There are layers to how the galaxy works. In the view of the simple devout citizen of the Imperium there is an immutable order. The psyker is abhorred, the Inquisition sees all, the Xenos is evil, the Emperor protects. For many people, most people, these core truths need not be interrogated.  Scratch the surface even a little though and you find that the psyker and the mutant are vital to the operation of the Imperium. How would we function without astropaths or navigators? But those psykers hold an Imperial Sanction right? Sure some of them do, but not all of them. There are psykers, even some pretty terrifying ones, who operate more or less openly in the Imperium without formal Imperial approval. Almost invariably these individuals are supported by the Ecclesiarchy, the noble families, or the Ordos. They are in effect, unsanctioned psykers. In effect this is what I had been doing to this point, though the sources of my support varied. If you ever find yourself on Carleot with enough muscle or powerful friends,  you can go and see the Sacristy of Sacred Pleasures which I psi-picked for the Hierophant Zerby IX. Bring some absorbent towels and you are welcome. That was unsanctioned work, and though a few rabid monodomiants might take issue with it, it isn’t that uncommon. The key point to keep in mind is that there is a world of difference between the unsanctioned psyker, and the rogue psyker. A rogue psyker is declared extremius diabolis by either the Ecclesiarchy or the Ordos and usually both. Such an individual faces death or damnation regardless of the actual state of their soul as they will be forced, in order to hide, to consort with heretical elements who are the only ones who can provide them succor.  I was considering this when Hadrian made his offer because if he packed me off to the astropathicus, there was always the chance I could make a run for it and hide out in Lucky Space or out in the Halo Stars. Many have thought that though and I can tell you that depressingly few ever manage it. And even if you make it, running from the Inquisition is a nervous business I can tell you. The Ecclesiarchy might have been an option, but if you abscond from their service they send the Witchfinders after you, which is almost as bad as the Ordos and usually considerably showier.  Am I digressing? Maybe, but no one is forcing you to read this are they?

 

Returning to the point. I wish I could say that I went through some deep process of soul searching, found my duty to the Emperor and accepted the calling he was presenting to me with a joyful soul. I can’t even say that I accepted out of a desire to learn what he could teach me. I had been practicing since my sixteenth year and having not yet been possessed or corrupted, reckoned I was fairly safe. I also suspected, rightly, that much of what he thought might be important would be boring and arduous. The simple truth was, I was just so frakking relived I wasn’t going to be shot out of hand I would have agreed to walk upside down on my hands naked through the Palace of the Conqueror on Return Day.

 

“I would be honored to serve the Holy Inquisition,” I said, “on the proviso I can do it in something that fits a little better.” As witty rejoinders go it lacked something, but in my defense I was just SUPER glad not to be shot.