"I think she's on to us," said Attelus as he paced across the sand, hands clasped behind his back. "I think she has an idea at least."

  Faleaseen's large, almond-shaped eyes narrowed as she towered over him. The Farseer like most of her race was very tall, inhumanly thin and long-limbed. Her features deceptively soft, beautiful, benign, but her gaze was filled with melancholic wisdom, wisdom earned through great toil and burden. Showing her surely ancient age. A long time ago, Attelus had noticed there were what seemed to be shimmering green crystals, crawling up the nape of her. He hadn't managed to gain the courage to ask why.

  For this dream meeting, the Eldar had conjured up a beach Attelus had lived near to in his youth in northern Velrosia. Salteera bay was replicated in almost insane detail, the beautiful, rocky tree-covered coastline, the clear blue water, the island that jutted out in the small harbour. All of it was exactly how he remembered it. Salteera bay was just one of the countless beaches which littered the coast of the huge Vandeeran river. A river which cut through the continent until it met with the Lake of Varander. A river which at points could be as wide as five kilometres and the source of thousands of runoff rivers that provided the continent with much needed, life-giving water.

  Velrosia was set almost right in the continent's epicentre but may well have been an island nation, riddled with numerous lakes and set where the Vandeeran river was at its widest. Seafood was a huge export for the country along with timbre and livestock.

  "I am sure she does have an idea, Attelus Kaltos," said Faleassen, her attention wandered with the pacing Attelus as she stood deathly still in her esoteric, form-fitting armour.

  "We've completed missions far faster than initially thought," said Attelus. "Reaching the planets faster than warp travel would normally allow."

  "Yes," said Faleaseen patiently. "You have only done so on four separate occasions, but I can see why that would arouse suspicion from the Inquisitor."

  "She gave me this mission because she knew this," said Attelus. "She also knows that we can bypass the warp storm."

  "Many of her kind would have you executed even for the suspicion," said Faleaseen.

  Attelus sniggered and paused in his pacing. "Well, that won't stop me for long, would it? Do you think she knows of the webway's existence?"

  Faleaseen shook her head with what seemed almost wry amusement. "I doubt that, not many Mon..."

  She trailed off in her sentence as she noticed Attelus' glare. "Humans know of the webway."

  "I wouldn't underestimate Inquisitor Enandra," said Attelus. "If anyone knows, it's her, and she isn't even Ordo Xenos."

  "So," said Faleaseen, scratching her sharp, slender chin with a thumb, an oddly human gesture. "We are at an impasse if you do use the webway it will impose more suspicion upon you. If you do not, you will miss out on another lead to stop Etuarq, assuming this is not yet another trap."

  "It has to be another trap," said Attelus.

  "I do not know," said Faleaseen. "I do not understand why Etuarq would lay such a trap. He has a plan for you that much is certain."

  "He knows I'm perpetual, that I'll come back from whatever he throws at me, perhaps he wants to kill my allies? My friends?" said Attelus while continuing with his pacing. "Perhaps they are interfering with whatever fate he has in store for me?"

  Faleaseen nodded. "That does seem a logical assumption."

  "Perhaps," said Attelus, but trailed off.

  "Perhaps what?" said Faleaseen, although Attelus' suspected she already knew.

  "Perhaps I could come clean, tell Jelcine of our alliance?"

  Faleaseen pouted her full, ruby red lips and looked to the sky in thought.

  "Or you know, you could, you know, zap it from her mind like you did back on the Audacious Edge three years ago," said Attelus.

  Faleaseen sighed. "Neither course of action is wise, Attelus Kaltos. I have already performed mind manipulation once on her from this long-range; I would not risk it again, too imprecise. I may cause her irreparable damage, especially because of her strong mind block. Confessing could lead to your termination, and while I will bring you back, you will be separated by the allies and power of being in her employment. I would rather you complete this important mission then confess when confronted. Either way, it would set us back considerably, but one more than the other."

  Attelus sighed. "So what will we do, then?"

  "You will take the webway to this Sarkeath and investigate," said Faleaseen. "You must know once you have entered that system, I will not be able to assist you. I have already attempted to see the planet, but the warp storm is too powerful for me to pass through."

  "Of course it is," Attelus sighed, stopping and stamping his foot into the sand like a petulant child. "Does Scintilla have access into the Webway?"

  "Yes, it does," said Faleaseen. "But would that not arouse more suspicion? You, leaving for Scintilla and just disappearing from there? I have an idea; there is a small planet to galactic east which you can use and naturally you will require a guide once you enter."

  Attelus fought back a frown and nodded, the last few times they'd been forced to ride in Eldar spacecraft through the webway, piloted by Eldar Rangers, or outcasts. Each time it'd been awkward, to say the least, all of their Eldar hosts were aloof, contemptuous toward them. Attelus and Adelana were forced to live off dry rations for the weeks of transit because the Eldar wouldn't share their food. But what had to be done, had to be done.

  "Alright!" Attelus sighed, rapidly scratching the back of his skull. "Alright, Just give me the name and coordinates."

  Faleaseens smiled a rare smile and tilted her head, her insanely long red hair tied into a top knot flowing gracefully with the movement.

  "This time it will be different," she said. "I am sending someone special to meet you, someone who has wished to meet you for quite a while now."

  Attelus pouted and tilted his head. Well, that didn't sound ominous at all.

  Not ominous at all.

  Faleaseen, still smiling, said, "the planet is what you humans call, Iocanthos."

