ship ascends, but instead of going straight up into the sky, Aidan flicks on the thermal vision and hovers in front of the tower. Time to see if she's able to destroy her home. That is... if she was possessed, which seems very likely at the moment.

He turns his chair to Val and points to the red mass on their window. "Right, let's already satisfy ourselves by blowing this fucker up. I'll grant you the honors. Just shoot the rockets with that button." Getting up from his chair, he points at a trigger on the side of the yoke. He takes a step back and watches what Val does.

[Angel Vicky]

Valentisha nodded at the instructions Aidan had given her. It was if an aid of confidence had surged within her. Confidence in her femininity and sexuality. She even sat with a sassy edge now, she walked with a larger hip sway making her posterior seem more...alluring to the opposite sex. Perhaps the thing inside her lay dormant for now but it increased her hormones and pheromone levels. Because Val had no problem pulling the trigger immediately. She had no problem in watching the tower go up in flames.

"Bye bye evil-doers." She waved happily with her fingers and smiled. Then she sighed with relief, throwing her head back, flicking her long side curls back over her shoulders. "That...felt good."

[Flynn]

Aidan nods slowly as he sees the tower crumbling before his eyes. He had noticed the way Val moved now, but only for scientific reasons of course! He sits back down in his chair. "good, now that is out of the way, let's head back to the Blackguard blockade." And with that said, he steers the ship upwards, leaving the planet behind.

"Good to see you're still alive inquisitors. I'm afraid we can't let you on board here. We have strict orders of keeping everything on that planet. I'll make contact with officer Lunt as soon as possible. But for now, you must remain where you are.", and without warning the comm closes, leaving a baffled Aidan.

"The bloody nerve of that commander..." He spins the chair around and stands up. "Well, guess that gives us some time to catch some rest. I think we deserved that after all that." He stretches his arms and let's out a yawn.

[Angel Vicky]

"Huh. Weird. Do they always do things that way?" Val asked as she leaned back in her chair, placing both arms behind her neck to rest on them comfortably. She put her feet up on the console just as she did so before. She resumed her normality. Maybe she really didn't know she had an entity inside of her. Or perhaps Aidan was just being paranoid and imagined it. Maybe her vision of the future changed her perception in life and the way she looked at Aidan now. Either way, something had changed about her.

"You know...being so close to death certainly changes one's perspective..." She stated out of the blue. "I thought I was a gonner back there." She finally turned her head and gazed up at him as he stood up. "Rest well, partner." She broke a small smile at him. She wondered if he had changed his views after she had saved him from that demonic thing. Whatever it was. She also wondered what had happened to it. Did Aidan kill it? Either way it had to be dead now, right..? She just blew up the tower. It was still inside there, right..?

[Flynn]

Aidan listens closely to the words Val speaks. That did sound like Val... did it? "Yeah, I'm going to catch a nap. You just enjoy yourself for now. We should have a link with the holoweb. Or catch some rest as well. Up to you." He shrugs and makes his way to his room. The door hisses open and closes as soon as he entered the room.

Once inside, Aidan begins to rummage through one of the many containers in his room. Maybe he could trick the demon? One last test. If he survived this 'night' without disturbances, she was clean. He finally finds what he is looking for. Two small devices. They stick to the sides of the doorway as Aidan holds them in position. Anyone coming through that door get's trapped in web of electricity. Well... that would be the case if it didn't malfunction this time. He didn't want to hurt Val, even if she was possessed, but he couldn't take the risk.

With the trap set, he looks at his bed and prepares himself for his rest.

[Angel Vicky]

On my mind

Val nodded and watched him exit the cockpit. He seemed to make a bit of noise with some sort of clamps. She thought nothing of it. She finally yawned and relented, needing sleep. There wasn't anything much she could do but to sit and wait. She hated waiting. She was an all action girl. She made her way to her private room and laid back on the bed with one arm behind her head. She stared up at the ceiling, she had a sort of stress ball in her hands and she kept bouncing it against the far wall, waited for it to bounce off the floor once and back up into her hand. And she would repeat this motion for a while as if entranced.

