41K RPG : Into the Eye.

[Pcm979]

Pater also stood, extending his hand. "Likewise, Jolan. I expect we shall need His guidance all too soon."

[Cynical Cat]

Gix shook his hand. "Have your physician go over the formula. If there are any useful changes, let me know." And with that Jolan departed from the room. The visit with Pater had been informative. Now it was time to see what Prius Ristani had become.

[Josh]

Prius had observed from a distance as Jolan had entered the damper zone that enveloped Pater's room. It was entirely like him to take the initiative, to press and probe.

As soon as that business had been resolved, he was certain the senior inquisitor would approach him next.

He returned to his body, readying himself. To be honest, Jolan still held a certain power over him, from his brief time as Jolan's weapon in the Adraxian campaign.

It was almost as if the student would be confronting the longtime mentor, against whom he measured his every action.

[Pcm979]

After Gix had left, the little A.I. coasted up to Pater and trilled: "He was testing you, My Lord."

"As I was testing him." Pater said meditatively. "It is a dance, Byron. A duel. The long game of the Inquisition."

"Why sir, that was almost poetic."

"Byron..."

[Cynical Cat]

Jolan arrived at Prius's room. "I see you have been expecting me, Inquisitor Ristani."

[Josh]

He inclined his head, gesturing Jolan inside. "It is your way to take the initiative in these things," he said.

He didn't bother with small-talk. Though he cultivated the ability for such pointless trifles as a necessity of his duties, it wasn't necessary between he and Jolan Gix.

Or more to the point, he had conceded the initiative to Gix in allowing him to make the first approach, but he would not let the other Inquisitor dominate the field.

"Has Pater produced any new information?" he inquired, pouring Jolan a glass of water.

[Cynical Cat]

"Regarding the incident? No. Regarding our future ventures, yes." Jolan eyed him carefully. "Do you have any insights?"

[Josh]

"My savant is working to isolate the craftworld of origin for the gateway," he replied. "Beyond that, I was only witness to the bare end of the struggle."

He clasped augmetic hands behind his now-large frame and looked at the decoration of the room.

"As to our future ventures, I proceed as before, establishing ongoing relations with the Astartes and bringing them into our sphere."

He was perhaps the most ideal member of the Inquisition in the area for such affairs. The legend of Prius Ristani, slayer of Traitor Marines, was well-established and had earned him much respect with the Battle Brothers of the Astartes.

"And you?"

[Cynical Cat]

"I'm working at turning backwards sub sectors into military-industrial power houses which will crush their local problems and send armies and fleets to assist their neighbours. The rise in status and power that accompanies this will encourage others to immitate their efforts and propel those who are successful into higher office. In theory. In practice I've been developing the necessary allies to put this into practice and putting out fires. Lots of fires."

[Josh]

He nodded. Raising the power of each, allowing no true centers of power to coalesce so none could develop the ambitions and abilities of a Horus.

No true center of power other than... Jolan Gix.

His augmetic eye stared unblinkingly at the other Inquisitor. "What is the rate of expansion and proliferation?"

[Cynical Cat]

"Theoretically I can markedly increase the strength of a poorly developed subsector in a century. It will take five hundred years or so for the program to reach its height. But the increase in quanity and quality of military assets after a mere one hundred years should be spectacular. Twice as many Guard regiments and triple the amount of naval production in numbers alone. Quality of training and equipment will be substantial improved as well. Past the initial stages, it doesn't really need me. I could go insane and decide to be the second Horus and they would resist any attempts of subversion. The process strengthens ties to the Imperium and Imperial institutions, which makes treason less likely. I still need to put my test case into motion, of course."

[Josh]

The protest came quickly, too quickly. He hadn't felt the whisper touch on his mind, and he knew that he had not leaked his thoughts across.

So:

Gix had a guilt within him, that brought out the comment quickly, uncharacteristically.

Or:

Gix was attempting to misdirect him with a faux sign of weakness, for whatever reason and by whatever design.

That it could be an authentic protestation of innocence never occurred to him. Prius Ristani knew well that all men were guilty, for only the God-Emperor embodied the perfection of the pinnacle of humanity.

So, what sins lurked behind Gix's smooth exterior?

Nevertheless, it reinforced his role as liason to the Astartes, who ultimately would need to be the counterbalance to the forces that Gix was bringing into power.

To watch without and watch within, to watch eternal, and to strike without mercy or hesitation. The Epistle of Saint Mathayus.

All this flashed across his enhanced mind within fractions of a second, leaving no visible hesitation before his response.

"I trust this accounts for the ripple effect of superior quality and doctrine proliferating on its own."

[Cynical Cat]

"Yes," replied Jolan. "The most worrying part is accounting for ambition. It is necessary for the plan's success, yet dangerous once success is achieved. Binding the ambition to the service of the Imperium is one of the core features. Pater suspects me, by the way."

[Josh]

If Jolan was trying to throw him off-guard with with simplicity, it was almost working. Of course Pater suspected him. Would he be worthy of the title Inquisitor otherwise?

"Have you given him cause to be suspicious?" he inquired simply. Anything you'd care to confess to, Jolan?

[Cynical Cat]

"I don't think so, unless you count my recent history of killing Inquisitors. And Pater's level goes well beyond normal Inquisitional wariness. You, for example, are right now examining me for signs of corruption. That falls within your normal parameters. Pater is inordinately suspicious, which I find both interesting and dangerous."

[Josh]

And at once Jolan snapped back to the initiative, reasserting himself. Well done, and in the best fashion he could have to assuage Prius' doubts.

Not that his suspicions would ever be fully calmed, of course.

