Fahlia struck the vox-caster. "I am Inquisitor Fahlia Kurchen, transporting a self proclaimed Primarch for verification. I'm asking for a psyker holding cell, and some forces to hold her in it."

  "The Emperor had only sons." The voice that came back was rough, and tired. Fahlia could imagine the weathered man in his expensive, clean robes on the other end pinching the bridge of his nose, as if speaking to a student that simply wasn't getting the lesson.

  "Two of the Primarchs were expunged. It is possible for one to be female."

  There was silence on the other end for a moment. "Even if she is a Primarch, as you just admitted she was expunged. That means she did something so heinous she had to be wiped from existence. I read the report you sent ahead, and her very manifestation is in question. She appeared during a Khornate invasion. The location being the inner sanctum of an already fallen Adepta Sororitus convent. You would do well to put her down, or we'll fire upon you and destroy her ourselves if needed."

  Fahlia was about to speak when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Evaria, who leaned down.

  "Excuse me, Cardinal Rolaine. May I speak?"

  "Make yourself known."

  "I am Evaria Manoash, second born of the Emperor."

  The man's voice already began to soften as he spoke. "I see... Why have you chosen Ophelia VII to land?"

  "The Lords of Terra have been interfering in my attempts to reach my brother. As such, we had to turn, and send the Omnis Arcanum ahead to my brother. You may imprison me as you deem necessary, even send an envoy of your choosing to do so before I make landfall, however you wish."

  The cardinal was quiet and considered his options, then finally responded. "We will manacle you upon landfall."

  "As is your will, Cardinal, I submit."

  Fahlia watched in uncomfortable silence as Evaria had somehow turned the Cardinal after only a few moments. She couldn't tell if Evaria's abilities reached down to the planet, or through the vox-caster. Both were terrifying prospects that sent chills through the Inquisitor. The Judicial Pyre made its descent to the planet's surface, and Evaria took in a breath.

  "How would you like to hand me over, Inquisitor? I'm sure they'd appreciate having their own manacles on me, but they'd also dislike seeing me without any under your watch."

  "You could just break any manacles I put on you."

  "Maybe. I'm not as strong as any of my brothers, however. It's also been quite some time, so unless technology hasn't advanced at all since my death..." Evaria glanced about, noting the look on the faces of the people around her. "I see."

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  She took in a breath and pet Navah on her shoulder. "In any case, I will go with whatever plan you have for this."

  Fahlia quietly watched Evaria, trying to figure out if she was playing the long game, or was genuinely docile. She'd yet to see her angry, and she only caught glimpses of her fight with the two Bloodletters on Miqdash: even sluggish from reawakening and wounded she moved in ways even a Custodes would have difficulty keeping up with. She wondered about the God Emperor's designs for these biological weapons the empire revered. She snapped out of it as she felt Evaria's gentle gaze.

  "I will manacle you for the transfer, but I will remain present for the duration of your internment."

  "Agreed. Oh, and please keep my nephew in your custody. I'd rather these people not harm him."

  Fahlia shook her head. "He's already in the report I sent."

  Evaria sighed softly. "Well, he should be purified enough to remove his undersuit. This way they won't deem him as much of a threat... I suppose I have some more negotiating to do." She straightened and started to walk away. "I'll be in the hangar with my attendants, my nephew, and Navah."

  Fahlia could only offer a nod, then made her way to the armory. The quartermaster looked up at her, then bowed his head.

  "Inquisitor Kurchen. How may I be of service?"

  "I need Ogryn sized manacles."

  "Lady Evaria's wrists are far more slender." The quartermaster turned and rummaged around. "I assume that's who they're meant for?"

  Fahlia narrowed her eyes. He glanced at her.

  "Inquisitor, I understand your distrust of the rest of us for believing so readily in her. But I have spoken to many other crew members, and they all agree that they feel more pride in and loyalty to the Imperium as a result of her presence. If she's a traitor, we'd all help put her down, as painful as it would be."

  He placed a power stake on the counter. "I modified it. It may not be able to kill her outright, but it will do more than before."

  Fahlia hesitantly picked it up, examining the weapon as if it might explode in her hand.

  "And here."

  He slid a pair of manacles to her. "I started working on these the moment she boarded. They're anti psyker, and fitted to her size."

  He held out his wrists so Fahlia could test them on him.

  "Just give your authenticator code into it before applying it to anybody, and then only you can unlock it."

  Fahlia took the manacles, whispered to them, then placed them on him. They locked, and both of them tried to undo them.

  "I can't necessarily account for her strength, but these function as intended. The STC that these come from only took things so far."

  Fahlia nodded, whispered to the manacles, and attached them to her hip. "You have done well, Quartermaster."

  He bowed his head. "You honor me, Inquisitor."

  Fahlia left and made her way to the hangar, feeling the shift from artificial to real gravity as the vessel descended. She walked out into the hangar and took in the sight before her. The Biologis Omnac Modwick flanked Evaria, avoiding Fahlia's gaze. The purified Astartes stood beside Evaria, his gaze downcast on his bindings, though his mind still seemed absent. The Adepta Sororitas of the Crimson Grail had repainted their armor to turquoise, with cream shoulder pads, gold accents, and a skull crying blood on each shoulder. More Blood Ravens had also joined Simeon, two of which were terminators, and a squad of Primaris Marines. The massive raven on Evaria's shoulder scwahed at Fahlia as she approached. She knew that this force could easily commandeer the vessel. The only reason she was still alive was because Evaria deemed it so. She walked up to Evaria and cleared her throat, glancing at the literal living weapons that surrounded her.

  "As was agreed, my lady?"

  She held up the manacles, and Evaria held out her hands. The Sororitas and Astartes around them watched intently, as if ready to cut her down. Fahlia took in a breath and affixed the manacles to Evaria's wrists.