She wondered why she could not get him off her mind. She got up out of her bed and looked at the door and stared at it for a good few moments before finally getting up. She was about to leave her room, a hand out reached to the door handle. But then suddenly took her hand away and spun around with her back to the door. She squeezed the ball tightly and closed her eyes. She was getting warm and had to undo her collar. Eventually she just threw the ball at the wall in anger and it ricocheted off and onto the floor. She sighed, turned to the door and then opened it. She stared at his bedroom door. Fighting this urge to go in there. She walked up to it and just as she was about to place her fist against it to knock, she felt a buzzing. The entity within, was very smart. It pulled her back as it was not safe to enter his room. She looked from left to right as if working out how to bypass the electrical energy pulse that she could feel emanating from within. This creature could work off sonar and electromagnetic waves.

Valentisha smirked and her eyes became darker as she stepped backwards into her room and closed the door. Aidan wasn't going to get the better of her. Then Val shook her head and looked around as if she didn't know where she was. She didn't remember anything from past getting up off her bed.......

[Flynn]

A solid two hours passed before Aidan emerged from his room once more. He hadn't been disturbed by Val or some other entity. That was a good sign. He walks up to Vals room and knocks loudly on her door. "Come on Val. I think we'll have clearance by now. Time to look at your best. We're going to board a Core Ship."

He settles down in the pilot chair and turns on the comms. It doesn't take long for the commander of the Blackguard to respond. "Thank you for showing patience inquisitors. You are cleared for docking and/or passage." Aidan nods in response and closes the comm channel. He takes the yoke of the ship and flies for the Core Ship.

The Core Ships looked like cities in space. The only difference was, that the entire thing was for military purposes only. A soldier could enter a Core Ship, just to never leave it again. The Invictus was cleared for docking on Core Ship Fearon, the 'capital' of the fleet. It was by far the largest of Core Ships in the fleet and probably held about half a million heads of crew.

It wasn't something new for Aidan, but still, after all these years, his heart still skipped a beat when he passed the massive turrets that were pointed at him and his ship. But the turrets let him pass, and the Invictus lands in hangar 92E without a problem.

[Angel Vicky]

Val awoke with a shock at the loud knock on her door, hearing Aidan's voice she jumped out of her bed immediately reacting. "Okay!" She sounded more alert, hyper even. She rushed about coming her spiked hair at the front so it wasn't so knotty and matted. She was anything but a lady. She didn't really care for pretty things or make-up. She put a bit of deodorant on to freshen up and put on her cleanest top, followed by her leather armour on top. She hadn't had much time to clean her room and she knocked over an unlit candle as she headed to the door. She peered down at it as it rolled along the floor. It was if time had slowed down, or at least her heartbeat. The sudden wake from her slumber knocked her out of what she thought was yet another reality. One with Aidan in yet again. Since the tower she could not get him out of her mind. Why?

She sighed and opened the door, walking out with huge clunky steps as her large heavy boots thumped along the floor. She emerged in the cockpit and threw herself into her co-pilot chair as if she was weighed down by the world. But really, it was just her heavy heart. She looked out the viewing screen to see the ship in front of them. Watching the hangar begin to grow around them and enclose around them with the hustle and bustle of the ships operational activities. Her blue eyes twinkled in the brighter light, reflecting back out that displayed a certain surprised awe about them. She must have been impressed by this ship. And a little intimidated. "At least they didn't shoot..." She murmoured under her breath, trying to joke about her fear. She gulped hard.

[Flynn]

As soon as they depart the Invictus, they are greeted by three Blackguards, dressed in bulky armor. One of them steps forwards and bows lightly. "It's my honor to be the first to welcome you aboard the Faeron, milord and lady. I was tasked with escorting you to the command deck. Lord General Adasius would like to discuss the fate of the planet there." Aidan looks over his shoulder at Val before giving a nod in agreement to the Blackguard. "Lead the way.", he says gesturing his arm forwards.

