The transfer order was clear. From now on, I would serve under the command of Inquisitor Irae Illustro Vindixus III. I did all that was requested. I went to Scintilla, the capital of the Calixis sector to receive extra training before I would become part of the cadre of acolytes serving under the command of Irae Illustro Vindixus III. There I met the rest of the acolytes that would make up the cadre: Calvin Octavius the techpriest, Ragaa the assassin, Fylan Distro the member of the Death Korps of Krieg and Victus Axtaxis the somewhat strange but reliable nobleman.
During our training and subsequent time we spent together in the lower regions of one of Scintilla's hive cities, we grew together as a group, managing to kill "The Downpour Ripper", a serial killer who left a trail of bodies, all of them members of the Ecclesiarchy or very devout citizens. He was a brother named Gelman who convinced a gang living in the under hive to turn heretic and start worshiping the "Urizen", "Lorgar Aurelian". During the last week of our hunt, a message from our Inquisitor arrived with information on our next assignment:
Then finally news arrived about the Vengeful Wrath being in orbit around Scintilla. That meant that the Inquisitor had arrived. And indeed, not long after we heard the rumor about the Vengeful Wrath, we were summoned to the Inquisitorial Palace on Scintilla.
Looming over hive Sibellus is the Tricorn Palace, the dread fortress of the Inquisition rising out of the teeming mass of the cities' outskirts – menacing and proud. The three spires look down on the countless, worthless lives that began and ended in its shadows. The high walls of the building are black and unadorned, save for the gigantic statues of skeletal angels that flank its corners like gargantuan sentries. Its many crenelations and battlements bristling with automated defence turrets convey an air of menace. We approached the building via a large, desolate overpass that rose high above the tenements, the air of oppression became more palpable as we came closer. The road leaded to a high wall, studded with guard towers and gunservitors, showing our inquisitorial seal at the entrance we were led towards the hangars where we could park our vehicle and followed the exit to the maze which was the outer courtyard. A cloaked man detached himself from the shadows and hurried towards our group, navigating through the many acolytes, stormtroopers, administrative and servitor personnel that crisscross the maze.
The man spoke with a mechanical voice: “I am brother Kasimir, you must be the new acolytes sequestered to Count Vindixus Illustro the 3rd” Without waiting for a reply he fingered his dataslate and scaned us with his cybernetic eye. “Yes, yes, “ he mumbles ..”hmm, interesting, e-yes; Please follow me. Do not stray from my guidance or you will be killed in a heartbeat”.
"There is no trust in here, nor should there be. Leagues under your feet lay a trove of the most dangerous objects and scripts the sector has seen. And below them, the cells of the heretics that would use such profane objects. Both securely locked away, there is no measure of security beyond reproach."
Following the cyberpriest, we entered into the bowels of the inquisitorial headquarters. The high walls and flagstone floor were cut from polished black marble and brass-cowled lumen globes shedded pools of yellow light, leaving most of the rest in darkness. We were led to a shadowy, circular room with a single double door which was open. Several chairs of antique wood with upholstery of cracked green leather lined the wall. Brother Kasimir asked us to wait here until we were summoned. A group of other acolytes were also waiting in this room. They were clearly wearing Xenos weapons and items openly.
"There is no trust in here, nor should there be. Leagues under your feet lay a trove of the most dangerous objects and scripts the sector has seen. And below them, the cells of the heretics that would use such profane objects. Both securely locked away, there is no measure of security beyond reproach."
Following the cyberpriest, we entered into the bowels of the inquisitorial headquarters. The high walls and flagstone floor were cut from polished black marble and brass-cowled lumen globes shedded pools of yellow light, leaving most of the rest in darkness. We were led to a shadowy, circular room with a single double door which was open. Several chairs of antique wood with upholstery of cracked green leather lined the wall. Brother Kasimir asked us to wait here until we were summoned. A group of other acolytes were also waiting in this room. They were clearly wearing Xenos weapons and items openly.
From another room we could hear a conversation between our inquisitor and another one:
"So you’re deathwatch team has already arrived on scintilla."
"Yes they have, a kill team of 6, we’ll need them when we find the Space Hulk."
"IF we find it you mean."
"Oh we will find it, unlike you, I have it on good authority my quarry will be where it is."
"Don’t start with that again, you just want an excuse to search the hulk for xenos tech. Why you’re allowed to continue like that is beyond me."
"Because I get results, that’s why. While you’ve been training cannon fodder, my acolytes are already jaded and have honed their skills. Yours are fresh from the cradle, ready to be sacrificed in your name."
"Enough Rafael ! Your insults have gone far enough, they were ambushed, it could happen to anyone. Besides, wel all know your cardes reputation, their methods border on heresy. Continue…"
"Ahum, well, yes… After we pickup the sisters from Iocanthos we’re to continue to Zillman’s Domain, the SpaceHulk should be in the vicinity there. While we’re gathering tithes, the astartes will do their thing."
"Don’t speak further, the less I know about this the better. Anything else?"