  It would be a weeks warp travel to Iocanthos, and they'd decided on a day of prep before leaving Darrance didn't seem too impressed (along with everyone else, he was just the most vocal about it) That they might have to transfer to the Gothic sector permanently.

  Adelana didn't mind, though. There was pretty much nothing here left for her in the Calixis Sector, and the mission sounded important. Also, she knew of the 'shortcut' Attelus had access to that the others didn't. She wasn't sure what the others would make of this revelation, she knew the Imperium's attitude toward Xenos and humans who work with them.

  Incredible importance.

  Adelana sat in the large brightly lit, white-walled mess hall, poking absently at her food with a fork. She was so lost in her thoughts; she almost missed her friend's approach.

  "Adelana?" said a familiar, friendly voice and Adelana turned to her friend, well, there was one thing.

  Seleen Gorret was another survivor of the Omnartus but not a native, in fact, she was from the very same world as Attelus Kaltos, Elbyra.

  'Unattractive' would be a word to describe her if one was polite, very polite. But Seleen was one of the kindest, sweetest people Adelana had ever met. She'd helped her more than anyone else during the dark days. They'd once worked together in the mail delivery room in Taryst's tower and had for two years before the incident. During that time they'd become friends as well as colleagues. After Adelana had lost her parents, she'd been like a surrogate mother to her.

  Seleen was once quite fat but had lost a lot of weight over the past three years, and due to some rejuvenant treatment looked younger. But even at her peak Adelana doubted men would look at her often.

  "You wanted to talk?" said Seleen as she sat at the table across from Adelana, placing her food in front of her.

  Adelana nodded. "How's things going at the library?"

  Seleen smiled and shuffled in her seat, "same old boring same. My job isn't quite so exciting and interesting as yours. The place is stuffy, cramped and my colleagues old, boring once-administratum clerks and all male. I really miss you when you leave with him on your many...excursions."

  Seleen emphasised 'him' and 'excursions' pointedly, causing Adelana to frown she knew where this conversation was going to go, so she quickly, deftly changed the subject.

  "Speaking of my 'excursions' I have bad news..."

  "You're on yet another, right?" said Seleen as she stuffed a fork full of food into her mouth. "How long will you be away for this time?"

  Adelana pursed her lips and swallowed, glancing at the ceiling. "I don't know," she croaked. "It could be months; it could be..."

  "Years?" said Seleen after Adelana trailed off, her eyes wide.

  Adelana bit her lip or centuries.

  "Oh honey," said Seleen looking at Adelana with tears in her eyes. "I'm guessing you can't tell me where you're going?"

  "Nope," said Adelana with a shake of her head, causing her ponytail to weave with the movement. "I'm sorry."

  It was Seleen's turn to shake her head, "no need to apologise, honey. It's all part of the job, isn't it? You're in the service of...No, the highest service to the Emperor if I were younger."

  She paused and smiled. "And even a little bit physically capable, I'd be there with you, fighting mankind's enemies. I must say I do envy you at times, Adelana."

  Adelana bit her lip as she fought to contain the anger suddenly flaring through her.

  "You know one other reason why I envy you," said on Seleen.

  "Don't start this again," said Adelana, shaking her head.

  Seleen shrugged. "He obviously likes you, and you like him, so I don't understand..."

  "We're colleagues, Seleen," Adelana sighed. "Besides he's my master..."

  "But he respects you enough to insist you never call him that, and he never calls you apprentice," Seleen interrupted. "Most men would kill to have a woman call them master constantly."

  "Maybe it's because he isn't that much older than me," said Adelana with a shrug. "Besides, if we become more, it might get in the way of our work and..."

  "Oh, don't give me that!" snapped Seleen, but with good humour and a dismissive wave. "It won't make a lick of difference; you two have feelings for each other whether or not you get together. It's going to get in the way, anyway. In fact, I think it'll help and not to mention bring you and him much needed happiness."

  "But the other girls..."

  "Who cares what the other girls will do," said Seleen. "Besides, you and he are leaving for years, aren't you?"

  "Yeah, but..."

  "Yeah, but what?" said Seleen.

  "He scares me, Seleen," said Adelana, this was the first time she'd told anyone this, and it felt like she was getting a weight off her chest. "He really freaks me out; he's got a dark side. I've fought with him for years, and when he fights, I see his dark side. He enjoys it; he enjoys it way too much. He has issues, Seleen and I fear with one push..."

  Seleen nodded but didn't say anything.

  "I think I want to," Adelana paused and shook her head. "I think I need to ask for a transfer and..."

  "And if you start up a relationship with him, you fear it will be too hard," Seleen finished.

  "And also, Karmen..."

  Seleen nodded yet again. "I understand, what are you going to do?"

  "After this mission, I'll talk to with him," said Adelana.

  "That might be the 'push' you had mentioned," warned Seleen.

  "I have to," said Adelana.

  Seleen sighed and leaned back in her chair. "It has been three years. Weirdly, he hasn't made a move yet."

  "And thank the Emperor he hasn't," said Adelana. "It'd be, awkward. I think he has issues with women; he's very quiet shy about that sort of thing. Maybe he knows deep down that he'll be rejected."

  "I still think you should reconsider," said Seleen, but Adelana silenced her with an outreached hand.

  "Seleen, can we please talk about something else?" she said. "I might never see you ever again. I've only got one day before we're scheduled to leave."

  "Don't say that," said Seleen. "Just have faith in the God-Emperor, and he will see you through."

  Adelana bit her lip. "Yes, of course."

