Inquisitors Folly

Inquisitor Thomas strutted through the desolate hallways of the recorded archives of the planet Terra. These halls hold the records of some the bravest Men, Space Marines, Sisters, Psykers, Techpriests, and so on; who have survived, died, or thrived in the name of the God Emperor. But this Inquisitor was looking for the name of one man, and one man alone: Isaac Clarke.

 

He has been a thorn in his side for to long! Of course he has read the read the reports, who hasn't?

 

Surviving one to a hundred odds, and he is the only one to walk out alive.

 

Building incredible weaponry that carries the Emperors Fury.

 

Machine Spirits so sated by him that they act as if they were 10,000 years younger.

 

Blessed by the Omnissah

 

Savior of Tau Volantis

 

Warboss Clorke

 

Emperor's Chosen?

 

"Impossible." He angrily mutters to himself. "Why don't those fools see? That man IS. A. HERETIC!" He yells the last word with fury, causing some of the servitors on duty to look in his direction wondering what has gotten the Inquisitor so fired up. The Inquisitor embarrassed at his outburst marches down the hallway, and the servitors went back to their duties.

 

Heretic. Oh how he loathed that word. It was a word of weakness and fear. One who would run all the way from the forgiving light of the God Emperor to join the disgusting perils of the warp. The Inquisitor grit his teeth to the point that they would break if they were under any more pressure.

 

He would prove to the fools that Isaac was a heretic.

 

He would show them all that they have been blind.

 

"By the Emperors Will, I will prove that Isaac is a heretic. I will expose his heretical ways to the Imperium. I WILL SEE ISAAC BURNED!"

 

The Inquisitor once again calms himself down before he makes another spectacle. A few calm breathes later he made a devilish smile. After all this is why he is here, in the great archives of Terra. This was the only place that recorded all the events of persons of note. Even Isaac Clarke and his secrecy could not escape it's archivists. This was the only place that could reveal that mans hidden crimes.

 

After several hours of walking through the long hallways of Terra with no end in sight. The Inquisitor begins to ponder if he should have taken a left turn instead of a right turn a couple of hours back. Grumbling that he may have wasted several hours of just walking, he begins to turn on the ball of his heel. When he sees it: Room 28567/bd.exe/IS. He chuckled and barely contained his laughter.

 

"Here it is! The room dedicated to Isaac Clarke!" He laughed victoriously.

 

Thomas was now standing in front of the massive door, and pushed. It did not budge.

 

He tried again, and door stood stalwart to his advances.

 

This went on for several more hours, with an increasingly short-tempered Inquisitor screaming like a dying animal while pushing at the door with increasing force.

 

"Can...I...help...you...Inquisitor..." Came a short mechanical speaking behind him.

 

The Inquisitor twirled around and met face to face with a servitor. He quickly tidied himself and looked around for any else who would have come to investigate the screaming.

 

Confirming none he asked the servitor. "Yes. Servitor I want you to open this door for me."

 

"I...cannot...do...that...Inquisitor"

 

"What, Why not?!" He replied angrily.

 

"You are not authorized, Inquisitor"

 

"By who?" The Inquisitor growled, his patience wearing thin.

 

"By the High Lords of Terra." The Inquisitor goes wide eyed "You can only access these archives if you have received confirmation from one of the High Lords." The servitor finished matter-of-factly.

 

No. Thought the Inquisitor. Has Isaac dug so deep that the Lords of Terra are underneath his thumb? He begins to pace around nervously. Looks like he was going to have to use that...

 

"Servitor!"

 

"Yes, Sir Inquisitor?"

 

"Activation Code: 1-3-4-7-9-10-45-689-22 Remodel: VX5-56-743-90" The Inquisitor spoke. He learned this from invading a heretek base as an acolyte with his master. He never knew how useful it would have been till now.

 

The Servitor begins to make a loud screeching noise as it begins to process the exact meaning of the Inquisitor's command. It then sputters and bends over, shutting down completely.