"Zumtor is our next stop, I foresee no special measures…"
"I disagree, their delaying tactics smell of treason. I’ve already talked to commissar Crux on this and they need a more proper incentive. We will have to force them to open their mines and we will allocate new tithes."
"That will set them on edge, are you trying to goad them into an action that would warrant an exterminatus?"
"Don’t be daft, I do not goad, those are your tactics, these people must comply with imperial law. What’s next?"
"It wouldn’t be the first time. Palinurus Rhys, followed by Snowdens World."
"Ah, finally, I suppose you’ve read the reports?"
"Yes, I have, and for that reason, I decided to bring Barbaros along."
"What!? You still own that abomination? I thought you were ordered to exterminate him?"
"You’ve been away too long Vindixus, I had the matter brought before the council, they granted me full sanction on his ownership."
"How is this possible? This is insane, you’ll have him on board the entire time? I will protest to this, your cursed pet will not be part of this endeavor! In fact, I should have you locked up for even suggesting this! How can you even believe a word that cursed wretch says?"
"That’s enough Irae! Haven’t you been listening? I got FULL SANCTION! And don’t threaten me, I am an official member of the Tyrantine Cabal, the Lord Inquisitor personally recruited me into its fold. In fact, I am not even obliged to work with you. You know what? You do whatever you want, just don’t expect any help from me or my cadre and the next time you threaten me, just remember what happened on Ixtar Four. Good day."
"Yes they have, a kill team of 6, we’ll need them when we find the Space Hulk."
"IF we find it you mean."
"Oh we will find it, unlike you, I have it on good authority my quarry will be where it is."
"Don’t start with that again, you just want an excuse to search the hulk for xenos tech. Why you’re allowed to continue like that is beyond me."
"Because I get results, that’s why. While you’ve been training cannon fodder, my acolytes are already jaded and have honed their skills. Yours are fresh from the cradle, ready to be sacrificed in your name."
"Enough Rafael ! Your insults have gone far enough, they were ambushed, it could happen to anyone. Besides, wel all know your cardes reputation, their methods border on heresy. Continue…"
"Ahum, well, yes… After we pickup the sisters from Iocanthos we’re to continue to Zillman’s Domain, the SpaceHulk should be in the vicinity there. While we’re gathering tithes, the astartes will do their thing."
"Don’t speak further, the less I know about this the better. Anything else?"
"Zumtor is our next stop, I foresee no special measures…"
"I disagree, their delaying tactics smell of treason. I’ve already talked to commissar Crux on this and they need a more proper incentive. We will have to force them to open their mines and we will allocate new tithes."
"That will set them on edge, are you trying to goad them into an action that would warrant an exterminatus?"
"Don’t be daft, I do not goad, those are your tactics, these people must comply with imperial law. What’s next?"
"It wouldn’t be the first time. Palinurus Rhys, followed by Snowdens World."
"Ah, finally, I suppose you’ve read the reports?"
"Yes, I have, and for that reason, I decided to bring Barbaros along."
"What!? You still own that abomination? I thought you were ordered to exterminate him?"
"You’ve been away too long Vindixus, I had the matter brought before the council, they granted me full sanction on his ownership."
"How is this possible? This is insane, you’ll have him on board the entire time? I will protest to this, your cursed pet will not be part of this endeavor! In fact, I should have you locked up for even suggesting this! How can you even believe a word that cursed wretch says?"
"That’s enough Irae! Haven’t you been listening? I got FULL SANCTION! And don’t threaten me, I am an official member of the Tyrantine Cabal, the Lord Inquisitor personally recruited me into its fold. In fact, I am not even obliged to work with you. You know what? You do whatever you want, just don’t expect any help from me or my cadre and the next time you threaten me, just remember what happened on Ixtar Four. Good day."
Throughout the whole conversation, the other group of acolytes, the cadre of inquisitor Toth Rafael, had been eyeballing us to the point where it became really annoying. Go figure, the arrogance of the inquisitor did rub off on his acolytes. As Toth Rafael stepped out of Irae's office, he signaled his cadre and without speaking a word or acknowledging us, he walked away.
Irae Illustro Vindixus III greeted us as we stepped into his office. Although I already met him, I was again strikken by his figure and his air of authority. Still, I am so glad we are in his service as opposed to Rafael's. Judging by his praise and the look in his eyes, he was very pleased with how we handled the situation on Scintilla and personally had ordered a team to cleanse and purify the chaos contaminated area.
As he continued we learned what our official mission would be. We were ordered to board "The Vengeful Wrath" and travel the Calixis sector to apprehend unsanctioned psycker and collect the thithes that are due to the Holy Empire alongside some other duties that we would need to attend to. Joy filled my heart when I learned that one of the first stops we would make was the planet of Iocantus where we were to pick up a group of Adepta Sororitas. It had been too long since I'd been among my Sisters. Data on Iocanthos was provided and we really needed to get ready for we would be leaving in two hours.