I looked out the hangar doors, down the ramp to the small army amassed before me. I could identify three separate orders of the Sororitas, and a fair smattering of Astartes, though most had grey gilded armor. All of the grey ones had helmets reminiscent of ancient Terra knights, their chapter sigil on their pouldron a sword aligned with the spine of an open book. They all wore armor that looked the same class as Simeon's. At their forefront stood a few tech priests, cardinals, and ministorum priests. One of the Sororitas stood out amidst the rest. She stood at the forefront, her black armor stark against her red vestments. Her helmet was on her hip, a symbol on her shoulder of an ankh with a white skull placed in the centre of the ankh's circular head. Her armor bore some extra finery, denoting her rank.

  She bore weapons I recognized from the Great Crusade, one used to slay many demons.

  "It's been some time since I've seen that blade."

  The woman's grip tightened on it, her grey eyes narrowing underneath her short, dark hair. "You claim to be a daughter of the Father."

  I nodded as I slowly stepped forward, each motion smooth and measured. "I am."

  "Then tell me, where did I claim this sword?"

  I shook my head. "I haven't any meaningful notion. I do recall its original owner, though."

  "And her name?"

  "His name was Harleus Omriccon, Custodes to my father. The blade was a gift to him from my brother, Vulkan, for his assistance during a siege where his legion had to face a daemon that the Astartes couldn't handle. With it being in your hands, I can only assume that Harleus has passed."

  The woman was quiet for a good while before she gestured to the knights of grey. "If you would do the honors, please?"

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  One glanced at her, but wordlessly approached and looked down at the manacles already affixed to my wrists. I could feel his mild annoyance, and I turned my gaze to Fahlia. She allowed the moment to hang in the air, and I could feel her indignation. I waited to see if she'd refuse or acquiesce, her sense of control slowly building. She finally walked up and whispered to the manacles. They delivered a shock that made me cry out and fall forward into the Astartes before me. Simeon grabbed Fahlia by the neck, lifting her off the ground while the knight of grey determined of he'd strike me or help, and instead he stood there, allowing me to slide down to my knees as the electricity continued to course through me.

  "Cease these games, Inquisitor!"

  I could barely hear the words as the energy ignited my nerves. My eyes closed tight, tears of blood poured freely down my cheeks. It took all my will to keep from convulsing as spasms ripped through my muscles. I could feel my cells dying, and suddenly it ended. I slumped forward, unable to move. But I could still feel residual spasms strike my limbs, my heart hammering against my ribs. And the smell... The pungent aroma of singed hair, of cooked flesh. I didn't even notice the manacles being removed as new ones were affixed. A pressure enclosed around my arms, and I couldn't respond. My legs refused my commands, and my eyelids defied me, remaining tightly closed.

  "Mother?"

  A whimper escaped my lips. Another sign of weakness before people whose respect I should command. Father must be disappointed. Why did he raise me? Others would have been better suited for the Imperium... This wasn't my Imperium...

  The rest was a blur. I knew not who carried me from there, nor the path which we took. Even with my body unwilling to act, I was awake to the fact things were happening, but I couldn't process the stimulus. The whispers returned, accompanied by the all too friendly cold fingers. They became more rushed, more insistent. Each finger a knife in my flesh. I eventually regained movement, but when I did I was in a massive dark chamber, and I couldn't feel the presence of any beyond the walls around me. I shifted to feel rough metal dig into my skin, and the sound of chains rattling against the stone floor beneath me. Opening my eyes I saw four knights of grey surrounding me, their weapons leveled against me. I noticed observation rooms where tech priests and the local religious leaders prayed incessantly, as if it was their prayers that contained me. I closed my eyes and felt out the machine spirits around me, quickly garnering their favor. When I next opened my eyes, I relaxed and quietly watched my captors.