The dining hall was a long chamber, lit with warm light from above accompanied by elaborate candles placed along the table. The windows were closed and dimmed, with darkly lacquered wooden shutters contrasting the lightly tanned color of the walls. Paintings and rosaries hung between the windows, an aquila and a painting of Inquisitor Kronus on the opposite wall. The table was made of expensive mahogany and the chairs were cushioned and sturdy, but light. The freshly cooked duck and grox cutlets at the center of the table, with potato sliders and chopped, steamed vegetables of varying kinds. Amasec and Rahzvod were available to drink, courtesy of my private stock as a little thank you for my staff's good service. 

I stood at the head of the table, awaiting my staff as they arrived promptly together. All save Emmaline, who had accompanied me personally to the dining hall. Lazarus took a position just at my flank, Emmaline taking a seat to my right, though when no one else sat down she promptly stood back up. She wore a delectable blue dress and a black sash that hugged her waist, her blonde hair in an eloquent braid.

Demetrius stood behind the chair to my left, the elder wearing a comfortable but splendidly embroidered jacket befitting his station over a smart suit, his greying beard recently well-trimmed. A few of his new assistants accompanied him to the table, and even my communications officer Quintin was there further down. Clara Strong was invited, and though she did not wear her flak jacket, I noticed her evening dress had a holster with a laspistol, as if even now I or the residents of the villa might be in imminent danger. Selencia Aethil sat to Emmaline's left, a striking contrast to the more lightly colored woman, just as beautiful with entirely different colors. 

I raised my cup of Rahzvod, and everyone raised their glasses to accompany me. 

"To us! To your hard work and dedication these many years, under Kronus and myself. For putting up with me, and everyone and everything I bring home, be they astartes or new members of the team." I said, giving a smile and a subtle look Emmaline's way. "I regret to confirm what you already know, that I must depart again. I'll miss the cooking and the friendship, though one can do without the commentary." The joke brought a few knowing looks and grins, though I saw the new members of the staff frowning, not quite getting I was jesting with old friends. They would find out eventually, next I came back. 

"Sarcasm is just a free service we offer with our compliments." Demetrius laughed, bringing a mirth out of me as well. 

"You did not wish to bring Lucius to the toast?" Lazarus asked from behind my shoulder, apparently in one of his tactless moods. 

"The chairs wouldn't fit him and I felt it good to leave him with his own dish, specially made in the kitchens." I informed him, though I also wished to speak freely with my staff without worrying about spooking them. Lucius Raj had been exceptionally well behaved for a Thunder Warrior, but that had still resulted in three broken walls, a smashed ground car, and a broken arm from one of his periodic bouts of rage. "I'll be taking him with me on my errand, which brings me to my next topic. Selencia?" 

"Yes?" The clever woman asked, raising her eyebrow inquisitively. 

"Without Urien or the Caledonia and their medical officer, I'll require a medical assistant. I would ask that you accompany us, if that is not too much trouble." I humbly asked. I could have ordered her, of course, but she did have many responsibilities and I could put my trust in whatever medic I had on hand on our requisitioned freighter or a local one on the planet Havenos. "It might be dangerous, so don't take the request lightly." 

"Hadrian, I might not look it, but I'm twenty years your senior. I've seen a few things. I've twice followed Inquisitor Kronus one his jaunts. I can handle it again." She assured me. 

"Very good-" I began, but Clara spoke up. 

"You'll be without your usual retinue. You'll need another gun." 

"I'll have myself, a tech-priest, a potent psyker, Selencia, and an astartes." I told her. 

"Permission to speak freely, Inquisitor?" She asked casually. 

I would regret it, but I said: "...granted." 

"So you, a bucket of bolts, clumsy Emma, doctor Aethil, and a crazy giant as liable to kill you as the enemy?" She asked without scruples. I simply sighed, and my gaze swiveled to Emmaline on her opinion. Lazarus let out a small screech of binary to show his displeasure at the pejorative.