 

The Inquisitor patiently waits for the servitor to come back online.

 

When it does it right's itself back up, and turns to the Inquisitor.

 

"What can I do for you my Lord?"

 

The Inquisitor smiles at this. It works! So that heretek wasn't telling a lie then. This 'Servitor-Reset' that he was planning for a Servitor rebellion in the Quenlos sector was the real thing!

 

Thomas could barely contain his excitement, and then realizes the grim reality with what he has done. He has used heretek knowledge instead of relying on the God Emperor (May his light forever guide) to light his way.

 

He has committed heresy.

 

Thomas swallows his bile, as the knowledge of his atrocity came into fruition.

 

No. I have done what was needed to be done. He smiles grimly. When this is all over I will be a Hero of the Imperium! I will become their saviour!

 

Steadfast the Inquisitor stares at the newly reprogrammed servitor.

 

"Servitor!" It turns to him "I want you to open these doors and then return to your original duties, tell NO ONE about what has happened. Do I make myself clear?"

 

"Yes Lord Inquisitor!" The servitor quickly passes by the inquisitor, and after several minutes of tinkering. A loud "CLACK" is heard and the door begins to slowly open.

 

The Inquisitor smiled madly at this victory, and says a quick litany to the God Emperor and walks inside, the doors closing behind him with a loud thud.

 

Piles upon piles of books, papers, and scrolls where before the Inquisitor. He audibly gulps but he knew that within those pages is a heretic that was corrupting The Imperium of Man with his heresy.

 

He rolled up his sleeves and picked up the first scroll, and began reading.

 

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Inquisitor Thomas groaned in frustration. He has been here for Emperor knows how long, and he has found NOTHING incriminating against Isaac Clarke.

 

Warboss Clorke and his entourage? Could easily be pushed aside as simply saying that the ecstatic orks follow him only because he gives them a 'gud foight'. Not to mention the orks will sometimes attack Clarke himself in order to get "Stomped by the big boss".

 

Isaac's mysterious apprentice Ishi? Despite no one knowing what his/her sex is, he/she has been confirmed as a flesh and blood human. Though he could maybe declare that due to no one knowing Ishi's sex and not many people seeing whats behind his/her mask. The Inquisitor could call out Ishi as a Slaneeshi Demonette hiding in a human husk.

 

The Imperial Guardsman: Sergeant John Carver? Not even a blemish in his extensive career as a man who is in a one man war against a Heretical Coven known as: Unitology. He is similar to Isaac in several aspects surprisingly. His wife and son were murdered by a man named: Jacob Danik. It was later found out he is a Unitology terrorist who has caused the decimation of several colonies. How they were destroyed is unknown to only the highest ranks of Inquisitors, Space Marines (In the sector), and disturbingly to the Eldar as well. Either way Carver has made it his personal mission to kill Jacob Danik, and slaughter every single Unitologist terrorist with the Emperor's Fury.

 

The Inquisitor kept on searching for evidence against Clarke undeterred. Frustrated, but not undeterred.

 

Isaac Clarke's personal RIG suits, and weaponry? There have been several reports from radical Inquisitors, Mechanicus, and Space Marines (Ultramarines in particular) on how this armor was heretical, and that it mimics the glory of the Space Marines grotesquely. As for the weaponry? No one can deny their power. The standard issued rifle has enough power to cut through several waves of ork boys easily, and their massive magazine size and easy reloading makes it a very powerful weapon. Of course the STC patterns drifted and the Traditionalist Mechanicus screamed heretek, and demanded that Isaac and his people hand over their weaponry and armor, but they wholeheartedly refused. This is however been countered by how the machine spirit seems to be eternally happy in the hands of Isaac and his engineers. Also a Successor Salamander Chapter has shown great interest in the RIG's and have been eagerly studying them alongside more open-minded Magus', and some Ordo Machanicum. Eventually a deal was made that all RIG's, weaponry, and tech would be restricted to Isaac's home sector.

