Herald of the Stars: Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Seven

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Inquisitor Rapahel Horthstien gives me a long stare, then says, “This way please, esteemed guests.”

Raphael guides us through the halls of his vessel. It is rather cramped and does not have the large vaulted ceilings common on Imperial vessels. While this does save a moderate amount of space, the low ceilings and plain, windowless corridors are rather claustrophobic and arranged in a nonsensical manner. It does not take me long to realise that this vessel has sacrificed its grandeur for a Tenebro Maze, and internal ship layout that is easy for boarders to get lost in and makes it near impossible to locate and target specific components within the vessel. 

“Tell me about the Petitor Veritas, Inquisitor. I’ve never been on an Enforcer-Class void ship before.”

“In M36 a group of tacticians in Segmentum Tempestus formed the Gareox Prerogative. Their aim was to create vessels that would excel in pirate hunting by focusing on strike craft and lance weaponry. The movement gained considerable momentum and the Mechanicus designed two new classes, the Despoiler-Class battleship and the Enforcer-Class light cruiser.

“This new line of thinking upset the naval traditionalists and led to a civil war with Forge World Bakka, where the main naval base for Segmentum Tempestus is. Ostensibly, it was because the focus on strike craft did not render more traditional battleship designs, like the Emperor-Class, obsolete, and thus the production of the new design was unnecessary. Do you wish to hear more, Magos?”

“Please continue, this is most enlightening and it is wonderful to receive information from a reliable source.”

Rapahel smirks, “As for it being an inferior design, or the Despoiler-Class being bad at the role it was intended for, that is less certain. What is known is that Gareox was purged and the partially constructed fleet, in their despair, fell to Chaos. Of the fifteen Despoiler-class vessels commissioned, only three were constructed and put into service. They too, later fell to Chaos due to a fault in the Gellar Field that made it prone to failure on long journeys through the Warp.

“After the dust had settled and the investigation completed, it became clear that the Gareox Prerogative failed, not because their theories were bad, but because the manufactures of the large weapons that these strike craft were replacing objected to the change in doctrine and lobbied the Navy. Production on the Enforcer-Class resumed, but the Despoiler-Class, with its reputation for ill-luck, was not returned to the Imperial battleline.”

“How mundane! How would you evaluate the Enforcer-Class? Is it a design I should acquire?”

“The Enforcer is not a good vessel for large fleet engagements, so in some ways, the big gun lobbyists were correct. Then again, it was never supposed to be. I have found it to be an excellent vessel for hunting pirates and raiders, it’s intended use case. Arguably overkill for the battleship configuration, but not for a light cruiser. Any shortcomings of the design are easily offset by escort vessels. The Stygies Pattern Bombardment Cannon on the prow is also helpful for reminding governors to whom their loyalty and authority is beholden to.”

I nod, “What’s your personal evaluation of the civil war?”

“The civil war was not only a complete waste of resources, but actively pushed loyalists towards the Ruinous Powers. It was never discovered if this was a deliberate ploy, or simple greed and incompetence. It is easy to blame Chaos for everything that goes wrong. The inconvenient truth is that Humanity does a perfectly good job of destroying itself, even without the whispers of the dark gods or cruel xenos.”

I grimace, “Common sense is the least common sense, or so I like to say. It sounds like the Enforcer-Class would make for a superior patrol vessel and is worth selling, but is less appropriate for my current needs. Thank you for your evaluation, Inquisitor.”

Raphael waves off my gratitude, “Think nothing of it. History is a passion of mine and eases the boredom between the stars. It is pleasant to have someone listen to my rambles.”

“What will happen now that you have finished your apprenticeship with Adjunct Hamiz?”

Raphael chuckles and glances up at me, then raises a single eyebrow. “During my apprenticeship with Inquisitor Hamiz, I have chased many leads, and only in five, maybe ten percent of the cases were related to outside forces causing havoc. I suspect that this will not change. Still, eternal vigilance is our motto and the Petitor Veritas is the vessel that has seen me through it all. 

“I will be sad to leave it, once the Inquisition can acquire a new vessel for me to depart upon my own journeys, now that I am a full Inquisitor. Especially with the new upgrades your people are installing. I am not looking forward to starting my career in a salvaged pirate raider. Such vessels do not inspire confidence like this one does.”

“I see, and what could you promise me were I to build a more appropriate vessel for you to start off with. When would you need it by and what vessel would you like?”

“That is an unexpected offer, Magos.”

“Quaani, who is being rather quiet as we approach his new in-laws, suggested my life would be most improved with more friends. What better way to start than trade?”

“I suppose you seek STCs.”

“Always, specifically void ship designs, or rare ship components for me to study.”

“Is that your speciality?”

“While I am a competent lexmechanic, I am a Magos Explorator at heart, but academically, I would be considered a Magos Aetheric and specialise in arcanotech and mundane cybernetics. My navigator heritage makes this a safer path for me than others who dare to study the Warp and the devices that interact with it. 

“Tech-Priest disciplines are not that clear cut though. One cannot implant the cybernetics of the Cybernetica discipline without knowledge of the Genetors. Then again, I also know how to build a voidship from scratch. With so many varied disciplines, perhaps a Magos Errant designation would be better? They tend to work for Rogue Traders though and I am my own boss.”

