POOHEAD189

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

"Your studying of the xenos has a two fold application," I told her, adopting a professional air. Xenos archaeology was not my forte, but a basic understanding of the curriculum was required as an interrogator. Emmaline receiving a crash course in the subject would have happened one way or the other as my aide. Better to let her think it a unique item of study for the mission and not a boring task for her to learn because of the slim possibility she might need such knowledge someday. "Somehow the Igantius family is connected to Bahometus and this key-"

I produced a box of blessed ceramite and opened it to reveal the strange artifact from Tallarn. It seemed dead and unsuitable for anything save a token set piece. Even if one were to lack a superstitious mind unlike the more learned of the Imperium, the fact this artifact was connected to a chaos sorcerer was disturbing, and enough to classify it as daemonium artificium. I closed the box before anyone had to suffer looking at it any longer.

"It is inevitable that he will try to separate us. Let him. It will give me a chance to look around relatively unmolested, and you to try and gather what information you can from him. I advise you not to go down any path you are uncomfortable with, but getting him to talk or brag on unique hobbies or items of his private collection would be a good start. Have him show you the tour of his home. Anything you find with a language you don't recognize, any item you have never seen before, any doors he wants to remain closed. When we reconvene for dinner or any other pertinent time, report to me." I said to her, speaking clearly and deliberately so it might sink in. I motioned for Lazarus to present his addition, pulling out the ruby that had been set in the tiara and the sapphire ring that displayed holy terra. "The jewelry we have from Hostas's venue is ours, or yours. I have had Lazarus install a small locator and communicator on the ring, beneath the precious stone. Turn the gilded signet to notify me of anything or to give me an inkling of your whereabouts. I, myself, blessed the ruby and placed it on the golden thread to wear as a necklace. Any residual corruption or chaotic influence should be nullified by its presence, if only marginally."

The woman gathered the jewelry in her hands and seemed a bit perturbed. I felt for her, as much of this now rode on her shoulders, if only for the moment. I wanted to say something more intimate, but that would be for if we lived. Lazarus turned back to the cogitator and patched into the Caledonia for the next phase in preparations.

"You needn't worry, I'll be more at risk in all likelihood." I said to her, though I doubt it would help or seemed even believable. I did intend to go places Julius Ignatius was not counting on. Placing the comm to my ear, I cleared my throat as Lazarus completed the link. Static blurted into my skull for a few moments before Urien's voice came through, cutting into the feed mid sentence.

"-hatches to get underway!"

"Urien, status on the shuttle?"

"Kafk! Whvat?" He asked, having cursed surreptitiously. I sighed, wondering if they had even prepared to embark.

"The shuttle."

"Yehs, ah will be theer in a few hours to pack yoo up." He said, blessedly confirming he was on schedule. Residual static buzzed and I turned the device to redirect the frequency. That was disturbing, this almost never happened unless something was wrong with the machine or there was something on the planet that misaligned the electromagnetic energy. Briefly I considered how Moldar had been so isolated for the last few thousand years, despite all of the trade and traffic to and from the planet. Perhaps there was something about the world that kept orbital traffic and ground communication to a minimum.

"I'll have to ask you to stay on planet when we arrive. I can't risk not having transport back until we've found something."

"Ihll brig drinks!"

"Bring a weapon." I ordered, and turned the comm offline. The door to the room kicked open, and Bolskar walked in with a handful of food in packed bags and balanced plates. He smiled like a hound dog, but thankfully held the drool. I approached him and pluched a sausage off a plate, biting into it. Still hot. "Put this down and get dressed. You're coming as my squire."

"Squire?" He asked, his smile disappearing.

"I'll prep you. Just get dressed."

---

Hours laters...

Suitably refreshed, rested, and full bellied, the five-man team flew over the city towards the mountains in the distance. The noonday sun caused the white stone of Galinmarkke to gleam almost blindingly. I kept my head down and my mouth shut as we flew, drawing inward as the two barbarians spoke in their native tongue and Lazarus flew the aircraft with orders to remain in the vehicle until called. I did not want them to know we had a fifth person accompanying us, much less a former skitarii ranger. He even had his favored weapon with him. I just hoped I did not regret letting him bring it.

I wore a smart suit, with dark polyester utility pants and a lightly tan button down flagrantly unbuttoned at the neck and collarbone to appear like the carefree dandy, with a fashionable long jacket and a study belt, both with pockets and small compartments filled with a repertoire of equipment to use in tight situations. On my jacket were varying medals, some of my own making and others forged reproductions. In my hands was my force staff, of a mere walking stick of an upper class Jovian elite. In five minutes, we would arrive.

