The time has come, ladies and gentleman, for us to once more delve into the plots and designs of the radical Inquisitor Lucien. This, the fourth installment of Daemonhost, I must say is shaping up to be my favourite plot line in the saga thus far. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guys going, however I will warn you that those who have not read the previous Daemonhosts will not get as much out of this. The past ones can be found further back in the 'Writing' board though.

So anywho, enough of my babbling. I really really want to know what you guys think, so if you do by chance read this please go to the effort of writing a quick comment. Even if you hated the story I want to know, as long as you can tell me why.

Enjoy, Calaith


Daemonhost - IV

Part I

Inquisitor Lucien stood staring down at his dead surgeon lying on the theatre floor, his head twisted at an odd angle. On a metal bench in the middle of the small white room lay the recovered corpse of an Eldar warrior, and behind that stood Seyton in his black cloak and gore covered gauntlets.

"Is it...?" Asked Lucien, pointing at the Eldar warrior, which had a knife in its throat.

"No, my Lord," replied Seyton calmly. "We removed both of its hearts."

"Odd," the Inquisitor mused, turning away from his surgeon and approaching the table. "Eldar don't usually have two hearts, nor do they usually continue to kill people after they're dead."

Lucien leaned over the Eldar corpse and looked inside the open chest cavity. A gaping hole was left where two hearts would have indeed fitted, and the creature actually had two sets of lungs as well. The body was huge, taller than anything what was normally considered the average height for an Eldar. Yes Lucien distinctly remembered saying "Quick, grab the little one," when they were taking the body.

"This is unlike any Eldar I have seen before," Lucien said aloud, as if there was no one else in the room. "Its skeletal structure is massive, as are the muscles that support it. No wonder you struggled to carry this thing around Seyton, it's almost like the Eldar equivalent of a Space Marine!"

And yet the body still seemed slender and beautiful, not solid or round. The angular features of the face seemed to rest in perfect positioning, and the alien looked more as if it were sleeping placidly than lying dead.

Lucien then moved towards the top of the table, noticing a neat circular hole in the top of the Eldar's head.

"That was my doing, my Lord," Seyton said, following his master's eyes. "That's what I was doing when the body lurched up and snapped your surgeon's neck."

Lucien laughed evilly, his wicked sense of humour once again finding the comedic side of death.

"It's just like a fish, Seyton. Hit the right nerve it seems like the body is still alive!" Lucien cackled, before placing his hands on the alien's face. Gently he lifted back the eyelids to inspect the pupils, and as he did his laughter was halted with a hiss of surprise. The alien didn't have any pupils; instead the entire eye ball was like a dull black pearl, giving the pale face a ghastly look.

"What sort of warp exposure could cause such mutations in an Eldar?" The Inquisitor asked, the surprise evident in his voice. Seyton remained silent.

Lucien then straightened and backed away from the corpse, clapping his hands together as if he were ridding them of dust.

"Where are the alien's possessions?" Lucien asked, turning to face Seyton.

"Its armour and weapons have been destroyed, my Lord," Seyton said slowly. "But here, I saved this for you."

The Acolyte held out his fist, a fine chain hanging from between his fingers. Lucien smiled when he saw the glowing stone hanging from the end of the necklace.


To Be Continued...

Part II


Zane the zealot found his master praying in the Temple of Emperor's Grace down on his knees in front of the alter. Liechtenstein's head was bowed, and his eyes were closed as he murmured his prayers of guidance to the Master of mankind. The faithful warrior priest waited silently and patiently until the Inquisitor had completed his ritual, and rose slowly to his feet still facing the alter.

"What is the matter Zane?" Liechtenstein asked calmly, slowly breathing in the tranquility he still felt.

"The honourable Inquisitor Lord Vec wishes for an audience with you at once, sir," Zane said quickly. "He also wishes for your most loyal and humble servants to accompany you when you go to him, and that you come with all possible haste."

"Very good," Liechtenstein sighed. "I will come immediately."


"Hello again, young Inquisitor Liechtenstein," the Inquisitor Lord said when his younger protégé as he entered the large room. "I trust that you have found your research of late to be most interesting, and our resources here very reliable."

"I have, my Lord," Liechtenstein said earnestly, though nothing more. He was not one for pleasantries.