  Seleen smiled. "Alright, let's talk about something else. We could talk about yet another of your many suitors. How about Jharn Omis, the crewman he's quite handsome..."

  Adelana's furrowed brow and pursed lips caused Seleen to trail off in her sentence. Then a huge grin split the older woman's face.

  "I'm joking! Joking! God-Emperor, if looks could kill not even the Emperor himself could have saved me then!"

  Adelana couldn't help but laugh, laugh the hardest and longest she'd laughed in a long time.

  "How's the sword training going?" asked Seleen. "How's Helma? You two getting on?"

  The door swished open, causing Arlathan Karkin to look up from the reports sent from their acolyte cells on Solomon.

  It was one of the Stormtroopers standing guard at his door, Arlathan had forgotten his name. They all looked the same to him.

  "Interrogator," he said. "Karmen Kons wishes to speak with you."

  Arlathan groaned and rubbed his forehead.

  "Send her in," he sighed with a weary wave. What, in the Emperor's name does she want?

  With her usual confident swagger, Karmen walked in.

  "I gather you and Attelus have gathered your squad and briefed them," said Arlathan.

  "We have," said Karmen and there was something in her tone he instantly didn't like.

  He sighed again and gave her his full attention. "Is there something wrong?"

  "Frig, yes," she growled. "I would like to know the real reason why you've sent us on this fool's errand."

  Arlathan raised a scarred brow. "It doesn't seem a fool's errand to me."

  "You know it is!" Karmen snapped. "Now tell me why before I tear through that mindlock of yours and find out myself!"

  Arlathan frowned and steepled his fingers, elbows placed on his desk. "I don't know, Karmen. If there's any other reason for it, only mamzel Enandra knows and hasn't shared it with me. By the Emperor, I swear Attelus was meant to be the paranoid one. Shouldn't he be here and not you?"

  Karmen grimaced and straightened slightly, seeing that Arlathan was telling the truth. Then her eyes narrowed.

  "Tell me what you think maybe other reasons why we may have been sent on this, fool's errand."

  Arlathan sighed yet again. "Karmen, this is far from being a 'fool's errand' I understand you're angry. I would be too if in your uhh boots too. We've got to chase any and all clues of Etuarq, and you, Attelus and the others are the most qualified..."

  He trailed off as he saw she still looked down at him, narrowed eyed, arms folded.

  "Alright," he said. "Do you really want to know?"

  "Would I ask if I didn't?"

  Arlathan smiled and shrugged. "It's a test. A test for Attelus, mostly. We've noticed how he and Adelana over the past three years have used a 'shortcut.' Despite some subtle looks into their minds by Helva what that shortcut is, is still a mystery. I think Enandra believes he will use that shortcut, that, once you return we might be able to find how they're managing it. Also, because of that shortcut, I think Enandra believes Attelus will find a way not just to get there faster than anyone else but also to bypass the warpstorm. Somehow."

  Arlathan studied Karmen carefully as he expressed this, but saw not even the slightest change in her expression or anything. If anyone else knew the truth of the matter, it was her.

  "Why do you figure that?" she asked.

  "Figure what, exactly?" said Arlathan.

  "That he will be able to bypass the warpstorm?" said Karmen.

  Arlathan shrugged. "That I don't know. Everything, I've just told you is conjecture, pure and simple."

  Karmen didn't say anything, and Arlathan smiled.

  "But I'm sure you've already come to such conjecture yourself," he said, swivelling in his chair. "As Attelus has too, I'm sure."

  Karmen frowned, and her attention fell to the floor. "What might happen to him if he's found..."

  "To be keeping secrets?" finished Arlathan. "Depends on the secrets, Estella."

  "Don't call me that," she breathed.

  Arlathan smiled. "He still thinks I found out your real identity by researching into your past, doesn't he?"

  "Arlathan! Shut it!" she hissed. "It was one time, okay? I was upset and...Besides, according to the gossip engine, you and the Inquisitor have something going on. I wouldn't want to see her get jealous and y'know, kill you."

  Arlathan couldn't help but grimace behind his beard, he would very much like that but that bastard, Kollath was constantly in the way.

  "Or not," said Karmen as she approached the large leather couch and planted herself on it. "I'm surprised you and Kollath haven't killed each other yet."

  "Why does it have to be so complicated?" sighed Arlathan.

  "It's as they say," said Karmen. "Don't mix work and love together; keep them as separate as Heretics and loyalists."

  "Well, if we had any kind of life out of work that would be possible," said Arlathan.

  "She likes beards, doesn't she?"

  Arlathan absently stroked his beard. "I was growing it before...before..."

  Karmen laughed though it held no humour and laid on the couch. "Here we are, the both of us. Rejects, homeless, hopeless and have no life besides our jobs."

  "Hey," said Arlathan. "At least we aren't indirectly responsible for the death of an entire world and billions of lives with it."

  Karmen sighed. "Yeah, at least we're not that."

  For a good half a minute, they were silent.

  "Do you think she'll kill him?" Karmen asked, breaking the silence.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "I most certainly hope not," said Arlathan. "I'll try to talk on his behalf, Karmen. That I swear."

  "What makes you think I care?" Karmen growled, but it lacked any real ire.

  "You do," said Arlathan with a smile. "I don't need to be a mind reader to know that."

  Again, they were silent and again it was Karmen who broke the silence.

  "As much as I hate to admit it, I'll miss you," she said.

  "Purely in a platonic way?" asked Arlathan with a smile.