Post a random fact about yourself.

I always loved seeing tattoos and I think they're unironically cool, but for some reason I just want to stay all natural.

Hello... again!

Hello! Welcome back!

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

By the Emperor, I had suspected this would happen. I knew as soon as I mentioned that heap of scrap, he would appear. I was so in the moment that I did not care, but damn I was frustrated.

"Thank you for your invaluable service, Lazarus. I will go over these documents accordingly and see to it they get a proper eye." I said with a voice that had the edge of a blade. Lazarus gave a curt 'you're welcome' and showed no sign of understanding what he was interrupting. Twenty years of knowing him, and I could never tell when he knew the proper signs of higher forms of communication like sarcasm or jokes. Sometimes he did and other times he did not, seemingly at random. I had asked Inquisitor Kronus of it once, and he informed me it was a side-effect of being put back together. It had been a miracle he had survived the warboss's wrath at all, there were going to be a few kinks in the system.

Taking up the papers, I gave it a cursory glance. The documents were made with a form of laminate, the font matched imperial patents of nobility, signed by planetary governor Adominus Phalkos and co-signed by Jacoby Bowlingcock. Even as irritated as I was, the name made me smirk. The levity was short lived, however. I still felt the flush on my cheeks. I pretended to be engrossed in the relatively simple documents so I needn't show my face.

"Miss Von Morganstern," I called. She popped up and gave me a serene look, though from my glance I could tell she looked at me with a hidden interest.

"Yes, Inquisitor?"

"How soon would you be able to contact the Lord Ignatius and have the two of us invited to his Manor?" I asked with all the command I could muster.

"Immediately, sir."

"Very good. Lazarus, patch the good Von Morganstern to the local Union Aristocracy network and see if we can hail his aide and set up a date. Preferably within a day or two. Add some legitimacy to the request, perhaps some field of study near his manor. Moldar is not unknown for its xenos ruins. I'll accompany as your companion and I shall bring a small retinue with us."

"That works out, Hadrian." Lazarus declared, tapping his fingers with a machine's speed on the keyboard of the cogitator. "Ignatius's ancestral home is located upon one of the few mountains in Galinmarkke, overlooking much of the city and a fast country where old ruins are said to remain untouched. It lies sixty eight kilometers from our approximate location, due northeast."

"Very good. With any luck, we'll find out what we need and join the council meeting a week hence. Lazarus, where is Bolskar?"

"Asleep in his room." The skitarii said, binary feedback screeching from his mouthpiece. His secondary arms rummaged within his red robes and produced a small black box, sliding it out of his cloak into my waiting hands. Lazarus looked almost apart of the computation machine he worked upon, wires of unknown import snaking out of his back and being hooked into the cogitator, likely to speed up the process of his current objective. I wasn't very learned in the techno-arcane of the mechanicus, but Lazarus always did his job.

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

"I believe you," I found myself saying, and I knew it was the truth. Granted, I don't know that I would have stopped if I thought she was telling me what I wanted to hear. Men and women did that to one another more times than the number of stars. But in my heart I knew she meant it. Even all these years later, through the complications our relationship brought and the horror we faced, I don't regret a thing. To this day, she is my most treasured companion and confidant.

We danced like our minds were linked, feet flowing from one step to the other mere inches apart. It wasn't the festive and energetic dance of the night on the Caledonia, nor was it the practiced and methodical ballroom style of the banquet. It was something more slow and intimate. A dance for lovers and secrets and rendevzous' beneath the stars. In fact, somehow we managed to ascend the three steps from the lower den to the dining area. To this day I am surprised we did not stumble on each other, as I found her eyes quite enthralling and hardly glanced beneath her neckline.

"I'll do my best to protect you as well. Things will be as dangerous as tonight, I have no doubt of that. But we'll work together and watch each other's backs." I said. Granted, I would have done so anyway even without our bashful unspoken declaration of romance, but it sounded more solid now. I felt it more than a duty. "I just need to give you a warning. If we go down this path..." I paused for effect. "You'll occasionally have to deal with the presence of Lazarus."

She snorted, placing a hand to her nose in embarrassment. I couldn't see why, I found it endearing. I rested my forehead against hers, and she smiled that wicked smile.