 

Thomas' frustration was nearing it's peak. He could find nothing against Isaac. His military campaigns have been flawless victories, he is pious to the God Emperor, and has gained the support of a Space Marine Chapter and some Magus'. He pounds his fists against the desk, gritting his teeth as he tries not to scream out. A stack of papers on the desk slides off, leaving but one portfolio left. The Inquisitor quickly looks at the lettering of the folder:

 

Isaac Clarke and the Ishimura.

 

The Inquisitor was perplexed. He never read, or heard of anything called the Ishimura before. A quick skim through the first few pages showed the Ishimua to a 'Planet Cracker' Class vessel, The largest of it's class as well. Apparently Isaac's home sector is filled with nothing but dead planets, and asteroids. So specialized ships designed to 'crack' open the crust to mine the precious metals and minerals from the core of the planet. This was very lucrative economy, but no other ship could crack a planet like the Ishimura. A literal moving manufactorum which could mine and smelt entire planets and moons.

 

"But what did this have to do with Isaac?" Thomas pondered.

 

He continued reading through the massive ship and it's functions until he found something disturbing. The Ishimura had dug up something in Aegis VII: A planet designated to be cracked before the ship would be decommissioned. Shortly after that; The ship and communications went dark. A distress beacon was set up several hours later and Isaac Clarke and his engineering troupe was set out to repair it.

 

Wait a second. THE Isaac Clarke? No more than a humble Engineer before he became a legend known throughout the Imperium as a hero? The Inquisitor licked his lips and smiled.

 

He had finally found something.

 

There have been no mentions of Isaac's previous life. This is what he needed.

 

He began to laugh, no longer capable of containing his madness.

 

This is what he needed! A backdoor into his hated rivals past life, and it was all in this portfolio! The inquisitor began to read earnestly now, eager to discover it's secrets within.

 

 ------------------------------------------

 

The Inquisitor flips through the folder in earnest. Desperate to learn about Isaac's past so he could label him as the heretic he truly was. The folder has even come with photo's of Isaac Clarke's heresy! Thomas eagerly dived into these pictures ready to find any heretical material.

 

Only to find something more disturbing than a Dark Eldar's pleasure chamber.

 

More disgusting than Plaguebearer of Nurgle.

 

More bloodthirsty than a Bloodletter

 

It was human...an abomination, a sick mockery of the perfect human frame. It was naked for the world to bear, crouched like a tiger ready to spring. Claws of sharpened bone protruding from its shoulders. Staring at Isaac. At him. With pure. Undiluted. Hatred.

 

The Inquisitor could not stop staring at this creature, and it stared back at him. It looked so real...even if it was a picture. It felt so[spoiler]makeuswhole[/spoiler]alive. The Inquisitor began to look through the rest of the pictures, forgetting about Isaac Clarke and his original mission. The pictures showed similar monsters: Some were fat, holding something sickly in their stomachs. Headless bats sticking a proboscis into the head of a mutilated corpses and watching frame by frame of how it turned into another one of them[spoiler]madeperfect[/spoiler]. Even the ships young[spoiler]allwillbemadewhole[/spoiler] were not spared! The babies transformed into mockeries of innocence[spoiler]lookathowmuchfuntheyarehaving![/spoiler] toying with their prey as he sees a picture of a man being pinned to a wall.

 

The group of pictures showed the aftermath of these creatures rampage. Mutilated corpses, and many people saying their last rites with blood on the wall. [spoiler]CUTOFFTHEIRLIMBS[/spoiler] He could hear their screams.

 

He saw an abomination like no other. No matter what happened to it would regenerate it's lost limbs no matter what damage was inflicted upon it, and then he saw its[spoiler]beautiful[/spoiler]eyes. There was intelligence...sentience in those eyes. It knew you were it's prey and he was the Hunter.