The group walks for what seems to be hours. They walk through many different hallways, take elevators up, down and even trams. Eventually the stand before a large bulk door. In that time, no word was spoken. Aidan had tried to start a conversation, but the Blackguards had all stayed silent.

The door slides open, revealing the command deck of the Faeron. It was a large room, almost completely filled with consoles being manned by crew. In the middle, on an elevated floor stands a holotable with a hologram of the planet. By the table stand several officers. One of them wears the same armor as the Blackguards. Although this armor is decorated with many sigils and medallions. Aidan steps forwards and salutes casually. "General Adasius! You wanted to discuss something?"

[Angel Vicky]

Valentisha wasnt used to being called a Lady by any means and she hated being addressed as if she were higher than anyone else. She was just like everybody else. She regarded the Blackguard with some hint of disdain and leaned on one hip and placed her hand on the hip she leaned on just like she always did. She had no idea this thing was inside of her.

"Pretty impressive ship you have here, fellas." Val remarked as they were lead through the maze of a ship. She'd never seen so many turbo lifts in one area. Again her conversation starter fell on deaf ears. She threw a glance at Aidan and rolled her eyes, making a gesture that they were zombies. And then the doors opened to reveal General Adasius, who turned upon them entering. Val thought he looked like a man with a bit of an ego with how many medals he had displayed on his persons. A real honourable person would have no such need for things like that. Medals meant nothing. Numbers meant nothing. Saving lives meant something.

The General took one heavy stride toward them both. Valentisha straightened herself and saluted as such as protocol. "Report." He commanded the room with respect. And as the lead Inquisitor, Valentisha left the report to Aidan himself as she was his inferior officer.

[Flynn]

Aidan nods at the general. "The planet down below is clearly the work of the Dark Gods. Sorcerers have found a way to spin illusions right in front of our eyes. We do not know what the planet really looks like, but it isn't the green and lustrous place you see down there. " His eyes shift to one of the windows, the beautiful looking planet in his sight. "At first we came in contact with some locals who quickly turned on us. That lead us to an invisible tower made of a strange metal. It was clearly the lair of a demon..." Aidan narrows his eyes and holds his breath for a moment. "We... Do not know what kind of demon. However, it is banished. Should be no problem." A lie.

The general turns around as Aidan drops the word 'demon'. "So an Exterminatus it is then?" Aidan responds by shaking his head. "No sir. This planet holds many secrets. Things we could use to learn and prepare ourselves for the future. The way of using illusion magic, the invisible metal, the tribe. All stuff that needs explaining. I say we send down a research team under guidance of three platoons of Blackguard"

The general remains silent for a moment before turning to Valentisha. "Do you agree with Inquisitor Aidan Crowe his assessment?"

[Angel Vicky]

Valentisha stood to attention as the general directs his line of questioning toward her. She nodded. "I do agree with Inquisitor Crowe, Sir." She then looked back to Aidan and then back to the general. "There is much we could learn from their technology to further our knowledge and help us to fight such magics in the future." She stood hard and cold once more, her usual hardened self before the demonic possession incident. As if it never happened.

"I believe it was a...desire demon Sir. Like a Galactic Siren, luring hapless creatures into their trap to consume their life force. The ground was littered with the bones of many who had been enchanted. However.." She took in a deep breath. "It has been dealt with now." she reaffirmed Aidan's opinion. Secretly it was not dealt with, unknown to Valentisha herself.

[Flynn]

The general his eyes widen. "A desire demon you say? Dangerous kind. Probably the most dangerous of the entire demon repertoire. You said you dealt with it, right? How...?" He looks back at Aidan, eyes narrowing.