He took a seat at the end of a long table, the Inquisitor Lord seated at the opposite end. To the Inquisitor Lord's right sat a man Liechtenstein had never seen before, though he wore the uniform of an Officer of the Imperial Guard, with a rack of medals pinned to his chest. Behind the Inquisitor Lord stood a sage. Zane and Rogers, who had entered behind Liechtenstein, seated themselves either side of their charge. The Inquisitor's servo-skull floated just behind his chair and above his head.

"I have recently been enlightened with some interesting information, Liechtenstein," the Inquisitor Lord said once everyone was seated. "Some information that you may wish to hear very much."

"Go on, my Lord," Liechtenstein said, looking at the Inquisitor Lord intently.

"During the attack on Laheth on vessel was recorded being in the planet's orbit that shouldn't have been," the Inquisitor Lord began. "It has now been identified as the Exorcist class grand cruiser named Divine Nemesis. We are now under the assumption that this is the vessel belonging to your radical Inquisitor."

Liechtenstein nodded to show he understood.

"The same vessel reported into the docks at Port Bardoc as few days ago, identifying itself as the Divine Nemesis, and under the authority of one Inquisitor Adrien Lucien. It was requesting to be restocked with fuel, food, and slaves to replenish its overtaxed and waning crew. When this news first reached me I took the liberty of ordering one of our agents aboard the vessel under a disguise. It has been ordered to execute the radical as quickly as possible."

A flash of anger lit Liechtenstein's eyes. He had no quarrel with the use of a clean and concealed death, but that radical had dealt him personal injuries that had cut into Liechtenstein's pride and honour. Liechtenstein remembered the hideous scar that now marred the side of his face, and it was by his hand that he wanted Lucien to die.

"However," said the Inquisitor Lord soothingly, reading his protégé's face. "I am taking no risks in this radical escaping again. He is a dangerous figure, and as we have seen is capable to throwing entire cities, if not worlds, into treachery anarchy. He must be made an example of. And so I am sending you, Liechtenstein, to utterly eradicate any memory of this radical and his heresy!

"I have arranged for you to be escorted by Captain Frederick Armer's vessel, Judgement Day, which will fly beside the Inquisitorial black ship, Imperator Rex, which I am putting you in command of."

Liechtenstein starred at his superior, failing to even blink. Words stuck in his throat, and so he simply bowed his head to show that he understood.

"I trust you will find the vessel to your requirements," the Inquisitor Lord said. "It is a powerful vessel. If all that I have planned goes accordingly the radical will already be dead before you reach him. I therefor charge you with the complete purification of his vessel's crew, and the safe return of all three valuable ships. If however the radical is not dead, or its crew is intent on fighting, I give you the power to annihilate the tainted vessel and everybody aboard it!"

Liechtenstein nodded slowly once more, then ventured to ask; "Do we know where the Divine Nemesis is currently, or what course it has set?"

"Unfortunately not," The Inquisitor Lord said. "It left Port Bardoc some days ago, and stole away into the Immaterium. We can only pray that it resurfaces near an Imperial populated system, or our agent on board the vessel finds some means of discovering its location and making contact with us."

"I understand," Liechtenstein said.

"I hope that you do, Liechtenstein," the Inquisitor Lord said sharply. "You must understand that under current circumstances you are very fortunate you were not stripped of your position. Do not fail in this task, and you will be rewarded. Do not return here until such a time."

"Yes, my Lord," Liechtenstein said, bowing his head once again.

"Finally, I would like to introduce you to my friend here, Sergeant Vladimir Von Kruinski." The Inquisitor Lord motioned to the man sitting to his right. "He is formerly of the Vostroyan 5th Imperial Guard regiment, however I happened to spy his personal records not some time ago. He is a man of exceptional talent and experience in the face of battle."

"A pleasure, Inquisitor Liechtenstein," The Guardsmen said through a thick accent.

"I trust that you will find him a welcome addition to your personal bodyguard," the Inquisitor Lord said.

Liechtenstein looked more closely at Sergeant Vladimir. He had very sharp features, and a thin pointed nose. His two piercing eyes were almost hidden between white bushy eyebrows, and his receding hairline was sleeked back neatly. From his top lip grew a long and very well groomed moustache, and a neat pointed beard hung from his chin. He looked a very proper man, and held himself very well. Though Liechtenstein could see from the scar that ran from the ridge of his nose to his left cheekbone that he was a veteran fighter, and seemingly a man with a fiery temper. He would make an excellent addition to Liechtenstein's personal retinue, especially if the mission ahead called for the possible need of a boarding action.

