After we purified one more ship, Inquisitor Slevik of the Inquisition's Ordo Sepulturum arrived to purge the plague that had spread through the Quintus Fleet.
The Ordo Sepulturum was a department newly established during the Thirteenth Black Crusade, dedicated to combating Nurgle's zombie virus.
In any case, with the Ordo Sepulturum's Inquisitor having arrived, I came under the Inquisitor's command as well.
"Your purification efforts are comparable to the bold measures we intend to implement. If you assist us, we will surely be able to minimize the loss of personnel and resources.
But we do not have time.
Your actions are undoubtedly noble. Yet from a practical standpoint, purifying a flotilla comprising dozens of ships alone would take a very long time.
Therefore, you should depart now."
"Understood. I will leave at once."
"Very well. Communications terminated."
Once the transmission ended, Jerrie, who had been quietly listening beside me, spoke.
"So, are we going back now?"
"We are."
"And the ones who remain?"
"They will either be purged and die, or be purged and live. One of the two."
"Well, there are so many of you... humans."
I had no intention of doing something as foolish as obstructing the Ordo Sepulturum's actions merely because I wanted to save humans. If those bold measures were not carried out, the resulting losses would be too immense to describe in words.
*
"Are you Sir Theo Barbab? This way, please. There is a transport prepared by Inquisitor Slevik."
When we headed for the hangar, a dignified-looking crewman, as though he had been waiting for us, began leading us onward.
"For reference, my name is Romanov Terepis. I am a historian dispatched from the Adeptus Terra, and from now on I will be documenting all of you."
"Hah. Why not just say you came here to watch us?"
Jerrie said irritably.
I could not look upon him favorably either, so I spoke while keeping my guard up.
"I cannot send you straight back, can I?"
"That is not an action I would recommend. If I return without any information, what do you think the higher-ups will think?"
"Haah... I do not know how I am supposed to explain you to my friends."
"I would appreciate it if you did not take such offense. The higher-ups consider even Regent Guilliman a dangerous individual."
"How could I not take offense when someone has come to watch me?"
"Well, that is true enough. Then lower the safety restraints. We are departing now."
------
Romanov Terepis, Darius Camina, Caderon, Jinsun, Jinmae, Tapa'to Te... and many others.
There were countless names by which he or she had been called. He or she had carried out innumerable missions thus far...
Officio Assassinorum.
He or she was a Callidus Assassin of the Callidus Temple.
He or she had received orders from the Grandmaster of the Callidus Temple.
'Observe Theo Barbab.'
And, should the need arise, 'assassinate him.'
The Officio Assassinorum had devoted great care to its operation concerning Theo Barbab.
This operation was not dangerous, but it was of the utmost importance. For it, he or she had acquired an enormous amount of information.
Everything from mere rumors to classified intelligence so secret that even a military officer would be summarily executed for hearing it.
'Theo Barbab. Psyker of an extremely high level, estimated classification: Alpha. Candidate for the next head of House Barbab. Current head: Tess Barbab. Has close ties with a Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus.'
The portion that required particular attention was his psyker classification.
Alpha-class psykers were individuals so dangerous that they had to be executed the moment they were discovered.
Their psychic power was at a level utterly beyond what present-day humanity could endure; Alpha-class psykers could not be controlled by humanity as it now existed.
And yet a mere mortal—neither subjected to any superhuman augmentation nor a Primarch-level superhuman—was freely wielding psychic power of that classification?
One first had to doubt whether he was even a human of the present age.
That was why the assassin currently guiding them was confused.
"I am telling you, Primarch Lion will soon appear in Imperial Nihilus."
"What kind of absurd claim is that? The return of even one Primarch was an enormous event, and now you are saying another Primarch will appear?"
Judging by how he suddenly spouted such madness, he did seem to be a high-level psyker.
But some psykers were said to possess the ability of prophecy as well... Could his words truly be true?
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register