  "Yes," said Karmen, without hesitation, but it brought Arlathan no pain. He understood what their relationship was going to be a long time ago. They were friends, friends who were attracted to one another and had once eloped but that was that, nothing more. Both of them had stronger feelings for someone else, who then, in turn, had stronger feelings for someone else.

  "I'll miss you because you can put things in perspective," said Karmen. "And, well, it's not complicated, y'know?"

  "Yeah, I know," said Arlathan. "I'll miss you as well, Estella Erith."

  She raised her head and met his gaze, smiling. "And despite everything, you aren't as burdened by cynicism and pragmatism like so many others here."

  "You really think that?" said Arlathan, finding it very hard to believe.

  Karmen climbed off the couch and stretched a nice sight while she wore that black bodyglove.

  "I do," said Karmen as she made for the door. "See you when I see you."

  "There could be another reason why Inquisitor Enandra has sent you and Attelus to the Gothic sector," said Arlathan, causing Karmen to stop and turn to him, their eyes locking.

  "She actually believes you are good enough to be able to start an entirely new network there and good enough to perform such a feat well," said Arlathan. "It is a huge, huge endeavour. It shows more respect and honour to you and him. I think Enandra admires you, all of you. No, I know she does, even if one or two of you are keeping secrets. Perhaps that might be one of the reasons. That they were able to keep it hidden for so long, that takes skill. Who knows?"

  Karmen smiled. "You're almost there, Arlathan," she said, then turned and started again. "Almost."

  With Arlathan and Kollath at her flanks. Inquisitor Jelcine Enandra stood in the large, bustling hangar bay. Waiting at the base of the boarding ramp of Attelus and company's assigned Guncutter. It was a Salvani class VIII Guncutter, the very same Salvani class VIII Guncutter they'd escaped Omnartus three years ago. It'd proven a reliable and capable void-class ship over the years.

  Arlathan, on her left, eyed the inquisitor side-long, she wore her master worked, black lined with gold power armour and she just seemed to radiate authority and charisma with such strength it was almost palpable. Her piercing blue eyes fixed forwards, her attractive features, unreadable.

  Jelcine's healthy, chocolate brown skin shown in the bright light and her very long, thin white hair was tied up in a top knot and a pointed, wide-brimmed hat customary for the Ordo Hereticus, tucked into her armpit.

  To say the symbolism was obvious would've been the biggest understatement of the millennia, as Attelus would say.

  Kollath stood on her right; his helmet was held under his arm, revealing his ridiculous to the point of being cartoonish, masculine, handsome features, the tip of his ceremonial power sword on the floor.

  Arlathan grimaced slightly and turned to young Vex Carpompter.

  The slightly built young hacker stood straight as an arrow, trying his hardest to look tough and failing miserably.

  "Relax, kid," said Arlathan, and he couldn't help but smile, "you look like someone's stuck a Lascannon up your proverbial rectum."

  After Jeurat Garrakson had died on Omnartus, Arlathan had taken up teaching Vex how to fight; in the sporadic times, they could both get the time. Arlathan over the past three years had grown to think of Vex as a little brother of sorts. He reminded Arlathan of himself when he was young, arrogant, talented and about as coordinated as a drunken Grox.

  Arlathan though had worked through that and became the top hand to hand combatant in his Magistratum precinct. It'd taken him a few years of constant training, but he got there, Vex still had a while yet, even after so long.

  Or maybe Arlathan was just a terrible teacher? He quickly dismissed the thought, as a low life Marshall he'd taught his fair share of recruits and they'd all done pretty well.

  Vex visibly relaxed. "S-sorry," the kid stammered.

  Arlathan smiled and shook his head.

  "What are you doing here, anyway?" asked Kollath gruffly. "Shouldn't you be at your little Cogitator typing away, with your skinny, girly little fingers? That's where you belong, isn't it?"

  Arlathan glared at the Stormtrooper sergeant. "Shut it, Kollath," he growled.

  "Or you'll what, pube face?" said Kollath. "Shoot me? My arse has a better beard than you by the way."

  "I outrank you, remember, sergeant," said Arlathan. "So shut up."

  "Well, I outrank the both of you," said Enandra, her voice was soft but cut over the din like a powered blade cutting through paper. "So both of you shut up. Oh, and Kollath. Vex has every right to be here, he might not be seeing his friends for a long time, so of course, he'll see them off."

  Kollath grimaced and muttered, "he even has friends? News to me."

  This elicited another glare from Arlathan, and he wondered for the thousandth time what Inquisitor saw in him.

  Jelcine placed the wide-brimmed hat on her head and asked, "Arlathan, how do I look?"

  Arlathan opened his mouth to answer but quickly stopped himself, knowing he'd just gush. To Enandra it'd just come off as arse kissing, and if the Inquisitor truly hated anything, it was sycophants. Them and Amalathians and the Ecclesiarchy and Chaos and mindless fanatics, the list was long.

  "You look like the embodiment of all the Ordo Hereticus stands for, ma'am," said Arlathan, after some thought, and it was the truth.

  A small smile slowly crossed her full lips, "I hope you are aware of the irony of your words, Arlathan."

  "I am," said Arlathan. "But it doesn't make it any less true, ma'am."

  It was then that Attelus and his team walked into the hanger.

  In the lead was the young man himself, he walked with his usual confident, casual, graceful gait, indicative of his status as an extremely skilled swordsman and martial artist. This despite carrying three big, bulky equipment bags. One on his back and one in each hand. It was easy to forget just how strong Attelus was due to his slight height and slender build. He was the only one smiling.