"I am honoured to have you aboard, Sergeant Vladimir," Inquisitor Liechtenstein said politely.


To Be Continued...

Part III


Lucien stood at the edges of the wide circular table in his study room, a single data pad clutched in his hand. Above the table in front of him floated small specks of light and tiny orbs, moving slowly around each other in rhythm with the heartbeat of the rest of the galaxy. It was a map of the Imperium, displaying every world and system within the realm of mankind. Lucien studied the many constellations closely, referring down to his data pad every so often to find some new piece of information, or to double check what he had read before. The Inquisitor seemed to be searching for something.

"Inquisitor Gunther speaks to us from the grave, Seyton," Lucien exclaimed when his Acolyte entered.

"Really?" Seyton asked in mock excitement, falling into a seat on the other side of the table. "And what is he saying to you, my Lord."

"He is leading me across the stars to a secret location, funnily enough," Lucien said, tracing the currents of warp routs between systems with his red eyes. "A hidden location only he knew about."

"What is there for you?" Seyton asked, starring at his master.

"Answers," Lucien said, perhaps a little eagerly, and then feel silent for a time as he continued to work.

Seyton did not push the matter. He did not desire to draw attention to himself, away from his master's work, nor did he really care what it was Lucien was doing anyway. He was no longer concerned with being 'in the loop' with Lucien's petty little investigations or explorations, and he had realized that they were not going to be of any use to him any way. Lucien has squandered the powers he had been granted, and the fortunate position of power he had been placed in. While others in his position would have seized upon worlds and people, and raised armies to march before them and do their bidding, Lucien simply spent his time and resources discovering pointless facts and running pointless experiments for the sake of his own amusement or piece of mind. He was a fool, and yet Seyton was content with the knowledge that soon he would be gone. The cunning Acolyte was simply waiting for the opportune time to take his master's position.

"So where have you been, anyway?" Lucien suddenly asked, with a very sharp tone. "You were not on the bridge where I ordered you to be in my stead so that I could avoid interruptions. But thrice have I been disturbed by the officers of this ship whining to me for orders, orders that were meant to be issued by you."

"My apologies, my Lord," Seyton said slowly. "I was preoccupied with some problems concerning the newest additions to the Nemesis' crew."

"What problems?" Lucien snapped, his eyes still on the galaxy map.

"Trivial matters I did not wish to trouble you with, my Lord," Seyton said, choosing his words carefully. "Since our supplies and crew have been replenished there have been a few unanswered deaths. Murders, suspected. The slaves have become rather superstitious it seems, claiming that the Nemesis is a haunted vessel."

"It is," Lucien said with the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "What did you find
out about these murders?"

"The victims were apparently stabbed to death," Seyton said. "But the deaths have been scattered and far between, and nothing that could impede progress towards your goals, my Lord. The petty officers think it is merely a homicidal slave, and it is only a matter of time before he is caught."

"So why were you required to sort this matter out, Seyton?" Lucien asked, turning his red eyes sharply towards the acolyte, and not giving Seyton time to reply. "If ever you disappear into my vessel again, or if ever you are absent from your post, I will be most unforgiving." Lucien then paused and starred at Seyton with such contempt that the acolyte felt as if his mind were being pierced and his secrets revealed. The Inquisitor spoke slowly, and said: "This isn't the first time you've gone missing, my cunning friend. Don't give me cause to fear that you may be up to something."

Seyton did not reply, but kept his master's gaze until Lucien looked back to the
galactic map.

Lucien looked down at the data pad one last time, then back up at the galactic map. He seemed to have taken interested in only on system now, towards the fringes of the Imperium, and within a dangerous proximity of the Eye of Terror.

"Show me the Tithius system," Lucien commanded the map. Instantly the floating stars and planets dissolved from the air and were replaced with a larger image. The red gas giant planet hung in the centre of the room as if held by a piece of string from the ceiling, and was orbited by twelve smaller moons that could be seen floating beside it.

"Show me Tithius VI," Lucien then demanded, and just as it had happened before the image dissolved and was replaced with another. This moon sparkled like a white pearl above the round table, and seemed to interest Lucien greatly.