“Now you are just showing off.”

“Perhaps a little! I am trying to convince you of my qualifications and thus how we may aid and trade with each other for maximum benefit. Is it working?”

“I did have time to acquire your public data before you cut us off. You’ve been rather busy. Far more so than the first impressions you gave implied. I found many references to designs that Talliel-Iota-5 and JK-404 have never heard of. Your archives would likely put some of the depositories on Terra and Mars to shame.”

“Thank you, I am most pleased with my collection.”

“It is incredibly valuable. I could likely trade some of what you left free for all to read and view for vast sums of money, yet you share it freely as if it has no value at all. Placing it in the hands of the right collector would likely net me enough money to purchase a small fleet, and that’s just for your historical archives, not the STCs that were hidden away from my eyes. 

“I know I lamented, barely minutes prior, that I could end up with a junker, but in truth, you’ve already given me everything I need to start my own career. Why?”

“The galaxy does not revolve around us, Inquisitor. Perhaps the Emperor and his Primarchs and a few others, but never us. I did not make those files available to impress you. I share those histories because one does not preserve knowledge by locking it away. It must be shared, discussed, witnessed, and distributed to keep it far from the hungry maw of ignorance and spite.” 

My voice increases in volume as I continue, “The fleeting glimpses of Humanity’s greatness is all that remains of our brief brilliance and I will not have that final flame be extinguished for greed and fame. Use it as you wish, and in those dark moments, recall that not all that is lost is forgotten and that which is lost can be found.” 

I exhale a long breath then say more quietly, “As Quaani reminded me yesterday, don’t let the great cogs of the galaxy grind you down, Inquisitor Horthstien. Humanity needs people of great conviction like yourself and Inquisitor Hamiz.”

“So that’s who you are, underneath the steel and false flesh. A dreamer, driven by memories of the past. Many will mock you for it.”

“Do the many dare laugh at you, Inquisitor?”

“No. The ashes of my dreams are not for others to spit upon.”

I hum, “Quite.”

“I’ll take a Conquest-Class Star Galleon please.”

My steps slow for a moment as I process what Raphael has just asked of me, “Those have not been built for ten thousand years and all of the remaining ones are highly customised designs. I’m not even sure if they ever had a proper STC created for them. They are the mark of an ancient Rogue Trader house and none of them will ever give one up.”

“If I could get you the designs, or locate a ruined one for refurbishment, you would restore it in full for free, yes? Perhaps fill it with a crew, ground forces, supplies, and anything else an aspiring Inquisitor might require?”

I sigh, “I feel like I am walking right into a trap here, but yes, if you can get me an STC for a vessel with that much prestige I will do that for you and provide four escorts. If you only bring a ruined one, I will restore it and fill it to the brim with matériel and personnel. It would take my Fleet thirty-five years to build one with its current production capabilities, in theory. Restoration is not always faster. I would also require access to inquisitorial information channels for fifty years, for whatever segmentum I would be present at.”

“You don’t ask for much do you,” says Rapahel, his tone drier than navy hard-tack.

“Why would you even want such a vessel, as opposed to a more modern warship refitted for cargo and troops?”

“It would make for a bombastic disguise. Besides, Inquisition internal politics is rather cut throat. Like you said, the Conquest-Class comes with much prestige. If I have more resources available I will have a stronger voice in our conclaves. I will also be more able to solve and survive the troubles I encounter. Following that line of thought, what would you require to make me capable of slaying a greater demon, or xenos monstrosity, like a Hive Tyrant, in personal combat?”

I chuckle, “That’s quite an ambition and a much tougher proposition. It would require a near complete replacement of your body, and multiple years of education and training so that you can maintain and use such high level implants with the respect that they require. Perhaps as much as ten years, even with teaching engines and noosphere simulations speeding up the process. As for what I would want for it? 

“I would require you to not sell what you are taught while under my tutelage without permission. I would want an oath to the Emperor and Machine God that you will not use my technologies for personal gain, but only for the pursuit of your duties within the Ordo Xenos. 

“Last, I would require actual payment. Knowledge is preferable, though it can’t be something I already know. Large quantities of resources would also be acceptable in this case, especially unique or rare materials that are difficult to source.”

“That is much stricter than a voidship!”

“You don’t know how to build or maintain a voidship and it would be me giving you knowledge, rather than the other way around. For your request to actually be practical, I would have to induct you into the Mechanicus. Not unprecedented, but certainly rare.”

“Ah, there is reviving ancient mechanisms, and then there is dipping one’s toes into Imperial politics.”

“Exactly. The latter is far more dangerous and difficult.”

“That is the most Tech-Priest-like comment I have heard you make.”

“You know, just because Tech-Priests like to chat in Lingua Technis, doesn’t mean we’re not talking about what we ate for dinner. We, despite our best efforts, are only Human.”

“Whatever you say, Magos. We’re almost at the spire. Navigator Quaani, are you ready to meet Silas, Fyona, and Annette Ortellius?”

Quaani says, “Thank you for your concern, Inquisitor. I’m as ready as I can hope for.”