"I see. So Baron Kamidar has taken the place of his sister to rule over Kamidar."
"That is correct. It is imperative that we expand along this Anaxian Line and continue establishing hub-fortresses along the border of Segmentum Solar, to form a bulwark against any invading Traitor fleet. My lord, I request full cooperation on this matter."
"And I have already given my word."
Yato Yoshimoto stifled an annoyed retort as he stared down Vice-Admiral Graves's stony countennance. If the commander of Battle Group Ulysses had sought to intimidate the Shogun of House Yato, ruler of Draconis III, he had failed miserably. Dispatched from Indomitus Fleet Primus, Battle Group Ulysses was one of many fleets sent out to establish a network of hub-fortresses to both secure Imperium Sanctus and from which to launch the Indomitus Crusade.
A Knight World like Kamidar, Draconis III had stood strong even during the events of the Noctis Aeterna. They had survived the horrors of Old Night and the catastrophe that was the Horus Heresy, and they would continue to survive whatever the galaxy threw at the beleaguered Imperium, remaining a solid bulwark in Holy Terra's defenses.
"You will find that I have already contributed dozens of my Knight Lances and hundreds of Astra Militarum regiments to the Indomitus Crusade. We are committed to carrying out the Lord Primarch's orders. Lord Commander Guilliman calls, and we will not be found wanting. Millions of men and women shipped out all over Fleet Primus, not just your battle group. The forge world of Draconis IV already has shipments of weapons awaiting your convoys."
Marcus Graves's eyes lit up at that, his sparkling gray pupils a stark contrast against his mahogany skin. The vice-admiral was well aware of the reputation of Draconis IV. Known as the second Ryza, it had manufactured countless plasma weapons for the Imperium.
"I cannot speak for the Fabricator-General, but I heard that he has also promised to send several maniples of Titans from Legio Draconis."
"Yes," Graves admitted. "Your strength will be a great boon to our Crusade's efforts. I wish to express my gratitude."
"You already have," Yoshimoto replied coldly. "And I believe your time is better spent coordinating the various lances and regiments' dispersal across Fleet Primus."
Graves stiffened, but he didn't protest. Nodding curtly, he spun on his heel and stalked off.
"That went well," Akumaki remarked, sidling out of the side and approaching Yoshimoto's throne. She had long red hair that tumbled past her shoulders, matching the red trousers and white blouse that marked her out as one of Draconis III's Shrine Priestesses. Part of a lineage who worshipped the God-Emperor in His aspect as the Sun Deity, they had continued their traditions for millennia. Such prietesses were highly valued and often served as advisors to the ruling Shogun.
Yoshimoto's lip curled. "You heard what transpired in Kamidar."
"Indeed. I am surprised that you were able to restrain yourself. The Imperium comes, plundering our resources and demanding excessive tithes during a time when we are hardpressed to defend ourselves, all but pillaging our lands. Their tyranny will be their undoing."
"We are a part of the Imperium," Yoshimoto reminded her harshly. She lowered her head, mortified at the rebuke.
"Of course. I apologize for speaking out of line, my lord."
"Besides, we are not just doing this for the Indomitus Crusade and Holy Terra," Yoshimoto continued, his tone softening. "As you know, the Draconian System is positioned at the edge of Segmentum Solar. Northeast of Terra, and right on the border with Ultima Segmentum. We are not far from the Prospero Sector, and you know what lies in wait there. If we are not careful, we will be the next target of his wrath."
Akumaki swallowed, her hands clasped and her eyes humbly fixed to the floor. She was aware. Yoshimoto was referring to the fallen Primarch of the XVth Legion, with which Draconis III and the Knights of House Yato shared a connection with.
The Thousand Sons were the Legion who found Draconis III and brought the venerable Knight world back to the fold of the Imperium, and throughout the Great Crusade, they had been staunch allies. Even during the razing of Prospero, several lances of Knights from House Yato had fought on the side of the condemned XVth Legion, earning an enmity from the fallen Knights of House Malinax. However, after Magnus declared for the Archtraitor Horus, House Yato had spurned their former allies and chose to fight for the Emperor instead.
