Chapter 8 Part 2
Chapter 8: The calm before the storm
=ATBS=
Part 2
=ATBS=
Victory Bay
Kronus
We ended up in a secluded spot at the edge of the park where General Alexander had his HQ deployed, and Anteas looked me square in the eyes after making sure that there was no one around to listen.
"Inquisitor, I can't say that I'm particularly happy with the deals you had to make so we could win today's battle on the cheap. The Emperor knows, if we suffered more casualties today, we would hardly be in place to deal with the heretics. However, the way you spoke with that Xeno back in the HQ, what you said…"
"Nothing more than common knowledge?" Where was he going on with this?
"Well, not exactly. I'm sure that most Tech-Priests know the technological state of the Imperium in general, Astartes, especially those of us who take pride in recovering and preserving knowledge, like the members of the Blood Ravens know it as well. I'm sure that there are nice, safe civilized worlds where most people are educated on a more or less true general history of the Imperium in particular and what we do know about Humanity's ancient past. Yet, it is not common knowledge of how much we've fallen since the Dark Age of Technology, neither about the slow slide back from the peak during the Emperor's blessed Great Crusade."
I squinted at Anteas, trying to process what he was telling me. That was bloody common knowledge as far as anyone paying attention, surely?
"I can see you aren't getting it for some reason… You don't act like a noble, you aren't speaking as one, so that can't be it." The Librarian shook his head in exasperation.
"I'm trying to process the idea." I stated flatly, disbelief plain to hear in my voice."
"If it makes you feel better, you can blame either the Administratum or the Inquisition." He shrugged. "I'll speak bluntly, using small words, Inquisitor."
"Yes, you better do that."
"At least half of the officers present in the HQ during the meeting, much less any of the rank and file who might hear rumors about what you said, to a Xeno no less, well, they will be shocked by the very idea that we not only lack some of the best technology in the galaxy, but that the Imperium isn't advancing, neither is it stagnating, but generally technologically regressing or at least part of it are. You really shouldn't have said that to the Xeno in public, Inquisitor, it's bad for morale. It makes people think thoughts neither of us they rather think."
The first thought I had once my mind processed Anteas' explanation was to wonder in what kind of madhouse of a feral world I ended up in and where did most of the Regiments here come from. Yet, I only had to give one look to the city around us, and even if it was on the tiny side for the Imperium, Kronus was a more or less proper civilized world.
"I can honestly say that this particular point never crossed my mind." I shook my head in sick fascination. "I'll try to take it into consideration in the future before accidentally hurting the troops' morale." I paused and grimaced. So much for upholding a proper image for the lie that I was a real Inquisitor. "Any other recommendations?"
"Not charging Orks without proper power armor, unless the situation is that desperate?" Anteas tried to lighten the mood.
"Duly noted."
"In the same vein, you might want to ask around and see if our Mechanicus contingent has recovered any protective relics that might help keep you from losing any more pieces. Like a conversion or scatter field generator. Even if they're a family Relic, you should be able to requisition any such piece until the end of the campaign."
That's another thing that hadn't crossed my mind. Vaguely knowing how expensive one of those things were at the best of times, the very idea that I could get my hands on one anytime soon was ludicrous. Then again, I was supposed to be an Inquisitor now, probably the worst equipped and prepared for the job Inquisitor in the galaxy…
"That's another thing I'll keep in mind. Thank you for the suggestions, Anteas. I take it that Captain Thule and General Alexander aren't too pleased with my conduct during the meeting?" And why didn't they say something about it after it instead of sending the Librarian?
"Not particularly, no, however, given the circumstances, it's not their place to undermine your authority in any way, shape, or form." He grimaced. "Especially when it comes time to justify why they listened to you and stopped their forces from shooting at each other. Me on the other hand? I'm currently part of your retinue and merely offering to advise, which should be a part of my job, surely?" He flashed me a toothy smile.
"Politics." I nodded in understanding. That was currently cause number two on the list of most likely things to get me killed. Number one was enemy action, with number three being a fellow Inquisitor getting me interrogated and shot as a heretic and only because there were currently no reinforcements in sight.
"Speaking about being part of my retinue, any idea of appropriate members to poach from General Alexander's command?"
"Now we're talking! We might keep you alive still!" Anteas happily sounded his approval. "First, we'll be facing heretics, which means that troops with a bit of experience in the matter won't go amiss. I'll recommend checking if those who were with us during the search for Inquisitor Requista are still alive and in any condition to fight. Second, a Mechanicus support would be prudent, though we must be careful about them, I'm sure your actions and the possibility of useful Xeno technology is going to divide their ranks."
"I like these ideas. Lieutenant Pickos' Platoon, the Stormtroopers who acted as my bodyguards…"
Perhaps that medic who put me back together after my encounter with the Orks and Kroot and wasn't there some crazy Mechanicus Biologist acting like a cyborg-buzz-saw or did I imagine that due to the stress of combat and the drugs?