 

Another man was also shown in these pictures. He seemed to be untouched by what plagued the ship. He blatantly worshiped these creatures! The final frame shows him willingly allow an Infector to mount and turn him into one of their kin. This...is what heresy was.

 

And what of Isaac then? The only reason why these pictures exist is because he survived. He remained pious in his faith and slaughtered these creatures[spoiler]HERETIC[/spoiler]. Limb from filthy limb. The Inquisitor wiped the cold sweat of his brow, when he noticed there was one more picture left.

 

It was[spoiler]Beautiful[/spoiler]terrifying. Spiral shaped, it glowed with power as it touched the sky. He could feel it[spoiler]Thomas~[/spoiler]. He could smell it[spoiler]Accept it[/spoiler]. He tried to close his eyes[spoiler]you can't escape now[/spoiler], but he could not. He wanted to tear himself away from this [spoiler]Worship it[/spoiler] addictive picture. He only could stare as fear filled his eyes, his thought no longer becoming his own as symbols began to float from the pictures, and he heard the words that would change him for ever.

 

MAKE.

 

US.

 

WHOLE.

 

An unseen force knocks him away from that accursed picture, and the folder seals it self shut.

 

Thomas finds himself in a pile of books, papers, and folders.

 

"W-what the hell was that?" Stuttering as he recovers himself.

 

"Funny..." Thomas freezes as he hears a familiar voice. "I was about to ask why the hell you are here Inquisitor Thomas~." That damnable seductive tone can only belong to one person.

 

Thomas turns around to face the Inferno Pistol of his master: Lord Inquisitor Hexane.

 

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Thomas could only struggle in his chair. His hands were securely fastened to cuffs connected to the table in front of him, and his legs were tied to chair. Courtesy of Hexane's personal Stormtroopers.

 

He tried his best to remain calm in the tiny room, but in the back of his mind he knew he was going to die for using Heretek knowledge to get forbidden data beyond his station. His mission would never be completed. Isaac would be a free man to spread his corruption where ever he wished and no one would dare to stop him. He could only pray to the God Emperor that he would purify his soul for ascension, and that another brave man would take his place to hunt down the heretic.

 

His thoughts were interrupted when the bulkhead door in front of him with a deafening grunts and creaks. What stepped through the doors is what surprised him though. He was expecting an Inquisitor to execute him, Mistress (As she likes to be called by her male crew) Hexane to refute him but no. In came the man that Thomas feared the most.

 

"Isaac Clarke."

 

His tri-teal visor was the first thing Thomas saw.Then came his sanctioned armor: Covered in protective plates it adorned his body like the purity seals of the most zealous Space Marines, what wasn't covered by metal was protected by what looked like synthskin. How strange though. The plates look more to be designed to defend against crushing, slashing, and other forms of close quarters combat. Next he saw his sanctioned plasma cutter: A modified plasma pistol that fires a stream of plasma burning its mark of the Emperor in Heretic flesh. It laid comfortably attached to his hip.

 

"So...this is the man then?" Came the unnaturally calm mans voice. Thomas was put off by how smooth the voice came through his helmet. It was like there was not even a vox in there in the first place. Is there?

 

"Yup that's him!" Came the seductive voice of Hexane. "He has been a naughty, naughty boy and tried to look up incriminating evidence against you that would say you were a heretic."

 

Why that traitorous bitch! Thomas gritted his teeth to prevent himself from yelling out. May the Emperors fire burn you to oblivion Witch!

 

Hexane showed a devilish smile. "Ohohoho...looks like the little boy toy still has some attitude!"

 

Fuck, you forgot she was a psyker.

 

Isaac simply chuckled. "It matters not whether what you refer him as Miss Hexane." Hexane begins to pout at Isaac for not using her 'proper' title. "The final say goes to me."

 

Wait...did THE Mistress Hexane pout? And why did Isaac has say on his death? Was he his executioner?

