Chapter 14 Part 2

Chapter 14: Diplomacy is not a dead art

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Part 2

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Victory Bay

Kronus

It says a lot about my state of mind, that four hours it didn't properly register that I needed a second bionic arm. I did have some time to get to grips with the fact that I lost both arms and more in about a week or so since my first, and perhaps last, deployment began. A single-arm and the wings made showering awkward.

However, as it turned out, I hadn't gotten to grips with my status. I was in denial, and my new powers helped with that. I noticed this while eating lunch trying very hard to ignore the stares.

Who knew, everyone had more reasons to stare at me beside the bloody obvious wings. That simple fact dawned on me suddenly. It finally registered, after I stabbed some kind of unfamiliar green vegetable and raised it towards my mouth. I held the fork with my missing arm. Well, not exactly. There was a faint golden-tinted outline of an arm where I expected it to be.

"That's interesting," I concluded and kept eating.

"Did you notice it just now?" Charles exclaimed.

"I didn't know I was doing it." I stretched the ghostly arm, and I could almost feel my muscles flexing. "I need to get myself a new one before things get awkward." Like if Selene turns up while I'm not really holding anything of value.

"I'm sure your Mechanicus friends would oblige you, Inquisitor."

"Maybe." I shrugged.

After lunch, it was time for a proper medical examination, while General Alexander mustered more infantry. If I strained to hear, I could almost perceive distant chants coming from outside.

The troopers would have a lot of time to set up because I spent the next few hours being probed, prodded, examined, measured, and scanned. One of the Generals' Psykers turned up as well. It was Gordin, the man in charge of the colorful group of mind-fuckers.

The prematurely aged man stared at me with bright eyes and a smile that was the next best thing to disturbing. It wasn't quite there yet, but not for lack of trying.

"The Emperor's light is beautiful." The smile became less strained and almost peaceful. Gordin kept staring at me with a far-off gaze. "I've never felt the Immaterium so peaceful outside divinely blessed sites!"

The older Psyker shook himself and skipped, suddenly bursting with energy.

"The Inquisitor is free of taint. The Emperor's light would have burned off any that might have tried to take hold." With those relieving words, Gordin turned his attention upon Weber, who squirmed under the intense gaze. "The Commissar is still clean as well." He eventually declared.

Gordin suddenly blanched. I could feel the distant connection between me and the burning torch that had to be the Astronomicon, and the Emperor, dim and choke until there was merely an echo left. My glowing wings darkened, and the golden radiance quickly dissipated.

A few cries of surprise and distress came from outside the examination room before the door opened, and a small guided missile unerringly headed for me. Selene clamped into my side and began sniffing.

"I'll have an explanation," I asked, trying to be reasonable. If someone decided to fuck with my kid again, there would be hell to pay!

"The bloody brat has been impossible!" Someone proclaimed from the dubious safety of the corridor.

At the same time, Gordin choked on air and did his best to push his back through the farthest wall.

"Charles, see that this imbecile is as far away from my security detail as possible. His unit too if they share the sentiment." I ordered while rubbing Selene's head in a hopefully soothing manner. "Someone bring Gordin a drink. He needs it. If that's all, Medicae?" I turned my attention to the people who gleefully tortured me under the guise of medical examination.

"You're free to go, sir!" The man stammered out. "We'll get the paperwork to your security ASAP!" He shooed me towards the door, and I wondered if I could use Selene to fend off more Emperor Botherers…

"That's good to hear!" Weber perked up. His smile was all Commissar on a mission. "Corporal, leave someone to pick up our paperwork." He ordered Santos. "We're leaving. And Sergeant Bright, do report to my office tonight. We'll be having words."

"Damn you, Jack!" Someone exclaimed outside.

We headed for the exit, with Selene clinging to my side like a limpet. Her Necron bodyguards fell in line behind us, and for once, Santos and company didn't bat an eye.

"We noted your need of a spare arm, Inquisitor Veil. Our Lord inquires if gifting you one would be appropriate." One of the Necrons asked.

"That's a new one," Charles said with a straight face.