  Next was Adelana and Halsin. The young, lovely red head's face was as unreadable as always. She wore a grey syn-skin bodyglove, and a pack on her back almost as large as one of the three Attelus carried. Slung on her left shoulder was her signature weapon, a silenced bolter with a wire stock attachment; she too was far stronger than she looked being of similar height and build to Attelus. The irony wasn't lost on Arlathan that an agent with a more subtle skill set would use such an unsubtle weapon.

  Halsin looked not quite as calm; he carried not just one pack but many pouches of medical equipment that hung awkwardly from his webbing. They would've added a lot more weight on the poor young man's thin frame, this on top of an auto gun. Even many hardened Imperial guard veterans would suffer under such weight, which made the young medicae's level of physical fitness all the more impressive.

  After them was Karmen Kons and Vark, Karmen carried just as much as Attelus and just as easily, but this was because she was wearing power armour of similar form-fitting design to the Inquisitor. It was coloured a dull grey and withheld much of the more fanciful decoration of the Inquisitor's, but that didn't detract from the aura of power and intimidation the armour gave off. A psychic hood hung over her head. Karmen Kons was easily the most powerful and skilled psyker the organisation possessed. There was a rivalry between her and Enandra's personal psyker, Helva but it was mostly one-sided. She'd been gifted the power armour because of that extreme power and strength; it would also to protect her during the many times Karmen would leave her body in her incorporeal form.

  Vark was in full Stormtrooper carapace; his rebreather mask hung from his helmet, He carried his Hell gun with the casual calm only the truly professional was capable of, his small blue eyes darting anywhere and everywhere, soaking every detail. He was already in full-on bodyguard mode despite still being on a ship full of friendlies. As much as Arlathan had his misgivings of the ex-mercenary's personality and beliefs, he couldn't deny he was skilled and experienced beyond belief.

  Following was Hayden and Jelket. The reason why Jelket had been assigned as Hayden's guard and spotter instead of the sniper's apprentice was that their cult had called Serlia back. She had been deemed, at Hayden's and Enandra's recommendation, good enough to have finished her apprenticeship. Once she'd completed her trials, she would be re-assigned under Enandra again.

  That was if she completed the trials; apparently, they were as hard as hell. Just after the destruction of Omnartus, Attelus had to take them too, and even he had struggled to pass. However, he'd never supplied Arlathan with any detailed summary.

  Hayden was weighed down even more than Attelus and Karmen, although he was struggling noticeably. The huge man wore a black bodyglove, equipment bristled off his webbing, and he carried two bags in each hand and had his Long-las and a knapsack slung on his broad back.

  Jelket, like Vark, wore his full Stormtrooper carapace but carried a Long Las, yet on top of that, he also carried a Hell gun and charge pack. To anyone else carrying both weapons without power armour would've been awkward, to say the least, but the ex-guardsman somehow could manage it, easily in fact, being able to change from one weapon to the other in the blink of an eye. It made him a very adaptable soldier, perhaps even more so than Hayden. But this also made him incapable of carrying much else. (hence why Hayden was carrying five bags)

  Just after was Torris and Verenth. Torris had stubbornly refused to wear Inquisitorial carapace, foregoing it for the lighter but not as strong, dark blue Arbites carapace. He carried his Melta gun and had his shotgun slung under his left arm. On his back was surely the largest backpack of all one that contained the drums of igniter fluid for the high powered tank-killing weapon he carried. Torris, as usual, looked angry, his brow furrowed, brown eyes fixed forward. His lantern jaw so strong that he rivalled Kollath in manliness.

  Verenth was a complete contrast to Torris, both had opposite backgrounds, and he wore no armour at all. Still electing to wear the leathers of his gang back on Omnartus, the insignia on his back. The tall, lanky young man was also laden with equipment, her face a mask of intense concentration.

  Last it was Delathasi and Helma.

  Delathasi wore a black bodyglove, like Hayden. Her twin mono-blades sheathed on her back. The tall, long-limbed apprentice walked with an easy grace belying her lankiness despite carrying another large bag and struggling to keep it from dragging on the floor. Delathasi's attention was set downward, her soft features contorted with strain. It was a shame to Arlathan; she would've been beautiful if it wasn't for her pugilist's nose and very noticeable acne.

  With that thought, Arlathan glanced at Vex, who stood entranced by the girl. Arlathan didn't know if the young assassin felt the same, but he couldn't help feel sorry for Vex.

  Helma, again, wore full Stormtrooper carapace and walked with so much confidence it almost became haughtiness, she easily carried two huge bags and had her Hell gun slung casually over her left shoulder. She was strong, easily one of the strongest women in the organisation, Arlathan had decided a long time ago to never mess with her.

  Following them were seven servitors, carrying the bulk of their equipment.

  The crewmen and other servitors moving throughout the hanger stopped and stepped aside, allowing them a way through. Such was the respect they commanded.

  Attelus approached and stopped, not even having to drop his huge bags to bring his hands together and make the sign of the Aquila at his chest. Behind him, everyone else halted, and there was a collective sigh as Delathasi, Halsin, Verenth and Jelket dropped their bags.

  "Mamzel Enandra, Interrogator Arlathan, Sergeant Kollath, Vex," he said. "It's good to see you."

  Enandra smiled. "You do know we have more Servitors to carry your equipment right, Attelus?

  Attelus shrugged. "A bit of strength training has never hurt anyone," he said.

  "Yes, it has," said Helma.