Ever since the Thousand Sons' invasion of Fenris, there had been growing rumors of a Daemon World being transported right into the orbit of Prospero, and Magnus had been sighted more frequently throughout Imperial worlds, building up his forces in his original homeworld and gathering millions of psykers to his cause. With such an immense threat right on the doorstep of the Draconis Sector, Yoshimoto could not afford to reject the Indomitus Crusade. If anything, he needed the might of an Indomitus Fleet to stem the advances of the Daemon Primarch's forces entering his system. Already, there were news trickling in from Imperium Nihilus, the Stygian Sector having been invaded by the forces of Tzeentch. Led by Magnus the Red, they had conquered all but Mordian, with the famed Iron Guard of that bastion planet holding strong. The Iron Hands and several of their successor Chapters had launched a Crusade of Iron to relieve the Mordian Iron Guard and retake the other worlds of the Stygian Sector, but information from Imperium Nihilus was not always forthcoming, and Yoshimoto had no idea of their progress.
Or if they had failed and were completely wiped out.
Whatever the case, it was clear that Draconis III cannot stand alone. Either they would fall under the onslaught of the forces of Chaos, or they would be crushed by the cruel but necessary dictatorship of the Imperium. That said, Yoshimoto was confident that the Imperium would not allow Draconis III to fall. Like Cadia, they were a bulwark against the Thousand Sons coming from Prospero, a gate and a fortress-hub to deny the XVth Legion and their Tzeentchian allies a route toward the Throneworld.
Akumaki watched the Shogun, her expression inscrutable. Yoshimoto regarded her in turn before raising a hand to dismiss her.
"I need you to oversee the deployment of the Knight Lances. I believe Sir Tanaka has been newly ascended to the rank of full Bushi and stewardship of a Questoris class, having just overcome his Ritual of Becoming. He used to be a retainer, and as such, he might require your assistance with handling his new rank and duties."
"Sir Tanaka Tomoyuki? The pilot of Kazan? Understood." Akumaki bowed, understanding that her presence in court was no longer wanted. "I will depart for the Matsuda Fields right away."
*
I stared up at the gleaming black hull of my new Questoris chassis, my eyes tracing the golden trim that ran along the edges of the pauldrons. I hadn't gotten used to my new machine yet, having spent most of my life piloting an Armiger Warglaive.
Wincing at the memory, I shook my head. The previous Kazan had been wrecked when I charged into a Bloodthirster that had been assaulting one of the Shrine Worlds. It was fortunate that I had been fighting beside a Black Templars Crusade, or my Lance would have been overrun by the berserk daemons. Indeed, my mentor and lord, Sir Katsuragi, had been laid low, his venerable Knight Gallant, Hokuto no Ken, being eviscerated by the bellowing Bloodthirster.
But not before he had dealt the creature a mortal blow, which I capitalized upon to slay it. If I could truly slew it...for most likely, the hideous monstrosity had simply been banished back to the warp.
A cough drew my attention, and I turned to see a middle-aged man in silver armor. His blond hair was unkempt, with a bushy beard and mustache covering half his face, but he had an imposing figure. What stood out the most was the massive I on his breastplate, and the signature rosette that displayed his authority.
"My lord." I swallowed my fear and bowed, wondering inwardly if I had done something to attract the attention of the Holy Inquisition. Dark thoughts ran through my mind, and I pictured myself being hauled away for interrogation. I couldn't help it. Inquisitors were notorious for a reason. Yet I forced myself to stay calm. "How may I help you?"
"Sir Tanaka Tomoyuki," he greeted, ignoring my question and offering me a hand. "I'm Inquisitor Leonid Rostov."
"What can I do for you, my lord?"
"Ah, to the point." He smiled briefly after a firm handshake. I tried not to wince and assauged my bruised ego (and hand) by reminding myself that Rostov had the advantage because he was wearing power armor and I wasn't. "I'll be frank, then. I am in pursuit of an enigmatic figure who has reportedly being sowing seeds of discontent and stirring up rebellion in the Imperium, as well as...shall we say, enacting insidious plans."
"What sort of plans?" I asked, but only received a frosty smile in return. Ah. That was something above my pay grade...and not something I needed to know, in other words.
"Let's just say that if he succeeds, the Imperium will be destroyed." Rostov glanced upward warily, almost as if he could see the ugly red tear in the heavens above, despite it still being daytime. I shuddered, recalling the hideous bruise that ripped the skies in half. A sickly glow that had burned itself into my memories and caused me unease just from recalling it. "And yes, it has something to do with the Great Rift."
"I see. And...uh, where do I figure in all this?"
"Let's just say this agent has been involved in quite a lot of Imperial politics. I'm sure you've heard of the revolt in Kamidar just recently? My investigations have revealed that this agent was involved in influencing Queen Orlah Kamidar in rebelling against the Imperium and attacking Battle Group Praxis. I have been trying to track the culprit, and several clues led me here, to Draconis III."