"To the bridge at once, Seyton," Lucien breathed excitedly. "Tell them that I have coordinates that I wish us to proceed towards with all haste."

"Yes, my Lord," Seyton said and rose from his seat. He exited Lucien's study with a dark expression on his face.


To Be Continued...

Sorry its been a while since I've posted guys, other projects took precadence. I've had (well, still got) a few other things I'm working on at the same time and they all need to compete with each other, and school.

Please comment.
Cal

Part IV


Inquisitor Liechtenstein stood aboard the Imperator Rex, a mighty Black ship of the Inquisition. Behind him stood Zane, Rogers and Vladimir, all standing to attention and ready should their master give an order. Vladimir looked rather remarkable standing next to the battle worn Storm Trooper and fanatic Priest, a rack of golden medals pinned to the chest of his red uniform, and his white moustache and pointed beard were neatly groomed. Rogers however sported a brown jumpsuit and day old stubble, while Zane was garbed in a dull red robe, and his tattered leather bound book was held in the crook of his left arm. Liechtenstein himself had seen it fit to done his Power Armour early, his sword clasped readily at his side and a golden bolt pistol resting in its holster.

"Approaching the jump point, sir," came the report from one of the bridges senior officers. "Descending into the Immaterium in approximately one hundred and fifty minutes."

"Very good," said Liechtenstein in reply.

"The Inquisitor had spent almost the entire past twenty four hours inspecting his fine ship, walking across every rampart and down every corridor he could find. He was of course no engineer or naval officer, but he had received instruction and preparation for commanding vessels as a part of his training for his current position. He knew that he had been given a powerful ship to command, and a powerful responsibility to it and its crew.

Aboard the bridge Liechtenstein stood on a railed platform raised above the main deck. There was a large chair at the back of the platform, and a lectern in front of that where Liechtenstein constantly received progress reports from the officers on the bridge, and from where he could give orders. When Liechtenstein came to the front of his raised podium and placed his hands gently on the railing, the entire command bridge was visible to him. Below him were the stations of the commanding Officers, each standing in front of their own lectern, and surrounded by men working furiously at their stations. Above Liechtenstein rose platforms and platforms of other officers working tirelessly and monitoring other parts of the ship. Servitors moved back and forth silently carrying out their duties, such as repairing hard wear, and communicating with the machine mind of the Imperator Rex itself. Tech-Priests were responsible for watching the Servitors, and making homage to the Machine Spirit imbued within the mighty war ship. And of course sanctifying incense burned from near Liechtenstein's command thrown itself, purifying the senses and the minds of all who worked on the command bridge.

In front of Liechtenstein was the massive view port that showed him the endless expanse of space. It was a breathtaking field of black vacuum specked by tiny stars and the bright planets of close systems. Currently in the view port Liechtenstein could also see Judgement Day, approaching the jump point a small distance ahead of the Imperator Rex.

"Closing all view ports and dispenser ducts!"

The declaration had come from above, and immediately huge metal slates began to move across the view port, closing Liechtenstein off from the rest of the galaxy.



The Divine Nemesis exited the Immaterium near a planet named Tithius Prime. It was a gas giant that circled the very edges of its solar system, isolated from the other worlds that orbited closer to the sun. Tithius was however surrounded by twelve moons, six of which were inhabited by the Imperium. Of course nothing grew or survived naturally this far from the warmth of a sun in the deep vacuum of space, and most of these moons were either made entirely of black rock or frozen under in glittering ice. But nearly all of them were rich with valuable metals beneath their surfaces, and each was more than five times the size of Holy Terra itself. This system was most vital to over a hundred wars raging throughout the Imperium, the metals found here deported to planets closer to the systems sun to be made into weapons and war machines.

"And yet in this very system something is growing and developing like a cancer," Lucien whispered to himself as he looked out the bridge view port at the raging gas giant, the colour of his eyes matching the colour of the planet.

"Orders, sir?" Requested the master of navigation.

"We're looking for one of the moons named Tithius XI," Lucien said. "Identify it and take us there. And keep away from populated moons, we do not wish to disturb our brothers with our presence."

"Yes, my Lord," the master of navigation said, and then began ordering those under him.

Lucien's target, Tithius IX, was located in minutes. The engines of the Divine Nemesis roared, and the mighty vessel bore its master towards what he sought to badly.