"I can't possibly refuse such a gift." I tried being diplomatic. If I wasted such an opportunity, the Mechanicus would never forgive me. That said, I wasn't going to stick such a Trojan horse in my shoulder.

"Our Lord will be happy to provide." The other Necron stated.

Now, how do I meet an Inquisitor with those two around? Alliance or not, trying to pull off something like that might get me shot then and there. Perhaps it would be for the best if they were scarce, and Selene was safely out of sight as well… On that note, I might try to get Charles out of the firing line as well.

However, first, we had to survive the mob. It turned out that the hospital had good sound insulation because all we could hear from outside was a humm. If I didn't know better I would have thought it was from the engines of multiple vehicles.

While we approached the entrance, more and more fully kitted out Guardsmen fell in step around us. There were a few familiar faces around and soon Leftenant Pickos walked beside me. She looked particularly harried today.

"Inquisitor, I feel compelled to apologize about our failure to keep the Orks away from you. I…"

I shushed her with a gesture.

"You did what you could with what you had, Leftenant. I'm confident you'll do better next time. What's happening outside?"

"The streets are packed with people wanting to see you, sir. The building is protected by two Infantry Regiments. A third, Motorized Infantry one barely made its way here to receive you. Getting away by ground would be problematic. However, the General fears the citizenry's reaction if they don't see you soon."

"I see." I wasn't sure if Alexander acted with foresight or was simply throwing me to the wolves.

The doors opened as we approached, and a wall of sound hit us straight on.

"Commissar, I'm not taking Selene into that. Stay behind with her and get her to a safer and quieter location." That might do it, right? I gently pried her hands from my side and looked at the kid. I hadn't imagined it. Her large eyes did contain specks of gold now. "Selene, you have to go with Charles. It's not safe outside. I'm sure he'll get you a cup of cocoa or two if you want. I'll see you soon." I ruffed her head and handed her to Charles, who bore the burden stoically.

"I'll keep her safe, Inquisitor!"

I simply nodded in acknowledgment and walked outside, surrounded by a ring of security. The farther back Selene remained, the firmer my connection with the Emperor became. Now, the prayers of tens of thousands bolstered it. While it was a drop in the bucket, it was still noticeable.

I put forth my best smile, thus dubbed Number 1, and waved at the crowd. My wings stretched to their full span, somehow failing to slam into anyone's face in the process. I could feel the Emperor's pure power, the condensed prayers of Humanity, radiating from my wings until the soft glow covered me whole.

The crowd went wild and strained against the Guardsmen trying to keep them out of the hospital grounds.

I rose my right-hand high and drew on my newfound power. I wasn't sure how exactly to use it. Fortunately, some things came naturally.

"Citizens of the Imperium! My fellow humans!" I spoke aloud, and my voice thundered above the mob, silencing it. "Your devotion to the Emperor is heartening! You should be proud of your faith and never falter in your belief! You have many reasons to rejoice!" I kept speaking, and they hung up on my every word.

Having this amount of influence was sobering. A single mistake could prove disastrous. As I spoke, I could feel their faith strengthening, becoming more focused, more tangible.

"A week ago, countless green brutes descended upon us all! They knew nothing but barbarity and destruction! If not vanquished by the valiant members of the Emperor's Imperial Guard, his Sons, the Blood Ravens, and the ever-vigilant Imperial Navy, those beasts would have brought ruin to this fine city! They would have slaughtered everyone here for fun!" I had them now. "The Emperor protects! He guided us to victory against the Orks, against the treacherous Eldar from Biel-Tan, against the insidious Tau! Under his light, we defeated traitors and heretics, who would have brought us a fate worse than death! Now, we need to rebuild! We need to prepare for future threats! And we must be ready to aid our fellow Imperial citizens in need across the galaxy! Go forth and celebrate tonight! Pray to the Emperor, thanking him for our salvation! Pray for the good men and women who fell to protect you! Then go forth, go to your jobs and do your best to make Kronus prosper!"

The following cheers shook Victory Bay to its foundations. We barely made it to the local Starport to meet the Lady Inquisitor.