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Jolan cracked a smile. "You're welcome Nathan. For your edification commissar colonel, Hethor is of the opinion that one should know why the man had only half his standard load out before determining punishment."

Pater squirmed a bit and tried to laugh it off. "Just doing my duty to the Emperor."

"Extenuating circumstances do exist," he admitted reluctantly to Gix.

Nathan opens the bag and sets a picture out on Paters bed,He takes a small bundle with hiom to the washroom. Leaving the three men alone.

Gix turned towards Pater. "Impressive. Pater seems determined to start his career as a full inquisitor with an impressive trophy rack."

Pater wasn't listening, though. He was looking at the picture with his eye bugging out and his jaw on the floor.

Prius likewise has dropped to his knees, hands folded into the formal sign of aquila, eyes on the floor.

Jolan Gix just stood there, memorized by the image.

Nathan came back in a fresh outfit ,set his clothes in the bag and saw the looks the men had.


"Thought you guys would like to see something from my age......damn may need to replace the frame soon.."

Recovering slightly, Prius grabbed his vox.

"Stormtrooper unit to infirmary 3-R. Secure all entrances and exits, no one is to leave or enter without explicit Inquisitorial authorization."

His eyes kept drifting to the image.

I am not worthy...

Gix goggled. Then he triggered his vox. "Cancel stormtroopers. Inquisitional authority. Code Primus omega imperius."

Prius blinked at Gix. This was... monumental. This was worth the lives of every person on the station, and indeed the planet below.

He'd sooner guard it with space marines, but none were present.

Pater was making a whirring noise, like a helicopter's blades revving up. This was the closest he had been to true greatness in his life.

"If you know a location with a decent scanner I can get you gentlemen coppies of this if you want?"

Nathan was looking at them puzzled as Commodore Novadloian walked in .

Prius looks like he wants to say something, but his mouth is working like a fish.

Gix spoke in a level tone. "Inquisitor Talstrem was appointed by the Emperor himself. In person. It is logical that he would have a pic to commemerate such a momentous event. I would not presume to tell such a man what to do with such a holy relic with which he has a close personal connection."

He doesn't even know the signifigance of it. He has no idea, Emperor help him. He had this in his possession this whole time...

"Inquisitor... Talstrem... do you know just what this means?"

I have looked upon the Emperor. I have been blessed in life far beyond my station.

"No I do not.This is merely an image to show others where my authority derives from....surely you have an image of the Emperor...I know my Colonel in the Army did. I also have my papers from that day..I saw no reason to be rid of them"

"Inquisitor... armies would march for such an image. Planets would burn. These are not... available in this time."

He can't help it, he looks again, then averts his eyes once more.

" Ah well....." Nathan looks thoughtful...." Commodore do you have anything that can make a copy of a visual image?"

Pater cleared his throat carefully. "First-hand images of the Emperor are only available in Shrines nowadays, Nathan. Even then they are usually in very, very poor condition."

"Our beloved Emperor has been encased in the Golden Throne for 10,000 years and carefuly guarded. Few have the privalege of seeing him."

"I am no Ecclesiarch, but I do not know if... copying... His divine image is considered... permissible."

"Well..." Nathan watche as Lena pales and drops to her knees seeing the pic.

"Inquisitor Talstrem comes from the time of the Great Crusade when such images were common. It would difficult to find a more authoritative source on the matter and he would not have made a heretical offer."