To Be Continued...

Part V


Tithius IX glittered like a pearl in the view port of the Divine Nemesis, its bright white surface contrasting with the black void of space it was suspended against. The planet-moon was slightly smaller than its brothers that also orbited Tithius Prime, and the only one that had breathable atmosphere. Its entire surface was blanketed under glistening snow that swept across sloping plains, broken only by jagged ice cliffs and sharp mountains that were thrust towards the deep blue sky.

"Scanners have located a single large ice mountain rising from the southeast of the planet," said a sensory officer.

"Finally!" Burst Lucien rising from his seat on the bridge and walking towards the front of his command podium. "Prepare a transport immediately, and prepare a crew for planet fall," the radical then ordered.

"Yes, my Lord," came his reply.

Lucien then turned around to face Seyton, who had just spoken his name softly to get the radical's attention.

"May I make a suggestion?" The Acolyte asked slowly. "We cannot leave the Nemesis unguarded here. In an Imperial war dock we can hide ourselves amongst the other Battleships and Cruisers, while here we are obvious and exposed. I do not think it best to abandon our vessel while Imperial patrols fly past, risking the exposure of our presence here in this system."

Lucien looked hard at his Acolyte, trying to read Seyton's expression.

"Very well," Lucien said, his eyes narrowing. "You may stay aboard the Nemesis if it pleases you, keeping my vessel safe while I carry out my wishes. I trust that my faith in you will not be misplaced."

"Never, my Lord," Seyton said, bowing low. "I will not fail you in this task."

"I should hope not," Lucien said finally, before turning on his heel and heading towards the bridge elevator. He did not see the cunning smile that split Seyton's face as he rose out of the bow.



"You know what?" Lucien asked rhetorically, pulling his jacket's collar tighter around his neck. "It is freezing bloody cold on this planet!"

No one who was with him, disagreed. Only his Sage was not shivering and covered with layers of clothing, its mostly metal body immune to the effects of the weather.

The wind howled across the snow bounds that stretched in every direction, blowing the ice into the air to make a blinding blizzard. Lucien could barely see ten feet ahead of him, and he feared that he or his transport vessel might be buried a result of the fierce storm. But he was a determined and impatient man, and was not going to turn back or wait until the storm had settled. Time was of the essence.

"Take off," Lucien ordered the crew of his vessel before they climbed back aboard. "But don't go too far. I want transportation the moment I require it!"

"With those parting words Lucien pushed into the snow, followed by his retinue and a unit of his most trusted Storm Troopers. As he moved further into the blizzard he heard the powerful engines of the transport vessel come to life with a mighty roar, and the heavy vessel lifted into the air, impervious by the lashing wind.

It was of course impossible for Liechtenstein to tell where they were heading as his small band of followers plowed on through the snow. He relied on directions from his Sage, who could measure distance and direction immaculately. They moved north east towards their goal, and though it was not yet visible to them, a jagged mountain made entirely of ice pierced upwards towards the sky.

"There it is!" Lucien cried over the howling wind when the mountain became visible.

"There is an entrance into some kind of cave or tunnel, according to the information contained on the data slate you gave me, my Lord," The Sage spoke. "It faces the southwest, my Lord. It should be immediately ahead of us."

The entrance to the cave was found with little hindrance. It was not merely a small opening in the ice into a tunnel, but instead a massive cavern at the base of the cliff, which opened like a gaping maw hungry to be fed. The stalagmites and stalactites resembled the broken teeth of a wild monster, and as Lucien's party approached they felt warm air emitting from the cave like the beasts breath.

"I am not going in there," cried one of Lucien's fanatical priests when they reached the threshold. From here they could see that the cavern sloped sharply down into the planets crust, as if it had been dug by a giant tunneling worm. Everyone who stood there suddenly felt a growing desire to step back from the threshold, and get as far away from the cavern as they could. Few were willing to enter it.

"Oh, and why not?" Lucien asked the priest, baring his sharp teeth threateningly.

"There is no light in this place," the priest proclaimed. "The Emperor's presence does not come here, and if we are to descend my Lord we will surely be lost from the Emperor's grace!"

"That is concerning," Lucien said in mock distress, and then subtly kicked the priest's feet out from under him, causing him to fall into the cavern. "Oops, you slipped"

Lucien then himself descended into the maw, seeking out what secrets were hidden in its depths.



