Preparations for the departure continued over the next week, sotis overtly, with Navy ships moving in formation with the Lanter fleet at Jupiter, and supply vessels bringing aboard extra rations, torpedoes and Nova Shells.
Other preparations were more covert, stealth shuttles docking in secret with the Singularity and unloading their mysterious payload of operatives and advanced Machine Spirits.
For example, the pair from the Synopticon was ford from a fully chanical enginseer, with no organic matter at all inside, and teenage-looking boy with green hair and a single dataslate hanging from his belt.
The boy walked right to and examined for a minute. "At least you have a mind implant, Astartes. Perhaps this mission will not make tear my hair out, again." he declared in a superior tone.
I smiled kindly, and switched to Manifold circuit talking. "Just make sure we have advanced warning if the Navy ships go traitor. Do you need special clearance to install your vox-thieves and whatever surveillance devices you normally use?"
With a wry smirk, the boy glanced at his chanical companion. "I stole this now. You are a Blank yourself, so you earned a modicum of thrust for that. Plus your adventures with the Psi-Titan were rather fun." he disclosed with a wry smile.
I smiled back. "Not usually my style, but my Warrant of Trade was expired and my Chapter Master rank is under review. Most likely the Lion. I don't think he likes much." I disclosed as well, and took out a bottle of expensive wine and a pair of crystal glasses, illegal loot from Vigilus both. Perks of the job.
Vaedrex sipped the expensive wine with a far away look. "A publicity stunt, with two Primarchs watching. Plus the Inquisition and the visiting Eldar. I'd say it worked just fine."
I shrugged and sipped my wine in turn. The Emperor wasn't that pleased, seeing how he denied the full use of his sword. Darcy might be innocent and cute, but even miracles had a reason.
Which is why I planted his sword in front of his house and left it there. Let's see who dares draw that sword from the stone.
Late into the night, a pair of transport landers rose from Terra and made their way to the Black Lant, each carrying a Psi-Titan.
"Co alone." Big E demanded straight into my mind.
I was a little drunk, but I had to go anyway.
"The Emperor calls, my friend. See you later." I muttered and vanished from my room.
A second later, Canis arrived next to , for moral support. Always show strength, and not a hair of fear.
"You don't listen well, do you?" The Emperor muttered with a mild voice, and waved his hand to put Canis to sleep. Should I be impressed? He could put mountains to sleep with the sa gesture.
I leaned on the giant wolf, and raised my eyes towards the God-Emperor of Mankind.
"Which is why I have Canis. His hearing is very acute." I muttered in a casual voice.
"Moral support. Plus you're a bit drunk. Do you want the good news, Pef Lancefire?" he asked with faint amusent.
"I am no longer under review?" I answered in a cold tone.
"That too. But no. The asure of a man, I found, is in how many enemies he manages to have, and still live. Do you even know?" the Emperor asked with a short laugh.
I shook my head and tried to count, losing a few perhaps. "A hundred?" I guessed at random.
"This mission to Cadia. Those tesseracts on your glove will not work. You can't catch dreams in different dinsion." he said with a sad head shake. So I missed my guess.
"I have never lost a battle, Big E. I'll be fine." I muttered in a slurry voice. Not my best job interview, perhaps.
His eyes glowed golden, and I fell asleep. "You're an idiot, my son. But don't worry, you're my idiot now." he whispered in mind while my soul floated above my body a bit confused.
A dinsional crystal the size of fingernail detached from my glove, and my collection of Primarchs and other precious prisoners was gone. I felt a bit sad.
"Are you magpie, deep inside? What the hell is all this?" the Emperor growled while examining my collection of relics, weapons, xenos and forbidden artifacts.
I couldn't actually answer, you know, without a body or a brain. A second later, my Null Box opened on my chest, revealing the other valuables, like my Warrant of Trade, a mostly useless Rosette, a pair of digital weapons and a few locks of hair.
"This...your mother. I see." his voice mused in a lower tone, just as Janice appeared beside him, looking at my body but not at . She couldn't see .
"You said..." she pleaded with a frightened voice.
"I did. But now I know more. Your father fed two C'tan. Billions of years of knowledge. My sons will be able to defeat any foes now. It's only fair I start with him." the Emperor explained while plunging his hand into my chest.
It hurt a little. I couldn't really tell, but it sure didn't look healthy.
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