 

Hexane begins to laugh again "No silly acolyte of mine! He has forestalled your execution and has decided to take you with him on one of his expeditions!"

 

Wait...WHAT!? Thomas tried to stand up but to his lamentations it ended with his face hitting the edge of the table.

 

Inquisitor Hexane tries and fails to laugh at Thomas' poor predicament as she begins to walk towards his restraints. The poor Inquisitor can only groan in pain when he feels his hands become free from the latches on the table. As his legs become free as well, Thomas rubs his wrists in order to get the blood going. Thoroughly embarrassed for showing weakness to the enemy he can only sit there and wait for Isaac to respond.

 

"So..." Isaac begins, but Thomas can tell he is trying to prevent himself from laughing at the Inquisitor. How humble for a heretic... "Like what Hexane said before your...predicament. I have decided to foreclose your execution in favor of joining me on a expedition."    

 

"What?" Said Thomas thoroughly surprised that this heretic would take pleasure in killing him himself.

 

Before Thomas can ask why, Isaac interrupts him. "The reason behind this is because you wish to find out the truth about me. It would be better to show you the truth itself, and show why ignorance is the best weapon to the Imperium of Man."

 

Thomas was stunned. Isaac Clarke will show him the truth? His memories returned to the archives, the pictures he saw, the notes he read. He remembered that before he saw the picture of the spiraled structure he managed to decipher a script in that strange alien tongue.

 

"The nightmare may have ended, but it never stops."

 

What the hell has he gotten himself into?

 

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Thomas, free of his manacles and that damnable room now finds him self in a worse position. He is currently sandwiched between the silent Isaac Clarke at his front and Hexane to his back that may or may not have her bolter pistol pressing at him to continue forward.

 

"I do actually" Comes Hexane's voice to break the silence.

 

The silent march continued among the hallways which Thomas later learned was Hexane's personal ship known as the: The Lingering Doubt. Eventually the group met themselves at a massive bulwark. Isaac simply touched the doors and the machine spirit happily obliged and opened for them. There Thomas saw a more terrifying site.

 

This room was the hanger launch bay, and it was preparing for war. He saw the comfortably familiar sanctioned weapons like the Lasgun, Heavy Bolter, and Krak Grenades. Among them though were the unsanctioned weapons of Isaac Clarke and his troupe. Some looked like Isaac's personal sidearm but less...modified, another looked like a lasgun but it was triple barreled and had a blue tint to it, finally he saw what looked like a miniaturized flamethrower that could easily be held one handed.

 

The Inquisitor could have looked more into the strange weapons, but his attention was grabbed by another person who was maintaining and giving attention to all the weaponry that laid around them. He was rather short only 4'9, but wore a similar RIG to Isaac Clarke. He suddenly turned around and...skipped? Towards Isaac and gave him a hug.

 

"Isaac!" He yells in a chipper tone "It's so good to see you again!"

 

"I was only gone for an hour." Chuckled Isaac, as he returned the hug "How are the machine spirits Ishi?"

 

This was Ishi? As the Inquisitor eyes widened and examined the small person. His form was lithe but left no room for imagination. He can't tell if it's a he or a she behind that tri-visor helmet.

 

Ishi...smiled? You can't really tell with that helmet. "The Machine spirits are primed and ready for the Emperor's Fury!" He said excitedly as three heavily modified servo skulls were floating around her eagerly.

 

"Well it's good to see someone is in a chipper mood as always." Comes another voice.

 

The Inquisitors turns his head to meet an intimidating sight: Another man wearing a RIG suit colored in black and red. Unlike Isaac's or Ishi's suit, this one had two red eye slots and it seemed to burn with untold fury. His stance was also different from Isaac's as well. Unlike Isaac's usual calm and collective stance, this man poured an aggressive, uncompromising stance, like how a veteran of many wars would act. His head turns to Thomas as he tries to suppress himself from swallowing. Any form of weakness in front of this man and he'll turn you raw.