To Be Continued...

Part VI


The shadows pressed in from all sides like black ghosts willing the Inquisitor's band of followers to abandon their explorations and turn back. The tunnel twisted like stomach of a great worm, the stalagmites and stalactites now pointing to the center of the tunnel from every surface like the long sharp teeth used by the metaphoric beast to digest its food. They created even more shadows in the scarce torchlight, and made it difficult to advance as they were arduous to avoid in the pitch black. Lucien alone was unaffected, as his blood red eyes could see perfectly well in the dark. He walked a little ahead of the group, their torch light fixed on his back so that they would not lose sight of their leader. But even Lucien was not immune to the constant feeling of foreboding. A portent of doom played on his mind as it did the minds of those behind him, as if some will were trying to drive him from the tunnel. You do not belong here, a voice would whisper in his ear. Turn back now, human mortal, and leave to rest what lies beneath. Lucien's iron will would not allow him to turn back, as well as his burning desire to learn what could from this place. But his men were not as brave as all that, and were they not afraid of imminent death from their master they would have fled back long ago.

And ever down did the tunnel twist, deeper and deeper into the planet's crust. The air by now was hot and thick, and breathing became laboured. The tunnel had gradually become narrower the further the party descended, and the men were forces closer together making them all the more uncomfortable. Fear made them irritable, the heat nagged at them and rested on their limbs making them feel heavy. They had been walking for hours it seemed, and they longed to rest. Yet they did not dare stop from fear of their master's wrath, nor did they wish to rest in a hellish place like this.

"Your minds are playing tricks on you," Lucien spoke to his men, sensing the rising danger of a mutiny. "This tunnel is very old, and has many defences to drive back intruders. Take no notice, and do not let your senses get the better of you. We are on track to our goal."

Eventually, after many long hours of walking with only one short break, they reached a part of the tunnel where it ceased to get any narrower, and instead suddenly opened up into a wide cavern. There was roughly eleven feet between the floor and ceiling, and the same distance from wall to wall. The air was slightly easier to breathe here, and there was a sudden breeze of fresh air that had not been felt since entering this accursed place. At the opposite end of the cavern from where Lucien's party entered was a large metal door, the insignia of the Inquisition carved into its smooth surface. There were lights bolted to the rock walls of the cavern that came alive as Lucien approached, and small air conditioners that did the same. Small crates of work equipment and discarded food wrappers littered the ground, and there were even traces of las burns on the walls were Imperial soldiers had practiced their aim to pass the time.

"It seems good Inquisitor Gunther was here after all," Lucien said with a smile. "It was nice of him to leave such an obvious indication of himself behind."

Bolted to the ground next to the door was a holo-pad, and a small computer panel beside it. Lucien approached this immediately, while his men gathered around and began inspecting the left over equipment and food wrappers.

"Don't eat anything you might find," Lucien advised with a chuckle. "It's probably been here for forty odd years."

The Storm Troopers continued to inspect the food wrappers with a little less enthusiasm.

Pressing a button on the panel, Lucien started up the computer function. Immediately a life sized holographic figure emerged from the holo-panel on the floor, and turned to face Inquisitor Lucien to address him. Lucien recognised the figure immediately as Inquisitor Gunther, though he had been much younger when this had been recorded compared to when Lucien had last seen him. This installation had possibly been constructed a mere ten years after Lucien's down death.

"You are attempting to access a restricted area," the holographic Gunther said. "Authorisation granted only to one with the rank of Inquisitor. Please identify yourself immediately for authorisation. Warning: Failure to be an authorised personal or failure to identify yourself properly will result in immediate termination. My software is connected and updated by the Imperial records. If you have any questions prior to authorisation please ask them immediately."

Lucien inspected the expressionless face of the hologram for only a moment longer, before looking down at the control panel and typing in his identification code.
"Processing," Gunther said before falling silent for a few moments. He then said; "Error, failure to authorise. Name: Adrien Lucien. Status: radical. Termination imminent."

"Rats," Lucien hissed to himself. "My reputation has finally caught up with me, it seems."

He then caught sight of the look on one of his loyalist priests faces. "Stupid thing must be broken," Lucien assured him with a forced smile.

