Chapter 14 Part 7

Chapter 14: Diplomacy is not a dead art

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Part 7

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Strike Cruiser Armageddon

in orbit above Victory Bay

Kronus

They don't make them like they used to, Trazyn concluded. The humble collector stalked through the large corridors of the human cruiser. He was disguised like one of their Space Marines wearing Terminator Armor. It was almost too easy to deceive the Blood Raven's computers. He convinced the poor dumb machines that he had returned from the surface due to combat damage in need of fixing, now that the prospect of immediate combat was low.

It was really tempting to scour the surface for pieces of art worthy of Solemnace! However, the sudden and unexpected arrival of Amarkun changed things. That particular Nemesor wasn't one of the most stable people Trazyn knew. Why, he still wanted to inflict grievous bodily harm, repeatedly at that, to this patron of the fine arts! All over rescuing a few trinkets here and there from Pharaohs and Nemesors who didn't appreciate them! It wasn't fair, a sad state of affairs Trazyn had to get used to.

He walked calmly through the ship, recording everything, and carefully scanning for hidden gems. Why once he stumbled on an ancient Aeldari crown while hiding in an abandoned storage closet! The things those humans can misplace and forget! Too many of them had no proper appreciation of the arts. They weren't like his old friend Revelation!

Now that was a fellow with the right ideas! Or he was, before getting stuck as a glorified light-bulb. One of these days Trazyn probably would have to go to visit and offer a hand, or at least a place in Solemnace. Sitting on that beacon all day long, for ten thousand years had to be uncomfortable, not to mention boring!

Trazyn could sympathize. He has been awake for a very long time, and boredom was the constant enemy. Others came and went, finding something interesting to do between expeditions was usually a chore.

The Necron Curator waved cheerfully at a squad of passing Space Marines. In a few centuries, if they didn't get themselves killed, a few of them might be worth his attention. Perhaps even sooner. The tricky part about history was that in the heat of a moment it was hard to figure out what might have real significance. All too often, events that appeared momentous, turned out to be mere footnotes no one cared about. Well, Trazyn did have a gallery for such things as well! History should not be forgotten, and you should appreciate even the little things!

Trazyn reached the reliquary in the depths of the ship and nodded at the pair of guards standing at parade rest in front of the adamantium door. A few very useful artifacts he crafted came in useful, spoofing all sensors and direct examination by the enhanced humans. The door soon chugged open, a slow and ponderous affair. It was another sign of the times! Back in the day, such vaults would open much faster once you cracked the protections!

"Brother, what can you tell us about the Xenos? Will this foolish alliance last much longer?" One of the Blood Ravens asked.

"They're dangerous and there are many of them down there." Trazyn began. "We don't have the numbers to prevail conventionally." In his concerned opinion, the mask he wore did a great job of mimicking human outrage and disgust.

"Damn those aliens. Did you at least find the Relics? The Chapter Master will be disappointed if we return empty-handed."

Trazyn perked up at that. While what the Blood Raven considered relics might turn out to be useless baubles fit only to entertain children or dimwits, there might be something of interest buried on Kronus. Beyond the research facility, he wanted to tour that is.

"Sadly no. I'm hoping that we'll get another opportunity to retrieve them."

"So do we."

The door finally opened and Trazyn hurried inside. What do we have here, he wondered? There were bits and pieces from all over the galaxy. The Infinite Collector skipped happily and began to examine everything with his expert's eyes.

As happy as he was, he was thinking ahead as well. It was often a tough choice between retrieving something now, or waiting for the piece of art, or history, to gain more notoriety and thus become more valuable, before making it part of the appropriate collection. In that regard, living things were particular offenders. They tended to get either lost or killed at most inopportune times and places with distressing regularity. As of late, humans tended to be the worst offenders in that regard.

Like that "Saint" holding a bit of Revelation's power. The boy was going through spare parts faster than an unlucky warrior during the height of the War in Heaven, and until recently was mortal too. That wasn't a good combination.

On the other hand, the boy was a key to making a historical alliance between the Necrons and Imperial humans. That alone earned him a place of honor in Solemnace. Trazyn being the benevolent being he was, would naturally pick up a few of the human's playmates for better authenticity and to keep him entertained. Let it be never said that he wasn't a good host!

The only question was if he should pick him now, and make a run for it, or wait for more history to happen? And for Amarkun to be far away. That was important too. It wouldn't do for that bore to figure out Trazyn was out and about.

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General Alexander's HQ

Victory Bay

Kronus

This was the moment of truth. It took a lot of effort, a few more speeches, and a veiled threat towards Scipio to at least keep a veneer of respectability before we could leave. What should have been a short trip turned to the next best thing to a triumph. I had to climb on the roof of a Chimera, wave my hands at the citizenry, keep my Number 1 smile painfully fixed on my face and display my wings for all to see. Everyone's faith swelled up, and that, unfortunately, meant even more Emperor Botheres to deal with. And the Ecclesiarchy hasn't arrived yet!

None of that bode well, and I was ready for the other shoe to drop when I found myself alone with Inquisitor Vail, her scholar Mott and a pair of her regular minions.

"Can we talk freely now?" Vail demanded.

"As long as you're aware that the Necrons are probably listening in real-time despite the best effort of the Cogboys." I pointed out the obvious.

Vail didn't look happy at that. She didn't feel happy either. I scarcely need to try, and I could almost without issue get an impression of the emotions of everyone affected by my golden radiance. It was a nice perk that.

Inquisitor Vail was conflicted. That was understandable, so was I. I lived through this insanity, and when seeing recordings of what I did on occasions, I had no idea what I had been thinking.

I focus on the clean power flowing through me. While it was little more than a trickle, it might be just enough for this.

"Inquisitor, if you want a private conversation, this is the way. Thanks to the Emperor's blessing I can keep the denizens of the Warp away from us. If not, say so, and I'll pull back." I carefully projected. I wasn't sure it would work properly, especially considering how lightly I was treading.

Vail recoiled at the touch of my mind and reflexively grabbed a weapon. Her minions followed suit and aimed Lasguns at my face.

The Inquisitor rubbed her face and glowered at me something fierce.

"Are you insane, incompetent, or just stupid?!" Vail hissed. Any semblance of control she had shattering.

I knew the feeling. Accepting that I was a dead man walking helped me to get to grips with it. Fatalism for the win!

"Elaborate. On certain occasions, I can attest to the former. It might be the height of arrogance, but I do consider myself at least somewhat competent. And the latter was just mean."

I was honestly expecting that Vail would shoot me then and there. Alas, it was not to be.

"You know what? I don't care!" She raised her hands in frustration. "I'll be selfish and leave the poor bastards of the Malleus and Hereticus to deal with you. The Necrons. Tell me about them. The local ones, general history can wait. What are we dealing with, why did they consider allying with us? Can this insane alliance last, or are we about to be murdered by your metal friends? Then tell me what in the Emperor's name happened with Skulltaker, how are you still alive, and does their anti-Warp tech really work as advertised?!"

"Where do I start?"

I got a new appreciation of how proper Inquisitors must work. To leave the target to do the heaviest lifting, then claim credit and shuffle the problem on another branch if you decide that shooting it might be too much trouble. That was a devious plot.