Maegon turns as he speaks and catches Azrael's gaze. They lock eyes for a moment, and it is clear to the Inquisitor that the Magos knows just what Asea Eranion is, though how he knows such a secret is another matter.
Maegon wonders whether the techpriest will say anything, but he does not.
The Inquisitor and the Magos exchange a look full of... empathy.
Magon ponders to ask mentally how Azrael knows Asea Eranion.
Or probe his cybernetic memories without he might even notice.
But that's not the priority.
Instead Azrael breaks his gaze away from the Inquisitor and turns to Nemus.
"I have control of the ship's turrets, what of them remain at least."
Turning back to the Inquisitor and the two space marines he continues, "I am unlikely to be of any great assistance to you with Lexander. I will see to the ship's defences and ensure we are ready to take off. The augur arrays have been a long way down the priority list for repairs, if they really are picking up energy fluctuations from the hive, those fluctuations must be massive and I for one don't want to stick around to see what the presage."
"The Dark Angels, the Space Wolves and the Necromundan Spiders will co-ordinate with you."Maegon turns toward the Wulfen and catch his eyes.
"Hrothgar. You come with me to the command bridge ?"The psychic impulse is subtle, but exalts the warlike instincts of the Wulfen.
Of course Hrothgar will come to the bridge. He has a duel to fight and win.
He only thinks about this duel now. He doesn't think about sending a message to his henchmen - Ravn, Irelda and Kippin. He only thinks about Lexander and how to kill him.
The Space Wolf grunts and shows a fierce smile: "How course I come !"
With that Azrael turns to leave, but as he passes Maegon he takes hold of the Inquisitor's shoulder and says, "Good luck friend, does your Interrogator know how to care for you during your unconsciousness?"
The subtext is obvious and Maegon nods, to anyone else it would appear just in acknowledgement of the good wishes. Azrael nods in return and departs, leaving the Inquisitor wondering just slightly what other secrets the Magos might know that he really is not supposed to.
Of course, Nemus does.
Thank you for your concerns. "Good luck, Emperor protects."Maegon, Nemus and Hrothgar leave the room.
On the way, they meet Oshgor, Jethro, THX-138 and the Manticores.
The Inquisitor gives telepathic orders to each of them.
They are ready - as much as possible.
Ready to kill and ready to die.
Maegon remembers Azrael's report, concerning Lexander's message projected by the ship's internal vox-casters:
"This is Captain Lexander of the Relictors. Your master and commander, the magnanimous Xerxzes, has been called away on important business. He has appointed me as his champion - and replacement commander of the Sensibilious. He bids you continue to serve me as you have served him. If you do I will keep you on as crew and extend my protection to you as Xerxzes has done. We will also be taking on additional crew and passengers. And we need to get this ship operational again. Cadia is not a place where we can remain for long. Lexander out.#On the command deck (aka the bridge):
Lexander greets Inquisitor Maegon once he enters the command deck. "Inquisitor, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he says. That chaos-imbued shield of his is strapped to his arm.
Adorus Galrek, Lexander's lieutenant-librarian, stands close to his captain, his chaos orb pulsating with unseen power.
The rest of the Relictors (6 of them) are spread out across the bridge, making good use of available cover - and critical components, like bridge officers, high-grade servitors, and cogitator banks. In a firefight they will have cover, while you will be wrecking stuff.
Lexander indicates the librarian at his side. "Librarian Adorus urges me to be gone from this place. According to his premonitions we are about to die, all of us, unless we get going."
The atmosphere stinks.
Chaos.
Maegon walks confidently in front of his retinue, his force staff in one hand, the other hand open as a sign of peace.
Hrothgar is on the right, his cold anger stifled by the Inquisitor's willpower - for now.
His battle servitor THX is on the left.
Nemus, Oshgor and Jethro come behind them.
The Manticores deploy on the sides.
The group provides a peaceful but potentially deadly overall impression.
"Thank you for your invitation, Captain Lexander."Maegon observes that none of the Relictors show the slightest sign of trouble when hearing his powerful voice.
Their minds are protected against its effects.
"Librarian Adorus is right. A giant vessel of unknown origin is about to reach Cadia. The planet is doomed, as we are if we don't leave very soon.Hte Inquisitor stops, and his retinue stops immediately.
"But please tell me... What is the purpose of your invitation, Captain ?" Maegon asks.
"Or maybe should I call you, Champion of Xerxzes ? he adds mentally.
"It's very simple, Inquisitor." Lexander answers.
"Or maybe should I call you, Champion of Kairos ?"
For the first time since he drank Asea Eranion, a small crack appears in the Inquisitor's armor of confidence.
Maegon mentally gives the go and creates a force field in front of him.
Hrothgar and Oshgor rush forward, while his other henchmen raise their weapons and open fire.
Nemus targets Adorus with his bolt pistol, but the Orb warns the Librarian and the series of bolts is easily avoided. Adorus shoots in his turn but Nemus moved behind the force field.
Oshgor is less lucky and despite his great agility, he is shot by merciless burst of bolters.
The Manticores give their best, but their accuracy and firepower are worthless against the superior abilities, armors and weapons of the Relictors. The latter slaughter the stormtroopers, then destroy the battle servitor.
Hrothgar reaches Lexander. The clash is terrible. However, the Lector takes the upper easily thanks to the Tower of Silence and his new powers.
In a few seconds, only Maegon, Nemus and Jethro stand against the Relictors.
The vision dissipates.
"It's very simple, Inquisitor."
Lexander smiles while speaking.
Maegon voluntarily shared the vision with him, to enhance the Lector's confidence.
"We must work together, not against each other, to make the Sensibilious take off. Together, and with your
allies."
Lexander needs Azrael.
Despite they control the crew, the Relictors must miss a skilled servitor of the Machine God.
Maegon too needs Azrael.
But he doesn't need Lexander.
Maegon mentally gives the go - this time, for real.
He uses his mighty psychic powers to deform reality itself. More precisely, he deforms the metal bridge to imprison the Relictor's feet and legs. He can not act on their mind, but he can influence their environment.
Oshgor swallows combat drugs and rushes forward, both power swords in hands, toward Lexander and his fate.
Nemus doesn't waste a bullet against Adorus, but instead shoots another Relictor right in the head. A single bullet, guided and accelerated by his psy powers. Then the Interrogator creates a force field to protect his Master and retinue. An unidirectional barrier, providing protection from the front side, but allowing bullets to pass from the rear side.
The Manticores take the time to aim, then shoot toward the Relictors. The sniper, Greyval, kills one of them, while the holder of the plasma rifle, Carrulak, kills another one.
Three Marines retaliate against the stormtroopers, protected by the force field. However Adorus dissipates the barrier, and a storm of bullets decimates the Manticores.
Nemus swears and creates another force field.
Hrothgar did not rush forward.
Just after bending the metal ground, Maegon put his hand on the skull of the Space Wolf and channeled raw energy to unleash
the beast inside him.
His body, armor, jaw, claws and chainsword are distorted by the energy of the Warp.
His mind is free from all previous anchors, only filled with primal rage and desire to slaughter Lexander.
Despite the noises of the gunshot, his insane roar covers all other sounds on the bridge.
In a few seconds, mutated by Maegon's powers, Hrothgar became a four-meter high exalted Wulfen.
"Crush him." commands the Inquisitor while designating Lexander.
Meanwhile, Oshgor did his best to distract the Lector.
Despite his training, ferocity and the use of combat drugs, the assassin had not a single chance.
His body lies at Lexander's feet.
Not only eviscerated. But also reduced to smoldering ashes.