 

"And who is this chump?" Asks the red man.

 

"This is Inquisitor Thomas" Replies Isaac. "He'll be accompanying us on a exhibition to liberate Titan Station from the necromorphs."

 

Silence echoed throughout the room. Thomas couldn't tell from the red mans mask, but he was sure he had a dumbfounded look.

 

"Isaac..." Replies the red man.

 

"Yes Carver?"

 

"Are you a fucking idiot?!" Carver yells, and points to the Inquisitor. "He wouldn't last for a fucking minute I bet!"

 

"Well he was going to be tried and executed for investigating the archives forbidden to all but the High-Lords of Terra. So it was either death by purifying flame or death by a slasher hit to his gut, him getting up again, and them me smashing his face in." Replied Isaac casually.

 

Thomas began to sweat but before he asked what these 'necromorphs' were his memory flashed to the pictures in the files. He audibly gulped at their horrifying visage and wondered: If they were that disturbing in the pictures. What were they like to meet in person?

 

"Sir Isaac we are prepared." Come another voice.

 

Thomas looks to the voices direction and finds a squad of similarly armed and armored people. The 6 men all carry the similar tri-barreled rifle, and they are similarly armored. Thomas couldn't help but be put off that their helmets visors looked like it was giving a malicious grin.

 

"You are then?" Said Isaac. "Good, then we are prepared as well. Hexane if you would prepare this ship for warp so that we may reach our destination as soon as possible. That would be great."

 

Hexane smiles when Isaac calls her out, but she did not like getting ordered. "Aw but Isaac~ there are so many other things we can do before we begin our travels." She smiles lasciviously.

 

Isaac simply sighs. "No, we do not Madame Hexane. Now if you could PLEASE prepare the ship for the warp that would be exemplary.

 

Hexane huffs, but nonetheless exits the launch bay with her retinue of stormtroopers to go to the bridge.

 

Thomas could only look dumbfounded at the short scene. Never has he ever seen a man resist or put off Hexane's advances so...easily. In truth this may explain Hexane's interest in Isaac Clarke isn't all about fame and power.

 

The familiar rumbling begins as the Astropath screams its course to the lost Titan Station where Thomas' death may or may not await.

 

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Thomas sleeps soundly despite the knowledge that he may die very soon. The Emperor will be his judge in the next life and he will accept whatever punishment that his God sees fit. Even if it means to suffer in the warp for eternity.

 

"Wake up Inquisitor!" Comes the voice of Carver. "We are here!" As he kicks him awake.

 

The Inquisitor can only groan and glare at the red man, but he only chuckles and walks away to wake the rest of his squad. Gently. The rumbling has noticeably stopped. A good sign because that means the gellar field has hold, and that there are no warp spawn in sight. The next few minutes lead to what he later learned would Havoc Squads (The men in the soldier RIGS) maintenance of their individual machine spirits.

 

Thomas could only watch in fascination as each individual man began to take apart their weapons and armor, and pay close attention for any faults or problems. Each problem was fixed easily and without ceremony. After they were finished they put back their equipment where it belong'd and the machine spirit whirred happily from the squads ministrations and seemed to glow brighter than before.

 

"Each machine spirit has bonded with its individual user." Comes a familiar chipper tone.

 

Startled, Thomas turns around quickly to the smiling? Helmet of Ishi. Does she ever take off that helmet? You shake off the question and ask her to go into detail about what he meant before.

 

Ishi seems to brighten at this and begins his lecture. "When we are born we are bonded to our RIG." She turns around and tries her best to point at the glowing segmented line in his back. "The RIG monitors our life signs and it will change color and deplete to show how much life is left in us. It also allows us to keep in contact with other RIG users in the area so that we are never alone." Ishi seems to be a bit saddened by this. "We don't like being alone so that's why we have our RIGS. So that we always know that there is someone watching our backs!"

 

Thomas cant help but to smile at the girls energy, but he asks about the machine spirit in the RIG.