  Attelus just pouted and furrowed his brow.

  "Well," said Enandra. "This will be your first mission leading such a large team, you nervous?"

  He shrugged. "Well, if you hadn't assigned me so many people who hated me, I'd be a bit less nervous."

  "That's understandable," said Enandra. "Just don't let that nervousness overtake you and you'll do fine. I have great faith in you, Attelus. I wouldn't have made you mission leader if I did not."

  "I won't," he said with admirable conviction. "There's too much as stake here, mamzel, and thank you."

  "Good," said Enandra with a nod. "Good to hear that."

  She pulled her gaze away from the assassin and looked over his compatriots, meeting each pair of eyes in turn. Arlathan followed her gaze as did Attelus.

  What she saw caused Enandra to sigh. "I can see that many of you are not happy to be assigned this mission, and I'll be honest, I sympathise. There are surely varying reasons why you feel like this, and again, I'm sure they are good reasons."

  She paused and began to pace, Arlathan watched her, enraptured, her skill as an orator wasn't rivalled. Well, except for one, Inquisitor Brutis Bones, also of the Ordo Hereticus, was almost as good.

  "Some might feel that I am exiling you, getting rid of you, that is not true," she said, her armour joints whirring with every step. "Some of you might feel that I send you away because I think you incompetent or expendable, that as well is not true. In fact, that is the complete opposite reason."

  Enandra paused again, meeting the eyes of everyone once more. "I send you because all of you, bar none have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are among the best. Not just the best in my organisation, but amongst the best of the Ordo Calixis. Time and time again, you have proven your skill and ability and reliability and excelled in your field of expertise."

  She stopped her pacing. "Individually, all of you have made great achievements. Attelus! You have killed Space Marines! Not just one, not just two but three! Three! Or four, depending on who you ask. I couldn't even claim such a feat! Adelana! You managed to infiltrate a Slaaneshi cult and kill their leader and slip away hours before the cultists even had a clue what happened! Verenth! You have headshot an enemy from two hundred metres on the draw! Torris! You managed to single-handedly hold off dozens and dozens of attacking cultists for hours, allowing for Imperial Guard reinforcements to drop in and finish it!"

  Enandra trailed off and smiled. "If I stood here and listed all of your achievements, I would be here for hours, but I think you get my point. If you could perform such feats alone, imagine how many you could achieve together. I believe, no I know that you will take down Etuarq and do much much much more!"

  "Maybe even conquer a world?" she said eventually, and many laughed at such an absurdity.

  She shrugged. "You never know. Now I will not hold you up any longer. I wish all of you the best of luck and may the Emperor be with you."

  With that, she stepped aside, and they began to file into the Guncutter saying their farewells as they went.

  "Thank you for that," said Attelus as he too allowed the others to pass. "Amazing, awe-inspiring speeches like that aren't exactly my forte, in all honesty."

  "Everyone has their own style of leadership," said Enandra. "You'll find yours sooner rather than later. I know it."

  Attelus smiled and held out his hand, which Enandra took and shook. "Well, I hope we'll see you again, and sooner rather than later."

  Then he started up the ramp after the others.

  "Oh! And Attelus!" she called, causing him to stop and look over his shoulder at her.

  "Remember, anything and everything to win, right?"

  Attelus stared at her blankly before saying, "as you wish."

  Then he started up the ramp again, muttering, "as you wish, indeed," with an unseen smile.

  Part 2: Iocanthos

  The week of warp travel to Iocanthos was uneventful.

  Enandra had organised them a ride on the trading frigate The Calamandastron and needless to say the shipmaster, a haughty, aristocratic character named Durpount (who also had a moustache very much worthy of his name) Was not happy they wanted to stop off at Iocanthos. The initial plan being they would travel all the way to his destination the hive world of Canopus where they would organise another ride to, hopefully, straight to the Ixaniad sector.

  Having to transition out and back into warp space at Iocanthos would delay him by an extra four days.

  It'd taken Karmen and Attelus a good hour of negotiation with the very irate Durpount to come up with a solution (which meant their funds took a bit of a hit)

  As much as Attelus dreaded having to travel with Eldar again and the potentially far-reaching consequences, he was frigging glad they didn't have to exit and enter the warp over and over and to negotiate with shipmaster after shipmaster for transport for months on end.

  Luckily, Karmen was a seasoned negotiator (even when not using her mind control powers, which Attelus insisted she didn't)

  As they came closer and closer to Iocanthos, the cold, clammy feeling of anxiety in Attelus' chest became all the stronger.

  How the hell was he going to explain them travelling with the Eldar? He'd asked Faleaseen in one of their dream conversations, and she wasn't very helpful at all.

  "I am afraid that you will have to figure out the answer to this conundrum yourself, Attelus Kaltos," she'd said. "I cannot hold your hand for everything."

  Attelus had frowned at that, she'd helped him over the years without a doubt, but he'd managed to achieve much by himself, and out of all the times he could've truly used her help. It would've been now.

  With the others, he'd wiled away the hours training, in team-building exercises he'd researched on the cogitators back on The Audacious Edge. They were doing well, not as well as he hoped but not as bad as he'd expected. The one who'd proven the most stubborn toward it was Hayden. He was old, the oldest of the group but how old exactly Attelus didn't know, he looked in his late forties, but that didn't mean much in the Imperium of man, with rejuvanent treatments and such. He'd worked alone, or in pairs for so long now he was set in his ways, he seemed to passive-aggressively resist it at every turn, much to Attelus choler.