A chill ran down my spine. Rostov studied me and nodded.
"Yes. It is possible that my target has hidden himself - or herself - here among your House. Infiltrated as one of the court. After all, this...figure has disguised herself as Ekria, the aide to Queen Orlah before her demise. I am not sure about the specifics, but Baron Gerent, before his ascension to the throne of Kamidar, suggested that it was her who murdered his sister."
"And you think she has disguised herself as one of the advisors to the Lord Shogun?"
"I...do not know. Admittedly, it is unlikely that she would take upon such a high profile disguise this soon after the calamity in Kamidar, but it is possible that she has long since set up such positions all over the Imperium. This agent has powers beyond our understanding...you cannot treat her as human. If she is even a she, to begin with."
"Are you asking me to help you identify this...agent?"
"Yes." Rostov hesitated. "I understand that it will be difficult, without much information. All I can tell you is this: The agent is known as the Hand of Abaddon. I don't know what his agenda is. He could have been sent by Abaddon the Despoiler himself to stir up inner strife in the Imperium, or he could be acting of his own accord."
I raised an eyebrow incredulously. "The Despoiler's hand comes off?"
In retrospect, I shouldn't be surprised. Throughout the many wars I had fought against the Archenemy, I had witnessed horrific mutations and unbelievable sights of transhuman bodies splitting apart, each organic part transforming into individual monsters. A Chaos Space Marine's hand coming off shouldn't be beyond imagination.
Rostov, however, didn't seem amused. But I continued, despite his glacial glare.
"Um, well...I did hear rumors that the nickname Abaddon the Armless was being bandied about in the Imperial Navy. You know, because he failed all twelve Black Crusades before...but that apparently changed after the fall of Cadia and his victory in the Thirteenth Black Crusade. Or was it after Vigilus, where he supposedly had more competent Dark Mechanicum Magi forging his armor to ensure that the arms wouldn't fall off before he went to beat up Lord Marneus Calgar?"
"...what in the name of the Holy God-Emperor are you babbling about?!"
"Never mind. Forget I said anything."
"Anyway, I'm here to warn you." Rostov took a deep breath, a hand tucked into the crevice of his armor. "The Emperor's Tarot led me to you, and my astropath has been receiving premonitions. It appears that whatever might happen is centered on you. Please be careful and look out for this...agent of the Archenemy. He or she will turn out to be the one you least expect. Don't trust anyone."
"Including you?" I retorted. Rostov was taken aback for a moment, but he shrugged.
"That is a good point." He held up his rosette. "I would say trust in the authority the God-Emperor invested upon me, but it appears that even my Ordo has been compromised. Still...I have a feeling that you will know what to do when the time comes."
"Understood, my lord."
With that, Rostov left. I watched him for a moment before I returned to studying Kazan in his new form. I could still hear the whispers in my Throne Mechanicum, the ghosts dwelling within my cockpit beckoning to me.
Soon, I willed them. Soon I would ride out in Kazan to war in the Lord Primarch's name and purge the galaxy of the Archenemy.
At least that was the plan, but Akumaki summoned me to her shrine before I was due to depart my home planet. I appeared at the entrance of her shrine, disembarking from Kazan and dropping to the stone ground in front of the wooden temple. The shrine priestess was waiting for me by the entrance, sweeping the red autumn leaves off the sidewalk. She looked up with a smile and put her broom aside.
"Sir Tanaka. I trust you didn't have trouble finding this place?"
"Nah, it was a short walk for Kazan. What can I do for you, Lady Akumaki?"
Akumaki smiled gently. "The Lord Shogun has requested that I help you out a little before you leave for the Indomitus Crusade with Battle Group Ulysses. I thought I might inculcate you into the old ways. Of traditions before the coming of the Imperium, to grant you the strength to see your endeavors through."
"Huh?"
She beckoned me to follow her into the temple, where a cup stood by a small fountain. Bamboo pipes spread across a souzu, a shishi-odori that pivoted occasionally when water filled it, one end falling to tap against the pale stone. The shrine priestess picked up the cup and presented it to me.
"Drink deeply of this spring, and you will feel empowered as never before."
"Uh, no thanks."