"I can handle myself," she told me.

"I believe you," I said again breathlessly, half smiling, my lips all but brushing hers.

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

My heart lifted, and I felt more alive at that moment than the entire evening, save perhaps the kiss. After you get through varying degrees of deadly experiences, you tend to see them as a part of the job, despite them never quite losing their luster of exhilaration entirely. I figured I knew what she was thinking, because I had similar thoughts. I was, as far as most in the Ordo could tell, a rising star and a promising adept of the Ordo Malleus. I had served over half my life at this point, and as a full Inquisitor the last five years, but compared to many I was as green as the forests of old terra. This could potentially be a stumbling block on my theoretical long and storied career. I don't know what Inquisitor Kronus would say, had he been here, but I knew many above me would scold me for such a lack of discipline.

I nearly pulled away and grew stone-faced again. I could feel myself closing up with a will and telling her it was unprofessional of us and we needn't speak of it again. It would be awkward and even hurt for awhile, but we would keep our integrity in the eyes of the community and there would be no hiccups. But at that moment I realized something I hadn't considered before. It was so simple but astonishing that I could tell she could see it on my face. She now seemed more confused than conflicted, if only but.

"What I care about is the mission," I said slowly, meeting her gaze. "And my own personal integrity. I will do nothing to hinder what I perceive to be my life's calling."

I admit, it did not sound promising to us, until I said: "And I don't see us as a threat to that. And to that effect..." He held a hand out for her to take, a smile that threatened to turn into a grin forming. "Care to dance? If you'd have an Inquisitor that is. I hear we're quite dangerous."

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

I looked at her, blinking. I was going to admit I had a good time as well, which if I had heard that out of any other Imperial citizen's mouth I would have deemed them unfit in the head. Perhaps Lazarus's neurological exam was not entirely unwarranted. And yet, I would mean it.

"No, I..." I started. There were no exits on the road I was going, so I needed to word it carefully. My intention was to have a professional meeting with my newest aide, but I found that was close to an impossibility without broaching the subject. The fact that there was something potentially romantic at the end had nothing to do with it, I am sure.

"Emmaline, that was why I apologized earlier. I..." I sighed, taking a deep breath and appearing as focused and clear as I could be. "I understand that you are my subordinate, you are new, and we were in a dangerous situation. I hold all the power between us in our current situation, and I kissed you without asking beforehand. If you would like to complain or cast doubt on my authority, you have free leave to do so. But..."

I felt like a young interogator again. For some reason my collar was a bit hot and my heart picked up speed. I thanked the Emperor Lazarus was not here to point it out. I usually had more control than this, I marveled. When I had met her I nearly killled her, it took me days to think of her as a person, and now I felt she could crush me more thoroughly than any khornate bloodcrusher.

"Emmaline, that wasn't a cover. When I kissed you, I wasn't Blasius Deckard. I was myself... Emmaline?"

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

It was a crustacean roll with bacon, served atop a soft house-made brioche bun. Along with the various sauces arrayed upon the plates, there was a bowl of fruits and some amasec along with glasses of water. My stomach threatened to growl, and I thanked the man after scrutinizing him and ascertaining there was no taint or ulterior motive. He did not get the chance to look around the room, as I greeted him at the door and rolled the car in myself.

"Do let us know if you require anything else, lord Deckard."

"I will, my good man," I said with my posh cadence and closed the door. Rolling the food in, I set it before Emmaline. "Dig in, I'll be right back."

Walking into my makeshift study, I changed clothes. Nothing fancy, and I was not so close to the debris as Emmaline, so once I stripped myself and donned a handsome pair of dark trousers and a white top that hugged my robust upper body, I washed my face in the sink of blood and what dirt there was, and fixed my hair, making it a bit more presentable with no hint of gravel or leaves in it. Satisfied, I stepped out of the restroom and into the living area where I found Emmaline in the midst of chewing a mouthful of the dish. When she looked at me, she placed a hand to her mouth and shifted in her seat in a strange way, only flitting her eyes at me twice as I walked over and sat beside her.

"A few hiccups aside, tonight went well," I deduced as she washed the food down with her drink. Idly, I popped a cheese roll in my mouth. It was very good and still quite warm. I swallowed as she placed the drink down. "Perhaps we went a bit overboard once or twice, but we have a trail and some workable theories on where this leads. We merely need to keep it up and improvise when we have to."