There was suddenly a bright flash of sparks from on corner of the cavern, and the three Storm Troopers who had been standing in front of it dropped to the ground instantly. But the sparks died instantly, and walking over to investigate Lucien found a burnt out and useless explosive. The radical howled with laughter when he saw it, bending to hold his stomach while his eyes bulged, and then throwing his head back to cackle manically at the ceiling.

"You always were the smart one Gunther," Lucien screamed through his laughter. "Wiring this place with faulty explosives. There's some good old Inquisition idiocy for you. I wonder if he'd known then that he could have cleaned me up in one swift fire ball forty years later, would he have spent a little more resource on getting reliable explosives."

"Lucien continued to laugh, until a sound echoed through the entire cavern to make him stop. It was only faint, but he swore he could hear a hysterical laughter to rival his own, ripple through the cavern like the after effect of the explosion. His followers had heard it too, for they were looking at each other in confusion, trying to locate the source of the second laugher. But none could be found. And while Lucien looked around also he noticed something that made his heart skip a beat. The metal doors with the Inquisition insignia carved into their face were closed before, while now they were swung wide open.

"Which of you has done this?" Lucien asked slowly, looking accusingly at each member of his party. But their faces were all blank.

Lucien then approached the door and poked his head through to see a rectangular corridor or the other side.

"Sergeant, your squad stays here," Lucien said to the Storm Trooper. "My retinue follows me." Without another word he continued past the large metal doors.



"Sir," the master of communications of the Imperator Rex approach Liechtenstein's podium.

"Speak," The Inquisitor said.

"A message from Inquisitor Lord Vec, sir," the officer said quickly. "The radical Adrien Lucien has been found, sir, attempting to access a prohibited area sealed by Inquisitor Gunther. He is in the Tithius system, not far from here. We've made contact with that system already, and there have been suspected sightings of the heretic's vessel, the Divine Nemesis."

"Very good," Lucien said. "Take there immediately. Contact Captain Armer immediately and inform him of our new destination."

"Immediately, sir," the officer said, and then clicked his heels and moved away.



Seyton sat upon the thrown on the command deck of the Divine Nemesis. He looked truly like a dark lord, his cruel face and keen eyes inspecting the face of every officer around him, while his body was swathed in black robes and his clawed hands gripped the arms of his chair. He liked this position very much, the position that had been promised to him by the Lords of Chaos. His time had finally come to seize what was rightfully his, and all the power that came with it.

"Mr. Harlot," Seyton shouted to his master of navigation. "Take us closer to the planet's orbit."

"Sir?" The officer asked uncertainly.

"Take us within range to bombard the planet's surface," Seyton ordered. "Lucien is a heretic, and has betrayed us all by bringing us here. This planet is prohibited by decree of Inquisitor Gunther, and Lucien has broken his vows of loyalty to the Imperium by coming here."

"Respectfully, what are you talking about, sir?" Demanded an officer of the bridge.

"There are powerful and dangerous secrets of the chaos gods on the planet below," Seyton cried. "Secrets that Inquisitor Lucien plans to exploit and in doing so damning himself and every one of us. This heresy cannot go unpunished. We must move in to destroy him before he brings destruction on every one of us and condemns our souls to hell."

Seyton saw the doubt in their eyes, the questions they had that would require answers. He had no proof of what he was saying; Lucien had taken the data pad of Gunther, the only item that might incriminate him, down to the planet with him. Yet Seyton had seen that data pad a hundred times before and could replicate it when the time came. He would have his proof to cement his men’s loyalty, but for now he needed to rely on their fear at the consequences of their own inactions.

"If we do not thwart this heretic now and preserve our own purity," Seyton argued. "He will bring damnation on us all. Do you think the Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus will kind to us? They will slay each and every one of us to cure the taint that Lucien will bring; you've seen with your own eyes what men of such power are capable of. Yet if we destroy this heresy now before it festers, and preserve ourselves in the Emperor's light, we will surely be welcomed with open arms by our brothers and sisters of that order for our conviction to do what is right in the name of the Emperor!"

He could see his words working within them, twisting them to his will, and Seyton was very pleased.

"Take us closer to the planet's orbit," Seyton ordered a second time. "Within bombardment range of where that heretic made planet fall, so that he may never make planet rise."



To Be Continued...

exelent (clasps hand together Mr Burns style)

love the bit when he subtly kicked the priest feet out from under making him fall.