"Trust me." Akumaki probably thought she was smiling seductively, but I could feel something weird creeping around me. Though she was physically beautiful, I somehow felt more disturbed than attracted to her. Perhaps it was my glasses, but whenever I blinked, I could see what appeared to be wisps of ethereal energy coiling around her sultry frame. The tight red skirt and white blouse emphasized her curves and the swell of her chest, and her eyes seemed to blaze like rubies. Yet, I was somehow reminded of the daemons I had faced in the Talledus system. There was something unnatural about this whole thing.
Akumaki was a witch. Instinctively, I was sure of it. Fortunately, it appeared that my time spent with the zealous Black Templars had inured me against such witchcraft, and I forced myself to maintain my composure. She didn't notice, however, and continued.
"Legends speak of a time...of the Kami, Aiyoku. A god of passions, who would protect those who worship her. Those who would offer their bodies and enjoy the sensations of the flesh." She loosened the sleeve of her blouse, exposing more of her shoulder, as well as the sultry curve that led to her collarbone. Was she...winking at me? I stared at the cup she held out to me in disgust. "Come...partake of this. Then join me. I promise you a long night of passion, our bodies entwined in pleasure. If you would just..."
"No thanks."
Akumaki narrowed her eyes. "You are denying me?"
"Uh, well...yeah. Whatever game you're playing, it won't work."
"No man can resist me," she hissed, her voice dripping in disbelieving venom. She dropped the cup and took a step forward. The fiery heat that once filled her passionately was now filled with cold rage. Hoarfrost spread across the stone path, and the fountain glazed over with ice. Her eyes...they seemed hypnotic, but I remembered my time with the Knights of Saint Sigismund. My hand went into the Templar Cross that they had given me as recognition for fighting alongside their Sword Brethren and Champion during their Crusade in the Talledus System, and I felt resolve.
"Sorry, but redheads aren't my type. I prefer blonds."
Then I pulled out my plasma pistol and shot her. Her eyes widened before the superheated blast engulfed her. To my horror, she stopped the burning matter inches from her face, a shimmering barrier solidifying over her body.
"You will regret this!"
I didn't bother with a retort, instead rushing toward Kazan. Akumaki was still holding the plasma blast I had just fired at bay, gritting her teeth as she poured more energies from the empyrean into protecting herself. Not having a lot of time left, I scrambled up my Knight Errant's frame and back into my cockpit. Sliding into my Throne Mechanicum, I plugged in my neural sockets and yanked on my haptic gloves.
By now, Akumaki had dissipated the plasma, but her long red hair was standing on end, giving her a ghastly look not unlike that of a Hanya Mask actor in a drama play. The warp energies had wreathed her in a maelstrom, seeming to open a portal into Yomi, the underworld the Draconians believed existed beyond the material universe. I could see horrifying shapes manifesting, lithe figures with crab-like claws, writhing and dancing simultaneously with expressions of pleasure and agony.
"Do you know who I am?" She thundered. "I have crossed over the breadth of the Imperium and sown seeds across every world. My plans have been set into motion millennia ago. You will not stop me!"
"Um, I'm guessing your real name isn't Akumaki then." I activated the vox so that she could hear me.
"Real name?" Her lips curled into a sneer, and though none of her beauty had left her, a sinister shade had somehow crept into her features. The same insidious tone had soaked into her voice, which sounded as she was speaking from all directions at once. "I have no real name. I have no real identity. I am the Hand of Abaddon, and through my machinations, I shall fulfill the objectives of my Warmaster."
"Oh, really?" I nudged Kazan forward into the roaring tempest of empyric energies. "You may be the Hand of Abaddon, but I've got these Titanic Feet!"
"What...?" Akumaki's jaw dropped in disbelief before I stomped her into oblivion underneath Kazan's splayed mechanical talons. Abruptly, the warp energies halted, the hoarfrost shattering underneath the tremendous weight of my engine. The half-manifested shapes of nightmarish creatures halted in suspension, and then rapidly faded, their hideous yet beautiful faces screaming in frustration at a promise denied them.
I had Kazan stomp Akumaki's remains another time just to ensure she was gone, but I was dismayed to see that there was no traces of any corpse underneath his feet. There wasn't even any blood. It was almost as if she had never existed.
Knowing how the forces of the Archenemy operated, I probably only banished her back to whatever warp hell she spawned from. Meaning...she will be back.
Well, I will deal with her when that time comes again. For now, I decided to report back to Inquisitor Rostov and let him know that his hunch was right. Gently guiding Kazan back down the slope, I grinned as I heard the compliments from the ghosts who dwelled within my Throne Mechanicum, their approving whispers steeling my resolve once more.
At least I know that I was right in preferring blonds to redheads.
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