"There was the incident with the staff you handed me..." She said, wording it so I could view it as a shared blame. I smirked at her.

"The full fault is mine. Considering what could have happened, we got off easy. You did what you could." I admitted, and looked at her squarely. I made sure just to meet her eyes and not drink in the snug bodysuit. "In fact, I'm impressed. I've had a few aids make worse mistakes and even die on their first outing. I made damn certain that wouldn't happen here, but still. You went above and beyond, and your point of view was refreshing. I get too bogged down in my work. I also apologize for any discomfort I might have caused."

I took a drink of amasec myself at that, letting her think on it for a moment before placed my drink down. "Do you have any inquiries or things you would like to air out?"

The Enemy Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor RP

"We need to go west," I informed her, turning to glance behind us. The odd lasbolt flew our way from the cars behind us, but they were around 20 meters to our back, attempting to blind us with their brights. I poked my upper torso out of the window once more, controlling my breathing much like I do when I use my psychic power. Extending my arm, I gently squeezed until I felt the 'lock sliding in place' as it were. I fired three shots into the leading car, and I swore I hit the driver. My suspicion was vindicated when the car swerved, threatening to hit the other vehicle but instead flying off into a corner store, crashing through a large window. The shattering glass audible even at this distance.

"I need something more specific than that," Emmaline said as I slipped back into my seat. The last vehicle in pursuit was playing it a bit more safely, for now. I glanced at her and gave a brief nod, though she wouldn't see it. I tried to review the direction we had taken from the Banquet Hall and picture the brief time I had looked at a map of the city when on the Caledonia. I was certain she was about to ask again when I spoke, the information dawning on me as if from a dream.

"We're heading north, so turn left."

She did so immediately. My head would have hit the window if it was rolled up, but instead my shoulder hit the door and my hair was pummeled by the wind. She made the first street left that she could see, which had been about five meters ahead of us. At least our pursuer's might be taken off guard, I thought fascetiously.

"Sorry!" Emmaline said guiltily, and I could tell she meant it.

"No harm done. I believe this street will end in a couple of miles. Once it does, don't stop." I informed her. A plan forming in my head. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at me. Lights flitted across the dash and illuminated our faces every moment as we barreled down the street. A few drunkards and a young couple languidly walking down the walkway were startled by the vehicle flying past them. I had been in worse situations, but every time one stepped into danger, it could be the last time. My mind worked double-time, fact checking what I had seen the previous hour. "Once we get back to the Hotel Imperial, we'll need to go over our cover-story and you can contact the Ignatius fellow you danced with."

The men had been after Blasius Deckard, but such backup warranted an attack on a competent Inquisitor and his retinue. Which meant whoever hired them knew of my true identity, but had not deigned to tell the assassins. He must have informed them to remain cautious and given someone high commission on the bounty. Well, at least if I reveal myself at anytime, they'll realize they were set up.

"Julius Mercutio Ignatius," She said, reciting the name from memory. "And I am a Magus of Xenoarchaeology."

"Did you tell him you are also a good kisser?" I asked. I certainly had brevity at times. The fires of youth and my own personal lack of discipline were difficult to dim. I could see my companion smile.

"It did not come up." She cooed, and we shared a look of significance that was hard to describe. If I had to put it succinctly, it was one part hesitation, one part excitement, and two parts yearning. Once again, the God Emperor saved us at that moment. Before the window, a light flashed. We both looked to see a lazy bronto vehicle pulling out from a side street. Emmaline squealed and I cursed, and she turned the steering wheel. Abruptly the vehicle tipped, I swear we nearly flipped, but instead of turning into a disaster, the groundcar swerved into an alley that Inquisitor Kronus would have called 'devilishly convenient.' Steel scraped on stone, and it was difficult to tell if we stampeded over a drunkard or not. Trash lay scattered and a few bits were tossed into the air as the car skidded to a halt.

We stayed there, still and quiet, and less than ten heartbeats passed before the vehicle tailing us sailed passed our position. It looked like I needn't go with my previous plan, after all. We waited five minutes in a silence I could only describe as loud, before we decided we could pull out and make it back to the hotel. A mile from the place, we ditched the car in a lot.

---

An hour later...