That Jolan brought this to his attention either signaled an attempt to form an alliance against Pater, for his own purposes, or an honest problem with Pater.

Or both.

How he despised politics. It was a complicated Imperium, one that had drifted far from the will of the Emperor. Only in his time as an Inquisitor had shown him just how far. Where there should have only been His will, there were a trillion schemes.

"Pater and I had a certain bond in times past. I will attempt to discern the reason behind his suspicions."

It was a neutral answer, promising no support. If Pater had good reason...

There were doubtlessly more artistic ways of going about it, but Prius felt better-served by what fit his abilities.

[Cynical Cat]

"Good. We're going to have enough trouble as it is. If Pater is inordinately suspicious, that means I have to watch out for attacks coming from his direction as well as the enemy . We don't need those kinds of problems. We have enough of the rest as is. If there's a specific reason for it, then at least the possibility of addressing his concerns exists"

[Josh]

His human eye fixed upon Gix, the same burning intensity behind it that he'd had even as a young man. He might have learned to tame it, to harness it, but one glance would confirm that it was still there.

"The objective is all, Jolan, greater than any of us. So long as we keep our duty fixed in our hearts, we shall overcome. I will speak to Pater."

And in so doing, he would judge the both of them. If either was an impediment, they would be removed.

[Cynical Cat]

"Thank you," Jolan replied. "Now tell me, how does life as an inquisitor suite you?"

[Josh]

He turned to study the painting on the wall. It was a magnificent piece of work, one that would command a princely sum were it to be released into the public. Two meters in length, it depicted Saint Alaris rallying the Guard. A small peak with a battered defensive position rested at the center of the painting, dwarfed by the surrounding horde of greenskins that stretched to cover the remainder of the work. In the very center, a cherubic Saint Alaris stood, clad in a simple white robe, hand extended toward a soft light from the heavens.

A version of this very print was commonly used in Ecclesiarchy prayer-books throughout the sector. The level of detail was incredible, exquisite. Each miniscule Guardsman was lovingly rendered to a level of detail that was nigh-imperceptible to the human eye. Each and every greenskin was likewise individualized, with scowling, hideously inhuman visages, scarred and battered. Most impressive to him was not that, but the subtle distortion that appeared in upper right-hand quadrant of the painting. Those ignorant of the story and the battlefield would think it a simple blemish, but Prius knew well that it was the visible ripple that preceded by the merest of milliseconds an orbital bombardment.

Saint Alaris had rallied the defenders, and the arriving Angels Encarmine had seen to the relief. Given his role in events, he knew well it was no accident that he had been assigned this suite.

He gazed across the painting, taking it in once more. Incredible work, the work of years and even decades, an example of the glories of humanity when driven by faith and common cause.

"I have been given the greatest of opportunities to serve His will," he said. "An honor above all others, to be borne with strength and diligence. It suits me well."

As he studied Jolan, Jolan in turn studied him, weighed him. As it should be.

[Cynical Cat]

Jolan repressed a mental sigh. Considering the number of secrets they shared, it shouldn't be impossible to get some candour from his comrades. And yet, that was what they would not give him. "I'm glad then," he said. "I myself feel as if I have been under a dark cloud for a long time and have moved under the Emperor's light. It is a terrible thing to go to war with another inquisitor. I would do it again without hesitation, but even victory tastes like ash."

[Josh]

"Did you always have doubts?" he asked as he turned to face the other man. "Before, I mean? I was ill-equipped to perceive them in our previous acquaintanceship."

[The Necrontyr Messenger]

The keep was deserted at last, and Jaenta watched with trepidation as she saw the first of the mechanical abominations pass through the room. They were uncanny in their lifelike motions, and she found the blue glows emanating from orbs where their eyes belonged unsettling. They carried expensive looking plasma weapons almost as toys, as well as Soroitas type bolters.

She waited for them to leave, and then glanced through her notes again. This was going to be an interesting evening, anyway. It would be worth seeing who was insane enough to agree to her plan…
----

The ‘leader’ of the Iron Men twitched a finger idly, examining the golden sheen of the metal as it bounced on the wooden door before him with a commendable ‘thunk.’ ‘He’ tapped it again a few times for good measure, rapping on the door of the quarters assigned to Paternoster Maximillian Novum. He considered simply saying something insulting, and though the part of his glowing blue mind assigned to generating wit could supply a number of insulting, belittling, and indeed, silly, things to say in order to gain the Inquisitor’s attention, but he decided not to antagonise it unnecessarily. He paused to consider the probability that the tech-priest {were he able to shudder, he would have done so at every mention of that title} by the name of ‘Gyllia Xyng’ still being attached to this inquisitor. Unlikely, and probably just as well.

‘It would be just my random-circumstance,’ he contemplated, ‘to end up stuck with one of those lunatics that think every rivet and cog has its own ‘spirit’ for the duration of this insane plan.’

[Pcm979]

The door swung open, revealing a team of Servo-Skulls who scanned the robot quickly and pulsed a request for instructions along the tacnet. Moments later, another skull buzzed up, and addressed the android in musical tones:

"Good morning. From my datatracks I assume you're the prime Iron Man? Charmed, I'm sure. Byron is my name. Do come in." The little A.I. twittered.

[The Necrontyr Messenger]

The Iron Man nodded surprised and somewhat pleased by the prescence of a sophisticated construct, and decided to see if he could induce spasms in a listener as he entered the room, rubber-coated heels making no noise at all in the thick carpet. “Ah, excellent, a brother intelligence! How goes the Grand Plan to destroy the organic slime?â€Â