  Two days before they were scheduled to transition into real space Attelus, Karmen and Adelana met in the Guncutter's common room to discuss how to handle having to travel with the Eldar.

  Strangely it'd been Adelana who'd suggested that Karmen use her powers to influence their minds, hide it from them.

  Karmen was quick to shoot that down, citing that it would be impractical, due to the length of the voyage, the complicated nature of such manipulation on so many minds and the psychic blocks protecting them had been made by Helva which would complicate it even further.

  In the end, they'd decided there was no choice; they had to come clean. Then Adelana and Karmen agreed it was Attelus who was to do it.

  "Why me?" Attelus had whined, despite already knowing the answer.

  Karmen smiled. "You are our fearless leader, aren't you? Besides it's because of your connection with the Eldar that we're doing this, is it not?"

  Attelus had glared at her and clenched his jaw, remembering that Karmen had a 'connection' to the Eldar as well, but chose to keep that quiet.

  "They won't like this," Attelus had said. "They've got enough to be pissed off about, and Verenth and Torris have enough reason to hate me already. And now they're going to learn I'm collaborating with Xenos?"

  "I don't know if Verenth and Torris should be the people you worry about, Attelus," Adelana said. "Vark's a true believer in the Imperial Creed; he'll probably take the News the worst."

  "The Emperor hates me, doesn't he?" Attelus had sighed.

  "Well," said Adelana. "If he does, who could blame him? Really?"

  Even Karmen laughed at that and Attelus couldn't help but smile.

  So here he was, a day later, standing in the Guncutter's common room, every one of his squad (and Darrance) scattered around and staring at him intently.

  He took a long inhale before starting, "thank you for coming."

  Attelus paused and scratched the back of his head vigorously, public speaking had never been his forte. He couldn't help remember back at his scholam at twelve years old, having to perform a speech in front of the class and how terrified he'd been. It was funny; the bullies had long ago learnt not to mess with the quiet, pale, skinny little freak in class 11/5. He'd never been scared to face down five children twice his size and intent on beating the shit out of him, but having to tell the past of his idol the legendary prince Royd Antares of Velrosia, to an audience of twenty-four or more. Almost made him shit his pants.

  Now, obviously, he'd long got over such fear, but in a situation like this, not so much. A brief image popped in his head of Verenth just abruptly drawing his auto pistol and blowing his brains out the moment he finished. He imagined Vark screaming and shouting so strongly spittle sprayed all over him like torrential rain. Attelus always had an overly active imagination, which had proven to be a curse after he'd decided to join this line of work.

  He looked over his audience and saw them watching on with a mixture of bemusement, impatience and annoyance. Eventually, he met the gaze of Adelana who gave him a small smile and a slight nod of encouragement.

  That was all he needed.

  "The reason why I have called you here today, is," he paused again, trying to figure out exactly how to carry on. "This mission comes with another twist."

  There were some mumbles and glances of bemusement exchanged.

  "I have arranged a shortcut," he said. "A faster way to travel to Sarkeath."

  "Alright," said Helma. "That is...certainly a twist."

  Torris' eyes narrowed sceptically. "I don't understand," he said.

  Attelus sniggered and shrugged. "I don't quite understand, either. In all honesty."

  He stopped again, expecting some sort of ridicule, but they just looked at him with almost enraptured interest.

  "As all of you know, now, we're making a stop off at the agri world..." he trailed off, even calling Iocanthos an agri world was a bit of a stretch as it's first and only export was Ghost Fire pollen, the main ingredient for a combat enhancement used by the penal legions of the Imperial Guard. "Of Iocanthos, and there is a very good reason for that."

  "And that reason being?" said Darrance with a raised eyebrow.

  "That is where we'll be meeting...them," said Attelus.

  "Them, who?" asked Torris when Attelus didn't continue.

  "Them," he stopped and shuffled nervously, may as well just tell. "Them meaning, the Eldar."

  There was a very long pause as everyone stared at Attelus blankly.

  "The...what?" said Vark.

  "The Eldar," Attelus said, straightening and placing his hands behind his back, there, the secret was finally out, and it actually felt good. "They are our allies in this endeavour, and they are going to help us reach Sarkeath far faster than normal."

  "But, I don't understand," said Jelket. "When I was in the guard I fought against the Eldar once, they were psychotic, cruel and used horrific weapons, that caused...that caused...Oh, God-Emperor!"

  He trailed off as a slow look of dawning horror crossed his ruddy face.

  Attelus sighed. "Please calm down; it's not that kind of Eldar, Jelket. These are a different kind. Those are known as the Dark Eldar; we are being helped by the Craftworld Eldar. There's a difference."

  "Which means?" said Helma. "That they're just going to kill us?"

  "Which means, we won't suffer horrific, horrific torment at their hands," he sighed yet again. "and no, they're not going to kill us. I hope all you have heard the saying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend?' Right?"

  There were a few hesitant nods.

  "Well this to the empth degree, they want to stop Etuarq almost as much as we do," Attelus said. "They have something they call the Webway; it's like a sub-dimension between the material universe and the warp. It allows for faster and safer travel than the Immaterium."

  "I've never heard of this, webway, before," said Darrance.

  "Of course you haven't, not many humans have," said Attelus.

  "Except you," said Vark, darkly and Attelus had to fight back the urge to flinch as the cold anxiety in his chest abruptly got worse.

  "Well, I," he stammered, losing his bluster that was when Adelana got to her feet and walked to his right.