Lazarus had been busy while we were gone. He had moved the couch in the central quarters and made a place to install his cogitator, tapping into the public servers and records to be utilized at a moment's notice. With him was a man from Urien's crew, the Captain having already gone back up with the shuttle for now. Bolskad I remembered his name was. One of the younger members of the crew. He did what he was told and was slightly more savvy to normal Imperial ways than his more eccentric elders aboard the Caledonia. As we walked in, Lazarus was busy on the computer as Bolskad was moving a chair and hooking up various plugs with one another, color coded for his convenience. Had I been Blasius Deckard, I would have been appalled at the partial butchering of the expensive room.

The suite was suitable for five guests, with a luxury bathroom decked with various appliances and a vast tub to lounge in, connected between two rooms. The other two rooms had smaller, more personal bathrooms connected via their interior. I had taken up residence in the northeastern room, setting up a desk there and placing my personal effects and dossiers on its wooden top. The bed was kingsized, but I had not used it as of yet. I hardly slept when planet-side and on the job. The central chamber we found ourselves in had a step down den and a kitchen and dining area above, the chairs embroidered with a haute couture flair. On the walls were large air conditioning vents and local paintings that would likely fetch a pretty penny.

"Whoa, er... hchello sir," Bolskad began. I was not certain if he was admiring Emmaline or seeing the debris we had accumulated on ourselves. Granted, the wind from the car window helped.

"What happened?" The tech-priest inquired ponderously.

"Report," I ordered.

"All on your dataslate." Lazarus informed me. "We are connected to the Gralinmakke network and I am uploading the database to find central government access. Just in time, it seems."

"Don't get comfortable. I now own a moderately successful apartment building downtown." I informed them. Lazarus swiveled to look at me, his cold, penetrating eyes trying to see if I were joking or not. Bolskad just looked tired. My smile betrayed my half-lie. "I'm not lying, but I won't move you. If people are looking for me, they'll likely to search there. I won it in a public bet, after all."

"Unsurprising. Your blood pre-"

"I don't need a medical exam, Laz."

"You need a neurological exam."

I was a bit too flustered from the dancing and the fighting for our lives to humor him anymore. I turned my back on him and looked at Emmaline, my jacket flung across my shoulder. "Go wash up. I'll get us something to eat and we can talk about...everything." I told her.

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

Later that evening...

---

The feast had lasted a good few hours, the great fire that roared in the hearth in need of new kindling by the time the nobles had grown weary of their merrymaking. Galt had certainly engorged himself on food, still in stark disbelief that he needn't worry on food anymore, or money for that matter. He wasn't entirely certain why he had decided to offer to escort Silke home. Perhaps because she was the only one who was not the Duke and perhaps the King who enjoyed his presence without trying to gain anything from him. Galt also had to admit she caused almost as much of a stir at the dinner as he had, and it was not out of a lack of knowledge for her station. He found it confused and intrigued him all at once.

Still, carnally his desires were either a nap or a good woman, and he didn't foresee either from his volunteering. Not that Silke was not a good woman, even if he had only known her a short time. But he felt he respected her a bit too much to be that forward, and he doubted she was interested either. On second thought, the nap seemed the most likely, and increasingly the more attractive prospect. Galt's stomach had not been this full since he was a small lad.

Now, the two of them found themselves on two mares, cantering down the road on the misty evening. The heavy hooves clopped along the stone of the road, Silke slightly ahead of her 'escort' by virtue of the fact that Galt was not that good of a rider. True, it was how he had saved the Duke, but survival was a great motivator, he found. As it were, he was merely trying to keep his horse from bumping into Silke's steed. Galt cleared his throat to gather her attention.

"We had a conversation earlier that I believe we were going to speak about," Galt asked, glad to be out of earshot from anyone else. He hoped she did not wish to stand on ceremony, but he was tired of it and he didn't think she would care. "About my ambitio-" His horse whinnied and galloped forward a bit, and he realized he had yanked on the reigns a bit too hard. So much for being smooth. He cleared his throat and hid what embarrassment he felt, luckily now just beside the lady on the road.

"Er, my ambitions... But first I want to ask you what your interest in me is," He told her, eyeing her curiously. "If it was marriage, you'd bat your lashes and try any number of things. Not that I mind such things, but you wanted to speak to me of another matter. You can speak honestly. I might have been less than honest in my life, but I don't have a lot of friends in this life, and you're impressive in a few ways." Galt hoped he wasn't laying it on too thick. He had spent the afternoon regaling the Duke and King with stories, some lies, others not, and one was the story of the rescue. The King bought it well enough, Galt thought. The Duke did not care for the why or how, just that it had happened.

As a survivor himself, Galt could appreciate that.