 

Ishi claps his hands. "Oh right! Each RIG has its own machine spirit that bonds to a specific person. The person who has bonded to the machine spirit so he or she is the only person ever allowed to touch it unless that other person is a certified Engineer." Ishi stops himself before she goes completely off topic. "Anyway to put it simply: The RIG bonds with a person and that persons 'DUTY' is to maintain and care for the RIG, and the RIG in turn provides all those features I have talked about before. Do you get it?"

 

Thomas could only nod in fascination from this. Technically each and every person that has a RIG is a Techpriest who maintains there own equipment on and off the field. They have knowledge to know how to treat their machine spirit well and most likely others as well if they hold this "Engineer" rank. It sounds similar to a Magos.

 

Before Thomas can ask more questions, Carver walks into the room.

 

"Alright boys!" He yells. "We are currently stationed above Titan Station and Isaac wants us RIGs prepped and ready for Zero-G in five minutes!"

 

Havoc Squad begins to pack their equipment and are fully suited up in three. They then march their way down the hallway that Carver came from. Ishi turns to join them, but not before she waves back to Thomas, and skips her way down the hall.

 

Carver then turns to you. "Oh yea." He says nonchalantly. "Hexane wants you in the Thunderbird right this instant. You'll be joining her and her retinue of stormtroopers once we get the bay open to let you guys in." He was about to turn to go down the hallway, when he suddenly turns around to address Thomas again. "Oh yea one more thing. Catch." He throws an object at Thomas who catches it effortlessly. "Pull the trigger to shoot, and press that button at the top of the gun where you put your thumb to have it swap to a vertical or horizontal angle." Carver then walks down the hallway to meet his squad.

 

Thomas looks at what he is holding and it is a Plasma Cutter! He marvels at the weapon he is holding and examines all it pieces of the advanced weapon. He presses the button and watches as the front of the gun shifts from its vertical position to a horizontal one. Another press of the button and it returns to its original position.

 

Thomas almost lost himself when examining the weapon, but remembers about Hexane wanting him in the Thunderhawk so he rushes to its position. Ready to do the Emperors service.

 

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A good forty minutes later and still nothing was happening. Thomas was still stuck in the Thunderhawk taking an odd glance at his new plasmacutter every now and then to make sure it was in good condition. Hes honestly not sure how Mistress Hexane got her hands on a Space Marine transport ship that can hold about thirty space marines, but then again she IS an Inquisitor.

 

Hexane is also in the ship talking with the helmsman to see how much longer it will take Isaac and his retinue to get in the space station to unlock the hangar doors. He also see Hexane's Storm Trooper's preparing themselves for battle.

 

There are about twenty of them and there is still room for maybe another thirty more in this Thunderhawk. They are maintaining their hotshots, praying to the God Emperor for strength and fury, tapping their micro-beads to see if they work, and double checking to see if their respirators are working. What surprises you though is that they have also requisitioned a Heavy Bolter emplacement to use as well.

 

*shrk* "Hexane do you read us?" Comes at static voice over the vox.

 

Hexane taps her micro-bead. "I hear you loud and clear Isaac. Why is their so much static?"

 

"RIG" *shrk* "-ot that capable of" *shrk* "-tacting different communication" *shrk* "ources. You are clear to" *shrk* "say again you are" *shrk* "to land. Hangar doors are open." *shrk* "out."

 

Hexane nods and tells the pilot to prepare to land where the hanger doors have opened.

 

A sense of weightlessness overcomes Thomas as the Thunderhawk begins to lift off and enter space. Thomas and the rest of the crew are eerily silent as the Hawk makes its way to the open hangar doors of a derelict space station.

 

It finally lands but that tenseness did not end. Even Hexane who is usually stalwart and makes a speech about that the Emperor is with them, is also silent.

 

Death was here, and the doors of Thunderbird have not even opened yet.