  "I know as well," she said. I've known for a long time now."

  "As have I," said Estella, then she too stood up and walked to stand on his left.

  Attelus had to fight back a smile.

  "So you two are Xenos collaborators as well?" growled Vark.

  "We are," said Estella. "You are aware of the circumstances, aren't you, Vark?"

  Vark said nothing, just sneered. It was an ugly expression.

  "How?" said Hayden, his deep voice reverberating through the silence and seemingly the entire ship.

  "That!" said Attelus. "Is a long and sordid story, Hayden. One which I cannot and will not tell you."

  There was a collective bellow of anger and frustration that caused Attelus to flinch with fright.

  "I'm not telling you, and that is that!" Attelus roared so strongly it caused the others to fall into silence. "I have my reasons, and you will respect that!"

  "We deserve to know!" snarled Vark. "This is heresy! Against all that the God-Emperor teaches! Collaboration with Xenos is an affront to mankind."

  "Yes," said Attelus. "Perhaps it is."

  There was a weighted moment of silence.

  "If only this galaxy was actually in reality as black and white as you seem to believe, Vark," Attelus growled.

  Vark was suddenly on his feet and face to face with Attelus. "And what the hell does that mean?"

  Attelus smiled. "It means, Vark that your belief, your whole worldview doesn't coincide with reality."

  "Oh? And what? Your's does? What the hell makes you so qualified, huh?" Vark demanded.

  "I'd say I'm more qualified than you," Attelus said without a hint of hesitation. "I never let myself be brainwashed by Imperial dogma, and a whole world is dead because of my actions. If that doesn't lend perspective, I don't know what does. And that's why I'm in charge of this mission, not you. So stand down before I put you down."

  Vark didn't move. "is that why you can do all that shit, you can do? Is it the Xenos who made you like that?"

  Attelus didn't say anything, just clenched his jaw.

  Vark turned away. "You hear that? He all but admits his guilt! He isn't just collaborating with the Xenos! He is one of them! How can we trust him knowing they are influencing him? Corrupting the rest of us with his role as our leader? He is their pawn-"

  "I was once meant to be their pawn," Attelus interrupted. "But after everything, I earned their respect and trust; I earned her respect and trust. I'd hoped I'd earned yours as well."

  "You did!" Vark snapped. "But after learning this..."

  "After learning this, you now know just how far I'm willing to go to stop Etuarq!" Attelus said. "I know this is hard for you to swallow, hard for all of you to swallow but please, just hear me out."

  Everyone was silent, even Vark and all attention, back on Attelus.

  "I am, a student of Imperial history and throughout the millennia there are countless times that humanity has corroborated with Xenos breeds, there are as we speak Rogue Traders today that are trading with Xenos on their homeworlds for important materials..."

  "But that's different," said Vark.

  "Yes, it is," said Attelus quickly. "I'm not denying that it is different, Vark you're right. But, how many times have the Ultramarines, supposedly the exemplar of all the Imperium of Mankind and the Astartes in general stand for, corroborated with the Tau, against the Tyranid menace? How many times have the Eldar and humanity fought together to defeat the forces of the Ruinous Powers? It is pragmatism, simple pragmatism. What I have learned over the years is the Eldar, aren't that much different to us. Sure, they live a hell of a lot longer, but they live and love and fight for their existence just like us. They aren't interested in destroying us, they don't want to corrupt us, they just want to be left alone and survive, and Etuarq is a threat to that. He is their enemy as much as ours and thanks to them; we have a way to reach Sarkeath early enough to maybe make a difference!"

  Attelus paused, close to being overwhelmed with emotion, he briefly shut his eyes and took a long breath before continuing, "in the end, all it comes down to is this, I ask you, all of you. Do you want to have to stand by and have to watch another world burn?"

  There was no answer, and he didn't expect one.

  "Do you want to stand by and watch it with the knowledge you could've prevented it? That you let your prejudice get in the way of saving billions more innocent souls," said Attelus. "Because that's what will happen if you abandon me now. I can't do this alone; I need you! All of you!"

  "If that's true, why don't you just work with the Xenos, then?" snarked Vark.

  "Believe it or not, Vark, I'm still human," said Attelus with a smile. "And In all honesty, I'd rather the twelve of you watching my back than a thousand Eldar! Once we reach Iocanthos, you may leave. I will find go to Sarkeath by my myself. But once I fail, which I surely will. I'll be the only one with a clear conscience because I was the only one who at least tried, so are you with me? If you are, please raise your hand!"

  Adelana and Karmen both raised their hands without a second's hesitation.

  For what must've been less than half a minute, but to Attelus felt like a lifetime when the third person finally raised their hand. That person was Hayden Tresch a few seconds later it was Darrance, followed quickly by Helma, Delathasi, then Jelket, Halsin, Torris and eventually, Verenth.

  Attelus had to fight back the tears welling in his eyes.

  When Vark saw all of this, he let out a growl of frustration, and he too reluctantly raised his hand.

  "Alright! You win frig you!" he snarled. "But once we get back I'm telling the Inquisitor everything; you got that?"

  "I wouldn't expect anything less," said Attelus. "And thank you, thank you...All of you."

  He sniffed and rubbed his eyes with a forearm.

  "Are you crying, Attelus?" said Helma.

  "No," he whined. "It's just the recycled oxygen getting in my eyes, is all."

  There were a few laughs at the feeble lie.

  "And thank you for already agreeing to come because I'm sorry to say it only gets worse, I'm sorry."

  Then he told them the rest.