The sudden question takes Aidan by surprise. He scratches his beard and let's out a doubtful 'uuuh' before answering. "The details are hazy at best, sir. It all went rather quick. She... ambushed us, but thanks to the quick thinking of Inquisitor Valentisha, managed to fail. The body of the demon disappeared after being defeated." As Aidan tells the story, he begins to think back. Where did the body of the demon go? Did they actually beat it? So many questions." He looks at Val from the corner of his eyes and shudders slightly.

The general nods and turns around, back to the holo-table. He pushes a button on it and speaks in an microphone. "Prepare a research team and two platoons of Blackguards for descend. Clearence Level: Zeta. The expedition will be lead by Inquisitors Aidan Crowe and Valentisha Vivier."

Aidan raises an eyebrow. "Zeta, sir? We really don't need Rex Tanks of the sort down there. Let alone gunships. It seems a bit... much."

[Angel Vicky]

At the mention of the demon, Val's eyes twitch ever so slightly that you wouldn't ever notice. As Aidan expressed how they had defeated it, she felt her body tense over. She herself didn't know how they defeated it. Was that...thing...still within her? She wondered. She felt fine though. She caught his gaze momentarily as the general turned his attention to the holotable and prepared their research team. Guess no time for downtime. They had work to do.

"Zeta has every need for it to be called for in this situation, Inquisitor. You encountered one of the strongest demons there are out there, have no recollection of how you defeated it and this planet did not exist until a few days ago." The general retorts.

Valentisha winces at Aidan and back to the General. She saluted him. "We understand, Sir." She was now beginning to understand the extent to Aidan's rebellious nature, to which he questioned his superior's judgement. With her elbow extended, she used it to nudge his bicep. Meaning, 'stop questioning the general or we'll face his wrath'.

"Glad to hear it Inquisitor Vivier." The general held a tone that signified that he was impressed. "Someone of such a fine understanding to the needs of such things, makes a fine partner for Inquisitor Crowe. Perhaps if he were to take a leaf out of your book, he would have made Captaincy by now.." Maybe it was a personal dig at Aidan, maybe over losing his former partner. Even as cold as she was, Valentisha felt it was still uncalled for. She shot Aidan a sympathetic glance.

"You have your orders. Dismissed." Valentisha nodded, brought a closed fist to her chest and stomped her right heel down to the floor and turned on her heel to take her leave. Her 3/4 length cape sifted upward and furrowed out behind her.

[Flynn]

Now it was Aidans turn to twitch his eyes. The remark of the general stung. It's not like he had a desire to become captain, he just disliked being looked down upon. He chooses to remain silent.
He simply nods as they are dismissed before turning around and leaving with Valentisha. If the general couldn't show some respect, he simply wouldn't do the same.

The same escort that brought them to the bridge, escorts them, not towards the hangar, but rather to some sort of residential area. As Aidan notices, he raises an eyebrow. "Are we not going towards the hangar?" Their escort looks over his shoulder and grunts. "Outfitting two platoons and preparing all the field kit will take some time. Until the expedition is fully ready, you are to remain in the residential area."

The residential area was very different from the rest of the ship. Where most of the ship radiated order and blandness, the residential area was made to look welcoming and comforting. It was made to look like the more rural areas of the Imperium with (fake) grass and trees and even a (holographic) sky! The Blackguard spend their entire life on ships like these. This was a way of comforting them a bit. And now Aidan and Valentisha were in the middle of it.

They stop in front of a square building. It looks just like one of the colony buildings. A 'normal' house. The escort hands Valentisha a card. "I will return to retrieve you as soon as the expedition is ready to head out." He gives a brief nod, turns around and walks away, leaving Valentisha and Aidan alone, in front of the house.

Aidan blinks... once... twice. "I think we just got house arrest or something." He glances briefly at Val before turning at the house. It would look quite pretty, weren't it for the fact that it was completely gray and lacked any kind of imagination. "Never thought I would sleep in a 'house' anytime soon."