 

With a loud hiss the doors open and dry, dusty air floods the ship. Thomas coughs a few times, until a Storm Trooper gives him respirator to wear over his nose and mouth. Saying his thanks Thomas puts it on and walks out with the rest of the troupe. Now breathing in dry, but at least filtered air.

 

Dust was everywhere. This place looks like it hasn't been disturbed for decades. Suitcases, toys, clothes, and other essentials were strewn around the bay. Frozen in time it looked like a lot of people tried to leave the station and the stained blood on the walls, floors, and ceiling show that not many of them made it. How in the God Emperors name did blood get on the ceiling?

 

Thomas' observations were interrupted with the sound footfalls of Isaac Clarke and his entourage.

 

"Everyone make it alright?" Calls out Isaac.

 

"Yea everyone fine." Calls back Hexane, she lights up her inferno pistol. "Lets go burn some heretics." While wearing a wicked smile.

 

A simple formation was set up: Isaac, Carver, and Ishi at the front. Havoc Squad after them. Hexane, Thomas, and the emplacement in the middle, and the rest of the storm troopers at the back.

 

More dust, more accessories, more blood. The hallway they were walking down was filled with it. The odd thing was it that there were a lot of busted vents, as if something crawled out from within to intercept whoever was running. Most likely hundreds of civilians. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed down the path, it was as if even sound had abandoned this place. As if this place wanted to forgotten.

 

"This place is pretty big." Whispers one of the Havoc squad members.

 

"Yea I know. This place is perfect!" Whispers another ob back excitedly. "Once we clear this place, we may be able to expand again. It will solve the over population problems that some of our stations have been having recently."

 

"Hey cut the chatter." Calls the Havoc Squad leader. "We are here to do out job. Once we are done we can talk after."

 

Silence returns to the group as they near an unknown destination.    

 

Then, they hear it. Chanting.

 

Isaac raises his fist and everyone stops.

 

"Unitologists." Says Carver.

 

"Heretics." Says Hexane, disgusted in using such a word.

 

Ah yes Unitology. You read about them on the Thunderhawk: A religious group that worships xeno artifacts known as Markers. They have been a thorn in Isaac's side for a very long time. Like any heretical cult, they brainwash their victims into joining them in their evil worship. Once you are in, you never can get out. The only cure for this heresy is death.

 

Thomas smiles. If he were still a Redemptionist he would have charged in there with the Emperors untold fury, but now though as an Inquisitor he must keep his wrath under control, and turn his rage into not an uncontrollable flame, but as a scalpel. Precise, persistent, and unforgiving fury. Still though, he could feel his blood boil at their chanting as they near the heretics position. Death would come, but it wouldn't be his.

 

It would be theirs.

 

As they get closer and closer, the chanting become more discernible.

 

"Take our hands so that we may feed you."

 

"Take our eyes so that we may see you."

 

"Take our lives so that we may serve you."

 

"So that we may live forever."

 

Those words were chanted over and over again, and it only got louder as they neared its congregation.

 

The group finds the chanting in an abandoned auditorium, and there are hundreds of them. All them chanting like it is a mantra and their existence is to speak it. Thomas peers into the crowd and sees many of them horribly disfigured. Some had their hands brutally separated from their bodies, and replaced with crude claws of metal, painfully intertwined in their flesh and blood. Others have stabbed themselves with metal spears, or carved strange runes in their flesh. Effigies of flesh, bone, and blood have been placed around the room. Some of them are even alive still, futilely moaning the chant as well.

 

Hidden in the back. Everyone has begun to lay prone behind the seats where the cultist aren't sitting. Monitoring this horrific worship for flesh and blood.

 

Hexane could only gape her mouth like a fish, and look in fear and awe of what around her. She has helped Isaac with a few cults being cleansed with holy fire, but never has she seen a congregation of so many so...brutalized.

 

"It seems we have found a lesser sect of Unitology." Replied Carver. "The Church of Flesh."